Chess Opening Essentials (Volume 4)

'1'/te I rk'u,t t(' Pln t t.t Beltirrrl ILL C /te.r.r ( ) 1t(n in |).jrrrir' g'.s' . l)irrritri Kr)nr:rr'()\ o (,la...

Author: Stefan Djuric | Dimitry Komarov | Claudio Pantaleoni

3177 downloads 7504 Views 165MB Size Report

This content was uploaded by our users and we assume good faith they have the permission to share this book. If you own the copyright to this book and it is wrongfully on our website, we offer a simple DMCA procedure to remove your content from our site. Start by pressing the button below!

Report copyright / DMCA form

DOWNLOAD PDF

'1'/te I rk'u,t

t(' Pln t t.t

Beltirrrl ILL C /te.r.r ( ) 1t(n in

|).jrrrir'

g'.s'

. l)irrritri Kr)nr:rr'()\ o (,larrrlio l):rnIrrlr.oni

I

Chess Op-ening Essentials is an accessible prirner and a ref'crence book at the sarne time. It gilres a flavour of how enery opening rvorks and explains the sirnilarities with other openings as well as the difTerences. In addition, it also points at the various nriddlegame plans that apply after the opening has ended.

Grandmasters Dimitri Komarov and Stefan Djuric, and International Master Claudio Pantaleoni do not propagate forcing tactical variations to be rnemorized mechanically, but explain what vou should actually be try{rrg to achie.ve when playing the opening of your clroice. They include t,he rnain alternat.ive responses ancl give clear indicatiorrs fbr further studv.

This thorough, understandable, ancl very readable manual gives you a foundation on which to Lruild your repertoire. Beginning and irnproving chess players should get this Jro'r.verful book before they bu"r' nny olher chess opening book! "Not. only is the rnairr linc cxplained and the reader made hungrv fbr rnore, but he gets enough strategic knowlerlge and insider-tips to get, even if he plays the opening for the first time, into the middlegame safely." Rochade Europa Magazine

"All systems are clearlv listed and presented, without losirrg itself irr errdless variations." FreeChess.com

"I don't t]rink somet]ring like Chess Opening Essentials, in this size, yet, exists. lior plavers with a rating up to 1900, this book covers a large part of the road." Schakers.Info

tsBil

978S

569 5

lllljlillllll

13 083

895

ililil1

Chess Opening Essentials

Volume 4-1.c4

/

1.6R / MinorSystems

Praise for previous volumes of Chess Opening Essentials:

"Both volumes [2 and 3] succeed brilliantly." Joe Petrolito, Australian Chess Magazine "The key positions of each opening are diplayed in red (yes, red) diagrams. The name(s) of the inventors are in bold, red font, and references to other sources or sections of the book are also in red (..) very useful for finding my way around the book." Arne Moll, ChessVibes "The amount of information available on chess openings is so gigantic that one gets almost suffocated. In this book all 1.e4 systems are clearly listed and presented, without losing itself in endless variations." FreeChess.com "Gives an outline of each opening and major variation in turn, explaining the ideas and most popular choices for the benefit of elementary players. I was impressed by the practical advice given in the notes in this well-produced volume."

British Chess Magazine "Full of great ideas, clear explanations and instructive games (..) I have frequently enjoyed browsing through the beautifully-presented volume." GM Paul Motwani. The Scotsman "When you open this fat paperback for the first time, you will be surprised: color! Compared with this, books from Everyman, Gambit or Olms look like black-and-white television. (..) Not only is the main line explained and the reader made hungry for more, but he gets enough strategic knowledge and insider-tips to get, even if he plays the opening for the first time, into the middlegame safely." Erik Rausch, Rochade Europa Magazine

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

Nederlands Dagblad

'At the beginning of each major variation there is an extensive exposition of ideas, sffuctures and plans. The games do give a good impression of the style of a particular opening system and will help the student to decide if he feels 'at home' in the positions." Thomas Berens. Chess-International

'A

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

of

"Apatznr like me, let alone someone with an Elo rating under 1700, should not buy a complex monography on the Najdorf before getting this instructive opening book." Pekka Pakarinen, Suomen Shakki Magazine (Finland) "Well organized, easy to follow, adequate space for notes to other opening references. Good explanations of why a particular opening is or isn't used by the world's best players." Mark Weeks, AbouLcom "For players rated up to 1800 it will undoubtedly be quite useful." Carsten Hansen, ChessCafe something like 'Chess Opening Essentials', in this size, yet exists. For players with a rating up to 1900 this book covers a large part of the road."

"I don't think

Schakers.Info

The complete Chess Opening Essentials series:

Volume Volume Volume Volume

1: The Complete 1.e4

2: l.d4 d5 / l.d4 various / Queen's Gambits 3: Indian Defences, Complete

4: | .c4 /

l.aft / Minor Systems

Stefan Diuric

- Dimitri Komarov -

Claudio pantaleoni

Chess Opening Essentials Volume 4 -'/-,.c4 /

l.af3 / Minor Systems

New In Chess 2010

2010 New In Chess @ Messaggerie Scacchistiche 2006 Revised and updated English edition published by New In Chess, Alkmaar, The

Netherlands

wwwnewinchess.com This e&tion is published by arrangement with Le due Torri ftaly - www.chess.it

-

-

Chess Departrnent Store

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a recieval system or transmitted in any form or by *y means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission from the publisher. Editor: Pierluigi Passerotti Cover design: Steven Boland

Editor English edition: Peter Boel Translator: Richard Jones Proofreading: Ren6 Olthot

Froduction: Anton Schermer ISBN: 978-90-5 69 I -308-3

Preface "There are no bad oputings, only badly played ones"- Lajos Portisch

This is the fourth and final volume of our series on the opening phase of the game of chess; during our journey we have examined a wide array of openings and their individual and often very different peculiarities.

Which is the best opening of them all? As any chess teacher can tell you, this perhaps naive but legitimate question is number one on the beginners'FAQ list! Luckiiy, there is no answer; it is wise to be wary of books in the series Crushyour OV ponentswithDefenceX,or MakethernTrembleandCrywithOpeningY -if only itwere that easy. Quite simply the 'best'opening and'perfect'repertoire do not exist. However, there are undoubtedly openings which are better suited than others to a player's individual snengths and weaknesses - and this is true for both patzer and grandmaster. As with life, the old adage to thy own self be frze applies and this concept is the cornerstone of chess improvement. There are many chess players whose results sufler because they use openings which are completely incompatible with their style of play. Our ambition with this series of books was to supply the willing student with the information necessary to achieve an instructional overview of this intriguing part of the game. Once you have decided on the 'perfect' opening for you, it is possible to look at it more deeply by us-

ing one of the many monographs on individual openings and variations that are available on the market. We have been very careful to try and achieve the right balance; we hope the book is deep enough to be meaningful, without being weighed down by an excessive number of variations. Stefan Djuric

Dimitri l(omqrov Claudio Pantaleoni

Notefrom the editor:The colours in this book serve to help the reader to navigate more quickly, and to distinguish between, for instance, main lines and others. Coloured text highlights important moves, and also key initial positions and positions arising

after important sequences. Bold type, be it in black or in colour, indicates main lines, which are also classified and sub-classified. Lines given in italics are r.rnsound lines that should be avoided. There are also numerous graphic features highlighting moves, plans, and strong or weak points.

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

Glossary of chess symbols !! l? ?l ?

move interesting move dubious move

brilliant

mistake

?? blunder

N I -t

novelty

initiative attack

+t + = + + -+ #

White has a decisive advantage White has a clear advantage White has a sligh6 advantage equal Black has a slight advantage Blackhas a clear advantage Black has a decisive advantage checkmate

i

Gontents

Preface Glossaryofchesssymbols Introduction

rr

,l

1ll"

;

i I I

il

I

l lr

ll

I

1.691-f3 1.4g1-R6g8-f6 1.6g1-f3d7-d5. R6tiOpening 1.6g1-f3 d7-d52.c2-c4.... - Kramnik'srepertoire - RetiAccepted. - SlavFormation. - OrthodoxFormation - AdvanceVariation King'slndianAttack - King's Indian Attack efter l.e4 - King'slndianAttackafter 1.4g1-f3... EnglishOpeningl,.c2-c4 - Black's minor defences Minordefences tolc2-c4 English 1...4f6. Lineswith2.at3 - King's Indian set-up I with 6f3 and...Af6 - Queen'slndianset-upl ... - RomanishinVariation Lineswith2.6c3 - TheGriinfeldset-up. - King's Indian set-up 2 with ...4f6 but without An . . Defenceswith2...e6. - Queen'slndianset-up2.... - Nimzo-Indianset-up - Flohr-MikenasSystem.... SymmetricalEnglishl.c2-c4c7-c5. - Four Knights Variation. - Asymmetrical Variation - RubinsteinVariation - KeresSystem - HedgehogSystem - DoubleFianchettoVariation

........ 5 .....6 .... 9 .....13 .....19 .....24 ...35

.....35 ....37 ...38

.....44 .......48 -.......52 . . . 52

........54 .....61

. . . 63

.... & ......69 .....69 ....

.69

.....73 ....74 .....77 .....77 . . . 80

........86

.....86 .....88 ......93 .......101 . . lQT . . 116

....I22

...125

......I29 ....140

Chess Opening Essentials

- Volume 4

1...e5. - ShirovVariation2...9b4 - King'slndianset-up3.... - Four Knights Variation. - Four Knights Variation with 4.g3 MinorOpenings - Benko Opening l.g2-93 - LarsenOpeningl.b2-b3 - Bird's Opening l.f2-t4. - Van Geet Opening 1.hb1-c3 Rare andVeryRareOpenings RareOpenings... - Sokolsky Opening l.b2-V - Grob Attack l.g2-g4 - MiesesOpeningl.d2-d3 - Van 't Kruijs Opening l.e2-e3 - AnderssenOpeningl.a2-a3 Very Rare Openings - SaragossaOpeningl.c2-c3 - ClemenzOpeningl.hz-h3 - AmarOpening 1.6g1-h3 - Du*inopeningl.abl-a3 - Reagan Attack l.h2-h4 - Ware Opening l.a2-a4

English

- r.n-R

IndexofPlayers.....

..... . 145

.......151 .....162 . . 175 . . 185

.....199 .

.200

.......201 . ...

.2ll

.217

......228

...228

.. ...229 . .. .232

.......237 ..

.238

.....239

. . Ul .....24t

......242

.......2M ......2M

.247 . . .247 .

...248

... -..251

in the past, Just a short trip back in time takes us to the 1940's and 50's - when redoubtable figures such as Euwe,

wiII begin this book with the same question that we asked in the previous books in our series on the 1.e4 & 1.d4 We

Pachman, Taimanov, Boleslavsky, Geller and Suetin wrote weighty tomes that were a challenge for even the most willing student (not least because they were only available in Russian and German! These great theoreticians truly deserve our respect as they managed to cohesively catalogue a vast amount of difficult-to-obtain material without the help of the modern aids that we now take so much for granted, namely databases containing millions of games and powerful chess engines (without these formidable programs mistakes in tactical analysis were always on the cards).

Pawns.

However, perhaps the most important resource that we have to today for the assessment of academic theory and for practical competition is statistics. It is difficult to overstate the value of being able to check the recent perfor-

1.e4 was by far and away the most pop-

mance

ular choice in the l9th century. However, by the early part of the 20th century 1.d4 was equally popular and well respected. Ample evidence of this is provided by the historic 1927 World Championship match between Alekhine and Capablanca: 1.e4 was played only once (in the first game!), and in the 33 (!) games that followed White chose to begin with 1.d4.

given game.

openings and the Indian Defences: What is the best move in this position? As noted previously, the classical ap-

proach is to occupy the cenae with

of

every single move

in

any

Naturally these tools must be used with fl exibility.

intelligence and

The following factors always need to be

gin with a direct occupation of the cen-

taken into consideration when assessing the worth of a line: the psychological impact of a move may offset its objective defects; the relative skill of the players - some lines are more common at high levels and vice versa; a very recent theoretical novelty can quickly change the standing of an opening line (which may later prove to be excellent,

ue?

notwithstanding initially discouraging

As we have pointed out previously, the modern chess expert has a variety of tools that were not available to scholars

performance figures). However, in general when a variation has been sufffciently tested and the data

So what about openings that do

not be-

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

come clear.

about the importance of the centre just hot air? No, let's not get carried away.

So, what does all this signify? 1.e4 and

The centre

used are gathered from a large enough number of games, the hard facts be-

will always be a strategic factor of fundamental importance. However, to understand it properly we must have a more sophisticated concept of

l.d4 were - and to a large extent still are - considered to be objectively the best moves; do statistics challenge this assumption? Let's examine the table at the bottom this page.

occupation. A true strategic advantage is obtained if you manage to combine

of

control and occupation of the centre. The not insignificant problem is that this is rarely possible, unless your opponent is an obliging person and plays

1.4f3, 1.c4 and 1.g3 have the same performance. 1.d4 is slightly better than 1.e4, but it should be noted that the average Elo of the l.e4 players in the sample is approximately 10 points below the average of the players who

very passively!

Any military expefi will tell you that the more territory you occupy, the more difficulty you have in controlling it; the corollary is that control by itself is not enough to win a war - you also

chose 1.d4.

If you adjust the results to take into account Elo differences, the five most

require occupation.

common opening moves have the same

Well then. So if all the openings

what is the best approach in chess? As always, it is a question of balance: you need to reconcile control and occupation, giving preference to one or the other in accordance with your taste and style of play but without too much emphasis on one at the expense of the

pretty much the same, was all that

other.

performance.

So

l.f4 is the only choice that performs below 50%, but also here the average Elo is a contributing factor to lower performance: 1.f4 players have significantly lower Elo ratings.

Move

are stuff

White's perforrnance

Numberofsames

White's average Elo 2392

Total

55%

1.130.000

].e4

5+%

510.000

238

1.d4

56%

402.000

2+02

l.af3

S60/o

I 13.000

2+02

l.c4

560/o

86.000

2+07

l.s3

560/o

1

1.000

2393

1.b3

53%

3.7 00

236+

1.f4

+6%

3.300

2327

10

1

Introducti

One only need think of the Alekhine Defence, which we discussed in the first volume; if White chooses the Four

will physically occupy with a menacing phaIanx of pawns, but at the same time grant Black ample opportunities for counterplay. On the other hand, with +.4R, White contents himself with a more disciplined control, which has

on

Another good example is the English 1.c4: here the most eflective response statistically is I ...e5 .

Pawns Attack, he

the whole centre

produced better results statistically. Towards the end of the 1990's, Black players increasingly chose semi-open defences to meet l.e4 (most notably the Sicilian), *d the Indian defences in reply to 1.d4.

It is therefore only

natural that White would also choose set-ups that conceptually involve a delayed occupation of the centre, or, indeed, concede the cen-

tre to the opponent with the idea of playing systems traditionally associated with Black with an extra tempo. A good example is the King's Indian Auack 1.4f3, 2.g3, 3.4g2, 4.0-0, 5.d3 and 6.e4 (these moves are played virtually regardless ofhow Black responds).

ffie il€ ffia ffi rre r€re raff I €g

ry re w re @ ry

ffi ffis re ffi re A€ a# ffis uEs re

are

F?

This is none other than a King's Indian played by White, and therefore with a move in hand (with greater attacking chances, and hence the name).

8flffi3.t€rcAffi

#rrcr#*r€*r

cg#re€ ffireffiw ffia#rcffi

ryre€# Affi #AreAff ffiaresffiailtr

And we have a Sicilian Defence with reversed colours. However, it is clear that the extra move changes things considerably: here Black is less likely to open the game with a ...d7-d5 push, whereas the equivalent advance for White (in the Open Sicilian) is common. Another example of 'White playing Black'is l.af3 d5.

ffisil€re rh irre ffir ry ffiffirc i rerffi #

€=ilre ire@a

ffi

ffiAilAre A

iaresrea

Now, depending on what White plays,

2.e3 and 3.b3 establishes a reverse Queen's Indian, or 2.g3 a reverse King'sIndian. However, more often than not, White plays 2.d4, establishing a Queen's Pawn Game, or makes the move 2.c4, going into the R6ti, which we discuss later.

ll

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

1.4f3 and 1.c4 are therefore considered to be very elastic moves that can lead to one of the following: distinct and

On the merits of these opinion is divided: there are those who consider them perfecdy playable, while others

characteristic set-ups with their own individual identities, black defences with reversed colours, or 1d4 transpo-

view them as having more defects than virtues. Their performance is similar to that of Black, and even if they do not give White any particular disadvantage

sitions. Then there are other first move options where one knows that White has the intention of playing a black defence with an extra move: 1.6c3, 1.d3, 1.e3, 1.c3 or 1.a3. None of these may be particularly vigorous. However, they are always going to be useful moves, and while it is true that Black should have few problems achieving equality, he needs to be careful not to become overly ambitious and get into trouble ttnng to exploit a nonexistent advantage.

In

addition, there are the two flank

openings 1.b4 and 1.94.

12

they are dubious in as far as White renounces the advantage of having the first move.

The final group consists of opening moves that can only be described as eccentric (i.e. they do not occupy the cen-

tre, or in any way contribute to the direct or indirect control of the centre) here we see the game begin with a knight jumping to the outer rim of the board, or the advance of the h-pawn or worse still - its companion on f3. The chief purpose of these lines is to be provocative and few players believe they offer anything more.

century that it became a perfecdy 'normal' move, even if White usually followed it up by playing d4, with a transposition to the Queen's Pawn Game. It is important to note that we very frequently see transpositions to positions that are generally classified as belonging to the English 1.c4. In the 1920's Richard R6ti came up with the idea of challenging 1...d5 with

.#A:#:

A# #r '#t # L#L =# '#'# Effi

ffi=

=;jE

"{fE

?#

€

#"4 -#

z-t$

=#=

--E_ .#

"="&

6=e

the move 2.c41?.

A# A.# A #aa= A

a #s

g#tr

#"#A #e #A# L,#L #-"# * I #- # # # L"#-## E

._F€=re

White develops a piece towards

the centre; he plays a useful move and postpones a parvn push until he has a better

idea of which set-up Black is likely to choose.

Contemporary players are very fond

of

=;#

A =#.

A A "# =;

a

'.#=

'F

t#=

-=#x a'38=

#a#

ued+ d -F:- a#;tr

this flexible approach, even if White

to delay or avoid

obviously denies himself the possibility

R6ti's plan was

of playing lines that involve an early

dl-d+ push, thus giving l.Af3 its own

f-pawn advance or that begin with placing the knight on e2 or h3.

individual and modern identity. Besides 1...4g8-f6 and 1...d7-d5,

In the 19th century this knight move rvas played by Staunton, Blackburne, Zukertort and, most importandy, by

which are the two most common replies, Black can choose from a variety of options that are listed below in ascend-

Steinitz. However, it was only in the 2Oth

ing order of importance.

13

the

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

Minor Responses to 1.691-f3

A)

This continuation is probably better than its reputation would suggest, and recently has become quite fashionable.

1.

c7-c6 transposes to the Caro-Kann after 2.e4, to the Slav after 2.d4 and to the R6ti in the event of 2.c4. ...

This generally

B)

1.

EffiE,#g#A= -

Stopping c4 and preparing ...9b7.

';ih

ii+=;

i'+j W

==lj ,;.:' ?i;:61 'i==

2.

e2-e4 This is more energetic than 2.d+ Ab7 3.c31? a6 4.9b3, which nonerheless leaves White with a preferable position. 2. ... 9c8-b7 3. Af1xb5!

'jj==

E

b7-b5

...

i#r#rffir i.":,'i

&:

=: i':il

A#A;ffiA#A#r

E:a'gigf#Ag.i=tr 2.

g2-g3l?

ter 3.d3 e6 4.g3 c5, the position resembles a King's Indian Attack position that does not cause Black any par-

The moves 2.c4 and 2.d4 tend to lead eitlrer to the English Defence (1 .d4 e6 2.c4 b6) or to the Queen's Indian, which are discussed in our third volume. If 2.e4t? is followed by Z...Abl 3.4c3 c5 4.d4 cxd4 5.Axd4, we have a type of

ticular problems.

Open Sicilian in which Black's fian-

3.6c3? b4

loses the e4

pawn, whereas af-

3. ... Ab7xe4 4. d2-d4 6s8-f6 5. 0-0 e7-e6 6. c2-c4 9f8-e7 7.

8.

Ab1-c3

Ae4-b7

suddenly

,===

,rtr=

il;iiA=#

,&a

GW ii=..'E*. And White has

1....

a

find himself playing an

2. ... 3. Af1-g2 4. 0-0 5. d2-d3!?

=:4

I+

to

open game.

d4-d5

+=!;,

c)

chetto seems somewhat premature. However, it may be psychologically unpleasant for a player who opens 1.6f3

nice space advantage.

b7-b6

Ac8-b7 Ag8-f6 e7-e6

After 5.d4!?. the moves 5...AeZ 6.c4 take us into a Queen's Indian. 5. ... d7-d5 6. ab1-d2 Af8-e7

7.

e2-e4

c7-c5

Transposing to the King's Indian Attack, with chances for both players.

D)

1. ...

d7-d6

It is clear that the plan is to follow this up with the pawn advance ...e7-e5.

r.6g1-f3

EreErc€=a

ErcAH€T'h

.rrer ilE*ilTil ffiffi#re €ilr*=

r€mr 5Grffir

rereilil a#€a€ AreAAreAililAil

AH€AUI

*sffie

ryaffisree€tr 2.

After 2.d4 d5, you transpose to the

c2-cA

Otherwise 2.d41, with a transposition to the 1.d4 d6 Defence, which is discussed in the 2nd volume of our series.

2. ... 3. d2-d4

e7-e5

For 3.4c3, go to the section on the brglishOpeningbelow. 3. ... e5-e4l? 4. Af3-95 t7-t5

ffie. g€ryAil

€ffir ryryil # €rre ffia ilsril il €€ r*re re

Chigorin Defence. In reply to

2.

Scandinavian Defence by playing or a type of Modern Defence with the moves 2...d6 3.d4 6fG 4.6c3 9g4. 2...d5,

G)

1.

a

*r*r rery

transpositional possibilities. However, Black must remember that if White respondswith

2.

e2-e4

will

be forced to play a French after 2. . ,d5 or the .. .e5 Sicilian after 2. .. c5 .

he

F)

rcry

=€

#€a ArcAry

double-edged position.

E) 1. ... e7-e6 An elastic move with innumerable

1.

...

6b8-c6

g7-gG

...

3.H€ry

ffiAilTAil grcA€E

With

e2-e4

Black can choose to play either an open game by responding with 2...e5, the

#srca

Obviously, it is now possible to tr:rnspose to the Modern, Pirc, King's Indian, Gribrfeld or the Fnglish, depending on whether White plays or does not play c4 or d4, and equally on whether Black plays or does not play ...Ofe and pushes his pawn to d5 or d5.

H)

1.

...

t7-t5 l5

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

Black would like to play the Dutch Defence. And he will be granted his wish,

The effectiveness of Botvinnik's move makes this a less appealing line for

if White opts for d2-d4 either now or in the near future. A highly interesting

White. The idea is to control

alternative is for White to play c2-c4instead, and then to prepare the push

e2-e4 with the move d2-d3; this approach will be discussed later in the section on the EnglishOpening. The only line that has its own distinct identity is

2. e2-e4l? 3. 6f3-s5

f5xe4

Do not forget thnt 4,,,exd3? !

ffiWffire #rcil #ffir#re ffiffiffi ffiffiffiffi AreAffi

#Are

rea#srea#tr

White hopes to win back the pawn, relying on some tactical motifs on the light squares. d7-d5l 3. ... White can respond to 3...4f6 with 4.d3!; capturing on d3 is dangerous and other moves give White good compensation.

4. d2-d3

ning.

5. 6b1-c3l The idea of Black's previous move is that after the spontaneous 5.dxe4 Black has 5...h5! and the check on h5 can be met by 6...96 and Black has an advan-

5. ... 6. hc3-b5 White adds

6. ...

l6

Bd6-c6 7.d! VxbS 8.Wh5+. with

a

7. d3xe4 7.dxc7*

does not seem to offer more

than

draw by perpetual

a

T...Wxc7

check:

8.ghs+ &d7 9.6fi af6

l0.he5+!€d8 11.6f7+. 7. ... h6xg5

8. e4xd5

Wc6-d7

EffiEW@ffiA

r $resffi

ffiF

iffiffiffi AffiAffi flE ffiffiffi *

ffiffi

€re

AWAffi

#r €Lffiil

ffiffi

H

ini-

winning attack,

€# a I il re rgffi #H # ffig ffi ffiA

a tactical element to his

Not 6.-Vb4+?

gd8-d6!

#Affi * A affig ffie

h7-h6

tiative.

E flrc3.ffi

n A

far from wise:

5.9xffi 6f6?! 6.fuh7! and White is utin-

r#rfrre *ilr

re

is

of

tage.

E-E.

ffi

the

g6-square and to allow an exchange queens, but on d6 rather than on d8.

ffi

?s AffF

ffie

jj.gg

MIB

It is diflicult to assess how much compensation White has received for the oiece.

1.691-f3

1. Ir

-

f

c7-c5

...

a#€

f - =a= r.= r

===::-:::=

;:=::

.

=:ja=

=

= = -:.=: = == 6=::,== =A *A=5:A ==, E, a#w€. A==tr ==-==.

ta

Given the importance of every tempo in an aggressive defence such as the King's

Indian, having an extra move as White is significant. However, ir is difficult to say if the extra tempo is sufficient to represent

a

concrete advantage.

Without doubt Black would be wise ro avoid overly aggressive continuations such as 5...f6 or, worse still. 5...f5. but rather the more solid s...af6 or 5...Ae7, with a balanced position.

A commonway to proceed.

Most of the time White

will

transpose

to a Symrnetrical English with

position 2.c4, but, obviously, Black must

take into account rhe possibility of 2.e4t? andplaying a Sicilian. A relatively popular continuation is 2.b3, which has similar strategic objectives to the Larsen Opening 1.b3, and is therefore examined in that section. A specific variation of a standard opening can be reached after 1.6f3 c5 with the moves: 2. g2-g3t? 6b8-c6 3. Af1-92 e7-e5 4. O-Ot? d7-d5 s. d2-d3

Woi tkiewicz,Aleksander

Bronstein,David Reykjavik I 994 (8)

1.4f3 b5 2.e4 Ab7 3.Axb5 Axe4 4.d4 afi 5.0-0 e6 6.c4 Ab7 7.6c3 Ae7 8.d5 0-0 9€a4 6a6 10.a3 6c5 11.ic2 a5 12.Ee3 exd5 13.cxd5 gG 14.tre1 6h5 15.6e5 6g716.4d4 a4 17.6xa4 d6 18.694 f5 19.Axg7 €xg7 20.9d4+ Af6 21.6xf6 trxf6 22.2,c3 eg8 23.f4 trt7 24.M ad7 25.Aa4 af6 26.4c6 EbB 27.bs gxc6 28.dxc6 d5 29.trad1 gd6 30.a4 Ea8 31.tre5 Sa3 32.6xd5 trxa4 33.6xf6+ trxf6 34.€gld8+ Efg

35.tre8 BcS+ 36.9h1

Eb4

37.trxf8+ WxfS 38.'Sxc7 Exbs

gcs 41.c7 trf8 42.9d5+ Wxd5 43.trxd5 gfz 39.h3 Ebg 40.9d7

44.trd8

1,:O

Kartnrnen,Mika g6lak,Dragan

And we are in a line of the King's Indian Attack, i.e. in a main line of the King's Indian with reversed colours.

Calvia ol 2OO+ (2) 1.d4 dO 2.c4 e5 3.4f3 e4 4.hg5 f5 5.s3 6fG 6.4c3 h6 7.4h3 95 8.f3

€g7 9.9g2 0-O 10.fxe4 6xe4 11.Axe4 txe4 12.Qtt2 gfs 13.0-0 Be714.Aeg ad715.trc1 AfG 16.b4 t/

Chess Opening Essentiols

- Volume 4

d5 17.c5 E;t718.a4 Eaf8 19,b5 We6 20.9b3 €h7 21.a5 €sG 22.Wa2 EeB 23.Wa4h524.h3 tref8 2S.Wb3 trh8 26.€h2 af8 27.g.d2 gd7 28.*91 c6 29.b6 a6 30.€h2 Ag7 31.4d1 h4 32.g4 Axg4 33.hxg4 h3 34.4h1 hxg4+ 35.€g1 Axd4+ 36.e3 h2+37.&g2hxe3+ o-l Lautier,Joel

AxhS 10.gxh3 0-0-0 11.4e3 Ag7 12.9"e2 Af6 13.a3 e5 14.Wa4 Ad4 15.0-0 a6 16.trad1 Ed7 17.Axd4 exd4 18.4b5 We5 19.hxd4 BhdS 20.c3 EdG 21.b4 ads 22.9m af4 23.994+ sb8 24.b5 axbS 25.€h1 h5 26.6xb5 hxg4 27.6xd6 cxd6 28.Wfz gf6 29.Wc-4 d5 30.9b5 Wc6 31.Wa5 trc8 32.9b4 Wxc3 33.9d6+ Bc7 34.Wb4 d4 g5.Wb1

ad3

Bareev,Evgeny

o-1

Biei 1991 (13)

1.4f3 f5 2.e4 txe4 3.495 dS 4.d3 Wd6 5.dxe4 h6 6.9h5+ 96 7.Wh4 c6 8.4d3 As7 9.6f3 ss 10.9h5+ €fg 11.0-0 ad7 12.e5 6xe5 13.6xe5 Axe5 14.f4 Axf4 15.Axf4 gxf4 16.4c3 af6 17.9h4 e5 18.6e2

Ag4 19.Axf4 exf4 20.h3 €f7 21.hxg4 WeS 22.Wh2 We3+ 23.€h1 Wg3 24.trx14 Wxh2+ 25.€xh2 €97 26.Eaf1 trhfg 27.&93 trae8 28.€h4 ad7 29.trxf8 6xf8

30.95 hxg5+ 31.€xgS Ae6+ 32.€g4 6c5 33.4f5 6e4 g4.gf4

Af6 35.94 d4 36.8f2 c5 37.trh2 c4 38.8d2 trd8 39.s5 6d5+ 40.€e5 Ae3 41.4e6 dg 42.cxd3 cxd3

43.€e4 trdO 44.€xe3 Exe6+ 45.€xd3 Ed6+ 46.€e3 Hxd2 47.&xd2 €96

48.€e3

Vz-lh

Dimitr ii eyic,Aleksandra Markus,Robert Subotica 2003 (6)

1.4f3 f5 2.e4 txe4 3.695 dS 4.d3

gd6

5.dxe4 h6 6.4h3 dxe4 7.9h5+ 96 8.wb5+ 6c6 9.Ac3

l8

Carlsen,Magnus Dolmatov,Sergey Moscow 2004 (3)

1.afg f5 2.d3 d6 3.e4 e5 4.4c3 Ac6

5.exf5 Axf5 6.d4 6xd4 7.6:xd4 exd4 8.Wxd4 at0 9.4c4 c6 10.495 b5 11.4b3 Ae7 12.0-0-0 Wd7 13.Hhe1 €d8 14.Hxe7WxeT 1S.Wf4 Ad7 16.6e4 d517.art6 h6 1g.Ah4

9519.Wd4

t-o

ForstetRichard Kortchnoi,Yiktor Lenzerheide ch-SUI 2006 19)

1.4f3 d5 2.93 c5 3.Ag2 6c6 4.0-0 e5 5.d3 Ae7 6.c4 6f6 7.495 da 8.8e1 0-0 9.e3 dxeS 1O.Axe3 h6 11.4c3 Ae6 12.Wb3 trb8 13.4d2 2'54 14.4d5 Ad6 15.6e4 6xe3 16.trxe3 b5 17.cxb5 6d4 18.Wc4 trxbS 19.trb1 Hb4 20.WaG Axd5 21.WxdG o,c2 22.Wxe5 Axa2 23.trf1 Axe3 24.fxe3 Wxd3 25.94 Wxe3+ 26.€h1 Wd4 27.9h5 trxb2 28.6g3 gG 0-1

Please note that besides the lines we are

w#

- ffi Affi€

I ffiffirffire L.ffiL ffi *ffi

ryffi W a= ffiffi== =#A#

-

A

A

ffi'#j

W

=#

ffi ,\ AffiffiA

swtr

q)

Black simply copies White's move and rvaits. Former World Correspondence Champion Hans Berliner is the author of a book in which he states with the certainty of a true believer that 1.d4 is superior to all other openings. Then, with equally dogmatic convicrion, BerIiner declares that there is no doubt that

t

1...4f6. Usually White replies with one of the following moves: o 2.c4 - the English Opening. o 2.d4 - covered in our 2nd and 3rd the best answer

to 1.4f3

volumes on the Queen's Pawn Game 2.b3

-

discussed in the section on 1.b3.

Here we will look at the individual lines that arise after 2.93.

2.

92-93

E# EffiE #

#,

*t #rre L- =I = '*,6

=# iffit€ =rc = = -# #= 'F.e =

A# =#a

fiW

fa@ w# A'ffiS A

A) 2. ... b7-b5 An interesting move: it controls c4 and it frees b7 for the bishop, from where it will challenge its opposire number on 92. The downside is that on b5 the pavm makes it easier for White to open up the queenside with a2-a4.

3. Af1-92 The immediate 3.a4!? is also interesting.

3. ... 4. 0-0 5. d2-d3!?

Ac8-b7 e7-e6

Establishing a type of King's Indian Attack set-up. After the natural 5.d4, you

of Queen's Indian where the inability of White to advance his pawn to c4 would appear to give Black have a sort

an easy game.

5. ...

d7-d5

Otherwise 5...d6, which mainrains

and Indiandefences.

o

about to look at, it is also possible to play 2...d5, with a transposirion ro the 1.af3 d5 variarion, and 2...d6, which can lead to either a Pirc or a King's Indian after 3.d4.

#

affi'#

# g:#

A

control of the e5-square.

6. ab1-d2 7. e2-e4 8. Efl-el

Af8-e7 c7-c5

Ab8-c6

More prudent than 8...0-0, which grants White a typical initiative with 9.e5 AfdT l0.Afl Ac6 ll.h4 9cZ l}.Af+ a5 l3.alh2, and when this knight gets to 94, White's kingside pressure starts to make itself felt.

9. Wd1-e2

Wd8-c7

10. c2-c3 With the black king yet to castle, the e4-e5 advance is less effective.

t9

Chess Opening Essenticls

10.

...

-

Volume 4

a7-a5

White's set-up is not particularly agNow, given that Black has lost tempi on gressive and so a second fianchetto with the queenside, it is probably best for a...g6l? comesintoconsideration. 5. d2-d3 White to open the position with: 11. e4xdSl 6f6xd5 5.d4 9e7 (5...c5!?) 6.c4 transposes to After 1 1...exdS l2.d4Whitehasaplus. theQueen'sIndian. 12. a2-a4 5. ... d7-d5 As with 2...b5, also here Black can continue in Sicilian style with 5...c5 6.e4 E E =:i::& d6, with a more fluid centre. ffi == -''f.,, 6. ab1-d2 Af8-e7 = it# 7. e2-e4 c7-c5 "# Affiffi {E-=

L-t

A=

#a r

r#

a:

'.;i '#-

u=E=

dj.$ffi

*

:j=?.=

*

A

6'#

#s #s* frW.+

.tsB.,

'HF'

B) 2. ... b7-b6 A natural and solid move: Black's bishop will soon be facing its white counterpart without creating the weaknesses associated with the two-square advance of the same pawn.

3. Af1-92 4. O-0

Ac8-b7 e7-e6

E* #€ #"# i#E#rffiffi L,#L -

,

=

tffiwr !li,?+ W

ffi

-#i=

-==

i::ii

6# -#.9:#

== =AAEAffiA w;{4 ilriE

ffiaffiswi E=

Lines where White plays c2-c4, either now or later, will be discussed in the section on the EnglishOpening.

ln

-

usith a

decisiae adaantage.

8. Ef1-e1

Ab8-c6

Also in this position, it is more prudent for Black to delay castling.

9.

with a small advantage for White.

''

Not 7...dxeL 8.dxe4 6xe4? 8.6e5!

c2-c3

Wd8-c7

E+FJ}

Es=

i#,i

A=#

-Effi

,

*L=#L -a.r. '#L'if:f,E

=

F; -a#F Affi ffi #Affi WgE *i ffi a

and we have a complex game that offers

both sides chances.

C) 2. ...

c7-c5

E#-e,=e'*

rffir-L-L ... ,,1-,,

tr

ffi f,tr. ,ffill

;iit

,ff+; ',i

ir\l\I$

=A.. A*A= =C6j# tr

aag€a

"tr

1.691-f3 698-f5 An invitation to play a Symmetrical

This solid prophylactic move intro-

English, if White replies c2-c4.

duces the Double Fianchetto Variation:

3. 9f1-92 4. 0-0 5. d2-d3

although it is logical to challenge the role of the g7 bishop by developing the bishop to b2, it is a litde slow to give White any objective advantage. Nonetheless, it may be psychologi-

6b8-c6

e7-e5 d7-d5 and we are in the Classical Variation of tle King's Indian Attack, the merits of which are discussed in the section on the 1...c5 variation.

D)

2. H e

cally disconcerting for Black, who will not want to see the aggressive nature of the kingside fianchetto neutralized.

...

3. ... 4. Ac1-b2 5. Af1-s2

97-96

il-E=€il

rrer.rre I ffi ffi ilffir

ffi re#re ##ffi ffi ffi #are A ffiAreA#ff aresffiare H

F?

Naturally, it is now possible to transpose

to the King's Indian, the Gribrfeld Indian or the EnglishOpening. Here we will discuss the independent

0-0 d7-d6 This line, in the spirit of the King's Indian, is the most popular choice. 6. d2-d4 To prevent...e7-e5.

E ffie ffi

ffie r. re r# I % *r ffi ffi ffi ffi

€n ffi_

ffi ffi ffi ffi ffi Aw re a# A ffia Kg ffie ffi

affi

lines.

Dl) 3. b2-b3!?

Eflffi3.#@ry

.rrer=rrer=

ffireilr# ffiffiffire wffi Are

ffi

ffis

are

#are

Af8-97

tr

Usually this position is classified

as

part

of the

Fianchetto Variation of the King's Indian and it is often reached by means of t.d+, 2.6f3,3.g3 etc, but given that White does not always push c2-c4, we have decided to look-at it here instead.

6. ...

e7-e5l?

The most thematic move. However, it is also possible to prepare this advance with 6...6bd2 or begin queenside play with either 6...c6 or 6...c5.

7.

d4xe5

6t6-d7 z1

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

After 7...694, White can play the irritating 8.h3! 6xe5 9.6xe5 Axe5 10.Axe5 dxe5 1l.9xd8 Exd8 12.2,d2; White has only a minimal advantage, but at the same time he has robbed Black of virtually all winning

E

tr

I 1 .h4, and we have an unclear game.

Ab8-c6

8...dxe5!? is perhaps better.

gd1-d2

A

A

preparing queenside castling with 8.4c3!? dxes 9.9d2 Ac6 10.0-0-0 a5

6c6xe5

10. c2-eA

Eresg ile hffirrer

ref

ffiilffi re re rearu A H A ilAffi ,\ greAru q_J

Surprisingly, White can also give the position a more tactical character by

9.

re

ffiffir

#$

O-0

8. ...

I re rIErE

ffi

ffi

chances.

8.

ffi _e. teffi

4.

re

d7-d5r Gaining space in the centre in an attempt to demonstrate that the pawn on ...

a liability than an asset. 4...0-0 5.c4! d6 6.492 e5 7.d3 transposes to positions tFpical of the English with...e5. s. -CI.fl-g2 0-0 6. 0-0 c7-c6l? 7. d2-dg a7-a5 8. a2-a3 a5xb4 9. a3xb4 Ea8xal

b4 is more of

10.

Ab2xa1

gd8-b6

with a balanced position.

D3) 3. 9f1-g2 4. 0-0

Af8-g7 0-0

5. d2-d3

Theory estimates White to have a small but unpleasant advantage.

D2) 3. b2-b4l? This extended fianchetto is considered to be more combative than the normal

one, however, the degree to which a move is aggressive is not simply determined by how far it extends towards enemy territory. 3. ... 9.f8-g7 4. Ac1-b2

22

If White

were to play both c2-c4 and d2-d4, there would be a transposition to the King's Indian. When White advances his pawn to c4 only, we enter the English.

5. ...

d7-d6

5...d5!? breaks the symmeuy; we look at this in the section on 1...d5.

6. e2-e4

will

e7-e5

6...c5 !? transposes to a Closed Sicilian.

7. 6b1-d2 7.c3

!

?

is an interesting alternative.

7.

...

Ab8-c6l?

1

E ,Eg E 9..' I l* .,.rEr .A

I

A A

D

AAA'^\ 2\ /\ 2\ L/ \ {' \S4/ F E

6

Spraggett,Kevin Alonso,salvador

A l'.'

*

.Z-91-f3 698-f

Sarl Sebastian open

2005 (6)

1.4f3 af6 2.93 96 3.b3 Ag7 4.A;b2 c5 5.c4 z.c6 6.:*g2 dG 7.0-0 0-0

8.d3 a6 9.4c3 trbg 10.9d2 b5

,\A t'L t A,AA

11.Efdl bxc4 12.dxc4

AHt5

Q-:aS 13.6e1

9b7 14.Axb7 trxb7 15.4d3 6c6 16.e3 Wa8 17.8e2

=BB

ab4

18.4t4

HbbS 19.f3 6c6 20.trd2 6e5 21.trf1

Black can continue moves '2

to copy White's

with 7...6bd7 8.a4 a5 8.4c4

c5. but the resulting positions are

a

little arid.

8. c2-c3 9, a2-a4 10. 6d2-c4

a7-a5 b7-b6!?

Lc8-a6

and both sides have chances.

22.6sa4 Ae8 23.4c3 AcG 24.9xg7 €xg7 25,h4 hf6 26.94 hG 27.Q:c3 6-le5 28.Wg2 Wc6 29.e4 e6 30.g5 hxgS 31.hxgS Ah7 32.6fe2 Wc7 33.f4 6c6 34.f5 gxfS 35.exf5 trg8 36.fxe6 fxe6 37.at4 EbeS 38.trd3 ad4 39.4h3 afs 40.g6 af6 41.6e4 Wc6 42.Wb2 e5 43.hxf6 €xf6 44.8d5 €e6 45.trxf5 trxg6+ 1-0 46.€h2

trfd8

Minasian,Artashes Bartel,Mateusz Polugaevsky,Lev

Warsaw Ech 2005 (7')

1.4f3 af6 2.93 b5 3.4g2 4b74.0-0 e6 5.d3 d5 6.e4 dxe4 7.Afd2 Wc8 8.Axe4 Axe4 9.dxe4 o,d710.a4 aG 11.We2 Ac6 12.4d2 bxa4 13.e5 Axg2 14.€xg2 Wb7+ 15.€g1 WbS 16.We4 0-0-0 17.4c4 Ab4 18.Ae3 gds 19.9h4 g.e7 2o.Wxe7 Wxc4 21.t4 h5 22.Ha3 h4 23.trc3 We4 24.AbO h3 25.9f2 Wg2+ 26.€e1 we4+ 27.&t2 wg2+ 28.€e1 we4+ 29.4e3 EheS 30.Wxf7 Wb4 31.€f2 Wxb2 32.A:d4 Wb733.€e3 g5 34.f5 gds 35.trd1 cO 36.trcd3 6xe5 37.Axe5 Wxe5* 38.9d2 trxd3+ 39.cxd3 exfs 40.trc1 Wb2+ 41.trc2 Ee2+ 42.&xe2 Wxc2+ 43.€e3

46.€f1a3

0-1

Tal,Mikhail Leningrad ch-URS 197

|

(11)

1.4f3 af6 2.93 g6 3.b3 AgZ 4.s.b2 dO 5.d4 0-0 6.4g2 e5 7.dxe5 hg4 8.h3 Axe5 9.4)xe5 Axe5 10.Axe5 dxe5 11.Bxd8 trxd8 12.Ld2 ad7 13.0-0-0 treB 14.he4 €g715.g4 hG 16.trd9 AfG 17.6xf6 €xf6 18.Ehd1 c6 19.8f3+ €97 20.8e3 95 21.a4 &tG 22.a5 a6 23.€b2 Ae6 24.€c3

EacS 25.9b4 h5 26.8f3 hxg4 27.hxg4 trcd8 28.trxd8 ExdB 29.€c5 trd4 30.c4 Axg4 31.Axg4 Bxg4 32.€bG gf4 33.f3 e4 34.€xb7 €e5 35.€xa6 €d4 36.trxe4+ Exe4 37.Ixe4 94 38.*,b7 93 39.aG 92 40.a7 91W 41.a8W c5 42.€b6 €c3 43.Wd5 WgB 44.€xc5 €xbS LJ

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

45.8d3+ gb2 46.9d6 €b3 47.9b6+ €c2 48.€b5 Bg4 49.9d4

Sxe2 50.*b6 gh2 51.e5 gb3

E

52.c5 f6 53.c6 fxe5 54.9d5+ €a4 1-O 55.8b5+ €a3 56.c7

EtsEAA

E

*.1,*' I r I I l.,ri' tt,. I

:,'l= i-1.

Smyslorr,Yasily

Borisenko,Georgy Moscow fi 1964 1.4f3 Af6 2.g3 g6 3.b4 c6 4.ha3 Ag7 5.4g2 Aa6 6.Ebl O'0 7.O-0 d5 8.c4 Af5 9.d3 gd7 1ob5 cxb5 11.trxb5 EadS 12.4b2 Ae5 13.6e5 Wc8 14.Wa1 Ah6 15.e3 6c715.9b3 hfeS 17.Hc1 f6 18.4f3 UaB 19.6d4 gt7 2}.4lab5 e5 21.6e2 6xb5 22.trxb5 4.:lc7 23.ilc5 6:aG 24.8b5 Ac7 25.Hb3 EfeB 26.4c3 aE 27.a4 Ag7 28.EbO f5 29.cxd5 6xd5 3o.6xd5 Axd5 31.Axd5+ trxd5 32.v a2 gd8 33.Exb7 *h8 34.Hcc7 Eg8 35.Wc4 Exd3 35.trxg7 gdl+ 37.€g2 ExgT 38.Axe5 Ed7 39.8b8 WxbS 40.Axb8 h5 41.4e5 *h7 1-0 42.Axg7

z4

A

6

A.A A A A A

Ea 'wga E 1...d5 is another very natural move: Black occupies the centre and allows White to play an Indian Defence (1.d4

Afe) wlth

an extra tempo.

At this point, White has lots of playable moves:

o 2.c4; this will be discussed in o

the

next section, 2.b3; see the Nimzowitsch-Larsen

Auack,

o 2.d4 transposes to Game

-

a Queent Pawn the subiect of the second

volume in this series.

1

Minor lines after L.agL-t3 d7-d5

D

2.

b2-b4 This advance fails to convince if Black's dark-squared bishop has not been fianchettoed.

ffi= re #ffi. ffiare 2.

...

tr

9c8-g4!?

on offbr: Black plays

vance is questionable.

3. Ac1-b2 Ab8-d7 4. e2'e3 6g8-f6 5. Af1-e2 e7-e6 6. a2-a3 gf8-d6

w ffi€ffi ffi rgreaffir$re I

ffi ffirffi ffirffi ffi ffiffiffie ffi ffi ffiaffi ffi ffi

ffiAffigffiA ffi

affisffi ffi tr

and Black has an acceptable position.

B) 2. e2-e3

9c8-94

F?

Again Black solves his problems by

a

Trompowsky a tempo down, encouraged by the fact that Whitet b2-b4 ad-

E

...

ryaresffi Are

This is the best performing of the many

moves

2.

are ffiffirc AffiAre ffiffi4 ffi

ffiaffi

#AWA. gryAre

Trying to play a Nimzo-/Queen's Indian with reversed colours. However, Black is not obliged to play ...c7-c5, but rather can use the same ideas as in the previous line:

ilTFre €re rrc I ffiffi W ffi ffi ffiLW re re# ffie #

WW. rg€

ffiffi AreA

d7 -ds

Ere *E

ErcE ffir€rc=sffia €rorrc I re

.Ag1-{3

playing aTrompowsky atempo down. After 2...e6, probably White's best option is to begin to establish a Colle ser-up with 3.d4. In response to 2...c5, White could play the interesting 3.c4!?, which would establish a Benoni with an extra tempo if Black replies 3...d4, or otherwise a line from the Symmeftical r.nglish after 3...4f6 4.cxd5. Black may well consider 2...g5!?, with

the plan of playing a Catdan with the black pieces,

3. h2-h3 Asa-h5 4. b2-b3 ab8-d7 5. 9c1-b2 e7-e6 6. gf1-e2 Ag8-f6 7. d2-d3 gf8-d6

witha balanced game.

c) 2. d2-d3 Preparing a King's Indian Attack, but when this move is played this early, it allows Black:

2. ...

6b8-c6! 25

-

Chess Opening Essentiols

Volume 4

Now the ...e7-e5 advance cannot be prevented (unless White plays the para-

doxical3.d4l?).

3. g2-93

e7-e5

4. 9t1-g2 White is unlikely to gain the upper hand by playing

a

reverse Pirc.

4. ... It is probably

to avoid overly

ag-

gressive liaes such as 4...f5, when hav-

ing one tempo less could become a signi{icant handicap.

5. 0-0 6. c2-c3 7. ab1-d2

d4, depending on the circumstances.

Dl) 2. ... 3.

d2-d4

3. ... 4. Af1-g2

a7-a5 0-0

* =

h€il

#rffi

Affi ffi€ffi ffi I ffi $re rffil w AW ffiffi ffi ffir $re ffi ffi ffi ffiffi affi ffi ffis ffi A A ffi ffi A W$Affi trffi Black leaves the opening phase

g#€a#

ArcA€AreE

arusre ffitr

4. ... s. h2-h3 6. c2-c4 of

the

game in reasonable shape. at the most

important

D) 2. g2-g3

The position is complicated, but results tend to be slightly in White's favour.

D2> 2.

...

s7-s6 prepare the pawn push to e5 with ...9g7 . 3. Af1-92 Af8-s7

E ry 3.re g

rya#

€ro

ffiffi

ffi

ry re

@w

rc @

A ffi Are A

ffi# ArcE

A ffi Affi AA

ffi il €re

ffi re

ffi

ffir #

:

rrer rc

arc ffi ffi A

ffi

'\ rcs

u/)

gd8-d7 Ag4-f5

A nice move; Black will

of the minor variations;

26

Ac8-g4

Af8-e7

H

will now look

with

3.c4!? d4 transposes to the R6ti.

E

We

6b8-c6

Black intends to occupy the centre an ...e7-e5 pawn advance.

6g8-f6

best

Though this move often leads to a King's Indian Attack, it is more elastic than 2.d3 as you can choose bervueen d3 or

E

3.= #ihl

I gru

re rry I

ffi ffiri

#r ffi#1 ffi ffi rc affi

,\

t4)

#ei

# tr

|

7. ... 8. c2-c3 9. a2-a4

Now White has two alternatives: the first is to prevent the advance ...e7-e5 by playing 4.d4 , and when Black develops his knight to f6, we are in the Fianchetto Variation of the Griinfeld. The other option is to allow Black to expand unopposed:

4. 0-o

10.

Ef1-e1

d7 -ds

0:0 a7-as h7-h6 9c8-e6

withequality.

D3) 2. ...

e7-e6

A solid move that does not create a po-

(or 4.d3)

4. ... 5. d2-d3

e7-e5

Ab8-c6

...

sition with its olvn identity, and which usually transposes to the English, R6ti, Catalan or the Tarrasch.

Arrd we are in the Fianchetto Variation of the Pirc with reversed colours.

5.

.6g1-f3

Another playable possibility is 5...6e7, and White keeps his options open as to whether he will develop his queen's knight to c5 or not.

6. ab1-d2

D4) 2. ... Ac8-g4 If with the Trompowsky (1.d4 af6 2.4g5) White seeks an advantage, Black hopes that White's extra move (gS) prove not to be that significant.

*ill

3. Af1-92 However, the extra move does have an

in the Trompowsky, if

The advance 6.e4 offers nothing more

impact:

than equality : 6.'6ge7 7.6c3 dxe4.

wants to establish a kingside fianchetto, he must accept unpleasant doubled f-pawns; here White does not have this problem.

6. ...

Ag8-e7

EffiT.E=&re H

* r. ilr*r ffia# &rffi re rerilvffi

€il+€rF ffi ffi reaffiaffi AflilAffiAreAff re res5iltrffi

Better here than on f6 so as to not block a possible advance of the f-pawn.

7.

e2-e4 The thematic pawn advance. However, when you think that in the analogous variation of the Pirc (and therefore with a tempo less), ...c7-c5 is considered the

most reliable move, here the move

7

it is curious that

.c4l? is so little played.

3. ... 4. c2-c4! E

ffi

€ A

Black

ab8-d7

a # =€re I gI reAilT #re

rera ffi ffi Affire E.

reKa re resry #

ffi reAre EA ,i\ ul)

F?

The best policy is to respond immedi-

ately; Black should not be allowed to occupy the centre with ...e7-e5 unchallenged.

4. ...

e7-e6 27

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

The other option is 4...c6, which trans-

6xd5, we are in a Symmetrical Eng-

poses to Variation D6.

lish.

5. c4xdSl? 6. h2-h3

e6xd5 Ag4-h5 6...4xf3 is playable, but having the bishop pair may become a concrete advantage for White.

7.

ag8-re

O-O

8. 6b1-c3 s. d2-d3

c7-c6

4.

e2-e3l? If White wishes to play a Benoni with reversed colours, it is best to play this move before Black pushes his pawn to e5 and retakes on d4 with the e-pawn. +.b41? cxb4 5.a3 is also worth a look; White is playing a Benko wirh an exrra tempo.

4. ... 5. e3xd4

The position is strategically complex and any result is possible.

D5) 2. ...

c7-c5

EffiE t@*rejh

*rcrffi rer.r

ffiWffiffi w grurw #:

ffi# %re a# re AffiA re# a#tr w

W

:

A

,i\ q)

Black is not concerned about playing Indian positions

3.

a

tempo down.

c2-eAl?

White plays actively so as ro make the extra tempo count. The natural 3.492 Ac6 4.0-0 e5 5.d3 takes us to a position that has already been examined in the section on 1...c5. In this variation, 4.d41? is an interesting

idea that establishes a Grtinfeld with reversed colours and an extra tempo: Black usually responds in solid fashion with 4...e6, and after c2-c4 you transpose to a Catalan or the Tarrasch.

3. ...

d5-d4 The cautious 3...e6 leads into other defences, whereas after 3...6f6 4.cxd5 28

Ab8-c6 c5xd4

5...6xd41? is an option that has yet to be evaluated: 5.6xd4 Wxd4. Compared to the analogous line in the R6ti, which we will examine further ahead, (2...d4 3.e3) Black has a pawn on c5 and White has already advanced his pawn to 93: both lines have pro's and con's and it

firlly

is

di{ficult to

say

which

is best.

6. d2-d3

rffi*€ffijh ffirffir .w^ffi ffi ffiwffiffi ffiAffiffiffi w ffiaffiaffi Affiffiffiffi EffiE

AffigffiAffitr

The diagram shows a reverse Benoni. It is now wise for Black to avoid overly aggressive moves - as is the case when playrng against a King's Indian with reversed colours - a.k.a. the ICA - and continue with moves such as 6...g5,

which after 7.492 Ag7 8.0-0 Af6 9.Ee1 0-0 10.a3 a5 I l.abd2 Ad7 creates a complex

sides chances.

position that grants both

|

It is worthwhile to consider

f

6. ... e7-e5 7. 9;t1-s2 6g8-f6 af6-d7 8. 0-0 9. trf1-e1

ro

ffi

It is not clear how much the extra move benefits White compared to the Classical Variation of the Benoni.

ffi A A

.6g1-f3

d7 -ds

ffiffiffi ffi @ r#arerI I ffirffi ffire

effi ere

3.

ffiAffiAffi w

a

rcAffi =ffiarcffi E

A

A

/A

#ffie ffi FT

D6) 2. ...

c7-c6

Supporting the centre and discouraging c2-c4. after which Black would take on c4 and follow up \ rith . . .b 7 -b 5 .

3. Af1-g2 4. 0-0

Ac8-ga

ffi I rffirc€ryAi .rru = ffirrc ffi ffi ffirffi ffi ffire%s. #A # E

o

ab8-d7

e7-e5!?

6. ab1-d2 698-f6 7. e2-e4 d5xe4 It is also possible to maintain the ten-

sion in the centre by

playing

7...9'd61?.

10. Wd1-e1! 11. ad2-eA sith

will

lead to a

establishes a reverse

London System, and last of all: 3...96, with a possible transposition the

Now 4.c4, which transposes to the R6ti Opening, is plausible. However, most players choose:

5...e6 followed by ...4d6, after which ...6e7 is an interesting continuation.

8. d3xe4 9. h2-h3

3...e6, a solid move that transposition;

to the Fianchetto Yariation of criinfeld.

D7l.

5. d2-d3

D4;

o 3...3.f5, which

The reply +...orf6 transposes to Variadon

c7-c6 This is the most popular move, which prepares the development of the c8 bishop. The following alternatives are

r

=affi ffiAreAffiA ...

3. Af1-g2

o 3...9ga, along the lines of Variation

ffi affis#trffi 4.

hg8-f6

also playable:

E

A

D7) 2. ...

A natural developing move.

.ef8-c5

9g4-h5 0-0

equal opportunities for both sides.

4. O-O E ffiEil effi ro

ffi

rffi rerare I rer# re

#r re# ffiffi ffi

ffi w reaffi A reAffi AreE

affis retrffi

Here we are at a major crossroads. We will now restrict ourselves to examinz9

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume 4

ing the lines in which White

plays

e2-e4 in King's Indian Attack fashion, given that the variations with c4 are by convention considered to be in the domain of the R6ti Opening.

Now after either 12.9b3 or 72.6c4 White has a nice game: Black's h5 bishop is somewhat out of play and White has good actiyity on the central light squares in compensation for the weak d3 pawn.

D71) 4.

9.c8-94

...

Black is prepared to exchange off his light-squared bishop.

5.

d2-d3

The solid 5.b3 is also worth considering.

5. ... 6. ab1-d2

ab8-d7

The immediate 6.Bel!? is of interest: 6...e5 7.e4 dxe4 8.dxe4 Ac5 with a likely transposition to Variation D6. 6. ... e7-e5 More ambitious than the solid 6...e6,

which is nonetheless often played: after 7.h3 ghs (exchanging on f3 is too meek) 8.We1!? Ae7 9.e4 White has

D72, 4.

more than equality.

8. h2-h3 9. e4xd5!? This offers

9g4-h5

9c8-f5

5. d2-d3 This is the normal move which prepares e2-e4. Another popular option is the solid 5.b3 e6 5.9b2 Ae7 7.d3 h6 8.abd2 0-0 9.Eel Atrz t0.e4 a5. and neither side is ahead.

5. ... 6. abl-d2

e7-e6 h7-h6

Vacating the h7-square for the bishop.

7. Wdl-ell? E

achieved satisfactory results.

7. e2-e4 e"f8-d6 Simplifying with 7...dxe4 achieves no

...

g

I =

ffi rffi

rre I

ffir ffi=lEffi

w re A ffi aru Wg # A A

A

ffi AM a5 ffie

trffi

more excitement than

9.9e2 or 9.9e1.

9.

...

10. c2'c4! 11. c4xd5 E

c6xd5 0-0 Af6xd5

ileffi rffi Affi rffirer

ffi re ffiffi ffi A- ffiE ffi ffi ffiffi W Affi areA A A ffi ryA€ trffi 30

At ffrst sight this looks like an odd way to support e2-e4. However, it is most effective. Remember that 9e8 in preparadon for ...e7-e5 is a common theme in the analogous King's Indian. After 7.Eel 9e7, 8.e4 is not good as there is 8...dxe4 9.hxe4 Axe4!.

7.

...

8. e2-e4 9. 6f3-e5

9f8-e7 gf5-h7

Sharper than the old 9.We2: the knight

move prepares a probable advance the f- and g-pawns.

of

1

9. ... ab8-d7 It is a good idea to immediately challenge the e5 knight; 9...0-0 10.f4 gives

\\-hite

an unpleasant

initiative.

10. Ae5xd7 Playing 10.f4 now is open ro quesrion ')ecause of 10...9b6+ ll.€h1 Axes l2.fxe5 694.

10. ... 11. t2-f4 12. €sl-h1

6tBxd7

I ''-;.:..,

.A '-,.-4,*' SA a gtr=€ t::!\;::

A:

12.

...

d7 -ds

13.9xd3 AeS 14.Ae2 O-O-O 15.9c2

€b8 16.6e4 6xe4 17.Bxe4 fs 18.gxf5 axb4+ 19.*f1 Ad6 20.We4 trd7 21.9b1 4194 22.Wxel ExeT 23.h3 Af6 24.4f3 b6 25.a4

AeS 26.4a3 gd6 27€xd6

cxd6 28.a5 Ec8 29.axb6 a5 30.ee2 4e4 31.gxe4 trxe4 32.Ehd1 trc6 33.9d5 treS 34.trxe5 dxeS 35.9b5 a4

36.ga5 trc2+ 37.*f3 e4+ 38.€gg h4+ 39.€xh4 Exf2 4O.S4 Ea2 41.tra7 tra3 42.€g5 Exe3 43.Exa4 tre1 44.tra7 HhI 45.h4 e3 46.Ee7 9h347.h5 1-0

0-0

$

.691 -f3

d5xe4!

Probably the best srraregy. Black opens some lines in the centre, knowing that

if

the centre remains closed White u-ould probably win a race on the opposing flanks.

13. d3xe4 6d7-c5! 14. We1-e2 gd8-d7 The position is balanced.

fosehi,Andrea BrancaleonirMaurizio Montetrelluna ch-ITA sf 2006 (6)

1.atg at6 2.b4 d5 3.9b2 Ag4 4.e3 6bd7 5,Ae2 Axf3 6.gxfg e5 7.ag h5 8.c4 e4 9.4e2 dxc4 10.Axc4 gd6 11.d3 We7 12.ad2 exd3

Conquest,Stuart fones,Gawain Douglas ch-GBR 2005 (9)

6c6 3.g3 Ag4 a.As2 Axf3 5.Axf3 af6 6.4g5 e5 7.6c3 Axd4 8.Axd5 cG 9.Ag2 4e710.0-0 0-0 'l1.Axf6 Axf6 12.e3 6e6 13.894 Wb6 14.Eab1 96 15.b4 As7 1.d4 d5 2.at3

16.Wc4 aG 17.a4 EfdS 18.h4 Wc7 19.4h3 tre8 20.Hfd1 b5 21.Wa2 f5 22.6,e4 Be7 23.6c5 tra7 24.e4 Wf7

25.6xe6 Exe6 26-Ed8+ gf8

27.gbd1 trf6 28.Wa1 tre7 29.axb5 axbS 3O.Ba8 &97 31.exf5 gxfS 32.9c8 trc7 33.gb8 Axb4 34.trg8+ €hG 35.trss Acs 36.WdB tre7 37.€92 Ad4 38.sh2 trdz 39.9c8 trc7 40.Wd8 trd7 41.Whg b4 42.trd2 He7 43.Wbg c5 44.9b5 c4 45.9xb4 t4 46.g4 Eb6 47.Wa5 trs6 48.trf5 We8 49.g5+ €s7 50.h5

trd6 51.h6+ €h8 52.c3

gb6

53.8a2 trd3 54.Hxd3 cxd3 55.Wds Axf2 56.gxd3 Wa8 57.Wa6 Ag3+ 58.eg1 Wb8 59.trxf4 exf4 60.8f6+ €gB 61.4e6+

1-0

3i

Chess Opening Essenticis

-

Volume 4

Grimm,Sascha

35.€S1 Wxh4 36.We6+ €hg

Khenkin,Igor

37.Wxd5 Wxf4

38.Wxa8+

1-o

Hoogeveen 2004 {2)

1.Afs d5 2.93 g6 3.4s2 Ag7 4.0-0

Dizdarevic,Emir

e5 5.d3 Ac6 6.hbd2

Pavasovic,Dusko

QsgeT

7.e4

O-O

8.a3 a5 9.trb1 a4 10.exd5 Axd5 11.8e1 h6 12.c4 6f6 13.b4 axb3 14.trxb3 ad7 15.trb5 tre8 16.4b2 tra6 17.6b3 Aa718.Ed5 c6 19.trxd7 AxdT 20.4c5 trb6 21.9xe5 Axe5 22.6xe5 Af5 23.g4 Ac8 24.d4 €g7 25.h3 Eb2 26.4f3 Exel+ 27.Wxe1 Wf6 28.We4 b6 29.4d3 trb1+ 30.€h2 tral 31.Afe5 trxa3 32.t4bs

33.cxb5

6xb5 34.6xc6

ado

35.8e2 Aa6 36.6ce5 Axd3 37.6xd3 Bxd4 38.We5+ Wxe5

39.hxe5 tre3 4O.Ac6 6c4 41.ab4

g5 42.6d5 trd3 43.fxg5 hxg5 44.Qse7 €f6 45.4f5 6dG 46.4g3 €e5 47.4h5 6:c4 48.4f1 gd2+

49.€g3 6e3 50.4b5 trb2 51.4c6

af1+ 52.€f3 trc2 53.4e8 f6 54.4g6 trc3+ 55.€f2 he3 56.9f7 6:c257.6s36b4 58.4g6 Ads o-1

Istanbul Ech 2003 (a)

1.4f3 d5 2.93 Ag4 3.4g2 o,dt 4.c4 e6 5.Wb3 Ac5 6.8c2 c5 7.d3 hf6 8.Abd2 AeZ 9.b3 0-O 10.4b2 a5 11.a3 Wb8 12.0-0 b5 13.h3 Ahs 14.g4 Ag6 15.4e5 trc8 15.trab1 AcdT 17.Axg6 hxg6 18.e3 Ad6 19.d4a4 20.c5 axb3 21.6xb3 Ah2+ 22.9h1 g5 23.6c1 Ha424.Qsd3 9.c7 25.Eal Af8 26.4c3 Wa7 27.9b4 696 28.Efb1 gbg 29.f3 Bc7 30.€g1 wh2+ 31.9f1 e5 32.tra2 exd4 33.exd4 Ag3 34.4c3 treB 35.9b4 tra7 36.a4 bxa4 37.Ebxa4 trae7 38.8a8 gf4 39.trxe8+ trxe8 40.6xt4 6xt4 41.Wf2 AxhS 42.Axh3 Bht + o-1

Musat,Adrian Atalik,Suat Sovata

Hillarp Persson,Tiger Khenkin,Igor Malmo 2006 (4)

1.4f3 dS 2.93 g6 3.4g2 Ag7 a.0-0 e5 5.d3 4c6 6.6bd2 6ge7 7.c4 O-O 8.trb1 a5 g.bg h5 10.a3 Ae6 11.cxdS Axd5 12.A:b2 Ee8 13.tre1 AcB 14.e4 Ae6 15.hc4 a4 16.b4 ad6 17.trc1 abs 18.h4 Acd4 19.hxd4 6xd4 20.4a5 b5 21.6c6 6xc6 22.trxc6 gd7 23.Hc2 h5 24.9c19b5 25.9f1 tre6 26.d4 Axfl 27.d5 trdG 28.€xf1 Wd7 29.4e3 f5 30.exf5 gxfS 31.Bxh5 f4 32.gxt4 exf4 33.Axf4 Exd5 34.W96 Wh3+ 32

tt 2003 (2)

1.4f3 d5 2.c4 d4 3.d3 c5 4.e3 Ac6 5.exd4 cxd4 6.93 96 7.492 Ag7 8.0-0 af6 9.6a3 0-0 10.4c2 a5 11.b3 e5 12.495 treB 13.8e1 h6 'l4.6'e4 Axe4 15.Axe4 Ae6 16.trb1 Wd7 17.4d2 gfs 18.Axf5 Wxf5 19.We2 gd7 20.f3 f5 21.Wg2 €h7 22.tre2 ad8 23.trbe1 6t7 24.Ac1 tra6 25.9;b2 trae6 26.4a3 Afg 27.ab5 Ab4 28.trf1 Ac5 29.€hl 6g5 30.4c1 af731.Ad2 b6 32.trfe1 h5 33.trf1 €97 34.Efe1 tr8e7 35.a3 ad6 36.b4 axb4 37.axb4 Axb5 38.bxc5 Ac3 39.Axc3 dxc3 4O.t4e4 41.dxe4

trxe4

0-1

|

Zviagintsev,Yadim Bareev,Evgeny Sochi tt 2005 (3) 1.4f3 d5 2.c4 d4 3.93 c5 4.e3

Jansa,Vlastirnil Navara,David Karlovy Vary ch-CZE 2004 (4)

6c6

5.exd4 cxd4 5.492 eS 7.O-O 6'lt6 8.d3 gd6 9.4g5 hG 10.AxfG Bxf6 11.Abd2 We7 12.a3 AfS 13.We2 0-O 14.b4 trfe8 15.4h4 Ae616.Ae4 g5 17.8h5 €g7 18,f4 exf4 19.gxf4

Axf4 20.trxt4 gxf4 21.b5 adg

22.trt18c7 23.c5 trg8 24.AdO €f8 25.€hl €e7 26.We5 EgS 27.aht5+

€d728.4xb7

.r)sl-t3 d7 d5

1-o

Campora,Deniel Korneev,Oleg Coria del Rio open 2005 (8)

1.4f3 ds 2.93 cG 3.4g2 Ag4 4.0-0 ad7 5.d3 Agf6 6.c4 dxc4 7.dxc4 e5 8.4c3 Ac5 9.Wc2 We7 10.6a4 Ado 11.h3 ghs 12.4h4 Ag6 13.6x96 hxg6 14.4g5 Ac5 15.Axc5 Axc5 16.a3 We6 17.b4 Ah7 18.9d2 s.e7 19.Hadl Ag5 20.Axg5 Axg5 21.e4 gd8 22.trxd8+ AxdB 23.trd1 0-0 24.c5 Ac7 25.9f1 trd8 26.@92 Exdl 27.Wxd1 b6 28.Wa4 a5 29.bxa5 bxaS 30.Wc4 Wf6 31.WaG AbB 32.9xa5 We7 33.Wb5 Aa7 34.Wxc6 Axc5 35.a4 g5 35.4c4 id4 37.a5 €h7 38.a6 Aa7 39.Wb7 BxbT 40.axb7 €g8 41.€f3 gfg 42.&s4 f6 43.€f5 €e744.€go €f8 45.h4 gxh4 46.gxh4 :iEbB 47.hs Ac7 48.9f7 gbg 49.h0 gxh6 50.€xf6 Ac7 51.4s6 AbB 52.4h5 Lc7 53.€e6 €97 54.€d7 AbB 55.€c8 gd6 56.bgW AxbS 57.€xb8 €f6 58.ec7 €g5 59.9f3 sf4 60.492 h5 61.*do h4 62.€d5 1-0

1.93 d5 2.6lf9 Af6 3.492 c6 4.0-0 Asa 5.b3 e6 6.4b2 AbdT 7.c4 Ad6 8.d4 0-0 9.abd2 h6 10.tre1 AfS 11.4h4 Ah7 12.e4 dxe4 13.6xe4 Axe4 14.Axe4 Axe4 15.Exe4 b5 16.trc1 bxc4 17.trxc4 Ec8 18.4f3 WaS 19.tra4 Wc7 2A.trc4 trfd8 21.We2 af6 22.9h4 Af8 23.4e5 gb7 24.wf3 Hds 25.9f4 Hc7 26.4d3 WaG 27.a4 Wb6 28.4c5 trc8 29.b4 Wc7 30.Ec1 trdd8 31.trxf6 gxf6 32.6e4 9;g7 33.d5 f5 34.Axg7 fxe4 35.WfG Hxd5 36.Wxh6 f6 37.Wh8+ €f7 38.9h7 e5 39.4h6+ €e6 40.Wxe4 Wd7 41.Wg4+ €e7 42.W97+ Se6 43.W94+ €e744.W97+ 1/zr/z

Kortchnoi,Yiktor Diurasevic,Bozidar Belgrade YUG-URS 1961 (3)

1.93

hf6 2.9.s2 d5 3.4f3 c6 4.0-0

Afs 5.d3 e6 5.We1 Ae7 7.6c3 AfdT 8.e4 AgG 9.9f4 d4 10.6e2 c5 11.b4 f6 12.e5 6c6 13.exf6 gxf6 14.bxc5 6xc5 1s.AhG Wd7 16.trb1 e5 17.ad2 Afe 18.Axf8 €xf8 19.f4 €97 20.AxcG Wxc6 21.fxe5 fxe5

22.6:xd4 exd4 23.We7+ *98

24.trt6 HeB 25.Exc6 trxe7 26.Exc5 &g7 27.6b3 Ed8 28.trc4 b5 29.9b4 a5 30.trxb5 tre2 31.trc5 gf7 32.trf1 gds 33.trf4 Hs2+ 34.&fl trxh2 35.hxd4 9'xa2 36.€9l Ed2 37.trxa5 AgB 38.tr95+ €hg 39.tre5

tra8 40.tre2 trd1+ 41.trf1 traal 42.trxd1

trxdl+ 43.*f2 €97

44.He1 1-O

33

Chess Essentiols -- Volume 4 Chess Opening Opening Essentials

Kortchnoi, Viktor Karpov,Anatoly Tilburg 1986 (10)

1.tbf3 tbf6 2.g3 d5 3~g2 c6 4.0-0 ..if5 5.d3 e6 6.c4 dxc4 7.dxc4 1I'xd1 SJbd1 tbbd7 9.tbc3 h6 10.h3 ..ic2 11.l::le1 ..ih7 12~e3 ..ib4 13.l::lec1 0-0 14.tba4 ..ie7 15.tbd2 %:lfdS 16.tbb3 ..ie4 17.tba5 .i.xg2 1S.~xg2

34 3+

%:labS 19.a3 %:ldc8 20.b4 b6 21.tbb3 c5 22.bxc5 bxc5 23.%:lab1 l:lc6 24~f4 l:lbc8 25.tbc3 l:la6 26.tbb5 l:la4 27.tbd2 g5 2S~e3 a6~9.tbc3 l:lxa3 30.tbde4 l:lc7 31.tbd2 tbeS 32.l:lc2 tbd6 33.g4 ..if6 34.tbce4 tbxe4 35.tbxe4 ..ie5 36.l:ld2 ~g7 37.l:lbd1 tbf6 3S.tbd6 l:tb3 39.l:ta2 %:lb6 40.l:lad2 l:lcc6 0-1

Transpositions arising from 1.6f3 and 1.c4 (with the possibility of entering a Queen's Pawn Game true and proper)

make classification difficult. which is indeed why these moves are so atfiactive and increasingly popular.

Effi A #@#Affi

7=L#L *#= L''#" ffi A

iffir !ffii++

"ffi

Kramnik's repertoire

# A W.=rC =#affi

Here is a nice opportunity to look at

=ffi

*F€;

a',# ,ffiA#Affi

ffia wrca#tr

an interesting example of a highly transpositional repertoire; it was employed by the young Yladimir Kramnik, who used to like opening the game with the move 1.4f3, but

who would transpose to 1.d4 or 1.c4 openings depending on the circumto the centre with 2.c4. \Iade popular by the Bohemian Richard 3.eti in the early 1920's, it really came pl1- pressure

rnto its own after it was employed to defeat Capablanca in New York in 1 924. in that game the actual move sequence rvas l.Af3 6fe Z.c+ 96 3.b4. However, *-hat counts is the idea behind the :no\€s: White does not physically occupy the centre but instead seeks to exert

dxtant control with the hope of undernining Black's centre later on. This concept is part and parcel of any modern

stances. Let's have a look in more detail.

Moving the king's knight out on the first move stops Black's ...e7-e5; we can safely presume that Kramnik did not like the idea of playing against the 1...e5 defences that he would encounter after 1.c4. However, he was happy to play a Symmetrical English with 1...c5 2.c4.

*

olay-er's technical repertoire; yet 80 years ago it must have seemed revolutionary.

ffi

Black can choose from four principal leplies. Please note that the last two are :he most popular and are classified by the ECO as being part of the English

+€C

:j*

i:ii

A

1...c6 and the English 1...e6 respecnrely. However, we have discussed them lere because their themes are consis:ent with the R6ti.

