Technical Editor : 1 M Sergey Soloviov

Cover design by: Kalojan Nachev

Translation by: GM Evgeny Ermenkov

The publishers would like to thank Phil Adams for advice regarding
the English translation.

Copyright Vladimir Barsky 2010

Printed in Bulgaria by "Chess Stars" Ltd. - Sofia

1SBN13: 978-954-8782-79-1
 Vladimir Barsky

A Universal Weapon
1.d4 d6

Chess Stars
Bibliography

Opening for White Acc. to Kramnik l.ltJf3 vol. 3 by A.Khalifman, Chess Stars
200l.
"An Explosive Chess Opening Repertoire for Black" by Jorni Yrjola's and Jussi
Tella's, Gambit 2001.
"l...d6 Universal" by Nigel Davies, DVD-box, 2004.

Other CHES S STARS Books

Repertoire books:
Opening for White Acc. to Kramnik l.ltJf3 by A. Khalifman
Volume la: Old Indian, rare lines in the Classical Variation, 2006
Volume lb: The Classical Variation, 2006
Volume 2: Anti-Nim-Ind, Anti-Queen's Indian, English, 2008
Volume 3: Maroczy, English (L.c5), Modern, Dutch
Volume 4: Queen's Gambit Accepted, Slav, Semi-Slav
Volume 5: Queen's Gambit Declined
Opening for White According to Anand 1.e4 by A. Khalifman
Volume 8: The Sicilian, Paulsen-Kan and rare lines, 2006
Volume 9: The Sicilian, Paulsen-Taimanov and other lines, 2007
Volume 10: The Sicilian, Sveshnikov, 2007
Volume 11; The Sicilian, Dragon, 2009
Volume 12: The Sicilian, Rauzer Attack, 2009
Volume 13: The Sicilian, English Attack, 2010

Opening for Black According to Karpov by Khalifman

Current theory and practice series:

An Expert's Guide to the 7.Bc4 Gruenfeld by Sakaev, 2006
The Sharpest Sicilian by Kiril Georgiev and At. Kolev, 2007
The Safest Sicilian by Delchev and Semkov, 2nd rev.ed. 2008
The Queen's Gambit Accepted by Sakaev and Semkov, 3rd. rey. ed., 2008
The Easiest Sicilian by Kolev and Nedev, 2008
The Petrosian System Against the QID by Beliavsky and Mikhalchishin, 2008
Kill KI.D. by Semko Semkov, 2009
The King's Indian. A Complete Black Repertoire by Victor Bologan, 2009
The Scotch Game for White by Vladimir Barsky, 2009
The Modern Philidor Defence by Vladimir Barsky, 2010
The Moscow & Anti-Moscow Variations by Alexey Dreev, 2010
Squeezing the Gambits by Kiril Georgiev, 2010
The French Defence. A Complete Black Repertoire by Nikita Vitiugov, 2010

More details at www. chess-stars.com

4
 Contents

1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5

1 3.dxe5
Quick Repertoire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Step by Step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Complete Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

2 3.g3j 3.b3j 3.e4j 3.e4

Quick Repertoire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Step by Step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Complete Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

3 3.d5
Quick Repertoire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Step by Step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Complete Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Quick Repertoire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Step by Step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Complete Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

5 3.lt:lf3 e4 4.lt:lgl; 4.lt:lfd2

Quick Repertoire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Step by Step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Complete Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

6 3.lt:lf3 e44.lt:lg5
Quick Repertoire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Step by Step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Complete Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

5
 1.d4 d6 2.f3 i.g4

7 Various wjo 3.tlbd2, 3.e4 and 3.c4

Quick Repertoire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Step by Step. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Complete Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159

8 3.lLlbd2
Quick Repertoire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Step by Step. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Complete Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174

9 3.e4
Quick Repertoire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Step by Step. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Complete Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189

10 3.c4
Quick Repertoire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Step by Step. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Complete Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201

1.d4 d6

11 2.c3; 2.J.g5; 2.J.f4; 2.g3

Quick Repertoire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Step by Step. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Complete Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221

6
PREFACE

In this book, in the one volume, I have analyzed two original, and in fact
quite distinct, opening schemes: 1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 and 1.d4 d6 2.ttJf3
J.g4. They are encountered in practice quite frequentIy (there are
more than a thousand games with each in the database), but strangely
enough the first of these schemes does not have an established official
name. The second variation has been referred to by various names -
sometimes the Tartakower-Wade system, or the Hodgson variation.
Both systems can be characterized by White's first move, Black's re
sponse, and the somewhat disdainful attitude shown towards them by
the chess theoreticians.
I believe that it is typical of both systems that Black is trying to bring
about a highly concrete struggle, in which the opponent is forced to
make important decisions on practically every move. It quickly becomes
clear that White does not have a very wide range of plans that are re
ally dangerous for Black. You should not infer from this last statement
that I have found the "secret of eternal youth", or the panacea that will
radically solve the problem of playing with the black pieces in chess.
(Nevertheless, I hope that the book will make this problem easier to
cope with ... ). The fact is that with l.d4 d6 Black "shortens his defensive
perimeter" and reduces White's scope for surprising him with sorne
original set-up. In order to try to obtain an advantage in the opening,
White has to dig deeper rather than wider. Black should not remain
idle however. In four to five of the most principled variations it should
be enough for him to set up a solid defensive line and he will have a
reliable defence, not only against l.d4, but also against l.ltJf3 and l.c4;
for example: l.ltJf3 d6 2 .d4 g4, or l.c4 d6 2.ltJf3 eS 3.d4 e4 etc. That is
why this book has been entitled "A Universal Weapon".
I should mention that in this monograph, after l.d4 d6, I have not
dealt with the move 2 .e4 - then after 2 ... ltJf6 3.ltJc3 eS, we enter the
realm of the contemporary Philidor Defence, to which my previous
book was devoted. As an author I should be delighted if you read that
book as well, but if the Pirc-Ufimtsev Defence is a part of your open
ing repertoire then you can manage without the Modern Philidor De
fence.
So, the first six chapters of my book are devoted to the 1.d4 d6
2.c4 e5!? System.

7
 The move 2 . eS is really very direct, since Black forces his opponent
..

to clarify the situation in the centre immediately. White has numerous

possibilities now. He can exchange on eS, advance his centre-pawn,
protect it with another pawn or the knight, or ignore altogether the
threat of capturing on d4. However, the point is that White has to make
up his mind right at this moment and cannot postpone his decision
even for one move. This is very different from the King's Indian De
fence, for example, where White practically knows in advance Black's
first five moves (ttJf6, g6, .ig7, d6, O-O) and the opposing forces might
not come into direct conflict for sorne time.
It is very interesting to consider how the game develops in the basic
theoretical variation 3.iilf3 e4 4.iilg5 f5.

A critical situation has arisen right away. White will try to destroy
his opponent's centre and exploit the weakening of his opponent's
king, or else Black will manage to fortify his e4-pawn, complete the de
velopment of his pieces and begin playing for a win thanks to his space
advantage. There can be no compromise!
1 also want to mention that the endgame after 3.dxeS dxeS 4.\Wxd8+

8
mxd8 should not be considered as an invitation to a draw. Except for
the queens, aIl the pieces are still on the board, and Black has exceIlent
chances of seizing the initiative if White plays imprecisely even for a
momento
In the l.d4 d6 2.tt:lf3 g4 system (Chapters 7-10), the game gen
eraIly develops quietly, as a positional struggle, with the emphasis on
strategy.

Black intends to compromise his opponent's pawn-structure and

obtain a non-standard po sitio n in which a less experienced opponent
might easily go astray and make strategic errors. If White avoids the
doubling of his pawns on f3, for example with 3.e4 or 3.ttJbd2 , then
Black plays in the spirit of the "French Defence Deferred" (with a bish
op on g4, instead of on c8): e7-e6, :li.e7, advancing later with d6-d5
and, in response to e4-eS, organizing the standard undermining pawn
breaks c7-c5 and f7-f6.
FinaIly, in the eleventh and last chapter of the book, we analyze
various possibilities for White on his second move, among them sorne
developing moves such as 2 .g3 and 2.:li.g5, as weIl as sorne other, some
what bizarre, possibilities. I have tried to suggest the most resolute
and concrete replies for Black against them. I hope that this "universal
weapon" wiIl be a valuable addition to your opening repertoire, as it
has become for many grandmasters, masters and even ordinary chess
enthusiasts.
In conclusion, I would like to express my sincere thanks to Intema
tional Master Maria Fominykh and to the editor of this book Intema
tional Master Sergey Soloviov, for their great help with this work.

Vladimir Barsky
Moscow, December 2010

9
Chapter l l.d4 d6 2.c4 e5
Quick Repertoire
We wiIl begin the analysis of
this opening scheme with a the
matic endgame (or rather a mid
dlegame without queens), which
Black cannot avoid. However, why
should he avoid entering a quite
comfortable and safe position?
3.dxe5 dxe5 4.fbd8+
xd8
10
It would be useful to com
pare this endgame with the "Phi
lidor type", arising after l.e4 d6
2.d4 ttJf6 3.ttJc3 e5 4.dxe5 dxe5
5.xd8+ xd8 (see my book -
"The Modern Philidor Defence").
Black's king has lost castling
rights in both cases. However,
in the contemporary Philidor
Defence White has many more
chances of seizing the initiative in
the opening. For example, he can
play 6 .c4 and he not only devel
ops his bishop, but simultaneous
ly attacks his opponent's f7-pawn.
Yet even in that opening Black has
his chances to hold the balance
and graduaIly equalize. The end
game to which we devote the first
part of our book, is much more
 l.d4 d6 2.c4 eS 3.dxeS dxeS 4. Wixd8+ <llxd8
comfortable for him. White's c4-
pawn impedes the development
of his fl-bishop and the e2-pawn
is still on its initial square.
5.tDc3 i.e6
Here Black can also play 5 .. .
c6, since he can hardly manage
without this prophylactic move,
with which he restricts the enemy
knight on c3 and frees the c7-
square for his king. Still, it is psy
chologicaIly tempting to aUack a
pawn as early as on move S !
6.b3 tDd7
7.g3
White is not playing this move
to fiancheUo his bishop on g2. It
would do nothing there, restricted
by Black's pawn on c6. He wishes
to develop it to h3 and exchange
the light-squared bishops.
7 c6 8 . .ih3 .ixh3 9.tDxh3
..
Black wiIl need to place a pawn
on f6 sooner or later, supporting
his central eS-pawn. There wiIl
be only dark-squared bishops left
on the board, so theoreticaIly we
can diagnose a potential weak
ness of the light squares in Black's
campo White wiIl hardly be able
to exploit this however, since the
pawn-structure is symmetrical,
without obvious defects, and both
sides' pieces are practicaIly unde
veloped. Black is perfectly capable
of protecting his weak squares if
necessary.
9 ...f6
He is not afraid of ghosts and
places his pawn on f6 immedi
ately. It is useful to cover the
gS-square, restricting the enemy
bishop and knight in the process.
1 0 .i.b2 <llc7
Black does not have any prob
lems, but his position should not
be overestimated. After the over
optimistic line: 10 ... hS 11.f3 h4?!
White plays 12 .g4 and Black's
pawn on h4 becomes a liability.
11. 0 - 0 - 0 tDh6
This position was tested dur
ing the 'SOs and the '90s of last
century and the evaluation was
that Black's position was perfectly
acceptable. 12JM2 i.e7 13.ghdl
gad8 with an approximately
equal game.
11
Chapter 1 l.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 dxe5

Step by Step

advisable for White to weaken the

important d4-outpost. He should
play more prudently - 8.e3 O-O
9.lLld2 f5 10.e2 with mutual
chances, although I already prefer
Black's position.) 8 ...ig4 9.e2
O-O 1O.lLld5 hf3 1l.lLlxe7+ xe7
12.hf3 a4 13.c3 d4 14.c2
:Ud8:::, with an undoubted advan
tage for him, Gogollok - Vatter,
Oberwinden 2007.
4.Yxd8+ 4 xd8
In several games White avoid
ed the exchange of queens and
played for instance 4.c2, but
that move was dubious. After the
exchange of the d-pawns, he has
neither a lead in development nor
a space advantage. Black's sim
plest move seems to be 4 ... lLlc6.
He develops his piece to an ex
cellent position and is threatening
knight-sorties on b4 and d4 with
tempo at an opportune momento
It would still be too early to say A) 5.g3
that Black may seize the initiative, B) 5.ttJc3
but one or two careless moves by
White may create serious difficul It is rather dubious for White
ties for him. See what happened to play 5.f4?! He is trying to ex
in the following game: 5.lLlf3 c5 ploit his minimal lead in develop
6.a3 a5 7.lLlc3 lLlge7 8.e4 Ot is not ment and disrupts radically his

12
 1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 dxe5 4. 'fffxd8+ 'i!ixd8 5.g3 c6
pawn-structure in the process. AH
this is hardly worth the effort. 5 ...
tLlc6 6.tLlf3 id6 7.cS ixcS 8.fxeS
ig4 9.gS+ 'i!ic8 1O.tLlc3 h6 11.f4
tLlge7+ Truskavetsky - Matjushin,
Dnepropetrovsk 2005.
The move S.e4?! does not seem
convincing either, since it unnec
essarily weakens the important
d4-outpost. In the following game
the English grandmaster Anthony
Miles started the occupation of
the dark squares immediately: 5 ...
b4+ (It is also good for Black to
play more prudently S ... c6, for ex
ample: 6.tLlc3 tLla6 7.e3 tLlcS 8.f4
tLlf6 9.fxeS tLlfxe4 1O.tLlxe4 tLlxe4?
Aguirretze - Strikovic, Monda
riz 1994.) 6.d2 ixd2+ 7.tLlxd2
e6 8.tLlgf3 f6 9.e2 tLld7 10.0-0
aS 11.b3 tLle7 12.!l:fd1 tLlc6 13.tLlf1
'i!ic8 (His king runs away from the
open file and continues to protect
the c7-pawn in the process, in
case White plans the manoeuvre
tLlf1-e3-dS.) 14.tLle3 tLlcS lS.tLld2
tLld4+ L.Grigorian - Miles, Adela
ide 1991 (game 1).
White has also tried in prac
tice the move S.id2. He wishes to
develop his dark-squared bishop
to the long diagonal, avoiding the
move b2-b3, which provides his
opponent with a target for the
pawn-break aS-a4. However, this
plan is too slow and completely
harrnless for Black, for example:
S ...e6 6.e3 tLld7 7.ic3 aS 8.tLlf3
f6 9.e2 tLlh6 10.0-0 c6 1l.tLlbd2
'i!ic7 12.!l:fd1 tLlf7 13.a3 tLlcS 14.tLle1
ie7+ He has deployed his light
pieces harmoniously and his posi
tion is already preferable, Fulop -
Gulko, Yucatan 1999.
S.tLlf3 f6 6.e3 - This move is
too cautious; (after the seemingly
more aggressive attempt - 6.e4,
the d4-outpost may become a
cause of trouble for White in the
future: 6 ...cS 7.a3 aS 8.tLlc3 e6
9.tLla4 a7 1O.d2 tLle7 11.e2
tLlbc6 12.0-0 tLld4 13.tLlxd4 hd4
14.tLlc3 c6+ Petkova - Rausis,
Athens 1993 - game 2; it is bet
ter for him to play 6.tLlc3 ie6
- see S.tLlc3 e6 6.tLlf3 f6) 6 ...
tLla6 7.e2. Now Black can be
gin an immediate diversion on
the queenside: 7 ... tLlb4 !? 8.tLla3
c6 9.0-0 'i!ic7 1O.e4 tLla6 11.ie3
(It was sensible for White to re
move his knight from a3 in order
to impede Black's attempts to
unbalance the position.) 11 ...g4
12.!l:ac1 ha3 !? 13.bxa3 b6 14.cS? !
tLlxcS lS.ixcs bxcS 16. !l:xcS tLle7
17.!l:fc1 ixf3 18.xf3 !l:hd8+ Pena
Cabrera - Azmaiparashvili, New
York 1997.
A) 5.g3
13
Chapter 1
The development of White's
light-squared bishop to the long
diagonal would not bring him any
dividends, since Black can coun
ter this with the immediate move
5 .. c6
building a barrier on this di
agonal.
In general, the move c7-c6 is
an integral part of Black's plan.
He must cover the d5-square and
ensure the comfortable c7-square
for his king.
Al) 6.J.g2
A2) 6.J.h3
White cannot harm his op
ponent in any way with the Hne:
6.ttJf3 f6 7.g2 e6 (7... a5 - see
variation Al) 8.b3 cJ;:;c7 9.0-0
ttJd7 1O.b2, Dukaczewski - Ilic,
Belgrade 2010, and here, instead
of the overly optimistic move 10 ...
g5 , Black should complete his de
velopment according to the stand
ard scheme: 1O ... ttJh6 1l.ttJc3 a5
12J:Udl b4, provoking White to
play a2-a3. After this, Black wiIl
retreat his bishop to e7 and play
14
ttJc5, attacking the b3-pawn. He
wiIl then have nothing to com
plain about. He wiIl place his
king's rook on d8 and his knight
on f7, after which he wiIl have at
least equal chances.
Al) 6.i.g2 a5
After this pawn-advance,
Black's rook on a8 and his bishop
on f8 wiIl participate actively in
the game without having made a
single move yet.
7.ttJf3 f6 8.tiJc3
8 a4
Black is trying to seize the
initiative (not without reason,
though... ) by seizing space on the
queenside, and he plans to attack
his opponent's c4-pawn, which
cannot easily be protected without
the move b2-b3. No doubt White
has not done anything wrong yet,
so he should not be worse, but it
is quite obvious that Black has
solved all his opening problems.
9.i.e3 i.e6 1 0 .tiJd2 i.b4
Black is threatening a4-a3. It
is also useful for him to provoke
 l.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 dxe5 4. Wffxd8+ xd8 5.g3 c6

White into playing a2-a3 and at squares - adding to the pawn on

sorne moment Black can even con
sider the possibility of doubling
his opponent's pawns on c3.
lUkl d7 12. 0 - 0
e5 another one on the f6-square.
Still, in the words of a popular
cartoon film, "We will live through
this ... .
"

6 .. d7
.

Black can hardly avoid the ex

change of the light-squared bish
ops, so he wishes to do this under
the most favourable circumstanc
es, first activating the rest of his
pieces.
7.f3
White cannot achieve much
with 7.ltlc3 f6 8.f4, since he does
not have sufficient resources to
break in the centre and attack the
1 2... e7+ with a double enemy king effectively. For exam
edged position, Stierle - V.Geor pIe: 8 ...e7 9.d2 exf4 1O.gxf4
giev, Bad Woerishofen 2 003 ltlc5 11. 0-0-0 e8 12 ..txc8 xc8
(game 3). 13.ltlf3 ltlh6 14.hg1 f7 15.e3
he8 Spacek - Hausner, Prague
A2) 6 .th3 !?
. 1978.
7 .f6 8 . 0 - 0 <Jtc7 9.gdl
..

This is the idea behind the

move g2-g3. In principIe, the ex
change of the light-squared bish
ops is favourable for White, since
sooner or later Black wiIl have to
deploy his central pawns on dark
9 ... a5
Black ensures the c5-square
for his knight. Meanwhile, he
is still playing "obligatory" pro
gramme moves (king on c7, one

15
Chapter 1

of the knights on c5, the other come to a position in which White

one on f5 eyeing the d4-square) wiIl end up with a weak isolated
and his moves do not require any pawn on e4.
strenuous brain work. 6.e4
1 0 .ttle3 ttle5 U.heS xeS
12.b3 ttle7 13.bl ttlf5 with
mutual chances, Flores - Solak,
Internet 2003.

B) 5.ttle3 i.e6

We have already comment

Bl) 6.ttlf3
B2) 6.b3
White can prepare quick
queenside castling, but it is not
so clear how he should folow this
up: 6.e3 c6 7..id2 (7.ttlf3 f6 - see
6.ttlf3 f6 7.e3 c6) 7... ttld7 8.0-0-0
(8.ttlf3 f6 - see 6.ttlf3 f6 7.e3 c6
8 ..id2 ttld7) 8 ...c7 9.f4, Shish
kov - Neff, Estonia 1996 (White
is obviously trying for too much
out of this position; it would be
better to play 9.tLlf3, but we have
already mentioned that this plan,
including the development of the
knight to f3, wiIl be analyzed sep
arately.) 9 ... tLlgf6 1O.e4 g6 n.tLlf3
tLlg4 12J"!e1 .id6+ - It wiIl finaIly
ed on the consequences of this
move and it aIl applies here as
weIl. There are insufficient tacti
cal possibilities to compensate
for the gaping hole on d4 and
White should refrain from this
pawn-advance. Still, if he plays
energeticaIly and precisely, he
can maintain the balance: 6 ...
tLld7 7.f4 (7.ie3 .ib4 8.d2 tLlgf6
9.f3 a5 1O.c2 .ic5 n.hc5 tLlxc5
12J"!d1+ tLlfd7 13.g3 c6 14.f4 f6
15 ..ie2 !'le8 Black cannot occupy
the d4-square yet, so the position
remains approximately equal,
Trachtmann - Mokry, Germany
1993.) 7... exf4 8.M4 ib4

16
 l.d4 d6 2.c4 eS 3.dxeS dxeS 4. V9xd8+ xd8 5. CiJc3 .ii.e6

and now:
9.CiJf3?! CiJgf6 1O.CiJgS (It is
difficult to give White any good
advice here. It would hardly be
satisfactory for him to opt for
1O.i.d3 .bc3+ n.bxc3 CiJcS 12.
0-0-0 c8 13.ihel CiJxd3+ 14.
ixd3 .bc4 15. id2 ie8::: Gross -
Benjamin, Hawaii 1998.) 1O ... ie8
11.0-0-0 hc3 12.bxc3 h6 13.eS
CiJg4 14.CiJe4 c8::: White volun
tarily created an isolated pawn in should not create a permanent
his Own camp and now he can no hole on d4 in his position. The
longer protect it, LZakharov - advantages of this move are not at
Efanov, Cheliabinsk 2006; all evident.
9.i.d2 CiJgf6 10.CiJf3 ie8 n. 7... .!Lld7
0-0-0 CiJg4 12 .CiJbS hd2+ 13.
ixd2 a6 14.CiJc3 c8 IS.b3 c6
16.i.e2 c'' - Black's position is
more attractive, but he may not
have sufficient resources to break
his opponent's defence, Smolich
- Varnavski, Minsk 20 09.

Bl) 6 .!Llf3

White wins a tempo by attack

ing the enemy pawn, but he no
longer has the possible manoeu
vre g2-g3 and .ii.f1-h3. Meanwhile,
the move f7-f6 is almost always
useful for Black.
6 ...f6
(diagram)
Bla) 7.e4
Blh) 7.e3
7.b3 CiJd7 - see 6.b3 CiJd7 7.CiJf3
f6.
Bla) 7.e4
This move was played by sorne
very strong players, but White
8 ..te3
If he plays 8.a3, not allowing
his opponent to play i.b4, then
Black can continue with his devel
opment in a standard fashion: 8 ...
aS 9.i.e3 CiJh6 1O.h3 CiJf7 11..te2
i.cS (eyeing the d4-outpost) 12.
.beS CiJxcS 13.0-0-0+ e7 14.
CiJd2 c6 15. c2 a4+ Guerra - Ko
gan, Odivelas 2000.
After the modest move 8 ..ii.d 2,
White can avoid the exchange of
his bishop, but it wiIl not be active

17
Chapter 1
there. Black wiIl have no open
ing problems then, for example:
8 ...c6 9.a3 a5 1O.i.e2 a4 11.i.e3
(White has decided to transfer
his bishop to a more active posi
tion, but Black is well prepared
to counter this.) ll ...c5 12 .hc5
tLlxc5 13J'!d1+ cJ;]c7 14.0-0 tLlh6
15.tLld2 l"lhd8+ Alonso Gonzalez -
Torres, Cambados 2 005
After 8.i.e2 b4 9.0-0, Black
can double his opponent's pawns
and begin exploiting the defects
of his pawn-structure: 9 ...hc3
1O.bxc3 tLle7 ll.l"ld1 cJ;]e8 12.l"lb1
b6 13.ia3 cJ;]f7 14.tLle1 l"lhd8?
Serralta - Chatalbashev, Plancoet
2004.
8 ....ib4 9 . 0 - 0 - 0
9.l"lc1 a 5 1O.a3 .tc5 ll.hc5
tLlxc5 12 ..te2 a4 13.0-0 tLle7 14.
tLle1 tLlc6. Black has resisted the
temptation to play c7-c6 (This
move is ofien played almost au
tomaticaIly... ) and has preserved
the c6-square for his knight. From
there, it can go later to d4, or to
b3 va a5. 15.tLlc2 cJ;]c8 16.l"lcd1 b6't
Piankov - Dorfman, France 1995.
9 e6 1 0 .cJ;]e2 cJ;]e7 11.a3
18
1l .ie7
.
NaturaIly, it is not advsable
for Black to exchange his bishop
for the enemy knight and the
move ll ...ic5? would not work
because of 12 .l"lxd7+.
His bishop is weIl placed on e7
and it does not impede his knight,
since he has other plans for its fu
ture.
12.ttJa4 g5 13.ttJd2 ttJh6
This is a standard route for
Black's king's knight - to the f7-
square va h6.
14.f3
If White plays carelessly, then
Black's knight may go to g4 as
weIl.
14 .tbf7 15.e5 b5 16.cxb6+
axb6 17.ttJe3 b5? H.Santos -
Paunovc, Figueira da Foz 2008
(game 4).
Blb) 7.e3 e6
8.d2
White's rather timid plan, in
cluding castling short, would still
maintain control over the situa
tion, but he has no chances then
 l.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 dxe5 4.'xd8+ r;f]xd8 5JiJc3 ie6
of fighting for the advantage: 8.
ie2 lLld7 9.0-0 r;f]e7 1O.ld1 lLlh6
(this is the weH familiar route to
the f7-square) 11.b3 aS 12.lLla4
liJf7 13.ib2 lLleS 14.liJxeS .beS 15.
liJd2 ifS 16.a3 lhd8 17.ie3 ie7
18.b4 axb4 19.axb4 b6f:Vojinovie
- Vaulin, Nis 1993.
8 lLld7
9 .ie2
. ideas of this variation: 9.lLle4 aS
9.lg1 hS (This is a quite natu
ral reaetion against White's diver
sion on the flank. It is also good
for Blaek to opt for 9 ... liJh6 1O.h3
liJf7 1l.g4 r;f]e7 12. 0-0-0 aS 13.
lLle4 lLld6 14.liJxd6 hd6 and the
opponents agreed to a draw in the
game Kalantarian - A.Minasian,
Yerevan 1994.) 10.0-0-0 r;f]e7 11.
lLle4 aS 12 .ie3 lLlh6 13.ie2 lLlf7
14.h4 (lt is obvious that White is
afraid of hS-h4 foHowed by ie7
and g7-gS and Blaek's pawn-of
fensive on the kingside may turn
out to be very unpleasant.) 14 ...
ie7 lS.b3 lLlh6 16.ld2 lLlg4 17.
lgd1 liJeS 18.liJxeS heS'!' Anton
sen - Hillarp Persson, Denmark
2 009.
9 .0-0-0 r;f]e7 1O.lg1 (The een
tralization of White's knight by
1O.lLle4 would only provoke sim
plifieation: 1O ...lLleS 1l.lLlxeS heS
12 .ie3 lLlh6 13.h3 liJf7 14.id3 aS
lS.b3 lLld6 16.lLld2 ib4 17.r;f]b2
lad8, draw, Miton - Czerwonski,
Koszalin 1998.) and here after
1O ... hS (Under the cireumstanees,
Blaek can still play 1O ... lLlh6 with
sueeess, for example: 1l.h3 lLlf7
12 .g4 ld8 13.b3 ie7 14.r;f]e2 lLld6
lS.ie1 liJe8 16.ie2 ldf8o Dieu -
Sanduleae, Avoine 2 008.) 1l.liJe4
aS and there arises the position
from the game Antonsen - Hillarp
Persson, which we have already
analyzed above.
Here is one relatively reeent
game, in which Blaek sueeeeded
in realizing almost aH the basic
1O.lg1 liJh6 11.h3 lLlf7 12 .ie3 r;f]e7
13.g4 ib4 14.liJfd2 lLld6 1S.le1 if7
16.lLlxd6 r;f]xd6 17..id3 ig6 18.ifS
lLleS and he soon seized the initia
tive, Perdomo - Felgaer, Sao Pau
lo 2 009.
9 ... a5 1 0 . 0 - 0 lLle7
19
Chapter 1
After White has castled short,
Black is not afraid of the pawn
offensive g2-g4-gS and he decides
not to go to the f7-square with
his king's knight, but to transfer
it to the queenside with the idea
of breaking his opponent's pawn
structure there.
ll.gfdl lLlc8 12.lLla4 <t;c7
13.a3 lLlcb6
The c4-pawn has become the
target for the attack.
14.lLlxb6 lLlxb6 15.gacl .ie7
16 . .iel lLld7
Black has failed to provoke the
move c4-c5 and he begins a re
grouping of his forces.
17.lLld2 lLlc5 18.lLlbl lLlb3 19.
gc3 a4 + Battaglini - Sakaev, Sto
Petersburg 2009 (game 5).
B2) 6.b3 lLld7
7.g3
It seems logical for White to
fianchetto his other bishop first
- 7..tb2 and consider the future
of his light-squared bishop only
latero This plan is not at all dan-
20
gerous for Black however, for
example: 7... c6 8.e3 (8.g3 f6 -
see 7.g3 c6 8 ..tb2 f6; 8.0-0-0!?
r:J;;c7 9.e3 f6 1O ..td3 aS 11..tc2 lLle7
12.lLlge2 lLlc8 - this is an interest
ing manoeuvre of his knight. It
goes to b6 in order to support the
pawn-break aS-a4 - 13. r:J;;b 1 lLlcb6
14.lLlg3 a4 lS..tfS hfS+ 16.lLlxfS
g6 17.lLlg3 fS 18.lLlge2 .tb4+! D.
Ponomarev - A.Moskalenko, Da
gomys 2 006) 8 .. .f6
9 ..td3 (At least, it looks a bit
strange for White to continue
with the line 9.g3 r:J;;c7 1O ..th3
- he has played e3 and g4 and
now he trades the light-squared
bishops - 1O ... hh3 11.lLlxh3 hS
12.f3 lLlh6 13.lLlf2 lLlfS 14.r:J;;e 2
aS lS.lLlfe4 .te7 16.:1l:ad1 !l:hd8+!
T.Balogh - Bauer, Zagan 1997.)
9 ... lLlh6 1O.lLlge2 r:J;;c7 11. O-O aS
12.lLla4 lLlcS 13.lLlxcS hcS 14.lLlc3
!l:ad8 lS.!l:fd1 .tg4 16 ..te2 he2
17.lLlxe2 a4+! Bregadze - Gagu
nashvili, Tbilisi 2 009.
7.lLlf3 f6 8..ib2 (The somewhat
enigmatic move 8.!l:gl enables
Black to equalize easily after 8 ...
.tb4 9 ..td2 lLlh6 - he develops his
pieces and in the process prevents
 l.d4 d6 2.c4 eS 3.dxe5 dxeS 4. Wffxd8+ <JJxd8 S. liJ c3 ie6
White's plan of advancing g2-g4 -
1O.liJe4 ixd2+ 11. <JJxd2 liJf7 12.e3
<JJe7 13.ie2 liJd6 14.liJxd6 cxd6=
Sosonko - Hort, Bad Kissin
gen 1981.) 8 ...c6 9.0-0-0 (9.g3
<JJc7 1O.ig2 ib4 11.0-0-0 a5 12.
liJd2 liJh6 13.liJde4 liJf7 14.h4 h6
15. <JJb l ghd8 16.f4 ge8 17. <JJa l
if5+ Akhmedov - R.Mamedov,
Baku 2008) 9 . . . <JJc7 1O.e3 liJh6
l1.h3 (Here, White did not find
anything better than to advance
his g-pawn, but this plan proved
to be insufficient even for equal
ity.) 11...a5 12.g4 liJf7 13.gg1 liJc5
14.liJd2 a4! 15. <JJc2 h5! (Black
makes two consecutive pawn
breaks on both flanks and his
rooks suddenly beco me very ac
tive.) 16.liJde4 hxg4 17.hxg4 gh2+
Kveinys - Azmaiparashvili, Tal
linn 1988 (game 6).
7...c6 8.ih3
Instead, 8 ..tb2 f6 9.ih3 hh3
1O.liJxh3 <JJc7 amonts to just a
transposition.
8 ...hh3 9.c!iJxh3
The prospects of both sides
in the coming battle are approxi-
mately equal. The pawn-structure
is symmetrical and there are no
long-term weaknesses. The de
velopment of both sides' pieces is
comparable and rather slow.
9 ...f6
It is useful for Black to take the
g5-square under control, restrict
ing both his opponent's bishop
and knight. Still, he can also play
the move h7-h6 with the same
purpose, preserving the f6-square
for his knight: 9 ...h6 10.f3 (10.
ib2 liJgf6 l1.f3 .tc5 12.liJf2 ge8
13.liJfe4 liJxe4 14.liJxe4 ib4+ 15.
.tc3 .txc3+ 16.liJxc3 <JJc7 17.
0-0-0 liJc5 18.1=:d2 gad8= Mi
chenka - Mokry, Czechoslovakia
1992) 1O ... liJgf6 l1.liJf2 <JJc7 12.id2
liJc5 13.e3 ie7 14. <JJe 2 a5 15.ghdl
ghe8 16.iel .tf8 17.g4 b6 with
mutual chances, Gheorghiu - Kir.
Georgiev, Haifa 1989.
1 0 .ib2
1O.f3 h5 11.liJf2 .tb4 12.id2 a5
13.liJd3 ie7 14.e3 <JJc7 15. <JJe 2 liJh6
16.gac1 liJf7 17.ghdl liJd8 18.iel
liJe6 Jimenez Martinez - Serna
Lara, Almansa 2009.
10 ... <JJc7
After 1O ... h5, White wiIl play
simply l1.f3 and it is not advisable
for Black to opt for 11 ...h4?! be
cause of the natural reply 12.g4;!;
11. 0 - 0 - 0 c!iJh6
(diagram)
12J:d2
White should not try anything
too risky. For example, it is not
good for him to choose 1 2.f4? be
cause of 12 ... liJg4! and his numer-
21
Chapter 1

ing more energetically: 12 . . .tt'lc5!?

13.f3 tt'lf5 14.tt'le4?! (White did not
need to disrupt his pawn-struc
ture in this fashion. It was betler
for him to continue with 14.tt'lf2,
with approximate equality.) 14 ...
tt'lxe4 15.fxe4 tt'ld6 16.tt'lf2 tt'lf7 17.
E:hd1 :gd8 18.E:xd8 tt'lxd8 19.e3
tt'le6+ Mikhalevski - Avrukh, Ra
mat Aviv 1998.

ous self-inflicted weaknesses will

become a telling factor for the fu
ture. For example: 13.fxe5 tt'ldxe5
14.tt'le4 :ge8 15.:gd4 c5! 16.:gd2
tt'lxc4 17.tt'lxf6 gxf6 18.bxc4 h6
19.tt'lf4 tt'le3 20.E:d3 E:hf8-+ Bai
kov - Lukin, Leningrad 1985.
Here are two more practical
examples:
12.e4 e7 13.f4 E:he8 14.f5 tt'lg4
15.'itid2 a6 16.'itie2 b5 17.tt'lb1 bxc4,
draw, Oral - Neuman, Olomouc 13.ghd1
1995. The fight did not continue
12 .f3 tt'lf5 13.tt'lf2 b4 14.tt'ld3 for long in the following game:
a5 15.'itib1 tt'le3 16.E:d2 e7 17.tt'le1 13.tt'le4 E:he8 14.e3, draw, Dovzik
tt'lc5 18.tt'lc2 tt'lxc2 19.'itixc2 a4 20. - APanchenko, Cseppko 2002.
E:hd1 axb3+ 21.axb3 E:hd8 22. 13 gad8 14.tLle4 tLle5 15.
.

:gxd8 hd8= Amura - Tal, Bue gxd8 l!xd8 16.gxd8 'itixd8 -

nos Aires 1991. the endgame is approximately

12 ..i.e7 equal, Sanchis - Radulov, Ma
Black could also consider play- romme 1994.

22
Chapter 1 l.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 dxe5 4J'xd8+
xd8
Complete Games
1 L.Grigorian Miles
Adelaide 1991
1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 dxe5
4.'@xdS+ It>xdS 5.e4 J.b4+ 6.
.id2 hd2+ 7.c!lJxd2 .ie6 S.
c!lJgf3 f6 9 .ie2 c!lJd7 1 0 . 0 - 0 a5
1l.b3 c!lJe7 12J;fdl c!lJc6 13.c!lJfl
It>cS 14.c!lJe3 c!lJc5 15.c!lJd2 c!lJd4
Black has occupied the vulner
able dark squares in the centre of
the board with his knights, but
White's position remains very sol
id and will not crumble by itself.
Miles brings his last reserves into
the battle and seeks a weak point
to break through.
16 .ifl c6 17.t3 dS lS.c!lJbl
b6 19.c!lJc3 a7
Under the cover of his knight
on d4, Black is preparing to dou
ble his rooks along the d-file.
2 0 .1t>f2 ad7 21.lt>el h5 22.
c!lJe2 h4
He is ready to exchange his
beautiful knight, but only on the
d4-square, sinee after that he will
have a powerful passed pawn.
23.1t>f2 It>c7 24.acllt>b7
Black's king has made a trian
gle - c8-c7-b7. Naturally, the el
ement of zugzwang is completely
absent. Miles obviously did not
like the juxtaposition of his king
with the enemy rook along the
e-file (White might have the idea
of liJe3-d5+ at an opportune mo
ment. . . ) and he withdrew his king
to a safer position. The loss of
tempo evidently did not bother
him, since White could not do
much anyway.
25.c!lJc3 .if7 26.J.e2 .ih5 27.
bl c!lJce6
23
Chapter 1

The only plan to win this posi

tion was probably connected with
advancing the kingside pawns, but
then the position would become
much sharper and White could
obtain counter chances. Miles
postpones this plan and makes a
diversion on the kingside, which
suddenly brings him success.
2S.g3?! 3S.llJd2
White allows his opponent to Another mistake, but White's
fulfil his plan; he parries the im position was already very bad an
mediate threat of ttJf4 but he com yway. For example: 38 ..ie2 ttJd3+
pro mises his kingside consider 39.f1 ttJc1, or 38.f2 Eld4 39J;,h8
ably. ltJxf3 !
He should simply retreat his 3 S gxd2! 39.xd2 llJxf3+.
..

bishop - 28 ..tf1 c7 (28 ... ltJf4 White resigned.

29.b4 !) 29.a3, trying to create
sorne counterplay on the queen
side.
2S ...hxg3+ 29.hxg3 llJg5!
3 0 .g4
This is the only move, but now,
after the opening of the h-file, the
transfer of Black's knight to the
f4-square becomes a very power
fuI threat.
3 O .ig6 3Uhl llJge6 32.
..
2 Petkova Rausis
Athens 1993
l.d4 d6 2.e4 e5 3.dxe5 dxe5
4. xdS+ xdS 5.llJf3 f6 6.e4
.ie5 7.a3 a5 S.llJc3 .ie6 9.llJa4
.ia7 1 0 ..id2 llJe7 1l ..ie2 llJbe6
12. 0 - 0 llJd4 13.llJxd4 .ixd4
14.llJe3 e6

gbdl llJf4 33 ..tf1 llJde6 34.

gxd7+ gxd7 35.llJbl
It was better for White to de
fend with 35. g3, to be able to
counter 35 ... l:'ld2 with 36.!'lh2,
with chances of holding the posi
tion.
35 gdS 36.gh2 e7 37.
el?
This is the decisive mistake. Black managed to occupy the
After 37.g3 White may still save central d4-square in this game as
the day. well. This time he did it with his
37... llJg5 bishop rather than his knight, but

24
 l.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 dxe5 4. Wixd8+ ;;xd8
it was still quite effective. Once
again, White's position is quite
solid and not easy to break.
lS.gfd1 ;;e7 16.gae1 ghd8
17.b4
He should stop marking time
and create quite real counterplay
on the left side of the board.
17 axb4 18.axb4 gd7 19.
his forces to support the advance
.te1 ;;d8 2 O .ga1 gxa1 21.gxa1
lLle8 22.eS ;;e7 23.h3
It was obviously stronger to
play 23J''la 8, not allowing the op
ponent to accomplish the pawn
break b7-b6, and maintaining ap
proximate equality.
23 ;;b8 24.ga3 b6 2S.cxb6
. 3
lLlxb6
Black is again better, because
his king takes an active part in the
battle and his forces outnumber
White's on the queenside.
26.ga6 ;;b7 27.bS?!
This is a dubious decision, be
cause Black will attack this pawn
much more easily on the fifth
rank.
27 eS 28.lLla4 e4
.
29.lLlxb6?!
White should play here 29.
.tb4 and if 29 ... lLlxa4 then 30.
:!'1:xe6 :!'1:c7 31.idl, maintaining a
defensible position.
29 .ixb6 3 0 ..te3 J.t7 31.
.
ga4 ge7 32.;;f1 J.d4 33 .td2
geS 34.gb4 ;;b6 3S.J.e1 gxbS
36.gxbS+ 'i!;>xbS
Not only has Black won a
pawn, he has also concentrated all
of his passed pawn.
37.'i!;>e1 'i!;>b4 38.f3 e3 39.'i!;>d1
i.b3+ 4 O.'i!;>e1 i.e4
Now White must give up his
bishop for the enemy passed
pawn, so he resigned.
Stierle V.Georgiev
Bad Woerishofen 2 003
l.d4 d6 2.e4 eS 3.dxeS
dxeS 4Jbd8+ 'i!;>xd8 S.g3 e6
6 ..tg2 aS 7.lLlf3 f6 8.lLle3 a4
9.i.e3 i.e6 1 0 .lLld2 i.b4 ll.ge1
lLld7 12. O - O lLle7
13.f3
White is restricting his own
light-squared bishop. He should
have played 13 . .te4 instead.
13 . 'i!;>e7 14.a3
This is another poor decision,
since now White's queenside
pawn-structure loses its flex-
25
Chapter 1
ibility. Little by little, thanks to
such trifles, Black obtains a quite
meaningful advantage.
14 .iaS 1S.lUd1 ghd8 16.
. bishop is isolated from the actions
tDce4 tDf5 17.i.f2 tDd4 18 . .if1
bd2!?
After this surprising exchange,
Black occupies the cS-square.
Maybe it was even stronger for
him to play 18 . .f5 19.'Llc3 'LlcS
. 2S.@f2
with the same purpose.
19.tDxd2 tDcS
2 0 .bd4
It is understandable that
White complied with this ex
change reluctantly, but what can
we advise him to do instead? The
foHowing variation shows that
the enemy penetration to the b3-
square simply cannot be ignored:
20J'k3 'Lldb3 21..ie1 b6! (protect
ing the knight on eS; after 21...E1d7
22. 'Llxb3! 'Llxb3 23.E1xd7 + @xd7
White solves aH his problems with
the move 24.@f2) 2 2 .@f2 e4!?
23.f4 E1d6 - his position is very
unpleasant and it is inconceivable
how he can get rid of the pin along
the d-file.
2 O ... gxd4 21.e3 !;d7 22.
tDe4?
26
It was more resilient for White
to defend with 22.'Llb1 gad8 23.
E1xd7+ gxd7 24.gc2. Now his
forever.
22 ... gxd1 23.gxd1 tDxe4 24.
fxe4 @b6
Black is preparing to gobble
the enemy c4-pawn.
White would not achieve any
thing with 2S.E1d6 E1e8 and after
26 ... @cS, his rook wiH have to re
treat.
2S ... @cS 26.gc1
26 ... gd8
AH the positional pluses are in
Black's hands. His pieces are ac
tive and he dominates the open
file. Still, as the classics asserted,
just one weakness (the c4-pawn)
may not be sufficient to win the
game, therefore Black must cre
ate another weakness for his op
ponent, if possible at a greater
distance. Accordingly, this should
mean the kingside.
27.'it>e1 .if7 28.gc3 hS! 29.
i.d3
White wishes to attack the en
emy a4-pawn with his bishop, but
 1.d4 d6 2.c4 eS 3.dxe5 dxe5 4. xd8+ c;t;xd8
it does not even come to this.
29 h4! 3 0 . c;t;f2
Possibly, the least of the evils
for him was 30.g4, trying to keep
the position closed.
30 . hxg3+ 31.hxg3 .lh5
Now Black's pieces use the
hole on the kingside (the second
weakness) in order to penetrate
quietly into his opponent's campo
32.c;!;>g 2
White cannot let the enemy
rook attack from behind: 32.c2
gd2+ 33.c;t;el gh2 and his position
is a disaster.
32 . .idl 33.c;t;f2 g5 34.c;t;e1
.if3
35.b4+
He is evidently fed up with
doing nothing, but this attempt
at activity only speeds up his de
mise. However, White's position
was already very bad in any case,
for example: 35.ic2 ga8 36.c;t;f2
g4 37.c;t;el l':\h8 etc.
35 axb3 36Jxb3 b6 37.
. vres.
c;t;f2 .id1 38. 13e3 13h8 39. c;!;>g2
g4 4 0 ..ie2 .lf3+ 41. c;t;f2 13h2+
42.c;t;f1 13h1+ 43.c;t;f2 13e1
In anticipation of 44. . .he4,
White resigned.
4 H.Santos Paunovie
Figueira da Foz 2008
1.d4 d6 2.e4 e5 3.dxe5
dxe5 4.Ybd8+ c;!;>xd8 5.llJf3 f6
6.llJe3 .le6 7.e4 llJd7 8 .le3 .lb4
9. 0 - 0 - 0 e6 1 0 . c;!;>e2 c;!;>e7 11.
a3 .ie7 12.llJa4 g5 13.llJd2 llJh6
14.f3 llJt7 15.e5 b5 16.cxb6+
axb6 17.llJc3 b5
18 . .le2
Black's pieces are more ac
tive on the queenside, so later
he can develop his initiative
there. Therefore, White had to
begin immediate action on the
other side of the board: 18.h4
g4 19.ie2 with mutual chances.
18 ....le5
Black uses the opportune
moment to exchange the dark
squared bishops.
19.he5 llJxe5 2 0 . 13a1 13hd8
21.llJa2?
White does not have the
time for such abstract manoeu
Instead he had to play 21.l':\adl
c;t;b6 22.h4, creating counterplay
on the kingside.
21 . 13d4 22.llJb4 13ad8 23.
13ad1
27
Chapter 1
23 . f5!
Black breaks his opponent's
centre with a series of blows.
24Jhe1 g4 25 .ifl tt:\g5 26.
h4 gxh3 27.gxh3
27 tt:\xf3!
..
This is simple, but still very
beautiful.
28.tt:\d5+
Or 28.lLJxf3 ib3 + .
28 .b:d5 29.exd5 tt:\xe1 +
3 0 .xe1 4xd5. White re
signed.
5 Battaglini Sakaev
Sto Petersburg 2009
1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5
dxe5 4.tbd8+ 'it>xd8 5.tt:\c3
.ie6 6.tt:\f3 f6 7.e3 tt:\d7 8 ..ie2
c6 9 .id2 a5 1 0 . 0 - 0 tt:\e7 11.
fd1 tt:\c8 12.tt:\a4 'it>c7 13.a3
28
tt:\cb6 14.tt:\xb6 tt:\xb6 15.ac1
iLe7 16.iLe1 tt:\d7 17.tt:\d2 tt:\c5
18.tt:\b1 tt:\b3 19.c3 a4
2 0 .f3 .if5 21.tt:\d2 tt:\c5 22.
.if2 iLg6 23.e4 .if7 24.tt:\b1
hd8 25.d8 xd8 26 .b:c5?
This is a positional mistake.
White should on no account part
with his dark-squared bishop.
26 ....b:c5+ 27.'it>fl 'it>b6 28.
c2 iLd4 29.tt:\d2 .ic5
Black is not in a hurry. He can
afford to play preparatory consol
idating moves without revealing
his further intentions.
3 0 .tt:\b1 g6 31.tt:\c3 a8 32.
iLd3 iLd4 33.tt:\b1 h5 34.tt:\d2
i.c5 35.h3 i.e6 36.g4
White in fact helps his oppo
nent by voluntarily advancing his
pawns and placing them on the
same squares as his bishop.
36 'it>c7 37.tt:\b1 'it>b6 38.
tt:\c3 iLd4 39.tt:\b1 'it>c5
Black improves the position of
his pieces to the maximum.
4 0 .tt:\d2 .ie3 41.tt:\b1 d8
42.'it>e2 .if4 43.tt:\c3
Naturally, White's position is
probably beyond salvation any
way, but now he loses immediate-
 1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 dxe5 4.f1xd8+ cj;;xd8
ly, and quite beautifully at that.
43 . gxd3! White resigned.
6 Kveinys - Azmaiparashvili
Tallinn 1988
1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5
dxe5 4.tyxd8+ 'i!?xd8 5.tLlc3
i.e6 6.tLlf3 f6 7.e3 c6 8.b3
a5 9 .tb2 tLlh6 10 .h3 tLld7 11.
0 - 0 - 0 'i!?c7 12.g4 tLlf7 13.gg1
tLlc5 14.tLld2 a4 15.'i!?c2 h5
16.tLlde4 hxg4 17.hxg4 gh2
18.gd2 axb3+ 19.axb3 tLlxe4
2 O .tLlxe4 .tb4
21.tLlc3
The same variation was epeat
ed almost twenty years later
(probably through ignorance ...).
In the diagrarnmed position,
White defended betler but still
failed to equalize: 2U'le2 ah8
22.c3 .bc3 23. cj;;xc3 h1 24J:'lxh1
1:'lxh1 25.g2 c1+ 26.cj;;b 2 g1+
Kosikov - Pavlov, Kiev 2005.
21 .. tLlg5!
Black wins at least a pawn af
ter this aggressive knight-sortie.
22 ..tg2 hg4 23.f4 exf4 24.
exf4 .tf5+
He could have finished his op
ponent off immediately with 24 ...
lLle6! 25.e4 lLld4+. However, this
game was played in rapid chess
(in the USSR Cup) and Black did
not have enough time to calculate
everything to the end.
25.'i!?cl tLle6
It was again stronger for Black
to play here 25...c5 26.e1 lLle6
27.e4 1:'lxd2 28.cj;;xd2 d8+ 29.
cj;;c 1 g4. However, what he played
in the game proved to be sufficient
as well.
26.i.e4 gxd2 27 .txt'5 hc3
28.hc3 ge2 29.he6 gxe6
3 0 .gxg7+ 'i!?b6
31.f5 ge2 32.hf6 gaa2 33.
ggl 'i!?c5 34. .tc3 gf2 35.'i!?bl
ga3. White resigned.
29
Chapter 2 l.d4 d6 2.c4 e5
Quick Repertoire
3.e3
This is not the most ambitious
move for White, but it is reliable
and quite logical. Black has at
tacked the central pawn and
White protects it, postponing the
important strategical decisions
for the future. Meanwhile, he
maintains the tension in the cen
tre and continues to control
slightly more space. If Black
wishes to occupy additional
space himself, with the move 3 ...
f5, then after the exchange on
e5, the transition into an end
game is much more effective for
White, because he will atlack the
enemy e5-pawn and Black can
no longer protect it with the move
f7-f6.
30
In general, Black would like
to advance f7-f5 and begin active
operations in the centre and on
the kingside; otherwise, he will
have problems countering White's
queenside offensive. Still, this
pawn-advance needs sorne prepa
ration.
We will examine sorne other
possible plans for White, which he
usually plays when Black's open
ing choice has surprised him.
3 .g3 (This is a solid move,
but it is somewhat premature,
since the bishop may be useful
on d3 and even on e2.) 3 ... exd4
4.xd4 ttJc6 5.iWd2 e6 6.e4 (This
is a sad necessity for White, be
cause after 6.b3 d5! Black seizes
the initiative.) 6 ...ttJf6 7.ttJc3 a5
8J'!b1 (Black can counter 8.b3?
with an atlractive combination:
8 ... ttJxe4! 9.ttJxe4 d5 - for details,
see the Step by Step chapter.) 8 ...
g6 9.b3 a4 1O.g2 axb3 1l.axb3
g7 12 .ttJge2 o-o 13.0-0 ttJd7
14.ttJd5 ttJc5 with mutual chances.
White has acquired additional
space, while Black has deployed
his minor pieces perfectly and has
opened the a-file for his rook.

