The Modern Scandinavian
Translated by Ian Adams
Matthias Wahls, Karsten Muller & Hannes Langrock
The Modern Scandi...
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The Modern Scandinavian
Translated by Ian Adams
Matthias Wahls, Karsten Muller & Hannes Langrock
The Modern Scandinavian Themes, Structures & Plans in an Increasingly Popular Chess Opening
New In Chess 2011
© 2 011 New In Chess Published by New In Chess, Alkmaar, The Netherlands www.newinchess. com All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval sys tem or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy ing, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission from the publisher. Cover design: Steven Boland Supervisor: Peter Boel Proofreading: Rene Olthof Production: Jan van de Mortel, Anton Schermer ISBN: 9 7 8-90-5 6 91-3 44-1
Contents
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Preface to the English Edition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0 Chapter 1 : Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 1. I The basic idea.
II
I. 2 White's lead in development.....................................................
12
1.3 White's advantage in space .
16
I.4 Material distribution.......................................................... I. 5 The character of the opening .........................
21 22
Chapter 2: The standard centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 29
2.1 White seizes the initiative. .. .... ....
2.3 The white bishop pair.
......... ..............
2.4 The light-square strategy.
........... ...
2.5 Castling for White and Black..
............
2.6 The black pawns.. 2.7 The Scandinavian bishop.
54
. .... ... ...... .. ............ .. ..
2.2 Weak pawns and squares in White's camp.
10 6
.................. 127 . ....... .. ...
13 3
.. ..... .... . ... ........................ 168 .. . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
I 72 186
2.8 The Scandinavian queen ...... .......... 2.9 The dark-squared bishop ... ...... ........
..............
1 97
2.10 White gets in f4-f5.
... .................
20 3
2.1 1 Black prevents f4 -f5
..... ....... . .... ......
............. ....
20 6 210
2.12 g2-g4 ........................................................
212
2.13 White uses the e4-square as an outpost... .... . .. . . .... ..... ............. 2.14 White transfers the queen's bishop via e1 (f2) to g3 . ... ....... ............ . 2.15 Black plays against the weak h2-square (.....11i.d 6, ...'Wc7).. ....... . 2.16 White castles kingside, Black castles queenside .
.. 2 13 .... 2 13 . .. 2 14
. . ... ....
2.17 The disadvantages of ...gxf6 ... . . . ............. . ..
2 I7
..... ....... ......... .
Chapter 3 : The dxe5 -centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3 5
3. I Where does the knight go' .
23 5
3.2 Black superiority on the d-file.
.. .... . .
2 40
.... .... .
3 .3 Weak pawn on eS. 3.4 Weak square on d6......... 3 .5 A white pawn on f4 . . . .. ...
23 9
.............
. . ... .... . . . ......... .............. ............. .... .
241
. ..... .. .................
242
3.6 The endgame ............ .... .... ..... ......... .... ...... ... . .. . .... . . . . ...
245
3.7 Bishops o f opposite colours .........
247
..... . .... .... ....
3.8 The advance ...d5-d4 .. ..... ..... ... .... . ... ...... .... ........... . .... ........
250
3.9 White's majority gets rolling.
251
Chapter 4: The fxe5 -centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 5 3 Chapter 5 : The synunetrical centre after ... exd5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 5 5 Chapter 6 : The exchange centre after ... cxd5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 5 7 Chapter 7: The queenside majority centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 5 9 Chapter 8 : The isolated pawn centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 6 1 Chapter 9: The multi-isolani centre (d4 against e6 / c6) . . . . . . . . . . . 2 64 5
T h e M o d e rn Sc and i na v i an
Chapter 1 0 : The little centre (d3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 6 5 I0.1 The Scandinavian bishop is restricted
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10.2 White expands with a2-a3, b2-b4.
I0.3 Black plays ...e7 -e5 . I0.4 gxf6-structure.
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Chapter 1 1 : The fianchetto centre (d3 , g3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 69 I 1.1 Kingside expansion with f2-f4 and g3-g4
11.2 Queenside expansion with b4-b5 . 11.3 Black counterfianchetto . . . . . . . .
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Chapter 1 2 : The empty centre ( d2 , b4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 7 5 :bfb I and il.a3 ........... ...... ........ 27 5
12.1 White pressunzes Black s queens1de with b4 -b50
12.2 Black neutralizes the queenside pressure and achieves domination of the centre .
......... 276
Chapter 1 3 : The dynamic centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 7 7 I 3.I White lead in development
13.2 Black lead in development
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13.3 The discovered attack t2Jf3 xe5 . 13.4 Sacrificing a central pawn
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2 80
Chapter 1 4: The open centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 84 2 84
14.1 Black plays...e 7-e5 i n the standard centre. 14.2 White lead in development. 14.3 The bad iloc8
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14.4 Black lead in development
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14.5 The c7 -square after an exchange of queens.
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Chapter 1 5 : The Viking centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 1 15 .1 The opposition of'll¥dl/l:!d8 ................. ........ ................ .. ..... ... 2 91 15 .2 Black bursts open White's centre with . ..e7-e5 15 .3 The Viking bishop on g4
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15.4 White pushes forward with his pawns 15 .5 White plays o\il.b5
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2 94 300
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Chapter 1 6: The Philidor centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 1 1 16.1 White plays il.e2 .
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16.2 The white bishop is on c4
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3 II 3 15
Chapter 1 7: Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 1 9 Chapter 1 8: Theoretical Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 7 Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 59 New In Chess Code System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 59 Index of Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 6 0 Index o f Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 6 5
6
Preface When Modernes Skandinavisch 1 appeared nine years ago , no one could have guessed how popular the line with 2 . . . 'i¥xd5 would one day become. Moreover, at the time it was regarded to be insufficient to achieve equality, or even unsound. Fortunately, since then a lot of work has been put into this opening, especially by unprejudiced amateur chess lovers. This variation got a new chance, and , on the whole, it has not disappointed its fans. In many cases, it has become the nucleus of a repertoire for Black. Even many grandmasters will produce it from time to time as their second defence. There are, however, several reasons for its popularity with amateurs. First and foremost , there is probably the relative lack of learning which is necessary. At a time when opening theory is growing at a dizzying pace, many of the fans of this defence are extremely thankful that there is in fact one which needs so little main tenance as our Scandinavian. Otherwise one usually has to choose between high performance opening systems which necessitate huge quantities of study time, and rubbish variations which are quick to assimilate and even quicker to dispose of. The Scandinavian combines the best of both worlds : solid quality on one side, and on the other a digestible number of variations that have to be learnt by heart. The explanation for this phenomenon is in two respects based on structural grounds. When you look at the variation tree, it only takes two moves for us to be in our line: l . e4 dS 2 . exd5 (more or less forced) 2 . . . 'i¥xd5 . Voil.J. ! I know many players who take on board the enormous theoretical baggage of the Naj dorf Sicilian (in my active days I was one of them) . But I hear lots of them groaning : ' If I could only get the Naj dorf on the board ! All I seem to meet are sub-variations of the Sicil ian , 2 . c 3 and so on and so forth.' In fact as a fan of the Naj dorf, you have not solved your problems j ust because you can recite all the lines in the Poisoned Pawn by heart. Such problems do not exist in the Scandinavian : l . e4 dS and White cannot escape anymore. The second reason has to do with the pawn structure. In the majority of all cases , the same standard pawn centre appears with a white pawn on d4 and black pawns on e6 and c 6 . The stability of this pawn constellation confers a static character on the position. Sharp, forcing lines are the exception. The Scandinavian is unques tionably a model opening. General plans and strategic motifs are much more im portant than luxuriant variation trees. You can also steer the course through the opening moves relatively easily without extensive theoretical knowledge, simply by making use of patterns and structural rules. This leads us straight into the subj ect of this book. Whereas Modernes Skandinavisch 1 was essentially a book about theory, its successor is all about struc ture. Therefore it is more a book about the middlegame than about the opening. Of course, we are discussing only those typical middlegame structures which arise in the Scandinavian Defence. All the important plans , pawn structures and a multiplic7
T h e M o d e rn Sc and i na v i an
ity of strategic and tactical motifs will be presented through the medium of whole games. It has been recognized that a knowledge of the strategic plans associated with an opening and an understanding of its basic structure is more important than learn ing variations parrot-fashion. Someone with a deep knowledge of ' theory ' , but with no positional understanding , can easily be led away from the main paths and confronted with serious problems by his opponent. Even if your opponent should be cooperative, even the longest main line comes to an end at some point. Then your ' theory buff' is cast back on his own resources and starts to make mistakes. But if you are familiar with the basic ideas of a variation , the correct moves can be worked out logically at any point. Rote learning has another, decisive, disadvantage. If a person does not have a photographic memory, unstructured knowledge very quickly fades. It is as good as impossible to try to retain over a long period of time a number consisting of thirty digits , unless you are in possession of special memorizing techniques , which con fer structure 1 This circumstance is linked to the nature of the human brain. The brain organizes itself, creates patterns and a system with which to recognize the patterns. Finding your way through a game of chess is done on the basis of pre-ac quired patterns. Another advantage of the structural approach as compared to the theoretical , is the fact that it does not take up either space or time. Looking into typical central formations, for example, will also be useful for the study of similar openings. The structural relationship between two openings means that motifs from one, perhaps in a somewhat changed form , can be carried over into the other. As far as time is concerned, the knowledge of structures, unlike that of specific opening lines, is never out of date. It pervades one 's personal understanding of chess. In concrete terms this book is organized as follows : To begin with, the most important strategic themes are presented individually. These constitute the preferences and thus also the winning plans for both sides. From White 's point of view the themes are : a lead in development, an advantage in space, and the bishop pair. Black's intentions concern the exploitation of White 's weak pawns and squares, and also dynamic counterchances. The main section looks into the individual pawn structures. In fact, we have dis covered 24 different set-upsl The deviations from the standard structure with a white d4 pawn and black pawns on e 6 and c6 arise above all in sidelines , i.e. earlier alternatives for White. The so-called derivative structures are of greater importance. Here we are describing descendants of the standard structure which come into be ing as a result of an exchange of pawns or pieces. The meticulousness with which we examine the individual structures is due to the fact that the pawns really are the soul of chess. Whereas the pieces are the actual combatants , it is the pawns which define and delimit the field of play. They indicate which plans are appropriate and which are not. It is they who decide whether the pieces are heroes or bystanders. Professionals investigate with great precision the pawn structures which are typical 8
P r ef a c e
o f their favourite variations, because every pawn structure has its own laws. Only those who understand such laws as they apply to any system are able to handle it successfully. At the end you will find an appendix devoted to opening theory. This is in a way a necessary break with the style of the book which we owe to our readers. Since players with white have had to accept that the Scandinavian is an opening which must be taken seriously. they have started to work out methods to combat it. The most dangerous of these in our opinion is the Kupreichik Variation , which arises after the moves : l . e4 dS 2 . exd5 �xdS 3 . tt:lc3 't!VaS 4 . d4 c 6 S .�c4 tt:lf6 6 .�d2 . Our recommendation here is unambiguous : it is best to simply avoid it. At this point we deviate from the above move order recommended in Modernes Skandinavisch 1 and replace the move 4 . . . c6 by 4 . . . tt:lf6 . This gives Black the option, after S . �c4 , of playing S . . . tt:lc6 or S . . . �g4 in order to exploit the early decision about where to place White 's king 's bishop by playing aggressively. In contrast to my previous work, this book is a co-production of several authors. I have provided the structure and some of the sample games. Dr Karsten Muller has assembled the maj ority of the game materials and done almost all of the analytical work. He is therefore by a long chalk the main contributor. And finally, the text of the book has been revised by Hannes Langrock. The book is therefore the result of teamwork involving three players , who actually also came from a team , the Bundesliga team of the Hamburger Chess Club. My personal adventure with the Scandinavian began with that team and closes with it also on the completion of this volume. In conclusion, may I thank from the bottom of my heart the members of my team ! Without their help this book would never have been finished. Another mem ber of the team is of course my publisher, ]iir gen Daniel. who showed me an unbe lievable amount of patience. Just as much patience has been required of all of you who read the first volume and had to wait for several years for the continuation promised in it. Especially to all of you my thanks must go! I hope that you will have been rewarded for your wait and I wish you much enj oyment when you read it! Matthias Wah/s,
Summer 2 0 0 6
9
T h e M o d e rn Sc and i n a v i an
Preface to the English Edition Back in 1 9 9 7 , Matthias Wahls published Modernes Skandinavisch (referenced as in this book) , an opening book in classical format. Due to its enormous success, the second volume Modernes Skandinavisch 2 was published in 2 0 0 6 , which deals with the strategic and tactical ideas behind the Modern Scandi navian. The book that you are now reading is mainly Modernes Skandinavisch 2. However, most of our English readers will not be familiar with the first volume and miss the theoretical references of that book. Therefore for the English edition , we have included a condensed, but complete repertoire for Black that reflects the re cent theoretical developments and which allows you to play the Scandinavian right away. This repertoire can be found in Chapter 1 8 . Especially h elpful and valuable sources were Jovanka Houska 's excellent book Starting Out: The Scandinavian, Chris tian Bauer's new work Play the Scandinavian and articles and analysis by the French expert Eric Prie. Furthermore, we added a chapter with exercises so that you can test your newly acquired knowledge.
Modernes Skandinavisch 1
Finally we want to thank Christopher Lutz from Chessgate and Allard Hoogland from New In Chess for their good cooperation , and Peter Boel , Jan van de Mortel , Anton Schermer and Rene Olthof for their good j ob producing the book. We wish all our readers a lot of success with the Modern Scandinavian ! Karsten Muller and Han nes Langrock,
Summer 2 0 1 0
10
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 The basic idea
Fundamentally. in the Scandinavian Black would like to complete his development quietly in order to then slowly bring pressure to bear on White 's weaknesses. Fre quently this is not difficult for him , since many players of the white pieces do not go into this opening in any great depth and thus their actions are not particularly well focussed. Slack play by White does not present much of a danger to Black, but rather protects his compact pawn structure. In the following game, Matthias himself fell prey to this. It was the reason for him to try out the opening as Black at a later date : The interesting alternative 5 . . �g4 will be represented by a few games.
1.1
.
Matthias Wahls Curt Hansen Tastrup I 9 9 2
6 .�c4 e6 7.�d2 c6
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 V&'xd 5
2 . . . t2Jf6 is a principled alternative, but is not part of the subj ect of this book. 3 .t2Jc3 'iVa5
Here too there are alternatives , 3 . . 'iVd6 and 3 . . 'iVd8 . We consider the text move to be stronger. .
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4.d4 t2Jf6 5.t2Jf3 �f5
This set-up (followed by . . . c6 and . . . e6) constitutes the nucleus of our treatment of the opening.
A typical pawn structure has arisen. It is very solid and hard to break down, es pecially if White is not decisive enough in his actions. l l
T h e M o d e rn Sc and i na v i an
8.'iVe2 �b4 9.tt:le5 tt:lbd7 1 0.tt:lxd 7 tt:lxd 7 1 1 .a3 �xc3 1 2.�xc3
The exchange of bishop for knight leads to a typical piece constellation in which White has the bishop pair. By al lowing it, Black is pinning his hopes on the relatively closed position (the �c3 is hampered by the pawn on d4) and on his superiority on the light squares. 1 2 ... 'iVc7 1 3 .0-0 0-0 1 4.�a 2 ? !
The plan is �b2 , c2 -c4 and b 3 -b4. But this is all too slow. 1 7... tt:ld5 1 8.�b2 .!:!.adS 20 . .!:i.e5?
tt:lf4
1 9.'iVd2
2 0 . c4 ? ! e S ; 2 0 .'lllY c l . 20 ... tt:l g 6 ?
20 .. . f6 2 l . l:i.ee I cS with the initiative, for example 2 2 .'lllV c 3 l:id7 2 3 .'lllY x c5 �xc2 . 21 . .!:i.e3
From this point on, White moves with out a plan. Basically he wants to open the position by means of pawn advances so that he can make the most of his bishops. But things are not that simple. 14 .. Jlfe8 1 5 .llfe 1 tt:lf6 1 7.b3?
h6
1 6 .llad 1
Black already has a very pleasant posi tion. He has the more active pieces and play down the d-file. Since Hansen needed half a point to win the tournament, the game ended as a draw here.
1.2 White's lead in development
Obviously Black loses time with his early queen moves and in doing so sins against the classical principles of development. But experience has shown that this provo cation can be j ustified on account of his sound structure. That is the reason why you are now reading this book. 1 .2. 1 White plays forcefully
In some lines White tries to exploit his lead in development by forceful, aggressive play, which will demand the greatest of care of Black. In the next game, this proves too much for him. 12
C h a p t e r I: In t r o d uc t i on
1.2
Black sufficient counterplay Westerinen-Prie , Andorra 1 9 9 4 .
Viswanathan Anand Joel Lautier Biel 1 9 9 7
in
1 2 ... �g 2 ! ?
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'iYxd 5 3 .t2J c3 'iYa5 4.d4 tLlf6 5 .tLlf3 c6 6 .�c4 �f5 7.tLle5 !?
White now starts an attack on the ' Scan dinavian bishop ' . 7... e6 8.g4 �g6 9.h4
It was possible to remove the bishop from the danger zone at once : 1 2 . . . .2.d5 13 .�d3 0 - 0 - 0 14.�d2 'il¥b6 ! I 5 .t2:Jxd5 exd5 (Rublevsky-Lastin, ch-RUS 19 9 5 ) should equalize. 1 3 .l:!.e3!
After 13 .llg3 ?1 �dS there can follow . . . �d6 , winning a tempo. 1 3 ...tLl b 6 ?
Now Black gets himself into serious trouble. Eric Prie 's 13 . . . 'il¥c7 ! is much better. According to Jovanka Houska the line 14.l:!.g3 (14. f3 ? runs into 14 . . . 'i�Vh2 ) 1 4 . . . � d 5 15 . �xd5 cxd5 16 .�e2 � e 7 1 7 . � d 2 l:!. c 8 18 . 0 - 0 - 0 'iYc4 gives Black good play.
9 ...tLlbd 7 !
I n such sharp positions a knowledge o f concrete variations is a n advantage, be cause one is skating on thin ice : 9 . . . �b4? 1 0 . �d 2 tLl e 4 (10 . . . � b 6 11 .'iYe2 'iYxd4 does not give White 's initiative enough credit. Punishment was swift in Granara Barreto-Conde Ponderosa, carr. 19 9 9 : 1 2 . 0 - 0 - 0 �xc3 13 .�xc3 'iYf4+ 14. Wb1 tLle4 1 S . l:!.d4 tbxc3 + 1 6 . bxc3 �f6 1 7 .h5 1-0) 11. f3 ' as in Campora-Cu. Hansen, Palma de Mallorca 19 8 9 (Game 2 .10 I ) is clearly better for White, since the advance h4-h5 is in the air. 1 O.t2:Jxd 7 1 2J:l h 3
t2:Jxd 7
1 1 .h5
1 4.�d 3
14.�b3 ? 0 - 0 - 0 1 5 . �d2 �b4 1 6 . a 3 �xc3 1 7 .�xc3 'it'g5 oo . 1 4 ...tLld5
.2.e4
12 . 0 - 0 �d5 13 . tLlxd5 cxd5 14.�d3 �d6 15 .c3 g 6 1 6 .�d2 'il¥d8 1 7 . W g 2 gxh5 1 8 . g 5 �e7 19 .'{ifxh5 0 - 0 - 0 gave
1 5 .f3 !
The point, burying the bishop on g 2 . 1 5 ... �b4 13
The M o d e rn Sc and i na v i an
A) I S . . . ti.lxc 3 1 6 . bx c 3 'i¥xc 3 + 1 7 .Jild2 "i¥xd4 1 8 . � f2 lilxf3 1 9 . Wxf3 ± (Anand in CBM 6 0 ) ; B ) 1 5 . . . ti.lxe 3 1 6 . .iilx e 3 .iila 3 1 7 .Jilc l Jilb4 1 8 . �fl .iilx c3 1 9 . bxc3 "i¥xc3 2 0 .Jild2 "i¥xd4+ 2 1 . Wxg2±; C) I S . . . 'i!'c7 1 6 .Wf2 'i!'h2 1 7 .ti.lxdS ( 1 7 .'l!'g l ? ? 'l!'xg l + 1 8 . �xg l ti.lxe 3 I 9 .lilxe 3 lilxf3 -+) I 7 . . . lilh3 + 1 8 . We I 'l!'g 3 + 1 9 .Wd2 cxdS 2 0 ."i¥e l ± . 1 6 .Wf2 Jilxc3 1 8J:i b 1 "i¥xd4
1 7. bxc3
20 . . . ti.lxe 3 1 2 I ..iilx e 3 "iVe S 2 2 . hxg 7 J::[g 8 2 3 .'l!'g l .iilxf3 2 4 . �xf3 (Anand) .
"i¥xc3
After 1 8 . . . ti.lxe 3 1 9 . .iilx e 3 .iilx f3 2 0 . �xf3 0 - 0 - 0 the powerful white bishops should finally come into their element. 1 9.J::[ x b7 J::[ d 8
Now Anand plays the brilliant combi nation that turned this game into an ev ergreen. Still , Black had little choice : A) 1 9 . . . lilh3 2 0 .J::[x f7 ! cS 2 I. . l:.f5 ! ! (Lautier) 2 1 . . . ti.lxe 3 2 2 .lilxe3 �b2 23 . .l:i.xc5 0-0 2 4 . Wg 3 +- (Anand) ; B) 1 9 . . . ti.lf4 2 0 . W g 3 "i¥d6 2 I .Jila3 ' ti.lxh S + ( 2 1 . . . "i¥xa3 2 2 . Jilb 5 ti.ld 3 2 3 . .iilx c6 + �f8 2 4 . �xd3 ) 2 2 . �xg2 �g 3 + 2 3 . Wfl . 20.h 6 ! ! gxh6?
21 .Jilg 6 ! !
A very beautiful discovered attack ! 21 ...ti.le7
A) 2 1 . . . "i¥xe3 + 2 2 .lilxe3 fxg6 2 3 .lilc5; B) 2 1 . . . "i¥ f6 2 2 . lilxf7 + 'i!Vxf7 2 3 . l: h f7 ti.lxe 3 2 4 . "i¥xd8 + ! �xd8 2S . .iilx e3 Jilh3 2 6 ..l ha 7 ; C) 2 I . . .'lWxd l 2 2 .J::[x e 6 + � f8 2 3 .lilxh6 + �g8 24.lilxf7 #; D) 2 l . . . ti.lxe 3 2 2 . lilxf7 + � f8 2 3 .'iWxd4 �xd4 2 4 . lilxe3 l:[d s ? ' 2 5 .lilxh6 # . 22 .i¥xd4 J::[x d4 23 . .l:i.d 3 ! ? .!::!. d 8 24.J:bd8+ wxd8 25.lild3 1 -0
2 5 . . . lilh l 2 6 .Jilb 2 .l:'.te8 2 7 .lilf6 .
1 .2.2 Black loses even more time
Because of the loss of time at the start of the game caused by the many queen moves, inherent to this system , Black cannot afford any further dilatory play. 1 .3 Mikhail Rodin Philip Piraev Kazan 1 9 95
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'iWxd5 3 .t:bc3 'tWaS 4.d4 tt:lf6 5 .ti.lf3 Jilf5 6 .Jilc4 e6 7.lil d 2 c6 8.i¥e2 tt:l b d 7
14
9.0-0-0 �c7 ? !
9 . . . lilb4 is required , to complete his de velopment. 1 O.tt:le5 ! tt:lxe5?
After this White gets a strong initiative on the kingside. I O . . . lilb4 is better.
C h a p t e r 1: In t r o d uc t i on
1 1 .dxe5 tLld5 1 2 .g4 tLJxc3?
This exchange also comes at a cost , be cause White is now fully mobilised and obtains a powerful initiative. 1 2 . . . gg6 would be better, even if White is better after 1 3 . f4 0 - 0 - 0 1 4 . .l:!. hfl . 1 3 .gxc3 gg6 1 4.f4 h 5
White should not allow Black to castle out of trouble by I 5 .h3 hxg4 I 6 . hxg4 .l:!.xh I I 7 Jhh I 0 - 0 - 0 . 1 5 .f5 !
Opens the position in textbook fashion. 1 5 ... exf5 1 6 .e6 f6 1 7.gxf5 gxf5 1 8.'ii' f 2 ! g 6 1 9 . .l:!.d 7
And the battle is over. After the forced exchange of queens , the black pieces will lack coordination. White 's passed pawn can no longer be stopped. 1 9 ...'ii' b6 20.'ii' x b6 axb6 21 .gxf6 g h G + 2 2 . W b 1 l:rf8 23 . .l:!.e 7 + wd8 24J:l d 1 + w c 8 2 5 .lled 7 .l:!.a5 26 . .l:!.d8+ .l:!.xd8 27Jbd8+ wc7 28.e7 1 -0
1 .2. 3 Black does not keep the position closed
Because he is behind in tempi, it is very much in Black's interest to keep the posi tion closed. In the following encounter he disregarded this maxim.
1 .4 Douglas Gibson Hamilton Dimitry Partsi Penrith 2 0 03
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 �xd 5 3 .tLlc3 �a5 4.d4 c6 5 .tLlf3 tLlf6 G.gd2 �c7?! 7.gc4 gf5 8.tLle5 e6 1 0.0-0-0 gb4 9.�e2 tLlbd 7 1 1 .g4 tLJxe5 1 2 .gxf5 tLJxc4 1 3 .'ii' xc4 gxc3 1 4.�xc3 exf5?
This opening of the position is abso lutely fatal . The black king is now trapped in the middle. 1 4 . . . tLle4 I 5 . 'ii' f3 ( I 5 . � e 3 tLl x d 2 1 6 . .l:!.xd2 0 - 0-0 1 7 . fxe6 .l:!. h e 8 1 8 . �a3 J:!.xe 6 1 9 .�xa7 �f4�) I 5 . . . tLlxd2 1 6 . J:!.xd2 0 - 0 - 0 was better.
1 5 . .l:i. h e 1 + w d 7
A powerful attack is also set in motion after 1 5 . . . Wf8 1 6 .�c5 + W g 8 1 7 .'ii' xf5 'i¥xh2 1 8 . l:r g 1 . 1 6 .'ii' f 3 g 6
1 6 . . . 'it> c 8 1 7 . d 5 tLlxd 5 ( 1 7 . . . c x d 5 1 8.gc 3 ) 1 8.'ii' xf5 + 'i¥d7 1 9 .'ii' x d 7 + IS
T h e M o d e rn Sc a n d i n a v i a n
Wxd7 2 0 .c4 CiJc 7 2 l . �c 3 + i s lost in the long run as well. 1 7.�f4 'liaS
1 8 ... wc8 1 9.�xf7?!
1 9 . .l:.e7 would have been quicker. 1 9 ... CiJdS 20.'i¥e6+ Wd8 2 1 .�eS .!::t e a 22 .�f6+ wc7 23 .'i¥f7+ Wb6 24J:!.xe8 .ll x e8 2S .'¥Vxe8 'li'xa 2 26 .�d8+ was 27.�e1 'i¥a 1 + 28.W d 2 'i¥xb2 29.l�a 1 + WbS 1 -0
1 7 . . . 'i¥d8 1 8 . �g5 h 6 1 9 .d5 1 cS 2 0 . d 6 . 1 8.'i¥b3
This double attack decides the game.
1.3 White's advantage in space
Because of his d4 pawn White gets more space in the centre by definition. This is not yet threatening . because a surplus of space is not in itself of any value. It is only when it contributes to limiting the activity of the black pieces and enhancing the freedom of its own forces that it can be become an advantage. 1 .3 . 1 Black lets himselfbe tied up
Of course Black should be careful not to let White 's advantage in space become too great . Otherwise he is in danger of being all tied up, as seen in the next example. 1 .5 Gustavo German Raimundo Garcia Buenos Aires I 99 5
1 .e4 d S 2 .exdS 'iYxd S 3 .CiJc3 �as 4.d4 c6 S .CiJf3 CiJf6 6.�c4 �fS 7.CiJeS e6 8.g4
in doing so achieves a noticeable gain of space on the kingside. The downside of this violent plan con sists of a lasting weakening of the pawn structure. Should Black manage to fend off his op ponent's assault, the advanced white kingside pawns would be a welcome target in the endgame. 8 ... �g6 9.�d 2 CiJ b d 7 1 0.�e2 CiJxeS?
Better is I O . . . �b4. 1 1 .dxeS CiJd7 1 2 .f4 �b4
This is one of the most aggressive methods of fighting against the Scandi navian . With gain of tempo, White opens the hunt on the ' Scandinavian bishop ' and 16
Naturally Black cannot allow himself to fall even further behind in time, as wit ness the followin g vanatwn : 1 2 . . . �xc2 ? 1 3 . l:k 1 �g6 1 4 .h4 hS I S . fS �h7 ( ! S . . . exfS 1 6 . e 6 ) 1 6 . CiJdS �d8 1 7 . CiJf4 with a strong attack. 1 3 .a3 0-0-0 1 4.0-0-0 �xc3 ?!
Chapter I: Introduction
This makes things simple for White, since the advance f4-f5 can no longer be stopped. For practical consideration s , Black would have done better here to stir up some confusion. For example : 14 . . . 1ha 3 1 S . tt:lb5 (15.bxa 3 ? 'ifxa3 + 16 . �b1 tt:lb6 gives Black strong counterplay) 15 . . . �b4 16 . tt:ld 6 + <;t>bs 17 .�xb4 'Mrfxb4 1 8 . f5 'ifaS 19 . fx g 6 tt:lxeS 2 0.b1 hxg 6 2 l .c3 . 1 5.�xc3 'ifc7 1 6 .�df1 !
20.f6 !
White exploits the unprotected tt:lc4 for the decisive blow. 20 ... .!:Id7
20 . . . gxf6 21.'i¥g4+ . 2 1 .fxg 7 .t:!.g8 2 2 .e6 fxe6 2 3JU8+ .l:r.d8 24Jbg8 .t:rxg 8 25 . .t:!.f1 1 -0
In the next game, White 's expansion does not start until the middlegame : 1. 6 White rightly doesn't care about the d-file and puts all his hopes on the breakthrough f4-fS . After the exchange on fS he can bring his rooks to good use on fl and g 1 . 1 6 ...tt:lb6 1 7.f5?!
1 7 .�b 3 was more exact, for example 17 . . . h5 1 8 . f5 exfS 1 9 . gxf5 �h 7 2 0 . .t:!.hg 1 tt:ldS 2 l ..t:!.x g 7 tt:lxc3 2 2 .bxc3 �g 8 2 3 . e 6 'Mrfe 7 2 4 . �b 2 . 1 7... exf5?
Only the move 1 7 . . . tt:lxc4 would have allowed Black to continue the struggle. Nevertheless, his position would still have been quite untenable. 1 8.gxf5 �h5 1 9.'ifxh5 tt:lxc4
Klaus-Uwe Miiller Wolfgang Hassler Germany Oberliga 1 9 9 4/9 5
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 'Mrfxd5 3 .tt:lc3 'Mrfa5 4.tt:lf3 tt:lf6 5.�e2 ! ?
This modest looking developing move contains an original idea : the black queen will be attacked by b 2 -b4 after Black has developed his queen's bishop. For that reason, the variation could be described as an improved version of the Mieses Gambit ( 4. b4) . This line became especially popular af ter Nigel Short's impressive victory over Ian Rogers in Tilburg 19 9 2 . In Ger many, it has been experimented with mostly by the grandmaster from Erfurt, Thomas Luther. 17
T he M odern Scandinavian
5 . ..Ci:lc6 !?
1 4 . .l'ae1 ti:lbd 7
Just like after 5 . £c4 ti:lc6 Black can try to make use of the early development of White 's king 's bishop in order to find the most active squares for his own pieces. 5 . . . £f5 ? ! 6 . b4! 'iWxb4 7 . .l:!.b 1 followed by 8 . .l:.xb 7 ; 5 . . . c 6 . 6 . 0-0 £g4 ? ! 7.h 3 ! £ h 5 8.d3
1 5 .g4!
And White kills two birds with one stone. He puts the black bishop in diffi culties and with the regrouping of his own bishop brings pressure to bear on the black queenside. 1 5 ... £g6 1 6 .£f1 0-0
Because of the inclusion of 7 .h3 ! £h5 the black queen no longer has square f5 available. Results suggest that Black has some difficulties in demonstrating full equality. Something needs to be done by the supporters of 5 . . . ti:lc6 . 8 ...e 6 9.£d 2 £e7 1 0.a3 'YWc5 1 1 . b4
After an (optically) reserved beginning of the game, White now starts an im pressive expansion strategy. 1 1 .. .'t!Yd 6 1 2 . b5 ti:lb8?!
1 2 . . . ti:le5 would be preferable. 1 3 .'i¥c1 !?
1 3 .ti:lg5 £xe2 1 4. 'YWxe2 . 1 3 ...'YWd8
1 3 . . . ti:lbd 7 7 ! 1 4 . £f4 e 5 ? 1 5 . ti:lxe 5 ! £xe2 ( 1 5 . . . ti:lxe 5 1 6 . 'YWe3 ) 1 6 . ti:lf3 'YW e 6 1 7 . .l:.e 1 . 18
1 6 . . . h5 ?! 1 7 . g 5 ti:lh 7 1 8 .£g2 intending 1 8 . 0.Jh4. 1 7.£g 2 a 6 1 8.ti:lh4
White secures the bishop pair and with it a lasting advantage. 1 8 . . .ti:lc5 1 9.ti:lxg6 h x g 6 20.a4 .l:!.e8 21 .tt:Je2 'YWca 2 2 .'YWb2 tt:J d 5 2 3 .d4 tt:J d 7 24.c4
Black is pushed back further and fur ther. 24 ... tt:J5b6 25.'YWb3 axb5 26 .axb5 tt:Jf6 27.g5 tt:J h 7 28.h4
This move paralyses the second black knight too. 28 .. Jid8 29.£e3 tt:Jf8 3 0.tt:Jc3 .ll x a 1 31 . .l:.xa 1 e5 32.d5 �g4?
A more stubborn defence would have been 3 2 . . . tt:Jbd 7 3 3 . ti:Je4 b 6 , although White 's advantage is unquestionable.
Chapter
33 .c5 tt:l b d 7 34.�a4
This move had probably been over looked by Black. 34 ...�f5 35 .tt:le4 tt:lb8 36.tt:lg3 �d 7 3 7.c6 bxc6 38. bxc6 �ea 39.tt:le4 Wh8
1:
Introduction
3 9 . . . f5 ? 40 . d 6 + . 40.l:!.a 7 tt:l h 7
40 . . . I:rc8 4 1 .�h3 . 41 . .l:lxc7
Black resigned.
1 .3.2 Space advantage as an obligation
The popularity of the Scandinavian Defence has a lot to do with the downside of a space advantage : the inevitable weakening of squares. This becomes dangerous for White when he over-extends his position and thus allows Black to make a frontal breakthrough. The games which follow are a testament to such accidents : 1 .7 Igor Bitansky Eli Vovsha Israel tt 2 0 0 0
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 'i¥xd 5 3 .tt:lc3 'Yi'a5 4.d4 tt:lf6 5.tt:lf3 c6 6 .�c4 �f5 7.�d 2 e6 8.�e2 �b4 9.a3 tt:l b d 7 1 0.0-0 �xc3 1 1 .�xc3 'Yi'c7 1 2J:!ad 1
A) 1 2 .�b3 0 - 0 1 3 . .!:1ad 1 a5 t 7 1 4.CLle5 bS . Black's light-squared strategy which is linked to queenside expansion finally led to success in Nunn-Hodgson (Game 8. 2) . Of course the situation is not quite clear in this case ; B) 1 2 .!Hc 1 0-0 1 3 .CLle 5 b S 1 4 .CLlxd 7 'i¥xd 7 1 5 .�a2 aS 1 6 .:C.d 1 .I:!.fb8<=t, Lyrberg-Danielsen , Copenhagen 1 9 9 9 (Game 2 . 2 8 ) . 1 2 ... 0-0 1 3 . h 3 tt:ld5 1 4.�e1 ?
In order to retain his bishop pair, White misplaces his pieces. 1 4 ... b5?
14 . . . ctJf4 I S . �d2 �e4.
1 5 .�b3 �g6?
1 5 . . . ctJf4. 1 6 .tt:le5
1 6 .CLlh4 ! ? . 1 6 ... tt:lxe5 1 7.dxe5 :afd8 1 8.f4 a 5 1 9.g4 !?
At the cost of the safety of his king, White logically directs play against the Scandinavian bishop. The plan is totally sound, but demands great precision. 1 9 ... tt:le7 20Jhd 8+ .!:rxd 8 21 .�f2 a4 2 2 .�a 2 'iVa5 23 .�c5 .l:!. d 2 19
The M odern S candinavian
1 O . . . �d6 ? ! l l . f4 cS 1 2 . g 5 ! ? cxd4 1 3 .l2lb 5 �cS 1 4. f5 ! ! and White had a powerful attack in Aseev-D. Konig , Mu nich 1 9 9 1 / 9 2 . 1 1 .l2lxd5 cxd 5 1 2 .c3 �d6 1 3 .f4 l2lc6 1 4.�e2 .l::i. d 8 1 5 .l2lxc6 bxc6 1 6 . b4 0-0 1 7.f5
1 7 .g5 ! ? . 1 7... e5 1 8.g5 l2ld 7 24.�e 1 ?
Now White is in a delicate tactical situa tion. Needed was 2 4.�e3 ! tLldS ( 2 4 . . . .ll d 7 ? 2 5 . f5 lLlxfS ( 2 5 . . . exf5 2 6 . e 6 ) 2 6 . gxf5 �xfS 2 7 . .l:!.xf5 exfS 2 8 . e 6 ) 2 5 .�e 1 l2lxf4 2 6 . .l:!.xf4 l:l'. g 2 + 2 7 .<;t>fl �xe l + 2 8 . <;t>xe 1 lhc2 2 9 .�e 7 .
1 8 . . . l2le4 ! ? 1 9 . �xe4 dxe4 2 0 .�e3 exd4 2 l . �xd4 cS 2 2 .�e3 �c 7 . Up until this point, White's expansion is j ustified, but now he goes off course.
24 ... �d8! 25.f5 ?
2 5 . �xe 7 ? �d4+ 2 6 . .ll f2 ( 2 6.'�h 1 ? �e4+) 2 6 . . . l:l'.d 1 ; 2 5 . 'i¥h4? �e4 2 6 .�f2 .ll d 1 . Best would have been 2 5 .c4, but Black accepted his opponent's offer of a draw, because he missed the fact that 2 5 . . . t2lxf5 ! wins : 2 6 . b 4 ( 2 6 . gxf5 ? �gS + 2 7 . <;t>h 1 W/ g 2 # ) 2 6 . . . t2ld4. 1 .8 Ernst Schipper Milan Turcan corr. 1 9 9 9
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 �xd 5 3 .l2lc3 �a5 4.d4 c6 5 .l2lf3 l2lf6 6 .l2le5 �f5 7.�c4 e6 8.g4 �e4 ?!
There is nothing wrong with the solid main line 8 . . . �g 6 . 9.0-0 �d5 1 0.�d 3 � b 6 ! ?
An interesting idea which could do with more testing. 20
1 9.�e3?
After 1 9 .�h5 e4 2 0 .�e2 his attacking chances would have remained intact. 1 9 ... e4 20.�c2 a 5 !
Naturally Black looks for counterplay on the queenside. 21 .a3 .ll f e8 2 2 .�f4?
This plays right into Black's hands , since the resulting attack on the king fades into nothing. 22 ... �xf4 23Jbf4 .l:!.a8 24 . .I:!.af1 axb4 25 .axb4 �a3 26.�d 2
2 6.f6? lhc3 2 7 .fxg7 W/xd4+ 2 8 .Wh 1 .lle 7. 26 . . .f6 !
Chapter
I:
Introduction
27.gxf6
2 7 . g 6 h6 2 8.l::r h 4 tt:J e s ! . 27... <1Jxf6 28.l::re 1 'fic7 29.l::r h 4 .l:iea8 30 . .l::!. h 3 l::ra 2 31 .l::r g 3 'tWf7 3 2J::t g 2 J::i. 8 a3 3 3 .'fie3 tt:Je8
Now the knight is activated and he keeps tabs on the fS pawn. After the pawn lever fS -f6 has been pre vented, White 's strategy is left in ruins. Black's queenside invasion more or less plays itself.
34JH2 'fif6 35.b5 .1:1a 1 3 6 . b 6 tt:J d 6 37.1:Ue2 'fixfS 3 8.'tWg 3 'tWd 7 39.�g 2 .!:!.xe 1 40Jbe1 .l:.a2 41 . .l:!.e2 .!:!.b2 0-1
1.4 Material distribution In many variations of the Scandinavian, Black is forced to part with his bishop pair. So White often ends up with two bishops against a bishop and knight, or even two knights. So it is absolutely necessary for an understanding of this opening to be clear about the consequences, which favour either one side or the other. 1 .9 Stefan Kindermann Curt Hansen Plovdiv Ech-tt 1 9 8 3
1 .e4 d S 2.exd5 'fixdS 3.<1Jc3 'fiaS 4.d4 tt:Jf6 5.�c4 c6 6.�d 2 �fS 7.<1Jf3 e6 8.'tWe2 �b4 9.<1Je5 tt:Jbd7 1 0.<1Jxd 7 tt:Jxd 7 1 1 .a3 �xc3
This move is inaccurate, since it allows White to change the pawn structure. Better is I I . . . tt:Jf6 . 1 2.�xc3 'tWc7 1 3 . d 5 !
White opens the position immediately in order to create space for his 'problem bishop ' . With a pawn on d4 the bishop on c3 is by definition a bad bishop. So in his struggle against the bishop pair, Black should try to prevent the ex change of this pawn.
1 3 ... cxd 5
Of course, here Black could cut the white bishop pair in half by I 3 . . . 0 - 0 I 4. dxe6 �xe6 I S .�xe6 .l::!. fe 8 I 6 . 0 - 0 - 0 l::r x e6 , but after I 7 .'ii' g 4 White has the better minor piece. 1 4.�xd5 0-0 1 5 .�f3 tt:Jf6
I S . . Jhc8 I 6 . g4 �g6 I 7 .h4 is danger ous for Black. 2I
The M o d e rn S candinavian
1 6 .J:!.c1 ?
After this Black becomes too active. It would be better to transpose to a fa vourable endgame with 1 6 .�e5 'i¥xc2 1 7 .'i¥xc2 �xc 2 1 8 .�xb 7 �ad8 1 9 . 0 - 0 �b3 2 0 .1::l.a c 1 , Tischbierek-Doncevic, Germany Bundesliga 1 9 9 0 / 9 1 . 1 6 ... tt:J d 5 1 7.'i¥e5
1 7 .�e5 ? ! �aS +<=Z. 1 7.. :�lfxe5 1 8.�xe5 f6 1 9.�g3 b5!
This secures dS for the knight and strengthens his control over the light squares. Now White finds himself obliged to force a draw with : 20.�xd 5
Let us look at a more ambitious contin uation : 2 0 .b 3 ! ? l:rac8 2 1 .c4. The knight is driven away from its dream square. 2 1 . . . bxc4 2 2 . bxc4 llfd8 ! . Or else the bishop comes to d 6 . 2 3 . 0 - 0 CiJe 7 2 4 . c 5 e S . Once again , Black is thinking about hemming in the bishop on g 3 . 2 S . J:!.fd 1 l:l.xd I + 2 6 .�xd 1 g 5 1• This prevents an opening of the position by means of 2 7 . f4. 2 7 . f3 tt:Jc6 2 8 .�f2 Wf7 and Black has a safe position, since White 's bishop pair cannot come into its own , for example 2 9.g4 �g 6 3 0 .�b3 + W e ? 3 1 . '>iif l tt:Jd4 3 L�xd4 exd4 3 3 . 'iiie 1 Wd7 3 4 . �a4+ Wc7 3 S J �c4 .l:I.d8 . 20 ... exd 5
1.5 The character of the opening
The Scandinavian can be described as a counterattacking opening. At first Black al lows his opponent to have the initiative, and does not try to win it back until the middlegame or even the early endgame. His counterattack can be successful for various reasons. In what follows we shall look at three typical scenarios. l.S.l White pawn weaknesses
Each and every pawn move weakens squares. This can make it easier for the coun terattacking player to penetrate with and to stabilize his pieces. In our example, as well as this problem , there is in addition the weakening of the king position and the limitation of piece activity to be taken into account. 1.10 Ivan Morovic Fernandez Curt Hansen Wijk aan Zee 1 9 9 4
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'i¥xd 5 3 .tt:Jc3 'l/Va5 4.d4 tt:Jf6 5 .tt:Jf3 �f5 6 .tt:Je5 c6 7.�c4 e6 8.0-0 tt:Jbd7 9.f4? 22
This move looks very active, backing up the white knight on its outpost. But its disadvantages are greater. As well as the weakening of the e4- and g4-squares, the white king position is also clearly affected. Of special importance is the devaluation of the dark-squared bishop.
Chapter I: Introduction
9 ... .:C:d8
White 's centre is put under pressure. 1 0.'il'e2
I O . g4 ? ? tLlxe S l l .fxeS l:hd4. 1 0 ...�e7 1 1 .�b3
l l . g 4 ? fails to l l . . . tLlxe S 1 2.fxe 5 ( 1 2 . g xf 5 ? t2Jxc4 1 3 . 'il'xc4 l:rxd4) 12 . . . t2Jxg4 1 3 .h3l:rxd4. 1 1 ... h5!
This blocks off any possible aggressive intentions with g2-g4.
1 5.�e3 t2Jbd5
'Black i s following his strateg y ( . . . h 7 -h5 , . . . a 7 -a6) : strong control of the light squares.' (Cu. Hansen) 1 6 .�g 1 t2Jxc3 1 7. bxc3
When you get down to it, the doubled pawns are a consequence of 9 .f4. White cannot afford to swap off the tLldS , since after the pawn recapture on dS Black would eternally control the square on e4. 17 ... 0-0 1 8.c4 c5!
1 2 .'it>h 1 a 6
Black attacks the weakened white pawns and cripples the bishop on b 3 . 'Black does not want t o castle immedi ately, because he believes that . . . h7 -hS will be better supported with a rook on h8. With the game move, he wishes to exclude the possibility of tLlc3-bS in those situations when (after £c l -d2, . . . 'il'a5 - c 7 ) he counterattacks in the centre with . . . c6-c5 .' (Curt Hansen) 1 3 .£d 2 'flic7 1 4 . .:C:ae 1 t2Jb6
Prophylaxis against t2Jxf7 . Naturally caution is always necessary whenever a white knight pops up on eS . 1 4 . . . c 5 ? I S .tt::lxf7 ! Wxf7 ( 1 5 . . . £g4 1 6 . tLlxd8 �xe 2 1 7 . t2Jxe 6 ) 1 6 . �xe 6 + �xe 6 1 7 .'il'xe 6 + W g 6 1 8.t2Jds .
1 9.c3 g 6 20.'il'f3 'it> g 7 ! 2 1 .dxc5? !
Accepting the pawn sacrifice is risky. Perhaps 2 l .d5 would have been better. 2 1 ...�xc5 2 2 .�xc5 2 3 .'il'xb 7 t2Jg4
'flixc5
Hansen wants to exchange the only well-placed white piece and open the h-file for his rook. 24.t2Jxg4 hxg4 25.'il'b4?!
After 2S .'il'xa6 �d3 26 .'il'bS (there is a beautiful line after the move 26 .l::r g I 7 .l:.h8 27 .'il'bs g 3 28.h3 £e4 ! ! 29 . .:C:xe4 l:ld2 ! ! 3 0.'flix c 5 llxh 3 + 3 1 . gxh3 23
The Modern Scandinavian
J:i.h2#) 26 . . .' � c 7 27 .l:tf2 J:i.dS 28.'it'b4 J:i.hS Black still has the initiative. 25 .. .'ti'c6 26 .�a4 W/c7 27.c5 J:i.d5
8.tt::lx d7 �xd7 9 .0-0 �g4 I O.tt::l e2 e 6 ll. c 3 �d6 1 2.'ti'c2 'iYc7 1 3 .h3 �hS 1 4 .J:i.el �g 6 . 8 ...g 6 9.0-0 �g7 1 0.�h 1 �f5! 1 1 .�c4 e6 1 2.�e2
1 2.g4 ? tt::lx eS 1 3 .fxe5 tt::lx g4. 12 ... h5 1 3 .�e3 J:i.d8 1 4.�g1 0-0 1 5.�f3
28.J:i.e5?
28. c 6 would be better, even if after 28 . . . J:i.b8 29 .'iVa3 'iVas 3 0. J:i.dl l:i.cS 3 1 .l:i.d 7 �c2 Black is clearly superior. 28 ...J:i.b8 29.'it'a3 l:i.xe5 30.fxe5 'ifxe5 31 .W/c1
3l.c4 .l:rh8. 31 ...J:i.b1
0-1
The same structure is under discussion in the next, very well-known game. I.I I Garry Kasparov Viswanathan Anand PCA World Championship, New York I 9 9 5
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'iYxd5 3 .tt::lc 3 'iYa5 4.d4 tt::lf 6 5.tt::lf 3 c6 6 .tt::le 5 �e6 1? 7.�d 3 tt::l b d7 8.f4?1
1 .5.2 White goes too far
Here, instead of playing I S .. . tt::ld S ? ! , Anand could have s e t the champion greater problems with the position opening move 1 5 ... c51
and the weak light squares on White 's kingside would be more important : 1 6.'it'c1
1 6.�xb 7 ? tt::lx eS ( 1 6 . . . 'iYb6 1 7 .'iYf3 cxd4) I 7 .fxe S tt::l g 4 1 8 .h3 cxd4 and in both cases Black would be better. 1 6 ... cxd4 1 7.�xd4 tt:Jxe5 1 8.�xe5 J:i.d7 1 9.J:i.d 1 J:i.xd 1 + 20.'ifxd 1 tt::lg4 21 .�xg4 �xg4
Once development has been completed, Black has a robust pawn structure. His pieces generally occupy quite active positions. So any impetuous attack by White can very easily run into a counterattack by Black. 24
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.12 Ilia Smirin Pablo Ricardi Yerevan Olympiad 1 9 9 6
1 .e4 d 5 2.exd5 'it'xd5 3 .tt:Jc3 'it'a5 4.d4 tt:Jf6 5.tt:Jf3 �f5 6.tt:Je5 c6 7.�c4 e6 8.g4 �g6 9.'it'e2 �b4 1 0.�d 2 tt:J b d 7
10 ... �xc2 ? 1 1 . t2lxf7 ! 0 - 0 1 2 . t2le5 . 1 1 .f4 0-0-0 1 2.0-0-0 tt:J b 6 1 3 .f5?
White underestimates the potential of the black pieces. A preferable continua tion would be 1 3 .a3 �xa3 1 4. t2lxg6 hxg 6 1 5 .bxa3 'it'xa3 + 1 6 .'1t>b 1 t2lxc4 1 7 .'it'xc4 t2lxg4 1 8.t2le4 with unclear complications. 1 3 ... exf5 1 4.a3?
The lesser evil would be 1 4. t2lxf7 t2lxc4 1 S .'iYe 6 + t2l d 7 1 6 . 'it'xc4 �xf 7 1 7 .1\:Vxf? fxg4.
1 4 ... .l:!.he8!
This move certainly comes as a surprise. White had most likely considered some thing along the lines of 1 4 . . . �xc3 ? 1 5 .�xc3 'it'a4 1 6 .�b3 'it'bS 1 7 .'it'xb5 cxbS 1 8.gxf5 . 1 5.axb4
1 5 . gxf5 .ihS ; 1 5 .1\Vf l .l::!.x d4. 1 5 ... 1\Va 1 + 1 6 . tt:J b 1 tt:Ja4 1 7.�c3 tt:Je4 1 8.J::!. d 3 f4
Suddenly all the black pieces have come to life. White 's position can no longer be held. 1 9.'it'f3
1 9 . g 5 t2lexc3 2 0 . bxc3 �xd3 2 1 .'it'g4+ �b8 2 2 . t2lxd3 t2lxc3 . 1 9 ... tt:Jexc3 20.bxc3 21 .�d 2 tt:J b 6 2 2 .�a 6 ! ?
'it'b2+
A last dip into his box of tricks. 2 2 .�b 3 l:[xe5 2 3 . dxe5 �xd3 ; 2 2 ..l::!.e 1 l:rxe5 2 3 .dxe5 t2lxc4+ . 2 2 ... bxa 6
2 2 . . .�xe5 ? ? 2 3 .'it'xc6 + Wb8 24.'it'xb7#. 23 .'it'xc6+ 'lt>b8 24.tt:Jc4
2 4 . t2lxg6 �c8 2 5 .t2le5 l:rxeS 2 6 .'it'd6 + '1t>a8 2 7 .dxe5 t2lc4 + . 24 ... tt:Jxc4+ 25.'it'xc4ld:e3 !
0-1
1 .5.3 Pressure o n the d-file
Black's greatest attacking potential lies on the semi-open d-file, attacking the weak pawn on d4 , as the knight on c3 prevents it from being supported by the c-pawn. But even if White should manage to stabilize his centre with c3 , Black has active options with . . . e6-e5 and . . . c6-c5 at his disposal. 25
The M odern Scandinavian
1.13 Aivars Gipslis Matthias Wahls Berlin 1 9 9 3
1 .e4 d 5 2.exd5 'ifxd5 3 .tbc3 'ifa5 4.d4 c6 5.�c4 �f5 6 .tuf3 e6 7. 0-0 tt:Jf6 a.t2le5 tt:J b d 7 9.tbxd 7 tt:Jxd 7 1 o.�f4 tt:Jb6 1 1 .�b3 0-0-0
Putting direct pressure on �d4 is more ambitious than l l . . . �e 7 followed by 1 2 . . . 0-0. The black king is relatively secure on the queenside, since the white pieces are getting in the way of a pawn storm. 1 2 .tt:Je2 'ifa 6 !
With this move Black prevents the ad vance c2 -c4. Also, his knight is already eyeing the c4-square. 1 3 .tt:Jg3 �g6 1 4.c3 �e7 1 5 . .tl.e1 tt:Jd5 1 6 .�d 2 c5!
This typical pawn lever is good even though Black has castled queenside, be cause the black pieces will gain more from the opening of the position than the white ones. 1 7.dxc5
1 7 . c4 ? ! tt:Jb6 plays into Black's hands. 1 7... tt:Jf4?
26
The crude I 7 . . . �xeS would b e a better option. 1 8.�c2?
1 8.'i:Yg4 .llx d2 ( 1 8 . . . tt:Jxg 2 ? 1 9 .�xe6 + Wb8 2 0 . �c4) 1 9 . 'llii' x f4 .l:!.hd8 ( 1 9 . . Jhb2 ? 20. 'llii' c l ) 20.t2le4 �xe4 (20 . . Jhb2 2 1 ..l:!.ad ! ) 2!.1:he4 l::i'.x b2 2 2 . �xf7 �xeS . 1 8 ...�xc5
Now the activity of the black pieces is obvious. Unfortunately, in what follows the advantage is given away once more as a result of some weak moves. 1 9.b4
1 9 .'ifc l 'i:Yb6 20.�e3 �xe3 2 l .l::i'.x e3 'iYc6 2 2 . llf3 e S . 1 9 ... �e7 20.tt:Je4
20.�xg 6 hxg 6 2 I . 'iff3 t2ld3 2 2 . 'iYxf7 tt:Jxe l 2 3 . .l:!.xe l �f6 .
20 ... tt:J d 3 ?
I t would be better to first play 20 . . . 'llii' c 6 , in order to increase the pres sure, e . g. 2 l .�c l ( 2 1 . � g 4 ? t2ld3 2 2 .�xd3 l::i'.x d3 2 3 .�g S f6; 2 l .f3 ?! fS 2 2 . t2l g 3 'i:Yb 6 + 2 3 . Wf l �g S ; 2 1 . �xf4 7 ! l:!.xd l 2 2 . l:laxd l l:.d8) 2 l . . . t2ld3 2 2 .�xd3 l:.xd3 2 3 .f3 .l:!.hd8. 21 .l:.e3 f5?
Chap ter I : In tro duc tion
After 2 l . . . tt::l e 5 Black is much better. 22 . .2.xd 3 J::r x d3 2 3 .tt::l c5?
Once more Black gets a chance. 2 3 Jhd3 'li'xd3 2 4 . .2.g 5 . 23 ... .2.xc5 24.bxc5 l:!.hd8 25.l:!.e2 f4? 1
2 5 . . . .2.h5 ! 2 6 . f3 e S 28.�fl e 4 .
2 7 .'iWc2 'iW g 6
26 .'iWe1 'iWc4 27.13 .2.f5?!
27 . . . �xc5 + 28. 'it>h ! 'li'c4 29 .'iff2 .2.f5 . 28.'li!Vf2 g5 30 . .2.c1 .!:!.xc5
29.liae1
l:!.3d5
3 0 . . .'i¥xc5 .
31 .g4 fxg 3?
The white bishop gets back into the game. Thus , it would be clearly better to play 3 1 . . . .2.g6 3 2 . l:!.xe6 l:!.d3 . 3 2 . hxg3 J:ra5
3 2 . . . h6 3 3 . .2.e3 . 33 . .2.xg5 l:Ig8
Black has relied on the attack down the g-file, but it is not powerful enough to break through. 34 . .2.16 �f4 35. � h 2 36 . .2.h4 l:ta4 37.�c5+
'ifh6+
3 7 .g47 b 6 . 37... �b8 38.'iWe5+ �c8
Black finally has to settle for a draw be cause of his back rank weakness. 3 8 . . . �a8?7 3 9 . 'iYxfS l:txh4+ 4 0 . gxh4 'i¥xh4+ 4 ! .'i¥h3 . 39.'i+'c5+ �b8 40.'i+'e5+ 'it>c8
Draw agreed.
1 .5 .4 Black attacks the king
In the Scandinavian there are four different possible set-ups where both sides have castled. When they have castled on opposite sides , an attack on the king is always in the air. In case of an exchange of knights on f6 , a structure with . . . gxf6 (similar to the Caro-Kann Defence) results. Black's attacking chances seriously increase if White decides to castle king side against this type of structure. 1.14 Sebastian Schmidt Schaffer Roman Vidoniak Zurich 2 0 0 2
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 'i¥xd5 3 .tt::l c 3 'ifa5 4.d4 tt::l f 6 5.tt::l f 3 c6 6 . .2.d2 .2.f5 7. .2.c4 e6 8.tt::l e4 �b6
9.tt::l xf6+ gxf6 1 0 . .2.b3 a 51?
With this interesting pawn push Black dissuades his opponent from castling queenside. However, it does weaken his own queenside, where the black king is in the habit of seeking safety in this type of structure. 27
The Modern S cand i navian
1 1 .a4 tt:Ja6 1 2.0-0 �g4 1 3 . h 3 �h5 1 4 . .l:i.e1 0 - 0 - 0 1 5J�:te4?!
1 5 .'ife2.
25 .�dl? .l:i.xh4 2 6 . gxh4 'i�Vh2+ 2 7 .< .t>fl .l:i.g8 28 . �e4 �g3 ! . 25 ... .l:i.dg8 26.�d 1 ?
1 5 ... �g6 1 6 . .l:i.e3 tt:Jb4
The knight is rather unpleasant for White and is given short shrift. 1 7.�xb4 �xb4 1 8.c3 ..td6 1 9.tt:Jd2 �b8 20.tt:Jc4 f/Jc7 21 .g3 .l:i.hg8
Black makes no secret of his aggressive intentions. 22.f/Jf3
22 .�c2 ! ? fS 23 . .l:i.eS would also be worth considering. 22 ...�f5 23 . .l:i.ae1 ? !
A mistake ; after 2 3 . .l:i.c 1 ! h S (23 . . . ..txh3 ? 24.'iVxf6) 24.h4, then 24 . . . .l:i.g4 can, unlike in the game, be met with 25 .�c2 �xc2 26 Jhc2 fS 2 7 .tt:'le5 . 23 ... h5!
•
==�==�==�==�
The move 2 6 . 'iYhl would hold the po sition together, but who likes to play moves like that? 26 .. J1xh4 ! 27.gxh4 f/Jh2 28 . .l:i.e4
White tries to defend against losing the queen by 28 . . . �h3 + 29 .<;t>e2 �g4 , but her majesty is lost one way or another. 28 ... .l:i. g 3 ! 29.'i�Vxh5?
This allows a forced mate, but 29 . 'i\V xfS .l:i.gl+ 3 0. <.t>e2 .l:t.xel+ 3l. c.t>xel exfS 3 2..l::i. e 8 + <.t>d7 would not have looked nice either.
Danger approaches on tiptoe. 24.h4
24.'iYxh5 ? .l:i.h8 25 .'iVf3 .l:i.xh3 . 24 ... .l:i.g4 25.c.t>f1
28
29 ... 'iV h 1 + 30.<;t>e2 'iVxe4+ 31 .c.t>d2 �f4+ 32.tt:Je3 'ifd3+ 33.<.t>c1 �b1 + 34.c.t>d2 �xb2+ 35.�c2 �xc2#
Chapter 2 : The standard centre
II II II II ... . . ... i . ... . ... . . • • • • • • • • • • • � � �· • • • • This central formation is by far the most frequently met in the form of the Scandi navian we have chosen, and moreover, it is also typical of the Caro-Kann Defence. Black has a very solid position with more or less free play for his pieces. The main characteristic of the position is the white pawn on d4, which personi fies the advantages and disadvantages for both sides. On the one hand, it is the rea son for White's advantage in space and thus White 's claim to be able to play for an advantage. On the other hand, it is exposed on the only semi-open file available to Black and is often a cause for trouble. For his part, however, Black has no pawn weakness at all.
2 . 1 White seizes the initiative
Generally speaking, White should take energetic measures to prevent Black from simply completing his development in the context of a solid pawn structure and then slowly but surely increasing his positional pressure on the light squares on the queenside and against the pawn on d4.
2. 1 . 1 White's lead in development In the struggle for the initiative White is aided by his lead in development. On no account may Black allow this to become even greater, and he must always keep in consideration that the position may be opened in a way that is unfavourable to Black. In the next game the position is indeed opened under disadvantageous circum stances for Black.
29
The M odern Scandinavian
2. 1 Peter Svidler Lembit 011 Ter Ape! I 9 9 6
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 'i¥xd5 3 .l2lc3 l/Wa5 4.d4 t2lf6 5.t2lf3 c6 6 .�c4 �f5 7.�d 2 e6 8.t2le4 !? 1/WdS?
The black queen wants to recapture on f6 , but this retreat is too passive. 8 . . . 1/Wb6 1 ? and 8. . . 'i¥c7 are the main moves. 9.t2lg3 �g 6
1 8. 1/Wf? + 'it' d ? 1 9 . �x b 5 2 0 . 'i¥f5 + 'it>e8 2 l . �c8+- . 1 2 .0-0-0 �d6 1 4.fxg 3 �xe5
1 3 .t2le5
cxb S t2lxg 3
Surrendering this bishop means capitu lation on the dark squares. 1 4 . . . h5 ? I S .t2lxg6 fxg6 1 6 .'t?Vxe 6 + +- ; 1 4 . . . t2lf6 ? 1 5 .h5 �fs 1 6 . t2lxf7 'it>xf7 1 7 . .l:!.dfl +- . 1 5.dxe5 h5 1 6.�b4! 'lWb6 1 7.'i¥e1 !
After 9 . . . �g4 1 0 .c 3 t2lbd 7 1 1 .h3 �xf3 1 2 . 'i¥xf3 ;\; Black had no compensation for the bishop pair in Bologan-Ionov, Kazan 1 9 9 5 . 1 0.h4!?
A typical way to battle the Scandinavian bishop. After this Black can no longer castle queenside. The coordination of his pieces is catastrophic. 1 7...�f5
1 7 . . . 0-0-0 1 8.�a5 1/Wcs 1 9 .'i¥c3 ! + ( ! 9 .�xd8 ? ? l/Wxc4-+) 1 9 . . ..l.:tde8 2 0 .�xd 7 ! 'it>xd7 2 !. .l:rd l �c8 2 2 .�xe6 . 1 8 ..l:U 1 1 0 ... t2l h5?!
Black loses even more time. A) I O . . . �d6 1 1 .h5 �e4 1 2 . t2lxe4 t2lxe4 1 3 .h 6 g 6 1 4.�e 3 t ; B ) I O . . . h5 ? 1 1 1 . t2le5 �h 7 1 2 .1/We2 ± . 1 1 .1/We2 t2l d 7
l l . . . t2l x g 3 1 2 . fxg3 �xc2 ? ! 3 . t2lg5 �e 7 1 4. t2lxf7 Wxf7 1 5 . 1/Wxe 6 + We8 1 6 J:tc l �a4 ( ! 6 . . . �g 6 1 7 . h 5 +- ) 1 7 . b 3 ( 1 7 .1/Wf? + 'it' d ? 1 8.b3 ±) 1 7 . . . �b5 ? 30
Now the threat is 1 9 . J:'h fS exfS 2 0 . e 6 . 1 8 ... g6
1 9 . �xf5 t2lxc4 A) 1 8 . . . t2lxe5 ? 2 0 Jhf7 �xf7 2 1. . l::r d 7 + 'it>g8 2 2 .1/Wxe 6 + 'it>h 7 2 3 .1/WfS + leads to checkmate after 2 3 ... 'it>h6 24.�d2 + t2le3 2 5 .lid6 + , or 2 3 . . . 'it>g8 2 4 .�f7 'it>h 7 2 5 .'i¥xg 7 # . B ) 1 8 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 ? 1 9 .�a5 'iYcs 2 0 .'i¥c3 b 6 2 l . �b4 'iYxeS 2 2 . �a 6 + � c 7 2 3 . �xd 7 + +- .
Chapter
1 9.'�fc3 t2Jc5
1 9 .. . c5 20.�a5 'i!Yc6 2 ! ..l:!.d6 'i!Ya4 2 2. . l:!.x d 7 ( 2 ! .. . 'i!Y xg 2 ? �xd 7 2 3 .�b 5 + + - ) 2 2.�b3 �bS 2 3 .l::fd I b6 2 4 . .tlxd 7 bxaS 2 5 .�f3 0-0 2 6 . .ll b 7 �e8 2 7 . .l::!. d d 7 +-. 20JH4 t2Je4
20...0-0? 2 l .'li'a3 +-.
2:
The standard centre
21 .'/We1 .l:!. h 7 ?
2 l . .. g 5 2 2 . hxg 5 .l:!. g8 would be better, even if there can no longer be any doubt that White has a clear advantage. 2 2.�a5 24.�b4
�c5
23 .�d 3 !
t2Jxg3
Black resigned as he will lose his knight.
2 . 1 . 2 The advance d4-dS 2. 1 . 2 . 1 Strategic aims Along with f4- f5 , this advance is one White 's main pawn levers. It is danger ous because it breaks up the stable e6-c6 structure. Should the position be opened, White can of course make full use of his lead in development. The advance opens up routes into Black's position for the white pieces and increases the activity of the dark-squared bishop and of the knight on c3 , not to mention the maj or pieces. As is not difficult to see, this puts the whole opening plan adopted by Black in j eopardy. So you must be sure that you can where possible prevent this advance. If it can not be avoided, you really must have good knowledge of the theory. 2.2 Stefan Kindermann Karsten Muller Germany Bundesli g a 2 0 0 0 / 0 1
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 �xd5 3 .t2Jc3 'ii a 5 4.d4 c6 5.�c4 �f5 6.�d2 e6?! 7.d5!
White wants to prevent Black from en trenching himself in a solid position. 7...cxd5 8.t2Jxd5 �d8 9.�e 2 !
I n recent years , the dangerous Kupreichik Variation has given Black a lot of headaches. For that reason, we have brought together some methods of avoiding it in an appendix. 9 ... t2Je7?!
If you go in for this sharp line, then at this point 9 ... t2Jf6 is the move you should play. In any case, White's initiative can clearly be felt on account of the open na ture of the position, e.g. I O.t2Jxf6 + �xf6 1 1 .0-0-0 t2Jc6 ( l l . .. t2Jd7 1 2 .t2Jf3 h6 ? 1 3.�c3 �e7 1 4 . .l:i.xd7 ! �xd7 I S . .l::!. d l + 31
The Modern Scandinavian
ct>c8 1 6 . .£b5 f6 (Zelenika-Gregorc, Bled 1 99 6) 1 7 .g4! .£g6 ( 1 7 .. . .£xg4 1 8.'tWc4+-) 1 8.tt:le5 fxeS 1 9 .'tWc4+- ) n . .£c3 'tW g 6 1 3 .tt:lf3 .£ e 7 1 4 . .£bs .£f6 1 5 .tt:le5 .£xeS 1 6 .hes 0-0 1 7 . .£xc6 bxc6 1 8.f3 with advantage to White in Zwanzger-Janz, Neumiinster 1 999 . 1 0.tt:le3 tt:lbc6 1 1 .tt:lf3 'tWc7 1 2.0-0-0 0-0-0 1 3 . .£c3 �xd 1 + 1 4J:I:xd 1 ±
Black has problems with the develop ment of his kingside. 1 4 ... .£g6 1 5 . .£b5 a 6 1 6 . .£a4 'tWf4 1 7.tt:ld4 'tWc7
Thus far Kindermann has played well, but now he veers off course and allows Black to unscramble his position.
28.axb3 �c5 29.l:rd4 l:rd5 30.g4 �xd4 31 .exd4 .£e4 32.g3 .£f3 33 .g5 �d5 34.b4 �b3 35.'ii!t d 2 we 7 36. 'it>e3 1f2- 1f2
A few more examples of the advance d4-d5 will follow, since this subj ect is of central importance. In the first one, Black is well and truly rolled up: 2.3 Raj Tischbierek Thomas Kuhn Zurich 2 0 0 0
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 'tWxd5 3 .tt:lc3 'tWaS 4.d4 c6 5.�c4 �f5 6 .�d 2 e6?1 7.d51 'tWc5?
The queen is very exposed here, as will be seen. 7 . . . cxdS 8.tt:lxd5 'i¥d8. 8.'i¥e2 cxd5 9.tt:lxd5 tt:ld7 1 0.tt:lf3 �ca 1 1 .�b3 �d6 1 2.0-0 tt:lgf6 ?
1 2 . . . .£g4 would be better, even if Black's position does not seem to in spire much confidence. 1 3 .�b4+-
1 8.'tWd 2 ?
Better would b e 1 8.g3 , e.g. 1 8 . ..tt:lxd4 1 9 ..l:Xxd4 bS 20. .£xb5 axbS 2l.'tWxb5 tt:lc6 22. . .l:Xc4 Wd7 23 . .£as 'tWxaS 24.'tWxc6+ �e7 25 .b4 'tWa7 26 .'tWc8+- . 1 8 ...tt:lxd4 1 9.'tWxd4 b51 20 . .£b3 tt:lc6 2 1 .'tWg4 �b8 2 2.�f3 .£c51 23 . .£xg 7 l:rc8
Black's activity is full compensation for the pawn. 24.�g 3 'tWxg 3 25.hxg3 .£xe3+ 2 6 .fxe3 tt:la5 27.c3 tt:lxb3+ 32
1 3 ... 'i¥c6 1 4.tt:ld4 �g4 1 5.'i¥d3 tt:lc5 1 6 .tt:lxf6+ gxf6 1 7.tt:Jxc6 tt:lxd 3 1 8.�xd6
and Black resigned 1 8 . . . lhc6 1 9 .�a4.
because
of
Chapter
Later we shall consider some examples in which Black can leave his king in the middle. However, this is only possible in cases in which Black manages to pre vent the p awn lever d4-d5 . 2 .4 Joseph Gallagher Markus Klauser Leukerbad 2 0 0 2
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 �xd5 3 .ti:lc3 �a5 4.d4 c6 5.tt:lf3 tt:lf6 6 .tt:le5 �e6 7.�c4 �xc4 8.tt:lxc4 'W'd8 9.�g5 e6 1 o.�xf6 gxf6 1 1 .0-0 <1J d 7 1 2 .�h5 �e7 1 3 .J::. fe 1 tt:lf8 1 4.l::!: a d 1 tt:l g 6 1 5 .tt:le3 'W' d 6 ?
A more precise move would b e l 5 . . . �b 6 , because 1 6 .d5 can be m e t by 1 6 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 . Now White thrusts a dagger into the heart of Black's position.
1 6.d5!!
2:
T h e s t and a r d c en t r e
B) 1 6 . . . 'W'c7 ? 1 7 . dxe6 fxe 6 1 8 .'ii' g 4 fs 1 9 . 'W'c4 '!Wc8 2 0 . tt:lfl e S 2 1 . tt:lg 3 + are j ust as bad. 1 7.'W'h6 tt:lxd5
1 7 . . . cxd5 ? 1 8 .tt:lbS �b8 1 9 .tt:lxd5 tt:lxdS 2 0 . Uxd5 a6 2 l .tt:ld4 'ii' c 8 (2 1 . . .'i!Vc7 22 . .l::.xe6 ! ) 2 2 .tt:lfS ! exfS 2 3 .�xf6+- . 1 8.tt:lcxd 5 cxd 5 1 9 . .Q:xd 5 i¥ b4
The endgame after 1 9 . . . exd5 2 0 . tt:lf5 'i¥c7 2 l . tt:lxe 7 'i¥xe 7 2 2 Jh e 7 + Wxe 7 2 3 . 'i¥e 3 + Wd6 2 4 .'i!Vf4+ We6 2 S . g4± is very unpleasant. The numerous p awn weaknesses are welcome obj ects for the queen to attack. 20.c3 ! i¥xb2?
He has finally gone one step too far. White wins the game with a lovely finish. 2 0 . . . 'W'e4 2 1. . l:.dd l 'i¥ g 6 2 2 .'i¥f4 0 - 0 2 3 .l:!.d7 +-; 2 0 . . . '¥lV b 6 2 1 . 'i¥ g 7 l:!.f8 2 2 . tt:lg4± . 21 .tt:lf5 ! exf5
2 1 . . . 'i¥xc3 is refuted by 2 2 . tt:l g 7 + Wf8 2 3 . tt:l xe 6 + W e 8 2 4 . 'W'f8 + 1 �xf8 2 S . tt:l g 7 # , and 2 l . . . .Q: g 8 by 2 2 . i¥xh 7 l::!: g 6 2 3 . tt:lxe 7 Wxe 7 2 4 . .t!.d7 + +- .
Obviously an attacking player such as Gallagher does not miss such a chance. 1 6 ... tt:lf4 ?
Black had only one satisfactory option : l 6 . . . 'tWb4 1 7 . dxe6 fxe 6 1 8 . �h3 fS ;l; . The variations A) 1 6 . . . cxd 5 7 1 7 . tt:l cxd5 exdS 1 8 . <1:lxd5 iYc6 ( 1 8 . . . tt:le5 1 9 . f4+-) l 9 .ii'e2 tt:leS 2 0 . f4+- . and
22.i¥g 7 !
A killer move. After 2 2 . 'MV xf6 7 there is still the possibility of 2 2 . . . 0 - 0 1 • 33
The M o d ern S candinavian
2 2 ... .1:1:18 23 .'�xf6 ! �a3 24 . .l:!: d 6 !
Black resigned. One possible result of the dS lever is an isolated black e-pawn. It may not be all that pleasant , but it is frequently the lesser evil. 2.5 Jiirgen Schulz Rudolf Brauner Hessen 1 9 8 8
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 �xd 5 3 .tt:lc3 �as 4.d4 c6 5.tt:lf3
The isolated e-pawn can also arise from the Hector Variation : S .�c4 tt:lf6 6 .�d2 �fS 7 .�f3 e 6 7 ! (the c-pawn should be gobbled up here : 7 . . . �xc2 ) 8 . d5 ! �b4 9 . dxe6 �xe 6 1 O . �x e 6 � e S + I 1 . � e 2 �xe 6 1 2 . �xe 6 + fxe 6 1 3 . tt:l f3 t . 5 ... tt:lf6 6 .�c4 �f5 7.0-0 e6 8.tt:Je5 �d6 9.�e2 �c7 1 0.�f4 h6?
Because he is behind in development, Black cannot afford the luxury of this move. 1 O . . . tt:lbd7 was needed. 1 1 .d 5 !
34
Should you be unpleasantly surprised by d4-d5 , then it is often a good idea to bring your king to a safe place rather than trying to keep your pawn structure intact. In this game Black is not content to do so and loses very quickly. 1 1 ... ttl b d 7 ?
1 1 . . . 0 - 0 1 2 . dxe6 fxe 6 1 3 .�g3 tt:lds 1 4 . .l:rad I t . The strong knight on dS is some consolation for the damaged pawn structure. l l . . . cxdS ? 1 2 . tt:lb5 �b6 1 3 . tt:lxd6 + �xd6 1 4. �b 5 + tt:lc6 I S . tt:l g 6 +- . 1 2 .tt:lxd 7 �xf4
1 2 . . . �xd 7 1 3 . dxe 6 fxe 6 1 4 . .l:!:ad l +- . 1 3 .tt:lxf6+ gxf6 1 4.dxe6+0 - 0 - 0 1 5 .exf7 �xh 2+ 1 6 . W h 1 � e 5 1 7 . .1:!:ad 1 b5 1 8.�b3 .l:rdf8 h5 1 9.f4 �xc3 20. bxc3 2 1 .�e6+ �xe6 2 2 .�xe6+ wb8 2 3 . .1:!:d7
Black resigned. In the following classic, after success fully getting in d4-d5 , White uses the liberated d4-square for his knight. From there it threatens not only the bishop on fS , but also exerts unpleasant pressure on the key square e 6 . If this manoeuvre can be played , it means that something has gone wrong in Black 's game. Motifs like f4-f5 and the demolition sacrifices �xe 6 and tt:lxe6 are now on the agenda. Even that great champion of the Scandi navian, Bent Larsen , is powerless against the plethora of threats in the following game.
Chap t er
2:
The s tand ard c entre
2 7 . .l:te l +-) 2 7 .'iYh 6 + �h7 ( 2 7 . . . W g 8 2 8 .�e3 +-) 2 8 .tLlxe 7 +- .
2.6 Boris Spassky Bent Larsen Montreal 1 9 7 9
1 7.0-0-0 'iVb6
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'iVxdS 3 J[jc3 �as 4.d4 tt:Jf6 s.tt:Jf3 �fs 6 .�d 2 tt:J b d 7 ?
Black's order of moves is unfortunate, since it allows White to play the ad vance d4-d5 in a favourable form. 7.�c4 c6 8.'iVe2 e6 9.d5! cxd 5 1 0.tt:Jxd5 �cs 1 1 . b4 'iVc8 1 2 .tt:Jxf6+ gxf6
1 7 . . . 0 - 0-0 ? 1 8 . tLlbS 'iVb6 1 9 .�e3 +- . 1 8.�e 1 0-0-0
1 8 . . . �xb4 7 1 9 . .l:rb3 +- . 1 9.tt:Jb5+-
••
1 2 . . . tLlxf6 7 1 3 . �b5 + We7 1 4 . 0 - 0 with a strong attack for White. 1 3 .tt:Jd4! �g6 �e7 1 6 . .l:r h 3
1 4.h4 h S
1 5 .f4
There is no peace for the black king on the kingside either, which demonstrates the miserable nature of Black's position after the openin g : the king simply did not have a secure place anywhere on the board. 1 9 ... tt:Jb8 20Jbd8+! 'lt>xd8
1 6 . . .'�¥c7
Since the centre has become unsafe for the black king, preparations are made to evacuate it to the queenside. The kingside will not do as a place of safety, as is proved by the following variation : 1 6 . . . 0-0 1 7 . �xe 6 ( 1 7 . tLlxe 6 7 .I:i.e8 ! ) 1 7 . . . fxe6 1 8 . .l:r g 3 W h 7 1 9 . f5 exfS 2 0 .�e3 f4 2 1 .'li'xf4 tLleS 2 2 .�h6 + Wg8 2 3 . .l:rxg 6 + tLlxg6 2 4 . �xg 6 + Wh8 2 S . ttJfs �e6+ 2 6 . Wf2 'iVf7 ( 2 6 . . . .l:r f7
2 0 . . . �xd8 ( 2 0 . . . l hd8 2 l . � f2 +- ) 2 ! .tLlxa 7 + Wc7 n . fs "<:ilxfs 2 3 .�g 3 + W d 7 2 4 . .l:r h 1 W e 8 2 S . l:i: d ! � b 6 2 6 .�b 5 + tLl c 6 2 7 . tLlc8 +- . 2 1 .�f2 �c6 23.a3!? �e4
2 2 .�xa 7
tt:J d 7
2 3 . . . b6 24 . .l:rc3 +- . �f5 25.::rg3 �c6 24.�e3 26.tt:Jd4 'li'a4 27.tt:Jxf5 �xa 3+ 28.'lt>d 1 'li'a 1 + 2 9.�c1 �xb4 tt:Jb6 3 1 .�e4 'iVaS 30.�b5 3 2 .'iYxb 7
Black resigned. 35
T h e M o d e rn S c and i na v i an
2 . 1 .2 .2 The advance is harmless In many cases the advance d4-d5 . which is in itself worth striving for, is for specific reasons quite wrong for White : 2.7 Detlef Kleinelsen Martin Hoos Hamburg 1 9 9 9
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 �xd 5 3 .tt::l c 3 I(;Wa5 4.d4 c6 5.�d2 tt::l f 6 6 .�c4 �f5 7.d 5 ? ! I(;Wc5 !
White would have been facing serious problems. As a result of the premature pawn advance, Black has clearly taken over the initiative. His pieces are ac tively placed and it is also clear who has gained from the opening of the d-file. The next moves could be 1 O.tt::l g e2 tt::l e 4 ! 1 1 .tt::l x e4 i¥xb5 1 2 .<1:J2g3 e6
Black answers d4-d5 with . . . I(;Wcs . This motif is not a rare one in praxis, above all in rapid and blitz games. The queen attacks one white bishop while at the same time getting itself out of the line of fire of the other. White must take action to protect the bishop. leaving dS hanging . since there is no longer the possibility of tt::l x dS with an attack on the queen on aS . White frequently. as in this example. has . in order to avoid material loss . nothing better than taking on c6 and helping Black with his development. 8.dxc6 tt::l x c6 9.�b5
And now after 9 ... 0-0-0!? 36
with both a dynamic (lead in develop ment , the concrete threat of 1 3 . . . 1(&'xb 2 ) and a positional (the bishop pair in an almost open position) advantage to Black. The bishop pair cannot be eliminated. because after 1 3 .tt::l xf5 exf5 !
there is a decisive opening of the e-file and the b2 pawn is still hanging : 1 4.tt::l c 3 I:!.e8+ 1 5 .�e3 1(&'xb2-+
2 . 1 . 2 . 3 Preparation ofd4-d5 by CLlc3 -d5 xf6 2.8 David Marciano Eric Prie Narbonne ch-FRA 1 9 9 7
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 i¥xd 5 3 .tt::l c 3 i¥a5 4.d4 tt::l f 6 5 .tt::l f 3 c6 6 .�c4 �f5 7.�d 2 e6 8.tt::l d 5 ! ?
Chap t e r
2:
The s tanda r d c en t r e
homework i n this sharp line, if he does not want to run the risk of being run over at an early stage. 1 0 ... g g4
This venomous line has been very pop ular since the 1 9 9 0 s and has already been employed by that first-rate attack ing player, Alexey Shirov, which testifies to how dangerous it is. White 's idea is closely linked to the ad vance d4-d5 . which according to the latest theory does not seem, for con crete reasons , to achieve very much. We shall take a closer look at this variation in the theoretical appendix . The popular motif 8 . d5 ? 1 'li'cS ! is one we have become acquainted with. In its present form, it can be found no fewer than twelve times in Meg aBase ' 9 . dxc6 (9 . 'tWe 2 ? cxdS 1 O . g b S + tLlc 6 + , Gaston-Mayaud , France tt- 3 2 0 0 1 ) 9 . . . t2::l x c6 with a pleasant game for Black , for example in Kveinys-Bagirov, Weilburg 1 9 9 5 .
Since Black has no good way of pre venting the advance d4-d5 ( 1 O . . . ge 7 ? 1 J . g g s ! i) , his task will be to prepare himself for it as best he can. After 1 O . . . tLld7 1 1 . 0 - 0 - 0 Black should continue 1 1 . . . gg4 anyway, as 1 1 . . . t2Jb6 is rather risky : 1 2 .ggS W:fg6 1 3 . h4 h6 1 4.tLle5 'iWh7 (Fressinet-Hodgson, Ger many Bundesliga 2 0 0 1 / 0 2 ) 1 5 . d5 ! ! hxg S 1 6 . dxc6 bxc6 1 7 . g b s ge4 1 8 .hxg5 W:fxh 1 1 9 . 'ihe4 'iWxd l + 2 0 . Wxd 1 J:!.h I + 2 l .We2 cxbS 2 2 .W:fc6 + Wd8 2 3 .t2Jxf7 + We7 24.�c 7 + tLld7 2 S .t2Je5 J:!.d8 2 6 .t2Jc6++- (Prie in ChessBase Magazine 1 0 6 ) . 1 1 .d 5 gxf3 1 3 .gxd 5
1 2 .gxf3
cxd 5
8 ... '1Wd8 9.t2Jxf6+ 'IWxf6 ? !
9 . . . gxf6 ! ? has become the main line in recent years and is our theoretical rec ommendation. Contrary to the game continuation, it is then difficult for White to open up the position and exploit his lead in development. 1 0.'li'e 2 !
White prepares to castle queenside and raises the possibility of the advance d4-d5 . Black should have done his
1 3 ... t2Jc6?
After this mistake, the black king is de prived of a safe home. The very courageous 1 3 . . . �xb2 should also not be sufficient for equality : 1 4 . 0 - 0 tLlc6 1 5 . J:!.ab l �xc2 1 6 . J:!.xb 7 gd6 I 7 . ge4 ( 1 7 .J:!.c 1 ? is met by 1 7 . . . t2Jd4) 1 7 . . . t2Jd4 1 8 . W:f e 3 �c4 1 9 . W g 2 ' . This strong move is given by Jovanka Houska. 37
T he M odern S candinavian
White has the upper hand, e . g. 1 9 . . . e5 20.i¥g5 0-0 2 1 .l:.d7 i¥e6 22. 'i¥g4 l:tfd8 23 . l:txd8+ l:txd8 24. �h4 f6 2S .i¥xh 7 + 'it>f8 26 . l:tb l . Correct is 1 3 . . . <1::l d 7 1 4 . 0-0-0 ( 1 4 . �xb 7 ? 'iVxb2) 1 4 . . . 0-0-0 ( 1 4 . . . �a3 ? ' only looks strong and in the stern game Shirov-Salov, Madrid 1 9 9 7 , there followed: 1 5 . c3 0-0. From general considerations alone, it is sur prising that Salov decided to castle on opposite sides. The bishop pair and the semi -open g- file promise White nice attacking chances. 1 6 . �e4 �e 7 ? 1 7 .h4! (Shirov did not go for the attack and in stead settled for 1 7 . �xh 7 + 7 'it>xh 7 1 8.�d3 + 'it>g8 1 9 . �xd 7 ;l;) 1 7 . . . h6 (or 1 7 . . . i¥e5 1 8.�h6 i¥c7 ( 1 8 . . . gxh6 1 9 Jhd7 �f6 20.�e 3 ±) 1 9 . l:thg 1 �f6 20. l:txg 7 + ! �xg 7 2 1 . .l::!. g 1 +- ) 1 8.�g5 hxg S 1 9 . �h7 + ! ! 'it>h8 20. hxg 5 + (Shirov) ) 1 5 .�e4 ( 1 S . i¥c4+ <1::l c 5 1 6 . �e4 l:.d4 1 7 . �xb 7 + Wxb 7 1 8. 'ii' b 5 + �a8 1 9 . 'iY c 6 + Wb8 20. i¥ b 5 + and 1 5 . �xb 7 + Wxb 7 1 6 . 'iVe4+ Wa6 1 7 . i¥a4+ 'it>b7 both lead to draw by perpetual check) . After 1 5 .�e4 we reach the critical posi tion in the line with 1 O . . . �g4.
On the other hand Black has excellent long-term chances. After an exchange of dark-squared bishops , the weak pawns and squares in the white camp could turn out to be devastating. Considering the pros and cons , how ever, it seems that Black is under pres sure : A) 1 5 . . . �d6 1 6 . �c3 (also Khalifrnan 's 1 6 . 'it>b l ! 7 has to be considered) 1 6 . . . �f4 + ( 1 6 . . . � e 5 7 1 7 .�b5 +-) 1 7 . Wb 1 <1::l f6 1 8. �xf6 i¥xf6 1 9 . �b 5 'ii' e 7 20. l:. d 3 a 6 (20 . . .f5 ? 2 l . �xb 7 + 'i¥xb 7 22.'i¥c4+ 'it>d7 23 . l:thd l We7 24 . 'i¥h4 + + - ) 2 1 .'i¥b6 Wb8 22.l:tb3 l:Id7 23 . 'i¥xa6 l:thd8 24.a3 with pressure ; B) 1 5 . . . 'ii' e 5 Prie's idea, which how ever does not equalize completely ei ther. 1 6 . Wb l 'i¥c7 1 7 .�c3 f6 1 8. l:thg 1 ( 1 8. a4 'it>b8 1 9 . a5 �d6 20. a6 <1::l c 5 should hold for Black) 18 . . . <1::l c 5 ( 1 8 . . . g 6 1 9 . f4 �d6 20. �g2 with a nice initiative for White) 1 9 . .l::!. x d8+ , Sanduleac - Pri e , Creon 2007 . Now 1 9 . . . 'i¥xd8 is best and after e . g. 20.�c4 'it> b8 2 l .�d4 <1::l x e4 22 . fxe4 eS 2 3 .�e3 'i¥d7 White 's advantage is kept within reasonable limits. 1 4.�xc6+ ! bxc6 1 6 .0-0-0
1 5 .'i¥e4
l:tc8
White has surrendered his bishop pair for a long-lasting initiative. The only place the black king can castle to now is the kingside - right into the dangerous looking g-file. 1 6 ... �a3 1 7.c3 �c5 1 8.l:thg 1 ! Ana lysis d i agram
The bishop pair and weakened black king position give White a temporary initiative. 38
1 8.�e3 'iVfS 1 9 . i¥xf5 �xe 3 + 20. Wc2 exfS 2 1 . .l::!. h e 1 0-0 22 . Sxe3 was slightly better for White in the game Rytshagov -Belotti , Bled Olympiad 2002.
Chap t er
2:
The s tandar d c entre
But in any case Black was already in a bad way. 1 8 . . . 0 - 0 1 9 . � g 5 'iW g 6 2 0 .�h4 ! . I t i s unpleasant t o have to ward off the discovered attacks by the white bishop. 2 0 . . . Wh8 2 l . b 4 f6 ( 2 1 . . .�b6 2 2 .�e 7 'iWfs 2 3 .�xf8 �xf8 2 4 . � g 5 +- ) 2 2 .�h6 'iWxh 6 + 2 3 . 'iWxh6 gxh6 2 4 . bxc5 ± . 1 9.�g5 �g6 20.�xc6+ ! 1 8 ... �xf2??
This loses in a pretty fashion.
and Black resigned o n account o f 2 0 . . Jhc6 2 l . .l:!.d8# .
2 . 1 . 3 The advance f4-f5 The second main lever f4-fS is no less dangerous than d4-d5 . After the usual black reply . . . exfS the a 2 - g8 diagonal is opened for the white bishop. At the same time White can use the semi-open f-file for an attack. The following game is a splendid example from White 's point of view : 2.9 Wolfram Hartmann Klaus Jiirgen Schulz Germany Bundesli g a 1 9 8 3 / 8 4
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'i¥xd5 3 .tt:lc3 �a5 4.�c4
White delays the development of his king 's knight and by doing so retains the option of tt:lge 2 . This is frequently played , with the idea of following it up by f4-f5 . The best way to combat this pawn thrust is to delay the development of the king 's knight. Black simply leaves his knight on g8 in order to reply to f2 -f4 with tt:le 7 . White would no lon ger be able to impose f4-f5 ; the move f2 -f4 would simply turn out to be a weakening of his position. But as we have already shown , the pol icy of holding back the knight is unfor tunately not so good against the central breakthrough d4-d5 .
So, in the appendix we have decided to present some other possible ways to face up to the white plan with f4-fS . 4 ... tt:lf6 5 .d4 c6
There are two alternatives which are worth considering , namely S . . . tt:lc6 and S . . . �g4 (see the theoretical appendix) . 6 .tt:le2 �f5 7.tt:l g 3 �g6 8.0-0 e6 9.f4
39
The M o d ern S cand i na v i an
The move 9 . . . .£,b4? ! appears risky when you look at the following extract: 1 0 . fS 1 exfS l l .'ik'e2 + <;t>fs 1 2 . .£,d2 'ik'b6 1 3 . tt::l xfS tt::l b d 7 1 4 . ttJ b S t ? .£,xd2 1 S . 'i!¥e 7 + <;t> g s 1 6 . tt::l b d6 �f8 1 7 .�xd7 hS 1 8. tt::l x f7 .l:!.xf7 I 9 . .£,xf7 + �xf7 2 0 . tt::l e 7 + <;t>fs ( 2 0 . . .' �h 7 ? 2 1 . .ll xf6 gxf6 2 2 . tt::l c8+-) 2 l .'iVd6 ± , Shabalov Westerinen , Gausdal I 9 9 1 . 1 0.f5 exf5 1 1 .'iVe2
On account of White 's intention to play 1 2 . .£,gs and .ll a e ! , Black has no way of holding on to the fS pawn . Preparing to castle is of the utmost urgency. 1 1 .. :�g d8 1 2 . .£,e3
White can also take the pawn at once : 1 2 . tt::l x fS t ? .£,xfS 1 3 . .!:.xfS �xd4+ ? . Af ter this Black ends up facing a violent attack, which he did not survive in the following example. Preferable would be 1 3 . . . 0 - 0 1 4 . .£,e3 tt::l b d7 1 s . 'il¥f3 and White is better, but Black's position is pretty solid and not so easy to derail. 1 4 . .£,e3 'i!Vd7 I S . .£,cs <;t>fs l 6 .�d 1 .£,xe S + 1 7..l:!.x c S '�!Vel 1 8 . .l:!.eS tt::l a 6 1 9 .�e l b S ? 20 . .ll e 7 'i!Vb 6 + 2 I . <;t>h l bxc4 2 2 .'ifxc4 tt::l d S 2 3 . tt::l x dS �bS 2 4 . tt::l f6 ! 1 - 0 , Kristol-Morozova , Grozny 1 969.
White has achieved a lot : the success of the f4-fS plan has conferred much greater activity on his pieces. However, Black's position is not so bad as it may look at first sight. It is very passive, but also solid without pawn weaknesses. 1 3 ... tt:J b d 7 1 4 . .£,b3
White is anticipating . . . tt::l b 6 and keeps an eye on the important f7 pawn. In an other game White decided to back up his outpost knight : 1 4 . .£,d3 l:l: e8 l S .�f3 tt::l b 6 l 6 . .l:!.ae l 'i¥d7 1 7 . tt::l e 2 tt::l b dS 1 8. tt::l e g 3 .£,b4 1 9 . c3 tt::l x e 3 2 0 . .l:!.xe3 l:;Ixe3 2 1 .'i¥xe3 .l:!.e8 2 2 .'�[3 .£,as ? ( 2 2 . . . .£,f8=) 2 3 . tt::l x g 7 +- . Sasu Ducsoara-Zecevic, Tucepi tt- 2 1 9 9 6 . 1 4 ... .£,b4 .£,xf5
1 5 .�g5
Ue8
1 6 .�f3
1 6 . . . 'ik'c7 ? 1 7 . tt::l x g 7 +- . 1 7.'�'xf5
1 2 ... 0-0 1 3 .tt::l xf5 t 1 7 .. .'iYa5?
This runs into some tactics. 1 7 . . . �c 7 t would be better. Now 1 8 . .£,xf7+ !
would give White a decisive advantage : 1 8 ... 'it>xf7 1 9.�xd 7+ 20.'�g4 �xc3? 21 . .£,xf6 22Jhf6++-
40
I:i.e7 gxf6
Ch a p t e r
The following example shows that the f-pawn lever can play an important role in White 's plans in the middlegame, as well as in the opening : 2. 1 0 Ivan Radulov Klaus Berg Silkebor g I 9 8 3
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd 5 �xd 5 3 .tt::J c 3 �a5 4.d4 ti.Jf6 5 .ti.Jf3 c6 6 .�c4 �g4 7.h 3 �h5 8.g4 �g6 9.ti.Je5 e6 1 O.ti.Jxg6 hxg 6 1 1 .�d 2 �b4 1 2 .a3 �xc3 1 3 .�xc3 �b6 1 4.�f3 ti.J d 5 1 5 . 0-0-0 tt.Jxc3?
2:
T h e s t and a r d c en t r e
Black 's exchange o n move 1 5 has freed the f-pawn . White now does business before Black has completed his devel opment . 1 7... 0-0-0 1 8.f5 exf5 20.�xf7
gxf5
1 9.gxf5
In this open position the bishop is the superior minor piece, especially since the black knight cannot find an out post. 20 ... ti.Jf8?
20 . . . �c 7 :t is necessary.
Black is aiming to cut the opposing bishop pair in half, but in return he gives up his most active piece. At the same time White now has a concrete plan. Better would be 1 5 . . . ti.Jd7 and then . . . 0 - 0 - 0 . 1 6 .1Wxc3 tt.J d 7
The advance o f the f-pawn cannot be prevented without taking on board other disadvantages : 1 6 . . . �c7 1 7 . d5 ! cxdS 1 8 . i¥xg 7 �f4+ 1 9 .�b 1 �h6 2 0 .�b 5 + ti.Jc6 2 l .�e5 0-0 2 2 .�g 3 i and a pawn storm on the kingside is imminent. 1 7.f4 !
21 .d5!
This second lever opens up the black position as wide as a barn door. 21 ... �c7 ?
2 1 . . . .l:Ih6 2 2 . .l:Ihg 1 ± . 2 2 .dxc6 !
A piece sacrifice is the crowning point of an energetically played game. 22 ... .l:Ixd 1 + 24.�a5
2 3 ..l:txd 1
i¥xf7
Black resigned rather than endure something along the lines of 24 . . . 'i¥c7 2 5 . '/4ih a 7 i¥f4 + 2 6 . \t>b i hxc6 2 7 . �xg 7 �h6 2 8 . 'i¥ e 7 ti.J e 6 2 9 . .l:!.d6+- . 41
The M o d e rn S cand i na v i an
2 . 1 .4 The demolition sacrifice on e6 The levers d4-d S and f4- fS are, as we have seen , two dangerous tools for White to use to open up the position quickly and get at the black king. However, his arsenal is not limited to these two motifs. A further, very direct method is the piece sacri fice on e 6 .
2 . 1 .4. 1 Against the king i n the middle 2. 1 1 Jacques Hogenacker Nico Forchert Germany Oberli g a ! 9 9 4 / 9 5
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd 5 'ti'xd5 3 .tbc3 'ti'a5 4.d4 c6 5 .tt::l f 3 tbf6 6 .�c4 �f5 7.tbe5 e6 8.g4 �g6 9.�d 2 ! ? 'ti' b 6 ?
As this game demonstrates , Black is usually best advised to meet �d2 with the developing move . . . �b4 , even if this often means that he must give up his bishop pair. If instead he removes the queen from the e l -aS diagonal, he loses an impor tant tempo for the development of his pieces. 9 . . . tbbd 7 1 O .'ti'e2 �b4 is the main line.
A) 1 O . . . �xb 2 ? l l . llb 1 �a3 ( 1 1 . . .'i¥xc2 7 1 2 . llxb 7 �e 7 1 3 .tbxf7 ' �xf7 ( 1 3 . . . 'lt>xf7 ? 1 4 . 'ifxe 6 + W f8 1 S . �xe 7 # ) 1 4 . � d 3 +- ) 1 2 .l: h b 7 �b4 1 3 .�xe 6 ' �xc3 1 4 .�xf7 + Wd8 1 S . 0 - 0 +- ; B) 1 O . . . �.e 7 7 1 1 1 . 0 - 0 - 0 tLldS ? ' 1 2 . f4 ' 'tWd8 1 3 . llhfl tLlf6 1 4 .h4 bS 1 S .�b3 aS 1 6 .hS �xhS 1 7 . gxhS a4 1 8. tbxf7 Wxf7 1 9 .'ifxe 6 + +- , Fongers-G. David , Germany Bundesliga 1 9 98/ 9 9 ; C ) The developing move 1 O . . . tbbd 7 is probably the final chance : l l . f4 ( 1 1 . 0 - 0 - 0 1 7) 1 1 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 1 2 . 0 - 0 - 0 tbxeS ? ! 1 3 . dxeS tLldS 1 4 . .l:: h fl h6 ? 1 l S . fS �h 7 1 6 .llf3 �e 7 1 7 . tLlxdS cxdS 1 8 . .l:i.b3 'ifd4 1 9 .�a6 1 lld7 2 0 .�xb 7 + 1 - 0 , Trindade-Soppe, Sao Paulo zt 1 993. 1 1 .0-0-0± tb b d 7 1 2 .tbxg 6 hxg 6
1 0.'ti'e2!
In our example, White, in typical fash ion , does not bother about protecting the pawn which is being attacked, but logically sets about extending his lead in development. 1 o ... 'ti'xd4 ?!
Black takes the central pawn, after which White 's initiative rapidly turns into a storm. In any case, it is not clear whether it is possible to give Black good advice, or in fact, any advice at all , in his predica ment : 42
1 3 .�xe 6 !
The demolition sacrifice on e6 finally comes to punish Black for his negli gence. 1 3 ... 0-0-0?!
Chap t e r
If it is accepted, White recovers his ma terial with plenty of interest : 1 3 . . . fxe6 1 4 . � xe 6 + �e7 ( 1 4 . . . Wd8? 1 5 .�g 5 +-) 1 5 . .l:!.he 1 0 - 0 - 0 1 6 . 'li"xe 7 'i¥xg4 1 7 J i g 1 'li"fs 1 8.�e3 .l:rxh2 1 9 . .l:!.g 5 ± . Because of the follow-up 2 0 . tZ:l b5 1 Black cannot avoid material losses if his queen moves away. El Messiry-H. Andersen, corr. 1 9 98. 1 4.�g5 'i¥b4 1 5 .�xf7+-
and White had no problems securing the win. The piece sacrifice on e 6 also plays an important role in the . . . gxf6 structure :
2:
T h e s tand a r d c en t r e
1 1 .0-0-0
The advance 1 1 . d5 does not achieve much , since after 1 1 . . . cxd5 1 2 .�xd5 'li"b6 Black has no problem completing his development: 1 3 . 0 - 0 0 - 0 - 0 1 4. �e4 �xe4 1 S . 'ifxe4 fS 1 6 . 'li"c4+ �cS 1 7 . �a4 .l:rg8 1 8. b4 ? 1 'ifds + , Vouldis Tzermiadianos , Greece 1 9 98. 1 1 ... 'li"c7 ? !
Probably Papaioannou underestimated the sacrifice on e 6 . 1 I . . . tZ:lb6 1 would be safer and better. 1 2 .tZ:lh4 �g6
2. 1 2 Jorge Egger Ioannis Papaioannou Istanbul Olympiad 2 0 0 0
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'li"xd 5 3 .tZ:lc3 'liaS 4.d4 c6 5.tZ:lf3 tZ:lf6 6 .�c4 �f5 7.�d 2 e6 8.tZ:ld5 'i¥d8 9.tZ:lxf6+ gxf6 !? 1 0.'ife2
The sacrifice on e 6 was also played in the following game : 1 O . c 3 �d6 (I O ... tZ:ld7 1 ?) 1 1 .�e2 tZ:l d 7 1 2 . 0 - 0 - 0 'i¥ c 7 1 3 . tZ:l h4 � g 6 1 4 . �xe6 fxe 6 I S .�xe 6 + W d8 1 6 . tZ:l x g 6 hxg 6 1 7 . .l:!.he 1 b S 1 8.�h6 Wc8 1 9 .� g 7 J:[xh2 2 0 . �xf6 'II - 112 , Spasov-Ricardi , Bled Olympiad 2 0 0 2 . Here the sacrifice i s really speculative and by far and away not as conclusive as in the main game, where White steams on with his development and omits the move c2-c3 . 1 o ... tZ:l d 7
The ambitious 1 0 . . . �xc2 ! ? will b e considered i n the game Zhang Zhong Nisipeanu (Game 2 . 3 3 ) .
1 3 .�xe 6 ! fxe6 1 4.'i¥xe6+ Wd8
Not 1 4 . . . �e 7 ? on account of 1 5 . l:!.he I 0 - 0 - 0 ( I S . . . 'ifd8? 1 6 . �b4 cS 1 7 . tZ:lxg6 hxg 6 1 8. dxc 5 +- ) 1 6 . �xe 7 'li"xh2 1 7 . .l:rh l +- . 1 5 .tZ:lxg 6 hxg 6 1 6 . .l:r h e 1
For the piece he has sacrificed , White can be content with two pawns and a long-lasting initiative. In the next game extract, the loss of the right to castle will mean that Black has to struggle with problems of coordination. 1 6 ... �d6 1 7.d5 c5
The opening of the centre leads to a strong attack by White : 1 7 . . . cxd S 43
T h e M o d ern S can d i nav i an
1 8 .�xd5 :a.c8 ( 1 8 . . . Wc8 1 9 . l:[e 3 --+ ) 1 9 .�c3 �f4+ 2 0 . Wb 1 � e s 2 l .�f7 .
25 .Uxd8+?
1 8.�h 6 !
With the deadly threat o f 1 9 . �g 7 , but nevertheless it looks like a mistake, since it allows an apparently relieving exchange sacrifice. 1 8 ... �f4+?
1 8 . . . �e5 ( 1 8 . . . :a.xh6 7 ? 1 9 .Wke8#) is probably best, even if White 's compen sation after 1 9 .d6 should be more than sufficient. 1 9.�xf4 Wixf4+ 20.W b 1 ±
It will soon become evident that in this case the exchange of pieces favours only the attacker. The black bishop had an important defensive task to fulfil on d6; it was blockading the mighty pawn on dS . The latter now strides forward and becomes a nail in Black 's coffin. 2o ... wcs
20 . . . �xh2 fails to 2 1 .'i¥e7 + Wc8 2 2 .d6 l:.d8 2 3 .�d3 ! �h8 2 4 . Uc3 b6 2 5 . Uh3 �g8 2 6 .'tWe4 Wb8 2 7 .�c6+- . 21 .d6 :ads 2 2 .'i¥f7 Wig4 2 3 .t3 �a4
2 3 . . . 'it'xg 2 7 2 4 . U e 8 +- . 24 . .l:!.e8 'tWaS
44
Unfortunately, White now misses the finish he deserved for a bravely played game. The strong prophylactic move 2 5 . f4 1 would have given him the option to stop the knight from coming to e S while threatening the deadly 2 6 . llxd8 + 'i¥xd8 2 7 . .l:!.e 1 +- : 2 5 . . . llxe 8 ( 2 5 . . . b 5 2 6 .'i¥d5 �b8 2 7 . l:[de 1 +- ) 2 6 . �xe 8 + � d 8 2 7 . � e 1 b 6 2 8 . 'i¥ e 4 W b 8 2 9 .'i¥c6+- . 25 ... 'it'xd8 26.lle1 tt:le5
Black is back in business again ' 27.�e6+ Wb8
2 7 . . . tt:ld7 7 2 8 . f4+- . 28.f4 tt:lc6 29.'i¥d5 a5 30.'i¥xc5 a4 31 .�d5 .l:!.a5 32 .'i¥e6 wa7 33.a3 g5 34.�e4 f5 35.l:[c4 gxf4 36 . .l:!.xf4 �b8?
36 . . . .l:!.e5 offers good chances of saving the game, like after 3 7 . :a.xa4+ Wb8 3 8 .�g6 .l::!. d 5 1 • 3 7. .l:!.xf5 39.h4
l:[xf5
38.'tWxf5
'tWxd 6
White was able to convert his advantage into a point on move 6 4 : 39 . . .� g 3 40.�e4 �f2 41 .'tWxa4 'tWxg 2 42 .'i¥f4+ Wa7 43 .'i¥c4 �g6 44.'i¥c5+ b6 45.Wid5 'i¥f6
Chapt e r 2 : T h e s t a n d a rd c en t re
46.h5 t2:;d4 47. h 6 'lWf1 + 48.�a2 CLie2 49.'lWd 7+ �a6 50.b4 tt:lc3+ 51 .�b3 t2J b 5
.. /L_je4 5 2 . 'ii' d 3 + ilfxd3 + 5 3 . cxd3 ��J6 5 4 . �c4+- . S l
In principle a tactical error, which should normally lead to the loss of the bishop pair. I I . . . £g6 1 . 1 2 .c3 .�e 7 1 3 .-1Jg3
52.�d3 � h 1 5 3 . h 7 W b 7
53 . �a I 5 4 . Wa4 � e 5 5 5 . h 8 'i¥+- . .
.
54.'lixb5 'lixh7 55.'ii' d 5+ wa 7 56 .a4 'ii' h 3+ 57.�d3 'lWe6+ 58.'lWc4 'lWh3+ 59.wb2 'lWh8+ 60.'lWc3 � h S 61.'li'c7+ WaS
6 1 . . . �a6 6 2 .c3 'lWe 2 + 6 3 . Wa3 +- . bS 62.a5 64.'tWc5+
63 .'lWc8+
�a7 1 -0
2. 1 .4.2 As a pseudo-sacrifice As we will see in the following game, the capture on e 6 can of course also take the for m of an apparent or tempo rar y sacrifice :
2. 1 3 Martin Olivieri Guillermo Soppe B uenos Aires 1 9 9 4
1 .e4 d S 2 .exd 5 'ii' x d S �as 4.d4 c6 5 .t2Jf3 -1Jf6 si.fS 7.0-0 e6 8/ZleS 9.�e2 �b4 ! ? 1 0.CL.!xd 7 1 1 .t2:Je4 0-0?!
1 3 ... j/�g 6 ?
Here at the latest, Black should have sensed the danger and made the best of things with 1 3 . . . t2J f6 1 4. Cilx f5 'lWxfS I L�.d3 ;\; . 1 4.£xe 6 !
This pse udo-sacrifice is in no way spe cific to the Scandinavian and can turn up in many different openings. White simply wins a pawn. 1 4 ... 'ifc7
3 /Zlc3 6.£c4 t2J b d 7 t2Jxd 7
1 4 . . . fxe6 does not help much either after 1 5 . 'lWxe 6 + l::!. f7 1 6 . 'lWxd 7 ± . 1 5 .�f5 .¥ld 6 1 7.£g 5+-
1 6 .'lWf3
l:tfe8
2 . 1 . 5 g2 -g4 This aggressive advance can often he found in the Scandinavian and is thus of great significance. In general it is played with tempo and starts the hunt for the Scandina vian bishop. On account of its connection to other motifs , we will keep on coming across it throughout this book. The hunt for the bishop can take several forms : A) f4- f5 (German-Garcia, Game 1 . 5 ) B ) h4-h5 (Anand-Lautier, Game 1 . 2 ) C) Cil e 2 / h 3 -f4 (Chandler-Forster, Game 2 . 6 0 ) . 45
T h e M o d e r n S can dinavian
At this point we will present an example to warn you how quickly the game can be over if Back underestimates the looming dangers : 2. 14
1 1 ... £.xc2?
Stefan Winge Ralf Hallerod Stockholm 2 0 0 2 / 0 3
This is not good chess. l l . . . lLJd 7 . 1 2 .l:i:c1 £. h 7 1 3 .d 5 !+-
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 �xd5 3 .tt.Jc3 i¥a5 4.d4 c6 5 .£.c4 £.f5 6 .£.d 2 Wic7?
A serious loss of time. 6 . . . e 6 ?1 would be the logical continuation in view of the policy of delaying development of the king's knight. In any case White can seize the initia tive with 7 . dS or 7 . g4 (see for example Chandler-Forster (Game 2 . 6 0) ) . 6 . . . tLJ f6 leads to the main variation, where White has the option of turning to 7 .Wie2 e6 8 . dS cxd S 9 . tLJxdS .
The black position is opened up like the parting of a zip fastener. Comparison of the piece activity of both sides demon strates that any organised defence is to tally out of the question. 1 3 ... e5
A) 1 3 . . . exdS 1 4 . tLJcxdS Wi e S + I S . 'it>fl £.e4 1 6.�e2 cxdS 1 7 .£.xd 5 + - ; exdS B) 1 3 . . . cxdS 1 4 . lLJcxdS £.e4 1 6 . 'it> f l 1 S . tLJ xdS �eS + 1 7 .£.bs + t2J c 6 1 8 Jhc6+- ; C) 1 3 . . . i¥eS + 1 4 .Wd l 'ifd4 1 S .tLJbS 'i¥b6 1 6 . dxe6+- .
7.g4!
The hunt begins. 7... £.g6 8.tt.Jge2 e6 1 O.t2Jf4 ikh 7 1 1 .'�' f3
9.h4!
h6
White has a powerful mmanve. He would like to castle queenside and then have a quiet think about the conse quences of a piece sacrifice on e 6 or the thrust g4-g S -g 6 with a fatal weakening of the e 6 - square. 46
1 4.0-0!
In this game, White has consistently followed important basic principles of the opening such as rapid development and centralization. The same cannot be said of Black.
Chap t er 2 : T h e s tandard c entre
After this, Black is put out of his misery rather quickly. In any case the loss was in evitable : 1 4 . . . exf4 I S .jLxf4 'iYd7 ( I S ... jLd6 l 6 .dxc6+-) 1 6 .�fe I + Wd8 1 7 .�cd l +- . or 1 4 . . . t2:lf6 I S .g S hxg S 1 6 .hxg5 exf4 1 7 JHe I jLe 7 1 8 .jLxf4+- .
1 5 .dxc6 t2Jxc6 1 6 .jLxf7 + W d 7
1 6 . . . Wxf7 1 7 .t2Jfd5 + +- . 1 Vb b5 e4 1 8.'iYd 1
Black resigned .
2 . 1 . 6 The white tt:Jes This is a natural outpost and one which is easy to reach; this knight is frequently the nucleus of White 's attacking play. It supports the hunt for the Scandinavian bishop with g 2 -g 4 , h2 -h4, it can quickly reach d6 via c4 and thanks to its pressure on c6 it renders difficult the counter-thrust . . . b 7 -bS . From his point of view, Black is well advised to swap off this monster, or at least to be ready to do so. This is generally quite possible since d 7 is the natural developing square for the black queen's knight. However, Black should ensure that the opening of the d-file after the exchange .. /2:Jxe5 , dxe S does not lead to unfavourable consequences for himself.
2. 1 . 6. 1 tLlx£7 The following game shows another fre quent motif: the knight sacrifice on f7 . If this is successful , then it is usually al ready too late for Black. The next games are a befitting example of this.
8 . . . 'iYb6 9 .�.e3 t2Jd5 I O . �.xdS exd S 1 1 . 0 - 0 jLxc 3 1 2 . bxc3 0 - 0 = . .
9.g4! £g6 1 O.h4
2. 1 5 Leonie Helm Georg Porubszki Bad Wiessee 2 0 0 2
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'iYxd 5 3 .t2:Jc3 �a5 4.d4 t2Jf6 5.t2Jf3 jLf5 6 .jLc4 e6 7.t2Je5 jLb4 8.�d 2 c6?!
In Modcrncs Ska n dinavisclr 1 Matthias recommends avoiding the position which has now arisen. In any case, his repertoire suggestion is always based on the move order with 4 c 6 . so the position in this game be fore 8 . . . c6 J t is not treated. For that reason we both ought to and can make a new recommendation here : . . .
1 0 ... ..\l.e4?
The bishop will be saved, but this over looks the aforementioned tactical motif. A) I O . . . t2Jbd 7 1 is the best move. Black creates the option of exchanging the powerful knight on eS . The game could continue : l l .t2Jxd 7 Wxd 7 1 2 . h 5 £e4 (McGuire -Daniels , corr. I 993) 1 3 . t2:lxe4 t2:lxe4 1 4 . c 3 tZ_;xd2 I S .'iYxd2 �d6 and White has a slight advantage ; 47
T h e Modern Scand i n a v i a n
B ) I O . Jt.:e47 does nothing for the safety of the Scandinavian bishop : .fl.xc3 , 1 2 . bx c 3 -1:_: x c 3 l l . f3 ! 2 Campora-Cu. Hansen (Game . 1 0 I ) 1 3 .hS±; C) I O . . . �b6 7 l l .�e2 �.xc 2 ( 1 1 . . . �xd4 1 2 . 0 - 0 - 0 .fl.xc3 1 3 . .fl.xc3 �f4+ 1 4 . �b I .Q.e4 I S . f3 +- ) 1 2 . 0__'ixf7 0 - 0 I 3 . tL g S ± . 1 1.t2J xe4 t.L:xe4 1 2 .c3 £ e 7
1 3 .tbxf7 !+- Ci>xd 2
1 3 . . . l H8 1 4 . Jhe6 .ll x f7 I L li. xf7 + I 6 . 'fW f3 + !2J f6 I 7 . g S � d S 1 8 . l::!. h 3 +- ; Accepting the sacrifice with 1 3 . . . Wxf7 does not automatically lose material , but after 1 4 .�f3 + tLif6 I S . g S White wins the piece back and gets decisive pressure against e6 and the black king, along the lines of I S . . . cL:ld7 1 6 . 0 - 0 - 0 sit.d 6 ( 1 6 . . . l::. h e 8 I 7 . gxf6 tL:xf6 1 8 . .l:tde l Ji.d6 1 9 .itg S +- ) 1 7 . gxf6 -1Jxf6 I L � .g S .l:tae 8 I 9 . .�xf6 gxf6 2 0 . l::. h g I +- and Black will not survive. W x f7
1 4 . .fl.xe6 �f8 1 5 .�xd 2 ! �xf7 ? !
This leads to a quicker finish than I S . . . �b6 1 6 . � c 2 .ll xf7 1 7 . �xf7 + �xf7 1 8 . .l:tae I +- . 1 6 . .fl.xf7+ Wxf7 1 7.�b3+
Black resigned. 48
The next example shows that even after managing to castle queenside Black is not immune to the attack with ttJxf7 : 2. 1 6 Antonio Marcet Bisbale Rainer Kading Sitges 1 9 9 5
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 'fWxd5 3 .t2Jc3 �as 4.d4 c6 5 /2Jf3 tLfG 6.£.c4 .fl.f5 7. .fl.d 2 e6 8.�e2 itb4 9.0-0 tL:bd7 1 O.a3 �.xc3 1 L�xc3 �c7 1 2 .tLe5 0-0 1 3 Jlad 1 l:rfd8
Black puts the rook on the semi-open d-flle, but in doing so removes it from the defence of the f7 -square. 1 3 . . .ti:.�dS ! ? activates the knight and blocks the a 2 - g 8 diagonal . Then a cap ture on f7 is no longer an option for the time being : 1 4 . c'Llxd7 �xd 7 I S . .fl.e I aS 1 6 .a4 .l:Hb 8 ' 1 7 . f3 bS 1 8 . axbS cxbS I 9 . .fl. a 2 l:!. c 8 + . Belic-Fischd ick . Dresden I 9 9 S . 1 4.f3
By now alarm bells should be ringing . . . 1 4 ... h 6 ?
. . . but they are not. 1 4 . . . �dS would still be all right, for example I S . f4 t2Jxc3 1 6 . bx c 3 tLlxe S 1 7 . fxe S cS with counterplay.
Chap t er 2 : The s tandard c en t r e
8 . . . tt:Jbd7 is the main line. 9.�d 2 �xc3??
Black gives up his dark-squared bishop with loss of tempo and without it being challenged by a2 -a3 and is instantly punished for it: 1 0.�xc3 �c7 1 1 .�b4 ! 1 5 .g4 ! � h 7 1 6 .tt:J xf7
After 1 6 . . J � e 8 Black could at least have required his opponent to show some technique in converting the winning position. But the shock was a severe one, so Black resigned.
2 . 1 .6. 2 tt:les -c4-d6 One of the greatest advantages of the Scandinavian Defence is its structural solidity. In the basic structure of the Scandinavian , Black has no weak pawns and almost no weak squares. One exception is the d 6-square and linked to it is the dark-squared complex c S , d6 , c 7 , e 7 , eS . So it is no surprise that the knight manoeuvre tLleS -c4-d6 is often very dangerous , bringing up as it does the painful subj ect of the only structural weakness in Black's camp. Generally speaking, Black should man age to protect this colour complex suf ficiently. However, in the following game he voluntarily gives up the dark squares , which is not a good idea : 2. 1 7 Jose Planells Roig Antonio Moya Pol Mallorca 2 0 0 0
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd 5 'ii' x d5 3 .tt:Jc3 'ii' a 5 4.d4 tt:Jf6 5 .<1:Jf3 �f5 6.<1:Je5 c6 7.�e2 e6 8.0-0 �b4 ?!
This move prevents kingside castling and starts to take aim at the dark squares. 1 1 ... <1:J b d 7
Preferable would be l l . . . aS l 2 . �a3 bS with control of the c4-square. Yet , after 1 3 . c3 <1:Jbd7 1 4. �f3 White has a strong initiative. Also there is still the question of where and indeed whether the black king will find a safe haven. 1 2 .<1:Jc4 ! +-
Black is severely punished for his posi tiona! carelessness. He loses the right to castle and has to put up with the cheeky knight on d 6 . White only has t o open the position in order to exploit the shaky black king position and secure the win . 1 2 ... �g6
1 2 . . . c5 7 1 3 . dxc5 0-0 1 4. c 6 +- . 49
The Mode rn Scandinavian
1 3 .tt.Jd6+ 'lt>d8 1 4.e4 1 S .tt.Jxe4 �xe4 1 6 . .tf3
tt.Je4
There is actually no reason to swap off the bad black bishop. So it seems better to play 1 6 .'iYd2 , then .l:i.fd l , �e3 and finally d4-d5 . 1 6 .. .'ii'f4 1 7.�xe4 �xe4 1 8J:te1 �f4
20.�e7+ �e8 21 .exdS
In spite of the material equality, Black is losing. He does not have many shots in his locker against the white attack be cause his pieces are not cooperating well . 21 ...eS
This only temporarily keeps the posi tion closed. In the long term Black can not prevent the fatal opening of the c-file. 2 2 .'tWd3 24.d 6 ! ?
• 1:3:,
1 9.dS?!
In principle it i s correct to open up the position to make the most of the weak black king position. However, the tacti cal weakness of the b4 bishop would have left White 's advantage unnecessar ily small after 1 9 . . . cxd5 ! . It is worth considering 1 9 . l::r e 3 ! ? with possibilities for the rook along the third rank. It would probably be stronger to re move the bishop from the area of influ ence of the black queen: 1 9 . �a5 + b6 ( 1 9 . . . 'tt> c 8 2 0 . d 5 with a strong attack) 2 0 .�d2 'fifs 2 I . �c 3 ± and there are some active possibilities there (�a4; queenside pawn advance ; d4-d 5 ) . 1 9 ... exdS ?
Now White's bill will be a bigger one. The proper move was 1 9 . . . cxd5 , even if after 2 0 J1c 1 d4 2 1 . c 5 tLlb8 2 2 .�d2 'i¥f6 2 3 . b4 White retains the initiative. 50
a6
2 3 J:tae1
!tea
White wants t o press his attack home to a win and is not content with the gain of the exchange 24.�d6 .l:he l + 2 5 . !1xe 1 't#Vxd6 2 6 .l::l. e 8 + �c7 2 7 . !1xa 8 . 24 ... Wb8 2 6 JbeS !+-
9;;; a 7
Now the fat is in the fire. 26 .. .'�Vb4
2 6 . . . <1Jxc5 ? 2 7 .'i¥xc 5 + W b 8 2 8 .d 7 +- . 27.!1ee1 !1ae8 28.b3 .!:reS ? ! 2 9.�xf7 .�::t e eS 3 0 . .!:red 1 'fig4 3 1 . h 3 'it'b4 3 2 .�gS 'i!YbS 33 .�e3 !1f8 34.'i!Yxg 7 9;;; a 8 3S.�xeS �xeS 36 .'i!Yxd 7 J::!. xf2 3 7. W h 1 � g S 38.'it'g4 1 -0
A further example of the knight ma noeuvre tLle5 -c4-d6 can be seen in the game Dorfman-Mi.iller (Game 2 . 9 1 ) .
2 . 1 .6.3 Disadvantages of the knight on eS Of course a premature or inappropriate move of the knight to eS can have se vere consequences for White.
Chapter
The exchange tbxeS dxeS is certainly not unfavourable for White purely from the point of view of the pawn structure. By definition he extends his advantage in space and takes control of the d6-square. However, a position can never be judged solely in relation to the pawn structure. The position of the pieces (development , coordination, centraliza tion) must always be taken into ac count. In the case of the knight move to e S , White must therefore make sure that an exchange of his maj estic steed will not cause him any problems ; there is a whole range of traps, as is pointed out in exemplary fashion in the next two games :
2. 1 8 Martin Pribyl Nils Michaelsen Germany Bundesli g a 1 9 9 3 / 9 4
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'iVxdS 3 .tbc3 'iVaS 4.d4 c6 5.tbf3 tbf6 6 ..ic4 .ifS 7.0-0 e6 8.tbe5 tb b d 7 9.�e1 ?
You can hardly believe that this natu ral-looking continuation already leaves Black with a clear advantage. Another example of how the so tame looking Scandinavian is a dangerous counterattacking opening !
2:
The standard centre
This is the point. Black starts an attack on the weaknesses eS and f2 . White is already without a satisfactory defence. H .'iVe2
1 I ..if4 tbxf2 (or 1 I . . . .icS ! ? 1 2 . tbe4 tbxf2 1 3 . tbxf2 .ixf2 + 1 4. �xf2 'iVcS + 1 5 . W g 3 'iVxc4-+) 1 2 .'iVf3 and now not 1 2 . . . .icS ? 1 3 . Wfl ! with unclear complications in Antonio-Westerinen, Manila Olympiad 1 9 9 2 , but rather 1 2 . . . 'ifc5 and Black probably has a won position. H ... .ic5 1 2 . tb d 1
Now it looks as though White is about to chase the opposing knight to the less attractive h6-square with h 2 -h 3 . 1 2 . �fl tbxeS -+ , Leiser-P. Kuhn, Ham burg 1 9 9 3 . 1 2 ... .ixc2 !
9 ... tbxe5 1 0.dxe5?
Logical and bad. 1 O .l: heS 'iVc7 =F was certainly not the intention behind White 's last move, but nevertheless it was the lesser evil. 1 0 ... tbg4! 51
The Modern Scandina vian
And White gets an early and rude awak ening. Black wins a pawn and indirectly strengthens his attack on the weak f2 square. 1 3 .�d 2 'tWd8 !
Change o f wing. The queen now takes aim at the king side too.
1 6 ... 0-0 1 7.h5 �f5 1 8.'iYf3 �xe3 1 9 . .l::. x e3 �xb2-+
The remainder needs no comment. 20.llae1 �d4 2 1 .�e2 .l:!.fd8 2 2 .g4 �c2 2 3 . h 6 .l::. d 5 24.hxg7 l:.xe5 25.�f6 .l:!:d5 2 6 .�f3 !? 0-1 'iVxf6 27.�xd5 cxd5
1 4.'iVxg4
1 4 . -'H4 �xd l ! I S . l:. axd l �xf2 + 1 6 . �xf2 ( the vanatlon 1 6 . \t>h l 'iVh4-+ illustrates the smooth way the queen covers large distances (�d 8 - a 5 - d 8 -h4) ) 1 6 . . . tt:lxf2 1 7 . l:.xd8 + .l:!.xd8 1 8 . \t>xf2 l:.d4-+ (Emms) . 1 4 ... 'tWxd 2 1 5.tt:le3 �g6+
2. 1 9 Tatev Abrahamyan Matthew Ho Los An g eles 2 0 0 2
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 �xd5 3 .tt:lc3 'iYa5 4.d4 tt:lf6 5.tt:lf3 �f5 6 .�c4 e6 7.tt:le5 tt:lbd7 8.'ife2 ?
8. tt:lxd 7 would be better. 8 ...tt:lxe5!
Now it is actually very hard for White to avoid losing material ! 9.dxe5
9 . 'iYxe5 �b4 I O .�d2 �xc 2 + . 9 ...tt:le4
Pawn eS may soon fall off its perch . . . 1 0.0-0 'iYxe5
It is time to draw up a balance sheet: af ter the sequence 9 . . . tt:lxe5 I O . dxeS ? tt:lg4! Black has emerged from the com plications with an extra pawn and the bishop pair to boot. His position is therefore clearly better, possibly even winning. 1 6 .h4
The desperate 1 6 .�xe6 does not work: 1 6 . . . fxe 6 1 7 . 'tlfxe 6 + \t>f8 1 8 . .l:!.ad l ( 1 8 . 'iYc4 �b4) 1 8 . . . 'iYxb2 1 9 .tt:lc4 ( I 9 . .l:!.d7 .l:!.e8 2 0 .'it'g4 'tWxe S -+) 1 9 ... 'iVxf2 + 2 0 . \t>h l �fS -+ . 52
1 1 . .l:!.e1 ?
