The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

EVERYMAN CHESS Gloucester Publishers

ρlο

www.eνerymanchess.com

First published in 2008 by Gloucester Publishers plc (formerly Everyman Publishers plc), Northburgh House, 10 Northburgh Street, London EC1V ΟΑΤ Copyright © 2008 Christoph Scheerer The right οί Christoph Scheerer to be identified as the author οί this work has been asserted ίη accordance with the Copyrights, Designs and Patents Act 1988. ΑΙΙ

rights reserved. Νο part οί this publication may be reproduced, stored in a resystem or transmitted ίη any form or by any means, electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without Ρήοr permission οί the publisher. tήevaΙ

Βήtish Lίbrary

Cataloguing-in-Publication Data Α catalogue record for this book is available from the Βήtish Library. ISBN: 978 1 85744 5619 Distributed ίη North America by The Globe Pequot Press, ρ.ο Βοχ 480, 246 Goose Lane, Guilford, CT 06437-0480. ΑΙΙ other sales enquίήes should be directed to Everyman Chess, Northburgh House, 10 Northburgh Street, London EC1 V ΟΑΤ tel: 020 7253 7887 fax: 020 7490 3708 email: info®everymanchess.com; website: www.everymanchess.com

Everyman is the registered trade mark οί Random House Inc. and is used ίη this work under licence from Random House Inc.

EVERYMAN CHESS SERIES

Chief advisor: Byron Jacobs Commissioning editor: John Emms Assistant editor: Richard Pal1iser Typeset and edited by First Rank Publishing, Brighton. Cover design by Horatio Monteverde. Printed and bound in the υκ by Clays, Bungay, Suffolk.

Contents

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Ι

Bibliography Preface and Acknowledgments

5 10

Once Upon a Time ... Contrary to Popular Belief From Classic to Romantic Scheming a Revolt ' Α Counterattack, but a Bad One' That' s One Small Step for a Pawn... Α Thrill οί Excitement Ugly Duckling or Beautiful Swan? Ο Captain! ΜΥ Captain! Pastures New Α World Champion's Approach to the QGD Α Fearsome Fianchetto Showing the Way ΜΥ Κingdom for a Horse! The Hypermodem Era Α Cheer for Flexibility Marshall' s Plan Α Mysterious Κnight Move

14 27 34 46 56 65 69 73 79 90 95 100 106

113 122 129 134 145

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

More than a sub-variation It's up to you, New York, New York! Chaotic ίn Several Respects Overshooting the Mark Catalunya Triumphant! Riding the Razor Blade Infringing a Dogma The Crown Prince οί Openings The Sorrows οί the French Bishop When a Bishop is worth more than a Rook The Soviet Hegemony The Ultimate Sacrifice Son οί Sorrow Α Bust to the King' s Gambit Α Good Day to Sacήfice Α Gambit with Solid Positional Ideas Paying Final Respects to Greco The Virtue οί Modesty Opening Principles Α Thom ίn the Side Mouseslip?! Defending the Dragon Bringing Ιn the Harvest Daredevil Α Tricky Transposition Crossing the Brenner Α Brief Revolution Don't Name the Gambit After Me! The Golden Raspberry Start your Engines! One-Hit Wonder Hot Off the Press

151 158 164 172 180 187 195 200 208 215 221 227 233 239 244 250 260 267 273 282 289 297 306 310 314 321 325 332 341 348 352 358

Index οί Games Index οί Opening Ideas

364 367

Bibliography

Articles 'Battling οη ίη the Κing's Garnbit: New Ideas in the Κieseritzky', B.Rechel (TWIC Theory 2005) 'One Hundred Years Ago: Chess ίη the Year 1904', T.Harding (ChessCafe 2004) 'Sornething Old, Sornething New' S.Bίicker (ChessCafe 2006) 'Swansong οί the Giuoco Piano' T.Harding (ChessCafe 2001) 'The Evans Garnbit ReΙοadedΊ T.Harding (ChessCafe 2006) 'The Giuoco Piano Revisited', T.Harding (ChessCafe 2006) 'The 'Ίί It' s Good Enough For Capa" VaήatiοnΊ A.Martin Gererny Silrnan 2004) 'The Κing's Garnbit Lives!', M.Jensen (Correspondence Chess News, Issue 45,2001) 'The Search for Truth ίη the Evans GarnbίtΊ T.Harding (ChessCafe 2003) 'The Spanish Four Κnights, Part Three - Another Anti-Rubinstein ίdeaΊ M.Goel1er (The Kenilworthian 2007) 'Wandering about in the Volga (Part Ι)Ί KVan der Weide Gererny Silrnan 2006) 'Wandering about ίη the Volga (Part ΙΙ)Ί KVan der Weide Gererny Silrnan 2006) Books

500 Master Games ofChess, S.Tartakower & J.DuMont (Dover 1975) Α Memorial to William Steinitz, C.Devide (G.P.Putnarn Sons 1901) Α New Treatise on Chess, G.Walker (Walker & Son 1832) Α New Treatise on the Game ofChess, J.H.Sarratt (2nd edition, R.P. Moore 1828) Α Second Series ofLessons on the Game ofChess, W.Lewis (W.Sirnpkin & R.Marshall 1834) Α Selection of Games at Chess actually played in London by the late Alexander McDonnell, W.G.Walker (Thornas Hurst 1836) Α Treatise on the Game of Chess, J.Cochrane (Τ. & J.Allrnan 1822)

5

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas Α

Treatise on the Game ofChess, J.H.Sarratt (William Miller 1808) Analysis ofthe Game ofChess, F.A.D.Phi1idor & (tr.) W.s.Kenny (Samuel Η. Parker 1826)

Aron Nimzowitsch - Master of Planning, R.Keene (Batsford 1999) Berliner Schach-Erinnerungen nebst den Spielen des Greco und Lucena, T.Heydebrand und der Lasa (Von Veit & Comp. 1859) Catastrophe in the Opening, Y.Neishstadt (Pergamon 1980) Chess Openings Ancient and Modern, E.Freeborough & C.E.Ranken (revised edition, David McKay 1905) Chess Praxis - Α Supplement to the Chess Player's Handbook, Howard Staunton (Henry G.Bohn 1860) Common Sense in Chess, Em.Lasker (David McKay 1946) Dangerous Weapons: 1 e4 e5, J.Emms, G.Flear & A.Greet (Everyman 2008) Das Schachspiel und seine historische Entwicklung, L.Bachmann (Teubner Verlag 1924) Die Tarrasch-Verteidigung, H.Keilhack (Kaniaverlag 2003) Die Zukunftseroffnung - Das Zukertort-Reti-System, S.Tartakower (Wiener Schachzeitung 1924) Dreispringerspiel bis ΚOnigsgambit, P.Keres (Sportverlag Berlin 1977) Easy Guide to the Najdorf A.Kosten (Everyman 1999) Easy Guide to the Ruy Lopez, J.Emms (Everyman 1999) Emanuel Lasker - Games 1889-1903, A.Κhalifman (Chess Stars 1998) Emanuel Lasker - Games 1904-1940, A.Κhalifman (Chess Stars 1998) Fire on Board, A.Shirov (Cadogan 1997) French Defence: Steinitz, Classical and Other Systems, L.Psakhis (Batsford 2004) Gambits, Υ.Εstήn (Chess ΕnterΡήses 1982) Gioachino Greco on the Game of Chess, W.Lewis (Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme & Brown 1819) How to Beat 1 d4, J.Rizzitano (Gambit 2005) Keres' Best Games of Chess 1931-1948, F.Reinfeld (Dover Publications 1960) King's Gambit, V.Korchnoi & V.Zak (Macmillan 1986) Lehrbuch des Schachspiels, C.Bardeleben & J.Mieses (Von Veit & Comp. 1894) Lehrbuch des Schachspiels, D.Harrwitz (Ferdinand Dίimmler 1862) Letters on Chess, C.Vogt & (tr.) υ.ΕweΙΙ (Simpkin, Marshall, and Co. 1848) Mastering the Chess Openings: Volume 1, J.Watson (Gambit 2006) Mastering the Chess Openings: Volume 2, J.Watson (Gambit 2007) Masters of the Chess Board, R.Reti (DuMont 1933) Modern Chess Openings, R.Fine (6th edition, David McKay 1939) Modern Chess Openings, N.De Firmian (14th edition, David McKay 1999) Modern Chess: Part 1- Revolution in the 70s, G.Kasparov (Everyman 2007) Morphy's Games ofChess, P.Sergeant (Dover 1957) ΜΥ Best Games of Chess - 1908-1923, A.Alekhine (David McKay 1965) ΜΥ Great Predecessors - Part 1, G.Kasparov (Everyman 2003) ΜΥ Great Predecessors - Part Π, G.Kasparov (Everyman 2003)

6

Bibliography ΜΥ

Great Predecessors - Part ΠΙ, G.Kasparov (Everyman 2004) Great Predecessors - Part ιν, G.Kasparov (Everyman 2004) ΜΥ Great Predecessors - Part V, G.Kasparov (Everyman 2006) ΜΥ System: 21st Century Edition, A.Nimzowitsch & (ed.) L.Hays (Hays 1991) New Ideas in the Four Knights, J.Nunn (Henry Holt 1993) New Traps in the Chess Opening, A.Horowitz (Arco 1973) Nunn's Chess Openings, J.Nunn, G.Burgess, J.Emms & J.Gallagher (Everyman 1999) Openingfor White according to Anand - Book Ι, A.Κhalifman (Chess Stars 2003) Openingfor White according to Anand - Book Π, A.Κhalifman (Chess Stars 2003) Pirc Alert!, L.Alburt & A.Chemin (CIRC 2001) Play the Open Games as Black, J.Emms (Gambit 2001) Play The King's Indian, J.Gallagher (Everyman 2004) Play The King's Indian Defence, D.Marovic (Pergamon 1984) Play The Nimzo-Indian Defence, S.Gligoric (Pergamon 1985) Play The Sicilian Dragon, E.Dearing (Gambit 2004) Queen's Indian Defence, E.Geller (Batsford 1982) Queen's Gambit Declined, M.Sadler (Everyman 2000) Rfti's Best Games ofChess, (ed.) H.Golombek (Dover 1954) Rubinstein's Chess Masterpieces -100 Selected Games, F.Reinfeld (Dover 1960) Rudolj Spielmann - Portrait eines Schachmeisters in Texten und Partien; (ed.) M.Ehn ΜΥ

(Verlag H-W.Fink 1996)

Russisch bis Konigsgambit, A.Suetin (Sportverlag Berlin 1982) Sammlung neuer Schachpartien mit kritischen und historischen Noten, M.Lange (Weber Verlag 1857)

Spanisch - Richtig gespielt, G.Nesis & I.Blechzin (Thomas Beyer Verlags GmbH 1990) Stamma on the Game of Chess, W.Lewis (Τ. & J.Allman 1819) Starting Out: Benoni Systems, A.Raetsky & M.Chetverik (Everyman 2005) Starting Out: Modern Benoni, E.Vegh (Everyman 2004) Starting Out: The Griίnfeld, J.Aagaard (Everyman 2003) Starting Out: The King's Indian, J.Gallagher (Everyman 2003) Starting Out: The Ruy Lopez, C.Ward (Everyman 2003) Tarrasch's Best Games ofChess, F.Reinfeld (Dover 1946) The 2 f4 Sicilian, N.Davies (T.u.1. Enterprises 1988) The Alekhine for the Tournament Player, L.Alburt & E.Schiller (Batsford 1985) The American Supplement to the Sypnosis ofChess Openings, (ed.) J.W. Mi1ler (W.W. Morgan 1885)

The Art of Attack in Chess, V.Vukovic (Everyman 1999) The Benko Gambit, P.Benko (RHM 1973) The Benko Gambit Revealed, N.McDonald (Batsford 2004) The Cambridge Springs, KPanczyk & J.Ilczuk (Gambit 2002) The Chess Player's Handbook, H.Staunton (George Bell & Sons 1847) The Complete Griίnfeld, A.Suetin (Batsford 1991) The Complete Pirc, J.Nunn (Batsford 1989)

7

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

The Complete Sveshnikov, Y.Yakoνich (Gambit 2002) The Dynamic Reti, N.Daνies (Eνeryman 2004) The Gambit, M.Yudoνich (Planeta 1989) The Game ofChess, S.Tarrasch (R.& R.Clark 1935) The Great Evans Gambit Debate, M.Rohde (Thinkers Press 1997) The Hedgehog, M.Suba (Batsford 2000) The Ideas Behind the Chess Openings, R.Fine (algebraic edition, Batsford 1989) The Incomparable Game ofChess, J.5. Bingham G.J.Stockdale 1820) The King's Indian Defence, L.Barden, W.R.Hartston & R.Keene (Batsford 1973) The Mammoth Book of the World's Greatest Chess Games, G.Burgess, J.Nunn & J.Emms (Robinson 1998)

The Meran System, S.Pedersen (Gambit 2000) The Modern Chess Instructor, W.5teinitz (G.P. Putnam Sons 1889) The Nimzo-Indian Rubinstein, A.Dunnington (Eνeryman 2003) The Open Spanish, M.Κrasenkow (Cadogan 1995) The Oxford Companion to Chess, D.Hooper & KWhyld (2nd edition, ουρ 1992) The Quickest Chess Victories of ΑΙΙ Time, G.Burgess (Cadogan 1998) The Ruy Lopez: Α Guide for Black, S.Johnsen & L.Johannessen (Gambit 2007) The Sicilian Defence, E.Gufeld (Batsford 1983) The Sicilian Scheveningen, G.Kasparoν & A.Nikitin (3rd edition, Batsford 1991) The Soviet School of Chess, A.Kotoν & M.Yudoνich (Doνer 1961) The Works of Damiano, Ruy Lopez and Salvio, J.H. Sarratt (T.Boosey 1813) Theoretisch-praktisches Handbuch des Schachspiels, J.Dufresne Gulius Springer Verlag, 1857)

Theory of the Chess Openings, G.H.D.Gossip (2nd edition, W.H.Allen & Co. 1891) Understanding the Chess Openings: The Queen's Indian Defense, A.Soltis, E.Mednis, R.Keene & J.Grefe (R.H.M. 1981) Understand the Griίnfeld, J.Rowson (Gambit 1999) Why Lasker Matters, A.Soltis (Batsford,,2005) Winning With the Benko, B.Jacobs (Henry Holt 1995) Winning With the King's Gambit, J.Gal1agher (Henry Holt 1992) Zweispringerspiel im Nachzuge, Y.Estrin & T.Petrosian (Schacharchiν Rattmann 1966) CDsand DVDs

1000 Opening Traps, KMtiller & R.Κnaak (ChessBase 2005) World Champion's Guide to the Petroff, R.Kasimdzhanoν (ChessBase 2007) Catalan ΕΟΟ-Ε09, M.Marin (ChessBase 2004) Emanuel Lasker - 2nd World Champion, A.Κhalifman (Conνekta 2005) Giuoco Piano C50-C54, R.Ripperger (ChessBase 2004) How to Play the Nimzo-Indian, R.Ripperger (ChessBase 2003) How to Play the Queen's Gambit, G.Kasparoν (ChessBase 2004) How to Play the Queen's Indian, D.oleinikoν (ChessBase 2003)

Α

8

Bibliography

King's Gambit, A.Bangiev (ChessBase 2000) King's Indian Siimisch System, B.Schipkov (ChessBase 2007) Mega Database 2008 (ChessBase 2007) MegaCorr 4, T.Harding (ChessMail2005) Mikhail Botvinnik - 6th World Champion, A.Κhalifman & S.soloviev (Convekta 2002) Modern Benoni, J.Hebert (ChessBase 2000) ΜΥ Best Games in the Petroff Defence, A.Shirov (ChessBase 2007) ΜΥ Best Games in the Slav and Semi-Slav, A.Shirov (ChessBase 2007) ΜΥ Best Games in the Spanish, A.Shirov (ChessBase 2006) ΜΥ Path to the Τορ, V.Κramnik (ChessBase 2007) Play 1 e4 e5!, N.Davies (Everyman 2007) Queen's Gambit with 5 Bf4, R.Dautov (ChessBase 2001) Reti Opening, D.Maddox (ChessBase 2001) Starting Out: Closed Sicilian, R.Palliser (Everyman 2007) The ABC of the Alekhine, A.Martin (ChessBase 2007) The ABC of the Benko Gambit, A.Martin (ChessBase 2006) The ABC of the King's Indian, A.Martin (ChessBase 2004) The ABC of the Ruy Lopez, A.Martin (ChessBase 2004) The Botvinnik and Moscow Variation, L.Van Wely (ChessBase 2007) The Dragon for Experts, A.Schneider (ChessBase 1999) The Greatest Tournaments in the History ofChess -1851-1986, R.Κnaak (ChessBase 2004) The Grunfeld (D70-D99), KNeven (ChessBase 2003) The Sveshnikov Sicilian, D.Rogozenko (ChessBase 2000) The Total Marshall, T.Harding, J.Vitomskis & M.Bennedik (Chess Mai12002) Periodicals

ChessBase Magazine 1-120 New in Chess Magazine Informator 1-97 The Chess Player's Chronicle, (ed.) Howard Staunton Zeitschrijt Schach Websites

http://chess.about.com http://www.chesscafe.com http://www.chesshistory.com http://www.chessmetήcs.cοm

http://www.chesspublishing.com http://www.jeremysilman.com http://www.kenilworthchessclub.org/kenilworthian/index.html

9

Preface

Despite being a relatively strong amateur, for a long time Ι wasn't particularly interested ίη chess history. Ιη a fairly recent article at ChessCafe.com, Stefan Bίicker asked the question which opening would be the oldest. Without having conducted a ρσΙΙ, I'm quite sure that many people would have bet their shirt ση the Giuoco Piano, as would Ι. However, the more attentive observer would ίη that case have referred them (and me) to the following game, which is the oldest by a significant margin ίη Mega Database 2008: Ο

F.de Castellvi. N.Vinyoles

Valencia 1475 1 e4 d5 Ζ exd5 Qxd5 3 NC3 Qd8 4 BC4 Nf6 5 Nf3 Bg4

Diagram 1 (W)

10

Preface

6 h3 Bxf3 7 Qxf3 e6 8 Qxb7 Nbd7 9 Nb5 Rc8 10 Nxa7 Nb6 11 Nxc8 Nxc8 12 d4 Nd6 13 Bb5+ Nxb5 14 Qxb5+ Nd7 15 d5 exd5 16 Be3 Bd6 17 Rd1 Qf6 18 Rxd5 Qg6 19 Bf4 Bxf4 20 Qxd7+ Kf8 21 Qd8 mate (1-0)

We should take a moment to recognize the historical significance οί this game. First and foremost the choice οί opening, a system which ίη our modern times is known as the Scandinavian Defence, may come as a surprise. Once you get acquainted with the facts it will actually make perfect sense, but until then additional explanations are required. Ιη reality, Francesc de Castellvi and Narcis Vinyoles were members οί a wellknown literary circle ίη Valencia, and the game presented above is not an actual game, but rather a poem (Scachs d'amor) conceived as a chess game. Ι won't cite the poem at this point for a reason: Ι simply don't believe that your old Catalan is better than mine. Suffice to say that the poem is about Mars (de Castellvi) and Venus (Vinyoles) who debate about love, with Mercury (Bernat Fenollar, a third member οί the circle) being the arbiter. Its structure is based upon sixty-four stanzas (one for each square οη the board): three introductory stanzas, one stanza for each οί the gods to comment οη their half-move and one stanza for the arbiter to comment οη each full move. While this at least explains the number οί moves conducted ίη the game, we are none the wiser as to why οη earth they chose the Scandinavian Defence. Νο worries, there's also a perfect reason for that: chess ίη its old Shatranj form was quite stodgy, as the range οί the pieces was heavily restricted. Only around 1475, two οί the more pitiable pieces, the aψl and the fers were replaced by the bishop and the queen respectively, extending their range and therefore speeding up the whole game. Ιη conclusion, the reason for choosing the Scandinavian Defence was to il1ustrate the new power οί the pieces! As a direct consequence, chess players had to be keen-eyed right from the beginning; one indifferent move ίη the opening phase might subject a player to strong attack.

The Greatest Ever Opening Ideas great, adj. (great-er, great-est) - 4. extremely good in ability or quality and therefore admired by many people Oxford Advanced Leamer's Dictionary So the study οί openings began, and countless ideas have helped to develop what today is regarded as general opening theory. This book is meant to present the greatest οί these ideas! That is, the book is meant to present a selection οί what Ι believe are the best opening ideas οί all time. Ι know that this willlead to at least some discrepancies, as ίη all1ikelihood my selection wil1 not entirely be to everyone's taste, but then again tastes are different, and what Ι can absolutely offer you

11

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

are some fascinating stories presented ίη an entertaining way. Just keep ing, you won't regret it!

οη

read-

Theoretical? Historical? Theostorical! The night after signing the contract for this book was a rough one. Even though Ι had already had some time to think about Η, Ι still wasn't sure about the exact structure; the οηlΥ thing Ι knew was that Ι was excited to get going. Eventually Ι fell asleep and started dreaming: the greatest opening ideas οί all time, complete with full theoretical coverage. Yes! The perfect, largest-ever opening manual! Eventually Ι came back to my senses when the next day Ι quickly checked the combined number οί pages οί the sources listed ίη the bibliography: nearly 30,000 pages ίη total! All οί a sudden this approach didn't look so attractive anymore; not that Ι would shun the work, but rather Ι figured that it would be hard to find any buyers who would be willing to spend the needed gazillions to buy this book. Okay, I'm exaggerating a bit there, maybe you could get it from Amazon for $199.95 (free shipping included!), but still. .. So how about a purely historical approach then, perhaps being οη the trail οί Edward Winter? ΒΥ now Ι was fairly interested ίη chess history, and his Chess Notes are a must for anyone interested ίη the subject. However, even if my writing skills would match those οί Terry Pratchett, for most οί you this stuff would still be drier than a bottle οί Pinot Blanc. Νο, thank you! So what is this book about after all? Ι decided to strike a balance between history and theory: selected historical information seasoned with a grain οί theory and packed ίη a potpourri οί interesting games. Ι should mention that Ι have tried to cover the most criticallines as well as to place a special emphasis οη all those poor opening lines which ίη my ορίηίοη do not receive the treatment they actual1y deserve. Christoph Scheerer - the Robin Hood οί the chess openings? Decide for yourself ...

Τορ

of the POpS!

Selecting different ideas for this book was difficult enough; Ι would never presume to rank them from the best downwards. lηstead Ι' d rather go with the approach taken ίη The Mammoth Book of the World's Greatest Chess Games and present the various opening ideas ίη chronological order, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest. Most likely you wil1 be able to assess the value οί an opening idea by the information given ίη the relevant chapter, but ίη any case Ι have devised an ingenious rating system based οη four different factors:

12

Preface

Shock Va/ue - What was running through the opponent's mind? 1 2 3 4

5

Shrug Raising an eyebrow Slap οη the back Attack οί sweating Serious shock

('What' 5 that supposed to be?') ('Fascinating!') ('Irnpressiνe!')

('What should Ι do now?') ('Lord, help rne!')

Effectiveness Rating - How did the opening idea fare ίη the initial game(s)? 1 2 3 4

5

success Moderate success Mild success Clear success Enorrnous success Νο

Longevity Rating - How long did the idea keep its Effectiveness rating? 1 2 3 4

5

Less than 5 years 5-25 years 25-50 years 50-100 years 100+ years

Creativity Va/ue - How much effort did it take to discover the actual idea? 1 2 3 4

5

Νο

effort Little effort Sorne effort Much effort Α great deal οί effort

Acknowledgements Ι' d 1ike to thank Everyman Chess for giνing rne the opportunity to write this book, and the νarious rnernbers οί the ChessPublishing.com forurn for their νaluable ίη­ put; but rnost especially Ι' d like to thank rny beautiful wife Nadja for her endless patience and her enduring support, and Ι' d like to apologize to her for all those nights she had to go to sleep without rne ...

Christoph Scheerer, April2008

13

Chapter 1

Once υροn a Time ... Chess - Now there's α game ofkings. Civilized, strategic! Tim Robbins (The Shawshank Redemption)

Diagram 1 (Β) When asked about the first milestone οη the road to modem chess competition, most οί you willlikely name the famous London chess toumament οί 1851. Considering the quality οί the starting line-up (from those considered to be ίη the top eight οί the time οηlΥ Tassilo νοη Heydebrand und der Lasa and Henry Thomas Buckle were missing), that is a perfectly valid ορίηίοη. Even so, Ι would like to draw your attention to events that have happened about 300 years before that. ..

14

1: Once Upon a Time ...

At the end of the year 1559, Ruy ΙόΡeΖ de Segura, ίη his official capacity as priest of his home town οί Zafra, travelled to Rome οη occasion of the inauguration of Pope Pius IV. Whilst there, he not οηlΥ took the opportunity to become acquainted with the Questo libro e da imparare giocare α scachi et de le partite, the famous book that Pedro Damiano had published ίη 1512, but he also successfully played a match against a promising young Italian player, Giovanni leonardo di Bona. Not taken aback but encouraged by his defeat against Ruy ΙόΡeΖ, leonardo spent the following years improving his playing skills and eventually became the strongest player οη Italian soil. Ιη 1574, he embarked οη a journey to Spain, accompanied by his countryman Giulio Cesare Polerio. Later joined by Paolo Βοί of Syracuse, they met the leading Spanish masters ίη a series of matches, thereby effectively conducting the very first intemational competition! Ultimately, the Italian masters managed to emerge victorious, and ίη honour of their achievement, the opening successfully used by them became known as the Italian Opening. Furthermore, it became the most popular opening for the next 250 years! That's enough reason for me to start our joumey through the world of the greatest ever opening ideas at this very ροίηΙ The following game is of great historical value. It was played by Polerio at the court of the Duke of Sora, most likely after his retum from Spain, and is the oldest complete recorded game featuring the Italian Opening.

D G.Polerio • Lorenzo Sora 1575? 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 BC4 BC5 (Diagram 2)

Diagram 2 (W)

Diagram 3 (Β)

15

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

If you were to read J.5.Bingham's The Incompαrαble Gαme ofChess, a translation οί Domenico Ponziani's Il giuoco incompαrαbile degli scαcchi from 1769, you would learn that the Italian Opening is 'the best opening οί a11 others, being the most fertile ίη subtleties and adνentures; which few Players understand ίη their ίυΙΙ extent'.

Tigran Petrosian once remarked that the predominant playing style οί the period, which inνolνed attacking at the earliest opportunity, bordered οη the primitiνe; but then again, it was quite successful. Indeed, it was this νery style οί the famous Modenese school οί chess that strongly influenced the way chess was played until the 1860s. Ιη the present day, the Italian Opening is more commonly known as the Giuoco Piano, although ίη the old days this would haνe been ambiguous as the term 'Giuoco Piano' (which is Italian for 'quiet game') was usua11y applied to any opening that was not a gambit. 4(3

With this moνe, Polerio shows 'the purest intent οί this opening: to estab1ish an idea1 centre and driνe back B1ack's pieces away with tempo' (Watson). As we11 as White's main alternatiνe, 4 d3, I'd like to mention a third option which you wi11 strugg1e to find ίη modern sources οη the Giuoco Piano, and which Ι wi11 οη1Υ touch υροη briefly for its historica1 νa1ue. As Ι haνe a1ready described ίη the preface, at the end οί the 15th Century the ru1es οί chess underwent serious changes, but not a11 were as abrupt as the transitions from αφι to bishop and fers to queen, and especia11y the deνe10pment οί castling was rather fluent. Ear1ier works reνea1 two modes οί cast1ing differing from ours. First οί a11, the 'leap', which meant castling oνer two moνes (the first moνe is used to bring the rook next to the king and οη1Υ οη the next moνe does the king 1eap oνer the rook), and, second1y, the 'Ita1ian' mode οί castling as giνen by A1essandro Sa1νio. Here, king and rook switched sides ίη a more libera1 way, a110wing them to be p1aced οη different squares as we11, such as the king οη h1 and the rook οη e1. This opened υρ additiona1 possibi1ities, and one examp1e giνen by Sa1νio is a good i11ustration of this: 4 ο-ο (but put the rook οη f1 and the king οη h1!) 4 ... Nf6 5 Ng5 ο-ο 6 f4! (this is οη1Υ possib1e because White was a110wed to put his king οη h1!) 6 ... h6 7 Nxf7 Rxf7 8 Bxf7+ Κxf7 9 fxe5 Nxe5 10 Qh5+ Ke6 11 Qf5+ Kd612 c3 fo11owed by 13 d4 and White regains his piece. Eνen though modes of castling other than ours were wide1y discarded around the time of Po1erio, the mode of castling giνen by Sa1νio surνiνed ίη different regions οί Ita1y until the end of the 19th Century, which is another reasorι why the Giuoco Piano was so popu1ar. The rather ca1m 4 d3 is the so-ca11ed Giuoco Piαnissimo. After 4 ... Nf6 5 Nc3 d6 (Diagram 3) we haνe reached a position that can be called a 'true c1assic': not οη1Υ because of it's age (a quite simi1ar 1ine was a1ready giνen by Luis Ramirez Lucena back ίη 1497!), but a1so because it sti11 is a frequent νisitor ίη beginners' gameseνen Ι can remember haνing p1ayed this 1ine back ίη my ear1iest youth. The reasoning is quite simp1e: despite its seeming1y calm character, a p1ayer can 1eam

16

1: Once Upon a Time ...

many different things from this opening: conducting straight and easy development, the correct positioning οί the pieces and the significance οί different move orders, just to name a few. 6 Bg5 was long thought to be inferior due to 6... h6 7 ΒΜ g5! 8 Bg3 (8 Nxg5? hxg5 9 Bxg5 Rg8 10 h4 Bg4! leaves White without compensation) 8 ... Bg4, when the darksquared bishop is more or less confined and the ρίη οί the f3-knight is quite annoying. The Peruvian grandmaster Esteban Canal revived 7 Bxf6 Qxf6 8 Nd5 Qd8 9 c3 with some fresh ideas ίη the 1929 Carlsbad tournament. White has established a knight οη d5 and threatens to advance his pawns, gaining space ίη the process. Tim Harding ίη a fairly recent article series about the Giuoco Piano even states that ίη this position 'many replies have been tried, but none οί them are entirely satisfactory'; an ορίηίοη which Ι do not tend to share. White has established a knight οη d5 and threatens to advance his pawns, gaining space ίη the process. As a consequence, Black' s main idea ίη this position should involve the challenge οί White's supremacy over d5 with 9... Ne7. Then after 10 d4 Nxd5 11 dxc5 Νί4 12 g3 Nh3 13 Bb5+ Κί8! 14 Be2 Qf6 15 cxd6 cxd6 16 Qd3 g6 17 Rd1 Ke7 White's inability to castle al10wed Black to equalize ίη B.Ivanovic-Ki.Georgiev, Vrsac 1987. 4 ... Qe7

This move, which was the most popular move until the 1830s, had already been mentioned ίη the famous Gottingen manuscript. It is one οί the earliest examples οί how an opening variation eventual1y evolves over time. Original1y 4 ... Qe7 was meant to strengthen e5, and Black manages to retain quite a solid position should White fail to follow up energetical1y. Ιη the days οί Ruy Lopez, who analysed this move ίη some detail ίη his famous Libro de Ιa ίnvencίόn liberal Υ arte del juego del Axedrez ίη 1561, the immediate 5 d4 was considered premature because οί the hanging e-pawn - a view that prevailed even up to the second edition οί Jacob Henry Sarratt' s Α New Treatise On The Game Of Chess ίη 1828, which explains why Polerio opts for a more solid approach. The fact that White can (and should!) play 5 d4 nonetheless is a result οί the discovery οί 5 ... exd4 6 Ο-Ο!, as we will see below. Note that the superior 4... Nf6 and minor 4th move alternatives will be examined our next illustrative game.

ίη

5 ο-ο

Critical is 5 d4!. This move had originally been dismissed οη account οί 5 ... exd4?! 6 cxd4? Qxe4+ 7 Be3 (or 7 Kd2 ΒΜ+ 8 Nc3 Qg4) 7... Bb4+ with better play for Black ίη both cases according to Ruy Lopez, but it is easy to see that these lines are a little too convenient for Black. Nevertheless, it took over 250 years to discover that after 6 ο-ο! it is Black who gets the worst οί it: a) 6... dxc3 gives White a dangerous initiative: one example being 7 Nxc3 d6 8 Nd5 Qd8 9 b4! Bxb4 10 Nxb4 Nxb4 11 Qb3 Nc6 12 Bb2 which is given, along with deeper analysis οί this line, ίη William Lewis' s Α Second Series of Lessons on the

17

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

Game of Chess (1834).

b) 6... d3 seeks to return the gambit pawn under favourable circumstances. However, White has the powerful 7 e5! (Diagram 4) when Black faces severe problems.

Diagram 4 (Β)

Diagram 5 (w)

N.Rossolimo-L.Evans, Hastings 1949/50, continued 7...h6 8 b4 Bb6 9 a4 a510 Ba3 axb4 11 cxb4 Nxb4 12 Nc3 Bc5 13 Qb3 Ra5 14 Bxb4 Bxb4 15 Nd5 and White won the exchange and later the game. c) 6... Ne5 is given by most opening treatises Ι examined, but 7 Nxe5 Qxe5 8 ί4! dxc3+ 9 Κhl cxb2 10 fxe5 bxalQ 11 Qd51eads to an attack that 'ought to be irresistible' (George Walker in his 1832 Α New Treatise On Chess). d) Relatively best is 6 ... d6 7 cxd4 Bb6, but now we have reached a position that also could have arisen via 4... d6 5 d4 exd4 6 cxd4 Bb6 7 ο-ο where the move 7... Qe7 does not make much sense. ΒΥ playing normal moves like 8 h3 Νί6 9 Nc3 ο-ο 10 Bg5 White obtained a clear advantage in V.Saavedra Rionda-A.Matoussi, San Agustin 2001. As a result, Black has to be content after 5 d4 with 5 ...Bb6 but fol1owing 6 Bg5! 7 d5 Nd8 (or 7... Nb8 8 d6 cxd6 9 ο-ο with play similar to the text) 8 a4 a6 9 d6! Qxd6 10 Qxd6 cxd6 11 Bxf6 gxf6 12 Nh4 it is White who has al1 the fun.

Νί6

5... d6 6 d4 Bb6 (Diagram 5)

This position was a tabiya for the first three centuries οί the Giuoco Piano. Black has managed to strengthen e5 while establishing a solid, flexible position. Unlike many current opening encyclopaedias, Ι find it rather difficult to suggest lines that provide White with a clear advantage. The resilience οί the black system is certainly a reason why it was popular for such a long time. 7 Bg5

18

1:

Once

υροπ

a Time ...

After the innocuous 7 h3 Νί6 8 Re1, 8... h6! is a multifunctional move. Not only does it prevent White from playing Bg5 (a move which is usually annoying, especially if Black has already castled short), but it also prepares a possible ... g7-g5!. After 9 a4 a6 both 10 Be3 g5!? 11 dxe5 dxe5 12 Bxb6 cxb6 (L.Dobrovolsky-D.Gross, Czech League 1994) and 10 Na3 g5!? 11 Bf1 g412 hxg4 Bxg4 (the latest edition of Modern Chess Openings only gives the convenient 12 ... Nxg4 13 Nc4 Bxd4? 14 cxd4 Nxd4 15 Be2 of V.spasov-D.Kontic, Niksic 1991, which is obviously better for White) 13 Nc4 Ba7 give Black some attacking chances. The game N.RossolimoM.Campos Lopez, Skopje Olympiad 1972, even saw White self-destruct after 14 b4? exd4 15 e5 Nxe5 16 cxd4 Bxf3 17 gxf3 Rg8+ 18 Bg2 Nxf3+; a fine example which shows how quickly White can go astray ίη these lines. Probably better than the text is 7 a4!? a6 (7 ... a5?! puts a stop to any expansion plans involving b2-b4, but also weakens the b5-square; after 8 Be3 Bg4 9 d5 Nd8 10 Bxb6 cxb6 Black has a very weak pawn οη b6) 8 b4 Nf6 9 Rel ο-ο (or 9... Bg410 a5 Ba711 b5 axb5 12 Bxb5) 10 h3 Μ11 Ba3 with a slight edge for White. 7... Nf6

As a more enterprising option, Ι recommend 7... f6!? (Diagram 6). After 8 Bh4, 8 ... g5?! is known to be at least unnecessarily risky since the days of Gioacchino Greco, who delivered impressive analysis about this line back ίη 1619 after 9 Nxg5! fxg5 10 Qh5+: a) 10... Kd811 Bxg5 Nf612 Qh6 Rf813 f4 exd414 e5 dxc3+ 15 Κhl cxb2 16 exf6 bxalQ (or 16 ... Rxf6 17 Qxf6 bxalQ 18 Qxal Bd4 19 Bxe7+ Κxe7 20 Nc3 and White wins) 17 fxe7+ Nxe718 Qxf8+ Kd719 Bb5+ Ke6 (or 19 ... Nc6 20 Qe7 mate) 20 Rel+ Kd5 21 Qf7+ Kc5 22 Qc4 mate.

Diagram 6 (W)

Diagram 7 (Β)

19

The Greatest

Eνer

Chess Opening Ideas

b) 10... Kf8 11 Bxg5 Qe812 Qf3+ Kg713 Bxg8 Kxg8 (or 13 ... Rxg8 14 Qf6 mate) 14 d5 Ne715 Bf6 Qf7 16 Nd2 h6 17 Bxh8 Qxf3 18 Nxf3 with a decisiνe adνantage. Greco concludes this line with 18 ... Κxh8 19 h3 Bd7 20 c4 Bd4 21 Nxd4 exd4 22 Rad1 c523 f4 Rf8 24 e5 dxe5 25 fxe5 Rxf1 + 26 Rxf1 Kg7 27 e6 Be8 28 d6 Nc6 29 d7 Bg6 30 e7 Nxe731 d8Q. c) 10 ... Kd711 Bxg5 Qf8 (11 ... Qg7 allows 12 Be6+! Κxe6 13 Qe8+ Nge7 14 d5 mate) 12 Bf7! (threatening 13 Qg4 mate) 12 ... Nce7 13 dxe5 (Diagram 7) 13 ... h6 (13 ... dxe5 14 Rd1+ Kc615 Be8+ Kc5 16 Be3+ Kc417 b3 mate is another nice way to end the game) 14 Bh4 Rh715 e6+ Kd816 e5! d517 Qf3! c618 c4 Kc719 Qa3! Κb8 20 Bxg8 Qxg8 21 Bxe7 and White has regained his piece with interest. Retuming to the position after 7... f6 8 Bh4, the SUΡeήοr 8... h5!?, preνenting a possible Qh5+ and threatening to win the bishop with ... g7-g5 and ...h5-h4, offers Black excellent attacking chances. (Diagram 8) For example, 9 h3 g5 10 Bg3 h411 Bh2 g412 hxg4 Bxg413 Bb5 0-0-0 14 Bxc6 bxc6 15 a4 a5 16 Qd3 h3 17 Nbd2 hxg2 18 Rfe1 Qh7 as giνen by νοη Heydebrand und der Lasa ίη his Leitfaden fUr Schachspieler (1857). Going back eνen further to 7... f6, we can see that 8 Be3 seems to be White' s best choice, but after 8... Bg4 9 Nbd2 Nh6 (the white d-pawn is immune, as after both 9 ... exd4 10 cxd4 Bxd4? 11 Qb3 and 10... Nxd4? 11 Bxd4 Bxd4 12 Qb3 White is winning; instead with 9... g5?! Black tried to initiate a kingside attack ίη A.Romero Holmes-H.Korhonen, Kiljaνa 1984, but after 10 a4 Nh611 Bd5 a612 Nc4 Ba7 White should haνe played 13 Qb3! with a clear adνantage) 10 Qa4 Bd711 Qc2 Ng4 12 h3 Nxe3 13 fxe3, as occurred ίη F.Marshall-E.Jones, London 1899, Black should haνe tried 13 ... g5!? with reasonable attacking chances οη the kingside. We now finally retum to 7 ... Nf6: 8 a4 a6 9 BdS! (Diagram 9)

Diagram 8 (W)

20

1:

Once

υροπ

a Time ...

Α rather annoying move. White wants to bring his queen' s knight to c4 ίη order to exert further pressure οη Black's e-pawn.

9 ... Nb8

Surprisingly, Ι found only one other game ίη which this line featured. KFragiadakis-E.Kakadelis, Athens 2006, continued 9... Bd7 10 Na3 h6 and now instead οί 11 Bh4, 11 Bxf6 seems more to the point. After 11 ...Qxf6 12 Ν c4 Black experiences some difficulties with his position. White simply threatens to take οη c6 and e5, and Black lacks a good defence to that threat, as 12... exd4 (or 12 ... 0-0 13 dxe5 dxe514 Bxc6 Bxc615 Ncxe5 and Black cannot take οη e4 ίη view οί 16 Nd7) 13 e5! is quite awkward. 10 Nbd2 c6

Α further weakening οί Black's position, but it is hard to suggest alternatives. 11 Ba2 Bg4? 12 Qb3! Ba7 (Diagram 10)

Equa11y hopeless is 12 ... Nbd713 a5! Bxa5 14 Qxb7 ο-ο 15 Nc4. 13 Qd1

With 13 dxe5 dxe5 14 Nxe5! Polerio could have punished his opponent for weakening his position. The knight cannot be taken, as after 14 ... Qxe5 15 Qxf7+ Kd8 16 Qxg7 White regains his material with interest. After the text move the quality οί the game sharply deteriorates; out οί respect for the old masters, 1'11 give the rest οί the moves without further comment. 13 ... g614 dxe5 dxe5 15 Bxf7+ Kd8 16 Nxe5 Qxe5 17 Bxf6+ Kc818 Qxg4+ Nd7 19 Bxh8 Qxh8 20 Be6 Qe8 21 Nc4 Kc7 22 Qf4+ Kd8 23 Qd6 Bb8 24 Qxd7+ Qxd7 25 Bxd7 Κxd7 26 Nb6+ Kd6 27 Nxa8 Ba7 28 Rfd1+ Kc5 29 Rd4 a5 30 Rad1 b5 31 b4+ axb4 32 cxb4 mate (1-0)

Diagram 10 (W)

Diagram 11 (Β)

21

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

The Giuoco Piano ίn the Modern Era From the beginning οί the 19th Century, opening theory began to develop at an accelerated tempo, and ways and means were found to oppose the Giuoco Piano, rendering it rather harmless. Indeed, players tumed their attention to other openings, most notably the King's Gambit and the Evans Gambit. ΒΥ the beginning οί the 20th Century the Giuoco Piano had virtually vanished from toumament play, and even though there have been several attempts to find improvements (see Chapter 35), it seems that the Giuoco Piano ίη its original form can be shelved. Nowadays the only way for White to fight for an opening advantage seems to be a calm approach involving 4 c3 Νί6 5 d3; the idea being to develop first and only then carry out the central advance d3-d4. While this approach is hardly ever employed at the highest level (Peter Leko, after having played this system ίη the recent World Championship toumament ίη Mexico City against Vladimir Kramnik, went so far as to pronounce the whole opening to be dead!), it is occasionally used by the positional player who likes to avoid all the theory that the Spanish Opening has to offer. Ιη our next game, I'd like to show that, despite all the setbacks it has suffered, the Giuoco Piano is not an entirely lost cause.

D E.Τorre • G.Kamsky Manila Interzonal1990 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 BC4 Bc5 4 c3 Nf6 Ιη modern times, this move is almost invariably played at this juncture, as the altematives have proven to be ineffective. Let us quickly check out why:

a) 4 ... d6? does nothing to prevent White from occupying the centre. After 5 d4 exd4 6 cxd4 (Diagram 11) Black can choose between two evils: al) 6 ... Bb4+ 7 Kf1! Ba5 and now 8 Qa4 was preferred by the old masters. Black has nothing better than 8 ... Bd7 9 d5 Ne5 (or 9 ... Nd4 10 Qxa5 Nc2 11 Qc3 Nxa112 b3 Qf6 13 Bb2 with a clear advantage) 10 Qxa5 Nxc4 11 Qc3 Bb5 12 Qxg7 Nd2+ 13 Ke1 Nxf3+ 14 gxf3 Qf6 15 Qxf6 Nxf6 16 Nc3 with advantage for \\1ιite according to Daniel Harrwitz. And if that was not already enough, Watson's suggestion οί 8 d5 Nce7 9 b4! Bb6 10 Bb2 cannot be denied either. a2) 6 ... Bb6 7 Nc3 Νί6 (7 ... Bg4 usually transposes after 8 Be3 ~f6) 8 Be3 Bg4 9 Be2 (9 Bb5 is also good) 9 ... d510 e5 Ne411 ο-ο and White has a comfortable advantage. b) 4 ... Qf6? only seemingly prevents d2-d4, as White can folloy,· up energetically with 5 d4 exd4 (5 ... Bb6 is only marginally better: 6 Bg5 Qg6 ϊ Ο-(Ί d6 8 dxe5 and Black cannot recapture with 8 ... dxe5 because οί 9 Nxe5! Qxg5 10 ~xΠ Qc5 11 Bd5 and White wins) 6 e5! and Black cannot play 6 ... Nxe5 beca\L."-e of ϊ Qe2. That leaves 6 ... Qg6, but after 7 cxd4 White has complete control of the position.

22

1: Once Upon a Time ...

c) 4... f5? bears a certain resemblance to the Cordel Gambit in the Classical Ruy Lopez, but with the white bishop being οη the Italian diagonal (a2-g8), White quickly gets an advantage with 5 d4! fxe4 (or 5 ... exd4 6 Ng5! d5 7 Bxd5 fxe4 8 Qh5+ g6 9 ΒΕ7+ Ke7 10 Bxg6 ΝΕ6 11 Qh6) 6 Nxe5 Nxe5 7 Qh5+ Ng6 8 Bxg8 Rxg8 9 dxc5.

5 d3 (Diagram 12) 5 b4 is the Bird Attack, which was first advocated by Philip Stamma and later adopted by the English master Henry Edward Bird. It is not treated extensively ίη most modern opening encyclopaedias, and is not very popular either. White seeks to gain space οη the queenside, but Black can bolster up with 5... Bb6 6 d3 (6 Qb3 ο-ο 7 d3 d6 8 a4 a5 is given as equal by νοη Heydebrand und der Lasa) 6... d6 7 ο-ο Ne78 Nbd2 c6 9 Rel ο-ο 10 a4 Ng6 11 a5 Bc7 12 Νf1 d5 13 Bb3 h6 14 Ng3 Be6 15 Be3 Qd7 when he had comfortably equalized ίη N.short-V.Salov, Linares 1990. 5 ... 0-0

Again there are altematives: a) 5 ... d5? is premature as it runs into 6 exd5 Nxd5 7 Qb3. b) 5 ... d6 6 ο-ο ο-ο usually transposes to our main game. Instead 6 Nbd2 is an interesting idea, which can be problematic for Black should he play carelessly: for example, after 6 ... a6 7 Bb3 ο-ο 8 h3 Ba7 9 Νf1 d5 10 Qe2 h6 11 g4!? (Diagram 13) White can, by analogy with Black' s approach ίη the notes to our previous game, initiate a dangerous kingside attack!

Diagram 12 (Β)

Diagram 13 (W)

Α

good illustration is S.Kofidis-M.Kreuzer, correspondence 1992, which continued 11 ... dxe4 12 dxe4 Nh713 Rgl Na5 14 Bc2 Re8 15 g5 hxg5 16 Nxg5 ΝΕ8 17 Ng3 Qd6 18 Nh5 Qg6 19 Rg3 with a powerful initiative οη the kingside. Το ηίρ such ideas in

23

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

the bud, Ι recommend delaying castling as well. Indeed, Black can wait until White has run out of useful waiting moves: for example, 7... h6 8 h3 Ba7 9 Nf1 Be6 and now White hardly has anything better than 10 Ng3, but after 10... d5 Black has equalized. c) Last but not least, 5 ... a6 can also lead to the main line via transposition, but again Black has an interesting idea: 6 ο-ο d6 7 Bb3 Ba7 8 h3 h6 (so far play is developing along the main lines) 9 Be3 g5!? 10 Bxa7 Nxa711 d4 Qe712 dxe5 dxe5 and after playing ... Bd7 and ... 0-0-0, Black developed a dangerous kingside attack ίη I'Κhamrakulov-F.Vallejo Pons, Pamplona 2007. 6 ο-ο d6

Note that 6... d5?! is still weak because of 7 exd5 Nxd5 8 b4! followed by b4-b5. 7 Bb3 a6 8 Nbd2 Ba7 (Diagram 1.4)

Diagram 1.4 (W)

Diagram 1.5 (W)

The position we have reached is a tabiya for the modem treatment of the Giuoco Piano. 9Nc4

This flexible knight move serves a dual purpose. It makes room for the darksquared bishop, which can now go to e3 ίη order to exchange his annoying counterpart, and, what is even more important, it puts pressure οη e5, effectively preventing Black from playing ... d6-d5. Ιη my view, this is White's only try for an advantage. Alternatively: a) 9 Rel?! has been brought into disrepute since the discovery of 9... Ng4!. After 10 Re2 Κh8! 11 h3 (11 Nf1 f5 12 exf5 Bxf5 is even better for Black) 11 ... Nh6 12 Nf1 f5 13 d4 fxe4 14 Rxe4 d5 15 Rel e4 16 Ng5 Na5 17 f3 Nxb3 18 axb3 c5! 19 fxe4 cxd4 20 cxd4 dxe4 21 Be3 Qd5 Black was better ίη A.Frois-F.Izeta Τχabarή, San Sebastian 1996.

24

1:

Once Upon a Time ...

b) As a consequence οί the previous variation, 9 h3 was introduced by Anatoly Karpov ίη his 1981 World Championship match against Viktor Korchnoi. This move indirectIy weakens ί4 (as White cannot play g2-g3 anymore after ... Nh5), and so Black should immediately take the opportunity to play 9... Nh5!. (Diagram 15). Then 10 Nxe5?! runs into 10 ... Nxe5 11 Qxh5 Nxd3 12 Νί3 Qf6 13 Bg5 Qg6 14 Qxg6 hxg6 15 Rad1 Nc5 and Black had absolutely ηο problems ίη A.Krayz-A.Graf, Groningen 1994. Instead 10 Nc4 is a standard manoeuvre ίη this kind οί position, but after 10 ... Qf6 11 Ne3 Νί4 12 Nd5 Nxd5 13 Bxd5 h6 Black had equalized ίη KLanda-R.Kasimdzhanov, German League 2006. 9 ... h6 Ιη

view οί the course οί this game, 9 ... Ne7, with the idea to relocate the knight to g6 and to support an advance οί the d-pawn by ... c7-c6, has to be taken into account. Most games with this position have continued 10 Bg5, but after 10... Ng6 11 ΝΜ Κh8 (unpinning the f-pawn ίη order to make ... h7-h6 possible) 12 Νί5 h613 Bxf6 Qxf6 it is not clear if White has anything. Most likely White should still play 10 Be3 Ng611 Bxa7 Rxa712 Ne3 and ίη the game Z.Revesz-V.Vass, Balatonlelle 2001, White was better after 12... Ra813 Re1 Νί4 14 Bc2 Bd715 d4. 10 Re1 Be6 11 Be3 Bxe3 12 Nxe3 Qd7 (Diagram 16)

Diagram 16 (W)

Diagram 17 (Β)

13 Nh4

13 Bc2, ίη order to play d3-d4, is another idea, but the text move would be my personal preference. 13 ... Bxb3

13 ... d5 is certainly possible, but the simple 14 Qf3! followed by Nh4-f5 is very comfortable for White. Another idea is 14 exd5 Nxd515 Nxd5 Bxd516 Νί5 Be617

25

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

Bxe6 Qxe618 Qg4 Qf619 Re3 with yet another example οί a white kingside initiative ίη J.Benade-A.Emarov, correspondence 2004. 14 Qxb3 b6 15 Nhf5 Kh7 16 Rad1 Rfe8

Black could try to chase the knight away with 16 ... g6, but after 17 Ng3 Rfe8 White could try 18 Rf1!?, with the idea οί f2-f4 followed by play οη the f-file. 17 Nd5 Nxd5 18 Qxd5 Rad8 19 d4

The opening phase is complete. White has occupied the centre and can claim a small advantage. 19 ... Kg8 20 Ne3 b5 21 h3 Ne7 22 Qb3 Qc6 23 d5 QC5 24 a4! (Diagram 17)

With his opponent having weakened his queenside, Torre is quick to act. 24 ... Rf8 25 Qc2 Rb8 26 b4 Qb6 27 Ra1 Ra8

Now 28 Qd3, keeping an eye οη ί5, would have been better than 28 c4, which was played ίη the game. Should Black try to loosen White's grip with 28 ... c6, White should continue 29 dxc6 Qxc6 30 Red1 Rfd8 31 axb5 axb5 32 Rxa8 Qxa8 33 Qxb5 Qxe4 34 Qb6 with a clear advantage. Despite his small inaccuracy, though, Torre eventually went οη to convert his advantage.

Conclusion The Giuoco Piano has shown some signs οί decay, but it hasn't died οί old age just yet. While employing it at the top level is hardly promising anymore, it remains a fairly reliable weapon at club level. And what may be even more important, it still is an instructive opening for all those new to the game.

26

Conclusion

Score (max 5)

ShockValue

,t

Effectiveness Rating

,t,t,t,t,t

Longevity Rating

,t,t,t,t,t

Creativity Value

,t

Chapter 2

Contrary to Popular Belief The greαt discoveries Philip Crosby

αre usuαlly

obvious.

Diagram 1 (Β)

Those readers who haνe already sneaked a look at the opening idea presented ίη this chapter and only then retumed to these lines will be baffled. After a11, weren't the ideas ίη this book supposed to be presented ίη a chronological order? One would think that the Sicilian Defence is so modem compared with the Giuoco Ρί­ ano, that surely something must haνe come in-between them? You'11 be surprised

27

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

though: the origins of the Sicilian Defence date back earlier than sorne of you would irnagine ... As a rnatler of fact, the Sicilian was given its narne by Sarratt. Ιη his book The Works ο! Damiano, Ruy Lopez and Salvio he referred to a 'scarce and valuable Italian rnanuscript' (written by the Sicilian priest Pietro Carrera ίη 1617). Hence the narne Il Giocho Siciliano, which translates to 'the Sicilian Garne'. The first leading exponent of the Sicilian Defence was the French rnaster Louis Charles Mahe de la Bourdonnais, who ernployed it quite successfully ίη his rnatches against the Irish rnaster Alexander McDonnell. One of those encounters is of great interest for the historical developrnent of the opening. Ο

A.McDonnell • L.de la Bourdonnais 16th matchgame, London 1834 :ι e4 c5 2 f4 (Diagram 2)

Diagram 2 (Β)

Diagram 3 (Β)

Nowadays this rnove is virtually extinct, but back then it was Francois Andre Phi1idor's recornrnendation, who rernarked about the Sicilian Defence: 'This way of opening the garne, when you have not the rnove, is entirely defensive, and far frorn being the best, especially, if sorne advantage is given: but it is a very good one for trying the strength of an adversary with whose skill ~'oυ are unacquainted.' 2••• e6

Mikhail Tal' s 2 ... d5! is a powerful antidote and one of the reasons ,,'hy the 2 f4 Sicilian has gone out of fashion alrnost cornpletely. After 3 exd5 ~f6 4 Bb5+ (4 c4

28

2: Contrary to Popular Belief

e6 5 dxe6 Bxe6 proνides Black with more than enough compensation ίη νiew οί White's weakened central squares) 4... Nbd7 5 c4 a6 6 Bxd7+ (6 Ba4 is energetically met with 6 ...b5! 7 cxb5 Nxd5 8 Νί3 g6 when Black is already slightly better) 6... Bxd7 7 Νί3 e6 8 Qe2 Be7 9 dxe6 Bxe6 10 ο-ο ο-ο 11 Nc3 Re8 12 Ne5 Nd7 13 Κh1 Nxe514 fxe5 Qd415 b3 Rad8 Black, despite being a pawn down, enjoyed a commanding position ίη V.Zhuraνlioν-A.Yermolinsky, Blagoνeshchensk 1988. 3 Nf3 Nc6 4 c3 d5 5 e5 f6

During the matches between McDonnell and de la Bourdonnais, this position was discussed ηο fewer than thirteen times; with a rather moderate white success rate. Instead οί the text, 5 ... f5 was the main moνe ίη Philidor's Analysis of the Game of Chess. I'd like to quote his analysis and some οί comments οη this position as they illustrate quite well how chess was perceiνed ίη the late 18th Century: 6 d4 Nh6 7 Be3 Qb6 (Philidor: 'He attacks your queen's knight's pawn, ίη order to induce you to push it again one square, but it is better to sustain it, for ίί you adνance it, he may be pushing his queen's castle's pawn [with 'castle' Philidor is referring to a 'rook'] two squares, to form a νery successful attack οη your left wing.') 8 Qd2 Νί79 dxc5 Bxc5 10 Bxc5 Qxc5 11 Na3 (Diagram 3) 11 ... g5 (Philidor: 'He pushes this pawn with a νiew to break your centre, and it would be wrong play οί you to take ίΙ') 12 g3 h5 13 h4 gxf4 14 gxf4 Rg8 (Philidor: 'He plays this castle to secure the command οί the line. Here is an instance where a castle may well be sacrificed for another piece. Supposing that you do not close this line with your knight, he would remoνe his castle to your king's knight's fourth square, where, supported and sustained by two pawns, it could not be taken without reuniting his pawns.') 15 Ng5 Nh6 16 Nc2 Ng4 17 Nd4 Ke7 18 Be2 Bd7 19 ο-ο Rac8 20 Rac1 (Philidor: 'This moνe is necessary to preνent his making himself the master οί that line, by changing his knight for yours, which position alone would giνe him the game. Υου must always oppose your castles to the adνersary's castles, and neνer yield υρ the opening to him. At present the game is nearly eνen; neνertheless, as there is a pawn adνanced οη the ground οί the black, the white may be said to haνe some little adνantage'). Retuming to the undermining 5 ... f6: (Diagram 4) 6Na3 ΟηΙΥ here does McDonnell deνiate from Philidor's recommendation. Philidor would haνe played 6 exf6, ίη order 'to hinder [Black] from forming the same position οη the side οί his queen correspondingly to those οη your king' s side.' McDonnell goes for a 'Big Clamp', but neνer gets his pieces properly coordinated.

6 ... Nh6 7 Nc2 Qb6 8 d4 Bd7

Already McDonnell encounters problems; while de la Bourdonnais is able to deνelop his pieces harmoniously, McDonnell has ηο real idea where to put his. 9 Ne3 cxd4 10 cxd4 Bb4+ 11 Kf2 ο-ο 12 Kg3

29

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas Α sad necessity, as due to the ρίη ση the f-file the white centre was about to crumble. At first sight it seems that 12 Kg1 might be a bit safer, but this move also has its disadvantages, not least that the king is under the black queen's watch along the g1-a7 diagonal.

12 ...fxe5 13 fxe5 Rac8 14 h4 (Diagram 5) 14... Rxf3+!

Diagram 4 (W)

Diagram 5 (Β)

Nowadays every player serious about studying the subtleties of the French Defence cuts his teeth ση this type of exchange sacrifice, but back ίη the old days much more creativity was required to sense the consequences. De la Bourdonnais correctly assesses that a pawn, accompanied by a lead ίη development, is more than enough compensation for the sacrificed exchange. The further course of the game is not interesting from a purely theoretical standpoint, but as de la Bourdonnais' play is quite impressive, 1'11 give the rest of it without further comment. 15 gxf3 Nxd416 Bd3 Rf8 17 f4 BC5 18 Rf1 Bb5 19 Bxb5 Qxb5 20 Kh3 Ne2 21 Ng2 Nf5 22 Kh2 Neg3 23 Rf3 Ne4 24 Qf1 Qe8 25 b4 Bd4 26 Rb1 Qh5 27 Rbb3 Rc8 28 Be3 Rc2 29 Kg1 Nxe3 30 Rfxe3 Nd2 31 Qd3 Rc1+ 32 Kh2 Nf1+ 33 Kh3 Nxe3 34 Nxe3 Qf3+ 35 Kh2 Rh1 mate (0-1)

Most likely under the impression of de la Bourdonnais' tremendous success ίη his matches against McDonne11, during the late 1840s the leading theoreticians stated that the Sicilian Defence was the best answer to 1 e4 as 'it renders the formation σί a centre impracticable for White, and prevents every attack' (Howard Staunton ίη his Chess Player's Handbook from 1847). Only later was there a shift ίη opinion, with Staunton stating ίη his Chess Praxis (1860) that 'the Sicilian Defence appears to yield an incontestable advantage to the first player'. It is easily conceivable that the fo11owing game had something to do with that change ίη σρίηίση.

3Ω

2: Contrary to Popular Belief

ο Ρ .Morphy • A.Anderssen

9th matchgame, Paris 1858 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3

This move was already played by McDonnell ίη 1834, but back then he was not able to contrive ways and means to counter de la Bourdonnais' set-up after 2000Nc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 e50 2 ... Nc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 e6 (Diagram 6)

Diagram 6 (W)

Diagram 7 (W)

5 Nb5 It is interesting to see that the Taimanov Sicilian was already the subject οί debate ίη the 1850so The text move was introduced into toumament practice by Jozsef Szen (the oft-named 'Hungarian Philidor') against Anderssen at the famous Ιοη­ don toumament ίη 18510 Before that, Staunton had played 5 Νί3 twice against Ρί­ erre Charles Foumier de Saint-Amant, but was not able to get any advantage with themoveo

5...d6

Or 5000a6 6 Nd6+ Bxd6 7 Qxd6 Qe7 8 Qg3 'with an unquestionable advantage ίη position' (Staunton)o The text move was long considered to be dubious as after 000 6 Bf4e5

000 Black is saddled with a backward pawno 7 Be3 f5?

This overly aggressive thrust is the beginning οί a quick and painful endo Nowadays it is widely regarded that after 7000a6 8 N5c3 Νί6 Black has ηο problemso

31

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

8 N1.c3! f4

It is too late now for 8 ... a6? as 9 Nd5! axb5 10 Bb6 Qh4 11 Nc7+ Kd7 12 Nxa8 Qxe4+ 13 Qe2 wins for White. 9 Nd5! fxe3 1.0 Nbc7+ Kf7 (Diagram 7) 1.1. Qf3+?!

Certainly better was 11 Nxa8. Philip Sergeant ίn his Morphy's Games ofChess gives the sample line 11 ... exf2+ 12 Kxf2 Qh4+ 13 g3 Qxe414 Bg2 when White's advantage is obvious. 1.1.... Nf6 1.2 BC4 Nd4! 1.3 Nxf6+ (Diagram 8)

Diagram 8 (Β)

Diagram 9 (Β)

1.3 ... d5!

13 ... Kg6 eventually loses after great complications: 14 Qh5+ Kxf6 15 Ne8+ Qxe8 16 Qxe8 Nxc2+ 17 Κf1 e2+! 18 Bxe2 Nxal19 g4! and Black is without a defence. 1.4 Bxd5+ Kg6?

The final mistake. The right move would have been 14 ... Ke7! after which life is not as easy for White as ίn the game. Johannes Hermann Zukertort analysed this position quite thoroughly ίn Chess Monthly, and supplied the following lines: 15 Qh5 gxf616 Qf7+ Kd617 Nxa8 Nxc2+ (otherwise White castles queenside) 18 Ke2 Qe7 (or 18 ... Nxal19 Rd1 Nc2 20 Bb3+ Nd4+ 21 Rxd4+ exd4 22 Qd5+ with a draw ίn hand) 19 Qxe7+ Bxe7 20 Rac1 Nd4+ 21 Κxe3 Bd7 22 Rc7 (Η 22 Bxb7 then 22 ... Rb8 23 Bd5 Rxb2 24 Nc7 Bd8 25 Na6 f5 26 Kd3 Ba5 27 Rc5 Rd2+ 28 Kc4 Rc2+ 29 Kd3 Rxc5) 22 ... Rxa8 23 Rxb7 Bc6 24 Bxc6 Nxc6 25 Rc1 Nd8 26 Rd1+ Ke6 27 Rc7 Rb8. 1.5 Qh5+ Kxf6 1.6 fxe3! (Diagram 9)

Now there's hell to pay down the f-file. 1.6... Nxc2+

32

2: Contrary to Popular Belief

16 ... Qxc7 would have οηlΥ prolonged life a little after 17 Rf1+ Νί5 18 Rxf5+! Bxf5 19 Qxf5+ Ke7 20 Qe6+ Kd8 21 ο-ο-ο! Bd6 22 Bxb7, etc. 17 Ke2 1-0

Remarkably, according to Sergeant, the whole game took οηlΥ half an hour.

Conclusion ΒΥ

the beginning οί the 1850s the old move 2 ί4 had served its time; the English master Elijah Williams was the last player to employ it οη a regular basis. Having said that, the theoreticians remained sceptical about the true merits οί 2 Νί3; οηlΥ Morphy's efforts at the end οί the 1850s helped to eventually establish the Open Sicilian. Nowadays the so-called anti-Sicilians still have their place ίη the chess world, but the Open Sicilian is considered White's most testing approach.

Conclusion

Score (max 5)

ShockValue

t t

Effectiveness Rating

tttt

Longevity Rating

ttttt

Creativity Value

tttt

33

Chapter 3

From Classic to Romantic The great master places a knight at e5; checkmate follows by itself. Anonymous Onlooker (about a game won by Ossip Bemstein)

Diagram 1 (Β) There were many things that Ι did during my research for this book. Naturally Ι searched the intemet to gather information, Ι browsed through various chess forums, and Ι especially dug deep into various books. Wherever Ι tumed, though, there was one opening which Ι simply could not evade. The opening ίη question is not a member οί the illustrious circle οί chess openings mentioned ίη the famous

34

3: From Classic to Romantic Gδttingen manuscript (the earliest known work entire1y devoted to modem chess, dating from around 1500), for the simp1e reason that most οί the time its efficient use is based οη the concept οί castling, which hadn't been fu11y deve10ped ίη 1500. This chapter wi11 be devoted to the King' s Gambit! Ι dare say that when Ruy Lopez first published ana1ysis about the opening ίη his famous Libro back ίη 1561, he cou1d hard1y imagine what kind οί ava1anche he wou1d set off. Due to its many attacking possibilities, the opening was not on1y p1ayed ίη numerous games, but was a1so subject to a vast amount οί coverage ίη a11 kinds οί opening treatises ίη the 19th Century. The King' s Gambit consists οί two major branches: one is the Κing' s Κnight' s Gambit (1 e4 e5 2 ί4 exf4 3 Νί3), and the other is the Κing's Bishop's Gambit (1 e4 e5 2 ί4 exf4 3 Bc4). Ιη this chapter, Ι wou1d 1ike to present what in fad might be the on1y winning try 1eft ίη the King' s Κnight' s Gambit.

The Ίmmοrtal' Loser Most οί you wi11 know Lione1 Kieseritzky as the poor chap who 10st to Adolf Anderssen ίη the famous 'Immorta1 Game' ίη 1851, which featured, οί course, the Κing's Gambit! However, Κieseritzky was considered one οί the best p1ayers οί his day, and he made significant contributions to the vaήatiοn which today is common1y (and rightfu11y!) known as the Kieseritzky Gambit. Ο L.Kieseritzky •

I.Calvi

Paris 1842 1 e4 e5 2 f4 exf4 3 Nf3

For reasons Ι wi11 state further be10w, the King's Bishop's Gambit with 3 Bc4 has become increasing1y popu1ar ίη recent years, and whi1e a detailed coverage is beyond the scope οί this book, Car1 Friedrich Jaenisch's observation that it is 'an imperishab1e monument to human wisdom' is quite noteworthy. 3...g5 (Diagram

2)

Natura11y this c1assica1 approach, by which B1ack seeks to defend the gambit pawn, is a1so the most critica1 response. As a historica1 aside, it is quite interesting that the idea οί initiating a counterattack is not as modem as one might think. For examp1e, the so-ca11ed Modem Defence with 3... d5 is actua11y quite 01d: ana1ysis about this line was published by Hirsch Si1berschmidt ίη his book Das Gambit oder Angriff und Vertheidigung gegen Gembitziίge ίη 1829. 4h4

With this move, White seeks to demonstrate that the defence οί the gambit pawn by 3... g5 has weakened B1ack's kingside pawn formation. The main a1ternative 4 Bc4 invites B1ack to p1ay 4 ... g4, after which there are various wild gambit lines to

35

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

.

choose from: 5 Ne5 QM+ 6 Κf1 (the Salvio Gambit), 5 Nc3 (the McDonnell Gambit), 5 ο-ο (the Muzio Gambit), and even 5 Bxf7+ Kxf7 6 ο-ο (the Wild Muzio Gambit). While most οί these gambits are rather dubious from a theoretical standpoint, they are also highly complicated and require precise preparation οη the part οί the second player. Therefore 4 ... Bg7, leading to either the Philidor Gambit (after 5 Μ) οτ the Hanstein Gambit (after 5 Ο-Ο), is a more practical choice. Without going into further detail, it is safe to say that Black is able to equalize ίη both lines.

Diagram

Ζ

(W)

Diagram 3 (W)

4 ... g4 5 Ne5

We have now reached the initial position οί the Kieseritzky Gambit.lts origins stem from Polerio and it was, among other variations, analysed further and more deeply by Salvio and Philidor. There are also a few interesting facts to mention. First οί all, it is widely known that 5 Ng5 is the Allgaier Gambit, named after Johann Baptist Allgaier who first published extensive analysis about this line ίη 1819 ίη his Neue theoretisch-praktische Anweisung zum Schachspiele. Interestingly enough, from then οη both 5 Ng5 and 5 Ne5 were classified under the Allgaier designation, and οηlΥ Kieseritzky's efforts to popularize 5 Ne5 ίη the 1840s eventually led to a separation. However, neither the Chess Player's Chronicle, a leading chess periodical from that period, ηοτ the biography οί Kieseritzky, Zagadka Kieseritzky' ego, were οί any help ίη determining if Kieseritzky himself published any analysis οη 5 Ne5.

5... h5 (Diagram 3) This move, which characterizes the so-called Long Whip Variation, was considered to be the best defence ίοτ most οί the first half οί the 19th Century. The Berlin Defence (5 ... Νί6) which, along with the Fischer Defence (see Chapter 32), is supposed to be Black' s most reliable defence, will be discussed further below.

36

3: From Classic to Romantic 6 Bc4

6 d4?! is too slow. Then 6... Qf6 7 Bc4 Nh6 8 c3 Bd6 9 Nd3 f3 10 Bg5 (both 10 e5? fxg2 and 10 gxf3 Bg3+ followed by 11 ...Bxh4 are equally bad) 10 ...fxg2 11 Rg1 Bg3+ 12 Kd2 Qf31eads to a winning position for Black, as already given by Walker ίη 1832. 6... Rh7

6... Nh6 is the other move to protect f7. After 7 d4 d6 8 Nd3 Staunton analysed 8... f3 9 gxf3 Be710 Be3 Bxh4+ 11 Kd2 gxf312 Qxf3 Bg4 13 Qf4, assessing the position with 'White has the freer game but Black keeps the pawn'. 7 d4 d6 8 Nd3

After consu1ting many sources οη the King's Gambit, it seems that after 8 Nxf7 Rxf79 Bxf7+ Kxf7 10 Bxf4 (Diagram 4) theory' s ορίηίοη of White' s attacking chances is generally quite positive.

Diagram 4 (Β)

Diagram 5 (Β)

Ιη

slight contrast to both Joe Gallagher and Paul Keres ('White gets a monstrous attack'), Korchnoi and Zak ίη their King's Gambit adopt a more modest tone considering White's attack 'difficult to meet'. Yet it should be noted that after 10 ... Bh6 it is Black who has an overwhelming score from the games given ίη the Mega Database 2008: one prominent example being A.Anderssen-L.Kieseritzky, 8th matchgame, London 1851 (which Black won). More to the point seems to be Bangiev' s assessment, namely that the position after 11 ο-ο Kg7 is simply unclear. 8...f3 9 gxf3 (Diagram 5)

Should Black want to prevent a sacrifice οη f7, this position may also arise via 7... f3 8 gxf3 d6 9 Nd3. Note that with the f-file being closed ίη this line, 9 Nxf7 is ηο longer so powerful.

37

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

9 ...c6

Alternatively: a) After 9 ... Be7 Walker stops, assessing the position as better for Black. Only ίη 1847, fifteen years later ίη a correspondence game between the cities οί Philadelphia and Boston, did White improve with 10 Be3! Bxh4+ 11 Kd2 gxf3 (later 11 ... Bg5 12 ί4 Bh6 13 Nc3 Bg714 ί5 Nc6 15 Qg1 Bd7 16 Re1 also favoured White ίη I.Kolisch-A.Anderssen, Paris 1860) 12 Qxf3 Bg413 Qf4 Qf614 Nc3 c615 e5 dxe5 16 dxe5 Qxf4 17 Nxf4 Bg5 18 Rag1 Bxf4 19 Bxf4 Rg7 20 Rxh5 when Philadelphia regained the pawn with much the better position. b) Neither does 9... gxf3 convince. After 10 Qxf3 Bg4 11 Qf2 c6 12 Bg5 Qd713 Nc3 White enjoyed a commanding position ίη J.Wisker-J.owen, Redcar 1866. The text move, even though sensible ίη view οί a possible plan οί closing the a2-g8 diagonal with ... d6-d5, should be insufficient ίη the long run. With Black having returned the gambit pawn, White's lead ίη development simply cannot be ignored. 10 Nf4 Ne7 11 NC3 Nd7 (Diagram 6)

Diagram 6 (W)

Diagram 7 (W)

12 Kf2?! Rh8

Black removes his rook from the b1-h7 diagonal, paying tribute to the fact that 12 ... Nb613 Bd3 d5 is not yet possible because οί 14 exd5. However, with 13 ... gxf3 14 Qxf3 Bg4, followed by ... Qd7 and ... 0-0-0, Black could finish his development ίη a sensible way, while it is not clear what exactly the white king is doing οη f2. 13 Qd3 Bg7 14 Bd2 Kf8?!

It was still possible to follow the ideas outlined ίη the note to Black' s 12th move. Now the game quickly tums into Kieseritzky's favour.

38

3: From Classic to Romantic 14. .,Nb6 15 Rae1 Qb6 16 Be3 QC7 17 Be6!

This is strong and allows White to accomplish one οί two goals. After 17... Nb6 18 Bxc8 Qxc8 Black ησ longer has the idea οί ... gxf3 followed by ... Bg4. Ιη the game, Black chooses the altemative, but then White retains his powerful and later matchwinning light-squared bishop. 17 ... b5 18 b4! Nb6 19 Bb3 a5 20 a3 a4 21 Ba2 Bb7 22 e5 d5 23 e6 Bc8 24 BC1 Qd6 25 exf7 Kxf7 26 Ne4 QC7 27 Ng5+ Kg8 (Diagram 7) 28 Rxe7!?

This spectacular way οί instigating the final phase σί the game was typical for the time. Black may eventually be able to defend this position, but that is much easier to say with an analysis engine running in the background. 28 ... Qxe7 29 Re1 Qf6?

Here Black missed the possibility οί 29 ... g3+! 30 Kf1 g2+, which sacrifices a pawn in order to divert an important attacking piece. After 31 Nxg2 Qf8 Black should be able to fend off the attack. 30 Re8+ Bf8 31 Ng6 Bf5

31 ... Bd7 is οί ηο help either, as after 32 Nxh8 Black has ηο time to take cause οί 33 Qh7 mate!

ση

e8 be-

32 Qxf5 Qxf5 33 Ne7+ Kg7 34 Nxf5+ Kf6 35 Re6+ Kxf5 36 Bb1! 1-0

Room for a touch of romance? Eventually the King's Gambit shared a similar fate to the Giuoco Piano and went out οί fashion at the beginning οί the 20th Century. Indeed Rudolf Spielmann, who is known as the 'Last Κnight οί the King's Gambit" in his disillusionment even wrote his famous article 'From the Sickbed οί the King's Gambit'. However, there was to be another period οί prosperity when strong players like Paul Keres, David Bronstein and Boris Spassky added the Κing' s Gambit to their repertoire, and even more modem grandmasters like Joe Gallagher and Nigel Short have made use οί it. Α crunch-point for the status οί the Kieseritzky Gambit came during the 2001 Corus toumament in Wijk aan Zee. Alexei Fedorov, for years considered to be the 'First Κnight οί the King' s Gambit" was invited to take part in the A-group, and Κing's Gambiteers all over the world rejoiced. Unfortunately, the following occurred: Ο A.Fedoroν •

V.lνanchuk

Wijk aan Zee 2001 1 e4 e5 2 f4 exf4 3 Nf3 g5 4 h4 g4 5 Ne5 (Diagram 8) 5... Nf6

With this move Black not so much protects his g-pawn as attacks the white e-

39

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

pawn. According to Michael Jensen, 5 ... d6, the Hungarian Defence (which is named after Szen, who played this line ίη the 1830s), 'hangs as a Damocles Sword over the King's Gambit'. Indeed, it was Vishy Anand's choice when facing Fedorov's King's Gambit two rounds before our main game. After 6 Nxg4 Nf6 7 Nxf6+ (7 Νί2?! was once Fedorov's pet line, which he employed regularly with some success, but ίη his game against Shirov ίη Polanica Zdroj 2000 he met his Waterloo: 7... Rg8! 8 d4 Bh6 9 Nc3 Nc610 Nd5? Nxd511 exd5 Qe7+! 12 Be2 Nb413 c4 Βί5! 14 Qa4+ Κί815 Qxb4 Re8 and Black had a decisive attack) 7... Qxf6 8 Nc3 Nc69 Nd5 Qg610 d3 Qg3+ 11 Kd2 Ne712 Qel Nxd513 exd5+ Be714 Qxg3 fxg3 15 Be2 Rg8 16 Kdl Bg4 17 Bg5 Bxg5 18 Bxg4 Βί6 19 Βί5 Κί8 20 c3 Re8 21 d4 h5 22 λλ3 Bg7 23 Rxg3 the players agreed to a draw, but Anand could have played the spectacular 11 ... Nb4!! when White has to be very careful: (Diagram 9)

Diagram 8 (Β)

Diagram 9 (W)

a) Taking the knight with 12 Nxb4 leads to a massive black attack after 12... Qe3+ 13 Kc3 Bg7+ 14 Κb3 Qb6. The game A.Schreiber-M.Jensen, correspondence 2000, continued 15 Bxf4 a5 16 a3 Bd7! 17 Qel c518 d4 ο-ο 19 c3 Ba4+! 20 Ka2 (or 20 Kxa4 axb4+ 21 Κb3 bxc3+) 20 ... axb4 21 b3 Bxb3+! 22 Kxb3 bxc3+ 23 Kc2 Qb2+ 24 Kd3 c2 25 dxc5 dxc5 0-1. b) 12 Νί6+ seeks to expose the black king, but after 12 ... Ke713 a3 Kxf614 axb4 d5! it is White's king which is ίη the greater danger. c) Probably best is to take the immediate draw with 12 Nxc7+ Kd8 13 Nxa8 Qe3+ 14 Kc3 Qc5+ 15 Kd2 (15 Κb3 runs into 15 ... Nxc2!) 15 ... Qe3+, but Ι suspect that the heart οί any true King's Gambiteer will bleed at the thought οί such a prospect. Returning to 5 ... Nf6: (Diagram 10) 6d4

40

3: From Classic to Romantic '1\rute can also try:

a. 6

~xg4?!

has been discarded by theory ίη νiew οί 6 ... Nxe4 7 d3 (Bronstein's idea :- ~c3 Ng3 8 Nd5 is swift1y countered by Jensen's 8... Bd6!) 7... Ng3 8 Bxf4 Nxhl 9 Qe2+ (9 Bg5 is ηο improνement: after 9... Be710 Qe2 h5! 11 Qe5 ί6 12 Bxf6 d613 Qe4 Bxg414 Bxh8 Kd715 Bd4 Bxh4+ White had to resign ίη M.Hebden-M.Stean, ~Lιrbella 1982) 9 ... Qe7 (οί course not 9 ...Be7?? 10 Νί6+ Κf8 11 Bh6 mate) 10 Νί6+ Kd8 11 Bxc7+ Κxc7 12 Nd5+ Kd8 13 Nxe7 Bxe7 (Diagram 11) and 'Black has won three pieces for the queen and ought to haνe the adνantage' (Staunton).

Diagram 10 (W)

Diagram 11 (W)

One οί the earliest examples which supported this assessment was the game H.Baucher-P.Morphy, Paris 1858. b) 6 Bc4 was the main moνe ίη the 19th Century. After 6... d5 7 exd5 Bd6 we haνe: bl) 8 ο-ο is the infamous Rice Gambit.lts inνentor, the German-bom American businessman Isaac Leopold Rice, financed many themed toumaments and matches ίη order to promote his idea, but the ultimate conclusion is that White has ηο way to claim any adνantage: 8 ... Bxe5 9 Rel Qe7 10 c3 Nh5 11 d4 Nd7 12 dxe5 (the hardly betler 12 Bb5 Kd813 Bxd7 Bxd714 Rxe5 Qxh4 15 Rxh5 Qxh5 16 Bxf4 Re8 was the starting position οί a fiνe-game thematic match between Frank Marshall and Wil1iam Napier ίη London 1905, ίη which Black scored a tremendous 4V2-V2) 12 ... Nxe5 13 b3 ο-ο 14 Ba3 Nf3+! 15 gxf3 Qxh416 Re5! (Diagram 12) (16 Nd2? allows a winning attack after 16... Qg3+ 17 Κhl Qf2 18 Rgl Qh4+ 19 Kg2 Qh3+ 20 Κί2 Qh2+ 21 Kf1 Ng3+). Now Black can force a draw with 16 ... Qg3+ 17 Κhl Qh3+ 18 Kgl Qg3+ or striνe for more with 16... Bf5. b2) 8 d4 and now there has been some debate about whether the old moνe 8 ... Nh5

41

The Greatest

Eνer

Chess Opening Ideas

is more precise than the modern 8 ... 0-0:

Diagram 1.3 (Β)

Diagram 1.2 (Β)

b21) It was argued that after 8... 0-0 9 Bxf4 Nh5, White can play 10 g3 (10 ο-ο transposes to 8 ... Nh5 9 ο-ο ο-ο 10 Bxf4, which is examined below). Then the 10 ... f6 (10 ... Nxf411 gxf4 h5 12 Qd3 Qf6 13 Nd2 Qxf4 14 0-0-0 Kg7 was unclear ίη J.Balogh-R.Reti, Kosice 1918) 11 Nxg4 Qe8+ 12 Kd2 Nxf4 13 gxf4 (Diagram 1.3) 13 ... Bxf4+ 14 Kc3 οί G.Grasso-A.Pampa, correspondence 1993, has been assessed as unclear by John Emms ίη his Play the Open Games as Black, but both Joe Gal1agher and Neil McDonald clearly faνour White and their νiew is supported by the statistics from the MegaCorr 4 database. Black also has the interesting 13 ... Qe4!? 14 Kc3 Qxf4 15 Nh2 and now 15 ... c5! 16 dxc6+ Κh8 17 Qf3 Nxc6 18 Qxf4 Bxf4 19 Na3 (19 Νί3 is certainly a better try, after which the position remains unclear) 19 ... Rd8 20 Radl Bh3 21 Βf1 Bxf122 Nxf1 Nxd4 23 Rxd4 Be5 24 Nb5 a6 25 Kd3 axb5 26 Rxd8+ Rxd8+ giνes Black an endgame adνantage according to Jensen. b22) 8... Nh5 with a final

diνide:

(Diagram 1.4)

b221) 9 Nxg4? led to a quick demise after 9... Ng3 10 λλ2 Qe7+ 11 E.Kristianssen-A.Kolaroν, Haνana 1966,

Κί2

h5

ίη

b222) Ι am fairly sure that at least some οί you will remember the famous game J.Rosanes-A.Anderssen, Breslau 1863, which continued 9 Bb5+ c610 dxc6 bxc611 Nxc6? Nxc6 12 Bxc6+ Κί8 13 Bxa8 Ng3 14 λλ2 Βί5 15 Bd5 Kg7 16 Nc3 Re8+ 17 Κf2 Qb618 Na4 Qa619 Nc3 Be5! 20 a4 (Diagram 1.5) 20 ... Qf1+!! 21 Qxf1 Bxd4+ 22 Be3 Rxe3 23 Kgl Rel mate. White does better with 11 Bc4 and now Gallagher assesses the position after 11 ... Bxe5 12 dxe5 as equal. Jensen offers a few more moνes, but reaches the same conclusion after 12 ... Qa5+ 13 Nc3 ο-ο! 14 Qd4 Nd715 e6 Qe5+ 16 Qxe5 Nxe517 exf7+ Kg718 Bb3 Nxf719 Bd2.