White cannot hurt his oppo
nent with 3.b3 exd4 4.'\Wxd4 ttJf6
(preparing the pawn-break dS)
S.b2 ttJc6 6.Wd2 dS Of Black
succeeds in opening the position
like this, then he has no problems
whatsoever.) 7.cxdS i.b4 8.ttJc3
ttJxdS with a double-edged posi
tion.
3 .. tlJd7
He is preparing f7-fS, while
avoiding the endgame that would
arise after after 3 .. .fS 4.dxeS dxeS
S.Wxd8+ .
4.tlJc3 g6
5.i.d3
S.g3 (In principIe, the moves
g2-g3 and e2-e3 do not combine
well together, but still, it cannot
be described as a mistake yet.) 5 ...
g7 6.i.g2 ttJh6!? (Black is trying
to seize the initiative ; it is more
prudent for him to choose 6 ... ttJe7
7.ttJge2 O-O 8.0-0 exd4 9.exd4
ge8=) 7.ttJge2 o-o 8.0-0 fS 9.b3
ttJf7. He wishes to advance eS-e4
and to follow this with ttJf7-gS-f3,
creating threats against the en
emy king.
l.d4 d6 2.c4 eS
White can develop his king
side naturally and then focus his
attention on the queenside: S.ttJf3
i.g7 6.i.e2 ttJe7 7.0-0 O-O 8.b3
ttJfS 9.i.b2 ge8 with a very solid
position for Black.
5 ...i.g7 6.tlJge2
If White reduces the tension
in the centre with 6.dS, then after
6 .. .fS 7.ttJge2 ttJgf6 8.b3 O-O,
Black obtains a comfortable
game.
6 tlJe7 7. 0 - 0 O - O 8.b3
tlJc6
Strangely enough, this posi
tion has not been analyzed prop
erly yet and both sides have scope
for creative endeavour. Black ex
erts pressure against the d4-pawn
and wishes to provoke the move
d4-dS, which will free his hands
for a kingside offensive. He must
also take care about White's pos
sible activity on the other side of
the board, therefore after for ex
ample: 9.dS ttJb4 1O.i.bl, Black
must play 1O ... aS, preventing the
advance of the enemy a and b
pawns.
31
Chapter 2 1.d4 d6 2.c4 eS
Step by Step
In this chapter we shall analyze
the less ambitious third moves for
White. He usually chooses them
when surprised by Black's open
ing choice.
A) 3.g3
B) 3.b3
e) 3.e4
D) 3.e3
A) 3.g3
This move is slightly prema
ture, because White determines
the placement ofhis light-squared
bishop a bit too early. It might be
useful on d3 and even on the e2-
square. Black has the possibility
to react against the king's bishop
fianchetto in the optimal manner.
32
3 .. exd4 4. exd4 tLlc6
Black's plan is quite simple.
First he wins a tempo by attack
ing the enemy queen. Then he
develops his bishop to e6, again
with tempo, attacking the c4-
pawn and creating the positional
threat of d6-d5 in the process. If
he succeeds in accomplishing this
pawn-break in the centre, he will
seize the initiative.
5.Wfd2
This is an attempt to justify
the forced early queen-sortie. At
present the queen's placement
looks awkward, since it impedes
the development of White's own
bishop. Later however he plans to
fianchetto his dark-squared bish-

op and to restore harmony to his
piece-deployrnent.
It is weaker for him to choose
5.dl, because after 5 . g6 White
. .
is unable to play b2-b3 and b2.
After 6.g2 g7 7.'2Jf3 e6 8.
'2Jbd2, his pieces almost do not
participate in the fight for the
centre, so Black can even
bravely try to seize the initiative:
8 ...'2Jf6 9.0-0 O-O 1O.b3 dS! 11.
a3 l'!e8 12.l'!cl aS (This is a
standard resource for him. After
a5-a4, his rook on a8 wiIl come
into action without having made
a single move of its own.) 13.b2
d4 14.a3 .ifS+ - Black has occu
pied space and his pieces are
more active, Z.Mamedjarova -
A.Muzychuk, Rijeka 2010 (game
7).
5 ... i.e6
6.e4
This looks rather dubious and
inconsistent. Why should White
first play g2-g3 but then close the
long diagonal and leave his light
squared bishop on fl? However,
he is trying to maintain control
l.d4 d6 2.c4 eS
over the centre. After 6.b3 dS!
Black already has the initiative
and this should not be a surprise.
He has already developed two
minor pieces, while White has
wasted tempi on moves with his
g- and b-pawns and his queen. In
accordance with aIl the rules of
correct strategy, Black begins ac
tive operations in the centre and
creates the threat of f8-b4. After
7.cxdS b4 8.'2Jc3 hdS 9.f3 f6!
1O ..ib2 0-0-0+ White has great
problems with his development
and the pin on his c3-knight is
rather unpleasant.
6 . lf6 7.lc3 a5
Of course, if Black presents
his opponent with several tempi,
White wiIl fianchetto both his
bishops and then, thanks to his
space advantage, he wiIl have
the edge. Black must exploit his
lead in development and try to
provoke an early conflict, before
White has declared a "general
mobilization" .
Al) 8 b3 .
A2) 8.13bl
33
Chapter 2

Al) 8.b3 A2) 8.b1

This move is too careless, since As we have already seen, this
it unnecessarily weakens the aS prudent approach is not unneces
el diagonal. sary.
8 ... xe4! 8 ...g6 9.b3
Black's pieces become tremen
dously active after this tactical trick.
9.xe4 d5

1 0 . c3
The game Saric - Majeric, Bo
rovo 2003 ended very quickly:
1O.cxdS b4 11.ttJc3 dS 12.f3
Wff6 13.i.e2 0-0-0 and White re
signed.
1 0 ... d4 11 ..ib2 dxc3 12.,ixc3
Wfxd2+ 13.xd2 .ib4
The material is equal and the
pawn-structure is symmetrical,
but the endgame is very unpleas
ant for White, because he lags
considerably in development and
his king is stranded in the centre.
14.e2 0 - 0 - 0 + 15.c2
.if5+ 16.b2, Ilic - Majeric,
Yugoslavia 1989 and here Black
could have continued with 16
9 . a4
Now, the idea 9 . . .ttJxe4 10.
ttJxe4 dS does not work, because
of 11.Wfb2 !
1 0 ..ig2 axb3 1l.axb3 .ig7
Black can force the exchange
of the light-squared bishops if he
so wishes: 1l ... ttJeS!? 12 .i.g2 h3
13.0-0 (13.h3?? ttJf3+) 13 ...
xg2 14.i'xg2 g7, with approxi
mate equality.
12.ge2 O - O 13. 0 - 0
..

d3 17.c1 e8, after which he

would have maintained an over
whelming advantage.

34

White has maintained his
control over the occupied space
and has almost completed his de
velopment. However, Black has
nothing to complain about, since
his minor pieces are weIl placed
and he has the open a-file for his
active rook. Now the standard
transfer of his f6-knight to the
queenside enables him to hold the
balance.
13 ... d7 14.d5 c5 15.b4
a4 16.\Wc2 e5+t - He wishes
to play c7-c6 and repel White's
powerful knight from its outpost.
The prospects are approximately
equal, Huebner - Balashov, Ro
de Janeiro 1979 (game8).
B) 3.b3
White is playing too carelessly.
He does not react to his oppo
nent's provocation in the cen
tre and almost "passes". Black is
however not so "easy-going" and
seeks an immediate conflicto
3 .. exd4 4.\Wxd4 f6
He prepares the pawn-advance
l.d4 d6 2.c4 eS
d5 and wishes to prove that the
move b3 is a loss of a tempo.
5.i.b2 c6 6.\Wd2 d5
This is a standard resource in
similar positions. If Black manag
es to open the game without ma
terial concessions, then usuaIly he
at least equalizes.
7.cxd5 i.b4 8.c3
After 8.ic3 lLlxd5 9.ixb4
lLlcxb4+, Black has a considerable
lead in development and his ini
tiative is very powerful.
8 ... xd5 9.a3
It is worse for White to play
9.e3, Kreutzkamp - Perschke,
Germany 1984, 9 ... 0 - 0 1O.a3
lLlxc3 ll.hc3 \Wxd2+ 12.hd2
id6+ and Black's pieces wiIl soon
attack White's vulnerable queen
side pawns.
9 hc3 10 .hc3 xc3 11.
\Wxc3 O - O 12.f3 i.g4
It is quite obvious that Black
has no problems at aIl.
13.e3 :ae8
Here Black have grasped the
opportunity to disrupt his oppo
nent's pawn-structure. Opening
35
Chapter 2
the g-file would not be dangerous,
since Black will play g6, empha
sizing the fact that White is left
with the "wrong" bishop on the
board: 13 ....bf3 14.gxf3 1.WdS 15.
E:g1 g6+
Tinstead, there was a transi
tion into an approximately equal
major-piece endgame in the fol
lowing game.
14 .ie2 Wld6 15. 0 - 0 tDe5
16.fd1 Wlf6 17.Wlxc7 tDxf3+
18 .ixf3 .ixf3 19.9xf3 Wlxf3
Mantovani - V.Milov, Bratto
2001 (game 9).
e) 3.e4
White plays an active move
in the centre, but the ensuing
early queen-sortie does not solve
the problem. In general, there
should not be anything so wrong
with this, but if White is willing
to capture on d4 with his queen,
he would do better to start with
3.lLlc3 (we will analyze this possi
bility on our Chapter 4). The point
is that there will be no better place
36
for his queen's knight than the c3-
square, while his light-squared
bishop may be fianchettoed, in
which case the move e2-e4 may
not turn out to be obligatory, to
say the least.
3 exd4 4.Wlxd4 tDc6 5.Wld1
After the retreat S.1.Wd2, Black's
most principled line would be 5 ...
fS!? (S... lLlf6 6.lLlc3 - see 3.lLlc3)
6.exfS .bfS. He has exchanged
one of his opponent's central
pawns and he wishes to prepare
quick queenside castling and
the opening of the centre. 7.lLlf3
(7.d3, Kelecevic - Lematschko,
Davos 2010, 7 ...xd3 8.1.Wxd3 dS!
9.cxdS lLlb4 1O.1.We2+ 1.We7+) 7...
lLlf6 8.lLlc3 \!!Vd7 and thanks to his
lead in development, Black will
soon play d6-dS, force numerous
exchanges and equalize.
5 ...f5!?
This move is consistent and
logical, even with the white queen
on the d1-square.
S ... lLlf6 6.lLlc3 - see Chapter 4.
6.exf5
Black's choice is much greater
 1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.e3 'Ll d7

after 6.'Llc3 fxe4 7.'Llxe4 'fffe 7, for wiIl help Black to exert pressure
example: 8.d3, Recalde - De Los on the kingside.
Rios, Asuncion 1960 (8.f3 'Llf6+') 11.xf6 gxf6 12.d4 Ae4
8 . . . 'Llf6 9.f3 $.e6 1O.'Lle2 0-0-0 13. 0 - 0 g8 14.f3 i.g6
11.0-0 dS+
6 . .ixt'5 7.f3 d7 8.c3
. .

0 - 0 - 0 9.Ae2 f6

There has arisen a complicated

position with opposite sides cas
tling in which Black's prospects
1 0 .d5 are very good.
This is the most principled
move for White. D) 3.e3 d7
If he allows his opponent to
advance dS, then the position is
simplified immediately and be
comes equal: 10.0-0 dS 11.cxdS
'LlxdS 12.'LlxdS 'fffxdS 13.'fffxdS
!':xdS 14.$.c4 !':d8 =, or 12.'fffa4! ?
'Llb6 13.'fffh4 e7 14.'fffg3 $.d6 1S.
f4 hf4 16.'fffxf4 'LldS=
10 .. e7
Of course, this move was sug
gested by the computer; it does
not look in the least a "human"
move. It is essential for Black to 1 have already mentioned that
eliminate his opponent's power Black wishes to advance O-fS, but
fuI knight on dS and the appear the transition into an endgame
ance of an isolated pawn on f6 after (3 .. .fS 4.dxeS dxeS S.'fffxd8 +)
should not bother him too mucho is not favourable for him, since
White cannot exploit this weak his eS-pawn may become a target
ness, whereas the half-open g-file for White. Therefore, he choos-

37
Chapter 2
es a preparatory move with his
knight.
DI) 4.lLlf3
D2) 4.lLle3
DI) 4.lLlf3
White's knight on bl has no
better square than c3, so he should
develop it first. Still, the move 4.
lLlf3 is also playable. AH this will
not affect Black's set-up.
4 g6 5.b3
there its route to the wonderful
After S.llJc3, the game trans
poses to variation D2. Meanwhile,
it would be almost impossible to
avoid sorne transposition of moves,
because White will have to devel
op his knight to c3 in any case. It
has no other sensible future.
5 i.g7 6.i.b2 e4
..
Black exploits the fact that his
knight is still on g8 and he builds
up a pawn-chain on the kingside.
7.lLlfd2 f5 8.lLle3 lLlgf6 9.
i.e2 o - o 1 0 .Yfe2
The simplest way for Black to
counter 1O.h4 is by playing 10 ...
hS, after which White's kingside
38
attack is over before it has even
started and in addition he cannot
castle on the kingside.
10 .. e5
This is an important resource,
which enables Black to ensure the
eS-square for his pieces, most of
all for his knight.
In this pawn-structure it be
comes obvious that White's knight
on f3 is a bit misplaced: after eS
e4 it had to retreat to d2 and from
f4-square is too long...
Dla) 1l.dxe5
Dlb) 1l.d5
Dla) 1l.dxe5 dxe5 12.gdl
b6
Whenever White's pawn is not
on dS, Black's light-squared bish
op is perfectly deployed on the
long diagonal.
13.lLld5 i.b7 14.lLlbl lLlxd5
15.exd5
White's pawn is on dS indeed,
but it is too far away from the rest
of his forces and needs additional
protection.

lS ltleS 16. 0 - 0 gS 17.
. .
Wh1 gad8 - The results of the
opening are exceIlent for Black:
his knight is very active and his
pawn-structure is superior, Cy
borowski - Krasenkow, Warsaw
2003 (game 1 0 ).
D1b) 1l.dS
This move leads to a sharp
er position, but Black has good
chances of creating counterplay,
since his pieces are perfectly cen
tralized. NaturaIly, his knight on
c5 is particularly powerful.
1l ... ltle5 12. 0 - 0 - 0
O r 12.h3 Wffe7 13.0-0-0 i.d7
transposing to situations we wiIl
analyze later.
12 .. Je7 13.h3 .id7
14.f4
White could consider the pre
paratory move 14J''lde1 (His rook
is placed opposite the enemy
queen in order to protect the pawn
on e3 later.) 14 ...a6 15.f4 exf3
16.gxf3 ttJf7 17.i.d3 gae8 (Here
Black could have tried a flank at-
1.d4 d6 2.c4 eS 3.e3 ttJd7 4. ttJj3 g6
tack - 17 ... b5 ! ? 18.f4 b4 19.ttJd1
ttJh6 with a very comfortable po
sition.) 18.f4 ttJh5 19.9hg1 Wffd8
20.ge2 ge7 - he exerts pressure
against his opponent's backward
e3-pawn and keeps up his sleeve
the flank diversion b7-b5, Haus
ner - Mokry, Zlin 1995.
14 ... exf3 lS.gxf3 ltlt7 16.
ltlf1
If White protects his pawn
with the move 16.e4 his dark
squares become vulnerable: 16 ...
ttJh5 17.ghe1 ttJe5 with an excel
lent game for Black.
16 ...f4!
White is now forced to clarify
his intentions concerning his
pawn-structure.
17.exf4 .ih6
It was preferable for Black to
capture the pawn with his knight,
consenting to the exchange of the
dark-squared bishops, since that
would only emphasize the vul
nerability of the dark squares in
White's campo Nevertheless Black
maintained an edge in the game
as weIl.
39
Chapter 2

18)d2 hf4 19.cJ?bl lLle5+ 6 ... 1L1h6!?

Magalashvili - Izora, Kocaeli Black's position is flexible and
2002. he has different possibilities for
the development ofhis g8-knight,
D2) 4.1L1c3 g6 for example to h6. This is a very
ambitious plan, and it involves
sorne risk (reasonable though ... ).
In practice he ofien plays the
more solid move 6 ... ttle7. After
this Black should not have prob
lems, but seizing the initiative be
comes a bit more difficult. For ex
ample: 7.ttlge2 o-o 8.0-0 (8.b3
exd4 9.ttlxd4 ttlc5 10.0-0 l:'1e8f)
8 ...exd4 9.exd4 :1'i:e8 1O.i.f4 ttlf5
11.d2 c6 12.:1'i:ad1 ttlf6f Kock -
Gagarin, Gyor 1990. The pawn
D2a) 5.g3 structure is symmetrical and
D2b) 5.1L1f3 White has slightly more space,
D2c) 5 .td3
but in general the game is equal.
About 5.ttlge2 i.g7 6.g3 - see 7.1L1ge2 o - o 8. 0 - 0
5 .g3. Here 8 .b3 f5 9 .0-0 ttlf7
amounts to just a transposition of
D2a) 5.g3 moves.
There will always be fans of 8 ...f5 9.b3
the fianchetto of the fl-bishop, ir White could consider 9.dxe5
respective of the pawn-structure, dxe5 1O.e4, in order to create
so Black must be well prepared hanging pawns for Black in the
for this variation. centre and then to attack them.
5 ....tg7 6 .tg2
Still, afier 1O ... c6 1l.exf5 gxf5
12.b3, Kurtenkov - Vulevic, Plo
vdiv 1987, 12 ... ttlc5!? 13.xd8
(White cannot achieve much with
13.i.a3 a5.) 13 ... :1'i:xd8 14 . .tg5
:1'i:e8 15.l:'1ad1 .tf8= Black should
not have serious problems in this
endgame.
9. . 1L1f7
.

Black's idea gradually be

comes clear. He places his knight
on f7 and leaves the d8-h4 diago-

40

nal open, allowing his queen to
use it later to go to the kingside.
Meanwhile, he plans to continue
with eS-e4 and tLlfl-gS-f3; this
manoeuvre will be particularly
strong if his other knight occupies
the e5-square (for example, after
the exchange on e5, or after d4-
d5).
10 .dxe5
This is possibly White's best
reaction.
The following line is harm
less for Black: 1O ..ib2 c6 11.d2
tLlf6 12J'l:ad1 (White does not ob
tain any advantage by occupy
ing space on the queenside with
12.dxe5 dxe5 13.c2 c7 14.eS
.ie6 15J'Ud1 l"lad8 16.b4 a6 17.a3
l"lfe8? Cocchi - Schuurman,
Bratlo 2000.) 12 ...e7 13.f4 e4
14.b4 (The immediate move 14.d5
is not dangerous to Black owing to
the simple response 14 . . .eS 15.a3
b6 and his position is very solid.)
14 ... d5. He prevents the move d4-
d5, after which White's queenside
initiative may become threaten
ing. 15.c5 .id7 16.a4 h6 17.l"lb1 g5?
1.d4 d6 2.c4 eS 3.e3 tLld7 4.tLlc3 g6
Azmaiparashvili - Mohr, Palma
de Mallorca 1989.
1O . .ia3 E!:e8 (1 have already
mentioned that in reply to dxe5,
Black wishes to capture on e5
with his pawn and follow this
with e5-e4.) 11.d2 c6. One of
the pluses of the placement of
the knight on fl, instead of more
usual squares such as e7 or f6, be
comes clear. Black covers the d5-
square without having to worry
about his d6-pawn. 12.l"lfd1 g5
13.l"lac1 h5. His queen has come
to the kingside and remains in
ambush, because it is not so sim
ple to create any real threats yet.
Still, its position there may act on
White's nerves ... 14.d5 c5 15.tLlb5
l"le7 16.b4 b6 17.l"lb1 tLlf6? The
fight is developing in the spirit of
the King's Indian Defence. White
creates threats on the queenside,
while Black aUacks the enemy
king, Ostenstad - Jansa, Oslo
1991. 1 O.c2 c6! This is an im
portant move, which is played
with two purposes. The first one
is obvious - to cover the d5-
square, just in case. The second
will become clear a bit latero (In
the following game, Black played
imprecisely and he ended up in a
worse position: 1O . . .h5?! 11.i.a3
c6 12.dxe5 tLldxe5. He is forced to
capture now on e5 with his knight
and his d6-pawn becomes a weak
ness. 13.l"lad1 f6 14.l"ld4 l"le8
15.h3 g5 16.E!:fdU Cvitan - Pan
durevic, Tucepi 1996. After 11 ...
E!:e8 12.dxe5 dxe5 13.e4! White
41
Chapter 2
is better.) 1l.ia3 Ele8 12.dxe5
dxe5 13.e4 a5!. Now, you can
see the second purpose behind
Black's 10th move: his queen will
be very well placed on a5. It repels
the enemy bishop from its active
position, leaves the open file and
also protects the e5-pawn. Later,
Black will play lLlf6, with good
counter chances.
10 . dxe5 11.ia3 Ele8 12.e4,
Av.Bykhovsky - Sekulic, Yugosla
via 1993,
12 . c6 13.exiS
For 13.c2 '\Wa5 - see 1O.c2.
13 gxf5 14.c2 e4
After 14 ... lLlf6, White has the
powerful riposte 15.lLla4! '\Wa5 16.
Elad1 .te6 17..tb2 and Black's
pawn-centre is about to crumble.
15.tLlf4 tLlde5 16.Elad1 a5
17.ib2 tLlg5
Black's position is a bit too ex
posed, but his active knights and
the powerful e4-pawn enable his
defence to hold. .
I f this situation seems t o be
too risky, then I will repeat that
on move 6, Black could have de-
42
veloped his knight to e7 with a
more solid position.
D2b) 5.tLlf3
White's plan includes quick
and simple development of the
kingside and a pawn-offensive on
the queenside.
5 ig7 6.i.e2
.
The exchange in the centre
cannot create any real problems
for Black: 6.dxe5 dxe5 7 ..te2 tLle7
8.Elb1 O-O 9.h4 h6 1O.e4 tLlc5
(After White has weakened the
d4-square, Black's knight qui
etly comes closer to this outpost.)
1l . .te3 lLle6= Koppenhoefer -
Lammers, Budapest 2 009.
In answer to the flank devel
opment of White's queen-bishop
- 6.b3 lLle7 7..tb2 o-o 8:c2,
Black can reduce the tension in
the centre with the line 8 ... exd4
9.lLlxd4 lLlc5 1O . .te2 a5 1l.Eld1 tLlc6
12.lLlxc6 bxc6 13.0-0 Elb8 14 . .tf3
e8o with a double-edged posi
tion, Popovics - Postny, Budapest
2 004.

6 .!lJe7
In this set-up Black does not
have enough targets to develop
his initiative on the kingside, so
he must build up a solid defensive
line aH over the entire board.
Here it looks rather dubious to
play 6 ... lLlh6, because of 7.e4! and
the knight is not comfortable on
h6.
7. 0 - 0 O - O 8.b3
8.b4 a5 9.bxa5 lLlf5 1O.b2 ge8
11.ge1 gxa5 12.d5 lLlb6f! Marti
novsky - Fedorowicz, Lone Pine
1977.
8. WIc2 lLlf5 9.d5 a5 1O.d2
lLlc5f! Skvortsov - Ventskevich,
Nizhnij Tagil 2005.
l.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.e3 lLld7 4.lLlc3 g6
8 ... .!lJf5
The sharper alternative for
Black now is 8 ...h6!? with the idea
of advancing fl-f5 (The g5-square
must be prudently protected in
this case in order to avoid the
typical manoeuvre lLlg5, d5 and
lLle6, forcing Black to exchange
his light-squared bishop.) 9 ..ib2
(White's bishop wiH be useless
on a3 in this situation: 9 . .ia3 mh7
1O.WIc2 exd4 1l.exd4 lLlf6 12.h3
.if5 13.id3 WId7 14.gfe1 l"!fe8
15.mh2 ,bd3 16.WIxd3 a6 and he
has only a symbolic edge, Per
gericht - Tonoli, Geraardsbergen
1992.) 9 ...f5
1O.dxe5 (It is reasonable for
him to reduce the tension in the
centre; otherwise, as the foHowing
example shows, White may come
under a dangerous attack: 1O.WId2
e4 1l.lLle1 g5 12.g3 lLlf6 13.lLlc2
lLlg6 14.mg2 f4 Sipahioglu - Ar
akelian, Urgup 2 004) 1O ... dxe5
1l.WIc2 lLlc6 12.lLld5 e4 13.lLld4
lLlxd4 14 ..b:d4 hd4 15.exd4 c6
16.lLlf4 WIe8f! Alonso - Vescovi,
Sao Paulo 1999 (game 11).
9 ..ib2 ge8 10 .dxe5
43
Chapter 2
1O.d5 e4 11.tt'ld2 a5 12.'c2
tt'lc5 13J'lab1 Wie7f! Wojcicki -
Lagowski, Poraj 2 003.
10 tt'lxe5 1l.tt'lxe5 ixe5 12.
..
ed2, Trifunovic - Minev, Zagreb
1955, 12 i.d7 13.gadl i.c6f!
.
D2c) 5.i.d3 i.g7
6.tt'lge2
After 6.d5, Black's delay in the
development of his g8-knight is
perfectIy justified: 6. . .f5 7.tt'lge2
tt'lgf6 8.b3 o-o 9.ib2 a6 1O.a4
Wie7 11.0-0 e4 12 ..tc2 tt'lg4 (He be
gins an immediate attack against
the enemy king, while everything
is quite calm on the queenside.)
13.h3 tt'lge5 14Jl:b1 g5f! Guenner
- Richter, Hilden 2 004.
After 6.tt'lf3 Black can react in
a standard fashion: 6... tt'le7 (Here,
the move 6 .. .f5 should be avoided
in view of 7.e4! exd4 8 ..tg5;t) 7.b3
o-o 8 ..tb2 f5 9.dxe5 tt'lxe5 1O.e4,
Schumacher - Weber, Bad Hom
burg 2005 (1O.i.e2 aSf!) 10 ...
tt'lxf3+ 11.Wixf3 tt'lc6+
6 ... tt'le7
44
7. 0 - 0
Black should not b e afraid
of 7.h4, because of 7 .. .f5 (The
fearless computer considers that
castling is quite safe for Black
without being afraid of the open
ing of the h-file: 7... 0-0 8.h5
exd4 9.exd4 c5f!) 8 .h5 tt'lf6 9.hxg6
hxg6 lOJ'lxh8+ hh8 11.e4 f4
12.Wib3 tt'lg4 13.dxe5 tt'lxe5f! Paasi
kangas - Sheremetieva, Manila
1992.
7 . 0 - 0 8.b3
8Jl:b1 f5 9.f3 tt'lf6 1O.b4 h8,
draw, Foisor - Fakhiridou, Ath
ens 2 004.
Black obtained an excellent po
sition in a game which was played
nearly a hundred years ago. 8.f4
exd4 9.exd4 tt'lb6 1O ..te3 l:l:e8 11.
.tf2 .tf5 12.tt'lg3 Wid7 13.a4 hd3
14.'xd3 d5! He fixes the weak
ness on d4 and gradually prepares
to attack it. 15.c5 tt'lc4 16.b3 tt'la5
17.tt'lb5 a6 18.tt'la3 tt'lac6+ Kostic -
Perlis, Carlsbad 1911.
8.b4?! exd4 9.tt'lxd4 c5 1O.bxc5
dxc5 11.tt'lde2 tt'le5 12.i.e4 Wixd1
13Jhd1 tt'lxc4 14.l:l:b1 b8+ Weiler
- Kojoukhar, Binz 1994.

There arises a very interesting
position which has not been ana
lyzed properly yet.
8 .. tLlc6
.
Black wishes to nullify the ten
sion in the centre and to have his
hands free for active operations
on the kingside. He has another
promising plan as well: 8. . . a6
9.b2 exd4, draw, Rodgaard -
Fries Nielsen, Esbjerg 1996, 10.
ltlxd4 (1O.exd4 cS - his knights
need reliable squares on cS, or eS,
so he clears the long diagonal -
11.1t1e4 1t1c6+) 1O...1tlc5 11..ic2 aS=
9 .ic2 f5
Now, Black is threatening to
push fS-f4 at an opportune mo
ment, so White must make up his
mind.
1 0 .d5 tLlb4 11 .ibl a5
. both sides ..
l.d4 d6 2.c4 eS 3.e3 ltl d7 4.1t1c3 g6
This prophylactic move is nec
essary; otherwise White wiIl gain
too much space after a3 and b4.
12.a3 tLla6 13 .ic2 e4+ Nei -
Klavins, Palanga 1961.
Under perfect conditions,
Black would like to deploy a knight
on the d3-square and to begin a
pawn-offensive against the en
emy king. In order to prevent this
White must place his knight on f4
(it is also attacking the e6-square
from there) and eventually un
dermine his opponent's e4-pawn
with the move f2-f3. Black has an
almost identical plan - to play
c8-d7 and c7-c6. So, both sides
have numerous possibilities and
the position holds chances for
4S
Chapter 2 l.d4 d6 2.c4 e5
Complete Games
7 Z.Mamedjarova-Muzychuk
Rijeka 2010
l.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.g3 exd4
4.exd4 ttJc6 5.edl g6 6 . .i.g2
.i.g7 7.lOf3 .ie6 8.ttJbd2 lOf6
9 . 0 - 0 O - O 1 0 .b3 d5 11..ia3
ge8 12.gc1 a5 13 ..ib2 d4 14.a3
14 .if5
..
Black had an interesting alter
native here - 14 ... ltJd7+, transfer
ring his knight to c5 and prepar
ing the pawn-breaks aS-a4, or
d4-d3. The move in the game was
also rather unpleasant for White,
since he did not have too many
useful moves left.
15.gel ed7 16.b4!?
This is an atlractive move, be
cause with its help White elimi
nates his opponent's powerful
d4-pawn. On the other hand, now
46
Black's pieces become tremen
dously active.
16 ... axb4 17.axb4 ttJxb4 18.
lOxd4
18 .. .ih3
It was much stronger for Black
to play 18 ... a2 ! , without being
afraid of the exchange 19.1tJxfS
Wfxf5, because after 2 0 ..i.c3 ltJg4
21.ltJf3, he has the beautiful com
bination 21...ltJxf2 ! 22.xf2 ltJd3+
23.f1 ltJxcl 24 ..bg7 (or 24.Wfxc1
c2) 24 ... axe2 25.xe2 ltJxe2
26.h6 ltJc3:::
White would not achieve much
with 19.c3, because of 19 ... ltJg4
2 0.ltJ2b3 ltJc2 ! 2 1.fl (21.ltJxc2
Wfxdl 22 .cxdl hc3) 21...ltJce3
22.fxe3 ltJxe3 23.Wfel (23.ltJxf5
ltJxdl 24.cxdl Wfxdl ! 25.xdl
hc3) ltJxg2 24. xg2 h3+ 25. gl

eS and Blaek maintains the advan
tage in all the variations.
19.tLl2f3 hg2 2 0 .'itlxg2 tLle4
2Ual tLla2
Now, the position beeomes al
most equal. Blaek eould have kept
a slight edge after 21...eS 22.1Mrb3
xa1 23.xa1 Wie7.
22.e2 a4 23.tLlb3 tLlb4
24.dl e6 25 .txg7 'itlxg7 26.
gxa8 gxa8 27.d4+ tLlf6 28.
gel e4 29.xe4
White was in too mueh of a
hurry to exehange queens. He
should have eontinued with 29.
eS! a3 30J'k4 xb3 31.xf6+
'itlxf6 32 .gxe4 with equality.
29 tLlxe4 3 0 .tLlbd4 ga2 31.
e5 tLld5 32.ge4 tLlee3 33.'itlfl
'itlf6 34.h4 e6 35.tLlg5 h6 36.
tLlgf3 gal+
Blaek eould have tried here
36 ... tt:le4 37.c1 tt:lde3.
37.'itlg2 ga4
38.tLld2
Blaek's task would be mueh
more diffieult after 38.xa4 tt:lxa4
39.tt:lb3 tt:lde3 40.tt:le1! (it is essen
tial to retain the eS-pawn) 40 ...
ttJxe2 41.ttJd3 and he wiIl have
great problems realizing his ma-
l.d4 d6 2.c4 eS
terial advantage.
38 ga2 39.tLl2b3 tLlxe2
.
4 0 .tLlxe2 gxe2 41.'itlf3 gb2 42.
tLld4 'itle5 43.tLle2 gb3+ 44.'itle2
tLle3+ 45.'itld2 tLle4+ 46.'itle2
f5. White resigned.
8 Huebner Balashov
Rio de Janeiro 1979
l.e4 e5 2.tLlc3 d6 3.d4 exd4
4.xd4 tLle6 5.d2 tLlf6 6.b3
.ie6 7.e4 a5 8.tLlge2 a4 9.gbl
axb3 10 .axb3 g6 1l.g3 .ig7
12 .ig2 O - O 13. 0 - 0 tLld7
14.tLld5 tLlc5 15.b4 tLla4 16.e2
tLle5
17.tLlef4
White ejeets his opponent's
bishop from the e6-square. Blaek
would have eountered 17.f4? with
17. . .ttJxe4! 18.xe4 e6't
47
Chapter 2
l7 .id7 lS.gel c6 19.1l:Je3
. ter 25.bxc5 ltlxc5 Black's position
lLlg4?!
It is difficult to understand
why Black voluntarily exchanges
his beautiful knight, which is so
powerful in the centre. After for
example: 19 . . J:le8 20.i.d2 b8 he
would have a quite acceptable po
sition.
2 0 .gb3 1We7 21.gdl lLlxe3
22.he3 .ig4 23.gd2
White makes a mistake too.
It was preferable for him to play
23.f3 i.d7 24J:ld2, exerting pres
sure against the enemy d6-pawn.
23 g5!
This move is surprising and
strong. Now White's knight can
not go to the h6-square and must
retreat.
24)l:Je2 he2?
This move is again difficult to
understand. Why was GM Bala
shov so insistent on exchanging
pieces in this game, completely
against the requirements of his
position? It was much stronger for
him to play 24 . . .c5! It is not good
for White to follow with 25.b5?
ttJb6::: and his pawn on c4 will be
come a target for Black, while af-
48
would be quite acceptable.
25.gxe2 ,f6 26.gd2 lLlc3
27.h3 b5
Now it is too late to offer Black
any good advice. After 27 .. .l'a2
28.d3 l"i:xd2 29.hd2 ttJa4 30.l"i:a3
ltlb6 31.i.c3 White's advantage is
not in doubt.
28.cxb5 cxb5
29.'it>h2!
This is an excellent prophy
lactic move in the style of Kar
pov. White's king runs away from
eventual checks.
29 ... gac8
If 29 ... l"i:a2, then 30.xc3
xc3 31.l"i:xc3 l"i:xd2 32.,bd2 ,bc3
33.i.xc3 and the endgame is win
ning for White.
3 0 .i.d4 ,xd4 3l.gxd4
hd4 32.1Wd2 .if6 33.1Wxd6
i.g7 34.e5 gfdS 35.gxc3. Black
resigned.
9 Mantovani V.Milov
BraUo 2001
l.b3
In this game the variation
which we analyze in Chapter 2

was reached va a very peculiar
move-order.
L ..e5 2.i.b2 d6 3.d4 exd4
4.'xd4 c6 5.,d2 f6 6.c4
d5 7.cxd5 i.b4 8. c3 xd5
9.a3 hc3 1 0 .hc3 xc3 11.
'xc3 O - O 12.f3 i.g4 13.e3
ge8 14.i.e2 ,d6 15. 0 - 0 e5
16.gfdl ,f6 17.ti'xc7 xf3+
18.ht'3 i.xf3 19.9xf3 ti'xf3
In an endgame with only ma
jor pieces the vulnerability of the
king is of particular importance.
White must worry a bit about his
king, but his actively placed queen
and rooks should compensate for
this.
2 0 .gacl h6 21.gd4?
Here it was correct for him
to play 21.gd7!, creating threats
along the seventh rank. After 21...
ge6 22.xb7 (White gains con
trol of the long diagonal just in
time.) 22 .. J3g6+ 23.';t>f1 h3+ 24.
't>e2 gf8, there arises a position
with mutual chances. For exam
pIe: 25.gc8 gxc8 26.xc8+ 't>h7
27. zgd8 h5+ 28.'t>d2 gb6 and
Black's position is quite accept
able.
l.d4 d6 2.c4 eS
21 ge6 22.gf4 gg6+ 23. 'it>fl
..
,h3+?
Black makes a mistake in turno
After 23 ... d5 (with the deadly
threat of 24 ...d3+) 24.c4 '?tfd7
his position would be preferable.
Here, he loses his b7-pawn un
necessarily.
24.'it>el 'e6 25.'lbb7 gd8
26.'it>e2 a5 27.gcc4
After 27.h4! gf6 28.gcc4 White
would have the edge.
N ow the game is again equal.
27... gg1 28.gfd4 U'8 29.
,d5 ,h3 3 0 .gdl dI 31.'xdl
,h5+ 32.'it>el ,xh2 33.,d5
'gl + 34. 'it>e2 ,bl
35J:a4?
White would have kept the
balance with the move 35.b4, for
example: 35 ... axb4 36.axb4 gb8
37.gf4 't>h8 38.'?tff5 '?tfxf5 39.gxf5
gxb4 40.rud7=
35 ... gb8! 36.gxa5 b3 37.
'it>f3 gb2 38.'it>g2 'g6+ 39.'it>f3
'c2 4 0 .ga8+ 'it>h7.
White resigned, since the rook
endgame after 41.e4+ xe4
42. 't>xe4 gxf2 would be beyond
salvation.
Chapter 2
1 0 Cyborowski - Krasenkow
Warsaw 2003
1.cJf3 d6 2.d4 g6 3.e4 i.g7
4.e3 d7 5.e3 e5 6.i.e2 f5
7.b3 e4 8.d2 gf6 9.i.b2
O - O 1 0 .e2 e5 1l.dxe5 dxe5
12.1Ml b6 13.d5 i.b7 14.bl
xd5 15.exd5 e5 16. O - O
g5 17.hl gad8
Black's forces seem to be more
actively deployed, but he can
scarcely create any real threats
against the enemy king.
18.c3 h8 19Jd2?!
White's position would be
rather unpleasant after 19.f4 exf3
20.gxf3 h4; instead he should
continue with 19.i.c4 a6 20.a4
e7 21.ttJe2, although even then
after 21...gS, Black retains a slight
initiative.
19 ... h6
He should have taken care
of the isolated dS-pawn: 19 ... a6
2 0.a4 Eld7 2 1.ic4 :l''1fd 8+
2 0 .b5 f4?!
After 20 ... :1l:xdS 21.:1l:fd1 :1l:xd2
22 .xd2 White controls the open
file as compensation for the sac
rificed pawn and his prospects in
the ensuing fight are about equal.
50
Still, Krasenkow was probably
not content with this and he de
cided to sacrifice a pawn himself
in order to seize the initiative.
This proved to be unsatisfactory
though ...
21.xe4 fxe3 22.fxe3 gxf1+
23.i.xfl gf8 24.ie2 f7?
Here Black should have played
24 ... d7 2S.i.f3 ixb2 26.Elxb2
gS 27.:1l:bLt
25.f4?
This was definitely not White's
best. After 2S.e7 ixb2 26.:1l:xb2
g7 27.e4 he would maintain an
overwhelming advantage.
25 ... hb2 26.xh6 xh6
27.gxb2 h:d5 28.gd2 ie4
It is more precise for Black
to opt for 28 ...ia8 ! ? 29.g1 fS
30.:1l:d3 i.e4 and his prospects are
not worse.
29.gl f5 3 0 .gd7 ie6 31.
ge7 ia8 32.xa7 xe3 33.ge8
g7 34.gxf8 xf8 35.e8
xg2?!
It was more resilient for him
to defend with 35 ... ttJd5 ! ? 36.i.f3
bS 37.ttJd6 b4.
36.xb6 ie6 37.d7+
h:d7

It is difficult to understand
why the opponents agreed to a
draw here. The endgame remains
rather unpleasant for Black, since
White's passed a-pawn could still
spell trouble.
11 R.Alonso Vescovi
Sao Paulo 1999
l.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.e3 d7
4.c3 g6 5.fJ Ag7 6.Ae2
e7 7. 0 - 0 O - O 8.b3 h6
9.Ab2 f5 10 .dxe5 dxe5 11.c2
c6 12.d5 e4 13.d4 xd4
14.hd4 hd4 15.exd4 c6 16.
f4 e8
17.d5?!
This is a loss of an important
tempo.
It was correct for White to play
17.h4 f6 18.'Wd2 'it>h7 with mu
tual chances.
17... f6 18.dxc6 bxc6 19.
g3
Here Black can counter 19.h4
l.d4 d6 2.c4 eS
with 19 ... gS! 20.hxgS hxgS 2 1.h3
f4 2 2.liJxgS 11?1eS! i His actively de
ployed forces more than compen
sate for the sacrificed pawn.
19 ...g5 2 0 .g2 f4 21.gxf4
gxf4 22.xf4?
It was necessary for White to
choose 22 .f3 'WeS 23J:'1adl with a
defensible position.
22 ... g4 23.hg4 hg4 24.
g2 AfJ 25.h4
25... Ah5?
Black was winning outright
with 2S ...11?1e6 !, for example:
2 6.tiJxf3 'Wg4+ 27.'it>hl 11?1xf3+ 28.
'it>gl 'it>h7 29.:1:Uel !lf4.
26.g"hl?
White would have maintained
excellent chances of a successful
defence with the line: 26.f3 !lf4
27.tiJg2 !lxf3 28.tiJh4 !lxfl + 29.!lxfl
11?1eS 30.11?1f2 'WgS+ 31.11?1g3.
26 ... gf4! 27.gg1+ g"h7 28.
g2 AfJ 29.h3 gh4. White re
signed.
SI
Chapter 3 1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.d5
Quick Repertoire
White certainly seizes space
with this, but 1 believe he reduces
the tension in the centre a bit too
early. The pawn-structure has
been defined and his general plan
is easy to understand - to atlack
on the queenside. Having this in
mind, Black must start immediate
action of his own.
3 . .f5
. pawn with the idea of seizing the
This is his most popular and
principled decision. There is no
longer any danger of a transition
into an endgame (dxe5 dxe5) and
Black begins his fight for the
centre. One of the drawbacks of
his last move is the fact that
after 4.e4, the subsequent play is
semi-forced and it would be diffi
cult for Black to try something
52
new with the idea o f outplaying
sorne less skillful opponent. This
is a common problem, however,
since these days there are not so
many uninformed players left an
yway...
4.e4
White temporarily sacrifices a
central e4-outpost.
The solid set-up based on the
king's bishop fianchetlo 4.g3 can
not create any real problems for
Black. For example: 4 ... ct:lf6 5.ct:lc3
g6 (White's rather timid and slow
play enables Black to fianchetlo
his own king's bishop as well if he
so wishes.) 6 ..1g2 .1g7 7.e4 o-o 8.
ct:lge2 ct:lbd7 9.0-0 ct:lcS 1O.f3 aS.

Black has deployed his forces in
an excellent fashion and can face
the future with optimismo
This main line was tested al
most thirty years ago: 4.lZJc3 tLJf6
5.i.g5 and Black found reliable
paths to equality: 5 . . .i.e7 6.i.xf6.
White is fighting for the e4-out
post and avoids blundering a
pawn (6.e3? tLJxd5 ! , or 6:c2?
tLJxd5). There may foIlow: 6 ... i.xf6
7.e4 o-o 8.i.d3 g6 9:c2 tLJa6 10.
a3 tLJc5 11.tLJge2 a5. Black has an
exceIlent position.
4 .,fxe4
He does not wish to reduce the
tension with the move 4 .. .f4, while
after 4 ...g6 5.exf5 gxf5? White has
the powerful resource 6.1Mrh5+.
5.liJe3 liJf6 6.liJge2
6 .. liJa6
In the chapter Step by Step we
shaIl analyze the popular altema
tive for Black here 6. . .i.f5. The
idea of the text move is to force
the exchange of a pair of knights;
1.d4 d6 2.c4 eS 3.d5f5
otherwise, Black does not have
enough space for so many pieces
in his campo
7.liJg3 liJe5 8.i.g5 i.e7 9.
i.xf6 .ixf6 10 .liJexe4 liJxe4 11.
liJxe4 O - O
White has a n excellent outpost
on e4, but he cannot brag about
much else in this position. Black
has the bishop-pair and a solid
position.
12.i.d3 e7 13. 0 - 0 i,g5
Black's bishop is betler placed
on the cl-h6 diagonal than on f6.
Meanwhile, it would be useful for
him to weaken his opponent's
kingside slightly.
14.tte2 i.f4 15.g3 i,h6
If White launches an offensive
on the queenside (he has no other
reasonable plan to win the game ...)
he wiIl inevitably weaken his con
trol over the kingside. However,
this deserves serious considera
tion after the move g2 -g3 has been
played. . .
53
Chapter 3 1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.d5
Step by Step
3 ... f5
This is the most popular move
for Blaek and 1 think it is the best.
NaturaIly, he has sorne other at
traetive possibilities too. 1 wiIl not
go into details, but wiIl show you
sorne examples in whieh it aIl
ended more or less favourably for
him. If you like these plans, you
can study and analyze them, pref
erably with the help of a eompu
ter.
3 ...e7 (This is a typical plan
for the Benoni system. Blaek
wishes to exehange the dark
squared bishops. The idea of ad
vancing f7-f5 also remains on his
agenda.) 4.liJe3 (If 4.liJf3, prevent
ing the deployrnent of the blaek
bishop to g5, Blaek can later ex-
54
ehange this knight with his bishop
on e8 and play g5 anyway. For
example: 4 ... liJd7 5.liJe3 a5 - this
is a useful prophylaetic move:
Blaek's knight wiIl now be safe on
the e5-square - 6.e4 liJe5 7.e3
g4 8.h3 hf3 9:xf3 g5 10.
he5 - this is the eorreet decision,
sinee the exehange of the dark
squared bishops would solve all
Blaek's opening problems - 10 ...
dxe5 11.g3 liJe7 12 .h4 h6 13.h3
o-o 14.'Wh5 :Ele8 15.0-0 liJe8 -
Blaek's position is solid, but a bit
passive, Sinitsin - Pridorozhni,
Tomsk 2 007.) 4 ... a5 5.e4 g5
6.hg5 'Wxg5 7. liJf3 'We7 8.e5!?
(White is trying to exploit his
slight lead in development.) 8 ...
dxe5 !? (This is an enterprising
move. It looks safer for Blaek to
opt for 8 ... liJf6, which has been
tried in praetiee several times.)
9.liJb5 i>f8 1O.e4 liJh6 1l.h3 g6
12 .d6 (This is an attraetive pawn
break, but its advantages are far
from obvious. The position is sim
plified and Blaek's b8-knight ob
tains aeeess to the exeeIlent e6-
square.) 12 ...exd6 13.'Wxd6 'Wxd6
14.liJxd6 liJe6 with a very good po-
 l.d4 d6 2.c4 eS 3.dSf5 4.g3 liJf6 S. liJc3 g6 6.i.g2 i.g7
sition for Black, Postny - Nijboer,
Budva 20 09. Possibly, White has
sufficient compensation for the
pawn, but not more.
3 ...g6 (Black fianchettoes his
bishop, trying to play in the spirit
of the King's Indian Defence.) 4.
e4 a5 (In another game Black ma
noeuvred quite skilfully with his
knights and obtained exceHent
counterplay on the kingside: 4 ...
ttJd7 5.liJc3 i.g7 6.liJf3 liJe7 7.i.e2
O-O 8.h4 liJf6 9.liJg5 h6 10.liJh3
liJh7 11.i.e3 f5f Khmelniker -
Nevednichy, Warsaw 2005.) 5.
liJc3 liJd7 6.liJf3 liJeS 7.i.e3 b6 8.
ie2 h5 9.a3 liJf6 1O.ig5 a4 11.0-0
ie7 12.1c2 't!if8 13.:1'lad1 't!ig7 -
Black has built up a solid defen
sive line aH over the entire board,
Berry - McNab, Oban 2 005.
A) 4.g3
B) 4.ttJc3
e) 4.e4
About 4.liJf3 liJf6 5.liJc3 - see
4.liJc3 liJf6 5 .liJf3.
The move 4.e3 looks a bit arti
ficial and Black should not have
any problems in obtaining a good
position. I think he would do bet
ter to to fianchetto his king's bish
op, for example: 4 ...g6 5.ie2 ig7
6.liJc3 liJd7 7.liJf3 liJh6 8.h4 o-o 9.
c2 e4 1O.liJd4 liJe5 11.id2 c5 12.
dxc6 bxc6 13.f4 exf3 14.gxf3 c5f
Plass - Popchev, Val Thorens 1990.
A) 4.g3
White's kingside fianchetto is
a very solid set-up, but it is not
very ambitious. In reply, Black
can fianchetto his own king's
bishop and develop his forces
comfortably.
4 .. ttJf6 5.ttJc3
There is a transposition of
moves after 5.ig2 g6 6.liJc3.
5 g6 6.ig2 ig7
..
Al) 7.e3
A2) 7.h4
A3) 7.e4
A4) 7.ttJf3
I believe the move 7.ig5 is just
a waste of time for White. He does
not intend to exchange his bishop
for the knight, since the idea of
55
Chapter 3

creating an outpost on e4 for his harrnoniously and now provokes

pieces is not very realistic; but
otherwise after h7-h6 he wiIl have
to retreat his bishop. After that
White is unable to exert pressure
against the h6-pawn: 7... 0-0 8.e4
h6 9.i.e3 lLlg4 10.d2 lLlxe3 11.
xe3, M.Kovacs - Szarvas, De
brecen 1998, 11 ... lLla6+
his opponent to begin prernature
active operations. If White con
tinues to rnanoeuvre calrnly, then
Black wiIl start an offensive hirn
self - e5-e4, g6-g5 etc.
A2) 7.h4

Al) 7.e3
The rnoves g3 and e3 do not
cornbine weIl together, but White's
idea is understandable. He wishes
to place his king on gl, but is
afraid of the pawn-breaks e5-e4
and f5-f4, so he builds sorne pro
tection against this possibility.
7... 0 - 0 8.lge2 lbd7 9.
o-o
9Jb1 e4 10.0-0 lLle5 11.b3 g5
12.lLld4, McMahon - Fernando, This aggression can hardly be
Mondariz 2000, 12 ... e7 13.a3 justified. White's pieces are not
d7+! weIl prepared for an assault along
9 a5 10 .a3 b6 lUbl i.a6
.. the rook's file.
l2.b3, Srnit - SoIleveld, Nijrne 7... ttJbd7 8.lh3 a5 9.lg5
gen 1992. lf8
l2 ... lc5 l3.c2 e7+! The e6-square has been relia
bly protected.
1 0 .e4 h6