With I I . g 3 White can somehow avoid the loss of a pawn . However, after
C hapt e r 2 : T h e s tan d a r d c e n t r e
. . �d6 t 2 .�f4 'i¥d4 t 3 .t2Jbs 'i¥b6 l 4.�e3 �cS I S .�d3 �xe 3 l 6 .'i¥xe 3 �xe 3 l 7 . fxe3 'lt>e 7 + Black has a solid endgame advantage. t t
.
1 1 ... �d6+ 1 2 . 'i¥ h 5 ? ! 1 3 Jhe5 t2lxh5-+
t2lf6
and Black went on to win .
2 . 1 . 7 White advances on a broad front The plan with a massive kingside pawn advance is often intuitively and impulsively chosen by aggressive players. From Black 's point of view : keep your nerve and trust in the solid Scandinavian structure. Frequently White 's attack is beaten off; he is left with a ruined position and is a helpless spectator as the black forces counterattack mercilessly. However, as the next game shows, the uncompromising white plan is obj ectively often extremely dangerous , and you really must know what you are doing in these sharp lines :
2.20 Nath Saheli Betul Cemre Yildiz Heraklio jr 2 0 0 2
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 'i¥xd5 3 .tt'lc3 �a5 4.d4 c6 5 .t2lf3 �f5 6.�c4 e6 7.t2le5
The kingside pawn advance is often hacked up by a centralized knight on e S . 7.. t2lf6 8.g4 �e4 ?! .
8 �g 6 is the correct move here, with the main line 9 .h4 tt'lbd7 l o . t2lxd 7 (the mistake l O .'iVeP tLlxe S l l . dxe S tLle4+ is another example of the topic ' disad vantages of the knight on eS ' ) l O . ..t2Jxd7 I l . hS �e4 l 2 . .l:!.h3 etc. . . .
9.0-0 ! �d5
This was the intention behind Black 's last move ; apparently the bishop is per fectly placed on d 5 . If White swaps it off, Black recaptures with the c-pawn and strengthens her influence on the centre.
1 0.�d 3 !
This move immediately makes it clear that the future for the Scandinavian bishop is not rosy. Black must always look out for the idea of t2le2 and c2 -c4. 1 0 ... �d6 1 1 .f4 g 6 ? !
Apparently Black w a s only expecting the advance f4-f5 and underestimated the game continuation . Nevertheless , the alternatives do not look all that opti mistic eithe r : I I . . . c S l 2 . g 5 cxd4 1 3 . tLl b 5 �cS 1 4 . f5 1 ! t2lc6 l S .�f4 tLlxeS l 6 . �x e 5 0 - 0 - 0 ! 1 7 . fxe 6 ! ± , Aseev-D. Konig, Munich 1 9 9 1 / 9 2 . 53
The Modern Scandinavian
1 1 . . . 'iYb6 is considered in Schipper Turcan (Game 1 . 8 ) . 1 2.g5
The knight is driven away from f6 , so that after tt:le2 and c2 -c4 Black no lon ger has the counter . . . �e4. 1 2 ... tt:lh5 1 3 .tt:le2 c5 1 4.c4 �c6 ?
Another inaccuracy. 1 4 . . . �xeS 1 5 . fxeS �c6 ± ! ± was preferable.
Black is already almost finished. She is behind in development and her pieces lack coordination , as neither knight has good short-term prospects. But rapid measures are already needed to face up to White 's initiative. White is threatening to strengthen her position decisively with 1 8 . tt:le4. After the move played in the game 1 7... 'iYc7
the logical 1 8.tt:le4
would be correct, after which Black could hardly hang on, for example
•
1 8 ... �xe5
8
1 8 . . . 0 - 0 ? loses material : 1 9 . tt:lc4+- .
1 5 . d 5 ! ± exd5 1 6 .cxd 5 �d 7
1 6 . . . �xd S ?
fails
to
1 7 . � c4 ! +- .
1 9.fxe5 'tlfxe5 20.'iYe2 21 .tt:lxc5 'iYxd5 2 2 .�e3+-
Wd8
and White has a winning position.
2 . 2 Weak pawns and squares in White's camp
The further White advances his pawns , the more potential weaknesses there are in his position. Frequently Black's counterattacking strategy ends with a targeted inva sion of the white camp. Typical plans are the light-squared strategy and pressure exerted on d4.
2 . 2 . 1 Black pressure against d4 The semi-open d-file and the threatened levers . . . c6-c5 and . . . e6-e5 give Black chances to take aim at the d4 pawn. At the same time the early positioning of the white queen's knight on c3 prevents the natural protection of the pawn on d4 by c2-c3 .
2 . 2 . 1 . 1 Doubling major pieces on the d-file In the next game Black's middlegame strategy is determined by his pressure on d4. He uses the obvious method of doubling maj or pieces on the d-file. 54
This gives extra force to the levers . . . c6-c5 and . . . e6-e5 , since the opening of the d-file can immediately be linked to an invasion of the white camp by Black's maj or pieces.
Chapte r
2.2 1 Jan Thnman Alexander Beliavsky Ubeda 1 9 9 7
1 .e4 d 5 2.exd5 'iWxd5 3 .tt:Jc3 fla5 4.d4 tt:Jf6 5.tt:Jf3 c6 6 .�d2 �f5 7.tt:Jh4 ? !
This knight sortie is not convincing. The black bishop simply moves away, after which the knight has no real busi ness on the edge of the board. 7... �g4 'li'a6 !
8.�e2
�xe2
9.'i¥xe2
2:
The standa rd cent r e
able to Black. It also created a temporary misplacement of the white king 's knight. In what follows, Black logically sets about taking over the initiative. 1 3 .�b 1 1 5.a3
tt:Jb6
1 4.�g5
�b4 !
Not good is 1 5 .�xf6 gxf6 1 6 . 'it'xf6 ? �xc3 1 7 . bxc3 lLlc4 1 8 .'it'e 7 l:J.d6 and Black is winning. . 1 5 ...�xc3 1 6 .'iVxc3 l:f.d5
Black activates the rook with tempo and prepares to double major pieces on the d-file to strengthen the pressure against d4. A possible attempt on the light squares could be made by 1 6 . . . lLlbd5 1 7 .'it'b3 h6 1 8 .�c l b 5 1 9 . lLl f3 lLld7 oo . 1 7.�c1
1 7 . �xf6 gxf6 1 8 . f4 lLla4 1 9 .'ti'e3 l:J.b5 2 0 .b 3 lLlb6 t (Beliavsky in CBM 5 8 ) 1 7... l:J. h d 8 1 8.tt:Jf3 tt:Jc4 !
A good move. Black removes the possi bility of the discovered attack lLlc3 -e4 and strengthens his control over the light squares. 1 0.'iVf3
The ending after I O . 'iVxa6 tZ:lxa6 = of fers White no chances for an advan tage.
Black continues t o strengthen his posi tion.
• .1.
1 0 ... e6 1 1 .0·0-0 tt:Jbd 7 1 2 . l:J. h e 1
1 2 . g4 "ii' c 4 1 3 . g 5 lLld5 with a slight ad vantage for Black. 1 2 ... 0-0-0
Black has a very pleasant game. White 's seventh move simply led to an ex change of bishops structurally favour-
Beliavsky concentrates all his forces against the d4 pawn ; it can be attacked once more by . . . lLlf5 . 55
The M o d ern S cand i nav i an
White on the other hand is very passive, yet obj ectively speaking the position is still roughly balanced. The over-hasty 1 9 . . . e S ? runs into 2 0 . b 3 ! <1::l d 6 2 1 . <1::l x e5 ± . 20.i¥d 3
A good decision ; White seeks relief in an endgame. 20 .. .'�Wxd3 21 . .Mxd3 <1Jf5 2 2 .<1Je5 l:rf8
The only way to continue the struggle for a win. In what follows, Beliavsky is aiming to achieve a slight advantage. 22 .. Jhd4? 2 3 . �xd4 .l:!.xd4 2 4 . <1::l x f7 ;l; ; 2 2 . . . <1::l x d4 2 3 .�b l .l:!.f8 2 4 . c4 .l:!.dd8 2 5 .�e3 cS 26 . .l:!.ed l = .
3 2 . . . 4J g 6 3 3 . fxe5 fxe S 3 4 .�xe5 tLld3 3 5 . �xg 7 .!::!. f2 3 6 . M.xd3 l:lxd3 3 7 .tLlb3 �dS 3 8 .�xh6 .!::!. x h2 with an even position. 31 ... <1J g 6 32 . .llf 3 .!::!. c8 3 3 . <1J b 3 <1J x b 3 34.�xb3 a 6 35 . .l:!. e 4 .Sc4
Now Black has clearly taken over the initiative. White is preoccupied with his weak pawns , and at the same time threatened by Black 's dominance on the light squares. 36.l:!.e2 aS!
2 3 .c3 <1J d 7 24.<1Jc4
White keeps his knight on the board . Probably Timman was afraid of the scenario ' good knight versus bad bishop ' , but after 24 . .i;I h 3 <1::l x e 5 2 5 . .!::!. x e5 h 6 = this should be com pletely avoidable. 24... b5 25.<1Ja5
25 . <1::l e 3 ?! <1::l x e 3 26 . .l:!.dxe3 ( 2 6 . fxe3 ? <1::l c 5 2 7 . I:!.dd l <1::l e 4+) 2 6 . . . a5 is some what more pleasant for Black. 25 ... c5 2 6 .g4 <1Je7 27. Il h 3 h 6 28.dxc5 <1Jxc5 29.�e3 � d 7 3 0.�d4
Another possibility was 3 0 . c4 bxc4 3 1 . <1::l x c4 <1::l c 6 = . 30 .. .f6 3 1 .f4?
And this is Timman 's first real mistake in the game. The advanced white pawns now become weaknesses. He should have played 3 l . .!::!. h e3 ! eS 3 2 . f4 with the logical follow-up 56
Next comes some instructive play by Beliavsky. Look and behold : 3 7. h 3 <1Je7 38.iH2
3 8 . l:!.fe3 <1::l c 6 3 9 . .!::!. x e6 .l:!.dxd4 40 . .l:!.xc6 �xc6 4 l . cxd4 .!::!. x d4 + . 38. . .<1J c 6 39.�g 3 a 4 + 40.�a 2 <1Ja5 41 .h4 ?!
White cannot stand up to the strong pressure and puts another pawn on a dark square. 41 ... <1J b3 42J:!.f1 h5
Absolutely perfect light-square play ! 43.g5 .!l d 3 44.� h 2 f 5 45 .�g 1 .!::!. xf4 !
Chapt e r 2 : T h e s t a n d a rd c e n t re
The tactical conclusion to an ambi tiously played game by Beliavsky. Black obstinately fought for the initiative for thirty moves and then logically built on it until the end of the game. 46 JUe 1
4 6 . lhf4 ttlc l + 4 7 . Wb l t2lxe2 4 8 .l:H i �xg l 49 . lhg l e S -+ . 46 .. Jbh4 47Jlxe6 .bre4 !
0-1
On account of 4 8 . l:I 6xe4 fxe4 49 .�e3 (49 . llxe4 ? .ll d 1 -+ ) 49 . . . We6-+ . Hermann-Wahls (Game 2 . 2 7 ) is also an instructive example of how Black can build up strong pressure against the d4 pawn by doubling his major pieces.
2.2. 1 .2 The opposition 'iYd l l .l:.dS
This opposition occurs often , especially in the variations with . . . t2lc6 , and causes many white players to feel a bit uncomfortable. One example :
Now we are there. There is a positive feeling that the queen feels ill at ease on di . 1 1 .�f2 c5!? 1 2 .'Wic1 t2Jc6 1 3 .l:i.d 1 cxd4 1 4.t2Jxd4 t2lxd4 1 5 Jbd4 llxd4 1 6 .jt.xd4 il.c5 1 7.'Wie3 Jhd4 1 8.Wfxd4 I:[d8
Pressure on the d-flle and subsequent opening of the position has proved pos itive for Black. His more active piece placement now gives him something of an advantage, which he will later con vert to a win . However the position is still close to equality.
2.22 Jens Ove Fries Nielsen Henrik Danielsen Aalhorg ch -DEN 2 0 0 0
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'i¥xd 5 3 .t2lc3 W/a5 4.d4 t2lf6 5 .£c4 t2lc6 6.t2le2 £g4 7.f3 �f5 ? !
An inaccuracy. 7 . . . �hS is the main line, the theoretical appendix . The interesting 7 . . . �e6 L � _xe 6 fxe 6 9 .f4 i s another option.
see
8.�e3?!
The most often played move 8 . �d2 1 is also a very good one and gives White an advantage. 8... -iJ b4 9.�b3 e6 1 0.0-0 0-0-0
2 .2 . 1 . 3 Forcing the position open with pawns Frequently Black builds up pressure on d4 and thus ties down the white pieces. Then the lever . . . c 6 - c 5 or . . . e 6 - e 5 can occur at the right moment, either bringing an advantage or else decisively opening the position. The following sample game did not start as a Scandinavian . This is the right moment to point out that the standard Scandinavian cen tre can also arise from many other openings , which makes a study of it especially worthwhile. As Karsten explains : ' I had previously just been at a seminar hy Matthias on the Scandinavian and could immediately make profitable use of my knowledge : ' 57
The Modern Scandinavian
2.23
1 7.c3 Jlad8 1 8J:Ue 1 h 6 1 9. h 3 l:l:d5 20. ttl h 2 b5 21 .ttlg4 �g5 2 2 .ttle3?!
Hans Joachim Oswald Karsten Miiller Gladenbach 1 9 9 7
1 .ttlf3 d 5 2.d4 c 6 3.e3 �f5 4.�d 3 �xd 3 5 .�xd3 ttlf6 6 . ttl b d 2 ttl b d 7 7. 0-0 e6 8.e4 dxe4 9.ttlxe4
The standard Scandinavian centre. 9 ... �e7 ! ?
2 2 ... 1::!. 5 d 7 2 3 .�c2 �c7 24.�e4?
2 4 . ttlg4 is indicated.
The bishop wants t o g o t o f6 , exerting pressure on d4. 1 O.ttlxf6+ �xf6 1 2.l:.ad 1 �a5 1 4.�b3 ttlb6
Better chances are offered by the set-up 2 2 .ttle5 �a4 2 3 .�xa4 bxa4 24.ttld3 + , because from d3 the white knight i s ef fective against Black's possible pawn le vers.
24 ... c5 !
1 1 .�f4 0-0 1 3 .a3 l:!fd8
••• i
•
• •
The correct moment for the lever has arrived. The game continuation leads to a very favourable endgame for Black : 25.dxc5 �xe3 26 .1:lxd 7 �xf2+ 27.Wxf2 .l:!.xd 7 28.b4 b6
The following exchange makes Black's pawn structure more compact and leaves him with the more promising minor piece. l S . tLleS ? ! can be met with 1 S . . . �a4 1 6 . �xa4 ttlxa4 1 7 .�c l cS , while 1 5 .c3 would be best. 1 5 ... l:. d 7 1 6 .�xb6 axb6
On account of the possible levers . . . c6-c5 and . . . e6-e5 Black's position clearly has more potential. White must always watch out for these two possibili ties, whereas he will have great difficulty finding an active and reasonable plan. 58
Black is clearly better. His pawn struc ture is much more solid and White has problems with his king position. 2 9.cxb6
Or 2 9 .c4 bxcS ! (29 . . . bxc4 3 0 .�xc4 �d2 + 3 l. .�e2 ! is unclear) 3 0 .cxb5 cxb4 3 l .�xb4 �b6+ 3 2 .Wg3 l:rd4 3 3 .�c3 �b8 + 3 4.Wf2 .l:!.f4+ 3 5 .\:itg l �xb S + . 29. . .�xb6+ 3 0.�e3 3 1 .'.t>g 1 l:r d 2 3 2 .I:i.e2 33 .�c5 � d 1 + 34. W h 2 35 .�e3 � d 6 + 3 6 .Wg 1
�d 8 :cld3 .!::r d 5
Chap ter 2 : The s tandard centre
The rook ending after 3 6 .'i¥g3 �xg 3 + 3 7 . <;t>xg3 l:rd3 + 3 8 . �f2 lhc3 3 9 JleS lha3 40JhbS �h 7 + should be a win for Black. 36 .. J:!:d 3 3 7.�e5 �c6 38Jle3?! �b61 39.<;t>f2 :C:d5 40.'i¥e4 'Wia7 41 .<;t>f3? 1 l::I f 5+ 42.<.t>e2 'W/xa 3 - + 43.:rf3 'i¥b2+ 44.<.t>f1 'W/ c 1 + 45.�f2 �d2+ 46.�g 1 �d 1 + 47. <.t> h 2 :rxf3 48.'i¥a8+ w h 7 49.gxf3 � d 2 + 50.�g3 �xc3 51 .'i¥e4+ g6 52.�b7 �e5+ 0-1
Many games have continued here with I O . . . �b4 ? ! I I . tt:l e 2 0 - 0 I 2 . c 3 .£.. e 7 . In my view it is not very clever to force White to clear a way for his c-pawn like this, which in the long run is to his ad vantage. 1 1 .tt:le2 0-0 1 3 Jle1 ? !
1 2 .tt:lg3
�g6
Probably it would have been a good idea to fit in a protective move such as I 3 .c3 . 1 3 ... tt:l b 6 1
2.2. 1 .4 �e 7-f6 You already know this manoeuvre from ...
the last game. Matthias has a weakness
for it, which he betrays in what follows : 2 . 24 Panagiotis Cladouras Matthias Wahls Bern 1 9 94
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 �xd 5 3 .tt:lc3 �a5 4.d4 c6 5 .tt:lf3 tt:lf6 6 .�c4 �f5 7.0-0 e6 8.tt:le5 tt:l b d 7 9.�xd 7 tt:lxd 7 1 o.�f4
This is undoubtedly the correct time to take over the initiative. 1 4.�b3?1
The bishop does not achieve much here and would have been better off prepar ing for a relieving exchange by 1 4 .�d3 . 1 4 ... .l:Ifd8
Once more, the main theme of the Scandinavian : black pressure against the d4 pawn . 1 5 .�d 2
After I S .c3 cS Black is slightly better: 1 6 .�c7 ( 1 6 .�e3 tt:ldS � ; 1 6 .�es tt:ld7 1 7 . �f4 cxd4 1 8 . cxd4� ( 1 8 . �xd4 7 tt:l c S ) ) 1 6 . . . :r d 7 1 7 . �xb6 �xb 6 1 8 . dxcS �c6 � . 1 5 ... 'W/a6 1 6 .'ti'g4
I have always had a soft spot for this 'modest' development of the king 's bishop.
The white queen moves away from the unhealthy opposition with the black rook, but in doing so leaves behind an unprotected bishop. In case of 1 6 .c3 there would have followed: 1 6 . . . tt:lc4 ! 1 7 . �c l ( 1 7 .gxc4 'iVxc4�) 1 7 . . . tt:laS ( 1 7 . . . cS ! 7 1 8 . �e2 b S 1 9 . dxcS �xc S ) 1 8 . .£.. c 2 c S � . 59
T h e M o d e rn S cand i nav i an
1 6 ... c5 1 7.c3
1 7 Jh e 6 ? fxe 6 1 8 . �xe 6 + W h 8 1 9 . �xe 7 is bad on account of 1 9 . . . c4-+ , but the sequence 1 7 . dxcS ! 7 l:!.xd2 1 8 .<1Jfl ! + is well worth consider ing. 1 7... <1Jc4 ! 1 8.�xc4
1 8 . �g 5 7 �xg S 1 9 . dxcS 2 0 . '/ixgS tbd3 2 1 .. l:!.ed l �aS .
tb x b 2
1 8 ... '/ixc4 1 9.�e3
1 9 .tbe2 cxd4 2 0 . tbxd4 �f6 with the idea 2 1 . . . eS is unpleasant for White. 1 9 ... �f6 20.h4
2 0 . tb e 2 cxd4 2 1 . �xd4 e S 2 2 .b 3 'lia6 2 3 .�e3 .l:!.d3 + . When added up, a spa tial advantage, the bishop pair and con trol of the d-file speak volumes. 20 ...cxd4 21 .cxd4 h 6 22.h5 �h7 23 J::t e d 1
2 3 .�xh6 l:Ixd4 2 4 . 'lif3 � d S 2 S . �xdS .l:!.xdS 2 6 .�c l .l:: c 8 -+ . 23 ... wf8 24.b3 "i¥d5
2 5 . .l:: a c1 .l:!.ac8 26 . .l:!.xc8 .l:: xc8 27. .l:!. d 2 �e7 28 . .l:: d 1 .a.c2 29.'i¥f4 �d6 30.'ilfh4 �c7 31 . .l:: c 1 .l:: x c1 + 32 .�xc1 "i¥a5?!
Of course it is tempting to prevent 3 3 .�a3 + and at the same time head for the squares a2 and e I . But it would have been better to play 3 2 . . . � b I 3 3 .�a3 + �g8 3 4."i¥e7 ( 3 4 . <1Jfl �xa2 3 S .'ilfe7 'i¥d8-+) 3 4 . . . 'i¥d8 , winning. 33 .�f4 �d8 34.�d6+ weB?
This inaccuracy could have had serious consequences. After 34 . . . �g8 3 S . "i¥f4 �c2 Black should win in the long run. 35 .�g4 �f6 36 .�e5?
My opponent could now have stirred up some proper trouble with 3 6 ."i¥f3 . 36 ... �e1 + 3 7sii h 2 'iWxf2
Of course, there is no way out now. 38.�xf6 'i¥xf6 39.d5?
This attempt to create complications is based on an oversight. 39 ... exd 5 40.'i¥c8+ "iYd8
By proceeding energetically I managed to turn dynamic advantages into lasting positional ones. My bishop pair and the safely blockaded isolated pawn make White's survival a difficult undertaking. 60
It is not often that after 40 moves you find both king and queen in their start ing positions. 41 ."iYg4
Cha p t er 2 : The s t a n d a r d c entre
Probably my opponent wanted to con tinue with 4 1 .'i¥xb 7 , but then there is the simple 4 1 . . . 'i¥h4 + . 41 ... wf8 42/2Je2 �e4 43.lt:Jd4 wga 44.'i¥f4 a 6 0-1
Better would be 1 6 . lt::l e 4 lt::l x e4 1 7 .'i¥xe4 with a minimal advantage to White. 1 6 ... h 5 ! +
2.2. 1 . 5 . .t2Jd6 (e 7) -fS .
As already happened in Timman Beliavsky (Game 2. 2 1 ) , the knights can also increase the pressure on d4. This method is not so common in praxis as the other method we have mentioned. When it is played , the black king 's knight usually pops up on fS . But the exception proves the rule: A strong move. Black secures the fS square for a knight, and above all re moves the possibility of g 3 -g4.
2.25 Vitezslav Rasik Richard Forster Leipzig tt 2 0 0 2
1 7.'1Wf3 lt:Je 7 1 8. h 3
1 .e4 d S 2 .exd 5 �xd S 3 .lt:Jc3 'iYaS 4.d4 c6 5.lt:Jf3 lt:Jf6 6 .lt:Je5 �e6 !? 7.�d 2 lt:J b d 7
Worth considering is 7 . . . �b6 ! ? 8 .�c 1 tt'lbd 7 9 . lt::l c 4 �xc4 1 0 . �xc4 e 6 = , Zarnicki-Gomez Baillo, Buenos Aires 1 990.
White must play like this if he wants the option of g 3 -g4. In any case this move is also weakening. 1 8 ... �b4 1 9.�c1
1 9 . lt::l e4 �xd2 2 0 . lh d 2 lt::l x e4 2 ! . 'iWxe4 lt:Jfs 2 2 . l:!. g 1 cS is slightly better for Black.
�xc4
19 ...�xc3 20.W!/xc3 lt:Jf5 21 .l:td3 cS
White has the bishop pair, but Black's position is super-solid.
Black could also further increase the pressure on d4 with 2 1 . . . l:!.d7 ! ?'+ fol lowed by 22 . . . lihd 8 .
8/i:Jc4 W!/c7 9.�d 3 1 o.�xc4 e6 1 1 . WH e2 �d6
1 2 .g3 0-0-0 1 3 .0-0-0 1 4.�b3 lt::l bdS 1 5 . w b 1 1 6 .f4? !
lt:Jb6 Wb8
This committal pawn move j ust helps Black. The fS -square now becomes available to his knight and at the same time White 's dark-squared bishop sees its prospects diminish.
22 .'ihc5
Here a draw was agreed, although Black is somewhat better after 2 2 . . . J:!.xd4 2 3 .'li'xc 7 + Wxc 7 2 4 . lixd4 lt:Jxd4.
2 . 2 . 1 .6 ... �b6 An early black pawn grab is a recurring motif in the Scandinavian. The move . . . Vi'b6 to some extent potentially at61
The Modern Scandinavian
tacks both d4 and b 2 . In any case, Black must bear in mind his delay in develop ment (typical of the system and inimi cal to a sound structure) and be clear in each concrete case who is offering whom a present. The next game exemplifies inappropri ate greed . . .
2.26 Michael Adams Fritz 6 Frankfurt I 9 9 9
1 .e4 d5
Programmers often turn to the Scandi navian Defence. 2.exd5 'iYxd5 3 .tt:lc3 'i�Va5 4.tt:lf3 tt:lf6 5.d4 c6 6 .tt:le5 �f5 7.�d2 tt:lbd 7 8.tt:lxd 7 tt:lxd 7 9.�c4 'ti'b6 ? 1
Ah well , it's only a machine. It sees a double attack . . . And i t gives a double attack! A human being 's foresight would rather incline him or her to another queen move 9 . . .'tWc7 : 1 O .�b3 e 6 = , A. Hernandez-Spangenberg (see the notes to Game 2 . 4 7 ) . -
1 O.d5 'ifxb2?
Fritz follows his instinct and asks White to demonstrate the compensation he has for the pawn . But in doing so he loses all sense of the danger threatening his queen. 1 1 .�b3 !
1 1 . l:l.b 1 'iYxc2 1 2 .'ii' x c2 �xc2 1 3 Jhb7 is also quite dangerous , but not as clear as the game continuation . 1 1 ...tt:le5? 1
1 1 . . . 'i1V a 3 ? fails to 1 2 . dxc6 bxc6 1 3 .tt:lb5 1 cxbS 1 4.'iYf3 +- and there are too many threats ; l l . . . tt:lf6 7 ! is similar, after 1 2 . l:l. b I 'iY a 3 1 3 . dxc6 bxc 6 1 4.tt:lb5 ! cxbS 1 5 .'iYf3 ± as well as fS above all a8 and indirectly a 3 are hang ing. The best chance is probably the piece sacrifice 1 1 . . . cxdS ! ? 1 2 . a4 e6 1 3 . 1:ra2 .2.xc2 1 4. kxc2 'iYb6 . Black has three pawns for the bishop, but the latter is clearly preferable on a full board. 1 5 .a5t. 1 2.0-0
Adams plays the most human move and completes his development. There was however the option of de priving the black queen of its last avail able square by 1 2 . a 3 ! ? , for example 1 2 . . . �g4 1 3 . f3 tt:lxf3 + ( 1 3 . . . �xf3 1 4. gxf3 tt:lxf3 + 1 5 . Wf2 +-) 1 4 . gxf3 �xf3 1 5 . l:l.b 1 �xd l 1 6 .l: h b 2 �g4 1 7 . l:l.fl ± and White 's extra piece would decide in the end. 1 2 .. .'iYa3 1 3 .l:l.e1 ±
For the cost of a measly pawn, White has a powerful lead in development and is also ready to open up the position. However, he is up against an extremely strong defender with nerves of steel ! 62
Chapter
1 3 ... f6
There is little more j oy in 1 3 . . . 'ii' d 6 1 4.�f4 f6 1 5 .�xe5 fxe S 1 6 .'ii' f3 ± .
2:
The standard centre
This looks natural, but allows the black queen to retreat to its camp under rela tively favourable circumstances. 1 9 . �b 1 ! is stronger.
1 4.�f4? !
Against another human, Adams would possibly have opened up the position decisively with 1 4. dxc 6 ! and then : 1 4 . . . bxc 6 ( 1 4 . . . tt::l x c6 ? 1 5 . tt::l b 5 +- ; 1 4 . . . 0-0-0 1 5 . cxb 7 + Wb8 1 6 .'ii' e 2 + - ) 'if d 6 1 6 . 'if f3 fxe S I S . l:lxeS ! 1 7 .'iVxfS +- . 1 4 . . 0-0-0 1 5 � xe5 fxe5 1 6 .�f3 �d 7 1 7.�a d 1 !? .
.
Adams sticks to his guns. He strength ens his position as best he can before beginning forcing manoeuvres. 1 7 . dxc6 �xc6 1 8 .'ii' fS + t / ± . 1 7 .. c5 .
1 8. d 6 ! !
A very pretty motif This pawn sacrifice does improve Black's position, but much more importantly White opens up lines for his pieces to get at the op posing king. 1 8 . exd 6 ..
1 8 . . . 'iYa6 ! ? . 1 9 � d5? .
Ana lysis d i agram
The threats on the b-file make life diffi cult for Black: A) 1 9 . . .'�fa 6 ? 2 0 .�c4+- ; B) 1 9 . . . �c6 2 0 .�e 6 + l':ld7 ( 2 0 . . . �c7 2 1 . tt::l d 5 + +- ) 2 1 . �xd 7 + Wxd7 2 2 .�xb 7 + ! �xb 7 2 3 .'�'xb 7 + �d8 2 4 . l:f.b 1 �xc3 2 5 .�xa 7 +- ; C) 1 9 . . . e4! ? 20.�xe4 .tc6 2 I ..tds 'ifa6 2 2 .l:lb3 Lds 2 3 .tt::lxd5 �c6 24 . .l:reb 1 -; D) 1 9 . . . �a5 2 0 . �e6 ! �c7 2 1 .tt::l b 5 'iY b 8 ( 2 1 . . .�b6 2 2 . tt::l x d6 + ±) 2 2 .'ii' f7 and now : axb S 2 3 . l':lxe5 ! D 1 ) 2 2 . . .a6 ( 2 3 . . . dxe5 2 4 . l':ld 1 .td6 2 5 . �xd6+-) 24 . .txd 7 + .l:!.xd 7 2 5 J � e 8 + .!:idS 26 . .l:.xd 8 + Wxd8 2 7 J �e 1 �e 7 2 8 . l:lxe 7 'iYc8 2 9 Jh b 7 l:re8 3 0 . Wfl +- and Black is completely helpless. D 2 ) 2 2 . . . .txe 6 2 3 . 'ii' x e 6 + .ll d 7 2 4 .'ii' e 8 + .tld8 2 5 . .tlxe 5 ! with a clear advantage for White. 1 9 ... 'ii' a 6 20J � b 1 .txd5 2 2.tt:Jxd5�
�c6
2 1 J:I b3
The far superior minor piece together with pressure across the whole board gives White sufficient compensation for the two sacrificed pawns. 63
T h e M o d e rn S c a nd i na v i a n
However, as can be seen from the notes to moves 1 4 and I 9 , Adams clearly let himself be bought off too cheaply. But he was certainly well aware of that and in what follows he plays courageously for the full point : 22 ... Wb8 23 .'i¥f7
It is a draw after 2 3 .Seb l Sd7 2 4 . Sa3 'i¥c6 2 S . t2J f6 .I:!.c7 2 6 .tt:ldS �d7 = (not 2 6 . . . llc8 7 2 7 ..l:i.ab 3 ± ) . 23 ... 'ti'c6 24.c4
I am not sure whether Adams seriously considered the variation 2 4 . lleb l Sd7 2 5 . Sxb7 +, since it is clear that there he has no more than a draw, which is all done and dusted after 2 S . . Jhb 7 2 6 .l: hb 7 + �xb 7 2 7 . 'i¥e 8 + 'i¥ c 8 2 8 .'i¥b5 + Wa8 ! 7 2 9 .'i¥a4 1 = .
This enables the rook sacrifice on aS , whic h , all things said and done, leads to a peaceful outcome. After 40 . . . .Sff7 1 7 the situation remains unclear. 41 Jlxa 5 ! ?
I think Adams was well advised to force a draw here. The black pieces were looking much more active than a dozen moves ago ' 41 ... 'i¥c1 +
4 l . . . bxa 5 4 2 . Sxb 7 + Wxb 7 43 . 'i¥b 2 + W c 8 44.'i¥b5 also leads to a n even posi tion. 42.wh2 bxa5 43 .llxb7+ wxb7=
2 4 ... 'iY d 7 2 5 .'i¥f3 �c8 2 6 . ll e b 1 ll d 7 D 27J :!.a 3 ! ? 'ti' c 6 28.'i¥c3 ! ?
Here and two moves later, he probably deliberately avoided a draw, which could be obtained after 2 8 . t:bf6 .l::!. c 7 2 9 . C<'Jd5 = . 2 8....Q_e7 29.'i¥a5 b 6 30.'i¥e1
3 0 .CLC xb 6 with the main line 30 . . . axb 6 ! ( 3 0 . . . .I:!. b 7 ? fails t o 3 l . tLl d 7 + 1 ) 3 l . ll xb 6 + 'iYxb6 3 2 . 'i¥a 8 + W e ? 3 3 . .l::r a 7 + 'i¥xa 7 3 4 . 'i¥xa 7 + = and per petual check. 30 ... .Rf8 31 .f3 l:!. b 7 32 .'i¥e4 h 6 3 3 . h 3 � g 5 34J:tb5 �f4 35Jlab3 'iYd7 36.a4
It was possible to play 3 6 .'i¥ e 2 ! 7 , in order to prevent the redeployment of the bishop on aS . 36 ... 9�d 2 3 7J l b 2 �a5 38J� b 1 'i¥f5 39.'i¥e2 g 6 40.:U1 b2 'i¥g5
64
It is always amazing how well a queen and a knight cooperate. In spite of the material disadvantage of an exchange and two pawns , White has no problem holding the draw. 44.'i¥e4
After 44 . 'i¥a 2 , intending 45 .'i¥b3 + , the combined attack of queen and knight also secures the draw. 44 ... wb8 45 .'i¥xg6 r:t.da 46 .'i¥f7 .Ilea 47.'i¥d 7 'i¥xc4 48.'i¥xd 6+ was 49.'ti'e6 w b 7 50.'i¥d 7+ wba 51 .'i¥d 6+ was 1h· V2
Chap t er
2:
The s tandard c entre
In the next game, one of the co-authors exerts powerful pressure on the white d-pawn with all Black's maj or pieces. White 's maj or pieces are tied to the d4 pawn, allowing Black to create weak nesses on the white kingside. That turns out to be the decisive area in the long run : 2.27 Manfred Hermann Matthias Wahls Binz ch-GER 1 9 9 4
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd 5 'i:Yxd5 3 .t2l c3 �as 4.d4 c6 5.4:lf3 4:lf6 6 .£.c4 £.f5 7.£.d 2 e6 8.'lWe2 £.b4 9.4:le5 tt:lbd7 1 0.4:lxd 7 4Jxd 7 1 1 .a3 4:lf6 1 2.0-0 £.xc3 1 3 .£.xc3 'lWc7 1 4Jla d 1 0-0 1 5 .£.d 3 ? ! £.g 6 !
Very strong and instructive. Black al lows the exchange on g 6 , which makes his pawn structure more flexible and more compact. 1 6 .£.xg 6 1 8JUd 1
hxg6
1 7J l: d 3
llfd8
By numerous exchanges White has reached a drawish maj or piece ending. But things are not so simple as they look at first glance. Black has the far more compact pawn structure and strong pressure on the d-file. Should White be careless enough to play c2-c3 to relieve his pieces from de fensive duties , Black probably wins a pawn by setting in motion, after tri pling his maj or pieces , the double pawn levers . . . e6 -e5 and . . . c6-c5 . 2 2 . h4 J:1ad8 2 3 . g 3 W g 7 24.'lWe3 �d6 2 5 . W g 2 l:ih8 26 .�f3 a4 27.Wf1 f5 !
With the pawn push . . . f5 -f4 Black loos ens the opponent's king position and also creates a second weakness in the white camp besides d4. 28.Wg 2 f4 29.Jac3 fxg 3 3 0.fxg3 .l::r d 8 31 . .l::r d d 3
1 8 ... a 5 !
Black s e i z e s some s p a c e on t h e queenside. 1 9 .£.d 2 bs 2 1 .£.xf6 g xf6
2o.£.gs
.a: d s
Obviously, White likes t o demonstrate that he has a somewhat active piece in the rook on c3 . However the white rooks are starting to move away from their king, which needs protection . . . So possibly White should have contin ued with passive defence by 3 I . .a:cd3 , even if after the sequence 3 l . . . b41 3 2 . 'lt>h2 (3 2 . axb4 �xb4t) 32 . . . .l::r b 8 Black retains a palpable initiative. 65
The M o d ern S cand i nav ian
31 .. :ii c 7
The queen ending after 3 I . . . .l:.xd4 3 2 . .l:.xd4 'flli' x d4 3 3 .,l;Id3 �b6 3 4 . Ihd8 �xd8 3 S . 'flli' xc 6 �d2 + 3 6 . '>t>h3 only offers Black a small advantage, which cannot be converted to a win . 32 .�e4 �b6 34.Wg 2 'lt>g8
3 3 . '>t> h 3
.a:Sd6
A prophylactic measure, j ustified by the variation 34 .. Jhd4 3 S . 'flli' e 5 + Wh7 3 6 . �xd6 1 • 35.W h 3 �a 7 !
We hand over t o the player with the black pieces : ' Since my opponent was in time trouble and seemed likely to move his king again, I set him a little trap : ' 36.\t>g2? ld:xd4
' What l ay behind it was the position of our kings. Mine should not be on g 7 and his had t o b e o n the second rank .' 3 7.ttxd4 l:!.xd4 38.�xc6 .l:l: d 2 + 39.\t>h3 'flli'f 2 40.�a8+ T 0-1
' His flag fell in a losing position. After 40 . . . W g 7 4 1 .�h l Black easily wins with 4 1 . . . eS followed by . . . e4 and . . . e3 .'
2 . 2 . 2 The blocking of the c-pawn by tt:Jc3 When White i s i n search o f active play i t i s important that the white c-pawn i s fre quently blocked by its own pieces (generally by the knight on c 3 ) . As we have already seen in the question of ' Pressure against d4 ' , this circum stance prevents first and foremost the natural protection of the d4 pawn by the move c2-c3 .
2 . 2 . 2 . 1 The central square dS A frequent consequence of the blocking of the white c-pawn is that Black can park or even establish a piece on the lovely central square dS , since it ca1mot be driven off at once by c2 -c4. In the next example, the white c-pawn is no longer directly blocked when a black knight ap pears on dS . But for specific reasons it cannot chase away the knight by c2 -c4 : 2.28 Patrik Lyrberg Henrik Danielsen Copenhag en 1 9 9 9
1 .e4 d S 2 .exd5 �xd 5 3 .t2J c3 �as 4.t2Jf3 t2Jf6 5 .�c4 c6 6.d4 �f5 7.�d 2 e6 8.�e2 �b4 9.a3 t2J b d 7 1 0.0-0 �xc3 1 1 .�xc3 W/c7 1 2 JUc1
66
Something along the lines o f a ' mysteri ous rook move ' , which later turns out to be a pure waste of time. White prob ably wants to prepare the advance c2 -c4 after the two bishops have moved away. 1 2 ... 0-0 1 3 .t2Je5?!
Not logical ; 1 3 .�a2 in the spirit of the aforementioned is preferable , even if not particularly troubling for Black.
Chap t er 2 : The s tandard centre
1 3 ... b5 1 4.<1Jxd 7 'iVxd 7 1 5 .�a2 aS
Now it is clear that White 's plan has failed , since the removal of the dark squared bishop leaves the d4 pawn hanging. Black energetically exploits his opponent's carelessness and obtains an initiative on the queenside and in the centre : 1 6 .�d 1 �fb81 1 7.f3 b4 1 8.�e 1 bxa3 1 9.b3?
Too optimistic. White dreams of win ning back the a3 pawn and remaining with a sound structure. The game shows that this is not so easy ; the a3 pawn goes on to become a nail in White 's coffin. Needed is the modest 1 9 .bxa3 .!:!.b2 2 0 .�b3 ttJds + . limiting the damage.
22.h4?!
This move later turns out to be a serious weakening of his position. 2 2 ... �f6 2 3 .�g3 :e:l:d8 24.'it>f2 ?
After this mistake, Black sets the deci sive pawn advance in motion. A clearly tougher defence is possible af ter 2 4 .'i+'f2 'iiV g 6 , although Black keeps a clear edge. 24 ... c51 25.�e1
2 5 .�e5 'iiV x h4+ -+ . 25 ... cxd4 26 .J:txd4
26 ... <1Jb41
The final thrust of the dagger; Black wins in all variations. 27Jbd8+ 1 9 ... <1Jd51+
The knight is rock-solid here and is al ways threatening to intervene in a deci sive manner via f4 or b4. Theoretically it can be chased away by c2-c4, but because of the weakness of the b4-square White can hardly afford to play that. 20.c3 h5 21 .J:Iac1 �d81
Black calmly improves his pieces.
2 7 .�e5 .laxd4 1 2 8 .�xf6 tLld3 + 2 9 . 'it>fl tLlxe l 3 0 . �xd4 tLlc2 3 l .�e5 :c1c8 -+ . 28.cxb4 27... .!:!.xd8 29.'it>g 1 �xa 2 3 0.�e5
�b2+
Or 3 0 . bxa5 'iiV x b3 3 l .�e5 a 2 -+ . 3 0... axb4 31 .'i¥xb4 �e2 3 2 . � e 1 .!:!. d 1 1 33 . .!:!.xd 1 �xd 1 + 34. W h 2 a 2 35 .�b8+ W h 7 36.�f8 f6 3 7.�xf6 �d 7 3 8.�e5 a1 � I
White resigned. 67
The Modern Scandinavian
This once more emphasizes the impor tance of White 's error on move 1 9 . The annoying a-pawn finishes things off. White admits defeat on account of 3 9 .�xa 1 �c 7 + 4 0 . Wh l 'tWc l + -+ .
2.2.2.2 The exchange on dS 2.29 Tom Wedberg John Emms Harplin g e 1 9 9 8
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 �xd5 3 .t2lc3
�as 4.d4 .!Llf6 5.�c4 c6 6.'iVe2 �f5 7. .!2lf3 e6 8.�d 2 �b4
Now the main moves are 9 . 0 - 0 - 0 , 9 . t2le5 and 9 .a 3 .
]. Polgar-Magem Badals (Game 2 . 9 0 ) ) . 1 3 .�xd5 t2lc6 1 4 .�xc 6 + bxc6 1 S . g4 �g 6 1 6 .f4 0 - 0 1 7 .h4 h 6 1 8 .h5 �h 7 1 9 . g s �fs 2 0 J:thg 1 ! +- ; C ) 9 . .!2l e S tLl d S ? I O . �xdS ! cxdS l l . 'ifb S + �xbS 1 2 . t2lxb5 �xd 2 + 1 3 . Wxd2 ± , T. Kosintseva-Pratibha , Goa Wch-jr 2 0 0 2 . 9 ... .!2l d5!= 1 0.�xd5? 1
In this line, compared to the alternatives suggested on move 9 , White has more or less lost a tempo. The modest I O . .!LlxdS �xd2 + I I .'iVxd2 �xd 2 + 1 2 . Wxd2 cxdS = was to be preferred. 1 0 ... cxd5 1 1 .'�' b5+ .!Ll d 7 !
This is the point. This retort was not possible in the variations 9 .a3 .!LldS 1 O .�xdS ! and 9 . 0 - 0 - 0 .!Llds 1 O . �xdS ! . But l l . . . �xb S ? 1 2 . .!2l x b 5 t2l a 6 1 3 .�xb4 .!Llxb4 1 4 . .!2ld6+ would have handed White an advantage.
9.�b3?!
This is too slow and allows Black to equalize immediately. Black 's game continuation would not have been right against the more active main line : A) 9 . a 3 tLl d S ? I O . �xd S ! cxdS l l .'ifbS + 'ifxb S 1 2 .tLlxbS �xd 2 + 1 3 . Wx d 2 .!Ll a 6 1 4 . .!2l d 6 + r:J:J e 7 I S . tLlxfS + ± . Velikov-Spiridonov, Sofia ch-BUL 1 9 8 0 / 8 1 ; B) 9 . 0 - 0 - 0 tLldS ? ! and Matthias gives as the main line : I O .tLlxdS ! �xd 2 + 1 1 . t2l xd2 c x d S 1 2 . .!2l b 3 �xa2 ? ! ( 1 2 . . . 'ti'd8 1 3 .�b5 + Wf8 is better, see 68
1 2.�xb7 ?
White is not satisfied with a worse po sition coming out of the opening and runs straight to perdition. The endgame after 1 2 . .!2leS ! �xbS 1 3 . .!2lxb5 �xd 2 + 1 4 . r:J:Jxd2 We? gives some advantage to Black, but should be tenable.
Chap t e r 2 : The s tanda r d c en t r e
On the other hand, 1 2 . ttJxdS ? t .£xd 2 + 1 3 . t2Jxd2 'ii' x b S 1 4 . tb c 7 + � e 7 I S . tZ:lxbS .£xc 2 + is dubious. 1 2 ... .U b8 1 3 .'M¥c6 � e 7 !
Wedberg had possibly overlooked this move. 1 4.0-0 l:l hc8 1 5 .'M¥a4
Nor is I S . tbxdS + any different, since Black is clearly better after I S . . . exdS 1 6 .£xb4+ �xb4 1 7 .�xdS l:ibS + . 1 5 ... �xa4 1 6 .t2Jxa4 1 7.t2Jxd 2 l:lxc2 -+
.£xd 2
2 3 ... U b 2
John Emms uses h i s active rooks i n model fashion. However, the direct 23 . . . l:l 8 c 3 also wins, with a little trick at the end of a line which can easily be missed : 24.b4 l:lxf3 2 5 .a5 bxaS 2 6 . bxa5 l:lfxf2 2 7 . a 6 . Many players would stop calculating here, j udging that ' Black has no more than perpetual check' , but : 2 7 . . . l:!. g 2 + 2 8 .�fl l:lxh2 2 9 .Wg l l:lcg 2 + 3 0 . �fl l:ld2 3 1 . l:lxd2 .!::!: h i + ! 3 2 .Wg2 l:lxa l -+ . 24 . .l:la b 1
After the passive 2 4 . l:i:d3 l:lcc2 2 5 .l:lfl Black would have a free hand with his king , for example to penetrate the queenside. 24 ... .ll x b1 25.l:!.xb1 .!:!.c3 26 .'>t>f1 l:ld3 27.�e2 .!:!.xd4-+
Despite material equality, this ending can be evaluated as already won for Black. His pieces are clearly more active and White is stuck with his pawn weak nesses. 1 8.ttJf3
1 8 .t2Jb3 l:lb4 1 9 . tbc3 l:lxb 2 -+ . 1 8 .. JJ: bc8 1 9.l:!.fd 1 t2J b 6
1 9 . . . � g4 1 ? is also well worth consider ing. 20.t2Jxb6 axb6 21 .b3 .£g4 22 .a4 �xf3 23.gxf3
Now you don 't have to be Karsten Mtiller to recognise that this double rook ending is a win for Black.
Emms converts the rook ending in ma j estic fashion : 28.�e3 e5 2 9 . b4 g5 3 0.a5 bxa5 31 .bxa5 J:[a4 3 2 . l:l b 7 + 'it>e6 3 3 .l:::!. b6+ 'it>f5 34.a6 .ll a 3+ 35.'>t>e2 h 5 3 6 . h 3 e4 3 7.fxe4+ dxe4 3 8 . .!:!.c6 h4 39 . .!:!.b6 f6 40.�f1 �e5 41 .'>t>g 2 f5 4 2 J:[ g 6 �f4 43 . .l:!. h 6 l:la2 44.l:le6 l:!.a4 45JH6 l:la 1 46 . .l:.g6 l:::!. a 2 47.l:::!. e 6
69
The M o d ern S cand i na v i an
g4 48.hxg4 wxg4 49.l:tg6+ wf4 50 . .ti h 6 wg5 5 1 .::C:e6 h3+ s 2 . w g 3 h 2 s 3 .f4+ ? ! w h s o-1
2 . 2 . 2 . 3 The pawn on c2 During the standard development 'i:Ye2 , £d2 and 0 - 0 - 0 White frequently leaves the c2 pawn hanging (mostly for one move) . So the question is: is it bluff or is the pawn poisoned? 2.30 Awam Wahono Elm Supriyono Jakarta 2 0 0 I
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'i:Yxd5 3J2:Jc3 'tWaS 4.d4 c6 5 .tt:lf3 tt:lf6 6.£c4 £f5 7.£d 2 e6 8.'tWe2 £b4
Taking the pawn immediately is wrong : 8 . . . £xc 2 ? 9 . d 5 £ b 4 ( 9 . . . cxd 5 7 I O .£b5 + tt:l c 6 I l . tt:l x d S 'i:Y d 8 1 2 . tt:l xf6 + 'i:Yxf6 1 3 . £xc 6 + bxc 6 1 4 .'i:Yc4+- ) I O . dxe6 0 - 0 l l . exf7 + 'it>h8 1 2 . a 3 and White has a winning position. 9.a3 tt:l b d 7
9 . . . £xc 2 ? ? loses i n the same way a s the game continuation one move later. 1 O.h3 £xc2??
This actually loses o n the spot , but in credibly, White does not see it. 1 1 .0-0??
White also retains the initiative with this move, but in principle the struggle starts all over again . Not so bad for us, since we get to see a few more motifs. White wins at once after I l . .tic I £xc 3 I L � .xc3 'tWfs 1 3 .'i:Yxc 2 +- . 1 1 ... £xc3 1 2 .£xc3 'i:Yf5
If 1 2 . . . 'ti'a4 1 3 . tt:ld2 tt:lds 1 4 .'i:Yf3 b s 1 5 .£xd5 cxd S 1 6 . ��b4 , then the per manent weakness of the black king po sition promises White has a lasting ini tiative. 1 3.d5!
The only way ! White opens the position in order to be able to get at Black's king. 1 3 ... cxd 5 1 4.£b5 'i:Ye4?!
After this the Scandinavian bishop again becomes a target. The critical test consists of 1 4 . . . £e4 1 I S . tt:ld4 ( I S . tt:le 5 1 7) I S . . 'iH4 1 6 . f3 £g6 I 7 . tbxe6 fxe 6 1 8 .'tWxe 6 + 'it>d8 1 9 .£xd 7 t2:lxd 7 2 0 .'i:Yxd5 with a strong attack for White (Wells in ChcssBasc Magazine 8 3 ) . .
1 5 .'tWd2 0-0
I S . . . £b3 1 6 . llfe l 'i:Yg6 1 7 . tt:l e s "'iVhs 1 8 . t2:l x d 7 tt:l x d 7 1 9 . £xg 7 l:t g 8 2 0 . 'i:Yb4 ! l:txg 7 2 1 . £xd 7 + Wxd 7 2 2 .'i:Yxb 7 + 'lt>d6 2 3 ."'i¥xa 8 +- . 1 6 .tt:ld4+- £a4 1 7.£xa4 e5 1 8.£c2 exd4 1 9.£xe4 dxc3 20.£xh7+ 'lt>xh7 21 ."'i¥xc3
and White won on move 3 9 . 70
Chap t er 2 : The s tandard c entre
Now another example of an over-ambi tious capture on c2 : 2.3 1 Harmen Jonkman Dennis de Vreugt Tel Aviv 2 0 0 0
1 2 .d5 cxd S 1 3 .�xd5
Black is confronted with serious diffi culties. Specifically, b 7 is hanging while at the same time the bishop on c2 con stitutes a tactical weakness (as in the previous example) .
1 .e4 d S 2 .exd 5 �xdS 3 .ttJ C3 �as 4.d4 t:Z:lf6 5 .�c4 �fS 6.t:Z:lf3 c6 7.�d 2 e6 8.t:Z:l d 5 ! ? '1Wd8 9.t:Z:lxf6+ �xf6 ? ! 1 0.'1We2
1 3 ... t:Z:lc6 ?
1 0 ... �xc2? !
This pawn grab is playing with fire, since White is ready to open the positi on with d4-d5 . Two more prudent ways to meet this dangerous variation , namely 1 O . . . t:Z:l d 7 1 ? and 1 O . . . �g4, will be looked at in more detail in the game Marciano-Prie (Game 2 . 8 ) . 1 1 .0-0!?
Finishes his development. Also worth looking at is 1 1 . d5 �xb2 1 2 . 0 - 0 � (Donev in ChessBase Magazine 5 9) and 1 l .�c3 1 ? (Finkel in Chess Base Magazine 5 9) . 1 1 ...�d 6 ? !
To justify the greed on move 1 0 , an im provement would have to be found here, because after
In the long run this secures a place in the centre of the action for the black king , though the alternatives do not promise an easy game either: After 1 3 . . . t:Z:l d 7 1 4 . �xb 7 l:!. b 8 D 1 5 .�c6 castling i s first and foremost a mere dream : I 5 . . . '1Wxb2 1 6 . '1Wc4± . The lesser evil might b e 1 3 . . . '1We 7 ' ? . The b 7 -square is protected, and the pin on the e-file lifted. If 1 4.�g5 '1Wd7 1 5 . �x e 6 ( 1 5 . �x c 2 ! ? ) 1 5 . . . 'ii' x e 6 1 6 .�xc2 Black may castle and White can hold on to the initiative despite equal material : 1 6 . . . 0 - 0 l 7 .l:!.fe l t . 1 4.�xc6+ bxc6 1 5 .�c4 �xb2 1 6 J�ac1
The immediate l 6 . �xc 6 + ! is even stronger. After 1 6 . . . '\t> e ? 1 7 . �g 5 + f6 l 8 .�c I ! White gets a decisive material advantag e : l 8 . . . �xa 1 ( 1 8 . . . �b4 l 9 . 'i¥xc2 +- ; l 8 . . . �a4 1 9 .'1Wxa 8 + - ) l 9 .'1Wb 7 + +- .
7l
The M o d ern S candinavian
1 6 ... �g6 1 8.l::!. f d 1 1
1 7.'l!Hxc6+
we7
A quiet but strong move, which threat ens 1 9 .'l!Hxd 6 + Wxd6 2 0 .�g5 with checkmate. 1 8 ... U h d 8
1 8 .. . lhd8 comes up against 1 9 .�a5 l::!. d 7 2 0 .�c7 ! ± . 1 9.�a5 f6 ? 1
This gives White more targets to attack, but 1 9 . . Jhc8 2 0 . �xd 8 + l:!.xd8 2 I . tt:ld4± would also be depressing in the long run. 20.tt:ld41 .l:(dc8?1
It's better to get unpleasant things over and done with. . . . it would not have lasted long anyway : 2 0 . . . �e8 2 l . �xd 8 + 1:1xd8 2 2 .'l!Hc4+- ; 2 0 . . . e 5 2 l .�c7 �xc 7 2 2 .'M¥xc 7 + We8 2 3 . 'l!H c 6 + We7 2 4 . 'l!Hc S + W f7 ( 2 4 . . . We8 2 S .tt:le6+-) 2 S . 'i¥c4++- .
'Never take the c 2 pawn, because a priori it is poisoned ! · If White takes things somewhat more slowly and Black is quite well devel oped, then the former should take great care of his c-pawn , as we will see in the next game : 2.32 Cao Sang Csaba Horvath Budapest 1 9 9 6
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'i¥xd 5 3 .tt:lc3 �a5 4.d4 c6 5 .tt:lf3 tt:lf6 6 .�c4 �f5 7. 0-0 e6 8.�f4 tt:l b d 7 9.'i¥e2 �e7 1 0. h 3 0-0 1 1 JHe 1 �b4 1 2 .�d 2 ?
White has obviously not developed rap idly enough to j ustify the sacrifice of the c2 pawn. Moves like h2-h3 and �c l -f4-d2 are testimony to this. The appropriate move was 1 2 .�b3 with rough equality, since 1 2 . . . �xc3 7! 1 3 .bxc3 'i¥xc3 ? fails to 1 4 .�d2 'l!Hb2 1 S . �b4± . 1 2 ... �xc2
21 .'l!Hxd 6 + !
D e Vreug t resigned , s i n c e after 2 l . . . Wxd6 2 2 . tt:l c 6 + checkmate is inev itable. Both previous examples should serve as a warning, but not quite : 72
Black attacks at once. In both previous games White 's lead in development meant he could exploit the drawbacks of this move (opening of the c-file, loss of tempo) .
Chap t e r 2 : The s tanda r d c en t r e
But here there is no lead in develop ment and we can see how positionally important the c-pawn is. Without it, d4 becomes a sickly isolani and White 's position develops serious holes on the light squares.
The situation after the pawn grab . . . �xc2 is not always so clear-cut as in the previous examples. The following variation is to this day theoretically hotly contested : 2.33
1 3 .a3 �xc3 1 4.�xc3
In the short term White gets some play for the pawn, but not enough : 1 4 .. .'iVf5
The queen could also go to the queenside : 1 4 . . . 'iVa4 ! ? 1 5 .�b4 .l:!.fd8 1 6 .l:h c 1 �b3 and Black has a clear edge.
Zhang Zhong Liviu Dieter Nisipeanu Cap d' A g de 2 0 0 0
1 .e4 d S 2 .exd5 'li'xdS 3 .tZ:lc3 'ifaS 4.d4 tZ:lf6 5.tZ:lf3 c6 6 .�c4 �fS 7.�d 2 e6 8.tZ:ld5 'ifd8 9.tZ:lxf6+ gxf6 1 0.'/We2
Did Zhang Zhong know who had played like this only two years previ ously? If so, why play the pawn sacrifice rather than choosing something more prophylactic ( I O . c3 or I O . �b 3 ) ?
1 5 .tZ:le5
1 0 ... �xc2 !?
1 5 ... tZ:lxe5 ?!
Black relieves his opponent of the weakness on d4 and in the game he later even had to defend against a white initiative. 1 5 . . . tZ:lb6 ' 7 1 6 . �b4 .l:.fe 8 1 7 . g4 'ife4 looks like leaving him a clear pawn ahead. 1 6 .dxe5 tZ:l d S 1 7. .l:!.ac1 1 8.b3 tZ:lf4 1 9.iYf3
�a4
White has good counterplay and the game later ended in a draw. With 1 8 . . . � b 5 1 1 9 . �x b 5 cxb S 2 0 .'li'xb5 tZ:lf4+ Black could have held on to more pleasant play because of his more active minor piece.
Nisipeanu had already had the same po sition once with white (see also the comment after move I I ) . That the new convert on the other side of the board should accept the sacrifice, shows that he cannot have specially liked the position he had against Stefanova. 1 0 . . . tZ:ld7 is the most frequently played main line, but the text move is the one stronger players like to choose. 73
The Modern S candinavian
1 1 .�c1
A new move. Of course Nisipeanu 's continuation 1 1 . 0 - 0 !li.e7 1 2 . !ii. h 6 !li.g6 1 3 .�ad l tt::l d 7 1 4 .dS ! ? either works here or never will 1 If Black can complete his develop ment, White has achieved nothing with the pawn sacrifice apart from a serious weakening of his pawn structure. 1 4 . . . cxdS I S .!li.xdS and now :
White 's compensation , if any, is hardly sufficient. Black 's king is protected by a compact pawn shield. Possibly Black was content with a draw against a higher rated opponent ; or the process of finding the decisive move could have cost too much time . . . 1 1 ...!ii. g 6 1 2.0-0 !li.e7 1 3 J:rte 1 0-0
Apart from the b8 knight Black is rela tively well developed and obj ectively speaking he should have no problem. In fact it is White who has to stretch him self a bit to prove he has compensation for the invested material. 1 4.tt::l h4
Ana lysis d i agram
A) I S . . . exdS ! ? looks risky, but is not easy to refute : 1 6 . .l:!.xdS 'iWb6 I 7 . .l:!.fd I ( 1 7 Jie I 'iWe6 and White 's compensa tion should not be enough : 1 8 . 'ti'bS ( 1 8 . 'iW d 2 !li.e4) 1 8 . . . a 6 ) 1 7 . . J l d 8 1 8 . �d6 'if c 7 1 9 . !ii. f4 ! (this i s Bauer's improvement over 1 9 .!li.g 7 ? ! ) 1 9 . . .'ti'c2 2 0 . � 6d2 'ife4 2 l .�e I and White has enough compensation for the piece but not more. If this is the most that White can achieve after I S . . . exdS . Black need not avoid this line in the future. For the queen , Black can get a rook and two bishops and thus have an advantage in material . It is hard to believe that White can do much damage with his two pieces, e.g. 2 3 .'iVeS ! ? !li.e4 ! + ; B) I S . . . 'if b 6 1 6 . !Ji.e4 ( 1 6 . !Ji.b3 ! ?) 1 6 . . . tt::l c S 1 7 .!li.xg6 hxg6 1 8 .!li.e3 aS 1 9 .'iY c 2 .l:!.c8 2 0 .tt::l d 2 ending in a draw in Nisipeanu-Stefanova, Krynica zt 1 9 9 8 . 74
1 4 ... �e8
Black gets ready for the expected attack on e 6 , though White can equalize after it anyway. 1 4 . . . 'iYxd4? is too much of a good thing : I S . tt::l x g6 hxg6 1 6 .!ii. h 6 l:te8 1 7 .!li.xe 6 ! fxe6 1 8 .'�'xe6+ 'lt> h 7 1 9 .'�f7 + 'lt>xh6 2 0 .'�'xe8 and Black fails due to underde velopment, along the lines of 20 . . . !li.cS 2 1 . 'iVh 8 + W g S 2 2 . � xc S + ! 'ifxcS 2 3 .h4++- and the black king will not escape the onslaught. Well worth considering is 1 4 . . . tt::l d 7 ! ? ( 1 4 . . . 'ti'd6 ! ?) , since after I S . tt::l x g6 hxg 6 1 6 .!ii. h 6 ( 1 6 . d S ! ?) 1 6 .. J1e8 the attack I 7 . !li.xe 6 ? does not work :
Chap t er 2 : The s tandard c en t r e
1 7 . . . fxe6 1 8 . 'i¥xe 6 + � h 7 1 9 .�h3 t/Jb6 2 0 .�f4+ � g 8 2 l .�h6 �f8 22 .�xg 6 + �g 7 2 3 .�h6 l:( e 7 24. l:(e4 �e8 2 5 .�g3 'i¥d 7 + . 1 5 .tt:l xg 6 hxg6
White needs more firepower and brings the rook into the attack. 1 8 ... 'iWd 7
Also possible would be 1 8 . . . 'i¥d5 1 9 .'iWh3 'iVhS 2 0 .'iWe6 should be met by 2 0 . . . 'i¥ d 5 ! with repetition as 20 . . . �f5 7 runs into Bauer's powerful shot 2 1 .�h6 + ! ! '.t>xh6 2 2 .'iWf7 �b4 2 3 . 'i¥xe8 � g 7 2 4 . l:rc5 and White 's at tack crashes through. 1 9.'iWe2 !
Quick and energetic action is needed ! If Black can consolidate further, the game will not be much fun for White. If our analysis is correct, obj ectively the sacrifice leads to a draw. 1 6 ...fxe6
In the case of 1 6 . . .�f8 the attack on g6 is White's justification: 1 7 .'i¥d3 and now: A) not 1 7 . . . l:!.xe 6 ? 1 8 . l:!.xe6 fxe 6 1 9 . 'MVxg 6 + � g 7 2 0 . � h 6 'iW e 7 2 1 .�xg 7 'i¥xg 7 2 2 . 'i¥e 8 + 'iW f8 ( 2 2 . . . �h7 2 3 .llc3 +-) 2 3 .'iWxe 6 + 'iWf7 24.�c 8 + +- and White wins ; B) but 1 7 . . . fxe 6 ! 8 . 'i¥xg 6 + �g 7 1 9 .�h6 l:( e 7 2 0 . l:!.xe6 . Up until here, everything after 1 6 . . . �f8 was forced. The position is in dynamic equilibrium. Our pretty main line goes : 2 0 . . . tt:ld7 2 l . � ce l ! tt:l f8 22 . .l:!.xe 7 tt:lxg6 2 3 .l:!.xg 7 + �h8 24.l:hg6 �h7 2 S . .l:i.g4 'i'aS 2 6 .l:(e7 + �xh6 27 .lle3 with a cu rious repetition of moves : 2 7 . . . 'ot>hS 28 . .l:I g 7 �h6 2 9 . � g4= . 1 7.�xe6+ � g 7 1 8.l:(c3
The tempting 1 9 .�h6 + 7 Wxh6 2 0 .'iWf7 is wrong. After 2 0 . . .l:H8 2 ! . 'i¥xe 7 �xe 7 2 2 . l:(h 3 + � g 7 2 3 . llxe 7 + .l:!. f7 2 4 . l:!.h 7 + Wxh 7 2 5 ..l:hf7 + W g 8 Black has kept his extra piece into the end game, even if it is not clear whether he will be able to prove its value against an active white rook and two pawns. 1 9 ... tt:Ja6 20.�e3 Wf7
2 0 . . . �f8 2 ! . .l:!. h 3 W g 7 2 2 . �h 7 -+ ) 2 2 . .l:!.e3 = .
( 2 1 . . . tt:l c 7 ?
2 1 .'iWc4+ 'iWd5
Here Zhang Zhong goes wrong ' After 2 2 .'iWe2 1 we could not find a promising way for Black to avoid the draw : A) 2 2 . . . 'i¥d6 2 3 . l:( e 6 'iWd7 24.'iWc4 'iYdS 2 5 .'i¥e2 'iWd8 2 6 .'Mic4 = ; 75
The M o d e rn S cand i nav i an
B ) 2 2 . . . � d 8 2 3 . h4 ! ? CiJ c 7 (not 23 . . . jLf8 ) 2 4 .l:!.xe 8 �xe 8 2 5 .�c4+ ! +- ) 2 4 . h 5 CiJdS 2 5 . hxg 6 + W g 7 2 6 . �e4 with good attacking chances , e . g. 2 6 . . . �d 7 ? 2 7 . jLh 6 + Wxh6 2 8 . �h4+ W g 7 2 9 J:th 7 + Wg8 3 0 .�h5 +- ; C) 2 2 . . . �d7 2 3 .'li'c4+ W g 7 24.�e2 Wf8 (see 20 . . . Wf8 ) . 2 2 .. ,jLb4 ? !
A better move is 2 2 . . . CiJc 7 -+ . 2 3 J :t h 3 ? !
2 3 .l: h e 8 �xe8 2 4 Jh e 8 'ft>xe 8 2 5 . �xg 6 + + promises better chances of saving the game.
2.34 Peter Kiihn Helmut Reefschlager Hamburg c h - city 1 9 9 4
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 �xd 5 3 .CiJc3 �as 4.jLc4 CiJf6 5 .d4 c6 6 .CiJf3 jLfS 7.0-0 e6 8J�e1 CiJ b d 7
White 's set-up is pretty harmless and certainly not able to shatter the solid fortifications of the Scandinavian . Un doubtedly the next move is too cau tious : 9.CiJe2?!
23 ... l:!.xe 1 + 24.jLxe 1 jLfS !-+
It's all over now. 25Ji:g3 f5 26.h4 r::t. e a 27.jLc3 £d6 28JU3 � e4 29.�d 1 CiJc7 30.h5 CiJd5 31 .hxg6+ Wxg6 32 . .l:.th3 �e2 33 .�c1 jLf4
White resigned.
2.2.2.4 Making space by ttJe2 /e4-g3 In order to defend d4 in a natural way with the c-pawn , White often decides to clear the c 3 -square for it. The move CiJe4 plays an important role in some variations , see for example the game Glek-Wahls (Game 2 . 3 6) . The move CiJc3 -e2 on the other hand is generally not particularly aggressive and often turns out to be a waste of time. If the knight on c3 moves the black queen eyes all the way to e I for the time being. This circumstance is the basis for the following opening accident which hap pened to White : 76
White would like to bring his knight to g3 and have the option of backing up d4 by c 2 -c3 . At this point both players overlooked the unpleasant 9 .. ,jLg4 !
Black threatens to disrupt the oppo nent's pawn structure with I O . . . £xf3 . The decisive moment is linked to the effect the black queen is having on the a S - e I diagonal . White can already no longer hope for full equality : 1 0,jLd 2
I O . CiJ g 3 jLxf3 I l . gxf3 0 - 0 - 0 + . I O . CiJd2 avoids structural damage, but leaves White pretty passive after I 0 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 I l . c3 jLd6 + .
Chap t er
Things are similar after 1 O .'iVd2 ! ? when after 1 0 . . . .2.b4 1 1 . c3 .2.d6 Black's piece deployment looks more harmonious. 1 0 ... 'iVb6 1 Vt:lf4 0-0-0
In some circumstances , Black does not get b2 in such a good way, for example l l . . .�xb2 ? ! 1 2 . l:Ib l .2.xf3 1 3 .'i�Hxf3 'i'xd4 1 4.�e2 'i�Hd6 I 5 Jhb 7 tt:lc5 1 6 . �xf7 Wxf7 1 7 . tt:lx e 6 tt:l x e 6 1 8 . .2.xe 6 + with a n attack. On the other hand , 1 1 . . . .2.xf3 1 7 1 2 .'i�Hxf3 'i¥xd4 is worth considering. 1 2.c3 �xb2
2:
The s tand ard c entre
9 . tt:lxf6 + gxf6 variation, since in gen eral the black queen belongs on c 7 . If Black recaptures logically with the queen on f6 , it can easily become an obj ect of attack there, as was impres sively demonstrated in the next game : 2.35 Ye Jiangchuan Arnaud Hauchard Belfort 1 9 9 9
1 .e4 d 5 2.exd 5 'iVxd 5 3 .tt:lc3 �a5 4.d4 c6 5 ..2.c4 .2.f5 6 .tt:lf3 tt:lf6 7. .2.d2 e6 8.tt:ld5 'iVd8 9.tt:lxf6+ �xf6 ? ! 1 0.�e2
White is aiming for a quick d4-d5 , to turn his lead in development into something concrete. This dangerous variation will be dealt with in more de tail in the theoretical appendix . 1 o ... tt:l d 7 1 1 .o-o-o
Now with b7 protected , Black can in dulge his appetite. The white forces are not posted actively enough to represent full compensation for the pawn : 1 3 .J:tb1 'iVa3 1 4. h 3 tt:l b 6 1 5 . .2.b3 15
.
.!:!.xb 6 ? .2.xf3 + . 1 5 ... .2.f5 +
2.2.2.5 The tactical freeing of the c-pawn by tt:Jds
This motif is especially typical for the variation we are looking at here. After 8 . <1::l d5 the black queen must retreat to d8 . If after 9 . tt:lxf6 + Black chooses the gxf6 structure (9 . . . gxf6) , he has to live with a worse version of the 8 . tt:le4 'i¥c7
1 1 ... .2.d6?
Now the black queen is in the line of fire, and White's initiative develops very quickly. 1 1 . . . .2.g4 is correct. 1 2 . .2.g5 !
1 2 . .2.c3 ? I allows the queen t o escape: 1 2 . . .'i¥e7 1 3 .tt:le5 tt:lxe5 1 4.dxe5 .2.c5 and White had only a slight advantage in Bauer-Hauchard, Besancon ch-FRA 1 9 9 9 . 77
The Modern Scandinavian
1 2 .. .'iYg 6 1 3.d5!
1 7.�d 6 lidS
The greedy 1 7 . . . 'iYxg 2 ? fails to 1 8 . �xe 6 ! 'iYxh l + 1 9 . �d 2 +- and Black has to give up his queen to avoid being mated at once. 1 8.l:re1 t2Jb6 1 9.'iVb5+ li d 7 20.t2Je5
The basic idea of the opening system chosen by White. 1 3 ... cxd5
1 3 . . . tbeS 1 4.h4 is also extremely dan gerous , e.g. 1 4 . . . t2Jxf3 I S . gxf3 cxdS 1 6 . �xd5 lic8 1 7 .�e4+- and Black will have difficulty surviving. The white queen threatens to penetrate via b S , and some attacking potential is being of fered by the semi-open g-file as well. 1 4.lixd51 �e7
1 4 . . . �g4? does not indirectly protect d 6 , since after I S . l::t x d6 �xf3 1 6 .'iYe3 ! +- decisive material losses are inevitable.
White recovers the material he has in vested , but on the other hand has no thoughts of giving up his initiative. Another possible line would be 2 0 .�xe 6 fxe6 2 l . tb g 5 a6 2 2 .'ii' c 5 l:rxd6 2 3 . 'ifxd6 't'Vxg S + 2 4 . f4+ winning. 20 ... 'iYg5+ 2 2 .t2Jxd7 a6
21 .lie3
t2Jxd5
Allows a nice finishing combination. But there was also no saving the game after 22 . . . �d8 2 3 .t2Jc5 �c8 24.t2Jxb 7 + �xb 7 2 5 .�e 7 + ! 'ifxe 7 2 6 . l:.xe 7 tbxe 7 2 7 .'ii'x b 7 +- . 23 .t2Jf6 + ! �d8
1 5.�xe7
There is no point hesitating to play this exchange sacrifice ; the black king is now forced to stay in the centre for the near future. 1 5 ... exd5
Of course not I S . . . �xe 7 ? 1 6 . lixd 7 + �xd 7 1 7 . tbe5 + +- . 1 6 .�xd5 �e6
1 6 . . . 1:rc8 1 7 .�d 6 + �e6 1 8 . �xb 7 lic4 I 9 .lie I gives White a strong attack. 78
Black gets posed an important question : checkmate or loss of the queen , what will it be ? 24 ... �c8
Chap t e r
2 4 . . . tt:lxe 7 2 5 .'¥Vxg5 gxf6 2 6 .�xf6 +- ; 2 4 . . . Wxe 7 2 S .ti:J xd5 + �d6 2 6 . 'iWb 6 + 'it>xdS 2 7 .'iWa S + b S 2 8 .'i¥d2 + �c6 2 9 .l:ixe 6 + +- ; 2 4 . . . Wc7 2 S .�c5 ++- i s similar to the game. 25.�c5+ 'i.t'b8 2 6 .t2l d 7+
1 -0
2 . 2 . 2 . 6 Tactically clearing space by ti:Jc3 -e4 This motif is linked to the previous one, but differs in some nuances. Its advan tages are described in more detail in the comment to move eight. 2.36 Igor Glek Matthias Wahls Germany Bundesli g a 1 9 9 6 / 9 7
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 '!Wxd 5 3 .ti:Jc3 �as 4.d4 ti:Jf6 5.ti:Jf3 c6 6 .�d 2 �f5 7.�c4 e6 8.tt:Je4 !?
2:
The s tand a r d c en t r e
A further aspect of 8 . ti:Je4, and o n e o f importance from the point of view o f principle, is the mobility that White 's c-pawn gains. It can immediately go to c3 to support its neighbour, or to c4 to exert influence on the centre. All these advantages of 8 . ti:Je4 make it quite clear that Black must play with ex treme precision in order to equalize the position. 8 ... '¥Vc7
8 . . . '¥Vd8 ? ! . This move, with which the queen completes the famous ' Scandina vian triangle ' (d8-d5 -a5 -d8) , is aimed at preventing the doubling of the f-pawn. After 9 . ti:Jxf6 + ? ! + then 9 . . . �xf6 only transposes to the variation with 8 . ti:JdS . But should White choose the second of the plans described above, then of course the queen is less well posted on its initial square than on, say, c 7 . 9 . ti:J g 3 ! t . Black now has the unpleasant choice of either 9 . . . �g4 giving up his bishop pair, or 9 . . . �g6 allowing White a dangerous initiative. 8 . . . 'i'b6 ! ? . A worthy attempt to seize the initiative for himself. White is now forced to worry about his b-pawn for the future. 9.ti:Jg3
According to how the black queen re treats , the knight either takes on f6 to weaken the opposing pawn structure or heads for g 3 , from where it attacks Black's queen's bishop. If the latter then moves back to g 6 , it is faced with further disruption in the form ofh4-h5 or ti:Jf3 -e 5 .
Compared to 8 . . . 'iVd8 ?! 9 .ti:Jg3 Black now has a valuable extra tempo. An im portant alternative is 9 .ti:Jxf6 + . 9 ... �g6
9 . . . �g4 1 O .h 3 �xf3 1 l . �xf3 ti:Jbd 7 1 2 . 0 - 0 - 0 ;t , Lanka-M . S . Hansen , Cappelle Ia Grande 1 9 9 4 . 1 0.h4!?
79
The Modern Scand i na v i an
1 o .�e2 tLlbd7 1 1 . 0 - 0 - 0 0 - 0 - 0 1 2 .h4 J ' . If you want, this is White falling into the trap. The game move is over-ambi tious and, if correctly met by Black, causes weaknesses in White 's pawn structure. After the solid 1 2 . .l:!.he 1 �d6 all the black pieces are on decent squares. The game is level. 1 2 . . . tLlh5 1 1 3 . tLl g 5 ? ! . White fights with all his resources for the h S - square, while at the same time eyeing up the sacrificial possibilities connected with the squares complex f7 I e 6 . Since this second aspect ought not to play a role if Black defends carefully, then it would have been better to play for equality with 1 3 . tLle5 . The line 1 3 .tLle4 ? 1 tLlf4:f also appears insuffi cient , as does 1 3 .lt:JxhS ?! �xhS 1 4.�g5 .l:!.e8 + . The weak g4-square should make it hard for White to lift the un pleasant pin on his knight. One black plan might now be, e.g. , I S . . . �d6 and . . . e6-e5 . 1 3 . . . t:Llxg 3 1 4. fxg3 tLlf6 + and the attack on the Scandinavian bishop is finally over. What is left are the structural weaknesses in the white camp. Borgo Wahls , Arco 1 9 9 6 .
l l .tZ'leS �h 7 1 2 .�d3 ? . A very weak move which lets Black equalize on the spot (much stronger is 1 2 .'li'e2 , by which White turns his initiative into well proven forms : 1 2 . . . .2.d6 ( 1 2 . . . �xc 2 ? 1 3 .�f4 'tWaS + 1 4 . Wfl ; 1 2 . . . tLlbd ? J ? 1 3 . tLlxf7 ) 1 3 . 0 - 0 - 0 0 - 0 1 4. l:f.he 1 ;!;) . 1 2 . . .�xd3 1 3 .tLlxd3 �d6 1 4 . .l:Ih3 tLlbd 7 1 S . 'tWe2 0 - 0 - 0 and Black already has the better ending , Spang- Krokel, St. Ingbert 1 9 8 7 . 1 0 . . . �d6 ! ? . Should Black be willing to content himself with a minimally worse ending , then he could sidestep greater complications this way. I l .hS �e4 1 2 . t:Llxe4 t:Llxe4 1 3 .�e3 tLld7 1 4.l:th4 t:Llef6 1 5 .'li'e2 0-0-0 1 6 . 0 - 0 - 0 tLl b 6 1 7 . gb3 tLlbdS 1 8 .�d2 tLl f4 I 9 .�xf4 �xf4+ with equality, Schafer Fischdick, Germany tt 1 9 9 5 / 9 6 . 1 1 .t:Lle5 t:Llxg3
I I . . .tLld7 ! ? 1 2 .lt:Jxg6 hxg 6 1 3 . tLlxhS .l:!.xhS oo . 1 2 .fxg 3
1 2 . t:Ll d 7 ! ..
1 0 ... t:Ll h5
1 O . . . h6 ? ! . We are now in the stem game of the variation with 8 . t:Lle4. 80
A ) 1 2 . . . f6 ? ! looks good only a t first glance. 1 3 . t:Llx g 6 'li'xg 3 + 1 4 . W fl 'li'xg 6 I S .�xe 6 ;!; ; B ) 1 2 . . . �d6 ? ! i s also not convincing : 1 3 .�f4 �e4 1 4. 0 - 0 f6 I S .tLld3 �dS
Chap t er 2 : The s tand a r d c entre
and in Hansel-Thomaschke (Schoneck j r 1 9 9 6) , instead of 1 6 .�b3 , White had the more direct 1 6 .�xdS cxdS 1 7 . .l:!.e 1 Wf7 1 8 .�xd6 'i¥xd6 1 9 . <'Llf4; C) I 2 . . . bS ! ? leads to amusing posi tions , e . g. 1 3 . hS �e4 ( ! 3 . . . �xc2 1 4. 'ihc2 bxc4 I S . 0 - 0 f6 1 6 .�xc4?) 1 4.'ii' e 2 �xc2 I S . .l:!.c 1 bxc4 1 6 . .l:.xc2 �d6 1 7 . 0 - 0 �xeS 1 8 . dxeS <'Ll d 7 1 9 . .tl:xc4 Vi'xeS 2 0 .'lWf3 0 - 0 2 l .�c3 'i'bs 2 2 'ihc6 'ii' x c6 23 . .tl:xc6 h 6 oo . 1 3 .�f4 <'Llxe5
1 3 . . . �d6 7 1 4.'i¥e2 <'Llf6 1 S .g4t. 1 4.�xe5 �d6 1 6 .0-0-0 �f5
1 5 .�e2
h5
1 6 . . . �xeS ! ? 1 7 .dxeS l:!.d8 ! 8 .l: h d 8 + Wxd8 1 9 . .tl:d ! + c8= (Glek) . 1 7.'ii' e 3
At this point I decided on a faulty plan , was put under strong pressure and lost the game after some more errors : 1 7... 0-0-0?
Aiming for complications with the move 1 7 . . . �g4 ! ? I could perhaps have avoided defeat : 1 8 .�e2 ( 1 8 . l:l:d2 �xeS 1 9 . dxeS 0 - 0 2 0 .�e2 .t!:fd8 2 l. . l:!.hd 1 l:!.xd2 2 2. . !::i'. x d2 �xe2 2 3 . '1Wxe2 .l:i.d8 2 4 . Uxd8 + �xd8 2 S .'lWxhS Vi'aS =) 1 8 . . . �xe2 1 9 . Vi'xe2 �xeS 2 0 . dxeS .!:id8 2 1 Jhd 8 + �xd8 22 . .l:!.d ! + Wc8 23 . .l:.d6 g6 2 4 .'1Wf2 cS 2 S .Vi'f6 l:l'.e8 26 . .l::!. d 3 'lWe7 2 7 .Vi'f4 Ud8 = . Equality would have been even easier to achieve after one of those so-called 'ugly rook moves ' : 1 7 . . . � g 8 ! 1 8 .�xd6 Vi'xd6 1 9 . �e2 g 6 2 0 . �b 1 0 - 0 - 0 = . 1 8.�xg 7 20.�f6 22.Uf2 24.�d 3 26 .'lWf3
�xg 3 1 9.1:!.df1 t l:l'. h g 8 .l:: d f8 21 .�g5 �d6 .l:: g 6 2 3 .1:: hf1 Wb8 �xd 3 2 5 .�xd 3 f5
with an initiative for White, which Glek went on to firm up into a win after 5 4 moves. 1 -0
2.2 . 3 Doubling of the f-pawn after ... �g4 and . �xf3 ..
Black's pressure against d4 is often strengthened by the move . . . �g4, not least in variations with . . . <'Llc6 . After . . . �xf3 White must in many cases recapture with the g-pawn, since otherwise the d4 pawn would be lost. Moreover, there is the ques tion as to whether this exchange favours Black. White 's dynamic possibilities can quickly be more important than the static weakness of the doubled f-pawns , as after all he has the bishop pair and the semi-open g-file. An important theoretical line with doubled white f-pawns is examined in Marciano-Prie (Game 2 . 8 ) . In it, obj ectively speaking, the advantages and disadvan tages ought to favour White. 81
The Modern Scandinavian
The game Porter-Brady (Game 2 . 5 5 ) shows a case in which White 's initiative is more important than Black 's structural advantage. In Franzoni-Wahls (Game 2 . 5 6) and Gaj ic-Haar (line 1 8 . 9 , page 3 45 ) , on the other hand , we see what can happen if White 's initiative does not bear fruit.
2.2 . 3 . 1 .. .'�a5 -h5 The queen move from aS to hS has an aesthetic effect as well as one in pure chess terms. Black covers the whole width of the chess cosmos, like a space ship flying from one end of the uni verse to the other. A similar phenome non in backgammon is the so-called ' Lover's Leap ' . I n i t a counter i s catapulted by a throw of the dice with ' 6 I 5 ' from the first point all the way across to the secure twelfth point. Nice. In pure chess terms . . . 'li'hS strengthens the pressure on d4 . The next game features a line in which the move . . . 'iVhS is absolutely thematic:
cause i t holds true that the sharper a line, the more important it is to know it well. 4.t:Llf3 �g4 5 J2jc3
This knight move is not without its venom , especially since life is not easy for Black in the main line after 5 . . .'�aS 6 . �b5 ! . While looking for alternative moves, I had a particularly good feeling about S . . . 'iVf5 ! 7 and S . . . 'iVhS ' ? . However, the continuation S .�e2 is more common. 5 ... 'iV h 5 ! ?
2.37 Andreas Jacubowski Paul MacDonald corr. 1 9 9 8
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 'iVxd5 3 .d4 t:Llc6
We are now out of the well-trodden paths of the Scandinavian . By transposi tion a variation of the Nimzowitsch Opening has arisen which is favourable for Black - l . e4 t:Llc6 2 .d4 dS 3 . exd5 ? 1 (better i s 3 . tLlc3 ) 3 . . . 'iVxd S . Compared to 3 . . . e 5 the tension is kept up a bit longer after 3 . . . tLlc6 , which means the move looks more pugna cious. This line is especially interesting for two sorts of players : those who are out for the full point , and those who are aiming to make particularly effective use of the leap in knowledge they have received from the present book. Be82
The h S - square may well be the most ac tive post for the queen, but at the same time it is the least secure, according to the motto 'No rose without a thorn ' . As soon as the moves �e2 and 0 - 0 have been played , White is threatening to challenge the bishop on g4 by means of h2-h3 . Should this then be exchanged on f3 for the white knight, not only has Black lost the bishop pair, but also the queen would have to move again .
Chapter 2 : The standard centre
Any benefit from 5 . . . 'i:YhS ! ? depends
solely on whether Black has sufficient tactical means to meet the positional threat h 2 -h3 adequately. 6.�e2
If White does not fancy the conse quences of the main line, he can if needed aim for equality with 6 .�bS ! ? , for example 6 . . . �xf3 ( 6 . . . e 6 ! ?) 7 . gxf3 e6 ( 7 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 ! 7) 8 .�f4 �d6 9 .�xd6 cxd6 I O . d S 'i:Y e S + l l . 'i:Y e 2 exdS 1 2 . tt::l x d5 0 - 0 - 0 1 3 . 0 - 0 - 0 'i:Yxe 2 1 4.�xe2 tt::l g e 7 = . 6 ... 0-0-0 7.0-0
7 .�e3 e S 8 . d5 tt::l f6 (Sully-A. Bennett, corr. 1 9 9 8 ) 9 . tt::l g 5 tt::l d 4 leads to an un clear position. 7... e5?1
As already indicated in the comment to Black's fifth move, in this line a certain nonchalance is necessary to achieve anything. 9. � e3
White modestly contents himself with protecting the d4 pawn. Black's activity makes it clear that White should be aiming more for equality than for an advantage. Bauer's 9 .�d2 ! ! puts the whole line in doubt as Black seems to have nothing better than 9 . . . �xf3 I O . �xf3 'i:Yfs l l . �xc6 exd4 1 2 . 'i:Yf3 'i:Yxf3 1 3 . �xf3 dxc3 1 4.�xc3 and the pair of bishops gives White an edge in the endgame. 9 . d5 �xf3 1 0 .�xf3 and now :
With this move Black gets the greatest possible benefit from his aggressive piece placement. After 7 . . . tt::l f6 8 .h3 tt::l x d4 9 . tt::l x d4 �xe2 I O . tt::l cxe2 e S l l .�e3 'i:Yg6 the position would be equal (Bauer) . 8.h3 8 .dS tt::l f6 9 .h3 is a transposition of moves.
8 ... tt::l f 6 1
Ana lysi s d i agram
A) I O . . . 'i:YfS ! ? . Here the queen is both very active and exposed. So after 1 1 .�e3 prudence is necessary, as the following variation shows : 83
The Modern Scandinavian
I I . . . �b4? I 2 .lLle4 ! l:!.xd5 I 3 .'tWe2 l:!.d7 ( I 3 .. J:tdd8 I 4. lLlxf6 'i¥xf6 I 5 .�xc6 'i¥xc6 I 6 . 'i¥ g 4 + ) I 4 . lLlxf6 'YWxf6 I 5 . .ig4+- . The prophylactic I I . . .�b8 ! is better, when after 1 2 .a 3 Black has I 2 . . . lLle7 with a good game. Or: B) I O . . . 'YWg6 and now : B I ) I I . dxc 6 ? �xd i 1 2 . cxb 7 + �b8 I 3 Jhd i �c5 + ; B 2 ) I I . �d 2 ? lLld4 I 2 .l:: k i 'ti'f5 + ; B 3 ) I I. . !:r e I �b4 I 2 . �d2 tLl d4 I 3 . lhe5 lLlxf3 + I 4 . 'ifxf3 'i¥xc2 I 5 .l:t e 2 l:rhe 8 + ; B4) I I .�e3 (prevents I I . . .lLld4) and : B4 I ) I I . . . e4 1 ? B4 I I ) I L�e 2 ? �b4 I 3 .'i¥c i lLlxd5 I 4 . lLlxd5 l::r x d5 + . see Mrdj en-Horvat (Game I 5 . 8 ) ; B4 I 2) I 2 .lLlxe4 lLlxd5 ( 1 2 . . . lLlxe4? I 3 . �h 5 ) I 3 . 'ti'e2 .Ue8 ( I 3 . . . lLlxe 3 1 4 . 'iYxe 3 lLl d 4 1 5 . .t:l.ad 1 lLlxf3 + I 6 .'i¥xf3 �e 7 and Black should have something of an advantage because of the superior minor piece) 1 4 Jhd 1 lLl xe 3 1 5 . fxe3 lLl e 5 1 6 J:t d4 h 5 ( 1 6 . . . �e 7 ? 1 7 . �h5 'if e 6 I 8 . lhf7 lLlxf7 ! ) . B42 ) 1 l . . . �b8 .
2. The queen sacrifice motif dxc6 is now out of the question as the pawn can no longer make it through to b7 with check. 3 . The king has disappeared from the uncomfortable diagonal h3 -c8 , so the queen could also be placed on f5 with out any worries. It is unclear how White will now achieve equality. B42 I ) 1 2 . lLlb5 ? e4 1 3 .dxc6 lhd i I 4 .itxa 7 + � a 8 I 5 . cxb 7 + �xb 7 I 6 .itxd i c6-+ ; B42 2 ) I 2 . lLle 2 ? lLlb4 I 3 . c4 lLlc2 I 4 .l:!.c I lLlxe 3 I 5 . fxe 3 e4+ ; B42 3 ) 1 2 J:t e i �b4 ( I 2 . . . lLlb4 ? 1 I 3 . I:lc i c6 1 4.�d2 lLlfxd5 I 5 . lLlxd5 lLlxd5 I 6 .�a5) 1 3 .�d2 lLld4 I 4. l:i.xe 5 lLlxf3 + ( 1 4 . . . 'i¥xc2 1 5 .'iYxc2 lLlxc2 1 6 .I:lc i lLld4 1 7 .�d i .l:!.he 8 + ) I 5 . 'ifxf3 'i¥xc 2 + ; B424) 1 2 . 'ife2 lLlb4 I 3 . l:!.ac l �e 7 ( I 3 . . . lLl bxd 5 ? ? I 4 . lLl x d 5 lLlxd5 1 5 . .t:l. fd 1 c 6 1 6 . c4) I 4 . .l:!.fd l e4 1 5 . lLlxe4 lLlfxd 5 = ; B42 5 ) I 2 .a3 lLle7 and now :
Analysi s d i agram
Ana lysis d i agram
This makes sense for three reasons: I . The a 7 pawn is protected. 84
B4 2 5 1 ) I 3 . lLl b 5 ? a6 ( 1 3 . . . lLl c 8 ? 1 4 . c4) 1 4.d6 cxd 6 1 5 . �a 7 + ( 1 5 .lLlxd 6 ? lLlc8-+) 1 5 . . . �a8 I 6 .�b6 l:f.d7 + ; B42 5 2 ) 1 3 . l:i.e 1 lLl f5 ! ( 1 3 . . . c 6 ? ! 1 4 . it d 2 ) I 4 . £.d 2 ( I 4 . �c 1 itc5 ! ( I 4 . . . �d6 I 5 .lLle4 ! oo ) I 5 .lLla4 �d6
Chap t er 2 : The s tandard c en t r e
l 6 .c4 tl:lh4 1 7 . g 3 ( 1 7 . c5 e4) 1 7 . . . e4 with an attack) 1 4 . . . �c5 ( 1 4 . . . tl:ld4 l S .l:!.xe 5 tl:lxf3 + 1 6 . 'MVxf3 '/Wxc2 l 7 .�g 5 ) 1 5 . tl:l e4 �b6 1 6 . c4 �d4 l 7 . .l:!.b l c'Llh4 1 8 .�c3 llhe 8 . Naturally accepting the sacrifice with 9 .hxg4 is critical , see Mrdj en-Horvat (Game I 5 . 8 ) . 9 ... exd4
Also possible would be 9 . . tl:lxd4 l 0 . 2.xd4 (not I O . hx g 4 ? tl:l x g 4 l l .�xd4 .l:!.xd4 1 2 . 'i¥c l .l:!.f4 ! and Black's threats can no longer be fended off satisfactorily, for example I 3 . .l:!.e I £.cs 1 4 . tl:l d l J:!. d 8 1 5 . tl:l e 3 �xe 3 l 6 .fxe3 .l:!.f6 1 7 .l:.d I llxd I + 1 8 .�xd 1 e4-+) I 0 . . . �xf3 l l . �xf3 '/W f5 l 2 .<'Llb5 exd4 1 3 . tl:lxd4 'i¥d7 1 4.c3 c5 l S .c'Lle2 iYxd I 1 6 . l:.axd I �d6 with an equal position in Reutsky-D. Rodin , Voronezh 2 0 0 I . .
I 2 . . . tl:ld5 1 looks good. If White accepts the capture on e 3 , this creates another partial weakness. But is there a sensible way to prevent this? 1 3 .'MVb3 tl:lxd4 1 4.cxd4
If 1 4 . tl:l xd4 tl:l d 5 1 5 . .l:!.ae l tl:l x e 3 1 6 . .l:!.xe3 .t!.xe3 I 7 . fxe3 'iV e 5 1 8 . .l:!.f3 l:!.d7 + . 1 4 ... �d6 1 5 .tl:lc3
.
1 0.c'Llxd4
I O .hxg4 ? tl:lxg4-+ , ]. Coronel-S. Ro driguez, Matinhos j r 1 9 9 9 . 1 o ... �xe2 1 1 .tl:lcxe2 �c5
l l . . . tt:lxd4 ? ! 1 2 . tl:lxd4 makes White 's struggle for equality easier. 1 2 .c3
Now White has an isolated d-pawn , but the semi-open c-file is somewhat of a consolation. 1 5 ... <;t>b8 1 6 .tl:lb5?!
In the game this leads to an exchange of queens , which is not unfavourable to Black because of his superior pawn structure. White should keep the queens on the board and look for activity. 1 6 . ..l:!.fe l ! ? c 6 I 7 . .l:!.ad I would be well worth con sidering for that reason. 1 6 ... 'iVd5 1 7.'/Wxd 5 tl:lxd5 1 8.tl:lc3 �b4+ 1 9 . .l:i.ac1 c6 20.IHe 1 h6 21 .�d 2 f6
2 l . . . .t!.xe l + ! ? 2 2 . l:.xe l tl:lb6 + . Draw agreed.
2 . 2 . 3 . 2 .. "i:Va5 -f5 .
The Scandinavian queen can use all the light squares on the fifth rank and good examples can be found for every square. Even the decision to use fS has its ad vantages , especially when a bishop on f4 can be roughed up a bit at the same time. 1 2 ... .l:!.he8 85
The Modern S cand i nav i an
2.38 Jerzy Kot Roman Tomaszewski Gdynia 1 9 8 8
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 �xd5 3 .t2lc3 �a5 4.�c4 t2:lf6 5.t2:lf3 �f5 6.0-0 e6 7.d4 c6 8.�e2 t2:lbd7 9.�f4 �g4!?
Interesting. This pins the f3 knight and clears squares for the queen along the fifth rank. The natural 9 . . . �e 7 consti tutes the main line.
1 0 ... �f5 !
It is becoming clearer that something has gone wrong with White 's opening plan. After the retreat of the threatened bishop, Black has the option to ex change on f3 at an appropriate moment and thus to weaken his opponent's pawn structure. There are hardly any grounds for believing that White has sufficient compensation for this in dy namic factors. 1 1 .�g3 0-0-0
The correct way to continue. Black first finishes his development, the chance to exchange on f3 is not going any where . 1 2 .a3 t2:lb6 1 3 .�d3 � h 5 1 4.b4!? �d6 1 5.b5
1 0.lla d 1 ?!
White could unpin with 1 O . �e3 , though then 1 O . . . tLlb6 would oblige him to give up the bishop pair. Black has no problems , e . g. 1 1 .tLle5 t2:lxc4 1 2 . tLl xc4 �d8 1 3 J H e l �e 7 = .
White has correctly tried to get a little attack going, but now the logical 1 5 ... �xf3 ! �xeS+
1 6 .gxf3 c5
1 7.dxc5
would secure a solid plus for Black on account of his clearly superior pawn structure.
2.2.4 Doubling the c-pawn by an exchange of minor pieces on c3 The minor piece exchange on c3 which doubles the c-pawn (i.e. White does not recapture on c3 with a piece) leads to a positional imbalance. To get some dynamic play, White needs to use the semi-open b-file and set his pawns in motion . The cen tral breakthrough d4-d5 becomes a motif, as does c3 -c4-c5 with the idea of con trolling square d6 and establishing a piece there. Black on the other hand is aiming to render the position less dynamic and above all to keep the pawn structure static. Where appropriate he can play . . . b 7 -b 5 , intend ing to prevent c 3 -c4 and to go on to plague White on the light squares. A bishop on dS and/ or a knight on b6 usually look good in such structures. Black frequently meets c 3 -c4 with . . . c6-c5 , thus conferring a static character on the pawn structure. There is an example of this in the next game, in which Black swaps on c3 with the knight: 86
Chap t e r 2 : The s tanda r d c en t r e
2.2 .4. 1 Black plays ... 4Jxc3 2.39 Bazar Hatanbaatar Ioannis Papaioannou Istanbul Olympiad 2 0 0 0
White is aiming t o s e t his queenside pawns in motion . Black however easily stops this : 1 5 ... .ig6 1 6 .c4 .ixg 3 1 7.hxg3
1 .e4 dS 2 .exd 5 'YWxd S 3 .tZ:lc3 'ifaS 4.d4 c6 5 .tZ:lf3 tZ:lf6 6 . .ic4 �fS 7.tZ:le5 e6 8.0-0 .id S 9 . .if4 'ifc7 1 0.�e2
This set-up is pretty anodyne. 10 ... 0-0 1 1 . .l:'i.ad 1 ?!
There would be more prospects after l l �g 3 tZ:lbd7 1 2 . laad I tZ:lb6 1 3 . .id3 �xd3 1 4Jhd3 tZ:lbdS = , Chudnovsky Owen , Chicago 1 9 9 6 . .
1 7... c5 !=F
The theme of the game as mentioned at the start. Black restricts the white dou bled pawns and at the same time hems in the bishop on b 3 . 1 8.c3 l:tac8
After the restraint comes the siege. White must prepare himself for a te dious defence. 1 9J:!: d 2 h 6 20J:rtd 1 'YWd6 21 .�e5 :Ufd8 2 2 .'YWxd 6 1 1 ...tt:l d 5 !
This typical manoeuvre is very strong here, not least because Black is already very well developed. Now White has the unpleasant choice of strengthening his opponent's pawn structure or allow ing his own to be weakened. 1 2 . .ig 3?!
1 2 . tLlxdS cxdS = obviously guarantees Black a comfortable game, yet would still be preferable. 12 ... tZ:lxc3 1 3 . bxc3 tZ:l d 7 1 4.tZ:lxd 7 �xd 7 1 5 . .ib3
The ending is a good option for Black, who is structurally superior. S o 2 2 . � e 3 ! 7 came into consideration. 23.dxc5 2 2 .. Jbd 6 24J:i:xd 2 .ie4 !
l::r x d2
A finesse. 2 4 . . . .l:!.xc5 ? 2S . .l:!.d8 + �h7 2 6 .l:td7 gives White too much counter play. 25 . .ia4? !
2 S . f3 .ic6 26 . .ic2 �f8 2 7 . Wf2 We 7 + . 2 5 ... llxc5 2 6 .f3 .ig6 2 7. .ib3 l:.c7 28.Ud8+ �h7 2 9.�f2 hS 30. 'it>e3 eS+ 87
The M o d ern S candinavian
and later managed to win the ending af ter a long struggle.
2.2.4.2 Black plays ... �xc 3 After . . . .ii. x c3 White generally recap tures with the bishop, but there are also exceptions. Sometimes for specific rea sons White is forced to retake on c3 with the pawn . In the following game on the other hand White aims to do so in order to lend some dynamic to his pawn struc ture ' So Black should try to stop the white pawn army before it runs him down . He did not manage to do so in the next game : 2 . 40 Sergey Smagin Felix Levin Nov g orod I 99 5
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 �xd5 3 .tZJ c3 �a5 4.d4 ttJf6 5 .ttJf3 c6 6.£.c4 .ii.f 5 7. .ii. d 2 e6 8.�e2 .ii. b 4 9.0-0-0 tt:l b d 7 1 O.ttJ h41?
A critical point in the opening struggle. White invites his opponent to provoke a structure with doubled c-pawns , and hopes to get good dynamic chances thanks to his bishop pair in conjunction with the altered pawn structure.
A very useful move. White frees the c-pawn and the c4-square. With 1 3 . g4 .ii. g 6 1 4.iLlxg 6 ? ! White would lay his cards on the table a little too soon , because this possible exchange cannot be undone : 1 4 . . . hxg 6 I S . .Jib3 �a3 + 1 6 .Wb l a5 1 1 7 . .ii. c l �d6 1 8 . a3 iLldS 1 9 .'t\Yd3 bS ! . Black aims to get out posts for the knights. 2 0 .c4 bxc4 2 l .�xc4 0 - 0 2 2 . Wa l .t!.fb8+ and given the delicate position of the white king, Black had the better chances in Barua-Speelman , Calcutta 1 9 9 6 . So, a more logical move would be 1 4 . .ii. b 3 , which is part of White 's plan anyway. Black must now take into ac count that White will take on g6 or, as in the main game, play t2J g 2 . 1 3 ... 0-0-0 1 4.wb2 �g6 1 6 . c1J g 2 1 ?
�c7
1 5 .g4
1 0 ... �g4
Black accepts the challenge. 1 1 .f3 .Jixc3 1 2 . bxc3
White must take with the pawn , since 1 2..�. xc 3 ? ! � g S + 1 3 . � d 2 �xh4 1 4. g 3 �h3 I S . fxg4 �xg4+ would hardly offer sufficient compensation . 1 2 ... �h5 1 3 . .ii. b 3
88
White decides against an exchange on g 6 , an interesting concept. In principle he is really trying to retain as many
Chapter 2 : T h e s t a n d a rd centre
pieces on the board as possible, for the less material there is the greater the im portance of Black's structural advan tages. At the same time, with the text move White creates the useful possibil ity of �f4, to exert pressure down the diagonal h2-b8 . 1 6 ... h5?
The struggle for the light squares looks logical from a static point of view, how ever dynamic factors play a decisive role here. White gets strong pressure on the h2-b8 diagonal and can force the black pieces on to unfortunate squares. A better possibility would be 1 6 . . . h6 1 7 .h4 with a somewhat more pleasant game for White ; the restricting 1 6 cS 1 7 would also be worth consider ing.
the knight o n dS is not backed up, as can be seen after
when White is ready to play c3 -c4. 24 ... tt::l b6
24 . . . b 5 1 ? . 25 .c4 !
. . .
1 7.g5 tt::l g 8 1 8.�f4 �as 1 9.tt::l e3 tt:JbG 20.�e5 !
Also forces the rook on to a bad square. 20 .. J:rh 7 21 .tt::l c4 tt::l xc4+ 22.�xc4 tt::l e7 23 .'�e2 tt::l d S
It took a long time, but now the dy namic white pawn structure on the queenside moves up decisively. 25 .. .'t:Wxe 1 tt::l d 7 ? !
26 . .l:Ihxe1
h4
27.c5
2 7 . . . tt::l d S 2 8 . c4 tt::l e 7 would be tougher. 28.�d 6 h 3 29.c4
White reveals that the decisive advance d4-dS will not be long in coming now. 29 .. J:r h s 30.f4 �fs 31 .d5 .l:Ih4 32 . .l:!. g 1 tt::l b8 33 . .l:Ig3 tt::l a G 34.dxc6 bxc6 35 .�a4 �e4 36 . .l:Ie1 � g 2 ?
36 . . . .l:Ixd6 3 7 . cxd6 .l:Ixf4 was necessary. At first sight, Black's posltlon looks quite decent, but a closer look at it shows up the weaknesses. The Scandinavian bishop is not safe on g 6 , and can only move to fS . White has set up his pawn position in the best possible way against it. At the same time
3 7.g6 l:!. d 7 ? ! 38.gxf7 39Jbe6 W d 7 40 . .l:!.eg6
l:!.xf7 1 -0
In conclusion , we would like to dem onstrate two characteristic measures which can be taken against White 's doubled c-pawns. 89
The M o d ern S candinavian
2 . 2 .4. 3 The restraining ... c6-cS This possibility, which was missed by Black in the last game, is often used to take the dynamic element out of White's play. The c-pawns are prevented from ad vancing any further and with thi s , the position is given a more static charac ter.
2 . 2 .4.4 ... b 7 -b5 followed by the occupation of square c4 Unfortunately one rarely sees the ideal form of a blockade in praxis. As for the light-square strategy. you more often see related positions with out the doubled c-pawns , for example in the game Zaitsev-Strater (Game 2 . 5 4) .
2 . 2 . 5 g2-g4 This advance is frequently found in aggressive lines , not least as an introduction to the hunt for the Scandinavian bishop in which it plays a key role. However, its downside is not too difficult to spot.
2 . 2 . 5 . 1 The f4-square As a beginner, one learns to think twice before making any pawn move, since these hard-working little fellows cannot move backwards. After the move g 2 -g4, the squares f3 , f4 , h 3 and h4 will be de prived of the possibility of protection by white pawns till the end of the game.
1 2 ... tt:J b d 7 1 3 . W h 1 0-0
2.41 Manfred Zimmermann Siegfried Bruno Retzke Pinneberg 1 9 9 7
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 �xd 5 3 .t2:Jc3 �a5 4.d4 tbf6 5 J�.c4 �g4 6 .f3 �f5
A closer look at the theory of this varia tion can be found in the theoretical ap pendix. 7.CiJe2 e6 8.0-0 c6 9.tbg3 �g6 1 0.l:!.e1 �e7 1 1 .tbce4 "Jiii c 7 1 2 .�d 3
1 4.tbg5?!
White combines reserve with apparent activity - a doubtful mix. 14 ... �d6 1 5 .tbf1 l::l. a e8+ 1 6 .�xg 6 hxg 6 1 7."iHd 3 tb h 7 ? !
Unfortunately, Black is beginning to make unnatural moves now. Instead, a good chance would be ope ning the position with 1 7 . . e S . which would promise Black some advantage because of the more harmonious posi tion of his pieces. .
It cannot be denied that White is pro ceeding at a leisurely pace. The result is not surprising. 90
Chap t er 2 : The s tand ard c entre
1 8.t2Je4 tt:Jdf6 1 9.c4 tt:J h 5
Bringing two knights to the edge . . . 20.£e3 ttJ 7f6 21 .ti:Jxd6 22J:Iad 1 W h 7 ?
'i¥xd 6
Black would like t o provoke g 2 -g4 and manages to do so. 22 . . . ti:Jd7 would however be preferable, to secure a re treat square for the knight on the edge. 23.g4! tt:Jf4 24.£xf4?
Were they short of time here? Simply 24.�d2 g S O 2 S .h4± wins a pawn. 24 ... 'i¥xf4+
29.tt:Jxf6+ gxf6 30.d5 l:. h 3 3 1 J U 2 cxd 5 3 2 .cxd 5 \t> g 7 ? !
Block passed pawns : 3 2 . . . .l:f.d 6 1 . 33 .�e4 ? !
3 3 .d 6 ! , as we said . . . 33 ... 'i¥g 3 34.l:. g 2 ?
White falls apart under the pressure. Af ter the more obstinate 3 4 . .l:rdd2 l:i.d6 3 5 . nfl + Black is better, but still has to break through. 34 ... �xf3 35.'lWxf3 l:i:xf3+
Now we have a technical double rook endgame. Black has an extra pawn and good winning chances, which he fi nally converted into a win.
2 . 2 . 5 . 2 The h4-square
Thus far play has not been of the high est order. However, the position which now arises suits our theme wonderfully. The advance g 2 -g4 finally achieved nothing and the numerous white weak nesses on the kingside become obvious. At the same time White is beginning to rue the loss of his dark-squared bishop. 25.t2Jg3 ll h 8 !
N o t unusual , but always nice t o see. 26Jig 1 lld8
And a fter the surrender of the dark-squared bishop, d4 comes under more and more pressure. 27.tt:Je4 \t>g8 28.ltg 2 e5
In the last game White finally suc cumbed due to the weakening of the f4-square by g 2 -g4. The weakness of the h4-square which occurs at the same time has a less important role, since a piece there can usually do less damage than it could from the f4-square. However, as always there are excep tions : 2 . 42 Ivan Morovic Fernandez Amador Rodriguez Cespedes Cienfuegos 1 9 9 6
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 �xd 5 3 .ti:Jc3 'i¥a5 4.d4 c6 5.tt:Jf3 tt:Jf6 6 .�d 2 £f5 7.£c4 e6 8.'lWe2 £b4 9.0-0-0 tt:J b d 7 1 O.a3 £xc3
Naturally not I O . . . £xa3 ? l ! . tLl d S +- . 1 1 .£xc3 �c7 1 2 .tt:Je5 1 3 .£d 2 b5 1 4.£b3 h 5 ! ?
tt:J d 5
91
The Mod e r n S can d i nav i an
A sensible measure, directed against the space-grabbing g 2 -g4. The following example shows how ef fective the white kingside advance can be in this line : 1 4 . . .<'theS ? ! I S . dxeS 0 - 0 - 0 1 6 . g 4 1 £g6 1 7 . f4 hS 1 8 .h3 a6 1 9 .�f3 ± and the threat f4-f5 caused Black a headache in Sveshnikov-Lastin , Elista ch-RUS 1 9 9 5 . 1 5 .t2Jxd 7
I S . h3 1 ? is critical according to Rodri guez. White emphasises his aggressive ambitions on the kingside. Here is his analysis from ChessBase Magazine 5 4 : I 5 . . . h 4 1 6 .g4 hxg 3 1 7 . fxg3 tbxe S 1 8 .dxe 5 0 - 0 - 0 ( 1 8 . . . �xh 3 ? 1 9 . g4 1 ±) 1 9 . g4 �h7 2 0 .�g5 l::!. d 7 2 J . .l:!.dl t . 1 5 ... �xd 7 1 6 .�a5 �g6 1 7.l::r h e 1 0-0 1 8. h 3 �fc8 1 9.g4 � e 7 !
This j ust softens u p White 's structure a bit more. 2 l .�f3 1 would offer good chances, e . g. 2 1 . . . �f6 ( 2 1 . . . c S ? is doubtful 2 2 .�xd5 exdS 2 3 . dxc5 l::r x cS 24 .�c3 .!:!'.ac8 2S . .!:!'.xd5 .!d.xdS 2 6 . �xd5 �xf2 2 7 .�eS 1 ± ; 2 1 . . . tbf6 ?I 2 2 . .l:!.e3 hxg4 2 3 . hxg4 �xg4 2 4 . �h I f is very risky on account of the opening of many lines) 2 2 .�xf6 tbxf6 2 3 . f3 ;1; with a sound endgame advantage thanks to the bishop pair. After the game move on the other hand 21 ... �f6 !
would have kept an eye on f4 and h4 and led to complex play with chances for both sides. Instead , Rodriguez ran into a violent at tack after the erroneous 2 1 . . . c S ? I 2 2 . dxc5 l::r x cS 2 3 . f4 ! tbf6 2 4 . f5 ! exfS 2 S . g xf5 �xfS ( 2 S . . . l::r x f5 7 2 6 .�g2 1 +- ) 2 6 .�e7 and went down .
2 . 2 . 5 . 3 Demolition with ... h7 -hS
This subtle move leads to a remarkable similarity between both sides ' preven tive measures. White 's dark-squared bishop stops . . . a7 -aS and thereby a po tential black initiative on the queenside. Sauce for the goose is sauce for the gan der, thinks Black, and counters by send ing his queen to h4 to make any further white advance on the kingside more difficult . But Black still has to fight for equality. 20.w b 1 �h4 21 .f3? 1
92
In the previous game, the move . . . h 7 - h S was purely prophylacti c , aimed a t the prevention of g 2 -g4. But if the white advance has already taken place, then . . . h7 -hS is a typical coun ter-measure. Black would like either to force the structurally committal g4-g5 or by following it up with . . . hxg4 open the h-file in favourable circumstances and/ or weaken the g4 pawn. The following thematic game has com ments by the master himself: 2 . 43 Christopher Lutz Matthias Wahls Biel 1 9 9 2
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 �xd5 3 .t2Jc3 �a5 4.t2Jf3 t2Jf6 5 .d4 c6 6 .�d3
Chap t e r 2 : The s tand a r d c en t r e
�g4 ! 7.h 3 �h5 8.�d 2 tt:l b d 7 9.'i!Ve2 e6 1 0.0-0-0 �b4
Prudence is needed here ! After 1 0 . 0 - 0 - 0 ? l l . g4 � g 6 1 2 .�xg6 hxg 6 1 3 . tl:;gS I could have used the early fin ish to go for a long walk round the Biel lake, but my head would have been full of gloomy thoughts ! . .
1 1 .g4 �g 6
Black can be very happy with the way the opening has gone. The pin on White 's king 's knight, made possible by the somewhat inaccurate sixth move by White, can be broken, but only at the cost of the pawn structure. As the game will demonstrate, as well as the hole which has arisen on f4. the g4 pawn it self can become an obj ect of attack.
weakened white kingside and the un fortunate positioning of the queen in the d-file. 1 3 .a3?
Once more he should have exchanged on g 6 . After the alteration of Black's kingside pawn structure, the white knight is threatening to take up a good position on g S ! 1 3 .�xg6 hxg 6 1 4 .a3 ( 1 4 . tLlg S ? �xc 3 ) 1 4 . . . �xc3 I S .�xc3 'i!Vc7 ( l S . . . �dS ? ! 1 6 . �de I ! . This strong move prevents . . . �e4 and leaves Black with the prob lem of coming up with a valid plan. Af ter castling queenside on move I 2 , it is now no longer possible for him to mount an attack with . . . b7 -bS and . . . a7 -aS . The advance . . . c6-cS would only strengthen the bishop, while mov ing away the tt:l d 7 would be like a chal lenge to the white knight to make itself at home on e S ) 1 6 . tLl g S ! . 1 3 ... �xc3 1 4.�xc3 'i!Vc7 ?
1 2 .
Exchanging on g 6 first is necessary : I L�xg 6 hxg 6 and only now 1 3 . Wb l with equality. But not 1 3 .a3 ? 1 �xc3 1 4.�xc3 'i!VdS (the return of the queen to this central square is an important motif! ) I S .tt:leS bS 1 and Black gets at tacking chances in the form of . . . a7 -aS and 'iW a2 ( I S . . . 'i\V a2 1 6 . 'i!Vc4=) . 1 2 ... 0-0-0?
After 1 2 . . . �xd3 1 3 .'i!Vxd3 0 - 0 - 0 Black has a positional initiative because of the
It can hardly be claimed that on that summer day I really got to grips with the problems of the position ! 1 4 . . . �xd3 1 I S . .l:!.xd3 'i!Vc7 would be more exact. 1 5 .tt:lg5?
Fortunately my opponent was not really up to the task either. 93
The Modern Scandinavian
After I S .�xg6 hxg 6 1 6 /i:l g S ! tt:lb6 ( 1 6 . . . tt:lf8 1 7 .'tWeS �d7 1 8 . f4 tt:l 8 h 7 1 9 . tt:l f3 ) 1 7 . �aS (intending c4-cS ; 1 7 .'tWeS tld7 1 8 .'lWxc7 + Wxc 7 1 9 . �aS W c 8 = ) 1 7 . . . .l::!. d S 1 8 . �xb6 axb 6 1 9 .tt:lf3 bS the position is balanced. 1 5 ... tt:lf8!
At last the penny drops ! This raises the danger that the pawn structure will be crippled. The knight is heading for f4. 1 S . . . �xd3 1 6 . �xd3 tt:lb6 1 7 . �aS ! . 1 6 .'tWe5
Nor can the light-squared bishop es cape its fate after 1 6 .�c4 h6 1 7 .tt:lf3 �e4 ! 1 8 . �he 1 tt:l g 6 1 9 .tt:lg 1 ( I 9 . tt:les t2Jf4) 1 9 . . . gdS ! 2 0 .�d3 tt:lf4. 1 6 . . . � d 7 1 1 7.tt:lf3 �xd 3 1 8.�xd 3 tt:lg6 1 9.'ifxc7+ rt;; x c7
to continue with . . . tt:ld6-fS or even . . . .l:rdS -fS . 22.h4
2 2 .c4! ? . 2 2 ... Uhd8
22 . . . bS ! ? . 23 .c4 tt:lde7 24.li d 1 ?
The losing move . The manoeuvre 2 4 . gc 3 ! tt:l fs ( 2 4 . . . cS 2 S . �d 2 ) 2 S . l:td2 ! would have held White 's posi tion : 2 S . . . tt:l d 6 ( 2 S . . . e S ? ! 2 6 . dxe S �xd2 2 7 . tt:lxd2 tt:lgxh4 2 8 .tt:le4 g6 2 9 . tt:l d 6 ) 2 6 . b 3 tt:le4 2 7 . �a S + 1 ( 2 7 .�c2 c S 2 8 . dxcS l:td3 + ) 2 7 . . . b6 2 8 .l:re2 tt:ld6 2 9 .�c3 tt:lfs 3 0 . rt;; c 2 . 24 ... tt:lf5 25.�e3 e5
White 's offensive has evaporated . What is left are the weaknesses. 20.� d 2
It is quite nice to see how the black troops concentrate on the two enemy weak points d4 and h4. 20 ... h5! 21 .g5
After the f4-square, the fS -square now falls into Black's hands. 2 I . .l:rg 1 hxg4 2 2 . hxg4 .l:rh3 . 21 ... tt:ld5
It would possibly be even stronger to play 2 1 . . . tt:le4 2 2 .�e3 .tl.hd8 , in order 94
2 6 .�3d 2 exd4 27.tt:lxd4 tt:lxd4 28.�xd4
2 8 . �xd4 �xd4 2 9 . �xd4 ( 2 9 . �xd4 c S -+ ) 2 9 . . . �xd4 3 0 . �xd4 tt:lxh4 3 1 . �xg 7 tt:lf3 -+ . 2 8... c5 29.�e3 �xd 2 30.�xd 2 Ud4 31 .f4 tt:lxh4 32.�h 1 �xd 2 33 .�xh4 g 6 34.f5 �d4 35.�h3 .l:rg4 0�
Chap t er
2:
The s tand ard c entre
2 . 2 . 6 b2 -b4 This advance generally only promises White something if he can actually start a pawn storm against Black's queenside castled position. Purely from the point of view of the pawn structure, the advance is pretty suspicious. White must take care that he is not blockaded on the light squares after . . . b7 -bS and must see to an ap propriate positioning of his pieces. The counter-thrust . . . a 7 -aS plays an important role, especially if Black has not cas tled queenside. Just like . . . h7 -hS in reply to g 2 -g4, Black creates the chance to open the a-file and/ or to weaken the pawn on b4. 1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 �xd5 3.<1:lc3 �a5 4.d4 c6 5.<1:lf3 tt:lf6 6.�c4 �f5 7.�d2 e6 8.�e2 �b4 9.0-0 tt:lbd7 1 O.a3 �xc3 1 1 .�xc3 � c 7 1 2.b4
1 5 ... �e4 !
would give Black good play. A simple but extraordinarily subtle manoeuvre. The thematic I S . . . �e4 1 could be fol lowed by : 1 6 .�c1 !? �d5 1 7.�f4
The threat is 1 8 . <1:l g 6 . 1 7. . J:Ud8 1 8J:Ud 1 tt:l b d 7 =
As hinted at in the introduction , a com mittal move. White must now be wary that he is not driven to positional ruin by a light-square strategy : . . . b 7 -bS , . . . �e4-dS , . . tLl b 6 and Black would have realized his light-squared dream . .
1 2 ... 0-0 1 3 .�b2
White clears space for the c-pawn. The move c2 -c4 can constitute a very useful means for the raising of a light-squared blockade after . . . b7 -bS . 1 3 .�b3 bS 1 4.<1:leS �e4 1 S .�d2 �dS 1 6 .�f4 tt:lxeS 1 7 . �xeS �e7 = . 1 3 ... b5 1 4.�b3 tt:l b 6 1 5.<1:le5
Thus far the game Owczarzak-Smeets , Mureck j r 1 9 9 8 . Now the logical
and sooner or later Black will play . . . a 7 -aS . In the next correspondence game Black had no problems equalizing against the plan with b 2 -b4. The light-square strat egy and the counter-thrust . . . a7 -aS play the main roles in Black's plan : 2 . 44 Aloyzas Kveinys Wolfgang Grohde corr. 1 9 9 2
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 �xd 5 3 .<1:lc3 �a5 4.d4 tt:lf6 5 .<1:lf3 �f5 6 .�c4 e6 7.�d2 c6 8.�e2 �b4 9.<1:le5 tt:lbd7 1 0.<1:lxd 7 tt:lxd 7 1 1 .a 3 0-0 1 2 .0-0 �xc3 1 3 .�xc3 �c7 1 4.l:ta d 1 l:tfe8 1 5 . .l:tfe 1 tt:lf6 1 6 .b4 .ll e d8 1 7.�b3
White prevents . . . b 7- b S with tempo and starts to clear space for the c-pawn. 9S
T h e M o d e rn S c and i na v i an
1 7... �ac8 1 8.£b2
Now White toys with the option of a possible c 2 -c4, but Black of course con tinues with his light-square strategy. 1 8 ... b5! 1 9.'�e3
! 9 . c4 need not be bad , structurally speaking, but does not achieve much for White : 1 9 . . . bxc4 2 0 . .2. xc4 and the weaknesses c6 and d4 roughly counter balance each other. White 's problem piece is the dark squared bishop, and at the same time in these positions Black usually has the chance to play 20 . . . a5 1 7 and kill two birds with one stone. After the possible exchange 2 l . . . axb4 2 2 . axb4 Black would get rid of a weakness - and im pose one on his opponent. 1 9 . ..tLJg4
Black is now happy with a level end game. 1 9 . . . a 5 1 7 is worth considering. 20.'�g3 'iVxg3 21 .hxg3 t2Jf6= 2 2 .f3 t2Jd5 23.g4 �g6 24.'it'f2
25.g3 a 5 2 6 .c3 a4
2 6 . . . axb4 is met with 2 7 . cxb4=. 2 7. .2.xd 5
1f2- V2
An obvious structural disadvantage of the advance b 2 -b4 is the weakening of the c4-square. If in pursuance of his light-squared strategy Black manages to establish a piece there, then White is faced with a hard and frequently vain struggle for a draw : 2 . 45 Helmut Prechtel Giese c o r r. 1 9 9 8
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'iVxd 5 3 .t2Jc3 'iVa5 4.d4 t2Jf6 5.t2Jf3 c6 6 . .2.c4 .2.f5 7. .2.d 2 e6 8.0-0 �b4 9.a3 �xc3 1 0.�xc3 'J//i c 7 1 1 .�d3
Not very ambitious at all ; White surren ders the bishop pair without having to. 1 1 .. . .2.xd 3 1 2 .'iVxd 3 � b d 7 1 3 . b4
Positionally very committal . An experi enced Scandinavian player can smell a light-square strategy a mile away. 1 3 ... 0-0 1 4.�>b2 b5! 1 5 .c4
24 .. J:ta8!
It is becoming clear that after the fol low-up . . . a 7 -a5 it is not Black , but White who will be more concerned about retaining equality. 96
Chap ter
The correct answer, White must contest the blockade. In principle, Black can now exchange on c4 and secure the d S -square for his knight. This plan would however be linked to the open ing of the c-file, which would give White the chance to play against c 6 . In this set-up, White should b e careful with moves such as I S . lLleS . After the exchange of knights , he would run the danger of remaining with the inferior minor piece. 1 5 ... a6 1 6 .ld.ac1 ld.fd8 1 7.cxb5?!
White loses patience and makes a mis take ! The inappropriate exchange makes the holes on the light squares just a little more obvious. At the same time, White surrenders the ci S - square, which was indirectly protected since an exchange on c4 would have given White counterplay against c 6 .
2:
The s tandard cen tre
Now we do have the constellation of good knight against bad bishop, from Black's point of view. There would have been chances of equalizing after 2 1 .ld.c3 ! , intending to step up the pressure on c 6 , or move the rook along the third rank to the kingside. If Black then exchanges knights with 2 \ . . .tLlxe S ? ! ( 2 ! . . .'ii' x d4? 2 2 . t2lxc6+-) 22 . dxe S , then neither one of the outposts on dS and c4 is available to the black knight. 21 ... t2lxd 7 2 2.ld.c3 t2l b 6 +
Now Black can simply close the c-file with . . . t2lc4 and thus shake off any pres sure on his only weakness, c 6 . 23.ld.c5 '*Y a 2 24.ld.a 1 'i¥ b 3 25.ld.c3 'ti'd5 26.ld.c5 'i¥d6
1 7... axb5 1 8.ld.fe1
1 8 .'ii x b5 ? ' 'ii' x h2 + 1 9 . �xh2 cxb S 2 0 J 1c6 tLldS and Black has his light squared cap on, e.g. 2 1 .t2le5 t2l 7 b6 2 2 .£c l t2la4+ . 1 8 ... liac8 1 9.'li'e2 'li' d 6 20.tt:Je5 �d5 27.ld.e5?
2 7 . ld.d I offers better defensive chances. 27... t2lc4
21 .tt:Jxd 7?
A positional blunder.
In the short term , White will be unable to avoid the loss of a pawn. The pawn on d4 is weak and left hanging after the exchange of minor pieces. Black can easily attack the other weak point on a 3 b y doubling rooks o n the a-file. White can certainly defend better than he did in this game, but in any case his posi tion is an uncomfortable one. 97
The M o d e rn S candinavian
28.lle4 lla8! 29.g3 .ll a 4 30Jlf4 'i¥d5 3L�c1 .l:!.da8
Now loss of material can definitely no longer be avoided. 32.'i¥d3
3 2 Jh2 is also not better: 3 2 . . . tt:lxa3 3 3 . .l::!. x a3 .l:!.xa3 3 4 . �xa3 .l:Ixa3 3 S .'ll!V e l .l:l d 3 3 6 . 'i¥ e 4 ( 3 6 . 'ifa l g S -+ ) 3 6 . . . 'ifxe4 3 7 Jhe4 J:!.b3 -+ . 32 .. Jbb4-+ 33 . .laf3 34 . .l::!. b 1 .l::!. d 8 35J:tb4 tt:le5
.l:!. ba4 0-1
2.2. 7 The f4-square
Of course the f4-sguare is White 's domain at first. But as play develops Black quite often manages to plant a knight there. The queen too (from c 7 ) as well as the dark-squared bishop can , if need be, aim in the direction of f4, and from time to time even appear on that square effectively.
2 . 2 . 7. 1 ... ti::l d S-f4 After g 2 -g4 the knight is of course par ticularly strong here, but even without the pawn move, the motif is important, as can be seen from the following game : 2 . 46 Lothar Vogt Matthias Wahls Lucerne I 9 9 4
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'i¥xd 5 �a5 4.d4 c6 5 .tt:lf3 tt:lf6 �f5 7.�c4 e6 8.'iYe2 �b4 tt:lbd7 1 O.tt:lxd 7 tt:lxd 7 0-0-0?!