# E,ffie #Affi I #L rflHr iffi €cffi =

#ffi Affi

rsffi

a#: =ffi

r,ffi99 #a ffi==#

6

aaffitr

And in the event of 1...6f6, we usually see 2.c4

c5. 35

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume 4

Kramnik's preferred reply to 1...d5 was 2.d4

E Ege#a= cl1 + L-L

EtEEE# # cl-=-; l.1-:j=l ilr=:ri tl,lr.: :,,r1= :L::=, L,=. .= = ffitu+aE A &:AA'A. -,1::.

'.,

tr

,r;\

wz)

AAAAAAA AIJA A'IAtI

EAgW A=tr

AWEA

tr

3...4974.e4 d6 5.d4.

When faced with 3...d5 he preferred to often followed by c2-c4 and a transposition to the Queen's Gambit.

If

Black continued along the lines of the Nimzo-/Queerr's Indian with 1...4f6 2.c4 e6 3.6c3 Ab4 (3...b6 4.e4, though playable, has given White nice results), after 4.Wc2

adopt an interesting Anti-Grtirrfeld Iine with 4.cxd5 6xd5 5.Wa4+.

E EE&A

== El*l *1.;=."11 ,,, = = '- A==:.' ,,'. i',t = gf '= ,.= lil ?6jl= L=;:.;.,

',,,::,'

E EE&,,"

$l*rl-i::'l -l = ,=lfi i=,' :i= ti. -'. '

A= /ff' &AA

CH gH

A=T

€g=tr

t',a::

L;

,',

"a a w& = AA* €9

,,l.,

...:=:

4l*'t.::.

Eg

A

.iW gH

Kramnik was in a line of the English which is considered to be more promising for White than the analogous variation in the Nimzo-Indian.

If, on the other hand, Black shows aggressive ambitions with 2...96, the former World Champion was prepared to play against a normal King'i Indian with 3.6c3. 36

As you can see, this is an appealing method: it is true that it often leads to a Queen's Pawn Game, but at the same time you avoid three of the most aggressive and unpleasant defences to 1.d4, namely the Benoni, the Benko and the Grtinfeld. Specialists in these defences have frequently displayed a certain discomfort when faced with this approach. For example, the Scottish grandmaster Jonathan Rowson, a noted expert on the Griiafeld, has confessed to having problems when facing 1.4f3, and since this admission his adversaries have chosen to olay it more and more often!

Riti Opening 1 .291-f3 Naturally, this does not imPly that t.Af3 is better than l.d4; as always, it is question of style and taste. With Kramnik's repertoire you run Iess risk than when you open with 1.d4, but the price for this is that White has fewer

d7 -dS 2.c2-c4

toire best suited to your individual needs.

a

options after l.Af3. For example, it is no longer possible to

play the promising line with Age2 (much feared by many a black player) in the Karlsbad Variation of the

We will now have a look at the speci{ics of the R6tiOpening.

In addition to the four alternatives that we are about to examine, there is the dubious 2...6f6, which is curiouslY commln at lower teaels' After 3.cxd5 6-:xd5 4.e4

E

Queen'sGambit.

#r

sa

a-

E ,-.

*r

*j= ':ge

=$=a A

.1\

l:i:l.r

ai# € /i\

i:r',

A

r.

aa& ,\.'{

;',t1

=lltg

'H;uz)

}::if

a-e5, W€.rAB.

.i,r

'{J\ AiJ .F?

ElhAggg* € *.r; *:: 8.i 5r1A

*t

{F=

'i:lii

A,E=

=iti= -Eali= =$=

ff #g

4EA=$,=

-

FT

(or 4.d4) there is no knight on c3 to capture,

Another attractive line that is excluded is the Siimisch against the King's Indian.

r-{I *rgr fiI.

I

=t#L-=.# -ii.E

iE=E= -iE

-i

::L,','

s#

$==

*,1 i,5* ,*;i' l.ai n^ f'" g' tl,. E iirl 3l'l:l

-e.#

="'#.

and White conquers the centre without haaing to worry about the typical counterplay that Black hns with the Grilnfeld and the Semi-Tarrasch.

RdtiAccepted .

,l

g:r

'A *:i lt'.A$l ,t -A tlAa ?1, ::, I '-,-l =: llal

*,; fi A J\" 8e5 B #ggAfttr

All of the above is yet another reminder that the various openings are not always separate entities, and to have an awareness of possible transposidons can be

very useful when selecting the reper-

1.

6g1-f3

d7'd5 d5xc4 In Queen's Gambit AccePted fashion, and indeed there is often a transposition after 3.e3 6fo 4.Axc+ e6

2. c2'c4

5.d4.

The following is playable but risky: 3.g3 c6 +.Ag2 Afe s.Wc2t, transposing to Variation 83

1

.

3.e4 is another line which is positionally controversial: after 3...c5 4.Axc4 Ac6 5.0-0 e6 6.4c3 a6 7.d3, it is oPen 37

Chess Opening Essentiols

to

-

Volume 4

8. Wa3xd6

if the lead in development

debate

compensates for the hole on d4.

8.4b2? would

3. Abl-a3

lose a piece

after the elegant

8...c3!!.

8. ... 9. 4e5-f3

E A= Atr€ rffirru #r, :r :'-i-i.! "'=

with a position that is not easy to weigh up, but which nonetheless appears to

!3--,,.

:::ili -=',l = *"j I

c7xd6

be slightly in White's favour.

=a,:a.

.,i.=l

ff .,.. ==a= A A#A*

Slav Formation

s#a===tr

1. 2.

6s1-f3 c2-c4

d7-d5 c7-c6

Simultaneously stopping ...b7-b5 and threatening to take the c4 pavm.

3. ...

e7-e5!? An aggressive approach made possible by a tactical motif, The quieter 3...c5 4.Axc4 Q)c6 5.g3 f6! 6.492 e5 7.d3 only gives White a tiny plus; nonetheless, most R6ti players seem to enjoy playing this line.

4. 6f3xe5

Af8xa3

And now you see the tactical idea be-

hind

3 .. .e5

: if 5.bxa3? ? , W d4 attacks both

the rook on a1 and the knight on e5. ever,

How-

White has

5. Wd1-a4+! 6. Wa4xa3

b7-b5

Ag8-f6

7. b2-b3l? gd8-d6!

EihE s E i*i * 7:::L*L 7je F ffi '.=1.1':.+ * = ,,,, =€i:t= ggi,rili iiil = L-= AAA F? 6 c+16

-:,-',

a:=,.,,

e

.=,

Ea

eF?

In the spirit of the Slav, Black supports the d5 pawn with the intention of safely developing his c8 bishop. In addition to 3.d4, which transposes to the Slav Defence (examined in Volume 2 of our series), White has three other options:

D

3.

b2-b3

Prudently defending c4, but

3. ...

kingside

fianchetto. Now, neither +.AbZ nor 4.g3 is a problem for Black as he can play a...Axf3 I .

Also 4.2e5 gives White nothing: +...ahs s.ab2 ad7.

38

Ac8-g4!

will hinder White's thematic

R6ti Opening

€* ffiH I r€ Gr

#^ffi ffi ffir rc €Ail € s% €a Are ffiffi aryg

g

A

-

ffi W

il3.= rre €rerre I ffirffi ffi

ffi

WT ffire

#

MF

A

H

1.6g1-f3 d7-d,5 2.c2-c4

A

gF?

ryAre ry

ffiffi

#are ffis FI ffiAre

4. e2-e3 e7-e6 4...e5 looks aggressive, but after 5.h3 Black is obliged to concede the bishop pair, leaving Black's centre open to at-

as White can recapture on c4 and does not hnae to taeaken his queenside with the a2-a4 adaance, as is the case in the Slau.

tack.

br addition, the

Given that the 94 bishop is likely to be exchanged ofi it is suategically wise for

Black

to

place his pawns

on light

5. Ac1-b2 6. Af1-e2

O-0 8. 6b1-c3 7.

6s8-f6 Ab8-d7 af8-d6

allow the annoying Wb3. Therefore in effect has three lines to choose

Black

81)

a7-aB

To prevent any intrusion on b5 after

/ cxdS.

9. h2-h3

Ag4-h5 0-0 and Black should be pleased with his

10.

d2-d3

g7'gG 4. ... This imposes a hybrid Slav/Griinfeld, which is probably playable. It is worth noting that the analogous Schlechter Yariation in the Slav - 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.4ft Af5 4.68 g6?t - is considered dubious because of 5.4f4.

Eil.Erc€ry

position.

B) 3. e2-e3 This line contains some venom

as

White keeps open his options in regard to a possible d4 advance and a resulting

uansposition Game.

3. 4.

to the

...

Queen's Pawn

"#

-rre .rrer ilr€ ilr= ffiffirffiffi ffiAffi ffi Affi ffigffig =re=are

WgffiAWtr

As8-f6

{tb1-c3 White has already succeeded in preventing Black from playing a normal Slav.

development of the to f5 bishop or 94 by Black now would

from:

squares.

cxd5

lndeed 4.,ixc4?! does not make much sense

However, here White has already played

e3, and thus he cannot deploy his bishop on the kingside. Black's set-up is solid but a tad passive. 39

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

Indeed, in the Griinfeld after l.d4 2.c4 96 3.4c3 aS

af6

+.6f3 Ag7 5.e3,

5. b2-b3 5.d4 abdT transposes to the Meran Defence, which is examined in Vol.2.

5. ... ab8-d7 6. 9c1-b2 Af8-d6

ffi -A ffi@ffi

I

rer#

ffi=re ffiffir rffiffi ffi A ffi ffiffi a_l

rc

rea=

ffiffis sffisffi

7. Vd1-c2 8. 9f1-e2

Pushing the d pawn two squares takes us

into the Anti-Meranwith 9c2. 8. a7-a6

#rila# rarrer

ffiAre ffi

b2-b3l?

%aa re an

Another nice move is 5.d4 which trans-

a#sree flf;s

poses to the previously mentioned Griinfeldline. 5. ... s"f8'97

E

ffi#ffie r% :^* I ffiril ffir ffirffi ffi

ile rll I

il ffi ffir# ffi

but rather he prepares ,..c7-c5.

6. Ac1-b2 O-0 7. 9;11-e2 Ac8-g4

...

Effi3,re

it is rare that Black plays 5...c6, which would establish the set-up in question,

5.

0-0

#ffire

F?

E\

At this point, if White is not thrilled by the prospect of the slow positional play that would follow after d2-d4, he could think about trying the curious 9.trg1!?, with the idea of g4-g5 and queenside castling!

reAil €9. affi u$a# A re fl$erca ffisffi ffiH

Don't always believe generalizations; remember that there is more room for interpretation in an opening than you would imagine, which is veriff.ed when we see castling on opposite wings in the normally staid R6ti!

Black has achieved equality, but the 60% draw rate is not encouraging for a more ambitious black player who would like more than the half point.

4, ... a7-aG This flexible move is a very fashionable line in the Slav, and therefore also here.

A

82) 4. ...

5. b2-bg e7-e6

This move, which points Black towards a

Meran, is the most played option. 40

83)

9c8-ga

Particularly natural to play this now that White no longer has €fb3 available to

him.

R6ti Opening

6. 9f1-e2

Ac1-b2 8. 0-0 L h2-h3 7.

e7-e6

ab8-dz gf8-d6 9g4-h5

10. d2-d3!? The move for those who do not want to u-anspose to a Queen's Pawn Game n-ith 10.d4. I

E

"ffi

#e#

L.ffiA#L# I I '#L#L"# .#=#

-

the pawn.

5. ... b7-b5 5...4bd7 6.4a3 b5 7.b31 cxb3 8.Wxc6 is good for White. 6. b2-b3t? Now the line becomes a true gambit. 6. ... c4xb3 7. a2xb3

e## #-#t'#t #-ffi ffitI # ffiffi #Lw w .#ffiw *# -# # ffi^# # wa# WW # A#sffi #a# # ffi=a

3A

E Are-e. -ffi

A

#-ffiw'ffitrrc €a#a #

10. ... 0-0 ltith a fairly balanced position.

C)

3. s2-s3!?

7.

lbe move mosr in

involve sacrificing the c4 pawn.

3. ...

4. 9t1-s2

Ag8-fG

#E#€= :l rffi ffiL#j=l# # # *:= ffir# # .=Affi E # '# ffi6# A * #A#A # a#sffi # E

e

-

=?:=

c1)

4. 5.

gd1-c2!

d5xc4!?

...

Ac8-b7

8. Ac1-a3 97-96 9. 0-0 Af8-g7

keeping with the ryirit of the R6ti Opening. However, as ilrrals when Black has a pawn on c5, r,his may

d7-dS Z.c2-c4

Probably the best; after 5.0-0 AbdT 6.Wc2 dbe t.Qtaz gds s.ah4 Wa+r, White will have difficulty winning back

ffiLffi "# = .#Affi =# AffiAffi^# A =A

1.691-f3

10. d2-d4 in this type of position, it is no easy matter to evaluate the exact level of compensation, but it is significant that - contrary to what you would expect - the latest chess engines give White an advantage, albeit As always

slight.

cD

4. ...

e7-e6

This will be discussed in the section on the OrtJrodox Formation.

C3) 4. ...

s7-s6

Again another interesting Slav/ Griinfeld hybrid. 5. b2-b3 +1

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume 4

6. c4xd5

5.0-0 Ag7 6.cxd5 cxd5 7.d4 transposes

to the Fianchetto Variation of

the

E{$ #s# #L'f;= *L- I

Griinfeld.

5. ... *f8'97 6. Ac1-b2 O-0 7. E

AE

:EL= # == A ?;= A'ffi -= = = 7:i;

0-0

5-

# .# € I iii; #r # I I ":::; ffi I ?4 rf€'C =

= =+=.

?==

A

"# -=-

A.#

=F=

+i:;,

=F=

+A

+ A #At. 6 :* # q) gi-==tr + A -E

7:i=6) ':#

6. ...

=a=

6...cxd5

=Ga Af6xd5!?

7.68

e6 8.Wa4+ 6-:Uat l.g+

A96 10.h4 transposes to the 5...4f5

.a

?;E;

line.

Theory states that both 7...494 8.d3 and 7...a5 8.d3 a4 9.Abd2 result in equality, but this is a strange verdict in the light of White's optimum 60% performance with these lines.

C4) 4. ...

*A-:*a='#

:#a'#w

ir=;

7. d2-d4 ab8-d7 8. Ae5-d3 gd8-b6 9. Abl-c3! e7-e6 10. Wd1-a4 with an edge for White, but a position this complex also gives Black opportunities.

Ac8-s4

5. Af3-e5

After 5.cxdS Axf3! 6.Axf3 cxd5 7.Q)c3

e6 8.0-0 Ac6 9.d3 Ae7. Black has

c5)

4.

Ac8-f5

...

a

solid position and the advantage of having the bishop pair seems to be of only academic value for White.

5.Wc2 is worth a look: 5...4bd7 6.d3 dxc4! 7.dxc4 e6 8.0-0. and both sides

E t-

=ji: =;;:t

have their chances.

5. ...

Ag4-h5 /:\ 'lhe alternatrae 5...Hf5?! is dubious: 6.cxd5 cxdT 7.Q)c3 e6 8.Wa4+ Q)bd7 9.ga! A96 L0.h4, and White is doing

I

=A

* =L=

)^\ t?:. q)

-tr.: :E:

t =jEe?:=

==E ?1.., A?FC=-

A

*# -L- I :fii

'::-

# #s

=:;=

= = =:=6#. A=*A .# FI

better.

A natural developing move.

More interesting is 5...4e6!? 6.cxd5 Axds z.Af3 c5 8.6c3 Ac6 9.0-0 e6,

At this point White has two options if we exclude 5.0-0 e6 6.d3 dxc4 7.dxc4 Wxdl S.trxdl, which produces a barren oosition.

and Black has a playable game despite being a little behind in derelopment. +2

Rdti Opening 1 .6g1-13 d7 -d5 2.c2-c4

c51) 5. b2-b3

C52) 5. c4xd5 The modern continuation.

The classical continuation.

5. ... 6. 9c1-b2 7.

0-0

5. ... c6xd5 6. gd1-b3 gd8-b6

e7-eG

ab8-d7 h7-h6

Effi

Vacating the h7-square for the bishop.

rrc€M€re ffirilr

8. d2-d3 Af8-e7 After the seemingly more active

H#*€ #rreEffi

8...4c5. we have 9.abdz 0-0 10.a3 a5 11.8a2! 9e7 12.9a1 gh7 13.4c3 White prep:ues b2-b4, with a somewhat irritating initiative on the

A A

queenside.

9. Abl-d2

0-0 a7-a5

10. a2-a3 11. tral-c1 Otherwise I1.9c2 Atrz l2.Ac3 to suppoil the b3-b4 advance.

11. ... 12. trcl-c2 13. Ed1-al

gfs-h7 Ef8-e8

Effi ilT#g rrerhrer r€ilrffi rerryrrerre il Ary# #A€AreAil ffitrilNAreA

rc retrg

13. ... 14. trfl-cl

Ae7-f8

It is hard to identify any obiecrive adrantage for White here; nonetheless R6ti players love these type of positions, and as they usually are more farniliar with them they are often able to generate a concrete advantage... one

only has to think of the

famous Capablanca-Lilienthal game played in

\foscowin 1935.

re##re sffi reail W

are

#NAffiA

tr

Black is not concerned about doubling his b pawns.

The 'beginner's' move 6...b6 is not mentioned in some books, not even in criticism. While it is true that the weakening of the light squares that this move creates is not a pleasant sight, the fact that no chess engine is able to come up with a line that gives White a convinc-

ing advantage makes you wonder how bad the move actually is.

6...9c8 is the best choice for a player who does not like to simplify, even if after 7.6c3 e6 8.d3 6c6 9.0-0 Ae7 l0.Af4 0-0 11.8ac1, White is a little better.

It is also no

easy matter for White to gain any demonstrable advantage after the paradoxical 6...9c8.

7. Wb3xb6 White can now accept doubled pawns with 7.hc3!? Bxb3 8.axb3 6c6 9.d3, and now it is difficult to say to what extent White's piece activity compensates for his compromised pawn structure.

7.

...

a7xb6 43

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume 4

Now it is for Black to justify his decision to accept doubled pawns.

8. Ab1-c3 6b8-c6 9. d2-d3 e7-e5

After 9...e6 lo.absr? AU++ 1l.gd2 €e7 l2.afd+ Axaz+ 13.€xd2 A96 14.f4, White's advantage is minimal.

10. 0-0

.0f8-e7

At *ris sage White can ff.anchetto on one or both sides of the board, which can lead to Eanspositions that are challenging

to handle. h Variation Cl we will examine lines where White ff.anchettoes on the queenside only (b3, Abz, e: and Ae2)

or on both wings 03, gb2, 93 and AgZ), whereas in Variation C2 we see only

kingside fianchetto.

to

WE @ re :lw ry rre #a ffi m re

Protecting c4 and preparing the {ianchetto of the cl bishop. The other bishop can also be developed with a

E ry

ffi

ifu ril 3.@

ffi ffi ffi Affi affi

il #

ffia ffie

#il trE*

The position appears to be balanced.

Orthodox Formation

1. 691-f3 2. c2-c4

d7-d5 e7-e6

This formation is similar to that of the

OrtlodoxDefence.

Effi3.# €rya rerflre ryr€3 rery r@

reffir ry@ rcAffi ffi

reffi

Affi#ffiaffi AffiA

rca#s ryag

This move is much played, and is a favourite of those who have the Tartakower or Orthodox Yariation in their repertoire (see Volume 2). ++

a

Remember that 3.d4 transposes Queen'sGambit.

A)

3.

a

b2-b3

fianchetto or otherwise go to e2. This line looks modest, bur appearances can be deceptive. It is true that White is not seeking to obtain an immediate advantage, but rather to gain a plus in the strategically complex middlegame position that he is establishing. It is no coincidence that Kasparov chose this very set-up in the crucial last game of his 1987 match against Karpov, which he had to win in order to keep his tide.

3.

...

hs8-f6

r.* I# re #

€*

A# re A a5 re re z) '\

aa #s tril eg

I

#r g€il €

eF?

Both the most natural and the most popular move. However, 3...AeZ deserves more attention, given its optimum results : +.AbzAfe t z.

R6ti Opening

A1) 4. e2-e3

9.

This can also be played one move later.

4. ... 9f8-e7 5. Ac1-b2 0-0 6. Af1-e2 More elastic than 6.6d c5! with a decent game for Black.

5. ...

c7-c5

A popular alternative is 6...b6 7.0-0 ibZ 4.6c3 c5 9.cxd5 6xd5 10.d4

O-0

6b8-c6

...

b7-b6

10. d2-d3 gc8-bz 11. ab1-d2 Ae7-f6 12. Vd1-c2 Though this position may be obiectively equal, it is sufficiendy complex to offer both players chances.

A2, 4. g2-g3

5. 9f1-g2 6. 0-0

6.nc3 I l.Axc3 Ac6, with equality.

7.

1.691-f3 d7-dS 2.c2-c4

Af8-e7 0-0

Eil3.# ffie

r # 3.rc il€# rc I ffi rerrer areril re = trffi ffi= # Are## re A # reare A # ffiAflfiAffi ,\ q)

rre ilr€rer #€rrc= ffirffi ffi ryAffiW# gArc

Are Affi ffiAffiA

A

AWgffiE

ffig@Ere

A21) 6.

This is a common position that is often reached by a variety of different move

With the clear intention of marching

orders.

on to a4.

8. Ihis

7.

c4xd5

with the openingi philosophy than the d2-d4 push, ce:n if this is a perfectly playable and is more in keeping

8. ...

to the Tarrasch Defence,

F,hrch, needless to

say,

is a perfectly play-

:He alternative that presumes Black

is

rilling to accept all the pluses and minrses of hanging pawns on c5 and d5 or misolated pawn on d5.

9.

9:c1-b2

great for Black.

...

a5-a4

Af6xd5

Ieaving the centre more fluid. 8...exd5!?

rrrnsposes

a7-a5l?

White ignores the 'threat'; indeed 7.6d d4r 8.Abs hce s.Abz e5 looks 7.

popular alternative.

...

a2-a3l? White is playing something like a rewrse Kan Sicilian: after 9.d4 Afe . Shck $ould have few problems.

E ry3.= He ffi ffirffire

rffi

ffi ffirro rerg € I

= ffiAffi ffi

AW WAre ffi A Zl

# rcAffig affisffiEre

8. Abl-a3l? +5

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume 4

It is also possible to play 8.d3 ffrst. Hoar

It is also worth considering 9.9e2 fol-

mer, the mooe 8.6c3?! is weak due to 8...a3

lowedby

9.9cL

8. 9.

c7-cG

...

Edl.

9. ...

with a plus for Black.

d4,

d5xc4l?

E* # *=*

d2-d3 ab8-d7 10. Sd1-c2 Ed8-bo 11. trf1-b1

*A* | *r{r

It is a challenge to work out who has the initiative on the queenside, but one thing is for sure: anything could happen.

Though

it

may be

fue that White

has

lost the advantage of the first move, it is also true that most R6ti players are goirrg to feel comfortable playing this type

ofposition.

This idea was initially greeted with scepticism, however this modern recipe is an ever more popular alternative to the standard 9...6c6 10.cxd5

b7-b6 A natural move that contributes to de-

Axd5 ll.6xd5 9xd5 12.d4 gd8

velopment.

edge.

A2D 6. 7.

...

9c1-b2

gc8-b7

10.

8. e2-e3

ffie

A good idea?.Probably yes. This is also the notion behind the Open Sicilian (3.d4). However, there it is White who gives Black a pawn majority in the centre in exchange for dynamic play. Even if there are a few who have dogmatically declared the Open Sicilian to be

8ffiffi

unsound!

il ffir€il €ilr m @ :

ffi A€il ffi

:ll

ffi lA A

ffi

ffiffi affi

Easily the most popular move: it is portant to control the d4-square.

...

im-

8. c7-cs A less effective alternative is 8...4bd7 9.hc3 6e4 l0.Ae2!?, as in the previously mentioned Kasparov-Karpov game played in Seville I 98 7.

9. 46

6b8-c6

piece play.

il i3. €ilm rm

A

b3xc4

Black has conceded White a central pawn majority in exchange for free

E

ffi

l3.dxcS!, which leaves White with an

Ab1-c3

11. tsd1-e2 9d8-c7 gf8-d8 12. gfl-dl 13. tral-cl a7-a0 White is ready to take physical control of the centre, which is exactly where Black hopes to strike back. As a result, we have a tense position that supplies both sides with their fair share of oossibilities.

R6ti Opening

A23) 6.

...

7. 9c1-b2 8. e2-e3

rrc #r#r ffi#rffiffi rcWffi #r#ffiffi

6b8-c6

uot give White more than equality.

d5-d4l?

-{n ambitious move that creates a type of reverse Benoni. The solid 8...b6 transposes to the preceding line 422. 9. e3xd4 c5xd4 10. Efl-e1 6f6-e8!

E#E.i=AFgG

rre Hr€ilr grya€r€ re

reta ffia#'re

taatr A = ffi ,\ g ffie t4) A

A A re

re

d7-dS 2.c2-c4

Eft3.ts€* &

c7-c5

The other option is 8.cxd5 6xd5 9.hc3 Afe tO.trct b5, but this does

8. ...

l.kgl-13

#Areg

sffiffi If Black,

as

in the Closed Catalan,

does

not take the c4 pawn and continues to develop with 4...4e7 5.0-0 0-0, White can play 6.d4 and transpose to the Catalan, or otherwise he can chose 6.b3 and enter Variation A2.

5. 9d1-c2l? The variation

5.Wa4* abdTl? 6.Wxc4

c5 7.0-0 b6 has scored very well indeed for Black.

The idea of the text move is to keep open the possibility of recapturing on

c4 with the knight by means of Preparing ...fi -fe and ...e6-e5.

d2-d3 12. 6b1-a3 '13. 6a3-c2 14. a2-a3 11.

t7-t6 e6-e5 6e8-c7

a7-a5 The suategic themes are the same as Sose that typify the Benoni (but here played with the white pieces): White will prepare b3-b4 and queenside play whereas Black will focus his attention on the centre and the kingside. These are positions that are relatively unexplored, and more than most positions

dey will favour the stronger player due to their strategic and tactical complex-

allow 5...€fd41 and Black has a satisfactory game.

Also 5.ha3 Axa3 6.bxa3 0-0 7.Wc2 bc6! does not look very convincing either.

5. ... ab8-d7 Another possibility is 5...a6 6.6e5 ads 7.6xc4 b5 8.4e3 AUz s.o-o hxe3 lO.dxe3 Axg2 ll.€xg2; Black's queenside weaknesses db not appear to be particularly significant and the position is balanced.

6. 4b1-a3l?

698-f6

6.9xc4 c5 7.0-0 b6 transposes to the 5.9a4+ line, while after 5.0-0 6b6l 7.a4 a5, White may {ind it problematic

d5xc4

to win back the pawn.

rr)..

B) 3. g2-g3 4. 9J1-92

6b 1-a3xc4 or bf3-e5xc4. Indeed, an immediate 5.6e5?! would

+7

Chess Opening Essentiols

- Volume 4

EffiffiffiE -#r*9ffil$Gl Affi rffi

6. ... Af8xa3 Black is prepared to concede the dark-squared bishop in order to se-

-!*d

?*g

verely compromise White's pal /n struc-

ffia ffiffi ffi

ffi ffi sffi

ture.

The alternative 6...c5 7.6xc4 b5 8.6ce5 6dS g.a+ gives White the

ffiE

edge.

7. b2xa3 ad7-b6 8. 6f3-e5 0-O 9. Ac1-b2

Effi3,il

=€ffi rer. rcr=rer erc ffirarc ffi w-ffireffi #rryg ffi re#re*

H

withanuncle;r

squared diagonal is evident yet difncult see the position as equal.

d7-d5

c2-c4

E m-e=€ ree=

rffre ry rrer

WW Wffi #re#ffi ffiA. re

ffiffiffia# affi #sffia

endgame.

His compensation on the long dark-

game.

1. 6g1-f3

2.

White easily wins back the pawn but the doubled a-pawns auger an awful

trumps.

ffi8ffi

Advance Variation

AffigffiA#Affi 'ffireffig.

However, White has not forgotten Tarrasch's wise words, "before the endgame, the Gods have placed the middlegame", and White now starts to play his

ffi

&!a

ffiffi Affig

aresffia=tr

2. ...

d5-d4

This ambitious move was played as far back as 1854 (!!) by Jaenisch, which was a good 3 5 years before R6ti was a fwinkle in his father's eye. Definitely an

to quantifyr the chess engines

example of nihil sub sole noaum. Black gains space in the centre but at the

A continuation which is no more than

same time he makes it easier for White's light-squared bishop to dominate the a8-h1 diagonal. In addition Black's cen-

indicative is: 9. 10. 11.

12. 13.

be5xc4

Wc2xc4

0-0 tra1-b1

14. 9b2-a1 48

af6-d5 6b6xc4 Ac8-d7 Ad7-c6

gd8-d7

tre becomes more rigid and it could be-

come the target

of

counterplay by

White.

Are there enough benefits to iustify these negative consequences?

1.691-f3

R6ti Opening

Judging by the line's excellent performance, the answer would appear to be )-es.

Here we will examine two lines that have been seen in tournament play: 3.b4 and 3.e3.

A) 3. b2-b4 White hopes to obtain some sort of ad\-antage by grabbing space on the queenside.

E*Agg+A E

rl

=

'=AAT t.

*.1*l

,ri:r, -=:= ,i

d7 -dS 2.c2-c4

3. ...

g7-go Another move is 3...f6 so as to assist an e7-e5 advance: 4.e3 e5 5.c5!?. with

complex play. Otherwise there is 3...4g+t?, which discourages White from establishing a kingside fianchetto, as in its sister variation: after 4.9b3, which prevents the creation of doubled f-pawns, the position is still unexplored.

4. s2-93 5. Af1-92 6. d2-d3 7.

Af8-97 e7-e5

Ag8-e7

0-0

0-0

and both sides have something.

B) 3. e2-e3 -S;;=;;:

A= fi.A#A $ EaAw€a= E

Attacking the head of the pawn chain is strategically logical. However, the prob-

lem is that White is left with a weak backward d3 pawn.

3. ...

6b8-c6! out under line A, after

-n comparison to the line Ld+ af6

as we pointed

r

3...c5, the advantage that the extra tempo gives White in respect to the

iaa

_.r'ilJ C) 5.O) D)

E+Ag€=

E

- =.'l*l-,1 t '1:1.= I *,A ,+

,,

.iir=

=.,

,1\

q) NAAAAAA AZlA 2lSAA

EAAW€A=:":E Pseudo-Benko - see the 2nd volume ,t-our series), White is a tempo up as 3lack has not yet played ...4f6. :{or.vever, in the abovementioned line =.ig5 ! gives White a nice advantage, so -: is unlikely that the extra tempo is go-:g to change things radically. a

Benko (4.b+!?) or the Benoni (4.exd4) could very easily become apparent.

4. e3xd4 5. Af3xd4

6c6xd4 Wd8xd4

E A sEaE

.r* *r-r t,,

.= =

,t. ,,

.,'',-=

,': ;,:'

,===.ag :.',,

AA = a/1

B

5

=

:'

= ,,:a..

AAA

llAal

AAW*A

tr

We have a very similar position to this with reversed colours after I .d+ af6 +9

Chess Opening Essentiols

- Volume 4 9.

z.Af: cs 3.d5 e6 4.4c3! exd5 5.Axds Axd5 6.Efxd5,

10. 11.

12. Ad2-c3

Exffi3.ffis

rffirffir$*rer

ffi*ffiffi

e7-e5

6...c6 is an interesting move which exerts control over the impoftant d5 and bS-squares: 7.d3 ah6!? A.AeS Wdg 9.Axh6 gxh6, and as is so often the case in many Advance French lines, Black's dark-square control makes up for the doubled h-pawns.

7. d2-d3 8. Af1-e2

6g8-e7

8.4e3 does not resolve the problem of the weakness on d4: 8...9d8 9.4e2 hf5 and Black does not have any wor-

ffi9ffiaffi

ffisffi W Affi ffiAreAre F?

and Black should be pleased with his game.

C)

3.

s2-s3

This is the most popular move with top players.

Ab8-c6l

3.

EAE F@reA=

ilril ffirrcr AA€il @ #a@@ ffiaEn @ #AflffaffilAffi €ilare

re i

l

I

As we have already mentioned, the ad-

ries.

8. ... 9. 0-0

6e7-f5

Recently some players have tried to stir things up with 9.g+ 2}.+ lO.Egl, after which the cl bishop can develop with

tempo, but weakening the kingside in this fashion is of doubtful merit. 50

Af8-e7 gd4-b6 af5-d4

ffiffiffi

Affitr

which is considered to be slightly in White's favour. There the knight has already developed to f3, whereas in the R6ti the black knighr is srill on g8. However, we cannot presume that this is a disadvantage: from g8 the knight can still go to f5 (via e7 or h6) where it will connol the weak d4-square.

c7-c6

8ffiE.ffi€ffi rffi €ffirffir ffirffi ffi

ffiffisffiffi ffiffiffiffi ffiffiffiaffi AffiAffiAffiAffi

6. Ab1-c3

... 6c3-e4 Ac1-d2

vance 3...c5 may be playable in these lines, but at the same time it involves a high level of risk as White can play a

Benoni

or

Benko with an extra

tempo. It is also worth thinking about 3...96

a.bgZ (4.b4

transposes

to

Dl

below)

R6ti Opening

+...Ag7 5.0-0 e5 5.d3 Ac6 7.6a3 6ge7 8.4c2 a5, with equal opportuni-

6

A €;;,

e7-e5

A

A

=:=:|}

6. 0-0

a7-a5 The alternative 6...4e7 does not impress: 7.b4! Axb4 8.Axe5 and White is better. In contrast. the move 6...2,d7 has scored really well for Black:

Ae7 8.4c2

a5.

E ABe,

rraElll a

l,l

AI .:

E

A AA AAA AAAA

tr Ag tr€ 7. 6b1-a3

7

.6,a3

,ffi

=FH

i'#re

+E:

698-f6 After 5...4ge7, 6.b4! looks good for White.

Ss rcg

*r ffi r#r

ties for both sides.

4. gf1-92 5. d2-d3

1.691-t3 d7-dS 2.c2-c4

AE a#=i$

=r{E F=i

A ffiA*$

w'e tr'#

Undermining the centre with 7.e3 gains nothing for White as there is 7...dxe3!8.Axe3 Ae7 9.4c3 0-0. Af8-c5 7. ... 8. Aa3-b5!? White struggles to execute the b2-b4 push after 8.4c2 0-0 9.b3 Ee8 10.a3 Wde lt.Ebl Afs l2.gd2 e4, and Black will arrive first. 0-0 8. ... 9. Ac1-g5 With the idea of 10.Axf6 Wxf6 r

-"

and

A

tnen I LcLxc/.

9.

...

Ac5-e7

and neither side has an advantage.

5l

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

We have seen previously in this volume (and also in the first book of our series on 1.e4) how often White can trans-

pose to the King's Indian Attack. It is appropriate to collect these ideas in one section and to expand on those points that" merit deeper discussion. The King's Indian Attack is the set-up characterized by the moves 1.6f3, 2.g3, 3.4g2, 4.0-0, 5.d3 and 6.e4 (which are

usually played regardless

of

Black's

choice of reply).

::.

However, consistent with the fact that against the King's Indian White's best plan is to advance his pawn to e4, experience has demonstrated that the King's

Indian Attack is at its mosr effbcrive only when Black has played ...e7-e6 (as then ...e6-e5 will require the use of

another tempo), or otherwise after ...c7 -c6 (as also here the 'necessary' ...c6-c5 will cost a tempo). It is therefore no coincidence that in the

first volume of this series we see the King's Indian Attack as a possible option for fighting against the Caro-Kann ( I .ea

A

c6 2.d3)

::j:

,' A ",:h A AAA.... .AA

Efi a*ggrh E=: tl '...,.1* I I L=

tr aag.'.. E €

.t, =

It is so named as

=A g A A.'..t A

Black typically plays the corresponding moves in the King's

Indian:

jhag =€ lrl =lEl J: f

-.1

..:.-

AAA

w&aa *tFrl

q)

E

and the French (1.ea e6 2.d3)

*

E

greater attacking possibilities.

.ltar

,

:=

-[.,,

King's f ndian Attack after L.e4

52

E .,

The extra move provides White with

Given that one of the characterlzing moves of the King's Indian Attack is the advance e2 e4, it comes as no surprise that it is possible to establish the KIA after opening the game with 1.e4.

AABwEa

f f *1.::' 1,1 =L ^ AAA

tr

h

-.

g

,,.i

AAA

w.€aa

tr

and the Sicilian

with 2...e6

2.af3 e6 3.d3

-

Pdtstr/.

(1.e4 c5 see diagram next

King's Indicn Attcck

E

ch-e.BsAa

E

tt=',

ready to play Ahz-g+ and 695 / gh5, amassing his pieces on the kingside and

ttt,,',

arch's safety.

*,1 '-:i.'',' '1,-.:-'l*f -l'

rl

= -,,a:.,

==:,,

t,.-A

seriously jeopardizing the black mon-

.,:,=

'

,= A :.',6 AAA AAA ,..=

agw€a

Reinforcing his control of e5. White is

tr

Theory tells us that we are in positions that are dynamically balanced, but in practice

it is no easy task for

Black to

defend himself, The following line is not forcing, but it is indicative of the

Against the French and the Sicilian the

potential of white's attack.

rwo variations often coincide, and the following is a typical line that you see with both defences: 1. e2-e4 c7-c5 (or 1...e6 2.d3 d5 3.4d2 c5 a.Agf3) 2. 691-f3 e7-e6 3. d2-d3 d7-d5 4. ab1-d2 Ab8-c6 5. g2-g3 Ag8-fG 6. Af1-g2 Af8-e7 7. 0-0 0-0 .\s Black's castled king supplies White rvith a clear target, it could be a good idea to postpone this move and instead

12. ... a5-a4 13. a2-a3 €c8-a6 14. af1-h2 c5-c4? Too ambitious: following 14...bxa3! 1 5.bxa3 Eb8, Black has sufficient counterplay to draw White's attention

play the immediate

7

...b5

8. Ef1-el 9. e4-e5 10. 11.

Ad2-f1 h2-h4

!

?.

b7-b5

at6-d7 a7-a5

b5-b4

12. Ac1-t4

E=E E : "'. A l :l

qgl=,,.,'

,. +"==A* ' A:'=...,6U

=a.',..1 ,Ea f f*

--i

=:..

,.,,i.,.

A*A

---= AA'..,.'

E 'g=a€

away from his attack on the kingside

15. d3-d4 16. b2xc3 17. Af3-s5 18. gdl-hS 19. Af4xg5 20. Ag5-f6! 21. 6h2-g4 22. Wh5-s5

c4-c3 b4xc3 Ad7-b6 Ae7xg5 Wd8-e8 6c6xd4 Ad4-f5

€g8-h8

E -',9= €

:.r,, -,::,-: ,:,,1=l I ECh .'. l€ i

'

::- =f:: &AE '=a&, I ; 'A - ''* A=., A

€=tr

23. Af6xg7+! Af5xg7 24. ag4-t6 We8-d8 25. Ws5-h6 forcing mate.

53

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume 4

by White against the King's Indian, but here with

a

tempo less:

2. ... 3. 9f1-g2 4. 0-0 More frequently White

will

ter the King's Indian Attack

seek to en-

with

1. 6s1-f3 and in so doing prevent 1...e5, which as we have seen is a move that robs the KiA of much of its effectiveness.

1.

...

d7-d5

For 1...4f6 2.g3 go to page 19 (in the sefiion on t.6f: 6fe).

2.

g2-g3

c7-c5

Ab8-c6 e7-e5

As we all know, the King's Indian is a defence where Black plays on the razor's edge and thus every tempo can be crucial. Therefore, when playing against the KIA, Black must always keep this

fact foremost

in his mind and avoid a

hasty occupation of the centre. For example, after

5.

d2-d3

the pawn advance 5...f5, which would create a reverse Four Pawns Attack. looks decidedly reckless:

E;===AEE+A=

*f -L,= i.=,-?,..i,,. '-j:6.'=; -::,. Ef+f==r' ;;,:- E

7:.:'

|j:.f

=.l;::,)- ,t:.i,, A -6# a,& a,t;i.:a=ta-a 'E

(in the section on 1.4f3 d5 2.g3) that both 2...4c6!? and 2...96 are good attempts to render the

We noted on page 26

King's Indian Attack innocuous. Indeed, if White continues with Ag2 or 0-0,

A€g-

E

After 6.c4 d4 7 .e3, White will open the position to his advantage. In equal measure, 5...f6, with the idea of playing a Simisch with reverse colours, appears to be excessively risky. All this would

Black can advance ...e7-e5 and White is playing a reverse Pirc, which presents no particular problems for Black.

suggest that it may be more appropriate to play a quieter move such as

However, Black will often play more solidly and opt for ...c6, and then develop his bishop to f5 or 94. See page 30 (Variation D71-D72 in the section on 1.6f3 ds 2.g3) As a final option, Black can continue by applying the ideas normally employed

(or first

5+

5. ... 5

.

Af8-e7 ..4f6) , with the idea after

6. ab1-d2 6g8-f6 7. e2-e4 d5-d4l?

of playing the solid Petrosian Variation (see Volume 3) with reversed colours, and White will find it a challenge to realize the advantage of the first move.

King's indion Attock ofter 1.6g1-t3

R6ti,Nchard CapablancaJose Raul New York l9L4 (5)

1.4f3 AfG 2.c4 gG 3.b4 As7 4.9b2 0-0 5.g3 b6 6.492 Ab7 2.0-0 d6 8.d3 abdT 9.Abd2 e5 10.9c2 tre8 ll.trfdl a5 12.a3 h6 13.4f1 c5 14.b5 6f8 15.e3 Wc7 16.d4 Ae4 17.8c3 exd4 18.exd4 aGdT 19.Wd2 cxd4 2O.Axd4 Bxc4 21.Axg7 €xg7

22.Wb2+

€gS

23.Exd6

WcS

24.trad1 tra7 25.6e9 gh5 26.6d4 9xg2 27.&xg2 WeS 28.6c4 Wc5 29.8:c6 trc7 30.4e3 6e5 91.tr1d5 1-O

trhd8 20.trfc1 d5 21.trc5 d4 22.6.92 23.Axc8 EaxcS 24.6:t4 2lai 25.trc7 6xb3 26.Aa3 6xc1 27.trxe7+ ggg 28.6xg6 tre8 29.trxe8+ trxe8 3O.Axct d3 31.e3 b4 32.4t4 trd8 33.4b2 a5 34.Axf6 trd7 35.e4 a4 36.4d5 trb7 37.f3 a3 38.6xM trxb4 39.st2 *t7 4O.ghg trbg 41.9d4 a2 42.&e3 *96 43.h4 Ebl 44.€xd3 tr91 45.Se3 trxg3 46.€f4 trh3 47.€e5 ExfS 48.€e6 -Q"c8

Ed3

R6ti,Richard Janows\aDawid New York 1924 (22)

1.4f3 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.4a3 af6 4.AxeA e6 5.93 6,bd7 6.A92 hb6 7.0-0 Axc4 8.Wa4+ c6 9.Wxc4 Ae7 10.b3 0-0 11.4b2 ads 12.d4 f5 13.6e5 AfG 14.e4 Axe5 15.dxe5 fxe4 16.axe4 ad7 17.9d3 h6 18.4a3 tre8 19.4h7+ €hg 20.A96 bG 21.f4 Wc8 22.Axe8 BxeS 29.trt2 gG 24.h4 c5 25.h5 €97 26.Wxg6+ B,xgG 27.hxg6 *xg6 28.tre1 h5 29.f5+ exfS 3O.eG Ac6 31.e7 Ac7 32.trd2 €f7 33.trd9 6e8 34.Ac1 a5 35.Exa8 AxaS 36.495 Ad5 97.&f2

ag7 38.9f4 6e6 39.e88+ €xe8 40.tre5 Axb3 4't.axb3 €d742.trd5+

€e743.4e3

cxd6 10.4f3 cxb3 11.4d4 a6 12.axb3 €d7 13.6f5 g6 14.he3 €e6 15.trc1 6cG 16.93 6ge7 17.sh3+ sf7 18.0-0 h5 19.Ec2

1-o

o-1

R6ti,Richard Bogoliubow,Efim Moscow 1925 (8)

1.4f3 d5 2.cA cG 3.b3 Aga 4.9b2 e6 5.e3 hf6 6.4e2 Ae7 7.0-O 0-O S.h3 Ahs 9.d3 cS 10.cxd5 Axds 1I.6c3 6c6 12.Ecl gcg 1g.gd2 Axc3 14.axc3 gb6 15.9b2 f6 16.gfd1 trfd8 17.6e1 Axe2 18.Wxe2 Wa6 19.trc2 trd6 20.Wg4 trcd8 2t.h4b6 22.h5 gb7 23.trdc1 WdZ 24.f4 e5 25.f5 Af8 26.trt2 Wt7 27.trt3 aS 28.tr93 tra8 29.8f3 a4 3O.b4 e4 31.dxe4 trad8 32.bxc5 bxcS 93.h6 €h8 34.hxg7+ AxgT 35.We2 6b4 36.3xb4 cxb4 37.6f3 b3 38.ad4 bxa2 39.Ea1 gh6 40.6e6 trxe6 41.fxe6 Wxe6 42.trxa2 Wxe4

43.gf3Axe3+44.Sxe3 Torre Repetto,Carlos Lasker,Edward

Giorgadze,Tamaz

Chicago 1926 (13)

Petrosian,Tigr*

1.4f3 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.4a3

e5

4.6xe5 Axa3 5.Wa4+ bS 6.Wxa3 gb7 7.b3 ,gyd6 8.gb2 f6 9.9xd6

1-0

Moscow tt 1979

6f6 2.4c3 c6 3.6f3 dS 4.e3 96 5.b3 Ag7 6.,qb2 0-0 7.9e2 eg4 1.c4

55

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

8.d4 e6 9.0-O AbdT 10.h3 9xf3 11'.gxfg treB l2.Wc2 Ec8 t3.trad1 b5 14.e4 bxc4 15.bxc4 dxe4 16.6xe4 Axe4 17.Axe4 9c7 18.Efe1 trcd8 19.c5 6f6 20.9f3 ads 21.4c1 Ed7 22.trg5 trbg 23.9h4 trb4 24.Agg gd8 25.9e5 Axe5 26.dxe5 Wa5 27.8e4 trxe4 28.Axe4 ab4 29.Wbl Hxdl+ SO.Wxdl ads 31.Axd5 exdS 32.Wc1 Wxa2 33.94 d4 34.€f1 gd5 35.Sg5 a5 36.We7 *g7 37.Wf6+ €fS 38.e6 Wxe6 39.Wd8+ €97 40.wxd4+ wf6 41.we4 h6 42.&g2 Be6 43.Wd4+ gh7 44.h4 h5 45.gxh5 gxhS 46.f3 Sg6+ 47.ghg WfS+ 48.€g3 €g6 49.€g2 a4 50.Wxa4 Wxc5 51.Wa1gfs 52.ghg Se6 53.8e8+ €f6 54.9h8+ ge7 55.*93 Wd6+ '56.9f2 Wh2+ 57-€e3 Wxh4 58.8e5+ gd7 59.9f5+ €d6 60.9d3 f6 61.wa5 €d7 62.8a7+ €e6 63.Wa8 €f5 64.Wxc6 We1 65.8c5+ We5 66.Wc4 €g5 57.9c1+ *h4 68.f4 wds+ 69.€e3 f5 7o.ge1+ gh3 71.Wc3 &54 72.&t2 Ba2+ 73.€g1 Be2 74.Wg7+ €f3 75.Wg5 BeS+ 0-'f 76.€h1Wcl+

29.6e1 AdS 30.6c2 9xg2 31.€xg2

e5

32.Axa3 bxa3 33.Wc3 6t7

34.4g3 ab6 35.e4 fxe4 36.dxe4 c4 37.tue5 cxb3 38.Wxb3 6c4 39.e6 Wxe54OHf6We741.gdf1 Wb+ o-t Pansulaia,Levan Bareev,Evgeny Beer-Sheva

Wch-tt 2005 (3)

1.af3 d5 2.4 cE 3.g3 dxc4 4.!:g2 e6 5.0-O b5 6.d3 cxd3 7.4e5 Ab7 8.a4 b4 9.a5 Ae7 10.Axd3 6a6 11.Wa4 4d512.trd1 Bc8 13.e4 6f6 I4.Ad2 Ae7 15Axb4 6xb4 16.6xb4 0-O 17.8c1 trb8 18.4xc6 Axc6 19.trxc6 gd7 2O.e5 trb4 21.Wc2 Ads 22.4'd2 Exb2

23.€xb2 Wxc6 24.trc1 gd7 25.gd4 trd8 26.axd5 wxds 27.Bxd5 trxds 28.trc8+ Afg 29.acA Hc5 30.Exc5 Axc5 31.€f1

*fB 32.€e2 &e7 33.f4 sd7 34.h3 *c6 35,€dg €d5 36.g4 g6 37.6d2 g5 38.fxg5 €xe5 39.4e4 gb4 40.4f6 Axa5 41.6xh7 Ad8 42.h4 gf4 43.g6 fxg6 44.6t9 €xg4 45.6x96 Axh4 46.€e4 €g5 47.4e5 Ag3 48.6c6 a6 49.6d8 gf6 5o.Ab7 Af2 51.6a5 Ae1 52.6c4 a5 53.4b6

€e7 54.€e5 Ac3+ 55.€e4 €d6 Tomashevsky,Evgeny

Kramnik,Yladimir Moscow ch-RUS 2005 (5)

1.af3 d5 2.c4 cG 3.e3 hf6 4.6c3 e6 5.b3 abdT 6.4b2 Ad6 7.Wc2 0'0 8.hg b6 9.94 4b710.95 Ae8 11.h4 t5 12.6d4 We7 13.9g2 trc8 14.t4 Ac5 15.6ce2 6dG 16.6f3 dxc4 17.h5 Ab4 18.hG gG 19.0'0 cxb3 20.axb3 a5 2t.trad1 c5 22.4a1&t7 23.d3 Se8 24.6c3 b5 25.ha2 Aa3 .26.Wd2 b427.4'c1€f7 28.6e2 €98 56

56.6c4+ €c6 57.€d3 gb4 58.€d4 a4 59.€e5 €c5 60.4e3 a3 61.&xe6

a2

0'1

R6ti,Richard Berger,Yictor London l9Z7 (6)

Af6 2.6f3 c5 3.g3 d5 4.b3 gG 5.4g2 As7 6.4b2 0-0 7.0-0 As4 8.h3 gfs 9.Scl 9xb1 10.Exb1 a5 11.d3 6a6 12.tre1 Ac7 13.e4 AeG 14.cxd5 cxdS 15.We3 tre8 t6.Ad4 1.c4

King's Indicn Attcck af.ter

6'c7 17t4 e6 18.4f3 Aa6 19.tre2 trc8 20.4e5 tra8 21.g4 o,c7 22.Wt2 Ea6 23.EbeI h5 24.A.tg hxg4 25.hxg4 ad7 26.4xd7 BxdT 27.&xg7 €xg7 28.Wd4+ f6 29.exd5 Axd5 30.Axd5 Hd6 31.95 exdS

32.Exe8

1-0

Capablanca"Jose Raul

Lilienthal,Andor Moscow 1936 (8)

1.4f3 ds 2.c4 cG 3.b3 gfs 4.4b2 e6 5.g3 hf6 6.4g2 abd7 7.0-0 h6 Ld3 Ae7 9.Abd2 0-O 10.trc1 a5 11.a3 Ee8 12.E'c2 Ah7 13.8a1 gf8 14.tre1 gb6 15.4h3 Ac5 16.trf1 gf8 17.trcc1 trad8 18.Efel Ac5 19.8f1 Af8 20.-Ag2 Ad6 21.4e5 Axe5 22.Axe5 6xe5 23.Wxe5 Ad7 24,Wb2 6lt0 25.b4 axb4 26.Wxb4 Wxb4 27.axb4 traB 28.Eal ad7 29.4b3 €f8 30.tra5 dxc4 31.dxc4 hb6 32.Exa8 trxa8 33.4a5 Ea7 34.Hd1 €e8 35.4xb7 trxb7 36.Axc6+ Ed7 37.c5 €e7 38.Axd7 6xd7 39.c6 6b6 40.c7 Afs 41.trd8 e5 42.EbB Ac8 43.b5 *d6 44.bG 6e7 45.trf8 gcg 46.trxf7 Ads

l.A91-f3

cxb2 'l9.axb2 trc8+ 20.9d1

h6

f6 22.t4 Ae7 2:3.e4 6'c7 24.a4 a5 25.9d2 ab4+ 26.€e3 6a6 27.Ehc1 Ac5 28.8c4 ab3 29.9d1 bG 30.gfl Exc4 31.dxc4+ &e7 32.c5 AxcS+ 33.€f3 Ad6 34.4c4 hc5 35.e5 fxeS 36.trxd6 *xd6 37.axe5+ €e7 38.axg7 gd8 39.axh6 trd4 40.4g5+ €f8 41.h6 trxc4 42.9f6 ad7 43.h7 Axf6 44.h89+ 6g8 45.9h7 trc3+ 21.g6

46.€e2

1-o

Thiede,Lars Lutz,Christopher Germany cup 2005 (1)

1.c4 Af6 2.g3 c6 3.492 d5 4.4f3 Ag4 5.6e5 Ae6 6.Wc2 abdT 7.d4

g6

8.cxd5 cxd5 9,9b3 gb6

Jobava"Baadur

10.Bxb6 Axb6 11.4c3 trc8 12.h3 49713.6d3 Ad714.hc5 Ac6 15.e3 atd7 16.Axd7 €xd7 17.0-0 eG 18.trd1 6c4 19.b3 ad6 20.4f1 Afg 21.4a3 o,e422.9xt8 Axc3 23.Edc1 Ehxf8 24.trxc3 €d6 25.trac1 Ad7 26.h4 Exc3 27.Exc3 a5 28.9d3 h6 29.€f1 95 30.hxg5 hxgS 31.€g2 Hh8 32.trc1 f6 33.trc5 b6 34.8c1 Ac6 35.8h1 trxhl 36.€xh1 94 37.&g2 b5 38.f3 gxf3+ 39.€xf3 b4 40.€g4 Ae8 41.€h4 a4 42.94 a3 43.g5 fxgS+ 44.exg5 e5 45.se2 Aa4 46.4d1 Abs 47.9:c2 A:e2 48.€f5 e4 49.€f6 Af3 50.€f5 Ahs

Wang Hao

51.€fO Ae2 52.&f5

47.Exg7 AxbG 48.trh7 ad5 49.trxh6+ €xc7 50.e4 6e7 51.f3 &d7 52.h4 €e8 53.8f6 6g8 54.8c6 1-0

Af3

1/zr/z

Tail.uan tt 2006 (7)

1.c4 AfG 2.6t3 c6 3.93 d5 4€92 Ag4 5.6e5 AfS 6.cxd5 cxdS 7.hc3 AbdT 8.Wa4 e6 9.g4 Ag6 10.h4 a6

1'l.Axd7 WxdT 12.Wxd7+ €xd7 13.h5 Ae4 14.f3 Ac2 15.g5 6e8 16.d3 d4 17.&d2 dxc3+ 18.€xc2

Dizdarevic,Emir Aronian,Levon Calvia ol 200+ (4)

1.4f3 af6 2.g3 d5 3.492 Af5 4.c4 c6 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.Wb3 9bG 7.9xb6 axb6 8.4c3 Ac6 9.d3 e5 10.0-O hG 57

Chess Opening Essentiols

- Volume 4

€d7

12.d4 e4 13.6e5+ hxe5 14.dxe5 Ag4 15.h3 Axe5 16.trd1 Ae6 17.Axe4 €c6 18.6d4+ gd7 19.af3 6xf3+ 20.Axf3 AcS 21.9;d2 f6 22.kc3 &c7 23.&92 trhdg 24.trac1 gb8 25.a3 €a7 26.e3 trac8 27.trd2 trd7 28.trcdl trcd8 29.h4 Ae7 30.h5 Ac5 31.4d4

11.4b5

trc7 32.4c3 trcd7 33.9d4 trc7 34.4c3

trcd7

1/zt/z

AeG 31.Axa8 ExaS 32.Wd6 Wc8 33.4d4 Ac4 34.e6 fxe6 35.hc6 We8 36.trf6 gh7 37.6e5 trd8 38.Wc7 trc8 39.Wf7 WxfT 40.trxf7 €hG 4l.trf6 Afs 42.trxg6+ €h7 4s.Ed1 Ad5 44.trgs €h6 ou =11; Kasparov,Garry Karpov,Anatoly Seviila Wch-match 1987 (Z+)

Kozul,Zdenko Bareev,Evgeny Sarajevo 1998

(l)

l.afs Af6 2.c4 eG 3.b3 d5 4.4b2 Ae7 5.e3 0-0 6.Wc2 c5 7.a3 6c6 8.4d3 d4 9.exd4 6xd4 10.Axd4 cxd4 11.0-0 bG 12.9e2 gb7 13.d3 trcg 14.abd2 ads 15.6e1 b5 16.Af3 Wd7 17.b4 e5 18.Wb3 bxc4 19.6xc4 f6 20.b5 €h8 21.a4 EcS 22.2la5 Aa8 23.g3 a6 24.6c6 9xc6 25.bxc6 WxcG 25.6c219d6 27.Efe1

28.Wa2 4c3 29.Wt7 trf8 30.9b3 trb8 s1.wf7 Ef8 32.9b3 f5 33.Ag2 trb8 34.8a3 e4 35.dxe4 d3 36.e5 Wc7 37.6b4 d2 38.6xa6

trbg

Hxe5 39.Hf1 Axa3 40.6:xc7

A}2

o-1

Ivanchu-k,Yasily Asrian,Karen Warsaw Ech 2005 (l) 1.c4 e6 2.g3 d5 3.492 Af6 4.afg Ae7 5.0-0 0-0 6.b3 aS 7.9b2 a4 8.6a3 c6 9.d3 AbdT 10.Wc2 Ab4 ll.trfcl h612.9d1 tre8 13.6c2 Af8 14.b4 e5 15.a3 b5 16.c5 Bc7 17.ad2 96 18.e4 d4 19.We2 Ag7 20.8f1 Af8 21.trae1 h5 22.t4 exf4 23.€,xd4 6e6 24,Axf6 AxfG 25.e5 Ag5 26.d4 fxgS 27.hxg3 Axd2 28.Wxd2 hg7 29.d5 cxd5 30.Axd5 58

2.at3 6,t6 3.s3 d5 4.b3 Ae7 5.4g2 0-0 6.0-0 b6 7.4b2 Ab7 8.e3 o,bd7 9.6c3 6e4 10.6e2 a5 11.d3 Af6 12.Wc2 Axb2 13.Wxb2 6d6 14.cxd5 Axd515.d4 c5 16.trfd1 trc8 17.6t4 Axf3 18.Axf3 We7 19.trac1 trfd8 2o.dxc5 6xc5 21.b4 axb4 22.Wxb4 Wa7 23.a3 af5 24,trb1 trxdl+ 25.Exd1 Wc7 26.4d3 h6 27.trc14e7 28.Wb5 Afs 29.a4 6sd6 1.c4 e6

30.gbl Wa7 31.6e5 Q)xa4 32.trxc8+ 6xc8 33.9d1 a,e7 34.9d8+ €h735.4xf7 698 36.9e8 We7 37.Wxa4 WxfT 38.4e4 €98 39.9b5 Af8 40.Wxb6 gf6 41.9b5

We7 42.&s2 g6 43.Wa5

Wg7

44.tsc5 Wt7 45.h4 h5 46.9c6 9e7 47.9d3 gf748.gd6 €s749.e4 ss8 50.9c4 €g7 51.we5+ gg8 52.9d6

€g7 53.4b5 €g8 54.Ac6

Wa7

55.9b4 Wc7 56.Wb7 WdB 57.e5 Wa5 58.Ae8 ScS 59.9f7+ gh8 60.9a4 Wd5+ 61.€h2 WcS 62.9b3 gcg 63.4d1 Bc5 64.€g2 1-o

Botvinnik,Mikhail Flohr,Salomon Moscow ch-URS 19++ (7)

1.4f3 d5 2.c4 d4 3.e3 AcG 4.exd4 hxd4 5.6xd4 Sxd4 6.6c3 c6 7.d3 e5 8.Ae3 Wd8 9.4e2 Af6 10.0-0

King's Indion Attock after 1.691-f3

Ae7 'f 1.€h'l O-O 12t4 exf4 13,trxf4 9e6 14.d4 gd7 15.4d3 9:g4 16.9d2 Ahs 17.gf5 Bcz lS.Eaft Ag6 19.Eh4 trfe8 2o.At4 gIdS 2l.Axg6 fx96 22.trh3 Bd7 23.a3 trad8 24.trd9 Be6 25.d5 cxdS 26.cxd5 9a5 27.8d1 gd6 28.h3 h6

29.Axd6 Bxd6 30.tre3 trxe3 3'l.Sxe3 aG 32.Wd3 6h5 33.tre1 hg3+ 34.€gl trf8 35.We3 sh7 36.4e4 Axe4 37.Wxe4 trf5 38.trd1 gf6 39.9b4 9xb4 40.axb4 trd6 41.&t2 €98 42.€e3 gf7 43.trf1+ EfG 44.trxf6+ gxf6 45.g4&e7 46.h4

&dO 47.&e4 b6 48.h5

gxhS

49.gxh5 a5 50.€f5 axb4 51.€xf6 €xd5 52.€gG €e6 53.€xh6 €f6 54.b3 gf7 55.€g5 €g7 56.*f5 €h6 57.€e5 €xhS 58.€d5 €g5 59.€cG gfs 60.€xb6 €eG 6'1.€c5 €d7 62.&xb4 €c6 63.€a5 €b7 64.9b5 €a7 65.€c6 €aG 66.b4 €a7 67.b5 €bg 68.€b6 1-o Rausis,Igors Yallei o Pons,Francisco ?ort Barcares tt 2005 (9)

1.4f3 d5 2.c4 d4 3.e3 6c6 4.exd4 Axd4 5.6xd4 Wxd4 6.4c3 cG 7.d3

6hG 8.Ae2 Af5 9.g4 Ah4 10.trs1 11.f4 e5 12.t5 h5 13.h3 Wd4 14.Eg3 hxg4 15.hxg4 96 16.fxg6 6xg6 17.4e3 Wd8 18.€d2 Ae6 'f9.ga4 6f4 2O.He1 Ae7 21.A*4 ext4 22.Hs2 Wd4 23.€c2 0-O-0 24.trt1trh3 25.trgf2 trxd3 26€xd3 wxd3+ 27.&c1 AcS 28.wc2 axc4

gd6

29.trx14 We3+

Takacs,Sandor (Alexander) Rubinstein,Akiba Meran 1924 (5)

1.af3 d5 2.c4 d4 3.e3 6c6 4.b4 dxe3 5.fxe3

Q-txb4

5.d4 e5 7.a3 e4

6d3+ 9.Axd3 exd3 10.0-0 af6 11.9b3 Ae7 12.Bxd3 o-O 13.Ac3 9 54 14.atg c5 15.gb2 cxd4 16.exd4 EcB 17.ad1 Ah5 18.6e3 AgG 19.Wb3 tre8 2O.Q:e5 Wc7 21.c5 trcd8 22.trac1 Cf8 8.4z:ltd2

23.a4 A:e4 24.tr14 Ads 25.Axd5 trxd5 26.trcf1 EedS 27.trxf6 gxf6 28.ExfG Exe5 29.dxe5 Wxc5+ 30.sh1 Wd5 31.8s3+ 9g7 32.trf1 Wc4 33.9f3 trd3 34.Wf5 gd2 35.Ac1 tre2 36.Af4 Ha2 37.Ed1

Wc738.Bg5

1-o

59

wlth 1.4f3, the English Opening is often adopted as a means of transposing; in this case a subsequent d2-d4 Ieads to a normal Queen's Pawn Game with the advantage of sidestepping defences that might be disagreeable for White, such as the Benoni, Benko, Griirrfeld or Nimzo- Indian. As

E

fiA..gE*A=

.ll-lCtll ",':== ,'='=

,,,,A, = '. :i:a.. ,'=:

A&

.= :

.AA*.A .tr A*W€-.AA tr

Let's look in more detail at the chameleon character of this flexible opening: After 1.c4 olt0 2.6c3, White is ready to push his pawn to e4. If Black now plays 2...e5 with the intention of entering a

Nimzo-Indian, White will So named as it was introduced into tournament play by the English champion Howard Staunton in his 1843 match against Saint-Amant (+Z -Z =+). It was to remain a marginal opening until the end of the 1920's saw the advent of the hypermodern school; Tartakorver declared that 1.c2-c4 was probably the best way to start the game as it took control of the strategically vital d5-square. There is no need to say that the great chess minds of the past sometimes got

more than a little carried away in their enthusiasm to stir things up and provoke their complacent colleagues (e.g.

\imzowitsch solemnly announced that after

1 . e4 Black has the advantage). Nevertheless, the debate over what were then minor openings was of the utmost

importance

for the development of

chess theory.

of that period continued to prefer the King's Pawn Openings, but with

Players

time the English became more and more accepted and now it is the third most popular way to open the game after 1.e4 and 1.d4.

play

3.e2-e4.

- AEry€ 'l-* . :l-l e

'i

'

,a-a-,

,,,:.=..

'l

I ,iu,,"

,,

:ri,E

A=.-:,A

''.

'"

* *:AA. ,A#ggaatr

=, A A -rr'

:-."1t,

And here it does not make sense for Black to bring the bishop to b4 (the moves 4.e5 and 5.Wga would follow, with a clear plus for White). Obviously, Black has the option of 3...c5!, but many a Black player would not relish the prospect of dealing with the complications that arise from 4.e5 Ag8 S.6f3 hc6 6.d4 cxd4 7.Axd4 6xe5 s.adbs. For the same reason, the Gninfeld is not playabie after 2...96 3.e4. Black can try playing ...d7-d5 one move earliel but then after 2...d5 3.cxd5 6xd5 4.6f3 gG (see diagram next page) 61

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume

CAES*E E f f ::- l"tt''&l=:t'lt l t 3j ,, '-=a '',t: = i & iit",a=:'E

=...E

'l''it

AA AAAAA tr =gEA=tr he mav have to reckon

with the various

anti-Gninfeld lines (S.Wa++, 5.9b3, 5.93). By no means do these lines give White an objective advantage, but they are tricky and White will be more familiar with them than his adversary. So far things are looking rosy, but as al-

wavs there is a downside: since 1...c5 controls the d4-square, a transposition to the Queen's Pawn Game is only possible if Black allows it. However, this is not going to fuss White, who will generally enjoy the manoeuwing game that arises with the Symmetrical English. The true acid test for the English is 1...e5.

E

AA

8sAA

E

l r-ll,=.l l

It is difficult to say if this is objectively realistic: excluding clear cases, equality and advantage are not mathematically quantifiable concepts. The border between equality and a slight advantage is hazy and even grandmasters do not

agree in their evaluation. However, there is one thing that most will agree on: 1 ...e5 creates a game that most 1 .c4 players do not particularly like.

This explains why so many players prefer to open with 1.6f3 with c4 as a folIow-up. However, as we have seen in the R6ti, after 1...d5 the advance 2.c4 allows 2...d41?,

which can be equally unwel-

come to White. We once again return to a central point that has been reiterated in the previous volumes (as the ancient Romans would say repetita iuaant), namely that the perfect opening does not exist. Every major opening has its virtues and defects, and personal taste and competitive considerations are often more important than obiective value, presuming that indeed this can be measured. One only needs to look at World Championship matches over the years to see this: openings are determined by the

style and repertoire of the opponent and changed accordingly.

Modern matches rarely become a didactic exercise in the use of a particular line. An opening is great as long as it works, and often after the first loss the loser will make a change. To a large extent this is Black occupies the centre and turns the English into a reverse Sicilian. After 1.e4 c5, White fights for the advantage; here the very least that Black

psychologically motivated, and thus it

for is equality, notwithstanding

Naturally, there are exceptions. Some players will religiously defend the mer-

hopes

the fact that he is 62

a

tempo behind.

applies as much to the beginner as to the grandmaster; no-one likes playing a line thathas just given them a zero.

English Opening 1.c2-c4

its of their pet line, even in the face of defeat. However, most modern professionals believe that a wide study and use

draws. In addition to 1.e4. which in his

of different openings is an essential

yourh he stated to be 'best by test" Fischer played 1,c4 four times, once again achieving the optimum score of 2

weapon in competitive chess.

victories and 2 draws.

From his earliest days Fischer used a highly restricted repertoire in which he had complete falth. But without doubt his experience at the 1959 Candidates' Tournament must have left its mark: his noted conviction that White gains an advantage against the Caro-Kann with the secuence 1,e4 c6 2.6c3 d5 3.6f3

E

ll

aE*'e,Aa

I

trll

E

/\

of the Century

of typical plans start. And when you reach a point where you are not exactly sure what to do, you can improvise; it has been said that at least fifty per cent of theoretical novelties have come about because poor memories created the opportunities for some free thinking! Enough chat, let's have a look at the spea general idea

is sufficient to

inspired Petrosian, Smyslov and Keres to repeatedly play the Caro-Kann, with the result that the best he was able to achieve against the three Soviet players was two draws from five games! How-

in the 1972 Match

match

ondary, is clear evidence of how big a factor psychology is, even for two of the greatest players of all time. It is therefore important that any player who wishes to improve their results and understanding of the game avoid an overly limited repertoire as much as possible. One does not necessarily need to mem-

for which

AAAA AAA tr ASEA tr

ever,

in this historic

orize complicated lines that go deep into the endgame to play good chess: it also makes sense to choose an opening

I.A

a6

The fact that

Fischer obtained such good results with openings that are considered to be sec-

in

cifics of the English.

Reykjavik a very different Fischer surprised title holder Boris Spassky with a much more varied repertoire. He did not respond to 1.d4 with the King's Indian, which had always been

We have divided this examination of the English into 4 sections:

his weapon of choice, but rather the Benoni. Nimzo-Indian and SemiTarrasch. It came as no surprise that the American champ used the Naidorf in arswer to 1.e4, but Spassky would hardly have expected the Paulsen, a double employment of the Alekhine, and the Pirc. Result: 2 victories and 2

o 1...c5 o 1...e5

Black's minor defences t...af6

o

Please remember that 1...e6 and 1...c6,

though very important, almost always transpose to lines that were discussed in the secrion dealing with 1.4f3 d5 7.c4. o)

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

E

ffi g

- .&=:.:

l.=l +E+l -, =.:''-

| f "=== €a", =g =" = 'ta=.-'

:

';:'''i

A)

1.

...

=

Ab8-c6

=' ' =*a a&&AE6.'.:..

This often leads to a transposition. After 2.d4 d5, we are in the Chigorin Defence. If 7.Q)c3 e5, we are in the English 1...e5, and after 2.Of3 e5 3.d4!? e4. we have a more individual line with unclear plarr

B)

#g===tr€

This position is strategically rich, with chances for both sides.

1. ...

b7-b6

c)

EffEg€+A=

*l -r-*;r.r il=, .rl|,. ...,.'

1.

d7-d6

...

To a certain extent this is a wait-and-see

move, which can lead to transpositions to a vast array of defences: King's In-

li

''-',:,1: --a,a. t"".1.

g

dian, Leningrad Dutch, the English

g ],rul = ..1i.= .:]:.,i

1...e5, Old Indian, etc. Most often White responds with 2.d4 so as to prevent ...e7-e5, going into the 1.d4 d6 line that was discussed in VoI.

AA AAAAA agg€aatr

2.

If White plays 2.d4 we have transposed to this opening's namesake, the English Defence, which was examined in the second volume

of our series with

the

sequence 1.d4 e6 2.c4b6. However, many players will want to re-

main in the spirit of the English Opening and will thus delay or avoid this pawn push and continue with 2, Ab1-c3 Ac8-b7 3. e2-e4 e7-e6

4.

ag1-t3

4.d4 transposes to the English Defence.

4. ... 5. efl-d3 5.9b3

!? is

worth considering.

5. ... 6. 0-0 Black has ...fr -fS in mind.

6+

gf8-b4

Ag8-e7 0-0

D)

1.

g7-g6

...

Here the most common transpositions are to the King's Indian and English 1...e5. A specific English variation is:

2. e2-e4 3. d2'd4

e7-e5l?

More energetic than 3.4f3.

3.

As8-f6!?

...

E A#e= = l - L-lrt=il rl,. ,

,,.=:..ii

fi-

7=.G,:= '1I'A

f

A=:,.

=A:fl, A fl,= 1 =:$A

==:=

,=:.:.

,,.,.,.,i=

+a#w€aaEtr

Minor

4.

As1-f3!

4.dxe5 Axe+ S.WdS f5 is nor so clear.

fences

de

to I .c2-c4

It is evident that the idea is ...d7-d5. This is the most reliable way ro proceed if you

4. ... e5xd4 Though +...9,b++ is paradoxical (Black has just played t . .g6), ir is perhaps fea-

want to play against a Queen's Gambit, while avoiding the complications involvedwith 1...4f6 2.4c3 e6 3.e4t?.

for 4...dxe4 5.4d3

Now after 2.6)c3 d5, the 'threat' of

sible; flrrs is not the

case

Ab4+ 6.&f1, rnhich quite simpty giaes

3...d4 practically forces White to play

lMite

3.d4, with a transposition ro

a tangible adaantage.

5. e4-e5 9f8-b4+ 6. Ac1-d2 Wd8-e7 7. Ad2xb4 Be7xb4+ 8. gd1-d2 gb4xd2+ 9. 6b1xd2 Af6-h5 10. Af3xd4

EA.E.

lllr

AA

R6ri.

€

E

E

AAA

r$1 /i

i..,

F? E

EE

ing the significance of White's advantage.

1. ...

e7-e6

E JhA

*rtr

6{a

E

,:.:.__,aa

=I

*rA

lll t"'

E

:

A .'- = .i',

1.,::

=

AA *: A *AA tr aaw A'\H

AABEAA

i.l''"litltl

E

:

A*. A A* =A tragg€a

=

The chess engines give White a net ad\-antage here, but given that Black has scored excellently from this position, ir tould appear that they are overestimat-

E)

c7-c6

F)

I I I AA

AA A

F? E

the

QueentGambit. It is for this reason that White more often chooses 2.6f3 and after 2...d5 (or 2...4f6), we are in positions previously discussed in the section on the

space

Also here it is apparent that Black's plan is to play...d7-d5.

2. 6b1-c3 The alternatives lead to a number of transpositions: 1) 2.6f3 ds - R6ti

2) 2.d4 d5 - Slav (Vol. 2) 3) 2.e+ d5 - a minor line of

the

Caro-Kann (Yol. 1).

2. ... 3. e2-e3

d7-d5

3.d4 leads into the Slav with 3.6c3.

3. ...

hg8-f6

At this point White does nor have anything better than to enter the R6ti wirh +.Q:f3 or the Slav with 4.d4. 65

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

English against the Dutch G)

1. E

position.

...

t7-f5

AAS€AA E

Gr* r * .:l_

t. ,lj.

r

:.

=;.

,la "' I ,t', "t ''tll u A ' j=. ,

AA

::

.-:...

AAAAB

EAAWSA6

tr

Black wishes ro establish a Dutch-type

will now transpose to rhe Dutch proper ( I .da f5, Vol. 2). At this point there is also another interesting idea: playing c2-c4 and not d2-d4, keeping in reserve the option of preparing e2-e4 with d2-d3. 2. 6:91-13 set-up. d2-d4

Stopping ...e7-e5. The move 2.g3 could be nice, with perhaps the knight going to e2. Indeed, the formation created by 93, Ag2, 6ge2 and e4 (a favourite way for Botvinnik to play the English) proves to be particularly tricky for Black if he too fianchettoes on the kingside. After 2...6f6 3.4g2 96 (3...e51 wirh the plan of developing the bishop on b4 or c5 is probably better) 4.68 Ag7 5.d31? d6 6.e4 e5 7 .6ge2 0-0 8.0-0 Ace 9.6dS

E,' ag

. llr,.a= =& Er ilr

r.