42

3: From Classic to Romantic

Diagram 14 (W)

Diagram 15 (Β)

b223) 9 ο-ο ο-ο 10 Nxg4 (10 Bxf4 is dubious because οί 10 ... Qxh4!: for example, 11 Bh6 Re8 and Black has numerous threats, with 12 ... Rxe5 13 dxe5 Bc5+ and 12 ... Ng3 being but two of them) 10 ... Qxh4 11 Nh2 (11 Ne5? is ηο better; after 11 ... Ng312 Re1 f613 Nf3 Qh1+ 14 Kf2 Ne4+ 15 Rxe4 Qxd1 Black soon won ίη M.HebdenD.Lima, Hastings 1988/89) 11 ... Ng3! 12 Re1 Bf5! 13 Nd2 Nd714 Ndf3 Qh5 15 Be2 Rae816 c4 Re4! 17 Bd2 Rfe818 Bd3 Rxe1+ 19 Bxe1 Bxd3 20 Qxd3 Ne2+ 21 Kf1 Re3 and White was convincingly defeated ίη J.de la Villa Garcia-A.Rodriguez Cespedes, Bayamo 1991. b224) 9 Nc3!? Qe710 Kd2!? is Jensen's suggestion. The only practical example Ι could dig up was A.Jerez Perez -J.Estrada Nieto, Barbera 1997, which continued 10 ... Bxe511 Re1 Nd712 Qxg4 Ndf613 Qg5 Bd614 Rxe7+ Κxe7 and ended ίη a draw after wild play. More practical tests are certainly required here. After that long but important interlude, we retum to Fedorov's 6 d4: 6 ...d6 7 Nd3 Nc6!?

Prior to this game, 7... Nxe4 was played almost automatically. After 8 Bxf4 Qe7 9 Be2!? (the older 9 Qe2 is considered good for Black) we find: (Diagram 16) a) 9 ... Bg710 Nc3! Bxd4 11 Nd5 Qd8 12 c3 Be6 13 Qa4+ Nc6 14 cxd4 Bxd5 15 Nb4 Nf6 16 Bg5 Bxg2 17 Rh2 gave White the preferable position ίη L.HenrisT.Goossens, Charleroi 1994. b) 9... Nc6 improves and after 10 c3 (10 Nc3!? is met by the coo110 ... Kd8!) 10 ... Bf5 11 d5 the move 11 ... Ne5!? appears to have been underestimated. Following 12 Bxe5 (or 12 ο-ο Bd7! 13 Bxe5 dxe5 14 Bxg4 Bb5 15 Rf5 Bg716 Na3 Nxc3 17 bxc3 Qxa318 Rb1 Bxd319 Qxd3 Qc5+ 20 Κh1 Rb8 21 Rbf1 ο-ο 22 Bh5 and White has at best some compensation for his mateήaΙ deficit) 12 ... dxe5 13 Bxg4 Gallagher stops

43

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

without an assessrnent, but ίί we look a bit further, we find that after 13 ... Bxg4! 14 Qxg4 (after 14 Qa4+ Bd715 Qxe4 Bg7 White has regained his pawn, but has left Black with two unopposed bishops) 14 ... Nc515 Nxc5 Qxc5 it is not easy to see what White' s assets actually are. 8 c3 Nxe4 9 Bxf4 d5 (Diagram 17) 10 Nd2

Diagram 16 (Β)

Diagram 17 (w)

Α

short tirne after this garne, this position was discussed ίη another high-level encounter. Following 10 Be2 h5 11 Qc1 Bd6 12 Qe3 Βί5 13 Nd2 Qe714 Nxe4 Qxe4 15 Kd2 0-0-0 16 Bxd6 Qxe3+ 17 Kxe3 Rxd618 Νί4 Ne719 Bd3 Kd7 20 Raf1 Rhh6 21 g3 Bxd3 22 Kxd3 c6 23 Rh2 White at least rnanaged to draw ίη B.Spassky-L.Fressinet, Paris 2001, even though this can hardly be called an achievernent. 10 ... Bd6 11 Ne5

Jensen suggests 11 Nxe4!? dxe412 Qe2 Qe713 Bxd6 cxd6 14 Νί4 when 'Black's ragged pawn structure should give White cornpensation'. 11 ... 0-0 12 Nxe4 dxe4 13 QC2 Qf6 14 Bg5

Hardly any better is 14 Qxe4 Re815 Bd3 Qg716 ο-ο Bxe5 17 dxe5 Nxe5. 14 ...Qf5 15 Nxc6 Bg3+ 16 Kd1 bxc6 (Diagram 18)

White is busted and Ivanchuk soon realized his winning advantage. The outcorne οί this garne had a devastating effect οη Fedorov. When facing Krarnnik two rounds later he did not dare to rnove his f-pawn for a third tirne. Furtherrnore, after the event he reduced his uSe οί his once-beloved opening to a rninirnurn; his last garne being a draw against Magnus Carlsen ίη 2004.

44

3: From Classic to Romantic

Diagram 18 (W)

Conclusion Despite desperate efforts from King's Gambiteers all over the world, after 150 years the Kieseritzky is close to being laid to rest. 1'11 close this chapter with a quote from Bronstein, who said about the King's Gambit Accepted: 'Black can draw after 3 Nf3, play 3 Bc4 if you want to win!' Conclusion

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45

Chapter 4

Scheming a Revolt [For] if the Royal opening be in fact unsound for the second player, αΙΙ its brilliant consequences fall to the ground, and we should see disappear from theory, and even from the practice of good players, αΙΙ the King's Gambits, and αΙΙ the variations of the Knight's opening - the Giuoco Piano - the Scotch Gambit - the Evans Gambit, etc. Α loss for Chess truly immense! Carl Friedrich Jaenisch (1849)

Diagram 1 (W) Despite its inclusion ίη the G6ttingen manuscript, the Spanish Opening was a late

46

4: Scheming a Revolt

developer compared to the Giuoco Piano. However, Ruy Lopez himself might be responsible for that! He did examine the defining moves of his opening (1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5) ίη his Libro and even came to the conclusion that Black's second move is inferior, but his analysis failed to prove any significant advantage for the first player. Things changed when the German master Carl Mayet examined the opening ίη some detail as his contribution to the legendary Handbuch der Schacheroffnungen, which was first published ίη 1843. That set the Ruy Lopez οη its way to becoming a respected opening. One of the first occasions where it was successfully used was the match between Eugene Rousseau and Charles Stanley ίη New Orleans 1845, where Rousseau employed it three times to score two and a half points. ΒΥ

the end of the 1840s, the 'King of Openings' posed a serious threat and players united to find an antidote. Help eventually arrived from the Pleiades, a group of chess players from Berlin consisting of the German masters Ludwig Erdmann Bledow, Paul Rudolph νοη Bilguer, Bernhard Horwitz, Wilhelm Hanstein, Tassilo νοη Heydebrand und der Lasa, Carl Mayet and Karl Schom. They devised a revolutionary stratagem: instead of finding ways to deal with the protection of Black's e-pawn, they initiated a counterattack against the white e-pawn! This approach, which from then οη was consequently known as the Berlin Defence, not only had an effect οη the Ruy Lopez, but also influenced a number of other openings (see, for example, the Κing's Gambit in our previous chapter). For the next twenty years the Berlin Defence was the main response to the Ruy Lopez, but from the beginning of the 1870s it took a something of a back seat due to the development of Morphy's Defence (see Chapter Six), although even then it was still frequently played. Indeed, it οηlΥ went out of fashion around the time the following game was played.

D C.Schlechter • R.Reti Vienna 1914 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 Nf6 4 ο-ο Nxe4

The pure Berlin approach, although 4... Bc5 is a major altemative which can also be reached via the Classical Defence (1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 Bc5 4 ο-ο Nf6); hence it is often called the Classical Berlin. Then 5 c3 is the most popular move, intending to build a powerful centre. Natural1y 5 ... Nxe4 (Diagram 2) must be the critical response after which White has to make a choice: a) Emms's main recommendation ίη his generally excel1ent Easy Guide to the Ruy Lopez is 6 Qe2 Bxf2+ 7 Κh1 (7 Rxf2 Nxf2 8 Κxf2 f6 is not to be recommended: for example, D.Wood-D.McMahon, London 1995, continued 9 d4 ο-ο 10 Bxc6 dxc6 11 dxe5 fxe5 12 Qxe5 Bg4 when Black had a decisive lead ίη development and the position of the white king was not at all safe) 7 ... d5 8 c4 'which is a direct attempt

47

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

at a refutation οί Black's play' (Emms). The problem that Ι have with this recommendation is that while Emms does analyse all kind οί moves, he does not examine the critica18 ... Be6!? After 9 d3 Ng3+ 10 hxg3 Bxg3 11 Bg5 ί6 12 ΒΜ Bxh4 13 Nxh4 ο-ο 14 Bxc6 bxc6 Black had a decent position and good compensation ίη A.Kuthan-W.Krpelan, Austrian League 2005.

Diagram 2 (W)

Diagram 3 (W)

b) 6 d4 seems more challenging. Ιη return for the pawn, White will get a long lasting initiative: for example, 6 ... exd4 7 cxd4 Be7 8 d5 Nb8 (or 8 ... Nd6 9 Ba4 Na5 10 Bc2 b6 11 Qd3 Nab712 Rel and Black could hardly move ίη M.KaminskiD.McMahon, London 1994) 9 Rel Nd610 Bg5 f611 Bd3! fxg512 Nxg5 g613 Qf3 Rf814 Qh3 c615 Nxh7 Qa5 and now ίη D.Bellizzi-V.Levenson, New York 1991, the fastest win was 16 Qe3!. Returning to the safer 4 ... Nxe4: (Diagram 3) 5 d4 Be7

Should Black detest the main lines οί the Berlin Defence he could play 5 ... a6, after which play most likely transposes to the Open Spanish, which is examined ίη some detail ίη Chapter 39. However, Black's main move is 5 ... Nd6, as we will see ίη our next game. 6 Qe2! Altematively: a) 6 d5 is premature: 6 ... Nd6 7 Nc3 (NCO claims a slight edge for White after 7 Be2 e48 dxc6 exf3 9 cxb7 Bxb7 10 Bxf3, but I'm not particularly impressed) 7... Nxb5! 8 Nxb5 a6 9 dxc6 (better is 9 Nc3, even though after 9 ... Nb8 10 Nxe5 d6 11 Νί3 ο-ο 12 Βί4 Bg4 13 h3 Bxf3 14 Qxf3 Nd715 Rfel Bf6 Black has solved nearly all οί his problems) 9 ... axb5 10 cxb7 Bxb7 11 Nxe5 d6 12 Νί3 ο-ο and it is Black who is better due

48

4: Scheming a Revolt

to his pair σί bishops. b) 6 Re1 Nd6 7 Bxc6 dxc6 8 dxe5 Νί5 is an improved version σί the Berlin Endgame ίστ Black as he has not lost the right to castle. 6 ... Nd6

Instead 6 ... d5?! tries to maintain the knight ίη the centre, but White's slight lead ίη development enables him to create nasty threats after 7 Nxe5 Bd7 8 Bxc6 and now: a) After 8... bxc6 9 Re1 (Diagram 4) Black cannot castle ίη view οί 10 ί3 followed by 11 Nxd7 winning a piece.

Diagram 4 (Β)

Diagram 5 (Β)

That leaves 9 ... Kf8 (9 ... Νί6 10 Bg5 Ng8 11 Nxd7 Qxd7 12 Bxe7 Nxe7 13 Nc3 ί6 14 Na4 was considered to be the refutation οί 6... d5 by Curt νση Bardeleben and Jacques Mieses in their 1894 Lehrbuch des Schachspiels), but after 10 Nc3 Nxc3 11 bxc3 Be8 12 Qa6 White was clearly better ίη E.Lasker-T.5cheve, Berlin (simul) 1891. b) 8... Bxc6 9 Re1 Bd7 (9 ... 0-0? 10 ί3 followed by 11 Nxc6 and 12 Qxe7 again wins a piece) 10 Βί4 c6 (οτ 10 ... 0-0!? 11 Nd2! - this time Black can respond to 11 ί3 with 11 ... Bg5 when things are not so clear -11 ... Nxd2 12 Nxd7! Re8 13 Qb5 Nc4 14 Qxd5 Nxb2 15 Rab1 c6 16 Qf5 is good ίοτ White according to Emms) 11 Nd2 Nxd2 12 Bxd2 and Black has problems completing his development, such as after 12... Be6 13 Nxf7! Bxf714 Bb4. 7 Bxc6 bxc6 Νο better is 7... dxc6? οη account οί 8 dxe5 Νί5 9 Rd1 Bd7 10 Nc3 ο-ο 11 Ne4 when White enjoyed a commanding position ίη F.Gheorghiu-T.ujtumen, Sochi 1964.

8 dxe5 (Diagram 5) 8 ... Nb7

49

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

After 8 ... Νί5, White has 9 Qe4! when Black has to make at least some positional concessions. T.Zatulovskaya-S.Kruchonok, Moscow 1979, continued 9 ... g610 Nd4 Nxd4 11 Qxd4 ο-ο (11 ... d5 12 Bh6! keeps the black king ίη the centre; ίη the game P.Schlosser-L.Keit1inghaus, Mίinster 1992, the king went to the queenside with 12 ... Be6 13 Nd2 c5 14 Qa4+ Qd715 Qa6 c6 16 Rad1 Qc717 b3 Qb6 18 Qe2 0-0-0, but 19 Νί3 Rhe8 20 Ng5 Rd7 21 Nxf7! gave White a significant advantage) 12 Bh6 Re8 13 Nc3 d5 14 exd6 Βί6 15 Qc4 with an edge. 9 Nc3

ο-ο

9 ... Nc5 is also playable, but 10 Nd4 ο-ο (inadvisable is 10 ... Ba6? 11 Qg4! Bxf112 Qxg7 Rf8 13 Kxf1 Ne6 14 Νί5 and the black position was a complete mess ίη J.showalter-S.Tarrasch, Vienna 1898) 11 Rd1 Qe8 12 Νί5 ί613 Qg4 Ne614 Bh61eft White with the initiative ίη S.Winawer-J.Zukertort, Paris 1878. :I.0Nd4

This move is aimed at preventing the liberating ... d7-d5. As Reuben Fine noted his Ideas behind the Chess Openings, 'White has a tangible advantage because οί Black' s devel0pment'.

ίη

:I.0... BC5 :1.:1. Rd:l. Bxd4 :1.2 Rxd4 d5 :1.3 exd6 cxd6 :1.4 b4! (Diagram 6)

Diagram 6 (Β)

Diagram 7 (W)

This is the key move ίη White' s strategy, which leaves Black' s knight suffering οη b7. The game eventually ended ίη a draw after Schlechter made a grave mistake ίη the endgame, but nevertheless the Berlin Defence soon went out οί fashion ίοτ a 10ng time. The only subsequent game ίη the Mega Database 2008 which features this position was P.Keres-W.Unzicker, Hamburg 1956; suffice to say that Unzicker was soundly defeated ίη that game.

50

4: Scheming a Revolt

The Berlin Wall The Berlin Defence [... ] is α solid form of the closed game, which leaves Black with α dangerously backward development. This is the reason why it has fallen out offavour in modern days and has received exceedingly few illustrations. Reubin Fine (1939) For nearly three-quarters οί a century the Berlin Defence enjoyed a shadowy existence. Only at the tum οί the millennium was it brought back into focus when Vladimir Kramnik faced Garry Kasparov for the Braingames World Championship. Kramnik himself explained his choice to employ the Berlin οη his ονο ΜΥ Path to the Τορ, where he mentions the following reasons: i. The game leads directly from the opening into the endgame. At that time Kram-

nik felt very comfortable ίη endgames as he had made significant progress ίη that area since the mid-1990s. ίί. The Berlin Defence is aπ opening system where tactics simply don't work. Instead it is more important to understand the key positional ideas. ίίί. As we will see ίη severallater chapters, one οί Kasparov' s main strengths was being able to prepare his openings with the help οί computers. Ιη the Berlin he couldn't do so. ίΥ. As he had never faced the Berlin Endgame ίη his career, Kasparov wasn't able to gain any practical experience while Kramnik enjoyed a head start οί a few months. 50 much ίοτ the theory. Let's see how this approach worked ίη practice:

Ο G.Kasparov • V.Kramnik

World Championship (Game 1), London 2000 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 Nf6 4 ο-ο Nxe4 5 d4

5 Rel is an altemative approach that is occasionally used to avoid the theoretical discussions οί the Berlin Endgame. It is worth mentioning ίη so far as it is also Andrew Martin's recommendation οη his ABC ofthe Ruy Lopez DVD, where he even states that Kasparov should have given this line a try. While Ι certainly don't waπt to condemn him for his enthusiasm, objectively speaking Black shouldn't have too many problems: ίοτ example, 5... Nd6 6 Nxe5 Be7 7 Bd3 (7 Βf1 is a pet line οί the Hungariaπ grandmaster Csaba Balogh, but Ι can't believe that White has anything special after 7... Nxe5 8 Rxe5 ο-ο 9 d4 Βί610 Rel Νί511 c3 d5) 7... Nxe5 8 Rxe5 ο-ο 9 Nc3 Βί6 10 Re3 Bd4 11 Rel Qf6 and I'm sure Kramnik wouldn't have broken any sweat. 5".Nd6 (Diagram 7) 6 Bxc6 dxc6

51

The Greatest Eνer Chess Opening Ideas

6...bxc6 is as problematic as ίη the previous game. After 7 dxe5 Nb7 8 Nc3 Nc5 9 Nd4 Ne6 10 Nxe6 fxe6 11 Qh5+ g6 12 Qg4 d5 13 exd6 cxd6 14 Qc4 Bd715 Ne4 Be7 16 Qd4 Black was ίη big trouble ίη Μ.5ίοη Castro-D.Campora, Leon 1997. 7 dxeS NfS

Best, whereas 7... Ne4 is rather dubious if White plays energetically: 8 Qe2 Βί5 9 Rd1 Qc8 10 Nd4 Bc5 11 b4!, and now White had a definite edge after 11 ... Bb6 (11 ... Bxb412 e6! is problematic for Black) 12 c4 c5 13 Nxf5 Qxf514 b5 Ba5 15 ί3 Nc316 Nxc3 Bxc317 Bb2 Bxb218 Qxb2 ο-ο 19 Rd5 ίη M.Rytshagov-T.5ammalvuo, Finland 1996. 8 Qxd8+ Kxd8 9 NC3 (Diagram 8)

Diagram 8 (8)

Diagram 9 (W)

Even though one could have the impression that this is a rather modern position, Ι should note that it is already mentioned ίη the Lehrbuch des Schachspiels from 1894. Without giving further lines, vοη Bardeleben and Mieses assess this position as better for White, based οη his superior pawn structure and Black's current lack οί coordination between his pieces.

9... Bd7!? This move was the most popular around the tum οί the millennium; Black wants to bring his king to the queenside via ...b6 and ... Kd8-c8-b7. Besides the text move, Black has tried numerous other moves: a) 9 ... Ke8 is rather a waiting move, looking to deploy the pieces depending οη what White does next. One example οί how White could try to fight for an advantage is the 10 h3 a5 11 Βί4 Be6 12 a3 Bc5 13 Rad1 h6 14 g4 Ne715 Nd4 Bxd4 (15 ... Nd5 16 Nxe6 fxe617 Bd2 gives White a comfortable advantage οη the kingside) 16 Rxd4 c5 17 Rd2 οί A.Shirov-l.5okolov, Sarajevo 1999.

52

4: Scheming a Revolt b) 9... Be6 is probably premature as it allows White to attack (and eventually ex-

change) the bishop οη e6. After 10 Rd1+ each king move has its disadvantages: b1) 10 ... Ke8 11 Ng5 Be712 Nxe6 fxe6 13 Ne4 Rd8 (13 ... Κί7?! allowed White to ίη­ "ade with his rook after 14 g4 ΝΜ 15 Rd7! Νί3+ 16 Kg2 Nxe5 17 Rxc7 ίη ].Benjamin-A.Sherzer, New York 1994) 14 Rxd8+ Κxd815 Bg5 Bxg516 Nxg5 Ke7 Ιϊ Rd1 c5 (Diagram 9) 18 c3 and White had the traditional endgame advantage due to his kingside pawn majority ίη A.Frolov-P.5inkovics, Budapest (rapid) 1992. b2) 10 ... Kc8 11 Ng5 Bc4 (after 11 ... Bc5 12 Nce4 Bb6 13 Nxe6 fxe6 14 Κf1 Rf8 15 a4! a516 Ra3 Κb8 17 Rd7 Ka718 Rad3 Black was completely tied up in J.GdanskiH.Gretarsson, Stockholm 1997) 12 b3 Bb4 13 Bb2 Bxc3 14 Bxc3 Bd515 Nh3 h516 :'\f4 Be6 17 Rd3 b6 18 Bd2 Κb719 Nxe6 fxe6 20 Bg5! and because οί his control οί the d-file, White had a clear edge ίη S.Dvoirys-A.Aleksandrov, Moscow 1996 . .:) After 9 ... Ne7 the move 10 h3 is played as the threat οί ... Bg4 often proves to be inconvenient. Now Black again has to make a choice: .:1) 10 ... h6?! is too slow. After 11 Be3 Ng6 12 Rad1+ Ke8 13 a3 Be714 Rfe1 h5 15 \!d4 h4 (aiming to erect a light-square blockade just as ίη our rnain garne) 16 Ne4 a6 Shirov suggests 17 c4 intending 18 c5 with an advantage. c2) 10 ... Bd7?! is a combination οί plans which does not \vork out ,,-ell. "Vhite can

play 11 Ne4! (intending both 12 Nc5 and 12 Ng5) 11 ... Ng6 12 ~fg5 Ke8 13 ί4 and White's pawn majority has a head start. After 13 ... h614]'.;f3 h5 15 Re1 Βί5 16 Nd4 Bxe4 17 Rxe4 Bc5 18 Be3 Ne719 Νί3 Bxe3+ 20 Rxe3 White had a slight ad"antage in A.Shirov-V.Kotronias, Κhanty Mansyisk 2005. c3) After 10 ... Ng6, 11 Be3 Ke812 a3 with the same ideas as probably best.

ίη νaήatiοn

'c1' is

Returning to Kramnik's 9 ... Bd7: (Diagram 10)

Diagram 10 (W)

Diagram 11 (8)

53

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

10b3 h611Bb2Kc812 h3 Given White's pawn majority οη the kingside, he wants to advance those pawns, beginning with g2-g4 and f2-f4. However, it is the realization οί this plan that often proves difficult. Ιη his next game with White Kasparov chose 12 Rad1, but he wasn't able to 'break the wall' with that move either. 12 ... b6 13 Rad1 Ne7!

Black's main idea is to play ... c5, ... Bc6 and ... Κb7, but first the move Nd5 must be prevented. 14Ne2

Aiming for f2-f4 in order to play e5-e6, but White never gets that far. 14 Rd2, intending to double rooks οη the d-file, is another idea, even though after 14 ... c515 Rfd1 Bc6 (15 ... Be616 Rd8+ Κb717 Rxa8 Kxa818 Ne2 g519 h4 g4 20 Nh2 gave White a slight advantage in B.5ocko-M.Grabarcyzk, Warsaw 2003) 16 Nh2 Κb717 Ng4 Ng6 18 Ne2 Be7 19 g3 h5 20 Ne3 h4 21 g4 Bg5 Black had safely blocked any further white advances οη the kingside in N.Fercec-L.Baquero, Porto San Giorgio 2002. On the other hand, 14 Nd4!? (Diagram 11) might be an improvement.

Then 14 ... Ng6 15 ί4 a5 16 a4 h5 17 Ne4 Be718 Ng5 c5 19 Nxf7 Rf8 20 e6 cxd4 was seen in A.Shirov-A.Rizouk, Moscow 2001, and now 21 exd7+ Kxd7 22 Rxd4+ Kc6 23 ί5 Rxf7 24 fxg6 Rxf1 + 25 Kxf11eads to a winning position for White. 14 ... Ng6

14 ... c5?! 15 Νί4 Nc6, intending 16 ... Nd8, is a move too slow. White can play 16 e6! Bxe6 17 Nxe6 fxe6 18 Rfe1 Κb7 (after 18 ... Nd8 19 Ne5 White has massive compensation due to all those weak squares in the black camp) 19 Rxe6 when his powerful dark-squared bishop gives him a significant advantage. 15Ne1

Aiming for f4-f5, but this is a rather slow plan and what is even more important, it proves to be impossible to realize. Thus 15 Ng3, intending 16 Nh5, was tried in A.Shirov-V.Kramnik, Astana 2001, but after 15 ... Nf4 Black also equalized. 15 ... h5 (Diagram 12) Sometimes this is dubious due to the weakening of the g5-square, but here Black can easily cover g5 with his dark-squared bishop. Kramnik aims to create a lightsquare blockade, which is a typical strategy in the Berlin to halt White's kingside pawn majority. 16Nd3 After 16 Nf3 Be7 White should not play 17 e6?! as 17... Bxe6 18 Bxg7 Rg8 19 Bb2 Bxh3 is a strong counter. 16 ... C5 17 c4

After 17 Nef4 Nxf4 18 Nxf4 Βί5 Black makes use οί the hanging white c-pawn.

54

4: Scheming a Revolt

A-fter 19 c4 Κb7 20 Rfe1 Re8 he is just ίη time to preνent e5-e6. 17_.a5 18 a4 h419 NC3 Be6 20 Nd5 Kb7 21 Ne3 Rh5 (Diagram 13)

Diagram 12 (W)

Diagram 13 (W)

Black has managed to erect his light-square blockade. White has nothing. 22 BC3 Re8 23 Rd2 Kc8 24 f4 Ne7 25 Nf2 Nf5 Υ:ι-Υ:ι

The rest is history. This game was the prelude to one οί Κramnik's greatest successes. He won the match 8.5-6.5 (without a single 10ss) and 50 became the 14th World Champion.

Conclusion Nearlya decade has passed since the Berlin Wall was successfully reintroduced into toumament practice, and it still has not been tom down. Conclusion

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!!!

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!!!!

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!!!!

55

Chapter 5

'Α

Counterattack, but a Bad One'

Petroff defence - really dull and boring; this is what the GMs break out when they want to force α draw. Anonymous

Diagram 1. (W) The search for an antidote to the Ruy Lopez yielded many new ideas ίη the 1840s. The Berlin Defence from the previous chapter being one example, and the opening Ι want to present ίη this chapter has a similar aim. As Ι have already indicated, the Russian master Carl Friedrich Jaenisch was one of the leading theoreticians of his time. Το further his research he travelled across Europe to visit the different chess

56

5:

Α

Counterattack, but a 8ad One

strongholds; one οί his stops was Warsaw where he met another Russian master, Alexander Petroff. Together they conducted a thorough analysis οί the move that George Walker (ίn his New Treatise on Chess) had called 'a counterattack, but a bad one" namely 2... Nf6 after 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3. As it was Petroff who discovered the true worth οί 3 ... d6 (after 3 Nxe5) and as Jaenisch implied that Petroff was the abler analyst, the defence became known as Petroff's Defence. Compared with the Berlin Defence, Petroff's Defence had one additional advantage. Not only did it avoid the Ruy Lopez, it also avoided the Scotch Gambit, another line that was rather popular ίn the 1840s. Only when more sophisticated ways were found to counter these two opening systems did Petroff' s Defence more or less vanish from toumament play. In 1905 Freeborough and Ranken ίn their Chess Openings Ancient and Modern stated that it 'has been adopted ίn several important correspondence games, but has not held its ground in public estimation'. Things changed towards the end οί the 20th Century. Petroff's Defence was taken up ίn the 1980s by Anatoly Karpov and Artur Yusupov, but it only achieved a wider popularity when ever since the end οί the 1990s Vladimir Κramnik has employed it with considerable success. The following game is one example οί Kramnik' s excellent opening preparation ίn the Petroff.

D P.Leko • V.Kramnik World Championship (Game 1), Brissago 2004 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 Nxe5 d6 4 Nf3 Nxe4 (Diagram 2)

Diagram 2 (W)

Diagram 3 (W)

5 d4 Instead 5 d3?! abandons all hope for an opening advantage as it is necessary to

57

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

keep the black knight οη e4 as a possible target. After 5 ... Nf6 6 d4 d5 we have reached a position that can also arise via the Exchange Variation οί the French Defence (1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 exd5 exd5 4 Νί3 Νί6), a line notorious for its drawish reputation. Α few players might see this as a viable approach if they are just looking for a draw, but the psychological aspect must not be underestimated; just ask Mikhail Gurevich, who lost a crucial game with the Exchange French when οηlΥ needing to draw with White against Nigel Short ίη the 1990 Manila Interzonal. Another entertaining episode which Ι' d like to mention happened ίη a game between Siegbert Tarrasch and Semyon Alapin at the DSB-Kongress ίη Breslau 1889. There Tarrasch also played 5 d3 and Alapin, expecting the almost exclusively played 5 d4, paid ηο attention and picked up his bishop to play 5... Be7! Οί course, after 6 dxe4 the game was over immediately. S... dS 6 Bd3 As already mentioned, the overall assessment οί this position depends οη whether White can exploit the exposed position οί the black knight οη e4. Should Black be able to maintain this knight ίη the centre, he will have ηο problems. 6 ... Nc6

6... Bd6 is the main alternative, but White seems to retain an edge here. After 7 ο-ο ο-ο 8 Re1 (8 c4 usually transposes after 8 ... c6 9 Re1 Βί5) 8... Bf5 9 c4 c6 10 cxd5 cxd5 11 Nc3 Nxc3 (11 ...ΒΜ allows White to sacrifice the exchange with 12 Nxe4!: the game A.Grischuk-J.Lautier, Cap d' Agde (rapid) 2003, continued 12... Bxe1?! - critical is 12 ... dxe4, but after 13 Bxe4 Bxe114 Bxf5 Bb4 15 Qb3 White has two strong bishops, a pawn and the initiative as compensation - 13 Neg5 Bxd3 14 Qxd3 when due to his attack, White won a second piece for the rook and the game soon after) 12 bxc3 Bxd3 13 Qxd3 Nd714 Qf5 Nb6 15 Ng5 g6 16 Qh3 h5 17 g4 Qd718 gxh5 Qxh3 19 Nxh3 Rfe8 20 Βί4 Bxf4 21 Nxf4 g5 22 Nh3 White was slightly better ίη V.Anand-A.Shirov, Wijk aan Zee 2004. 7 ο-ο Be7 (Diagram 3) 8 c4

8 Re1 has been a favourite οί Morozevich's, but currently Black has ηο problems here: 8 ... Bg4 9 c3 (altematively, 9 c4 Νί6 10 Nc3 Bxf3 11 Qxf3 Nxd4 12 Qd1 Ne6 13 cxd5 Nxd5 14 Bb5+ c6 15 Nxd5 cxb5 16 Qb3 ο-ο 17 Nxe7+ Qxe7 18 Qxb5 was completely level ίη G.Kasparov-A.Karpov, World Championship (Game 15), Moscow 1985, and 9 Bxe4 dxe4 10 Rxe4 Bxf3 11 Qxf3 Nxd4 is equally uninspiring) 9 ... f5 10 Nbd2 ο-ο 11 Qb3 Na5 12 Qa4 (12 Qc2 was a later try by Shirov, but after 12 ... Nc6 13 b4 a6 14 a4 Bd6 15 Rb1 Nxd2 16 Nxd2 Qh4 17 Nf1 Ne718 Bd2 ί4 19 ί3 Bd7 a draw was agreed ίη A.Shirov-V.Kramnik, French League 2005) 12 ... Nc613 Bb5 Bh4! (provoking White into playing g2-g3 is a crucial manoeuvre ίη order to weaken the light squares) 14 g3 Bf615 Bxc6 bxc616 Qxc6 Re817 Ne5 Bxe518 dxe5 Ng5 (regaining the pawn with 18... Rxe5 is highly inadvisable as after 19 Nb3 White gains full control over the dark squares) 19 ί4 (Diagram 4) was played ίη A.Shirov-V.Kramnik, Belgrade 1999.

58

5:

Diagram 4 (Β)

Α

Counterattack, but a Bad One

Diagram 5 (W)

Now 19 ... Nh3+ (instead οί the game's 19 ... Re6?!) 20 Kg2 Rb8, with the ideas οί ... Rb6 and/or .. d4, would have given Black sufficient counterplay: for example, 21 c4 dxc4 22 Nxc4 Qd3 23 Ne3 Rxb2+! 24 Bxb2 Qd2+ 25 Κh1 Νί2+ 26 Kg1 Nh3+ 27 Κh1 with a draw by perpetual check. 8... Nb4 (Diagram 5)

8... Nf6 is a different plan that aims to target the white d-pawn with 9... Bg4. Therefore White plays 9 h3, and after 9 ... Nb410 Be2 dxc411 Bxc4 ο-ο 12 Nc3 Nbd513 Re1 c614 Qb3 Nb615 Bd3 Be616 Qc2 we have an isolated queen's pawn (IQP) position. Α rather instructive game which shows how White should play and how Black should not play was V.Bologan-R.Kasimdzhanov, Pamplona 2002, which continued 16 ... h6 (ίη order to prevent 17 Ng5) 17 a3 (the exchange sacrifice 17 Rxe6!? fxe618 Qe2 deserves attention; due to the weakness οί Black's e-pawn and his light squares ίη general, White had enough compensation ίη V.TopalovV.Anand, Wijk aan Zee 2003) 17... Nbd5 18 Na4 (naturally the side with the IQP evades piece exchanges) 18... Nd719 Bd2 Re8 20 Rad1 Βί6 21 Ne5 Qc7 (better would have been 21 ... Bg5 as Black needs to relieve the tension with exchanges) 22 ί4 Νί8 23 Nc5 Rad8 24 Bc1 Bc8 25 Qf2 Ne6 26 Ne4 Be7 27 Bc4 Νί8 28 ί5 and Black got slowly squeezed. 9Be2

9 cxd5 Nxd3 10 Qxd3 Qxd5 isn't a real alternative to fight for an advantage: for example, 11 Re1 Βί5 12 Nc3 Nxc3 13 Qxc3 Be6 14 Qxc7 Bd6 15 Qc3 ο-ο and Black has excellent compensation for the pawn. 9... 0-0 10 Nc3 Bf5 11 a3 NXC3 12 bXC3 Nc6

This position represents a tabiya for the whole line. Many moves have been tried,

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

but it seems that Black is able to hold his own. 13 Re1 Re8 14 cxd5

Instead 14 Bf4 dxc4 15 Bxc4 Bd6 16 Rxe8+ Qxe8 was quite popular for some time. After 17 Ng5 Bg6 18 Bxd6 cxd6 19 h4 it was considered that White had some ίηί­ tiatiνe, but after 19 ... Qe7 Black doesn't haνe major problems and White's queenside structure remains a long-term weakness. 14...Qxd5 15 Bf4 Rac8 (Diagram 6)

Diagram 6 (W)

Diagram 7 (W)

16h3

Instead 16 c4 Qe4! 17 Be3 Qc2 giνes Black a decent ending, but 16 Qcl!? was a reasonable try ίη V.Anand-V.Kramnik, Sofia 2005. Kramnik now continued stereotypically with 16 ... Na5 17 c4 Qe4?? and was surprised by 18 Bdl Qd3 19 Re3 Qxc4 20 Re5 when he was forced to resign. For the moment Ι am not sure about the exact way to equalize, and this is probably the line which White should play if he wants to try for an adνantage. 16 ... Be4!

This is an important moνe which νacates the f5-square for Black's queen. 17 Be3 Na5! Α strong noνelty, which is based οη a positional queen sacrifice after which Black will aim to construct a fortress. Preνiously 17... Rcd8 had been played ίη P.LekoV.Bologan, Dortmund (blitz) 2004, and now after 18 Nd2 Bg6, 19 Qa4!? deserνes attention.

18 c4 NXC4! 19 Bxc4 QXC4 20 Nd2 Qd5 21 Nxe4 Qxe4 22 Bg5 Qxe1+ 23 Qxe1 Bxg5 (Diagram 7)

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5:

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Counterattack, but a Bad One

Α

critical position. Black has a rook, a piece and a pawn for the queen, and his sition is very solid. Indeed, it is very hard for White to make any progress.

ρσ­

24 Qa5 Bf6! 25 Qxa7 C5!

Even this was stil1 part σί Kramnik' s home preparation. 26 Qxb7 Bxd4

The strongly-placed bishop ση d4 ensures that Black shouldn't lose. Leko eventual1y pressed too hard for a win and went down ίη the endgame. Ιη

recent years there have been numerous theoretical discussions in the abovementioned lines, with players like Alexei Shirov, Boris Gelfand, Rustam Kasimdzhanov and σί course Vladimir Kramnik taking the black side σί the argument. For the moment it seems that White can't achieve anything, 50 the main batt1eground has switched to a rather quiet line, as we will now see. Ο ν.Anand • ν.Kramnik

Wijk aan Zee 2008 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 Nxe5 d6 4 Nf3 Nxe4 5 NC3 Nxc3 6 dxc3 (Diagram 8)

Diagram 8 (Β)

Diagram 9 (W)

Current fashion has concentrated its attention ση this calm positional approach. White erects a wal1 σί pawns ση the queenside, thereby making it safe to castle that way, and hopes to get an advantage by attacking ση the kingside. 6 ... Be7

This makes more sense than 6... Nd7, as now Black is more flexible and stil1 can

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The Greatest Eνer Chess Opening Ideas

put his knight οη c6 if necessary. 7 Bf4

Despite the ability to later put the bishop οη the al-h8 diagonal and the fact that it hinders a possible ... Nc5, 7 Be3 is less popular at the moment as White lacks sufficient attacking resources after it. Furthermore, Black too can prepare to go long with 7 ... Nc6 8 Qd2 Be6 9 0-0-0 a6 10 Be2 Qd7 and after 11 Rhel 0-0-012 Ng5 Bxg5 13 Bxg5 οηlΥ the bishop-pair provided White with a microscopic edge ίη V.PotkinG.Gajewski, Warsaw 2005. 7 ... 0-0 8 Qd2 Nd7

8... Nc6?! would be a dubious decision. After 9 0-0-0 it is not clear how Black gets counterplay, as the e5-square is wel1 guarded and therefore inaccessible to the black knight. 9 0-0-0 NC5 (Diagram 9)

Here we see Black's standard set-up ίη this variation. From c5, the knight not only prevents White's light-squared bishop from going to d3 (as it would immediately be traded), but it can also be redeployed to e6, e4 and even a4 if necessary. 10 Be3

10 h4 would be a more direct form οί attack, but Black can play 10... c6! with the idea οί ... d5. White can take the pawn with 11 Bxd6, but after 11 ... Bxd6 12 Qxd6 Qxd6 13 Rxd6 Ne4 14 Rd4 Nxf2 15 Rgl Ng4 the endgame was rather drawish ίη V.Topalov-B.Gelfand, Wijk aan Zee 2006. 10... Re8

We should investigate what happens ίί Black plays 10 ... Be6. Then 11 Κbl a6 12 Nd4 Bd7 13 ί3 (ίη order to prevent ... Ne4) 13 ... Re8 14 h4 Na4 15 Bg5 (Diagram 10) was seen ίη A.Shirov-A.Motylev, Moscow (rapid) 2002.

Diagram 10 (Β)

62

Diagram 11 (Β)

5:

Α

Counterattack, but a Bad One

The game continued 15 ... b5 16 Bd3 Nb6 17 Qf4 c5 18 Νί5 Bxf5 19 Bxf5 d5 20 Rhe1 g6 21 Bh3 Bxg5 22 hxg5 Re7 (22 ... Rxe1 23 Rxe1 Ra7 24 b3 is good for White as Black cannot oppose White οη the e-file ίη view οί the line 24 ... Re7? 25 Rxe7 Qxe7 26 Qb8+) 23 Bg4 Qe8 24 Rh1 Qf8 25 Qf6 Nd7 26 Bxd7 Rxd7 27 Rxh7 and Black resigned ίη view οί the upcoming mate οη the h-file. Another idea is 10 ... c6!? planning ... d5 after which Black should have ηο problems. Therefore White played 11 Bxc5 dxc5 12 Qf4 ίη P.Leko-V.Kramnik, Wijk aan Zee 2008 (played two rounds before our main game), but after 12 ... Qa513 Bd3 Be6 14 a3 Βί6 15 h4 c4 16 Be4 (16 Bxc4? runs into 16 ... Qa4) 16 ... Bxc3! 17 bxc3 Qxa3+ 18 Κb1 ί519 Ng5 fxe4 20 Qxe4 Βί5 21 Qxc4+ Κh8 22 Νί7+ Rxf7 23 Qxf7 Qxc3 24 Qxf5 Qb4+ 25 Ka2 Qa4+ 26 Κb2 Qb4+ 27 Kc1 Qa3+ 28 Κb1 the game ended ίη a draw. 11 Bc4 Be6 12 Bxe6 Nxe6 13 h4 Qd7 14 Qd5 Qc6 15 Qf5 (Diagram 11) 15 ...QC4!

Instead 15 ... Nf8 was seen ίη P.Svidler-B.Gelfand, Mexico City World Championship 2007. The knight retreat looks like a solid option, but it has the drawback that it leaves White with a free hand to develop his initiative. 16 Kb1

The previous 16 Ng5 Bxg517 hxg5 hadn't caused any problems for Black as the simple 17... Nf8 safely defends the h7-pawn. Now White is stuck with a rather bad minor piece and with the white attack having come to a halt, it is Black who can think about taking countermeasures. After 18 Κb1 Re5 19 Qd3 Qxd3 20 cxd3 Rae8 21 Rh3 b6 22 Kc2 R5e6 23 Rdh1 ί6! 24 gxf6 Rxf6 25 d4 d5 26 Kd3 h6 Black had a comfortable endgame ίη S.Karjakin-V.Kramnik, Wijk aan Zee 2007. 16 ... g617 Qh3 h518 Nd2 Qe2!?

As Mihail Marin points out ίη his notes to the game P.Svidler-V.Kramnik, Mexico City World Championship 2007, this is 'a super-refined move" and that 'the immediate 18 ... Qg4 looks more natural, but Black has good reasons to provoke the move Rde1'. That's because Black wants to play ... d5 and is also happy to exchange rooks along the e-file. 19 Rde1 Qg4 20 Qh2

Black needn't worry about 20 Qxg4 hxg4 21 h5, as after 21 ... gxh5! 22 Rxh5 Ng7! 23 Rhh1 Nf5 White can hardly claim an advantage. 20 ... d5 21 f3 Qa4 22 g4 (Diagram 12) 22 ... Bd6

22 ...hxg4? would obviously allow a vicious attack after 23 h5!. 23 Qf2 hxg4!

This move constitutes an improvement over 23 ... Ng7 which Kramnik had played ίη his aforementioned game with Svidler. 24 fxg4 Qxg4 25 Reg1

After 25 h5 Bg3 26 Qg2 Νί4 27 Bxf4 Rxe1+ 28 Rxe1 Qxf4 29 Rf1 Re8! 30 hxg6 Qxf1+! 31 Qxf1 Re1 + 32 Qxe1 Bxe1 33 Νί3 the endgame is completely equal.

63

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas 25 ...Qh5 26 Nf3 Re7

At this point Anand states that he sank into deep thought οηlΥ to realize that White has ηο advantage whatsoever: Black's position is simply too solid, not least because his queen is performing an excellent job οη h5. 27 Bg5

After 27 Ng5 Rae8 28 Nxe6 Rxe6 29 Rg5 Qh8 30 Bcl Qf6 Black repels any attack. 27 ... Ree8 28 Be3 Re7 29 Bg5 (Diagram 13)

Diagram 13 (Β)

Diagram 12 (Β)

Now Kramnik evaded the draw with 29 ... Rd7, but the fact that White had to allow that should be enough to satisfy us that Black is fine here.

Conclusion Currently the Petroff Defence is one οί the most solid choices one can adopt against 1 e4, and it doesn't look like that is going to change ίη the near future. However, should you want an opening that enables you to play for the full point, you should probably look elsewhere ...

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Chapter 6

That's One Small Step for a Pawn ... The more original α discovery, the more obvious it seems afterwards. Arthur Koestler

Diagram 1. (W) We haνe already seen that the 1840s can safely be considered as a turning-point ίη the history οί opening theory: numerous high-quality treatises were published (a few outstanding works that definitely deserνe SΡeόaΙ mention are the aforementioned German Handbuch, Staunton's Handbook and Jaenisch's Analyse nouvelle des ouvertures du jeu des echecs), and the deνelopment οί modem opening play began.

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

As Ι indicated ίη Chapter 4, the Ruy Lopez started to be a nuisance for players facing 1 e4. And what was even worse, the opening works οί the time were not very helpfu1; most οί them just considered the Ruy Lopez to be significantly better for the first player. Indeed, the move 3 ... a6 was dismissed by the leading European theoreticians. Once again Ι' d like to quote Howard Staunton, who said that (after 3 ... a6) it is 'not advisable to take οΗ the Queen's Κnight, as is generally done, because that leads infallibly to a game without advantage οη either side; but Ι believe it better to withdraw the bishop to [a4], with the view to prevent as long as possible the safe advance οί Black's Queen's Pawn. If he then drives your bishop to [b3], it will be well posted and his game be still a little embarrassed.' Just as with 2 Νί3 ίη the Sicilian Defence, it required Paul Morphy to successfully take υρ 3 ... a6 ίη the Ruy Lopez before theory's evaluation began to change. The following game certainly had a great impact οη proceedings at the time, and might ίη part be responsible for the fact that the move 3... a6 is sometimes known as the Morphy Defence. Ο A.Anderssen • Ρ .Morphy

4th matchgame, Paris 1858 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6! 4 Ba4 Nf6 5 d3 (Diagram 2)

Diagram 2 (Β)

Diagram 3 (W)

It seems that this move is meant to protect the e-pawn, but we should make ηο

mistake here; the rather modest d2-d3 played an integral part ίη Anderssen's Ruy Lopez repertoire as he employed it against a great number οί systems. Morphy, however, knew exactly how to react. 5... Bc5

66

6: That's One Small Step for a Pawn

This makes perfect sense. With his last move Anderssen has encouraged Morphy to actively deploy his bishop, as the usual response (to occupy the centre by playing d4) would now lose a precious tempo. 6 c3

This approach was heavily debated ίη the second half of the 19th Century. It was Anderssen' s preferred treatment against the Ber1in Defence, and Steinitz also used it ίη various games; one of the more famous being the 4th game of his 1892 World Championship match with Mikhai1 Chigorin. Johannes Hermann Zukertort, οη the other hand, disliked such an approach, it being 'here out of place, notwithstanding the ορίηίοη of all book authorities.' 6 ... b5 7 Βα?!

Anderssen is still dreaming of playing d3-d4 and therefore puts his bishop οη c2 ίη order to protect his e-pawn. However, Morphy is able to break first. 7 ... d5 (Diagram 3)

Steinitz called this move premature οη account of the 'holes' ίη Black's position and his loose pieces οη the queenside. However, Anderssen fails to find the right way to cope with this central aggression. 8 exd5?!

Attentive readers who remember the proceedings from the first chapter will conceive the idea that 8 Qe2 (strong-pointing e4!) would have been the right move here. 8 ... Nxd5 9 h3 Α

necessary precaution. Should White really intend to push his d-pawn, he must first prevent an annoying ρίη of his king' s knight. 9 ...0-0 10 ο-ο h6 11 d4 exd4 12 cxd4 Bb6 13 NC3 Ndb4 14 Bb1 Be6

Morphy could have taken the pawn with 14... Nxd4 (but not 14... Bxd4? as 15 Ne2 Bb6 16 a3 wins a piece after 16 ... Nd5 17 Qc2): for example, 15 Nxd4 Bxd4! 16 Qf3 Be6 17 Qe4 Re8 18 Rd1 c5 19 Qh7+ Κf8 20 Be3 Qf6 21 Ne4 Qe5 22 Bxd4 cxd4 23 f4 Qxf4 24 Qh8+ Ke7 25 Qxg7 Rg8 26 Qxd4 Rxg2+! as analysed by ΜarόCΖΥ, but it is understandable that Morphy didn't want to jeopardize his good position with such a risky endeavour. 15 a3 Nd5 (Diagram 4) 16 Be3

Only here did Anderssen deviate from the second matchgame where he played 16 Ne2. 16 ... Nf6 17 Qd2 Re8 18 Rd1 Bd5 19 Ne5 Qd6 20 QC2?!

Threatening the black knight οη c6, but this move doesn't tum out well. Better would have been either 20 Qd3 or 20 Nxd5 Nxd5 21 Nxc6 Qxc6 22 Qd3 when the position is fairly level. 20 ... Nxd4 21 Bxd4 Bxd4 22 Nxd5 Qxe5 23 Nxf6+ Qxf6 (Diagram 5)

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

Black has managed to obtain a clearly better position, which Morphy after some difficulties duly converted ίn the endgame.

Diagram 5 (w)

Diagram 4 (w)

Conclusion Paul Morphy certainly popularized 3... a6. Today more than a dozen replies have been tried ίn response to 3 Bb5, but the Morphy Defence is played about twice as often as all οί them put together.

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Chapter 7

Α

Thrill of Excitement

Ι

have never in my life played the French Dejence, which is the dullest oj αΙΙ openings. Wilhelrn Steinitz

Diagram 1 (Β) The French Defence gained serious attention ίη 1822 when John Cochrane, contrary to existing ορίηίοη, declared ίη his New Treatise on the Game oj Chess that the 'King' s Pawn One garne' has been 'hastily passed over as bad by alrnost every writer οη Chess; Ι say hastily, because they have evidently not given it that attention which its intricacy undoubtedly deserves: it is a garne entirely of position,

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

and, consequently, one οί extreme difficulty.' So why do we find Steinitz so keen to bash the French Defence? His grumpy remark probably rests υροη the fact that ίη the early days οί the opening, the standard way οί countering it was the Exchange Variation, and that is quite dull ίη­ deed! ΟηΙΥ at the beginning 1860s did Louis Paulsen begin to experiment with 3 Nc3, and it was Steinitz himself who gladly pounced οη this move and was chiefly responsible for its development (a fine example οί his play after 3 Nc3 can be found ίη Chapter 27). lη

this chapter Ι would like to talk not about 3 Nc3, but rather 3 Nd2, the Tarrasch Variation. Why is this? The reason is quite simple: the main drawback to 3 Nc3 ίη the 19th Century was that 3 ... Bb4, which nowadays often heralds great complications, was usually met by 4 exd5, taking play into a type οί Exchange Variation after al1! Thus the Tarrasch Variation was a nice diversion which offered white players plenty οί room to crush careless opposition. Το illustrate my point, I'd 1ike to show you a game by the maestro himself, played after he had picked υρ the line ίη the 1880s (it was first introduced into tournament practice by George Brunton Fraser ίη 1874). Ο

S.Tarrasch •

Μ.Κϋrschner

Nuremberg 1891 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Nd2 Nf6 4 e5 Nfd7 5 Bd3 c5 6 C3 Nc6 7 Ne2 cxd4 8 cxd4 (Diagram 2)

Diagram 2 (Β)

Diagram 3 (Β)

8 ... Bb4?!

8 ... Qb6 9 Νί3 ί6 10 exf6 Nxf6 11

70

ο-ο

Bd6 would lead to the present day main 1ine.

7:

Α

ThriII of Excitement

The text move is rather dubious as it is not entire1y c1ear what B1ack is up to. 9 ο-ο Nf8?!

Again this is too slow: whi1e B1ack is still sorting his pieces, Tarrasch will sound the charge. That said, other moves are οη1Υ a little better: a) 9 ... Bxd2 wou1d be the logica1 consequence of 8 ... Bb4 (if not, what was the bishop doing οη b4?), but after the simp1e 10 Bxd2 Qb611 Bc3 ο-ο 12 Nf4 White had a massive initiative οη the kingside ίη P.Kuehn-KBuck, Dresden 2007. b) Challenging the white centre with 9... f6 wou1d be the standard p1an, but here White can p1ay the concrete 10 Nf4! (Diagram 3) threatening both 11 Nxe6 and 11 Qh5+. As B1ack cannot prevent both, he might as well grab as many pawns as he can, but after 10 ... Nxd4 11 Qh5+ Ke7 12 Qg4! Nxe5 13 Qxg7+ Nf7 14 Bxh7 White was c1ear1y better ίη C.Woods-R.Brown, Dallas 1998. c) Finally, we have the more conservative 9 ... 0-0 10 Nf3 f6, but again 11 Nf4 Qe712 Qc2 provided White with a c1ear advantage ίη H.Wegemund-B.Thoroe, Κie12001. 10 f4 f5 11 exf6 gxf6 12 Nf3

B1ack's position wou1dn't be so bad if he cou1d transfer a knight to e4 after p1aying ... f5, but unfortunate1y that configuration is totally out of reach. 12 ...Qb6 13 Kh1 Bd7 14 a3 Be7 15 f5! (Diagram 4)

Diagram 4 (Β)

Diagram 5 (Β)

15 ...0-0-0

Now B1ack's position is a tota1 mess. However, the attempt to keep his structure intact with 15 ... e5 wou1d have run into the forcefu116 Nc3! Nxd4 17 Nxd5 Qd6 18 Nxe7 Κxe719 Nxe5!! when B1ack's position falls apart after a11.

71

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas 16 Nf4 Kb8 17 Re1 ΑΙΙ οί White' s moνes are totally self eνident. There is nothing that Black can do but sit and await his fate.

17 ... 8c818 fxe6 Rd619 8f5 Nd8 20 b4 Ndxe6

50 Black did at least get his pawn back, but his pieces remain badly scattered. 21 Qb3 Qd8 22 Ra2! Ng5 23 8xc8 Kxc8 24 Rae2 Ne4 ΟηΙΥ for the second time ίη the game has Black managed to cross the fifth rank with a piece, but this time he is thrown back eνen more brutally.

25 Nxd5 Rxd5 26 Rxe4 Ng6 27 Rxe7! Nxe7 28 Rxe7 Qxe7 29 Qxd5 (Diagram 5)

The dust has settled, leaνing Tarrasch with a he duly went οη to conνert.

decisiνe

material

adνantage

which

Conclusion Tarrasch's νictory looked rather straightforward, but one should not forget that his opponent made life rather easy. Tarrasch himself eνentually abandoned his line, as he considered the emerging IQP after 3... c5 to be too strong. That is ίη fact a criticalline eνen today, and it seems that Black can hold his ground with ίΙ Neνertheless, the Tarrasch Variation is a solid method οί countering the French Defence, and if you like strategical play, this opening may be for you.

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Chapter 8

Ugly Duckling ΟΓ Beautiful Swan? He who fears an Isolated Queen's Pawn should give up Chess. Siegbert Tarrasch

Diagram 1 (Β) Haνing

dealt with a number οί classical e-pawn openings in the preνious chapters, it is now time to tum our attention to the other side οί the board. Το begin with Ι' d like to share with you two quotes from two respected authors from the first half οί the 19th Century. William Lewis, ίη his 5tamma on the Game of Chess, describes the following opening as Ι a safe game to play, it is not, howeνer, either so entertaining οτ improνing as the King's Gambit; it may be obserνed that the

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

games beginning with [it] are very dull. .. they are therefore but seldom played.' Howard Staunton, οη the other hand, remarked ίη his Handbook that'it is a very sound and instructive method οί opening the game; less brilliant, because less hazardous, than the gambits οη the King's side, but especially improving to the student, from the nicety and correctness οί play οη both sides which it demands.' As a 1 e4 player Ι would say that both statements contain a certain grain οί truth. Anyway, you have probably guessed it already, the opening I'm talking about is the Queen's Gambit. Obviously the Queen's Gambit is too vast an opening complex to cover ίη a single chapter, but you will find various chapters devoted to its individual variations throughout this work. Here Ι would like to start by tackling the 1ine which was considered the most reliable way οί facing the Queen' s Gambit ίη the middle οί the 19th Century. That meant not accepting the pawn as McDonnell had frequently played against de la Bourdonnais, but rather declining it with 2... e6, followed by attacking the white centre with ... c5. lnterestingly most opening treatises οί the time did not reveal how to deal with the isolated queen's pawn (IQP) that can easi1y emerge should Black adopt this approach, despite Staunton himself having shown how to handle ίΙ Ο J.Cochrane •

H.Staunton

London 1842 1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 e3 C5 4 dxc5 BXC5 5 cxd5 exd5 6 Nf3 Nf6 7 Be2 Nc6 8 Nc3 (Diagram 2)

Diagram 2 (Β)

Diagram 3 (w)

Except for the reversed colours, we have reached a standard position which can

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8: Ugly Duckling

ΟΓ

Beautiful Swan?

arise via many different move orders, most notably the Panov-Botvinnik Attack in the Caro-Kann Defence (1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 exd5 cxd5 4 c4 ΝΕ6 5 Nc3 e6 6 ΝΕ3 Be7 7 Bd3 dxc4 8 Bxc4 Nc6). The reason that Black is now White, and vice versa, is because Black hasn't had to waste a move οη ...Bd6 and has recaptured οη c5 in one step. For a more detailed description οί IQP positions, Ι strongly refer the reader to Alexander Baburin's excellent Winning Pawn Structures; a book solely devoted to the advantages and disadvantages οί the IQP. In general it can be said that the side facing the IQP will aim to blockade it and to exchange as many pieces as possible, hoping to pick οΗ the weak pawn ίη the endgame. The side possessing the IQP, οη the other hand, should exploit their greater manoeuvrability and will often look to attack οη the kingside and/or to cause the opponent problems by advancing the IQP. 8... Be6 9 ο-ο ο-ο 10 h3?!

As we know today, moving any pawn οη the kingside is a serious weakness ίη typical IQP positions. Instead White should have played 10 Nb5 ίη order to establish a blockade οί the IQP with a knight, or the immediate 10 a3 ίη order to prepare b2-b4, followed by developing the dark-squared bishop to b2. 10...Qe7 11 a3 a6 12 b4 Bd6 13 b5 Ne5 14 Nd4 Rfc8 (Diagram 3)

Staunton handles the position very well, as all his pieces take up ideallocations. 15 Bb2 NC4

Here we see the first downside to White's wasting a move with one οί his bishops.

οη

10 h3: he must part

16 Bxc4 Rxc417 bxa6 bxa618 Nce2 Rac819 Qd3 Ne4 20 Nxe6 fxe6

Black has partly repaired his pawn structure and remains with the more active pieces. He is better. 21 Rac1 Qh4 22 Rxc4 RXC4 23 Nd4 Ng5 24 e4? Qf4 (Diagram 4)

Diagram 4 (W)

Diagram 5 (Β)

75

The Greatest Eνer Chess Opening Ideas

Another downside to 10 h3 becomes apparent: White is rather vulnerable down the h2-b8 diagonal. 25 g3 Nxh3+ 26 Kg2 Qg4 27 Nxe6!? Α

desperate attempt, but Staunton remains ίη control of the situation.

27 ... Qxe6 28 e5 Bc5 29 Rh1 Ngs 30 f4 Ne4 31 f5 Qxf5 32 Qxd5+ Qf7 33 Qd8+ Qf8 34 Qd5+ Kh8! 0-1

The final finesse. White resigned as he cannot take the rook ίη view Kg3 Qxg3 mate.

οί

35 ... Qf2+ 36

Praeceptor Germaniae The future will decide who has erred in estimating this defence - Ι or the chess world. Siegbert Tarrasch Even though the approach outlined ίη the previous game remained quite successful ίη the years that followed, it eventually vanished from tournament play and theory's main attention turned towards the classical way of declining the Queen's Gambit (1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Nf6). Hitting the centre with the immediate 3... c5 only returned ίη the late 1880s when Siegbert Tarrasch came to the conclusion that it was the best way to defend against the Queen's Gambit. Tarrasch was generally fond of the IQP, which he considered to be a strength (see also the previous chapter); a view many οί his contemporaries did not share. For reasons Ι will examine ίη greater detail ίη Chapter 12, Tarrasch's Defence came under heavy fire ίη the 20th Century, but for now, Ι' d like to conclude this chapter with a game from the happier days of the opening. Ο

A.Nimzowitsch. S.Τarrasch St Petersburg 1914 1 d4 d5 2 C4 e6 3 Nf3 c5 4 e3 Nf6 5 Bd3 (Diagram 5)

According to Bangiev this variation is named after the Polish master Dawid Janowsky, who first played this way ίη his 1910 World Championship match against Emanuel Lasker 5... Nc6 Α

good alternative is 5 ... dxc4 6 Bxc4, after which we arrive at a standard position of the Queen's Gambit Accepted (1 d4 d5 2 c4 dxc4 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 e3 c5 5 Bxc4), but with a more than useful extra tempo for Black. 6 ο-ο Bd6 7 b3 ο-ο 8 Bb2 b6 9 Nbd2

Breaking the symmetry, but the knight doesn't do much οη d2. Playing 9 Nc3, es-

76

8: Ugly Duckling

ΟΓ

Beautiful Swan?

pecially with the c-pawn already haνing moνed to c4, would haνe made more sense. 9 ... Bb7

As a small note Ι would like to add that this position can also arise νia the ColleZukertort (1 d4 d5 2 Νί3 Νί6 3 e3 e6 4 Bd3 c5 5 b3 Nc6 6 ο-ο Bd6 7 Bb2 ο-ο 8 Nbd2 b69 c4 Bb7). 10 Rc1 Qe7 (Diagram 6)

Diagram 6 (W)

Diagram 7 (W)

11 cxd5

Nimzowitsch wants to exploit the f5-square, but a more logical continuation would haνe been 11 Ne5, eνentually followed by Ndf3. 11 ... exd5 12 Nh4 g6 13 Nhf3 Rad8 14 dxc5 bxc5

While hanging pawns can be a liability, they certainly are not in this position. Black's pieces are νery well placed (just look at his raking bishops!), but White's pieces definitely aren't. 15 Bb5 Ne416 Bxc6?!

Trading this bishop for a knight is probably not the wisest οί choices, but is understandable when one realizes that 16 Qc2 would haνe been met by the powerful 16... Nb4 17 Qb1 Nxd2 18 Nxd2 d4!. 16 ... Bxc617 QC2

Letting Black's bishop into d3 with 17 Nxe4 dxe4 18 Nd2 Bb5 19 Re1 Bd3 was hardly any better. 17 ... Nxd218 Nxd2 d4!

Simple and powerful play. Tarrasch opens lines against the enemy king.

77

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas 19 exd4 Bxh2+! 20 Kxh2 Qh4+ 21 Kg1 Bxg2! (Diagram 7) Α

classic double-bishop sacrifice, which had been known since the famous game E.Lasker-H.Bauer, Amsterdam 1889. 22 f3

22 Kxg2 Qg4+ 23 Κh1 Rd5! would be a logical conclusion should White accept the second bishop. White can prevent mate by sacrificing his queen with 24 Qxc5, but 24 ... Qh5+ 25 Kg1 Qg5+ 26 Κh1 Rxc5 once again points the finger at the unfortunate decision to put the knight οη d2! 22 ... Rfe8 23 Ne4 Qh1+ 24 Kf2 Bxf1 25 d5 f5 26 Qc3

Threatening mate, but Tarrasch had seen everything through to the finish. 26 ...Qg2+ 27 Ke3 Rxe4+! 28 fxe4 f4+

28 ... Qg3+ 29 Kd2 Qf2+ 30 Kd1 Qe2 mate would have been even quicker, but the text is more than humiliating enough for Tarrasch's arch-rival. 29 Κxf4 Rf8+ 30 Ke5 Qh2+ 31 Ke6 Re8+ 32 Kd7 Bb5 mate (0-1)

Conclusion Due to reasons Ι will explain ίη Chapter 12, the Tarrasch Defence is not very popular at the highest level. However, below that it remains a respectable opening, especial1y should Black be looking for a sharp weapon against 1 d4.

78

Conclusion

Score (max 5)

ShockValue

111

Effectiveness Rating

1111

Longevity Rating

11111

Creativity Value

11

Chapter 9

Ο

Captain!

Exult,

Ο

shores, and ring,

Ο

ΜΥ

Captain!

bells!

But 1, with mournful tread, Walk the deck my Captain lies, Fallen cold and dead.

Walt Whitman (Ο Captain!

ΜΥ

Captain!)

Diagram 1 (W) The romantics οί the early 19th Century faced a difficult situation: the Giuoco Piano was struggling, so the only way to play interesting games seemed to be the

79

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

King's Gambit. However, at the end of the 1820s a person came to their rescue: Captain Evans. William Davies Evans, born ίη 1790 ίη Pembroke (Wales), went to sea at the age of 14 to serve his country ίη the Napoleonic Wars. With the Battle of Waterloo putting a final end to Napoleon Bonaparte ίη 1815, Evans was transferred to the Postal Department, and ίη 1819 was promoted to Captain οί the Royal Mail packet ship Auckland, which plied its trade between Milford Haven (Wales) and Waterford (Ireland). Οη one of these passages, while studying a variation ίη the Giuoco Piano from Sarratt's Α New Treatise OfThe Game OfChess (published ίη 1821), Εν­ ans devised the gambit that bears his name. Back ίη London ίη 1826 and 1827, he showed his idea to William Lewis and Alexander McDonnell, the leading players ίη England at that time. The following game, played at the famous Subscription Rooms ίη St Martin' s Lane, marks the baptism of the Evans Gambit. Ο W.Eνans •

A.McDonnell

London 1827 1 e4 eS 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 BC4 BcS 4 ο-ο

There has been quite some debate οη the particular move order οί this game, as some sources suggest that it already featured the gambit ίη its true form. However, Ι believe that the text move was played. It should be noted that White's move order is a somewhat inaccurate way to reach the Evans Gambit, as after 4 ... Nf6 White has to take care οί his e-pawn. 4... d6 5 b4!? Bxb4 6 c3 BaS

It is not entirely clear if 6...Bc5 is as inaccurate as it has been considered. It seem-

ingly deprives Black οί a few options, but it also has its merits. Οη the one hand, it allows White to gain a tempo οη the bishop with d2-d4, but οη the other, the bishop does not block a5-square, which offers an important defensive resource as after a possible Qb3, White has always to watch out for ... Na5. 7 d4 (Diagram 2) 7... Bg4

7... Bb6! is the famous Lasker Defence, which wil1 obviously be examined below. 8Qb3

Alternatively: a) 8 Qa4, despite netting Mikhail Chigorin two wins over Wilhelm Steinitz ίη their 1892 World Championship match, is rather harmless. After 8... Bxf3 9 gxf3 exd410 cxd4 Qf6! White has nothing better than 11 Bb5 Qxf3 12 Bxc6+ bxc6 13 Qxc6+ Ke7 14 Qxa8 Qg4+ 15 Κh1 Qf3+ with a draw by repetition. b) 8 Bb5 forces Black to be a bit more accurate. After 8... exd4 9 Qa4 (or 9 cxd4 Bd7 10 Bb2 Νί6 and Black has a slight advantage according to NCO) 9 ... Bxf3 10 gxf3 (following 10 Bxc6+ bxc611 Qxc6+ Kf812 gxf3 dxc3 13 Nxc3 Bxc314 Qxc3 Qf6 it is

80

9: Oh Captain!

ΜΥ

Captain!

White who has to struggle for a draw) 10 ... Bb6 11 cxd4 Nge7! 12 d5 a6 13 Bxc6+ (moving the bishop off the a4-e8 diagonal does not help: for example, 13 Bc4 Bd4 14 dxc6 Nxc6 15 Nc3 Bxc3 16 Bxf7+ Kxf717 Qc4+ Kg6! 18 Qxc3 Qf6 and Black should already have a winning advantage) 13 ...bxc614 dxc6 ο-ο White has regained his pawn at too high a price.

8... Qd7? (Diagram 3)

Diagram 2 (Β)

Diagram 3 (W)

After this move White gets a dangerous attack. It was neces5aI}' to remove the knight with 8 ... Bxf3. The game A.Santasiere-F.Marshall, New York 1926, continued 9 gxf3 (9 Bxf7+ Κί8 10 gxf3 Bb6 11 Bxg8 Rxg8 should be more than okay for Black) 9 ... exd4 10 Qxb7 (10 Bxf7+?! is dubious: 10 ... Κf8 11 Bxg8 Rxg8 12 Qxb7 Qe8! and White's position is very awkward) 10... Ne5 11 Κh1 Rb8 12 Qa6 Nxc4 13 Qxc4 and now 13 ... Qf6! 14 Qa4+ Κί8 15 Qxa5 Qxf3+ 16 Kg1 Qg4+ 17 Κh1 Qf3+ was the quickest route to a draw. 9NgS

Instead 9 Qxb7? is not possible as 9 ... Rb8 10 Qa6 Rb6 traps the white queen, but 9 Bxf7+ looks promising at first. However, Black seems to have enough resources to defend this position: for example, 9 ... Qxf7 (9 ... Κf8?! 10 Ng5 is not recommended) 10 Qxb7 Nd8!? (otherwise White is simply a pawn up with a better position) 11 Qxa8 Bxf312 gxf3 (12 Bg5?! Ne713 Bxe7 Qg6! 14 g3 Κxe7 is rather dangerous for White) 12... Qxf3 13 Nd2 Qg4+ 14 Κh1 Bxc3 15 ί3 Qd716 Rb1 Bxd4 17 Nb3 Bb6 and Black's position is quite solid. 9 ... Nd8 10 dxes dxes 11 Ba3 Nh6

11 ... h6? runs into 12 Nxf7! Nxf713 Bxf7+ Qxf714 Qb5+ when White will regain his invested material with interest.

81

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

12 f3 Bb6+ 13 Kh1 Bh5 14 Rd1 (Diagram 4)

Diagram 4 (Β)

Diagram 5 (w)

We reach a position which every player who employs the Evans dreams οί: White has put most οί his pieces οη active positions, whereas Black's pieces lack coordination. 14 ... Qc8 15 Rxd8+?!

This tums out to be too ambitious. Instead 15 Qb5+! Nc616 Bd5 would have been an elegant way to finish the game. 15 ... Qxd8

Avoiding 15 ... Kxd8? which is curtains after 16 Ne6+! fxe6 (or 16 ... Ke8 17 Nxg7+ Kd818 Nxh5) 17 Bxe6 Βί718 Qd1+, as pointed out by Harding. 16 Nxf7 Qh4??

Black also had to avoid both 16 ... Nxf7 17 Bb5+ c6 18 Qe6+ and 16 ... Bxf7 17 Bxf7+ Nxf7 18 Qe6+, but with 16... Qf6! (Diagram 5) he could have got back into the game to an extent. According to Harding, probably best is 17 Qa4+ (17 Nxh8 0-0-0 picks υρ the knight οη h8) 17... c6 18 Nd6+ with attacking chances: for example, 18 ... Kd719 Nxb7 Bxf3 20 Nd2! Bxg2+ (or 20 ... Bg4 21 Rf1 Qg6 22 Νί3) 21 Κxg2 Rhb8 22 Νί3 Rxb723 Rd1+ Kc7 24 Bd6+ Qxd6 25 Rxd6 Κxd6 26 Qb4+ c5 27 Qb3 and Black's ρο­ sition remains critical. 17 Qb5+ c618 Qxe5+ Kd7 19 Qe6+ Kc7 20 Bd6 mate (1-0)

Given the course οί this game, it is hardly surprising that McDonnell was impressed. He was not the οηlΥ one. Soon after this game, Evans's analysis was pub-

82

9: Oh Captain! ΜΥ Captain!

lished ίη various treatises: George Walker's Α New Treatise on Chess, with Fifty Chess Problems (2nd Edition, 1833) and William Lewis' s Α Second Series oj Lessons on the Game oj Chess (1834) being two οί the more popular ones. Unsurprisingly the debut οί the Evans Gambit at the top level wasn't long in coming. Having suffered a horrendous defeat ίη his first match against de la Bourdonnais (+5 =4 -16), McOonnell decided to give Evans' s idea a go ίη the first game οί their second match. Oe la Bourdonnais, knowing ηο English and therefore not familiar with the previously-published analyses, intuitively chose the line nowadays known as the Lasker Oefence, but failed to find the best possible moves and eventually lost. Ο A.McDonnell •

L.de la Bourdonnais

1st matchgame, London 1834 1 e4 es 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bc4 BcS 4 b4 Bxb4 5 c3 Bas 6 ο-ο d6 7 d4 (Diagram 6)

Diagram 6 (Β)

Diagram 7 (W)

7... Bb6

It is remarkable that de la Bourdonnais chose the move that would later strike a

heavy blow against the variation. However, it was probably due to the fact that de la Bourdonnais lost this game rather unconvincingly that this defence went unnoticed until the end οί the 19th Century. Besides 7... Bg4, which Ι examined ίη the previous game, the other major altemative is 7... Bd7. Now Fine gives 8 Qb3 Qe7 9 dxe5 dxe5 10 Rdl Rd811 Rd5 (οί course not 11 Qxb7? Rb8 12 Qa6 Rb6) as clearly betler for White, but after 11 ... Bb6 12 Ba3 Qf6 it is not clear how White should prevent Black from consolidating. 7... exd4 8 cxd4 Bb6 is the so-called 'Normal Position' and will be dealt with below

83

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

8 dxe5 Bg4?! Giνen the generally aggressiνe style οί the period in which this match was played, this seems to be a natural moνe. Howeνer, offering the exchange οί queens was the better option and the natural 8... dxe5! will be examined in our next game.

9 Bb5 Bxf3 3.0 Qxf3 dxe5 (Diagram 7)

Black is still a pawn up, but with two bishops in an open position White has serious compensation. 3.3. Qg3 Qf6 3.2 Bg5 Qe6 3.3 Na3

13 ΒΜ!? would haνe been a consistent follow-up to the idea οί 11 Qg3, as now Black has to be νery careful in order not to compromise his position: for example, 13... Κf8 (dubious is 13... g6?! 14 Rd1 Nge715 Na3 and Black has problems) 14 Rd1 Nge715 Nd2 Ng616 Bc4 Qe817 Νί3 and Black has problems co-ordinating his pieces. 3.3 ... Nf6 3.4 Bxf6 gxf6?

After this moνe Black gets into serious difficulties. Maybe de la Bourdonnais was dreaming οί castling queenside and attacking νia the half-open g-file, but White's next moνe simply shows that the black pieces are too uncoordinated. 14 ... Qxf6 would haνe been more logical when White can win his pawn back with 15 Bxc6+ bxc6 16 Nc4, but after 16 ... 0-0 17 Qxe5 Qxe5 18 Nxe5 Rfe8 19 Nxc6 Re6 20 Nd4 Rxe4 if anything, Black has the better chances. 3.5 Rad3. (Diagram 8)

Diagram 8 (Β)

Diagram 9 (W)

3.5 ... Bc5 Alternatiνely,

15... Rd8 runs into 16 Qg7! Ke7 17 Rxd8 Rxd8 18 Bc4, while 15... Qxa2 16 Nc4! a6 17 Bxc6+ bxc6 18 Nxe5 Ke7 (or 18 ... Qe6 19 Qg7 Rf8 20 Nd7 and wins) 19 c4! Qe2 20 Rd7+ leaνes the black king in a mating net: 20 ... Ke6 (or 20 ... Kf8 21 Rxf7+

84

9: Oh Captain!

ΜΥ

Captain!

Ke8 22 Qg7, or 20 ... Ke8 21 Qg7 Rf8 22 Rxf7) 21 Qh3+ Κxe5 22 Qf5 mate. 16 Qg7 Ke7?

16 ... Rf8 was the only try to get the king into safety, even though after 17 Nc2 Bd6 18 Bxc6+ bxc6 19 Qxh7 White has the far superior minor piece. Now White obtains and quite convincingly converts a winning material advantage. 17 BC4 Rag8 18 Qxg8 Rxg8 19 Bxe6 fxe6 20 Nc2 Rg4 21 Rfe1 f5 22 exf5 exf5 23 Ne3 Bxe3 24 Rxe3 Ke6 25 Rh3 Rg7 26 Rh6+ Ke7 27 Rb1 Nd8 (Diagram 9) 28 f3

So far McDonnell has shown an excellent technique, attacking Black' s weaknesses and hence driving back his opponent step by step, but here 28 Rb5 Νί7 29 Rh5 would have been a more effective way to force resignation. 28 ••• b6?!

28 ... Nf7 29 Rh4 Nd6 would have been more resilient. 29 Rd1 Nf7

29 ... Ne6 is only marginally better, as White has 30 Re1 Kd6 31

ί4!

e4 32 Rf6.

30 Rc6 Rg8 31 RXC1+ Kf6 32 Rxa7 Rc8 33 Rdd7 Ng5 34 Rdc7 1-0

As a result οί this game, de la Bourdonnais himself picked up the Evans Gambit. Indeed, ίη the remaining five matches between McDonnell and de la Bourdonnais, the Evans Gambit was played (and accepted) ίη 22 out οί the 60 games!

The End of an Era - The Lasker Defence Ιη

the aftermath οί the monumental matches between McDonnell and de la Bourdonnais, the Evans Gambit became pretty popular and was taken up by many leading masters οί the 19th Century. These famous players, including Paul Morphy, Adolf Anderssen, Howard Staunton, Joseph Henry Blackbume, William Steinitz and, probably the strongest advocate οί all, Mikhail Chigorin, produced many beautiful victories with ίΙ However, it was left to Emanuel Lasker to cast a spell over the Evans Gambit: Ο M.Chigorin •

E.Lasker

St Petersburg 1895 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bc4 BC5 4 b4 Bxb4 5 c3 BC5 6 ο-ο?!

After 6 d4 exd4 7 cxd4 Bb6 (7... Bb4+ 8 Nbd2 is nothing White has to fear as 8... Bc3?! 9 Bxf7+ Κί8 10 Ba3+ d6 11 Bb3! Bxa1 12 Qxa1 gives him a great attacking position for the sacrificed exchange) 8 ο-ο d6 (Diagram 10) we have arrived at the so-called 'Normal Position" which was another opening tabiya for the 19th Century, being played ίη hundreds οί games.

85

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

Diagram 10 (W)

Diagram 11 (W)

Let's have a short look at the different branches: a) 9 Nc3 is Morphy's move, but only good for a draw at best after 9 ... Na510 Bg5 Ne7 (also good is 10... f611 Bf4 Ne7! 12 h3 Ng613 Bg3 Nxc414 Qa4+ Qd715 Qxc4 Qf716 Nd5 Ο-Ο) 11 Nd5 ί612 Bxf6 gxf613 Nxf6+ Κί814 Ng5 Nxc4 15 Qh5 (or 15 Qf3 Bxd4! and White has nothing better than 16 Qh5 Kg717 Qf7+ with a draw by perpetual check) 15... Kg716 Qf7+ Κh6 17 Qh5+ (17 Ng4+? Bxg4 18 Qf6+ Ng6 19 Nf7+ Κh5 20 Nxd8 Raxd8 gives Black too much mateήaΙ for the queen) 17... Kg718 Qf7+. b) 9 d5 was long favoured by Anderssen, but has ultimately failed to stand the test οί time: 9 ... Na5! (both 9... Qf6 10 dxc6! Qxa1 11 Qb3 Qf6 12 e5 and 9 ... Ne5 10 Nxe5 dxe511 Ba3! Bd412 Nd2 Bxa113 Qxa1 are two powerful exchange sacrifices known to lead to a strong white initiative) 10 e5 (10 Bb2 Ne7 11 Bd3 ο-ο 12 Nc3 Ng6 13 Ne2 c5 14 Qd2 f6 15 Κh1 Bc7 16 Ng3 Rb8 17 Νί5 was played ίη A.Anderssen-J.Zukertort, Berlin 1868, and after 17... Bxf518 exf5 Ne519 Nxe5 dxe5 20 Rac1 b6!, intending ... Na5-b7-d6, Black obtains a very solid position) 10 ... Nxc4 11 Qa4+ Bd712 Qxc4 Ne7 (Diagram 11) 13 Re1!? (13 e6 fxe614 dxe6 Bc615 Ng5 ο-ο 16 Qc2 Ng6 17 h4 Qf6 18 Bb2 Qf4 is better ίοι Black, as analysed by ΜarόCΖΥ) 13... 0-0 (13 ... dxe5?! 14 Rxe5 ο-ο 15 Bg5 Re8 16 Nc3 gives White rather good compensation) 14 Bg5 f6 15 exf6 gxf6 16 Bh6 Re8 17 Nbd2 Ng6 18 Ne4 Qe7 and White's compensation is not entirely clear. c) 9 Bb2!? seems to be the most flexible. After 9 ... Na5 (altematively, 9 ... Nf6?! 10 Nbd2 ο-ο 11 e5 is very uncomfortable ίοι Black, while 9 ... Bg4 10 Nbd2 is similar to the text) 10 Bd3 Ne7 11 Nbd2 White has good chances to initiate play οη the kingside according to Rohde, even though practical tests are still missing. Retuming to 6 Ο-Ο:

6... d6 7 d4 Bb6! (Diagram 12)

86

9: Oh Captain! ΜΥ Captain!