Black has deployed his forces

56
 l.d4 d6 2.c4 eS 3.dSf5 4.g3 liJf6 S. liJc3 g6 6.i.g2 i.g7
1l.liJe6
Penetrating with the knight to
e6 is a standard idea which was
played by Mark Taimanov in his
match against Robert Fischer.
There however Black was forced
to give up his bishop on c8 for the
knight on e6 and his light squares
were considerably weakened.
Here, though, Black simply wins a
pawn and graduaIly neutralizes
his opponent's piece-activity.
1l . liJxe6 12.dx:e6 e6
It is essential for him to cover
the dS-square and to close the
long light-squared diagonal.
13.h5
This is an unpleasant move for
Black, but he can cope with it.
13 he6 14.hxg6 fxe4 15.
e2
1S.V'ifb3 bS+,; 1S.liJxe4 liJxe4 16.
he4 hc4 17.g4 1!f!f6 18.hc6+
bxc6 19.1!f!xc4 dS't
15 d5+ Doyle - McNab,
Hamilton 2010 (game 12).
A3) 7.e4 O - O
8.liJge2
IfWhite presents his opponent
with a pawn-pair in the centre -
8.exfS gxfS 9.liJge2, then Black
wiIl have an excellent position:
9 ... aS 1O.f3 liJa6 11.0-0 i.d7 (This
is prophylaxis against the possible
sortie liJc3-bS. Now, Black's queen
does not need to protect the c7-
pawn and he can bring it closer to
the kingside.) 12 .i.e3 1!f!e8 13.b3
liJhS 14J'k1 f4 (He is already well
prepared for the start of his offen
sive.) 1S.gxf4 exf4 16 ..if2 liJeS+!
Danov - Minie, Wijk aan Zee
1971.
8.f3 (This is admittedly a very
solid move, but the bishop on g2
may now feel a bit unhappy...) 8 ...
aS 9.liJge2 liJa6 10. 0-0 .id7 11.h3
1!f!e7 12.i.e3 E1ad8 13.'ttih 2 i.c8+!
Radzvilaviciene - Srebrnic, Nova
Gorica 1999.
8 ... liJbd7 9. 0 - 0 liJe5 1 0 .f3
a5
(diagram)
Black has built up a solid de
fensive line and he waits to see his
opponent's intentions.
1l .ie3
57
Chapter 3
White's attempt to provoke
complications with the move 11.
lLla4?! looks rather dubious: 11 ...
fxe4 12.lLlxcS exf3 13.ixf3 dxcS
14.lLlc3 i.h3 lSJe1 1Mfd7 16.e3
b6"t Cruz Lledo - Strikovic, Beni
dorm 2007 (game 13). Why did
White sacrifice a pawn in the first
place?
1l .id7 12.\Wd2 fxe4
..
Black simplifies the position.
He could have still maintained the
tension with: V!1e7, E:ad8, c6 etc.
13Ajxe4 ltJcxe4 14.fxe4
ltJg4
This move provokes a new se
ries of exchanges.
15.gxf8+ \Wxf8 16.gf1 \We7
17 .ig5 .if6 18 . .bf6 1tJxf6 19.h3
g7= Laisaari - Kivi, corro 1976.
A4) 7.1tJf3 O - O
(diagram)
8.0-0
I n the following game White
seemed to be carrying out a plan
to penetrate the e6-square with
his knight, but then he refrained
from sacrificing a pawn: 8.e4 lLla6
9.lLlgS f4 (This is an important
S8
move, since Black closes the long
diagonal.) 1O.lLlh3 (White possi
bly believed that Black was forced
to capture on g3, but that was an
illusion ... ) 1O ... lLlcS! 11.f3 (11.gxf4?
lLlfxe4 12 .lLlxe4 lLlxe4 13 ..be4
ixh3::) 11...aS 12.lLlf2 (Once again
it is not good for White to capture
the pawn, if only because of the
following variation: 12.gxf4 lLlxdS!
13.V!1xdS+ i.e6 14.V!1d1 ixh3 lS.
ixh3 \wh4+) 12 ... fxg3 (Now Black
is happy to make this exchange.
After his opponent has lost so
many tempi to transfer his knight
from f3 to f2, he should have no
problems whatsoever.) 13.hxg3
lLlhS 14.lLle2 c6 Cacco - Berend,
Turin 2006.
8 ... a5
This is useful prophylactic
move, although the following re
cent game shows that b2-b4 is not
such a great threat after all: 8 ...
h6!? 9.b4 aS 1O.bxaS E:xaS 11.i.d2
lLlbd7 12 .lLlh4 h7 13.V!1c2 lLlb6
Jacobsen - Krasenkow, Copenha
gen 2010.
9.e4
White can hardly manage
 l.d4 d6 2.c4 eS 3.d515 4. ttJc3 ttJf6

without this move, because quiet @h8 Mishra - Hodgson, Dhaka

half-measures would not create 1993 (game 14). White's pieces
any problems for Black at all. For are active, but still the kingside
example: usually belongs to Black, since the
9.ig5 h6 1O.id2 g5 11.1Mfc2 pawn-strocture favours his opera
ttJa6 12.a3 1Mfe8 13Jl:ab1 1Mfh5 14.b4 tions there.
axb4 15.axb4 f4 Granero Roca -
Garza Marco, Zaragoza 1998, or B) 4.tLlc3
9.ttJe1 ttJbd7 1O.1Mfc2 ttJc5 11.ttJd3
ttJxd3 12.1Mfxd3 b6 13.e4 1Mfe7 14.
:gel fxe4 15.ttJxe4 if5 16.ig5 h6
17.hf6 hf6 18.1Mfd2 ig7 Belous
- Matjushin, Zaporozhje 2010.
9 tLla6 10 .exS gxf5 11.
ie3
The complications are favour
able for Black after 1l.ttJh4 ttJcS
12.ig5 f4! ? 13.gxf4 h6 14.hf6
1Mfxf6 15.1Mfh5 exf4't Gonzalez -
Strikovic, La Corona 1996.
11 . tLlg4 12 . .ig5 This move used to be consid
ered as the best for White sorne
thirty years ago, but later the eval
uation changed.
4 .. tLlf6

12 ...1Mfe8
This is a standard manoeuvre
in the King's Indian Defence -
Black's queen goes to h5, although
sometimes it may occupy the g6- B1) 5.f3
square as well. B2) 5.tLlf3
13.h3 tLlf6 14.1Mfd2 ,h5 15. B3) 5.,c2
tLlh4 .id7 16 ..if3 ,f7 17.@h2 B4) 5 ..ig5

59
Chapter 3
5.g3 g6 - see 4.g3.
5.e4 fxe4 - see 4.e4 fxe4 5.ltlc3
ltlf6.
It looks very original for White
to play 5.f4 e4 6.e3 g6 7.ltlh3 ig7
8.ltlf2 a5 9.ie2 ltlbd7 1O.Wc2 ltlc5
U ..id2 O-O 12 .ltlb5 c6 13.ltld4
.id7 14.0-0 c;t>h8, but Black has
nothing to complain about, Fa
yard - McNab, Hastings 1989.
B1) 5.f3
White wishes to build a power
fuI pawn-chain on the light
squares, similar to the Saemisch
system in the King's Indian De
fence. Black has not fianchettoed
his bishop yet however, so there
will be no transposition to the
Saemisch.
5 J.e7!
..
This is the right response. He
is preparing to castle quickly,
place his knight on h5 and follow
up with the exchange of the dark
squared bishops with ie7-g5.
6.e4 fxe4
In principIe, Black can post
pone this exchange, but this is the
60
simplest continuation; otherwise,
White may seize control of the e4-
outpost.
7.fxe4 o - o 8.lf3
White played rather inconsist
ently and slowly in the following
game: 8.g3 ltla6 9.ih3 ltlc5 10 .
1We2 a5 11.J.g2 c6=t Medancic -
Sulava, Toscolano 1996.
8 J.g4 9.J.e2 h5 10 .g3
.
d7 11.J.e3
It is possibly better to opt for
U.O-O!?, but even then after U ...
ih3 12J''!f2 a5 Black obtains a
comfortable position:
1l ...J.h3 12.gg1 ig400 Welke
- Grabarczyk, Muehlhausen 2004.
B2) 5.f3 J.e7
IfWhite does not wish to waste
time on sorne enjoyable but not
essential operations, such as fian
chettoing bishops, and instead
develops his pieces energetically
(planning to fight for the centre
later with the move e4), then
Black should hurry with his own
development and immediately
place his bishop on e7. After the

move-order which White has cho
sen, the plan of g6 and !J.g7 seems
to me to be a bit slow for Black.
B2a) 6.g3
B2b) 6.e4
For 6.c2 o-o - see variation
B3.
B2a) 6.g3
This move is rather indiffer
ent.
6 .. 0 - 0 7..ig2 a5 8. 0 - 0
After 8.a3 Black should con
tinue in the same "gentleman-like
fashion" with: 8 ... e8 9.b3 !J.d7
1O.!J.b2 liJa6 1l.liJd2, Zsinka -
Hausner, Hamburg 1990, 11.. .e4
12 .e3 liJcS't
8 . liJa6
9.a3
After 9.b3 e8 1O.!J.a3 Black
ean already start an attaek: 1O .. .f4!?
11.gxf4 exf4 12.liJd4, Poobesh - Ak
shayraj, Negombo 2003, 12 ...S't
White eould eonsider transfer
ring his knight to d3 in order to
harass Blaek's knight on eS: 9.liJe1
liJeS l O.liJd3, Platonov - Silivanov,
l.d4 d6 2.c4 eS 3.d5j5 4.liJc3 liJf6
Smolensk 2005. It would not be
good for Black to exchange on d3,
since White may recapture with
his pawn and later play f2-f4, be
ginning the destruction of Black's
pawn-centre. Black can protect
his knight: 1O ... liJfd7 l1.liJxcS (if
1l.!J.e3, then 1l ... liJxd3 12.exd3
and, owing to the fact that White's
knight has abandoned the f-file,
Blaek can eontinue with 12 .. .f4 !
13.!J.d2 liJeS+!) 1l ... liJxcS 12.!J.e3
b6 13.d2 !J.d7+! - he has fortified
his position and can now simply
wait for a while to see what his op
ponent plans to do next.
9 .. liJc5
Blaek's knights eye the e4-out
post. The following examples
show that White's queenside
pawn-offensive is not so danger
ous after all:
1 0 .ie3
Or 1O.E1b1 !J.d7 1l.b4 liJce4
(This is an exeellent square for the
knight!) 12.liJxe4 liJxe4 13.b3
axb4 14.axb4 !J.a4 1S.b2 !J.f6i Gu
nawan - Seirawan, Jakarta 1983.
10 b6 1l.b4 liJce4 12.liJxe4
..
liJxe4 13.'M>3 'We8
61
Chapter 3

14.cS?! White is overextend 9 ... la6 10 .lxe4 O - O

ing and thanks to this Black acti
vates his kingside pieces and seiz
es the initiative. 14 . . .bxcS 1S.
bxcS i.a6 16.ga2 gb8 17.Wc2
,bS+ Meier - Mohrlock, Germa
ny 1999.

B2b) 6.e4

1l.i.d3
White is forced to comply with
the exchange of his light-squared
bishop; otherwise, after 11.i.e2
tLlb4 12.1fb1 c6 he is in a big trou
ble.
1l...lb4 12.Wb3 lxd3+ 13.
Wxd3 We8 14. 0 - 0 Wg6 1S.fa
White immediately begins the hSf! Auchenberg - Vorotnikov,
fight for the e4-square. 1 believe Copenhagen 1990.
this is the only plan that can cre
ate any problems for Black. B3) S.'c2 i.e7
6 ...lxe4
It is advantageous for him to
exchange a pair of knights, so he
captures on e4 with a knight.
7.lxe4 fxe4 8.ld2 i.f5 9.
Wc2
Following 9.e2 c6 1O.tLlxe4
cxd5 11.cxd5 O-O, Black is consid
erably ahead in development.
White's queen on e2 is misplaced
and he must lose two more tempi
to develop his bishop on f1. Mean
while, Black succeeds in creating If 1 have to sum up what 1 have
real threats: 12.g3 a5+ 13.tLlc3 said until now, 1 would like to for
tLla6 14..tg2 tLlc5+ Simantsev - mulate the following rule: if in
Kovalevskaya, Tula 2001. similar positions White does not

62

lose time for moves ofthe type g2-
g3 and he fights for the e4-square,
then it is reasonable for Black to
refrain from a king's fianchetlo
and develop his bishop to e7 with
the idea to castle short as quickly
as possible.
6.e4
White has tested other possi
bilities in the diagrammed posi
tion, but without particular suc
cess. For example:
6.e3 o-o 7.b3 a5 8.b2 ltJa6
9.a3 We8 1O.ltJf3 .id7 11.e2 h8
12 .h4 c6 M.Guseva - M.Fomi
nykh, Vladimir 2002 (game 15).
6.ltJf3 O-O 7.e3 (7.e4 ltJxe4 8.
ltJxe4 fxe4 9.Wxe4 f5 1O.We3
ltJa6+ Felicio - Todorov, Figueira
da Foz 2009) 7... a5 8.b3 ltJa6 9.a3
.id7 1O.ie2 c6 11.dxc6 bxc6 12.
O-O ltJc5 Monin - Kurilov, Sto
Petersburg 2002.
In response to 6.g3, Black
must try immediately to under
mine his opponent's centre: 6 ...c6
7..ig2 cxd5 8.cxd5 ltJa6 9.ltJh3
(White does not wish to cover the
diagonal of his bishop on g2, not
to lose at sorne moment his d5-
pawn, because Black has the pos
sibility of a double atlack with his
knight - ltJa6-b4.) 9 ... 0-0 10.0-0
h6 11.a3 .id7 12 .b4 ltJc7 13.a4 Wc8!
(This is an exceIlent multi-pur
pose move: Black is threatening
now both ltJc7xd5, as weIl as f5-
f4.) 14.Wd3 (White parries both
threats, but here Black can open
"a second front" on the queen
side.) 14 ...b5! 15.a5 Wb7+ Djukic
l.d4 d6 2.c4 eS 3.dSj5 4.ltJc3 ltJf6
- Gaponenko, Pozarevac 2009.
6 ...fxe4
If he begins with 6 ... ltJxe4,
then after 7.ltJxe4 fxe4, besides
8.Wxe4, White has another idea -
8.ltJe2 followed by ltJc3(g3), in or
der to capture on e4 with his
knight.
7.ltJxe4
It would be too slow for White
to play 7.ltJge2 o-o 8.ltJg3, Cardili
- Papa, Bratlo 2005, 8 ... ltJa6 9.
ltJgxe4 ltJxe4 1O.ltJxe4 c6+
7... ltJxe4 8.Wxe4 O - O
It is well known that the queen
is not a good blocker and it wiIl
not remain for long on the e4-
square. White must play very
carefuIly to avoid having great
problems.
9.c2
About 9.ltJf3 if5 - see 6.ltJf3
o-o 7.e4.
9 ..id3 f5 1O.We2 i.xd3 11.
Wxd3 ltJd7 12 ..ie3 (12.ltJf3? ltJc5
13.Wc2 e4) 12 ....ig5 13.ltJf3?, Des
nos - Hileyan, France 2002 (it is
betler for White to play here 13.
ltJe2 ixe3 14.Wxe3 Wh4) 13 ...
63
Chapter 3
tLlcS 14.hc5 (14.c2 .b:e3 1S.fxe3
e4-+) 14 ... e4 lS.xe4 l'!e8 16.
tLlxgS xgS 17.xe8+ l'!xe8+ 18.
i.e3 l'!xe3+ 19.fxe3 xe3-+
9 W1e8
Black concentrates aH his forc
es on the kingside. The fight for
the key e4-square continues!
10 .J.e3 J.f5 1l.J.d3 g6 12.
.ixf5 lhf5 13. 0 - 0 - 0
White has evacuated his king
to the queenside, but this does not
mean that his hands are quite free
for actions on the other side of the
board. Black's forces are focused
on the kingside and he impedes
White's eventual pawn-offensive
there.
13 ... d7 14.h4 af8iZ She
naev - Chernikov, Odintsovo
2008.
B4) 5.J.g5
He has a complicated agenda.
He wishes to exchange his bishop
for Black's knight, advance e2-e4,
exchange on fS, exchange the
light-squared bishops and with an
insight in the future, to remain
64
with a powerful knight (comfort
ably deployed on the central e4-
outpost) against a "bad" dark
squared bishop.
NaturaHy, it would be hardly
possible to accomplish aH that
without the help of the opponent.
5 ...J.e7 6.J.xf6
White blunders sometimes a
pawn at this moment, for exam
pIe: 6.e3? tLlxdS! 7.tLlxdS hgS 8.
h4 i.e7 9.tLlf3 c6 1O.tLlc3 tLld7 11.
c2 tLlf6+ Profaizer - Tseshko
vsky, Gmunden 2 007, or 6.c2?
tLlxdS 7.i.xe7 tLlxe7 8.e4 O-O 9.
i.d3 tLlbc6+ Oyaga - Strikovic,
Pamplona 2007.
He has tried in practice the
move 6.h4 - White protects his
bishop and parries tLlf6xdS, but
the move h4 does not create any
threats and is hardly useful for
him in this position. There may
follow: 6 ... 0-0 7.tLlf3 tLla6 8.c2
e4 9.tLld4 h6 1O.i.d2 tLlg4 11.g3
if6+ Handke - Ubilava, Benasque
1998.
6 ...J.xf6 7.e4
It is at least inconsistent for
him to opt for 7.e3 o-o 8.tLlf3 aS
9.i.e2 tLla6 1O.a3 id7 11.l'!c1 tLlcS.
Black has deployed perfectly his
forces and his position is prefera
ble. White's queenside diversion
cannot change this evaluation:
12.b4 axb4 13.axb4 tLla4 14.tLlxa4
l'!xa4+ Krasenkova - M.Fomi
nykh, Moscow 2010.
7... 0 - 0 8.J.d3
8.tLlf3 tLla6 9.ie2 e8 1O.tLld2
W1g6 11.i.f3 tLlcS 12.e2 i.gS+

Black wins the fight for the e4-
square and this means his pros
pects in the oncoming battle are
superior, Ferk - MicheU, Austria
200l.
White's direct attempt to win
the fight for the e4-outpost would
not work, because after the
straightforward Une: 8.exf5 hf5
9.i.d3, Black has a very powerful
argument 9 ...e4 ! , for example:
1O.lLlxe4 e8 11.f3 i.xb2 12.b1
i.d4 with an advantage for him.
8 g6
. .
He maintains the tension in
the centre and after an eventual
exchange on f5, wishes to recap
ture with a pawn, not conceding
the e4-square to his opponent. In
general, it is also good for Black to
play f5-f4, but he plans to do this
only after White has placed his
knight on e2, since f5-f4 would be
much stronger then.
9.e'c2
9.lLlge2 f4 1O.f3, Tousif - Mc
Nab, Manila 1992, 1O ...i.h4+ 11.
g3 i.g5+
9.lLlf3 lLla6 1O.c1 'it>h8 11.h4
l.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.d5.f5 4. lLlc3 lLlf6
f4? Petrovic - Medak, Djakovo
1994.
9 ... tba6 1 0 . a3 tbc5 1l.tbge2
a5 12. 0 - 0
12.b3 f4 13.f3 i.h4+ 14.'it>d2,
Szwier - Ponceleusz, Milanowek
2001, 14 .. JMfg5+
12 f4 13.f3 a4 14.tbc1 g5
Black has realised everything
he has been dreaming of. His op
ponent has no threats on the
queenside and Black has already
begun his kingside offensive.
15 .te2 ;U7
It deserves attention for him
to choose 15...i.d7 with a sudden
and very unpleasant threat for
White \Wd8-b8-a7, increasing the
control over the dark squares. If
6.b4, then after 16... axb3 17.lLlxb3
lLla4, Black maintains the initia
tive.
16.b4 axb3 17.tbxb3 tbxb3
18. 'lWxb3 b6? Broemel - Espig,
Stralsund 1988.
C) 4.e4
This is the most energetic
move for White. He wishes to ob-
65
Chapter 3
tain an outpost for his pieces on
the e4-square.
4 ...fxe4
Black cannot keep his pawn on
f5, because after 4 ... g6 5.exf5
gxf5?, White has 6.Wlh5+.
He is reluctant to play 4 ... f4, as
well, since this reduces the ten
sion in the centre and White will
increase effortlessly his space ad
vantage.
5.c3 f6 6.ge2
This knight is headed fir the
g3-square, after which White will
restore the material balance.
His alternative is - 6.g5
tLlbd7 7.tLlge2 (7.tLlxe4 :fJ.e7 8.tLlg3?
- this is a well known mistake. In
stead, White had better capture
the knight on f6 with his bishop
8 ... tLlxd5 9.:fJ.h6 tLlf4 1O.hg7 g8
11.tLlh5, Jacob - Stevenson, Troon
2006, 11...tLlc5 12.tLlxf4 xg7 13.
tLld5 c6 14.tLlxe7 WlxeTt) 7... :fJ.e7 8.
tLlg3? (He was rather careless in
this game as well.) 8 ... tLlxd5
9.tLlxd5 hg5 1O.tLlxe4 :fJ.e7 11.Wlh5+
g6 12.Wlh6 :fJ.f8 13.Wld2 c6 14.tLldc3
tLlf6+ Soln - Tratar, Bled 1999.
66
The experimental idea 6.h3
would not bring White any divi
dends. In fact, if he will advance
his rook pawn, he should better
push it further in order to weaken
somehow Black's kingside. 6 ...h5
7.tLlge2 :fJ.f5 8.tLlg3 :fJ.g6 9.Wle2
(otherwise, Black will repel the
enemy knight with the move h5-
h4 and White will have problems
recapturing his pawn) 9 ... tLlbd7
1O.tLlgxe4 tLlxe4 1l.tLlxe4 Wlh4! ?
(Black leads i n development, so in
principIe he should not be afraid
of complications.) 12 .tLlg5 tLlc5
13.g3 Wld4 14.:fJ.e3 tLld3+ 15.Wlxd3
Wlxd3 16.:fJ.xd3 :fJ.xd3 17.c1 c5 18.
d2 f5= He has a bishop-pair
and a very solid position, Zaja -
Biti, Velika Gorica 2003.
el) 6 i.f5
...
e2) 6 a6
el) 6 . :fJ.f5
This is the most popular move
for Black, after which, in the main
line, he reaches a practically equal
position, a bit passive, though ...
7.g3 :fJ.g6
 l.d4 d6 2.c4 eS 3.d515 4.e4 fxe4 S. ltJc3 ltJf6 6.ltJge2

C1a) 8 ..ie2 is much easier to defend than to

C1b) 8.h4 atlack.
C1c) 8 ..ig5 16. O - O .ie5 17 .id4 ti'f6,

draw, Mchedlishvili - R.Mame

C1a) 8 . .ie2 doy, Calvia 2007.
This rather modest move
enables Black to complete effort
lessly his development and to en C1b) 8.h4
ter complications advantageous This move is premature.
ly. 8 ... h6
8 ....ie7 9 .ie3 o - o 1 0 .ti'b3

At first, White provokes the

move b7-b6 and he places his
queen on c2 only later, increasing
the pressure against the e4-pawn.
Ifhe plays immediately lO:c2,
then Black can undermine the
centre with 1O ... c6 1Ud1 cxdS
12 .ltJxdS ltJxdS 13.l"lxdS ltJd7 14.
O-O ltJf6 lS.l"ld2 Wic7 16.l"lfd1
l"lfc8 Bozinovic - Tischbierek,
Bie1 2004.
10 ... b6 1l.ti'c2 ltJbd7 12. Black not only ensures the
ltJgxe4 ltJxe4 13.ltJxe4 ltJf6 14. safety of his light-squared bishop,
ltJxf6 + .ixf6 15.Wid2 but he defends against his oppo
(diagram) nent's thematic manoeuvre - .tc1-
15 .. e4!? gSxf6.
This is a thematic move. Black 9.'c2
opens the long diagonal for his 9.hS .th7 1O ..te2 ltJa6 1l ..te3
bishop on f6 and the pawn on e4 .te7 12 .a3, Avrukh - K1enburg,

67
Chapter 3
Internet 2004, 12 ... liJc5 13.0-0
O-O
9 ... tDbd7 1 0 .e3 JJ.e7 11.h5
If White postpones this ad
vance and regains at first his pawn
- 11.liJcxe4 liJxe4 12.ltJxe4 O-O,
then in reply to 13.hS
Black can already play 13 ...
JJ.xe4! ? 14"xe4 i.gS (He is notice
ably ahead in development, so he
is not afraid of an attack against
his king.) lS.i.d3 liJf6 16.g6
he3 17.fxe3 e4 18.e2 c6+ Black's
king is completely safe, which
cannot be said for its counterpart,
Bernasek - Espig, Pardubice
2008.
11 ...h7 12.tDexe4 tDxe4 13.
liJxe4, Voinov - Gurov, Kolomna
2008, 13 ... 0 - 0 14.JJ.d3
68
14 he4!?
We have already seen this re
source in the game Bernasek -
Espig: the vulnerability of the
light squares is not dangerous for
Black. It is essential for him to ex
change the dark-squared bishops
and later he wiIl place his knight
on f6, cover the h7-square and
prepare counterplay in the centre
with eS-e4, c7-c6 etc.
15.he4 .ig5
ele) 8 ..ig5
8 . tDbd7
. .
The idea of this move is to
force the opponent to recapture
the e4-pawn (otherwise, it wiIl be
protected with the move liJcS) and
thanks to this to exchange a pair
of knights. The same idea is be
hind the move 6 ... liJa6, which we
shaIl analyze a bit latero
In answer to 8 ...e7, 1 think it
would be very unpleasant for
Black ifWhite plays 9.h4! In prac
tice Black has tried numerous al
ternatives here, but White main-
 l.d4 d6 2.c4 eS 3.d5 15 4.e4 fxe4 S.tiJc3 tiJf6 6. tiJge2
tains superior prospects in all
lines.
The rnove 9 .. .h5 weakens
Black's kingside too rnuch: 10.
hf6 hf6 11.tiJgxe4 (but not 11.
te2? because of 1l ... e3! 12.hh5
exf2+ 13.f1 hh5 14.tiJxh5 tiJd7
15.tiJe4 e7+ Danner - Yrjola, Ba
turni 1999 - game 16) 11 ....bh4
(1l ... tiJd7 12.td3 i.f7 13.g3 e7 14.
tiJb5t) 12.te2 tiJd7 (12 ... tiJa6 13.g3
tf6 14.hh5) 13.g3 .1f6 14 ..1xh5
e7 15.g4t Ungureanu - Pav
lov, Bucharest 1967. In the garne
Black held the position, but it was
quite clear that this was the rnost
he could hope for..
After 9 ...h6, events are alrnost
the sarne: 1O.txf6 hf6 (After 10 ...
gxf6 11..1e2 o-o 12 ..1h5, White
can weave a blockade net on
Black's kingside - 12 ....ih7 13.
g4+ h8 14 ..1g6 gg8 15.h5 tiJd7
16.xe4) 11.g4 .if7 12.tiJcxe4
tiJd7 13.0-0-0t - White has a
slight but stable advantage and
Black's defence in such positions
is very difficult.
9 ... 0-0 1O.h5. White estab
lishes a wedge on the flank (After
1O.i.xf6 gxf6 1l.h5, Jakab - Var
ga, Budapest 2001, 11...ie8 12.
tiJgxe4 gh6 13.td3 tiJd7 Black
has good counterplay.). 1O ....1e8,
Danner - Peredy, Oberwart 2004,
1l.h6 g6 12.M6 .1xf6 13.tiJgxe4t
White's advantage is rnaybe not
very great, but still his position
looks very attractive.
9.tDexe4
White has also tried in practice
9.tiJgxe4 te7 1O.hf6 tiJxf6 1l ..id3
tiJh5 12.0-0 tiJf4 13 ..1c2 O-O 14.
g3 th5 15.f3 tiJh3+ 16.g2 d7
17.c5 dxc5 18.d6 hd6 19.tiJxc5,
Piceu - Broekmeulen, Nether
lands 2007, 19 ...c8
9 .ie7 10 .bf6 .bf6 11.
..
i.d3 O - O 12. 0 - 0 i.h4
13.tDe2
If Black succeeds in exchang
ing his dark-squared bishop for
the enerny knight he wiIl have a
wonderful position.
13 ...fle7 14.fle2
Avrukh - Bologan, Biel 1999
(game 17). Bologan tried to exert
sorne pressure against the enerny
f2-square, but that did not prove
to be effective. I think he should
have opted for a position with
bishops of opposite colours:
14 i.xe4!? 15.i.xe4 g6 16.
.
tDe3 a5
White is probably slightly bet
ter, but this advantage is purely
acadernic and is not likely to have
any practical significan ce.
69
Chapter 3
C2) 6 .c!LJa6
Black is not hoping to keep his
extra pawn, since this would be
too naive. Instead, he wishes to
exchange a pair of knights. His
pieces do not have enough space,
while after the exchange every
thing wiIl be in order.
7.g3 eS 8 .tg5
.
Tbis is the most consistent
move for White.
He has tried sorne alternatives
too:
8.i.e3 b6 9.i.e2 (9.h3 i.e7 10.
b4 lLld3+ 1l.i.xd3 exd3 12J''lc 1 a5
13.a3 axb4 14.axb4 o-o 15.xd3
e8 16.0-0 lLlh5 17.lLlb5 i.d8
Bacon - Bogdan, Avoine 2005)
9 ... a5 10.0-0 g6 1l.i.xc5 bxc5
12.lLlgxe4 i.h6 13.lLlxf6+ xf6 14.
lLlb5 Vffe7 15.i.g4 O-O 16.a4 i.f5
Gerber - Okhotnik, Prague 1988
(game 18).
8.b4 lLld3+ 9.i.xd3 exd3 10.
b1 e7 11.xd3 O-O 12.0-0,
Soln - Srebrnic, Ljubljana 2006,
70
12 . . .Vffe 8, followed by lLlh5, with
counterplay on the kingside.
8 i.e7 9.hf6 hf6 1 0 .
..
cxe4 xe4 1l.xe4 O - O 12 .
.id3 e7
Black's desire to open tbe posi
tion quickly with the move 12 ... c6
is easily understandable, but in
this particular case it can be re
futed tacticaIly: 13.dxc6 bxc6 14.
lLlxd6! e4, A.Mikhalevski - Finkel,
Beer-Sheva 1996, 15.lLlxe4 i.xb2
16.b1 i.d4 17.0-0;t
13. 0 - 0 , Kuempers - Emami,
Bad Woerishofen 2003.
13 . . .tg5
Black activates his bishop and
tries to provoke a weakening of
White's kingside in the process.
14.c2 i.f4 15.g3 i.h6+t
Black's powerful bishops are
still somewhat restricted in their
action, but after an opening of the
game (White cannot achieve any
thing without this ...) they wiIl be
come a force to be reckoned with.
Chapter 3 1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.d5 f5
Complete Games
12 Doyle McNab
Hamilton 2010
l.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.d5 f5 4.
c!LJc3 c!LJf6 5.g3 g6 6 .ig2 .ig7
and although Black would have
7.h4 c!LJbd7 8.c!LJh3 a5 9.c!LJg5
c!LJf8 1 0 .e4 h6 ll.c!LJe6 c!LJxe6 12.
dxe6 c6 13.h5 he6 14.hxg6
fxe4 15.ti'e2 d5
16 .id2 .ig4 17.f3 exf3 18
.ixf3 .ixf3 19.ti'xf3 dxc4
Here Black could consider 19 ...
d4 (Naturally, with a bishop on
g7, he would be reluctant to place
his central pawns on dark squares,
but in this particular case the con
crete variations show this move to
be the correct decision.) 20 .ltJe4
o-o and now 21.ixh6? fails to
21.. .ltJxe4 22.Wxe4 ixh6 23,!'l:xh6
Wf6.
2 0 .ti'e2
It was obviously stronger for
White to opt for 20.Wf5 We7 21.
0-0-0 Eld8 22.Elde1 ltJd5 23.i>b1
two extra pawns, the position
would have remained rather
tense.
2 0 ...ti'c7 21.ti'xc4 0 - 0 - 0
22. 0 - 0 - 0 c!LJd5
Black plays imprecisely. ln
stead, after 22 ... l'l:d4 23.We6+ Wd7
he would maintain an edge.
23.c!LJe4 b6 24J!hf1 hf8
25.@b1 @b7
26.ha5!
This beautiful tactical strike is
the best way to force a draw.
26 ...ti'e7?
Black avoids that Hne, but in
vain. It was correct for him to
continue with 26 ... bxa5 27.ltJcS+
71
Chapter 3

b6 28J'lxf8 gxf8 29. tLla4+ @b7 tDc5 1 0 .f3 a5 1l.tDa4 fxe4 12.
30.tLlc5+, with perpetual check. tDxc5 exf3 13. .ixi3 dxc5 14.
27.tDc5+? tDc3 .ih3 15.e1 d7 16 .ie3 b6

It looks as if White very much 17.d2

wanted a draw; otherwise, after
27.b3! gxfl 28.:gxf1 :gf8 29.gc1,
Black would have serious prob
lems.
27... @b8?
Black had to capture the knight
- 27 ...bxc5 28.b3+ @a7 29.hd8
xd8 with mutual chances.

17... tDe8!
Black's knight is transferred to
the blockading square d6, follow
ing Nimzowitsch's advice. At the
same time he opens the Hile for
his rook and the long diagonal for
his bishop (his future plans in
elude advancing with e5-e4).
28.tDa6+? 18 .ig2 tDd6 19.b3 e4 2 0 .

White could have won this ac1 ae8 2 1 .ih6?! hh6 22.

game in a beautiful fashion with 'I1Mxh6 hg2 23.@xg2

the line: 28 ..txb6 ! ! tLlxb6 29.b4
and it is elear that Black is incapa
ble of protecting his knight, for
example: 29 ...a7 30.:gxf8 gxf8
31.tLld7+ , winning for White.
28 @b7. Draw. This was a
..

rather tense game in which the

last part was marred by mutual
mistakes - possibly because of
time-trouble.
13 Cruz Lledo - Strikovic
Benidorm 2007
1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.d5 f5 4.
tDc3 tDf6 5.g3 g6 6.ig2 .ig7 7.
e4 O - O 8.tDge2 tDbd7 9. 0 - 0
23 ...g4
Here it was even stronger to
play 23 ...e3! 24.:ge2 (24.:gxe3 tLlf5)
24...f7 25.f4 xf4 26.gxf4 gxf4.
24.e3 gf3 25.'ti'e2 gem
Black could win immediately

72

with 25 ... tt:Jf5. The same manoeu
vre would be decisive on the next
move as well.
26.l':!:f1 h5 27.a3 tt:Jf5 28.
l':!:xf3 exf3+ 29.%Vxf3 tt:Jh4+.
White resigned.
14 Mishra J.Hodgson
Dhaka 1993
l.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.d5 f5 4.
tt:Jc3 tt:Jf6 5.tt:Jf3 g6 6.g3 lLg7
7.lLg2 O - O 8 . 0 - 0 a5 9.e4 tt:Ja6
1 0 .exf5 gxf5 1l.lLe3 tt:Jg4 12.
lLg5 e8 13.h3 tt:Jf6 14.d2
h5 15.tt:Jh4 lLd7 16.lLf3 f7
17.<j;.h2 <j;.h8
18.l':!:ae1 tt:Jc5 19.c2 tt:Jg8
2 0 .Yd1 i.f6 21.i.e3 b6 22.tt:Jg2
g7 23.lLh5 tt:Je7
1 believe Black has manoeu
vred quite well so far, but it is far
l.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.d5f5
from clear how he should develop
his initiative, since his opponent's
position has no obvious weak
nesses. White can maintain the
balance with a simple waiting
move such as 24.E1g1, but unfortu
nately he decided to try something
active.
24.f4?! l':!:g8 25.lLf2 tt:Jg6
It was betler for Black to play
25 ...e4 26.lLe2 a4't
26.l':!:gl a4 27.fxe5 tt:Jxe5
28.lLe2 tt:Je4
Here 28 ... tt:Jg6! ? deserved con
sideration, when Black's position
would be preferable. Now White
has a powerful manoeuvre - the
transfer of the knight to h5, after
which the position is balanced
again.
29.tt:Jxe4 fxe4 3 0 .tt:Jf4 h6
31.i.d4 l':!:af8 32.tt:Jh5
32 . tt:Jf3+?!
This is another imprecision for
Black and White now obtains an
edge. It was correct for Black to
continue with 32 ... tt:Jd3 33.bf6+
E1xf6 34.bd3 exd3 35J!g2 (35.
tt:Jxf6? xh3#) 35 ... :9:f5=
33.ht'3 exf3 34.tt:Jf4?
White overlooks his oppo-
73
Chapter 3
nent's tactical idea, which he
could have prevented with the
line: 34.g4 f2 35.hf2 e5+ 36.
g3 .b:b2 37.!lg2;!;
34 ...f2! 35 .ixf2 lLe5 36.f3
hh3
This is the point. Now White
must enter a very unpleasant end
game in order to avoid the worst.
37.h5 xh5 38.tbxh5
lhf'2+ 39.<.t>xh3 gg5 4 0 .tbf4
hf4
Black had a good alternative
here - 40 ...!lxb2 4I.!le2 a3.
41.gxf4 1b:gl
It was clearly even better for
Black to continue with 41...!lf3+,
for example: 42.<.t>h4 (White can
not save the day with 42.<.t>h2
!lh5+ 43.<.t>g2 !lxf4) 42 ... !lxgl 43.
!lxgl !lxf4+ 44.<.t>g5 !lxc4 and his
advantage would be decisive.
42.gxgl gxf4 43.b3 axb3
44.axb3 gf3+ 45.<.t>g4 gxb3
46.<.t>f5 gf3+
It seems more precise for Black
to continue with 46 ... !le3 47.<.t>f6
!le4 48.!lc1 <.t>g8.
47.<.t>e6 gf4 48.gcl h5 49.
<.t>d7 gf7+ 5 0 .<.t>d8
50 ...h4?
74
After this mistake, White sur
prisingly saves the game. Black
was winning with 50 ... <.t>h7 5I.
<.t>e8 !lg7 52.!lhl <.t>h6 etc.
51.ghl gh7 52.gh3 <.t>g8 53.
<.t>c8 <.t>f8 54. <.t>d8 <.t>g8
His king cannot cross the sev
enth rank now, because he loses
all his queenside pawns. There
fore - a draw.
15 M.Guseva - M.Fominykh
VIadimir 2002
l.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.d5 f5 4.
tbc3 tbf6 5.c2 ILe7 6.e3 O - O 7.
b3 a5 8.lLb2 tba6 9.a3 e8 1 0 .
tbf3 lLd7 1l.lLe2 <.t>h8 12.h4 c6
13.dxc6 bxc6 14.tba4 tbe4
15.h5 gb8 16.h6 1Lf6
White's threat to capture on g7
is not very dangerous, so Black
does not need to retreat his bish
op, which had an important mis
sion - to protect the d6-pawn.
Instead, he should have taken
care of his only passive piece -
16 ... lLlac5! 17.lLlxc5 lLlxc5 18.hxg7+
<.t>xg7 19.1Lld2 Wg6, with superior
prospects.
17.hxg7+ hg7 18.gdl e7
19.tbh4 g5?

This mistake allows White to
continue with his kingside offen
sive. Black should have continued
with 19 ...Elf6 20.,if3 Elh6=
2 0 .g4!
After this move the pride and
joy of Black's position - his cen
tralized knight on e4 - is suddenly
hanging.
2 0 ... !lf7 21.gxf5?!
This is a hasty move. White
should have struck a blow from
the other side - 21.c5 ! , after which
Black's position is about to crum
ble.
21 ....ixf5 22 ..id3??
This is the fatal mistake. White
would have maintained a slight
edge after 22.ltJxf5 '&xf5 23.f3 ltJg3
24.'&xf5 ltJxf5 25J'1:d3;t
22 ... ltJxf2! 23.'exf2 hd3
24.ltJf3
Black's rook is untouchable:
24.xf7 '&xe3#
24...'ef5 25.'eh4.if6 26.ti'h5
'exh5 27.!lxh5 fucb3
White's position is crushed
under the pressure of his oppo
nent's pieces.
28.ltJg5 hg5 29.!lxg5 !lfl+
3 0 .<;!;ld2 !lf2+ . White resigned.
1.d4 d6 2.c4 eS 3.d5 f5
16 Danner Yrjola
Batumi 1999
1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.d5 f5 4.e4
fxe4 5.ltJc3 ltJf6 6.ltJge2 .if5 7.
ltJg3 .ig6 8.ig5 .ie7 9.h4 h5
10 ..ixf6 .ixf6 1l.i.e2? e3! 12.
i.xh5 exf2+ 13.<;!;lfl i.xh5 14.
ltJxh5 ltJd7 15.ltJe4 'ee7
16.ti'g4 0 - 0 - 0 17.!lc1 f7
18.ltJhg3 <;!;lb8 19.!lc2 ltJb6 2 0 .
b3 c6!?
Black has ensured the safety of
his king and begins to open the
centre.
21.ltJf5?
White enters complications
without any necessity. On the
contrary, he needed to simplify
the position with the line: 21.dxc6
bxc6 22.ltJxf6 gxf6 23.ltJf5, with
approximately equal chances.
75
Chapter 3

21 cxd5
22.tlJexd6 e6
23.c5 tlJc8
Naturally, the knight on d6
must be exchanged.
24.b4 tlJxd6 25.tlJxd6 M7
26.gxf2 JJ.e7
Black is quite consistent in the
implementation ofhis plan. White
still has not solved his main prob
lem - bringing his rook on hl into 18 .. tlJb6?!
action. . Black is looking for trouble.
27.tlJf5 gc8 28.tlJxe7 xe7 He should retreat his bishop -

29.gc2 d4 18. .. JJ.e7, preventing Cat least tem

Black's passed pawns are tre
mendously fasto
3 0 .gh3 e4 31.c4 d3 32.
gd2 c5 33.g8+ gc8 34.h7
e3 35.gxd3 e2+. White re
signed.
porarily) the pawn-break c4-cS.
19.c5 tlJc8 2 0 .g3 JJ.e7 21.a4
a5?!
This is another very risky
move, after which White's advan
tage is increased. Playing patient
ly with 21..:d7 was worth con
sidering.
22.bxa5 dxc5 23.a6 bxa6
24.ha6 gf3 25.gd3 JJ.h5 26.
'i!!a 2 g3t7 27.gd2 d7

17 Avrukh Bologan
Biel 1999
l.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.d5 f5 4.e4
fxe4 5.tlJc3 tlJf6 6.tlJge2 JJ.f5 7.
tlJg3 JJ.g6 8.JJ.g5 tlJbd7 9.tlJcxe4
JJ.e7 1 0 .i.xf6 i.xf6 1l.JJ.d3 O - O
12. O - O JJ.h4 13.tlJe2 'i!!e 7 14.
'i!!c 2 gt7 15.tlJ2c3 gaf'S 16.b4
28.JJ.e2!
White reduces his opponent's
pressure on the kingside and at
the same time clears the way for
his passed pawn.
28 he2 29.gxe2 tlJa7 3 0 .
.

a6 17.gadl d8 18.e2 c4 h3 31.a6 tlJc8

76

32.tie6!
This move practically forces
the exchange of queens, since
Black can hardly put up with such
powerful piece on the e6-square.
White ends up with an over
whelming advantage in the end
game.
32 tixe6 33.dxe6 gf3 34.
. 55 .. J'1g5 56.!1.e7 !1.g6.
liJd5 .id6 35.ge1 ga3 36.liJxc5
ge8 37.liJe4 gxe6 38.liJxe7
he7 39.gxe7 liJb6 4 0 .liJe5
ge8
41.ge4
It was stronger for White to
play 41.!1.d2, preparing doubling
of the rooks along the seventh
rank. A possible continuation is:
41. .. e4 42.!1.a7 e3 43.fxe3 !1.axe3
44.a5 ttJc4 45.!1.dd7 winning.
41. ttJd5
13.liJxf6+ tixf6 14.liJb5 tie7 15.
Black could have defended
l.d4 d6 2.c4 eS 3.dSf5
more tenaciously with 41...!1.c3 ! ,
pinning the c5-knight. After 42.
!1.g4 g6 43.!1.h4 !1.a8, White cannot
capture the pawn - 44.!1.hxh7? be
cause of 44 .. J''1xc5.
Later, he realized his advan
tage, not without sorne exciting
moments, though ...
42.ga7 h5 43.a5 liJf6 44.
!1.b4 e4 45.gbb7 <!>h8 46.a6 e3
47.fxe3 ga1+ 48.<!>g2 ga2+
49.<!>f3 liJg4 5 0 .ge7 gd8 51.
gxg7 gf2+ 52.<!>e4 liJf6+ 53.
<!>e5 gd5+ 54. <!>e6 gxe5 55.
gge7 ga5
Black could have put up a more
resilient defence with the line:
56.iU7 ge2 57.<!>xf6. Black
resigned.
18 Gerber Okhotnik
Prague 1988
1.d4 d6 2.e4 e5 3.d5 f5 4.e4
liJf6 5.liJe3 fxe4 6.liJge2 liJbd7
7.liJg3 liJe5 8 .ie3 b6 9 .ie2 a5
1 0 . 0 - 0 g6
U.he5 bxe5 12.liJgxe4 .ih6
.ig4 O - O 16.a4 .if5
77
Chapter 3
17.a3 e4 18.e2 gf7 19.el
e8
2 0 .lOa7?
This game is an instructive ex
ample of how a single mistake
may sometimes be decisive. In
general, this move looks quite
logical - the knight must come
closer to the field of action, but
this manoeuvre involves a tactical
oversight. White had to exchange
the bishops first - 20 ..bf5, al
though after 20 ...gxf5 21.tLla7 f4,
Black would have good counter
play.
2 0 ...hg4 21.Yl\fxg4 .id2!
22.dl
Black can counter 22 .Ele2 with
22 '\Mff6 23.Ela2 (The game ends
..
beautifully after 23.Elxd2 e3 24.
Ele2 '\Mfxf2 + ! 25.:gxf2 exf2 + 26.i>fl
78
:gel#) 23 ....iel 24.b3 e3 25.f3
.if2 + 26.i>hl '\Mfc3 and Black's
threats are decisive.
22 ...e3
Black breaks on the dark
squares.
23.fxe3 he3+ 24.i>hl id4
25.h3
25...'\Mfel+ !
This i s a n attractive final com
bination.
26.gxel xel+ 27.i>h2
ie5+ 28.:gg3
This was the only move, since
after 28.g3 Black would check
mate with 28 ... :gf2#
28 ... gffl 29. Yl\fe6+ i>f8
The black king finds shelter
from the checks on h6, after which
checkmate on hl is unavoidable.
Therefore White resigned.
Chapter 4 1.d4 d6 2.c4 eS 3. c3
Quick Repertoire
White continues his develop
ment without clarifying the situa
tion in the centre. This position
ofien arises afier another move
order as well - l.c4 e5 2.lDc3 d6
3.d4.
3 . exd4
This is the most popular move
for Black. He provokes the cen
tralization of White's queen and
wins a tempo for his development
by attacking it with his knight.
4. 'xd4 lbc6
White has a minimal space ad
vantage, while Black has a slight
initiative. The question now is
whether White will stabilize the
position and exploit his pluses, or
will Black succeed in creating ad
vantageous complications?
5.'e'd2
White sometimes retreats his
queen to its initial position - 5.
d1. After this Black does not
have the tactical ideas based on
the pin along the a5-el diagonal,
but the placement of White's
queen on dI is not so active as on
the d2-square. In response, Black
quickly completes the develop
ment of his kingside, fianchetto
ing his bishop and deploying his
knight most ofien to e7 (although
in sorne variations it is better
placed on f6 - see the details in
the Step by Step chapter) and pre
pares the pawn-breaks in the cen
tre, d6-d5 or 0-f5. Black should
not have any problems and if
White plays carelessly he may
79
Chapter 4
even lose a miniature: 5 ...g6 6.g3
1J.g7 7.1J.g2 liJge7 8.e3 o-o 9.liJge2
1J.e6 1O.liJd5 liJe5 11.liJxe7+ '!!fxe7 12.
hb7? (White has first weakened
the light squares on the kingside
and then, trying to achieve the
impossible, he removes their only
defender. The punishment is swift
and instructive.) 12 ...c6! 13.ha8
liJf3+ 14.@f1 1J.h3# Dimitriadi -
Zahariev, Hania 1995; but White
resigned a move before the check
mate.
The slight disharmony in
White's camp is only temporary,
since he plans to play b2-b3 and
then develop his bishop on the
long diagonal. His queen on d2
protects the knight on c3 and later
it also looks after of the bishop on
b2. The drawback of this move is
that the queen is placed on the
same diagonal as the king. Black
succeeds in exploiting this cir
cumstance in sorne variations.
5 . liJf6
Black's general plan is to con
tinue with i.e6, d5, iob4. Naturally,
White should try to prevent this.
80
6.b3 a5!
This move was played for the
first time in this position by Lev
Polugaevsky in his semi-final can
didates match in 1977 against Vic
tor Korchnoi, although the idea
itself was already familiar. Black
wishes to use his rook pawn as
bait, deflecting White's knight
from the c3-square, and then to
advance d6-d5.
7 .ib2 a4 8J'i:d1
Black's idea can be best illus
trated by the following variation:
8.liJxa4? d5 9.cxd5 liJe4 10.'!!fe3
xa4 11.bxa4 i.b4+ 12.@d1 '!!fxd5+
and his threats are decisive.
8 axb3 9.axb3 g6 1 0 .e4
After the rather slow line for
White: 1O.g3 i.g7 1l.liJh3? ! o-o
12.liJf4 liJa5, Black obtains a com
fortable game.
1 0 ....ig7 1l .id3 o - o 12.
liJge2 liJg4 13. O - O liJce5. White
has slightly more space, but Black
has deployed his pieces comfort
ably and exerts pressure against
his opponent's centre, with excel
lent counter-chances.
 Chapter 4 1.d4 d6 2.c4 eS 3.c3 exd4 4. Wfxd4
c6
Step by Step
A) 5.dl
B) 5.d2
White has tried 5.d3 several
times. The d3-square is not the
best position for his queen, since
he must constantly consider tacti
cal sorties of the type ttJ b4 or ttJe5.
Black should not have any prob
lems in obtaining an exceIlent po
sition, for example: 5 ... ttJf6 6.e4
(otherwise Black wiIl play in vari
ous move-orders ttJb4 and d5 and
wiIl gain a lasting initiative) 6 ...g6
7.ttJf3 i.g7 8.i.e2 O-O 9.0-0 i.g4
10J"ld1 ttJd7 (Black's knight is
transferred to c5, in order to har
ass his opponent's queen and at
the same time he opens the diago
nal for his bishop on g7 and pre
pares the pawn-advance O-f5 at
an opportune moment.) 11.i.g5
e8 12.e3, Stanke - Albers,
Hamburg 2006, 12 ... ttJc5?
In response to the check
5.e3+ it looks best for Black to
play 5 ...i.e6 (He wishes to develop
his knight to f6, advance d6-d5
and deploy his bishop to b4.)
6.ttJd5 (The complications af
ter 6.ttJf3 ttJf6 7.ttJg5 ttJb4 ! ? are
definitely in Black's favour, for
example: 8.ttJxe6 ttJc2+ 9.\t>d2
ttJxe3 1O.ttJxd8 ttJxc4+ 11. \t>c2
l"lxd8 12. e4 ttJe5. White has sorne
compensation for the missing
pawn thanks to his bishop-pair,
but it is obvious that he must fight
for the draw.) 6 ... ttJe5 7.b3 ttJf6
(White's position is already very
unpleasant and he wiIl be unable
to maintain his knight on the d5-
outpost. This means that the posi-
81
Chapter 4
tion will be opened and Black's
better mobilized pieces will be
come tremendously active.) 8.lLlf3
(It is not good for White to play
8.lLlxf6+? xf6 9.ib2 lLlxc4! 10.
ixf6 lLlxe3 1I.fxe3 gxf6:::: ) 8 ...ixd5
9.cxd5 lLlxd5 10.1Mfe4 c6 (After this
move Black not only protects his
knight but opens the way for his
queen to the a5-square.) 1I.lLlxe5
dxe5 12 .1Mfxe5+ ie7 13.id2 O-O::::
Buhmann - Nill, Litohoto 1999.
A) 5:@dl
This is a modest but reliable
move. Still, White's queen has
better prospects on d2 than on dI.
5 ...g6
First Black fianchettoes his
bishop and then he will consider
where to deploy his king's knight.
In numerous positions it is better
placed on e7, keeping the resource
fl-f5 up his sleeve; but sometimes
he develops it closer to the centre
- to f6.
Al) 6.e4
A2) 6.g3
A3) 6.lLlf3
82
6.b3 ig7 7.ib2 lLlf6 8.d2
(White is forced to move his queen
again, to protect his knight and
bishop, because after 8.g3, Heis
senbuettel - Reicher, Bad Wild
bad 1993, Black has the powerful
riposte 8 ...lLle4! 9.1Mfc1 lLlxc3 10.
ixc3 O-O 1l.ixg7 c;:t>xg7 12 .b2+ ,
or 12 .ig2 f6+ - 1 2. . .1Mff6 13.
xf6+ c;:t>xf6 14.ig2 a5+) 8 ... 0-0
9.e3, Sijbesma - Remmel, Dieren
2005, 9 ... a5 1O.lLlf3 Ele8 1I.ie2
if5 and Black has a very good
position.
Al) 6.e4
White radically prevents the
undermining move d7-d5. The
drawback of his last move howev
er is that it weakens the d4-
square.
6 ....ig7 7.id3 lLlge7 8.f4
It might be better for him to
play prudently 8.lLlf3!?
8 . 0 - 0 9.lLlf3 lLld4!
1 0 .lLld2?!
White does better to accept
sorne weakening of his kingside:
10.0-0 ig4 1l.ie3 lLlec6 12.d2
 l.d4 d6 2.c4 eS 3. ltJc3 exd4 4. 'Wixd4 ltJc6 5. 'Widl g6
ltJxf3+ 13.gxf3 .ih3 14J'l:f2 aS?
10 ... c6 11. 0 - 0 d5
1 believe, Black should have
prepared this pawn-break and he
could then have obtained the ad
vantage: 11 ...e6 ! ? 12.ltJb3 ltJxb3
13.axb3 dS+
12.cxd5 cxd5 13.e5 f5 14 .
.bf5 ttldxf5 15.ttlf3, Lombardy -
Quinteros, Haifa 1976, 15 \19b6+
16J'j!f2 d4 17.ttle4 Ud8? All
Black's pieces are very active, with
the exception of the bishop on g7.
A2) 6.g3 g7 7.g2 ttlge7
8.ttlh3
1 have already mentioned nu
merous times that the moves g3
and e3 do not combine well to
gether. The next game is an in
structive example on the subject
"vulnerable light squares around
the king". 8.e3 o-o 9.ltJge2 e6
(Black also has another attractive
idea - to double his opponent's
pawns on the e-file, exchange the
light-squared bishops and then
end up with a knight against his
opponent's "bad" bishop. Here's
how this might happen: 9 ...i.g4! ?
10.0-0 hc3 1l.bxc3 'Wic8+) 10.
ltJdS ltJeS 11.ttJxe7+ 'Wixe7 12.hb7?
White's bishop enters the trap,
not suspecting anything... 12 ...c6!
13.ha8 ltJf3+, Dimitriadi - Zaha
riev, Hania 1995 and White re
signed in view of 14. 'it>f1 h3#
8 .. 0 - 0 9.ttlf4
9.0-0 ltJeS 1O.'Wib3 ltJ7c6+
9 ttle5, Nestorovic - Chilin
..
girova, Belgrade 2002.
10 .Yfl>3
With a queen on dI, White
cannot protect his c4-pawn with
the move b2-b3, because his
knight on c3 is hanging.
10 ttl7c6 11. 0 - 0 ttld4+
Black's knights have occupied
the dark squares in the centre of
the board and White must go on
the defensive.
A3) 6.ttlf3 g7 7.1l.g5
This is the most consistent
move. White wishes to create a
pin along the d8-h4 diagonal.
Black need not fear either 7.e3
ltJf6 8.e2 o-o 9.0-0 e8 1O.ltJd4
83
Chapter 4
ds l1.cxds ttJxds 12 .il.bs ttJxc3
13.bxc3 .td7 14.Ei:b1 ttJ as ls ..te2
Vfie7+ GormaIly - Rowson, Lon
don 1998, or 7.ttJds ttJf6 8 ..tgs h6
9 ..txf6 .txf6 1O.Vfid2 aS'!'
7 .c!f6
.
Black is in no danger here ei
ther. The trade of the dark
squared bishops and a couple of
knights is in Black's favour; oth
erwise he wiIl repel the enemy
bishop from the gs-square.
8.e3
8.g3 h6 9 ..tf4 o-o 1O ..tg2 .tfs
11.0-0 gs 12 . .td2 ttJe4f Ioseliani
- Espig, Germany 1998 (game 19).
8 h6 9 .th4 O - O 1 0 .il.e2
. aS-el diagonal after advancing
.if5 11. 0 - 0 g5 12 .ig3 tLlh5
84
White wiIl hardly be able to ex
ploit the slight weakening of
Black's kingside, while now he ob
tains the advantage of the two
bishops. Furthermore, these bish
ops are tremendously active on
adjacent diagonals. 13.tLld4 tLlxg3
14.hxg3 tLlxd4 15.exd4 c6 16.
g4 .ig6 17.d2 f5 f J. Horvath
- Dobrovolsky, Harkany 1995.
B) 5.d2
1 have already mentioned that
White plan s to play b2-b3 and
.tb2. Black wiIl have the tactical
idea of creating a pin along the
d6-ds.
5 .. tLlf6
Here White usuaIly chooses
between a king's and queen's fian
chetto. Sometimes he also plays
the natural developing moves 6.e4
and 6.ttJf3.
Bl) 6.tLlf3
B2) 6.e4
B3) 6.g3
B4) 6.b3
 1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3. ttJc3 exd4 4. Vf1xd4 ttJc6 5. Vf1d2 ttJf6
B1) 6.ltJf3
White is trying to disguise his
intentions, but in any case he wiIl
have to show hand on the next
move, either by fianchettoing one
of his bishops or by advancing his
e2-pawn.
6 g6 7.b3 ig7 8.i.b2 o - o
..
9.e3
In reply to the double fian
chetto - 9.g3, Black can create ad
vantageous simplifications: 9 ...
f5 10.g2 ttJe4 11.ttJxe4 .b:e4
12.0-0 .b:b2 13.Vf1xb2 E1e8 14.
ttJh4, Kalka - Arencibia, Reck
linghausen 1998, 14. . .g5 15.f3
Vf1c5+ 16.'it>h1 f5. Black need not
fear the advance of his opponent's
central pawns, for example: 17.
ttJxf5 xf5 18.e4 (18.f4 l"1e3) 18 ...
Vf1c5 19.f4 a5 with a double
edged position.
9 ...i.f5 10 ..ie2 ltJe4
Black is foIlowing an already
familiar scheme.
1l.ltJxe4 he4 12.hg7
12.0-0 .b:b2 1 ? 13.Vf1xb2 Vf1e7
14.ttJd2 d5 !?
12 ... xg7 13. 0 - 0 E1e8= Si
deif Sade - G.Timoshenko, Na
bereznye Chelny 1993.
B2) 6.e4
White occupies space, prevent
ing the move d6-d5, but this
weakens the central d4-square.
6 ... g6
7.b3
7.g3 ig7 8.g2 o-o 9.ttJge2
ttJe5 1O.b3 h3 (We have already
seen this trick. It is advantageous
for Black to trade the light
squared bishops.) 11.0-0 l"1e8 12.
f3 .b:g2 13.'it>xg2 ttJfd7 14.ia3 a5
Kalantar - Petrosian, Yerevan
1946 (game 2 O ).
85
Chapter 4
7.f3 .tg7 8.b3 o-o 9.ib2 lLld7
1O.h4 h5 11.0-0-0, Zhukova -
Kovalevskaya, Batumi 2000, 11 ...
a5 1V2Jh3 lLlc5 and in this sharp
position, with opposite-sides cas
tling, Black's prospects are not
worse.
7. .td3 .tg7 8.tLlge2 O-O 9.0-0
tLld7 (This is a standard manoeu
vre. The knight is transferred to
c5, after which Black can continue
with f7-f5 or f6.) 1O.b3 tLlc5 1I.
.ib2 f5 12 ..ib1 f6 13.exf5 .bf5
14.tLlg3 d4 15.xd4 tLlxd4 16.
.bf5 tLlxf5 with an approximately
equal (maybe even slightly prefer
able) game for him, Harikrishna
- Akobian, Wijk aan Zee 2010.
7 i.g7 8.i.b2 o - o 9.i.d3
. but Black is not worse at all.
9.f3 a5 1O.tLlge2 .id7 1I.g3 tLle5
12 ..ig2 .ih3 13.0-0 .bg2 14.xg2
ge8 with chances for both sides,
Heinola - Hantak, Zdar nad Saza
vou 2009.
9 . .. tLlb4 1O .i.b1 c6
A version of the King's Indian
Defence has arisen, which is very
favourable for Black. With his last
move he opens the way for his
86
queen to a5 or b6 and at the same
time prepares the pawn-break d6-
d5. The move a2-a3 should not
bother him, because he will sim
ply transfer his knight to eS va
a6.
1l.tLlge2 .ie6!
After 11...d5 12.cxd5 cxd5,
Roussel Roozmon - Bologan, Ed
monton 2005, White has the pow
erful riposte 13.a3!
12.tLld4
12.a3 tLla6 13.0-0 tLlc5 14.tLld4
a5
12 ...e7 13. 0 - 0 gad8 14.
gel gfe8 draw, Forintos - Bron
stein, Kirovakan 1978. N aturally,
the position is still very dynamic,
White's light-squared bishop is
terribly misplaced.
B3) 6.g3
He wishes to prepare quick
kingside castling and then devote
attention to the queenside. The
drawback of his last move howev
er is that Black can attack his c4-
pawn.
 1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.iJc3 exd4 4. Wixd4 iJc6 5. Wid2 iJf6