=':

A

&l

"A 'r::A': ' -:.'::

=

'.

A- A A&gw'.,,6*A& 'Eg tr 66

2. 3.

Ag8-f6 g2'g3

EAAtssA

rr::

E

*rrrGfi *r ,.,:-

i,,,,-.,'.

':

:-:.

'=.:,

.:,,..

L=:

'..,, : ;. :,:. .. t=A* = a&= & -.:.

rl Lt /.\ al a

tl l-)

White has scored excellently from

S

*a EAgWg:3[=:.-E

Here, as in a normal Dutch, Black can either fianchetto his bishop or continue classically by playing ...e7 -e6. Nolv we will take a glance at two lines;

for more information please look at the related sections in the chapter on the Dutch in Volume 2.

Gl) 3. ...

g7'96

This variation is played along the lines of the Leningrad Dutch.

4. 6b1-c3 5. Af1-92 6. 0-0

E Ag

Af8-97 0-0 d7-d6

S $.=.

*l,l *. 4r ,i=.

* fil , "',= .' =l .. S .,, , ', .=. A l=:f ,i A A A A AAA g

.:..'

':.':,

..

-:=.

AW,===E

Here White can prevent Black from playing ...e7-e5 with 7.d4, nansposing ro the

Dutch; his other option is 7.d3 which

Minor

will

take

him, after Black plays

into an English 1...e5

de

fences

to I .cZ-c4

...e2-e5, 0-0 11.wc2 ats ,12.h4 h5 13.ag5 We8 14.0-0-0 trbg t5.trhel 6a5

Aa6 17.6:ed4 6xd418.Exd4 e5 19.4d3 b5 20.c5 Axc5 21.Exe5 Af8-e7 9xe5 22.6xe5 Axd4 2g.gh7+ It does nor make much sense to esrab- €hg 2a.ag6+ €xh7 25.6e7+ €hg lish a Stonewall ser-up with 4...d5, 26.Wg66b3+22.€bi 1-0 when White still has the possibility of controlling e4: afrer 5.0-0 c6 6.d31 Provotorov,Ivan Ade l.2,cZ 0-0 8.e4, the opening of Chernyshov, Konstantin the centre helps White's initiative. Voronezh 2004 ( l) 5. 0-0 0-0 1.c4 b6 2.e4 &b7 3.6c3 e6 4.4f3 6. 6b1-c3 d7-d6 Ab4 s.gbg 4a6 6.Ae2 6:et 7.A-A 7. d2-d3 O-O 8.d3 f5 9.e5 {l96 10.aS ec5 Naturally, transpositions abound: after 11.4g5 WcB 12.Ead1 h6 13.Ac1 gxf3 14.Axf3 6h4 i5.d4 axrc+ 7 .d4 , we are in rhe Dutch (yolume 2 ) 7. ... 6b8-c6 16.gxf3 Ae717.Ae2 c6 18.€h1 hc7 8. e2-e4 e6-e5 19.trg1 €h7 2o.trg2 Es8 21.trds1 Black has lost a tempo in comparison to We8 22.We3 95 23.h4 Wt7 24.trh2 the English 1...e5 as it has taken two &s7 25.6t4 €f8 26.4ffi il 2T.We4 moves to get the pavm to e5. b5 28.trhg2 trhB 29.Axf4 bio4 3O.Ad2 ads 31.f4 gxh4 32.f5 exfS E-:.. E &..=33.9f3 Eb8 34.tr96 Eb3 35.Ac3 a5 36.e6 dxe6 37.Lt4 g;t6 38.trxf6 Bxf6 39.EgG Sf740.6xe6+ 1-o 15.d5

G2) 3. ... a. AI1-s2

e7-e6

.

3.8 E ll al a

lrl

ll

t-.

{

A.A

E

.::

,,.{ r^A q) L\

'i:

AAA

F? .$AW=. EE

9. h2-h3 €98-h8 10. e4xf5!? Ac8xf5 11. d3-d4 White's position is slightly preferable.

AgrestEvgeny Kanep,Meelis Plovdiv Ech-tt 2003 (9)

1.c4 e6 2.hc3 bG 3.e4 Ab7 4.af3 Ab4 5.9d3 o,e7 6.6e2 6bc6 7.a3 Ad6 8.Ac2 f5 9.d4 fxe4 l0.Axe4

Polugaevsky,Lev

Tal,Mikhail Moscow ch-URS 1973 (3)

1.c4 g6 2.e4 e5 3.d4

Af6 4.4f3 Ab4+

5.9d2 AxdZ+ 6.6bxd2 d6 7.dxe5 dxeS 8.Axe5 Be7 9.t4abdt 10.Axd7 Axd711.e5 0-O-012&e2 Ac6 13.exf6 S'e3 14.8f1 Axg2 15.8f2 Ah3 16.8c1

trhe8 17.at1 9e6 18.Wc3 Ag4 19.693 h5 2O,Ed1 h4 21.trxd8+ €xd8 22.t5 gxfs 2g.gdg+ sc8

24.Axl5 Wxrc ZS.6e3 Axe2 26.trxe2 Wg7 27.2,d5 Wgl+ Ze.&dz Wg5+

29.ec2 Ee6 30.Sf3 b5 31.Hg2 WeS 32.8g8+ €b7 33.ac3+ c5 S4cxb5 Wxh2+35.9b3 1-0 67

Chess Opening Essentiois

-

Volume 4

Polugaevsky,Lev

JaracaPawel Froe;rman,Helmut

TimmanJan

CappelleJa-Grande 200 5 (3)

Bugojno 1980 (10)

af6 4.4t3 exd4 5.e5 Ab4+ 6.9d2 We7 7.Axb4 Wxb4+ 8.9d2 Wxd2+ 9.Abxd2 4.hs 1O.Q:xd4 6c6 11.Axc6 dxc6 12.0-O-O Afs 13.f3 1.c4 96 2.e4 eS 3.d4

6:97 14.94 Ae6 15.4e4 h5 16.h4 €e7 17.Ati2 trad8 18.trxd8 trxd8 19.4f6 AcS 20.b3 6eG 21.gxh1 2lt4 22.Aj', sxh5 23.trg1 AfS 24.tr95 Ag5 25.6'e4 trd4 25.4g3 AeG

27.4t5+ Axf5 28.trxf5 29.&d2 trh2+ 30.€e3

trxh4 Hxa2 31.trxh5 Hb2 32.t4 Exb3+ 33.€e4 6c5+ 34.9d4 trf3 35.€xc5 trxf1 36.f5 trf4 37.€b4 tre4 38.e6 fxe6 o-1 39.trh7+ €d6

Kunte,Abhijit Malaniuk,Yladimir Koszalin i998 (3)

f5 2.Q:c3 Af6 3.g3 96 4.As2 dG 5.e3 9g7 6.z,ge2 e5 7.d3 a5 8.a3 c6 9.trb1 6a6 10.b4 axb4 1'l.axb4 Q-sc7 12.b5 c5 13.0-0 0-0 14.9d2 gb8 15.b6 ha6 16.4d5 Axd5 17.Axd5+ sh8 18.9b3 g5 19.f4 \&e7 2O.Ag2 1.c4

Ae6 21.6c3 gxf4 22.ext4 ab4

23.4b5 exf4 24.9rt4

Ae5

25.Axe5+ dxeS 26.Wc3 s.d7 27.6cT gd6 28.trfe1 Wxb6 29.6d5 6xd5 30.Bxe5+ gf6 31.axds b5 32.cxb5 Wxe5 33.trxe5 Axb5 34.4c4 Axc4 35.trxb8 trxb8 36.dxc4 Eb1+ 37.&12 Eb2+ 38.€e3 trxh2 39.Exf5

€g7

4O.trxc5

€f6

41.94 tr52

42.Ht5+ €e6 43.€f4 trt2+ 44.&e4 tre2t 45.€d4 Hd2+ 46.€c5 tr92 47.trh5 Exg4 48.Exh7 Eg8 49.€c6 i{c8+ so.trc7ca8 51.c5 1-o 68

Af6 3.4g2 e6 4.hf3 d5 5.0-0 c6 6.d3 Ae7 7.6c3 O-O 8.8c2 6aG 9.a3 9d7 10.e4 Ae8 11.cxd5 cxd5 12.exf5 exfS 13.ee3 sj7 14.Abs gd7 15.Abd4 Q:ga $.9:t4 trac8 17.9d2 gG 18.trfe1 trfe8 19.h3 Af6 2O.Ae5 6c5 21.tre2 Ba4 22.o,xti gxfS 23.W95+ Ag6 1.c4 f5 2.g3

24.9xt6 9xf6 25.trxe8+ trxe8

26.gxf6 hxd3

27.ah4

1-o

De Santis,Alessio

Narrmkin,Igor Verona open 2006

(7)

1.6f3 e6 2.g3 f5 3.4g2 af6 4.O-o Ae7 5.c4 O-0 6.hc3 d6 7.d3 e5 8.Eb1 We8 9.b4 Whs 1o.ads 6xd5 11.cxd5 c6 12.dxc6 6xc6 13.b5 4)d8 14.a4 Af7 15.4a3 f4 16.a5

fxgS l7.fxg3 aG l8.bxa6 ExaG 19.Eb5 sd8 20.9b3 Ee8 21.ad2 Axa5 22.9.d5 trfg 23.6'c4 Ac7 24.6xe5 trxa3 25.6txf7 trxb3

26.4h6+

1-o

Brancaleoni,Maurizio Garofalo,Sergio Piacenza

2005 (3)

1.c4 f5 2.atg Af6 3.g3 e6 4.A92 9e7 5.0-0 O-O 6.d3 d6 7.6c3 c6 8.e4 e5 9.c5 We8 lo.trel gh5 11.4,d2 6's4 12.h3 6f6 13.Bxh5 hxh5 14.exf5 d5 15.d4 trxf5 16.94 trxf2 lZtrxes gxg2+ 18.€xg2 6f4+ 19.€f3 AeG 20.4b3 gfo 21.tre2 Q\a622.€:e3 Ad7 23,&52 trf8 24.a3

Aaxc5 25.6xc5 Axc5 26.dxc5 d4

27.t1d't

1-O

'1. c2-c4 2. 691-13

As8-f6

EAAggA E l *.rll=*l i, :A

--,

EaAB'e,A

rr*llll,

A

A

fi

E

l

= ..A -,i\

AAAAAAA /\alcl2l5 at1

tr,6AW

Ag8-f6

t4)

tr

1,...4f6 is an elastic move: after this move Black can still use any defence he chooses (with the exception of the Dutch!), but before deciding he would like to see which knight White develops first. We will now discuss lines with 2.4f3 and then we will examine those that begin with 2.4c3. Of course, after 2.d4 you transpose to

one of the Indian defences. On the other hand, many transpositions are possible after 2.g3, but the most reliable for Black is considered to be 2...c6 3.4f3 d5, going into a R6ti.

AAAAAAA All clA'1AT-1

tragwga

tr

Black now has many paths he can fol-

low: after 2...c6 we are in the R6ti, 2...c5 creates the Symmetrical English,

while 2..i5?! is dubious for the

reasons

giaenpreuiously.

King's Indian set-up 1 with af3 and ...4f6

2. ... E

97-96

chABsA

E

i l*l I l, I ,.

ar

..,t

'='A' ta '-,' , AA AA AA ggA

EA

tr

Black is steering the game towards a possible GriiLnfeld or King's Indian, encouraged by the fact that the development of the knight to f3 reduces White's oDtions. 69

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

However, White can stay realm of the English

Volume 4

within the

with

3. g2-g3

Af8-97

5. 0-O

d7-d6

4. At1-92 0-0

Preparing the ambitious pawn advance ...d6-d5.

8. tral-b1 9. e2-e4t?

Ef8-e8

After 9.b4, 9...d5 would appear to give

After 5...c5 we have a Symmetrical Blackadecentgame. English, whereas 5...d5 usually in a Griinfeld.

results

6. hb1-c3 next to the Fianchetto Yariation of the King's Indian. 6. ... e7-e5 7. d2-dg The advance d2-d+, now or on the

move, transposes

#e=# '#ffiAffi rffi "ffi 'ffiaE ffiL.#-=# ,=# # '#A"{E '#= q4 E

r#r

E

ffi ffis "ffi6ffi A

#"# -#s A #a# tr#

9. ...

a7-a5

The move 9...a6!? is more of a surprise, but at the cost of allowing White to apply ulpleasant pressure on the queenside after 10.b4 b5 1 1.a4.

1O. a2-a3 11. b2-b4

h7-h6 a5xb4

12. a3xb4

d6-d5

ffiE#E#e# # L# #L#. #L*# ffiL# =# "#L# -

# -#^#^=.'# ,.# ffi^#a# *-# =#a# =#

tr#w#H#

The Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings At first glance Black's centre looks nice, (ECO) classifies this as part of the Eng- but his backward developmenr is cause lish 1...e5, but given that the position is for concern. more commonly reached with I ...6:fe . we prefer to discuss it here. B) 7. ... ab8-d7 8. a7-a5 7. c7-co

ID

...

E#A#.ffiL#L #e-*-# #Lffi

#L#"#ffirffi # '"#='#ffi

"F+=

ffiA# ffia#a# a,ffi #a#e# ffis#trffi

70

tra1-b1

EffiA# #e# =#t #.aw L#L '+E

=# 'FC

#

ffiL"#

## # A'# #'#

ffi^'# 6ffi #ee ffiw# trre {#

a,# ffis #a.#

1

Usually Black initiates a pawn exchange on the a-file before beginning aggressive actions on the kingside, but it is still unclear if this has more pluses or minuses. It may be true that he no longer runs the risk of losing the a7 pav,rr with the predictable rook invasion on b7. On the other hand, the open a-{ile could prove to be a clear path for a quick deployrnent of White's major pieces. -\s this is no minor consideration, it is rvell worth thinking about the immediA nr F ^ ^ ate 6...?lc5 c)r d...qjn5.

9.

a2-a3

queenside is more advanced, but Black has a more appealing target as White's royal residence is on the kingside!

10. b2-b4 11. a3xb4

a5xb4

Ac5-e6

12. 9:c1-b2 af6-h5 13. gd1-d2 f7-t5

14. trbl-al tra8xal 15. Ef1xa1 96-95 16. Ea1-a8 95-94

tr Ag

E€

.'',..ll Ef IA .AA ll I a

aa aA E gAAAA cb

,,,.j,,,,

e

rr-ith an unclear game.

-

Lines with 2.

Af3

6b8-c6 C) 7. ... The most natural and popular move, despite the fact that a black knight on c6 encourages the pawn march b2-b4-bs.

E..,,,'a€.

- ':.-l,l

a

=

=e I g. I

=:==-

r

:'

:rr, * .' A -' --' r''' ,',i

:==.=

AA=AA

AA AAgA €- AW.=tr,*

Q:d7-c5l?

With its eye on the e6-square, from rvhere it will control 95 and d4. .\nother typical way to proceed is 9...4h5 10.b4 axb4 I 1.axb4 h6 r2.gb3 €hs 13.4d2 f5 14.Ea1 Exal 15.Exa1: as is so often the case with these lines. White's initiative on the

.c4 6f 6

This is one of the key positions in the English Opening.

There is

no contact between

White's

forces and Black's, and neither side seems to want to make a move to decisively occupy the centre. The real battle

Iies ahead

in the middlegame and the

strategic themes are substantially those of the Closed Sicilian with a tempo more or less, depending on which side you are playing. However, this factor is not very significant in this type of posi-

tion.

8. Ea1-b1 a7-a5 Here we can repeat our earlier comment: while this is the most played option, it should not necessarily be presumed that opening up the a-file is the best strategy.

Evidence of this is that the alternatives 8...h6 9.b4 Ae6 10.b5 AeZ 1 1.a4 gd7

and 8...4h5 9.b+ f5 10.b5 Ae7 have produced slighdy better results for Black.

9.

a2-a3

Now Black is at a crossroads. 71

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume 4

E'Eg E&. '.ll 'l=l al al f. | & AA',:A& A AAAA .':g**. tr€

C2) 9. ... a

centre break.

10. b2-b4

::'.:

.:'

c1)

e.

[

-tt

If White wishes to stop the pau.n march to e4, he can play l0.Ag5!? and concede the advantage of the bishop pair in exchange for a quicker queenside ini-

':

tiative: 10...h6 1 1.Axf6 axb4 1 3.axb4 Ag7 1a.b5.

10. ... 11. a3xb4 12. d3xe4 13. Ac3xe4

h7-h6

...

10. b2-b4 a5xb4 11. a3xb4 Ac8-e6 12. b4-b5 6c6-e7 gd8-d7 13. Ac1-b2 14. trf1-el A typical way of preserving the fianchettoed Iight-squared bishop,

EAg ll

.'r'

which otherwise could be pinned to the rook, with a forced exchange. 14. ... Ae6-h3 15. Ag2-h1 Af6-g4

E...' = E'&'.": l'l gil f '':..:.

w=

a

A

F? 6Sm e-aE

with

a

Axf6

12.b+

a5xb4 e5-e4!?

Af6xe4 tre8xe4 .aOa

E

rEr I

I

AA ai cl

.

= t .'11 '-:.a " lt -a:1 = =aA = A..' a A ",t'-'. A AA A ,'=E

trf8-e8

An interesting alternative plan could be

E /\A uL ts /\NAAN /\ E

,'Eg

/\

position that is difficult to weigh

up.

c3) e. ... af6-h5 White's excellent results against this line would indicate that immediate kingside counterplay by Black is premature.

16. trbl-al Given Black's initiative on the kingside, it is worth thinking about opening up

thecentrewith 16.d4!?

16. ... tra8-b8 it is hard to predict whether White will be able to invade the queenside before Black starts to Also here

threaten the safety of the white king.

10. b2-b4 11. a3xb4 12. b4-b5 13. gd1-b3 14. Acl-b2

a5xb4

f7-ts Ac6-e7 €g8-h8

and White is now readv to launch his invasion of the queenside with Ea1.

C4) 9.

...

6c6-d4

1

E=Eg ,'l=de '-

l. .:-=:.

*,'"'

I

E

l

r.

l'

.c4 616

ll

t,,,,''

A

Lines wirh

2.6f3

g Eg rE I :'

a

I

'

ATA A AA

C\ =A = &ea ,''la*

..,E*g

-

/\

AA

./\

AA

AA

traw. tr€

F? .$1 EE

This is not the most common move, but Black has no problems, and indeed the it has the best performance. Black wants pawn on e2 could become an unpleas-

to take some of the

pressure

off and

ant weakness for White.

plans ...c7-c6 and ...d6-d5.

10. b2-b4 The most themaric. However,

be good to slow down counterplay

with 10.995!?,

it could QUeen'S Indian Set-up 1 Black's

even at

the

cost of losing the advantage of the two bishops. Taking on d4 has proved to be ineffective: 10.Axd4 exd4 I 1.4b5 Q:ga 12.h3 c6! 13.hxga Axg4! and Black s'ins back the piece; for this reason, the move 9...4d4 is less good if it is played one move earlier as without a5la3 the knight would have the a3-square to go to.

-\nother alternative that avoids the exchange is l0.ad2, which is followed

1. c2-c4 2. 691-t3

r

e

Ag8-f6 b7-b6

fiaEg4 €. rr.lal I a = iil a= .' ''.';;-:;

:"':::

iiiii

a::. ==-a::

,

1.,_.=

A* Es* A ",-a.i.j.:=6

tra\

aw s

tr

by' 10...c6 ll.e3 Ae6 tz.Af3t? (pre3. g2-g3 Ac8-b7 venting ...d6-d5) 12...6c5 13.b4 axb4 4. 9t1-92 e7-e6 l,l.axb4 Axd3! 15.Wxd3 e4 16.6xe4 Pushing ...c7-c5, either now or in the ixe4, with equality (the knight is im- following two moves, transposes ro the mune from capture due to Afs). Symrnetrical English Hedgehog. 10. ... a5xb4 5. 0-0 Af8-e7 11. a3xb4 c7-c6 6. Ab1-c3 12. b4-b5 Ac8-94 Needless to say, if White plays d2-d4 13. b5xc6 b7xc6 immediately, or on rhe next move, we 14. Af3xd4 e5xd4 go into a Queen's Indian, with the plus 15. Ac3-e4 Af6xe4 of having sidestepped the popular 16. Ag2xe4 Wd8-d7 4...Aa6variation. 73

-

Chess Opening Essentiols

6. ...

Volume 4

0-0

rhe rook, in light of the threatening 92 bishop. 3...b6 and 3...d5 transpose to Iines that have been discussed earlier.

Eg',,!=

3...c5 will be discussed in the section on the Symmetrical English.

7. trf1-e1!?

Effi

_E t rerE= r G :r.tl 1

:?; -:... .

.,=

'.=

E /.\A

q\.

A

tr 7.

ti-,' ;.;l'{t..,'r.' -

FAABgA vlll llr

'',,:= t,las..:

6:

I vI

ctsl ,E

,,.,--.,,,,

.

;.,-rA

t'=

*a s*: F? Sltr E:=

...

:.1r.

{ .:=,

.:'::-.:.-.,

exam-

4.

,:a,,,1

i.itn l=A:&

:EA

7...c5 8.e4 ffansposes to the fashionable

Anti-Hedgehog line, which we ine further ahead.

ra

a.a. = a

d7-d5

E

*

W€A=:.8

Af1-g2

d5 5.d4 dxc4

takes us inro a doubtful Open Catalan in which the Black hopes the somewhat misplaced move...a6ismoreusefulthanAc3. rook on e1 may compensare for the 4. ... b7-b5 rigid centre. 5. b2-b3 The more fluid 8...4xd5 leaves white Apart from accepting with 5.axb5 axbS with an edge after 9.e4 Axc3 10.bxc3 6.ad4,5.d3!?merirsatrenrion. c5 1 1.d4. 5. ... Ac8-b7 9. d2-d4 c7-c5 6. 0-0 c7-c5 10. Acl-f4 7. 6b1-c3l? Theory considers this position to be bal- Or T .AbZ AeZ 8.d3 0-0 9.Abd2 d5=

8. c4xd5

e6xd5

4.Q)c3

gdg-b6l percenr7. ,.. that Better rhan ...b4 8.ola4.

anced, but White's performance age of above 60% is ample evidence

Black's position is more difffcult to play

Romanishin Variation

1. c2-c4

2. 691-f3 3. g2-g3

698-f6 e7-e6

a7-a6l?

Romanishin came up with this intriguing move in the I 970's. Black prepares the pawn sacrifice ...b7-b5 and vacates the a7-scuare for 7+

10.

6c3xe4

Ab7xe4

E* jaa:.:& -:,: l r*r = fs L:t,:':a= ':=',,.

i.:r.

.-:.r

'aa=.,

For 3.6c3. see 2.4c3.

3. ...

7

8. e2-e3 Af8-e7 9. Wd1-e2 Af6-e4

1..,.

it,l

'==tI1 ',A=..=:-,,9,.; '-=.A=:'' Ga*

A

':j..

ASAAA

tr 9 ;=9*

1.c4 Af6

11.

d2-d3

12. 9c1-b2 13. d3-d4

-

lines with Z.Al3

Ae4-b7

11.€g5 dxe4 12.dxe4 4\cG 13.Bxd8

0-0 d7-d6

trxd8 14.4d5 trdG 11.ad2 6xd5 16.exd5 d'd4 17.6,cA, Ea6 1g.d6 trxa2 19.tra1 trxa1 20.trxa1 Ae6

White's slightly grearer presence in the centre does not look enough to give him a significant advantage.

21.4a5 trcB 22.oxb7 trc2 23.Exa7 h5 24.Ae3 trxb2 25.h3 trb6 26.€h2

27.tra8+ €h7 28.tre8 €g6 29.Ae4+ €f6 30.94 tra6 31.3d3 trc6 32.4e4 Ec8 33.trxc8 gxc8 34.4c5 Ae6 35.Ad2 Ab3 36,axb3 Axb3 37.d7 €e7 38.Ac6 Ef6 39.Aa5 sd6 4O.Ab5 G:c2 41.d8g+ AxdB 42.Axd8 f5 a3.gxfS gxfS

95

Chekhover,Yitaly Bronstein,David Leningrad ch-URS sf t9+t

(7)

1.c4

5.492:ig7 6.0-0

O-O 7.d3 c6 8.4d2 Ee8 9.Ec1 h6 1O.Bc2 4a6 11.trfd1 LcS 12.b4 Ze6 13.e3 QhT 14.d4 2e95,15.6x95 Axg5 15.d5 cxd5 17.cxd5 ag4 18.trf1 af3+ 19.gh1 t-xd2 20.Wxd2 gb6 21.a5 Ad7 22.trc2 EacS 23.trfc1 trcZ 24.&g'l .=ec8 25.€f 1t5 26.Q.:e2 a6 27.trxc7 =xc7 28.trxc7 WxcT 29.e4 wf7 30.8e3 Bc8 31.h4 h5 32.exf5 gxf5

33.9f3 €g6 34.€h2 gh6 35.gds = b5 36.9d1 €fO 37.a4 Ae8 38.f4 -'=r,c4 39.fxe5+ dxes 40.d6 ad7 41.r-t4 Wa2+ 42.4,g2 gd2 43.Bxh5 b5 44.axb5 axbS 45.€d3 e4 46.4c2 €e5 47.gbg 9xd6 48.:: t4 Bd2+ 49.sh3 Bcl 50.Ad1 =xf4 51.gxf4+ gd6 52.8e2 Bxf4

53.Eh2 Bxh2+ 54.sxh2 €e5 55.h5 sf6 56.eg3 €g5 57.€f2 f4 s8.€g2 Ae8 59.Ac2 Ac6

e3+

6O.Ad1 O-1

Kramnik,Vladimir PolgarJudit Madrid 1993 (7)

1.4t9 Lf6 2.c4 gG 3.g3 xg7 4.Ag2 0-0 5."ic3 d6 6.0-0 e5 7.d3 c6 8.Eb1 Ee8 9.e4 d5 lO.cxd5 cxdS

44.4f6 €e6 45.497 h5 46.Ac4+ 1-o Ree,Hans Polugaevsky,Lev Amsterdam IBM 19l0 (4)

1.c4

6f6 2.4f3 96 3.g3 AgZ a.As2

0-0 5.4c3 dG 5.d3 e5 7.OrO AbdT 8.trbl a5 9.a3 cG 10.6d2 Ab6 11.b4 axb4 12.axb4 d5 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.ab3 d4 15.4e4 6xe4 15dxe4 6:a417.Ad2b6 18.6c1 Ae6 19.4d3 4c3 20.8xc3 dxc3 21.9c2 gd4 22.Ea1Ac4 23.Efb1 €xd3 24.exd3 Exal 25.trxa1 b5 26.trb1 trc8 27.A:t3 Af8 28,Adt Axb4 29.We2 EcG 30.Se3 Ac5 31.Bxd4 Axd4 32.9b3 c2 33.tsc1 Elc3 34.Axc2 b4 o-1

Hiibner,Robert Ree,Hans Paignton 1970

(l)

1.c4 e5 2.kc3 AfG 3.r\f3 Lc6 4.d3 d6 5.g3 96 6.€92 €s7 7.0-0 0-0 8.trb1 ad4 9.b4 a6 1O.4.:d2cG 11.a4 d512.b5 axb5 l3.axbs Afs 14.bxc6 bxc6 15.cxd5 cxdS 16.ab3 6xb3 17.Fxb3 Ae6 18.d4 e4 19.Aa3 tre8 20.9d2 Wd7 21.4c5 ghs 22.Wf4 75

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

h5 23.Efb1 gfs 24.trxh3 Wxh3 25.E.b7 t!rh7 26.W95 Ag4 27.9h4 1E'xh4 28.gxh4 €g8 29.6xd5 Ea2

30.h3 ah6 31.trb8 ExbS 32.trxb8+ AfS 35.e3 -&h6 36.4xe4 tra2 37.4f6+

€h7 33.hc3 tra1+ 34.€h,2

€g738.4f8+

gf7

3O.c5, Ah5 31.9d2 dxcS 32.6e5 Axe5 33.trxe5 Bg7 34,Wf2 Axf4 35.Ee3 Sg2+ 36.Sxg2 Exg2 37.tre7+ €g6 38.trxd7 trxb2 39.€g1 tr92+ 40.gfl trxh2 41€c7

6xd3

o-1

1-o

Bareev,Evgeny

Anand,Viswanathan Touzane,Olivier Moscow Wcb -match rapid 2001

Bacrot,Etienne Saraievo 2000 (4)

1.c4 e5 2.Duc3 6xfi 3.Q:f3

(I)

1.4f3 af6 2.c4 gG 3.g3 Ag7 4.A92 O-0 5.0-0 d6 6.6c3 e5 7.d3 6c6 8.Eb1 a5 9.a3 h6 10.b4 axb4 11.axb4 Ee6 12.b5 €,e7 13.4b2 Wd7 14.tre1 Ch3 15.9h1 41rg4

16.gbg eh7 17.4e4 gfs 18.b6 Whs 19.bxc7 f5 2O.AxdG t4

21.Hxb7 fxg3 22.hxg3 gfl 23.4h4 g5 24.8e4+ €gB 25.gf3 gh3

26.Axg4 Axg4 27.Q.g2 Ea6

28.9xe5 6:c8 29.c5 tra7 30.9xg7

6c6 4.g3 96 5.*92 Ag7 6.0-0 0-0 7.d3 d6 8.Eb1 a5 9.a3 h6 10.b4 axb4 11axb4 AeG 12.b5 Ae713.Bb3 c6 14.Aa3 tre8 15.Efc1 95 16.e3 AfS 17.t,e1 Ae6 18.hc2 d5 19.9xe7 trxe7 2O.Q-:b4 dxc4 21.dxc4 cxbS 22.abd5 Axd5 23.Axd5 6xd5 24.cxd5 e4 25.trc5 trcB 26.trxb5 treS 27.8d1 trc7 28.9h3

32.d7 9e7 33.d8tr+ AxdS

34.we8+

35.gxa7

38.trd6+

Polugaevsky,Lev

Kortchnoi,Viktor Riga tt 1975 1.c4 e5 2.6c3

Af6 3.4f3 6c6 4.d3 g6'5.g3 gg7 6.4g2 O-0 7.0.O d6 8.Eb1 a5 9.a3 hO 10.b4 axb4 11.axb4 9e6 12.b5 6e7 13.4b2 A-:d7 14."2:d2 cG 15.e4 f5 16.exf5 gxt'17.t4 6g6 18.€h1 €9'c8 19.ab3 exf4 2o.gxt4 af6 21.\91d2 €h7 22.tra1trxal 23.trxa1 Dlh4 24.trg1 Eg8 25.ad4 9d7 26.bxc6 bxc6 27.6t3 Axg2 28.Bxg2'Be8 29.tre1

76

29.dG

trxbS 30.Bxb5 trc2 31.Cf5 gf8

€xg7 31.6e3 9:d7 32.c6 Ah3 33.hxc8:'i AxcS 34.9d4+. €96

1-0

gf6

€g7 35.trxd8 trcl+

36.s92 Bxf5 37.Wf8+

€g6 1.0

Granda ZunigaJulio Romanishin,Oleg Moscow Aeroflot 2003 (4)

l.qrlt} ati 2.c4 eG 3.g3 a6 4.Ag2 b5 5.b3 Ab7 6.6c3 b4 7.6a4 d6 Ld4 abdT 9.0-O Ae7 10.4e1 €xg2 11.axg2 O-O 12.d5 exdS 13.cxd5 gfg 15,trc1 hb6 6,e4 14.Ae3 rcxb6 16;hxb6 17.trc6 b5 18.gb6 gd7 19,9d3 EfeS 20.4a5 6c3 21.Jexb4 Q-:xe2+ 22.&h1 a5 23.Exd6 gh3 24.trxf6 gxf6 25.4c5 tre5 26.8d1

EaeB

o-1

At this point 4.d4 leads into the Exchange Variation of the Griirrfeld, whereas the two lines that follow will Ag8-f6

c2-c4 2. Ab1-c3 1.

E

ning aficionado.

AEggE.

lr*l*l*'l

,,_ l,

l',

be more to the taste of an English Ope-

ta.

A) 4. g2-g3

E

chiti

,

Opening.

5.

A

a :== A&gg€aatr AAAAA tr 't'::

E

a

Af1-s2

AAE*e.

E

-

e

*l l' I r I '':a

',a

With 2.6c3, White increases his immediate control of the centre, with the option of

s7-s6

The moves 4...e5 and 4...c5 transpose to their respective lines in the English

.,:l:

later e2-e4.

& D ff

o o

2...c5 transposes to 1...c5. 2. ..e5 and we are in 1 .. .e5 . Here we will look at independent lines.

a

:::-

I

'-=

:

A a A*AA

asg atr

In this position there are two plausible

ways to continue: 5...4b6 The Griinfeld set-up

2. ...

.5

d7-d5

E 'Eg€-e.

r11 :.: .l ' l,."

a -t'

.:

A A' A,A A A,A g€gatr tr Black

rlays ...d7-d5 before White rules it out :ermanently with e2 -e4.

3. c4xd5

hf6xd5

.

ad5-b6

6. d2-d3

l

-a the spirit of the Griirrfeld,

.r7lxcj

A1) 5. ...

g

A

6 ".r

..

and

6.d4 is the Fianchetto Variation of the Griirrfeld Indian. It is also possible to interpose 6.h+l? h6 before playing d2-d3. Obviously 6.6f3 is playable as well, and you arrive at a balanced position after 6...4g7 7.0-0 0-0 8.d3. However, White usually would like to maintain the option of the ambitious Axc6+, followed by Ae3 / gd2 / Ah6 / h+ / hs. 6. .,. Af8-g7 7. Ac1-e3!? 77

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

E*E#e?5:;

'#

i#r#r -LL'ttr; * "=j.J= f.E

liF"

==l:.:==:=+

!:;E

,iE

-F,s;=

A".s;" == a ;#ai#a# 'E F,+:w# lEE

#e

7. ... 6b8-c6 Black is not worried about doubled pawns on the c-file.

On the other hand, 7...0-0 is risky because of 8.9d2 treS (like the Dragon

11. trh1-91 th3-94 with an unclear position that is hard to ASSCSS.

A2\ 5. ...

6. b2xc3

7. tra1-b1!? More aggressive players will find 7.h4 an attractive alternative.

7.

9. 10.

...

Ag1-f3

h7-h6

Ac8-h3

light squares are the price White must pay for his better pawn structure. Weak

E

#g '# =tr '#'## L.# =:-i4' 'F:

#L {E ';8"#t# #i # ffia# 6=# A "# 'ffi.L"e=E; .:FE

A

H. 78

=-CC

fe,

#

ab8-d7

...

8. 6g1-f3 8.Axb7? is clearly not on ns it would be met /:\ r-^H r-Ar. by 8...9xb7 9.trxb7 Q)b6, and the rook on b7 is trnpped.

8. ... 9. 0-0

Yariation of the Sicilian!) 9.4h6 gh8 10.h4, with a dangerous initiative. 8. Ag2xc6+ Conceding the powerful bishop in order to create a weakness. After 8.Wd2 Ad4l 9.Ec1 hf5, Black has no problems. 8. ... b7xc6 9. Wdl-c1!? In preparation for Ahe. fhe queen move keeps the d2-square available for the e3 bishop in the event of ...4d5, and allows her to apply pressure to c6. The more natural 9.9d2 is also playable.

6d5xc3 Af8-g7

0-0

ad7-b6!

e'#t # L#- I - 7==A#

ffi

?F=

-F=

#}:nf=

'€e

-4 L=#

- "# "E= =#A"#g#

7E-

A#; =-a#

=Gtr'#w?eaffi 9...c5 would be followed by 10.c4, with a small plus for White. 10. Wdl-c2 with a balanced game. This position is an oddity: two empty ranks separate the opposing forces, which huddle together on their first three ranks. This does not mean that the game will be lifeless; the battle lies ahead.

After all, the initial position of a chess game is also virtually symmetrical, but with four ranks still vacant in the centre, there is nothing drawish about irl

1.c4

B) You

4. 8:g1-f3

97'96

will often arrive

rer r.c4 df6

at this position af2.4f3 96 3.6c3 d5

4.cxdS Axd5.

4...c5

will be discussed in the section

on the Symrnetrical English further on in this book.

5.

Wd1'a4+

E A=€*

'E

6f6 -

Lines with 2.6c3

6. Wa4-h4 Here we have the main idea of the present variation: the queen menacingly shifts to the kingside, where Black's castled king will be more vulnerable due to the absence of the knight on f6. 6d5xc3 6. ... 6...o'f6 7.e4 gives White the advantage, whereas after 6...4c6 7.9d4! (the queen continues to slide around the board) 7...f6 8.e3 White is only slightly better.

7.

d2xc3

Capturing this way immediately liberates the

cl

bishop.

Things are not so clear after 7.Wd+l?:

7...f6 8.Wxc3 e5! 9.Axe5 fxe5 10.Wxe5+ We7 1 1.Wxh8 Q)c6 -\n insidious line that has alwavs at-

12.Wc3 0-0-0.

a loyal group ofsupporters. 5.g3 transposes to a number of other

nacted

o

eE

l.l= - Ag

defences;

o o

5.d4 creates a Grunfeld: 5.e4 Axc3 6.dxc3!? Wxdl+ 7.€xd1 f6 ! is harmless:

j ,'i:

o The following interesting variation is ever more popular: 5.Wb3l? ab6 6.d+ Ag7 7.495, and we are now in comparatively unexplored terri-

=

A

=

- = = sffi F.

A H

l:'

l'

A

!-

l

',-.

I

=I ';-,.

:,...

\ll

..:.tt

.,,,.,

a

# tA AA 6 &

tory.

5. ...

Ac8-d7

Easily the most frequent move.

,rlter 5...4c6, according to established jreory, White is better thanks to 6.6e5 '-' b+ 7.aZ Ag7! 8.axb4 Axe5 9.b5. Horvever, after 9...4b8! an advantage is rot so evident. ,dso the akernative 5...c6 6.Wd+! af6 -.9xd8+ €xd8, though hardly anyrilg to write home about, does not :.em to be so terrible for Black.

Being up the exchange and two pawns represents a very nice material plus, but White's lack of development - all of his pieces are on the first rank - is cause for great concern. Assessing this position is no easy task, which is reflected in the diverse evaluations given by the different chess engines: some see it as equal, others glve White a net advantage, for others still

White

is

winning! 79

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume 4

EA gEE Ill'Atl. 'l t

:

t

ta

'

',',.W , &'.AAA&. ",,6",

AA

H A HggHg

7.

,$-,4

... a

1.

6b8-c6

8.

e2-e4 Now after S.Ah6, 8...e51 is possible, and Black does not have any worries.

But 8.Wg3!? definitely should be considered; though not so common, it has achieved good performance results.

e7-e5!

c2-c4

af3

Ag8-f6

2. 6b1-c3 E

strong attack.

8. ... 9. Ac1-95

King's Indian set-up 2 with ...4f6 but without

F?

More accurate than 7...497? ! , which altows

g.AhA,with

After 0-0-0, Black has nothing to fear.

g7-go

fi_€.ge€

E

*rt1fl,:=,1 ..:: i:,,

fil.;.;;,

t-

't.

.

',.

A

,:. a

'

.:.

=':;

.-'i t,' ,,:.a

',:;'

...

A gW AA. AA E AAtr

One of the most common ways to continue, especially for King's Indian fans.

3. g2-g3

9.Wxd8+ doesn't gain anything for

Whereas this move is more likely to be

White.

played by a devotee of the English Opening. White's intention is to place the bishop on its natural diagonal, keeping open the option of developing the king's knight to e2. 3.e4 is the choice of a 1.c4 player who wishes to avoid the Griinfeld but is

9.

...

9f8-e7

10. Af1-c4 h7-h5 L0...0-0? 11.0-0-0 Axg5+ 12.Q)xg5 h5 13.g4, with a decisiae aduantage.

11. Ag5xe7 Black's threat was ...f7 -f6 11.

12. o-o-o 13.

80

Af3xh4

/ ...96-95. Wd8xe7 We7xh4 Eh8-f8

huppy to take on the King's Indian.

3.6f3 will usually lead to a King's Indian or an English/Griinfeld, as discussed in the previous section. A line with its own distinct identity is 3...dS 4.Wa4+!? (instead of 4.cxd5) +...Ad7 5.Wb3 dxc4 6.Wxc+ Ag7 7.e4 0-0 8.e5 694 9.d4, with complex play that is reminiscent of the Russian Yariation of the Griinfeld. 3. ... Af8-97 4. Af1-s2 0-0

1.c+

E A

i'l-r* ''''.. '

=

,:.,.a:

,E

€ '''-

rEr

t-

!\ l,= ''..

;i .:-.=Ar.i..-.t

,:..

& A AA AAAAA

tr ag€ atr Black cannot advance his pawn to d5, and after ...d6 the position assumes the characteristics of the King's Indian.

- ignoring 5.4f3, which leads ro lines we have just discussed - White almost always develops his knight to e2 Now

and can choose between various central

pawn configurations: e3ld3, e3/d4 or

d3/e4. Remember that d4le4 transposes to the Fianchetto Yariation of the King's

Indian.

5.d3 is also possible at this point, and after 5...d6 we are in one of the two alternatives below, depending on u-hether White pushes his king's pawn one or two squares.

-\ line with its ornm individual identity is created by Gurevich's move 6.4g5!?, r-hich will be followed Uy WaZZAtre!h4/h5. However. the idea is too ambitious to have concrete chances of success. Well, that is what theory states; in practice anything could happen!

Lines with 2.6c3

much) 7...8)c6 8.0-0. For this reason, many prefer to establish this e4lc4 line only after Black has played ...e7-e5.

6.

e7-e5

...

7. 0-0

6b8-c6

to 7...c6 is to Kingt Indian with 8.d4!. d2-d3

Probably the best reply transpose to

8.

a

g='E3.* E g=

lal *.l=Ail * flr'::::. .,-,,

:

=

.=

..'.=A==:'A '*,A=',. $. AA AAAA

E

#W=.E

€

AIso this position, like the many in which Black establishes a King's Indian like set-up, is classified as belonging to the English 1...e5 (ECO code A26). We would rather deal with it here in order to underline its distinct nature: indeed, with 1...4f6, Black is denied the opportunity to directly advance his pawn to f5 or to develop his knight to e7 (or h6).

8. ... af6-h5 8...4e6 9.h3 Waz 10.€h2 Ae8 11.4d5 f5 12.exf5 gxf5 13.f4 gener-

ates a double-edged position, in which White's control of the centre gives him

somewhat better chances.

A) 5. e2-e4

9. Ac1-e3 f7-ts

The move favoured bv Botvinnik.

5. ... 6. 691-e2

6f6 -

d7-d6

\Vith this sequence, Black now has the option of switching to a satisfactory S1-mrnetrical English variation with 6...c5!? 7.d3 (7.d+ does not give White

10. e4xf5! Given that Black's pieces are slightly decentralized, White's wisest strategy is to open up the game.

10. ...

g6xf5

As is always the case in this sort of posi-

tion, recapturing with

a piece leaves the

8l

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume 4

important e4-square in White's hands: after 10...4xf5 I 1.h3 af6 l2.gd2

waz 13.€h2, White's position

is

slightly preferable.

...

alternatives 7...c6

and 7...4bd7

are

playable.

ah5-f6

11. l2-t4

12. h2-h3

HA

e-

7.

The number 1 choice, but obviously the

rtA

While it is true that the presence of the knight on c6 discourages a d2-d4 advance, it is equally true that the knight on this square encourages the thematic push b4-b5.

8.

d2-d3 After 8.d4 exd4 9.exd4 AfS, glack has achieved very good results.

A

8. ... 9. 6c3-d5

AA

A]\I

Ac8-e6

Physically preventing the pav,n from occupying d5.

The game is balanced, even if you do get the impression that after a timely fxe5 the hanging pawns on f5 and e5

In reply to the thematic 9.Eb1, rhe move 9...d5!? appears to free Black's game.

9.

are more of a weakness than a strength.

B) 5. e2-e3 will hop to e2, permitting the prophylactic f4 when approprlate, whereas the queen's pawn The king's knight

can go either to d3 or to d4, depending on what set-up Black goes for.

5. ... 6. 691-e2

d7-d6 e7-e5

6...c5 7.d4 has scored very nicely for White. 7. 0-0

EAEE-=..-.lAl =E

illl'

,riii, :&- fifi

,

A

,i[.

.,,i..,

'' 6= =* A AA AAAAA .S AW=;'.,tr

82

$

...

gd8-d7

10. tral-b1 Preserving the Iight-squared bishop with 10.tre1 Ah3 11.9h1 would give Black satisfactory counterplay with 11...h5.

10. ... 11. 6e2-c3!

ie6-h3

I l.b4 would allow I l...AxgZ 12.€xg2 Axd5! 13.cxd5 6e7 14.e4 c6! (freeing himself of the weakness on c7) 15.dxc6 bxc6, with pleasant play for Black. 1

1.

...

12. €g1xg2 13. b2-b4

Ah3xg2

6f6-e8 6c6-d8!?

Two backward knights are also a characteristic of the mirror-image Closed

Sicilian: with ...c7-c6 Black wants to give the d5 knight a kick without permitting it to be exchanged for his own knight.

14. b4'b5

-zrd8'e6

- Lines with 2.6c3 LedT 11.h5 af6 12.hxs6 hxg6 1.c+ 615

E,,

rEr rrlg'".'AE$>'t' Ir 'ta A AIV

13.9f3 c6 14.9f4 abds 15.9h4 Axc3 16.bxc3 e5 17.&t1 We7 18.Ag5 A-s7 19.€92 Be6 20.e4 sf8 21.Ah6 hg8 22.9xg7+ €xg7 23.g:e2 gf6 24.9h7+ gf8 25.trf1 Ws7 25.t4 WxhT 27.trxh7 Afo

AA

aaa la A-'E ': AEA W E-

28.trh8+ 6g3 29.4f3 Ag4 30.fxe5 Axf3+ 31.Axf3 trxeS 32.4d1 €g7 33.trfh1 trfg 34.tr1h7+ €f6 35.9b3

Black intends to play . ..c7 -c6 and ...f1-f5-f4; for his part, White will take appropriate prophylactic measures (e.g. the advance fT-f+), and then continue with his queenside initiative. Over the board, chances are the same for both coiours.

Epishin,Yladimir Lujan,Carolina San

Marino open 2006 (4)

1.c4 6f6 2.6tc3 d5 3.cxd5 Axd5 4.g3 g5 5.A92 6xc3 5.bxc3 Ag7 7.trb1 Ac6 8.h4 hG 9.d4 0'0 10.4f3 Oa5 11.e4 c5 12.0-0 b6 13.He2 cxd4 14.cxd4 Ag4 15.d5 Wc8 16.9b2 Bc4 17.8e3 Wxa2 18.Exg7 €xg7 19.4e5 Ae2 20.trfe1 6c4 21.Wc3 Wd2 22.Wa1 €h7 23.trxe2 Sxe2 24,At1Wxe4 25.Axc4 Eac8 26.tre1 Wc2 27.He2 gfs 28.9d3 gf6 29.h5 trfd8 30.hxg6+ fxg6 31.Wa2 trc3 32.Wd2 Ec5 33.Axg6 Ecxd5 34.Exe7+ BxeT 35.6xe7+ Exd3 36.Wf4

1-0

€e736.tr97

1-0

Pelletier,Yannick Sutovsky,Emil Pamplona 2003 (2)

1.4f3 AfG 2.c4 gG 3;Ac3 d5 4.cxd5 Axd5 5.9b3 ab6 6.d4 Ag7 7.4g5 Ae6 8.8c2 6cG 9.trd1 h6 10.9h4 0-0 11.e3 Ab4 12.9b1 Afs 13'e4 Ag4 14.d5 AxfS 15.gxf3 Wd716.a3 Q-:a617.&93 c6 18.d6 trfd8 19.Ae2 e5 2O.t4 exf4 21.9xf4 Be6 22.O-O g5 23.4g3 6'c5 24.b4 QtcdT 25.e5 Axe5 26.6e4 EeB 27.Efe1 xxg3 28.Axg3 Ads 29.4h5 heS 30.gf5 Wxf5 31.6xf5 tre6 32.6d4 EeeS

33.4f5 trad8 34.6xh5+ €g7 35.trxe5 trxe5 36.hxf7 tree8 37.Axd8 trxd8 38.4g4 Exd6 39.4c8 b5 40.9b7 ef6 41.-*ixc6 trxc6 42.trxd5 tra6 43.Ed3 Ea4 4a.&g2a5 45.Ed6+

€f7

1/z-1/z

ChuchelotYladimir Khmehniker,Ilya Warsaw Ech 2005 (3)

l.af3 af6 2.c4 g6 3.6c3 d5 4.Wa4+ gd7 5.9b3 dxc4 6.Wxc4 A.g7 7.e4 0-0 8.e5 Q:g49.d4 Ae6 10.Wb5 gc8

Tomashevsky,Evgeny Yokarev,Sergey Sochi tt 2005 (4)

1.c4

Q-:tG

2.8:c3 d5 3.cxd5 hxdS

4.93 gG 5.Ag2 ab6 6.d3 Ag7 7.4e3

0-0 8.9d2 tre8 9.4h6 ah8

10.h4

11.m Ah6 P.Ac4 Axc413.9xc4c6

14.A95 Wd7 1s.trd1 6aG 16.d5 EaeS 17.dxc6 Wxc6 18.Bxc6 bxc6 83

Chess Opening Essentiols

19.Ed7

- Volume 4

f6 20.9xh6 Axh6

QlcS 22.O-O

21.Exa7

hd3 23.exf6 trxf6 24.b3

9s7 25.Ae4 Ef4 26.trd1

4},b4

27.4.egi Af6 28.tra4 hd5 29.Exfa

axt4 30.4e4 Ag7 31.93 ads

32.6d4 hb4 33.a3 trd8 34.axM e5 35.€f1 exd4 36.6c5 Eb8 37.4d3 9f8 38.6e5 Exb4 39.6xc6 trxbS 40.trxd4 trb2 41.trds &97 42.Hd7+

€g8 43.6e5 AcS 44.694 h5

€f8 46.6e4 Ae7 47.&g2 trbs 48.ad2 trc3 49.h4 tra3 50.trb7 Ed3 51.afg Af6 52.491 trd2 53.8b6 €f7 54.ah3 €g7 55.6f4 €f7 56.8a6

45.21f6+

€s757.*f3

€f758.trc6

1-o

Lh4 h5 9.4h3 co 10.f4 gb6 l2.Axf6 Axf6 13.9f1 Ag7 15.g4 hxg4 14.Axh3 Axh3 gd8 17.trh1 f5 18.9f3 16.Axg4 Ad7 19.h5 95 20.h6 gf6 21.9h5 tre7 22.9gG e4 23.dxe4 6e5 11.fxeS dxe5

24.Bxd8+ trxd8 25.exf5 Qtxc4 26.9d1 trtB 27.h7+ €hg 28.8d3 Axb2 29.893 6c4 30.hd1 trd8 31.a12 6e3 32.6d3 Ads 33.€f2 hc3 34.tre1 6e4+ 35.€f3 Axg3 36.€xg3 trxd3+

o-'l

Pachman,Ludek Donner,Johannes Rotterdam NED-CSR 1955 {2)

Thatar,Marko Areschenko,Alexander

1.c4 96 2.2,c3 Ag7 3.93 6f6 a.Ag2 0-0 5.e4 e5 6.69e2 dO 7.0-0 afdT

Istanbul Ech 2003 (12)

1.Af3 arf6 2.c4 gG 3.6c3 dS 4.Wa4+

Ad7 5.9b3 dxc4 6.Wxc4 9g7 7.e4 0-0 8.e5 6g4 9.d4 Ae6 10.d5 AfS 11.4f4 6d7 12.We2 fG 13.e6 6de5 t4.Axe5 fxeS 15.trd1 e4 16.695 6e5 17.We3 694 18.We2 c6 19.h3 Ae5 20.69xe4 Axe4 21.Wxe4 cxdS 22.4,xd5 WaS+ 23.b4 Wxa2 24.9:e2

6c6 25.0-0 gb2 26.b5 ad4 27.6xe7+ €h8 28.9:c4 trae8

S.d3 f5 9.exf5 gxf5 1O.Ae3 Af6 11.9d2 c6 12.h3 6h5 13J4 We8 14.sh2 9-g6 15.We1 4ld7 16.trd1 €hB 17.d4 trs818.8f2 Af619.dxe5 dxe5 20.trd6 exf4 21.Qsxt4 dxt4 22.A;xt4 Wf7 23.8e1 Ag7 24.Ede6 6f8 25.tre7 Wxc4 26.trx97 trxg7 27.tre8 €gB 28.Ad6 Ef7 29.8e3 f4

trfs 31.Exf8+ HxfS 1-o 32.9g5+

30.We5

29.6xg6+ hxg6 30.Bxg6 tre7

31.9d3 af6 32.9h6+ €g8 33.trdel

trdg 34.8e3 Ag7 35.4h7+ €h8 36.wh4 wb4 37.8e4 gd6 38.Efe1 trcB 39.A96+ €g8 40.9h7+ €f8 4'l.gt7 EecT 42.Wg8+ €ez 43.Wxg7

Ec444.Ah5+

1-0

Lie,Kietil Guseinov,Kadir ICC ZOO5 ( I)

6f6 4.4c3 He8 7.Wd2 e5 0-O 5.d3 d6 6.Ag5 1.c4 96 2.93 Ag7 3.492

8.t

Bowinnik,Mikhail ScherbakorYitaly Moscow ch-URS 1955 (3) 1.c4 Af6 2.Qsc3 g6 3.g3 Ag7

a.Al52

0-0 5.e4 d6 6.4ge2 e5 7.0-0 abdT 8.d3 4lc5 9.f4 c6 10.h3 4.e6 11.f5 6:d412.g4 Ae8 13.Ae3 a6 14.Wd2

b5 15.4g5 Af6 16.Axf6 6xf6 17.6)xd4 exd4 18.he2 gb6 19.cxb5 axb5 2o.Wh6 gd7 21.s5 ahs

22.at46:g723.16

1'o

58

€rg'z

qttM saurl

-

gJg

il'I

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume 4

hs8-f6

c2-c4 6b1-c3

e7-e6

E frrAtseA - f El',::l*l

-:i

=l

'=a: :; .., a

Queen's Gambit. However, as we have already noted, a black player who wishes to adopt this classical defenslve set-up generally prefers 1...e6 followed by 2...d5, so as to avoid the unpleasant Flohr-Mikenas Gambit.

.:,

-.

E

Queen's Indian set-up 2

.:-,

3. .,.

j,

.a t ''.,-

E AEg= =l * r =:l-t= I t.,:,. ' :,:= ij= =:1

:.-.

a ', AA AAAAA :.,.

tr

,t, -

€W€:A

.=",

E

.=

:a=

Black proceeds as

if

he were playing

ally prefer one of the following continuatrons.

E

Og1-f3

AA

B'sA

tt,-.

tt.,

A '-,

E

"t-.

:..:r '

.: A ,.6,'-& A &A*, ga 8Ag€a'"E

,,

This position is often reached via 1.4f3. White chooses a quieter path and puts off d2-d4 in the hope of playing against an inferior version of the Nimzo-Indian or the Queen's Indian. Now Black can play 3...d5 (with the threat of 4...da) and force White to play

4.d4, transposing to the normal 86

gA A

.=. '',,:::,. l.''. ':;.Q1'.

',,

&A.&.A*

AWgA E

An ambitious idea: Black is not concerned by the fact that White can take hold of the centre with e2-e4, as he be-

will be able to effectively target the centre with his own countermea-

Iieves he

ir*r,1.1*l ..,. ::.l :: =-

A

.;' A

a

Nimzo-Indian - 1.d+ af6 7.c4 e6 3.4c3 Ab+ - and a transposition is possible if White chooses 3.d4. However, an English Opening fan will usu-

3.

b7-b6

SUICS.

4.

e2-e4

White takes up the gauntlet. 4.d4 transposes to the Queen's Indian with 4.Oc3, and 4.g3 has been discussed earlier.

4. ...

ic8-b7

EA BgA E 1E* l :',''l *.l -l l

'.:.

=.=.

':,

t..a. t{=r{.t''-

.-.a

::.

. a 'a..a'tA.A .A AAA

tr

AW€g

,-'E

I.c4 616 2.6c3 Black attacks the e4 pawn a second

B)

5.

Defences

with 2...e6

d2-d3

time.

This seemingly solid and passive con-

Now White can choose from three ways of defending it, given that 5.e5 does not create problems for Black as it

tinuation should not be underestimated. White calmly completes development and when he has defended e4, he will eventually play d3-d4, creating

ismetby 5...4e4!.

complicated positions that could lead

A) 5. Wd1-e2

anywhere.

An unnatural move that can be quite tricky for Black: the bishop will go to 92 and White is ready to play e4-e5 and

d2-d4.

5.

...

af8-b4

Otherwise 5...c5 6.g3 (5.e5!?) 6...6c6 7.AgZ d6 8.0-0 Ae7 9.d3 0-0, with a

d7-d6 c7-c5 Af8-e7 0-0

Eil €, *':" .,a ,'. 3 r-r 1 = : f fi ff ..:,. A :-']= EA-,=='a = A* &a* fl = aw= tr€ --::-

balanced game.

6. e4-e5

5. ... 6. g2-g3 7. 9f1-s2 8. 0-0

Zf6-98!

Not 6..Axc3?! 7.bxc3 Q)e4 8.d3! and the c3 pawn cannot be captured.

7. d2-d4 hg8-e7 8. Ac1-d2 0-0 9. 0-0-0!?

E E 3@==== l*l *=l '.:.1."' =at *= .,';.;i =,,i i., =

'., '==a& a =6 = a*,€E=-..4 ew* at-E = 'j:

It is certainly somewhat unusual to castle queenside in the English, but when it is possible, the positions become highly complex both tactically and strategically.

White's space advantage is not so signif-

icant and thus. even more than elservhere, the outcome of the game will simply depend on who plays best.

=.i,.a.

t'at''

A:i-=i=

:-.=:..=.

9.

b2-b3 There is also 9.Ee1, with the idea of d3-d4: after 9...a6 10.d4 cxd4 I 1.6xd4 you reach a sort of Hedgehog in which White's loss of a tempo (d3-d4) is of little consequence, given the slow manoeuwing nature of these positions.

9.

...

a7-aG

10. Ac1-b2 ab8-d7 11. Wd1-e2 Wd8-c7 12. d3-d4 Preparing fZ-f+ with 12.4ln4 is satisfactory for Black after I2...4e51 13.f+ Ac6 r+.68 6,at rs.g4 Af6.

12. 13.

c5xd4 6f3xd4 trf8-e8 and once again we see a position that is typical of the Hedgehog, which will be ...

87

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

section

explored in greater depth in the on the Symmetrical English.

Ag4xf6

White must exploit his lead in develop-

5. gf1-d3

c)

9. e5xf6

10. Ae4xc6 Ab7xc6 11. d2-d4l ment before Black can consolidate. after

Another powerful though unnatural- which the advantage of the bishop pair looking moye; it prepares e4-e5 more will be meaningful. efficiently. 11. ... Ac6xf3 5. ... c7-c5 After 11...cxd4 t2.6xd4 AUZ t3.Wa4 If Black stops e4-e5 with 5...d6, White the rhreat of 14.6xe6 gives White an will play 6.4c2 and then 7.d4, and we unpleasantedge haveaversionoftheHedgehogthatcan 12. gdlxf3 c5xd4 be reached with the Kan Variation of 13. 6c3-b5 tra8-c8 the Sicilian - 1.e4 c5 2.4f3 e6 3.d4 14. Ac1-t4l? cxd4 4.Q)xd4 a6.

6.

ffiEffieffi ffi ffirffi ffir{#

e4-e5!?

$rc

Effi ry€ ## #sffiLffiL#L #"ffit ffi# "#='# ffi= ffi ffi^# #,# w ffia# affi

A#w

# #s#

#

#s ^TE

6.4c2 or 6.0-0 will be followed by manoeuvring and a more or less equal game.

6. ...

*

'*ltf

ffi ffi wa$re ffi ffi &ffi ffiffisffi affi$ ffi ffia ffiffiaffi

ffi

ffiffi ffitr$ffi

It is not possible to

assess accurately

how much compensation White has after 14...E1xc4 15.Eac1 Ec5l.

Nimzo-lndian set-up 6f6-sa

After 5...498, White's lead in

develop-

3. ...

Af8-b4

ment becomes noticeable.

7. O-O The sequence 7.h3 Axf3l

8.Wxf3

Axe5 9.Wxa8 Axd3+ leaves Black with optimum compensation for the exchange.

7. .., 6b8-c6 8. Ad3-e4l [7-ts Following 8...Wc8 9.tre1 d6 10.exd6 Axd6 1 1 .d4. White has an initiative. 88

E#A#eW iL#L#L#t ffi ffiLffi "#"#

ffi #

ffi^ffi #-#

ffi ffiaW A# 'ffiA#:A#

"{Ce

:#sffia#tr

I

As with the Nimzo-Indian. Black shows himself willing to concede the advantage of the two bishops in ex-

.c4

Q)f

6 2. Q)c3

-

Defences

with 2...e6

structure. However, here White has more options

Vol. 2: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.4c3 c6 +.6:f3 Afo s.e: AbdT 6.Wc2 Ad6 7.g+t?. It would appear that the 94 pawn can be snatched. but it is not wise to do so: -Ar^g /...q)xg+ rs met Dy 6.s8 l, ano tne g,/

change

for a better pawn

still has a pawn on d2: one

pawn leaves the board, with a plus for

of the cardinal strategic objectives for Black in the Nimzo is control of the e4-square, but in this position it is not

White. The g4-g5 advance is not intended to spearhead a kingside attack, but rather to chase off the f6 knight for

always possible.

better central control. Even though White has scored well afrer 4...0-0 5.g5 6e8, ir is difficulr ro beli.eve that Black is objectively worse.

because he

Now White has four main continuations, ignoring 4.d4, which transposes to the Kasparov Variation of the Nimzo-Indian.

A) 4. g2-g4t?

l

,.a:-

A A.

h7-h6

5. trh1-g1 6. gd1-c2 7. a2-a3 8. g4-g5 9. Af3xg5

E lhAHs E .'-l,l r r-l I':.: .- . ...

4. ...

Black takes White seriously.

t

:-..,

A

ac8-b7 Ab4-e7 h6xg5

is 10.6xf/ and then Wg6+

The threat

a:'

b7-bo

and Wg7+. At this point, after 9...Af8 or

','..

9...4h5, both of which defend 97, it is unclear if White's initiative is sufficiently good to compensate for the

A& AA & g +g€,a. tr

weak h-pawn.

.{n incredible move. at least from a classical point of view: {irst seen at the end of the 1 9 9 0 's, it was the idea of Russian grandmaster Zviagintsev - a true lover of the unorthodox and paradoxical (one only has to think of his 2005

brainchild, namely ).Q)a3! ? in answer to the Sicilian). However, the truly astonishing thing about this move is that not only it is playable, but after ten years of testing it

4. E

g2-s3

CAAgg

E

-r t r lal-,1 "..,

I

AA

'.:.,,

a

: 'r

,

!,

A.*.

AA *AA A E Ag€A:=-.E

aiso has the best performance! Concep-

tually it brings to mind Shabalov's move

/.g1

?

in the Anti-Meran line, which

came to light a few years before

-

see

As has already been noted in the section on the Catalan in Volume 3, putt-

ing the knight on c3 is very often 89

ta,F-

-

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

EffiA* *g:=*'i -*r. #r*t

ill-advised with a kingside fianchetto, in as much as after ...dxc4 White could have some problems winning back the

:rfi;

pawn. However, in this particular case, White has not yet advanced his pawn to d4, and thus he has a couple of extra op-

tions, such as recapturing on c3 with the d2 pawn after ...9xc3. 4. ... 0-0 The immediate 4...d5 looks hastv because of 5.Wa4+ Ac6 6.4e5. with an edge for White. On the other hand, 4...b6 is perfectly playable: 5.4g2 AbZ 6.0-0 0-0 7.Wc2 c5 8.a3 Axc3 9.Bxc3 d5, and Black's fluid game makes it hard to exploit his advantage of the bishop pair.

5. Afl-92 6. a2-a3

d7-d5

The alternative 6.9b3 is interesting: 6...c5 7.a3 Aa5 8.0-0 6c6 9.d3. with chances for both sides. whereas 6.d4 dxc4 7 .0-0 transposes to the Alekhine-Romanishin Yariation of the Nimzo-Indian - 1.d4 Q)f6 2.c4 e6 3.4c3 Ab+ +.g: - , which gives Black satisfactory positions.

As you have no doubt appreciated by

now, the English Opening is highly transpositional, which at first may be disconcerting for a student. However, it is important to remember that this reflects the holistic nature of opening theory, which is only subdivided into its component parts with the purpose to make classification and study eas-

L= =L'*. V.::, *==,:=:;?=6* ,1=...

= =;+ $$,u$a

#

.j{ii

llrtii

a $ trag€ =a#tr ====

7. ... ab8-d7 If 7 ...dxc4 8.Wxd8 Exd8 9.4e5, White wins back the pawn with a better game.

8. c4xd5 9. 0-0

e6xd5 trf8-e8 10. Ac1-f4 c7-c6 The advantage of the bishop pair seems academic. However. it should be said that some players with a particularly solid style would enjoy playing this type of position as the possibility of losing is greatly reduced.

c)

4. gd1-b3

EffiE#&?J=

ilf -

L?:=L*L

',r.. -.,.', =L* ?.=

= . irig

i'ifx

:.-..'=

4.:=j= =-:= E a=?= -.1.1,=6-..:.

1.5f.

= AW A: A

,J,'i

trA€AE A logical

ier.

move: White prevents his pawns from being doubled and at the same time threatens the b4 bishop. And

with balanced play. 7. d2xc3!

unlike the same queen move in the Nimzo-Indian - l.d4 af6 2.c4 e6 3.4c3 AU+ +.WUs - , white does nor need to worry about a weak d4-square.

6. ... Ab4xc3 Or 6...4e7 7.d4 dxc4 8.4e5 Ac6!.

90

1.c+ The only drawback is that the path of the b2 pawn is blocked

4. .,. c7-c5 4...a5 is worth thinking about: 5.a3 Axc3 6.Wxc3 a4l?. 5. a2-a3 9b4-a5 The exchange 5...4xc3 is too submissive: 5.Wxc3 O-0 7.b+. and White is doing better.

6. g2-g3 7. 9t1-s2 8. 0-0

6b8-c6

6t5 2.6c3 -

controls e4.

similar to Variation C, but with the unfavourable difference that the white queen is better placed on c2 than on b3.

5. a2-a3

0-0

6.

A.

wfi *

FT,

=

=::._ i',.,

lt',

A:

'..a

*.A A* _tr

8. ...

Wc2xc3

-

.,.

A '

A

F? rfl HEHEg

".:..

'',":a=

.AA#A$ /$r ,A

in this defensive system.

e5 10.d3, and the position is even.

As

Ac3-a4 Ac1-f4

h7-h6 b7-b6

Ac8-d7

rvith equal chances for both players.

D) 4. Wd1-c2

EAABw E ,f l.:* :l t ..=== -ft', ft :,= a. ':: ', A A* g E €a==.'g A*=W.A

F?

The most important position for Black

pawn structure by playing 8...d5 9.e3

10. 11.

-j,-,::

d7-d5

Black can also opt for a different central

9. d2-d3

Ab4xc3

EtEg =€*tlfll::::::l*:,1 'l aa::.

::,:

===i:

...

4. 0-0 In Nimzo-Indian fashion, Black happily concedes the bishop. He can also hang on to it with 4...c5 5.a3 Aa5, which is

g t&-', =A * L= l'l.l ., 1 ';==a .

with 2...e6

The most frequently played move, which avoids doubled c-pawns and

11 a

A .-r:

Defences

in the parallel Nimzo-Indian - 1.d4 Q:fe Z.c+ e6 3.6c3 Ab+ +.WcZ O-O 5.a3 Axc3+ 6.Wxc3 - Black calmly continues to develop without concern that he no longer has the two bishops, but here the move 6f3 has been played instead of d2-d4.

As always, this has both its good and bad points: though it is true that the e4-

square is rarely accessible to Black (White usually avoids d2-d4), it is also true that a knight already placed on f3 denies White the important option of playing his pawn to f3, which is very frequently seen in the abovementioned Iine.

6. ...

b7-b6 91

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

It is also possible to adopt a different centre strategy with 6...d6 7.b4 e5 8.4b2 6c6 9.e3 Ag4, and both sides are

in equipoise.

Often White plays 7.g3 and fianchettoes his king's bishop, but most of the time this just represents a change of move order. One line could be 7...AbZ S.Ag2 d5!? 9.d4 (preventing ...da) 9...dxca 1 0.Wxc4 Abd7, which prepares ...c7 -c5,with an acceptable position. 7.e3 also tends to ffanspose to the main line, unless Black responds with 7 ...9,b7 8.4e2 d5l?, with a complex game.

7. ... 8. Ac1-b2 E

*=

fi

E.'

*

gA 4,A

t {,1

:cr=;." ff

l-.,'

==,.

0,,:=

=

-=

:EA =a A*=

A

=

A

g2-g3

It is not unusual to

see the king's bishop

For example, 9.e3 abdT 10.4e2 c5 (10...es!?) 11.0-0 We7 12.d3 (o. lz.d+), and now theory views the position to be equal. However, White's performance of around 60% would suggest that having the bishop pair is much a

mere academic advantage.

9. ...

10. Af1-92 11. 0-0 12. d2-d3 92

the move is great and White stands better! The realitv is that after 13...d4 Black's control of the centre nicely compensates for White's future queenside initiative (aa-a5).

13. ... 14. d3xc4

d5xc4 c5xb4!? When your adversary has the two bishops the accepted strategy is not to open up lines for them, but here Black has a specific idea in mind.

15. a3xb4 '--:--.

-Eb7-d5!

l.

E

*

ab8-d7 c7-c5

Ea8-c8 d6-d5

&

I *r

t= Alj:= =

-

''i.:;1;

E=

* A =:-i € .A = H ''=

,,.j=.E:...,

''==

..'

==t,:'I

::-:rli!

go to the e2-square.

more than

with

an exclamation mark and see White as clearly better, but this seems to be overly optimistic. Such annotations are usually a sign of wisdom in hindsight: White is a strong player (Kortchnoi) and won; therefore

,,t:= :.,].

+ 9.

Ac8-b7 d7-d6 &-:1:i.:,

===

= ]#

13. e2-e3 Some commentators award 13.b5

7. b2-b4

e

12...We7 13.e4 trfd8 creates a fluid po-

sition that makes any result possible.

:.;- =

a

o:t=

$FI =a&.

And now the point becomes clear: the c4 pawn comes under fire.

16. tra1xa7 After 1 6.ad} Axg2 17.&xg} Wc7, a complicated game ensues that offers both sides chances.

16. 17.

... Bc3-a3

with a dvnamic balance.

trc8xc4

gd8-bg

1.c4

Flohr-Mikenas System

c2-c4 2. 6b1-c3 1.

3.

with 2...e6

Defences

c-pawn to c5, the d4-square becomes weak.

%g8-f6 e7-e6

e2-e4

This line was a favourite of Nimzowitsch, and more recently Kortchnoi and Kasparov. It has always been appreciated by ambitious players who like to have an initiative, though this involves taking more risks than would appeal to the average English Opening player. Evidence of this is that in the main line. which we will look at soon, White is virtually forced to sacrifice a pawn if he wants to get anything concrete from the opening.

E*A*€E E ,-l r.1.'rl*l la

,

6f6 2.6c3 -

.-= ,.;,'.,, i=.=.tA=A,,=.. ,t:-:.. a ,.:.

-a--.-,

= AA A AAA S. eW A tr

Now Black has two paths he can follow, ignoring the timid 3...d6, which would be followed by +.d4 with a clear advantage for White; and 3...e5, which looks too slow:

A)

3. ... 4. e4-e5

4.cxd5 exdS 5.e5

d7-d5

6e4

gives Black

fewer problems.

4. ...

ds-d4

The move 4...Q)e4t?

is

interesting.

White is probably best off ignoring it and playing 5.4f3, given that going on a pawn hunt with 5.Axe4 dxe4 6.Wg4 looks risky after 6...6)a6l? 7.Wxe4 Ad7. However, the fact that the material-conscious chess engines see Black as better is clear evidence that his counterplay is effective.

Less convincing is +...4fd7 5.cxdS exd5 6.d4 c5 7.6ft, with a small plus for White. 5. e5xf6 d4xc3 6. b2xc3 Capturing on g7 serves only to assist Black's development.

The centre pawn advance is very natural: why not grab the centre if Black lets you? The benefit now is that White threatens

e4-e5 and thus ...4b4 is no longer on the cards. However, as is always the case with openlng moves, for every plus there is a corresponding minus. In this case, the pawn on e4 allows the immediate freeing advance ...d7-d5 (to what extent it actually frees Black's game is central to the next line). Otherwise, if Black opts to push his

6. ...

Wd8xf6

flfl3.;=-.€+

'E

l -LEttr .,,=:t'l. l

,'.",

t::

= .

A U:

7.

::]: -=

a

$

* =.=

=

a&

#w*aa tr d2-d4

93

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume 4

Recently the refinement 7.4f3!? has been seen more often: White holds

10. ... Af8-e7 After 10...f6 tt.Axd+ Wfz lz.Af+,

back on dZ-d4 and continues with Ad3 and 0-0. This has proved itself to be particularly effective if Black replies with 7...c5, but

White's piece activity compensates for

usually he will prefer 7...e5 and after 8.d4, we are back in the main line by means of a different move order... unless White decides to continue with 8.4d3 a,a6t? 9.0-o Ad6 1o.Ac2 Aga

11. ... Ae7xg5 12. 6f3xg5 We6-e7 The reply 12...Wg6!? may be an im-

1

1.d4, and the position is far from

cIear.

7.

...

e6-e5

The most frequent choice. The alternatives 7...c5 8.6f3 cxd4 f.AgS WfS

his weakened pawn structure.

11. c3xd4 1

1.Axe7 is well metby

1

1...d3!.

provement.

13. gd1-d2 0-0 14. 0-0 White has an edge in as much

as the

pushed d-pawn could become a threat at some time in the future.

10.cxd4 AU++ 1 1.4d2 and 7 ...b6 8.4f3 Ab7 9.4d3 h6 are certainly playable, but White will have a freer

B) 3. ... c7-c5 It is logical to exert control over

game.

weakened d4-square.

8. Agl-f3 9. Ac1-g5!

4.4f3

',,=,,.-,.j "i,.-.j.=

'-=:::l

=i...

A=

=AG j ;-=.-,-i41.{ = = ',-= ',= GA =a::.g aiir{E

Avoiding the simplification that follows

after 9.cxd4 Ab++ 10.4d2 Axd2+ 1 1.Wxd2 0-0, which leaves Black with nothing to worry about.

9.

...

Wf6-e6+

10. 9f1-e2 This is an illusory pawn sacrifice. Black cannot capture on c3, as checkmate will be delivered on d8. 9+

4. e4-e5

e5xd4

EftAE€E E *L* ==r-r s

the

transposes

to the Symrnetrical

English.

4. ... E

*

Of6-g8

[email protected] t1?;

I

=;111*rl =; =L= A) = ==== ?j::. * A*= G *=s d\ f\it H -:,j..=

[,=;-.-;_

+

=;;.,.ii

w

EIZ] H

In the spirit of the Alekhine Defence ( I .e4 af6), Black concedes space in the

will become a target of attack, with the advantage that this pavm cannot be supported by da hope that the e5 pawn

and that doing so with an f2-f4 advance looks strategically doubtful.

1

If White wishes to avoid an inferior po-

sition, he must play dynamically and exploit his lead in development. 5. 691-f3 5.d4 avoids the sacrifice of the e5 pawn. However, experience has demonstrated that Black has nothing to fear following

5...cxd4 6.Wxd4 Ac6 7.We4 d6 (also /...f5 is good) 8.4f3 dxes 9.Axe5 Aaz t o.Axdz Wxd7.