3 .tt:lc3 6 .�d2 9.tt:le5 1 1 .a 3
1 4 ... tt:lf6
After 1 4 . . . tt:lb6 I S .�b3 tt:lds 1 6 .�b2 tt:lf4 1 7 .'i¥e3 tt:ldS 1 8 .'i'f3 gS the pow erful attacking potential of White's po sition unfolded in Collas-Prie , Cappelle la Grande 1 9 9 5 : 1 9 . c4 g4 2 0 .�e2 tt:l f4 2 l .WI/e3 .l:lhe8 2 2 . llad l tt:l g 6 2 3 . d5 ! exdS 24.'i'xa7 dxc4 2 S .�xc4 �e6 2 6 .�xe 6 + fxe6 2 7 .b5 tldS 2 8 . bxc6 bxc6 2 9 .'ifa6+ '>t>d7 3 0 .WI/e2+- and White won on move 54 (Game 2 . 8 4) .
Inaccurate. More flexible and better is I l . . . tt:lf6 ! , keeping the decision where to castle open. 1 2 .0-0! �xc3 1 3 .�xc3 Wl/c7 1 4.b4!?
Here this plan is really strong. Since cas tling has taken place on opposite sides, Black can hardly fall back on a light square strategy based around . . . b 7 -b5 . White's pawn storm threatens to de velop quickly. 98
1 5 .f3?
White is aiming to limit the activity of Black's minor pieces, but achieves the exact opposite. He had to make space for the c-pawn : 1 S .�b2 hS ( l S . . tt:ldS .
Chapter 2 : The standard centre
1 6 . £.b 3 transposes to the game Collas-Pri e ; see 1 4 . . . tt:J b 6 ) 1 6 . £.b3 tLlg4 1 7 . f4 � e 7 1 8 .h 3 'iVh4 1 9 .'/We l ( 1 9.b5 ! 7 striving for more) 1 9 . . . 'i¥xe l 2 0 . .Uaxe I tt:J f6 2 l . c4 t , Cadillon Costa-Debailleul , corr. 1 9 9 2 . 1 5 ... tt:J d 5 !
The steed heads for f4 , from where it will be hard to expel. I S .l:!.hg8 ?! allows the typical manoeu vre 1 6 .£.e I ! (another example of this motif can be found in Fleetwood-Taylor (Game 2 . 5 8 ) ) 1 6 . . . .:iJhS ( 1 6 . . . .laxd47 , leaving the bishop on the lovely h 2 - b 8 diagonal and opening the d-file a t the same time, is more than risky : 1 7 .£.g3 'i' d8 1 8 . J::!. a d 1 with a dangerous attack) 1 7 .c3 gS (Sarfati-Spain , Otago ch-NZL 1 99 1 ) 1 8 .g3 t. . . .
1 6 .£.b2 tt:Jf4
1 7... £.xc2 1 8 . .l:!.fc1 £.f5 1 9.b5 tt:J d 5 20.£.xd 5 l:l:xd 5 21 . bxc6 bxc6 2 2 J:ic4 'it>d 7 ! +
A key move. The king leaves the imme diate danger zone and prepares to acti vate the only piece which is not yet in play. White does not manage to prevent Black from consolidating , above all be cause of his misplaced bishop. 23 .£.c3 .l:!. b8 24.£.e1 25 . .l:!. x b 1 £. x b 1 26 .£.g 3
.l:t b 1
The necessary activation of the bishop has cost three valuable tempi. However, White should be able to get a draw because of the secure position of his king. 26 ... �b6 27. h 3 £.a 2 28.l:!.c2
2 8 . l::t b 4 ! ? l:tbS 2 9 .'ii" f4+ with good drawing prospects. 28 ... 'ii" b 1 + 29J:rc1 '/Wb6
1 7.'il'e3 !?
Looking for activity, Vogt decides to sacrifice a pawn. Obviously he is not enamoured of the alternatives : A ) 1 7 .'i¥f2 .!:r.hg 8 ! planning . . . g 5 -g4 with strong counterplay. The g 2 pawn on the other hand is poisone d : 1 7 . . �h3 ? 1 8 .£.c I tt:Jxg 2 1 9 . .l:!. d 1 tt:Jf4 2 0 .'i'g3 g S 2 1 .£.xf4 'ii" xf4 2 2 .'ii" x h3 l:hd4 2 3 .£.d3 ± ; B ) 1 7 .'/Wd2 e S + .
30J:td 1 ?
A serious mistake, White is too passive. 3 0 . l::!. c 5 offers better chances for a draw. 30 ... c5 !
.
Black now manages to create a passed pawn. His chances of winning are start ing to take form . 99
T h e M o d e r n S can d i na v i a n
31 .'MVf4 'liteS! 32 . .l::!. c 1 c4+ 3 3 . 'lt> h 2 h 6 34.'1i' d 2 � b 3 35 ..2J2 'li'd6+ 3 6 .<�-9 3 'li'xa3-+ 37.'1i'f4 'MVaS 38.'�b8+ :C:d8 39.'iVf4 Wf8 40 . .l::!. b 1 'lt>g8 41 .'iYe3 'li'dS 42 .£J2 aS 43 .Wg 1 a4 44J:ra 1 'li' d 6 45 .'MVc1 .l:!.a8 4 6 .'iY e 3 l::r d 8 47.'MVc1 'MVb4 48.�e1 'li'b6 49 . .2J2 .tl d 5 SO.f4 'MVc7 0-1
2 . 2 . 7 . 2 ... �d6 -f4 The manoeuvre . . . �d6 - f4 with the ex change of the dark-squared bishops is a typical relieving or equalizing motif Since Black has less space on account of his pawn structure, the exchange of pieces of the same value is generally not unfavourable to him. 2 .47 Evgeny Shaposhnikov Alexander Lastin Moscow c h - RUS 1 9 9 9
1 .e4 d S 2 .exd 5 'MVxd S 3.tZlc3 'li'aS 4.d4 -1.Jf6 S .t.i:lf3 c6 6 .�c4 JHS 7.t.i:le5 e6 8 . .2.d 2 t.i:l b d 7 9.t.i:lxd 7 t.i:l x d 7 1 0.�b3 'MVc7 1 1 .'MVe2
In A. Hernandez-Spangenberg , Guara puava jr 1 9 9 I , White decided on a positionally committal course : l l . g4 .lil.g 6 1 2 . h4 hS 1 3 . g 5 0 - 0 - 0 1 4 .'iYe2 and now our motif 1 4 . . . Qd 6 1 7 1 5 . 0 - 0 - 0 �fs 1 6 . .2.c4 �f4 1 7 . .2.e3 t.i:lb 6 gives Black decent prospects. 1 1 ... 0-0-0 1 2 .0-0-0 .2.d 6 ! ?
The ' more usual ' I L . t.i:lf6 is also OK, e.g. 1 3 . .2.g 5 �e 7 1 4 . f3 h6 I S . .2.e3 ( 1 5 . .2.h4 7 ? 'i¥f4+ 0 - 1 , Russell-Hardy, London 1 9 9 3 ) I S . J Z JdS with equality. 1 3 .t.i:le4
1 00
1 3 ... �J4 !
1 3 . . . Qxe 4 7 ' 1 4 . '1i'xe4 t.i:lf6 I S .'i¥f3 t gives White a long- term advantage on account of his bishop pair.
and now the logical 1 4 ... £.xd 2
would result in easy equality. Black has no weaknesses , and not least thanks to the exchange of two pairs of minor pieces he has free play.
2 . 2 . 7 . 3 The motif . .'iYc 7-f4 •
Unlike the bishop and the knight, the black queen rarely visits f4 , although in certain cases it can play an important role there. As well as the psychological effect of having an opposing queen in one 's own camp, there are also purely obj ective criteria . White has to struggle against increased pressure on d4 and on the kingside. 2 . 48 Neil McDonald Alan Norris Oakham 2 0 0 0
1 .e4 d S 2 .exd5 'MVxdS 3 .tbc3 'MVaS 4.d4 tl:Jf6 S .tbf3 c6 6 .�c4
Chap t er
�f5 VL:le5 e6 8.0-0 9.tt:lxd 7 tt:lxd 7 1 0.l:!.e1
tt:l b d 7
2:
The s tand ard c entre
1 5 .a4 �adS 1 6 .a5 tt:lf6
It probably now dawned on White that d4 can hardly be protected any more. The threats are 1 7 .. .'i¥f4 and also 1 7 . . . c5 ( 1 8 .�xc5 b 6 ) . 1 7.b3?
White 's treatment of the opening is ste reotypical ; he has simply restricted himself to playing natural moves. This superficiality is often met with in praxis, and in general turns out to be anodyne against the Scandinavian, as is the case here.
White does not find the best defence. By protecting indirectly with 1 7 .�b3 ! equality could still have been reached: 1 7 . . . �f4 ( 1 7 . . . cS ? is of course point less now ; after 1 8 .�xeS b6 1 9 . axb6 axb6 2 0 . �b4 there is no bishop hang ing on c4) 1 8 . g 3 'i¥xd4 1 9 . 'i¥xd4 l:!.xd4 2 0 .�c5 �e4 2 1 .�xa7 �xe l + 2 2 . l:!.xe 1 .l:ra8 2 3 .�b6 <'LldS 2 4 . �xd5 cxdS = . 1 7... 'i¥ f4 !
1 0 ... �b4?!
This gives White an undeserved second chance to fight for the advantage. Black absolutely did not have to part with his bishop pair of his own free will. In lerner-A. Sokolov, Riga ch-URS 1 9 8 5 , there followed 1 0 . . . <'Llf6 1 1 . a3 �d6 and a draw. Black has a pleasant position and could certainly have played on. His pieces are somewhat more actively posted. 1 1 .�d 2 0-0 1 2 .a3 �xc3 1 3 .�xc3 'ilc7 1 4.�b4?!
This does not achieve much and ne glects the over-protection of d 4 . 1 4 .�b3 ! ? gives White a slight plus. 1 4 ... l:!.fe8
Opening the posltlon with 1 4 . . . c5 7 1 I S . dxcS <'Llxc S t j ust plays into the hands ofWhite 's bishop pair.
1 8.g3
Not 1 8 . c3 ? tt:lg4. 1 8 ...'i¥ x d 4 1 9.'i¥xd4 l:!.xd4 20.�c5 l:!. d 2 21 .�xa 7 �xc2
Black has won a pawn. But converting the slight material advantage against White 's bishop pair is far from easy. After 22.l:!.a2 l:!.ed8 2 3 .�b6
the move 101
The Modern S candinavian
2 3 ... �f5
would however have kept Black's win ning chances intact, for example :
24Jb d 2 �xd 2 25.�e3 2 6 . b4 �b2 27.�c5 tl.le4
�a2
with a clear edge for Black.
2 . 2 . 8 The c4-square That a key role in Black's light-square strategy is played by the occupation of the c4-square is something we know at least since the game Timman-Beliavsky (Game 2 . 2 1 ) . Even deep into the endgame this motif can be of decisive importance :
2 . 49 Bettina Trabert Marina Olbrich Ptuj zt 1 9 9 5
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 'iYxd5 'iVa5 4.d4 tl.lf6 5.tl.lf3 c6 �f5 7.�d 2 e6 8.'t!We2 �b4 tl.l b d 7 1 O.tl.lxd 7 tl.lxd 7 0-0-0?!
3 .tl.lc3 6 .�c4 9.tl.le5 1 1 .a 3
In our consideration of Vogt-Wahls (Game 2 . 46) we learned that 1 1 . . . tl.lf6 is more flexible and better. 1 2.0-0-0?!
1 2.0-0! .
A) Winning the exchange with 1 3 . tl.l b 5 �xb 2 + 1 4 . 'it>x b 2 � b 6 1 5 .�a5 'ifxaS 1 6 . tLl d 6 + \t>b8 1 7 . <1.Jxf7 is hardly convincing. After 1 7 . . . �b4+ 1 8 .�b3 tl.lb6 1 9 . tl.lxd8 l:Ixd 8 � the pawn and the initiative are decent com pensation for the small material deficit; B) 1 3 . tLla2 1 ? forces a draw : 1 3 . . . 'ifa4 1 4.�b3 'ifxd4 1 5 .�c3 'iff4+ 1 6 .�d2 'ifd4= ; C) 1 3 .bxa3 'ifxa3 + 1 4. 'it>b l tl.lb6 1 5 .tLla2 �a4 Black even gets a third pawn for the piece and can be quite content. 1 6 .�d3 �xd3 1 7 . �xd3 .l:!.xd4 1 8 .�b3 �hd 8 oo , Britton-Prie , London Paris 1 9 9 4 . 1 3 .�xc3 �c7 1 4.�f3
1 2 ...�xc3
The bishop sacrifice 1 2 . . . �xa3 ! ? is usu ally questionable, but is worth serious consideration here : 1 02
White is aiming for a transposition to an endgame by �g3 , which promises some advantage thanks to the bishop pair. Alternatives: A) 1 4 . g 3 tLlf6 I S . f3 hS 1 6 .�d2 l:Ixd4 1 7 .�f4 is the game Sziva-Polovnikova , Elista Olympiad 1 9 9 8 . Now 1 7 . . . .l:!.xf4 ! 7 makes a very good impression . After 1 8 . gxf4 'ifxf4+ 1 9 .\t>b 1 Black has two pawns and the better structure for the exchange and must be doing OK. One possibility would then be 1 9 . . . tl.ld5 2 0 .�xd5 cxdS :f with the idea of . . . Wb8 and . . . .l:!.c8 ;
Chapter 2 : The standard centre
B) 1 4.f3 tbb6 I S .�b3 tbdS 1 6 .�e l (Sammalvuo-Relange, Halle Wch-jr 1 9 9 5 ) 1 6 . . . tbf4=. 14 ...tbf6 1 5.�g3 �xg3 1 6 .hxg3
23 ... b5!
Black has to look for counterplay and finds it in the form of the light-square strategy. 24.l:le5 a5 25.f4 �d3 2 6 .f5 exf5 27.gxf5 f6? !
1 6 ...tbe4?!
This is only pseudo-activity of course. The knight will be chased away at once and White can mobilize her kingside pawns with tempo. The appropriate move here would be the one typical of this set-up : 1 6 . . . h 5 ! = . This motif i s worth remembering. The nice pawn move prevents the mobilization of the white kingside pawns and thus equalizes.
We prefer 2 7 . . . a 4 ! 2 8 .�c 2 . I n principle. exchanging the light squared bishop is unfavourable for White, because it weakens her light squares even more (specifically. after 2 8 .�d l f6 2 9 . .l:.e6 tbe7 problems arise with the defence of fS ) . After 2 8 . . . �xc2 2 9 . 'iii x c2 l:le7 Black is doing fine. 28.l:le6 <.tib7 2 9.�c2
White has to accept this exchange, since there is no other good way to protect the pawn on fS . 29 ... �xc2 3 0.<.tixc2
1 7.�e1 l:l d 7 ? ! 1 8.f3 tbd6 1 9.�b3 �g6
Now 1 9 . . . hS is met by 2 0 .g4. 20.g4;!;
White has won some space and the bishop finds a nice square on the h2-b8 diagonal. Normally in such positions Black has a long struggle for a draw, but not in this case . . . 2 0...tbb5 21 .c3 tbc7 2 2 .�g3 tbd5 23.l:lde1
2 3 . g 5 ' ?;!; intending �eS was well worth consideration.
White 's activity compensates for the light-square disadvantage s , perhaps even a little more than that. 3 0 ... l:le7?!
30 . . . a4 ! is the obvious move according to the light-square strategy. 31 .l:lxe 7 + ? 1 03
The Modern S candinavian
After this bad exchange White suddenly has problems since her pieces are tied to the weakness on f5 . 3 1 J �he 1 ! would have made a strength out of the weak ness : 3 1 . . . lhe6 ( 3 1 . . J :!he8 3 2..� d6) 3 2 . fxe6 a4 3 3 .b 3 ! axb 3 + 3 4 . 'i¥txb 3 t and White i s very active i n this ending. 31 ... tt:Jxe 7 3 2 J:tf1 .:C:d8 33. 'i¥t d 3 trd5 34.'i¥te4 .:C:d 7 ? !
A game of missed chances. 3 4 . . . a4 was once more required.
strategy, pressure against d4) . That the far-seeing Scandinavian idea should only come to fruition in the endgame after well-thought-out exchanges of pieces and creation of weaknesses , is in fact not exceptional . 38.gc1 .:C:e7+ 39.'i¥td3 a4
At last! This move was long overdue. 40 . .:C:h 1 h 6 41 . .:C:g 1 wca
35.�f4? 1
Omitting 3 5 . b3 ! , giving White the last chance of effectively countering Black's light-square strategy. 35 ... tt:Jd5 3 6 .�d 2 tt:Jb6 37.g4?!
3 7 .b3 no longer solves the problem : 3 7 . . . a4 3 8 . bxa4 ti:Jxa4 3 9 . .:C:b 1 ti:Jb6 and Black can keep up the fight for quite some time. 3 7... tt:Jc4+
White is completely helpless and with out an active plan . Black quietly improves the position of her pieces, the pressure soon becomes unbearable : 4 2 .l:!f1 wd7 43 . .:C:g 1 44.�f4+ wd5 45.�c1 .:C:e4
wds
White is now in zugzwang , and must surrender either the first or the second rank. 46 . .:C:g 2 ?
Now the powerful steed is in place and we have finally reached our subj ect. Each player may only have two pieces left , but this is a direct consequence of the opening. In our opening Black's strengths are mainly structural in na ture. The ways which lead to success tend to be long-term (light-squared 1 04
4 6 . Wc2 is tougher, but should not save White in the long run : 46 . . . .:C:e2 + 4 7 .Wd3 :!.h2 48 . J::!. e ! l::!. h 3 + 49 . We2 (49 . 'l.t>c2 ? ! l:t.g3 -+) 49 . . . l:!.g3 5 0 . Wf2 .l:hg4 5 1 . Wf3 h5 5 2 . .:C:h I l:t.e4+ and , technically speaking , Black should be winning. 46 ... .:C:e 1 47.gf4
Chap t er
47 .l:!.c2 l:!.g 1 -+ ; 4 7 . �c2 leaves the king in trouble: 4 7 . . . �e4 4 8 . l:!: g 3 J:!. e 2 + 4 9 . Wb 1
2:
The s tan dard c e n tre
(49 .Wd 1 J:!.h2 5 0 . .J:!.g 1 ti:lxb 2 + -+ ) 4 9 . . . ti:la5 5 0 . .J:!.g 1 �f3 -+ . 47 ... .llf 1 48.�d 2 tt:lxb2+
0-1
2 . 2 . 9 White over-extends his front The wide range of opening theory knows some serious systems in which one side, especially White, pushes forward his pawns on both wings. One could mention the Four Pawns Attack against the King 's Indian and the same against the Alekhine. Such an aggressive set-up is usually a mistake against our opening. The Scandina vian pawn structure is very solid, and once the first storm has been weathered , the weaknesses in White 's camp speak for themselves.
2.50 Peter Schalkwijk Vedran Bad corr. 2 0 0 0
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 Wixd5 3 .tt:lc3 Wia5 4.d4 tt:lf6 5.tt:lf3 c6 6 .tt:le5 �e6 7.�d3 tt:lbd7 8.tt:lxd 7 �xd 7 9.0-0 �g4 1 O.tt:le2 e6 1 1 .h 3
The knight takes a close look at some of White 's weaknesses - and provokes new ones. 1 6 .g3?!
1 6 . 'ii' c I is better. 1 6 ... Wb8
Kaminski-Van der Werf, Groningen 1 9 9 2 , saw 1 1 . c3 �d6 1 2 .'iYc2 �c7 l 3 .h3 �h5 1 4 . .!::[ e 1 �g6 1 5 .�g5 h6 l 6 .�xf6 �xd3 l 7 .�xd3 gxf6 1 8 .�f3 fS l 9 .c4 0 - 0 - 0 2 0 .d5 with unclear complications. 1 1 ... �h5 1 2 .c3 �d6 1 3 .f4? !
This is too committal. Preferable was l 3 .'li'c2 with approximate equality. 1 3 ... 0-0-0!
After this White will immediately ad vance on the queenside. However, White finds it a disadvantage that he has weakened his kingside. Black will not be short of points of attack for his counterplay. 1 4.b4 'iYc7 1 5 .�d 2 tt:l d 5 ! ?
1 7.g4?
He finally goes too far. Such expansion on both wings requires total domi nance, which is naturally out of the question here. 1 7 .�e4 ! + would have limited the dam age. The bishop could take over impor tant defensive duties from g 2 . 1 7... �g 6 + 1 8.�c2 �e7 !
1 05
The Mode r n S cand i nav ian
The queen is already heading towards White 's point of crisis; Black 's posi tion-opening lever will not be long in coming now . . . 1 9.Wg2 �xc2 20.'iYxc2
23.b5
2 3 . -thb i h6 24.cS �c7 2 S .bS tZ:lxd2 2 6 .'iYxd2 'ifxc S + . 2 3 ... cxb5 24.�a5 b6 2 5 J:t a b 1
2 5 .c5 �xe S 2 6 . dxc5 bxaS 2 7 Jhb i a6-+. 25 ... bxa5 26 J:!.xb5+ was
and Black maj estically steers past the fi nal reefs : 27.tZ:lc3 �c7
20 ...f5 !
and here it comes. White cannot avoid the opening of lines anymore. 21 .c4 tZ:lf6 22.g5 tZ:le4
Black's knight on e4 is a monster and it is threatening . . . h7 -h6 . White seeks sal vation in a despairing piece sacrifice :
2 7 . . . tZ:lxc 3 ? 2 8 .'iYxc3 with the threat 'iVf3 + unnecessarily gives White a strong attack. 28.tZ:lxe4 l::I x d4 29.tZ:lg3?
2 9 .tZ:ld2 l::I xf4 3 0 . l::r xf4 �xf4 3 i .tZ:lf3 l::r d 8 + . 29 ... .l:I h d 8 30.W h 1 J::r d 2 3 1 .'iYa4 �b6
White resigned.
2 . 3 The white bishop pair
In the Scandinavian there are many theoretical lines in which Black must give up the bishop pair. In this regard we would like to go into some things which Black should look out for. The opening of a position j ust like the liquidation into an end game often works to the advantage of the side with the bishop pair. At the same time , the bishop which has no counterpart must not become too dominant. For this reason we must aim for structures in which the knight is the equal of the bishop or superior to it. A good method for this purpose is the light-square strat egy to create knight outposts. This should be combined with pressure against d4.
2 . 3 . 1 Bishop pair against bishop and knight This constellation happens frequently. You must know how the bishops can be held in check.
2 . 3 . 1 . 1 White endgame advantage Generally speaking, the bishop pair has really good results in the endgame. However, his solid pawn structure gives 1 06
Black j ustified hopes of being able to keep the situation under control . With his bishop pair, White aims for a dy namic pawn structure.
Chap t er
2:
The s tandard c entre
Black should be striving to give a static character to the pawn structure, so as to secure outposts for his knight. 2.5 1 Alexander Kundin Eli Vovsha Israel jr 1 9 9 9
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'i¥xd5 3.tt:lc3 'i'a5 4.d4 "Llf6 5.�c4 c6 6 .�d2 �f5 7.'i'e2 'i'c7
The early queen retreat is a small con cession , which can possibly be j ustified by precise play (see the theoretical appendix) . 8.0-0-0 e6 9."Llf3 � b4
9 . .ti:Jbd7 constitutes the alternative. .
1 0."Lle5 "Ll b d 7
Not such a n exciting line occurs after I O . . bS ? ! l l .�b3 "Llbd7 1 2 . g4 �g6 1 3 .h4 �xc3 1 4.�xc3 �e4 1 S . g S �xh l 1 6 .gxf6 �dS 1 7 . fxg7 l::r g 8 1 8 .�xdS cxdS 1 9 J:!.g I with a clear edge for in Kharitonov-Makarov, White Kaliningrad 1 9 8 6 . .
1 1 .h4 In the case of l l . "Llxd7 Black should re capture with the king to avoid an unfa vourable opening of the centre, for ex ample l l . . . Wx d 7 ' ( ! 1 . . .'i'xd 7 ? ' 1 2 . d 5 1 ± ; l l . . . tL\ xd 7 ? 1 1 2 . g 4 � g 6 1 3 .h4 hS 1 4 .�xe6 0 - 0 - 0 I S . gxhS .ixhS 1 6 .�g4;!; / ± ) 1 2 .a3 �e 7 ! 3 . f3 hS = . See also the comment in the theoretical appendix.
1 1 ...h5 1 2 .f3
! 2 . tLlxd7 should once again be met with 1 2 . . . \t>xd ? .
1 2 ... �xc3? !
There is no reason for this. The white bishop pair must now be continually kept under control. 1 2 . . . "Llxe S 1 3 . dxeS "Lld7 looks better to us. White cannot do much on the kingside in this con stellation : 1 4.g4 �g 6 . If Black had al ready castled kingside, opening the g -file, then attacking would make good sense. But played like this the measure is more weakening than useful, for exam ple I S . gxhS �xhS 1 6 ."Lle4 �xd2 + 1 7 Jhd2 'iVxeS 1 8 . "Lld6+ We? + . 1 3 .�xc3 "Llxe5 1 4.dxe5 1 5 .�d4 '/Wa5 1 6 .�d 2 !
"Ll d 5
White is aiming for a n endgame, where he will have a small but lasting advan tage. 1 6 .'i'f2 7 ! is quite tempting, but this runs into 1 6 . . . "Llb4 1 7 .a3 "Llxc 2 . 1 6 . . .'ilfxd 2+ 1 7.f!xd 2 ;t b6 1 8 . .l:. h d 1 0-0-0 1 9.a3 wc7 20.b4
The only way for White to break down his opponent's fortress is by creating routes into it for his pieces. For that pawn thrusts are necessary. 20 ... .l::r d 7 21 .�f2
But not 2 1 .�e3 7 �xc2 ! and White still has a way out : 2 2 . �xb 6 + axb 6 2 3 . .!:rxc2 ( Kundin / Alterman i n Chess Base Magazine 7 2 ) . =
10 7
T h e M o d e r n S can d i nav i a n
2 2 . 'tt> b2 tt:lf4 21 .. J:r h d 8 23Jhd7+ �xd 7 24Jbd 7+ wxd 7 25 .gf1 tt:l g 6 2 6 .gg3 wc7 27.Wc3 tt:lf8
An interesting alternative plan from Kundin/ Alterman was simply to move back and forth , aiming to wait and see whether White can strengthen his at tack enough to win . 28.'tt> d 2 tt:l d 7 29.c3 c5
This looks like a slight inaccuracy, be cause opening the position generally fa vours the bishop pair. However, what Black does three moves later makes complete sense : 30.We3 cxb4 32.'it>d4 b5
31 .cxb4
Wc6
Black has managed to render the pawn structure more static and secure an out post on dS . The draw should no longer be far out of his reach. 33 .gf4 35.gg5
tt:l b 6
34.ge2
gg6
36 .g4 hxg4?
After this incomprehensible error, White cannot be prevented from creat ing a passed pawn in the long term . 3 6 . . . gg6 would have kept his hopes of a draw alive , e . g. 3 7 .ge7 tt:ld7 3 8 . f4 hxg4 3 9 . gxg4 a 6 4 0 . gf3 + '>t> c 7 4 J .gd6 + W b 6 4 2 . gd J gfs 43 . a4 g6 and it is not clear whether and how White could get a decisive break through. 3 7.fxg4 .�b1 38.h5 a6 39.ge7 tt:l d 5
39 . . . tt:ld7 40 .gf3 + Wc7 4 l . g 5 gfS 4 2 . ge4+- . 40.gf8 !
• • • . . ·� � ··· � · . . LS · � ·� . LS . • • • • . .i • • i. . • • Now the passed h-pawn decides mat ters. 40 ... g5 41 . h 6 f6 42.exf6 tt:lxf6 4 3 .ge7 tt::! h 7 44.'>t>e5 '>t>d7 45 .gc5 1 -0
2 . 3 . 1 . 2 Equality 35 ... gf5 ?
3 5 . . . tt:ld5 1 would have led to a draw. Kundin/ Alterman give the following variation : 3 6 . g 4 '>t> b 6 3 7 . f4 hxg4 3 8 . gxg4 'it>c6 3 9 . h5 gfS 4 0 . gf3 a6 4 J .ge 7 gg4 1 = . 10 8
Michael Adams now shows us a prom ising way to aim for equality with the endgame constellation of bishop plus knight against bishop pair. He gradually succeeds in setting up a fortress on squares of the colour of his own bishop :
Chap t er
2.52 Peter Svidler Michael Adams Frankfurt rapid 1 9 9 9
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 �xd 5 3 .
Michael Adams relied on this move sev eral times in Frankfurt. However he did not find it easy to achieve equality with it. Theory 's j udgement (;!;) turned out to be realistic. The line 3 . . . 'iW d8 is of course not quite our topic, but some times leads to similar structures. 4.d4
A natural move, strengthening d4 and preventing 1 3 . . . �b4 + . Christopher Lutz preferred a more direct approach. After 1 3 .�e3 0 - 0 - 0 1 4. 'i¥f3 �b4+ I S .c 3 tt:lxc3 1 6 . bxc3 �xc3 + 1 7 .'it>e2 .ixa 1 1 8 . .l:.xa 1 fS 1 9 . gxf5 exfS 2 0 . d S ;l; the bishop pair gave him something o f an advantage i n a n exciting position , Lutz- Adams, Frankfurt rapid 1 9 9 9 . 1 3 ... 0-0-0 1 4.�e2
2:
The s tan dard c e n tre
1 5 . . . c5 1 6.g5
Adams falls back on the rule about ac tivity. He doesn't want to wait and see his opponent slowly but surely strengthen his position. 1 9.dxc5 �xc5 20.'it> b 1
2 0 .�b5 1 ?;!; would also b e strong, and prevent the exchange of queens. 20 ... 'fic6 !? 21 .'i¥xc6+ 2 2 .�e2 c7
bxc6
23 . . .
.l:.xd8
2 5 . .l:.d 1
.l:.xd 1
White is still better because of his bishop pair. However, his winning chances are not very high because of the much reduced material. Generally, in the endgame all sensible exchanges increase the drawing chances of the defender! 26 ... g 6 27. hxg6
hxg6
28.�f3
2 9 .'it>c2 d 3 ( 3 0 .c4? c2 e 5
Now we again have the typical slight but lasting advantage for White. 1 5 ... �d6 109
The M o d e r n S c a n d i n a v i a n
Now the defensive strategy we men tioned at the start will begin. Black starts to dig in on the dark squares. 31 .a3 exf4 33 .�e3
3 2 .�xf4+
�d6
3 3 .�d 2 1 7 was the last chance to try and grind out a win : 3 3 . . . tileS 3 4 .�e2 fS ( 3 4 . . . cS 3 S .b4;t) 3 S . gxfS gxfS 3 6 . b4;t . 33 ... a 5 !
Very strong. Now White cannot avoid another exchange of pawns. 34.�d 2 �b6 3 5 . b4 axb4
Adams reduces White 's winning poten tial even more. 3 6 .axb4 c5 3 7.b5 tileS 3 8.�e2 f5 39.gxf5 gxf5 40.�b3 f4 41 .�xf4 1f2- 1h
4 l . . . tilxc4 42 .�gS tilaS + 43 .Wa4 tilb7=.
2 . 3 .2 Two bishops against two knights In the pawn structure of our standard centre, two knights are generally inferior to the bishop pair, since Black simply does not have the necessary outposts for his knights. Bishop and knight look much better in these circumstances , as we saw in the previous section.
2.3.2. 1 The knights have no outposts Without firm outposts , it is very hard for the knights to be effective. There is then the danger that they are restricted more and more, as in the following game : 2.S3 Sergey Dolmatov Matthias Wahls Germany Bundesli g a 1 9 9 2 / 9 3
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'lifxd5 3 .t2lc3 'lifa5 4.d4 c6 5 .lLJf3 lLJf6 6 .�d 2 �f5 7.�c4 e6 8.'life2 �b4 9.0-0-0 lLJ b d 7 1 0. w b 1 0-0-0?!
After this Black simply loses the bishop pair without getting enough in return . Better would be I O . . lLJb6 ! l l .�b3 and now l l . . . �xc3 ! 1 2 . �x c 3 'lif b S 1 3 . 'lifxbS cxb S with good play o n the light squares. 1 4 .dS tilbxdS I S .�xf6 lLJxf6 1 6 . tild4 �e4 1 7 . tL:lxbS �xg 2 1 8 . .l::!. h g l �f3 1 9 . lLJc 7 + W e 7 2 0 J:tde l l:rag 8 2 1 . lLJxe 6 fxe 6 2 2 . .l:!.xe 6 + Wf8 2 3 . l::t g e I (Bologan-Wahls, Biel 1 9 9 3 ) , .
1 10
and now the surpnsmg 2 3 . . . Wf7 ' + would have led to an advantage for Black. 1 1 .a 3 �xc3
There is actually nothing much to say about l l . . . �f8 . It is followed by the typical break 1 2 . d5 ! exdS 1 3 .lLJxd5 'lifa4 1 4 . lLJ e 3 � e 8 I S . � c 3 � g 6 1 6 . til g S ± . 1 2 .�xc3 'lifc7 1 3 .�d 2 lLJ d 5 ? !
This further inaccuracy lets Dolmatov j oyfully collect the second bishop. The lesser evil would have been 1 3 . . . h 6 , for example : 1 4 . tb e S lLJxeS I S . dxeS lLJdS ( I S . . . lLJ e 4 1 ?) 1 6 . g 4 .2,g 6 I 7 . f4;t . 1 4.lLJh4 �g6 1 6 .lLJxg 6 hxg6
1 5 .�b3
t2l 7f6
This is j ust the sort of position which the Scandinavian player absolutely must avoid. Supported by his bishop pair, White can advance pawns on both wings.
Chap t er 2 : The s tandard c entre
The knights on the other hand have no decent squares and do not have enough strength for successful counterplay. White has a clear and comfortable ad vantage. Black is in for a long and pain ful session , especially against a good technician such as Dolmatov.
White first expands on both wings and finally brings Black 's house of cards tumbling down with the central break through d4-dS . 2 9 ... 4Je8 3 0.c4 {iJdf6 31 .g5 {iJgS
You can really feel sorry for the poor knights. 1 7.g3 �b6 1 8.'lt>a2 {iJe7
Black can only dream of an effective siege of h2 by 1 8 . . . .!:rh3 : 1 9 . £.gs .!:rdh8 2 0 .£.h4 {iJf4 2 1 .'i!Hes {iJ4dS 2 2 . £.xd5 cxdS 2 3 . £.xf6 l:r 3 h 5 2 4 . £. g s f6 2 5 .�e 2 ± with a clear advantage, be cause 2S . . . .l:.xg 5 is followed by 2 6 . g 4 1 and the rook is i n a really tight spot. 1 9.c3 'lt>b8 1 9 . . . l:rhs 2 0 . £. c 1 'lt>b8 2 1 . h4 'lt>a8 2 2 .£.g5 ± , Heyken-K. Muller, Germany Bundesliga 1 9 9 2 / 9 3 .
20.h4 'lt>a8 21 .£.g5 .!:!.he8 22.�f3±
The knights have no prospects and are slowly but surely pushed back. This game is an excellent example of how worthless knights can be without out posts. 22 ... {iJeg8 23 . .!:r h e 1 l:. d 7 24.l:re5 �ed8 25 .a4 �c8 2 6 .a5 'i¥a6 27.'lt>b1 {iJ d S 28.£.d 2 {iJgf6 29.g4 !
3 2 . d 5 exd S 3 3 .cxd 5 cS 34.d 6 ! {iJxd 6 35 .£.f4 l:l: d d 8 36 . .!:red5 l:rc6 3 7.£.a4 1 -0
2 . 3 . 2 . 2 The knights have outposts In this case things of course look differ ent. If Black can keep the position closed and create safe anchorages for his knights , they can face up to any bishops. In the next game Black shows what can be done : 2.54 Mikhail Zaitsev Timo Strater Dortmun d 2 0 0 0
1 .e4 d S 2 .exd5 i¥xd 5 3 .{iJc3 �as 4.d4 {iJf6 S.{iJf3 c6 6 .£.d 2 £.f5 7.£.c4 e6 8.0-0 £.b4 9.a3 £.xc3 1 o.£.xc3 Wic7 1 1 .£.b4 ? !
Zaitsev is not up on the nuances of the Scandinavian structure. This move does not provoke a weakness , but presents I l l
The M o d e rn S c and ina v i an
Black with a valuable tempo for his queenside play, which will finally peak in a successful use of the light-square strategy. 1 1 ... a5 1 2 .�.d2 tt:J b d 7 1 3 .�c1 b5 14 ..2.e2 0-0 1 5 J:td 1 � d 5 1 6 .c3?!
A further inaccuracy. Now Black can paralyse the white queenside and create nice outposts for his knights. 1 6 ... a4 tbc4
1 7. � e 1
l2! 7b6
1 8. tt:J d 3
This move allows sensitive holes to ap pear in White 's camp on e 3 and g 3 . Zaitsev i s probably afraid o f . . . g 5 -g4, which however is hardly a terrible threat . Better would be 3 J . .Q,d6 and after 3 1 . . . g4 comes 3 2 . hxg4 l:!.xg4 3 3 . f3 fol lowed by 34 . .l::!. e 4. 3 1 ... .l::!. g 6 32 JJf2 f5 ! 33.�d6 .:C:d8 34.�e5 f4
The consequences of White 's 3 I st move mistake become clear. He must now al ways worry about the knight getting an effective hold on the e 3 -square. Black on the other hand needs to be careful about allowing White to sacrifice an ex change on e3 to get a draw. 35.�ee2?! �gg8 36.'it>e1 3 7. .l::!. d 2 .:e:gd8 38JHe2 39Jlf2 tt:Je3 40Jlfe2 .tl d 5
.!:!.d7 .l::r b7
The wonderful black stallions are stron ger than the white bishops. 1 9.�g5 f6 20 . .Q,h4 "Q.xd 3 ! ?
Unconventional and good. Black also gives up his second bishop, in order to he able to transpose to a favourable end game. 2 1 . .Q,xd 3 'i¥f4 2 2 ..Q,xc4 bxc4 23 .�g 3 �xc1 24.�axc1 h 5
The ' eternal ' knight on dS gives Black a clear advantage. Since at first there is nothing more to be had on the queenside (White can easily protect b2 twice) , the next step will consist of gaining more space on the kingside. 25Jk2 1:1fe8 26 .Wf1 Wf7 27.1:!.e1 g 5 28. h 3 h4 29.�h2 .!:rg8 3 0 . .l:!.ce2 .l::!. a e8 3 1 .f3? ! 1 12
Black has logically strengthened the po sition of his rooks before playing . . . -1Je3 . An exchange sacrifice on e3 is of course out of the question now, since Black can attack the b2 pawn much too quickly. 41 . .!:If2 c5 !+
The position must he opened. 4 2 J �fe2 we7 43 . .Q,h8 44.�e5 cxd4 45 . .Q,xd4 tt:JfS
.:e:bs
Chap t er
.l:!.xd 1 + 46.J�J 2 .t:i:d3 47.l:!:d 1 48.Wxd 1 e5 49.Wc2 we6 50.�d2 :trd5 51 J:[e2? S ! . l:!.xdS Wxd5 5 2 .£.b6 would have of fered better chances of survival .
51 .. Jld3 5 2 J1e4?
T h e s tandard c en t r e
In Volume 2 of the B-Encyclopedia the move 9 . a 3 is still stigmatized as inexact because of this surprising possibility ; in Volume 3 , 9 . . . £.g4 still retains its excla mation mark. But the normal 9 . . . t2Jbd7 is to be preferred, if 1 2 .d5 is actually as strong as it appears. 1 0. 0 - 0 - 0 £.xc3 1 1 .£.xc3 � h 5
A better move is 5 2 . l::t d 2 . 53 .£.b6 52 ... Wd5 54.£.xe3 fxe3 55 .Wc1
2:
tt::J e 3+
and now 55 ... We6 56 .Wc2 .l:!. d 2 + 57.'>t>c1 l:!.xg 2 58 . .l::. x e3 .l:!.g3-+
would have been easily winning.
2 . 3 . 2 . 3 White has doubled pawns One soon learns that the presence of doubled pawns favour knights , who need squares to stay, as opposed to long-striding bishops. There are more weak squares and the pawns are not so mobile. Of course this rule is not an absolute one, since in openiug theory there are numerous examples where for specific reasons one should beware of giving up a bishop for a knight and giving the op ponent doubled pawns. However, it can be a very useful rule of thumb for the middlegame and the end game, as the following game makes clear: 2.55 Laim Porter Stephen Brady Dublin ch-IRL 1 9 9 7
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 �xd 5 3 .t2Jc3 'i¥a5 4.d4 c6 5 .tt::J f 3 tt::J f 6 6 .£.c4 £.f5 7.£.d 2 e6 8.�e2 £.b4 9.a3 £.g4? !
The point behind 9 . . . £. g 4 . Black now intends to exchange on f3 and thus de value White 's pawn structure. 1 2 .£.b4 ? !
The direct I 2 .d5 ! banks on the bishop pair and lead in development. In corre spondence games up until then Black did not look particularly well posi tioned : A) l 2 . . . cxd5 l 3 . £.xf6 £.xf3 l 4. gxf3 �h6+ I 5 . Wb l 'i'xf6 1 6 . £.xd5 t2Jc6 l 7 .£.e4 0-0 1 8 . .l::!. d 7 .ll ab 8 1 9 . l:!.hd l .l:!. fd 8 2 0 . £.xc6 bxc6 2 l .�e5 1 - 0 , D'Arruda-Hayes, corr. 1 9 9 3 ; B) 1 2 . . . £.xf3 l 3 . gxf3 t2Jxd5 l 4. £.xd5 cxd5 I 5 .'i¥b 5 + t2Jd7 l 6 .�xb 7 � g 5 + 1 7 . Wb l �d8 (Nory-Lemieux , corr. 1 9 8 8 ) 1 8 . £.xg 7 .l:;( g 8 1 9 . .l:!.xd5 ! +- . 1 2 ... £.xf3 1 3 .�xf3?
In principle a mistake. The exchange of queens considerably reduces the dy namic possibilities open to White. 113
The M o d ern S cand i nav i an
Black's static trumps now come much more strongly into their own. 1 3 ... 'f!Vxf3 1 4.gxf3 tb b d 7
20 ... l:!.xf3+ 21 .l::!. d g 1 g6 2 2 .h4 tbe5 23 .�e2 l:rf5 24 . .l:!.g5 h6 25 J::!.xf 5 exf5 2 6 . h 5 g5 27.f4 tbd5 28.�d4?
The final mistake. 2 8 .�d2 would still offer hopes of saving the game, e.g. 2 8 . . . tbxf4 2 9 .�xf4 gxf4 3 0 .l:!.fl \t>d7 3 1 . .l:!.xf4 \t>e6 3 2. \t>d2 .l:. g 8 + . 28 ... tbxf4 !-+ 29.�xe5 tbxe2+ 3 0.d 2 lle8 31 .�g 7 tbg3 3 2 .l::!. h 3 tbe4+ 33 .\t>c1 l:!.e6 34.l::!. f 3 f4 35.\t>d 1 tbg3 36 .�c3 tbxh5 0�
This position is a wonderful example of the difference slight nuances can make in chess. On his 1 3 th move White probably had in mind the general principle that the bishop pair is particularly strong in the endgame. In fact, without the doubled f-pawns White would have a clear ad vantage , but with them on the board Black's position is very pleasant. As well as the sickly pawns, Black can especially aim to use the weakened squares f4 and fS , which are ideally suited to be outposts for the two knights. And if not before, at least after a training session of several hours with the excellent Latvian trainer Zigurds Lanka, I (HL) internalized the rule : ' knights need outposts ' . 1 5 .�d6 0-0-0 1 7.�e 7 ?
1 6 .�d3
The next game takes another look at the same opening variation. This time White sensibly keeps queens on the board, but even then things are not that simple for him : 2.56 Giancarlo Franzoni Matthias Wahls Switzerland tt 1 9 9 2
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'f!Vxd 5 3 .tbc3 'f!Va5 4.d4 c6 5 . tbf3 tbf6 6 .�c4 �f5 7.�d2 e6 8.'f!Ve2 �b4 9.a3
tbf8
This loses a pawn. Preferable was 1 7 .�c5 b6 1 8 .�e 7 l:f.d7 1 9 .�xf6 gxf6 2 0 . l:!.hg 1 tb g 6 + or 1 7 .�eS tb g 6 + . 1 7. . .l:.xd4 1 8.�c5 J:[f4 1 9.�xa 7 tb8d 7 20.�e3
2 0 .�e2 ? b6-+ . 1 14
9 ... �g4? !
Here there are some good and some less good alternatives :
Chapter 2 : The standard centre
A) 9 . . . ltJ d 5 ? 1 0 . �xd5 1 cxd 5 ( ! O . . . �xc3 ? 1 l .�xc 6 + ± ) 1 l . 'iib' b 5 + 'i'xb5 1 2 . tbxb5 �xd 2 + 1 3 . Wxd2 tba6 ( 1 3 . . . '>t d 8 ? 1 4 . tb d 6 +- ) 1 4 . tb d 6 + W e 7 1 5 . tbxf5 + ± with a big endgame advantage, Velikov-Spiridonov, Sofia ch-BUL 1 9 8 0 / 8 1 ; B) 9 . . . �xc2 ? 1 0 . l:!.c 1 +- winning a piece ; C) 9 . . . �e 7 ? runs into 1 0 . d 5 ! cxd5 l l .�xd5 'iib' d 8 1 2 .tbxe 7 'i¥xe 7 1 3 .�b4 'i'c7 1 4.tbd4 ! +- ; D ) 9 . . . tbbd 7 ! i s the correct choice which after 1 0 . 0 - 0 - 0 �xc3 1 l . �xc3 Wic7 leads into the main lines of the Scandinavian. 1 0.0-0-0
I O .Wie3 ! ? . 1 o ... �xc3 1 1 .�xc3 'i¥ h 5 1 2 . h 3 ?
A pure waste of time, since Black wants to exchange on f3 anyway. We already know that the critical move is 1 2 . d5 ! . 1 2 ... �xf3 1 3 .gxf3 tb b d 7 1 4.h4 ? !
An innovation of doubtful worth. After 1 4. l:rdg 1 White 's bishop pair roughly cancels out the structural weaknesses : 1 4 . . . � b 6 ! ? ( 1 4 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 1 5 . � d 2 oo Psakhis-Kuraj ica , Saraj evo 1 98 1 ) I 5 .�d3 1:t g 8 1 6 .�d2 'iWd5 1 7 .c3 0 - 0 - 0 1 8 . l:!.g2 ( 1 8 J:Ig 5 'i¥ d 6 1 9 . .l:!.hg 1 g 6 ) 1 8 . . J:Ide8 ( 1 8 . . . g 6 1 9 . �g 5 ) 1 9 . .l::I h g 1 g6 2 0 .�g5 tbh5 oo . 1 4 ... tbb6 1 5 .�b3
Trying to get some play against the black queen with 1 5 . l:f.dg 1 tbxc4 1 6 . .l:!.g5 does not achieve much : ( 1 6 .Wixc4? 'i¥xf3 ) 1 6 . . . 'i¥h6 1 7 . 'i¥xc4 tZ:ld5 1 8 .�d2 'i¥f6 1 9 . .l::!. g 3 h 6 ! 2 0 .Wic5 (20 .J:!.hg 1 g6+) 20 . . . tb e 7 ! 2 1 . c 3 tbf5 22 .l:rg4 'iib' e 7 and Black is better.
Now Black takes over the initiative : 1 5 ... 'i¥ b 5 !
After its great appearance on move 1 1 , the Scandinavian queen is once again in the centre of the action. This important motif actually kills three birds with one stone : 1 . The queen is removed from a slightly exposed position (think of White 's ma noeuvre .l:!.g 1 - g 5 ) . 2 . The exchange of queens robs White of a major part of his dynamic poten tial , meaning that the static advantages of Black's position come into their own. 3 . Despite the c-pawn's capturing away from the centre, the change in the pawn structure is advantageous to Black, as it backs up his supremacy on the light squares.
Possibly it would be more sensible to do without this exchange and play 1 6 J:Ihe 1 instead. 1 6 ... cxb5 1 7.l:!.hg 1 l:rg8
Of course, not 1 7 . . . g 6 ? ? 1 8 .d5 . 1 8.�d 2
The central breakthrough 1 8 . d5 would, after 1 8 . . . tbbxd5 1 9 . �x d 5 tb x d 5 2 0 . �xg 7 We 7 , lead t o a position in 115
T h e M o d e rn S c and i na v i a n
which Black would not only have the sounder pawn structure but also a won derfully posted central knight. 1 8 ... g 6 1 9.c3 1Ic8 20.�c2 tt:Jfd 5
Getting rid of White 's isolated h-pawn will happen, it cannot be prevented. Af ter 2 0 . . . h 5 ? comes 2 l . b 3 ! tt::l fd S 2 2 .Wb2 followed by �d3 , l:i:c l and c4. Black's main concern is to control the central light squares.
28 ... ti'lxb4 29 . .2.e4 .l:Ic7 30.d 5 ? !
Obj ectively not the strongest move, of course, but a last try for a swindle. 30 ... tt:Jxd 5 31 . .2.xd 5 .l:Id8
21 . h 5 ! aS
Black's queenside advantage is of more than a static nature. 2 2 . \tl b 1 �c4
I have little fear for the bishop pair. 23 .hxg6 hxg 6 24.� h 1 �e7
32 .£.xe6!?
On account of White 's weak kingside pawns , the rook ending offers no real chances for successful defence.
If White plays 3 3 J hf7 + , then 3 3 . . . �d6 wins. A sample line : 34 . .l::r f6 �eS 3 5 . IX.xg6 !1cc2 3 6 . b 3 .l::r b 2 + 3 7 . �a l lla2 + 3 8 . �b l l:!,db 2 + 3 9 . �c l J:!,xf2 4 0 . f4+ �d4 4 1 .�b l l:!,ae2 4 2 . l:!,g l .l::. x e6 and it is over for White. 2 5 Jl h 7 ?
After m y opponent missed i n 2 5 .�g 5 + � d 6 2 6 . .l:r h 7 his last chance for counterplay, now a liquidation takes place to a structure with an isolated pawn which is disheartening for White. 25 ... tt:Jxd 2 + ! 2 6 Jb d 2 b4 27.cxb4 axb4 28.axb4?
After 2 8 . a4 .i:X.h8 29 . .ll x h8 ( 2 9 . �xg 6 7 .ld.xh 7 3 0 . .2.xh 7 fS ) 2 9 . . . .l:Ixh8 3 0 . �a2 White should still hope for salvation because of the weak b4 pawn. 1 16
33 ... g5 34 . .2.b3+ 'lt> d 6 35 . .l::r h6+ �e5 36.I:I.g6 'lt>f5 3 7J:!�g8 l:lxf2 38 . .l:If8+ �e5 39Jle8+ �f4 4Q.J:!,f8+ �g3 41 .1:1f5 �h4 42.�a2 b6 4 3 . J:I,f6
43 JlbS would be somewhat more stubborn, but even then things will soon be over: 43 . . . �a 7 + 44. �b l l:f.fl + 45 . �c2 I:l.c7 + 4 6 . �d2 .l:i.xf3 4 7 . l:Ixb6 J:!,f2 + . 43 ... J:!,a7+ 44. W b 1 g4
White resigned.
C hap t e r 2 : T h e s tand a r d c en t r e
2 . 3 . 3 The bishop pair i s halved Black's chances generally rise if he manages to exchange a white bishop without any other concessions. In the constellation tt:l + � against 2� it frequently happens that a bishop is exchanged or one 's own is made so strong that it makes practically n o difference as to whether White trades it off or not. In all of this a key role is played by the very solid black structure, which frequently allows activity to be de veloped from it.
2.3 . 3 . 1 An ending which is very favourable for Black: w"iV+w� vs. b'iV+btt:l Capablanca 's famous theory states that in the endgame the queen cooperates better with the knight than with the bishop. This is generally confirmed in Scandinavian endgames: 2.57 Alper Olcayoz Tamasz Gelashvili Ankara tt 2 0 0 2
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 �xd5 3 .tt:lc3 'ifa5 4.d4 c6 5 .�c4 �f5 6 .tt:lf3 �f6 7.tt:le5 e6 8.�e2 tt:l b d 7 9 . 0 - 0 tt:lxe5 1 O.dxe5 tt:l d 7 1 1 .f4 ? !
l l . g4 is critical. The main line goes : l l . . . �g 6 1 2 . f4 0 - 0 - 0 1 3 . fS exfS 1 4.gxfS �hS 1 S .�xhS 'i'!fcS + 1 6 .\t>h l Wk'xc4 1 7 . � e 3 g 6 1 8 . fx g 6 fxg 6 1 9 .'i'!Vh3 .!:.e8 and Black should b e able to hang on .
1 5 . \t> h 1 �a6
1 S . . . g 6 1 7 would also be worth consid ering. 1 6 .�e3 �xe3 1 7.�xe3 g 6 ! +
Of course Black prevents f4-fS with an opening of the position , and especially the diagonal a 2 -g 8 . In the game the white bishop will be biting on light squared granite until the very end, and eventually be unable to make a single move ! Nonetheless , Black is in no way win ning here, even if his position is already somewhat more pleasant. 1 8Jla d 1 .t!. d 7 1 9.�f3?
1 9 .c4 would offer better equalizing chances. 1 9 .. J:rhd8 20.llxd 7 .l:!.xd 7 21 .1:id 1 l:!.xd 1 + 2 2 .'i'!fxd 1 'i'!Vb5
1 1 ... 0-0-0 1 2 .tt:le4
Now 1 2 . g 4 ? fails 1 3 .�xg4 �cS + .
to
1 2 . . . �xg4
1 2 ... �xe4 1 3 .�xe4 tt:l b 6 1 4.�b3 �c5+
In the long run , White will not be able to avoid trading Black's active dark squared bishop. Then he is stuck with a weak bishop.
23.h3? 117
The Modern Scandinavian
This unnecessarily weakens the kingside. 2 3 .'ifd3 would have been better.
29.'�'f8+ wc7 30.il'xf7+ 'lt>b6 31 .'i¥d 7 tt::l e 1 32.'i¥d4+ 'i¥xd4 33 .cxd4 tt::l f 3+ 34.'lt>g2 tt:Jxd4-+
23 ... a5!+
Things can happen so quickly ! White cannot avoid the loss of a pawn. 24.a4
2 4 . c4 tt::l x c4 2 S .'i¥d4 tt::l x b2 2 6 . 'ii' x b2 a4+ ; 2 4 . ifd4 a4 2 S . c 4 'i¥b4 2 6 . �d I tt::l x c4+ . 24 .. .'iVb4 25.g3 tt::l x a4
2 . 3 . 3 . 2 Bishop against knight In this constellation, Black generally has quite good cards thanks to his sound and solid structure. In connection to this, see also the game Glascock-Taylor (Game 2 . 6 2 ) . 2.58 Daniel Fleetwood David Taylor corr. 1 9 8 6
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 'ifxd5 3 .tt::l c 3 'ir'a5 4.d4 tt::l f 6 5.tt::l f 3 �f5 6 .�c4 e6 7.�d2 c6 8.'iYe2 �b4 9.tt::l e 5 tt::l bd 7 1 O.tt::l x d 7 �xd 7
Taylor's surprising idea is of interest even today and did not turn out to be a one-day wonder. 26 .c3?
White finally falls apart due to time and positional pressure. The queen end ing after 2 6 .�xa40 'i'Vxa4 should be won for Black, even if proving it can amount to a technically demanding task.
1 1 .0-0-0 l:tad8?!
The concrete I 1 . . . tt::l d S ! is considered more precise, see Hawley-Fries Nielsen (Game 2 . 9 9 ) . 1 2.a3 �xc3 1 3 .�xc3 'flic7
26 ... 'i/Ve4+ 27.'itt h 2
Instead of the game continuation , 2 7 . . . tt::l c S would have been even better now. 27 ... tt::l x b2 28.'it' d 6 tt::l d 3
The infamous duo mercilessly sand wich the white king. He can do no better than transpose to a patently lost minor piece ending : 118
1 4.f3?!
Chap t er 2 : T h e s tandard c entre
This move makes sense (control of the squares e4 and g4; preparation of jle 1 -g 3 ) , but passes up a tactical op portunity. After the typical break 1 4 . d5 ! , White could have made something of the tem porary weakness of the black king : 1 4 . . . tt:lxd5 ( 1 4 . . . cxd5 1 5 .�e5 'iVas 1 6 .jlbs + �c8 1 7 . .l:.d4 1 ± and the black king looks really immobile in P. Marxen-H. Kues, Germany tt 1 9 9 8 / 9 9 ) I S .jles '1W b 6 1 6 .g4 � g 6 1 7 . �xg 7 .!:rhg8 1 8 .�f6 ± , Koskivirta-B.]. Martin , carr. 1 9 9 1 (Game 2 . 9 3 ) .
Taylor seeks counterplay in the appro priate light-square strategy. At the same time he secures a nice-looking post on b6 for his queen . 1 7.�b3 J:l d 7
In Von Bulow-S. Kuhn, Germany tt 1 9 9 8 / 9 9 , there followed 1 7 . . . �b6 1 8 .�f2 tt:lds 1 9 .�b l aS 2 0 . Wa 1 a4 2 1 .�a2 b4 with nice counterplay. 1 8.�g 3 �b6
1 4 ... �c8 1 5 .g4
The immediate 1 5 .�e 1 without fitting in g2 -g4 is interesting. 1 S . . . b5 1 6 .�b3 hS 1 7 .�g3 �b6 1 8 .c3 J:ld7 1 9 .�e5 .!:rhd8 2 0 . J:lhe 1 �b 7 ;\; , Laplante Lauzon, Quebec 1 9 9 6 . Offering an exchange o f queens with 1 S .'Wie5 ! 7 is probably enough for a slight plus for White, Lodge-Holland, corr. 1 9 94. 1 5 ... �g6 1 6 .�e1
By now Scandinavian players should of course be aware of this standard plan. On the other hand, nothing much is achieved by 1 6 .h4 hS 1 7 . g S tt:ldS = . 1 6 ... b5!
1 9.�e5
1 9 . h4 hS 2 0 . g 5 tt:l d s 2 1 . '/W e s is positionally committal and looks more dangerous than it is : 2 1 . . . J:l g 8 2 2. . l:!.he 1 tt:l e 7 2 3 .c4? ' . The d4 pawn now be comes weak ( 2 3 . c 3 would be appropri ate) . 23 . . . J:lgd8 2 4 . c 5 'li'b 7 2 5 .�h2 tt:lfs 26 . .l:.e4 and here the delicate 2 6 . . . J:le 7 ! ! + would have completed Black 's strategy in Reid-Taylor, corr. 1 9 8 7 . He transfers the king to the king side via d7 -e8 and then calmly goes in for combined play on the queenside and against d4. White has made too many positional concessions and is condemned to being a passive onlooker. 1 9 ... � b 7 20.h4 h 5 ! 21 .g5 tt:le8 2 2 . l:l. h e 1 .l:rg8 23 .a4 a 6 24.axb5 axb5 119
The M o d ern S candinavian
Black dominates the light squares; his chances are not worse. 25 .c3 tt:ld6 26 .£c2
This exchange is positionally dubious , because now Black simply threatens to remain with the superior minor piece. More prudent would have been 2 6 . £xd6 .l:r.xd6 2 7 . £c2 with equality. 26 ... £xc2 27.'lt>xc2 tt:lf5 28 . .l:!. a 1 ?
Allowing Black to take full control. The dynamic 2 8 . g 6 ! is require d , e . g. 2 8 . . . fxg6 ( 2 8 . . . tt:lxh4 ? ! 2 9 . gxf7 Ilxf7 3 0 . f4 l:.h8 3 1 .£d6t) 2 9 J:[a l tt:lxh4 3 0 .£g3 ( 3 0 .'ife4 ! ?) 3 0 . . . tt:l fs 3 1 . 'i¥xe6 l:tgd8 3 2 .£f2 +=! . 28 ... g 6 ! +
34.b3 'lt> b 7 35.'lt>b2 �d8 36 .'if'e1 �d5 3 7.�f2 c5 !
A breakthrough on the dark squares frequently crowns a successful light square strategy. This is however more than logical , because if all the pawns are on light squares, the next pawn move must of necessity be on to a dark square. 38.£f6 cxd4 39.£xd4 b4
3 9 . . . eS ! ? . 40.£f6 e5 41 .'tilVe1 42 .�xc3 �d4!?
bxc3+
Taylor finally wins the ending most in structively, but things are certainly not clear-cut. Endgame lovers can go into the exciting question as to whether there is still a defence. 43 .£xe5 'if'xc3+ 44.'lt>xc3 tt:Jxh4 45.'it>d 3
After 4 S . f4 ? tt:lf3 the h-pawn will ad vance. 45 ... tt:Jxf3 46 .£f6 tt:l h 2 47.£e5
4 7 . We4 ! ? . Now all the black pawns are safely on light squares and the monster of a knight on fS has everything under con trol. White continually has to worry about the protection of the h4 pawn. 29.'ife4 .l:!.dd8 31 .l:tea 1 .l:!.xa3 33 .1:1xa8 'lt>xa8
3 0 . .l:r.a3 32 . .l:.xa3
.t!.a8 I:t.a8
As in the last game, we have reached the ending �+tt:l against � + £ . Here too White is facing a long struggle for a draw, which he does not manage even in this correspondence game. 1 20
4 7... tt:lf3 48.£f6 'lt>c6 49s�;e3 tt:l h 4 50.£c3 'it>d5 51 .'lt>d3 tt:lf3 5 2 .£f6 tt:Je5+ 5 3 .'it>e2 tt:ld7 54.£e7 'lt>d4 55.'lt>f3 'lt>c3 5 6 . b4 tt:Je5+ 57.We4 tt:Jc6 58.£d6 'it>c4 59.b5 Wxb5 60.'lt>d5 tt:Jd8 6 1 .£g3 tt:Je6 6 2 .£h4 tt:lg7 63 .£f2 tt:lf5 64.We5 wc6 65 .'lt>f6 h4!
At last things are all over. 6 6 .Wxf7 h3 67.£g 1 tt:l h 4 68.£h2 �d5 69.'lt>f6 'it>e4 0-1
Ch a p t e r 2 : T h e s t and a r d c en t r e
2 . 3 .4 The dark-squared bishop In many variations Black must play . . . �xc 3 and exchange his bishop for the white knight. White 's dark-squared bishop then often makes the difference (and not al ways in a positive fashion ! ) . The bishop is hampered by the d4 pawn . It can be acti vated with the plans we shall now explain.
2.3 .4. 1 Activation by d4-dS To open diagonals for the bishop, White frequently aims for d4-d 5 . 2.59 Salvador Gabriel Del Rio Angelis Juan Pomes Marcet Mondariz tt 2 0 0 2
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 i¥xd 5 3 .tt:Jc3 'i¥a5 4.d4 CiJf6 5.�c4 c6 6 .'iV e 2 £.f5 7.�d 2 e6 8.d 5 cxd 5 9.tt:Jxd 5 �d8 1 0.tt:Je3
I O .Ci .xf6 + ! 7 is the main line ( see the analysis to 9 . . . <1:lf6 in Kindermann-K. Mtiller (Game 2 . 2 ) ) . 1 0 ... �e4
I O . . . .�g6 1 7 1 1 . 0 - 0 - 0 t:bc6 1 2 . �b4 'i¥b6 I L�xf8 Wxf8 1 4 . t2Jf3 W e 7 I S . g4 Uhd8 1 6 . h4 �e4 1 7 . g S ttJ h S Sermek-Mikac , Pula 1 9 9 6 . = .
1 1 .0-0-0 tt:J b d 7 1 2 .f3 �g6 1 3 .f4 ..Q,c5 1 4.f5 ? !
This starts a dangerous initiative, totally hased on the strength of the dark squared bishop. With exact defence, however, it should not be enough. Better is I 4. ttJ f3 . 1 4 ... ihe3 1 5 .i¥xe3
I S . fxe 6 ? Jhd 2 + 1 7 .:ii xe 6 'i¥e 7 - + .
1 6 . l:f.xd2
fxe 6
1 5 ... �xf5 1 6 .�b4 'i¥c7 1 7.�b3 as 1 8.�d 6 'i¥b6 1 9.'i¥f4 'i¥c6 20.lbf3
A very critical position has arisen. Black could fend off the white attack with a subtle manoeuvre. 20 ... tt:Je4?
2 0 . . . a 4 1 2 1 . t:b d4 ( 2 1 . -�,c4 .l::!. c 8 + ) 2 l . . . g 5 1 1 • This i s the point which Black missed. 2 2 . 'i¥ f l 'i¥xd 6 2 3 . ttJ xfS i¥f4 + + . 21 .�a3 CiJec5
Or 2 1 . . . a4 n . .ads exdS 2 3 .'i¥xf5 with compensation . 2 2 .�d5 'i¥a 6 ?
Things quickly go downhill after this mistake. 22 . . . 'i¥c8 7 2 3 . t2::: d 4 �g6 2 4 .'li'd6 .l::!. a 6 (24 . . . exd S ? 2S .t!.he l + �e4 2 6 . Uxe4+ dxe4 2 7 .C2 fs Wd8 2 8 . �.xc 5 .l::[ a 6 2 9 . �.b 6 + l::!. xh6 3 o . 'iYx b 6 + 'iV c 7 3 I .'iVa 7 +- ) 2 S .�c6 hxc 6 2 6 . �xc5 tbxcS 2 7 . 'i¥xc5 t ; 2 2 . . . �b6 1 i s required . . . .
23 .�,c4 b5 2 5 .tt:Jxf5 0 - 0
24.tt:Jd4!
bxc4
121
The M o d e rn S candinavian
2 5 . . . exf5 ? 2 6 Jlhe l + ti:Je6 2 7 .'i:Vg5 f6 2 8 .'i:Vxf5 +- . 26.tt:Jxg 7 ! e5
cent of the Hector Variation, has also been tested here, e . g. 7 . . . £.b4 (7 . . . £.xc 2 ? ! 8 . d5 t) 8 .'i:Vg3 £.g 6 :
26 . . . 'it>xg 7 ? 2 7 . £.xc5 tt:JxcS 2 8 .'i:Vg 5 + 'it>h8 2 9 .'i:Vf6 + <;t>g8 3 0 . l:rd4 Jifc 8 3 l. . l::i .f l +- . 27.'i¥e3 'i¥g6 28.£.xc5 tt:Jxc5 29.'i:Vxc5 'lWxg 7 3 0.'1Wxc4±
and White won on move 7 2 .
2 . 3 .4.2 �d2-f4 If Black castles queenside, White 's dark squared bishop, which has no direct counterpart, can often exert strong pressure on the h 2 - b 8 diagonal. We have already seen the main line of defence in Fleetwood-Taylor (Game 2 . 5 8 ) : . . . b 7 -b5 and then . . . 'it>b 7 . In the following game Black misses this ma noeuvre at the correct time and loses : 2.60 Murray Chandler Richard Forster Bermuda l 9 9 9
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'W'xd5 3.tt:Jc3 'ifa5 4.d4 c6 5 .�c4 £.f5 6 .£.d 2 e6?!
Black again holds back with his king 's knight, to avoid a possible Hector Varia tion (6 . . . ti:Jf6 7 .'i¥f3 ) . But now White has other aggressive options with an early g 2 -g4 and/ or d4-d5 , so . . . ti:Jf6 on move 4, 5 or 6 is more advisable. More about this in the theoretical appendix ! 7.g4 !?
This quite dangerous line was made possible only by the delay in playing . . . ti:Jf6 . As well as transpositions to the main lines , the move 7 .'iff3 , reminis1 22
Analysis d i agram
A) After 9 . 0 - 0 - 0 ti:Jf6 White should beware of 1 O . a3 ? ! . Not least because the white queen has left the queenside at the cost of some time, the bishop sacri fice 1 0 . . . £.xa3 ! is now very strong. White can probably no longer equalize : A I ) l l . ti:J d S ? fails to l l . . . £.b4 ' 1 2 . ti:J c 7 + 'it> d 7 1 3 . £.xb4 iVa i + 1 4. Wd2 tt:Je4+ 1 5 .We3 'iVxd l 1 6 .�e5 'lWe i + 1 7 .'it>f3 f6 -+ , Klinova-Stefa nova , Elista Olympiad 1 9 9 8 ; A 2 ) l l . ti:J a 2 ? ! 'i:Va4 1 2 .£.b3 'lWa6 1 3 . bxa3 tt:Je4 1 4.�e3 'i:Vxa3 + I S . 'it>b l tt:Jxf2 + ; A 3 ) l l . ti:J b S ! is still best : l l . . . £.xb 2 + ! ( 1 1 . . . £.b4 1 2 . £.xb4 �a ! + 1 3 . 'it>d2 tt:Je4+ 1 4. <;t>e J 'i:Vxd l + l S . <;t>xd l tt:J x g 3 1 6 . ti:J d 6 + 'it>d7 1 7 .hxg3 aS 1 8 .£.c5 b 6 1 9 . tt:Jxf7 £.xf7 2 0 .£.xb6oo) 1 2 . 'it>xb2 'i¥b6 1 3 .£.a5 'iYxaS 1 4. ti:J c 7 + 'it>e7 1 5 . tt:Jxa8 ti:Jbd 7 + and with two pawns for the exchange and a more sickly king position for White, Black will have better chances. B) 9 . ti:Jge2 ti:Jf6 I O . a3 0 - 0 1 1 . 0 -0 £.xc3 1 2 .£.xc3 ;\; / = and White had the typical minimal advantage of the bishop pair in Nisipeanu-K. Muller, Hamburg 1 9 9 8 .
Chap t er 2 : The s tand ard c entre
7...�g 6 8.tt:l h 3 8 .'1:J ge2 tt:lf6 9 . tt:lf4 �b4 1 0 . f3 tt:ld5 <=! , Doncevic-Jackelen , Germany Bundes liga B 1 9 9 5 / 9 6 . 8 .'i'e2 ' i s presumably the most precise. In New In Chess 41 2 0 0 3 John Nunn ex plains : 8 . . . �b4 ( 8 . . . tt:lf6 ? ! 9 . f4 �e 7 ! O .fS exfS 1 1 . g 5 tt:lh5 1 2 . 0 - 0 - 0 t ; 8 . . . �xc2 ? 1 9 . d5 'iYb6 1 0 . dxe6-+) 9 . f4 (9 .tLlh3 tt:l e 7 1 O . tt:lf4 tt:ld7 1 1 . 0 - 0 - 0 0 - 0 - 0 1 2 . h4 h S 1 3 . g 5 ;!; , Baklan Germany Bundeslig a Sj odahl , 1 9 9 9 / 0 0 ) 9 . . . tt:l e 7 1 0 . 0 - 0 - 0 tt:l d 7 1 1 . a3 �xc3 1 2 . �xc3 �c7 1 3 . f5 exf5 1 4. gxf5 �f4+ ( 1 4 . . . �xf5 1 5 . J:!.e 1 -+) I S . �b 1 �xf5 1 6 . .l:I.e 1 ± and Black is in serious difficulties , Perez Rodriguez Vazquez Igarza, Havana 1 9 9 9 . 8 .. 'iYb6 .
8 . . . tLlf6 ! ? is interesting. After 9 .tt:ldS 'i'd8 1 O . tt:lxf6 + 'i¥xf6 we seem to be seeing a concrete advantage of 8. tt:lh3 , but 1 1 . � g 5 comes up against l l . . .�xc2 ! 1 2 .�xc2 'iff3 . With the text move, Black attacks two pawns . . . and White reacts with the very typical 9.�e 2 !
This queen move prepares queenside castling and does not worry about the pawns being attacked.
On the contrary, White even offers a third one, which, j ust like its col leagues , can only be captured at consid erable risk. 9 ... tt:l d 7
After this one does have t o ask whether 8 . . . �b6 was really an appropriate move. More logical, though barely better, were the three captures : A) 9 . . . �xc2 1 0 . d5 t ; B ) 9 . . .'iVxd47 I 0 . 0 - 0 - 0 gives White a strong initiative for the pawn. The cen tre is opened and Black has scarcely de veloped a piece. In what follows , two basic attacking motifs of White 's play an important role : the attack on e 6 and the hunt for the Scandinavian bishop : B l ) 1 0 . . . tt:l d 7 l l . �xe 6 ! fxe 6 1 3 .�e3 tt:l c 5 1 2 . 'i¥ xe 6 + tt:l e 7 1 4. �xg 6 + hxg 6 1 5 .�xd4± ; B2) I O . . .�b6 I I . tt:l f4 �b4 ( 1 1 . . . tt:l e 7 1 2 . h4 h 6 1 3 . �he l tt:l d 7 1 4 . �xe6 fxe 6 I 5 .tt:lxe 6 + - ) 1 2 . h4 tt:l f6 1 3 .h5 �xc3 1 4 .�xc3 +- . C) 9 . . . '�'xb 2 ? l O . J:!. b 1 �xc2 1 1 .0-0±. 1 0.0-0-0 1 2 .h4!
0-0-0
1 1 .tt:lf4
�d6
Chandler would really like to have the dark-squared bishop. 1 2 ... �xf4 1 3 .�xf4;J; 12 3
The Modern Scandinavian
Time to draw a preliminary conclusion . White can be happy with the opening so far. He has the bishop pair and pres sure down the h 2 - b 8 diagonal . How ever his advantage is not very great , be cause of the solidity of the Scandinavian structure. So in the next few moves, Black correctly builds up on the light squares. 1 3 ... h 5 1 4.g5 tt:Je 7 1 5 J:t h 3 !?
1 7... tt:Jb6
Black is alert and keeps his pieces near his king. 1 7 . . . tt:JfS ? runs into 1 8 . ti:Jb5 1 • The main line goes : 1 8 . . . cxb S 1 9 . l:r.c3 1 e S 2 0 . �xb 5 + Wb8 2 l . dxe 5 'tWxa2 2 2 . .l:!.a3 'iVe6 2 3 . �xd 7 +- and White is winning. 1 8.�b3 tt:Jed5 1 9.tt:Jxd5 tt:Jxd5 20 . .l::. e 5 b5 21 .'i¥f3
Since his 1 2 th move, Black has played excellently and set up a defensive posi tion on the light squares (this plan could be called the defensive light square strategy) . But now he makes a mistake. 21 ...�d 7 ?
The rook lift to the third rank adds some potential to White 's attack. How ever, the foundation stones of the Scan dinavian are not easy to knock over. 1 5 .. J::. h e8 1 6.�h2 'i¥ a 5
Black dreams of getting h i s monarch to safe pastures on the closed kingside, and then quietly developing his own game. But the idea fails tactically. The correct move is 2 l . . . Wb7 1 , similar to the game Fleetwood-Taylor (Game 2.58). 2 2 .�xd 5 ! ±
This clears b6 for the knight and en ables , at the right moment, the ma noeuvre . . . b 7 -b5 and . . .' litb 7 . 1 7J:te3
The knight sacrifice 1 7 . tt:J b s cxb S 1 8 . �xb5 is highly dangerous but with cold-blooded defence it simply leads to a draw : 1 8 . . . tt:J b 8 ! (not 1 8 . . . tt:Jc6 ? ! 9 . l:h3 'i¥b6 2 0 Jh6 ! ! and White wins : 2 0 . . . �d3 ! ? 2 I . 'i¥xd3 tt:JcS 2 2 . dxc5 .t:i.xd3 2 3 . cxb6 .t:i.xd l + 2 4 . Wxd l +-) 1 9 . .t:i.c3 + tt:Jbc 6 . Now c6 is sufficiently backed up. White has no better than the perpetual check 2 0 . 'i¥ e 5 'iVb 6 D 2 I . 'ifb 8 + �d7 2 2 .'ifd6 + = . 1 24
Only very concrete reasons, i . e . the rook sacrifice which will follow soon , make this move sensible. 22 ... cxd 5?
Chap t e r 2 : The s tand a r d c en t r e
2 2 . . .exd5 ! is needed; Black's position contains astonishing resource s : 2 4 . l::t e 5 + �f8 2 3 . J:h d5 + �e7 2 5 .J:!.xe8+ l:!.xe8 2 6 .'i¥xc6 .l::!: e 2 ! 2 7 .flc7
2.6 1 Tal Haimovich Eli Vovsha Ramat Aviv tt 2 0 0 0
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 'i¥xd 5 3 .tt:J c3 'li'a5 4.d4 lLlf6 5 .lZ:lf3 c6 6.ilc4 ilf5 7.ild 2 e6 8.'W'e2 ilb4 9.lLle5 lZ:l bd 7 1 0.lZ:lxd 7 lZ:lxd 7
1 O . . . �xd 7 ' ? . 1 1 .a 3 lZ:lf6 1 2 .ila 2 ! ?
An innovation, but not a very strong one. White would like to force 1 2 . . . ilxc3 , which would be more sen sibly achieved by castling either side.
Ana lysis d i agram
and now Black has the study-like 2 7 . . . 'i¥a6 ! ! 2 8 .'W'xa6 ( 2 8 .'W'a8 + ? .l::. e 8 2 9 .�d5 � g 8� ) 2 8 . . ..lhc2 + 2 9 . 'lt>b 1 l:!.c6+ 3 0 .�a 1 llxa6 3 1 . dS ;t / ± . 23 ..lhd5+ �e7
course the rook cannot be taken : 2 3 . . . exd5 ? 2 4 . 'i¥xd5 + �e7 2 5 .'W'c5 + We6 2 6 .'W'e5 + �d7 2 7 .'i¥d6+ �c8 2 8 .�c6+ 'i¥c7 2 9 ."'iii x c 7 # .
Of
24..!:!.xb5! 'ti'xa 2 ?
24 . . . J:!.c8 2 5 .l:!.c5 1 ? ( 2 5 . llxa5 l:!.xc 2 + llxf3 2 6 . Wb 1 l:1xf2 + 2 7 .�a 1 2 8 Jh a 7 + ± ) ; 24 . . . �xb5 ? 2 5 .'i¥a3 + �d7 2 6 .'W'd6+ Wc8 27 .'W'c 7 # . 25 .ii'c3 !
1 2 ...flxc3 1 3 .ilxc3 VJi/c7 1 4.0-0-0 0-0-0 1 5 .f3 h 5
1 5 . . . lLld5 is somewhat more precise: 1 6 . ile 1 lLlf4 1 7 .'i¥f2 and now 1 7 . . . h5 or 1 7 . . . 'i¥b6 with equality. 1 6 .ile1 h4!
Prevents the manoeuvre fle 1 -g 3 . Yet , White manages t o achieve it in the game, though at the cost of his kingside pawn structure. 1 6 . . . VJi/f4+ 1 7 . �b l .l:!.xd4 ? runs into a neat trap : 1 8 .ilg3 J:!.xd l + 1 9 . 'li'xd l ! VJi/a4 2 0 .VJii d 6+- . 1 7.ilf2 lZ:ld5 1 8.g3 b5 1 9.gxh4 'i¥f4+ 20. � b 1 ilg6 21 .ilg3
1 -0
And Black laid down his arms on ac count of 2 5 . . . �f8 ( 2 5 . . J:l c 8 ! ? 2 6 . ii'b4+ �d8 2 7 .�d6+ with an ep aulette mate) 26 . .l:!.a5 losing the queen.
2 . 3 .4. 3 �e l -g3
This manoeuvre is related to ild2 - f4 , as both aim to exert pressure on the h 2 - b 8 diagonal. 125
The Modern Scandinavian
21 .. .'iYf5?
The turning point. From here on in, White achieves a nice attacking victory. 2 I . . .'tWe 3 1 would have been much stronger. White should not be aiming to exchange queens , though with his queen having penetrated to e 3 , Black has good counterchances : 2 2 .' i:Y g 2 ( 2 2 .' � f l tt:l f4 +=t ) 2 2 . . . b4 ! 2 3 . � e 5 ( 2 3 .llhe l ? b 3 ! ! +) and now 2 3 . . . b3 leads to perpetual check: 24.�xb 3 'ti'xb3 2 S .'ti'xg6 tLlc3 + = .
Another mistake. White can now open the position advantageously. Preferable would be 2 7 . . . �g 6 , even if White has a strong attack after 2 8 .�xd5 'i:YxdS 2 9 .l:l c 3 . 28.axb5 cxb5
2 8 . . . axb5 ? 2 9 . �xd5 'tWxdS 3 0 . l:ra3 +- . 29.�xd 5+1 'ti'xd5 30.llc3
2 2 .�b3 w b 7 23.llhe1 �h5
Now we will see an instructive attack with opposite-coloured bishops : 30 ... wa7 24.'i¥d 2!?
The Israeli Tal Haimovich is playing like . . . Tal ! . Instead of bothering about f3 , he turns his attention to the weak ened black king side. 24 .. .'ii' xf3
24 . . . �xf3 ? ! 2 S . lles 'tWg6 2 6 . llfl �hs 2 7 .'tWas t . 25 .'ii'a5 ll d 7 ?
Not 2S . . . 'ti'xd l + ? ? 2 6 . llxd l �xd l 2 7 . �xd5 �xd S 2 8 .' i¥c 7 + W a 6 3 0 .b4+ Wa4 2 9 .'i hc 6 + WaS 3 l .'�a6 # . After 2S . . . �g6 Black 's de fensive chances would remain intact. 26.lld3 'ifg2 27.a4 a6? 1 26
3 0 . . . �g6 3 l .h5 ! . 31 .lle5 'ii' h 1 + 32.'it'a2 llb7
Or: 32 .. .'ii'b7 ( 3 2 . . . �f3 3 3 . llxb 5 +-) 3 3 . l:.ec5 b4 ( 3 3 . . . l:i.xd4 ? 3 4.�f2 lla4+ 3 S . 'ti'xa4 bxa4 3 6 . ll c 8 + 'i¥b6 3 7 . ll 3 c 7 #) 3 4 . ll 3 c4+- . 33.llec5
Opening things further by 3 3 .dS ! ? is well worth considering , e.g. 3 3 . . . �f3 3 4.lla3 �xdS + ( 3 4 . . . l:rb6 3 S .�f2+-) 3 S .b 3 +- . 33 ... �f3
3 3 . . . �e2 3 4. l:k 7 �c4+ 3 S . ll 3 xc4! bxc4 3 6 .'ifcS + Wa8 3 7 .llc6+- . 34.llc7?!
Chapter 2 : T h e standard c entre
34. J::I. a 3 ' llb6 3 5 .�c7 +- would decide matters at once. 34 ... �d5+ 35.b3 �b8?
3S .. .f6 3 6 .lhb 7 + �xb 7 3 7 . dS - . 36 �d6 .J::I. x c7 38.�c5+ .
3 7.'�xc7+
.J::I. b 7
And Black admitted defeat on account of the pretty checkmate which follows after 3 8 . . . Wa8 3 9 . 'fW c 8 + .l:[ b 8 40 .'tlixa6#.
2 . 3 .4.4 �b4 This motif is frequently used to prevent Black from castling queenside, thus keeping the king in the middle. If Black does not manage to stand up to it with either . . . a7 -aS and . . . b7 -b5 -b4, or cas tling queenside in favourable circum stances , things will become pretty un comfortable for his king. Examples can be found in Del Rio Angelis-Pomes Marcet (Game 2 . 5 9) and Svidler-Oll (Game 2 . 1 ) .
2 .4 The li ght-square strategy
This basic strategic concept played a key role in a series of previous games. Without it, the Scandinavian would not be what it is ! Generally, the queenside pawns ad vance : . . . b 7 -b5 and . . . a 7 -a5 then . . . a4 or . . . b4. Black secures the outpost square dS for a piece and creates a new one on c4. Frequently his active formation allows him to go over to a queenside attack. This is then supported by the Scandinavian bishop on the h 7- b I diagonal. A structure with bishop on g 6 , pawn h S against white pawns gS and h4 is pretty well a pure light -squared strategy; an example can be found in Fleetwood-Taylor (Game 2 . 5 8 ) . 2 .4. 1
. . .
b 7 -bS
This advance is often the starting signal for the light-square strategy. The advance . . . b7 -bS serves a lot of purposes , which we shall now explain individually.
2.4. 1 . 1 White's dark-squared bishop is staring into empty space This is an interesting strategic moment. Traditionally you learn to restrict an op posing bishop by putting your pawns on squares of its colour to deprive it of these squares. In the Scandinavian the opposite strategy appears : the more black pawns are on light squares , the less attacking potential is conceded to White's dark-squared bishop. You con centrate completely on the light squares and leave the, as it were, unopposed dark-squared bishop to run around on empty squares.
This method resembles the strategy of the defender in an ending with oppo site-coloured bishops. 2.62 Dennis Glascock David Taylor corr. l 9 8 5
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'iYxd5 3 .tt:lc3 'i:Ya5 4.d4 tt:lf6 5.�c4 c6 6.tt:le2 �f5 7.0-0 e6 8.tt:lg3 �g6 9.l:[e1
This is illogical . 9 . f4 ! is the critical con tinuation of the line which began with tt:l e 2 -g 3 . 127
T h e Mod ern Scand i n a v i a n
9 ... .2.b4 1 0.�d 2 0-0 1 1 .'IWe2
I n V okler-Reefschlag er, Germany Bundesliga 1 9 9 2 / 9 3 , there followed l l . a3 �.xc3 1 2 . .ihc3 'IWc7 1 3 . .td3 .txd3 1 4 .�xd3 Cii b d7 with equality. 1 1 ...<1J b d 7 1 2 .a3 �xc3 1 3 .�xc3 �c7 1 4.J:!.a d 1 b 5 !
The evaluation ' '+ ' is based mostly on practical considerations. The position is far easier for Black to play with his active knight and the looming pressure on d4. 24 . .tl. d 2 �adS 25 . .ll e d 1 �Sd7 26 . .i:!.d3 �bS 27.g3 tt:JeS 28.�g 2 t2Jc7 29.�b4 tt:Ja6 30.�e1 'iVdS 31 .'i¥c3 �as 3 2 .f3 t2Jc7 33.I:!.e1 tt:JeS 34.l:.e5 tt:Jf6 3 5 Jb d 5 l:txd5 36.l:.e3?!
White would also like to remove the second pair of rooks from the board and commits a strategic error. Without rooks the infamous queen + knight duo gets stronger and more effective. 3 6 ... �b7 3SJb d 5 ? ! 40.�c5 f4 !
3 7.I:!.e5?! 'i¥d7 t2Jxd5 39.�d2 f5!
The starting signal for the light-square strategy; the queenside expansion is be ginning. 1 5 .J�.d 3 t2Jd5 1 6 .�xg 6 hxg6 1 7.tt:Je4 t2J 7f6 1 S.tt:Jxf6+ t2Jxf6 1 9 . .tb4 l:tfdS 20.�e5 'IWb7 21 . h 3 .ll d 5 22 .�e3 a S 2 3 .5�.c5 a4+
Frequently with a one-colour complex strategy, decisive progress is made in the long run by action on squares of the other colour. 41 .gxf4 'IWc7 42.h4
The white bishop is controlling a lot of squares, but that alone does not make it a good bishop. Black cleverly plays around it and uses the light squares. What follows shows that Black has the far more effective minor piece. 1 28
4 2 . Wg 3 ? does not help because of 42 . . . g 5 . 4 2 ... tt:Jxf4+ 43 .c.t>f1 tt:J d 5
For some time Black has had the initia tive, but he does not stand a lot better obj ectively speaking.
Chap t e r 2 : The s tand a r d c en t re
54.jLxg 7 ?
44.'11:V e 2
source, the database Mega Corr3 , now gives the move 44.�g 2 ? ? . But a hlunder of this calibre seems highly un likely in a correspondence game.
O ur
The final mistake. 5 4.'it>d3 ? c S 5 S . jLxg 7 tLlxd4-+ ; 5 4.jLc7 would be much tougher and first and foremost prevents the redeploying of the knight to c4. 54... �a5 55 .f4
44 ... �f7 45.�d6
+ S .h3 1 ? 'li:VfS 46 .�e4 would be more likely.
5 5 . 'it> f2 tLlc4 5 6 . 'i.t> g 3 e S �e6-+ .
5 7 . dx e 5
55 ... Wg4 56 .jLf6
45 ... �f5 46 .�g 3
+6.c 3 7 O:i'_b6 4 7 . W g 2 ti::J c 4 48 .jLb4 Wf7 + is hardly better than the game, +6.�e4 � x e 4 4 7 . fxe4 �e3 + 48 . 'it>e 2 :�"c+ 49 � c 5 � x b 2 S O .'it>f3 =l= is a n al .
ternative on the other hand.
5 6 .Wd3 'i.t>xf4 5 7 .'i.t>c3 'i.t>e4 5 8 . <Jib4 tLlb3 5 9 .jLh8 Wd3 -+ . 56 ... t2Jc4+ 57.\t>e2 'i.t>xf4 58.'i.t>f2 'i.t>e4 59.'i.t>g3 'i.t>d5 60.Wf4 t2Jxb2 6L 2.e7 b4 0-1
46 ... �xc2 !
Black heads for an ending with an extra pawn and good winning chances. Now
47.'11:V x c2
+ 7 . �xe 6 + 7 !
'it> h 7
48 .�e2 �c l +
+9 . � f2 c'L f4 + and Black wins a pawn .
47...�e3+ 48.c;&>f2 tt::J x c2 49.jLe5 �a1 50.jLf4 'ltf7 51 .'it>e3 ti::J b3 52 ..�.c7?!
5 Hte4 ' 7 , intending 52 . . . ti::J a 5 5 3 .jLd2 :Lc+ 54.jLc3 , would be good. 52 ... c;&>f6 ! 53 .jLe5+ \t>f5
2 .4. 1 . 2 Taking the steam out of a white queenside pawn storm Against a white queenside pawn storm , . . . b 7 -b5 is in fact the most important counter-measure. And once more the light-square strategy plays its part. If Black attacks a pawn formation of d4, c4, b4 with . . . b 7 -b5 , White frequently only has the choice between exchang ing on b S or the advance c4-c5 . Both leave weaknesses, above all on the light squares ( d S , c4) . 2.63 Mario Lanzani Boris Golubovic Charleville tt 2 0 0 0
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 �xd 5 3 .t2Jc3 �as 4.d4 t2:lf6 5 .t2:lf3 c6 6 .jLc4 jLfS 7.jLd 2 e6 8.�e4 �c7 9.tLlg3 jLg4?!
Black is satisfied with a slight opening disadvantage. The move 9 . . . jLg 6 is more ambitious and better. 1 29
T h e M o d e rn S cand i na v i an
1 0. h 3 �xf3 1 1 .'i¥xf3:t tt:l b d 7 1 2 .0-o-o �dG 1 3 J a h e 1 o-o-o 1 4.tt:le4 tt:lxe4 1 5 Jh e4 tt:lf6 1 6 .J::l. e e1 h 6 1 7.�b3 'i¥e7 1 8.c4?
And we reach our subj ect. This pawn move stops any white ambitions on the queenside and at the same time strives to take over the initiative. 27. b4?!
2 7 . b3 aS 2 8 . a 3 Wb 6 + . 2 7... bxc4 a5!
28.wxc4 tt:le8
29.a4
Very strong ' Nothing will remain of the white phalanx , except weaknesses . . . 30.bxa5 l::l d 5 32 .c3 .l::r a 8 34.f4 ? ! .l:!.xa5
A mistake. Black now manages to halve the opposing bishop pair and build up pressure on d4. When one has the bishop pair, there is often the tried and tested method of taking things quietly at first and gradually strengthening one's position. For that, something along the lines of 1 8 . Wb l :t is worth considering, with a slight but lasting advantage. 1 8 . . .�b4! 1 9.�c3 �xc3 20.'i¥xc3 �c7 21 .�e3 b8 2 2 .'ii' e 5 J::l. d 7
Black doubles rooks o n the d-file and is already a bit more pleasantly placed. 23 .c2 J::l. h d 8 24.Wc3 b6 25 .�xc7+ ct/xc7 26 .�c2 b5!?
31 .l:!.e5 tt:ld6+ 33.l::l x d5 cxd5
Black is now clearly better. He has the far sounder pawn structure, in White's camp d4 and a4 above all tend to be weak. But care has to be taken that the latter does not turn into a strength. 35.g4?!
3 S . Wb4. 35 ... .l:!.a6 36.l::l f 1 ?
3 6 . fS starts counterplay on the kingside. 36 ... l::l c 6+ 3 7.Wd3 tt:le4+
Black's activity is threatening to be ex pressed in numbers. It will be difficult for White to avoid losing a pawn. 38Jk1 .l:.c3+ 39.We2
And now the blockading 39 ... g 5 ! +
would have been the most accurate. In stead, the weaker 3 9 . . . �d6 ? ! was played and White presumably lost on time. His position might still offer some drawing chances, e.g. 40 .h4 f6 4 l .aS eS 42.fxeS + fxe S 4 3 . dxe S + 'it>xeS 44.a6 l:ta3 4 S . �xe4 'it>xe4 46.l:!.c6. 1 30
Chap t er 2 : The s tandard centre
2.4. 1 . 3 Securing the outpost on dS
Another benefit of . . . b7 -bS lies in the seizing or securing of d S as an outpost. Since secure outposts are the breath of life for knights , it is worth fighting for them . An instructive example : 2 . 64 Sonke Maus Curt Hansen Hamburg I 9 9 I
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd 5 �xd 5 3 .. �c3 Wia5 4.d4 ttJfG 5 .t2lf3 �f5 6 .�d3
This is very tame; in general Black is not u n happy to swap off the light-squared bishop. 6 ... <1J b d 7 7.0-0 e6 8.�f4 c6 9.�e5 t2Jxe5 1 o.�xe5 �g6 1 1 .a 3 £e7 1 2.b4?!
Understandably, White does not agree. However the question is whether ope ning the position like this really does him a favour. . . 1 7... bxc4 1 8.'i¥xc4 'iVbG 1 9Jld3 a5!
The typical move to dynamite this structure ! 20.bxa5 I:.Xa5:f
Thanks to 1 9 . . . aS ! Black has got rid of a weakness (a 7 ) and created one in the white camp ( a3 ) . and at the same time opened lines for his maj or pieces. The superior pawn structure guarantees him a long-term advantage , and not a slight one either. 21 Jlg3 f6 2 2 .�f4 't!Ya6
A tempting , committal and probably dubious decision. White 's queenside can now easily turn out to be weak. 1 3 .'iYe2 �xd 3 1 2 ... �d8 1 4.�xd 3 0-0 1 5 . .l:rfd 1 t2J d 5 1 6 /2'Je2 b5!
2 3 .'ii' c 2?
White gets nothing in return for a 3 . an incomprehensible decision. Passive de fence with 2 3 . �xa6 l:rxa6 2 4 . l:rb3 .l:Ha 8 2 S .�c l + would offer much better drawing chances.
Now the knight sits on d S like a rock; Black would like to seize the initiative on the queenside with . . . a7 -aS . 1 7.c4
23 ... �xa 3 24.�h6 l:rf7 2 5 .�d 2 �b4 26 .l:rxa5 'l!!:Y x a 5 27.�xb4 't!Yxb4+/ -+
Now Black has a clear extra pawn , so for a player like Curt Hansen the win is a question of technique : 131
T h e M o d ern S cand i na v i an
28.'i¥c1 .l:i b 7 29.h3 'i¥ b 1 30.\t>h2 'i!'xc1 31 .tZ:lxc1 .l:i b 2 3 2 . .l:if3 g5 33.\t>g3 �f7 34 . .l:ib3 .l:id2 35.tZ:ld3 �g6 36.�f3 h 5 3 7.g3 �f5 38.g4+ \t>g6 39.tZ:lc5 tZ:lf4 40.\t>e3 .l:ie2+ 41 .\t>f3 .l:ic2 4 2 . tZ:l d 7 tZ:lxh3 43 .gxh5+ \t>f5 44.�g3 tZ:lf4 45.h6 \t>g6 46 .tZ:lf8+ �xh6 47. .t:!. b 7 tZ:lh5+ 48.\t>g2 tZ:l g 7 49.J:if7 f5 50JU6+ �h5 51 .�g6 tZ:le8 5 2 Jbe6 tZ:lc7 53 .�e5 tZ:ld5 54.tZ:le6 \t>g4 55.\t>f1 tZ:lf4 56 .f3+ \t>g3 57.tZ:lxg5 .l:!.f2+ 58.�e1 tZ:ld3+ 59.�d 1 tZ:lxe5 60.dxe5 l:!.a2 0-1
It is not unusual for the light-square strategy to culminate in a logically con ducted attack on the king. 2.65 Wang Pin Natalia Zhukova Shenyan g 2 0 0 0
1 2 .tZ:le5
1 2 .�d2 7 t bS 1 3 .�d3 �xd3 1 4.'i¥xd3 0 - 0 1 S . .l:ihe 1 I:rfc8 1 6 .Wb 1 cS ! 1 7 . dxc5 tZ:lxcS 1 8 .'i¥xb 5 tZ:lce4 t, Hubner-Wahls , Germany Bundesliga 1 9 9 3 / 94 . 1 2 . . . b5 1 3 .�a2 �e4 !?
This manoeuvre is pure artistry. 1 4.J::. h e 1 1 6 .�d 2
�d5
1 5 .�xd 5
tZ:lxd5
1 6 . CiJxf7 7 'i¥f4+ 1 7 .�d2 'lt//i x f7 + . 1 6 ... 0-0 1 7.'i¥g4
1 7 . 'i!'d3 l:!.fc8 1 8 .'i!'g3 tLl 7 f6 1 9 . tLld3 'lt/ii x g3 2 0 . hxg 3 tZ:l d 7 = gave Black good control in Schiitt-H. Cording, corr. 1 993. 1 7... \t>hS 1 8.'i¥h3 J::. a c8 1 9.tZ:lxd 7 'lt//i x d 7 20.J::. e 4 f5 !
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'i!'xd5 3 .tZ:lc3 'i!'a5 4.d4 c6 5 .tZ:lf3 tZ:lf6 6 .�c4 �f5 7.�d2
7 . tZ:le5 e 6 8 . g4 �e4 ? 1 9 . f3 ? ( 9 . 0 - 0 was played in Aseev-D. Koni g , Munich ! 9 9 1 / 9 2 , and was convincing for White. Did Hodgson have an improve ment up his sleeve ?) 9 . . . �dS I O .'i!'d3 tZ:lbd7 l ! . tZ:lxd7 tZ:lxd7 1 2 .�d2 �b4 1 3 . 0 - 0 - 0 �xc4 1 4 . 'i!'xc4 �xc3 I S . �xc3 'i!'dS 1 6 .'i!'b3 bS ! 7 . f4 7 t h S ! 1 8 . .l:ihg l hxg4 1 9 Jh g 4 g 6 + . A perfect example of the light-square strategy ! White is now stuck with his weak nesses , Ansell-Hodgson , England tt 200 1 /02. 7...e 6 a:�Ve2 �b4 9.0-0-0 tZ:l b d 7 1 0.a3 �xc3 1 1 .�xc3 'lt/ii c 7 1 32
An important prophylactic measure di rected against White 's attack. Black sets up the seventh rank as a defensive barrier. Far weaker is 2 0 . . . tZ:lf6 ? 2 1 . .l:ih4 'iYdS 2 2 . g4 with a dangerous attack. 21 .l:!.h4 g 6
White 's attack looks more dangerous than it i s ; Black is in control on the light squares.
Chap t e r 2 : T h e s t an d a r d c e n t r e
22.'i�Vg3 Wg8 2 3 J:t h 3 24.'i�Vh4 .l::r f 7 2 5 . � b 1 ?!
'i�Vc7
More precise is 2 5 . .l:le I e. g. 2 5 . . . .ll e 8 2 6 J id3 c5 2 7 . dxc5 'i�Vxc5 2 8 . 'i�Vd4 with level chances. .
25 ... a5 26 . .S.e1 .ll e 8 27.c3?!
An error in principle. White weakens some light squares and gives his oppo nent points to attack. 27... c5!
Nonetheless the mighty knight on d5 secures some advantage for Black in this endgame. 28 ... C4 -+
Black quickly gets a violent attack, the white king feels neglected. 29.axb5
Or 2 9 . 'i�V g 3 'i�Vb6 3 0 . axb5 'i�Vxb5 and the black attack develops of its own vo lition : 3 1 . .\.l.c i a4 3 2 . �d6 .ll d 7 3 3 .'i�Vc5 'i�Va6 3 4 .l:!.e5 .ll b 8 -+ . 29 ... 'i�Vb8 30 . .ll g 3 'i�Vxb5 31 .'i�Vh6
After 3 1 . .\.l.f4 .l:lb7 3 2. .l:te2 'i�Vb3 3 3 . l:Ic 2 tDxf4 3 4 . 'i�Vxf4 t h e battering ram has the last word : 34 . . . a4-+ . 31 ... a4 32.h4
The pawn roller gets going and White will soon have to look to his king. On the other side of the board the rook on the seventh rank is fulfilling the defen sive tasks almost by itself. 28.a4?
of necessity White should be mod est here, 2 8 . dxc5 'i�Vxc5 2 9 .�d4 'i�Vxd4 3 0 .cxd4 would be the lesser evil .
Out
Symptomatic of the whole course of the game: White has completely overesti mated her attacking chances on the kingside. In fact the rook on f7 and the strength of the light squares held things together almost all on their own. 32 . . . a 3 33 . .\.l.c1 f4 !
The house of cards tumbles down . 34J:rt3 'i�V b 3 3 5 . h 5 a 2 + 36.�a 1 0-1 'i�Vc2 37. hxg 6 ! ? 'i�V b 1 #
2 . 5 Castling for White and Black
In this regard , the Scandinavian is highly flexible. Both sides can castle either way and often the black king gives up its right to castle entirely.
2 . 5 . 1 Queenside castling for White
This gives White a free hand for a kingside pawn storm , and at the same time the d4 pawn is safely protected. But as has been impressively shown in games like the previous one, Black quite often manages to counter on the queenside. We would like to go into one specific motif. 1 33
The M o d ern S cand i nav i an 2 . 5 . 1 . 1 . . . �xa3
In the majority of cases this piece sacri fice does not break through and this is probably the reason why it has been an unpleasant surprise to so many players with white. Here is an example, involv ing a real VIP :
1 4.ttla2 ? �b4! 1 S . �xb4 'i¥xa2 1 6 .�c3 d4 1 7 . �xd4 .l::!. d 8 + , R. Wagner-K. Friedrichs , Germany tt 1 9 9 8 / 9 9 . 1 4 ... �e6 1 5.tt:la2
I S .bxa3 ? ! 'iVxa3 + 1 6 . Wb 1 d4 1 7 .�c l �xc 3 + .
2.66 Judit Polgar Curt Hansen Gronin g en 1 9 9 3
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 '&'xd5 3 .tt:lc3 '&'a5 4.d4 tt:lf6 5 .tt:lf3 �f5 6.tt:le5 c6 7.�c4 e6 8.�d 2 tt:lbd7 9.'&'e2 �b4 1 0.0-0-0 tt:lxe5 1 1 .dxe5 tt:ld5 1 2 .�xd 5 exd5 1 3 .a3?
Probably vaguely aware that the bishop sacrifice on a3 in the Scandinavian never works , White falls into the trap . . . 1 3 .g4 d4 ! i s the main line. 1 3 ... �xa 3 !
1 5 ... �b4!
A neat motif, which you really should remember. 1 6 .�xb4
1 6 . tt:lxb4 ? ? '&'a ! # is trivial , but at the same time a basic idea behind the �b4-motif as well as behind the bishop sacrifice on a3 . 1 6 ... 'i¥xa 2 1 7.�e3 0-0-0 1 8.�d6 b6 1 9. 'lt> d 2 'i!Hxb2 20J;l b 1 d4 21 Jbb2 dxe3+ 22 .'it>xe3 'lt> b 7 +
1 4.'ti'f3? !
1 4. bxa3 1 is the best solution, but it no longer achieves equality : 1 4 . . . �xa3 + 1 S . �b 1 '&'b 3 + (or 1 S . . . d4 ! ? 1 6 . tt:le4 �e6 + , L. Bronstein-Tempone, Buenos Aires 1 9 9 0 ) 1 6 .�a l �xc2 1 7 . .l:i.b ! ( ! 7 . .l:!.c ! d4 ! 8 . ttla 2 'i:Ya4+) 1 7 . . . �xb 1 1 8 . .l::. x b l '&'a3 + 1 9 . ttla2 + , Murphy Brandhorst, carr. 1 9 9 2 . 1 34
and the extra pawn gives Black a clear endgame advantage. The fact that the Hungarian finally managed to save the game with the opposite bishops ending is another story. In the example which now follows , the sacrifice is played instinctively, since the variations can hardly be fully calculated out. At the same time it is in a certain way a child born out of necessity.
Cha p t er
2:
The s t an d a r d c entre
2.67 Flemming Storgaard John Iver Eriksen c o r r. 1 9 9 8
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'i¥xd 5 3 .tt:lc3 i¥a5 4.d4 �f5 5 .�d 2 e6 6 .tt:lf3 c6 7.�c4 tt:lf6 8.'i¥e2 �b4 9.0-0-0 tt:l b d 7 1 O.tt:le5 tt:lxe5 1 1 .dxe5 tt:l d 7 ?
A theoretical inaccuracy. 1 1 . . . tt:ldS is the clearly preferable subj ect of the previ ous game. 1 2 .a3 b5!?
Still the best. 1 2 . . . �xc3 ? 1 3 . �xc3 'i¥c7 1 4. g4 �g6 I S .f4± ; The immediate 1 2 . . . �xa3 ? backfires : 1 3 . tLl b 5 �b4 1 4 . �xb4 'i¥xb4 1 S .tZ:ld6+ c:l;e7 1 6 . tt:lxf5 + exfS 1 7 . e 6 1 - 0 , Gasseholm-Ingerslev, corr. 1 9 8 2 . 1 3 .�a 2 ?
Gives Black the chance to confuse mat ters with the help of the thematic bishop sacrifice. 1 3 .�d3 1 would secure a clear advantage. 1 3 ... �xa 3 ! 1 4.bxa3
Not 1 4 . tt:l d 5 ? b4 1 5 . g 4 � xc 2 ! 1 6 . tLl c 7 + 'i¥xc 7 1 7 . Wx c 2 b 3 + 1 8 . �xb3 � e 7 -+ , Visser-Math e , Groningen 1 9 9 3 . 1 4 ... 'i¥xa 3+ 1 5 . c:l; b 1 0-0
Black has only two pawns for the piece and no concrete threats. However the position is not clear : Black is threaten ing to strengthen his attack one step at a time. The following redeployment of the white bishop must be correct. 1 6 .�c1 'i¥b4+ 1 7.�b2 tt:lb6
1 8.'1:t>a 1
After this Black's compensation be comes very unpleasant. However, the apparently relieving combination 1 8 .'ti'd2 tt:lc4 1 9 . �xc4 bxc4 2 0 .tt:ldS ? meets the tactical blow 2 0 . . . �xc2 + ' and Black can continue his attack with three nice pawns for the piece. 1 8 .. JUb8
In Jansa-Taulbut, Copenhagen 1 9 8 1 , Black played the other rook, which looks a bit more natural : 1 8 . . . .l::!. ab8 I 9. t2:l b 1 tt:l c4 2 0 . � c 3 'ti'a4 2 l . �d4 � b 6 ( 2 1 . . . c5 1 ?) 2 2 . .l::!. x c4 bxc4 2 3 .'iii' x c4 'i¥xc2 24.�d4 ' with unclear play. 1 9. tt:l b 1
1 9 . l:td6 tt:lc4 2 0 .�xc4 bxc4 2 1. .l:!.b ! .l::!. b 6 2 2 .tt:la2 �a4 2 3 .�d2 h 6 � . 1 9 . . .tt:lc4 20.�c3 �a4 21 .l:ld4
2 l. . l::i. c ! l:!.b6 2 2 .�e l tt:laS . 21 ... c5 2 2 .�xc4 bxc4
Materially, two pieces against a rook and one or two pawns is about level , but the initiative from now on clearly lies with Black. 23 .�xc4?
2 3 . l::r c 1 would be exciting , and by no means clear-cut. 1 35
The M o d ern S candinavian
23 ... 'iWxc2 24.�xc5 a 5
2 S .'i!ie3 :lc8 2 6 . �d4 l:.ab 8 2 7 . tt:Ja3 + and the white pieces still hold things together more or less. 25 .. .'�Ve4-+
Now Black can crown his initiative with a material advantage ; it's all over. 26 .f3 'i!ie2 27.g4 �xb 1 28.lhb1 �xf3 29 . .l:ixb8+ a:xb8 30.�b2 �xg4 31 .�xa5 �g 1 + 32.�b1 'iWxh 2 33 .'iWc3 h 5 34.�c2 h4 35.'iWd3 g 6 0-1 25 .�d4?
2.5.2 Kingside castling for White
Kingside castling is White 's quickest way to get his king out of the middle and it of fers plenty of flexibility for future planning. White can storm forward with his pawns on the queenside or the kingside. If he castles queenside, it is very rare for White to mount a queenside pawn storm . If Black castles on the opposite side, i . e . sends his king to the queenside, a white pawn storm is an obvious possibility. But there are other methods :
2 . 5 . 2 . 1 The disaster on the h2-b8 diagonal If this diagonal falls into the hands of the white bishop and the black king is caught on c 8 , Black is in for some trou ble. One effective defensive idea, as well as the exchange of the mighty bishop, is the daring . . . b 7 -b5 and . . . <>t>b7 , see e.g. Fleetwood-Taylor (Game 2 . 5 8) . The next two games serve as a warning of what can happen if Black does not pay the sort of attention that is required. 2.68 Mark Tseitlin Helmut Reefschlager Biel 1 9 9 3
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 �xd5 3 .tt:Jc3 �a5 4.d4 c6 5 .tt:Jf3 tt:Jf6 6.�c4 �f5 7.�d 2 e6 8.�e2 �b4 9.a3 �g4 1 0.�e3 !?
1 36
Most chess players develop a favourite square or a favourite move over the years , based on specific games or open ing preferences. On the other hand, cer tain negative experiences are also linked to certain aversions. Try and guess for which player the move 'i!ie3 is his worst nightmare . . . 1 0 . 0 - 0 - 0 �xc3 l l . �xc3 �hS 1 2 .d5 1 is also critical.
C h a p t e r 2 : T h e s t a nd a r d c en t r e
1 0 ... £.xf3? ! 1 1 .'li'xf3 tt:l b d 7
The player with Black later improved (or, more exactly, changed) his play with l l . . . ttldS 1 2 . 0 - 0 £.xc3 1 3 . bxc3 0 - 0 1 4 ..l:He l ttl d 7 1 5 . £. d 3 li fe 8 1 6 . lle2 tLl 5 f6 1 7 .c4t , without finding sufficient compensation for White 's hi shop pair, Schmittdiel-Reefschlager, Binz ch-GER I 9 9 4 . 1 2 .0-0-0 £.xc3 1 4.�d 2 ±
1 3 .£.xc3
'li'c7
White has a clear advantage in the end game, but he would like to win in an at tack. 1 9 ... 'li' g 6 ?
Correct is I 9 .. . '�J f4 2 0 . 'li'f3 lLl fd S 2 I .'li'xf6 lLlxf6 ± . 20.�e5
Now things are really over, White 's mating attack is decisive. 20 .. .t2Jd 7 21 .'li'd6 'li'g5+
And now the point : 2 2 .Ue3!+- 'li'e7
Bologan correctly speaks of a clear white advantage here. The bishops can hardly be restrained , and at the same time the black knights do not have se cure outposts. Compare this to the game Dolmatov Wahls (Game 2 . 5 3 ) . 1 4 ... 0-0-0?
Castling queenside deprives Black of any counterplay for a long time, and at the same time his king gets into diffi culties. Since 1 4 . . . b S ? fails to I 5 .£.xb5 , the lesser evil would be 1 4 . . . 0 - 0 1 5 .�f4 'li'd8 then . . . b 7 -b5 , . . . a 7 -a5 with an attempt to get counterplay on the queenside. 1 5 Jlhe1 tt:Jb6 1 7.�b3 tt:lfd 5 1 9.'li'h 5 ! ?
1 6 .£.f4 1 8.�g3
'li'e7 'li'f6
23 .'li'xd 5 !
1 -0
2.69 Andrey Sokolov Curt Hansen Copenhag en Wch -jr 1 9 8 2
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd 5 �xd 5 3 .tt:lc3 �a5 4.�c4 tt:lf6 5.d4 c6 6.l2:lf3 £.f5 7. 0-0 e6 8J�e1 l2:l b d 7 9 . h 3
White 's set-up is solid and not without venom . Hoping for a small but lasting advantage, White would like to play tlJh4 and obtain the bishop pair. 9 ... �e7 1 0.tt:lh4 .�g 6 hxg6 1 2 . .2.f4
1 1 .tt:lxg6
1 37
The M o d ern S c andina vian
1 2 . a3 0 - 0 ? ! 1 3 .�d2 Wfc7 1 4.Wif3 ;\; was played in Smirin-Cu . Hansen, Moscow 1 989. 1 2 ... 0-0-0!
A good plan. Black is striving for counterplay on the semi-open h-file. 1 3 .�f1 g5 1 4.�g3 .l:( h 6
1 4 . . . g4 1 S .'i¥d2 t2lb6 1 6 . hxg4 cS is also worth considering. 1 5 .Wid 2 ! ?
1 5 ... g4?
. . . into which Black immediately falls. The correct move would have been 1 S . . . l:!.dh8 oo , which at least would have created a flight square on d8 for the king. 1 6 . t2l b 5 ! !
The shock bites deep, as the next move shows. 1 6 ... Wib6?
This gives up the queen for two pieces, which more or less amounts to capitu lation. 1 6 . . .'illf x d2 ? 1 7 /i:Jxa 7 # and it is all over. The only chance was 1 6 . . . b 6 , even if the endgame after 1 7 . '�'xaS bxaS 1 8 .t2ld6+ �xd6 1 9 . �xd6± is pleasant for only one of the players . . . 1 7.�c7 VJ/ixc7 1 8.t2lxc7 1 9. hxg4 .l:!. d h 8 20.f3 +-
This looks like a normal developing move, but it sets a diabolical trap
wxc7
and White won on move 3 7 .
2 . S . 3 Black castles kingside If, in the constellation 'White castles queenside, Black castles queenside ' White 's play is too tame, then Black frequently manages to get some initiative by combin ing play on the queenside with play against the pawn on d4. Clearly the most dangerous white plan is a kingside pawn storm.
2 . 5 . 3 . 1 g2-g4, h2 -h4
2.70
As we have seen earlier on in this book, this version of the kingside advance of ten goes along with the hunt for the Scandinavian bishop. A warning for black players is in order here : this is extremely dangerous and as Black you should only let it happen if your own counterattack is fast enough and you manage to generate enough counterplay quickly.
Karsten Muller
1 38
Thomas Cording Hamburg 1 9 9 2
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 Wixd 5 3 .t2lc3 'W'a5 4.d4 t2lf6 5.t2lf3 c6 6.�c4 �f5 7.t2le5 e6 8.'ii' e 2 �b4 9.�d 2 t2l b d 7 1 0.t2lxd 7 t2lxd 7 1 1 .a3
Still the calm before the storm . But things will soon start happening !
Chap t e r
1 1 ... 0-0 1 2 . 0-0-0?!
2:
The s tand a r d c ent r e
A I ) 1 6 . . . �xg4 1 7 . � g I and now :
Ana lysis d i agram
All this was prepared in a Hamburg training group led by C. -D. Meyer. It should be pointed out that the analyses provided then have been to a large ex tent blended into these remarks. In this position, our eyes were mainly on the two possible captures . . . �xc3 and .. .iha3 ; in preparation, no attention was paid to the strong move in the game . . . With the advantage o f hindsight, 1 2 . g41 is much more precise than castling at once : 1 2 . . . � g 6 ( 1 2 . . . b 5 ? ? 1 3 .�a2+-) 1 3 .h4 ( 1 3 . 0 - 0 - 0 1 ?) 1 3 . . . h 5 (Or 1 3 . . . h 6 1 4.h5 �h 7 and now I 5 J:[g ] t ? looks very dangerous , e . g. I S . . . eS 1 6 . 0 - 0 - 0 �xa 3 1 7 . g S exd4 1 8 . tt:l e 4 'i:Y e S 1 9 . bxa 3 'i:Yxe4 2 0 . 'i:Yxe4 �xe4 2 l .gxh 6 ± ) 1 4. �a2 �e 7 I S . tLldS 'i:Yd8 l 6 .'�J xe 7 + 'ifxe 7 1 7 . gxh S ± . 1 2 b5! ...
Not only surprising, but obj ectively the strongest ; the alternatives give an ad vantage to White : A) 1 2 . . . �xc3 1 3 . �xc3 'i:Yc7 1 4.g4! . Energetic treatment is require d . 1 4 . . . 'iff4 + I S . 'if d 2 1 (Sievers) I S . . . 'ifxd2 + ( I S . . . 'i¥xg4 ? 1 1 6 J:! �h g l �h4 1 7 . d S -+ ) 1 6 . �xd2 . The g4 pawn is digestible, but not espe cially tasty :
A l l ) 1 7 . . . h S ? 1 8 . d 5 exdS 1 9 . h 3 dxc4 2 0 . l:Ixd 7 1 �xd 7 2 I . .tlxg 7 + Wh8 2 2 . � xf7 + Wg8 2 3 .�g 7 + Wh8 2 4 . �xd 7 + +- ; A l 2 ) 1 7 . . . tt:l b 6 ? 1 8 .d5 1 hS ( ! 8 . . . tt:lxc4 ! 9 . lhg4 tt:lxd2 2 0 .�xg 7 + 'lt>h8 2 1 Jh f7 + with checkmate t o fol low) 1 9 . � b 3 g6 2 0 . dxe6 fxe 6 2 l .�xe 6 + ± ; A l 3 ) 1 7 . . . �f5 1 8 . d 5 e S 1 9 . dxc6 bxc6 2 0 . � g 5 �h3 2 I . f4-+ ; A l 4) 1 7 . . . �f3 1 8 . d 5 e S 1 9 . dxc6 �xc6 2 0 . f4;\; . A2) 1 6 . . . �e4 1 7 . �e l �dS 1 8 .� e 2 ;\; and the pair of bishops assures White o f a slight b u t lasting advantage i n the endgame. B) 1 2 . . . �xa3 ?! comes up against : B l ) 1 3 . tt:la2 ! 'i:Ya4 1 4. �b3 'i:Yxd4 I 5 .�c3 'iff4+ . The last moves were forced . Now White must make the cor rect decision . 1 6 .'i:Yd2 1 ( this leads to a material imbalance in which White 's chances are preferable. Weaker is 1 6 .'li'e3 �d6 1 1 7 . �d4 'li'xe 3 + ! 8 . fxe 3 tt:lb6 1 ! 9 . lhd6 a S = and Black wins back the piece) 1 6 . . . � d 6 1 7 . g 3 'i:Yxd 2 + 1 8 . .tlxd2 �e4 1 9 . .l:lxd6 �xh l 2 0 . l:!.xd 7 cS 2 l . �xe 6 ;\; and two pieces are somewhat stronger than a rook and a pawn here. 1 39
The M o d ern S candinavian
Accepting the sacrifice is very promis ing for Black: B 2 ) 1 3 . bxa3 ? ! 'tWxa3 + 1 4 . Wb 1 b S 1 S .�d3 b4 1 6 .�c 1 �aS 1 7 . t2l e4 t2lb6� intending tZ:ldS -c3 . 1 3 .axb4
By trying for the most promising contin uation, White risks life and limb. Better, though ambitious is 1 3 .�b3 �xc3 1 4.�xc3 �c7 1 S . g4 'i¥f4+ 1 6 .'i¥d2 'tWxd2 + 1 7 .l:hd2 �e4 1 8 . .l:!.e 1 �dS = and White no longer has two bishops. 1 3 .. .'�Ua 1 + 1 4. t2l b 1 �g6 1 6 . h4
bxc4 1 5 .g4
B) 1 7 .'ihc4 t2l b 6 1 8 . 'i¥ b 3 �e4 1 1 9 . bxaS �dS -+ ; C) 1 7 . bxaS .l:!. fb 8 1 8 . � c 3 .l:i.xaS 1 9 .'ihc4 ( 1 9 . Wd2 l:!.xb 2 2 0 . �xb2 �xb 2 2 l . �xc4 l:!. d s - ) 1 9 . . Jh2 2 0 .Wd2 .l:!.bxb2 2 1 .�xb2 .l:!.xb2 22 . .l:!.c 1 'iVaS + - . 1 7.13 h 5
1 7 . . . aS ! ? i s still worth considering , Black must set up counter-threats ' 1 8.�xc4 hxg4 1 9. h 5 !
White opens lines with tempo and Black has lost control completely. 1 9 ... t2lxh5
1 9 . . . �xhS 2 0 . fxg4 �xg4 2 1. . l:!.dg 1 - . 20.fxg4 t2lg3?
Relatively better is 20 . . . t2lf6 , though Black's position after 2 1 . .l:!.h3 is not all that much fun : 2 1 . . . 'i¥a4D 2 2 . l:!.dh l t2lh7 2 3 .t2la3 ± . 21 . l:!. h 3 ! + -
The critical position , perhaps of the whole game. 1 6 ... t2lf6 ?
In such a sharp position , a single mis take is usually one too many. After the text move, White can develop his attack with tempo, by simply attacking the opposing minor pieces. The riposte suggested by Alexey Shirov is much stronger: 1 6 . . . aS ! and in all lines Black gets an extremely dangerous attack : A) 1 7 .hS axb4 1 8 .�xb4 .ll a 2 1 9 .�c3 ( 1 9 .�a3 c3 2 0 .hxg6 l:!.xb2 and mate) 1 9 . . . l:!.b8 ! -+ and the threatened capture on b2 cannot be parried successfully; 1 40
21 . . .�a 2 ! ?
A nice j oke ! 2 2 J:td h 1
2 2 .�xa2 would not be s o good. 22 ... �xc4 23.l:!.h8#
1 -0
C hap t e r
2:
T h e s ta n d a r d c e n t r e
2 . 5 .4 Both sides castle kingside In this constellation White, who at first is better developed, must decide on which wing he intends to look for the initiative. As we already know, it is rarely advisable to advance on both sides of the board.
2 . 5 .4. 1 White plays on the queenside with c2-c4 and b2 -b4 Generally Black will and must meet this with . . . h 7 -h 5 (see for example Maus Hansen (Game 2 . 6 4) ) or after b4-b5 turn to . . . c6-c5 . The game which now follows illustrates what can happen when the thrust b4-b5 is allowed and Black has no relevant counter-measures :
1 3 .t2Jh4 �g6 1 4.�e2 0-0 1 5 .0-0 f5 1 6 .g3 t2Jf6 1 7.�f3 �fd8 1 8.'iVe2 a5 1 9JUd 1 'iVe7 20J::t a b 1 axb4 21 .axb4
2.7 I Lj ubomir Ljubojevic Lembit Oll Antwerp 1 9 9 4
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 'iVxd5 3 .tt::l c 3 'iVa5 4.tt::l f 3 tt::l f 6 5.d4 £f5 6 .£d2 e6 7.a 3
Ljubomir Lj uhojevic is not known as an expert in or fetishist of main line theory. 7... c6 7 . . tt:lhd7 8 . £e2 c6 9 . �c l £e 7 1 0 . 0 - 0 0 - 0 I J . �J4 t2J d 5 1 2 . t2Jxd5 cxdS 1 3 . c 3 Sfc 8 1 4 . .l::t d l 'iV d 8 I S . t2Je5 t2Jxe 5 '/2 - 1/2 , Houston-Sifrer, corr. 1 9 9 6 . .
8.t2Je4 'iVb6?!
Black should have played 8 . . . 'iVd8 and avoided the doubled pawns, with rough equality. 9.tt:lxf6+ gxf6 1 O.b4 ! ;!;
This move fulfils several good purposes. As well as the desired gain of space, the direct threat to b2 is fended off and a queenside initiative is started. 10 ... t2J d 7 1 1 .c4 £g 7 1 2 .£e3 'iVc7
Unlike Black, White has achieved an ad vantageous set-up. Black does not have the two typical ways to meet White 's queenside advance. Both . . . h 7 -b5 and . . . c6-c5 fail due to the riposte b4-b5 . 21 ... t2Je8?
White now fully develops his queenside offensive. 2 l . . . t2Je4 would at least de prive White of the pleasure of the bishop pair : 2 2 . tt::l x g6 hxg 6 2 3 . £xe4 fxe4 2 4 . 'iVg4;!; ( 2 4 . h 5 ) . 2 2 . b 5 ! cxb5 2 3 Jb b 5
Now b 7 is horribly weak . 23 ... tt::l d 6 24Jl b b 1 l:t d 7 25 .c5 t2Je4 26 .£xe4 fxe4 27.tt::l x g6 hxg6 28.�g4 .l:.ad8 29.'iVxe4±
The pressure on the q ueenside has earned White a clear extra pawn and good winning chances. Ljuboj evic brings home the whole point relatively easily : 141
T h e M o d e rn S c and i na v i an
2.72 Yehuda Gruenfeld Klaus Berg Gausdal 1 9 8 2
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 i¥xd 5 3 .t:L:lc3 i¥a5 4.�c4 t:L:lf6 5 .d4 c6 6 .t:L:lf3 �f5 7. 0-0 e6 8.i¥e2 t:L:l bd7 9.�d 2 2a-�d5 3Q�dc1 �8d 7
3 0 . . . �xd4 ? ! 3 l . �xd4 �xd4 3 2 . 'i¥xb 7 l:r d l + 3 3 . �xd l l:rxd l + 3 4 . '>t> g 2 'i¥xb 7 + 3 S . l:rxb 7 lie ! 3 6 . .r1c 7 ± . 31 .l:.C4 'iY d 8 32.h4 �f6 33. '>t>g2 W g 7 34J:Icb4 'iWc8
3 4 . . . �xd47 1 3 5 . �xd4+ �xd4 3 6 . .l:rxd4 .l:t.xd4 3 7 . 'i¥xb 7 WHaS 3 8 . llc l ± . 9 ... �b4?!
3 5 . 1:!. 1 b 3 e5?!
It would be tougher to wait and see with 35 . . . W g 8 ± . 36.dxe5 .l:!.xe5 37.i¥f3 .!:ItS 38.�f4 .!:!:xf4 39.'i¥xf4 .!:!: d 5 ? ! 4 0 . � b 6 �e5 ? !
Better is 40 . . . �d8 . 41 .'i¥e4 'i¥d7 4 2 . I1 d 6
1 -0
2 . 5 .4.2 White plays on the kingside with tt:Jes , f2-f4, g2 -g4 This attacking set-up also occurs quite often when White castles kingside. Generally speaking the white king can not be attacked directly. However, there is a considerable long term risk attached to this plan. If White 's initiative gets bogged down , the resulting weaknesses usually be come noticeable later. The structure arising after t:L:lxeS I dxeS I f4-f5 can be very dangerous for Black. 1 42
Giving up the bishop pair of his own volition is absolutely not necessary. After 9 . . . �xc 2 7 I O . dS Black logically falls on his own sword. On the other hand 9 . . . i¥c7 I O . tLleS �d6 ( I O . . . t:L:lxe5 1 7 ) I l . g 4 �xeS 1 2 . gxfS �xh2 + 1 3 . '>t> g 2 �f4 1 4. fxe6 fxe 6 I S .'i¥xe6 + '>t>d8 is preferable, with unclear play in Sawatzki-K. Muller, DHMM 1 9 9 5 . 1 0.a3 �xc3 1 2 .�b3 0-0
1 1 .�xc3
Wic7
I 2 . . . �e4 ! ? . 1 3 .t:L:le5!
White is now planning to continue with g 2 -g4 and f2 -f4-fS . It is not so easy to find a satisfactory defence to this. 1 3 ... t:L:lxe5
I 3 . . . t:L:le4 1 4 . g 4 1 t:L:lxc3 I S . bxc3 �g6 1 6 . f4 l:!.ae8 ! 7 ..l::i: a e l t:L:lxeS 1 8 . dxeS
Chap t er 2 : The s tan d ard c e n tre
Wfe 7 1 9 . 'lt>h ! 'i¥h4 2 0 . f5 exfS 2 1 . gxf5 �hS 2 2 .'�e3 �g4 2 3 . l::!. f4;t , Solo zhenkin-Tikkanen. J yvaskyla I 9 9 7 . 1 4.dxe5 tt:Je4?!
14 . . . tt:ld5 is more precise as I 5 .g4 �g6 1 6 . f4 can be met by 1 6 . . . 'li'b 6 + 1 7 . Wh l 'li'e3 with counterplay. 1 5 .g4! tt:Jxc3 1 6 .bxc3 �g6 1 7.f4
23 ... g 6 24.'lt>h4 'lt> g 7 2 5 .f6+ '>t> h 6 2 6 . 'lt> g 3 g 5 27.J:!.e4 .l:!. a d 8 28.h4 gxh4+?