6 ...J.e6 i.b4 1O.i.b2 Wif6 (Black's pressure

White can protect this pawn in against the pinned knight forces
numerous ways, but every one of White to part with his light
them has definite minuses. squared bishop.) 11.hd5 hd5
12.Wie3+ mf8 (Black could have
exchanged the queens - 12 ...Wie5
or 12 ...Wie7, because he would
have better prospects in the end
game.). It is even more enjoyable
for him to attack in the middle
game, for example: 13.f3 !le8
14.Wid2 , Stuart - R. Smith, Lin
coln 1981, 14 ... !ld8 15.Wie3 i.e6
16.mf1 h6::. Later, Black wishes to
continue with g5, mg7, !lhe8 and
White wiIl have great problems in
B3a) 7.b3 completing the development of
B3b) 7.e4 his kingside.
B3c) 7.iJd5 9 . .tb4 1 0 .e4
. .

For 1O.i.g2 Wif6 - see 9 ..tg2 .

B3a) 7.b3
This routine move enables
Black to accomplish the thematic
pawn-break in the centre and
seize the initiative.
7 .. d5! 8.cxd5 iJxd5
After 1O.iJf3, it is again very
strong for Black to play 1O ... Wif6.
1 0 ... iJxc3 1l ..b:c3 flxd2+
12.hd2 0 - 0 - 0 13. 0 - 0 - 0 ,
BaIlon - Hickman, St. Helier
1999, 13 .. Sd6::

White's king is vulnerable and

9 .tb2
. he has difficulties with his devel
White's alternative is 9.i.g2 opment as well.

87
Chapter 4
B3b) 7.e4
This move is a bit inconsistent
(why did White play g2-g3 in the
first place . ?), but the threat of
..
d6-d5 has become quite serious.
7 i.e7
..
B3bl) 8.b3
B3b2) 8.f3
B3bl) 8.b3
N ow Black can counter this
careless move with a beautiful
tactical blow:
8 . . . xe4! 9.xe4 d5
This combination is based on
the vulnerability of the a5-e1 and
aS-h1 diagonals. We have already
ss
seen an analogous combination in
Chapter 2 , variation Al.
l O .g2
Other moves are even worse
for White, for example:
1O.cxd5 hd5 1l.f3 i.b4 12.
llJc3 f6 13.b2 0-0-0 14.e2
(14.0-0-0 hf3-+) 14 ... E1heS
(With his every move Black brings
another piece into the heart of the
action. White's position is crum
bling.) 15.0-0-0 hf3 16.ttJxf3
:gxd2 17. <;t>xd2 hc3+ lS.hc3,
Bentzen - Pedersen, Vejgaard
1992, lS ... h6+ 19.<;t>e1 e3-+ ;
10.ttJc3 d4 (White's knight
cannot move away from c3, be
cause after b4 he loses his queen.
Black regains his piece and pre
serves all the advantages of his
position.) 11.11Jge2 dxc3 12.ttJxc3
1lJb4! This is a very dangerous
knight-sortie fram the fIank! The
c2-square is very difficult to pro
tect. 13.g2 xd2+ 14.hd2 11Jc2+
15.<;t>e2 llJxa1 16.i.xb7, Zupe -
Z.Szabo, Budapest 1994, 16 ...
llJxb3! (in the game Black played
the weaker 16 ... :gbS. After c6+
and :gxa1, White won a pawn for
the exchange and managed to
save the game int the end.) 17.
haS hc4+ lS.<;t>e1 llJxd2 19.
i.c6+ <;t>dS 20.<;t>xd2 <;t>cS+ - Black
has not only an extra pawn, but
also the bishop-pair in an open
position.
lO ....tb4 11.c3 d4 l2.i.b2
\!tff6 l3.ge2 0 - 0 - 0 l4.'@Icl,
Franco Ocampos - Romero Hol
mes, Leon 1990. White hopes to
 l.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3'cijc3 exd4 4. Wixd4 iJc6 5. Wid2 iJf6
reach an equal endgame after the
numerous exchanges on c3, but
Black has a very powerful ma
noeuvre at his disposal. I4 c!iJe5!
..
15. 0 - 0 c!iJd3 16.,,c2 c!iJxb2 17.
c!iJe4 d3+
B3b2) 8.f3
White radically fortifies his e4-
pawn.
8 ... 0 - 0
9.b3
After 9.iJdS, Black should by
no means exchange on ds but
should instead prepare the under
mining move f7-fS: 9 ... iJd7 1O.ig2
fS 1l.exfS ixfS (Black threatens
iJeS or iJcS, followed by the pen
etration of his knight to d3. White
must defend against this threat,
but this wiIl enable his opponent
to open the game even more.) 12.
iJe3 ie6 13.f4 (After the develop
ing move 13.iJe2, Black wiIl play
13 ... iJdeS with a double attack, so
White takes the eS-square under
control. However, his lag in devel
opment becomes critical after
this.) 13 ... dS! (Black's bishop on
e7 dreams about going to b4.)
14.iJxdS :Be8 (Now Black's rook
Hes in ambush) IS.iJf3 ic5+ and
White's king must remain in the
centre, while Black's forces are
ready for a crushing attack, Psa
khis - Gofshtein, Israel 1996
(game 21).
9 ... a5 10 .c!iJge2 a4
We wiIl discuss this manoeu
vre in details when we analyze the
variation with 6.b3.
I wiIl mention now that it
would not work for White to play
1l.iJxa4, because of 11...:Bxa4!
12.bxa4 dS, followed by ib4.
llSbl axb3 12.axb3 c!iJe5
13.i.g2
13 i.h3. By grasping the tac
tical opportunity (14.i.xh3??
iJxf3+) Black exchanges the light
squared bishops and thus weak
ens his opponent's king position.
14. 0 - 0 hg2 15.';t.xg2 ge8f!
Bareev - Mokry, Trnava 1989
(game 22). Without the bishop
on g2, White's pawn-advance f3-
f4 seems very risky, but otherwise
it is not clear how he can fight for
89
Chapter 4
the advantage. Black's plan in
eludes transferring the king's
knight to cS, covering the dS
square with the move c7-c6 and
deploying the bishop to the long
diagonal. It is elear that he has an
excellent position.
B3c) 7.tLld5 tLle5
White's knight has blocked the
attack on the c4-pawn, but now
Black can attack it from the side.
8.b3 tLle4
Black's knights are just raging
in the centre of the board.
B3cl) 9.YNd4
B3c2) 9.YNe3
90
B3cl) 9.YNd4 tLlc5 10 .f4
Taimanov - Smyslov, Tbilisi
1966 (game 23).
If 10.g2 then Black expels the
enemy knight from the centre -
10 ... c6 1UiJc3, Baker - McNab,
Coulsdon 2009, and then he com
pletes the development of his
kingside, planning to deploy his
bishop on the long diagonal. 11 ...
e7 12 .YNd2 0-0+
10 ... c6!? 1l.tLle3
It is not good for White to play
l1.fxeS?! dxeS 12.YNxeS cxdS 13.
cxdS, because of 13 ... e7! and
then 14.dxe6 YNaS + ! (threatening
liJd3+) leads to a catastrophe for
him.
1l YNb6!?
..
Black is trying to exploit his
lead in development and create
complications.
12.f:xe5 tLlxb3 13.YNxb6
axb6
The rook on a8 has entered the
action, so the knight on b3 is un
touchable.
14.bl tLlxcl 15.xcl dxe5
16.tLlf3 f6
 1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.liJc3 exd4 4. 'fixd4 liJc6 5. 'fid2 liJf6
Black already has two pawns
for the piece and he is about to
capture a third. His bishops will
be very powerful in this open po
sition, while White has great
problems completing his develop
mento Black's prospects are much
better.
B3c2) 9.ee3
Here, the game develops in
similar fashion.
9 .. ttJc5 1 0 ..ib2
1O.i.g2 c6 l1.liJc3 'fia5 12.ib2,
Bakic - Milanovic, Vrnjacka Ba
nja 1998 (12.i.d2? liJxb3), 12 ...
'fib6 13.'fid2 0-0-0+
1O.liJf3 c6 l1.liJxeS dxeS 12.liJc3
'fiaS 13.i.b2 i.e7 14.i.g2, Hohler -
Jansa, Davos 2006, 14 ... 0-0 15.
O-O f6?
10 .. c6 ll.ttJf4
Black will counter l1.liJc3 with
11 ...'fib6 (threatening liJxc4) 12.
'fid2 a5+
1l ttJg4 12.ed4
After 12.liJxe6 liJxe3 13.liJxd8
liJc2 + 14.d2 liJxal 15.liJxb7
liJaxb3+ 16.axb3 liJxb7 Black ends
up with an extra exchange.
12 ... ttJe4!
This is a beautiful move, found
about a quarter of a century ago
by Garry Kasparov.
13.i.h3
The idea behind the knight
sortie can be best illustrated by
the following simple but rather
picturesque variation 13.'fixe4??
'fiaS+ 14.lt>dl liJxf2 + ; after 13.
liJd3, Black plays 13 .. .f5 14.f3 cS
15.liJxc5 'fia5+ 16.i.c3 dxc5 17.
i.xa5 cxd4 18.fxg4 b6 with an ad
vantage.
13.liJfh3 'fia5+ 14.lt>dl d5 15.
liJf3 i.c5 16.'fixg7 liJexf2 + 17.liJxf2
liJxf2 + 18.1t>c1 i.e3+ and White re
signed, Schubert - Techmer, BRD
1985.
13 ...ea5+ 14.1t>f1 ttJgxf2 15.
he6 fxe6 16.ttJxe6 It>d7 17.
ttJh3 (It would be a disaster for
White to opt for 17.liJxf8+ :gaxf8
18.'fixg7+ It>c8-+) 17... ttJxh3 1S.
exe4 geS:::: and Black has a
crushing atlack in a position with
material equality, Huebner - Kas
parov, Hamburg 1985 (game 24).
B4) 6.b3 a5!
If White wishes to avoid the
variation with 6 ... a5, he must
choose between 6.liJf3 g6 7.b3 and
6.e4 g6 7.b3.
(diagram)
B4a) 7.e4
B4b) 7 .ib2
It is not advisable for White to
win a pawn with 7.liJf3 a4 8.bxa4.
Black completes his development
91
Chapter 4
very quick1y and obtains excellent
counterplay: 8 ...e7 9 .e3 o-o 10.
e2 fS 11.tLld4 tLle4 12,ftJxc6 bxc6
13.tLlxe4 he4 14 ..tb2, Vakhidov
- Rahman, Chennai 2004, 14...
f6+
The original move 7.f3 cannot
prevent Black from following his
main plan: 7 ... a4 8J'b1 axb3 9.
axb3 bS!? (He is up to the task
and finds a clever counter strike.
A more traditional set-up is also
worth considering: 9 ...i.e7 1O.e4
tLld7 1l.tLlh3 tLlcS with a good
position.) 1O.e4 (After 1O.tLlxbS,
Black should probably play 10 ...
dS 1l.b4 dxc4, while against
1O.cxbS - 1O ... tLlb4 1l.e4 dS.) 10 ...
bxc4 1l.hc4 tLleS 12.tLlge2 e7co
Naumkin - Chatalbashev, Reggio
Emilia 2004.
In practice White has tried the
double fianchetto 7.g3 several
times, but he has had serious
problems even maintaining equal
ity: 7... a4 8.i.b2 (lt would be too
risky for him to capture the pawn
- 8.tLlxa4 dS 9.cS tLle4 1 O.c2,
Panikarovsky - Komliakov, Che
repovets 1997, 1O ...f6 11.f3 xa1
92
12.fxe4 tLlb4 13.b2 xb2 14.
hb2 dxe4-+ ; on the other hand,
he will hardly achieve anything by
sacrificing a pawn: 8.tLldS?! axb3
9 .b2 gxa2 1O.e3+ tLleS 11.xb3
gxa1 + 12.ha1 c6 13.tLlxf6+ xf6+
Gladyszev - Hasangatin, Tula
2003) 8...a3 9.c1
9 ... dS! (Black plays logically
and consistently. Having pushed
the enemy bishop back to el, he
has weakened the aS-el diagonal
and wishes to exploit this by de
ploying his bishop to b4.) 1O.cxdS
b4 11.e3+ tLle7 12 .d2 O-O 13.
g2, A.Kuzmin - Arizmendi, Biel
2002 (game 26) and here he
could have continued with a very
powerful manoeuvre, bringing his
queen's rook into action: 13 ... ga6
14.d3 fS lS.e4 tLlexdS+
B4a) In the first game that
reached this position, Korchnoi
consented to Black's opening of
the a-file, but he securely prevent
ed Black's thematic pawn-break
d6-dS:
7.e4 a4 8J;bl
8.tLlxa4? dS.
After 8.b2, White must con-
 1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.lLJc3 exd4 4. xd4 lLJc6 5. d2 lLJf6

sider not only the exchange on b3,

but the possibility a4-a3 as weIl,
since it creates disharmony in his
campo
8 . . axb3 9.axb3 g6
.

E:e8? Ratner - Boleslavsky, Mos

cow 1945.
1 0 ig7 1l ..ig2 O - O 12.

lLJge2 lLJe5

10 .g3
Korchnoi's historical rival
Anatoly Karpov used to develop
his bishop to another diagonal:
1O.d3 g7 1l.lLJge2 lLJb4 (Black
not only obtains the bishop pair,
he also prepares a smaIl tactical
combination which enables him
to simplify, reduce the tension
and equalize) 12.0-0 O-O 13.lLJf4
E:e8 (increasing the pressure
against the e4-pawn) 14.E:dl
(Black wiIl have nothing to com
plain about after 14.E:el lLJd7 15.
lLJa4 lLJxd3 16.xd3 lLJe5't) 14.. .
lLJxd3 15.xd3
(diagram)
15 ... lLJxe4 ! 16.lLJxe4 E:xe4 17.
xe4 f5 (Black has managed to
exploit the loose rook on b1.)
18.xb7 ixbl== Karpov - Epishin,
Dos Hermanas 1993.
13.f4
After 13.0-0, Black can trade
the light-squared bishops: 13 . . .
ih3 14.f3 (14.hh3? lLJf3+) 14 .. .
hg2 15.i>xg2 lLJfd7. His knight
can foIlow a standard route to the
queenside. In principIe, he would
not object to further simplifica
tion. 16.b2 lLJc5 17.lLJc1 c6 18.f4
lLJg4 19.b4 lLJa4 20.lLJxa4 E:xa4 21.
hg7 i>xg7 22 .lLJe2 b6? Taba
tadze - Vorotnikov, Belgorod
1989.
13 lLJed7 14. 0 - 0 ge8 15.

1O .lLJge2 ig7 11.g3 lLJe5 12 .ig2 b4. White looks after his e4-pawn
g4 13.e3 O-O 14.h3 ic8 15.0-0 by preventing the move lLJcS.

93
Chapter 4
However, he weakens his c4-pawn
and Black transfers his knight to
b6 in order to attack it. 15 e7
..
16.d3 b6+t Korchnoi - Polu
gaevsky, Evian 1977 (garne 25).
B4b) 7 .ib2 a4
B4b1) 8.d5
B4b2) 8.gd1
The a4-pawn is poisoned in
this position too: 8 .xa4? dS 9.
cxdS (It would not help White to
play here 9.cS e4 1O.cl i'i:xa4
l1.bxa4 .bcS 12.e3 .ib4+ 13.@e2
d4 14.1!9c4 1!9h4-+) 9 ... 4:Je4 10.
1!ge3 i'i:xa4 11.bxa4 .tb4+ and White
resigned, Weissel - Zaynard, Vi
enna 200S (12.'it>dl 1!9xdS+, with
decisive threats).
After 8.e4, Black has the pow
erful riposte 8 ... a3, after which he
begins active operations on the
dark squares: 9 ..icl g6 1O ..id3
.ig7 11.ge2 o-o 12 .0-0 d7 13.
1!9dl 4:JcS 14 ..ic2 b4 IS..ie3 fS+!
Manor - Oratovsky, Nethanya
1993.
8.i'i:bl axb3 9.axb3 g6 1O.g3
94
.ig7 11..ig2 o-o 12.e4, Khropov -
Savon, Sto Petersburg 1997, 12 . . .
4:Jd7 13.4:Jge2 4:Jc5+
B4b1) 8.d5
White wishes to block the en
erny d-pawn's advance and exert
pressure against the knight on f6 .
8 ....ie7
In practice Black has tried sev
eral alternatives here, but without
any particular success.
9.f3
9 .4:Jxe7 1!9xe7 1O.f3 o-o - see
9.f3 o-o 1O.4:Jxe7+ 1!9xe7.
9 .g3 a3 1O.hf6 hf6 1l.4:Jxf6 +
1!9xf6 12.i'i:dl o-o 13.4:Jf3 , Berechet
- Okhotnik, Satu-Mare 1988, 13 . . .
1!9b2 1 4..ig2 .ifS lS.0-0 8:fe8 16.e3
8:ad8+
9.e3 a3 1O ..ic3 4:Je4 11.1!9c2
4:Jxc3 12.1!9xc3 O-O 13 ..id3 .ie6 14.
4:Jxe7+ 1!9xe7 IS.4:Je2 dS 16.c5
1!9gS+! Av.Bykhovsky - Davies, Ri
shon le Zion 1995 (garne 27).
9.f3 O-O 1O.4:Jxe7+ 1!9xe7 11.e3
(11.e4 axb3 12.axb3 :e:xal+ 13 ..txal
4:Jd7 14.4:Je2 fS IS.4:Jc3 4:Jc5+ Prud
nikova - Sherernetieva, Volzhskij
1989) 1l ... :e:e8 12 .'it>f2, Aleksan
drov - Djuraev, Dresden 2008,
12 ... 4:JeS 13..td3 4:Jfg4+ ! ? 14.fxg4
xg4+ IS. 'it>el 4:Jxe3 with a pow
erful attack for Black.
9 ... a3 10 .ic3
1O.hf6 hf6 11.xf6+ 1!9xf6
12Jdl .ig4, draw, Navrotescu -
Moldovan, Targoviste 2001.
10 . .. e4 11.e3 xc3 12.
xc3 o - o 13.e3 .ie6 14.xe7+
xe7 15 ..ie2 d5 16.c5
 l.d4 d6 2.e4 e5 3. liJe3 exd4 4. W1xd4 liJe6 5. W1d2 liJf6
16 ...f5? Batsiashvili - Klino
va, Batumi 2002. Blaek's last
move is a bit risky, but perfeetly
playable nevertheless. Instead,
Blaek eould consider the simple
16. . ..tg4, also with a very good po
sition.
B4b2) 8.!M1 axb3 9.axb3
g6
This is played aeeording to an
already familiar scheme - the
bishop is developed on the long
diagonal.
1 0 .e4
White must fight for control of
the centre.
The rather slow line 1O.g3 .tg7
1l.liJh3?! enables Black to seize
the initiative: 11...0-0 12.liJf4 liJa5
13.W1c2 .tf5 14.liJd3 c6't Brunner -
Sehlosser, Belgium 2009.
10 . i.g7 11.i.d3 O - O
There is an interesting alter
native here: 1l ... liJd4 12 ..tc2
liJxe2+ (The immediate 12 ... liJh5 !?
eould also be eonsidered) 13.W1xe2
o-o 14.liJge2 liJh5 15.0-0 , Lautier
- Kramnik, Cannes 1993 (game
28), 15 ... Ele8 16.f3 .te5, with
ehances for both sides.
12.liJge2 liJg4
My eomputer strongly prefers
the standard route - 12 ... liJd7, fol
lowed by liJe5, but strangely
enough, nobody has played this
so faro Meanwhile, the move in
the text (played with the same
purpose - to inerease control over
the dark-squares) is quite good
enough.
13. 0 - 0
13.h3 liJge5 14 ..tb1 liJa5 15 ..te2
Ele8 16.Ela1 b6 17.liJd1 .td7? Van
Hoolandt - Yrjola, Budapest
2008 (game 29).
13 liJce5 14.h3 liJxd3 15.
.
xd3 liJe5 16.e3 ge8? - White
has a slight spaee advantage, but
Black has two bishops and exerts
pressure against the enemy e4-
pawn and this provides him with
a very good game indeed, Brunner
- Solodovnichenko, Naney 2010.
95
Chapter 4 1.d4 d6 2.c4 eS 3)tJc3 exd4 4.'xd4
c6

Complete Games

19 Ioseliani Espig 18.b4 ltleS 19 . .ixeS?!

Germany 1998
1.d4 d6 2.e4 eS 3.ltle3 exd4
4.t1lxd4 ltle6 S.t1ld1 g6 6.ltlf3
ig7 7.igS ltlf6 8.g3 h6 9.if4
o - o 10 .ig2 if5 11. 0 - 0 gS
12.id2 ltle4 13.ge1 ge8
This decision is difficult to un
derstand. After the simple line:
19.1LlxeS hg2 20.mxg2 dxeS 21.
Wfc2, White's position is obviously
preferable.
19 ...dxeS 2 0 .e3 .ig6 21.
ltld2

14.h4!?
White is trying to complicate
the position, while Black, in re
sponse, simplifies.
14 ... ltlxc3?!
It was preferable to play 14 ...
g4! ? 1S.lje1 lLlcS 16.e3 aS and his
prospects would not be at all
worse.
lS ..ixe3 .ie4 16.hxgS hxgS
17.d2 f6
Black must block his own bish
op; otherwise his king on g8 may
come under attack.
21. ..e4! White possibly un
derestimated this temporary
pawn-sacrifice. Now Black's piec
es are activated and the position
is balanced. 22.ltlxe4 e7 23.
ltleS xe3 24.fxe3 gxe3 2S.
.b:b7 gae8 26 ..idS+ .if7 27.
ltld7 gxg3+. Draw
2 O Kalantar - T.Petrosian
Yerevan 1946
1.d4 ltlf6 2.e4 d6 3.ltlc3 eS
4.e4 exd4 S.xd4 ltle6 6.d2

96
 1.d4 d6 2.c4 eS 3.ttJc3 exd4 4. Wixd4 ttJ c6
g6 7.g3 i.g7 8.i.g2 o - o 9.c!lJge2
c!lJe5 1 0 .b3 i.h3 11. 0 - 0 !;e8
12.f3 h:g2 13.'it>xg2 c!lJfd7 14.
i.a3 a5 15.!;ad1 a4
16.c1
The pawn is untouchable: 16.
ttJxa4? ttJxc4 17.bxc4 E:xa4.
16 . axb3 17.axb3 'c8
Petrosian tries here to irnple
rnent a very original plan, which
his opponent evidently underesti
rnated.
18.c!lJa4?!
White sends his knight to the
edge of the board, but in vain. Af
ter 18.ttJd4! ttJc6 19.ttJdb5 his
prospects would have been at
least equal.
18 b6 19.c!lJec3 b7 2 0 .
..
c!lJb5?! f5!
Black transfers his queen to
the long diagonal. The enerny king
is situated there, so he begins to
open it.
21.exf5
It was slightly better for White
to play 21.E:fel, but even then af
ter 21...fxe4 22.fxe4 ttJg4 Black's
advantage would be in no doubt.
21 . c!lJxf3! 22J;d5
After 22.E:xf3 Black can finish
his opponent off irnrnediately
with 22 ... E:e2+.
22 .. c!lJfe5 23.'it>h3 c!lJf6 24.
!;dd1
The only way for White to offer
sorne rneaningful resistance was
to sacrifice the exchange with
24.ttJac3.
24 c!lJeg4 25.c!lJd4 c!lJe3 26.
..
!;f3 c!lJfg4 27.!;d3
27 xf3!!
.
97
Chapter 4

This is a beautiful final blow. 22 Bareev Mokry

After 28.lDxf3 White is checkmat
ed: 28 ... lDf2 + 29.@h4 f6+ 30.
lDgS lDxfS#. Therefore he re
signed.
21 Psakhis Gofsbtein
Israel 1996
1.c4 d6 2.d4 e5 3.tDc3 exd4
4.,,xd4 tDc6 5.d2 tDf6 6.g3
J.e6 7.e4 J.e7 8.f3 O - O 9.tDd5
tDd7 1 0 .J.g2 f5 11.exS hf5
12.tDe3 J.e6 13.f4 d5 14.tDxd5
ge8 15.tDf3 J.c5
Trnava 1989
l.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.lLlc3 exd4
4.xd4 lLlf6 5.g3 lLlc6 6.d2
J.e6 7.e4 J.e7 8.f3 O - O 9.b3
a5 1 0 .lLlge2 a4 11.gb1 axb3
12.axb3 lLle5 13.J.g2 J.b3 14.
O - O .ixg2 15. 'it>xg2 ge8 16.
i.b2

16 ...J.f8
Black played a bit too slowly in
the last few moves and his posi
tion is worse. He should have con
sidered 16 ... lDfd7, transferring his
16.'it>f1 knight immediately to eS, while
It is impossible for White to his bishop might be useful on the
castle kingside and queenside e7-square.
castling is highly unlikely. Black 17Jbd1 c6 18.,,c2 c7 19.
was threatening a deadly discov gd2 lLlfd7 2 0 .lLld1 lLlc5 21.lLlf2
ered check, so White must leave b6 22.lLlc1 gad8 23.gfd1 f6
his king in the centre. 24 ..ic3 lLle6 25.f4 lLlf7 26.b4
16... tDb6 a6 27.d3
The future ofhis position hing
es on the placement of the knight
on dS. Accordingly Black must ex
change it.
17.tDg5 J.f5 18.b3 lLlb4! 19.
J.f3 lLl6xd5 2 O .J.xd5+ tDxd5
21.,,xd5+ xd5 22.cxd5 J.d4
White loses his rook now, so
he resigned.

98
 1.d4 d6 2.c4 eS 3. tDc3 exd4 4. \!!!fxd4 tDc6

27 b5!?
..

He is trying to free himself

fram the positional bind.
28.ga2 b7 29.cxb5 cxb5
3 0 .d5 d7 31 .id4 tDc7 32.

b3 c6 33.c2?
The endgame now is quite ac
ceptable for Black, while after
33.tDe2 a8 34.c1, White would
have a c1ear advantage.
33 . xc2 34.gxc2 tDa6 35.
tDa2
35 d5! After this thematic
.
knight would be untouchable, be
cause of the check with the second
knight on the d3-square. If White
leaves his king in the centre with
14.'it>d1, then Black can continue
with 14 ... 0-0-0.
14.tDfJ ghe8 15.tDd4 tDxd4
16.i.xd4 d7 17.c3 c6 18.
ggl .ig4 19.'ffc2
The pawn is still poisoned. Af
ter 19.i.xg7, Black has the re
sponse 19 ...\!!!fb6 with rather un
pleasant threats.

pawn-break the position becomes

completely equal. 36 .ib6 gb8

37.gc6 dxe4 38 . .ia7 ga8 39.

gxa6 ge7 4 0 . tDc3 gexa7 41.
a7 gxa7 42. tDfxe4. Draw

23 Taimanov - Smyslov
Tbilisi 1966
1.c4 e5 2.tDc3 d6 3.d4 exd4
4.\!!!fxd4 tDc6 5.d2 tDf6 6.g3 19 ...e4?
.ie6 7.tDd5 tDe5 8.b3 tDe4 9. Smyslov forces a transition
d4 tDc5 1 0 .f4 tDc6 11.e3 .ie7 into an endgame, but in vain.
12.tDxe7 xe7 13.i.b2 White's king is relatively safe now
(diagram) and his bishop-pair becomes a
13 .. 0-0-0 powerful force. It was correct for
Here 13 ... tDb4!? should be con Black to continue with 19 ...d5 2 0.
sidered, with the idea of counter h3 i.f3 and White will remain in
ing 14.\!!!fc3 with 14 ...i.f5! and the dire straits.

99
Chapter 4

2 O .ttxe4 lhe4 21.hg7 White's bishop-pair is very

gde8 22.@d2 powerful now in this open posi
tion. In addition, Black's kingside
pawn-structure is in ruins.
28 h5 29.@f2 .idl 3 0 .h3
.

e6 31.g4
It is possibly more precise for
White to continue with 31.b4 liJe6
32 ..if6. Even now, however, he
gradually squeezes his opponent's
pieces.
3l ... liJe6 32.gxh5 .ixh5 33 .
22 ...he2 .ih6 liJd4 34 .id3 @e7 35.@e3

After the natural move White e5 36 .ig7 liJe6 37 .if6 liJf8

is already better. 38.h4 @d7 39 . .if5+ @e8 4 0 .

Instead, Black had at his dis .ie4 liJd7 41..ie3 b 6 42.f5 liJe5
posal a clever tactical resource - 43.f6 liJg6 44 .iel liJf8 45 ..ig3

22 .. .f6!, shutting the enemy dark @d7

squared bishop out of play. It is
obvious that White must capture
the pawn - 23 ..bf6, but then
Black forces a draw: 23 ... flxe2+
24 ..ixe2 flxe2+ 25.@c3 (White
loses after 25.@cl? liJd3+ 2 6.@bl
.if5.) 25 ... liJe4+ 2 6.@d3 liJc5+
(Black must give perpetual check
now, since it is very bad for him to
continue with 2 6 ... liJxf6? 27.h3
.if3 28.flgfl.) 27.@c3= 46 ..if5+ liJe6 47 .ih3 .idl

23 .ih3+ @b8 24 ..if5 g4e7

48 .if4 .ih5 49 .ih6 .idl 50

25.gael .if3 26.gxe7 gxe7 27. .if8 .ih5 5l .ie7 a5 52.@f2 .idl

gel e1 28.@xel 53.@g3 a4 54.bxa4 ha4 55.

h5 .ie2 56.h6 .ig6 57 .ig4 .ih7

58.@f2 .ibl 59.@e3 .ih7 6 0 .

@d2 .ibl 6l.@c3 .ie4 62.@b3
d5 63.exd5 .ixd5+ 64.@c3 .ie4
65.@e4 @e8 66 . .if3 b5+ 67.
@c3 liJg5 68.h7!
Black loses a piece, or is check
mated (68 ....b:h7 69 ..ic6#), so he
resigned.

100
 l.d4 d6 2.c4 eS 3.liJc3 exd4 4. Wlxd4 liJc6
24 Huebner - Kasparov
Hamburg 1985
l.e4 e5 2.liJe3 d6 3.d4 exd4
4.'bd4 liJf6 5.g3 liJe6 6.Wld2
.te6 7.liJd5 liJe5 8.b3 liJe4 9.
Wle3 liJe5 10 ..tb2 e6 1l.liJf4
liJg4 12:d4 liJe4 13 .th3 Wla5+
14.q"fl liJgxf2 15 .be6 fxe6 16.
liJxe6 q"d7 17.liJh3 liJxh3 18.
Wlxe4 e8
19.1iJe5+
White saves his piece thanks
to this tactical trick but his posi
tion remains critical.
19 ...Ybe5 2 0 .Wlg4+ q"e7 21.
Wlxh3
21 . . .,ie7!
Black sacrifices a pawn and
then the exchange and his aUack
becomes crushing. Kasparov fin
ishes his opponent off in a flash.
22.hg7 hf8+ ! 23.hf8
xf8+ 24.q"e1 Wlf2+ 25.q"d1
Wld4+ 26.q"e2 Wle4+ 27.q"d2
White is already beyond sal
vation, for example: 27. q"b2
Wlxe2 + 28.q"c3 :f3+ 29.q"b4 d5+
30.c5 hc5+ 31.q"xc5 1/ffe7+ 32.
q"d4 1/ffe 3#
27....ig5+ 28.q"e3 Wle5+.
White resigned.
25 Korehnoi - Polugaevsky
Evian 1977
l.e4 e5 2.liJe3 d6 3.d4 exd4
4.Wlxd4 liJe6 5.Wld2 liJf6 6.b3
a5 7.e4 a4 8.b1 axb3 9.axb3
g6 1 0 .g3 ,ig7 1l.,ig2 O - O 12.
liJge2 liJe5 13.f4 liJed7 14. O - O
e8 15.b4 Wle7 16.Wld3 liJb6
17.,ie3
17... a3?!
Here Black should have tried a
tactical solution: 17... liJxe4! 18.
he4 f5! 19.hb6 he4 20.liJxe4
1/ffxe4 21.1/ffxe4 :xe4 2 2.hc7 :xe2
with a slight edge (although the
most probable outcome of the
game would have been a draw). In
the game, White firmly seizes the
initiative.
101
Chapter 4

18.ixb6! cxb6 19.al xal

2 O .xal .ie6 21.cl a8 22.
d4 e8 23.db5
It seems even stronger for
White to continue with 23.lt:lxe6!
fxe6 24.lt:lbS.
23 ... tVf6 24.f1 ,d8 25.dl
,f6 26.i.f1 h5 27.,e3 a6 28 .
.ie2 ,e7 29.,f2 .id7 3 0 .d5
,d8 31.i.f1 .ig4 32.el i.e6
14.xd5 xd5 15.,d4
ixd2+ 16.,xd2 ,f6 17.cl
.ie6 18.e4 e7 19.e2?
White overlooks a powerful
tactical blow; instesd 19.1t:lf3 is
correct..
19 ....ixb3! 2 0 . 0 - 0
With a knight on f3, White
could have covered the long diag
onal with the move e4-eS. Here,
33.dl after 20.axb3 a2 2 1.0-0 alW,
After 33 ..id3, White has a sta Black's pawn promotes.
ble advantage. Korchnoi (possi 2 O ...2 21. ,xb2 axb2
bly, because of time-trouble) de 22.bl xa2 23.c3
cided to repeat moves.
33 ... .ig4 34.e1. Draw

26 A.Kuzmin - Arizmendi
Biel 2002
l.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.c3 exd4
4.,xd4 c6 5.,d2 f6 6.b3
a5 7.g3 a4 8 ..ib2 a3 9.i.cl d5
1 0 .cxd5 .ib4 1l.,e3+ e7 12

.id2 O - O 13.i.g2 23 ... a5?

(diagram)
13 ... exd5
We have already pointed out
in our theoretical section that
Black could consider 13 ... !a6
here.
It was much stronger for him
to continue with 23 ... !fa8 24.
lt:lxa2 !xa2 2S.eS cs.
24.xb2 .ic4 25.dl b5
26.d7 al +?
Black could have maintained

102
 l.d4 d6 2.c4 eS 3. tLlc3 exd4 4. Viffxd4 tLlc6

his advantage after 26 ... tLlg6 with outcome of the fight would have
the following sample variation: remained completely unclear.
27J''l xc7 ga1+ 28.gb1 gxb1+ 29.
tLlxb1 gd8 30.tLlc3 gd3.
27Jb1 gxb1+ 2S.lilxb1 lilg6
29.gxc7 gaS 3 0 .lild2 ga1+ 31.
.ifl .ixf1 32.gcS+ lilf8 33.lilxf1
gel 34.gbS gxe4 35.S:xb5 g6.
Draw

27 Av.Bykhovsky - Davies
Rishon le Zion 1995
1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.lilc3 exd4
4.e'xd4 lilf6 5.b3 lilc6 6.e'd2
a5 7. .ib2 a4 8.lild5 ie7 9.e3 a3
10 .ic3 lile4 1l.e'c2 lilxc3 12.
e'xc3 O - O 13.id3 .ie6 14.
lilxe7+ e'xe7 15.lile2 d5 16.c5
e'g5
27 .. :xf4! 28.gxf4 lilxt'3+
29.'i!?f2 d4
White resigned, since after
30.Viffc4 .ic6 his position would
crumble.
28 Lautier Kramnik
Cannes 1993
1.c4 e5 2.lilc3 d6 3.d4 exd4
4.e'xd4 lilc6 5.e'd2 lilf6 6.b3
a5 7.ib2 a4 8.gd1 axb3 9.axb3
g6 10 .e4 ig7 1l .id3 lild4 12

.ic2 lilxc2+ 13.tixc2 O - O 14.

lilge2

For the next ten moves both

sides manoeuvre skilfully, main
taining approximate equality on
the board. Then White overlooks
a crushing tactical blow.
17. 0 - 0 E:fd8 lS.f4 e'e7 19.
lild4 tif6 2 0 .E:ac1 id7 21.E:f3
ge8 22.f5 lile5 23.lU4 ge7 24. 14 ...lilh5
gel gae8 25.g3 e'g5 26 ..ic2 h5 White maintains a slight edge
27.lilf3? after 14. . ..ig4 15.f3 .ie6 16.0-0,
After, for example: 27.b4, the for example 16 ... tLld7 17.tLld4 Viffh4

103
Chapter 4
18.lLlcb5 l":ac8, Sarkar - Vovsha,
New York 2004, 19.1Llxe6 fxe6 20.
.bg7 \iJxg7 21.l":alI
15. 0 - 0 f5 16.c5 fxe4
It is rather dubious for Black
to play 16 ...f4?! in view of 17.f3
e6 18.lLla4 xb2 19.'xb2;j;
17.txe4
It is obviously stronger for
White to continue with 17.cxd6.
Lautier was afraid of 17. . .e3 !?, but
after 18.fxe3 l":xf1+ 19.1":xf1 xd6
20.lLle4 b6 21.lLld4 his knights
would occupy the centre and
Black's defence would be diffi
culto
17 d5
.
It seems that he could have
equalized more easily after 17...
.bb2 18.xb2 e7! 19.cxd6 xe4
20.d7 e7 21.dxc8 l":axc8=
18.h:g7 txg7
After 18 ... \iJxg7, White has the
powerful riposte 19.c6! and after
19 ...fS he has a check with his
queen.
19.c6
In the variation 19 ... lLle6 20.
cxb7 hb7 21.lLlc5 lLlxcS 2 2.xc5
l":f7 23.lLld4;i; White can set up a
blockade on the dark squares.
104
2 O .t2g3 he4 21.txe4
l":b8 22.l":d3 bxc6 23. xc6 b6
24.c3 e6 25.tc5 ee8
Here Black should have played
much more actively: 2S ... l":e2 26.
l":d2 (or 26.b4 lLlf5 27.l":dd1 c6=)
26 ... l":xd2 27.xd2 d6 28.b4
lLle6=
26.b4 c6
Here 26 ... lLle6 was better, with
approximate equality. White seiz
es the initiative now.
27.tb3! d6 28.td4 f6
29.e3 ef8
Here Black could have consid
ered 29 ... l":b8 30.lLlc2 l":f4.
3 0 .e2 tf5 31.tb3 th6?!
His knight retreats to the
wrong square. After 31...l":e6 32.
l":xe6 xe6 33.l":e1 f6, Black
should not have any serious prob
lems.
32.h3 tf7 33.tc5
White creates the unpleasant
threat of lLld7.
33 ... tg5 34.fel 6f7
Black loses after 34 ... lLle4?, be
cause of 35.l":xe4! dxe4 36.lLlxe4.
The rook and pawn ending af
ter 34 ... l":f4 35.g3 lLle4 36.lLlxe4
dxe4 37.l":xe4 l":xe4 38.l":xe4 xg3
 l.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.lIJc3 exd4 4. Wxd4 lIJc6
39.fxg3 is evaluated by Lautier as
equal, but 1 eonsider this opinion
as overly optimistie for Blaek. He
is a pawn down after all and he
must still fight hard for the draw.
35.h4 llJe4 36.llJxe4 dxe4
37.Wfe4 d5
Here 37...e3 !? is interesting,
for example: 38.fxe3 (or 38.!lxe3
f4 39.!le4 xf2+ 40.mh2 b6
41.!le7 b8+ 42.g3 Wb5) 38 . . . mg7
39.We3+ mh6 and he has good
drawing ehanees.
38.gel gf6?!
Again, it was worth trying 38 ...
e3.
39.xe4 xe4 4 0 .gxe4
gxf2 41.gxe6 gf1+ 42.'t>h2
g8f4
Blaek eould have regained his
pawn - 42 ...!lb8 43Jk7 !lbl, but
after 44.!lee7, White should win
the game.
43.gee4 gxe4 44.gxe4 <t>f7
45.<t>g3 gb1 46.<t>f4 h5 47.<t>g5
47 . gb2
After 47... !lgl 48.!le2 (threat
ening l"lb2) 48 ... !lbl 49.!lf2+ mg7
50.!lf6 !lxb4 51.l"lxg6+ mf7 52.
mxh5 White wins.
48.g3 gb3 49.g4 gd3 5 0 .
<t>h6 hxg4 51.gf4+! <t>e7 52.
g4 gd6 53.<t>g7
It is never too late to make a
mistake. In the variation 53.!lxg6?
!ld4 54.h5 !lxb4 55.mg7 !lf4 ! Blaek
would save the day.
53
.. gb6 54.ge4+ wd8 55.
<t>f7
Blaek resigned, beeause after
55 ... me7 56.!lg4 md7 57.l"lxg6
l"lxb4 58.h5 l"le4 (or 58 ... !lf4+ 59.
!lf6) 59.l"lf6 ! !le7+ 60.mg6, White's
pawn queens ..
29 Van Hoolandt - Yrjola
Budapest 2008
l.d4 d6 2.e4 e5 3.llJc3 exd4
4.xd4 llJe6 5.d2 llJf6 6.b3
a5 7..ib2 a4 8.gdl axb3 9.axb3
g6 1 0 .e4 .ig7 1l .id3 o - o 12.
llJge2 llJg4 l3.h3 llJge5 l4 .ibl
llJa5 l5 .ie2 ge8 l6.gal b6
l7.llJdl .id7 18 ..ie3 .ie6 19.e3
f5
This is Blaek's standard king
side eounterplay.
2 0 . 0 - 0 f4 21.llJd5 f3 22.
llJd4 fxg2
Here Blaek eould eonsider 22 ...
.id7!?, in order to ensure a safe
haven for his king on the e5-
105
Chapter 4

square. Interesting complications

could follow: 23.ttJxf3 8xf3+ 24.
gxf3 hc3 25.xc3 hh3 26.f4!
(protecting against the threat
g5+) 2 6...hfl 27.ttJf6+ f7 28.
ttJxe8 i.e2 and the position would
remain very sharp.
23.xg2 .id7 24.f4 tLlf7 25.
tLlf3 e6 26.tLle3 e7 27.i.xg7
xg7 28.tLlg4
It was stronger for White to this move is absolutely anti-posi
choose 28.b4 ttJb7 29.d4+ g8 tional. There are not many play
30J'i:xa8 l"lxa8 31.xb6 with a ers who would be willing to place
clear advantage. all their pawns on light squares,
28 i.xg4 29.hxg4 e5 having a light-squared bishop left
(diagram) on the board and also presenting
3 0 J';hl the e5-outpost to the opponent.
The computer program " Ryb 3 O tLle6 31.g5 d7 32.

ka" recommends here 30.f5!?, 'l!We3+ g8 33.g3 tLlb4

(having "in mind" the tactical re White's position remains
source 31.f6 + xf6 32.ttJg5), but slightly preferable, but the oppo
from the "human" point of view nents agreed to a draw.