5. ... 6. d2-d4

Ab8-c6

White must respond energetically; otherwise, after ...Age7-g6 the e5 pawn is going to have serious problems surviving'

6. ... 7. 6f3xd4 8. ad4-b5

c5xd4

Ac6xe5

r-r .: 1a"=Iril

-:1,=1.:.,,

__::.:

=

=e=':'= AA A.A= g.ga=tr :tr

-

Defence

2 .. .e6

Accentuating the problem of his weak dark squares. However, Black must control the b5-sauare: the threat is 9.4d6+ Axd6 lO.WxaO (gaining a tempo by attacking the e5 knight) followed by

?tD). A possible alternative is to immediately play 8...f6, which usually ends up being a simple change in move order. In the 1970's the weakness of 8...d6?! was made eaident by the reply 9 .c5

!.

9. Ab5-d6+ Af8xd6 10. Wd1xd6 f7-t6 It is best to keep the knight in the centre and not move it to 96, as much as anything so as to keep open the option of

...6f7.

11. Ac1-e3 apparent. 1 1. ... 698-e7 After 1 1...af7 there is l2.Wg3, which attacks g7, with an advantage for White. 12. Ae3-b6 But doesn't White pick up the queen?

No! With the tactical resource...

12.

Q:e7-t5

...

=

White's idea is to give check with the knight on d6, resulting in weak dark squares for Black, which represents good compensation for the lost pawn. Whether the compensation is sufficient or not is hard to say. However, both

A A. '{ ilaa-1

/i

players have played strategically acceptable moves, and thus chess logic would

teil us that with correct play White's static advantage and Black's dynamic one should balance each other out.

8. ...

s with

The weakness on b6 starts to become

E,. -9.*@ ea=

a=::=_:

.c4 6f 6 2.6c3

a7-a6

F?

Black holds his own.

13. Wd6-c5 Even a pawn down, White can exchange queens

with 13.Axd8 Axd6 95

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume 4

14.4c7 Se7 15.c5 Ae8 16.4b6 d5 17.cxd6+

6xd6

18.0-0-0,

with

good

it is more in the spirlt of the variation to keep the

compensation. However, queens on the board.

13.... d7-d6 Following 13...We7, the queen exchange with l4.Wxe7+! is more promising than in the line in the note above. This is because it is morc difficult for Black to execute the frecing advance ...d7 -ds.

14. Wc5-a5 Wd8-d7 14...We7 does not change much.

15. t2-14 16. Wa5-a3

lg

6e5-c6

,-t gE

rgal tlA A

wa AA

ll

A

AA gAtr

White prepares queenside castling and he will push his g-pawn in anticipation of Black's probable kingside castling.

This is an insidious initiative, even if one cannot say that White is objectively better. Nonetheless, an aggressive and creative player will feel particularli,' comfortable playing this type of position.

c5 9.hg ac6 1O.d4 cxd4 11.Axd4 trc8 'l2.6xc6 Axc6 13.4f4

8.0-0

9c7

14.We2 a6 l5.tracl trfdg 16.Hfdl WaT 17.a4 e5 'l&Ag5 a5 19.4b5 Wbg 20.h4 hO 21.gxf6 gxf6 22.6:c3 Ae7 23.4h3 trc7 24.trd3 gb7 25.b3 Ac6 26.Ecd1 Af8 27.We3 gb7 2egh2 €hs 29.h5 €g8 309f5 gbg 31.Wf3 He7 32.8g4 Wc7 33.Hf3 tree8 34.trc1 tre7 35.4d5 gxds 36.exd5 e4 37Exe4 EeS 38*Ad3 EdeS 39.*92 We7 40.trf5 tre1 41.trxe1 Wxel 42.trf9 Be7 43.Wf5 g6 44.hxg6 f6 a5.Bxf6 Ag7 46.Wf7+ th8 47.9xe7 HxeT 48.trt4 €sB 49.trh4 treS 50.9f3 h5 s1.trf4 tre8 524f5 Af6 53sd7 trfg 54.trf5 h4 55.gxh4 Axh4 56.4e6+ €g7 57.4f7 Eh8 58.€94 AfG se.gfg Eh1 60.9f5 tre1 61.Ee3 Ef1 62.€e6 Ad4 63.€xdG 1-O

Romanishin,Oleg Petrosian,Tigran Erevan ch-URS 1975 (8)

6f6 2.4c3 eO 3.4f3 b6 4.e4 gb7 5.4d3 d5 6.4c2 c5 7.d4 cxd4 8.6xd4 Ae7 9.0-0 O-0 10.b3 Ac6 1.c4

11.9b2 a6 12.9h1 Wc7 13.f4 trad8 14.Hc1 gbe 15.9f3 9616.4d5 exdS 17.exd5 Axd4 18.9xd4 EdeS 19.f5

Adg 20.Wh4 Ee5 21.9h6 Bc7 22.tr53 AcB 23.Axe5 dxeS 24.txg5

fxg6 25.Axg6 4g4 26.4h5 gfo 27.Wd2 Ef4 28.d6 Wg7 29.d7 Ab7 3O.Wxf4

Kortchnoi,Yiktor

$myslov,Vasily Reshevsky,Samuel BelgradeWorld-URS l97O (2)

Polugaevsky,Lev i

1.c4 AfG 2.6c3 e6 3.6f3 b6 4.e4 gb7 5.d3 d6 6.g3 Ae7 7.492 0-0 96

1-O

Buenos Aires match 1980 (3)

1.c4 Af6 2.6c3 e6 3.6f3 b6 4.e4 Ab7 5.4d3 c5 6.0-0 6:cG 7.e5 Q-:g4

1

LAe4 Wc8 9.8e1 d610.exd6 Axd6 11.d4 cxd4 12.4b5 AcS 13.6fxd4 h5 14.h3 6xd4 15.6xd4 Axe4 16.Exe4 Af6 17.tre1 0-0 18.6c2

Ed8 19.8e2 Wdz 2o.Af4 Wd3 21.Bxd3 trxd3 22.trad1 trxd1 23.trxd"t trc8 24.€f1 €fg 2S.Ae5

€e8 26.b3 tre7 27.6d4 aG 28.8:tS 29.4d46d730.6e54xe5 thr/z

g5

Carlsen,Magnus Adams,Michael

-

Defences

with 2...e6

Gurevich,Mikhail Naiditsch,Arkady Antalya Ech 200a (1 1)

1.af3 af6 2.c4 eG 3.4c3 Ab4 4.ga h6 s.Egl b6 6.Wc2 gb7 7.ag g]e7 8.95 hxgS 9.6xg5 6h5 10.d4 6c6 11.4f3 gf6 12.d5 AeS 13.6xe5 9xe514.495 f6 15.9g2 c6 16.dxe6 dxe6 17.4e3 f5 18.c5 af6 19.Afg €f7 20.9b3 ad5 21.Axd5 cxdS 22.cxbi axb6 23.0-0-0 Aa6 24.9d4 Axd4 25.trxd4 trxh2 26.Axd5 HcB+

27.€b1 €f8 28.Wb4+

Turin ol 2006 (7)

1.4f3 af6 2.c4 eG 3.6c3 Ab4 4.g3 0-O 5.492 d5 6.d4 dxc4 7.O-0

4c6 8a3 Axc3 9.bxc3 trb8 10.4g5 bS 11.e4 hG 12.Ah4 e5 13.6xe5 6xe5

14.dxe5 Bxdl 'l5.Efxd1 AdZ 16.f4 tre8 17.e6 fxe6 18.e5 Axe5 19.4d8 4-,d3 20.Axc7 trb7 21.Axb7 AxbT 22.a4 bxa4 23.Edb1 Ac6 24.trb8 &t7 25.trxe8 *xe8 26.9d6 a6 27.trb1 h5 28.trb6 €d7 29.AfB s6 30,trxa6 e5 31.fxe5 AxeF S2.h4 Qls4 33.497 €c7 34.Ad4 Ah6 3s.*f2 Af5 36.4c5 €d7 gz.gb4

€c7 38.tra7+ gb6 39.EfZ ah6

40.tre7 gd5 41.trd7 6g4+ 42.&e2 Ae4 43.trd4 Ad3+ 44.9f3 6:h2+ 45.sf4 af1 46.9d6+ gbs 47.trd5+

gb6

48.tra5 Ac2 49.8e5 Ad3 50.€f3 ad2+ 51.€f4 Af1 52.g4 hxg4 53.€xg4 Qtd? 54.9f4 abg 55.tre6+ €b5 56.tre8 Acl 57.trb8+ €c6 58.8a8 6e2+ 59.&f3 691+ 60.*e3 he2 61.Hxa4 &dS 62.tra5+

€eG 63.tra2 6g3 64.&t4 afs

65.tra6+ €f7 66.*95 493 67.tra7+

Sg8 58.€f6 Ah5+ 69.*e5 693 70.4c5 atl 71.At2 ah6 72.Ad4 af5 73.9f6

.c4 Q f 6 2. i,tc3

1-0

We7

29.WxbG exdS 30.Wxa6 treB 31.8f4

SeS 32.Sg6 €gS 33.Exf5 We4+ 34.€al Ee7 35.8d6 Ehl 36.trxh1 Wxhl+ 37.@a2 Exe2 38.Wf8+ *hz

39.9f7

1-o

Pelletier,Yannick

Mchedlishvili,Mikheil Istanbul Ech 2003 (6)

1.afg af6 2.c4 e6 3.6c3 Ab4 4.9b3 c5 5.g3 0-O 6.492 Ac6 7.d3 d5 8.0-0 h6 9.9f4 b6 10.a3 AaS 11.o,a2 6h5 12.4e5 6xf4 13.Axc6 Axe2+ 14.ghl Wc7 15.cxd5 exdS 16.Wxd5 Ab7 17.b4 Eae8 18.Eae1 9a8 19.bxa5 EeG 20.Wc4 Axc6 21.6:c3 €xg2+ 22.wxg2 Wc6+ 23.f3 Axc3 24.Wxc3 Ed8 25.trxe6 Wxe6 26.tre1 Wa2+ 27.€91 Wd5 28.axb6 axb6 29.tre3 Wa2 30.g4 trd4 31.He8+ €h7 32.tre7 Wbt+ 33.€92 trxd3 34.Wc4 trd2+ 35.*h3 gd3 36.WxdS+ ExdS 37.€93 trxaS 38.trxf7 b5 99.h4 b4 40.Hb7 b3 41.g5 hxg5 42.hxg5 c4 43.€g4 tra1 44.f4 €98 4S.s6 Ha8

46.f5 trc8 47.*95 c3 48.Exg7+ €xs749.f5+€9850.€h6trc7 o-1 97

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

s6c 98

1

.cl 6f 6 2 . kc3 -

Def ences

23.4c3 AeS 24.trxd2

Exd2

Ni Hua

€f8

27.e6

Alexandrov,Alexey

25.Axd2 Axg2 26.€xg2

Axe6 28.4f4 Axc4 29.4c7 €e7 30.€f3 axb5 31.axb6 ed6 32.h4 gds 33.€e3 gd7 34.Ads gd6 35.Aa5 h6 36.sf4 f6 37€dB €eG 38.Se4 €c6+ 39.9d3 gbs+

40.€e4 Ad7 41.€d3 gd6 42,&e4

As4 43.€f4 gd1 44.€e3

Ac2 45.&d2 9b1 46.se3 €e6 47.gbo c4 48.9d4 €f5 49.€c3 9c2 50.€f3

gdl+

51.€e3 g5 52.gb2 ghs 53.4c3 gf7 54.€f3 adS+ 55.9f2 Rc6 56.€e3 Aa4 57.sf3 Adt + 58..€e3 €s6 59.€d4 Ae2 60.Ab4

€hs 61.sf8 f5 62.€e5

sd3

63.hxg5 hx95 64.4a3 €94 65.Ac1 sse2 66.4d2 Adl 67.@d4 Ab3 68,€e5 Aa2 69.Ac1 c3 70.&d4 c2 71.€e5 gb3 72.Ad2 €:a4 73.9c1 €:d7 74.9d2 €xg3 75.xxg5 €f3

76.4c1€e2

o-1

Ivanchuk,Yasily Nielsen,Peter Heine Skanderborg 2003 (5)

.c4 6f6 2.6:c3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 S.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 Wxf6 7.hf3 e5 'f

Calcutta open 2004 (9)

LI6 2.t-c3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 Bxf6 7.d4 eS 1.c4

8.4f3 exd4 9.495 Be6+ 10.€e2 f6 11.6xd4 gf7 12.4h6 c5 13.4b5 AfS 14.0-0 gd715.Af4 AaG 16.tre1: sf7 17,9f3 trd8 18.9xb7 g5 19.4g3 Abg 2O.Wh5+ €g7 21.trad1 WxbT 22.trxd8 6cG 23.trd5 Ag6 2a.Bg4 h5 25.trd7+ gh6 25;WeG WaB 27.Wxf6

Ae7

11.cxd4

Linares 1991 (9)

1.c4 e6 2.Lc3 Jlf6 3.e4 c5 4.e5 ag8 5.6f3 6lc6 6.d4 cxd4 7.6xd4 Axe5 8.6db5 aG 9.6d6+ Axd6 10.Wxd6 f6 11.4e3 Ae7 12,4b6 AfS 13.Wc5 d6 14.Wa5 gd7 15.f4 "ic6 16.8,a3 e5 17.Adg 0-O 18.0-O exf4 19.trxJ4 AfeT 20.trd1 Ag6 21.trff1 Age5 22.ke4 gf7 23.b3 Ae6 24.Wxd6 ghg 25.Wc7 WxcT 26.9xc7 trf7 27.4b6 tre8 28.h3 trd7 29.6d5 Ec8 30.94 4\96 31.&h2 4.ce1 32.a4 Ed5 33.a5 5.d7 34.;Lc7

gf8

33.We7

WxeT

34.Exe7 €f8 35.Exc7 6,a6 36.d0 EdB 37.c5 b6 38.c6 z.lb8 39.ie4 Exd6

1_0

9xg5 12.Qxg5 We7

13.9d2 Ac6 14.d5 AeS 15.0-0 0-0 16.trfe1 Afs 17.Wf4 gf6 18.4f3 trfe8 19.4h4 696 20.Wxf5 Wxh4 21.9f1 gd4 22.9d7 Exel 23.Exe1 WcS 24.h4 q!?f8 25.9f5 *g8 26.h5 ,-f8 27.8g5 Wd6 28.93 h6 29.8e7 ad7 30.4h3 6c5 31.9f5 trb8

32.We8+

1-0

Kasparon,Garry BeliavskpAlexander

8.d4 exd4 9.495 Be6+ 10.9e2

se7

with 2...e5

40.8c8+

1-0

Kasparov,Garry Sokolov,Andrey Belfort 1988 (15)

1.c4 LI6 2.Lc3 e6 3.e4 c5 4.e5 6g8 5.Lf3 elc6 6.d4 cxd4 7.6xd4 {-xeS 8.4-db5 a6 9.drd6+ Axd6 10.Wxd6 f6 11.Qe3 D'e7 12.$;bG af5 13.Wc5 dO 14.Wa5 We7 15.0-0.0 0-0 16.f4 6c6 17.Wa3 e5 18.g4 aid4 19.i d5 Wf7 20.f5 g6 21.tr91 gxf5 22.95 *h8 23.gxf6 99

Chess Opening Essentiols

100

-

Volume 4

However, needless

to

sa)l White can

choose not to play d2-da or otherwise delay it, and instead establish a kingside fianchetto with the bishop on 92 so as

to take possession of the

E# Ere€rc a

ry I #r Hrffir @rc ry

ffi

ry

ffi

ffi

ry@

ffi

ffiffi ^ffiffi ffi

ffi

A# #Arc A #w

#a #srce # H

Many believe the Symmetrical English to be a reliable but on the whole boring

approach

which offers few winning

long

light-squared diagonal. More rarely, we see the pawn go to e3 with a d4 advance to follow This can become quite nasty for Black in the lines where the knight is developed prematurely to c6. Now we will discuss three alternatives. However, we should note again the highly transpositional nature of the

English Opening, which sometimes makes classification problematical. In the Symmetrical English, the kingside fianchetto and the two knight moves can be played in various orders.

D

2. 6b1-c3

prospects to Black.

Some books give this as the main line.

This view is the result of preiudicial thinking: symmetry in the opening does not necessarily mean a lifeless position; in the case in question, there are lines where identicai opposing posirions are maintained for many moves, but more often than not the symmetry is broken quickly producing strategically complex positions. Let us not forget that the symmetry that marks the initial position of every game of chess

As Fischer observed, White's lack of control of the d4-square encourages Black to energetically play for this

produces the countless possibilities that make the game so fasciaating! -\s with the Sicilian, Black advances his c-pawn in order to exert control over the important d4-square. Indeed, when White pushes his pawn to d4 and takes

square himself:

2.

g7-g6!

...

I

ffi

ffr # ry

# # F?

ally the Accelerated Dragon or the Kan

The advantage for Black is that White does not have time to establish the Maroczy Bind formation (see Accelerated Dragon, Vol. 1) but, naturally, he

Yariation.

has plenty of other options.

rvith the f3 knight we frequendy see uue transpositions to the Sicilian, usu-

l0l

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

... 8. Ac1-d2 9. f2-f3 10. e2-e4 11. 6c2-e3 12. Af1-e2 7.

Another popular alternative is 7...6f6

3.g3 d5 along the lines of

the

Rubinstein Yariation, which we will examine next. The fact that White has not yet played Af3 grants him other options: 4.cxd5 Axd5 5.4g2 Q)c7 6.9b3!? (instead of 6.4f3, with a transposition) 6...4c6 7.Axc6* ! ? bxc6 8.aB f6 9.Wa4, and White has a promising position. 3. Ag1-f3 Af8-s7! 3...4c6 4.e31 Ag7 5.d4 has scored nicely forWhite 4. d2-d4 The alternative 4.g3 leads into lines that are probably better; we will look at

6g8-f6 d7-d6 Ac8-e6 0-0 Af6-d7

and Black has an edge.

B) 2. g2-g3 This move sequence has the benefit of preventing the Hedgehog, which we will examine later. The ...b7-b6 pavi.n advance that characterizes this defensive

formation is possible after Af3, but here it cannot be played.

For example, after 2...of6 3.492 e6

these later.

4. ... c5xd4 5. 6f3xd4 Ab8-c6! The d4 knight is hanging and White does not have time to play e2-e4.

6. Q-:d4-c2 gg7xc3+!? This capture is not forced, but it is cer-

tainly the most ambitious continuation.

7.

b2xc3

E-#E#effiA LffiLffiTffiT

ffiAffi ffiLW

#"# 'ffi^ffi=## # #-# ffi Affia n A

$tr E

#A A

In this particular case, the compromised pawn structure seems to be a more significant factor than the possession of the bishop pair, which is confirmed by Black's good results.

102

Wd8-a5

+.68

nlackcannotplay 4...b6? !

# e## I Wt#t ## # # rffi# ## ##= ffiz # ffi# #a# #ffi Affi # #6# $tr ffi#tr ^#sffi EAreE

E

-A ^ -A q)xdj /.q)cs 5.q)e5 d5 b.cxdj g.6txa5 Aaz s.Wa+l 6az Axd;10.Axd5

as tnere

r-

6

exd|'17.W c6 and Whit

2.

r-

e w ins a

A

r-

Dawn.

g7-96 Copying White's moves is the most popular choice, but the ambitious 2...Q)c6 is an interesting alternative: 3.4g2 e5l? (a set-up marked by pawns on e5 and c5 is usuallv named after Borvinnik) 4.dc3 g6 5.e3 Ag7 6.hge} 6)ge7 7.0-0 0-0, with a com...

plex game.

3. Af1-g2

Af8-97

Symmetrical English 1.c2-c4 c7-c5

4. Ab1-c3

ffi

E-#E#s#a# GLffi''#L#L a - #L# l; wAffi

rffi

ffi #r#r ffi^ffi

ffi"# ffiffi wffiw# A# ffi #s# #

##"Fsffi =#

#^# # ##"#-# -#^#affi ^'#

'" #* Lw I

- '-r:ELffi

6b8-c6

#s#tr

BD 5. e2-e4

Set-ups with hf3 will be discussed in the section on Variation C.

81) 5. e2-e3 A natural moye that does not achieve much if Black plays symmetrically.

Again a Botvinnik system, this time played by White. As we already noted in the section called 'Klng's Indinn 2', Black has an optimum response that will give him a more than satisfactory game:

5. ... d7-d6 6. Ag1-e2 698-f6

5. ... 6. 691-e2

e7-e6

698-e7

5...e6 followed by ...Age7 is also per-

7.

0-0

fectly playable.

0-0

#* LwL*r#r

E-#E#

7. d2-d3 8. 0-0

=##A#L#L

- #'# # "'#A#'# .#ffi#-# ^# #a#s:# 8. d2-d4 8.af+!?, to fight againsr...d7-d5, is a s-orthwhile alternative 8. ... c5xd4 9. 6:e2xd4 d7-d5 10. c4xd5 Ac6xd4 The alternative capture l0...exd5!? is

e3xd4

rrith equality.

Af6-e8!

#s

L# I

#t & A

A

=et-E.

#-{#-#

q) '#a# # u&

tr#

The most thematic -continuation: the

knight heads for the

weakened

d4-square, via c7-e6. The normal 8...a6 with ...Eb8 and...b7-b5 is also satisfactorv.

9. Ac1-e3 Ac6-d4

also playable.

11.

--#

0-0

Ae7xd5

More often played than 9...4c7, which

allows the advance d3-d4. However. 103

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

also here White's advantage is academic

The most natural move. However. the

after 10.d4 cxd4 I l.Axd4 Ae6.

gambit 6.b41? is definitely worth a look, for example: 6...Q)xb4l 7.axb4 cxb4 8.d4! bxc3 9.e3, with good com-

10. tral-bl 11. b2-b4 12. gd1-d2 13. t2-14

E\t! E

--sil i

Ae8-c7 b7-b6 Ac8-b7 f7-t5 &-'=€;

*-

:tG

#r 'E

L-,!!:;,

F;il Itf r'# IrcAffi ils # ffi L'j7= =;ld ffi=a* tr tr# A

A

Densation.

6. ... a7-as 6...6ge7 7.b4 has performed well for White.

7. As1-h3 The destination is d5 viaf4. 7.6f3 transposes to lines that are discussed in the section on 2.6f3.

7. 8. 9.

ah3-f4 0-0 d2-d3 tra8-b8 10. Ac1-d2 b7-b6

ct)

E:+:i

698-e7

...

11.:$$

11. 0-0

with a

balanced position that offers

both players opportunities.

83) 5.

anced.

C) 2. As1-f3

a2-a3

The plan to expand on the queenside is the most popular.

5. ...

Ac8-b7 and the position is more or less bal-

e7-e6

Black can play copycat

with

5...a6 6.trb1 EbS 7.b+ cxb4 8.axb4 b5 9.cxb5 axb5 and White will not be able

to exploit the advantage of the first

E4SE#@ffiAffi 'reL=L-L-L ffi *ilt =iWi C-7=7= lit:= a

&r.=

$,q,i=

=1$i: 7j=:4,7=j f,V= i,== =.,.$$

move.

5...d6 6.9b1 a5 7.d3 e5 has also scored acceptably well.

A#

#A#Ai$G

ffi=a#g#AF.ijritr

6. Ea1-bl

+ €4 # i*ii # :G

--=::.'

f=g

,:=',

= # A#A *, ii;$E# ue E

104

ffiffi

The number 1 choice. White is now ready to play d2-d4, but if he wants, he can postpone this pawn push or even not play it at all. We often arrive at this position by means of t.Af3 c5 2.c4. 2. ... 698-fG The alternative knight move 2...4c6 is of interest. with the veiled idea of ...e7-e5, establishing a Botvinnik

Symmetrical English Lc2-c4 c7_cS

set-up with the black pieces, which usually inspires White to immediatelv push d2-d4. Now, following 3.d4 cxd4

.l.Axd4 6fe e...ge 5.e4 rransposes ro the Accelerated Dragon) we enter lines will be dealt wirh larer. On the other hand, if White continues with the classical fianchetto and plays 3.g3, after

that

3...96 a.Agz Ag7 5.4c3, Black can

choose not to develop his knight to f6, rvhich would take him into the English

Four Knights, but rarher develop it more acrivel y to e7 (after ...e6 o, ....S), or otherwise to h6.

In response to an immediate 2...b6. White can obtain a favourable line againsr the Hedgehog

wirh 3.d4 cxd4 +.Axd4 Abz s.6c: af6 6.f31 d,6 T.e4 e6 8.4e3, though it must be pointed our rhat Black's position ls still play_ able.

Cl) 3. g2-g3 E

ll

JhS.ggE

rlrll

a

E

n

Transposing to the Hedgehog Defence.

clD 3. ... d7-d5 4. c4xd5 6f6xd5 5. Af1-92 AbB-c6 6. d2-d4l? 6.6c3 2'c7 and we have 6. ... c5xd4 7. 6t3xd4 ad5-b4!

AA AAA A

tr

This move is usually transpositional, :ut here we will concentrate on the .ines in which White does not develoo

7...e6 is a playable but very passive ternative.

E AtswA H ll tllr ^ Ei

ris knight to c3.

c11) 3.

...

4. AI1-92

5. 0-0

the

Rubinstein Variation.

A

EAAW€A

5. ... e7-e6 5...96 is also good; heading into the Double Fianchetto variation, which will be examined further ahead. 6. b2-bs Af8-e7 7. 9c1-b2 0-0 8. d2-d4 c5xd4 9. Wd1xd4 d7-d6 10. 6b1-c3

b7-b6

Ac8-b7

A

nat

a

A

AAAA

agg

tr 105

al_

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume 4

8. Ad4xc6 Wd8xdl+ 9. €e1xdl hb4xc6 10. Ag2xc6+ 10.6c3 After AaZ the position is

7. e2-e3 .asc3 0-0 8.e3 transDoses. 7. ... 0-0 Now Black is ready to recapture the d5

equal.

pa!\rn.

10. 11. 12. 13.

7

... b7xc6 Ac1-e3 e7-e5 Ab1-c3 Af8-b4

tra1-cl

8. 6b5-c3 The knight would not have an active roleonbS. 8. ... e5-e4!

Ac8-e6

Black's possession

of the bishop

compensates for pawn sructure.

his

pair compromised

EAAB'' 'lEs& tl'',' l ', 9g I

cD 3. d2-d4

This position is often reached by means of 1.d4 6fe z.c+ c5 when White would rather not face the Benoni or the Benko with 3.d5 and opts for the timid

AA

=- =

affi

e{

i.

AAA

g.AAWgA'.,",=

Gaining space and making it difficult for White to develop; the pieces on the queenside are getting in each other's

EffiEff€E * L?:..,: 1.,,i= I * I ',,::=

,\'r t4) u

3.4f3.

3. ... c5xd4 4. Af3xd4 e7-e5!?

'=

I

wav.

9.

irrr:

Af1-e2

Wd8-e7

Black is overprotecting the e4 outpost,

as was recommended by Nimzo-

'---;;

=3:.:

.-:=

witsch.

:1.: 'i:j=. =:.u

This ambitious continuation was a favourite of the young Kasparov.

1O. a2-a3 Ef8-d8 11. b2-b4 Ac5-d6 On the other rerrear, 11...4b6, Wbite plays 12.9b3. 12. Ac1'b2 a7-a5l 13. b4'b5 ab8-d7

in order to obtain active piece play. The immediate 5...9;c5?! is bad because

While Black may not have an objective advantage, his performance results are

=A# i=.,AilA$

trAAggA

tr

Black has excellent compensation for 5. ad4'b5 d7-d5! Black sacrifices a pawn his weakened dark-square complex. Here is the idea:

6.6d6+.

6. c4xd5

above average.

-*f8-c5!

Naturally, 6...6)xd5?? cannot

to7.Wxdi. 106

of

be played due

C3) 3. 6b1'c3

EAAHgA f=L...- I *l-'l

E

=:==.

?a'' a

c2-c4 691-f3 Abl-c3

1.

2. 3.

= =ail AAAAAAA aaalarl gw€a=tr E

c7-c5

6g8-f6 Ab8-c6

'.;,',Q1.=

E=Eg€ = f=:=. 1,ft.l*I .,r

princi-

-

-.:.'

fi

r.'=.=f

Black can now choose from four oal approaches:

',.ti.

o immediately advance his pawn to d5

a= =t. AA, A A AA* 6

. ,'a

in Griinfeldfashion

o

AA

a queenside fianchetto, establishing a

Hedgehog formation.

.

move his pawn

to e6 to support

'.==

t.'

fi .5;

$ltr E

EA=tr

a

Iater ...d7-d5 advance.

o develop his other knight and wait and see what White does.

3...96 is also playable, but after 4.d4 cxd4 S.Axda €.g7 6.e4, we are in the .\ccelerated Dragon (see Volume 1).

A

At this point, White can immediately play d2-d4, or otherwise fianchetto on the kingside and make this advance after he has completed development.

A)

4. d2-d4 5. Af3xd4

c5xd4 e7-e6

E AtsgA E ,1

i'l:-= ''' :r

6t., l

.'.i =

=AA

AA

E

l.;*.1

==

::....

':=

';:.:

i.'.,

:=::=

AAAA

*ggA===tr

One of the most important positions in the English: Black maintains the option

of developing the bishop to b4 or c5, and thus discourages White from prematurely occupying the centre.

Now White has three continuations to choose from, given that 6.e4 (with a 107

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Vo|ume 4

position that can be reached via the Taimanov Sicilian) does not cause Black any difficulties afrer 6...4b4 7.6xc6 bxce 8.Ad3 eS.

vour.

A1) 6. a2-a3 As

with the analogous line in the Sicil-

ian Kan Variation, White puts a stop to Ab+ in order to physically occupy the centre.

6. ...

Af8-c5

The most popular move.

The immediate freeing advance 6...d5 leaves White with an edge after 7.cxd5 6xd5 8.6xc6 bxc6 9.Ad2.

7. 6d4-bg 8. e2-e4 9. Af1-e2

10. 0-0 11.

t2-t4

E:j-.: ry

Ac5-e7 0-0 bz-b6 Ac8-b7 d7-d6

#&==i= -F===

iji=

= saft -- #ij:l= ' A '':'"ii{ A

7i:=

AV=;AtrAgwi=tr$ ;;^il

A typical Hedgehog position. The 6b: do not strike you as

moves a3 and

being particularly effective. However, in these lines characterized by a lot of manoeuwing, loss of tempi is often of little significance.

A2) 6. ad4-b5 Thematic but overly ambitious: White to exploit the weak dark squares d6 and c7 with the threat of Adi+ or seeks

108

6.

d7-d5

...

The most common reply. Black chooses a radical solution to eliminate the weakness on d6, puming his faith in his lead

in development, but given the drawish nature of the lines that follow. some more go-getting players have experi_ mented with 6...4c5!? or 6...4b4. which have produced acceptable results after 7.4f4 0-0 8.Ac7 Wez s.Ade Axd6 10.gxd6 gds.

7. Acl-f4 Forcing 7 ...e5, with rhe loss of the d5 pawn. The exchange Z.cxd5 does not give White anything special: Z...AxdS

8.Axd5 exd5 9.Wxd5. This lasr move is

*97+ #r jffir f ry .r:- S'a*r .li

otherwise with Af4, but at the price of backward development. This approach was very popular in the 1980's, bur now ir is a limle out of fa-

a common tactical moti{, but in this case Black achieves

optimum counter9...4b4+ l0.Ad2 WeZt. 7. ... e6-e5 8. c4xd5 e5xf4

play after

9. d5xc6

b7xc6

10. Wdlxd8+ €e8xd8

E=g ffi :ji$i = ?j=:..L#L= v?:=

L :=:=

;f:jAli;ii -€:i't,t-,

. A

A*: g

g

ffi

7=.1..

,+

.=u.1J,,,,

=rc=1t 7sj. ?:j=

'A:& A A

*4tr

White's pawn structure is clearly better, and in addition the black king is awkwardly placed.

1.c4 c5

-

Four Knights Variction

However, first impressions are not always reliable: the bishop pair and the

6...4b4 takes us into a Nimzo-Indian line. Otherwise 6...4c5 7.4b3 Ab4

pawn on f4 (although doubled, it obstructs White's kingside development)

S.Ag2 b6l? 9.0-0 Aa6looks promising.

provide Black with resources.

11. tra1-d1+ Recently some have tried I l.ad4l?, but after I l...Ab7!, Black does not have any

problems.

11.0-0-0+ also gives Black adequate 1 l...Ad7 12.6d6 Axd6 13.Exd5 Aga. 11. ... 9c8-d7 12. ab5-d6 Af8xd6 12...8b8!? - the actual merits of this bold attempt to inject some life into the position may be debatable, but it is certainly inspired: after 13.4xff+ €e8 14.Axh8 trxb2, the threat of 15...4b4 is not easy to deal with. 13. trd1xd6 tra8-b8 14. trd6-d2 trh8-e8 play following

=# &e ##

#E# L-L #L.# ffi# # #= # '= ## ## # ##, # A ##a #^# s#tr A

Most of the games that reach this position end in

a

draw.

A3) 6. g2-g3

gd8-b6

7. ad4-b3 The alternative 7.Adb5 has enjoyed moments of popularity However, after 7...6e5 (if Black plays 7...4c5, White often blithely ignores the attack on f2 and plays 8.Ag2l) 8.492 a6 (8...6xc4 9.Wa4 is nice for White) 9.Wa+ EbS 10.4e3 AcS 11.Axc5 Wxc5 l2.Wa3 b6 l3.ad6+ €e7, chances are equal. 7. ... Ac6-e5! The most logical move: White must make some unnatural-looking moves to defend c4.

E#E:# 'ffiL# e"'# =#L#L I -#w

rffi '# -## -#^# #*# w.

#aw "#'# A.#

# A#

#_s:#

'?#

#

The other option of 7...d5, which produces an isolated d-pawn, is playable. However, most black players prefer the more elastic knight move, which is the

mainline.

8. e2-e4 9. gdl-e2

gf8-b4

The e4 pa\ rn must be defended without leaving the c4 par,vn hanging.

9.

...

d7-d6

This is the most popular choice and the one that offers the most chances of victory: the d4 knight is chased away from

Stopping fZ-f4 and a subsequent e4-e5. 10. t2-14 The most frequent choice. The move 10.9d2!? is interesting as it

the centre and in many lines the c4

prevents doubled c-pawns and makes

pawn becomes a target.

way for possible queenside castling. 109

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

10. ... 6e5_c6 11. Ac1-e3 Ab4xc3+ An ambitious move that highlights the eternal contest between the static and dynamic features of a position. 12. b2xc3 Wb6-c7

13.

Afl-s2

lsa ll'lg

--::.-

t.==

discussed later-

5. Af1-s2 6. 0-0

O-o

l*r r{\

Axc6 1 3.Axc6 Wxc6 14.Ec1

AA

A

E€

AA g a= €' € AA 'El ::,ti6

Af8-s7

If Black now plays an early 6...d5, after 7.cxd5 Axd5 8.6xd5 WxdS 9.d3 0_0 10.4e3 Aaz r t.ad4 Wae r 2.Q)xc6

H&

=A &

=,,',,i

4. ... g7-96 4...d5 5.cxds (5.d4t? is worth a look) 5...6xd5 6.4g2 rransposes to the Rubinstein yariation, which will be

a'l€l

,

-a=:

l=:==::t::

White has the two bishops and a space advantage; Black has the better oawn structure. Who benefits the most from his respective advantage? Difficult to say. However, one thing is for sure: Black's results are satisfactorv.

14. c4-c5 It seems logical to

exchange

off

doubled pawn.

14. ... 15. Ae3xc5 16. e4-e5

d6xc5 Efg-d8 6c6-a5!

Black has sufficient counterplay.

B) 4. g2-g3

the

=-:'' AA IE AA .

=:j.=,

A

A

trgtr

=

White's advantage appears to be mini_ mal, but in the hands of a strong posi_ tional player it often proves to be unex_ pectedly meaningful.

6.

...

0-o

gg EE -.ltrEr

E

*r'.i a ihr * = eAAAA aa = ..

A

')u

:

:

A

gg

tr€

Even though this Symmetrical varia_

tion of the Symmetrical English

has

the defect of giving Black few oblective chances of a win, players still continue I

l0

1.c4 c5

-

Four Knights Voriotion

to choose it and this position is fre-

By far and away the most popular

quently reached. This is probably due to the fact that it is not easy for White to

choice: the white queen leaves the dangerous diagonal and places herselfon a

make headway, or perhaps quite simply

safer square.

aping White's moves for a while may

for a lazy black

Even though the alternatives are less frequendy played, they appear to be

d2-d4 If White is to exploit his extra tempo, he must open the position; other moves do not have any punch andwill not cre-

promising. 10.9h4 is highly natural, and so it comes as no surprise tcl see it used as far back as 1924, when Euwe employed it against Colle. However, after 1O...EbS

have some appeal player!

7.

ate problems for Black.

7.

...

c5xd4 7...d6 is equally common, but it is not the concern of this book as it transposes to the Fianchetto Variation of the King's Indian Defence, which is examined in the third volume of this series.

8. 6f3xd4 6c6xd4 The simple aim is to play ...d7-d6

1l.gh5 Ae6 l2.Axg7 &xg7 l3.Eacl 9a5, Black has prepared the ...b7-b5 with suffi cient counterplay.

advance,

Following 10.9d2 Ae6l 11.b3 d5, Black gains immediate equality.

The interesting l0.Ag5 was used by Fischer. The idea is after 10...h6,

(10...4e61) to continue with I 1.Axf6t? Axf6 12.9d2 Ag7

l3.gfd1, which threatens c5, with an unclear position; do not forget that at

without losing the pawn on c6. This is easily the most played continuation, notwithstanding the fact that there are several attractive alterna-

this point the move 13...Wa5? is not on for tactical reasons: 14.ad5! WdS 15.c5!,

tives, such as the gambit 8...d6!? or 8...hga. 9. gd1xd4 d7-d6 And now we have another key English

Always a useful move: the advance ...b7-b5 is one of Black's primary ob-

position.

E

w-e. rc

rW

ffi 7ffi

* -

I ry I . I ffi ffi

# ffi ry Wa # A ffi

-ffiffia re= ffi A ffi

ffi

g

10. gd4-d3

tr

and Whit

e has a

10.

big adaantage.

...

a7-aG

jectives.

The immediate 10...9a5 is possible, but Black must weigh up the consequences of t t.Abstz a6 12.4d2. Sacrificing the b7 pawn with 10...4e6 is of debatable merit; after ll.AxbZ gb8 r2.Ag2 Wa5 13.b3! trxb3 1 4.axb3 Wxal 1 5.4b5, White is better. 10...4f51? is worthy of consideration: after I l.e4 Ae6, White may have conquered the centre with gain of tempo, but the scope of the 92 bishop is now lessened.

11. Ac1-d2 111

Chess Opening Essentiols

,:'AB

E

-

Volume 4

White has won the exchange but Black has compensation (a pawn and the bishop pair). Whether this is suf{icient

E€'=,:

I ' l, fEf 1,,' * fi l'=

is

.."1 ',. A,t A tXlfr A tl.],W el

Petrosian,Tigr* Fischer,Robert

ABTiAAAA A1\ EAAE4\

tr

Belgrade World-URS l97O

trg

Discouraging ...Wa5, which

difficult to assess.

in

recent

years has become Black's favourite. The

text is now more popular than the old favourite 1 1 .4e3, which is still promising: 11...Q\ga l2.Ad4 AeS l3.gdl EbS (the c4 pavm cannot be captured) 14.Ec I Ae6 1 5.Ads b5 1 6.c5 !. 1 1. ... Ea8-b8 12. c4-c5l? The mechanical 12.Eac1 can be met by 12...b51?, which would appear to give Black suffi cien t counterplay.

'12. ... Ac8-f5! Capturing straight away puts White ahead: l2...dxc5 l3.Bxd8! trxd8 1+.A:f4 Ea8 l5.ha4 tAdT 16.trfd1. 13. e2-e4 d6xc5 14. Wd3xd8 trb8xd8 15. Ad2-95! Af5-c8 5-t6-94 15. e4-e5 17. Ag5xe7 6g4xe5 18. Ae7xd8 Ef8xd8

(2)

1.c4 g6 2.6c3 c5 3.93 Ag7 4.4g2 6c6 5.4f3 e5 6.0-0 AgeT 7.d3 0-O 8.9d2 d5 9.a3 b6 1O.trb1 Ab711.b4 cxb4 12.axM dxc4 13.dxc4 Ec8 14.c5 bxcS 15.bxc5 iz,ai 16.6a4 Ac6 17.Wc2 ab7 18.Efc1 gd7 19.4e1 adi 20,ab2 Abs 21.6ed3 gd4 22.9b3 hxc5 23.Axc5 trxcS 24.Hxc5 Axc5 25.4d3 Axd3 26.Wxd3 trdg 27.4f3 Bc7 28.4g5 Ae7 29.Axe7 WxeT 30.Wd4 e5 31.Wc4 6b6 32.8c2 trc8 33.9d3 Ec4 3a.Ag2 Wc7 35.Wa3 trc3 36.Wa5 Hc5 37.8a3 a5 38.h4 6c4 39.9d3 ad6 40.€h2 €g7 41.9d1 6eB 42.Wd7 WxdT 43.trxd7 4lf6 44.tra7 694+ 45.€gl Ec1+ 46.Afl tral 47.e4 a4 48.&92 tra2 49.Exf7+ €xf7 50.4c4+ €e7 Sl.Axa2 a3 52.€f3 55.Abl 6c5 56.f5 6a6 57.g4 6b4 58.fxg6 hxg6 59.h5 gxh5 60.gxh5

€e6 61.€d2 €f6 62.€c3 65.€c3 AcG 56.€c4 Ad4

I

I

AH &e

I a ,i\ q)

/\

a\

"$"

I ET li

Fl .?a

r17

0-1

I

Aseev,Konstantin

Smirin,Ilya Ktaipeda 1988 ( l2)

1.d4 A nd\A

a2

63.Axa2 Axa2+, 64.&b2 Ab4

Af6 2.c4 c5 3.afg

cxd4

4.6xd4 e5 5.4b5 d5 6.cxd5 AcS 7.65c3 0-O 8.h3 Afs 9.e3 As6 10.94 e4 11.Ag2 6aG 12.g5 6lb4 13.gxf6 6d3+ 14.&d2 wxf6 15.trf1

1.c4 c5

EfeS 16a3 b5 17.8a2 h5 18.6xb5 Ws5 19.4h1 4lrt2 20.We2 6xh1 21.Exh1 Bxd5+ 22.&c2 Effxa2 23.Alc3 WeG 24.8:c7 Wfs 25.€b1 Wf3 26.8e1 trac8 27.hxe8 trxe8 28.h4 Ed8 29.8fl glh3 3o.Eh1 gd7 31.*al trbS 32-Wg3 gd6 33.Vs5 BfS 3a.Sg1AeS 35.4e2f6 36.4d4 gxd4 37.exd4 Ebg 38.d5 sh7 39.Wxa7 Wxd5 40.Esl gf7 41.*b1 Ed3

Four Knights Vcriqtion

EabS 23.e c2 9lxa2 24.tra14b3+ 25.€cl Eh8 26.trxh8 trxh8 27.&d2 Eh2 2&Es1 a5 29.Sd3 a4 304f3 EhB 31.8a1 Hd8+ 32.Se3 Ee8 3il.sd3 Ed8+ 34.9eg Axc3 35.bxc3 Edl 36.tra3 Eft 37.gg2 Ef2 38.4f3 trfl 39.4g2 Ecl rtO.Qe4 trxc3* 41.4d3 Ecl 42.@tg c5 43.€xg3 eA 44.9e4 c3 45.*f4 €dG 0-l

oi.t

ortchnoi,yiktor

Kortchnoi,Viktor

Fortisch,Lajos

ZiigenBeat

Bad Kissingen match 1983 (3)

Lenzerheide ch-SUI 2006 (1)

1.d4

-

af6 L& c5 3.4f3 cxd4

1.c4 c5 2.4f3 AfG 3.ad 6cE 4.d4 cxd4 5.6xd4 e6 6.Adb5 d5 7.4f4

e5

4.ruxd4 e5 5.ab5 d5 6.cxd5 &c5 7.65c3 0-0 8.93 Wb6 9.e3 Ag4 10.4e2 Axe2 11.Wxe2 e4 12.94 Ed8 13.0-0 6aG 'l4.ad2 Axdb 15.6dxe4 9gG 16.Wf3 Axc3 17.bxc3 9f8 18.6g3 b6 19.e4 EacB 2O.At4 AcS 21.tradl trxd1 22.Hxd1

8.cxd5 exf4 9dxc6 bxc6 *xd8 11.ad4 *c712.gS AcS 13.Ecl fxg3 14.hxg3 Aa6 15.Axc6 gb7 16.4a4 AxfZ+

25.We2 Wa4 26.Sd2WcA 27.h4 gG 28.trd7 trc7 29.Exc7 WxcT 30.h5 As7 31.4e2 WcA 32.h6 gf8 33.ftl AcS 34.4d4 Ae7 35.Axe6 Wxe6 36.WdS Hxd5 37.exd5 95 38.f4 f6

ab4 27.trh5 trd8 28.b3 h6 29.sf1 Ed6 30.8f5 95 31.Ef7 *e5 32.Exa7 trd2 33.4c5 trbd4 34.tra6 trdB i!O

Wc6 23-Aeg AeG 24&dg gbs

10.Wxd8+

17.gxf2 6e4+ 18,€g1 Axc6 19.€92 trae8 20.Eh4 f5 21.94 t4 22.Exc6+ €xc6 23.6c3 gcs 24.9xe4 *d4 25.9f3 trb8 26.aa4

,.,".1'€

113

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume 4

5II

u0rtDrrD^ stqBru)I rn0c

-

sJ

il'I

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

you would imaghe can {ind careful, not ine: if Black is that deposition himself with a passive nies him counterPlaY. 6d5xc3 5. ... Less innocuous than

1. c2'c4 2. 691't3 3. 6b1-c3

c7-c5

As8-f6 d7-d5

E te.e€E lrlr ll-' rft

e

,

ttl rl

,

sdfrxufih'u

transPoses to Semi-Tarrasch line (Vol' 2) that

5...e6 6.d4

without doubt solid, but unlikely to appeal to a player who would adopt this ambitious asYmmetrical line' The obvious 5...4c6 represents a classic example of a natural-looking move that gives an advantage to your opponent in this particular case White is better after 6.Abst. 6. b2xc3 97-96

The Asymmetrical Variation of the Symmetrical English would appear to be a contradiction in termsl Black fearlessly takes possession of the centre and commits himself to a complex game' but if he knows what he is doing he should be able to obain a satisfactory

EihABsA

E'

$1ffifi[S"-k

k*

position.

le

4. c4xd5

6f6xd5

eaEgsg lrtl ll

'::.

- ,fr^# l

l" i

E

{:T'

r";

.

'A * ft d.Ara:A A & lE' gggAt'E r

At this point White can choose from four main options; curiously they are ailpawnmoves:

D 116

5. e2'e3

a

is

tt, *+t#'^i+ F:-

ffi

f ,;* " mffi??-m gg€effiE,

7. Af1-b5+

7.d+ transPoses to Variation 872' whereas the original 7'ga4+ adTl 8.Aa3 Wc7 9'Ae2 Ag7 10'0-0 0-0 ll.Eabl b6 does not offer White anY more than equalitY'

ab8-d7 7. ... 7...Ad7 8.9b3 Wc7 9'trbl

White

a

gives

small Plus.

8. Ac1-a3 9. 0-0 10. Ab5xd7+ 11.

d2'd4

Wd8-c7

a7'a6 Ac8xd7 Af8-g7l

And neither side has the advantage: after 12.Axc5 there is 12."b0 13'Ab4 a5'

1.c4 c5

d2-d4

i,AHsA E *1.=.'' -r-r ::.' =?::: =*.|^,= = '=-,a:. $ = ." il = = =6= A*=:A*A* gg€a s

Asymmetriccl Voriation

E ABgA E *.1=...' ,.t,l:j,I ====4. L= t''.:

and following 14..Wxc3 Black does not have any particular worries.

B) 5.

-

"

;.., = , [= :

E

q

a

rt-

@ E

.:ll,':

'.6'-, *=A =* €A=i:=tr

/*i

H/5I H4:

'-..=,-a:==

=,a,,a,.

This is the most solid move and probably the best one as well.

g

_

as there is

9.Hb5.

The move with the best statistical performance. There are possible transpositions to the

8...Aga may be playable, but White has scored excellently after 9.4b5 Ec8 1o.Af4!

Queen's Pawn Game or to the Griirrfeld, but here we will only con-

sider those lines relevant to the English. Now Black has two main paths he can

go down, given that 5...e6 leads into the Semi-Tarrasch and 5...96, with the

intention of playing the Grtinfeld, would appear to be nice for White after 6.hxd5 Wxd5 7.WcZ!.

81) 5. ... 6. Wdlxd4

c5xd4

9. af1-b5 Parrying the threat of 9...4b+ and attacking c6. Other worthwhile options to consider are 9.a3 and 9.4d2, followed by the more sober development of the king's bishop on e2.

9. ...

11. 12. 13.

poses to the main line.

here the move looks dubious: after 7...€xd8 8.bxc3, the weak pawn structure seems to be too high a price to pay for a temporary lead in development.

7. ... 8. e2-e4

4b8-c6 e7-e6

the

Lension: the idea is to play Ae3.

Ad5xc3 6...e6 7.e4 Axc3 8.Wxc3 Ac6 trans-

7. Wd4xc3 7.Wxd8+ has been suggested by several computer programs. Normally this endorsement would be encouraging, but

ec8-d7

gd8-b6 10. 0-0 11. a2-a4l? Weakening b4, but maintaining ...

Wb6-c5

Wc3-d3 Wd3-e2

Bc5-d6 gd6-c7

Even though Black has made four queen moves in a row, his position is still playable!

Now after the committal 14.e5!?. which gains space but concedes the dS-square, the position remains balanced.

BD 5. ... 6. b2xc3

6d5xc3 97-96 117

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume 4

6...e6 7.e4 goes into the Semi-

12. ... 13. Acl-a3 14. d4xc5 15. Aa3xc5 16. Af3xe5

Tarrasch.

7.

e2-e3l? Solid but not without venom. 7.e4 Ag7 ransposes to the Exchange Yariationof the Griinfeld (Vol. 2 ). 7. ... Af8-g7

lrEr

ffiffiffit i#ffiffi

wflEwffi ,w* ffi ffiaffi

tr#E

Affiffi#s

17.

#g#Affitr

Ae5xc3

C) 5. e2-e4

EffiA#E ##

#lffi '## # L#LI

threatening.

L gfl-d3

The most narural, but g.AbS+l?, along

W

#ffis

w# #

#

#.^# #^## #sffi g#tr

the

queenside.

8.4e2 is also playable, but the bishop Iooks more active on d3.

Effi^ffi

a# w-ffiw#'#

the lines of Variation B 1 , is currently fashionable: s...ad7 (8...4d2!?) 9.0-0 0-0 10.a4 Wc7 11.4a3 b6 12.a5. with

on

g2-g3

with a balanced game.

There is less pressure being exerted on d4 than we see in the Griirrfeld. but at the same time, White's centre is less

uncomfortable pressure

b6xc5

6c6-e5 Ag7xe5

Ew#ffi* #s.= -#7#7 ffiffi#r# w.##ffi ##ffi ffiffia## L# ffiW#A

Efr'Effis9e €

ll

6b8-c6 Ac8-b7!

0-0 0-0 Wd8-c7 In reply to 9...Q)c6 the move I 0.4a3 I is

One of Nimzowitsch's countless contributions to opening theory; this was frequently seen in the 1970's and 80's, but now it is not so popular. Nonetheless, it

good:

still remains a very tricky line to play

8. 9.

10. 11.

...

tra1-b1

Wd1-e2

b7-b6

trf8-dg If Black tries I 1...4U2, White will reply wirh 12.e4!.

against.

12. trfl-d1 After 12.e4, Black can play l2...Ag+,

The move is to all appearances anti-positional (the weak d3-square is nor pretty), but in reality White has compensation in the form of his better development and superior control of the

andWhite's centre looks

centle.

118

shakv.

1

5.

ad5-b4

...

tricol Vcriotion

8...Wxd4t.

8.

...

d4xc3

The move 8...4d71? has shown itself to be playable: 9.axb4 dxc3.

-. = "'': ft lA'-..

9. Wd1xd8+ €e8xd8 10. a3xb4 c3xb2 l0...Axb4 11.0-0 leaves Black too far

i

'--,€..-

|E=

* =AA

behind in development.

A=j:=.Q:/ AAA

11. Ac1xb2

*W#A'-==,i.-E The most thematic. However. a more cautious player could opt for 5...hxc3. Now the usual 6.bxc3 often results in a transposition to the Griirrfeld, whereas the poisonous 6.dxc3 l? has proved to be unexpectedly e{fective: after an exchange of queens, the weak c5 pawn alIows White a powerful initiative on the queenside, with an impressive performance of 65%. Let's go back to 5...4b4. Now the advance d2-d4 followed by a knight capture is not possible as there is the well known tactical sequence ...Wxd4, Wxd4 6c2+. Now White has two alternatives of roughly equal worth:

C1) 6. gfl-bs+ The plan is to weaken Black's control the centre and then push d2-d4.

6. ...

of

0b8-c6

7.a31 has proved to be good

for

White.

7.

d2-d4

Now or never: White sacrifices as

Asymme

,..=

*L=:1-::. .'i ', r'=

6...4d7

-

Naturally 8.6)xd4?? allows the tactic

EaEBSA E

*r-r ,.,:

.c4 c5

a pawn,

it is the only way to give Black a

headache.

7. ... 8. a2-a3

c5xd4

E','a$

-l'*'l

-L= t-

,:

::

=a= , = *t A '.,, =,

E ''-

"{\''

=A

-,

t,i

..,.,=.

F? EE=

=a= ,&A & cS^, "., F?

White's surplus in space and better development clearly compensate for the pawn, but with the queens off the board it would not be appropriate to speak of an advantage. In addition, Black has a nice solid position that is free of weaknesses, and once the best defensive measures were discovered. Black achieved the satisfactory performance that you would logically expect.

The surprising thing is that the mate-

rial-hungry chess engines show a small preference for White's position! 11. ... e7-e6 1 1...f6 1 2.e5 ! gives White nice chances. 12. 0-0 f7-t6l 13. e4-e5 Af8-e7! with balanced play.

CD 6. Af1-c4 119

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume 4

Effi3.*s# fl:liirll ryf $f= ffi Fi:E 7,=7; +.iiir

i€=i;

fliJi.,+

ri,11

ffiA;i,ffi A;+,-i: =*i jj.=:t ryA::

il Affi ffi .ffiJA# E #g# t','':E

White is the first to strike: he attacks e6

with the option of

developing the queen on weakened light squares on either side of the board (e2, f3, ga, b3, a+1.

gd8-d7 The best response to Tal's l...Wbe appears ro be tO.Wfg c+ l1.b3l (the

9. ...

check on f7 is pointless).

10. gd1-f3 Played by both Nimzowitsch and The plan is tt.BfZ+ followed Botvinnik: White continues with his 12.Axe6+. development unconcerned by any posi10. ... hd3-e5 gf3-h3 tional drawbacks in his position. 11. wd7-d3+! 6...e6 was played in the early days of the 12. Wh3xd3 6e5xd3 but is now considered too passive: after 7.0-0 6gce g.dE. white is befter.

Line,

Therefore. Black would be wise to choose from one of the following fwo lines:

C21)

6. ...

Ac8-e6 This allows the creation of an ugly doubled pawn on e6 in order to increase the effectiveness of the check on d3. This was a firm favourite in the 1980's but now it is very rarely seen.

7. Ac4xe6 ab4-d3+ 8. €e1-fl Going to e2 would permit ...6f++ /xe6, with easy play for Black. f7xe6 8. ... 9. 6f3-95!

Effi EE# +

:.*ilf+:xin

ilr ilf

,=,=|F==.L-Fiil fl$ ri,til il

120

*= *=

Effi =e :+l+.aE# €r= E L-5+i:' ?j;v,

:.i'. *

't::=

&

The onlv differences berween this and the previous diagram is that the queens have been exchanged off and

it is White

to move.

13. 6g5xe6 13.€e2 is also promising.

13. ... 14. 6e6-g5

€e8-d7

Black does not appear to have achieved enough compensation for the pawn.

=

==L== ilrailjr[ ,ljr*i +fi.i a

by

€:' E AWtl, =a

c2D 6.

...

ab4-d3+

The most natural and probably strongest move.

7. €e1-e2!

1.c4 c5

EE#H

E

E

tre. The old 9.4e5 does not cause Black any

* fl\ 4p

'''.:g

serious concern after 9...96 (but not 9...ad7? ! as there is 10.6xf7!) I 0.Wa4+ AaZ t 1.Axd7 WxdT 12.Axe6 fxe6.

,

fi,flf,:A $r€#a

ii.i A

'.

+g=

Asymmetricol Voriation

reason he is prepared to give up a pawn so as to take control of the cen-

# fiq+,i #f*f '=

-

9. ...

-j-?=:=E

c5xb4

Black can not only decline the pawn on

7...Z-:xcl+ 8.Excl has been given a try, but with awful results: it has become

offer, but indeed offer one of his own with the controversial 9...961? 1 0.bxc5 9g7 1 1.Axe6 Axe6 17.d+ Ac6 13.4e3 Wa5 l4.Ec1. and White should be able to consolidate his cen-

clear that the two bishops do not repre-

tre.

Forcing the knight to abandon d3.

7.

ad3-f4+

...

sent enough compensation grave lack of development.

for

10. Ac3-e2!

Black's

8. €e2-f1 Now White is ready to advance his pawn to d4 with an eye on the undefended knight on f4.

8. ...

E

6f4-e6

E,ffi*

ffr+=:=

rc.

a

I *r

= = =-=== TEAIA:I+F= ij':' '.:.''uA

=

'i+ t

l#Ai;i:

A= flr

n=8

*W:.==€Z=tr

This simple preparation for d2-d4 has now overraken rhe old 10.4d5 which

leads

to a

10...961 I

balanced position after 11.4b2 A'g7 12.Axg7 6xg7

3.Axb4 0-0 14.h3

10. Retreating to d3 does not make sense because of 9.We2, whereas 8,..Ae6?! is weak as it

iuould be answered by 9.4b5+ and then 10.d4,

9.

b2-b4l?

The most energetic and also probably the best: White must exploit his lead in development before the weakness on d4 starts to become a problem. For this

e5

Ae6-c7!

...

So as to play e6 and complete develop-

ment.

is doubtful: 11.4b2 Ag7 L2.Axe6 Axb2 134xfi+! &xf7 14.Wm+, with a 1.0...96

cI

ear ada ant ag e for Whit

e.

11. d2-d4 e7-e6 12. h2-h4l As is seen in some MacCutcheon lines (see the section on the French in Vol. 12r

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

6. Af1-92

1) White takes advantage of the fact that

he has not castled and advances his pawn to h5

/

h6 and then develops his

rook to h3 and then 93 (as many a beginner does!). There is evident compensation for the pawn, even if it would not be prudent to call it an objective advantage. However, White's great results demonstrate that his position is easier to play.

6d5-c7

In the Maroczy, bringing the knight back to c2 is a promising sub-variation;

however, here Black cannot immediately occupy the centre: 6..e5? allozus 7.8)xe5 Q)xd 8.Q)xc6, and lMite has a distinct ndaantage.

7.

O-O

The recent idea 7 .Wa4!? prevents ...e7-e5: after 7...4d7 8.We4 - with the idea of AeS

D)

5.

g2-g3

plex for

This preparation of the fianchetto of the king's bishop is the most played contin-

uation.

This usually leads to the Rubinstein Yariation. which is when Black retreats his knight to c7 and plays ...e7-e5, establishing a Maroczy Bind with reversed colours (pawns on c5 and e5, instead ofon c4 and e4). It is worth noting that this set-up is often reached by reversing the moves Af3 and 93, usually with the move sequence t.c+ Q:f6 2.68 d5 3.cxd5 Axd5 4.g3 c5 5.4g2 Q:c7 6.6ft Ac6etc. 6b8-c6 5. ...

a

- the game is too comsimplistic evaluation.

7. ... e7-e5 We have now reached the position in the following diagram, which is considered to be the starting point for the Rubinstein Yariation. Rubinstein Variation

E::,',,4..

,gE

=L -r* ==L* ,:i= :r:iri,A;..i:. = AJ\ /\.i1

*

.,'t'

.. =-,:...

* A

'?.j..:'

'==

=

a*

GA=

F? .& W..ii,. Elg w

Black's centre is imposing but slightly overextended. White must therefore respond energetically before Black has the

chance

to

consolidate and make the

most of his space advantage.

8.

d2-d3

Easily the most popular move, though it might be worth considering the para5

...e6 transposes to the Keres Variation

s...96 6.4g2 Ag7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Axd5 Wxd5 transposes to the line in the notes for Variation B on page

127

1 1 7.

doxical 8.he1!?. with the intention of

Axc6+ followed bv Wa4 and Ad3.

8. ... 9. af3-d2

*f8-e7

1.c4 c5

Asymmetricol Variotion

E Ag Eg ll rr-€,r

With its sights on c4: in the Maroczy with AcZ the ...4d7-c5 manoeuvre is

Al

standard.

9. ...

9c8-d7 Though not forced, this is by far and away the most played reply: Black pru-

l

A

AAI'.A j,,'

dently avoids doubled c-pawns, as is exactly the case in its mirror variation the Accelerated Dragon, where White often plays

-

A tr

a

Ag,AA

AA

w trg

Ad2.

10. 6d2-c4 Now we have reached a critical position:

E= g&=

-r E$r.r= il

=itrhilN 'i::::

7=E

=

- 6:if' = = := 6A,- :*: =A=*. -: A*A= #W,'.'.9

After 11...4xc3 12.Axc3 Axe4, the bishop retreats to b2 from where it menacingly controls the long diagonal. This is so uncomfortable that Black usually declines the pawn on offer and con-

tinueswith 11...he6. However, in the English after 11. Ag2xc6 Ad7xc6 12. 6c4xe5

*r* E====

.

*

*@..'..

=L_L =.i.j=,. =E= * ',t,, 7= :.;i = = 'e a===: .* l'.1 A*: =+A* ,A g===tr

=:

::

The threat is Axc6 and then Axe5. Black must decide whether to paffy the threat or ignore it.

.ifn,

Dl) 10. ... 0-0 A bold move that sacri{ices a pawn in exchange for the initiative. There is no doubt that in the reverse version of this line - l.e4 c5 2.4f3 Ac6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Axd4 96 5.c4 Ag7 9.0-0

ad7 10.4d2 Ac5 - rhis sacrifice with 1 1.b4 White

is optimum; indeed,

encourages his opponent to accept the pawn. However, it is the very presence of this pawn on b4 that changes everything:

the pawn is still on b7 and the bishop must meekly go to e8 to avoid an exchange.

An inquisitive reader may well ask the

question: why not play 10...b5 and bring the bishop back to b7? That is a nice idea, but unfortunately it does not hold up tactically: I 1.Axc6 Axc6 12.Axe5 Ab7 l3.Wb3 and here the queen attacks both the b5 and f7 pawns. Let's return to the line in cuest ion.

t23

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume 4

ic6-e8 12. ... 13. Ac1-e3 6c7-e6 14. gd1-b3 Ae7-d6

12.

...

tra8-c8

I 2. ..exf4 is a valid alternative here: after 1 3.gxf4 ( 1 3.4f5 and I 3.Exf4 have also

tried) 13...trb8 14.Aed5 6xd5

Black has some compensation, but it

been

has nonetheless lost its past popularity.

15.Axd5 0-0, the game is complicated and any result is possible.

D2) 10.

13. a2-a4

t7-t6

...

The most solid.

11.

So

13.

12-14

Persisting with the attack on e5 is the most thematic.

11.

The immediate 71-...exf4?! is dubious: after 12.Axf4 the weakness on d6 will immediately become apparent.

12. 6c4-e3

ffiEEre ?;.A?= ffi+rffiE ffi

*

ffiAffi

ffiG

T

F+=

#. ?j.

wseE€=trrc This is perhaps the critical position for the whole line: it is full of positional

and tactical tension, which

124

then the a-file is in White's hands.

6c3-b5

e5xf4

,'.,E-B€.t,1,

I r 'EE

A..r. I a'I i .1.,,t I ,'

A* -=i\=;g*

why players like it

b5-b4

.t'..

E=-" #€-':l

?,; ?=

...

13...a6 maintains aligned pawas, but

14.

b7-b5

...

,W!EE

that the knight can go to c4.

so much.

explains

A

Ff

,,,Aa

A

..1'i.

AW

A,..;.

''.E

In this complex position a good six moves have been considered (15.Axc7+, 15.4xc6, 15.4f5, 15.trxf4, 15.gxf4, 15.Aca) and we still have not made up our minds as to which is best! A classic example of when the annotation'unclear'is the safest bet!

move Af3; for example, after 1.c4 c5 2.6:c3 6fa :.gs e6, White cannor play the spontaneous 4.492?l as after 4...d5!

1.

c2-c4

c7-c5

2. 6,s1-t3 3. hb1-c3 4. 92-93

E#E#e# #rrc ffir#r "# ffirffi .#lffi

6g8-f6 e7-e6

d7-ds

ffi"ffi^ffi ffi

E# .-A g ##

r#r #t##'##I #ffi # "# I # # # ## '# ffi '# a# A# # ## g s#tr

ffi -ffiffi#

Affi ffiA#A

#sffi ffia

A =# A:

A A

=#

When we talk about the Keres System, we are referring to a set-up that is created when Black responds to White's fianchetto by playing ...e7-e6 and then ...d7-d5 and, after the usual pawn capture, he recaptures on d5 with the f6 knight. Often the advance ...d7-d5 is made after ...6c6 and ...4e7, but so as to make explanation easier, we will presume that

the pawn push is made on the fourth

Black has no problems, which explains Black's excellent results with this line. Black is ready to advance his pawn to d4, attacking the c3 knight, and White

does

not have time to play his own

he would be forced to recapture with the queen.

pawn to d4

For this reason the correct move is 4.4f3. which introduces the lines we are discussing here.

As we have already noted, frequent transpositions are a distinguishing feature of the English. Here, for example,

after 1.c4 c5 2.4f3 af6 3.4c3 e6, White could play 4.d4 cxd4 5.6xd4

move. It is important to stress that after the recapture on d5 by the knight and White's d2-d4, you reach positions that are classified by ECO as belonging to the 6.93

andnow:

Yariation of the Semi-Tarrasch, which we have already discussed in Vol. 2 of our series. However, these lines are an integral part of the Symmetrical English, and so it seemed appropriate to

o

look

them in this context as weII. It is worthwhile to look at the move sequences in which White delays the at

as

o 5...4c6

ftansposes

to the

English

FourKnights.

o S...Ab4 6.93 takes us inro

the

Nimzo-Indian. The pawn move 5...a6!? merits attention as it has recently obtained decent results: the idea is to attack the

c4pawnwith...Wc7. Let's return to 4.g3 d5.

5. c4xd5 hf6xd5 5...exd5 6.d+ transposes to Tarrasch (Volume 2).

tz5

the

Chess Opening Essenticls

Af1-s2 7. 0-0

6.

-

Volume 4

Ab8-c6

E

ffi

sffi

ll'.f=

lI:j:

f giE I #r # =:=E

9f8-e7

ii;',qfi

And we are now at an important crossroads:

?= =i-i=a

?==

7C

A

L==

E

..

i,;..;

,\

,li#

?=

=

l,r

q) # =

..aaG

s # Affi

w=

The idea behind this odd queen move, which blocks the path of the c8 bishop,

is to continue with ...h6, ...8d8

and

...We7 and development of the bishop,

with an acceptable position.

A) 8. Ac3xd5 e6xd5 B) 8. d2-d4 Following 8...Wxd5 9.d3 0-0 10.Ae3, 9. e2-e4 White is a little

better.

9. d2-d4

Also here we are in a Semi-Tarrasch line, and again we will quote from our

0-0

second volume:

'# &==

t E

9. ... Ad5-b6 The most combative move; however, both 9...4db4!? and 9...6xc3 are Dos-

LV== Gf *t--;ji= C =g* ;9EA# -.iiF:

{lt+

:.;:=

.rl$[s =?=#:Ea===#

A "'.

,

O-0

sible.

10. d4-d5 l0.dxcS has some venom, yet it is not the perfect choice if you are playing for awin. 10. ... e6xd5 11. e4xd5 Ac6-b4

=?=

iii#a# A #WWtr

Now we are dealing with the Tarrasch Defence minus knights on c3 and f6. We would like to quote from the rele-

12.6f3-e1!

vant section on the Semi-Tarrasch (a common way of reaching this position) inVolume 2: '... it is not so clear who stands better. but performance results favour Black.

=ery -L= ,,,,,.*L-L ...i:

After l0.dxc5 Axc5 ll.Ag5,

=*=* A

theory

states that Black maintains equality

the strange move

t26

1

1...9d7!'

with

E===E.

4

= , =*a== A

='

AAA

E- $Wffitr#

1.c4 c5

12. ... 13. Ac1-e3 14. b2xc3 15. 9e3xc5 16. gdl-d4

-

Keres System

Ae7-f6 Af6xc3 6b4xd5 Ef8-e8

and White is slightly better

off'

S

hxcS

fs 28.9d2 ,Wgs WbG

*g1 1{

aS +cxAS

6ece Z.d4 f8* €xd8 1t.e5Ag4

d4

Jxe5

r27

Chess Opening Essentiols

128

-

Volume 4

Black's position remains playable. However, Black will usually prefer to play

3...e5 first and wait

1. c2-c4 2. 6g1-f3 3. 6b1-c3

4. E

c7-c5

6g8-f6 e7-eG

b7-b6

92-93

il *I € #i # rtG r -€,

$$$=

=I ,ffi = -::A A -

=

A 1=

fR.

td

=AA -

\: '=

=A

4N= F=

arc

i#i # 6 H !f,.,r

&lif..i'_; e

for White

to

fianchetto. It is important to stress that White cannot stop Black establishing the Hedgehog formation with the move sequence 1.c4 c5 2.4)d Afe :.gs, as Black will play 3...e6!

E*Erce* l,#

#r

-F,,#r

=':+=

r ffi r

h-Wi.fr#

# =.F:iE =aitff*= ffi rfE ?E==

'

ffjl-Ej

::j$t rtr==

id$i

A- WA# # #g=Ailtr

P€

This is the most common move sequence for creating the Hedgehog formation, but it is important to remember that it is not the only way.

Sometimes White delays the development of the knight to c3 and plays 3.g3; in this case Black must immediately play 3...b6 if he wishes to establish this set-up. L:rdeed, as we explained on page 102 (2.g3 Variation), 3...e6 +.AgZ b6?l is not possible for tactical reasons.

At this point, if Black continues with ...e6 you transpose to the Hedgehog as given above, but White's early kingside

fianchetto gives Black the interesting extra option of ...96, the ever more popular Double Fianchetto, which will be discussed in the next section.

Responding to 3.6c3 with 3...b6 has the drawback that White can play 4.d4!, and after 4...cxd4 5.Axd4 AbZ 6.f3!, he can occupy the centre without having to develop his bishop to 92. This is by no means the end of the world, and

and as before, the natural-looking +.9g7?l is not good due to 4...d5!. White must therefore continue with +.4f3 in order to suppoft the d2-d4 advance, and then Black can fianchetto and create the Hedgehog set-up.

However, as noted before, White does have the means to prevent the Hedge-

hog, namely 2.g3 ?. After 2...of6 3.492 e6 +.6f3, a queenside fianchetto is no longer on as there is 5.4e5. But a diehard Hedgehog fan is not put off so easily. The batde now goes back to an 'improvement'on the first move! By playing 1...4f5! instead of 1...c5, Black waits for White to play 2.6c3 or

2.4f3 before playing ...c7-c5, after which White cannot thwart Black's plan to establish the Hedgehog formation. It is true that there is nothing to prevent

White from playing 2.g3, but in that event Black can respondwith 2...c6!

t29

-

Chess Opening Essentiols

Volume 4

E*3.€ g E

.L-

L- ;::,tI

L.

'.

3

€L':,= ffi t'''. l=.=,

=

ri\iir =,a= 1,, ':j::

a+

*= A

Ea#s

l =?j:=

#=

,i.t

knight is more flexibly placed on d7 than on c6. However, this does not mean that 6...6c6 is by any means a bad move: after 7.e4 d6 8.d4 cxd4 9.Axd4 WdZ, glack's position is reasonable.

A) 6. ...

,a=

4ft,

=8

a7-aG

followed by 3...d5, which leads into a R6ti line that is considered to be satis-

Black delays the development of the bishop so as to take the sting out of several lines that White has at his disposal. However, as always, there is a price to

factory for Black.

pay.

Now that we have looked at some of

7. trf1-e1! This is stronger here than in the line

E-qts^

these move sequence subtleties, we can return to the diagram position at the beginning of this section (after a...b6).

5. Af1-g2 6. 0-0

Ac8-b7

E:ti .Ee = -a,, . r=r-r - Er W :-:i.. * -::,:., ":,i.

-:i,?:=

',==A= #

AA

,i,!,.

t,,.:-'

that follows.

In reply to the normal 7.d4 there is 7...cxd4 8.Wxd4 d6 9.495 (one of many possibiliries) 9...4bd7 (unlike the variation in which ...4e7 is played instead of ...4bd7. White does not have

the promising exchange l0.Axf6l?)

10.4d2!? Axg2 11.€xg2 Ae7 12.6de4 Wc7 13.Efd1 0-01 and by sacrificing the d6 pawn, Black gets a pleasant game: note that 14.6xd6 is hazardous due to 1 4...Ead8

7. ...

=..=.6-*. AAAAA

E; #g='=:tr

Black now has two options that resist easy classification, as one will often

8.

6...d6, but as this always leads into one of these two lines it does not merit to be examined as an individual varia-

tion. The natural developing move 6...6c6 is now a move of the past: nowadays most players believe that in the Hedgehog the 130

e2-e4

This is the idea: before playing d2-d4, White closes the b7 bishop's diagonal so as to recapture on d4 with the knight.

8.

transpose to the other.

In reality there is the third option of

!.

d7-d6

...

9f8-e7

While after 8...6bd7 the sacrifice may not be objectively winning, it is tricky to play against over the board: 9.d4 cxd4 10.6xd4 Wc7 (it is too late for 10...4e7?, zohich wiII be met by 11.e5)

11.Adsl? (though 11.4e3 is more prudent it is still good: I 1...4e7 12.{4) 1

1...exdS 12.exd5+

€d8.

1.c4 c5

E= ii,E=A

r-,

'.* .,_:j

6E ,fiu,

A

'=aa,

L-L

-E

t ,'

it. A

lllii

FT

F? .E

,;,,

=

'ta.a..

r*=

A=A*

..IT::: = a.t5:

E!

'.'..,

White has only got one pawn for the piece, but one characteristic of Black's

-

Hedgehog System

A position that is often seen; compared to the various classic Hedgehog positions, White has more offensive options and he is ready to make pawn advances to f5 or 95.

13. ...

Ef8-e8

This move has been borrowed from the Sicilian. It anticipates the opening of the e-{ile. In addition it makes the move ...4f8 possible, which could prove to be a useful defensive measure.

'14. g3-g4l?

to win the knight with

position is heavily in White's favour: the black king is stuck in the centre of the

Threatening

board, which gives White a lasting ini-

After the immediate 14.f5. Black can successfully defend himself with 14...Ads! 15.fxe6 fxe6 16.4h3 af8. The value of the sortie 14.4d5 is less clear after 14...exdS 15.cxd5 gb8 16.6c6 Axc6 17.dxc6 6c5 18.c7

tiative.

For example: 13.6c6+ (13.4f4!?) l3...Axc6 14.dxc6 Ac5 15.b4 Ae6 16.c5. White's performance with this position is

7 0o/0,

and even the materially

minded computer programs give White an advantage. This should be more than enough to discourage Black from trying this line.

9. d2-d4

c5xd4 Wd8-c7

10. Af3xd4

1

5.95.

WxcT 19.e5. One promising line

is l4.Af2!? (with the idea of playing e4-e5) l4,..Af8l 15.We2 (now Black can reply to 15.e5 with the capture on 92) 15...h5!, with a balanced game.

14.

With this move Black takes care of the

...

g7-go

A typical move with this defensive for-

e4-e5 threat.