Diagram 12 (W)

Diagram 13 (W)

This move had a1ready been p1ayed by de 1a Bourdonnais, as we ha"e seen, but it was wide1y ignored by the 1eading openίng treatises οί the time: neither I1ze American Supplement to the Sypnosis ΟΙ Chess Openings (1885) nor G.H.D.Gossip's I1zeory ΟΙ the Chess Openings (1891) mention ίΙ The only reference Ι could find was in the Lehrbuch des Schachspiels (1894), and even there it is confined to just a small note. It was on1y due to Lasker that the move became established in general openίng theory, and is known today as the Lasker Defence. Note, however, that nowadays this position normally comes about via the move order 5... Ba5 6 Ο-() d6 7 d4 Bb6. 8 a4?!

First successfully emp10yed by B1ackbume ίπ a simu1 game in 1875, this move is dubious at best. Over the years, many moves have been tried to get a good game against the Lasker Defence. The main a1ternative is 8 dxe5 dxe5, which been rejected by de 1a Bourdonnais, but it tums out that B1ack has πσ prob1ems at a11: a) 9 Nbd2 Qf6 10 Bd5 Nge7 is unfavourab1e for White. b) 9 Bxf7+? Kxf710 Nxe5+ Ke811 Qh5+ g612 Nxg6 Νί613 Qh6 Rg814 Νί4 and now 14... Ne5 'nips White's attack ίη the bud' (Lasker). c) 9 Qb3!? Qf6 (9 ... Qe7!?, with the idea οί 10 Ba3 Qf6, is an idea οί A1apin's that has on1y occurred a few times) 10 Bg5 Qg6 11 Bd5 Nge7 (11 ... ί6!? 12 Bxg8 Na5 13 Nxe5 fxe5 14 Qd5 Nc6 is unc1ear according to Kasparov) 12 Bxe7 Κxe713 Bxc6 (13 a4?! Na5 14 Qa3+ Qd6 15 Nxe5? Bc5! wins for B1ack) 13 ... Qxc6 14 Nxe5 Qe6 15 Nc4 (ίη­ ferior are 15 Nd3 Qxb316 axb3 Rd8 17 Νί4 c6, G.Vicente Haro-G.F1ear, Castellar 1996, and 15 Qa3+ Qd6! 16 Qxd6+ cxd6, as ίη M.Ebe1ing-Y.Rantanen, Jyvasky1a 1987, with an endgame edge for B1ack ίη both cases) and now Rohde recommends 15 ... Bd7 16 Nbd2 Rhd8 17 Κh1 Qc6 18 ί4 Qa4 with a slight edge for B1ack. d) 9 Qxd8+ Nxd8 10 Nxe5 Be6 11 Nd2 Ne712 Ba3 ί6 13 Nd3 Ng6 14 Rab1

Κί7

and

87

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

Black conνerted his endgame

adνantage ίη

M.Chigorin-H.Pillsbury, London 1899.

8 ... Nf6 (Diagram 13) 9 Bb5

Later Chigorin tried to improνe this line with 9 Bd5, but after 9 ... Nxd510 exd5 Na5 11 dxe5 ο-ο! 12 Bg5 Qd713 Re1 dxe5 14 Nxe5 Qf5 15 ΒΜ ί6 16 Nf3 Bd7, despite haνing regained the pawn, White's position was completely shattered ίη M.Chigorin-P.Lipke, Vienna 1898. 9 ... a6 10 Bxc6+ bxc6 11 a5 Ba7 12 dxe5

12 Qa4 is best met by 12 ... exd4! 13 Qxc6+ (13 e5?! seeks to keep the black king ίη the centre, but Black can preνail with 13 ... dxe514 Ba3 e415 cxd4 Bd716 Qc4 c517 Ne5 ο-ο 18 Qxa6 Re819 Nxd7 Qxd7 20 dxc5 Bxc5, as ίη F.Duz-Κhotimirsky­ G.Salwe, St Petersburg 1905) 13 ...Bd714 Qxa6 Nxe4, resulting ίη a position that cannot be νery desirable for White. 12 ... Nxe4 13 Qe2?!

If there are any improνements at all, they should be sought at this point:

a) After 13 Qa4 Nc5 14 Qxc6+ Bd715 Qd5 ο-ο!? (15 ... Be6 16 Qc6+ is for friends οί a quick draw) 16 exd6 Bb5 17 Rd1 (or 17 c4 c6 18 Qd4 Ba4 and White, despite being a pawn up, has a hard time) 17... Qxd6 18 Qxd6 cxd6 19 Be3 (thus far Zak) 19 ... Rfc8 20 ΝΜ Ne4 21 Bxa7 Rxa7 22 ί3 Nxc3 23 Nxc3 Rxc3 24 Rxd6 g6 25 f4 Re7 Black would haνe retained the somewhat better prospects according to Kasparoν. b) 13 exd6!? is probably best, but after 13 ... 0-0! (13 ... cxd6 is also possible and after 14 Qe2 d515 Nd4 Bxd416 cxd4 ο-ο 17 Nd2 Nd6! White is struggling for a draw) 14 dxc7 Qxc715 Qe2 it is hard to imagine that White is haνing any fun at all. 13 ... d5 (Diagram 14) 14 Nd4?

Now Lasker concludes the game ίη nice fashion. With 14 Be3 Bg415 Bxa7 Rxa716 Qe3 Rb7 17 Nbd2 White could haνe resisted a little better. 14... NxC3! 15 NXC3 Bxd4 16 Qd3

16 Bb2 Rb8 17 Na4 Bxb2 18 Nxb2 c5 is equally hopeless. 16 ... C5 17 Qg3 Be6! 18 Bg5

18 Qxg7 is met by the coo118 ... Kd7! 19 Bd2 (or 19 Ra3 Rg8 20 Qxh7 Bxe5 21 Rd1 c6) 19 ... Qh4 with a completely winning position for Black. 18 ... Qd7 19 Rac1 f6!

Preparing to castle and then open files

οη

the kingside.

20 exf6 gxf6 21 Bf4 Rg8 22 Qf3 0-0-0 23 Rfe1

23 Ne2 is similar to the text: 23 ... Bg4 24 Qd3 c4! 25 Qxd4 Bxe2 26 Rfe1 (26 Qa7 is simply met by 26 ... Qc6!) 26 ... Rxg2+!! 27 Κxg2 (or 27 Κh1 Qh3 28 Rc3 Βί3) 27 ... Qg4+ 28 Bg3 Bf3+ 29 Kg1 Qh3 and Black wins. 23 ...c4 24 Qe2 Bf5 25 Qa2 Rxg2+! (Diagram 15)

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9: Oh Captain!

Diagram 14 (W)

ΜΥ

Captain!

Diagram 15 (W)

26 Kh1

After 26 Kxg2 Black mates with 26 ... Bh3+ 27 Κh1 Qg4 28 Bg3 Qf3+ 29 Kg1 Qg2. 26 ... Rxf20-1 Ιη

the years that followed, the popularity οί the Evans Gambit declined at the top level, even though the opening was still played, especially by amateurs and correspondence players. Ιη recent years, the opening has staged something οί a comeback, mainly due to Garry Kasparov' s famous victory over Vishy Anand in Riga in 1995. Nevertheless, Ι should point out that despite all White's efforts, the Lasker Defence remains a most reliable way to counter the Evans Gambit.

Conclusion It is certain that the Lasker Defence is a major blow to the Evans Gambit. Numer-

ous tries have been made to rehabilitate White's chances, but the ultimate verdict is: if you want to play for an advantage in the Evans, avoid the Lasker Defence! Conclusion

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89

Chapter 10

Pastures New The games in the event were not of great importance theoretically, and Black only scored one draw from the three games. Yet [ ... ] somehow the name stuck. Tim Harding (οη the naming of the Cambridge Springs Defence)

Diagram 1 (W)

The naming of an opening system is not always especially logical, as we will see both here and ίη certain subsequent chapters. Let me take you back ίη time to 1904 and to a small borough ίη Crawford County, Pennsylvania: Cambridge Springs. Ιη that year a very famous chess toumament was held ίη the town. From the top

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10: Pastures New

eleven players of the time, six participated (Harry Nelson Pillsbury, Mikhail Chigorin, Dawid Janowsky, Carl Schlechter, Emanuel Lasker and Frank Marshall), and besides acting as the birthplace of an opening system, the toumament also had another effect οη chess history: alderman Victor Tietz attended the tournament as a spectator and was so impressed that he deάded to organize a toumament ίη his home town of Carlsbad! Concerning the opening variation which is now known as the Cambridge Springs Defence, that was only seen ίη three games ίη the toumament and didn't score well: only Richard Teichmann managed to scrape a draw with it against Schlechter. Still, naming it the Cambridge Springs makes at least more sense than naming it the Pillsbury Defence as some sources do (one example being Israel Albert Horowitz's Chess Openings: Theory and Practice); a claim based οη a game that Pi1lsbury supposedly played at Nuremburg 1896, but even after extensive search Ι have unable to find proof of this. And what is even more important, Emanuel Lasker had already employed the variation ίη a game against Albert Hodges in 1892. Later ίη 1904 the Cambridge Springs Defence was also played in the London tournament, and even though its score was still rather modest (one \\m, three draws and four losses), it became more popular. The peak of its ΡοΡulaήtΥ was reached ίη the 1920s and 1930s when it was frequently played in ηο fe\\'er than three World Championship matches. Το conclude this chapter, I'd like to present a game that was considered ιο be the turning ροίη! of the 1927 \\'orld Championship match. Ο

J.Capablanca • A.Alekhine

World Championship (Game 11), Buenos Aires 1927 1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 Bg5 Nbd7 5 e3 c6 6 Nf3 Qa5

The starting position of the Cambridge Springs Defence. 7 Nd2 (Diagram 2)

7 Bxf6 was played ίη the stem game between Hodges and Lasker ίη New York 1892. This immediate exchange is understandable in 50 far as there are often tactical shots along the fifth rank involving an unprotected bishop οη g5. Lasker continued with 7... gxf6?! and eventually won that game, even though after 8 a3 dxc4 9 Bxc4 Qh510 Be2 Qh611 g3 Be712 Qc2 b613 h4 White had the better position. Nowadays, this variation is a rare guest in toumament practice as after 7... Nxf6 Black's road to equality is quite straightforward. Instead the text move introduces the main line οί the Cambridge Springs (7 cxd5 Nxd5 8 Qd2 is a sharp altemative), after which Black has to make a choice. 7 ••• Bb4

This is the move most commonly played at this juncture, but Black also has:

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

a) 7... Ne4 was Teichmann's choice at Cambridge Spriηgs 1904 ίη both his games agaiηst Marshall aηd Schlechter. After 8 Ncxe4 dxe4 9 ΒΜ Bb410 a3 Bxd2+ 11 Qxd2 Qxd2+ 12 Kxd2 e5 13 Kc3 he got a worse positioη agaiηst Schlechter, while after 8 cxd5 Nxd2 (8 ... Nxg5 9 h4 regaiηs the piece) 9 Qxd2 exd510 Bd3 Bb411 ο-ο ο-ο 12 a3 Bxc3 13 bxc3 Re8 he equalized agaiηst Marshall. Funnily eηough, Teichmann lost the latter aηd drew the former. b) 7... dxc4 is recommeηded by Paηczyk aηd Ilczuk ίη their thorough The Cambridge Springs, aηd leads to solid play which we do ηot have room to explore here.

Diagram 2 (Β)

Diagram 3 (w)

8 QC2 dxC4 It should be ηoted that Black

doesη't have to make this exchaηge. Iηdeed, 8 ... 0-0 is the maiη liηe by Paηczyk aηd Ilczuk, as 'Black makes a useful developiηg move aηd keeps all his optioηs opeη regardiηg a couηterblow ίη the ceηtre.' coηsidered

9 Bxf6 Nxf6 3.0 Nxc4

10 Bxc4 is less logical thaη the recapture with the kηight, aηd allows Black to strike ίη the ceηtre with 10 ... e5 which should equalize, as it does after, for example, 11 Nb3 Qc7!? 12 Rd1 ο-ο 13 ο-ο Bd614 dxe5 Bxe5. 3.0 ...QC7 (Diagram 3) 3.3. a3

Besides challeηgiηg the bishop, creatiηg a battery aloηg the b1-h7 diagoηal with 11 Bd3 is aηother frequeηtly-employed optioη. After 11 ... 0-0 12 ο-ο h6 13 h3 Bd6 14 Nxd6 Qxd6 15 Ne4 Nxe4 16 Bxe4 e5 17 Rfd1 White held a small advaηtage ίη E.Wold-KSaηdum, Volda 1992. 3.3. ... Be7 Playiηg

11 ... Bxc3+ does ηot make much seηse as Black's σηΙΥ trump is his bishoppair. After 12 Qxc3 ο-ο 13 Rc1 b6 14 Ne5 Bb715 Bd3 Rac8 16 ο-ο Rfd8 17 b4 White

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10: Pastures New

had a comfortable edge ίη J.Petkevich-T.Zoltek, Arco 2001. U Be2

ο-ο

ο-ο

13

Alekhine's suggestion οί 13 b4! is a more critical variation. Following 13 ... b6 14 ο-ο Bb7 15 Bf3 Rac8 16 Rfc1 Rfd8 17 Rab1 Ba8 18 h3 h6 19 Qb3 Qb8 20 Ne4 Nxe4 21 Bxe4 Bf6 22 a4 White retained a small advantage ίη Z.Ribli-V.5myslov, Las Palmas 1982. 13 ... Bd7?!

Alekhine should have risen to the occasion with 13 ... c5!, after which Black should equalize: for example, 14 Nb5 Qb8 15 dxc5 Bxc5 16 b4 Be717 Rad1 Bd718 Nd4 Rc8 and Black was certainly not worse ίη R.Suveges-B.Nemes, coπeSΡοηdeηce 1993. 14 b4 b615 Bf3! Rac8 16 Rfd1 (Diagram 4)

Diagram 4 (Β)

Diagram 5 (W)

Capablanca has successfully managed to erect a bind οη Black' s queenside. For the moment Alekhine suffers from a lack of space and struggles to open the position for his bishops. Ιη the meantime Capablanca can carefully improve his pieces. 16 ... Rfd8 17 Rac1 Be8 18 g3 Nd5 19 Nb2 Qb8 20 Nd3 Bg5 21 Rb1 Qb7 22 e4 NxC3 23 QXC3 Qe7 24 h4! Bh6 25 Ne5 g6 26 Ng4?!

After this slight inaccuracy Alekhine seizes his chance. Instead 26 Nc4! was the correct move. Should Black then try to play like ίη the game, 26 ... Bg7 27 e5 h5 28 Nd6 would result ίη a nice position for White as after 28 ... Rxd6 (the knight cannot be tolerated οη d6) 29 exd6 Qxd6 30 Qc4! it is unlikely that Black can hold the ρο­ sition. 26 ... Bg7 27 e5

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

27 Ne3 Qf6 28 Ng4 was White's last chance to fight for the advantage. 27 ... hS 28 Ne3 C5! (Diagram 5)

Finally Black manages to free himself as his bishops come to life. Subsequently Alekhine improved his position step by step and managed to win a complicated endgame some forty moves later.

Conclusion The Cambridge Springs Defence remains quite a reliable choice. It is nowadays a fairly rare guest ίη toumament play, but this is mostly due to the fact that White deviates at some earlier point, especially with the Exchange Variation.

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Chapter 11

Α

World Champion's Approach to the QGD Laziness. Siegbert Tarrasch (answering a question asking him to account for the ΡοΡulaήty οί the Queen's Pawn Opening in matches οί a serious nature)

Diagram 1 (W) At beginning οί the 20th Century, playing the Queen's Gambit became all the rage. In this chapter Ι would like to present a World Champion's approach to the Queen's Gambit, namely the Lasker Defence, which eνen today remains popular. Before we go into further detail, let' s haνe a look at a histοήcallΥ important example played by Lasker himself: the final game οί his 1907 World Championship match.

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

D F.Marshall • E.Lasker World Championship (Game 15), New York 1907 1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 NC3 Nf6 4 Bg5 Be7 5 e3

So far the game has proceeded along well-trodden paths, but Lasker's next move, which nowadays is quite popular ίη its refined form, was highly controversial back ίη 1907. 5... Ne4!? (Diagram 2)

Diagram 2 (W)

Diagram 3 (W)

This became generally known as the Lasker Defence, but the critics were not too fond οί it: Teichmann wrote that 'this move has been tried before but never with much success" while Tarrasch went even further, stating when Paul Leonhardt played this move against him ίη 1905 ίη Ostend 1905 (after 5 Νί3 ο-ο 6 e3), that it was the 'decisive error'. The text move does indeed have its defects compared with the refined version οί the Lasker Defence, but more οη that later. 6 Bxe7 Qxe7 7 cxd5 Nxc3 8 bXC3 exd5 9 Qb3

This is the first important position οί this game. As we will see ίη the next game, the inclusion οί ... 0-0 would have been useful for Black as protecting the d-pawn with ... Rd8 is more flexible than the move that Lasker has to play. 9 ... c610 c4

This is not an error, but since Black is not obliged to take οη c4, White doesn't achieve too much with this immediate advance. The modern way οί handling Black's passive approach is 10 Bd3 when 10 ... 0-0 11 Ne2 Nd712 ο-ο Νί6 13 c4 is considered to be favourable for White.

96

11: Α World Champion's Approach to the QGD 10... 0-0 (Diagram 3) 11 Nf3

Taking the pawn with 11 cxd5? is not to be recommended as 11 ... cxd5 12 Qxd5 Qb4+ proνides Black with a dangerous initiatiνe. 11...Qc7

Indirectly protecting the d-pawn (in νiew οί 12 cxd5 Qa5+ followed by 13 ... cxd5), but eνen more to the point would haνe been 11 ... Be6 12 Rc1 Nd7, as 13 Qxb7 can be strongly met by 13 ... Qa3!. 12 Rc1 Qa5+ 13 RC3

In νiew οί what follows, Marshall probably should haνe taken the slight endgame adνantage οη offer after 13 Qc3 Qxc3+ 14 Rxc3. 13 ... Nd7 14 Nd2 C5!

Striking back in the centre at just the right moment and thereby throwing the ορ­ ponent οΗ balance. 15 cxd5 cxd416 exd4 Re8+ 17 Re3 Rxe3+ 18 fxe3

18 Qxe3 Qxa2 would be a sorry sight indeed for White. 18... Nf6 19 Be2

If 19 Bc4 Black plays 19... Ne4 20 Qc2 Bf5 with good attacking chances. 19 ... Ne4! (Diagram 4)

Black could haνe restored material equality with 19 ... Nxd5, but Lasker is looking for a knockout-punch ...

Diagram 4 (W)

Diagram 5 (W)

20 Qd3?

... and Marshall runs right into it! It may eνen be that Marshall intended to sacrifice

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

the exchange, but his attempt to create a fortress fails miserably. The rest οί a game is a masterful performance by Lasker: 20 ... Bf5 21 ο-ο Ng3 22 Rxf5 Nxf5 23 e4 Ne7 24 a3 Rc8 25 d6 Ng6 26 Nc4 Qg5 27 Bf1 b5 28 Na5 Nf4 29 Qg3 Qf6 30 Qe3 Qxd6 31 Bxb5 Qb6 32 Bc4 Ne6 33 Bxe6 fxe6 34 Nb3 e5 35 Kf1 Rb8 36 NC5 exd4 37 Qxd4 Rc8 0-1

The transition from this old form οί the Lasker Defence to its modem form (5 Νί3 ο-ο 6 e3 h6 7 ΒΜ Ne4) eventually took place ίη the 1930s. However, developments ίη this variation after 8 Bxe7 Qxe7 8 cxd5 Nxc3 9 bxc3 exd5 10 Qb3 Rd8 11 c4 were long considered to be favourable for White. Indeed, the Lasker Defence had taken a back seat by the end οί the 1950s; a state which continued until the following game: Ο A.Karpov • A.Yusupov

5th matchgame, London 1989 1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 Bg5 Be7 5 e3 ο-ο 6 Nf3 h6 7 Bh4 Ne4 8 Bxe7 Qxe7 (Diagram 5) 9 cxd5

The result οί this game reignited interest ίη 9 Rcl, which is nowadays White's main attempt according to Matthew Sadler. After 9 ... c6 10 Bd3 Nxc3 11 Rxc3 dxc4 12 Bxc4 Nd7 13 ο-ο we have: a) 13 ... e5 is a standard break, aiming to solve Black's etemal problem ίη the Queen's Gambit Declined: the position οί his light-squared bishop. However, things are not that easy, as shown by a later game from this very Candidates match: 14 Bb3 exd4 15 exd4 Νί6 16 Re1 Qd6 17 Ne5 Nd5 18 Rg3 Βί5 19 Qh5 Bh7 20 Qg4 g5 21 h4 and Karpov had a dangerous attack. b) Instead 13 ... b6 (Diagram 6), with the idea οί ... Bb7 and ... c5, looks defensible.

Diagram 6 (W)

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Diagram 7 (W)

11: Α World Champion's Approach to the QGD

For example, 14 Bd3 c5 15 Be4 Rb8 16 Qa4 Nf6! 17 Bc6 (after 17 Bb1 Black may play 17... Bb7! 18 dxc5 - 18 Qxa7? is bad οη account of 18 ... Nd5 when White cannot parry both threats: 19 .. .Nxc3 and 19 ...Ra8 -18 ... Bxf319 gxf3 Nd5 20 Qc2 f5 when he is not worse according to Dautov) 17... cxd4 18 exd4 (18 Nxd4 allows Black to free his bishop after 18 ... e5, with equality) 18 ... a6 19 Ne5 Bb7 20 Rfc1 Nd5! 21 Bxd5 Bxd5 22 Qxa6 Ra8 23 Qxb6 Qg5 24 g3 Rxa2 25 Nd7 Qd2! 26 Nxf8 Rxb2 27 Qxb2 Qxb2 28 Rc8 Bb7 29 Nxe6+ Bxc8 30 Rxc8+ Κh7 31 Nf8+ and a draw was agreed ίη V.Zvjaginsev-V.Bologan, Poikovsky 2003. 9 ... NxC3 10 bxc3 exdS 11 Qb3 Rd8 12 C4 dxc4 13 BXC4 Nc6! (Diagram 7)

Threatening both 14 ... Nxd4 and 14 ... Na5, to which White has to react. 14QC3

White could also play 14 Be2, but then 14 ...b6! is an excellent plan. Following 15 ο-ο Bb716 Rac1 Na5 17 Qb2 Rac8 we reach a position ίη which Black is ready to execute the ... c5-advance. Vladimir Kramnik considers this position to be equal. 14 ... Bg41S ο-ο Bxf3 16 gxf3 Qf617 Be2 Rac8! Α

world-class move which solves all Black's opening problems. Yusupov not only protects his c-pawn, but also prepares ...b6 followed by ... Ne7 and ... c5, which is a typical strike against the white centre. 18 Rab1 b6 19 Rfc1 Ne7 20 Kh1 RdS!? 21 Qc2 Qh4

Black has obtained a better position, although Karpov eventually managed to scrape a draw ίη the endgame.

Conclusion Even though the original form of his defence failed to fully convince, Emanuel Lasker provided the world with an idea that after some refinement has helped players to face the Queen's Gambit with confidence. Recent grandmaster practice suggests that Black does not have any problems ίη the Lasker Defence. Conclusion

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99

Chapter 12

Α Fearsome Fianchetto

The Tarrasch Defence [... ] is an attempt by Black to obtain a free game for his pieces at the expense of an insecure Pawn-position. The Rubinstein Variation is [... ] however, so strong that most masters prefer to avoid the defence altogether. Reuben Fine (1939)

Diagram 1 (Β) At the beginning οί the 20th Century, the Tarrasch Defence (see Chapter 7) was ίη dire straits: Tarrasch was fighting a lone battle against the chess world which for the rnost part abhorred the IQP which is so typical οί the opening. According to

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Α

Fearsome Fianchetto

the Oxford Companion Το Chess, the line mentioned by Reuben Fine ίη the aforementioned quote was introduced into toumament practice by Carl Schlechter ίη a game against Fyodor Duz-Κhotimirsky ίη Prague 1908, and later refined by Rubinstein. Hence it is often known as the Schlechter-Rubinstein Variation, even though there is an earlier example, which Ι would like to show you for the sake of historical interest. Ο

H.Bird • A.Clerc

Paris 1878 1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 c5 4 cxd5 exd5 5 Nf3 Nc6 6 g3 Nf6 7 Bg2 cxd4?!

7... Be7 is the main line which wilI be examined ίη greater detail ίη the folIowing game. 8 Nxd4 Qb6 (Diagram 2)

Diagram 2 (W)

Diagram 3 (Β)

9 Nxc6!

Much stronger than 9 Nb3 d4, which reaches a position almost identical to a line of the Panov-Botvinnik Attack (1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 exd5 cxd5 4 c4 Nf6 5 Nc3 g6 6 cxd5 Nxd5 7 Qb3 Nb6 8 d5 Bg7 9 Νί3). IronicalIy, White's extra move doesn't help him at all since he must move his knight: 10 Ne4 alIows Black too much activity after 10... Bb4+ 11 Bd2 Nxe4 12 Bxe4 Bh3 13 Qc2 Ο-Ο!, but even 10 Nb1 Be7 11 ο-ο ο-ο 12 N1d2 Be6 13 Νί3 Rfd8 14 Ne1 (White intends to blockade the isolated pawn with a knight, but this costs too much time) 14... Bc4 15 Nd3 Qb5 16 Qc2 Nb4 17 Nxb4 Bxb4 was promising for Black with his potent bishops ίη P.BorbasM.Stojkovic, Νονί Sad 2006.

101

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas 9 ... bxc6 10 ο-ο Be6

Instead 10 ... Be7 was played ίη the famous game A.Rubinstein-G.5alwe, Lodz 1908. After 11 Na4 Qb5 12 Be3 ο-ο 13 Rc1 Bg4 14 f3! (an important move, taking control οί the e4- and g4-squares) 14 ... Be615 Bc5 Rfe8 16 Rf2! Nd717 Bxe7 Rxe718 Qd4 Ree819 Bf1 Rec8 20 e3 Qb7 21 Nc5 Nxc5 22 Rxc5 White had successfully employed a typical plan ίη this type οί position (blockading the hanging pawns and fixing them οη squares οί the same colour as Black's bishop), while depriving Black οί any counterplay. However, Bird's handling οί the position is ηο less effective. 11 e4! Nxe4 12 Nxe4 dxe4 13 Bxe4 Bc5 14 Qc2 (Diagram 3)

White has emerged with a clear advantage: he has much the better pawn structure, and Black is struggling to castle. 14... Rc8 15 Bf4 Bd4 16 Rae1 ο-ο

Lacking a decent alternative, Black finally decides to get his king into safety at the cost οί a pawn. However, this concept οί safety is only relative. 17 Bxh7+ Kh8 18 Be5 Rfd819 Bf5 Bxf5 20 Qxf5 Bxe5 21 Rxe5 Rf8 22 Qh3+ Kg8 23 Rh51-0

The previous game contained a brief reference to the rather famous game, Rubinstein-Salwe, which struck a serious blow against all Tarrasch aficionados. And as ίί this wasn't enough, 1912 also saw a Tarrasch theme toumament ίη Budapest: the participants being Frank Marshall, Carl Schlechter, Oldrich Duras, Gesa ΜarόCΖΥ, Richard Teichmann and Milan Vidmar. This toumament eventually confirmed the strength οί the line popularized by Rubinstein, and the Tarrasch Defence was more or less put out οί business for nearly half a century. Only ίη 1969 was the Tarrasch Defence resurrected by Boris Spassky, who employed it ίη his World Championship match with Tigran Petrosian. There were many who thought that employing the Tarrasch οί all things against Iron Tigran, the 'king οί positional chess" would turn out to be a foolish choice. However, surprisingly, it worked out quite well! Ο

T.Petrosian • B.Spassky

World Championship (Game 4), Moscow 1969 1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 c5 4 cxd5 exd5 5 Nf3 Nc6 6 g3 Nf6 7 Bg2 Be7 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 Bg5 cxd4 10 Nxd4 h6 (Diagram 4) 11 Be3

This move constitutes the main line moves promise less:

οί

the Schlechter-Rubinstein Variation. Other

a) 11 Bxf6 eliminates a defender οί the isolated pawn, but a bishop is a bishop. After 11 ... Bxf6 12 Nb3 d4! 13 Nd5 Be5 14 Qd2 Re8 15 Rfd1 Bg4 16 Rac1 d3! 17

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12: Α Fearsome Fianchetto

Qxd3 Bxb2 Black was able to get rid of his isolated pawn and equalize ίη A.Schenk-A.Domnick, Klinge 1997.

Diagram 4 (W)

Diagram 5 (8)

b) 11 Βί4 has pros and cons compared to the main line. On the positive side, Black must always watch out not to let a knight into c7 via b5, and should Black ever play a bishop to e6, White can immediately play e2-e4 after trading that very bishop. The main drawback is the vulnerability οί the e-pawn should Black adopt a set-up involving ... Re8 and ... Bg4, which is indeed what he should do: 11 ... Re8 12 Rc1 Bg413 h3 Be614 Nxe6 (after 14 Ncb5 Black is just ίη time to play 14 ... Nh515 Be3 Qd7 which keeps his position together; A.Szamos-A.Singliar, Slovakian League 1999, continued 16 Nxe6 fxe6 17 Nd4 Νί6 18 Nxc6 bxc6 19 Qa4 c5 20 Qa5 c4 21 Rfd1 Bd6 22 Bd4 Qe7 23 Κh2 Rab8 and Black was not worse) 14... fxe615 e4 d4 16 e5 dxc3 17 exf6 Bxf6 18 bxc3 Qxdl19 Rfxd1 Rad8 20 Be3 Κί7 and Black managed to draw quite comfortably ίη M.Dlugy-M.Petursson, Reykjavik 1986. 3.1 ... 8g4

Even though successfully employed ίη this game, this move subsequently took a back seat with 11 ... Re8 becoming the main line. For further details, not to mention some lively German commentary, the interested reader is referred to Keilhack' s tome Die Tarrasch-Verteidigung. 12 Nb3

12 Qa4 (Diagram 5) is recommended by Keilhack. Not οηlΥ does the queen support an attack against c6, but the position of Black' s 1ight-squared bishop is not as safe as it may seem. Now: a) 12... Qd7 allows tactics involving the uncertain position οί the bishop οη g4: 13 Bxd5! Nxd5 (after 13 ... Nxd4 14 Qxd4 Rad8 15 Rfd1 Qf5 16 ί3 Bh3 17 g4 Qc8 18

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

Rac1 Black had insufficient compensation for the pawn ίη I.Κhenkin-F.Manca, Lido Estensi 2003) 14 Nxd5 Nxd4!? (14 ... Bd8 has been seen exclusively ίη practice, but after 15 Nxc6 bxc6 16 Nc3 White is a pawn up ίη addition to his positional advantage) 15 Qxd4 Be6 16 Nxe7+ Qxe7 17 Qe5 and even though White is a pawn up, Black may still fight for a draw with those opposite-coloured bishops. b) 12 ... Na513 Rad1 Nc414 Bc1 Qc8 (protecting the knight and getting οΗ οί the dfile ίη order to play ... Rd8) 15 Qb5! (the IQP is the target) 15 ... Nb616 Βί4 Rd817 Rc1 Qd7 18 Qxd7 Rxd7 19 ί3 Be6 20 b3 and White had a significant endgame advantage ίη G.Kasparov-S.Palatnik, Moscow 1981. 12 ... Be6 13 Rc1 Re8 (Diagram 6)

Diagram 6 (W)

Diagram 7 (W)

Now the game has transposed into one οί the main lines, and one which normally arises via 11 ... Re8 12 Rc1 Bg4 13 Nb3 Be6. 14Re1

14 Nb5 was played by Petrosian ίη the second game οί the match, but after 14... Qd715 N5d4 Bh316 Nxc6 bxc617 Qd3 Bxg2 18 Κxg2 a5! Spassky equalized and later drew. 14... Qd7 15 Bc5 Rac8 16 Bxe7 Qxe7 17 e3 Red8

Black is close to equality. He still has a isolated pawn, but for the moment it is well protected. Petrosian tries to rearrange his pieces ίη order to encircle that pawn, but ίη the meantime Spassky is able to activate his pieces. 18 Qe2 Bg4! 19 f3

The fact that after this move the e-pawn is weakened will play an important role later on.

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12: Α Fearsome Fianchetto

19... Bf5 20 Rcd1 Ne5 21 Nd4 Bg6 22 Bh3 RC4!? 23 g4 Rb4 24 b3 Nc6 25 Qd2 Rb6 26 Nce2 Bh7 27 Bg2 Re8 28 Ng3 Nxd4 29 exd4

At last the point οί 11 ...Bg4 is revealed: after 29 Qxd4 Re6 Black would have good counterplay against the white e-pawn. Therefore Petrosian captures with the pawn, but this is hardly appealing. 29 ... Re6 (Diagram 7) ΒΥ occupying the e-file, Spassky has more than equalized and later went οη to win.

Conclusion Despite Spassky's successful adoption οί the Tarrasch Defence in his World Championship match against Petrosian, the Schlechter-Rubinstein Variation remains a tough nut to crack. The ball is definitely ίη Black's court here.

Conclusion

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105

Chapter 13

Showing the Way He has α profound liking for ugly opening moves. Siegbert Tarrasch

(οη

Nimzowitsch)

Diagram 1 (W)

When asked about Ατοη Nimzowitsch's legacy, most players will probably think οί the complementary twin systems he pioneered around 1914, the Nimzo-Indian Defence and the Queen' s Indian Defence. That is perfectly valid, and Ι shall certainly talk about those systems later ίη more detail, but one should not forget that Nimzowitsch was also the precursor to another hypermodem opening, namely

106

13: Showing the Way Alekhine's Defence! It's not that Nimzowitsch himself played Alekhine's Defence, but he did pave the way with a variation in the Sicilian Defence which was meant to support his thesis οί the relative harmlessness οί the so-called pawn roller; something that would later become the main theme οί Alekhine' s Defence. Firstly, l' d like to present you with the game in which this novel idea made its debut. Ο

R.Spielmann • A.Nimzowitsch San Sebastian 1911 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 Nf6

It is interesting to quote Nimzowitsch's own observation οί this game in order to get a better feeling about the impact his idea must have made: 'This set Spielmann thinking. After some minutes Ι raised my eyes from the board and saw that my dear old companion in arms was quite disconcerted. He looked at the knight, now confidently, now suspiciously, and after much hesitation gave up the possible chase started by 3 e5 and played the more circumspect 3 Nc3.' 3 NC3

As noted above, 3 e5 is the critical try and will be examined more closely below. 3... d5 (Diagram 2)

Diagram 2 (W)

Diagram 3 (W)

4exd5

Besides the text move there are two altematives worth mentioning: a) 4 Bb5+ is a move without any ambition. After 4 ... Bd7 5 Bxd7+ (altematively, 5 exd5 Bxb5 6 Nxb5 Nxd5 is very equal, while 5 e5 Ne4 transposes to variation 'b' below) 5 ... Qxd7 6 exd5 Nxd5 7 Nxd5 Qxd5 8 d4 (White has to play this move be-

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

fore Black can prevent it with 8... Nc6) 8 ... e6 9 Be3 c4 10 c3 Nc6 11 ο-ο Bd6 Black had a good position with a well-centralized queen in B.Bednay-E.Kahn, Budapest 2007. b) 4 e5 Ne4 5 Bb5+ (5 Ne2 is an idea that can also be found in Alekhine's Defence; White wants to exploit the rather exposed position οί the black knight, but after 5 ... c4! 6 d3 cxd3 7 cxd3 Qa5+ 8 Nd2 Nxd2 9 Bxd2 Qb6 10 Bc3 Nc6 11 d4 Bg4 12 ί3 Βί5 Black was already better in E.Sergeant-S.Tartakower, Hastings 1927) 5 ... Bd7 6 Bxd7+ (6 e6 fxe6 7 Bxd7+ Nxd7 8 Nxe4 dxe4 9 Ng5 Νί6 10 Nxe6 Qd6 11 Nxf8 Rxf8 12 ο-ο 0-0-0 led to a very messy position in V.Goldberg-C.Wichmann, German League 2000; Black's pawn structure is badly compromised, but οη the other hand his pieces are very active and, indeed, Ι would prefer Black here) 6... Qxd7 7 Ne2 c4 8 d3 cxd3 9 cxd3 Nc510 Be3 Ne611 ο-ο Nc6 and the game is equal according to Κhalifman.

4 ... NxdS 5 Bc4

Again White has a large number οί altematives: a) 5 d4 Nxc3 6 bxc3 g61eads to a favourable rather inflexible pawn centre.

Grίinfeld-like

structure due to White's

b) 5 Nxd5 Qxd5 6 d4 Bg4 7 Be2 cxd4 8 Qxd4 Qxd4 9 Nxd4 Bxe2 10 Kxe2 a61ed to quick equality in F.Bindrich-A.Anastasian, Dresden 2007. c) 5 Ne5!? forces Black to be a bit careful, but after 5 ... Nxc3 6 bxc3 (or 6 Qf3 Qd5 7 Qxc3 Nd7 8 Bb5 a6 and Black has freed his game as analysed by Tartakower) 6... Qc7 7 Bb5+ Nd7 8 Qe2 e6 9 ο-ο Bd6 10 Re1 ο-ο 11 d4 cxd4 12 cxd4 Nxe5 13 dxe5 Bb414 Bd2 Bxd2 15 Qxd2 Rd816 Bd3 b6 17 Qf4 Bb718 Qh4 g6 Black had equalized in S.Tarrasch-S.Tartakower, Berlin 1928. d) 5 Bb5+ is probably the most critical alternative. After 5 ... Bd7 there is a further branch: d1) 6 Bxd7+ Qxd7 transposes to note 'a' to White's 4th move. d2) Against 6 Qe2 Joszef Horvath recommends the as yet untested 6 ... Bxb5!? 7 Qxb5+ Nc6 8 Qxb7 Ndb4 9 Qb5 Rb8 10 Qa4 Rb6 11 ο-ο Ra6 12 Qb5 (or 12 Qb3 Na5 13 Qa4+ Nac6) 12 ... Ra5 13 Qc4 Nxc2 14 Rb1 N2d4 15 Nxd4 Qxd4 16 d3 Qxc4 17 dxc4 g6 with equality. d3) 6 Ne5 Bxb5! 7 Qf3 ί6 (Diagram 3) leads to sharp play involving an exchange sacrifice by Black. After 8 Nxb5 Na6 (obviously bad is 8... fxe5? 9 Qxd5 Qxd5 10 Nc7+ Kd711 Nxd5 when Black has ηο compensation for his demolished structure) 9 Qh5+ g6 10 Nxg6 hxg6 11 Qxh8 Qd7 we have reached a position in which a complicated struggle lies ahead. Oηe example οί how play could evolve was 12 Nc3 (12 Qg8 0-0-0 13 Nc3 Νί4 gave Black serious counterplay in V.Talla-J.Hudecek, Czech League 2007) 12 ... Qe6+ 13 Kf1 Nab414 Qh3 (or 14 Qh4 Qa6+ 15 Kg1 Nxc2 with good chances for Black in KSpraggett-J.De La Villa Garcia, Dos Hermanas 2006) 14 ... Qxh315 gxh3

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13: Showing the Way

Nc7 with good compensation for Black as the white c-pawn is about to fall. Retuming to Spielmann's 5 Bc4: (Diagram 4)

Diagram 4 (Β)

Diagram 5 (W)

5 ...e6 6 ο-ο Be7 7 d4 NXC3 8 bxC3 ο-ο 9 Ne5 QC7

Black can develop smoothly while White has to take care οί his weakened structure. 10Bd3

Trying to support the knight with 10 ί4? does not work after 10... cxd4 when both 11 Qxd4 Bc5 and 11 cxd4 ί6 lose material. 10... Nc6 11 Bf4 Bd6 12 Re1 cxd4 13 cxd4 Nb4!

Less accurate would be 13 ... Nxd4 14 Bxh7+ Κxh7 15 Qxd4. 14 Bg3 Nxd3 15 Qxd3 b6 16 c4 Ba6 (Diagram 5)

Black can be very satisfied with the outcome οί the opening phase: his pawn structure is superior to White' s and his two bishops have plenty οί scope ίη this open position. Nimzowitsch eventually converted his advantage ίη the endgame. Α

successful debut for the Nimzowitsch Sicilian! And it even got better: later that year Nimzowitsch managed to defeat Julius Perlis at Carlsbad, and ίη the following year (again in San Sebastian) he reached a clearly better endgame against Carl Schlechter. Despite this successful employment, Nimzowitsch's rather eccentric variation was not widely accepted. Tarrasch, for instance, remarked that 2... Nf6 is 'not good, since the knight is at once driven away, but Herr Nimzowitsch goes his own way in the openings; one, however, which cannot be recommended to the public.' Το which Nimzowitsch simply answered: 'Ridicule can do much, for ίη-

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

stance embitter the existence οί young talents; but one thing is not given to it, to put a stop permanently to the incursion οί new and powerful ideas.' Ι can't help it, but I'm with Nimzowitsch οη this one; even more so as his overall score with his variation was exceptionally good. Naturally the line that Spielmann adopted ίη the previous game cannot possibly be the critical test οί the Nimzowitsch Sicilian. Over the years another main line emerged which posed a greater danger to the whole system, but ίη recent years significant improvement have been found ίη several correspondence games. Ι' d like to conclude this chapter with a rather famous game, which features what Ι currently believe to be the most criticalline for the Nimzowitsch Sicilian.

D ι.ΚΟΡΥlον • S.Korolev correspondence 1981 3. e4 c5 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 e5 Nd5 4 NC3 e6 (Diagram 6)

Diagram 6 (W)

Diagram 7 (W)

5 Ne4

According to general theory, this move is merely a sideline; even so, it is not entirely without merit. Instead 5 Nxd5 is the main move and was long considered to be good enough for an advantage, but ίη my ορίηίοη things are not entirely clear after 5 ... exd5 6 d4 when Black has two ways οί sacrificing a pawn: a) 6 ... d6?! is the seemingly dubious method. After 7 Bb5+ Nc6 (7... Bd7 8 Bxd7+ Qxd79 ο-ο Be7 10 exd6 Qxd6 11 dxc5 Qxc5 12 Be3 was simply better for White ίη A.Alekhine-Elksnis, Riga (sim) 1935) 8 ο-ο Be7 9 c4 Black has struggled ίη practice and failed to equalize.

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13: Showing the Way

b) 6... Nc6! οη the other hand is much less clear. The main line runs 7 dxc5 Bxc5 8 Qxd5 Qb6 9 Bc4 Bxf2+ 10 Ke2 ο-ο 11 Rf1 (11 Ng5? allows 11 ... d6! 12 Nxf7 Be6!! 13 Qxe6 Nd4+) 11 ... Bc5 12 Ng5 (12 c3 preνents ... Nd4+, but giνes Black time to play 12 ... d6! after which 13 Ng5 is met by 13 ... Bg4+ 14 Kel Nxe5 15 Qe4 g6 16 Rxf7 Nxf717 Bxf7+ Rxf718 Nxf7 Kxf719 Qxg4 Re8+ and Black was eνen better ίη V.Tseshkoνsky-J.Pribyl, Sochi 1981) when it was considered that White has an adνantage due to the weakness of f7. Howeνer, Black can try 12 ... Nd4+ (12 ... Nxe5? was refuted ίη the famous game B.5passky-D.Ciric, Marianske Lazne 1962: 13 Qxe5 d514 Qxd5 Re8+ 15 Kf3 Qf6+ 16 Kg3 Bd6+ 17 Rf4 Be618 Nxe6 Rxe619 Qxd6 Qg6+ 20 Rg4 Re3+ 21 Bxe3 Qxd6+ 22 Kf2 Re8 23 Rf4 Re7 24 Bb3 Qe5 25 Rel g526 Rf3 Kg7 27 Rdl f6 28 Kgl g4 29 Bd4 1-0) 13 Kdl Ne6 (Diagram 7) and now: bl) 14 Qe4 Nxg5 15 Bxg5 d5! 16 exd6 (or 16 Bxd5 Qxb2 17 Ke2 Bg4+! 18 Qxg4 Qxe5+ and Black wins back the piece with interest) 16 ... Qxd6+ 17 Bd3 Qxh2 18 Kd2 g619 Rael Bd7 20 Bf4 Qh41eft Black better ίη E.Torre-L.Ljubojeνic, Manila 1976. b2) 14 Ne4 d615 exd6 Rd816 Bd3 Bxd617 Qh5 f5 18 Nxd6 Qxd619 Qxf5 is the line normally recommended by theory. After 19 ... Qxh2 20 Qf7+ Κh8 21 Bg5 Rg8 White usually has had the better of it, but 21 ... Rxd3+!? 22 cxd3 h6 improνes and 23 Be3 Qxg2 24 Rgl Qxb2 25 Bxh6 Qxal+ 26 Bcl Nf4 27 Qf8+ Κh7 28 Qxf4 Qf6 29 Qh2+ Kg8 30 Bb2 Qf3+ 31 Kd2 Bg4 32 λλΙ Rf8 33 Qh7+ Kf7 34 Qxg7+ Ke8 35 Rel+ Kd8 36 Qd4+ Kc8 37 Qxa7 Qf2+ 38 Qxf2 Rxf2+ 39 Kc3 Bf5 40 Re3 was agreed drawn ίη J.Majer-P.Miskoνsky, correspondence 1983. For the moment it is unclear if White has any improνements ίη this line. Returning to 5 Ne4: 5... Nc6 6 c4 (Diagram 8)

Diagram 8 (8)

Diagram 9 (8)

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas 6 ... Ndb4

6 ... Nb6!? is more critical here: for example, 7 d4!? (or 7 b4 Nxb4 8 Bb2 Qc7 which leads to unclear, interesting play, while 7 b3 d5 8 exd6 e5! 9 Nxc5 Qxd6 10 Ne4 Qg611 d3 f5 12 Nc3 ΒΜ 13 Bd2 e4 14 dxe4 fxe4 15 Ng1 ο-ο 16 Nge2 Qf6 was a disaster for White ίη M.Bonisch-T.pahtz, Glauchau 1987) 7... cxd4 8 c5 Nd5 9 Bg5 and White had some play οη the dark squares ίη I'Smίήn-ο.Βruk, Israel Team Championship 1996. 7 a3 Qas 8 Qb3

White must avoid 8 Rb1 Na2!, but ίη his annotations to this game Kopylov stated that 8 Nc3! was better: for example, 8 ... d5 9 exd6 Bxd6 10 Nb5 (10 d3 Ne5 11 Ng5! Be7 12 f4! Nec6 13 Be3 Nd4! 14 Bxd4 cxd4 15 axb4 Qxb4 16 Ra4 Qxb2 17 Ne2 Bd7 eventually led to a draw ίη D.Barash-S.Korolev, correspondence 1986) 10 ... Bb8 11 b3 Nd4 12 Nbxd4 cxd4 13 Bb2 Nc6 14 b4 Qf5 15 b5 Ne5 16 Bxd4 ο-ο 17 Bxe5 Bxe5 18 d4 with a better game for White. 8 ... dS 9 exd6 eS

Black should play 9 ... f5 10 Nxc5 Qxc5 11 axb4 Qxb4 with at best a slight advantage for White according to Kopylov. 3.0 Rb3. Na6 3.3. g4 Qd8 3.2 d4 (Diagram 9)

Now 12 ... exd4?! was played ίη the actual game, but 12 ...Bxd6 is probably the criticalline. Then 13 d5 Nd4 14 Nxd4 exd4 15 Qb5+ Kf8 16 h3 Qe717 Bg2 f5 18 Bg5! was Kopylov' s intention. This is highly unclear, but not necessarily worse for Black.

Conclusion Ιη a recent survey about the Nimzowitsch Sicilian ίη ChessBase Magazine, Joszef Horvath believes that Black can play the variation as more than just a surprise weapon. Ι couldn't agree more!

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Conclusion

Score (max 5)

ShockValue

:ι.::ι.::ι.::ι.::ι.:

Effectiνeness Rating

:ι.::ι.::ι.::ι.::ι.:

Longeνity Rating

:ι.::ι.::ι.::ι.::ι.:

Creatiνity Value

:ι.::ι.::ι.::ι.::ι.:

Chapter 14

ΜΥ

Kingdom for a Horse!

Ι

have added these principles to the law: get the Knights into action before both Bishops are developed. Emanuel Lasker

Diagram 1 (W)

The Spanish Four Κnights is certainly one of the most solid openings that can be adopted. It was widely played ίη the 19th Century as a response to the Berlin Defence οί the Ruy Lopez, but masters like Louis Paulsen had played the opening using a true Four Κnights move order (1 e4 e5 2 Νί3 Nc6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 Bb5) since

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

the end of the 1850s. From then οη the Spanish Four Κnights has endured many ups and downs: periods of heavy use being the beginning of the 20th Century (with players like Jose Capablanca, Dawid Janowsky and Geza ΜarόCΖΥ employing it), a short period after the Second World War, and in the 1990s when it was picked up by a notable number of British grandmasters (Nigel Short, John Nunn, Jon Speelman and Murray Chandler). Since the early 1990s the Spanish Four Knights has rather fallen by the wayside. The variation responsible for this was sporadically played in the 1880s and introduced into master play by Frank Marshall around 1903. It was also mentioned ίη Chess Openings Ancient and Modern (albeit with variations exclusively bad for Black), but eventually was named οη account of Akiba Rubinstein, who introduced many ideas to it. Α typical example is the following game, in which Rubinstein employed his variation for the first time. Ο

R.Spielmann • A.Rubinstein San Sebastian 1912 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 Bb5 Nd4

It is widely known that this is the first game in which Rubinstein put his line to

good use. Nevertheless, it should be noted that in his game against Tarrasch (which was played five rounds prior to this game), Rubinstein adopted a similar idea, even though his move order was far from ideal. That game went 4... Bc5 5 Nxe5 Nd4 and after 6 Ba4 ο-ο play transposed into the main line (see our next game). Among other things, Tarrasch might have tried the rather simple 6 d3, after which play could continue 6... c6 7 Ba4 Qe7 8 Nf3 d5 9 Nxd4 Bxd4 10 ο-ο Bxc3 11 bxc3 dxe4 12 dxe4 when White has two bishops and an extra pawn at his disposal as after 12 ... Nxe4 13 Re1 ο-ο 14 Bb3! Black faces certain difficulties due to the pin. 5 Bc4

The more popular 5 Ba4 will be covered in our next game. 5 ... Bc5

Whenever Rubinstein encountered 5 Bc4, he always used this line in which Black offers his e-pawn. 5 ... Nxf3+ is an alternative with a solid reputation. It is true that after 6 Qxf3 d6 7 d3 Be6 8 Bb3 Be7 Black hardly experiences any problems, but 6 gxf3!? (Diagram 2) is a potentially strong idea from the 1990s which has lately been used with some success by the Russian grandmaster Evgeny Najer. Then 6... d6 (6 ... Bc5 may be the best try, even though 7 d3 d6 8 Rg1 g6 9 f4! Be6 10 Bxe6 fxe611 fxe5 dxe512 Bg5 Rf813 Qf3 Qd7! 14 Bxf6 Be715 Qh3 Bxf616 0-0-0 left White with the better minor piece in A.Pihlajasalo-R.Molander, Finland 1996) 7 d4 Be6 8 d5! reveals the original idea behind 6 gxf3: White grabs further space and erects a powerful bind οη the position. E.Najer-D.Ippolito, Philadelphia 2007,

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ΜΥ

Kingdom for a Horse!

continued 8... Bh3 9 ί4! exf4 10 Bxf4 Nd711 Rgl Qc8 12 Qf3 Nb6 13 Bb3 h5 14 Qe3 Qd3 a516 a4 Bd717 0-0-0 Κί718 e5! fxe5 19 Qg6+ Kg8 20 Ne4 and Black's position went υρ ίη flames. ί615

6 Nxes Qe7 (Diagram 3) 7 Nf3

Diagram 2 (Β)

Diagram 3 (W)

The black f-pawn is immune as both 7 Nxf7? d5 and 7 Bxf7+? Kd8 followed by ... d7-d6 are winning for Black. Note that 7 Nd3?! is also dubious. Following 7... d5! 8 Bxd5 (8 Nxd5 Qxe4+ 9 Ne3 Bb6 10 ί3 Qh4+ 11 Νί2 0-0 12 Ο-Ο?! Nxf3+ 13 Qxf3 Bxe3 14 Qxe3 Qxc4 15 Qc3 was played ίη L.Keitlinghaus-P.Blatny, Lazne Bohanec 1995, and now 15 ... Qxc3 16 bxc3 Bd7, with the idea σί hitting the white c-pawn with ... Ba4 with a better position for Black, was suggested by Blatny) 8 ... Nxd5 9 Nxd5 Qxe4+ 10 Ne3 Bd6 11 ο-ο Be6 a position is reached in which Black holds the better prospects, as occurred ίη A.Nimzowitsch-A.Alekhine, St Petersburg 1914. 7... dS 8 Nxd4?!

This cannot be a critical test for Rubinstein's 5 ... Bc5. If there is anything for White ίη this line, it will be found after a capture ση d5: a) 8 Nxd5 has been mainly played ίη correspondence games (the only game from the Mega Database 2008 is D.Janowsky-F.Marshall, Ρaήs 1905!), but it seems that Black has compensation ίη any case: for example, 8... Qxe4+ 9 Ne3 Bg4 10 Be2 Nxe2 11 Qxe2 0-0-0 12 d3 Qe6 13 ο-ο Nd5 14 Rel Νί415 Qdl Bh5 with excellent prospects for Black ίη H.5chubert-A.Henriksen, correspondence 1958. b) 8 Bxd5 is οί more practical relevance, although after 8... Bg4 9 d3 Nd7! 10 Be3 (10 Bxb7?! is actually bad as after 10 ... Bxf3 11 gxf3 Qh4! 12 Bxa8 Ne5 the headless horsemen are coming White's way!) 10 ... Ne5 11 Nxd4 Bxd112 Νί5 Qf6! (Diagram 4) White faces certain difficulties.

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

Diagram 4 (W)

Diagram 5 (W)

The theoretically important game E.Najer-A.Shirov, Poikovsky 2006, continued 13 Rxd1 (13 Bxc5 runs into 13 ... Bxc2!, and 13 d4 Bg4! 14 dxe5 Qb6 15 Bxc5 Qxc5 16 Nxg7+ Κί817 h3 Kxg718 hxg4 c619 Bb3 h5 is also better for Black, as analysed by Kavalek) 13 .... Bxe3 14 Nxe3 Ο-Ο-Ο! 15 ο-ο h5 16 Bb3 Ng4 17 h3 Qf4!? 18 g3 (18 hxg4 fails to 18...hxg4 19 Rfe1 Rh1 +! 20 Κxh1 Qxf2 21 Nxg4 Rh8+ 22 Nh2 Qg3 23 Kg1 Rxh2 and White cannot avoid being mated) and now instead οί 18 ... Qf6, Shirov could have tried 18 ... Qf3!?: for example, 19 Ng2 Μ! 20 Ne1 (20 hxg4 h3 leads to another quite amusing finish) 20 ... Qf6 21 hxg4 hxg3 22 Ng2 gxf2+ 23 Rxf2 Rh1+ 24 Κxh1 Qxf2 and Black has a winning advantage. 8... dxc4 9 Nf3 Nxe4 10 ο-ο ο-ο 11 d4 cxd3 12 cxd3 Nxc3 13 bxc3 Bg4 (Diagram 5)

Black has obtained an excellent position: the two bishops, a better pawn structure and even a slight lead ίη development. Rubinstein eventually managed to convert his advantage ίη the endgame. Inspired by this game, Rubinstein later repeated his variation with much success. Some people, though, might argue that playing the Rubinstein is not always plain sailing. They may be right, but Ι reply: ηο risk, ηο reward! Α perfect example οί how things can go wrong for White is the following interesting example.

D D.Baramidze • L.Babuiian Yerevan 2006 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 Nf6 4 Nc3 Nd4 5 Ba4 (Diagram 6)

This move constitutes the only winning try that White has ίη this whole variation. 5... Bc5

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14: ΜΥ Kingdom for a Horse!

Continuing ίη Rubinstein' s spirit has been under a cloud of late for reasons Ι will state further below. The altemative 5 ... c6, an idea of the British grandmaster Mark Hebden, has gained considerable popularity ίη recent years. As ίη this game Ι would like to show a rather interesting idea which might tum the tables after 5... Bc5, Ι will confine myself to referring the interested reader to John Emms's excellent Play the Open Games as Black for further coverage of 5 ... c6.

Diagram 6 (Β)

Diagram 7 (W)

6 Nxes ο-ο 7 Nd3 Bb6 8 eS

8 Nf4, which is considered the 'old main line' by Νυηη, is a try to untangle White's position, but Black can react energetically with 8 ... d5!: (Diagram 7) a) 9 Nfxd5 Nxd5 10 Nxd5 Qh4 11 Ne3 f5 12 exf5 Bxf5 was played in D.NavaraA.Shirov, Prague 2004. However, Black should prefer the stronger 12 ... Rxf5! as 13 Nxf5 Bxf51eaves White struggling to parry the threat of 14... Bg4. Neither is 13 ο-ο helpful because after 13 ... Nf3+! 14 gxf3 Rg5+ 15 Ng4 Qh3! the simple threat of 16 ... Bxg4 proves to be decisive. Finally, 13 Rf1 was played in E.Voss-M.Geenen, correspondence 1990. The game continued 13 ... Re5 14 h3 Bxh3! 15 gxh3 Qxh3 16 Bb3+ Κh8 17 Bd5 Rxd5! 18 Nxd5 Nf3+ 19 Ke2 Rd8! 20 Ne3 Bxe3 21 fxe3 Qg2+ 22 Rf2 Nd4+! 23 Kd3 (both 23 exd4 Qe4+ 24 Κf1 Qh1+ 25 Ke2 Re8+ and 23 Ke1 Qg1+ 24 Rf1 Qg3+ 25 Rf2 Rf8 are equally insufficient) 23 ... Qxf2 and White resigned. b) 9 d3 Bg410 f3 Nh5 and now, ironically, White's best seems to be 11 fxg4 Qh4+ 12 g3 Nxg3 13 Ng2 Qh3 14 Nf4 Qh4 15 Ng2 Qh3 with a draw by repetition. Instead 11 Nxh5 Bxh5 is very risky for the first player: b1) 12 Nxd5 f5 13 Bf4 (or 13 Nxb6 Qh4+ 14 Κf1 fxe4! 15 Bb3+ Κh816 Qe1 Rxf3+! 17 gxf3 Qh3+ 18 Kg1 Nxf3+ and Black went οη to win ίη V.Gorelik-V.Chashichin, correspondence 1982) 13 ... fxe4 14 dxe4 Nxf3+! (Diagram 8) more or less leads to a forced win.

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

Diagram 8 (W)

Diagram 9 (Β)

For example, 15 gxf3 Rxf4 16 Rfl (16 Nxf4 Qh4+ 17 Kd2 Qxf4+ 18 Kc3 Qf6+ 19 Κb3 Rd8 also gives a crushing attack) 16... Rxe4+! 17 fxe4 Qh4+ 18 Kd2 Qxh2+ 19 Kd3 Bxd120 Raxdl Κh8 and 0-1 was Fediashin-N.Poleshchuk, correspondence 1986. b2) 12 Βί4 c6 13 Rf1 (preparing Qd2, which if played immediately would have run into 13 ... Bxf3!) 13 ... dxe4 14 dxe4 (or 14 Nxe4 ί5 15 Ng3 Qe7+! 16 Kd2 Nxf3+! 17 gxf3 Qb4+ and Black has a winning advantage) 14 ... Qf6 15 Qcl (15 Qd2 Rad8 16 Bg5 fails to 16 ... Nxc2+) 15 ... Ne6 16 Bg3 Bd4 17 e5 Bxe5 18 Ne4 Bxg3+ 19 hxg3 Qe5 and with material equality restored and the white king still stuck in the centre, Black was decisively better in R.Jongman-A.Di Buccianico, correspondence 1987. We now return to 8 e5: (Diagram 9) 8 ...c6!?

This is the move that might revive the whole 5 ... Bc5 variation! There are very few games in the databases which feature this move, but given that Magnus Carlsen employed it in 2007 in Wijk aan Zee (against Alexander Motylev) it has to have at least some merit. Instead 8 ... Ne8 is the move almost exclusively played, but 9 Nd5 d6 10 Ne3 dxe5 11 Nxe5 Qg5 12 N5c4 has turned out to be a massive point-scorer for White in practice. Thus 10 ... c5 is a solution offered by NCO, which claims equality after 11 c3 Νί5 12 ο-ο Nxe313 dxe3 c414 Nb4 dxe5 15 Qh5 f5. However, looking a 1ittle further, we find that things are not that easy: for example, A.Shirov-J.Lautier, Monaco (rapid) 1995, continued 16 Rdl Νί6 17 Rxd8 Nxh518 Rd5 e419 Bb5 a6 20 Bxc4 Be6 and now instead οί the game's 21 b3, 21 Be2! would have led to a decisive advantage for White. 90-0

118

14: ΜΥ Kingdom for a Horse!

This has beeη played ίη all the games available, thereby allowiηg Black to traηs­ pose to a lesser maiη liηe while side-steppiηg the ηasty 8... Ne8 9 Nd5 variatioη discussed above. Nobody has dared to accept the piece sacrifice, which should be very daηgerous. Iηdeed, Ι would like to give you a sample οί possible liηes after 9 exf6 Re8+ 10 Κf1 d5, as worked out by various members οί the ChessPublishing.com forum: (Diagram 10)

Diagram 10 (W)

Diagram 11 (W)

a) 11 fxg7? is a typical computer move which just opeηs aηother aveηue for aη additioηal attackiηg piece: 11 ... Qh4! 12 Nxd5 (ίη order to preveηt 12... Bg4) 12 ... cxd5! 13 Bxe8 Bg4 14 Bxf7+ Κxg715 Qe1 Be2+ 16 Qxe2 (or 16 Kg1 Nf3+ 17 gxf3 Qg5 mate) 16... Nxe2 17 Κxe2 Qg4+ aηd Black wiηs. b) 11 ΝΕ4 is a better try: 11 ... Qxf612 d3 (altematively, 12 Nfxd5 cxd513 Nxd5 Qh4 14 Bxe8 Bg41eads to positioηs similar to those ίη liηe 'a'; White also has here 13 Bxe8 wheη 13 ...Be614 Ba4 Nb3 is totally uηclear) 12 ... Qh4 13 Bd2 (or 13 Be3 Rxe3! 14 fxe3 ΝΕ5 aηd Black, despite beiηg a whole rook dowη, has a daηgerous iηitia­ tive) 13... Bg4 14 g3!? aηd eveη if White maηages to avoid immediate destructioη, he is sti1l a loηg way from feηdiηg οΗ Black' s attack. 9... Ne8 (Diagram 11)

The poiηt οί 8 ... c6!? The game has ηow traηsposed to a liηe usually reached via 8... Ne8 9 ο-ο c6, which is rather harmless compared to the liηes with 9 Nd5. 10Ne4

10 Ne2 was Motylev's choice ίη his aforemeηtioηed game with Carlseη. After 10 ... Qh4 11 Nxd4 Qxd4 12 Bb3 d5 13 Qe2 Ε6 14 e6 Nc7 15 c3 Qh4 16 g3 Qh6 17 Nc5 Bxc5 18 d4 Qh3 19 dxc5 Nxe6 aη equal positioη was reached. 10 ... dS 11 Ng3 Qh4 12 c3 NfS

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

Black probably should haνe inserted 12 ... Bg4 13 Qe1 White from playing Qh5 (see the next note).

Νί5

in order to

preνent

13 Kh1?!

13 Qh5 seems like a more natural moνe, seeking to reduce Black's attacking forces. After 13 ... Qxa4 14 Nxf5 Qe4 Black could try to exploit the position οί White's d3knight, but after 15 Ne7+ Κh8 16 Nxc8 Rxc8 17 Ne1 White is not far away from consolidating. The text allows Black to get back οη track. 13 ...f6 14 Bc2 BC7 15 Re1?!

Black has already obtained a promising position. The text moνe proνes to be an unfortunate decision, but it is hard to suggest altematiνes. 15 ...fxe5 16 Nxe5 Bxe517 Rxe5 Nxg3+ 18 fxg3 Qf6 19 Re1 (Diagram 12)

Diagram 13 (Β)

Diagram 12 (Β) 19... Bg4! 0-1

Oops!

Draw! Despite its many actiνe lines, the Rubinstein Variation does haνe one major drawback. Consider the following line: 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 NC3 Nf6 4 Bb5 Nd4 5 Nxd4 exd4 6 e5 dxc3 7 exf6 (Diagram 13) 7... Qxf6

Unfortunately 7... cxd2+? is too greedy and Black is unlikely to surνiνe after 8 Bxd2 Qxf69 ο-ο Be710 Bc3 Qg511 Re1!. 5 dXC3 Qe5+

Black hardly has any

120

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aνoid

the draw, as shown by 8... Bc5 9 ο-ο ο-ο

14: ΜΥ Kingdom for a Horse!

10 Bxd7 Rd8 11 Qh5! Bxd712 Qxc5 Bc6 and again it's rather equal. 9Qe2

White can continue the game with 9 Be2, but Black has nothing to fear after 9 ... Bc5 10 ο-ο ο-ο 11 Bd3 d5 12 Qf3 Bd6 13 g3 c6 14 Bd2 Qe6 15 Qh5 Qh3! 16 Bxh7+ Κh8 17 Bg6+ Kg8 18 Bh7+ which led to a draw by perpetual check in W.WittmannA.Greenfeld, Thessaloniki Olympiad 1984. 9... Qxe2+ 1.0 Bxe2 (Diagram 1.4)

Diagram 1.4 (Β)

Thus we reach the dullest οί all positions. One might be able to actually steal the point from a much weaker opponent, but in that case don't plan anything for the evening ...

Conclusion The Rubinstein Variation is a sound antidote to the Spanish Four Κnights. However, it is only good if you're happy with a draw should the opponent want one. Conclusion

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121

Chapter 15

The Hypermodern Era Not much good comes of this. Joseph Henry Blackburne (οη the Nimzo-Indian Defence)

Diagram 1 (W)

Normally Ι will fully introduce each opening idea that Ι cover, but Ι suspect that most οί you know that it was Aron Nimzowitsch who pioneered the NimzoIndian Defence around 1914. Ι can hardly imagine that any οί you did not read ΜΥ System or a similar work, so Ι will refrain from boring you with facts which most οί you probably already know. What may be οί more interest is the fact that the

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Nimzo-Indian Defence ίη its pure form was already played οη two occasions ίη the late 19th Century: ίη the games Steinitz-Englisch, Vienna 1882, and EnglischBlackburne, London 1883. Both games eventually ended ίη a draw, but ίη both cases the black player could hardly be satisfied with the outcome οί the opening; hence Blackburne' s dictum. However, the opening was actually first seen, albeit in a slightly different form, much earlier than 1882! Ο H.Staunton •

city of Bristol

correspondence 1840 1 f4 d5 2 Nf3 c5 3 e3 Nc6 4 Bb5 (Diagram 2)

Diagram 2 (Β)

Diagram 3 (Β)

Take a closer look! What started as Bird's Opening has been transformed into a variation which is sometimes known as the Nimzo-Indian Attack! And what's even better, White can put his extra tempo to extremely good use, as control over the e5-square plays a key role ίη this system. 4 ...a6?!

This is highly dubious. Would this be a normal Nimzo-Indian, then this move would be perfectly viable (the line that runs 1 d4 Νί6 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 ΒΜ 4 a3 is ίη fact called the Samisch Variation). However, the key difference is that in that case Black usually spends two tempi (... Nf6-e4-f6) just to play ... f5, whereas here this advance (ί2-ί4) has already been played! 5 Bxc6+ bxc6 6 ο-ο e6 7 c4!

Simplyexcellent. Staunton implements another key idea οί the Nimzo-Indian: ing the doubled c-pawns and thereby preparing to later besiege them.

ίίΧ­

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas 7... Nh6?!

The beginning οί an implementation οί a faulty plan, but due to White's firm control over e5 it isn't easy to suggest viable altematives. 8 Qe2 Bd6 9 NC3 Qe7 10 b3 f6 11 d3 ο-ο 12 e4 dxe4 13 dxe4 e5 14 f5! (Diagram 3)

Black has got ίη ... e5, but his position is truly grim with both bishops extremely stifled. 14... Nf7 15 Nh4 Bd7 16 Rf3

Since Black has ηο counterplay, White can steadily build up a powerful kingside attack. 16 ... Rfd817 Be3 Be818 Raf1 Ng5 19 Rg3 h6 20 Qg4 Rd7 21 Nf3 Kf8 22 Nxg5 hxg5 23 h4!

Carefully knocking οη the door. Anybody home? 23 ... Bf7 24 hxg5 Ke8

It seems not! But maybe there's another entrance ... 25 g6 Bg8 26 Rh3 Kd8 27 Qe2 Kc7 28 Na4!

Since the kingside is closed, let' s aim at another target! 28 ... Rdd8 29 Qf2 Kb7 30 g4 QC7 31 BxC5 (Diagram 4)

Diagram 4 (Β)

Diagram 5 (Β)

This game was already over 20 moves ago, but Ι wanted to show you how White finally devoured the black c-pawn; a plan already prepared οη move 8! The rest οί the game was a complete massacre; a sight which Ι' d like to spare you here. Since the Nimzo-Indian Defence is so vast an opening complex, Ι really don't

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15: The Hypermodern Era

know which part οί it to discuss. However, what is equally obvious is that Ι cannot conc1ude this chapter without presenting at 1east one game from the master himself. Frank1y one is spoilt ίοτ choice, but ίη the end Ι opted ίοτ a game from the ear1y days οί the opening, and one which inc1udes many οί the key ideas behind the opening. Ο D.Janowsky •

A.Nimzowitsch

St Petersburg 1914 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 NC3 Bb4 4 e3

The Rubinstein Variation, which will a1so be examined ίη our next chapter. 4 ... b6 5 Bd3

Besides this move and the main altemative 5 Nge2, White has: a) 5 a3 Bxc3+ 6 bxc3 c5 transposes to the Samisch Variation. b) 5 Νί3 Ne4! 6 Qc2 Bb7 7 Bd3 transposes to the notes to B1ack's 6th move, be10w. c) 5 ί3 is p1ayed not on1y to prevent ... Ne4, but to construct a strong centre with e3e4. B1ack does best to immediate1y strike back with 5 ... c5!. Then 6 d5 ο-ο 7 Nh3 b5!? 8 dxe6 fxe6 9 cxb5 d5 gave B1ack B1umenfe1d-like compensation in A.MilesN.De Firmian, Reykjavik 1986. S... Bb7 6 Nf3 (Diagram 5) 6 ... Bxc3+

This may be a bit premature, but if you take a c10se 100k at Nimzowitsch's games ίη the Nimzo-Indian, you will observe that trading bishop ίοτ knight followed by ... d6 was common practice. According to present day theory, 6... Ne4 shou1d grant B1ack equality. After 7 ο-ο we have: a) Taking the pawn with 7... Nxc3 8 bxc3 Bxc3 is not recommended. After 9 Rb1 Nc6 10 Rb3 Ba5 11 e4 h6 12 d5 Ne7 13 Bb2 White had excellent compensation ίη Y.Ba1ashov-G.Romanishin, Lvov 1978. b) 7... Bxc3 8 bxc3 Nxc3 is a1so dubious. After 9 Qc2 Bxf310 gxf3 Qg5+ 11 Κh1 Qh5 12 Rg1 (shou1d White be happy with a draw he can allow 12 Qxc3 Qxf3+ 13 Kg1 Qg4+ 14 Κh1 Qf3+) 12 ... Qxf3+ 13 Rg2 ί5 14 Ba3 Ne415 Rf1 Rg8 (15 ... Nc6!? is Dunnington's untried suggestion, with the idea οί countering 16 Be2 with 16 ... Nxd4) 16 Be2 Qh3 17 ί3 Νί6 18 d5 Κf719 e4 White had a c1ear advantage in P.KeresB.Spassky, Riga 1965. c) 7... f5 (Diagram 6) estab1ishes the knight οη e4 and seems to be the most sensib1e approach. Then White has to make a choice: c1) 8 d5 seeks to cut οΗ the e4-knight's support, but after 8... Bxc3 9 bxc3 Nc5 (not 9 ... Na6? which allows 10 Bxe4! fxe411 Nd2 exd512 Qh5+ g613 Qe5+ Κf714 cxd5 with a better position ίοτ White) 10 Ba3 Nba6 11 Bc2 ο-ο 12 Nd4 Rf713 Nb3 Qe714 Re1 e515 ί4 d6 B1ack was equa1 ίη Y.Ba1ashov-J.Emms, German League 1995/96.

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

c2) 8 Qc2 once again attacks the knight οη e4, so now it is time to trade that bishop: 8...Bxc3 9 bxc3 ο-ο when 10 Nel c5! 11 Ε3 Nd6 is fairly reasonable for Black, while 10 Nd2 Qh4! menaces the white king. Indeed, White must be careful and avoid 11 Ba3? (11 g3? Rf6! is also worth avoiding; better is 11 Ε3 when 11 ... Nxd2 12 Bxd2 Nc613 e4 fxe414 fxe4 d6 should be okay for Black) 11 ... Nxd2 12 Qxd2 due to 12... Bxg2! 13 Κxg2 Qg4+ 14 Κhl Qf3+ 15 Kgl Rf6 16 Rfdl Qh3 followed by mate. 7 bxC3 d6 8 Qc2 Nbd7 9 e4 e5 (Diagram 7)

Diagram 6 (W)

Diagram 7 (W)

Should Black successfully lure White into playing d4-d5 then his position would be better; not οηlΥ because οί the doubled c-pawns, but also due to the fact that his knights are certainly better ίη this type οί closed position than White's bishops. Janowsky, though, isn't inclined to do his adversary this favour just yet. 3.0 ο-ο ο-ο 3.3. Bg5 h6 3.2 Bd2 Re8 3.3 Rae3. Nh7 3.4 h3 Nhf8 3.5 Nh2 Ne6 3.6 Be3

After a long phase οί manoeuvring, Nimzowitsch notices that Janowsky won't play d4-d5 voluntarily. Therefore, he has to push his claim. 3.6 ...C5 3.7 d5 Nf4

Naturally White won't allow the other knight to come to e5 after 18 Bxf4 exf4. 3.8 Be2 Nf8 3.9 Bg4 Bc8 20 Qd2 Ba6

These types οί closed position often feature periods οί lengthy manoeuvring. Over the next few moves, Janowsky gradually moves forward οη the kingside, while Nimzowitsch finds a number οί prophylactic moves ίη order to cushion the upcoming blow. 23. g3 N4g6 22 Be2 Nh7 23 h4 Nf6 24 Bd3 Rb8 25 Qe2 Rb7 26 Bc3. Rbe7 27 Kh3. Bc8

Now all black pieces are perfectly placed to engage the enemy should he attack,

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15: The Hypermodern Era

but what else can White do? 28 Rg1 Kf8 29 h5 Nh8 30 g4 Nh7 31 Bc2 Rb7 32 f4 f6 33 fxe5 dxe5 34 Nf3 Nf7 35 Ref1 Kg8 36 Nh4 Nd6 (Diagram 8)

Diagram 8 (W)

Diagram 9 (W)

Αη important position and one which Nimzowitsch must have been delighted with: White's passed pawn is blockaded, and Black's knights are clearly superior to the white bishops.

37 Nf5 Bxf5 38 gxf5 Ng5 39 Bxg5 hxg5 40 Ba4 Rf8 41 Bc6 Rb8 Αη

instructive position. The bishop has finally managed to come ίη front οί its pawn chain, only to discover that it is doing nothing there at all! Note how all Black's pieces (except the king) are οη dark squares. 42 a4 Kf7!

And now we see another problem: the white h-pawn is isolated and prone to attack. 43 Kg2 Rh8 44 Rh1 Rh6 45 Ra1 QC7 46 Kf2 Rbh8 47 Ke3 Kg8 48 Kd3 Qf7 49 a5 Rxh5 50 Rxh5 Rxh5 51 axb6 Rh3+ 52 Kc2 axb6 (Diagram 9)

Nimzowitsch has picked οΗ the h-pawn and converted his strategically superior position into a winning endgame. Unfortunately he didn't manage to win it, but that should really not concem us. It is better to stop here, so that we can keep this beautiful and ideal position ίη our memories.

Conclusion What more can Ι say about the Nimzo-Indian Defence other than the fact that it is the most respected defence to 1 d4?

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

128

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Chapter 16

Α

Cheer for FIexibiIity

Ι

am α man of principle, and one of my basic principles is flexibility. Everett Dirksen

Diagram 1 (Β)

Given the impact οί the Nimzo-Indian Defence οη modem opening theory, Ι certainly can't pass by the following idea, which was devised as a direct response as soon as the Nimzo-Indian Defence was introduced. The idea οί playing 4 e3, ίη­ troduced into master play by the great Akiba Rubinstein ίη 1914, might appear to be very modest for two reasons: it seemingly does not do much to control the cen-

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

tre, and it appears to give Black too many possible set-ups to choose from. However, 4 e3 is an extremely flexible move and one by ηο means has to follow up as Rubinstein intended with 5 Nge2, aiming to avoid doubled c-pawns. That approach is ηο longer considered sufficient for an objective advantage, but it certainly scored very well ίη its early outings.

D A.Rubinstein •

G.ΜarόCΖΥ

Hamburg Olympiad 1930 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 NC3 Bb4 4 e3

Rubinstein is now ready for Black's typical central attack with ... c5, while he was always happy to respond to almost every possible black set-up with 5 Nge2.

4 ... c5 The most aggressive approach. As Ι obviously cannot cover all the finesses οί the Rubinstein Variation, Ι willlimit myself to presenting two examples οί how Rubinstein handled the two main altematives to 4... c5: a) 4...b6 5 Nge2 Ba6 (targeting the undefended c4-pawn; 5 ... Bb7 was preferred ίη A.Rubinstein-S.Landau, Holland 1930, but after 6 a3 Be7 - White has an edge too after 6... Bxc3+ 7 Nxc3 d5 8 cxd5 exd5 9 b4 - 7 d5 d6 8 g3 ο-ο 9 Bg2 Nbd7 10 ο-ο Ne5 11 b3 exd512 ί4 Ned713 cxd5 Re8 14 b4 White had a clear advantage) 6 Ng3 Bxc3+ 7 bxc3 d5 8 Ba3! (Diagram 2) gives White good chances οί emerging with an edge.

Diagram 2 (Β)

Diagram 3 (Β)

For example, 8... dxc4 9 e4 Qd7 10 Be2 Nc6 11 Qc2 0-0-0 12 ο-ο h5 13 Rfdl h4 14 Νf1 Nh5 15 d5 Ne5 16 dxe6 Qe8 (16 ... Qxe6? loses to 17 Rxd8+ Κxd8 18 Bxh5 Rxh5 19

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Qd1+) 17 Rxd8+ Qxd818 Bxh5 Rxh519 ί4 Nd3 20 exf7 and Bobby's genius was probably the οηlΥ reason why the game L.Portisch-R.Fischer, Siegen Olympiad 1970, ended ίη a draw. b) 4 ... 0-0 5 Nge2 d5 6 a3 Be7 was played ίη A.Rubinstein-F.Siimisch, Moscow 1925. Rubinstein continued 7 Νί4 (7 cxd5 is the modem, more promising way οί hand1ing the position: after either recapture White fianchettoes his light-squared bishop, and while this may not look particularly dangerous, it is at least easier to play for White) 7... c6 (7 ... dxc4 8 Bxc4 c5 should be comfortable enough for Black, such as after 9 d5 exd5 10 Nfxd5 Nxd5 11 Bxd5 Nd7, followed by ... Nb6 with equality) 8 cxd5 exd5 9 Bd3 Re8 10 ο-ο Bd6 11 ί3 Qc7 12 h3 Nbd7 13 b4 and White had the freer play. 5 Nge2 cxd4 6 exd4 (Diagram 3) 6...dS

The calmer 6 ... 0-0 allows 7 a3 Be7. Given Rubinstein's affinity to his knight move, 8 Νί4 would probably have been what he would have played. After 8... d5 9 cxd5 Nxd5 10 Ncxd5 exd5 11 Bd3 White has some chances οί obtaining an initiative οη the kingside: for example, 11 ... Nc6 12 ο-ο Bg5 (12 ... Nxd4 13 Bxh7+ Κxh7 14 Qxd4 is good ίοτ White) 13 Be3 Bxf4 14 Bxf4 Qf6 15 Qh5! g6 16 Be5! Qe717 Qd1 Nxe5 18 Re1 ί619 ί4 Be6 20 fxe5 ί5 21 Qd2 with a clear positional advantage ίη M.CebaloD.Velimirovic, Subotica 1984. 7 a3 Be7

After 7... Bxc3+ 8 Nxc3 dxc4 9 Bxc4 we reach an IQP position, but ίη this case Black has had to part with the bishop-pair, which should favour White after 9 ... Nc610 Be3 ο-ο 11 Ο-Ο: ίοτ example, 11 ...b612 Qd3 Bb713 Rad1 and Black is likely to miss his dark-squared bishop, especially if he becomes pinned by Bg5. 8 cS

White sets about seizing territory οη the queenside. Black has to try to strike back ίη the centre through the typical ... e6-e5 break. 8... b6

Instead 8 ... a5 9 Rb1 b610 b4 transposes to the note to Black's 10th move. 9 b4 bxcS 10 dxcS es

Nowadays 10... 0-0 is more commonly seen and leads to wild complications after 11 g3 a5! 12 Rb1: (Diagram 4) a) 12 ... Nc613 Bg2 (13 b5? actually loses the c-pawn as 13 ... Ne5 threatens 14 ... Nf3 mate!) 13 ... Rb814 Nd4 (14 b5 is again dangerous for White: 14 ... Bxc5! 15 bxc6 Rxb1 16 Nxb1 Qb617 Nbc3 Bxf2+ 18 Κf1 Ng4 19 h3 Ne3+ 20 Bxe3 Qxe3 21 Qc1 Qxc1+ 22 Nxc1 Bxg3 gave Black three pawns and good play for the piece ίη M.MycB.Macieja, Biala Podlaska 1994) 14 ... Nxd4 15 Qxd4 axb4 and now 16 Βί4 is totally unclear according to Dunnington. b) 12... axb413 axb4 is a key position for the whole variation: White has two connected passed pawns οη the queenside; Black οη the other hand has a pawn ma-

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

jority in the centre. The key question is: which side gets going first? Following 13 ... Ba614 Bg2! Bc415 ο-ο Na616 Bf4 White can be quite content for the moment as the black central pawns are under control. 1.1. f4! (Diagram 5)

Diagram 4 (Β)

Diagram 5 (Β)

Correctly judging that control οί the d4-square is rather important. 1.1....d4

This time 1l ... a5? strongly faνours White after 12 fxe5 axb413 exf6 Bxf614 Qxd5 Qa5 (or 14 ... Qxd5 15 Nxd5 Bxa116 Nc7+ Kd8 17 Nxa8 b3 18 Bg5+ f6 19 Βί4 Re8 20 Kd2) 15 Ne4 Be616 Nxf6+ gxf617 Qd6, but Black might prefer 11 ... Nc612 fxe5 Nxe513 Nd4 ο-ο 14 Be2 Ne4, as was played ίη N.Zilberman-A.Cherepkoν, USSR 1963. That game continued 15 Nxe4 dxe416 ο-ο Βί617 Be3 when White's pawn majority οη the queenside was looking promising and after 17... Nd318 Rxf6!? Qxf619 Bxd3 exd3 20 Qxd3 the pawns supplied enough compensation for the sacrificed exchange. 1.2 fxe5 dXC3 1.3 Qxd8+ Kxd8

Better would haνe been 13... Bxd8 as then Black would still haνe been able to castle. 1.4 exf6 Bxf6 1.5 Be3 Nc6 1.6 0-0-0+ (Diagram 6)

White is better. Black's king is stuck ίη the centre, and eνen worse for him, the white queenside pawns haνe scarcely been kept ίη check. Rubinstein now finished the game elegantly: 1.6... Kc7 1.7 Bf4+ Kb7 1.8 g3 Bf5 1.9 Bg2 Rae8 20 b5 Rxe2 21. Bxc6+ Kc8 22 Rd5 Be6 23 b6! axb6 24 cxb6 Rb2 25 Ra5 1.-0

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Diagram 6 (Β)

Conclusion Not for nothing is the Rubinstein Variation one οί the most popular ways οί countering the Nimzo-Indian Defence. Its solidity and flexibility allows White to play a nice game οί chess without facing too many dangers.