106
Chapter 5 l.d4 d6 2 .c4 e5 3.f3
Quick Repertoire
This is the most popular and
most principled move for White.
He is playing "scientifically", de
veloping the knight, attacking the
enemy e5-pawn and after an even
tual exchange on d4 he will cap
ture with his knight, obtaining an
edge thanks to his space advan
tage.
In contrast to the variation
with 3.ct:lc3, his queen will not need
to lose tempi going into the centre
early and then retreating. His
knight is quite comfortable on the
d4-square. Of course, Black is not
at all obliged to exchange on d4.
3 ... e4
Black has other possibilities
(for example 3 . . . ttJd7, although
the exchange on d4 may still re-
main on his agenda), but 1 recom
mend this move as the most am
bitious. Black attacks the enemy
knight, gains space and wins tem
pi for the development of his piec
es. These are the advantages of
the move. Its main drawback can
be summed up in the clich (which
is true, by the way... ) "Pawns can
not go back ! " His pawn on e4 is
...
powerful, but is also a target.
Black will be reluctant to exchange
it, since it impedes the coordina
tion of White's forces on both
sides of the board, but its protec
tion might become a problem as
well.
In this variation a pawn-struc
ture similar to the French Defence
(with colours reversed) very often
arises: c6-d5-e4-f5 for Black
against c4-d4-e3 for White. In
this situation, White usually at
tacks the d5-pawn, developing his
queen to b3 and the knights to c3
and f4. Sometimes he first deploys
his bishop to g5 in order to elimi
nate one of the defenders of the
d5-pawn - Black's knight on f6.
White's other possible plan, anal
ogously to the French Defence, is
107
Chapter 5
connected with the undermining
move f2-f3.
White's most popular reply is 4.
tLlg5 and our next chapter is devot
ed to this. Now, however, we shall
deal with his other two plans.
4.lbfd2
White sometimes retreats his
knight to its initial position - 4.
tLlgl, in order to develop it later to
h3 (and then to f4) at an oppor
tune moment, without being
forced to do that when Black plays
f8-e7 or h7-h6. Positions similar
to those arising after 4 tLlg5 are of
ten reached, but there are sorne
nuances too. Here is how the
game may develop: 4 . . .f5 5.tLlc3
e7 6.tLld5 After 6.tLlh3, there
arise positions we analyze in
Chapter 6.) 6 ...c6 7.tLlxe7 'if!fxe7
8.h4 e6 9.g5 tLlf6 1O.e3 O-O.
Black has no problems with his
development and in positions
with pawn-chains all over the en
tire board, the knights are not at
all inferior to the bishops.
4 .. f5
.
If we take a closer look at this
108
situation, we will see that this is in
fact a position from the French
Defence - naturally with colours
reversed. The retreat of the knight
to the d2-square (to d7 in The
French... ) is completely in the
spirit of this opening. White con
centrates all his forces against the
e4-pawn: he provokes the move
f7-f5 and then plays the under
mining move f2-f3, forcing the
opponent to exchange on f3. No
doubt, Black's pawn on f5, after
the exchange of its neighbour on
e4 seems rather awkward, but af
ter this exchange White ends up
with a backward pawn of his own
- on e3. Later, the fight focuses
on whether White will succeed in
advancing with e3-e4: if he is able
to push that pawn under favoura
ble circumstances (that is without
numerous exchanges or an addi
tional weakening of his position),
he will obtain a small edge. White's
plan however, is rather transpar
ent and Black has more than suf
ficient resources to counter it ef
fectively.
5.lbc3 lbf6 6.e3

6 ...g6
His bishop will be more active
ly placed on g7 or h6 than on e7.
Meanwhile, Black prudently forti
fies his f5-pawn, which may be
come a target after f2-f3 and an
exchange on f3.
7..ie2 .ig7
8.0-0
Naturally, White can evacuate
his king to the queenside, but this
requires plenty of time and Black's
attack will most probably be fast
ero
8 ... 0 - 0 9.b4
On this move, as well as on the
previous one, White could have
l.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.liJj3 e4
played the typically French De
fence undermining move f2-f3. In
response, Black should exchange
on f3, creating a weakness for his
opponent on e3. White must then
try to advance e3-e4, in order to
get rid of his weak pawn, forcing
additional simplifications. For
details, see the Step by Step chap
ter.
9 ....ie6 10 .a4 .if7 1l..ia3
tLlc6 12.b5 tLle7 13Jl!fc2 g5
Black has concentrated power
fuI forces on the kingside and his
offensive there may become very
dangerous for White, since his
pieces are a bit discoordinated.
109
Chapter 5 1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.tLlf3 e4
Step by Step
A) 4.lLlgl
B) 4.fd2
We shaIl analyze the main lne
for White - 4.ltJgS in the next
chapter.
A) 4.lLlgl
He retreats his knight to its
initial square and wishes later to
deploy it on f4, via h3 or e2. Po
sitions similar to those arising
after 4.ltJgS are often reached,
but there are sorne nuances. For
example, after 4.ltJgS ie7, White
must make up his mind imme
diately - that is, whether he wiIl
retreat his knight to h3, or protect
it with the move h2-h4. Obviously
Black cannot attack the enemy
110
knight on gl, so White can first
develop his other pieces. Natural
ly it would be senseless for him to
keep his knight on gl for long, so
he will need to consider its future
urgently.
4 f5
. . .
5.lLlc3
In the foIlowing game, White
kept his knight on gl for six moves:
S.h4 ltJf6 6.g3 c6 7.igS ie7 8.e3
O-O 9.hS ltJa6 1O.ltJc3 ltJc7 11.ltJh3
ltJe6 12 .ih4 ltJg4 13.he7 Wixe7
14.b4 ltJgS lS.ie2 ltJxh3 16.Elxh3
ltJf6, R.Hofman - Hartoch, Berln
1988. Black's position is at least
equal. White tried an offensive
on too large a scale and did not
achieve anything real. However,
 1.d4 d6 2.c4 eS 3. 121j3 e4 4. 121fd2j5

his rear has been weakened con

siderably.
This example shows that it is
better to carry out the plan with
the undermining move f2-f3 with
a knight on d2 and not on gl: 5.g3
l2lf6 6.i.g2 g6 7.f3 i1.g7 8.121c3 l2lc6
(White wishes to clarify the situ
ation in the centre, while on the
contrary, Black skilfully main
tains the tension.) 9.fxe4 l2lxe4
1O.l2lxe4 fxe4 11.d5 l2le5 12 .i1.xe4 Black should not be reluctant
o-o 13.c2 e7+ Martinez - Ro to part with his dark-squared
driguez Lopez, Mondariz 1998. bishop, because in positions with
Black has an overwhelming lead pawn-chains occupying the entire
in development as compensa board the knights are not inferior
tion for the sacrificed pawn and to the bishops and he continues to
White's situation is a casue for have a space advantage.
concern. 7,l::,xe7 xe7 8.h4 i.e6 9.
5 .. i.e7 i.g5 lLlf6 l O .e3 O - O 1l.lLlh3
Black wishes to complete lLlbd7 12.lLlf4 i.f7 l3.i.e2 gfe8+t
the development of his kingside - Black waits to see where his op
quickIy (i1.e7, l2lf6, O-O) and then ponent will castle and his further
prepare c6 and d5, in order to for plans will depend on this, Barzeele
tify his e4-pawn. He must begin - Prentos, Sas Van Gent 1992.
by moving his bishop, because
after 5 ...121f6 White can continue B) 4.lLlfd2 15
with 6.i.g5, later developing his
knight to f4 and exchanging on f6
at an opportune momento Black
will then have great problems in
completing his planned set-up
with c6 and d5.
6,llj d5
For 6 .121h3 - see 4.121g5 f5 5.
l2lc3 i1.e7 6. 121h3.
6.g3 l2lf6 7.h4 c5 8.dxc5 dxc5
9.i.f4 a5 1O.l2lh3 i.e6 11.e3 l2lc6
12 .i.e2 d8 13.b3 Wfb4't Wil
liams - Skytte, Millfield 2002. 5.lLlc3
6 ... c6 For 5.e3 l2lf6 6.i1.e2 (6.121c3 g6

111
Chapter 5
- see S.ttJc3) 6 ...g6 7.ttJc3 iJ.g7 -
see S.ttJc3.
White's knight-sortie to the
flank is harmless for his oppo
nent: S.ttJb3 c6 6.ttJc3 iJ.e7 (After
6 ... g6, Black must consider 7.h4
ttJf6 8.iJ.gS, but this is not very
dangerous for him either.) 7.iJ.f4
(7.dS eS 8.g3 ttJd7 9.f3, draw, Mi
ladinovic - Nikolaidis, Greece
1998.) 7... ttJf6 8.e3 O-O 9.dS, Iss
ing - Werner, Wuerzburg 1997,
9 ...b6 1O.dxc6 ttJxc6 11.iJ.e2 iJ.b7fi
White's queenside pawn-of
fensive S.b4 c6 6.ttJb3 is not very
effective, since Black can counter
it by fortifying his position in the
centre: 6 ... dS 7.cS ttJd7 8.h4 iJ.e7
9.g3 (this is timely prophylax
is against Black's possible king
side activity) 9 ... ttJf8 1O.iJ.f4 ttJe6
11.iJ.eS (This manoeuvre is rather
dubious. The bishop is admittedly
beautifully placed on eS but its re
treat hs been cut off and Black can
exchange it for a knight.) 11 ...ttJh6
12 .iJ.h3 o-o 13.'\Wd2 (White is eye
ing the knight on h6, since Black
plans to continue with g6 and
ttJf7. Now Black he can continue
with his main plan, fearlessly sac-
112
rificing a pawn in the process.)
13 ... ttJf7! 14.iJ.xfS ttJxeS lS.iJ.xe6+
iJ.xe6 16.dxeS '\Wc7 17.'\Wc3 ElfS't -
Black regains his pawn and main
tains the advantage thanks to his
bishop-pair and powerful pawn
centre, Wong Meng-Kong - Mas,
Vietnam 2003.
The king's fianchetto S.g3 g6
6.iJ.g2 is a not very successful com
bination of two different plans. It
makes sense only when White's
knight can quickly reach the f4-
square in order to exert pressure
against the dS-square. The route
via d2 to f4 would take an eternity
to accomplish. Black can place his
pawns on c6 and dS and his posi
tion remains completely safe: 6 ...
iJ.g7 7.0-0
7 ... ttJe7 (The idea of this move
is to leave open both the diagonal
for the bishop on g7 and the file
for the rook on f8. Still, I think the
move 7... ttJf6 is equally good. In
the following game White tried to
undermine Black's centre in too
straightforward a manner and his
opponent quickly seized the initi
ative: 8.ttJc3 c6 9.dS eS 1O.f3 exf3
11.iJ.xf3 ttJbd7 12.e4 ttJeS 13.exfS

ixfS 14.tLlde4 0-0+ Grigorjev -
Kuzmicz, Pardubice 200S) 8.tLlc3
O-O 9.tLlb3 c6 1O.f3 dS 11.cxdS
exf3 (Black wishes to play against
his opponent's isolated pawn. It
is also good for him to play 11 ...
cxdS 12 ..tf4 tLlbc6 13Jc1 b6)
12.exf3 tLlxdS 13.f4 b6 Wor
nath - C.Hansen, Germany 2000
(game 3 0).
5 .li)f6
6.e3
The grandmaster from Belarus
Alexey Alexandrov tried an origi
nal idea here - 6.tLldbl!? Perhaps
he got carried away with the idea
of his king's knight ending up on
the b1-square? Understandably,
this waste of tempi did not go un
punished and Black soon seized
the initiative: 6 ... c6 7.igS tLlbd7
8.e3 h6 9.ixf6 tLlxf6 1O.ie2 g6
11.tLld2 hS (Black prevents the un
dermining move g2-g4 and clears
a square for his king's bishop.)
12.1'c2 ih6 13.0-0-0 dS 14.i>b1
0-0+ Aleksandrov - DamIjanovic,
Plovdiv 2003.
After Black has already devel-
l.d4 d6 2.c4 eS 3.tLlj3 e4 4. tLlfd2j5
oped his knight to f6, the move
6.tLlb3 looks more sensible, es
pecially since White can now de
velop his bishop to gS. Still, after
6 ...ie7 7.igS (7.g3 o-o 8 ..tg2
c6 9.dS cS 10.0-0 tLlbd7 11.if4,
Twomey - Murray, Dublin 2 007,
l1...tLlhS 12 ..tc1 tLleS+) 7...c6 8.e3
O-O 9 ..te2 tLla6, Black has noth
ing to worry about. He advances
d6-dS, fortifying his centre, and
then completes the development
of his queenside. For example:
1O.d2 tLlc7 11.0-0-0 dS 12.i>b1
b6 13J'k1 ie6 Iotov - Popchev,
Sofia 2 006.
6 ...g6
7.i.e2
I have already mentioned that
the king's fianchetto with a knight
on d2 is not so eftective: 7.g3 ig7
8.ig2 O-O 9.0-0 (9.h4 cS 1O.tLle2
tLlc6 11.a3 tLlg4 12.tLlb3 b6+ Lun
din - Chekhov, Moscow 1996) 9 ...
c6 1 O .f3 dS 11.f4 tLla6 12 .cxdS cxdS
13.a3 tLlc7 14.b4 tLle6 Luechte
meier - Spiess, Leipzig 1997.
In general, if White plays less
ambitiously and refrains from un-
113
Chapter 5
dermining bis opponent's pawn
centre, Black can obtain a very
comfortable position witb sim
ple and natural moves: 7.b3 ig7
8.ib2 o-o 9.c2 c6 lO.e2 dS 11.
g3 a6
This is an amusing situation
- he has placed aH his pawns on
light squares! In fact, this is not
done for optical effect - he simply
wishes to advance b7-bS at an op
portune moment and to prevent
his opponent's pawn-offensive on
the queenside. 12.i.a3 .E1f7 13 . .E1c1
ie6 14.ltla4, Popovic - Kova
cevic, Dubrovnik 20 08, 14 ...ltlbd7
lS.0-0 dxc4 16.bxc4 bS
The straightforward pawn-on
slaught on the kingside, which is
typical of sorne lines of the King's
Indian Defence, is not at aH effec
tive here. The reason is that Black
has advanced early with eS-e4,
seizing space in the centre and on
the kingside. If White now plays
d4-dS, he wiH present his oppo
nent with a wonderful outpost
on eS. If he does not play d4-dS,
a clash of pawns is very unlikely.
Here's how how the game may de
velop: 7.b4 ih6 8.ltlb3 o-o 9.ie2
1 14
e7 lO.a4 ltlc6 11.bS ltld8 (It looks
as if White is about to castle on
the kingside, so Black intends to
send his knight there in anticipa
tion of this.) 12 ..E1a2 ltlf7 13.lLldS,
Garcia Martinez - Davies, Mos
cow 1987. Castling did not occur
in this game, because the op
ponents agreed to a draw in this
position. After 13 ... ltlxdS 14.cxdS
a6 lS.bxa6 b6! Black would have
exceHent counter chances.
7.f3 ih6 (Black emphasizes
the drawbacks of the move lLld2,
because White's bishop on el is
temporarily out of action.) 8.ltlb3
(Here White can reduce the ten
sion in the centre with 8.fxe4
he3 9.exf5 e7 lO.i.e2 hf5
11.lLlf3, McCambridge - Kavalek,
Estes Park 1985, but after 11 ...
ltlc6 12.he3 xe3 13.d2 xd2 +
14.@xd2 ig4 there arises an ap
proximately equal endgame with
a symmetrical pawn-structure.)
8 ... 0-0 9.f4 c6 1O.dS (otherwise
Black wiIl play d6-dS himself,
ie6 etc., but now White's unfor
tunate knight on b3 turns out to
be completely misplaced.) lO ... cS
11.ie2 .E1f7 12.i.d2 ltlbd7 13.c2
ltlf8 14.0-0-0 a6 1S.h3 id7 16.g4
ig700 - in this tense position with
opposite sides castling, both sides
have great problems in organizing
any atlack on the flanks, Gorelov
- Korzubov, Ivano-Frankovsk
1982 (game 31).
7. . .ig7 8. 0 - 0
Queenside castling for White
requires thorough preparation

and Black wiIl manage to com
plete his development in the
meantime and to fortify the cen
tre, radicaIly improving his pros
pects for an attack against the en
emy king. For example: 8.c2
o-o 9.b3 c6 1O.i.b2 lLla6 11.a3
lLlc7 12 .h4 (The move 12.0-0-0 is
still very risky, because after 12 ...
dS 13.i>b1 i.e6, Black wiIl create
threats very quickly.) 12 ... dS 13.g3
i.e6 14.lLla4 b6 1S.cS bs 16.lLlc3,
Hintze - Preuschoff, Germany
1999, 16 ... aS and Black has the
initiative.
Just as before, a straightfor
ward assault on the queenside by
White is harmless to Black: 8.b4
o-o 9.lLlb3 i.e6 1O.c2 lLlbd7 11.
i.b2 c6 12.0-0 i.f7 13.bS cS? Al
burt - Zaichik, Philadelphia 1993
(game 32).
The undermining resource
8.f3 definitely requires consid
eration on every move. After the
development of the bishop on e2,
White has the additional possibil
ity of recapturing on f3 with his
bishop. Still, 1 do not think that
Black should have any problems
after this, since sorne of White's
pieces are misplaced - the knight
on d2 and the bishop on cl. White
wiIl have to prepare e3-e4 and this
wiIl lead to further exchanges and
a balanced position. For exam
pIe: 8 ... exf3 9 .hf3 (9.lLlxf3 o-o
10.0-0 i>h8 1l.c2 lLlc6 12.i.d2
lLle7, draw, Farina - Marzano,
Rome 1995.) 9 ... 0-0 10.0-0 lLlc6
1Ue1 (11.lLlb3 l'!e8 12.l'!e1 i.d7 13.
l.d4 d6 2.c4 eS 3.lLlf3 e4 4. lLlfd2f5
e4 fxe4 14.lLlxe4 lLlxe4 1S.he4
i>h8? Kaminik - Kantsler, Ris
hon le Zion 1995) 11...i>h8 12.l'!b1
(12.lLlfl lLle7 13.b3 c6 14.i.a3 l'!e8
1SJ'k1 dS 16.lLld2 lLle4 17.lLldb1
i.e6? Ibragimov - Komliakov,
Podolsk 1990) 12 .. .f4 (Black could
consider playing a waiting move
such as 12 ... l'!e8, but he wishes to
forcetheissue.) 13.lLlfl fxe3 14.lLlg3
dS (This move is played with the
same idea, not to let White breath
calmly even for a secondO 1S.cxdS
lLlb4 16.he3 lLlfxdS 17.lLlxdS lLlxdS
18.i.f2 c6 19.b3 lLlf6 20.h3 c7,
draw, Ribli - Polugaevsky, Buda
pest 1975.
8 ... 0-0
White's choice is not as wide
as before. He must either play
the undermining move f2-f3, or
prepare the pawn-offensive with
b2-b4.
9.b4
After 9.f3 exf3 1O.hf3, or
1O.lLlxf3, the game, as a rule, trans
poses to the variations which we
discussed in our notes to White's
8th move (after 8.f3).
l1S
Chapter 5
9 .ie6
. exception of his rook on aS and
Here the recommendation of
the computer program "Rybka"
deserves aUention - 9 ... a5 1O.b5
i.e6 11.a4 lLlbd7
1 0 .a4
10.Elbl c6 11.a4 lLlbd7 12.i.a3
h5 13.lLlb3 lLlg400 Grigoriadis -
Rozentalis, Athens 2006.
10 .if7 1l .ia3 !ilc6 12.b5
..
!ile7 13 .c2 g5
(diagram)
Black has concentrated all his
forces on the kingside, with the
116
his queen. It is high time he went
on the offensive!
14.a5 e8 15.fcl f4!?
Black does not flinch from sac
rificing a pawn in order to open
some files.
16.exf4 gxf4 17.!ilcxe4 !ilf5
18.!ilxf6+ 1Hxf6 19.!ilf3 .ig6 2 0 .
a2 !ilxd4 21.!ilxd4 xd4 Ri
bli - Balashov, Leningrad 1977
(game 33). Black's king is some
what exposed, but all his pieces
are very actively deployed.
Chapter 5 1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.f3 e4
Complete Games
30 Wornath - C.Hansen
Germany 2000
l.d4 d6 2.e4 e5 3.f3 e4
4.fd2 f5 5.g3 g6 6.g2 g7
7. 0 - 0 e7 8.e3 o - o 9.b3
e6 1 0 .f3 d5 1l.cxd5 exf3 12.
exf3 xd5 13.f4 b6 14.xd5
exd5 15 ..te3 e6 16.ge1 %'Id6
17.%'If3 .te6
Here we have a position with a
syrnmetrical pawn-structure and
an almost mirror-like deployrnent
of the pieces. Black's knight and
bishop are a bit more active, so he
has a slight initiative.
18.ge3 gae8 19.9fe1 e7
2 0 :e2
The exchange of all the rooks
would not solve aIl of White's
problems: 20J'l:xc8 :B:xc8 2 1.:B:xc8+
ttJxc8 2 2 .e2 (Afterthe immediate
2 2.ttJc1, with the idea of transfer
ring the knight to e5, va d2, Black
plays 22 ... b4 with a double at
tack on the b2- and d4- pawns.)
22 ...c6 23.ttJc1 ttJd6 - he has a
slight edge, just as befo re.
2 0 ...ge4 21.%'If2 gfe8 22.
f1
Of course, White must move
his knight away from b3, since
there it is restricted by Black's
pawn on b6, but after 2 2.ttJd2
:B:xc3 23.bxc3 a3 the knight wiIl
have to change its route and in
stead of going to the centre it wiIl
have to go into oblivon: 24.ttJbl
a5 25.b2 :B:e8 with better pros
pects for Black.
22 .. gxe3 23.gxc3 gxe3 24.
bxe3
FinaIly White has a real weak-
117
Chapter 5
ness in his campo Soon, (not
without sorne help from his op
ponent . . .) , Black succeeds in cap
turing this pawn.
24 .. :c6 2S . .id2 tLlc8 26.
'e2 .if7 27.tLlcl tLld6 28.tLld3
tLle4 29.tLleS .beS 3 0 .dxeS
tLlxc3 31 .bc3 'xc3 32.,bS
'cS+ 33.g,g2
White is willing to exchange
queens, but not on the cS-square;
since then Black would obtain two
connected passed pawns.
33 ...'c8
Black did not wish to enter a
king and bishop endgame. White
has a powerful passed pawn and
Black's own kingside pawns are
fixed on the same colour as his
bishop. The position without
queens resembles a mathematical
problem: win or draw, whereas
with queens on the board Black
has many more purely practical
chances to win the game.
34.'a4 aS 3S.g,h3 g,f8 36.
bS 'c7 37 .ig2 d4 38 .idS?
Despite being a pawn down,
with 38.d3 White could have
offered a long and tenacious de
fence. It looks as if he wrongly
118
evaluated the ensuing king and
pawn ending, overestimating the
power ofhis own protected passed
pawn.
38 .. :{t'c5 39.vtlxc5+ bxc5
4 0 .hf7 g,xf7 41.g,g2 c4 42.
g,f2 c3 43.g,e2 c2 44.g,d2 d3
4S. g,cl g,e6
Black's c-pawn has already
reached the seventh rank and
now he has the threat of penetrat
ing with his king to the c3-square,
followed by d3-d2 #. Therefore the
moment Black's king comes to d4,
c4 or b4, White will need to place
his king on d2 or b2 and then
Black wiIl counter by penetrat
ing to the seventh rank to support
the promotion of his c2-pawn. As
you see, the winning plan is not so
complex after aH...
46.g,d2 a4!
This is an important move; it
is necessary because in a position
with the black king on b4 and the
white king on b2, Black can now
play a4-a3+ and then penetrate
with his king to the c3-square.
\Vhite resigned in view of
the following sample variations:
47.<>c1 (To make things simple,

we wiIl not toueh the pawns on the
kingside, beeause the moves with
these pawns wiIl run out quickly,
while Blaek has an endless choice
of waiting moves of the type of
d5-e5-d5.) 47... d5 48.d2
e5 (Blaek wins a tempo, staying
inside the square ofhis enemy e5-
pawn, in order to go to the fourth
rank when White's king is on el.)
49.c1 (The move 49.a3 weakens
the b3-square and Blaek wins ae
eording to the foIlowing seheme:
49 ... d5 50.c1 e4 5l.d2 b3
etc .. ) 49 ... b4 50.d2 (1 have al
ready mentioned that if 50.b2
50 ...a3+ 5l.c1 e3.) 50 ... a3
5l.c1 xa2 5 2.e6 b3 53.e7 (Af
ter 53.d2 b2, White's pawn
fails to promote.) 53 ... e3 54.e8,
d2#
31 Gorelov Korzubov
Ivano-Frankovsk 1982
l.c4 d6 2.d4 e5 3.f3 e4
4.ttJfd2 f5 5.e3 ttJf6 6.c3 g6
7.f3 .ih6 8.ttJb3 O - O 9.f4 c6
1 0 .d5 eS 1l . .ie2 gf7 12 .id2
bd7 13.c2 ttJf8 14. 0 - 0 - 0
a6 15.h3 .id7 16.g4 .ig7 17.gxf5
gxf5 18.b1 b8
l.d4 d6 2.c4 eS 3.tiJj3 e4
White has managed to be the
first to open a file against the en
emy king, but Blaek is not lagging
very far behind.
19.a4 b5 2 0 .cxb5 axb5 21.
axb5 ttJe8 22.gdg1 c7 23.gg3
ttJxb5 24.ghg1 ttJg6
The bishop on g7 is important
both for attaek and defenee, so
this knight is proteeting it "bod
ily".
25.h4!?
In principIe, it is logieal for
White to saerifiee a pawn and an
exehange in order to bring his
queen closer to the enemy king.
Still, this idea involves a taetieal
oversight.
25 ... ttJxh4 26 ..ih5 ge7 27.
gxg7+ !? gxg7 28.gxg7+ xg7
29.ttJxb5
119
Chapter 5
29 ,hb5?
Here Black had a brilliant in
termediate move - 29 ... <;t>h6! This
is in complete accord with the
principIes of Steinitz - the king is
a powerful piece and is capable of
defending itself. Here is how the
game might proceed: 30 .c3 (30.
liJc3 @xhS 31.el liJf3 and White's
attack reaches a dead end.) 30 . . .
@xhS 31.g7 g8 (defending
against the mate on gS) 32.'Wxd7
xdS 33.xh7+ @g4 34.liJSd4
(In the variation 34.g7+ @h3
3S.el d3+ 36.@cl xe3+,
Black's threats tum out to be
much more dangerous.) 34 ...g8!
(or 34 ...cxd4 3S.el! and he has
great problems) 3S.'Wxg8+ xg8
36.liJe6 c8 - Black's attacking
forces include an "extra" king, so
White's defence is very difficult.
3 0 .c3+ @g8
Or 30 ... @h6? 31.f6+ liJg6 32.
gS+ @g7 33.c3+ and White's
attack is decisive.
31.f6 'll!fa7 32.'ll!fe 6+
Possibly he decided to gain
sorne time by repeating moves.
32 .. @t'B 33.'ll!ff6+ @g8 34.
e3!
120
White's queen and two bishops
are a powerful attacking force!
34 liJg6 35.,hg6 hxg6
.
36.'ll!fxg6+ @t'B 37.ti'xd6+ 'll!fe7
38.'ll!fh 6+ @e8 39.d6 'll!ft7 4 0 .
'll!fh 8+
40.liJxcS would be even strong
er, but obviously he did not have
enough time to consider this on
his 40th move.
40 .. ti't'B
According to the database,
the players agreed a draw here,
although after 41.eS+ @d7 42.
dS, White has a great, if not de
cisive, advantage.
32 Alburt Zaiehik
Philadelphia 1993
l.d4 d6 2.e4 e5 3.liJf3 e4
4.liJfd2 f5 5.e3 liJf6 6.liJe3 g6
7.1e2 g7 8.b4 O - O 9.liJb3
e6 1 0 .e2 liJbd7 11.b2 e6
12. 0 - 0 t7 13.b5 e5 14.gfd1
exd4
(diagram)
15.gxd4
It is not good for White to play
IS.exd4, because after IS ... c8
it seems he has to continue with

16.d5, granting his opponent con
trol of the e5-square for free. Now
he at least attacks the d6-pawn.
15 liJg4 16.hg4!?
..
After 16.Eld2 lLlde5 17.h3 Black
can try an interesting piece-sa
crifice: 17...lLlxf2 !? 18.mxf2 ixc4
19. mg1 Elc8 and he obtains excel
lent compensation for the slight
material deficit. White, in turn,
plans to sacrifice the exchange in
order to preserve his opening ini
tiative.
16 hd4 17.liJxd4 fxg4 18.
..
liJxe4
18 ... liJe5?!
This inaccuracy went unpun
ished. It was correct for Black to
atlack the c4-pawn with the move
18 ... c7!?, not relinquishing con
trol of the f6-square.
1.d4 d6 2.c4 eS 3. lLlj3 e4
19.c5
It is a well-known clich that
the threat is stronger than its ex
ecution; after 19.1Llb3! Black could
scarcely parry the pawn-break c4-
c5.
19 .. dxc5 2 0 JWxc5 liJd3 21.
c3
White could have begun with
2 1.lLlf5 ! ? The subsequent play
would be almost the same, but
still, it is a very beautiful move.
21 ... liJxb2 22.liJf5 gxf5 23.
liJf6+
23 .. xf6
Black is forced to part with his
queen now, because after 23 ... mg7,
he gets checkmated: 24.lLle8+
mh6 25.g7+ mh5 26.xh7+
mg5 27.h4+ gxh3 2 8.f4+ mg4
29.xh3#
24.xf6 liJd3 25Jd1
After 25.xf5 i.g6 26.e6+
Elf7, Black has good counter
chances by exerting pressure
against the f2-pawn.
25 ....ic4 26.d4 gac8 27.
h4 gfd8
Black could probably manage
to draw after 27...gxh3 2 8.Elxd3
hd3 29.xd3 Elc1+ 30.mh2 hxg2,
121
Chapter 5
but he does not need to give up
two minor pieces for a rook.
28.'ti'f6 gf8 29.'ti'd4 gfd8
3 0 .\!ba7
White thinks he can continue
playing for a win without any
great risk. His queen is very pow
erful indeed in this open position,
(particularly if we have in mind
that his opponent's king is ex
posed), but Black's rook, bishop
and knight are also a powerful
fighting unit and this should
be sufficient to balance the chanc
es.
30 .. g3!?
Black sacrifices a pawn and
creates an outpost for his knight
on the g4-square, with the plan of
incarcerating the enemy king.
White must exchange a pair of
rooks in order to avoid being
checkmated and his king must
seek refuge in the centre ..
31.fxg3 lLleS 32Jxd8+ gxd8
33.'it>f2 i.dS 34.,,d4 lLlg4+
3S.'it>e1 'it>f7 36.a4 'tt> e6 37.aS
gc8 38.'I!n>6+ 'it>d7 39:M4 'it>e6
4 0 .'ti'b6+ 'tt> d7 41.'ti'd4 'tt> e 6
42.,,b6+. Draw.
122
33 Ribli Balashov
Leningrad 1977
l.c4 eS 2.lLlc3 d6 3.e3 g6 4.
lLlf3 i.g7 S .ie2 f5 6.d4 e4
7.lLld2 lLlf6 8. 0 - 0 O - O 9.b4
.ie6 1 0 .a4 .if7 1l ..ia3 lLlc6 12.
bS lLle7 13.'ti'c2 gS 14.aS ge8 1S.
gfc1 f4 16.exf4 gxf4 17.lLlcxe4
lLlf5 18.lLlxf6+ 'ti'xf6 19.lLlf3 .ig6
2 0 .'ti'a2 lLlxd4 21.lLlxd4 ,,xd4
22 ..if3 .ie4 23.gd1
23 .. 'ti'f6?!
This inaccuracy could cost
Black dearly. The correct continu
ation was 23 .. :reS, for instance
24.ixe4 (24.cS+ dS 2S.ixe4
xe4f!) 24 ... xe4 2S.cS+ e6 26.
xe6+ :gxe6 27.:gac1 dxcS 28.
ixcS b6 29.ib4 :ge4 30.ie1 ieS,
with approximate equality.
24.cS+ 'tt>h8 2S.,ixe4 gxe4
26.cxd6 cxd6 27.gac1 gae8 28.
,,b3 'ti'gS 29.h3 g4e6 3 0 . a6
It was much stronger for
White to play 30.:gc7! :gg6 31.f3
xbS 32.ixd6 xaS 33.:gxb7 with
excellent winning chances.
3 0 gg6 31.'ti'f3 bxa6 32.
..
bxa6 .ieS 33.gc7 geg8
Black has skilfully regrouped

his forces and created counter
play along the g-file.
34.<.t>f1
34 \Wxg2+
.
He could equalize more easily
with 34 ...\'9f6, for example: 35.
:gxa7 E:xg2 36.E:a8 (After 36.
\'9xg2? :gxg2 37.<.t>xg2 f3+ 38.mf1
\'9g6, Black's attack is decisive.)
36 ... :gg1+ 37.me2 d5 ! 38.E:xg8+
(38.\'9xd5? f3+ ) 38 ... :gxg8 39.
\'9xd5 \'9xa6=
35.\Wxg2 lhg2 36.<.t>e2 e8
37.<.t>f3 h2 38 .b:d6 .b:d6 39.
xd6 lhh3+ 4 0 .<.t>g2
It is preferable for White to
play 40.mg4, but even then af-
l.d4 d6 2.c4 eS 3.lDj3 e4
ter 40 ... E:h2 41.E:dd7 mg8 Black
should be able to hold.
40 ... a3 41.a7
41.E:dd7 E:xa6 42.E:xh7+ mg8
43.:ghg7+ mh8=
41 Jg8+ 42.<.t>h2
42 Ja5
This move is also good, yet it
was even more precise for Black
to opt for 42 ... E:a2 ! 43.E:dd7 E:xf2+
44.mh1 (44.mh3? E:g3+ 45.mh4
E:h2#) 44 ... E:f1+ 45.mh2 E:f2 + with
perpetual check.
43.h6 g7 44.ga8+ g8 45.
xg8+ <.t>xg8 46.<.t>h3 <.t>g7 47.
b6 h5. The players agreed to a
draw.
123
Chapter 6 1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.llJf3 e4 4.llJg5

Quick Repertoire

have problems with this, see the

Step by Step chapter) that it would
not be good for White to capture
the e4-pawn. After 1O.g3 1J.d8 11.
1J.g2 exf3 12.M3 tLlbd7!? 13.dxc6
tLle5 14 ..tg2 bxc6 15.1Wxd6 .tb7 a
sharp position arises, in which
Black has good compensation for
the sacrificed pawn.
5 .te7
.

This is White's most principled

move: his knight occupies an ac
tive position and attacks the e4-
pawn. Later, he will make up his
mind whether to keep it on g5,
playing h2-h4 for this purpose, or
to transfer it to f4 via h3.
4 f5 5.lLlc3

Of course, Black's e4-pawn

impedes the normal development
of White's pieces, but forcing its
exchange is not such an easy task.
For example: 5.f3 1J.e7 (This is a
typical resource - Black attacks
the enemy knight winning a tem
po for the development of his
pieces.) 6.tLlh3 tLlf6 7.tLlc3 c6 (This
is played in order to support the
e4-pawn with d6-d5.) 8.d5 O-O
9.tLlf2 We8. It is obvious (if you
6.lLlh3
1 have already mentioned that
White can protect his knight with
the move 6.h4 but, bearing in
mind that the rest of his pieces do
not support it at the moment, the
knight on g5 is no danger to Black.
A possible continuation is: 6 ...tLlf6
7.e3 O-O 8.1J.e2 c6 9.d5 tLla6 1O.b3

124

iJc7 11.b2 c5, with chances for
both sides.
6 c!tlf6 7.e3 c6 8.i.e2 o - o
. . .
9. 0-0
White can gain space with 9.
d5, but this would present the e5-
outpost to his opponent. After 9
iJbd7 1O.b3 iJe5 11.b2 h6!?, fol
lowed by the transfer of the queen
to f7 and subsequent pressure
against the d5-pawn, Black has
excellent counter chances.
9 . . mh8
. ered check; now Black begins to
This is a useful waiting move.
He removes his king from the a2-
g8 diagonal, frees the g8-square
for his bishop and waits for his
opponent to play d4-d5. In that
case, he would deploy his knight to
e5, va d7, rather than to c7, va a6.
1 0 .f3 d5
This is an important move;
Black has sufficient resources to
protect the pawn on d5.
11. Wlb3 c!tla6 12 .td2
White cannot win the enemy
l.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3. iJfJ e4 4. iJg5f5
d5-pawn if he first exchanges its
potential defender - the knight
on a6: 12.cxd5 cxd5 13.fxe4 fxe4
14.ha6 bxa6 15.iJf4 g5! 16.iJfe2
(or 16.iJfxd5? e6 and he loses
his knight because of the pin; it is
... now clear why the prophylactic
move cj;>h8 was necessary -
White's knight cannot capture on
e7 or f6 with check) 16 ...d6+. It is
evdent that the d5-pawn is un
touchable because of the discov
create threats on the kingside.
12 c!tlc7 13.cxd5
.
If White postpones this ex
change, Black may change his
mind and capture on c4 himself,
creating an outpost on d5.
13 ... cxd5
A typical French Defence
pawn-structure has arisen (with
colours reversed). The fight usu
ally develops quite slowly and the
prospects are approximately
equal.
125
Chapter 6 1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.f3 e4 4.g5 f5
Step by Step
A) 5.h4
B) 5.f3
e) 5.ttJc3
After S.ttJh3 e7 6.ttJc3 there
arise positions which we have an
alyzed after the move-order 5. ttJc3
ii.e7 6.tiJh3. NaturaIly, White can
postpone the development of his
knight on b1 for a while, but he
wiIl not find a better square for it
than c3. For example: 6.tiJf4 tiJf6
7.h4 c6 8.tiJc4, transposing to var
iation e.
After S.g3 e7 6.h4 ttJf6 7.tiJc3
c6, the game transposes to varia
tion el, while 6.tiJh3 ttJf6 7.ii.g2
(7.ttJc3 - see variation e2) 7... 0-0
8.ttJc3 (8.0-0 c6 9.tiJc3 - see vari-
126
ation e2b) 8 ...c6 - transposes to
variation e2b.
It is interesting for White to
try here a relatively untested idea
to breach his opponent's defences
on the light squares: S.dS e7
6.tiJe6!? (We see a similar idea in
the King's Indian Defence, where
the c8-bishop is essential for the
organization of the attack against
the enemy king, so White is wiIl
ing to sacrifice a pawn merely to
exchange the bishop. But this is
not the case here, since the bishop
is not so important. Nevertheless,
if it is missing, White wiIl find it
much easier to undermine Black's
pawn-centre.) 6 ...i.xe6 7.dxe6
c8
8.g4!? (this is the essence of
White's idea) 8 ... fxg4 (8 ... g6? 9.