11, Ac1-e3

0-0

12. tra'l-cl ab8-d7 13. t2-t4

mation: Black parries the threat of i 5.g5 ( I 5...4h5 is now possible) without concern for weakening his king's protection.

E

ll

15. g4-g5 16. f4-f5!?

EB

ASAATIT

rla

With this move White launches what appears to be a promising attack. However, appearances are deceptive - as is so often the case with the Hedgehog - and

A,'i\AA

A?-IAA ,\AA I4)EA AAAA A'_1

,Af6-h5

the onslaught is not as dangerous as it

EA

Egtr €

looks.

16. ...

He7-f8!

131

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume 4

E EE.& '. EgA I I rl ll l

8...exd5 is less fluid but still feasible: the rigid pawn structure is compen-

',..','

AAA ,, aa

AA AA

sated for by the excellent position of the

rook on e1. After 9.d4 0-0, you are in a position that is classified as part of the

AAA

gwtr

Queen's Indian (ECO E1 7).

9.

e2-e4

6-d5-b4 9...4xc3 l0.bxc3 is not sufficient to

/lA H2\

dl

achieve equality.

10. d2-d4 Black's king is sufficiently protected and

11. Af3xd4

his possession of the eS-square gives him optimum chances for counterplay.

E.'

B) 6. ...

= =@= ar-r =tE'= *A?=== I '.-=

Af8-e7

", = = il '*,€5 a,= =, =, A*' =='."*;:A=* ''=::a:.

This natural move remains the most popular. Now White can directly play d2-d4, or do so at a more favourable moment.

= =w

E^ #e ':.= = r-r -a=r* 't,,f:?t ff

12. Od4xc6 And with some effort Black maintains

the equilibrium after 12...Wxd1

1,1.,

.r.:

1

= a?::::. '-ta,= =..' & ",', ra= =A,$,.#g &a* a

Now both the moves 7...d6 and 7...a6 transpose to Variation A.

The alternative 7...0-0 looks a little unnatural, but it is nonetheless playable: 8.e4 d6 9.d4 cxd4 1 0.Axd4 Wc8l.

B11) 7.

...

d7-ds

8. r32

c4xd5

6f6xd5

Af6-e4

most reliable. Exchanges take off the pressure and minimize the benefits of

subsequent d2 -d4 advance.

Stopping e7-e4.

...

Top players now feel this move to be the

As we pointed out earlier, the idea is to

play e2-e4 first and only then make

!

3.trxd1 Axc6! 14.a3 6c2!.

B12) 7.

GW=

=

==.:.',

'-,:E

7. Efl-e1

81)

c5xd46b8-c6

White's space advantage.

8.

d2-d4t?

Et *g'.:= = -*g=rar-r 'f =?j=Lj .i., = =,,*, E A,, At,,..', :i,j.=

,

,i\ ,4J

: : =,

,\ t\ q) l5

..'

AA AAAA E AW,HT €

1.c4 c5 This recent move is emblematic of the

modern dynamic approach to the game; in the not too distant past, it would have been considered strategic heresy to allow the c-pawns to be doubled in this fashion. Now we believe that White receives sufficient compensation.

The normal 8.6xe4 Axe4 9.d: Ab7 | 0.e4 0-0 I l.d4 cxd4 I 2.Axd4 d6 gives Black a version of the Hedgehog without knights on c3 and f6. This should be beneficial to Black - at least in theory. 8. ... 6e4xc3 Preventing the intended d4-d5 advance.

9. b2xc3

Before White closes

Ab7-e4 in the bishoo with

-

Hedgehog System

compromised and will be difficult to defend, his performance has been optimum: after 11...6c6 12.d5 Aa5 13.f4.

the quality of the kingside initiative compensates for the weak pawn structure.

82) 7. d2-d4 8. Wd1xd4!

c5xd4 d7-d6

##e###E L=#L '# #t ffiw # #=# #^'#_ #'# # ffi-# a# 11 e

-# sw_

'-#

n

a\

d4-ds.

'# ffi* '#a=# tr#

10. As2-f1! Despite its odd appearance, this move is strong; White wants Lo play 6d2 and

take possession

of the centre without

allowing Black to exchange bishops.

10.

Ae4xf3

...

As noted previously, it is now pretty much taken for granted that the best place for the b8 knight is on d7: after 8...4c6 e.gf4 0-0 (e...9b8 t0.Absl) ro.Edl WUs 11.b3t trds 12.4b2

Thwarting the above plan and creating

Wxf4 13.gxf4, White's

doubledpawns.

seems to be minimal. but there must be

11. e2xf3

g '#-#

E*

L-L -#- #I #I ## #'# +# #z # *re -# - Atr A# # '## UU

A#

This is a typical position in contemporary chess: even though White's pawn structure has been severely

advantage

hidden strengths in the position, as White's excellent performance with this line attests.

The immediate 8...a6

9.Ad/ Acs 10.Wil

is clearla dubious: Ax,.3 11jWr,,J. and

White is obaiously better.

The diagram position makes it easy to understand the name df this formation: the paums on the sixth rank (and later on often on a6 and 96 as well) act like the defensive spines of a hedgehog, controlling all of Black's centre squares, which are difficult ro attack. The only pawn which can become a possible tar-

get is the one on d6, but usually only l5J

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

after quite a bit of manoeuwing, which leaves Black with enough time to find adequate counterplay.

Like a boxer, Black waits patiently for White to overstep the mark and perhaps swing a little wildly leaving himself vulnerable to a counterpunch... a surprisingly common phenomenon, especially at lower levels of play, where players often underestimate Black's resour-

H,

e

,.-Eg

f

:*.

:

.t,

=:A ,...Ae

*

A=

GA& F? Egr-61

F?

A typical Hedgehog move: on e8

ces.

rook waits for At this stage White has four main plans:

B21) 9. e2-e4

t,-,.a :

"',',ASA=:..' -=;;:: =a AA,A, -.:,, AA

&

===..

*A*

This introduces a line that is sometimes known as the Uhlmann Yariation. This association is merited as the East Ger-

man grandmaster came up with the idea and played it with devotion from the 1970's on. The e2-e4 advance prepares the ma-

noeuvre We:/Ad+, so as to exploit White's space advantage without permitting the 92 bishop to be exchanged

off

9. 11.

12. 13.

t3+

e-file following Black's thematic advance ...d6-d5. Naturally, White seeks

Wd4-e3

af3-d4 b2-b3 Acl-b2

a

pru-

14. trfl-el ke7-t8 15. h2-h3 tra8-d8 16. Ea1-d1 g7-g6

=:,=::-

= ='.=.E€

10.

the possible opening of the

to prevent this, and then to begin dent initiative on the kingside.

EA $&:=.= == rfir .r ril I -:--.a =

a

0-0 a7-a0 Wd8-c7

ab8-d7 trf8-e8

.,:.-.

gg'.

L- -l

:l

.=EgEa::: =E, L==,

L

....

,.

.

j.

AAA

.AA . *A AA AA .r ,Eg' =

Another characteristic move: the weakening of h6 is not serious, and Black is ready to activate the bishop on g7, creating a position that is difficult to attack. The resulting game is strategically rich, and thus - more than usual - the stronger player is more likely to win.

B2D 9. b2-b3 With the possibility of developing the bishop on b2 or otherwise a3 so as to apply pressure to the d6 pawn.

1.c4 c5

9. ... ab8-d7 With the option of later playing ...hc5: if Black plays 9...a5 immediately, after 10.4a3, the knight move ...Abd7 can 10. Ac1-b2

e## ## '#t*t EWA r=rc # *# '#'#, # # E

A

in

some Sicilian lines such as the Richter-Rauzer (Volume 1), it is considered fea-

-#'#

the focus

on structural

weak-

and in this context it is not uncommon for the knights to be more effectiae than nesses,

bishops.

A#A# ## '#tr"# #=

Now 10.4a3 6c5 tends to transpose to Variation B7+2 (p"9" I 3 6) after I 1.trfd1. 10.4b5!? had a period of comparative popularity in the 1990's. Though it was successful

Ae7xf6 it is true that

10...gxf6? ! is highly dubious:

ring with

# L'ffi #6-# A

...

Hedgehog System

sible nnd is played, but in those positions Black has good queenside counterplay and the chqnce to open up the game, hoping to make the most of the bishop pair. Howeaer, the English is chqracterized by manoeua-

no longer be played.

-#^w

10.

-

at first, the complications

that arise after 10...6c5 (10...dS is also

11. gd4-f4

EA le- Sg*rll E L"* # I =#:# #"# ffi ffi^.# '# # ffi,'# a# -=={E

L=#

sufficient to achieve equality) 11.trd1

A HEA

tr#

Afe+t t2.Wxg7l Afo t3.Whe Axat 1a.Ag5 do not seem to offer that much if Black plays 1 4...4e5 l. 10. ... a7-a6

1'1. e2-e4 I 1.trfd1 transposes toB24.

11. ... O-0 12. Wd4-e3!? Wd8-c7 13. af3-d4 with a transposition into the 9.e4 line (page l3a).

823) 9.

Ac1-95

a7-a0

Stopping 10.4b5.

10. Ag5xf6!? White is prepared to concede the darksquared bishop so that pressure to the d6 pawn.

he can

apply

11.

...

Ab7xf3!

The results at hand show this to be the

strongest move: Black now concedes one of his bishops so that he can execute the manoeuYre ...8a8-a7 -d7

It should

.

be noted that after the more

natural 11...0-0 1Z.Efdl 9.e7 8.6e4 Black cannot avoid the exchange of the b7 bishop: 13...4xe4 l4.Wxe4 EaZ 1 5.4d4, and White has an edge. 12. Ag2xf3 The recapture 12.Wxf3 produces a balanced game after 12...Ha7 13.trfd1 0-0 14.tracl trd7. 12. ... tra8-a7 13. trf1-d1 Af6-e5 14. wt4-d2 0-0 135

Chess Opening Essenticls

15. tra1-c1

-

Volume 4

Wd8-c7

and neither side has the advantage.

B24J 9. trfl-dl The most flexible move. The rook is well placed on dl, and now White has the option of developing the bishop to b2, a3 or 95, of playing e4 or executing the knight manoeuvre 6f3g5-e4.

9. ...

a7-a6

-f

E

r ''-.,,t.*r=f fi ,.' ?=.:.1' "... '.''.=

{i:'==iAW fl ?!:,:6* =

,'=:=a A=* s-=i=;

€

10.

Ac1-95

Ab8-d7 11. gd4-d2 11.Axf6 Axf6 12.6)a4 Eb8l does not

give White anything special.

11. ... 12. Ag5-f4 13. tral-c1 14. b2-b3

0-0

6f6-e8 Wd8-c7 tra8-d8

==a EgA rtr .

ili_,

€='-=t'

I - *=l *;,'

r-t,,

g=

$ 1',.= =

a=,-t.

Aa == a= A &a* gg =Ws ,.4

=,;;i

A

g

H-:

'

136

Ab8-d7

11. e2-e4 White postpones the decision about where to put the bishop. There is the idea of playing Aa3 and after the forced ...hc5 to continue with e4-e5, so as to start breaking up Black's pawn

11.4b2 0-0 12.e4

rransDoses

to Varia-

tion 821.

11.

...

Wd8-c8!

E=W=g = f :.f=

EA',,'i.,,A*

r=. -r i_ _,,, -a..-

.-

,.

-=g 4.;-;= '.'i -;;.'giT

Preventing the annoying 10.4b5.

8241)

824D10. b2-b3

wall.

Ech Bs '-A=.

aE

Black's position looks passive, but White will have difficulty breaking dowl his defensive pawn barrier.

=Aa A

tr A tr==.. =€ This unnatural-looking move is a subtle

ideafromthe 1980's. The motive is this: after the obvious 11...Wc7 Black will have to defend the slightly inferior endgame position that arises after 12.4a3 6c5 13.e5 dxeS 14.Wxe5 Ec8 15.Wxc7 ExcT 16.4c1! 0-0 17.9f4. 12. Ac1-b2 Now 12.4a3 is less effective: 12...4c5 13.e5 Axf3 ! (now this is OK) 1a.Axf3 (if the queen were on c7 there would be the intermediate move 14.exd6!) l4...dxe5 15.Wxe5 AcdT!. Simultaneously attacking the queen and the bishop on a3. After l6.ExdZ Axd7,

1

lla=*la ',"'

0-0 Wc8-c7

,"

Eig

:A*AEIII ll lla :,"

A

H H

'tt,. A A..,.6W

,:'.. ,',1

A.rlH

:::::A

A

A€A

EH

,.= [:it.' I

Black successfully defends himself: the

...;=:,f,

racLical morif | 4.6)xlo+ Axfo 15.6xh7 comes to nothing after 15...8xh7 16.We4 (forking the two

.Afi gA A Ag ':':-'AAA

tr

Hedgchog System

'=EElll

equality.

E

-

gsE

White will have to struggle to maintain

12. ... 13. Wd4-e3

.c4 c5

€

Having dealt with the threat, the black

queen now returns

to her

natural

undefended pieces) 1 6...trh5 1 7.Wxc6 Ec5, with good compensation for the pawn.

square.

Compared to the Uhlmann Yariation, Black is down a tempo (...Wc8-c7), but this does not seem to be so important and Black has adequate resources at his disposal.

Cyborowski,Lukasz Leznicka,Yiktor Legnica 2004 (6)

l.AfA af6 2.cAc5 3.6c3 e6 4.93 bG 5.492 gb7 6.0-0 a6 7.tre1 d6 8.e4

Ae7 9.d4 cxd4 10.Axd4 Wc7 8243)10. Af3-s5 The beginning of a straightforward plan: White intends to exchange his bishop and then put his knight on e4 to attack d6.

10. 11.

Ab7xg2 Ab8-c6!? And for once the knight does not de...

€g1xg2

velop to d7. 1 1...0 0 is a playable but risky option:

after

12.Q)ce4 Ha7 | I 3.Axf6+ (rc.6xd6? Hd7) 13...4xf6 1a.Wga (needless to say, 14.Wxd6?? is not a wise

idea as there is 14...trd7) 14...Ae7 15.h4, and White has an unpleasant initiative. 12. Wd4-14 Ea8-a7 13. 6c3-e4 Ha7-d7

11.Ae3 0-012.Ec1 abd713.f4 EfeS

14.g4 AcS 15.9f2 96 16.b4 trad8 17.9f3 kcdT 18.Qsd5 exdS 19.cxd5 gbg 20.6cG Ba8 21.e5 dxe5 22.txe5 Axd5 23.e6 fxe6 24.trxe6 6fB 25.Axd8 BxdS 26.tre5 AcS 27.bxc5 trxeS 28.c6 gcg 29.9d'l Ae6 30.493 trg531.4h4&g7 32.c7 Sxc733.Axg5 1-0

Gurevich,Mikhaif Adams,Michael Frarce tt 2006 (9)

1.4f3 Af6 2.c4 e5 3.hc3 c5 4.g3 b6 5.A92 AbZ 6.0-0 Ae7 7.8e1 d5 8.cxd5 Axd5 9.e4 6b4 10.d4 cxd4 11.6xd4 6:8cG 12.Axc6 Wxdl 13.trxd1 Axc6 14.Af4 g5 15.9d6 137

Chess Opening Essentiols

138

-

Volume 4

1.c4 c5

19.e3 Wc8 2O.Ha2 Af6 21.trc2 a5 22.trdd2 trds 23.4b5 s6 2a.Wd1 6e8 25.9f3 gd7 26.trd3 6:c7 27.Hcd2 6xb5 28.axb5 Af8 29.Ac6 We7 30.trd4 gf6 31.€g2 h5 32.h3

trc8 33.tr2d3 trc7 34.9f3 trfs 35.trf4 trxf4 36.ext4 tra7 37.We3 Wdg 38.c5 bxcS 39.Wxc5 Wbg 40.We3 a441.bG traG 42.bxa4 trxb6

43.9b5 d5 44.15 exf5 45.trxd5

trdO

1/z-1/z

-

Hedgehog System

l1.Wdg tra7 12.trfdl Ae7 13.4d2 Axg2 14.€xg2 0-O 15.Ade4 trd7 16.trac1 6c6 17.f4 gbg 18.h4 gb7 19.9h2 trfd8 20.6s5 g6 21.e4 Af6 22.b3 6ba 23.We2hG 24.6t3 Ag7 25.h5 gxh5 26.4d4 6c6 27.6xc0 Wxc6 28.trf1 Axc3 29.trxc3 d5 30.Wxh5 dxe4 31.Wxh6 f6 32.Wxf6 trh7+ 33.€g1 wcs+ 34.trf2 trd1+ 35.€g2 trh2+ 36.€xh2 wxf2+ 37.€h3 trh1+ o-1

Lazarev,Yladimir Landa,Konstantin

Kramnik,Vladimir

Trieste open 2005 (9)

Wilk

Carlsen,Magnus aan Zee Corus 2008 (12)

6f6 3.4c3 e6 4.93 b6 5.4g2 Ab7 6.0-0 Ae7 7.d4 cxd4 8.Bxd4 dG Lb3 0-0 10.Ab2 a6 11.e4 6bd7 12.We3 Wc7 13.6d4 trfe8 14.tradl gf8 15.Efe1 gG 16.h3 Ead8 17.€h2 gb8 18.Wd2 AaB 19.tre2 6c5 2O.Wel Ag7 21.Aa1 6tcd7 22.952 6e5 23.tred2 6ed7 24.We3 9.b7 25.14 e5 26.fxe5 6xe5 27.9f4 Ahs 28.9f1 d5 29.cxd5 gh6 30.Ade2 Axd2 31.trxd2 Ac8 32.wt2 bs $.ad4 gb6 34.4d1 trd6 35.9f1 trf6 36.We2 Wd6 37.We3 AxhS 38.We1 6g4+

1.4f3 AfO 2.eA eG 3.6c3 c5 4.93 b6 5.4g2 Ab7 5.0-0 Ae7 7.d4 cxd4 8.Wxd4 d6 9.trd1 a6 10.6g5 Axg2 11.€xg2 AcG 12.Wf4 0-0 13.6ce4 6e8 14.b3 tra7 15.4b2 trd7 16.trac1 o,c7 17.6t3 f5 18.4c3 95 19.Wd2 g4 20.o,e1Ag5 21.e3 trff7

39.€g1Axg2

tra1 40.€e2 trb1 41.trdl trxb4

'f

.c4 c5 2.atg

0-1

22.€g1 Ae8 23.6e2 af6 24.4t4 We8 25.9c3 trs7 26.b4 6e4 he5 29.9xa6 tra7 30.Wb5 Wxb5 31.cxb5 trxa2 32.trc8+ €f7 $.afd3 gf6 34.6xe5 dxe5 35.trc2 HeaT 36.€g2 hg5 37.trd6 e4 38.Axf6 €xf6 39.&f1 27.Wbg trge7 28.Wa4

43.4f4 trcS 44.Hb2 HacT 46.gbb1 trb7 47.Hb4 trc4 48.trb2 b4 49.Edb1 Af3 50.€g2 trd7 51.h3 e5 52.4e2 trd2 53.hxg4 fxg4 54.trxd2 6xd2 55.trb2 Af3 56.gfl b3 57.€92 trc2 42.Q:g2 trxb5

Gschnitzer,Oswald Lutz,Christopher Germary Bundesliga 2005/06 (14)

1.4f3 Af6 2.c4 bG 3.93 c5 4.4g2 Ab7 5.6c3 e6 6.0-0 Ae7 7.d4 cxd4 8.Wxd4 d6 9.495 aG 10.Axf6 Axf6

b5 45.€fI

o-1

r39

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume 4

pawn, and an early Ad5 by White can be annoying.

1. c2-c4 2. As1-f3 3. 92-93

4. 9:t1-92 5.

0-o

Effi

In addition the classic freeing pawn advance ...d7-d5 is obviously more difficult to realize without a companion pawn on e6. Therefore Black tries for

c7-c5

6s8-f6

the other pawn break, namely on b5. Let's look at some specific moves:

b7-b6

6. 6b1-c3

9c8-b7 g7-s6

White can continue with the fianchetto theme with 6.b3, but the symmetrical nature of the position robs it of dynamism, and the line has too high a draw rate to attract players who want something more from the opening phase.

effi

.3. #r €rer€ I ffi ffi ffir # # wre ffi Affi ffi # # ffiare Affi ffi AffiA #a wtrrc

6. ... 7. d2-d4

Easily the most played move.

A worthy alternative could be

As we explained before, an interesting response to an early kingside fianchetto by White is simply for Black to do the same thing. Kasparov's adoption of this line in the 1980's gave its popularity a boost, and the variation is appreciated by star players such as Aronian, Kramnik and

Grischuk.

There are evident strategic similarities with the Hedgehog Formation. The advantage here is that the d5 pawn (a

typi

cal position is given in the second diagram on page 141) is defended by the e7 pawn, and thus cannot be attacked, and the f8 bishop goes directly to 97 , avoidiag the long manoeulre ...Afg-eZ,

...Ee8, ...g6 and ...4e7-fS-g7 that is common in the Hedgehog. As always there are drawbacks: the dS-square is not controlled by a black 140

9f8-g7

7.Ee1

(along the lines of the analogous variation in the Hedgehog) with the idea of pushing e2-e4: after 7...4e4 8.Axe4 Axe4 9.d4 O-01 (foltowing 9-lxd4, White gains the adzsantage utith Romanishin's 10.gh6t!\

Erc rc

re@re

ilrerererre ffir=mrffir

ffi=mffiffi rcAre3.re ru €Are3.re ffiffiffiaffi Are reAreA

10.d5 Black achieves counterplay

adequate fashion

in Benko Gambit

with 10...b5!? I l.cxbS

7. ...

a5.

c5xd4 7 ...6e4 is less good than in the previous note: 8.Axe4 Axe4 9.d5, with a small plus for White.

1.c4 cS

8. Wd1xd4

-

Double Fionchetto Variqtion

10. 9c1-e3 10.9h4 is an attempt to transpose to the line discussed in the previous note, but it does nor work because of 10...h6! 11.4e3 Ec8 12.Eac1 g5l, and Black has reasonable play.

10. ... Ea8-c8 11. Eal-cl 0-0 12. gd4-h4 a7-ao 13. b2-b3 13.9h6 resultsintheloss of the c4aawn.

13.

trc8-c7 move: as Black waits for things to unfold, he clears the path to ...

The variation's starting position.

A flexible

It is true that on d4 the queen can be attacked with ...6c6, but she is ready to

b8 or a8 for the queen.

sweep across to the kingside to take part in a dangerous attack.

The same can be said of 8.Axd4 Axg2 9.€xg2 as of 6.b3: while it may be

given an occasional outing by top it lacks punch and will not

players,

give any real advantage to White. Even

from a conceptual point of view it Iooks doubtful: exchanging pieces life easier for your opponent if he has a cramped position, as is the makes

case here.

8.

d7-d6 This is the move most people choose, but 8...4c6 is better than its reputarion: ...

following 9.9f4 (9.9h4 is well answered by 9...h6!) 9...Ec8 10.Ed1 0-0, White's advantage (if indeed there is one) is minimal. The immediate 8...0-0 leads to rranspo-

sitions; Black usually delays castling so as to deny White the typical manoeuvre

Wtr+UAtre. However. ir should be srressed that after 9.9h4 d6 10.4h6 abdT 11.Efd1 Ec8 12.b3, the position is playable.

9.

trf1-d1

14. 992-h3! Played by Topalov, Kramnik and Aronian - recommendation enough in itself! The move prepares g4-g5, given that an immediate 14.94 would allow 14...h6! 1

5.Axh6 Axh6 1 6.Wxh6 6xg4,with

As an alternative there is a different plan: first Ahe and then 695. However, it will be difficult ro force the f6 knight to abandon its defensive posr, from where it holds Black's Dosition together.

14. Ab8-d7

a

satisfactory game.

...

gd8-b8!

This appears to be Black's best bet. 1+1

-

Chess Opening Essentiols

L4...Wa8? g

,---

axd/

Volume 4

is a tactical error:

15.Axd7!

A

rb.cL)a4.

black king is not at any particular risk and a...b7-b5 advance could give Black

On the other hand. if Black continues to

nice counterplay on the queenside.

play a game of wait-and-see with

In other words, both sides have their

14...EeS, then after 15.g4, White has an initiative: now 15...b5 is questionable as there is 16.95; whereas following 15...WaS 16.g5 Ae4, the optimum move would be I 7.4a4!.

trumps. May the best player win!

15. g3-94 Once again the natural l5.Ahe does not get White very far as the reply 15...b5! gives Black good counterplay, given that a double capture on b5 loses apieceto l7...Exc1 and 18...4xf3.

15.

e7-e6!

...

So the knight can get

to e8 without

losing the e7 pawn.

16. 94-95

After I 6.Exd6, there is

15...Exc4

r r

H r- H gxc5. l./.gxo/

16....

6f6-e8

g "aE&

AEA TET

I I l'l

AUe

A /1\ t:i V)

A Ff Ff ee

I

A a1

€

,A /1\ H'4)

g,A A

AAA AA

.g^t

Ey

To the classically trained eye, White should be better: he has five ranks to Black's three, and his opponent has a weak pawn on d6, and a passively placed knight on e8. However, there are other factors which

must be taken into account. White's pieces may be better positioned, but they have no clear targets to attack: the r+2

Krarudk,Vladimir Adams,Michael Biel izt 1993 (8)

1.af3 AfG 2.eA b6 3.93 c5 4.9g2 sb7 5.0-0 96 6.6c3 €:g7 7.d4 cxd4 8.Bxd4 o-0 9.9h4 d6 lo.Aho abdT 11.b3 Ec8 12.Axg7 €xg7 13.Wd4 €98 l4.Eacl EcS 15.b4 Ec8 ,t6.a3 Ee8 17.e4 Bc7 18.4d5 Wb8 i g.gtrg,' gc dg, :ta.ad2rAa8 lt.Ag2 a6 22.Q:b3 EcB 23.f4 EcdS 24.ehl AhS 25.94 6xt4 26.6:xt4 e5 27.9f2 exf4 28.gxf4 6e5 29.Ec3 Wc7 30.6d2 We7 31.95 Ec8 32.trfc1 b5 33.h4 Ab7 34.9h2 Ec6 35.cxb5 axb5 36.9f1 trec8 37.trxc6 trxc6 38.Exc6 Axc6 39.6b3 9a7 4O.6a5 Ad7 41.4e2 Wd4 42.&s2 gb2 43.9f2 Bxa3 44.9f6 Wh3+ 45.@12 wxh4+46.*e3h547,Ab7we1 0-r Topalov,Yeselin

Polgar,Judit,:

:

Benidorm rapid 2003 (7)

1.4f3 af6 2.c4 cS 3.g3 b6 a.Ag2 gb7 5.0-0 s6 6.d4 cxd4 7.Wxd4 Ag7 8.4c3 d6 9.9d1 AbdT 1O.Ae3 a6 11.Eac1 Eb8 12.b9 O-O 13.9h4

b5

14.cxb5 'axbS 15.4d4 b4 16.Axb7 HxbT 17.hc6 Be8 18.6xb4 Wa8 19.6c6 abg 20.Axb8 Efxb8 21.Wa4 h5 22.t9 Ad7 23.WxaB ExaB 24.6a4 Al8 25.Elc2 e6 26.trdc1 trbb8 27.trc1 af6 28.4a7 Eb4 29.9:t2 ads 30.8c8 EbbS 31.trxb8 HxbS 32.9f1

1.c4 c5

f5

33.trc4 AhO 34.6c3 6e3+

35.Axe3 Axe3 36.Hc6 AcS 37.Q:a4

Aa3 38.AbO €f7 39.Hc7+ €g8 4O.6d7 trbs 41.h4

*f6

45.ad3 47.trc7 tral 48.Hc4 d5 49.trc6 €e7 50.f4 €d7

trbl

51.trc2

1-0

Aronian,Levon

Kramnik,Yladimir St

Double Fionchetto Voriction

trc4 81.9h5 €f4 32.Ag6 g4 83.trxe4+ trxe4 84.Axe4 €xe4

85.hxg4

1/zr/z

&t7 42.tra7 Ac1

43.a4 Hb4 44.6:e5+

trxb3 46.6xc1

-

Viacent tt 2005 (4)

1.4f3 Af6 2.c4 b6 3.93 c5 a.Ag2 gb7 5.0-0 g6 6.d4 cxd4 7.Bxd4 Ag7 8.dc3 d6 9.Hd1 abd710.Ae3 Hc8 11.trac1 0-0 12.9h4 a6 13.b3 trc7 14.4h3 Bb8 15.94 e6 16.95

6eB 17.452 b5 18.6e4 bxc4

19.bxc4 d5 20.cxd5 ixd5 21.Q:c5 6xc5 22.Axc5 6d6 23.Hb1 Sxbl 24.Hxb1 Exc5 25.Wa4 o,e4 26.Wxa6 trc2 27.Wd3 trxa2 28.trc1 trfa8 29.6e1 trd2 30.Axe4 trxd3 31.Axd3 Ha4 32.h3 AfB 33.af3 €g7 34.9"b5 EaS 35.4c6 Axf3 36.exf3 trxg5+ 37.€f1 EaS 38.4e4 Ac5 39.4d3 e5 40.trc4 t5 41.8c2

€)f6 42.g:c4 ad4 43.€s2 €g5

44.498 h5 45.4f7 Ea6 46.€93 trb6 47.&g2 Eb7 48.4e8 tre7 49.trc8 Eb7 50.trc2 trbg 51.9f7 €fG 52.9:,2 traB 53.€93 tra3 54.€92 €g5 55.4f7 tra7 56.Ae8 tre7 57.trc8 tre6 58.€g3 h4+ 59.€g2 €f4 60.AfZ gf6 61.Hc7 Ab6 62.8c4+ gd4 53.4d5 trb6 64.trc2 g5 65.tre2 Ea6 66.4b7trb6 67.9d5 HaG 68.9b7 tra3 69.4d5 trc3 70.4b7 ac5 71.4d5 gd3 72.ac6 gd6 73.9,b7 gd4 74.4a8 Ab6 75.9b7 trd4 76.4c6 e4 77.txe4 txe4 78.4b7 trb4 79.4c8 €e5 8o.As4

Kramnik,Yladimir Aronian,Levon Ttrin ol 2006 (5)

1.4f3 AfG 2.c4 b6 3.93 c5 4.4g2

Ab7 5.0-0 g5 6.d4 cxd4

7.Wxd4

Ag7 8.6c3 d6 Lgdl D,bd71o.Ae3 trc8 11.Eacl a6 12.b3 0-0 13.9h4 trc7 14.4h3 gb8 15.4g5 Axf3 16.exf3 b5 17.Axd7 HxdT 18.4d5 Axd5 19.cxd5 trc7 20.trc6 ExcG 21.dxc6 trc8 22.trc1 e6 23.9d2

Wc7 24.a4 d5 25.axb5

axbS

26.9b4 Eb8 27.8a3 Ad4 28.Wa6 AeS 29.f4 Ad6 30.4a5 Wcg 31.Wa7 tra8 32.Wb6 trb8 33.Wd4 b4 34.c7

tra8 35.BbG gf8 36.Axb4 Axb4 37.Wxb4

We8

1-o

Ivanchuk,Yasily Aronian,Levon Morelia/Linares 2006 (2)

1.4f3 af6 2.c4 b6 3.g3 ab7 a.ag2 c5 5.0-0 96 6.6c3 Ag7 7.d4 cxd4 8.Wxd4 d6 9.4e3 abdT 10.trac1 BcB 11.b3 a6 12.Efd1 0-0 13.Wd2

o'e4

Axe4 15.he1 af6 gb8 16.4h3 17.4d3 Aa8 18.f3 e6 14.8sxe4

19.9f2 Ee8 20.6b4 a5 21.6a6 HcB

22.Wxd6 Wxd6 23.trxd6 Ads 24.8d1 6c3 25.81d2 b5 26.EdT AeS 27.cxb5 6xb5 28.4f1 Ac6 29.tr7d3 Aa3 30.f4 gf6 31.4c5 Ae7 32.8d1 Abs 33.4a4 Ae4 34.gdzAba 35.492 Axg2 36.€xg2 trc2 37.8b7 ha3 38.Edd7 gf8 39.€f3 6b1 40.4e3 Exa2 41.4c5 6d2+ 42.sg2 &xcs 43.4xc5 e5 44.2,e8 exf4

45.trxf7

1-o I+3

Chess Opening Essentiols

t++

-

Volume 4

It is curious that 2.d3 is a rarity when you think that 2...d6 is the most free7-e5

EA-e.tB*a€

r*xr€rffir

ffiMffiffi

#.re

quent continuation in the Sicilian. Equally strange is that the promising move 2.e3!? is comparatively uncommon. Ahead a tempo, White aims for the d2-d4 push, whereas in the popular

Sicilian with 2...e6, Black rarely manages to make this advance.

A quick note regarding

=Affiffiffi WffiWW Nffi

2.4f3!?.

- ry 6 #@rea - r#r=re I - I re

reA#Arc AffigrcAffitr

ffiffi

ffi

W

gruw # re A ffi a5 ffi

#ffi

It has previously been noted that from a conceptual point of view this represents the acid test for the EnglishOpening. Black ambitiously grabs a key centre squiue and transforms the English into a Sicilian with reversed colours. It is not difficult to understand the ap-

White is playing the Nimzowitsch

peal of this approach: 1...e5 is the move that leads to the most victories and the fewest draws. In other words, the strongest and most combative move! However, it is not the most popular re-

Yariation of the Sicilian with reversed colours! However, notwithstanding the extra tempo, after 2...e4 3.4d4 6c6l 4.6xc6 (+.o,cz d5l is good for Black) 4...dxc5 5.6c3 Afe e.Wcz Afs, glack

ply (1...6f6 remains number 1), probably because an 1.e4 player is understandably reluctant to face a Sicilian

has no cause for complaint.

minus

a

tempo.

examine the moves: it is only logical that if Black has a wide variety of second move options at his disposal when playing the Sicilian, then White will obviously have even more We

will now

choices thanks to the extra tempo. However, two moves dominate in pop-

ularity, namely 2.g3 and above all 2.6c3. both of which we discuss further on.

ffi ffi ffiaffi A ry #sffis ry ,\

sffia=

'./)

FT

2.d+

E

ffi Ere gW Affi

I ffir #r *t

ffi ffi ffi $ru # A# # re # ffi ffi ffi ffi A ffi W AW Ary ur\ res ffis = ffi

w

W

is a move that has always had a bad rep-

utation. Is it justified? After 2...exd4 3.9xd4 Ac6 White is playing a sort of l+5

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

Scandinavian r'vith a pawn on c4. it is true that this does not strike you as par-

ticularly promising, but :.6f:ti might givc us cause to think again. It should be noted that if Black tries to hang on to his extra pawn with 3...c5 (3...4b4+ is probably the best idea), White should achieve sufficient compensation alter 4.e31 dxe3 5.AxeJ.

EaABerAqf,

* f =l

'=,=:.1

E

5^

If we ignore the

advanced white f-pawn, you are dealing with the same position - with reversed coiours - that arises from l.e4 c5 Z.i4 d5 3.exd5 Lfetz +.c+ e6l 5.dxe6 Axe6

gea II I ll AA I g

EI

A

A

A

AA A AA tr aaw€aa tr and which is considered to be excellent

for Black. Without doubt the pawn is poorly placed on f4 rather than {2, but the significance of this is not s() grear, and the garnbit appears to be good in both lines. 1+6

MasonJames

Rosenthal,samuel

.

London 1883

af6 3.6c3 d5 4.cxd5 6xd5 5.4f3 6xc3 6.bxc3 AdG 7.Ae2 O-0 8.S0 ac6 9.d4 gf6 10.c4 bo 11.4b2 Ag4 12.d5 6-:eT 13.6d2 Axe2 14.Wxe2 Wg6 15.trac1 trae8 16.e4 f5 17tg t418.Abg Bh5 19.c5 bxcS 20.6xc5 -elt621.4jd3 trhO 22.h3 1.e3 e5 2.c4

trg6 23.ghl trg3 24€c3 afs 25.exf5 e4 26.trcel tre7 27.tx4 Hxe2 28.trxe2 ExdS 29.e5

Hxd5

so.trxf4 Axes 31.Efe4 trd1+ 32.4e1 trdS 33.s4 hG 34.€92 €f7 35.4h4 treB 36.493 €f6 374e1 s6 38.4h4+ g5 394g3 Ee7 40.axe5+ trexeS 41.Hxe5 Exe5 42.trxe5 €xe5 43.9f3 h5 44.€e3 hxg4 45.hxg4 gds 46.€d3 c5 47.€c3 c4 48.fG €e6 49.€xc4 €xf6 50.€d4 €e6 51.Se4 a6 52a3 a5 53.a4 €f6 54.sd5 €fl 55.€e5 €g6 56.€e6 €g7 57.9f5

€f7

58.Sxs5 Sg7 59.€f5 gfz

6O.€e5 €96 51.€d5 €g5 62.€c5 €xg4 63.€b5 *f5 64.€xa5 €e6 65.€b69d765.€b7 1-0 R6ti,Richard Torre Repetto,Carlos Marienbad 1925 (12)

1.c4 e5 2.4t3 e4 3.4d4 4cG 4.6xc6

dxc6 5.4c3 6f6 6.g3 Ac5 7.4S2 gfs 8.0-0 0-o 9.9h1 gd4 10.9b3 trfe8 11.ad1 trad8 12.he3 Ac8 13.Wc2 We5 14.f3 ghs 15.b4 Axb4 'l6.fxe4 Wxe2 17.9f3 Bd3 18.Wxd3 Exd3 19.9e2 trxd2 2O.Axd2 kxd2 21.at5 Q:xe4 22.Ad3 gG 23.ah4 gh3 24.Q-:92 Ac5 25.Hfd1 Ac3 26.trac1 9.54 27.trt1 9"d2 28.trc2 Aa5 29.6f46xd3 30.6xd3Ae2 o-t

E A#e = $rr#r+.it r$r "\I==ffi= lfii #

..rlil

b'E I'iii! ,.."ii,i il = fl. = A= =A-A= BAAW '-jFo,

E+A*&+A= .GL L=Li L -., ..i', -,-

)\] H

=,,..,

A) 3. ...

d7-d5

This usually ends up as a Four Ihights Defence, but here White has the interesting possibility of not playing 6c3.

4. c4xd5 6f6xd5 5. 6S1-f3 6b8-c6 6. 0-0 ad5-b6

White is immediately going to put the

fl

bishop on its most natural diagonal.

Delaying the development of the knight to c3 sidesteps the irritating Black lines wlth ...4b4 that are so fashionable. but at the same time this excludes some interesting options: for example, the d2-d4 advance is harder to execute.

2.

...

6s8-f6

Naturally, Black has other choices, but this the most frequently played move: by not playing ...6c6, Black maintains the option of occupying the centre with

...c/-c6 and...d/-d5.

2...dc6 is also playable: Black generally continues with the fianchetto ...g7-g6 and...4g7, establishing a reverse Closed Sicilian. which is examined in detail in the section relating to 2.6:c3 6c6 3.g3 g6, which is the standard line.

3. Afl-s2 Now moves like 3...4c6 or 3...4c5 transpose to variations that are examined under the move

2.6c3.

6...A:e7 7.d41 has given White good results.

7. d2-d3 8. ab1-d2t?

ef8-e7

EABg E l11 jrrr '.-= ffiA ,.=

.A tr

=== ,..-.

= .=::

..-l

.. A-, A,A .ftAEA& AW.'-:tr,9

8.4c3 transposes to 'normal'lines. The text move has recently been borrowed

from the Sicilian. In some minor Najdorf lines the idea of fianchettoing the king's bishop (usually associated with the normal ...abd7) is gaining in popularity; for example, in the variation 1.e4 c5 2.6f3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.6xd4 6fe S.6ca a6 6.4e2 abdZt? I .f+ ge , more or less arriving at the po147

-

Chess Opening Essentiols

Volume 4

sition in question with reversed

usefulness. Nonetheless, Black's results with this line have been excellent.

colours.

B) 3. ...

EAEtssA

Black any headaches.

E

l l l=l* ',',', ,-': :i $ n A

=

5. 6g1-f3 5.4d5 Axd5 6.cxd5 0-0 doesnotcause

h7-h6!?

-':'''

= =*

A'A *'A-A A aAwe atr

It

may be a good idea to prevent the creation of doubled pawns by playing 5.Wc2, even if after 5...0-0 6.a3 Axc3 7.Wxc3 We7, Black's fluid piece play looks like enough compensation for conceding the advantage of the bishop pair.

5. ...

e5-e4!?

This is the most ambitious way to proceed.

This seems to be the sorr of wasred 6. af3-d4 Ab4xc3 move that would appeal to a beginner, Otherwise the e4 pawn will be lost. but more advanced players seem to like 7. d2xc3 it too; many super grandmasters have More dynamic than recapturing with chosen it, which helps to explain its the other pawn.

7.

50+% performance. 3...h6 is largely a wait-and-see move: Black would like to move his bishop to b4 - and therefore he is prepared to

...

8. Wd1-c2 9. 0-0

0-0

trf8-e8 d7-d6

E Ag g,, i,..,@_--jj *'l:l-

wait for Oc3; in the event of White playing his pawn to d3, Black will put the bishop on c5.

=-ft': = '''.=1;gftL =:.=i.: ':

4. 6b1-c3 If White develops his other knight with 4.4f3, then the move 4...e4! is now good: 5.Ad+ (695 is no longer possible!) 5...4c6, with a satisfactory game

"': *=

?;F;

''r'l *

A#W==A

A'A*

E =',,E

for Black.

4.d4 does not give White much either:

after 4...e4! 5.6c3 Ab+, the impor10. trf1-d1 Ab8-d7 tance of having prevented 695 be- The unpleasant presence of the pawn comes clear. on e4 makes it hard for White to exoloit

4. ...

gf8-b4

And we are in a type of reverse Sicilian Rossolimo Variation - 1.e4 c5 2.6f3 Ace S.AbS - minus a tempo and with

the pann on h6, which is of 148

doubtful

his dark-squared bishop.

C)

3. ...

c7-c6

Sometimes known as the Keres yariation, this is a logical way to continue.

| .c4 e5

E;hAHsA

E

*r

l,',lt I la

"i=' ..,

A

A-e.

',r 1

=

..t,

,, ,.

A* AA*AA

traag€

E

atr

at..

-

2.93 Vorictron

gE

,'-rllE A

ar,'-'

A

A.& AA*AA

=.aag€

tr

7. 6d4-c2 of his to occupy the centre with 7 .ab3 WtrS S.h: Ade also gives Black ...d7-d5. He is playing the Alapin Varia- a promising game. gd5-h5 tion of the Sicilian (1.e4 c5 2.c3) mi7. ... nus a tempo; but in compensation, 8. h2'h3 White has already committed himself to White cannot allow ...4h3, which the fianchetto, which is not the most dy- would seriously weaken his light namic way to deal with Sicilian Alapin. squares. Now White has two options to choose 8. ... Wh5-g6 from (+.hft and 4.d4), given that Putting a stop to the d2-d3 pawn break. 4.6c3 has allowed Black to score nicely 9. Abl-c3 Af8-d6 Black pro{its from the mobility

c-pawn

10. d2-d3

after 4...d5.

This is the lesser of two evils, given that following 10.4e3 0-0 Black has ob-

Cl) 4. 6g1-f3

with the Z...Afe hne of the Sicilian tained optimum results. Alapin, you encourage the pawn to ad10. ... e4xd3 vance in the hope that it will prove to 11. Wd1xd3 Wg6xd3 As

be a weakness.

4. ... 5. af3-d4

e5-e4

12. e2xd3 The d3 pawn is not pretty, but the position is more or less balanced

Now that Black can play his pawn to d5, it is not such a hot idea to play

5. ...

5.4g5.

d7-d5 5...9b6 I ? merirs atenrion. 6. c4xd5 Wd8xd5!

Gaining a tempo by attacking the knight, and preparing to glide over to h5: experience has shon'n us that capturing with the queen is stronger than with the pawn: 6...cxd5 7.6c3 6c6 8.Axc6 bxc6 9.d3. and Black's centre starts to totter.

C2, 4.

d2-d4

EAAHSA E *,1 I ,-:'l I I '..,1 * t::.

-

AA AAAA/AA

AA

A

A

ATIHzl

E.AAg*

A tr r+9

Chess Opening Essenticls

A typical

-

Volume 4

move when your adversary 6c6. For the same reason,

cannot play

the ...d7-d5 advance in the Sicilian Alapin is lustified by the presence of the c3 pawn.

Now 4...d6, which

creates positions reminiscent of the Old Indian, is a playable but passive option. Strangely, even though 4...e4 5.4c3 d5 has performed well, it is little played. Usually Black opts for one of the following fwo moves:

c21\ 4.

...

5. Ac1-d2 6. Wd1xd2

C2D 4.

e5xd4 d7-ds Recently some players, (e.g. Anand) have experimented with the interesting move 5...4a61? 6.hft (6.4c3!?) 6...4c5 7.We5+ We7 8.Wxe7+ Axe7. with equality.

6. 6g1-f3 6.cxd5 usually transposes.

6. ...

E- A e4ll r=nlr #r iii{r =:# *= == I

gf8-b4+ Ab4xd2+

,i-El;

d7-do

i'fti

n

-

A

=ni$:

i*tr:

7. Ab1-c3

==

The queen exchange after 7.dxe5 does not gain anything for White.

0-0 e2-e3 White does not want to close the 92

=r

ry=iiill =i =a jtrA :GA}rc 7+,i$

#a ^# -.*t #

FFi

E

...

8.

bishop's diagonal.

8. ... 9. 691-e2

Wd8-e7

Ef8-e8

10. h2-h3 11. 0-0

ab8-d7

L7;= *t-t

{li,:El1ghi

7.

ffi

c4xd5

Denying Black the options of ...dxc4 or ...c5, and creating a weak d5 pawn. However, this concedes the c6-square for the knight, and subsequent active play for Black.

7.

a,d7-fa

s$l+,EAWE#Eeflt!

...

c6xd5

8. 0-0 Otherwise 8.4c3,

with a

probable

transposition.

Zb8-c6 8. ... 9. Wd4-a4 0-0

air\ti

=7;--= N{EjAl j jt[E ir#

'* =* ?;,.:

Affi'-'l''E€ WA =g Ail*\l.

In this improved version of the OId Indian, White's advantage, presuming there is one, is minima-. 150

Af8-e7

The most natural.

The most solid line. Unlike in the line with 4...d6, Black has managed to free himself of his bad bishop.

7.

...

5. Wd1xd4

10. 10...Wb6 I better.

6b1-c3

Ac8-e6 slightly

l gbs leaves White

trf1-d1

11. a7-a6 This position has the characteristics of the Tarrasch Defence: active piece play compensates for the isolated pawn on d5.

Shirov Variation 2...9,b4

This is by far and away the most common way to continue when Black replies to the English

E

with

1

...e5

1.

2.

:

AEBg,Aa

e7-e5

Af8-b4

EAEBg AE *,1l'l r* I

E

lrll=lal

c2-c4 Ab1-c3

-"':I-t A A ='=-

=

e. A A *A &.A ',,'',

.='

.tr We

will look

at what follows

in the fol-

lowing order: o

Shirov Variation 2...9b4 Kasparov Yariation 2...d6 o Variations with 2...r)c6 o

o

Three Knights variations

o s.6f3 (withoutAf6) o English 3.g3 against the King's In-

::..

ggaa

A

tr

The first thing we need to establish is that Shirov was not the first to play this line. As is the case with these eponymous lines, somebody has almost always played the variation before. In this case, Kolisch employed

1872 Nonetheless,

it

as far back as

the Latvian-born grand-

master's name is rightly attached to this line, given his successful patronage in the 1990's.

dian The idea is the same as for the Sicilian o

Yariations with 2...Of6

o

English Two Knights Variation:

o

Four Knights Variation: 2.Q)c3 Q:fe z.o-fz ,-:,co Four Knights Variation with 4.g3:

2.Q)c3

o

Af6 (withoutAf3 andAc6)

2.6c3 af6 3.4f3 6tfe +.sz

- l.e4 c5 7.6f3 6ce :.AbS - , namely to take on c3 so

Rossolimo Variation

to compromise White's pawn structure and to get rid of what would be a bad bishop if ...d7-d6 were played. Obviously here being a tempo down is no as

small matter, and the absence of a knight on f6 allows 3.hd5, with gain of tempo. However, White can ignore the 'threat'and continue with cheerful disregard. Now excluding the playable 3.6f3 and 3.WcZ, the sharpest replies are: 151

Chess Opening Essentiols

- Volume 4

A) 3. g2-g3

9.

White remains unfazed and continues with normal development. 3. ... Ab4xc3 4. b2xc3 Recapturing with the other pawn, which assists in the development of the cl bishop, has some sense in the Petroff - l.e4 e5 2.6f3 Afe :.6xeS d6 +.6f3 Axe4 5.4c3 Axc3 6.dxc3 and the Alekhine - 1.e4 6fe z.eS 6dS 3.4c3 6xc3 4.dxc3 - but here it seems unwise, given the slow pace of the English Opening.

4. ... 5. Afl-92

d7-d6

In the past this position

was unanimously considered to be favourable for White. However, it is imprudent to dogmatically overestimate the importance the possession of the two bishops.

of

E*ffiE ffi effilff.i^ ffii :F:]

4rc

r$re

ffi ffi

Errc I ffitr

re# {#s #$

sE

-a-W

,ffi+ ffi a@1

'ffi

5. ...

-# =ffii

7.

Eal-b1

8. 691-h3l? 9. t2-t4

152

3. ...

Zb8-cG Not only the most natural move, but also the most played one as well. 4. bc3-d5 4.a3 permirs 4...4d4! 5.9d1 Axc3 6.bxc3 2c6 7.g3 d6 8.492, and in comparison to Variation A, White has wasted a tempo with 4.a3. The move +.AfS (threatening 5.Axe5) also appears harmless enough: after 4...d6 5.a3 Axc3 6.Bxc3 dgeT 7.e3 0-0 8.d4 exd4 9.Axd4 Ee8,lively piece play compensates for not having the

-

6g8-e7 seems

Ab8-c5 0-0 Ac8-d7

After 9.H,xb7??, Black picks up a piece with 9...Wc8.

harassment.

a7-a5

Et*r #t - rcI

F?

ing the mobility of the f-pawn

6. d2-d3

B) 3. Ed1-b3 Attacking the bishop and preventing the pawns being doubled, but on this square the queen is a little vulnerable to

E.+$$IAffi efuffi A

One of many possible moves; maintainwise.

demic.

4. ...

ry AryA # ue B

9...d5 looks risky as there is 10.cxd5 Axd5 I l.gb3!. 10. ah3-f2 and White's advantage is only aca-

bishop pair.

s.=

affi

gd8-c8

...

ffiA.W$j

W,i:

=F-=6 -

ryA.W:

ffiw=

ffie =

a## =A# ffiA

$FE

7E;

A

re F?

5. Wb3-s3 By attacking 97, White disturbs Black's development.

5.

...

ab4-f8

1.c4 e5 The king move 5...€f8 is a playable alternative.

6. 6s1-f3 7. d2-d3 8. Ad5xb4

d7-d6

Ac6-b4l? a5xb4

EffiEre@ffiAffi

€rre gilr.r il.re9 ffiffiffi

ila#re# € rea*are Affi ffiAffiAffi re rye#tr

Black has a playable position... which is

odd when you consider that all his remaining pieces are on their original souares!

-

Vcrictions with 2.4c3

can retreat to e7 or c5. Compared to Variations C3 and C4. it is not clear if either side benefits from their respective pawn moves on the a-fiIe.

4. ...

d7-d6

5. a2-a3 6. d2-d4

9b4-c5 e5xd4

7. 6t3xd4 c7-c6 8. 6d5-c3 gd8-h4l? 9. e2-e3 698-f6

Erus#€re

ffiLffi ffir€Gr wr€ffi

re

€rurewg ffiAffi ffi ffiffiffiffi w#ffi9

#

ffiw#aes

with positions that are difficult to

3.

c)

6c3-d5

EilErc€ffiAffi

=rrerryrrer a#re#

ffiaffi ffi ryA€ W # reg € a#fi ffis ffiffs ffi

sffi

CD 3. ... 4. b2-b4 And now we

see

E

*

A

W

= ffi

soon the knight will be booted from d5, and thus the gain of tempo is only

A A ryre

illusory.

C1) 3. ...

a7-as

4. 6g1-f3

Capturing on b4 activates the a8 rook, whereas after 4.a3, the bishop on b4

ffi

c7-c6

c6xd5 Wd8xa5

#I g rc^# r€rer

il re'w ffi

with a single hop the attacked becomes the attacker. However,

The critical line:

Ab4-a5

the idea:

5. b4xa5 6. c4xd5

E

assess.

reW il # ffi reffi

€ A

ffi W

#

ury

Affitr

#

A rcAry

A curious position in which the only developed piece is the black queen!

7. e2-e4 8. f2-f3

698-f6

153

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume 4

After 8.Wc2 or s.Ad3, the move ity given by the various chess engines 8...6a6 - with the plan of ...4b4 or wouldappeartobethemosrcorrecr. ...6c5 gives Black sufficient

C4) 3. ...

counterplay.

8. ... 6b8-a6 9. Ag1-e2 6a6-c5

Black

10. Ae2-c3 with this line, the pos-

As is common

sessionofthetwobishopsrepresenrsan edge for White. Well, that's what theory says... but tice is another matter!

C3) 3. ...

The most narural move, but this

4.

4. d2-d4 For 4.4f3 d6 5.d4 see the following note.

4. ...

5. does

best.

691-f3

The line 4.e3 c6 5.d4!? is nor easy

ro

judge

The most energetic move. After 5.4f3, both the solid 5...c6 6.6xe7 WxeT and

the aggressive 5...e4!? proved to be reliable.

plus.

5. Ad5-c3 Wd8-e7 6. e2-e3 d7-d6 7. d2-d4 e5xd4 8. Af3xd4 hs8-f6 9. Af1-e2 0-0 10. 0-0

fl====: ,=

:'. -ri'

A

6. 6d5xe7 7. 6gl-e2 8. 6e2-c3

AgB-f6

8...ds!.

8. 9.

...

0-0

Af1-e2

EfiA,". -#e==a-i=

L-L l,5,, *

:*=t ':','

-?=

.', A '& A i:=i,

?=jj:-

A --a:*_a* = = a E AW€

= ,'' t,r*

===A*=A #W=tr

Wd8xe7

,::=...

=tr

A

It is not easy for white to exploit

with the typical straregic

either

his space advantage or rhe weak d6 pawn, and thus the evaluation of 154

have

The best reply to 8.f3 appears to be

=

,;...

&

E

=*

L.- =r-r

,'':A = i=

6.4d2 f5

5. ... c7-c6 Also the akernative s...Af6 is a good

c7-c6 4...e4 looks hasty, as it will be met by 5.Ag5l fS 6.d+, and White has a small

A==

d7-d6

e2-e4

solid move.

4. ...

E

dark

squares, so it is OK to exchange off the dark-squared bishop.

prac-

Ab4-c5

not necessarily mean that it's the

Ab4-e7

will put his pawns on

equal-

conflict: White will seek to make the most of his dark-squared bishop, whereas Black will put his faith in the solidity of his position and see how events unfold.

1.c4 e5

Kasparov Variation 2...d6

2. ...

d7-d6

-

Vorictions with 2.6c3

Other moves lead into variations that can be found in the respective sections that deal with the King's Indian Defence against the English.

E

AE'fgEAa

lll't

l'.... A

=:.=.

lll

t.

A

I

:'::AAAAA '.;=

AA € +g€Afttr

This dynamic move easily transposes to other lines; here we will deal with the variations that have their own distinct identity. Black delays the development of the knight to c6 and blocks the path of the f8 bishop, which can no longer go to b4. In doing so, Black presents White $.ith a provocative challenge to play d}-d+, counting on making the most of

exposed position of the white queen (the famously rapid victory of Kasparov against Hubner in 1985 is a

the

good example). If White does not take up the gauntlet, Black can continue with the ...ff-fS advance, or otherwise establish a kingside

initiative with ...4e6, ...6c6 and ...9d7. As you will have already gathered, this is an ambitious set-up, and it comes as no surprise that it was part of the young Kasparov's repertoire, as during his career he was always on the

lookout for dynamic positions that allowed him to show his tactical flair.

A) 3. hg1-f3 4.

d2-d4

4. ...

E

t7-t5l?

e5-e4

EffiA. * AE -.:.'' * f .l 11 '= ':, *= I

=:

:..,'

aa

I

,= A

j'

a*=

a

=.:,..''

,..t.

-.,' ,.::.

w

a=, A &A

A.

A

5-:

5. Af3-g5 I choice. 5.495 Ae7 favours Black, as after an exchange on e7 he will make the an-

The number

noying pawn move ...e4-e3 . 5.4d2 has helped Black to do well: after 5...4f6 6.e3 96 7.9e2 9,g7 8.b+ 0-0, White expands on the queenside, but Black's kingside initiative could prove to be dangerous.

5. ...

Ef8-e7

The most natural move.

Two other possibilities are 5...6f6 and 5...c6, though they tend to lead into the main line. The audacious 5...h6 6.4h3 g5 is nicely frustrated by 7.6:91l (with the idea of h+).

6. Ag5-h3 Ag8-f6 7. s2-g3 A very corrrrnon second choice is 7.e3 c6 8.6f+ 6a6 9.h4 0-0 10.4e2 Ac7 I 1.d5 AdZ. and both sldes have chances.

7.

...

c7-c6

8. Af1-92 0-0 9. 0-0 6b8-a6 10. d4-d5 155

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume 4

Physically preventing Black from occupying this square with his own pawn and gaining space at the same time. However, it has the defect of weakening

A standard advance whose scope is to block Black's kingside initiative.

9.

...

both the c5- and e5-scuares.

10.

2a6-c7

...

il

11. a2-a4l Preventing ...b7-b5 after the exchange

11. ... 12. t2+3

af6-d7

The position is side could

=g *r -rna= ll

C)

9. 156

5. gd4-d2 White would like to fianchetto both bishops so as to increase his control of the centre, and in that context the d2sqluare looks like the natural home for

5. ...

Ac8-e6 c7-c6l?

to one of t7-t5

the

Ag8-f6 Af8-e7 0-0

Lg8-f6

E=.=48@+

E-

l * ' = -.:.. =',aWA=A =:.'

-r r

:===ll

..:=a

is playable.

t2-14

e5xd4 into the Ukraine De-

the queen.

2...Q)c6 variations.

.6f:

takes us

opts for the subtle +...4f6, remembering that after a later ...4c6 we have simply transposed to the main line.

reality Black's pieces are ready to strike out, and White's advantage is at best no more than minimal.

e

win.

Sometimes Black postpones this and

White controls more space and his pieces look better coordinated, but in

6. ... 7. o,91-e2 8. 0-0

balance and either

4. Wd1xd4 6b8-c6

a .=a*a ==*;..'g g gg=tr

B) 3. g2-g3 4. 9t1-92

in

fence, which was discussed in Vol. 2.

A=A.=

Naturally

&

3. d2-d4

3...4f6

.:,= ., $.=l=..,

5. d2-d3 6. e2-e3

tr€

e4xf3

E==.=Ag

4...Q)c6 transposes

A==@'= $r

ag

Denying Black an outpost on e4.

12. ... 13. e2xf3

E

l *=E . ',. *1, l'' S"' * 'A AA* :A'-=A

Putting pressure on the d5 pawn.

on d5.

ab8-d7

A,,,,1,.,

AA FI

A

,.

l'

A

€EAtr

I .c4 eS

6.

e2-e4

Gaining space in the centre, but at the cost of making the central pawn structrrro

mnra

vinir]

Unfortunately for White, the plan of the

double fianchetto proves to be too slow: 6.93 9e6 7.6d5 (7.b3 d5 and Black is better) 7...Q)eS 8.b3 Ae4, with active play for Black.

Also after 6.b3 Ae6l, White is forced to play e2-e4 in order to stop ...d6-d5.

6. ...

g7-96

7. b2-b3 8. Ac1-b2 9. af1-d3

Af8-g7 trf8-e8

).6c3

't7.At4 45g6 18.6e3 gbg 19.Wh5 *h7 20.trbfl f6 21.Axh6 gxho 22.Hxl6 trxf6 23.trxf6 €g7 24.ad5 Wdg 25.e5 Afs 26.6xe7 BxeT

27.Wxf5 6xe5 28.tre6 Bg5 29.Wxg5+ hxgS 30.HxdG b5 31.cxbS trxb5 32.4e4 c4 33.dxc4 trb2 34.c5 tre2 35.8d4 tre3 36.€f2 trxc3 37.c6 a6 38.trd6 a5 39.EeG Hc5 40.c7 1-0

Leeuwarden ch-NED 2005 (4)

This pawn structure is reminiscent of several Kingt Indian positions, but

temoi

(gdl-d4-d2) and Black's counterplay is

Voriotions with

Yan Wely,Loek Yan den Doel,Erik

0-0

here White has lost

-

highly menacing.

Macieia,Bartlomiei Yolokitin,Andrey Bermuda 2005 (3)

1.c4 e5 2.93 6f6 3.4g2 h6 4.4c3 Ab4 5.e4 Axc3 6.bxc3 dG 7.6,e2 Ae6 8.d3 Wd7 9.h3 95 10.f3 Aa6 11.h4 0-O-0 12.hxg5 hxg5 13.Axg5

trxh1+ 14.axhl Eh8 15.€f2 ah7 16.9h4 f5 17.exf5 Axf5 18.d4 Be6 19.c5 6f6 20.gb3 6d5 21.tre1 tre8 22.6c1 gh6 23.Wxd5 Wd2+ 24.ke2dxc5. 0-1

Nbli,Zoltan

1.c4 e5 2.93 Af6 3.492 c6 4.d4 Ab4+ 5.4d2 Axd2+ 6.Wxd2 d6 7.6c3 0-0 8.e3 AeG 9.b3 exd4 10.Wxd4 d5 11.cxd5 AxdS 12.e4 Ae6 13.69e2 Wb6 14.6a4 WaS+ 15.Wc3 Hxc3+ 16.Aaxc3 Aa6 17.h3 Ead8 18t4 ab419.Sf2 gd2 20.a3 6aG 21.b4 trfdg 22.e5 Ae8 23.o'e4 trb2 24.trhb1 trxbl 25.trxb1 fG 26.€e3 Q)ac7 27.6c5 Ac8 28.4c3 ha8 29.b5 Ab6 30.bxc6 bxc6 31.e6 ad6 32.54 adc4+

33.€f2 Ed2+ 34.€gl Sf8 35.a4 Ec2 36.43e4 €e7 37.15 6e3 38.4f3 tra2 39.hc3 trc2 40.43e4 Ha2 41.693 hec4 42.Axc6 trc2 €.4b3 he5 44.492 6:xa4 45.Ha1 trc4 46.4a5 trb4 47.6c6+ 6xc6 48.Axc6 Acs 49.trxa7+ Ab7 50.4e4

1-0

Rustemov,Alexander Germany Bundesliga 2005/06 (5)

6f6 3.4g2 h6 4.6c3 Ab4 5.af3 Axc3 6.bxc3 e4 7.6d4 0-0 8.O-0 d6 9.f3 c5 10.6c2 exf3 11.trxfg 6c612.d3 49413.h3 hge5 14.E;t2 Ba5 15.8b1 Wc716.e4 6e7 1.c4 e5 2.93

Schwarz,Michael Hertneck,Gerald Germany Burideshga 2003/0+ (3)

1.c4 e5 2.g3 Af6 3.4g2 c5 4.4f3 e4 5.4d4 d5 6.cxd5 Wxd5 7.6c2 WhS

t57

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume 4

8.h3 Ws6 9.6c3 Ad6 10.6e3 o-0 11.Wc2 Ee8 12.b5 6eG 13.Ab2 6b4 14.Wc1 9eG 15.h4 h5 16.0-0 EadB 17.a3 Abds 18.Acxd5 6xd5 19.Wc2 Ag4 20.6xg4 Bxg4 21.e3 g5 22.hxg5 €e5 23.Axe5 Exe5 24.f4 ext} 25.trxf3 trxg5 26.traf1 tr97 27.Wc4 Wxc4 28.bxc4 Ab6 29.c5 olc4 30.Ef4 {|lxd2 31.tr1t2 ab3 g2.tr15 trd1+ 33.€h2 trcl 34.trxh5 Exc5 35.trh4 treS 36.e4 Ad4 37.9f1 b5 38.trh6 tre6 39.trh4 c5 40.Eh5 c4 41.a4 a6 42.axbi axb5 43.Ed5 trxe4 44.8d8+ sh7 45.9:g2 tre2 46.trxe2 6xe2

47.Ae4+ €h6 48.trd6+ €g5 49.trd5+ €94 50.Exb5 6xg3

Polugaevsky,Lev

Nezhmetdinov,Rashid Sochi 1958

1.d4 6-t6 2.c4 dG 3.4c3 e5 4.e4 exd4 5.Wxd4 Ac6 6.9d2 96 7.b3 As78.Ab2 0-0 9.9d3 2'941o.6:se2 th4 11.693 hseS 12.0-0 f5 13.f3 gh6 14.9d1 f4 15.6ge2 g5 16.Ad5 94 17.93 fxg3 18.hxg3 gh3 19.f4 AeG 2O.Ac2 trt7 21.&t2 gh2+ 22.&eS Axd5 23.cxd1 ab4 24.trh,1 trxf4 25.trxh2 trf3+ 25.€d4 Ag7 27.a4 c5+ 28.dxc6 bxc6 29.8d3

4exd3+ 30.€c4 d5+ 31.exdS cxd5+ 32.9b5 Eb8+ 33.&a5

6c6+

51.9d5 hfl+ 52.€92 6:e3+ 53.9f2 €f4 54.Afg f5 55.Ec5 Ea7 56.4e2

tra2 57.€e1 €g3 58.trc6 Eal+ 59.€d2 €f2 60.4h5 Ehl 61.ae2 trhB 62.Axc4 6xc4+ 63.Exc4 Ed8+ 54.ec3 €e3 65.trc5 t4 66.tre5+ &t2 67.&c2f3 68.tre7 €fl 69.E;t7t2

0-1

Kosten,Anthony Schekachev Andrey Clermont Ferrand 2003 (l l) 1.c4 6tti 2.g3 e5 3.9g2 cG 4.d4 exd4 5.€xd4 d5 6.4f3 Ae6 7.cxd5 cxd5 8.0-0 hc6 9.8a4 Ac5 1O.Ag5 h6 11.Axf6 Wxf6 12.6c3

o-1 .a

Hiibner,Robert

KasparorlGarry

.'

Hamburg match 1985 (1)

1.c4 e5 2.6c3 dG 3.d4 exd4 4.Wxd4

6f6 5.g3 6c6 6.Wd2 Ae6

7.4d5

6e5 8.b3 Ae4 9.8'e3 6rc5 10.Ab2

6

11.at4 8:g4 12.W d4 4.e4 1 3.4h3 Wa5+ 14.sf1 6gxl215.Axe6 toe6 16.6xe6 &d7 17.6h3 6xh3 18.Wxe4 tre8 19.ac5+ Bxc5 2O.Wg4+ €c7 21.Elxh3 9e7 22.9xg7 trhf8+ 23.gxfg trxf8+ 24.e/e1 Bf2+ 25.€d1 Bd++ 26.sc2 Se4+ 27.&d2 Ag5+

2&*c3Be5+

0-0 13.6e1 trfd8 14.4d3 gd4

15.tracl a6'16.Dlf4 b5 17.t$dl 6e7 18.e3 9xc3 19.trxc3 trac8

20.trxc8 trxc8 21.Wd2

d4

22.Wxd4 Wxd4 23.exd4 Axa2 24.tra19b3 25.4b7 trc2 26.Axa6 g5 27.adg Ac4 28.4e5 Ads 29.Axb5 Afs 3O.Ad3 1-0 158

Miedema,Roi Reinderman,Dimitri Haaksbergen ch-NED 2009 (6)

1.d4 dG 2.c4 e5 3.6c3 exd4 4.Wxd4 AfG 5.s3 hc6 6.8d2 AeG 7.6d5 6e5 8.b3 Ae4 9.We3 6c5 10.hf3 Axf3+ 11.Wxf3 c6 12.a14 Ae7

|

gf6 15.8d1 Ad4 16.b4 ad7 17.9h3 Q:eS 13.Axe6 fxe6 14.4d2

18.We4 gf6 19.0-0 d5 20.cxd5 exd5 21.Wf5 Wxf5 22.Axt5 o,c4 23.Acl gf6 24.b5 6d6 25.4d3 c5 26.€:t4 AcB 27.gt1 ab6 28.a4 6-:xa4 29.Hxd5 Ac3 30.trxc5 Q:e2+ 31.9h1 6xf4 32.tre1+ €tB 33.gxf4 g6 34.tre6 Ah4 35.4e4 Ee8 36.trxe8+ €xe8 37.trc7 Efg 38.trxh7 trxf4 39.f3 95 40.992 €f8 41.4d5 trtS 42.9c4 trf4 43.4e6 Ef6 44.9c4 a6 45.trxb7 axb5 46.trxb5

€e7 47.4d3 Ef8 48.4e4 €e6 49.9h3 trf4 s0.Ad5+ €d6 51.4e4 €e6 52.4b7 gf6 53.trb6+ €e7

.c4 e5 - Vorictions with

Salov,Valery Shirov,Alexey Amsterdam Donner Mem 1995 (4)

't.c4 e5 2.4c3 gb4 3.4d5 Ae74.e3 Af6 5.Axe7 WxeT 6.4e2 d5 7.cxd5 6xd5 8.a3 0-0 9.6g3 c5 10.b3 6c6

11.4b2 Ae6 12.Wc2 trfd8 13.9b5

6a5 14.Axe5 Ad7 15.4c3 Axb5 16.Axa5 6:t4 17.9xd8 trxd8 18.Wc3

We5 19.f3 Hd3 20.Wxc5 Axg2+ 21.€d1 Axe3+ 22.&c1 b6 23.Sc7 trdO 24.9b8+ Ae8 25.4,e4 Hc6+ 26.8lc3 o,d5 27,tra2 trc8 28.8g3 6xc3 29.dxc3 Bxb3 30.8c2 Aa4 31.9f2 wxa3+ 32.9b1 axc2+ 33.Wxc2

54.9e4 €f7 55.trh6 €e7 55.€g2

trf6 57.trh7+ trf7 58.9h5 Efg

59.9f1 trb8 60.*92 trfB 51.9f1 gb8 62.trh7+ €e6 63.€g2 trtg 64.9f1

Ebg 65.4b7 Ee8 66.€e2 tre7 67.trh6+ ees 68.9e4 Ha7 1/z-1/t 69.h3 Kasparov,Garry ShirorlAlexey Novgorod 199+ (1)

1.c4 e5 2.6c3 Ab4 3.4d5 Ae7 4.d4 d6 5.e4 c6 6.6xe7 WxeT 7.8:e2 tS 8.dxe5 9xe5 9.exf5 af6 10.9d4 gxf5 11.9f4 Wa5+ 12.8c3 Bxc3+ 13.0xc3 0-0 14.0-0-0 d5 15.9d6 Hc8 16.f3 abdT 17.94 Ae6 18.95 6e8 19.cxd5 Axd5 2O.Ag3 Ae6 21.9d3 6,c5 22.9:c2 gd8 23.h4 gf7 24.8te4 Axe4 25.txe4 €f8 26.trdf1 €98 27.h5 trd7 28.trt2 6d6 29.gG Ae6 30.gxh7+ ghg 31.h6 g6 32.trf6 treB 33.trx96 6c4 34.4e1 €xh7 35.trg3 6e5 36.Ac3 Ac4 37.tr97+ 1-0

2.6c3

trxc3

0-1

Aznaiparashvili, Zurab ShirorlAlexey Moscow ol 1994 (6\

gb4 3.4d5 Ae7 4.e3 d6 5.6e2 f5 6.g3 Af6 7.492 c6 8.6xe7 WxeT 9.b3 O-0 10.Ab2 AeO 11.0-O abd712.d3 af713.gd2 ahs 14.Eae1 EadS 15.6c3 e4 16.f3 exd3 17.Wxd3 A96 18.9d4 acs 1.c4 e5 2.6c3

19.8d1 BfeS 2O.trfel h6 21.4a3 b6 22.€52 gh7 23.9h4 a5 24.&t1Wt7 25.4c1 t4 26.gxt4 hd3 27.e4 Axel 28.trxe1 Be7 29.f5 Af7 30.f4 d5 31.e5 Wb4 32.cxd5 Wxc3 33.d6 Ad5 34.Axd5 Bd3+ 35.€91 cxd5 36.9b2 Wxf5 37.exf6 gxf6 38.9f2

trxe1*

gd3

39.Wxe1

tr98+ 40.€hl o-i

Golubovic,Boris

Sokolotlvan Neum tt 200+ (6)

'1.c4 e5 2.93

Af6 3.4g2 Ac5 4.6c3 0-0 5.e3 d6 6.69e2 c6 7.d4 Ab6 8.b3 tre8 9.h3 gf5 10.0-0 6a6 t59

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume 4

c2-c4 Ab1-c3

1.

2.

E

e7-e5

6b8-c6

-e.gsEA

r=-r

E

#t* t |*=

?jE6€., -a=

= '* -=

?.e '-'="'=.=.=.:=87'_E=:'=:e='."='===

A- g'w*aatr =A-A=

=E=

=:==

In this section we look at lines without Z...6fe: Black keeps open the option of advancing his f-pawn two squares so as to assist his kingside initiative. You often end up playing a Closed Sicilian with reversed colours. and it is a chalIenge to calculate how significant being a

tempo dovm is.

Here we discuss variations that follow

White's decision to play 3.4f3, whereas the popular 3.g3 lines will be examined in the next section.

160

|.c4 e5 2.6c3 Th

ree Kn ights Variation

-

Voriqtions with

EilEil€ilA rrerrerrer ilAry il rerere ryAil €il reffireare a*t fllsila

resffisretr

White's strategy is to control the centre.

3. ...

able and fairly common.

The most original idea is 5.4d2 af6 (S.dxda?! 6.6xe4) 5.Adb1!? so as ro develop the bishop to 95, and only after this, e2-e3.

A) 5. Ac1-g5 This move remains popular, even 5. ... 6. Ag5xe7

pawn structure.

vincing.

7. 6t3-d2 6g8-f6 8. e2-e3 0-0 9. Af1-e2 c7-cB

9...d6 10.0-0 c5 11.4b3 is Iess con-

10. 0-0

3...6f6 transposes to the Engtish Four Ihights Yariation, which we will look

4.d3 is passive;with 4...4f6 5.g3 Ab4l? (instead of the normal fianchetto), Black has achieved great results.

e5-e4

ffi

ry

A

A

ffieffi

a reverse French. This

is more favourable due'to the absence

ffi ffiaffi

ryry AryA

ilffiffi

White is playing

ryagr r#

ffi

re AruErre

Are HEgreA ffi ffisffitrffi

E ry-eil eryA

ffirffi

HE

I tuffiil I re rrere ffi ffirffirffi

d2-d4

ffi =ilAry ffi

d7-d5

E re Ere

at soon.

ffiffi I

Af8-e7 6c6xe7!?

Both the other two ways of recapturing are also feasible.

tr rffir

if

White does not achieve much after:

t7-t5 The ffanchetto 3...g6 is not satisfactory here: 4.d4! exd4 5.6xd+ 9;g7 6.6xc6 bxc6 7.g3 Ae7 8.992 0-0 9.0-0, and White has more space and a better

4. ...

...6c6

White gains nothing by playing 5.d5 as Black will reply with 5...exf3, while all knight moves (except Ah4!) are play-

3. 6g1-f3

4.

2

of

the dark-squared bishops (the c8 bishop is the problem child in the F?

At this point essentially two continuations need to be considered: A - 5.4g5 andB - 5.495.

French). However, in practice Black's expanded centre is not so easy to attack and his kingside initiative could become menacing. 161

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume 4

B) 5. Af3-g5 with the sister line (with d6 instead of 6c6), this is the most popular move.

As

5. ...

8. b2xc3 9. ah3-f4 10. h2-h4

6g8-f6 E-,-.iE-

Ee= E * =*t A L= -r ':. E-,

E

I

A

i

.:'.tt

.

,

A

-:.

A*

',':

ijli'

a

rr

t*

'EL?E

" lirl

',,',

?.