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133

Chapter 17

Marshall's Plan bad plan is better than none at all. Frank Marshall

Α

Diagram 1 (W) One of the first chess books that Ι owned as a child was a small booklet entitled Teste dein Schach (which translates into 'Test your Chess'). Ι νery much liked this book, as it not only taught the basic elements of chess, but also supplied nice stories which enabled the reader to look behind the scenes. One of those stories was about the American player Frank Marshall, who in 1909 played a game against a

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17: Marshall's Plan

young Cuban named Jose Capab1anca, which he eventually 10st. Disappointed by this 10ss, Marshall vowed to gain revenge. In order to do this ίη 1910 he devised a dangerous new opening system which he kept secret until he had the chance to spring it οη the Cuban. Α who1e eight years went by unti1 they met again ίη New γork. Marshall was fully prepared, had the moment of surprise οη his side and ...10st! Α nice story andvery impressive too, especially if you're a pre-teen who hasn't seen much of the wor1d. Today it is wide1y accepted that Marshall may have ίη­ dependently discovered the gambit that bears his name, but the first incident ίη which the gambit was p1ayed ίη a rea1 game was a consultation game between the German master Car1 August Wa1brodt and four consu1tants during a joumey Wa1brodt made to America. Historians still argue about the venue of the game (Edward Winter gives Havana, while Tim Harding prefers New York), but at 1east the year of the game seems to have been established as 1893.

Ο C.Walbrodt •

Consultants

New York ΟΓ Havana 1893 1 e4 es 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 BbS a6 4 Ba4 Nf6 5 ο-ο Be7 6 Re1 bS 7 Bb3 (Η) 8 c3 dS 9 exds e4 (Diagram 2)

Diagram 2 (W)

Diagram 3 (Β)

This is named the Herman Steiner Variation by Harding, even though Steiner οη1Υ played it twice, and Marshall himself had employed it three years before him. This sharp continuation 1eads to Black sacrificing two pawns, as opposed to the norma1 Marshall Attack with 9 ... Nxd5, where Black sacrifices just one pawn. 10 dxc6 exf3 11 g3

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Good enough for an edge, but according to Harding et al, theory has swung back to the view that 11 Qxf3 is the most accurate attempt to refute 9... e4. They have gathered an incredible amount οί theory οη the subject, which Ι can't possibly reproduce at this ροίηι What Ι can do is to whet your appetite, and suggest you get The Total Marshall if you are really interested ίη this variation. The game M.KleinH.5chulz, Hamburg 1974, continued 11 ... Bg412 Qg3 Re8 (12 ... Bd613 Qh4 Re814 ί3 Rxel+ 15 Qxel Qe816 Qxe8+ Rxe8 17 Na3 Βί518 Bc2 proved insufficient for Black ίη W.Stem-U.Koskinen, correspondence 1965) 13 ί3! Qd314 fxg4 Bc5+ 15 Re3 (Black now faces difficulties expanding his initiative) 15 ... Rxe3 16 dxe3 Re8 17 Na3! Rxe318 Bxe3 Bxe3+ 19 Κhl Ne4 20 Qf3 Nf2+ 21 Qxf2! Bxf2 22 Rdl and 1-0. 11... Bg43.2 d4 (Diagram 3) 12 ... hS

Black has also tried to get his pieces into more active positions, but White has enough resources to fend οΗ Black's attack: a) 12... Bd6 13 Bg5 h6 14 Bxf6 Qxf6 15 Nd2 Qf5 16 Bc2 Qh5 17 Be4 Rae8 18 Re3 and the f3-pawn was doomed ίη J.Quintana-I.Crespo, correspondence 1992. b) 12 ... Re8 13 Bg5 h614 Bxf6 Bxf615 Nd2 Re2 (O.5cheringer-H.Hoecke, correspondence 1991) 16 h3! Rxel+ 17 Qxel Bxh318 Qe4 and again the f3-pawn drops off. 13 Bg5 Re814 Nd2 Nh7?! 15 Bxe7 Rxe716 Μ! Bxh317 Nxf3 Rxe1+ 18 Qxe1 Qf619 Qe3 Bg4 (Diagram 4)

Diagram 4 (W)

Diagram 5 (W)

White has collected the f3-pawn and there is ηο black attack whatsoever. Walbrodt now moves over to the offensive. 20 Ne5 Ng5 21 f4 Ne6 22 Nxg4 hxg4 23 Bxe6 fxe6 24 Re1 Re8 25 d5 Kf7 26 Qe4 Re7 27 dxe6+ Qxe6 28 Qxe6+ Rxe6 29 Rxe6 Kxe6 30 Kf2

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17: Marshall's Plan

White has simplified into a winning pawn endgame and the rest was only a matter of technique. Ι should mention that it is not entirely clear if Marshal1's game against Capablanca real1y was the first ϊη which he employed his new weapon. Most databases give a game against Walter Frere which was supposedly played in 1917 (one year before the Capablanca game), but Ι haven't been able to confirm this date. The game is not included ϊη Marshal1's ΜΥ 50 Years ofChess, while his Comparative Chess merely states that 'this game was played some years ago to test out my new defence ϊη the Ruy Lopez" but neither a date nor a venue is given. Yet another subject of speculation is the question of whether Capablanca really was caught οη the wrong foot by Marshall. If the previous game was played ϊη Havana, it is possible that Capablanca was aware of it and had even conducted some analysis of his own. But let's just see the game ϊη question!

Ο

J.Capablanca • F.Marshall

New York 1918 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 Nf6 5 ο-ο Be7 6 Re1 b5 7 Bb3 ο-ο 8 c3 d5 9 exd5 Nxd5 10 Nxe5 Nxe5 11 Rxe5 Nf6 (Diagram 5) Ι

would cal1 this the Old Marshall. Black loses time with his knight, but plans to regain a tempo by ... Ng4 which prepares possible combinations against f2 and h2. White' s most effective replies are based οη reinforcing the first of these vulnerable points by retreating the rook to e2. 12 Re1

After this move the game eventual1y transposes into what is considered to be the main line. 12 d4 Bd613 Re2!? may be a safer option for those not inclined to leam all the lines necessary to avoid the pitfalls of the main line, even though Harding believes that the advantage to be gained is not as great after it: a) After 13... Bb7 White can consolidate with 14 Nd2 Qd715 f3 followed by Nf1. b) 13 ... Ng4 is a more direct method of attack, but after 14 h3 Qh4 the point of 13 Re2 (the protection of the f-pawn) is revealed, and once more White has time to play 15 Nd2. Following 15 ... Bb716 Nf1 Nf6 White's position was pretty solid which even gave him the opportunity to undermine Black's queenside with 17 a4 ϊη V.Martynov-KLeander, correspondence 1990. c) 13 ... Nh5, with the idea of occupying the f4-square is probably best, but even then after 14 Be3 Bb715 Nd2 Qh4 16 Nf1 Rae8 17 ί3 Qf6 18 Qd3 Βί4 19 Rae1 White had the better position ίη KKrupanszki-D.Freyer, correspondence 1964. 12 ... Bd6 13 h3 Ng4 (Diagram 6)

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The Greatest Eνer Chess Opening Ideas

Diagram 6 (W)

Diagram 7 (Β)

14Qf3

The tactical difficulties which frequently occur ίη this variation can also be seen if one looks at the 'refutation' οί 14 hxg4? as given by Capablanca: 14... Qh415 Qf3 Qh2+? 16 Κf1 Bxg417 Qxg4 Qh1+ 18 Ke2 Rae8+ and here Capablanca stops, but after 19 Be6!! Rxe6+ 20 Qxe6 White is winning! The right way to play is 15 ... Bh2+! 16 Κf1 Bxg4 17 Qe4 Βί4! 18 g3 Qh2, as pointed out by Leonid Shamkovich. 14... Qh415 d4

Finally the game has transposed into the main line, which normally runs 12 d4 Bd613 Re1 Ng414 h3 Qh415 Qf3. 15 ... Nxf2?

This leads actually to a lost position, but who can blame Marshall for not knowing what we now know today? Ι certainly can't. Instead 15 ... h5! is regarded to be Black's best chance, but White should still be able to get an edge after 16 Be3! Nxe317 Rxe3 Qf418 Qxf4 Bxf419 Re1 Βί5 20 Na3 Rae8, even though it will take some patience to convert the extra pawn into something substantial. 16 Re2 Bg417 hxg4 Bh2+ 18 Kf1 Bg3 19 Rxf2 (Diagram 7)

This position is what White should head for when confronted by Marshall's 11 ... Nf6. According to Harding, Black has swindling chances only. 19... Qh1+ 20 Ke2 Bxf2

After 20 ... Qxc1 21 Qxg3! Qxb2+ White remembered an old analysis οί Tartakower's ίη J.Bird-P.Beckett, correspondence 1994, and played 22 Kd3! Qxa123 Kc2 b4 24 g5! when ίη view οί the threat οί 25 g6, Black had to play 24 ...bxc3 25 Qxc3 Qxc3+ 26 Nxc3, but after this White obtained a clear advantage.

138

17: Marshall's Plan 23. Bd2

Protecting the el-square and gaining a decisiνe tempo as Black has to retreat his bishop. 23. ... Bh4 22 Qh3 Rae8+ 23 Kd3 Qf3.+ 24 Kc2 (Diagram 8)

Diagram 8 (Β)

Diagram 9 (W)

White's king has reached safety. Now the οηlΥ thing left to do is to untangle his queenside pieces. 24... Bf2 25 Qf3 Qg3. 26 Bd5 c5 27 dxc5 BXC5 28 b4 Bd6 29 a4 a5 30 axb5 axb4 33. Ra6

White has finally managed to get his rook into action and has obtained a winning position. 33. ... bxc3 32 NXC3 Bb4 33 b6 Bxc3 34 Bxc3 h6 35 b7 Re3 36 Bxf7+ 3.-0

The Marshall Gambit did not catch οη ίη its early days, but it certainly has ίη our modem era! The main lines are so sharp and so complicated that one single mistake can cost you the game. Just ask Vladimir Kramnik, who played the following game ίη his 2004 World Championship match with Peter Leko. Ο V.Kramnik •

P.Leko World Championship (Game 8), Brissago 2004 3. e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 Nf6 5 ο-ο Be7 6 Re3. b5 7 Bb3 ο-ο 8 c3 d5 9 exd5 Nxd5 3.0 Nxe5 Nxe5 3.3. Rxe5 c6 3.2 d4 Bd6 3.3 Re3. Qh4 3.4 g3 Qh3 (Diagram 9) 3.5 Re4

139

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas Νο

fewer than seven serious altematives have been analysed ίη this position! Covering them ίη appropriate detail would take a whole book alone (and one that would probably be even bigger than this one!), so 1'11 restrict myself to just the story of this game. 15 ...g5

Black prevents White idea of Rh4 with very direct means, which are justified by the variation 16 Bxg5? Qf5 when he attacks two loose pieces. 16Qf1

Again there are many different moves that can be tried here, but recently the text move has been considered the most principled approach. 16 ...Qh5

The endgame after 16 ... Qxf1+ 17 Κxf1 Bf518 Nd2 h6 is also playable and, indeed, Black has usua11y held it. 17 f3

Now after 17 Nd2 Black can play 17... f5! 18 Re1 (or 18 Bd1 g4 19 Re1 f4) 18 ... f4 19 Ne4 Bh3 20 Qd3 Rae8 with good attacking chances ίη B.5ambuev-A.Κhruschiov, Moscow 2006. 17 ... Bf5 18 Nd2 (Diagram 10)

Diagram 10 (Β)

Diagram 11 (W)

18 ... Nf6

Taking the exchange is genera11y not recommended. After 18 ... Bxe4? 19 fxe4 Nb6 20 e5, followed by Ne4, White has an excellent position. 19 Re1 Rae8 20 Rxe8 Rxe8 21 a41? Qg61 Α

very good move, which poses a problem: White would like to play Ne4, but ίη

140

17: Marshall's Plan

order to do that he would have to take will show.

οη

b5 first which doesn't work, as the game

22 axb5

After the immediate 22 Ne4 Nxe4 23 fxe4 Bxe4 24 Bxg5 bxa4! White cannot recapture the pawn with either piece. Following 25 Bc4 Bd5 he does have the better pawn structure, but his king is slightly exposed. 22 ••• Bd3 23 Qf2?

White should have preferred to accept a draw by repetition with 23 Qd1 Be2 24 Qe1 Bd3 25 Qd1 Be2. 23 ... Re2 24 Qxe2

Neither does 24 bxa6 help: 24 ... Rxf2 25 Kxf2 Qh5 26 Kg1 Bxg3! 27 hxg3 Qh3 28 a7 Qxg3+ 29 Κh1 g4! 30 a8Q+ Kg7 31 Qb7 Qe1 + 32 Kg2 gxf3+ 33 Nxf3 Qf1 + 34 Kg3 Nh5+ 35 Κh4 Qh1 + 36 Kg4 Qg2+ 37 Κxh5 Qh3+ 38 ΝΜ Be2+ 39 Kg5 Qg4 mate. 24••• Bxe2 25 bxa6 Qd3!! (Diagram 11)

This is what Kramnik had missed or rather what his computer engine had apparently badly underestimated during his pre-game preparation! Only now did it dawn οη the World Champion that he was actually completely lost! 26 Kf2

26 a71eads to forced mate: 26 ... Qe3+ 27 Kg2 Bxf3+! 28 Nxf3 Qe2+ 29 Kg1 Ng4 30 a8Q+ Kg7 31 Qxc6 (or 31 Bxg5 Qf2+ 32 Κh1 Qxf3+ 33 Kg1 Qf2+ 34 Κh1 Qxh2 mate) 31 ... Qf2+ 32 Κh1 Qf1+ 33 Ng1 Νί2 mate. 26 ••. Bxf3! 27 Nxf3 Ne4+ 28 Ke1 NxC3! 29 bxc3 QXC3+ 30 Kf2 Qxa131 a7?!

31 Bxg5 Qxa6 32 Bd1 was the

οηlΥ

way to fight οη.

31..• h6 32 h4 g4 0-1

As a result οί the dangers lurking ίη the main line, many top players now adopt so-called anti-Marshall systems. Play usually then takes οη a quieter, more positional character, as ίη the following recent game. ο

V.Anand • A.Grischuk

Mexico City World Championship 2007 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 Nf6 5 ο-ο Be7 6 Re1 b5 7 Bb3 ο-ο 8 a4 (Diagram 12)

Another popular anti-Marshall system is 8 h3, but we will concentrate οη the text which was often Garry Kasparov's choice when confronted with 7... 0-0. 8 •.. b4

Altematively:

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The Greatest

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Chess Opening Ideas

a) 8 ... d5?! is ησ longer convincing: 9 Bxd5 Nxd5 10 exd5 Nd4 11 Nxd4 exd4 12 axb5 Bb7 13 c4 dxc3 14 dxc3 axb5 15 Rxa8 Bxa8 16 Qd3 Bxd5 17 Qxb5 left White a clear pawn up ίη N.De Firmian-I'Sokolov, Amsterdam 1996.

Diagram 12 (Β)

Diagram 13 (w)

b) Conceding the a-file with 8... Rb8?! is also dubious as after 9 axb5 axb5 10 c3 Black cannot steer the game into Chigorin or Breyer waters. Following 10... d6 11 d4! White obtains a clear edge: for example, 11 ... exd4 (11 ... Bg4? 12 d5 reveals another unfortunate consequence σί 8... Rb8 - the knight is lost) 12 cxd4 Bg4 13 Nc3 Qd714 Be3 and White had ideal central control ίη P.Keres-B.Rabar, Munich 1942. c) 8 ... Bb7 9 d3 reaches a further divide: c1) 9... Na5 10 Ba2! d6 11 Bd2 c5 12 Bxa5 Qxa5 13 axb5 Qxb5 14 Nbd2 Qxb2 15 Bxf7+! Rxf716 Rb1 Qa2 17 Rxb7 (Emms) and Black has big problems defending his light-square weaknesses. c2) After 9 ... Re8 10 Nc3 b4 11 Nd5 Na5 12 Nxe7+ Qxe713 Ba2 d5 14 Bg5 dxe4 15 dxe4 Rad816 Qe2 h617 Bh4 the two bishops supplied a slight pull ίη R.Hίibner­ So.Polgar, Bie11987. c3) 9... d6 10 Nbd2 Nd711 c3 Nc5 12 axb5 axb5 (12 ... Nxb3? fails to 13 bxc6 Nxa114 cxb7 Rb815 Qa4 when White will pick up the knight ση a1) 13 Rxa8 Bxa8 (13 ... Qxa8 14 Bc2 Βί6 15 b4 Ne6 16 Nf1 g6 17 Ne3 Bg7 18 Bb3 Qd8 transposes to the text) 14 Bc2 Βί6 15 b4 Ne6 16 Nf1 Bb7 17 Ne3 g6 18 Bb3 Bg7 (Diagram 13) was played ίη G.Kasparov-N.5hort, World Championship (Game 7), London 1993. Now 19 Nc2, with the idea σί 20 d4, favours White according to Kasparov. Returning to 8 ...b4: 9 d3 d6 10 Nbd2

10 a5 is meant to prevent ... Na5, but after 10 ... Be6 11 Nbd2 Bxb3 12 Nxb3 d5!? 13

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17: Marshall's Plan

Qe2 Re8 14 Bg5 h6 15 ΒΜ Nh5 16 Bg3 Nxg3 17 hxg3 Bf8 18 Nfd2 Qd6 Black had equalized in J.Speelman-V.Smyslov, Bie11993. The text shows that preventing ... Na5 may not be necessary. 10 ... Na5 11 Ba2 c5 12 c3 (Diagram 14)

Diagram 14 (Β)

Diagram 15 (Β)

White immediately prepares the occupation of the centre with his pawns. 12 ... Nc6

12... Rb8 is seen more often than the text. The idea is to block the light-squared bishop in with ... b3: for example, 13 d4 Qc714 Nf1 b3!? 15 Bb1 c4 when White must respond energetically or else he will simply be two pieces down. D.Neelotpal-B.Addison, British Championship, Edinburgh 2003, continued 16 Ne3 Bb7 17 Nd5! Nxd5 18 exd5 Bxd5 19 dxe5 Bxf3 20 exd6 Bxd6 21 Qxf3 Bxh2+ 22 Kf1 Bd6 23 Be4 and due to the badly placed knight οη a5 and his pair of bishops, White had good compensation for the pawn. 13 d4! bxc3 14 bXC3

White has succeeded in seizing space in the centre, while keeping his Spanish bishop active. 14... exd415 cxd4 Nb416 Bb1 Bg417 h3 Bh5 18 g4 Bg6

Should Black now be able to advance his d-pawn, he would be able to establish a rather harmonious coordination of his pieces, but Anand is able to keep Black's bishops out of play. 19 d5! (Diagram 15)

Not only are Black's bishops not playing, but his knight οη b4 has been rendered immobile. Meanwhile White can use his spatial advantage to manoeuvre at will.

143

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas 19 ... Nd7 20 Nc4 Rb8 21 Bf4 Nb6 22 Nxb6 Rxb6 23 Nd2 Bg5 24 Bxg5 Qxg5 25 Nc4 Rbb8 26 Qd2

After trading queens, Anand managed to convert his superior structure ίη the endgame.

Conclusion It tums out that Marsha11's plan was not so bad at a11. Indeed, he certainly be-

queathed a fascinating gambit to the chess world. Currently White doesn't seem to have anything against the main lines of the Marsha11 and Vasily Ivanchuk has even declared that 8 c3 is a mistake. Could there be a bigger comp1iment?

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Chapter 18

Α

Mysterious Knight Move

Was α poor Knight ever driven about in this way before? Allgaier's work is by no means deficient in merit, notwithstanding this ridiculous opening. Carl Friedrich Vogt (οη Johann Baptist Allgaier's analysis of 1 e4 Nf6 back in 1819)

Diagram 1 (W) Α

mysterious knight moνe occurred in the 1921 Budapest toumament when Alexander Alekhine replied with 1... Nf6 to Endre Steiner's 1 e4.1t was eνen suggested that' Ale-and-wine' (a rather contemptuous nickname referring to Alekhine's unfortunate drinking habit) suffered from blurred νision and merely mistook his

145

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

opponent for having played 1 d4, but as a matter of fact playing the moνe was fully intentional. Indeed, as Alekhine himself pointed out ίη his ΜΥ Best Games 1908-1923, he had introduced his moνe earlier that year ίη a consultation game ίη Zurich. Considering that Alekhine scored reasonably well with his opening oνer the next twelve years, it is surprising that he employed it only sporadically. Alekhine's Defence also owes a great deal to the analytical research undertaken by one of Alekhine's contemporaries, the Viennese grandmaster Ernst Grίinfeld. Ο G.Nyholm • Ε.Grϋπfeld

London Olympiad 1927 1 e4 Nf6 2 e5 Nd5 3 d4 d6 4 Nf3

As with all the hypermodem opening systems that emerged ίη the first half of the 20th Century, the occupation of the centre with pawns after 4 c4 Nb6 5 f4 was ίηί­ tially considered to be the most critical test, but oνer time adequate measures were found to counter the Four Pawns Attack. Instead the more modest moνe 4 Nf3 has become the most popular moνe and was hence named the Modem System. 4 ... Bg4 5 Be2 e6 6 ο-ο Nc6 (Diagram

Diagram 2 (W)

2)

Diagram 3 (W)

This moνe was dubbed 'a reasonable altematiνe' by Leν Alburt ίη his The Alekhine for the Tournament Player and was initially recommended by Reti ίη his Masters of the Chess Board, who stated that 'ίη the attack against White's pawn centre lies the meaning of the entire opening'. 7 c4 Nb6 8 exd6 cxd6 9 b3?!

146

18:

Α

Mysterious Knight

Moνe

9 d5! is the moνe that usually puts Black off playing this νariation with ... Nc6. After 9... exd5 10 cxd5 Bxf3 White does not need to capture with the bishop, but rather plays 11 gxf3!: the point being that after 11 ... Ne5 12 Bb5+ Ned7 (eνen worse for Black is 12 ... Nbd713 f4 Ng6 14 f5 Nge5 15 Qe2, with the threat οί 16 f4) 13 Qd4 Qf6 14 Re1 + Be7 15 Qxf6 gxf6 the simple 16 Nc3 leads to a clearly better position forWhite. 9 ... Be7 10 Bb2 d5! Α

rather typical moνe ίη this type of structure. Black isn't afraid of giνing White a pawn majority οη the queenside, because ίη this set-up White can't really make any use of it as the usual pawn-storm with b2-b4-b5 is too slow. 11 c5 Bxf3 12 Bxf3 Nd7 13 NC3 Bf6! (Diagram 3)

Attacking the d-pawn and also creating some problems down the a1-h8 diagonal, which is an important feature as certain knight moνes now allow ... Nxc5. 14 Na4 ο-ο 15 Qd2 Re8 16 Rad1 Nf8 17 b4? b5!

It may be hard to belieνe, but after this moνe White is strategically 10st as there is ηο

way to

saνe

the d-pawn.

18 cxb6 axb6 19 b5 Nxd4! 20 Bxd4 Rxa4 21 Be3 Nd7 22 Rc1 Ne5 23 Be2 d4 24 Bf4 Qa8 25 Bxe5 Bxe5 26 Bf3 Rxa2

As they say, the rest was a matter of technique. White resigned ten uneνentful moνes later. 'Theoreticians haνe called this moνe a mistake, because it brings the white knight to a good square; but it may be playable, the idea should be to win back the '1ost' tempo by exchange threats against the white knight.' This is what Bent Larsen had to say about 4 ... dxe5, instead of the 4 ... Bg4 of our preνious game. Nowadays this moνe is quite popular, especially ίη conjunction with 5 Nxe5 c6, which was a faνourite of the English grandmaster ΤοηΥ Miles. This system has been the most common choice at the top leνel during the last decade, and it is νery solid indeed. As a consequence, strong players haνe begun to experiment with different systems as White. One of these can be seen in the following game; a game which made a lasting impression οη me. Ο

A.Naiditsch • T.Luther

German Championship, Saarbrϋcken 2002 1 e4 Nf6 2 e5 Nd5 3 d4 d6 4 c4 Nb6 5 exd6

The Exchange Variation was once considered to be relatiνely harmless, but as Naiditsch shows ίη this game, it is most certainly not without bite. 5... exd6

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

5 ... cxd6 is what Ι played ίη my rash youth, as Ι considered this recapture to be the more dynamic. Ιη a way it is, but White can then reach a set-up that is not without venom. After 6 Nc3 g6 7 Be3 Bg7 8 Rc1 ο-ο 9 b3! (Diagram 4) we have reached the so-ca11ed Voronezh Variation.

Diagram 4 (Β)

Diagram 5 (Β)

There are different opinions about the strength οί this variation, but for the moment the criticallines seem to be: a) Black shouldn't go for 9... Nc6?! 10 d5 Ne5 11 Be2, after which he has often struggled. b) 9 ... f5!? 10 Νί3 (10 d5 ί4 11 Bd4 e5! 12 dxe6 Bxd4 13 Qxd4 Nc6 14 Qd2 Bxe6 allows Black to obtain a very dynamic position) 10 ... f411 Bd2 e5 (11 ... Nc612 d5 Ne5 13 Nxe5 Bxe5 14 Be2 is s1ightly better for White due to his control over the 1ight central squares) 12 dxe5 dxe513 c5 e4!? is given as unclear by NCo. The game V.Kotrotsos-A.Karayannis, Athens 2003, continued 14 cxb6 exf3 15 Qxf3 Nc6 16 Qd5+ Qxd517 Nxd5 Re8+ 18 Kd1 Be519 Bc4 Be6 20 Re1 axb621 Nf6+ Bxf6 22 Rxe6 Rxe6 23 Bxe6+ Kg7 24 b4 with a s1ightly better position for White due to his bishop-pair, but there may be improvements along the way. c) 9 ... e5 10 dxe5 dxe5 11 Qxd8 Rxd8 12 c5 N6d7 13 Bc4 Nc6 seems to be the main line οί the Voronezh. As Ι don't want to get my fingers bumt with a wrong assessment, 1'11 refer the interested reader to books such as John Cox's Starting Out: Alekhine's Defence and Nigel Davies' Alekhine's Defence for thorough coverage. 6 NC3

Should White want to enter the set-up that Naiditsch employs, the modest move 6 h3 might be a bit trickier. Then Black has to put his bishop οη ί5 before White can play Bd3 (either now or after 6... Nc6 7 Νί3), as otherwise White wi11 be able to ob-

148

18:

Α

Mysterious Knight Move

tain his ideal set-up. 6... Nc6 7 Nf3 (Diagram 5)

This modest variation is Naiditsch's speciality. However, modest can spell dangerous should Black play carelessly. 7 ... Be7?! Α ίη

standard move ίη the 5 ... exd6 variation, but Black should have played 7... Bg4!? order to prevent the set-up White obtains with his next move.

8 h3! ο-ο 9 Bd3

Now Black has a problem: what to do with his light-squared bishop? 9 ... Bf6 10 ο-ο Nxd4?!

Normal1y it is advantageous to exchange a wing pawn for a centre pawn, but ίη this case White gets too great an initiative. That said, it is hard to suggest altematives: for example, 10 ... d5, a standard idea that we have already seen ίη our previous game, is ίη this case rather harmless as the white d-pawn is never in any danger. D.Baramidze-M.Kopylov, Kie12005, continued 11 c5 Nc412 b3 N4a513 Bf4 Be6 14 Rc1 Rc815 Re1 h616 Bb1 Ne7 and without any black counterplay οη the queenside, White could unfold οη the kingside with 17 g4, thereby obtaining much the better position. 11 Nxd4 Bxd4 12 Bxh7+ Kxh7 13 Qxd4 (Diagram 6)

Diagram 6 (Β)

Diagram 7 (Β)

13 ... Re8

After 13 ... Kg8 White should play 14 b3 as ίη the actual game. Then 14... Be615 Bb2 f616 Rfe1 Re817 Re3 Βί718 Rg3 Qe719 Ne41ed to a dangerous-looking initiative ίη M.Schmidt-S.Mueschenich, German League 1999.

149

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas 3.4 b3 Re6 3.5 f4 f5? Α

dubious decision. Not οηlΥ does the light-squared bishop become further restricted, but now the a1-h8 diagonal is seriously weakened as well. 3.6 Bb2 Qe7 3.7 a4! (Diagram 7)

Α

very good move, forcing Black's reply as his knight has to remain οη b6 ίη order to prevent White from playing Nd5. 3.7 ... a5 3.8 Rf3 Bd7 3.9 Rg3 Rg6 20 Rxg6 Kxg6 23. Kh2 Bc6 22 Nb5 Rg8 23 Qf2!

Threatening to play 24 Re1 followed by Re3 and Rg3, attacking the black g-pawn. 23 ... Re8 24 BC3

Finally we see quite why 17 a4! was such a good move. Black cannot defend everywhere and has to give up his a-pawn to oppose White οη the e-file. 24... Bxb5 25 Qg3+ Kh7 26 axb5 Qf7 27 Rxa5

White has won a pawn and remains with the better position. Luther played for several more moves, but ultimately wasn't able to save the game.

Conclusion Even though Alekhine' s Defence is rarely used at the highest level, and despite the accident that Black suffered ίη the final game οί this chapter, I'm unable to criticize my old favourite. Furthermore, with Alekhine exponents like John Cox and even Magnus Carlsen out there, I'm fairly sure that Alekhine's Defence still has a lot to offer.

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Chapter 19

More than a Sub-variation There is something rather 'in your face' about this move, as though Black immediately rolls down his shirt sleeves before the formal introductions take place. Jonathan Rowson

Diagram 1 (W)

Due to developments Ι will take a closer look at in Chapter 29, nowadays the Κing' s Indian Defence is one οί the most respected opening systems. It has been around since the late 19th Century, and it was Emst Grίinfeld who introduced what at first was considered to be a mere sub-vaήatiοη οί the King' s Indian. Οη

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

close examination his idea appeared quite logical: ίί White is planning to occupy the centre, why not try to beat him to the punch? This idea, which later became known as the Grίinfeld Defence, was first tried by Griinfeld ίη 1922. Ο A.Becker •

Ε.Grϋnfeld

4th matchgame, Vienna 1922 1 d4 Nf6 2 Nf3 g6 3 c4 Bg7 4 NC3 d5 5 cxd5 Nxd5 6 e4 NXC3 7 bXC3 c5 8 Be2 (Diagram 2)

, Α flexible deνeloping moνe. Ιη this line, howeνer, White's control οί the centre is somewhat weakened, which permits Black to solνe the problems οί counterplay successfully.' That is what Alexei Suetin had to say ίη his book The Complete Griίn­ feld back ίη 1991, and it helps to explain why 8 Rb1 or 8 Be3 are usually preferred nowadays.

Diagram 2 (Β)

Diagram 3 (W)

8,..0-0

Compared to the text, keeping the tension ίη the centre with 8... Nc6 makes more sense. Then 9 d5!? (after 9 Be3 Bg410 e5 cxd411 cxd4 ο-ο we haνe the same position as ίη the game, but with White haνing played e4-e5 instead οί d4-d5, which is a significant difference; following 12 ο-ο Qd7 13 Qd2 Rfd8 14 Rfd1 Rac8 Black had his full share οί the play ίη J.5mejkal-G.Sax, Rio de Janeiro 1979) 9... Bxc3+ 10 Bd2 Bxa111 Qxa1 Nd4 12 Nxd4 cxd4 13 Qxd4 ο-ο 14 Bh6 Qa5+ 15 Κf1 ί6 16 Bxf8 Κxf8 gaνe Black at least equal chances ίη I.Foigel-F.5ideif Zade, Beltsy 1979. 9 ο-ο cxd410 cxd4 Nc6 11 Be3 Bg412 d5!

Offering a typical exchange sacrifice and one which does, indeed,

152

deserνe

a chap-

19: More than a Sub-variation

ter

οί

its own (see Chapter 28).

12 ... Ne5 13 Rb1

Probably better would have been 13 Nxe5 Bxe2 14 Qxe2 Bxe5 15 Rab1 Qd716 ί4 Bg7 17 Qb5! with a lasting initiative according to Suetin. Now Grίinfeld manages to get off the hook. 13 ... Nxf3+ 14 gxf3 Bh3 15 Rxb7

Sacrificing the exchange again. However, White's structure has been damaged, while Black has managed to maintain his important dark-squared bishop. 15 ... Bxfl16 Bxf1 Qd6! 17 Bxa7 Be5 18 h3 Qa3 19 Be3 Rfb8 20 Rxb8+ Rxb8 21 Bc4 Qc3 22 Bb3 QC7 (Diagram 3)

White has managed to erect a solid position, and has obtained two pawns and the bishop-pair as compensation for the exchange. Unfortunately for him it is hard to make progress because οί his wrecked pawn structure. 23 Kg2 Bf4 24 Bd4 Be5 25 Be3

Vz-Vz

The Independence of an Opening System After years οί successful employment at the hands οί Emst Grίinfeld and Alexander Alekhine (who jumped οη the bandwagon after a loss Ιο Grίinfeld in Vienna 1922), the Grίinfeld Defence eventually became an acknowledged opening system ίη its own right. It received a later boost when Garry Kasparov employed ί! in his World Championship matches against Anatoly Karpov. Το condude this chapter, Ι' d like to show you a game that perfectly illustrates not only Κasparov' s thorough opening preparation, but also an important line οί the Grίinfeld.

D V.Kramnik •

G.Kasparoν

Linares 1999 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 Nc3 d5 4 cxd5 Nxd5 5 e4 Nxc3 6 bXC3 Bg7 71k4 c5 8 Ne2

With this move, White avoids being awkwardly pinned by 8 Νί3 Bg4. 8... Nc6 9 Be3 ο-ο 10 ο-ο (Diagram 4) 10... Bg4

Altematively: a) 10 ...Qc7 is an old line which was introduced into master play by Vasily Smyslov. Nowadays 11 Rc1 Rd812 Βί4! Qd713 d5 Ne514 Bxe5 Bxe515 ί4 Bg716 Qd3!? a6 17 Bb3 b5 18 c4!, as ίη A.Graf-E.Liss, Groningen 1994, looks at least a little uncomfortable for Black. b) 10... Na5 is an attempt to avoid the Seville Variation, as played here by Kramnik, but after 11 Bd3 Bg4, White can avoid 12 ί3 and prefer 12 Rc1! which leaves him for choice.

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

c) Last but not least, 10 ... cxd4 is discussed ίη greater detail

Diagram 4 (Β)

ίη

Chapter 28.

Diagram 5 (Β)

11 f3 Nas 12 Bxf7+

The starting position of the Seville Variation, which is named after the location of the 1987 World Championship match ίη which this line was heavily debated. This is what Anatoly Karpov had to say about it: 'The pawn structure that now arises gives White every reason to count οη the initiative, besides which he has an extra pawn. But then again, the position is highly dynamic and may very well suit the taste of the player of the black pieces.' Let's see how play develops. 12 ... Rxf7 13 fxg4 Rxf1+ 14 Kxf1 (Diagram 5)

14 Qxf1?! is inaccurate as it allows Black to create dangerous counterplay: 14... Nc4 15 Qc1 (otherwise Black invades οη b2 with his queen via b6) 15 ... Rc8 and Black was clearly better in H.Jensen-B.Brinck Claussen, Esbjerg 2007. 14...cxd41S cxd4 eS 16 dS

Other moves have proved to be less efficient: 16 dxe5 Bxe517 Qxd8+ Rxd8 18 Rc1 Nc619 g3 Rd3 20 Bf4 Bd4 gave Black equal prospects in y'Seirawan-H.Olafsson, Reykjavik 1990, and 16 Rc1 Qd7! 17 dxe5 Qxd1+ 18 Rxd1 Nc419 Bf2 Bxe5 is also comfortable for Black. 16... Nc417 Qd3

After 17 Bf2 Qf618 Kg1 Rf819 Qe1 Bh6 20 Ng3 Qa6 Black once again managed to create good counterplay οη the queenside ίη κ.Ceοrgίev-V.Ιvaηchuk, Reggio Emilia 1989. 17 ... Nxe3+

17...b5 seems to be a reasonable altemative: for example, 18 g5 (alternatively, 18

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19: More than a Sub-variation

Kgl Nxe319 Qxe3 Βί8 20 Rcl Qb6! 21 Qxb6 axb6 22 Rc2 Bc5+ 23 Κf1 Ra4 24 Nc3 Rc4 leads to a decent endgame for Black, as analysed by Rowson, while after 18 Ngl Βί8 19 Νί3 Bd6 20 Βί2 Qa5 21 Kgl Rc8 22 Ng5 Qd2 Black was in good shape in D.Tyomkin-E.Liss, Ramat Aviv 1998) 18 ... Bf8 19 Ngl Nxe3+! 20 Qxe3 Qb6 21 Qc3 (21 Qxb6 favours Black after 21 ... axb6 22 Νί3 Bc5!) 21 ...b4 22 Qc4 Bd6 23 Ke2 a5 24 Nh3 (transferring the knight to d3 as 24 Νί3 would allow 24 ... a4, followed by the strong ... Ra5-c5) 24 ... a4 25 Νί2 (Diagram 6)

Diagram 6 (Β)

Diagram 7 (w)

25 ... Qd8! (simultaneously attacking g5 and preparing ... Rc8) 26 Qcl Rc8 27 Qd2 Rc4 28 Κf1 Qf8 29 Qe2 Bc5 30 Qf3 Bd4 31 Rdl Rc2 32 Ng4 Qxf3+ 33 gxf3 Κί8 and Black had a decisive advantage in L.Van Wely-F.Nijboer, Rotterdam 1998. 18 Qxe3 Qh4 If White manages to consolidate his position, such as by bringing his knight to and advancing his d-pawn, he will obviously be better. Black should therefore urgently create counterplay.

ί3

19 h3 Bh6 Αη

example οί the consequences οί inaccurate black play was seen in A.GrafS.Conquest, Groningen 1997, which continued 19 ...b6?! 20 Kgl Βί8 21 Κhl Bc5 22 Qd3 Qf6 23 Ngl Qf2 24 Νί3 when White had consolidated his position and could pursue his own ideas. The game concluded 24 ... Bd6 25 Qa6 Rf8 26 Ng5 Qe3 27 Ne6 Qc3 28 Rgl Rf7 29 Ng5 Re7 30 Rf1 Qc2 31 Ne6 h6 32 Rf8+ Κh7 33 Κh2 Rg7 34 Rd8 Be7 35 Rd7 Qxe4 36 Qb7 Qb4 37 d6 1-0. 20 Qd3 Rf8+ 21 Kg1 Qf2+ (Diagram 7) 22 Kh1

After 22 Κh2 Be3 23 d6 Rf3 24 Qd5+ Graf notes the position 'would have concluded dismally for Black'. Quite true, but better is the earlier 22 ... Qe3 23 Qxe3

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

Bxe3 wheη Black should be able to hold: for example, 24 Rd1 Rf2 25 Nc3 Kf7 aηd Black's pieces were active eηough ίη R.Graf-V.Popov, Koriηthos 1999. 22 ... Qe3!

As already iηdicated ίη the previous ηote, the exchaηge of queeηs is favourable for Black as his kiηg becomes safe aηd his queeηside majority becomes importaηt. 23QC4

Previously 23 Qxe3 Bxe3 24 Rd1 Rf2 25 Ng1 Kf7 26 Rd3 Bb6 27 Rf3+ Ke7 28 Rxf2 Bxf2 29 Nf3 Kd6 had led to a draw ίη the earlier V.Kramηik-A.Shirov, 3rd matchgame, Cazorla 1998. 23 ... b5! 24 Qxb5 Rf2 25 Qe8+ Bf8!

This is aη importaηt improvemeηt over the previously played 25 ... Rf8 wheη after 26 Qe6+ Κh8 27 g5! Bxg5 (or 27... Qxg5 28 Rb1! with a decisive iηvasioη) 28 Qxe5+ Bf6 29 Qd6 Bg7 30 Ng1 (30 Ng3!?, prepariηg Ra1-f1, is also worth coηsideriηg) 30 ... Qxe4 31 Rc1 White had a clear advaηtage ίη L.Vaη Wely-A.Shirov, Belgrade 1999. 26 Qe6+ Kh8 27 d6 Qxe2 28 Qxe5+

28 d7 Qxe4 29 Rg1 Rf3! echoes the game after 30 g5 (or 30 gxf3 Qxf3+ 31 32 Rg2 Qf4+ aηd Black agaiη has a perpetual) 30 ... Be7! 31 gxf3.

Κh2

Qf2+

28 ... Bg7 29 Qe8+ Rf8 30 d7 Qd3 31 e5 h6! (Diagram 8)

Diagram 8 (W) Creatiηg aη

escape route for the kiηg ίη order to

eηable

the rook to joiη the

actioη.

It should be emphasized that Kasparov was still followiηg his preparatioη at this poiηt!

32 e6 Kh7 33 Rg1

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19: More than a Sub-variation

33 Qe7 Rf1 + 34 Κh2 Rxal 35 d8Q Qe3 36 Qxg7+! is the only way to prevent an immediate draw, but even after 36... Kxg7 37 Qe7+ Kg8 38 Qf7+ Κh8 39 Qf6+ Κh7 40 Qxal Qxe6 Black should be able to draw. 33 ... Rf3!

Black's main equalizing idea is connected with giving perpetual check. 34 Qb8 Rxh3+ 35 gxh3 Qe4+ Υι-Υι

Conclusion The Grίinfeld Defence is currently out οί fashion as far as the majοήty οί the elite are concemed, but it does seem that Black has suffiάent defensive resources (see also Chapter 28) to hold his ground ίη its various key vaήations. Conclusion

Score (max 5)

ShockValue

1111

Effectiveness Rating

1111

Longevity Rating

ΙIIΙΙ

Creativity Value

ΙIIΙΙ

157

Chapter 20

It's

υρ

to you,

New Vork, New Vork! At the beginning of the 20th Century, when theory mainly consisted of the Queen's Gambit and the Ruy Lopez, it was not difficult to invent α new opening. More than imagination, α considerable dose of courage was needed, in order to face with dignity the irony of the dogmatists. Mihail Marin

Diagram 1 (Β) Along with Aron Nimzowitsch, Richard Reti was one οί the leading theoreticians οί the hypermodem movement ίη the 1920s. However, Reti wasn't blessed with the same talent as many οί his cοntemΡοraήes (ίη his first intemational touma-

158

20: It's

υρ

to

Υου,

New York, New York!

ment in Vienna 1908 he scored a mere three draws from 19 games!), and he only became a strong player through extensiνe studying and much hard work. During his studies, Reti made the following obserνation regarding general opening theory: that the traditional opening moνes (1 e4 and 1 d4) are not altogether beyond criticism, and that it is the duty of the thoughtful chess player to occupy himself with the problem of finding a better system. Reti did just that! For now Ι' d just like to show you the first game in which Reti tried to demonstrate the fruits of hiswork.

D R.Reti • Ε.Grϋnfeld

Margate 1923 1

Nf3 Nf6 2 g3 dS 3 Bg2 g6 4 c4 c6 5 cxdS?!

Relieνing the tension this early turns out to be premature, but giνen that Reti was employing his new system for the first time in this game, he should not be heaνily criticized. The moνe 5 b3, which Reti later employed with great success, has become standard in νarious set-ups in the Reti Opening. White should retain a small plus after the common continuation 5 ... Bg7 6 Bb2 ο-ο 7 ο-ο Bg4 8 d3 Nbd7 9 Nbd2 Re810 h3 Bxf311 Bxf3, although there are plenty of other options too.

S... cxdS 6 ο-ο Bg7 7 d3 Nc6 8 Nc3 ο-ο (Diagram 2)

Diagram 2 (W)

Diagram 3 (W)

9Qb3 9 Bf4 scores surprisingly well in the few games that the Mega Database 2008 has to offer. Howeνer, after the forcefu19 ... d4! 10 Na4 Nd511 Bd2 b612 Rc1 Bb713 a3 Qd714 b4 Rac8 (M.Stryjecki-P.Harikrishna, online blitz 2005), it is actually Black

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

who has the better prospects. 9... b6 3.0 Bg5 Na5 3.3. Qa3 Bb7 3.2 Rac3. h6 3.3 Bf4 Nh5 3.4 Bd2 Nc6 3.5 Rc2 Qd7 3.6 Rfc3. Rfc8 3.7 Qa4 Nf6 (Diagram 3)

The crucial position οί the game. The opening phase is complete and Black has comfortably equalized. With his next move, Reti decides to initiate an attack οη the kingside, but it tums out that Black can defend quite easily. 3.8 Qh4 g5 3.9 Nxg5?

It would have been better to meekly retum to the queenside with 19 Qa4. 3.9 ... hxg5 20 Bxg5 Nd8! Αη

excellent resource. Black transfers his knight to the kingside and manages to reduce the remaining material significantly. 23. Bh3 Ne6 22 Bf5 d4! 23 Ne4 Rxc2 24 Rxc2 Rc8 25 Rxc8+ Qxc8 26 Bh6 QC2 27 f3 Bxe4 28 fxe4 Qxe2 29 Bxe6 fxe6 30 Qg5 Qg4 33. Qxg7+ Qxg7 32 Bxg7 Kxg7

The smoke has cleared and Black is a piece υρ ίη an endgame. 33 h3 Nd7 34 Kf2 NC5 35 Ke2 Na4 0-3.

Thus the Reti Opening's debut wasn't too successful. Furthermore, the critics weren't afraid to voice their ορίηίοη: Tarrasch, ίοτ instance, described the opening as 'a profound but completely faulty system" while Emanuel Lasker named it a 'spiritual opening'. However, Reti wasn't taken aback by his setback, and eventually he was rewarded at the famous 1924 New York toumament, where he not only beat Jose Capablanca, but also Frederick Yates, Edward Lasker and Efim Βο­ goljubow with his system! The game against the Bogoljubow, which also brought Reti the brilliancy prize, will conclude this chapter.

D R.Reti • E.Bogoljubow New York 1924 3. Nf3 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 g3 d5 4 Bg2 Bd6

The text move aims to support a later ... e6-e5, but as the game will show Black will never succeed ίη implementing this advance. The altematives include 4 ... Be7, the so-called Closed Reti, which was considered 'less attractive' by Tartakower ίη his 500 Master Games of Chess, and 4... dxc4, the so-called Open Reti. 5 ο-ο ο-ο 6 b3 (Diagram 4)

Tartakower noted that as a consequence οί a 'centrophobe' policy, the double fianchetto is one οί the basic ideas οί the Reti. This ran completely contrary to the general principles οί the time, so it is ηο wonder that Teichmann harshly described this set-up as 'Stumpfsinnige Doppellochvariante' (which could be translated as "moronic double hole variation").

160

20: It's υρ to Υου, New York, New York! LRe8

Still pushing for ... e6-e5. Among the altematives, 6...b6 was recommended by Reti in his Best Games of Chess, as ίη his view the plan behind the text move weakens the centrallight squares. Furthermore, 6... b6 is not entirely without merit, as the resulting pawn structure resembles a Colle-Zukertort set-up with reversed colours. Black could certainly do worse, as indeed he does ίη the actual game. 7 8b2 Nbd7 8 d4 (Diagram 5)

Diagram 4 (8)

Diagram 5 (8)

Occupying the centre at the right time. According to Kasparov, this approach had been suggested by Capablanca. 8 d3, Reti' s choice against γ ates from earlier ίη the toumament, is less convincing. Reti eventually won that game, but after 8 ... c6 9 Nbd2 e5 10 cxd5 cxd5 11 Rc1 Νί8 Black had solved the problem οί his lightsquared bishop and was close to equality. 8... c6

This move was condemned as too passive by Reti. Black had, though, to avoid 8... e5? because 9 c5 e4 10 cxd6 exf3 11 dxc710ses a pawn. Relatively best would have been 8 ... dxc4 9 bxc4 c5 and even though 'the opening οί lines would be ίη White' s favour, it would still be preferable to what occurs ίη the game' ίη Reti' s view. 9 Nbd2 Ne4

Black still cannot play 9... e5?!. After 10 cxd5 cxd5 11 dxe5 Nxe512 Nxe5 Bxe513 Bxe5 Rxe5 14 Nc4 Re815 Ne3 Be616 Qd4 the isolated pawn is an easy target. 10 Nxe4 dxe4 11 NeS fS

Forced ίί Black does not want to lose his exposed e-pawn without compensation, as both 11 ... Nf6 12 Qc2 and 11 ... Bxe5 12 dxe5 ί5 13 exf6 Nxf6 14 Qc2 would have

161

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

been rather unsatisfactory. 12 f3!

With Black' s queenside undeveloped, opening the centre must be correct. :12 ... exf3 13 Bxf3! QC7:14 Nxd7 Bxd715 e4! (Diagram 6)

Diagram 6 (Β)

Diagram 7 (w)

15 ...e5

Instead both 15 ... c5? 16 e5 Βί8 17 d5 and 15 ... fxe4? 16 Bxe4 g6 17 Qd3 Kg718 c5 Βί8 19 d5+ e5 20 d6 are good examples οί what can happen if Black does not oppose White ίη the centre. As an altemative to the text, Don Maddox suggests 15 ... Bf8!? 16 Qd3 Rad8 17 Radl, even though White still has a substantial plus. 16 c5 Bf817 Qc2

Winning a pawn with 17 exf5 Bxf5 18 Bxc6 Qxc6 19 Rxf5 would be premature. After 19 ... Rad8 20 b4 exd4 21 Bxd4 Qe6 22 Rf4 g6, followed by ... Bh6, Black has some counterplay. 17 ... exd4 18 exf5 Rad8

The altematives also lose quickly: for example, 18 ... Re519 Bxd4 (Reti gave 19 Qc4+ Κh8 20 ί6 with a winning attack, but after 20 ... Bxc5 21 fxg7+ Kxg7 22 Bxd4 Bxd4+ 23 Qxd4 Qb6 Black can actually defend) 19 ... Bxf5 20 Bxe5 Qxe5 21 Qc4+ Be6 22 Qe4 or 18 ... Qe5 19 Qc4+ Κh8 20 Bxd4 Qxf5 21 Bxc6 wins for White. 19 Bh5! Re5 20 Bxd4 Rxf5?

Necessary was 20 ... Rd5, but Black would be a pawn down nonetheless ίη a rather hopeless position after, for example, 21 Qc4 Κh8 22 Bg4 b6 23 cxb6 axb6 24 Rad1 b5 25 Qc3 c5 26 Bxg7+! Bxg7 27 ί6 (Maddox). 21 Rxf5 Bxf5 22 Qxf5 Rxd4

162

20: It's υρ to Υου, New York, New York!

Now the weakness

οί

the f7-square tums out to be decisive.

23 Rf1

23 Qe6+? Κh8 24 Rf1 Qe7 would only lead to an even game. 23 ... Rd8

After 23 ... Qe7 24 Βί7+ Κh8 White would have finished with the elegant 25 Bd5! Qf6 26 Qc8. 24 Bf7+ Kh8 (Diagram 7) 25 Be8! 1-0

Because οί the line 25 ...h6 26 Qxf8+ Κh7 27 Bg6+ Κxg6 28 Qf5 mate, Black resigned

Conclusion Inspired by Reti's successes ίη New York, Tartakower ""rote a book about Reti's system which he called the 'Opening οί the Future'. ΗΟ\4;eνer, the opening remains a long way from rivalling both 1 e4 and 1 d4 in terms οί popclarity, being only a good choice as a surprise weapon or to avoid theo~".

Longevity Rating

ttttt ttttt

Creativity Value

ttttt

Effectiveness Rating

163

Chapter 21

Chaotic

ίn Seνeral

Respects

History is the version of past events that people have decided to agree upon. Napoleon Bonaparte

Diagram 1 (W) Naming an opening system is by ηο means an easy task. While Ι have already given you an example of inconsistency with regard to the Cambridge Springs Defence, this chapter shows a rather chaotic example, namely the Meran Variation. There are various points about the Meran Variation which got mixed up ίη the naming process. First of all, the otherwise excellent Oxford Companion to Chess errs

164

21: Chaotic ίπ Several Respects

when it states that the opening was named οη account of Akiba Rubinstein and Savielly Tartakower's successful use of it during the 1924 Meran tournament, as Tartakower did not participate there. Secondly, the Meran tournament was not the first event ίη which the variation was employed; one earlier example being a 1906 game between Carl Schlechter and Julius Perlis ίη Ostend. Another issue is that of the exact starting position. While the Oxford Companion to Chess gives 1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 c64 Nf3 Nf6 5 e3 Nbd7 6 Bd3 dxc4 as the starting position of the Meran Variation, John Donaldson ίη his Meran Defense regards 7... b5 as the defining move of the opening. As we can see, the business of naming an opening system can be quite tricky. But anyway what is the idea behind the Meran? I'm glad you asked, because that means that we can tum back to the chess! Let me show you one of the stem games for the Meran Variation. Ο Ε.Grϋηfeld • A.Rubinstein

Meran 1924 3. d4 dS 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 c6 4 Nf3 Nf6 5 e3 Nbd7 6 Bd3 dxc4! 7 BXC4 bS

With this move Black tries to solve the problem of his light-squared bishop ίη a radical manner: he looks to exert pressure οη the centre by fianchettoing it ίη conjunction with the ... c6-c5 break. 8 Bd3 Korchnoi's 8 Bb3 and Capablanca's 8 Be2 are other possibi1ities, but once again Ι willlimit myself to the more critical main line. 8...a6

The value of this move compared to 8 ... Bb7, which will be featured ίη our next game, is not entirely clear. Now after 9 e4 c5 10 e5 (10 d5 Bb7 11 ο-ο transposes to the next game) 10... cxd4 both 11 Ne4 and 11 Nxb51ead to very interesting and complicated play, although unfortunately coverage of these lines would go beyond the scope of this book. Grϋηfeld, though, develops more quietly. 9 ο-ο cS (Diagram 2) 3.0 a4

White needs to challenge the black queenside immediately, since otherwise Black would get easy development with moves such as ... Bb7, ... Qb6, ... Be7 and ... 0-0. 3.0 ... b4 3.3. Ne4 Bb7 3.2 Ned2

Maybe it was better to play 12 Nxf6+ because White soon encounters problems coordinating his pieces properly. Black should be okay here as well though: for example, 12... Nxf613 Qe2 cxd414 Nxd4 Bd6 15 b31eads to equal play according to Pedersen. 3.2 ... Be7 3.3 Qe2

165

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas Νονν and οη the next move White could try to cut οίί possible support for the black b-pawn with 13 a5, but even then Black can equalize without any problems. V.Korchnoi-J.Nogueiras, Wijk aan Zee 1987, continued 13 ... 0-0 14 Nc4 Qc715 h3 Bd516 Qe2 Qb717 Re1 Be418 Bd2 Bxd319 Qxd3 Rfd8 20 Qe2 Ne4 and Black had ηο problems whatsoever.

13 ...0-0 14 Rd1 a5! (Diagram 3)

Diagram 2 (W)

Diagram 3 (W)

Black has achieved everything he could dream of: easy development, a harmonious set-up and even a slight advantage ίη terms of space. 15 Nc4 QC7 16 Bd2

Better would have been a set-up with 16 b3 followed by Bb2. 16 ... Rfd8 17 Rac1 Qc6! 18 b3 Qd5 19 Be1?!

This inaccuracy allows Black to undertake a favourable transition of the position. Better would have been to take care of g2 with 19 Qf1!? ίη order to be able to answer 19 ... cxd4 with 20 Nxd4. 19 ... cxd4! 20 exd4 Rdc8! Ι

will stop here as there is nothing left to say from a theoretical standpoinl. Ι should merely point out that given Black's advantage it is ηο wonder that Rubinstein managed to emerge as the winner some 15 moves later.

Over the years the Meran Variation tumed out to 'represent an aΡΡrΟΡήate defence for an enterprising player' (Tartakower), with chances of a 'counterattack whose basis is the opponent's aggression' (Watson). However, at the end of the 1990s black players ran into some difficulties, as shown by the following game:

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21: Chaotic

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Several Respects

D B.Gelfand • E.Bareev Novgorod 1997 1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 c6 4 Nf3 Nf6 5 e3 Nbd7 6 Bd3 dxc4 7 Bd3 dxc4 8 BXC4 Bb7 9 ο-ο (Diagram 4)

Diagram 4 (W)

Diagram 5 (Β)

9... a6

Black decides to follow the course of action introduced ίη the previous game. The main altemative 9 ...b4 proves to be less promising after 10 Ne4 and now: a) 10 ... c5 tries to strike back ίη the centre without wasting a tempo οη ... a6, but the line 11 Nxf6+ gxf6 (or 11 ... Nxf6? 12 Bb5+ Nd713 Ne5 Bc8 14 Qf3 and White won ίη S.Shistariova-o.Derevyankina, Kiev 1999) 12 e4 cxd413 Nxd4 Qb614 Be3 Bc515 Bb5 (Diagram 5) leaves Black worse ίη alllines: a1) 15 ... Bxd4 is met by the simple 16 Bxd7+ Κxd7 17 Bxd4 Qd6 18 Bxf6 with more than just an extra pawn for White. a2) After 15 ... Rd8 White plays the spectacular 16 Nxe6!! and wins following 16 ... fxe6 17 Bxd7+ Ke7 (or 17... Rxd718 Qh5+ after which White wins back the piece) 18 Bxc5+ Qxc519 Qg4! Qe5 (Black can't take the bishop with either piece, as both 19 ... Rxd7 20 Qg7+ and 19 ... Kxd7 20 Rfd1 + Ke8 21 Qg7 win for White) 20 Qg7+ Kd6 21 Rfd1+ Kc7 (or 21 ... Kc5 22 Qe7+ Κb6 23 Rd6+ Ka5 24 Rd5+!) 22 Be8+. a3) 15 ... 0-0-016 a4!? (Pedersen) 16 ... Bxe4 17 a5 Qc718 Rc1 Rhg8 19 f3 Bg6 20 Qe2 and the position is a total disaster for Black. b) With 10... Be7 Black deάdes to develop his pieces first and only after 11 Nxf6+ Nxf6 12 e4 ο-ο (12 ... c5 still runs into 13 Bb5+) 13 Qe2 play 13 ... c5, even though after

167

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

14 dxc5 he has to be careful to avoid 14... Bxc5? as 15 e5 Bxf3 (15 .. .Nd516 Bxh7+ Κxh717 Qc2+ followed by Qxc5 wins a pawn) 16 Qxf3 Nd5 17 Qe4 g6 18 Bh6 Re8 19 Bb5 Re7 20 Bg5 wins the exchange. Therefore if Black wants the pawn back, he must try 14... Nd7, but after 15 c6! Bxc616 Be3 Bb717 Rfc1 Qa518 Nd4 Ne519 Nb3 Qd8 20 Bb5 a6 21 Rd1 Qb8 22 Ba4 Bc6 23 Bxc6 Nxc6 24 Rac1 Qb7 25 Bc5 White was slightly better due to his more active pieces in C.Barus-F.Bertona, Istanbul Olympiad 2000. c) Finally, Black can play 10 ... Nxe4, but after 11 Bxe4 Νί6 (ίί Black plays 11 ... Be7 then after 12 Nd2! he will have difficulties playing ... c5, as 12 ... Nf6 13 Βί3 sees White's light-squared bishop remain οη the h1-a8 diagonal) 12 Bc2 Be713 e4! ο-ο 14 e5 Nd715 Qd3 (Diagram 6) White gets a dangerous attack.

Diagram 6 (Β)

Diagram 7 (W)

For example, 15 ... g6 16 Bh6 Re8 17 Qe4 Qb6 18 Qf4 c5 19 Ba4 Bc6 20 Bxc6 Qxc6 21 dxc5 Qxc5 was seen ίη A.Chemin-F.Borkowski, Polanica Zdroj 1988, and now 22 Rac1! Qa5 23 Rfd1 Rad8 24 h4 is recommended by Chemin. After that theoretical interlude, we retum to the sharper 9 ... a6: 10 e4 c5 11 d5 QC712 dxe6 fxe6 (Diagram 7) 13 Bc2

The immediate 13 Ng5 is premature. After 13 ... Qc6 14 Βί4 c4 15 Bc2 Bc5 16 b3 Nb6! Black already had the better position ίη A.Panchenko-A.Dreev, Kazan 1997. 13 ... c4 14 Nd4 NC5 15 Be3 e5

Another try ίη this position is 15 ... 0-0-0 16 Qe2 e517 Νί3 (17 Ndxb5!? axb5 18 Nxb5 is an even sharper approach) and now: (Diagram 8) a) 17... Ncxe4? 18 Nxe4 Nxe4 19 a4! Nc5 (trying to close the queenside with 19 ...b4 doesn't help after 20 Rac1 Κb8 21 Bxe4 Bxe4 22 Bb6! Qxb6 23 Qxe4) 20 axb5 axb5 21 b3! and White cracked open the queenside like an oyster ίη J.Lautier-B.Gelfand, Amsterdam 1996.

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21: Chaotic ίπ Several Respects

Diagram 8 (Β)

Diagram 9 (Β)

b) 17... Ne6 receives a similar treatment: 18 Nd5! Nxd5 19 exd5 Bxd5 20 a4 b4 21 Rad1 g6 22 Rxd5! Rxd5 23 Be4 gave White plenty οί compensation in the form οί his control over the light squares and his attacking prospects ίη M.Krasenkowl.Schandorff, Copenhagen 1996. c) 17... b4 18 Nd5 Nxd5 19 exd5 Bxd5 20 Bg5 Re8 21 Rfd1 provides White with a strong initiative according to Lautier. d) 17... Bd6! was a new idea introduced ίη the game l.Schandorff-Cu.Hansen, Torshavn 1997. The game continued 18 Rad1 Rhe819 a4 b4 20 Nd5 Nxd5 21 exd5 e4 22 Ng5 h6 23 Qg4+ Qd7 24 Qxd7+ Rxd7 25 Bxc5 hxg5! 26 Bxd6 Rxd6 27 Rd4 Bxd5! 28 Rfd1 b3 29 Bxb3 (after 29 Bxe4 Black has 29 ... Rxe4! 30 Rxe4 Bxe4 31 Rxd6 c3!) 29 ... cxb3 30 Rxd5 Rxd5 31 Rxd5 Rd8 32 Rxd8+ Κxd8 and a drawn endgame was reached. 16 Nf3! (Diagram 9) Αη important idea. Previously 16 Νί5 had allowed Black to hold the balance: for example, 16 ...Rd8 17 Qf3 Bd6 18 Rad1 was Μ.Κrasenkοw-ΙΩlΙ, Polanica Zdroj 1996, and after 18... 0-0! 19 Qg3 Nfxe4! 20 Nxe4 Bxe4 21 Bxc5 Bxf5 22 Bxd6 Rxd6 23 Qxe5 Rd7 the game is equal according to Krasenkow.

16 ... Ncxe4

Instead 16 ... Nfxe4 17 Nxe4 Nxe4 transposes to the text, but Black must refrain from playing 16... Bxe4? 17 Nxe4 Ncxe4 18 Bxe4 Nxe4 because 19 Qd5 picks up material. Another variation runs 16 ...Rd8 17 Qe2 Be7 (17 ... Nd3!? 18 Rad1 ΒΜ 19 Bxd3 cxd3 20 Rxd3 Rxd3 21 Qxd3 Bxc3 22 Qxc3 Qxc3 23 bxc3 Nxe4 24 Rc1 is assessed as slightly better for White by NCO) 18 a4! Ncxe4!? 19 Nxe4 Bxe4 (19 ... Nxe4 20 axb5 axb5 21 Ra7 was also better for White ίη G.Flear-A.Muir, Torquay 2002) 20

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

Bxe4 Nxe4 21 axb5 axb5 22 Ra7 Qd6 (Diagram 10).

Diagram 10 (W)

Diagram 11 (Β)

Now the game B.Alterman-C.Gabriel, Bad Homburg 1997, continued spectacularly with 23 Bd4! Ng5 24 Nxe5 ο-ο 25 Nc6! Nf3+ (25 ... Qxc6 26 Qxe7 Νί7 27 Bc3 leaves Black completely tied up) 26 Qxf3!! Rxf3 27 Nxe7+ Κί8 28 Bxg7+ Ke8 (28 ... Kxg7 29 Nf5+ wins the queen and the game) 29 Nc6 and Black was toast. 17 Nxe4 Nxe4 18 Re1 Bd6

Altematively, 18 ... Bb4? is bad οη account οί 19 Bxe4 Bxe4 20 Bd2 Bxd2 21 Rxe4, after which the e-pawn drops, and after the 18 ... Rd8 οί R.Janssen-D. De Vreugt, Yerevan 1999, White should play 19 Qb1!: for example, 19 ... Nf6 20 Nxe5 Bb4 21 Bb6! and Black is destroyed. 19 Bxe4 Bxe4 20 Ng5 Bd3 21 Qf3 0-0-0

Necessary as after 21 ... Rd8, 22 Bd4! perfectly exploits the

ρίη

along the e-file.

22 Qa8+

22 Ne6!? wins the exchange, but after 22 ... Qb7 23 Qxb7+ Κxb7 24 Nxd8+ Rxd8 Black has compensation thaηks to his two bishops and the rather awkward position οί the white rooks. 22 ... Kd7 23 Qxa6 (Diagram 11)

White has regained his pawn and the black king is still ίη the centre. The next series οί moves is more or less forced. 23 ... Rb8 24 Nf7 Rhf8 25 Nxd6 Qxd6 26 Qa5 Ke6 27 f4 Ra8 28 fxe5 Rxa5

28 ... Qxe5? loses to 29 Ba7 Be2 30 Rxe2 Qxe2 31 Re1. 29 exd6 Kxd6 30 Bd2

30 b4!? would have been an interesting alternative. Black probably has to play

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21:

Chaotic

ίη

Several Respects

30... Raa8 31 Bc5+ Kd5 32 Bxf8 Rxf8, but after 33 Re7 Kd4! (threatening to invade via c3) 34 Rc1 Ra8 35 Rb7 Ke3 36 Rd1 Rxa2 (36 ... c3? loses to 37 Re7+) 37 Rxg7 White should have the better ending, even though things are still far from clear. 30 ••• Ra4 31 a3 Rf7 32 Bb4+ Kd5 33 BC3 Raa7 34 Re5+ Kc6 35 Rae1 Rad7 36 h3 Rf5 37 Re6+ Kb7 38 Re7 Rf7 39 R7e5 Kc6 40 Rg5 Rde7 41 Rxe7 Rxe7 42 Bxg7 (Diagram 12)

Diagram 12 (Β)

White has won a pawn, but the realization οί this advantage is difficu1t due to the opposite-coloured bishops. Gelfand tried hard, but had to succumb to a draw after a further 60 moves ...

Conclusion The discovery οί the Meran Variation saw Black uncover an opening unusually rich in both strategy and tactics. Looking back at the concluding game οί this chapter though, it seems that Black has problems in the main line. Or does he? Have a look at Chapter 48 ...

Conclusion

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171

Chapter 22

Overshooting the Mark The greater the ignorance, the greater the dogmatism. Sir Williarn Osler

Diagram 1 (W) Many οί Aron Nirnzowitsch's ideas were way ahead οί their tirne. While his Ιη­ dian Defences were accepted quite quickly, a key rnoνe for rnodem opening theory didn't catch οη anywhere near as rapidly, narnely 4... Ba6 in the Fianchetto ν ariation οί the Queen' s Indian Defence. '3 ...b6 airned at centralisation by ... Bb7; in order to weaken the effect οί this rnoνe

172

22: Overshooting the Mark

White played 4 g3, intending Bg2, but at the same time left his c-pawn uncovered.' That is how Nimzowitsch reasoned his idea which he introduced in a game against Emst Grϋnfeld ίη Breslau 1925. Given the present popularity οί this idea, and its rather simple explanation by Nimzowitsch, it is even more surprising that for nearly sixty years 4 ... Ba6 was neglected by general opening theory. Only in the middle οί the 1980s, during which the 1984 Karpov-Kasparov World Championship match saw both players successfully adopt 4... Ba6, did the tables tumed ίη favour οί this variation. Nimzowitsch, however, didn't get discouraged by this general ignorance. Instead he produced many beautiful games in which he adopted his ideas successfully; one οί them being the following. Ο

M.Sultan Khan • A.Nimzowitsch

Lίege

1930

1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 b6 4 g3 Ιη the whole history οί the Queen's Indian Defence, the Fianchetto Variation has always been White's main choice. Α quite logical one too, as a bishop οη g2 will not onIy oppose its counterpart οη b7, but also contest the centrallight squares e4 and d5.

4 ... Ba6 5 b3

White's main continuation. Instead 5 Bg2? completely ignores the threat and it is astounding how often it has been seen: 5 ... Bxc4 6 Nfd2 Bd51eaves Black a clear pawnahead. 5... Bb4+ 6 Bd2 (Diagram 2)

Diagram 2 (Β)

Diagram 3 (W)

173

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas 6 ... Bxd2+

The modem 6... Be7 will be examined ίη our next game. 7 Nbxd2

As the further course οί the game shows, the knight is not ideally placed οη d2. Therefore 7 Qxd2 would have been a better choice. Now Black's idea to play ... c7c5 is not feasible, but eventually he has to occupy the centre ίη some way. Therefore 7... d5 is the logical choice, but after 8 cxd5!? exd5 9 Qe3+ Qe7 10 Qxe7+ Κxe7 11 Nc3 Nbd7 12 Bh3 Rhe8 13 ο-ο White had a small edge ίη J.HjartarsonS.Agdestein, Gausda11987. 7... Bb7 8 Bg2 C5!?

Black's normal approach ίη the Queen's Indian Defence involves challenging White ίη the centre with ... d7-d5, as seen ίη the previous note, but with the white queen having lost contact with d4, the text move makes much more sense here. 9 dxc5 bXc5 10 ο-ο ο-ο

According to NCO, Black has already equalized here. 11 Re1Qe7

One can't argue with success it is said. Nevertheless, Ι don't like the plan initiated with this move. Instead Black should employ a set-up with ... d6 and ... Nc6, followed by playing down the half-open b-file. 12 Rc1 e5 13 e4?!

After this move the d4-square becomes incredibly weak. Better would have been 13 e3, after which Black needs to think about how to retain control over the weakened d5-square. 13 ... Nc6 14 Nb1 d615 Nc3 a5 16 Nd2 Nd4 (Diagram 3)

Black has planted a knight οη d4 and therefore practically eliminated his weakness οη d6. Nimzowitsch went οη to play ... a4, besieged the white a-pawn and eventually won the endgame. Nimzowitsch considered 'his' Queen's Indian Defence to be so strong that he even started to employ it with the white pieces (by playing 1 Νί3 and 2 b3). Nowadays his 4... Ba6 variation is a frequent guest ίη top-level games, and the theory οη it develops at an amazing speed, as shown by the following game.

D V.Τopalov. R.Ponomariov Sofia 2005 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 ΝΟ b6 4 g3 Ba6 5 b3 Bb4+ 6 Bd2 Be7 (Diagram 4)

This modern way οί handling the position just seems to lose a tempo, but are mat-

174

22: Oνershooting the Mark

ters so clear? Let's ask Artur Yusupov, a renowned opening expert. This is what he had to say: ι After b2-b3 the natural square for White's bishop would have been b2. Eventua11y, White wi11 try to put his bishop οη the long diagonal a11 the same, but οη c3 it is less securely placed than οη b2 and is also depriving the knight of its natural development square. On the other hand, if White brings out his knight to c3, he wi11 sti11 have to remove his bishop from d2. So it turns out that Black's manoeuvre doesn't actua11y lose a tempo at all.'

Diagram 5 (Β)

Diagram 4 (W)

7 NC3 7 Bc3 c6 8 Bg2 d5 9 Ne5 Nfd710 Nxd7 Nxd711 Nd2 ο-ο 12 ο-ο leads to another tabiya of the Queen's lηdίaη Defence. This position has been examined a great deal ίη the last two decades, resulting ίη lines that reach we11 beyond move 20. 1'11 restrict myself to giving what is considered to be the current main line: 12 ...Rc8 13 e4 c5 14 exd5 exd5 15 dxc5 dxc4 16 c6 cxb3! 17 Re1 Bb5 (also interesting is 17... b2 18 Bxb2 Nc5 which leads to unclear play according to Oleinikov) 18 axb3 Bxc619 Bxc6 Rxc6 20 Rxa7 Bf6 21 Nc4 and White's more active pieces should offer him a slight edge. 7 •.. 0-0

7... d5 would be a more direct way to oppose White White gets the better of ίΙ After 8 cxd5 we have:

ίη

the centre, but usua11y

a) 8... exd5 gains firm control over e4, but after 9 Bg2 (Diagram 5) Black's lightsquared bishop is not doing much οη the f1-a6 diagonal. There could fo11ow 9 ... 0-010 ο-ο Bb711 Rc1 Na6 12 Ne5 Qc8 13 Bg5 Rd814 f4! c5 15 e3 Nc716 f5 with a dangerous kingside initiative ίη E.Magerramov-KSakaev, St Petersburg 1992.

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

b) 8 ... Nxd5 is more dynamic, but unfortunately Black is not able to put the white centre under sufficient pressure. After 9 e4 Nxc3 10 Bxc3 Bb7 (exchanging the bishop with 10 ... Bxf1 only favours White: the fact that White cannot castle anymore after 11 Κxf1 carries ηο weight as the king can be safely moved to g2; in retum Black misses his bishop which is a key defender οί the light squares) 11 Qc2 ο-ο 12 Bg2 Nd713 ο-ο c5 14 d5 exd5 15 exd5 ΒΕ6 (taking the pawn with 15 ... Bxd5 is not good at alIι as after 16 Rad1 Be617 Ne5 Rc8 18 Nc6 Qe819 Nxa7 White wins his pawn back and remains with much the better position due to the placement οί his two bishops) 16 Rad1 Re817 Rfe1 Rxe1+ 18 Bxe1 ΝΕ819 Bc3 Qd6 20 Nd2 Bxc3 21 Qxc3 Rd8 22 Nc4 White safely protected his passed pawn and went οη to win in P.Nikolic-A.Sokolov, Reykjavik 1988.

8 Rcl!? (Diagram 6)

Diagram 6 (Β)

Diagram 7 (Β)

This move is Topalov's trademark in place οί the more standard 8 Bg2 and 8 e4. 8 •••c6

This had been recommended by Dimitri Tyomkin in ChessBase Magazine 105, but Topalov comes up with a strong improvement. Naturally, many other moves have been tried here as well: a) The correct treatment οί 8 ... d5 should be familiar by now: 9 Bg2 Re8 10 ο-ο Nbd711 cxd5 exd512 Ne5 Bb713 ΒΕ4 and White has a slight advantage. b) 8 ... c5 runs into a typical motif in the Queen's Indian with 9 Bg2 Bb710 d5 exd5 11 ΝΜ! (Diagram 7). Ιη

T.Polak-G.Papp, Bmo 2006, Black tried to solve his problems with 11 ... Ne4 12 Nxd5 Bxd5 13 cxd5 Nd6, but after 14 ΒΕ4 Ε5 (Black couldn't allow the white knight to reach Ε5) 15 Qd3 g6 16 ο-ο White was much better.

176

22: Oνershooting the Mark

c) 8 ... Bb7 9 Bg2 d5 10 cxd5 leads to positions similar to those from the note to Black's 7th move. After 10 ... exd5 11 ο-ο Nbd7 (or 11 ... Na6 12 Βί4 Re8 13 Ne5 c5 14 Nb5 with a white advantage ίη L.Van Wely-J.Timman, London 2007) 12 Qc2 Re8 13 Βί4 c6 (Black had to prevent 14 Nb5) 14 Qb2 Νί8 15 Rfdl Ng616 Bg5 h617 Bxf6 Bxf6 18 b4 Black lacked counterplay ίη R.Kempinski-G.schmidt, Dresden 2007. d) The best move ίη this position seems to be the annoying 8... Ba3!? Naturally the rook doesn't want to leave the c-file, but after 9 Rc2 Nc6 White has to cope with the threat οί 10 ... Nb4. The game I.lbragimov-A.Ivanov, Stillwater 2007, continued 10 Bcl Bb4 11 Bg2 Bxc3+ 12 Rxc3 Nb4 13 Ba3 c5 14 Ne5 Rc8 15 ο-ο Qc7 16 Bxb4 cxb4 17 Rc2 Bb718 ί3 a5 19 e4 d6 and Black had a solid position.

9 e4 d5 10 e5! Ne4 11 Bd3 (Diagram 8)

Diagram 8 (Β)

Diagram 9 (Β)

11... NxC3?! Surprising though it may be, this move could already be the decisive mistake. Hardly better is 11 ... f512 exf6 Nxf613 Qe2 when White has a significant edge due to the weakness οί Black' s e-pawn, but 11 ... Nxd2 12 Qxd2 ί6 13 ο-ο Nd7 is a more critical test. 12 RXC3! It would seem more natural to recapture with the bishop, but as the game will show, this bishop is needed οη the diagonal where it is currently employed. 12 ...c5 Black needs to get counterplay quickly if he doesn't want to be crushed οη the kingside. 13 dxc5 bxc5 14 h4

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

This move prepares a classic bishop sacrifice οη h7. Ι guess Ponomariov thought that he should prevent the worst, but he was ίη ίοι a surprise. 14... h6?

14 ... Qc7! would be a more tenacious defence. Now 15 Bxh7+? does not work because οί 15 ... Κxh716 Ng5+ Kg817 Qh5 Qxe5+ 18 Kf1 Qf5 when there is ηο mate. Instead 15 Kf1!? is recommended by Sergey Shipov, but after 15 ... h616 Bb1 Nd7 17 Qc2 ί518 exf6 Nxf619 Bxh6 Ne4 the position is a total mess. 15 Bb1 f5

15 ... Nd7 was given as best defence by Topalov, but after the crushing 16 Bxh6! gxh617 Qc2 ί518 exf6 Rxf619 Qh7+ Κί8 20 Ng5! Black is busted. 16 exf6 Bxf617 QC2 d4

17... Bxc3 18 Bxc3 d4 19 Qh7+ Κf7 20 Qg6+ Ke7 gives White a decisive attack.

(οι

20 ... Kg8 21 Ne5) 21 Nxd4! also

18 Ng5! (Diagram 9) 18... hxg5

Instead 18 ... Bxg5 19 Qh7+ Κί7 20 Bxg5! hxg5 21 Rf3+ reveals the merits οί 12 Rxc3! 19 hxg5 dxC3 20 Bf4

Equally good would be the forcing 20 Rh8+ Κf7 21 Qg6+ Ke7 22 gxf6+ gxf6 23 Rh7+ Kd6 24 Βί4+ Kc6 25 Qe4+ Κb6 26 Bc7+ Qxc7 27 Rxc7 Κxc7 28 Qxa8, but the text move wins even more quickly. 20... Kf7

20 ... Bd4 is met by 21 Qg6! when the mating threat οί 22 Rh8+ is hard to meet. 21 Qg6+ Ke7 22 gxf6+ Rxf6 23 Qxg7+ Rf7 24 Bg5+ Kd6 25 Qxf7 Qxg5 26 Rh7! (Diagram 10)

Diagram 10 (Β)

178

22: Overshooting the Mark 26 ...QeS+

After 26 ... Qc1+ White evades the checks with 27 Ke2 Qd2+ 28 Κί3 Qd1+ 29 Kg2. 27 Kf1 Kc6 28 Qe8+ Kb6 29 Qd8+ Kc6 30 Be4+! 1-0

Black will be mated by 31 Qc7.

Α

terrific attacking game from Topalov!

Conclusion It took a long time, but finally Nimzowitsch's 4 ... Ba6 has found its place ίη the

annals οί chess theory. And not only that, because three-quarters οί a century after its invention it remains one οί the key battlegrounds οί top-level chess. Conclusion

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179

Chapter 23

Catalunya Triumphant! Let the enemy tremble on seeing our banner. Els Segadors (National Anthem οί Catalonia)

Diagram 3. (Β) Catalans are known for their distinctive sense οί nationality. Indeed, one can only surmise their joy when at the 1929 Barcelona toumament Savielly Tartakower played a supposedly new system (1 d4 followed by 2 g3) ίη five games and named it after the region. ΒΥ ηο means do Ι intend to begrudge them this honour, but for historical reasons Ι' d like to show that the opening set-up so typical for the Cata-

180

23: Catalunya Triumphant! lan Opening (which consists οί the opening moves d4, Νί3, g3, Bg2, ηο particular order) had already been played ίη the 19th Century.