gxf5 gxf5 1O.d5) 9.'t:Jc3 't:Jf6 10.
h3 (White intends to play in the
spirit of the Benko Gambit with
colours reversed and on the oppo
site flank.) 1O ...g3! (Black does
best to avoid opening files on the
kingside, because this is where he
wiIl evacuate his king later.) 11.
fxg3 c6 (Black could consider the
more energetic 11 ...xe6 12.b3
O-O 13.xb7 't:Jbd7+) 12.h4 xe6
13.b3 b6 14.ih3 't:Jg4 15.c2
e3c:o White has good compensa
tion for the pawn, but Black has
nothing to complain about, Ver
nay - Krasenkow, France 2010.
A) 5.h4
Black has not yet attacked the
knight on g5, but White protects it
in advance. In fact, he wishes to
retreat it now that he has a pawn
on h4.
5 't:Jf6 6.h3
.
6.'t:Jc3 1J.e7 - see variation el.
6 c6 7.1J.g5 1J.e7 8.e3 a6
. This is an attempt by White to
9.c3
Sooner or later this knight wiIl
be developed to the c3-square,
l.d4 d6 2.c4 eS 3.'t:Jj3 e4 4. 't:JgSf5
since it has nowhere else to go too
Later the game develops accord
ing to the standard schemes.
9 c7 10 .f4 e6!
.
It would be useful for Black to
exchange the f4-knight immedi
ately.
1l.xe6
Or 11.d5 't:Jxf4 12.ixf4 c5 13.
ie2 O-O 14.c2 a6 15.a4 Wa5 16.
O-O id7 17.f3 exf3 18.ixf3, draw,
Budnikov - Kornliakov, Berln 1994.
1l he6 12.1J.e2
12.b4 O-O 13J':!b1, Danner -
Plachetka, Prague 1988, 13... e8
14.b5 c5
12 0 - 0 13.g3 a6 14.'t!?f1
We8 15.'t!?g2 Wf7 16.b3 g6 17.
Wc2 Wg7c:o Black has deployed his
forces very flexibly and he can be
quite optimistic about the future,
Bigler - Oratovsky, Gstaad 1993
(game 34).
B) 5.13
eliminate the annoying e4-pawn
immediately. It is not so simple to
get rid of it though ...
127
Chapter 6
5 .ie7 6.li:Jh3 li:Jf6 7.li:Jc3
c6
Black wishes to play d6-dS as
soon as possible.
8.d5
White physicalIy prevents the
move d6-dS, but in the process he
presents the important cS- and
eS- outposts to his opponent.
White has a wide choice of
plans here.
Black should not be afraid of
8.e3, because with this White vol
untarily confines his own bishop
on el and thus cannot develop it
to gS. 8 ... 0-0 9.fxe4 fxe4 1O.lLJf4
lLJa6 11.e2 lLJc7 12.dS gS 13.lLJhS,
Ree - Quinteros, Amsterdam
1977, 13 ... lLJxhS 14.,hhS d7! 1S.
e2 cxdS 16.cxdS b6?
8.lLJf2 (Black can easily sup
port his e4-pawn, so White's
knight is in fact doing nothing on
f2.) 8 ... dS 9.cxdS cxdS 1O.fxe4
fxe4 11.gS lLJc6 12.e3 e6 13.e2
d7 14.0-0 O-O? Varga - Vau
!in, Paks 1999.
8.fxe4 lLJxe4 9.lLJxe4 fxe4 10.
lLJf2 (It is not good for White to
128
play 1O.lLJf4 o-o 11.e3 gS 12.lLJhS
dS't) 10 ... 0-0 11.e3 aS+ (Thanks
to this check, Black's queen, as if
on a trampoline, moves straight
to the kingside.) 12.d2 fS 13.
e2 cS 14.g3 cxd4 lS.exd4 lUc6
16.e3 dS+ Bischoff - Sakaev,
Brno 1992 (game 35).
8.gS lLJa6 (This knight will go
to the c7-square to support the
pawn-advance d6-dS.) 9.e3 (9.g3
exf3 1O.exf3 o-o 11.i.e2, Rukavi
na - Jovanovic, Pula 2002, 11 ...
lLJc7 12.0-0 dS?) 9 ... exf3 1O.xf3
O-O 11.d3
11...lLJg4! This is a surprising
tactical resource; Black exploits
not only the vulnerability of the
enemy e3-pawn, but also the mis
placement of the white knight on
h3. 12.f4 (12.,he7 xe7 13.'it>d2
d7 14J'ae1 l"!ae8 1S.lLJf2 lLJxf2 16.
xf2 lLJc7+ - White wilI still have
problems with his king, since
Black will not let it remain undis
turbed on the queenside, Tikkanen
- Schuh, Pardubice 2008.) 12 ...
h4+ 13.'it>d2 (Black is better af
ter 13.g3 lLJb4 14.e2 e7+) 13 ...
l"!e8 14.l"!ae1 lLJeS! This is another
tactical trick helping Black to in-
 l.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3JiJj3 e4 4JiJg5 j5 5JiJc3 .te7
crease his advantage. This little
combination is based on the posi
tion of Black's queen, on the same
file as White's king. lS.dxeS dxeS
16.8:dl CLJb4 17.c;t>e2 CLJxd3+ Dan
ielsen - Davies, Denmark 1988
(game 36).
8 ... 0 - 0 9.tlJf2 e8
Black's queen goes to the king
side, indirectly protecting the
pawn on e4.
10 .g3
The following variations illus
trate that White cannot capture
the e4-pawn without coming un
der a very powerful attack: 10.
fxe4 fxe4 1l.g3 (11.CLJfxe4? CLJxe4
12.CLJxe4 il.h4+ 13.CLJg3 1WhS 14.8:g1
1Wg4=t=) 11...CLJbd7 12.il.g2 (The
pawn is again untouchable: 12.
CLJfxe4 CLJxe4 13.CLJxe4 CLJeS 14.b3?
g6 lS.il.g2 il.h3!-+) 12 CLJeS+!
7.e3 o-o 8.il.e2 (8.b4 c6 9.1Wb3
1 0 ...i.d8
Black not only protects his e4-
pawn but is ready to deploy his
bishop to b6 or aS at an opportune
momento
1l.i.g2 exf3
He could have continued with-
out sacrificing a pawn: l1...cxdS
12.cxdS exf3 13.il.xf3 CLJbd7, with
approximately the same ideas as
in the game.
12 .ixf.3 tlJbd7
Black sacrifices a pawn and
brings fresh forces into the battle.
13.dxc6 tlJe5 14.i.g2 bxc6
15. xd6 .ib Engqvist - Agrest,
Stockholm 1994.
e) 5.tlJc3 .ie7
This a natural and strong
move. Black continues with his
development and forces his oppo
nent to clarify his intentions.
el) 6.h4
e2) 6.tlJh3
el) 6.h4 tlJf6 7.g3
White should not be afraid of
CLJg4 - this is a bit of provocation.
After White's queen has gone to
b3, Black wishes to start a fight in
the centre and on the kingside
and is even prepared to sacrifice a
pawn - 1O.f3, McNab - Gayson,
England 2002, 1O ... CLJf6!? 1l.fxe4
129
Chapter 6
lLlxe4 12.lLlgxe4 fxe4 13.lLlxe4
g4) 8 ... c6 9.dS lLla6 10.b3 lLlc7
11.b2 cS 12.d2, Rohde - Ibragi
mov, Philadelphia 1992, 12 ...lLlfe8
13.0-0-0 hgS 14.hxgS WxgSco
7.f4 (In general, White should
be willing for his f4-bishop and
gS-knight to change places, be
cause his bishop is slightly mis
placed on f4.) 7... h6 8.lLlh3 e6 9.
e3 (The f4-bishop prevents
White's knight from effectively
coming into play. White possibly
relied on being able to deploy his
bishop on eS, after d6-dS, vacat
ing the f4-square for the knight,
but Black has other viable plans in
which his d6-pawn stays put.) 9...
f7 10.e2 Wd7 11.b4 lLlc6 12Jlbl,
Firt - Blatny, Opava 2000, 12 ... a6
13.0-0 O-O 14.g3 dS (Now this
move is quite useful, because
Black is covering the eS-square
with both his knights.) IS.cS
lLlg4?
7 c6
...
So, White has fortified his
knight on gS, but what is he sup
posed to do now? How does he
130
plan to break his opponent's
pawn-chain?
8.i.g2
8.dS lLla6 9.g2 (9.b3 lLlc7
1O:&d2 O-O 11.b2 cxdS 12.lLlxdS
lLlfxdS 13.cxdS f6? Williams -
Koshy, India 1999) 9 ... 0-0 10.
O-O lLlg4 - see 8.g2 lLla6 9.0-0
O-O 1O.dS lLlg4.
It would be harmless for Black
for White to play 8.e3 lLla6 9.e2
lLlc7 1O.dS cxdS 1l.cxdS O-O 12 .b3
lLld7 13.lLlh3 f6 14.b2 i.eS IS.
d2 lLlf6 16.lLlf4 d7? McNab -
Rowson, Dundee 1996.
After 8.lLlh3 the question aris
es as to whether the moves g3 and
h4 have really been useful to
White, or whether he could have
saved several tempi? 8 ... lLla6 9.
gS lLlc7 1O.dS (1O.lLlf4 lLlg4!? 11.
xe7 xe7 12.e3 O-O 13.e2 lLlf6
14.b4 lLle6 lS.bS lLlxf4 16.gxf4
e6? Jeremic - Mchedlishvili,
Leras 2009) 1O ... cS 1l.hf6 i.xf6
12.d2 O-O 13.lLlf4 e8 14.e3 eS
(Black's position in the centre is
very solid now and he is about to
prepare a queenside offensive.)
lS.hs d7 16.e2 a6 17.a4 bS 18.
axbS axbS 19Jlxa8 xa8 20.cxbS
a1+ 21.lLld1 hbS+ Nemeth -
Sanduleac, Szombathely 2003.
8 .tlJa6
..
It is understandable that Black
cannot play lLlbd7 with a white
knight on gS, because of the pos
sibility of lLle6, but his knight is
also quite useful on a6
9. 0 - 0 O - O 10 .d5
If White refrains from playing
 1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.0,j3 e4 4JiJg5j5 5. 0,c3 i.e7 6. 0,h3 0,f6
this move, Black will be happy to
place his own pawn on dS.
1 0 . . . 0,g4
1l.0,h3
The spectacular pawn-break
11.cS!? is hardly sufficient for any
thing more than maintaining the
balance: l1...0,xcS 12.b4 0,a6 13.
dxc6 bxc6 14.bS h6! lS.0,h3 0,cS
16.bxc6 i.f6 17:c2 e8 18.c7 i.e6
19J''!b1 c6 Radziewicz - Zielin
ska, Sroda Wlkp 2003.
1l i.d7 12.bl ltJe5 13.b3
c5 14.ltJf4 ltJc7 15.a4 M6? Mas
trovasilis - Nikolaidis, Athens
1998.
C2) 6.ltJh3 ltJf6
C2a) 7.e3
C2b) 7.g3
The move 7.i.f4 is again hann
less for Black, for example: 7...
0,hS 8.i.d2 c6 9.e3 0,f6 1O.e2
0,a6 11.0,f4 0,c7 12.f3 O-O 13.fxe4
0,xe4 14.0,xe4 fxe4 15.0-0 0,e6
16.0,xe6 '!xf1+ 17.'?9xf1 .be6=
Pinter - Adams, France 1991.
1 think 7.gS is a more logical
move than 7.i.f4. White's main
idea is to exchange the knight on
f6 and increase his control over
the dS-square. However, until
there is a black pawn on dS,
White's pressure against the dS
square is more or less "virtual". A
possible continuation is 7... 0-0
8.e3 h6 9.hf6 hf6 1O.0,f4 (After
1O.f3 cS!?, Black has an obvious
lead in development and he is ea
ger to enter complications - 11.
0,dS exf3 12.xf3 Wa5+ 13.b4
cxb4 14.e2 b3+ 15.<;t>f2 bxa2
16.0,hf4 0,c6? Uhlmann - Spiess,
Germany 2 001; 1O.i.e2 0,c6 11.a3
0,e7 12.f4 exf3 13.hf3 g5co Bellon
Lopez - Galego, Habana 1997.)
10 ... i.g5 (This is a simple and
logical decision; Black's dark-
131
Chapter 6
squared bishop is restricted by
the pawn-chain so it makes sense
for him to exchange it for his op
ponent's active knight.) l1.g3 hf4
12.gxf4 tlJd7 13.Wb3 c6 14.e2 tlJf6
15. 0-0-0 We7 (Black has seized
more space in the centre and his
opponent's attack along the g-file
no longer seems dangerous.) 16.
c5 d5 17.Wa4 .td7 18.Wd2 b6 Mar
kus - Vallejo Pons, Novi Sad 2009.
C2a) 7.e3 c6
C2al) 8.il.e2
C2a2) 8.ttJf4
The following example shows
that the plans in this position re
main the same despite the pass
ing of the years. Black transfers
his knight to c7, advances d6-d5
and later continues according to
circumstances: 8 . .td2 tlJa6 9.Wc2
tlJc7 10.0-0-0 d5 1l.f3 o-o 12.
e2 Wh8 (This is a useful prophy
lactic mave. Black wishes to play
.te6 and in response to tlJg5 he
will retreat his bishop to g8.) 13.
fxe4 fxe4 14.tlJf2 lLlfe8!? (This is
132
an interesting manoeuvre: he de
ploys his knight on f5, in order to
exert pressure on the enemy e3-
pawn. Later he might have tacti
cal ideas based on the pawn
breaks b7-b6 and then c6-c5.)
15.tlJg4 tlJd6 16.c5 tlJf5 Degtiarev
- Stefanova, Caleta 2010.
C2al) 8.i.e2 O - O
9. 0 - 0
This is not the most ambitious
plan for White. He gives up the
idea of starting an offensive on
the kingside and just wishes to
calmly complete his development,
with the idea of later exerting
sorne pressure in the centre and
on the queenside.
The move 9.d5 looks very ag
gressive, but it is double-edged,
since Black gains access to the e5-
outpost for his knight and can
quickly organize counterplay: 9 ...
tlJbd7 1O.b3 tlJe5 1l..ib2 a5 (This
somewhat straightforward move
seems very attractive, although
Black has another interesting
plan, cannected with creating
 l.d4 d6 2.c4 eS 3,ciJj3 e4 4,ciJgSj5 S,ciJc3 e7 6,ciJh3 CiJf6
counterplay on the other side of
the board: 11...CiJfg4 12.Wid2 h4
13.g3 e7 14.CiJg1 g5!? 15.CiJd1 CiJg6
16.h3 CiJ4e5f Cummings - Wat
son, Norwich 1994. The recom
mendation of the computer pro
gram "Rybka" is worth consider
ing: 1l... h6, foIlowed by the trans
fer of the queen to f7 and subse
quent pressure against the d5-
pawn .. ) 12.dxc6 bxc6 13.c5!? d5
(Here 13 ... Wic7! is stronger: 14.
cxd6 hd6 15.Wic2 1'!d8 and 1 be
lieve Black's position is prefera
ble.) 14.CiJxd5 (This liUle combi
nation is the point of White's
idea.) 14 ...CiJxd5 15.xe5 hc5
16.0-0 Wie7 17.d4 d6 18.1'!c1
d7f Black's c6-pawn is weak,
but White cannot easily aUack it.
Meanwhile, Black's knight on d5
is very strong, while its white
counterpart is idle at the edge of
the board, Bareev - Bologan,
Ajaccio 2006 (game 37).
About 9.CiJf4 CiJa6 - see 8.CiJf4.
9 . wh8
..
As 1 already mentioned in the
Quick Repertoire section, this is a
prophylactic move. Black's king is
quite safe on h8 and he frees the
g8-square for the bishop. IfWhite
now plays d4-d5 Black wiIl imme
diately continue with the transfer
of his queen's knight to e5, va d7.
1 0 .f3
After 1O.d5 CiJbd7 11.b3 CiJe5
12.b2 c5 (If Black plays 12 ... a5
here then the position would have
resembled even more the game
Bareev - Bologan, which we have
already analyzed.) 13.a3 e8 14.
CiJb5 d7 15.b4 a6 16.CiJc3 c7f
- Black's knight on e5 is very pow
erful, while the vulnerability of
White's c4-pawn considerably re
stricts his active possibilities,
Braun - Agrest, Passau 1994.
10.b4 d5 1l.b5!? It is unusual
to find such a wild position in
competitions between "seniors"!
However, Black's position is quite
solid and White wiIl not easily
breach it. ll ... CiJ bd7?! (Black
should immediately reduce the
tension by 1l ... dxc4 12.hc4 a6!
13.bxc6 b5 14.b3 CiJxc6, with a
comfortable game.) 12.CiJf4 (It
seems that White should play
12.bxc6 bxc6 13.c5 here, with a
slight edge.) 12 ... CiJb6 13.c5 CiJc4.
This knight-sortie is based on a
pawn-sacrifice. Black obtains the
bishop-pair and gains time to or
ganize his counterplay: 14.bxc6
bxc6 15.hc4 dxc4 16.a4 g5
17.CiJfe2 c7 Uhlmann - Tsesh
kovsky, Dresden 2008.
1 0 ... d5 11.b3 .!Lla6 12 ..id2
The protection of Black's d5-
133
Chapter 6
pawn relies on tactics: 12.cxd5
cxd5 13.fxe4 fxe4 14.ha6 bxa6
15.lLlf4 g5! 16.lLlfe2 (or 16.lLlfxd5?
e6 and White loses his knight
because of the pin) 16 ...d6+
12 ... tlJc7 13.cxd5
There is liule benefit to White
in delaying this exchange.
In the variation 13.fxe4 fxe4
14.lLlf4 dxc4 15.hc4 d6 16.e2
'?{fe8 17.'?{fd1 f5 18. h1 E:d8 Black
has a completely acceptable posi
tion, Petursson - Hawelko, Dubai
1986.
13 ... cxd5
14.l'!ac1
14.f4 d6 15Jl:ac1 '?{fe7 16J'k2
e6 17J''lfc1 h6 18.a3 :1:1ab8 19.1Lla4
b600 Matamoros - Nogueiras,
Santa Clara 1996.
14.e1 d6 15.h4 h6 16.f4
E:b8 17.:1:1ac1 e6 18.lLlb5 lLlxb5 19.
'?{fxb5 :1:1f7 20. h1 :1:1c8. This is not
a blunder, but a pawn-sacrifice
for the initiative. It is clear that
White must accept it; otherwise
Black wiIl double his rooks along
the e-file and seize the initiative
for free. After 21.hf6 gxf6 22.
134
'?{fxb7 gb8 23.'?{fxa7 E:xb2 24.lLlg1
:1:1f7+ Black's pieces are tremen
dously active and White wiIl hard
ly be able to hold on to his extra
a2-pawn, Barsov - Zaichik, Tash
kent 1986.
14...i.d6 15.a4
Or 15.f4 h6 16.lLla4 b6 17.b4
a6 18.hd6, draw, Uhlmann -
Watson, Germany 1997.
15 .. :e7 16.tlJa2
White's knight is decentralized
for a moment and Black provokes
an immediate crisis. Events would
have been much calmer in the
line: 16.fxe4 dxe4 17.c4 lLlg4?
16 ... f4! ? Pinter - Mokry, Du
bai 1986 (game 38). Black fared
exceIlently in the complications,
although he could also have
played quietly, for instance he
could exchange on f3 and develop
his bishop to d7, completing the
development of his queenside.
C2a2) 8.tlJf4 tlJa6
(diagram)
9.h4
9.d5 o-o 1O.h4 lLlg4 1l.g3 lLle5
 l.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.ll:Jj3 e4 4. ll:Jg5.f5 5. ll:Jc3 .ie7 6.ll:Jh3 ll:Jf6
12 ..ie2 g6 13.<M1 .if6 14.Wg2 eS 15.
!lb1 ll:Jc7 16 ..id2 b6 17.a3 Wie7 18.
b4 .ia6 19.b5 .ic8 20.a4 aS+! Lin
denmair - Espig, Bremen 1998.
9..id2 O-O 1O.h4 ll:Jc7 11.d5 ll:Jg4
12.g3 ll:Je5 13.ie2 c5 14.a3 aS 15.
!lb1 .id7 16.wf1 g6 and here the
opponents agreed to a draw, Babu
la - Jansa, Usti nad Labem 1994.
9 ..ie2 O-O 10.0-0 (1O.h4 ll:Jc7
- see 9.h4) 1O ...ll:Jc7 11.d5 (With
the move 11.f3 White closes the
d1-h5 diagonal and Black exploits
this immediately to eject the ene
my knight from the centre: 11 ...
g5! 12.ll:Jh3. If the pawn had been
on f2, then White's knight would
naturaHy have gone to h5. 12 ...
exf3 13.gxf3 !lf7 14.wh1 !lg7. Prior
to this, the g5-pawn was untouch
able because of the pin, whereas
now Black has managed to protect
it. 15.e4 f4 16.ll:Jf2 ll:Je6 17.!lgl Wib6
18.e5 dxe5 19.dxe5 Wixf2 20.exf6
.ixf6't Biedekoepper - Dittmar,
Germany 1991.) 11 ...c5 12.a3 g5!?
After the centre has been fixed,
White should consider this possi
bility aH the time, even if he can
reply by exchanging knights on
h5. 13.ll:Jh3 (lt is more principled
for him to play 13.ll:Jh5, but after
13 ... ll:Jxh5 14.hh5 g4 15.f3 gxf3
16.gxf3 .if6, Black's counterplay is
obviously sufficient for equality.)
13 ...h6 14.wh1 ll:Jd7 15.b4 f6 16 .
.ib2 Wie7 17.Wid2 .ig7 18.!lae1 b6
19.1l:Jg1 ll:Jf6+! The position is still
approximately balanced, but 1
think it is easier for Black, since
his forces are focused on the ene
my king, Gasanov - Yatsenko, So
chi 2008.
9 . 0 - 0 1 0 .i.e2
. .
1O.d5 ll:Jc7 11.ie2 - see 10.
.ie2.
1O.a3 ll:J c7 11.d5 ll:Jg4 12.g3 eS
13 ..ie2 ll:Je5 14.b4 .if6 15 ..id2 b6
16.!lc1 g6 17.wf1 Wie7 18.Wg2 id7
19.!lb1 !lfc8 20.bxc5 dxc5 21.a4
ll:Je8+! Dlugy - Kharitonov, Mos
cow 1989.
1 0 c7
.
1l.d5
White is behind in develop
ment so he should not play too ag
gressively, because the conse
quences may be unpleasant for
him: 11.b4?! ll:Je6! 12.ll:Jxe6 he6
135
CJwpl('1' {
1:i.b5 dS 14.cS ltJg4! lS.g3, Shep
herd - Hickman, Port Erin 2000
and here after lS ...cxbS 16.ltJxbS
b6, Black seizes the initiative.
The young Levon Aronian
failed to create serious problems
for his opponent - the experi
enced Masha Klinova, who has
played this system aIl her life:
11.'\Wb3 E1:b8 12.a4 (Black should
not be afraid of 12 ..td2 ltJe6 13.dS
ltJxf4 14.exf4 cS lS.hS d7 16.a4
h6 17.0-0-0 a6 18.B:de1 b6 19.f3
exf3 20.M3, draw, Skembris -
Lazic, Verona 200S.) 12 ....td7 13 .
.td2 e8 14.'\Wc2 f7 lS.b4 ltJe6
16.ltJh3 dS 17.g3 h6 18.cS .thS
19.hhS ltJxhS 20.ltJe2 '\Wd7 21.
ltJhf4 ltJhxf4 22.ltJxf4, draw, Aro
nian - Klinova, Antalya 2004.
1l... cxd5
According to the statistics, the
move 1l ... ltJd7 is the most popular
for Black here, but the immediate
exchange on dS is preferred by
two of the greatest contemporary
chessplayers: Vishy Anand and
"Rybka 4". We wiIl analyze this
move briefly:
11...ltJd7 (This is another ver
sion of an already familiar idea.
The knight goes to eS, but not va
g4, since the e4-pawn would be
hanging in this case, but va d7,
since Black's other knight is cov
ering the e6-square. Meanwhile
the h4-pawn is attacked.) 12.hS cS
13.b3 .tf6 14 ..tb2 ltJeS lS.'\Wc2 '\We7
16.a3 id7 17.b4 bS!? (This is a
timely counterstrike. Black does
not wish to grant his opponent
136
the initiative on the queenside.)
18.cxbS c4 19.a4 ltJd3+ 20.hd3
exd3 21.'\Wc1 ieSgg Illescas - Vladi
mirov, Logrono 1991 (game 39).
12.cxd5
It is not good for White to re
capture on dS with the knight, be
cause after the exchange of aIl the
knights he wiIl have to forget
about his kingside offensive and
the unfortunate pawn on h4 wiIl
be under attack by Black's bishop
on e7. For example: 12.ltJcxdS
ltJfxdS 13.ltJxdS ltJxdS 14.'\WxdS+
'it>h8 lS.id2 c6 16.0-0-0 ia4!?
17.b3 c6 with an excellent game
for Black.
12 ltJd7 13.g3
.
Black had a very comfortable
position after 13.hS if6 14 ..td2 aS
lS.'\Wc2 ltJcS 16.0-0 d7 17.f3 bS
18.ltJd1 b4+ Sorokin - Tseshko
vsky, Zvenigorod 200S.
13 .tf6 14 .id2 .ie5 15Jkl
..
lS. 'it>f1 ltJf6 16. '\Wb3, Salov -
Romero Holmes, Madrid 1992,
16 ... hf4 17.exf4 b6 18.'it>g2 ia6?
15 ltJf6
..
Black has deployed his pieces
 l.d4 d6 2.c4 eS 3. liJ.f.3 e4 4.tiJgSj5 S.tiJ c3 i.e7 6. liJh3 liJf6
perfectly and attacks the dS-pawn.
16.,b3 \!lh8 17.a4 lLla6 18.,a3
i.d7 19.b4 ';e8 2 0 .a5 lLlc7 21.
,b3 a6? Ruban - Anand, Palma
de Majorca 1989 (game 40).
C2b) 7.g3 c6
8 ..ig2
After 8.dS, Black can facilitate
his defence a bit byplaying 8... 0-0
and if 9.i.g2 there is a transposi
tion to the variation with 8.i.g2. 1
should like to show you one very
original idea for Black. Even if it is
not so appropriate in this posi
tion, you can try it sometimes in a
similar situation ... 8...lLl bd7 9.i.g2
liJb6 !? (It is also good for him to
continue in the standard fashion
with 9 ... liJeS, but in this case the
knight-sortie to the edge of the
board creates concrete problems
for White. It is also possible for
Black to play 9 ... 0-0 - see 8.i.g2.)
1O.b3 (The natural move 1O.b3?
loses a pawn for White: lO ... cxdS
11.cxdS liJbxdS! 12.liJxdS aS+ 13.
i.d2 xdS 14.lLlf4 f7+ Lazarev -
Gofshtein, Oberwart 1993.) 10 ...
liJfd7 11.f3 (White's attempt to
break in the centre with 11.0-0
lLleS 12.dxc6 bxc6 13.cS did not
turn out well for him after 13 ...
dxcS 14.i.f4 c4 1S.c2 i.f6 16.a4
i.e6 17.i.e3 e7 18.liJf4 i.t7 19.aS
liJbd7'!' Gupta - Lie, Wijk aan Zee
2010.) 11 ...exf3 12.exf3 liJeS 13.
iWc2. White covers the d3-square
and creates the threat of f3-f4
(Black would counter the imme
diate 13.f4 with 13 ... liJd3+ 14.@f1
liJeS'!').
13 ... 0-0. Black refrained from
capturing the c4-pawn and that
seems to be the right decision. Af
ter 13 ... liJbxc4 14.iWe2 cxdS 1S.f4
liJg4 16.i.xdS, or 13...liJexc4 14.b3
liJaS 1S.liJf4, White would have
excellent compensation for the
slight material deticit. 14.f4 liJexc4
1S.b3 i.f6!? "Rybka" asserts that
Black could have waited a bit and
retreated with the knight to aS,
but the "human" desire to sacri
tice a piece to exploit the lead in
development is easilyunderstand
able. 16.bxc4 e8+ 17.@f1. Now,
White's kingside is as if semi-fro
zen. 17...iWe7 18.i.d2 liJxc4::::; Black
has a couple of pawns for the
137
Chapter 6
knight and a powerful initiative,
Nikolic - Vallejo Pons, Bled 2002.
1 should also mention that it
would not work for White to play
19Je 1?, because of 19 ... xe1+
20.he1 ttJe3+.
8. 0 - 0
. .
9.0-0
9.b3 tLla6 10.0-0 b6 11.
xb6 axb6 12.i.d2 tLlc7 13.f3 dS
14.cxdS, draw, Sakaev - Jansa,
GausdaI 1992.
9.i.gS i.e6 1O.b3 dS 11.tLlf4 i.f7
12.cS e3 13.hf6 exf2+ 14.lt>xf2
i.xf6 1S.h4 tLld'7+ Ginting - Rome
ro Holmes, Novi Sad 1990.
9.dS ttJbd7 (After the advance
of the white pawn to dS, Black has
obtained the wonderful eS-out
post and his knight will go there
with pleasure.) 10.0-0 tLleS
(White has evacuated his king
from the centre, so the tLl b6 idea
is less effective now - Black no
longer has a combination based
on sacrificing on dS followed by a
check on aS.) 11.b3 i.d7 12.lt>h1
(12.f3 aS 13.d2 c5+ 14.e3
xe3+ 1S.i.xe3 cxdS 16.tLlxdS
138
ttJxdS 17.cxdS exf3 18.exf3 :gfc8+t
Lacrosse - Toledano, Cullera
2004) 12 .. J'lc8 13.f3 aS 14.i.d2
b6 1S.i.f4 tLlf7 16.d2 exf3 17.
exf3 :gce8+t Genutis - M.Socko,
Warsaw 2006.
9 ttJa6
1 0 .f3
1O.dS ttJc7 1l.f3 (It is too slow
for White to opt for 11.lt>h1, be
cause Black creates queenside
counterplayvery quickly: 11...cxdS
12.cxdS bs 13.b4 aS 14.:gb1 axb4
1S.:gxb4 id7 16.f:b1 tLlg4+t Piket -
Adams, Tilburg 1996 - game 41;
11.ltJf4 ltJg4 12.f3 exf3 13.i.xf3 tLleS
14.ig2 eS 1S.b3 i.f6+t Dolinskij -
Sanduleac, Eforie Nord 1999; 11.
a4 aS! ? 12.f3 cxdS 13.cxdS tLla6.
Black sacrifices a pawn, in return
for exerting powerful pressure on
White's compromised queenside.
14.fxe4 b6+ 1S.e3 fxe4 16.tLlf2
tLlcS 17.tLlfxe4 tLlb3 18,l''l a3 tLlxc1
19.xc1 id7 with excellent com
pensation for the pawn for Black,
Galianina - Markowski, Cualcutta
2001.) 11...cxdS 12.cxdS bS 13.a3
(l3.b4 aS 14.ia3 tLla6 1SJb 1 id7
 l.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3. llJj3 e4 4.llJg5j5 5.l1Jc3 1J.e7 6. llJh3 llJf6
16.d4 llJhS 17J''1fc1 1J.f6 18.e3
1J.eS+ Kleist - Benjamin, Edmon
ton 2000) 13 ...exf3 14.exf3 aS
lS.llJf4 1J.b7 (The pressure against
the dS-pawn ties down White's
forces.) 16.llJe6 llJxe6 17.dxe6
b6+ 18.wh1 dS+! Van Wely -
Fridman, Liepaya 2004.
10 exf3
..
"Rybka" 's recommendation
deserves consideration: 10 ...
b6!? 1l.llJf4 (or 1l.fxe4 fxe4 and
White cannot capture the e4-
pawn since his knight on h3 is
hanging) 1l ...gS 12.llJh3 h6+!
1l.exf3
The recaptures with the bishop
or the rook are not at aH danger
ous for Black:
11.1J.xf3 llJc7 12.llJf4 1'!b8 13.1J.d2
llJe6 14.llJxe6 JJ.xe6 lS.b3 dS 16 ..if4
1'!c8 17.cS d7+! Navrotescu - Ne
vednichy, Baile Herculane 1996;
11.1'!xf3 llJc7 12.1'!f1 .ie6 13.b3
bS 14.JJ.xc6 hc4 1S.c2 1'!b8+! Hort
- Pirc, Marianske Lazne 1965.
1l dS
it is purely symbolic. Black should
This is Black's simplest way to
balance the position. The players
have equal space now and White
cannot reaHy exploit the weakness
of the eS-square.
Players who are interested in
more complex positions can study
for themselves the main alterna
tive for Black here - 1l ... llJc7.
12.cxdS
After 12.b3 cS! Black has seri
ous chances of seizing the initia
tive right away, for example: 13.
llJf4 dxc4 14.dS cxb3 1S.xb3 wh8
16.1J.b2 c4 17.c2 (17.xc4? b6+
18.1'!f2 .ic5) 17 ... llJb4 18.e2 llJd3!+
Wilson - Lund, Bolton 1997.
12 tLlxds 13.tLlf4 tLlac7 14.
.
'lWb3 i.f6 ISJdl lU'7. Black wish
es to exchange on f4 and then de
velop his bishop on e6. It seems
that White is forced to create fur
ther simplification. 16.tLlfxdS
tLlxdS 17.tLlxdS 'lWxdS 18.'lWxdS
cxdS 19 .if4 .ie6. Van Wely -
Adams, Groningen 1995.
White may have a slight edge
in this symmetrical position, but
be able to make a draw without
too much effort.
139
Chapter 6 l.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.l)f3 e4 4.l)g5 f5

Complete Games

34 Bigler Oratovsky 23.xc3

Gstaad 1993
l.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.c!lJf3 e4 4.
c!lJg5 f5 5.g3 Ae7 6.h4 c!lJf6 7.
c!lJc3 c6 8.c!lJh3 O - O 9.Ag5 c!lJa6
10 .e3 c!lJc7 1l.c!lJf4 c!lJe6 12.c!lJxe6
he6 13.Ae2 a6 14.cJ;>f1 e8
15.cJ;>g2 t7 16.b3 g6 17.c2
g7
18.h5 h6 19.hf6 hf6 2 0 .
hxg6 c5 21.d5 hc3 22.acl
hd5
It was preferable for White to
have captured the other bishop -
23.cxdS i.f6 24.i.hS bS with
chances for both sides.
23 ... Ac6 24.Wfxg7+ cJ;>xg7
25.cdl ad8 26.Ah5
White's bishops are not to be
envied at all. They must remain at
the edge of the board only to pro
tect a pawn.
26 ... f6 27.d2 d5 28.cxd5
iUd6 29.cl
He could have sacrificed the
exchange - 29.dxc6 l"lxd2 30.
cxb7, but after 30 ...l"lb8 31.l"lc1
l"lxb7 32.l"lxc5 l"lxa2 33.l"lxfS l"lb2,
Black would have excellent win
ning chances.
29 ...xd5 3 0 .dc2 b6 31.
.ie2 a5 32.Ac4 dl 33.xdl
xdI 34.At7

140

34 b5
..
It is more precise for Black to
choose 34 ....td5 3S.i.e8 i.e6 and
later he retreats with his rook to
d8 and captures the g6-pawn.
35 .ie4
White was afraid of his oppo
nent's checkmating threats and
decided to give up a pawn imme
diately. Meanwhile, he had better
wait a bit - 35J''lb 2 and only after
35 .. J'le1 reply with 36.i.c4.
35 ....te8 36 ..if7 hf7 37.gxf7
xf7 38.f3 e6 39.g4 fxg4 40.
fxg4 f6 41.:!'1:f2+ g5 42. g3
:!'1:g1+ 43. h3 :!'1:e1 44.:!'1:fS+ g6
4S.:!'1:d5 :!'1:xe3+ 46. g2 :!'1:d3 47.:!'1:e5
f6 48.:!'1:h5 g7 49.:!'1:eS :!'1:d2+
50. f1 :!'1:xa2 51.:!'1:e6 :!'1:b2 S2.:!'1:xb6
a4. White resigned.
35 Bisehoff Sakaev
Brno 1992
l.e4 e5 2 .tLlc3 d6 3.tLlf3 f5
4.d4 e4 5.tLlg5 e6 6.tLlh3 .ie7
7.f3 tLlf6 8.fxe4 tLlxe4 9.tLlxe4
fxe4 1 0 .tLlf2 O - O 1l.e3 a5+
12 .id2 f5 13.e2 e5 14.g3
exd4 15.exd4 tLle6 16 .ie3 d5
17. 0 - 0 - 0
l.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3 . tLl.f3 e4 4 . tLlg5f5
Naturally, it is risky for White
to evacuate his king to the weak
ened queenside, but after 17.i.g2
.tb4+ he may not even castle at
all. Maybe, the least of evils for
him was to opt for 17.a3 dxc4 18.
i.g2 Wa5+ 19.i.d2 Wb6 20 ..tc3.
17 tLla5 18.d2
.
After 18.b3 dxc4 19.bxc4 bS,
White's king ends up completely
bare.
18 ... tLlxe4 19.J.xe4 dxe4 2 O .
d5 .if6 2Uhe1 c3!? 22.bxc3
d7 23.e2
23 gfe8
.
It was very good for Black to
play 23 ...hc3! with the idea 24.
Wxc3 :!'1:ac8 25..tc5 Wg5+ 26. b1
:!'1:xf2 and he wins.
24.e4 b6 25.Wb1 gae8 26.
b3 h5
He overlooked the possibility
to finish the game off with a single
strike, but his position remained
superior and he broke gradually
his opponent's defence anyway.
27.gd2 .ie5 28.gel g6 29.
tLld1 gB 3 0 .tLle3 gf3 31.tLle2
.ia4! 32.a3 d6 33.Yba4
gxe3 34.tLld4 ga3 35.e2 b5!
36.e5
141
Chapter 6

White cannot capture the .ig7 3 O .d6 e6 31.xe6 he6

pawn: 36.ltJxbS i'fifb4+. 32.e5 d8 33.e3 "ifla3 34.b1
36 ... xd5 37.llJb3 f7 38. "ifla5 35.e1 <i>h7 36.e4+ <i>g8
e2 a5 39.xe4 .if6 4 0 .d1 a4 37.e3 d738.<i>f1e739."iflg5.
White resigned. Black resigned.

36 Danielsen Davies 37 Bareev Bologan

Denmark 1988
l.d4 d6 2.e4 e5 3.llJf3 e4 4.
llJg5 f5 5.f3 .ie7 6.llJh3 llJf6
7.llJe3 e6 8 ..ig5 llJa6 9.e3 exf3
1 0 .xf3 o - o 1l ..id3 llJg4 12.
.if4 .ih4+ 13.<i>d2 e8 14.ae1
llJe5 15.dxe5 dxe5 16.d1 llJb4
17.<i>e2 llJxd3
Ajaccio 2006
l.d4 d6 2.e4 e5 3.llJf3 e4 4.
llJg5 f5 5.llJc3 llJf6 6.llJh3 .ie7
7.e3 o - o 8 . .ie2 e6 9.d5 llJbd7
1 0 .b3 llJe5 11 ..ib2 a5

12.dxe6 bxe6 13.c5 d5 14.

llJxd5 llJxd5 15 ..ixe5 he5 16.
O - O e7 17..id4 .id6 18.e1
18.he5 .id7
The knight was untouchable
because of 18 . . e4.
.

18 ... xe5 19.xd3 "ifle7 2 0 .

hd1 .ie6 21.b3 e8
White's king is stranded in the
centre. Black has a tremendously
powerful initiative, in a position
with material equality.
22.g3 .if6 23.<i>f2 g5 24.llJg1
.ie8 25.e1 f4! 26.e4 g4 27.
tyd1 19 . .ie4 .ie6 2 0 .hd5 hd5
After 27."iflxf4 .igS, White loses 21.llJf4 .ixf4 22.exf4 fd8 23.
his queen. tye2 "ifle6
27 f3 28.h4 h5 29.d2
.. Black should have got rid of

142

his weak pawn by playing 23 ... a4,
with approximate equality ..
24.,te5 h6 25.gfel h7 26.
h3 g5 27.ikdl gg8 28.g3 gaf8
29.c3 g6
3 0 .h2
Now, and on the next move,
White could have captured the
a5-pawn, but Bareev decided to
play more cautiously
3 0 h5 31.gd2 e8 32.
. .
xa5
The time for the pawn to be
captured has arrived at lasto
32 h5 33.c3 h4 34.fxg5
.
gxg5 35.i.f4 gh5
It was more resilient for Black
to defend with 35 ...hxg3+ 36.fxg3
:gh5, although even then his posi
tion would not be a bed of roses.
l.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.tiJj3 e4 4 JiJ g5f5
38JMl gxg3 39.xg3 g6 4 0 .
e3 f7 41.gg1 gh4 42.g3
gh5 43.c3 gh4 44.,te5 h5
45.gg7+ h6 46.gg3 f7 47.
i.g7+ h7 48.i.f6 h5 49.
i.xh4. Black resigned.
38 Pinter Mokry
Dubai 1986
l.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.f3 e4 4.
g5 f5 5.c3 ,te7 6.h3 f6
7.e3 c6 8.,te2 O - O 9 . 0 - 0
h8 1 0 .f3 d5 11.b3 a6
12.i.d2 c7 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.
gacl i.d6 15.a4 e7 16.a2 f4
17.f2
It is not good for White to play
17.exf4? in view of 17 ...hh3
18.gxh3 tLle6, but it was obviously
stronger for him to choose 17.
tLlxf4 with the following exempla
ry variation: 17...g5 18.tLlh5 (18.
tLlh3? exf3 19.hf3 g4) 18 ... tLlxh5
19.fxe4 :gxf1+ 20.:gxf1 dxe4 21.
hh5 i.e6 22.'c2 g4 23.g3 ha2
24.b3 :gf8 25.:gxf8+ (Black is bet
ter after 25.xa2? :gxf1+ 26.mxf1
g5.) 25 ...xf8 26.hg4 g8 27.
i.d1 hg3 28.hxg3 xg3+ and he
has a perpetual check.
143
Chapter 6
17... fxe3
It deserved attention for Black
to play 17....td7!?, without forcing
the issue.
18.he3 c!lJh5 19.fxe4
19 hh2+?!
This sacrifice is rather dubi
ous. It was preferable for him to
play simply 19 ... 'Llf4 20 ..txf4 ixf4
21.l'l:c2 dxe4 with initiative.
2 0 .@xh2 %Yh4+ 21.@gl c!lJg3
22 ..if3?
After this move, Black finishes
the game off spectacularly, while
after 22.'Llc3 dxe4 23.Wc4 l'l:xf2!?
24.@xf2 .tg4 he would still need
to prove the correctness of his
concept.
22 .llxf3 ! 23.gxf3
. c!lJe2+
24.@g2 .ih3+ .
White resigned.
144
39 Illeseas - VIadimirov
Logrono 1991
1.e4 e5 2.c!lJc3 d6 3.c!lJf3 f5
4.d4 e4 5.c!lJg5 .ie7 6.c!lJh3 e6
7.e3 c!lJf6 8.c!lJf4 O - O 9.h4 c!lJa6
10 .ie2 c!lJe7 1l.d5 c!lJd7 12.b3
c!lJe5 13 .ib2
13 e5 14.h5 .if6 15.%Ye2
.
%Ye7 16.a3 .id7 17.b4 b5 18.
exb5 e4 19.a4 c!lJd3+ 2 0 .hd3
exd3 21.%Ye1 .ie5
White tried to attack on both
sides of the board, but finally his
king has ended up in the centre.
His extra pawn is practically im
material, since Black will regain it
soon.
22.g3 c!lJe8 23.@d2 c!lJf6 24.
f3 1;fe8 25.'gl %Yf7 26.%Yf2
1;ab8 27.1;ag1 a6
If White gives up his b4-pawn,

his king wiIl he endangered. He
must therefore return the extra
material.
28.\Wh2 axb5 29.a5 .ie8
3 0 .h3 gb7 31.gel gbe7 32.
.ial
32 ...he3+
It is inconceivahle that White
can improve his position. Black
now wins a pawn, hut White
huilds up a solid defensive line on
the dark squares.
33.he3 llJxd5 34.llJxd5
\Wxd5 35. \Wg2 .ib7 36.ghfl \Wf7
37.h2 d5 38.h4 h6 39 ..id4
ge6 4 0 .'!le3 \Wf8 41.\Wf4 e7
42.gf2 \Wg5 43.gh2 xf4 44.
gxf4 '!lh7 45.gg2 gg8 46.gegl
g6
47.gg3 ge6 48.g1g2 .ie8
49 ..ie5 .id7 50 . .id4 .ie8 51.
l.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3. iJj3 e4 4.iJg5.f5
ggl .if7 52.g3g2 ga8 53.gg3
gaa6 54.gh3 '!lg8 55.hxg6
gxg6 56.gxh6 '!lf8 57.ggxg6
gxg6 58.gxg6 hg6 59 ..if6
.ie8 6 O . .ih4 .ie6 61 ..iel '!le7
62.'!ld4 '!ld6 63 . .ie3. Draw
40 Ruban Anand
Palma de Majorca 1989
l.d4 d6 2.e4 e5 3.llJf3 e4 4.
llJg5 f5 5.llJe3 llJf6 6.llJh3 e6
7.e3 llJa6 8.llJf4 .ie7 9.h4 O - O
1 0 ..ie2 llJe7 1l.d5
1l ...exd5 12.exd5 llJd7 13.
g3 .if6 14..id2 .ie5 15.gc1 llJf6
16.\!'b3 '!lh8 17.a4 llJa6 18.\Wa3
.id7 19.b4 ge8 2 0 .a5 llJe7 21.
\Wb3 a6
22 . .ie4 \We8 23.llJee2 llJg4
24 . .ie3 llJb5 25 ..id2 .if6 26.
'!lfl llJe5 27.'!lg2
145
Chapter 6

ually organizes a dangerous king

side offensive.
33 ....td3 34.Val e5 35.
gxc8 gxc8 36.gcl .tc4 37Ja4
en 38.<.t>gl h6 39.edl <.t>h7
4 0 .gc3 g6 41.ec2 ef6 42.<.t>g2
g5 43.h5
After 43.hxg5 hxg5 44.<.t>gl
<.t>g6, Black's threats along the h
27 f3?!
.. file are almost decisive.
It is a well-known fact that 43 ...en
during his younger years Vishy
Anand often played very quickly
and rather superficially. Now, for
example, instead ofthe seemingly
attractive move in the game, it
was much stronger for him to
have opted for 27 . :f7, eyeing the
.

enemy d5-pawn. After for in

stance 28Jk2 Elxc4 29.Elxc4 ltJxc4
30.1Mfxc4 Elc8, Black has the initia
tive.
28.ea2 ee5 29.h:b5 h:b5
3 0 ..tc3 ee7 31.hf6 exf6 32.
e6 gg8
44.g4?
White could have tried an at
tractive trick here 44.ltJc6!, which
seems to be sufficient to save the
game. For example: 44 ...bxc6
45.Elxc4 ltJxc4 46.1Mfxc4, or 44 ...
ltJd3 45.<.t>gl bxc6 46.Elxc4 cS.
44...fxg4 45.Vxe4+ <.t>h8
46.<.t>gl g3! 47.Vf5 exf5 48.
xf5 f3+ ! 49.<.t>g2 h4+

33.2d4?!
Centralization is the panacea
for almost everything in chess!
After 33.ltJ2f4!, threatening h5
and ltJg6+, Black would have seri
ous problems. Here, Anand grad-

146
 1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3. 0,./3 e4 4.0,g5j5

This is a very rare case of a

double atlack with a knight
against a king and another
knight...
5 0 .xg3
After SO.tL:lxh4 .bdS+, White
loses his rook, so he must give up
a piece.
5 0 ...xf5+ 51.h2 e7 52.
e4 i.e2 53.gxc8+ xc8 54.g3
hh5 55.d8 b6 56.f4 bxa5 b5 22.g4 h4 23.g5 d4
57.bxa5 g7 58.e5 i.f7 59.fxg5 It was obviously even stronger
hxg5 6 O .exd6 xd6. White re for Black to play 23 ... 0,a3 24..ba3
signed. xa3 2S.0,e4 \Wxg4 with an edge.
24.e4 a2 25.e6 e2
26.i.f4 xf4 27.gxf4 i.e5 28.
41 Piket Adams xf8 xf8 29.f3 i.b5 3 0 .h3
Tilburg 1996
1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.f3 e4 4.
g5 f5 5.c3 i.e7 6.h3 c6
7.g3 f6 8.i.g2 a6 9.d5 O - O
1 0 . 0- 0 c7 11.h1 cxd5 12.
cxd5

12 ...b5 13.b4 a5 14.gb1
axb4 15.gxb4 i.d7 16.gb1 g4
(diagram)
17.f3 exf3 18.exf3 i.f6! 19.
fxg4 .ixc3 2 0 J'c2 b4 21.gxf5
3 0 ...i.d3?!
Black loses his advantage with
this move, whereas after 30 ... a3
31.\Wf2 \Wxf2 32.xf2 d3 33.d1
c3 White would have great prob
lems restraining his opponent's
passed pawn.
31.\Wxd3 i.xf4 32.tyc4 \Wf2
33.tyc8+ e7 34.tyc7+ e8
35.c8+ e7 36.tyc7+ e8.
Draw.

147
Chapter 7 1.d4 d6 2.c!iJf3
Quick Repertoire
After he sees this move played
on the board, an optimist might
think "Hmm, this guy is afraid of
my encyclopaedic knowledge of
the lines after 2.c4 eS, so he is try
ingto avoid an opening dispute ... ".
This assumption is not justified
however, since according to the
statistics the moves 2.tt:lf3 is en
countered about 50% of the time
(the difference is less than 1%), so
Black must be well-prepared to
fight against the text move!
I believe that Black's main
achievement after 2 .tt:lf3 is that he
can now transpose to the King's
Indian Defence, having avoided
several dangerous systems, in
cluding sorne where Black must
know the theory in detail (such as,
148
for example the Saemisch, or the
Four Pawns Attack). Generally
speaking, all you would need to
do is read half of the book "The
King's Indian. A Complete Black
Repertoire" by Victor Bologan for
you to have an excellent reper
toire for Black! However, it would
not be fair for me to treat my read
ers in this fashion, since in this
monograph I have promised to
provide a universal defence for
Black after l.d4 d6. Therefore,
here we shall analyze an interest
ing and original system, which
will certainly surprise your oppo
nent and will force him to find
new ways of treating the position,
without being able to apply his
usual positional criteria. In addi
tion, you will master it much fast
er than even half of the rather
complex King's Indian Defence.
2 ig4!?
...
According to the Mega Data
base, this move was played for the
first time in the game Tartakower
- Spielmann, Nordwijk-aan-Zee
1938. This is possibly why this
system has been named in several
sources as the Tartakower system.

It seems more logical, however,
to name it in honour of Rudolf
Spielmann, a true champion of
the King's Gambit and various
other interesting opening innova
tions.
It has another popular name
as well - the Wade system, afier
an English master who ofien (not
always successfully though... )
played the move 2 . .i,g4 at the be
.
ginning of the '70s of the last cen
tury. In Jorni Yrjola's and Jussi
Tella's book "An Explosive Chess
Opening Repertoire for Black" the
2.tt:Jf3 g4 section is entitled "The
Hodgson Variation", because the
English grandmaster Julian Hod
gson elaborated on the ideas of
Robert Wade and achieved excel
lent practical results with it. Later,
another Englishman, Anthony
Miles, was absolutely brilliant
with this variation; it is clear that
this system was well suited to his
fighting spirit (Miles used to be
characterized as "a cat that hunts
alone" ... ), so that with this varia
tion he ofien won games in which
his position was at best equal and
sometimes almost lost. Maybe it
would be most appropriate to
name this system the Wade -
Hodgson - Miles, or simply the
English variation of the Queen's
Pawn Opening. 1 am not inclined
to complicate your lives with my
opinion about this. This introduc
tion has become a bit too long, in
any case, so it is high time we
dealt with the theory.
l.d4 d6 2. t;J.f3 i,g4
What is the idea behind the
early bishop-sortie? First of all,
Black wishes to exchange on f3
and compromise his opponent's
pawn-structure. This does not
seem to be such a dangerous
threat, however, since White will
obtain the bishop-pair and quite
easy development, but still this
idea will be permanently on
Black's agenda in this variation.
As a rule, afier this exchange,
original, non-standard positions
arise and a less experienced oppo
nent may easily go astray afier
sorne strategical mistakes.
Black has another idea too - to
deploy his central pawns on the
light squares: e6, d5, and ofien c6
as well. Then we reach a peculiar
type of a French Defence pawn
structure in which the "bad" bish
op on cS is already outside the
pawn-chain. Naturally, Black has
other plans in reserve too. For ex
ample, he can place his bishop on
g6 in order to exert pressure
against White's centre and pro
vide his king with additional pro
tection.
149
Chapter 7

White has numerous possibili 3 c6

ties as well. Chapter 8 is devoted
to the move 3.tLlbd2, Chapter 9 to
3.e4 and Chapter 10 to 3.c4. Here
we will analyze sorne other plans,
which are played only seldom in
practice.
3.tYd3
Out of all the "second-rate"
moves I like this one the best.
White prevents the doubling of
his pawns on f3, creates the sim
ple threat of bS+ and, in addi
tion, his queen is quite well placed Black defends against the check
on d3, contributing to the prepa from bS and opens the way for his
ration of queenside castling. queen to go to the queenside.
Black has nothing to complain 4.lDc3 lDf6 5.e4 e6
about after the modest move 3.e3, Black wishes to push d6-dS and
for example: 3 ... e6 4.c4 tLld7 (in toenteragood version ofthe French
order, after b3, to protect his Defence with his light-squared
b7-pawn with the rook from b8) bishop already developed on g4.
S.tLlc3 fi.e7 6.fi.e2 c6 7.dS (other 6.h3 h5
wise Black will place a pawn on dS
himself) 7... eS 8.dxc6 bxc6 with
chances for both sides.
In response to 3.g3, Black
can carry out his main idea -
doubling his opponent's pawns:
3 ...xf3 4.exf3 e6 S.i.g2 dS 6.0-0
cS. First he fixes the enemy d4-
pawn and then he atlacks it. After
7.c3 cxd4 8.cxd4, White's d4-
pawn is isolated from its neigh
bours and may become a real
weakness in his camp, while after 7.g5 (In practice White often
7.dxcS hcS 8.c4 tLlf6 9.f4 tLlc6 blunders a pawn here after the
1O.tLlc3 dxc4, Black obtains a com trick: 7.g4 fi.g6 8.tLlh4? he4!) 7
..

pletely acceptable game in a posi i.e7 8 . 0 - 0 - 0 d5. Black's coun

tion with a symmetrical pawn terplay is sufficient to maintain
structure. equality.

150
Chapter 7 1.d4 d6 2.f3 J.g4
Step by Step
A) 3.g3
B) 3.e3
C) 3.d3
White's main lines here are
3.tLlbd2 (Chapter 8), 3.e4 (Chap
ter 9) and 3.c4 (Chapter 10). We,
as usual, wiIl begin studying the
variation with sorne second-rate
moves.
3 .ig5. This bishop-sortie be
longs to the series "Play and let
others play too ... !" Black's hands
are completely free for creative
inventions. Se e, for example, the
possible consequences of a natu
ral developing move - 3 ...tLld7 4.
c3 (4.tLlbd2 h6 5 ..ih4 g5 6 ..ig3
ig7 7.c3, Piankov - Vorotnikov,
Moscow 1996, 7... tLlgf6 8.e4
tLlh5. Black's kingside weak
nesses are practicaIly immaterial,
because it is not good for White to
foIlow with the undermining
move h2-h4: in that case, Black
wiIl take the bishop on g3, forcing
recapturing fxg3, after which
White's king shelter wiIl be com
promised considerably.) 4 ...h6 5.
ih4 c5 6.e3 ,b6 (This is a typical
maneuver: White's bishop on el
has abandoned the queenside
early and Black's queen attacks
the b2-pawn.) 7.,b3 ,xb3 8.axb3
a6 9.tLlbd2 tLlgf6 1O.id3 g5 11.ig3
tLlh5 (After the queens are off the
board, this maneuver is much
stronger.) 12.tLlf1 ie6 13.tLl3d2
i.g7 Piankov - Lupu, France 200l.
3.c!LJg5 (This looks like "ran
dom-chess"! Grandmaster Lev Gut
man is famous for his quite origi
nal ideas and this time it seems
that he wished to circle the entire
board with his knight.) 3 ...h6 4.
tLle4 d5 5.tLlc5 ic8 6.tLld3 tLlf6
(There may arise an interesting
enigma - how did this position
arise? The first impression may
be that the following moves were
played l.d4 d5 2.tLld3!? tLlf6. WeIl,
151
Chapter 7
why is Black's pawn on h6 then?)
7.a4 c6 S.a5 f5 9.c3 ttJbd7+t
Gutman - Schlindwein, Alten
kirchen 2001. It is not easy to un
derstand why White's knight
should be better placed on d3
than on f3? In addition, Black
leads in development. Still, the
game is within the frame of ap
proximate equality.
3.lLlc3. I do not understand
the logic of this move. If White
wishes to play e2-e4, then he
should better do it immediately,
since he does not need any prepa
ration for that. Now, Black has the
opportunity to double his oppo
nent's pawns. I wiIl repeat - this
cannot be dangerous for White,
but if he had started with e4 and
played ttJc3 only later, then Black
would not have that possibility.
3 ...xf3 4.exf3 d5 (This is an ex
ceIlent idea. Now, it is evident
that White's knight on c3 is doing
nothing.) 5.d3 g6 6.0-0 g7 7.
l:'!e1 e6 (Sooner or later, he wiIl try
to exchange his doubled pawns,
so Black should better try to pre
vent in advance the pawn-break
f4-f5.) S.f4 ttJe7 9.i.e5 he5 10.
152
dxe5 O-O (The dark squares on
Black's kingside are vulnerable
indeed, but still, this move is not
so risky, because White can hard
ly create any meaningful threats
against Black's king.) 11.f4 c5+t Ko
lesnikov - Bocharov, Sochi 2006.
3.h3. This provocation is ab
solutely unnecessary. I have al
ready mentioned that Black is
ready to trade his bishop for the
knight, anyway. 3 ...hf3
4.gxf3 e6 5.c4 c6 (At first,
Black builds up a pawn-chain in
the centre.) 6.ttJc3 ttJf6 7.i.g5 (7.
d5 cxd5 S.cxd5 e5 9.Wb3 ttJbd7!?
- White is busy, wasting tempi
winning a pawn and in the mean
time Black wiIl calmly complete
his development and exert pres
sure on the queenside - 1O.Wxb7
i.e7 11.Wb3 o-o 12.f4 - this is an
other arguable momento Would it
be wise for White to open files
while Black leads in development?
On the other hand, that is the only
way for White to activate his bish
ops - 12 ... l:'!bS 13.Wc2 exf4 14.
i.xf4 Wb6 15J:'!b1 l:'!fcSgg Schoene
- Hickl, Bad Ragaz 1993. Black
wishes to transfer his knight to c4

va eS and fortify his bind on the
flank.) 7...ie7 8.e3 ttJbd7 9:c2
WaS lOJ'1g1 a600 Glavna - Rubi
netti, Buenos Aires 1988. The fight
is raging aH over the entire board.
White has slightly more space and
a bishop-pair, but Black leads in
development and his pawn-struc
ture is more flexible. In addition,
his king may castle on both sides
of the board. The position is with
chances for both sides.
4.exf3 e6 S.id3 (S.Wd3 c6 -
mind the check on bS! - 6.f4 ttJd7
7.g3 g6 - we have already made
comments about this move. Black
should try to prevent the pawn
break f4-fS - 8.ttJd2 ig7 9.ig2
ttJe7 1O.0-0 o-o 11.c3 Wc7 12.ttJf3
cSf2 Hakulinen - King, Jyvaskyla
1991.) S ...g6 6.ie3 ig7 7.ttJc3 ttJe7
(The knight can go to fS from this
square, in order to increase the
pressure against the d4-pawn.) 8.
Wd2 ttJbc6 9.ttJe2 Wd7 1O.c3 eS
(Black exploits the fact that the
move d4-dS is impossible and he
is trying to prolong the diagonal
of his bishop.) 11.h4 exd4 12.cxd4
ttJf5f2 Fancsy - Har-Zv, Trier 1989.
3.c3. This move is possible in
deed, but 1 think White should
play more aggressively. 3 ... ttJd7
(diagram)
4.igS h6 - see 3.igS ttJd7 4.c3
h6.
4.e4 ttJgf6 S.ttJbd2 e6 6.h3 .thS
7.id3 ii.e7 8.0-0 (8.ttJf1 eS 9.ttJg3
ig6 10.0-0 o-o 11.ttJh4, Sakadin
- Kuporosov, Pardubice 1997 and
here, Black had to foHow with the
l.d4 d6 2. ttJf3 .tg4
already familiar exchanging com
bination: 11...ixe4 12.ttJxe4 ttJxe4
13.i.xe4 ixh4 14.ixb7 l"1b8 1S.if3
dSf2) 8 ... 0-0 9.l"1e1 c6 1O.ttJf1 dS
(The French Defence is welcomed
again ... !) 11.ttJg3 ig6 12.if4 dxe4
13.ttJxe4 ttJxe4 14.ixe4 ixe4 15.
l"1xe4 cS: Karpov - Salov, Alma
Ata 1995.
4.Wb3 l"1b8 (Black's rook pro
tects the pawn and its pride is just
ignored ... ) S.ttJbd2 (S.if4 ttJgf6 6.
ttJbd2 e6 7.e4 .te7 8.Wc2 ihS 9.
ii.d3 ig6 1O.h3 O-O 11.0-0 dS 12.
exdS ttJxdS 13.,bg6 hxg6 14.ih2
l"1c8 1S.l"1ae1 cSf2 Aleksandrov -
Agrest, Czestochowa 1992) 5 ...
ttJgf6 6.h3 (6.g3 e6 7.ii.g2 ie7 8.
O-O o-o 9.a4 cS 1O.e4 dS 11.eS
ttJe8 12.l"1e1 ttJc7 13.Wd1 a6f2 Char
khalashvli - Shanava, Tbilisi
2007) 6 ...ii.hS 7.g4 ig6 8.ttJh4
eS!? (Black could have followed
the habitual scheme - e6, d6 etc.,
but the move in the game is more
aggressive. He wishes to provoke
complications in the centre, ex
ploiting the fact that White's
queen has been decentralized.) 9.
ttJxg6 hxg6 1O.ig2 c6 11.ttJf3 ie7
12.dxeS dxeS 13.ie3 WaSf2 Ra
dosevc - Vaulin, Belgrade 1993.
153
Chapter 7
3 ..tf4. This is just an indiffer
ent move.
In response, Black exchanges
on f3 and fianchettoes his other
bishop. 3 ...i.xf3.
4.gxf3 tUf6 5.e4 tUbd7 6.tUc3
g6 (Ifhe wishes to deploy his cen
tral pawns on light squares, then
the placement of White's bishop
on f4 wiIl be justified.) 7.'!,!fd2 c6
8.0-0-0 fi.g7 9.mb1 '!,!fc7 1O.i.h6
(White wiIl weaken the dark
squared complex in Black's posi
tion with this exchange, but the
f4-square in his own camp be
comes terribly weak as weIl.) 10 ...
.hh6 11.'!,!fxh6 '!,!fa5 12.i.c4, Main
ka - Hort, Germany 1993, 12 ...
'!,!fh5 13.'!,!fe3 (Or 13.'!,!fg7?! E:f8 and
White's queen may never ron
away from its exile.) 13 ...b5 14.
fi.d3 O-O?
4.exf3 tUf6 5.fi.d3 g6 6.0-0 fi.g7
7.c3 O-O 8.'!,!fc1?! e5! (Black makes
use ofhis opponent's imprecision.
Now, White's bishop on d3 is
hanging and Black inflicts a pow
erful strike against the centre.)
9.fi.e3 exd4 1O ..hd4 tUc6 11.fi.e3
'!,!fd7= Wojtaszek - Guseinov, Cala
Galdana 1996.
154
A) 3.e3
This is a solid but harmless
move.
3 ...e6 4.c4
4.c3 c6 5.tUbd2 fi.e7 6.fi.d3 tUf6
7.'!,!fc2 i.h5 8.b3 i.g6 9.a4 '!,!fc7 10.
O-O O-O 11..hg6 hxg6 12.i.a3
tUbd7, draw, Seel - Schebler, Ger
many 2006.
4 ... d7
The early development of the
bishop to g4 has naturaIly weak
ened a bit Black's queenside. After
c2-c4, White has the possibility to
play '!,!fb3 and to attack the b7-
pawn. Black would be reluctant to
reply with b7-b6; otherwise, he
would compromise his light
squares. The move '!,!fc8 has sorne
drawbacks too, for example, he
wiIl have problems later develop
ing his queen's rook.
After 4... tUd7, Black frees the
b8-square for the rook and from
there it wiIl cope perfectly with
the protection of the pawn on b7.
5.c3 .te7
White has chosen a calm
scheme of development and Black
 l.d4 d6 2.lLlj3 .ig4

does not need to fianchetto his ,a4 ,c8 1 0 .h3 .i:f5 1l.e4 .ig6
dark-squared bishop. On the con 12 . .ie3 gf6 Korchnoi - Miles,
trary, he should better leave the Horgen 1994 (game 42).
g6-square free for an eventual re
treat ofhis light-squared bishop. B) 3.g3
6. .ie2
6.h3 .ih5. Naturally, now Black
is reluctant to exchange on f3. 7.
g4 .ig6 8.h4 h6 9.h5 .ih7 1O . .id3
hd3 11.xd3 lLlgf6 12.B:g1 c6 13 .
.id2, draw, Portisch - Speelman,
Reykjavik 1988. If that game had
continued, Black would have
placed a pawn on d5, developed
his queen to b6, or c7 and castled
long. The prospects of both sides
would be about equal indeed.
6 ...c6 7.d5 White understands that his
7.0-0 a6 8.b3 lLlgf6 9 ..ib2 d5. opponent intends to exchange on
Black deploys his pawns in an al f3 and he plans the following set
ready familiar fashion. 1O.lLld2 up: the bishop on g2, the pawn on
he2 11:xe2 o-o 12.e4 dxe4 13. f4 and to advance f4-f5 at the first
lLlcxe4 lLlxe4 14.lLlxe4 lLlf6 15.B:fd1, opportune momento
draw, Zueger - Lau, Graz 1993. It 3 hf3 4.exf3 e6
...

looks like the further simplifica

tions are unavoidable.

7 ... e5 8.dxc6 bxc6. The
bishop on e7 is very useful, be
cause it protects the d6-pawn. 9.
5 ..ig2
In the next game, both oppo
nents, famous for their wild im
agination, organized a contest in
ingenuity: 5.h4 d5 6.f4 eS 7.f5!?

155
Chapter 7

exf5 8 ..tb5+ lLlc6 9.0-0 lLlf6 10. .tf6 13.lLlc3 O-O+! Bonin - Miles,
.tg5 .te7 1l.dxc5 0-000 Gutman - New York 1989.
Miles, Germany 1986. There arose 5 ...d5
a relatively standard position with
an isolated pawn, except that the
absence of white pawns on g2 and
h2 provokes a strange feeling...
5.f4 g6 - Black is building his
pawn-wall.