= A& =as€a F? E

The most natural, but also here there is a wide range of playable moves to select

d7-d6 0-0

E

E&=F=

A-F:=

4E

*=l -11.i,1=

= = a =

====

A*:f't',il

'#

=

=s

'a'

-L L=

= EL= .F?

6 ee

Not an easy position to assess, as reflected by the differing evaluations of the various chess engines. One thing is

certain though: Black's tournament re-

from. These include 5...h6 6.4h3 95!? 7.e3 6f6:5...4e7 6.4h3 Afe 7.e3 and

sults have been acceptable.

5...4b4 6.4h3 6fe t.ez.

King's Indian set-up 3

Transposi-

tions are frequent, and in all of them the strategic concept remains unchanged: the g5 knight will return to h3 with the hope of going to f4, something which can only be stopped by the committal advance to 95. More often Black prefers to continue development, while White plays his pawn to e3, castles kingside and prepares f2-f3, to strike at the head of the oawn chain.

6.

6g5-h3

6.e3 almost always transposes.

gf8-b4

6. ...

Vacating the e7-square for the c6 knight. Following 6...4e/ 7.e3 0-0 8.4e2 d6 9.0-0 ghS 10.f3, Black's centre starts to look shaky.

7. 7

.Adzl?

is

7.

...

a

look.

162

are many similarities: Black plays ...e7-e5, establishes a kingside fianchetto, and after .,.d7-d6, begins a kingside attack with ...fi -fS . Sounds fa-

miliar? It comes as no surprise that those who play the King's Indian against d4 are going to {ind this set-up appealing. It is important to note that this completes our examination of the English against the King's Indian as immediate advance of the f pawn.

Ab4xc3+!?

Not forced, but a nice attempt to create imbalances.

This title could cause confusion: how can one talk of a King's Indian when there is no pawn on d4 and the knight is sometimes absent from f6? This is not technically a true King's Indian, but in terms of philosophy there

1...4f6 obviously precludes

e2-e3

worth

'-===

1. c2-c4 e7-e5 2. Ab1-c3 6b8-c6 3. g2-93

an

1.c4 e5

A*eGA L ET€ L= LA = E==',

i=r',lhii.r:,-i=,''-.-,::

:=

-

,-i=

* &u&a*= =F;-=

A ii;,,' =

=',i,'

'==:=.'

,i.t

,::;;

a+ c ,E Gg A_tr The English player's favourite. White immediately transfer the king's bishop to its natural diagonal, unconcerned by Black's plans. Now Black can push his f-pawn, or fianchetto on the

will

kingside in the same fashion as White in the Closed Sicilian.

The meek 5.d3 is playable but passive:

following 5...4b4 (5...4c5 6.e3 f4l7 proves to be overly aggressive compared to the sister Sicilian variation. as Black will quickly become aware of the tempo

deficit) 6.4d2 0-0 7.dft d6 8.0-0 Axc3!? 9.Axc3 We8 Black's kingside ilitiative can start to become a threat. g7-96 5. ... The most common move; with a pawn on e3, developing the bishop to c5 or b4 is less attractive. We should also mention the paradoxical

it hanging?). After 6.cxd5 Ab+ the idea becomes clear: the threat of a check on d3 rules out 7.9b3. For this reason it is customary to opt for 5...d5!? (but isn't

7.d3 Abxd5 8.Axd5

A) 3. ...

t7-t5 Along the lines of the Grand-Prix Attack against the Sicilian - l e4 c5 2.6c3 Q)c6 3.f4. This committal advance is definitely playable, but given that he has a tempo less, Black would be wise to avoid the sharper lines.

a. 9t1-s2

2.6c3 - Voriotions with 2 ...6c6

with

6. As1-e2

Af8-g7

7.

0-0

O-0

A* =g'--E ,,EL= f:f *T E,

A1 j:i=

=,:i:.,,

:

6s8-f6

5. e2-e3!

Axds 9.AB Ade,

an acceptable position.

'

,:.

Ff

fiI-:;= L?:...:.

I i.r.., ,lil: 1=

re:fl'a*ai& I

: = a=*

'*

-*.

.tr

The diagram position is often reached via 3...96, but as its defining characteristic is the ...f/-f5 advance, we have decided to deal with it here.

A1) 8. d2-d4 This is the most ambitious move. and it is without doubt the best as well. The king's knight will be developed to e2 and White retains the option of pushing his pawns to d3, d4 and less often f4.

d7-d6

8...e4 is feasible, but exposes Black to a pawn break with 9.f31 exf3 lO.Axf3 tre8 I l.Aaz ae 12.af4. and White has an edge.

9.

d4-d5 163

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume 4

9.dxeS produces an arid position, 9.trbt aS 10.a3 gives both sides chances to win. Ac6-e7 9. ... 10. t2-f4l

whereas

-,a= *&.'.

r** *r l' I

If it

were Black's turn to move. with ...4e6 we would be in the mainline of the Closed Sicilian, as is clear when you compare the two diagrams. In the Closed Sicilian, White prepares d3-d4with the move 9.4e3.

EEgE&

rl all r\rar I

l"'',

I

,,'

* ====A'A F?.S1

E€

10. ... Gaining space

but

e5-e4 conceding the

d4-square. Perhaps it is wiser to play the

waiting move 10...€h8.

11. b2-b3

c7-c6

Black needs space.

12. d5xc6 13. Ac1-a3

b7xc6

White is a little better.

AD 8. d2-d3 d7-d6 A common position that is

often

reached by other move sequences (often via 3...g6)

1.c4 e5

2.68 Ac6 3.g3 fs +.Agz Afe

5.e3 96 6.AgeZ

Ag7 7.0-0 0-0 8.d3 d6.

fl r::,1[$E &.l,,l

I r.'a-

:::.:

'= A

-*L-.t,r

I

a_a- .& AA AAAA H Ag=tr$ t6+

AA

AAgAA AAA tr g .E€AA which is something Black usually stops with 9...4d4. As explained in Volume 1, now the gambit 10.e5!? - though not winning - will certainly cause Black some headaches. On the other hand, when playing against the English, Black is a tempo dovm, and there are reduced chances of opening up the centre and of a kingside initiative. However, this is a dynamically balanced position that of: fers Black sufficient resources. 9. Ea1-b1 The b2-b4-b5 pavrn advance, with a

queenside initiative, is the dominant strategic theme in this position. There are many who like to take a more 'prudent' approach with 9.b3 followed by l0.Ab2, copying the black systems with b6 in the Closed Sicilian.

9.

...

a7-as

This is easily the favourite move, but

as

we have noted in similar positions, allowing the a-file to be opened might not be in Black's best interests. 10. a2-a3

1

g= |'=L'l*: =j:::. 4 f :i:,u,:4,# ffi1,::I. L=-.-.' . ?€;=Ll={, l,'i:E='l

A.#

,&,$ a= * 1 ..|':a &g& ':.,:

=lt,

.iiitr

.c4 eS 2.6c3

-

Variotions with

2

...6c6

ing pressure to the d5 pawn and avoiding the pawn fork. 12. Q:e2-c3l 12.b4 gives Black a good kingside initiative after 12...axb4 l3.axb4 Axd5!

l4.cxd5 Q:e7 l5.Ac3 95, given that 16.f+?? cannot be played as there is 15...exf4.

W;=j=tr

12. 13.

... 6c3xd5

Af6xd5 Ac6-b8!

Now Black needs to organize a counterattack on the kingside based on the advance ...g7-g5 (White can adequately reply to this by playing fz-f+), or otherwise shift his suategy to the centre and prepare to play ...d5 (with ...6e7 /

/ ...4e6). From a performance point of view there is little difference between the two approaches. Nonetheless, the most common way to continue is with the ...c6

natural ...

10. ... 11. Ac3-d5

Ac8-e6

14...c6

As with the Closed Sicilian, the freeing d-pawn advance should be prevented. 1

1.

-

*l#

ffi =4A* @a ,rc =iA=# 'CA i)=*

Ae6-f7!?

...

iE Li#

After the pawn is played to c6, Black has a reasonable game 14.b4?l is dubious:

E ec

fur

=sff L:==

*t

',,=

7::!

* =

* ;r*i =a# A# tr#g ?=a

This has more venom than the normal developing move I 1...9d7. The idea is to retreat the bishop and to capture on d5 with the f6 knight, apply-

15.d8

e4!, and Black is better.

B) 3. ...

g7-96

In the

previous section we have seen that this pawn advance (after 3.4f3) is debatable, but things are different here now that White cannot play his pawn to d4.

4. 9t1-92

Af8-s7

E'?€.rA#€aliutAE

#rffi

L=L*t

=].A+ii diii; ,F1Fr. # ?a::=

ii.'li,,

"''$

l"rrE

7j=:

A=::' =1i' ' ffi i:a;

..=

.j

A= ilA*A& tr ag€ atr 165

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

We have arrived at a critical position in this line. We noted in the section King's Indian set-up 2, the fluid centre allows for the

following centre pavm configurations to be established: e3ld3, e3/d4,d3/e4. The first, with two centre pawns on the third rank, is the common set-up. One can now also play 5.d3, but we will

not discuss that here as it transposes to one of the following lines, depending on whether White plays e2-e3 or e2-e4.

81) 5. 6g1-f3

What is the best way to proceed with the attack on the white king? Some have experimented with A-41 | 1...4e7 and I l ..?1h5. The most popular and - more importantly - the best performing move is 11. ... h7-h6 which puts a stop to 695 and prepares Ae6 and a future ...g7-g5. 12. b4-bi 6c6-e7 13. Ac1-b2 ,

Preparing to take control of the a-file. 13.c5 and 13.9b3 are two other pos-

sibilities that lead to complex posi-

This is less popular than the other moves because, rightly or wrongly, the knight is considered more exposed to Black's advancing pawns on f3 than on e2.

5. ... 6. O-0

d7-d6

t7-t5

For the aforementioned reasons this is more logical, but an interesting alternative is 6...4e 6 7 .d3 h6 with the idea of ...Wdz and...Ahg.

tions.

13. 14.

15, 16.

a5xb4

{llf

A A..

AA

AT

trgw

AA AAAA

AAgA

....'.

=.;:t

'

"j7,.i=

and ...WhS is on its way, with a menacing-looking attack for Black, at least to the human eye.

However, chess engines approach the game with a disconcerting sangfroid,

and

in

game!

r66

.

=A=g *t . A nri = A* =+we, = =d] :: =tr ==

E@

al lrAl'

gd8-e8

. +. Efl

=,r1.-

A 3E

g6-g5

ge

L*

','

lishOpening:

ll,

Wdl-c2 af3-d2

E

'==.=j.,.:

This is another key position of the Eng-

H

is to

ced.

11. a3xb4

E

Ac8-eG

tra8-b8!? attack on the kingside, and thus he will wish to avoid simplifications; however, after 14...9d7, the position is in fact balanBlack's ambition

7. d2-d3 6s8-f6 8. tra1-b1 a7-a5 9. a2-a3 0-0

10. b2-b4

... Eb1-a1

fact here they prefer White's

1

82) 5.

e2-e4 This pawn configuration was a favourite

.c4 eS

2.6c3 - Voriations with 2...6c6

12...gxfS 13.f4) 13.b4, White is a little better.

10. c4xd5 11. 9c1-e3

of Botvinnik's.

5. ... 6. d2-d3

d7-d6

Q:c6-e7

f7-t5 With the idea of developing the knight

c7-c6 In this position, which is highly reminiscent of the King's Indian, White's

to f6.

advantage is actually imaginary.

6...4f6

transposes to positions already with dealt in the section on I .c+ 6f6.

A frecuent choice is the 'solid' e...6git

7.2lge:. 0-0 8.0-0 Ae6 (oth-

erwise 8...f5 9.4d5, in the spirit of the

main line) 9.4d5 Waz to.Ae3 6a+tz I 1.6xd4 exd4 12.4h6 c5. with an acceptable position.

7. 691-e2 698-f6 0-0 8. 0-0 9. Ac3-d5

E Eg rrlAI

E&

Ar

AT

arr AA

AA

AA AA

AAAA

tr Ag,Eg

Another important position that occurs frequently.

White intends to play Ags and Wd2 so as to tie down Black's position, with a possible capture on f5 followed by f4. This plan is more effective than you would first imagine, which is testified to by White's optimum performance.

9.

...

83)

5. tra1-b1 This move would normally be considered to be a little premature... were it not for the fact that it was played by both Kasparov and Karpovl White expands on the queenside before developing on the kingside. It is worth noting that this move is usually combined with e2-e3, with a transposition to the following line.

5. ... a7-a5 In the English this advance often represents a knee-jerk reaction to Eb t , and is not always the best.

However, in this case good performance results have shown it to be a good move.

6. a2-a3 7. b2-b4 8. a3xb4

d7-d6 a5xb4

E =-e.g€ : r+r .11 t=.A * |. ,.1 E

.-1,...A

. '..

',.i..

=l

&a'=

a:1

t,

-a.

+

..'t.,

&. A A.A &ll\ tr , trgg*

Af6xd5

This radical solution is playable. After

the normal 9...4e6 10.Ag5 gd7 i 1.9d2 Ahs 12.exfsl Axfs (or

Development is in its infancy, and both players can choose from several possible parvn confi gurations. 167

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

...fl-f5 adfor e2-e3 and

Generally, Black goes for the

tion King's Indian set-up 2. Given

vance, and White opts

5...4e6 would seem debatable because of 7 .d4l Axc4 8.d5 Axe2 9.9xe2 abS l0.gb5+ - urirh an advantage for White - there in effect remain two lines

6ge2.

8. ...

f7-f5

An immediate kingside attack seems to be most in keeping with the spirit of

to examine:

this variation.

However, another playable option is 8...4f6 with the simple objective of finishing development as early as possible; otherwise there is 8...6ge7 9.e3 0-0, with the plan of uansferring rhe knight to a5 in the event of an attack

withb5.

9. b4-b5

10. e2-e3 11. 691-e2 0-0 12. 0-0 Ac8-eG 13. d2-d3 c7-c6 14. gdl-b3 The dynamic equilibrium characteristic

of these positions

offers chances to both players: good queenside play for White will compete against Black's dangerous counterplay on the kingside.

84) 5. e2-e3

d7-d6

6. 6g1-e2

ffia=sffin I re rre ffiA€G=rre #r ffi ffi#ffi ffiAffi ffi A

ffi

ffiffiffi ffiaffia

ffi

F?

At this point 6...f5 transposes to previously examined lines related to 3...f5, whereas 158

6s8-e7 0-0 Ac8-e6

9. hc3-d5

Preventing . ..d5-d5

9.

.

...

Ea1-b1

gd8-d7 6c6-d8t

An interesting move; the alternative is the natural 10...a5 11.a3 f5, with a resulting race on opposite wings. Black would like to play ...4h:, but he cannor do so now; as the c7 pawn will be taken. The idea behind the knight retreat is to eliminate the d5 knight, without being subject to the pawn fork that would follow an immediate capture on d5. 11. b2-b4 Ae7xd5 12. c4xd5 Ae6-h3

E# ffi

ffi@e

rerffisffirrer

E

ffi A

... 0-0 8. d2-d3

841) 6. 7.

10. 6c6-e7 6g8-f6

that

6...4f6 is discussed in the sec-

ffiffiffir# ##Are= =ffi#E ffiAffi #E Affi

ffiAffiA# trffisffitr

The fact that the c-file is semi-open and the cZ pawn is weak would appear to be

encouraging for White, but in reality after 13.b5 Axg2 14.9x92 f5, Black has

sufficient counterplay to maintain equaiity.

1.c4 e5

B4D 6.

2.6c3

8.

h7-h5

...

-

Voriqtions with 2...8)c6

d4-d5

Closing the centre but gaining space.

E

Agr&? a E

lrt al rAI ll --t a+

AIA A AA AAAAA E' Ag€ tr

8. ... 9. e3-e4

6c6-e7 t7-ts 10. Ac1-95 h4-h3 The exchange on 93 followed by another on h1 will not help Black. 11. Ag2-f3 Ag8-f6

12.

O-O

0-0

E Eg EE IAI A E I hr

Not only does this have the appeal of

.A AITA A A AA T AA gAA A

being the most aggressive continuation, it also has the best performance.

This pawn advance is justified by the placement of the knight on e2, which

tr

has all the bene{its that we have already

mentioned, but with the defect that h4

tr€

and 95 are not controlled.

Black's ambition is to push the pawn further to h4. which would result in the h8 rook having free rein on the h-fiie, and if White plays his pawn to h4, the g5-square is not accessible to the knight

which

has developed to e2.

7. d2-d4 The principled reaction to pawn advances on the wing.

Obviously, a strategy of containment is also possible: 7.h3 h4 8.ga f5 9.gxf5

Axf5 10.d4, with unclear

play.

This position immediately brings the King's Indian to mind. White seems to have slightly better prospects.

Kovalevskaya, Ekaterina

Skripchenko,Almira Sochi tt 2005 (6) 1.c4 e5 2.6c3 6c6 3.4f3 t5 4.d4 e4 5.6g5 6fG 6.e3 d6 7.4e2 gG 8.h4 h6 9.4h3 6:e71A.6t4 c6 11.b3 Ag7

12.Wc2 o-0 13.4b2 Ad7 14.0-0-0 b5 15.gbl gb8 16.f3 a5 17.cxb5

Another possibility is 7.h+ Aga (7...a]n6t?) 8.d3 6ge7 e.f3 ae6

cxbs 18.g4 trc8 19.g5 20.hxg5 AfdS 21.6'cxdi

10.e4, with a position that is difficult to judge.

22.6xe7+

7.

h5-h4 Aithough this has managed to score acceptably, a wing attack with a fluid cen...

tre looks dubious. 7

...exd4 8.Axd4 6ge7 is a strategically demanding alternative.

less

24.Hh7

&tT

hxgS trxc2

23.&xc2 €xe7

gf7 25.d5 wc7+

26.€b1

27.txe4 Wc8 28.trc1 gdg 29.6e6 Axe6 3o.dxe6+ €xe6

trg8

31.Axg7 Wxg5 32.Axb5 fxe4 33.4d7+ €d5 34.trd1+ €c5 35.9d4+ €b4 36.8h2 WeT 37.4a4 €a3 38.4b2+&b4

39.trc2

'l-o

r69

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume 4

Ivanchuk,yasily Liubojevic,Liubomir

17.b5 g5 18;bxc6 bxc6 19.6e5 gxf4 20.AxcG Wgb 21.Axd6 Ag6 22.Ad5

Linares 1995 {8)

1.c4 e5 2.6c3

6c6 3.4f3 f5 4.d4 e4 5.6s5 af6 G.Affi Ab4 7.e3 Ae7 8.9d2 Axc3 9.Axc3 d5 10.Af4 c6 11.b3 696 12.Ae2 Axf4 t3.exf4 e3 14.f9 ahs 15.gd3 Bh++ i6.s3

6xg3 17.Bxe3+ 6e4+ 1e.gf1 Wh3+ 19.*gl g5 2o.fxg5 trgB 21.8-f1 .gh4 22.Ae1 WxgS+

23.Wxg5

hxg5 24.&t2 t4

are6 26.4c3

€f7

25.h4

27.Ad3 trgZ

2&Hae1 Ad7 29.Ee5 trag8 30.trh2 tr93 31.cxd5 cxd5 32.Axh7 gxf3+ 33.Sxf3 trg3+ 94.&f2trxc3 35.Es2 6xd4

36.trxd5

1_0

Kortcbnoi,yiktor Nikolic,predrag (t) 1.c4 e5 2.Qsc36c6 3.6f3 tS 4.d4 e4 5.4g5 4f5 6.e3 h6 7.Ahg sS 8.fS exf3 9.9xf3 d6 10.af2 Be711.Be2 Ag7 12.h4 gfz 13.hxg5 hxgs 14.Hxh8+ AxhB l5.ahg Wg6 16.4d5 6xd5 l7.cxd5 6e718.9c4 c5 19.dxc6 bxc6 20.gd2 ge6 21.wa4 Wh5 22.Ac4 Wh4+ 2g.at2 d5 24.4e2 Af6 25.Ec1 €f7 26.trc3 94 27.At1a5 28.trb3 gh2 29.Ad3 Wg1 30.*e2 gO 3t.BbT f4 3i2.ext4 ag4+ 33.€el trh8 o-1 Wijk aan Zee 1997

Ivanchuk,yasily Yusupov,Artur Brussels march l99l (9) 1.c4 e5 2.93 d6,3.492 96 4d4 ord7 5.4c3 Ag7 6.4f3 6sf6 7.0-0 o-0 8.Wc2 Ee8 9.trd1 cG 10.b3 We7 11.4a3 e4 12.6g5 e3 13.f4 6f8 14.b4 Afs 15.gbs h6 t6.Af3 6ga 170

ghs 23.h4 dxh4 24.gxh4 Wxh4 25.6--:de7+

27.*tt Ee6

gh7

sh8 26.axf5 Wh2+

2B.WbZ

3O.Wg8+

trs6 29.Bxa8+

€xg8

31.Ace7+

€h7 32.6xg6 fxg6 33.D;xgt glt2 34.Axf4 Wxf4 S5.6e6 gh2 36.trdb1 ah3 37.Hb7+ ghg 38.trb8+ WxbS 39.Axh3

Bg3

o_1

Timofeev,Artyom Kharlov,Andrey Kazan 2001 (6)

1.c4 e5 2.6cJ 6c6 3.g3 f5 4.trg2 Af6 5.e3 96 6.6ge2 Ag7 Z.d3 dG 8.Hbl a5 9.a3 O-0 1O.b4 axb4 11.axb4 6e7 12.0-0 S5 13.f4 gxf4 14.exf4 c6 l5.ghl Ae6 16.Ae3 494 17.€91 Ef6 19.b5 Eh6 19.bxc6 bxc6 2O.Wd2 e4 21.dxe4 Axc4 22.9t3 8a5 23.Eat Wxal 24.trxa1 trxal 25.€g2 Hxgl+ 26.Sxg1 A:xh2 27.A92 txefi 28.6xe4 Axe2 29.Bxe2 Ad++ S1.at2€f8 31.Ae4 d5 32.4c2 69S 33.AfS Af6 S4.Sg2 Axf2 35.Wxf2 trhS 36.BcS+ €fZ 37.Wa7+ €e8 t_o

Gurevich,Mikhail Nijboer,Friso Kusadasi Ecb

pff2000 (Z)

1.c4 f5 2.6c3 4f6 3.g3 g6 4.Ag2 Ag7 5.d3 0-0 6.eS e5 Z.hgeZ d6 8.0-O aco 9.trbi Ae6 1O.ads Eb8 11.b4 6,e7 r2.Axf6+ Axf6 13.Ab2 a6 14.a4 cG 15.8d2 d5 16.Sc2 b5 17.axb5 axb5 18.cxb5 cxb5 19.Efc1 trc8 20.Wd2 gd6 21.t4hS 22.Axe5 9xe5 23.fxe5 Bxe5 24.d4 Wf6 25.8c5 Eb8 26.Af4 Atl 27.E;a1 h4 28.9f2 hxg3 29.Wxg3 tra8 30.trxa8

2.6c3

-

Vcriations with

2

...8)c6

38.8c7 Aa8 39.Axd5+ €eB

1.93 e5 2.4g2 d6 3.e4 o'c0

4.6e2

40.Axa8 trxa8 41.b5 HbB 42.trc5

f5 5.d3 96 6.c4 Ag7 7.Abd af6 8.0-o 0-0 9.4d5 6h5 1o.Ae3 Ae6

I

ExaS 31.h4 Bal+ 32.€h2 Ha2 33.trxb5 Ae8 34.trb9 gf7 35.W95 Wxg5 36.hxg5 Ea3 37.trb7 AcG

€d7 43.€g3 &dG 44.9f3

traB

.c4 e5

Larsen,Bent Ivkov,Borislav Sousse

izt 1967 {22)

45.tre5 Ea3 46.8e6+ €d7 47.E;t6

11.9d2 Wd7 12.tradl trae8 13.b3

trc3

Ad4 14.Axd4 exd4 15.Wb2 Ae5 16.9d2 c6 17.t4 Ag7 18.6b4 a5

48.trf7

1-o

Ivanchuk,Vasily TopalorlYeselin

19.Q,tc2

Wijk aan Zee 1996 (13)

1.93 e5 2.c4 6,cG 3.4g2 g6 4.6c3 Ag7 5.6f3 f5 6.0-0 d6 7.trb1 a5

8.a3

af6 9.d3 O-O 10.b4

axb4

6e713.4b2 Ae6 14.tra1 Hc8 15.c5 ad7 16.cxd6 11.axb4 hG 12.b5

cxd617.6a4 d5 18.4d2 WeB 19.e3 g5 2O.9e2 Wt7 21.t4 A96 22.fxe5

6dxe5 23.4f3 4xf3+

24.Axf3

Axb2 25.Wxb2 t4 26.492 We7 27.ab6 EcdB 28.Sd4 gd6 29.ext4 gxf4 30.trae1 €h7 31.9h1 Ag8 32.trf3 fxg3 33.trxg3 Hf4 34.We3 trdf8 35.trg1 d4 35.Wd2 6e5

37.4e4+ Exe4 38.dxe4 af3 39.trxf3 trxf3

40.Wg2

't-o

Botvinnik,Mikhail 1

970 (3)

1.c4 e5 2.6c3 Ac6 3.93 g6 4.4g2 Ag7 5.e4 d6 6.dg 6ge7 7.6ge2 0-0

8.0-o gd7 9.4d5 trb8 10.4s5 f6 11.4e3 f5 12.9d2 Axd5 13.cxd5 o,d4 14.6xd4 exd4 15.495 Wc8 16.trac1 trf717.4h6 Axh6 18.Wxh6 9b51g.trfd1 c5 2o.dxc6 bxc6 21.b3

c5 22.e5 We6 23.exd6

Wxd6 24.Wt4 Wxf4 25.gxf4 trc7 26.Ad5+

€f8

27.4c4

29.8c4

trb4

a5

2O.a4

fxe4 21.dxe4 gh3

22.6,c1 Axg2 23.Sxg2 9c6 24.trde1 af6 25.e5 Wxg2+ 26.€xg2 dxeS 27.trxe5 trxeS 28.fxe5 6,d7 29.eG 6e5 30.6e1 Ag4 31.Hxf8+ AxfS 32.6cd3 €g7 33.4f2 6e3+ 34.€fg 6f1 35.6e4 Qtxh2+ 36.€f4 h5 37.4d3 b6 38.€e5 af3+ 39.9d5 g5 40.€c6 h4 41.€xb6 h3 42.€xa5 h2 43.6'et2 gd6 44.6,h1 AeS 45.adt2 d3 46.6:e4 Ac7+ 47.€b5 Af3 48.€c6 AaS 49.e7 €f7 SO.Axgs+ €xe7 51.axf3 d252.6:xd2 Axd2 53.€xc5 €e6 54.€d4 €f5 55.c5 Aa5 56.c6 gb6+ 57.ed5 1-o Karpov,Anatoly Liuboievic,Liubomir Bugojno 1986 (s)

Spassky,Boris Oegstgeest/Leiden

c5

28.Axb5 trxb5 Vzt/z

1.c4 e5 2.6c3 6c6 3.93 96 4.492 As7 5.trb1 Af6 6.e3 0-0 7.6se2 d6 8.b4 AeG 9.b5 AaS 10.d3 aG 11.a4

axb5 12.axb5 d5 13.cxd5 Axd5 14.0-0 Axc3 15.6xc3 Wd7 16.8c2

trfd8 17.8d1 Ag4 18.9d2

Ah3 19.9h1 HabS 20.6d5 c6 21.Abo Wc7 22.6,a4 b6 23.bxc6 trdc8 24.9d1 Axc6 25.trc2 9:d7 26.Ecb2 b5 27.Q:c5 WdG 28.6xd7 SxdT 29.Exb5 trxbS 30.trxb5 ad4 31.trb2 Ae6 32.Hd2 h5 33.4g2 trd8 34.4a3 Afg 3s.gb2 Ag7 171

Chess Opening Essentiols

172

-

Volume 4

l.c4 e5 l.Q:c3 - Voriations with F1narJ

$

Two Knights Variation As we

will

see later.

2..

.

aI6

3. ... d7-d5 4. c4xd5 6f6xd5 5. Af1-s2 ad5-b6

after 1.c4 e5 2.6c3

af6. White often continues with

Now White has nothing better on offer

merit of 'forcing' Black to play ...4c6, limiting his future options (for example, plans with ...c6 and...d5). But it is not rare for White to ignore this subtlety and immediately set about establishing a fianchetto with 3.g3.

than 6.4f3, going into the Four

3.4f3, which

has the

Ihights Yariation after 6...6c6.

B) 3. ... the centre.

4. 691-f3

1. c2-c4 e7-e5 2. 6b1-c3 6g8-f6 3. g2-g3

E{n'AEg+ -':il

I f,.::_l tj, '.

....a ;r'\ t4\ A A

&

thABe,A E *L=I 'r, l*r I la t E

.

E:

II

A

O

A.A * AA AAA A EggA.. E

,.==.r

=

G :..

't--

=A

AA* g€aa

tr

At this stage of the game, Black can de-

lay the development of the

second

knight that characterizes this variation. If that is the case, you will frequently transpose: for example, the 4.g3 Yariation, which we will look at soon, or the Keres Variation (3...c6), which is

examined

c7-c6

with the previously discussed Keres Variation, Black's aim is occupation of As

in the section on 1.c4 e5

2.93.

will look at non-transposing lines, remembering that with the Here we

knight on c3, delaying the development of the companion knight has both positive and negative features, as is always

The most popular reaction by Black when White adopts the Alapin Variation to fight the Sicilian is to beckon the e-pawn further forward - l.e4 c5 2.c3 6{6 - , so it is only natural that White, with the advantage of an extra tempo, will frequently employ the same strategy.

The alternative 4.492 d5 has given Black excellent results. while 4.d4 exd4 5.Wxd4 d5 6.492 transposes to Variation C22, which is examined on page 150.

4. ...

s. af3-d4

e5-e4 d7-d5

the case in the opening phase of the

6. c4xd5 Now one of the pluses of having the knight on c3 instead of the bishop on

game.

g2, is that Black cannot play 6...Wxd5,

t73

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

which is optimum in the sister variation (see the diagram on page 149). 6. ... c6xd5 For the courageous, there is 6...9b5!?, whose extreme consequences after 7.ab3 a5t 8.d3 a+9.a,d2 cxd5 l0.Ag2

In the past c5 was considered a dubious destination for the bishop, in as much

have yet to be fully assessed.

White has an edge. This is because compared to the 6f3 Variation, Black

7. d2-d3 Lf8-c5 8. ad4-b3 9c5-b4 9. Af1-92 It is worthwhile to consider 9.dxe4 Axe+ t0.Ad2.

9. ...

0-0

10. 0-0

rcs* 3e ffi il r# ffirffirc I ry # w'# ffi ffir ffiffi ra # re# ry iaffia rere E

e

A

A

AffiE rc#retrre

Now there is the eternal question of the opening phase: are these centre pawns an asset, or are they in fact a liability?

C) 3. ... 4. At1-g2

6b8-c6 Af8-cst?

it favoured a d2-d4 advance, but recent tournament results have showa as

this concern to be unwarranted. +...9;b+ is playable, even if after 5.ad5

does not have the resource ofadvancing

his e-pawn to e4.

5.

a2-a3

Following 5.e3 the sacrifice 5...d5!? has proved to be promising: 6.cxd5 ab4, along the lines of the gambit discussed on page 153 (here ...4c5 is played instead of ...f5). 5. ... a7-a0 6. 0-0

e2-e3

7. o.91-e2 8. 0-0 9. d2-d4

d7-d6 Ac5-a7

The alternative 9.d3 is less committal.

9. ...

e5xd4 h7-h6 with an acceptable position for Black.

10.

e3xd4

D) 3. ...

gf8-b4

A promising move; as Black has not yet developed his knight to c6, he has one

or two extra options compared to

the

corresponding line in the English Four

Knights.

EtrE=€C ryr=rurwrrer

ffia= ffi ry#$rere =ffi

ffiL-= ##rerc Affi= ffiAffiA

#s# ffie

17+

4. At1-g2

0-0

An interesting idea is to concede the bishop with 4....Axc3 so as to compromise White's pawn structure in a similar way to the Shirov Yariation. However, as we have already noted, in this case

you generally prefer to avoid putt-

ing the knight on f6 so that your f-pawn is free to advance.

5. 6g1-f3

1.c4 e5

Without a knight on c6, 5.rAd5 is not going to gain anything for White after 5...6xd5 6.cxdS c6. A relatively popuIar option is 5.e41? Axc3 and now you can recapture with either pawn. The resulting positions are strategically com-

plex and are reminiscent of

the

2.6c3

-

Vorictions with

opportunity to make a d2-d3 pawn

On the other hand, after 8.bxc3 h6 9.4h3 b6 10.f3 Abz, glack does nor have any problems.

8. ... 9. Ag5-h3

h7-h6 d7-d6

10. ah3-f4

tures are playable and Black often gets in the...e7-e5 advance

=rl ,*.=llt

E

Ef8-e8!

JhAgE

&-."

d\= ,',,.; I $ [-=.. =

&a A.5 t\AZJECI

:,:'=

AAAAAAA

.==i:E

The truly excellent results that have been achieved with this move iustify

will wait for the most opportune moment to

Ac8-f5

EE'=''"',€

ttttt'

*

=.A., ,.la :=.',i=

=A A =A iA*A A A* . F?A

+4

="'

g €Wg

E

=

I I *=l' l, l

...6fe

break.

Rossolimo Variation of the Sicilian. In that line after 1.e4 c5 z.aft o,c6 3.4b5 96 4.Axc6!? both pawn recap-

5. ...

2

w:===E

€

Things are prctty even: Black's advanced e4 pawn is oaerprotected and lays the foundation for a kingside initiative, but White has the two bishops, whose power could well be felt as the game proceeds.

Four Knights Variation

the exclamation mark. Black

push his pawn to e4. 5...4c6 transposes to the Four Iine.

6. 0-0 7. Af3-g5

lhights

e5-e4

7.4d4 Axc3 8.bxc3 d6 9.6c2 abdT 10.6e3 b6 ll.Ads Abz does

.A,lso

not leave White with anything special.

7. ...

9b4xc3

Forced.

8.

d2xc3 Recapturing ftith

this pawn gives White better control of the centre squares, though at the cost of losing the

3. Ag1-f3 Now Black almost always defends e5 by developing the knight to c6. Before we explore the intricacies of the main line, we should point out that the

solid but passive 3...d6 leads into the OId Indian after 4.d4 (Vol. 2). 3. ... e5-e4?! This audacious move is probably of doubtful merit, but it is nonetheless of interest. It had a certain degree ofpopularity in the 1970's, in part due to its surprise effect (without the Internet, the surprise value of new moves lasted longer!). 175

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

4. Af3-s5

1.

c2-c4

e7-e5

2. 6b1-c3 hg8-f6 3. Ag1-f3 6b8-c6

Now Black has problems saving his e4 pawn. What is the best way to meet this threat?

4. ...

E#E .Lffi #e #

b7-b5!

#r

rgE I #a ffi ffi'ffi'ffi ffi #

Efi)EFs+ &

I &r lll ffi ffi *:

Wa ffi-ffiffi

ffirffiffitr %Affir#

ffi ffi A#ffigffiAffitr {SAffiAffi

This was the brainwave of

Spanish

grandmaster Bellon Lopez. For better or worse, the plan is to occupy the centre

with ...d7-d5 (after 5.cxb5) or with ...c7 -c6 followed by ...d7-d5 afrer

#ffi A#

ffi affi'ffi

#s #n

sffi Affi

White has plenty of.playable akernatives. Here we will restrict ourselves to the minor lines, whereas the 4.g3 variations deserve a section of their own.

A) 4. e2-e4

).?txD5. However, when the merit of the oaradoxical

5. d2-d3! was appreciated, this gambit became a rarity in tournament play. The idea is to capture on b5 after Black has given up centre control with

5. ...

e4xd3

5...bxc4 6.dxe4 has also shown itself to be advantageous for White.

6. c4xb5! 7.

695-f3

h7-ho d3xe2

8. Aflxe2

White enjoys a significant lead in development, and all the chess engines give him a clear plus. Nou4 3...6c6 takes us into what is considered to be the English 1...e5 main line. 176

ffia#e# #'l #LffiL# I ffi Affiffi ffi # w Affi^ffi ffi ffi # -ffi ffiaffi A # # ffis,ffi -# #W#Affi I

#'#

A

Nimzowitsch's choice: White is unconcerned about creating a weak squile on d4 and prepares a future f2-f4 advance. This move may be aesthetically unappealing, but it is more dangerous than it looks, and an unprepared black player can find himself in unexoected difficulty. At this point, the solid 4...d6 5.da Aga 6.d5 Ad4 7.Ae3 has nor scored saris-

l.c4 e5 2.6c3 - Voriations with 2 ...Af6 factorily, and thus Black usually makes

E Ag* lllrErrl

a

choice from one of the following two options:

A1) 4. ...

Af8-c5

fi$b

unbalanced positions that offer both sides chances.

5.

Af3xe5!

EAHw E Er&r., lEl A=;;.., A :;..-

=,.=.,

''a''"' AA A AAA A=i.. ;=, A=.::t ^-

-a:=.

tr. AW€A ..E

Without this move, White does not

have

compensation for the weakness on d4.

5. ...

6c6xe5

The 'Romantic' 5...0-0!? is also worth considering.

6.

d2-d4

With the fork White wins back

the

A AAAA A AAA F? A .S.A EEH.EE

F?

Unfazed by the prospect of t t.Ahe , the chess engines choose 1 0.. .96.

A human player would be much more concerned about the consequences of this move. It is hard to know whether our silicon friends underestimate the danger, or ifwe overestimate it. After the 'human' repositioning of the king, the position is complex and the same computer programs disagree in their assessment, ranging from equality to a clear advantage for White. In effect, the placement of the king is not ideal, and Black only has control of his first rank. However, it is important to remember that all the knights are off the board, and White would not look forward to the endgame as his pawn structure is a mess. As is so often the case, an evaluation of 'unclear' is not the sign of a lazy annotator, but quite simply the only prudent

judgement that can be made.

piece.

6. ...

Ac5-b4

And in turn Black wins back his pawn.

7. d4xe5 8. gdl-d4

6f6xe4

The most active square for the queen.

8. 8...4c5

A A

alE

The most natural move. Once it was considered dubious because of what were considered to be good tactical opportunities, but in fact it is more complex than that, and today it is considered an optimurn choice for producing

E

!

?

...

6e4xc3

is probably playable too.

9. b2xc3 9b4-e7 Wd4-g4 €e8-f8

10.

AD 4. ...

gf8-b4

The most solid; the attack on e4 forces White to play the passive d2-d3 advance

s. d2-d3 6. Af1-e2

d7-d6

Recently this has become more popular

than the standard 6.g3; after 6...0-0 177

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

7.492 6e8 8.0-0 Axc3 9.bxc3 f5, Black has a more

6. ...

fluid game. 0-0

6...h6 7.0-0 Ac5!? also has oromise.

7. 0-0 Ab4xc3! Conceding the advantage of the two bishops in exchange for a better parnm structule.

8. b2xc3

af6-d7l?

Ei-E* e== lrla lll

ar lvI

: A ff

+...96,

with a likely transposition to one of the previously discussed English against the King's Indian lines. 4...e41? is played surprisingly little, given that it performs so well. It would seem justified given White's quiet pawn

move: after 5.495 We7 6.d3 exd3 7.Wxd3 (7.e+l? merits attention) 7...6e5 8.Wc2 c6. Black has a reasonable position: it is true that the queen on e7 blocks the path of the f8 bishop, but this piece can also be developed in fianchetto.

A Ar

*A.'r"4 : AAAA

'1,:'

He could also continue with

5. c4xd5 5.d4 exd4 6.Axd4 Axd4 7.Wxd4 c5l does not give White more than equality. 5. ... Af6xd5

=g'i,=E=

with a dynamically balanced position: White will prepare to play f2-f4, but also Black plans to make his own advance...f7-f5.

=F-=

=A#e* ffir.r= #rl=r .===A= ft it:' * = =. .ffi :itra=== :si=A=. E

.j:==j..

"=1?===

il Eg = +s*

-.& =F=

B) 4. a2-a3

7F=

i a =a:*= gg€a tr tr

We are in an Open Sicilian with an extra tempo, which is not a minor detail in such a combative opening. However, as when fighting against the reverse

Dragon, which we will examine later, Black prefers to sidestep the sharpest lines with the hope of obtaining a reasonable game.

Somewhat provocative: White makes a useful waiting move, inviting his adversary to play his pawn to d5.

4. ...

d7-d5

Black accepts the challenge.

178

6. Wd1-c2 with the Sicilian, many other options are available, e.g. 6.d3, Obviously, as 6.e3 or 6.e4.

6. ...

Af8-e7

| .c4 e5 2 .6c3

Not the only move, but as we mentioned, Black is looking for solidity.

7.

e2-e3

al-a6

Black does not like the idea of AbS.

8. 6c3xd5 9. gfl-d3!?

Wd8xd5

Preventing Black from castling and threatening 10.4e4. 9. ... 9c8-d7 10. b2-b4 Wd5-e6 11. Ac1-b2 E

ffi

re

rc*=# ryryrc

ffierc I ry^rusre

re rre-e.#ril

re re

reeffiaffi rys# ffis

reryry

White's position inspires more confidence, considering that Black cannot castle kingside and that an ...f/-f5 advance would gravely weaken the a2-g8

usually Black denies him that option and plays +...g6,transposing to other lines, or otherrrrrise

:

gf8-b4 4. ... Now 5.e4 takes us into Variation A. However, White generally avoids the doubled pawns by playing:

5. Ac1-d2 6. e2-e3

0-0

6

Effi 36 rcEregffi

ffir g3 rryrrer €

ffi A W

#at A

reffiffi =il# re@ry

ffi ffi AffiAffi

reAreA# sffi ffie

a#s re

A curious move: Black is no longer prepared to concede the bishop, and before advancing in the centre he avoids possible exchanges.

8. 0-0

d7-d6

with equality.

D) 4. E

d2-d4

ffiaresre ffi

r=Grffir#r ry^rere# ffi=ffiffi

#Arcre# A

Also here White is happy to play a reverse Open Sicilian after 4...d5, but

Vcriotions with 2.. . af

6. ... Ef8-e8 7. 9:t1-e2 Ab4-f8l?

diagonal.

c) 4. d2-d3

-

A

ffi ryaw ffi ffiAreAffi #srye#tr

A principled move, which was frequendy

employed by BoMnnik. White occupies the centre, but Black's active pieces will not allow him to maintain it: today the text move is considered to be tame and is rarely seen in top level games.

4. ...

e5xd4

4...d6 is too passive. 4...e4 has never been popular, despite

After 6.93 EeS 7.492 Axc3l? 8.Axc3 d5 9.cxd5 Oxd5, it is problematic to

the fact that after 5.4d2 Ab+ e.eg Axc3l 7.bxc3 d6 8.4e2 0-0, it has

exploit the power of the bishop pair.

scored more than satisfactorily.

179

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

5. Af3xd4 gf8-b4l

EAtsg lrll lll a1h

E

=Eg@==:= = L=L'* *ir-

E

=.;;a\{. -=.

A A'\

AAA D :::= A

&)-4

,i\ q) AAAAAA

E

tr gg€a tr AA

A.\AA

pieces control the central squares.

5...9c5 is not very effective as there is 6.6xc61.

6. Ac1-g5 6.93 is natural enough, but Black has few oroblems after 6...6e4 7.9d3 Axc3 8.bxc3 Wfe tz. 6.6xc6 does not make progress: after 6...4xc3+l 7.bxc3, both recaptures on c6 leave Black with a reasonable game. h7-h6! 6. ... On h4 the bishop is worse than on 95: it can no longer defend the queenside and is

sublect to anack with moves like ...6g6.

7. Ag5-h4 Ab4xc3+ Not forced, but definitely the most played: Black must weaken White's pawn structure before he can play trcl. This naturally produces a risky weakness on the dark squares, and a more conservative player could prefer 7...0-0 8.trc1

Ae5 9.e3 496, with a decent position.

180

t2-14

=*-

: u:-::.ta=:,u::{==+ A A,

=W€A,".E

9.e3 d6 l0.Ae2 A96 11.493 6ea 12.WcZ We7! has allowed Black to score well.

The diagram position is a good example of the eternal contest between dynamic and static factors. White must act quickly before Black consolidates his

position in the knowledge that his better pawn structure represents a Iong-term plus.

9.

6e5-96

...

9...Q)xc4? is a mistake: 10.e4 o,b611.e5, and

White is clearly better.

10. 11.

Ah4xf6 g2-g3

WdSxfG

0-0

There is also the interesting knight manoeuvre l1...Af8l? l2.Ag2 Ae6 and

then...6c5.

12. 13.

Af1-g2

E,'.=i,A'''

I l-'

a,,,,.j.

:,ii

d7-d6

0-O

==

.===

,l:

*&;=E

I

=a-

,,.i.,i;

',,'.

a a *= t At.j: ' =,& ,'===

goes

to the defence of the kingside. The normal 8...d6 and 8...0-0 are probably playable alternatives.

9.

'

The most energetic; the more restrained

And White has a problem: the e2-e4 advance is no longer on and Black's

Jrc6'e5 8. b2xc3 The number I choice; the knight

-

-:i.t;" =.,* ffi

tr

A==:.,4

==gf::=:tr

g

1.c4 eS 2.6c3

-

Variotions with

2...4f6

Another position that frustrates evalua-

responds effectively

tion: at first glance, it would seem that without both bishops White does not have enough compensation for the doubled pawns. However, in reality White has good control over the centre squares and more actively placed pieces, and therefore the position is pretty much in dynamic equipoise.

extra tempo makes all the difference:

E) 4. e2-e3

A E+ .r*l==r*l E Ei

,.,ita= il

l.:.:,t, ',t.t

'

-

A.===

= AA

'tr gg

..'r

,

".,.t, a

,'-='.

AA a''* =

This move is second in popularity to the kingside fianchetto. It is a logical move (preparing d2-d4) that has the merit of rendering Black's ...d7-d5 advance dubious. whereas in all the other lines it is effective. Following 4...d5?!, there is 5.cxdS axds 6.Ab5l.

E ABgA E -l --, l, -,-,,.l f A= ==='=f

=:='A'.'A11 ::,;- tt:, ::

t

t\ q)

t{ r\ 5q)

ca,€rEi

6.e51, here the

the c3 knight prevents 6...e4,

c3, reinforcing White's centre, and even

if

contemporary chess engines struggle see White's advantage, this line's almost 70% performance says it all. 4...d6 and 4...96 are rarely seen as they grant whire a slightly befter cenrre after

to

5.d4. Two continuations remain to be examined:

E1) 4. ...

Af8-e7

The less complex of the two: played as far back as the I 9th Century (!), it only became popular as a result of Karpov's brilliant victory over Timman in 197 9 .

5.

d2-d4

Some prefer the more prudent 5.a3 d5 6.cxdS , transposing to Variation B.

5. ... 6. Af3xd4

e5xd4

6.exd4 d5 is harmless and leads into the French Exchange Yariation !

6. ... 7. €:t1-e2

0-0

If White seeks to prevent ...d7-d5 with 7.6c7, Black can play 7...6b+!, with a nice game.

7.

...

d7-d5

Eg *r*'r *..

,,.,,,

F? e

=

. l= AA

..t.'

to the analogous Sicilian Iine (1.e4 c5 2.4fi e6 3.d4 cxd4

';'' =AAh, '# AAAA

Af6 s.Ac: Ab+) where white

...- E

Compared 4.Q)xd4

and

White's centre stays solid. For Black to defend e5 he must take on

.,:,,.,;

AA A AAA F? 6 Sltrc+r

e

with

= ag*

181

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume 4

This is the move that solves all of Black's problems.

8. 6d4xc6

adjacent squares on c6 and d5 could be-

come weak, as is the case in many lines

in the Tarrasch Defence.

8.cxd5 4b+l is optimum for Black.

8. 9.

...

b7xc6

0-0

Ae7-d6

At the insignificant cost of

doubled c-pawns, Black's pieces become menac-

irg.

10. c4xd5

... b2-b3

12. Ac1-b2

13. 14.

92-93 trf1-e1

c6xd5 Wd8-e7 We7-e5 Ac8-h3 c7-c6

E==i"lJ: =-: =&''

,f

gf8-b4

This is the most complex line both strategically and tactically, and it is understandably a favourite with players who choose 1...e5 in the belief that it offers greater winning chances.

The old move 10.b3 We7 (threatening I 1...We5) 1 1.4b2 was abandoned when I. Zaitsev discovered l1...dxc4!! (**y of the novelties Karpov used were Zaitsev's ideas - 11.695!l in the Open Spanish immediately comes to mind) 12.bxc4 (12.4xc4 Z*eq 12...trbS 1 3.Wc1 Aga, with a powerful atrack.

10. 11.

E2) 4. ...

",1* rj,l

ri=la f B'

5.

Wd1-c2!

E''.''

A=@"'..

-'l -= L= L-L= " A=== -.;.,' .-..:: * A A=Ei= -.= = =S:::

=q=*6= A *,W=*j A-A= =

4..====E

Controlling the e4-square: rhe immediate 5.6d5 would give Black satisfacrory play after 5...e41 6.4g1 0-0.

Now Biack is standing at an important fork in the road:

,=,=.;,

'=

=.j..=., j

.A A=A AA AA A tr Wtrr .-.',,

=

Black's pieces are very active and the chess engines prefer his position to varying degrees. However, their support seems debatable and it is the result of over-evaluating the importance of the dynamic characteris-

tics of Black's position. Indeed, in the long run, the hanging pawns and the 182

E2t) 5.

...

Ab4xc3

The simplest: Black concedes one of the two bishops, but increases his control of the d5- and e4-squares in preparation for insidious action in the centre.

6. Wc2xc3 Wdg-eZ Although 6...e41? is little seen, it seems feasible.

7.

a2-a3

d7-d5!

Black ignores dogma and opens up the

position, notwithstanding White's two bishops.

The attempt to stop b2-b4 with 7...a5 does not bear fruit due to 8.b4! axb4

1.c4 eS

2.68 -

Voriqtions with

2...4f6

11.b5 exf3 + WxdT

If you take into consideration the re-

14.4xg2, and the bishop pair repre-

what exposed c5 pawn, the theoretical advantage of the two bishops has a

Exal l0.Wxa1 e4

9.axb4 I

2.bxc6 f"g2

1

3.cxd7

sents an edge for White.

&== gr-r -r-1 HA

EE

-.tttA

=:.-=:;

=,,.1

spective pawn majorities and the some-

good chance of becoming concrete.

E22\ 5.

...

0-0

Black is not worried by the upcoming

knight move and gets on with normal development.

'.,'=

*g=A.lirl 86==

6, 6c3-d5! Optimum, now the e4-square is con-

.€'A

trolled.

A

HE

*.a*.

6. ...

$Q'=:=j,=E

As is often the case

8.

d2-d4

nice active game.

8. ... 9. Af3xd4 10. Wc3xd4 1

wants, the more solid alternatives of 6...a5 and 6...4c5 do not seem to bring

c7-c5

about any problems.

7. Wc2-t5l?

1.cxdS Ed8 is better.

squares.

12. c4xd5 4f6xd5 13. Wh4xe7+! 6d5xe7 14. gf1-b5+ Ae6-d7 15. Ab5-e2!

.€,.r.

L,-,, a'{\ I *'l= * ,,;:,t,

-,:,,==.,.t

same time makes the f8-square available

for the bishop. Although this is in keeping with the combative game Black

6c6xd4

e5xd4

11. gd4-h4 Ac8-e6 Following 1 l...dxc4 l2.Axc4 0-0 13.4d2 Ae6 14.4e2 trfd8 15.4c3, White has good control of the dark

E=.1.

in

these lines. Black supports the ...e5-e4 advance and at the

Safer than 8.cxd5 Axds s.Wb3 Ab6 10.d3 a5l? 11.4d2 a4. and Black has a

Perhaps 10...0-0!?

trf8-e8

.,

= ,",

a= -=1.,:==

-'a= *. AA.A=s€=tr

E:.===E 'E, €'.' *:f -l:.',,1,AI

::..=A'..:-

dh

=a*,9 *A=.;.' ,

,.1,

, '-= *,4 A* 1016AAAH Ffl 6

,

l

gEHEE

This 'novelty'was played in the 1970's by top English grandmaster Raymond Keene, and it has now replaced the old

favourite 7.9d3, which after 7...g6 8.a3 Af8 does not achieve anything in particular for White.

On the other hand, the curious queen move has the virtue of increasing both the tactical and the strategic pressure. 183

Chess Opening Essentiols

7.

-

Volume 4

d7-d6

...

The simplest: Black accepts the prospect of doubled f-pawns, believing his better development represents an advantage.

A thematic move: Black has a lead in development and thus opens up the posi-

tion and plays in the centre so as to limit the negative effect of the weaknesses in his parnm structure. In addi-

7...6xd5?! is considered an error be9.Bea Ad4t (saving the piece) 10.Axd4 exd4 11.Wxd4, and Black has no compensation for the pawn. Well, that is what theory tells us. It is curious that the most recent and sophisticated chess engines evaluate the

tion, the b4 bishop can now zoom back to f8 in the event its assistance is needed in the defence of the kingside.

position as equal after the

Ac5 12.trg1+ €h8 t 3.gh6. 10. gf1-d3

cause of 8.cxdS d6

move

11...4c5, probably because they give undue importance to Black's better development. Are the new generation of chess programs putting less store in material adYantage than we humans?

8. 6d5xf6+

g7xf6!

Keeping the queens on the board is more in keeping with the ambitious intent of the variation than 8...Wxf6: after 9.Bxf6 gxf6 10.a3 Ac5 11.b4 Ab6 12.4b2 a5 13.b5 Ae7, Black has a playable position, but one that offers virtually no chances of winning.

9. gf5-h5

It is worth giving some thought

to a complex

9.Wc2 e4 10.Ag1l?, with position that is not easy to assess.

9. E

...

10.cxd5 Wxd5 does not cause Black any problems, whereas 10.a3 could merit

artenrion: 10...4f8 11.d4 Ae5!. with an unclear position. 10. ... e5-e4 11. c4xd5! 11.Ac2? dxc4 is nice for Black.

'

11. ... 12. d5xc6 13. a2-a3 14. b2-b4

-=::.E

E

==':.re)=.':'

':,:l'=:l

=. =A= + t=,-

', t,. t =l

,,....:;1$

-ii, # ==" ,,:.A=A'-.

A

ga i& A a,:,E

e4xd3 b7xc6

gb4-fg

E AgEAs!? llll ll A A

*ft

18+

Ad:, is a playable but rare alternative. One can presume this is because few players relish the prospect of 10.a3! exf3! 11.gxf3!? 9...e4!?, which prevenrs

A

F?4ts? gEEH

w

TAA

A

AAA

Black's pawn structure

is a

shambles,

and after Ab2, White's advantage seems to be clear enough. However, this is actually not the case; there is no doubt that Black would be in big troubie if White's development were com-

1

plete, but here Black has control of the vital centre squares, and after active moves such as 14...a5 or 14...E1e4, his defensive resources are completely ad-

.c4 eS 2.6c3

-

Voriations with

I rlt:-.

Four Knights Variation with 4.93

" .-..;':

l.:lt

',. h

it

:

-t''.

'E

I

'rl

-=,;.

*

.,:

a

Ag8-f6 Ab8-c6

=a= A ..' a a * AA Agg

l.:.- l=*

=A

)3=AE'ge E ll.l 1..- l* I :i

',t

e7-e5

2. 6b1-c3 3. 691-f3 4. g2-g3

Arc

Gelfand, Van Wely, etc.).

E,-=.AggE

c2-c4

...

the new millennium it was adopted by many star players (Aronian, Svidler,

equate.

1.

2

.rl

A*

=.'' AA AAA g gg*4==EA Contemporary players are more flexible regarding the old dogma of not moving the same piece twice in the opening phase.

In this

't't'

=.

A

tr Ag€A tr

The kingside fianchetto has always been the most popular continuation. Now Black can select from four principal replies, given that the following two minor alternatives do not pass muster: 4...96 leaves White with a freer game after 5.d4 exd4 6.Axd+ Ag7 7 .Ag2; 4...e4?t is doubtful as after 5.695, the e4 pann will be vulnerably weak.

A) 4. ...

Ac6-d4 This concrete move is typical of the contemporary approach to the game, and was first played by Kortchnol at the beginning of the 1970's. It was initially greeted with scepticism,

but its reliability was eventually proved over the board and at the beginning of

case, the position is closed and therefore this transgression does not carry great risks. In addition, exchanging pieces has a tendency to free up the defender's position.

The move also makes the useful ...c7 -c6 advance possible. Another attractive fea-

ture of this choice is that compared to other lines, in parricular 4...4b4 and 4.. .d5 , there is only a modest amount

of

related theory. For many this is not a minor consideration as it allows you to

play the variation with comparatively Iittle preparation. 5. Af1-g2 Practically forced. 5.8)xd4?! is clearly du0t0us: 5..3xd+

We7 6.fa d6 ab

undant comp

A

,

-4,-A b.t 05 5.c5; a5 $ 5.t4)xe5l

7.affi ens at io

AfS, zuith more than n.

Ad4xf3+ 5. ... gf8-b4 6. Ag2xf3 6...9c5!? is yet another high-performing move that inexplicably remains less popular. 185

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

7. gd1-b3 Avoiding doubled pawns and

threat-

14. ... 15. €e1-d1

Ac5xf2+!

ening the bishop. Without a knight on

c6, the standard 7.4d5 does not gain anything for White as there is 7...6xd5 r- A ^ gc5. E.cxd5 7. ... Ab4-c5 Or 7...a5 8.a3 AcS. 8. d2-d3!? 8.0-0 0-0 9.d3 c6 does not give White more than parity.

8. ...

c7-c6 Another possibility is 8...0-0 9.4g5 h6

10.Axf6 Wxf6 11.6e4 We7

Wxc5,withequality 9. g3-g4!?

l2.Axc5

E#E#E #t, # #LWLffiL- I #Lffi ffi,,

TE#-# #= ffi^# #A,# #wffiL# s# A# #a #=##

##ffi

An original attempt to complicate the game.

9. ...

s Effi Affi€ *:*g*

ffir ffiffi

wffi rffi

rffi ffiffi *rt; "t3

ffiAffi i*!€ctltp ::aiuw

q

ffi

z€

1ia3:

a.ns g1&

ffi i&@

n t€g -?K r/ E /\ -:f:t /1

ffi€ffi

ffi^w *s@

ffiffi €*!

/i

ffigE

This position is not easy to evaluate, though you get the impression that White has one or two extra chances.

B) 4. ... E

-

Af8-c5

#E*e# L#L-L-L=I

# #^==# #-= -^:#"# -ffi #6# = ##^## # #w#s-tr A

g

h7-h6

10. h2'h4

d7-d5

11. g4-g5

h6xg5 Eh8xh1 + 6f6-g4

This bishop move is one of the most Black plays straight from the book and natural moves to play yet in the past it responds in the centre, although he can was considered to be dubious because opt for the more prudent 10...d6 if he ofthepseudo-sacrificeone5. However, contemporary players are rewishes.

12. h4xg5 13. Af3xh1 Attacking f2 and 95.

14. c4xd5!

luctant to take anything for granted, and adequate countermeasures have beenfound.

5. Af1'g2

5.Axe5 (the idea is to recapture with a Following14.8?WxgS,thethreatofWh4is fork on d4) is no longer considered to be a refutation as 5...4xf2+t 6.€xf2 decisiae. 186

l.c4 e5 2.6c3 - Variotions with 2 ...416 6xe5 7.e4 c5 8.d4 cxd4 9.Wxd4 0-0 Ieaves Black with active piece play that compensates for White's strong centre and his two bishops.

5. ...

d7-d6 After 5...0-0 the thematic 6.Oxe5!? is probably more effective now than one

The position is balanced; a possible continuation couid be 10...4g4 11.h3 Ae6 12.Ec1 gd7 13.€h2 6h7, with the idea of ...fS , with equal chances.

c)

move earlier.

We should also mention the intrepid 5...e4!? 6.ah+l (Black will answer 6.495 with 6...4xf2+!, with a problem-free position) 6...We7 7.d3, and it is not so clear whether White's theoretical advantage in fact exists. 6. 0-0 0-0 7. d2-d3 Preparing dz-d+ with 7.e3 will not disturb Black too much after 7...a6 8.d4

4. ... g: l: Et,

E:==:=EEg=

*.1*

l...,,n

:==A=

I

.

l

aa==

*s= t = -*, , A ,,.,'.,,a /\: t1. A #A g*a 1i=.'

a-::;.

::,:=

E.

=

One of the most important and complex English positions.

7.

h7-h6

...

A typical prophylactic move.

Black can also ignore the 'threat' of 9g5 and play 7...a6, given that after

S.Ags h6 9.Axf6 Wxf6 10.6e4 We7 11.6xc5 dxc5, his pawn structure is actually not that bad: the d4-square is well controlled and the semi-open d-file gives Black opport unities.

8. a2-a3 9. b2-b4

Its conceptual similarity with

the

Rossolimo Variation of the Sicilian is evident - 1.e4 c5 2.6f3 6c6 3.4b5.

a tempo down alters things entirely: against the Sicilian, However, being

White is looking for an advantage, here Black is simply seeking to create a complex position that may offer him some chances.

a7-a6

What is the idea behind the bishop

Ac5-a7

move? We have already noted that the ...e5-e4 advance is premature, and thus

10. Ac1-b2

Black gives himself the option of

P:-=.AB= E&,'

...Axc3

:.==t*=

6dS is the standard way to meet ...4b4, but in this case 5.4d5 weakens White's control of the e4-square, and therefore after 5...e4

3 f =1 =='l* I'.=4l h. t ,,i

ii

* Ee a=a* &AA &-A'tt-

g

.=A

,=..

W=:,

E€

so as to make it playable.

5. Af1-s2 The move

6.6h+ Ac5 7.Agz 0-0 8.0-0 Black can be satisfied

Ee8,

with his progress.

5. ... 6. 0-0 187

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

6.4d5 e4! is good for Black here well.

Also 7...4xd5 gives White the freer game following 8.cxd5 Ad+ 9.6xd+ exd4 10.e3.

E=AE $.$..',, l ll l=:==-l€l ::-;fi "= A 'j. t' 'r*= ,:l

*a

,,i,r

a

A

9e? HE

/l

=== -,a,..

8. d2-d3 9. b2-b3

h7-h6 d7-d6

10. Acl-b2 with a small plus for White.

:-

C2) 6. ...

6, =

7.

&=A:A.A* g=tr€

Ab4xc3

b2xc3

7.dxc3 d6 has scored nicely for Black.

7. ... trf8-e8 alternative is 7 ...d6 8.d3 e4l? 9.4d4, while 7...e4 transposes to the following line. 8. 6f3-e1!? Heading for e3 by way of c2. Sometimes you see 8.d3 e4!? 9.4d4 exd3 10.exd3 h6, with approximate equality. 8. ... d7-d5!? Even though White possesses the bishop pair, Black's intention is to open the game, putting his faith in his slight Iead in space and development. Those who prefer a quieter game will be h"ppy to know that both 8...d6 and

An After White castles, we are at an important strategic crossroads: is it better to continue with development, eliminate the possibility of Ad5, or immediately play 6...e4 ? One of the beauties of the opening phase is that there is so often no simple answer to such questions, even though the third option is the favourite move of most players and also the best performing.

C1) 6. ...

trf8-e8

7. Ac3-d5

E' &'.=-' f. l =lr1 ,::'l I ... {h =1\ =,.a,, ..,.'= €A,:' ', .L,,.. i=:==^U= =. A g=E€ &A AA'A E :=l=:AE

.,...

8 ..

.b6 are playable.

9. c4xd5 10.

Ael-c2

6f6xd5 Ac8-g4

:

tr

gb4-f8!? The thematic 7...e4 is not as good, as after White has castled he can play 8.Ae1l followed by d3 and Axd3, with

With the idea of ...Wd7 and ...4h3. Though Black's pieces are actively

an edge.

placed, chances are equal.

7.

188

...

1.c4 eS

c3)

6.

11. Wd1-c2

e5-e4

...

E:j;gE #&. l *'l .'.1- l

E EgE,'g

rt

A-

A

+g

,,.;i

A 41 .-E*

With this ambitious move, Black

lll

ll

tr

.E€

AT A I AI AAA AAg g AAAA

==j=A'. ==

:..$g.,iil= 4 ,,'_h

2.6c3 - Vqriotions with 2...4f6

seeks

The e4 pawn is under pressure, but this

initiative in the centre. Now there are two main paths to fol-

advanced pawn favours a possible kingside initiative. The d5-square is controlled by White, but Black can place his pieces on the key eS-square / W A.\ (...lAe) or ...?Je) t. For this reason White abandons his campaign against the e4 pawn and instead plays fZ-f+ - allowing an en passant capture - in the hope of opening up the game to the benefit of his

an

low, and

as

is so frequently the case, one

is more restrained and has positional ambitions, while the other is more aggressive and tactical.

C31) 7. 6t3-e'l The objective is to transfer the knight to

e3, from which

it will control the im-

portant d5-square, with a resulting

two bishops.

weakness of the e4-square.

To sum up: we are dealing

7.

Ab4xc3 Before White has a chance to play Ad5. ...

8. d2xc3 More in harmony with the positional nature of 7 .6)el than a recapture with the other pawn: now the queen exerts

as

...

it directly attacks e4.

7.

After 8.bxc3 Ee8 9.hc2 d5 10.cxd5 Wxd5 11.4e3 WhS, elack is doing

8. b2xc3

8. ...

h7-h6!

Ag5 must be stopped.

9.

6e1-c2

trf8-e8 A frequent alternative is 9...b6 l0.Ae3 Auz u.Ads 6e5 12.b3 tre8. with a balanced game.

10. Ac2-e3

d7-d6

a strate-

C32) 7. 6f3-s5 More forcing,

power over d5.

well.

with

gically complex game that is clearly going to favour the player with a better positional understanding.

Ab4xc3

Given that the scope of this line is to eliminate the e4 pawn, it is more logical to take with this pawn, and indeed the alternative capture is much rarer, even if the two moves have in fact the same performance.

8. ... Ef8-eB Now Black threatens to chase off the intruder on 95:after 9.Wc2 We7 we have 189

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume 4

the same problem again, so White

has

to respond energetically.

-

#E%e ffiA #are A

# I # twL#' I

wffi # ffiL# # # ## ffi #ArcA w w A

A

#

s#trrc

c321) 10. d2-d3 Kasparov thought for a good hour before deciding on this. It is now the most common reply, but perhaps taking the pawn is the critical move.

10. ... 11. gd1-b3! 1

1.cxd5 Axd5 gives too much play to

the black pieces.

11. ... Ac6-a5! 12. Wb3-a3 c7-c6 Threatening c4.

13. c4xd5 14. t3-t4

9. f2-f3! White's intended parnrn exchange will open the f-file for the rook and create an imposing group of centre pawns. 9.d3 offers a lot less, and will create an arid position of equality after 9...exd3 l0.exd3 d6. 9. ... e4-e3!

14.

ffi

{]#l

A

E#ffi ffiEffieffi rffiffisffi rtrre r $K

190

aW

:ff

;> <: :H

i5.:; -F:n

ffi ffiAffiAffiA jg 13*ir ^ "qi (1

fls *^n ffi A A /fr fls A .&

Jl i.l-1

@

14.g4t.

*& rffiffi iftt

WAffi

g* ffi

This brilliant positional sacrifice was Karpov's secret weapon for his match against Kasparov in 1987, and it has now overtaken the previous favourite 9...exf3 in popularity. The old move is certainly playable but Black runs into some minor difficulties following 10.Axf3 d5 ll.d4! (Kasparov's idea) 11...4e4 12.Wc2l dxc4 13.8b1 f5

of

15. 695-f3 6a5-c6 16. h2-h3 Ag4xf3 17. As2xf3 gd8-d7

F2{

A

Ac8-94

14...h,c6.

ffi

"t* a

...

Probably better than Karpov's choice

rt=tr

*"ts^ n

c6xd5

Allowing the knight to retreat to f3.

ffiE *re E & ffi r$re I ffi I ffi I ffi ffi- w;3 ffia w ffi AJ E

d7-d5!

#S 5*

itF-l

s.:{ w X#i

rycHl#

and it is hard to say who is doing better: the e3 parvn is a thorn in White's side, but his dark-squared bishop may become unpleasant for Black later in the game.

C32D10. d2xe3 The sacrifice is purely positional: the c-pawns are both doubled and isolated.

10.

...

h7-h6!?

|.c4 e5 2.6c3

11. Ag5-h3 b7-b6 is in no hurry to take back the pavm: 11...4e5 12.e4 6)xc4 13.9d4 Black

would give White too much piece activity.

12. e3-e4 E

d7-d6

A {II/ H

I I

-EE

lal AA lJA

6Str &E

rl al

AA,|\ tL) ts t3

A

a_\

A

rr0a

AN .&D

A

Ff c9-) EE

White is a pawn up and has the plus of having the two bishops in a relatively open position. Yet this is not enough to give him the advantage. Surprisingly the chess engines correctly give an assessment of equality, yet further evidence of their increasing expertise as strategic'thinkers'.

D)

4. ... d7-d5 In the Open Sicilian White plays d2-d4 - here too Black pushes his d-pawn to a cenre square. 5. c4xd5 6. Af1-g2

Voriotions with

2

...4f6

The English has become a Dragon an extra tempo!

with

Given the sharp nature of this line in the Sicilian, an extra tempo is going to make it even more dangerous, and Black would be wise to avoid overly aggressive lines. For this reason it would

mimic the Yugoslav Attack, which White can play against the Dragon proper, (with ...4e6, ...f6, ...0-0-0 etc.). 6. ... ad5-b6! A position that is often reached with 3.g3 ds 4.cxd5 Axd5 s.Ag2 6bo 6.hf3 6c6. The knight move makes the dS-square unstable (White was threatening 7.Axe5!) and opens the path of the queen on d8, so as to stop White from pushing his pawn to d4. Do not forget that in the Classical Yariation of the Dragon White plays the prophylactic AU: wlth rhe same aim, namely ro srop the freeing ...d6-d5 advance. After 6...4e6 7.0-0 Ae7?t (7...4b6) 8.d4!, White is better. The retreat e ...AdeZ is be foolhardy to

less effective due to 7.b4!.

7.

O-O

Af8-e7 E{:

I

6f6xd5

..':-:,,

E .-A*€e ,'

r-

-

l-l =

l,,.,Aii=,,.,.':=:,.-'.' ,= :.' ''.'.:-, ==--, a':,8=

]=A*

* A & *A A=A* .w€

-tr

-j=-,= ''= ;,,.a.

,,.t

a = =6A AAgg:==tr* AAAAA E

White must decide on his game plan for the queenside, which is the natural side of the board for him to play on. White will sooner or later play his pawn 191

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

to d3, and can choose from

various

pawn set-ups:

1. pawns on a3-b4, the most common configuration; 2. seek to play b}-b+ after Ebl (saving a move by not playing a2-a3); 3. more rarely, an a2-a4 advance, and if elack tries ...a7-a5, the b5-square will become the destination for the c3 knight, but with the drawback of seriously weakening b4.

Dl) 8. tral-bl

0-0

9. b2-b4! 9...4xb4 10.Axe5 10. a2-a4

it

has

seems

a

a7-ai

is nice for White.

10.a3 transposes to the following line.

10.

10...e4!? merits 1

consideration:

Ac6-d4! A' . -" rEgo r+.cx0/

13.bxc6

gtaes

White an aduantage.

13. d2-d3 E E ,t,,t'

Af5-g4

The same plan (with Eel, Afl and AdS) ls sometimes adopted by White in the Classical Variation of the Dragon. Following the rook move, White usually continues with 10.d3, which transposes to the following line. Ea1-b1

Also here, 10.d3 is

...

a

transposition.

t7-t6

11. d2-d3 a7-a5 It may be more prudent for the knight to go straight to d4, but

as always there

are good and bad sides to this too.

l,a'

dh 'j,tj= A,.,,,,

t

=.& I *,

12. b4'b5 13. af3-d2

= .;,,.,

eE

* A A €A*. A *A A ;..:',A

..:=

E AW=====tr$

Threatening to double the f-pawns.

14. 6t3xd4 14.Q)xe5? Ioses to thebrilliant 14...6a4!!.

14. I9Z

9. b2-b4 Ac8-eG 9...EeS is an important alternative: Black's intention is to play...AfS, ...4d+ and perhaps . Aga so as to ap-

Freeing the c6 knight of its guard duty defending e5.

a6xb5

12. a4xb5

0-0

tent, b6, without recompense.

10.

1.6xe4 AfS. 11. b4-b5!

12...4xb1?!

D2) 8. a2-a3

8...a5 weakens b5 and, to a certain ex-

10.

9c8-f5

...

some weaknesses in his parvn structure.

ply pressure on e2 and f3.

Kortchnoi's surprising idea 8...g5 scored acceptably well, but little overly adventurous.

6c3-e4

gd8-d7 with a reasonable position for Black, who has an active game at the cost of

15.

...

tz.c6-d4

*,t

&''

*a -r " lG ,:..,:,:A*

A

A '.

:t'

*=

A= &a fta-

= *

:'

AA B/\ F? .il: SItr Fi gE - cb € ir

l.c4 This is the number 1 choice and it is the

most insidious move on offer: it protects b3, attacks b7 and sets a cunning trap.

13. ... 9e6-d5! Not an easy move to find: conceding the light-squared bishop does not readily come to mind. 13...4d5? Iooks like a nice moae; unfortunately, it has the defect of losing a piece! Gioen that this is such a natural-looking move, it is easy to understand why this trap ensnores so many aictims. After 14.Axd\! 9xd5 15.e3!, the knight has only two flight squares: if it flees to f5 it will be subject to one prong of a fork, if it goes to e6, after 16.e4, the

central bishop has nowhere to run! ln this case encouraging the pawn to adasnce to b5 tutrs rtot such

14.

eS

eratedDragon).

D31) 9.

worth considering.

E g E*

Ab6xd5

lll

Errr

AiA A I

AAAAA

AAg tr

tricky to evaluate.

AJA

Ac8-e6

10. Ea1-c1 The most natural, though 10.Wc1!? with a Edl and d3-d4 follow-uo is

The resulting tactical complications are

lll

Ac1-e3

As always, 9...8e8 is a valid alternative. The idea is to play ...4f8 and ...6d+.

15. 6d2-e4 f6+5 16. e2-e3

g

2...Arc

As already noted, 9.a4 is playable notwithstanding the fact that it weakens b4 (as ...a5 is equally feasible in the Accel-

pensates for the opponent having the bishop pair.

HA EA

Voriotions with

results.

Once again, greater piece activity com-

D3) 8. d2-d3

-

standard move in the Classical Dragon), or otherwise prepare further queenside play with a2-a3 and b2-b+. However, after 9...a5 10.a4 Aga 1 l.Ecl Ee8, Black has achieved good

ahot idea.

6c3xd5

2.6c3

AAAA

tr€

0-0

This move takes its inspiration from 10...Wc8 the Sicilian, with the corresponding plan of Ed1 and d4 (...8d8 and ...d5 in the Sicilian). There White has already advanced his f-pawn two squares. 10.Wcl has the additional benefit of preventing the pawn advance to

E&

Errr I

,1\ A q)t NAAA AA Fl .0.) 6 $Itr .a= E

AA

f+.

10.

At this point White can continue in Dragon fashion with 9.4e3 (...Ae6 is

t7+6

...

The most solid move. If Black rvishes. he can also play the more ambitious a

10...fs1? 11.a3

af6 t7.b+ad+.

11. af3-d2 r93

-

Chess Opening Essentiols

Volume 4

The immediate 11.Q)a4? ! would be met by the strong 11...e4!

.

gd8-d7

1. ... 12. Ac3-a4 1

E

It could seem perilous to play the parnm to c6 and open the b-file for the white rook, but in fact Black has a sufficiently active game.

After 13.bxc6 6xc6 14.trb1 Ec8 both

EE

*r lgE I r aa ar ,!

6 . Ag A AA AA*AA trW .E€

sides have approximately equal possi-

bilities.

..::

with a complicated game that

supplies

both colours with chances.