ο-ο

and c4 ίη

D J.Blackburne • J.Baird Leipzig 1894 1 d4 d5 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 g3 e6 4 Bg2 Be7 5 ο-ο ο-ο 6 c4

With a clear conscience, this can be considered the standard position οί the Catalan Opening. The position normally arises after the moves 1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Νί3 Νί64 g3 Be7 5 Bg2 ο-ο 6 ο-ο, but as already mentioned, the Catalan is a rather fluent opening that is reached by transposition quite often. 6 ... c6 (Diagram

2)

Besides the text move, Black has a couple οί minor alternatives at his disposal: a) The idea behind 6 ... Na6 is revealed after 7 Nc3 dxc4 8 Ne5 c5 9 dxc5 Nxc5 when Black is able to take οη c5 with the knight. However, after the simple 10 Nxc4 practice has shown that the Catalan bishop οη g2 makes life difficult for Black. b) 6... Ne4 is a try to erect a Stonewall, but after 7 Nc3 ί5 8 Qb3 the centralized black knight is rather exposed. Following 8 ... c6 9 Ne5 White threatens to play f2-f3 followed by breaking with e2-e4 sooner rather than later. Black' s main move, 6... dxc4, will be examined ίη our next game.

Diagram 2 (W)

Diagram 3 (Β)

7 NC3

7 Qc2 is playable as well, even though White has to be precisely ίη order to claim an advantage: for example, 7...b6 8 b3 (should White employ the standard plan to

181

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

occupy the centre with 8 Nbd2?! Bb79 e4, Black can play 9 ... Na6!?, intending ... Nb4 and/or ... c5 with counterplay according to Marin) 8... Bb7 9 Nc3 and now ίη the case οί 9 ... Na6, White should play 10 Rd1 ίη order to prevent the previously outlined counterplay. Play could continue 10... c5 11 cxd5 exd5 12 Βί4 Qd7 13 Be5 h614 ΝΜ with a good game for White ίη M.Marin-G.Bagaturov, Batumi 1999.

7... Nfd7?! Instead 7...b6 is meant to solve the problem οί the light-squared bishop, but after 8 Ne5 Ba6 (8 ... Nfd7? runs into 9 cxd5! cxd5 - or 9... Nxe5 10 dxe5 cxd5 11 Nxd5 - 10 Nxd5) 9 cxd5 cxd5 10 Βί4 the bishop does not do much οη the f1-a6 diagonal. According to Marin, Black is still far from equality. 7... Nbd7 is the main move ίη this position. Now White has a variety οί moves, οί which the most popular is 8 b3. There are then many further branches, but as an example Ι would like to mention 8... b6 9 Bb2 Ba6 10 Nd2 Rc8 11 e4 dxe412 Ncxe4 (Diagram 3) with a difficult position for Black. For example, 12 ... c5?! 13 dxc5 Nxc5 (13 ...bxc5 would be the lesser evil) 14 Nxf6+ Bxf615 Bxf6 Qxf616 b4 and Black must lose material. Ιη general Black's position is rather cramped should he not take οη c4, which is the main reason why 6 ... dxc4 is almost exclusively played at the top level. The text move, while looking strange, actually does contain an idea: Black seeks to meet White's queenside initiative with a counter-strike ίη the centre. Alas, he fails spectacularly. 8 Qb3 Qb6 9 c5 Qxb3 10 axb3 e5 11 b4 Bf6 12 e3 (Diagram 4)

Diagram 4 (Β)

Diagram 5 (Β)

The problem with Black's set-up is that he cannot exert enough pressure οη White's centre, which just leaves him with a congested queenside. With his next

182

23: Catalunya Triumphant!

move Baird tries to get rid into Blackburne' s hands.

οί

at least one problem piece, but this just plays right

12 ... Na613 b5 Nb414 Ra4 Nd3 15 Rd1 Nxcl16 Rxc1 exd417 exd4 cxb5 18 Nxb5

Now Black was unable to parry the simple threat οί 19 Nc7, winning the d-pawn, after which White converted his advantage with some ease.

Catalan Torture You hαve two choices αgαinst Krαmnik's Either wαy, you die. Mig Greengard

Cαtαlαn:

the long squeeze or the risky breαkout.

The Catalan eventually became popular ίη the late 1930s, but as general defensive techniques began to improve, the opening came under a cloud as it began to be considered a rather drawish opening. Only οη rare occasions was it seen ίη Candidates or World Championship matches, and even then it was rather considered as a sign that the players wanted to take a day off. Only Vladimir Kramnik' s adoption οί the Catalan at the end οί the 1990s brought the opening back into favour. Nowadays it is fully accepted as an opening system with which White can hope to achieve more than an easy draw, and other grandmasters, including Levon Aronian and Boris Gelfand to name just two, have followed Kramnik's example and employ the opening with success. Naturally it won't be possible to explain a11 the nuances οί this complex opening, but the least Ι can do is to give you a foretaste. For this purpose, Ι' d like to show a game from the recent World Championship toumament.

D V.Kramnik • P.Leko Mexico City World Championship 2007 1

d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 g3 d5 4 Bg2 Be7 5 Nf3 ο-ο 6 ο-ο dxc4

This popular move is about the only way to avoid cramped positions as Black. 7 Qc2 (Diagram 5) 7 ... a6

Altematively: a) Trying to hold οη to the pawn with 7...b5? does not work at a11, because οί 8 a4 c69 axb5 cxb510 Ng5 when Black cannot save his rook as 10 ... Nd5 runs into 11 Qxh7mate! b) 7... Bd7, ίη order to transfer the bishop to the h1-a8 diagonal is another idea, but here the simple 8 Ne5 Bc6 9 Nxc6 Nxc6 10 e3 Na5 11 Bd2 c5 12 Qa4 Nc6 13 dxc5 Bxc514 Qxc4 gives White a comfortable edge ίη the form οί his bishop-pair.

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c) Equally preferable for White is 7... c5 8 dxc5 Qc7 9 Qxc4 Qxc5 10 Qxc5 Bxc5 11 Ne5 with advantage due to the Catalan bishop. 8 Qxc4 b5 9 Qc2 Bb7 :1.0 Bd2 Unlike both 10 Bg5 and 10 Βί4, in recent years the text move has been almost ίη­ variably played. It looks a bit strange as it blocks the path for the queen's knight, but White's idea is to bring the bishop to a5 ίη order to exert pressure against Black' s backward c-pawn. :l.0 ... Be4

Alternatively, 10 ... Nbd7 11 Ba5 (Diagram 6) reveals the point behind 10 Bd2.

Diagram 6 (Β)

Diagram 7 (w)

Black has many ways to take care οί his c-pawn, but none οί them are satisfactory: a) 11 ... Nb6 is problematic due to the ρίη along the a5-d8 diagonal should the cpawn move at some ροίηΙ b) 11 ...Bd6 also has its drawbacks. After 12 Nbd2 Black has to think οί something ίη order to prevent e2-e4 followed by e4-e5. c) 11 ... Rc812 Nbd2 Qe8 (unpinning the c-pawn ίη order to enable ... c7-c5) 13 b4 and even though White's dark-squared bishop is temporarily cut οίί from the game, the black queenside is fixed and ίη the long run Black has to detach a piece to protect his c-pawn while White can work οη the occupation οί the centre. Oηe possible example to show how the game might continue was 13 ... Bd6 14 Rfe1 Qe7 15 a3 Rfe816 Rac1 Qf817 e4 e518 dxe5 Nxe519 Nxe5 Bxe5 20 Nb3 Bd6 21 ί4 with a clear advantage ίη V.Korchnoi-M.Ballmann, Swiss League 2007. Ι

should also mention that 10 ... Nc6 is another altemative, even though it is too complex to cover ίη greater detail at this ροίηΙ

184

23: Catalunya Triumphant! 11 QC1 Qc8 12 Bg5 Nbd7 (Diagram 7) 13 Qf4!? Α

new move and one which certainly came as a surprise to Leko. Prior to this game, 13 Nbd2 was usually played. One example being Z.Medvegy-M.Boriss, German League 2006, ίη which after 13 ... Bb714 Nb3 c5 15 dxc5 Nxc516 Bxf6 gxf6 17 Na5 Bd5 18 Nd4 Ne4 19 Qf4 ί5 20 Rac1 Qd7 21 Rc7 Qd6 22 Bxe4 Bxe4 23 Ndc6 Qxf4 24 Nxe7+ Κh8 25 Ng6+ (οί course not 25 gxf4?? Rg8+ 26 Nxg8 Rxg8 mate!) 25 ... hxg6 26 gxf4 Rac8 27 Rfc1 Rxc7 28 Rxc7 White had achieved a small endgame advantage. 13 ... Bb7

After long thought Leko refrained from 13 ... c5, which seems to be the critical continuation. White's most natural reply is 14 Rc1 c4 15 b3 when the c-pawn comes under siege. 14 RC1 Bd615 Qh4 h6 16 Bxf6 Nxf6 17 Nbd2

White has a slight advantage in terms οί development and has managed to prevent the freeing move ... c7-c5. The οηlΥ thing left to do is to find a way to coordinate the queen with White's other pieces. 17 ... Re8 18 e4 (Diagram 8)

Diagram 8 (Β)

Diagram 9 (Β)

18 ... Nd7!

Opposing White in the centre with 18 ... e5 illustrates another common problem. After 19 dxe5 Bxe5 20 Nxe5 Rxe5 21 Qf4 Re722 Qe3 the dark squares οη the queenside, especially c5, are incredibly weak. 19 Nb3 a5

Preventing the white knight from jumping to a5, which would have been inconvenient after 19... e5?! 20 Na5!.

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

20 Nc5! Be7

Capturing the knight with either piece results ίη an uncornfortable position for Black as he encounters problerns with his light-squared bishop. 21 Qf4 e5

With this rnove Black does win the exchange, but as cornpensation White gets very active pieces. 22 Nxe5 Nxe5 23 dxe5 Bg5 24 Qf3 Bxc125 Rxc1 Rxe5 26 Qc3 f6?!

Probably better would have been 26 ... Re7, because after 27 Nxb7 Qxb7 28 e5 Qa7 29 Bxa8 Qxa8 the reduced rnaterial would have enabled Black to fight for the draw. 27 Qb3+ Kh8?!

27 ... Κh7 would have been better since 28 Qf7 Bc6 29 Nd3 Be8 30 Qf8 at least does not corne with check. However, even then after 30 ... Rg5 31 h4 Rg4 32 Bf3 White still has significant cornpensation for the exchange. 28 Qf7! (Diagram 9)

With the threats of 29 Nxb7 and 29 Nd3 followed by 30 Rxc7. 28 ... Bc6 29 Nd3 Re6

As already outlined in the note to Black's 27th rnove, 29 ... Be8? is irnpossible because of 30 Qf8+ Κh7 31 Nxe5. 30 Nf4 Rd6 31 Ng6+ Kh7 32 e5

The

deάsίve

rnove, which wins rnaterial for White.

32 ...fxe5 33 Bxc6 Rf6 34 Qd5 Qf5 35 Bxa8 Qxf2+ 36 Kh1 Qxb2 37 QC5 Kxg6 38 Be4+ Kh5 39 Rb11-0

Conclusion The Catalan Opening rernains one of White' s better opening choices. Playing it does not always result ίη an advantageous position, but it does allow White to play safely for the full point without too rnuch risk of losing. Conclusion

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t t t tttt ttttt ttttt

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Creatiνity Value

186

Chapter 24

Riding the Razor Blade 1f you ρΙaΥ Botvinnik, it is even alarming to see him write his move down. Slightly shortsighted, he stoops over his scoresheet and devotes his entire attention to recording the move in the most beautifully clear script; one feels that an explosion would not distract him and that examined through α microscope not an irregularity would appear. When he wrote down 1 c2-c4 against me, 1felt like resigning. Conel Hugh O'Donel Alexander

Diagram 1 (W)

Successful opening preparation ίη this day and age largely depends ση engines

187

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

and databases. Some chess players are just satisfied with keeping υρ with the latest developments ίη their respective opening systems, while others use the aforementioned instruments as tools to sharpen their weaponry. The latter type is especially defined by Garry Kasparov ίη the late 1990s: equipped with the latest engines and his loyal second Yuri Dokhoian, Kasparov analysed his opening lines ίη huge detail, which sometimes led to games ίη which the end had already been analysed at home (one example being his game with Kramnik from Chapter 18). Obviously things were different ίη the pre-computer era when the efforts οί Mikhail Botvinnik deserve special mention. Besides analysing his opening systems ίη great detail, Botvinnik also played a significant number οί secret training games ίη which he put his ideas to the test. The following game was one οί those, ίη which Botvinnik tried out an especial1y sharp line. Ο

V.Ragozin • M.Botvinnik

Leningrad 1941 1 d4 dS 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 Nf3 c6 5 Bgs dxc4 6 e4 bS 7 eS h6 8 Bh4 gs 9 NxgS hxgs Ιη

the years before Botvinnik turned his attention to his system, the move 9 ... Nd5?! had been played almost exclusively ίη this position, not that it scored particularly well. White's best way to continue is 10 Nxf7 Qxh411 Nxh8 Bb412 a3! Nxc3 13 Qf3 Qxd4 14 Qh5+ Kd8 15 axb4 Qe4+ 16 Be2 Nxe2 17 Qxe2 Qh718 Qd2+ Ke8 19 ο-ο Qxh8 20 Rfd1 Bd7 21 Qd6 Κί7 22 Ra3 with a clear advantage. 10 BxgS Nbd7 (Diagram 2)

Diagram 2 (W)

11 exf6 Bb7 12 Be2?!

188

Diagram 3 (W)

24: Riding the Razor Blade

This move is not very good, but this is easy to say after many years οί experience and analysis. The bishop belongs instead οη g2 as we will see ίη the remainder οί this chapter. 12 •.• Qb6 13 ο-ο After 13 Qd2 c5! 14 d5 0-0-0 15 Rd1 b4 16 Na4 Qa617 dxe6 Qxe6 we have a position which is quite similar to the main lines, except for the fact that White' s bishop is not opposing its colleague along the h1-a8 diagonal. Instead 13 Bh5 is a try to prevent Black from castling queenside, but Black has other ideas as shown by 13 ... b4 14 Ne4 c5 when his light-squared bishop comes to life. 13 ••. 0-0-0 14 Μ?! 14 a4 was played ίη A.Denker-M.Botvinnik, USA-USSR radio match 1946, but after 14 ...b4 15 Ne4 c5 Botvinnik again had the better position. 14..• Bh6! 15 a4 Bxg516 hxg5 b417 Ne4 Οί course not 17 a5? as due to the threat οί 18 ... Qh2 mate, White loses a piece after 17... Qc7.

17 •.. c5 18 a5 QC7 19 Ng3 Ne5 (Diagram 3) ΑΙΙ Black' s pieces occupy ideal positions. 20 a6 Bc6 21 QC1 Rxd4 22 Qe3 Rdh4! Black has already obtained a winning position and now starts to move ίη via the open h-file. Botvinnik eventually invaded via the second rank and collected enough material to force resignation after some ten more moves. Later Mikhail Tal adopted Botvinnik's system, which resulted ίη a boom for the opening ίη Latvia. Besides Tal, Latvian players like Vladimir Bagirov and Alexander Shabalov have analysed the many complicated lines and made many valuable contributions to the theory οί the Botvinnik Variation. However, the most prominent Latvian exponent οί the opening has been Alexei Shirov, who ίη his book Fire on Board admitted that he has always been attracted by 'the complexity οί the Botvinnik Variation'. The following game is one οί the more spectacular examples οί his artistry: Ο R.Ponomarioν •

A.Shiroν

Wijk aan Zee 2003

1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 Nf3 c6 5 Bg5 dxc4 6 e4 b5 7 e5 h6 8 Bh4 g5 9 Nxg5 hxg5 10 Bxg5 Nbd7 11 g3 This constitutes a critical move for the whole variation. The immediate 11 exf6 gives Black the option to play 11 ... Bb712 g3 c513 d5 Nxf6!? (Diagram 4) (13 ... Qb6 14 Bg2 0-0-0 15 ο-ο transposes to our main game) when two οί the leading expo-

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

nents οί the Botvinnik, Loek Van Wely and Alexei Shirov, think that Black has enough possibilities to equalize:

Diagram 4

(W)

Diagram 5 (Β)

14 Bg2 Be7 15 ο-ο Nxd5 16 Bxe7 Kxe7 17 Nxb5 Qb6 18 Na3 and now 18 ... Rh4!! was a shocking novelty introduced by Kramnik ίη his 1993 game against Van Wely ίη Biel. The game continued 19 Qd2! and now instead οί 19 ... Rd4? 20 Qg5+ Νί6 21 Bxb7 Rg8 22 Qe5 Nd7 23 Qe2 Qxb7 24 Nxc4 when Black was just a pawn down, he should have played 19 ... Nf4! (played by Topalov later ίη the same toumament against Lembit 011) 20 Nxc4 Qa6 21 Rfc1 Rg8 and ίη R.Ruck-D.Pavasovic, Sibenik 2007, White could see nothing better than taking the draw with 22 Bxb7 Qxb7 23 Qd6+ Κί6 24 Qe5+ Ke7 25 Qd6+. 11... Bb7

Another option for Black is 11 ... Rg8. Then after 12 h4 (both 12 ΒΜ and 12 Bxf6 should make Black quite happy) 12 ... Rxg5 13 hxg5 Nd5 Black has two pieces for the rook. Ιη the long run that is undoubtedly an advantage, but White can attack immediately οη the kingside with 14 g6 fxg6 15 Qg4. Theoretically speaking Black may get some counterplay after 15 ... Qe7 16 Qxg6+ Qf7 17 Qxf7+ Κxf7 18 Bg2, but practically this ending has been scoring quite well for White. Ι certainly wouldn't like to face those white pawns once they get going. 12 Bg2 Qb6 13 exf6 0-0-0 14 ο-ο c5 15 d5 b4 16 Na4 (Diagram 5) 16 ...Qb5

16 ... Qa6 is another important try. Following 17 a3! White should be able to get an advantage: 17... Bxd518 Bxd5 Ne5 19 Qe2 Rxd5 20 axb4 cxb4 21 Nc3 and now both 21 ... Qc6 22 Nxd5 Qxd5 23 ί3 Bc5+ 24 Kg2 Nd3 and 21 ... Ra5 22 Rxa5 Qxa5 23 Ne4 Nd3 24 Be3 lead to complicated positions that are still unresolved from a theoretical standpoint, but have yielded good results for the first player.

190

24: Riding the Razor Blade 17 a3

17 dxe6 was preferred ίη P.Nikolic-A.Shirov, Wijk aan Zee 1993, but 17... Bxg2 18 Kxg2 Qc6+ 19 ί3 Qxe6 20 Qc2 Ne5 21 Rae1 Rd4 22 h4 Bd6 results ίη a position which Shirov describes as a 'dream position for the Botvinnik player" with plenty οί compensation for the small material deficit. 17... exd5

Altematively, 17... Ne5 18 axb4 cxb4 19 Qd4 Nc6 20 dxc6 Rxd4 21 cxb7+ should lead to a winning attack for White: 21 ... Kc7 22 Be3 e5 23 Nc3 bxc3 24 bxc3 and Black was ίη great danger ίη G.Kamsky-V.Kramnik, 1st matchgame, New York 1994. 18 axb4 cxb4 19 Be3 Nc5

Black needs to exchange some pieces in order to get his pawn mass side moving.

οη

the queen-

20 Qg4+ Rd7 21 Qg7!? (Diagram 6)

Diagram 6 (Β)

Diagram 7 (w)

This spectacular move was introduced by Ivanchuk in 1996.1t was initially considered highly promising, but has now lost much οί its bite. 21 ... Bxg7 22 fxg7 Rg8 23 NXC5 Rxg7!

Instead 23 ... d4 24 Bxb7+ Rxb7 25 Nxb7 Qb6 26 Bxd4 Qxd4 27 Rfd1 was better for White ίη the stem game V.Ivanchuk-A.Shirov, Wijk aan Zee 1996. 24 Nxd7

After 24 Bh3 ί5 25 Bxf5 Rgf7 26 Bg4 (26 Bxd7+ loses to 26 ... Rxd7 27 Nxd7 d4!! 28 Bxd4 Qd5 29 ί3 Qxd4+ 30 Kg2 Qxd7) 26 ... Rg7 27 Bh3 λλ7 28 Be6 Rhe7 29 Bh3 λλ7 the bishop gets perpetually harassed and a draw is likely.

191

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas 24 ...Qxd7 25 Rxa7

Only now did the game real1y begin as book.

οηlΥ

after this move was Shirov out of

25 ... Rg6!! (Diagram 7) Αη extremely important move. Black wants to exchange pieces and to take care of White's dark-squared bishop which is often a nuisance when deployed to the blockading d4-square.

26 Rfa:l.

Fol1owing the superior 26 Rd1 Ra6 27 Rxa6 Bxa6 28 Rxd5 Qa4 White probably has to be content with a perpetual with 29 Bh3+ Kc7 30 Bf4+ Κb6 31 Be3+ Kc7. 26 ... Re6 27 Bd4 Re2

With the idea of playing ... Rd2 bishop. 28

ίη

order to get rid of the powerful dark-squared

h4 Rd2 29 Be3 Rxb2 30 R:l.a5 b3! 3:1. RC5+

According to Shirov, 31 Ra8+ was probably the best practical chance, even though after 31 ... Bxa8 32 Rxa8+ Κb7 33 Ra7+ Kc6 34 Rxd7 Kxd7 35 h5 Rb1+! 36 Κh2 b2 37 h6 Rh1+! 38 Bxh1 b1Q 39 Bxd5 c3 Black retains excel1ent winning chances. 3:1. ... Kd8

Shirov now managed to bring his king to safety and to convert his queenside pawns into the ful1 ροίηΙ

Uncertain Times Ιη recent years Shirov has tumed away from the Botvinnik Variation, which may be explained by the fact that the scales are currently tipped ίη White's favour, due ίη ηο smal1 part to the fol1owing game.

Ο L.Van Wely • J.Smeets

Dutch Championship, Leeuwarden 2005 :Ι. d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 Nf3 c6 5 Bg5 dxc4 6 e4 b5 7 e5 h6 8 Bh4 g5 9 Nxg5 hxg5

:1.0 Bxg5 Nbd7 :1.:1. g3 Bb7 :1.2 Bg2 Qb6 :1.3 exf6 0-0-0 :1.4 ο-ο c5 :1.5 d5 b4 :1.6 Rb:l.! (Diagram 8)

For the time being this constitutes the criticalline against the Botvinnik System. The move seems a bit strange, as normal1y the rook is needed οη the a-file, but it does have the advantage that the white knight can stay οη c3. That's because Black cannot real1y take the knight as then the white rook wil1 invade down the b-file: 16...bxc3? 17 bxc3 Qa6 18 Rxb7 Qxb719 dxe6 and Black is ίη huge trouble. :l.6... Qa6 :1.7 dxe6 Bxg2 :1.8 e7 Bxf:l. :1.9 Qd5 Bh6 20 Bxh6 Bd3 2:1. Qa8+ Nb8 22

192

24: Riding the Razor Blade exd8Q+ Rxd8 23 Re3. bXC3 24 Bf4 Qb6 25 bxc3 Bf5 (Diagram 9)

Diagram 8 (Β)

Diagram 9 (W)

We have followed a critical1ine that was first played ίη Z.AzmaiparashviliA.Shirov, Madrid 1996, and was long considered to give Black equality. What Ι especially 1ike about this game is Van Wely's smug comment: '5meets simply follows a long line played by Shirov which was considered to be drawn; a bit naive to think that Ι was happy to make a draw with White against a significantly lowerrated player like Smeets" 26 f3!

It is nice to know that there are still novelties to be found by deductive reasoning instead of by running a computer program. The advantage οί 26 ί3 (compared to 26 h4) is that it allows White to gain a further tempo for the advancement οί his pawns. 26 h4 was the move played ίη the aforementioned Azmaiparashvi1i-Shirov game, which continued 26 ... Qb7! 27 Qxb7+ Κxb7 28 Re7+ Rd7 29 Bxb8 Kxb8 30 Rxd7 Bxd7 31 Kg2 Kc7 (Shirov had analysed the ending until the end) 32 Κί3 Kd6 33 Κί4 Bc6 34 Kg5 Βί3 35 Κί5 Kd5 36 g4 Kd6 37 h5 Kd5 38 Κί4 Bd139 Kg5 Βί3 40 Κί4 Bd141 Kg5 Βί3 42 Κί4 and the players agreed to a draw. 26 ... Be6

26 ... Qb7 27 Qxb7+ Κxb7 reveals the idea behind 26 ί3: 28 g4 Bg6 (28 ... Be6 29 Rb1+ Ka8 30 Bxb8 Rxb8 31 Rxb8+ Kxb8 32 h4 also wins) 29 Re7+ Ka6 30 h4 Nc6 31 Rc7 Rd1+ 32 Κί2 Nd8 33 h5 and Black won't be able to stop White's pawns. 27 g4 Bd5 28 Qxb8+ Qxb8 29 Bxb8 Κxb8 30 Kf2 Kc7 33. h4 Rd6 32 Re7+ Rd7 33

h5 3.-0

Conclusion Currently the Botvinnik Variation is unfashionable at the highest level, but that

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

doesn't necessarily spell trouble. Indeed, I'm quite confident that many ideas remain to be discovered which will rehabilitate the system completely.

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Chapter 25

Infringing a Dogma An attack on the flank is met by α counterattack in the center; especially if the center is not fixed. DanHeisman

Diagram 1 (Β) The Scheveningen Variation, which is named οη account of its use ίη the 1923 Scheveningen toumament and which is most commonly defined by the move order 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 e6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 d6, is one of the most strategical and tactically profound variations of the Sicilian Defence. Its essential characteris-

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

tic is a 'small' pawn centre, consisting of two pawns οη e6 and d6 which are used to guard the central squares c5 thorough to f5. Ιη the classicallines of the Scheveningen, White usually makes use of his slight spatial advantage to go after the black king ίη the middlegame. Normally one would have to make careful preparations for such an endeavour. However, since White is going to storm the kingside with his pawns ίη any case, why not begin doing so immediately? This is probably what Paul Keres thought when he played the following game. Ο

P.Keres • E.Bogoljubow

Salzburg 1943 1 e4 (5 2 Ne2 e6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 NC3 d6 6 g4!

At first sight this seems to be an audacious move since the centre is far from fixed. However, there is more to it than meets the eye, as we will see. 6 ... Nc6

Probably best, as Black strikes back ίη the centre. Altematives worth mentioning are: a) 6... d5?! puts into practice the standard idea of meeting a wing attack with a counter-thrust ίη the centre, but here White has a convincing response: 7 exd5 Nxd5 8 Bb5+ Bd7 9 Nxd5 exd5 10 Qe2+ Be7 11 Nf5! (Diagram 2).

Diagram 2 (Β)

Diagram 3 (Β)

The game A.Nikitin-A.Cherepkov, Moscow 1958, continued 11 ... Κf8 12 Bxd7 Nxd7 13 Bf4 Qa5+ 14 c3 Re8 15 Nxe7 Qc5 16 Be3 Qxe717 0-0-0 and White had a clear positional advantage.

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25: Infringing a Dogma

b) Ι don't like 6... e5 7 Bb5+ Bd7 8 Bxd7+ Qxd7 9 Nf5 which allows White to play for control οί the d5-square. c) 6... h6 merely makes matters worse after 7 h4 Nc6 8 Rg1 (Diagram 3) and then: c1) After 8...h5 White does best to take the pawn: 9 gxh5 (9 g5 Ng4 10 Be2 g6 11 Nxc6 bxc612 Bxg4 hxg413 Qxg4 Bg714 Bd2 Qb6 gives Black Dragon-like compensation) 9 ...Nxh5 10 Bg5 Νί6 and now a notable idea is 11 Rg3!? a6 12 Rd3. L.Yudasin-H.Gruenberg, Νονί Sad Olympiad 1990, continued 12 ... Qb6 13 Nb3 Ne514 Rd4 Ng615 Qe2 e516 Bxf6 gxf617 Nd5 Qd818 Rc4 with an overwhelming position. c2) 8... d5 9 exd5 Nxd5 10 Nxd5 Qxd5 11 Bg2 Qe5+ 12 Be3 Bd7 (12 ... Nb4 13 Qe2 Nd5 14 Bxd5 Qxd5 150-0-0 Bd716 Κb1 Rc8 17 Nb3 Qc4 18 Qd2 Qa4 19 Bd4 was clearly better for White ίη V.Tseshkovsky-P.Stempin, Halle 1984) 13 Nxc6 Bxc614 Bxc6+ bxc6 15 Qd4 is an ending which Black should avoid according to Kasparov. d) 6... a6 prepares ...b5 ίη order to oppose White οη the h1-a8 diagonal. However, this gives White ample time to build a dangerous kingside initiative after 7 g5 Nfd7 8 Be3 b5 9 a3!. With this key move the black pawns οη the queenside are fixed, after which 9 ... Bb7 10 h4 Nb6 11 h5 N8d7 12 g6! hxg6 13 hxg6 Rxh1 14 gxf7+ Kxf7 15 Qf3+ Qf6 16 Qxh11eft White better ίη M.Adams-Cu.Hansen, Wijk aan Zee 1991. Retuming to 6 ... Nc6: 7 gs (Diagram 4)

Diagram 4 (Β)

Diagram 5 (Β)

7... Nxd4?! This exchange tums out to be premature. Instead 7... Nd7 is obviously critical. Now 8 Be3 is the main move and after 8 ... Be7 9 Rg1 a6 there is again 10 Rg3!?: fol-

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

lowing 10 ... Qc7 11 Qh5 g6 12 Qe2 b5 13 0-0-0 White is slightly for preference. 8 Qxd4 Nd7

The downside to the early exchange οί knights is that White's queen has acquired a central position from where she seriously hinders the deνelopment οί Black's kingside. 9 Be3 a6 10 Be2 Qc7 11 f4 b6 12 f5 (Diagram 5)

With White haνing a large lead ίη deνelopment and a massiνe space adνantage, it is only a matter οί time before the black position collapses. 12 ... Ne5 13 fxe6 fxe6 14 a4 Be7 15 h4 QC5 16 Qd2 QC7 17 Rf1 Bb7 18 Bd4 Rf8 19 0-0-0 Rxf1

Now White has completed his deνelopment, but Black still cannot castle ίη νiew 19 ... 0-0-0 20 Qe3 when he cannot aνoid losing a pawn.

οί

20 Rxf1 Bd8 21 Qf4 Ng6 22 Qg4 Qe7 23 Qh5 e5 24 Be3 BC7 25 Qxh7 (Diagram 6)

Diagram 6 (Β)

The fall

οί

the first pawn heralds the beginning οί the end. After the moνes ...

25 ... Nf4 26 Bxf4 exf4 27 Bh5+ Kd7 28 Bg4+ Kc6 29 Qf5 b5 30 Qd5+ Kb6 31 Qd4+ Kc6 32 Nd5 1-0

... Bogoljubow had finally had enough.

Conclusion wrote ίη his Sicilian Scheveningen that 'years passed, and the eνaluation has changed, but the system with g4 remains one οί the most dangerous formations for White.' Indeed, nowadays many players aνoid the Keres Attack by employing different moνe orders to reach the Scheνeningen (see Kasparoν

οί indiνiduallines

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25: Infringing a Dogma

Chapters 33 and 42).

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199

Chapter 26

The Crown Prince of Openings Fischer and Kasparov played 2... d6?! nearly all their lives. According to my theory, this is α mistake. Evgeny Sveshnikov

Diagram 1 (W)

As Ι briefly touched οη ίη Chapter 2, the oldest of alllines against the Open Sicilian is what is known today as the Kalashnikov Variation, although it might as well be called the de la Bourdonnais Variation, as it was Louis Charles Mahe de la Bourdonnais who first employed the line after 1 e4 c52 Nf3 Nc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 e5 with success ίη his matches against Alexander McDonnell. During the famous

200

26: The (rown Prince of Openings

1851 London toumament, methods οί play involving an early Nb5 were successfully employed against the Sicilian with ... e5, which led to a reconsideration οί how best to handle the Sicilian Defence. Probably under the influence οί his match with Paul Morphy (again see Chapter 2), Adolf Anderssen was the first to experiment with an early ... a7-a6 ίη the 2... e6 Sicilian ίη 1859, and even though his early tries were quite successful (ίη the early games οί this variation, Black managed to enforce the liberating ... d7-d5 break), this method did not assert itself until the 1880s. The establishment οί an early ... a6 ίη the 2 ... d6 Sicilian took even longer. There were a few games ίη the 1920s, and the Dutch player Johannes Van den Bosch even used it quite successfully at the beginning οί the 1930s, but it was left to Miguel Najdorf to establish his variation at the end οί the 1940s, even though he had already played it earlier ...

D C.Poulsen • M.Najdorf Buenos Aires Olympiad 1939 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 NC3 a6 6 Bg5 e6 7 Qf3 (Diagram 2)

Diagram 2 (Β)

Diagram 3 (W)

Nowadays this move only makes the 'Odds & Ends' chapter ίη works οη the Najdorf, but it is easy to appreciate that back ίη 1939 it was not yet known that 7 ί4 is a much more critical test and the prelude to some extremely sharp main lines. 7... Nbd7

Retuming the favour. The immediate 7...h6! is better, leaving White to make a decision over what to do with his bishop: a) 8 Bxf6 Qxf6 9 Qxf6 gxf6 trades the queens which means that Black has ηο longer

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The Greatest Eνer Chess Opening Ideas

to worry about his king position. There could follow 10 0-0-0 Bd7 11 ί4 Nc6 12 Be2 Nxd4 13 Rxd4 h5 14 Rf1 0-0-0 15 Rd3 Bc6 16 ί5 Bh6+ 17 Κb1 Bg5 18 g3 Μ and Black had the two bishops and a strong centre ίη KBjerring-J.Magnusson, Gausdal 1990. b) Against 8 Be3 Black plays the typica18 ... e5 9 Nb3 (9 Νί5 g6 forces the knight to go the inconvenient M-square as 10 Ng3? Bg4 traps the queen!) 9 ... Be6 when he already has a comfortable position. The game H.Van Riemsdijk-M.Stean, Sao Paulo 1979, continued 10 a4 Nc611 Bd3 Nb412 Nd2 Be713 ο-ο ο-ο 14 a5 Nxd315 cxd3 d5 with a dream Najdorf position for Black. c) Finally, after 8 ΒΜ Nbd7 9 0-0-0 Qc7 we have a further branch: c1) 10 Qh3 is meant to prevent ... g5, but Black can certainly do without ίΙ Indeed, 10 ... Be711 ί4 b5 12 Bd3 b4 13 Na4 Nc5 14 Nxc5 dxc5 was significantly better for Black ίη A.Martorelli-L.ortega, Saint Vincent 1999. c2) Another way οί developing is 10 Bd3, but Black still has the typica110 ... Be7 11 Qe2 b5 12 ί4 b4 (Diagram 3). Then after 13 Nd5?! (the more modest 13 Nb1 was played ίη S.Kagan-J.Nunn, Hastings 1977/78, although after 13 ... Bb714 Nd2 Nc5 Black again had a good position) 13 ... exd5 14 Νί5 Nc5 Black fended off the attack ίη L.Milov-V.Savon, Alushta 1992. 80-0-0 QC7

Now 8... h6?! is inaccurate, as after 9 Be3 Black cannot successfully play the thematic ... e6-e5. 9 BeZ Be7 3.0 Rhe3. ο-ο 3.3. Qg3 bS (Diagram 4)

Diagram 4 (w)

Diagram 5 (w)

We now see a race quite typical for positions with opposite-side castling ίη the

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26: The Crown Prince of Openings

Sicilian. In this particular case though, the 'race' is hardly worthy of its name as Black develops his attack much faster than White. 12 Bh6

As the further course of the game reveals, life is now too easy for Black. White should at least have tried to slow the attack down a bit with 12 a3, even though after 12 ...Rb8 13 f4 b4 14 axb4 Rxb4 15 e5?! dxe5 16 fxe5 Nxe5 17 Βf1 Bd6 18 Bxf6 Ng6! 19 Nxe6 Bxg3 20 Nxc7 Bxel 21 Rxel gxf6 Black went οη to win ίη I.Nepomniachtchi-A.Tukhaev, Herceg Νονί 2005. 12 ... Ne8 13 Bg5 Bxg5+ 14 Qxg5 b4 15 Na4 Bb7 16 Bd3 NC5

Black is making natural moves to which White can οηlΥ react. 17 NxC5 dxc5 18 Nf3 c4 19 Bf1 c3 20 Qe5 cxb2+ 21 Kxb2 Qb6 22 Re3 Nf6 23 Rd6 QC7 24 Rd4 Qc6 25 Rb3 a5 26 Nd2 Nd7 27 Qb5 Ne5 28 Re3 Rfd8 29 Rxd8+ Rxd8 30 Qxc6 Bxc6 (Diagram 5)

White has managed to reduce Black's attacking potential by trading queens, but ίη retum Black still has the better pawn structure, control over the d-file and overall the better-placed pieces. Najdorf went οη to convert his advantage into a win after some 40 more moves.

The Sicilian Playing Kasparov everybody concentrates αΙΙ the aggression, chooses the sharpest opening line and commits suicide this way. Alexander Κhalifman Even though Najdorf employed his opening regularly since the end of the 1940s, it is said that his role ίη its development was not decisive, and that it was Bobby Fischer who was the 'first real prophet' (Kasparov) of the Najdorf. Ι certainly don't want to deny Fischer's importance ίη developing the opening, but being a child of the 1980s, Ι have to mention the enormous impact Garry Kasparov's games ίη the Najdorf had οη me: his perfect opening preparation was simply awe-inspiring! Alexander Κhalifman even compared Kasparov's games ίη the Najdorf with races between a Volkswagen and a Formula Oηe car! Το underline this statement, one οηlΥ has to remember the 1999 tournaments ίη Wijk aan Zee and Linares, where Όοη Garry' scored an unbelievable 8/9 ίη his beloved Sicilian! One example of his superiority will be shown ίη the following game: Ο V.lvanchuk • G.Kasparov Lίnares

1999

1 e4 C5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 NC3 a6 6 Be3 Ng4

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas 6... e5 is another main line as recommended by Tony Kosten ίη his Easy Guide to the Najdorj, but the text was fashionable at the time of this game. 7 Bgs

The possibility of 7 Bcl when Black has hardly anything better than 7... Nf6 8 Be3 is a certain drawback to this variation, but at the top level you don't mind a quick draw with Black. 7 ... h6 8 Bh4 gs 9 Bg3 Bg7 (Diagram 6)

Diagram 6 (W)

Diagram 7 (W)

loQd2 With this move Ivanchuk wants to follow the earlier game V.Anand-G.Kasparov, Linares 1998, but Kasparov is ready with an improvement. White might thus prefer: a) 10 h3 chases the knight away from g4 ίη order to bring the bishop back into play after 10 ... Ne5 11 f3 Nbc6 12 Bf2. P.Leko-G.Kasparov, Linares 2000, continued 12 ... Be6!? 13 Qd2 Qa5 14 Nb3 Bxb3 15 cxb3 Nb4 16 a3 Ng6 17 Rdl Nc6 18 Nd5 Qxd2+ 19 Rxd2 ο-ο 20 b4 b5 21 Nc7 Rab8 22 Nxa6 Rb7 when White's awkwardlyplaced knight and Black's powerful dark-squared bishop supplied enough compensation for the pawn. The game ended ίη a draw a few moves later. b) 10 Be2 is another concrete way οί handling the position, against which 10 ... h5!? not only protects the knight, but also threatens 11 ...h4. Top-level games have then seen: bl) 11 Bxg4 hxg4 (11 ... Bxg4 12 ί3 Bd713 Qd2 Nc6 14 Βί2 Ne5 15 b3 e6 16 Nde2 Rc8 17 Bd4 b518 Ndl! Rg819 Ne3 a5 20 0-0-0 saw White deploy his pieces effectively to obtain a clear advantage ίη V.Anand-G.Kasparov, Frankfurt (rapid) 1998) 12 ο-ο e6!? 13 Qd2 Nd7! (incredible!) 14 Bxd6 Ne5 15 Ncb5 axb5 16 Nxb5 ί6 17 Rfdl Κf7

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26: The Crown Prince of Openings (Diagram 7) 18 Qe2 Bd719 Bxe5 fxe5 20 Nd6+ Kg6 and Black went οη to win in

A.Shirov-G.Kasparov, Wijk aan Zee 1999. b2) 11 Νί5!? is a noteworthy altemative that was played in ηο lesser game than G.Kasparov(!)-V.Topalov, Sofia (rapid) 1998. The game continued 11 ... Bxf512 exf5 Qa5 13 ο-ο Bxc3 14 bxc3 Qxf5 15 Rb1 Nd716 Rxb7 Ngf6 17 Re1 and White had an edge. 10... Nc6 11 Nb3 Nge5 12 f3 b5 13 Bf2 Rb8 14 Nd4 (Diagram 8)

Diagram 8 (Β)

Diagram 9 (W)

We are still following the earlier Anand-Kasparov game and now comes the surprise ... 14... b4!

14 ... Bd7 was the move Kasparov played against Anand in the aforementioned game, and after 15 Be2 Nc4 16 Bxc4 bxc4 17 Rb1 Rg8 18 Nxc6 Bxc6 19 h3 h5! 20 Bd4 Bxd4 21 Qxd4 Qb6! 22 Qxb6 Rxb6 23 b4 cxb3 24 axb3 the game ended ίη a draw. Where did Chucky intend to improve over that? We'll never know ... 15 Nd1

Maybe Ivanchuk refrained from playing 15 Nce2 because οί 15 ... Nc4, but White has 16 Nxc6! Qc717 Qd5 Be618 Qd3 Nxb2 19 Qxa6 Bc4 20 Qa7 Rb7 21 Qa5. Instead Black should play 15 ... Na5, and after 16 Ng3 Nec4 17 Bxc4 Nxc4 18 Qc1 we have transposed to an earlier game, N.Ortiz Aguirre-N.Dzagnidze, Oropesa del Mar 1998, which concluded 18 ... Bd7 19 ο-ο Be5 20 Nh5 Qc7 21 h4 Rg8 22 Κh1 Rg6 23 Rb1 gxh4 with a winning advantage for Black. 15 ... Nxd416 Bxd4 d5! (Diagram 9)

The key rule that Black has ηο problems should he be able to enforce ... d5 in the Sicilian Defence certainly applies here.

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

'17 exd5

The problem of the misplaced knight οη d1 shows after 17 Nf2 dxe418 Nxe4 Nxf3+ 19 gxf3 Qxd4. Also problematic is 17 Bxe5 Bxe518 Qxd5 (or 18 exd5 Qd619 g3 Bxb2! 20 Nxb2 Qe5+ 21 Be2 Qxb2) 18 ... Qc7 19 g3 ο-ο 20 Qb3 Be6 21 Qa4 Bxb2 when Black has a clear advantage. '17 ...Qxd5 '18 c3 ο-ο '19 Be2 Rd8 20 Qe3

The necessity of removing the queen from the d-file can be seen ίη the variation 20 Ne3 bxc3 21 bxc3 Qe6 22 ο-ο Nc6 when Black wins at least a pawn. 20 ... Bb7 2'1 Nf2 bXC3 22 Bxc3

White could also recapture with the pawn, but after 22 bxc3 Ng6! the black knight is ready to jump into f4: for example, 23 Bxg7 Κxg7 24 ο-ο Qd2! 25 Qxd2 Rxd2 26 Rfe1 Bd5 and Black's advantage is without question. 22 ...Qe6

Black has put all his pieces οη perfect squares, while the white king is still caught ίη the middle as 23 ο-ο? fails to 23 ... Nxf3+, which would win the white queen. Black is clearly better. 23 Kf'1 Bd5! 24 b3 Rbc8 25 Rd'1 (Diagram ΊΟ)

Diagram ΊΟ (Β) 25 ... RxC3!?

Kasparov aspires for a radical solution, and even though one should normally not do such things ίη a superior position, ίη this case all is well. 26 QXC3 Ng4 27 Qa5 Ne3+ 28 Kg'1 Rc8 29 Qxa6 Nxd'1 30 Qxe6 Bxe6 3'1 Bxd'1 Rc'1 0-'1

Ivanchuk, probably disgusted by the course of the game, resigned at this point. He might have fought οη with 32 g4 Ra1 33 Kg2 Bc3 34 a4 Ra2 35 Rf1 Bd4 36 Kg3, but

206

26: The Crown Prince of Openings

even then after 36... Rd2 his position would have remained difficult.

Conclusion If the Ruy Lopez is the 'King οί Openings' σοΜ Watson), then the Sicilian Najdorf must definitely be the 'Crown Prince οί Openings'.1t is by far the most popular variation οί the Sicilian Defence, but as you can see from the last game, one should not enter it without proper opening preparation!

Conclusion

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207

Chapter 27

The Sorrows of the French Bishop Although successful in the present game, this mode of pursuing the attack in the French Opening is now known to be unsatisfactory. White's centre, sooner or later, being sure to be broken up, with proper play. British Chess Magazine (1882)

Diagram 1 (Β) Playing against the French Defence was a daunting task in the first half of the 19th Century. The only established way of facing it was the Exchange Variation, which even today is known to lead to extremely, well, calm positions. Wilhelm Steinitz was a pioneer of 3 Nc3, even though after 3... Bb4 he, according to the general per-

208

27: The Sorrows of the French Bishop

ception οί that time, didn't know any better than to play 4 exd5, which transposes to the Exchange Variation after all. Against the Classical French, however, Steinitz showed a revolutionary approach, and one that was generally condemned at his time. But see for yourself. Ο

W.Steinitz. A.Sellman

Baltimore 1885 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 e5

With this move Steinitz introduces the variation which was later named after him. Some online databases give an earlier game McDonnell-de la Bourdonnais in which this variation was supposedly played, but there are two reasons to doubt this: first οί all, there is ηο such game mentioned ίη William Greenwood W alker' s Α Selection oj Games played by the late Alexander McDonnell, and secondly, according to chesslab.com the game was played ίη 1837, which is difficult to believe as McDonnell died ίη 1835. 4 ... Nfd7 5 f4 Ιη the 19th Century it was generally believed that the only way to fight for advantage was to keep the pawn structure ίη the centre intact. Therefore 5 Nce2 was the move almost invariably played at this juncture. Nowadays that is not so popular with one interesting line for Black being Bareev's favourite 5 ... c5 6 c3 Nc6 7 ί4 b5!?

5...c5 6 dxc5! (Oiagram 2)

While this move itself doesn't deserve an exclamation mark, the idea behind it most certainly does. Nowadays White generally prefers to refrain from the immediate exchange οη c5, beginning with 6 Νί3 Nc6 7 Be3, as we will examine below.

Oiagram 2 (Β)

Oiagram 3 (Β)

209

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas 6 ... BxC5

Instead after 6... Nxc5 7 Νί3 Nc6 8 Be3 (Spielmann's 8 a3!?, with the idea οί reaching positions similar to the text with an additional outpost οη b5 after 8... a5 9 Be3, is also interesting) 8 ... Be7 9 Be2 ο-ο 10 ο-ο White has a slight advantage according to Korchnoi. 7 Nf3 a6?!

Black should play more directly against the white e-pawn, starting with 7... Nc6 8 Bd3 f6. Then 9 exf6 Nxf610 Qe2 ο-ο is considered equal by NCO, while Psakhis goes a little further, stating that after 11 Bd2 e5!? 12 fxe5 Re8 13 0-0-0 Bg4 Black had a good game ίη V.Liublinsky-L.Aronin, Moscow 1949. 8 Bd3 Nc6 9 Qe2 Nb4

9...b5 would have been a reasonable alternative. Following 10 Bd2 Qc7 11 a3 Rb8 12 Nd1 Nb6 13 b4 Be7 14 ο-ο, as ίη I.Boleslavsky-L.Pachman, Stockholm 1948, Black can achieve an acceptable position after 14 ... Nc4. 10 Bd2 b5 11 Nd1 Nxd3+ 12 cxd3! Qb6?

12 ...b4! was a must, stopping White's plan, conquering space οη the queenside and preparing a proper development οί the light-squared bishop after ... a6-a5 and ... Ba6. Now Steinitz's idea fully blossoms. 13 b4! Be7 14 a3 f5?

The decisive mistake, after which White takes command. 15 RC1 Bb7 16 Be3 Qd817 Nd4 (Diagram 3)

White has obtained a ideally-placed knight οη d4, while Black's bishop is truly woeful οη b7. Steinitz soon won. Steinitz's idea initially caught οη, but eventually adequate countermeasures ίη­ volving an early central challenge, as outlined ίη the notes to our previous game, were conceived at the hands οί Siegbert Tarrasch and James Mason. Only ίη the 1950s was the variation revived by Isaac Boleslavsky, who successfully employed Steinitz's set-up without giving up his centre too early. Instead οί taking οη c5 immediately, his main idea was to bring his bishop to the g1-a7 diagonal, aiming to maintain control over the key d4-square. White again ideally wants to play with a good knight οη d4 against a bad light-squared bishop, but he can also sometimes undertake a kingside attack.

D V.Kramnik •

T.Radjabov

Lίnares 2003

1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 NC3 Nf6 4 e5 Nfd7 5 f4 c5 6 Nf3 Nc6 7 Be3 (Diagram 4)

210

27: The Sorrows of the French Bishop

Diagram 4 (8)

Diagram 5 (8)

7... cxd4 ΒΥ ηο

means the only approach:

a) 7... Qb6 8 Na4 Qa5+ 9 c3 favours White: a1) After 9... cxd4?! 10 b4! the piece sacήfice 10 ... Nxb4 (1O ... Qc711 Nxd4 Nxd412 Bxd4 Be713 Bd3 is better for White) is insufficient. Following 11 cxb4 Bxb4+ 12 Bd2 Bxd2+ 13 Nxd2 g5 14 Rb1 gxf4 15 Bb5 Κί8 16 ο-ο Nxe5 17 Rxf4 the exposed black king was responsible for White's success in R.Ziatdinov-A.Barsov, Tashkent 1993. a2) 9 ...b6!? 10 Bd2 c4 closes the queenside, but White should have a small edge due to his spatial advantage after 11 b4 Qa6 12 a3. b) 7... a6 8 Qd2 b5 (8 ... cxd4 9 Nxd4 Bc5 transposes) 9 dxc5 (9 a3 is currently fashionable, but Ι quite like the old main line) 9... Bxc5 (White gets a stable advantage after 9.. .Nxc5 10 Qf2 Nd711 Bd3) 10 Bxc5 Nxc5 11 Qf2 Qb6 12 Bd3 and again White wants to reach an endgame in which Black is left with his light-squared bishop. There could follow 12",b4 (12 ... Rb8 130--0 Nb4 14 Rfd1 0-0 15 Ne2 Bd7 16 Ned4 Nbxd3 17 cxd3 Na418 b4 a5 19 a3 Rfc8 20 Rdc1 was another example οί a superior minor piece - knight οη d4 versus bishop οη d7 - in V.Anand-E.Bareev, Dortmund 1992) 13 Ne2 a5 14 ο-ο Rb8 (after 14 ... Ba6 White can play 15 Κh1 Bxd316 cxd3 Qb5 17 ί5! Nxd3 18 Qg3 Nxb2, as in D.Maxion-J.Marschner, German League 1990, and here after 19 Qxg7 0-0-0 20 Qxf7! Qxe2 21 Qxe6+ Κb7 22 Qxc6+ Κxc6 23 Nd4+ Κb6 24 Nxe2 d4 25 e6 d3 26 Νί4, the well-advanced white pawns decide the game) 15 Κh1 Nxd3 16 Qxb6 Rxb6 17 cxd3 Ba6 18 Rfd1 Kd7 19 Kg1 ί6 20 Κί2 Rc8 21 Ke3 Ne7 22 Ned4. White has managed to erect a stable position in the centre and went οη to win by breaking through οη the kingside in A.SchaffarczykF.Bruemmer, Werther 2004.

211

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

8 Nxd4 Bc5

After 8... Qb6 9 Qd2! it is dangerous for B1ack to take the pawn with 9... Qxb2: 10 Rb1 Qa311 Bb5 Nxd4 (11 ... Ndb812 ο-ο a613 Bxc6+! bxc614 ί5 gives White a dangerous attack) 12 Bxd4 Bb413 ο-ο a614 Rb3 Qa515 Rfb1 Ba316 ί5! axb5 17 Rxa3 Qxa318 Nxb5 Qxa219 Nd6+ Kd8 (19 ... Κί8 20 Ra1 Qxa1+ 21 Bxa1 Rxa1+ 22 Κί2 was better for White ίη G.Timoshenko-B.Itkis, Hercu1ane 1996) 20 Qd1! and the threats οί Ra1 and Nxf7+ prove to be quite inconvenient for B1ack. 9 Qd2 ο-ο 3.00-0-0 a6 3.3. Qf2!? (Diagram 5)

The main move ίη this position is 11 h4, but the text is quite interesting. The idea is to transfer the queen to the kingside ίη order to start an attack once the lightsquared bishop has reached d3. 3.3. ... Nxd4

Besides the text move, B1ack can a1so try the move 11 ... Bxd4. However, he will near1y a1ways end up ίη a worse endgame ίη which his light-squared bishop is a 1iability: for examp1e, 12 Bxd4 Nxd4 (after 12 ...b513 Be3 b414 Ne2 a515 Nd4 Nxd416 Bxd4 Ba6 B1ack actually does manage to get the bad bishop into p1ay, but now White can p1ay 17 ί5 and following 17...Bxf118 Rhxf1 exf519 Qxf5 she was much better ίη E.Tairova-S.Matveeva, Sochi 2005) 13 Qxd4 b514 Bd3 Qb615 Qxb6 Nxb6 16 a3 and White had the superior bishop ίη M.Mader-G.Juilfs, Germany 2007. 3.2 Bxd4 QC7 3.3 Bd3 b5

This was Radjabov's 1ast opportunity to exchange the queens and sett1e for a slight1y worse endgame after 13 ... Bxd414 Qxd4 Qc515 Ne2. 3.4 Qh4 (Diagram 6)

Diagram 6 (Β)

212

Diagram 7 (Β)

27: The Sorrows of the French Bishop υρ

This is the main idea behind 11 Qf2: White creates weaknesses and will follow by advancing his kingside pawns. 14 ... h6

14 ... g6 significantly weakens the dark squares. Α good illustration of how to exploit this was the game L.Kritz-M.o'Cinneide, Bie12003, which continued 15 Ne2 b4 16 Qh6 a5 17 h4 Bxd4 18 Nxd4 Rd8 19 h5 Nf8 20 Qg5 Ba6 21 Bxa6 Rxa6 22 Qf6 Nd7 23 Qe71-0. 15 Ne2 f6

After 15 ... Bb7, 16 g4! is logical, the idea being to play g4-g5 and to tear Black's defences apart. One sample variation runs 16 ... f6 17 g5 fxe5 18 gxh6! exd4 19 hxg7 Rf6 20 Qh7+ Kf7 21 g8Q mate. 16Qg4

It is clear that White has emerged from the opening with a substantial advantage: he has developed a very dangerous initiative οη the kingside, while Black's hopes for counterplay οη the queenside are quite optimistic. 16... Bxd417 Nxd4 NcS

After 17... fxe5? White has 18 Qxg7+! totally busted.

Κxg7

19 Nxe6+ Κf7 20 Nxc7 when Black is

18 Qg6 Nxd3+ 19 Rxd3 (Diagram 7) 19... QC4?

Black had to try 19 ... Qf7 ίη order to fend οΗ the white attack, even though after 20 Qxf7+ Rxf7 21 exf6 Rxf6 22 g3 g5 23 fxg5 hxg5 24 Nf3 Rg6 25 Ne5 White still has a clear advantage. 20 Rhd1 Ra7

Altematively, 20 ... fxe5 21 fxe5 Qxa2 22 Ra3 Qc4 23 Rg3! Qc724 Nxe6 Bxe6 25 Qxe6+ Κh8 26 Rc3 Qf7 27 Qxf7 Rxf7 28 Rxd5 when White emerges a pawn up, or 20 ... Qxa2 21 Rg3 Qa1+ 22 Kd2 Qa5+ 23 Ke2 Rf7 24 exf6 which also leads to a decisive white advantage. 21 Kb1 QC7 22 fS!

The final phase of the game has begun. 22 ... Qb6?!

Equally hopeless for Black is 22 ... Qf7 23 Qxf7+ Raxf7 24 fxe6 Re7 25 Re3 Bxe6 26 Rde1. 23 Rh3! fxes 24 Rxh6 Rf6

Kramnik's point is that after 24 ... exd4, 25 Qh7+ Kf7 26 f6 Ke8 27 fxg7 wins for White. 25 Qe8+ Rf8 26 Rh8+ Kxh8 27 Qxf8+ Kh7 28 Nf3 (Diagram 8)

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

Diagram 8 (Β)

The white pieces are closing ίn and there is nothing that Black can do. 28 ...QC7 29 fxe6 e4 30 Ng5+ Kh6 3:1. h4! Kh5 32 Qf5 g6 33 g4+ Kxh4 34 Rh:l.+ Kg3 35 Rg:l.+ Kh4 36 Qf6 :1.-0

Conclusion The Boleslavsky Variation remains one οί the most criticallines against the Classical French. Black's French bishop is a problematic piece, especially since it usually proves a liability ίn any endgame, and he must also beware a kingside attack.

214

Conclusion

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Chapter 28

When a Bishop is Worth More than a Rook One oj the most important exigencies in the conduct oj the game is the exercise oj the most critical judgement in estimating the relative value oj the pawns and pieces which must be strongly taken into consideration if effecting exchanges, as well as in the jormulation oj general principles jor the guidance oj play in αΙΙ parts oj the game. But owing to the endless number and variety oj combinations that are possible over the board, it has been jound impossible to give more than an approximate theoretical and practical comparison oj the relative powers oj the men. Wi1helm Steinitz

Diagram 1 (8)

215

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

As we have already leamed ίn Chapter 19, the Grίinfeld Defence is a complex and energetic example οί a hypermodern opening. Ιn this chapter Ι would like to ίn­ troduce what seems to be the most criticalline against the Classical Exchange Variation οί the Grίinfeld Defence. The idea is often attributed to David Bronstein, but it was the Soviet master Alexei Sokolsky who introduced this dangerous exchange sacrifice into tournament practice: Ο

A.Sokolsky. A.Tolush

Omsk 1944 3. d4 Nf6 2 C4 g6 3 Nc3 d5 4 cxd5 Nxd5 5 e4 Nxc3 6 bXC3 C5 7 BC4 Bg7 8 Ne2 Nc6 9 Be3 ο-ο 3.0 ο-ο cxd4

For 10 ... Bg4 and other minor alternatives see the Kramnik-Kasparov game ίn Chapter 19. 3.3. cxd4 Na 5

With this move Black plans to occupy the weakened c4-square, but also allows White to offer a powerful exchange sacrifice. Should Black want to play this line at all, the moves 11 ... Bg4 12 ί3 Na5 should be included. Reasons for this, as well as a more detailed examination οί the resulting variations, can be found ίn our next game. 3.2 Bd3 Be6

Black is following the plan he initiated with his 11th move, but White's reply calls into question Black's whole set-up. 3.3 d5! (Diagram 2)

Diagram 2 (Β)

216

Diagram 3 (Β)

28: When a Bishop is Worth more than a Rook

There it is! This exchange sacrifice, which is quite topical even today (albeit ίη a slightly modified form), provides White with a very dangerous initiative. 13 ... Bxa1

As Suetin pointed out, 13 ... Bg4? 14 Rc1 b6 15 h3 Bc8 16 Nd4 e6 17 Nc6 Nxc6 18 dxc6 is scarcely attractive for Black. 14 Qxa1 f6 15 Bh6 Re8 16 Nf4 Bd7

Or 16 ... Bf7 when after 17 Bb5 Qd618 Bxe8 Rxe8 19 Qc3 b6 20 Rc1 Nb7 21 Nd3 Rd8 22 Bf4 White had a considerable positional advantage ίη H.Enevoldsen-R.Flores Alvarez, Dubrovnik 1950. 17 e5! (Diagram 3)

The storm is gathering, and Black fails to take appropriate cover. 17 ...e6 18 dxe6 Bxe619 Bb5 Bd7 20 exf6 Kf7 21 Bxd7 Qxd7 22 Nh3 Ke6 23 f71-0 Α

powerful performance by Sokolsky! Except for a few examples, which have generally been quite unfortunate for Black, this line vanished from toumament play, and it was conceived that inserting the moves ... Bg4 and f3 was necessary to create an additional defensive resource in the form of the weakening of the g1-a7 diagonal. There is still an open discussion about this vaήatiοn even at the highest level, but for the moment it seems that Black can hold his own here.

D L.Aronian •

A.Shiroν

5th matchgame, Elista 2007 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 NC3 d5 4 cxd5 Nxd5 5 e4 Nxc3 6 bXC3 c5 7 BC4 Bg7 8 Ne2 Nc6 9 Be3 ο-ο 10 ο-ο cxd4 11 cxd4 Na5 12 Bd3 Bg4 13 f3 Be6

As already indicated, we have now arrived at the critical position for this variation with the moves ... Bg4 and f2-f3 inserted. 14 d5!?

Repeating the theme from the previous game. The move 14 Rc1 is another gambit idea which Efim Geller first introduced in a game against Andor Lilienthal ίη Κiev 1954. This position was the subject of a lengthy discussion, but it seems that after 14... Bxa2 15 Qa4 the possibility of 15 ... Bb3!, as introduced at the highest level by Vishy Anand ίη his 1994 Candidates match against Artur Yusupov, seems to have shelved 14 Rc1 as a winning try. 14... Bxal15 Qxa1 f6 16 Bh6 (Diagram 4)

16 Rb1 is the major altemative to 16 Bh6, but after 16... Bd7 17 e5 Bc6! 18 Be4, the move 18 ... f5!, as suggested by Aagaard ίη his Stαrting Out: The Grunfeld, takes the wind out of White's sails. Following 19 dxc6 fxe4 20 cxb7 Rb8 21 Qc3 exf3 22 gxf3 e6 it is difficult to pinpoint White's compensation for the exchange.

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

Diagram 4 (Β)

Diagram 5 (W)

16 ... Re8

Given the stress Ι have placed οη the importance οί weakening the g1-a7 diagonal, the move 16... Qb6+ should be examined ίη at least some detail here. However, the black queen tums out to be too exposed, and after 17 Κh1 Rfd8 (17 ... Bd7 18 Rb1 Qd6 19 Bxf8 Rxf8 20 Qd4 b6 21 ί4 also favoured White ίη I.Svirjov-S.Kalygin, Alushta 2004) 18 Rb1! Qc5 19 Bd2! b6 20 ΒΜ Qc7 21 Rc1 Qb7 22 Qb1 White obtained a very strong attack against the black king ίη D.Bronstein-I.Boleslavsky, Moscow 1950. 17Qd4

Not the

οηlΥ

critical try and White has a variety οί alternatives:

a) 17 Νί4 does not seem to be enough. After 17... Bf718 Re1 Qb6+ 19 Κf1 (19 Κh1 Qf2 20 Ne2 Rac8 allows Black's pieces to become very active) 19 ... Red8 20 e5 Bxd5 21 exf6 Qxf6 Black's chances are slightly better, as analysed by Boleslavsky. b) 17 Κh1, a recommendation οί Max Euwe's, is meant to get the king out οί the line οί fire and is a rather theoretical option. Following 17... Rc8 18 Νί4 Bd719 e5 Nc4 20 e6 Ba4 ... (Diagram 5) ... White can rip open the Black king's defences with a further sacrifice, but after 21 Nxg6 hxg6 22 Bxg6 Ne5 23 Be4 Bc2 24 Bxc2 Rxc2 25 Qd1 Κh7 Black is considered to have sufficient defensive resources to maintain the balance. 17 ... Bf7 18 Bb5 e5 19 Qf2 Re7 20 f4 (Diagram 6)

What follows is a good example οί how rapidly opening theory develops ίη our times. Up until now, the game had followed the rather famous game L.Van WelyE.Sutovsky, Dortmund 2005, ίη which White after 20 ... Rc8 21 fxe5 Rxe5 22 Ng3 Nc4 23 Qxf6 Qxf6 24 Rxf6 had at least enough compensation for the exchange,

218

28: When a Bishop is Worth more than a Rook

enabling him to win after a complicated struggle. About two months later, the Polish grandmaster Michal Krasenkow improved this line ίοτ Black against Evgeniy Najer when he played ...

Diagram 6 (Β)

Diagram 7 (W)

20 ...exf4! 21 Qxf4 Qb6+ 22 Kh1 Bxd5 23 exd5 Qxb5 24 Qxf6 Qe8 25 Qd4

The misguided 25 Νί4? was seen in Najer-Krasenkow, but after 25 ... Rf7 26 Qc3 Qd8 Black managed to reach a winning position. The text move was then introduced in S.Del Rio Angelis-P.Konguvel, Badalona 2006, in which White obtained a promising position after 25 ... Rc8 26 Ng3 Rf7 27 Rxf7 Qxf7 28 h3 Rc4 29 Qe5 Rc8 30 Ne4 Nc4 31 Νί6+ Κh8 32 Qd4 Qe7 33 Βί4 b5 34 d6 Qg7 35 d7, but again it was Black's tum to strike back. 25 ... Rf7! 26 Rxf7 Qxf7 27 Bd2

Here 27 h3 seems to be too slow. After 27 ... Rd8 (also interesting is 27... Re8!? with the idea οί meeting 28 Ng3 Qe7 29 d6 with 29 .. .Nc6!) 28 Qc3 b6 29 Ng3 Re8 30 Qd4 g5! 31 Ne4? (31 Bxg5 Qg7 32 Qg4 h6 33 Νί5 Qa1+ 34 Κh2 hxg5 35 Qxg5+ Κf8 36 Qh6+ Kg8 would at least have led to a draw by perpetual check) 31 ... Qf1 + 32 Κh2 Qf4+ 33 Κh1 Qe5 34 Nf6+ Κί7 Black went οη to win in A.Rakhmanov-A.Danin, Sochi 2007. 27 ...Qg7! (Diagram 7) 28 Qe4

After 28 Qxg7+ Κxg7 29 Bxa5 Rc8 30 Kg1 (οτ 30 Bb4 Rc2 31 Ng1 Κί6) 30 ... Rc5 31 Bc3+ Κί7 Black recaptures the pawn οη d5 with an equal endgame. 28 ...Qf7 29 BC3 Rc8 30 h3 Nc4 31 Qd4 Kf8 32 Qh8+

Both 32 d6 Ke8 33 d7+ Qxd7 34 Qh8+ Ke7 35 Qf6+ Ke8 36 Qh8+ Ke7 37 Qxh7+?! Kd6 38 Qxg6+ Kc7 and 32 Νί4 Ke8 33 Ne6 b6 do not worry Black too much either. 32 ...Qg8 33 Qd4 Qf7 34 Qh8+

vz-vz 219

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

After a game full οί excitement, at least for the common chess player, the players agreed to a draw.

Conclusion For the moment it seems that Black can hold his own ίη this exciting exchangesacrifice variation. However, as we have seen, developments ίη this line are fast and one spectacular move can overtum the assessment οί the whole variation ...

220

Conclusion

Score (max 5)

ShockValue

11111

Effectiveness Rating

11111

Longevity Rating

11111

Creativity Value

11111

Chapter 29

The Soviet Hegemony Ι

made the King's Indian Defence famous! David Bronstein

Diagram 1 (W) One reason for the popularity οί the Κing's Indian Defence, especially at club level, is its flexibility. Unlike other defences to 1 d4, the King's Indian can also be played against various flank openings beginning with 1 c4 or 1 Nf3. As Ι already indicated ίη Chapter 19, the so-called Fianchetto Variation posed a great threat to the King's Indian at the beginning οί the 20th Century. But before

221

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

we come to that, 1et me show you how one οί the earlier pioneers οί the King' s Indian, the German master Louis Pau1sen, dea1t with the quick occupation οί the . centre, which is often a critica1 test οί many hypermodem openings, name1y the Four Pawns Attack. Ο A.Schwarz •

L.Paulsen

Leipzig 1879 1 c4 Nf6 2 d4 g6 3 Nc3 Bg7 4 e4 d6 5 f4 ο-ο 6 Nf3 Nbd7?!

This rather inflexib1e knight move was common ίη the ear1y days οί the Κing's Indian Defence. Its purpose is to support the typica1 centra1 thrust ... e7-e5, but by now other, more modem means οί counterp1ay have been estab1ished. Specifical1y here B1ack can take appropriate measures with 6... c5!. After 7 d5 (7 dxc5 Qa5! can be compared with the Austrian Attack ίη the Pirc Defence, which will be subject οί Chapter 44; after 8 Bd3 Qxc5 9 Qe2 Bg4 10 Be3 Qa5 11 ο-ο Nc6 12 Rac1 Nd7 we obtain a position ίη which B1ack shou1d not be worse) 7... e6 8 Be2 exd5 9 cxd5 Bg4 a position is reached which can a1so arise via the Modern Benoni (1 d4 Νί6 2 c4 c5 3 d5 e6 4 Nc3 exd5 5 cxd5 d6 6 e4 g6 7 ί4 Bg7 8 Νί3 ο-ο 9 Be2 Bg4), and ίη which B1ack has sufficient counterp1ay, not 1east because οί his queenside majority. 7 Bd3 eS 8 fxes dxes 9 dS (Diagram 2)

Diagram 2 (Β)

Diagram 3 (Β)

This position illustrates the prob1em οί B1ack's rather antiquated approach (ηο ρυη intended!): White has established a powerfu1 pawn οη d5 and B1ack's typica1 counter-thrust ίη the form οί ... f7-f51acks punch because White is sitting quite pretty with that half-open f-fi1e. Still, precise p1ay is required, and Pau1sen effective1y exp10its his opponent's inaccuracies.

222

29: The Soviet Hegemony

9 ... c6 10 ο-ο Ng411 Qe2 NC5 12 Bc2 f5 13 h3?! Haνing

a good position does not mean that one can play carelesslyo Despite my introductory remark, 13 dxc6 should haνe been inserted for reasons Ι will explain further belowo

13 ...fxe4 14 Nxe4 Qb6! 15 Kh1

The alternatiνe would haνe been 15 Nxc5 and after 15oooQxc5+ 16 Κh1 e4 17 Bxe4 Νί6 we would see a key difference had White included 13 dxc6 bxc6: he could then play 19 Bd3 when Black would haνe to look for some compensationo Now ίη the case οί 18 Bd3, the d-pawn just hangso 15 ... Nxe416 Bxe4 Nf617 dxc6 Nxe418 Qxe4 bxc6

Black's pawn structure is slightly fractured, but this is more than compensated by his bishop-pairo 19 Qe2 Be6 20 Bg5 (Diagram 3) 20 ...QC5

Bringing the other bishop to life with 20oooe4! would haνe been eνen more powerful. 21 Nd2 Qd4 22 b3 Bf5 23 Nf3 Qd3 24 Qd2 e4

Black has obtained a strategically won position and later, with the help bishops, managed to conνert his passed pawn into a wino

οί

his

The Soviet School of Chess Ιη

the 1920s and 1930s the Fianchetto Variation posed a serious threat to the Indian Defenceo Reuben Fine, ίη his 6th Edition οί Modern Chess Openings, even remarked that the 'older line [referring to the GrϋnfeΙd Defence as a new line], deνeloped chiefly by Reti and Euwe just after the war [000] practically disappeared from master playo This is by ηο means accidental, but is due to the strength of the King's Fianchetto for Whiteo' Κing' s

Only at the famous Zurich 1953 Candidates Toumament did the Κing's Indian stage a comeback when a third of all games opened with 1 d4 featured ito Previously the opening was mainly played ίη Soνiet toumaments, and only by those who wished to aνoid the passiνe and thoroughly analysed positions οί the Queen's Gambit Declinedo Indeed, it was a number of Soνiet masters, most notably Daνid Bronstein and Isaac Boleslaνsky, who cοntήbuted fresh ideas and made the whole opening system fashionable againo We'll see more examples οί these Soνiet contributions later (a daring idea οί Bronstein's can be seen ίη our next chapter, while another promising antidote against the Fianchetto Defence, namely an idea οί Vasily Smysloν' s, can be seen ίη Chapter 41), but for now Ι' d like to pay homage to Boleslaνsky with an example from the aforementioned toumament.

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas Ο

A.Kotov .I.Boleslavsky

Zurich 1953 1 c4 Nf6 2 NC3 g6 3 g3 Bg7 4 Bg2 d6 5 Nf3 ο-ο 6 ο-ο cS 7 d4 Nc6 8 dS NaS (Diagram 4)

Diagram 4 (w)

Diagram 5 (w)

Via a transposition via have reached the Panno Variation, which normally arises via the move order 1 d4 Νί6 2 c4 g6 3 Νί3 Bg7 4 g3 ο-ο 5 Bg2 d6 6 ο-ο Nc6 7 Nc3 a6 8 d5 Na5. 9Qd3

The present main line runs 9 Nd2 a6 10 Qc2 Rb8 11 b3 b5 12 Bb2 Bh6 which (with a pair οί pawns exchanged οη c4) was introduced by Jan Hein Donner ίη his game against Botvinnik ίη 1958 ίη Wageningen. Play could develop: a) 13 e3 bxc4 14 bxc4 Βί5 15 Nce4 (or 15 e4 Bxd2! 16 exf5 Nxc4 17 Ndl Nxb2 18 Nxb2 Bh6 with a good game for Black ίη A.Foguelman-o.Panno, Buenos Aires 1968) 15 ... Bxe416 Bxe4 Nxe417 Nxe4 Nxc4 with the better game for Black ίη P.Remensberger-F.Jenni, Zurich 1999. b) After 13 Ncb1 bxc4 14 bxc4 Bd715 Bc3 Qc716 Na3 Rb4!? 17 Nb3 (17 Bxb4 cxb4 18 Nab1 gives Black compensation for this exchange ίη various forms, including the bad coordination οί the white pieces, the weakness οί the white c-pawn, etc) 17... Ba4 18 Qd3 Nxb3 19 Bxb4 Ncl 20 Ba5 Qxa5 21 Rfxcl Bxc1 22 Rxcl Rb8 23 Nbl Be8 24 a3 Rb7 25 Qe3 and a draw was agreed ίη Z.Ribli-A.Suetin, Kecskemet 1972. c) 13 ί4 bxc414 bxc4 e5 and now (Diagram 5): c1) 15 fxe5? is bad οη account οί 15 ... Bxd2. c2) 15 Rae1 exf4 16 gxf4 Nh5 17 e3 Bg718 Nd1

224

Βί5

19 e4 Rxb2! 20 Nxb2 Bd4+ 21

29: The 50viet Hegemony Κh1 Qh4 22 Qd3 Bd7 23 Nd1 Nxf4 and Black had more than enough compensation ίη E.Ermenkov-T.Ghitescu, Pemik 1976.

c3) 15 dxe6! Bxe6 16 Nd5 Rxb2!? (16 ... Bxd5 17 cxd5 Ng4 18 Nb3 Nxb3 19 axb3 Qb6 20 Qc3 ί6 is unclear) is a typical exchange sacrifice ίη this these lines, but ίη this concrete position White should be able to hold the upper hand with precise play: 17 Qxb2 Bg718 Qc1! (after 18 Qa3 Nxc4! 19 Nxc4 Nxd5 20 Rac1 Nb4 Black has ηο cause for complaint according to Gallagher, while 18 Qc2 Nxd5 19 cxd5 Bxal 20 Rxa1 Qf6 21 Rdl Qd4+ 22 Κhl Βί5 23 e4 Bg4 was also not worse for Black ίη D.Bogdan-I.Cosma, Romania 1992) 18 ... Bxd5 19 cxd5 Ng4 20 Rbl Bd4+ 21 Κhl Ne3 (21 ... Νί2+ 22 Rxf2 Bxf2 23 Νί3 followed by e4 gives White an advantage according to Gallagher) 22 Qa3 Re8 23 Qd3 Qa8 24 Βί3! Nxf1 25 Nxf1 Qa7 26 Nd2 Re3 27 Qc2 ί5? 28 Qa4 Qc7 29 g4! fxg4 30 Bxg4 Kg7 31 Νί3 Βί6 32 Be6 c4 33 ί5 Rxe2 34 Rgl Rf2 35 Qe8 and Black resigned ίη A.YusuPov-SXindermann, Baden-Baden 1992. Retuming to 9 Qd3: 9... a6 (Diagram 6)

Diagram 6 (W)

Diagram 7 (W)

10Nd2

10 e4 would be a 10gical follow-up, but Black can play 10 ...b5 11 cxb5 axb5 12 Nxb5 Ba613 a4 Nd7 with Benko-like compensation. 10... Rb8 11 b3 bS 12 Rb1 bXC4 13 Nxc4

13 bxc4 Rxb114 Qxbl Nd715 Ndl Nb6 was at least equal for Black ίη P.BenkoJ.Behrensen, Buenos Aires 1965. 13 ... NxC414 QXC4 Ne81S Bb2 Nc7 16 Nd1 Rb417 QC2 Bxb2 18 Nxb2 BfS 19 e4 Bd7 20 Nd3 Rd4 (Diagram 7)

The opening phase is complete, and with his active pieces (note the rook οη d4!)

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

and his superior pawn structure, Black was already better. Boleslavsky eventually rnanaged to expand his position and win a pawn which he later converted into the full ροίηΙ

Conclusion The Κing's Indian Defence staged its corneback after a long hibemation at the Zurich 1953 Candidates Tournarnent. In the years that followed the contributions rnade by nurnerous Soviet rnasters paved the way for the opening to becorne one οί the rnost popular responses to 1 d4.

ι

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Chapter 30

The Ultimate Sacrifice Α

good sαcrifice is one thαt is not necessαrily sound but leαves your opponent dαzed αnd confused. Rudolf Spielmann

Diagram 1. (W)

There are many ways to sacrifice material ίη the opening, but usually the amount is limited to a small number οί pawns, an exchange or eνen a piece. We'νe already encountered more spectacular ways οί sacrificing material ίη Chapter 24 about the Botνinnik Variation Gust remember both Kramnik's ... Rh4 and Iνanchuk's Qg7),

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

but there rnatters were rnore concrete than ίη the variation we will now discuss. The previous chapter told the story οί the general revival οί the King' s Indian Defence. One οί the rnain figures, David Bronstein, was also responsible for a truly fascinating idea which Ι would like to introduce ίη the following garne. Ο B.Spassky •

D.Bronstein Amsterdam 1956 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 NC3 Bg7 4 e4 d6

Should Black really want to play the queen sacrifice, 4 ... 0-0!? is an interesting atternpt to throw the Sarnisch player οΗ course. After 5 ί3 (5 e5 Ne8 only leads to an overextended centre which Black can successfully attack with ... d6 and ... c5) 5 ... c5!? 6 dxc5 (6 d5 d6 7 Be3 e6 generally leads to positions which are considered to give Black suHicient counterplay), one exarnple οί how things can go wrong for White was the garne G.Solias-A.Drakopoulos, Athens 1997: 6 ...b6! 7 Be3 (7 cxb6 Qxb6 gives Black good cornpensation ίη view οί the weakened dark squares ίη the white carnp) 7... bxc5 8 Bxc5 Nc6 9 Nge2 Qa5 (Diagram 2) 10 Be3 Ba6 11 Nc1 Nxe4! 12 Nb3? (relatively best would be 12 fxe4, but after 12... Bxc3+ 13 Bd2 Bxd2+ 14 Qxd2 Qxd2+ 15 Κxd2 d6 Black is clearly better) 12... Nxc3 13 Nxa5 Nxd1 14 Rxd1 Nxa5 and White, being a piece down, resigned. Το prevent such eccentricities, White can play 5 Be3 when 5 ... d6 6 ί3 would retum to the rnain line, but then Black would have successfully circurnvented the lines with 6 Nge2.

Diagram 2 (W)

5 f3 e5 (Diagram 3) 6 d5

Altematively:

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Diagram 3 (W)

30: The Ultimate Sacrifice

a) 6 dxe5 dxe5 7 Qxd8+ Kxd8 does not provide any advantage at all. Quite the contrary is actually the case, as shown by the game A.Yusupov-F.Nijboer, Groningen 1992, ίη which Black was better after 8 Be3 Be6 9 0-0-0+ Nfd710 g3 Nc611 Bh3 Nd412 Bxe6 fxe6! 13 ί4 c514 Nge2 (White could take the pawn with 14 fxe5 Nxe5!? 15 Bxd4 cxd4 16 Rxd4+, but after 16 ... Ke7 Black has significant compensation for the pawn due to his control οί the dark squares) 14 ... Bh6 15 Κb1 Ke716 Nc1 a617 Nb3 b5. b) 6 Nge2!?, an idea commonly seen these days after 5 ... 0-0, οη the other hand spoils the party as Black cannot get into the queen sacrifice lines anymore. 6... Nh5 7 Be3 Na6

The immediate 7... f5 is not recommended. After 8 Qd2 ί4 (8 ... Qh4+ 9 Βί2 Qf4 10 Qxf4 exf4 11 exf5 Bxf5 12 Nge2 leads to a better position for White as he can ορ­ pose the enemy bishops οη their respective diagonals, after which Black has ηο compensation for the weak squares ίη his camp) 9 Βί2 Βί610 Nge2 ΒΜ11 g3 Bg5 12 g4 Bxg4!? 13 fxg4 ί3 14 Be3 Bxe3 15 Qxe3 fxe2 16 gxh5! exf1Q+ 17 Rxf1 Qh4+ 18 Qf2 Qxf2+ 19 Rxf2 Rf8 (19 ... gxh5? 20 Nb5 Na6 21 Ke2 Rf8 22 Rxf8+ Κxf8 23 Rg1! is clearly better for White) 20 Rxf8+ Κχί8 21 Nb5 Na6 22 Ke2 Ke7 23 Rg1 c6 24 Nc3 White has the better ending according to Boleslavsky. 8 Qd2 Qh4+ 9 g3

It is not clear that after 9 Βί2 Qf4 White has anything better than repeating moves

with 10 Be3 Qh4+. 9 ... Nxg3 10 Qf2 Nxf1!? 11 Qxh4 Nxe3 12 Kf2 Nxc4 (Diagram 4)

Diagram 4 (W)

Diagram 5 (Β)

This is a critical position for the whole variation. For the queen Black has two pieces and two pawns. That is normally insufficient compensation, but the position is rather closed which makes it difficult for White to realize his material ad-

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

vantage. It is Black's task to keep this status quo; something that Bronstein unfortunately fails to achieve. 3.3 b3 Nb6?!

This move is too passive. Black needs to exploit the fact that White is not yet fully developed and that the white king remains a bit exposed. Therefore the active 13 ... Na3!? is more to the point. After 14 Nge2 Nc515 Rad1 (15 Raf1?! is useful should Black intend to open the e-file with ... f5 followed by ... fxe4, but naturally Black is not interested ίη opening the position this early; instead after 15 ... 0-0 16 Rhg1 f5 17 Kg2 Nc2 18 Κh1 Ne3 the black knights become very dangerous ίη Αη­ dersen-L.Barden, Bognor Regis 1958) 15 ... a5 16 Rhg1 ο-ο 17 Kg2 f5 18 Κh1 Nc2 19 Rd2 Nb4 20 Na4 Ncd3 21 Ng3 Bf6 Black has managed to put his pieces οη active squares. The game G.Kluger-L.Barden, Hastings 1957/58, ended ίη a draw after 22 Qh6 Bg7 23 Qh4 Bf6. 3.4 Nge2 f5 3.5 Rhg3. ο-ο 3.6 Kg2 Bd7 3.7 a4!