And then:
it would be harmless for him if
White plays 6 ..tg2 c6 7.lLld2 (7.
O-O d5 - see 5 ..tg2) 7....tg7 8.c3
lLld7 9.a4 lLle7 10.0-0 O-O 1l.l':1e1
Wic7 12.lLlf3 E:ac8 13 ..td2 E:fd8 14.
Wic2 c5+! Black obviously got tired
of this "cat and mouse" game and
created real tension in the centre,
6. 0 - 0
6.f4 c6 7.0-0 g 6 8.lLld2 g7
9.lLlf3 lLle7 1O.E:e1 lLld7. As it often
happens in this system, Black's
knights hide behind his pawns.
1l.b3 O-O 12 ..ta3 E:e8 13.Wid2 lLlf6
14.lLle5 lLlf5. White has greater
scope for movement, but Black's
position is very solid, Bindrich -
Tischbierek, Dresden 2010.
6 ... e5 7.dxe5 he5 8.e4 f6
9.f4 e6 1 0 .c3, E.Atalik -
Rozentalis, Chalkidiki 2010, 10

Polugaevsky - Miles, Biel 1990 dxe4 l1J/a4 O-O 12.xe4

(game 43); iWd4 13.iWe2 b4
6.d5 - This is an attempt to
weaken a bit his opponent's light
squares. 6... exd5. Naturally, Black
is reluctant to allow the exchange
on e6, because his pawn there
would be quite vulnerable. 7.Wixd5
lLlc6 8.b5 Wid7 9.0-0 4:lge7 10.
E:e1 .tg7 1l.hc6. White is trying
to keep his opponent's king in the
centre, but this attempt is parried
easily by Black. 1l ...bxc6 12.Wie4

156

He has a quite acceptable game
in this position.
C) 3.'!Wd3 c6
Black prevents the check on
b5.
4.tLlc3
About 4.e4 ltJf6 - see 3.e4
(Chapter 9); 4.g3 ltJd7 5.g2 ltJgf6
6.c4 e5 - see 4.c4.
This position is also very inter
esting, at least due to the fact that
(after only three moves! ) there is
absolutely no theory and the play
ers must use their own brains. I
will show you several exemplary
games just for general enlighten
ment...
4.h3 h5 5:b3 W1b6 (Black is
quite happy to enter an endgame.
He has problems neither with
weaknesses, nor with his develop
ment.) 6.ltJbd2 d5 7.c4 '!Wxb3 8.
axb3 ltJd7 9.c5 a6 1O.b4, Varga -
Okhotnik, Hungary 2006, 10 ...
ltJgf6 11.e3 1'l:c8 (defending against
the threat b4-b5) 12..id3 e600
4.c4 ltJd7 5.g3 tLlgf6 6.g2 e5.
Black wishes to prove that his op-
l.d4 d6 2.ltJj3 ii..g 4
ponent's queen on d3 is not so
well placed and creates the threat
of a double attack. 7.ltJbd2 (7.tLlc3
W1c7 8.0-0 e7 9.b3 o-o 1O.b2
a6 11.d5 ltJc5. At the end, he really
won a tempo by attacking the en
emy queen. 12.'!Wd2 a5 Blasko -
Sergeev, Zalakaros 2002.) 7... e7
8.0-0 O-O 9.e4.
There arise positions with
analogous pawn-structure in the
Indian Defence as well. Contrary
to that opening however, Black's
light-squared bishop is placed
much more favourably (on g4, in
stead of on c8), while White's
queen on d3 looks awkward. 9 ...
exd4 1O.ltJxd4 ltJc5 1l.'!We3 W1b6
12.h3 d7 13.1'l:b1, Kruppa - Jos
sien, Cappelle la Grande 2000,
13 ... a5 14.1'l:d1 1'l:fd8
4.ltJg5 (He continues the policy
of playing for small tricks, threat
ening a double attack from the
b3-square. This all looks like be
ginners play, but it has sorne more
serious positional justification.
For example, in reply to the natu
ral move 4... h6, White will play 5.
tLlh7 exchanging his enemy dark
squared bishop. In addition, he
157
Chapter 7
wishes to place his pawn on f3 and
restrict in this way Black's light
squared bishop. This plan is a bit
too slow indeed, beca use he wiIl
need to waste several tempi in
order to activate his own knight.)
4 ... e6 5.f3 i.h5 6.ttJh3 d5 7.ttJf4
i.g6.
Ifyou are reluctant to exchange
your light-squared bishop for the
enemy knight, then you should
betler not play the Wade variation
ever... 8.b3 b6 9.ttJxg6 hxg6
1O.i.f4 ttJd7 1l.e3 ttJe7 12.c3 ttJc8
13.ttJd2 i.d6. It is always useful to
neutralize your opponent's two
bishop advantage. 14.hd6 ttJxd6
15.xb6 axb6 16.i.d3 b5+! Black's
position is very solid and his
pawns restrict considerably
White's bishops, Gil Capape - Da
nailov, Zaragoza 1992.
4 c!iJf6 5.e4 e6
..
Black is preparing the "French"
type move - d6-d5.
158
6.h3
6.i.g5 i.e7 7.e3 hf3. It is
amazing to mention that he not
only exchanges his bishop for the
enemy knight, but he wins three
tempi in the process! 8.xf3 ttJbd7
9.i.e2 o-o 1O.ie3 b5 1l.i.d3 eS+!
Bronstein - Rashkovsky, Reykja
vik 1994.
6 ....ih5 7 .ig5
7.g4 ig6 8.ttJh4? he4! 9.ttJxe4
ttJxe4 1O.xe4 xh4 and Black
won a pawn in the game Magg -
Katzameyer, Germany 2002.
7.ttJe2 d5 8.ttJg3 dxe4 9.ttJxe4
i.xf3 1O.xf3 xd4 and he had
again an extra pawn, Pantev -
Marholev, Plovdiv 2006.
7...ie7 8. 0 - 0 - 0
8 ... d5 9.exd5 c!iJxd5 1 0 .
he7 ti'xe7 11.c!iJxd5 cxd5 12.g4
.ig6 13.b5+ c!iJc6+! Mikhailuk
- Rouleau, Philadelphia 2002.
Chapter 7 1.d4 d6 2.lDf3 i.g4
Complete Games
42 Korehnoi Miles
Horgen 1994
1.d4 d6 2Ajf3 i.g4 3.e3 e6
4.e4 c!iJd7 5.c!iJc3 i.e7 6.i.e2 e6
7.d5 e5 8.dxe6 bxe6 9.V!'la4
V!'le8 10 .h3 i.f5 1l.e4 i.g6 12.
i.e3 c!iJgf6
13.c5!?
Korchnoi sacrifices a pawn in
order to compromise his oppo
nent's pawn-structure.
13 dxe5
..
It is not good for Black to cap
ture with the knight: 13 ... lLlxc5?
14 ..ixc5 dxc5 15.lLlxe5 - the pawns
are equal, but his weaknesses
along the c-file have remained on
the board.
14.c!iJh4 o - o
After the appearance of the
powerful computer programs, all
the commentators have become
much brighter tactically. So, 1
would like to show an amusing
tactical discovery of my own: 14 .. .
lLlb6! 15.,c2 (15.,b3 xe4) 15 .. .
lLlfd5! 16.lLlxd5 lLlxd5 17.lLlxg6
lLlxe3 18.fxe3 hxg6 with equality.
15.llJxg6 hxg6 16Je2
16 e4
..
In anticipation of forceful
maneuvers of the type of lLla4,
Miles returns the pawn voluntar
ily in order to trade the dark
squared bishops.
17.he4 i.e5 18.he5
It is hardly advisable for White
to avoid this exchange: 18.d2
E1d8 19.0-0 d4 and later, Black
will even fortify his bishop with
the move c6-c5.
18 llJxc5
.. 19. 0 - 0 V!'le7
159
Chapter 7
2 O .ad1 ad8
It deserved atlention for him
to choose 20 ... aS, in order to en
sure the c5-square for his knight.
It was also interesting to opt for
20 .. J'::fe8, with the idea to transfer
the knight to d4 va e6. For exam
pIe: 21.b4 Lle6 22.,he6 l'::xe6 with
nearly equal position. Still, Miles
was not afraid of the move b2-b4,
because he conSidered that after
that he would manage to get rid of
his queenside weaknesses much
easier.
21.b4 llJb7
Black's knight may not look so
beautifully placed on this square,
but it supports from there both
hs pawn-breaks - cS and aS.
22.b3 e7 23.a3 a5 24.
llJa2 e5 25.bxa5 llJxa5 26.d5
llJxd5 27.exd5 llJb7 28.fe1
fe8 29.a4
The situation has been clari
fied a bit. It is evdent that White
has sezed the initiative and his
passed d-pawn, supported by his
heavy pieces, might become very
dangerous. Miles however, is not
losng his fighting spirit and con
tinues to defend nventively.
160
29 ...e8 3 0 .llJe3 d7 31.
llJb5 llJd6 32.llJxd6 xd6 33.
e4 a8 34.b1 ed8 35.edl
a6 36.xe5 xa4 37.d6 d7
38.d5
Black will counter 38.Wixe5
with 38 ... l'::a6, winnng the dan
gerous enemy pawn. It deserved
attention for Whte to try here
38.l'::b6.
38 ... a7
After 38 ... l'::a6 39.l'::b7 WifS 40.
d7, Black's position would be wor
risome.
39.b4
It seems White had better play
39.l'::bc1, threatening l'::c7. Black's
best reply would be 39 ... h7!,
running away with hs king from
the eventual checks along the last
rank. Now, White achieves much
neither with 40.xeS l'::a6 41.l'::c7
Wixc7! 42.dxc7 l'::xd1+ 43. h2 l'::c6
44.Wie7 f6 and Black captures the
c7-pawn, nor after 40. h2 l'::a6
41.l'::c7 xd6 42.Wixf7 xc7 43.
Wixc7 l'::xd1, or 40.l'::c7 xc7 41.
dxc7 l'::xdS 42.l'::xdS (following 42.
c8 l'::xd1 + Black will be fighting
for a win) 42 ... l'::xc7 43.l'::xeS=.
Still, after 40.l'::c6! fS 41.cS,

White maintains powerful pres
sure.
39 ...f5 4 0 Jb7 gxb7 41.
xb7 gd7 42.eS+ 'it>h7 43.
eS
43... e2!
This counter attack is quite
timely! Black saves the game, in
this king and queen ending,
thanks to the permanent threat of
a perpetual check.
44.xd7 xd1+ 45.'it>h2
d2 46.ve7 f4+ 47.'it>gl e4
4S.e6 e3 49.fxe3 xe3+ 5 0 .
'it>f1 d2 51.d7 f5 52.e7 d1+
53.'it>f2 d2+ 54.'it>gl f4
The perpetual is unavoidable
now and the opponents agreed to
a draw.
43 Polugaevsky Miles
Biel 1990
1.d4 d6 2.tlJf3 J.g4 3.g3
J.xf3 4.exf3 e6 5.f4 e6 6.J.g2
g6 7.tlJd2 J.g7 S.e3 tlJd7 9.a4
tlJe7 1 0 . 0 - 0 O - O n.ge1 e7
12.tlJf3 gaeS 13.J.d2 gfdS 14.
e2 e5 15.dxe5 tlJxe5 16,tlJd4
tlJe6 17.tlJb5 bS lS.J.e3 a6
l.d4 d6 2.tlJj3 ig4
19.he5
Polugaevsky hopes to transfer
his knight to the blocking c4-
square and to exert pressure
against his opponent's queenside,
but this plan wiIl not see the light
of day. Possibly, White had better
simplify the position with the line:
19.1tJd4 dS 20.ltJxc6 B:xc6 21.aS
d6=
19 dxc5 2 0 ,tlJa3 tlJa5! 21.
..
gad1 e4
So, there is no blocking square
any more. White's knight is
stranded at the edge of the board,
while its counterpart may even
penetrate to the d3-square at an
opportune moment.
22.e2 e7 23.gxdS+ l'!xdS
24.J.f1 B:eS 25.gd1 e6 26.e2
i.f8 27.tlJb1 tlJb3 2S.J.g2?
161
Chapter 7

White could have restored the

balance here with the help of a
small exchange combination: 28.
ttJd2 xa4 29.hc4 \xc4 30.
ttJxb3=
28 xa4 29.hb7 S:b8 30 .
..

.ifJ c!tJc5 31.xa4 c!tJxa4 32.<Lld2

<Llxb2 33.S:al .ig7 34.S:Xa6 hc3

43 'it;g7

This is a typical "human" deci

sion. The computer proves that
after 43 ...ie3 44.g5 rj:;g7 45.8:c8
ixf4, Black has nothing to be
afraid of: 46.ttJf6 8:xh2+ 47.rj:;g4
hg5 48.mxg5 h6+ winning.
44 .ic4 .igl 45.f5 S:xh2+

46.mg3 S:g2+ 47.mh3 exf5 48.

35.c!tJe4? gxf5 g5 49.S:c7 g4+ 5 0 .mh4
Now, his position becomes
very difficult. Meanwhile, White
could have forced a transition into
an ending with bishops of oppo
site colours, despite being a pawn
down: 35.ttJxc4! ttJxc4 36J:k6 ie1
(36 .. J::b4 37.ie2 8:b2 38.8:xc4=)
37J'1:xc4 8:b2 38.ie4 hf2+ 39.
mg2 ib6+ 40.8:c2. He should be
able to hold this position.
35 .id4 36.k6 <Lld3 37.
. 5 0 <LlfJ+. This is an attrac
.

.ie2 S:bl+ 38.mg2 c!tJel+ tive final combination. 51.mh5

Besides rooks and bishops,
there are knights left on the board
and White's king comes under a
dangerous attack.
39.'i!;>h3 c3 4 0 .<Llxc3 S:b2
S:h2+ 52.mxg4 <Lle5+ 53.mg3
(Following 53.mf4 gh4+ 54.mxe5
ih2+ 55.rj:;d5 hc7, Black ends up
with an extra exchange and a
pawn.) 53 k2 54.f6+ rj:;h6
.

41 .ia6 gxf2 42.<Lle4 gb2 43.

55.<Lld6 .ih2+ 56.mh3 .tf4.
g4 White resigned.

162
Chapter 8 l.d4 d6 2.i.g4 3.ll)bd2
Quick Repertoire
This is a solid multi-purpose
move. First White defends against
the doubling of his pawns on f3
and then he will consider his fu
ture pawn-structure. Most proba
bly he will fianchetto his light
squared bishop, but there may be
other developments as well.
3 ttJf6
. . .
It is still unclear what kind of
pawn-structure White will choose,
so Black makes a developing move
which will be useful, whatever
happens.
A) 4.e4
B) 4.h3
A) 4.e4
Central strategy is usually an
easy and understandable plan and
it is ofien the most unpleasant for
the opponent. Naturally, White
could have played e2-e4 on his
third move (sorne people prefer to
play it as early as move 1!) and
then deploy the knight on c3, but
this set-up is reasonable too. He
will develop his bishop to d3, for
tify his d4-pawn with the move
c2-c3 and later he will begin an
offensive on the kingside.
1 think the alternative plan
based on a king's fianchetto,
should not create any problems
for Black. For example: 4.g3 c6
S.i.g2 Vf1c7 6.0-0 eS!? (instead,
Black could have placed his
pawns, as usual, on the light
squares - c6-e6-dS, but it is justi
fiable for him to fight for the ini
tiative if White allows this with
his rather passive play.) 7.c3 i.e7
8.Vf1c2 ttJbd7 9.a4 o-o 10.e4 l':'ife8.
Black has an excellent position.
1 believe that if White plans a
king's fianchetto, it would be bet
ter to cosnider consider an ex
tended fianchetto, because that
way he wins tempi for the devel
opment of his pieces in the proc-
163
Chapter 8
ess - see variation B.
4 . . . e6 5 ..id3 ie7 6.c3
White has completed the set
up which we discussed aboye.
Black must take immediate meas
ures in order not to suffer a posi
tional bind.
6 . . ..ih5
He wishes to place his bishop
on g6, after which he wiIl not be
afraid of any attack on the king
side connected with the pawn
advance e4-eS. In addition he wiIl
play d6-dS at the first opportune
moment, to exchange the light
squared bishops.
7.tlJfl .ig6 8.tlJg3 d5 9.exd5
hd3 1 0 .xd3
164
1 0 ...tfxd5
If Black re captures on dS with
his pawn, or his knight, then after
l1.1WbS+ White wins the b7-pawn.
1l.c4 a5+ 12 . .td2, Miles -
Van Der Wiel, Wijk aan Zee 1996
and here, after the natural line:
12 ....ib4 13.a3 .ixd2+ 14.
xd2 xd2+ 15.xd2 tlJbd7
Black obtains a very solid and
practicaIly equal position in the
endgame. As you might have no
ticed, Anthony Miles did not know
how to breach his favourite sys
tem even when playing with
White ...
B) 4.h3 .ih5 5.g4 .ig6 6 .
.ig2
6 ... c6
Black takes care immediately
to restrict the action of his oppo
nent's bishop on the long diago
nal.
7.tlJh4 e5
With this move he seizes con
trol of the f4-square and in the
process prevents the pawn-ad-
 l.d4 d6 2. jf3 fig4 3. jbd2 jf6

vanee f4-f5. 1O.e3 jbd7 1l.a3 V!fe7 12.b3

8.jxg6 hxg6 9.dxe5 0-0-0 13.fib2 fie7, and his posi
tion is quite solido
1 0 V!fxdl + l1.'k!fxdl j bd7
.

12 ..id2 jd5 13.e3

The opponents are exehanging
"polite" gestures. Blaek did not let
the enemy bishop go to the e3-
square and White prevented the
possibility of jf4.
13 J.e7 14.@e2 f5!
.

White plans to exert pressure

against his opponent's weak e5-
pawn. If Blaek regroups his forees
and proteets it with the move 0-
f6, he wiIl weaken the light squares
(his light-squared bishop is al
ready off from the board... ) and
the other bishop wiIl be restrieted
by its own pawns.
9 dxe5 1 0 .jc4
. After this Blaek wiIl eontinue
Blaek should not have any with e5-e4, moving the pawn to a
problems even if the queens re less exposed square. His position
main on the board, for example is quite aeeeptable.

165
Chapter 8 l.d4 d6 2 ..ig4 3.bd2 f6
Step by Step
This natural developing move
wiIl be useful for Black, no matter
what plan White is going to
choose.
A) 4.e4
B) 4.h3
4.g3 c6 S.ig2 1Jfjc7 6.0-0 eS!?
The set-up with lLlbd2 and i.g2 is
rather slow and not very aggres
sive, so Black can afford to play
more actively, without necessarily
adhering to the "Bermuda trian
gle" plan of c6-e6-dS. 7.c3 i.e7 8.
Wc2 lLlbd7 9.a4 o-o 1O.e4 lfe8
(He wishes to retreat his bishop to
f8 and create pressure against
White's e4-pawn. Later, he can
166
transfer his bishop to g6.) 1l.dxeS
dxeS 12.h3 ihS 13.g4. White re
stricts the enemy bishop on g6
and transfers his knight to fS. AH
this seems very attractive, but
White has irrevocably weakened
the f4-square and Black's knight
heads there right away. 13 ...i.g6
14.lLlh4 lLlcS 1S.lLlfS lLle6f2 Afifi
Miles, Lucerne 1985.
4.c3 lLlbd7 S.Wb3 (S.h3 ihS 6.
g4 ig6 7.lLlh4 c6 8.ig2 dS. White
has developed his bishop to g2,
but Black immediately neutralizes
its activity. 9.gS lLlhS 1O.lLlxg6
hxg6 1l.e3 eSf2 A part of White's
infantry (his pawn on gS) is away
from the supporting panzers and
Black should not have any prob
lems creating counterplay, Vilela
- Spangenberg, Matanzas 1993;
S.g3 e6 6.ig2 ie7 7.0-0 O-O 8.
lLle1 dS 9.h3 i.fS 1O.g4 i.g6 1l.f4.
Pawns in front and pieces be
hind ...There is sorne dissonance
in aIl that and smaIl wonder that
after 1l ... cS'!', Black seized the ini
tiative in the game Gutman -
Miles, Wijk aan Zee 1987 - game
44) S ...1Jfjb8!?

This is an original idea. You
are not obliged necessarily to in
elude it your armoury, but still
you should know about it. (Natu
rally, Black could have played
routinely - 5 .. J'l:b8, or 5 ...Wc8.) 6.
e3 e6 7..ie2 d5 8.0-0 .id6 9.h3
.ih5 1O.c4 c6 (Here is the first
consequence of the elever queen
move - Black has set up a battery
along the b8-h2 diagonal. It is still
inactive at the rnoment, but after
11.c5 .ic7 Black he will be easily
able to continue with the under
rnining move e6-e5.) 1l.Wc2 o-o
12J'l:e1 c5 13.b3 c8+! Dos Santos
- Milos, Sao Bernardo 1999. It
turns out once again that Black's
queen is perfectIy placed on b8,
because his rook can come imme
diately to the c8-square, opposite
the enemy queen on c2.
A) 4.e4 e6
This is a very popular opening
tabia. White has numerous possi
bilities. He plays most often h3
and g4, repelling the enerny bish
op to g6 - see variation Bl. First,
however, we shall analyze sorne of
his other plans.
l.d4 d6 2.tiJj3 .ig4 3.tiJbd2 ttJf6
5.i.d3
About 5.h3 .ih5 - see variation
Bl.
5.c3 .ie7 6.Wb3 (6 ..id3 .ih5 -
see 5 . .id3). Many times, in differ
ent lines of this system, White de
velops his queen to b3. Frank1y
speaking, 1 do not understand
what it is doing there. Black can
easily protect his b7-pawn and 1
do not see any other positive sides
ofthis queen-move. 6 ... Wc8 7..id3
o-o 8.0-0 ttJbd7 9.h3, Limp -
Guirnaraes, Angra Dos Reis 1999,
9 ....ih5 1O.e1 eS!?+!
5. .ie2 .ie7 6.c4 c6 7.0-0 O-O
8.b3 d5 9.e5 ttJe4 (Black can af
ford this aggressive knight-sortie,
because after an exchange on e4,
the opponent will lose his d4-
pawn.) 1O ..ib2, Taimanov - Kara
sev, Sto Petersburg 1995 and here,
instead of the senseless exchange
on d2, Black should fortify his
centralized piece: 1O ....if5 1l.ttJxe4
dxe4 12.ttJe1 ttJd7+! White can
hardly attack the e4-pawn effec
tively, while Black has nurnerous
targets to create counterplay of
his own. For example, he wants to
167
Chapter 8
play Wic7 and cs, after which
White's es-pawn would be endan
gered.
5 .ie7 6.c3
..
For 6.h3 ihs - see variation
B1; 6.0-0 lLlbd7 7.l'!e1 O-O 8.h3
ihs - see variation B1.
6.lLlfl. This idea belongs to the
Ruy Lopez opening and is weIl
known from the time of Steinitz, if
not even earlier. White transfers
his knight to g3 prior to castling,
saving a tempo for the move l'!f1-
el, and later he wiIl force the ex
change of the light-squared bish
ops with the move h2-h3. In this
particular case however, the
knight on g3 wiIl not be so weIl
placed and he wiIl not even have
the tactical idea of lLlfs available:
6 ... 0-0 7.lLlg3 cs 8.dxcs dxcs 9.h3
hf3 1O.Wixf3 lLlc6. Black develops
his pieces and creates the threat
of lLles in the process. White must
lose another tempo. 11.Wid1 Wic7
12.c3 l'!fd8 13.Wie2 id6+ Dizda
revic - Groszpeter, Zenica 1987.
6 .ih5
..
Black transfers his bishop to
168
g6 in order to exchange the light
squared bishops after d6-ds and
parry in advance White's eventual
kingside attack.
7.lLlfl i.g6 8.lLlg3 d5 9.exd5
hd3 10 .'l!!Yxd3 xd5
Black is forced to capture with
his queen, so as not to lose his b7-
pawn, but this move is not bad in
any case ..
1l.c4 'l!!Ya 5+ 12 .id2, Miles -
Van Der Wiel, Wijk aan Zee 1996,
12 .ib4 13.a3 hd2+ 14.xd2
..
'l!!Yxd2+ 15.c;f(xd2 lLlbd7 with an
approximately equal endgame.
B) 4.h3 .ih5
B1) 5.e4
B2) 5.g4
5.b3 (This move is rather timid
and White is showing his cards
right away.) s ... lLlbd7 6.b2 e6 7.
e3 c6 8.ie2 ie7 9.0-0 O-O 1O.c4
ds (In the centre we can see the
already familiar pawn-triangle for
Black - pawns on c6, e6 and ds.)
1l.a4 aS 12.lLle1 ig6 13.lLld3 h6
 l.d4 d6 2JiJj3 i.g4 3.ttJbd2 ttJf6 4.h3 i.h5
14.ttJf4 i.h7 15.i.d3 ttJe4f! Bellon
Lopez - Epishin, Logrono 1991.
5.g3 (The inclusion of the
moves 4.h3 i.h5 is very much in
Black's favour - his bishop is clos
er to the g6-square.) 5 ... e6 6.i.g2
ttJbd7 7.0-0 (7.g4 i.g6 8.ttJh4 d5
9.ttJxg6 hxg6 1O.e4 ttJxe4 11.ttJxe4
dxe4 12.he4 c6 13.c3 i.d6 14.i.e3
ttJf6 15.i.g2 ttJd5f! I.Botvinnik -
Kovalev, Tel Aviv 2001) 7...d5
8.ttJe5 i.d6 9.ttJxd7 (This is a
strange idea - White loses two
tem pi in order to exchange his op
ponent's passive knight.) 9 ...'W'xd7
1O.'W'e1 o-o 1l.e4 i.e7. From the
point of view of fighting for a
draw, it would have been much
simpler for Black to have ex
changed twice on e4 and place his
pawn on c6. Miles evidently was
thinking about extracting more
than a draw out of this position!
12.e5 ttJe8 13.ttJb3 'W'b5 14.f4 g6
15J:f2 a5f! Bator - Miles, Bel
grade 1988.
B1) 5.e4 e6
6.i.d3
6.c3 i.e7 7.i.d3 O-O 8.'W'c2
ttJbd7 9.0-0 (lt would not work
for White to play 9.e5 dxe5 10.
dxe5, because of 1O ... ttJc5! and
Black is threatening to capture
the d3-bishop with check.) 9 ...e5.
After castling kingside, Black
must already consider the threat
of e4-e5. Despite the weakening
of the f5-square, White is incapa
ble of creating any real threats on
the kingside. 1O.ttJh4 :ge8 11.ttJf5
i.f8 12.ttJc4. This inaccurate move
enables Black to reduce the ten
sion in the centre. (White could
have maintained the tension with
the move 12.:gel.) 12 ...exd4 13.
cxd4 d5 14.exd5 ttJxd5f! Yusupov
- Adams, Las Palmas 1993.
6.'W'e2 c6 7.c3 i.e7 8.g3 d5 9.
i.g2 dxe4. This is the simplest
road to equality for Black. He has
liberated his c8-bishop and has
built a wall against the enemy's
d4-pawn. His position is very sol
id and White has great problems
beginning an offensive anywhere
on the board. 1O.ttJxe4 ttJxe4 11.
'W'xe4 ttJd7 12.0-0 O-O 13.:ge1
b6f! Skembris - Topalov, Kava
la 1990 (game 45).
6 i.e7
..
Black has an alternative here:
6 ... d5 7.'W'e2 c6 8.c3 i.e7 9.0-0
O-O 1O.:ge1 i.g6 11.ttJe5 he4 12.
ttJxe4 ttJxe4 13.he4 dxe4 14.'W'xe4
ttJd7. He equalizes by following
the scheme of Topalov from the
previous game. 15.ttJxd7 xd7
16.i.f4 'W'd5= Starosek - Chuprov,
Internet 2004.
169
Chapter B
7 0 0
. -
7.'ffe 2 liJbd7 8.c4 a5 9.b3 (The
immediate pawn-break in the
centre is not dangerous for Black:
9.e5 dxe5 10.g4 - 10.dxe5? liJxe5!
- 1O ...e4 11.ttJxe4 !g6) 9 ...e5
(Black cannot be constantly wor
rying about the pawn-break e4-
e5, so he radically prevents this
possibility.) 1O.g4 g6 11.!b2,
Sloth - Tseshkovsky, Dresden
2008, 11 ... 0-0 12.0-0 h5!? The
pawn-structure resembles one of
the versions of the Modern Phi
lidor Defence, except that Black's
light-squared bishop is not on
c8 or b7, but on g6. 1 believe
this should be in his favour, be
cause his king is more securely
protected.
7.. 0 - 0 8J;el llJbd7 9.llJf1
. Andersson - Miles, Benasque
This patient transfer of the
knight is in the spirit of the Ruy
Lopez. There is a minute nuance,
however: Black's pawn is not on
e5 but on e6, which means that
White's knight has no access to
the f5-square.
9 c5
. .
170
It is time to remind White that
he has a worthy opponent!
Miles played 9 ...g6 here and
the game ended quickly in a draw,
but he could have encountered se
rious problems after 1O.liJg3 liJh5
(Here Black could also consider
1O ... c5, with a rather complex
game.) 11.ttJxh5 (White should
have considered the powerful re
source 11.liJf5! h6 12.liJxe7+ 'ffxe7
13.e5 and Black's knight on h5
would be completely cut off from
the action.) 11 ...hh5 (This has
happened in chess countless
times: Black had a cramped posi
tion, but after the exchange of
only a couple of minor pieces, he
has no problems whatsoever.) 12.
c3 Ele8 13.e3 c6 14.'ffe 2, draw,
1995.
10 .c3 cxd4 1l.cxd4
1l d5
.
This is an atlractive move, but
Black could also have increased
his pressure against his oppo
nent's centre by playing 11 ... 'ffb 6.
12.e5 llJe8
 l.d4 d6 2JiJfJ ig4 3.lLJbd2 lLJf6 4.h3 ih5
Here Black had a promising
pawn-sacrifice at his disposal:
12 ... lLJe4!? 13.be4 dxe4 14Jxe4
lLJb6 15.lLJg3 ig6 16J'1e1 c8 17.
lLJe4 lLJd5, with excellent compen
sation.
13.d2 ig6 14.i.xg6 fxg6
15.Yfb3 b6
16.tbb6
White could create greater
problems for his opponent with a
transfer of his rook to the third
rank - 16.e3!? Now, after 16 ...
c8 17.a4, or 16 ...xb3 17.xb3
b6 18.c1, Black's position would
be rather unpleasant, but he has
an interesting manoeuvre 16 ...
lLJb8!? with the idea of plugging
the e-file and attacking the ene
my's d4-pawn. After 17. xb6 axb6
18.b3 id8 19.1LJe3 lLJc6, Black is
close to equality.
16 lLJxb6 17.gec1 lLJc4 18.
..
ic3 lLJc7 19.a4 lLJa6 2 0 .b3
tLlb6+ Eingorn - Okhotnik, Uzh
gorod 1988.
B2) 5.g4 ig6
6.g2
In reply to 6.lLJh4, it would be
sensible for Black to exchange his
bishop for White's knight on d2,
so that the knight on h4 remains
in isolation: 6 ... ie4 7.lLJxe4 lLJxe4
8.ig2 d5 9.lLJf3. It is time to look
in the database. (If 9.,d3, Korell
- Burton, Berlin 2005, Black does
not need to retreat his knight and
he can indirectly attack his oppo
nent's d4-pawn with 9 ... lLJc6! 10.
c3 e6 - Now, White's exiled knight
comes under attack - 11.lLJf3
d7+) 9 ... e6 1O.lLJd2 lLJxd2 11.
bd2 c6 12 .c3 lLJd7 13.if4 ie7 14.
e3 o-o 15.e2. White has the two
bishops, but that is nothing to
brag about here, since they can
not be activated. Black calmly
prepares the undermining move
e6-e5, in order to exchange the
dark-squared bishops, or restrict
the enemy bishop on g2 even
more with the move e5-e4. 15 ...
e8 16.ih2 if6 17.0-0-0 a5+
Ravikumar - Hodgson, East
bourne 1990 (game 46).
6 .. c6 7.lLJh4 e5 8.tLlxg6
Or 8.c3 exd4 9.cxd4 d5 10.
171
Chapter 8
tiJxg6 hxg6 11.b3 c7 12.g5 tiJh5
13.tiJf3 i.d6 14.e3 tiJd7 with chanc
es for both sides, Csom - Mi
khaletz, Budapest 1998.
8 ... hxg6
9.dxe5
I have already mentioned that
this exchange is necessary for
White in order to create pressure
against Black's e5-pawn and force
Black to place his kingside pawns
on dark squares, restricting his
own bishop and weakening the
light squares.
There are no other construc
tive plans for White in sight. He
has tried, for example: 9.c3 tiJbd7
1O.b3 c7 1l.a4 exd4 12.cxd4 d5
13.a5 a6. Black has neutralized
quite efficiently White's pawn-of
fensive on the queenside and he
has evacuated his king there. Af
ter 14.tiJb1 d6 15.tiJc3 0-0-0 16.
i.d2 <;t>b8 17.g5 the opponents
agreed to a draw in the game Mar
kovic - Drazic, Pancevo 2002.
9... dxe5 1 0 AJc4
In the following game White
decided to continue the struggle
172
with the queens still on the board:
1O.e3 tiJbd7 11.a3 c7 12.b3 (Both
sides avoid direct conflict and
fight as if at a distance; hence
White can afford to play such tim
id preparatory pawn-moves.)
12 ... 0-0-0 13.i.b2 i.e7 14.e2
tiJh7
Black's position is very solid
and his only problem is to find an
active plan. His opponent has the
same task, though ... With his last
move, Black frees the f6-square
for his bishop in order to later
play e5-e4 and exchange the b2-
bishop. 15.c4 tiJb6 16.c3 i.f6
17.a5?! (lt is quite unclear how
White can improve his position,
but his last move is simply rather
dubious . . Admittedly White wins
a pawn, but he hands over the ini
tiative in the centre to his oppo
nent.) 17... e4 18.0-0-0 E!:d5 19.
xa7 hb2+ 20.<;t>xb2, Likavsky
- Priehoda, Slovakia 1998, 20 ...
E!:hd8 21.<;t>c1 e5:::
1 0 ... \Wxdl+ l1.gxdl llJbd7
12 ..id2
This bishop is headed for the
c3-square, but Black does not
wish to let it go there.
 l.d4 d6 2. tjJ3 id.g4 3.lJJ bd2 ljf6 4.h3 id.hS
l2 .. .tijd5 l3.e3
White in turn restricts the en
emy knight on dS, taking the f4-
square under control.
l3 ....!e7 14.g"e2
l4 f5 !
This is a n excellent idea. Black
will advance eS-e4 and can stop
worrying about his e-pawn.
15.gadl e4 l6.f3
White must somehow activate
his light-squared bishop. Now,
however, his e3-square becomes
weak.
l6 exf3+ l7 .!xf3 lD5b6
. full compensation.
After this move, Black does not
need to consider the consequenc
es of an exchange on dS. He was
not able to support his centralized
knight, because if 17. . lj7b6,
.
White has the powerful resource
18.ljeS!
lS.lDa5 O - O - O Larsen -
Hodgson, London 1991.
White's pieces are less well co
ordinated and his pawn-structure
is not without defects. However,
the presence of his two bishops in
this open position should provide
173
Chapter 8 1.d4 d6 2 .ig4 3)bbd2 llJf6
.
Complete Games
44 Gutman Miles
Wijk aan Zee 1987
l.tLlf3 d6 2.d4 .ig4 3.tLlbd2
tLlf6 4.c3 tLlbd7 5.g3 e6 6 ..ig2
.ie7 7. 0 - 0 O - O 8.tLle1 d5 9.h3
.if5 10 .g4 .ig6 1l.f4 c5 12.e3
.id6 13.i.f3 cxd4 14.cxd4 c8
15 . .ie2 tLle4
White has considerably weak
ened his king-position and Black
graduaIly begins to breach his op
ponent's defences.
16.tLlxe4 he4 17.g5 f6 18.
h4 fxg5 19.bxg5 e5!?
It was also good for him to
continue with the less spectacular
line: 19 ...h6 20 ..ig4 '1ffe7.
2 0 ..ig4
Black wiIl counter 2 0.dxe5
with 20 ... 't:lxeS and his knight is
174
untouchable, because of: 21.fxeS?
'1ffxgS+ and he wins.
2 O exf4 21.exf4 \We7 22.
.ie3 ce8 23.\Wd2 tLlb6 24.b3
h6 25.tLlf3 .ixf3 26.xf3 hxg5
27.f5 \We4
He has won a pawn and main
tains powerful pressure.
28.g2 .if4 29.i.f2 tLld7 3 0 .
e1 '1ffc2
31.fe3
White should have implement
ed the same idea in a better way
- 31.1"lc3 !? '1ffxc3 32.'1ffxdS+ h7
33:h1+ . Meanwhile, even then,
Black has a worthy response: 33 ...
h2 + ! 34.,xh2+ g8 winning.
31. .. he3 32.xd5+ t7 33.
he3 tLlf6 34.\Wb5 xe3. White
resigned.
 l.d4 d6 2. CiJj3 194 3. CiJ bd2 CiJf6

45 Skembris Topalov b4 29.l;e5

Kavala 1990
l.d4 tf6 2.tf3 d6 3.tbd2
194 4.h3 i.h5 5.e4 e6 6.e2
e6 7.e3 i.e7 8.g3 d5 9 ..ig2
dxe4 1 0 .txe4 txe4 1l.xe4
td7 12. 0 - 0 o - o 13.gel b6

14.th4
White creates a rather trans
parent threat - 15.CiJf5 - but Black
easily parries it.
14 ... gfe8 15.b3 gad8 16 ..ib2
tf6 17.e2 e5 18.dxe5 he5
19.9f1 e7
Black vacates the b6-square
for his bishop and attacks the g3-
pawn in the process. White has
failed to find a good moment to
play g3-g4; evidently he was afraid
of the bishop-sacrifice on g4.
2 0 .'it>hl gd7 21.e4 ged8
22 . .ic3 i.d4
White's knight remains strand
ed at the edge of the board and
Black begins the occupation ofthe
dark squares in the centre.
23.gael b6
Black is preparing an offensive
on the queenside.
24. b2 a5 25.gfel e5 26.
ge2 he3 27.xe3 gd3 28.'\Wb2
29....idl!
This is the start of the assault.
Now Black does no longer needs to
worry about the possibility g3-g4.
3 0 .gel a4 31.e5 a3 32.bl
bxe5 33.gexe5 fid2 34.'it>h2
h6
This is the right idea, but Black
should execute it in a different
fashion - 34...<;!;>f8 35Jk8 g5 etc.
The reason will soon become cIear.
35.ge8 g5
36.'\Wal?
White overlooks an excellent
chance of changing the course of
the struggle: 36.CiJg6! Elxc8 (After
36 ... fxg6?, Black simply loses -
37.Elxd8+ Elxd8 38.'\Wxg6+ <;!;>f8 39.
iWxf6+ etc.) 37J'l:xc8+ g7 38.
CiJe5. White's knight is released

175
Chapter 8
from its exile and the position is
balanced. Now White's defence
crumbles.
36 g.g7 37.1hd8 gxd8 38.
..
llJf3 .ixf3 39.ht'3 '!'9xf2 + 4 O .
.ig2 gd2 41.gg1 gxa2 42.e5
ge2 43.al a2 44.b4 e5 45.fl
xfl 46.gxfl llJd5. Wbite re
signed.
46 Ravikumar - Hodgson
Eastbourne 1990
l.d4 d6 2.llJf3 .ig4 3.llJbd2
llJf6 4.h3 .ih5 5.g4 .ig6 6.llJh4
.ie4 7.llJxe4 llJxe4 8 .ig2 d5 9.
llJf3 e6 1 0 .llJd2 llJxd2 1l.hd2
e6 12.e3 llJd7 13 ..if4 .ie7 14.e3
O - O 15.e2 ge8 16 .ih2 .if6
17. 0 - 0 - 0 a5
18.g.bl b5 19.f4 llJb6 2 0 .
gel llJe4 21.e4 b4
The first impression is that
Black is ahead of his opponent.
22.e5 .ie7 23.exb4 axb4
24.gxe4 a5!?
This is an interesting idea, but
it is not completely correcto In
stead, Black could have played the
simpler 24 ... dxc4 25.Wxc4 '&b6
with chances for both sides.
25.geel '&xa2+ 26.g.e2 e5
176
27Jal b3+ 28.g.e3 exd4+ 29.
g.xd4 xal 3 O .gxal gxal 31.
b5 ge8
32.xb3?
After 32.'&d7 c5+ 33.md3 the
onus is on Black to prove that his
compensation for the sacrificed
material is adequate.
32 ge4+ 33.g.d3 gb4 34.
.
'&e3 ga2 35.hd5 exd5 36.
e8+
It would be more tenacious for
White to have defended with 36.
e6 E:bxb2 37.'&c8+ f8 38.exf7+
mxf7 39.g1 and somehow he is
surviving. .
36 ....if8 37.e6 gb3+ 38.
g.d4
In the variation 38.md2
E:bxb2 + 39.mc1 E:xh2, White's
king wiIl be unavoidably check
mated on the first rank.
38 ga4+ 39.g.e5 ge3+ 4 0 .
.
g.f5 gxe6
It was slightly more precise for
Black to play 40 ... fxe6+ 41.mg5
mf7! 42.mh4 e7+ 43.g5 E:b4, win
ning. 41.g5 h5 42.gxh6 gxh6
43 ..igl gf6+ 44. g.e5 gaxf4 45.
g.xd5 g6f5+. Wbite resigned,
since he was losing his queen.
Chapter 9 1.d4 d6 2 )i)f3 i.g4 3.e4

Quick Repertoire

White sets up a powerful 5.h3

pawn-eentre and avoids the dou
bling of his pawns - what more
can you aehieve with just a single
move?
3 Ajf6
. e4-eS retreats with his knight to
There are more than a thou
sand games in the database with
this tabia and the play ofien trans
poses to the variations with 3.
tLlbd2, which we have already an
alyzed. In this ehapter we wiIl deal
with positions with a white knight
on e3.
4.lc3 e6
Blaek wishes to push d6-dS
and to play something like the
Freneh Defenee, but without its
main defeet - the "bad" light
squared bishop.
White has fewer problems af
ter S ..te2 . Blaek develops his bish
op on e7, eastles short, then ad
vanees d6-dS and in response to
d7, preparing the standard under
mining pawn-breaks e7-eS and f7-
f6. For example: S.e2 e7 6.0-0
(The plan of, includng queensde
eastling is not dangerous to Blaek,
because he has enough resourees
to organize eounterplay: 6.e3
o-o 7.d2 dS S.eS tLlfd7 9.h3 i.hS
1O.g4 .tg6 1l.h4 eS 12.dxeS tLlxeS
13.0-0-0 tLle4 14.tLlxe4 he4)
6 . . . 0-0 7 ..te3 dS 8.eS tLlfd7 9.tLld2
he2 (9 ... fS!? 1O.f4 eS) 1O.tLlxe2
eS 11.e3 tLle6 12.f4 fS! Blaek re
stricts his opponent's kingside ae-

177
Chapter 9
tivity at the right moment and
then continues with active actions
on the opposite flank.
5 ....ih5
6:e2
White proceeds with his devel
opment, preparing queenside cas
tling and threatening a check from
the bS-square, winning a pawn. In
this quite popular opening tabia,
Black most often plays a standard
and reliable move - 6 ... c6. I sug
gest that here we study another
move, which is also quite correct
but much less analyzed.
After 6.g4 .ig6 7. .igS .ie7 8.
Wle2 c6 (White has developed his
bishop to gS, but has thus imped
ed his own pawn-storm on the
kingside. Accordingly, Black is
not forced to try to match his op
ponent with a plan like a6, bS and
subsequent play on the long diag
onal, but can instead make a much
178
more solid move, increasing his
control over the centre.) 9.hf6
(otherwise Black will play d6-dS
and, in answer to e4-eS, ltJe4) 9 ...
hf6 10.0-0-0 ltJd7. Black's posi
tion is like a spring, ready to un
coil at any momento
6 .. a6!?
In this situation, White's most
dangerous plan is based on a swift
pawn-storm on the kingside - g4,
h4 etc. It is obvious that Black will
need to create counterplay and
the best place for that is on the
opposite flank. The idea of the
move in the text is to prepare b7-
bS with the support of the a-pawn
and to preserve the possibility of
playing the undermining move
c7-cS in one move.
7.g4 g6 8.h4
This is a real threat to win the
bishop, combining it with a pawn
storm on the kingside. Of course,
Black will save his bishop, but he
will have serious problems to
solve.
8 ... h5 9.g5 llJfd7
In the Step by Step section we
also analyze here the interesting
recommendation of "Rybka" - 9 . . .
ltJg4! ?
1 O .h3 fi.e7 1l.fi.e3 b5 12.
llJd2 e5!? After this timely blow
against White's centre Black ob
tains a very good position.
Chapter 9 1.d4 d6 2)Lf3 i.g4 3.e4 f6
Step by Step
4A:lc3
4.ltJbd2 - see 3.ltJbd2 ltJf6 4.
e4.
4.i.d3 e6 5.0-0 i.e7 6.ltJbd2 -
see 3.ltJbd2.
4.W'd3 c6 5.ltJbd2 (5.c4 e6. The
pawn-chains of both sides have
been set up and are ready to come
into conflicto 6.ltJc3 i.e7 7.i.e2
O-O 8.d5. 1 believe that White
should refrain from this move,
because now Black's game is quite
simple and understandable. 8 ...
exd5 9.exd5 cxd5 1O.cxd5 ltJa6tt
Kretchetov - Altounian, Las Ve
gas 2 003.) 5 ...e6 6.c3. White's
set-up is very solid, but not at aH
aggressive. It is not surprising
that Black has no problems what
soever. 6 . . .i.e7 7.g3 o-o 8.i.g2 d5
9.0-0 i.h5. This bishop is headed
for the g6-square, on the same di
agonal as the enemy queen.
1O.ltJe5 ltJbd7 1l.f4 ltJxe5 12 .fxe5
ltJd7 13.exd5 cxd5 14.ltJf3 gb8tt
Lagrotteria - Miles, Toscolano
1996. Black's bishop is perfectly
placed on h5, because White can
not create any real threats on the
kingside. Black is preparing the
standard minority attack on the
queenside.
We cannot help mentioning
the foHowing game, since the op
ponents were both great players.
Still, they did not come up with
anything extraordinary: 4.h3 i.h5
5.i.d3 (5.ltJc3 e6 - see 4.ltJc3 e6 5.
h3 i.h5) 5 ...e6 6.c4 i.e7 7.ltJc3 ltJc6
8.i.e3 O-O 9.'&e2 i.g6 (Black is re
stricted to the last three ranks and
prepares the undermining move
d6-d5.) lOJ'l:d1 d5 11.cxd5 exd5
12.e5 ltJe4 13.0-0 '&d7 14.i.c1,
Kasparov - Anand, Paris 1992.
White wishes to eliminate the en
emy knight on e4 and Black has to
consent to simplification: 14...
ltJxc3 15.bxc3 .txd3 16JBxd3
gab8 !?tt
It seems somewhat naive for
179
Chapter 9
White to try the move 4.c4, with
the idea of exploiting the well
known vulnerability of the f7-
square. AH Black has to do is place
his pawn on e6 and the bishop on
c4 wiIl feel uncomfortable. In ad
dition, later on the bishop may be
hit by the pawn-advance d6-d5.
4 ... ltJc6 (NaturaIly Black cannot
capture on e4, because of d5 and
he loses the exchange.) 5.c3 (Now
White is threatening another dou
ble attack - b3, but Black par
ries it effortlessly.) 5 ...e6 6.h3 1h5
7.e2 e7 8.1g5 (lt is not easy to
see where this bishop should be
developed; maybe it was best for
White to leave it on its initial
square for a while.) 8 ...h6 9.h4
o-o 1O.ltJbd2 a6 11.d3 e5 (The
position has become quite similar
to the Ruy Lopez, in a form which
is supposed to be quite harmless
for Black, since he has already de
veloped his bishop to g4.) 12.g4
g6 13.dxe5 dxe5 14.ltJc4 ltJd7
(The exchange ofthe dark-squared
bishops is advantageous for Black,
because the f4-square in White's
camp is hopelessly weak) 15.g3
d6 16.ltJh4 h7, draw, E.Peder
sen - Hoi, Denmark 1987. It was a
pity that the game ended at the
most interesting moment, but it
seems to me that both sides' pros
pects are approximately equal.
4 .. e6
. 12.gxf5 b6, it looks as if Black
This is a popular opening tabia.
(diagram)
A) 5.i.e2
B) 5.h3
180
For 5.d3 e7 6.0-0 O-O 7.h3
h5 - see variation B, 6.d3.
After 5.e3, Black's simplest
reply would be 5 ...e7, after which
the game usuaIly transposes to
variations A or B, for example: 6.
e2 O-O - see variation A or 6.h3
h5 - see variation B. Black can
counter 5.1e3 with the patient re
ply 5 ...c6, for example: 6.h3 h5
7.1d3 d5 8.e5 ltJfd7 9.g4 ig6
1O.ltJe2 c5 11.hg6 hxg6 12 .c3 ltJc6
13.ltJg5 e7 14.f4 cxd4 15.cxd4
b6+t Isanbaev - Komliakov, Ni
zhnij Novgorod 1998 (game 47).
5.d5 exd5 6.exd5 e7 7.h3 (7.
e2 - see 5.e2 e7 6.d5 exd5 7.
exd5) 7...h5 8.g4 ig6 9.ltJd4,
Dworakowska - Pham Le Thao
Nguyen, Beijing 2 008, 9 ... c5
(Here Black could also consider
9 ...c6!? If White now captures on
c6 the same variations arise, while
after 1O.ig2 c5 11.ltJde2 h6 12.ltJf4
h7, or 1O.ltJf5 O-O 11.g2 !xf5
has nothing to fear.) 1O.dxc6 (10.
ltJf5 .bi5 11.gxf5 ltJbd7 12.:Bg1 g6
13.f4 b6 14.d2 0-0-0 16.
0-0-0 ltJh5+t) 1O ...ltJxc6 1l.ig2
 1.d4 d6 2. ct:lj3 i.g4 3.e4 ct:lf6 4.ct:lc3 e6
(11.i.b5 :Bc8 13.f4 i.e4+!) 11...d5
12. O-O O-O 13.i.e3 h5 and Black
has excellent counterplay.
A) 5 .te2.
White plays a very accurate
and reliable move, but one which
cannot create any problems for
Black.
5 . .ie7
..
6. 0 - 0
For 6.h3 i.h5 - see variation
Bl.
6.d5 exd5 7.exd5 O-O 8.0-0
e8 9.E:e1 ct:lbd7 1O.i.g5 i.xf3 11.
i.xf3 ct:le5 12.i.e3 ct:lfd7 13 . .te2
i.g5+! Korchnoi - Miles, Wijk aan
Zee 1987. The exchange of a pair
of bishops is in Black's favour. We
should mention that it would
not be good for White to opt for
14.f4 in view of 14 ... ct:lg6 15.,,d2
xe3! 16.xe3 hf4 and Black has
excellent compensation for the
exchange, thanks to his control
over the dark squares.
6.i.e3 O-O 7.d2 (7.0-0 d5 -
see 6.0-0; 7.h3 .th5 8.0-0 c6 -
see variation Bl.). White's plan of
queenside castling is only seldom
played, because Black has enough
resources to create meaningful
counterplay: 7... d5 8.e5 ct:lfd7 9.h3
i.h5 1O.g4 i.g6 11.h4 c5 12.dxc5
ct:lxc5 13.0-0-0 ct:le4 14.ct:lxe4
ixe4+! Minaya - Cuartas, Colom
bia 1989.
6 . 0-0
. .
7 .ie3
.
7.h3 i.h5 - see variation Bl.
The next game can be consid-
ered an interesting historical doc
ument. It shows that the "dubi
ous" system with 2 ....tg4 was
played even by Tigran Petrosian!
7.i.f4 c6 8.h3 .txf3 9.hf3 d5
1O.d3 a6 11.e5 ct:lfd7 12.ct:le2 b5
(preventing the pawn-advance
c2-c4) 13.a4 ct:lb6 14.axb5 cxb5
15.E:a2 a7+! Langeweg - Petro
sian, Amsterdam 1973.
7.i.g5 ct:lc6 8.d2 d5 9.hf6
.ixf6 10.e5 i.e7 11.ct:le1 i.f5 (in this
pawn-structure Black must try to
preserve his light-squared bishop,
if possible) 12 .ct:ld1 f6+! Jung -
Forthoffer, Germany 1994.
7.ct:lg5. White wishes to ex-
181
Chapter 9

change the light-squared bishops kingside activity. 13.cJihl exd4

and he tries to provoke his oppo 14.exd4 e8f! Ivkov - Melgar,
nent into playing h7-h6, weaken La Coruna 1990.
ing his kingside. Black must ex
change the bishops, but should B) 5.h3 .th5
ignore the provocation. 7....txe2
8.xe2 tLlc6 9.tLlf3 dS 10.eS tLld7
1l.tLld1 e8. Both sides bring ad
ditional pieces to the kingside. 12 .
.tf4 f6! Black exerts pressure on
his opponent's centre and opens a
path for his queen to g6 or hS.
13.exf6 .txf6 14 ..txc7 (or 14.c3 eS
and Black's position is quite ac
ceptable) 14 ...tLlxd4 1S.tLlxd4 hd4
16.c3 .tcS= Dizdar - Miles, Bos
nia & Herzegovina 1987.
7 d5 8.e5
Bl) 6 .te2

Mass simplification takes place B2) 6.g4

after 8.exdS tLlxdS 9.tLlxdS exdS
1O.tLleS he2 11.xe2 tLld7 12.
tLlxd7 xd7 13.d2 bS= Hulak
- Miles, Wijk aan Zee 1987.
8 .. ttJfd7 9.tild2 he2
Here Black could consider 9 ...
.ifS 1O.f4 cS.
1 0 .ttJxe2 e5 1l.e3 tile6 12.f4
12 .. f5 ! With this move Black
. lS ..te3 tLlce6f! Johansson - Miles,
considerably restricts White's
B3) 6.'ee2
6 . .td3 .te7 7.0-0 (7..te3 dS -
see 6. .te3) 7... 0-0 8.g4 .tg6 9.
tLlh4 eS (Remember that in an
swer to tLlf3-h4, Black has the
standard tactical strike 9 ...he4 .
However, after 1O.tLlxe4 tLlxe4
1l.he4, he must insert the move
1l ... dS, so as not to end up an ex
change dOWll . After 12 ..txh7+
@xh7 13.tLlf3 @g8, Black has an
exceHent position, while White
must be very careful, since his
king-position has been weak
ened.) 1O.dxeS dxeS 11.f3 tLl c6
(After this, Black again has good
counterplay and aH three results
are possible in this position.) 12.
a3 tLld4 13.g2 tLld7 14.tLlfS tLlcS
London 1982.