D32)

9. a2-a3

Ac8-e6 with 9...a5 is

As always, stopping b2-b+

of doubtful merir

as

it weakens b5.

On the other hand 9...Ee8 is good: 10.b4 Af8, with the intenrion of ...a5 and...Ad+.

10.

Uhlmann,Wolfg*g Bellon Lopez,Juan Manuel Bucharest 1978

1.c4 e5 2.8:c3 af6 3.af3 e4 4.695 b5 5.d3 &b7 6.4rgxe4 bxc4 7.g3 cxd3 8.exd3 Ab4 9.Ag2 6xe4 10.dxe4 gf6 11.0-0 Axc3 12.bxc3 0-0 13.9f4 Wc5 14.trb1 AaG 15.9d5 acs 16.c4 d6 17.e5 Wxdb 18.cxd5 Aa6 19.exd6 Axfl 20.Axf1 95 21.dxc7 gxt4 22.dG f3 23.Eic1 6,dl 24.4b5 Ab6 25.d7 €g7

26.4c6 trad8 27.cxd8W

b2-b4

a7-as

28.He1 gbg 29.h4

€f6

trxd8

30.g4

1-0

The more solid 1 0.. .f6 is another possi-

bility.

b4-b5 12. at3-d2 11.

6c6-d4 c7-c6!

Also here, as in the preuiotts positions kuith ...f6 and Eb1 already played), 12...ad5? loses a piece ns there is 13.Axdl! follozued by e3 and e4.

-

g=* A

a

l'l I

t

AA \A AAA

194

A

Elianov,Pavel Rublevsky,sergey Sochi tt 2006 (8)

1.c4 e5 2.6c3 Af6 3.4f3 6c6 4.e4 AcS 5.6xe5 hxe5 6.d4 Ab4 7.dxe5

hxe4 8.Wd4 Axc3 9.bxc3 Ae7

10.Wg4 gf8 11.We4 d6 12.9.:t4 dxe5 13.Axe5 Af6 14.t4 g615.4e2 *g7 16.0-0 Be7 17.trad1 Axe5 18.fxe5 gfs 19.trxf5 gxfs 20.gxf5 trhe8 21.trd7 We6 22.W95+ gf8 23.trxc7 WxeS 24.9h6+ €gB 25.9d3 We3+ 26.Wxe3 trxe3 27.trd7 EaeS 28.€t2 H3e7 29.9d4 tre6 30.8g4+ gf8 31.trf4 tra6 32.4b1 tra3 33.8f3 trc8 34.€e2 Exc4 35.€d2 b5 0-1

1.c4 e5

Tartakower,Savielly Keres,Paul Warsaw ol 193 5 (6) 1.c4 e5 2.Qsc3 Af6 3.afg

6c6 4.d4 exd4 5.6xd4 gb4 6.495 hG 7.4h4 AeS 8.Wb3 Axc3+ 9.Wxc3 AgG 10.9e3+ €f8 11.9g3 dG 12.0-O-O We8 13.Bxe8* 6xe8 14.4b5 €e7 15.e4 ie6 16.f4 ;d7 17.c5 f5 18.6xc7 trc8 19.6d5+ €d8 20.e5

Exc5* 21.gbl Ae6 22,4c3 €e7 23.9:t2 trc8 24.exd6+ axd6 25.g3

EhdS 26.9xa7 0,e4

27.Exd8

Axc3+ 28.bxc3 ExdS 29.4d4 tra8 30.a3 gfz 31.€b2 9:ds 32.trg1

oe7 33.4d3 gG 34.tre1

TirnmanJan Karpov,Anatoly Montreal 1979 (l l) 1.c4 af6 2.8tc3 e5 3.4f3 Ac6 4.e3 Ae7 5.d4 exd4 6.Axd4 0-0 7.6xc6 bxc6 Lge2 d5 9.0-0 sd6 10.b3 We7 11.9b2 dxc4 12.bxc4 trb8 13.Wc1 694 14.93 tre8 15.Adl 2,xh2 16.c5 Axfl 17.cxd6 hxg3 18.fxs3 t*9xd6 19.€f2 Wh6 20.4d4 Wh2+ 21.€e1 Wxg3+ 22.&d2Wg2 23.o'b2 Aa6 24.adg Axd3

25.€xd3 EbdS 26.gfl We4+ 27.&c3 c5 28.9xc5 Wc6 29.€b3

trb8+ 30.€a3tre5 31.Ab4gb6

0-1

AcG

35,4c5 b6 36.4b4 Ea7 37.4c2 6a5 38.a4 €f6 39.Axa5 trxa5 40.tre5 Ac6 41.trxa5 bxaS 42.c4 €e6 43.€c3 €d6 44.&d4 h5 45.c5+ €e6 46.Ab3+ €f6 47.h4 Ae8 48.c6 Axc6 49.€c5 AeB 50.&b6 €e7 51.€xas €d6 52.9b4 €cG 53.a5

2.6c3 - Voriqtions with 2...4f6

€b754.9c4

1-o

BuXiangztri Bacrot,Etienne Turin ol 2006 (l l) 1.c4 e5 2.6c3 6f6 3.6f3 Ac6 4.e4 9,b4 5.d3 dG 6.93 Ag4 7.h3

Axf3 8.Wxf3 6d4 9.9d1

cG

Kasparov,Garry Romanishin,Oleg Ttrilisi ch-URS 1978 (15)

af6 3.4f3 6c6 4.e3 5.8c2 0-O 6.ad5 tre8 7.Wf5 Ae7 8.6xe5 ab4 9.axb4 Axb4 10.a3 d5 11.Wc2 trxe5 'l2.axb4 Afs 13.d3 Be7 14.9d2 d4 15.4e2 dxe3 16.fxe3 Ag 17.4f3 Axf3 18.gxf3 Exe3+ 19.Axe3 Wxe3+ 2O.We2 Bs5 21.Wd2 Wh4+ 22.€d1 ahs 1.c4 e5 2.o,c3

aM

23.&c2 hG 24.trhel Wf6 25.8a5 Af4 26.tre4 6e6 27.We3 b6 28.trd5 c5 29.t4 cxb4 30.d4 a5 3'l.Wd2 a4 32.Bxb4 Wg6 33.We1 art4 34.tre5 a3 35.Wg3 Wc6 36.d5 6xd5 37.bxa3 1/zt/z af6 38.trd4 trcg

39.9b2

10.4g2 0-011.0-0 4c512.€h2 a5 13.f4 b5 14.f5 b4 '15.o,a4 o,d7 16.6xc5 dxc5 17.94 f5 18.h4 h6 19.9d2 &tT 2O.gt2 €e7 21.Wg1 Ehg 22.9,t3 ab6 23.gdl a4 24.trg2 a3 25.b3 WeB 26.€93 95 27.&f2 6c8 28.8h2 ad6 29.W93 6f7 30.Ae2 BgS 31.trah1 Ws7 32.9d1 EadS 33.4e3 trd6 34.€e1

d5 5.cxd5 AxdS 6.A92 Ab6 7.0-0 Ae7 8.8b1 g5 9.d3 h5 10.a3 h4 11.b4 hxg3 12.hxg3 a6 13.b5 6d4

1lzr/z

14.bxa5 ExaG 15.6xd4 exd4

Serper,Grigory'

Kortchnoi,Yiktor Groningen 1993 (9)

1.4 at0 2.dc3 e5 3.4f3 6c6 4.93

r95

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

16.4b5 ka417.e3c6 18.6xd4 Ac3

19.9c2 6xb1

20.Wxb1 gdo

21.9b3 WhG 22.tre1 c5 23.6f3 Ah3 24.Wxb7 Axs2 25.8c8+ Ad8 26.*xs2gee iz.ast Wh1+ 28.€f1 trf6 29.e4 trh2 30.€e2 Ehxf2+ 31.gd1 EdG 32.Ae3 trxd3+ 33.sc1 0-1'

,=.....,.'s.ryi.€$ Yalleio Pons,Francisco Gelfand,Boris

(l) 1.c4 e5 2.6c3 af6 3.4f3 6cG 4.g3 Ad4 5.9g2 6xf3+ 6.Axf3 gb4 7.9b3 Ac5 8.d3 cG 9.g4 d6 10.g5 698 11.da4 6:e7 12.Q:xc5 dxcS Pamplona 1999l00

13.Ae4 O-O 14.Wc3 6lt515.h4 4.d4 16.e3 f5 17.9g2 Be8 18.Wd2 f4 19.exd4 f3 2O.Afl exd4+ 21.€dl Aga 22.b3 Wg6 23.Aa3bB 24.&c2 a5 25.trg1 ghs 26.tre1 a4 27.M cxb4 28.Wxb4 Wxh4 29.trg3 c5 30.\g'd2 trae8 31.4c1 gh5 32.trxe8 ExeS 3it.Wf4 ghl 34.Ahg tre2+ 359d2 Eial 36.9b8+ Ae8 37€e6+ trxe6 38.trxf3 Wxa2+

39.sd1 Bb1+ 404c1 wb3+

41.&d2ga2+

o-1

gd3 29.aF gf3 3OAxf3 Bxf3+ 31.Sgl Exel * 32.Hxe1

o-1

Kasparov,Garry Ivanchuk,Yasily Moscow ch-URS 1988 (2)

1.c4 Af6 2.6:c3 e5 3.6lf3 Ac6 4.93

AM 5.4s2 o-o 6.0-0 e4 7.d95 Axc3 8.bxc3 treg 9.f3 exf3 lO.Axf3 d5 11.d4 6e4 12.Wc2 dxc413.gb1 f5 14.94 We7 15.gxf5 6d6 16.495 Wxe2 17.9d5+ €hB 18.Bxe2trxe2 194f4 adg 20.trbe1 trxe1 2l.trxel l:dl 22Axd6 cxd6 23.tre7 €c6

24t6

ii0 ri:l.iiill'ii. ::,:,:,:,'.t

.,

Smetankin,Stanislav

Mikhalevski,Yictor

):'...:'a:;:a:.

lt::i.lrr.t .

Schaumburg 2006 (8)

2.66 d5 3.cxd5 6xd5 4.93 e5 5.492 Ab6 6.dg Ae7 7.6f3 6c6 8.0{ O{ 9.a3 9e6 10.b4 f6 11gb2 a5 12.b5 Ad4 13.4d2 Wd7 14.Axb7 trab8 15€g2 Axbs 16.4xb5 Eg'xb5 17.Wc2 c5 18a4 ga6 199c6 c4 1.c4 4rf5

209b5 cxd3 2lAxdg EfcS 22.gxh7+ gffi 23.Wg6 Bxe2

24&ad1 Q:xa4 25&a'l 4:lb226.gr}l2 trxb2 27.6e4 &1

Ah3

KasparoRGarry KarpoRAnatoly

Bareev,Evgeny

Sevilla Wch-matcb 1987 (2)

Yolkov,sergey

1.c4

4e3

Moscow ch-RUS 2005 (4)

9ba 5€g2

6.0-0 e4 7.hg5 9xc3 8.bxc3 tre8 9.ft1 e3 l0.dg ds 11.9b3 AaS 12.8a3 cG 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.f4 hc6 15.trb1 Bc716.9b2 **g4 17.4 dxc4 18-AxfO gxf6 O-O

1.4

6lt6 2.acg eS S.Atg

4--,d4

6c6 4.g3

5.4g2 6xf3+ 6gxf3

AcS

19.4e4 @g7 2}.dxeA EadB 218b3

7.0-O O-O 8.e3 d6 9.d4 ab4 1o.Ad5 Axd5 11.cxd5 Ah3 12.Ha4 gxfl 13.€xf1 a5 14.a3 tre8 15.Efd1 e4 16.9e2 c6 17axb4 axb4 1&Ad2

8,d4 22.trxe3 Wxc4 23.€h1 af5 24.trd3 Axe2 25.Exd8 trxd8

gG 22.h4 h5 23.trd1 trd8 24.8c2 f5

26.Ee1

iS.OxcS dxcS 26.f3 exf3+ 27*rrtg

196

tre8

27.Wa5

b5

28.ad2

Wb619.Ecl c5 20.gb3 traS21.&g2

I

gf6

28,e4 fxe4 29.Axe4 tra2 3O.Ac1 EfB 31.dG €h7 32.Bxc5 Ea5 33.Wxa5 gf2+ 34.*h3 Eg,e2 35.Axg6+ t-o Bauer,Christian Naer,Evgeny Fiigen tt 2006 (3)

1.c4 e5 2.4,c3 Ac6 3.4f3 6f6 4.S3 g.b4 5.4d5 e4 6.Qlh4 0-0 7.4g2

treB 8.0-0 AcS 9.d3 exd3 10.Wxd3 11.Sc3 c6 12.9e3 cxdS ^e5 13.9xc5 dG 14.4d4 6e4 15.9xe4 dxe4 16.trad1 Ah3 17.trfe1 Sc7 18.b3 h6 19.hs2 Axg2 20.€xg2 sc6 21.a4 aG 22.a5 trac8 23.h3 Ee6 24-We3 6gG 25.Ac3 Wc5 26.Wxc5 trxc5 27.trd4 fre7 28.tred1 afs 29.trd5 trxdS 30.cxd5 Eg6 31.€h2 h5 32.e3 €f8 3s.trc1 i4 34.94 de7 35.kd4 trgS 36.trc7 trxdS 37.trxb7 ItcG 38.b4 f6 39.€g2 €98 4O.b5 trxbS 41.Exb5 axbS 42.a6 M7 43.f4 exf3+ 44.gxf3 €e6 45.a7 6:xa7 46.trxa7 b4 47.9-d4 b3 48.ee4 gG 49.€d3 f5 50.95 €d5 51.9b2 €c5 52.Ac3 €dS 53.Ad4

*e6

54.e4 d5 55.exd5+ €xd5 56.9b2 ec5 57.9c3 €d5 58.9d4 se6 59.9f2 €e5 60.Axh4 €f4 61.€c3 €e3 62.€xbg t4 G3.€c4 €f3 64.€d4 &92 65.Ael €xh3 66.€e5 €94 67.€fG €h5 6g.gf2 1-o Yan Wely,Loek

Ivanchuk,Yasily Frigen tt 2006 (3)

1.c4

?:,tG

2.6c3 e5 3.4f3 4,c6 4.g3

Ac5 5.492 d6 6.0-0 0-0 7.e3 a6 8.a3 €;a7 9.b4 Ae6 10.dg e4 11.6:xe4 6xe4 'l2.dxe4 9xc.4 13.tre1 heS 14.Wc2 Ad3 15.Wc3

.c4 c5

2.6c3

-

Vcriarions with

2...6f

e

Axe4 16.hxe5 Axg2 17.€xg2 dxe5 18.BxeS tre8 19.!9f5 Wc8 20.Bxc8 EaxcS 21.Ab2 c5 22.bxc5 Axc5 23.trec1 trc6 24.a4 trec8 25.€f3 f6 26.trab1 gb4 27.trd1a5 28.trd7 b5 29.axb5 trbO 30.gd4 trxbS 31.94 trcb8 32.tra7 !:cS 33.Exb5 trxb5 34.Axc5 trxcS 35.h3 h5 36.se4 hxg4 SZhxg4 trc4+ 38.€f5 trc5+ 39.€e4 Ec4+ 40.9f5 trc5+

41.€e4

Vz-1/z

ZhouJianchao Yachier- Lagrave,Maxime Paris FRA-CHN 2006 ( t )

1.c4 e5 2.hc3 AfO 3.afg

6c6 4.g3

Ab4 5.992 O-O 6.0-0 e4

7.Qlg5 Axc3 8.dxc3 tre8 9.4h3 6e5 1O.b3 d5 11.cxd5 gfs 12.d6 gd7 13.af4 c6 14.f3 EadS 15.g4 exf3 16.exf3

g5

17.gxf5 gxf4 '1S.gd4 WxfE

19.Wxf4 Wg6 20.4a3 AdS 21.Wd2

Ad3 22.t4 tre3 23.€h1

65xf4

24.trxf4 o,rt4 25,tr91 2,e2 26.Wxe3 ttxg127.Wxg1 €hB 28.c4 1-0

Hofuann,Alexander Karpatchev,Alexander Werther open 2006 (3)

2.6c3 2:t6 3.4-'lt9 4:c6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 6xd5 6.4g2 Ab6 7.0-O Ae7 8.a3 0-0 9.b4 Ae6 10.d3 a5 11.b5 Ad4 n.ad2 a4 13.Axb7 Ea5 14.Eb1 Be8 15.Ag2 f6 16.4b2 gd7 17.trc1 trdB 18.e3 "ixbS 19.6xb5 trxb5 20.4c6 Wxd3 21.Axb5 Wxb5 22.Wc2 c5 23.e4 Ab3 24.6txb1 axb3 25.Wb1 6c4 26.-*.c3 6xa3 27.Wb2 Ac4 28.We2 ad6 29.Ws4 gd7 30.We2 WcG 31.fs gbs 32.Ws2 c4 33.trfd1 Wc5+ 34.€h1 6b5 35.trxd8+ AxdS 36.We2 Ab6 1.c4 e5

t97

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

g7.ab2 ad6 38.9d1 h6 39.ac3

€h7

o-1

Rubinstein,Akiba Tarrasch,Siegbert St Petersburg

191+ (7)

1.c4 e5 2.6c3 Af6 3.4f3 6c6 4.g3 g6 5.4g2 Ag76.d+exd4 7.6xd4 0-0 8.0-0 Ee8 9.e3 AeS 10.b3 d6

11.4b2 ag4.t2.f3 ad7 13.h3 6c6 14.o,c2ole7 15.e4 ahs16.€h2 Ac6 17.9d2 f5 18.exf5 Axf5 l9.Eael gf6 2O.t4 Axc2 21.Bxc2 ghg 22.6'd1 Bf7 23.4e3 af6 24.4rds Axd5 25.cxd5 hd4 26.Wt2 afs 27.94 9xb2 28.Bxb2+ 6tg7 29.Wd4

trxel

30.trxe1 EfB 31.€g3 a5 €g8 33.Wc3 bG 34.8c4 Ae8 35.a4 6f6 36.4f3 c5 37.Wd2 cxd5 32.tre4

38.trc6 ore4+ 39.Axe4 dxe4 40.Bxd6 Sxb3+ 41.€h4 gf7

198

42.€g5 e3 43.8c7 gxf4+ 44.Wrt4 h6+ 45.sxh6 Exf4 46.tre7trt347.h4 trf4 48.€95 trxa4 49.trxe3 trb4 50.tre6 €h7 51.tre7+ €gB 52.tre6 €h7 53.tre7+ eg8 54.h5 gxh5 55.gxh5 Ec4 56.Ee6 b5 57.EbG b4 58.Eb5 a4 59.hG a3

60.trb8+

1/z4z

Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar Gagunashvili,Merab Dubai open 2004 (3)

1.c4 e5 2.6c3 af6 3.4f3 hc6 4.93 Aba 5.492 Axc3 6.bxc3 d6 7.0-0 0-0 8.d3 hG 9.trb1 Eb8 1O.e4 Ae6 11,h3 ad7 P.ah4 he7 13.8e2 f5 14.exf5 axf5 15.4f3 gf6 16.ad2

b6 17.6e4 Wg6 18.€h2 trbe8 19.f4

exf4 2O.A#4 ghg 21.trbe1 Afo 22.art6 trxf6 23.94 4,h4 24.9:cG tref8 25.Ag3 Exfl 26.trxf1 trxf1 27.Wxt1WgS

28.Bel

t-o

oBenhoOpening 1.g2-g3 o Larsen Opening 1.b2-b3 " Bird's Opening 1.f2-f4 " Van Geet Opening t.abt -ca So far we have looked at the Big Four

(1.e4, 1.d4, l.af3 and l.c4) rhat monopolize the opening 'market'. Now ir is time to look at some openings that initially focus on the flan_ks with a distant eye on the centre.

The openings that we will discuss in this section are the most 'respectable' of the uncommon openings, though still a good deal less popular than the quirrer offavourites mentioned above . will later examine openings that are best classi{ied as rare, given that they appear with a frequency of less than We

one in

a

thousand games.

199

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

meet l.g3 with their existing repertoire, and how transpositions may take them into new waters.

This immediate preparation E

Agg*gA

lllrlrll

E

1. A

tr

The name of the Hungarian-born American grandmaster Pal Benko is most commonly associated r,vith the gambit line played after I .d+ (I.d+ Lf6 2.c4c5 3.d5 b5). Holvever, his name nlore than merits its attachment to the lnove I.g3 : from the 1940's until quite receDtl)', Benko adopted this opening with great consistency and, even nlore irnportantll, ltith optinlulll results: the fact that Fischer and Tal \\-ere t\{'o of its victirrrs is cornrnent enough!

1. g2-g3 is fifth in the popularity stakes, and by a good margin: only one game in a l-rundred begins with this move. Nonetheless, it performs well - remembering that it frequentiy transposes to English, the King's Indian Attack, the R6ti or the Catalan.

Its great virtue, especially with quick time limits. is that Black has to start thinking right from the start! Given its infrequent use, black players are not used to the problem of how to best 200

ophy is thoroughly modern (control and attack of the centre rather than its occupation), especially in the lines where Black is deliberately allowed to take the centre scuares.

A

A

AAAAAA tr agwgaa

to

fianchetto is perfectly logical: its philos-

d7-d5

...

Obviously, almost any other move is possible, but occupation of the centre remains the favourite: 1...Q-fe , l...go and 1...c5 are very common, with likely transpositions to almclst all of the closed openings. The other means of grabbing part of the centre, 1...e5, is also very frequent, but it usually leads into the main line. However, Black must keep in

mind that White can steer the

game into the English 1...e5 by playing 2.c4.

2.

9:t1-92

Naturally, White can prevent 2...e5 with 2.4f3, rransposing to t.Af3 d5 2.g3.

2. ... E

e7-e5

AAggAA

lll

lll

E

ll A

AAAAAAAA traaw€ atr This is a kind of Modern Defence

with

reversed colours. Having an extra tempo is always good, but in this case it is not enough to guarantee White the advantage.

Tlie solid 2...c6 is a popular choice: now a distinct line that does not trairspose is 3.d3 Af6 +.t\dz!? e5 5.e+ Ad6 6.c3 (after 6.6gf3, we are in a King's Indian Attack) 6...0-0 7 .4le7 Ae6, and

E

3.

AASEEA

lrllllll

Black has no problems.

d2-d3

E

The most natural move. If White wishes to, he can try to exploit the extra tempo

with the complex 3.c4t? c6 4.cxd5 cxdS 5.d41? e4 or otherwise take inspiration from the Alekhine Defence and play the provo(ative 3.(z,f 3 e4 +.Q)d+ c5 5.ab3 c4 6.{t,d4 9..c5 7.c3. Both options create tense positions that offbr possibilities to both players.

3. ...

cLgS-fG

Black is prudent to avoid excessively aggressive variations.

Now 4.Lf3 Lc6 ukes you into a reverse Pirc, previously discussed on page 20, whereas alter 4.c4 d4 5.ef3 Oc6, we are in

a

R6ti 2...d4.

hb8-c6

5.

a7-as

AA I ll AA 1\A

-.'::r,i:

i:irliiir':i

i

a:;:t,t:. i:l::].].,:

'li

Nimzowitsch opened this way on three occasions in the 1920's. It was adopted by the ltalo-Peruvian Esteban Canal in the 1950's, which were boom years for the King's Indian. He was fed up with facing one young Soviet player after another who played a kingside {ianchettol such a passive-looking move he replied: 'I'll bc the first to ptut a bislrop on tlrc long diagonal.'

E Ag*E ll

,,1,,,

When he was asked why he had chosen

4. ab1-d2

c2-c3

A

A AAAAAA tr aaw€aa tr

lll

E

AAA c-\A

A

age

atr

AAAAA

Sooner of later White should play 6gf3, creating a reverse Classical Yariation of the Pirc, though the extra tempo is not particularly significant.

However, the line is correctly named in honour of the Danish grandmaster Bent Larsen, who very skiifully deployed it in the 1960's and 70's at the highest levels. As always, the rnost corrviucing argu n)eilI for scep(ics are some intpressive wins, and Larsen supplied thern. Thanks to ]rim the opening is today considered to be both respectable and reliable, even if it has never gained more than modest popularity.

With the irnmediate queenside

fian-

chetto, White takes a positional tack, and, at least in part, renounces the advantage of having the first move.

201

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume 4

Against correct play, White cannot hope

for more than equality, but as the Russians say: equality does not mean a draw.

Another selling point for this opening is that the resulting positions are strategic by nature, and it is not necessary to do long hours of preparation before you can use it. In the age of limitless databases, many players are attracted to an opening that allows them to avoid complex theoretical duels.

Obviously. Black can take his choice from a wide range of very different replies. The classical approach of occupying both centre squares with pawns is

the number 1 choice, but a slightly more conservative partial occupation is also an option (pawns on e6ld5/c5 or d6les). Other black set-ups based on a kingside

fianchetto after 1 ...4f6, or 1...c5 followed by 2...d6, are obviously playable too. However, they tend to give White exactly the sort of game he is looking for, namely one with a tiny advantage that is risk-free.

Ech BsEaE

r1 *l-r

1,t., tt | ,==' .ll,

6

.' A.'

AAAAAAAA

€6,.

1.

...

2. 9.c1-b2

a

Queen's Pawn Game. Others prefer the more solid 2...4f6 3.e3 c6;when this is

followed bv 4.c4 Afs 5.af3 we see set-ups that were discussed in the sections on the SIav and the R€ti.

Another tempting alternative is the odd-looking 2...Aga!?. The objective is to stop e2-e3 and double the f-parnms

6f3.

202

W.

.AA

tr

damagin g than productive. The best performing strategy has been to ignore the bishop and play 3.g3. Af-

ter 3...c6 +.Ag2 Q)dt s.Af3 6gfe 6.0-0 e6 7.d3. White is in a solid R6ti variation that does not give an him an

objective advantage, but at the same time may be appealing to play for someone who likes to open with 1 .b3. 3. e2-e3

E

ChAg€EA g

11".' -f*f *

lt..t

..-.,

tl

d7-ds c7-c5

A natural move in the spirit of

after

==l

White can give the bishop a kick with 3.f3 or 3.h3, but after 3...4h5, Black's hope is that further kingside advances by White (g4 and ha) will be more

t:,:a

A)

.::. -

AA AgAA AAA g€aatr

Ea

As Fischer demonsrrared in his 1 9 7 I match with Petrosian, 3.4f3 is less precise as it can be met by 3...f6!, and Black takes possession of the centre.

After 3.e3, Black must decide if he will develop the b8 knight to c6 in a type of

Nimzo-Indian with reversed colours.

Lorsen Opening 1.b2-b3

or otherwise play ...f,f6 along the lines of the Queen's Indian. Whenever White opts for Af3, the resulting position is classified as part of

the Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack. The legendary author of My System preferred to play this opening with an inidal Laf3, and only then start to establish the queenside fianchetto on the second move: he played 27 games with this move sequence compared to three games with 1.b3. It is for this reason that set-ups with flf3 and b3 are associated with his name. It is important to note that with the sequence beginning with 1.b3, Black has the opportunity to play 1...e5. However, White now has the interestilg option of fZ-f4 before developing the knight to f3, creating positions that are often reached by means of Bird's Opening 1.f4.

8.4e5. we are in a reverse variation of the Queen's Indian where the extra tempo makes

a

difference.

5. d2-d4l

E -€.gsEA E I ,' ll*l

I a=:..: ?,. -:' l=l * ', ,, A AA .=. AAA.' A.AA g a 'ggA.''' E :

In the corresponding Petrosian Yariation of the Queen's Indian, Black plays the pawn to d5. Now if this is good with one tempo less ... 5. ... c5xd4 6. 6f3xd4

Another reminder that opening theory is holistic and that its division into rigid compartments is only to aid teaching

6.exd4!? is playable.

and classification.

with a complex game that offbrs something for both players.

A1) 3. ...

Ab8-c6

4. 691-f3

As mentioned, +.f+ is worth consider-

ing: following 4...a6 ? 5.4f3 Aga 6.4e2 e6 7.0-0 Qlfe 8.4e5 Axe2 9.Wxe2 Ec8 10.d3 Aae I 1.ad2. White has an unpleasant initiative on the kingside.

4. ...

a7-a6l?

advance.

transposes

Ag8-f6

7. c2-c4l?

AD

3. ...

hs8-f6

E;hABsA rl' t',,,lrCh

',, }f

E

r

:':':-,

,..,..,,

Preventing the annoying AbS and preparing the hoped-for thematic ...d5-d4

+...4f6

6. ...

to the

..'A::

A

AAAA

,'.,,:.t.

AAA

,84..,.9€4fitr

following

variation.

Now White has two options,

The natural-looking +...9,g+ is risky: after S.Abs Af6 6.h3 Ahs z.g+ Age

though transpositions from one to the

even

other are common. 203

-

Chess Opening Essentials

A21)

Volume 4

4. Ag1-f3 e7-e6!?

5...4d6 , in the

Delaying the development of the other ous variation, knight so that AbS is no longer effec- dent.

same spirit as rhe previ-

is probably more pru-

6. Af1-b5 Ac8-d7 4...Q)c6 is playable and frequently en- It is always best to avoid doubled ters the following line after White plays c-pawns. tive.

7. 0-0 Af8-e7 6f3-e5!? 8. Ab5xc6!? 5.9b5+ AdZ has not scored so well, So as ro ger the knight on e5. while 5.c4 is an appealing alternative. 8. ... Ad7xc6 After 5...4c6 6.AeZ Ae7 7.0-0 0-0. we 9. 6f3-e5 tra8-c8 are in a previously discussed position 10. d2-d3 0-0 from the Ortlodox Variation of the 11. ab1-d2 Axc6 followed by 6e5 and f4.

5.

R6ti (page 44).

5. ...

ab8-d7

6. af1-b5 af8-d6 7. 0-0 0-0 8. t2-t4 Wd8-c7!

EIA

r rgagr lll

arra

A

AA AA

AAAA

tra

A

w

AA H,-i^

The e5 knight is now being attacked three times, and White cannot maintain it on this outpost without exchanging the b5 bishop for the dZ knight; if this happens Black does not have any prob-

Elde

Erlr a r4h rra /1

AAA A AA A/AA'\AA AEAU-]

tr g

Eg

e&

EUU

ll

Some also choose to invest a tempo in 5...a6, so as to not have to worry about all the implications of Ab5.

with

A AA

tr€

a potentially dangerous initiative,

in his brilliant victory over Mecking in 1970, and by Nimzowitsch's win against Spielas demonstrated by Fischer

mann in 1927!!

B)

1. ...

2. E

e7-e5

Ac1-b2

AEggE.A

llll

lll

E

I

lems. a

A2D 4.

f2-t4

e7-e6

5. 6g1-f3 6b8-c6

20+

A AAANAAAA AHAAAAAA

tra g€aatr

Lorsen Opening 1 .b2-b3

E ASEE E lll lrl A AI AA A A A AAA tra w€aatr

Now what is the best way for Black to defend e5 ?

2.

...

6lb8-c6

The most combative move: Black keeps open the option of pushing the other cen[e pawn two squares. Though played less often, the more solid 2...d6 is also good. Black closes in his bishop but avoids the problems associated with seizing and maintaining too big a centre.

The downside is that White has a greater choice of playable lines to choose from: o 1 - play c2-c4 with a transposition to the English;

o 2 - a kingside fianchetto; o 3 - an immediate d4 advance

to acti-

vate the queen;

o 4-

the most popular choice of 3.e3,

with the possible

continuation

3...6f6 +.d4 abdT 5.c4 c6 6.4f3 e4l? 7.Q)fdZ d5, which produces a complicated position that continues to defy easy assessment. The strategic themes (with reversed colours) are the same as those for

the Advance Variation of

the

French: the pawn structure provides

attacking possibilities, but Black's centre, if sufficiently attacked, risks crumbling. 3. e2-e3 The move that is most in keeping with the spirit of the opening. Those of you who prefer to steer away from the sharp lines that follow can always play 3.c4, which prevents Black from aligning his pawns, and go into English 1...e5 positions. After 3...4f6 4.e3 d5 5.cxd5 6xd5 6.a3.

we are in a type of Paulsen Variation with reversed colours. It is difficult to

quantify the impact of the

extra

tempo.

3. ...

d7-d5

Black wastes no time in occupying the centre. The merits of the curious line 3...4f6 4.4b5 Aaetz have nor been fully evaluated. However, this is by no means because it is a novelty; it was

played by Anderssen as far back 18s9 (!!).

as

4. gf1-b5

E ASEEAE llr trl

a^ lr AA AA

AAAA

AAA

tra wg

atr

With this move we are in an Owent Defence (1.ea b6) with reversed colours, and the extra tempo will make a difference. The e5 pawn is hanging, and if Black defends it with the bishop he will have problems with the safety of his g7 pawn.

4.

...

gf8-d6 205

-

Chess Opening Essentials

Volume 4

4...f6 is another possibility that guarantees the safety of the g7 pawn: follow-

Note that the diagram move is a pawn

ing 5.d4 e4 6.c4 a6 7.Axc6+ bxc6

the check on h5 regains the piece).

8.6e2, the position is reminiscent of

Generally, White declines the pawn:

a

reverse Winawer French.

5.

I2-t4 Black cannot capture on f4 as White's bishop will win the g7 pavm and with it the h8 rook. 5.c4 is a good alternative for those who prefer a quieter life. Following 5...4f6 e.Af3 WeZ (6...e41? is feasible but risky) 7.c5! Axc5 8.Axe5 0-0! 9.Axc6 bxc6 10.Axc6 trb8, Slack has good

sacrifice (after the double capture on e5

8. 6b1-c3 Indeed, 8.fxe5 is risky:

8...fxe5

9.Axc6+l (the immediate 9.8)xe5?

does

not work because of the curious tactical

se-

Before defending e5 with an immediare

quence 9...AxeS 10.Axc6+ &d8!!) 9...bxc6 10.6xe5 6fAt t 1.Axc6 We4 (now you appreciate the worth of the check on h4) 12.0-0 Ah3 l3.Ef2 694, and it is not clear if the compensation for the two pawns is sufficient, but in practice there are few human players who enjoy the prospect of playing this sort of position with the white

compensation for the pawn.

5.

gd8-h4+

...

5...We7, Black weakens White's king-

pieces.

side Iight-square complex.

The best response to Keene's 8.We2 is

Few choose 5...f6, even though after 6.9h5+ ge z.Wh+ exf4l 8.exf+ €fZ!,

the good 8...4h61 (frequently transposing), which indirectly defends e5: after the final check on h5 there is 6ff. winning a piece. 8. ... Ac8-e6 9. Wd1-e2 698-h6 10. e3-e4!?

Black's position

is perfectly accepr-

able.

6. g2-g3 7. 6s1-t3

Wh4-e7 f7-f6!

g E A g

AE *rl. ..A€I:: cr

",a rl ,'r'A *a& ASAA. .A .l

traws A novelty (so to

tr

speakl) from the

1970's. It is now preferred to the classical 7...4g4, which nonerheless remains

playable: after 8.fxe5 Axe5 9.Axe5 Axf3 10.Wxf3 Wxe5 1t.Ac3 Afe , the position is balanced. 206

- EE E

.rrA€AgT cr 'a

lr..AA

aa

a&

A a A il Str al-ar_:aE

tr

dh

l

*

tln

.''r'E'

The position is complicated and any-

thing could happen, regardless of whether Black opens the game with 10...exf4, or keeps it closed wirh 10...d4 11.adsgld7.

lorsen Opening 1.b2-b3

Aznaiparashvili,Zurab Lastin,Alexander

Benko,PaI

Tal,Mikhail Curacao

ct 1962 (3)

Tripoli Wch rapid 200+ (2)

1.g3 g6 2.A;92 As7 3.d4 d6 4.e4 Af6 5.4e2 O-O 6.0-0 abdT 7.Abc3 cO 8.a4 a5 9.b3 Ee8 10.4a3 Wc7 11.9d2 e5 12.trad1 exd4 13.6xd4 6c5 14.f3 b5 15.6de2 Af8 16.9b2 We7 17.4d4 Ab7 18.trfe1 Ag7 19.f4 trad8 2o.Af3 Wd7 21.W92 d5 22.e5 hfe4 23.4xe4 dxe4 24.4e2 We7 25.4a3 fG 26.4c4+ €hB 27.6e6 Ed5 28.Axd5 cxdS 29.Q-:xg7 €xg7 30.exf6+ gxf6 31.9f2 Ae6

32.Wxb6

Aa8 33.AdO

gf5

34.Wxa5 €h6 35.c4 trd8 36.Ae7e3

37.trxe3

tre8 38.495+

39.trdel 6xg5 40.fxg5

41.Wa7+

€g7 trfg 1-o

Ben-ko,Pal ct 1962 (l)

1.g3 6f6 2.s;52 96 3.e4 d6 4.d4 Ag7 5.4e2 0-0 6.0-0 e5 7.Abc3 c6 8.a4 QtbdT 9.a5 exd4 10.Axd4 6c5 11.h3 Ee8 12.8e1 6fd7 13.4e3 Wc714.f4 trbg 15.9d2 b5 16.axb6 axb6 17.b4 6e6 18.b5 6xd4 19.Axd4 Axd4+ 20.Wxd4 c5 21.Wd2 9b7 22.trad1 tre6 23.e5 Axg2 24.€xg2 Wb7+ 25.9f2 Edg 26.exd6 Q:t6 27.Hxe6 fxe6 28.We3 €fZ 29.9f3 gbg 30.6e4 4xe4+ 31.Wxe4 trd7 32.WcG gd8 3s.gfg €g7 34.54 e5 35.fxe5 Bf7+ 36.€g2 gh4 37.trf1 trxfl 38.€xf1 Wxh3+ 39.Wg2 Be3 40.8e2

Wh3+

Wc7 17.tre1 EfdS 18.4a3 b5 19.axb5 cxb5 20.We2 b4 21.6c4 o'e7 22.tra2 ab& 23.6d6 AbcG 24.9f3 6g6 25.6c4 trds 26.h4

EadS 27.8e2 h6 28.Eaa1 Q-tge7 29.trad16f5 30.trxd5 trxdS 31.8e4 gd8 32.&92 4a7 33.8a1 Wc7 34.c3 bxc3 35.Axc3 6c6 36.€h3 Wd8 37.tra2 h5 38.trd2 96 39.We1 a.cd4 4O.Axd4 6xd4 41.9d1 4xb3 42.trxd5 Wxd5 43.Wxd5 exdS 44.o,b5 d4 45.*g2 Ad2 46.f3 abl 47.&t2 olc3 48.6c4 a4 49.6a3 €fB 50.€e1 €e7 51.6c2 d3 52.8:a3

2e2 53.g4 €e6 54.€d2 AA

Fischer,Robert Curacao

1.s3 d5 2.As2 c6 3.d3 Ag4 4.h3 ghs 5.4f3 6:d7 6.e4 e6 7.0-0 ad6 8.We2 6e7 9.b3 0-0 10.Ab2 a5 11.a4 Ae5 12.d4 dxe413.dxe5 exf3 14.kxt3 Axf3 15.Wxf3 A96 16.'i9e3

1-o

55.€e3 €xe5 56.6c4+

€eG 57.€d2 95 58.gxh5 gxh4 59.h0 hg

60.h74s6

0-1

DinhDuc Thong Lutz,Christopher Calvia ol 2004 (1 1)

1.g3 d5 2.9g2 e5 3.d3 c6 4.6f3 Ad6 5.e4 af6 6.Abd2 0-o 7.0-o tre8 8.b3 a5 9.a3 Ag4 10.h3 AhS 11.4b2 abd7 12.We1 dxe4 13.dxe4 b5 14.4h4 gb6- 15.9f3 Axfs 16.ahxf3 a4 17.b4 c5 18.c3 trac8 19.8e2 96 20.Efe1 Af8 21.4f1 Wc6 22.Had1 h5 23.Acl ab6 24.995 ah7 25.4c1 Ag7 26.9d3 Af6 27.4g5 €rc4 28.tra1 ad7 29.A1d,2

107

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume 4

8.0-O d5 9.e3 cG 1O.Q.d2 abdT 11.c4 dxc.4 12.Q:xc4 €fr8 i3.Ec1 16.af3 19.6jg5

t&Aag eJg gf6 20.f4 6;cA 21.trxc4 h5

Eryfs 17.e4 We6

22.e5 gfs

24.€:xc9

23€h3

Bxg5 1-0

Suhle3srth.16 Anderssen,Adolf Breslau march

l859

2.eb26c6 3.e3 Af6 4.gbs gd6 s.dg 6le7 6.d4 exd4 7.9xd4 afs 8,9b2 Arh4 9.9f1 bO 1o.af3 1.b3 e5

Q.gG 11.9d3 gb7 12.6;bd2 O-O 13.8'e2 ad5 14.0-0 We7 15.9xg6 fxg6 16.8c4 EabS 17.894 Ef5 18.Efe1 trbf8 19.e4 Ef4 20.94'h3

Lb4

21.trac1 g5 22.9h5 €-c5 23.a3 Q:cG 24.b4 gxf2+ 25.&xt2 Eh4 oi1 Larsen,Bent SpasskpBoris Belgrade World-URS i 970

1.b3 e5 2..Qb2 6cG 3.c4

atl

4.6lf9

e4 5.6'd4 Qc5 6.f,'xc6 dxc6 7.e3 AfS 8.Wc2 Be7 9.Ae2 O-O-0 10.f4 .2,g4 11.g3

h5 12.h3 h4 13.hxg4 hxg3 14.tr91 trhl 15.Exh1 g2 16.8f1 Bha+ 17.&d1gxflW+ o-1 208

Lcrsen Opening 1.b2-b3

Nimzowitsch,Aaron Spielmann,Rudolf

42.Hd6

New York 1927 (4)

1.af3 d5 2.b3 c5 3.9b2 4-:c6 4.e3 af6 5.4b5 gd7 6.0-0 e6 7.d3 Ae7 8.4r,bd2 0-0 9.&xc6 AxcG 10.4e5 Ec8 11.t4 ad7 12.W94 6xe5 13.Axe5 gf6 14.Ef3 Axe5 15.fxe5

Wc7 16.9h5 hO 17.traf1 g6 18.Bxh6 Bxe5 1g.trf6 Whs

20.Bxh5 gxh5 21.6f3 Ec7 22.trh6 f6 23.ah4 Ae8 24.Ehxf6 trxf6 25.Exf6 tre7 26.€f2 &97 27.Ht4 Ad7 28.€e2 e5 29.trf5 tre8 30.trf2 e4 31.8f4 Ee5 32.€d2 b5 33.93 gh3 94.d4 cxd4 35.exd4 trg5 36.c3 a5 37.8f2 a4 38.€e3 aS 39.trc2 Af1 40.trc1 Ad3 41.692

Efs

42.8:t4

&t7 43.8d1

€e7

44.6xd3 exd3 45.b4 Sd6 46.€xd3 trtz 47.9d2 gf3+ 48.Sc2 &e6 49.tre2+ €dG 50.*b3 trd3 F1.tre5 h4 52.gxh4 trh3 53.Eh5 Bc6 54.8h6+ €b755.h5 1-o

Fischer,Robert

Mecking,Henrique Palma de Mallorca

izr 1970 (21)

1.b3 d5 2.9b2 c5 3.6f3 6cG 4.e3 af6 5.9b5 gd7 6.0-0 e6 7.d3 9e7 8.Axc6 €xc6 9.4e5 Ec8 1O.4:d2 0-0 11.t4 ad7 12.Sg4 6xe5 13.Axe5 gf6 14.tsf3 Be7 15.traf1 a5 16.E93 Exe5 17.fxe5 f5 18.exf6 Exf6 19.Bxg7+ WxgT 2O.Exf6 Wxg3 21.hxgS treB 22.94 a4 23.6t3 axb3 24.axb3 €g7 25.95 eS 26.6h4

gd7 27.Ed6 9e6 2g.wt2

€d8 39.4d6 4l.Q.xc8 €xc8

37.Q,xe5Acg 38.4'xc4

trg7 40.€f2

glt7 29.trb0 30.e4 dxe4 31.dxe4 c4 -=e7 32.b4 Ag4 33.€e3 trd7 34.96+ sf8 35.gxh7 trxh7 36.696+ Be8

sc7

1-o

Berkes,Ferenc Navara,David Cothenburg Ech,tt 2005 (8)

1.b3 e5 2.eb2 {,c6 3.e3 Q:tG 4.c4 d5 5.cxd5 6xd5 6.d3 €c5 7.6f3 Ag4 8.6c3 Ab4 9.Ec1 gf6 10.h3 AhS 11.g4 e4 12.d4 exf3 13.gxh5 0-0-0 14.h4 trhe8 15.4h3+ €b8 16.0-0 AxcS 17.Axc3 Ee4 18.sh2 Exh4 19.trg1 6xc3 20.trxc3 trdS 21.trg3 trdxhS o-1

Bronstein,David Tal,Mikhail Baku ch-URS t977

(t7)

As4 3.h3 Ahs 4.4f3 c-d7 5.e3 4gf6 6.€e2 e6 7.d3 Ad6 8.6lbd2 's,e7 9.a3 c6 10.c4 0-0 1.bg d5 2.Ab2

11.94 A96

fl.Ah4

e-:eB 1S.LxgG

Ixg6 14.h4 b5 15.95 bxc4 16.dxc4 e517.M a5 18.c5 Ab8 19.Ha4 9e6 20.E91 Q,c7 21.Ag4 Wf7 22.O-O-O

axb4 23.Bxc6 bxa3 axb2+ 25.€xb2 g;a7

24.Wxd7 26.Wxf7+

trxt7 27.tr9f1 Exc5 28.6b3 Aa3+ 29.&c2 Ee7 30.€d3 trbB 31.{ra5 e4+ 32.€d4 Eb4+ 33.€c5 trbs+ 34.€c6 Exa5 35.Ea1 trc5+ 36.€b6 8.a8+ 37.€aG trc6+ 38.€b5 Eb6+ 39.*a5 EaTX Pantaleoni,Claudio Bruno,Fabio Cortina2006(l)

1.b3 d5 2.4b2 e6 3.e3 r, t6 4.14 6bd7 5.AB 9d6 6.9e2 O-O 7.0-O 709

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

We7 8.6e5 treB 9.d3 Af8 10.ad2 aGdT 11.e4 f6 12.4.94 696 13.93 f5 14.e5 txg4 15.exd6 Hxd6 16.Axg4 6f6 17.Axf6 gxf6 1B.Ahs WcS+ 19.€92 tre7 2o.af3 d4 21.6d2 trs7 22.sh1 gfg 23.Af3 trb8 24.We2 Q:e7 25.Se4 c5 26.b4 bG 27.bxc5 bxcS 28.trab1 trbo

29,4.ic4

AbZ 30.We2

Axf3+

31.gxfg -Exbl 32.trxb1 gd8 33.€,b7 Afs 34.trxg7+ €xg7 35.We4 Wd7 35.€s2 4rte7 32.€fg ald5 38.a3 wf7 39.94 h5 40.h3 hxg4+ 41.hxg4 €fg 42.AdG gd7 43.6c4 Ec3 aa.Wg6 WbZ+

45.ggg 4)e2+ 46.9f2 Sg2+ 47.se1 6c3 48.Wxf6+ €g8

49.wxe6+ €g7 5o.gd7+ €g8 51.wc8+ Sg7 52.Wc7+ gh6 53.9d6+ €h754.8e7+ gg8 thrlz

Reinderman,Dimitri Gausdal 2006 (9)

Q:aS 17.a4 fxg3 18.hxg3 Be8 21.trab1

9xc5 22.Bxc5 Eaf8 23.4h4

bG

25.gd6 Ab7 26.9d5 6tc5 27.At3 Ae6 28.Axg4 Bxg4

24.Wxc7 tr6f7

29.Wxe5

6xd3 30.9d4

at4

g5 32.hg2 Ah3+ ss.sh2

f],{uet 'gh5 34.4h4

210

I.bg af6 2.9;b2g6 3.9xf6 exf6 4.d4 c5 5.dxc5 9xc5 6.e3 O-O 7.93 d5 8.cS 6cG 9.6e2 Ag4 10.Ag2 d4 1l.Axc6 bxc6 12.cxd4 Ba5+ 13.9d2 Ab4 14.Aec3 gf3 15.8s1 c5 16.a3 cxd4 17.axb4 Bxat 18.8a2 Wxc3+ 19.6xc3

dxc3

o-1

Petrosian,Tigran Fischer,Robert Buenoi Aires march 1971 {6)

1.6f3 c5 2.b3 d5 3.9b2 f6 4.c4 d4 5.d3 e5 6.e3 6e7 7.Ae2 4ec6 8.abd2 Ae7 9.0-0 g-0 1O.e4 a6 11.4te1 b5 12.494 Axg4 13.'Bxg4 BcB 14.We2 ad7 15.6lc2 Ebg 16.trfc1 We8 17.4a3 gd6 18.6e1 gG 19.cxb5 axbS 2O.Ab2 Ab6 21.6ef3 tra9 22.a3 Aas 23.9d1 Wt7 24a4 bxa4 25.bxa4 eA26.dxc4 28,We2 29.89xb2 trfb8 30.Wa2 Ab4 31.Wxf7+ €xf7 32.Ec7+ €e6 33.94

6xb2

1.b3 e5 2.s;b2 6cG 3.c4 6f6 4.e3 d5 5.cxd5 6xd5 6.a3 Ad6 T.Wc2 0-0 8.4f3 We7 9.d3 f5 10.Abd2 Ad7 11.93 AcS 12.e4 Af6 13.992 Ag4 14.0-0 t4 15.b4 gb6 16.b5

gh5

Matamoros Franco,Carlos CampilJos 2006 (6)

Abxc4 27.6xc4 Axc4

Karlsson lars (Carl-Gustaf)

19.Aa3 trfG 20.Ac5

Vitor,Antonio

0-1

Ac3 34.tra2 trc8 35.trxc8 ExcS 36.a5 Ea8 37.aG tral 38.ef1 95 39.€e2 gd6 4O.€d3 €c5 41.491 €b5 42.6e2 AaS 43.trb2+ €xa6 44.trb1trc7 45.trb2 Ael 46.f3 €a5

sbs 49.trb2+ 50.tra2 trc7 51.tral Ec8 52.tra7 AaS 53.Ed7 Ab6 il.trds+ gcs 55.6c1 €a4 56.trd7 gb4 57.Q:e2 €b3 5S.Eb7 tra8 59.trxh7 47.trc2 trb7 48.tra2+

gb4

tra1 60.r.:xd4* exd4 61.€xd4 trd1+

62.€e3 AcS+ 63.€e2 Ehl 64:h4 €c4 65.h5 Eh2+ 66.€el sd3 o-1

plays 1...6f6 and he can continue, after

2.4f3, with alternatives such

as 2...961?

or 2...d6, with the idea of contesting control of the es-square. 2...c5 is an-

E?5EE€$AT. *=1,1:

r r-r '.'1

'.= =

=..ii

== '.

;,:-==

',..= = A

"==...

other possibility; after 3.g3, there are frequent transpositions to the Closed Sicilian!

-

=,-.=,,.

1. ...

A)

=

e7-e5

EftA & 1r-l=lt r';. ',,,u

Aa&A GA,r,ii A *

aggga,

=

This was played on a couple of occa-

A e=:

I

=

sions bv Labourdonnais and Saint Amant in the first half of the 19th century. However, 1.f4 carries the name of the English player Henry Bird, who played it with good results in around 80

games

in the second half of the same

century. In more recent times, the Dane Bent Larsen showed a certain fondness for this old opening idea.

The f4 pawn controls the important eS-square, and thus 1.n-f+ is definitely useful. However, it does nothing to promote piece development and it could Iimit the natural development of the c1 bishop to f4 or g5. Black, as is always the case when White does not choose a particularly dynamic opening, can take his pick from a wide

variety ofreplies. The classical approach ofoccupying the centre remains the most spontaneous and natural option: therefore 1...d5 and 1...e5 are the two most common answers to Bird's Opening. At times Black keeps his cards close to his chest and

The famous From's Gambit, in honour of the Danish player and theoretician who explored this line in the 1860's. Black sacri{ices a pawn and hopes to exploit the dark-square weaknesses that result from the f2-f4 advance. The ob-

jective correctness of this notion is open to doubt, but in the rough and tumble of practical play Black has good chances.

The fact that it is less commonly played

than the soiid alternative 1...d5 is not necessarily a comment on the gambit's worth, but more because l. f4 is so infrequent that there are few who can be

bothered to study the complications involved with this line. On the contrary, it is highly popular with correspondence players, who relish highly theoretical battles.

2.

f4xe5 211

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

to say, Black must remember that White has the possibility to transpose to the King's Gambit by playing Needless

E Eg.€ t r.,,.

2.e4.

t

r.= -tta=

2. ... d7-d6 3. e5xd6 Af8xd6 The dark-square weaknesses are not of academic concern! Black is threatening

mate

in three

moves starting with

:,

rfi

'=

A.A tr

A':

A

.-:

A

A.

.J

ats€a

4...Wh4+.

4. 691-f3

6. ...

Ag8-e7

Heading for 96 to remove the knight on

EtEE&.===A=

-:',li*l *r* .:-=. A .'' ,' =

h4, which is standing in the way of Black's initiative.

7. d2-d4 8. 6h4xg6

..'

=

==-i..

= . = '.::. ',.,a=

..",

A A Ar A=A * agg€a=tr

Le7-gG

The alternative 8.Og2

6c6 9.c3 h5

10.e4 h4 is less clear.

8. ... 9. wd1-d3

h7xg6

it deals with the threat of 9...4xg3+, as now Black Here Black has two methods for devel- would receive insufficient comDensation for the pawn.

oping his attack:

A1) 4....

Forced but still good:

97-95

The classical Lasker Yariation has lost most of its old sheen. and it is well on

the way to retirement. The threat is obvious: 5...g4 followed by check on

9. ... 6b8-c6 Withthethreatof10...6xd4. 10. c2-c3 Ac8-f5 11. e2-e4! Fearless.

11.

12.

h+.

5. g2-g3l This is better than the old 5.d4 ga 6.AeS (certainly not 6.4g5? f5! as the knight will be lost after 7...h6) 6...Axe5 7.dxe5 Wxdl+ 8.*xd1 6c6 9.6c31 Ae6 l0.Af4 0-0-0+, and

...

Af1-s2

s=E

gf I l:*, '"-A= I :r -,ri, A

Black seems to have sufficient compen-

sation.

5. ... 6. af3-h4 2t2

95-94

Wd8'e7 0-0-0

AA

W,'

trAAE

-..':

.

A

AA E

Bird's

in development is menacing, but in fact White's centre is attacked by pieces and not pawns, and it is more solid than one would first imagine. After 13.Ae3! followed by adZ, White can castle on either wing, and finish development with an extra Black's lead

E

.:

::lg A A.A H,t\

.f

2-[4

A

:'a'...

,',6)

A AA EAE

Ag8-f6!

E chAtss ::

ff l

1

E A

HuE

A2) 4. ...

ng

h,AH

Il l

pawn and a nice centre.

Ope ni

*A "

A E

l,l,l

h2 unwise.

Many chess engines suggest 6.e41? Axh2 7.6)xhz Wh++ 8.€d2 Axh2 9.4c4, with an even game, but a human player will feel uncomfortable

::-'

AAAAAAA AAA'JA

,i\ q)

AA

E.AAWgA ..tr The modern Mestel Yariation: Black is in no rush to gain immediate compensation. and instead continues with normal development. This reflects the contemporary tendency to make positional sacrifices: for example, the popular Marshall Gambit in the Spanish is so feared that White often avoids it.

s. d2-d4 Following 5.g3 h5l 6.d+h+, Black

616-ga Black can also continue with the policy of development and play 5...0-0!?, but the text move (with the threat of Axh2 followed by Wh++) is going to appeal more to the typical From's Gambit player.

6. gd1-d3

with such an exposed king. c7-c5! 6. ... Action in the centre must be taken before White consolidates. 7. Wd3-e4+ with an unclear position. Now both 7...4e7 and 7...€f8 look feasible. However, a couple of games have continued with the following sequence, which - though not forced - is certainly of great interest:

7.

has

nice counterplay.

5. ...

characteristic defensive move in

From's Gambit. The queen controls 93 and vacates the d1-square for the king, thus making any idea of a sacrifice on

...

8. 6f3-g5 9. Ag5xe5

Ac8-e6 Ad6xh2 Wd8-h4+ f7xe6 Wh4-95+!

10. €e1-d2 11. trh1xh2! 12. e2-e3 6g4xh2 '13. We4xe6+ Wg5-e7 14. we6-c8+ we7-d8 15. gf1-b5+ Ab8-c6 16. WcBxbT 0-0 17. Ab5xc6

7t3

Chess Opening Essentiols

E

ts A =='r

.,{'

=i.:-.

.'.

-

Volume 4

uu

White has the advantage of the extra tempo, yet - curiously - the Dutch proper (1.d4 fS) is played ren rimes

'=

t.

:::=

-

t--'

more often than the reverse version.

2.

.:A

t=

A*A *

*

bishop move 2...Ag41? has served Black well.

$a€

And all hell has broken loose: White is

two pawns up and has two bishops in exchange for a rook, but his king is a sitting duck on d2 and the fact that all his queenside pieces are on their origi_ nal squares is cause for great alarm.

This position is clearly a nightmare to evaluate. The immediate reaction of the recent chess engines is to give White a

decisive advantage; then given more time this becomes a healthy advantage; and with even more time just an edge and in the end equalityl

-

We human commenrators will limit ourselves to the cautious annotation 'unclear position'.

1.

B)

E

...

If

2. ... g7-96! 2.g3 can be considered the best an_

swer to the Dutch, it is natural that also here the king's bishop will have an excellent future on the long diago_ nal. If Black chooses plans based on 2...c5 3.e3 Af6 or 3...4c6, White can go for 4.b31, entering positions that we dis_ cussed in the section on the Larsen Opening.

A ferr players will play 2...Aga

(or 3...Aga after 2...4f6), with the intention to exchange on f3 and then to pre_ pare the push ...e2-e5. However. it seems a little optimistic to first concede one of the two bishops and then open up the position.

d7-d5

6,EBgAa

lrl

Qtgl-t3

After 2.b3, which discourages ...96, the

lllr

ta

E

When facing 2...96 it is only narural that White will adopt rhe same plans as used in the Dutch: fianchetto on the kingside in Leningrad fashion, advance his pawns to e3 and d3 (Classical variation), or establish the Stonewall with e3 and d4.

''tt

,,..,..

"t,a

..

::

A

.,

g,

,

s*;. i o aAg€aa tr a

After this move, Whire is playing Dutch with reversed colours. 2r+

81) 3.

g2-g3

The Dutch Leningrad is a dynamic and

dangerous weapon, and to employ it with an exfta tempo would appear to be

a good idea. Black should rake a

re_

strained approach and avoid excessivelv sharp lines.

Bird's Opening 1.f2-f4 3. 4.

Af8-g7

I

Afl-g2

EA-e,g*=a=

H

E5€J

rh

It

rrl *r=r .1,,r.: ..

-i," iiiil,,. ,,' ,*-=

AA

I

AA

A

A.Ag

,,:,,'-

..,'. '. .,tt,A AAAA

A-A*

traag€

A'Ul&r

tr

4. ... Ag8-f6 A very promising alternative is +...4ln61? along the lines of Ah: against the Leningrad Dutch: following 5.0-0 0-0 5.d3 d+l? (6...c6 is more

EE rrar AI A ,\A q)\

A/AA 2\H/\

Etr€

White should have at the least the same if not more chances, as he has an extra tempo. However, it would be overstating things to

say he has an advantage.

B.2\ 3. e2-e3 This classical option remains the

fa-

vourite.

prudent) 7.c3 c5 8.e4 dxe3 9.Axe3 Wc7 10.h3 afs, the game is in bal-

3. ... Af8-97 Now White can choose between two

ance.

set-ups.

5. 0-0 6. d2-d3

o-o c7-c5

B21)

4.

d2-d4

More solid alternatives such as 6...c6 or

6...b6 are worthy of consideration

as

well.

7. Wdl-el Needless to say, 7.6)8 and 7.c3 are also playable, but given the popularity of 7...We8 in the Leningrad Dutch, it

is understandable that also here this queen move is the number one choice.

7. ...

d5-d4

Stopping e2-e4.

8. 6b1-a3 9. c2-c3

6b8-c6

Ea8-bB 10. Ac1-d2 b7-b5 In the corresponding Leningrad, White takes on c6 with a small plus. In Bird's Opening, after

11. 6a3-c2

g,a g$a AA

FT

As we saw in Volume 2, the Dutch Stonewall (the c6 / d5 / e6lf5 pawn rvall supplies dre metaphor) is a solid but slow system. Therefore it does not seem so bright to play it with the white pieces: its principal defects (a hole on e4 and the passively placed bishop on c 1) remain the same, whereas the extra tempo means little in *ris type ofposition. 215

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume 4

with the

The truth of this is reflected by the curi-

Black should be pleased

ous fact that the results for White with this set-up do not even match Black's

things are proceeding, 10.Axe4?! dxe4 11.hg5 is not on due to 1L...4n6, and White will be stuck to find a good alter-

comparatively modest performancel to give the impression that an extra tempo is bad for your game; the difference is exHowever, we do not want

plained by the fact that lower rated players are more likely to adopt the system and their losses are determined more by Elo difference than opening choice. We have already pointed out that the Dutch is ten times as popular as Bird's Opening: it is clear that top players are prepared to play rj.skier defences with black, but are not willing to compromise the advantage of the extra tempo when playing with the white pieces.

native plan.

4. Af1-e2 6g8-f6

B.22)

As we have learnt from the Dutch, de-

veloping the knight to h3 (in Bird's

Opening 4...4h6) is less effective against the Classical Yariation than against the Leningrad or the Stonewall.

5. 0-0 6. d2-d3 E

4. ...

ll

6s8-f6 The natural move, though +...4h6 is a good alternative: afrer 5.4d3 0-0 6.0-0

AAg

ll

c5 7.c3 AfS, glack has no problems.

5. gf1-d3 6. 0-0 7. c2-c3

0-0 c7-cS

AAA

b7-b6

to exchange bishops with ...4a6. Also good are 7...Wc7 and Z...AfSt?, with the intention of exchanging the d3 bishop, without concern for the re-

tr

So as

sulting doubled f-pawns.

8. Bd1-e2 Ac8-b7 9. ab1-d2 Af6-e4!?

EA g

Eg

AAA

AAAA

AA Ag AA tr A tr€ zt6

A A

aag

0-0

c7-cs E@

lrEr AT A}\

t\

A A q)

d\AA E AA Fl .91

In the Dutch the knight is already on c6. and it is therefore obvious that the typical attacking manoeuvre Wdt-eth4 is going to be more effective here, but not to the point that Black should be unduly concerned.

rE rrEr ll ll

way

7. Wdl-el would be in the same spirit as the Alekhine Variation in the Dutch, though in this position it is more insid7.o.e51?

ious.

7.

...

6b8-c6

6f3-e5

Af6-d7!

8. We1-h4 b7-b6 9. ab1-d2 Ac8-b7 10.

H

rE

\iI[

rA

AT

I(@

rAr I

I ra fistr

AN AA nAA,^\lr A A ATZfH

AA

Hg

E

AESEEA

lrlllrll

White must retreat his knight from e5, with the result that his kingside initiative comes to nothing.

E

q)

AAAAAAAA

E

AWEAAtr

As far back as i883, Blackburne gave this opening a whirl. In the 1960's and I970's, the Dutch master Dick van Geet made some interesting attempts to re-

vive this opening, and he

achieved

with it. 1.4c3 is a natural developing move, and as such cannot be too bad. Nonetheless, it has always been viewed with a certain amount of suspicion by experts, and therefore it is little played. some remarkable results

But why, you may legitimately ask, especially when you consider that the other laright opening 1.6f3 is so popular? The point is that in a Queen's Pawn Game (and if Black replies 1...d5 that is exactly what you are piaying) it is an accepted wisdom that the c-pawn should remain rnobile, and therefore blocking its path with the knight contradicts dris precept. However, the limitations of this dogma become clear when you remember the current popularity of the Chigorin (1.da d5 2.c4 Ac6), in which Black cheerfully plonls his knight in front of the c-pavm. 217

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume 4

At the beginning of this century,

2. ...

the

Morozevich and Bauer had with the Chigorin inspired quite a large number of less talented players to follow suit. It can be a good choice for those who just simply want to play a game of chess without getting caught up in a super-analysed and highly theoretical duel so charac-

6b8-c6!?

success top-grade players such as

E.=.,r$ry@g 'E

*r El *=l-l ,.:r:

so many possible transpositions, your will often end up playing out ofhis repertoire. Here are a few examples: If Black plays 1...e5, he will need to know how to handle the Yienna Game in the event that White continues with 2.e4; if he opts

for

1...c5, he must be aware that af-

ter 2.e4 he will be playing a Closed Sicilian; following 1...d5 2.d4 Afe :.AgS we are in the Veresov Opening; and after 1...d5 2.e4, with 2...c6 we have the Caro-Kann; and after 2...e6, the French.

In reply to White's first move, Black can play almost every legal move on the board, but the four moves that follow are the most logical to choose from:

A)

1.

...

6s8'f6

Black keeps his options open, which

could be irritating for White, who is usually hoping for a favourable transposition...

2. Ag1-f3 After 2.e4 we are in an Alekhine Defence declined - l.e4 6f6 2.6c3 which in turn can transpose to the Vienna (2...e5) or the French (2...d5 3.e5 hfdT a.da e6). If insread White decides to go for 2.d4, after 2...d5, we ,

are in Variation D.

218

:

l

l,r A =* ^A

teristic of the modern Internet age. Another big plus for 1.4c3 is that with adversary

fr:.:r h

*

'tt..6,.=..

A.A

A.A=

tr Ag€A

E

And the pretty set-up in the diagram makes the next remark somewhat unnecessary! After 3.e4 e5 (3...d51? is possible) we are in the Four Knights Opening (vol.1). The symmetry resulting from 3.d4 d5 renders the position arid: at least in Queen's Pawn Game positions in which the c2-c4 advance has been made impossible, White can apply some pressure to Black with Ag5 (Veresov Opening), with the option of occupying the centre with f2-f3 and e2-e4. Here the presence of the knight on f3 robs the position of dynamism, and Black has no worries.

B)

1.

...

c7-c5

2. 8:g1-t3

EAA. SAAE

l r .l Gr-r t ,\ 14) u,\ AAAAAAAA A..5A.lAC-lAA

E AW€A E A logical move: White intends to play d2-d4 in the spirit of the Open Sicil-

Van Geet Opening

ian, with the possibility of playing his other pawn to e4 at a later stage or not playing it at all. 2.e4 immediately transposes to the Sicilian. Alternatively, there is 2.d4, with the idea of activating the queen on the kingside. After an initial period of popularity, it was rarely played because after 2...cxd4 3.Wxd4 AcO +.Wh+ d5! 5.e4 Ab+t, White is forced to give up one of his bishops with 6.4d3. This is too great a concession with such an open

The second move choice will decide which type of Sicilian Black wishes to play. Given the popularity of the Sveshnikov, this move is likely.

Another favourite is 2...6f6, with the idea of heading into a Dragon or

Najdorf after 3.d4 cxd4 4.Axd4 White permitting of course. For Paulsen lovers 2...e6 is a natural move to select.

3. d2-d4

c5xd4 This is more of a reflex reply for Sicilian players, rather than a forced move. Indeed, the ambitious 3...d5!? is playable, when White finds himself in a reverse Chigorin.

4. 6f3xd4

E

If White is not keen on transpositions, instead of playing e7-e4, he can fianchetto on the kingside or otherwise play Ag5 after Black plays ...6f6. For his part, Black can avoid going into

a Sicilian by playing 4...d5, but after 5.e4!? dxe4 6.6xc6 Wxdl+ 7.€xd1 bxc6 8.Axe4, the arid endgame position marked by a weak c-pawn is probably equal, though not fun to play.

*l=l,llll I

': a, tr g*a

s7-96

...

It is quite natural to head towards this type of Accelerated Dragon, though a Sveshnikov player is more likely to prefer 4...4f6: at this stage White might decide to be uncooperative and give the interesting 5.Ag5l? a try. However, after

5...e6!, it will difficult to find a better move than 6.e4, which transposes to the Sicilian.

5. Ac1-e3 If White is dead against e2-e4, then he is left with 5.g3 Ag7 and the knight will have to abandon d+; S.Ab3 and 5.6xc6 do not give him anything either.

5. ... Af8-s7 6. 6d4xc6 b7xc6 7. Ae3-d4

AEisE aE

E AEs aE f '.,,-llr r ,11,.

... ...

,.:..1:,

1.... A i''l '.',

T\ I.U

A

AAAAAAA AC-\A AZlAt\

tr

-c3

has replaced e4.

4. 6b8-c6

Abl

As you will note from the diagram, in respect to the Sicilian the move Lc3

position.

2. ...

1.

l=

',tt.t.

l',.

AAA AAAA P, ...W€A'..E 219

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

E ESEaA=

And White tries to exchange off bishops, but this is not going to cause Black difficulties.

7.

fl,lll,'.lf,l 'Ch

e7-e5l? Ambitiously occupying the centre regardless of the resulting weaknesses. ...

8. Ad4-c5 9. e2-e4!

d7-d5 d5-d4

10. 6c3-a4 gd8-h4 11. af1-d3

g AE

H6

e&

I

I

Zl -H-

,\ u|)

rEr I

I IA g w€

AclA

tr

AT1 A4J

AW€A.'

tr

The e2-e4 advance also supplies a transpositional possibility, in this case to the ScotchGame.

Trying to stop this advance with 4...d5

looks doubtful as it can be met by 5.4f4!. with rhe threat of a 6db5 follow-up. White almost always avoids a transposition to the Scotch, and instead selects from one of the interesting alternatives.

fU

/8\

AAA AAA

t=,::'

,i\ ,A )i\ ql NNAAAAA

Following the more solid 7...4f6 8.6e4 0-0 9.0xf6+ exf6, the advantage of Black's better development compensates 'for his inferior pawn structure.

,,'

AAA AAA

.:Aet

4. ...

6g8-f6

The most logical move is also the most popular. The pseudo-active 4...4c5 allows the strong 5.4f5, which is somewhat weak

in the Scotch proper due to

5...d51:

with

a complex game that supplies both

after

sides

with opportunities.

4...9b4 will compromise Black's prospects after 5.Axc6 Axc3+ 6.bxc3 bxc6 7.9d4! 5. Ac1-g5!? gf8-b4

c)

1.

...

e7-e5

2. 691-f3

For the alternative 2.e4, see the entry for the Yienna Opening in Volume I of this series.

2,

...

Ab8-c6 d2-d4l? This is an interesting alternative to avoid entering an Open Game (1.e4

3.

e5

).

3. ...

4. 220

6t3xd4

e5xd4

5..

.g5, here we have 6.4e3

!.

This is a natural enough move, but unlike in the Scotch there is not an e4 pawn to attack. 5...h6? ! is dubious because of 6.Axf6! Wxf6 7.adb5 WaS s.6aS, with an adoantage for White.

5...6xd4 6.Wxd4 AeZ is too passive, while 5...4c5 6.e31 (6.4f5? Axf2+) has allowed White to score excellently.

6. Ad4xc6

Van Geet Opening t

6.9d3, with the idea of queenside castling, is ambitious - perhaps too much so.

6. ...

b7xc6

6...4xc3* 7.bxc3 bxc6 8.Wd+!

does

not improve Black's position.

7. gd1-d4

EAtsg E I *,1 llr la 6 a $ltr -== ,\ q\

d5xe4

Conceding the centre but slmplifying the position.

AAAAAAA AllAII AAA F? .S- A gEgH

7.

-c3

The position can be reached via the Scandinavian- l.e4 d5 2.6c3!? -, but as it is more commonly produced by playing 1.6c3, we preferred to look at it here. At this point 2...e6 and 2...c6 transpose to the French and the CaroKann respectively. Following 2...4f6 3.e5 6fd7 (3...Aea!? 4.2'ce7l) 4.d4 e6 (4...c5!? is worth a look) we are in the Steinitz Yariation of the French.

D1) 2. ...

5.

.6bt

3. 6c3xe4 F?

E

lrl

Ab4-e7

...

aABSEA

lllr

E

7...We7 8.Axf6 is pleasant for White.

8. e2-e4

,\

0-0

9. gfl-d3 With such a complex position,

L\ any-

AAAA AAA tr aw€aatr

thing could happen. D)

1. ...

2. E

d7-d5

e2-e4l

This position is reminiscent of the main

AABBAa

lllr

tr*

E

I

a

A

AAAA AAA tr aw€aatr The only move that gives White some possibility of fighting for an advantage. 2.4f3 is too wimpl whereas 2.d+ af6 3.495 transposes to the Yeresov, with discouraging performance results.

line of the Caro-Kann and also the Rubinstein Yariation in the French, with the difference that the white pawn is still on d2 and Black has not played a pawn to either e6 or to c6. This favours Black, as White's d2-d4 push is very

natural and difficult to avoid. whereas

Black has more useful moves than ...c7 -c6

or ...e7-e6.

Now unsurprisingly, 3...4f5 and 3...€i'd7 in Caro-Kann style are the most frequent choices; less frequent is 3...4f6, reflecting its minor status in the Caro-Kann. Indeed. after an exchange on f6, it is hard to play anything 221

-

Chess Opening Essentials else except ...c6,

with

Volume 4

a resulting trans-

position.

if

Black wishes, he can try to prevent d2-d4 by playing 3...e5, but this is a risky business. After 4.4c4 Ace 5.4f3 Ae7 6.d3, White has the freer game.

D11) 3.

4.

A

double-edged position: White can castle kj.ngside and content himself with a small space advantage, or otherwise castle queenside and launch a kingside attack.

Now Black's best idea is probably

8. ab8-d7

...

Af1-c4

a7-aG

...

so as to discourage the latter dangerous

possibility.

White usually steers clear of the natural

4. ...

3. ... 4. Ae4-93 5. As1-f3

D12)

4.d4 to avoid transpositions.

e7-e6

+...6gf6 is playable, but Black musr be prepared to deal with the complications created by S.Axf/+l? &xf7 6.495+ €g8 7.4e6 WeS 8.Axc7 Wg6 9.Axa8, with an unclear position. 5. 691-f3 As8-fO 6. d2-d3 Here it is better to not be obstinate and permit a transposition to the French with 6.axf6+! Axf6 7.d4.It is true that in the resulting Rubinstein Variation 1.e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3.4c3 dxe4 - the ideal square for the bishop is d3. On the other

Ac8-f5 Af5-g6 Ab8-d7

g=a '',, ,.* r-a-l'l I ,..: ,r. E(

=E

t,

''t',,.

,l:= :;..

,,,1

'a,:,

.1.

:',.

,_:46 =

= A &AA &A8 .g

A &.

=A tr

=w€9.'

6. Afl-c4

hand, the lines with Ac4 give White

If White offers Black the chance to go

some chances for gaining an advantage.

into a Caro-Kann with the move 6.d4, after 6...e6 7.h4 h6 S.h5 gh7 9.4d3 Axd3 10.Wxd3 6gf6 lt.Adz, slack will play 11...c5! and make this freeing advance in only one move. With the text move, White is artempting to demonstrate that there are advantages attached to not advancing his pawn to d4l 6. ... e7-eo 7. d2-d3 Here's the idea: the 96 bishop is biting on granite and White's king will be better protected after he castles on the

6. ...

Af8-e7

7. Wd1-e2!? With the option of queenside castling. 7. ... 0-0 8. Ac1-d2

E:==;aE E&=:... Gl'la=r-r '.:.a .'r,l :,:':

{h

'i

-..1,,

,

,,,t

:-=a'=a ,,,,

A*A

g',.,!, $':-.:,,

trgE zz2

,:.:::

W A A=A

queenside.

7. ...

Zg8-f6

Van Geet Opening 1 .Ab1-c3

8. Wd1-e2 9. Ac1-d2

Af8-e7 0-0

10. 0-0-0

E'',, 9 =€ l:*,1 -rl, a.'l*E ='=..11 ,''.' t=.:; :-:

.:.,-=-

:

:A r\ t4)r4)

aA

AAAAgAAA ..:

=

gtr=

initiative. It is worth remembering that in the Mar del Plata line of the King's

Indian (Vol. 3) when the c6 knight is attacked by the d5 paurn, it retreats to e7, and the e5 pawn becomes the }ynchpin for aggressive action on the kingside.