It is necessary for White to array his troops forces become coordinated.

οη

the queenside before the black

3.7 ... Bf6 3.8 Qg3 Nb4 3.9 a5 Nc8 20 exf5 Bxf5 23. Ra4 Nd3 22 RC4! (Diagram 5)

The attack οη the c-pawn forces Black to beat a retreat; a clear sign that something has gone terribly wrong. 22 ... Nc5 23 Ne4 Na6 24 Nxf6+ Rxf6 25 f4! e4 26 Nc3

Black' s pieces are shattered across the board, whereas White has managed to open the position. It took 5passky some 20 more moves, but eventually he realised his material advantage. 50 the outcome of this game wasn't very favourable for Black, but it is not too unusual for new ideas to be unsuccessful at first. Nowadays the queen sacrifice is widely accepted and its implications are still unclear. Το conclude this chapter, Ι would like to cover what seems to be the most critical counter to date. Ο Y.Razuνaeν • A.Shchekacheν

Zaragoza 1996 3. d4 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 NC3 Bg7 4 e4 d6 5 f3 ο-ο 6 Be3 e5 7 d5 Nh5

The preferred modem method of preparing Bronstein's queen sacrifice. 8 Qd2 Qh4+ 9 g3 Nxg3!? 3.0 Qf2 Nxf3. 3.3. Qxh4 Nxe3 (Diagram 6) 3.2 Qf2!

The critical move for this line; not so much because it keeps castling rights open, but rather because it transfers the queen to the queenside from where it can inflict greater damage than οη the kingside. 12 Ke2 is the other main move, but after this Black can create sufficient counterplay with 12... Nxc4 and then:

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30: The Ultimate Sacrifice

Diagram 6 (W)

Diagram 7 (W)

a) 13 Nb5?! is too brash. After 13 ... Na614 Rc1 Bd7 (14 ... Nxb2!? is also interesting; following 15 Nxc7 Nxc716 Rxc7 b6 17 Nh3 Ba6+ 18 Ke3 h5 19 Κί2 Rac8 20 Qe7 Βί6! Black has good counterplay) 15 Nxc7 Nxc716 b3 (16 Rxc4 Bb517 b3 Rac8 18 Kd3 Bxc4+ 19 bxc4 Ne8 20 Nh3 Νί6 was also slightly better for Black ίη C.WardA.Martin, Upminster 1988) 16 ... f517 Rxc4 Bb518 Qe7 Rf719 Qxd6 Βί8 20 Qxe5 Re8 (Diagram 7) 21 Qd4 Bg7 Black had good compensation due to his actiνely placed pieces ίη F.Hoelzl-S.Duriga, Vienna 1986. b) 13 Rc1 with a final diνide: bl) 13 ... Nb6 prophylactically remoνes the knight from the c-file. White's best approach is to redeploy his pieces ίη order to preνent the black pieces from taking υρ actiνe posts. After 14 Nd1 Na615 Ne3 Bd716 Nh3! (transferring the knight to d3 ίη order to counter a black knight οη c5 is a standard manoeuνre ίη this kind οί position) 16 ... f6 17 Νί2 Nc8 18 Nd3 White was better ίη J.Leνitt-A.Martin, Glasgow 1989. b2) 13 ... Bd7 seems to be best. After 14 b3 (14 Nd1 Nb6 15 Rxc7 Bb5+ 16 Κf2 Na6 giνes Black good compensation as his pieces are quickly becoming actiνe) 14 ... Nb6 15 Nh3 ί6 White was οηlΥ slightly better ίη J.Leνitt-J.Parker, Hastings 1991/92. 12 ... NxC4 13 Qe2 Nb6 14 h4! (Diagram 8)

Another natural and yet νery good moνe. Not οηlΥ does it prepare Nh3, which is a moνe White usually likes to make, but it also forces the following reply. 14... hS lS Nh3

White's point is that .... f6, ίη order to preνent the white knight from coming to g5, is now ηο longer attractiνe due to the resulting weakness οί the g6-pawn. Thus White is better. The following moνes see White seal the kingside before tuming his attention to the queenside.

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

1.5 ... Na6

With 15 ... Bxh3 Black decided to remoνe the knight ίη o.Jakobsen-KBerg, Copenhagen 1991, but after 16 Rxh3 Bh6 17 Κί2 Na6 18 Rhh1 Κh719 a4! a white οη­ slaught was ίη progress οη the queenside. 1.6 Ng5 Bh6 1.7 Rg1. Bd7 1.8 a4! Rae8 1.9 a5 Nc8 20 QC4 Re7 21. b4 (Diagram 9)

Diagram 9 (Β)

Diagram 8 (Β)

White has slowly improνed his position οη the queenside while Black is without any counterplay. White won twenty moνes later ...

Conclusion Bronstein's queen sacrifice might be speculatiνe, but that makes it ηο less spectacular. Black οηlΥ gets two pieces and two pawns for the queen, but ίη closed positions material differences play a less important role, and especially the black knights can become annoying quite quickly. 50, if you like knights and a gamble, Bronstein' s idea is recommended.

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Chapter 31

50η

of 50rrow

And when her soul was departing jor pain, and death was now at hand, she called the name oj her son Benoni, that is, the son oj my pain. Genesis 35:18

Diagram 1 (Β) Systems involving an early attack οη the white queen's pawn (after 1 d4 c5 ΟΤ, ίη its modem form, 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 c5) are commonly known as Benoni systems. The name derives from a book entitled Ben-Oni oder die Vertheidigung der Gambit-Ziige, which was supposedly written ίη a state of depression by its author Aaron Rein-

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

ganum back ίη 1825. Already back ίη 1617 Pietro Carrera noted that 1 d4 c5 'confined the adversary's game', and ίη 1939 Reuben Fine wrote that defences of the Benoni-type left Black with a 'hopelessly cramped game'. Only ίη the 1960s did the Modern Benoni grow ίη popularity after Mikhail Tal (inspired by the games οί Rashid Nezhmetdinov) adopted it ίη his ascendance to his World Championship match against Mikhail Botvinnik. Unlike other hypermodern defences, the Modem Benoni struggles against the socalled pawn-storm systems involving an early ί2-ί4, most notably a variation that has been attributed to the Soviet grandmaster Mark Taimanov, who published analysis οη it back ίη 1956. The old way of playing this line,however, is not particularly dangerous; something Ι would like to show ίη the following introductory game.

D V.Alatortsev •

L.ΑΓοπίπ

Moscow 1950 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 c5 3 d5 e6 4 Nc3 exd5 5 cxd5 d6 6 e4 g6 7 f4

The general idea to occupy the centre with as many pawns as possible ίη order to steamroller the opponent is a common approach ίη various Indian systems, but whereas the Grίinfeld Defence (as we have seen before) and the King's Indian Defence (as we will see later) can deal with that quite well, the Modern Benoni is caused some problems. 7... Bg7 8 Bb5+!

Instead 8 e5 is the so-called Mikenas Attack, even though the first game ίη which Mikenas employed this line was also his last (according to Mega Database 2008). It was one οί the first ways to threaten Black's set-up, but over time acceptable countermeasures have been found. Nowadays the majority of games continue 8... Nfd7! 9 Nb5 dxe510 Nd6+ Ke711 Nxc8+ Qxc8 when Black has lost the right to castle, but White has had to give up a pawn and three tempi. 8... Nfd7

Slightly strange, but the problem is that 8 ... Nbd7 can be met by the relatively new idea 9 e5 dxe5 10 fxe5 Nh5 11 e6 Qh4+ 12 Kd2! (Diagram 2). The game M.Wei-B.Lazarus, Canberra 2007, continued 12 ... fxe6 13 dxe6 ο-ο 14 exd7 Bxd7 15 Bxd7 Rf2+ (15 ... Rad8 is also insufficient: after 16 Kc2 Rf2+ 17 Κb1 Bxc318 Qg4 Bf619 Nh3 Rxd7 20 Nxf2 Black resigned ίη A.AleksandrovA.Wojtkiewicz, Wisla 1992) 16 Nge2 Rd8 (16 ... Bxc3+ 17 Κxc3 Qb4+ 18 Kd3 Rf719 Be6 Rd8+ 20 Ke3 Rxd121 Rxd1 Νί6 22 Κf2 gives White more than enough material for the queen) 17 Qa4! Nf4 (Vegh recommends 17... Qxa418 Nxa4 Rxd7+ 19 Ke1 Rxg2 20 Κf1 Rg4 21 Nac3, but here Ι would assess White's edge to be considerable) 18 Kc2 Bxc319 Qc4+ Κf8 20 Bxf4 Be5 21 Qxc5+ Κί7 22 Qd5+ Κf8 23 Bxe5 Rxe2+ 24 Κb3 Re3+ 25 Bc3 b5 26 Rhf1 + and finally Black resigned.

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31: Son of Sorrow 9 Bd3 (Diagram 3)

The modern 9 a4 is dealt with ίη the next game.

Diagram 2 (Β)

Diagram 3 (Β)

9 ... 0-0 Both Hebert and Watson have recommended 9... Qh4+!? 10 g3 Qd8. Black invests two tempi since the weaknesses created by the advance g2-g3 are not to be underestimated. 10 Nf3 Qb6?!

This move doesn't really fit ίη with the Modern Benoni. Black prevents White from castling short, but by blocking his b-pawn also deprives himself οί the οηlΥ way οί creating serious counterplay. More to the point is 10 ... Na6, preparing to bring the knight to either b4 or c7, as will be examined ίη our next game. 11 Nd2 a6 12 a4 Bd4 13 NC4 QC7 14 Ne2 Bg7 (Diagram 4) 15 Bd2

Neither is White playing consistently. His main plan should consist οί playing οη the kingside while preventing Black from playing οη the queenside. Thus 15 ο-ο is more logical. Should Black play similarly to the game, then after 15 ... b616 Nc3 White is ready to play e4-e5 followed by ί4-ί5, which is a typical and dangerous pawn sacrifice. 15 ... b6 16 Qb3 Ra7 17 ο-ο Rb7 18 Na3 Nf6 19 h3 Qe7 20 NC3 Nh5 21 Kh2 g5! 22 Ne2 gxf4 23 Nxf4 Nxf4 24 Bxf4 Bes

Black has managed to thwart White by taking the e5-square under control. The game ended ίη a draw about ten moves later. Instead οί 9 Bd3, far more threatening is 9 a4; the idea is to stall any black coun-

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

terplay οη the queenside while preparing the (often decisive) thrust e4-e5. However, White has other ideas as well, as Ι would like to show ίη the next game.

Diagram 4 (w)

D M.Houska •

Diagram 5 (w)

D.Τebb

British Championship, Torquay 1998 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 c5 3 d5 e6 4 NC3 exd5 5 cxd5 d6 6 e4 g6 7 f4 Bg7 8 Bb5+ Nfd7 (Diagram 5) 9 a4!

Should White seek to prevent any ideas involving ... Qh4+, then 9 Νί3!? can be considered. The Swiss grandmaster Vadim ΜίΙον is a leading exponent οί this line and has achieved tremendous results. The criticalline is probably 9 ... a610 Bd3 b5 11 ο-ο ο-ο 12 a3! when the following moves have been tried: a) 12 ... Re8 13 Κh1 Nb6 14 ί5 N8d7 15 Bg5 Βί6 16 Qd2 Ne5 17 Bxf6 Qxf6 18 Nxe5 Rxe519 fxg6 Qxg6 20 Rf31ed to a clear advantage ίη V.Milov-A.Gonzalez Tedin, Μadήd (rapid) 2002. b) 12 ... c4 13 Bc2 Nc5 14 Be3 Qc715 Qe1 Bg4 16 Nd4 Nd3 17 Qh4 Bc8 18 ί5 also led to a strong attack ίη V.Milov-A.Rodriguez Aguilera, Dos Hermanas 2004. c) 12... Nb6 13 ί5!? (Diagram 6) 13 ... N8d7 (after 13 ... gxf5 14 Bg5 ί6 15 Βί4 b4 Endre Vegh ίη his Starting Out: Modern Benoni actually thinks that the position is good for Black, but Ι wouldn't touch that f-pawn with a barge-pole) 14 Bg5 ί6 15 Βί4 Ne516 b4! Bd717 h4 Qe718 Nxe5 fxe5 19 Bg5 Βί6 20 Qd2 Rac8 21 Rf3 cxb4 22 axb4 Nc4 23 Bxc4 Rxc4 24 fxg6 Bxg5 25 gxh7+ Kxh7 26 hxg5 Bc8 27 Rxf8 Qxf8 28 Rf1 Qg7 29 Rf6 Qa7+ 30 Κh2 Qd4 31 Qe2 and Black resigned ίη V.Milov-M.Cebalo, Bastia (rapid) 2003.

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31: Son of Sorrow

Diagram 6 (Β)

Diagram 7 (W)

d) Probably best is 12... Nf6 13 Qe1 Nbd7 14 Κh1 Bb7 15 Qh4 Re8 16 Re1 h6 17 Bd2 Rc818 Rad1 Nh719 Qf2 Ndf6 20 h3 Rc7 21 Rc1 c4 22 Bc2 Rce7 and Black was not so badly placed in V.Milov-E.Sevillano, Las Vegas 2003. Retuming to 9 a4: 9... 0-0

9... Na6 10 Nf3 only has independent value if Black doesn't castle. However, after 10 ... Nb4 11 ο-ο, 11 ... a6? is an unfortunate idea. White has the powerfu112 Bxd7+! Bxd713 f5! ο-ο 14 Bg5 f615 Bf4 gxf5 16 Bxd6 Bxa417 Rxa4 Qxd6 18 ΝΜ! fxe419 Nf5 Qd7 20 Nxe4 Κh8 21 Nxc5 and Black resigned in G.Kasparov-J.Nunn, Luceme Olympiad 1982. 10 Nf3 Na6

Black has to initiate some kind of counterattack, and preparing ...b7-b5 is the only way to do so. However, White has a nice idea looming. Perhaps Black must thus follow in John Watson's footsteps with 9 ... Qh4+!? 11 ο-ο Nc7 (Diagram 7) 12 Bxd7!?

This, in conjunction with White's follow-up, is surprisingly not mentioned by Watson in the second volume of his Mastering the Chess Openings. The text move shows an old idea in a new cloak. 12 ... Bxd7 13 f5

The point of the previous exchange was to remove the knight that would otherwise have been able to jump to e5. 13 ... gxf5 14 Bg5 f6 15 Bf4

With the black pieces totally misplaced, White enjoys definite compensation for

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

the sacrificed pawn. The game now concluded rather quickly: 15 ... Re8 16 exf5 Bxf5 17 Nh4 Bc818 Qh5 Qd719 Rae1 (Diagram 8)

Diagram 8 (W) 19... b6 20 Nb5 Rxe1 21 Rxe1 Nxb5 22 Re8+ Bf8 23 Nf5 Bb7 24 Ne7+ Kh8 25 Qf7 1-0

Conclusion Taimanoν's

8 Bb5+ poses a serious threat to the νiability οί the Modem Benoni. Indeed, the whole system is so risky that Benoni experts like Mihai Suba and Nick De Firmian employ a moνe order with 2... e6 (hoping for 3 Νί3 c5), ready to meet 3 Nc3 with the Nimzo-Indian Defence. Enough said!

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Chapter 32

Α

Bust to the King's Gambit

In my opinion the King's Gambit is busted. It loses by force. Robert James Fischer

Diagram :ι. (W) As Ι have already stated ίη Chapter 3, nowadays the Kieseritzky Gambit (and with it the whole branch οί the King' s Κnight' s Gambit) is οη the list οί endangered species. But back ίη the 1960s, when there were ηο computers and there was still a 1ittle room for romance, times were much better for the King's Gambit. Indeed the gambit was even responsible for the probably the most famous article ever written

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about an opening. When Bobby Fischer 10st to Boris Spassky ίη 1960 ίη Mar del Plata, he was so infuriated that when he got home he sat down and wrote an article entitled' Α Bust to the King's Gambit" ίη which he presented what he considered to be a refutation οί the Κing's Gambit. Since both Fischer's game and article are freely accessible οη the internet (a quick search will find them), Ι will refrain from devoting any more space to them. Ιη­ stead as some kind οί reparation to all the King' s Gambiteers whose hearts bled back ίη Chapter 3, Ι feel the need to present a game from the happier days οί the King's Gambit, featuring its fallen first knight, Alexei Fedorov.

D A.Fedorov •

ι.lbragίmον

Katrineholm 1999 1. e4 e5 2 f4 exf4 3 Nf3 d6 4 d4

After 4 Bc4, Black should play 4 ... h6 (4 ... g5?! is not to be recommended since 5 h4 g46 Ng5 Nh6 7 d4 ί6 8 Bxf4! gives White a strong attack should Black accept the piece: for example, 8 ... fxg5 9 Bxg5 Qd710 ο-ο c611 Nc3 b5 12 Bb3 Bb713 Qd2 Ng8 14 Qf4 Qg715 Bf7+ Kd716 e5 Kc717 exd6+ Bxd618 Bd8+ Κxd819 Qxd6+ Nd7 20 Be6 Nh6 21 Rf7 Qxf7 22 Bxf7 Nxf7 23 Qe6 Rf8 24 Rf1 b4 25 Na4 and Black resigned ίη F.Jensen-J.Pal1esen, Bikuben 1994). Then if White wants to avoid the Hanstein Gambit (after 5 d4 g5 6 ο-ο Bg7), which is considered to give him a draw at best, the only sensible option is 5 d3!? (Diagram 2).

Diagram 2 (Β)

Diagram 3 (Β)

Gallagher ίη his Winning With the King's Gambit offers 5 ... g5 6 g3 Nc6 (preventing Nd4 and thereby threatening ... g5-g4) 7 gxf4 g4 8 Ng1 Qh4+ 9 Kf1 Νί610 Kg2 Bd7, when according to him the white king is 'perfectly safe'. Ι beg to differ and offer

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the following game: 11 Nc3 0-0-0 12 Bxf7 Bg713 Be3 Nh5 14 Qd2 Rhf815 Bxh5 Qxh516 d4 d5! 17 Nxd5 Be618 c4 Rxd5!! 19 cxd5 Bxd5 20 exd5 Qxd5+ 21 Kg3 Qxh1 and Black was winning in P.Nory-G.Flear, Avoine 1993. 4 ... g5 5 h4 g4 6 Ng3. (Diagram 3)

After 6 Ng5 Black shouldn't play 6 ... h6 7 Nxf7 Kxf7 which allows White to gain an improved version οί the Allgaier Gambit, but instead play 6 ... f6! 7 Nh3 gxh38 Qh5+ Kd7 9 Bxf4 Qe8! 10 Qf3 Kd8 when White does not have enough compensation for the piece.

6 ...f5 The text move is given as an interesting altemative by NCO, but after seeing this game Ι am not entirely convinced. Instead 6 ... Bh6 is NCO's main line, but after 7 Nc3 c6 8 Nge2 Qf6 9 g3! fxg3 10 Nxg3 Bxc111 Rxc1 Qf412 Nce2 Qe313 c4, followed by Rc3, even Ι believe that White has good compensation. Α

more interesting alternative is 6... f3!? and then:

a) 7 gxf3 Be7 8 Be3 Bxh4+ 9 Kd2 c5!? 10 Kc1 cxd4 11 Qxd4 Βί6 12 Qd2 Nc6 13 Nc3 Be6 14 Nd5 was played in J.Gallagher-S.Conquest, British Championship, Blackροο11988. Had Black now played 14... Bg7 then according to Gallagher White has 'some compensation" even though he is not entirely sure what it is comprised οΙ Neither am Ι. b) White could try to avoid that line by playing 7 Bg5 when Gallagher gives a few lines starting with 7... Be7 and ending with 'clearly better for White', but what about the greedy 7... fxg2? Then 8 Bxg2 Be7 9 Qd2 h5 10 Nc3 Bxg5 11 hxg5 h4 12 0-0-0 h3 (Diagram 4) sees the black pawns running down the board.

Diagram 4 (W)

Diagram 5 (8)

Admittedly they can't do anything immediately after 13 Nge2, but they still work

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

as a shield to keep the files οη the kingside closed. That certainly helped Black ίη E.Van der Velden-G.Compagnone, correspondence 1998: 13 ... Ne714 Νί4 Nbc6 15 Ncd5 Nxd516 Nxd5 Ne717 Qc3 Nxd518 exd5 Qxg5+ 19 Κbl Βί5 20 Qxc7 ο-ο and 0-1. 7 NC3 Nf6 8 Bxf4 fxe4 9 d5! Nh5?

After 9 ...Bg7 White should play 10 Bb5+!? when 10 ...Bd7 (10 ... c6 11 dxc6 bxc6 12 Ba4 just leaves Black with a rotten pawn structure) 11 h5 Bxb512 Nxb5 wi1l give him good prospects should he be able to direct his knight to e6. 10 Bg5 Be7 11 Bb5+! (Diagram 5) 11... Kf7

As both 11 ... Bd7? and 11 ... Nd7? are bad οη account οί 12 Qxg4, the οηlΥ way not to move the king is 11 ... c6, but after 12 dxc6 bxc6 13 Bxe7!? Qxe714 Bxc6+! Nxc6 15 Qd5 Rb8 16 Qxh5+ Qf7 17 Qxf7+ Κxf718 0-0-0 Black has serious problems with his shattered pawn structure. 12 Nge2 a6 13 0-0+ Kg8

13 ...Kg7? runs straight into 14 Qd4+ Βί6 15 Bxf6+ Nxf6 16 Nxe4 when White is winning. 14 Ba4 Bxg5 15 hxg5 Nd7?

This move is a serious error. The h3-c8 diagonal is οηlΥ blocked for a moment, but it's just that moment that White has waited for. 16 Nf4! Nxf417 Qxg4! (Diagram 6)

Diagram 6 (Β)

The point. Now White's pieces invade with decisive effect. 17 ... Ne5 18 Qxf4 Kg7 19 Nxe4 b5 20 Bb3 Bd7 21 Nf6 h5 22 Rae11-0

The threat οί 23 Rxe5! is not easy to meet.

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Conclusion Despite White's νictory here, the Fischer Defence remains one οί the sternest tests οί the King's Gambit. Indeed, it is one more reason not to play the King's Κnight's Gambit, unless you are happy with a draw that is. Conclusion

Score (max 5)

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11111

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1111

Longevity Rating

11111

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Chapter 33

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Good Day to Sacrifice

White can be the first to seize the initiative on the kingside - with the help of some sacrifice or other! Dragoljub Velimirovic

Diagram 1 (Β) As we have seen ίη Chapter 25, the Keres Attack is a powerful weapon which has struck a serious blow against the pure form of the Sicilian Scheveningen. As a consequence, players started to employ different move orders ίη order to reach the Scheveningen while avoiding the dangerous Keres Attack altogether. One such route is via the Classical Sicilian: 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3

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Good Day to Sacrifice

Nc6 and now 6 Be2 e61eads to Scheveningen waters. However, White has aggressive altematives here in 6 Bg5 and 6 Bc4. The latter can be followed up by a variation full οί sacrificial fireworks, which was first developed in the 1960s by the Yugoslavian Grandmaster, Dragoljub Velimirovic: the Velimirovic Attack! Ο

D.Velimirovic. P.Popovic

Νονί Sad 1976

1 e4 C5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 NC3 Nc6 6 BC4 e6 7 Be3 a6

As we will see in the further course οί the game, holding back the development οί the dark-squared bishop can have its merits. Instead the immediate 7... Be7 transposes to the text in most cases. 8Qe2 QC7

Black caπ also decide to take immediate action οη the queenside with 8 ... Na5 9 Bd3 b5 (Diagram 2).

Diagram 2 (W)

Diagram 3 (Β)

White's best way to treat this aggression is to fight fire with fire and play 10 b4! Nc4 (10 ... Nb71ooks awful, and after 11 ο-ο e5 12 Nb3 Qc7 13 Bd2 Bd7 14 a4 bxa4 15 Nxa4 Be7 16 Be3 Bxa4 17 Rxa4 ο-ο 18 c4 White had a clear advantage in Z.Mestrovic-L.Polugaevsky, Varna 1972: just looking at the knight οη b7 says it all) 11 Bxc4 bxc412 ο-ο! Bb713 Bg5 Rc814 Rad1 h6 15 ΒΜ Be716 e5 Nd5 17 Nxd5 Bxh4 18 Nxe6! fxe6 19 Qh5+ Kd7 20 Qf7+ Kc6 21 b5+!, as occurred in T.HorvathZ.Jasnikowski, Balatonbereny 1985. The game concluded 2l ... axb5 22 Nb4+ Kc5 23 Qxb7 Κxb4 24 Rb1 + Kc3 25 Qf3+ Kd4 26 Rxb5 and Black resigned. 90-0-0 Be7

Again Black could decide to accelerate the pace with 9... Na510 Bd3 b5. Then 11 g4

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

b4 12 Na4 Bb7 (12 ... Bd713 g5! Bxa4 14 gxf6 gxf6 15 Bxa6 Bd716 Bb5 Rc8 17 Bxd7+ Qxd718 Qb5 was clearly better for White in P.Vavra-R.Cvek, Czech League 2004) should be met by 13 Nxe6!? which leads after 13 ... fxe6 14 Bb6 Qd715 b3 Nc6 16 g5 Ng817 ί4 Nge7 (17... Qf7? 18 Rhf1 h6 19 e5 d5 20 ί5 saw Black crushed ίη M.Sion Castro-V.Tukmakov, Leon 1992) 18 Bc4 Nc8 19 ί5 to nice attacking prospects. 10 Bb3 (Diagram 3) 10... Nas

After 10 ... 0-0 White has to plan carefully how to conduct his kingside attack: a) 11 g4 suggests itself, but the reply 11 ... Nxd4 12 Rxd4 (and not 12 Bxd4 as after 12 ... e5 the g-pawn is hanging) 12...b513 g5 Nd7 is problematic: a1) Following 14 Rg1 Nc515 Qh5 g6 16 Qh6 Black can play 16 ... f5! which thwarts the white attack. Ιη J.Nunn-KLangeweg, La Valletta 1980, White decided to slow down and take the draw after 17 gxf6 Bxf6 18 h4 Bxd4 19 Bxd4 Nxb3+ 20 axb3 e5 21 Bb6 which was agreed to after 21 ... Qxb6 ίη view οί 22 Rxg6+ followed by perpetual check. a2) The game J.Betemaa-A.Panchenko, Moscow 1979, saw Black consolidate in a different way: 14 Qh5 g6 15 Qh6 Re8 16 Rg1 Βί8 17 Qh4 Rb8 18 Rg3 Bg719 Rd1 b4 20 Ne2 Νί8 and the white attack came to an end while the black one was beginning. a3) Rushing forward with 14 ί4 is probably best. Then 14... Nc5 15 ί5 Nxb3+ 16 axb3 exf5! 17 Nd5 Qd8 18 Rg1 Re8 19 Qf2 g6! led to unclear play ίη T.WedbergL.5chneider, Eksj6 1980. b) Better is the preparatory move 11 Rhg1 (Diagram 4) when it is Black who has to make a choice:

Diagram 4 (Β)

Diagram 5 (Β)

b1) 11 ...b5 immediately lashes out οη the queenside, but after 12 g4 b413 Nxc6 Qxc6 White has 14 Nd5!?, a move quite typical for the Velimirovic Attack. Follow-

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Good Day to Sacrifice

ing 14 ... exd5 15 g5 Nxe416 Bxd5 Qa4 17 Bxe4 we have reached a position ίη which the white bishops are already focused οη the black kingside. M.5chlosserD.Heiliinger, Obernberg 1988, continued 17 ...Be618 Bd4! g619 f4 Rfe8 20 Qg2 Rac8 21 f5 gxf5 22 g6! fxg6 23 Qh3 Bf7 24 Rxg6+ Bxg6 25 Bd5+ Bf7 26 Qg2+ and Black resigned ίη view of the coming mate. b2) 11 .. .Nd7 transfers the knight to c5 where it defends e6 and attacks b3 and e4. White should waste ηο time and commence his attack with powerful means: 12 g4 Nc5 13 Nf5! b5 (Black certainly doesn't want to accept the Trojan horse with 13... exf5, since that would open the gates to his king: 14 gxf5 Ne515 Nd5 Qd816 f4 Ned717 Qg2 Nxb3+ 18 axb3 g619 Bd4 with a very dangerous attack in A.LancU.Boensch, Rostock 1984) 14 Bd5! (Diagram s) 14... Bb7 (taking the other piece with 14 ... exd5 wouldn't make Black happy either: for example, after 15 Nxd5 Qb716 e5! Ne6 17 exd6 Bd8 18 f4 f6 19 Qf3 White developed a dangerous initiative in A.KoganKRoser, French League 2005) 15 g5 Rfc8 (Black needs to create an escape route for his king) 16 Rg3 Bf8 17 Qh5 g6 18 Nh6+ Κh8 (18 ... Kg7 runs into 19 Qf3) 19 Qh4 b4 20 Bxc6!? (more interesting than the line given in NCO, which runs 20 Ng4 bxc3 21 Rh3 f5 22 Nf6 h6 23 Qxh6+ Bxh6 24 Rxh6+ Kg7 25 Rh7+ with a draw by perpetual check) 20 ...bxc3 21 b4 Bxc6 22 bxc5 dxc5 23 Bf4 Qb7 (23 ... Qa5 24 Rxc3 is also good for White as 24 ... Qxc3 25 Be5+! Qxe5 26 Nxf7+ picks up the queen) 24 Rxc3 and White had very good attacking chances in J.Soberano-J.Chmelik, correspondence 1998. Returning to Black's bid to delay castling with 10 ... Na5: 11 g4 bS 12 gs (Diagram 6)

Diagram 6 (Β)

Diagram 7 (w)

12 ... Nxb3+

Black has to eliminate the bishop as 12 ... Nd7?! allows the dangerous piece sacrifice 13 Bxe6!? fxe6 14 Nxe6.

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas 13 axb3 Nd7

Black is somewhat behind in development and has weakened his position in the centre; a situation which White should try to exploit immediately. 14 Nf5!?

Should the text move not suffice, then White should consider 14 h4!? 14...exf5

14 ...b4!? has been suggested by Gufeld, but after 15 Bd4!? Bxg5+ 16 Κb1 Bf617 Bxf6 Nxf6 18 Nxd6+ Ke7 19 e5 bxc3 20 exf6+ gxf6 21 Qh5 Rf8 22 Rhe1 White obtained a devastating attack in E.Prie-A.Muir, Novi Sad 1990. 15 Nd5 Qd8 16 exf5 Bb717 f6 gxf6 18 Rhe1 Bxd5 19 Rxd5 Rg8 (Diagram 7) 20 gxf6

20 Bf4 Kf8 21 Qh5 most likely leads to a draw after 21 ... Qa5 22 Qe2 Qd8 23 Qh5, as avoiding the perpetual with 22 Qh6+ Ke8 23 Re3 Rg6 24 Qxh7 Nf8 25 Qh3 fxg5 26 Bxd6 Re6 27 Rxe6 Nxe6 28 Qh8+ Nf8 29 Bxe7 Qe1+ 30 Rd1 Qxe7 31 Rd3 Qe1+ 32 Rd1 Qe4 33 Rd3 Ke7 34 Re3 Ne6 did White ηο good in κ.Εlisοn-J.Jοnassοn, correspondence 1994. 20 ... Nxf6 21 Rf5 Rb8

Besides the text move there are a few altematives to consider: a) 21 ... Rg6 is a standard defensive manoeuvre often seen in this type of position. Black seeks to use his rook via the sixth rank, but in this concrete position White can play 22 Bb6!. Then Black' s queen is bound to the protection of his bishop and after the forced 22 ... Qd7 the move 23 Qf3 creates a double attack. Relatively best is 23 ... Rb8, but 24 Rxf6 Rxb6 25 Qa8+ Qd8 26 Rxe7+ Kxe7 27 Rxf7+ Kxf7 28 Qxd8 left White with a favourable endgame in A.Panchenko-A.Lisenko, Volgograd 1974. b) 21 ... Ng4 tries to place an obstacle οη the e-file, but White is quick enough to prevent that: 22 Bd4!? Rg6 23 Qf3 Ne5 24 Bxe5 dxe5 25 Rxf7 Rf6 26 Rxf6 Bxf6 27 Rd1! and the black queen was overloaded in D.Rogic-A.Lisenki, Makarska 1994. c) 21 ... Kd7! (Diagram 8) is probably best. Then White does not seem to have anything better than 22 Bb6 Qf8 23 Rxb5! (after 23 Qf3 Rb8 24 Bd4 Rg6 White does not win the piece back with 25 Bxf6 because of 25 ... Qh6+) 23 ... Bd8 24 Qf3 Rb8 25 Bxd8 axb5 26 Bxf6 Qh6+ 27 Κb1 Rge8 (T.MifsudE.Urbankova, Pardubice 1996) 28 Rxe8 Rxe8 29 Qb7+ Ke6 30 Qe4+ Kd7 with a draw by perpetual check. 22 Ba7

22 Μ!?, with the idea of supporting a later Bg5, is an altemative. M.Sion CastroS.Atalik, Oviedo (rapid) 1992, continued 22 ... Ng4 (preventing Bg5 with 22 ... Ne4 doesn't work; after 23 Bf4 Rg6 24 Qxe4 Re6 White has 25 Qh1!) 23 Bg5 ί6 24 Qxg4 fxg5 25 Qh5+ Kd7 26 Rxe7+ Qxe7 27 Rf7 gxh4 28 Rxe7+ Kxe7 29 Qxh7+ and White had a slight endgame advantage. 22 ... Rb7 23 Bd4 Ng4 24 Qf3 Rd7?!

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Good Day to Sacrifice

Diagram 9 (Β)

Diagram 8 (W)

24 ... Qc8! would have held everything together. White could take another pawn with 25 Rxf7, but after 25 ... Ne5 26 Bxe5 dxe5 (threatening 27... Bg5+) 27 Κb1 Qg4 28 Qxb7 Κxf7 Black was out οί the woods ίη V.Kozlov-D.Losev, Moscow 1976. 25 Qh3 (Diagram 9) Ι

agree with Gufeld that White has full compensation for the sacrificed material.

25 ... Ne5 26 f4 Bh4 27 Re2 Re7 28 fxe5 dxe5 29 BC5 Bg5+ 30 Κb:ι f6 3:Ι Qh5+ Rg6 32 h4 Qc8 33 Bxe7 Qxf5 34 Bb4 Qf4 35 Qxh7 Rh6 36 Qe7 mate :ι-ο

Conclusion The Velimirovic Attack is a particularly suitable system for attacking players. Its successor, the English Attack (ίη which the move f2-f3 is played instead οί Bc4), eventually outstripped it ίη terms οί popularity, but that may be due to the fact that it, unlike the Velimirovic, can be employed against many different types οί Sicilian. As for the Classical Sicilian, the possibilities presented here have made me a big fan οί the Velimirovic Attack!

Conclusion

Score (max 5)

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!!!!!

Effectiveness Rating

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Longevity Rating

!!!!

Creativity Value

!!!!

249

Chapter 34

Α

Gambit with Solid Positional Ideas

He who takes the Queen's Knight's Pawn will sleep in the streets. Anonymous

Diagram

:ι

(W)

The term gambit derives from the Italian word gambetta ('to trip somebody up'), and is commonly used for openings ίη which one side sacrifices material. Ι like to think οί gambits ίη quite a fervent way: the Immortal Game and the Evergreen Game! That is what gambits are al1 about! The gambit which Ι' d like to discuss ίη this chapter is pretty different, but still

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Gambit with Solid Posiitonal Ideas

rather impressive. First οί all, it is Black who is offering a pawn and, secondly, the positional compensation is οί a long-term nature! ΟΚ, most οί you have probably guessed it by now, but for those who haven't, Ι should reveal the name οί the opening Ι am talking about: the Benko Gambit! Ο

M.Taimanov. D.Bronstein

Zurich 1953 1 d4 Nf6 2 (4 (5 3 d5 g6 4 Nc3 d6 5 e4 b5

At the time οί this game, reaching the Benko through a King's Indian move order was far more common than the pure move order 1 d4 Νί6 2 c4 c5 3 d5 b5. Only the 1972 Olympiad ίη Skopje constituted a major turning point for the true Benko when the opening scored an outstanding 13 points from 16 games (10 wins, 6 draws, and ηο losses)! 6 cxb5 Bg7 7 Nf3 ο-ο 8 Be2 a6 9 bxa6 Bxa6 10 ο-ο QC7 (Diagram 2)

Diagram 2 (W)

Diagram 3 (W)

Compared with today's play, 10 ... Qc7 is not really a Benko move, but then again theory was still developing back ίη the 1950s. Reading the notes Bronstein made to this game ίη his book οη the 1953 Zurich Candidates Toumament, one could draw the conclusion that the text move is aimed against a possible e4-e5. 11 Re1 Nbd7 12 Bxa6 Rxa6 13 Qe2 Rfa8 14 h3

Following my remark to Black's 10th move, we should take a look at 14 e5. In general, if White can make this advance without any difficulty, something has gone wrong for Black. However, in this case after 14... dxe5 15 Nxe5 Nxe5 16 Qxe5 Qxe5 17 Rxe5 Κf8! (protecting the e-pawn with the king is an important theme in the Benko, as we will see) 18 Re2 Ne8, followed by ... Nc7, the white position is difficult.

251

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas 14... Nb6 15 Bg5 Ne8 16 Bd2 Na4!

One οί many thematic moves ίη the Benko, putting pressure οη c3 and b2. 17 Nxa4 Rxa4 18 BC3 BxC3

Better than retrieving the pawn with 18 ... Rxa2 as after 19 Rxa2 Rxa2 20 e5 White is actually better, having been able to play e4-e5 without any negative consequences. 19 bXC3 Qa5 (Diagram 3) 20 Qd3

Obviously White can't allow Black to take the c-pawn, as the c5-pawn would then be both protected and passed. 20 ... Qa6!

'Black's endgame advantage is founded οη the fact that his base pawn at e7 is close to home and therefore easy to defend, while the white pawns at c3 and e4 afford excellent targets to Black's rooks. If the e-pawn advances, then the pawn οη d5 becomes weak.' - Bronstein. 21Qd2

21 Qxa6 R8xa6 22 Re2 Nc7 followed by ... Nb5 provides Black with a substantial advantage, as White cannot hold οη to his extra pawn. 21 ... Rxa2 22 Rxa2 Qxa2

Black has regained his pawn and retains a slight advantage, as his pawn structure is better and his pieces are the more active. 23 e5?! Α

desperate attempt to gain activity.

23 ... Qxd2 24 Nxd2 dxe5 25 Rxe5 Kf8! 26 Nb3 c4 27 NC5 Ra1+ 28 Kh2 Nf6 29 Ne4 Nd7 30 Rg5 Ra2 (Diagram 4)

Diagram 4 (W)

252

Diagram 5 (Β)

34:

Α

Gambit with Solid Posiitonal Ideas

Black has a winning advantage; his pieces are virtua11y optima11y placed ίη order to pick σΗ the weak white pawns. 1'11 give the rest οί the game without comments, as Bronstein's exce11ent technique speaks for itself. 31 Rg4 f5 32 Rf4 Nb6 33 Ng5 Nxd5 34 Rd4 Nb6 35 Rd8+ Kg7 36 f4 h6 37 Ne6+ Kf7 38 Nd4 Na4 39 Rc8 Nxc3 40 RXC4 Nd5 41 Nf3 Rxg2+ 42 Kh1 Rf2 0-1

Some Swedish sources mention that the Benko Gambit first occurred there ίη the 1920s and that tournaments especially for the gambit were organized later. That would explain why the Swedish masters Gideon Stahlberg, Gosta Stoltz and Erik Lundin had the Benko ίη their repertoires. It should also be mentioned that early examples οί the Benko can be found ίη the 1930s ίη the games οί the Czech master Karel Opocensky, even though the quality οί those games is considerably poor compared to modern Benko standards. Things changed when Pal Benko adopted the gambit ίη the 1960s and significantly contributed to its theory. As he stated ίη his book The Benko Gambit (the fact that Benko continued to play his opening after he wrote an exce11ent book about it is especially noteworthy), Benko tried to popularize the opening under the name the 'Benoni Countergambit" but his enormous successes with it eventually lead to his name being connected with the opening. Therefore, it seems natural to present such a game; the following game is actually the first ίη which Benko employed the opening:

D M.Vukic. P.Benko Sarajevo 1967 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 c5 3 d5 b5 4 cxb5 a6 5 bxa6 (Diagram 5) 5... Bxa6?1

The immediate capture οί the pawn is slightly inaccurate as it allows White to put his bishop οη b2 where it opposes the black bishop οη g7. Instead 5... g6! is the right move order. Should White then try to play the double fianchetto, Black can take οη a6 with the knight and generate significant pressure against d5: 6 b3 Bg7 7 Bb2 ο-ο 8 g3 Nxa6! 9 Bg2 d6 10 e4 (10 Nh3 tries to employ the idea mentioned below ίη the note to White's 6th move, but ίη this particular case Black can make use οί his piece configuration: 10 ... Nb4 11 a3 Nbxd512 Bxd5 Nxd5 13 Bxg7 Kxg714 Qxd5 Bxh3 and Black held the upper hand ίη J.Marquez Molina-J.Bellon Lopez, Malaga 2002) 10 ... Bb7 11 Ne2 e6 and while White has been arranging his bishop οη b2, Black has methodically built up pressure against d5. White could play 12 dxe6 fxe6 13 Nd2, but after 13 ... Nb4 Black gets very active. 6 Nc3

The right way to exploit the inaccuracy οί Black' s move order would have been 6 g3 d6 7 Bg2 g6 8 b3! which constitutes the so-called Double Fianchetto Variation. The difference between this version and that ίη the previous note is that here

253

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

Black cannot put as much pressure οη d5. The game L.Portisch-E.Geller, Bie11976, continued 8... Bg7 9 Bb2 ο-ο 10 Nh3 Nbd7 11 ο-ο ... (Diagram 6)

Diagram 6 (Β)

Diagram 7 (Β)

... when it was hard for Black to create counterplay as his pressure along the a1-h8 diagonal had been more οτ less neutralized. 6... d67 Nf3

Another main line runs 7 e4 Bxf1 8 Kxf1 g69 Nf3 Bg710 g3 Nbd711 Kg2 ο-ο 12 Re1 (Diagram 7) when we have reached a key position. Α few sample lines illustrate what could happen: a) 12 ... Ng4 13 Qe2 Qa5 14 Nd2 Bxc3 15 Nc4 Qa6 16 bxc3 Nge5 17 Nxe5 Nxe5 is 'not what Black dreams of' (Van der Weide). There could follow 18 Bh6! Rfb8 19 Qxa6 Rxa6 20 Reb1 Rab6 21 Rxb6 Rxb6 22 a4 f6 23 Bc1 Ra6 24 a5 g5 25 f4 gxf4 26 gxf4 Nd3 27 Bd2 Nb2 28 c4 Nxc4 29 Bc3 Ne3+ 30 Κί3 Nc2 31 Ra4 f5 32 exf5 Κί733 Ke4 Ke8 34 Kd3 Nd4 35 Bxd4 cxd4 36 Κxd4 Kd7 37 Ke4 and Black resigned ίη G.Danner-κ.Van der Weide, St Poelten 2002. b) After 12 ... Qa5, 13 e5 actually might work. Following 13 ... Ng414 exd6 exd6 15 Βί4 Rfb8 16 Qe2 Qa6 17 Rac1 Nge5 18 Nxe5 Nxe5 19 Bxe5 Bxe5, Fogarasi claims the position is equal, but Van der Weide has a different ορίηίοη, bemoaning that 'Black will suffer and hope to somehow draw'. c) 12 ... Ra713 h3 Qa8 14 Re2 (14 e5? is always an advance White looks ίοτ ίη the Benko, but here it doesn't work because οί 14 ... dxe5 15 Nxe5 Nxe5 16 Rxe5 Nxd5! 17 Rxd5 e6) 14 ... Rb815 Rc2?! (normally this move, ίη order to support the queenside, is quite normal, but here the e-pawn lacks support; better would have been 15 Qc2, but even then Black has his usual counterplay after 15 ... Nb6 16 Rb1 Nfd7, preventing e4-e5 with the idea οί ... c4 and ... Nc5) 15 ... Nb616 Qe2 Na4! (Diagram 8)

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34: Α Gambit with Solid Posiitonal Ideas

17 Nd1 (17 Nxa4 Rxa4 would already allow Black to retrieve his pawn) 17... Rb4 18 Rc4 Rab7 19 Bd2 Rxc4 20 Qxc4 Nxb2 21 Nxb2 Rxb2 22 a4 e6! saw Black win back the pawn and successfully break open the centre ίn L.Brunner-V.Kotronias, Geneva 1990.

Diagram 8 (W)

Diagram 9 (W)

7 .•• g6 8 g3 Bg7 9 Bg2 ο-ο 10 ο-ο Nbd7 (Diagram 9) We have reached the starting position οί the Fianchetto Variation; currently the most critical test οί the Benko. 11QC2

11 Rb1 is subject οί our next game. 11 ... Qb6 Ιn the early days οί the Benko, it was still unclear where exactly the queen belongs, and all οί 11 ... Qb6, 11 ... Qc7 and 11 ... Qa5 were played. Only today has it been established that the queen should be brought to a5 (an example for this can be seen ίn our next game).

12 Rd1 Α better way to cope with Black's activity would have been 12 Rb1 Rfb8 13 b3 Ne8 14 Nd2 Qa5 15 Bb2 when White has fortified his queenside.

12 ... Rfb8 13 Rb1 Ne8 14 Bg5

Now it's too late to play 14 b3. After 14 ... Bxc3 15 Qxc3 Bxe2 16 Re1 Bxf3 17 Qxf3 Rxa2 18 .Rxe7 Ne5 Black has recovered his pawn and acquired the better position along the way. 14... Qd8 15 Bf1 h6 16 Bd2 Nc7 (Diagram 10)

Black is redeploying his pieces ίn typical Benko style.

255

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas 17 b3 Nb6 18 e4 Bxf119 Rxf1 Qd7 20 Rfe1 Kh7 21 Kg2 e6!

Having put all pieces forces

οη

their right places, Black decides to engage the enemy

22 dxe6 Nxe6 23 Ne2 d5! 24 Nf4 dxe4 25 Rxe4 Nd4 26 Nxd4 cxd4 27 a4?

This seems like a natural move, but Black has a neat tactical riposte. 27 ... Qb7! 28 f3 Nxa4

Black won back his pawn and remains with an excellent position (more active pieces, passed d-pawn). Vukic resigηed a dozen moves later.

Diagram 10 (W)

Diagram 11 (Β)

The Current Status of the Benko When choosing an opening repertoire for Black, Ι believe you have to search for α line in which you have good drawing chances against α strong opponent and winning chances against α weaker opponent [. .. ] The Benko Gambit fails this test: you only have drawing chances against α weaker opponent! Karel Van der Weide Ιη a series οί articles for JeremySilman.com, the Dutch grandmaster Karel Van der Weide, a long-time exponent οί the Beηko, draws a rather gloomy picture οί the current prospects οί the opening. He certainly is an expert οη the Benko, but the fact that Magηus Carlsen is still employing it at the highest level should give every Benko player sufficient confidence. One such game shall conclude our journey through the realms οί the opening.

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D L.Johannessen • M.Carlsen Tromso 2006 1 d4 Nf6 2 C4 cS 3 dS bS 4 abS a6 5 bxa6 g6! 6 NC3 Bxa6 7 g3 d6 8 Bg2 Bg7 9 Nf3 Nbd7

This move is a bit more subtle than the immediate 9... 0-0, as it allows White to commit an inaccuracy. 10 Rb1! (Diagram 11)

Currently the most critical set-up; by removing the rook from the a1-h8 diagonal, b2-b3 becomes an option. The importance οί playing this move immediately can be seen that after 10 ο-ο Nb611 Rb1?, Black wins back the pawn with 11 ... Bc4!. 10 ... 0-0

10 ... Nb6!? 11 b3 Bc8 follows an idea that can actually be seen later ίη the game. Α black bishop ση ί5 would be quite annoying for White, and so 12 Nh4 h6 (preparing ... g5 in order to chase the knight away) 13 Qc2 (enabling 14 Νί5 in the case οί 13... g5) 13 ... Qd714 ί4 is a logical course οί action. Now White has prevented ... g5, but at the Ρήce σί weakening his light squares. After 14 ... Bb715 Bb2 Van der Weide suggests 15... Ng4 'with total chaos'. Practical tests for this line are still required. 110-0Qas

Besides the text, another standard move ίη the Benko deserves further examination. However, 11 ... Nb6 allows White to adopt a set-up that is quite characteristic for the whole idea behind 10 Rb1. After 12 b3 Ra7 13 a4! the advance οί the white a-pawn significantly reduces the amount οί black counterplay οη the queenside. The game J.Piket-V.Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 1999, continued 13 ... Qa814 ΝΜ Rb815 Bb2 Nbd7 16 Ba1 Ne5 17 Qc2 Rab7 18 Rfd1 Qa7 19 Βf1 Ne8 20 Ne4 Rb6 21 Nd2 Nd7 22 Bxg7 Κxg7 23 Nhf3 Nef6 24 e4 Rb4 25 Bxa6 Qxa6 26 Nc4 and Black had ηο compensation for his pawn deficit. 12 QC2

12 Bd2 is played more frequently. After 12 ... Rfb8 (Diagram 12) we have: a) 13 Qc2 Ng4 14 a4 Nge5 15 Nxe5 Nxe5 16 b3 has the idea to employ the set-up already seen above ίη the Piket-Topalov game, but here Black has aΡΡrΟΡήate counter measures: 16 ...Qd8 17 Rfe1 Ra718 h3 Rab719 Na2 Qc8 20 ί4 was played ίη V.Kramnik-L.Van Wely, Monaco (rapid) 2003, and now 20 ... Nc4!! has been suggested by Tibor Fogarasi, with tremendous counterplay for Black after 21 bxc4 Rb2. b) White can also play the immediate 13 b3 when Black's best option is 13 ... Qa3. Now after 14 Bc1 Qa5 White can force a draw with 15 Bd2 or play οη with 15 Bb2, even though after 15 ... Ne8 16 Qc2 c4! 17 b4 (17 Nd2 Nc5 18 Ba1 cxb3 19 Nxb3 Nxb3 20 Rxb3 Bc4 21 Rxb8 Rxb8 22 Qe4 Rc8 also gives Black counterplay according to Fogarasi) 17... Rxb4 18 Ba1 Rab8 19 Rxb4 Rxb4 20 Rd1 Black was at least equal ίη M.Gurevich-Cao Sang, Warsaw 2005.

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

Diagram 3.2 (W)

Diagram 13 (W)

12 ... Rfb8 13 Rd1

We are about to leaνe the opening stage. The pieces haνe taken up their positions, and it is time to see what Black is really up to ίη the Benko. You may rest assured that Carlsen's performance is quite magnificent. 13 ... Ng4 14 Bd2 Nge5 15 Nxe5 Nxe5 16 b3 Bc8! (Diagram 13)

One can compare this position to the remark Ι made ίη the notes to Black's 10th moνe. Since the light-squared bishop is not doing much οη the f1-a6 diagonal (the c4-square is well guarded and White may eνen play Nb5 at some point), it looks for another area οί operation. And a black bishop οη ί5 is again annoying! 17 Na4 Qa6 18 BC3 Bf5 19 Be4

Certainly White doesn't want to weaken his light squares with 19 e4. After 19 ... Bg4 he has to play νery carefully since 20 Rdc1 is met by 20 ... Qd3! with the simple threat οί 21 ... Qxc2 22 Rxc2 Rxa4!. Note that 21 Qxd3 doesn't work as 21 ... Nxd3 22 Rf1 (22 Rc2? again fails to 22 ... Rxa4) 22 ... Be2 loses the exchange. ΑΙΙ ίη all, the position is quite difficult for White, and Black has sufficient compensation for the pawn to say the least. 19... Bd720f4

White clings to his pawn, but the weakening οί the squares around his king will ultimately proνe fatal. 20... Ng4 21 Bxg7 Kxg7 22 Bf3 c4! (Diagram 14)

Not οηlΥ nagging at the white b-pawn, but also opening the g1-a7 diagonal. 23 e3 Qa7

Naturally not 23 ... Nxe3? as 24 Qc3+ loses the knight.

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Gambit with 50lid Posiitonal Ideas

24 Re1 cxb3 25 axb3 Nf6 26 Ra1 Rb4! 27 Kh1 Rc8 28 Qd1 Qb7! 29 e4

Black is flowing. White could have protected his b-pawn with 29 Ra3, but then 29 ... Bf5! (threatening 30... Bc2) 30 Re2 Be4 makes short shrift of the white d-pawn. 29 ... Rxb3 (Diagram 15)

Diagram 14 (W)

Diagram 15 (W)

Black has regained his pawn and remains with the more active pieces. It is ηο surprise that White goes downhill rapidly. 30 e5 Ng4! 31 Bxg4 Bxg4 32 Qxg4 Qxd5+ 33 Kg1 Rc2 34 Qh3 Qd4+ 35 Kh1 Re3! 36 Qf1 Qd2 0-1

Conclusion Someone once said that all it takes to take the fun out of the Benko Gambit is Kramnik, a computer and the Fianchetto Variation. However, things are not that bad ίη my view. Indeed, the Benko is still perfectly playable and should guarantee many exciting games.

Conclusion

Score (max 5)

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1111

Effectiveness Rating

11111

Longevity Rating

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Creativity Value

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259

Chapter 35

Paying Final Respects to Greco Black [... ] obtains fair1y comfortable equality, as well as decent winning chances, with α series of logical moves. Glenn Flear

Diagram 1 (W) Ι imagine that many οί you were baffled after reading the first chapter, wondering if Ι might have forgotten all the action that might ensue should White employ the enterprising 5 d4 instead οί the rather technical 5 d3. Rest assured Ι have not; Ι even find it 80 important that Ι' d like to devote a separate chapter to 5 d4.

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35: Paying Final Respects to Greco

11 Calabrese The historic νictories οί Gioνanni Leonardo and Paolo Boi in their matches against the leading Spanish players (see Chapter 1) led to period οί prosperity for chess οη the Italian peninsula, and many strong players emerged, including Horatio Gianuto, Pietro Carrera and Alessandro Salνio. Howeνer, probably the bestknown οί them all was a man who was born near Consenza, a small city in Calabria: Gioacchino Greco. The extent οί Greco' s fame can be explained with the magnificence οί his opening analysis. After Ι suffered a deνastating defeat in my νery first state championship Ι engaged myself, with the help οί my trainer, in the νarious lines οί the Giuoco Piano that Greco had analysed nearly 400 years before. Ι was οηlΥ ten years old back then, but eνen today Ι find the quality οί his analysis ηο less sensational. 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 BC4 BC5 4 c3 Nf6

Launching a counterattack against the white e-pawn is commonly known and frequently employed in a number οί double e-pawn openings these days. Howeνer, this stratagem was οηlΥ cultiνated by the Pleiades (see Chapter 4 about the Berlin Defence) two hundred years after Greco's death. Until then employing a strong point defence with 4... Qe7, which we saw in the νery first chapter, was more popular, and Greco' s analysis surely is responsible for this in some way ... 5 d4 exd4

Greco also analysed 5 ... Bb6 6 dxe5 Ng4 (6 ... Nxe4 7 Qd5 wins a piece as 7... Nxf2 8 Qxf71eads to mate) 7 Bxf7+ Κί8 (or 7... Kxf7 8 Ng5+ followed by Qxg4) 8 Bg5 and Black cannot take οη ί2 οη account οί 8 ...Bxf2+ (8 .. .Nxf2 9 Qb3 Ne710 Bh5 g611 Rf1! gxh5 12 Nd4 Bxd4 13 cxd4 and White regains the piece with a winning position) 9 Ke2 Ne710 Qb3 Bb6 11 Bh5 winning a piece. 6 cxd4 Bb4+ (Diagram 2) 7 Nc3

The less forcing 7 Bd2 is an alternatiνe to Greco's 7 Nc3, leading to a less tactical and more strategical kind οί play. Back in 1808, Sarratt in his Α Treatise on the Game oj Chess obserνed that after 7 ... Bxd2+ 8 Nbxd2 the moνe 8 ... d5 'is οί essential utility as it disunites the White's central pawns', and eνaluated the black position after 9 exd5 Nxd510 Qb3 Nce711 ο-ο c612 Rfe1 ο-ο as 'at the least as good as yours. Your Queen's Pawn being isolated [emphasis by Sarratt] renders your situation perhaps eνen inferior to his.' Matters are a bit more complicated, though, and require additional study which is beyond the scope οί this book. The interested reader is referred to the first νolume οί Watson's Mastering the Chess Openings. Aside from that, 7... Nxe4!? is an old moνe that came to fore against 7 Bd2 in the recent Dangerous Weapons: 1 e4 e5 in which Glenn Flear argues that 8 Bxb4 Nxb4 9 Bxf7+ Kxf7 10 Qb3+ d5 11 Ne5+ Ke6! 12 Qxb4 c5 (Diagram 3) 'offers more practical winning chances and οί course gets White out οί his comfort zone'.

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

Diagram 2 (W)

Diagram 3 (W)

The game G.Lee-G.Flear, British Championship, Torquay 2002, continued 13 Qa3 cxd4 14 Nf3 Qb6 15 ο-ο Kf716 Nbd2 Re8 17 Qb3 Nxd2 18 Qxd5+ Be6 19 Qh5+ Kg8 20 Nxd2 Qxb2 and seems to support this view. 7 ... Nxe4 8 ο-ο NxC3

The discovery of 8... Bxc3 9 bxc3 d5 struck a serious blow to Greco's Attack in the first half of the 19th Century. Only in 1898 was the line brought to live again with 9 d5!, a move analysed by the Danish player Jeιrgen Meιller in Tidsskrijt for Skαk. 9 bXC3 BXC3 (Diagram 4)

9 ... d5! is the only way for Black to bail out, even though after 10 cxb4 dxc4 11 Re1+ Ne712 Bg5 f613 Qe2! Bg4 (13 ... fxg5 14 Qxc4 gives White a dangerous attack for the piece) 14 Bf4 Kf715 Qxc4+ Nd5 16 Nd2! Be6 17 Bg3 Re8 18 Ne4 White has the better prospects according to Sakharov. 10Qb3

Sarratt remarked that this move 'decides the game in your favour'. However, that was too rash a statement as Black can play 10... d5! 11 Bxd5 ο-ο 12 Bxf7+ Κh8 13 Qxc3 Rxf7 when White's advantage is marginal at best. Greco's 10 Qb3 is not, though, the only approach. Instead 10 Ba3! was a strong improvement pointed out by the Scottish player James Macrae Aitken in the British Chess Mαgαzine in 1937. White gets a devastating attack after 10... d511 Bb5 Bxa112 Re1+ Be613 Qa4 Rb814 Ne5, as in N.Cortlever-J.Bolbochan, Parana 1946, which is certainly the reason why this line is hardly played anymore today. But now the curtain rises for Il Cαlαbrese and his magnificent analysis. Sit back and enjoy the following lines after 10 Qb3: a) 10 ... Bxd4 11 Bxf7+ Kf8 12 Bg5 Bf6 13 Rae1 Ne7 (13 ... Be7 14 Rxe7 Nxe7 15 Re1 was added by Lewis in 1819) 14 Bh5! (Diagram 5) and now:

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35: Paying Final Respects to Greco

Diagram 4 (W)

Diagram 5 (Β)

al) 14 ... Ng6 15 Ne5 Nxe5 16 Rxe5 g6 17 Bh6+ Bg718 Rf5+! gxf5 19 Qf7 mate. a2) 14 ... d5 15 Rxe7! Kxe7 (or 15 ... Qxe716 Re1 Qd7 -16 ...Be6 17 Nd4 Bxg5 18 Nxe6+ Kg819 Qxd5 c6 20 Qb3 Qf6 21 Nxg5+ Κί8 22 Qb4+ Kg8 23 Βί7+ Qxf7 24 Nxf7 and White wins -17 Qb4+ Kg8 18 Re8+ winning) 16 Re1+ Κί8 (altematively, 16... Kd7 17 Qxd5 mate or 16... Kd617 Βί4+ Kc618 Rc1+ Kd719 Qxd5+ Ke7 20 Qf7 mate) 17 Qb4+ Kg8 18 Re8+ and wins. b) 10 ... Bxa111 Bxf7+ Κί8 12 Bg5 Ne7 (or 12 ... Nxd4 13 Qa3+ Κxf714 Bxd8 Rxd8 15 Rxa1 Nc2 16 Qb3+ Κί8 17 Qxc2 and wins) 13 Ne5 Bxd4 (13 ... d5 14 Qf3 Βί5 15 Be6 g6 16 Bh6+ Ke8 17 Bf7 mate) 14 Bg6! d5 15 Qf3+ Βί5 16 Bxf5 (Diagram 6) 16 ...Bxe5 (16 ... Ke817 Bg6+) 17 Be6+ Βί618 Bxf6 Ke8 (or 18 ... gxf619 Qxf6+ Ke8 20 Qf7 mate) 19 Bxg7 and White wins.

Diagram 6 (Β)

Diagram 7 (Β)

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

Coming down to earth Over the years the theory οί the Greco-Moller Attack has evolved as the variation was subject to many gruelling games. Eventually it seemed that the main line after 13 ... 0-0 (see below) should lead to a draw, albeit οηlΥ after massive complications, but the following game demonstrated a significant improvement for Black which has rendered the Greco-Moller Attack close to unplayable.

D L.Barczay • L.Portisch Hungary 1968 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bc4 Bc5 4 c3 Nf6 5 d4 exd4 6 cxd4 Bb4+ 7 Nc3 Nxe4 8 ο-ο Bxc3 9 d5! (Diagram 7)

9 bxc3?! was played two years before the discovery οί 9 d5 by none other than Steinitz in his World Championship retum match against Emanuel Lasker in 1896. Unfortunately, after 9... d5! 10 Ba3 dxc4 11 Re1 Be6 12 Rxe4 Qd5 13 Qe2 0-0-0 Black's position was perfectly fine. 9 ... Bf6

In Dangerous Weapons 1 e4 e5, 9 ... Ne5!? is advocated by Glenn Flear. After the pretty much forced 10 bxc3 Nxc411 Qd4 ο-ο 12 Qxe4 Nd613 Qd3 Qf6 he gives: a) 14 Bg5 Qf5 15 Qxf5 Nxf5 16 g4 Nh6 17 Bxh6 (or 17 Be7 Re8 18 Rfe1 d6 19 Bxd6 Rxe1 + 20 Rxe1 Bxg4) 17... gxh6 18 Nd4 d6 19 ί3 Bd7 20 Rae1 Rfe8 21 h3 c5 with total control in S.Iermito-J.Pierrot, Villa Ballester 2001. b) 14 Ba3 b6 15 Qd4 Qxd4 16 Nxd4 Bb717 Bxd6 cxd6 18 Νί5 g6 19 Nxd6 Bxd5 20 Rfe1 Be6 21 ί4 a6! 22 a4 Ra7 23 Reb1 Rb8 24 a5 b5 25 c4 b4 26 Ra4 b3 27 Ra3 Rc7 28 Raxb3 Rxb3 29 Rxb3 Rc5 30 Nb7 (or 30 Ra3 Κί8) 30 ... Rxc4 with an endgame advantage in Fritz 6-V.Anand, Frankfurt (rapid) 1999. 10 Re1 Ne7 11 Rxe4 d6 12 Bg5

The bayonet attack style 12 g4 is easily met by 12 ... 0-0! 13 g5 Be514 Nxe5 dxe5 15 Rxe5 Ng6 with a good game as 'recommended long ago by Keres' (Harding). 12 ... Bxg5 13 Nxg5 (Diagram 8) 13 ... h6!

13 ... 0-0 has been analysed by generations οί players, but ultimately leads to draw after 14 Nxh7 Κxh715 Qh5+ Kg816 Rh4 f5. Οη this position Vladimir Vukovic in his Art of Attack observes: 'White must try to justify the sacrifice οί the knight. Admittedly, he controls the square h7, but at the same time, he cannot prevent the black king from escaping via f7 when it is checked. If the game is continued correctly, White can οηlΥ obtain perpetual check, not mate'. Indeed, there are quite a number of ways to draw: a) One of the older lines is 17 Qh7+ Κf718 Rh6 Rg819 Re1 Qf8 20 Bb5 Rh8 21

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35: Paying Final Respects to Greco

Qxh8 gxh6 22 Qh7+ ΚΕ6 (Diagram 9) 23 Rxe7 Qxe7 24 Qxh6+ and White forces perpetual check.

Diagram 8 (Β)

Diagram 9 (W)

b) 17 Rh3 Ε4! 18 g4 fxg3 19 Qh7+ ΚΕ7 20 Qh5+ Kg8 (or 20 ... g6 21 Qh7+ ΚΕ6 22 Qh4+ ΚΕ7) 21 Qh7+ and again we haνe a perpetual. c) After 17 Be2 Black should not play 17... Re818 Re1! ΚΕ8 19 Bb5 Bd7 20 Re6 Ng8. states here that 'White's attack is driνen backΊ but 21 Qxf5+ ΝΕ6 22 Bxd7 Qxd723 Rxf6+ actually wins. Therefore, Black has to play 17... Ng618 Qh7+ ΚΕ719 Rh6 ΝΕ4 20 Bh5+ Nxh5 21 Qg6+ Kg8 22 Qh7+ when again White forces a draw. Vukoνic

14 Bb5+

14 Qe2 is ηο improνement. After 14... hxg5 15 Re1 Be6! 16 dxe6 Ε617 Re3 (17 Ε4 d5 18 fxg5 Qd6! is also good for Black - Harding) 17... c6 18 Rh3 Rxh3 19 gxh3 g6! Black threatens to consolidate with ... Ke8-f8-g7. Another way to treat the position was seen ίη the game Z.Koνacs-Z.Hajnal, Paks 2000, which continued 20 Qd2 d5 21 Qc3 ΝΕ5 22 Bd3 Qe7 23 Bxf5 gxf5 24 Qf3 0-0-0 25 Qxf5 Rd6 when Black retumed the pawn to bring his king to safety, thereby retaining an enduring endgame adνantage.

14... Bd7 15 Qe2 Bxb5 16 Qxb5+ Qd7 (Diagram 10) 17 Qe2

After 17 Qxb7 ο-ο 18 Rae1 Ng6 19 ΝΕ3 Rfb8 20 Qa6 Rxb2 21 Nd4 White has at least some practical chances to fight for a draw thanks to his actiνe pieces. Now all Black has to do is to neutralize the pressure down the e-file. 17 ... Kf8 18 Nxf7? Kxf7 19 Re1 Ng8 20 Re6 Kf8 21 f4 Nf6 22 Re7 Re8! 23 Rxe8+ Qxe8 24 Qf2 Qb5 0-1 Haνing

realised that he is a piece down, White finally called it a day.

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

Diagram 10 (W)

Conclusion The Greco-Moller Attack is an important piece οί art typical for those times ίη which romanticism was still written ίη capitalletters. Nowadays, however, it is merely a piece for the museum.

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Conclusion

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Effectiveness Rating

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Longevity Rating

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Creativity Value

1111

Chapter 36

The Virtue of Modesty During α chess game, you often can't make mighty sweeps and grand actions. Sometimes you need to just think ahead and do whatever small move you can make now that will be an advantage later. AdamΚhan

Diagram 1

(Β)

Moving a rook's pawn early οη is often considered to be a beginner's move, but doing so is not always so dumb. Indeed ίη the Queen's Indian Defence, moving the queen's rook's pawn to a3 actually makes much sense. Το understand its rea-

267

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas soning and its importance, one has to be familiar with one οί the key ideas οί the Queen' s Indian Defence: the fight for control οί the e4-square. White usually seeks to occupy it with his e-pawn, while Black usually tries to occupy it with a piece in order to prevent just that. Therefore trading Black's dark-squared bishop for White's queen's knight is a common strategy, and the small move a2-a3 prevents such a plan. The move order 1 d4 Νί6 2 c4 e6 3 Νί3 b6 4 a3 Bb7 5 Nc3 reveals the idea οί playing a3: White has put his queen's knight οη a square from where it exerts a strong influence over the light central squares, while Black is not able to exchange it so easily. The following game shows what happens if Black follows up carelessly. player than the great Jose Raul Capablanca is convincingly outplayed.

Νο

lesser

D M.Sultan Khan • J.Capablanca Hastings 1930/31 1 d4 Nf6 2 C4 e6 3 Nf3 b6 4 a3 Bb7 5 NC3 dS

One οί Black's more principled moves. Capablanca seeks to transform the game into a Queen's Gambit where he wants to show that the strange-looking move a2a3 does not really fit in. 6 cxd5 exd5

6... Nxd5 will be examined in our next game. 7 BgS Be7 (Diagram

2)

Diagram 2 (W)

Diagram 3 (W)

8 e3

8 Qa4+ is another idea which puts Black to the test. After 8... Nbd7 9 Bxf6!? Bxf6 10

268

36: The Virtue of Modesty g3 Black has to play 10 ... c5 (10 ... 0-0 11 Bh3 is inconvenient) if he wants to have any counterplay ίη the centre, but after 11 Bh3 a6 12 dxc5 b5?! (better is 12 ...bxc5 even though White keeps an edge after 13 e4 d4 14 Nd5) 13 Qb4 d4 14 Rdl ο-ο 15 ο-ο dxc316 Rxd7Qc817bxc3 a518 Qb3 Bxf319 Rxf7! White soon wonin L.Van WelyF.Nijboer, Holland 1994. Better is 8... c6, but even then White keeps a small edge with 9 Bxf6 Bxf6 10 g3 ο-ο 11 Bg2. 8... 0-0 9 Bd3 Ne4?!

Modem theory prefers 9... Nbd7, but Ι still prefer White's prospects. After 10 Rcl c511 ο-ο Ne4 12 Βί4 Nxc3 13 Rxc3 c414 Bbl b5 (Diagram 3) Black plays οη the queenside, while White plays οη the kingside. One example οί how Black should not continue was B.Malich-V.Liberzon, Leipzig 1965, which went 15 Ne5 a5 16 Qf3 Νί6 17 Qh3 g6 18 Bh6 Re8 19 ί4 Ne4 20 Bxe4 dxe4 21 ί5 Bc8 22 Qg3 Bd6 23 fxg6 fxg6 24 Rc2 Bxe5 25 dxe5 Be6 26 Rcf2 Qc7 27 Qg5 c3 28 Qf6 Βί5 29 Rxf5 1-0.

10 Bf4 Nd7 11 QC2! This move shows the incorrectness οί 9 ... Ne4?!. White casts an eye at c7 while Black has to take care οί his knight which is now attacked. 11 ...fS 12 NbS (Diagram 4)

Diagram 4 (Β)

Diagram 5 (Β)

12 ... Bd6 Naturally 12... c6? would lose to 13 Nc7 Rc8 14 Ne6, but 12 ... a6!? (Duras) is an attempt to trap the opponent: a) 13 Nxc7?! runs into 13 ... Rc814 Ne6 Rxc2 15 Nxd8 Rxb2 16 Nxb7 Nxf2 17 Bxa6 Nxhl 18 Be2 Rc8.

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

b) 13 Bxc7 doesn't work because οί the simple 13 ... Qc8 when the knight οη b5 has nowhere to go without compromising its colleague οη c7. c) The right move is 13 Qxc7! axb5 14 Qxb7 Ndc5! 15 dxc5 Nxc5 16 Bc7! Nxd3+ 17 Ke2 with a clear advantage. 13 Nxd6 cxd6 14 h4! (Diagram 5) Α

very good move, cementing the bishop οη ί4 from where it eyes d6. Less accurate would have been 14 ο-ο g5 15 Bg3 h5 with some counterplay for Black. 14... Rc8 15 Qb3 Qe7

15 ... Ndf6 16 Ng5! Qe717 ί3 expels the knight from e4 and sees White shift into attacking mode with 17... Nxg5 18 hxg5 Ne8 19 g4!. 16 Nd2 Ndf6 17 Nxe4 fxe4

17... Nxe4? just drops the f-pawn after 18 ί3

Νί619

Bxf5.

18 Be2 Rc619 g4 Rfc8 20 g5 Ne8 21 Bg4!

Black is already completely helpless. 21 ... Rc1+

After 21 ... R8c7 22 Qxd5+ Κh8 White can play 23 one2.

ο-ο

now that his bishop isn't loose

22 Kd2 R8c2+ 23 QXC2 Rxc2+ 24 Kxc2 (Diagram 6)

Diagram 6 (Β)

Diagram 7 (Β)

White has a clear plan: double rooks οη the c-file, penetrate into Black's camp and destroy ίΙ The realization οί this plan took a bit longer, and while it is quite ίη­ structive, it is not interesting from a theoretical point οί view. Suffice to say that Sultan Κhan won after some more 40 moves. The whole idea with an early a2-a3 was later successfully adopted by various

270

36: The Virtue of Modesty leading players, including Lajos Portisch, Jan Timman, Tony Miles and Garry Kasparov, but it is actually named after Tigran Petrosian whose good results in the 1960s and 1970s were responsible for the general recognition of this opening idea. Α good example is Petrosian's game against none other than the ex-World Champion Vasily Smyslov. Ο

T.Petrosian • V.Smyslov

Moscow 1961 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 b6 4 a3 Bb7 5 Nc3 d5 6 cxd5 Nxd5 7 e3 (Diagram 7)

The position has a certain similarity to the Semi-Tarrasch as soon as Black plays ... c5. The difference lies in Black' s fianchettoing his 1ight-squared bishop, which considerably weakens his queenside light squares. 7... Be7 8 Bb5+ c6

8... Nd7? would in fact be a serious blunder. After 9 Nxd5 exd5 10 Ne5 White wins at least a pawn as 10 ... Bc8?? 11 Nc6 would be rather embarrassing. 9 Bd3 c5

9... 0-0 is the other main altemative to the text, and even though after 10 Qc2 h6 11 e4 Nxc3 12 bxc3 c5 13 ο-ο Nc614 Bb2 Rc8 15 Qe2 Na516 Rad1 cxd4 17 cxd4 Bf6 Black found optimal squares for his pieces in Z.Rib1i-V.Hort, Bavaria 1991, Ι still prefer White because of his strong centre and attacking prospects οη the kingside. 10 Nxd5 Qxd5?!

Relatively best would be 10 ... exd5, but after 11 b3! (preventing ... c4) 11 ... 0-0 12 Qc2 h613 Bb2 Nd714 ο-ο White has a comfortable advantage. 11 dxc5 (Diagram 8)

Diagram 8 (Β)

Diagram 9 (Β)

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas 11 ... QXC5?!

Instead 11 ... Bxc5 12 Bb5+ Ke713 Qe2 a514 Bd2 Rd815 Bc3 Kf8 16 ο-ο with a better position for White was played in F.Gheorghiu-A.Karpov, Moscow 1981. The players agreed to a draw here, but Gheorghiu has always been noted for his excessive placidity. 12 Bd2 Nc6 13 RC1 Qd6?!

13 ... Qd5! has been suggested by Kasparov, who gives 14 Qc2 Rc8 15 Be4 Qd7 16 Bc3 f5 17 Bd3 ο-ο 18 ο-ο Bd619 Rfd1 Qc7 with σηΙΥ a slight advantage for White. 14 QC2 Rc8 15 ο-ο h6 Αη unfortunate necessity should Black ever intend to castle. Instead 15 ... Ne5 fails to the rather direct 16 Qa4+ Bc617 Bb5 Nxf3+ 18 gxf3 Bxb5 19 Rxc8+ Kd7 20 Qxb5+ Κxc8 21 Rc1 + followed by 22 Bb4.

16 Rfd1 ο-ο 17 BC3

White is clearly betler in this position. He has two dangerous bishops pointing directly at the enemy king, and his major pieces are already occupying the open central files. 17 ... Qb818 Qa4! (Diagram 9) Α

simple but very strong move. Petrosian adds his queen to his attack. The lack of defenders οη the kingside was soon felt, and with accurate play Petrosian forced his opponent to resign a few moves later.

Conclusion 4 a3 may not currently be the most popular way to combat the Queen' s Indian Defence, and Black may even be able to diffuse it with careful play, but to quote Garry Kasparov 'many of its branches remain controversial and of current interest'.

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Chapter 37

Opening Principles Have they really not yet refuted your invention? Perhaps ΠΙ have to start playing 1 e4 ... Tigran Petrosian (talking to Evgeny Sveshnikov)

Diagram 1 (W)

Nowadays most new opening ideas consist merely οί single moves, as for the most part the many opening systems have already been more than thoroughly examined. There' s still hope though for those οί you looking for a way to link your name to the annals οί chess history - just revive a forgotten opening system with fresh ideas! One prime example οί that is an opening system which is closely

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

linked to the name of Evgeny Sveshnikov. But before we come to that, I'd like to show you a rather old game which features a seemingly modem opening system ...

D A.Sellman • H.Bird London 1883 1 e4 C5 2 NC3

It may be of interest to know that 2 Nc3 was a common method ίη the 19th Century to reach the realms of the Open Sicilian by transposition, as the thrust ... d5 was considered to be strong and well worth preventing.

2 ... Nc6 3 Nf3 e6 4 d4 cxd4 5 Nxd4 Nf6 6 Ndb5 d6 7 Bf4 e5 8 Bg5 ίη the 19th Century, it was always reached through this move order. Only from the beginning of the 20th Century was the true form of the Sveshnikov (beginning with 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 e5 6 Ndb5 d6) employed.

On those rare occasions where this position occurred

8 ... a6 9 Na3 Be6 (Diagram 2)

Diagram

2 (W)

Diagram 3 (Β)

As this was the stem game for this line, it is today known to theory as the Bird Variation.1t became popular for a while after the game KRobatsch-B.Larsen, Halle 1963, even though White played the weak 13 exd5 (see below). However, nowadays the general consensus is that White, as is often the case, obtains a slight advantage with accurate play. 10Nd5

Given the fact that Black did not keep out the knight with 9 ... b5, 10 Nc4! is a far more logical move. Now 10 ... b5? doesn't make any sense, as the knight wants to

274

37: Opening Principles

go to e3 anyway ίη order to exercise contro1 over d5. Better is 10 ... Rc8 after which White has different ways to proceed: a) 11 Ne3 seems to be a 10gica1 consequence οί my previous remark, but B1ack is ab1e to initiate good counterp1ay: for examp1e, 11 ... Be7 12 Bxf6 (12 Bd3? runs into 12 ... Nxe4!) 12 ... Bxf6 13 Ncd5 Bg5 14 c3 ο-ο 15 Bc4 Κh8 16 ο-ο g6 sees B1ack preparing ... f5, which is a common method οί counterp1ay ίη the Sveshnikov. After 17 Qe2 Bh6 (an important move, as after the immediate 17... f5, the counter-thrust 18 ί4 wou1d be inconvenient) 18 Rad1 b5 19 Bd3 ί5 20 exf5 gxf5 21 ί4 Ne7 22 Nxe7 Qxe7 B1ack was better ίη B.Bannink-V.Chekhov, Dresden 1998. b) 11 Bxf6 Qxf6 (11 ... gxf6 is bad ίη this position as B1ack will never be able to enforce the freeing ... f5: after 12 Bd3 Ne713 Ne3 Bh6 14 ο-ο Bxe3 15 fxe3 Qb616 Qf3! he is strugg1ing) 12 Nb6! (12 Nxd6+?! Bxd6 13 Qxd6 Rd8 14 Qc5 Nd4 15 Bd3 Qg5 gives B1ack too dangerous an initiative) 12... Rb8 13 Ncd5 Qd8 14 c3 Be715 Bc4 ο-ο 16 ο-ο Bg5 17 a4 Κh8 18 Qe2 g6 19 Κh1 gave White an edge ίη A.Karpov-J.Nunn, London 1982. c) 11 Nd5 makes more sense as after 11 ... Bxd5 12 Bxf6 gxf6 (12 ... Qxf6?! 13 Qxd5 is obvious1y good for White) 13 Qxd5 (Diagram 3) (13 exd5? was p1ayed ίη the aforementioned game between Robatsch and Larsen; the move does not make any sense at all, as now neither the d5-square nor the d6-pawn is weak, and after 13... Ne714 Bd3 ί5 B1ack was a1ready better), B1ack cannot imp1ement ... d6-d5 so easily. For examp1e, 13 ... Nb4 14 Qd2 d515 exd5 Nxc2+ (a specu1ative piece sacrifice, but 15 ... Qxd5 16 Qxd5 Nxd5 170-0-0 wou1d just result ίη a bad endgame for B1ack) 16 Qxc2 ΒΜ+ 17 Kd1 Qxd5+ 18 Kc1 and practice has shown that B1ack's compensation shou1d be insufficient. We now return to the immediate 10 Nd5: 3.0 ... Bxd5 3.3. Bxf6

11 exd5? is even worse than before as it drops a pawn after 11 ... Qa5+ 12 c3 Qxd5, whi1e 11 Qxd5?! Nxd5 12 Bxd8 Nc3! 1eads to a slight advantage for B1ack. H ... Qa5+ 3.2 c3 (Diagram 4) 3.2 ... Bxe4?!

The right way to p1ay is 12 ... Be613 Bg5 h6 14 Bd2 Be715 Nc4 Qc716 Ne3 Bg5 when B1ack equa1ized ίη R.Kocs-D.Sermek, Ve1den 1993. 3.3 Nc4 QC7 3.4 ΒΜ?!

Here White cou1d have gained a significant advantage after 14 Bxg7! as B1ack cannot prevent the 10ss οί a pawn. Now Bird obtains full command οί the position. 3.4... d5 3.5 f3 dxc4 3.6 fxe4 Be7 3.7 Bf2 Nd8!

Protecting the c-pawn and redep10ying the knight to the more usefu1 e6-square. 3.8 Qd5 Rc8 3.9 Be2 Ne6 20 g3 ο-ο (Diagram 5)

B1ack's advantage is without any doubt, and Bird eventually managed to win some 20 moves 1ater.

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

Diagram 4 (Β)

Diagram 5 (w)

Even though Bird's variation was used with some success by Dawid Janowsky and Emanuel Lasker at the beginning of the 20th Century, it eventually went out of use. Reuben Fine ίη his 6th Edition of Modern Chess Openings even marked 6 ... e5 as an 'unusual move', simply stating that after 7 Nb5 d6 8 Bg5 White was clearly better. It was not υηπΙ the end of 1962 that Evgeny Sveshnikov discovered this 'exotic'

variation ίη a book written by Ludek Pachman. Suffice to say he did not share the existing ορίηίοη of the opening, and when he beat Gennady Timoshchenko with it ίη a training game, the two joined forces and analysed the opening, which is the reason why it is also known after their home town as the Chelyabinsk Variation. The road was rocky at first and not without setbacks. Indeed, Sveshnikov was mocked for his opening choice (see Petrosian's quote at the beginning of this chapter), but ίη the long run it was Sveshnikov who had the last laugh. Now Ι would like to show you a game from the master himself from the early days of the Sveshnikov Sicilian. The game might not be of high quality from a modem theoretical standpoint, but it is a good example of how things look when one takes the first steps with a new opening system.