After this mistake, Black must always be aware of mating motifs. Much more re sistance could have been put up by 2 8 . . . l:. g 8 . 29Jbh4 l:!.xe5 31 .'lt>f4 .l:(g5
30.�xf7
.l:!.f8
1 7... l:!.fe8
The rook move indirectly prevents f4-f5 by bringing the pawn on e S within its reach. 1 7 .. . '�1c8 7 t ! 8 .'�' f3 fS 1 9 . exf6 .l:!.xf6 2 0 . J:!.ae I �f7 2 l . g 5 l:!.fs 2 2 .'li'e3 �f8 2 3 .�xe 6 ± . 1 8.l:!.ae1
1 8 .f5 7 exfS 'i'a5 1 - + .
1 9 . gxf5 l:.xeS 2 0 .'li'g4
1 8 ... 'li'e7
1 8 ... h6 7 ! 1 9 .f5 �h7 2 0 .f6 does not make a particularly confidence-inspiring im pression either: 2 0 . . . '¥Vb6 + ( 2 0 . . . g 5 2 l .h4-) 2 l .Wg2 g S (2 1 . . .g 6 2 2 .g5±) 2 2 .h4 l:rad8 2 3 .hxgS hxgS 24.l:!.h 1 - . 1 9.f5 exf5 20.gxf5 'i¥g5+ 21 .'¥Vg2 '¥Vxg 2+ 2 2 /oti'xg 2 �h5 23.'lt>g 3 !
Gruenfeld plays the whole game ener getically and impressively.
32.J:!.g 1 ! !
The decisive blow. 3 2 .. J:!.c5
3 2 . . Jhf7 3 3 . l h g s J:!.xf6 + 3 4 . .l:t fs .l:!.xfS + 3 S . 'lt>xf5 b 6 3 6 . .l:!.h ! +- ; 3 2 . . . l:.xg l ? 3 3 . �xh 5 # . 3 3 Jb h 5 + .l:!.xh5 34.�xh5 'lt>xh5 35.'lt>f5 1 -0
We will now have an example of the structure . . . tt:lxe S , fxeS . This is not all that common in the Scandinavian. 2.73 John Enuns Angus Dwmington London 1 9 9 7
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'i¥xd 5 3 .tt:lc3 'li'a5 4.tt:lf3 tt:lf6 5.d4 c6 6 .�d2 �f5 7.�c4 e6 8.tt:le4 !?
1 43
The M o d e rn S c an d i na v i an
Conquest, Hastings 1 9 9 6 / 9 7 ) 1 1 . 0 - 0 � g 6 1 2 . d5 cxd5 1 3 . �xd5 t2J c 6 oo (Nunn) ; B 3 ) I O . c 3 t2J d 7 l l . � e 2 . Psakhis gives White an advantage here, though after 1 1 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 1 2 . t2Jh4 �g6 1 3 . g3 (Bologan-Von Gle i c h , Riga 1 9 9 5 ) 1 3 . . . c5 ! we d o not agree with this as sessment. 9.t2Jg3 �g6 8 ... 'ii¥ d 8?!
The move 8 . . . 'ii¥ b 6 ?! is also imprecise, since after 9 . t2Jxf6 + gxf6 1 0 . 0 - 0 ( I O .�b3 ! 7 should suffice for a small plus) taking the b2 pawn is very risky : I O . . . �xb2 l l . .!:!.b l 'li'xc2 1 2 .'ii' x c2 �xc2 1 3 . .!:!.xb 7 with the initiative, e . g. 1 3 . . . �e4 1 4 . .!:i:e l ! ? �xf3 1 5 .�xe 6 ' ! fxe 6 1 6 . .l::!. x e 6 + � d 8 1 7 . � a 5 + + (Wahls) . The correct counter to White 's set-up is 8 . . . 'ii¥ c 7 1 : A) 9 . t2J g 3 7 ! �g6 doesn 't give Black any special problems with his queen on c7 : A I ) I O . h4 t2J h 5 ! l l . t2J e 5 t2J x g 3 1 2 . fxg3 t2Jd7 1 3 .�f4 t2Jxe5 1 4 . �xe5 �d6 1 5 .'ii¥ e 2 h5 1 6 . 0 - 0 - 0 �f5 1 7 . '1i'e3 and in Glek-Wahls (Game 2 . 3 6 ) , I 7 . . J � g 8 ! would have led to equality af ter 1 8 . �xd6 'ii¥ x d6 1 9 . �e2 g 6 2 0 . �b l 0-0-0=; A 2 ) I O .'iVe2 t2Jbd7 1 1 . 0 - 0 - 0 �d6 = , Psakhis-Pomes Marcet, Andorra 1 9 9 6 . B ) 9 . t2Jxf6 + gxf6 . I n this structure the queen is generally correctly placed on c7: B l ) I O . t2Jh4 � g 6 l l . f4 ! ? runs into I 1 . . . f5 ! +Z (Wahls) ; B 2 ) ! O . 'ii¥ e 2 t 7 �xc2 t 7 ( I O . . . t2J d 7 7 ! 1 1 . 0 - 0 - 0 0 - 0 - 0 1 2 . t2Jh4 � g 6 1 3 .�b3 �d6 1 4. g 3 ! .!:!.he8 I 5 . .l:i.he I f5 ? 1 6 . t2J g 2 �b8 ? 1 7 .�f4 f6 1 8 . �xe6 ! +- , Nunn1 44
9 . . . �g4 I O . c3 is safe, but not very am bitious on Black's part : A) I O . . . t2Jh5 l l .'li'b3 t2Jxg 3 1 2 .hxg3 �xf3 1 3 .'�' x b 7 ( 1 3 . gxf3 '€W b 6 ;!; ) 1 3 . . . � x g 2 1 4. lih 2 t2Jd7 1 5 . lhg2 'ii¥ c 8 1 6 .�a6 'i¥xb 7 1 7 . �xb 7 l:!.b8 1 8 . �xc6 .!:i: x b 2 1 9 . �a4± , Golod-Serg eev, Hlohovec 1 9 9 4 ; B) I O . . . t2J b d 7 l l . h3 �xf3 1 2 .'1i'xf3 with a slight advantage according to Donev. White has the bishop pair and an advantage in space. 1 0.h4!
The plan starting with 8 . t2Je4 is an ag gressive one. Black must now decide how best to meet the threat of h4-h5 . I O .c3 t2Jbd7 1 1 . 0 - 0 �e7 1 2 .'€We2 t2Jd5 1 3 . .t:.ad l 0-0 1 4.�c l Vlii c 7 1 5 .t2Je5 t2Jxe5 1 6 . dxe5 .l:!.ad8 = , Goldberg Jackelen, Germany Bundesliga 1 9 9 3 / 94.
1 0 ... h 6 ? !
Chap t e r
1 O . . tLlhS is possible, but cannot solve the problems either. After 1 1 . 'i¥e2 tLld7 .
1 2 . 0 - 0 - 0 it becomes clear that Black cannot avoi d opening the f- file. 1 2 . . . �d6 1 3 .tLle5 tLlxg 3 1 4 . fxg3 �xeS 1 5 . dxe5 h 5 ( 1 5 . . . h 6 1 6 . h 5 � h 7 1 7 .�g4t) 1 6 . �b4± , see Svidler-Oll (Game 2 . 1 ) . 1 O . . . h5 1 1 .�g5 tLlbd 7 1 2 .'1We2 ;!; . 1 1 .tLle5 � h 7
1 1 . . . �xd4 1 2 .tLlxg 6 fxg 6 1 3 .'i¥e2 is probably something Black cannot afford to do, e.g. 1 3 . . . 'i¥xb2 1 4.'1Wxe 6 + Wd8 1 5 . .l:!.d ! tt::l b d7 1 6 .�a5 + b6 1 7 .tLle4� . 1 2 .�e2 This position is somewhat reminiscent
of the Caro-Kann trap l . e4 c6 2 . tLlc3 dS
3 . tt::l f3 dxe4 4 . tLlxe4 � fS ? ! 5 . tLl g 3 £.g6 7 ! 6 .h4 ' h6 7 . tLle5 �h 7 8 . 'i¥h5 g 6 9 .�c4 e6 1 o . 'i¥e2 . In both cases things are very hard for Black. The first threat is the lethal tLlxf7 . 1 2 ... tLJd5 tt::l x e5
1 3 .0-0-0
tLl d 7
1 4.f4
1 4 . . . �e7 7 ! 1 5 . tLlh5 0 - 0 1 6 .'i¥g4 g 6 1 7 . tt::l g 3 ± is awful for Black. There are the deadly threats of h4-h5 and f4-f5 , without even mentioning the bishop on
2:
The s tand a r d c en t r e
Now w e have reached the structure mentioned at the start. White has good chances of building up pressure down the f-file. Equally strong i s 1 5 . dx e 5 'i¥ c 7 1 6 . .ii h fl t 0 - 0 - 0 1 7 . fS �xfS 1 8 . tLlxf5 exfs 1 9 ..l:hfs g 6 2 0 .l:H3 �g 7 2 l . e 6 ± , Arakhamia-Olbrich , Yerevan Olympiad 1 996. 1 5 ... "iWc7 1 6 . .f:.hf1 0-0-0 1 7JU3 b5 1 8.�d 3 �g8?
An understandable move. Black has completely j ustified worries about his f-pawn , but does it really make sense to transform his bishop voluntarily into something less than a pawn? 1 8 . . . �xd3 1 9 . '1Wxd3 fS 2 0 . exf6 gxf6 ;!; was preferable. 1 9.c4 bxc4 21 .tLle4
20.�xc4
�e7
All the white pieces head to the queenside. 21 ... tLlb6 2 2 .�a5 �xh4 2 3 .I:i.c3
And here Black admitted defeat, some what prematurely. After 2 3 J:ic 3 �h7 2 4 . �b 5 �xe4 2 5 .'1Wxe4 �g 5 + 2 6 . Wb 1 Wb8 2 7 . .t:i.xc6 White is better, but not yet winning.
h7.
1 5 .fxe5!?
The next admonishing example under lines once more the potential dangers of the . . . tLlxe 5 / fxe5 structure : 2 . 74 Vsevolod Kosenkov Alexander Serebrysky carr. 1 9 6 9
1 .e4 d 5 2.exd5 'i¥xd 5 3 .tLJc3 'i¥a5 4.d4 c6 5.�e2 tLJf6 6 . tLlf3
1 45
The M o d e rn S cand inavian
�g4 Vt:Je5 �xe2 8.'li'xe2 e6 9.�d 2 'li'c7?
If not forced to play like this, you should in general not do so. There is no reason to increase White 's lead in devel opment! Better is 9 . . . t2Jbd7 . 1 0.0-0-0 ttJ b d 7 1 1 .f4 tt:Jxe5
The opening of the f-file in conj unction with Black's backward development is highly suicidal . 1 2 .fxe5 tt:J d 7 1 3 J�hf1 ±
1 8 . . . �d8 1 9 . �xb 7 VfJxg S + 2 0 . 'lt>b l exdS 2 I ..l:tfe l + Wf7 2 2 .'lWxd 7 + �e7 2 3 .Sxe 7 + V/iJxe 7 2 4 JHI + +- . 1 9.4Jf6+
1 -0
2 . 5 .4. 3 Black plays on the queenside When both sides castle kingside, Black often gets the chance to develop com bined play on the queenside and in the centre. In the next game, this expresses itself in the lever . . . c6-c5 : 2.75 Filip Ljubicic Josko Mukic Kastav 2 0 0 2
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'lWxd 5 3 .tbc3 VfJa5 4.d4 c6 5.�f4 �f5 6 .�d3 e6 7.a3 �xd 3 8.�xd 3 tt:Jf6 9.4Je2 tt:J b d 7 1 0.0-0 �da 1 V 2Jg3 �e7 1 2 J::r a e 1 0-0 1 3 .�c1 ? ! Wic7 1 4.f4 1 3 ... c5? !
This is very committal.
Black goes on breaking one opening principle after the other. Backward de velopment and an opening of the posi tion seldom make good companions. Better is 1 3 . . . 4Jb6 1 4.ttJe4 .l:rd8 l S . ttJgS .l:!.d7 1 6 .'ifhS g 6 1 7 .'lif3 �g 7 1 8 . 4Je4 l:rxd4 1 9 .4Jd6+ llxd6 2 0 . exd6 �d7 ± . 1 4. d 5 ! �xe5 1 5 .�b5 1 6 .dxe6 fxe6 1 7.�g5
VfJc7
White 's attack is already decisive. 1 7... a 6
1 7 . . . �c6 1 8 .'lie2 �e 7 1 9 .'li'hS + g 6 2 0 . VfJh4 �xg S + 2 I . 'li x g 5 � f8 2 2 .4Jd5 +- . 1 8.4Jd5 'li'e5 ? !
1 46
1 4 ... llad8 1 5 .�f3
I S .tt:Jfs exfS 1 6 . Sxe 7 �d6 1 7 . lle2 llfe 8 gives Black nice play on the light squares. At the same time, the white bishop is hardly an obj ect of envy. 1 5 ... �b6 1 6 .t[jce2 c5 !
Chapter
Of course Black needs some counter play before White 's kingside attack really gets underway. The effect of the lever . . . c 6 -c5 is strengthened by the weakness of the g 1 -a 7 diagonal which arose on move 1 4 . 1 7.c3 cxd4 1 9.t2Je2 e5
1 8.t2Jxd4
gcs
Black decides to open the centre com pletely. Both sides are more or less equally ready for this measure. 1 9 . . J�c8 is also worth considering . e . g. 2 0 .b4 gxd4+ 2 1 . t2Jxd4 l:f.c4 with good control on the light squares. 20.fxe5 t2Jxe5 22.Wh 1 ? 1
21 .'it'g3
t2J g 6
The standard centre
30.t2Jxf5??
This piece sacrifice j ust does not work. After the correct 3 0 . g 4 ! t2Jd3 3 1 J:td 1 tDeS 3 2 . gxfS oo matters would have been anything but clear. 30 ... gxf5 3 1 J hf5 'iWg6-+ 3 2 Jbe4 'iYxf5 33 .l:f.g4+ W h 8 34.'ti'h 6 'ii' x g4 35 .�d4+ �xd4 0-1
Now a further example of Black seeking and finding salvation on the queenside. This time both the c- and the b-pawns are set in motion: 2.76 Frans Helmond
This natural move was made quickly, but allows Black to seize the initiative. Better is 2 2 .ggs gd6 2 3 .'it'd3 � e S 2 4 . 'iV b S with equality. 22 ... t2Je4 2 3 .'it'f3 f5 1 24.�e3 t2Je5 25.�h3 t2Jd3
2S . . . t2:lg4 1 ? + . 26J�d 1 gxd4
26 . . . � a 6 2 7 .b4 is not clear, e . g. 2 7 . . . �xd4 2 8 . t2Jxd4 t2Jxc3 2 9 . b 5 t2Jxb5 3 0 . t2lxf5 Wh8 3 1 . t2Jxg 7 Wxg 7 3 2 . a4oo . 27.t2Jxd4 'iWa6 29J�de1 g 6
2:
28.gg 1
t2Jxb2
Heleen de Greef Netherlands tt 1 9 9 4 / 9 5
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'ifxd 5 3 .t2Jc3 'iYa5 4.d4 t2Jf6 5.t2Jf3 gfs 6 .�c4 c6 7.0-0 e6 8.�d 2 �b4 ? I
Of her own free will she gives White the bishop pair and a reason to fight for an advantage. 9.a3 �xc3 1 0.�xc3 Wic7 1 1 .a4 0-0 1 2 .a5 t2J b d 7 1 3 .t2Jh4 �g 6 ? !
1 3 . . . �e4 with roughly equal prospects. 1 4.ttJXQ6 hxg6
.� .
1 47
The M o d ern S candinavian
Once again we have the theme of the bishop pair against the knight pair. White must be better off, since the knights do not have any safe outposts. 1 5 .f4?
Strategically exactly the wrong move ! White gives a more static character to the pawn structure, and this is j ust what Black wants. The knights now scent an unexpected chance of firm outposts. For instance, the move . . . f7 -fS would secure square e4 permanently. Better is 1 S .Vi'f3 with a clear advantage to White. 1 5 ... .l:!.ad8
I S . . . tiJdS ! ? 1 6 .£d2 tiJ 7 f6 followed by . . . c6-c5 would possibly be more accurate. 1 6 .'�e 1 ?!
The attack on the king initiated by this move does not achieve very much. The more ' central' 1 6 .'i¥f3 on the other hand would still have offered good prospects of an advantage. 1 6 ... c5 1 7.�d 3 tt:J d 5 1 8.'i¥h4 c4 !
Secures the outpost on dS . 1 9.£e2 b5!?
play on the queenside and in the centre. A prophylactic approach is 1 9 . . . 4Je3 2 0 . .l:!.f3 tt:Jfs 2 1 .Vi¥f2 4Jf6 oo . 20.axb6 axb6 21 J!U3 22 . .l:!.af1 .l:!.fe8 2 3 J l h 3
l:ra8
And now 23 .. .f5 !+
should have followed. This makes the pawn formation static to suit the knights and takes the e4-square under control. Instead Black made a mistake with 2 3 . . . <.t>f8 ? , which gave White the chance to give the position a more open character with 2 4 . 'i¥h 8 + W e 7 2 S . 'i¥xg 7 tiJ 7 f6 2 6 .£e 1 and t o turn his bishop pair into a weapon . Another measure consists of sending forth the a- and b-pawns to seize the initiative on the queenside. This method is naturally more often used af ter White has already got in a2 -a3 : 2.77 Emil Szalcinczy Ralf Lau Vienna 1 9 9 8
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'i¥xd 5 3 .4Jc3 'i¥a5 4.d4 tt:Jf6 5 .4Jf3 c6 6 .£c4 £f5 7.£d2 e6 8.'iY e 2 £b4 9.a3 4J b d 7 1 0.0-0 £xc3 1 1 .£xc3 'i¥c7 1 2 J�[a d 1 0-0 1 3 .�d 3?!
Giving up the bishop pair is not very ambitious. However, Ralf Lau also did OK against the stronger 1 3 .£b4: 1 3 .. JHe8 1 4.4Jes .l:.ad8 1 5 .£b3 h6 1 6 .h3 7 ! tt:Je4 1 7 . 4Jd3 aS 1 8 .£e ! = , Milanollo-Lau , Vienna 1 9 9 8 . Correctly, Black does not fear his oppo nent's attack and counts on his own 1 48
1 3 ... £xd 3 1 4.'iVxd3 a S ! 1 5 J:i:fe1 b5 1 6.4Jg5?!
Chap t er
Whilst Black develops his queenside play logically, White limits himself to pseudo-activity. 1 6 .. .J::!Jd 8 1 7.�f3 <1J b 6
2:
The s tandard c en t r e
Black has achieved good control of the light squares and has a pleasant posi tion . In normal circumstances , 1 8 . <1:le4 could be played , but now 1 8 . . . <1:lxe4 1 9 . l:!.xe4 tLldS 2 0 .�d2 cS would lead to a good position for Black. Instead of that White freaks out : 1 8J::!.x e 6?? fxe6 1 9.<1Jxe6 � d 7 20.<1Jxd8 tZ:l b d S I 21 .<1Jxc6 'i¥xc6 2 2 . .l:i.c1 �c4-+
and Black went on to win in 52 moves.
2 . 5 . 5 White castles kingside, Black castles queenside
This constellation is relatively rare compared to the others. If it happens , then it is not unusual for Black to have aggressive ambitions directed against the opposing king.
2 . 5 . 5 . 1 Attack on the king with ... g7-gS 2.78
Black's offensive will now unfold much more easily. 1 1 ... g 5
Norman Rogers Matthias Wahls New York 1 9 9 4
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 �xd 5 3.<1Jc3 '�WaS 4.d4 c6 5 .<1Jf3 <1Jf6 6 .�c4 �f5 7. 0-0 e6 8.�b3 <1J b d 7 9.l:!.e1 0-0-0 1?
Black asks the question ! 1 0.'1We2 I O .�f4
( I O . d S oo ) h 6 ! l l .�e2 g S 1 2 ..ii g3 tLl h S 1 3 .�e5 tLlf4 1 4.�e3 tZlxeS I S . tLlxeS �c 7 , Ruck-Konopka , Hungary tt 1 9 9 5 / 9 6 . 1 0 ... h 6 1 1 1 . h3?
This creates a welcome obj ect of attack.
1 2.<1:le5 <1Jxe5 1 3 .dxe5 ? I
A more modest approach was neces sary : 1 3 . 'i¥xe5 �xeS 1 4. dxe5 tLld7 and Black is only slightly better on account of the weakness on e S . 1 3 ... <1J d 7 1
1 49
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
In this position the knight belongs on d 7, since the eS pawn tends to become weak or, to be more precise, it already is. 1 4.f4
Once one looks at the alternatives, it is hard to criticize this move: 14.�d2? 'li'xeS 1S.ifxeS tt:lxeS-+; 14.£e3 tt:lxeS (14 ... ifxeS 1S.�xa 7 'iYxe2 16.l:he2 b6 1 7.J::l d l1; 14...�g 717) 1S.�xa 7 'fVxa 7 16.'ti'xeS �cS+. 1 4 ...� c5+
14...J::lg81? also does not look bad. 1 5.�h1
1S.�e3? gxf4 16.�xcS 1 7.'iYf2l:!.hg8-+.
'lWxcS+
1 5 ... �d4!
1 6 .�e3?1
An appropriate try would be 16.£d2 'tWc 7 1 7 .�e3 �xe3 18.'ti'xe3 �b8+. On the other hand, 16.fxgS? would be very bad: 16 ...hxgS 1 7 .£xgS l:!.dg8 18.'tlfd2 �xh3 19.gxh3 J::l x h3+ 20.�g2 �xc3 2l.bxc3 l:l.hS and Black is winning. 1 7. bxc3
�xc3
No use, the action is on the kingside! Better is 18J�ad1 tt:lcS 19.'lWc4 'lWxc4 20.�xc4 tt:le4+. 1 8 ... gxf4 1 9.J::! a d 1 J::! h g8 20.�d4
20.�g17 �xh3 21.J::ld3 �xg2+-+. 20 ...'tlfg3
1 50
Much stiffer resistance could have been put up with by 21 JH1, protecting f3. However, Black has the upper hand then too: 21...c5 (or 21...J::lg6 22 ..tH3 'li'h4 23.J::!d fl 'lWhs 24.1::!3f2 �g4�) 22.�b2 'ti'e3 23.'iYxe3 fxe3 24JH3 bS 2S.c4 tt:lb6-+. 21 .. .f3 !
This was the idea behind the previous move. It is now hard for White to find a sensible way to avoid losing a pawn.
1 6 ... £xc3 1 8.�xa 7 ?
21 .'tlff2?
Breaking up White's pawn barrier. His position now falls apart quickly. 2 2 .�xf3 �xf3 23.gxf3 J::!g 3 !-+ 24.h4 l:l.xf3 25J�d2 tt:Jc5 26 .c3 J::!f4 27.J::! g 2 tt:ld 3 28.J::! e 3 c5 0-1
2 . 5 . 5 . 2 Attack on the king down the h-file after an exchange on g6 2. 79 Andrei Istratescu Matthias Wahls
Manila Olympiad
1 9 92
1 .e4 d 5 !
In the Germany-Romania match at the Manila Olympiad, I was faced on board 4 by a young man, hardly over I 6 years old. His relatively low Elo-rating of 2430 could not of course hide the fact that I was up against a talented and up and coming player, who was certainly
Chapter
far more dangerous than some dry number on a piece of paper might sug gest. How else did he make the team of a chess nation such as Romania 7 It was not long before Istratescu actually made his name as an aggressive attack ing player, who would put the fear of death into players of the Sicilian in par ticular. In any case in this game my chess instinct told me that the weak points in this lad's game would proba bly be found in quiet positional chess. These circumstances merit an exclama tion mark on my first move. 2.exd5 'i¥xd5 3.tbc3 'i¥a5 4.d4 t2lf6 5.tiJf3 c6 6.i.lc4 i.lf5 7.0-0
This does not exactly provide a stiff test for Black's opening. As is explained in the section on theory, castling kingside must not be regarded as bad per se. It is however better carried out after the ex ecution of the preliminary moves 7.�d2 e6 8.'it'e2 i.lb4. 7...tbbd7 8.h3?!
2: T h e s t a n d a r d c e n t r e
patterns and problems. It was a good bet that my opponent in his relatively short career had never yet come in con tact with our exotic variation. It would certainly not surprise me. When, later that year in the Bundesliga, I faced the German chess legend Wolfgang Unzicker, he admitted to me after our game that it had been only the third Scandinavian game in his life! The game move may prevent ...i.lg4, but on the other hand it causes dark-square weak nesses around the king and into the bar gain gives Black a point to attack. A better move is 8.i.lf4. 8...e6 9.'it'e2 i.lb4!
Usually this long move is not the best way to develop the bishop. But here Black can profit from the fact that the standard riposte 1 O.i.ld2 fails to 1 O...i.lxc2. After l l .a3 i.lxc3 12.i.lxc3 iYfS the pawn is simply gone. White's next move enables the plan with i.ld2, although at a high price. The correct continuation is I O.tbd I followed by c2-c3 and tbe3. 1 O.tbh4? i.lg6 1 2.i.ld2
1 1 .tbxg6
hxg6
My opening estimation bears fruit.
Istratescu misses the point of the posi tion. This may sound like sharp criti cism, but it is not in the least way in tended as such! Every player, even the very best, makes mistakes, and always when he is confronted with unfamiliar
With the exchange of minor pieces my opponent imprudently opens up the h-file for me, which naturally is only I5I
The Modern Scand inavian
useful if Black is still able to castle queenside. Furthermore, the absence of the knight leads to a certain vulnerabil ity of White's pawn centre. However, White first threatens to force the ex change of the important black king's bishop by 13.a3, on account of the fact that �d2 and 'iYaS are on the same di agonal. 1 2 .. .'�Vc 7 1
Now after 13.a3 the bishop can simply retreat to d6. 1 3 .�d 3 � d 6 1
Prevents the threat 14 .tt::lbS. 1 4.tt:Je4 tt:Jxe4 1 5 .'iYxe4 1 s:�t3 o-o-o 1 7.ggs
tt:Jf6
After I 7 .c3 Black's best plan is a direct attack on the king. I 7 ... l:rhS! intending ... .l:!.dh8 and ...gS-g4 then looks very dangerous. 1 7... �e7 1 8.c3 .l:!.d 5 !
Is simplification only in some way a synonym for the reduction of material on the board, or should this concept not be more closely linked to the in crease in prospects for success of the defender? In any case, in the diagrammed position the exchange of minor pieces leads - as a result of the partial surrender of the dark squares - to a considerable in crease in difficulty of White's defensive chances. In addition, Black's pawn mass becomes even more compact and above all very mobile. Yet, I would have slightly preferred 19.h4?? .l:!.xgS of course. The only correct move, on the other hand, was !9.�f4. 1 9 ... gxf6 ! 20 . .l:!.fe 1 fS
An interesting alternative would consist of moving the queen's rook to hS be fore this pawn move. 2 1 ..� c4?! I:[dd8 22 .�f1 g 5 23.g3 .l:!.hg8!
Since White was able to control the h !-square, I simply transferred the at tack to the g-file. This returns to the subject mentioned on move 20. The de cision to use the king's rook guarantees a maximum amount of central control. 24.jlg 2
After 18. .J:.hs White manages to bol ster the position of his bishop by 19.h41 .l:!.dh8 20. .l:!.fe I . 1 9.jlxf6?
This move raises the question of the best definition in chess for the term 'simplification' . !52
It is as good as impossible for White to keep the position closed. After 24. 'i' g 2 g4 2S.h4 f4 26J�adl �d6 2 7J�d3 Black can take the time to prepare things with 2 7 ... .l:!.g6, or even move over to the attack immediately with 2 7 .. .f3 28.'iYh2 fs 29.lhe6 f4. 24 ... g4 25.hxg4 �d6 27.b5 �xg 3
:ctxg4
26 .b4
Chapter
Time for the final attack. Since White is miles away from opening lines on the queenside, the quiet 2 7 . . . .C.dg 8 would also do the j ob. 28.bxc6
2 8 . fxg3 .l::i.x g3 2 9 .�d 1 ( 2 9 .'lWf1 .l::I. d g8 3 0 .l:!.e2 f4-+) 29 .. Jh g 2 +1 3 0 . Wxg2 l:[g 8 + 3 I .'it>f3 ( 3 I .'it>h 1 'i¥ g 3 ) 3 I . . .�g 3 + 3 2 . We 2 'lWg 2 + 3 3 .'it>d3 lig3 + 34 . .l:!.e3 'i¥e4+-+ .
2: T h e s t a n d a r d c e n t r e
1 O .�f4 0 - 0 1 1 .a 3 tt::l d5 1 2 .�d2 tt::l x c3 1 3 . �xc3 �c7=, Mischustov-Bocks berger, Germany tt 1 9 9 4 / 95. 1 o...�g6 1 1 .tt::lxg6 hxg6
If Black has already castled kingside, opening up the h-file is generally quite harmless for White. But if Black is still able to castle queenside, then things sometimes look quite different . . . 1 2.tt::le4 tt::lxe4 1 4.'iWd3 0-0-0
1 3.'iWxe4
l:rh4!
Black has seized the initiative. His pieces are more actively placed and there is the direct threat of 1 5 . . . tt::l e5, winning. 1 5.c3
1 5 'iVf3 'iWf5 1 6 . � xf5 gxf5 1 7 . c 3 c5+. 28...�h4! 29.cxb7+ 'it>b8 30.'it>f1 .C.dg8 31 .I:i.ab1
1 5... tt::le5 1 6.'ii'e2 tt::lxc4 1 7.'ii' xc4 g5!
3 I .'iWh3 l:rxg 2 3 2 .'ii'x h4 �c4+ 3 3 Jie2 .tlg 1 #. 0-1
31 ..J:H4!
In the next game too, White's h2 -h3
later turns out to be a welcome point of attack. And as in Istratescu-Wahls (Game 2 . 7 9 ) , Black manages to make good use of the semi-open file arising after tt::lx g6 hxg 6 . 2.80 Stephan Berndt Johanne s Steckner
Dortmund
1992
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 �xd5 3.tt::lc3 'ii'a5 4.�c4 tt::lf6 5.d4 c6 6.tt::lf3 �f5 7.0-0 e6 8.'iWe2 tt::lbd7 9.h3?! �e7 1 O.tt::lh4 ?!
1 8.f3
This may not look very pretty, but . . . g5-g4 constitutes a threat to be taken seriously, for example 1 8 . �e 3 7 g4--+ 1 9 .hxg4 �d6 2 0 . g 3 I:!.xg4 2 l . W g 2 �f5 2 2 .'iWe2 'iWg6 2 3 .'iWf3 f5 and Black is winning. 1 8...'lWf5 1 9J:re1 �g3 21 .J::re 2?
�d6
20.�f1
1 53
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i navi a n
The final error. This fails due t o the un protected queen on fl. 2 I .l:Id I+ is better. 21 ...g4!-+
This lever now decides matters. 22. .lle4
22..J�dh8 23.iie3 gxh3 24Jlxh4 �xh4 25.gxh3 l:rxh3 26.�g2 0-1 �c7 27..i�J2 �xf3
2.8 1 Sergey Salov Karsten Miiller
tt
1 7JHd1
1 7 . �c2 �h2 + 1 8 . Wh l g S --+.
2 2 . hxg47 l:Idh8 ! 2 3 . gxf5 l:Ih I#. The reason why 2 l . .l::!: e 2 7 is insufficient can be seen most clearly in the variation 2 2 . fxg47 .li.h2 + 2 3 . Wxh2 �xfl -+ .
Bremen
White is already in serious difficulties. How does he proceed against the sim ple attacking plan . . . g 6 - g 5 -g4 followed by the deadly opening of the h-file 7
1 999
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 �xd5 3.tt:lc3 �a5 4.d4 c6 5.tt:lf3 tt:lf6 6.�c4 �f5 7.iid2 e6 8.h3?! tt:lbd7 9.0-0 �c7 1 0.tt:lh4?!
Once more this exchange is premature , since Black has not yet castled kingside. 1 0...�g6 1 1 .tt:lxg6 hxg6 1 2.�f3 0-0-0 1 3.�b3 �h4! 1 4.tt:le2 �d6 1 5.c3?
1 7...g5 1 8.Ji.c2 .l:Idh8
Black 's whole army is mobilized; prob ably when you get down to it, White is already lost. 1 9.g3 tt:lxg3
1 9 . . Jhh3 2 0 . iixe4 g4 2 1 .�g2 llh2 2 2 . �xh2 .l::!: x h2 2 3 . Wxh2 tt:lxe4+ is also well worth considering. 20.fxg3 .llxh3 21 .�f2
2 1 .�xg5 tt:lhs 2 2 . Wf2 tt:lxg 3 --+. 21 ...tt:lh5?!
Even stronger is 2 1 . . . g4 2 2 .�g2 �a5 1 , after which the threat 2 3 . . . � h S forces White to play 2 3 . d5 . After 23 . . . cxd 5 + Black has three pawns and the initiative for his piece. 22.Wg2 tt:lf4+
Bauer's I S . .l::!: ad I to stop . . . tt:le4 is needed. 1 5... tt:le4 1 6.iie3 tt:ldf6-
23.gxf4?
White parts with his queen , but this is not enough to stop Black 's attack . !54
C h a p t e r 2: T h e sta n d a r d c e n t r e
Best is likely 23.�fl
l:lhl + 2 4/Llgl
lZlhS 2S.g4 ltJf4t, but 2 3.tLlxf4? is inad equate: 23 ...lih2+ 24.�fl gxf4 2S.gxf4 �xf4 26.�b3 1:!.8h3 27.'i¥g4 �e3-+, and Black presses home his attack.
The more moderate 1 6...lLldS would also be worth thinking about.
17.b5 ltJh5 18.l:Ub1 tbf4 19.'fif1 llh6!
23... .!:rxf3 24.�xf3 gxf4 25.l:lh1 l:!.g8! 26.lih5?! g5 27.l:lg1 'fia5 28.:!:!:g4? f5 0-1
h7-h5-h4
2.5.5.3
...
A black attack on the kingside is also possible without the target on h3. In such cases the attack can be introduced by piece play instead of the advance of
In for a penny, in for a pound. The
the g-pawn. In the following chaotic
queenside can no longer be kept closed:
game
Emil
Sutovsky
gets,
after
...h7-hS-h4, his pieces into position with ...tLlhS-f4 and ... l::rh6-g6. 2 .82
19 ... cS7!
2 0.aS
'fid6
( 2 0 ... cxd4
2l.b6-) 21.b6 a6 2 2 .�xa6-.
20.bxc6 22 . .l:!:ab1
'iWxc6
21.l:lb5
b6
White sticks up for his rights. The text
Uriel Zak Emil Sutovsky
move is stronger than the obvious
Ramat Aviv tt 2 000
22.aS?
l:lg6
.lhg2 +
2 S.�hl
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'fixd5 3.ltJc3 'iWa5 4.d4 ttJf6 5.ttJf3 c6 6.�c4 �f5 7.�d2 e6 8.'fie2 �b4 9.ttJe5 tt:Jbd7 1 O.ttJxd7 ttJxd7 11.a3 0-0-0 12.0-0 �xc3 13.�xc3 'fic7 14.b4 ltJf6
2 7 . .l:!:xc6+
23.axb6
axb6
24. .l:!:a6
_;g;d6 26.�aS bxaSI
l:!.xc6
2 8 . .l:IxaS
.l:Ixc 2
2 9 ..l:h 8+ '>t>d7 30..l:!:a7+ <>t>e8 31.�bS '>t>f8 32 .�xc6 �h3+.
22 ... .l:!:g6 23.llc5!
14 ...tt:Jb6 is also worth considering.
1 5.f3 White takes control of the e4-square, but at the same time weakens his king side pawn structure. Another interest ing possibility is 1S .�b2!?.
1 5...h5 16.a4 h4!? Sutovsky
is in an uncompromising
mood, as he often is, and logically
The quite spectacular idea behind the
pushes on with his plan.
previous move. ISS
T he M o de r n S c a n d i n a v i a n
With this temporary rook sacrifice, Zak starts opening up routes towards the black king and conjures up some hair raising complications. 23 .aS? is once more, and especially now, really too slow: 23...�h3 24.l:hb6 axb6 2S.lhb6 �xb6 26.axb6 l:Ixg2+ 2 7 .'1t;;>hi l:rxh2+ 28.'1t;;>xh2 �xfl-+. 23 ... bxc5 24.�a6+ wc7 25 .�a5+ Wd6 26 .�xd8 �h3
26 ... l:rxg2+ (26... cxd41 ?) 2 7 .Wh 1 l:rxc2 28.dxcS+ �xeS is also unclear.
B) 2 7 .. Jhg2+ 28.'1t;;> h 1 cxd4! 29.�b4+ 'l.t>es 30.'ti'el+ 'l.t>fs 3 I.�b7 and now Black must give the perpetual check: 3 I...lhh2+ 32.Wgl (32.Wxh27 �xc2+-+) 32..J:tg2+ 33.Whl=. 27... �xg 2
And White admitted defeat in view of the continuation 28.dxc6 lZ:lh3#.
2 . 5 . 5 .4 The battery �b8 , 'iYc 7 This motif does not occur often, but would not like to keep it from you.
we
2.83 Vladimir Bu.kal Jr. Stefan Bucker Dortmund l 9 9 3
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 �xd5 3 .l2Jc3 'i¥a5 4.�c4 l2Jf6 5.d4 c6 6 .t2Jf3 �f5 7.0-0 e6 8.a3 �d6 9.l:re1 lZ:lbd 7 1 O.h3?1 0-0-01?
27.d5?
And now we see what happens at some point in most David vs. Goliath duels: the underdog makes a mistake. After this blunder, the game is over at once, just when it was really getting going. As our analysis shows, here the one and only move is 2 7. 'iVe1! . It kills two birds with one stone. White brings his queen to safety and at the same time uses it as an enormous strengthening of his own attack. Both kings are in acute danger and - somehow logically - our main lines end in perpetual check: A) 2 7...f6 28. .l:i.b 7 �dS 29.�e 7+ (Not 29.�c 7+? Wc6 30.�xf4 'ti'xd4+ 3 I.�e3 l:rxg2+ 32.Wh1 'iWeS 33.f4 �dS-+) 29...Wc6 30.l:rc 7+! Wxc 7 3 I.'ti'as Wb8 32.'ifbs '1t;;>c 7 33.�aS+=; I S6
I0...0-0 1 I.lZ:lh4 �g6 12.lZ:lxg6 hxg6 13.�e3 gave White a slight plus in Sighirdjian-Fontaine, Cannes 199S. 1 1 .'ti'e2 �b81?
Very original and very much Stefan Bucker. 1 2. b4 Wic7 1 3 .�g5 l2Jb6
Now both c2 and d4 are hanging.
Chapter
1 4.�d3?! Possibly slightly unsettled by his oppo nent's extravagant play,
White goes
2: T h e s t a n d a r d c en t r e
1 5.�b3 tl:ld5 1 6.�b2 1 1.'f!le3 tl:ld5 1 8.'ii'f3!
tl:lf4
Against his higher rated opponent,
wrong. 14..l::!.ad 1 protects d4 and asks
White avoids the possible repetition of
the question whether it is so easy to
moves with 18 .'f!le2.
take c2:
14...tt:Jxc4
15.1�hc4
�xc2
16.:U.cI followed by b4-b5.
1 4.. J:!.xd4 1 5.�xf5 exf5 1 6.�xf6 gxf6+
2.5.5.5
b2 -b4, �b 3 , �b2 , c2 -c4
1 8...g5? And there it is, the 'slight' inaccuracy with not such slight consequences ... Since White has not weakened his posi tion with h2-h3, advancing the g-pawn does not achieve much.
In the constellation with heterogeneous
Much stronger is 18 ...hS!, e.g. I9 .c4
castling both sides are usually try ing to
�g4 20.�e4 �fs 2I.'ifel tl:lf4 and the
attack the opposing king. Logic is nec
rook also gets into play quickly
essary, since a single inaccuracy can
h6-g6.
have serious consequences:
via
1 9.c4 g4 20.'f!le2 tl:lf4 21 .'f!le3±
2.84
Didier Collas Eric Prie Cappelle Ia Grande 19 95
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 �xd5 3.tl:lc3 �a5 4.d4 c6 5.�c4 �f5 6.tl:lf3 <1Jf6 7.�d2 e6 8.�e2 �b4 9.tl:le5 <1:lbd7 1 O.tl:lxd7 tl:lxd7 1 1 .a3 0-0-0?! 11 . .. <1:lf6 is more flexible and also ob jectively preferable. Black retains the option of castling on either side.
1 2.0-0!
Black's problem now becomes clear. It is hard to see how he can strengthen his 'attack'.
White aims for castling on opposite
The manoeuvre ...hS, ... .llh6-g6 would
sides. Thanks to his bishop pair, this
have been much more appropriate!
promises him better chances, even if
White on the other hand, is already
the position remains or rather becomes
threatening to open lines in a decisive
very complicated.
manner by means of the pawn lever
1 2...�xc3 1 3.�xc3 'f!lc7 1 4.b4!? <1Jb6
d4-d5.
21 ... .!:rhe8 22.f!.ad1 tl:lg6 23.d5!
For 14...tl:lf6 see the game Vogt-Wahls
This ty pical advance already prises the
(Game 2.46) .
black position apart. 157
T h e M o d ern S c a n d i n a v i a n
2 . 5 . 5 .6 b2 -b4-b5
23...exd5 24.'tWxa7 dxc4?!
In the next example, White's attack
24.JLJ4 2 5.cxd5 �d3 26 ..l:!.fe l cxdS±
(h2 -b4-b5) also turns out to be stron
is tougher, even if hardly inspiring for
ger, and there can be no question of an
Black.
attack by Black.
25.�xc4 �e6 26."�xe6+ fxe6 27.b5!
In this connection let us point out that in
the
set-up
with
Black
castling
queenside White has a point of attack
White plays very logically, his efforts go
almost a priori, since Black has already
into opening lines on the wing where
played ...c7 -c6. This naturally increases
the black king is.
the effectiveness ofh2 -b4-h5.
27..Jld5 28.bxc6 bxc6 29.'tWa6+
.l:!.e8
34 . .l:r.xd5+
cxdS
3S.'tWh2 +-.
33...gxf3 34.'tWxf3
•
• • • . ... . •• .........�. . ·�· . �· . . . � • .'it. . . ·� • . n
2 .85 Mikhail Brodsky Alisa Galliamova
Novgorod
1 9 95
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'tWxd5 3.-1:Jc3 'i¥a5 4.d4 tZlf6 5.tZlf3 c6 6/2je5 ge6 7.gd3 tZlbd7 8.tZlxd7 �xd7 9.0-0 gg4 1 O.t2:: e2 0-0-0?!
34...tZle5?? Black collapses under the enormous pressure. Better is 34 ...�c8±.
35Jlxd5+ exd5 36.'tWf5+
This looks too
rash here. White's
queenside pawns have no problem to get going and at the same time the knight is no longer on c3. It would be much wiser to castle kingside or to keep both possibilities open: l O . . .e6 l l .c3 gd6 l2.'tWc2 'i¥c7 l 3.h3 gh5 l 4 ..l:!.el gg6= , as in Kaminski-Vander Werf. Groningen 1992 .
1 U3 �h5 1 2.c3 e5 1 3.b4t 'i¥c7 1 4.b5 c5
Chapter
Or: 14 ...cxb5 15.a4 b4 16.cxb4Wb8 l7.�d2;!;;
14 ...�d6
15.bxc6 �xc6
l6.l:.bI;!;.
2: T h e s t a n d a r d c e n t r e
18.�f4 �xe2 1 9.�xa7+- tt:Jd5 19...�d6
20.�xd6
�xd6
2I.�ael
'ti'd2 22.'i!Ya8++-.
1 5.'iWa4 �g6 16.�xg6 Opening the b-file is also worth consid ering, l6.b6t7�xb6 17.llbl t.
20. .l:!.ad1 ! A typical manoeuvre. In king hunts it is often stronger to cut off the opposing
1 6...hxg6 1 7.dxe5
king's retreat rather than to drive it to safety with continual checks.
20...'�'xf1+ 20...�d6 2l.�xd6 �xd6 22.'i-Yxc5+ �d7 23.l:Ixd5+-.
21 .'lt>xf1 tt:Je3+ 22.�xe3 :!.xd1 + 23.�e2 J:Id5 24.'i!Ya8+ r:Jilc7 25.�f4+ �b6 26.c4 .l:!.d4 27.�b8! A nice finish. The position of White's
1 7. .�xe5?
pieces creates a slightly odd impression,
.
This simply fails to quite an obvious
but there is simply no sensible way to
piece sacrifice. The damage is limited
avoid mate on a7.
after
17 ...c4
18.�f4;l;
( but
not
l8.exf6?7 �cS+! and Black triumphs1) .
27..J::rxc4 28.a4
1-0
2.5.6 White castles queenside, Black castles kingside In the next game we would like to cast some more light on the other way to have castling on opposite sides: 0-0-0/0-0.
2.5.6.1
Pawn storm with ..bS and . .as .
.
The first example shows a black pawn storm with ...b7-bS and ...c5-c4. In it the b-pawn is sacrificed to open lines.
5.d4 c6 6.�c4 �f5 7.�d2 e6 8.'ik'e2 Now both players reveal some gaps in their theoretical knowledge.
2.86 Adriano Caldeira Giovanni Vescovi
Itabirito ch-BRA
19 9 8
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 tt:Jf6 3..!2Jf3 �xd5 4.tt:Jc3 'ik'a5
8...tt:Jbd7? 8...�b4 is the main line for a very good reason...
9.0-0-0? because here 9.d5! is very strong:
After a slight detour we have reached
9...cxd5
'our' modern Scandinavian.
�xf6 12.0-0-0t with the initiative.
I O.ttJxdS
'i!Yd8
l l .ltJxf6+
!59
T h e M o d ern S c a n d i n a v i a n
19.'ii'g5?
9...£b4 Now we are back in the main line.
10.a3 £xc3 12.£d2
11.£xc3
After
'Vflc7
'i¥xd7
2 1.'Vfie5 ttJdS 22.'i¥g3 Black would only be slightly better.
19...ttJd5! 20.ttJg1 ?!
12.ti.Je5.
And here White misses his last chance
12...b5! 13.£d3?!
to stay in the game with 20.�d2 tD7f6
This exchange suits Black. Stronger is 13.£a2, not least because White can try to gain tempi by attacking the Scandi navian
19.tDe5 1Hc8 20.ttJxd7
bishop,
e.g. after
13 ...0-0
2 1.'i¥h4 'i¥a6+.
20... ttJ7f6 21.f3 h6 22.'i¥e5 'i¥c6 23.tt:Je2 l:!.b5!
14.ttJe5 with the option of play ing g2-g4 at the appropriate moment.
13...£xd3 14.'Vtixd3 0-0 15.�he1 c5!
Doubling rooks is now decisive. The pressure becomes so big that White quickly collapses.
Very strong and worth committing to memory. Black sacrifices the b-pawn to open the b-file and speed up the at tack.
16.'ifxb5 .l:!.ab8 17.'ifa5
24.'W'g3 lafb8 25.�d2 .tlxb2! 26.£xb2 lixb2 27.tt:Jc3 'ii¥b6! 28.ttJxd5 ttJxdS 29..lk1 'i¥xd4+ 30.�e2 tt:Je3 White resigned.
17 .'i¥c4?! 'i¥b7 18.£c3 ttJb6! 19.'ii'xcS
2 . 5 .6.2 White p awn storm against � g6
ttJbdS 20.'ii¥a5 .l:i.fc8 with a strong at
A white pawn storm against £g6 is
tack for Black.
17... 'i¥b7 18.£c3 c4!
very thematic in this castling constella tion. In a certain sense, it kills two birds with
This is how Black secures dS as an out
one stone. The Scandinavian bishop is
post for a knight, and at the same time
put under
the c-pawn can later fulfill the function
against the black king is started with
of a battering ram.
tempo.
160
pressure and the attack
Chapter
2.87 Alfred Felsberger Horst Niedermayr Austria tt l 99 3
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'i¥xd5 3.tt:lc3 'i¥a5 4.d4 c6 5.tt:lf3 tt:lf6 6.�c4 £f5 7.�d2 e6 8.'i¥e2 �b4 9.0-0-0 0-0?
2: T h e s t a n d a r d c e n t r e
After the better 1 1 . . . �g6 it is not so easy for White to hunt the Scandinavian bishop, since he must now worry about the c3 pawn. However, after 1 2 .tt:lxg6 hxg 6 1 3 .tt:le4 �xd2 + 14..l hd 2 tt:ld7 1 5 .h4 White is clearly on top. 12.�xc3 14.Wb2
tt:lxc3
13.bxc3
�g6
Now Black realizes the problems he has. The white king is relatively secure, but how can the Scandinavian bishop be helped? White is simply threatening h4-h 5 , and if Black moves his h-pawn then e 6 falls. Any way, in the game we cannot find such a convincing solu tion : 14...b5 15.�b3 c5 16.h4 17.h5 cxb3 18.cxb3±
At this point there is a rule of thumb, which like most such rules can lay no claim to being a general one : if in the Scandinavian White castles queenside, Black should normally follow suit. Should they castle on opposite sides , the white kingside attack often turns to be quicker than Black's counterplay on the other side. A better way to achieve this was 9 . . .tt:lbd7 followed by queenside castling. 1 O.tt:le5
White is threatening to set his g-pawn in motion at once, and powerfully so. 1 o ... tt:lds I O tt:lbd 7 11 .tt:lxd 7 tt:lxd 7 1 2 . g4 �g6 1 3 . h4-+, Pflantz-Porth, Hamburg 19 9 2 . . . .
1 1 .g4! �xc3?!
This looks good. Apparently Black sim ply manages to weaken the opposing king position . . .
c4
and White wins back the bishop with a clear advantage. 2.88 Hannes Stefansson Alexander Zubarev Las Ve gas rapid l 9 9 9
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 �xd5 3.tt:lc3 �as 4.�c4 tt:lf6 5.d4 c6 6.tt:lf3 �f5 7.�d2 e6 8.'i¥e2 �b4 9.tt:le5 tt:lbd7 1 O.tt:lxd7 tt:lxd7 11.a3 0-0?!
Another well-known theme. Before cas tling, Black should usually wait until White has decided and then transfer his king to the same side. Of course there are numerous exceptions to this rule, but the present game is not one of them. Naturally not 11 . . . tt:lb677 1 2 . 0 - 0 tt:lxc4 13 . axb4 �xb4 14 . .ll a 4+- , but the flexible II. . . tt:lf6 is better. 12.g4! 161
T h e Mod ern Scand i n a v i a n
The pawn o n c2 can hardly b e taken: 1 7 . . . �xc2 18 . .li.g5 f6 1 9 . �xc2 fxg S 2 0 . hxg 5 ± / +- . 18.0-0-0 c5?!
18 . . . <;t>h7 is tougher. 19.d5! l:lfe8 20.�g5 �f8 21.�f3 c4
Hannes Stefansson begins his attack on the king at once and thus sets his oppo nent almost insoluble problems. Previously, in this position White first castled, which is not quite clear : 1 2 . 0-0-0 �xc3 13 . .li.xc 3 �c7 14.�d3 t2Jf6 15 .£xf5 �f4+ 1 6 .Wb I exfS � . Vander Wiel-Cu. Hansen , Wij k aanZee 19 9 3 . 12...£g6
12 . . .�xc 2 ? 13 .l:!.c l +- . 13.h4 h5?
A tactical mistake. This move does not block the white attack as might be hoped , but rather speeds it up. A prefer able try is 13 . . . t2Jb6 1 ? , even if after 14.Mb3 �xc3 I S .�xc3 �bS 1 6 .�f3 White may enj oy a slight initiative. 14.�a2!
After this strong reply the h S pawn can not stop White 's attack , which develops naturally. The other unpinning of the a3 pawn by 14 . 0 - 0 -07 unnecessarily al lows Black 14 . . . �xa3 ! with counter play. 14...�e7
Or 14 . . . �xc3 15 .�xc3 �a6 16 .�c4 b S 1 7 . gxh5 +- . 15.t2Jd5! �d8 16.t2lxe7+ �xe7 17.gxh5 �f5
162
Black would at least like to cut the a2 bishop out of the game and is planning to meet 2 2 .�xc4? with 2 2 . . .tt:le 5 2 3 .�g3 exd S 2 4 .�f4 f6 2 5 .�xd5+ and White 's victory is only a matter of time. 22J';!;hg1 <;t>h8 23.h6 g6
The variation 2 3 . . . gxh6 24.dxe6 ii.xe6 2 5 .�f6 + t2Jxf6 2 6 . �xf6 + Wh7 2 7 . c3 ! +- followed by 2 8 .�b l + has a certain appeal . 24.dxe6 �xe6 25.�xc4! .li.xc4 26. .ld.xd7+- �e6 27Ji:xb7 <;t>h7 28.�f6 .Uac8 29.£e3
Nothing can be done against the nu merous white threats and so Black re signed.
2 . 5 . 6 . 3 h4-hS after t2Jxg6 hxg6 2.89 Manuel Apicella Eric Prie
Chambery ch-FRA 1994 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 �xd5 3.t2Jc3 �a5 4.d4 c6 5.t2Jf3 t!.Jf6 6.�c4 �f5 7.�d2 e6 8.�e2 £b4 9.0-0-0 b5?!
This move does not do much, but has many disadvantages, the most serious of which is that the black monarch must castle kingside.
Chapter
Things will soon be pretty terrible for it there. 9 . . . <1Jbd7 would be better.
2:
T h e s t a n d a r d c en t re
1 3 .<1Jxg6 hxgG 1 4.h4 �b6 1 5 . h 5 !
1 0.�b3 <1J bd 7 1 1 .Wb1 !?
Often a useful measure. The pawn on a2 is over-protected and a possible capture on d2 with check avoided . . . Usually the usefulness of such prophy lactic moves can be seen implicitly, that is , not in the game continuation but in vananons which no longer work for the opponent. 11 ... 0-0
Please fasten y our seat belts . . .
ll. . .�xc3 1 2 . �xc3 b4 1 3 .�d2 0 - 0 1 4.'iVc4;l; (Apicella) . 1 2.<1Jh4
1 5 ... gxh5 1 6 .g4! hxg4 1 7.f3 !
these kind of things are normally only seen in the Dragon Variation with 9 . �c4. 1 7... g3
17 . . . gxf3? 1 8 .'ifh2 +- . 1 8.'ifg 2 I:rfe8 1 9.'ifxg 3 ±
In the long r un , White h a s been able to open the g- and h-files for j ust a measly pawn. The attack has to break through. 1 9 ...<1Jf8 20.�g5 �e 7 21 .<1Je4 <1Jxe4 2 2 .'ifh3 f5 23 .�xe7 <1J d 2 +
1 2 ...�g6?
After this mistake , White's attack gets going nicely. 1 2 . . .�xc3 1 1 3 . �xc3 b4 would be critical.
23 .. .l: h e 7 2 4 . fxe4 f4 25 . .!::!. d fl +-. 24..l:!.xd 2 26 .�xe6
J:[xe7
25 .'i¥xf5
Uf7 1 -0
2.5.7 Both sides castle queenside The constellation 0 - 0 - 0 / 0 - 0 - 0 is very frequent and is the theme of many a Scandi navian main line. Here we do not wish to delve into it expli citly. It is a theme in many games of this book, see for example Trabert-Olbrich (Game 2 . 49) and Chan dler- Forster (Game 2 . 6 0 ) .
2.5.8 The black king stays in the middle This is the theme of the next four games. 163
T h e M o d ern S c a n d i n a v i a n
2 . 5 . 8 .1 .. �f8 .
2.90 Judit Polgar Jordi Magem Badals
Pamplona 1999 1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 'lWxd5 3 .�c3 'iYa 5 4.d4 t2Jf6 5.�c4 c6 6 .�d 2 .£f5 7.'iYe2 e6 8.0-0-0 .£b4 9.Ci>f3 CiJd 5
This move does not have a good reputa tion. Magem Badals' attempt to rehabil itate it is not without interest, however. 1 O.tbxd5 �.xd 2+ 1 1 .<1Jxd 2
The endgame after l l . �xd 2 71 'iVxd2 + 1 2 ..l hd 2 cxdS 1 3 . .2.b3 �e7= offered White no prospects of an advantage in Schleicher-Michaelsen , Hamburg 1 9 9 3 . 1 1 ... cxd 5 1 2 .t2Jb3 'lWd8! 1 3 ..�.b5+ Wf8 !
This is much stronger than 1 3 . . . We ? ? 1 4 . g4 .Q.g6 I S . f4t and the king 's posi tion turned out to be unfavourable in Morawietz-Wacker, Germany Oherliga 1 9 9 4/ 9 5 . 1 4.Wb 1
After 1 4 . g 4 ? , 1 4 . . . 'lWgS+ is possible. 1 4 ... h5
1 64
A standard move in this ty pe of posi tion ; the rook is to be brought into play later via h 6 . The king is not badly placed on f8 , if need be it can also take a step to the left. 1 5 . h 3 h4 1 6.g4 h x g 3 1 7.fxg3 CiJd 7 1 8 . .£d3 .2.xd 3 1 9.J::!.x d3 l:ih6 20.h4 Wg8=
This complicated position is more or less level. White has some chances on the kingside, and Black has good central control and the possibility of using the semi-open c-file to get some counter play. 2.9 1 Iosif Dorfman Karsten Miiller
Austria tt 2002/03 1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 'iYxd 5 3.0c3 'lWa5 4.d4 c6 5 /2Jf3 .2.f5 6 ..�.c4 e6 7.t2Jh4 j(g6 8.t2Jxg6 hxg6 9.'lWe2 l2Jf6 1 0. .2.d2 j(b4 1 1 .0-0-0 tb d 5 1 2 .t[je4 .2.xd 2+ 1 3 Jb d 2 'lWc7 1 4.'iYf3 �d 7
1 4 . . . llxh 2 7 cannot be advised because of Blac k 's limited development: I S . llxh2 �xh2 1 6 . g 3 with a danger ous attack. 1 5 .'lWa 3 !
Chapter
At first I was shocked to the core, but I managed to come to my senses and spot a saving grace : 1 5 .. .tt:le 7 1 6 .tt::l d 6+ \t>f8
2: T h e s t a n d a r d c en t r e
23 . .ll h d 1 a 4 24.'/Wd 3 .ll d 8 2 5 .c3 bxc3 26 .'/Wxc3 Wg8 27.Wb 1 tt::l d 5 28.�xd 5 cxd 5 29.tt::lc 5 '/Wb5 112- V2 30.tt::ld 3 tt::le 3 3 1 . .!:!:c1
2 . 5 . 8 . 2 ... �xd7 This motif already occurred when we looked at the light-square strategy. We would now like to look into this idea in more depth with help of two examples. 2.92 Ronald Burnett Joel Benj amin
USA 1 9 9 5
Now it is all about whether the tempo rary disharmony in Black's position can be exploited or if Black can manage to consolidate his position successfully. 1 7.g3 17 .ll e 2 ' ? tt::l f6 1 8 . tt::l x f7 is a tempting idea. However, after I 8 . . . \t>xf7 there is no way to break Black's multi-facetted defence. .
17 ... tt::lf 6 1 8.f3 b 5 1 9.�e2 aS
Black develops his own play and does not bother with his ' problem child' on h8. When y ou take a good look at it, the latter actually has some prospects. The rook is exerting permanent pressure on h2, thus tying down a white rook. In addition, there is the possible chance of activating it; under favourable circum stances via the h-file or after a prepara tory . . . Wg8-h7 via the back rank.
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'i¥xd 5 3 .tt::lc 3 1'9a5 4.d4 c6 5 .tt::lf 3 tt::lf 6 6 .�c4 �f5 7. 0-0
The following example also fits in here : 7 .tt::l e 5 e 6 8 . g4 � g 6 9 . h4 tt::l b d 7 I O .tt::l x d7 \t>xd 7 !7 1 1 .h 5 � e 4 1 2 .l:.h3 tZ:ldS 1 3 .�d2 tt::l x c3 1 4.�xc3 �b4 1 S . 'i¥ e 2 �dS 1 6 . �x d 5 �xc3 + 1 7J h c 3 1'9xd 5 = , Peptan-Waitzkin , Bermuda tt 1 9 9 8 . 7...e 6 8.tt::l e 5 tt::l b d 7 9.'ife2 �b4 1 O.tt::lx d 7
20.tt::le 4 b4 21 .'i¥b3 tt::lf 5 22 .�c4 'i¥b6<=Z
22. . . tt::l x e4? ! 2 3 . fxe4 tt::l x g 3 24 . .ll e l <1::l h 5 2 5 . d 5 or 2 S . .llf2 would be too risky.
1 0 ... \t>xd 7 !
I f Black play s . . . Wxd 7 , i t i s often s o that the knight can stay on f6 . 165
The Mod ern Scand i n a v i a n
I n fact , I O . . . tt.lxd 7 ? 1 would have been met by the strong and thematic I I .dS 1 : l l . . cxd S 1 2 .tt.lxd5 0 - 0 1 3 .tbxb4 'i¥xb4 . Black has fended off the imme diate threats and completed develop ment, though at the cost of the bishop pair in an open position. White has a lon g - term advantag e : 1 4 . c 3 'iY a S 1 5 . £f4tt.lb6 1 6 .b4 'i¥a4 1 7 .£b3 'li'c6 1 8 . c4 l:rac8 1 9 . .!:!.ac I ;!:;, Dvoirys-Plesec , Paris 1 9 9 3 . .
Worth thinking of is the pawn sacrifice I I .£d2 1 7 £xc2 1 7 1 2 .a3 £xc3 1 3 .�xc3 'iffs 1 4Jhc l £e4 J S .f3 £ds 1 6 .�d3 'iVhS 1 7 .�d2 � with play on the weak ened dark squares around the black king. 1 1 ... �d6 'i¥ h 5 !
1 2 .tt.le3 £ g 6 1 3 .£b3
1 7.l:r.e 1 l:r.hd8 1 8.c3 Uac8 1 9.£g5 h6 20.£e3 c5! 21 .f3 £xeS 22.dxe5 tt.ld 5 23 .£f2 �f4 24.g4 tbh 3+ 25 .Wg 2 CL.J xf2 26.Wxf2 £g6 27.l:r.a d 1 � d3+
In this endgame , Black is noticeably more active, though his slight advan tage is not sufficient for a win: 28J i d 2 c4 29.£d 1 g5 30.�e2 £xe2 31 . .l:i.exe2 I;Ixd 2 3 2 Jbd2 l:!.c5 33 . .!:!.e2 .!:!.d 5 34 . .!:!.e4 .l:td 2+ 35 .l:r.e2 l:i:d 1 ? ! 36.we3 �d 7 37.tld 2 + ! .!d.xd 2 38.wxd 2 Wc6 39.�e3 Wd 5 40.f4 b5 41 .Wf3 wc6 42 .We4 wcs 43 .We3 Wd5 44.Wf3 1f2-1h
The next game fragment makes clear how extremely careful you have to he with a king in the middle. The slightest inaccuracy and the king is under fire : 2.93 Ossi Koskivirta Brian John Martin corr.
In principle a good decision. In the middlegame the king is unfavourably placed in the middle; this circumstance is less important when there are no queens. 1 4.'i¥xh5 £xh5 1 6 .tt.le5+ �e7=
1 5 .tt.lc4
£c7
Black has now reached comfortable equality. He even goes on to take the initiative. 1 66
199 1
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 'ifxd 5 3 .tbc3 'i¥a5 4.d4 t2Jf6 5 .tbf3 c6 6 .-'l.c4 £f5 7.�d 2 e6 8.'i¥e2 £b4 9.Ci:e5 t2J b d 7 1 O.tbxd 7 wxd 7 ! ?
C h a pt e r
This move, which looks strange at first glance, is an idea of David Taylor. Black is not of a mind to remove his knight from the active square f6 . Interestingly, both recaptures can lead to the same position by transposition later. The position after 1 O . . . 'it>xd7 1 1 . 0 - 0 - 0 l:rad8 1 2 .a3 �xc3 1 3 .�xc3 iYc 7 1 4. f3 Wc8 also occurs after 1 O . . . tt::l xd7 1 1 .a3 0-0-0 1 2 . 0 - 0 - 0 �xc3 1 3 .�xc3 'ii'c 7 14.f3 tt::l f6 . Both moves are roughly equal. Only roughly, because in the line with 1 O . . . tt::l x d7 the knight can wander via b6 , gaining a tempo over the white bishop. A further disadvantage of I O . . . Wxd7 is its lack of flexibility. Black has to artificially castle queenside. But 1 O . . . 'it>xd7 has a big advantage. If White does not want to play 1 1 .�b3 he is more or less forced into castling queenside. 1 1 .0-0-0 .!ladS?!
This natural move (Black would like to complete castling by hand) is inaccu rate and is harshly punished. The right move is 1 1 . . . tt::l d 5 ! , ' pluggin g ' the dS -square and aiming for a n ex change of pieces. For more, see the game Hawley-Fries Nielsen (Game 2.99). 1 2 .a3 �xc3 1 3 .�xc3 W/c7 1 4. d 5 !
2 : T h e sta n d a r d c en t r e
White grabs his chance with both hands ! He opens the position while the black king is still stuck i n the mid dle . A ' neutral' move such a s 1 4. f3 would i n no way be bad, but would promise Black a solid position after his planned 1 4 . . . 'it>c8 . 1 4 ... tt::lx d5?
Black goes wrong at once, which is somewhat surprising since this is a cor respondence game. He had two stronger, though in no way equalizing alternatives : A) 1 4 . . . cxd5 1 5 . � e 5 � b 6 (not 1 5 . . . 'li'a5 ? 1 6 .�b5 + <;t>c8 ( 1 6 . . . '.t>e 7 1 7 .�c3 ! ±) 1 7 .lad4 t and White was clearly better in P Marxen- H . Kues, Germany Oberliga 1 9 9 8 / 9 9 ) 1 6 . �xf6 gxf6 1 7 . �xd5 'it>c8 1 8 .�f3 ;\; and White 's advantage is not overwhelm ing, but in this sort of position it is easy to play for a win without taking any risks ; B) 1 4 . . . exd5 1 5 .�e 5 �aS 1 6 . .�xf6 gxf6 1 7 . 'ii' f3 �e6 1 8 . 'ii'x f6;\; Wc8 1 9 . �d3 d4 2 0 . f4 hS and in Maurino-Soppe, Buenos Aires 1 9 9 8 , Black had a n acceptable position. 1 5 .�e5 ! �b6 1 6 .g4 1 7. .ixg 7 .trhg8 1 8 . .if6
�g6
White has won back the pawn and re tained the initiative. 1 8 ... .trde8 1 9.h4
1 9 . .id4 1 ? . 1 9 ... �c8 20.�d4 c S 2 1 . .ie5 f6 2 2 . .ig3 .if7 2 3 . g 5 ±
White has a clear advantage, which he later converted into a win. 167
The Mod ern Scandinavian
2.6 The black pawns
The following examples concentrate on the black pawns and their strengths.
2 . 6 . 1 ... c6-c5 This lever frequently serves to compensate Black for his lack of space. If the black c-pawn is exchanged for White 's d-pawn , the d-file is completely opened and the c-file half-opened. The lever . . . c6-c5 often leads to equality, sometimes even allow ing Black to fight for the initiative : 2 . 94 Sergey Kudrin Patrick Wolff Modesto
ch-USA 1 9 9 5
1 .e4 d S 2 .exd5 'i!Yxd S 3 .tt:lc3 'i!Ya S 4.d4 c6 5 .tt:lf3 tt:lf6 6 .�c4 �fS 7.�d2 e6 a:tWe2 � b4 9.0-0 tt:lbd7 1 0.a3 �xc3 1 1 .�xc3 'i!Yc7 1 2 .�b3 0-0 1 3 .� d 2 ? !
The alternatives 1 3 . l:rad l and 1 3 .ti:J e 5 are rightly played more often.
1 4J:tac1
1 4.c3 ? ! 'i¥b6 I S . 'i!Yd i �g4t is anything but pleasant for White. Suddenly Black is pressing from all sides ' 1 4 ... �g4 !
Aiming to force an exchange on cS . 1 5 .dxc5 tZ:lxcS 1 6 .'i!Ye5 1 7.'i!Yxc7 I:!.xc7 1 8.tt:le5
J::!.fc8
With this move White accepts his dis advantage and limits himself to aiming for a draw in a less favourable ending. The alternative 1 8 . �a2 �xf3 1 9 .gxf3 tt:la4 is possibly not as bad as it looks. White does have the bishop pair, and af ter 2 0 .�f4 .l:i.c6 2 1 .�e5 tt:ld7 2L�d4 e S 2 3 .�e3 tt:lxb2 the reply 24.J:lb 1 1+=. 1 8 ... tt:lxb3 1 9.cxb3 l:rac8 20Jbc7 l:rxc7 21 .1:rc1 .!d.xc1 + 2 2 .�xc1 � d 1 23 .�e3 a6 24.b4+
1 3 ... c5 !
Here this lever is very strong , not least because the position of the white bishop after the continuation 1 4 . dxc5 tZ:lxcS is not very fortunate.
Black 's superior pawn structure is out done by the high likelihood of a draw in an endgame with opposite-coloured bishops. This is why the protagonists agreed on a draw after move 4 7 .
2 . 6 . 2 ... e6-e5 This lever frequently leads to an exchange of the black e-pawn for the white d-pawn, and thus to the opening of the two central files. Interestingly, two diamet rically opposed consequences are typical . Either the opening of the position leads to a battle, or the resulting symmetry brings about a level game. 1 68
C h a pt e r
2.9S Martin Andersen Aage Sinkbaek Copenhagen I 994
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd 5 �xd5 3 .tt:lc3 �a5 4.d4 tt:Jf6 5.tt:Jf3 �f5 6 .�c4 c6 7.tt:Je5 e6 8.0-0 �b4 9.tt:Je2 tt:lbd 7 1 O.tt:Jxd 7 tt:Jxd 7 1 1 .tt:Jg3 �96 1 2 .�f4 tt:Jf6 1 3 .�e5 �e7 1 4.c3 0-0 1 5 .�f3
2:
T h e sta n d a r d c e n t r e
1 6 ... e5 1 7.�e3
White can also play 1 7 . dxe S . After 1 7 . . . tbxeS 1 8 .�xeS �xeS 1 9 JHe I = Black may have the bishop pair in an open position , but White's active piece placement should offer some compen sation. 1 7... exd4 1 8.cxd4
White turns out to be a real bishop pair fetishist. He would rather make struc tural concessions than give up one of his long-striding pieces. Obj ectively it would have been better to transpose to 1 7 . dxeS one move later with 1 8 .�xd4 ! tbeS 1 9 . �xeS �xeS (see above) . 1 8 ... t2lb6 1 9.�b3 �adS+
1 5 ... tt:Jd 7 !=
Play against the isolated pawn gives Black somewhat better chances in this position.
Black achieves . . . e 6-e S , equalizing. 1 6 .�f4
Black gets the bishop pair after 1 6 JHe I tt:lxeS 1 7 Jhe S �ct + . Not 1 6 .b47 tLlxeS+ with an attack on �f3 .
After having considered the two most important levers in the Scandinavian in the shape of . . . c6-cS and . . . e 6 - e S , we should now like to take a closer look at some typical pawn advances.
2.6 . 3 .. b 7 -bS .
As we already know, this is the characteristic pawn advance for the light-square strategy. Black gains space on the queenside and facilitates a pawn storm there. Con cerning the light squares , . . . b 7 -bS is above all about securing the outpost dS . At the same time White 's king 's bishop is attacked (as it is so often if on c4) and forced to decide on its position prematurely.
2.6.4 . g 7 -gS ..
For this advance we refer you to the game N.Rogers-Wahls (Game 2. 7 8) .
2.6.5 . a7 -aS ..
This advance generally appears alongside . . . b 7- bS and means going on a queenside offensive. As happens in the following game : 1 69
The Modern Scand inavian
2.96
White tries to avoid the unpleasant ...c5-c4. However, traditionally the queen is seldom at its best as a blockader.
Joachim Briiggemann Ludger Keitlinghaus Germany Bundesli ga 2 0 0 210 3
20 ... :C:dS 21 . :C: d 3 ? !
1 .e4 dS 2 .exd S �xdS 3 .tZ:lc3 'tWaS 4.d4 c6 S .�c4 �fS 6.tZ:lf3 tZ:l d 7 7.� d 2 e6 8.�e2 �b4 9.0-0-0 l2Jgf6 1 O.a3 �xc3 1 1 .�xc3 �c7 1 2. � b 1 ?!
There is no need to hurry with this pro phylactic move. White would do better to advance his own active play; 12.tZ:le5 is the main move. 1 2 ... bSI? 1 3 .�d3
In H. Hunt-Schlecht, Groningen 199 7, White decided first of all to leave the light-squared bishops on the board: 13.�b3 0-0 14.tZ:le5 �e4! 15.tZ:lxd 7 �xd 7 16.d5 �xdS 1 7 .�xf6 gxf6 18.g4 (18.'tWg4+ �h8 19.'ifh4 'tWd8oo, but not 19...'tWe 7?7 20.c4 bxc4 2l.�c2+-) 18.. .'t!\Yc 7 and Black stands well.
A better move is 21.:C:e5+. 21 ... h 6 ? !
Prophylaxis is good, but 21... tt:le81 would have been much stronger. Black wants to play ...tZ:ld6 to show a queen is not a good blockader. If the queen is at tacked, it must give way and cannot be protected by other pieces. It is simply too valuable! Thus Black gets in ...c5-c4 or gets a favourable opening of the po sition: 22. .C:d2 (22.dxc5 :C:xcS 23.'�'b3 l:.c8 24. .l:i.e2 tZ:lf6+; 22.:C:e5 tt:ld6 23. .l:txd5 tZ:lxc4 24. .C:xc5 �d 7 25..l:hc4 'tWxa4+) 22...tZ:ld6 23.�e2 c4+. 2 2 J t eS :C:c8 24.dxc5? !
23 .:C:xdS
tt:lxdS
24.�xc5 leaves Black less of a choice. 24 ... �a 7 ! ?
1 3 ... �xd 3 1 4.�xd 3 a S ! ?
Black continues the attack. 24...'ii' xc5 2S.'iYxc5 .l:r.xcS+ is not enough for him. 2S.tZ:ld2?
The complications after 25.c6! �xf2 26.'tWa6 are anything but clear. 2S ... :C:xcS t
1 S ;I J he1 0-0 1 6 .�d2 1 7.�gS b4 1 8.a4 cS
:C:fd8
Thanks to his logical play on the queenside, Black has now clearly taken the initiative. 1 9.�xf6 tZ:lxf6 20.�c4
1 70
C h a pt e r
This structure is one of Black's goals if his attack on the king is not directly successful. He has a monster of a knight on dS , which can hardly be chased away because of the advanced b-pawn (c2-c4 would always be met by bxc3 , taking en passant) . He now quickly manages to transform his initiative into something solid:
2.6.6
2:
T h e sta n d a r d c e n t r e
26 .'/Wd4 Wic7 27. .l:!.g 3 e5 28.Wig4 g6 29.�d 1 ?
2 9 .iY e4 tLlf6 3 0 . �f3 l:tds + . 2 9 ... t2Jf4 �d 7 -+
30.t2Jb3
I:!:d 5
31 .Wie 1
Thus , Black won material , and later the game.
h7 -hS
...
2.97 Hans Joachim Schubert Ingvar Thor Johannesson Reykj avik 2002
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 �xd5 3 .tiJc3 '/Wa5 4.d4 t2Jf6 5 .�c4 �f5 6 .t2Je2 c6 7.t2Jg3 �g6 8.0-0 h5!?
9.h4
An understandable and not a bad reac tion. White prevents the further ad vance of the h-pawn, of course at the cost of the squares g3 and g4. 9 ... t2J b d 7
9 . . . e 6 1 0 . tt:lce2 �d6 ? 1 ( 1 0 . . . tLlbd 7 ! see 9 . . . t2J b d 7 1 0 . tLl ce 2 ) 1 I . tLl f4 �xf4 1 2 . �xf4;!; Breier-R. David , Pinneberg j r 1 996. 1 0.�d 3
1 O . tLlce2 e6 1 I .tLlf4 �h7 1 2 .c3 0 - 0 - 0 oo . 1 0 ... �xd 3 1 1 .�xd 3 e6 1 2.�g5
An interesting idea, but not at all untyp ical against a white knight on g 3 . In many opening lines tLl g 3 is met by . . . h 7 -h5 -h4 (-h3 ) . Here it is in Black's favour that he still has the option of cas tling queenside. However, with his backward develop ment he must proceed with consider able care. After the main move 8 . . . e 6 , 9 . f4 is quite dangerous.
This thematic move clearly shows the main problem of . . . h 7 -h5 . The g S square is greatly and permanently weakened . 1 2 ... �e7
Queenside castling comes into consid eration, either now or sometime soon. 1 3 .a3 "JJJ/c 7 1 4.b4 t2Jb6 1 5 .b5
White 's queenside play is positionally dubious. 171
The Mod ern Scand i n a v i a n
1 5 ... cxb5 1 6 .tt:lxb5 �c6 1 7.l:!.fe 1 a6 1 8.tt:lc3 .l:;!cSoo
Now an unclear position has arisen. Black has chances on the semi-open c-file and is in control of important light squares. But he has a problem with his king : castling kingside is very risky because of the hS weakness. In the game Black later managed, not without some help from his opponent, to activate his rook via h6 and bring the king to safety on f8 . White 's queenside pawn weaknesses fi nally decided the game.
2 . 7 The Scandinavian bishop 2 . 7 . 1 The bishop is exchanged 2. 7 1 1 The bishop is exchanged for White's light-squared bishop .
.
Generally this exchange suits Black be cause his pawns are basically set up on light squares.
1 6 .�h4 tt:lxe4 1 7 . �xe 7.l::rx e 7 1 8 .�xe4 tt:lf6 1 9 . �h4 aS 2 0 . tt:l e 5 .l:ree8 '/2-1/2, Zetocha-Gerencer, Hungary tt 1 9 9 5 . 1 1 .�xf6 tt:lxf6 1 2 .l:l.fe 1 0-0 1 3 .tt:le4 �e7 1 4.tt:lxf6+ �xf6
2.98 Pavel Stadler Jens Dahlen Lund corr.
1998
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 �xd5 3.tt:lc3 �a5 4.d4 tt:lf6 5 .tt:lf3 �f5 6 .�d3
This is hardly the way to fight for an ad vantage. 6 . . .e6 7.0-0 tt:l b d 7 8 . a 3 c 6
8 . . . �xd3 9 .�xd 3 c6 I O . .l::!. e l �d6 l l .�d2 �c7 = Prahl-Nothnagel , Ger many Bundesliga B 1 9 9 5 / 9 6 . 9.�g5 �xd3 1 0.�xd 3 �d 6 !
The more active choice. Also possible i s I O . . . �e7 l i.. l::r fe I l::[d 8 1 2 . b4 �c7 1 3.l::r . a d l 0-0 1 4 . tt:le4.l::r fe 8 I S . c4 h6 17 2
Black already enj oys a slight advantage thanks to White 's unambitious play. The logical plan is to prepare . . . c6-c5 to remain with the stronger minor piece after the exchange pawns. 1 5 .c3 �h5
I S .. JHd8 ! ? .
Chapter
1 6.'�e4 l:rad8 1 7.�e2 h!.d5 1 8J:tae 1 I:lfd8 1 9.h3 a5 20.'i+'f4 c5
2: T h e s t a n d a r d c e n t r e
34.g3 e5 35 .'i¥e4? ! g6 3 6 .tt::l c 1 f5 3 7.'i¥d 3 ?
We now see the lever which is so com mon in this type of position. 21 .dxc5 Uxc5 22 . .lld 2 .llc d5 23.l:red 1 �xd 2 24.�xd 2 .l:!.xd 2 25.'�'xd 2 'li'b5 26/2ld4 'iWc5+
Black has a solid endgame advantage. He has the stronger minor piece and two different plans : I Queenside minority attack to create a weakness ; 2. The activation of his own kingside majority. However, the technical task of convert ing the advantage is very difficult, prob ably obj ectively impossible. As soon as Black sets his kingside pawns in mo tion, weaknesses are created, and we have seen how well the queen and knight cooperate in attack . . . .
27.t2Je2 b5 29.'ti'e 2 ? !
28.tt::l g 3
'iWc4
White should avoid trading queens to keep Black's advantage to a minimum. 29 ... �g 5 ? !
29 . 'li'xe2 . . .
30.'iWf3 �d8 31 .'ti'a8 'iWd3 32.tt::l e 2 'i¥d 1 + 33.�h2 'ti'd6+
And once more White makes the same error of principle as on move 2 9 . I t makes little sense to give up the strong queen-knight duo in order to have to struggle against the monster of a black bishop on both wing s ' 3 7 .'i¥a8 on the other hand would offer good drawing chances. 3 7... 'ti'xd 3 38.tt::l x d3 �c7 39.�g2 �f7 40.a4 bxa4 41 .tt::l c 5 a3 4 2 . bxa3 �e7 4 3 .tt::l b3 �d6 0-1 44.tt::l d 2 �d5 45 .a4 e4
Resignation is rather early, but in corre spondence games the standards are a bit higher.
2 . 7.1 .2 Exchange for the knight (ti:Jh4xg6 or ti:JeSxg6) This motif crops up in many theoretical lines of the Scandinavian. The constella tion of white bishop pair against dark squared bishop + knight is one of the basic themes of the modern Scandina vian Defence. Generally Black looks quite good because of his solid pawn structure on the light squares (thus against White 's light -squared bishop) . One example of many is the game Polgar-Hansen (Game 2 . 1 1 6) . 1 73
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
O n the other hand, i t can b e far more unpleasant for Black if he has to swap both his bishops for white knights. Gen erally it is worthwhile for White to aim for the bishop pair against the knight
pair, if the knights do not have good outposts. One instructive example of this theme is the game Dolmatov-Wahls (Game 2.53).
2 . 7.2 The bishop is molested 2 . 7.2. 1 tt:JeS , g2 -g4, h2 -h4 In favourable circumstances Black sometimes manages to put the brakes on the hunt for the Scandinavian bishop with h 7 -h 5 .
1 2 . tLie4 1 7 is worth consideration . 1 2 ... cxd 5 1 3 .g4 .2.g 6 1 4.f4 �ace 1 5 Jlhf1 tlhe8 1 6 .h4?
2.99 Martin Harold Hawley Niels Jorgen Fries Nielsen corr.
199 1
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 'i¥xd 5 3 .tt:Jc3 'i¥a5 4.d4 tt:Jf6 5 .tt:Jf3 c6 6 .�c4 �f5 7.�d 2 e6 8.'i¥e2 �b4 9.tt:Je5 tt:Jbd7 1 O.tt:Jxd 7 'it>xd 7 1 1 .0-0-0 ttJ d S !
This move is highly significant for the survival of the line with IO . . . Wxd 7 . The natural I 1 . . J lad8 , intending . . . Wc8 , is strongly met by 1 2 . a 3 �xc3 1 3 .�xc3 'i¥c7 1 4 . d5 ! , see Koskivirta B.J. Martin (Game 2 . 9 3 ) . 1 2 .�xd 5 ? 1
White gives up the bishop pair and opens the c-file for Black . The kingside pawn storm offers at best sufficient compensation. The game Gasseholm ].0. Fries Nielsen (Game 6 . 1 ) saw 1 2 . tLi x d 5 �xd 2 + 1 3 . l:!.xd2 cxd S 1 4. �b 5 + We7 I S . Wb l h S 1 6 .�d3 g 6 I7 . f3 h4= with equality. 1 74
After this White 's plan is nicely and the matically stopped. 1 6 .'i¥f3 gave better chances of counterplay, e.g. 1 6 . . . f5 1 7 . g S �xc3 1 8 .�xc3 'i¥xa2 1 9 .<>it d 2 oo . 1 6 ... h 5 ! 1 7.gxh5 �f5
We can see the Scandinavian bishop in its favourite role : a giant without a wor thy opponent. 1 8J;[g1 b 5 ! !
The actual point behind Black 's play. The white rook now penetrates via the g-file - but White is too slow ! 1 9.1hg7 �xc3 20Jlxf7+
2 0 . bxc3 b4-+ .
Chapter
21 Jlxe7+ 20 .. .l:le7 22.�xc3 b4 2 3 .�e1 24.'it'xc2 �xc2 25.'it>xc2
wxe7 �xc2+
Materially White is OK, but his pawns are too weak. 25 ... 'it'a4+ 26 .'it>c1 aS 27.h6 '>t>f7 28.h5 'iYxa 2-+
and Black won on move 3 5 . If White pushes his kingside pawns for
ward to put pressure on the Scandina vian bishop, this of course leaves weak nesses and gives Black a chance to strike back. In the following game this happens in the shape of the counter-thrust . . . c6-c5 : 2. 1 00 Gojko Laketic Simon }acob Mendrisio 1 9 8 9
1 .e4 d S 2 .exd5 iYxd S 3.tbc3 'iVaS 4.�c4 tbf6 5 .d4 c6 6.tbf3 �fS 7.0-0 e6 8.�d 2 'ifc7 1 9.�e1 �d6 1 0.�b3 0-0 1 1 .tbe5 tb bd 7 1 2 .'it'e2 a 6 !
Black would like t o play . . . c 6 - c 5 some time without running into tbbS . 1 3.h3!?
2:
The s t a n d a rd c e n t r e
Prepares g 2 -g4, which i s not yet possi ble : 1 3 . g4? �xe S 1 4. gxf5 ( 1 4.dxe5 tbxg4+) 1 4 . . . �xh2 + I S . 'it> g 2 exfS 1 6 .'i!ff3 g 6 + . 1 3 ... �fe8
White 's aggressive plan looks somewhat risky due to having castled kingside. At the same time, it is not happening in the optimal form , since for concrete reasons White will be forced to play h 2 -h3 -h4 rather than h2 -h4 in one move. So it is not surprising that Black has more than one way to handle the problems of the position : A) 1 3 . . . c5 ! ? 1 4.tbxd7 'tlfxd 7 I S . tba4 �b8 1 6 . dxc5 'tlfc7 1 7 . f4 tbe4 1 8 .�e3 �a 7 � ; B ) 1 3 . . . tbd5 1 4.g4 �g6 1 5 . h4 �xe5 1 6 . dxe5 h 6 oo ; C) The simplest is perhaps 1 3 . . . h6 1 4 . g 4 �h 7 with equality, since I S . tbxf7 ? fails to I S .. Jhf7 1 6 . �xe6 tbf8 + . 1 4.g4 �g6 1 5.h4
.� .
Now the deadly h4-h5 is actually threatened. But instead of losing his nerve with I 5 . . . hS ? , Black coolly turns to the lever 1 5 ... c51
with good play in all variations : 1 75
T he M o de r n S c a n d i n a v i a n
1 6 .t2jxd 7
1 6 .h5 cxd4 1 7 . t2:lxd7 �xd7 1 8 .hxg6 dxc3 1 9 . gxh7 + ( 1 9 . gxf7 �x£7 2 0 . �xc3 Ci:JdS=i=) 1 9 . . . t2:lxh7 2 0 .£xc3 tbg s + . 1 6 ... �xd 7 1 7.dxc5 �xc5 1 8. h 5 �e4
Or the peaceful 1 8 . . . �d6 1 ? 1 9 . hxg6 �g 3 t . 1 9.g5 �d6 20.�e3 �xe3 21 .�xe3 t2Jg4 2 2 .�g3 �xg 3+ 2 3 .fxg 3 �c6 oo
2 . 7.2.2 White cuts off the bishop's retreat with f2-f3 2. 1 0 1 Daniel Campora Curt Hansen Palma de Mallorca 19 89
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 �xd5 3.t2Jc3 �a5 4.d4 c6 5 .t2Jf3 t2Jf6 6 .�c4 �f5 7.t2Je5 e6 8.g4
The downside of this violent procedure lies in the delay of developing his pieces and above all in a lasting weakening of the pawn structure. Should Black manage to fend off his op ponent's storm , the advanced white pawns on the kingside will usually rep resent welcome objects of attack in the endgame. 8 ... �g6 9.h4
A position has appeared that is similar to that from the line l . e4 dS 2 . exd5 �xdS 3 . t2:lc3 �aS 4.d4 t2:lf6 S . tt:lf3 �g4 6 . h3 �hs 7 .g4 �g6 8 . t2:le5 e6 9 . �g2 c6 I O .h4. But here White 's king 's bishop is on g 2 . from where i t controls the important e4-square. 9 ... �b4?
This is a theoretical mistake, but on Curt Hansen 's side it must be said that the variation with 8 . g4 was practically unknown when this game was played' 9 . . . t2Jbd 7 1 is the correct move, see also Anand-Lautier (Game 1 . 2 ) . 1 o.�d 2 t2:le4 1 1 .f3!
This introduces one of the most aggres sive ways of combating the Scandina vian . With gain of tempo White opens the hunt for the Scandinavian bishop. and this achieves a considerable gain of space on the kingside. 1 76
Very strong. The Scandinavian bishop is starting to run out of air. 1 1 ... t2Jxc3
Chapter
1 1 . ..t2:lxd2 1 2 . 'ifxd2 and his play against the bishop on g 6 gives White a clear advantage, e . g. 1 2 . . . c5 1 3 . 0 - 0 - 0 �xc3 1 4.'ti'xc 3 +- .
2:
T h e s t a n d a rd cen t re
1 8 . . . exd5 1 9 .hxg 6 'iYxc6 2 0 . gxf7 + Wxf7 2 1 . g 5 +1 9.�xd 5 exd 5
1 2 .bxc3 �xc3 1 3 J:r b 1
13 .hS ! ? is also well worth considering. 1 3 ... b5 1 4.�b3 tt:l d 7 ? !
Black returns the pawn and hopes for chances against the exposed white king. Another pawn sacrifice would be better: 1 4 . . . f6 ! finally solves the problem of the bishop and after 1 5 . tt:l x g 6 hxg 6 1 6 .�xe6 tt:ld 7 ;l; White is somewhat better, but Black's position is quite playable. 1 5 .tt:lxc6 �xd 2+ 1 6 .'ifxd 2 'ti'c7 1 7.d5
20.'iYe3+?
This mistake lets his opponent get back into the game. After 2 0 . tt:ld4 White 's aggressive play could have had a successful conclusion : 2 0 . . . 0 - 0 2 1 .hxg6 �ae 8 + 2 2 .Wf2 fxg 6 2 3 .�xb 5 +- . 20 ... �e4 1 21 .fxe4 0-0
Now White's technical task is very diffi cult. His king is just as weak as most of his pawns. 2 2 .tt:l b4 �fe8 2 3 .tt:lxd5 'i!Yxc2 24.�c1 'iYxe4 2 5 .'ifxe4 �xe4+ 26 .�f2 �xg4;!; 1 7... tt:lf6
Black now decides to sacrifice the Scan dinavian bishop. A plan born more out of necessity than anything else, as can be seen from the very unpleasant alter natives : A) 1 7 . . . tt:l e S 1 8 . tt:l x e 5 'if xe S + 1 9 .Wf2 hS 2 0 . dxe6 0 - 0 2 l . gxh5 'ti'xhS 2 2 .'iVg5 ± ; B ) 1 7 . . . h 6 1 8 .h5 �h 7 1 9 . dxe6 fxe 6 20 .tt:ld4± . 1 8. h 5 tt:lxd 5
Black has three pawns for the piece in this ending, but White still has the better prospects. Hansen defended stub bornly in the rest of the game, which was drawn after 5 2 moves.
2 . 7.2.3 White hunts the bishop with tt:Jf4, g2 -g4, h2 -h4 The game which now follows demon strates in a graphic way how dangerous the hunt for the Scandinavian bishop can be : 177
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
2. 1 02
1 5 ... t2Jd5 1 6 .gxd5 cxd 5
David Gross Eduard Baklunatov Bad Zwesten 2 0 0 I
Black resigned in view of 1 7 .�f2 t2lc6 1 8 .l:!.c 1 tLlxd4 1 9 . 't�We 3 +- .
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 'li'xd5 3 .tLlc3 'ii' a 5 4.d4 t2Jf6 5 .gc4 gg4 6 .f3 gh5 7.gd2 c6?
In this case the first mistake is one too many !
9 . . . h 5 1 0 . g 5 tLl fd 7 1 1 . tLl d 5 'i:Vd8 1 2 .tLlf4± Cherepkov-Kotlerman, Odessa 1 955. 'ii' b 6?!
And another one on the same theme : 2. 1 03 Jiirgen Krebs Karl-Friedrich Nieke c o r r.
8.g4 gg6 9.h4 h 6
1 0. tLl h 3 1 2 .'t�We2
1 -0
1 1 .tLlf4
gh7
1 993
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'li'xd5 3 .<1Jc3 'i¥a5 4.d4 t2Jf6 5 .�c4 gg4 6 .f3
This move naturally involves structural disadvantages : the e 3 -square is weak ened and the knight cannot be devel oped as usual via f3 . On the other hand, it is very useful in the hunt for the Scan dinavian bishop that the squares e4 and g4 are taken under control. So it is no wonder that our present theme is any thing but rare in the 5 . . . �g4 ! 7 variation. 6 ... gf5 7.t2Je2 t2J b d 7 ? ! 8.g4! gg6 9.h4
The very unpleasant g4-g 5 is threat ened. It is hard to find anything sensible against it. 1 2 ... gxc2 1 3 .lk1
There is no reason to settle for a pretty perpetual check : 1 3 _ gxf7 + ? \t>xf7 1 4. 'ii' e 6 + We8 1 5 .'li'c8 + Wf7 = . 1 3 ... 'li'xb2
1 3 . . . gh 7 1 4 . g 5 +- . 1 4Jbc2 'li'xc2 1 5 .tLld3
The point behind White 's play, the black queen is trapped. 1 78
The inaccurate 9 . tLl f4 ? ! comes up against 9 . . . e 5 1 O . tLlxg6 hxg 6 1 l . g5 tLlh5 1 2 .gd2 gd6 = Perdomo-Peredy, Budapest 1 9 9 5 . 9 ... h 6 1 O.t2Jf4
1 O .gd2 ! ? .
Chapter
1 0 ... � h 7 ?
After this Black's position collapses sur prisingly rapidly. The problem is the enormous capacity o f the thrust g4-g5 (-g6) to break through. I O . . e5 1 was the last chance, and this is anything but clear: I l .tZ:lxg6 fxg6 1 2 .�d2 0-0-0 ( 1 2 . . .'iYb6 1 3 .'iYe2 0-0-0 1 4.d5 e4 I S .fxe4 tZ:leS 1 6 . 0-0-0;t Zarnicki-Bertona, San Luis 1 990) 1 3 .d5 �b4 1 4.�e2 and now 1 4 . . . tZ:lb6 1 is necessary ( 1 4 . . . e4? I S .fxe4 tZ:leS 1 6 . 0 - 0 - 0 ;t / ± Kavalek Larsen (Game 2 . 1 3 0) ) . .
1 1 .�d 2 c6 1 2 .'iYe2 'iYb6
Black can lose even more quickly : 1 2 . . . �c7 1 3 . g 5 hxg S 1 4. hxg5 �d3 ! ? looks spectacular i n any case, but I S .ihf7 + ! 1 - 0 , Peng Xiaomin-Ismail , Yerevan Olympiad 1 9 9 6 . 1 3 .0-0-0
This is the sort of position that actually plays itself for the attacking side.
2:
T h e s t a n d a rd c en t re
However, this reply often causes irrepa rable damage to Black's pawn structure if after tZ:lxg6 he has to recapture on g 6 with the f-pawn . This problem logically leads to an at tempt to protect the g 6 - square with a piece, so as to play . . . h 7 -hS without an issue. The overprotection of g 6 can be done by the knight ( e 7 ) ; in the next ex ample the queen does the job: 2 . 1 04 Hector Kunzmann Rodolfo Eduardo Binelli corr. 1 99 8
1 .e4 d 5 2.exd5 'iYxd5 3 .tZ:lc3 'iYa5 4.d4 tZ:lf6 5.tZ:lf3 c6 6 .�c4 �f5 7.tZ:le5 e6 8.g4 �96 9.h4 tZ:l b d 7 1 O.tZ:lxd 7 tZ:lxd 7 1 1 .�d 2 h5!
l l . . . h 6 1 2 . �e2 �b4 1 3 . a 3 0 - 0 - 0 1 4 . 0 - 0 - 0 ;t Pirro t - Lii.cke , Germany Bundesliga 1 9 9 5 / 9 6 . 1 2 .tZ:ld5 'iY d 8 1 3 .tZ:lf4
1 3 ... 'iYxd4
1 3 . . e6 1 4 . g 5 tZ:l d S I 5 . g 6 tZ:l x f4 1 6 . gxf7 + Wxf7 1 7 .�xf4 �fS 1 8 . .l:!.he I �e8 1 9 . d 5 +- . .
1 4.g5 hxg5
Or 1 4 . . . tZ:le5 I S . gxf6 tZ:lxc4 1 6 .tZlh5 1 0-0 - 0 1 7 .�f4 'iYcS 1 8 . l::t. x d8 + Wxd8 1 9 . fxg 7 +- . 1 5 .hxg5 tZ:l d 5 1 6 .�xd 5
1 -0
Black does not feel like playing on , and quite rightly so : 1 6 . . . cxdS I 7 . g 6 fxg 6 1 8 . tZ:l b s 'iYcs 1 9 . tZ:le6+- . In principle it is of course a good goal for Black to stop the hunt for the Scan dinavian bishop by . . . h 7 -h5 .
1 3 ... 'iYf6 !
The point behind Black 's eleventh move : the queen takes care of the pro tection of the bishop on g 6 . White now faces the danger o f his pawn attack running out of steam , leav ing behind long-term weaknesses on the kingside. 1 79
The Mod ern Scand i n a v i an
1 4.t2lxg6
1 4 . '!W e 2 hxg4 I S . t2l x g 6 '!Wxg 6 1 6 . 0 - 0 - 0 0 - 0 - 0 and White will find it hard to compensate for his structural disadvantage by dynamic means. 1 4 ... '!Wxg6 1 5 .:rg 1 '!We4+ 1 6 . .2,e3 hxg4 1 7.�d 3 '!Wf3 1 8 . .2,e2
1 8 . l:!.xg4 '!Wxd l + 1 9 . .ll x d l t2lf6 + and Black wins a pawn . 1 8 ... '!Wd5 1 9.c4 ? ! '!Wa5+ 20 . .2,d2 �b4 21 .a3 �xd 2+ 2 2 .'!Wxd 2 '!Wxd 2+ 23 .wxd 2 t2lf6 +
White 's kingside offensive has com pletely backfired. As well as the struc tural disadvantage , White is also a pawn down . . .
2. 7.2.4 g2 -g4, f2-f4-fS 2. 1 OS Guy Deschamp ]ens Dahlen Lund c o r r.
1999
With that in mind, the solid 5 . . . c6 and the enterprising 5 . . . t2lc 6 1 7 are possible. 6 .t2lf3 c6 7.0-0 t2J b d 7
7 . . e? 8 . t2lh4 �g6 9 . f4 .2,b4 is possibly mon!;precise. .
I
\
8.t2lh4!
White 's set-up looks modest but turns out to be extremely venomous ; the rad ical hunt for the Scandinavian bishop begins. 8 ... .2,g6
This is the normal reaction , but it's not enough for equality here. The unusual 8 . . . .2,e6 1 would justify Black's play. The dark-squared bishop is fianchettoed and the aggressive plan g 2 -g4, f2 -f4-fS is far less effective in breaking through than in the game : 9 . f4 g 6 I O . g4 ? ' 0 - 0 - 0 ' 7 l l . f5 7 1 gxfS 1 2 . gxf5 .2,ds and Black has a good po sition. 9.f4 e6
1 .e4 d5 2.exd 5 '!Wxd5 3.t2lc3 '!Wa5 4.d4 t2lf6 5 . .2,e2
5 ... �f5
Against this move order it is also worth considering leaving the bishop on the bench for the moment. 1 80
There is the emergency brake 9 . . . �e4 I O . t2Jxe4 t2Jxe4 l l .itd3 t2Jef6 1 2 . '!We2 g 6 1 3 . c3 '!Whs 1 4.'!Wxh S ;i; '/2-'/2, Van der Wiel-Cu. Hansen , Reykj avik 1 9 8 5 . 1 0.g4!
Now there is the simple threat of I l . fS , winning a piece.
C h a pt e r
I O . . . �e4 no longer works because of l l . g S . So Black decides to sacrifice the bishop and look for some vague com pensation : 1 0 ... tt:Jb6 1 1 .f5 0-0-0 1 2.w h 1
1 2 . fxg 6 7 1 is risky. Black gets some play for the piece : 1 2 . . . .l:Ixd4 1 3 . 'i'e l hxg 6 1 4.�e3 l:t b 4 I S . tt:Jd I tt:Jxg4-+ . 1 2 ...�b4
After 1 2 . . . e5 1 3 . g 5 the complications also turn out in White 's favour. 1 3 .fxg 6 1 5 .bxc3
hxg6 1 4.tt:Jg2 �xc3 'iVxc3 1 6 . ..Q.f4 tt:Je4
2:
T h e st a n d a r d c e n t r e
The position is still complicated, but Black clearly does not have enough for the piece. A good possibility now would be : 1 7«.Q,d 3 ! ?
There might follow : 1 7... g5 1 8..ii. e 5 f6 1 9.�xe4 fxe5 20.'it'd3
And White is slightly better in this posi tion.
2 . 7 .2.5 tt::J c 3 -e4-g3, h4, tt::J e 5 For this attacking pattern , see the game Emms-Dunnington (Game 2. 7 3 ) .
2.7. 3 Black secures his bishop ( ... h7 -h6) Black plays . . . h 7 -h6 and creates a retreat square on h 7 . In many cases this is the most solid way to meet the hunt for the Scandinavian bishop. In principle, one ob j ection to . . . h7 -hS is that White often gains useful space on the kingside. The de fensive plan . . . h 7 -h6 often leads to positions which are structurally similar to the classical Caro-Kann Defence ( 4 . . . ..Q.fs ) . This was also the case in the following game : 2. 1 06 Melanie Buckley Eva Rep kova Wrexham 2 0 0 2
1 .e4 d 5 2.exd 5 'iVxd5 3 .tt:Jc3 'iWa5 4.d4 c6 5 .�c4 �f5 6.tt:Je2
In this particular move order you need to have something up your sleeve against 6 .�d2 1 7 . 6 ... e6 7.�d 2 tt:J d 7 8.tt:J g 3 ! ?
Black 's unusual move order neglects the development of the kingside. White now tries to capitalize on this. Also good is 8 . 0 - 0 . 8 ... �g6 9.h4 h 6
1 0.tt:Jd 5
Fixing Black 's kingside structure with I O . h S would be the typical Caro-Kann way - l . e4 c6 2 . d4 dS 3 . tDc3 dxe4 4. tt:Jxe4 �fs s . tt:J g 3 .il.g6 6 . h4 h6 7 . tDf3 tt:Jd7 8 . h 5 �h7 etc. 181
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
1 0 .. .'t!id8 1 Vt::J f4 � h 7 1 2.�e2
White's position creates a good impres sion. She has an advantage in space and a lead in development . However, Black 's structure, typical of both Scandinavian and Caro-Kann , is very sound and solid.
This mistake hands Black a 4 : 3 kingside majority. Better is 24.tLlg3 gS 2S .hxg5 11Xg5 2 6 .t2Jd3 g4 2 7 . � d I �g6oo. 24. . .�xc5 25.dxc5 t.L:f6 1+
1 2 .. .ti:Jgf6
White had been hoping for some play against e6 and for the possession of square d 6 , but bringing the knight to e4 stops this and gives Black a better game. 1 3 .c3?1
Clearly too slow. Supporting the d4 pawn is not a priority. The sacrifice I 3 .�xe 6 ? ' is not strong enough to break through: 1 3 . . . fxe6 1 4 . tLlxe 6 �e7 I S . tLlc7 + �f7 1 6 . tLlxa8 �xe 2 + 1 7 . tLlxe2 �d6 =F . You can only exploit a lead i n develop ment by aggressive play, therefore 1 3 . 0 - 0 - 0 is obvious and the critical test. But Black can then also try 1 3 . . . �e 7 ' followed by . . . 0 - 0 - 0 and it is not clear if and how White can exploit her lead in development . 1 3 ... � e 7 1 1 4.�d 3 0-0-0 1 5 .�x h 7 l:txh7 1 6 .0-0-0 tt:J b 6 1 7.tt:Je4 tt:Jfd 5 1 8.tt:Jd3 tt:Jc4=
Black has a comfortable game and completes her development rapidly. 1 9.tt:Je5 tt:Jxd 2 20.l:txd 2 �c7 21 .l:te1 l:th8 2 2 . � b 1 �g8 23 .�f3 f5 24.tt:Jc5? 1 18 2
26 Jhd8+ 28.�e3?
�xd8
2Vt:Jc4 t[je4
White completely loses the thread . 2 8 .g4 .l:ldS 2 9 .b4 �d7 3 0 . �e3 + . 28 ... �e71+
This double attack wins a pawn and Repkova carries out the technical phase with a flourish : 29.tt:Jd6+ tt:Jxd6 30.cxd6 .!:!.xd6 31 .�xa7 �xh4 32.�a8+ wc7 33.�a5+ �d7 34.�a7 �e8 35.a4
3 S . 'tWxb n �xf2 3 7 .�c 7 + Wf6 -+ .
3 6 .�c8 +
We7
3 5 ... �d8 36.<;,t>a2 � d 7 37.'�Yc5 Wf7 38J:re2 .l::r d 1 39.c4?
3 9 . f3 would be more stubborn . 39 ... �d3 40.l:!.e3 � b 1 + 41 .wa3 �c2 42 .Wa 2 �xa4+ 43 . .!:!:a3 �c2 44.lk3 � b 1 + 45.\t>b3 l:rd2 46 .�a3 ld.xf2 47.�g3 g 5 0-1
Chapter
2:
T h e s t a n d a rd c e n t r e
2. 7.4 Typical bishop moves or manoeuvres Next we should like to take a closer look at some typical black bishop moves and manoeuvres.
2. 7 .4. 1 . . �fs -g4 to pin the knight on f3 .
Black frequently follows this up with . . . �aS -fS or . . . �aS -hS , in order to take on f3 and inflict doubled f-pawns on his opponent. 2. 1 07 I.M.Curle Chris O'Bee corr.
1 995
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 �xd5 3 .tZ:lc3 �a5 4.d4 tZ:lf6 5 .tZ:lf3 �f5 6 .�c4 c6 7.�d 2 e6 8.�e2 �b4 9.0-0 �g4? 1
1 1 . 'i¥xf3 'i¥d8 ( 1 1 . . . tZ:lbd7 1 2 . a 3 �xc3 1 3 . �xc3 �c7 1 4..l:He 1 0 - 0 1 S . l::[ a d l l::[ fe 8 1 6 .�b3 aS 1 7 . a4 l::[ a d 8 1 8 .�d2 = / ;!; , Reinecker-Lomer, Schles wig-Holstein 1 9 94) 1 2 . trad l tZ:lbd7 ( 1 2 . . . �d6 1 3 . l:f. fe 1 0-0 1 4. tZ:le4 �e 7 1 5 .�d3 tZ:lbd7 1 6 . c4 l:t.e8 1 7 .�c3 ;!; / ± , Tolnai - Kuraj ica , Oberwart 1 9 9 0 ) 1 3 JHe 1 0 - 0 1 4.�g 5 l:t.e8 1 5 .�d3 �e7 1 6 . �c I ;!; , Brynell-M . S . Hansen , Tj alfe 1 99 5 . 10 ... �xc3 1 1 .�xc3 � h 5
Not a good choice if White reacts ap propriately. 9 . . . tZ:lbd7 is the main move. 1 0.a3?!
Black will take on f3 and destroy the opposing pawn structure. White may then have a bishop pair against the pair of knights , but because of the weakened white structure the steeds will have no difficulty finding suitable outposts. After this inaccuracy Black can realize the positional plan mentioned at the start. The bishop should be challenged im mediately by I 0 .h3 ! . White obtains the bishop pair and the advantag e : I O . . . �xf3 ( I O . . �hS l l . g4 � g 6 1 2 . a3 �xc3 1 3 .�xc3 �c7 1 4.tZ:leS ;!; , Bondar chuk-Jurkiewicz , Polanica Zdr6j 1 9 9 6 ) .
1 2 .�e5?1
White forces matters , but this is hardly in his favour. 1 2 . �b4 tZ:lbd7 1 3 J He 1 tZ:lb6 1 4.�b3 tZ:lbdS 1 5 .�d2 �xf3 1 6 .�xf3 �xf3 1 7 .gxf3 0 - 0 - 0 + Gotz Oaker, corr. 1 9 9 4 . 1 2 . . .�xf3 1 3 .g xf3 'tW g 6 + 1 4.'iYg3 'i¥xc2 1 5 . � h 1
1 83
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
I S . �c7 0 - 0 1 6 . �xb 7 tLlbd 7 1 7 ..lh c l �fS 1 8 . �xc6 t2Jb6 is also slightly better for Black. 1 5 ... 0-0
1 5 . . . tt:lbd7 ! ? . 1 6 J:t g 1 g 6 1 7.d5?!
This sacrifice is dubious , but it is hard to suggest sensible alternatives. Still , when you get down to it, it is simply not correct. 1 7... cxd 5 1 8J:tac1
After 1 8 .Ji.xf6 dxc4 I 9 Jhd I then 1 9 . . . �f5 -+ holds things together for Black . 1 8 ... �f5 1 9.Ji.a2 tt:l b d 7 20.Ji. b 1 �h5 21 .h4 .ll fc8 2 2 .Ji.d3 e 5 23 J:rce1 d4 24.£d 2 h 6 25 .f4
2 . 7 .4.2 ... �f5 -e4-d5 We know this motif from our consider ation of the light-square strategy. Here is another successful use of it: 2. 1 08 Sascha Mareck Paris Klerides Batumi Ech 2 0 0 2
1 .e4 d 5 �d5!?
2.tLlc3
dxe4
3.tt:Jxe4
Black absolutely wants to get into the Scandinavian main lines . . . 4.tt:lc3 �as
. . . and makes it, one move later than usual. 5.d4 tt:lf6 6 .Ji.c4 Ji.f5 7.t2Jf3 c6 8.�e2 e6 9.Ji.d 2 Ji.b4 1 0.0-0-0 tt:lbd7 1 1 .a3 Jt.xc3 1 2 .£xc3 �c7 1 3 .tt:le5 b5 1 4 ..�b3
1 4 .Ji.d3 is the alternative, with the stem game Almasi-Dautov (comments to Game 2 . 1 46) .
25 ... e4 !-+
A tried and trusted technique for the re alization of a winning position . With the text move Black returns his extra pawn and there is not much of a white attack left. 26 .£xe4 tt:Jxe4 27..l:be4 � d 5 28.f3 J::t c 2 2 9.f5 t!.xd 2 30.�f4 J::t x b2 31 .fxg6 f5 3 2 .'ii' x h6 tLlf6 3 3 . g 7 'ii' a 2
White resigned. 1 84
1 4 ... £e4 !
Black transfers the bishop to dS to in crease control of the light squares. The plan has worked very well in praxis and in the game too White does not manage to put a dent in it - quite the contrary :
Chapter
1 5 .tL:Jxd 7 'iYxd 7 1 6 .� b4
I 6 .'tWe3 �ds l:tfc8 = / + .
1 7 .'tWg3 0 - 0 1 8 .�b4
1 6 ... �d5
2:
T h e s t a n d a rd cen t re
2 . 1 09 'Der Bock' Matthias Wahls Telephone chess , I 996
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'iYxd 5 3 . t2lc3 Wa5 4.d4 c6 5 .t2lf3 t2lf6 6 .�c4 �f5 7.�d2 e6 8.'iYe2 �b4 9.0-0 t2l b d 7
This is more flexible than the immedi ate 9 . . . 0 - 0 . 1 0.a3 �xc3 1 1 .�xc3 W/c7 1 2 .t2le5 0-0 1 3 .t2lxd 7 'tWxd 7 1 4.�b3 a 5 1 5 .1:r.fd 1 �e4?
1 7.c4 ? !
By opening the position like this White unnecessarily creates difficulties for himself. Better options would have been : A) 1 7 .'iVe3 a S 1 8 .�c5 t2le4= ; B) 1 7 . 'iVeS aS 1 8 .�c5 �xb3 1 9 .cxb3 'tifdS 2 0 . 'ii' g 3 tLlhS 2 l . 'ii' c 7 'tW d 7 2 2 .'iYe5 'tWdS = ; C ) 1 7 . �xdS WfxdS 1 8 . 'ii' e 5 'ii' x e S 1 9 .dxe 5 tLldS = . 1 7... bxc4 1 8.�xc4 a 5 1 9.�c5
In the game Black continued with 1 9 . . . t2le4 2 0 . 1:r.he l lLlxcS 2 l . dxc5 0 - 0 . Instead , there i s also the principled 1 9 ... �xc4 !? 20.'iYxc4 'i¥d 5 +
with an advantage for Black.
No matter how subtle the manoeuvre . . . �e4-d5 may be, you have to be aware of the existence of the tactical trick that Matthias had to deal with in the follow ing game, played by telephone.
Matthias later improved his play with I S . . . lLJdS 1 6 . a4 7 ! ( 1 6 .�e l a4 1 7 . �a2 b S = ) 1 6 . . . t2lxc3 1 7 . bxc3 '1Wc7 1 8 J:te l 1:r.fd8 1 9 . �ad I �ac8 2 0 .c4 c S 2 l .d5 exdS 2 2 . cx d 5 c4 2 3 . � a 2 '1Wd7 24.�xc4 l:re8 2 S . ifxe 8 + l:rxe8 2 6 .�b5 l:rxe l + 2 7 . 1:r.xe l 'i¥d8 2 8 . l:r e 8 + Wxe 8 2 9 . �xe 8 �xc2 3 0 . d6 Wf8 3 l .�b5 �e4 3 2 . f3 �c6-+ , ' Der Bock' -Wahls , Telephone chess , I I I 1 9 9 6 . Thinking o f the light-square strategy Black would like to trade bishops, but. . . 1 6.d5!
A nasty surprise. This tactical blow wins material. 1 6 ... �xd 5 1 7.�xf6 g xf6 1 8.c4 +-
1 85
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
2 . 7.4. 3 �xc2 As we have already seen in several ex amples, the capture on c2 is often very risky. Black, who is generally behind in development , opens the c-file for his opponent and gives him tempi for the attack. On the other hand , the pawn grab on c2 can be very strong in the long term if it is not quickly punished. Not only does Black win a pawn , he also destroys White 's structure. After the loss of the c-pawn holes appear on the light squares and the d4 pawn becomes weak .
The loss of the c-pawn has created light-squared holes in White 's position. The knights will not find it difficult to find nice squares and are the equal of the bishop pair. What remains in the fi nal assessment is Black 's extra pawn.
2. 1 1 0 Jan Timman Jeroen Piket Amsterdam I 996
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'i¥xd5 3 .tt:l c3 'i¥a5 4.d4 tZ:lf6 5 .t2Jf3 �f5 6 .�c4 e6 7.�d 2 c6 8.'i¥e2 �b4
Not 8 . . . �xc 2 ? on account of 9 . d 5 ± . 9.a3 t2J b d 7 1 0.t2Jh4?
Maybe Timman is unconsciously rely ing on the fact that the c2 pawn can never be taken. Not so ! 1 o ... �xc2! 1 1 .0-0 �xc3 1 2.�xc3 'i¥ h 5 1 3 . 'i¥xc2 'i¥xh4+
1 4.f4
1 4 . .l:!.ae l t2Jb6 I S . g 3 'i¥h3 1 6 . .Q.d3 0 - 0 + Stanke - Hermann , Germany Bundesliga B I 9 9 4 / 9 5 . 1 4 ... tZ:l b 6 1 5 .�a6 ? ?
Possibly shocked by the way the ope ning has gone, Timman overlooks a simple defence. After I S .�d3 tZ:lbdS Black can still put up a fight. 1 5 ... bxa 6 1 6 .�e1 1 7.'i¥xc6+ t2Jfd 7
'i¥h5
White resigned .
2 . 8 The Scandinavian queen
In this section we shall take a closer look at the Scandinavian queen.
A justification for ... c7 -c6 . . . c 7 -c6 is a rather unobtrusive ' little ' move. But this makes it no less important for the basic concept of the modern Scandinavian. The move . . . c 7 -c6 strengthens the control over dS and b S , but above all secures a retreat for the queen . Doing without it has already led to countless catastrophes , of which the follow ing is one : 1 86
Chapter
2. 1 1 1 Mikhail Kozakov Engin Bolcan Halkidiki tt 2 0 0 2
2:
T h e s t a n d a rd cen t re
8 ... 'ife6+ 9.l2Je3 �g4
9 . . . � g6 I O .ds 'ifb6 l l .l2Jc4+- . Now 1 0.f3 !
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 'ifxd5 3.tbc3 'ifa5 4.d4 �f5 5 .tbf3 l2Jf6 6.l2Je5 tt:l b d 7 ?
A typical mistake. The black queen now gets into such bad trouble, that White can already achieve a winning advantage (6 . . . c6 ! ) . 7.l2Jc4 1 �a6 8.�f4
The threat is 9 .l2Jd 6 + .
would have been even stronger than the game continuation I O . d S . After I O . f3 ' White gets a decisive material advan tage by force : 1 0 ... l2J h 5
I O . . . � h S l l .d S 'ifb6 1 2 . l2Jc4 'if c S I L �.e 3 'if b 4 1 4.a3 +- . 1 1 .�c4 'iYc6 1 2.�b5 'ife6 1 3 .d5 'ifb6 1 4.l2Jc4 'iff6 1 5 .�e5+-
2.8. 1 Tactical strikes against the queen The Scandinavian queen enters the fray unusually early and gets closer to the op posing camp. It should come as no surprise that it is often subj ected to tactical at tacks. 2. 1 1 2
2.8 . 1 . 1 tt:Jds In the typical position with white bishops on d 2 and c4, this active knight move creates a winning attack on 'iVa S . White would like to exchange his knight advantageously for the knight on f6 , or transfer it to a better square , as is demonstrated in the following game :
Viktor Kupreichik John Montgomery Batumi Ech-tt 1 9 9 9
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 'ifxd 5 3.l2Jc3 'ifa5 4.d4 l2Jf6 5 .�c4 �f5 6.�d2 c6 7.'ife2 e6 8.l2Jd5
8 .d5 ! ? cxdS 9 . l2Jxd5 'ifd8 I O .l2Je 3 ? ! ( I O . l2Jxf6 + ! ) I O . . . � g6 I I .l2Jf3 l2Jc6 = , Pilgaard-Auchenberg, Copenhagen 1 9 9 0 . 1 87
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
4.e5 cS S .a3 iii.x c3 + 6 . bxc3 tbe7 7 .'li'g4 'iYc7 8 .'iYxg 7 l:Ig8 9 . 'it'xh7 cxd4 etc. there is far more counterplay for the pawns than here ! The simple 1 6 . . . .t:lg 8 ! would have been correct. Black continues with . . . 'iY c 7 , . . . 0 - 0 - 0 and a t least i t i s not obvious how White can get something solid out of his space advantage. 1 6 . . . �f8 ? ! 1 7 . .t:lh3 t on the other hand is very dangerous.
8 .. .'ifd8 9 .tt:J e 3 1 ?
The positioning of the knight on e 3 is unusual , but not without merit, as it controls some important squares. 9 . tt:Jxf6 + 'li'xf6 I 0 . 0 - 0 - 0 ti:Jd7 I l . ti:Jf3 i1Lg4 is a transposition to the Shirov Variation, which is looked at in more detail in the game Marciano-Prie (Game 2 . 8 ) .
1 7.'it'xg 7 0-0-0 1 8.'ii' xf7 'li'xe5 1 9.�xd5 exd 5 20.�c3+-
9 ... iii. g 6 1 0.0-0-0 iii. e 7
I O . . . 'iVxd4 ? is too dangerous : l l .iii. a S 'ife4 1 2 . .t:ld8 + � e 7 1 3 .'iYd2 -+ . White wins the exchange ; it's all over.
1 1 .h4!? h 6
Now the d8-square i s protected and l l . . . 'i¥xd4 ! ? is no longer as easy to re fute : 1 2 . h 5 �e4 1 3 . �b4 'iYb6 1 4.i1Lxe 7 Wxe 7 I S .h 6 oo . 1 2.ti:Jf3 tt:J b d 7 1 4.dxe5
1 3 .tt:Je5
tt:Jxe5
White enj oys a nice advantage in space. Whether this is enough to give him the better position is another question . 1 4 ... tt:Jd5 'li' c 7 ?
1 5.h5
�h7
1 6 .'if g 4
The underdog cannot stand the pressure and sacrifices material, Winawer style. But in that variation of the French De fence - l .e4 e6 2 .d4 dS 3 .ti:Jc3 iii. b 4 1 88
20 ... d4
20 . . . 'ife4 ! ? 2 1 .iii. x h8 .t:lxh8 2 2 .'ifg7 .l:. g 8 2 3 .'iYc3 �gS 24J:ld2+- . 21 Jhd4 l:[df8
2 1 . . . .t:lxd4 2 3 .'iVxe 7 +- .
2 2 . �xd4
'i¥xd4
2 2 .'ifc4 .t:lxf2 23 . .t:ld8+ ! .tlxd8 24.�xe5 �g5 25 . .t:le1 �xc2
Or: 2 S . . . .t:ld5 ( 2 5 . . . .l::f. e 8 2 6 . �d4+-) 2 6 . iii. g 3 .t:lxc 2 + 2 7 . 'li'xc2 �xc 2 2 8 . �xc2 +- . 2 6 .'ife6+ .t:l d 7 27.�g 3 28.'ti'g8+ .t:ld8 29.'ifxg5
.t:lxg2 1 -0
On account of 2 9 . . . hxg 5 3 0 .tbxg 2 + - .
Chapter
2.s. 1 .2 tt:lbs As in our sample game, this motif often appears as a knight sacrifice :
2:
T h e s t a n d a r d c en t r e
1 5 . t2J b 5 ! !
2. 1 1 3 Stuart Conquest Julian Hodgson Germany Bundesliga 199 5 /9 6
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'iV x d 5 3 .t2Jc3 Wia5 4 . .2.c4 t2Jf6 5 .d4 c6 6 . .2.d 2 Wic7 7.t2Jf3 .2.g4? ! 8.h3 .2.xf3 9.W/xf3
The line chosen by Black is pretty un ambitious. The bishop pair guarantees White a nice, long term advantage. 9 ... e6 1 0.0-0-0
White has scored over 80% from this position . 1 o ... t2J bd 7 1 1 .g4! ttJ b G 1 2.�f1
Conquest would like to keep the bishop on its home diagonal fl -a6 . 1 2 . .2.b3 ! ? is the main line, with which White has scored very well. 1 2 .. J:[d8?
After this error, Black will have a long term problem with his king. It now has to remain in the middle or castle kingside, which does not appear very appealing on account of the white pawn storm. 1 2 . . . h6 or 1 2 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 would b e clearly preferable.
This deeply calculated sacrifice is a forced win ; Black goes down due to his lack of development. 1 5 ...cxb5 1 6 . .2.xb5+ t2Jd7
After 1 6 .. .<�0'd8 1 7 . .2.f4 .t:i.d6 you must take heed of the principle of the worst piece. The only winning move is 1 8 . .t:i.he I ! ! , with the deadly threat 1 9 . .t:i.xe6 ! , e . g. : 1 8 . . . Wc8 0 1 9 .�xd6 .2.xd6 2 0 . .t:i.xd6 ! 'il'xd6 2 1 .'iVc3 + Wb8 2 2 .'il'xg 7 +- . 1 7. .2.f4 .t:i.xf4
1 7 . . . 'il'xf4+ 1 8 .'iVxf4 l:rxf4 1 9 . .t:i.xd7 and White wins , since I 9 . . . a 6 ? fails to 2 0 .l::!. hd I axbS 2 1 . .t:i.d8 We7 2 2 . .t:i. l d7#. 1 8.�xd 7 + 'il'xd 7 1 9.'li'xf4 'iVc8
1 3 .g5 t2Jg8 1 4.h4
This sets a devilish trap, into which Hodgson promptly falls. 1 4 ... .t:i.xd4?
14 . . . .2.b4 is better. However even then White 's position is very promising after the move 1 5 . a 3 ± .
20 . .t:i. h 3 1
1 89
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
The entry o f the rook decides matters ; all of White 's pieces are directly in volved in the attack. 20 . ..t2le7
20 . . . �c5 2 1 Jlc3 b6 2 2 . 'li'a4+ �f8 2 3 . b4+- . 21 .!H3 !
The immediate 2 I .tf.c3 7 allows the parry 2 l . . . t2l c 6 .
Such a mistake is hard to explain in cor respondence chess ! 1 1 . . 0 - 0 - 0 is the normal continuation , with the experi mental l l . . t2lh5 1 7 also coming into question . .
.
1 2 .dxe5 t2l h 5
Black has noticed what he did with his last move - but it is too late. The planned 1 2 . . . t2lxe 5 fails to 1 3 . l:!e i �e 7 ( 1 3 . . . tf.d8 1 4.�d3 +-) .
21 . . .<1Jf5 2 2 .l::!. c 3 �c5 23 Jbc5 + 'li'xc5 24.'li'b8+ �e7 25 .'li'xb7+
Black resigned .
2 . 8 . 1 . 3 b2 -b4 The move b2 -b4 is typical of certain sidelines in the combat against the Scandinavian (e.g. 3 . t2lc3 'li'as 4 . b4 7 or the somewhat more profound 3 . t2lc3 'li'aS 4 . t2l f3 t2lf6 5 .�e2 1 7 intending 5 . . . �f5 ? 1 6 . b4! ) . However, this motif is more common in the middlegame. b2 -b4 is usually played with tempo, since the black queen is on a S . It often introduces a queenside pawn advance, often against a black king castled queenside, as for example in Collas-Prie (Game 2 . 8 4) . In the following example b2 -b4 de cides the game tactically after a blunder; the black queen is forced into a worse position : 2. 1 1 4 Kristo Miettinen Matthias Rufenacht corr. 1999
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 'li'xd 5 3.<1Jc3 'li'a5 4.d4 t2lf6 5 .<1Jf3 c6 6 .�e2 �f5 7. 0-0 e6 8.<1Jh4 �g6 9.1H4 t2l b d 7 1 0.<1Jxg6 hxg6 1 1 .a3 e5??
1 90
An a lysi s d i agram
1 4.b4! forces 1 4 . . . 'li'c7 , after which the unfortunate queen causes a deadly pin to be set up on the knight. After I S .'li'd4 ( +- Rufenacht) there is no longer any defence : 1 5 . . . t2lfd 7 1 6 .�g4 f6 1 7 .�xd7 + 'li'xd 7 1 8 . �xe 5 fxeS 1 9 .'li'xe 5 +- . 1 3 .b4! 'li'd8 1 5 .::ae1 +-
1 4.�xh5
::axh5
White has an extra pawn and is totally dominant . 1 5 ... 'li'h4?! 1 6 .e6! t2l b 6
1 6 . . . t2lf6 1 7 .�g 3 'li'g4 1 8 . e 7 �xe 7 1 9 . :axe ? + +- . 1 7.�g3 1 9.'li'd6
Black resigned .
'li'c4
1 8.e7
'li'xc3
Chapter
2.8. 1 .4 The queen is restricted by the knight on b6 The queen can also be restricted by . . .. 1:lb6 . The next game is a warning ex ample at a very high level , which once more shows that even in the opening every move needs to be checked one last time before it is played : 2. 1 1 5 Murray Chandler Ian Rogers Bath TV 198 3
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 �xd5 �a5 4.d4 c6 5.t2lf3 t2lf6 �f5 7.�d2 e6 8.'�e2 �b4 tt:J b d 7 1 O.t2lxd 7 t2lxd 7 t2lb6??
2:
The s t a n d a rd c e n t r e
The black knight wants t o gain a tempo by attacking the white bishop on its way to dS . A very plausible train of thought, but there is a mighty snag. . . 1 2.0-0!
White doesn 't bother about the bishop, and it turns out that the Scandinavian queen has no squares left. Black must surrender a piece. 1 2 ... t2lxc4
1 2 . . . �xc3 1 3 . �xc3 iVa4 1 4 . b 3 +- . 3 .t2:Jc3 6 .�c4 9.t2le5 1 1 .a 3
1 3 .axb4 iVxb4 1 5 .l:ra2 �b6
1 4.l::r a 4
iVxb2
This opening catastrophe was repeated in Eolian-Pytel , Yerevan 1 9 8 4. That game continued with I S . . . iVb4 1 6 .l:rb I �e7 1 7 . 'tWxc4 0 - 0 1 8 Jhb2 +- and White won . 1 6 .iVxc4 + -
Rogers could have resigned here, but one does not like to do so after sixteen moves. So instead Black resigned after thirty three moves.