D2D 3. ... c7-c5 Uncommon but playable. Now White can conrinue with 4.d3 followed by $-Agz-f+

El

DD 2. ...

E A BAaE i*l'.,,il ft

d5-d4

The most ambitious choice.

*4\:',-,

3. 6c3-e2

=1fl

Looking for a brighter future on the

=

kingside!

AEBEAa

=.

This position is strategically complex and we are only at the third move! Black has the advantage of having more space and after playing his pawn to e5 he will have occupied the centre, with easy development of his pieces.

However, White has his trumps too: his pawn srucrure will facilitate a kingside

= = *a=

E. gW€

,,Gt*t ,'i,

i

i::,

=A'&l =,:,r AAAAi^rAA AAAAAA acta2l?tt5 iJ A

E

lA= = =A*A A.A A A gg€.aa E ==j"

h7-h5!?

6. afl-bs h5-h4 7. A93-e2 h4-h3 8. g2-g3 gd8-b6

player's pawns are ready to march to the attack. Anything could happen.

-l,l

Ab8-c6

Risky but promising.

The game is dynamically balanced: we have opposite-side castling and each

E

etc., but usually he opts for:

4. 6e2-g3 5. Ag1-f3

=,'-''

El

The positionally complicated nature of this game explains the differing evaluations of the various chess engines.

D2D 3.

4.

...

e7-e5

Ae2-93

This seems to be the best way to relieve the congestion of White's pieces. 4.f4 is playable but it gives Black the

e5-square: lollowing 4...exf+t. 5.4f3

2,c6 6.6)xf4 g5l, Black is fine. 4.6f3 6c6! 5.693 h5l does no better;indeed

it

has allowed Black

to achieve

ooti-

mum results. zz3

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume 4

4. ... Ac8-e6! Although there are many alternatives, this is easily the most played move and the one that outperforms the others: it is a multi-purpose move that prevents Ac4 and at the same time prepares ...fr -f6 and...Wdz. 4...6c6 is less good because of 5.AbS. 5. Ag1-f3 t7-t6

EA SEEAE lrt ll ET I IA

aa AAAA AAA E AW€A tr White lacks useful moves: 6.d3 closes in the bishop, which does nor appear ro have any particularly good squares ro go to anyway.

6. Af1-b5+!? Targeting b3... using

the Spanish

bishop's path of b5-a4-b3.

6. ... c7-c6 7. 9b5-a4 6b8-a6! 8. Aa4-b3 Ae6xb3 9. a2xb3 d4-d3! 10. c2-c3

E tl al

g&AAE

I

A A

AAI A A

I

AA

AAA

trgg€tr 224

ll

This too is a challenging position to evaluate.

The

c1

bishop is under house arrest and

the d3 pawn gives the impression of paralyzing White's whole game. However, it is also true rhat Black will have difficulty in defending it, and an auacking manoeuvre such as 0-0, Eel-e3 and Ae I could result in its capture.

Taylor,Timothy Becerra NveroJulio Minneapolis open 2005 (9)

1.f4 e5 2.fxe5 dG 3.exd6 gxd6 4.Q,f3 g5 5.g3 94 6.aM 4-:lel 7.d4 6g6 8.6xg6 hxg6 9.8d3 Ac6 10.c3 Be7 11.492 9:d7 12.4d2 0-O-o 13.6e4 f5 14.6xd6+ cxd6 15.We3 Wt7 16.d5 Aes l7.Wxal trde8 183e3 6c4 19.4d4 We7 20.e4 WgS 21.0-0 gh6 22€xh8 trxh8 23.9d4 a'e3 24.h4 gxh3 25.9f3 fxe4 26.Axe4 artl 27E;rt1 Ee8 28.9h2',ghs 29.af3 gfs 30.c4 s5 31.94 Bc2+ 32.trt2

Bcl

33.Wd2

gbl 34.b4 Bal 35.8b2 Wel 36.c5 g:bs 37.cxd6 sb8 38.d7 trdg 39.9d4 axdT 40.d6 trf8 41.wc5 trc8 42.8e2 Wxe2+ 43.Axe2 trxcS 44-bxc5 b6 45.cxb6 sb7 45.€xh3

€xb6 479d3 ge6 48.a3 €c6 9r

1-0

Van Geet Opening

We711.Axc6 SxeS+ 12.We2 Wc1+ 13.gdl trde8+ 14.Axe8 trxe8+ 15.€f2 Be3+ 16.€f1 Axf3 17.gxf3 Ac5 18.€g2 trg8+ o-l Larsen,Bent Zuidema,Coen Beverwijk 1964 (10)

1.f4 e5 2.fxe5 d6 3.exd6 Axd6 4.6t9 g5 5.g3 s4 6.4h4 €ie7 T.d4 6gG 8.692 6c6 9.c3 h5 i0.e4 h4 11.e5 €e7 12.trg1 hxg3 13.hxg3 Eh2 14.€e3 Afs 11.ad2 Bg5 16.8e2 Ae7 17.9t2 gd7 18.Aeg 0-O-0 19.tr92 trh1 20.6xf5 Wxfb 21.6c4 Ag5 22.Egt gh2 23.As2 6ge7 24.Ae3 6d5 25.gft Wg6 26.wxg4+ €b8 27.Axd5 trxd5 28.Axg5 Wd3 29.e6 Exd4 30.exf7 Hxg4 31.fBW+ adg 32.Wxd8+ WxdS 33.Axd8 tre4+ 34.€dl trxc4 35.495 b6 36.Ad2 t-o

Taylor,Timothy Mestel,Jonathan Lone Fine 1978 (3)

1.f4 e5 2.fxe5 d6 3.exd6 Axd6 4.4t3 af6 5.d4 hg4 6.9d3 c5 7.We4+ Ae6 8.695 Axh2 9.6xe6 Wh4+ 10.€d2 fxe6 11.Exh2 Wg5+

12.e3 6xh2 13.Wxe6+

14.Wc8+

gd8 15.9b5+

We7

hc6

16.Wxb7 0-0 17.AxcG Eb8 1g.gd7

Wf6 '19.6c3 cxd4 20.exd4 trbd8 21.a,e4 996 22.Ad5+ €h8 23.Se7 Wxg2+ 24.€c3 trfe8 25.Wg5 Wf3+ Wf3+ 28.*c4 We2+ 29.Sc3 Af3 g0.gfs trxdS 3l,Wxd5 Hxe4 g2.gf4 h6 33.9f5 6xd4 34.Wf8+ €h7 35.trc1

26.€c4 Be2+ 27.€c3

abs+

36.€b3gc4x

o-1

t.6bt_c3

Bird,Henry Lasker,Emanuel Newcasde upon Tyne I89Z (Z)

1.f4 e5 2.fxe5 d6 B.exd6 Axd6 4.413 95 5.d4 g4 6.6e5 Axe5 7.dxe5 Wxdl+ 8.*xd1 6c6 9.4f4 Ae6 10.e3 6ge7 1i.Ab5 O-0-O+ 12.€c1 Ads 13.Egt a6 14.Ae2 Ae6 15.6c3 h6 16.Ad3 Ag6 17.Axg6 fxg6 18.trd1 trde8 19.e4 g5 20.4g3 ghfS 21.b3 h5 22.Hd2 h4 23.At2

6xe5 24.9e3 h3 25.9xg5

g3

26.hxg3 trf1+ 27.&b2 Exal 28.€xal h2 29.9d1 6g4 30.Ehl 9f731.€b2 cG 32.Sc1 A96 33.€d2 trxe4 34.Adl Ed4+ 35.€e2 Exdl 36.Hxd1 Ae4 37.Hd8+ €c7 g8.Ed1

Axg2 39.4d8+ €cS

gds

4O.Ab6 o-1

Chekhov,Valery Klovans,Janis rasru(ent I yu / 1.t4 at6 2.4f3 d5 3.e3 96 4.d4 Agl s.gdg 0-O 6.0-0 Afb 7.Axf5 gxf5 8.Ad2 Ae4 9.Ae1 cb 1O.c3 Wb6 11.8'e2 hc6 12.$"h4 trac} 13.€hl gfdS 14.6a3 gd6 15.abs Eg6 16.dxc5 9xc5 l7.Hfdl a6 1B.bbd4 6xd4 19.cxd4 Wc7 2O.We1 Hc6 21.6,d2 trc2 22.6xe4 fxe4 29.trd2 WaS 24.trxc2 Wxel+ 25.trxel trxc2 26.Axe7 Hxb2 27.Hcl gfg 2g.gf6 trbG 29.€e5 f6 3o.Ab8 trb4 31.s4 Hc4 32.tr91 gf7 33.h4 trc8 34.Aa7 trc3 35.trs3 Ad6 36.€g2 b5 37.s5 b4 38.h5 Ec2+ 39.€h3 fxgs 40.Exg5 Exa2 41.Bxd5 €e6 42.tr55 Hd2 43.tra5 b3 44.trxa6 tra2 45.trb6 trxa7 46.trxb3 tra3 47.trxai

AxaS 48.€s4 50.d5 h6

*f6

49.&gS €fb 0-1

)2s

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume 4

e5

Taylor,Timothy Fontaine,Robert Las Yegas Masters

c4 17.dxc4 bxc418.Exc4 We6 19.Wcl

2006 (1)

1.f4 d5 2.atg g€ 3.e3 Ag7 4.Ae2 Af6 5.0-0 0-0 6.d3 c5 7.a4 0c6 8.6a3 Ag4 9.c3 Hc8 1O.h3 Axf3 11.gxf3 d412.cxd4 cxd4 i3.e4 6d7 14.9;d2 Ah6 15.93 AcS 16.494 e6 17.f5 Ae3+ 18.Axe3 dxe3 19.Wc1 exfS 20.exti e2 21.9xe2 Wda+ 22.ShI trce8 23.6b5 Wd5+ 24.gfg Wxf5 25.Ag2 BeS 26.Wc4 a6 27.6c3 gd6 28.b4 Ad7 29.trf4 Ee3 30.traf1 Ace5 31.9d4 Wxd4 32.Hxd4 ExgS 33.8d1 trc8 34.6e4 tre3 35.ad6 trc2 36.6c4 Eee2 37.Axb7 Hh2+ 38.€91 trxh3 39.b5 axbS 40.axb5 tr93+ 41.Sft hg4 42.Ed2 Ec1+ 43.€e2 hde5 44.trb2

trggl 45.6xe5 hxe5 46.b6 Ebl 47.Hxb1 trxb'l 48.Hd6

€f8 49.4a8

€e7 So.Eds Eb2+ Si.€dl ad7

52.b7 h5 53.€cl trbG s4.€d2 f6 55.*e3 95 56.9f3 h4 SZ.€s4 €e6 58.8a5 Eb4+ 59.9f3 trb3 60.€e4

f5+ 61.9d4 trb6

62.tra1 h3 63.He1+ *d6 64.He8 94 65.trh8 Eb1 66.*e3 €e6 G7.trh6+ €e7 68.€f4 Ebs 69.trh5 €d6 70.trh6+ €c7 71.8c6+ €b8 72.8c8+ &aZ

73.9h8 ab8 74.trh6 trds 75.d4 trxd4+ 76.*xf5 tra4 77.HhS trM 78.trh7 tra4 79.trh8 6c6 8O.Eh7 gb6 81.trh6 €a782.8xc6 93 0-1 HicklJ
t.g3 96 2.492 Ag7 3.d3 c5 4.f4 d5 5.4f3 af6 6.0-0 o-0 7,8e1 d4 8.c3 4c6 9.6a3 gbg 10.4d2 b5 11.€h1 a6 12.trc1 Ab7 13.4c2 gd7 14.h3 726

15.cxd4 exd4 16.4a1

8:e4 20.9e1 trfc8 21.4b3 Q:e7 22.trxc8+ trxc8 23.gbt Af5 24.&h2 AdS 25.trg1 hS 26.Wdg Axb3 27.axb3 Ac5 2B.Wc4 We8 29.b4 Ae6 30.Wxa6 h4 31.Axh4 hxh4 32.gxh4 6xf4 33.Ag3 6xe2 34.tre1 trc2 35.AdG AeS+ 36.*h1 093+ 37.€gl f6 38.Axe5 fxe5

39.gdg trxg2+ 40.€xg2 Bc6+

41.Sxg3

1-0

Pyhdli,Antti Novikonlgor Odessa 1989

1.t4 d5 2.at3 96 3.93 AsZ a.As2 Af6 5.0-OO-O 6.d3cb 7.Wel d4 8.c3 Oc5 9.6a3 trb8 10.6c2 bS 11.4d2 gb7 12.h3 ads 13.Ecl dxc3 14.bxc3 b4 15.cxb4 cxb4 16.d4 gb6 17.e4 6xd418.6cxd4 Axd4+

19.Axd4 Wxd4+ 20.trt2 afo 21.Axb4 6xe4 22.Axe4 Axe4

23.Axe7 trfe8 24.AcS Wd7 25.Sh2 Ag2 26.trxg2 trxel 27.trxe1 a6 28.9g1 trb5 29.tree2 trdS 30.9b2 trd3 31.4c5 h5 32.h4 Sg7 33.Aba gd4 34.trbd2 Hxd2 35.Axd2 *f6 364a5 €f5 37.Ac7 fG 38.AaS *g4 39.Ae1 €f3 4o.Aa5 €s4 41.Ad2 gb2 42.Ae3 Wc3 45.9a7 a5 44.4b6 a4 45.Aa7 a3 46.Agl Wb2 47.trt2 f5 48.€s2 Sc3 49.4h2 Wc6+ 50.ef1 €h3 5I.€e2 Wc2+ 52.€e3 Bxf2+ o-1 Blackburne,Joseph Noa,foseph London 1883

1.4cS d5 2.e3 Ac6 3.4f3 e5 4.Ab5 Ag4 5.h3 Axf3 6.Sxf3 Af6 t.d4 e4

Van Geer Opening | .Ab1_c3

8.We2 Ab4 9.0-0 O-0 10.Axc6 bxc6 11.4d1 o,d7 12.c4 Ae713.6c3 6b6 14.c5 6d7 15.Wa6 f5 16.Wxc6 Ef6

17.Wxd5+ &h8 18.f9 c6 19.Wc4 exf3 20.trxf3 We8 21.4d2 ghs 22.trat1 EafS 23.6e2 95 24.693

Ws6 25.Wc2 h5 26.axfb

g4 27.hxg4 hxg4 28.trf4 tr8f7 29.4c3

trh7 30.93 gh5 31.Ws2

ExfE

32.Exf5 AgS S3.d5+ €g8 34.Ad4

Wh6 35.trxg5+ Wxg5 Axc5

37.c7

36.dxc6 1-o

Van Geet,Dirk Daniel

Guyt,Jacob Paramaribo 1967

1.6c3 d5 2.e4 d4 3.Ace2 e5 4.693 96 5€c4 Ag7 6.d3 c5 7.6f3 6c6 8.c3 AgeT 9.6g5 o-0 1O.AhS Ahg l1.Wfg We8 12.6f6+ Axf6 13.Wxf6

dxc314.4xf7trxt715.Ah6

1-0

Yan Geet,Dirk Daniel corr 1983

1.cAc3 e5 2.6f3 6c6 3.d4 exd4 4.6xd4 6xd4 5.Wxd4 Wf6 6.Wa4 cG 7.h4 h6 8.trh3 he7 9.trf3 b5 10.Wa5 Wxh4 1i.Af4 6fS 12.g3 Wg4 13.Axb5 cxbS 14.Hd3 Ab7

ad4

1-0

Savchenko,Boris

i"n""""i"d""y Cheboksary ch-RUS 2006 (10)

1.Oc3 e5 2.hf3 6c6 3.d4 exd4 4.Q,xd4 a-f6 5.AgS h6 6.9h4 d6 7.AxfG gxf6 8.adb5 €d8 9.6xc7

trbg 10.e3 Wg6 11.A7ds

Afs

gh7 14.Ecl gfs 15.6cd5 Ad7 i6.Adg 96 17.trxc6 bxc6 18.WaS+ trb6 19.Wxa7 cxd5 2O.Wxb6+ &eg 12.Wd2 Axc2 13.6f4

21.Axd5

Ae722.WbB+

1-o

Pel,Bonno Teske,Henrik Pardubice 2006 ( t)

1.6c3 e5 2.6f3 6c6 3.d4 exd4 4.dxd4 Ab4 5.2xc6 &xc3+ 6.bxc3 dxc6 7.Wd4 6f5 B.Ags gfb 9.Axf6

gxf6 10.0-0-0 8e711.e4 Ae6 12.c4

Taksrud,Vidar

15.Hxd7 AcG 16.Ec7

trd8 18.Bxa7 Ad6 19.Axd6 Exd6 20.Ee7+ €f8 21.Exf7+ €g8 22.trt4

17.0-0-0

Wa3+ t3.gb2 Wxb2+ 14.Sxb2 €e7 15.Ae2 EhdB 16.Sc3 trd6 17.trd3 c5 18.94 ca6 19.trb1 b6

20.8h3 Ea3+ 21.Hb3 trxa2 22.Hxhl

trd8 23.f4 trd4 24t5 gd7 25.Ad3 Aa4 26.95 fxg5 27.e5 AxbO 28.e6 trxd3+ 29.cxd3 Aa4 OO.Exf7+ €d6 31.d4 cxd4+ 32.€xd4

Ea3

o-1

177

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume 4

In the first part of this chapter, we will have a look at the following openings:

This is the last chapter in our work on the opening phase of the game of chess. Here we will look at opening ideas that are played less than one time in a thousand, and which thus must be classified as

rare.

While opinions on the playability of these 'eccentric' lines may v.u)4 one thing remains constant: an uninspiring performance rate (less than 50%), which is not far above Black's score with regular openings. In tenlis terms, White loses the advantage of the serve and instead simply lobs the ball into the other side of the court. Many choose these openings for their surprise effect, however their poor performance discourages most players and they remain unpopular.

Judging from their alternative n;unes including an Orang-Utan - , one could presume that many have been involved these rare ope-

in the 'evolution' of

nings: two or more competing names are the norm. Regardless of the merits of competing claims, we have chosen those that are most commonly used.

zz8

osokolskyOpening 1.b4 "GrobAttack l.ga

o 1.d3 o 1.e3 o 1.a3

A)

1.

Ac1-b2

2.

698-f6 e7-e5

EaABs€ E fr .,r ,.-rjhl r E

:

chABsAi,

E

*:fta, &l--: l.l I I ,.,r._. ir

:::.',

tlA

.4.

i,,

AAAAAAAA Ai\AA AEA'1

'

:

,& -t.. -,...

t.j.

f

8,6'==W€AA tr

t.:,

-'

White must lose

A AAAAAA

E-agw€.aa

a

tempo to defend b4.

It is curious drat all chess engines prefer Black. Though this is probably unwarranted, it is a }itde discouraging for fans

tr

This opening got an occasional outing in the 19th century. Thrtakower lokingly

of this opening (not drat they are that easily discouraged; an Internet site has been established to promote 1.b4 and defend

baptized

its honour against the sceptics' attacks!).

it the Orang-Utan,

after

spending some inspiring time at the ape enclosures in a zoo the day before he played the opening against Maroczy at the New York tournament

of 1924.

This appealing but perhaps apocryphal story has captured people's imagination and the name has stuck. However. most

texts prefer the more

respectable

sounding Sokolsky Opening, which honours the Soviet theoretician who wrote a monograph on the subject in the i 960's.

Obviously this eccentric pawn advance is the first step in creating an extended queenside fianchetto, and at the same time it grabs some space on this side of the board. Black can piay almost anything in reply,

but clearly moves that contribute to control of the centre or its occuoation are the favourites.

3.

a2-a3

Some prefer 3.b5, but after 3...d5 4.e3

Aao s.6f: abd7, the b5

parnn does

not look so useful. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

8. 9.

d7-d5

As1-f3 e2-e3 b4-b5 c2-c4 Af1xc4 0-0

ab8-d7 a7-a5l? c7-c5 d5xc4!? b7-b6

Ac8-b7

Eg*AE ...4 ,'tA .l tr -ln

*

*.a l+

ri

H ,i\

l'

g

"

:

A

AA

.AA* * 'trg w

The position is in balance.

zz9

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

E

B) 1. ... c7-c6 This contemporary approach stops

*.t==

b4-b5.

2.

Ac1-b2 2.e3!? is worthy of consideration as it robs the following queen excursion of

=

,'1.=:

;:1,I,:

- ':..,, -; = '.= *

its effectiveness.

2. ...

47:=:=e=A= f rG f E -=='

i1{11r.11f

=

==:.

= *-A*A*, $A.=g€AEtr =

wd8-b6

The point is that now S...Wrc5?? results in the loss of a rook foilozaing 6.axb4 Wxb4 7.Exa8W xb2 8.Exb8.

5. ... 6. a3xb4 7. 9b2xa1 8. gdl-b3

&.. -j;.- .=.i., ',,::.:=

=, A

= = =:-

A.GA GA

6€:W Aa tr

Chances are about equal.

And now we see the point of Black's first move: the b4 pawn is under attack and a subsequent ...a7-a5 advance

Wb6-c7 tra8xal 6b8-a6 d7-d6

C) 1. ... 2. Ac1'b2

will

put it under further pressure, which is unpleasant for White as the b2 bishop is undefended.

3. a2-a3 a7-a5 4. c2-c4l Without this tactic, the Sokolsky would probably be rendered unplayable, given that 4.c3 is not strategicnlly acceptable.

E

.a '!, :::l:

g ff E= .*=

I*

= d

=..-,.

A

d7-d5

gd8'd6

=a= r *=r -= --:..

-?=j..=

,,,. .,',,

?.

.=

A=*.A='A*

A.-.W€.A

tr

Later it was discovered that it is also possible to defend the b4 pawn with

As in the previous line, the b4 pawn is 4.e3 !? axb4 5.4d4!, since 5...c5? is threatened, but with the additional ammet by 6.Axc5! and the tactic mentioned bition of occupying the centre with in the comment after 5.c5! also applies ...e7-e5. Introduced by Utrlmann in 1980, it was here. a5xb4 first thought that this move gave Black a 4. ...

An almost automatic reply, but +...d6 ? plus. However, in reality White can is an alternative that merits consider- maintain equilibrium.

Another interesting possibility

ation.

5. c4-c5! 730

is

2...4g+l?, which has more or less the

Sokolsky Opening

in the Larsen Opening (see page 202); after 3.4f3 Axf3!? 4.gxf3 e6 5.e3 Af6, we have an unclear same idea as

game. Lastly,

2...6f6 almost always

transposes

to Variation A.

3.

a2-a3

3.b5 Wb4 is nice for Black.

3. ...

e7-e5

Black has achieved his ambition, but as always with central occupation, the question is how to maintain it.

4. e2-e3

Zg8-f6 ab8-d7 Black's pawn centre looks imposing, but his pieces are badly coordinated: for example, the bishop would definitely be better on d6 rather than the

Ag1-f3

5.

queen.

6. c2-c4l 7. Ab1-c3 8. af3-d4

E.,i a=g

*tl'.===A'

c7-c6

e5-e4

l\ aJ

A v/-) lJ /AAAAn

E

=

'-1

H

f-f : ':;

.:a:.-=:

.IATI

===gEA=:=-.E

1.

2.

...

been able to score well.

The move 2...f6, which was played by Pillsbury in the l9th century, may be aesthetically displeasing, but

it

has its

logic: it supplies rock-solid support for e5 and the threat to capture the b4 pawn becomes real. Following 3.a3

4...4e6 5.d4 ad7

(4.b5!?) 6.af3. it not clear if

Black's centre is strong or weak.

3. Ab2xe5 698-f6

IhABg E I f--,,. .il '.=11 I E

..

,iu1\

*6

g

,

,,'., ,',,'

e7-e5

9.c1-b2

of the (few)

results in theloss of apawn after 2.b5.

2. ...

his kingside bishop and continue in Kingt Indian fashion. After 3.c4 96 4.e3 Ag7 s.af3 Af6 (s...fs!? 6.d4 e4 is worth a thought) 6.d4!, White has

A =,AAAAAA tra g€aatr

advantages this line has over the Larsen is that now 2...Q)c6?

One

semi-open e-fiIe. 2...d6 is also frequently seen. This reflects Black's usual unfamiliarity with the Sokolsky: Black intends to develop

1,,,

and play is balanced.

D)

freely and actively, including the rook which will exert its power along the

(the gambit line 3.e4 Axb4 4.4c4 fails

aa.,t '-.;. .:.:.-) i 'A A A L,"'= ,"=.

A41 .r\

By far and away the most common continuation. It may seem debatable to exchange a central pawn for a lateral one. However, Black's pieces will develop

to convince) 3...d5 4.e3

r= 1 ' ,;

a:::=..

l.b2-b+

Af8xb4

Here the chess engines, influenced by Black's lead in development (...6c6 will earn another tempo by attacking the bishop), estimate Black to have

varying degrees of advantage. This is 231

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

probably an exaggeration, even if it must be stressed that Black does have a problem-free game.

4. c2'c4 Seeking ro prevent the ...d7-d5 advance, but perhaps a more solid approach with 4.e3 0-0 5.0f3 Ac6 6.9b2 is more aD-

propriate here.

4. ... 5. e2-e3

0-0 d7-d5!

Black must open up the position if he wishes to exploit his better development.

6. c4xd5 6.4f3 c5l is good for Black. Af6xd5 6. ... 7. 6g1-f3 trf8-e8 8. Ae5-b2 Follozoing 8.9e2?, there is the surprising

E

AAgsEA

*.1*:l-'l-,1 -a=. . t,.

',.::.

tlj..,,= .'' =

. .. ''-=

,=

E

.ti|.:-.

--.--,

,,,:=g; -=:=

= A*A.AA& G aGs€aa tr

Also

8..8xe5!! 9.6xe7 Wf6, and Black is winning: after 10.f4, Black replies with 10...6xe3.

8. ...

E

tA

- r-':-:-* :.t, :' : €=,

ad5-f4 fl,-'," @

'.=,

=:L:1{:1 :.. i,.

'ta.;:=

.t:-,.:i

::a,a

::

....' 't $-f;.

a * aa' tra g€a tr

This opening is named after the Swiss in-

ternational master Heruy Grob, who in the 1940's wrote a monograph on this subject, and who further explored its intricacies in hundreds of correspondence games until the 1970's. Of modern players of note, only Michael Basman used it with any regularity (in the 1970's and 80's). This comes as no surprise, given the Englishman's maverick approach to dre opening phase of the game.

What is the point of l.g+ ? The ambition is to attack on the kingside. Consult any beginner's primer on chess arrd you will discover that connol of the centre is a prerequisite for a flank attack; the problem with the Grob is that White ignores this fundamental principle when he plays this showl' advance.

Black has an initiative and it

will not be

easy for White to complete his development, given that after 9.6e5 Black can

play 9...9g5 I with an advantage.

If we take it for granted that 1 .g4 is not a useful move, the next question would be whether it actually harms White: here opinions differ. lts supporters cite surprise effbct as one of its selling points, but the statistical evidence makes it clear that this is of very limited significance: overall, Black scores better

232

Grob Attack 1.92-ga

than White after 1.g4, which is comment enough for most players. In effect the weakness on h4, and to a

certain extent, also on f4, cannot be remedied as pawns cannot move backwards. This is not an academic consideration: 1.g3 has a significantly better performance (16% better!) than 1.94. As is natural, the two central pawn advances represent Black's most effective answer, with the d-pawn push the most popular (perhaps because it creates a discovered bishop attack on g4l).

A)

1.

e7-e5 2. d7-d5 Mariotti's 2...h5!? is also good: 3.gxhS Wgs +.4f3 Wn+ s.Ac:6fe 3. c2-c4 Overly ambitious: the lesser evil would be 3.h3, which transposes to Variation B. 3. ... d5xc4! 4. Wd1-a4+ c7-c6 ...

At1-s2

.

5. Wa4xc4 6. Wc4-c3

Ac8-e6 ab8-d7 7. Ag1-f3 Ag8-f6! Threatening the pawn on 94 and also threatening to play ...4d5-f4. 8. Af3xe5 6d7xe5 9. Wc3xe5 Af6xg4

10. 11.

We5-c3 e2-e3

..=€E

gd8-bo 0-0-0

I l '',', =,1 *.1= ,,

':':=''

._:. : A,,.=, $@n A& A AA* 'E EU

trag

B)

1.

d7-d5

...

2.

9f1-g2l? The merits of this sacrifice are open to debate, but there is no doubt that it has the plus of making Black's life more comolicated.

After 2.h3 e5 3.492 c6l 4.d3 Ad6 5.4d2 6e7, Black has a very healthy centre.

2.

...

Ac8xg4

The more prudent 2...e5 transposes to Variation A.

3. c2-c4

Ea EsAaE l :=r* ''-l *=1 :'

i

,:'',

1,=

, =A .1j,,,, , A

="::

',li

.,

A=:,,....,

r.'.

AAA trAAgg Atr A

A =A

Wb: is on its way and the c4 pawn is immune from capture due to the weakness on b7.

3. ... The most natural move

c7-c6 .

Following 3...e6, 4.9b3 wins back the

E

E' Er :r, a,:,,,,

Black's better development is practically decisive.

pawn. Another move to consider is 3...6f6t? 4.9b3 AbdT 5.Wxb7. with an unclear game.

4. 5.

gd1-b3 c4xd5

wd8-c7 c6xd5 5...e6!? 6.dxc6 6xc6 could be an improvement.

6. 6b1-c3 The c I bishop was hanging. 233

Chess Opening Essentiois

6. ...

-

Volume 4

16.4e5 Axe5 17.fxe5 at7

6b8-c6!

Obaiousty, not 6...e6?? 7.Wa4+, picking up the

Hbg 22.Wc2 4,e4 23.4d3 trb7 24.trc1 6b6 25.4e1 h6 26.Axe4

94bishop.

7. Ac3xd5

Wc7-d7

dxe4 27.Wc3 Od7 28.trb1 trxb'l

':':QP E :' gl AE I l'-a .,t-l1l

29.Axbt Wb7 30.6a3 Wb6 31.Ad2

€f7 32.s3 Af8 33.9b4 Wxb4 34.Axb4 Ad7 35.4a5 g5 36.€f2

':

,\:: , q),

€e8 37.€e2 c5 38.4b5

:.

A

M.&e4 6c6 45.4c3 e2 46.gxf4 gxf4 4ZAd2 f3 48.€xf3 6xd4+ 49.€e3 afs+ 50.€xe2 AxdG 51.exd6 Axc4+ 52.€e3 Abs

NAAAAAA AA AdAHu H A /^\H H E V)d H with balanced

53.€d4 h5 54.€c5

play.

Tartakower,Savielly R6ti,Richard Yienna

m

1919

8.Wh5+ 6g6 9.4f3 Ad710.o-0 0-o 11.6c3 Hf4 12.d3 6fG 13.Sg5 h6 14.993 e4 15.hxe4 6xe4 16.dxe4 As4 17.We1 gxf3 18.Exf3 trxf3 19.gxf3 Wg5+ 20.9h1 gh5 21.9f2

trf8 22.4e2 AeS 23.Axe5 Bxe5 24.trg1 af4 25.4f1 trf6 26.sxa7 trb6 27.dG Wxd6 28.AcA+ €h7 29.9b8 ae6 3o.Axe6 Wxe6

gf6

32.Exg7+ 9xg7

33.Wxb6

1-O

Tartakower,Savielly Maroczy,Geza New York 1974 (+)

23+

14.6a3 cG 15.bxc6

Vz-Vz

NewYorkopen 1990 (8) 1.b4 cG 2.9b2 WbG 3.a3 a5 4.c4 dG

5.6c3 AfO 6.b5 s6 7.trb1 Bd8 8.g3 Ag7 9.4g2 0-O 1O.Af3 d5 ll.bxc6 bxc6 12.0-0 €a6 13.cxd5 cxdS 14.d3 Ac6 15.8a4 trc8 16.trfc1 e6 17.ad1 Bd7 18.Ac3 hG 19.Axa5 6xa5 20.Bxa5 Excl 21.trxc1 Wb5 22.Wxb5 Axb5 23.trb1 Ad7 24.6-se3

tra8 25.o'c2 gf8 26.d4

9,a4 27.8ste'l EcB 28.6b4 trc3 29.tra1 Ae4 30.Aed3 adz 31.e3 acA

32.6c5 Axc5 33.dxc5

34.6aG

6a5 lz-r/z

Campora,Daniel Anguix,Juan Francisco Cancte 1994 (6)

1.b4 AfO 2.9;b2 eG 3.b5 d5 4.e3 9;e7 5.t4 0-0 6.gdg a6 7.a4 axb5 8.axb5 Exal 9.Axa1 abdT 10.afg 6e4 11.0-0 t512.9.e2 AdG 13,Wc1

gf6

Aa4

Yudasin,Leonid Epishin,Vladimir

1.b4 e5 2.9b2 fG 3.e4 Axb4 4.4c4 4le7 5.t4d5 5.exd5 9d6 7.fxe5 fxe5

31.Wxc7

€f7

39.€d2 cxd4 4o.exd4 t4 41.4d6+ €g6 42.€c3 e3 43.€d3 Ab8

-

$&

18.d4

419519.c4 AaG 20.tre1 Wa8 21.4c3

bxc6

1.b4 c6 2.9b2 a5 3.b5 cxbS 4.e4 b4 5.a3 bxa3 6.6xa3 dG 7.d4 e6 8.ed3

AfG 9.4e2 4e710.0-0 AcG 11.€hl

ab4 12,4b5+ Ad7 13.c3 Axb5 14.4xb5 hc5 15.4g3 0-O 16.c4

Sokolsky Opening 1.b2-b4

/

Grob

:l...:.,:tl l ;@l! ...'.:ri€$

1€

Attcck 1.92-ga

{iit.'.,t.'.lili.l.ti..'iil:::::i:il:lt:

t6i.:',$€g.2::.tc1ii!;$*l 4d7 5,c4 dxc4 6.6c3 gd6 7.Afg 235

Chess Opening Essenticls

236

-

Volume 4

White generally chooses to enter the

E A,*,e A=

*L*L*L*t'.,..': '=l'.,:,

=

=

English by playing 2.c4. Given that White has not immediatelv occupied the centre, a good alternative

first move for Black might be 1...g6. Black adopts the same slow cautious strategy as his adversary and establishes a type of King's Indian. The two opposing forces eye each other from afar as they slowly ready for battle. May the best player win!

1.d3 is a perfectly playable opening move, given that 1...d6 is a fairly common defence to both 1.e4 and 1.d4. The first tempo has been usefully employed, and White has played one of the key moves for various important openings: the R6ti, the English and the King's Indian Attack are the most common. As a result, this opening does not have its own distinct identity and it is often used as a transpositional device, in the hope that Black may find himself outside his repertoire. 1...d5 is the statistically most common

reply, and after the usual Af3, Abdz and e4, White is in the King's Indian Attack, but of course he has other options.

1. ...

e7-e5

237

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Voltme 4

1.

E* a*e= A=

#t *t*t *t -:E= -:=a:,

7a=.:.

-==

=;:.=

=

=:=

=

=*

=i:= ?i.-=:=

1-=

A# =V:== A'= * ='Kw A-,.*=

=:=

ff

d-r,

#s#a v)H

Everything that we said about 1.d2-d3 applies here as well: the move is without doubt a nice way to transpose to a

number of white openings or black defences with reversed colours; the English, Bird's Opening, Larsen and Colle are the most frequent. The only line that has its own individual idenriry is

238

e2-e3

e7-e5 d2-d4l? which creates a reverse French. Now 2...e4 is risky: following 3.c4 we are in a reverse Advance Variation, with a significant extra tempo for White; a better choice is the solid 2...exd4. even if playing the Exchange Variation of the French, which you enter with 3.exd4, may not be exciting enough for

2.

some.

that ...a6 is fundamentally a

reactive

move that prepares counterplay on the queenside in openings where White has already taken possession of the centre. The problem here is that it is impossible to have counterplay if the other side is not attacking you.

In other words, Black's best strategy is to avoid very sharp lines so

as to reduce

the usefulness of playing a2-a3.

With this in mind, 1...4f6 and 1...g6 look suitable. and it is not a coincidence that they are the best performing replies.

In the second half of the 19th Century Adolf Anderssen started seven games that we know of with 1.a2-a3 (and in one of these he beat Morphy!). Of the modern players, only Velimirovic has played it, and then only occasionally. So what is the idea behind this move that does absolutely nothing in the fight for centre control? To help us understand better, it is usefirl

to consider that a frequent preparatory move for Black is ...a6. This a useful pawn move, and it is often a fundamental component in many Black defences: you only need to think of the Benoni or the Benko, or its frequent appearance in the French, the Pirc, the King's Indian, and above all in the Sicilian. Indeed in the Naidorf (1.e4 c5 2.6f3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.6xd+ af6 5.4c3 a6l) it is the key move in the whole line. It therefore comes as little surprise that some bright spark had the idea of playing these set-ups with an extra tempo. However, it is essential to remember

1...d5 is also excellent: after 2.6f3 Black should simply avoid adventurous variations such as 2...c5 3.c4 d4, which allow White to play a Benko or Benoni with an extra tempo, and instead continue with the solid 2...olt6. after which the value of a2-a3 is open to question. Needless to say, Black can also opt for 1...e5. However. this allows White to enter the English with 2.c4, where the move is quite normal. Otherwise White can play a strange form of Open Game (

l.e4 e5) with 2.e4!?.

E#E#€#A

"#L#L"ffiL'#L

ffi ffi*#-#,

# #=#A-# ##'## ffi^'ffi -:#* -'F*

""'r=E

#=

#a a#g€a#}tr

Here a2-a3 is odd-looking but useful. Just think how nice it would be to already have a pawn on a6 in the Giuoco

Piano. or eYen more so

in the T\vo 239

Chess Opening Essenticls

-

Volume 4

Knights. Not to mention the fact that a reverse Spanish Game is no longer on the cards with the pawn on a3 |

Anderssen,Adolf Morphy,Paul Paris m 1858 (5) 1.a3 e5 2.& at6

3.4€ d5 4.cxd5

6xd5 5.e3 Ae66.Af3 Ad6 7.Ae2 0-0 8.d4 Axc3 9.bxc3 e410.4d2 f5 11.f4

95 1294 Axc4 13.6xc4

gxf4

14.ert4 geg 15.O-O gc6 16.9b3 Wds 17.trb1 b6 18.8a2 c6 19.We2 o.dl2O.6,e3 We6 21.c4 af6 22.9b3 9f723*gb2 gac8 24.&h1 Eg8 25.d5 cxds 26.cxd5 gd7 27.6cA *e7 28.gxf6+ g)d6 29.9b2+&t7 30.trh3 Es7 31.Wd4 &gs 32.trh6 AA $.d6

Et7 34.8h3 ga4 35.8c1

36.Hg3+ As7 37.h3

€h8

Hcs

38.Hxg7

trxg7 39.trc3 e3 40.Exe3 trxc4 41.Wf6trc1+42.€h29#4+ o-1 Anderssen Adolf Morphy,Paul Paris

m 1858 (10)

't.a3 e5 2.eA at6 3.6c3 d5 4.cxd5 6xd5 5.e3 AeG 6.hf3 Ad6 7.Ae2 0-0

8.0-0 6xe3 9.bxc3 f5 10.d4 4 11.o,d2 trtG 12.f4 trh6 13.93 Ad7 14.4d Axc415.gxc4+ €hg 16.8a2 We7 17.a4 af6 18.gbg b6 194e6 tre8 20s:c/' A# 21.Hs2 Hb8 22.He2 A$ 23.c4 c6 244b2 Wf7 25.Wc2 Ae7 26€c3 trg8 27.Eal g5 28.fxg5 trxg5 29a5 Ad6 30.axb6 axb6 31.tra8+ gg8 32.sa4 ExaS 33.Wxa8+ geg 34.Bxe8+ 4xe8 35.c5 Ac7 36.Ac4 *gZ 37.cxb6 Axb6 38.trb2 Ac7 39.trb7 €f6 40.9b4 trs6 41€fs h5 42.&t2 h4 7+0

43.gxh4 trg4 44.h5 trh4 45.hG Hxh2+ 46.€g1 Eh3 47.4f1 tr93+ 48.&t2 trs4 494c4 Eh4 50.4g8 Ad6 513xd6 6xd6 52.Hd7 Ae8 53.h7 €g5 54.8e7 Ad6 55.tre6 6c4 56.Exc€ 6d2 57.€e2 trh2+ 58.€dl Af3 59:Ec7 €96 60.d5 f4 61.exf4 e3 62.tre7 e2+ 63.trxe2 trh1+ 64.&c2 ad4+ 65.€d2 Axe2 66.€xe2 €gZ 67.€e3 trel+ 58.€d4 gf1 69.€e5

trel+ 70.9f5 gdl 714e6

trd4 72.€e5 trd1 73.f5 Eh1 74.f6+ €xh7 75.9d6 traI 76.€e7 Ha7+77.9d7 t+

Ni Hua YeJiangchuan linan 2005 (s) 1.a3 s6 2.b4 As7 3.d4 AfG

4.4f3 o-o 5.e3 d6 5.9b2 abdT 7.Ae2 e5 8.c4

exd4 9.Axd4 b6 10.0-0

Ab7 11.4bd2 8e712.tsc2 Efdg 13.9b2 c5 14.4c3 trab8 15.Efd1 a6 16.4f1 b5 17.cxb5 axb5 18.bxc5 6xc5 19.9d4 Ae6 20.Ac3 6c5 21.Wa2 6ia4 22.9d4 4le4 23.9:xg7 €xg7 24.Hd4 4ac3 25.8b2 Wf6 26.4d3 Ebcg 27.trc1 EcS 28.Axe4 6xe4 29.trcd1 EdcS 30.Wb4 hc3 31.tr1d2 gxfg 32.trt4 gfs 33.gxf3 gxf4 34.gxf4 Bxf4 35.exf4 Ea8 36.Exd6 de2+ 37.&92 axt4+ 38.*g3 6e2+ 39.€g2 trxa3 40.he3 tral 41.h4 h5 42.trb6 trsl+ 43.€h2 Hb1 44.ads trb3 45.f4 o,d4 46.6e3 trb2 47.&92 b4 48.trd6 Abs 49.9b6 Ad4 50.8d5

Ae5 51.f5 grfs 52.Axf5+ €f6

53.6e3 bg 54.€f3 Ebl 55.trb6 €e5 56.*93 €e4 57.8b4+ gd3 58.€f3

ad$+ 59.€92 Ecl 60.9b8

EcS

61.9h2 EbS 62.trxb5 6xb5 63.Adl

€c2 64.4e3+ €cI 66.ha3€b2

65.4c4 ad6 0-1

Now we have come to the last seven of the twenty Iegal moves with which White can open the game.

When vou think that the most commonly employed of these appears in only one game in 10,000, it becomes clear that this section is of limited practical importance as most of us will hardly ever have to deal with them. However. it is a most valuable exercise to look at the ideas behind these openings, even when they are debatable (indeed it is probably a more productive experience when they are dubious!). This is because learning what not to do improves our overall understanding of opening play. Seirawan recounts that when he was acting as a second to the American GM Tarjan, he spent entire weeks analysing an opening line for White, only to realize that in fact the variation was played with the black pieces! th4an consoled the downcast Seirawan by wisely reminding him that all analysis is useful and good.

E

*

ffiAffi @# Affi

L-L ffir *r

ilffE=

:

E

w A

A

?iiffii*

7:,::i l{ffi\ffi

+.4

=

F=-+

,$\w

# a#s ffiA

=c #ffi=

ffi#$ ai# =f\rA,ffi F?

4,L E

1. c2-c3 This is the best of the very r:ue openings. It supports the d2-d4 advance and therefore must have some merit. The preparatory ...c7-c6 is common in Black defences (Caro-Kann, Slav, Semi-Slav), and thus to play this with an extra tempo could not be so bad. However, to play reactive black defences with reversed colours is a negative approach and the majority of players pre-

fer to play assertively when they

have

the advantage of the first move.

of allowing transpositions to many of

The move in question has the virtue

White's openings and could thus take Black into unfamiliar territory: for example after 1...c5 2.e4, we are in a Sicilian Alapin; following 1...e5 2.e4 you enter a type of Ponziani (and if Black is someone who never plays 1.e4, it may be a nice idea to play 2.c4!? , transposing to a Sicilianl). In response to 1...d5 and 1...6f6, White 2+1

Chess Opening Essenticls

can proceed

Colle,

-

Volume 4

with 2.d4 and head into

a

Torre Attack or a London System (see Volume 2), all of which feature a pawn advance to c3. The other option is to play 2.e2-e4?l and if Black a

captures on e4, win back the pawn with 3.Wa4+. However, doing this favours

EftE E=A=

r-r-L-L

Black's development (3...4c6 and +...4f6).

-.:.:.

Hort,Vlastimil Cramling,Pia

=

Biel 1984 (4)

1.c3 6fG 2.d4 eG 3.4g5 9;e7 4.Q:d2 d5 5.agf3 bG 6.e3 9b7 7.€b5+ c6 8.9d3 AbdT 9.0-O O-O 10.a4 c5 11.a5 c4 12.Ac2 b5 13.a6 Ac6 '14.8-:e5 6xe5 15.dxe5 4ild716.4xe7 WxeT 17.t4 t518.4f3 Acs 19.ad4 gd7 20.94 s6 21.€hl €h8 22891 trg8 23.trg3 trab8 24.Wd2 gf7 25.Eas1 We7 26.Wg2 Wt7 21.h4

30.f5 We7 31.tr3g2 trxa6 32.fxg6 Exg6 33.95 Eb6 34.h5 trg7 35.96 Ebg 36.trf2 Efg 37.EfG a6 38.trgf1 EfgS 39.8:e2 gcg 4}.at4 BcS 41.h6 trxg6 42.Axg6+ hxg6 1-o

:

= =

.=.,.. .=.:= =

=-j==.:

====A AsasasAaag€ga tr We can safely imagine that White is thinking "No g4-pin and no back rank mate".In the knowledge that h2-h3 is a valuable move in many White openings, Black's task is to establish ser-ups where this move is of no particular use... or better still, a handicap! We must remember that h2-h3. in addition to the benefit of controlling 94, supplies an escape square for the castled king. On the dornmside, it weakens 93 and creates possibilities for a sacrifice on h3.

Obviously, Black begins to take control of the centre with 1...e5 or 1...d5. An interesting alternative is 1...b6, wirh the

idea of discouraging 2.g4, which has the threat (if that is the right word!) of transposing to the Grob.

Black's performance with all of these replies is about the same and is equal to the overall performance of White with all openings. This means that choosing 1.h3 is in effect allowing Black to play z+2

Clemenz Opening I .h2 -h3

with the opening advantage of white. a4 41.&d2 a3 42.&c2b4 43.4d4 hs This is not the end of the world, but 44.afs ds 45.f3 &t7 46.6d4 h4 players do not usually like to squander 47.6e2h348.493 h24g.t4d4so.fs the plus ofWhite's exrra

tempo.

d3+

0-1

Rivas Pastor,Manuel ProhaszkarPeter

Weber,Francois

Pilgaard,Kim

Almeria 2006 (3)

Budapest 2005 (6)

1.h3 e5 2.d3 d5

1.h3 e5 2.c3 d5 3.d4 f6 4.dxe5 fxeS

5.e4 Af6 6Ae3 4,c6 7.6:d2 fueT 8.4d3 0-0 9.agf3 d4 10.cxd4 exd4 11.Ag5 9e6 12.0-0 gh8 13.gxf6

gxf6 14$rA Ad7 15.9d5

4lb4

16.6:xd4 €xh3 17.gxh3 4xd5 18.exd5 trg8+ 19.€h1 Wxd5+ 20.a4t3Wt5 21.6h2 Bxh3 22.trg1 gd6 23.4f3 trxgl+ 24.Wxs1 Eg8 2s.gf1 Bf5 26.we2 Wds 27.trs1 Wxa2 28.trxg8+ SxgS 29.t,54

*gT

30.4e3 BeG 31.€92 We4 32.9b5 gf8 33.9d7 a5 34.b3 b6 35.8c8+ We8 36.Wf5 8g6+ 37.€f1 BxfS 38.6xf5 b5 39.6xd6 cxd6 40.€e2

3.at3

rz-tc6

4.c3 a5

5.e4 9c5 6.Wa4 Ad7 7.exd5 Ab4 8.9b3 a4 9.9c4 o,c2+ 10.€dl 6xa1 11.9xc5tG 12.c4 4e713.6c3 0-0 14.4e2 b6 15.Wa3 c6 16.d6 6c8 '{7.4e3 c5 1&€c1 6xd6 19.€b1 6b3 20.axb3 axb3 21.Wxb3

traG 22.tre1 Ae6 23.ad2 ats 24.6'd5 trt7 25.2,e4 trta7 26.&c2 he7 28.6xe7+ 9xe7 29.9f3 Ae8 30.94 95 31.€d2 sg7 32.h4 h6 33.hxs5 hxgS 34.ads gd6 35.9c3 Ea1 36.Axg5 fxg5 37.trxe5 €fg 38.trf5+ €gB 39.6f6+ 9:d7 27.6ec3

€hg 40.6xe8+ gd4

cxd442.trt8+

41.Wxd4+

t-o

2+3

Chess Opening Essentiols

-

Volume 4

EiftAgg€A=

Gr-l

::

= :.,.t.. ,1..'

l-l

't'= =

=

:t'=,""=

'.,, 26 = AAAAAAAA

EA=g€!A====tr

E

ftAg€EA=

l,l*r* l-=r ,, -4

=

==.:..

t

,t.,:,-

r:

= a=..= A A A &A=

E,

=W

A

tr

This opening carries the name of the Parisian dilettante who used it in rhe 1930's. However, some wits have declared it to be an acronym of'Absolutelv

Generally lateral knight moves are dismissed as unproductive: a knight on the edge of the board controls fewer

Mad And Ridiculous't

However, this is only true to a certain extent: remember that the piece is mo-

1. 6g1-h3

squares and is therefore less effective.

This certainly does not confiibute to the correct development of the centre, but it is less bad than you might think. The

bile and in one bound can reach c4, from which it controls important cen-

Iateral development of a knight does not scandalize the flexibly-minded con-

Attitudes to lateral knight development are changing; in some recent games

temporary player.

White

1. ...

d7-d5 1...e5 2.g3 d5 transposes to the main Iine.

2.

92-93

2...4xh3.

2. ... e7-e5 3. Af1-g2 Ab8-c6 d2-d3 and White is playing a type of reverse Modern (in which ...4h6 is somerimes played) with the advantage of the extra tempo, and a reasonable position.

z++

(Russian

Zviagintsev) after

grandmasrer 1.e4 c5, continued

wlrn L.q)as!!. The fact that he won both games would

Black was threatening the unpleasant

4.

tre squares.

not be so surprising if his opponents were not both former world champions

(!), Khalifman and

Ponomariov, who

are both famous for their opening expertise. We have just seen that all in all, 1.6h3 is

feasible, and therefore 1.hbl-a3 must be even more playable. Why is this so? Given that the normal way to view these rare openings is as black defences with an extra tempo, it becomes evident that ...Q)a6 is more useful and will appear

Durkin Opening t .6b t -aZ more frequently than ...iih6.

In the Indian

defences (1.d4 af6) ...I ao is not only of use, ir is of fundamental importance: the most recent lines in the King's Indian, Benoni and GrtiLnfeld include this rnove. Therefore Black would be wise to avoid

1...d5 (which is nonetheless a valid move) and insread play 1...e5 with the establishment of a King's pawn Game, where 6a3 makes little sense. 1...4f6 and 1...96 are both reasonable alternatives, whereas 1...c5 gives White the option of playing 2.e4, transposing to the previously discussed Zviagintsev

Yariation, which is a less innocuous way of dealing wirh rhe Sicilian than previously thought.

Rivas PastorrManuel

Reshevsky,samuel Palma de Mallorca 1989 (1)

1.ahg Q:t6 2.6:c3 e5 3.d4 exd4 4.Wxd4 6c6 5.9a4 Ab4 6.9d2 ds 7,a3 Axc3 8.Axc3 Axh3 9.gxh3 De4 10.A92 hxc3 11.bxc3 gs 12.0-0 0-0 13.9b5 Eb8 14.Wxd5 WfG 15.\g'f3 Wxf3 16.gxf3 6e5 17.&92 b6 18.trfd1 trfdg 19.h4 gf8 20.trd4 b5 21.trdd1 €e7 22.h5 f5 23.€93 &tG 24,h4 Q:c4 28.e4 fxe4 26.Axe4 h6 27.€f3 trd6 28.trxd6+ Axd6 29.496 trb7sO.Ed1&e6 t/z:/z Zviagintsev,Yadim Khalifinan,Alexander Moscow ch-RUS 2005 (2)

1.e4 c5 2.6a3 6cG S.Ab5 Wc7 4.afg 96 5.c3 a6 6.Axc6 Wxc6 7.0-0 Ag7 8.d4 d6 9.d5 Wc7 10.h3 Af6 11.9f4 0-0 12.tre1 b5 13.9d2

Ab7 14.trad1 trfe8 15.c4 gb6 16.gh6 Ahg 1Zb3 e5 i8.6g5 exd5 19.cxd5 tre7 20.tre3 trae8 21.trdel aS 22.4b't b4 23.Wc2 ad7 24.ad2

Aa6 25.Agf3 6e5 2O.Ag5 6xf3+ 27.Qtxt3 trd7 28.e5 dxeS 29.Axe5 trxd5 30.6xf7 Exe3 31.trxe3 exfT 32.tre7+ gf8 33.8e4 Edl+ 34.9h2 Bd6+ 35.f4 gf6 36.Ah6+ €s8 37.8a8+ 1-0 Zviagintsev,Yadim Ponomariov,Ruslan Sochin2005(t) 1.e4 c5 2.6a3 6c6 3.Ab5 96 4.c3

Ag7 5.d3 af6 6.f4 0-0 7.Afg d6 8.0-0 Ad7 9.9e1 eG 10.Wh4 4h5 11.94 Wxh4 '12.2.xh4 Af6 13.Axg6 hxg6 14.gxh5 gxhS 15.8a4 d5 16.Adt c4 17.e5 Ae7 -t8.dxc4 d4 19.4c2 dxc3 2o.bxc3,6a5 21.4a3 €,xa3 22.2xa3 EacS 23.Ae2 f6 24.Had1 Ae8 25.f5 fxe5 26.fxe6 trxf1+ 27.trxt1 €g7 28.Af3 b5 29.cxb5 trxc3 30.4b1 trcS 31.Ae2 e4 32&t2 e3+ 33.€xe3 Ee5+ 34.€fg Axb5 35.Axb5 trxbS 36.8e1

trfs+ 37.€93 gf8 3B.Ad2 €e7

39.4f3 Eds 40.€h4 Q:c4 41.6gb Ed2 42.trc1 Ad6 4A.hA 6eB 44.sxh5 trxa2 45.€96 tra4 46.trb1 ad6 47.trb9 trf4 48.tra8 trf6+ 49.€h5 abs 50.h4 gf4 51.9h8 ad6 52.trh7+ €e8 53.trxa7 6,ti S4.ahl 4da 55.€g6 Axe6 S6.6f6+ €d8 57.tra8+ €c758.4d5+ 1-O Dunst,Theodore Bernstein,Sidney New York 1956/57 (11)

1.La3 f5 2.c3 .lfi 3.d4 b6 4.afg Ab7 5.93 e6 6.6c4 Ae7 7.492 0-O z+5

Chess Opening Essentials

8.0-O

-

Volume 4

geS g.6ce5 6cG 10.6g5

Ad8 11Axb7 6xb7 12.9d3

AdG

13.4h3 a514a4Ag4 15.6xg 4firg4 16.4f4 9517.ds2 ghs 18.4d2 Ef6 19.8e3 trhG 20.h4 sxhS 21.6h4 6c4 22.Wt3 gf8 23.Wxh5 Exh5 24atg trxf3 25.exf3 6xd2 26.trfd1 6xf3+ 27.&t1g4 28.b3 Ag5 29.tra2 Ad2 30.trc2 Ael 31.d5 e5 32.d6 cB 33.tre2 h2 34.tre4 6d2+ 35.trxd2

hlg+

o-1

Durkin, Robert

:#;

1.4a3 e5 2.6c44c6 3.e4 Af6 4.dg d5 5.exd5 6xd5 6.6f3 Ab4+ 7.€:d2

gxd2+ &Wxd2 We7 9.GG0 0-O 10.8e1 f6 11.93 b5 12.6a5 Axa5 13.Wxa5

WM t+.Bxb4 6xb415.a3

Ac6 16.As2 Eb8 fl.old2 gb7 189d5+ €hB 19.4ffi 2:a5 20.Axb7 6xb3+ 21.cxb3 trxbz 22.tre4 Edg 23.Ed1 cE 24.M cxb4 sgg 27.sd2 b,4

25.Exb4 a5 26.tre4

2+6

28.a4 Ec7 29.€e3 trc2 30.trd2 EdcS 31.d4 ii8c4 g2:f4 exd4+

33.trexd4 35.E2d7+

b3 34.trd9+ &t7 sg6 36.trg8 trxb2

37.trgxg7+ €hG 38.Exh7+ €g5 sh6 41.gxf5 1-0

39.94 f5 40.Ehg7+

Grund,Holger ffilfoslrni,Christian Halle ch-GER ir 1996 (9\ l.Aag a]t6 2.c3 se i.ats Ast 4.d4 d5 5.h3 0-0 6.9f4 c5 7.e3 6c6 8.Ae2 ad7 g.CO e5 10.Ah2 cxd4 11.cxd4 exd4 12.6xd4 6xd4 13.exd4 a6 14.Wb3 hb8 15.AeS Ac6 16.Axg7 €xg7 lztrfdl gf6 18.olc24f5 19.4e3 Axd4 20.6xf5+ 6xf5 21.Wxb7 trfbg 22.Wxd5 Wxb2 23Afg Ea7 24.trac1 gf6 25.Ae4 Eb5 26.gdg h5 27€c6 Wb2 28.trc2 WfO Zg.ae Ee5 30.8c6 We731.Axf5 trxfS 32.ExaG trxa6 33.Wxa6 Wb4 34.Wc6 trf4 35.93 Ec4 36.WeB He4

9xa4 38.9cS+ 39.Edg treg 40.trd4 gbs 37.Wc6

gh7

r/z-1h

EfiA E#A#

*L*r.r.r = =:===

==

=:;:;

=A

',...,:.

=

.:::;

':,-= *:

=== =

=-

!i:.

a#wiga

'.:;-.

tr

What child has not thought at

least

once of playing h2-h4 so as to bring the rook into action with Eh3 ?

Then someone explains that exchanging a rook for a bishop (sooner or later there is the inevitable ...Axh3) is like Iosing two pawns and l.h4 disappears from his or her embryonic repertoire. Even without the idea of a follow-up 2.Eh3,

1. h2-h4 remains an extremely dubious move. The weakening of the kingside is not justified by dreams of some distant

Like 1.h4 in the Reagan,

1.

a2-a4

is more damaging than useful: however it is not as bad because problems on the queenside are generally less significant than on the kingside! White denies himself the possibility of

playing a2-a3, which is a big price to pay for the unnecessary control of b5 that this move grants.

Almost all of Black's normal moves are good and will lead to positions where Black has better prospects than White.

kingside attack.

or 1...d5 give Black a lovely game, and he just needs to be careful not to castle too soon and in so The normal 1...e5

doing favour White's opening move.

z+7

-

Chess Opening Essentials

Volume 4

2. &e1-t2?l

E

E AEE

11=1--r, -:j.::

A=.

....

r r-r :

.

:::r,.

i.-,,, ,.,.t

,

A

tr

A.A

.=

= A ..A* A

a=wga

.l

.-..1;:::.:

_.

==

,A::: A &A*AgA tr A g'. AfiE

.,

'-..

-e.,*e-ga=

ll*1,'l*r ,.,.=

An absurd but strangely frequent move.

tr

This is a multi-purpose bad

move.

White neglects development, loses the right to castle and places his king on a And now we are at the end of our fourvolume work.

It is with

regrer thar we finish with what is generally considered to be the worst of the 20 legal moves available to

White at the beginning of the

game.

But as we have discussed the openings in descending order of popularity it was inevitable that at the end we would be scraping the bottom of the barrel! Given its lowly status, we preferred not to dishonour anyone by associating

their name with this ill-advised move it 1.f3. It is clear that this move makes no contribution to development and weakens

dangerous square. The chess engines give Black a slight advantage after 1...e5;after the king move, this evaluation correctly becomes a clear plus for the holder of the black pieces.

The only good thing rhar can be said about 2.€f2 is that it is definitely better

rhan 2.g4??, which after 2...Wh4 results in the notorious Fool's Mate, whose delightful simplicity encourages children to believe that chess is an

easy

game to master. After the king move, we have

2. ... 3. e2-e3

and we have simply called

d7-d5

Af8-c5 and Black's better coordinated and

the king's security.

more active pieces represent a clear ad-

Without doubt, Black's mosr effbcrive

vantage.

reply is

The only explanation for opening with 1.f3 is that in his surprise Black may do

1.

...

e7-e5!

In

a King's Pawn Game there are greater chances of exploiting the vulnerable

monarch. The alternative 1...d5 is not bad, but it allows Z.f4!? with a rransposition to the Dutch, which may not be the best on offer for White, but at least it is within the realms of the normal. z+8

something foolish. Though this may occasionally happen, shooting yourself in the foot is probably nor rhe best way

to unsettie your adversary. As Bobby Fischer remarked: "I do not belieue in psychology,I belieae in good moaes"

hear! hear

!

.

Reagcn Attock

1.h2-h4

/

Wore Opening 1.a2-a4

/ 1.f2-f3

8c3 43.€dl trdg 44.&e2

KirillonAndrey Grinke,lslia

gds 45.€f2 gfs 46.€g1 gd7

Tomsk l 999 (2)

47.&h1E.c7 48.tr'g4

42.&c1

1.h4 e5 2.h5 hG 3.c3 d5 4.d4 ed5

5.dxe5 gxes 6.4f3 9f6 7g3 6e7 8.:zg2 c6 9.9f4 ad7 1}.a1lbd2 ac5 11.4b3 ae/.12oltd2 Ag5 13.e4 dxe4 14.Axg5 exgs 15.6:xd Wxdl+ 16Exd1 4rlts 17.t4 Ae7 18.€f2 g6 19.trhe1 Ae6 2o.6bc5 Ag7 21.hxg6 fxg6 22.4xe6 6xe6 23.4d6+ 1-0

sb8 49.trc1 b5

5O.We6 trd6 51.We4 c4 52.trf1 trdg

53.g4 Wb7 54.9b7 €b7 55.eg2 c3 56.sf3 trf8 57.€e2 Efl o-1 Rogers,Jonathan Ward,Christopher England tt 2005/06 ( l 0)

2.Lrc Aga 3.d4 gxf3 4.exf3 e6 5.c3 Q:d7 6.a5 c€ 7.a6 b6 8.8d3 1.a4 d5

Kadas,Gabor Arkhipov;Sergey

g6 9.af4 9g710.0-0 6e711.Wd2 0-0

Kecskemet 1984

6c6 15.9b5 trcg 16.6a3

12.AhG

sxh6 13.gxh6 c5

Bf6

14.trd1

adbg

1.h4 e5 2.d4 ed4 s.ilat9 c5 4.c4 d5

17.6-:lc2

5.e3 de3 6.cd5 ef2 7.€f2 Af6 8.4b5

Wg7 20.Wf4 21.6_tc2 Be5 22.,9d2 8c7 23.t4 trfd8 24.We3 i-e7 25.Ad4

Ad7 g.tre1 Ae7 10.d6 Ab5 11.tre7 €fg 12.495 Ae8 13.Wb3 6s4 14.€e1 c4 15.9f3 AfG r6.gf6 sfo 17.6eG

fe6 18.AhG €gS

€fg 21€;bt €g8 22.trd7&gB 23.trd9

19:trs7

21.trg7 &f8

&f724.d7

1-o

WarerPreston Delmar,Eugene New York ch-USA 1880 (8)

gd6 4.d4 6c6 5.4b5 Ad7 6.de5 6e5 7.4d7 Wd7 8.9d5 O-O-O 9.4f3 Q:ga fi.hS 6rt2 1l.trfl 6d3 12.€e2 Q:c113.trc1 6f6 14.Wa5 a6 15.trd1 trheg 16.abd2 We6 17.at1 ke4 18.gds ,ag3 19.€f2 6hl 2O.€e2 6s3 21.&f2 gh6 22.Wd4 6.e4 23.€e2 Acs 1.a4 e5 2.e3 d5 3,c3

Edl 25.€dl Ae3 26.e,c2 ad6 27.Ws4 f5 28.9h4 9g6 29.Wg3 Be6 30.6e3 ge4 31.sb3 24.Wc4

Ee3

32.tre1

gb6 33.€a2

0',e4

34.W97 BeG 35.ea1 Ed8 36.Ld4 Bc4 37.He7 r$a4 38.9b1 treB 39.9h4 c5 40.at5 Ac3 41.bc3 Wb3

18.dxc5 bxcS 19.6e3

4

WbG 26.f5 gxfs 27.W95+ €fB 28.9h6+ €98 29.tse1 .296 30.8e3 o;d7 31.Axd7 ExdT 32.trae1 e5 33.axf5 fG 34.Eg3 BeG 35.4M trg7

36.Zxg6 hxg6 37.trx96 ExgG

38.wxg6+ €f8 39.h4 se7 ztO.BhZ+ Wf741.Wc2 ghs 42.93 €e6 43.Wa4 WeB 44.Sa5 gd8 45.Wa4 BeB 46.Wd1 996 47.b3 cxb3 48.Wxb3 gd3 49.trd1 WfS 50.Ec1 tr98 51.Egc2 f5 52.8e1 f4 53.9h7 Exg3+ 54.fxg3 Bxg3+ 55.€f1 gf3+ 56.sg1 Bg3+ 1/2:V2 57:€f1Wf3+ Desmarais,Chris Seres,Laios Budapest 2001 (13)

1.f3 e5 2.sf2 d5 3.d3 d4 4.e4 dxe3+ 5.Axe3 f5 6.93 a'c6 7.992 at6 8.o'e2 ads 9.Bd2 9dG 10.tre1 f4 11.gxf4 Wh4+ 12.Q:g3 0-O 13.fxe5 Axe5 14.€91 AxfS+ 15.Axf3 trxf3 16.Af2 9xg3 17*Rxg3 trxg3+

18.hxg3 Wxg3+ 19.€h1

9g4

o-1

z+9

Index of PlaYers The numbers refer to Pages'

iffi;;.;t"' A Adams Agrest

Alexandrov AIonso Anand Anderssen Andersson

Anguix Areschenko

ArkhiPov

Aronian

fuonin Aseev

Asrian

Atalik Azarov

AzmaiParashvili B Bacrot Bareev

Bartel Basman Bauer,C' Bauer,J.

Becerra Rlvero BeliavskY

Belion LoPez Benko Berger Berkes

Bernstein

Bird Biackburne

Bogoliubow Bologan

i' Loid th" PIaYer was Black' 97,98,137' 138' 138,142 67

99 23

Borisenko

Botvinnik Brancaleoni Bronstein

Bruno Bu Xiangzhi

76

1'.08,2+0,2+0

l1+

24

58,84, 171 31,68 r7 ,7 5,209 209 19s

c CamPora Canal

234 84

Capablanca

?49

33,234,235 208

55, 57

18,97,114,139

Carlsen s7,lz8, r+3,1+3,143

LLJ

6)

75

rrz 58

Chekhov Chekhover

CheParinov ChernYshov

32

98

159,207

76, l9S 18, 33,56,58, 76' 98, 196 23

735,236 r97 208 224 99

19+ r38,207,7-O7 56 209

245

224,225 226,238 55

235

235 67

Chuchelov Cocchi Colle

83

Conquest

31

31

115

Crunling

?.42

Curtis CYborowski

137

246

D De Santis

De]mar Desmarais

Dimitrijevic Dinh Duc Trong Dizdarevic Djurasevic

Djuric

68

2+9 249 18

207

32,57 33

t27

18 Dolmatov ll4 Perez Dominguez 84 Donner 245 Dunst 2+6 Durkin 251

Chess Opening Essentials

-

Volume 4

Ivanchuk

E

Epishin Euwe

115

Ivkov

Fedorov

85

Janowsky

Filippov

tr5,

Elianov

58, 99, 113,114,

l+3, 17 0, 196,197

l9+ 83,234

17

0,

17

1,

t7l

I

F

Jaracz

55 33 68

2ro

lobava

s7

58

Jones

31

tt2,

Fischer

Flohr Fontaine Forster Fridman Froeyman

r27 115,207 ,709,

226 1

8

K

85

Kadas

249

68

Kanep Karlsson Karpatchev

67 210

Karpov

34, 58, 98, rr+, 17 r, tgs, 196

G

Gagunashvili 198 68 Garofalo 128 Gashimov 196 Gelfand Gheorghiu 98 Giorgadze 5 5 159 Golubovic Granda Zuniga 7 6,85 32 Grimm 249 Grinko 246 Grund Gschnitzer 139 97 , 137 , Gurevich Guseinov Guyt

Jansa

170 84

r97

Karttunen

l7

Kasparov

58, 99, 99,127,

138,158,159,19s, 196,196 Keres

195

Khalifman Kharlov Khenkin

tt3, t44,z4s

Khmelniker

Kirillov

170

32,32 83 2+9

Klovans Korneev

22s

Kortchnoi

r8,33,34,76,96,

33

100, I 13,113,127,

227

t70,172,195

H

Kosten

158

Hertneck

ts7

Kovalevskaya

t69

Hickl Hillarp Persson Hoffmann Hort Hribner

226

Kozul

58

32

Kramnik

56, 7 5,

1A1

ll4,

139,

l+2, 143, 143

197

Kunte

68

75,158 L

I Ibarra

Chami

Illescas

z5z

237

Cordoba l++

Labuckas Landa Larsen

85 139

98,17

l,

208, 225

Index of Ployers Lasker,Ed Lasker,Em

55

Nimzowitsch

209

208,22s

Noa

Lastin

207

226 226

Lautier

18

Novikov Nunn

Lazarev

139

Laznicka Levenfish Lie

85 8+

Lilienthal

57

Ljubojevic

170, 17l

Pachman

8+

Lobron

11+

Palac

Lujan Lutz

83

Pantaleoni Pantsulaia

r27 lno 56,128

o

r37

57 ,

Owen

238

P

r39,207

Pavasovic

M Macieja Malaniuk Mamedyarov Markus Maroczy Mason

t72

Pel

lI3,157

Pelletier

68

Petrosian Pilgaard Polgar Polugaevsky

198

18

234 146

37 227

83, 97 , 113 55,96, 100, 1 12, 210 243 7 5, 142 23, 67 , 68,75,7 6, 96, 158 245

Matamoros Franco

2ro

Mchedlishvili

97

Mecking

209 225

Prohaszka

2+3

Provotorov

67

158

Pyhili

LLO

Mestel

Ponomariov Portisch

lt3

Miedema Mikhalevski Minasian Miralles

235

Morphy

240,740

Rausis Ree

Movsziszian

237

Reinderman

5,75 158,210

Miiller

208

Reshevsky

96,24s

Musat

JL

R6ri

55, 55, 55,56,1+6, 234

196 L5

N Naer Naiditsch

R 59 7

Ribli

l14, t38,

197

Rivas Pastor

2+3,245

1

97, t27

Rogers

2+9

Nataf Naumkin

85

68

Roiz Romanishin

76,96, 195

Navara

33,127,209

Rosenthal

Nezhmetdinov Ni Hua Nielsen

1s8

Rowson Rubinstein

99

Nijboer

170

Nikolic

r70

99,2+0

Rublevsky Rukavina Rustemov

57

tI4

146 236 59,198 194 127

157

253

Chess Opening Essentiols

s Safarli Safronov

227 98 159

santacruz

85

Savchenko Schekachev

227

Scherbakov Schwarz

Volume 4

128

Salov

Sal
-

158 84

Tkachiev

127

Tomashevsky Topalov Torre Repetto Touzane Tratar

56, 83 138, 1+2, 17r

5s, 146 76 8+

U Uhlmann

138, 194

157

v

Seres

249

Serper

19s

Yachier-Lagrave

197

Shirov Short Skembris

159,1s9,159

Vallejo Pons Van den Doel

ts7

Van Geet Van Wely

277,227 98,127, r28,157,

ttz

Velimirovic

23s

Smirnov

128

Vidonyak

235

Smyslov Sokolov,A Sokolov,I

2+,96, 138

Vitor

210

99

Vokarev

83

114,159

Volkov

196

Solak Spassky

t7

Volokitin

rs7

Spielmann

208, 209

Spraggett

23 22.4 115

Skripchenko Smetankin

Smirin

Steinitz Stojanovski Strauss

Sutrle Sunye Neto

Sutovsky

172 23s 169 196

197

lls,17r,208

235 208 177 83

59,196

w Wang Hao

57

Ward

249

Ware Weber

243

Wilhelmi Wojtkiewicz

z+9

246 17

x

T

Xu Jun

128

Takacs

59

lhksrud

227

Tal

L3,67,207,209

Ye

Thrrasch

198

Tirtakower

195, 208, 23+,234

Yudasin Yusupov

Taylor

724,72s,226

Teske

227

Thiede

57

Zhou Jianchao

197

Timman

68, 195 128,170 23s

Ziiger

113,226 22s 33,2+s,2+5

Timofeev I

lvlaKov

25+

Y Jiangchuan

240 23+

170

z Zuidema Zviagintsev

"By organizing and explaining the nature of great chess moves Hertan has brought us all closer to being able to find them." Fonner US Champion GM ]oel Benjamin "Hertan develops the readels skills methodically, thus enabling each tactical lesson to be leamed and absorbed properly." Marsh Towers Chess Reviews

"Thrilling, instructive and witty. Right on target." Cor ]ansen, Provinciaalse Zeeuwse Courant

"The categories in this book are quite unusual (..) An ample and accurate collection of startling problems bulging with combinative surprises. " Harold Dondis, The Boston Globe "Complete and entertaining." Francesco Benetti, Tone & Cavallo "The price is low for a volume with so many pages and so much content." Stephen Dann, Worcester Telegram & Gazette Paperback

o

382 pages | € 25.95

. available

at your local (chess)bookseler or at newinchess.com

"Invaluable tools for any player."

GM MichaelAdams

"I recommend this book to everyone who, coming out of the opening more or less ok, doesn't know how to proceed." Martin Rieger, FreeChess "Sokolov covers his material deeplp offering not glib generalities but very specific insights and explanations. Great games, marvellous analysis." Dennis Monokroussos, ChessToday

'A pioneering effort that will benefit players of all levelg including masters. I recommend it very highly." IM David Vigorito, ChessCafe 'A nice balance of analysis and prose (..) a great book." IM fohn Donaldson "Much useful material for aspiring club players (..) helps resolve many dilemmas which recur regularly in practical play. Highly recommended." IM Bernard Cafferty, British Chess Magazine Paperback r 260 pages . €24.95 I available at your local (chess)bookseller or at newinchess.com

'A highly instructive book for readers who want to improve their chess skills." fan Timman "One of my three favorite chess teaching books. Grooten supplies nice examples and great explanation in a very structured way." jan van de Mortel, Chess Education Partners, Chicago IL

'An outstanding positional primer." Steve Goldberg, ChessCa{e

"Extremely interesting and instmctional lechrres (..) A fantastic book for chess training." Martin Rieger, Europa Rochade Paperback t 400 pages

i

€ 25.95 r available at your local (chess)bookseller or at newinchess.com

'A clear exposition of the most imortant endgames, with exercises to test your knowledge."

British Chess Magazine "De la Villa does the job quite well. He emphasizes the practical and prefers understanding to memorization."

IM |ohn Donaldson "The material is well chosen and the presentation is excellent (..) The greatest sfrength of the book: breaking things down into well-worded chunks of easily digestible information." Marsh Towers Chess Reviews

"We all admired'100 Endgames' for its clarity and practical value." Danny King & Ronan Bennett, The Guardian "This book will certainly improve your endgame skills in a spectacular way!" Elburg Chess Reviews

"Every club player should study this splendid book." B.H.Wilders, Nederlands Dagblad Paperback r 248 pages

0

€ 21.95

I available

at your local (chess)bookseller or at newinchess.com