D L.Stein • E.Sveshnikov Moscow 1973 1 e4 c5 Ζ Nf3 Nc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 e5 6 Ndb5 d6 7 Bg5 a6 8 Na3 b5! (Diagram 6) 9 Bxf6

9 Nd5 is the other main move and will be examined ίη our next game.

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37: Opening Principles

9 ... gxf6 10 NdS fS

One could think of playing 10... Be6?! before ... f5, but this is actually faulty. After 11 c3 Bg712 Nc2 White threatens to erect a blockade οη the centrallight squares. Thus Black has to play 12... f5, but after 13 exf5 Bxf514 Nce3 he is missing an important tempo over the normalline 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 e5 6 Nbd5 d6 7 Bg5 a6 8 Na3 b5 9 Bxf6 gxf6 10 Nd5 f5 11 exf5 Bxf5 12 c3 Bg7 13 Nc2 (Black needed two moves to take οη f5 instead of one). This enables White to bring his knight to e3 with tempo and Black has ηο satisfactory response. 11 Bd3

For the sake of completeness Ι should add that besides sacrificing either piece οη b5, the move 11 exf5 leads to a main line with tons of theory. 11 ... Be6 (Diagram 7) 12 ο-ο

Diagram 6 (W)

Diagram 7 (W)

Sharp alternatives are both 12 c4 and 12 Qh5. The reader interested ίη thoroughly exploring both these and the Sveshnikov ίη general is referred to Cox's Starting Out: The Sveshnikov or to one οί the theoretical tomes οη the opening by either γ akovich or Rogozenko. 12 ... Bg7

Another possibility is12 ... Bxd5. Nowadays the resulting lines are almost analysed to the death, and it seems that the ultimate resu1t is a draw: 13 exd5 Ne714 c3 Bg7 15 Qh5 e4 16 Bc2 Qc8 17 Rad1 Qc5 18 Bb1 b4 (but not 18 ... Nxd5? 19 Bxe4!) 19 cxb4 Qxb4 20 Nc2 Qxb2 21 Ne3 Qf6 22 f3 Bh6! 23 Rfe1 Bxe3+ 24 Rxe3 Ng6 25 fxe4 f4 26 Rb3 Ne5 27 Qf5 Qxf5 28 exf5 Ke7 29 Rd4 f3 30 gxf3 Rhb8 31 Be4 Rxb3 32 axb3 a5 33 Ra4 Rb8 34 Rxa5 Rxb3 35 Kf2 Κί6 36 Kg3 Nd3 37 Ra7 Nc5 38 Κί4 Nd3+ 39 Kg3 Nc5 V2-V2 T.Fogarasi-A.Volzhin, Budapest 2000.

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

3.3 Qh5 h6?! Α

dubious move. Instead 13 ... f4!? would lead to the main lines

οί

this variation.

3.4 Rad3.?!

Returning the favour. Instead 14 c3! would have been the right move as shown by Spassky against Sveshnikov ίη the Russian Championship later that year: 14 ... 0-0 15 Nc2 fxe4 16 Bxe4 ί5 17 Nf4! Bd718 Bd5+ Κh719 Qg6+ Κh8 20 Nh5 Qe7 21 Nb4! Nxb4 22 Bxa8 Rg8 23 cxb4 and Sveshnikov resigned. 3.4...0-03.5 c3 Rc8 3.6 Nc2 fxe4 3.7 Bxe4 f5 3.8 Qg6!? Bd7 3.9 Bd3 e4 20 Be2 (Diagram 8)

Diagram 8 (Β)

Diagram 9 (W)

Here Sveshnikov missed 20 ... f4!. Instead, he played the weaker 20 ... Be8? and after 21 Qg3 Κh7 22 f4! exf3 23 Bxf3 Ne5 24 Qh3 he reached a bad position which he eventually lost.

Opening theory's last great discoνery Nowadays the Sveshnikov Sicilian is one οί the most respected opening systems (Mark Taimanov has even called it the 'last great discovery' οί chess opening theory). For some time the whole world elite was playing the Sveshnikov, and it was even conceived to be so reliable that ways and means were contrived to avoid ίΙ For the moment it seems that at the absolute top level the Sveshnikov is slightly out of fashion, but it remains a popular weapon ίη general. Ι' d like to conclude this chapter with a game that might not feature the most criticalline ίη the Sveshnikov, but does at least contain an interesting idea which ίη my ορίηίοη deserves further investigation.

278

37: Opening Principles Ο R.Ponomariov • V.Kramnik

Wijk aan Zee 2005 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 NC3 e5 6 Ndb5 d6 7 Bg5 a6 8 Na3 b5 9 Nd5 Be7 10 Bxf6 Bxf6 11 c3 Bg5 12 Nc2 ο-ο (Diagram 9)

This position constitutes one of the main lines of the Sveshnikov. 13 a4

Instead 13 Nce3100ks natural but is harmless. After 13 ... Bb714 Be2 Bxe315 Nxe3 Ne7 16 Bf3 Black can play the freeing 16 ... d5! nonetheless. The game N.Gaprindashvili-G.Timoshchenko, USSR 1977, continued 17 exd5 Qd6 18 g4 (in order to prevent ... f5) 18 ... Rad8 19 Qd3 Rd7 20 0-0-0 Rfd8 21 Nf5 Qf6 22 Nxe7+ Qxe7 23 Rhe1 Bxd5 24 Bxd5 Rxd5 25 Qxd5 Rxd5 26 Rxd5 Qg5+ 27 Re3 h5 and Black was certainly not worse. White might also try to lash out οη the kingside with 13 h4!? Bh614 g4!? Black then should play 14 ... Bf4! (14 ... g615 g5 Bg716 Nce3 gives White good attacking chances) 15 g5 (after 15 Nce3 Be6 16 Qf3 Bxe3 17 Nxe3 b4 Black's position is to be preferred) 15 ... Be6 16 Nxf4 exf4 17 Qd2 d5! 18 Qxf4 dxe4 19 Ne3 f5!? 20 gxf6 Qxf6 21 Qxf6 Rxf6 22 Bg2 Rf4 with good chances according to γ akovich. 13 ... bxa4

Inadvisable is 13 ... Rb8?! 14 axb5 axb5 when White firmly controls the centre and the b4-square, while his knights in general are superior to Black's bishops. 14 Rxa4 (Diagram 10)

Diagram 10 (Β)

Diagram 11 (Β)

14... a5

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

Again 14 ... Rb8?! is dubious: 15 Μ! Bh6 16 Bxa6 Rxb2 17 Bxc8 Qxc8 18 Rc4! (now the importance οί 15 h4 shows; the bishop was removed from the h4-d8 diagonal so that the threat is 19 Rxc6) 18 ... Qb819 ο-ο Na5 20 Rb4! Rxb4 21 cxb4 and due to his powerful knight οη d5 and passed pawn, White had a large advantage ίη V.Iordachescu-F.Sawatzki, Berlin 1995. 15 Bc4 Rb8 16 Ra2

Prior to this game 16 b3 was the main move, but Ponomariov has a surprise up his sleeve. 16 ... Kh8 17 Nce3

This move had previously been considered harmless, but Ponomariov shows that White has plenty οί hidden ideas. Indeed, this whole line deserves serious attention, not least because the statistics from Mega Database 2008 heavily favour White with a whopping score of 23 wins compared to just six draws and three 10sses. 17 ... g6 18 Μ! (Diagram 11) 18... ΒχΜ

Black better accept the pawn as both 18 ... Bh6?! 19 h5 and 18 ... Bxe3?! 19 Nxe3 are good for White. 19 g3 Bf6

Kramnik later switched sides and 19 ... Bg5 20 ί4 exf4 21 gxf4 ΒΜ+ 22 Κf1 f5 23 b4 fxe4 24 Rah2 g5 25 b5 Ne5 26 Qd4 Rb7 27 RxM gxh4 28 Ke2 Re8 29 fxe5 Rxe5 30 Nf4 Qg5 31 Qxd6 Bg4+ 32 Ke1 Qxf4 33 Qd8+ Kg7 34 Qg8+ Κh6 35 RxM+ saw Black resign ίη V.Kramnik-L.Van Wely, Monaco (rapid) 2005. 20 b3! Bg7 21 f4 exf4 22 gxf4 Re8

22 ... f5 would also lead to a decisive attack after 23 Rah2 h6 24 Qf3 fxe4 25 Qg2. 23 Qf3 Kg8

23 ... h6 24 Rah2 Ne7? saw a temporary exchange sacrifice after 25 Rxh6+ Bxh6 26 Rxh6+ Kg7 27 Qh1! ίη V.Maki-A.Holmsten Vammala 1999. Unfortunately for Black the threats along the h-file were too strong, and after 27 ... Rh8 28 Rxh8 Qxh8 29 Qxh8+ Kxh8 30 Nxe7 White was winning. 24 Rah2 h5 (Diagram 12) 25 Rxh5!?

Instead of the text move, Rogozenko suggests 25 Qg2!, planning f4-f5 when White has a strong attack. With 25 Rg1 Bg4, White took a similar approach ίη F.BindrichM.Flasinski, Polanica Zdroj 2005. The game ended spectacularly after 26 Nxg4 hxg4 27 Rxg4 Ne7 28 f5 Nxf5 29 Rxg6! Re5 30 Rxg7+! Nxg7 (30 ... Κxg7 31 Qg4+ Κί8 32 Rh8 is mate) 31 Nf6+ Kf8 32 Nh7+. 25 ... gxh5 26 Qxh5 Re6

Now Black has just about enough defensive resources. The game eventually ended ίη a draw.

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37: Opening Principles

Diagram 12 (W)

Conclusion The Sνeshnikoν is a combative νariation typical of the uncompromising nature of the Sicilian Defence. It leads to highly unbalanced positions, where Black gets active piece play ίη retum for his structural weaknesses. ,

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281

Chapter 38

Α

Thorn ίn the Side

Chess is α terrible game. Ij you have no centre, your opponent has α freer position. Ij you do have α centre, then you really have something to worry about! Siegbert Tarrasch

Diagram

1

(W)

If someone asked me about my favourite opening innovation of the 1970s, Ι would certainly side with Garry Kasparov and name the Hedgehog. The Hedgehog is not a specific variation, but rather a system that can arise from many different opening systems, even though most opening works classify it under the Symmetrical

282

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ίπ

the Side

Eng1ish. Its trademark is the unique position of the pawns that are usually p1aced οη e6, d6, b6 and a6 - a remote resemb1ance to 'the spines of a rolled-up hedgehog [hence the name], which, given the opportunity, may painfully jab the opponent with the typica1 counter-thrusts ... d6-d5 and ... b6-b5' (Kasparov). One of the ear1iest pioneers of the Hedgehog was the Yugos1avian Grandmaster Ljubomir Ljubojevic. It is said that υιf Andersson, another 1eading exponent of the Hedgehog, fell ίη 10ve with it after seeing some of Ljubojevic's games, but Mihai Suba (ίη his book The Hedgehog) c1aims that it may have been the following 10ss to Fischer which inspired him: Ο R.Fischer •

U.Andersson

Siegen 1970 1 b3!?

Fischer was known to be a strong advocate οί 1 e4. Οη1Υ οη rare occasions did he open the game otherwise. But then again, this was just an exhibition game and overall not that serious, although there was hard1y anything concerning chess that was not serious to Bobby ... 1 ... e5 2 Bb2 Nc6 3 C4 Nf6 4 e3 Be7 5 a3 ο-ο

Andersson might have p1ayed 5 ... a5 ίη order to prevent White from gaining space οη the queenside with b3-b4. However, this wasn't Fischer's intention anyway. 6 Qc2 Re8 7 d3 (Diagram 2)

Diagram 2 (Β)

Diagram 3 (Β)

Once again Fischer cou1d haνe grabbed some space with 7 Μ!?, but he is definite1y aiming for a true Hedgehog set-up.

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

7 ... Bf8 8 Nf3 a5 9 Be2 d5?!

This a110ws White to enter a Hedgehog whi1e the b1ack pieces are not idea11y p1aced. More flexib1e wou1d have been 9... g6 10 ο-ο Bg7, keeping open the option οί ... d5. 10 cxd5 Nxd5 11 Nbd2

We have reached a position in which White has p1aced his pieces in c1assic Hedgehog sty1e: pawns οη a3 to e3 (except οη the c-file) in order to guard a11 the important squares οη the fourth rank, bishops οη e2 and b2 (the dark-squared bishop a1ready exerting pressure down the a1-h8 diagona1; the light-squared bishop ready to be redep10yed to c2 via d1 - another important Hedgehog manoeuvre) and knights οη Ε3 and d2. B1ack οη the other hand is not very we11 organized: the key deficit οί his position is a pawn missing from c5, which wou1d he1p to impede White's centra1 thrusts invo1ving b3-b4 and d3-d4. Besides a11 this though, there is another p1an that White can emp1oy ... 11 ...f6 12 ο-ο Be6 13 Kh1! (Diagram 3)

With 11 ... f6, B1ack has protected his e-pawn while a1so 1imiting the scope οί the bishop οη b2. One might think that 13 d4 wou1d be a good way to force things through, but Fischer wise1y keeps the status quo in the centre, realizing that simplifications would οη1Υ he1p B1ack. Instead he opts for another p1an: with 11 ... f6 Black slightly weakened his kingside, and Fischer decides to go straight for it! 13 ...Qd7 14 Rg1!

The point behind the previous king move. The g-pawn is about to be used as a ram.

batteήηg

14... Rad8 15 Ne4 Qf7 16 g4 g6 17 Rg3

White is calm1y organizing his attack and B1ack can't do anything about it, as he is lacking any sort οί counterplay. The way Fischer conducts his attack is quite instructive. 17 ... Bg7

Targeting the white b-pawn with 17... Nb6 would a1ready be too late: after 18 g5! White comes first. 18 Rag1 Nb6 19 NC5 Bc8 20 Nh4 Nd7?!

Given the course οί the game, B1ack had to get his king out οί the line οί fire with 20 ... Κh8. 21 Ne4 Nf8 22 Nf5! (Diagram 4)

The decisive moment οί the game. removes a key defender. 22 ... Be6

ΒΥ

B1ack couldn't have taken the knight:

284

exchanging the dark-squared bishop, White

38: Α Thorn ίπ the Side

a) 22 ... Bxf5 23 gxf5 spells trouble down the g-file. Black might hope to keep it closed with 23 ... g5, but after 24 Nxg5! fxg5 25 Rxg5 the threat of 26 Bh5 proves to be decisive. b) 22 ... gxf5 doesn't help either. After 23 gxf5 Bxf5 24 Rxg7+ Qxg7 25 Nxf6+! Black hasn't enough material for the queen, while after 23 ... Κh8 24 Rxg7 Qxg7 25 Rxg7 Κxg7 White has 26 Bg4, protecting the f5-pawn and preparing 27 f4, which not οηlΥ clears the second rank for the queen, but also threatens to crack the 10ng diagonal open for the bishop οη b2. Black may have two rooks for the queen, but his pieces are not sufficiently coordinated to repel the coming onslaught.

Diagram 5 (Β)

Diagram 4 (Β) 23 NC5 Ne7 24 Nxg7 Κxg7 25 g5 Nf5

After 25 ...fxg5 White has many ways to force Black into submission: one of them being 26 Bxe5+ Kg8 27 Rf3 Nf5 28 Ne4 Nd7 29 Nxg5. 26 Rf3 b6 27 gxf6+ Kh8

Or 27... Qxf6 28 Ne4 and Black cannot hold

οη

to his e-pawn.

28 Nxe6 Rxe6 29 d4 (Diagram 5)

The enforcement of the otherwise typical thrust d3-d4 is a worthy finale to this game. Now the threat of 30 Bc4 is decisive. 29 ... exd4 30 Bc4 d3 31 Bxd3 Rxd3 32 Qxd3 Rd6 33 QC4 Ne6 34 Be5 Rd8 35 h4 Nd6 36 Qg4 Nf8 37 h5 Ne8 38 e4 Rd2 39 Rh3 Kg8 40 hxg6 Nxg6 41 f4 Kf8 42 Qg5 Nd6 43 Bxd6+ 1-0

Later players were inspired by two black wins ίη the Hedgehog by Anatoly Karρον, which eventually led to a new wave of popularity, with players like Lev

285

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

Psakhis, Ljubomir Ftacnik and Garry Kasparov himself picking up the opening. Το conclude this chapter, I'd like to present a fairly recent game where the rising star Magnus Carlsen got the better οί former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik.

D V.Kramnik • Wijk

M.Carlsen

aan Zee 2008

1 Nf3 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Α

surprise! Normally Kramnik goes straight for his beloved Catalan.

3... c5 4 g3 b6 5 Bg2 Bb7 6 ο-ο (Diagram 6)

Diagram 6 (Β)

Diagram 7 (Β)

6 ... Be7

We have reached a typical Hedgehog position which normally arises via the Symmetrical English and which has been played ίη thousands οί games. The text move is by far the most common, but Suba, even though stating that it is natural and sound, claims that it 'lacks elasticity that is vital to the Hedgehog and therefore may lead to trouble'. Instead 6 ... a6 is a flexible move. Its main drawback is the weakening οί the b-pawn, which could become important after 7 d4 cxd4 8 Qxd4 d6 9 Be3 (a suggestion by Andras Adorjan, another Hedgehog expert) 9... Nbd710 Ng5 Bxg2 11 Κxg2. However, after 11 ... Rc8! 12 Nge4 Rc6! we see another feature οί the queen's rook moving to the c-file; οη c6 the rook protects the weak pawns οη d6 and b6 and still exerts pressure along the half-open c-file. One example where White went immediately wrong was the game R.Pogorelov-C.Ionescu, Berga 1994, which continued 13 Nxf6+ Nxf614 Ne4 Be715 b4?! d5! and Black already had a decisive advantage.

286

38:

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ίπ

the Side

7 d4

7 Re1 is another plan which has the idea of playing 8 e4. Black can react with 7... d5 and after 8 cxd5 Nxd5 White wasn't able to show anything tangible ίη recent toplevel games: two examples being 9 e4 Nb4! 10 d4 cxd411 Nxd4 N8c612 Nxc6 Qxd1! 13 Rxd1 Bxc6 14 a3 Nc2 15 Rb1 ο-ο 16 Bf4 Rad8 (F.Vallejo Pons-L.Van Wely, Κhanty Mansiysk 2005), and 9 d4 cxd4 10 Nxd5 (or 10 Qxd4 ο-ο!) 10 ...Bxd5 11 Qxd4 ο-ο 12 Bf4 Nc6 13 Qa4 Nb4 14 a3 Bc6 15 Qb3 Nd5, E.TomashevskyM.Adams, Kemer 2007. 7... cxd4 8 Qxd4 (Diagram 7) 8 ... d6

Black may also choose to delay the text move, ίη order to retain the possibility of playing a freeing ... d7-d5 at a later date. One example was the game R.Cifuentes Parada-J.Delemarre, Enschede 1998, which continued 8 ... Nc6 9 Qf4 ο-ο 10 Rd1 Bb4 11 Bd2 a6 12 Ne4 Nxe4 13 Qxe4 Na5 14 Qd4 Bxd2 15 Rxd2 d5 16 cxd5 Bxd5 17 Ne5 Bxg218 Kxg2 Qxd419 Rxd4 when White's edge was οηlΥ marginal. 9 Rd1 a6 Α

necessary precaution, as Nb5 has to be prevented. Instead the game L.EspigE.5chmittdiel, German League 1999, saw the careless 9 ... 0-0?! after which 10 Bg5 Nbd711 Nb5 d5 12 cxd5 Bxd5 13 Nc3 Bb714 Rac1led to a position with powerful pressure for White. 10Ng5

With 10 b3 White could aim for a kind of ΜarόCΖΥ Bind, protecting his c-pawn and enabling his dark-squared bishop to put pressure οη d6 via the a3-f8 diagonal, but it seems that Black has enough counterplay after 10 ... Nbd7 11 e4 Qb8 12 Ba3 Nc5 13 e5 dxe5 14 Qxe5 Ncd715 Qxb8+ Rxb8 16 Bc1 (16 Bxe7 Kxe717 Nd4 Bxg2 18 Κxg2 Rhc8 19 Rac1 g5 was unclear ίη J.Lautier-G.Kamsky, Groningen 1995) 16 ... Rc8. 10... Bxg2 11 Kxg2 Nc6

Normally this knight belongs οη d7 ίη typical Hedgehog positions; with the knight οη c6, Black forgoes the opportunity to bring his rook to c6 as outlined above. 12 Qf4 ο-ο 13 Nce4 Ne8 14 b3 Ra7! (Diagram 8)

With the route to c6 blocked, the rook needs to be transferred to another location ίη order to protect the weak d6-pawn. 15 Bb2 Rd7 16 Rac1 NC7

The black position is passive but solid, and it is not easy for White to get a grip οη the black weaknesses. Besides White also has to watch out for the typical pawn breaks involving ...b5 and ... d5. 17 Nf3 f5!? 18 NC3 g5 19 Qd2

19 Qe3 g4 20 Nd2 (20 Nd4? fails to 20 ... Bg5 21 Nxc6 Bxe3 22 Nxd8 Bxc1) 20 ... Bg5!?

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

21 Qxb6 Qa8 22 ί3 Ne5 yields good compensation for the sacrificed pawn as the black pieces all οί a sudden become very active. 3.9 ... g4 20 Ne3. Bg5 23. e3 Rff7 22 Kg3. Ne8 23 Ne2 Nf6 24 Nf4 Qe8 25 QC3 Rg7 (Diagram 9)

Diagram 8 (W)

Diagram 9 (W)

We have reached a position that should be dynamically equal. Ιη retum for his pawn weaknesses Black has gained a spatial advantage οη the kingside which oHers him good chances for a possible kingside attack. Ι' d like to stop my observations here. As for this game, it should be mentioned that Carlsen refused a draw oHer and later went οη to win ...

Conclusion The Hedgehog has had a deep impact οη modern chess and it is ηο wonder that 'a good fifty percent οί the grandmasters' (Kasparov) play the Hedgehog with both sides. Conclusion

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,

288

Chapter 39

Mouseslip?! What can Ι say about my own contribution? Ι am α theoretician, and novelties are my projession - Ι make α living out ο! them. Ι have systems and variations in the Ruy Lopez, the Volga Gambit, the English Opening [... ] Ι can't remember them αΙΙ! Igor Zaitsev

Diagram

:ι (Β)

The Open Variation οί the Ruy Lopez has a history that spans over one hundred years. The main characteristic is that Black's pieces gain activity at the cost οί some disruption to his queenside structure. The defence was championed by

289

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

Siegbert Tarrasch, who believed that Black's mobility outweighs the defects ίη his pawn formation, but as was often the case (see Chapter 8), the majority of his contemporaries did not agree with him. Ιη the late 1980s the Open Defence was adopted by Vishy Anand, who played it throughout the 1990s and has done so occasionally too ίη our current decade. He also employed it ίη his 1995 PCA World Championship match against Garry Kasparov, but was caught off-guard ίη a variation that had been introduced by Karρον ίη the 1970s based οη an idea of Igor Zaitsev's.

Ο G.Kasparov • V.Anand

World Championship (Game 10), New York 1995 1. e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 Nf6 5 ο-ο Nxe4

The defining move of the Open Variation. Black avoids a closed struggle with 5 ... Be76 Re1 b5, preferring to alter the central structure. 6 d4 b5 7 Bb3 d5 8 dxe5 Be6 Αη

important tabiya. Kasparov now chooses the sharpest option.

9 Nbd2 (Diagram 2)

Diagram 2 (Β)

Diagram 3 (Β)

9 ... Nc5

The most common move, although Black does have two major alternatives: a) 9... Be710 Nxe4 dxe411 Bxe6 fxe6 12 Ng5! leads to a position that is 'not very desirable for Black' according to Shirov. Following 12 ... Bxg5 (ηο better are either 12 ... Qxd1 13 Rxd1 Bxg5 14 Bxg5 Rf8 15 ΒΜ e3 16 fxe3 Rf5 17 a4! b4 18 Bg3, with a

290

Mouseslip?!

slightly better position for White ίη G.sax-J.Tarjan, Hastings 1977/78, and 12... Qd5 13 Qh5+ g6 14 Qh4 Bxg5 15 Bxg5 Nxe5 16 Qg3 Νί717 Βί6 ο-ο 18 Radl when White had more than sufficient compensation for the pawn ίη E.Geller-W.unzicker, Bern 1987) 13 Qh5+ g6 14 Qxg5 ο-ο 15 Qg4 Qd5 16 Rel! Rf5 17 ΒΜ! (an important move which prevents Black from doubling οη the f-file) 17... Nxe518 Qxe4 Rd819 Qe2! Qc6 20 Radl Rxdl 21 Rxdl Νί7 22 Be3 White had a significant advantage ίη the endgame ίη P.Zamicki-A.Sorin, Buenos Aires 1996. b) After 9 ... Bc5 White has two possibilities: bl) 10 Nxe4 dxe411 Bxe6 Qxd112 Rxdl fxe6 13 Ng51eads to a structure we have already seen. Again after 13 ... 0-0 14 Nxe4 Bb6 15 Kf1 Nxe5 16 Ke2 Ng4 17 ί3 Νί6 White had a tiny endgame advantage ίη M.Adams-M.Pribyl, German League 1995, but it is unclear to me whether this should be sufficient ίη the long run should Black defend accurately. b2) The point οί 10 Qel!? is to prevent Black from utilizing any tricks involving ... Nd4. Play might continue 10 ... Bf5 11 Nxe4 Bxe4 12 Ng5 with an edge for White according to Emms. 10 c3 d4

10 ... Be71eads to another main line that Ι won't be examining here. 11 NgS!? (Diagram 3)

If you encounter such a move whi1e playing blitz οη the intemet, the first thought that usually comes to mind is 'mouseslip'. However, this incredible move is a fascinating invention οί Igor Zaitsev's and was introduced by Karpov ίη his 1978 World Championship match against Korchnoi ίη Bugojno. 11 ... dxC3

11 ... Bd5 was Ivan Sokolov's idea, but it vanished from toumament practice after the game J.Polgar-S.Mamedyarov, Bled Olympiad 2002, which concluded 12 Nxf7!? Κxf713 Qf3+ Ke6 14 Qg4+ Κί7 (or 14 ... Ke715 e6! Bxe6 16 Re1 Qd717 Bxe6 Nxe6 18 Νί3 Re8 19 Ng5 Ncd8 20 Bd2 and Black was ίη trouble despite his extra piece ίη P.Svidler-V.Anand, Dos Hermanas 1999) 15 Qf5+ Ke716 e6 Bxe6 17 Re1 Qd6 18 Bxe6 Nxe6 19 Ne4 Qe5 20 Bg5+ Kd7 21 Nc5+ Bxc5 22 Qf7+ Kd6 23 Be7+ and 1-0 as 23 ... Kd5 24 Qf3+ Kc4 25 b3 is mate. Instead 11 ... Qxg5 is obviously the critical move and will be examined ίη more detaillater. 12 Nxe6 fxe6 13 bxc3 Qd3 14 Bc2! (Diagram 4)

14 Νί3 was played ίη the aforementioned stem game between Karpov and Korchnoi, and was also Kasparov's choice ίη the 6th game οί this match. However, Anand played the novel idea 14... 0-0-0! (an improvement over Korchnoi's 14... QxdI15 Bxdl Be716 Be3 Nd3 17 Bb3 Κί718 Radl Ndxe5 19 Nxe5+ Nxe5 20 Bf4 which resulted ίη a better ending for White), and managed to achieve a rather comfortable draw. According to Kasparov, the text move was a discovery made οη the weekend prior to this game.

291

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

Diagram 4 (Β)

Diagram 5 (Β)

14... Qxc3 15 Nb3 Nxb3

Played by Anand after a 45-minute think. The few games played after this game debated two altematives: a) 15 ... Qxe5 16 Qf3 Qd5 17 Qg4 0-0-0 18 Nxc5 Bxc5 19 Bb3 Qe5 20 Βί4 Qb2 21 Qxe6+ Κb7 22 Bd5 Bd6 23 Rac1 yielded White a winning position in T.LyG.Bekker, Melboume 2003. b) 15 ... Rd8!? from A.Naiditsch-S.Mamedyarov, Pamplona 2004, is quite interesting. After 16 Bd2 Qxe5 17 Re1 Qd5 18 Qg4 Nd4 19 Nxc5 Bxc5 20 Qxg7 Rf8 21 Bxh7 Rd7 22 Qg6+ Kd8 23 Bh6 Νί3+ 24 gxf3 Qxf3 25 Qg5+ Kc8 26 Qxc5 Qg4+ 27 Κh1 Qf3+ 28 Kg1 Qg4+ the game ended in a draw, and after conducting some analysis Ι haven't been able to find any significant improvements for White. 16 Bxb3 Nd4

The variations in which Black accepts the rook after 16 ... Qxa1 are quite complicated, but Ι shal1 try to give you at least an overview. Following 17 Qh5+ Black has two ways to evade the check: a) 17... Kd718 Bxe6+! Κxe6 19 Qg4+ Kf7 (19 ... Kd51oses the queen after 20 Qd7+ Bd6 21 Qf7+ Κxe5 22 Qxg7+ Ke6 23 Qxa1) 20 Qf3+ Ke6 (20 ... Kg8 21 Qd5 mate) 21 Qxc6+ Bd6 22 exd6 Qe5 23 Bb2! Qxb2 24 Re1 + Κί6 25 Qf3+ Kg6 26 Qg4+ (Diagram 5) 26 ... Κh6 27 Re6+ Qf6 (or 27... g6 28 Qf4+ Κh5 29 g4+ Κh4 30 Qh6+ Κxg4 31 Re4+ Κί5 32 Qf4 mate) and now the cute 28 Μ! decides. b) 17... g6 18 Qf3 Nd8 (altematively, 18 ... 0-0-0 19 Qxc6 Qxe5 20 Qxa6+ Κb8 21 Be3 leads to a winning attack, while 18 ... Nd419 Qxa8+ Κf7 20 Rd1 Nxb3 21 Qf3+ Kg8 22 Ba3 wins the queen) 19 Rd1 Rb8!? (or 19 ... Qxe5 20 Βί4 Qf6 21 Qxa8 Bc5 22 Rxd8+ Qxd8 23 Qc6+ Qd7 24 Qxc5 with a decisive advantage) 20 Qd3! Be721

292

Mouseslip?! Qd7+ Kf7 22 Bg5 Qxd1 + 23 Bxd1 Re8 24 Qxc7 Rb7 25 Qc1 and Black does not have enough compensation for his structural problems. 17 Qg4 Qxa118 Bxe6 (Diagram 6)

Diagram 6 (Β)

Diagram 7 (Β)

Unsurprisingly Garry was still rattling out his home preparation at this ροίηΙ 18 ... Rd8

Other moves seem to lose as welIι as shown by: a) 18 ... Nxe6 19 Qxe6+ Be7 20 Bg5 and Black can avoid mate terms οί material.

οηlΥ

at some cost ίη

b) 18 ... Qc3 19 Bd7+ Kf7 (or 19 ... Kd8 20 Bg5+ Be7 21 Bxe7+ Kxe7 22 Qxg7+ Kd8 23 Bg4) 20 Be3 Bc5 21 Rd1 Ne2+ 22 Κh1! Bxe3 23 Qe6+ Κί8 24 Qf5+ Ke7 25 Be6 and again White is winning. 19 Bh6! QC3

19 ... Qxf1 + leads to mate after 20 Κχf1 gxh6 21 Qh5+ Ke7 22 Qf7. 20 Bxg7 Qd3 21 Bxh8 Qg6

Should Black decide to win the exchange after 21 ... Ne2+ 22 Κh1 Ng3+ 23 hxg3 Qxf1 + then that would be his last meal. After 24 Κh2 Qd3 25 Βί5! Qc4 26 ί4 Qxa2 27 Bxh7 he cannot survive. 22 Bf6 Be7 23 Bxe7 Qxg4 24 Bxg4 Kxe7 25 Rc1! (Diagram 7)

This excellent move decides the game, as Black's counterplay ίη the form οί ... c5c4 is prevented. Kasparov realized his material advantage a few moves later. This nasty surprise had a devastating effect οη Anand, who for the remainder οί

293

The Greatest

Eνer

Chess Opening Ideas

the match did not dare to play the Open Spanish. Ιη the following years, Zaitsev' s 11 Ng5 continued to score well, but the front began to crumble and suffered heaνy damage ίη 2004 when the following game altered the assessment οί the critical line.

D A.Morozevich •

R.Ponomariov

Biel2004 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 Nf6 5 ο-ο Ne4 6 d4 bS 7 Bb3 dS 8 dxes Be6 9 Nbd2 NcS 10 c3 d4 (Diagram 8)

Diagram 8 (W)

Diagram 9 (Β)

11 Ng5

As white players cannot be satisfied with the outcome οί this game, theory seems to have shifted towards 11 Bxe6 as the criticalline. Following 11 ... Nxe6 12 cxd4 Ncxd4 there are two possibilities, again curiously both introduced by Karpov ίη a World Championship match with Korchnoi (this time ίη Meran). a) 13 Ne4 was played ίη the 14th game οί the match, but it seems that after 13 ... Be7 14 Be3 Νί5 15 Qc2 ο-ο (but not 15 ... Nxe3 16 Qc6+) 16 Rad1 Nxe3 17 fxe3 Qc8 18 Nd4 Nxd4 19 exd4 Qe6! Black has good counterplay: for example, 20 Ng3 c6 21 Νί5 Rfe8 22 Nxe7+ Rxe7 23 Rf3 Rd7 24 Rc3 Qxa2 25 Rxc6 Rad8 26 Rc8 Qd5 and Black equalized ίη I.Smirin-A.Mikhalchishin, Klaipeda 1988. b) 13 a4, as played ίη the 18th game, may offer better chances for an advantage: 13 ... Be7 (or 13... Bc5 14 Ne4 Bb6 15 Nfg5 Nxg5 16 Bxg5 Qd7, as ίη A.Rodriguezo.Komeev, Barbera del Valles 1994, and now Rodriguez suggests 17 Re1 ο-ο 18 Ra3 with attacking chances after the rook has swung to the kingside) 14 Nxd4

294

Mouseslip?! (Diagram 9) 14 ... Nxd4 (14 ... Qxd415 axb5 Qxe5 16 bxa6 ο-ο 17 Qa41eaves B1ack strugg1ing to e1iminate White's extra pawn and after, for examp1e, 17... Nc518 Qc4 Rfb8 19 Ra5 Qd6 20 Ne4 Nxe4 21 Qxe4 White was better ίη V.Topa10v-V.Korchnoi, Madrid 1996) 15 Ne4 ο-ο (15 ... Ne6?! was p1ayed ίη the stem game between Karpov and Korchnoi; after 16 Be3 ο-ο 17 ί4 Qxdl18 Rfxd1 Rfb8 19 Rd7 Karpov managed to convert his endgame advantage into a win) 16 axb5 Nxb5 17 Be3 Qc8 18 Qd5 Rd819 Qc6 and B1ack was rather tied down ίη M.Chand1er-A.Yusupov, Hastings 1989/90.

Returning to 11 Ng5: 11 ... Qxg5 12 Qf3 (Diagram 10)

Diagram 10 (Β)

Diagram 11 (W)

12 ... 0-0-0!

Both ways οί protecting the knight get B1ack into trouble: 12 ... Kd713 Bd5 Bxd5 14 Qxd5+ Bd6 15 cxd4 Nxd4 16 Nc4 favoured White ίη E.BrOndum-B.BrinckClaussen, Denmark 1979, while 12 ... Bd713 Bxf7+ Ke714 Bd5 Nxe5 15 Qe2 d3 16 Qe1 c6 17 ί4 Qh6 18 Βί3! 1ed to victory for White in P.Wolff-G.F1ear, London 1990. What now follows is a rather forced sequence: 13 Bxe6+ fxe6 14 Qxc6 Qxe5 15 b4 Qd5 16 Qxd5 exd5 17 bxc5 dxc3 18 Nb3 d4

This position was 10ng considered to be better for White, but this game changed the eva1uation. 19 Ba3 g6 20 Bb4 Bg7 21 a4 d3! 22 axb5 d2 (Diagram 11) 23 bxa6

Another try ίη this position is 23 c6, but after 23 ... Κb8 24 Rad1 Rd5 25 bxa6 Rhd8 26 Na1 Ka7 27 Nc2 Rb8 28 Rb1 Rdb5 29 Rb3 R8b6 30 Rxc3 Bxc3 31 Bxc3 Rc5 32 Bxd2 Rxc2 33 Be3 Κxa6 34 Bxb6 cxb6 35 ί4 b5 a draw a1so resulted ίη A.ShirovV.Anand, Mainz (rapid) 2004.

295

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas 23 ... c2 24 Nxd2 Bxa1 25 Rxa1 Rhe8 26 RC1 Re4 27 Bc3 RC4 28 Rxc2

The immediate 28 a7 was unsuccessful ίη N.Berry-D.Eynon, Grangemouth 1999: after 28 ... Κb7 29 Rxc2 Rd3 30 Ra2 Ka8 31 Κf1 Rcxc3 32 Ke2 Ra3 33 Rxa3 Rxa3 34 Ne4 Kxa7 Black converted his material advantage. 28 ... Rd3 29 Rb2 Rcxc3 30 a7

The advance

οί

the a-pawn allows White to just hold the balance.

30 ... Ra3 31 Rb8+ Kd7 32 a8Q Rxa8 33 Rxa8 Rxd2 34 g4 Kc6

The rook ending is completely equal. 35 Kg2 KXC5 36 Kg3 Rd7 37 f4 Kd4 38 Ra1 Rf7 39 Rd1+ Ke3 40 Re1+ Kd4 41 Rd1+

V2-V2

Conclusion Zaitsev's 11 Ng5 certainly qualifies to be one οί the greatest-ever opening ideas, but its magic has recently flown away. Nowadays it seems that White has to look elsewhere should he seek an advantage against the Open Defence to the Ruy Lopez.

296

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Chapter 40

Defending the Dragon The Dragon will never die. Attila Schneider

Diagram 1 (W)

Nunn's Chess Openings sums things up quite well when it states that the Sicilian Dragon is one οί the most heavily-analysed variations in chess, and that its followers can become quite fanatical ίη their support. Originated ίη its present form by Louis Paulsen around 1880, the Dragon was frequently used by Henry Edward Bird ίη the 1880s and gained general acceptance when played by Harry Nelson

297

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

Pillsbury and other masters around 1900. However, things started to look grim for a time when Anatoly Karpov unleashed a new idea in the main line of the Yugoslav Attack in his 1974 Candidates match against Victor Korchnoi. Ο A.Karpov • V.Korchnoi

2nd matchgame, Moscow Candidates 1974 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 g6 6 Be3 Bg7 7 f3

Beginning the Yugoslav Attack; White's sharpest, critical and most theoretical approach against the Dragon. 7... Nc6 8 Qd2 ο-ο 9 Bc4 Bd7 100-0-0 Rc811 Bb3 Ne5 12 h4 Nc413 Bxc4 Rxc414 h5 Nxh5 15 g4 Nf6 (Diagram 2)

Diagram 2 (W)

Diagram 3 (Β)

16 Nde2

Nowadays this move is considered to be harmless, but it was all the rage after this game. Instead the typically prophylactic move 16 Κb1! is currently considered to be critical. 16... Qa5?

Black spurns the opportunity to save his bishop from being exchanged with 16 ... Re8!. After 17 Bh6 Bh8 it's not so easy for White to attack. He can try to exploit the pin down the d-file, but after 18 e5, Black has 18 ... Nxg4! 19 fxg4 Bxe5 with a mass of pawns for the sacrificed piece. L.Ferrao-C.Braga, Sao Paolo 1977, continued 20 Bf4 Qa5 21 Bxe5 Qxe5 22 Qh6 Qg7 23 Qxg7+ (23 g5 led to a similar situation after 23 ... Bc6 24 Rh3 Qxh6! 25 Rxh6 Rg4 26 Rg1 Rxg1 + 27 Nxg1 e5 28 Nh3 Rf8 29 Rh4 f5 30 gxf6 Rxf6 in D.Ciomei-J.Rigo, Dortmund 1995) 23 ... Κxg7 24 g5 Rg4 25

298

40: Defending the Dragon

.Rdgl Rxg1+ 26 Rxg1 h6 27 gxh6+ Kxh6 and Black's pawns were ready to ro11. ~7

Bh6 Bxh6

Γ... Rfc8

receives a similar treatment. After 18 Bxg7 Kxg7 19 Qh6+ Kg8

(ηο

better

:s 19 ... Κh8? when Black has to constantly fear mating threats οη h7; L.McShane... Stisis, Witley 1996, continued 20 e5 Qxe5 21 Rd5! Qe6 22 Nd4 and Black was forced to sacrifice material without receiving adequate compensation after :2. .. Rxd4 23 Rxd4) 20 Rd3! Be6 21 g5 Nh5 22 Ng3 Qe5 23 Nxh5 gxh5 24 Qxh5 Qg7 :5 ί4 d5 26 Rhd1 Qg6 27 Qxg6+ hxg6 28 exd5 Βί5 29 Rd4 White enjoyed a clear adνantage ίη R.Flasik-S.Petrik, Slovakian League 1997. 18 Qxh6 Rfc8 19 Rd3! (Diagram 3) 19..• R4c5?

Faced with a novel idea, Korchnoi immediately errs. Some sources have recommended 19 ... Qd8 instead, but after 20 Nd5! Rxc2+ 21 Κb1 e6 (21 ... Rxe2 is met by the simple 22 Nxf6+ exf6 23 Rxd6 when Black can hardly meet the threat οί 24 Qxh7+ Κί8 25 Qh8+ Ke7 26 Qxf6+ 27 Κί8 Rh8 mate) 22 Ndc3 Rxe2 23 Nxe2 Bb5 24 Rd2 Bxe2 25 Rxe2 Qa5 26 Qf4! Qe5 27 Qxe5 dxe5 28 g5 Nd7 29 Rd2 Νί8 30 Rc1 Rxc1 + 31 Kxc1 (Schneider) White has a serious endgame advantage as he threatens to penetrate with Rd2-c2-c7. 20 g5 Rxg5 21 Rd5!!

The decisive blow. Now the attack plays itself. 21 .•• Rxd5 22 Nxd5 Re8 23 Nef4 Bc6 24 e5! (Diagram 4)

Diagram 4 (Β)

Diagram 5 (Β)

24 ••• Bxd5 25 exf6 exf6 26 Qxh7+ Kf8 27 Qh8+ 1-0 Ιη

view οί the variation 27 ... Ke7 28 Nxd5+ Qxd5 29 Re1 + Black resigned.

Α devastating defeat for Korchnoi, who afterwards switched to the French Defence as his main weapon for the rest οί the match. However, a few years earlier a

299

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

young American had introduced a move into tournament practice which subsequently proved to be a real salvation for the entire Dragon!

D M.Nykopp • A.Soltis Haifa 1970 1 e4 C5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 g6 6 Be3 Bg7 7 f3 Nc6 8 Qd2 ο-ο 9 Bc4 Bd7 100-0-0 Rc8 11 Bb3 Ne5 12 h4 (Diagram 5) 12 ... h5! 13 Bh6

Naturally it must be checked to see if 12 ... h5! really does prevent direct assaults beginning with 13 g4?!. That is indeed the case: 13 ... hxg4! 14 h5 (14 f4 is more persistent, even though Black also manages to hold steady after it) 14 ... Nxh5 15 Rxh5 gxh5 and now one of the more entertaining examples is I.Mihailov-F.5ebe Vodislav, Eforie Nord 2000, which continued 16 Qh2 e617 Nf5 Rxc318 Qxh5 Rxe3! 19 Rh1 Re1+! 20 Rxe1 exf5 21 Rh1 Re8 22 f4 Qf6! 23 fxe5 Rxe5 when White resigned. Ι can't help myself, but there are parts of this game that remind me of losing chess! 13 ... Bxh6

13 ... Nc4 is the main altemative and Edward Dearing's recommendation ίη his truly excellent Play the Sicilian Dragon to which Ι wholeheartedly refer the interested reader. 14 Qxh6 RxC3!

Carefully prevented by Karpov ίη our last game, the typical exchange sacrifice now comes with some effect. 15 bXC3 Qa5 (Diagram 6)

Diagram 6 (W)

300

Diagram 7 (Β)

40: Defending the Dragon

This is still the most popular move ίη this position, even though Dearing suggests that there may be problems for Black here. 16Qe3

16 Kb1! is the critical move. Black then has to make a choice: a) 16... Qxc3? allows White to redeploy his knight with tempo. After 17 Ne2! Qc5 18 g4 hxg4 19 h5 g5 20 f4 White developed a devastating attack ίη P.Folk-J.Κnizek, Czech League 1991. b) 16 ...b5 is NCO's suggestion, but 17 g4 Qxc3 18 gxh5 (Dearing) should grant White an advantage: for example, 18 ... Nc4 19 Qc1 Nxh5 20 Bxc4 Qxc4 21 Rhg1 Rc8 22 Nf5 Qb4+ 23 Qb2 Qxb2+ 24 Κxb2 Κί8 25 Ne3 and White emerged with a clear plus ίη M.5usnik-KCetina, Bled 2001. c) 16 ... Rc8 17 g4 Nc4 (17 ... hxg4? 18 h5 Nxh5 19 Rxh5 gxh5 20 Rh1 wins for White) 18 Rd3 Qa3 19 Bxc4 Rxc4 20 e5 dxe5 was played ίη M.Borgstaedt-C.Pantaleoni, Lugano 1989, and now 21 Ne6!! would have been a knock-out blow: for example, 21 ... fxe6 22 Qxg6+ Κί8 23 g5 Nd5 24 Qh6+ Kg8 25 g6 and White comes first. 16 ... Rc817 Kd2? (Diagram 7)

17 Κb2 is obviously better, even though after 17... Qb6 18 Ka1 Qc5 19 g4 a5 20 g5 (20 gxh5 Nxh5 was played ίη C.Pritchett-A.Soltis, Haifa 1970; White tried to initiate an attack with 21 Qh6, but failed miserably after 21 ... a4 22 Bxf7+ Κxf7 23 Qh7+ Ng724 Ne2 Qc4 25 h5 Be6 26 hxg6+ Nxg6 27 Κb1 Rh8) 20 ... Ne8 21 f4 Ng4 Black was certainly not worse ίη S.Sogaard-B.Sjodin, Taby 1991. 17... Qa3

Nowadays it is established that with 17... Neg4!! Black can deliver a decisive blow. H.Contreras-J.Clavijo, Duitama 1999, continued 18 fxg4 Rxc3! 19 Qe1 (or 19 Qxc3 Nxe4+ 20 Ke3 Qxc3+ 21 Rd3 Qc5 22 Κxe4 Bxg4) 19 ... Rxb3+ 20 Ke2 Bxg4+ 21 Κί2 Qxe1+ 22 Rhxe1 Ra3 and Black had enough pawns for the exchange to win the endgame. However, despite his small inaccuracy, Soltis managed to win his game some twenty moves later.

Α Modern

Emphasis οη Prophylaxis

As a consequence οί Black's good resu1ts with the Soltis Variation, white players started to look for other ways to conquer the Dragon' s lair. Eventually more sophisticated attempts were made; one notable example being the prophylactic 12 ΚbI, after Black has to be very precise, as shown by our next game.

D F.Grafl • S.Farago Budapest 2001 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 NC3 g6 6 Be3 Bg7 7 f3 Nc6 8 Qd2 ο-ο 9 Bc4

301

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas Bd7 10 0-0-0 Rc8 11 Bb3 Nes 12 Kb1 (Diagram 8)

Diagram 8 (Β)

Diagram 9 (Β)

12 ... Nc4

12... Re8 is a try to avoid any difficulties Black might encounter after the rather traditional text move. This approach, which is dubbed 'refined prophylaxis' by Dearing, will be discussed in our next game after the continuation 13 h4 h514 Bg5 Rc5. 13 Bxc4 Rxc4 14 g4 bS?!

This otherwise typical attacking move is premature. That said, being an interested follower οί the Dragon myself, Ι find it hard to suggest viable altematives: a) 14... Qc715 g5 Nh516 Nd5 Qd817 Ne2! Be618 Qd3 Bxd519 exd5 Ra4 20 Qb5 Qa5 21 Qxa5 Rxa5 22 Ng3 gave Black an uncomfortable endgame in S.TiviakovB.Alterman, Beijing 1997. b) 14 ... Qa5 15 Nb3 Qa6 (or 15 ... Qc7?! 16 g5 Nh5 17 Nd5 Qd8 18 Bxa7! Be6 19 Bd4 and White was a safe pawn υρ in A.Kunte-L.Moylan, Canberra 2000) 16 e5 Nxg4 (16 ... Ne8 17 Nd51eaves Black struggling to defend the e-pawn, while 16 ... dxe5 17 g5 Bf518 gxf6 Bxf619 Nc5 Qc6 20 N5e4 does not give enough for the piece) 17 fxg4 Bxg418 Rdf1 dxe519 Rhg1 Bf5 20 Bh6 Bxh6 21 Qxh6 and White soon won in D.Kaiumov-S.Soloviov, Alushta 2002. c) 14...Qb8 supposedly supplies the best practical chances, but after 15 h4 Rfc8 the move 16 Nd5 (Diagram 9), which is not covered by Deaήng, is an interesting try to circumvent the complications arising after the typical exchange sacrifice 16 h5 Rxc3!? The game o.Zambrana-An.Rodriguez Vila, Santos 2006, continued 16 ... Nxd517 exd5 b518 h5 Qb719 hxg6 fxg6 20 Qh2 h6 21 b3 Qb6 22 bxc4 bxc4+ 23 Ka1 Qb4 24 Qd2 c3 25 Qc1 Ba4 26 Rxh6! Bxh6 27 Bxh6 Rc4 28 Be3 Qa5 29 Nb3 Bxb3 30 cxb3 c2 31 Rd3 and White converted his material advantage into a win.

302

40: Defending the Dragon

15 b3 Rc8 16 Ndxb5 (Diagram 10)

Diagram 10 (Β)

Diagram 11 (W)

16 ...Qa5

Instead 16 ... a617 Nd4 Qc718 Nde2 Be6 19 Bd41eft White with an extra pawn ίη A.Goloshchapov-I.Korobov, ΝίΖΜΥ Novgorod 1999. However, Schneider continues with 19 ... Qb7!? (instead of 19 ... Qc6 which occurred ίη the game) 20 h4 Rc7 21 h5 Rfc8 22 hxg6 fxg6 23 g5 Nh5 24 f4 Bg4! 25 Bxg7 Kxg7 claiming chances for both sides which may be so, but practical tests are required. 17 Nd5 Qxb5

The alternatives are hardly better: for example, 17... Qxd2 18 Nxe7+ Κh8 19 Rxd2 Rce8 20 Nf5 gxf5 21 Nxd6 was clearly better for White ίη M.Santo Roman-T.Lafont de Sent, French League 2000, as is 17...Qd8 18 Nxf6+ Bxf6 19 Nd4 a5 20 h4 a4 21 h5 axb3 22 cxb3 (Dearing). 18 Nxe7+ Kh8 19 Nxc8 Rxc8

White has obtained a significant advantage and now finishes the game elegantly. 20 Bd4 Be6 21 h4 Kg8 22 h5 a5 23 hxg6 hxg6 24 Qf4 g5 (Diagram 11) 25 Qxf6! 1-0

That was quite brutal if you ask me, but the Dragon wouldn't be the Dragon if its followers didn't find ways and means to cope with the threat. Let's not forget Attila Schneider's words: 'the Dragon will never die!'

D R.Ponomariov. S.Tίviakov Moscow 2001 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 g6 6 Be3 Bg7 7 f3 Nc6 8 Qd2 ο-ο 9 Bc4

303

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas Bd7 100-0-0 Rc8 11 Bb3 Ne5 12 h4 h5 13 Bg5 RC5 14 Kb1

This was popularized by Anatoly Karpov ίη the 1980s. It serves several purposes: for one thing the king vacates the c1-h6 diagonal (which can be important should Black play ... Qa5; ίη this case White may play Nd5 when ... Qxd2 doesn't come with check), and for another thing, the king is better placed ση b1 for defensive purposes should Black sacrifice the exchange ση c3. 14... Re8 (Diagram 12)

Diagram 12 (W)

Diagram 13 (W)

We have seen ίη the previous game what can happen should Black be too eager ίη his advances ση the queenside. lnstead the useful text move (it removes the rook from the h6-f8 diagonal and thereby enables the Dragon bishop to retreat to h8 should White try to exchange it with Bh6) throws the ba11 back into White's court. 15 Bh6

Another critical test σί Black's play has to be 15 g4 hxg4 16 h5 Nxh5, but Black can withstand any hasty assault: for example, 17 Rxh5 gxh5 18 Qh2 Ng6! 19 Nd5 Rxd5! 20 Bxd5 Qb6 21 c3 e6 22 Bb3 a5 and Black had already started his counterattack ίη P.Enders-Cao Sang, Budapest 1995. 15 Rhe1, intending to advance ίη the centre with f3-f4 and e4-e5, is another ρσρυ­ lar idea ίη this position, although after 15 ... Qa5 Black seems to be doing well. 1'11 again happily refer the interested reader to Dearing' s exce11ent book for further details. 15 ... Nc416 Bxc4 RXC417 Bxg7 Kxg7 18 Nd5

Although White's position is slightly more pleasant thanks to his space advantage, Black has ησ weaknesses and a solid position, which give him good chances to equalize.

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40: Defending the Dragon

18 ... es!? (Diagram 13) Probably best, even if leading theoretician Rogozenko does not believe that Black is fully equal after the text. Removing the centralized knight instead with 18 ... Nxd5 is not recommended as the black knight is a defender sorely missed οη the kingside: after 19 exd5 Rc5 20 Nb3 Rc4 21 g4!? hxg4 22 h5 White had a dangerous attack ίη Z.Efimenko-S.Bemdt, German League 2004. 19 Nxf6 Ιη

his notes to this game, Ponomariov mentioned 19 Nb3 which he considered superior to the text move, giving 19 ... Nxd5 20 Qxd5 Rc6 21 Na5 Rb6 22 Nxb7 Qb8 23 Nxd6 Rxb2+ 24 Ka1 Re6 25 Rd2 Qb4 26 Qd3 Ba4 27 a3 Qb8 as being slightly better for White. However, can Black play 19... Be6? The game A.Llorente ZaroJ.Alonso Moyano, Mataro 2004 took an interesting course after 20 Nxf6 Qxf6 21 Qxd6 Rec8 22 Qd2 (οί course not 22 Rd2? Rxc2 23 Rxc2 Rxc2 24 Kxc2 Bxb3+ followed by 25 ... Qxd6) 22 ... Rxc2 23 Qxc2 Rxc2 24 Κxc2 b6 25 Κb1 Qe7 26 g3 a5 27 Nc1 Qc5 28 Nd3 Qc4 29 b3 Qc3 when Black developed a dangerous initiative. More practical test could do ηο harm here. 19... Qxf6 20 Nb3 Re6 Vz-Vz

Conclusion The Dragon remains one οί the key battlegrounds οί modem chess. For the moment it seems that Black can hold his ground ίη the Yugoslav Attack, due ίη ηο small part to the contribution οί Andy Soltis! Conclusion

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Chapter 41

Bringing

Ιη

the Harvest

For years the world's best experts had been [... ] experiencing certain difficulties in this opening. Smyslov's invention in 1954 (!) dramatically changed the character of the position. Garry Kasparov

(οη

Smyslov's 11 ... Ne8)

Diagram 1 (W) Ιη Chapter 24 Ι discussed Mikhail Botvinnik' 5 legendary opening preparation. There was, however, one notable incident ίη which Botvinnik himself was caught off-guard. Ιη the 14th game οί Botvinnik's 1954 World Championship match against Vasily Smyslov, his opponent surprisingly employed the King's Indian

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Defence, an opening system which previously only occurred ίη a handful οί Smyslov's games. Botvinnik chose the Fianchetto Variation (a fairly popular variation at that time, as Ι already indicated ίη Chapter 29) and played a move that was relatively new at the time, but the game showed that Smyslov was excellently prepared. Not only was he unsurprised by Botvinnik's choice, but he also countered with a strong novelty himself and won the game ίη great style. The aforementioned novelty is not, however, what this chapter is chiefly about. Instead Ι' d like to stress the value of thorough opening preparation by showing one οί Smyslov's later games which he played ίη 1980. Even though after his match with Botvinnik the King's Indian Defence more or less vanished from Smyslov's opening repertoire, the preparations he made for the 1954 World Championship match were not completely gone for good. The following game shows a novel idea that helped to improve Black's play significantly, as Smyslov had discovered ίη his preparation for the World Championship match - 26 years earlier! Ο V.Bukal • Lίπz

V.Smyslov

1980

1 C4 eS 2 Nc3 Nf6 3 Nf3 d6 4 d4 Nbd7 5 g3 g6 6 Bg2 Bg7 7 ο-ο ο-ο 8 e4

Via a transposition we have reached one οί the main lines οί the Fianchetto Variation; a system briefly touched upon ίη the chapter οη the King's Indian Defence. 8 ... c69 h3

9 Be3 was played ίη 14th game οί the aforementioned World Championship match between Botvinnik and Smyslov. Here Smyslov uncorked 9 ... Ng410 Bg5 Qb6! 11 h3 exd4! (Diagram 2).

Diagram 2 (W)

Diagram 3 (Β)

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

Botvinnik accepted the offered sacrifice with 12 Na4 Qa613 hxg4 b514 Nxd4 bxa4 15 Nxc6 Qxc6! 16 e5 Qxc4 17 Bxa8, but after 17... Nxe5 Smyslov had excellent compensation for the exchange and went οη to win the game ίη great style. Later White tried to improve this line with 14 Be7 Re8 15 Bxd6 bxa416 e5, but after 16 ... c5! (A.Yusupov-G.Kasparov, Linares 1992) Black is ίη good shape, such as with 17 Nxd4 Bb718 Nb5 Bxg2 19 Κxg2 Bxe5. The whole development οί this line is the reason most white players insert 9 h3 before playing Be3. 9 ...Qb610 Re1 Because οί the course οί this game, players using the Fianchetto Variation switched to the sharp 10 c5!? The game might continue 10 ... dxc511 dxe5 Ne8 12 e6!? fxe6 13 Ng5 Ne5 14 ί4 Νί7 (after 14 ... c4+ 15 Κh2 Nd3 16 e5 both Black's bishops are restrained, giving White decent compensation) 15 Nxf7 Bd4+ 16 Κh2 Rxf7 17 e5 Nc718 Ne4 Nd5 19 a4 a5 20 Ra3 Qd8 21 Raf3 b6 with unclear play ίη F.Izeta Txabarri-G.Hernandez, Seville 1994. 10 ...exd4 11 Nxd4 (Diagram 3) 11 ... Ne8!? Improving over the common 11 ... Re8, after which life is not easy for Black: for example, 12 Na4 Qa5 13 Βί4 Ne5 14 Bf1 c5 15 Bd2 Qd8 16 Νί3 Nc6 17 Nc3 with an edge for White ίη Z.Sturua-J.Nunn, London 1990. 12 Nce2 Naturally other knight moves have subsequently been tried. The most frequently played move is 12 Nb3 and after 12 ... a5 13 Be3 Qb4 14 a3 Qxc4 15 Nd4 ί6 16 Rc1 Qf717 ί4 Nc7 an unclear position is reached ίη which White has more space and the more active pieces as compensation for the pawn. 12 ... Nc7 13 Nb3 Qb4! The weakness οί the c-pawn is always a problem for White is this variation. 14 NC3 a5 15 Nd2 a416 a3 Qa5 17 Nf3 Ne518 Nxe5 dxe5 (Diagram 4)

Diagram 4 (w)

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the Harvest

Black has achieved everything he could dream of: the weak d6-pawn has gone and the white queenside has been restrained, rendering the c4-pawn a permanent weakness. Smyslov went οη to convert his positional advantage ίη the endgame.

Conclusion This chapter is meant to show the usefu1ness of thorough opening preparation. Even if the results cannot always be applied immediately, ίη most cases there will be an opportunity where ι the harvest can be brought ίη'; even if it takes 26 years! Conclusion

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Chapter 42

DaredeviI In the laboratory, gambits αΙΙ test unfavourably; but the old rule wears well, that αΙΙ gambits are sound over the board. William Napier

Diagram 1 (W) Chess ίη the 1980s was dominated by an unprecedented rivalry between Anatoly Karpov and Garry Kasparov, which culminated ίη ηο fewer than five matches for the World Championship. The idea presented ίη this chapter comes from their second match, which was played ίη 1985. Being a child of the 1980s, the Kasparov Ι became acquainted with in the 1990s was

310

42: DaredeviI a Najdorf specialist (see Chapter 26), but the young Kasparov also played the Scheveningen Vaήatiοη οη a regular basis. He usually employed a Taimanov move order to avoid the Keres Atlack (see Chapter 25), but Karpov was rarely inclined to enter the realms of the Scheveningen. Instead he opted for Hedgehog positions; something which Kasparov didn't mind at all (see Chapter 38). However, in two games of the 1985 match, Kasparov used a daήng idea that occurred to his second Andras Adorjan while ήding a cable car! Let's see what this idea was about. Ο A.Karpov • G.Kasparov

World Championship (Game 16), Moscow 1985 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 e6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nc6 5 Nb5

5 Nc3 is the most commonly played move against the Taimanov Sicilian, but the text has always been Karpov's favourite. As an interesting aside, Ι should mention that this move is not covered at all ίη Taimanov's Winning with the Sicilian. 5... d6 6 C4 Nf6 (Diagram 2)

Diagram 2 (W)

Diagram 3 (W)

7 Nlc3

After 7 N5c3 Be7 8 Be2 ο-ο 9 ο-ο a6!? 10 Be3 (10 b3 allows Black to play ... d5 under favourable circumstances: with 10...b6 11 Bb2 Bb712 Qd3 d5! 13 exd5 exd5 14 Nxd5 Nxd5 15 cxd5 Nb4 16 Qg3 Bf6 Black enjoyed at least full equality in L.LjubojevicL.Polugaevsky, Petropolis 1973) 10...Bd711 Nd2 b612 Rc1 Qb813 Κh1 Rc814 a3 Na715 Qb3 Bd8 16 Rfd1 Bc6 the game runs along typical Hedgehog lines. 7... a68 Na3

8 Nd4 would be an inaccurate move: White misses his queen's control of d5 and

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allows B1ack to trade his queen's knight in order to make room for his lightsquared bishop. After 8... Bd7 9 Be2 Be7 10 Be3 ο-ο 11 ο-ο Nxd4 12 Qxd4 Bc6 13 f3 d5! B1ack had equalized in D.Bronstein-M.Tal, Moscow 1972. 8... dS!?!

This was Adorjan' s daring idea, aνoiding the standard Hedgehog which wou1d arise after 8...Be7 9 Be2 ο-ο 10 ο-ο b6. U1timate1y 8... d5 shou1d not be entire1y correct, but it was good enough for 1V2/2 in an important Wor1d Championship match! 9cxdS

The on1y significant difference to the text wou1d be if White exchanges a pair οί knights οη d5, but naturally this cannot do any harm to B1ack: 9 exd5 exd5 10 Nxd5 Nxd5 11 cxd5 (it shou1d be noted that White doesn't haνe the means to p1ay 11 Qxd5? as after 11 ... Bb4+ 12 Bd2 Qe7+ 13 Be2 Bg4 B1ack deνe10ps a decisiνe initiatiνe) 11 ... Bb4+ 12 Bd2 Qxd5 with comp1ete equality. 9 ... exds 3.0 exds Nb4 (Diagram 3) 3.3. Be2 Karpoν's improνement oνer

the 11 Bc4 οί the 12th game. After 11 ... Bg412 Be2 Bxe213 Qxe2+ Qe714 Be3 Nbxd515 Nc2 Nxe316 Nxe3 Qe617 ο-ο Bc518 Rfe1 ο-ο a draw was agreed. 11 Bg5 is another altematiνe that has been seen. After 11 ... Nbxd5 12 Nxd5 Qxd5 13 Bxf6 (13 Qxd5 Nxd5 140-0-0 Be615 Bc4 Nc7! was equa1 in N.Borge-S.Fedder, Copenhagen 1991) 13 ... Qxd1+ 14 Rxd1 gxf6 B1ack's pawn structure is compromised, but the two bishops shou1d proνide more than enough compensation. 3.3. ... Bc5

B1ack can a1so try: a) 11 ... Nbxd5 12 ο-ο Be7 (12 ... Bxa3? is bad as after 13 Qa4+ White obtains the bishop-pair for free) 13 Nxd5 Nxd5 14 Bf3 Be6 15 Nc2 is slightly better for White according to Kasparoν. b) 11 ... Nfxd5 is giνen by NCO, which assesses the position after 12 ο-ο Be613 Qa4+ b5 14 Naxb5 axb5 15 Bxb5+ Ke716 Nxd5+ Nxd5 17 Qe4 f5 18 Qf3 Κί719 Rd1 Rc8 20 Ba4 (Z.A1masi-J.Horνath, Hungary 1993) as supp1ying 'compensation for the sacrificed materia1'. Ι prefer White here. 3.2 ο-ο?!

12 Be3! (Diagram 4) is the moνe which shou1d bury this gambit from a theoretica1 After 12 ... Bxe313 Qa4+ Nd714 Qxb4 Bc5 15 Qe4+ Kf8 16 ο-ο b5 17 Nc2 Karpoν was simp1y a pawn υρ in A.Karpoν-J.Van der Wiel, Brusse1s 1986.

perspectiνe.

3.2 ... 0-0 3.3 Bf3

Lutz recommends retuming the pawn in order to retain at 1east a slight initiatiνe, referring to D.Barbu1escu-H.Wirthensohn, Luceme 1985, which saw 13 Bg5 Nbxd5 14 Nxd5 Qxd5 15 Qxd5 Nxd5 16 Βί3 Be6 17 Rfd1 Nf6 18 Rac1 with a ρυ11. 3.3 ... Bf5 3.4 Bgs Re8! 3.5 Qd2 bS!

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42: Daredevil

Impressive. Black's pieces all stand well and control some important squares (c2, d3, e4), whereas the scope οί White's pieces is limited at best. 16 Rad1

16 Qf4 Bg617 Bxf6 Qxf6 18 Qxf6 gxf6 was White's last chance to play for equality, but that was something Karpov probably refused to believe. 16..,Nd3! (Diagram 5)

Diagram 4 (Β)

Diagram 5 (W)

Astoundingly the black pieces continue to find even better squares than those they are already occupying. Ιη the further course οί the game, Kasparov gradually improved his position and managed to later win.

Conclusion Α

great opening idea is not always defined by its longevity, or its correctness for that matter. If all the other criteria score highly, it is just as good. Certainly an opening idea which enabled someone to score one and a half crucial points from two games with Black ίη a World Championship match is well worth mentioning. ConcIusion

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Chapter 43

Α

Tricky Transposition

In α gαmbit you give up α pαwn for the sαke of getting α lost gαme. Samuel Standige Boden

Diagram 1 (Β) Ι described King's Gambiteers as zealots back ίη Chapter 3, and the same can certainly be said about disciples οί the Jaenisch Gambit. Yes, the Jαenisch Gαmbit! For some reason this gambit is widely known as the Schliemann Defence, but it was Carl Friedich Jaenisch who first published analysis about this line ίη Lα Pαlαmede back ίη 1847, so for crying out loud why not name the whole thing after him?

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Honour to whom honour is due! Recent1y the Jaenisch enjoyed a revival at the top level when Teimour Radjabov employed it in a number οί games. Good enough reason for me to pose a question about the viability οί the opening. Please have a good look at the following game. Ο K.Pilgaard • O.Simonsen

Klavsvik 2003 1 e4 es Ζ Nf3 Nc6 3 BbS fS (Diagram Ζ)

Diagram Ζ (W)

Diagram 3 (Β)

4Nc3

4 Qe2 was the move that Jaenisch originally considered to be the best way to meet his gambit. He was οί the opinion that it 'wins a pawn for the first player', but naturally things have developed since the 1840s: 4... fxe4 5 Bxc6 dxc6 6 Qxe4 Bd6 7 Nxe5 Νί6 8 Qe2 ο-ο 9 d4 (9 ο-ο Re8 10 d4 c5 11 c3 cxd4 12 cxd4 c5 gives Black dangerous counterplay) 9... Bxe5 10 dxe5 Ng4 11 ο-ο Qe7 12 ί4 Qc5+ 13 Κhl Nxe5! 14 Be3 and a draw was agreed in A.Jakuta-S.Yarga, Stockerau 1993, even though Ι quite like Black's position. More critical was the obvious 14 fxe5, but after 14 ... Bg4 15 Rxf8+ Rxf816 Be3 Qxe517 Qd3 Qxb2 18 Bd4 Qcl+ the position is by ηο means easy for White. 4 ...fxe4

Black has to play energetically as other moves allow White to exploit his structural superiority: a) After 4... Nf6 White does best to accept the offered pawn with 5 exf5! and then: al) 5... Bc5 6 ο-ο ο-ο 7 Nxe5! (Diagram 3) allows White to resolve the situation in the

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centre in his interest. Now 7... Nxe5 8 d4 regains the piece while Black will have a very hard time in eliminating the f5-pawn. So best is 7... Nd4, but after 8 Bd3 d5 9 Νί3 Nxf510 Bxf5 Bxf511 d4 Bd6 12 Ne5 White was a safe pawn up in I.Harasta-R.Fiacan, Slovakian League 1998. a2) 5 ... Nd4 is similar to the previous line. After 6 Nxe5 c6 7 Bd3 d5 8 ο-ο Bd6 9 Νί3 Nxf510 Bxf5 Bxf511 Re1+ Be712 Qe2 White was clearly better in M.ChandlerM.Herrmann, German League 1995. a3) After 5 ... e4 White can play 6 ΝΜ, which would not have been possible after the immediate 4 exf5 e4. Following 6... d5 7 d3 Be7 8 dxe4 dxe4 9 Qxd8+ Bxd8 10 Bg5 ο-ο 11 0-0-0 White was simply a pawn to the good in o.Duras-F.Dus Chotimirsky, St Petersburg 1909. b) Another option is 4 ... Nd4!? when White does best to put his light-squared bishop οη the weakened a2-g8 diagonal with 5 Bc4: (Diagram 4)

Diagram 4 (Β)

Diagram 5 (Β)

b1) 5 ... fxe4?? led to a quick disaster after 6 Nxd4 exd4 7 Qh5+ g6 8 Qe5+ in R.SelleP.Kessler, Willingen 2001. b2) 5 ... d6 takes care οί the e-pawn, but at the same time confines the dark-squared bishop to its quarters. After 6 d3 Νί6 7 Nxd4! exd4 8 Ne2 fxe4 9 dxe4 Nxe410 Qxd4 Νί611 Bg5 White had a clear advantage in B.Abramovic-V.Kovacevic, Yugoslavia 1985. b3) 5 ... Nf6 6 d3 strengthens White's centre and stillleaves Black wondering what to do with his e-pawn. Trading the knight with 6 ... Nxf3+ (6 ... d6 transposes to variation 'b2') only helps White to extend his lead in development: after 7 Qxf3 ί4 8 g3 g5 9 gxf4 gxf410 Bxf4! exf4 11 e5 ΒΜ12 0-0-0 Bxc313 bxc3 Qe714 exf6 Qxf6

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15 Rde1+ Kd816 Re4 White enjoyed a clear advantage ίη M.Tosic-O.5ahovic, Vrnjacka Banja 1982. b4) 5 ... c6 6 ο-ο with a final divide: b41) After 6... Nf6 White can finally snatch the pawn: 7 Nxe5 Qe7 (7... fxe4 8 Νί7 Qc79 Nxh8 d5 10 Be2 Bd6 11 h3 Βί5 12 d3 does not yield enough compensation according to Emms) 8 Re1! fxe4 9 Nxe4 Nxe4 10 Rxe4 d511 Re3 Be6 12 Bd3 Qf613 c3 Νί5 14 Bxf5 Qxf5 15 Νί3 Bc5 16 d4 Bd6 17 Qe2 Kd718 Ne5+ Bxe5 19 Rxe5 Qf7 20 Bg5 Rae8 21 Re1 and White, besides his extra pawn, had a dominating position ίη A.Holmsten-E.Praski, Finland 1992. b42) 6 ... d6 7 exf5! (Diagram 5) and now both recaptures have serious drawbacks: 7... Nxf5 8 d4 exd4 (8 ... d5 is met by the powerful 9 Nxe5! dxc4 10 Qh5+ g6 11 Nxg6 Νί6 12 Qe2+ Ne7 13 Nxh8) 9 Re1 + Be7 10 Nxd4 and White is clearly better, or 7 ...Bxf5 8 Nxd4 exd4 9 Re1+ Kd710 Ne2 Qf611 Ng3 Re812 Rxe8 Κxe813 Qe2+ Kd714 c3 dxc3 15 dxc3 d5 and surprisingly a draw was agreed ίη J.TimmanKOanov, Wijk aan Zee 1971, even though the superiority οί the white position cannot be denied. Retuming to Black' s main move, 4 ... fxe4: 5 Nxe4 (Diagram 6)

Diagram 6 (8)

Diagram 7 (w)

5...d5

5 ... Nf6?! is a move with a bad reputation. White can play the simple 6 Nxf6+ Qxf6 (6 ... gxf6? is even worse: 7 d4 Qe7 8 ο-ο e4 9 d5! Nd8 10 Re1 Bg7 11 ΝΜ and Black was completely busted ίη J.Emms-J.Sylvan, Copenhagen 1992) 7 Qe2 Be7 8 Bxc6 dxc6 (8 ...bxc6 fails to improve since 9 Nxe5 c510 ο-ο Bb711 b3 0-0-012 Bb2 saw White obtain a clear advantage ίη J.Oiaz-A.Antunes, Santa Clara 1991, while 9 ... 0-0

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10 ο-ο Bd611 d4 c512 Be3 Bxe5 13 Qc4+ Rf714 dxe5 Qxe5 15 Qxc51eft White a clear pawn up ίη A.Zapata-R.Vera, Bayamo 1983) 9 Nxe5 Bf5 10 ο-ο! and depending οη which side Black castles, White will bring his d-pawn to the most inconvenient square: 11 d3 should Black castle queenside and 11 d4 ίη the event of 10 ... 0-0. 6 Nxe5 dxe4 7 Nxc6 Qg5

7... Qd5?! was the old main line, but numerous correspondence games have revealed what can be more or less be considered a refutation: 8 c4 Qd6 (8 ... Qg5? 9 d4 Qxg2 10 Qh5+ g6 11 Qe5+ Ne7 12 Nxe7+ Kf7 13 Be8+! was winning for White ίη G.Bolomestnikh-Bething, correspondence 1962) 9 Nxa7+ Bd710 Bxd7+ Qxd711 Qh5+ g612 Qe5+ Κί713 Nb5 c6 (Diagram 7) 14 Qd4! (an improvement over 14 Qxh8 Νί615 Nc3 Re816 b3 Bc517 Qxe8+ Kxe818 h3 Qd3! which yields good counterplay for Black) 14 ... Qe7 (other moves are clearly worse: for example, 14 ... Qf5 15 Nd6+ Bxd6 16 Qxd6 Ne717 ο-ο Rhd8 18 Qb4 with a clear advantage ίη V.Ciocaltea-B.Malich, Sinaia 1966, or 14 ... Nf6? 15 Qxd7+ Nxd716 Nc3 Nc5 17 ο-ο Bg7 18 f3 with a some advantage according to Estrin) 15 Qxh8 Nf6 16 b3 Rd8 17 Bb2 Bg7 18 Ba3 Qd719 Nd6+ Ke6 20 Qxd8 Qxd8 21 Nxb7 and White has lots of wood for the queen. Peter Leisebein, who could be described as a zealot οί the Jaenisch Gambit, tried to improve Black's play with 21 ... Qc7 22 Nc5+ Kf7 23 Bb2 Qf4 24 0-0-0 Βί8 and eventually achieved a draw ίη V.Hergert-P.Leisebein, correspondence 1997, but Ι have ηο idea what he intended against 25 Bxf6 Bxc5 26 Bc3 with a safe position, two rooks and three pawns for the queen. 8 Qe2 Nf6 9 Nxa7+! (Diagram 8)

Diagram 8 (Β)

Diagram 9 (Β)

Is this the move that sends the Jaenisch to the museum? This trick, which involves a slight change ίη the move order, was already known ίη the 1960s. That said, 9 f4 is still considered to be the main line. Black should then avoid 9 ... Qh4+? 10 g3 Qh3

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11 Ne5+ c6 12 Bc4, preferring 9 ... Qxf4 which leads to intense complications. One rather entertaining example was 10 Nxa7+ Bd711 Bxd7+ Kxd7 12 Qb5+ Ke6 13 Qxb7 Bd6 14 Qb3+ Kd715 Qf7+ Be716 Nc6 Κxc6 17 Qxe7 Rhe8 18 Qb4 Re5 19 a4 Qh4+ 20 g3 Qh3 21 Qd4 Rd5 22 Qgl e3 and ίη this total messy position a draw was agreed ίη Y.Zinchenko-o.Zubov, Dnipropetrovsk 2000. 9 ... Bd7 10 Bxd7+ Nxd7

10 ... Kxd711 Qb5+ would completely take the wind out οί Black's sails. 11 f4! QC5

The point οί White's move order is revealed after 11 ... Qxf4. Play then transposes to 9 ί4 Qxf4 10 Nxa7+ Bd7 11 Bxd7, but with Black having recaptured οη d7 with the wrong piece (ίη the previous note, Black played 11 ... Kxd7 with great complications). White can exploit this with the simple 12 Nb5 0-0-0 (Black has to take care οί the c-pawn as 13 d4 was threatened) 13 d4 when he is simply better. Note too that 11 ... Qh4+? is even worse than ίη the previous note. After 12 g3 Qh3 13 Nb5 0-0-014 b3 e3 15 dxe3 Νί6 16 Bb2 Bc5 17 Bxf6 gxf6 18 Rdl Rhe8 19 Rxd8+ Kxd8 20 e4 White was winning ίη J.Koch-D.Marciano, Strasbourg 1992. Maybe Black has to ρίη his hopes οη 11 ... Qa5, but after 12 Nb5 Bc5 13 Qxe4+ Kd8 14 Qxb7 Re8+ 15 Kdl Rb8 16 Qxc7+ Qxc717 Nxc7 Κxc718 c3 (Diagram 9) White has five pawns for the piece, and defending against this kind οί armada is certainly ηο picnic. 12 Nb5 Qxc2 Νί6 Black has at least some activity, but the simple 14 a4!, intending to run the a-pawn down the board, is an idea that is not at all easy to meet.

It seems that after 12 ... 0-0-0 13 Nc3

13 d4 (Diagram 10)

Diagram 10 (Β)

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We have reached a position ίη which it is difficult to find any compensation for the missing pawn. After 13 ... Bb4+ 14 Kf1 Qxe2+ 15 Κxe2 0-0-0 16 Be3 Nf6 17 Rac1 c618 Nc3 Ba519 Rhd1 Nd5 20 Nxd5 Rxd5 21 Rc5 Bb6 22 Rxd5 cxd5 23 Rc1+ Pilgaard had reached a winning position and eventually converted his extra pawn ίη the endgame.

Conclusion Ι

wonder if Radjabov will continue to employ the Jaenisch, and I'm more than curious to see what he has planned against the approach recommended ίη this chapter! Ι just think that the Jaenisch is not playable anymore ...

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Chapter 44

Crossing the Brenner 1 Α

sensation, hidden in the depths of my emotional memory, was suddenly revived: what

if. .. What iffor me the variation is not dead? If the variation is alive? ! Lev Polugaevsky

Diagram 3. (W)

As Ι have already mentioned, occupying the centre with as many pawns as possible is a popular method against various hypermodem openings. The Pirc Defence is ηο exception, and so playing 4 ί4 (which is known as the Austrian Attack be1

Α

historically key pass through the Alps between Austria and Italy.

321

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

cause it was developed by the Viennese players Hans MUl1er and Andreas Dίick­ stein) has always been the most popular system, especially as the resulting sharp positions do not allow second-best play from Black. Α bit οί good news was brought to the Pirc community ίη 1988 when Yasser Seirawan introduced a powerful novelty which, while it did not tum the Pirc into a winning machine, did at least save it from oblivion. The following game is short, but quite important for developments ίη the Austrian Attack.

D G.Sax • Y.Seirawan Brussels 1988 3. e4 d6 2 d4 Nf6 3 Nc3 g6 4 f4 Bg7 5 Nf3 C5 6 Bb5+ Bd7 7 e5

This advance was premature οη the last two moves, but is now quite critical. The alternative is 7 Bxd7+ Nfxd7 8 d5 which sees White trying to reach a kind οί Beηοηί structure, but without a pawn οη c4 Black can counter with 8 ... b5!. Following 9 Nxb5 Black is forced to give his dark-squared bishop, but after 9... Qa5+ 10 Nc3 Bxc3+ 11 bxc3 Qxc3+ 12 Bd2 Qc413 Qe2 Nb6 White's light-squared weaknesses cannot be ignored and Black stands well ίη the endgame. 7... Ng4 (Diagram 2)

Diagram 2 (W)

Diagram 3 (W)

8e6 Α

critical test οί Black' s play, although so too are: a) 8 Bxd7+ Qxd7 9 d5 dxe5 10 h3 e4 leads to sharp play. Ι don't have the space for adequate coverage, but feel that Black is able to hold his ground.

b) 8 h3 Bxb5 9 Nxb5 dxe5! 10 hxg4 Qa5+ leads to quite a fascinating struggle with

322

44: Crossing the Brenner

Black ready to meet 11 c3 with 11 ... e4!. Instead 11 Qd2 Qxb5 12 dxe5 is meant to shut the dark-squared bishop out οί play, but Black is able to develop good counterplay: 12 ... Nc6 13 c3 Qc4 14 Qe2 Qxe2+ 15 Κxe2 h6 (preventing Ng5 and thereby preparing to castle queenside) 16 Be3 b6 17 Rad1 Rd818 Nd2 Kd7! 19 a4 Kc720 Nc4 Rxd1 21 Rxd1 Rd8 and Black had comfortably equalized in X.MontheardJ.Vigus, Clichy 1998. 8...fxe6!