2 .8.2 Typical moves or manoeuvres In the last few examples the Scandinavian queen had to suffer passively. Now we shall take a look at some typical moves and manoeuvres by the Scandinavian queen .
2.8.2. 1 ... 'lWhS
2 . 8 . 2 . 2 ... 'lWfs
This move is frequently linked to an ag gressive idea involving queenside cas tling. From hS the queen puts pressure on White 's centre (through the pressure against f3 ) and kingside. An example can be found in the game Jakubowski MacDonald (Game 2 . 3 7 ) .
This can sometimes be a nice square for the queen as well. It is closer to the cen tre and from fS the black queen can keep a better eye on the squares c2 and f3 . Here follows an example. 191
T h e M o d ern S c a n d i n a v i a n
2. 1 1 6 Judit Polgar Curt Hansen Biel
izt ! 993
1 .e4 d 5 2.exd5 'tiYxd 5 3 .CiJc3 �a5 4.d4 tLlf6 5 .tbf3 Ji.f5 6 .�c4 e6 7.-�.d 2 c6 8.�h4 _Q,g6 9.t2:':xg6 hxg6 1 0.W!Yf3
Despite the opposing bishop pair, Black has a decent position with his compact pawn structure. 1 6 .�f4
1 6 .h41 1 . 1 6 ... Jit xf4 1 VLxf4 g 5 != ..
I
I 0. 'tiY e 2 is the alternative. 1 0 ... WVf5 !?
• �
·�
Next comes a typical endgame, which Curt Hansen quite easily draws :
A good choice, since the queen ex change does not achieve much for White now ; her queen now has to leave the active position it had j ust gained. 1 1 .�e2
l l ." 'iVxfS gxfS = and Black has a nice in fluence on the centre. 1 1 ... 'i¥g4
The bold I l . . .�xc2 has also been played : I L�d3 ( 1 2 . d5 1 7) 1 2 . . . �xb2 1 3 . Il b I �a3 1 4 . d S oo , Kudrin Waitzkin , Modesto ch-USA 1 9 9 5 . 1 2 .f3 �h4+ 1 3 .�f2
1 3 . g 3 7 loses a pawn : 1 3 . . . �xg 3 + 1 4 . hxg3 Ii.xh l + I S .Wf2 Ilh2 + + . 1 3 ....�d6 1 4/2.Je2 �xf2+ 1 5 .Wxf2 tLlbd 7
1 92
1 8.tLld3 g4 1 9.fxg4 tLlxg4+ 20.\t>fJ tLlgf6 21 .h4 a5 22.a4 cJle7 23 .g4 g6 24 . .ld.ae1 t2:':d5 25.J�.b3 llag8 26.g5 Wd6 27.c3 :C:h7 28.\t>g4 CiJe7 29.t.L!f2 CiJf5 30.�c2 1f2-V2 J:rgh8 31 .�xf5 exf5+
2 . 8 . 2 . 3 ... 'i'b6 The move . . . �b6 is a common motif in the Scandinavian. The black queen steps away from �d2 and attacks the pawns on d4 and b 2 . But you have to be clear about the possible consequences of grabbing one of these pawns. The ma noeuvre . . . �a 5 -b6xd4 (b2) puts Black further behind in development and of ten for the price of a single pawn White gets a powerful attack . Here are two warning sample games, which should however not create the impression that these pawns can never be taken 1 In the first game Black takes on b2 , and in the second he gobbles up d4.
Chapter
2. 1 1 7 Joel Benj amin Joshua Waitzkin New York 1 99 8
1 .e4 d S 2.exdS 'iVxdS 3 .tt:lc3 �as 4.d4 c6 S .tt:lf3 �fS 6 .�c4 tt:lf6 7.�d 2 e6 8.tt:le4 !? �b6!?
2:
T h e s t a n d a rd c e n t r e
We are not s o keen o n this liquidation. 1 1 . . . �xf3 ! ? , on the other hand, is still interesting here : 1 2 . �xf3 ( 1 2 . gxf3 tt:l bd 7 +=t ; 1 2 . . . a4 1 3 . �xa4 'iY x b 2 1 4 . l:r b 1 'iY a 3 I S .l: h b 7 oo ) 1 2 . . . a4 1 3 . �c4 �xb 2 1 4 .We2 fg . 1 2 .�xa4 'iYxb2 1 3 . l:r b 1
While Black does not win a pawn , he is still facing an unpleasant initiative. 1 3 ... 'iYa3
Perhaps the best move would still be 1 3 . . . �xf3 1 4 Jh b 2 ( 1 4 . gxf3 ! ?) 1 4 . . . �xd 1 1 5 . �xd 1 b S ;l;: with an endgame advantage to White. 1 3 . . . 'iY xa 2? on the other hand is very bad : 1 4 . l:r a 1 'ti'xa 1 ( 1 4 . . . 'iY b 2 ? 1 5 . �xc6 + + - ) 1 S . 'ii' x a 1 b S 1 6 . tt:l e 5 ± . Joshua Waitzkin has a predilection for this move in the Scandinavian. After l .e4 dS 2 . exd5 'ti'xdS 3 . tt:lc3 'ti'aS 4 . d4 c6 S .�c4 tt:lf6 6 .�d2 in a game against Karsten in the Bermuda tournament he also played 6 . . . 'iYb6 . 8 . . . 'ti'c 7 i s the main line.
Of course, play against the pawn struc ture is possible: 9 . tt:lxf6 + gxf6 I O .�b3 as for example in Stabolewski-K. Muller, Hamburg 1 9 9 7 (Igor Glek likes to play the pawn sacrifice I 0 . 0 - 0 ! ?) . 9 ... �g4 1 o.�b3 a s
I 0 . . �xf3 ! ? is in our opinion the logi cal reason behind the move 8 . . . �b6 . But the position after 1 1 .'ifxf3 'i¥xd4 1 2 . 0 - 0 - 0 tt:lbd7 would not be to every one 's taste. White has a large lead in development and compensation for the pawn. .
1 1 .c3 a4?!
1 4.�b3 �d6 1 S . h 3
1 S ... �xg 3 ?
This is a really serious error. White ob tains the bishop pair, a semi-open h-file and the possibility of g 3 -g4-g 5 - g 6 . All in all : a dangerous attack on the king. 1 S . . . �xf3 1 6 . 'iYxf3 tt:lbd 7 1 7 . 0 - 0 ;!;: is not quite what you might call worth aiming for, but at least it is playable. 1 6 .hxg4! �c7 1 7.gS ttJdS
1 7 . . . tt:le4 1 8 . g 6 fxg 6 ( 1 8 . . .lt:lxd2 ? 1 9 .gxf7 +- ) 1 9 .'iYe2 tt:lxd2 2 0 .tt:lxd2 ± . 1 93
T h e Mod ern Sca n d i n a v i a n
1 8. g 6 !
Depriving e6 of its roots. 1 8 ...fxg 6 1 9/i:Jg5 'i¥e7 20.'i!Ve2?!
Computers are computers , and so here we recommend 2 0 . tt:l xh 7 1 W d 8 2 ! . l:.h 3 ± . 20 ... '1¥t d 7
2 0 . . . tt:lxc3 1 ? 2 1 . �xc3 'iVxg S 2 2 .�xe 6 Wd8 2 3 . Wfl --+ . 21 .Wf1 h 6 2 2 J:t e 1 .l:le8 2 3 .�xd 5 1
The obvious 2 3 . tt:l e4 is not good on ac count of 2 3 . . . tt:la6 .
2 6 . . . .l:lh8 ! ? is a straightforward trap, which does not change much : 2 7 .'i¥g4! ( 2 7 .�xe 6 + ? ? 'iVxe6 2 8 .l:he 6 ? l::. h ! #) and White clearly keeps the upper hand: 2 7 . . . .2.f4 ( 2 7 . . . .l:lfS 2 8 . .2.xe 6+ Wd8 2 9 . �xf5 .l:.h l + 3 0 .'1¥te2 gxfS 3 1 . 'i¥ f3 g4 3 2 . .l:. e 8 + '1¥t x e 8 3 3 .'iYe3 + +- ) 2 8 Jhe6 l::[ h J + 2 9 .'1¥te2 .l:.xe I + 3 0 .�xe I 'iVfS 3 1 .'iVxf5 gxfS 3 2 . .l:. g 6 +- . 27.c4 ! .l:lh8 28.'i¥g4+ 'i¥f5
2 8 . . . Wd8 ? 29 . .l:lf3 .l:lh l + 3 0 .We2 .l:lh4 3 J . .l:lxf6 .l:lxg4 3 2 . rlf8 + +- . 29.'�' xf5+ gxf5 3 0.�xa5 �xa5 31 . .l:l d 1
23 ... hxg5D
23 . . . cxd5 ? 24.'ti'b 5 + tt:lc6 25 . .l:lxe6+- . 24 . .tb3±
3 1 ...e4? !
A more stubborn try was 3 I . . . .l:lh I + 3 2 .We2 .l:lxd l 3 3 . Wxd l exd4 3 4 . .l:le5 �d8 3 5 . l:txf5 .2.f6 ± . Strictly speaking, Black has an extra pawn, but it is not hard to evaluate the position correctly. All of White 's pieces are actively posted and Black's pawn structure will make you sigh or smile. 24 .. .'�f6 25 . .l:l h 3
The pressure on e 6 is cranked up to its maximum. 25 ... .l:la5 26 . .l:le3 e5
1 94
3 2 .f3 exf3 34.:!.h3+-
33 . .l:lxf3
g6
The rest is just a question of technique for Joel Benjamin: 34. . . .l:l h 5 35.'0t>e2 .2.b6 36 .c5 �d8 3 7.�f7 .l:lxh3 38.gxh3 �f6 39. '>td3 tt:la6 40.i.xg6 f4 41 . .2.f5+ '1¥tc7 42.'1¥tc4 '1¥tb8 43.d5 tt:lc7 44.dxc6 bxc6 45 .�e4 1 -0
Chapter
2. 1 1 8 Jan Thnman Loek van Wely Breda m 1 99 8
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'i¥xd5 3 .tt:lc3
'tWaS 4.tt:lf3 tt:lf6 5.d4 �f5 6.�d 2 e6 7.tt:le5 'ifb6 8.'iff3
After 8 .'ife2 ? ! Black takes neither pawn but plays the strong 8 . . . tt:lc6 ! , swapping off the pride of White 's position and advancing his own development , 9 . tt:lxc6 'iYxc6 I O . 'iYb S 0 - 0 - 0 l l .'iVxc6 bxc6 1 2 .�a6 + Wb8 + . Santo Roman Prie, Clichy 1 9 9 3 . 8 ... 'iVxd4?
2:
The s t a n d a rd cen t r e
Obviously Van Wely overlooked o r un derestimated this check, or else he would certainly have played 8 . . . c 6 . 9 . 0 - 0 - 0 is actually the standard reply when Black plays 'ifxd4. And it would also be possible here, even though the knight is left hanging : 9 . . .'ihe S ? I O . 'iVxb 7 . However, Black has stronger possibili ties on move 9 , and the game continua tion 9 .�bS + is very convincing. 9 ... tt:l b d 7
An admission. Black returns the pawn (only one move after winning it ! ) with a clear disadvantage . In any case, the al ternatives are in no way pleasant: A) 9 . . . W e 7 I 0 . 0 - 0 - 0 c6 ( I O . . . 'iYxe S ? l l .'iVxb 7 +- ) l l .�f4 t . B) 9 . . . c6 I O . tt:lxc 6 ! tt:lxc6 l l.. �xc6 + tt:l d 7 ( l l . . . '>t> e 7 1 2 .�e 3 -+) 1 2 .�e3 'iVb4 1 3 .�xd 7 + '>t>xd 7 1 4. 0 - 0 - 0 + -+ . 1 0.tt:lxd 7 tt:lxd 7 1 2.0-0-0± 'iYb6
1 1 .'it'xb7
l:ld8
1 2 . . .'ii' xf2 ? 1 3 . �xd 7 + l:lxd7 1 4 .'ii' c 8 + l:ld8 I S .'iVxd8 + ! '>t>xd8 1 6 .�e 3 + +- . Black can also choose for two other pawns. But in fact none of the three seems particularly appetizing : 8 . . . 'tWxb2 ? ? j ust does not work : 9 J:tb I 'tlfxc2 I O . 'i'xb7 +- . The consequences of 8 . . . �xc2 ? ! are a bit more complicated : 9 .l:lc I �g6 (9 . . . �xd4 ? I O . �b S + We7 l l .'iVxb7 'i'xe S + 1 2 .�e2+- ; 9 . . . �fS I O . tt:lc4 'ii' c 6 l l . tt:l d 6 + ! ± ) I O . tt:lxg 6 hxg 6 l l . tt:l a4 'iYxd4 1 2 . 'iY x b 7 'iYe4+ I 3 . 'if xe4 tt:lxe4 1 4 . l:lxc 7 tt:lxd 2 I S . Wxd 2 t and White retains the initia tive, even without the queens. The safe 8 . . . c6 was appropriate. 9. � b5+!
1 3 .�xb6 cxb6 1 4.�f4+-
Now the threat is the deadly I S .�c7 , winning the exchange. There is no sat isfactory defence. 1 4 ... �c5
1 95
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
Nor does 1 4 . . . a 6 I S . .2.c6 solve Black 's problems. 1 5 . .2.c7 c:J5le7 1 6 .�xd8+ 1 7.f3
l:lxd8
Timman won comfortably with his extra exchange : H... h 5 1 8.llhe1 tLlf6 1 9Jlxd8 c:J5lxd8 20.�d 3 g 6 21 .a3 We7 2 2 .£xf5 gxf5 2 3 . c:J5l d 2 h4 24.CiJb5 a6 2 5 . b4 £xb4+ 26 .axb4 axb5 27.l:!.a1 t2Jd5 28.c3 f4 29.:tla8 tLie3 30.c:J5ld3 f5 31 ..ll b8 h3 3 2 .gxh3 tbc4 33.h4 wf7 34.h5 rJl g 7 35.J:le8 Wf7 36 . .ll c 8 CL;e5+ 3 7.'it>e2 Wg 7 38.:tle8 'it>f7 39.l:i.b8 t2Jc4 40J:tb 7 + c:J;; f 6 41 . h 6
Black resigned. Other thematic queen moves available to Black to look out for are . . . 'Wic7 , . . . 'Wid8 , . . . 'WtbS and . . . 'Wia 6 . . . . 'Wic7 and . . . 'Wid8 are often seen as re actions to direct attacks on the queen. They are in competition in the line l . e4 dS 2 . exd5 'Wixd S 3 . tLlc3 'WtaS 4 . d4 c6 S . tLlf3 ttJf6 6 . ii.d2 �fs 7 . ii.c4 e6 8 .t2J e4 ! ? , where 8 . . . 'Wic7 is preferable to 8 . . . 'Wid8 ? 1 • For the strategic motif . . . 'tWb S , see the game Bologan-Wahls (see comments to Game 2 . 5 3 ) .
2 . 8 .2.4 . . .'tWa6 We already know this move from Timman-Beliavsky (Game 2 . 2 1 ) . There it helped Black to transpose to a pleas ant endgame. In the following example it occurs in the middlegame and puts White 's pawn weaknesses under pressure : 1 96
2. 1 1 9 Andrew Karklins Patrick Wolff North Bay I 996
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 'Wtxd5 3 .tt:Jc3 'Wia5 4.d4 c6 5 .£f4 t2Jf6 6 .'Wid2 .�f5 7.tbf3 tt:l b d 7 ! ? 8.£d 3 �xd 3 9.'Wixd 3 t2J d 5 1 0.�g3 e6 1 1 .0-0 <1Jxc3 1 2 .bxc3
White 's pawn structure has its pros and cons. On the one hand there is dynamic potential (a semi -open file, a chance to mobilize his pawns) , on the other the danger that the pawns will be blocked and later turn into a weakness. In any case, there is an imbalance and therefore winning potential , which was exactly what the stronger player wanted when transforming the position ' 1 2 ... .Jii. e 7 1 3 .llfb 1 b6 1 4.c4 0-0 1 5 .a4 .tifd8 1 6 .�f4 £f6 1 7.c3?!
1 7 .£c7 l:ldc8 1 8 . £d6 = is stronger, with complicated play. H... e5+ 1 8 . ..0.d 2 �e8 1 9.'Wif5 .tlad8 20Jle1 g 6 21 .'Wic2
2 1 . 'Wie4 bre6 2 2 .'Wig4 :tlde8 2 3 . C.G g 5 �xg S 24 . �xg 5 � a 6 is also slightly better for Black. 21 .. .'iWa6 !
Chapter
The thematic move. The weakness of the c4 pawn is now clearly highlighted . 22.1!ib3
2 . 8 . 2 . 5 .. :iY£6
2 2 .'tWd3 exd4 2 3 . l::t. x e8 + llxe8 2 4 . cxd4
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 'tWxd5 3 .t2Jc3 1!Va5 4.d4 t2Jf6 5 .t2Jf3 c6 6 .jLc4 �f5 7.�d 2 e6 8.t2Jd 5 'tWd8 9.t2Jxf6+ 'tWxf6 1 0. 'tW e 2 ! ?
Now the most logical would be 22 ... exd4 23 .cxd4 c5+
2.9
The s t a n d a rd c e n t r e
Sometimes the black queen lands on f6 . In this connection the most relevant line from the point of view of theory is
�cs + .
After the exchange of Black's c-pawn for White 's d-pawn, Black remains with the better pawn structure and a slight advantage.
2:
The queen can have some problems on f6 and Black must go about things extremely carefully. See the game Marciano-Prie (Game 2. 8 ) .
The dark-squared bishop
The following squares are typical ones for the development of Black 's dark-squared bishop : A) . . . �e 7 . B) . . . �d6 ; often a more active choice than �e 7 , if White has been (too) peaceful in the opening, see e . g. Stadler-Lund (Game 2 . 9 8 ) . C) . . �b4 ; this is the standard development in the Scandinavian main lines. D) the orderly retreat . . . 1!Va5-c7 , . . . �b4-d6 . From time to time this sequence avoids Black having to exchange his dark-squared bishop, see Istratescu-Wahls (Game 2 . 7 9 ) . .
The standard centre with c4
The move c2 -c4 is generally double-edged. White seizes more space, but on the other hand the d4 pawn is no longer protected by a colleague and so tends to be weak. In Hector-Westerinen the first circumstance weighed more heavily, in Georg-Wahls (Game 2 . 1 2 1 ) the second. 1 97
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
2. 1 20 Jonny Hector Heikki Westerinen Reykj avik 1 9 9 7
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'ti'xdS 3 .tt::l c 3 'ii' a s 4.d4 ttJfG s .gc4 gfs s .gd 2 c6 7.'ii'f 3 !?
7... gg4
Black is already far behind in develop ment , so there is certainly an element of danger in grabbing the c2 pawn . Yet , in Modernes Skandinavisch I , Matthias considers 7 . . _ gx c 2 not merely very playable , but even the only way to seriously question the Hector Variation . He also bases this claim on variations ; here we simply give you the continuation of the stem game : 8 . l:!.c I g g 6 9 . d 5 'iY d 8 I O . tt::l h 3 tt::l bd7 l i . tt::l f4� Hector-J. O. Fries Nielsen , Hamburg I 9 9 5 . 8.'�f4 'iYfS
Here its is well worth quoting from Modernes Skandinavisch I : 'The rapidly growing popularity of the Scandinavian has meant that many play ers with white are on the lookout for new ways to meet it. The result of this is quite surprising. Some of these new lines are so dangerous or well-founded that one can only wonder why they have been discovered so late. One prime example is the variation 7 .'iVf3 . It is only two years old and has according to my database a success rate of 4 / 4 . [ . . . ] I find interesting its rela tionship to the neighbouring variation 7 .�e2 . Both lines start with queen moves and in addition are the offspring of the 9 0s. Being as they are, rapid, con crete and dynamic , they are an impres sive representation of the spirit in which chess is played in our time.' Since then the Hector Variation has passed some more practical tests. But even if its score is no longer perfect , it is still impressive. 1 98
Played in an effort to draw, as it were, the most dangerous tooth of White 's initiative by exchanging queens. 9.'ti'e31
Jonny Hector is again beautifully pre pared! The Swede is known for the depth of calculation behind his original and mainly dangerous opening sys tems. The c2 pawn can no longer be taken and White is threatening f2 -f3 , winning a piece. Here Matthias analysed only 9 . tt::l g e2 and 9 . 'iYg 3 . 9 .'iYc7 is met by 9 . . . 'iYd 7 .
9 ... b5
Chapter
A) 9 . . . �xc2 ? I 0 . .2.d3 �xb2 I I J�b I 'l!Va3 1 2 .ti:l b 5 +- . B) After 9 . . . 'ii' g 6 another plus point of 9 .�e3 becomes obvious : the devel opment I 0 . <1J h 3 ! ? is possibl e : 1 0 . . . .2.xh3 ( 1 0 . . . <1Jbd7 I I . <1J f4 �xc2 1 2 .f3 �hS 1 3 . <1Jd3 �g6 1 4 . .l::!. c l .2.xd3 I S . lhc2 .2.xc 2 ± ) l l . �xh 3 ;!; . C ) 9 . . . .2.hS I 0 . f3 .2. g 6 I I . �b3 e 6 1 2 . g4 �a5 1 3 .h4 h6 1 4 .<1Jge2 f . 1 0 . .2.b3 b4 1 1 .<1Jce2 .2.xe2
Before Black gets problems with his Scandinavian bishop, he prefers to ex change it. However, it is already clear that some thing must have gone wrong for him . White has the bishop pair and because of . . . b5 -b4 good chances to open the position . I I . . .<1Jds 1 2 .�g3 <1Jd7 1 3 . 0 - 0 - 0 e6 I 4 . f3 .2.hs 1 s .�fl t . 1 2 .<1Jxe2t/± e 6 1 3 .<1Jg3 �b5 1 4.c4 !
2:
T h e s t a n d a rd c en t re
Hector has completed his development and now regroups his forces for an at tack on the king. 1 7.... 0-0 1 8.llb1 �d7 1 9.�c3 a5 20 . .2.a4 Wic7 21 .�f3 J::r a 7 22JUd 1 :ticS 23 .<1Jf1 <1Jbd7 24.<1Je3 <1Jb6 25 ..2.c2 <1J b d 7 26.g4!
This winkles out the strongest black de fensive piece, the knight on f6 . 26 .... <1Jf8 27.g 5 <1J 6 d 7 28.h4 <1J g 6 29.<1Jg 2
Black's position is difficult , but in no way hopeless. Yet , Westerinen now col lapses under the pressure : 29 .... c5? 30.d 5 ! e5?!
Better is 30 . . . <1Jde5 3 2 . cxd5 .2.d6 ± .
3 1 . � e 2 exd S
31 .h5 <1Jf4 ? !
3 1 . . . <1Jgf8 3 2 . �g4± / +- .
32.<1Jxf4 exf4 3 3 .�d3+-
Our theme. Here the conditions are very good for c2 -c4. White has the bishop pair, a lead in development and good prospects for a successful attack on the king. 14 .... bxc3 1 5 .bxc3 �b7 1 7.0-0
.2.e7
1 6 .c4
The double threat of 3 4 . 'ii' x h 7 + and 3 4 . d 6 is decisive. 33 .... <1Jf8 34.d6 Wid7 35 .Wif5 ! ?
3 S . dxe 7 Wi g 4 + 3 6 . �h 2 Wih4+ 3 7 .�h3 �xf2 + 3 8 . 'lt>h l J:lxe 7 should also win , but was probably not clear enough for Hector. 1 99
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
3 5 .... iLd8 36.�xf4 't1Vh3?! 3 7.ii.f5 �xc3 38.ii.xc8 f6 39.g6 hxg6 40.hxg6 Jda8 41 .ii.f5
Black resigned . 2. 1 2 1 Heinz Georg Matthias Wahls Neue hate! 199 3
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 �xd5 3 .4Jc3 'iVa5 4.d4 c6 5 .t2lf3 t2lf6 6 . h 3 �f5 7.ii.d3 t2l b d 7 8 . 0 - 0 e6 9.�f4 £.e7 1 0J:te1 ii.xd 3 1 1 .�xd3 0-0 1 2 .tt'le4 I:rad8 1 3 .<1Jxf6+ ii.xf6 1 4.'t1Vb3 tt:: b6 1 5 .�c7 ? !
1 8 .a3 ! ? Ufd8 (not ! 8 . . . gxd4 ? ? 1 9 . c4 l:!.dd8 2 0 Jhd4 1lxd4 2 l . .t!. e 5 +- ) 1 9 .c3 b S + i s somewhat better for Black, but no more than that . 1 8 .. Jid 7 1 9.I:re3 I:rfd8 20Jled3 g6 21 .a3?
This loses the d4 pawn. Better is 2 1 . g3 bS 2 2 . cxb5 cxb S + ! + intending . . . lld S , . . . U 8 d 6 , . . . 't/Vd8 . 21 ... �xd4!+
The exchange White is aiming for un necessarily gifts Black the somewhat stronger minor piece. A better move is 1 S . c3 = . 1 5 ... 1:!. d 7 1 6 .ii.xb6 axb6 1 7Jlad 1 �d5!?
2 2.�c2
2 2. . �xd4 l:!.xd4 2 3 . l:!.xd4 l:!.xd4 2 4 . t2lxd4 't�Ve l + 2 S . '>t>h2 �eS + + ; 2 2 . tLl xd4 .Hxd4 2 3 . .t!.xd4 l't x d 4 2 4 . 1hd4 � e I + comes t o the same thing. 22 ... �f5 23 .t2lxd4 .t!.xd4 24Jbd4 .t!.xd4 25 .�e2 c5
Black has a clear extra pawn and an ac tive position . Matthias converts his ad vantage with reliable technique : Psychology. This move hints at . . . llbS to provoke a loosening of the white posi tion. 1 8.c4?
And he bites! The d4 pawn must now do without the support of another pawn, and in fact it falls only a few moves later. 200
2 6 . b4 �f4 27. g 3 't/;Vf5 28.wg 2 h5 2 9 . ll d 2 e5 30. bxc5 bxc5 3 1 J :t b 2 �e6 3 2 Jh b 7 l::r x c4 3 3 . l:!. b8+ '>t> h 7 34.� d 2 l::r d 4 35.�g5?
3 5 .�c3 c4 3 6 . �f3 h4-+ . 35 ... �d5+ 3 6 . '>t> h 2 l:!. d 1
0-1
C h a pt e r
2:
T h e st a n d a r d c e n t r e
The standard centre with c 3
White often moves his knight from c 3 to support the d4 pawn with c2-c3 . This re sults in the standard centre with c3 . There are two thematic levers used against this , . . . c6-cS and . . . e6-eS . In the next game Black uses these with power and effectiveness. 2. 1 22 Janos Rigo Antoaneta Stefanova Bo1zano 1999
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 �xd5 3 .tt..l c 3 '{WaS 4.d4 c6 5 .tt..l f 3 �f5 6.�c4 e6 7.tt..l e 5 tt..l f 6 8.g4 �g6 9.�d 2 tZJ b d 7 1 0.CL.Jxg6
The awkward I O . tLldS �d8 1 1 .tLlf4 ? ! was played i n H . P Bennett-Spain , Ham ilton ch-NLZ 1 9 9 8 and could be pun ished with I I . . . tt..l x e S 1 2 . dxe S �d4 1 + . The main move I O .�e2 i s best met by : A) 1 O . . . �b4 1 1 . 0 - 0 - 0 ( 1 1 . f4 0 - 0 - 0 see Smiri n - Ricardi (Game 1 . 1 2 ) ; 1 I .t2:Jxd7 tt:lxd7 1 2 . 0 - 0 - 0 0 - 0 - 0 1 3 . a3 .� xc 3 1 4 . �xc3 � c 7 1 S . h4 h S = , Barfoed-}. 0. Fries Nielsen , corr. 1 9 94) 1 1 . . . tl:JxeS 1 2 . dxe S tLldS = , Bauer-Teske , Germany Bundesliga 1 9 9 6 / 9 7 ; B ) 1 O . . . tt..l xe S 7 ! i s dangerous : 1 l . dxe S <1Jd7 1 2 . f4 1 1 2 . . . jlxc 2 ( 1 2 . . .jlb4 7 ! 1 3 . a3 0 - 0 - 0 1 4 . 0 - 0 - 0 �xc 3 I S .�xc3 '{Wc7 1 6 . Udfl ±, German-R. Garcia (Game I . S ) ) 1 3 . .l:.c 1 �g6 1 4. fS �xeS
I S . fx g 6 hxg 6 1 6 . �xe S tt..l xe S 1 7 . �e 2 :t / ± , Blasberg -Fester, corr. 1 996. 1 0 ... hxg6
White has the bishop pair, but Black has the far sounder pawn structure. 1 1 .g 5
l l .�e2 �b4 1 2 . 0 - 0 - 0 tLldS = . 1 1 ...tt..l h5 1 2.tt..l e4 �b6 1 3 .c3 �e7 1 4.a4 a6 1 5 .a5 �c7
I S . . . �xb 2 7 7 1 6 . .l::t. a 2 +- . 1 6 .b4
1 6 .�f3 cS !
1 7 .�e2 cxd4
1 8 . cxd4
tLl b 8 ! 7 is good for Black. 1 6 ... tt..l f4 1 7.�f3 l:i:h4!
Instead of moving the knight which is attacked, Stefanova uses tactical means to set up pressure down the h-file. 1 8.�g 3 0-0-0 1 9.0-0-0
1 9 . �xh4 ? 7 tt..l g 2 + - + . 20 1
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
1 9 .. J:tdh8
Even if not yet better, Black's position is certainly more pleasant to play. 20.'itc2? ! tt:J d 5 21 .'tlff3 22 .gxf6 gxf6 23.l:rde1
f5
2 3 . l:rdg l e S 2 4 . l:rxg6 exd4 2 5 .cxd4 �xb4+ . 2 3 ... e51
With this thematic lever, Black makes it perfectly clear that White 's weakened position is now ' ripe ' . I t will not b e long before the harvest can be reaped: 24.tt:Jg3?!
A) 24.'ifg3 fS 2 5 . tt::l c 5 l:rg4 2 6 .'ifd3 e4 2 7 .'ife2 tt::l x cS 2 8 .bxc5 l:.xh 2 + . B) 2 4. dxe 5 ? tt::l x eS 2 S .'ife2 tt::l x c4 2 6 .'ifxc4 fS -+ . 24 ... �d6 25.�xd5 cxd5 26.'ifxd5 l:rxd4 27.'ife6 �xb4-+ 28.l:re4 l:rd6 29.'iYf7 �c5 30.'ifxg6 f5 31 .'ifxf5 l:rf8 32.'ii' g 4 'tlfxa5 33.l:ra4 'iYb5 34.l:rc4 'itb8 35.l:rb1 l:rxd 2+ 36.'itc1 �a3+ 37.'itxd 2 'ifxb1
White resigned.
The standard centre with f4
II II II II •• •• 1 ll .t. ll .t ll II • • • • II II • • • • � �· -� � • • • • With the standard centre and f2 -f4 one question is of decisive importance : Can White play f4-f5 in favourable circumstances , or does Black manage to prevent it? If White manages f4-f5 in a favourable form , then things can very quickly become dicey. The e- and f-files open up and the dark-squared bishop can inter vene actively. But even then , with good defence the opening duel is still far from forcibly lost for Black. 202
Chapter
2:
T h e s t a n d a rd c en t re
Black does have good chances to win the latter if he manages to prevent the ad vance. Then f2 -f4 often turns out to be a serious positional mistake. Important squares in White 's camp are weakened , and the dark-squared bishop is threatened with a miserable existence, hemmed in by its own pawns.
2. 1 0
White gets in f4-f5
The next three examples show how dangerous it can be if White gets in f4-f5 .
2 . 1 0. 1 f4-fS as a decisive pawn sacrifice 2. 1 23 Rafael Leitao Jorge Gomez Baillo Sao Paulo 2 0 0 2
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 't!Wxd5 3 .tZJc3 'tWaS 4.�c4 tbf6 5 .d4 c6 6 .t2:le2 �f5 7.0-0 e6 8.t2:l g 3 �g6 9.f4
1 0.�e2 b5
Alternatives : A) I O . . . h5 7 l l .f5 ' exf5 1 2 .�g 5 ± . Rudolf-Hoffmann, Bad Wildlll gen 1 99 1 ; B) I O . . . 'iVd8 l l . f5 �xf5 1 2 . t2:lxf5 exf5 ! 3 ..lhf5 as played in Kristol Morozova (Game 2 . 1 2 5 ) ; C) The attempt to plug the f5 -square with I O . . . �f5 ? can run into the prom ising counter l ! . 't!We5 ' 7 . 1 1 .�b3 b4 1 2 .t2:la4 h 5 ?
White threatens to develop a dangerous initiative with f4- f5 and Black can very easily go wrong. In this game a very reasonable player cannot reach move twenty with the black pieces'
Unfortunately, a pawn is not allowed to move three squares, otherwise it would have been a good choice here. After 1 3 . . . h4 Black would be in great shape, but of course next comes 1 3 . f5 1 . Therefore 1 2 . . . Cilh 5 or 1 2 . . . 't!Wb5 must be tried. 1 3 .15 ! exf5 1 4.�.g5±
9 .. �e7 .
A) 9 . . . �d6 7 1 I O . f5 exf5 l ! .'t!We 2 + ! -+ ; B) 9 . . . t2:lbd7 7 1 I O . f5 exf5 I ! .'t!We2 + :!i.e ? 1 2 . �f4 t2:le4 1 3 . t2:l gxe4 fxe4 1 4 .t2:lxe4 0-0 (Csorba-Tasnadi , Hun gary tt- 2 1 9 9 5 / 9 6) 1 5 . t2:ld6 f ; C ) 9 . . . �b4 I O.f5 exf5 l l .�e2+ 'it>f8 . Shabalov-Westerinen (notes in Game 2 . 9) . 203
The Modern Scan d i na v i a n
1 4 .. .'�Yb5?!
This loses at once, but the better 1 4 . . . 'li'd8 I S . �xf6 gxf6 1 6 .c3 is horri ble for Black.
1 5 .�c4 ! 'li'xa4 1 6 .�xf6 g xf6 1 7J;Iae1 0-0 1 8.'li'xe7 'li'xc2 1 9.'li'xf6 1 -0
If 1 9 . . . 'ifxc4 2 0 .tbxf5 .2.xf5 2 1 JhfS + - .
2 . 1 0.2 A pin on the e6 pawn allows f4-f5 2. 1 24
1 6 .f5 !
Lars Degerman Kurt Setterqvist Helsingborg ch-SWE 1 99 1
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 'MVxd5 3 .t.2Jc3 'MVa5 4.d4 c6 5 .tLlf3 t.2Jf6 6 .ti.Je5 �f5 7.�d 3 �xd 3 8.'li'xd3 tLl b d 7 9.f4 ! ?
This attempt to maintain the knight on e S outpost is double-edged in nature. On the one hand , Black can hardly fa vourably get rid of it straight away be cause of the reply fxe S . On the other, the pawn move immedi ately weakens a series of squares and hems in White 's own bishop. 9 ... e6 1 0.0-0 J:t.d8!
A sensible move, setting up the threat l l . . . tLJxeS 1 2 . fxe 5 .l:!.xd4 .
I 2 . fS ? doesn 't work in view of 1 2 . . . t.2Jcs + . 1 2 ... g 6 !
This prevents White 's main idea ; the latter now risks being left with the weaknesses he created with 9 . f4 . 1 4.'li'xe4
.£e7
Black has played well so far, but this is a mistake. White now gets in f4-f5 with a dangerous attack. I S . . . tLlf6 was critical . 2 04
1 6 . . . t.2J f6 1 7 . 'MVh4 b S ( 1 7 . . . gxfS J 1 8 . 'li'g 5 + �h8 1 9 . d 5 +- ; 1 7 . . . exfS J 1 9 . l:rxe 7 lhe 7 l:r d e 8 1 8 . 1:t.ae l 2 0 . 'MVxf6+-) 1 8 . fxg6 fxg 6 1 9 . tLleS ± . 1 7. .l:!.xf5
The point. 1 7... exf5 1 8.'MVxe7
1 1 .tLlc4 'MVa6 1 2 .b3
1 3 .t.2Je4 t.2Jxe4 1 5 . .£b2 0-0?
1 6 ... gxf5
For the exchange White gets a massive attack, and in addition his former prob lem child , the dark-squared bishop, has an important part to play in it. The latter has no counterpart left and can be acti vated by d4-d5 . 1 8 .. .'i¥b5 1 9.1:t.f1
1 9 .tLld6 1 ? 'MVdS 20.tLlxb7 ± also looks very powerful: 2 0 . . . 'MVe6 (20 . . Jlde8 2 1 .'MVg5+ \t>h8 2 2 .c4) 2 1 .'li'xe6 fxe6 2 2 .tLlxd8 . 1 9 ... 'li' d 5 ?
Chapter
Black does not find the best defence, whic h , however, is far from obvious for a human being. . . 1 9 . . . h 6 1 protects the g S -square and is significantly tougher. Then something like the tactical line 2 0 . t'L'J d6 �ds 2 1 Jhfs �e6 2 2 . Ihf7 '1Wxe 7 2 3 Jhe 7 tiJb6 2 4 . t2:lxb 7 �de 8 ± would b e possible and this endgame looks like a demanding technical task. 20.�g 5+ '>t>h8 21 Jbf5 f6 2 2 .I;Ixd 5 fxg5 2 3 Jbg5 l2Jf6 24.t2Je5+-
2:
T h e sta n d a rd c en t re
Creating the direct threat of 2 5 .�a3 , winning. Ideas like d4-d5 still remain. 24 ...c5 25.d5 h6
25 .. Jhd5 2 6 . t2:lf7 + l'J.xf7 27 . .!:f.xd 5 + - . 26.t2Jg6+ 28.t2Jxf8 3 0 . .2.c 1
Wg8 t2Je3
27JH5 t2Jxd5 29JH3 t2J d 1
3 0 .�g 7 ! ? . 31 . .!:t.xf8+ 3 0 .. Jbf8 3 2 .�xh 6 + �f7 3 3 .�d2
'lt>xf8 1 -0
2. 1 0 . 3 Black king in the middle 2. 1 25 Luba Kristol Tatiana Morozova
Grozny 1 969 1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 �xd5 3.t2Jc3 �as 4.d4 t2Jf6 5 .�c4 c6 6.t2Je2 .2.f5 7.0-0 e6 8.t2Jg 3 �96 9.'�e2 .2.e7 1 0.f4 �d8!?
In no way a bad move. Black protects :li.e 7 . which enables kingside castling after the opening of the e-file. 1 1 .f5 exf5 1 2 .t2Jxf5 For 1 2 . �e3 0 - 0 1 3 . <1::l xf5 see Han mann-Schulz (Game 2 . 9 ) .
1 2 ... �xf5 1 3 Jbf5
1 3 ... �xd4+?
But Black cannot afford this. Now the king remains in the middle and White gets a dangerous, if not decisive, attack. The modest 1 3 . . . 0-0 1 4 .�e3 t2Jbd 7 1 5 . llaf1 ;!; was needed , hut Black had a solid position in Bucker-Schulz , Bad Neuenahr ch-BRD 1 9 8 4 . 1 4.�e3 �d 7 1 5 . .2.c5 wta 1 6 . .tr.d 1 .2.xc5+ 1 7Jbc5 Wic7 1 8.l:!.e5 t2Ja6 1 9 . .!:!.e1
The simple threat is the deadly 20 . .l:!.e7 . A reasonahle defence is impossible to find. 1 9 ... b5
1 9 . . . �b6 + 2 0 . �h 1 t2:lc7 2 1 . l:!. e 7 t2Je6 22 . .l:!.xf7 + ! 'lt>xf7 2 3 . � xe 6 + � g 6 2 4 . .l:!. e 5 �f2 2 5 . �d 3 + �h6 2 6 .�h3 + and White mates. 20 . .l:t. e 7 ! �b6+ 21 . W h 1 bxc4 2 2 .�xc4 t2J d 5 2 3 .t2Jxd5 �b5 24.t2Jf6 1 -0
Checkmate can no longer be avoided : 2 4 . . . �xc4 2 5 . .l:!.e 8 + llxe8 2 6 . llxe 8 # . 205
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
2 . 1 1 Black prevents f4-f5 2 . 1 1 . 1 .. .ttJ g 8 -h6 2. 1 26 Marten Wortel Tim Remmel
Venlo jr 2 0 0 0 1 .e4 d S 2 .exdS 'tWxdS 3 .t2Jc3 'tWaS 4.d4 c6 S.�c4 �fS 6.t2Je2 e6 7.0-0 t-2J d 7 8.t-2Jg 3 �g6 9.f4 ? !
In general this plan is doomed to fail if the king 's knight is held back in re serve . 9 ... t-2J h 6 !
1 0.�d 2 'tWb6 1 1 .'tWe2 0-0-0
l l . . . 'tWxd4+ is possible but not neces sary since Black has a good position. Af ter 1 2 . Wh l tLl b 6 1 3 . �b 3 0 - 0 - 0 1 4. ld.ad I White has some compensa tion for the pawn . 1 2 .a4?
1 2 . 'tWf2 ? tLl g 4 -+ , Rode-Gidel , St Quentin 2 0 0 0 . 1 2 . .2.e3 i s preferable : 1 2 . . . <1Jf6 + with a positional advantage for Black. 1 2 ... 'tWxd4+!
We 'll take it now. 1 3 .�e3
1 3 . Wh ! ? t2Jb6-+ . 1 3 ... 'tWxe3+
This is the point. Black can get the queens off the board . After And that is the very reason. Black does not develop his king 's knight to f6 , but to h 6 , to combat the idea of f4-f5 .
1 4.'tWxe3 £cS 1 S .'tWxcS tt:JxcS -+
Remmel converted his advantage with ease.
2 . 1 1 .2 . .tug8 -e 7 .
2. 1 27 Gerd Putzbach Nils Michaelsen Hamburg
1993
1 .e4 d S 2 .exdS 'tWxdS 3 .t2Jc3 'tWaS 4.d4 c6 S .�c4 �fS 6 .t-2Je2
6 . .2.d2 ! ? . 206
6 ... e6 7.0-0 9.f4?!
tt:Jd7
8.tt:Jg3
.Q,g6
The same theme as in the last game. The f2 -f4 plan fails to the policy of holding back the king 's knight! 9 ... tt:Je7 !
Chapter
2:
T h e s t a n d a rd c e n t r e
1 3 ... tZ:lf5 !
This little tactical finesse is the clearest and quickest way to victory. 1 4.tZ:lxf5 l:le8 1 5 .tZ:ld5 1 6 .tZ:lxc7 l:le2-+
l:lxe6
Black won on move 5 4 .
This time the knight is not developed to h6 but to e 7 . The main intention is the same: f4-fS is prevented. 9 . . .CiJe 7 also allows the advance of the h-pawn ( . . . h 5 -h4) , mostly in conjunction with queenside castling. One disadvantage compared to . . . tLlh6 is that the f8 bishop is temporarily blocked in. 1 0.'ife2 0-0-0 1 2 . .ixe6?
11 . .id2
'ff c 7
A sacrifice born out of despair, which
can only be explained by the lack of prospects in White 's position. The levers f4-fS and d4-dS are pre vented and it is hard to see how White can drum up any activity at all. Yet it would be better to accept the dis advantage and battle on, e . g. 1 2..� e 3 hS 1 3 .tLlge4 tLl fS 1 4 . .id3 tLlb6 I S . tLl g S �h6=F. 1 2 ...fxe6 1 3 .'�xe6
One main disadvantage of the move f2 -f4 for White is that his dark-squared bishop is hemmed in. If things go badly, it remains in its cage till the end : 2. 1 28 Kevin Goater Julian Hodgson Frome 2 0 0 1
1 .e4 d 5 2.exd5 'ifxd5 3 .tZ:lc3 'ifa5 4.d4 tZ:lf6 5.�c4 .ig4 6 .f3 �h5 7. .id2 c6? 1
This slow move is very risky here. Better is 7 . . .'ifb 6 . 8.'ife2
8 . tLlge2 ! 7 is dangerous, e . g. 8 . . . 'iYb6 9 . g4 .ig6 I O . h4 h 6 I I . tLl f4 .ih7 1 2 .'ff e 2 -+ . 8. ..'ti'd8 9 . .ie3 e 6 1 0. tLl h 3 .ig6 1 1 .t2lf4 �d6 1 2 .t2ld3?
This cannot be right, the knight was well placed on f4 ! Here and on the fol lowing moves, White slows down and gives away his chances of an opening advantage. Required was 1 2 . tLlxg 6 ! hxg 6 1 3 . tLle4 tZ:lxe4 1 4. fxe4 with an initiative. 1 2 ... tZ:l b d 7 1 3 .�b3?1
1 3 . 0 - 0 - 0 ? ! b S 1 4.kb3 a S I S . a4 b4t . 1 3 . tLlf4 would probably be best . . . 207
The Mod ern S c a n d i n a v i a n
1 3 ... 'li'c7 1 4.g3 0-0 1 5 .f4? !
2 3 .. J:rab8 24 . .Q,.d 2 .Q.f5 !
The thematic exchange of bishops em phasizes the light -squared weaknesses. 25 . .Q,.d3 'li'c6 26.a3 a5 27.'lt>g2 .!:lfe8 28.<1Je5 'li'b7 29 . .Q,.xf5 exf5 30.'li'd 3 tt:Je4+
Now the i dea behind White 's 1 2 th move becomes clear. He played t2Jd3 to prepare g 2 - g 3 and f3 -f4 and take con trol of the e S - square. Yet this strategic idea turns out to be very dubious. In stead of the control of the position he hoped for, all White will soon have is light-squared weaknesses and a pitiful dark-squared bishop. 1 5 ... <1J d 5 ! 1 6 .<1Jxd5
This exchange simply increases his op ponent's influence on the centre and control of the light squares. 1 6 . .Q,.d2 would be more attractive. 1 6 ... cxd 5 1 7.0-0 t2:lf6 1 8.<1Je5 .Q,.f5 1 9.c3
White can lash out a bit with 1 9 . g 4 ? 1 .Q,.e4 2 0 . .ld.ac l .l::i. a c8 2 l . g 5 , but after 2 1 . . . <1Jd7 2 2 .c4 dxc4 23 . .Q,.xc4 'li'd8+ little would have been achieved and more weaknesses created . 1 9 ... .Q,. h 3 20Jlfe 1 h5 21 . .Q,.c2 g 6 2 2 .Cilf3?
After this Hodgson seizes the initiative on the queenside. Better is 2 2 . a4:f . 2 2 ... b 5 ! 23 . .l::. a c1
2 3 . 'li'xb5 ? .l::. ab8 24.'li'e2 .!:lxb2 25 . .Q.c l �b6 2 6 . .Q.d2 .l:rfb8 + . 208
This monster of a knight gives Black a clear advantage. In contrast, tLleS can be driven off by the principled . . . f7 -f6 or exchanged at a favourable moment. 31 . .tt c 2 'lt>g 7 !
Prepares the decisive breakthrough on the kingside. It is not surprising that with such powerful control of the cen tre Black can seize the initiative on both wings . 32 . .Q,.c1 h4 33J:tce2 .l::!. h 8 34.t2Jf3 hxg3 35.hxg3 .!::. h 5 36.<1Jh4 �bh8 37. .!:lh1 .Q,.e7 38J:tee 1 .Q,.xh4
Last but not least. we reach a situation of good knight against bad bishop. The poor white bishop cannot help in de fence, meaning that the attack is deci sive at once. 39Jbh4 .!:lxh4 40.gxh4 .!:lxh4 41 .'li'f3 .ld.g4+ 42.'lt>f1 'li'c8
White resigned.
Chapter
2:
T h e s t a n d a rd cen t re
2 . 1 1 . 3 The knight outpost eS White often plays f2-f4 to secure a strong outpost for the knight on eS . Generally it is hard for Black to swap it off advantageously, since after . . . tZ:lxe S , fxeS the f-file is opened. In Goater-Hodgson (Game 2 . 1 2 8 ) Black more or less ignored the white knight and set up his own play by exploiting the numerous light-square weaknesses. Another typical method consists of undermining the white centre by the coun ter-thrust . . . c6-c5 : 2. 1 29 Robert Rabiega Ralf Lau Dresden 2 0 0 0
But Black's counterplay is also in good time. 1 9 ... c5l<=t
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 �xd5 3 .tZ:lc3 �as 4.d4 tZ:lf6 5 .�c4 c6 6.�e2 �f5 7.�d 2 �c7 8.0-0-0 b5 9.�d 3 �xd 3 1 0.�xd 3 e6
I O . . tZ:lbd 7 I l . tLlf3 e 6 1 2 . tLl g S Ji.e7 I 3. tZ:lce4 tZ:lxe4 1 4 . tZ:lxe4 (Vifleem skaya-Dultseva , Kolontaevo ch-RUS B 1 9 9 8 ) 1 4 . . . 0 - 0 with an unclear posi tion. .
1 1 .f4 1?
Not a bad choice, since White soon gets in f4-f5 . 1 1 ... �e7 1 2 .tt..l f 3 b4 1 3 .tZ:le4 tZ:lbd7 1 4.tZ:le5 tZ:lxe4 1 5 .�xe4 .Uc8
Ralf Lau reacts appropriately to the ag gressive white idea and plans the coun ter-thrust . . . c6-c5 . 1 6 .g4
1 6 .f5 ! ? would also be worth consider ing. 1 6 ... tZ:lf6 1 7.�d 3 0-0 1 8.f5 exf5 1 9.gxf5
1 9 .�xf5 cS 2 0 . g 5 g6 2 1 .'i¥d3 tZ:ldS with unclear play. White has opened the g - file and already achieved something.
Black 's chances are no worse in this complicated position , but it is hard to understand why the game only lasted two more moves. 20J:tdg 1 ?
An illogical move ; what is the other rook doing on h I now ? Better is 2 0 J:thg 1 cxd4 2 l . .l:i.de I a S oo . 20 ... cxd4 21 .�f4 ? ?
A s s o often , the second mistake is not long in coming ; White loses the game in one move. However, even after the better 2 1 . tLl f3 Black can regroup with 2 l . . . tZ:l d S ! 2 2 . tLlxd4 �f6 + and he has created a clear advantage for himself. 2 1 ... tZ:l h 5 - +
White resigned. 209
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
The standard centre with f3
This central formation often arises after only a few moves in variations with an early �g4. But it can also crop up later in the middlegame. In the next five games we shall take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of this formation.
2 . 1 2 g2-g4
After f2 -f3 White controls g4 and the thrust g 2 -g4 becomes possible. Especially in variations with . . . �g4 the hunt of the Scandinavian bishop can become unpleasant : 2. 1 30 Lubomir Kavalek Bent Larsen Beverwijk 1 9 6 7
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'iVxd 5 3 .tt:lc3 'il\Va5 4.d4 tt:lf6 5.�c4 �g4 6 .f3 �f5 7.tt:le2 tt:l b d 7
This passive play is ill-reputed, although Black' s interpretation is quite convincing. 8.g4 ! �g6 9.h4 h6 1 O.tt:lf4 e51
Black must resort to dynamic counterplay, even at the cost of the be loved Scandinavian bishop. The attack on the wing is met by a classical coun ter-thrust in the centre ! 1 1 .tt:lxg6 fxg6 1 2.�d 2 1 3 .d5 �b4 1 4.'il\Ve2 e4?
0-0-0
Instead of the pawn sacrifice the Dane had to play 1 4 . . . tt:lb6 ! 1 5 .0-0-0 tLlxc4 1 6 .'iYxc4 'il�YcS � , after which the mutual weaknesses balance out more or less. 1 5 .fxe4 tt:Je5 1 6 .0-0-0 tt:lfxg4
1 6 . . . tt:lxc4 1 7 .'ihc4 tt:lxg4 1 8 .a3 �xc3 1 9 . �xc3 'il�Yb6 2 0 .�xg 7 ± (Grefe) . 1 7.a3 l:i hf8 1 8.l:ihf1
Not 1 8 . axb4 ? 'il�Ya l + 1 9 .tt:lb 1 l:if2 . 1 8 ... l:ixf1 1 9.l:ixf1 �xc3 20.�xc3 'ifc5 21 .�d 3 'ii' e 7 2 2 .'iVe1
210
C h a pt e r
2:
T h e sta n d a r d c e n t r e
29Jbc4??
2 9 .�d4+- . 29 .. :iYe7??
In this unusual and difficult position , the bishop pair gives White better chances. All the same, Black is ill-advised to play . . :1Jxd3 I cxd3 , allowing three nice mo bile central pawns for White. 22 ... c6 2 3 .�e2 cxd 5
2 3 . . . t2Je3 2 4 . �b4 cS 2 S .'tWc3 ttJxfl 2 6 .�xc5 'tWc7 27 .�xfl b 6 2 8 . �h3 + Wb8 2 9 .�d4 ± . 24.exd 5 t2Je3?!
'tWc7
26 J;[e4
t2J 5c4
Now things are actually over, White wins decisive material , but . . . 27... Wb8 28.b3?!
2 8 .�d4+- . 28 ... t2Jxd 5
30.'tW h 2 + + - was 3 1 .�b2 r:tes 3 2 .l:td4 t2Je3 33 .l1d 2 t2Jf5 34. W b 1 t2Jxh4 3 5 .' � a 2 g5 36 .�g4 a 6 3 7J:t d 7 'i¥e4 38.'tWc7 t2Jf3 39.�xf3 'tWxf3 40.l:td8+ �xdS 41 .'tWxd8+ 1 -0
2. 1 3 1
2 4 . . . t2J f6 2 S .�c4 J:!.e8 2 6 .�b5 t2led7 was tougher. 25JU4 27.'tWg 1
Has Larsen mentally crossed off this game or was it pure time trouble J Otherwise he would certainly not have missed the not too complicated tactical trick 29 . . . t2Jxc3 3 0 .'i¥e3 ( 3 0 J h c n tLlxe 2 + -+ ) 3 0 . . . t2J xe 2 + 3 1 . 'i¥x e 2 � d 6 + and suddenly Black has the ad vantage and can calmly play for a win '
Hugo Spangenberg Tomas Oral Halle Wch - j r 1 99 5
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 'tW x d 5 3 .t2Jc3 'i¥a5 4.d4 t2Jf6 5 .�d2 �g4 6 .f3 �f5 7.�c4 c6?
This line does not permit such slow play. In the sharp variations with . . . �g4 Black must go to work with extreme precision ' For a more detailed discussion of this position, see the theoretical appendix (section 1 8 . 1 0 , page 3 48 ) . 8.t2Jge2 e6?
Now things go very quickly : 9.g4! �g6 1 0.h4 h 6 1 1 .t2Jf4 � h 7 1 2 .'i¥e2
The deadly g4- g 5 - g 6 is looming, and it is impossible to see what Black can do. 211
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
1 2 .. J�.b4
A) 1 2 . . . �g8 1 3 . 0 - 0 - 0 �c 7 1 4. g S +- ; B) 1 2 . . . �c 7 1 3 . g S hxg S 1 4.hxg S �d3 1 ? . Perhaps a shocked opponent will resign at once . . . or find 1 S Jhh8 �xe 2 1 6 . gxf6 gxf6 1 7 .t2:l cxe 2 +- .
1 3 . g 5 ! hxg5
1 3 . . . tt:JdS 1 4. �xdS cxdS I S . g 6 + - . 1 4.t2Jxe 6 !
Blow after blow ! 1 4 .. .fxe6
1 4 . . . �d 7 J S .CL] c S + �xe S 1 6 .dxcS �xc 2 J 7 .. �e4 �d8 1 8 . Ci:d6+- . 1 5.hxg5 t2Jd5 1 6.g6 �xc3 1 7.bxc3 t2Jd7 1 8.�xe6+ �d8 1 9.�xd5 �xd5 20.W¥xd5 cxd5 21 .gxh 7 +-
The storm has abated, but it has swept away enough black pieces. White won on move 3 6 .
2. 1 3 White uses the e4-square as an outpost
Besides g4, thanks to f2 -f3 White also controls the e4-square. In this set-up White can meet CL.Jxe4 with fxe4, opening the f-file and capturing with a pawn into the centre. The following classic clearly shows why this transformation of the position is not always advantageous: 2. 1 32 Emanuel Schiffers Siegbert Tarrasch
Leipzig ch -GER I 894 1 .e4 d 5
5 ... � g4
S . . tL:c6 1 ? . 6.f3 .li. h 5 7.tt:Je2 c6 8.0-0 e6 9.tt:Je4 tt:J b d 7 1 o.s�J4
What a n honour, D r Siegbert Tarrasch puts his trust in our Scandinavian ! In his day it was above all Joseph Henry Blackburne who frequently took on the mantle for Black. 2 .exd5 W¥xd5 3.tt:Jc3 W¥a5
Blackhurne generally preferred the safer but passive square d8 . 4.d4 tt:Jf6 5.jl,d3?!
In a way it is unfair to criticize players from those days for theoretical inaccura cies. But for objectivity 's sake we will. 212
1 o ... t2Jxe4 !?
C h a p t e r 2 : The s t a n d a rd centre
Black grants his opponent the semi-open f-file, as he sees that he can easily block the white e-pawn with . . . e6-eS . 1 1 .fxe4 �g6 1 2 .c3 e5 1 3 . b4 'W/c7 1 4.�g3 �d6 1 5 .'W/c2 0-0 1 6 .a4?
Better is 1 6 . a 3 tLlf6 1 7 J:f.ae l ttJhs 1 8 .�xe S �xe S 1 9 . dxe S "fixe S 2 0 . tbd4 , hut Black has a sounder position .
2. 1 4
On the other hand , in the game Black could logically continue his blockading strategy with 1 6 ... a5! 1 7.b5 c5
With a clear positional advantage , since the e4 pawn tends to be weak and the desirable 1 8 . d S ?? here fails to 1 8 . . . c4-+ .
White transfers the queen's bishop via e 1
(£2) to g 3
This middlegame motif is a regular guest in the Scandinavian main lines. From c3 the white queen 's bishop often stares at its own d4 pawn and must look for a better square. It is sometimes unfavourably placed on b4, where it can be attacked by . . . a 7 - a S (�a 3 / . . . b 7 -bS -b4 etc. ) . So often all that remains is to transfer it to the h 2 -b8 diagonal . There the bishop can play a very dominant role, especially if Black castles queenside. An example of the motif �e I (f2 ) - g 3 can be found in the game Fleetwood-Taylor (Game 2 . S 8 ) .
2. 1 S
Black plays against the weak h2-square (...�d6, . . .'iYc7)
But now we come to the disadvantages of f2 -f3 . The kingside pawn structure and important dark squares are weakened directly (f2 , e 3 , g 3 ) or indirectly (f4) . This can have unpleasant consequences, particularly ifWhite has castled kingside. A black knight on f4 is usually hard to drive away, as g 2 - g 3 would further weaken the position of the king. At the same time an attack on the weakened h2-square, perhaps with the set-up . . . �d6 and . . . 'W/c7 , can be very powerful .
The standard centre with
. . .
gxf6
• • • • •• •••• •••, , . • • • • • • • • • • • 8 � 8 · fj 8 � • • • • Let 's look at what Matthias has to say about the gxf6-structure in connection with the line l . e4 dS 2 . exdS 'W/xdS 3 . 4Jc3 'W/as 4 . d4 c6 S . �c4 �fS 6 . .2.d2 4Jf6 7 . CLldS . We quote from Modernes Ska n dina visch 1 , page I 2 2 : 213
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
' [ . . . ] There might b e a psychological problem for some players o f the black pieces. From their solid Scandinavian basic mindset, they suddenly see themselves forced to switch over to dynamic play. This is of course not to everyone 's taste. But moan ing about it doesn 't help : at the cost of a few static weaknesses , the dynamic possi bilities of Black 's position (in the shape of the open g-file and greater control of the centre) have been much improved. If Black now chooses not to become active, he is left with the weaknesses and no compensation. [ . . . ] ' In the structure with . . . gxf6 Black must rely on dynamism and activity! The indi vidual methods at his disposal are the theme of the next three games.
2 . 1 6 White castles kingside, Black castles queenside 2 . 1 6 . 1 Attack on the g-file 2. 1 6 . 1 . 1 By tactical means 2. 1 33 Jean Marc Degraeve Joseph Ryan
Cappelle Ia Grande 199 5 1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 �xd5 3 .t2Jc3 �a5 4.d4 c6 5 .�c4 �f5 6 .�d 2 <'Llf6 7.<'Ll d 5 �d8 8.tt:Jxf6+ gxf6 9.c3 !? e6 1 O.<'Lle2 <'Ll d 7 1 1 .<'Llg3 �g6 1 2.�e2
1 7.. J:tdg8 1 8.a4 f5 1 9.�f3 ngs 20JHd 1 ? !
White wants to bring the bishop to f i thus protecting g 2 . However, Black's at tack now develops very quickly. A more stubborn option was 2 0 .Wh I l::. h g8 2 1 . .l:!. g I �h2 2 2 .l:tge I , and the position after 2 2 . . Jh g 2 2 3 . � x g 2 tf. x g 2 2 4 . �xg 2 is difficult to evaluate. ,
20 ... llhg8 21 .Ji.f1 <'Llf6 2 2 .c4
Well worth considering is 1 2 .h4 1 ? h 6 ? 1 ( 1 2 . . .h5 1 ?) 1 3 .h5 �h 7 1 4.�e2 <'Llb6 (Eberz-Schlamp, Bonn 1 9 9 8 ) I S .�b3 ;i; . 1 2 ... �c7 1 3.0-0?! 0-0-0!
Of course. Castling on opposite sides constitutes an imbalance, which suits only Black, who is the one striving for some dynamism . 1 4. b4 h5 1 5 .<'Lle4 �xe4 1 6 .�xe4 �d6 1 7. h 3 ? !
White weakens the position of his king and thus gives his opponent points to attack. To avoid this , the original I 7 . �h4 ! ? deserves some attention , e . g. 1 7 . . . <'Llb6 1 8 . �e2 <'LldS t 9 JHe l l:tdg 8 2 0 . �f3 fS 2 l . b5 <= . 214
2 2 ... <'2Jg4!
There is no other way for Black to make progress, but this knight sacrifice is very powerful . And there is more than the obvious threat of 2 3 . . . <'Llh2 . . . 23 .c5
Chapter
If White takes the knight the opening of the h-file is fatal : 2 3 . hxg4? hxg4 2 4 . 'i¥c3 �h2 + 2 5 . Wh 1 .l:f.h8 2 6 . g 3 �xg 3 + 2 7 . Wg 1 �h2 + 2 8 . W g 2 �f4 2 9 .d5 l:rh2 + 3 0 . Wg 1 g 3 and Black is winning. 23 ... � h 2 + !
This would now be the strongest con tinuation , but Ryan played 23 . . . tLlh2 24.'i¥e3 �e 7 2 5 . 'i¥f4 tLlxfl 2 6 .'i¥xc 7 + Wxc 7 2 7 . �f4 + W d 7 2 8 . Wxf1 h4 (28 .. Jhg 2 ! 2 9 .�g3 l:r8xg3 3 0 . fxg3 l:hg 3 + would be correct) 2 9 . g 3 and the game finished as a draw. After 2 3 . . . �h2 + ! and the forced con tinuation 24.'it> h 1 �g 1 ! 25 .�f4 'tWxf4 26.'i¥xf4 tt:Jxf2+ 27.'i¥xf2 �xf2
Black ends up in an endgame with an extra pawn and good winning chances : .!:!.d8 28.b5 29.bxc6 30.�a 6+ 'Ot> d 7 3 1 J:t a b 1 32J:[b7+ .l:r d 7 +
bxc6 'it>e7
2:
T h e s t a n d a rd c en t re
1 o ... 'i¥c7
Black fights for the advantage and aims for the aggressive set-up 'i¥c 7 , �d 6 . 1 0 . . . 'i¥b4 ! ? . 1 1 .h 3 0-0-0! 1 2 .�g5
1 2 . � e l h 6 1 1 3 .�e 3 g 5 1 4 . 'i¥e 2 ? 1 g4 1 5 .h4 g 3 1 6 . f3 tt::l h 5 + . Bauer-Jancu , Montpellier ch-FRA B 1 9 9 1 . 1 2 ... �d6 gxf6 t
1 3 J:te3
h6
1 4.�xf6
The semi-open g-file drastically in creases Black 's attacking potential . At the same time there is no sign of any counterplay for White. 1 5 .tt::l e2 .trhg8 1 6 .�d 3 !
Halving Black 's bishop pair offers the best chances for successful defence. 1 6 ... �g6 1 7.�xg 6 l::r x g6 1 8.c4 ? !
This gives his opponent more points to attack. It would be better to support the d4 pawn with I 8 . c 3 . 1 8 .. .f5 1 9.'i¥f1 c5!
2. 1 6 . 1 . 2 ... c6-c5 to mobilize the central p awn mass 2 . 1 34 Yu Shaoteng Matthias Wahls
Beij ing 1 993 1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 'i¥xd5 3 .tbc3 'i¥a5 4.d4 c6 5 .�c4 �f5 6 .tt::l f 3
6 . �d2 1 ? . 6 ... tt::l f 6 7.0-0 e6 8 . .l:!.e1 9.tt:Je5? tt:Jxe5 1 O J:txe5
t2J b d 7
I O . dxe5 tt::l g 4! + is already known to us from M.Pribyl-Michaelsen (Game 2 . 1 8) .
After the exchange of c- for d-pawn , Black 's central pawns can be rendered mobile. 20.l:.d3 l::r d g8 21 J:tad 1 a 6
215
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
A prophylactic move. Black wants to take on d4 without allowing tLld4-b5 . The white g -pawn will not run away. 22.a3
An understandable move ; White has his eye on counterplay on the queenside. However this pawn will later become weak. 2 2 . \t>h l is more precise. 2 2 ... cxd4 2 3 .tt:Jxd4 �e5 1 24.b3 i¥c5 25 .tt:Jf3
2 5 .b4? �xc4 26 . .l:!.c l .l:!.xg 2 + -+ . 2 5 ... �c7 26.tt:Jh4
2 6 . a4 U xg 2 + 2 7 . �x g 2 2 8 . \t>xg2 e S 2 9 .Ud5 �e 7 i .
U xg 2 +
2 6 ... U6g7 27.b4 �e7 28.tt:Jf3 e5+
3 0 ...f4 !
would be appropriate. Instead, Matthias played 3 0 . . . e4 ? , allowing White to acti vate his knight. After 3 1 . tLld4 Uxg2+ 3 2 .'i h g 2 Uxg 2 + 3 3 . \t>x g 2 �g6+ 3 4 . \t>fl the position is unclear, since 3 4 . . . f4 is answered with 3 5 .tL:lfs oo . 31 . '1it h 1 Uxg 2 33.'1itxg 2 e4
3 2 .'ti#'xg 2
Uxg2
and Black's attack should be decisive.
2. 1 6 . 1 . 3 The f4-square In the gxf6 -structures the f4-square of ten serves as an operational base for the black pieces. Especially if White has played h2-h3 . 2. 1 35 Nine moves after the introductory 1 9 . . . c5 ! the pawns get moving. White's defensive problem is probably insoluble. 29.Ud5 i¥e6
The queen secretly eyes up the h3 pawn. It was also possible to continue rollin g forward: 2 9 . . . e4 ! ? 3 0 . tLl d4 l:.xg 2 + 3 l . 'iVxg 2 Uxg 2 + 3 2 .'1itxg2 li'g s + 3 3 . \t>fl fVhs + . 30.Ue1 ? 1
3 0 .tbe I would offer better defensive chances. And now 216
Ivan Hausner
Michal Konopka Prague 2 0 0 0
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 i¥xd5 3 .tt:Jc3 i¥a5 4.d4 c6 5.tt:Jf3 tt:Jf6 6 .�d3 �g4 7.h 3 jLhS 8.�d 2 e 6 ! ?
This strai ght away provokes the gxf6 -structure. Also possible is the more solid 8 . . . tt:J b d 7 9 . 'i¥ e 2 e 6 1 0 . 0 - 0 - 0 �b4 l l . g4 � g 6 1 2 . �b l 0 - 0 - 0 = , Lutz-Wahls , Biel 1 9 9 2 . 9.tt:Je4 "i/c7 1 0.tt:Jxf6+ gxf6 1 1 .0-0
Chapter
Hausner asks to be shown and aims for a position with castling on opposite sides. This plan is not risk-free and thus in creases the significance of the semi open g-file. l l . �e2 intending to castle queenside later is more prudent and possibly also objectively stronger. 1 1 . ./2:Jd 7 1 2 . .t:.e1 .Q.d6 1 3 .c4 0-0-0 1 4. b4 .Q.f4 1 5 . .Q.c3 .tl.hg8 1 6 .a4 Ug7
2:
T h e s t a n d a rd centre
Continuing his own offensive with 1 7 . b S was critical . After, e . g. , 1 7 . . . .tl.dg 8 1 8 . .Q.fl cS l 9 . d5 tZ:l e S 2 0 . .Q.xe 5 .Q.xe S 2 l . l:ta3 the outcome of the struggle is in no way certain. 1 7... .Q.c1 ! !
A super move 1 The fact that taking the bishop now loses is quite trivial . The actual point is the clearing of the f4-square for the queen , with tempo. The f4-square is the turning point and the key square in Black 's attack. 1 8J 1 b 3
1 8 . �xc l ? �xf3 l 9 . g4 ( 1 9 . .Q.fl .Q.xg 2 2 0 . .Q.xg 2 l:tdg 8 - + ) 1 9 . . . h 5 -+ . 1 8 ... �f4 -+
The intervention of the queen is deci sive, White no longer has a defence. 1 9 . .Q.f1
The natural way. Black prepares to dou ble rooks on the g-file. However, the tactical solution , l 6 . . .tt::l e 5 ! 7 1 7 . dxe 5 .Q. g 6 oo i s also worth considering. 1 7J�a3?
An interesting thought. The rook turns a prophylactic X-ray eye on f3 . How ever, this idea fails to a fantastic ma noeuvre .
1 9 .Wh l l:txg 2 1 2 0 . '1t>xg 2 .l:lg 8 + 2 1 . wfl .Q.xf3 2 2 . �xc l �h2 -+ . I 9 . .Q.e 2 l:rdg 8 and the white bishop is overloaded and cannot protect both g 2 and f3 a t t h e same time : 2 0 . g 3 l:txg 3 + -+ . 1 9 ... tZ:le5! 20.dxe5 l:txd 1 21 .1:txd 1 .Q.xf3 2 2 .1:td4 .Uxg 2+ 23 . .Q.xg 2 �g5 24 . .l:Ig4 MXQ4
White resigned.
2. 1 7 The disadvantages of ... gxf6
We now turn to the downsides of the gxf6 -structure. These are not only positional . If Black does not manage to create sufficient activity, he is often left with his pawn weaknesses. In such a case he has nothing but a long and j oyless defence to look forward to. The next three games look at two typical methods for White to combat the gxf6 -structure. 217
The Mod ern Scand i n a v i a n
2 . 1 7 . 1 The advance d4-dS This can open the position favourably and/ or shatter Black 's pawn structure. In the following game it provides White with the long-term advantage of a protected passed pawn. 2. 1 36 Vasily Emelin Karsten Miiller Hamburg 1 9 9 7
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 "1Vxd5 3 .ttJc3 'iYa5 4.d4 ttJf6 5 .ttJf3 c6 6 .�c4 �f5 7.�d2 e6 8.ttJd5 'ti'd8 9.ttJxf6+ gxf6 !? 1 0.0-0 �g4 1 1J:r e1 ttJ d 7
But not 1 l . . .�xf3 ? 1 2 .'ihf3 't!lfxd4? 1 3 . �xe 6 ! fxe 6 1 4 . .l::l. x e6 + + - .
He would really not like to allow the opening of the position by dxc6 , but af ter the game continuation White gets a protected passed pawn . There are also good chances of some advantage after 1 7 .cS ! ? , for example 1 7 . . . exd4 1 8 .'ti'd3 �g6 1 9 .'i¥a3 tt:leS 2 0 .�f4 �g 7 2 1 . l:rad 1 d 3 22 . .l::l. e 3 and White has a small advantage. 1 7. . .c 5 1 8.ttJh4 cxb4 �xb4 20.'iYxb4;t
1 9.�xb4
1 2 .�f1 'fic7
1 2 . . . 'iYb6 ! ? . 1 3 .c4 0-0-0 1 4.b4
1 4 ... e5?!
1 4 . . . l:rg 8 ! offers far better prospects of deciding the opening duel in his favour, or at least not in his opponent's . 1 5 .h3 �h5
1 S . . . �xf3 ? 1 6 . 'iYxf3 exd4 1 7 .c 5 is clearly better for White. 1 6 .'ifb3 l:rg8 1 7.d5
This is very unpleasant for Black. 218
Things now look a bit clearer. The ope ning duel has gone in White 's favour. He has the better pawn structure and chances on the semi-open b-file. Black 's central pawns are not very mobile at the moment, since White is controlling the fS -square. Yet , the position is very hard to play. Black will put his knight on cS and hopes either after or during a successful defence of the queenside that he will get in . . . �g 6 , . . . f6-f5 , . . . e 5 -e4 and some play on the kingside. In the end , Emelin won after a hard struggle, where Black missed some drawing chances.
Chapter
2: T h e s t a n d a r d c e n t r e
2 . 1 7 . 2 Play against the Scandinavian bishop In the gxf6 -structure , play against the Scandinavian bishop sometimes turns out to be very promising ; here are two examples :
2. 1 7.2 . 1 With t/.Jg3, ( IDl6) , h4-hS •..
1 4.�h 6 !
2. 1 3 7 Drazen Sermek Victor Manuel Vehi Bach Groningen I 994
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 'i¥xd5 3.t2lc3 'i¥a5 4.d4 c6 5 .�c4 �f5 6 .�d2 t2lf6 7.t2l d 5 'i¥d8 8.tt:Jxf6+ gxf6 9.c3 !? e6 1 O.tt:le2 �d 6 ? !
It is nice how principles should never be seen as dogmas , but they do some times hold true. Here, as every beginner knows, the knight should be developed before the bishop ; better is I O . . . t2ld7 . 1 1 .t2lg3
Also good is l l . �f4 ! 7 ;!; , which high lights the problems with the previous move by Black. Since Black wishes to develop some activity as compensation for the weakened pawn structure, he is generally not interested in exchanging pieces of equal value. The fewer pieces on the board , the fewer dynamic chances. (Another principle which can lay no claim to general validity. ) 1 1 . . .� g 6 1 2 .i¥f3 t2:J d 7 1 3 .0-0-0 'i¥e7?
The queen now becomes a tactical lia bility on the e-file. The problem with the more natural 1 3 . . . 'i¥c7 is 1 4. t2l h 5 ! , which attacks f6 . After 1 4 . . . �xh5 I S . iYxhS White 's ad vantage is incontestable; yet it would be clearly preferable to the game continuation .
A pretty idea , which has become possi ble because the g7 pawn is now on f6 . White simply blocks the h-pawn and threatens the unpleasant h4-h5 . 1 4 ... 0-0-0?
There would be more resistance after 1 4 . . . .!:l g 8 intending 1 5 . h4 �x g 3 1 6 . fx g 3 �f5 1 • But with I S . .l::!. h e l 1 White can thwart Black 's plans , 1 5 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 1 6 . h4 �xg 3 1 7 . fxg 3 CiJb6 ( I 7 . . . �fS fails to I 8. ihfs , the point behind I S . l:i.he i ' ) 1 8 . �b3 �d7 1 9 . g4 fS 2 0 . g 5 +- . 1 5 .h4 �xg3 1 6 .fxg 3 1 7. h 5 ! �f5 1 8.l:Ih4!+-
.l::!. hg8
The bishop is trapped . 1 8 ... tt:J b 6 1 9.�e2
1 -0
Black capitulated on account of 1 9 . . . t2ld5 2 0 J �d2 1 followed by g4. On the other hand , 2 0 . g 4 7 1 is inaccurate since after the trick 20 . . . �e4 2 1 . 'iYxe4 fS 2 2 . gxf5 'i¥f6 ± Black can resist some more and drag out the game. 219
The Mod ern Sca n d i n a v i a n
2 . 1 7.2.2 With t2Jh4, f2 -f4 2. 1 38 Matthew Turner Jim Burnett
Torquay ch-GBR 2 0 0 2 1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'iWxd 5 3.tt:lc3 �a5 4.d4 tt:lf6 5 .�c4 c6 6 .�d 2 �f5 7.tt:lf3 e6 8.tt:ld5 �d8 9.tt:lxf6+ gxf6 1 ?
For 9 . . . �xf6 , see for Marciano-Prie (Game 2 . 8 ) . 1 0.�b3 tt:l d 7 1 2 .�f3 _.Q.d 6 ? 1
example
1 1 .tt:lh4
Time for a summing up. Black has not managed to compensate for his static disadvantages by activity. On the con trary : his kingside pawns have been completely devalued by the success of the plan f4-f5 . At the same time , he can only get rid of the strong fS knight at the cost of the bishop pair, creating an other positional problem. In the game there followed 1 8 ... �c7
1 8 . . . �xf5 1 9 . gxf5 tLldS ± . �g6
Preferable is 1 2 . . . �c7 1 3 .�h3 �g 7 ;!; , Chekhov-Polovnikova , Moscow 1 9 9 9 . 1 3 .�h31
A very effective square. The queen keeps an eye on e6 and supports the plan g 2 -g4, f2 -f4-f5 . 1 3 .. Ji:g8 1 4.0-0·0 �e7
Not 1 4 . . . �c7 ? I S . �xe 6 ± . 1 5 .g4 0-0-0 1 6 .f4
A further advantage of having the queen on h 3 is that , since tLlh4 is protected, Black does not have the reply .. . f6-f5 . 1 6 ... tt:l b 6 1 7.f5 exf5 1 8.tt:lxf5±
1 9.g5
1 9 .�f3 ! ? �xfS ( 1 9 . . . �xh 2 ? 2 0 Jhh2 �xh2 2 J .gf4+-) 2 0 .�xf5 + �d7 2 1 . �xf7 ± . 1 9 ... '0t>b8 21 .l;lhf1
20.tt:lxd 6
�xd6
With a clear advantage to White.
Black resp onds with ... f6 -fS In Turner-Burnett (Game 2 . 1 3 8 ) , thanks to his favourable set-up (�h3 , g 2 -g4) , White manages to avoid the re sponse . . . f6-f5 to his plan of tLlh4 , f4-f5 . Generally speaking , however, White cannot achieve such a favourable set- up and Black can play . . . fS : 2. 1 39 Branimir Jukic Tomaz Marinsek
Ljubljana 1 996 1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 � x d 5 3 .tt:lc3 �a5 4.d4 tt:lf6 5 .tt:lf3 c6 6 .�d2 gf5 7.gc4 e6 8.tt:le4 1 ? �c7 9.tt:lxf6+ gxf6 1 O.tt:lh4 gg6 1 1 .f4 1?
White can hardly be faulted for his straightforward play. Yet , after 220
Chapter
1 1 .. .f5 !
2:
The s t a n d a rd cen t re
In principle, White can still play g 2 - g 3 , <2lg2 , but then there is the idea of . . . tLld7 -f6 , . . . �hS and the bishop is alive. At the same time White must always be on guard against counterplay with . . . c6-c5 . In conclusion, Black should be OK, and that is what our analysis shows : 1 2 .�e2
The manoeuvre �e2-f3 costs time, but otherwise �g6 is simply re-animated by . . . tt:J d 7 - f6 , . . . �hs . Black could have reached a promising position. In the game, however, there followed l l . . . �e4? 1 2 . f5 ! exfS 1 3 . 'i¥h 5 with a clear positional advantage for White. He will win the fS pawn and Black will not be able to take any pleasure in his shat tered pawn structure. After I I . . . fS t we should pause for a moment. At first sight this move ap pears illogical, as our beloved Scandina vian bishop more or less has his hand and feet tied up. Yet , on a closer look, the advantages are much more clearly visible. White 's plan (f4-f5 ) has been prevented and important light squares have been seized ; the b 8 knight is looking forward to the future. Moreover, the chances for the g6 bishop are in no way so bad as they seem at first glance : what is the next thing the white knight will actually do ? If it ex changes on g 6 , that is all very fine for Black. After . . . hxg 6 he has good control of the centre, a compact pawn structure and chances for some pressure down the h-file. On the other hand, if the knight retreats to f3 , then after . . . �hS the bishop is once again well placed.
1 2 ... tt:J d 7 1 3 .�f3 0-0-0 1 4.c3
1 4.'i!Ve2 'ii' b 6 ! and White must go for unsatisfactory I S .itc3 �g 7 1 6 . 0 - 0 - 0 <2lf6 and . . . tLl d S with good counterplay. 1 4 ... c5+%
1 4 . . . ite 7 I S . g 3 ! ?oo . 1 5 .�e3 1 7.�xd 5
tt:Jb6
1 6 .'irfe2
tt:J d 5
1 7 . 0 - 0 <2lxe 3 1 8 .'ifxe 3 cxd4 1 9 . cxd4 'iYb6 with pressure against d4. 1 7.. Jbd 5
Black is very active and White must take care not to be at a disadvantage. The defence f6 -f5 is not always favour able for Black, especially not when he has previously committed some error: 22 1
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
2 . 1 40 Constanze Jahn Holger Nothnagel Germany Bundesliga B 1 99 5 /9 6
1 6 .g5
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 'ti' x d 5 3 .t2lc3 'iYa5 4.d4 c6 5 .�c4 �f5
This move order is somewhat risky for Black. More about it and ways to avoid it can be found in the theoretical appendix. 6.�d2 t2lf6 7.t2l d 5 'ti'd8 8.t2lxf6+ g xf6 9.t2lf3 e6 1 O.c3 t2l d 7 1 1 .'fie2 t2l b 6 ? !
White plans, after necessary prepara tion , to continue his play against the Scandinavian bishop with t2l g 2 , h4-h5 . 1 6 ... 0-0-0 1 7.0-0-0 c.tb8 1 8.Wb1 t2lc8
It is also possible to admit to the mis take on move 1 2 and play 1 8 . . . 'iVc7 ! ? , e . g. 1 9 . t2l g 2 h6 2 0 .h4 hxg S 2 I .h5 �h7 2 2 . fxg5 f4+ 2 3 . g 6 f3 2 4 . 'ifxf3 fxg6t, although the bishop is still alive. 1 9.t2lg2 h 6
Settling the knight here i s a bit over-hasty, since it sometimes finds a more appropri ate place via f6 . Better is I l . . . 'ti'c7 . 1 2.�b3 � d 7 ? 1
Not a very natural square for the queen . 1 3 .t2lh4 �g6 1 4.f4 1 f5
1 4 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 I S . fS exfS 1 6 . 0 - 0 :t . 1 5 .g4!
Because of Black 's inaccuracies. this re ply is now very strong ; the kingside pawn offensive is continued. 1 5 ... �e7
1 S .. . fxg4? 1 6 . f5 'ti'e 7 1 7 . t2Jxg6 hxg 6 1 8 . fxg 6 ± ; 1 5 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 1 6 . gxf5 exfS 1 7 . 0 - 0 - 0 t . 222
and now the surprising retreat 20.t2l h41
would be very strong. The idea is that White first activates his knight and then carries on with the pawn offensive with all the more power. Jahn played the obvious 2 0 .h4, but after 2 0 . . . t2ld6 2 I .h 5 �h 7 it is not at all that clear if or how White gets an advantage. The knight is far less well positioned on g2 than on e S . 2 2 .'ife5 ( 2 2 . t2lh4 tt:le4 2 3 . .l:i. d g 1 hxg S ! 2 4 . fx g 5 'iVc 7 <=t ) 2 2 . . . 'ii' c 7 2 3 . g 6 fxg 6 2 4 . hxg6 .ixg6 2 5 .�xe6 .l:i.h 7 2 6 . t2lh4 .ixh4 2 7 . .l:i.xh4 t2le4 with approximate equality. 20 ... .ih 7 21 .t2lf3 t2l d 6 'ti' e 8 2 3 . h 4 :t
2 2 .tt:J e 5
Chapter
2:
T h e s t a n d a rd cen t re
2 . 1 7 . 3 The structure after tt:.lxg6 hxg6 This exchange gives Black a very compact and mobile pawn structure, but in ex change White seizes the bishop pair. In most cases Black's position is totally satis factory, as in the following two examples : 2. 1 4 1 Michael Adams Teimour Radj abov Prague rapid 2 0 0 2
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 'i¥xd5 3 .t2Jc3 'i¥a5 4.d4 tt:Jf6 5 .tt:Jf3 c6 6 .�d 2 �f5 7.�c4 e6 8.tt:Jd5 'it'd8 9.tt:Jxf6+ gxf6 !? 1 0.�b3
After 1 O . c3 ! ? Black should not play I O . . . 'i¥c 7 ? ! : l l . t2Jh4 � g 6 1 2 . 'ti'f3 ! ttJd7 1 3 .'i¥h3 ! , a very dangerous idea from the Hungarian Zoltan Almasi. We saw how highly effective the posi tion of the queen was in Turner-Burnett (Game 2 . 1 3 8 ) . 1 3 . . . �g 7 ( 1 3 . . J:tg 8 ? 1 4 .�xe6+- ; Z . Almasi in Informator 63) 1 4. 0 - 0 0 - 0 - 0 ? ! ( 1 4 . . . t2Jb6 ! ?) 1 5 . b4 Wb8 1 6 . a4 with a strong attack for White in Z. Almasi-Kindermann , Aus tria 1 9 9 5 . Instead , we recommend I O . . . tb d 7 1 l l . tb h4 tb b 6 1 2 . � b 3 � d 3 with counterplay. After 1 0 .'i¥e2 Black can safely play I O . . . �xc2 .
1 3 . g 3 0 - 0 - 0 1 4. 0 - 0 t2Jb6 1 5 .�f4 �d6 1 6 . �h6 �f8 1 7 . �xf8 l':.hxf8 1 8 . 'ti'e3 t2Jd5 1 9 . 'i¥ f3 f5 <=t , Hracek-Dobro volsky, Slovakia tt 2 0 0 0 / 0 I . 1 3 ... 0-0-0
Sooner or later White will exchange on g 6 . Because of the compact black struc ture, the most he can hope for is a mini mal advantage despite having the bishop pair. 1 4.g3
After 1 4 . tb x g 6 hxg 6 1 5 . h4 White 's bishop pair is eliminated with equal chances after I 5 . . . � h 6 . 1 6 . �x h 6 ld. x h 6 1 7 . g 3 f5 = , K. Grosar-Rukavina , Bled 1 9 9 9 .
1 0 ... tt:J d 7 1 1 .'ti'e2 W/c7 1 2.tt:Jh4
In Jonkman- Smeets , Zwolle 2 0 0 0 , White continued somewhat too vio lently : 1 2 . 0 - 0 - 0 .£d6 1 3 .d 5 ? 1 cxd5 1 4 . tb d4 �g 6 1 5 . tb xe 6 ? fxe 6 1 6 .'ti'xe 6 + �e 7 1 7 . �a4 b 5 1 8 .'i¥xd5 .!:!.c8 1 9 .�c3 ? ( 1 9 .�a5 'ti'f4+ 20 . .l:.d2 'i!fxa4 2 1 . 'i¥ xd 7 + � f7 2 2 . 'i¥d 5 + W g 7 - + ) 1 9 . . . bxa4 2 0 .l':.he l t2Jb6-+ and Black wins. 1 2 ... �g6 1 3 . 0-0-0
1 4 ... �d6
Nowadays, 1 4 . . . �b8 is considered the main line, intending I 5 . tb g 2 ( I 5 . � b 1 ! ? ) 1 5 . . . e 5 a s analysed by Eric Prie in ChessBase Magazine I 2 4 . The computer engines consider Black to be OK, even though to a human eye his position is somewhat fragile looking , e . g. 1 6 .�c3 ( 1 6 . dxe 5 fxe 5 I 7 . f4 �d6 223
The Mod ern Scan d i n a v i a n
1 8 . I::t h fl exf4 1 9 . �xf4 �xf4+ 2 0 . tbxf4 tb c S ! ? ( 2 0 . . . .l:r h e 8 2 1 . 'if f2 tb e S = (Prie) ) 2 l . l:f.xd 8 + l:f.xd8 2 2 . l:f.d l �xd I + 2 3 . 'ifxd I b S 24.'ife2 'lt>b7 and chances were about equal in Okhotnik-Prie , Gap 2 0 0 8 ) 1 6 . . . exd4 ( 1 6 . . . �h6 + ? ! 1 7 . '>t>b l l:f.he8 1 8 . l:f.he l tbb6 1 9 . f4 gave White the initiative, Bosiocic-Bauer, Zurich 2 0 0 9 ) 1 7 . �xd4 �cS 1 8 . l:f.he I �xd4 1 9 Jhd4 tbcS = (Prie) . Instead , Jovanka Houska prefers I S . . . tbb6 ! ? 1 6 . �a5 cS 1 7 . d5 �h6 + 1 8 . 'lt> b l exdS 1 9 . �x b 6 'ifxb6 2 0 . �xd5 �he8 with counterplay.
the material) 1 9 . . . tbe5 2 0 .�e2 tt:l f3 2 l . �xf3 �xf3 2 2 J:tde 1 �xd S = . Ragger-Zelcic, Zadar 2 0 0 6 . C ) I S .tbxg 6 ! ? hxg6 1 6 .h4 might be the critical test of Black's set-up : 1 6 . . .f5 ( 1 6 . . . 'lt>b8 1 ?) 1 7 .'lt>b l ( 1 7 .�g5 l:f.de8 1 8 .h5 gxhS 1 9 . .ll xh 5 , Kasimdzhanov Papaioannou, Bled Olympiad 2 0 0 2 , and now Black should have played 1 9 . . . f4 ! . e.g. 2 0 .l:rdh 1 l:lhg8 2 1 .�xf4 (2 1 .'lt>b I fxg 3 2 2 . fxg3 �xg 3 2 3 . 'iff3 (Prie) 23 .. .f5 =) 2 1 . . . �xf4+ 2 2 .gxf4 'ifxf4+ 2 3 .'ti'e3 l:f.g4 24.c3 tbf6 = , Saric-Savic, Vogosca 2 0 0 7 ) 1 7 . . . J::!. h e8 1 8 .�g5 ( 1 8 .c4 cS 1 9 .dxc5 tbxcS 2 0 .�c2 �eS 2 1 .�g5 f6 2 2 .�e3 'lt>b8 2 3 .f4 �d6 24.b4 tt:le4 with counterplay) 1 8 . . . �e7 1 9 .�f4 �d6 2 0 . � g 5 �e 7 2 1 .�f4 �d6 '/2-1/2 , Bittencourt-Vescovi, Porto Alegre 2 0 0 8 . 1 5 ... l:f. h e8 1 6 J i h e 1 Wb8!?
Radjabov transfers his king to a 8 . This sets him up against White's attacking plan of c2 -c4 and d4-d5 and for counterplay of his own by . . . l:lc8 and . . . c6-c5 . 1 5 . '>t> b 1
A) I S . l:f.he l 'lt> b 8 1 6 . '>t> b l l:lc8 1 7 .�c3 ( 1 7 .tbxg6 hxg 6 1 8 .h4 Wa8 1 9 . l:f.h l 1/2- 1/2 , Fedorov-Papaioannou, Leon Ech-tt 200 I ) I 7 . . . l:f.hd8 1 8 .'iff3 fS 1 9 .�d2 tbf6 2 0 .tbxg6 hxg 6 2 1 .�g5 �e7 2 2 .�f4 �d6 2 3 .�g5 £e 7 24.'ife 2 Loffler-Konig . Passau 2 0 0 0 , 24 . . . tbe4= ; B) After I S . tb g 2 Black has the reply I S . . . cS 1 6 . d 5 c 4 , e . g. 1 7 . 'ifxc4 ( 1 7 . �xc4 exdS 1 8 . �d3 tbcS 1 9 .�xg6 hxg 6 2 0 . � e 3 'ti' c 6 = ) 1 7 . . . 'ifxc4 1 8 . �xc4 �e4 ( 1 8 . . . tbb6 1 9 . �e2 �e4 2 0 . f3 �xdS is another good option, Peptan-Fierro Baquero , Benasque 2 0 0 1 ) 1 9 . l:f.hg l ( 1 9 . dxe 6 tb e S 2 0 .�fl fxe 6 gives Black good compensation for 2 24
1 7.a3 Wa8 1 8.�f3 l:f.c8 1 9.ttJXg6 hxg6 20.h4 f5 21 . h 5 ? !
An inaccuracy. Black now gets an active knight on e4 and sufficient counterplay. 2 1 .�g 5 l:f.h8 2 2 . c4i is minimally better for White, but Black's position is very solid.
Chapter
2: T h e s t a n d a rd centre
21 ... gxh5 2 2 .ifxh5 CL.Jf6 23 .'�Vf3 tl:! e4 24.�e3
After Black castles queenside, White should set up a queenside attack. I l . b4' would therefore be more appropriate.
Adams will have thought this out when playing his 2 I st move ; there is now the unpleasant threat of g 3 -g4.
1 1 ...0-0-0 1 2 .Ci.J h4 �Q.g 6 1 3 .<1:Jxg6 hxg6
24 ... c 5 !
The point behind Black's actions. 2 5 . d 5 ? 1 , which i n similar positions is a dangerous reply to . . . c6-c5 , is now harmless because of 2 5 . . . c4. 25.dxc5 t2jxc5 2 6 .'�' e 2
26 . . .t2j x b 3 27.cxb3 f 4 28Jk1 �b8 29.gxf4 .2.xf4 30.�h5 9..xe3 31 .fxe3 f5
Now it is White who must try to get ac tive to compensate for his poorer pawn structure. 3 2 .�f7 �d6 33 . .l:I.ed 1 l:rxc1 + 34 . .l:lxc1 .l:t.f8 35.�g 7 'tt> b8 36.'tt> a 2 !
White 's better king position compen sates for the positional disadvantage. 36 . .l:!. c 7 'i¥xc 7 3 7 . �x f8 + 'f!V c 8 3 8 .�d6+ 'tt> a 8 3 9 . b4 a 6 + . 36 . .Jk 8 37.�h 1 ! a 6 38.:ct.h4 �c7 39.'�Vf6 'tt> a 7 40.:ct.d4 �e7 41 .�e5 .l:ld7 42 J:tc4 .Rd5 43.'�Vc3 'ii' d 6 44.e4 112- 112
In this position with castling on oppo site sides, the structure after �xg6 hxg 6 naturally favours Black. T h e kingside pawns are very mobile and she can use the semi-open h-file for an attack. 1 4.�e3 �c7 1 5 .g3?!
Better is I S .h 3 . 1 5 .. .f5 1 6 .�e2 <.\iLh6 1 7.�xh 6 ? !
1 7 . f4 <�.g 7 1 8 . c3 tZ.lf6 1 9 . W g 2 + / + of fers better defensive chances. 17 ... .ll x h6 1 8.f4 t.d6 1 9J:tad 1
1 9 . 'f!Ve5 �e 7 -+ . 1 9 ... tZ.lg4 20.h4
2. 1 42 Shayesteh Ghader Pour Jovanka Houska
Bled Olympiad 2 0 0 2 1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 �xd5 3 .ti:J c3 �as 4.d4 c6 s.c'ZJf3 Cilf6 6 .�d 2 JHS 7.CL.Je4 � b 6 8/Dxf6+ gxf6 9 . .2.c4 e6 1 0.0-0 tZ.l d 7 1 1 .�b3?
225
The Modern S c a n d i n a v i a n
20 ... g 5 !
Black's attack now breaks through. 21 .hxg5
2 l . fxg 5 ? �xg 3 + 2 2 .�g2 'iYe3 + - + . 21 . . J:t h 3 2 2 . .l::t d 3 .l::t d h 8 2 3 .'iYd 1
After 2 3 . 'iY g 2 there is the decisive 2 3 . . . 'iWd8 ! intending . . . .l::t 8h5 , . . . 'iWh8 .
23 ... :C: h 1 + 24.'i.tig 2 25.'it>f3 'ifdSI-+
.l::t 8 h2+
With the idea . . . 'iYh8 -h5 . Without a care in the world, Black brings the queen into the attack, while the rook on h I is taboo on account of the checkmate on f2 . 26.g6 fxg 6 27.�xe6+ 'it>b8 2 8 . d 5 'ti' b 6 29.'iYe1 .l::t xf1 + 30.'iWxf1 .l::tf 2+ 0-1
The standard centre with . . . cxbS
This central formation is much rarer in praxis than others. However, it is significant in some specific lines and necessary for a complete understanding of the light square strategy. The next three games on this theme are also directly linked to the light-square strategy. 2 . 1 43 Tom Wedberg Pontus Sj odahl Harplinge I 9 9 8
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'iYxd5 3 .tt:J c 3 'iW a 5 4 . d 4 c6 5 .�c4 �f5 6 .�e2 e6 7.t2Jf3 tt::l f 6 8.�d 2 �b4 9.0-0-0 tt::l b d 7 1 0.'it>b1
This variation can be quite dangerous if Black doesn't know what he is doing. 1 0 ... tt::l b 6 1 1 1 .�b3 �xc3 ! 1 2.�xc3 �b5 1 3 .'iYxb5 cxb5
226
We have now reached the thematic cen tral formation. Black intends to play on the light squares.
Chapter
Above all the manoeuvre . . . �e4-d5 will play an important part, as will the ad vance of the a-pawn , and the semi-open c-file. 1 4.d5?1
An all too understandable reaction. White would not like to be blockaded on the light squares and decides to open the game at once with a pawn sac rifice. The disadvantage of this idea is simply that the complications turn out to be in Black's favour in the long run. The less risky 1 4. lLl e 5 is the theme of the next game. 14 ... lL:l bxd5 1 5 .�xf6 lL:lxf6 1 6.tbd4 �e4 1 Vbxb5 �xg 2 1 8J:t h g 1 .if3 1 9.l2Jc7+ we7 20.l:i.de1 l:!.ag8 21 .l2Jxe6 fxe6 22 .l:i.xe6+ Wf8
2:
T h e s t a n d a rd cen t re
Now Wedberg brings out an interesting novelty, which however does not alter the general evaluation of the line. 23.l:i.d 6 ! ? N
In the stem game we mentioned, after 2 3 . l:i. g e l the ' inhuman ' 2 3 . . . � f7 ! would have led to an advantage for Black: 2 4 . l:i.e 7 + Wg6 2 S .�xg 8 lhg 8 + (Wahls) . 2 3 ... �c6 !
This move consolidates Black's position and is the only way to fight for an ad vantage. After 23 . . . We? White has at least 2 4 . l:i. e 6 + Wf8 2 S .l:i.d6 with a repetition of moves . The attempt 2 3 . . . lLl e 4 ? 2 4 . l:i.d4 ! ± is b a d because White obtains an advantage in material. 24.l:i.e1 lLle81
Black's primary goal is to free his rooks. So logically he aims for . . . g7 - g S . 25 .l:i.d4 g 5 26 .�xg8 l:i.xg8 27.c4 l:i. g 7 28.b4 l:i.e7 29.l:i.xe7 wxe 7 =F
For the moment White has only a pawn for the piece, but he will be able to win the exchange on g 8 . The decisive ques tion is whether he can create something concrete from his temporary lead in de velopment, or whether Black will man age to consolidate and retain a slight ma terial advantage. So far both players fol lowed the variation l l . . . �xc3 ! 1 2 .�xc3 'i{fbs from the game Bologan-Wahls (see comments to Game 2 . 5 3 ) .
Things have calmed down a bit. In the resulting endgame of .l:f. + � against lLl + � only Black has winning chances, however White 's prospects of a draw can be evaluated as somewhat higher on account of the reduced material . 227
T h e M o d e rn Scand i n a v i a n
30.�c2 a 6 31 . <;t> b 3 �c7 3 2 .a4 ti:1e6 3 3 . I! d 2 a 5 ! ?
This positional pawn sacrifice creates squares for the black pieces and de prives the white queenside pawn ma j ority of its mobility. But White will have an important defensive motif in a5 -a6 . 34.bxa5 CiJc5+ 3 5 . � b4 t2Ja6+ 36.�c3 'tt> e 6 37.�d4 �f5 38.�e3 .sixa4 39.f3
3 9 . l::r d 5 + is more precise, as 3 9 . . . � g4 is not really dangerous : 4 0 . f3 + �h4 4 1 Jid6 hS 42 . l::r d 4+ g4 (42 . . . �h3 43 . l::r d 5 ) 43 . fxg4 hxg4 44 . .l::!. d 6 + . 39 ... ..G,c6 40J�.d6 h 5 41 J:!: h 6 h 4 4 2 J l h 8 ti:J b4 43 . .ll h 6 ti:Jc2+ 44.� d 3 �e1 + 45.�e3 tt.Jc2+
Not 45 . . . tb g 2 + 7 4 6 . �f2 o.iJf4 47 .a6+- . 4 6 : it> d 3 tt.J b4+ 47.�e3 48.llh8 ..tJc5 49 . .l::!. c8 50 . .l::!. g 8 t2Je6
t2Ja6 \t>e5
Now the knight has reached its ideal square. It protects the king, defends the kingside pawns and can quickly be come active against the weakness on f3 . In spite of all this, the likelihood of a draw is in no way lessened . 51 . .ll g 6 \t>d6 52 . .ll f 6 �e5 53 . .l::!. g 6 Qd7 54J1g8?!
This makes things unnecessarily com plicated. The black king now invades on the queenside and White only j ust hangs on to the draw. After 5 4 . l::r h 6 1 ? it is not clear how Black can make progress , e . g. 54 . . . �d6 ( 5 4 . . . �d4 5 5 . l::r g 6 + ) 55 . .l:!.h7 .�c6 5 6 . l::r h 6 + . 5 4 ... � d 6 55Jlg6 �c5
228
56.'-.t> e4 !
Active defence . White 's game depends on this counterattack. 56 . . . �xc4 57.we5 ..tJ d4!?
57 . . . �c5 ? 1 5 8 . I:l.xe 6 �.xe6 5 9 .c>he6 WbS 6 0 . � f5 = ; 5 7 . . . Wb5 7 1 5 8 . Wd6 WxaS 5 9 . l:t. g 8 = . 58.�d6 ..tJxf3+ 59.We4 ..G,g4
5 9 . . . .ii. c 6 + 77 fails to 6 0 . l::r x c6 + +- . 60. h 3 ! .ii. xh 3
6 0 . . . .sihS ! ? 6 1 . .l::!. h 6 tZ�d 2 + 6 2 . \t> fs ' + . 61 .'tt> xf3 \t> b 5 6 2 . .l::!. b6+
Draw agreed. The fc>llowing game is a perfect model of a successful application of the light square strategy. Our tip : simply play through the game and enj oy it. 2 . 1 44 Johann Hj artarson Curt Hansen
Reykjavik zt 1 99 5 1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 �xd5 3 .t2Jc3 't�Va5 4.d4 �f6 5 .t2Jf3 .iilf 5 6 .�c4 e6 7..1i.d 2 c6 8.'t�Ve2 .sib4 9.0-0-0 � bd 7 1 0. \t> b 1 � b 6 ! 1 L �,b3 ..G,xc3 ! 1 2 .�xc3 �b5
Chapter
2:
T h e s t a n d a rd cen t r e
B a d i s 1 6 . . . �xg 2 ? 1 7 . .l:!. g 1 � e 4 1 8 . .l:!.xg 7 � g 6 1 9 . .l:!.g l t , a s 1 9 . . . �f8 ? fails to 2 0 . 1:!. 1 xg6 fxg 6 2 1 ..l:!.f7 + +- . 1 7.f3 �d5 1 8.�xd 5 tt:Jfxd5
The exchange of light-squared bishops not only secures the dS -square for the black knight, but also enables an ending with good knight versus bad bishop. And now in the words of the player with Black : 'As so often in the Scandinavian De fence, Black tries to increase his influ ence on the light squares. Here Black even goes so far to do two important things to achieve that. He exchanges �b4 for tt:Jc3 , though this does not usually happen until White has played a2-a3 . And he accepts doubled pawns on the b-file.' (Curt Hansen on the ChessBase Scandinavian -CD) 1 3 .'i:Yxb5 cxb5
So far we have been following Wedberg -Sjodahl (Game 2 . 1 43 ) . 1 4.tt:Je5
1 9.�d 2 tt:Jc4
20.�c1
2 0 . tt:Jxc4 bxc4 is no better for White. Black has an eternal knight on d S and is threatening to advance the b-pawn and go full steam ahead on the queenside. White should probably go in for 2 1 .a4! and then : 2 l . . . b 5 ! ? 2 2 . axb5 I:l.fb 8 2 3 .�a2 ( 2 3 . c3 ? .l:!.xbS 2 4 . �c2 I:l.ab8 2 5 . �c 1 a4 2 6 . .l:!.e5 .l:!.b3 2 7 . f4 a 3 -+) 23 . . . .l:!.xb5 2 4 . � a 3 .l:!.ab8 2 5 . � c 3 �f8 =F . 2 0... .l:!.fc8 21 .f4 b41?
A natural move, White places his knight on an active square. But from now on Curt Hansen gives a perfect example of the light-square strategy: 1 4. . .a 5 ! 1 5 .a3 �e4 ! 1 6 . .l:!.he1 0-0
But well-placed pieces are not enough to win a game on their own ! Black opens up the queenside and in doing so undoubles his pawns. 22.tt:Jxc4 .l:!.xc4 23 . .l:!.d3
In case of 2 3 .axb4? axb4+ the threat . . . .l:!.c6-a6 would be very unpleasant for White. 229
T h e Mod ern Scan d i n a v i a n
2 3 ... bxa 3 24J:lxa 3 b 5 25.f5 !
White really must get some counter play. 25 ... b4 2 6 J:t d 3
3 5 .. J:t:xd4 36Jk7+ we6 37.Jic1 .l:i. d 1 3 8 J:tcc3 l:red2 39J'J.f4 tLd3 40J:tc6+ 'ttt d 5 41 .llfxf6 l:rxb2+ 42 .'it>a 1 .!:rb5 43J:!.fd 6 + we5
White resigned.
2 6 . l:ta4 l:la6=F / + . 2 6 ... exf5 27J::t e 5 l:rd8 28Jhf5 a4
' Black is forced to use his rook to keep the knight on the strong d S - square. He is now in a position to bring his king into the game by the manoeuvre . . . f7 -f6 and . . . Wg8 -f7 -e 6 (and if neces sary . . . g 7 -g 6 ) . Then the white rook will have to leave the fifth rank and . . . l::!. d 8 - c 8 would further increase Black 's pressure.' (Cu . Hansen) 29.gd 2 f6 30.h3 'ttt f 7 31 .g4 g6 3 2 . l:rff3 l:te8
••• • •• • i i. • • . ·�· . i.. ·�· • · :t:!: · :t:l: · � � . . . ·�· . .
•
•
•
2 . 1 45
's-Henogenbosch 1 999
3 3 .c3?
3 3 . b 3 axb3 3 4 . cxb3 .l:!.c6 3 S JH2 + was necessary. 34.cxb4
t2Jxb4
And here only the continuation 3 S .gxb4 .!:f.xb4 3 6 . b 3 would offer White any drawing chances. 230
Now a final example of a successful use of the light-square strategy in the cxbS central formation . In this case the c-file plays a significant role:
Friso Nijboer Ian Rogers
The pressure now becomes even greater; the threat is 34 . . . .l:!.e2 .
33 ... l:re2 35 . .l:!.c3?!
In this instructive game a key part was played by important motifs from the light-square strategy: I . The advance of the a-pawn 2 . The manoeuvre . . . ge4-d5 3 . The occupation of dS and c4 by knights 4. And last but not least, the endgame ' good knight versus bad bishop ' .
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 �xd5 3 .Ci'c3 �a5 4.d4 t2Jf6 s .gc4 c6 6.Ji.d 2 gf5 7.t2Jf3 e6 8.�e2 Ji.b4 9.0-0-0 t2J b d 7 1 0. '>t b 1 t2J b 6 ! 1 1 .<1Je5
I 1 .gb3 was the subj ect of the previous two games. 1 1 ...gxc3 1 2 .gxc3 �a4 1 3 . .Q.b3 �b5 1 4.�xb5
1 4. �f3 7 aS 't1Vxa4 + .
I S .a4 �xb3
1 6 . Wt'xfS
1 4 ... cxb5 1 5 .Ji.a5 t2J b d 5 1 6 .h3 b6 1 7.gd 2 t2Je4 1 8.ge1 h 6 1 9.f3 t2J ef6 20.gd 2 l:tc8
Chapter
2:
T h e s t a n d a rd cen t r e
27.�xd 5
Black 's pressure develops here thanks to one specific fact about the cxb S -centre, the semi-open c-file. 21 .l:tc1
White gives up the bishop pair, which is not so valuable in this position, and seeks drawing chances in the ending with opposite-coloured bishops. However, such bishops are known to be very dangerous in the attack, and White must first survive that before he can re j oice at any drawish tendencies ! 2 7 . tt::l a 2 ? ! l:tca 7 2 8 . l:thg l tt::l e 7 2 9 . g 5 hxg S 3 0 . �xg5 tt::l fdS + . 27... tt:Jxd5 28.b3 tt:Jxb4 29 . .2.xb4 Uca 7
Initiating counterplay with 2 1 . g 4 ! ? �h7 2 2 . h4 is well worth considering. 21 ... � h 7 22.a4 a6 23.axb5?1
This looks very natural , White isolates Black's doubled pawns. But for the foreseeable future, they can hardly be attacked and the opening of the a-file is much more significant as Black can later use it for an attack. So, the immediate 2 3 .g4! is better. 23 ... axb5 24.g4 Uc7 25.tt::l d 3
2 5 .h4 0-0 2 6 . g 5 l:ta8 ! 2 7 . g 6 ( 2 7 . gxf6 ? Uca 7 -+ ) 2 7 . . . fxg 6 2 8 .�xd5 tt::l x dS 2 9 . b4 .l::!. a c8 =F . 25 ... 0-0 26.tt::l b4 l:ta8
30.�c3?
White now collapses under the strong pressure. Better was 3 0 . l:r.he I l:r.a I + 3 l .�b2 l:t l a2 + ( 3 ! . . . 1:!. 8 a 2 + ? 3 2 .�c3 l:rxc2 + does win a pawn . but leads to the exchange of all the rooks and thus to a drawn ending with bishops of op posite colours. 3 3 . l:txc2 l:txe l 3 4 . �b 2 .2.xc2 3 5 .�xe l =) 3 2 . �b l g S with a slight advantage for Black. 30 ... l:ta3 31 .�b2 b41 32.�xb4 l:ta2+ 33.�b1 ?
3 3 .�c3 l:tc8 + 34.�d2 �xc2 3 5 .�e I + . 33 ... �xc2+ 1 34.l:txc2 35.�b2 l:t8a2+
l:ta 1 +
White resigned. 23 1
T h e M o d e rn Scand i n a v i a n
The standard centre with . . . exfS
This central formation is the result of an exchange of pieces on fS . On the one hand , Black gets control of the central square e4, on the other his pawn structure is downgraded, which leads to a queenside majority for White. Concrete circum stances must decide which of these two is more important. 2 . 1 46 Stellan Brynell Julian Hodgson
Germany Bundesliga 2 0 0 1 / 0 2 1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 'iVxd5 3.CZJc3 'iVa5 4.d4 tt:Jf6 5 .tt:Jf3 c6 6 .£.c4 £.f5 7.�d 2 e6 8.'iVe2 £. b4 9.0-0-0 tt:J b d 7 1 O.a3 £.xc3 1 1 .�.xc3 'iVc7 1 2 .tt:Je5 b5!? 1 3 . .iii�d3
1 3 .�b3 finds an appropriate response in 1 3 . . . �e4 1 1 4 . .l:Ihe l �,dS = . 1 3 ... 0-0 1 4.�,xf5 exf5
Black 's original play has led to a posi tion which is hard to evaluate. White has the better pawn structure, Black on the other hand has good chances to achieve some activity after . . . ttJdS . Praxis has shown that the chances are roughly equal for both sides , though White may be leading by a nose length. 1 5 .'iVf3 t2ld5
But not I S . . . -2, xe 5 7 1 6 . dxe 5 <'bdS 1 7 . �xf5 Ci; xc3 1 8 . hxc3 .l:!.ad 8 1 9 . W b 2 ± (Dautov) and in this position Black misses the knight which could get to work on White 's queenside weaknesses. 1 6 .�xf5 tt:Jxc3 1 7/bxd 7
White liquidates into an endgame with level material , because after 1 7 .bxc3 tt:Jb6 1 Black can make use of the knight he was missing in the line above, 1 8 . .l:Id3 �e7 1 9 . Wb2 .l:Iac 8 � (Dau tov) . 1 7... tt:Jxd 1 1 8.ti:'cxf8 .l:Ixf8 1 9.J:lxd 1
232
C h a p t e r 2 : The s t a n d a rd c en t re
I 9 . Wxd I l:!.d8 = . 1 9 .. .'�Vxh 2
Black h a s things are the stem Altensteig this point.
won back the pawn and looking drawish. In fact, in game Z. Almasi-Dautov, 1 9 9 4 , a draw was agreed at
20.'iVe4 !
This good centralizing move demon strates that White does have the some what better prospects. His pieces are more harmoniously placed and he still has the idea of d4-d5 , to get at Black 's queenside pawns. Black still needs a few accurate moves to make sure of a draw.
The offer should have been accepted . The rook ending after 2 2 .'ifxg 6 ' fxg 6 2 3 .d5 cxdS 24 . .l::!. x d5 l:!.xf4 2 S . .U x b 5 i s critical and White is in n o way worse off, but does he have an advantage ? 2 2 ... W g 3 !
Now the queen will provide the neces sary counterplay. 23 .l:!.e3 'iff2 24.b3 h 6 25Jk3
20 .. .'tf!V h 6 + 21 .f4
25 .. .f5= 2 6 .'ii' e6+ w h 7 27.g3 Wxd4 28.Wxc6 a5 2 9.Wc5 'iff6 ! 3 0. W b 1 a4 31 . b4 l:id8 3 2 J i d 3
3 2 . Wb2 1 7 .l:!.b8 3 3 .'ifc6 . 32 .. J'hd3 33 .cxd3 i¥e6 34.Wc1 We1 + 35 .Wc2 We2+ 3 6 . Wc3 We1 + 1f2- 1f2 21 .. .'iVg 6 ! ?
A new move. Hodgson offers a transpo sition to a complicated rook ending. After 2 1 . . . fS 2 2 .Wes 'ifg6 Black could not solve its problems in the computer game Rebel Tiger-Century, Cadaques 2 0 0 0 : 2 3 . d 5 l:l e 8 2 4 . 'ifc 7 cxd S 2 S . 'if x a 7 'if d 6 ( 2 S . . . 'if xg 2 7 2 6 .l:!.g l +-) 2 6 . 'ifd4 .Ud8 2 7 . .Ue l ;\; and its weaknesses meant Black had to work hard. 22 . .l::!. e 1
A draw was agreed here, since after 3 7 . W d4 ( 3 7 . 'it> c 2 = ) 3 7 . . . 'ifa l + 3 8 .'it>d5 'ifxa3 3 9 .'ifxb5 Black cannot lose thanks to his far advanced passed a-pawn . 2. 1 47 Dave Dempster Brian John Martin corr.
1 99 1
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 Wxd5 3 .t2Jc3 Wa5 4.d4 t2Jf6 5 ._.Q.c4 c6 6 .t2Jf3 �f5 7.i¥e2 e6 8.�d 2 �b4 9 . h 3
233
The Modern Scan d i n a v i a n
ttJ bd 7 1 0.a3 �xc3 1 1 .�xc3 Vfic7 1 2 .0-0 0-0 1 3 .<1Jh4 ?I
The wrong plan in this position. 1 3 ... �e4 1
The Scandinavian bishop has no inten tion of giving itself up for the white knight and heads for d S . 1 4.f4 ? !
This move j ust weakens the posltlon , but is very human : instead of admitting the mistake and moving the knight back to f3 now or a little later, White tries to j ustify his last move. 1 4.ltJf3 = and nothing nasty would have happened, even if the advantage of the first move cannot be shown in this manner. 1 4 ... <1J b 6 1 1 5 .�b3 �d5 1 6 .�xd 5 ttJ bxd5 1 7.�d 2 1lad8 1 8.c4 <1Je7 1 9.�c3? 1
1 9 . Vfie5 'iWd7 2 0 .�b4 1lfe 8 2 l .�xe 7 �xe 7 2 2 .lLlf3 = 1 + . 1 9 ... <1Jf5 !
Black is aiming for the exfS -centre. 20.<1Jxf5 exf5+
Here the strong central square e 4 for the knight is more important than the deterioration in Black 's pawn struc ture , which last but not least is fa voured by the distribution of minor pieces. However, in what follows Black must pay attention to two thing s : I . That White does n o t g e t i n the strong d4-d 5 . which would breathe fresh life into his bishop. 2. That he does not allow his central knight on e4 to be winkled out hy g 3 -g4. Unfortunately. that is j u s t what transpires: 21 .�d 3 <1J e 4 2 2 .1lac1 1lfe8 2 3 J:tce 1 1le6 24.1le3 �e7 25.g3 h 6 2 6 J:rte 1 b6 27.b4 �d6 28.�b2 1lde8?
This careless move weakens the control over d S . White now gets strong counterplay. 2 8 . . . 1l g 6 + would maintain Black's ad vantage. 29.d 5 ! cxd5 31 .�e5
30.cxd 5
1::!. 6 e7
Suddenly White has a dangerous passed d-pawn, and his bishop is very active as well . 31 ...�d 7 ? !
Also runs into White 's second idea; better is 3 l . . . � g 6 with unclear play. The lever 32.g4!
would now bring White a clear advan tage, for example The transformation of the posltlon is fully j ustified from Black's point of view. 234
3 2 ...f6 33.gxf5 fxe5 34Jbe4± ***
Chapter
3 : The dxeS -centre
• • • • � ·· ·· � · ••••• • . . � . • • • • • • • • � � �· • • • • We now come to one of the most important central formations in the modern Scandinavian Defence, the dxe S -centre.
3 . 1 Where does the knight go?
After the frequently seen . . . tt:lxe S / dxeS with an attack on the tt:lf6 , Black is forced to look into this question.
3. 1 . 1
•..
t2Je4
Rarely played, but sometimes this move can be a good try for concrete reasons : 3.1 Stefano Ghellere Daniel Wredenberg corr. 1 9 9 9
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 'ifxd5 3.tt:lc3 't/;Va5 4.d4 tt:lf6 5 .tt:lf3 c6 6 .�d 2 �f5 7.�c4 e6 8.tt:le5 �b4 9.a3 �xc3 1 0.�xc3 'W/c7 1 1 .0-0 tt:l b d 7 1 2 .'t/;Ve2 tt:lxe5
1 2 ...0-0. 1 3 .dxe5 tt:le4 ! ?
An interesting possibility, since the knight blocks the white queen from the eS pawn. So should the attacked bishop leave the a l -h 8 diagonal , then this pawn will be hanging.
1 3 . . . tt:ld5 is the normal move and not a bad one : 1 4 .�b3 ( 1 4 . �xd 5 exdS 1 5 . .2.b4 0 - 0 - 0 1 6 .�d6 '1Wb6 1 7 .'i¥d2 .l:!.he8 1 8 . b4 .l:i.d7 1 9 .a4 f6 +=t , S.H. Niel sen-Bonnez, Randers ch-DEN B 1 9 9 0 ) 1 4 . . . h6 I S .�d2 0 - 0 1 6 J:!:ae I 1::r a d8 1 7 . h3 cS 1 8 .l:!.d l a6 1 9 .�c l tt:l e 7 2 0 .�f4 tt:lc6 2 1 .c3 b S '/2- 1/2 , Motwani Van der Werf, Groningen 1 9 8 9 . 1 4.�d4 c5
Black halves the white bishop pair and achieves a level game. 1 5 .�b5+
I S .�d3 cxd4 1 6 .�xe4 �xe4 1 7 .fixe4 0 - 0 1 8 . .l:!.ad I .l:f.fd8 1/2- 1/2 , Bouchez Hervet, corr. I 99 7 . 235
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
1 5 ... Wf8 1 6 .�c3 tt:lxc3 1 7.bxc3
And now, instead o f the 1 7 .. .'iYaS ?! Black should turn to
risky
1 7.. Jld8
and then, for example 1 8Jlfd 1 we7 1 9.�d 3 1 �xd3 20.cxd 3 .!:lhe8 21 .'ti'e4 'it>f8 2 2 .'iWxh 7 'iWxe5
with even chances.
3 . 1 .2 .. tl:Jg4 .
This move attacks some of White 's squares (eS , f2 , h2) and can be very tricky and dangerous. In any case Black should be sure that he will achieve something con crete, because otherwise the knight can be very unfavourably posted on g4. Now the weakness o f the squares eS and f2 becomes noticeable. White has some difficulty holding Black's initia tive in check.
3.2 Werner Hartmann Harm Cording Germany tt 1 9 9 0 / 9 1
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd 5 'iWxd 5 3 .tt:lc3 'iYa5 4.�c4 tt:lf6 5.d4 c6 6 .tt:lf3 �f5 7.0-0 e6 8.�d 2 'iYc7 1
There is also a handful of games with 8 . . . �b4, but why should one give up the bishop pair of one 's own free will ? 9 . .!:le1 tt:l b d 7 1 1 .dxe5 tt:lg41
1 O.tt:le5? !
tt:Jxe5
1 2 . 11i'e2 ? ! �cS 1 3 .tt:ld l f6 ! . With the knight on g4 rapid and direct action is required. 1 4.�c3 0 - 0 - 0 I 5 .h3 tLlxeS 1 6 .�xe5 1/Vxe S 1 7 .'iYxe S fxe S 1 8 . l:!.xe 5 b6 1 9 . �xe 6 + �xe6 2 0 . l:!.xe6 l:!.d2 2 1 .tLle3 l:!.f8 � . 1 2 ... 'iWb6
I 2 . . . �cS makes things easier for his opponent : 1 3 .tt:le4 .!:ld8 1 4. 'iVf3 �xe4 I S . 'iVxg4 �g6 1 6 . �b3 0 - 0 = . 1 3 .'iVf3 !
After treating the opening very impre cisely, White defends with great accu racy. 1 3 . tLl e4 �xe4 1 4.'iWxg4 �xc2 does not look like enough initiative for the pawn. 236
Chap ter
1 3 ... .2.cS 1 4.�e2 0-0-0
112- 1!2
1 4 . . . tt:Jxf2 1 ? 1 5 ..l:hf2 .2.xf2 + 1 6 . ihf2 'lWxb2 1 7 .�e 1 .2.xc2 1 8 .Uc 1 is unclear. Materially Black is doing very well with tl. + 3 � against .2. + ti:J , but the agility of the white pieces cannot be underesti mated. After 1 4 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 a draw was agreed . A possible continuation might be 1 5 . .2.b3 .2.d4 1 6 .h3 h 5 1 1 7 . hxg4 �xg4 1 8 .'i¥e4 �f5 1 9 .'tWf3 .2.g4= with a repetition of moves. 3.3 Aidas Labuckas Krzysztof Jurkiewicz Koszalin I 99 7
1 .e4 dS 2 .exdS 'iVxdS 3 .tt:Jc3 �as 4 ..2.c4 tt:Jf6 S.d4 c6 6.tt:Jf3 .2.fS 7.0-0 e6 8.'if e 2 tt:J b d 7 9 . .2.d2 Vfi c 7 1 0.tt:JeS tt:JxeS I? 1 1 .dxeS tt:Jg41?
This play is very brave, because the posi tion is not easy to evaluate. Black has to play accurately to prevent the knight from being driven away to the less at tractive square h6 by h2-h3 ( I 1 . . . ti:Jd7 ) . 1 2.�f4
There are other ways to protect the e 5 pawn , but Black is always there i n good time with his counterplay :
3:
T h e d x e 5 - c e n t re
A) 1 2 . Ihe 1 0 - 0 - 0 1 3 . .2.g5 f6 <=t ; B) 1 2 . f4 .2.c5 + 1 3 .< lt>h l 0 - 0 - 0 1 4. h 3 .U.xd2 1 5 .�xd2 ti:J e 3 1 6 .'i¥e2 tt:Jxfl 1 7 Jhfl h 5 <=t . 1 2 ... g S ! ?
1 2 . . . f6 1 3 . ti:J e 4 ( 1 3 Jh e l ? ! 0 - 0 - 0 1 4.h3 tt:Jxe5 1 5 . .2.xe5 fxe 5 1 6 .'ifxe 5 Vfixe5 1 7 Jhe 5 .2.xc2 I 8 . .2.xe 6 + Wb8=i= gives Black a plus thanks to the bishop pair) 1 3 . . . tt:Jxe5 1 4 . ti:J g 3 .2.d6 1 5 . tt:Jxf5 exf5 1 6 . .2.e 6 � . 1 3 .AxgS
After I 3 .�g3 .2.g 7 I 4 . .l::I fe I h5 Black also has sufficient counterchances : I 5 .h3 ti:Jh6 I 6 . .l::I ad I ( 1 6 .'i¥xh5 tt:Jg4! leads to a draw: 1 7 .'ifxg5 .2.h6 1 8 .�h5 .2.g 7 = ) 1 6 . . . h 4 1 7 . .2.h2 g 4 1 8 . tt:Je4 ( 1 8 .hxg4 .2.xg4 1 9 . f3 .2.f5 oo) I 8 . . . .2.xe4 I 9 .'YWxe4 gxh3 2 0 . gxh3 tt:Jf5 oo . 1 3 ... tt:JxeS 1 4.tt:Je4 �xe4 1 S .'ihe4 tt:Jxc4 1 6 .Vfixc4 .l::I g 8 1 7.Ah4 .2.d 6 <=t
Some pieces have disappeared. Black has the somewhat worse pawn structure but is more active. 1 8.�h 1 .2.e7 1 9 . .2.g3 20J:tad 1 hS 21 .'ifb3 2 2 .'ifxbS cxbS=
�as VfibS
and the game was drawn on move 5 9 . 237
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
3 . 1 . 3 . . . tt::l d 7 This i s often the safest line with which t o meet the attack o n the f6 knight. The knight is far less exposed on d 7 than on e4 or g4. At the same time it attacks eS and in principle can later take an active part in the game via b6 or cS . 3.4 Rogelio Antonio Petronio Roca Yangon zt
1 998
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 �xd5 3 .tt:J c3 �a5 4.d4 c6 5 .�c4 tt:Jf6 6 .'ife2 �f5 7.�d 2 'fic7 8.tt:Jf3
8 . 0 - 0 - 0 t2Jbd 7 9 . tt::l f3 e 6 I O . tt::l h 4 �g6 l l . g 4 = / ;l; , Te terev-Jurani c , Tallinn 1 99 7 . 8 ...e 6 9.tt:Je5 tt::l b d 7 1 O.h 3 ? !
This is somewhat slow. For I 0 . 0 - 0 - 0 see the theoretical appendix. 1 o ... tt:Jxe5 1 1 .dxe5 tt::l d 7 !
1 9 9 8 ) may block off the f-pawn , but is necessary. 1 2 ... 'iVxe5 1 3 .'iVf3 0-0-0 1 4.�g5 l:i.e8 1 5 J:t h e 1
A) I S . �a6 'i¥c 7 1 6 . �f4 'ifb6 =t ; B ) I S .�f4 'ifas + . but not I S . . . 'iff6 7 7 1 6 . 1:f.xd 7 'it>xd 7 1 7 . l:!. d l + Wc8 7 1 8 .'fixc6 + ! bxc6 1 9 .�a6 # . 1 5 ... 'fia5
White 's position may look good with all his pieces on really active squares. But this is not enough to shatter the solid foundations of the Scandinavian ; and what is left in the long run is Black's extra pawn . 1 6 .tt:Jb5?
White burns his bridges. Despite being a pawn down , White had every chance to fight for a draw. 1 6 ... cxb5 1 7.'iVxf5 �e 7 !
Not only a good, but also the only satis factory move. Now White does not manage to set his kingside pawns in motion, since he first has to care for the eS and c2 pawns which are under at tack. On the other hand, l ! . . .ltJ d S ? ! runs directly into 1 2 . 0 - 0 - 0 0 - 0 - 0 1 3 . g4 �g6 1 4. f4 ;l; . 1 2 .0-0-0?
This p awn sacrifice is too rash . 1 2 .�f4= (D. Schneider-Bhat, USA jr 238
This cool defensive move secures Black of a clear material advantage. Of course, not 1 7 . . . exf5 ? ? 1 8 J �he 8 + Wc7 1 9 . �d8 + +- . Also bad is 1 7 . . . �b4 ? on account of 1 8 . 'iYxf7 ± . 1 8.�xe6
Or 1 8 .�xb 5 exfS 1 9 .�xd 7 + <:Ji;c7 2 0 . �f4 + (not 2 0 . �xe 7 ? �xe I 2 ! . lhe l <:Ji; xd 7 -+ ) 2 0 . . . <:Ji;b6 2 1 . �e 3 + �cS 2 2 . �xc 5 + 'iVxcS 2 3 . �xe8 �xf2 2 4 .�xf7 .l:!:c8 and Black should win. 1 8 .. .fxe6 - +
Chapter
3:
T h e d x e S - c en t r e
3. 1 .4 ... tt:Jds In Scandinavian main lines when White castles queenside this is the most fre quently chosen move to meet the attack on the knight. As we will see later, an im portant characteristic of . . . tt:Jd5 are the further exchanges initiated by this move.
3.2 Black superiority on the d-file
As a consequence of . . . tt:Jxe S / dxeS the d-file is completely open. Of course it does no harm to control the only open file on the board : 3.5
Whatever the reason was , Black's next move shows who is in control of the position . 1 7 . 'iVxe S simply loses a pawn : 1 7 . . . 'i¥xe S 1 8 Jhe S �xc2 + .
Jason Luchan Leslie Braun Long Island l 9 9 6
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'ii' x d5 3.tt:Jc3 'ii' a 5 4.d4 tt:Jf6 5.tt:Jf3 �f5 6.�c4 c6 7.0-0 e6 8J�e1 �b4 9.�d 2 tt:Jbd7 1 0.a3 �xc3 1 1 . .2.xc3 'ii c 7 1 2.h3?1 h6 1 3.�a2 0-0-0!? 1 3 ...0-0. 1 4.�e2 tt:Jd5 1 5.tt:Je5? This error allows his opponent to liqui date advantageously. Preferable i s I 5 �b4 after which Black can choose between I 5 . . . tt:J f4 and I S . . . g S . .
.
1 5 ... tt:Jxc3 1 7.dxe5
1 6.bxc3
tt:Jxe5
It is not quite clear why White was aim ing for this position with his I 5 th move ; did he think he had attacking chances on the semi -open b-file ?
1 7.. J:td 7 ! Doubling rooks is a very strong plan here, above all because of the structural advantage. Should White now try to contest the black initiative on the d-file by a double exchange of rooks , then he can say adieu to all dreams of an attack and is left with his shattered pawn structure in the endgame. So he decides to give up the d-file, which hardly does anything to improve his position. 1 8.'1We3 'ii' a 5 1 9.�b3 �hd8+ 20.g4?!
There is a touch of despair about this move. White does not want to go down without a fight and plays very riskily. 20 ... �g6 21 .f4 �d2 22.f5 exf5 23.e6 239
The Modern Scandinavian
I t i s a minor miracle that White 's shat tered kingside doesn 't lead to an imme diate loss. 23 .. .fxe6
23 . . . 'iVc 7 looks good at first sight, but after 2 4 . 'iV e 5 fx g4 2 5 . exf7 gxh 3 2 6 . 'iV xc 7 + W x c 7 2 7 . .la e 7 + 'iit b 6 2 8 . l:!.b l White still has counterplay. 24.ihe6+ \t>b8 25.gxf5 26 . .t:. a b 1 'iVc7 27.'iVe5
�hS
White is structurally clearly worse, but could seek safety in a complicated end game. Braun 's later suggestion 27.. J:td 1 !+
would now have been the best practical decision . The idea is to exchange off all the maj or pieces , after which Black has very good chances to make something of the white pawn weaknesses , without having his plans crossed by some possi ble counterplay.
3 . 3 Weak p awn on eS
The eS pawn on one hand gives White a spatial advantage. but can also become a weakness. A) If Black plays . . . t2Jg4, this is generally based on the tactical susceptibility of the eS pawn , see also Labuckas-Jurkiewicz (Game 3 . 3 ) . B) In the following game the e S pawn i s lost because o f the tactical weakness of the bishop on d 2 : 3.6
A tactical mistake.
Ullrich Skorna Matthias Wahls
Neuchatel
1 2 ... t2Jxe5 1 3 .dxe5 t2J d 7
I 994
1 .e4 d S 2 .exd5 �xdS 3 .t2Jc3 �as 4.d4 c6 5 .t2Jf3 t2Jf6 6.�c4 �JS 7. 0-0 tb b d 7
Interestingly, the same motif as in the game occurred in S. Lalic-Mellado Trivino, Zaragoza 1 9 9 5 : 7 . . . e6 8 .h 3 t2J b d 7 9 . .si. d 2 �c7 l O . ll e l h6 l l..il b3 0 - 0 - 0 l 2 . t2Je 5 ? t2Jxe5 l 3 . dxe 5 t2Jd7 l 4.�e2 J �xe S with a clear extra pawn , which Black went on to convert safely. 8.£b3 e6 9Jle1 Jl.e7 1 0.Ji.d 2 �c7 1 1 .h 3 0-0-0 1 2 .t2Je5?
240
1 4.�e2?
Probably played quickly. not smelling a rat. The pawn could only be held by l 4 .�f4 , though the position after
Chapter
l 4 . . . g 5 I S .�g3 h5 1 6 .'ife2 h4 1 7 .�h2 .Uhg 8 t is not much fun for White.
1 4 ... 'i¥xe5 1+ And a pawn has simply gone ! Of course Black takes on eS with the queen ; Skorna had probably been counting on l 4 . . . tLJxeS I S .�f4.
3:
The dxeS - centre
1 5.'iYf3 I S .'iheS tLJxe S 1 6 JheS ? l:[xd2 -+ . 1 5 .. .'ti'c7 1 6 . .if4 .id6 1 7.ihd 6 'ifxd6 1 8.l:[ad 1 'ifc7 1 9.'ife3 Wb8+ and Black won later on.
3 .4 Weak square on d6
One of the plus points of the dxeS -centre for White is the control he has j ust gained over the d6-square. The Scandinavian structure with black pawns on e 6 and c6 means that this square can no longer be controlled by a black pawn . So it usually becomes very unpleasant if a white piece finds a nest there.
3.4. 1 . ..tt:J e 4-d6 3.7 Joe Feagin Robert Felber corr.
1 996
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'i\Yxd5 3.t2Jc3 'ifa5 4.d4 c6 5.t2Jf3 t2Jf6 6.t2Je5 �f5 7.�d3 �xd3 8.'ti'xd 3 e6?1 More precise is 8 . . . tLJ bd 7 .
'ifxd 7 1 3 .'i!Yf3 �e 7 (Breyther-Wahls , Bern 1 9 9 5 ) 1 4. �f4;!; . 1 2.dxe5 t2Jd7 1 3.�f4 1 White overprotects e S and threatens the unpleasant and unavoidable t2Je4-d6 . 1 3 ... 0-0-0 1 4.t2Je4 h 6 1 5.t2Jd6+ �xd6 1 6.exd6±
9.0-0 t2Jbd7 1 0.'�'g3 'ifc7 1 1 .l:[e1
11 ... t2Jxe5?! The positional transformation does not sit well here. Better is l l . . . g6 1 2 .t2Jxd7
This pawn is like a thorn in Black's flesh, while the pawn on g 7 is hanging. 1 6 ... 'iYa5 1 7.'ifxg 7 'iff5 1 8.'ifd4 and later 1 - 0 . 24 1
T h e M o d e rn Scand i n a v i a n
3 .4.2 .. Jld6 3.8 Sven Helms Hans Christian Schalliick Hamburg 2 0 0 I
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'ifxd5 3.tZ:lc3 'ifa5 4.d4 c6 5.�c4 �f5 6.tZ:lf3 tZ:lf6 7.0-0 e6 8.tZ:le5 tZ:lbd7 9.�e2 tZ:lxe5 1 0.dxe5 tZ:ld7 1 1 .�f4 �e7 1 2 . .l:t.ad 1 �c7
1 5 ... 0-0-0 1 6 .tZ:ld6+ 1 7J:[xd6! tZ:lb6
�xd6
1 7 . . . f6 ? 1 8 . exf6 e S 1 9 Jh d 7 ! l:rxd7 2 0 . fx g 7 �xg 7 2 I .'ifxe 5 + - . 1 8.c4 Wb8 1 9.�fd 1 tZ:lc8 20.�g5
A better try is the ambitious 1 2 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 ! 1 3 .a3 g S 1 4.�g3 h S I S .h3 h4+=t , Blasl Niedermayr, Linz 1 9 9 7 . 1 3.�d3 �g6 1 3 . . . �xd3 1 4 . l::t. x d3 0 - 0 - 0 I S J Hd l ! . 1 4.�xg6 hxg6 20 .. .f6? Black collapses under the pressure and sacrifices a pawn , without getting any thing in return. 2 0 . . . tZ:lxd6 2 l .�xd8 l:!.xd8 2 2 .'iYdH followed by 2 3 . exd6 may be better for White, but Black can still put up tough resistance.
1 5.tZ:le4! Off to d 6 ! Black probably relied on the fact that the e S pawn is now hanging. But the structure after I S . . . tZ:lxeS ? ! 1 6 .tZ:lc3 f6 1 7 .�xe S �xeS 1 8 . �xe S fxe S I 9 . tZ:le4 is not much fun . White has a nice central knight and Black's kingside pawns are all weak.
3.5
A
white pawn on f4
21 Jbd8 �xd8 22.exf6 �x d 1 + 23 .'�xd 1 gxf6 24.�xf6 �f4 25.�d4± e5 26.�c3 �xc4?! 26 . . . Wc 7 ± would be more stubborn . 27.�xe5+ was 28.h3+- 'iYd5 29.'iYxd5 cxd5 30.g4 tZ:le7 31 .h4 b5 32.h5 gxh5 33.gxh5 Wb7 34.h6 'ific6 35.h 7 Black resigned.
White often turns to f2 - f4 in the dxe 5 -centre. This protects eS and from time to time leads to play against the Scandinavian bishop with g4 and fS . 242
Chapter
3:
T h e d x e 5 - c en t re
3 . 5 . 1 Play against the Scandinavian bishop with g2-g4 and f4-fS 3.9 Friso Nijboer Julian Hodgson Netherlands tt 1 9 9 4 / 9 5
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'ifxd5 3 .t2lc3 'ifa5 4.d4 c6 5.t2lf3 t2Jf6 6 . .2.c4 .2.f5 7.'�e2 e6 8 . .2.d2 �b4 9.a3 t2Jbd7 1 0.0-0-0 .2.xc3 1 1 . .2.xc3 Wic7 1 2.t2Je5 t2Jxe5 1 3.dxe5 t2Jd5 1 4.�d 2
1 4 ... 0-0-0 1 4 . . . h 5 ? ! prevents g 2 -g4, but gives up the g 5 -square, which is more impor tant : 1 5 . .2. g 5 b5 1 6 . .2. d 3 .2.xd 3 1 7 . l::i. x d3 .C:b8 1 8 . .l:!.hd I cS 1 9 . l::i. h 3 c4 2 0 . c 3 b4 2 1 . axb4 a S 2 2 . b 5 ± , Schonthier-Forchert, Germany Oberliga ! 995 /96. 1 5.g4 .2.g6 1 6.f4 h 5 1 7.h3 The critical position , White is planning to play .l:thfl and f4-fs . 1 7... 'iYb6?! Black should remove a pair of rooks to in crease counterplay: 1 7 . . . hxg4! 1 8 .hxg4 .!::tx h l 1 9 ..l h h ! 'i¥b6 2 0 . l::i. f l Wid4 2 l..�. b3 (2 1 .c3 'i1i'e4 2 2 .f5 exfS 2 3 .gxf5 �xf5 24.Wixe4 �xe4 2 S . .l:i.xf7 l::i. h 8oo,
Golubovic-Wahls, Bern 1 99 5 ) 2 l . . .l::i. e 8 2 2 .'i1Vh2 �e4 2 3 .l::i. e ! l::i. d 8 24.'tWe2 (Morovic Fernandez-Wahls, Cienfuegos 1 996) 24 . . . �g6 2 5 .'i/Vf3 l::i. h 8<=t. 1 8.l::i. h f1 ! hxg4 1 9.hxg4 l::i. h 3
There are no promising alternatives: A) 1 9 .. .'�c5 2 0 . .2.b3 l::i. h 3 2 l . l::i. f3 l::i. d h8 2 2 . l::i. d fl l::r h 2 2 3 .'ti' e 1 'i:Yd4 2 4 . f5 exfS 2 5 . gxf5 �hS 2 6 . l::i. d 3 'tWg4 2 7 .�xd5 l::i. e 2 2 8 .'i1i'g 3 cxdS 2 9 . l::i. c 3 + ( 2 9 . l::i. h 1 ! ?) 2 9 . . . 'it> b 8 3 0 . b 3 'it> a 8 (Psakhis-Wahls , Baden-Baden 1 9 9 2 ; 3 0 . . . g 6 3 l . e 6 + 'tWxg 3 3 2 . l::i. x g3 gxfS 3 3 . l::r h 1 fxe 6 3 4 . l::i. g 5 ± , Bucker) 3 1 .'ifxg4 �xg4 32 . .l::i. c 7 .l:IxeS 3 3 . l::i. x f7 b 6 3 4 . �c 3 � e 2 3 5 . l::i. x g 7 l::i. h h2 3 6 . Wb l ! +- (Konikowski) ; B) The apparently active 1 9 . . . 'tWd4 (Kir. Georg iev-Henrichs , Reckling hausen 1 9 9 8 ) is simply m e t by 2 0 .�b3 ! . The position of the queen on d4 then turns out to be unfavourable. Things would have looked different if Black had removed a pair of rooks from the board at the correct time . . . 20.l::i. d e1 ?! White starts to leave the strait and nar row and is harshly punished for it. 243
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
Emms ' idea 2 0 . fS ! exfS 2 1 . e6 ! --+ i s very strong, leaving Black problems with his king and unable to equalize. A practical example is 2 l . . . f4 2 L�xdS cxdS 2 3 . ex f7 f3 7 2 4 . 'ti' e 7 'ti' c 7 2 S .'i¥e 6 + 1 - 0 , Van den Doel-Guedon, Antwerp 1 9 9 7 . 20 ... 'i¥d4 21 .. �a2? Better is 2 l .�b3 .
21 ... l:rxa3!! Nice, but not unexpected. After this tac tical blow, Hodgson does not give his opponent another chance : 22.�b1 2 2 . b xa 3 ? 'lii a l + 2 4 . Wd l CiJc3 # .
2 3 .�b l
'i¥xa 3 +
22 . . .'ti!Ya4 23 .f5 l:t a 1 24.c3 exf5 25.gxf5 �h5! 26.'i¥xh5? 2 6 . 'i¥ e 4 tt::l x c 3 2 7 . 'i¥xa4 ( 2 7 . bxc3 'i¥a3 + 2 8 . Wc2 l:ta2 + 2 9 .�xa2 'ir'xa2+ 3 0 . Wc l 'i¥xd 2 + 3 ! . W b l l:rdS -+) 27 . . . l:txb l + 2 8 .Wc2 CiJxa4 2 9 . l:txb l �e2 3 0 . �b4 �d3 + -+ . 2 6. ..'iYa2 27.'>ii c 2 'ti'c41 28.b3 tt::l b4+ 29.'itt c 1 l:txb1 + 0-1
3 . 5 . 2 Black plays ... g7-gS Against the pawn constellation eS and f4, the counter-thrust . . . g7 - g S is quite fre quently a tried and trusted method to contest White 's centre : 3.10 Ivo Timmermans
Marc Dutreeuw Liechtenstein 1 9 9 7
The standard plan 1 3 . g4 �g6 1 4.f4i would gain the initiative for White. 1 3 ... h4
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'i¥xd5 3.tt::l c 3 'iYa5 4.d4 CiJf6 5.CiJf3 �f5 6.�c4 c6 7.�d2 'ti'c7 8.tt::l e 5 e6 9.'ti'e2 CiJbd7 1 0.0-0-0 h5?! 1 1 .h3?! l l .�gS ! is the way to go - see the theo retical appendix . 1 1 ... CiJxe5?1 I I . . . h4 ' is much better, to act against White 's kingside advance. 1 2.dxe5 CiJd7 1 3.f4? 244
After mutual mistakes, Black now has a better kingside structure.
Chapter
White can no longer play g 2 -g4, he cause of . . . hxg3 en passant. As a result, the f4 pawn cannot he helped by pawn g2 and White 's centre is shaky in the long term . 1 4.�e3 �b4 1 6 .t2Je4 tt:l b 6 1 8.a3 Ji.e7
1 5 .�d4 1 7.£xb6
0-0-0 axb6
Black now has the bishop pair and suffi cient control over the d6-square.
3:
The dxeS -centre
29.f5
2 9 . Wf! �xf3 3 0 . gxf3 gxf4 3 l .�xf4 �cS i and the difference is king safety. 29 ... �d5 30.fxe6
3 0 . f6 �cS 3 l .�xg 5 £xf3 + 3 2 . gxf3 �d4-+ . 30 ... �xe6 31 .�e4 �c5 �b6
3 2 . b4
1 9.�e3 'itb8 20J:rxd8+ �xd8 2Uid 1 .l:rxd 1 + 2 2 .'itxd 1 �d8+ 23.'ite2 Jll g 6 24.�d3 �h8 25 .�e3 b5 26 .£d 3 �d8 27.tt:lg5 �h5+ 28.t2Jf3
33.�h 7 ?
White collapses. 3 3 . �fS =F I + is better.
28 ... g 5 ! +
Thematic , undermining the centre.
33 ... �xe5+ 34.W d 1 �xf3+ 35.gxf3 �a 1 +-+ 36.We2 �g 1 3 7.�xf7 �f2+ 38.Wd 1 £.e3 39.£e2 �g 1 +
White resigned.
3 . 5 . 3 White gets problems on the g l -a7 diagonal A major disadvantage of f2 -f4 is that the g l -a 7 diagonal is weakened . This can cause White problems , especially if he castles kingside. There is an example in the game Olcayoz-Gelashvili (Game 2 . 5 7 ) .
3 . 6 The endgame
In the dxe S -structure, Black frequently has the better practical chances in the end game. The more pieces are exchanged, the more susceptible the e S pawn often be comes. And if White decides to protect it with f2 -f4, further weaknesses arise in hi s camp. 245
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
3.I I Williams David Taylor corr. 1 9 8 5
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'ifxd5 'ifaS 4.d4 c6 5.tt:lf3 tt::l f6 �f5 7.�d 2 e6 8.'ti'e2 9.0-0-0 tt:lbd7 1 O.tt:leS 1 1 .dxe5 tt:ldS 1 2.tt:le4 1 3.'iVxe4 �xd 2+
3.tt::l c 3 6.�c4 �b4 tt:JxeS �xe4
1 3 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 gives White the option of playing 1 4 . c 3 ! ? and retaining the bishop pair. 1 4Jbd 2 0-0-0= 1 5 . .!:!.hd1
22 .. Jbd 2 23 . .!:!.xd2 .!:!.xd2 24.Wxd 2 't!Vb6t Now things slowly start to become un pleasant for White, as the black queen will irrevocably invade on the king side. 25.b4 �g 1 26.'ife2 tt:lh6
1 5 ... g6 Also good is I S ... tt:lb6 , and after the ex change of rooks the position is easier to play for Black since his pawns are not so vulnerable: 1 6 . �b3 .!:!.xd2 1 7 . .!:!.xd2 .!:!.d8 1 8 .c3 'ifbS ! 1 9 .'iff4 ? ! 'iff! + 2 0 . Wc2 'ifxg 2 2 1 . l:!. xd 8 + Wxd8 2 2 . 'YWx f7 tLl d 7 2 3 . �x e 6 'if e 4 + 2 4 . Wd 2 tt::l x e S 2 S . 'il' f8 + W c 7 2 6 . 'ife 7 + ? W b 6 + , Sveshnikov-Sutovsky, Bled I 9 9 7 . 1 6.'ifh4 'ifc7 1 7.'ife4 .!:!.d7 1 8.�b3 .!:!.hd8 1 9.f4 hS! 20.g3 tt:le 7 21 .c3 tt:lfS 22.�c2?1 22 . .!:!.xd 7 .!:!.xd 7 2 3 . lh d 7 2 4 . �c2 = was more exact. 246
'if x d 7
27.gd 1 ? This is too passive. 2 7 . b S ! strives for counterplay and promises White good prospects of a draw. 27... tt::l g 4+ 28.h3?1 2 8 . Wc l is more stubborn, although in the long run Black should be able to win after 2 8 . . . tt:lxh2 2 9 .'il'd3 tt:lfl 3 0 .'ti'd6 'ife3 + 3 1 .Wc2 �b6 + . 2 8... tt:lf2 29.g4 tt::l x h3 30.f5 h4 With a winning position for Black.
Chapter
3:
T h e dxe 5 - cen t re
Piece exchange on dS with cxdS
If in the dxe 5 -structure the black knight pops up on d S . this often brings about a further exchange of pieces. Possible and typical consequences of this are at the heart of the next five games.
3 . 7 Bishops of opposite colours
Frequently mass exchanges lead to a set-up with bishops of opposite colours. Then the position of Black's king and whether he can get the queens off the board is of utmost importance.
3. 7. 1 Black king in the middle after .. �b4 .
3.1 2 Praveen Mahadeo Thipsay K. V. Shantharam Hyderabad ch-IND 1 9 94
1 .e4 d 5 2.exd5 'ti'xd5 3.tt:lc3 'iYa5 4.d4 c6 5.tt:lf3 tt:lf6 6.�c4 �f5 7.�d 2 e6 8.'iYe2 �b4 9.0-0 tt:lbd7 1 O.tt:le5 tt:lxe5!? 1 1 .dxe5 tt:ld5 1 2.�xd5 cxd5 1 3.a3 �xc3 1 4.�xc3 'it'a4?
strong tendency to a draw. Black's slight structural disadvantage is not relevant, since he has an active position. 1 6 .. J lc8 ( ! 6 . . . �d7 1 7 J Hd l l:[hc8 1 8 . .l:!.d4 l:Ic5 1 9 . l:[a4 l:[ c 6 2 0 . �f l .l::!. b 8 = , Solozhenkin-Bagirov, Jyvaskyla 1 9 94) l ? . l:[ fd l 0 - 0 1 8 . l:[ d 2 .!:tc4 '/2 - 1/2 , Grischuk-Rainfray, Menorca j r 1 9 9 6 .
An instructive error. Black's king now gets problems it will not be able to solve in time. A much stronger idea is the exchange of queens with 1 4 . . . 'it'a6 ! 1 5 .'iYxa6 . I f White moves the queen away. Black finds time to castle kingside. I S . . . bxa6 1 6 Jhc I . In this ending the bishops of opposite colours signify a 247
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
1 5 .�b4 ! -+
Bishops of opposite colours strengthen an attack , as witness this game. 1 5 ... a 5
21 ... a4 22.�e1 h5 2 3 . l:!.a d 1 �c2 24.1:!:d2 �.b3 25 .exf6 gxf6?
Better is 25 . . . 'i¥xc4± . 26 . .ll x e6 !+-
1 5 . . . 'i¥xc2 ? ! 1 6 . 'i¥e3 aS 1 7 . �d6 -+ ; 1 5 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 ! ? 1 6 . b 3 'i¥c6 1 7 . c4 d4 1 8 . �d6 ;!; / ± . 1 6 .�d 6 'i¥c6
1 6 . . . 'i¥xc2 ?! 1 7 .'i¥e3 -+ . 1 7.l:!.fc1
In the long run the opening of the posi tion cannot be avoided. With his next move, Black tries to bring the monarch to safety on the kingside.
26 ... �xe6 27J�e2+ Wf5
1 7.. .16
27 . . . �d7 28 . .Ue 7 + Wc8 2 9 . 'i¥xf6 .!:!.d8 3 0 .'i¥f5 'i¥d7 3 l .'i¥c5 + 'i¥c6 3 2 . .ll c 7 +
1 7 . . . b5 1 8 . a4 bxa4 1 9 . c4t . 1 8.c4 d4?!
- .
28.'i¥d3+ '>t>g5 29.h4+ '>t> h 6
Better is 1 8 . . . llc8 . 1 9.'i¥h5+ �g6 21 .'i¥xd4±
The decisive blow. The poor black king is marked out for death .
20.'i¥g4
Wf7
Now White has an extra pawn in addi tion to the initiative.
2 9 . . . �xh4 ? 3 0 . 'i¥g 3 # . 30.�14+ Wg7 32.�d6 :!:rd8
31 .l:i.e7+
Wf8 1 ·0
After 3 3 .'i¥g6 checkmate is unstoppable.
3 . 7 . 2 White plays for a draw The constellation with bishops of opposite colours favours a draw in the endgame. However, even then there is still a chance of outplaying the opponent. The start of the next game does not quite fall into our subj ect , since the exchange on e S does not happen till after tLldS . However, the structure after White 's 1 6th move is inter esting in the present context. 3. 1 3 Martin Fette Matthias Wahls Cannes 1 9 9 3
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'i¥xd5 3 .tt:lc3 'i¥a5 4.d4 tt:lf6 5 .tt:lf3 c6 6 .�c4
248
�f5 7.�d2 e6 8.'i¥e2 �b4 9.a 3 �xc3 1 0.�xc3 'i¥c7 1 1Jt:; e5 tt:l b d 7 1 2 .13 ?! � d 5 ! 1 3 .�xd5 cxd 5 1 4.g4 �g6 1 5 .h4 tt:lxe5 1 6 .dxe5 h5! 1 7.iYb5+ iYc6 1 8.iYxc6+ bxc6
Chapter
3:
The dxe5 - centre
A t first sight, the position does look like a successful dark-squared blockade. But Black still has two trumps in his hand : the lever . . f7 -f6 and the activa tion of the king by . . . '�h 7 - g 6 -f5 . .
26 ... a4 27.l:rf4
27... l:rd8 28.l:rd4? Black was allowed to escape into a pleasant endgame (strong Scandinavian bishop, sickly white kingside struc ture) , but this may still be tenable due to the bishops of opposite colours. 1 9.�d4? White sacrifices a pawn and plans to blockade the position to go for a draw. But this does not at all turn out to be a simple task. It is actually recommend able to hold on to material : 1 9 J ih2 cS 2 0. b4 should be a draw. 1 9 ... �xc2 20J:tc1 �a4 21 J:tc5 a5 22.g5 0-0 23.�c3 l:rfb8 24.l:rh2 l:rb3 25.l:rd2 �b5 26.l:rd4
Now Black sends his king on a j ourney on the light squares. 2 8 .�d4 l:rd3 2 9 . 'it>f2 =F / + is needed. 28 ... 'it>h7 29.'it>d2 'it>g6 30.'it>c2?! 3 0 .'it>e3 f6 + is better. 3 0 . l:rf4 ? d4-+ on account of 3 1 . l:rxd4 l:rxd4+ 3 2 ..�.xd4 l:rd3 + . 3 0... 'it>f5 31 .'it>c1 l:rg8 32.'it>b1 ?! There is a strong whiff of time trouble about White 's moves. 32 ... l:rf8 33.l:rd 1 ? �f4-+ It's all over now. 34 . .tb4 l:rd8
0-1
Piece exchang e on dS with . . . exdS
249
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
This leads t o a pawn distribution which promises tension. White gets a 4: 3 kingside majority and Black a similar one on the other side of the board. Much will depend on whose is the faster moving majority.
3 . 8 The advance ... dS -d4 3. 14 Nelson Gonzalez Rabago Soren Peschardt corr. 1 9 8 8
1 .e4 d 5 2.exd5 'ti'xd5 3.tt::l c 3 'ifa5 4.d4 c6 5.tt::l f 3 tt::l f6 6.�c4 �f5 7.�d 2 e6 8."ife2 �b4 9.0-0-0 tt::l bd7 1 O.tt::l e 5?1 tt::l x e5 1 1 .dxe5 tt::l d 5 1 2.�xd5 exd5 Black is more or less forced to take like this, since 1 2 . . . cxd5 1 3 .'ifb5 + ! 'ifxb5 1 4. tt::l x b5 results in an advantageous endgame for White. 1 3.g4
1 3 ... �e6?1 1 3 . . . d4! is stronger and the subject of the next game. 1 4.a3? Overlooks an obvious blow. For 1 4.f4 see Nijboer-Stehouwer (Game 3 . 1 6) . 1 4 ... �xa3! 1 5.tt::l x d5 1 5 . bxa 3 ? simply fails to 1 5 . . . 'ifxa 3 + 1 6 . �b l d4-+ . 1 5 ... �xb2+ 1 6.�xb2 'ifxd5-+ and Black has two extra pawns , which he later converted into a win. 3.1 5 Shannon David Taylor carr. 1 9 8 8
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'ifxd5 3.tt::l c 3 'ifa5 4.d4 c6 5.tt::l f 3 tt::l f6 6.�c4 �f5 7.�d2 e6 8.'ti'e2 �b4 9.0-0-0 tt::l bd 7 1 O.tt::l e 5?! tt::l x e5 1 1 .dxe5 tt::l d 5 This is the idea at the heart of the I O . tt::l e 5 line. White 's kingside majority should get rolling. 1 3 .a3 ? �xa3 ! 1 4.'ti'f3 ( 1 4.bxa3 'ifxa3 + 1 5 .�b l d4 1 6 .tt::l e 4 �e6 1 7 .tt::l d 6+ Wf8 1 8 .c40 dxc3 -+ , L. Bronstein-Tempone (see comments to Game 2 . 66)) 1 4 . . . �e6 I 5 .tt::l a 2 �b4 1 6 .�xb4 'ifxa2 1 7 .'ife3 0-0-0 1 8 .�d6 b6 1 9 .�d2 'ti'xb2 2 0 . J:lb l d4 2 1 Jhb2 dxe 3 + 2 2 .�xe3 �b7 + . ]. Polgar-Cu. Hansen (Game 2 . 1 1 6) . 250
Chapter
The move ttJdS (after dxe S ) is mainly well worth considering when it attacks a white knight on c3 . This often leads to a relieving exchange for Black, and also from time to time to the improvement of his pawn structure. The alternative I I . . . tt:J d n would be too timid here , and after I 2 . a 3 1 Black already has s p e c i fi c d i ffi culti e s : 1 2 . . . b S ( 1 2 . . . �xc3 1 3 . �xc3 'i¥ c 7 1 4 .�b4 ! ± ; 1 2 . . . �xa 3 1 3 . t2J b S �b4 1 4 . �x b 4 'i¥xb4 I S . t2J d 6 + � e 7 1 6 . tLl x fS + e x fS 1 7 .e6 1 -0, Gasseholm-Ingerslev (see comments to Game 2 . 6 7 ) ) 1 3 . �d3 ! with a clear advantage to White.
White gives up his bishop for the black knight, so as not to lose time and to be able to attack at once. The alternatives I O . tLlxdS and I O . t2Je4 are rather unam bitious, but safer. 1 2 ... exd 5 1 3 .g4 d4! This strong intermediate move calls White 's plan into question. The point is that the knight has to move to the unat tractive square b l . 1 3 . . . �e6 ? 1 was dis cussed in the previous game. 1 4.t2Jb1 A) 1 4 . gx fS ? dxc 3 I S . �x c 3 ( I S . bxc3 ? ? �a3 + 1 6 . 'lto> b l �b 6 + ) 1 5 . . . �xc3 1 6 . bxc3 'ti!Yxa 2 + ; B ) Neither i s 1 4.t2Je4? any good : 1 4 . . . �xe4 I S . 'ti!Yxe4 ( I S .�xb4 fails to I S . . . �dS t 1 6 . l:thg l �f3 -+ ) I S . . . �xd 2 + 1 6 . .!:lxd2 �xa 2 + .
3:
The dxeS - centre
1 4 ... �e6 1 5.a3 �xd 2+ 1 6.t2Jxd 2 This looks natural , but 1 6 . lhd2 + has its advantages, since then White 's king position is quite well secured by tt:Jb I . After the text move, Black 's kingside castling followed by an attack against the white king is an obvious plan . 1 6 ... 0-0! 1 7.f4 1 9.J:lhe1 b4-+
b5
1 8.f5 �d5
20.t2J b 1 A serious concession, which brings into question the quality of move 1 6 . 20 ... c5 21 .f6 bxa3 .I:tab8 23.fxg 7 .I:tfe8
22.t2Jxa3
White already has a pawn on g 7 , but it is only helping the black king ! 24.1:.d3 c4 ! 25 . .I:txd4 .I:txb2!-+ The decisive move. 26.t2Jxc4 2 6 . c;t>xb2 c3 + and checkmate. 26 ... �xc4 27. .I:txc4 .I:ta2 White resigned.
3 . 9 White's majority gets rolling
Of course Black does not always have the better of it in this structure. The next game again features the same line as in the two previous games : 2S I
The Mod ern Scan d i n a v i a n
3. 1 6 Friso Nijboer Coen Stehouwer N e therlands tt
1 99 5/96
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'iii x d5 'ii' a 5 4.d4 c6 5.tZlf3 tZlf6 �f5 7.�d2 e6 8.�e2 9.0-0-0 tZlbd7 1 O.tZle5?! 1 1 .dxe5 tZld5 1 2.�xd5 1 3 .g4 �e6?!
3 .tZlc3 6.�c4 �b4 tZlxe5 exd5
1 9 J ihfl d4 2 0 . e 6 fxe 6 2 ! . fxe6 �e8 2 2 . .l:!.f7 d 3 =l= ) 1 9 . . . fxe6 2 0 . fxe 6 �e8 2 l .�c3 �g 6 ! 2 2 .�xg 7 .l:!.hg 8 oo . The white passed pawn is strong . but well blockaded by the black bishop, and Black has the bishop pair. 1 7.�xb4 �xa2 1 8.f5 �d7 1 9.e6 �e8 20.�e5t
1 3 . . . d4! = , Shannon-Taylor (Game 3 . 1 5 ) . 1 4.f4 0-0-0 1 5.a3 Also possible is the very interesting pawn sacrifice I 5 . tZl b 1 1 ? �xd 2 + ! 6 .l: h d 2 'Wxa 2 . The knight on tZlb I de fends the queenside and the white kingside majority starts to roll forward : I 7 . fs �d7 1 8 . e 6 �e8 1 9 . e 7 l:rd7 2 0 . g S d 4 ( 2 0 . . . h6 2 l . f6 hxg S ? ( 2 1 . . . g 6 oo ) 2 2 . fxg7 l:.g8 2 3 .�h5 d 4 24.�h7 f6 2 5 . b 3 1 �f7 2 6 . �xg 8 + +- ) 2 1. . �hd l �dS 2 2 .�g4 cS 2 3 . f6 'ti'c6 2 4 . fxg 7 l:!. g 8 2 5 . c 3 l:rxg 7 2 6 .'ii' f5 b 6 2 7 . cxd4 Wb7 2 8 .�e5 .ti.g6 2 9 . d5 ± , Boom Pedersen, corr. 1 9 8 5 . 1 5 ... gxa31 In Gonzalez Rabago-Peschardt (Game 3 . 1 4) this blow decided the game, here it gives Black sufficient counterplay. 1 6.tZla2 �b4? This move wins a pawn, but White 's kingside majority becomes too power ful . 1 6 . . . �a4! was needed : 1 7 . fS ( 1 7 . bxa3 d4 1 8 . tZlb4 �xa 3 + 1 9 . Wb l d3 -+) 1 7 . . . �e7 (Paramos Dominguez Fames Marcet, Spain tt 2 0 0 1 ) 1 8 . Wb l �d 7 . The critical position ; Black 's chances are good : 1 9 . e 6 ( ! 9 .�c3 ! ? cS ! 2 0 Jh d 5 �c6 2 I . .ti.xd 8 + .ti.xd8 2 2 . b3 �e4 2 3 . �xe4 �xe4 24J:te l �f3 oo ; 252
Black's extra pawn is irrelevant here. White is totally dominant thanks to the powerful e6 pawn , choking Black. 20 .. .f6? Positionally bad, making e6 a protected passed pawn. 20 . . .fxe6 is needed, e.g. 2 l .�e 7 .f.td7 2 2 .�xg 7 �a I + 2 3 .Wd2 �aS 24.b4 �b6 2 5 .Wc l exfS 2 6 . .ti.de l i , although Black can still defend. 21 .�d4 Now the threat is simply winning the exchange with 2 2 .�e 7 , and nothing can stop it. 21 ... wb8 22.�f4+ wca Nor does 2 2 . . . �a8 intending 2 3 .�e 7 .l::t c 8 work here because of 2 3 .�c7 + -. And now 23.�e7+would have been even stronger than the game continuation 2 3 .�d4.
Chapter
4: The fxeS -centre
II • II II i ll II i i ll i ll i ll II II II II II II II 11 11 11 11 � � II II � 11 11 11 11 If White plays tLleS and f2 -f4 , in the majority of cases Black should not take on e S , since a white attack down the opened f-file can become very dangerous. Instead, Black usually tries to prevent the advance f4- f5 , and to exploit the weak nesses created in White 's camp by f2 - f4. For this idea see the section ' Standard cen tre with f2 -f4 ' on page 2 0 2 . But since we know that exceptions prove the rule, there are also cases i n which it is OK for Black to allow the fxe S -centre. This applies above all when Black can quickly attack the white centre with . . . f7 -f6 or . . . c6-c5 :
4. 1 Michel Balms Pierre Lafaurie Paris 1 9 9 8
1 .e4 d 5 2.exd5 ii'xd5 3.t2Jc3 'ifa5 4.d4 c6 5 ..ic4 .if5 6.t2Jf3 e6 7.t2Je5 t2Jf6 8.0-0 t2Jbd7 9.f4 ?!
'White 's 8 th move looks unambitious. But he still wants the initiative. The pos itive side of the game move is that it increases control over the important e S -square. But there are also negative aspects : the possibility of activity for the bishop on c 1 is seriously restricted by the pawns on d4 and f4.' (Curt Hansen) 9 ... �e7 For 9 . . . �d8 ! ? , see Morovic Fernandez Cu. Hansen (Game 1 . 1 0) in the afore mentioned section about the standard centre with f2 - f4 . 1 0.'it;> h 1 1 O . g4 ? tLl x e S 1 1 . fxe5 t2:lxg4+ . 253
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
1 o ... tt:lxe5 !? 1 1 .fxe5 l l . dxeS tt:ldS 1 2 . tt:lxd5 cxdS is abso lutely no problem for Black: 1 3 .�d3 �xd3 1 4.�xd3 g6 I S . c3 l:tc8 = Mi . Kierzek- R . Grunberg , Germany Bundesliga 1 9 9 8 / 9 9 . 1 1 ... tt:ld5 1 2.tt:le2 0-0
1 6.�a5? After this error, the pride of White 's po sition, the centre, is taken apart. The supporting 1 6 .�c3 ! would have gained an advantage, as the following variations show : 1 6 . . . tt:ld7 ( 1 6 . . . �g4 1 7 .'iYe l �xe2 ( 1 7 . . . c5 1 8 . dxc5 �xeS 1 9 . tt:l g 3 �d4 2 0 .h 3 ) 1 8 . VJ/ixe 2 cS 1 9 .dS exdS 2 0 . cxd5 tt:lxdS 2 l .�xd5 l:t x d S 2 2 . � f3 ± ) 1 7 . tt:l g 3 tLlxe S 1 8 . tt:lxf5 exfS 1 9 . l:txf5 t . 1 6 ... c5 ! 1 7.d5 VJ/ixe5 1 8.tt:lg3 It is a minor miracle that after 1 6 . . . c5 White is still in the game. Thanks to the semi-open f-file he manages to obtain a certain initiative for the pawn.
White 's centre looks good and he has a free game, though there is always the possibility of the two levers . . . f7 -f6 and . . . c6-c5 .
1 8 ... �g6 1 9.1Wf3 exd5 20.cxd5 'ti'd6 21 .tt:lf5 �xf5 22.�xf5 'ti'g6
1 3.�d2 VJ/ic7 1 4.�b3 .l:rfd8?! An inaccuracy, because without the rook on f8 the move . . . f7 -f6 is less ef fective. 1 4 . . . l:tad 8 ! is stronger; the game continuation I S .c4 tt:lb6 1 6 .�c3 can then be met by 1 6 .. . f6 +2 . 1 5.c4 tt:lb6 23.'iYf2? 2 3 . d 6 ! VJ/ixfS 24 . .l:rxf5 �xd6 2 S .�xf7 + and White should be able to hold the draw.
Now White 's d-pawn is reliably block aded and Black has an extra pawn. White resigned on move 3 9 .
254
Chapter S : The symme trical centre after . . . exdS
To some extent this is a French Exchange centre, in which Black's c-pawn stands on c6. Just as in the French Exchange, the symmetrical centre does not mean an imme diate draw. A decisive part is played by the open e-file. If all the rooks are exchanged on it, the game can in fact be extremely drawish. However, in the following game Matthias managed to get control of the e-file and use it to exert decisive pressure : 5.1 Volker Meier Matthias Wahls Germany tt 1 9 9 3
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'ti'xd5 3.t2lc3 'tWaS 4.d4 c6 5 .ti:lf3 t2lf6 6.t2le5 �f5 6 . . . �e6 ! ? is also worth considering here. 7.�d3 �xd3 8.'iYxd 3 t2l bd 7 ! 8 . . . e 6 ? ! would b e inaccurate, since after 9 . 0 - 0 t2lbd 7 1 O .'ti'g3 ! White maintains the knight on e5 and temporarily pre vents the development of the f8 bishop because of the pressure on g 7 . 9.t2lxd 7 t2lxd 7 1 O . .id2?1 Too stereotyped. The bishop is less ef fective on d2 , since there is no prospect of a dangerous discovered attack by the
white knight. It is better to put the bishop on f4 : I 0 . 0 - 0 e6 l l .�f4 . 1 o ...e 6 1 1 .0-o-o o-o-o The pressure against d4 is already giv ing Black a slight initiative. 1 2J�he1 1 2 . <;t;>b l ? ! t2l e 5 1 2 .�f4 ? ! .ib4 t .
1 3 . 'iY e 4
t2l c 4 f ;
1 2 ... t2lf6 1 3.'li'c4 .id6 Not a bad move, but it gives the oppo nent a chance to simplify. Especially when you are the favourite, you should sometimes keep an eye open for alter native moves which do not allow your opponent any chance to reduce your own potential for a win. Worth looking at in this sense was swinging the queen over with 1 3 . . . 'iff5 ! ? . 255
T h e Mod ern Scand i n a v i a n
2 i . tt:Je4 will put up more o f a fight.
1 4.h3?! The aforementioned chance for simpli fication consisted of 1 4. tt:J e4 1 ? 'iYdS I S . 'iVxdS cxdS 1 6 . tt:Jxd 6 + l::!. x d6 = and it is a hard business to conj ure up win ning chances from this position.
21 ... exd5! Black decides on the symmetrical cen tre. Meier had probably mainly counted on 2 1 . . . .l:!.xdS . which is more typical of the Scandinavian. 22.'iYc3 �e8 24.'iYg 1 �g3+
1 4 ... �c7 !
23.'iYe1
�de7
The decision to change to a symmetri cal centre depended not least on this possibility. Black now has absolute con trol of the e-file. 25.wa2 2 5 .�f2 'iYgs 2 6 JB d2 l:te 2 + . 25 .. J:re6 An excellent square for the bishop ! From c 7 it looks at the kingside , but can also later be deployed on squares b6 and aS . Of course, most importantly it clears the d-file. In most Scandinavian positions playing . . . �c 7 is not a good idea , since the black queen needs an escape to c7 or d8 . Here though the queen has the 5 th rank available. 1 5.Wb1 1 5 . tt:Je4 't/Vfs 1 6 . tt:Jxf6 gxf6 ! 1 7 J :te2 ( 1 7 .�e 3 .l:!.dg8 1 8 . g4 'iYf3 1 9 J 1h l h S t) I 7 . . . �hg8 1 8 . f3 h S and Black has a more active position.
The position is further strengthened by doubling rooks on the d-file. 1 8.�d3
h5!
Now White 's kingside pawns are fixed. 20.a3 tt:Jd5 21 .tt:Jxd5? 256
26.b3?? 'i¥f6?? Black is too much taken up with his own plan . 2 6 . . J he 3 2 7 . llxe 3 'i¥xc2 + -+ would have decided the game at once. 27Jt1 d2 �d8 28J::rc3 f5 29.lld 1 'iVe7 30.�d 2 .tie2 Things slowly become uncomfortable. 31 .�d3 'iYf6 32.'0t>b2?
1 5 .. .'iYf5 1 6 .f3 �d7
1 7.�e3 �hd8 1 9.�ed 1 h4
The next step towards the strengthen ing of the position is taken : tripling the major pieces. Of course not 25 . . . 'iYe6 , since the queen belongs behind the rooks or at least behind one of them .
White was in extreme time trouble, which is the only explanation for this blunder. 3 2 JHI + would still hold out. 32 ...�f2 33.'i¥f1 �xd4-+ 34.�c3 �xc3+ 35.�xc3 �8e3 0-1 White lost on time.
Chapter 6: The exchange centre after ... cxdS
II II II i .t ll i ll II ll i ll II II II II II � � II � II II II II This transformation of the position is not bad for Black as far as the pawn structure is concerned. The centre is strengthened and Black obtains the semi-open c-file. Additionally, there now is a chance for a queenside minority attack: 6. 1 Finn Gasseholm Jens Ove Fries Nielsen corr. ! 9 9 2
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'ifxd5 3.tt:Jc3 'ifa5 4.d4 tt:Jf6 5.tt:Jf3 �f5 6.�c4 c6 7. .id2 e6 8.'ife2 �b4 9.tt:Je5 tt:Jbd7 1 0.tt:Jxd 7 �xd 7 1 1 .0-0-0 tt:Jd51
1 S . 'if e S 'ifxe S 1 7 . .l:.hd 1 �e 7 = .
1 6 . dxe 5 +
1 2 ... �xd 2+ 1 3 . .1:.xd 2 1 4.�b5+ �e7 1 5.�b1
tLl d S cxd5
.� . . . i .. , . . .,. . i. . , • • • • • • • • • • !::, !J:, lt 'if !::, • �• • • n 1 5 ... h51?
1 2.tt:Jxd5 Also leading to equality is 1 2 . tt::l e 4 .ixe4 1 3 .'ifxe4 �xd 2 + 1 4. lhd2 tt::l f6
Black would like to make play difficult for White on the kingside and gain space there. 1 5 . . . .l:.hc8 is the more natural choice. 1 6.�d3 g6 1 7.f3 h4 1 8 . .1:.c1 .l:.ac8 1 9.g4 257
T h e Mod ern Scand i n a v i a n
1 9 .�xf5 gxf5 2 0 J:t d 3 l:!.c4 2 1. .l:!.a3 'ii b 6 2 2 .llb3 fie ? = . 1 9 ... hxg3 20.hxg3 .l:!.c6 21 .g4 �xd3 22 . .l:!.xd3 'iVc7=i=
36.'1t>e3? After this Black has real winning chances; perhaps Gasseholm took mat ters too lightly? 3 6 . 'it> d 3 stays i n touch with the b3 -square, and after 3 6 . . . e5 3 7 .dxe5 'lt>e6 3 8 . .l:!.h2 'lt>xe 5 3 9 . .l:!.h8 White holds on. 36 ... b3! That is the problem. Now all the white pawns turn into weaknesses. 37.cxb3 .l:!.b4 38 . .l:!.c2 .l:!.xb3+
The idea I 5 . . . h 5 ! ? has turned out posi tively, because Black now controls the open h-file. 23.'l!\Ye3 .l:!.h3 24 . .l:!.dd1 25 . .l:!.d2 .l:!.h3 26.'1Wg5+ 27. .l:!.f2 'iVg3 28. .l:!.cf1
.l:!.h2 'lt>d7
Fries Nielsen liquidates to an advanta geous rook ending. The fact that he can win it in a correspondence game, shows that White 's task is in no way an easy one. 28 ...'ihf2 29Jbf2 .l:!. h 1 + 30.'ti'c1 .l:!.xc1 + 31 .'1t>xc1 'lt>e7=i= 32.g5 b5 The minority attack begins. 33.a3 aS 34.'1t>d2 b4 35.a4 .l:!.c4
39.'1t>e2? 3 9 . .l:!. c 3 ! would have been much tougher, because after 3 9 . . . llxb2 J (better is 3 9 . . . .l:!.b4) White has the counter 40 . .l:!.c5 . 39 ... .l:!.b4 40.'1t>e3 'lt>d6 41 .f4 .l:!.xa4+ 42 . .l:!.c5 .l:!.a 1 43 . .l:!.b5 'lt>c6 44 . .l:!.b8 .l:!.e1 + 45.'1t>f3 .l:!.b1 46 . .l:!.f8?1 .l:!.xb2 47Jlxf7 a4 48.l:.f6 a3 49 . .l:!.xe6+ 'lt>bS 50.l:te8 .l:!.b3+ 51 .'1t>e2?1 a2 52 . .l:!.a8 .l:!.h3 and White admitted defeat in view of the continuation 5 3 . fS llh I 54 . .l:!. xa 2 .l:!.h2 + -+ .
258
Chapter
7:
The queenside majority centre
• • • • . ,. ·· � · • ••• • • • • • • • • • II II II II � � �· � • • • • When the black c-pawn is exchanged for White 's d-pawn, we get the queenside maj ority centre. White gets a 3 : 2 queenside majority, Black a kingside 4 : 3 maj ority. In the following game these plans and events play an important part: I . Black queenside minority attack 2. Badly placed �b3 3. Play against this bishop with tt::l c S . 7. 1
This move looks somewhat strange, but threatens 9 . d S , after which Black no longer has the tactical reply . . . 'it c S .
Uwe Kaminski Karsten Miiller Germany Bundesli g a
1 992/93
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 'i!Vxd5 3.tt::l c 3 'tWaS 4.d4 �f5 5.tt::l f3 tt::l f6 6.�d 2 c6 7.�c4 e6
8 ... 'tWc7 9.'tWe2 tt:Jbd7 1 O.h3?1 In what follows White 's play is too ste reotyped and Black gets a very comfort able game. 1 0 ... �d6 1 1 .0-0-0 0-0-0 1 2J�he1 a61 The correct plan. Black prepares . . . c6-c5 , to play against the bishop on b3 . 1 3.tt::l e 5 �g6 1 4.tt::l c4 �f4
8.�b3
The exchange of the dark-squared bishop by tt::l x d6 should not be allowed here. Without a counterpart White 's dark-squared bishop would become very strong (h2-b8 diagonal , the square complex b 6 , cS , d 6 , e S ) . 259
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
1 5.'>t>b1 �xd 2 1 6.l::i. x d 2 b5 1 6 . . . c5 7! would be premature because of 1 7 .d5 ! , since after 1 7 . . . exd5 1 8 . tt:lxd5 tt:lxdS 1 9 Jhd5 b S 2 0 .tt:ld6+ �b8 White gets an advantage with 2 l .tt:lxb5 ! , for example 2 l . . . axb5 2 2 .'ii' x b5 + 'i¥b6 (2 2 . . .'ii' b 7 2 3 .'ii' x b7 + �xb7 2 4 . .ll e 7 ! l::i. h e 8 ( 2 4 . . . �c 6 7 2 5 . l::i. dxd 7 .ll x d 7 2 6 . �a4 + +- ; 2 4 . . . �c8 2 5 . '>t>c l ± l::i. h e 8 ? 2 6 . l::i. d xd 7 +- ) 2 5 . l::i. d xd 7 + .l:rxd7 2 6 . .l:!.xd 7 + Wc8 2 7 . l::i. d l .l:re2 2 8 . l::i. f l ±) 2 3 Jhc5 ;!; . 1 7.tt:le3?1 After this White 's position becomes too passive. Preferable was 1 7 . tt:l e S tt:lxeS 1 8 . dxe5 l::i. x d2 1 9 . 'lWxd2 l:td8 2 0 .'iYe3 tt:ld7 2 l . f4 �b6 = 1 + with only a minimal advantage to Black. 1 7... c51 1 8.dxc5 1 8 . d 5 fails to 1 8 . . . tt:lb6 1 with the deadly threat 1 9 . . . c4 ( but not 1 8 . . . c 4 7 1 9 . tt:lxc4 bxc4 2 0 .if.xc4 tt:lcS 2 l . dxe6 .l::!: x d2 2 2 . 'iWxd2 fxe 6 2 3 .�xe 6 + oo) 1 9 . dxe6 c4 2 0 . lhd8 + l:[xd8 2 l . e 7 l:te8 with a clear advantage for Black. 1 8 ... tt:lxc5=F
••
• .t .
The knight o n cS i s dominating the bishop on b 3 ; Black has a solid and last ing advantage . 1 9 . .l:i.ed 1 'ii' c 6 20.l::i. x d8+ l::t x d8 21 .l::i. x d8+ '>t>xd8 22.f3 �c8 23.'it>c1 h5 24.a3 With this White allows his queenside majority to be devalued, but what else can he do 7 In any case, �a2 is now an extra possibility, so Black goes for the pawn structure . . . 24 ... tt:lxb3+ 25.cxb3 . . . only to go on and lose the fruits of his hard work with two inaccurate moves: 25 ... tt:ld7?1 25 . . . h41 would have retained the advan tage and kept his opponent going for some time yet. 26.b4 tt:le5?1 Overlooks the following liquidation. 27.tt:ld51 tt:ld3+ Nor does 27 . . . 'iYd6 2 8 .tt:le 7 + '>t>d7 2 9 .tt:lxg6 tt:lxg6 3 0 .'ii' e 3 +% help Black. 28.'�xd3 �xd3 29.tt:le7+ wd7 30.tt:lxc6 wxc6 31 .h4 e5 32.wd2 �f5 33.�e3= Despite Black's kingside maj ority, this ending is clearly drawn ; the white knight is doing a good j ob. 33 .. .f6 34.g3 '>t>d6 35.a4 36.<1Jxa4 �d5 37.tt:lc5 38.tt:la4 �f5 39.tt:lc5 40.tt:la4 �f5 41 .tt:lc5
260
bxa4 ..Q.c8 ..Q.ca 112- 112
Chapter
8:
The isolated pawn centre
Next come two games with an isolated white pawn on d4. In both cases, White is struggling to survive in vain : 8. 1 Kim Pilgaard Klaus Berg Nyborg ch-DEN 2 0 0 I
1 .e4 d 5 2.exd5 'it'xd5 3.tt:Jc3 �as 4.tt:Jf3 c6 5.d4 �f5 6.�e2 tt:Jf6 7.0-0 e6 8.�f4 tt:Jbd7 9.a31?
1 4 . . . tt:Jd5 l S . tLlxdS cxdS 1 6 .c4 gives White the initiative. 1 5.bxc6 bxc6 1 7.tt:Je4?
1 6.�g3
'ifa5
1 7 .'ife l with the positional threat tLldS is somewhat better for White. 1 7... tt:Jxe4 1 8.�xe4 tt:Jf6 1 9.�f3 �fd8=F
White intends a queenside initiative. The plan is interesting but not without positional risks. 9 ... �e 7 1 O.b4 � d8 1 1 .tt:Jh4 �g6 1 2.�f3 0-0 1 3.tt:Jxg6 hxg6 1 4.b5 l:rc8!?
The consequences of White's error be come visible, because now . . . c6-c5 and the creation of an isolated pawn for White can hardly be prevented. 261
The Modern Scandinavian
39.�b8+
20.�e5 tt:Jd7! The immediate 2 l . �b 7 .
20 . . . c 5 7 1
allows
21 .�f4 tt:J b6 22.�d2 �f5 23.c3 c5 ! 24.�e3 24.dxc5 7 tt:Jc4-+ 24 ...cxd4 25 .cxd4 .£f6 26J:tc1 �a5 In view of his weaknesses on a3 and d4 White is facing a hard defensive task. 27.l::t xc8 l::t xc8 28.�a 1 l::t d 8 29.l:l.d 1 �a4 30.g3 tt:Jc4 31 .�a2 tt:Jxe3 Here and on the next move the lever . . . e 6 - e 5 is well worth considering. 32.fxe3 l::t c8 34.l::t d 3 l::t c 2 36.�g 2 �a5
�g5 l::t c 1 +
3 9 .e47 �h 3 -+ . 39 ... �h7 40.�b3 �xf3 ! 41 .�xc2 �xe3+ 42Jbe3 �xe3+ 43 .�f2 �xf2+ 44.'ot'xf2 g5 45.We3 f5 46.a4 'ot'g6 47.a5 'ot'f6 48.a6 g4 49.wf4 g5+ 50.we3 we7 51 .'>t>d3 wd6 52.wc4 wc6 0-1 8.2 John Nunn Julian Hodgson Netherlands tt 1 9 9 4 / 9 5
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 �xd5 3.t2Jc3 �a5 4.d4 c6 5.tt:Jf3 tt:Jf6 6.�c4 �f5 7.�d 2 e6 8.�e2 �b4 9.0-0 tt:Jbd7 1 0.a3 �xc3 1 1 .�xc3 �c7 1 2.�b3 0-0 1 3 J:t.ad1 a5 1 4.t2Je5 b5 1 5.£d2? Sacrificing the c2 pawn is always dou ble-edged. If White does not obtain a strong initiative by force, the loss of this pawn turns out to be horriflc from a positional point of view. Finally, as well as the weakening of some light squares, the d4 pawn also becomes isolated. 15 ... a4! 1 6 .�a 2 �xc2 1 7Jlc1 �e4 1 8.�g5 £d5! 1 9.�xf6 tt:Jxf6 20.�xd5 tt:Jxd5 21 Jhc6 �b7 22.l::tfc1 b4+
White cannot stand the pressure and goes wrong. 3 7 . e4 �e7 3 8 .�b2 is correct . 37 .. Jk2+ 38.�g 1 �f5 ! With this double attack Black forces White into a completely lost queen , and eventually, pawn endgame. 262
Chapter
White has won back the pawn. What is left is the isolated pawn d4. 23.h3 h6 25.tt:J xf7?!
24.axb4
'tWxb4
White sacrifices a piece, which does not change the fact that he is fighting for a draw. A more appropriate try would be 2 S J:t 6 c 5 'i¥b 7 ( 2 5 . . . 'ifxd4 ? ? 2 6 . .l::r ! c4+- ) 2 6 . l:r. ! c4+ and the activ ity of his pieces gives White something, though not sufficient compensation for the bad pawn structure.
8:
The isola ted pawn cen tre
31 ... J::rf 7+ Black has a clear advantage, but as Rob ert James Fischer said about this in his day : + implies, in contrast to -+ , that objectively speaking the position could be drawn. 32.J::r a 3 .l::r g 8
33.g4?
25 ... tt:Jf4! A) 2 5 . . . 'l.t;>xf7 ? ? 2 6 .'f!ll x e6 # . B) 2 5 . . Jhf7 ? 2 6 . l:k 8 + .!:l x c 8 2 7 . l:!.xc8 + 'l.t;> h 7 2 8 . 'tWe4+ l:.fs 2 9 . g4±. 26.tt:Jxh6+ gxh6 27.'ik'g4+ <;.f;>h8 28.'tWh4 'ik'b7 29.'ik'xh6+ 'tlfh7 30.'t!Yxh 7 + 'it>xh 7 31 .J::r a 1 Materially speaking , White is OK. He has three pawns for the knight, but all three are very susceptible.
White hangs on to the material , but it would be far more important to nullify his opponent's winning potential . 3 3 . g 3 ! l2Jxh3 + 3 4 . '1t> g 2 l2Jxf2 3 5 . .l::r x e6 with good prospects of a draw, because Black will find it hard to win without pawns. 33 ... J::r b 8 34.J::r x a4? And here 3 4 . l:!.c4 .l::r x b2 3 5 . .l::r c xa4 would be much tougher. 34 ... J::r x b2 35 . .l::r a 3 tt:Je2+ 36.g3 tt:Jb5 0-1
263
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
Chapter
9:
The multi-isolani centre ( d4 against e6 I c6 )
This central formation is not so common in the Scandinavian. For the important theme ' strong knight on dS against a weak dark-squared white bishop' see the game Maus-Hansen (Game 2 . 64) . The following chapters discuss central structures in which White does without the move d2-d4. They often look harmless , but carry some positional venom.
2 64
Chapter
1 0:
The little centre ( d3 )
1 0. 1 The Scandinavian bishop is restricted
The restriction of Black's bishop is a main advantage of the set-up with a pawn on d3 instead of d4. The subj ect is reminiscent of the Reti Variation which has been known at least since it was reached (by transposition of moves) in the I 2 th game of the I 9 5 8 Botvinnik -Smyslov World Championship match. 1 .tt:'lf3 d5 2.g3 tt:'lf6 3.�g2 c6 4.0-0 �f5 5.d3 e6 6.tt:Jbd2 h6 7.b3 �e7 8.�b2 0-0 9.c4
Black 's light-squared bishop is biting on granite - the d3 pawn.
The white bishop on g 2 seems a little better off at first glance, staring at the dS and c6 pawns. But this is deceptive : the white bishop often becomes very strong a fter the opening of the queenside and it sometimes gets into the action actively via h3 . But after this little digression about other areas of the opening, we return to the Scandinavian. In connection with the restriction of the Scandinavian bishop in the little centre , see Kovchan-Kobalia (Game 1 1 . 2 ) . There this subj ect plays a part for long stretches of the game.
1 0.2 White expands with a2 -a3 , b2 -b4
The ' little' move d 2- d 3 has , compared to d2-d4, the advantage of not weakening the light squares. Consequently the light-square strategy is not typical against the 'little centre ' . 265
The Modern Scand inavian
More often Black seizes the opportunity and gains space i n the centre with e S ; White typically counters with play o n the queenside.
1 0 . 3 Black plays ... e 7 -eS 1 0. 3 . 1 Black obtains an important advantage in space In the next game White 's wing play does not really get going and Black obtains the initiative : 1 0. 1
1 2.tt:Jg5 �xe2 1 3 .'iYxe2oo
Roland Voigt Karsten Miiller
Dahne Cup, Forchheim tt
l 999I00
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'iYxd5 3 .tuf3 �g4 4.�e2 tt:Jc6 5.0-0 0-0-0 6.d3 White has not gone in for a very attrac tive version of the d3 -centre, since his light-squared bishop is really passive on e 2 . It would be better to place it on c4 or to fianchetto it.
Obviously White has achieved some control over the light squares. In return Black has an advantage in space and good chances for a kingside attack. 1 3 ... Il he8 1 4.tt:Jce4 �f8 1 5 .�c3 h6
6 ...e5 If White does not want the centre, then Black takes it. 7.�e3 7 . tbc3 - see Braun-Wahls (Game 1 6 . 2 ) . 7 .. .15 8.tt:Jc3 'iYd7 9.a4?! White has queenside play on his mind , but never really gets it going. More usual and more promising is to start such play with a2 -a3 and b2-b4 . 9 .. .f4 1 0.�d 2 tt:Jf6 1 1 J:te 1 ? �c5? In sporting terms this game was of im portance (it was the final of the compe tition) and therefore both sides played nervously. After l l . . . e4! 1 2 . tb g 5 �xe2 1 3 .'iYxe 2 f3 followed by . . . tbd4, Black would have a strong initiative. 266
1 6.tt:Jxf6? A strategic error. Now the g-file is opened and Black's central pawns be come mobile. Better is 1 6 . tbf3 Ci dS 1 7 .�d2 Ile 6 <= . 1 6 ... gxf6 1 7.t2:Je4 �e7 1 8.'it>h1 Ilg8 1 9.'iYf3 �g4 t 20 . .ll g 1 f5 21 .tt:Jd2 tt:Jd4 22 . .ihd4 'iYxd4 23.t2:Jb3? White seeks counterplay in vain and sacrifices a pawn . But he is simply not active enough for an attack and now has to put up with a material disadvantage as well as a bad position .
I 0:
Chapter
There were better chances for success ful resistance after 2 3 . �e 2 + . which protects b2 indirectly in view of 23 . . . �xb2 ? 1 2 4 .t2'l c4.
26.�e2?! f3?
3 3 . . . .l:!. g 8 + �g S -+ .
Better is 3 3 J:rg 6 + .
3 4 . Wh 3 �c l
3 5 . tt:lxd6
34.�e7 �xd 3 35.tt:le3 .l:rg8+ 36.\t>h3 £d6 3 7.�e6 �e2 38 . .l:!.xf5 .!::l: g 1 39.�xh6
After great confusion Black is even better, but now decides to allow a per petual check . Probably a wise decision after missing so many chances . . . 3 9... �xf2?! 40.� h8+ 41 .�d4+ \t>b8 4 2 . � h 8 +
2 6 .. Jhg 2 27 Jhg 2 f3 -+ would be easily winning. 27.gxf3 l:rxg 1 + 28Jbg 1 exd 3 29.cxd 3 �b8 30.Ug 7 £d6 31 .a5 a 6 32.'it>g 2 ? ! �c3 33 .l:rf7?
(d 3 )
33 ... £f4?
23 ... �xb2 24.t2Ja 5 �b4 25.tt:lc4 e4
White is on the verge of defeat, but goes on to make the most of the fact that his opponent does not exploit some good chances:
T h e l i t t l e c en t re
wa7 1f2- 1f2
As a consequence of this draw, the win ner of the Dahne Cup had to be decided by blitz games. After five drama-filled games, Karsten was fortunate enough to emerge as the winner.
1 0 .4 gxf6-structure
As the next game makes clear, the gxf6 -structure is not a very appealing choice against the d 3 - centre. This is not so surprising , since in the gxf6 -structure Black is mainly aiming to compensate for his structural disadvantage by dynamic counterplay. In the central formations with d2 -d4 this often takes place on the light squares , which is very difficult against the solid light-square set-up of c2 , d3 . 1 0.2
V2�d 5 ! �d8 8.tt:lxf6+ gxf6 9.tt:le2 tt:l d 7 1 O.t2Jg3 �g6 1 1 .f4 f5
Erling Mortensen Curt Hansen Graested
1990
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 �xd5 3.tt:lc3 �a5 4.£c4 tt:lf6 5 . d 3 c6 6 .£d2 £f5? !
ll
. . . e 6 7 1 2 . f5 1 ± . 1 2 .£c3;t
Black should not allow the gxf6 -struc ture. One of the two prophylactic queen moves, 6 . . . �b6 or 6 . . . �c 7 . would have been preferable , e . g. 6 . . . �c7 7 .tt:lf3 bS 8 . £b 3 e 6 9 . 0 - 0 £e 7 and the Scandina vian bishop can now be developed to b 7 . This is well worth thinking of against the ' little centre ' . 267
The Mod ern Scand i n a v i a n
White i s clearly better here : the Scandi navian bishop is not involved and Black has no counterplay against the pawn set-up c2 , d3 . The gxf6 -structure is not ideal to combat the d 3 - centre then! 1 2 .. Jig8 1 3.h4 h6 1 4.�f3 e6 1 5.0-0-0 �c7 1 6.tbe2 0-0-0 1 7.g3 �d6 1 8.a4 l:[ge8?! White has handled this phase of the game inaccurately, but it is hard to say where this actually happened. In any case, after the active 1 8 . . . <1Jb6 ! 1 9 .�b3 tL:ldS oo , Black would not be so badly off Apart from �g 6 , all his pieces are on de cent squares and his problem child might get back into the game after . . . f7 -f6 . At the same time there is the long-term prospect of pressure against g3.
27... �g8 28 . .t1d3?! 2 8 .�e 2 ! �f7 2 9 . c4 tL:l e 7 3 0 .'ii' c 3 lled8 3 J . l:[d3 �b8 3 2 . tL:lcS �a8 3 3 . lled I ± . 28 ... �f7 29.g4 fxg4 ?! 29 . . . lldd 8 ! 3 0 . gxfS tL:lxf4 3 l . llde 3 �xhS 3 2 .'ii' f2 exfS = / t . 30.'ii' x g4 l:[dd8 32.'ii' h 4 'ii' e 7?
31 .llf3
� b8
Better is 3 2 . . . llg8 . 33.<1Jc5 <1Jc7 34.c3 <1Jd5 35.l:[g3 l:[g8 36.l:[xg8 �xg8 37.�c1 'ii' d 6 38.�xd5 exd5 39.l:[g1 ±
1 9.a5!t Prevents the idea . . . tL:lb6-dS and again secures the advantage. 1 9 ... a6 20.�b 1 �e7 21 .h5 �h7 22.<1Jc1 !? The knight sets off on its travels, which eventually take it to cS and e 6 , where it turns into an absolute giant. 22 ...<1Jf6 23.<1Jb3 <1Jd5?! 24.�e5 �d6 25.l:[he1 f6 2 5 . . . l:[g8 2 6 .d4 l:[g4 2 7 .�xdS cxdS 2 8 .lle3 �e7 2 9 .�xd6 �xd6 3 0 .tL:lcS ± . 26 .�xd6 l:!xd 6 27.d4!± Twenty-four moves later the pawn goes to its 'normal ' square d4. And this is completely appropriate, because it wins space and gains control over dark squares. The weakening of the e4square is of lesser importance here, be cause what black piece could occupy it? 268
Once more we encounter the motif ' good knight versus bad bishop ' . This time however, it is not White 's dark squared bishop which is in need of sympathy, but the Scandinavian bishop playing that role . White is totally domi nant. Even a player like Curt Hansen cannot stand up to the pressure much longer: 39 ...�f7 40.llg 7 �e7 41 .f5 cJ;; a 7 42.�g3 l:[e8 43.<1Je6 � d 7 44.�h4 l:[xe6 44 . . . 'ii' e 7 4S .l:[h7 l:[ g 8 4 6 . 'ii' f4 llg l + 4 7 . 'it>c2 .l:t g 2 + 4 8 . 'it>b l +- . 45.fxe6 47.'ii' e 1
�xe6
46.�d2
f5 1 -0
Chapter
1 1:
The fianchetto centre (d3 , g3)
II II II II i ll II i i ll i ll i ll II II II II II II II II II II 11 � 11 �� 75. ·- II ��� . 11 11 11 The fianchetto system is a solid positional sub-variation , and a tough one. Matthias has to say this : ' [ . . . ] The bishop fianchetto mainly leads to a quiet , long-term positional struggle. The motifs are relatively simple t o learn and the dan ger for White of falling into an opening trap or surprise is very small . Conse quently, without too much knowledge this variation can more or less be learned on the go. In itself this would be nothing special , were it not for the fact that the g3 -system, in spite of its simplicity, is based on a strategic concept which can be dangerous for Black , as is proven by results. In principle, White would like to play on the wings. To do so he either advances his kingside pawns to gain space and to crowd Black's queen's bishop, or he turns to an advance by the b-pawn, which is intended to breathe life into the fianchettoed bishop. A precondition for the success of this plan is of course that a central situation without tension is required. So White places his queen's pawn on the safe square d3 , which incidentally leaves Black's queen's bishop biting on granite.' (Modernes Skandinavisch 1 , page 7 9 ) This tells u s much o f importance about White 's ideas i n the fianchetto system. In the next three games we shall look into these, before considering an interesting plan against White 's set-up in Tiviakov-Ricardi (Game 1 1 . 4 ) .
1 1 . 1 Kingside expansion with f2-f4 and g3 -g4 I I.I Jordi Magem Badals Juan Pomes Marcet Manresa I 99 5
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'tWxd5 3 .t2Jc3 'i¥a5 4.g3!? tt:lf6 5.�g2 c6 6.h3!?
Deprives the black bishop of the g4-square. 6 ...�f5 V2Jge2 e6 8.0-0 �d6 8 . . h 6 ! ? is worth considering here, to secure for the bishop the escape square h7 in case it is threatened. In M.S. Tseitlin-D. Hummel , Germany Oberliga .
269
T h e Mod ern Scan d i n a v i a n
1 9 9 8 / 9 9 , there followed 9 . d3 tl:lbd7 I O .�d2 �c7 l l . g4 �h7 with approxi mate equality. 9.d3 0-0 1 0.�d 2 �c7 1 1 .g4 White becomes active on the kingside. 1 1 ... �g6 1 2.f4 tl:lbd7 1 3.Wh1 h6 1 4.tl:lg3 tl:ld5 1 5.�f3 f5 !?
1 6 .. .fxg4 1 7.�xg4 �f5? Better is 1 7 . . . tl:l 7 f6 1 followed by . 'iYb6 with good play. White cannot take on e 6 or g 6 : 1 8 . �xg 6 7 tl:le 7 , or I 8 . �xe 6 + ? �f7 1 9 .�f5 g6 losing the queen . .
.
1 8.tl:lxf5 exf5 1 9.�f3;t At first sight, Black 's position looks quite OK, after all White has two iso lated pawns on the kingside. But first impressions can be deceptive. The ad vantages of White 's position clearly weigh more heavily in the balance. The bishop pair in connection with the re cently acquired 4 : 3 queenside majority turns out to be very powerful . The next strategic step consists of setting the latter in motion.
A typical defensive measure in such po sitions. It takes control of the e4-square and stops the idea of f4-f5 . At the same time the f4 pawn is fixed as a weakness. But there are of course disadvantages too. The e 6 pawn is weakened and in some positions White can capture fa vourably on fs . 1 6.tl:lce2? This inaccuracy gives his opponent a good chance for counterplay. It would be better to finish develop ment with I 6 Jhe I . After 1 6 . . Jhe8 1 7 . gxf5 ! �xfS 1 8 . tl:lxf5 l::!. xfS 1 9 . tl:le2 the position is very complex, but White should have something of an advantage due to his bishop pair.
1 9 ... tl:l 7f6?! Better is 1 9 . . . �b6 . 20.c4 tl:lb6 21 .b4! As soon as the queenside is opened, White 's modest fianchettoed bishop makes the difference. 21 ...�e7 22.a4 �d7 �adS 24.�fd 1 tl:lc8?
23.�c3
Better is 24 . . . a 6 ± . 25.b5 cxb5 27.tl:ld4+-
26.axb5
b6
White has reached a positionally win ning position , which he turned into a win 3 0 moves later.
1 1 .2 Queenside expansion with b4-b5
This plan already played a central part in the previous game, though not until White had acquired a 4 : 3 queenside maj ority as the result of his king side play. But frequently White goes for the queenside from the start. Two examples of this: 270
C h a p t e r I I : T h e fi a n c h e t t o c e n t r e ( d 3 , g 3 )
I I .2 Alexander Kovchan Mikhail Kobalia Kharkov
2002
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'tlixd5 3.ttJc3 't/Va5 4.g3!? ttJf6 5.�g2 c6 5 . . . g6 is an interesting alternative and
the theme of the game Tiviakov-Ricardi (Game I 1 . 4) .
9 ... �e7 9 . . . �d6 I O .b s 0 - 0 l l . d3 a6 1 2 . a4 ( 1 2 . b6 1 7) 1 2 . . . ttJbd 7 ? ! 1 3 . bxc6 bxc6 1 4 . tLld4 �eS ? I S . ttJxfS ± , Khalifa Yahya , Dubai j r 2 0 0 0 . 1 O.d3 0-0 1 1 .h3 ttJ d 5 1 2.b5 ttJxc3 1 3.ttJxc3 cxb5 1 4.ttJxb5;!;
6.ttJge2 �f5 7.b4!? It is not easy for Black to achieve full equality against thi s plan. White devel ops his queenside with tempo. 7.. :'Wic7 7 . . . 'tlixb4? ! 8 J:t b l 'tWaS 9 . lhb 7 ;!; and the weakness on c6 will cause Black some problems later in the game.
8.0-0 8 J �b I ttJbd7 9 . 0 - 0 e6 I O .d3 �e 7 ( I O . . . a 6 ! ?) I I . h 3 h 6 ? ! 1 2 .�f4 e S 1 3 .�d2 �d6 1 4. f4 exf4 1 5 . �xf4 �h 7 1 6 . b 5 �xf4 1 7 . ti: h f4 ;!; , Payen Kholmov, St Petersburg 1 9 9 8 . 8... e6 8 . . . a6 (to counter b4-b5) 9 .d3 e6 I O . a 3
( I O . .l:rb I followed b y a2 -a4 and b4-b5 makes the most logical impression) I O . . . �d6 l ! .tLle4 �xe4 1 2 . dxe4 0 - 0 1 3 . f4 e S 1 4. �h l ttJbd 7 = , Murey Vovsha. Tel Aviv tt 1 9 9 9 . 9J:tb1 9 .b5 ? ! is premature on account of the strong reply 9 . . . a6 ! . White can't play a2-a4 right now as the rook on a I is un protected, so : I O . bxc6 ttJxc6<=t l l . a4 �e 7 I 2 ..� a 3 �xa 3 1 3 . J:txa3 0 - 0 1 4J:tb3 l:rfd8 = , Cieza Vega-Habermann, Germany Bundesliga B 1 9 9 8 / 9 9 .
Typical of this variation; as soon as the queenside is opened , the fianchettoed bishop dominates the action. The b 7 pawn is the point o f attack, which is where the lines of the .l:Ib I and the �g2 meet. 1 4 ... 'tlid 7 ! 1 5.�e3 I S . g4! ? �g6 1 6 .ttJc7 wins a pawn , but after 1 6 . . . 'ti'xc 7 1 7 .lhb7 'ti'c8 1 8 Jh e 7 ( 1 8 .�f4 ttJ d 7 1 9 . .l:rc7 'tlid8 2 0 .�xa8 e S ) 1 8 . . . ttJc6 things are not so clear, since White would not like to give up his precious fianchettoed bishop. 1 5 ... ttJc6 1 6.tt.Jd4!? It is all about the h l -a8 diagonal and the b7 -square. Black has some problems to solve, but goes on to do so with a flourish. 1 6 ... ttJxd4! Kobalia goes in for the liquidation on offer and sacrifices a pawn . 27 1
The Mod ern Scand i n a v i a n
1 7.Ihb 7 'ifd 8 1 8.�xd4 'ifxd4 1 9Jbe 7 l:!.ac8 20.l:!.b 7 !Ic31
2 8 . .tl b 7 is ( 2 8 . . . 'li' a 6 ! ? ) <;t>h? ;!; .
better : 2 8 . 'li' d 6 2 9 . a 3 .!::f. a 2 30 . .l:!.b4 . .
28 ... <;t>h 7 29.g4 �g6 30.h4 3 0 .�e4 .tlc4 3 l . �xg 6 + fxg 6 3 2.. �e8 'i¥c6 33 . .l:!.xe6 .!:te l + 3 4. <;t>h2 'ifh l + 3 5 . � g 3 'i?Vg I + 3 6 . Wf4 .l:.fl = . 30 .. J:!.xa 2 1 The queenside has now been swept clean and the game should actually end in a draw. Black decides on an instructive block ading strategy and now concentrates all his forces on restraining and besieging the white c-and d-pawns, so it becomes difficult for White to make any prog ress. Typically, a dark-square strategy is used against the white pawn set-up c 2 , d3 , whereas i n the Scandinavian stan dard centre the light-square strategy is called for. 21 .'ifd 2 h6 22 . .tlfb 1 23.II1 b2 lieS 24.d41?
'ifc5
It is also not easy for White to make progress after 24 .g 4 �g6 2 S .!Ib8 !Ixb8 2 6 . !Ixb8 + <;t>h? 2 7 J lb2 'li'd4 2 8 .!Ib3 lieS . 24 ... 'li'd6 25 .!Ixa7 !Ixc2 26Jhc2 2 6 .'li'b4 'li'xb4 27 . !Ixb4 l:Id2 = . 2 6 ... .l:Ixc2 27.'i¥e3 'ifb6;!; The blockade is pierced , although Black now has very good drawing chances. His pieces are rather active and a2 and d4 are weak. 28.!Ia8+?1 2 8 . d5 ? ! �xe3 2 9 . fxe 3 !le i + 3 0 .�h2 .l:Ic2 = . 272
31 .h5 �c2 32Jk8 3 2 .�e4+ fS ! 33 . .tlxa2 'ifb l + 3 Hiih2 �xe4= . Nor i s 3 2. . l:Ixa2 'tWb l + 3 3 . <;t>h2 'tWxa2 3 4 .�f4;!; / = anything substantial . 32 ... l:i.a 1 + 33.�h2 'tWd6+ 34.'tWe5 'li'xe5+ 35.dxe5 �d1 36 .�e4+ g6 37.�g3 !Ia5 38.f4 3 8 . hxg 6 + fxg 6 40 . �xg 6 l:!.xe S ;!; .
3 9 . 1:l c 7 +
<;t> g 8
3 8... .l:Ia3+ 39.'lt>h4 !Ia41 40.hxg6+ fxg6 41 .!Ic7+ 'i.t>g8 42.£xg6 !Ixf4 43.<;t>h5 �xg4+ 44.'lt>xh6 �h3 45.!Ic8+ .!:l.f8 46.£h7+ 'lt>f7 47.!Ic3 �f5? This really is a bitter pill. After the ope ning Black had a difficult position which he defended excellently. Now he deprives himself of his due reward with one bad move. 4 7 . . . �g2 would have held the draw. 48.!Ic7+ 'lt>e8 49.'lt>g 7 1+The point. 49 ... �xh 7 49 . . . Wd8 S O . Wxf8 Wxc 7 5 l .�xfS exf5 5 2 . e 6 +- .
C h a p t e r I I : T h e fi a n c h e t t o c en t re ( d 3 , g 3 )
50 . .l:rc8+ 52JH7+ 54 . .l:te7+
r:Jile7 �d8
51 . .l:txf8 �f5 53.'it>f6 we a
White now simply liquidates into a won pawn ending. 54 ... 'lt>f8 55 . .l:txe6
1 -0
s s . . . �xe 6 5 6 . 'lt>xe6 r:Jile8 5 7 . Wd6 Wd8
5 8 . e 6 r:Jile8 5 9 . e 7 Wf7 6 0 . Wd 7 +- . 1 1 .3 Alexander Shabalov Artashes Minasian
New
York 1 9 9 8
1 .e4 d 5 2.exd5 �xd5 3.tt:Jc3 �a5 4.g3 tt:Jf6 5 .�g2 c6 6.tt:Jf3 �f5 7.b4 !? The same idea again, which cannot re ally be all that wrong. 7 . 0 - 0 and 7 .d3 are quieter alternatives. 7.. :fii c 7 8.0-0 e6 9 . .l:tb1 �e7 9 . . . �d6 I O . d3 0 - 0 l l . a3 a6 1 2 . tbd2 tt:Jbd7 1 3 . tbc4;l; , Hickl-Krokel, Bad Ragaz 1 9 9 3 . 1 0.b5 0-0 1 1 .d3 tt:Jbd7 1 2.bxc6 bxc6 1 3 .t2Jd4;t
Scandinavian bishop is biting on gran ite and does not cut a particularly good figure, as is so often the case in this structure. 1 3 ... �g4 1 4.�e1 tt:Jd5 1 5.tt:Jxd5?! White wants to win a pawn and retain his fianchettoed bishop . . . too optimis tic. He should give up his darling : I S . �x d 5 1 cxd S 1 6 . tb x d 5 exdS 1 7 . 'ti'xe 7 ld.fe 8 1 8 . �f4 and Black is left without sufficient compensation for the pawn . 1 5 ... cxd5 1 6 .h3 Shabalov probably reckoned with 1 6 . . . �h5 I 7 . tbxe6 1 , and Black can al most resign. The line 1 6 .�xd5 .l:tab8 is not so clear, but in any case more fa vourable for Black than I S .�xd S ! . 1 6 ... i�J6 ! Practically forced compared to the avail able alternatives; this piece sacrifice is not at all easy to refute. 1 7.tt:Jb5 'fii x c2 1 9.hxg4 .l:tfc8
1 8.tt:Ja3
'fii x a2
Black has only two pawns for the bishop, but the effective range of the white pieces is heavily restricted. Har mony and coordination are also lack ing , especially tba3 and White 's pride and j oy on g 2 have problems. 20.�a5?1 2 0 .�e3 t ? . 20 ... tt:Jc5 21 .g5 2 1 . .l:td i tbb3 2 2 .�a6 tbd4� .
Once more White is doing better on the queenside, with pressure down the long diagonal and on the c6 pawn. The
21 ... �e5 22.�e3?! tt:Jxd3 23 . .l:tfd 1 �c3! 24.'fii a 6 tt:J b4 25.'t1Va4 a5 26 . .l:tb3? 273
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
2 6 .'t!¥b3 + .
2 8 . �bxc3 7 l'hc3 2 9 . l:!:xc3 'tWa 1 + -+ .
2 6 ... t2:Jc2 27J:!.c1 ?! 2 7 J:tdb l tZ:lxe 3 2 8 . fxe 3 �b4+ . 27... t2:Jxe3 28.fxe3
28 ... 'iYd2 29.I:!.c2 'iYxe3+-+ Black now has four pawns for the bishop and after eleven more moves in time trouble he won the game : 0 - 1 .
1 1 . 3 Black counterfianchetto
The fianchetto system has a sound positional basis and is very dangerous if you have nothing up your sleeve to counter it. But it is certainly not a refutation of the Scandinavian. The next game shows a good set-up against the fianchetto variation, one which has been effective up till now. 1 1 .4 Sergei Tiviakov Pablo Ricardi
Buenos Aires 1 996
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'iYxdS 3.t2:Jc3 'iYaS 4.g3 t2:Jf6 5.�g2 g6!?
6 . h3 1 7 takes control of g4 and also aims to counter the idea . . . 'iYhS . But after 6 . . . �g 7 7 . tZ:lf3 0 - 0 8 . 0 - 0 c S 9 . d3 tLlc6 I O . �e3 .l:ld8 Black has equalized . 6 ... �g7 7.0-0 0-0 8.d3 'il'hS! Swinging the queen over like this se cures control of the light squares on the kingside and achieves at least equality. 9.t2:Jd2 �g4 1 0.f3 �h3 1 1 .�xh3 'iYxh3 Black's position is already somewhat more comfortable, since there are some holes in White 's structure. But in what follows , he does not push for an advan tage and is satisfied with a draw :
This move scores about 50 percent in praxis, better than any of the alterna tives. To quote Matthias : 'White has not yet found anything effective against the very modern "Argentinian Variation " of the g 3 -system . Its flexibility is partic ularly striking. The two sensible replies 6 . . . �g 7 and 7 . . . 0 - 0 give Black a lot of time before he has to decide upon a (Modernes set-up.' specific Skandinavisch 1 , page 8 0 ) 6.tZ:lf3 274
1 2.t2:Jc4 t2:Jc6 1 2 . . . c5 ! ? 1 3 .�e3 b6 1 4.'iYe2 tZ:lc6 . 1 3 .�f4 tZ:lhS 1 4.�e3 But not 1 4. �xc 7 ? �d4+ I S . Wh l .l:lac8 1 6 .g4 lhc7 1 7 . gxhS 'iYxh S + . 1 4 ... t2:Jxg3= 1 4 . . . .l::. a d8 1 7 _ 1 5 .hxg3 '/Wxg3+ 1 �t2:Jxb5
1 6 .Wh 1
b5 �-�
Chapter
1 2:
The empty centre ( d2 , b4)
II II II II � i ll ll i � i ll i ll i ll II Ill II II II II II II II II II II � �� � � � � � . 11 11 11 This central formation can be seen in both sample games in a special form of the fianchetto system. White firstly does without moving the d-pawn to start play on the queenside more quickly. The dark-squared bishop can be developed to b2 or a 3 . This is not without interest, though generally sooner or later White has to make a move with his d-pawn, after which play drifts into more usual channels.
1 2. 1 White pressurizes Black's queenside with b4-b5 , nb 1 and �a3 1 2. 1 Yoav Lederer Igor Bitansky Tel Aviv ch-ISR 2 0 0 2
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'tWxd5 3.tt:Jc3 'tWaS 4.g3 tt:Jf6 5.�g2 c6 6.tt:Jf3 .2.g4 7.h3 �h5 8.b4!? Wic7 9.b5 e6 1 0.0-0 �d6 1 1 .bxc6 bxc6
By logical play on the queenside, Black has been saddled with a weakness on c 6 . 1 2.d4 A critical decision. White decides to move his d-pawn anyway, gaining space and to open up more prospects for his dark-squared bishop. However, this also weakens the c4-square. I 2 . d 3 ! ? is typical in the fianchetto system and does not weaken the light squares. 1 2 ...tt:Jbd7 1 3.g4 �g6 1 4.tt:Jh4 tt:Jd5 1 5 .tt:Je2 �c8? increases. advantage White 's I S . . . ttJ 7 b 6 ! emphasizes the weakness of square c4 : 1 6 . f4 0-0 1 7 . tt:Jxg6 fxg 6 � . 1 6.c4! tt:Jf4 1 7.tt:Jxf4 �xf4 1 8.d51 cxd5 1 9.tt:Jxg6 hxg6 20.cxd5 t 275
The Modern Scan d i navian
The position has been opened, White 's lead in development and bishop pair are now the decisive factors.
24.'ifd 3 ! �h6 25.g5!
20 ... t2Jc5
20 . . . exd5 ? 2 1 .£a3 is too dangerous , e.g. 2 1 . . . £h 2 + 2 2 . Wh I £d6 2 3 .�c l tLlcS 2 4 . �e l + Wf8 2 5 .�xd 5 +- .
2 1 .. . fxe6 was ugly, but necessary. �a5?!
White quickly finished the job: 25 .. .fxg 5
2 5 . . . £xg 5 2 6 .'ifd6+- ; 2 5 . . . tL'lxg5 2 6 . llae I + £e 5 2 7 .�d6+- .
21 .dxe6 t2Jxe6 ? !
2 2 .£a 3 .-.
Black 's position is hard to hold in any case, but this is too weakening. After
2 3 .'iff3
f6?
26.I;lae1 £e5 28.£d6+-
27.�b3
Wf7
1 2 .2 Black neutralizes the queenside pressure and achieves domination of the centre In the next game, Black does better. 1 2.2 Vladimir Baldan Tamaz Gelashvili
Batumi
Ech
2002
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 �xd5 3 .t2Jc3 �a5 4.t2Jf3 ttlf6 5.g3 c6 6 .£g2 £g4 7.b4 �c7 8.0-0 e6 9.b5 a6!
This forces the trade of the b-pawn and avoids later annoyance by tL'lbS . 1 O. bxc6 t2Jxc6oo
on the h l -a8 diagonal . On the other hand , Black has good chances of achieving counterplay in the centre. 1 1 .h 3 �h5 1 V2.Je2 £d6 1 3 .�b2 e5! 1 4.d4?!
Dissolving the centre is only to Black's advantage , since he is left with the s u perior queenside pawn structure. Better is 1 4. tL'lh4 tL'l e 7 I S J:tb l llb8 = . 1 4 ... 0 - 0 1 5 .g4 £ g 6 1 6 .dxe5 ttlxe5 1 7.ttlxe5 £xe5 1 8.£xe5 'ifxe5 1 9J:te1
The b7 pawn is poisoned: 1 9 . .£xb 7 ? �ad8 2 0 .�e I llfe8 2 I .£xa6 lla8 and White struggles to hold things together, e.g. 2 2 . .£b 7 lla3 2 3 .�b4 llxh3 24.t2Jg3 .l:f.xg 3 + 2 5 .fxg3 'ifxg 3 + 2 6 .£g2 �e4 2 7 .'ifd2 ttlxg4 2 8 ..l:rfe l h6-+ .
This is the structure Black was aiming for with his 9 th move. White has the semi-open b-file and potential pressure 276
1 9 ... �ad8+ 20.'ifc1 '1Wc5=/+
b5 2 1 .tbf4
A better pawn structure gives Black some advantage ; the game was later drawn.
Chapter 1 3 : The dynamic centre
The dynamic centre can appear in the late opening or in the middlegame. In the variation 1 .e4 dS 2 . exd5 ifxdS 3 . d4 eS it comes up after only three moves. It is distinguished by the d4 and eS pawns being diagonally opposite each other. Since either side can capture, it can quickly change to an open centre. So it is important not to fall too far behind in development.
1 3 . 1 White lead in development 13.1 Tim Eifler Paul Noll Speyer jr 1 9 9 7
1 .e4 d 5 2.exd5 'ti'xd5 3.d4 e5 4.tt::l f3 .ig4?
White quickly castles kingside and gains an important tempo by attacking the black queen. Better is 4 . . . exd4 .
5.�e2 exd4 6.tt::l c 31 �b4 Queen retreats fall short too : A) 6 . . . ifd7 7 . tt::l x d4 tt::l f6 8 . 0 - 0 �e 7 9 . itxg4 ifxg4 1 O . 'ti'xg4 tt::l xg4 1 1 .t2lfs ± ; B ) 6 . . . ifhs 7 . t2lb5 ! tt::l a 6 8 . 'ifxd4 �xf3 9 .'ife3 + 1l.e7 I O .ifxf3 ifxf3 I I .il.xf3 c6 1 2 .�e3 tt::l f6 ( 1 2 . . . cxbS 1 3 . itxb 7 tt::l c 7 1 4.1l.c 6 + \t>f8 I S .1l.xa8 tt::l x a8 1 6 .a4±) 1 3 . 0 - 0 - 0 cxbS ( 1 3 . . . 0 - 0 1 4.tt::l d 6±) 1 4.�xb 7 tt::l c 7 1 5 .1l.c 6 + f8 1 6 .�xa8 tt::l x a8 1 7 .1l.xa 7 ± .
7.0-0t This natural-looking move is a serious mistake.
'With a dangerous initiative ' (Matthias in Modernes Skandinavisch 1 ) . 277
The Mod ern Scand i n a v i a n
I n fact Black must already take care not to be crushed in only a few moves. 7... .2.xc3 7 . . . �d8 8 . l2:Jxd4 .2.xc3 ? (8 . . . .2.c8 ± ) 9 . bxc3 and White is already winning ! : 9 . . . .2.xe 2 ? ! ( 9 . . . .2. c 8 I O . .!:f. e 1 l2:J e 7 1 1 ..2.b 5 + c6 1 2 . .2. a 3 +- ) I O .�xe 2 + � e 7 1 1 .�g4 1 - 0 , Helmert-Krieglstein , Germany tt 1 9 9 7 / 9 8 . 8.bxc3 l2:Jc6? This second mistake is one too many. Striving to castle kingside has absolute priority : 8 . . . l2:Jf6 9 . cxd4 0 - 0 I O . c4± .
There is as little doubt about White 's clear advantage as there is about the fact that Black is barely alive. 9.l2:Jxd4 ! .2.xe2 1 0.�xe2+ The king can no longer get out of the middle and White wins material . 1 o ... l2:Jge7 1 0 . . . l2:Jce7 1 1 .l2:Jb5 �c6 ( 1 1 . . . 0-0-0 1 2 . .2.f4+-) 1 2 . .2.f4+- . 1 1 . .2.a3 0-0 1 2 . .2.xe7 �xd4 1 3.cxd4 .!:f.fe8 1 4J:tfe 1 +and little later: 1 - 0
1 3 . 2 Black lead in development
Of course we prefer this theme, but at first the reader might be surprised. The Scan dinavian and a lead in development for Black - can that be true 7 Yes , it can : 1 3.2 Jean Paul Ritscher Helmut ReefschHiger
Hamburg ch-city
1 994
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 �xd5 3.d4 e5 Unlike in Scandinavian main lines after 3 . l2:Jc3 �aS , Black is not suffering from a lack of development. This j ustifies the opening of the centre with the advance 3 . . . eS and is based not least on the fact that 4.l2:Jc3 can be met with 4 ... .2.b4! How quickly White can be crushed here, if he neglects his development , is demonstrated by former Hamburg champion IM Dr. Helmut Reefschlager as he metes out highly instructive and effective punishment: 278
5.a3? Better is 5 . l2:J f3 . 5 ... .2.xc3+ 6.bxc3 l2:Jc6 7.�e3 l2:Jf6 8.c4? White is obviously not particularly in terested in completing his own devel opment. Once more 8 . l2:Jf3 would be preferable. 8 ... �a5+ 9 ..2.d2 �a4!?
C h a p t e r 1 3 : T h e d y n a m i c c en t re
In the French Winawer, Black often places his queen on a4, so it was not for nothing that the good Doctor played the French for years. 9 . . . 'iYb6 is also worth considering. 1 0.d5 t2Jd4 1 L �.d3 �f5? An inaccuracy. Much stronger is I I . . . e4! 1 2 .c3 'iYb3 1 3 .'iYc l exd3 1 4.cxd4 0-0 I S .tLlf3 lle8+ 1 6 .tLleS b S + . 1 2.r:!.a2?! And here I 2 .�c3 ! offers very good de fensive chances, since the following liq uidation does not achieve much for Black: 1 2 . . . t2lxc 2 + 1 3 .'tWxc2 �xc2 1 4.�xc2 �xc2 1 S .�xe S oo . 1 2 ... 0-0-0 1 3.�c3?! Better is I 3. tLle 2 . 1 3 ... e4 !+
1 3.3
Now it is difficult for White. The bishop must go back home and the decisive opening of the position draws near. 1 4.�f1 1 4 . �xd4 ? ! exd3 I S . cxd 3 1 6 . Wxd l �xd 3 - + .
'iYxd I +
1 4 ... c5 1 5.'ifd2?! e3 1 6.fxe3 t2Jxc2 1 7Jbc2 �xc2-+ 1 8.�xf6 gxf6 1 9.t2lf3 llhe8 20.�d3 �xd3 0-1 21 .'ifxd3 .l::r x e3+!
The discovered attack tt:Jf3xe5
This motif is known from numerous openings , above all those starting with the King's Pawn. One example of many : l . e4 eS 2 . t2lf3 t2lc6 3 . t2lc3 d6 4.�c4 .2.g4 S .h3 �h 5 7 6 . t2lxe 5 1 tLlxe S (6 . . . �xd l ? 7 .�xf7 + We7 8 . t2ld5 #) 7 .'ifxh5 and White was simply a pawn up in Rellstab-Oechslein , Konigsfeld 1 9 6 9 , since 7 . . . t2lxc4 is met by 8 . 'ifb5 + . In the Scandinavian , this motif i s rather rare, but i n the dynamic centre where Black plays . . . �g4 it is relevant : 1 3 .3 Helmut Kracht Klaus Peterwitz
Hamburg 2 0 0 I
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 i¥xd5 3.d4 e5 4.t2lf3 .2.g4? 5.�e2 t2Jc6?! S . . . e4 6.c4 1 ;!; , but not 6 . t2le 5 ? �xe2 7.'iYxe2 'iYxd4 8 .'iVbS + t2ld7 9 . t2lxd7 0-0-0 ! + , which can easily be overlooked. 5 . . . exd4 can be seen in the game Eifler-Noll (Game 1 3 . 1 ) .
6.c4 't/Va5+?1 A) 6 . . . 'ti!Vd7 1 is preferable. The discov ered attack is then less effective and White 's advantage is not too big : 7 .dS ! ( 7 .t2lxe5 �xe2 8 . 'iYxe2 t2lxd4 9 . 'tlie4 t2lf6 +=t ; 7 .dxeS 't/Vxd I + 8 . �xd I 0 - 0 - 0 9 . 0-0 �xf3 I O . �xf3 tLl xe S = , Leschinsky-Grosse Frintrop, Germany tt 1 9 9 8 / 9 9 ) 7 . . . �xf3 8 . �xf3 t2ld4 9 . 0 - 0 ;!; . B ) 6 . . . 'tWe4? 279
T h e M o d ern S c a n d i n a v i a n
And now he strikes: 8.tLJxe5 !± White gains an advantage in material by force. 8 ... tLJxe5
Ana lysis d i agram
The queen has no business being here and is soon caught in the crossfire of White's forces. Generally in the dynamic centre, the queen, when attacked, should go to d7 or aS . Other squares need to be treated with care . . . 7 . tLJc3 (or 7 .d5 ! ? tLJb4 8 .tLJc3 'iVfs 9 . 0 - 0 ±) 7 . . . £b4 8 . 0- 0 £xc3 9 .bxc3 0 - 0 - 0 ? (better is 9 . . . exd4 I 0 . cxd4 0 - 0 - 0 I I .£b2 tLJf6 I 2 . .l::r e i l:!.he8 I 3 .dS t) I O .£g 5 ! tLJf6 ? ( I O . . . tLJce7 I I .l::!. e i ±) I I .£d3 +- , Amigo Barberan-Pinazo Donoso, Paretana I 9 9 9 . 7.£d2 £b4
8 . . . �xd 2 + 9 . 'ii' x d2 'ii' x d2 + I O . tLJxd2 £xe 2 I I . tLJxc6 �hS I 2 . tLJ e S ± . or 8 . . . �xe 2 9 . tLJxc6 �xd 2 + I O . tLJxd2 �xd i I I . tLJxaS ± , in both cases with an extra pawn for White in the end game. 9.£xg4 tLJd3+ 1 0.Wf1 tLJxb2? This j ust loses. After I O . . . £xd2 ! there must be a way to a clear advantage for White, but Black still has practical chances, for example after I l . tLJxd2 tLJxb2 I 2 . 'ifc2 tLJa4 1 3 .'i¥e4+ tLJe7 1 4.l:f.e l 'ii' b 4 1 S . a3 'ifxa3 1 6 .c5 0 - 0 . 1 1 .'ii' e 1 ++- wd8 1 2.£xb4 'ii' g 5 1 3.�e2 a5 1 4.�a3 tLJ a 4 1 5.tLJd2 'ii'f6 1 6 .tLJe4 'ii' x d4 Black resigned.
1 3 .4 Sacrificing a central pawn
In Eifler-NoH (Game 1 3 . I ) White manages to open lines by a temporary sacrifice of the d4 pawn , and makes use of his lead in development. The next two games feature a line full of prospects in which Black uses a 'real ' pawn sacrifice in the struggle for the initiative. 1 3 .4 Ziga Zvan Tomaz Marinsek Kranj
tt
I 999
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'ifxd5 3.d4 e5 4.dxe5 'lWxd 1 +!? Now let us listen to the thoughts about this position of Matthias in Modernes Skandinavisch 1 : ' Black sacrifices a pawn for quick development and play against 280
the king which i s stranded i n the mid dle. Although this position is in dynamic balance, the results up till now are un ambiguously in favour of Black 's coura geous plan. The old thesis that it is (psychologically) easier to attack than to defend, seems to be proven once more.' 5.'it>xd 1 tLJc6
C h a p t e r 1 3 : T h e d yn a m i c c en t r e
1 2.ld.e1 jLh5 1 3 .'0tt c 1 ?I There are better defensive chances after 1 3 . g4 �f7 1 4.�bS jLds 1 s .jLxc6 �xc6 1 6 . tt::l e S ld.he 8 t .
1 3 ... jLf2 1 4.ld.f1 ld.he8 1 5.�d3
' In principle, White now has two ways to defend the pawn : 1 . With the help of pieces. In doing this White tries to make up for his lack of development as quickly as possible, but has to reckon with the loss of the pawn before long. Black should get the better of the play after recovering the pawn, even if his initiative is no longer strong enough to seriously put White in danger. 2 . By 6 . f4. If White wants to win, this is the only way. The extra pawn is reli ably protected and at the same time the white f-pawn moves out of a possible attack by . . . �cS or . . . tt::l g 4. The down side of this plan consists of Black's in creased lead in development and in the weakening of some of White's own squares.' (Wahls)
A) 1 S . g 4 ? tt::l x d2 1 6 . ld.xf2 tt::l x f3 1 7 . gxhS ( 1 7 . tt::l c 3 ld.d2+) 1 7 . . . tt::l c d4 1 8 . tt::l c 3 tt::l x e2 + 1 9 . ld.xe2 ( 1 9 . tt::l x e2 tt::l g 1 -+ ) 1 9 . . . ld.xe 2 2 0 .tt::l x e2 ld.d2 -+ ; B) 1 S .�d l ? �xf3 1 6 . gxf3 ( 1 6 .�xf3 ? tt::l x d2 1 7 . tt::l x d2 jLe3 -+ ) 1 6 . . . tt::l x d2 1 7 . ld.xf2 tt::l xb 1 1 8 . ld.xb 1 ld.e 1 + .
1 5 ... jLxf3 1 6 .jLxe4? This overlooks a tactical point in Black's attack. Tougher resistance could be put up after 1 6 . gxf3 tt::l x d2 1 7 . ld.xf2 tt::l x b 1 1 8 .jLe4 ! . After 1 8 . . . tt::l b 4 1 9 .a3 tt::l d S 2 0 . �xb 1 tt::l xf4 2 1 .h4 Black's endgame advantage is indubitable, but White 's drawing chances are real.
1 6 ... ld.xe4
6.f4 f6 6 . . . jLfs is the subject of the next game.
7.exf6?1 tt::l xf6 8.tt::l f3 �g4 9.�e2 �c5 1 o.�d 2 o-o-o With the exception of the rook on h8 all of Black's pieces are already on active squares. It is not hard to realize that things will soon become highly un pleasant for White.
1 1 .h3 tt::l e4 1 1 . . . jLfS ! 7 .
1 7.ld.xf2? 1 7 . gxf3 ld.e2 -+ .
1 7... ld.e1 + I
0-1
You should not miss the following dra matic game. It is part of the basic his tory of the Scandinavian. 28 1
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
1 3.S Nick de Firmian Julio Granda Zuniga Amsterdam 1 9 9 6
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'iYxd5 3.d4 e5 4.dxe5 'iYxd 1 +!? 5.'iit> x d 1 tt::l c 6 6.f4 �f5 Equally interesting , if a little more one sided, is the game Graf-Hardy, carr. 1 9 9 0 . After 6 . . . �g4+ ! ? 7 .�e2 0 - 0 - 0 + 8 .�d2 tt::l h 6 9 .h3 �xe 2 + 1 O . tt::l xe2 tt::l fS l l . g4 tt::l e 3 + 1 2 . Wc l �cS 1 3 .c3 aS 1 4.b3 ? (Better is 1 4. tt::l g 3 ) 1 4 . . . g S ! I S .fxgS tt::l x eS 1 6 . tt::l f4 tt::l f3 1 7 .a3 �he8 Black's dominance in terms of squares is self-evident.
h 6 ! ?f) 9 . . . gxf4 1 0 . �xc6 bxc 6 1 I . tt::l f3 tt::l e 7 1 2 . 'ttt e 2 � g 8 1 3 . W f2 tt:l g 6 1 4. tt::l b 3 �g4 White would find himself in a rather difficult position.
8 ...f6 ! 9.�b5 9 .tt::l f3 ? ! fxeS I O .fxe S tt::l x eS l l . tZ:lxeS .l:!.e8 f ; 9 . exf6 ? tt::l x f6+ with a maj or lead in development.
9 ...fxe5 9 . . . �e4 ! ? .
1 o.�xc6 1 2.tt::l f 3?1
bxc6
1 1 .fxe5
�c5
This normal-looking move loses its ap peal on account of Black's strong reply. According to Granda it would be better replaced by 1 2 .tt::l d 2 and then : 1 2 . . . �c2 1 3 .b4 �b6 1 4.a4 tt::l h 6 I S . tra2 1 �g6 ( 1 S . . . �d3 ? 1 6 .aS �e3 1 7 .tt::l b 3 tt::l g 4 1 8 .�xe3 tt::l x e3 1 9 . tt::l d 4 ! ±) 1 6 .aS �e3 1 7 . tt::l b 3 �d3 f . 1 2 .b4 ! ? �xg l ( 1 2 . . . �e 7 1 3 . tt::l f3 ;;!;) I 3 . �xg I �e8 1 4 .�f4 tt::l e 7 oo (Ftacnik) .
1 2 ... tt::l f6 !
7.c3?! This protects squares d4 and b4, but it was certainly not inappropriate to play a move with a piece . . . just for a change. 7 . tt::l f3 0 - 0 - 0 + 8 .�d2 �cS (worth con sidering is 8 . . . tt::l b 4 9 . tt::l a 3 tt::l d S t ?) 9 .�bS tt::l g e7 (9 . . . tt::l b 4 1 0 .tt::l a 3 tt::l h 6 1 l . Wc l f6) I O . tt::l c 3 tt::l d 4 ! 1 1 .tt::l x d4 �xd4 1 2 . Wc l gS ! 3 .fxgS �xeS and Black's compensation lies in the tempo rary passivity of the rook on a I .
7... 0-0-0+ 8.'iit> e 1 After 8 .tt::l d 2 ? ! g S ( 8 . . . f6 ! ?) 9 .�bS ( 9 . fxgS tt::l x eS 1 0 .We 1 �e8 1 l .�e2 282
Black manages to fully mobilize his troops with the help of tactics. It is well worth seeing the intensity with which the Peruvian super-grand master attacks his opponent. The moves speak for themselves:
C h a p t e r 1 3 : T h e d yn a m i c c e n t r e
1 3.�g5?! 1 3 . b4 ( 1 3 . exf6 ? l:rhe 8 + 1 4 . � e 3 l:rxe 3 + I S . � f2 l:r xc 3 + 1 6 . � g 3 l:rc4-+ ) 1 3 . . .� b 6 ( 1 3 . . . �xb l ? 1 4 . l::t. x b l tbe4 l S . bxcS tbxc3 1 6 .�b2 tbxb l 1 7 . �e2 ± ; 1 3 . . . �c2 ? 1 4.�d2 l:lhe8 I S . bxcS tbg4 1 6 . tba3 tbxe S 1 7 .�f2 tbxf3 1 8 .�f4±) 1 4.c4 c5 ! 1 I S . exf6 l:lhe 8 + 1 6 . �f2 cxb4+ 1 7 . �g3 gxf6 1 8 .h3 ( 1 8 .�f4 �d3 oo) 1 8 .. J�e2 f (Granda Zuniga) .
H e would b e bought off far too cheaply by 1 9 . . . �xb l 7 2 0 . llaxb l tbxe S 2 1 . tt:J fS ! ? trhg 8 + 2 2 . �h 3 l:!. g s + . 20.tt:Jf3 2 0 . l:r e I .i:Xd3 + 2 l . tZ'l f3 tb e 3 + ; 2 0 . tba 3 l:lhg 8 + 20 ... l:rhg8
1 3 ... h6 1 4.�h4 After 1 4. �xf6 gxf6 I S . tbbd2 fxe S the bishop pair secures Black a clear advan tage according to Granda. 1 4 ... g5 1 5.�f2 A) I S . exf6 ? ? l:rhe 8 + 1 6 . �fl �d3 # ; B ) I S . �g 3 7 ! tb g 4 1 6 . tb a 3 tbe 3 + (Ftacnik) . 1 5 ... �xf2+ 1 7.�g3
1 6.�xf2
tt:Jg4+
1 7 .�e I ? l:rhe 8 -+ . 1 7... h5! 1 8.h4 1 8 .tbxg 5 ? h4+ 1 9 . �f3 ( 1 9 .�f4 l:rdf8 t with a strong initiative , for example 2 0 . tb d 2 ( 2 0 . l:r g I ? �e 6 + 2 1 . W e 4 �d S + 2 2 . W d 3 tZ'l xe S + 2 3 . �d4 l:rf4+-+) 20 . . . �e6 + 2 l . �e4 �dS + n . �d3 .l:!. fs 2 3 . tt:J g f3 h3+) 1 9 . . J :thf8 -+ (Granda Zuniga) . 1 8 ... gxh4+ 1 9.tt:Jxh4 A) 1 9 . l::!. x h4 ? l:!.d 1 1 2 0 . tb fd 2 tbxe S -+ (Ftacnik) ; B) 1 9 . �xh4 ? tb e 3 ( 1 9 . . . l:r dg 8 ! 7 ) 2 0 . � g 5 ( 2 0 .tba3 l:rhg 8 -+ , Petursson) 2 0 . . . �g4+ . 1 9 ... �h 7 1
The white king can no longer with stand the crossfire of the black pieces. 21 Jbh5 This makes it really simple for his opponent, but Black 's attack crashes through in all variations anyway : A) 2 1 . �h4 tbf2 ' 2 2 . �xh5 �d 3 -+ ; B) 2 1 . e 6 tb e 3 + 2 2 . tZ'l g 5 ( 2 2 . Wf2 l::t x g 2 + ! 2 3 . �xe3 l:rd3 + 2 4 f4 l:rg4+ 2 5 .'>t>e5 l:!.xf3 2 6 . e 7 .tle4# ; 2 2 . �h4 tbxg 2 + 2 3 . �xh5 �e4-+) 22 . . J hg 5 + 2 3 . '>t>f4 l::t b 5 1 2 4 . �xe3 Ud3 + 2 5 .'>t>f2 l:!.xb2 + 2 6 . '>t> g I l:rd I + 2 7 .Wh2 l:rxh I + 2 8 .�xh l l:rxb l + -+ ; C) 2 l . tZ'lbd2 tb e 3 + 2 2 . �f2 l:rxg 2 + 2 3 . '>t>xe3 l:rd3 + 2 4 . �f4 l:[g4# ; D) 2 1 . l:te l tbe3 + 2 2 . �h2 llxg 2 + 2 3 . �h l lhb2 2 4 . tbbd2 l:rd 3 -+ . 21 ... tt:Jf6+ 2 2 . .t:.g5 tt:Je4+-+ 23.'>t>h4 tt:Jxg5 24.tt:Jxg5 l:rd1 25.e6 l:rg1 26.tt:Jd2 l:rxa 1 27.tt:Jdf3 �e4 28.tt:Jd4 c5 29.tt:Jb3 l:rg1 0-1 283
The Mod ern Scandinavian
Chapter 1 4: The open centre
In open centres the d- and e-pawns of both sides are exchanged. Since this opens two central files much depends on whose pieces are more active. Black is often be hind in development in the Scandinavian and therefore he should really know what he is doing before going in for this central formation.
1 4. 1 Black p lays ... e 7 -eS in the standard centre
In the early stages of the opening we rarely see an open centre like this. We often see the direct . . . e7 -eS (as in the line 1 . e4 dS 2 . exd5 'ti'xdS 3 .d4 e S ) , or Black plays . . . e6-e5 in the middle game after the complete mobilization of his forces.
1 4.2 White lead in development
Handling an open position demands exact play, especially when one is behind in development.
1 4. 1 Rashit Ziatdinov Gerard Welling Amsterdam 1 9 94
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'ti'xd5 3.d4 e5 Unlike in the Anderssen variation ( 3 .tLlc3 'i!VaS 4.d4 e S ? ! ) , this advance opening the centre is well motivated here, since White does not have a lead in development. There is an excellent alternative in 3 . . . tLl c 6 , which leads to the Nimzowitsch Opening. 284
4.dxe5 'iYxe5+ In spite of the symmetrical pawn struc ture, Black's path to equality is strewn with some hurdles. Some precise moves are needed now to avoid falling further behind in develop ment.
5.�e2 ii.g4 ! White 's threat was of course 6 .tLlf3 .
6.ii.e3! ii.xe2 7.'iYxe2
Chapter 1 4 : T h e open cen tre
1 O . . . �d6 ! ? also looks playable : 1 I . l:tfe 1 ( 1 I . tLJb5 �f4) 1 l . . .a 6 ! 1 2 .tLJ g 5 'ii' g 6 1 3 . tLJ ge4 � e 5 1 4.tLJc5 tLJf6 1 5 .tLJxa 6 ? tLJ g 4 ) 1 l . a 3 � x c 3 1 2 . bx c 3 tLJ f6 1 3 .l:tab 1 tLJe4 1 4.'ti'b5 tLJd6 1 5 .'iYb2 'if c4 and Black can look forward to the endgame. 8.tZJc3 tZJ bc6 1 0.0-0-0±
9.tLJf3
'ii' e 6
This is one of the key positions in the 3 . . . e5 variation. The black king is ill at ease on the e-file, leaving as the only way to equality a rapid flight to the queenside. 7...CDe7? This move is very bad. Black can no lon ger castle queenside and also blocks the f8 bishop, which makes flight to the other side j ust as impossible. A) 7 . . . �b4+ ? ! 8 . c3 �d6 9 . tLJd2 tLJc6 I O .t2Jc4 'ii' e 7 l l .tLJxd 6 + cxd6 1 2 .tLJf3 and the better pawn structure gave White a solid advantage in Lochte Olbrisch, Dortmund 1 9 9 2 ; B) 7 . . . �d6 ? ! 8 . tLJf3 'ii' e 7 9 . tLJc3 tLJf6 I 0 . 0 - 0 - 0 tLJc6 l l . tLJ b 5 t , Bangiev Michaelsen, DSEM 1 9 9 4 ; C ) 7 . . . tLJc6 ! is the only correct way. Black aims to castle queenside as quickly as possibl e : 8 . tLJ f3 'ti' e 6 ( 8 . . . 'ife 7 ? ! blocks i n the f8 bishop, 9 .t2lc3 0 - 0 - 0 I 0 . 0 - 0 t Kufa-Borovicka, Czech tt- 2 2 0 0 6 / 0 7 ) 9 . 0 - 0 ( 9 . tLJ g 5 this move possibly stopped Black in his cal culations of 7 . . . t2Jc6 ! . But looking at it more closely shows that after 9 . . . 'ti'g6 White has no promising discovered at tack with the bishop, e . g. 1 O .�xa7 + ? :ile7 1 1 .�e3 tLJb4 ! 1 2 . 0 - 0 ( 1 2 .tDa3 lha3 ) 1 2 . . . tLJxc2 1 3 .'ii' b 5 + 'ii' c 6+) 9 ... 0 - 0 - 0 1 O . t2Jc3 and now 1 O . . . �b4 ! is the simplest ( I O . . . tLJ f6 ? ! 1 I . tLJ g 5 1 ;
The black king is stuck in the middle and it can be predicted that it will soon be subj ected to a violent attack. Obj ec tively, Black is probably already lost af ter 8 . . . t2J e 7 ? , harsh proof of how pre cise you must be in open positions. 1 0 ... a6 1 0 . . . tLJf5 1 1 . l:the 1 tLJxe 3 ? ! 1 2 .'iYxe 3 ! 'ii' xe3 + 1 3 . l:txe3 + �e 7 1 4.tLJd5 +- . 1 1 .l:the1 l:td8 1 2.l:txd8+ wxd8?1 1 2 . . . tLJxd8 is a bit more stubborn. However, after 1 3 . tLJ g 5 'i!Vc6 1 4. l:td 1 tLJe6 1 5 . 'iV d 3 ± Black's undeveloped position can hardly be held. 1 3.tZJg5 1 5.�f4
'ti'g6
1 4.'iVc4
wes
1 5 .'ii' f4 ! ? . 1 5 ... h6 1 6.tZJge4 Wd8 1 7.tZJc5 Wc8 1 8.tZJxa6!+285
The Mod ern Scand i navian
Decisive ; Black i s lacking defenders. 1 8 ... bxa6 1 8 . . . �xg 2 1 9 .tt::l e 4+- . 1 9.�xa6+ '>tb8
1 9 . . . '>td7 2 0 J:td 1 + '>te6 2 1 . 'ilYc4+ Wf6 2 2 . tLl e 4 + � fs 2 3 . tLl g 3 + W f6 2 4 .'ii' c 3 + �e6 2 5 .�xc 7 + - . 20.�xc7+ ..txc7 21 .tZ:lb5+ 'it>d7 22.'Yib7+ �e8 23 .'iWc8+ 1 -0
1 4. 3 The bad �c8
There can also be problems with the Scandinavian bishop in open positions. Only this time it is not because it is hunted down , but because it cannot find a good square. 1 4. 2 Enrico Sevillano Matthias Wahls Biel
1 993
1 .e4 d 5 2.exd5 'i'Vxd5 3.d4 e5 4.tZ:lf3 exd4 5.tZ:lxd4!?
Once more, because he is slightly be hind in development, Black is obliged to play a few precise moves in order to be able to equalize fully. 5 ... tZ:lf6? This normal move is refuted by the sub tle queen check on the 7 th move. 5 . . . tbc6 should be played to challenge the proud tLld4 at once : 6 . �e 3 ! ( 6 . tLlxc6 �xc6 ( 6 . . . 'tWxd i + t 7 7 . Wxd l bxc 6 oo ) 7 . tb c 3 �d 7 = ) 6 . . . tZ:l f6 ( 6 . . . �b4 + ? ! 7 .c 3 �e 7 8 . 'i'Va4 �d 7 9 . tLl b 5 ; 6 . . . tZ:lxd4 ? ! 7 . tLl c 3 ! tZ:lxc 2 + 286
( 7 . . . �b4 8 .'tWxd4 'il¥xd4 9 .�xd4±) 8 .�xc2 �aS 9 . �c4 �b4 I O .'�i'b3 with an attack) 7 . tZ:lc3 �b4 8 .�e 2 ' . This wonderfully dynamic move demands the greatest precision of Black. ( 8 . tLlb 5 ? ! 'iY e S ! ; 8 . 'iY d 2 ? ! tt:lxd4 9 . tZ:lx d 5 �xd 2 + 1 O . �xd2 tt:lf3 + 1 1 l . gxf3 tZ:lxdS 1 L �,d4 f6 = ) 8 . . . tt:lxd4 (8 . . . �xc3 + ? ! 9 . bxc3 tZ:lxd4 1 o . fixd4 'ifxg 2 1 1 . 0 - 0 - 0 �fs 1 2 .'i¥e 5 + �e6 1 3 J:Ihg l 'iYe4 1 4 . 'Yi g 5 ; 8 . . . tt:l e 4 ? ' 9 . tb b 5 ; 8 . . . 'i'V a 5 ? ! 9 . 0 - 0 ) 9 .'�' xd4 ( 9 . �x d 4 ? 'i'Vxg 2 I O . �f3 'Yi h 3 ) 9 . . . 'Yixd4 1 0 .�xd4 � e 6 l l . a3 £as 1 2 . 0 - 0 - 0 0 - 0 ( 1 2 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 ? 1 3 .£xa7 ; 1 2 . . . �b6 ? 1 3 .�xb6 axb6 1 4.tLlb5 l:Ic8 1 5 .�f3 ) and Black holds on : 1 3 .£[3 c6 1 4.�xf6 gxf6 1 5 .tLle4 � g 7 1 6 .tt:lc5 l::r a b8 1 7 .tZ:ld7 �xd 7 1 8 .l: h d 7 �b6 =. 6.tZ:lc3 �b4 If Black could now castle kingside, he would clearly take the initiative thanks to his active piece placement. But next comes . . . 7.'i'Ve2+! . . . and Black has to make concessions. 7... 'ife4? Better is 7 . . . �e 6 8 . tZ:lxe 6 �xc3+ 9 . bxc3 'ik'xe6 1 o .'iWxe 6 + fxe6 t .
C h a p t e r 1 4 : T h e o p e n c en t re
8.£d 2 'iWxe2+ 9.£xe2 ±
Several points come together here : White 's lead i n development, Black's shaky queenside and the way tLld4 dominates £c 8 . In the game, Black was unable to overcome all these problems.
The pawn on fS restricts the Scandina vian bishop even more. Black cannot free himself and will suffer similar to many of Anatoly Karpov's victims : you struggle for hours with no prospect of active counterplay and have to admit defeat in the end .
9 ... c6
1 6 ... .Ue8 1 7.�d 3 .!:! b8 1 8 . .!:! h e 1 £ d 7 1 9.<1Jc5 £d6 20.tb3e4 tLJxe4 21 /2Jxe4 £e5 2 2 .<1Jc5 £g3 2 3 JH 1 .�d 6 24.�b4 £f8 25 .f6 g6 26 .<1Jxd 7 <1Jxd 7 27.£xg 6 .ll. h 6+ 28.'it> b 1 <1Jxf6 29 . .ld.xf6 fxg 6 30 . .!:!. d 7 .l:Ied8 3 1 Jlff7 Ilxd 7 32.llxd 7
Removes any ideas of CilbS from the po sition, but on the other hand weakens the d6 -square. 1 0.0-0-0 0-0 1 1 .a 3 £a5 1 2 . h 3 !
Active pieces are not enough to win a game. White starts a kingside pawn ad vance. 1 2 ... <1J b d 7 1 3 .g4 .!:IdS £c7 1 5 .f4 <1J b 6 1 6 .f5
1 4.<1Jb3
Only a few pieces are left and the mate rial is equal , but the white rook on the 7 th rank is totally dominant. 32 ....\l.f4 33.-�c3 £h6 34."Q,d4 a5 35.�.a7 l:!.f8 36.llxb7 llf1 + 37.'it>a2 l:tc1 38.£d4 �f8 39 . .l:ia7 l:rh1 40Jba5 .!:l:xh3 41 .g5 l:tg3 42.£f6 �f3 43.£d8 l:rf2 44/�tb3 c5 45.�a8 Wf7 46.a4 Jl"g 7 47. .!:!a7+ 'it>g8 48.c3 c4+ 49.Wxc4 llxb2 50.a5+- .ld.c2 51 .£f6 .ll.xf6 52.gxf6 .llf 2 53 . .ll g 7+ 'it>h8 54.a6 llxf6 55.a7 1 -0
1 4.4 Black lead in development
IfWhite plays too timidly, Black too can obtain a lead in development . 1 4. 3 Peter Dengler Karsten Miiller
trol of the game to the opponent and in open positions that is very impor tant.
Munich 1 9 9 3
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'iWxd5 3.d4 e5 4.dxe5 'lWxe5+ 5.'iWe2?
Obviously White is aiming for a draw and for that reason would like to ex change the queens. But this gives con-
5 . . . 'iWxe2+ 6 ..�xe2 £f5 7.c3 <1Jc6 8.<1Jf3 0-0-0 9.0-0 <1Jf6=i=
The black pieces are more active. 1 0.£f4 h6
I O . tiJdS ! ? I I .£g3 �,d6 + . .
.
287
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
1 1 .�b5 I I . ti:Jbd2 ti:JdS 1 2 .�g 3 �d6 = / + . 1 1 ... �d3! 1 2.�xd3 l:rxd3
After 1 4.�e 3 + White 's passive defence is not easy to crack, e . g. 1 4 . . . tt:l d 5 I S . ti:Je l ! l:id l 1 6 .ti:Jc2 tbxe 3 1 7 .tt:lxe3 l:id3 1 8 . l:id I l:ixd I + 1 9 . ti:Jxd I �cS 2 0 .ti:Jd2 l:ie8 2 1 .Wfl . 1 4 ... l:rd51 1 5.tt:Jxc6D 1 6.tt:Jd4 l:rg8t 1 7.l2lf3 1 8.c4?1 l:rd3 1 9.�h 2
As in Sevillano-Wahls (Game 1 4. 2 ) , Black plans to build on greater piece ac tivity with a kingside pawn advance. White has to defend extremely accu rately against this plan at once, to sur vive. 1 3.h3?1 This only gives Black a point of attack. It was time to continue development : 1 3 .ti:Jbd2 g S 1 4 .�e3 ( 1 4.�g3 ? g4-+) 1 4 . . . <1Jg4 I S . ti:J c4 ( I S . �d4 ti:Jxd4 1 6 . cxd4 ti:Jxh2 1 7 . Wxh2 g++) with good defensive chances, e . g. I S . . . b S 1 6 .h3 ti:Jxf2 1 7 . Wxf2 bxc4 1 8 . ti:Jd2 �cS 1 9 . tbxc4 �xe 3 + 2 0 .We2 l:ihd8 2 1 . l:i f3 l:i d 2 + 2 2 . Wxe 3 l:!xg 2 2 3 . l:r f6 +=t . 1 3 ... g5! 1 4.tt:Je5?! A further inaccuracy. The g-file is now opened, which helps Black 's attack.
gxf4 tt:l e4 !
Black now has the difficult choice : the pawn on f2 or b2 ? 1 9 ... �c5 The f2 pawn is closer to the white king. l 9 . . . �g 7 ! ?+ . 20.tt:Je5 l:rd6 21 .ti:Jc3 tt:Jxf2+ Black is quite simply a pawn up and White soon collapses completely : 22.ti:Jd5?! Better is 2 2 . l:rae I + . 22 ... l:re6 23 .ti:Jxf7? 2 3 . l:rae l l:rge8 2 4 . b4 �d4 2 S .ti:Jf3 �e3 2 6 . l:!e 2 tt:Je4 2 7 .l:rd I tt:J g s + . 23 ... l:rf8 24.tt:Jxf4 l:re4
1 4. 5 The c 7 -square after an exchange of queens
0-1
If this square is attacked, it is usually best to defend it with a piece or to start active play. The moves . . . c7 -c6 or . . . c 7 -cS on the other hand weaken squares, which gen erally hands over the prospect of long-term pressure to White. 288
Chapter 1 4 : The open centre
1 4.5 . 1 The move ... c 7 -c5 1 4. 4 Miroljub lazic Sinisa Dra ic Turin 2 0 0 0
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 't/Vxd5 3.d4 e5 4.tLlf3 exd4 5.'iVxd4 tLlf6 6 .tLlc3 �xd4 7.<1Jxd4 a6? The threat tLlbS is not strong enough to waste time developing , and a weakness should be conceded on its account . 7 . . . gb4 and 7 . . . �cS ! ? are preferable. 8.�f4
I 0 . . . � a S ( I 0 . . . gxc3 + I I . bxc3 tLlxc3 1 2 .�d3 ±) 1 1 . 0 - 0 - 0 tLlxc3 1 2 . bxc3 gxc3 1 3 .gc4± . 9.tLlb3 tLlc6 1 1 .�e2 tLld4?