Accurate and best, whereas 8 ... Bxb5 is probably dubious. After 9 exf7+ Kd7 10 Nxb5 Qa5+ 11 Nc3 cxd4 12 Nxd4 a complicated position arises, but in alllines White emerges with an advantage. 9 Ngs BxbS! (Diagram 3) 10 Nxe6

After 10 Nxb5 Black has to play precisely, but eventually gets rewarded with good play: 10 ... Qa5+ 11 c3 Qxb5 12 Qxg4 (12 Nxe6 Qc4! 13 Qxg4 cxd4 transposes) 12 ... cxd4 13 Nxe6 Qc4!! 14 Nxg7+ (after 14 ί5 Βί6 15 fxg6 Rg8 16 g7 Nc6 17 Nc7+ Kd8 White probably has nothing better than taking the perpetual check with 18 Ne6+ as occurred ίη A.Shirov-A.Κhalifman, Groningen 1990) 14 ... Kf7 (Diagram 4) and White has ηο sensible way to save his knight:

Diagram 4 (w)

Diagram 5 (w)

a) 15 Nh5? gives Black a massive advantage after 15 ... dxc3 16 Ng3 cxb2 17 Bxb2 Qb4+. b) 15 Nf5 is another try, but after 15 ... h5! 16 Qg5 Qe6+ 17 Ne3 dxe318 f5 gxf519 ο-ο Nd7 20 Rxf5+ Nf6 21 Bxe3 Rag8 22 Qf4 Rg4 Black will have good counterplay οη the g-file. c) 15 f5 Κxg716 Qh4 Nc6 17 Rf1 Rhf8! 18 Bh6+ Κh8 19 Bxf8 Rxf8 20 0-0-0 gxf5 21 Κb1 b5 was played in A.Beliavsky-J.Hodgson, Belgrade 1993, and now 22 b3! Qxc3

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

23 Rf3 Qc5 24 Rc1 Qd5 25 Rxc6! Qxc6 26 Qxe7 Qe8 27 Qxd6 Qe1+, with a draw by perpetual check, is one possible outcome. 10 Qxg4 is another try by White to obtain an advantage, but Chemin's idea 10 ... Bc4 11 b3 Bxd4 12 Bd2 Bd5 13 Nxd5 exd5 140-0-0 Nc6 15 Ne6 (Black was better after 15 Qe6 Qc8 16 Qf7+ Kd717 Qxd5 Qg8 ίη J.Nunn-y.seirawan, Skelleftea 1989) 15 ... Qb6! 16 f5 Bf6 17 Rhe1 Ne5 18 Qh3 a5! gives Black good counterplay. 10 ... Bxd4 11 Nxd8

After a long thought, Sax decided to allow a repetition. Instead 11 Nxb5?! is insufficient after 11 ... Qa5+: a) 12 Qd2 Bf2+ 13 Kd1 Ne3+ 14 Ke2 Qxb5+ 15 Kxf2 Ng4+ 16 Kg3 Na6!! has scored well for Black ίη practice. b) 12 c3 Bf2+ 13 Kd2 Be3+ 14 Kc2 Qa4+ 15 Κb1 Qe4+ 16 Qc2 Qxc2+ 17 Κxc2 Kd718 Nec7 (bad is 18 Nbc7? Bxc1 19 Nxa8 Na6) 18 ... Bxc1 19 Kxc1 a6 20 Nxa8 axb5 and Black is at least equal. 11 ... Bf2+ 12 Kd2 Be3+

vz-vz (Diagram 5)

Conclusion The biggest achievement οί this idea is also its biggest drawback: Black can only draw with Seirawan's queen sacrifice. So should you intend to play for the full point, avoid this line and play 5... 0-0 against the Austrian Attack. On the other hand, if you are looking to play for a win against the Pirc Defence, maybe you should refrain from playing the Austrian Attack ...

324

Conclusion

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Chapter 45

Α

Brief Revolution

An amazing deviation from traditional ideas. Garry Kasparoν (οη Kaidanoν's 10 0-0-0)

Diagram 1 (Β) Ιη Chapter 11 οη the Lasker Defence Ι casually mentioned that the Queen's Gambit was νery popular at the beginning οί the 20th Century. Now Ι should mention that there are two forms οί playing against the Queen' s Gambit Declined: one ίη­ νolνes the more popular 5 Bg5 (which was the subject οί Chapter 11), but there is also an approach inνolνing the moνe 5 Bf4. The latter approach was quite popular

325

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas ίη

the late 19th Century, being successfully employed by Wilhelm Steinitz. As an introductory example, Ι would like to show one οί those games. Steinitz's ορρο­ nent is none other than the then current World Champion Emanuel Lasker.

D W.Steinitz • E.Lasker

St Petersburg 1896 1 d4 d5 Ζ c4 e6 3 NC3 Nf6 4 Bf4 Be7

As a result οί this game, Lasker played the immediate and correct 4... c5! when facing Steinitz later ίη the toumament and equalized without any problems. 5 e3 ο-ο 6 C5!? (Diagram Ζ)

Diagram Ζ (Β)

Diagram 3 (Β)

Steinitz erects a clamp οη the queenside. Normally this would provoke a counterthrust ίη the centre, but let's just see what happened ίη the game ... 6 ••• Ne4?!

The right way to challenge White's idea was 6...b6 7 b4 a5 8 a3 axb4 9 axb4 Rxa110 Qxa1 Nc611 Qa4 bxc5!! 12 Qxc6 cxd4 with a dangerous initiative for the sacrificed piece ίη KLemer-E.Geller, Riga 1985. The text move will result ίη a general weakening οί both the light squares and the black central pawns. 7 Nxe4 dxe4 8 Qcz f5 9 Bc4 Nc610 a3!

This not only creates a retreat for the bishop ίη the event οί ... Na5, but also prevents Black from consolidating with ... Nc6-b4-d5. 10••• Bf6 11 ο-ο-ο!

Another good move. White brings his king to relative safety and threatens 12 d5, which rather forces Black's next move.

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45:

Α

Brief Revolution

11.. .. Kh8 1.2 f3 Qe7! 1.3 Bg3!

\\rute does well not to take the pawn: after 13 fxe4? e5 14 dxe5 Nxe5 Black be-

comes unnecessarily active. 13 ...f4 1.4 Qxe4!! (Diagram 3)

Again Steinitz finds the best move. Taking the f-pawn with 14 Bxf4? e515 dxe5 :--Jxe5 16 Qxe4 Bf5! 17 Qxf5 Nxc4 would have actually been close to winning for Black. 1.4...fxg3 1.5 hxg3

For the piece White has two pawns and a very dangerous attack, whereas Black's pieces lack any real coordination. 1.5 ... g6 1.6 Qxg6 Bd7

Instead 16 ... Rg8 17 Qe4 Rxg3 is certainly ηο way of handling the position; when you are undeveloped you don't want to snatch additional pawns. Here matters are even worse than usual, as White can get additional attacking forces into action with gain of tempo: 18 Ne2 Rg719 Nf4 and the white knight joins the attack. 1.7 f4 Rf7 1.8 g4 Rg7 1.9 Qh6! Rxg4 20 Bd3 Rg7

There is ηο proper way to defend this position anymore. Should Black try 20 ... Rh4 then 21 Rxh4 Bxh4 22 Nf3 Bf2 23 Rh1 Bxe3+ 24 Κb1 wins. 21. Nf3 Qf7 22 g4! Rag8 23 g5 Bd8 24 Rh2! (Diagram 4)

Diagram 4 (Β)

Steinitz simply piles up

οη

Diagram 5 (W)

h7, and there is nothing that Lasker can do about ίΙ

24... Rg6 25 Qh5 R6g7 26 Rdh1.! Qxh5 27 Rxh5 Rf8 28 Rxh7+ Rxh7 29 Rxh7+ Kg8 30 Rxd7 Rf7 31. BC4! 1.-0

Black resigned in view of 31 ... Rxd7 32 Bxe6+ Rf7 33 g6.

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

Playing for a clamp οη the queenside was one οί the key ideas ίη the early days οί but then Black discovered that at some point he could play ... c7-c5 and thereby obtain good counterchances. The 5 Βί4 variation had to take a back seat and was οηlΥ revived at master level ίη the 1970s when Victor Korchnoi employed it ίη his 1978 World Championship against Anatoly Karpov, albeit without particularly exceptional results. Indeed, a full reversal οί the downward trend οηlΥ took place ίη 1988 when Gregory Kaidanov introduced a stunning move that breathed new life into the 5 Βί4 variation. Ιη the years that followed this new handling yielded good results, but as with many opening ideas, antidotes were eventually found. The following game showcases Kaidanov's idea, as well as how to handle ίΙ

Βί4,

D V.Anand • V.Kramnik Leon (Advanced Chess) 2002 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 d5 4 Nc3 Be7 5 Bf4 ο-ο 6 e3 c5

As we have seen, this move is necessary should Black want to have serious counterplay. 7 dxc5 Bxc5 8 a3

Instead 8 cxd5 Nxd5! 9 Nxd5 exd5 leads to a position with an isolated pawn ίη which White has to invest time to prevent ... Bb4+; time that Black can put to good use after 10 a3 Nc6 11 Bd3 Bb6 12 ο-ο d4 13 e4 Bg4 14 h3 Bh5 15 g4 Bg6 16 Rc1 Rc8 when the position is equal. 8 ... Nc6 (Diagram 5) 9 Qc2

9 b4?! appears a consequent follow-up to 8 a3, but here Black has the surprising 9 ... Nxb4! 10 axb4 Bxb411 Qb3 a5 when there is ηο good way for White to prevent the threat οί ... Ne4: for example, 12 Be5 Nd713 Rc1? (relatively best would be 13 Bd4 ί6 14 Kd1 Bxc315 Bxc3 Nc5 even though Black still has excellent attacking chances) 13 ... f6 14 Bg3 Nc5 and Black was close to winning ίη J.Lautier-V.Topalov, Monaco (rapid) 1999. 9 ...Qa5 10 ο-ο-ο!?

Kaidanov's move which temporary breathed new life into the whole variation ίη place οί the older and equal10 Rd1. 10... Be7 (Diagram 6) 11 g4

Other moves have been played, but none are good enough for an edge: a) 11 Κb1 a6 12 Nd2 Qb6 13 Nb3 Na5 14 Nxa5 Qxa5 15 cxd5 exd5 16 Be5 Be6 17 Bd3 Rac8 18 Qd2 d4!? (18 ... Κh8!? is an interesting altemative ίη order to invalidate ideas involving Bxh7+) 19 Bxd4 Rfd8 20 Rc1 g6 21 Rhd1 Ne8 22 ί3 Nd6 and Black had some compensation for the pawn ίη L.Van Wely-V.Kramnik, Wijk aan Zee 1998.

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45:

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Brief Revolution

b) 11 h4 is the aggressiνe altematiνe, but Black can hold steady here with 11 ... a6 12 Ng5 Rd8 13 cxd5 exd5 14 e4 Nxe4! since 15 Rxd5? Rxd5 16 Qxe4 Qxc3+! 17 bxc3 Bxa3+ 18 Κb1 ΒΕ5 wins. 11... dxC4 12 Bxc4 e5 13 g5 exf4 14 gxf6 Bxf6 15 Nd5

15 Rd5 is a way to moνe the rook into an attacking position, but after 15 ... Qc7 16 Rh5 g6 17 Rg1 (στ 17 Nd5 Qd8 18 Rg1 Be6) 17... Ne718 Ne4 Qb6 Black is again able to hold. 15 ... Ne7 16 Nxf6+ gxf6 17 Rhg1+ Kh8 (Diagram 7) 18 e4

Diagram 6 (W)

Diagram 7 (W)

Α necessary precaution. White plans to play the prophylactic Κb1 and οηlΥ then to get actiνe again with Rd6 and/or Qb3. Insufficient is 18 Qe4 Ng6 19 Qd4 Qb6 20 Qxb6 axb6 when Black's structure may be awful, but White is missing too many pawns and after 21 Rd6 fxe3 22 fxe3 Ra5 the game is equal.

18 ... b5!

Black needs to initiate counterplay ίη order to counter White's plan. 19 Bd5 Nxd5

Black must be careful not to fall ίοτ either 19 ... Rb8? 20 Qc5! 21 Qxc8+ Nxc8 22 Κb1 b4 23 Nd4 bxa3 24 Nc6!.

οτ

19 ... Be6 20 Bxa8 Rc8

2oexd5 b4

Also playable is 20 ...Bd7 21 Κb1 b4 22 Rd4 Rg8 23 Rxg8+ Rxg8 24 Qd2 ΒΕ5+ 25 Ka2 Rd8 26 Qxb4 Qxb4 27 axb4 Rxd5 with an equal ending ίη V.Kramnik-A.Karpoν, Monaco (blindfold) 1998. Howeνer, οη the other hand 20 ... Bg4?! is risky and after 21 Qe4 Qc7+ 22 Κb1 Rfe8 23 Qd4 Bf5+ 24 Ka1 Qd6 25 Ng5! Re7 26 Ne6 Qe5 27 Rge1 Qxd4 28 Nxd4 Rxe1 29 Rxe1 White had a clear adνantage ίη the endgame ίη

329

The Greatest

Eνer

Chess Opening Ideas

S.Mamedyarov-P.Tregubov, Dubai 2002. 21. axb4 Qa1.+ 22 Kd2 Qa6 23 Qc6 Rd8 24 Kc3

White should refrain from taking the rook with 24 Qxa8? as after 24 ... Qc4! his king is ίη grave danger. 24 ... Bb7 25 Qxa6 Bxa6 26 Rd4 Rac8+ 27 Kd2

27 Κb3? allows the tactical strike 27 ... Rxd5! 28 Rxd5 Bc4+. 27 ... Bb7 28 Rc1. Rxc1. 29 Kxc1. (Diagram 8)

Diagram 8 (Β)

Diagram 9 (w)

29 ... Kg7

Now it's Black's turn to be careful: 29 ... Bxd5? would have lost to 30 Kd2! since Black cannot resolve the pin ίη a satisfactory way. After 30 ... Kg7 (30 ... Rd7 31 Ne1 Bc6 32 Rxd7 Bxd7 33 Ng2! f3 34 ΝΜ also gives White the better endgame) 31 Nel f5 32 Nd3 Kf6 33 Nxf4 Ke5 34 Ke3 Rd7 35 b5 Be6 36 Nxe6 Κxe6 37 Rxd7 Κxd7 38 Kd4 Kd6 39 f4 White wins the pawn endgame. 30 Nh4 Rxd5 31. Rxd5 Bxd5 32 Nf5+ Kf8 33 Kd2 Ke8 34 Kd3 Kd7 35 Kd4 Be6 36 Ke4 Bxf5+!

Correctly realizing that the resulting endgame will be drawn. 37 Kxf5 Kc6 38 Kxf4

H's also a draw after both 38 h4 Κb5 39 Kxf6 Kc4 40 h5 Kd3 41 h6 Ke2 42 Kg7 Κxf2 43 Κxh7 f3 44 Kg8 Ke145 h7 f2 46 h8Q f1Q and 38 ί3 Kd5! 39 b5 Kc4 40 h4 h5 41 Κχί4 Kd3! 42 Kf5 Ke3 43 Kxf6 Κxf3 44 Kg5 Ke4 45 Κxh5 ί5 46 Kg6 ί4 47 h5 f3 48 h6 ί2 49 h7 f1Q 50 h8Q. 38 ... Kb5 39 Kf5 Κxb4 40 Kxf6 Kb3 41. f4 Kxb2 42 f5 a5 43 Κxf7 a4 44 f6 a3 45 Kg8 a2 46 f7 a1.Q 47 f8Q Qa2+ (Diagram 9) 48 Kxh7

vz-vz

330

45:

Α

Brief Revolution

There was ηο point in playing οη with computers and endgame tablebases at hand!

Conclusion Kaidanov's 10 0-0-0 was a good try to revive one οί the most classical opening systems. It is still the most promising way to play the 5 ΒΕ4 variation in the Queen's Gambit Declined, but with careful play Black shouldn't have much to fear. Conclusion

Score (max 5)

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!!

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!!!!

331

Chapter 46

Don't Name the Gambit After Me! About twenty years later Ι played the gambit and mentioned it in two of my publications. But don't name the gambit after me! There are at least three worthier candidates. Stefan Βϋcker

Diagram 3. (Β) Ι hope that Βϋcker can forgive my small case οί plagiarism (the chapter heading was actually a title οί one οί his recent articles at ChessCafe.com), but Ι consider the fact that someone would rather not see his name connected to one οί the greatest opening ideas to be commendable and noticeable. But what idea am Ι talking about anyway?

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46: Don't Name the Gambit after Me!

Let me tell you that there are cases when people would like just to play chess without having to learn a huge bulk οί theory; Ι know what I'm talking about, I'm one οί them. But what to do if you are a 1 e4 player and you have to play against the Sicilian Defence? Just thinking about how many different lines there are in the Open Sicilian gives me the creeps. For those seeking a different solution, the Closed Sicilian may be the right thing. Ιη general most οί the so-called anti-Sicilians have a dubious reputation because they are, well, anti-Sicilians. However, the Closed Sicilian has been used by ten world champions, so it can't be that bad. One οί the leading exponents with a considerable success rate is Boris Spassky, but to underline the necessity οί the opening idea presented in this chapter, I'd like to present one οί Spassky's more awkward experiences.

D B.Spassky • L.Portisch Toluca 1982 1 e4 c5 2 Nc3 d6 3 g3 Nc6 4 Bg2 g6 5 d3 Bg7 6 f4 (Diagram 2)

Diagram 2 (Β)

Diagram 3 (W)

6 ...e6

This and the following moves introduce Black's most popular way to meet the attacking scheme usually employed by White in the Closed Sicilian: Black takes a firm stand to prevent White from clearing the way for his dark-squared bishop with a well-timed f4-f5. Because οί this plan, Ι would not recommend 6... e5 from a practical point οί view. After 7 Nh3 White enjoys reasonable attacking chances, as Spassky has demonstrated: for example, 7... exf4 8 Bxf4 Nge7 9 ο-ο h610 Rb1 (protecting the b-pawn) 10... 0-0 11 a3 Be6 12 Be3 Ne5 13 Νί4 Bd7 14 Κh1 (in order to

333

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

answer a possible ... Ng4 with Bg1) 14... Rc8 15 Qd2 Κh716 h3 Bc6 17 g4 and White slowly adνanced οη the kingside ίη B.5passky-L.Portisch, Geneνa 1977. 7 Nf3 Nge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 Be3 Nd4 10 Rb1 Α

natural moνe which protects the b-pawn and thereby prepares to transfer the c3-knight to the kingside. This was the standard moνe ίη this position until the mid-to-late 1980s, as we will see. Instead 10 Qd2, eνen though frequently played ίη the early days of the Closed Sicilian, is hardly an alternatiνe as it does not put Black under immediate pressure and allows him to implement his usual queenside scheme: 10... Rb8 11 Bf2 (11 Nd1 b5 12 c3 Nxf3+ 13 Bxf3 b414 d4 bxc3 15 bxc3 Ba6 16 Re1 cxd4 17 cxd4 d5 18 e5 Nf5 must haνe been completely demoralizing for White ίη P.Vieira-S.Dumont, Vitoria 2001) 11 ... Nxf3+ 12 Bxf3 Nc613 Rae1 Nd414 Bg2 b5 (Diagram 3) 15 Nd1 b416 c3 bxc317bxc3 Qa5 and Black already exerts significant pressure against White's queenside pawns, while a white kingside attack does not eνen 100m οη the horizon. Thus White should probably go ίη for the critical10 e5 which will be coνered ίη the next game. 10... Rb8 11 Ne2 Nxf3+ 12 Bxf3 b6 (Diagram 4)

This time Black refrains from playing 12...b5. Instead the text moνe further strengthens c5, which is quite useful should White intend to strike ίη the centre with d3-d4.

Diagram 4 (W)

Diagram

5 (W)

13 g4?!

This adνance tums out to be premature, but the ing:

altematiνes

are hardly appetiz-

a) 13 d4 cxd414 Bxd4 e5! 15 Be3 (15 fxe5 dxe5 reνeals the point οί 12 ...b6 as now White cannot play 16 Bc5) 15 ... Qc7 (Palliser) leads to a νersion of an Open Sicilian

334

46: Don't Name the Gambit after Me!

for White which is not especia11y promising. b) Instead οί this Pa11iser recommends 13 Qd2 Bb714 Bg2 ί515 c3 Qd716 b4 with an unbalanced struggle. 13 ...f5!

Black's counter-strike immediately rules out any possible white attack. 14 Ng3 Bb7 15 gxf5 exf5! Το quote Pa11iser, this move is 'the correct recapture as the white monarch wi11 be the weaker ίη the long run and Portisch wi11 more immediately gain pressure against the white centre.'

16 C4 Qd7 17 Qd2 Rbe8! 18 Rbe1 Nc619 Bg2 Nd4 20 Kh1 fxe4 21 dxe4 h5! (Diagram 5)

With the centre firmly secured, it is Black who can now start off an attack οη the kingside. Portisch eventua11y converted his advantage some twenty moves later, but for the moment this is οί ηο further interest ... ΟηΙΥ a few years after this game did a 'new' move enter the arena. Ι say 'new' because the move was actua11y not new at a11: it had already been played ίη a game between Martin Christoffel and Milan Matulovic ίη Zurich back ίη 1961. Christoffel, though, fo11owed up poorly, which may explain why the idea didn't immediately catch οη.

Ο

O.Stjazhkina • I.Polovodin St Petersburg 1999 1 e4 c5 2 Nc3 Nc6 3 g3 g6 4 Bg2 Bg7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e6 7 Nf3 Nge7 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 Be3 Nd4 10 e51?

Compared to the rather innocuous options from our previous game, the sharp text move is a try by White to exploit his lead in development. It opens the h1-a8 diagonal, undermines the defence οί the c5-pawn and vacates the e4-square for the c3-knight (from where it can increase the pressure against d6 and c5). Α11 ίη a11, this may be the οηlΥ real approach to fight for an opening advantage. 10... Nef5

Besides the text move, with which Black brings his knight ίη touch with the key d4-square, the fo11owing altematives should be examined: a) 10 ... Nec6?! is not good. It does support the knight οη d4 and attack the white epawn, but it does not attack the bishop οη e3 which gives White the necessary time to act with 11 Ne4! (Diagram 6). Now 11 ... Nf5 12 Βί2 dxe5 13 fxe5! Nxe5 14 Bxc5 Nxf3+ 15 Qxf3 Bd4+ 16 Κh1 Bxc5 17 Nxc5 Qd4 18 Ne4 Ne3? 19 c3 Qb6 20 Nf6+ leads to certain death οη the dark squares, while 11 ... dxe5 12 Nxe5 Nxe5 13 fxe5 Bxe5 14 c3 Νί5 15 Bxc5 Re8 16 d4

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The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

leaves White with the better development and the superior-placed minor pieces. b) 10... dxe5 releases the tension a bit too early as after 11 fxe5! White has sufficient antidotes against both black knight moves: 11 ... Nec6 (or 11 ... Nef5 when White can protect his pawn with 12 Βί4!?; a move that wouldn't have been possible had Black not exchanged οη e5) 12 Ne4 Nxf3+ 13 Bxf3! and now Black discovers that his c-pawn is hanging. After 13 ... Nxe514 Bxc5 Re815 Bg2 Nd716 Be3! Bxb2 17 Rb1 White has strong compensation for the pawn in view οί the weakness οί Black' s dark squares.

11 Bf2 (Diagram 7) 11 ... Nxf3+

Diagram 6 (Β)

Diagram 7 (Β)

Α

natural move, freeing the d4-square for the other knight. However, it may not be the best move, so let' s look at alternatives: a) 11 ... Rb8? has the idea to remove the rook from the h1-a8 diagonal in order to fianchetto the bishop after ...b6. Unfortunately, this is a bit slow and White can play energetically with 12 Ne4! Nxf3+ 13 Qxf3 b6 14 g4! as he did in T.Thorhallsson-M.Petursson, Reykjavik 1989. b) Closing the position with 11 ... d5? is only to White's advantage. After 12 Nxd4 cxd4 (l2 ... Nxd4 is effectively met by 13 Na4! b6 when 14 b4! undermines the d4knight) 13 Ne2 Ne3 14 Bxe3 dxe3 15 d4 the e3-pawn was doomed in C.ong-Lam Kwok Foong, Thailand 2005. c) 11 ... Bd7 is probably the best move, the idea being to redeploy the bishop to the h1-a8 diagonal. Should White continue thematically with 12 Ne4 then Black can play 12... Nxf3+ 13 Bxf3 Bc6 14 c3 h5! (an important move as Black needs to ensure that his knight can stay οη an active post) 15 exd6 b6 (Diagram 8). There could follow 16 Νί6+ Bxf617 Bxc6 Rc8 18 Bb7 Rb819 Be4 Qxd6 and Black

336

46: Don't Name the Gambit after Me!

had equalized

ίη

S.Sale-M.Sadler, Cannes 1995.

12 Qxf3 ln certain similar positions White should refrain from taking οη ί3 with the queen in view οί a possible ... Nd4. Now the opposite is the case, and taking with the

bishop is dubious. After 12 Bxf3?! dxe513 fxe5 (accepting the exchange after 13 Bxc5? exf4! is very dangerous: the stem game, M.Christoffel-M.Matulovic, Zurich 1961, continued 14 Bxf8 Qxf8 15 Qe1? fxg3 16 hxg3 Bd4+ 17 Κh2? Qh6+ and White resigned; this quick and painful defeat was probably the reason that the whole idea did not catch οη for another 25 years!) 13 ... Bxe514 Bxc5 Bd4+ 15 Bxd4 Qxd4+ Black has a very comfortable game.

12 ... Nd4 12 ...Bd7!? prepares a familiar plan with 13 Ne4 Bc6. Instead White may try 13 Qxb7!? Rb8 14 Qxa7 Rxb2 15 Rac1 dxe5 16 Qa3! (Diagram 9).

Diagram 8 (W)

Diagram 9 (Β)

Ιη

this wild position, White will win a pawn and ΌηΙΥ' has to neutralize the possible activity οί the black pieces. The game F.Diczew-A.Nowacki, Brody Ilzeckie 2003, continued 16... Rb8 (16 ... Qb8?! is insufficient due to 17 Rb1! Rxb118 Rxb1 Qc8 19 fxe5 Bxe5 20 Ne4) 17 Bxc5 exf4 18 Rxf4! (18 Bxf8? Bxf8 19 Qa7 fxg3 20 hxg3 Nxg3 is similarly faulty as ίη Christoffel-Matulovic) 18 ... Re8 (18 ... Bh6 wins the exchange, but 19 Ne4 grants White excellent play οη the dark squares should Black dare to take the rook) 19 Rcf1 h5 20 R4f2 Qc7 21 Ne4 and White consolidated his position and remained a safe pawn up.

13 Qd1 dxeS! 14 fxes (Diagram 10) 14 ... Bxes Since Black cannot prevent 15 Ne4, he might as well take a pawn. Other moves are

337

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

considerably weaker: a) 14... Bd7? 15 Ne4! Ba4 (taking the pawn with 15 ... Bxe5 is now too late: after 16 c3 Nf5 17 Bxc5 Re8 18 d4 White achieνed a pleasant position ίη I.NordhaugR.Sheldon, Guarapuaνa 1995) 16 b3 Bc617 c3! Nb518 Bxc5 Bxe4 (after 18... Bxe5 19 Bxf8 Qxf8 20 d4 Bxe4 21 dxe5 Rd8 22 Qe1 Qc5+ 23 Κh1! Bxg2+ 24 Κxg2 Nxc3 25 Qf2 Black does not haνe enough compensation) 19 Bxe4 Nxc3 20 Qf3 Nxe4 21 Qxe4 and White had much the more actiνe pieces ίη V.Krapiνin-G.Kuzmin, 010mouc2004. b) Another way οί declining the pawn is 14... Rb8?, again facilitating ...b6, but White can launch a strong attack after 15 Ne4 b6 16 Nf6+! Bxf6 17 exf6 Qxf6 18 c3 Νί5 19 g4! Nd6 20 Bxc5, as occurred ίη KMaric-M.Ankerst, Sloνenia 1996. 15 Ne4 f5! 16 Nxc5 (Diagram 11)

Diagram 10 (Β)

Diagram 11 (Β)

As White threatens 17 c3 followed by 18 d4, Black must act. 16 ...QC7

The actiνe 16 ... f4!? is best answered by 17 gxf4!? After 17... Bxf4 the white kingside seems a little weak, but White can retain an edge with precise play: 18 Ne4!? Νί5 19 Bc5 e5 20 Qe1! Rf721 Nc3 Rc7 22 Rxf4! Rxc5! (22 ... exf4 23 Qe5 giνes White a dangerous attack) 23 Rf2 and now 23 ... Qd4 (instead οί the 23 ... Be6 of R.DjurhuusM.Zelkind, Gausdal1990, which dropped a pawn after 24 b4 Rc7 25 Qxe5) 24 Qe2 would haνe left White slightly better. After 16 ... Qd6 17 b4 Nc6 18 Rb1 Black should exchange White's actiνe darksquared bishop with 18 ... Bd4! (18 ...b6 is dubious as 19 Nb3 Bb7 20 d4 Βί6 21 c4! allows White to build a powerful centre since 21 ... Qxb4? drops a piece to 22 Nc5Lane), and then 19 Qe1!? a5! 20 c3!? Bxf2+ 21 Qxf2 axb4 22 cxb41eads to a position

338

46: Don't Name the Gambit after Me!

in which White has an isolated pawn which is compensated for by his queenside majority and his currently more active pieces. 17 b4 f4!?

The most active try. A1ternatively: a) 17... Nb5?! can be met by 18 d4!. Then after 18 ... Rd8 19 c3! Nxc3 20 Qf3 Rxd4 21 Rac1! Black doesn't have a good move. He must either allow White to make a rather favourable exchange of rook for two important pieces οη c3 or sacrifice the exchange, but after 21 ... Ne4 22 Nxe4 fxe4 23 Qe2 Qd6 24 Bxd4 Bxd4+ 25 Κh1 Bd7 26 Bxe4 Black didn't have enough compensation in N.Zhukova-M.Lomineishvili, Dresden 2004. b) 17... Bg7 18 a4!? Nc6 19 Rc1!? Bc3 (the b-pawn doesn't really hang as 19 ... Nxb4 20 Qe1 wins back the pawn, while opening the position in White's favour) 20 b5 Nd4 21 Nb3 e5 22 Nxd4 exd4 23 Qe2 and White should have a slight pull as Black faces difficulties in fully coordinating his pieces. 18 c3! NfS (Diagram 12)

Diagram 12 (W)

Diagram 13 (Β)

19 g4f3!

19 ... Ne3? is not good for Black after 20 Bxe3 fxe3 21 Rxf8+

Κxf8

22 Qf3+.

20 Bxf3 Bxh2+ 21 Kg2 Ng7

Instead 21 ... Ne3+?? 22 Bxe3 Qg3+ 23 Κh1 Qh3 24 Bg2 Qh4 25 Bg5!! is a fail-safe device which is worth remembering. 22 Rh1! Bf4 23 d4 Bd7 24 Nxd7 Qxd7 2S Qd3 (Diagram 13)

White has clearly the better prospects with her pair οί bishops and her intention to double rooks οη the h-file. Black decided to force the issue with 25 ... e5?, but had to

339

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

resign after 26 Qc4+ Ne6 27 dxe5 Bxe5 28 Bd5 Kg7 29 Bxe6 Rxf2+ 30 Kxf2 Qd2+ 31 Qe2 Rf8+ 32 Bf5! Qxc3 33 Rae1 Qg3+ 34 Kf1 Bd6 35 Qe4 (1-0).

Conclusion The Closed Sicilian might not be the sharpest tool ίη the box, but it remains popular at club level and is definitely playable. Furthermore, the discovery of 10 e5!? has certainly improved White's chances considerably.

340

Conclusion

Score (max 5)

ShockValue

11111

Effectiveness Rating

11111

Longevity Rating

11111

Creativity Value

1111

Chapter 47

The Golden Raspberry It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation. Hermaη

Melville

Diagram 1 (W) The followiηg idea caη hardly be coηsidered to be oηe οί the greatest opeηiηg ideas per se, but the tragicomedy behiηd it is just too good to be igηored.

Απ

Argentinean Tragedy

The 14th rouηd

οί

the 1955 Gotheηburg Iηterzoηal paired three Argeηtiηeaη mas-

341

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

ters, Miguel Najdorf, Oscar Panno and Hermann Pilnik, against their respective Soviet opponents Paul Keres, Efim Geller and Boris Spassky. As it happened, all three Argentineans were Black and all their opponents were 1 e4 players. The Argentineans prepared a new line ίη the sharp Najdorf Sicilian, hoping to take their opponents by surprise. This is what happened: 1 e4 C5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 NC3 a6 6 Bg5 e6 7 f4 Be7 8 Qf3 h6 9 Bh4 g5

This constitutes the starting point οί the infamous Gothenburg Variation. With the temporary sacrifice ... g7-g5, Black fights for control οί the central square e5, hoping to establish his king's kηight there and then to support it with the other kηight (via c6 or d7). It so happened that the games were broadcast via huge demonstration boards, which enabled the Soviet grandmasters to observe the games οί their compatriots from their seats. ΑΙΙ three games continued ... 10 fxg5 Nfd7 (Diagram 2)

Diagram 2 (W)

Diagram 3 (Β)

Since it οηlΥ takes two moves to recapture the pawn, which White seemingly cannot avoid, and to bring a knight to e5, immediate action is necessary.1t was Geller who first played the critical. .. 11 Nxe6! fxe6 12 Qh5+ Kf8

Now it was Keres' turn to set the pace ... 13 Bb5!

This important move controls the a4-e8 diagonal, which ίη effect prevents Black from establishing a kηight οη e5. This idea is οί great importance as was immediately demonstrated ίη Geller-Panno when Panno played ...

342

47: The Golden Raspberry 13 ... Ne5

... expecting 14 0-0+, which the Argentineans, when preparing the line, believed would favour Black. However, Geller played ... 14 Bg3 (Diagram 3)

... and after 14... Bxg515 0-0+ Ke716 Bxe5 Qb6+ 17 Κh1 dxe518 Qf7+ Kd619 Rad1+ Qd4 20 Rxd4+ exd4 21 e5+ Kc5 22 Qc7+ Nc6 23 Bxc6 Panno resigned. The other two Argentinean masters deviated with 13 ... Kg7, but weren't able to save their games after 14 ο-ο Ne5 15 Bg3 Ng6 16 gxh6+ Rxh6 17 Rf7+ Kxf7 18 Qxh6 axb5 19 Rf1+ Ke8 20 Qxg6+ Kd7 21 Rf7 Nc6 22 Nd5, etc. So, was that the end οί the Gothenburg Variation? Not quite. Under the cloud οί the three aforementioned games, the line lived a shadowy existence for the next few years ... until Bobby Fischer utilized it in the 1958 Portoroz Interzonal to secure his final grandmaster norm. Ο S.Gligoric •

R.Fischer

Portoroz 1958 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 NC3 a6 6 Bg5 e6 7 f4 Be7 8 Qf3 h6 9 Bh4 g5 10 fxg5 Nfd7 11 Nxe6 fxe6 12 Qh5+ Kf8 13 Bb5 (Diagram 4)

Diagram 4 (Β)

Diagram 5 (W)

13 ... Rh7!? 14 Qg6

Probably fearing some kind οί home preparation, Gligoric avoids the complications after 140-0+ Kg8 15 g6 Rg716 Rf7 Bxh4 which we wi11 have a look at in our next game. After the text move, Black's task is considerably easier.

343

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas 14... Rf7 15 Qxh6+ Kg8 16 Qg6+

There have been other tries, but none

οί

them have been particularly successful:

a) 16 Bxd7? solves the problem οί the attacked bishop for White, but also solves the problem οί the e-pawn for Black. S.Kupka-V.Jansa, Ostrava 1960, continued 16 ... Bxd717 e5 d518 0-0-0 Rh719 Qg6+ Rg7 20 Qd3 Bxg5+ and Black repelled White's attack and remained a piece up. b) 16 Rf1 was played ίη J.Timman-M.5tean, London 1973, but after 16 ... Rxf1+ 17 Bxf1 Ne5 Black was able to enthrone a knight οη e5, bringing the white attack to a certain halt. Timman therefore decided to force the issue with 18 Bc4 Nxc4 when a draw was agreed as after 19 Qg6+ Κh8 (but not 19 ... Kf8? because οί 20 Ke2 followed by Rf1) 20 Qh6+ White has perpetual check. 16 ... Rg7 17 Qxe6+ Kh8 18 Bxd7 Nxd7 (Diagram 5) 19 0-0-0

19 ο-ο has a significant disadvantage compared to the text: 19 ... Ne5 20 Qd5 Bxg5 21 Bxg5 Qxg5 results ίη unpleasant mating threats against the white king. Because οί this, 21 Bg3 was played ίη R.5zmetan-G.Cativelli, Buenos Aires 1973, but after 21 ... Be3+ 22 Κh1 Rxg3! 23 hxg3 Qg5 24 Rf8+ Κh7 25 Rf7+ Kg6 the mating threat down the h-file forced White to resign after 26 Qxd6+ Kxf7 27 Rf1 + Kg8 28 Qf8+ Κh7 29 Rf7+ Nxf7 30 Qxf7+ Qg7. 19... Ne5 20 Qd5 Bg4 21 Rdf1 Bxg5+ 22 Bxg5 Qxg5+ 23 Kb1 Qe7

The smoke has cleared a bit to show that Black has solved his development problems. White has three pawns for the piece and an active position, but the black knight οη e5 prevents further damage. 24 Qd2 Be6 25 g3 Rd8 26 Rf4 Qg5 27 Qf2 Kg8 28 Rd1 Rf7 29 b3 Qe7 30 Qd4 Ng6 31 Rxf7 Qxf7 32 Qe3 Vz-Vz

Over the years there has been a lot οί discussion about the Gothenburg Variation, sometimes involving claims that the criticalll Nxe6 οηlΥ leads to a draw. It was left to the relatively unknown Canadian master Dale Κirton to present what seems to be the ultimate refutation οί the Gothenburg Variation. The notes to the next game are based οη his analysis.

D A.Shabalov • D.Sadvakasov Los Angeles (rapid) 2000 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 NC3 a6 6 Bg5 e6 7 f4 Be7 8 Qf3 h6 9 Bh4 g5 10 fxg5 Nfd7 11 Nxe6 fxe6 12 Qh5+ Kf8 13 Bb5 Rh7 140-0+ (Diagram 6) 14... Kg8 15 g6 Rg7 16 Rf7

As already indicated ίη the previous game, this mode οί attack must be the critical line for the Gothenburg Variation. Indeed, it is.

344

47: The Golden Raspberry 16... Bxh4

Stopping midway with 16 ... Bg5 is worse than the text. After 17 Bxd7 Nxd7 18 Raf1 b519 e5! (Diagram 7) we find a typical clearance sacrifice which we will encounter more often during the course οί the game.

Diagram 6 (Β)

Diagram 7 (Β)

Following 19 ... d5 (trying to get the queen across to the defence νia 19 ... Qb6+ 20 Qe3 21 Bxg5 Qxg5 fails to 22 Qf3 with the deadly double threat οί 23 Qxa8 and 23 Rf8+ followed by mate) 20 Κh1 Ra7 (20 ... Rxf7 is met by the coo121 gxf7+ Kg7 22 Bxg5 hxg5 23 Μ! when Black cannot keep the white forces under control) 21 Nxd5! exd5 22 e6 Νί8 23 Bxg5 hxg5 24 Qxg5 Re7 25 Rxf8+ Qxf8 26 Rxf8+ Kxf8 27 Qf6+ Black resigned ίη a geometrically intriguing position ίη I.Romanoν­ A.Gulbrandsen, correspondence 1964: Black's forces are completely tied up and there is nothing he can do to against the white h-pawn. Κh1

16 ... Rxf7 is inadequate. After 17 gxf7+ both king moνes lose ίη the long run: a) 17... Κh718 f8Q! Qxf8 19 Rf1 Νί6 20 Bxf6 Bxf6 21 e5! dxe5 22 Ne4 axb5 23 Nxf6+ Κh8 24 Qg6 was curtains ίη A.Van der Tak-F.Hildama, correspondence 1996. b) 17... Kg718 f8Q+! Nxf8 19 Be8! Nc6 20 Rf1 Ne5 21 Rf7+! Kg8 22 Rxe7 Qb6+ 23 Κh1 and Black resigned ίη G.Georgieν-S.spassoν, correspondence 1991. 17 Qxh6 (Diagram 8) 17 ...Qf6

17... Rxf7 is the other main way οί defence, but also proνes to be insufficient after 18 gxf7+ Κχί7 19 Rf1 + Βί6 20 Qh7+ and now: a) 20 ...Ke8 21 Qg6+ Κί8 (or 21 ... Ke7 22 Rxf6! Qb6+ 23 Rf2 axb5 24 Qf7+ Kd8 25 Qxe6 Ne5 26 Qg8+ Kd7 27 Nd5 Qd8 28 Rf8 and wins) 22 e5 dxe5 23 Ne4 Qb6+ (after 23 ... axb5 24 Qh6+ Kg8 25 Nxf6+ Nxf6 26 Rxf6 Qd4+ 27 Κf1 there is ηο perpetual: for example, 27... Qd1 + 28 Κf2 Qxc2+ 29 Kg3 Qd3+ 30 Κh4 and the king hides behind its pawns) 24 Κh1 axb5 (24 ... Ke71eads to mate after the forced 25 Rxf6

345

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

axb5 26 Rf7+ Kd8 27 Qg5+ Kc7 28 Qxe5+ Kd8 29 Qg5+ Kc7 30 Qg3+ Kd8 31 Rg7 e5 32 Qg5+ Kc7 33 Qxe5+ Kd8 34 Rg8+ Νί8 35 Rxf8+ Kd7 36 Qe8+ Kc7 37 Qxc8) 25 Nxf6 Ke7 26 Qe8+ Kd6 27 Qxc8 Nxf6 28 Rxf6 Nd7 29 Qxa8 Nxf6 30 Qf8+ Kd5 31 Qxf6 and here the game F.Gheorghiu-W.Browne, Mar del Plata 1971, was surprisingly agreed drawn since White is much better. b) 20 ... Κf8 requires a few more precise moves: 21 e5! dxe5 (21 ... Nxe5 wins the black queen after 22 Qh8+) 22 Be2! Qb6+ 23 Κh1 Ke824 Qg8+ Ke7 25 Rd1!! and Black is without a defence: for example, 25 ... Nf8 (or 25 ...Qd8 26 Qh7+ Κf8 27 Rf1) 26 Ne4 Nbd7 27 Nxf6 Κxf6 28 Μ! Qe3 29 Bh5 Ke7 30 Qf7+ Kd8 31 Qxf8+ Kc7 32 Qd6+ Kd8 33 Rf1! (White could take the perpetual after 33 Qf8+, but with victory in view ... ) 33 ... Qh6 34 g4! b5 (or 34... a5 35 g5 Qh8 36 g6 Ra6 37 Rf8+! Qxf8 38 Qxf8+ Nxf8 39 g7) 35 g5 Qh8 36 g6 Bb7+ 37 Kg1 Qh6 38 Rf7 Qc1 + 39 Bd1 Qe3+ 40 Κh2 and mate is near. 18 Rxf6! Bxf6 19 e5! (Diagram 9)

Diagram 8 (Β)

Diagram 9 (Β)

This clearance sacrifice, which we have already become acquainted with, is the key to White's success. 19... Bxe5

19... Nxe51eads to some entertaining lines as well: 20 Ne4 Be7 21 Be8! Bd7 (or 21 ... Nbc6 22 Rf1 Bd7 23 Rf8+!! Κxf8 24 Qh8+ Rg8 25 g7+ Κxe8 26 Qxg8+ Βί8 27 gxf8Q mate) 22 Qh3! Bc8 (22 ... Bxe8 allows White to illustrate how a queen with her bounding strides is used best: 23 Qxe6+ Κh8 24 Qh3+ Kg8 25 Qc8 Nxg6 26 Qxe8+ Κh7 27 Rf1 Rg8 28 Rf7+ Κh8 29 Νί6! Bxf6 30 Qe3 Rg731 Rxf6 Nd7 32 Qh6+ Rh7 33 Qxg6 Rg8 34 Qf5 Nxf6 35 Qxf6+ Rhg7 36 Qh6+ Rh7 37 Qxd6 with a winning endgame) 23 Rf1 Nxg6 (23 ... Nbc6 24 Rf8+! Κxf8 25 Qh8+ Rg8 26 g7+ Κxe8 27 Qxg8+ Kd7 28 Qh7 is quite similar to 21 ... Nbc6) 24 Rf6 (Diagram 10) 24 ... Bxf6 25 Nxf6+ Κf8 26 Bxg6 Rxg6 27 Qh8+ Κf7 28 Qxc8 and White's queen will pick up the black queenside.

346

47: The Golden Raspberry

Diagram 10 (Β)

Diagram 11 (Β)

20 Bd3 NC5

White also wins convincingly after the other knight moves: a) 20 .. .Nf8 21 Rf1 Nbd722 Qh4 Nxg6 23 Bxg6 Rxg6 24 Qd8+ Κh7 25 Ne4 b5 26 Rf3 Bg7 27 Ng5+ Rxg5 28 Qxg5 Ne5 29 Qh5+ Kg8 30 Qe8+ Κh7 31 λλ3+ Bh6 32 Qh5 wins. b) 20 ... Nf6 21 Rf1 Nbd7 22 Qg5 b5 23 Ne4 Ne8 24 h4 (run Forrest, run!) 24 ... Bb7 25 h5 d5 26 Ng3 Bd4+ 27 Κh1 Βί6 28 Qg4 Re7 29 h6 Ne5 30 Qg5! Nd7 (30 ... Bxg5 leads to mate after 31 h7+ Kg7 32 Nh5+ Κh6 33 h8Q+ λλ7 34 Qxh7) 31 Rxf6 Ndxf6 32 Nh5 Nxh5 33 Qxe7 Neg7 34 g4 Re8 35 Qf7+ Κh8 36 gxh5 and mate follows. 21 Rf1 Bd7 22 h4 Nc6 23 h5 Nxd3 24 cxd3 Rf8 25 Rxf8+ Kxf8 26 Ne4 Ne7 27 g4 (Diagram 11) 27 ... Ke8 28 Nxd6+ Kf8 29 Ne4 Bc6 30 Qe3 Bxb2 31 Qf2+ 1-0

Conclusion As the final game οί this chapter demonstrates, unfortunately the Gothenburg Variation was only good enough for a short life and a nice story. Nothing more.

Conclusion

Score (max 5)

ShockValue Effectiveness Rating

.t .t

Longevity Rating

.t.t

Creativity Value

.t.t.t

347

Chapter 48

Start your Engines! Kαspαrov's opening prepαrαtion wαs especiαlly legendαry, αnd the mαn hαs Iαptop computers full of opening moves he hαs studied, mαny of which he hαs never plαyed, αnd αρ­ pαrently will never ρΙαΥ, in α gαme. Anonymous Blogger (οη Kasparov's retirement from active chess)

Diagram 1. (W) The day of the last round οί the Linares 2005 tournament was a sad day for the chess world, as it was the day that Garry Kasparov announced his retirement from active chess. However, Garry wouldn't have been Garry if he didn't leave a leav-

348

48: Start Your Engines!

ing present. Remember the difficulties Black experienced ίη the Gelfand-Bareev game from Chapter 21? Then look at the following game from earlier ίη the tournament. .. Ο R.Kasimdzhanov •

G.Kasparov

Linares 2005 1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6 3 NC3 Nf6 4 e3 e6 5 Nf3 Nbd7 6 Bd3 dxc4 7 BXC4 b5 8 Bd3 Bb7 9 ο-ο a6 10 e4 C5 11 d5 QC7 12 dxe6 fxe6 13 Bc2 c4 14 Nd4 Nc5 15 Be3 e5 (Diagram 2)

Diagram 2 (W)

Diagram 3 (W)

16 Nf3

As we have seen ίη Chapter 21, this move rendered 15 ... e5, and therefore the whole system after 13 ... c4, rather unpopular ... until this game. 16... Be7! 17 Ng5

With this move White is trying to put Black οΗ castling; successfully it seems, as after 17... 0-0 18 Bxc5 followed by 19 Ne6 wins the exchange. 17 ... 0-0!

What did Ι just say?! As Kasparov wrote in New In Chess, this idea came up during his preparation for his match against Deep Junior back in 2003 when the computer suggested this move. It was also the case that Kasimdzhanov was not at the board when Κasparov played his novel idea, and upon his arήval. .. stΟΡped dead in his tracks. Previous attempts to play this line had been unsuccessful; one example being 17... h6 18 Bxc5 hxg5 19 Be3 g4 20 Qe2 0-0-0 21 a4 b4 22 Nd5 Nxd5 23 exd5 Bxd5 24 Qxg4+ Κb8 25 Rfd1 with good attacking chances for White ίη Y.Kruppa-D.Collas, Cappelle la Grande 2001.

349

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas 18 BxcS BxcS 19 Ne6 Qb6 20 Nxf8 Rxf8 (Diagram 3)

The starting position of the variation. Black is a whole exchange down, but ίη return he has active pieces combined with a queenside majority that should not be underestimated. Αl1 ίη a11, his compensation should be enough, and later games weren't able to overtum this assessment. 21 NdS?!

With this move Kasimdzhanov tries to simplify the position, but underestimates the dangers lying ahead. Instead 21 Qe2 Qe6 transfers the queen to the kingside with the possible ideas of ... Bd4 and ... Ng4 (or even ... g6, fo11owed by ... Nf6-h5-f4). After 22 h3 Bd4 23 Rab1 Qf7 24 Κh2?! Nh5 (Black could also have advanced his queenside majority with 24 ...b4 25 Nd5 Nxd5 26 exd5 Bxd5 27 f3 a5 as pointed out by Krasenkow) 25 Nd5 g6 26 Ne3 Nf4 a draw was agreed ίη this lively position ίη A.Korotylev-A.Dreev, European Club Cup, Fuegen 2006. 21 ... BxdS! 22 exds Bxf2+ 23 Kh1

Of course not 23 Rxf2? Ng4! 24 Qxg4 Qxf2+ 25

Κh1

Qf1 + 26 Rxf1 Rxf1 mate!

23 ... e4! (Diagram 4)

Diagram 4 (W)

Diagram 5 (W)

The simple advance of the e-pawn is very strong. Black anchors his bishop effectively preventing the white rooks from getting into play.

οη

f2,

24 Qe2? Another mistake, after which White seems to be fighting a 10st cause. Kasimdzhanov had to try to get active with 24 d6!? after which 24 ... e3 25 Bf5! g6 26 Bh3 Kg7 would have resulted ίη a position with chances for both sides according to Kasparov.

350

48: Start Your Engines!

24 ... e3 25 Rfd1?

The wrong rook! If anything, White had to play 25 Rad1 rifice the f-rook for Black's bishop.

ίη

order to be able to sac-

25 ... Qd6!

The black pieces are closing ίη. White now pays the price for the missing coordination οί his pieces. 26 a4g6!

Preparing ... Nh5 and taking the f5-square away from White's bishop. 27 axb5 axb5 28 g3 Nh5! 29 Qg4 Bxg3! (Diagram 5) 30 hxg3

30 Qe6+ Qxe6 31 dxe6 Bh4 wins for Black as White cannot prevent the e-pawn from advancing. 30 ... Nxg3+ 31 Kg2 Rf2+ 32 Kh3 Nf5! 33 Rh1 h5 34 Qxg6+ Qxg6 35 Rhg1 Qxg1 36 Rxg1+ Kf7 0-1

Conclusion Garry Kasparov, amongst other things, was the master οί opening preparation, even though this time his novel idea was found by one οί his engines. That said, this doesn't make the idea any worse; quite the contrary is actually the case as the novelty fully solved Black's problems ίη this variation. Conclusion

Score (max 5)

ShockValue

11111

Effectiveness Rating

11111

Longevity Rating

11111

Creativity Value

11

351

Chapter 49

One-Hit Wonder Anand prepared this blow for Kamsky already ten years ago and it hit the innocent Adams by ricochet. Igor Stohl

Diagram 1 (Β) The following idea is a perfect example οί the 1ife οί a modem opening innovation. The setting is San Luis 2005, a gruelling fourteen-round, double round-robin toumament for the World Championship; certainly a place where one could expect to see some important opening ideas.

352

49: One-Hit Wonder

The Zaitsev Variation of the Ruy Lopez had been an extensive battleground of the World Championship matches between Kasparov and Karpov, but with all those anti-Marshalls and Petroff Defences around in 2005, it was a surprise to see Michael Adams employ the Zaitsev against Vishy Anand. Unfortunately, he was in for a rude awakening ...

D V.Anand • M.Adams San Luis World Championship 2005 1 e4 eS 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 BbS a6 4 Ba4 Nf6 5 ο-ο Be7 6 Re1 bS 7 Bb3 d6 8 c3 ο-ο 9 h3 Bb7 10 d4 Re8 (Diagram 2)

Diagram 2 (W)

Diagram 3 (Β)

11 Nbd2 Α minor drawback to the Zaitsev is White's ability to force a draw by repetition after 11 Ng5 Rf8 12 Nf3 if he wishes to do so. This is particularly inconvenient for the black player who wants to go after the full point against a weaker opponent. As an antidote, Sverre Johnsen and Leif Erlend Johannessen in their book The Ruy Lopez: Α Guide for Black recommend 13 ... Qd7 (instead οί repeating moves with 13 ... Re8), even though their main line also ends in a draw after all.

11... Bf812 a4

The aggressive lines after the text are not necessarily to everyone's taste and 12 d5 is a popular altemative, intending to follow up with the typical Lopez regrouping 12 ... Nb8 13 Νf1 Nbd7 14 N3h2. 12 ... h6 13 Bc2 exd4

Black' s whole approach in this line is strategically ήskΥ; should he fail to cause

353

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

any immediate problems, White will have a considerable advantage due to his far superior pawn structure. 14 cxd4 Nb4 15 Bb1 C5 Α

logical follow-up. Black wastes ηο time ίη attacking the centre before White can coordinate his pieces.

16 d5 Nd7 17 Ra3 (Diagram 3)

This move plays an important role ίη White's strategy: the rook is ready to swing across to the kingside to participate ίη a possible attack against the black king. 17...c4

Even though it initially sounds funny, the text move represents the safer method οί handling the position. The double-edged 17... f5 is Johnsen and Johannessen's main line, even though they do admit that 'πο conclusion is likely to stand very long' ίη lines that 'tend to be extremely messy'. Α recent example from grandmaster practice supporting that statement was the game D.Stellwagen-R.Janssen, Hilversum 2007, which continued 18 Nh2 Nf6 19 Rf3 Re5 20 Rxf5 Rxf5 21 exf5 Bxd5 22 Ng4 Nxg4 23 hxg4 bxa4 24 g5!? (not given by Johnsen and Johannessen) 24 ... Qxg5 25 Ne4 Qh4 26 ί6 Ra7 27 g3 Qh3 28 Bd2 Bb3 29 Qe2 Nd5 30 Qd3 gxf6 31 Bc2 Bxc2 32 Qxd5+ Rf7 33 Nxf6+ Kg7 34 Nh5+ Kg8 35 Nf6+ Kg7 36 Bc3 Qf5 37 Nd7+ Kg8 38 Nf6+ Kg7 39 Qg2 Kg6 40 g4 Qf4 41 Re6 Qc1 + 42 Κh2 Qf4+ 43 Κh3 Qc4 44 ί4 Qd3+ 45 Κh4 Re7 46 ί5+ Κf7 47 Qa8 Qb5 48 Rxe7+ Κxe7 49 Qa7+ Kd8 50 Ba5+ and with mate being unavoidable, Black resigned. Besides looking for improvements in this line, Black can consider two altematives after 22 Ng4 (Diagram 4):

Diagram 4 (Β)

Diagram 5 (Β)

a) 22 ... Ra7!? is Alexander Beliavsky's move, introduced against Alexander Morozevich at the 2002 FIDE World Cup ίη Hyderabad. That game continued 23 Ne4

354

49: One-Hit Wonder

Bxe4 24 Bxe4 Nxg4 25 Qxg4 d5 26 Bb1 Re7 and now instead οί 27 Rd1 (which was played in the game), Johnsen and Johannessen give 27 Re6 Rxe6 28 fxe6 Qf6 29 axb5 axb5 30 Bd2 Nc6 31 Bc3 Ne5 (not 31 ... d4? because οί 32 Qe4) 32 Qe2 Bd6 33 Qxb5 Qxe6 when the two bishops might offer a slight pull. b) 22 ... Bf7 has been relatively popular, even though Black' s score with it is rather modest. One example οί how things can go wrong was the game F.NijboerM.Solleveld, Amsterdam 2002, which continued 23 Ne4 Nxg4 24 Qxg4 d5 25 ί6! h5 26 Qf5 Qc8 27 Qg5!? dxe4 28 fxg7 Bxg7 29 Bxe4 (Diagram 5) when White had serious compensation for the piece in the form οί a dangerous attack against the black king. The game concluded 29 ... Nc6 30 Βί4 bxa4? (better would have been 30 ... Nd4! 31 Bxa8 Qxa8 with only a mild edge for White) 31 Re3 Nd4 32 Be5 Ne6 33 Qf5 Νί8 34 Rg3 Bg6 35 Rxg6 Nxg6 36 Qxg6 Ra7 37 Bd5+ and Black resigned. Retuming to the relatively safer 17... c4: 18 axb5 axb5 19 Nd4 (Diagram 6)

Diagram 6 (Β)

Diagram 7 (W)

19... Qb6

19 ... Rxa3 was Karpov's choice in 1986 and is also Johnsen and Johannessen's recommendation as it 'appears to be Black's safest option at this juncture'. Their main line runs 20 bxa3 Nd3 21 Bxd3 cxd3 22 Re3 Nc5 (22 ... Ne5 is considered to be unattractive for the second player, as after 23 Ν4ί3 ί5!? 24 Nxe5 Rxe5 25 Bb2 Re7 26 exf5 Rxe3 27 fxe3 Bxd5 28 Qg4 it is White who has all the fun and the best that Black can hope for is a draw) 23 Bb2 Bc8 24 Nc6 Qh4 with an unclear position. 20 Nf5 Ne5

Black can't prevent the rook from joining the attack as 20 ... Rxa3? 21 bxa3 Nd3 22 Bxd3 cxd3 23 Nxh6+! gxh6 24 Qg4+ wins the house.

355

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas 21 Rg3 g6

Again Black has to play accurately. The careless 21 ... Κh7? would allow White to go for the brilliancy prize with 22 Νί3 Nbd3 23 Be3 Qa5 24 Bxd3 Nxd3 25 Bxh6! gxh6 26 Ng5+! Kg6 27 Qh5+!! which saw Black resign in A.MarcinkiewiczW.Zundel, correspondence 2002, as after 27 ... Κxh5 28 Nh7! Qxe1+ 29 Κh2! he can only prolong his life a little by sacrificing his pieces with check. 22 Nf3 Ned3 23 Qd2!?

This was Anand's new idea; an interesting attempt which had already been prepared for a match against Kamsky ten years ear1ier. 23 ... Bxd5?

Unfortunately for Adams, his first independent move is already the decisive mistake. However, given the shock he must have experienced, as he probably knew that he was trapped in some kind οί preparation, Ι can only sympathise. Only shortly after the game was it found that the materia1istic 23 ... Nxe1! (Diagram 7) actually leads to a draw: a) 24 Ν3Μ Nbd3 25 Bxd3 Nxd3 26 Nxh6+ Bxh6 27 Qxh6 Qxf2+ 28 Κh2 Nxc1 29 Νί5 (29 Nxg6 Qxg3+ 30 Κxg3 fxg6 and White obviously needs to give the perpetual check) 29 ... Qxg3+ 30 Kxg3 gxf5 31 exf5 Ne2+ 32 Κh2 Nd4 33 ί6 Νί5 34 Qg5+ Κh7 35 Qxf5+ Κh6 36 Qd7 Bxd5 37 Qxd6 Kg6 38 Qxd5 Kxf6 and Black should be able to hold. b) 24 Nxe1 Ra1 25 Nxh6+ Bxh6 26 Qxh6 Nxd5! 27 e5 Rxb1 28 Rxg6+ fxg6 29 Qxg6+ also with a draw by perpetual check. 24 Nxh6+ Bxh6 25 Qxh6 Qxf2+ 26 Kh2 Nxe1 27 Nh4!

Here Anand was still in home-preparation mode. 27 ... Ned3 28 Nxg6! (Diagram 8)

Diagram 8 (Β)

356

49: One-Hit Wonder

White has a winning attack. Adams wriggled for a few more moves, but after ... 28 ...Qxg3+ 29 Κxg3 fxg6 30 Qxg6+ Kf8 31 Qf6+ Kg8 32 Bh6 1-0

... he resigned in view οί the 1ine 32 ... Ra7 33 Qg6+ Κh8 34 Qxe8+ Bg8 35 Qg6 Rf7 36 Bg5.

Conclusion Ιη a way it is rather sad to see that in modem times the results οί hard work can sometimes only be used in just one game. Thus it is much the better if one's efforts are at least crowned with success. Thanks for the beautiful game, Vishy!

Conclusion

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357

Chapter 50

Hot Off the Press [... ] when Ι touched my knight, he almost wrote the move 12 Nxd7 on his score sheet, but when he realized the pawn Ρ was taken he didn ι t believe his eyes. Veselin Topaloν

Diagram 1 (Β) Before looking at ουτ final opening idea presented ίη this chapter, Ι' d like once more to thank my publisher ίοτ his patience; ίοτ ίί Ι hadn't missed my initial deadline ίοτ this book, this opening idea would not haνe been included! At the time

358

οί

the writing, the so-called Anti-Moscow Gambit is all the rage at

50: Hot off the Press grandmaster leνel: it has been played ίη numerous super-tournaments and underwent seνeral serious examinations ίη the recent Mexico World Championship toumament. Therefore it was not such a surprise when ίη the 9th round οί the 2008 Corus tournament ίη Wijk aan Zee, this νery opening was played ίη the game between Veselin Topaloν and Vladimir Kramnik. Let's see what happened:

D V.Topaloν •

V.Kramnik

Wijk aan Zee 2008 1 d4 d5 2 C4 c6 3 Nf3 Nf64 Nc3 e6 5 Bg5 h6 6 Bh4

The text moνe leads to the sharp Anti-Moscow Variation. Instead 6 Bxf61eads to the quieter Moscow Variation ίη which White giνes up his bishop-pair, but ίη return gets a spatial adνantage and the freer deνelopment. Howeνer, the black position is supposed to be quite defensible, as has often been demonstrated by Alexei Dreeν.

6 ... dxc4 7 e4 g5

7... b5 8 e5 g5 would transpose to the Botνinnik Variation from Chapter 24. 8 Bg3 b5 (Diagram 2)

Diagram 3 (W)

Diagram 2 (W)

The starting position οί the Anti-Moscow Variation. choice between two sensible moνes.

Ιη

this position, White has the

9 Be2 9 Ne5 is the alternatiνe when it is up to Black to determine the further course οί the game:

359

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

a) 9 ... Bg7?! is dubious. After 10 h4 Nfd711 hxg5 hxg5 12 Rxh8+ Bxh8 13 Qh5 Bxe5 14 Bxe5 Nxe5 15 Qh8+ Kd716 Qxe5 Black experienced problems ίη R.Kasimdzhanov-V.Anand, Mainz (rapid) 2007. b) 9 ... h5

ίη

order to tease White's dark-squared bishop is another idea and then:

b1) 10 h4 g4 11 Be2 Bb712 ο-ο (12 f31ed to a spectacular novelty ίη G.KasparovA.Dreev, Russian Championship, Moscow 2004, with 12 ... Nbd713 fxg4 hxg414 ο-ο Nxe5 15 Bxe5 Nd7!!; the game continued 16 Bxh8 Qxh4 and after 17 e5 Dreev forgot his home analysis and went wrong with 17... Nxe5?, but a year later he played the correct 17... 0-0-0 against Etienne Bacrot and equalized quite easily) 12 ... Nbd7 13 Qc2 (Black would be ίη serious trouble if White could enforce d4-d5 under favourable circumstances, but after both 13 d5 Nxe5 14 Bxe5 Bd6! and 13 Nxd7 Nxd714 d5 e5 Black is ίη full control) 13 ... Nxe5 14 Bxe5 Bg7 (Diagram 3) 15 Bg3!? (15 Rad1 yielded Black good counterplay ίη L.Aronian-V.Anand, Mexico City 2007, after 15 ... 0-016 Bg3 Nd717 ί3 c5!) 15 ... Qxd4 16 Rfd1 Qc5 17 Bd6 Qb6 18 a4 a6 19 e5 Nd7 20 a5 Qa7 21 Ne4 led to an active position for White ίη A.Grischuk-V.Anand, Mexico City 2007. b2) 10 h3!?, preserving the f3-square for the queen, deserves further attention. One example is P.Cramling-L.Van Wely, San Sebastian 2006, which continued 10 ... Bb7 11 Qf3 Nbd712 Rd1 Qe713 a3 Rd814 Be2 Rg8 and now 15 Qe3 would have left Black wondering what to with his king. c) Ιη view οί this, 9... Bb7 is probably the most precise move order, and after 10 h4 g4!? 11 Nxg4 Nxg4 12 Qxg4 Qxd4 13 Rd1 Qg7 Black was able to defend ίη P.Eljanov-A.Dreev, Sochi 2005. Returning to 9 Be2: 9 ... Bb7 (Diagram 4)

Diagram 4 (w)

360

Diagram 5 (w)

50: Hat aff the Press 100-0

10 h4 g411 Ne5 h5 12 ο-ο Nbd713 Qc2 Nxe5 14 Bxe5 Bg7 would lead back to the aforementioned Aronian-Anand game (see note 'b1' above). 10 ... Nbd7 11 Ne5 Bg7

11 ... h5 is another idea ίη this position. V.Kramnik-B.Gelfand, Mexico City 2007, continued 12 Nxd7 Qxd7 13 Qc1!? Rg8 (13 ... Qxd4 14 Qxg5 can hardly be good for Black) 14 Rd1 Bb4 and now instead of 15 Qe3, more energetic would have been 15 Be5!? Qe716 a4!? with energetic play οη the queenside. Quite possibly Kramnik had analysed the resulting positions at home and come to the conclusion that they favour White, which is why he chose the text move. 12 Nxf7!?

Prior to this game, 12 Nxd7 was considered to be the main move. Imagine Kramnik's shock when the knight took οΗ and landed οη f7 instead of d7! According to Topalov, this incredible sacrifice is an idea of his second Ivan Cheparinov, who had started to analyse it two years previously. Το underline the spectacular nature of the text, Ι should mention that the associated diagram made the title page of the rather conservative German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung - the οηlΥ two other incidents which caused the title page to include a graphical element were photographs of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapsing twin towers of the World Trade Center! 12 ... Kxf7 13 e5 Nd5 14 Ne4 (Diagram 5)

The situation οη the board can be compared with various lines of the King's Gambit: White has sacrificed a piece, and the οηlΥ compensation is the exposed position of the black king. 14 ... Ke7 15 Nd6 Qb6 16 Bg4! Raf8

Threatening to sacrifice another piece, against which Black has to react: for example, 16 ... Rag8? 17 Bxe6! Kxe6 18 Qh5 Bxe519 dxe5 would be quite devastating, while 16... c5 17 Qc2 (threatening to infiltrate the black camp with 18 Qg6) 17... Nf8 18 dxc5 is hardly an improvement. 17 QC2 (Diagram 6)

Now 17 Bxe6? would be faulty as Black can fend οΗ the attack by returning some of his extra material after 17... Kxe6 18 Qg4+ Ke719 Nf5+ Rxf5 20 Qxf5 Nf8. 17 ...Qxd4?

Probably the decisive mistake. More persistent would have been 17... Rhg8 18 Qg6 Nc7, after which οηlΥ future games can reveal how this position should be assessed. 18 Qg6 Qxg4 19 Qxg7+ Kd8 20 Nxb7+ Kc8 21 a4

Only now was Topalov out οί his preparation. 21 ... b4

361

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

Chasing the white queen with either rook is ηο better. After both 21 ... Rfg8 22 Qf7 Rf8 23 Nd6+ Kc7 24 h3! Rxf725 hxg4 and 21 ... Rhg8 22 Qh7 Rh8 23 Nd6+ Kc7 24 Qc2 White is much the more comfortable. 22 Racl c3

22 ... Rfg8 is similar to the previous note: for example, 23 Qf7 Rf8 24 Nd6+ Kc7 25 Qg6 Nf4 (trying to keep the c-file closed with 25 ... c3 runs into 26 h3! Qe2 27 bxc3 b3 28 Rfe1 Qa2 29 Qxe6 b2 30 Nb5+! cxb5 31 Qd6+ Kc8 32 e6 and White wins) 26 Bxf4 Rhg8 27 Qc2 gxf4 28 f3! and White has a winning advantage. 23 bxc3 (Diagram 7) 23 ... b3

Diagram 6 (8)

Diagram 7 (8)

The problem with taking οη c3 is revealed after both 23 ... Nxc3 (granting the white queen access to e7) 24 h3 Qd4 25 Nd6+ Kc7 26 Rfd1! Qxd1+ (or 26 ... Nxd127 Nb5+) 27 Rxd1 Nxd1 28 Qe7! b3 29 Nc4 and 23 ... bxc3 24 Rcd1! when the idea of sacrificing the rook οη d5 causes problems for Black. 24 c4 Rfg8 25 Nd6+ Kc7 26 Qf7 Rf8 27 cxd5?! Α

miscalculation that might have allowed Kramnik to escape. Better would have been 27 h3! Rxf7 28 hxg4 Nf4 29 Nxf7 Ne2+ 30 Κh2 Nxc1 31 Rxc1 Rb8 when White's problems are of οηlΥ a technical nature. 27 ... Rxf7 28 Rxc6+ Kb8 29 Nxf7 (Diagram 8) 29 ... Re8?

Here Kramnik had οηlΥ seven minutes left to reach the time control, which explains why he didn't find the amazing defensive resource 29 ... Qe2!! which threatens to throw the b-pawn into the equation. The resulting variations are rather complicated, but as a conclusion it can probably be said that White has nothing more than 30 Rc3 b2 31 Rb3+ Kc7 32 Rc3+ with a draw by perpetual check. After the text Topalov is back ίη the driver's seat.

362

50: Hot off the Press 30 Nd6! Rh8 31 RC4 Qe2 32 dxe6 Nb6 33 Rb4 Ka8

Here Topalov committed a common error by playing his opponent's clock instead οί the position. Indeed, 34 e7?! allowed Kramnik to continue fishing ίη muddy waters, albeit without any ultimate success. Ι' d like to end our examination here with the small observation that 34 Rxb3 Qa2 35 Rfb1, followed by e6-e7, would have been stronger.

Diagram 8 (Β)

Conclusion The fact that the possibility οί 12 Nxf7 went unnoticed for so long, despite the heavy use οί the Anti-Moscow by several top players, is reason alone to include it ίη this book. Ι can't possibly imagine the true merit οί this move, so this will be the only exception where an idea gets ηο longevity rating. The perfect scores for the other ratings, however, are fully deserved.

Conclusion

Score (max 5)

ShockValue Effectiveness Rating

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Creativity Value

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363

Index of Games

Alatortsev.V-Aronin.L, Moscow 1950 ................................................................... 234 Anand.V-Adams.M, San Luis World Championship 2005 ................................ 353 Anand.V-Grischuk.A, Mexico City World Championship 2007 ....................... 141 Anand.V-Kramnik.V, Leon (Advanced Chess) 2002 ........................................... 328 Anand.V-Kramnik.V, Wijk aan Zee 2008 ................................................................ 61 Anderssen.A-Morphy.P, 4th matchgame, Paris 1858 ............................................ 66 Aronian.L-Shirov.A, 5th matchgame, Elista 2007 ................................................ 217 Baramidze.D-Babuiian.L, Yerevan 2006 ............................................................... 116 Barczay.L-Portisch.L, Hungary 1968 ..................................................................... 264 Βecker.Α-Grϋnfeld.Ε,

4th matchgame, Vienna 1922 ........................................... 152

Bird.H-Clerc.A, Paris 1878 ...................................................................................... 101 Blackburne.J-Baird.J, Leipzig 1894 ............................................................................... 181 BukaI.V-Smyslov.V, Linz 1980 ............................................................................... 307 Capablanca.J-Alekhine.A, World Ch'ship (Game 11), Buenos Aires 1927 ......... 91 Capablanca.J-Marshall.F, New York 1918 ........................................................... 137 Chigorin.M-Lasker.E, St Petersburg 1895 ............................................................... 85 Cochrane.J-Staunton.H, London 1842 ................................................................... 74 de CasteΙΙνί.F-VίnΥοles.Ν, Valencia 1475 ............................................................... 10 Evans.W-McDonnell.A, London 1827 ..................................................................... 80 Fedorov.A-Ibragimov.I, Katrineholm 1999 ................................................................. 240 Fedorov.A-Ivanchuk.V, Wijk aan Zee 2001 ............................................................ 39 Fischer.R-Andersson.U, Siegen 1970 ..................................................................... 283

364

Index of Games Gelfand.B-Bareev.E, Novgorod 1997 ................................................................... 167 Gligoric.S-Fischer.R, Portoroz 1958 .............................................................................. 343 GrafI.F-Farago.S, Budapest 2001 .................................................. ......................... 301 Grί.infeld.E-Rubinstein.A,

Meran 1924 .................................................................. 165

Houska.M-Tebb.D, British Championship, Torquay 1998 ................................ 236 Ivanchuk.V-Kasparov.G, Linares 1999 .................................................................. 203 Janowsky.D-Nimzowitsch.A, St Petersburg 1914 ................................................ 125 Johannessen.L-Carlsen.M, Troms6 2006 ..................................................................... 257 KarpoV.A-Kasparov.G, World Ch'ship (Game 16), Moscow 1985 .................... 311 ΚarΡον.Α-Κοrchnοί.V,

2nd matchgame, Moscow Candidates 1974 ................. 298

Karpov.A-VusupoV.A, 5th matchgame, London 1989 ........................................... 98 Kasimdzhanov.R-Kasparov.G, Linares 2005 .............................................................. 349 Kasparov.G-Anand.V, World Ch'ship (Game 10), New York 1995 .................. 290 Kasparov.G-Kramnik.V, World Ch'ship (Game 1), London 2000 ....................... 51 Keres.P-Bogoljubow.E, Salzburg 1943 .................................................................. 196 Kieseritzky.L-Calvi.l, Paris 1842 ....................................................................................... 35 Kopylov.I-Korolev.S, correspondence 1981 .................................................. ....... 110 Kotov.A-Boleslavsky.l, Zurich 1953 ...................................................................... 224 Kramnik.V-Carlsen.M, Wijk aan Zee 2008 ........................................................... 286 Kramnik.V-Kasparov.G, Linares 1999 ................................................................... 153 Kramnik.V-Leko.P, Mexico City World Championship 2007............................ 183 Kramnik.V-Leko.P, World Championship (Game 8), Brissago 2004 ................ 139 Kramnik.V-Radjabov.T, Linares 2003 ................................................................... 210 Leko.P-Kramnik.V, World Championship (Game 1), Brissago 2004 .................. 57 MarshaII.F-Lasker.E, World Ch'ship (Game 15), New York 1907....................... 96 McDonnell.A-de la Bourdonnais.L, 1st matchgame, London 1834 ..................... 83 McDonnell.A-de la Bourdonnais.L, 16th matchgame, London 1834 ................... 28 Morphy.P-Anderssen.A, 9th matchgame, Paris 1858 ................................................ 31 Morozevich.A-Ponomariov.R, Bie12004 ............................................................... 294 Naiditsch.A-Luther.T, German Championship, Saarbriicken 2002 .................. 147 Nimzowitsch.A-Tarrasch.S, St Petersburg 1914 .................................................... 76 Nyholm.G-Grί.infeld.E,

London Olympiad 1927 ................................................. 146

Nykopp.M-Soltis.A, Haifa 1970 ............................................................................. 300 Petrosian.T-Smyslov.V, Moscow 1961 ......................................................................... 271 Petrosian.T-Spassky.B, World Ch'ship (Game 4), Moscow 1969 ..................... 102

365

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

Pilgaard.K-Simonsen.O, Klavsvik 2003 ................................................................ 315 Polerio.G-Lorenzo, Sora 1575? ................................................................................. 15 Ponomarioν.R-Kramnik.V, Ponomarioν.R-Shiroν.A,

Wijk aan Zee 2005 .................................................... 189

Wijk aan Zee 2003 ........................................................ 279

Ponomarioν.R-Tiνiakoν.S,

Moscow 2001 ............................................................. 303

Poulsen.C-Najdorf.M, Buenos Aires Olympiad 1939 ......................................... 201 Ragozin.V-Botνinnik.M,

Leningrad 1941 ............................................................. 188

Razuνaeν.Y-Shchekacheν.A,

Rubίnsteίn.Α-ΜarόCΖΥ.G,

Zaragoza 1996 ....................................................... 230

Hamburg Olympiad 1930 ......................................... 130

Sax.G-Seirawan.Y, Brussels 1988 .......................................................................... 322 Schlechter.C-Reti.R, Vienna 1914 ............................................................................ 47 Schwarz.A-Paulsen.L, Leipzig 1879 ...................................................................... 222 Sellman.A-Bird.H, London 1883 ............................................................................ 274 Shabaloν.A-Sadνakasoν.D,

Los Angeles (rapid) 2000 ............................................ 344

Sokolsky.A-Tolush.A, Omsk 1944 ................................................................................. 216 Spassky.B-Bronstein.D, Amsterdam 1956 ........................................................... 228 Spassky.B-Portisch.L, Toluca 1982 ................................................................................ 333 Spielmann.R-Nimzowitsch.A, San Sebastian 1911 .............................................. 107 Spielmann.R-Rubinstein.A, San Sebastian 1912 .................................................. 114 Staunton.H-city of Bristol, correspondence 1840 ............................................... 123 Stein.L-Sνeshnikoν.E,

Moscow 1973 ..................................................................... 276

Steinitz.W-Lasker.E, St Petersburg 1896 ..................................................................... 326 Steinitz.W-Sellman.A, Baltimore 1885 ................................................................. 209 Stjazhkina.O-Poloνodin.I,

St Petersburg 1999 ........................................................... 335

Sultan Khan.M-Capablanca.J, Hastings 1930/31 ...................................................... 268 Sultan Khan.M-Nimzowitsch.A, Liege 1930 ........................................................ 173 Taimanoν.M-Bronstein.D, Τarrasch.S-Κϋrschner.Μ,

Topaloν.V-Kramnik.V,

Zurich 1953 ....................................................................... 251

Nuremberg 1891 ........................................................... 70

Wijk aan Zee 2008 ........................................................... 369

Topaloν.V-Ponomarioν.R,

Sofia 2005 ................................................................... 174

Torre.E-Kamsky.G, Manila Interzona11990 ........................................................... 22 Van Wely.L-Smeets.J, Dutch Championship, Leeuwarden 2005 ..................... 192 Velimiroνic.D-Popoνic.P, Νονί

Sad 1976 ............................................................. 245

Vukic.M-Benko.P, Sarajevo 1967 ................................................................................... 253 Walbrodt.C-Consultants, New York or Havana 1893 ........................................ 135

366

Index of Opening Ideas

1 Giuoco Piano [1497] 22 Nf3 νs. the Sicilian [1834] 3 King' s Gambit - Kieseritzky Gambit (5 Ne5) [1842] 4 Ruy Lopez - Berlin Defence [1849] 5 Petroff Defence [1842] 6 Ruy Lopez - Morphy Defence (3 ... a6) [1858] 7 French Defence - Tarrasch Variation [1880s] 8 Queen's Gambit - Tarrasch Defence [1889] 9 Eνans' Gambit - Lasker Defence [1895] 10 Queen's Gambit Declined - Cambridge Springs Variation [1904] 11 Queen's Gambit Declined - Lasker Defence [1907] 12 Queen's Gambit Declined - Tarrasch Defence - Rubinstein-Schlechter [1908] 13 Sicilian Defence - Nimzowitsch Variation [1911] 14 Four Κnights Game - Rubinstein Variation [1912] 15 Nimzo-Indian Defence [c.1914] 16 Nimzo-Indian Defence - Rubinstein Variation [1914] 17 Ruy Lopez - Marshall (Counter-)Attack [1918] 18 Alekhine's Defence [1921] 19 Grίinfeld Defence [1922] 20 Reti Opening [1923] 21 Meran Variation [1924] 22 Queen's Indian Defence - Fianchetto Variation - 4 ... Ba6 [1925] 23 Catalan Opening [1929] 24 Semi-Slaν Defence - Botνinnik Variation [1941] 25 Sicilian Defence - Scheνeningen Variation - Keres Attack [1943]

367

The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas

26 Sici1ian Defence - Najdorf Variation [1947] 27 French Defence - Boleslavsky Variation [1950] 28 Grίinfeld Defence - Classical Exchange - Sokolsky' s Exchange Sacrifice [1950?] 29 King's Indian Defence (Soviet contributions) [1950s] 30 King's Indian Defence - Samisch Variation - Bronstein's Queen Sacrifice [1956] 31 Modem Benoni - Taimanov Variation [1957] 32 King's Gambit - Fischer Defence [1961] 33 Sicilian Defence - Ve1imirovic Attack [c.1962] 34 Benko Gambit [1967] 35 Giuoco Piano - Refutation οί the Meιller Attack [1968] 36 Queen's Indian Defence - Petrosian System [1969?] 37 Sicilian Defence - Sveshnikov Variation [1970s] 38 The Hedgehog [1972] 39 Ruy Lopez - Open Variation - Zaitsev's 12 Ng5 [1974] 40 Sici1ian Defence - Dragon Variation - Soltis Variation (12 ... h5) [1974] 41 King's Indian Defence - Fianchetto Variation - Smyslov's 10 ... Ne8 [1980] 42 Sicilian Defence - Taimanov Variation - Kasparov Gambit [1985] 43 Ruy Lopez - Refutation οί the Jaenisch Gambit [1986] 44 Pirc Defence - Austrian Attack - Seirawan to the rescue! [1988] 45 Queen's Gambit Dec1ined - 5 Βί4 - Kaidanov's 100-0-0 [1988] 46 Sici1ian Defence - Closed Variation -10 e5!? Pawn Sacrifice [1990] 47 Sicilian Defence - Najdorf Variation - Refutation οί the Gothenburg Var. [1999] 48 Meran Variation - Kasparov' s Exchange Sacrifice [2005] 49 Ruy Lopez - Zaitsev Variation - Anand's Novelty [2005] 50 Slav Defence - Anti-Moscow Gambit - Topalov's Κnight Sacrifice [2008]

368

ISBN 978-1-85744-561-9

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