1 0.0-0-0
�e6
Black trades off the most important de fender of his queenside. The conse quences will be visible shortly. A) l l . . . .ie7 ? ! 1 2..�J3 also gives White strong queenside pressure : 1 2 . . . l:k8 1 3 . tLl a4 ! ? ( 1 3 . l:.he l 0 - 0 1 4 . tt:la4;!;; ) 1 3 . . . .ig4 1 4 . .ixg4 tLlxg4 I S . l:.he I ± ; B) l l . . . c4 ! could limit the damag e : 1 2 . tLl d 2 �b4 1 3 . tLl de 4 ( 1 3 . .2.xc4 gxc3 1 4 . bxc 3 0-0 I S .Wb2!) 1 3 . . . tLlxe4 1 4 . tLlxe4 0 - 0 I S .�f3 l:.fd 8 1 6 .c3 .ie 7 1 7 . tLl d 6 ;!;; . 1 2.tLlxd4 cxd4 1 3 .l:.xd4 �c5 1 4.l:.d d 1 �xf2 1 5.gf3± 0-0 I S . . . l:.a7 1 6 . l:.hfl �cS I 7 . tLl a4 �e7 1 8 .ge3 and the b 7 pawn falls.
Painfully points out the problem. 8 ... c5 The idea 8 . . . gb4 ? 9 . �xc 7 tLldS is strongly met by I O .gd6 ! , e . g. :
1 6.�xb7 tra7 1 7.�f3 h6 1 8.trhf1 �h4 1 9.'it>b1 �g5 20.�g3 tLlg4 21 .l:.fe1 tLle3 22.l:.d3 tLlc4 23.tLle4 �f5 24.tLlxg5 hxg5 25 ..ie4+ -
And almost 2 0 moves later : 1 - 0
1 4.5 .2 The passive ... c 7 -c6 1 4. S Janusz Ferenc Henrik Mortensen Copenhagen 1 9 9 7
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 �xd5 3.d4 e5 4.tLlf3 exd4 5.�xd4 �xd4 6.<1Jxd4 c6?1 7.�c4 �b4+ 8.c3 �d 6 9.0-0 tLle7 1 0.<1Jd2 0-0 1 1 .tLle4 �c7 1 2J�e1 :t
White 's pieces are more active and he is exerting long-term pressure. Objec tively, Black's disadvantage is not over whelmingly large. but in practice it is very unpleasant to defend this sort of position where there is no counterplay. The following reaction is typical . Black turns to a forcing solution, after which White can transform his dynamic ad vantage into a structural one : 289
The Mod ern Scandinavian
1 2 ... tLld5?! 1 3.�xd5 cxd5 1 4.tZ:lb5 �b6 1 5.tZ:led6 tLlc6 1 6.�e3
Mortensen turns out to be no friend of passive defence. With this exchange he gets rid of his isolated pawn , but the re sulting white passed d-pawn is much too strong. Better is I 9 . . . l:rfd 8 ;!; . 20.cxd4 �xa 2 2 0 . . . �fd8 2 I .tLldbS a 6 2 2 .tLlc3 l:rxd4 2 3 . tZ:lx e 6 l:i.xd I + 2 4 . tLlxd I fxe 6 2 S . l:rxe6 l:rd8 2 6 Jbc3 ± . 21 .d5 tLlb4 22.tLlf5 l:rfd8 23.d6± .l:i.d7?!
The exchange of the dark-squared bishops in this IQP structure lessens Black's chances of counterplay and makes it easier to control the d4-square. 1 6 ... �xe3 1 7Jbe3 l:rb8 1 8.l:rd 1 I 8 . l::i. a e i ! ? �e 6 I 9 . tLlc7 t / ± . 1 8 ... �e6 1 9.tLlc7 d4
23 . . . g 6 would be tougher. 24.l:re7 l:rbd8 And now 25.l:rxd7 l:rxd 7 26.tLle8+would win the g7 pawn and with that the game.
1 4. 5 . 3 Active defence
Black should be striving to do without a weakening move of the c-pawn and to de velop active counterplay : I 4. 6 C . Gomez Juan Andres Fos Santacreu Spain 1 9 9 2 / 9 3
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'ii' x d5 3.d4 e5 4.tLlf3 exd4 5 .'tWxd4 'ii' x d4 6.tZ:lxd4 �c5 7.tZ:lb5
7... tLla6 8.�f4 Now Black played the passive 8 . . . c6 7 ! , which, after 9 . tLld6+ �xd6 I O .�xd 6 , conceded the bishop pair and a long term advantage to his opponent. Instead of that, the active
290
with a n attack o n c2 was required. If White now protects the pawn , then Black can simply castle queenside. So White has nothing better than 9.tZ:lxc7+ tZJxc7 1 0.�xc7 .l:i.c8 1 1.. �g3 �xc2 1 2.�b5+ ri;; e 7 1 3.tZ:lc3 tZ:lf6 1 4.0-0 l:rhd8=
Chapter
1 5 : The
Viking centre
The Viking centre is characterized by the black set-up . . . tt:lc6 , . . . �g4 and . . . 0 - 0 - 0 . The c-pawn i s left o n its starting square. Just like the Vikings i n their day, Black gets down to business and goes after his opponent at once. White 's centre is immedi ately put under pressure and you have to know your way around the sharp varia tions , because despite the advantage of the first move, a crushing defeat could be around the corner. However, it is worth noting that Black cannot favourably employ this set-up against all white move orders. It is generally very playable ifWhite holds back with tt:lc3 . We now come to the typical themes and motifs connected with the Viking centre.
1 5 . 1 The opposition of'\i' d 1 I nds
The black rook's X-ray attack on the white queen involves some favourable tactical peculiarities for Black.
1 5 . 1 . 1 The attack on the d4 pawn 1 5. 1 David Smerdon Darryl Johansen Sun Coast I 9 9 9
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'i¥xd5 3.tt:lf3 �g4 4.�e2 tt:lc6 5.d4 0-0-0 6.c4 'iYh5 7.0-0? This natural move is far too slow as it contributes nothing to the stabilization of d4. 7 . � e 3 is critical : 7 . . . tt:l f6 8 .t2:l bd 2 e 5 9 . d 5 tt:ld4 1 O . tt:lxd4 exd4
1 L � .xg4+ ( l l . �xd4 �xe 2 1 2 . 'iYxe 2 l:re8 1 3 . �e3 'iVg4 (Kritz) gives Black compensation for the pawn) 1 1 . . . tt:lxg4 1 2.. �xd4 l::r e 8 + 1 3 . 'it>fl tt:lxh 2 + 1 4 . \t> g l 'iYxd l + 1 5 Jh d l tt:lg4 1 6 . f3 tt:l e 5 1 7 . ld.e l f6 1 8 . a 3 ( 1 8 . �xe 5 ? 1 �d6 = ) 1 8 . . . 'it>d 7 , Rog ers-Smerdon , Canberra 2 0 0 5 . Accord ing to Kritz, White now gets a slight advantage by playing 1 9 . ld.e3 . 7... tt:lf6 ! 29 1
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
7 . . . e 5 ? allows White t o shake off the pressure in the centre : 8 . d5 e4 9 . lud4 �xe2 1 O . 'ifxe 2 'i¥xe2 I I . lLlxe2 lLle5 I 2 . b 3 oo . Camouflaged a s a normal developing move, Black has now set a trap. . . 8.h3? . . . into which the opponent promptly falls. Also bad is 8 .lLlc3 ? lLlxd4 9 . lLlxd4 �xe 2 I O . tLlcxe 2 e 5 + . The critical move on the other hand is 8 .�e 3 e5 9 .h3 ; see Sixtensson-West (Game I 5 . 5 ) .
After this very convincing example for Black, it must be said that the win of the d4 pawn does not always lead to such a clear advantag e ; sometimes it can also be very risky. This is because in the Vi king centre Black generally postpones the development of the kingside ; . . . lLlc6 , . . . �g4 and . . . 0 - 0 - 0 are all moves with pieces on the queenside. If Black wins the d4 pawn , but ex changes a large part of his developed forces while doing so, he can easily end up with a problem for his lonely king: 1 5.2 Gregory Shahade Martha Lorena Fierro Baquero Paget Parish 2 0 0 I
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'ifxd5 3.tt:Jf3 �g4 4.�e2 tt:Jc6 5.d4 0-0-0 6.c4 'iff5 7.�e3
8 ... tt:Jxd4 !+ The result is that Black wins at least a pawn . The tactical blow . . . lLlxd4 occurs often in the Viking centre, with various intentions. 9.hxg4? The lesser evil would be 9 . lLlxd4. After 9 . . . �xe2 I O . 'li'xe2 l:rxd4+ a further point of 7 . . . lLlf6 becomes clear; the queen is now protected. 9 ... tt:Jxg4 Now the lethal lLlxf3 is threatened , so White must return the material with heavy interest. 1 0.tt:Jh4 tt:Jxe2+ 1 1 .'li'xe2 'li'xh4 1 2.�f4 e6-+ and Black is winning. 292
The following tactical trick may win the d4 pawn, but costs valuable time. 7... �xf3 8.�xf3 tt:Jxd4 9.�xd41 'iYe6+ 1 0.�e2 'iYe4 1 1 .0-0 'iYxd4 Also after I I . . . l:rxd4 I 2 .'ifa4 White gets a dangerous attack, e . g. 1 2 . . . 'ifxe2 1 3 .'i¥xa7 'ifxb2 ( I 3 . . J:td l ? does not work because of 1 4 . 'ifa 8 + Wd7 1 5 .'iYa4++-) I 4.lLla3 Wd7 ( I 4 . . . l:rd3
Chapter
I S . �a 8 + 'it> d 7 1 6 J hd ! �xd l 1 7 . �xd l + \t>e6 1 8 .'i¥xf8 -+ ) I S . tt:lbS l:rd2 1 6 . �b 8 -+ . 1 2.'ifa4
Black has won a pawn, but in return has major problems with her development. The white attack is threatening to de velop very rapidly after 1 3 . tt:lc3 . 1 2 ... 'i¥xb2? This is going too far. Any feeling for the game should have put an end to serious consideration of this move, which does not even win material. It would be high time to start develop ing the kingside. Obj ectively, after 1 2 . . . e 6 ! things are not so clear at all , even if White should have very good compensation : 1 3 .tt:lc3 and now : A) 1 3 . . . �d6 A I ) 1 4.tt:lb5 'i!VeS 1 S . tt:lxd6 + cxd6 1 6 .�f3 \t>b8 1 7 .�fe l 't!Wcs 1 8 . b4 'iVc7 1 ( 1 8 . . . 'ifxc4 ? 1 9 .�xb 7 ! tt:le 7 , Brunello Prie , Arvier 2 0 0 7 . 2 0 .�a6 ! 'iVc6 2 l .b 5 �b6 2 2 . .l::!. a c l ± Kritz) 1 9 . ld.ac l tt:l e 7 2 0 J �e 3 'i!Yd7 2 1 .'i¥d 1 l:l: c 8 2 2 . c5 l:Ihd8 23 .l:rd3 'ifc7 + , D ' Amore-Prie, Arvier 20 0 7 ; A2) 1 4 . .l:. fd 1 'iV e S I S . g 3 'it> b 8 ( ! S . . . a6 ? ! , Robson-Figler, Boca Raton 2 0 0 8 , 1 6 . c 5 ! 'ifxcS ( 1 6 . . . �xc 5 1 7 . .!:.xd 8 + \t> x d 8 1 8 . �d I + � d 6
1 5:
T h e Vi k i n g c e n t r e
1 9 .�f3 tt:l f6 2 0 . �xb 7 t) 1 7 . tt:le4 'i¥b6 1 8 . tt:lx d 6 + cxd6 1 9 . l:r ac l + 'it> b 8 2 0 . ld.d4± Kritz) 1 6 .tt:lb5 a 6 1 7 . tt:lxd6 cxd6 1 8 .�f3 tt:l f6 1 9 . ld.d3 tt:ld7 (block ing the dangerous bishop by I 9 . . . dS ! 7 might be an improvement) 2 0 . I:f.b 3 tt:lcs 2 I .'i¥b4 �d7 2 2 . .:!.e3 'i¥f6 2 3 . .:!.d ! .l::t. c 8 2 4.'iVa3 and White had a strong initiative, Michna-Prie, San Sebastian 2009. B ) 1 3 . . . 'ifb6 1 4J lad i l:t.xd l I S . �xd l tt:lf6 1 6 . b4 ! �xb4 (another try is 1 6 . . . c5 , intending 1 7 . tt:le4 'iVa6 e . g. 1 8 .'i!Yc2 tt:lxe4 1 9 . b 5 'ti'b6 2 0 .'ti'xe4 �e 7 2 l .�f3 �f6 2 2 . a4 'ti'c7 2 3 . a 5 .l:i d 8 = ) 1 7 . � b l a S 1 8 . a 3 .Q. x c 3 1 9 Jh b 6 cxb6 2 0 . c 5 bxcS , Branden burg -Tiviakov, Hilversum ch-NED 2 0 0 8 . Now 2 l .�f3 ! �d8 2 2 .'ti'b5 tt:ldS 2 3 .'ti'xc5 + \t>b8 2 4 . g 3 ! b 6 2 S .'i¥b5 \t>b7 2 6 .'i!Vd3 �f6 27 .'ifxh7 gives White a slight advantage according to Kritz. 1 3.'i¥xa 7 e6 1 3 . . . 'ifxa I ? I S . l:rd i + +- .
1 4.�a8 +
\t> d 7
1 4.�f3 Black 's 1 2 th-move desperado attack has quickly led to a predicament that can not be escaped. Because of the weakness of the b7 pawn , the deadly I S .tt:lc3 is now simply threatened. 1 4 ... tt:lf6 1 4 . . . c6 I S . tt:l c 3 ! 'ti'xc3 ( ! S . . . 'ti' a 3 1 6 .tt:la4+- ) 1 6 . �ab I �b4 1 7 .'ti'b6 'ifd4 1 8 . 't!Wxb4 'ti'a7 1 9 .�b3 -+ and Black should not survive here either. 1 5.tt:lc3 �xc3 1 6.�a d 1 Here many ways lead t o Rome. There was a somewhat easier win with 293
The Mod ern Sca n d i navian
1 6 . �xb 7 + W d 7 1 7 . � c 6 + 1 8 .�xc 7 + tLld 7 1 9 . .l::!. a d l +- .
We7
1 6 ... �d6 1 7.c5 tLld5 1 7 . . . �xh 2 + 1 8 . �xh2 �e S + 1 9 .�g l c6 2 0 . .l::!. d 6 1 ! +- .
1 8Jbd5 and Black admitted defeat. The end could be : 1 8 . . . �xh 2 + ( 1 8 . . . exd5 7 1 9 .�g4+) 1 9 . Wxh2 .l::!. x dS 2 0 . Sbd5 exdS 2 1 .'i¥a8 + +- .
1 S . 1 . 2 The vulnerable d S pawn Even when the pawn under attack advances to d S , i t i s still anything but safe. The main reasons for this are the opposition of �d I and lld8 and other tactical ele ments , not in the least the thrust . . . e 5 -e4: 1 5.3 Bernd Probat Christian Erharter St Veit 1 9 9 8
1 .e4 d 5 2.exd 5 'ti!Yxd5 3 .tLlf3 �g4 4.�e2 tLlc6 5.d4 o-o-o 6 .tLlc3 '\Wh5 7.�e3 e5 8.0-0 tLlf6 9.d5? e4 !
In this specific case, the dS pawn is at tacked once more after . . . e 5 -e4, while at the same time the displacement of the knight gives Black attacking possi bilities on the king side. 1 O.tLlg5? This move runs straight into tactics. Only slightly better might be I O .tbd 4 7 tLlxd4 l l .�xd4 (not I l . �xg4+ ? tLlxg 4 1 2 .h3 tLlf3 + ! 1 3 Sith l ( 1 3 . gxf3 tLlxe3 1 4 . fxe 3 'i¥xh3 -+) 1 3 . . . i¥e5 1 4 . g 3 tLlxe3 I S . fxe 3 �xg 3 -+ ) l l . . . £xe2 1 2 . tLlxe 2 tLlxd S + with a sound extra pawn for Black. On the other hand , the damage is limited by I O . tLld2 �xe2 1 1 . '\W x e 2 'i!Vxe 2 1 2 . tLl x e 2 lL!xdS ( I 2 . . . llxdS ! ?) I 3 . ll:! xe4 tLlxe 3 14 . fxe3 tLleS + . 1 o .. J:i.xd5!
The knight on f3 is an important de fender of the white centre and king. So it comes as no surprise that if it is chased away by . . . e 5 -e4, there are often unpleasant consequences.
Unfortunately, in the game Black did not notice this possibility and played I O . . . �d6 ? l l .�xg4+ tLlxg4 1 2 .h3 ± . 1 1 .tLlxd5 �xe2 1 2.'i!Vd2 �xf1 -+
1 5 . 2 Black bursts open White's centre with ... e7 -eS
This lever and the Viking centre go together like a horse and carriage. But care is needed in using it: Black can also be swept away ! 294
Chapter 1 5 : The Viking
c en t re
1 5 .2 . 1 White replies d4-d5 Here a lot depends on how the d5 pawn is protected. If it is defended by tt'lc3 , Black generally has good tactical possibilities for play against the d5 pawn . The next three games show examples in which it is protected by the c4 pawn; this is beneficial for the safety of the d5 pawn .
1 5 . 2 . 1 . 1 The knight on c6 has no good squares 1 5 .4 Viesturs Meijers Rune Djurhuus Biel 1 9 9 3
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'ifxd5 3.<1Jf3 �g4 4.�e2 tt'lc6 5 .d4 0-0-0 6 .c4 �h5 7.�e3 e5?
�xe 2 + 1 2 . Wxe2 tt'le5 1 3 .tt'lgxe4±) l l .Wxe2 tt'le5 1 2 .�d4 f6 1 3 .tLle6 .l:r.e8 1 4.�xe5 fxe 5 1 5 .tt'lc3 ± . 9.tt'l bd 2 tt'ld4
There is no sensible square for the knight, and thus nothing better than this pawn sacrifice. However, praxis has unambiguously shown that Black does not get sufficient compensation . 1 O.tt'lxd4 exd4 1 1 .�xd4 Ue8
l l . . . �xe2 7! makes it easier for White to consolidate his extra pawn : 1 2 . �xe 2 l:le8 1 3 .�e3 �c5 ( 1 3 . . . �e5 1 4 . 0 - 0 - 0 �c5 1 5 . Ude l ±) 1 4 .'tWxh5 tt'lxh5 and now in Jo. Nun-Oral , Czech tt 1 9 9 4 , af ter 1 5 . <1Jfl t White could have gotten a clear extra pawn : 1 5 . . . tLl f4 ( 1 5 . . . �b4+ 1 6 . Wd l tLlf4 1 7 . .l:r.g l ±) 1 6 . 0 - 0 - 0 .l:r.e4 1 7 .Wb l �xe 3 1 8 .tt'lxe 3 ± . This move does not bring about the de sired activity. On the contrary : 8.d 5 !
With the pawn o n c 4 White 's central position is now stable. In the long run the 4 : 3 queenside majority should re sult in an attack on the king. 8 ... t2Jf6
A) 8 . . . �b4+ 9 . tt'lbd2 tt'lce 7 I O . a3 �xd 2 + l l .�xd2 ± ; B) 8 . . . e4 9 . tt'lg5 ! and Black has prob lems holding things together: 9 . . . �xe2 (9 . . . tt'lf6 I O .�xg4+ tt'lxg4 l l .tt'lxf7 + - ) I O .�xe2 �xe 2 + ( 1 0 . . . �b4+ l l .tLld2
1 2 .f3
1 2 .�e3 7 �c5 -+ . 1 2 ... �f5
1 2 . . . �b4 happened in a later game of the Latvian , by then a grandmaster: 1 3 . 0 - 0 ( 1 3 . fxg4 �xg4 is probably un necessarily risky for Meij ers) 1 3 . . . �d6 1 4 . g 3 �d7 1 5 J H2 'iYg5 1 6 . tLlfl ± . Meijers-Liichtemeier, Baunatal l 9 9 9 . 1 3 .0-0 �d6 1 4.g3 'tWg6 1 5 J;tf2 h5
Here and in what follows , Black 's ac tions are somewhat unfortunate. 295
The Mod ern Scandinavian
He could perhaps have g o t more counterplay with l 5 . . . �c2 followed by moves like . . . �b8 and . . . tt::l d 7 . 1 6.tt::l f 1 h4?1 1 7.g41 1 8.tt::J e 3 �d7 1 9.c5±
tt::J h5?1
Life can be so unfair : Black has spent his last few moves on building up a king side attack, whereas White only has to play c4-c 5 and it at once becomes clear that his initiative carries more punch. The decisive difference between the two plans of attack is simply that White has a pawn majority with which he can effortlessly open up the enemy king po sition. Black is less fortunate. 1 9 ... �f4 20.tt::l g 2 h3 21 .�d3 't\Vh6 2 l . . . f5 2 2 . tt::l h 4± . 22.tt::J xf4 tt::J xf4 A nice combination to wrap it up : 23.c6!
1 5 .2. 1 .2 Counterattack with ... eS -e4 Sometimes Black can answer d4-d5 this way. When tt::l f3 moves away from the attack, the black knight has access to the e 5 -square. If White has already castled kingside, driving away his defensive knight can prove fatal to him : 1 5.5 Mikael Sixtensson Guy West Biel 1 9 8 6
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 iYxd5 3.tt::lf 3 �g4 4.�e2 tt::J c 6 5.d4 0-0-0 6.c4 't\Vh5 7.0-0? tt::J f6 8.�e3 e5 9.d5? Not only does this move threaten noth ing , it leads to a forced loss ! However, even the better 9 .h3 may not offer White equality : 9 . . . exd4 ! 1 O . hxg4 tt::l x g 4 1 1 . � g 5 (Del Rio Angelis Stefanova, Mancha Real 2 0 0 0 ; 1 l .�f4? d3 1 2 . �xd3 ttJ b4-+ ) 1 I . . . f6 1 2..�.h4 d 3 1 3 .� x d3 tt::l b4 1 4 . tt::l h 2 l:rxd3 1 5 . 'i h g 4 + 'i:Yxg4 1 6 . tt::l x g 4 tt::l c 2 1 7. tt::l c 3 tt::l x a 1 1 8 . lha 1 l:rd4 1 9 . f3 l:rxc4 + . tt::J x d4-+ 9 ... e4 1 1 O.tt::l d 4 1 1 .�xg4+ tt::J x g4 1 2.h3
23 ... bxc6 24.�xg 7 1 1 Deflection of the black queen and clear ing of the d-file. 24 ... 't\Vxg7 25.�a6+ �d8 25 . . . �b8 2 6 .'tlVb3 + �a8 2 7 .'tlVb 7 # . 26.dxc6 l:re7 27.l:rd2 f 5 28.'iYb3 Black resigned. 296
White probably plans to win back the piece like this, but now the storm be gins :
Chapter
1 2 ... tt:Jf3+1 1 3.gxf3
T h e Vi k i n g c en t re
22 ... hxg4+
1 3 . Wh l ? 'ti'eS 1 4. g 3 tt:Jxe3 I S . fxe 3 'iVxg 3 - + . 1 3 ... 'ti'xh31? The vulgar 1 3 . . . tt:Jxe3 1 4. fxe 3 'iYxh3 also wins, but the game continuation is prettier. 1 4.fxg4 .id6 1 5 . .l:i.e1 1 6.'1t>h1 .l:i.d6 1 7.'ti'c2
I 5:
.ih2+
This move is directed against the threat I 7 . . . �f4+ 1 8 . '>t>g I .l:i.h6 , after which 1 9 . �xe4 could now be played. 1 7 .tLlc3 �f4+ 1 8 .-;t>g l .l:i.h6-+ ; 1 7 . g S h6 ! 1 8 . g 6 .l:i.xg 6 -+ . 1 7... 'iYf3+ The quickest way to win is 1 7 . . . .l:i.g6 ! with the threat of 1 8 . . . �f4+ 1 9 .-;t>g l .l:i.xg4# .
And White required no further proof of the win after 23 . .ih6 .l:i.xh 6 + 2 4 . 'iYxh6 'tWxe l + 2 S . W g 2 'li' e 2 + 2 6 . W g l 'iYxb 2 -+ and resigned.
1 5 .2 . 1 . 3 Mutual majority attack After . . . e6 -eS I d4-dS each side has a majority on one wing. If both maj ori ties are set loose, play becomes very sharp and every tempo is important: I 5.6 Vyacheslav Klyuner Janusch Koscielski Duisburg 2 0 0 0
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 'ti'xd5 3 .tt:Jf3 �g4 4.�e2 tt:Jc6 5.d4 0-0-0 6.c3 e5 7.c4
1 8.'1t>xh2
7... 'i!Ya5+
1 8 ... g5! 1 8 . . . hS ? 1 9 . g 5 +- . 1 9.�xg5 21 .'1t>h1
h5
20.'ti'c3
2 1 . Wh3 7 hxg4+ 2 2 . '1t>xg4 fS # . 21 ...f6 22.'ti'e3 2 2 .�h6 hxg4-+ .
'ti'xf2+
7 . . . 'iYe4! is even stronger as after 8 . tLlbd2 .ib4 9 .d S tLld4 I O . tLlxd4 exd4 l l . f3 Black has l l . . .�xf3 ! ! 1 2 . gxf3 �h4+ 1 3 .Wfl (Krulich-Sulskis, Bad Wiessee 2 0 0 3 ) 1 3 . . . 'ifh3 + ! with a win ning attack according to Bauer. 8.�d 2 �b4 9.d5 �xf3 1 o.�xf3 gxd 2+ 1 1 .tt:Jxd 2 tt:Jd4 1 2.0-0 Worth considering is 1 2 .a3 ! ? , intend ing to mobilize the pawn majority with 297
The Mod ern Scand i n a v i a n
tempo, but then Black also has good counterplay after l l .. . fS 1 3 . 0 - 0 e4 1 4.ge2 tt:lf6 I S .b4 'fla6 1 6 Jle I 'ild6 . 1 2 .. .'tWb4 1 The queen was not well placed on a S and Black solves the problem with tempo, by attacking a white pawn. A) 1 2 . . . tt:l f6 ? ! 1 3 . a 3 t ; B ) l l . . . fS ? ! 1 3 .tt:lb3 ! tt:lxb3 1 4. axb3 'ti'b6 I S .'flc2 and c4-c5 is in the air.
1 3 . ..f5 1 4.a3 'if d 6 1 6.�e2 tt:lf6
1 5.b4 e4
Black's position is wonderfully central ized. Also, the thrust c4-c5 can hardly be forced through because of the white d-pawn's need for protection . 1 7.tt:lb3 tt:lxe2+ 1 8.'ifxe2 tt:lg4 1 9.g3 'ti'h6 20.f4 2 0 .h4 g S 2 I . tt:ld4 'iff6 2 2 .tt:le6 gxh4 2 3 . tt:lxd8 .l:i.xd8 2 4 . 'it> g 2 .l:i. g 8 -+ .
• • � 1 3.b3 Now Black's last move pays off, because this pawn must and, of course, wants to go to b4. White should not hang on to this pawn. He has two more dangerous possible lines , which involve pawn sac rifice (s) . In any case Black should be able to hang on : A) 1 3 . .l:i.e ! ! ? tt:l f6 1 4. b 3 .l:i.he8 I S .a 3 'tWc3 ! = Predoj evic-Sermek, Portoroz 2005; B) 1 3 .tt:lb3 ! ? 'ifxc4 1 4.tt:lxd4 'ifxd4 I S .'ii' c 2�. e.g. : 1 S . . . tt:lf6 ( I S . . . tt:le? ? ! 1 6 . .!:f.fe l f6 1 7 . .l:i.ac l 'tWb6 1 8 .:e3 -+) I 6 .l::t fd 1 'ilf4 1 7 .d6 .l:i.d7 I 8 .'tWcs �b8 1 9 .dxc7 .l:i.xc7 2 0 .'iVd6 .!:f.c8 2 1 ..l:i.e l tt:lg4 (or 2 l ... 'ild4 2 2 .'flxe5 'tWxeS 2 3 . .U.xe5 .!::t e l 24 . .l:i.e l .!:f.xa l 2 S . .l:i.xa l l:k2 2 6 .b4=) 2 2...�.x g4 'tWxg4 23 .'ifxeS f6 24.'ii' d 6 'tWd7 2 S .'ifg3 a6 2 6 .h3 1/z- 1/z, Rog ers-Matamoras Franco, Hamburg 1 99 9 . 298
Now Black tried the sledgehammer ap proach, but after 2 0 . . . g 5 ? 2 I . tt:ld4 gxf4 2 2 . .!:f.xf4± it was not White 's king, but Black's who was suffering. Instead, the obvious opening of the centre with 20 ... exf3 would give him a nice initiative. 21 . .!:f.xf3 .!:f.he8 22.'iYc2 g6 White must be very careful, as his posi tion contains numerous weak points : 23.tt:lc5 2 3 .tt:ld4? .l:i.e4 2 4 . l:l.d ! 'tWhS ! - + . 2 3 ... b 6 24.tt:ld3 2 4 . tt:l e 6 ? .!:f.xe 6 -+ . 24 ... .!:f.e3 25 . .!:f.af1 .!:f.de8t
Chapter
I 5:
T h e Vi k i n g c e n t r e
1 5 .2 . 2 White does not answer ... e 7 -eS with d4-dS In this case Black 's e-pawn is often exchanged for White 's d-pawn and both central files are opened. After that things get heated quickly and thanks to Black 's active piece position , White often pulls the short end of the stick. I 5.7 Thorsten Cmiel Hannes Langrock
German Amateur Cham p ionshi p 2 0 0 2
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 �xd5 3.tt:lc3 �as 4.d4 tt:lf6 5 ..2.c4 .2.g4 6.tt:le2 6 . f3 is the main move.
White should turn to 7 . f3 ! now, if not sooner. 7... e5 This lever is very powerful here. Black's pieces are active, the enormous pres sure against the white centre can even be cranked up by . . . 0 - 0 - 0 and . . . .2.b4. 8 . .2.b5 0-0-0+
9 . .2.xc6 bxc6 1 0.�d 3 I O . f3 fails to I O . . . exd4 1 1 . tt:lxd4 c 5 - + . 1 0 ... .2.xe2? This surrenders a considerable part of his advantage. After the straightforward I O . . . cS White would have nothing better than l l . dS l::r x dS 1 2 . �c4 .2.e 6 + . 1 1 .�xe2 exd4 1 2 . .2.xd4 �h5+ 1 3. �f1 .2.c5 1 4.tt:le2! But not 1 4.�a6+ 'it>b8 I S . .2.xf6 .l:!.d2 1 1 6 .tt:le2 gxf6 + . 1 4 ... l::r h e8 Black still exerts some pressure , but the problem is his open king position. 1 5 .c3 � b 7 1 6. b4? Correct is 1 6 . a4, with control over the bS -square. 1 6 ... .2.xd4 1 7.tt:lxd4 �b5!+ Cmiel had overlooked this. Black now achieves a clear endgame advantage. 1 8.�xb5+ 1 8 . l:Id l �xd 3 + 1 9 Jh d 3 tt:ldS + ; 1 8 . c4? �e5 1 9 J�d l l::r x d4-+ . 1 8 ... cxb5+
When you get down to it, Black may possibly already be winning ! This is a good example of how dangerous the Viking variations are. White makes a less than obvious mistake and is imme diately confronted with difficult or even insoluble problems.
White is still struggling with develop ment problems , and at the same time there is the direct threat of I 9 . . . tt:le4, winning a pawn . 1 9.g3 wb6? 1 9 . . . tt:le41 is much stronger. 299
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
20.a4 bxa4 21.<>i;>g2 tt::l e4 22J:thc1 tt::l xc3 23.l:i.xc3 l:i.xd4 24.l:i.xa4+ White has managed to seek safety in a double rook endgame a pawn down.
It is difficult to say which is greater, Black 's winning chances or White 's drawing chances. Thorsten Cmiel finally managed to hold the draw, with some help from Hannes.
1 S . 3 The Viking bishop on g4
The Scandinavian bishop on g4 is a quite important component of Black's play against the white centre and on the kingside. In the Viking centre, unlike in most other central formations , the bishop does not belong on fS , because Black's play would then be short of the necessary pressure.
1 5 . 3 . 1 Black offers his bishop on g4 as a sacrifice This is a typical motifif White has castled kingside. 1 5.8 David Mrdjen Sasa Horvat Pula 1 9 9 9
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'ili'xd5 3 .d4 tt::l c 6 While considering this line, we have included passages from Modernes Skandinavisch 1 . We decide to take these over almost complete, because by using them we can make clear some impor tant patterns and motifs connected with the Viking structure. 4.tt::l f3 �g4 5.tt::l c 3 'ili'h5!? The h S -square may be the most active post for the queen , but at the same time it is also the least secure, just like in the proverb : 'No rose without a thorn ' . As soon as �e2 and 0 - 0 have been played, White is threatening to chal lenge �g4 with h2 -h3 . If the latter had to be exchanged on f3 for the white knight, not only would the bishop pair have gone west but the queen would also have to move again . The benefit of the move 5 . . . 'i!VhS ! ? is thus quite simply dependent on whether 300
Black has sufficient tactical means at his disposal to meet the positional threat of h2-h3 in an appropriate fashion. 6 .�e2 0-0-0 7.0-0 e5 With this move Black makes the best possible use of his aggressive piece placement. 8.h3 tt::l f6 ! As already hinted at in the commentary to Black's 5 th move, this variation must always be played with a certain swagger. 8 . . . �xh3 ? ? 9 . tt::l x e 5 +- . 9.d5 A) 9 .hxg 4 ? ! tt::l x g4
An a lysi s d i agram
Chapter
Despite the extra piece White 's position is uncomfortable. The key square h2 is still protected by the king 's knight. Un derstandably, now Black goes all out to remove the royal bodyguard. I O .dS and now : A I ) I O . . . fS ! White 's king 's knight is to be roughed up by l l . . . e4. I I .�gS ! ? This move looks a bit strange, since the bishop will immediately have to go into reverse. But are there any valid alterna tives? l l . . .e4 ( 1 1 . . .<2ld4! ?) 1 2 .�f4 and now : A l l ) 1 2 . . . exf3 ? ! 1 3 . �xf3 � d 6 1 4.�xg4 fxg4 1 S . lt:Je2 ! �xf4 1 6 . lt:Jxf4 �fs 1 7 .'i:Vd2 g S ( I 7 . . . tt:J e 7 I 8 . c4 g S I 9 J He l ) I 8 .'i:Vc3 gxf4 1 9 . dxc6 with an unclear position ; A I 2 ) 1 2 . . . �d6 ! . Getting the piece back too quickly would be of use only to White in organizing his defence. 1 3 .'ti'd2 exf3 1 4.�xf3 (once again the only move. The following variation is particularly pretty : 1 4 . gxf3 ? lt:Jh 2 ! I S . dxc6 lt:Jxf3 + 1 6 . �xf3 'ti'xf3 1 7 . cxb 7 + Wb8 1 8 .lt:Je2 'i:Vg4+ 1 9 . \t>h l g S ! -+ ) 1 4 . . . tt:Jce 5 ( 1 4 . . . �xf4 ? I S . 'ti'xf4 lt:Jd4 1 6 . �x g 4 'ti'xg4 1 7 .'ti'xg4 fxg4 1 8 Jh d 1 != lt:Jxc2 ? 1 9 . a 3 g3 2 0 J :t d 3 ) I S . �xg4 ( 1 S . lt:J b S ? tt:Jxf3 + 1 6 . gxf3 lt:JeS -+) 1 S . . . 'i:Vxg4 1 6 .�xe5 �xeS 1 7 .l:tfe I l:Ihe 8 . The rough and tumble is over, and it is time to draw up the balance sheet : Black has the better minor piece and can operate both against the weak dS pawn and the broken king position. A2) There is an option which is not as powerful but very interesting , namely : I O . . . lt:Jd4 ! ? l l . l::t e 1 � c S ( I I . . . fS 1 2 . �c4) 1 2 . lt:J e 4 � b 6 ( 1 2 . . . l::t x d5 ? 1 3 .�c4 lt:Jxf3 + 1 4.�xf3 ) 1 3 .c3 tt:Jxe 2 + 1 4.'ifxe2 fS I S . lt:J g 3 �g6 with strong pressure.
I 5:
T h e Vi k i n g c en t re
B) 9 . lt:Jxe5 ? lt:JxeS I O . hxg4 lt:Jexg4 l l .�f4 �d6 1 2 . � x g 4 + ( 1 2 . 'ti'd2 g S -+ ) 1 2 . . . tt:J x g 4 1 3 . 'iH3 �xf4 1 4.'i:Vxf4 l::t x d4-+ ; C) 9 .�e 3 is discussed in the next game.
9 ... �xf3 1 0.�xf3 'ti'g6 I O . . . 'ti'fS ! ? . Here the queen is both ac tive and exposed. So after l l .�e3 cau tion is required , as is proved by the fol lowing variation : l l . . . �b4? 1 2 . lt:Je4! l::t x d S 1 3 . 'iY e 2 l::t d 7 ( 1 3 . . . l::t d d 8 1 4 . lt:Jxf6 'ifxf6 I S . �x c 6 'if x c 6 1 6 .'ti'g4+) 1 4 . lt:Jxf6 'ti'xf6 1 S .�g4+- . A better move is the prophylactic l l . . . W b 8 ! , and after 1 2 . a 3 then 1 2 . . . lt:J e 7 with good play. 1 1 .�e3 A) l l . dxc 6 ? l::t x d l 1 2 . cxb 7 + Wb8 1 3 . l::t x d l �cS + ; B ) l l . l::t e I �b4 1 2 . � d 2 lt:Jd4 1 3 . l::t x e 5 tt:J xf3 + 1 4 . 'ifxf3 'ii' x c 2 I S . l::t e 2 l::t h e8 =F ; C ) I I .�d2 ? lt:Jd4 1 2 . l::t c l 'i:Vfs + . 1 1 ... e4 1? A) l l . . . �b4 ? ! 1 2 . lt:Je2 e4 1 3 .lt:Jf4 'ti'fs 1 4.�g4oo ; B) l l . . . lt:Jb4 ? ! (very risky) 1 2 . �xa 7 b 6 1 3 .'ti'e2 ( 1 3 . a 3 ! ?) ; C) An alternative would be l l . . . Wb8 . 30 1
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
This move makes sense for three rea sons : I . The a 7 pawn is overprotected. 2. The motif dxc 6 , sacrificing the queen, is now out of the question , since the pawn can no longer make its way through to b 7 with check. 3 . The king has disappeared from the uncomfortable h 3 -c8 diagonal , so the queen can now be placed on fS with no worries. I am not sure how White can now achieve equality : C l ) 1 2 . tt:l b S ? e4 1 3 . dx c 6 .!::t x d l 1 4 . �xa 7 + 'lt> a 8 I S . cxb 7 + 'it>xb 7 1 6 . �xd l c6-+ ; C 2 ) 1 2 . tt:le2 ? tt:lb4 1 3 . c4 tt:lc2 1 4 . .!::t c l tt:lxe 3 I S . fxe3 e4+ ; C 3 ) 1 2 .l:f.e l �b4 ( 1 2 . . . tt:lb4 ? ! 1 3 . l::t c l c 6 1 4.�d2 tt:lfxdS I S .tt:lxdS tt:lxdS 1 6 . �aS ) 1 3 .�d2 tt:ld4 1 4.lheS tt:lxf3 + ( 1 4 . . .'ihc2 I S . 'ifxc2 tt:lxc2 1 6 . l::t c ! tt:ld4 1 7 .�d l .!::t h e8=F) I S .'ifxf3 'ifxc2 =F ; C 4 ) 1 2 . � e 2 tt:l b 4 1 3 . .!::t ac l �e 7 ( 1 3 . . . tt:lbxdS ? ? 1 4 . tt:l x d S tt:l x d S I S J H d l c 6 1 6 . c4) 1 4 . .!::t fd l e4 I S . tt:lxe4 tt:lfxd S = ; C S ) 1 2 . a 3 tt:le7 and now : C S ! ) 1 3 . tt:lbS ? a6 ( 1 3 . . . tt:lc8 7 1 4. c4) 1 4 . d 6 cxd6 I S . �a 7 + ( ! S . tt:l xd 6 ? tt:lc8-+) I S . . . 'it>a8 1 6 .�b6 �d7 + ; ( 1 3 . . .c6?! C S 2 ) 1 3 . l:f. e l tt:l fS ! 1 4. �d 2 ) C S 2 1 ) 1 4 . � c l � c S ! ( 1 4 . . . .Q. d 6 I S .tt:le4 1 oo ) 1 S . tt:la4 .Q. d 6 1 6 .c4 tt:lh4 1 7 . g 3 ( 1 7 . cS e4) 1 7 . . . e4- ; C S 2 2 ) 1 4 . .Q.d2 .Q. c s ( ! 4 . . . tt:ld4 I S . .!::t xe S tt:lxf3 + 1 6 . 'ifxf3 'ifxc2 1 7 . .Q.g s ) I S .tt:le4 �b6 1 6 . c4 .Q.d4 1 7 . l::t b ! tt:lh4 1 8 . �c3 .!::t h e8 . 1 2 . .Q.e2 ( 1 2 . . . tt:l x e 4 ? 1 2 . tt:l xe4 tt.:J x d S 1 3 . .Q.hs ± ) 1 3 .'ife2 tt:lxe 3 1 4.'ifxe3 tt:ld 4 1 S . .l:t.ad I tt:lxf3 + I 6. 'if xf3 .Q.e 7 302
and with his superior minor piece Black should have a slight advantage. 1 2 ... .Q.b4 The d S pawn can no longer be held. 1 3 .'ifc1 tt:lxd5 1 4.tt:lxd5 �xd5+ 1 5.c4 .!::t d d8 1 6.a3?! 1 6 . c S ! ? g ives more chances of counterplay, even if after 1 6 . . . tZld4 1 7 .'ti'c4 tt:lxe 2 + 1 8 .'tWxe2 c6 Black can claim a clear advantage. 1 6 ... .Q.e7 1 7.b4 ttJd4 1 7 . . . .Q.f6 ! ? . 1 8 . .Q.xd4 20 . .!::t a 2
.!::t x d4
1 9 .!::t d 1 .
�f6
Better is 2 0 . 'iff4. 20 ... .!::t h d8 21 . .!::t x d4 .Q.xd4 22.c5 f5 23.b5?! Better is 2 3 . c 6 . 2 3 ... e3!
:a • • Black opens up the position against the white king. The bishops of opposite colours guarantee excellent attacking chances. 24.fxe3 'ifg5 25.'lt> h 1 26.'i'Vc3 .Q.d4 27.'iff3 28.�f1 �xc5-+ 29.a4
�xe3 'ifc1 + 0-1
Chapter 1 5 : The
Vi k i n g c en t re
1 5 . 3 . 2 Black sacrifices the bishop on h3 Unlike the sacrifice on g4, after h2-h3 this works only in the rarest o f cases. Discov ered attacks by the knight on f3 often cancel out Black's advantage.
1 5 . 3 . 3 White gets the bishop pair If after h3 Black cannot leave the bishop in place, then he often has nothing better
than giving up the bishop pair by . . . �xf3 . Care must always be taken against the bishops. In any case, White should not be allowed to slowly but surely take control over the game. 1 5 .9 Igor Efimov Eloi Relange Nice 1 9 94
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'i!Vxd 5 3.tl:lf3 �g4 4 ..�e2 tl:lc6 5.h31?
7 .. .'�xe2+ 8.�xe2 0-0-0 Black has a lead in development as a counterweight to White 's bishop pair; he also has better control of the centre, and last but not least more space. 9.0-0 e5 1 O.d3 tl:lf6
I 0 .. . f5 1 ? . 1 1 .tl:ld2 tl:ld5 1 2.a3 �e7 1 3.tl:lc4 h5?1 1 3 .. . f5 1 4 . .l::. e l �f6 is better. 1 4J::t e 1 f6t By inaccurate play. Black has incurred chronic weaknesses on the light squares. Of the alternatives to 5 . d4, the move 5 .h3 is certainly the most sustainable.
Above all it has a clear direction : White would like to secure the advantage of the bishop pair, and thereafter an ad vantage because of his superiority on the light squares. 5 ... �xf3 Black can hardly avoid this exchange of minor pieces. After 5 . . . �h 5 his queen would not be able to retreat to h5 or fS if attacked . 6.�xf3 'iYe5+ 7.'li'e2 7 .�e2 tl:ld4= .
1 5.�d 2 'it>b8 1 6.b4 This queenside expansion is an impor tant part of White 's strategy. The tl:lc6 will now have problems finding an at tractive new position. 1 6 ... g5?! Better counterchances were promised by 1 6 . . . tl:ld4 ! , even if after 1 7 . .id l g 6 1 8 . c3 White 's position has more poten tial on account of the bishop pair. There could follow : 1 8 . . . tLlb5 1 9 . llc l tl:lb6 2 0 . tl:lxe 5 fxe S 2 ! . lhe 5 l:!.xd3 2 2 .. �e l tl:lxc3 2 3 .�xc3 �f6 2 4 . l:!.c5 �xc3 2 5 . ll 5 xc3 t . 303
The Mod ern Scandinavian
1 7.c3
White skilfully blends a tactical idea ( 2 1 . c4) with the positional one of transferring the knight to b 3 , from where it scans the c 5 - and d4-squares. 2 0 .�xg 5 ! ? fxg 5 2 I .tt:lxe 5 'iti>c8 2 2 .c4 tt:lf6 2 3 .tt:lxd7 tt:lxd 7 2 4 . d4± . 20 ... b6 21 .tt:lb3 tt:lg6 22.d4
This move quite specifically threatens to win a piece. It is interesting to notice how White, step by step, strengthens his control over the centre. 1 7... �f8 1 7 . . . tt:Jf4 ? 1 8 .b 5 + - . 1 8J;:(ad 1 l:id7?! Better is 1 8 . . . �g 7 . 1 9.�f3 tt:lce7?1 20.tt:la5
After the opening of the position , Black will be in a difficult situation because of his miserable piece coordination and his weakness on the light squares. But that is of course far from being a reason to throw the game away with a single move. 22 ... �h6? 22 . . . �g 7 ± would be correct. 23.�xh5 tt:lgf4 24.�g4 l:if7 25.dxe5 fxe5 26.l:ixe5 �g7 1 -0 27.l:ixd5 tt:lxd5 28.�e6 An instructive game, which casts light on the plan with 5 .h3 ! ? .
1 5 . 3 .4 The motif tt:Jf3 (x) eS This idea frequently crops up in the Viking structure, at least implicitly, and is then thought of as a discovered attack on the bishop on g4, or the queen on h 5 . The idea of 'implicit' hints at the fact that in most cases the motif does not work. Above all , when White has not yet castled he must take care not to head the ball into his own net: 15.10 Vladimir Hrivnak Milan Babula Kecskemet 1 9 8 7
1 .e4 d 5 2.exd5 'ii' x d5 3.tt:lf3 �g4 4.ge2 tbc6 5 .d4 0-0-0 6.c3 e5 7.c4 'ii' a 5+ 8.�d 2 �b4 9.tt:lxe5? This tactical blow finds a tactical response. 9 .d5 �xf3 I O .�xf3 �xd2+ I I .tt:lxd2 tt:ld4, Klyuner-Koscielski (Game 1 5 . 6) . 3 04
9 ... �xe2 1 O.tt:lxc6
C h a p t e r I S : T h e Vi k i n g c e n t r e
Now both queen and rook are under at tack and the white position seems to be OK, for example after I O . . . bxc6 l l .�xe2 .l::I x d4 1 2 . 0 - 0 , or I O . . . £.xd l I l . tLixaS . 1 0 .. J�e8!
The surprising refutation , White cannot avoid losing material . 1 1 .ttJxa5 £.xc4+ 1 2 .�e2 .l:lxe2+ 1 3 .wd 1 £.xa5 1 4.£.xa5 J::!. x f2
1 S .4
The fact that I O . . . l:!.e8 1 can easily be over looked explains why the same position arose again. In Rogovskoy-Spal, Litomysl 1 9 9 6 , there followed 1 4 . . Jhb2 1 5 J:te J 7 ! t2Jf6 1 6 . tLi d 2 l::!. x a2 1 7 . .l:t.c l l:!.xaS 1 8 .t2Jxc4 l:rd5 -+ and Black won. 1 5 .b3 £.d5 1 6 .ttJc3 £.xg2 1 7J:tg 1 ttJf6 -+ 1 8 . .l:lc1 b6 1 9.£.b4 £.f3+ 20.We1 .l:lxh2 21 . .!:1xg 7 t2Jg4 22 . .!:1xf7 .l:le8+ 23 . .!:1e7 .C:xe7+ 24.£.xe7 h 5 0-1
White pushes forward with his pawns
A typical plan against the Viking centre consists of a pawn storm against Black 's queenside castled position. Here it depends on whether Black is in a position to de velop sufficient counterplay in the centre or (more rarely) on the kingside.
1 5 .4. 1 c2 -c4 and b2 -b4 I5.1 1 Fred Hedke Nils Michaelsen
Bad Wildbad ch-GER 1 9 9 3 1 .e4 d 5 2.exd5 �xd5 3 .ttJf3 £.g4 4.£.e2 tt.Jc6 5.d4 0-0-0 6 .£.e3!?
In Modernes Skandinavisch 1 Matthias Wahls considers this move the most dangerous. In principle White leaves open the question as to whether he will play with t2Jc3 or with c2 -c4. 6 ... ttJf6 7.0-0
Now we slowly realize what White 's plan is. After the completion of his de velopment by t2Jbd2 , the initiative is to he seized on the queenside and in the centre by c2 -c4, a2-a3 and b2 -b4. To prevent this, Black must get in the free ing advance . . . e 7 -eS under favourable circumstances. Since this does not work
at once (7 . . . e S ? 8 . c4 and d4-d5 with an advantage for White) , it is first of all necessary to bring the queen to a less exposed square. 7... e6?!
This is too timid. Black is dreaming of a future initiative on the kingside, but this plan does not meet the needs of the position . The lever . . . e 7 -eS is necessary and it is also worth giving up the bishop pair for : 7 . . . Jhf3 ' 8 . £.xf3 �d7 9 . c3 e S � . 8.h3
8 . c4 �d7 9 . tt:Jbd2 �.b4 I O . t2Jb3 £.e 7 ;\; , Schurade- H . Cordin g . Germany Oberliga 1 9 9 I / 9 2 . 8 ... £.h5 9.c4 �d7 1 0. ttJ b d 2 h 6 ? !
Better is I O . . . £.b4 I I . t2Jb3 £.e 7 ;\; and at least the white knight is hindering the plan a2-a3 and b2 -b4 for now. 305
The Mod ern Scan d i navian
1 1 .a3 g5 1 2.b4
White 's attack on the wing is more sus tainable. 1 2 ... �xf3 I 2 . . . g4 I 3 . tLleS tLlxe S I 4. dxe S tLle8 I S .hxg4± . 1 3 .t2Jxf3 g4 I 3 . . . t2.:le7 I 4. tLl e S 'i¥e8 I S . b S -+ with a strong attack, for example I S . . . tLlfS I 6 . 'iYa4 b8 1 7.t2Je51 t2Jxe5 1 8.dxe5± Together with the space advantage, the white bishop pair is destined to become a lethal weapon . 1 8 ... t2Jc8 1 9.l:rad 1 'ii e 7 20.l:rxd8 'iWxd8 21 .l:rd1 'iWh4 22.g3 l:rg8 23 .g 2 h5 24.'iWc2 In what follows it is above all White ( ! ) who i s playing o n the kingside, and pursuing his queenside goals , as it were, as a side issue. 24 ...f5 25.exf6 'iVxf6 26.�xh5 �h6 27.�xh6 'iYxh6 28.l:rh 1 'iff6 306
29.c5 t2Je7 30.�f3 l:rf8 31 .'iie4 t2Jd5 32.l:rh7
The following game extract is probably marked with a high degree of time trouble. This, however, does not change any thing when one considers White 's clear advantage. 32 ...'iWc3?! 33.a4?! a6?! 34.b6?1 3 4 . .l:i.e 7 ! +- . 34 ... c6?! 3 4 . . . cxb6 3 S . cx b 6 ( 3 S . l:rh 6 3 S . . . 'i!Vf6 was tougher.
l:f.f4)
35J:[h5?! Not 3 S . l:rxb 7 + ? c8 3 7 .�xdS and Black still has the saving 3 7 . . Jhf2 + ! . However, 3 S . .!:f.h6 ! i s more exact , as 3 S . . . �xc S then fails to 3 6 . 'ife S + a 8 3 7 . l:rh 8 'iW e 7 3 8 . �xdS cxdS 3 9 . � x e 6 'tW d 8 4 0 . l:r x f8 'ifxf8 4 I . 'ii' x d5 +- . 35 ... 'i!Vxc5? Better is 3 S . . . a8 . 36.'ii' x e6+- a8 37.a5 �d4 38.l:re5 l:rd8 39.�xd5 cxd5 40.'tie8! Black resigned.
C h a p t e r I 5 : T h e Vi k i n g c en t r e I S .4. 2
An early d4-dS
Black must always be prepared for this; he must be able to undermine the pawn rapidly. If he cannot , then catastrophes like the next one can occur:
1 5 .4. 2 . 1 Black gets into difficulties 1 5. 1 2 Ralf Runau Schmidt West Germany blitz 1 9 7 2
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'ifxd5 3.tiJf3 �g4 4.�e2 t2lc6 5.d4 0-0-0 6.c4 'ifh5?1 6 . . . 'i¥a5 + ! ? and 6 . . . 'i-vf5 are better alter natives. 7.d5!
Black should play something like I 0 . . . e 5 , to start developing his kingside. Of course White has a very strong at tack for the pawn, e . g. after l i .t2ld2 tLld4 1 2 . tL:ib3 -+ , but things are not that easy and Black can still put up tough re sistance. Instead of this, he trusts the Greeks bearing gifts : 1 0 ... 'i¥xa 1 ? 1 1 .dxc6 !+The rook sacrifice is followed by a queen sacrifice ; it is worth playing all the way through this game ! 1 1 ..Jbd 1 l l . . . bxc6 1 2 .'1Wb3 'ti'f6 1 3 . �xa7 Wd7 1 4.�b7 e5 1 5 . l:td l + �d6 1 6 . c 5 +- . 1 2.cxb7+ 'tt> b 8 1 3.l:txd 1 c6 14 ..2.xc6 'tt> c 7 1 5.l:td7+ 'tt> x c6 1 6.b8t2l# 1 -0 1 5. 1 3
7... .2.xf3? This is nicely and convincingly refuted by White. Logical and critical is the attempt at un dermining the centre by 7 . . . e 6 . How ever, that does not promise full equality either as can be seen in the next game.
Duncan Reed Graham. Reid London 2 0 0 0
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'iYxdS 3.t2lf3 .2.g4 4 . .2.e2 t2lc6 5.d4 0-0-0 6.c4 'ti'h5?1 7.d5 1 e6 8.t2lg51
8.�xf3 �e5+ Now Black probably only counted on 9 . 'ife 2 , when all is fine after 9 . . . 'ti'xe 2 + I O . �xe 2 t2ld4. But there followed the strong reply 9 . .2.e3! 'i¥xb2 1 0.0-0
307
T h e M o d ern S c a n d i n a v i a n
This i s the actual point behind 7 . d S ! . The game illustrates nicely the idea of the move : I . The opposition of the .l:td8 and the 'iY d I is taken out of the equation. 2. Because of the weakness of the f7 pawn Black cannot take on d S . 3 . Black 's plan o f undermining the d S pawn fails. After the weaker 8 .h3 ? Black has no prob lem successfully undermining the dS pawn: 8 . . . �xf3 9 . �xf3 �eS + I 0 . .2.e3 �b4+ I J . ttlc3 ttl f6 1 2 . 0 - 0 �xc 3 1 3 .bxc3 exdS 1 4.cxd5 ttlxdS 1 5 .�d2 7 (Better is 1 5 .'l�Vb3) 1 5 . . . ttlxc3 1 6 .'l�Vc2 ttle2+ 1 7 .Wh l ? ttlcd4 1 8 .�e4 ttlxf3 0- 1 , Rachon-Kapitaniak, Poland 1 9 7 9 . 8... �b4+ 8 . . . ttlf6 7 9 .�xg4 ttlxg4 I O . h 3 ' Black has many problems with the coordina tion of his own pieces , leaving him no time to win the dS pawn . The compli cations are clearly in favour ofWhite : A) 1 O . . . �b4+ 1 1 .ttlc3 ttlce S 1 2 . 0 - 0 h6 ( 1 2 . . . ttl f6 1 3 . 'ii' x h 5 ttl x h S 1 4. l:te 1 ±) 1 3 .hxg4 ttlxg4 1 4 . ttl f3 ± ; B ) 1 0 . . . ttlce5 1 1 . 0-0 �d6 1 2 .hxg4 (or 1 2 .�f4 ttlxc4 1 3 .hxg4 'l�Vg6 1 4.ttlh3 ±) 1 2 . . . ttlxg4 1 3 .ttlh3 exdS 1 4.cxd5 �h2 + 1 5 .Wh 1 l:txd5 1 6 .�a4 1la5 1 7 .�c2 ± .
9.ttlc3 �xe2 1 0. 'l�Vxe2 �xc3+ 1 1 .bxc3 'lWxe2+ 1 2. c;tJxe2 ttle5
Black has managed to limit the damage to an acceptable level . Now 1 3 . f4 would secure the advantage for White, e.g. 1 3 . . . h6 1 4 . fxe 5 hxg S 1 5 . �xg 5 f6 1 6 . exf6 gxf6 1 7 .�e3 exdS 1 8 . cxd5 J::!. x dS t . Instead , the move played i n the game was 1 3.dxe6? f6! 1 4.ttlf7 1 4. f4 fxg S 1 5 . fxe5 lle8 1 6 . 1lfl ttlh6 1 7 . .2.xg 5 l:txe 6 1 8 .�xh6 gxh6 1 9 . l:rfS l:the 8 = . 1 4 ... ttlxf7 1 5.exf7 ttl e 7 1 6.�a3 1ld7 1 7.l:tad1 l:rf8 With equality and later a draw.
1 S .S White plays �bS
This move has some advantages against the Viking set-up. Black's pressure on the centre is lessened by the pin on ttlc6 and some squares are taken away from il'aS . On the other hand , the pin on ttlf3 is more important, since White can no longer remove it (or only with loss of tempo) by �e 2 .
1 S .S . 1 White exchanges on c 6 ( �xc6 bxc6) This exchange leads to a weakening of Black's pawn structure and lessens, at least temporarily, the pressure on White 's centre. However, besides the possible lever . . . c6-c5 . Black gets the bishop pair, which in many cases promises him sufficient counterchances. 308
C h a p t e r 1 5 : T h e V i k i n g c en t re
1 5. 1 4 Zigurds Lanka Algirdas Bandza Lvov 1 9 8 4
1 3 . 0 - 0 - 0 e6) I O . . . c4 ' l l .'il'e3 tt::l x d5 1 2 . tt::l x d5 llxd5 1 3 .'i¥e4 .£h5 1 4.b4 'i¥b5 1 5 . a4 'i¥b 7 1 6 . tt::l e 5 e 6 1 7 .c 3 oo . 8 .. .'iYh5!
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'ifxd5 3.d4 tt::l c 6 4.tt::l f3 �g4 5.tt::l c 3 'if as The old main line. Black has plenty al ternatives , above all 5 . . . 'ifh5 ! ? . 6.�b5 0-0-0! Black's play in the Viking centre is based on the principles of power, tempo and dynamism ! Moves like 6 . . . e6 are sel dom appropriate, see also the game Hedke-Michaelsen (Game 1 5 . I I ) . 7.�xc6 bxc6
In return for his disfigured king posi tion , Black has pressure against the d4 pawn. White now tries to shake this off as soon as possible. 8.h3 8 .'il'd3 ! ? c5 ! 9 . d5 , and now : A) 9 . . . e 6 ? ! is inaccurate : 1 0 . 0 - 0 with advantage to White, since I 0 . . . exd 5 ? is met by l l . tt::l e 5 ± and l l . . . c4 1 2 .'il'g3 �e6 1 3 . tt::l c 6 'ifb6 1 4. tt::l x d8 �xd8 1 5 .�e3 d4 1 6 . .£xd4 1 - 0 , Lyrberg Hartzell , Stockholm 1 9 9 2 ; B ) 9 . . . tt::l f6 ! I 0 . 0 - 0 ( I O . �d2 c4 l l . 'ifxc4 .£xf3 1 2 . gxf3 tt::l x d 5
The mirror method, or tit for tat. For his part , Black is planning to give up the bishop pair and weaken White 's pawn structure, not an unusual plan after �xc6 bxc 6 . The alternatives are clearly weaker: A) 8 . . . �h5 ? 9 . g 4 �g6 I O . tt::l e 5 ± Hanasz-Sygulski , Jachranka tt 1 9 8 7 ; B ) 8 . . . .£xf3 ? 9 . 'i¥x f3 llxd4 I O .'i¥xc 6 ± , Jahn-Seidemann, Cottbus ch-DDR 1 9 8 3 . C ) 8 . . . e 5 ? 9 .hxg4 exd4 I O . llh5 c5 l i .tt::l e 5 lle8 1 2 .'1i'f3 +- , Miroslaw Heberla, Straszecin 1 9 9 9 . 9.'ifd3 9 .'iYe2 .£xf3 I O . gxf3 tt::l f6 i 1 ..£e3 e6 ( I I . . .'>itb7 1 2 .tt::l e 4 e6) 1 2 .0-0-0 �b7 1 oo ( 1 2 . . . tt::l d 5 1 3 .tt::l e 4i , Negulescu-Carroll, Mount Vernon 1 999) . 9 ... .£xf3 1 O.gxf3 If Black now continues to play quietly, he must reckon on simply finishing up with the weaker king position when White castles queenside. So active mea sures are called for : 1 0 ... e5! 1 1 .'iYa6+ 3 09
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
l l .d5 t2l e 7 ! 1 2 . 'i!Va 6 + Wd 7 oo G.Fischer-Porth , Germany Bundesliga B 1 987/88. 1 1 ... Wb8 1 2.dxe5 A) 1 2 . d 5 ? cxd 5 1 3 . � b 5 + W c 8 1 4.�a6 + Wd7 ' . No draw ' 1 5 .'i¥b5 + We6 =F , Dreev-Ivanchuk, USSR 1 9 8 4 ; B ) 1 2 .�xc 6 ? ! exd4 1 3 .�f4 �d6 1 4 .�xd6 .!:lxd6 1 5 .�e8 + Wb7 =F . 1 2 ... �xe5+ It is obvious that neither king has an easy life awaiting. The position is un clear. 1 3 .'�f1 1 3 .�e3 �c5 1 4.�a5 �d4oo . 1 3 ... �c5 !
It is more important to aim for the best possible piece placement , than to hang on to the c6 pawn. 1 3 .. . 'tWf6 ? ! was the game continuation , but after 1 4.�e3 c5 1 5 . �b5 + 'lt>c8 ( 1 5 . . . 'tWb6 1 6 .a4; 1 6 .' ii'c4 . . . b4) comes the very strong 1 6 . 'lt>e 2 1 , intending :C.d I . Not least because of the underde veloped kingside (a recurring motif in the Viking centre ! ) Black finds it hard to stand up to White 's initiative : 1 6 . . . 'i¥e6 ( 1 6 . . . t2lh6 1 7 . l:hd 1 �e 7 1 8 . tLl d 5 ) I 7 .t2le4! fs 1 8 . t2lg5 'MVg6 1 9 . :C.hd l ile 7 2 0 .l: hd 8 + �xd8 2 1 .l:rd l �xg 5 2 2 .�xg 5 ± and the bishop cannot be taken on account of 2 2 . . . �xg 5 ? 2 3 .'\i' c 6 ! 'lt>b8 2 4 . :C.d 7 +- . 1 4.'ifxc6 �b6 1 6.�xb6 axb6�
1 5.�e3
<1Jf6
1 S . S . 2 The black queen is in danger! The move �b5 takes away all the squares on the 5 th rank from the black queen and many (too many) games have taken a similar course to the next one : 15.15 Eduardo de Ia Barrera Eduardo Perez Gonsalves Madrid ch-ESP jr 1 9 9 9
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 �xd5 3.d4 tt:Jc6 4.tt:Jf3 ilg4 5.tt:Jc3 �as 6 .ilb5 tt:Jf6 7.ild2
7... e6?? This gives away the queen in typical fashion. 7 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 is the correct move : 8 .ilxc6 (8 .a47 tt:Jxd4 ! 9 . tt:Jd5 �xf3 I O . gxf3 'i!Vxd 2 + I I . Wxd2 t2l x b 5 1 2 . axb5 ( 1 2 . c4 t2l xd 5 -+ ) 1 2 . . . l:r x d 5 + -+ ) 8 . . . bxc 6 � . 8.tt:Jd5+- �xd 2+ 8 . . . 'ti'xb5 9 . t2l xc 7 + +- ; 9 .'i¥xf3 +- . 9.'ifxd 2 tt:Jxd5 1 0.tt:Je5 and White won .
310
8 . . . ilxf3
Chapter
1 6 : The Philidor centre
This central formation gets its name from a resembling line in the Philidor Defence - 1 .e4 eS 2 . luf3 d6 3 .d4 exd4 -. with reversed colours. In this structure Black has some advantages typical of playing against the Philidor with 3 . . . exd4. He has more space in the centre and a nice outpost on d4. But there is an important dynamic difference in White 's lead in development. If White man ages to rapidly develop strong pressure against Black's central formation , there are all sorts of dangers. If Black on the other hand manages to consolidate, then he should have no problems and he should even have good chances of playing for an advantage in the long run, thanks to his advantage in space.
1 6. 1 White plays �e2
This set-up is somewhat passive and generally not particularly dangerous to Black. But here too some things are worth noting.
1 6 . 1 . 1 The motif lt:JxeS If the bishops are opposite each other on the d 1 -hS diagonal , care is needed. When the queen is on d 7 , the sequence h3 I . �hS I tUxeS can be possible and with the queen on d8 , from time to time tUxe S I . . �xe 2 I tLlxc6 deserves attention. . .
.
1 6. 1 Bernd Fichtner Rudolf Listl Wiesbaden 1 9 9 8
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 �xd5 3.tt:Jf3 �g4 4.�e2 tt:Jc6 5 .tt:Jc3 �d 7 6.0-0 e5 7.d 3
Thanks t o the last two pawn moves, we have now reached the Philidor centre. 7... �e7?! Castling immediately with 7 . 0 - 0 - 0 looks more logical. . .
8.h3 �h5? 311
The Mod ern Scan d i n a v i a n
This runs into a well known tactical motif Better is 8 . . . �fS = . 9.tt:Jxe5!± tt:Jxe5 9 . . . �xe2 1 o .'ifxe 2 ± . 1 0.�xh5 ti:lf6 1 1 J:te1 and White can be happy with his extra pawn.
1 6 . 1 .2 White's position is passive This is of course the ideal case. In the next game Matthias impressively demon strates that the Philidor centre with �e2 should in principle not cause Black any problems : 1 6.2 Gottfried Braun Matthias Wahls Germany tt 1 9 9 2
1 .e4 d 5 2.exd5 'ifxd5 3.ti:lf3 �g4 4.�e2 ti:lc6
•• i
White's counterplay on the e-file is illu sory and Black gets ready for a future pawn storm with . . . g 7 - g S . 9.�e3 ti:lge7 1 0.ti:ld2 As well as a relieving exchange, White is planning the aggressive knight j our ney via b3 to cS . 1 0 ... h5!
5.0-0? This is too passive, since White can no longer manage to push through d2 -d4. 5 ... 0-0-0 6.d3 e5 Vt:Jc3 'iYd7 8.l:!.e1 After 8 .h3 comes 8 . . . �f5 or 8 . . . �e6 , but not 8 . . . �hS ? o n account o f 9 . ti:lxe S . 8 .. .f6 ! 312
This move is much more appropriate to prevent the simplifying exchange of minor pieces than a retreat with the bishop. Since White cannot easily take on g4 because of the opening of the h-file, his king 's bishop is now in an unpleasant pin.
Chapter 1 6 : The P h i l i dor centre
1 1 .tt:lb3 �b81 A multi-purpose move. The king gets off the draughty h 3 -c8 diagonal and at the same time overprotects the a 7 pawn. What, however, is even more important is that if White plays lUeS . Black's queen would now have the retreat square c 8 .
After 1 6 . l:l.xe3 comes either 1 6 . . . tt:ld4 or 1 6 . . . �cS with clear superiority. 1 6 ... .id7 1 1 7.tt:lb3 f5 1 8.tt:ld5 'i!Yf7 !
1 2.�f3? �f5! Pinned pieces should be attacked! To prevent the creation of doubled pawns. the white knight must now be removed from the square it had just occupied. 1 3.tt:ld2 �g6 1
With the threat 1 9 . . . e4. 1 9.c4 g 5 Black 's wall of pawns rushes towards the weakened kingside like a tsunami . Any idea of survival is long since gone. 20.�d 2 g4 22.tt:lxe 7 .ixe 7
21 .�d 1
tt:le7
White threatened t o force a n exchange of bishops with 1 4 .h3 . The black queen has now occupied a wonderfully active position without loss of time.
White's king position does not give a great impression of being a secure one. In any case, after 1 4. �h I , I S .h3 would not be a threat at all. 1 4 ... tt:lf5 Black 's piece set-up creates an impres sion of harmony. One idea might now be I 5 . . . tt:lfd 4 then . . . tt:lxf3 . 1 5.h3 tt:lxe3+ 1 6.fxe3
The consequences of the exchange of knights are linked rooks . a bishop which has been well positioned and the disappearance of the only active white piece. There is nothing else to prevent the storming of the white position. 23.'ii'f 2 l:l.dg8 24.�e2 f4 25.l:l.h 1 gxh3 26.gxh3 l:l.g3 27.exf4 exf4 28.�d 2 'iYg7 0-1 313
T h e M o d ern S c a n d i n a v i a n
1 6. 1 . 3 The black queen i s on aS With the queen on aS , adopting the Philidor centre is in most cases not advisable ' The queen can quickly get into trouble and must then be painstakingly evacuated. 1 6.3 Jan Michael Nykopp Vallo Maidla Vantaa 1 9 9 4
1 .e4 d S 2.exdS �xdS 3.tuc3 �as 4.t2lf3 t2lf6 s.�e2 eS?! 6.d3 t2lc6 7.�d 2 �g4 8.0-0 �e7?! 8 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 9 . a 3 �cS ;t is preferable here. 9.a3! In the Philidor centre the black queen is extremely unfavourably placed on aS . In the standard Scandinavian centre, when attacked it has the possibility to fall back on the aS -d8 diagonal or seek a suitable square on the fifth rank. But here neither possibility is available. 9 .. .'iYcS 1 0.b4 Wd6 1 1 .bS
We've seen the idea l l . . . t2ld8 1 2 .t2lxe5±. 1 2.�xf3 t2ld8 1 3.t2le4 1 3 . l::!. e I ! ? . 1 3 ... t2lxe4 1 4.�xe4 0-0 1 S.'�Vf3 aS? Better is 1 5 . . . c 6 ;t . Now : 1 6.�c3! would be very strong. White will open the position for his bishops and things can very rapidly go downhill for Black. 1 6 .. .f6 1 6 . . . �c5 ? 1 7 .i¥fS + - . 1 7.l:!.fd 1 Giving up the bishop pair and the ini tiative is not worth a pawn : 1 7 .�xb 7 7 t2lxb7 1 8 .�xb 7 �ab 8 1 9 .'iVa6 �xa6 2 0 .bxa6 l:!.a8 2 l .�xaS l::!. x a6 2 2..�. b 4 cS 2 3 .�c3 .tt. fa8 2 4.�b2 c4� . 1 7... �b6 1 8.d4±
11 ...ihf3 Black gives up the bishop pair. After that there is no question about White 's ad vantage. l l . . . t2ld4 1 2 . t2lxd4 �xd4 1 3 .ihg4 �xg4 (after 1 3 . . . t2lxg4 1 4. �f3 l:!.b8 I S . .!:!.fe l t2l f6 1 6 .�g 3 a pawn will fall) 1 4.�xg4 t2lxg4 I S . .l:f.fe l �cS 1 6 . t2le4 �b6 1 7 . �b4 0 - 0 - 0 1 8 . h 3 t2lh6 1 9 .a4 t. 314
A sample variation : 1 8 .. .'�'xbS 1 9.a4 Wee 20.'iYd3 'iVhS 21 .'ti!Yc4+ t2lf7 22.dxeS fxeS 23.�xb7+-
Chapter
1 6:
The P h i l idor centre
1 6 .2 The white bishop is on c4
This set-up is of course much more dangerous than that with the passive bishop on e 2 . In general it is not advisable to head for the Philidor centre if White still has the possibility of �fl -c4. This is clearly demonstrated in the next four games.
1 6.2. 1 Black gets problems on the a2-g8 diagonal tt::l f6 4 . tt::l g 5 dS S .exdS tt::l x dS 6 . tt::l x f7 '>t>xf7 7 .'i¥f3 + '>t>e6oo . In our case, it is clear that White's attack is worth more than the material he has invested in it.
I 6 .4 Alan Casden David Taylor corr.
1 980
1 .tt::l c 3 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.tt:Jxe4 e5?! 4.�c41 tt::l c 6 5.d3 �e7 After S . . . tt::l f6 ? it is already all over: 6 . tt::l g 5 tt::l d S 7 . 'i¥ f3 �e6 8 . tt::l x e 6 fxe6+- . Kuiper-Brij s , carr. I 9 9 3 . 6.tt::l f3 tt::l f 6? Still wrong , though not at once over.
1 2 ... tt:Jd4?! There are better defensive chances after 1 2 . . . b5 I 3 .�b3 tt::l d 4, e . g. : I 4 . 'ife4 tt::l x b3 I S . axb3 '>t>f7 I 6 . f4 ( I 6 . c4 tt::l b 6 I 7 . �e3 � e 6 I 8 .'iVxh 7 ± ) I 6 . . . Wg8 I 7 . fxe5 �e6 I 8 .�d2 'iVd7 ? 1 I 9 . c4 tt::l b 6 2 0 .�e3 cS 2 I . b4± . Keast-Carlson , carr. I 9 9 8 . 1 3 .'iVe4 c6 1 4.�f4 �f6 1 5.�xe5!
7.tt::l fg5! 0-0 Now White can set about matters. In any case Black would not relish the end game after 7 . . . tt::l x e4 8 . tt::l x f7 tt::l xf2 9 . tt::l xd8 tt::l x d I I 0 . tt::l x c 6 bxc6 I I .' lt>xd I ;!; / ± on account of his shat tered pawn structure. 8.tt:Jxf7 ! 1 O.tt:Jxf7 1 2.0-0
l::txf7 'litxf7
9.tt::l g 5 1 1 . 'i¥f3+
tt::l d 5 'lio>e6 The decisive blow. 1 5 ... �xe5 1 6 .f4 tt:Jxc2 I 6 . . . 'i¥b6 I 7 . fxe S tt::l x c2 + I 8 . '>t>h I tt::l e 3 I 9 . .l:lf3 +- .
This position is reminiscent of the well known line I . e4 eS 2 . tLlf3 tt::l c 6 3 .�c4
1 7Jlac1 'li'b6+ 1 9.'i¥xe5+ '>t>f7 21 .�xd5 tt:Jxd5 23.'i¥h5+ '>t>f6 25.l::r c e1 tt:Jxf4 27.l::r e4
1 8.'>t>h 1 20J:rte1 22.'ifg5+ 24.l::r e 8 26.'i1Ve5+
tt:Je3 '>t>g6 'iit f 7 'iWb4 'iit g 6 1 -0
3IS
The Mod ern Scan d i n a v i a n
1 6.2.2 Black gets problems with his e-pawn When he is behind in development, Black's centre can easily turn out to be ex posed : 1 6.S Dirk Daniel van Geet Ake Sandklef corr. 1 9 8 2
1 .tt:Jc3 d 5 2.e4 dxe4 3.tt:Jxe4 e5?! Here Black has some better and less risky continuations at his disposal. One such is 3 . . . 'iWdS ! ? , so as, after 4.ti:Jc3 , to steer into familiar waters with 4 . . . 'iY aS . 4.�c4 tt:Jc6 5.d3 fi.e7 6.tt:Jf3 h6?
In Lutton-McNally, Port Erin 2 0 0 1 , Black tried to solve the e S -problem by 7 . . . �g4 8 .h3 fi.xf3 9 .'ifxf3 'ifd7 . But giving up the bishop pair is hardly convincing and after 1 0 . � g 3 ! . Black would be out of the frying pan and into the fire : 1 O . . J�:rh7 1 1 . �xc6 'ti'xc6 1 2 . 'iYxeS 'ti'xc2 1 3 .'iYbS 'iYc6 1 4.'ti'xc6 bxc6 1 S .�e3 ± . 8.c4 'iVe6 9.0-0 9 . �xc6 + ' ? bxc6 1 0 . 0 - 0 ti:Jf6 1 1 . l::t e 1 was also worth considering. 9 ... �d7 9 . . . ti:Jf6 ? 1 O . ti:Jxf6 + �xf6 ( 1 O . . . gxf6 1 1 . d4±) 1 1 .�xc 6 + bxc6 1 2 .'iVe 1 ± .
Black correctly fears 6 . . . ti:Jf6 ? 7 .tLlfg S (Casden-Taylor (Game 1 6 . 4) ) . But his move is simply too slow and is punished on the spot. 7.fi.b5! This strong move presupposes a certain amount of unconventional thinking , since it is known that no piece should be moved twice in the opening. Here in the first place it is about pressure on e S , and in concrete terms it is very difficult for Black to defend it sensibly. Protect ing it with . . . f7-f6 is no longer an op tion after his last move. 7... �d5 316
1 0.l::t e 1 ? An inaccuracy. With 1 O .d4 ! the lead in development could be exploited : 1 O . . . exd4 1 1 . tLlcS �xeS 1 2 . l:re 1 ± . 1 0 ... 0-0-0 1 1 .tt:Jc3 'iYg6 1 2.tt:Jd5 �h3 1 2 . . . fi.d6 1 3 .�xc6 fi.xc6 ( 1 3 . . . bxc6? 1 4.cS cxdS 1 S . cxd6 cxd6 1 6 .'iYc2 + c;t> b 7 1 7 . 'iYb 3 + c;t> a 6 1 8 . 'ii x d S ± ) 1 4 . tLlxeS �xeS 1 S . l::t x eS fi.xdS 1 6 .cxd5 ti:Jf6 1 7 .'ifb3 t .
C h a p t e r 1 6 : T h e P h i l i d o r c en t re
1 3.g3 f6? Black has no more time to shore up his centre like this ; White 's attack now be comes very powerful. Better is 1 3 . . . �d6 , planning to develop the knight on g 8 . The position would then not be clear at all , e . g. 1 4. 'iVa4 �d 7 ( 1 4 . . . 'iVxd 3 ? 1 5 . �x c 6 bxc6 1 6 .'ifxc6 'ifxf3 ? fails to 1 7 . tt::l e 7 + +- ) 1 5 .�xc6 �xc6 1 6 .'ifxa 7 'i:Y h S 1 7 . tt::l d 2 tt::l f6 1 8 . tt::l xf6 gxf6 1 9 . tt::l e 4 'iff3 oo . 1 4.�xc6 1 bxc6 1 5.'ifa4! 'iYxd3 A) 1 5 . . . cxd5 7 1 6 . 'i¥ a 6 + 1 7 . tt::l x e 5 +- ; B) 1 5 . . . .::t d 6 1 6 . tt::l b 4± ; C ) 1 5 . . . �d6 ? 1 6 .'ih c6+- . 1 6.'iYxc6
�b8
1 -0
In spite of this being a correspondence game, resigning was a bit premature since the endgame after 1 6 . . Jhd5 0 ( 1 6 . . . �d6 ? 1 7 .�e3 �e6 ( 1 7 . . . tt::l e 7 1 8 . tt::l x e 7 + �xe 7 1 9 . 'ii a 6 + � d 7 2 0 .l:l.ad 1 +- ) 1 8 .'ifa6 + �d7 1 9 . l:l.ad 1 'ii' fs 2 0 . tt::l x c 7 +- ; 1 6 . . . 'ifxf3 ? ? 1 7 .'ii' x c 7 #) 1 7 .'ifxdS 'i¥xd5 1 8 .cxd5 �d6 ± still needs a lot of work to be won .
1 6 . 2 . 3 White opens the centre with the lever d3 -d4 1 6.6 Ove Ekebjaerg Sven-Gwmar Samuelsson corr. 1 9 8 8
1 .tt::l c 3 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.tt::l xe4 e5?1 4.�c4 tt::l c 6 5.d3 �e7 6.tt::l f3 �g4 7.h3 �h5 8.tt::l g 3 �g6 9.0-0 'tlfd7 1 0.�b5 f6
Black is behind in development, but is planning to look into this problem in the next few moves. So the time has come to make use of the lever: 1 1 .d4! 0-0-0 1 2.c3 a6 1 3.�a4 h5 Accepting the pawn offer shows sui cidal tendencie s : 1 3 . . . b 5 7 ! 1 4 .�b3 exd4 1 5 . cxd4 tt::l x d4 1 6 .tt::l x d4 'ii' x d4 1 7 .'ti'f3 �b8 1 8 . l:l.d 1 -+ with a strong attack. 1 4.dxe5!? White decides to transform his dy namic advantage into a static one. He does not bother with attacking chances and liquidates to an endgame with a solid positional advantage . Another way of doing things would be 1 4.l:l.e I h4 I S . tt::l e 4 t . 317
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
1 4. ..'�!Vxd 1 1 5Jbd 1 tt:lxe5 1 6Jhd8+ �xd8 1 7.tt:lxe5 fxe5;t
and White later converted his advan tage.
1 6.2.4 Black gets problems with his king Of course it is quite bad if the king cannot get out of the middle. Then an impor tant role is usually played by the lever d3 -d4. 1 6.7 Anke Koglin Svetlana Semina Germany Bundesliga 1 9 9 4 / 9 5
1 .tt:lc3 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.tt:lxe4 e5?! 4.�c4 tt:lc6 5.d3 �e7 6.tt:lf3 .2.g4 7.h3 �h5 8.tt:lg3 �g6 9.0-0 a6 1 0.l:i.e1 'tWd6
With three pieces for the queen Black's long-term prospects are not bad; next came 1 4 . f4 0 - 0 - 0 1 s . 'i¥f3 ttlfS 1 6 . tLlxfS .2.xf5 1 7 .l:i.eS �d7 1 8 . c3 �d6 1 9 . l:i.ee 1 tt:lf6 with unclear play. 1 1 .. .f6 1 2.tt:lh41± The point behind White 's idea is that the black king can, for tactical reasons, no longer get out of the middle : 1 2 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 ? 1 3 .'i¥g4+ �b8 1 4.tt:lxg6 hxg 6 I S . 'it'xg 6 ± . 1 2 ... tt:ld4 1 3.'iYd 1
The critical position. White must now find the correct way to increase her ini tiative (which is based largely on a lead in development) , or to turn it into something concrete, such as a static or material advantage. 1 1 .'iYe2! In the game White played the tempting but weaker l i .tLlxe S ? ! tt:lxeS 1 2 .�f4 tt:lxc4 ! (not 1 2 . . . f6 ? 1 3 . d4 'ti'b4 1 4 . �xg 8 l:i.xg 8 1 S . c3 'iYc4 1 6 . b 3 'if x c 3 1 7 . dxe S l:i. d 8 1 8 . 'tW g 4 ± ) 1 3 .�xd6 tt:lxd 6 .
However, Black is not much better off here either. The opening of the position with c2 -c3 and d3 -d4 cannot be pre vented in the long run. On the other hand , 1 3 .'ii g 4 is met by 1 3 . . .'ti'd7 . 1 3 ... b5 1 4.�xg8 l:i.xg8 1 5.c3 tt:lc6 1 6 .tt:lgf5 'ii d 5 1 7.tt:lxg6 hxg6 1 8.tt:lxe7 tt:lxe7 1 9.d4 t
C h a p t e r I 7 : E x e r c i s es
Chapter 1 7 : Exercises The following exercises show typical traps and motifs that you should be familiar with when playing the Scandinavian. Take your time and use board and pieces to make sure that you understand the key points. When checking the solutions, go back to the relevant chapters and review the lines and themes. Another tip for training , apart from solving these exercises and thoroughly studying this book : play theme games against friends or a computer program , start ing from the main positions of the Scandinavian. For many people, training is most effective when in a competitive setting. But now you should get started with the first exercise. Have fun !
Exercises 1 7. 1
White to move
How to use White 's lead in development? 1 7.2
Black t o move
Which king is safer?
1 7.3
Black to move
What to do against White 's central pawns ? 1 7.4
Black to move
White's last move 1 4.a3 was a serious inaccuracy. How to exploit it? 319
The Mod ern Scand i n a v i a n
1 7.5
Black t o move
White has overextended his position, hasn't he? 1 7.6
White to move
How did Howell exploit Black's king in the centre? 1 7. 7
Black to move
What was the point of Black's last move 6 �g4 ? . . .
320
1 7.8
Black to move
How to deal with White 's plan to advance on the kingside ? 1 7.9
Black to move
How to deal with White's initiative ?
1 7. 1 0
Black to move
Black has an important resource available here. Which is it?
Chapter I 7. I I
Black to move
I 7. I 2
Black can of course play 1 1 . . .�g 6 . But he has a more promising alternative. Find it!
I 7:
Exerci ses
Black to move
How to defend against White 's danger ous attack?
Solutions And now 2 5 .�g 7 ! (Macieja in Chess Informant 8 1 I ( 6 6 ) ) wins on account of 2 5 . . J:tfe8 ( 2 5 . . .l2ld5 2 6 . 'ti'e4+-) 2 6 .'ti'f7 + - . Instead. after the game continuation
1 7.1 Alexei Shirov Bartlomiej Macieja Bydgoszcz rapid 2 0 0 I
25.J::r g 3? g51 Black had some counterchances, but Shirov managed to win the game anyway. 1 7.2 Aydin Duman Emre Karadeniz Istanbul 2 0 0 3
20.�xe6+1 A typical tactical blow. which works due to Black's offside queen and open king.
20 ... fxe6 21 .'ti'xe6+ 22.'ti'e7+ � b8
�c7
2 2 . . . .l::r d 7 ? 2 3.. � xd 6 + �c8 24.'ti'e5 plays into White 's hand.
23 . .ixd6+ �as 24.�e5 J::r hf8 321
The Mod ern Scan d i n a v i a n
24.�e4
1 9 ... b5! Black starts a very dangerous attack. 20.axb5 cxb5 21 .'iYxb5 22.c4 l:r.fb8 23.c5
0-0
2 3 .�a4 <1:l 7 b 6 2 4 . 'ti'b 5 ( 2 4 . 'ti' a 2 7 <1:lxc4-+) 2 4 . . . a4 2 5 .�c5 �d7-+ . 23 .. .'iYc7 24.'iYa4 l:r.b4 25.'ii' a 3 l:r.ab8 26.'0tc1 2 6 .Wa I tLle3 2 7 .Ud2 'ii' f4 2 8 .l:r.e2 'ii' xf3 2 9 J:the l tLl g 2 3 0 Jh e 6 tLlxe l 3 1 Jhe I a4-+ . 26 ... a4 27.�xd5 exd5 28.l:r.d3 l:r.xb2 29.'�'xb2 l:r.xb2 30.�xb2 'i'ib7+ 31 .'0ta3 <1Jb8 32.l:r.e1 f6 33J�d d 1 tt:Jc6 34.l:r.b 1 'ifa6 35 . .!:!.e6 'ii' c8 36J:tbe1 'Otf7 37.c3 't!Va6 38.'0tb2 a3+ 39.'0ta2 'fic4+ 0-1 40.'0tb1 'ti'b3+
1 7.3 Stephane Hautot Markku Lahtinen Halkidiki tt 2 0 0 2
2 4 . �xh5 'iVxc4 2 5 .�h3 f6 2 6 . e 6 �e2 2 7 . .t:rh l tLl e 7 2 8 .l:r.h2 �d3 2 9 .'iYxd3 l:r.xd3 3 0 . .l:r.h8 + l:r.d8 3 1 .l:r.hs J:tds 3 2 J:th 8 + .l:r.d8 = . 24 ... <1Jxc3? This goes too far. 24 . . . <1:lb6 is called for: 2 5 .�d3 "i�Vxe4 (25 . . . 'ii' b 3 ! ?=) 2 6 .�xe4 <1:lc4 2 7 .�f4 (2 7 .�g5 ? ! l:r.e8 2 8 .e6 <1:ld6 2 9 .�g 2 f6=F) 2 7 . . . tLlxe5 2 8 .�xe5 l:r.e8 = . 25.bxc3 2 5 .�xc3 ? ? l::t d l + 2 6 Jh d l �xd l # . 25 .. .'i/Vxa3+ 26.�c2 27.'0tb1 �b8?
2 7 . . . .2.d I was the last chance to fight. 28.�c1 b5 28 . . . �d l 2 9 JH'2. �b3 3 0 . �d3 +- . 29.�d3 '1Wb3+ 30.�b2 g6 31 .�c2 'ti'd5 32.'�'xd5 l:r.xd5 33.fxg6 1 -0 3 3 . . . �xg 6 3 4 .�xg 6 fxg 6 3 5 . c4 bxc4 3 6 . l::t g l If.d3 3 7 .�c2+- . 1 7 .4 Mihail Darmarakis Andrei Istratescu Hania 2 0 0 0
23 ... �h5! This move is a resource to remember. 2 3 . . . �h 7 ? 2 4 . e 6 fxe6 2 5 .'ii' x e6 + �b8 2 6 . �xd5 cxdS 2 7 . l:r.h l �g8 2 8 .�e7 plays into White 's hand. 322
'iVa4+
C h a p t e r 1 7 : E x e r c i s es
1 4 ... �xd 2+ 1 5..!:f.xd 2 �xd 2+! 1 6 .wxd 2 tt.Jf6+ 1 7.�d 3 tt.Jg4 Black wins a pawn and reaches a techni cally won endgame : 1 8.we2 l:rxd3 1 9.�xd3 tt.Jxe5 20.h4 h5 21 .1:rh3 l:rd8 22.1:re3 tt.Jxd3 23 .cxd3 wd7 24J:te4 'i;; e 7 25.'i;; e 3 l:rd5 26.1:rb4 b5 27.1:rf4 a5 28.d4 a4 29J:U3 b4 30.axb4 l:rb5 31 .1:rg3 l:rxb4 32.1:rxg 7 l:rb3+ 0-1 1 7.5 Ulrich Dirr Karsten Miiller Germany Bundesliga 2 0 0 3 / 0 4
1 1 ...'li'e5+ 1 2.�e3 �e4 1 3.'ti'h3 e6 1 4.0-0 �d6 1 5.f4 'ti'd5 1 6.'ti'g4 0-0-0 1 7.'ife2 �c5 1 8.c4 'iYd6 1 9.1:rfd 1 f5 20.tt.Jxf5 'ifb6?! 20 . . . �xe3 + 2 I . tbxe 3 'iYxf4 is better. 21 .�xc5?! 2 I .'li'f2 exf5 2 2 . �xc5 'ti'a6 2 3 .'li'e2 of fered more resistance due to the oppo site-coloured bishops. 21 ... 'iYxc5+ 23.1:rdc1
22.tt.Je3
�xc2
2 3 .'ti'xc2 'i¥xe 3 + 2 4 . 'if f2 'ifxf2 + 2 5 . Wxf2 J:rxd I 2 6 Jhd I J:i.d8-+ . 23 ... �e4 24.Wh 1 h5 2 4 . . . l:!.hf8 ! ? . 25.tt.Jf1 �c6 26.1:rc3 h4 27.1:re3 �f5 28.h3 l:rd4 29.1:ra3 l:rxc4 30.1:rxa7 wb8 3U :.a3 l:rc2 32.'Wf3 �e4 33.'i¥e3 b6 34.tt.Jd2 �xg2+ 35.'i;; g 1 �d5 36.1:rb1 l:rc1 + 37.1:rxc1 �xc1 + 38.Wt2 l:rf8 39.1:rc3 'ifb2 40.we2 1:rxf4 0-1
8 ... tt.J bxd5! 9.�xd5 White 's compensation is also insuffi cient after the alternatives, e . g. : A ) 9 . � b 5 + � d 7 1 O . �d2 tbxc3 l l . �x c 3 'ti' b 6 1 2 . �xd 7 + tbxd 7 1 3 .'li'f3 e 5 1 4. 0 - 0 - 0 0 - 0 - 0 1 5 .tbb3 f6 ; B) 9 . �d2 tbxc3 I O . �xc3 � e 5 + l l . 'if e 2 'ifxe 2 + 1 2 . 'i;; x e 2 �d 7 1 3 .tt.Jb5 �xb5 1 4 .�xb 5 + c 6 .
1 7.6 David Howell Artur Kogan Port Erin 2 0 0 5
9 ... tt.Jxd5 1 0.�f3 I O . tt.Jxf5 tt.Jxc3 l l . bxc3 'li'xf5 + . 1 o ... tt.Jxc3 1 1 .bxc3 I I .tt.Jxf5 tbe4+ 1 2 .c3 'iYd5 1 3 . 0-0 tt.Jf6+.
1 4.d5! 323
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
Howell opens the gates i n typical fash ion. After 1 4 . f3 lLldS 1 5 . �e 1 lLlf4 1 6 .'i¥d2 l::t ag 8 Black is almost equal . 1 4 ... cxd5 Black has a broken structure after 1 4 . . . exd5 1 5 . �xf6 l:[ae8 1 6 .'ifd2 gxf6 1 7 . �xd5 'lt>c8 1 8 .�f3 ± . 1 5.�xf6 'iYf4+? I S . . . gxf6 1 6 .�xd5 'lt>e7 is called for as Black 's queen is needed in the defence. 1 6.'lt>b1 gxf6 1 7.�xd5 exd5 1 8.l::t x d5+ 'lt>c8 1 9.'ife7 'lt>b8 20.g3 �xc2+ 21 .'lt>a 1 'iYc7 22.'i¥xc7+ 'lt>xc7 23 . .l:.c1
7... 0-0·0! 8.fxg4 ?! 8 . �d2 �e6 9 .�xe 6 + fxe 6 1 0 .lLlge2 eS 1 1 .lLle4 is the lesser evil. 8 ... l::t x d4 9.'iYf3 9 .'iYe2 l:i.e4 1 O .�e3 lLlxg4 1 1 . 0 - 0-0 l:[xc4+ . 9 ... l::t xc4 1 0.lLle2 e5 1 1 .�g5 Now 1 1 . . . e4 1 2 .'iff5 + 'iYxfS 1 3 . gxf5 �e 7 1 4. 0 - 0 - 0 lLlg4 1 S .�xe 7 CiJxe7 1 6 .b3 l::t c 6 1 7 .lLlxe4 lLlxf5-+ is even stronger than the game continuation 1 1 ... lLld4 which won the game nevertheless.
Howell has a much better rook ending : 23 ... 'lt>c6 24.l::t d 4 'lt>c5 25.l::t d 7 l::t a d8 26.l:l.xc2+ wb6 27.l::t xf7 l::t hf8 28.l::t h 7 l:l.h8 29.l::t x h8 l::t x h8 30.l::t e 2 �h6 31 .l::t. e4 l:l.g6 32.l::t e 6+ wc5 33.l::t e 7 wc6 34.h4 l::t h 6 35.wb1 a5 36.wc2 b5 37.l::tf 7 wd5 38.wd3 a4 39.l::tf8 wd6 40.we4 l::t g 6 41 .l::t h 8 l::t g 4+ 42.wd3 b4 43.l::t. x h5 b3 1 -0 44.l::t f5 I:!.xg3+
1 7.8 Annika Frowis Rhian Hughes Fermo jr 2 0 0 9
1 7.7 Catarina Leite Antonio Augusto Silva Faro 1 9 9 8
1 6 ... c5! 1 7.dxc5 1 7 . d S ? runs into I 7 . . . c4 1 8 . �a4 lLlcS 1 9 .�b5 exdS 2 0 . 'iYxd5 c3 ! 2 1 .�e3 a6 2 2..�d3 lLla4 with a vicious attack. 1 7... lLlxc5 1 8.'iYxf6? This careless capture is refuted at once. After the normal 1 8 . g 3 fS 1 9 . .ie3 �eS White has no advantage due to Black's activity. 3 24
C h a p t e r I 7 : E x e r c i ses
1 8 ... �e5 1 9.'ii'f3 tt.ld3+ 20.'.t>b1 tt.lxb2 21 .l:rde1 l:rxd2 and Black went on to win. I 7 .9 Jonathan Ady Eric Prie Brussels 2 0 0 6
26 ...l:rxd4 27.'ii' e 5 'ii' d 8 28.b3 a6 29J:If2 tt.le4 30.l:rg2 .:ads 31 .g4 3 I . �xe4 f6 3 2 .'ii' c 3 fxe4 3 3 . .&:!.d2 .:axd2 3 4 . 'ii' x d2 'ii' b 6 (Prie) . 31 ...f6 32.'ii' b 2 'ii' b 6 33.'ti'a3 'ii' e 3+ 34.'.t>b2 'i¥d4+ 35.wc1 c5 36.gxf5 exf5 37.'ti'a5 wa7 38 . .:ag7 'ii' a 1 + 39.�b1 .l:(d2 0-1 I 7. I 0 Konstantin Landa Liviu Dieter Nisipeanu Germany Bundesliga 2 0 0 6 / 0 7
1 7.. .f5 ! Black should not allow that White plays f4-fS himself. After the text move Black's bishop will come to life on h S . 1 8.c4?! Weakens d4 permanently. 1 8 ... tt.lf6 1 9.�c2 �h5 20.tt.lf3 l:rd7 21 .l:rd3 l:rhd8 22.l:rhd 1 <;t;aS 23.l:rb3? 2 3 .'ii' e 3 is more circumspect. 23 ... 'ii'f8! Now Black 's pressure on the dark squares will become too strong. 24.h3 24.'ti'eS �xf3 2 S . l:rxf3 tt.lg4 2 6 .'ti'aS .t!.xd4+ (Prie in ChessBase Magazine I 2 4) . 24...�3 25J:Ixf3 l:rxd4 26.l:rxd4?! 2 6 . l:'X.fd3 is more tenacious.
1 3 ... 'ti'b6? Black plays his trump card too early. The immediate I 3 . . . fS ! I 4.'ii' h 3 � g 7 is better, as now I S . c 3 ? ( I S . tLl f3 tLl f6 = ) can b e met with I 5 . . . 'ii' b 6 ! (Prie i n ChessBase Magazine I 2 4) . 1 4.�c3 �g7 1 5.0-0-0 0-0-0 1 6.'.t>b1 'tWaS 1 7.tt.lxg6 hxg6 1 8.h4 tt.lb6 1 9.h5 gxh5 20.l:rxh5 tt.ld5 21 .�xd5 cxd5 22.�d2 f5 23.�g5 l:rdg8 24.l:rxh8 �xh8 25.'ti'h5 'ifd6 26.g3 e5? 26 . . . �d 7 2 7 J:td 3 ! (Prie) . 27.�d 2± White won a pawn, which he managed to convert into a full point. 325
T h e Mod ern Scan d i na v i a n
I 7. I I
I 7. 1 2
I van Cheparinov Christian Bauer Kerner tt 2 0 0 7
Hichem Hamdouchi Eric Prh� Vitrolles rapid 2 0 0 8
1 1 ... tt:J b 6 ! 1 2.�b3 �d3 1 3.�f3
1 5 ... cxd5?
After the move I 3 .�f4 , one sample line runs I 3 . . . �a6 I 4.�c2 ti:JdS I S .�g3 'iVb6 I 6 .�b3 ti:Jb4 ! I 7 .'iff3 ti:Jd3 + I 8 .Wd2 Jl.e 7 I 9 . Wc2 cS with good counterplay according to Prie in ChessBase Magazine I 2 4. 1 3 ... �c4 1 4.0-0-0 I 4. �xc4 tt:Jxc4 I S .�c i 'iYdS = , or I 4.�c2 �dS I S .�g3 'ifd7 ! , as was pointed out by Prie. Now Black is OK, for example I 6 . b 3 0 - 0 - 0 I 7 .c4? � e 4 I 8 .�xe4 'iVxd4 I 9 . 0 - 0 'ii' x d2 (Prie) . 1 4 ... �e7 1 5J:Ihe1 'ii' d 5 1 6.'ii' x d5 cxd5 1 7.�f4 a5 1 8.Wb1 �xb3 1 9.axb3 Wd7 20. wc2 a4= The position is even and the game was drawn later on.
326
Strong is I S . . . ti:Jb6 ! . ' After years of practice with the Scandinavian , how can I miss such typical opportunities , even in rapid chess ? ! ' (Prie in ChessBase Magazine 1 2 4) . I 6 Jbc i ( I 6 . dxe6 'iYxc4 I 7 . exf7 + Wxf7-+) I 6 . . . �xb4 I 7 . axb4 cxdS I 8 .�bS + �f8-+ (Prie) . 1 6.�xd5 �xb4 1 8.�xb7 l:tab8?!
1 7.axb4
0-0
I 8 . . . l:tad8 I 9 .'ifbs ti:Jb6 2 0 .'iYcs tt:Jds is more active, but White keeps an edge.
Now instead of 20.l:txa 7? allowing Prie to equalize with 2 0 . . . ti:Jf8 , White should have chosen 2 0 .b5 which gives him a slight advantage.
Chapter
1 8 : Theoretical Appendix
1 8 . 1 Introduction
The following is an up-to-date repertoire based on the line l . e4 dS 2 . exd5 'ti'xdS 3 . tZ:lc3 'iVaS . Both to newcomers of the opening and to old foxes it should offer something of interest.
If you are new to the Scandinavian , you should study the main lines first , leaving the sidelines aside. Then start playing the opening and come back to this chapter for any questions that arise from your games. When the Scandinavian works well for you already, then you should compare your repertoire with our suggestions. Study the chapters on the pawn structures which occur most often in your games to fine-tune your intuition for the details and typical motifs. In the main lines after 4 . d4 Black's development is usually characterized by the moves . . . c 6 , . . . tZ:lf6 , . . . �fS and . . . e 6 . But what is the most precise move order ? In Modernes Skandinavisch 1 Matthias advocated 4 . . . c6 followed by . . . �fS and . . . e 6 , and only then . . . tZ:lf6 . The point of holding back the king 's knight - the so-called Konigsspringerzuriickhaltungspolitik - is the discouragement of white plans involving �c4 , tZ:l e 2 - g 3 and f2 -f4 . As we explained in the section about the standard centre with f2 -f4, it comes in handy for Black if he can develop his knight to e7 or h 6 . However, a drawback of 4 . . . c6 (which became only apparent some years after Modernes Skandinavisch 1 ) is the Kupreichik line S .�c4 �fS 6 .�d2 tZ:lf6 7 .'ti'e2 e6 ? ! 8 .d 5 ! , which gives White a dangerous initiative. I n sections 1 8 . 7 and 1 8 . 8 we de scribe ways for Black to sidestep this line by playing an early .. . 'Yi'b 6 or . . . 'iYc 7 . While these two lines are playable for Black , we nevertheless think that Black should tackle the Kupreichik line at an even earlier stage. Therefore we now recom mend 4 . . . tZ:lf6 with the idea of going for a Viking centre with S .�c4 tZ:lc6 ! ? or S . . . �g4 ! ? , respectively S .�d2 �g4 ! ? . 327
The Mod ern Scan d i na v i a n
These lines are looked a t i n sections 1 8 . 9 t o 1 8 . 1 2 . O f course, using the Viking ap proach is more risky, but as people say : 'No risk, no fun ! ' Best is probably if you are flexible and use both approaches , depending on your opponent and your mood.
1 8 .2 Traditional Main Line 8 .'ife2 1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'tWxd5 3 .ti:J c3 'tWaS 4.d4 ttJf6 5.tt:Jf3 c6 6.�c4 �f5 7.�d2 e6 8.'ti'e2
This is the traditional main line. White prepares to castle queenside and the di rect threat is d4-d5 . 8 ... �b4 ! The best answer, Black develops a piece and prevents d4-d5 at the same time. Black certainly cannot afford 8 . . . �xc 2 ? 9 .d5 , which can be seen i n the context ofWahono-Supriyono (Game 2 . 3 0 ) .
I O . . . �xf3 ? ! I I .'ifxf3 tLlbd7 1 2 . 0-0-0 �xc3 1 3 .�xc3 'ifc7 1 4 .�d 2 ± White was much better with the bishop-pair against two knights in M.D.Tseitlin Reefschlager (Game 2 . 6 8 ) ) 1 0 ... ..\hc3 1 1 .�xc 3 'ti'hs 1 2 .ds ! looks like a strong option for White, see Porter Brady (Game 2 . 5 5 ) ; B) A frequently played line is 9.<1.:leS tt:lbd7 1 0.ttJxd7 ttJxd7 I O . . . 'iit> x d7 ! ? is also possible. Black wants to keep his knight on f6 and it only takes two more moves ( . . Jhd8 , . . . 'iit> c 8) to castle artifi cially : 1 1 . 0 - 0 - 0 and now l l . . . ttJd5 ! , preventing any d4-d5 ideas , i s about equal as the games Hawley-Fries Niel sen (Game 2 . 9 9 ) and Gasseholm-Fries Nielsen (Game 6 . 1 ) demonstrate. I I . . . l:Iad8 ?! is inaccurate as it allows the thematic 1 2 .a3 �xc3 1 3 .�xc3 'ifc7 1 4 . d 5 ! t , see the game Koskivirta B.]. Martin (Game 2 . 9 3 ) . 1 1 .a3
9.0-0-0
The main line, but there are three other important moves: A) 9 .a3 ttJbd 7 ! usually transposes to : 9 . 0 - 0 - 0 ttJbd 7 I O .a3 after 1 0 . 0 - 0 - 0 , and t o 9 . 0 - 0 ttJbd7 I O .a3 in case of I 0 . 0 - 0 . Black should avoid 9 ... �g4?! , a move which had been recommended in the past. After 1 0.0-0-0 (also possible is I O .'ife3 preventing the idea . . . 'ifh5 by stepping out of the pin ; after 328
Ana lysis d i agram
B I ) 1 1 . �xc 3 ? ! is not necessary as long as White has not castled. Also, it allows 1 2.�xc 3 'iYc7 1 3 .dS ! 1 3 . 0 - 0 ? ! •.
C h a p t e r 1 8 : T h e o r e t i c a l Appen d i x
0-0=
Wahls-Hansen
(Game
I.I). and the bishop pair in an open position gives White an advantage, see Kindermann Hansen (Game I . 9 ) ; B2) l i ... 0 - 0 - 0 ? ! allows White to cas tle to the other side and play for the at tack: I 2 . 0 - 0 ! Instead , 1 2 . 0 - 0 - 0 ? 1 gives Black a pleasant choice between the standard I 2 . . .�xc3 and the bishop sac rifice I 2 . . .�xa3 ! ? see Trabert -Olbrich (Game 2 . 49 ) . 1 2 ... �xc 3 1 3 .�xc 3 'ifc7 I 4.b4 ! ? with better chances for White after I 4 ... tt:lf6 , Vogt-Wahls (Game 2 . 4 6 ) as well as after I 4 ... tt:lb6 , Collas-Prie (Game 2 . 8 4) ; B 3 ) I I . 0 - 0 ? ! i s dealt with in Muller-Cording 2.70). (Game 1 2 . 0 - 0 - 0 ? 1 is strongly met by the sur prising I 2 . . . b S 1 , but I 2 .g4 ! is promis ing for White, which is shown in the game Stefansson-Zubarev (Game 2 . 8 8 ) ; B4) I I . .. tt:lb6?? loses a piece after 1 3 ... cxd5 I 4.�xd5 0 - 0 1 S .�f3
h e can g o for trades with I 0 . . . tt:lxe S ! ? 1 l .dxe S tt:ldS 1 2 .�xdS cxdS 1 3 . a 3 �xc3 1 4 .�xc3 'i¥a6 ! , s e e Thipsay Shantharam (Game 3 . 1 2 ) . I O �xc 3 •••
I I .�xc 3 'i¥c7
•••
Ana lysi s d i agram
• .
1 2.0-0! tt:lxc4 1 3 .axb4 �xb4 I 4.l:ta4+
Chandler-Rogers (Game 2 . 1 1 S ) ; B S ) I I . . .tt:lf6 ! = The most flexible and best move. I 2 . 0 - 0 1 2 . 0 - 0 - 0 �xc3 1 3 . �xc3 'i¥c7 1 4. f3 0 - 0 - 0 = ; 1 2 .�a2 forces Black to exchange on c3 , but it makes more sense for White to achieve the same goal by castling. 1 2 . . . �xc3 1 3 . �xc3 'i¥c7 1 4. 0 - 0 - 0 0 - 0 - 0 with equal chances in Haimovich-Vovsha (Game 2 . 6 1 ) . 1 2 ... �xc 3 1 3 .�xc 3 �c7 is about equal . After 1 4. l:tad l 0 - 0 I S . �d3 ? ! �g 6 t 1 6 . �xg6 hxg 6 1 7 . l::t d 3 l:.fd8 1 8 J H d I aS ! 1 9 .�d2 b S Black already had a more pleasant position in Hermann Wahls (Game 2 . 2 7 ) . C) A solid line i s 9 . 0 - 0 tt:lbd7 I O .a3 , forcing Black to give up the bishop pair. With I O . tt:leS White cannot fight for an advantage. If Black is happy with a draw,
As White has castled kingside, Black has to worry less than usual about an ad vance of White 's kingside pawns. White has the bishops, but Black's con trol over the light squares enables him to equalize. White has several options now : C I ) 1 2 .l:tad i 0 - 0 = does not offer White chances of an opening advantage as the games Bitansky-Vovsha (Game 1 . 7 ) and Szalanczy-Lau (Game 2 . 7 7 ) demonstrate ; C 2 ) For 1 2 J H c I 0 - 0 1 3 . tt:l e 5 b S I 4. tt:l x d 7 'i¥xd 7 I S .�a2 a S <=t see Lyrberg-Danielsen (Game 2 . 2 8 ) ; C 3 ) 1 2 .�b 3 0 - 0 1 3 .tt:leS ! ? might be the most dangerous try. White intends to follow up with g 2 -g4 and f2 -f4 . 1 3 . .l:!.ad l aS ! ? 1 4 . tt:l e S b S and Black's light-square strategy later triumphed in Nunn-Hodgson (Game 8 . 2 ) ; 1 3 .�d2 ? ! allowed 1 3 . . . cS ! with a good position for Black in Kudrin-Wolff (Game 2 . 9 4) . 1 3 ... tt:lxe5 I 4.dxe5 tt:lds 1 6 . f4 1 6 . � d 2 'i¥ b 6 . I 7 .�h i 'i¥ e 3 with
I S .g4 .tg6 1 6 . . . fib 6 +
counterplay, Gruenfeld-Berg (Game 2 . 7 2 ) ; 329
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
C4 ) 1 V't::l e 5 The main continuation. 1 2 . . . tt::l x e5 ! ? might be the easi est route to equality after 1 3 .dxe5 tt::l d 5 ( 1 3 . . . tt::l e 4! ? also looks fine for Black, see Ghellere-Wredenberg (Game 3 . I ) ) . 1 3 . tt:lxd7 1 3 . .l:tad I is discussed in Marcet Bisbale-Kading (Game 2 . 1 6) ; 1 3 . . . tt::l d 5 1 ? would have given Black a good position. 1 3 ... 'iYxd 7 1 4.�b 3 aS = , ' Der Bock ' -Wahls (Game 2 . 1 0 9 ) . 1 2 ... 0 - 0
White players have also tried other im portant lines: A) The prophylactic I O .<;tJb 1 should be met by 1 O ... tt:lb6 ! . The natural I 0 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 ? ! l l . a 3 �xc3 1 2..� xc3 'iY c 7 is not sufficient to fully equalize , see Dolmatov-Wahls (Game 2 . 5 3 ) . 1 1 .�b 3 l ! . tt::l e 5 �xc3 1 2 . �xc3 'i¥a4 1 3 .�b3 'iYb5 1 4 .'ii' x b 5 cxb 5 � is sim ilar, see Nijboer-Rogers (Game 2 . 1 45 ) . l l . . . �xc 3 ! cxb 5 �
1 2..� x c 3 'iYbS
1 3 .'iYxb5
9 ... tt::l bd 7 !
I f White plays 9 . 0 - 0 - 0 , Black should usually follow suit and castle queenside as well in the Scandinavian. Otherwise a white kingside attack can develop very quickly as was the case in the following game : 9 ... 0 - 0 ? 1 o.tt:Jes tt:ld5 1 1 .g4 ! with good attacking chances and not much black counterplay in Felsberger-Niedermayr (Game 2 . 8 7 ) . 9 . . . tt::l d 5 looks like a playable sideline and is discussed in J.Polgar-Magem Badals (Game 2 . 9 0) . 1 0.a3 This is played most often. White keeps the advantage of the bishop pair, although it is not clear how much of an advantage this really is : the Scandinavian pawn structure is not bad for knights ! 330
Analysi s d i agram
Black's dominance on the light squares is at least enough compensation for White 's pair of bishops. After 1 4. tt::l e 5 ( 1 4.d5 ? ! is an attempt to get rid of the positional bind. However, the ensuing complications favour Black, as in Wedberg-Sjodahl (Game 2 . 2 9 ) ) 1 4 . . . a5 ! 1 5 . a3 �e4 ! Black went o n to achieve an impressive win in Hjartarson-Hansen (Game 2 . 1 44) ; B) An ambitious line is 1 0 .tt:lh4 ! ? , provoking 1 o . . . .li.g4 ! ? l l . f3 �xc 3 1 2 .bxc 3 ( 1 2.. �x c 3 ? ! 'i¥ g 5 + + ) 1 2 . ..�h5 .
White 's pawn structure is weakened, but this is compensated by the bishop pair and some dynamic possibilities. This complicated position is discussed in the game Smagin-Levin (Game 2 . 40) ;
C h a p t e r 1 8 : T h e o re t i c a l Appen d i x
C) I O.lbeS tt::l xeS I I .dxeS tt::l d S !
Most principled; Black has to watch out for an advance with g 2 -g4, f2-f4 etc. Slower approaches don't work for White : 1 2 .�d2 b5 (Caldeira-Vescovi (Game 2 . 8 6 ) ) and 1 2 .�b l b5 (Briiggemann Keitlinghaus (Game 2 . 9 6) ) . 1 2 ... b5!?
Ana lysi s d i agram
1 2 . �xd5 1 2 . tt::l e4 �xe4 1 3 . 'iYxe4 �xd 2 + 1 4 . .l:.xd2 0 - 0 - 0 was equal in the game Williams- Taylor (Game 3.1 1). 1 2 . . .exd5 1 2 . . .cxd5 ? ! 1 3 . �b 5 + 'if x b 5 1 4 . tt::l x b 5 l:t c 8 1 5 . tt::l d4 �xd 2 + 1 6 . l:t xd 2 ;!; is a pleas ant and risk-free endgame for White, who has the better minor piece. 1 3 .g4 1 3 . a 3 ? runs into 1 3 . . . �xa3 ! and the world 's best female was lucky to fi nally escape with a draw in J. Polgar Cu. Hansen (Game 2 . 6 6 ) . Now, after 1 3 . . . �e6 ?! 1 4 . f4 White had the initia tive i n Nij boer-Stehouwer (Game 3 . 1 6) . However, much stronger is the zwischenzug 1 3 ... d4 ! with better chances for Black, as Shannon-Taylor (Game 3 . 1 5) shows.
1 0 ... �xc3 1 1 .�xc3 "fic7 1 2.tt::l e 5
Easier than the more common 1 2 . . . tt::l x e5 1 3 .dxe5 tt::l d 5 1 4.�d2 0-0-0 1 5 .g4 �g6 1 6 .f4 h5 1 7 .h3 , though Black should be able to equalize with exact play, see Nijboer-Hodgson (Game 2 . 1 45 ) . 1 2 . . . tt::l d 5 1 3 .�d2 b 5 1 4 .�b3 h5 ! ? is maybe insufficient for equality with best play, see Morovic Fernandez-Rodri guez Cespedes (Game 2 . 42) .
••
1 3.�b3 1 3 .�a2 is also met by 1 3 . . . �e4! = , . . . �d5 , as in Wang Pin-Zhukova (Game 2 . 6 5 ) . I 3 .�d3 can be answered with 1 3 . . . �xd3 , but in Brynell-Hodgson Black played the interesting 1 3 . . . 0-0 ! ? 1 4.�xf5 exf5 and White could get a small edge with accurate play (Game 2 . 1 46) . 1 3 ... �e4! The key idea behind 1 2 . . . b 5 . After 1 4.tt::l x d 7 'ifxd 7 1 5.�b4 �d5= Black had a comfortable position in Mareck-Klerides (Game 2 . 1 0 8 ) . 33 1
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
1 8 . 3 Modern Main Line S .lLJdS 1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 "ifxd5 3.lt:J c3 "i:Va5 4.d4 t2Jf6 5.t2Jf3 c6 6.�c4 �f5 7.�d 2 e6 8.t2Jd5 Recently, this has been more popular than the traditional main line ( 8 .'ir'e2) . 8 ... 'ir'd8 9.t2Jxf6+ gxf6
that Black does not have to fear the ensuing complications. Instead , after 1 o tt:J d 7 1 1 . 0 - 0 - 0 'iYc 7 ? ! 1 2 . t2Jh4 �g6 , the piece sacrifice 1 3 .�xe 6 ! fxe6 1 4.'ihe 6 + Wd8 1 S . t:Ll xg6 hxg6 ..•
1 6 .l::r h e 1 promised White more than enough compensation in Egger Papaioannou (Game 2 . 1 2 ) ; C) 1 0 . 0 - 0 �g4 1 1 ..l:!.e 1 tt:Jd7 is play able, although Black went wrong a few moves later in the game Emelin-K. Muller (Game 2 . 1 3 6) .
1 0 ... t2Jd7 1 1 .'iYe2 1 1 . tLl h 4 � g 6 1 2 . 'iY f3 fS 1 3 . g 3 ( 1 3 .'iYh3 �g 7 1 4. t2Jf3 t2Jf6 = Boudre Busson , Marseille 2 0 0 3 ) 1 3 . . . t2Jf6= Akopian-Bauer, Paris rapid 2 0 0 9 . Now Black has doubled f-pawns , but this pawn-structure also offers him dy namic possibilities. 9 .. .'ihf6 ? ! 1 0 .'iYe2 ! , with the idea d4-d 5 , has turned out to be dangerous for Black: 1 0 tt:Jd7 I O . . . �xc2 ? ! is too risky, as Jonkman-De Vreugt (Game 2 . 3 1 ) illustrates ; I O . . . �g4 l l .d S �xf3 1 2 . gxf3 cxdS 1 3 .�xd5 is dealt with in Marciano-Prie (Game 2 . 8 ) . 1 1 . 0 - 0 - 0 �d6 ? 1 2 .�gS ! 'iY g 6 1 3 .dS ! gave White a strong attack and a quick win in Ye Jiangchuan-Hauchard (Game 2 . 3 5 ) . •.•
1 1 ... 'iYc7 1 2.t2Jh4 �g6 1 3.0-0-0 0-0-0 1 4.g3 �d6 1 4 . . . Wb8 ! ? is an alternative. 1 5.Wb1 1 S .tt:Jxg6 hxg 6 1 6 .h4 fS 1 7 . Wb 1 l:rhe8 1 8 .�g5 �e 7 1 9 .�f4 �d6 2 0 .�g5 �e7 2 l .�f4 �d6 1/z- 1/z , Bittencourt Vescovi , Porto Alegre 2 0 0 8 .
1 0.�b3 Against other moves Black's position is also fully playable : A) 1 0.c3 tt:Jd7 1 1 .t2Jh4 tt:Jb6 1 2.�b 3 �d3 <=t Cheparinov-Bauer (Game 1 7 . 1 1 ) ; B) After 1 O.'iVe2 , taking the pawn with 1 O �xc2 ! ? has scored well for Black in praxis. The g ame Zhang Zhong-Nisipeanu (Game 2 . 3 3 ) shows
1 5 ... l::r he8
••.
332
and White had a minimal advantage at best in Adams-Radj abov (Game 2 . 1 4 1 ) .
C h a p t e r 1 8 : T h e o r e t i c a l A p p en d i x
1 8.4 Other options for White on move 8 1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'ifxd5 3 .li:J c3 'tWaS 4.d4 tLlf6 5.tLlf3 c6 6.�c4 �f5 7.�d 2 e6
B) After the common 8 . 0 - 0
Ana lysis d i agram
A) 8.tt:le4 Compared to 8 . tLld5 White has a choice to play tLl g 3 instead of tak ing on f6 . However, now the black queen does not have to retreat to d8 : A I ) 8 ... �c 7 ! is probably the best move, as in the . . . gxf6-structure Black's queen is well placed on c 7 : A 1 I ) 9 .tt:lxf6 + gxf6 Compared to the line 8 . tLld5 'ti'd8 9 . tLlxf6 + gxf6 , Black has won a tempo ( . . . 'ti'c 7 ) . The position is fully playable for Black and discussed in the analysis of the game Emms Dunnington (Game 2. 7 3 ) ; A I 2 ) After 9 .tLlg3 Black should avoid 9 . . . �g4 ? 1 I O .h3 �xf3 l l .'ifxf3 t with a solid advantage for White in Lanzani Golubovic (Game 2 . 6 3 ) . Instead, 9 ... �g6 is about equal and dis cussed in Glek-Wahls (Game 2. 3 6) ; A2) 8 ... �d8 ? ! 9.tLlg3 ! �g6 1 0 .h4 ! is dangerous for Black, as Svidler-Oll (Game 2 . 1 ) and Emms-Dunnington (Game 2 . 7 3) demonstrate; A3) 8 . .. 'i:Y b 6 has scored well for Black, but 9 .tt:lxf6 + gxf6 could be somewhat better for White, see Emms Dunnington (Game 2 . 7 3 ) .
Black can play : B l ) 8 . . .' iY c 7 ! , which keeps the bishop-pair and equalizes easily. 9.h3 ? ! 9 . .l:[e I was OK for Black too i n Laketic Jacob (Game 2 . 1 0 0 ) and Hartmann Cording (Game 3 . 2 ) . 9 . . . tt:lbd 7 1 O.tt:lh4 ? ! .ig6 1 1 .tt:lxg6 This is not good when Black has not castled kingside yet. 1 1 . ..hxg6 1 2 .'tl.Yf3 0 - 0 - 0 ! And this is the reason ! 1 3 .�b 3 .ll h4 ! 1 4.tt:le2 .id6 1 S .c3 tt:le4 1 6 .�e3 tt:ldf6
with a strong attack for Black in S . Salov-K. Muller (Game 2 . 8 1 ) ; B 2 ) The schematic 8 . . . �b4 ? ! 9 . a 3 �xc 3 1 O.�xc 3 � c 7 also seems OK for Black, as the games Prechtel-Giese (Game 2 .4 5 ) , Zaitsev-Strater (Game 2 . 5 4) and Helmond-De Greef (Game 2. 7 6) indicate. C) 8 .tt:lh4 .tg6 9 .tt:lxg6 hxg6= Black's pawn structure is very compact and White has no advantage despite the pair of bishops , see ]. Polgar-Cu. Hansen (Game 2 . 1 1 6 ) ; D) The prophylactic 8 .�b3 threatens d4-d5 , but it is too slow, allowing Black to play 8 ... �c 7 9 .'ife2 tt:lbd 7 with equal chances in Kaminski-K. Muller (Game 7 . 1 ) . 333
The Modern Scand i n a v i a n
1 8 . 5 6.tt:Jes and 6.i.c4 i.fs 7 .tt:Jes 1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'iWxd5 3 .t2Jc3 �as 4.d4 t2Jf6 5 .t2Jf3 c6 6.�c4 A similar idea is 6.t2:le5 :
A) 6 �f5 A I ) 7 .£d3 This invitation to an ex change is played surprisingly often . 7 �xd3 8 .'iWxd3 t2Jbd 7 ! = . immedi ately opposing White 's strong knight , equalizes , see Degerman-Setterqvist (Game 2 . 1 2 4) and Mei er-Wahls (Game S . 1 ) . Less accurate is 8 . . . e 6 ? ! 9 . 0 - 0 t2:lbd 7 I O .'iW g 3 and Black was a bit passive in Feagin-Felber (Game 3 . 7) ; A2) 7.�c4 transposes to 6 . �c4 �fS 7 . tZJ e S below; A 3 ) 7 .2. d 2 t2Jbd 7 is OK for Black, but he should avoid 8 . t2Jxd7 t2:lxd 7 9 . �c4 'iYb6 ?! 1 O .d S t and a human probably would not have survived, though the computer did in Adams-Fritz 6 (Game 2 . 2 6) ; A4) 7.g4 �e6 8 .�g2 t2Jbd 7 9 .t2Jxd 7 •••
B I ) 7.�d3 t2Jbd 7 8 .t2Jxd 7 ( 8 . f4 g 6 ! 9 . 0 - 0 �g 7 1 o . 'Ot>h l �fs l l .�c4 e 6 gave Black a good position i n the World Championship game Kasparov-Anand (Game 1 . 1 1 ) . 8 ... �xd 7 9 . 0 - 0 �g4 This position is about equal , as shown in Schalkwijk-Baci (Game 2 . 5 0) ; B2) 7.�c4 �xc4 8 .t2Jxc4 'ti'd8 9 .�g5 e6 1 o . .2.xf6 gxf6 1 1 . 0 - 0 t2J d 7 in Gallagher-Klauser (Game 2 . 4) was OK for Black because of his compact pawn structure ; B 3 ) 7 .�d2 t2Jbd 7 8.t2Jc4 'iVc7 9 .�d3 �xc4 1 0 .�xc4 e6 and White 's bishop pair gave him a minimal advantage at best, Rasik-Forster (Game 2 . 2 5 ) . 6 ... �f5 7.t2Je5 e6
•..
•
�xd 7
1 O.g5
t2J d 5
1 1 .�d2
t2J x c 3
1 2 .bxc 3 'ifa6 =
Compared to 6 .�c4 �fS 7 . tLleS , Black also has the extra option to protect his f7 pawn with B) 6 ... £e6 ! ? , which is possibly the best continuation : 334
8.g4 This is the sharpest continuation and also the critical move. A) 8 . 0 - 0 t2Jbd 7 9.f4? looks good at first sight, but after 9 .. J:td8 ! White 's centre was under huge pressure in Morovic Fernandez-Cu . Hansen (Game 1 . 1 0) ; B) 8 .�d2 can be met by the move 8 ... t2Jbd 7 , when the cautious 9 .t2Jxd 7 t2Jxd 7 1 O.�b3 'il'c7 gave White abso lutely nothing in Shaposhnikov-Lastin (Game 2 . 4 7 ) ;
C h a p t e r 1 8 : T h e o re t i c a l A p p en d i x
C) 8.'ii'e2 tLlbd7 9 . 0 - 0 tt:lxeS I O.dxeS is OK for Black, as Olcayoz Gelashvili (Game 2 . 5 7) shows. tt:ld7
8 ... �g6 Instead, 8 . . . �e4 ? ! 9 . 0 - 0 �d5 1 O .�d3 1 has a bad reputation, since the upcom ing f2 - f4 gave White a strong attack in many games. For instance , after 1 O . . . �d6 1 l . f4 White soon obtained a very promising attacking position in Saheli-Yildiz (Game 2 . 2 0 ) . Remarkably though, in Schipper-Turcan (Game 1 . 8 ) Black tried the new move I O . . .'�'b6 , which worked out pretty well for him. 9.h4 9 . ..td2 should also be met by
Ana lysis d i agram
A) 9 ... ttJbd 7 ! immediately combating White 's centralized knight. I O.'�'e2 In
case o f 1 O . tLlxg 6 hxg 6 , White has n o at tack anymore, while his pawn structure is seriously weakened. Black finally ex ploited her opponent's weaknesses in Rigo-Stefanova (Game 2 . 1 2 2) . I O ... �b4 Much worse is 1 0 . . . tbxe 5 ? 1 1 . dxe5 tLld 7 , when after 1 2 . f4 �b4 1 3 . a3 0 - 0 - 0 1 4. 0- 0 - 0 �xc3 1 5 . �xc3 'il'c7 1 6 . l:tdf1 ! the threat of f4- f5 caused Black a serious headache in Ger man-R. Garcia (Game 1 . 5 ) . I l . 0 - 0 - 0 1 1 . f4 0-0-0 1 2 . 0 - 0 - 0 tLlb6 1 3 . f5 ? was too optimistic in Smirin-Ricardi (Game 1 . I 2 ) . I I ... tZ:lxeS I 2 .dxe5 tLldS with equality; B) The time- consuming 9 ... 'il'b 6 ? I O.'ti'e2 'ti'xd4 ? ! i s too risky and was punished quickly in H o g enacker Forchert a fter I I . 0 - 0 - 0 ± (Game 2. 1 1).; C) In case of 9 ... �b4 ? ! I O .h4 ! , Black cannot fully equalize as Helm Porubszki (Game 2 . 1 5 ) shows. 9 .. tt:J bd 7 ! 1 O.tt:Jxd 7 tt:Jxd 7 1 1 .h5 .
After 1 1 .�d2 h 5 ! White 's pawn struc ture was in trouble in Kunzmann Binelli (Game 2 . 1 0 4) . 1 1 ... �e4 +=t
Black is doing OK in this complex posi tion , see the analysis of Anand-Lautier (Game 1 . 2 ) . 335
The Modern Scand inavian
1 8 .6 The meek 7.0-0 and alternatives on move 6 1 .e4 d 5 2.exd5 l:Vxd5 3.ti'lc3 'ii' a 5 4.d4 tLlf6 5.tLlf3 c6
B 1 ) 7 . ..'�c 7 8.tLlxf6 + gxf6 9 .�c4 9 . g3 tLld7 1 0 .�g2 0 - 0 - 0 1 1 . 0 - 0 e 5 1 2 .c3 tLlb6 1 3 . 'ii' e 2 �g 7 1 4. a4 �e6 1 5 . a5 tLlc4 1 6 .a6 b6 I 7 .�c 1 .l::!. h e8 with counterplay (Houska) . 9 ... e6� This po sition offers chances for both sides , see Jukic-Marinsek (Game 2 . 1 3 9) ; B2) 7 ... 'tli'b6 is interesting as well , e.g. 8 .tLlxf6 + gxf6 9 .b4 tLld7 9 . . . eS I O . �c4 <1'l d 7 1 1 . 0 - 0 0 - 0 - 0 1 2 . c 3 exd4 1 3 . <1'lxd4 <1'le5 1 4.�e2 �e4� Houska. I O .a4 eS
l l .aS Wi c 7
1 2 .�e2 �d6
1 3 . 0 - 0 e4 1 4.tLlh4 �xh 2 + I S .'it>h l �e6 1 6 .c4 hS 1 7 . .!la3 �f4 I S .dS �g4
A) 6.�d3 is harmless and best met by the active 6 ... �g4 ! with comfortable equality for Black, see the games Lutz-Wahls (Game 2.43) and Hausner-Konopka (Game 2 . 1 3 5 ) ; B) 6.�d2 is a bit more active : 6 ... �fS 7 .tLle4 , forcing the structure with . . . gxf6 , which, however, is not neces sarily bad for Black as we have already seen in earlier sections. After 7 .tLlh4 ? ! Black does not even have t o give u p the bishop pair with 7 . . . �g 6 . He can equalize easily with 7 . . . �g4! 8 .�e2 �xe2 9 .'ihe2 'i¥a6 ! as in Timman Beliavsky (Game 2 . 2 1 ) .
with unclear play in Hracek-K. Muller, Germany Bundesliga 2 0 0 8 / 0 9 . 6 ... �f5 7.0-0 Especially amateurs often meet the Scandinavian by simply making natural development moves . However, this strategy does not promise White much . 7... e6
8.'iVe2
Ana lysis d i agram
336
White has played many other moves here. Some of them are : A) S.tLleS tLlbd 7 9.tLlxd 7 After 9 . .l::r e 1 ? tUxeS I O . dxe 5 ( I O JheS 'i¥c 7 l l . h3 0 - 0 - 0 ! was unpleasant for White in Yu Shaoten g -Wahls (Game 2 . I 3 4) ) .
C h a p t e r 1 8 : T h e o re t i c a l Ap p en d i x
I O . . . .�Jg41 White 's pawns e S and f2 are weak and he already found himself in trouble in M . Pribyl-Michaelsen (Game 2 . 1 8 ) . 9 .. .tbxd7 I O.�f4 White has made solid moves without a special plan to fight for the advantage . I O . . .�e 7 ! O r I O . . . ttlb6 ! ? l l .�b3 0 - 0 - 0 1 2 . ttle2 'iVa6 ! and Black had not only equalized , but also took over the initia tive quickly with the . . . c6-c5 break in Gipslis-Wahls (Game I . I 3 ) . I I .ttle2 0 - 0 I 2 . tb g 3 .ig6 1 3 J:t e l ?! tt::l b 6 ! 1 4.�b 3 ? ! .Ufd8 with unpleasant pres
sure against the d4 pawn in Cladouras-Wahls (Game 2 . 2 4) ; B) S . .l:!.e l ttlbd7 9.h3 After 9 .ttl e 2 ? ! �g4 ! White was already worse in Kuhn-Reefschlager (Game 2 . 3 4) . 9 ... �e7 I O .tt::l h4 �g6 I I .tt::l xg6 hxg6 1 2 .�f4 White hopes for a small edge due to the bishops. but after 1 2 ... 0 - 0 - 0 ! the position was unclear with chances for both sides in A. Sokolov-Cu. Hansen (Game 2 . 6 9) ; C) 8 .�b 3 tt::l b d7 9 . .Ue l In N.Rogers Wahls Black demonstrated how it is possible to play for a win in these seem ingly dry positions. He tried the enterprising 9 0 - 0 - 0 ! ? and gained a n advantage soon (Game 2.78).
9.h3 White prevents a possible . . . �g4 and wants to continue with ttlh4, trading Black's bishop. However, praxis has shown that it is not wise to play this when Black has not castled king side yet. A) 9 .�f4 �e 7 is solid and the main line, while an interesting option is 9 �g4 ! ? , pinning the knight and clearing the squares fS and hS for the queen . With I O . .Uad l ? ! 'iVfS ! White immediately went wrong in Kot Tomaszewski (Game 2 . 3 8 ) ; B) 9 .�d2 'li'c 7 ! is equal , but the game got very sharp after 1 o.tt:Jes tt::l xe5 ! ? l l .dxe5 tt::l g4 ! ? in Labuckas Jurkiewicz (Game 3 . 3 ) . •..
9 ... �b4!? Also after 9 . . . �e 7 I O . ttlh4 ? ! �g6 l l .ttlxg6 hxg 6 1 2 . ttle4 ttlxe4 1 3 .�xe4 .Uh4 ! 1 4.'iVd3 0 - 0 - 0 t the drawbacks of White 's plan became clear in Berndt Steckner (Game 2 . 8 0) . 1 O.ttlh4? ! �96 1 1 .ttlxg6 hxg6 1 2 . .id2 'li'c7
.••
8 . . tt:Jbd7 .
The position is more comfortable for Black, who castled queenside and won a nice attacking game in Istratescu-Wahls (Game 2 . 7 9) . 337
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
1 8 . 7 s .�c4 c6 6.�d2 �fs 7.'fle2 'f/c7 1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'i!Yxd5 3.tt:lc3 'i!Ya5 4.d4 c6 5.�c4 tt:lf6 6.�d2 6 . 'i!Ye 2 �fS 7 . �d2 transposes. 6 ... �f5 7 .dS ? is met by 7 . . .'ti'c5 . 7.'ii' e 2 Wic7
The less dangerous I O . tt:le3 is discussed in Del Rio Angelis-Pomes Marcet (Game 2 . 5 9 ) . 1 0 'li'xf6 1 1 . 0 - 0 - 0 White has scored well in this promising position. 1 1 . .. tt:Jc6 n.tt:Jf3 1 2 . g4 �g6 1 3 . f4 0 - 0 - 0 1 4.tt:lf3 �d6 I S . fS exfS 1 6 . �g5 �f4+ I 7 .�xf4 .l:!.xd I + 1 8 Jhd I fxg4= (Wahls) . 1 2 � c S 1 3 . �c 3 'li'h6+ 1 4.'1t>b 1 0 - 0 1 S .g4 t (Houska) . S ... cxdS 9 .ttJxdS 'li'd8 1 O .tLlxf6 + !
•••
..•
8.tt:lf3 e6 9.tt:le5 A) 9 . 0 - 0 - 0 tLlbd7 1 O . tLlh4 For I o . tt:les , see 9 . tt:les tt:lbd7 1 0 . 0 - 0 - 0 be low. 1 O ... �g6 1 1 .tLlxg6 hxg6 and Black has a very solid position ; B) 9 .dS is not particularly powerful here : 9 ... cxdS 1 O .tt:JxdS tLlxdS 1 l .�xdS This blunts the main idea of the Kupreichik Variation, a rapid d4-d5 . It looks passive and Black has already made three queen moves. However, Black's po sition is very solid and defensible, and it is not easy for White to demonstrate an advantage. A short look at what might follow if Black allows his opponent to carry out d4-d5 : 7 e6 S.dS ! Less strong is 8 . tt:ld5 'ii' d 8 9 . tt:l e 3 �g 6 , see Kupreichik-Montgomery (Game 2 . 1 1 2) . •..
tLlc6 1 2 .0-0 �d6 = ; C ) 9 . 0 - 0 i s also frequently
played , but can hardly put Black 's plan in doubt. Black achieves a normal set-up without any serious problems ; D) 9 . tLlh4 �g6 1 0 . f4 �e 7 ! ? I 0 . . . �d6 ? allowed White t o execute her plan : l l . fS �hS 1 2 .tt:lf3 ± in A. Muzychuk- Chasovnikova , Moscow 2 0 0 9 . 1 1 . 0 - 0 - 0 1 1 . 0 - 0 0 - 0 ! 2 . f5 �hS 1 3 .'ir'd3 e S ; l l . g4 �xc2 1 2 . l:tc l bS . 1 1 �hS 1 2 .tt:Jf3 0 - 0 1 3 .h 3 �xf3 1 4.'ti' x f3 l::!. d8 I S . � e 3 bS 1 6 . �d3 tt:lbd 7 1 7 .fS eS 1 8 .g4 b4 1 9 .tLle4 tt:Jds •..
with unclear play in all lines. 9 ... tLlbd7 1 0.0-0-0 A) 1 O . tLl xd 7 '1t> xd 7 ! I O . . .'t/k'xd7 l l . dS ! 0 - 0 - 0 1 2 . dxe6 �xe 6 1 3 .�xe6 'ti'xe6 1 4.'ti' xe 6 + fxe 6 1 5 . 0 - 0 - 0 ;!; with a solid structural advantage in Tsuboi Caldeira , Sao Paulo ch-city 1 9 9 6 . Ana lysis d i agram
338
1 1 . 0 - 0 - 0 l::!. d 8 1 2 .f3 h S 1 3 .tt:le4 '1t>c8 = ; B) 1 0 .g4? ! is met by 1 0 ... tLlxeS .
Chapter
The first critical position in the line 7 . . 'iY c 7 . Black now has some options. .
1 8:
T h e o re t i c a l Appen d i x
AS 3 ) 1 6 .a3 ! looks good. I t removes the idea of . . . �b4 and maintains the pressure : 1 6 . . . tt::l b d 7 1 7 . tt:l c 4 l::t d e 8 1 8 .tt:le4 tt::l xe4 1 9 .'i¥xe4 with an initia tive for White. B) A very interesting move is the ac tive 1 0 ... bS ! ?: 1 1 .�d3 l l .�f4 ? bxc4 1 2 . tt::l g 6 �d6 1 3 . �xd6 'ifxd6 1 4. tt::l x h8 W e 7 + ; l l . � b 3 aS 1 2 . g 4 tt::l x g 4 1 3 . tt::l x g4 a 4 with unclear complica tions. 1 1 ... �xd3 1 2 .tt::l x d3 �d6 1 3 .g4 0 - 0 <=t .
1 0 �b4 ...
A) The direct attempt to counter White 's threat of g 2 -g4 with I O hS ? ! weakens the g S -square too much. l l .�gS ! puts the finger on the sore spot. Things cannot be patched up, White is better in all lines : A I ) l l . . . tt:lb6 1 2 .�d3 �xd 3 •••
1 3 .l::t x d3 0 - 0 - 0 1 4/t::l e4 t ; A 2 ) l l .. .�b4 1 2 .tt:lxd 7 tt::lx d7 1 3 .ds t ;
A 3 ) l l . . . tt::l xe S ? 1 2 .dxe S 1 3 .tt::l b S ± ; A4) l l . . . �e 7 1 2 . tt::l x d 7
tt::l d S 'iVxd 7
1 2 . . . 'ih d 7 1 3 . dS ! cxdS 1 4 . �xdS with an attack. 1 3 .�xf6 �xf6 1 4.dS 'i¥e 7 1 S .dxe6 �xe6 1 6 . �xe6 'ii' x e 6 1 7 .tt::l e 4t ; A S ) l l . .. �d6 n J:!:he l 1 2 . tt::l x d7 ? !
'it>xd 7 1 3 .�xf6 gxf6 1 4.�d3 �xd3 I S . l::t x d3 l::t a g 8 = . 1 2 ... tt:lb6 1 3 .�d3 �xd 3
1 4 . l::t xd3 I S . tt::l e 4 ! 7 . 1 S ... l::t h f8
0-0-0
1 S . l::t f3
and now : A S I ) 1 6 .�xf6 ? ! does not win a pawn , but exchanges in a manner fa vourable to Black : 1 6 ... gxf6 1 7 .l::t xf6 �e7 1 8 . l::t f3 �gS + 1 9 .�b l l::t xd4= ; A S 2 ) The tactical 1 6 . tt:l b S ? cxb S 1 7 .llc3 + is not very convincing either: 1 7 ... �xeS 1 8 .dxeS tt::l c4 1 9 .exf6 gxf6 2 0.�e3 Wb S =F with advantage to Black,
since 2 I . b 3 ? is countered by 2 1 . . -�aS ;
1 1 .tt::l x d7 A) After 1 1 .g4 tt::l xeS 1 2 .gxfS tt::l xc4 1 3 .'tWxc4 �xc 3 1 4.'ili'xc 3 Black can turn to 1 4 ... tt:le4 ( 1 4 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 ! ?) with a re lieving exchan g e : 1 S . 'if f3 tt::l xd2 1 6 .l::t x d2 0-0-0 1 7 .fxe6 fxe6 1 8 .'ili'g4 l::t he8 = ; B ) I n case o f 1 1 .a3 �xc 3 1 2 .�xc 3 , Black can be satisfied with 7 . .'filc 7 , since by transposition he has reached one of the Scandinavian main varia tions; C) 1 1 .f3 b S ! ? 1 2 .�b 3 aS The possi bility of this plan represents one of the advantages of holding back with cas tling. 1 3 .g4 a4oo , Neukirch-Westphal, Germany Oberliga 1 9 9 4/ 9 S ; D ) l l .h4 h S 1 2 . f3 tt::l b 6 ! ? = ; 1 2 . . . �xc3 7 ! 1 3 .�xc3 tt::l xe S 1 4.dxe S tt::l d S ;t Kundin-Vovsha (Game 2 . S I ) . .
339
T h e M o d ern S c a n d i n a v i a n
1 1 . .:\tlxd 7 1 A key move in the variation with 7 . . . 'Wic 7 . Recapturing with a piece would be very dangerous because of d4-d5 , opening the position . As a result, David Taylor 's king recapture is advisable. In what follows , Black aims for artificial castling ; we do not see an obvious problem with Black's idea. A) 1 I . .. 'ti!¥xd 7 ? ! 1 2 .dS with an initia tive for White Walsh-M. Alvarez , corr. I 998; B ) 1 I ..J[jxd 7 ? ! 1 2 .dS I 2 . g4 �g6 I 3 .h4 hS I 4. �xe6 0-0-0 I S .�fS �xfS I 6 . gxf5 tt:lf6 gives Black some compen sation, e . g. 1 7 . 'tWc4 �xc3 I 8 . 'tWxc3 J:Ids I 9 . .I:lhg 1 .I:lhd8 2 0 . � a 3 a 6 2 I .�g5 l::l. x fS 2 2 . 'tW h 3 '/, - '/2 , Sadvakasov-Megaranto, Dubai 2 0 0 7 . 1 2 . . . �xc 3 1 3 . �xc 3 cxdS 1 4. l hds 0 - 0 - 0 I 4 . . . 0 - 0 ? ? I 5 . t1xd 7 'Wixd 7 1 6 .'i¥es f6 1 7 . �xfS +- . 1 s .J:ldd 1 and
White is slightly better.
with a slight advantage for White in Schnabel-Pachow, Germany Bundesliga B I 999/00; A 2 ) 1 2 ... �e 7 ! 1 3 .f3 h S = with equal ity, and 1 4.tt:le4 can simply be met with 1 4 ... tt:lxe4 1 S . f:xe4 �g4 (one advantage of the move . . . h 7 -h5 ) , which would lead straight to a draw after the se quence 1 6 .'iYf2 �xd 1 1 7 .'fixf7 �g4 1 8 .h3 J:laf8 1 9 . �xg 7 tl:fg8 2 0 . 'fif7 l::. f8
with a threefold repetition; B) Not good is 1 2 .dS ? cxdS 1 3 .tt:lxdS �xd2 + 1 4.Uxd2 exdS 1 S .�xdS Wc8 1 6 .�xb 7 + Wxb 7 1 7 .'iYb S + 'iYb6 1 8 .'fixfS Uad8 and White does not
have enough compensation for the piece ; C) 1 2 .tt:la4 �xd 2 + 1 3 . J:lxd2 We7 I 3 . . . .I:lad8 ! ? followed by . . . Wc8 would be the standard solution. 1 4.�d3 , and a draw was agreed in Teran Alvarez Stefanova , Santo Antonio 1 9 9 9 . 1 2 ... h5 1 2 . . . tt:ldS ! ? I 3 .tt:le4 �xd 2 + I 4. �xd2 'ti'f4 with a queen trade would lead to an even endgame. 1 3.tt:le4 �xd 2+ 14 . .I:lxd 2 Uad8 1 5.tt:lxf6+ gxf6 1 6.g4 �g6=
1 2.f3 A) After 1 2 .a3 there is absolutely no need to surrender the bishop pair: A I ) 1 2 . . . �xc 3 ? ! 1 3 . �xc 3 tt:l d s 1 3 .. Jhd8 ? ! I 4. d 5 ! is very dangerous for Blac k . 1 4. � d 2 t!:ad8 I S . �gS I S . g 4 ! ? . 1 S ... t!:de8 1 6 .'ti!¥f3 h6 1 7.�d2 3 40
and White 's weak squares give Black sufficient compensation for the dou bled f-pawns.
Chapter
1 8:
T h e o re t i c a l Appen d i x
1 8 . 8 s .�c4 c6 6 .�d2 �b6 1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 �xd5 3.t2Jc3 �a5 4.d4 t2Jf6 5.�c4 c6 6.�d2 �b6
1 9 9 8 ) 1 7 .'i¥b3 0 - 0 - 0 1 8 .�xf7 ttJdS 1 9 .�e6 + '>t>b8 � ; B ) 7 .<1Jge2 �fs 8 .�b 3 e 6 9 . 0 - 0 �d6 1 O .�gS ttJbd 7 == Sakr-El Jawish, Beirut
1 998. 7... �f5 A) 7 ... e6 is an alternative ; B) 7 ... �xb 2 ? is too risky due to 8 .<1Jes e6 9 . 0 - 0 �e7
1 o . .ll b 1
i¥a3
1 1Ji: e 1 0 - 0 I I . . . t2Jbd 7 7 is refuted by I 2. t2Jxf7 ! . 1 2 .CL.Je4 and White 's attack is
very dangerous; C) 7. . .�g4? 8.�xf7 + � xf7 9 .tZ:leS + ± . This queen move attacks b2 and d4. Of course taking one of these pawns can be dangerous for Black, since White can then extend his lead in development. But sometimes certain risks must be taken . . .
a:�We2 e6 9.0-0-0 t2Jbd7 9 ... �g4 1 0 .�f4 I O . d S �xf3 l l . gxf3 cxdS 1 2 .tZ:lxdS tZ:lxdS 1 3 . �xd5 t2ld7 1 4 . �e4 0 - 0 - 0 � . 1 o . . . tt:J b d 7 1 1 .h 3 �xf3 1 2 .'i¥xf3 �
7.t2Jf3 A) 7 . 'i¥ e 2 ! ? in order to castle queenside is well worth considering. Black then has several possibilities: A I ) 7 ... �fs 8 . 0 - 0 - 0 t2Jbd7 9 .�e 3 ! ? 9 . tZ:lf3 e6 i s a transposition t o the main line. 9 . . . iY c7 1 o.t2Jf3 e6 1 1 .ltJh4 �g6 1 2 .<1Jxg6 hxg6 1 3 .dS cxdS 1 4.-1JxdS ttJxdS 1 S .�xdS 1 7 JM H ;
0-0-0
1 6 .�f3 �cS
A2) The frivolous 7 ... 'i¥xb 2 ! ? might be possible too. In any case, Black need not be afraid of ' losing the queen' 8 . J::[ b 1 �a3 9.<1JbS ? ! 9 . d5 t 7 . 9 ... cxb S 1 0 .�b4 , because after I O . . . �xb4+ I I Jhb4 bxc4 he has collected suffi cient material ; A 3 ) 7 ... 'i¥xd4 8 . 0 - 0 - 0 'i¥b6 8 . . . e 6 ! ? . 9.f4 �g4 1 0 .t2Jf3 (jbd 7 1 1 .h3 �xf3 1 2 .gxf3 g6 1 3 . �he 1 iY cS 1 4.<1Je4 ttJxe4 1 S . i¥xe4 t2J f6 1 6 . � d 3 � g 7 ( K .
Muller-Waitzki n ,
Mermaid
Beach
1 0.t2Je5 This is not very risky. A) Offering chances of a slight posi tional advantage is the alternative 1 O . t2J h4 ! ? . Black responds with 1 o ...�g6 and now : A I ) The piece sacrifice 1 1 .�xe6 ! ? fxe6 1 2 .'i¥xe 6 + Wd8 1 3 .t2Jxg6 hxg6
gives White compensation and is not to be underestimated . 341
T h e M o d ern S c a n d i n a v i a n
However, Black should b e able t o de fend with precise play : I 4 .�gS 1 4J:the 1 �b4 1 S .'iYf7 and now in Popovic-Chapin, IECC Email 2 0 0 2 , Black should have chosen 1 5 . . . �xc3 1 6 .�xc3 We? = . I 4 ... Wc8 ! 1 4 . . . �b4 ? ! 1 S . t2:la4 'it'c7 1 6 . tL:lcS �xeS 1 7 . dxc5 �c8 1 8 J:the 1 f ; 1 4 . . . c5 ? ? 1 S .'ifxd 7 + �xd7 1 6 .dxc5 + +- ; 1 4 . . . 'ifaS ? 1 S . d5 cS 1 6 J:the 1 �c8 1 7 . d 6 ± Saathoff Artamonov, Germany Oberlig a 1 9 9 8 / 9 9 . I S .a 3 'iY c 7 I 6 .<1Je4 �b8
Passive play would n o t j ustify the posi tioning of the queen on b6 : 1 0 . . . tL:lxe S ? ! 1 l . dxe5 tL:ldS 1 2 . g4 �g6 1 3 . f4 0 - 0 - 0 1 4 . .I:[dfl ;!;, intending f4-f5 . 1 1 .t2:lxd 7 t2Jxd 7
I 7.f3 a6 oo ; A 2 ) I I .<1Jxg6
hxg6 1 2 .�f4 1 2 .d5 cxdS 1 3 . tL:lxdS tL:lxdS 1 4.�xd5 �cS 1 5 .�b3 �xf2 with counterplay in Spasov-Zo. Varga , Eforie Nord tt 2 0 0 8 . I 2 ... 0 - 0 - 0 I 3 .�b3 (Serebro-Maximov, Simferopol 1 9 8 9 ) I 3 �b4;t ; A 3 ) I I .f4 0 - 0 - 0 I 2 .g4 A3 1 ) 1 2 �d6 1 3 .h 3 'iYc 7 I 4 .I:[hfl l:the8 I S .t2Jxg6 1 S .'iff3 ! ? . I S hxg6 I 6 .�b 3 ;t , Klinova- Zhukova , Elista Olympiad 1 9 9 8 ; A 3 2 ) 1 2 . . . �b4 1 3 . .I:[hg i .I:[de8 I 4.l:tg3 'it'd8 = I . Novak-Strokov, Mos cow Wch IBCA 1 9 8 6 ; B ) I O.h3 sets a trap : I 0 ... 0 - 0 - 0 ? 1 O . . . �g6 is called for. I I .tL:lgS �g6 I 2 .�d 3 ± Dgebuadze-Geirnaert, Bel gium tt 2 0 0 8 / 0 9 ; C) I O . l:the I 0 - 0 - 0 I I . tU g S .2.g6 ..•
•••
•
..•
At first glance, White 's compensation looks very dangerous. One can certainly make that claim , when there is a lead in development , a dangerous open d-file and an uncastled king. However, in An tonio-Roca (Game 3 .4) we saw how well the Scandinavian can hold out in this sort of position. White 's initiative seems to be sufficient for his material deficit, but nothing more than that. 1 2.�g5 There is an important alternative in 1 2 .�e3 'iYf6 I 3 .g4 1 3 .'ifd2 can be met with 1 3 . . . 'iYd8 . 1 3 ... �g6 :
I 2 .�d3 �hS I 3 .f3 h6 I 4.<1Jh3 'iYxd4 I S .�e3 Vesselovsky-Polak, Czechia tt 2 0 0 6 , and now Black can sacrifice a piece with I S .. .'tii' e s I 6 . g4 �b4 I 7 .gxhS �xc 3 I 8 .bxc 3 'iYxc 3 which gives him enough compensation , e . g. I 9 .t2:lf2 1 9 . �b 1 tL:lcS or 1 9 . . . 'iYb4 + . I 9 ... tL:ldS 2 0 .�b l 'iYa3 2 1 ..2.d2 tL:lcS .
1 0 ... 'iYxd41 This is the only logical follow-up to 6 . . . 'it'b6 ! ? . 342
Ana lysis d i agram
C h a p t e r 1 8 : T h e o re t i c a l Ap p en d i x
A) Now the violent I 4.l:hd 7 ! ? does not quite break through : I4 ... �xd 7 I S .'tlid2 + �es I S . . . '>t>cn 1 6 .£gs l:rd8 1 7 . tLJ d S + exdS 1 8 . £xf6 gxf6 1 9 . £d3 ± , Sawatzki-D. Hummel, Ger many Oberliga 1 9 9 8 / 9 9 . I 6 .£gs l:i.dS I 7 .£ds ! l:rxds I S .tt:lxds 'tlies I 9 .tuc3 'tlid6 2 0 .'tlie3 2 0 .'tlie2 ? ! £e7 2 1 .£xe 7
�f4+ 1 2 2 . Wb l rtJxe 7 and Black is better. 2 0 ... 'tlics 2 I .'tlid2 'tlid6 = ; B ) But ideas based o n I 4.t2JbS are very dangerous , e . g. 1 4 ... 0 - 0 - 0 I S .h4 £ c s I 6 .£gs 'tli e s I 7 . .lh d 7 'tlixe 2 I S . l:!.c 7 + '>t>bs I 9 .£xe 2 f6 2 0 .�e3 £xe 3 + 2 I .fxe 3 £e4 2 2 . llfl :lhg8 2 3 .tt:lc3 £g2 24.l:i.g i �xc 7 2 S Jhg2 l:i.ge8 , though Black can defend; C) 1 4.h4 ! ? h6 I S .tLlbS 0-0-0 I 6 .gS 'tlie7 I 7 .tt:ld6 + 'tlixd6 I S .l:hd6 £xd6 I 9 .gxh6 gxh6 2 0 .£d3 and Black 's
compensation for the queen i s not completely sufficient. 1 2 .. .'tWe5 The queen is aiming for c 7 . where it will be less exposed and will help hold things together. 1 3.'tlid2 'fic7 1 4J:the1 £c5 1 4 . . . £e 7 1 5 . £xe 7 \t>xe 7 1 6 . t2:1 e 2 ( 1 6 . g 4 ! ?) 1 6 . . . l:i.hd8 1 7 . t2Jd4 � f8 1 8 . t2Jxf5 exfS 1 9 .�g5 t2Jf6 2 0 . �xf5 = , A . Kovacevic-Savic , Herceg Novi ch-YUG 2 0 0 1 . 1 4 . . . £b4 ! ? . 1 5.£f4 'tlic8 I S . . . 't/id8 ! ? 1 6.t2Jb5 0-0 1 7.t2Jd6 1 8.£xd6 l:te8 1 9.f3�
£xd 6
1 8 .9 4.d4 tt:Jf6 5 .�c4 tt:Jc6 ! ? 1 .e4 d 5 2.exd5 'tlixd5 3.t2Jc3 'tlia5 4.d4 t2Jf6 5.£c4 t2Jc6 !?
This is an interesting possibility to transpose to the Viking set-up. One point is that in the line 5 . t2:1f3 t2:lc6 , both 6 .£b5 and 6 .£d2 are considered to be the two critical moves, while 6 . £c4 is not dangerous for Black .
The main move. White has some other moves , though they are not as good : A) 6.dS A I ) 6 ... t2JeS ? ! is not as strong . be cause after 7.£b 3 the knight is on a centre square, but not a very favourable one. Zeidler 's 7 ... c6 ! ? is probably still the best attempt, though it should not suffice for equality : 8 .'tlie2 8 .�d4 1 ? t2:1ed 7 9 . dxc6 bxc6 I O .t2Jf3 e 6 1 1 . 0 - 0 £ e 7 1 2 . ld. e l 0 - 0 1 3 .£d2 � h S 1 4. t2:le4 cS I S . � d 3 l:i.d8 1 6 . t2J g 3 � g 6 ;!; , Jasim-Zeidler, Yerevan Olympiad 1 9 9 6 . 8 . . . tt:l ed 7 ? ! 8 . . . �c 7 ! ? . 9 . £d2 cxdS I O .tLJxdS 't/i d8 ( Abayasekera -Zeidler, England tt 1 9 9 6 / 9 7 ) I I .t2Jxf6 + t2:1xf6 I 2 .t2Jf3 e6 I 3 . 0 - 0 - 0 with a dangerous initiative for White ; 343
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
A2) 6 ... tt:lb4 !
is badly positioned, 9 . . . tt:la6 I O .tt:lf3 e 6 (Vrenegoor-Wii.stefeld, Netherlands tt 1 9 9 6 / 9 7 ) I ! . tt:leS ± .
Ana lysis d i agram
The knight takes an active part in the proceedings. It attacks dS and . . . gfS is looming. Al l ) 7.�f3 ? ! gg4 8.�b 5 + c6 9 .dxc6 bxc6 1 O.ga4 �e4 1 1 .a 3 �xc3 1 2 .axb4 'li'xa4+ ; A 2 2 ) 7 . .2.d2 ? ! 'liVes
7 . . . .2.g4 is the al ternative : 8 . tt:lf3 gxf3 9 . gxf3 'tWcS I 0 . .2.bs + c6 I l . dxc6 ( I J .ge3 ! ? � d6 1 2 . dx c 6 �xd l + 1 3 . I::!. x d ! tt:lxc6 1 4 . tt:le4;!;) l ! . . .tt:lxc6 J 2 . ge3 'li'b4 Perez Rodriguez-Hernando Rodrigo, Gran Canaria 2 0 0 9 1 3 .'li'd3 ;!; . 8 . .2.b5 +
c 6 9.dxc6 bxc6 1 o . .2.a4 .2.g4 1 1 .f3 .2.f5 1 2 .�ge2 0 - 0 - 0 t , Delacroix-Valaker, carr. 1 9 9 4 ; A2 3 ) 7.�ge 2 ? ! £f5 7 . . . c6 t ? . 8.tt:ld4 �bxd5 9.tt:lxf5 �xc 3 1 0.�f3 �ce4+ 1 1 .c 3 e6 and White had no compensa tion for the pawn in Widmann-Mehne, Untergrombach 1 9 9 9 ; A24) 7.a3 White can very easily get into trouble : 7 ... c6 ! Here we have a mirror image of the theme when Black replies to dxe S with . . . tt:lg4. In both cases Black can only j ustify his knight sortie by direct and precise play, or else the it is simply chased away to a6 (or h6 respectively. 7 . . . gfS ? is direct but not precise, since after 8 .gb3 0 - 0 - 0 9 ,gd2 the knight must go back to a6 and Black
3 44
Ana lysis d i agram
A24 1 ) If you are serious about play ing 5 . . . tt:lc6 ! ? , the exchange sacrifice 8 . axb4 'li'xa 1 9.tt:lf3 needs looking at more closely. 9 ... e6 9 . . . b 5 ! ? J O .gb3 � a6 brings the queen back to safe pas tures. 1 O.d6 I 0 . 0 - 0 is answered by I O . . . cxdS ! I . tt:l b S gxb4 1 2 . tt:l c 7 + �e7 1 3 .c3 gcS oo ; I O . dxc6 gxb4 l l . cxb 7 ? gxc3 + 1 2 . bx c 3 .2.xb 7 J 3 .gbS + �e7 1 4 . 0 - 0 l:thd8 I S .�e2 'iYxc 3-+ Helstroffer- I . Schneider, Schwabisch Gmii.nd 2 0 0 8 . 1 0 ... .2.xd6 1 1 .0 - 0 (Perez Rodriguez-Hernando Rodr i g o , Villa de Albox 2 0 0 2 ) 1 1 ... £xb4 with unclear play ; A 2 4 2 ) 8 . dxc6 �xc6 9 . gd2 .2.g4 9 . . . �c5 I O .gd3 gfS J J .ge3 �aS 1 2 . b4 �eS 1 3 .tt:lf3 �xc3 + 1 4 .£d2 �b2 I S .gxfS (Parligras-I . Schneider, Thessaloniki 2 0 0 7 ) I S . . . g 6 may also be playable. 1 O.f3 gfS 1 1 .�ge2 and now 1 1 . .. �c5 would have given Black good play in R. Gonzalez-Prampen, Cien fuegos 1 9 9 8 ; B) 6.tt:lf3 ? ! .2.g4 normally arises after the move order 5 .tt:lf3 tt:lc6 6 .gc4 ? ! gg4. White's centre is coming under strong pressure and he is already fight ing for equality :
C h a p t e r 1 8 : T h e o re t i c a l Appen d i x
Ana lysis d i agram
Ana lysis d i agram
B I ) 7 .dS 0 - 0 - 0 8 .�d2 8 . h 3 �hS 9 . g 4 � g 6 I O . �d2 tLl b 4 l l .�b3 'ii' a 6 ! + and the d S pawn falls. S . . . tLl e S 9 . .ii e 2
C l ) 8 ... c5 ! ? 9 . .iixd4 9 . tLlxd4 ? ! 'tWb4+ I O . 'ti'd 2 'ifxc4 l l . tLlb3 �fS 1 2 . tLlxc5 b 6 + , McDaniel-Kolbaek, Haifa Olym piad 1 9 7 6 . 9 ... cxd4 1 0.�xd4 'ii' xd4 l l .lLlxd4 a6 is somewhat better for Black on account of the bishop pair; C2) 8 ... e 5 ! ? gives Black good chances of an advantage, one point being 9.c3
.ii x f3
1 o . �xf3
e6
1 1 . dxe6
(Heinemann-Michna , Hamburg 1 9 9 2 ) 1 l . . . .ii b 4
n Ji'e 2
lhd2
1 3 .'i h d 2
1 3 . Wx d 2 �xc 3 + 1 4 . bx c 3 l:. d 8 + I S . W c l 'ii' a 3 + 1 6 . �b l l:!. d 6 -+ . 1 3 . . . tLlxf3 + 1 4 . gxf3 l:. d 8 1 S .'ii' c l �xc 3 + 1 6 .bxc 3 'ii' x c 3 + 1 7 . Wfl 'i!Vxf3 1 8 .l:.g 1 tLlg4+ ; B2) 7 . 0 - 0 0 - 0 - 0 8.�e3 eS 9.d5 e4+ ; B 3 ) 7 .�e 3 e S 7 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 ! ? . 8 . dxe 5 tLlxeS 9.�e2 l:.d8 1 O.lLld2 �b4 t ; B4) 7 .�bS 0 - 0 - 0 7 . . . lLl e4 ! ? . 8.�xc6 bxc6 9.h3 �hS 1 0 .'ili'd3 �xf3 l l .gxf3 eS t , Kotz-Lendwai , Graz 1 9 9 4 ;
B S ) 7.h3 'ifh5 B S I ) 8 . � e 3 �xf3 9 . gxf3 e 6 =F , Gaj ic-Haar, Biel 1 9 9 3 ; B 5 2 ) 8 . � e 2 0 - 0 - 0 9 . �f4 �xf3 ! 9 . . . tLlxd4 ? ! I O . lLlxd4 �xe2 l ! .'ii' x e 2 l:rxd4 1 2 .'i¥xh5 lLlxhS 1 3 .�xc7 e 6 = , Shetty-Sulskis, Dubai 2 0 0 2 . 1 0.�xf3
�c6 ! ;
C3)
S ... 'i!VaS +
9 . ..td2 'illb 6
1 0 . .iie 3
( '/2- 1/2, Langrock-Wanzek, Ger many Oberliga 2 0 0 1 / 0 2 ) 1 1 .�d2 '/2- 1/2 ,
'iVaS +
Spielmann-Mieses , St Petersburg 1 9 0 9 ; D ) 6 .�f4 �g4 7.f3 0 - 0 - 0 8.fxg4? 8 . �d2 �hS =F . 8 ... l:.xd4 9 .'i¥f3 l:.xc4 1 O.tt:Je2 eS l l .�gS tLld4+ , Leite-Silva , Faro 1 9 9 8 . Back to the main line : after 6 . tLle2 there now are 6 . . . �g4 (see section 1 8 . 1 1 ) , 6 . . . �fS , as well as the surprising 6 ... �e6 !?
'ti'fS ! l l .�xc6 'ti'xf4 1 2 .tLle2 'ti'gs 1 3 .�f3 eS t ; C) 6 . .ii d 2 ? ! tLlxd4 7 . tLl b 5 7 . tLl f3
lLlxf3 + 8 .'ti'xf3 � is what Hannes had originally planned for 6 .�d2 , but of course there follows 7 . . . 'i¥ c S ! + . 7 ... 'ti'b6 8 .�e3 Black can take a draw or strive for something more : 345
T h e M o d ern S c a n d i n a v i a n
This move was already played in 1 9 0 9 ( ! ) by Jacques Mieses. At first sight it appears paradoxical : after the ex change on e 6 the black pawn structure does not leave a good impression . However, Black quickly gets to castle queenside and on top of that gets two shots at the lever e S .
claim a n advantag e : 9 . . . eS 1 O.dxeS (F. Roder- Schweiger, Vorra 1 990) 1 o . . :t!lhe s 1 1 . 0 - 0 e 6 n J :te 1 1 3 .tLlg3 �g6 1 4.�f4 ttJdS = ; B) The active 8.tt:lf4 ? ! i s a bit
'if fs
like a boomerang : 8 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 ! 9 .t2Jxe6 lld6 1 0 .lLJcS I O .'fie2 'fifs l l . d S ttJxdS 1 2 . ttJx d S 'fixdS 1 3 . ttJ f4 'fifs =F . 1 o ... t2Jxd4 1 1 .tLld3 'iffs 1 2 . 0 - 0 es t .
7.�xe6 The critical move . 7 .�bS � d 7 7 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 ! ?. 8 .�d2 8 .d5 ttJb4 9 .�xd 7 + ttJxd7 I O . a 3 ttJf6 = , Euler-Friedrich, Germany 1 9 9 2 / 9 3 . 8 0-0-0 9.a4 t2Jb4 .•.
1 O .tt:la2 eS 1 1 .lLJxb4 �xb4 1 2 .c3 �e 7 1 3 .0-0 (T.Horvath-Raffalt, Graz 1 9 9 2 ) 1 3 . . .exd4 1 4.ttJxd4 c 6 1 s .�c4 �g4 1 6 JWc2 �d6 -=t
7. . .fxe6
A.Peters-R.Koopmann , Germany Ober liga 1 9 9 7 / 9 8 ; C ) 8 . 0 - 0 0 - 0 - 0 and now : C l ) 9 .'�' e 1 eS 1 0 .dxeS 'fixeS 1 1 .�e3 (Kruszynski-Chrapkowski , Bydgoszcz ch-POL 1 9 7 6) 1 1 ... e6 = ; C 2 ) 9 .'�' d 3 ! ? 'll!V fs 1 0 . 'll!V c4 ttJ d s 1 1 .�e3 g6= / ;!; , D. Rosen-Zeidler, Eng land tt- 2 2 0 0 1 / 0 2 ; C 3 ) 9.�e3 eS 1 0.'ll!Vd 3 (H.Hoffmann Harzer, Germany 1 9 9 8 / 9 9 ) 1 0 . . . e6 1 1 .'ll!Vc4 lLJdS 1 2 .a3 'll!Vb 6 1 3 .ttJa4 'll!Vas 1 4.llad 1 t2Jxe3 1 S .fxe3 'll!Vd S 1 6.'ll!VxdS exdS 1 7.t2Jac3 exd4=
8 ... 0-0-0 9.0-0 g6 1 0.ttJb1 I O .�e3 ? ! ttJg4 l l .'fid2 �g 7 1 2 . llad l e S ! 3 . fxe 5 ttJcxe S t .
8.f4 !? This as yet untested move deserves some attention . White prevents . . . e 6 - e 5 and tries t o keep the position static, i n order t o be able t o exploit Black's weak nesses once White completes his devel opment. However, his good development and the possibility of exploiting the squares dS and fS give Black counterplay. A) The set-up 8.�e3 0 - 0 - 0 9 .'i¥c 1 deals with the pressure on the d-file, but is not active enough to be able to 346
The aggressive 1 O ... e S ! ? 1 1 .fxeS ttJxeS 1 2 .t2Jd2 1 2 .c3 'fia6 1 3 . ttJd2 ttJed7 1 4. tLlf3 e S I S .�g S �g 7 -=t . 1 2 ...'fi b 6 is also worth considering. Two sample variations : A) 1 3 . a4 �h6 1 4 . .!l a 3 �xd2 1 s .�xd2 ttJc4 1 6 .l::r b 3 'll!V c 6 ; B) 1 3 .c3 �h6 1 4.t2Jg3 �e 3 + 1 S . 'lt>h 1 �xd2 1 6 .�xd2 ttJc4 1 7 .�gS 'll!V xb 2 1 8 .'fid3 'fibs 1 9 .�xf6 exf6 2 0 . llxf6 'tWds
1 1 .c3 �h5 1 2.�e1 ttJg4 1 3.h3 ttJh6 1 4.ttJd2 'fid5 1 5.ttJf3 ttJf5=/;!;
C h a p t e r 1 8 : T h e o re t i c a l Ap p en d i x
1 8 . 1 0 4.d4 l2Jf6 5 .�c4 �g4 ! ? 1 .e4 d 5 2.exd5 'i¥xd5 3.t2J c3 'i¥a5 4.d4 tL:lf6 5.�c4 �g41?
Provoking f2 - f3 has both advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, White 's king 's knight no longer has its most natural developing square avail able. As a result, variations with a rapid tL:l g 1 -f3 -eS followed by g 2 -g4, h2 -h4, to harass the Scandinavian bishop, are avoided. On the other hand, Black must take care that he is not j umping from the frying pan into the fire, since f2 -f3 enables a rapid g 2 -g4, h2 -h4 and tLl f4 , also with play against the Scandinavian bishop. In this line, Black can 't usually afford to develop with . . . c7 -c6 since it is too slow. Typically, . . . tLlc6 with pressure against d4 is the correct way to proceed. 6.f3 is treated under S . . . tLlc6 6 . tLl f3 ? 1 �g4 (section 1 8 . 9 ) . 6.tt::l e 2 is the subj ect of the next section .
6.tt:lf3 ? ! tLlc6
6 ... �f5 The interesting alternative 6 ... �h5 ! ? 7 . tLl e 2 ( 7 . � d 2 'iY b 6 8 . tLl g e 2 e 6 ( 8 . . . tLlbd 7 ! ?) 9 .�e3 c 6 1 O .'i¥d2 tLldS
1 1 . 0 - 0 - 0 tLld7 = , Ciuksyte-Kosteniuk , Elista Olympiad 1 9 9 8 ) 7 ... tt:lc6 is cov ered under 6 . tLl e 2 tLlc6 7 . f3 �hS (sec tion 1 8. 1 1 ) .
7.tL:le2 The alternatives are : A) 7 .g4 �g6 and now : A I ) 8 . � d 2 'iY b 6 9 . g 5 9 . h4 h 6 1 o . 'i¥e 2 tLlc6 l l . tLla4 Vi'xd4 1 2 . 0 - 0 - 0 0 - 0 - 0 1 3 . tLlh3 'iY e S ( A . Kogan-Pri e , Spain 2 0 0 7 ) 1 4 .'i1Vf2 'Yi' d 4 1 S . 'Yi'fl ? tL:lxg4 1 6 . fxg4 'iYe4-+ Prie . 9 .. .'iVxd4 I O.'t/Ve2 �h4+ I I . �fl tt::l fd 7 Nataf's l l . . . tLlc6 1 2 . gxf6 0 - 0 - 0 is interesting as well . I 2 . tt::l d 5 �dS I 3 . tt::l f4 e6 I 4 . tt::l gh 3 � fS = Mull o n - Pr i e , St Affrique 2 0 0 7 ; A2) 8 .h4 h6 9.tLle2 9 . tLlh3 tLlc6 � . 9 ... tt:lbd7 9 . . . tLlc6 ! ? . I O .tt::l f4 I O . �d2 'li'b6 l l . tLl f4 0-0-0 1 2 . tLlxg6 fxg 6 1 3 .'iWe2 e S (Larrea-Soppe, Ciudad del Este 2 0 0 8 ) 1 4. dxe S tL:lxeS I 5 . 0 - 0 - 0 tL:l x c 4 1 6 . 't!Vxc4 � b 4 1 7 . .l:.he I :t . I O . . .e S
I I . tt::l xg6
fxg6
I 2 . �d2
(Hayrapetian-L Ilic, Kallithea 2 0 0 8 )
-
I 2 ...0-0-0 � ; A 3 ) 8.f4 e6 9.f5 9 .�d2 Vi'b4 I O . 'li'e2 tLlc6 � . 9 ... exf5 I O .�e 2 + �e 7 I I ..td2 �b6 I 2 .g5 �hS I 3 .tLlf3 tLle4 I 4.tLlxe4 tLlc6= (Houska) ;
347
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
B ) 7.�d2 'iYb6 S .t2l ge2 8 .'ife2 tLlc6 9 . tLla4 'iYxd4 I O .�c3 'iYh4+ l l . g 3 'iYg S oo Nataf-Bauer, Aix -les-Bains ch-FRA 2 0 0 7 . 8 ... tLlbd 7 8 . . . e 6 see be low. 9 .g4 � g 6 1 0.h4 ? ! 'tWc6 ! 1 1 .hS 'ii'x f3 ? ! I l . . .�xhS is critical and seems to be at least OK for Black. 1 2 .l:f.fl 'iYg2 1 3 JH'2 'iYh 1 + 1 4.l:tf1 'ii'h 4+ 1 s .l:tf2 'ii' h 1 + 1 6 .l:H 1 1/2- 1/2 , Boudre - Pri e ,
Rochefort 2 0 0 9 . 8 .£d2 .
7 e6! ...
This move can turn out to be very use ful against aggressive white kingside play, since it opens the path for the f8 bishop. Alternatives: A) 7 c6 ? ! 8 .g4 �g6 9 .t2l f4 9 .h4 h6 I O . tLl f4 �h 7 I I .'ii' e 2 tLla6 I L� e 3 tLlb4 1 3.. �b3 tLlfd S 1 4.tLlfxdS tLlxdS I S . .£d2 tLlxc3 I 6 .�xc3 � . Palac-Prie, Nice I 9 94. 9 ... tLlbd 7 1 0 .h4 e S 1 1 .hS .•.
�fs 1 2 .gxfS exf4 1 3 . 'ii' d 3 'ii' c 7 1 4.'ii' e 2 + with a n attack for White in
Yudasin-011 , Dos Hermanas I 9 9 2 ; B ) 7 . t2l c 6 ? ! 8 . �d2 0 - 0 - 0 9 . a 3 ! . •
tLlxd4 1 O.t2:Jxd4 lhd4 1 I .tiJbS .l:rxd2 1 2 .'iYxd2 'ii'xd2 + 1 3 .Wxd2 a6 1 4.tLld4
with a substantial advantage for White in Palac-Tasic, Nice I 9 9 4 ; C ) 7 . . .t2Jbd7 i s perhaps better than its reputation, see Kavalek-Larsen (Game 2 . I 3 0) . 348
Also critical is the immediate mobiliza tion of the white kingside pawns : A) 8 . g4 ! ? .£g6 9 .h4 h6 9 . . . h 5 ? I O . tLl f4 .£h 7 I l . g S ± . 1 O.tLlf4 I O .�e3 tLlbd7 I I .�d3 �xd3 I 2 .'tWxd3 0 - 0 - 0 I 3 . 'iY b S 'iYxb S I 4 . tLl x b 5 tLl d S = , Znamenacek-Vavruska, Czech tt I 9 9 2 . 1 O ... �h 7 1 1 .�d2 and now : A I ) 1 1 . .. 'ii'b 4? ! appears to be too risky : A I I ) After 1 2 .b3 tLlc6 1 3 .gS the complications seem to turn out in White 's favour : 1 3 ... hxgS I 3 . . . tLlxd4 I 4 . gx f6 tL:l xc 2 + I S . W e 2 tL:l x a i I 6 . 'iY x a i 0 - 0 - 0 I 7 . tLl e 4 . 1 4 .hxgS �xc 2 1 s . .l:rxh8 �xd 1 1 6 .gxf6 gxf6 1 7 .lhd 1 ; A I 2 ) 1 2 .'ii' e 2 t2Jc6 1 3 .�b s 0 - 0 - 0 1 4.�xc6 bxc6 1 5 . 0 - 0 - 0 lhd4 1 6 .gS
with an initiative for White ; A 2 ) 1 1 . . . 'iYb6 1 2 .dS 1 2 . 'iYe 2 ? ' is typically met by I 2 . . . tLlc6 ! . 1 2 e S .•.
1 3 . 'ii' e 2
t2J b d 7
1 4. 0 - 0 - 0
0-0-0
1 S .tLlg2 �b4 and Black is very close to equalizing ; B) 8 . 0 - 0 on the other hand is some what tame : 8 ... t2:Jbd7 8 . . . �e7 is also worth thinking of; 8 . . . tLlc6 ? ! 9 . a 3 0 - 0 - 0 I O .�e3 tLleS I I . b4 'iY b 6 I 2 . .£b3 � . 9 .t2:Jg3 �g6 1 O.f4 0 - 0 - 0 1 1 .fS exfS 1 2 .�d3 hS 1 3 .tLlxfS h4 with counter
play ;
C h a p t e r 1 8 : T h e o re t i c a l Appen d i x
C) S .tt::l g 3 �g6 9.�e2 tt::l c 6 1 0.�bS �b4 1 1 . �d2 0 - 0 1 2 . �xc6 bxc6 1 3 .tt:lce4 tt::l xe4 1 4.tt:lxe4 �xe4 1 5 .fxe4 1/1- 1/1 �xd 2 + 1 6 . �xd2 'i!fa6 Georgiadis-Simeonidis, Athens 2 0 0 8 .
A critical position i n the 6 . . . .if5 line. Black must now decide how to counter the threat 9 . tt:ld5 +- . 8 .. :iYb6! The correct move. Black keeps the active option tt:lc6 in reserve. In Franzen-Petreje , Slovakia tt 1 9 9 5 / 9 6 , Black seemed i n a hurry : 8 . . . h5 ? ? 9 . tt:ld5 1 - o . Also inaccurate i s 8 . . . c 6 ? ! 9 . g4 �g6 1 O . h4 with a strong initiative for White. 9.g4 1 2 .�e3 0-0-0 1 3 .'1t>f2? 1 3 .'iYd2 tt:la5 =F . 1 3 ...h 6 1 4.h4 tt:lxd4 1 5 .tt:la4 1 5 . tt:lxd4 c 5 - + . 1 S . . .'iYa6 1 6 . tt:l xd4 (Ortiz
Ourense
2009)
9 ... �g6 1 0.h4 1 O . tt:l f4 should be answered by 1 O . . . tt:lc6 1 1 . d5 tt:ld4 1 2 .tt:lxg6 hxg 6 1 3 . tt:la4 �d6 1 4 .�c3 exd5 =F . 1 0 ... h6
1 1 .a41? A) 1 1 . �b 3 tt:l c 6 ! 1 2 .�e 3 0 - 0 - 0 1 3 .�d2 �b4 1 4. 0 - 0 - 0 tt:lds with good counterplay in Movsesian- A . Kogan , Nova Gorica 2 0 0 0 ; B ) 1 1 .tt:lf4 �h 7 1 2 .d5 i s looked at under 8 . g4 ! ? . 1 1 ... a6 I I . . . tt:lc 6 7 1 2 . a 5 tt:lxa5 1 3 .l: h a 5 �xa 5 1 4.tt:ld5 ± . 1 2.�b3 1 2 . a 5 ? 'il'c6 ! + .
9 . .ib 3 ? ! tt:lc6 1 0 .g4 �g6 1 1 .g5 tt:lhS
Suarez-Bauer, 1 6 . . . e 5-+ .
1 0 ... 'ifxb 2 ? 1 I ..ib3 and not only the queen is in difficulties : 1 t . . . 'iY a 3 1 1 . . . h 5 1 2 . tt:l b 5 tt:la6 ( 1 2 . . . �xc2 1 3 .�xc2 'il'xb 5 ? ? 1 4 . �a4+- ) 1 3 . l:rb 1 +- . 1 2 .h5 +-
1 2 ... tt:lbd7 1 3 .a5 'ifa7 1 4.�e3 0-0-0 1 5.'iYc1 The variation 1 5 .tt:lf4 e5 1 6 . tt:lxg 6 fxg 6 1 7 .'il'd2 exd4 1 8 .�xd4 �c5 1 9 . 0 - 0 - 0 .ixd4 2 0 . 'il'xd4 'il'xd4 2 1 . l:rxd4 tt:l e 5 leads t o a n even endgame. 1 5 ... �d6 1 6.'1t>f2 l:rhe8 1 7.tt:la4 tt:ldS<=t. A double-edged position with chances for both sides (Rosito-Rodriguez Vila , Villa Gesell 1 9 9 7 ) . 3 49
T h e Mod ern Scandinavian
1 8 . 1 1 4.d4 tt:Jf6 s .jLc4 jLg4 ! ? 6 .tbe2 1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'li'xd 5 3.tt:Jc3 'li'a5 4.d4 tt:Jf6 5.�c4 �g4!? 6.tt:Je2
9.d.xe5 tZ:lfd7 1 0.tt::l d4 �g6 1 l .e6 cxbS 1 2.exd7 tt:lxd7 1 3 .''ili'e 2+ �e7 1 4.'iYxbS 1 4.�g5 ! ?. 1 4...il.b4 1 S .il.d2;;!; ; C) 6 ... tt::l bd 7 ! ?
6 ...tt:Jc6 The most aggressive continuation. Black builds up pressure in the centre and plans to further strengthen that pressure with . . . 0-0-0 and . . . e7 -eS . Alternatives are : A) 6 ... e6 7 . 0 - 0 7 . �d2 'iVb6 8 . f3 �fs is a transposition to the main variation we have already discussed in section 1 8 . 1 0 ; 7 . f3 �fs 8 . g4 �g6 9 . h4 h6 I O . tZ:l f4 �h 7 l l . 'ii' e 2 (Steadman-Spain , Wanganui ch-NZL 2 0 0 6 / 0 7 ) and now the active 1 l . . . t2lc6 is called for. A I ) 7 ... �d6 8.£'3 �B 9.tt::l g 3 �g6 1 0.tZ:lce4;;!; , Ptacnikova-Dvocak, Moravka 1 9 94; A 2 ) 7 . . . tZ:l c 6 8 .f3 �fs 9 . a 3 0 - 0 - 0 1 0 .�e 3;;!; ; A 3 ) 7 c6 8 . f3 �fs 9 . tZ:l g 3 .2.g6 I O .'tiVe2 I O . f4 ! ? . 1 O . ./L'lbd7 1 I .t2lce4 tZ:lxe4 1 2 .t2lxe4 0 - 0 - 0 1 3 .c3 ;;!; , Muc •..
Wilczek, Poland tt 1 9 9 5 ; A4) 7 tZ:lbd 7 ! ? ; A S ) 7 ... il.e 7 ! ? ; B ) 6 ... e5 ? ! 7.f3 7 .clxeS ? ! 'iVxeS 8 .�f4 'iYxf4 9 .tZ:lxf4 �xd l 1 0 Jhd l il.b4= Garbisu de Goni-Mellado Trivino, Pamplona 1 9 9 6 . 7 ... �£5 8.�b5 + c6 .••
350
7.f3 White should reduce the pressure on his centre with this move. If not , he can very quickly be at a disadvantage, as the following variations show : A) 7 . il.d2 0-0-0 7 . . . tZ:lxd4 ? ? 8 . tZ:lb5 +- . 8.f3 �hS - see 7 . f3 . B) 7 . 0 - 0 ? ! 0 - 0 - 0 is trouble for White : B 1 ) 8.�e3 tt::l xd4 8 . . . e 5 ! ? . 9.�xd4 eS =F , Padurariu-Codina Tormo, Oropesa del Mar jr 1 9 9 8 ; B 2 ) 8 .�xf7 ? tt:lxd4 9 .'ihd4 lhd4 1 O .tt:lxd4 eS + , Dubois-Sulskis, Cappelle Ia Grande 2 0 0 1 ; B 3 ) 8.f3 �hS 8 . . . �f5 ! ? . 9 .il.e3 eS =F , Wallace-Dannevig , Hallsberg 1 9 9 3 . C ) 7.�e 3 ? ! 0 - 0 - 0 7 . . . e 5 ! ? . 8.£'3 eS 9 .�d2 9 . fxg4 exd4 I O . tZ:lxd4 �cS + . 9 . . . �fs 1 0 . tt:J d s 'i¥a4 1 l .b 3 'iY a 3 1 2 .t2lxf6 gxf6 1 3 .d5 tt::l b 4+ , Tupy-Oral ,
Usti nad Labem ch-CZE 1 9 9 4 . D) 7 .�f4? fails t o 7 . . .�xe2 ! 8 .'ii'xe2 8 .�xe2 0 - 0 - 0 + . 8 ... tZ:lxd4 9.'ti'd3 0-0-0 1 O .il.x£7 eS 1 1 .�d2 l:td7 1 2 .�c4 il.b4+ 1 3 .a3 e4 1 4.tt::l xe4 il.xd2+ 1 s .tt:Jxd2 tt:lc6 1 6 .�e6 l:te8-+ .
C h a p t e r I 8 : T h e o re t i c a l Appen d i x
8 ... 0-0-0 9.a3 Threatens I O . tt::l d S 'iVa+ I I .b 3 and the black queen no longer has the a 3 -square. So Black doesn't have a lot of choice. 9 . tt::l d S i s not dangerous : 9 .. .'ii'a4 1 0 .�b3 I O . b 3 'iYa3 I I . tt::l xf6 gxf6 I 2 . tt::l f4 1/2- 1/2, Rogic-Golubovic , Pula 2 0 0 0 . 1 0 ... '1Wa6 1 1 .tt::l xf6 gxf6 1 2 .dS 7.. . �h5 A) 7 ... �f5 ? ! is inaccurate on account of 8 .�d2 0 - 0 - 0 9.a3 t!Jxd4 1 0.tt::l xd4 llxd4 1 1 .tt::l b S 'ti'b6 1 2 .tt::l xd4 'ii'xd4
tt::l a S 1 3 . tt::l f4 .tg6 1 4.'ti'e2 'iYxe 2 + 1 S . �xe2 tt::l xb 3 1 6 .axb 3 a 6 1 7 .c4 1/2- 1/2 ,
Hamdouchi-Tkachiev, French tt I 9 9 9 . 9 ... tt::l x d4
and now in contrast to the main varia tion, White simply has 1 3 .�xf7 ± ; B) 7 . . .�e6 however, needs special at tention , e . g. 8 .�xe6 fxe6 9 .�e 3 0 - 0 - 0 1 0.'ti'c l eS 1 1 .dxeS tt::l xeS 1 2 . 0 - 0 tt::l c4 1 3 .�£'2 eS 1 4.'ii' g s tt::l x b2 1 s .llab 1 ,
Bologan-Tomczak, Warsaw rapid 2 0 0 6 , and after 1 S ... tt::l c4 White 's compensa tion is very questionable. 8.�d 2 ! The critical test. N o t only does this move set up discovered attacks with the knight, but it also places a protective piece between the white queen and the black rook, which will soon appear on d8 . 8 .�e3 e S 9 .�bs 0 - 0 - 0 <=t .
1 0.tt::l b 5?1 More accurate is 1 O .tt::l xd4! llxd4 Not I O . . . 'iYcs ? 1 I . tt::l e 6 ± . 1 1 .tt::l b s 'iYb6 See I O . tt::l b S li'b6 I I . tt::l bxd4 llxd4. I I . . . llxd2 ? 1 I 2 . 'iYx d 2 'iYxd 2 + I 3 .'.ti)xd2 ;t / ± , or I I . . . 'iYa6 ? I 2 .'iYe2 Uxc4 I 3 . 'iYxc4 c6 I 4. a4 ! ± . 1 o ... 'iYb6 1 1 .tt::l bxd4 llxd4 This is critical in any case, since White can force this position with I O . tt::l x d4. After 1 1 ... eS ! ? play can go as follows: A) 1 2 .tt::l fS e 4 1 3 .tt::l e g3 � c S I 3 . . . exf3 1 4. gxf3 lle8 + I S .�fl 'iYc6 � . 1 4.b4 and instead of I 4 . . . �g I ? , the move 1 4 ... �£'2 + ! ? would be a better choice, e . g. l S .�fl e 3 � . Palac-Tkachiev, Pula I 999; 351
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
B ) 1 2 .g4 £g6 1 2 . . . t2Jxg4 1 3 . fxg4 li.xg4 1 4 . t2J b S a 6 I S . t2J b c 3 Jl. e 7 1 6 . �c I �c6� Morozevich. l 3 .gS and now Morozevi ch- Tkachi ev, Delhi / Teheran 2 0 0 0 , continued I 3 ..Jh d4 1 4.t2Jxd4 �xd4 I S .�e2 �h4+ , with unclear play. 1 2 .t2Jxd4 �xd4 1 3 .�e2 �xb2 1 4.0-0 e6
So far Black 's results in this position are quite good. White hopes for attacking chances down the semi-open b-file ; Black would like to move to an endgame be cause of his better pawn structure. 1 5 . .l:i. a b 1
This move from Mitkov-Golubovic, Pula zt 2 0 0 0 , is the critical test. I S .�f2 t2Jd7 1 6 .Ji.e3 �c3 1 7 . Ji.bS c6 1 8 . Jl.d4 7 ' �xd4 ' 1 9 . �xd4 Jl.c s 2 0 . �x c S tLJ x c S 2 1 . Ji. e 2 � g 6 + . Rowson-Hodgson , Southend 2 0 0 I . 1 5 ... Jl.c5+ 1 6 . W h 1
1 6 . Ji.e 3 �eS 1 7 .£xeS �xe S + 1 8 . Wh I l:rd8 and Black has compensation for the exchange. 1 6 ... � d4
The cheeky pawn grab 1 6 ... �xa 3 ? ! is definitely taking things too far: A) 1 7 J � b 3 ? ! � a 4 I S . � fb l Ji. b 6 1 9 .it.e3 .l:i. d 8 1 9 . . . Jl.xe 3 7 2 0 . lhb7 +- . 2 0 .Ji.bS 2 0 .ii!.xb6 cxb6 2 1 J lc3 Wh8 oo . 2 0 . . . 'tW a 2 2 1 . £xb 6 �dS oo ; B ) 1 7 . � e S Ji.d6 1 9 .�b 3 1 9 . �xa6
axb 6
2 2 . 1l 3 b 2
I S . 'tWb s
�a6
bxa6 2 0 . Jl.xa 6 + 'it>d7 2 l . l:t b 7 .ti.a8 2 2 .c4 t . 1 9 ... �c6 2 0 .Ji.e3 b6 2 I .Ji.bs �ds 2 2 .�a4-+ .
1 7J:tb3
352
1 7... t2J d 5 1
It seems that this is the only way Black can hope to survive : A) 1 7 ... Ji.g6 ? 1 8 .Ji.c3 �h4 1 9 .Ji.xf6 �xf6 2 0 . .l:i.xb 7 ;
B ) 1 7 . . .Ji.b6 ? 1 8 .a4 a S I 9 . .!:lbs llds 2 0 .Jl.xaS �e3 2 I .il.xb6 �xe 2 2 2 .il.xe2 cxb6 2 3 . l::!. x b6 ; C) 1 7 . . . Ji.d6 ? 1 8 .Ji.c 3 �h4 1 9 .g4 �g6 2 0 .Ji.xf6 �xf6 2 1 Jhb 7
leads to a
violent white attack each time. 1 8.Ji.a6
A) 1 8 . c 3 'iVh4 1 9 .Ji.e l 1 9 Jh h 7 Wxb 7 2 0 .Ji.a6+ 'lt>c6 2 1 .�b S + \t>d6 2 2 .Ji.b7 Jl.e3 2 3 .Ji.xe3 t2Jxe3 24.�c6+ We? 2 S .�cS + Wf6 2 6 .�xe3 Ji.g 6 . 1 9 ... �e7 2 0 . .!::!. xb 7 Wxb 7 2 I .Ji.a6 + Wc6 2 2 .�bS + Wd6 2 3 .£b 7 �e8 24.il.g3 + eS 2 S .il.xe S + �xe S 2 6 .�c6+ We ? 2 7 .�xcS + �d6 2 8 ..!::t e l + Wd7 29 .�aS c6 3 0 .c4 c'2Jf6 3 l .�xa7 .l:i.b8 ; B) I S .�xdS exdS 1 9 . � b S b 6 2 0 .�c6 W b 8 2 I .£f4 'llf xf4 2 2 .'ihds Ji.d6 H .'llf xhs g6 24.'lWh3 rs
1 8 ... bxa 6 1 9.'1Wxa 6+ wd7 20.�d3 �b2 21 .c4 il.g6 2 2 .cxd 5 Ji.xd 3 23 .dxe6+ fxe6 24.�xd 3+ �d4 25.'1Wb3t
Unfortunately, it can 't be ruled out completely that this variation will turn out to be too risky for Black.
C h a p t e r 18 : T h e o re t i c a l App en d i x
1 8 . 1 2 4.d4 tt:Jf6 5 .�d2 1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'ti'xd5 3.tt::l c 3 'iVa5 4.d4 tt::l f6 5.�d 2
B 1 ) 7 ... �xf3 ? ! 7 . . . e 6 ! ? . 8.�xf3 tt:lc6 9 . tt::l e 2 ? ! 0 - 0 - 0 1 0 . 0 - 0 e 5 = , S . Nikolic-Planinc , Novi Travnik ch-YUG 1 9 6 9 . 9 . . .tt:ld4 1 0 . 0 - 0 0 - 0 - 0 1 1 .�e3 eS 1 2 .dxe6 fxe6 1 3 J4e 1 eS 1 4/t:le4 gives White a dangerous initiative ; B 2 ) 7 . . . c6 S .tt:l e S �xe 2 9 . 'ti'xe 2 'iVxd4 9 . . . tt::l b d 7 ! ? . 1 0 . 0 - 0 - 0 tt:l b d 7 9 .dS
1 1 .f4 e6 1 2 .�e3 'ifb4oo .
S .�d3 is less dangerous. In many I .e4 openings the white bishop stands well on d3 , but against the Scandinavian this development is not very effective, see for example the game Schiffers Tarrasch (Game 2 . 1 3 2 ) . After 5 . �d2 , Black again has to decide what to do against the Kupreichik line. I f Black does not wish to use 5 . . . c 6 , h e can c h o o s e be tween 5 . . . tt::l c 6 , 5 . . . 'iV b 6 and 5 . . . � g 4 . 5 . . . tt::l c 6 leads after 6 . tt::l f3 t o the line 5 . tt::l f3 tt::l c 6 6 . �d2 , considered to be advantageous for White.
5 ...�g41? s ...'iV b 6 has so far worked quite well in praxis , one example being : 6 .tt::l f3 �g4 6 . . . �f5 7 .�c4 c6 transposes to the vari ation 5 .�c4 c6 6 . �d2 'ti'b6 7 . tt::l f3 , see section 1 8 . 8 : A) 7 .h 3 ! ? �xf3 7 . . . �h5 ! ? . 8 .'iVxf3 c6 9 . 0 - 0 - 0 e6 and White is a bit better on account of the bishop pair, but Black 's position is pretty solid , e . g. I O . �e 3 tt::l b d7 1 l . g4 ( 1 1 . d5 �c5 ) 1 1 . . . tt::l d 5 ; B) 7 .�e2
6.f3 A) 6 .�e2 �xe2 A I ) 7.tt:lgxe2 tt:lc6 7 . . . tt:lbd 7 ! ? . 8 . 0 - 0 ( 8 .tt:le4 ? ! 'ti'd5 is a good example of the theme of the return . . . 'ti'd5 -a5 -d5 : 9 . tt::l xf6 + gxf6 I O . �f4 0 - 0 - 0 =F , Bordos-P6th, Zalakaros 1 9 9 5 ) and now 8 ... 0 - 0 - 0 or S ... 'iVhS ! ? , in each case with counterplay for Black; A2) 7.'ti'xe2 tt:lc6 7 . . . tt::l b d 7 ! ? . 8 .tt:lf3 e6= , Perlis-Mieses, Wien 1 9 0 8 ; B) 6.tt:lf3 c 6 6 . . . tt:lc6 7 . tt::l b 5 ! leads to a difficult variation for Black of the 5 . tt::l f3 tt::l c 6 system; 6 . . . tt:lbd 7 , 6 . . . e6 and 6 . . . 'il:fb6 are worth considering. 7 .h3 �hs s .g4 �g6 9.tt:les tt:lbd7 1 O.f4 e6 1 1 .�c4oo , Cosoi-Varas Gonzalez ,
Santiago I 9 9 4 ; C) 6 . tt:l e4 �xd 1 6 . . . 'i:Vf5 1 ? . 7 . tt:lxf6 + exf6 S . �xaS �xc2 9 . l::!: c 1 �e4 1 O . �xc 7 ( 0 ' Siochru-Wiese-Jozwiak ,
353
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
Thessaloniki I O . . . tt::l c 6 = .
Olympiad
1 988)
6 ... �f5 6 . . . �h5 ! ? . 7.g4 7 .�c4 transposes to section 1 8 . I 0 . 7... �g6 7 . . . �d7 ! ? .
8 .. tt::l c 6 .
A) 8 ... e6 9 .h4 h6 9 . . . h 5 ? ! I O . tt::l f4 ( I O . g S tt::l d S l i . tt::l x dS 'ti'xdS 1 2 . tt::l f4 'ti'd6oo) I O . . . �d6 l l .�bS + ! ( I I .tLlbS 'iYb6 1 2 . tt::l x d6 'ti'xd6 1 3 . g 5 tt::l d s 1 4.tt::l x g6 'iYg3 I S .We2 fxg 6 t (Finkel) ; l l . tt::l x g 6 ? � g 3 + 1 2 . W e 2 fxg 6 oo , Bokan-Mukhutdinov, Moscow 1 9 9 0 ) I I . . . c 6 1 2 . tt::l x g 6 fxg 6 1 3 . 'ti'e 2 t .
8.tt::l g e2 A) The direct 8.f4 ! is very danger ous , as Eric Prie has shown : 8 . . . e6 9 . fS ! 9 . �g 2 ? ! 'ti'a6 ( 9 . . . 'ti'b6 ' ?) I O . g S tt::l fd 7 l l . d S � d 6 ( I I . . . � c S ! ? ) 1 2 . 'iY e 2 'tWxe 2 + 1 3 . tt::l gxe 2 e x d S 1 4 . tt::l x d 5 tt::l c 6 = Lanka-Bacro t , Linz 1 9 9 7 . 9 . . . exfS I O . g S After I O . 'iYe 2 + ? ! Houska 's I O . . . W d 7 is very interesting. A sample line runs l l . g S tt::l c 6 1 2 . gxf6 � e 8 1 3 .�e3 �a3 1 4.'ti'b5 �xe 3 + I S . W d 2 'ti'xb S 1 6 . tt::l x b 5 � x b 2 1 7 . �b l f4 1 8 . tt::l e 2 a 6 . I O . . . tt::l fd 7
I O .tt::l f4 �d6 I I .tt::l b S 'ii'b 6 I 2 .c4 a6 1 3 .cS 'i:Yc6 I 4.tt::l x d6 + cxd6 I S . tt:lxg6 fxg6 I 6 .'iYc2 'lt> f7 t ; B) 8 . . .tt:la6 ! ? is interesting, e.g. 9.tt:lf4 0-0-0 I O.h4 eS I l .dxeS 'iYxe S + 1 2.'ife2 'ii'xe2 + 1 3 .�xe2 �xc2 I 4.fu6 bxa6 I S .l:tc l �d3 I 6.gS tt:le8 I 7.tt:lxd3 l:txd3 I 8.We2 l:td7 I 9.tt:le4 fS =
9.a3
I I .'ii' e 2 + 'lt>d8 I 2 . 0 - 0 - 0 f4 I 3 .�h 3
and White 's initiative is worth more than the pawn ; B) 8 .h4 h6 9 .tt::l g e2 9 . f4 tt::l c 6 1 O . fs �h 7 l l .�bS 0 - 0 - 0 1 2 . �xc6 bxc6 1 3 .'iYf3 e 6 1 4.'ifxc6 (Ashton-Prie, Cap d ' Agde 2 0 0 8 ) 1 4 . . . 'ti' b 6 = . 9 . . . tt::l c 6 I O.a3 a 6 oo
354
9 ... a 6 1 To control b S and allow . . . 'ti'b6-a 7 . 1 O.h4 h6 1 1 .tt::l f4 O·O·Ooo
C h a p t e r 1 8 : T h e o r e t i c a l Appen d i x
1 8 . 1 3 4.g3 ! ? and other options for White on move 4 1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'ifxd5 3.t2Jc3 'if aS 4.g3!?
A 1 ) It is possible to develop the bishop with s ... �g4 6 .f3 �d7 7 .�d2 'ti'b6 s .'ti'e2 8 . f4 �e6 9 .�xe6 �xe 6 + 1 O . t2J g e 2 t2J c 6 = Houska. 8 . . J2J c 6 9 . 0 - 0 - 0 tbd4 l O .�eS e 6 I I .tt:ie4 tt:lxe4 1 2 . dxe4 (Mamedyarov-Prie , France 2 0 0 7 ) 1 2 ... f6 1 3 .'i¥h5 + g6 1 4.'it'h4 eS I S .c3 �g 7 .
This is a positional line that Black play ers should be familiar with. White will move his d-pawn to d3 , which makes it more difficult than usual for Black to create counterplay in the centre. Also, depending on what Black does , White can try to attack on the queenside with b 2 -b4 etc. , or on the kingside with moves like h2-h3 , g 3 -g4 and f2 -f4. Other side lines for White deserving to be mentioned are : A) 4.�c4 tt:Jf6 S .d3 is a solid line against which Black should be able to equalize as the following examples show :
This position i s equal according t o Prie, as 1 6 . cxd4? runs into 1 6 . . . 'li'c6 1 7 . b3 bS ; A 2 ) S . . . c 6 6 .t2J e 2 6 . �d 2 'if c 7 ! ( 6 . . . �f5 ? ! 7 . l2J d 5 ! 'W d 8 8 . tb x f6 + gxf6 9 . t2J e 2 t2J d 7 1 0 . t2J g 3 �g 6 1 l . f4 fS 1 2.. �c 3 t was better for White in the game M o r t e ns e n - C u . H a n s e n (Game 1 0 . 2 ) ) 7 . 'i�V e 2 b S 8 . �b3 a S 8 . . . e 6 ! ? . 9 . a4 b 4 1 0 . tb e 4 t2J x e 4 1 I . 'ifxe4 e 6 I 2 ..� f4 � d 6 1 3 .�xd6 'il' x d 6 1 4 . tb f3 tb d 7 = A s t a n e h L o p e z - Kotroni a s , L i v e r p o o l 2 0 0 8 . 6 . . . g6 ! ? 7 . 0 - 0 �g 7 8 . tb g 3 0 - 0 9 . 'Yi' e 2 'il c 7 I O . l:. e l e 6 l l .a4 tt:Jbd 7 1 2 .a5 tLldS with a n even g a m e in
Leenhouts-Degraeve , Ghent 2 0 0 5 ; B) The Mieses Gambit 4.b4 ? ! is best met by 4 ... 'i¥xb4 s .l:.b l 'i�Vd6 6 .d4 tt:Jf6 7.tt::l f3 a6 !
Now it is hard for White to prove suffi cient compensation for the pawn, as witness : 8.g3 8 . �d3 is answered by 8 . . . g 6 Emms 8 ... b6 9 .�g2 �b 7 1 0 . 0 - 0 e6 I I .tbeS .ixg2 1 2 . Wxg2 Yi.. e 7 1 3 .'i¥f3 l:.a7 1 4J:td i o-o I S .�gs 'i!kds I 6 .h4 tt:lfd 7 1 7 .'it'g4 (Ivanets-Minakov, Kiev 2 0 0 5 ) 1 7 ...fs 1 8 .'i¥f4 �xgS 1 9 .hxg5 tt:lxe S 2 0 . dxe 5 'Yi' e 7 2 I . l:. d 3 tb c 6 2 2 . �h I l:.aaS (Houska) and Black is
certainly not worse. An alysis d i agram
4 ...t2Jf6 5.�g 2 g6!? 355
The Mod ern Scand i n a v i a n
6 . . . �f5 7 .b4! ? 'iVc7 8 . 0 - 0 e 6 9 J:tb 1 �e 7 I O .b 5 with an edge for White in Shabalov-Minasian (Game 1 1 . 3 ) . 7 .b4 For 7 .h3 �h5 8 .b4! ? see Lederer-Bitansky (Game 1 2 . 1 ) . 7 .'f!ic 7 8 . 0 - 0 e6 9 .b 5 ? ! White should not rush with this move. Better is 9 . l::r b 1 Jie 7 and only now I O .b 5 , as in Soltanici Gagunashvili , Istanbul 2 0 04. 6 ... �g4
••
With this counter-fianchetto Black has scored around 5 0% in more than 5 0 games. Next he will play . . . �g 7 and . . . 0 - 0 , and then he can decide if he wants to play the standard . . . c 7 -c 6 , . . . c 7 -c 5 ! ? , or per haps even something else. The standard set-up with . . . c7 -c6 and . . . �f5 might not be the best answer to the Fianchetto system. This is especially true since White can always play b2 -b4 with tempo, attacking the black queen, after . . . �f5 : s ... c6
Analysis d i agram
9 ... a6 ! 1 O .bxc6 tbxc6 and Black 's chances were not worse in Baklan Gelashvili (Game 1 2 . 2 ) . C) 6 .tbge2 �fS 7.b4 ! ? White scores well with this move and indeed Black has difficulties to fully equalize as the game Kovchan-Kobalia (Game 1 1 . 2 ) shows.
6.t2Jf3 .ig7 7.0-0 0-0 8.d3 'iVh51
Analysis d i agram
A) 6.h3 ! ? Preventing 6 . . . �g4. 6 �£'5 •.•
7.lbge2 e6 8 . 0 - 0 �d6 9.d3 0 - 0 1 o .�d2 'iVc7 1 1 .g4 ..Q.g6 1 2 .f4 was somewhat
better for White in Magem Badals Pomes Marcet (Game 1 1 . 1 ) . B) 6.tbf3 appears less natural than 6 . tb ge 2 . However, it i s played about a s often and is no less critical : 356
with equality i n Tiviakov-Ricardi (Game 1 1 . 4) .
C h a p t e r 1 8 : T h e o re t i c a l A p p en d i x
1 8 . 1 4 3 .d4 and 3 .lt:Jf3 1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'ti'xd5 3.tuf3 3 .d4 is
a major alternative.
Analysis d i agram
A) 3 ... e5 and now : A I ) 4.tt:lc3 is well met by 4 ... �b4 ! +% . After 5 .a 3 ? �xc 3 + 6 .bxc 3 tt:lc6 7.�e3 tt:lf6 Black was better in Ritscher Reefschlager (Game 1 3 . 2 ) ; A2) 4.dxe5 Al l ) 4 J!i'xd l + ! ? S .Wxd l tt:lc6 This offers Black sufficient compensation for the pawn and his position is easier to play than White 's. 6.f4 �fS 6 . . . f6 7 . exf6 ? ! tt:lxf6 8 .tt:l f3 �g4 9 .�e2 �c5 I O .�d2 0 - 0 - 0 was unpleasant for White as well , see Zvan-Marinsek (Game 1 3 . 4) . 7.c3 0 - 0 - 0 + S.We l f6 ! with a strong initiative for Black in De Firmian-Granda Zuniga (Game 1 3 . 5 ) ; A 2 2 ) 4 ... 1\VxeS + is also playable, but Black can hardly play for a win in this line and after 5 .�e2 ( 5 .'1Ve 2 7 White is clearly playing for a draw, but after 5 . . . 'ifxe 2 + 6 . �xe2 �fs 7 .c3 tt:lc6 8 .tt:lf3 0 - 0 - 0 9 . 0 - 0 tt:lf6 he found him self in a passive position and lost in only 2 4 moves (Dengler-Miiller, Game 1 4. 3 ) ) s ... �g4 ! 6.�e 3 ! he has to play exact moves in order to equalize, see Ziatdinov-Welling (Game 1 4. 1 ) . ••
A 3 ) 4.tt:lf3 ! ? After this move it is dif ficult for Black to create winning chances :
Analysi s d i agram
A3 1 ) 4 ... exd4 S .'ii' xd4 After S . tt:lxd4 ! ? Black is behind in development and has to play accurately to equalize, which he did not do in Sevillano-Wahls (Game 1 4. 2 ) . 5 ... 'ifxd4 Also after 5 . . . tt:lf6 6 .tt:lc3 'iVxd4 7 .tt:lxd4 Black should be OK, but not with 7 . . . a6? 8 .�f4 as seen in the game Lazic-Drazic (Game 1 4.4) . 6.tt:lxd4 �cS 6 . . . c6?! is too passive, see Ferenc H.Mortensen (Game 1 4. 5 ) . 7.tt:lb5 tt:la6 8.�f4 �fS ! Black has to play actively to keep the balance. This position is looked at in the analysis of the game Gomez-Fos Santacreu (Game 1 4.6) ; A3 2 ) 4 ... �g4? This natural move is a serious mistake. After 5 .�e2 exd4 ( 5 . . . tt:lc6 6 .c4 is also better for White, who won quickly in Kracht-Peterwitz (Game 1 3 . 3 ) ) 6 . tLl c 3 ! �b4 7 . 0 - 0 White had a huge lead i n development and a dangerous initiative in Eifler-Noll (Game 1 3 . 1 ) ; B) 3 ... tt:lc6 ! ? This move is more am bitious than 3 . . . e 5 ; Black wants to put pressure on the white centre and fight for the initiative. 4.tt:lf3 �g4 s .tt:lc3 5 .�e2 transposes to 3 .tt:lf3 .ig4 4.�e2 357
T h e M o d ern S c a n d i n a v i a n
t2J c 6 5 . d4. S . . .'i\YhS ! ? More attractive than 5 . . .'ti'a5 6 .�b5 + ! , though this is also playable for Black after 6 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 ! 7 . fl.xc6 bxc 6 8 . h 3 'iW h 5 ! , see Lanka-Bandza (Game 1 5 . 1 4) . 6.fl.e2 0 - 0 - 0 7 . 0 - 0 eS 8.h3 tZlf6 ! with a prom ISlng posmon for Black , see Jacubowski-MacDonald (Game 2 . 3 7 ) and Mrdj en-Horvat (Game I 5 . 8 ) . 3 ... fl.g4 4.fl.e2 t2Jc6
I O . . J:I:e8 ! with a winning position for Black in Hrivnak-Babula (Game I 5 . 1 0 ) . 9 . . . �xf3 1 o .fl.xf3 �xd 2 + 1 1 .tLlxd2 t2Jd4 is unclear, see Klyuner-Koscielski
(Game I 5 . 6) ; C) 6.fl.e 3 ! ? White does not decide yet if he wants to play the position with c2 -c4 or tLlc3 . This move is dealt with in Hedke-Michaelsen (Game I 5 . I I ) . Bauer thinks that the rarely played 6 ... tZlh6 ! ? is interesting , e . g. 7.c4 'ifaS + 8.tLlc3 tLlfS 9 .dS t2Jxe 3 1 O.fxe 3 e6=
Dominguez Perez-A. Kogan, Havana 2002. 6 .. .'�f5 6 . 'ti'h S ? ! should be 7 .fl.e3 (7 . d 5 ! ? is also
avoided , as dangerous as Runau-Schmidt (Game I 5 . 1 2 ) and R e e d - R e i d (Game I 5 . 1 3 ) s how. 7 e S ? S .dS ! , see Meij ers-Dj urhuus (Game 1 5 . 4) . •.
•..
5.d4 A) Too passive is S . 0 - 0 ? ! , giving away the centre. 5 ... 0 - 0 - 0 6.d3 eS 7.t2Jc3 7 .fl.e3 f5 and Black soon took over the initiative in Voigt-Muller (Game I 0. I ) . 7 'iWd7 8Jie 1 f6 ! Black's centre is now secured and he can start a kingside attack with . . . g7 -g5 and . . . h7 -h5 later, see Braun-Wahls (Game 1 6 . 2 ) ; B) S .h 3 ! ? fl.xf3 6.fl.xf3 'ife S + 7.'i\Ye2 is a safe line. After 7 . . JWxe 2 + s .fl.xe2 0 - 0 - 0 9 . 0 - 0 eS Black's space advantage was compensated by the white pair of bishops in Efimov-Relange (Game I 5 . 9) . .••
7.fl.e3 Now Black can go for the tactical 7...�xf3 8.�xf3 t2Jxd4 9.�xd4 'ife6+ 1 0.fl.e2 'iWe4 1 1 .0-0 'i\Yxd4 1 2.'i\Ya4
5 ... 0-0·0 6.c4 A) Black is doing well after 6.tZlc3 see Probat Erharter (Game I 5 . 3 ) ; B) 6.c3 e S 7.c4! 'ifaS + 8 .fl.d2 fl.b4 9 .dS 9 . t2Jxe 5 ? fl.xe2 I O . t2Jxc6 fails to
'i\Yhs 7.�e3 eS 8 . 0 - 0 tZlf6 ,
358
White has compensation for the pawn, but Black can defend himself after 1 2 . . . e 6 ! , see Shahade-Fierro Baquero (Game I 5 . 2 ) .
Bibliography Books and electronic media - Matthias Wahls , Moderncs Skandinavisch , Schach ! ! Jiirgen Daniel, Nettetal I 9 9 7 - John Emms , The Scandinavian , Chess Press 1 9 9 7 - Jerzy Konikowski , Skandinavisch - richtig gespielt , Beyer, Hollfeld 2 0 0 3 - Curt Hansen, Scandinavian (CD) , ChessBase, Hamburg 2 0 0 2 - Jovanka Houska , S tarting Out: The Scandinavian , Everyman 2 0 0 9 - Christian Bauer, Play tlzc Scandinavian , Quality Chess 2 0 I 0
Databases - ChessBase Meg abase 2 0 I 0 - ChessMail MegaCorr 3
Periodicals - Chess Informator - ChessBase Magazine, especially opening articles by Eric Prie and Leonid Kritz - Kaissiber - The Week in Chess - New in Chess Magazine - New in Chess Yearbook
List of Symbols White stands slightly better Black stands slightly better White stands better Black stands better White has a decisive advantage Black has a decisive advantage balanced position unclear position compensation for the material strong (sufficient) weak (insufficient) better is weaker is
t
+ ±
+ +-+ 00
QQ > <
2 s;
good move excellent move bad move blunder interesting move dubious move only move with the idea attack initiative lead in development counterplay mate correspondence
I I
)) I ) )I
D !:::. -
i it +:t X
corr. 359
T h e M o d ern S c a n d i n a v i a n
Index of Players
Numbers refer to pages.
A Abayasekera Abrahamyan Adams Ady Akopian Almasi , Z Alvarez , M Amigo Barberan Anand Andersen , H Anderse n , M Ansell Antonio Apicella Arakhamia Artamonov Aseev Ashton Astaneh Lopez Auchenberg Augusto Silva
343 52 6 2 , 1 09 , 2 2 3 325 332 223, 233 340 280 1 3 , 24 43 1 69 1 32 5 1 238 ' 1 62 1 45 342 20, 53, 1 3 2 354 355 187 324
B 304 Babula l OS Baci 354 Bacrot 3 7 , 247 Bagirov 1 78 Bakhmatov 1 23, 276, 356 Baklan 253 Bakus 309 Bandza 285 Bangiev 20 1 Barfoed 88 Barua Bauer 7 7 . 2 0 1 , 2 1 5 , 2 2 4 , 3 2 6 , 3 3 2 , 3 4 8 , 349 Beliavsky Belie Belotti Benjamin Bennet t , A Bennet t , H P Berg , K Berndt Bertona Bhat Binelli Bitansky Bitten court Bias berg Blasi Bocks berger
3 60
ss
1 65,
4 1 , 142,
1 9, 224,
48 38 193 83 20 1 26 1 I 53 1 79 238 1 79 275 332 201 242 1 53
Bokan Bole an Bologan Bondarchuk Bonnez Boom Biirdos Borgo Borovicka Bosiocic Bouchez Boudre Brady, S Brandenburg Brandhorst Braun , G Braun , L Brauner Breier Breyther Brij s Britton Brodsky Bronstein , L Briiggemann Brunella Bryne II Biicker Buckley, M Bukal Jr. Burnett Busson
354 1 87 3 0 , 1 1 0 , 1 44 , 351 1 83 235 252 353 80 285 224 235 3 3 2, 3 4 8 1 13 293 1 34 312 239 34 171 24 1 315 1 02 ! 58 1 3 4, 2 5 0 1 70 293 1 83 , 232 1 56, 205 181 1 56 1 65, 220 332
c Cadillon Costa Caldeira Campora Cao Sang Carlson Carroll Casden Century Chandler Chapin Chasovnikova Chekhov Cheparinov Cherepkov Chrapkowski Chudnovsky Cieza Vega Ciuksyte
99
I 59, 338 1 3 , 48, 1 76 72 31s 309 315 233 1 22, 1 9 1 342 338 220 326 1 78 346 87 27 1 347
Cladouras Cmiel Codina Tormo Coli as Conde Ponderosa Conquest Cording , H Cordin g , T Coronel.] Cosoi Csorba Curle
59 299 350 98, ! 57 13 1 44 , 1 8 9 1 32, 236, 305 1 38 85 353 203 1 83
D D ' Amore D ' Arruda Daniels Danielsen Dannevig Darmarakis Dautov David , G Davi d , R De Firmian D e Greef. Hel De Ia Barrera D e Vreugt Debailleul Degerman Degraeve Del Rio Angelis Delacroix Dempster Dengler ' Der Boc k ' Deschamp Dgebuadze Dirr Dj urhuus Dobrovolsky Dolmatov Dominguez Perez Doncevic Dorfman Dra i c Dreev Dubois Dultseva Duman Dunnington Dutreeuw Dvocak Dvoirys
293 I 13 47 1 9 , 5 7 , 66 350 322 233 42 171 282 1 47 310 71 99 204 2 1 4, 3 5 5 1 2 1 ' 296 344 233 287 1 85 1 80 342 323 295 223 1 10 358 2 2, I 2 3 1 64 289 310 350 209 321 1 43 244 350 1 66
I n d ex o f P l a y e rs E Eberz Efimov Egger Eifler Ekebj aerg El Jawish El Messiry Emelin Emms Eolian Erharter Eriksen Euler
214 303 43 277 317 341 43 218 6 8 , 1 43 191 294 135 346
F Feagin Fedorov Felber Felsberger Ferenc Fester Fette Fichtner Fierro Baquero Figler Fischdick Fischer,G Fleetwood Fongers Fontaine Forchert Forster Fos Santacreu Franzen Franzoni Fressinet Friedrich Friedrichs , K Fries Nielsen,JO Fries Nielsen , NJ
24 1 224 24 1 161 289 20 1 248 31 1 2 24, 292 293 48, 80 310 1 18 42 1 56 42, 243 6 1 ' 1 22 290 349 1 14 37 346 1 34 5 7 , 1 74, 1 98 , 20 1 , 257 1 74
Fritz 6 Frowis
62 3 24
G Gagunashvili Gajic Gallagher Galliamova Garbisu de Goni 1 6, Garcia , R Gasseholm 1 3 5 , 1 7 4 , 2 5 1 , Gaston Geirnaert 1 1 7, 276, Gelashvili Georg Georgiadis
356 345 33 1 58 350 20 1 257 37 342 356 200 349
Georgiev, Kir Gerencer German Ghader Pour Ghellere Gidel Giese Gipslis Glascock Glek Goater Goldberg Golod Golubovic
243 1 72 1 6 , 20 I 225 235 206 96 26 1 27 7 9 , 1 44 207 1 44 1 44 1 29 , 243 , 3 5 1 , 352 6 1 , 203 Gomez Baillo Gomez,( 290 250 Gonzalez Rabago Gonzalez , R 3 44 282 Graf 13 Granara Barreto 282 Granda Zuniga 32 Gregorc 247 Grischuk Grohde 95 223 Grosar, K Gross 1 78 279 Grosse Frintrop 1 42 Gruenfeld 254 Griinberg , R 2 44 Guedon
H 345 Haar 27 1 Habermann 1 25 Haimovich Halle rod 46 326, 3 5 1 Hamdouchi I5 Hamilton Hanasz 309 81 Hansel Hansen ,Cu I I , 1 3 , 2 I , 2 2 , 4 8 , 1 3 1 , 1 34, 1 3 7 , 1 3 8 , 1 62 , 1 7 6, 1 80, 1 92 , 228, 250, 267 79, 1 83 Hansen,MS Hardy I 00, 282 Hartmann , We 236 39 Hartmann , Wo Hartzell 309 346 Harzer Hassler 17 87 Hatanbaatar 77 Hauchard 216 Hausner 322 Hautot 1 74 Hawley 1 13 Hayes 347 Hayrapetian
Heberla Hector Hedke Heinemann Helm Helmert Helmond Helms Helstroffer Henrichs
309 1 98 305 345 47 278 1 47 242 344 243 65, 1 86 6 2 , 1 00 344 235
Hermann Hernandez , A Hernando Rodrigo Hervet Hey ken I l l Hick! 273 Hj artarson 228 Ho 52 Hodgson I 9 , 3 7 , I 3 2 , I 8 9 , 2 0 7 , 2 3 2 , 243 , 2 6 2 , 3 5 2 Hoffmann , H 346 Hoffmann , N 203 Hogenacker 42 Holland 1 19 Hoos 36 Horvat 84, 3 0 0 Horvath ,Cs 72 Horvath , T 346 Houska 225 Houston 141 Howell 323 Hracek 223, 336 Hrivnak 304 Hubner 1 32 Hughes 324 Hummel , D 269, 343 Hunt , H 1 70
llic , L Ingerslev Ionov Ismail lstratescu lvanchuk lvanets
Jackelen Jacob Jacubowski Jahn Jancu Jansa Janz Jasim Johannessen Johansen
347
I 35, 25 I 30 1 79 I SO, 322 310 355
1 2 3 , 1 44 1 75 82 222, 309 215 1 35 32 343 171 29 1
361
The Modern Scand i n a v i a n Jonkman Jukic Juranic Jurkiewicz
7 1 , 223 220 238 1 83, 237
K 48 Kading l OS, 1 58, 259 Kaminski Kapitaniak 308 321 Karadeniz 1 96 Karklins Kasimdzhanov 2 24 24 Kasparov 1 79, 2 1 0 Kavalek 315 Keast 1 70 Keitlinghaus 27 1 Khalifa 1 07 Kharitonov 271 Kholmov 254 Kierzek , M i 2 1 , 3 1 , 223 Kindermann 33 Klauser 36 Kleinelsen 1 84 KJeri des 1 2 2 . 342 Klinova 297 Klyuner 27 1 Kobalia Kogan . A 3 2 3 , 347, 349, 3 5 8 Koglin 318 345 Kolbaek 20, 53, 1 3 2 , 224 Konig . D 1 49 , 2 1 6 Konopka 346 Koopman n , R 297 Koscielski 1 45 Kosenkov Kosintseva , T 68 1 1 9 , 1 66, 1 74 Koskivirta 347 Kosteniuk Kot 86 1 78 Kotlerman 355 Kotronias 345 Kotz 343 Kovacevic , A 27 1 Kovchan 1 87 Kozakov 279 Kracht 1 78 Krebs 278 Krieglstein 40, 2 0 3 , 2 0 5 Krista! 80, 2 7 3 Krokel 297 Krulich 346 Kruszynski 1 68, 1 92 Kudrin 1 1 9, 1 67 Kue s , H 285 Kufa 5 1 , 76 Kiihn , P 1 19 Kiihn , S 32 Kuhn . T
3 62
Kuiper Kundin Kunzmann Kupreichik Kuraj ica Kveinys
315 1 07 1 79 1 87 1 1 5, 1 83 37, 95
L Labuckas Lafaurie Lahtinen Laketic Lali c , S Landa Langrock Lanka Lanzani Laplante Larrea Larsen Lastin Lau Lautier Lauzon Lazic Lederer Leenhouts Leiser Lei tao Leite Lemieux Lendwai Lerner Leschinsky Levin List! Ljubicic Ljuboj evic Lochte Lodge Loffler. M Lamer Luchan Liichtemeier Liicke Lund Lutton Lutz Lyrberg
299, 79, 309,
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M MacDonald Macieja Magem Badals Maid! a Makarov Marcet Bisbale Marciano
82 321 1 64 , 2 6 9 314 1 07 48 36
Mareck 1 84 Marinsek 220, 280 Marti n , BJ 1 1 9, 1 66, 1 74, 2 3 3 Marxen , P 1 1 9, 1 67 Matamoros Franco 298 Mathe 135 Maurino 1 67 Maus 131 Maximov 342 Mayaud 37 McDaniel 345 McDonald 1 00 McGuire 47 McNally 316 Megaranto 340 Mehne 344 Meier, V 255 Meij ers 295 Mellado Trivino 240, 3 5 0 Michaelsen 5 1 , 1 64 , 2 0 6 , 285, 305 Michna 293, 345 Mieses 345 , 3 5 3 Miettinen 1 90 Mikac 121 Milanollo 1 48 Minakov 355 Minasian 273, 356 Miroslaw 309 Mischustov 1 53 M itkov 352 Montgomery 187 Morawietz 1 64 Morovic Fernandez 2 2 . 9 1 , 2 4 3 Morozevich 352 Morozova 40, 2 0 3 , 2 0 5 Mortensen , £ 267 Mortense n , H 289 Motwani 235 Movsesian 349 Moya Pol 49 Mrdjen 84, 3 0 0 Muc 350 Mukhutdinov 354 Mukic 1 46 Miiller, K 3 1 , 5 8 , I l l . 1 2 2 , 1 3 8 , 1 42 , 1 5 4, 1 64, 1 9 3 , 2 1 8 , 2 5 9 , 266, 2 8 7 , 3 2 3 , 3 3 6 , 34 1 Miiller, K - U 17 Mullan 347 Murey 27 1 Murphy 1 34 Muzychuk , A 338
N Nataf Negulescu Neukirch
348 309 339
I n d ex o f P l a y ers Niedermayr Nieke Nielsen ,SH Nij boer Nikolic , S Nisipeanu Noll Norris Nory Nothnagel Novak , l Nun ,Jo Nunn Nykopp
1 6 1 , 242 1 78 235 230, 243, 2 5 2 353 7 3 , 74, 1 22 , 3 2 5 277 1 00 1 13 1 72, 222 342 295 1 9 , 1 44 , 2 6 2 314
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1 83 354 224 1 45 285 1 17 45 348 350 349 58 95 87
p 340 350 35 1 2 24 252 344 15 271 252 1 79 224 1 78 1 78 310 1 2 3 , 3 44 353 250 346 279 349 161 1 86 1 87, 26 1 280 14 1 79 49
Pachow Padurariu 348, Palac 43 , 8 7 , Papaioannou Paramos Dominguez Parligras Partsi Pay en Pedersen Peng Xiaomin 1 65, Peptan Perdomo Peredy Perez Gonsalves Perez Rodriguez Perl is Peschardt Peters , A Peterwitz Petrej e Pflamz Piker Pilgaard Pinazo Donoso Piraev Pirro! Planells Roig
Planinc 353 1 66 Plesec 342 Polak 1 3 4, 1 64, 1 9 2 , 2 5 0 Polgar.} 1 02, 220 Polovnikova Pomes Marcel 1 2 1 , 1 44 , 2 5 2 , 2 6 9 342 Popovic 1 13 Porter Porth 161' 310 47 Porubszki 353 Parh Pram pen 3 44 68 Pratibha 96 Prechtel 298 Predojevic 51 Priby l , M 1 3, 36, 38, 98, 1 02, 1 57 , Prh� 1 62 , 1 95 , 224, 293 , 3 2 5 , 3 2 6 , 347, 348, 3 54, 3 5 5 294 Pro bat 1 72 Prahl Psakhis Ptacnikova Putzbach Pytel
1 1 5 , 1 44 , 2 4 3 350 206 191
R 209 308 223 41 346 224 247 61 233 307 76, 1 28, 1 36, 1 37, 278 1 1 9, 307 Reid 1 83 Reinecker 1 03 , 303 Relange 206 Remmel Repkova 181 90 Retzke 25, 43, 274 Ricardi 20 1 Riga 278 Ritscher 293 Robson 238 Roca 206 Rode 346 Roder, F 85 Rodin , D 14 Rodin , M 91 Rodriguez Cespedes 349 Rodriguez Vila 85 Rodriguez , S 1 9 1 , 230, 29 1 , 298 Rogers , (
Rabiega Rachon Radjabov Radulov Raffa I ! Ragger Rain fray Rasik Rebel Tiger Reed Reefschlager
Rogers , N Rogic Rogovskoy Rosen , D Rosita Rowson Rublevsky Ruck Rudol f. H Rufenacht Rukavina Run au Russell Ryan Rytshagov
1 49 351 305 346 349 352 13 1 49 203 1 90 223 307 1 00 214 38
s Saathoff Sadvakasov Saheli Sakr Salov, S Salov, V Sammalvuo Samuelsson Sandklef Sanduleac Santo Roman Sarfati Sa ric Sasu Ducsoara Savic Sawatzki Schafer Schalkwijk Schalliick Schiffers Schipper Schlamp Schlecht Schleicher Schmidt Schmidt Schaffer Schmindiel Schnabel Schneider, D Schneider, I Schomhier Schubert Schulz Schurade Schiitl Schweiger Seidemann Semina Serebro Serebrysky Sergeev
342 340 53 341 1 54 38 1 03 317 316 38 1 95 99 2 24 40 2 24, 343 1 42 , 343 80 1 05 242 212 20 214 1 70 1 64 307 27 1 37 340 238 3 44 243 171 34, 39, 205 305 1 32 346 309 318 342 1 45 1 44
363
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n 1 2 1 , 2 1 9, 298 Sermek 204 Setterqvist 286 Sevilla no 40 , 2 7 3 , 3 5 6 Shabalov 292 Shahade 250 Shannon 247 Shantharam Shaposhnikov 1 00 345 Shetty 38, 3 2 1 Shirov 141 Sifrer 1 56 Sighirdjian Silva 345 3 49 Simeonidis 1 69 Sinkbaek 296 Sixtensson 1 23, 226 Sj iidahl 240 Skorna 88 Smagin 95, 223 Smeets 29 1 Smerdon 25, 1 38 Smirin 101, 137 Sokolov, A 1 43 , 2 4 7 Solozhenkin 356 Soltanici 42, 45, 1 67 . 347 Soppe 99, 20 1 , 350 Spain 305 Spa! 80 Spang 6 2 , 1 00 , 2 1 1 Spangenberg 43 , 342 Spasov 35 Spassky 88 Speelman 345 Spielmann 68, I I 5 Spiridonov 1 93 Stabolewski 1 72 Stadler 1 86 Stanke 350 Steadman I 53 Steckner 74, 1 2 2 , 20 1 , Stefanova 2 9 6 , 340 161 Stefansson 252 Stehouwer 1 35 Storgaard I l l Strater 342 Strokov 83 Sully 297, 345 , 3 5 0 Sulskis 70 Supriyono I 5 5 , 246 Sutovsky 9 2 , 246 Sveshnikov 3 0 , 1 09 , 1 45 Svidler 309 Sygulski 1 48 Szalanczy 1 02 Sziva
3 64
T Tarrasch Tasic Tasnadi Taulbut Taylor, D Tempone Teran Alvarez Teske Teterev Thipsay Thomaschke Tikkanen Tim man Timmermans Tischbierek Tiviakov Tkachiev Tolnai Tomaszewski Tomczak Trabert Trindade Tseitlin.MD Tseitlin,MS Tsuboi Tupy Turcan Turner Tzermiadianos
212 348 203 1 35 1 1 8, 1 1 9, 1 27, 246, 250, 3 1 5 1 34, 2 5 0 340 20 1 238 247 81 1 43 5 5 , 1 86, 1 95 244 22, 32 2 74, 293 35 1 , 352 1 83 86 351 1 02 42 1 36 269 338 350 20 220 43
v Valaker Van den Doe! Van der Werf Van der Wiel Van Geet Van Wely Varas Gonzalez Varga.Zo Vavruska Vazquez Igarza Vehi Bach Velikov Vescovi Vesselovsky Vidoniak Vifleemskaya Visser Vogt Voigt Viikler Von Biilow Von Gleich Vouldis
Vovsha Vrenegoor
1 9, 1 07, 1 25 , 27 1 344
w Wacker Wagner, R Wahls I I , 26, 92, 98, 1 1 0, 1 49 , I S O , 1 8 5 , 240, 24 1 , 243 ,
1 64 1 34 59, 65, 79, 80, 1 1 4 , 1 3 2 , 1 44 , 200, 2 1 5 , 2 1 6, 248, 2 5 5 , 286, 312 Wahono 70 Waitzkin 1 65 , 1 92 , 1 93 , 341 Wallace 350 Walsh 340 Wang Pin 132 Wanzek 345 Wed berg 68, 226 Welling 284 West 296 Wester in en 1 3 , 40, 5 1 , 1 98 Westphal 339 344 Widmann Wiese-jozwiak 354 Wilczek 350 Williams 246 Winge 46 Wolff 1 68 , 1 96 Wortel 206 Wredenberg 235 Wiistefeld 3 44
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68, I 59,
344 2 44 235 1 80 316 1 95 353 342 348 1 23 219 I I5 224 342 27 209 135 98 266 1 28 1 19 1 44 43
Yahya Ye Jiangchuan Yildiz Yu Shaoteng Yudasin
27 1 77 53 215 348
z Zaitsev, M Zak Zarnicki Zecevic Zeidler Zelcic Zelenika Zetocha Zhang Zhong Zhukova Ziatdinov Zimmermann Znamenacek Zubarev Zvan Zwanzger
I l l I SS 6 1 , 1 79 40 343, 346 224 32 1 72 73 1 3 2, 342 284 90 348 161 280 32
List
of Games
Numbers refer to pages.
Matthias Wahls Viswanathan Anand Mikhail Rodin Douglas Gibson Hamilton Gustavo German Klaus-Uwe Muller Igor Bitansky Ernst Schipper Stefan Kindermann Ivan Morovic Fernandez Garry Kasparov Ilia Smirin Aivars Gipslis Sebastian Schmidt Schaffer Peter Svidler Stefan Kindermann Raj Tischbierek Joseph Gallagher ]Urgen Schulz Boris Spassky Detlef Kleinelsen David Marciano Wolfram Hartmann Ivan Radulov Jacques Hogenacker Jorge Egger Martin Olivieri Stefan Winge Leonie Helm Antonio Marcet Bisbale Jose Planells Roig Martin Pribyl Tatev Abrahamyan Nath Saheli Jan Timman Jens Ove Fries Nielsen Hans Joachim Oswald Panagiotis Cladouras Vitezslav Rasik Michael Adams Manfred Hermann Patrik Lyrberg Tom Wedberg Awam Wahono Harmen Jonkman Cao Sang Zhang Zhong Peter Kuhn Ye Jiangchuan Igor Glek Andreas Jacubowski Jerzy Kot Bazar Hatanbaatar Sergey Smagin Manfred Zimmermann Ivan Morovic Fernandez
365
Curt Hansen Joel Lautier Philip Piraev Dimitry Partsi Raimundo Garcia Wolfgang Hassler Eli Vovsha Milan Turcan Curt Hansen Curt Hansen Viswanathan Anand Pablo Ricardi Matthias Wahls Roman Vidoniak Lembit Oll Karsten Muller Thomas Kuhn Markus Klauser Rudolf Brauner Bent Larsen Martin Hoos Eric Prie Klaus ]Urgen Schulz Klaus Berg N ico Forchert Ioannis Papaioannou Guillermo Soppe Ralf Hallerod Georg Poru bszki Rainer Kading Antonio Moya Pol Nils Michaelsen Matthew Ho Betul Cemre Yildiz Alexander Beliavsky Henrik Danielsen Karsten Muller Matthias Wahls Richard Forster Fritz 6 Matthias Wahls Henrik Danielsen John Emms Eko Supriyono Dennis de Vreugt Csaba Horvath Liviu Dieter Nisipeanu Helmut Reefschlager Arnaud Hauchard Matthias Wahls Paul MacDonald Roman Tomaszewski loannis Papaioannou Felix Levin Siegfried Bruno Retzke Amador Rodriguez Gspedes
Tastrup 1 9 9 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Biel 1 9 9 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kazan 1 9 9 5 . . Penrith 2 0 0 3 Buenos Aires I 9 9 5 . . . . . . . . . Germany Oberliga 1 9 9 4 / 9 5 . Israel tt 2 0 0 0 corr. 1 9 9 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Plovdiv Ech-tt 1 9 8 3 . . . . . . . . Wijk aan Zee I 9 9 4 . . PCA WCh, New York 1 9 9 5 . Yerevan Olympiad 1 9 9 6 . . . . . Berlin 1 9 9 3 . . Zurich 2 0 0 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ter Apel 1 9 9 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . Germany Bundesliga 2 0 0 0 / 0 I Zurich 2 0 0 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Leukerbad 2 0 0 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hessen 1 9 8 8 . . . . . . . . . . Montreal 1 9 7 9 . . . . . . . . . Hamburg 1 9 9 9 . Narbonne ch- FRA 1 9 9 7 . Germany Bundesliga 1 9 8 3 / 8 4 Silkeborg 1 9 8 3 . . . Germany Oberliga 1 9 9 4 / 9 5 . Istanbul Olympiad 2 0 0 0 . . . Buenos Aires 1 9 9 4 . Stockholm 2 0 0 2 / 0 3 . . . B a d Wiessee 2 0 0 2 . . . . . ��es 1 9 9 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mallorca 2 0 0 0 . . . . . . . . . Germany Bundesliga 1 9 9 3 / 9 4 Los Angeles 2 0 0 2 . . . . . . . . . Heraklio j r 2 0 0 2 . . Ubeda 1 9 9 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aalborg ch-DEN 2 0 0 0 Gladenbach 1 9 9 7 . . . . . Bern 1 9 9 4 Leipzig tt 2 0 0 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . Frankfurt 1 9 9 9 . . . . . . Binz ch-GER 1 9 9 4 . . . . . . . . . Copenhagen I 9 9 9 . . . . . . . . . Harplinge 1 9 9 8 . . . . . . . . . . . Jakarta 2 0 0 I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tel Aviv 2 0 0 0 . . Budapest I 9 9 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . Cap d ' Agde 2 0 0 0 . . . . . . . . . . Hamburg ch-city 1 9 9 4 . Belfort 1 9 9 9 . . . . Germany Bundesliga 1 9 9 6 / 9 7 corr. 1 9 9 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gdynia 1 9 8 8 . Istanbul Olympiad 2 0 0 0 . . . . . Novgorod 1 9 9 5 . . . . . . . . . . . Pinneberg 1 9 9 7 . . . . . . . . Cienfuegos 1 9 9 6 . . . . . . . . . .
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I I 13 14 IS I6 I7 19 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 36 39 41 42 43 45 46 47 48 49 51 52 53 55 57 58 59 61 62 65 66 68 70 71 72 73 76 77 79 82 86 87 88 90 91
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n Christopher Lutz Aloyzas Kveinys Helmut Prechtel Lothar Vogt Evgeny Shaposhnikov Neil McDonald Bettina Trabert Peter Schalkwijk Alexander Kundin Peter Svidler Sergey Dolmatov Mikhail Zaitsev Laim Porter Giancarlo Franzoni Alper Olcayoz Daniel Fleetwood Salvador Gabriel Del Rio Angelis Murray Chandler Tal Haimovich Dennis Glascock Mario Lanzani Siinke Maus Wang Pin judit Polgar Flemming Storgaard Mark Tseitlin Andrey Sokolov Karsten Muller Ljubomir Lj uboj evic Yehuda Gruenfeld john Emms Vsevolod Kosenkov Filip Ljubicic Frans Helmond Emil Szal.inczy Norman Rogers Andrei Istratescu Stephan Berndt Sergey Salov Uriel Zak Vladimir Bukal jr. Didier Collas Mikhail Brodsky Adriano Caldeira Alfred Felsberger Hannes Stefansson Manuel Apicella judit Polgar Iosif Dorfman Ronald Burnett Ossi Koskivirta Sergey Kudrin Martin Andersen Joachim Briiggemann Hans Joachim Schubert Pavel Stadler Martin Harold Hawley Goj ko Laketic Daniel Campara David Gross
366
Matthias Wahls Wolfgang Grohde Giese Matthias Wahls Alexander Lastin Alan Norris Marina Olbrich Vedran Baci Eli Vovsha Michael Adams Matthias Wahls Timo Strater Stephen Brady Matthias Wahls Tamasz Gelashvili David Taylor juan Pomes Marcet Ric hard Forster Eli Vovsha David Taylor Boris Golubovic Curt Hansen Natalia Zhukova Curt Hansen john lver Eriksen Helmut Reefschlager Curt Hansen Thomas Cording Lembit Oil Klaus Berg Angus Dunnington Alexander Serebrysky josko Mukic Heleen de Greef Ralf Lau Matthias Wahls Matthias Wahls johannes Steckner Karsten Muller Emil Sutovsky Stefan Bucker Eric Prie Alisa Galliamova Giovanni Vescovi Horst Niedermayr Alexander Zubarev Eric Prie jordi Magem Badals Karsten M tiller joel Benjamin Brian john Martin Patrick Wolff Aage Sink baek Ludger Keitlinghaus Ingvar Thor johannesson jens Dahlen Lund Niels jorgen Fries Nielsen Simon jacob Curt Hansen Eduard Bakhmatov
Biel 1 9 9 2 • • 0 . 0 • • • • • • • • • • • 92 corr. 1 9 9 2 . . . 95 corr. 1 9 9 8 . • • • • • • • • • • o . o • • • 96 Lucerne 1 9 9 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 • . . 98 Moscow ch-RUS I 9 9 9 1 00 Oakham 2 0 0 0 1 00 Ptuj zt 1 9 9 5 . . . . 0 . 0 . 0 • • • • 0 . 1 02 corr. 2 0 0 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l OS Israel jr 1 9 9 9 1 07 Frankfurt rapid 1 9 9 9 1 09 Germany Bundesliga 1 9 9 2 / 9 3 1 10 Dortmund 2 0 0 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I l l Dublin ch- IRL 1 9 9 7 . 1 13 Switzerland tt 1 9 9 2 1 14 Ankara t t 2 0 0 2 . 1 17 corr. 1 9 8 6 1 18 Mondariz t t 2 0 0 2 . 121 Bermuda I 9 9 9 . 1 22 Ramat Aviv tt 2 0 0 0 . 1 25 corr. 1 9 8 5 1 27 Charleville t t 2 0 0 0 1 29 Hamburg 1 9 9 1 . . . . . . . . . . 0 . 0 131 Shenyang 2 0 0 0 . 1 32 Groningen 1 9 9 3 . 1 34 corr. 1 9 9 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 • 0 • 135 Biel 1 9 9 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 36 Copenhagen Wch-jr 1 9 8 2 1 37 Hamburg 1 9 9 2 . 1 38 Antwerp 1 9 9 4 141 Gausdal 1 9 8 2 . . 1 42 London 1 9 9 7 1 43 corr. 1 9 6 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 • 1 45 Kastav 2 0 0 2 . . . . . . . 0 • • • • 1 46 Netherlands tt 1 9 9 4 / 9 5 1 47 Vienna 1 9 9 8 . . . 1 48 New York 1 9 9 4 1 49 Manila Olympiad 1 9 9 2 . I SO Dortmund 1 9 9 2 . 1 53 Bremen tt 1 9 9 9 1 54 Ramat Aviv tt 2 0 0 0 . . . . . . . 0 • 0 • • I 55 Dortmund 1 9 9 3 . . 1 56 Cappelle Ia Grande I 9 9 5 . . 1 57 Novgorod 1 9 9 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 • I SS ltabirito ch-BRA 1 9 9 8 1 59 Austria t t 1 9 9 3 . . . . . . . . . . 0 • • 161 Las Vegas rapid 1 9 9 9 . . . . . . 0 • 161 Chambery ch-FRA I 9 9 4 . 1 62 Pamplona 1 9 9 9 1 64 Austria tt 2 0 0 2 / 0 3 . 1 64 USA 1 9 9 5 . 1 65 corr. 1 9 9 1 1 66 Modesto ch-USA 1 9 9 5 . 1 68 Copenhagen 1 9 9 4 1 69 Germany Bundesliga 2 0 0 2 / 0 3 . 1 70 Reykjavik 2 0 0 2 . 171 corr. 1 9 9 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 • 1 72 corr. 1 9 9 1 1 74 Mendrisio 1 9 8 9 . 1 7s Palma de Mallorca 1 9 8 9 . 1 76 Bad Zwesten 2 0 0 I . . . . . . . . 0 • 1 78
L i s t o f G a m es J urgen Krebs Hector Kunzmann Guy Deschamp Melanie Buckley I . M . Curle Sascha Mareck ' ' Der Bock Jan Timman Mikhail Kozakov Viktor Kupreichik Stuart Conquest Krista Miettinen Murray Chandler Judit Polgar Joel Benjamin Jan Timman Andrew Karklins Jonny Hector Heinz Georg Janos Rigo Rafael Leitao Lars Degerman Luba Kristol Marten Wortel Gerd Putzbach Kevin Goater Robert Rabiega Lubomir Kavalek Hugo Spangenberg Emanuel Schiffers Jean Marc Degraeve Yu Shaoteng Ivan Hausner Vasily Emelin Drazen Sermek Matthew Turner Branimir Jukic Constanze Jahn Michael Adams Shayesteh Ghader Pour Tom Wedberg Johann Hj artarson Friso Nij boer Stellan Brynell Dave Dempster Stefano Ghellere Werner Hartmann Aidas Labuckas Rogelio Antonio Jason Luchan Ullrich Skorna Joe Feagin Sven Helms Friso Nijboer lvo Timmermans Williams Praveen Mahadeo Thipsay Martin Fette Nelson Gonzalez Rabago Shannon
Karl -Friedrich Nieke Rodolfo Eduardo Binelli Jens Dahlen Lund Eva Repkova Chris O ' Bee Paris K.lerides Matthias Wahls Jeroen Piket Engin Bolcan John Montgomery Julian Hodgson Matthias Rufenacht Ian Rogers Curt Hansen Joshua Waitzkin Loek van Wely Patrick Wolff Heikki Westerinen Matthias Wahls Antoaneta Stefanova Jorge Gomez Baillo Kurt Setterqvist Tatiana Morozova Tim Remmel Nils Michaelsen Julian Hodgson Ralf Lau Bent Larsen Tomas Oral Siegbert Tarrasch Joseph Ryan Matthias Wahls Michal Konopka Karsten Muller Victor Manuel Vehi Bach Jim Burnett Tomaz Marinsek Holger Nothnagel Teimour Radj abov Jovanka Houska Pontus Sj odahl Curt Hansen Ian Rogers Julian Hodgson Brian John Martin Daniel Wredenberg Harm Cording Krzysztof Jurkiewicz Petronio Roca Leslie Braun Matthias Wahls Robert Felber Hans Christian Schalluck Julian Hodgson Marc Dutreeuw David Taylor K.V Shantharam Matthias Wahls Soren Peschardt David Taylor
corr. 1 9 9 3 corr. 1 9 9 8 corr. 1 9 9 9 . . . . . . . . . . . Wrexham 2 0 0 2 . . . . . . . . . . . wrr. 1 9 9 5 . . Batumi Ech 2 0 0 2 Telephone c hess , 1 9 9 6 . Amsterdam 1 9 9 6 . Halkidiki tt 2 00 2 Batumi Ech-tt 1 9 9 9 Germany Bundesliga 1 9 9 5 / 9 6 . corr. 1 9 9 9 Bath T V 1 9 8 3 . Biel izt 1 9 9 3 . . . . . . . . . . . New York 1 9 9 8 Breda m 1 9 9 8 . North Bay 1 9 9 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reykjavik 1 9 9 7 . . . . . . . . . . , . , . . . Neuchatel 1 9 9 3 . . . Balzano 1 9 9 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sao Paulo 2 0 0 2 . Helsingborg ch-SWE 1 9 9 1 . . . . . . Grozny 1 9 6 9 . . . . . . . . . . Venlo j r 2 0 0 0 . Hamburg 1 9 9 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Frome 2 0 0 I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dresden 2 0 0 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beverwijk 1 9 6 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Halle Wch-jr 1 9 9 5 . . Leipzig ch-GER 1 8 9 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . Cappelle la Grande 1 9 9 5 . . . Beijing 1 9 9 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Prague 2 0 0 0 . Hamburg 1 9 9 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Groningen 1 9 9 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Torquay ch-GBR 2 0 0 2 . . . . . . . . . . . Ljubljana 1 9 9 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Germany Bundesliga B I 9 9 5 / 9 6 . . . . Prague rapid 2 0 0 2 . Bled Olympiad 2 0 0 2 Harplinge 1 9 9 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reykj a,·ik z t 1 9 9 5 . ' s -Hertogenbosch 1 9 9 9 . . . . . Germany Bundesliga 2 0 0 I / 0 2 . . . . corr. 1 9 9 1 corr. l 9 9 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Germany t t 1 9 9 0 / 9 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . Koszali n l 9 9 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Yangon z t 1 9 9 8 Long Island 1 9 9 6 . . . Neuchatel 1 9 9 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . carr. 1 9 9 6 . . . . . . . . . . . Hamburg 2 0 0 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Netherlands tt I 9 9 4 / 9 5 . . . . . . . . . . Liechtenstein I 9 9 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . corr. 1 9 8 5 . . . . . . Hyderabad ch-INO 1 9 9 4 . . . Cannes 1 9 9 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . corr. 1 9 8 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . carr. 1 9 8 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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367
1 78 1 79 1 80 181 1 83 1 84 1 85 1 86 1 87 1 87 1 89 1 90 191 1 92 1 93 1 95 I 96 1 98 200 20 1 203 204 205 206 206 207 209 210 21 1 212 214 215 2I6 218 219 220 2 20 222 223 225 226 228 230 232 233 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 246 247 248 250 250
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n Friso Nij boer Michel Bakus Volker Meier Finn Gasseholm Uwe Kaminski Kim Pilgaard John Nunn Roland Voigt Erling Mortensen Jordi Magem Badals Alexander Kovchan Alexander Shabalov Sergei Ti viakov Yoav Lederer Vladimir Baklan Tim Eifler Jean Paul Ritscher Helmut Kracht Ziga Zvan Nick de Firmian Rashit Ziatdinov Enrico Sevillano Peter Dengler Mirolj ub Lazic Janusz Ferenc C. Gomez David Smerdon Gregory Shahade Bernd Probat Viesturs Meijers Mikael Sixtensson Vyacheslav Klyuner Thorsten Cmiel David Mrdjen Igor Efimov Vladimir Hrivnak Fred Hedke Ralf Runau Duncan Reed Zigurds Lanka Eduardo de Ia Barrera Bernd Fichtner Gottfried Braun Jan Michael Nykopp Alan Casden Dirk Daniel van Geet Ove Ekebj aerg Anke Koglin Alexei Shirov Aydin Duman Stephane Hautot Mihail Darmarakis Ulrich Dirr David Howell Catarina Leite Annika Frowis Jonathan Ady Konstantin Landa Ivan Cheparinov Hichem Hamdouchi
368
Coen Stehouwer Pierre Lafaurie Matthias Wahls Jens Ove Fries Nielsen Karsten Muller Klaus Berg Julian Hodgson Karsten Muller Curt Hansen Juan Pomes Marcet Mikhail Kobalia Artashes Minasian Pablo Ricardi Igor Bitansky Tamaz Gelashvili Paul Noll Helmut Reefschlager Klaus Peterwitz Tomaz Marinsek Julio Granda Zuniga Gerard Welling Matthias Wahls Karsten Muller Sinisa Dra ic Henrik Mortensen Juan Andres Fos Santacreu Darryl Johansen Martha Lorena Fierro Baquero Christian Erharter Rune Dj urhuus Guy West Janusch Koscielski Hannes Langrock Sasa Horvat Eloi Relange Milan Babula Nils Michaelsen Schmidt Graham Reid Algirdas Bandza Eduardo Perez Gonsalves Rudolf List! Matthias Wahls Vallo Maidla David Taylor Ake Sandklef Sven-Gunnar Samuelsson Svetlana Semina Bartlomiej Macieja Emre Karadeniz Markku Lahtinen Andrei lstratescu Karsten Muller Artur Kogan Antonio Augusto Silva Rhian Hughes Eric Prie Liviu Dieter Nisipeanu Christian Bauer Eric Prie
. . . Netherlands tt 1 9 9 5 / 9 6 . Paris 1 9 9 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Germany tt 1 9 9 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . corr. I 9 9 2 . . . Germany Bundesliga 1 9 9 2 / 9 3 . . Nyborg ch-DEN 2 0 0 I . . . . . . . . . . . . . Netherlands tt 1 9 9 4 / 9 5 . . . . . . . . . . . Dahne Cup, Forchheim tt 1 9 9 9 / 0 0 . . . Graested I 9 9 0 . . Manresa 1 9 9 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kharkov 2 0 0 2 . New York 1 9 9 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Buenos Aires 1 9 9 6 . . . . Tel Aviv ch-JSR 2 0 0 2 . . . Batumi Ech 2 0 0 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Speyer j r 1 9 9 7 . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . Hamburg ch-city 1 9 9 4 . . . . . . Hamburg 2 0 0 I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kranj tt 1 9 9 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amsterdam 1 9 9 6 . . . . . . . . Amsterdam 1 9 9 4 Biel 1 9 9 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Munich 1 9 9 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Turin 2 0 0 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Copenhagen 1 9 9 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Spain 1 9 9 2 / 9 3 . Sun Coast 1 9 9 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paget Parish 2 0 0 I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . St Veit 1 9 9 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Biel 1 9 9 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Biel 1 9 8 6 . . . . . . . . . . . Duisburg 2 0 0 0 . . . . German Amateur Championship 2 0 0 2 Pula 1 9 9 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nice 1 9 9 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kecskemet 1 9 8 7 . Bad Wildbad ch-GER 1 9 9 3 . . West Germany blitz 1 9 7 2 . . . . . . London 2 0 0 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lvov 1 9 8 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Madrid ch-ESP j r 1 9 9 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . Wiesbaden 1 9 9 8 . . . . . Germany tt I 9 9 2 . . . . Vantaa I 994 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . corr. 1 9 8 0 corr. I 9 8 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . corr. 1 9 8 8 Germany Bundesliga I 9 9 4 / 9 5 . . . . . . Bydgoszcz rapid 2 0 0 I . . . . . . . . . Istanbul 2 0 0 3 . . . Halkidiki tt 2 0 0 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hania 2 0 0 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Germany Bundesliga 2 0 0 3 / 0 4 . . . . . . Port Erin 2 0 0 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Faro 1 9 9 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fermo j r 2 0 0 9 . . . . Brussels 2 0 0 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Germany Bundesliga 2 0 0 6 / 0 7 . . . . Kerner t t 2 0 0 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vitrolles rapid 2 0 0 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
252 253 255 2 57 259 261 262 266 267 269 27 I 273 2 74 275 276 277 278 279 280 282 284 286 287 289 289 290 29 I 292 2 94 295 296 297 299 300 303 304 305 307 307 309 3I0 3I I 312 3 14 3I5 3I6 317 318 32 I 321 322 322 323 323 324 324 325 325 326 326