182
 l.d4 d6 2.tiJj3 :ig4 3.e4 CiJf6 4.CiJc3 e6 5.h3 :ih5
6.:ie3 :ie7 7.g4 (7.:ie2 o-o -
see variation Bl; 7.:id3 dS 8.eS
CiJfd7 9.g4 - see 7.g4; 8.a3 dxe4
9.CiJxe4 CiJbd7 1O.CiJg3 :ig6 11.:ixg6
hxg6 12.We2 c6 13.0-0 Wc7 14.:igS
:id6 1S.CiJe4 CiJxe4 16.Wxe4 CiJf6 17.
We2 :if4 18.:ixf4 Wxf4= Hulak -
Hausner, Germany 1990) 7 ...:ig6
8.:id3 (8.CiJd2 dS 9.eS CiJfd7 1O .f4
cS 1l.CiJf3 CiJc6+t) 8 ... dS 9.eS CiJfd7
1O .CiJe2 (1O.h4 cS l1.dxcS CiJc6 12.
hS :ixd3 13.cxd3 CiJdxeS 14.CiJxeS
CiJxeS lS.:id4 CiJc6 16.:ixg7 g8 17.
h6 :ixcS+t Movsziszian - Petit,
Benasque 1997) 1O ... cS 11.c3 CiJc6
12.CiJf4 l'!c8 (The fearless "Rybka"
recommends the following Hne
for Black: 12 ...:ixd3 13.CiJxd3 c4
14.CiJf4 b5 lS.CiJhS O-O, but it
seems rather risky for human
players to play like this, because
after 16.Wd2 you might get check
mated on a bad day... ) 13.CiJxg6
hxg6 14.a3 c4 15.:ic2 bS 16.h4
CiJb6 17.lt>d2 It>d7 18.CiJgS, draw,
Osmanovic - Tibensky, Sisak 2008.
Bl) 6.i.e2 i.e7
7. 0 - 0
7.:ie3 o-o 8.0-0 c6 - see
7. 0-0.
7.:if4 :ig6!? 8.:id3 c6 9.0-0
O-O 1O.e1 dS l1.exdS CiJxdS 12.
CiJxdS cxdS 13.CiJeS :ixd3 14.Wxd3
CiJd7= Freisler - Haba, Brno
2010.
7.:igS a6!? (Black can continue
with his usual plans such as 7...
d6, or 7...c6 and then d6-d5; so 1
am quoting this game to broaden
your opening erudition.) 8.a4 CiJc6
9.0-0 O-O 1O.Wd2 :ig6 11.dS exdS
12.exdS CiJb4 13.:ixf6 :ixf6 14.l'!ac1
e8 and Black seized the initia
tive, Hair - Conquest, Hamilton
1999.
7... 0 - 0
8.i.e3
This is the most flexible move
for White. From the e3-square the
bishop is active on both flanks
and cannot be attacked by the en
emy pieces and pawns.
8.:if4 (Probably the idea of
this move is to prevent the pawn
advance e6-eS. Black's next move,
however, shows that he has other
plans in mind.) 8 ... c6 9.eS dxeS
183
Chapter 9
10.dxeS lLldS (Black has obtained
a comfortable position and
White's eS-pawn may soon be
come a liability.) l1.lLlxdS cxdS
12.lLld4 (White decides to play
safe and simplify the position,
while enabling his eS-pawn to be
securely protected.) 12 ... he2
13.xe2 lLlc6 14.lLlxc6 bxc6=
Turov - Agrest, St. Petersburg
1994.
8Je1 c6 9.eS dxeS 1O.lLlxeS
he2 1l.lLlxe2 lLlbd7 12 .,tgS (This
is a slightly inaccurate move. 1
have already mentioned that the
pawn on eS may become weak.
White should have accepted the
fact that he had not achieved any
opening advantage whatsoever:
12.,tf4 lLlxeS, draw, Andersson -
Hickl, Panormo 2 001.) 12 ... lLlxeS
13.dxeS lLldS 14.he7 xe7 1S.lLlg3
lLlf4 16.d4 lLlg6 17.E:ad1 E:fd8 18.
e3 b4 and Black seized the ini
tiative, Andrianov - Ibragimov,
Las Vegas 2004.
8.,tgS lLlc6 9.dS exdS 1O.exdS
.txf3! (This is an excellent inter
mediate move! Black not only en
sures the eS-outpost for his knight,
but also creates the threat of lLlxdS
- he has j ust eliminated one of the
defenders of the bishop on gS and
White is now also forced to ex
change his own bishop for the en
emy knight.) l1.hf6 hf6 12.hf3
lLleS 13.e2 lLld7 14.d2 lLlb6f
Przewoznik - Kuczynski, Warsaw
1990. Here Black perhaps overes
timated his chances a Httle, think
ing that the dS-pawn might be-
184
come a weakness. Nevertheless, 1
believe that the position remains
approximately equal.
8 c6
Maybe Black could have played
d6-dS immediately, but he wishes
to be able to answer exdS with
cxdS, cleverly obtaining an asym
metrical pawn-structure. It is time
for White to make up his mind
about his future plans.
9.tLld2
This is a clever move with
which White forces the exchange
of bishops, because after 9 ... g6
he has the powerful resource 10.
f4, threatening fS and g4, winning
a piece.
9.a4 (This is prophylaxis
against b7-bS, but Black is quite
happy to play in the centre.) 9 ...dS
1O.eS lLlfd7 1l.lLlh2 (White wishes
to exchange the bishops, after
which his queen can go to hS and
his knight to g4. However, it is ad
vantageous for Black to preserve
the only defender of his kingside.)
1l ...g6 12 .,td3 cS 13.hg6 fxg6
(This is a typical resource for
 l.d4 d6 2.0,.13 il.g4 3.e4 0,f6 4.0,c3 e6 5.h3 il.h5
Black in the French Defence. He
captures away from the centre
and this helps him to create pres
sure along the f-file and to ensure
the complete safety ofhis king.) 14.
0,e2 0,c6 ls.c3 cxd4 16.0,xd4 0,eS
Miles - Gawehns, Germany 1989.
9.es (Black is wel1 prepared to
counter this pawn-advance.) 9 ...
0,dS 1O.0,xdS cxds 1l.il.f4 0,c6
12.exd6 hd6 13.il.xd6 %Vxd6 14.c3
:gac8= Wahlbom - Ziltener, Arco
2009.
9.g4 il.g6 1O.0,d2 (White pro
tects his e4-pawn and threatens
the manoeuvre f2-f4-fs, after
which he squeezes the enemy
bishop into the corner, to say the
least. Black must take measures
against this.) 1O ...ds ll.es 0,e4
12.0,cxe4 dxe4 (The bishop on g6
is not reaIly bad and should be
preserved. Furthermore, White
wiIl be unable to effectively aUack
Black's e4-pawn.) 13.c3 cs 14.0, b3
cxd4 ls.cxd4 0,c6 16.a3 (otber
wise Black wiIl transfer his bishop
to ds and have the beUer position)
16 ...il.g5 17:d2 he3, draw, Duer
- Kuporosov, Wattens 1999.
9:d2 d5 1O.es 0,fd7 1l.0,h2
il.g6 (As 1 have already mentioned,
Black should keep his bishop as a
good defender.) 12.f4 cs 13.0,f3
0,c6 14.g4 il.e4 !? (This is a natural
human reaction. The threat of f4-
fs is not so dangerous, but it is
acting on Black's nerves. ) ls.dxeS
0,xcS 16.0,d4 :gc8 Rozentalis -
Sakalauskas, Warsaw 2009
(game 48).
9 ... he2 1 0 .xe2
White begins the immediate
transfer of his knight to the king
side.
After 1O:xe2 ds ll.es 0,fd7
12.Wg4 (12.f4 cs 13.dxcs 0,xcs
Nemet - Barthel, Base1 2 001) 12 ...
It>h8 13.0,e2 cs 14.c3 0,c6 ls.0,f3
:gg8!? Rogers - Johansen, Can
berra 2002, Black's position is
quite reliable.
1 0 ... d5 U.e5 fd7
12.f4
The inventor of this clever
move is Ruslan Ponomariov.
White achieves less with the
straightforward line: 12.f4 eS 13.
c3 cxd4 14.0,xd4 0,c6 15.0,2f3 :gc8
16.We1 0,cs Njirjak - Stevic,
Djakovo 2 00l.
12...c5 13.c3 c6 14.g4cxd4
15.cxd4, Ponomariov - Grischuk,
Khanty-Mansyisk 2005.
15 .. .lk8 16.h5 g6 17..1h6
Wb6!?
Black i s trying to seize the ini
tiative. It seems that after 17 ... :ge8
18.0,g7 :gf8 19.0,hs= White would
have nothing better than to repeat
185
Chapter 9

moves. 18 . .ixf8 'i!?xf8 19.tbf4 1O.h4 h5 1l.g5 ie7 12.0-0-0

xd4 2 0 .f3 b4
B2) 6.g4 .lg6 7..lg5
7.Vf1e2 a6 - see 6.Vf1e2.
7....le7 8.e2 c6
Gt:ld7 13.ih3 d5 14.liJe5 Gt:lxe5 15.
dxe5 Vfla5 16.exd5 cxd5 17.f4 O-O
18.f5 exf5 19.Elxd5 Vflb4+! Epishin
- Mokry, Vienna 1991.
10 d7

Black has built up a flexible

9.hf6
9.h4 h5 1O.hf6 gxf6 ClO ...hf6
- see 9.hf6) 1l.ih3 hxg4 12 .hg4
d5 13.exd5 cxd5 14.h5 ih7 15.1"1g1
IiJc6 16. 0-0-0 Vflc7+! Hebden -
Adams, Hastings 1997.
9.Vf1e3 d5 1O.hf6 hf6 1l.id3
liJa6 12.a3 IiJc5! With the help of
this liUle tactical trick, Black re
duces the tension in the centre at
the right momento 13.dxc5 d4
14.Vf1f4 dxc3 15.b4, Tunik - Vorot
nikov, Krasnodar 1991, 15 ... a5
16.0-0 O-O 17.Elfdl axb4 18.axb4
Elxal 19.Elxal h6+!
9 ..hf6
.
defensive line along the 6th rank
and is ready to start effective
counterplay at an opportune mo
ment with moves such as b5, cS,
or d5.
11.e3
lUt>bl Vflc7 12.h4, Rogers -
Milos, Manila 1992, 12 ...h5 13.g5
ie7 14.Vf1e3 0-0-000
11...a5 12.@b1 0 - 0 - 0
13.h4

Without the inclusion of the

moves h4 and h5, it would be too
risky for Black to play 9 ... gxf6, be
cause later his bishop might be
come trapped on the g6-square.
10. 0-0-0

186
 l.d4 d6 2.443 i.g4 3.e4 0,f6 4.0,c3 e6 5.h3 i.h5
13 . h6
He could have played the nor
mal 13 . . .h5, but Gulko wanted to
keep his dark-squared bishop on
the long diagonal.
14 ..id3 e5 15.lLlb5 exd4 16.
lLlxd6+ 'i!?b8 17.YNel
It is too dangerous for White
to capture the pawn, since the en
emy bishop on f6 wiIl beco me tre
mendously active. It was obvious
ly best for him to opt for 17.e2
c5 18.0,c4
17 YNe5 18.lLle4 e5 19.9del
..
i.e7 2 0 .h5 .ih7 21.g5 hxg5
22.lLlxg5 .ig8+ Tukmakov -
Gulko, Moscow 1990.
B3) 6J'e2 a6!?
1 have already mentioned in
the Quick Repertoire section that
Black has a good altemative here
- 6... c6.
7.g4 i.g6
8.h4
This is the most resolute move.
"Half-measures" by White leave
Black with more space for ma
noeuvres, for example:
8 .i.g2 i.e7 9.i.f4, Legky - Au
rel, Montigny le Bretonneux
2 0 06, 9 ... 0-0 10.0-0-0 d5
8.i.g5 i.e7 9.h4 h5 1O.i.xf6
gxf6!? (I believe Black must re
capture with the pawn in order to
increase his control over the cen
tre.) 1l.i.h3 c6 12.d5 (otherwise,
Black will play d5, activating both
his bishops) 12 ...cxd5 13.exd5 e5
(White cannot really exploit the
weakening of the f5-square.
Meanwhile, in response to 14.0,e1
for example, Black can exchange
on g4 and foIlow this with f6-f5.)
14.0-0-0 0,d7 15.gxh5 i.xh5 16.
0,e4 a5 17.Wb1 0,b6, draw, Sum-
merscale - Miles, Millfield 2000.
Black has sufficient counterplay
on the queenside.
8 ...h5 9.g5
9 . lLlfd7
The move recommended by
"Rybka" - 9,..0,g4!? is worth con
sidering here. The active knight
impedes White's offensive consid
erably and his efforts to trap it do
not seem to work. 1O.i.f4 (Straight
forward attempts to capture the
187
Chapter 9
knight fail, e.g. 1O.ttJd1 dS 1LeS eS
12.c3 ttJe6, or 1O.ttJd2 eS and Blaek
has no problems at aH.) 1O ...bs
1l.a3 ttJd7 12 ..tg3 eS and Blaek en
sures the eS-square for the retreat
of the knight.
1 0 .ih3
1O ..te3 bS 1l.ttJd2 eS 12.dxeS
ttJxeS 13.a3 ttJe6f Palliser - Sum
merseale, Torquay 2 009.
1O.dS eS 1Li.h3 bS 1 2.a3 ttJb6
13.i.e3 ttJe4 14.ttJd2 ttJxe3 lS:xe3
ii.e7 16J:'i:g1 O-O 17.ttJf1 eSf Haus
rath - Mohr, Germany 1995.
10 . .te7
1l ..te3
1l.i.f4 bS 12.a3 ttJb6 13.i.g3
e6?! 1 believe Blaek eannot afford
this waiting move in sueh a tense
situation. (Instead, he should
eontinue with 13 ... 0-0 14.0-0
ttJ 8d7 and if lS.ttJe1 he can ad
vanee with lS ... eS.). 14.0-0 O-O
lS.ttJd2?! (White found an im
provement nine years later: lS.
ttJe1! dS 16.ttJd3 dxe4 17.ttJeS i.d6
188
18.ttJxg6 fxg6 19.xe4 wh7 20.
he6 and Blaek was in trouble in
the game Lastin - Rashkovsky,
Tula 1999. After lS ... ttJ8d7 16.ttJd3
eS, in eomparison with the varia
tion 13 ... 0-0 etc. White has a vital
extra tempo: 17.ttJf4! exd4 18.ttJxg6
dxe3 !? 19.ttJxf8 hf8 20.b3 g6
2Lf4 with a positional and mate
rial advantage.) lS ... dS ! (at the
moment White's knight is not
threatening to go either to eS or
f4, so this move is just exeellent.)
16.exdS exdS 17.f4 ttJe6 18.ttJf3
.td6 19J:'i:ad1 ttJe7 2 0.ttJeS heS 2L
fxeS Ele8+' Z.Polgar - Anand, Am
sterdam 1990 (game 49).
1l...b5 12.tt:1d2, Pogorelov -
Miles, Andorra 1994.
12 ... c5!?
It is time for Blaek to strike
this blow against White's centre,
beeause without it White's king
side initiative might beeome very
dangerous.
13.d5 e5 14. 0 - 0 - 0 tt:1b6f
 Chapter 9 1.d4 d6 2.llJf3 .ig4 3.e4 llJf6
Complete Games
47 Isanbaev - Komliakov
Nizhnij Novgorod 1998
1.e4 d6 2.d4 c!Llf6 3.c!Lle3 e6
4.c!Llf3 i.g4 5.h3 i.h5 6.i.e3 e6
7.i.d3 d5 8.e5 c!Llfd7 9.g4 i.g6
1 0 .c!Lle2 e5 1l.hg6 hxg6 12.e3
c!Lle6 13.c!Llg5 i.e7 14.f4 exd4
15.exd4 flYb6 16:b3
16 ...a6!
This is an excellent move, after
which Black establishes control
over the squares weakened by the
exchange of the light-squared
bishops and forces the enemy
king to remain in the centre.
17.c!Lle3 d3
Here, however, it looks as if
Black played a bit hastily. With
17... B:c8 18.ttJf3 ttJb6 he could have
patiently improved his position
and White's defence would have
been difficult.
18.c!Lldl i.b4+ 19.<!>f2 xb3
2 0 .axb3
It would be difficult for Black
to attack the weak b3-pawn, while
it covers the important c4-
square.
2 0 ... c!Llb6 21.c!Lle3 a6 22.c!Llf3
B:e8 23.l'ael <!>d7 24.<!>e2 c!Lla5
25.c!Lld2 1'k7 26.<!>d3 i.e7 27.h4
c!Lle8 28.i.f2 c!Lle6 29.<!>e2 c!Llb4
3 0 .B:h3 c!Lla7 31.B:ehl c!Llb5 32.
c!Lldbl B:ee8
The opponents agreed to a
draw. Black is still slightly better,
but he can hardly win this posi
tion.
48 Rozentalis - Sakalauskas
Warsaw 2009
1.e4 d6 2.d4 c!Llf6 3.c!Llc3 e6
4.c!Llf3 i.g4 5.i.e2 e6 6.h3 i.h5
189
Chapter 9
7. 0 - 0 ii.e7 8.ii.e3 O - O 9.d2
d5 10 .e5 tLlfd7 1l.tLlh2 ii.g6
12.f4 e5 13.tLlf3 tLle6 14.g4 ii.e4
15.dxe5 tLlxe5 16.tLld4 ge8 17.
tLlxe6 e6 18.b4?
18 . tLld7?
Black overlooks a wonderful
tactical chance, which his oppo
nent hasjust presented to him: 18 ...
lLlb3! 19.axb3 hb4 20.ii.d4 h4 21.
h2 ''lc8 and he regains his piece
because of the pin, while White
ends up with great problems.
19.tLlxe4 dxe4 2 0 .gfd1 tLlb6
21.'f[xd8 gxd8 22 .ie5 gxd1+
23.gxd1 ii.h4
l It would not work for Black to
play 23 ...hc5+ 24.bxc5 tLld5 25.
c4, and he remains a piece down,
because of the threat of mate on
the back rank.
24.ii.b5 ge7 25.e4 h6
190
26.hb6
White would do better to focus
on the enemy e4-pawn by 26Jd4
e3 27.f1 etc.
26 axb6 27.c.!?g2 gc8 28.gd7
gd8 29.gxd8+ hd8 3 0 .ii.d7
Of course, White also main
tains his advantage in this posi
tion. He will soon capture the en
emy b7-pawn, but Black should
manage to save the game thanks
to the presence of bishops of op
posite colours.
3 O g5 31.f5 exf5 32.gxf5
ii.e7 33.e6 fxe6 34.he6+ c.!?g7
35.ii.d5 e3 36.ii.xb7 c.!?f6 37.ii.e8
ii.d6 38.b5 c.!?e5 39.c.!?f3 c.!?d4
4 0 .c.!?e2 .ie5 41.ii.e6 c.!?e4 42.a4
h5 43.ii.d7 c.!?e5 44.ii.e6. Draw.
49 Z.Polgar Anand
Amsterdam 1990
l.tLlf3 d6 2.d4 ii.g4 3 .e4 tLlf6
4.e3 e6 5.h3 ii.h5 6.'@fe2 a6
7.g4 ii.g6 8.h4 h5 9.g5 tLlfd7
10 .ii.h3 b5 11.a3 ii.e7 12 .if4
b6 13.ii.g3 e6 14. 0 - 0 O - O
15.tLld2 d5 16.exd5 exd5 17.f4
e6 18.f3 ii.d6 19.9ad1 e7
2 O .tLle5 he5 21.fxe5 ge8
Black has successfully parried

White's kingside offensive (but,
as we have seen in our theoretical
section, not without sorne help
from his opponent) and now Black
begins to breach White's defen
sive line on the opposite side of
the board.
22.1'kl lLlc4 23.lLldl f5 24.
xf5 lLlxf5
The pawn-structure that has
arisen reminds us of the famous
game Nimzowitsch - Capablanca
(New York 1927), in which the
great exponent of the blockading
strategy became the victim of a
perfect light-squared blockade.
25.d3 b6 26.f2 c6 27. b3 5l.bl b8 52.d3 b2 53.
al fc8 28.b3 lLla5 29J';a2
g6c7 3 O .gb2 lLlc6 3l.c3 lLlce7
32.f3 g6 33.gc2 a5 34.lLlb2
a7 35.gfc1
l.d4 d6 2. lLlj3 g4 3.e4 lLlf6
35 ...b4!? 36.axb4
It was much more resilient
for White to defend with 36.lLla4,
giving up a pawn but transferring
his knight to the c5-outpost.
36... axb4 37.c4 dxc4 38.d5
b7 39.lLlxc4
39 ...xd5
Here Black could have played
immediately 39 ... exd5 40.lLle3
lLld4 etc.
4 0 .g2 xf3+ 4l.xf3 d7
42.lLld2 gcd8 43.lLle4 d3+
44.e2 xb3 45.gdl lLld5 46.
dc1 ga3 47.c8 a8 48.xd8+
xd8 49.lLlf6+ lLlxf6 5 0 .exf6
c2 f8 54.xb2 xb2+ 55.
xb2 e8
This endgame is of course ab
solutely hopeless for White. He is
not only a pawn down, but his
bishop is forced to protect the
pawns on the kingside.
56.c3 d7 57.d3 e5 58.
e4 e6 59.el lLld6+ 6 0 .
zf3 d5 61.g3 d4 62.
f2+ d3 63.c5 lLlf5 64..if2
lLld4+ 65.g2 e2. White re
signed.
191
Chapter 1 0 l.d4 d6 2 .liJf3 i.g4 3.c4
Quick Repertoire
This is White's most popular
move. He continues his normal
development in the spirit of the
closed openings, ignoring the pos
sible "mosquito bite" on f3.
3 . . .hrJ
Black captures the enemy
knight in order to justify the early
bishop-sortie. I have already men
tioned at the beginning of this
section that ifBlack wishes to play
solidly, then in reply to 2.lDf3, he
should choose the King's Indian
Defence. This variation is also
based on the element of surprise.
(diagram)
4.exf3
White plans calm piece devel
opment in the centre in the hope
of exerting pressure along the e-
192
file. It would be advantageous for
Black to play dS, in order to fix the
enemy pawn on d4 and then at
tack it.
In response to 4.gxf3, Black
almost always fianchettoes his
other bishop. He usually begins
with 4 ... liJd7, so that if S.1Wb3 he
does not need to weaken the light
squares even more with the move
b7-b6, or to place his queen on a
light square (1Wc8). Instead, he
wishes to protect the b7-pawn
with his rook. A possible continu
ation is S.liJc3 g6 6.f4 .tg7 7..tg2
b8 8. 0-0 e6 9.dS (otherwise
Black will place a pawn on this
square) 9 ... liJgf6 1O.i.e3 a6 11.1Wb3
eS!? Thanks to this undermining
move Black obtains excellent

counterplay on the kingside,
which was weakened as early as
move three.
4 . c6 5.ttlc3 g6
. .
6.i.e3
An important position, one
which is essential for an under
standing of the whole variation,
arises after 6.i.e2 i.g7 7.0-0 tLlf6
8.i.e3 tLlbd7 9.d5 O-O 1O.'&b3
'&b8. White is trying to tie down
his opponent's pieces to the de
fence of his queenside and then
switch the focus of the fight to the
other flank. Black must play very
precisely not to end up without
counterplay.
In order to master this theme,
1 recommend thorough study of
game 50 (Gelfand - Ivanchuk,
Belgrade 1997).
6 ...i.g7 7.i.e2
l.d4 d6 2. tLlj3 i.g4 3.c4 hj3
After 7.'&d2 (with the idea of
playing i.h6 at an opportune mo
ment to exchange the dark
squared bishops) 7 ... e6 8.h4,
Black should reply with 8 ...h5 !?,
with the idea of holding up his op
ponent's kingside pawn-storm.
7... e6
8.d5
1 have already mentioned that
Black wishes to play d6-d5 him
self, in order to fix the enemy's
weak (Le. deprived of the support
of its neighbours) pawn on d4.
8 ... exd5 9.cxd5 ttle7 1 0 .
'&b3 ti'd7 1l. 0 - 0 O - O
White maintains a slight space
advantage, but his pawn on d5 re
quires protection and restricts the
movement of his own pieces.
Black has solved his development
problems and can be moderately
optimistic about the future.
193
Chapter 1 0 1.d4 d6 2.11Jf3 .ig4 3.c4
Step by Step
White is not afraid of the ex
change on f3. He considers that
the pluses of his position (the
bishop-pair, his free development
and the slight space advantage)
wiIl more than compensate for the
minute defect of his pawn-struc
ture.
3 . ..ix3
. square with iMlc8.
A more frequent choice for
Black here is 3 ... ltJd7, after which
he usuaIly obtains a solid, but
somewhat passive, position.
1 have already mentioned that
if you are after solidity, after
2 .ltJf3, it would be better to choose
the King's lndian Defence. With
3 ...i.xf3 we seek non-standard
positions with counter chances.
A) 4. gxf3
B) 4.exf3
194
A) 4.gxf3 lild7
1 wiIl remind you - the idea of
this move is to be able to protect
the b7-pawn with the rook in re
sponse to 5.iMlb3, instead of weak
ening the light squares with b7-b6
or placing the queen on a light
5.lilc3
5.g2 g6 6.f4 c6 - see 5.f4.
5. iMlb3 Elb8. In general, it is aIl
the same for Black whether his
rook is on a8 or b8. White's queen
however, is doing nothing useful
on b3. 6.ltJc3 g6 7..id2 1J.g7 8.e3
a6 9.f4 ltJgf6 1O.e2 b5 11.iMlc2
(He should move his queen off the
line of the enemy rook.) 11...c6o
Nalbandian - Spangenberg, Mat
inhos 1994.
 1 .d4 d6 2.ltJj3 :lg4 3.c4 hj3 4.gxj3 ltJd7
5.:lg5. This move should be a
good illustration of the fact that
you cannot study the entire data
base and sometimes you have to
improvise as early as move 5.
Thank heavens! 5 ... ltJgf6 (One
game went like this; instead, Black
could also try 5 ... c6, 5 ...g6, 5 ...h6,
or anything.... ) 6.f4, Cacho Reiga
das - Romero Holmes, Spain
1992, 6 ... ltJe4!? The following
analysis is just an attempt to find
sorne useful orientation in "terra
incognita": 7.ltJc3 (7.:lh4 c5 8.:lg2
a5+ 9.rnf1 ltJef6 1O.ltJc3 E1b8oo)
7... ltJxc3 (7... ltJxg5 8.fxg5 e6 9.h4
h6 1O.g6!? f6 - 1O ... fxg6 11.d3
f6 12.E1g1 rnf7 13 .:lh3 - 11.gxf7+
xf7 12.:lh3;!;) 8.bxc3 c6 9.E1b1 h6
1O.:lh4 a5 11.d2 E1b8
5.f4 g6 6.:lg2 c6 (Black is try
ing to build a defensive line by
placing his pawns on the 6th rank.
If he manages to play follow up
with d6-d5, he wiIl have a very
good position. White prevents
this.) 7.d5 cxd5 8.cxd5 :lg7 9.h4
(The idea of this move is to force
Black to deploy his knight on f6
and to dissuade him from the ma
noeuvre ltJh6-f5. Is it worth it,
however? Now, White cannot
safely castle kingside.) 9 ... ltJgf6
1O.ltJc3 E1c8 11.rnfl (lt would be
suicide for him to evacuate his
king to the queenside with an
open c-file and a black bishop on
g7. So White's monarch must
leave the centre "on foot" ...) 11 ...
a6 12.:lf3 h5 13.e3 c7 14.:ld2
o-o 15.:lg2, draw, A.Petrosian -
Matthias, Lippstadt 1993.
5 g6
...
Not many games have reached
this position and strong players
tested it mostly during the '80s
and '90s of the last century. Our
analysis, with the help of "Rybka",
showed that Black should not
have any serious problems in this
variation.
6.f4
6.:lg2 :lg7 7.f4 E1b8 - see 6.f4.
6.b3 :lg7 7.:lb2 e6 (We are fa-
miliar with this idea - Black builds
a waIl against the pawn on f4. Lat
er, he would like to place a pawn
on d5 as well.) 8.e3 c6 9.f4 ltJgf6
1O.:lg2 O-O 11.0-0 E1e8 12.e2 d5
13.E1ac1 (After 13.a4 a5 14.E1fc1
ltJ b8 a limited struggle for the b4-
square takes place - 15.ltJa2 :lf8
16.:lc3 :ld6 17.b4 - White has
achieved what he wanted, while
Black forces simplifications - 17...
axb4 18.ltJxb4 dxc4 19.xc4 ltJd5
2 0.ltJxd5 cxd5 21.b5 E1e7= Palat
nik - Karner, Tallinn 1985.) 13 ...
a6 14.E1c2 :lf8 15.E1d1 1tJh5 16.ltJb1
:ld6 Timman - Danailov, Ovie-
195
Chapter 1 0
do 1993. Maybe Black was dream
ing about a kingside attack. Of
course it would hardly be possible
for him to accomplish this, but in
general, his position remains
quite solid and reliable.
6.e4 i.g7 7.i.e3 e6 (Black could
consider creating counterplay
against the enemy d4-pawn with
7...c5!? 8.f4 1M!b6; 8.d5 hc3+.
Of course, this is a very risky
move, but still it would interest
ing to see the result of the struggle
between two knights and two
bishops, with two pairs of doubled
pawns on the board. 9.bxc3 lLlgf6
1O .i.h6 1M!a5oo) 8.d5 a6 9.1M!d2 lLle5
1O.i.e2 exd5 1l.lLlxd5 lLlf6 12.
0-0-0 lLlxd5 13.cxd5 1M!e7 Kiss
- Okhotnik, Hungary 1995.
6 . g7
. .
White has two bishops and a
massive (although not very mo
bile) pawn-centre. Black has no
weaknesses and should react ap
propriately to aH possible changes
of the pawn-structure.
7..ig2
7.e4 c5 !? (It is useful for Black
196
to increase the scope of his fian
chettoed bishop.) 8.d5 (8 ..ie3
1M!b6oo) 8 ... a6 9.i.e3 1M!a5 1O.1M!d2
lLlgf6 11.f3 O-O 12 .a4 lLlh5 13.!'1.a3
lLl b6 A Smirnov - Chernyshov,
Voronezh 2005.
7.e3. White is in the mood to
enter a long manoeuvring battle,
but Black is weH-prepared for that
as weH. He has no long-term
weaknesses and has no problems
with his development. 7... c6
and now:
8 ..tg2 lLlgf6 9.b3 o-o 1O.i.b2
e6 - see 6.b3;
8.i.e2 e6 9.lLle4 lLldf6 1O.lLlg5
lLle7 11.1M!c2 d5 12.d2 h6 13.lLlf3
lLle4 Black has built up his trade
mark pawn triangle and has occu
pied a central square with his
knight, Franco Ocampos - Rivas
Pastor, Leon 1989;
8.i.d3 e6 9.lLle4. White's knight
is following a familiar route, but
with a bishop on d3 instead of e2.
It is more difficult for Black to oc
cupy the e4-square with his knight
now, but he has sorne other useful
ideas as well. 9 ... lLldf6 1O.lLlg5 lLle7
1l.1M!b3 !'1.b8 12 ..td2 a6 13.!'1.c1
O-O Pinter - Christiansen, Reg-
 J.d4 d6 2.ttlj3 j,g4 3.c4 :!ixj3 4.exj3 c6

gio Ernilia 1988;

8.j,d2 ttlgf6 9.g2 O-O 10.0-0
1'lb8 11.,e2 a6 12.1'lfdl 1'le8 13.b4
eS!? (Opening the position usually
favours the side that has the bish
op-pair. However, this underrnin
ing rnove weakens the white king's
defensive perirneter, so Black wiIl
also reap dividends out of the
opening of the position.) 14.fxeS
dxeS IS.dxeS ttlxeS+ Sarno - Efi
rnov, Saint Vincent 1999. rifice. After 14.,xb7? ! ttlhS IS.e3
7... gb8 O-O, his pieces rernain stranded
on the queenside and Black
threatens to advance with fS-f4,
or sirnply recapture the c4-pawn.
14... tLlh5 15.e3 o - o
H e is willing to sacrifice a
pawn even under less favourable
circurnstances, with the enerny
bishop back in the centre of the
board.
16.xb7 e7 17.b3 gtb8
18.c2 tLlxc4 19.e2 e5 2 0 .

.i.c3 f5 21.gael Yflh4 22.h3,

8. 0 - 0 draw, Sakaev - Svidler, Sto Peters
8.e3 ttlgf6 9.0-0 O-O 1O.,e2 burg 1997.
a6 1l.b3 cS 12.dxcS ttlxcS 13.
j,b2 ,aS I4.1'labl, Danailov - Bri
card, Andorra 1991, 14 ... bS IS. B) 4.exf3 c6
ttldS ttlxdS 16.hg7 1t>xg7 17.hdS
b4+
8 ... e6 9.d5 gf6 1 0 ..i.e3 a6
11.'b3 e5!?
Black is ready to sacrifice a
pawn to create sorne threats on
the kingside.
12.fxe5 xe5 13 . .i.a7 ga8
(diagrarn)
14 ..i.d4
White declines the pawn-sac-

197
Chapter 10
5.c!Llc3
S.dS ttJf6 6.ttJc3 g6 - see S.ttJc3
g6 6.dS ttJf6.
S.f4 ttJf6 6.e3 g6 7.ttJc3 g7
8.e2 O-O 9.h4 (9.0-0 dS 1O.cS
bS 11.a4 b4 12.ttJa2 aS? Bagirov -
Minasian, Lucerne 1993) 9 .. .'aS
1O.1f1f1, Vaganian - Milos, Mos
cow 1994, 1O ...hS 11.g3 ttJbd700
5 g6
6 ..ie3
6.e2 g7 7.0-0 (7.e3 e6 -
see variation 7... ttJf6 8.dS (8.1e3
ttJbd7 9.dS O-O 1O.'b3 Wb8 11.
Elfd1 Elc8 12.Elac1 a6 13.Eld2 cxdS
14.ttJxdS ttJxdS 1S.ElxdS Elc6 16.f4
Wc7 17.Eldd1 aS 18.f3 ttJcS 19.Wc2
Elb6 20.Elb1 a4? Gelfand - Iv
anchuk, Belgrade 1997 - game
5 0 ) 8 ... 0-0 9.f4 (9.d3 ttJbd7 -
see 8.e3 ttJbd7 9.dS O-O) 9 ...
ttJbd7 1O.f3 Elc8 11.e3 ttJb6
(This is the correct set-up for
Black, since he must force the op
ponent to protect his dS-pawn.)
12.Wb3 cxdS 13.cxdS ttJfd7 14.a4
ttJc4? Ionescu - Sanduleac, Pre
deal 2006 (game 51).
White's d4-pawn may become
198
a target, so it is advantageous for
him to push it forward with 6.dS.
Now Black must play very accu
rately to create counterplay and
bring his king to safety from a di
rect attack: 6 ...ttJf6 7.d3 (7.e3
g7 8.e2 ttJbd7 9.0-0 O-O - see
6.e2 g7 7.0-0 ttJf6 8.e3 ttJbd7
9 .dS O-O) 7...g7 8.0-0 cxdS (He
immediately creates a weak pawn
for his opponent on dS.) 9 .cxdS
O-O 1O.Ele1 ttJbd7 11.f4 a6 12.fS Ele8
13.gS ttJb6 (White's attention is
distracted by his vulnerable pawn.)
14.Wf3 Elc8 1SJ'l:e2 ttJc4 16.xc4
Elxc4? Postl - Petran, Graz 1992.
6.g3 (This plan, based on the
king's fianchetto, is too slow and
does not create any problems for
Black.) 6 ...g7 7.e3 ttJd7 8.dS
(White must place his pawn on dS
in any case; otherwise he will soon
have difficulties.) 8 ... ttJgf6 9.g2
(White played 9.e2 in one game,
leaving his surprised opponent
wondering why the move g2-g3
was played in the first place. Be
that as it may, after 9 ... 0-0 10.0-0
a6 11.f4 WaS 12.a3 cxdS 13.cxdS
Elfc8 14.b4 Wd8 1S.%k1 bS 16.Wb3
ttJb6, there arose a complicated
position with chances for both
sides, O'Cinneide - Vovsha, Biel
2 003.) 9 ... 0-0 10.0-0 WaS 11.f4
ttJb6 12.Wb3 Elac8 13.Elfe1 Elfe8 14.
h3 Elcd8 1SJ'l:ad1 ttJfd7 16.ttJe4,
Ftacnik - Chandler, Brisbane
2 006, 16 ...cxdS 17.b6 (After 17.
cxdS ttJcS 18.ttJxcS dxcS and Black
seizes the initiative.) 17... ttJxb6
18.cxdS ttJa4?
 1.d4 d6 2.lLlj3 g4 3.c4 hj3 4.exj3 c6
6 ....ig7
This is the last important
opening erossroads.
Bl) 7.%M2
B2) 7.i.e2
7.h4 lLlf6 8.e2 d5 9.e5 b6
1O.b4 bxe5 11.bxe5 lLlfd7! (with
two threats - lLlxc5 and e5) 12.
lLla4 e5 13J':i:b1 O-O 14.h5 E:e8?
Drasko - G.Nikolie, Tivat 1995.
7.d3 lLlf6 8.0-0 o-o 9.'Wd2
d5 1O.e5 ltJbd7 11.f4 (White has
defended against e7-e5, but Blaek
reduces the tension anyway, with
the help of a little eombination.)
l1...lLlxc5! 12.dxc5 d4 13.f5 dxc3 14.
xe3 lLlg4 15.b3 e7 16.g3 lLlxe3
17.fxe3, Kallio - Varga, Budapest
2001, 17...'We5 18.E:ae1 xb2+
Bl) 7.%Yd2
The idea of this move is to play
ih6 at sorne point and exehange
the dark-squared bishops. Svidler
faeed this twiee. In one game Pe
ter defended sueeessfully and he
eould have survived the other
time as well.
7... e6 8.h4
8.d5 exd5 9.exd5 lLle7 1O.h6
hh6 11.xh6 lLlf5 12 .f4 e7+
13.i>d2. This is an amusing move,
although maybe not the best. (Af
ter 13.e2 O-O 14.g4, White would
have maintained the initiative .. )
13 ... 0-0 14.E:e1 e7? Aronian -
Svidler, Internet 2 004.
8 ... d5
It is more reliable for Blaek to
play h5!?, thwarting his oppo
nent's pawn-storm on the king
side.
9.h5 tLld7 1 0 .cxd5
1O.g4 dxe4 11.ixe4, Zatonskih
- Akobian, Saint Louis 2009, 11...
gxh5!? 12.E:xh5 lLlgf6 13.E:h3 lLlb6
(It is also interesting for Blaek to
play 13 ... h5!?, trying to get rid of
his weak pawn immediately.) 14.
e2 e7 15.0-0-0 0-0-0 and in
this position with mutual weak
nesses, Blaek must eoneentrate
his forees on attaeking the enemy
d4-pawn and exploiting the exeel
lent d5-outpost.
1 0 ... exd5 1l.g4
Blaek's position seems rather
199
Chapter 1 0

dangerous, but his defensive re

sources are not exhausted yet.
11 tilf8 12. 0 - 0 - 0 tile6 13.
..

f4 tile7 14.h6 .if8 15 ..id3 f5

phasize that this sacrifice is not at

all forced, since Black could have
simply protected his b7-pawn on
move 8 ..
8 ...exd5 9.cxd5 tile7 1 0 .
Black brings his last reserves W1b3
into the defence... 10.0-0 O-O 1l.ic4 b5 !??
16.gxf5 tilxf5 17 .ixf5 gxf5
1 0 ...W1d7 11. 0 - 0 O - O 12.
18.Wd3 W1f6 19J'h5, Bareev - Ud1 tilf5
Svidler, Moscow (blitz) 2009 and
here Black should have sacrificed
a pawn, forcing a transition into
an endgame: 19 .id6 2 0 .W1xf5
.

(Black's position would be accept

able after 20.E1xf5 W1xh6.) 2 0 ...
Wxf5 2Uxf5 c;!;>e

B2) 7..ie2 e6
(diagram)
8.d5
If 8.0-0 CiJe7 9.b3 b6!?
Black has a very good position. 13.tile4
After the immediate 8 .b3, White cannot prevent the ex
Vera - Villalba Izquierdo, Cullera change of one of his bishops in
2002, Black could consider a any case; if 13 ..if4, then 13 ... CiJd4.
pawn sacrifice for the initiative 13 ... c5 14 .ig5 W1c7 15 ..if6

with: 8 ... CiJe7!? 9.W1xb7 CiJd7 10. tild7 16.hg7 tilxg7? Nielsen -
O-O a5 11.b3 CiJf5 12.E1adl O-O Svidler, Copenhagen 2010 (game
13.W1c2 d5. I should like to em- 52).

200
Chapter l O 1.d4 d6 2 .ttJf3 .ig4 3.c4 .ixf3

Complete Games

5o Gelfand Ivanchuk Black decides not to repeat

Belgrade 1997
1.d4 d6 2.tlJf3 .ig4 3.c4
.ixf3 4.ext'3 c6 5.tLlc3 tLld7 6.
.ie2 g6 7. 0 - 0 .ig7 8 ..ie3 tLlgf6
9.d5 o - o 10 .b3 ,,b8 1U''!fd1
'!c8 12.gac1 a6 13.gd2 cxd5
14.tLlxd5 tLlxd5 15.gxd5 gc6
16.f4 c7 17.gdd1 a5 18 .if3
moves, but makes a serious mis
take on the very next move .
31.gbd1 gxb2?
Black had to play 31.. .V!ic7, al
though 1 think White's position is
not worse at all.

tLlc5 19.c2 gb6 2 0 .gb1 a4 21.

h4 e6 22.h5 e7 23.gd2

32.gxd6!
This is an excellent tactical
blow, after which Black is forced
to conduct a difficult and labori
23 .. 'it>f8!? ous defence.
This is a rather purposeful ap 32 ...gxd6 33.,ixc5 gbb6
proach! White is trying to organ 34.V!ih7
ize an attack on the kingside, Of course, White is in no hurry
while in response Black simply to regain the exchange and he in
evacuates his king from the dan creases the pressure, creating ad
ger zone! ditional threats.
24.d1 'it>e8 25.g3 gaa6 26. 34 a3 35.,ixa3 ga6 36.
.

'it>g2 gb4 27.hxg6 hxg6 28.h1 .ib4 gab6 37..ic5 c7 38 ..ia3

f8 29.d1 V!ie7 3 0 .V!ih1 f8 ga6 39 ..ib4 .if6

201
Chapter 1 0
4 0 .f5
This is an attractive pawn
break, but it seems somewhat
premature. After 40.a4 ! (to place
the bishop on the a3-square with
out being hassled by the enemy
rook) White should graduaIly
manage to breach his opponent's
fortifications. For example: 40 ...
me7 41..b3 c3 42.b1 a7 43.
e4 mf8 44.d1 aa6 4S.mh2 and kingside pawns are exchanged
he wiIl soon capture the enemy
g6-pawn.
40 ...gxf5 41 ..ih5 1J.g7 42.a4
ab6 43 ..ia3 bc6 44 .if3 c5
45.xd6 xd6 46.hb7
46...f4!
Ivanchuk is ready to give up a
second pawn just to force Gelfand
to exchange on cS. Black is relying
on the presence of bishops of op
posite colours.
202
47.h4 me8 48.hc5 xc5
49.xf4 .ie5 5 0 .e4 me7 51 .
.ia6 1J.c7 52 ..ib5 1J.b6 53.el
d4 54.a5 .ic5 55.e2 md6
56.f3 f5 57.a6 me5 58.e2+
mf6 59.1J.c6 e5 6 0 .1J.d5 e4 61.
g4
61 ... e3!
This is the last finesse. AH the
now and White cannot win on the
queenside only. The distance be
tween his two passed pawns is too
small.
62.fxe3 xe3 63.xe3.
Draw
51 Ionescu Sanduleac
Predeal 2006
l.d4 d6 2.1L1f3 .ig4 3.c4 c6
4.1L1c3 lLlf6 5.d5 hf3 6.exf3 g6
7.1J.e2 .ig7 8. 0 - 0 o - o 9.f4
lLlbd7 1 0 ..if3 l:k8 1l.1J.e3 lLlb6
12.b3 cxd5 13.cxd5 lLlfd7 14.
a4 1L1c4
(diagram)
15.acl
It is too risky for White to cap
ture the pawn: lS.xb7 lLlxe3 16.
fxe3 b8 17.'a6 (After 17.xa7?
lLlcS, his queen gets trapped.) 17...

tiJcs 18.1!ffe 2 aS and Black's com
pensation for the pawn is more
than sufficient.
15 ... tiJxe3 16.fxe3 tiJe5 17.
a3 'I!!lIb 6 18.a5 'I!!lIb3 19.1:a1
he3 2 0 .bxe3 e7 21.tb1 'I!!lIe2
22.e4?!
White did not need to give up a
pawn. After 22 .b2 d3 his posi
tion is of course worse, but he
could have defended it.
22 'I!!lIxe4 23.c1 'I!!lIb5 24.
gab1 'I!!lId7 25.h4 'I!!lIf5 26.gb4
gfe8 27.gbe4 'I!!lId7 28.h5 tiJa6
29.xe7 gxe7 3 0 .h6 xe1+ 31.
'I!!lIxe1 tiJe5 32.h2
32 .. 'I!!lId8!
In effect, this is a double at
tack. White's aS-pawn is hanging
and his h6-pawn is also endan
gered, because of the threat of
f8.
l.d4 d6 2. tiJj3 ig4 3.c4 ixj3
33.g4
White would not save the day
with 33.el f8 34.h4, because
of 34 ... tiJ b3 and Black wins a pawn
anyway.
33 ...'I!!lIxa5 34.b2 f6 35.g5
d8 36.i.g4 ef8 37.i.e6+ h8
38.d4 a5 39.e4 a4 4 0 .e5
tiJxe6 41.dxe6 dxe5 42:e3
42 ...fxg5?
I do not know what the time
control was in this tournament
(the team championship of Ro
mania), but the end of this game
was full of mistakes. Black was
winning easily with 42 ... g8.
43.'Wxe5+ g8 44.f5?
White blunders in turno After
the simple move 44.fxgS, Black's
king ends up in a cage from which
there is no escape. He would have
to acquiesce to a draw by a per
petual check.
44... a3 45.g1 a2 46.'I!!lIb 2
b5 47.ea1 b4 48.'Wb2. White ei
ther resigned or lost on time.
52 P .Nielsen Svidler
Copenhagen (blitz) 2 010
I.d4 d6 2.tiJf3 i.g4 3.e4
203
Chapter 1 0
.ixf3 4.exf3 e6 5.c!lJc3 g6 6.,ie3
,igJ 7.,ie2 e6 8.d5 exd5 9.exd5
c!lJe7 1 0 .tfb3 e"d7 11. 0 - 0 O - O
12.gfdl c!lJ f5 13.c!lJe4 e5 14.,ig5
tfe7 15.,if6 c!lJd7 16.hgJ c!lJxg7
17.,ib5
17 . c!lJb6
It was preferable for Black to
play here 17 .. .f5 18.c!lJg5 a6 19.
i.xd7 Wxd7=
18.c!lJf6+ h8 19.gel tfd8
It was again more precise for
him to choose 19 ... c!lJf5 20J:':ad1
c!lJd4 with chances for both sides.
2 0 .e"e3 a6
2 04
21.ge8
The right square, but the
wrong piece! After 21.ie8! White
would maintain the initiative.
21 gxe8
.. 22.he8 ge8
23.gel
But not 23.i.xf7? c!lJa4 and
White loses a piece.
23 ge7 24.h4 ge7 25.gxe7
e"xe7 26.h5 c!lJf5!
27.hxg6?
He overlooks a very powerful
intermediate move. It was correct
for White to opt for 27.c!lJd7+ c!lJd4
28.c!lJxb6 Wxe8 with an approxi
mately equal position.
27 c!lJd4!
Black wins a piece thanks to
the double attack on e2 and f6.
28.tfe3 tfxf6 29.gxf7 g7
3 0 .tfe4 h5 31.f4 c!lJe8 32.,id7
c!lJe7 33.,ie6 tfxf4!
In the end the knight-fork
worked! White resigned.
 Chapter 11 1.d4 d6
Quick Repertoire
In the last chapter of this book,
we shaIl analyze White's numer
ous possibilities on move 2, with
the exception of 2.c4, 2.lL'lf3 and
2 .e4. To avoid the theoretical dis
pute in the main lines White usu
aIly chooses the plan with a king's
fianchetto. His alternatives are
only seldom played, but they wiIl
not be ignored in our analysis.
2.g3
Against 2 .g5 I suggest a quite
concrete scheme in which White
cannotjust play according to com
mon sense: 2 ... h6 3 ..ih4 c5 (White
has removed his bishop from cl a
bit too early and Black begins im
mediate counterplay on the
queenside.) 4.dxc5 (After 4.d5 ? !
g 5 5 ..ig3 .ig7, White's defence wiIl
not be at aIl easy.) 4 ... Wfa5+ 5.c3
Wixc5 6.ttJd2 ttJc6 7.e4 g6 8.f4 g7.
Suddenly, on the board we have a
position that resembles the Drag
on variation of the Sicilian under
very favourable conditions for
Black. His plan includes exchang
ing queens and a pawn-storm on
the queenside.
It would be interesting for
White to try 2 ..if4, preventing the
counter-strike in the centre - e7-
e5. It would be attractive for Black
now to continue in the spirit of
the King's Indian Defence, be
cause White's options have been
considerably reduced. However,
Black has an alternative plan: 2 ...
ttJf6 3.e3 (After 3.ttJf3 g4, we
have one of the versions of the
variation 2 .ttJf3 g4. Black usuaIly
places his pawn on e6, develops
his bishop to e7 and then castles
and continues with d5 and c5. If
3.ttJc3, then he replies with 3 ...
ttJbd7 and advances with either
e7-e5 or c7-c5.) 3 ... ttJbd7 4.ttJf3
ttJh5 (Black wants to exchange the
enemy bishop on f4.) 5 ..ig5 h6
6 ..ih4 g5 7.ttJfd2 ttJdf6 8 ..ie2 ttJg7
9 ..ig3 ttJf5. White has faled to
205
Chapter 11
prevent the exchange of his bish
op. The position is a complicated
one with chances for both sides.
2 e5
1 would recommend that play
ers with a wide opening repertoire
respond to 2.g3 with the King's
Indian Defence, since there Black
has several good systems against
the king's fianchetto.
However, we started our book
with studying endgames, so we
will finish it in the same way. We
must complete the circle.
3.dxe5
White would not achieve much
with 3 ..ig2 exd4 4.Wixd4 tLlc6 S.
Wid2 tLlf6 (Black plays quite sim
ply. He develops his knights closer
to the centre, then he wants to
place his pawn on ds and to de
velop his bishops to active posi
tions.) 6.tLlh3 (following the route
h3-f4-dS) 6 ...g6 7.tLlf4 .ig7 8.0-0
O-O 9.tLlc3 l":e8 1O.l":e1 tLleS 11.b3
c6 12 ..ib2 dS+! Black has succeed
ed in advancing his pawn to dS
and he is about to seize the initia
tive.
206
3 . . dxe5 4.xd8+ xd8
1 think Black's defence here
is much easier than in the analo
gous endgame in the Philidor
Defence, but a bit more complex
than in the line: l.d4 d6 2.c4 eS
3.dxeS dxeS 4.Wixd8+ xd8.
5. ll:l c3
This is the favourite move of
Artur Yusupov, who has achieved
excellent practical results in this
endgame. This is of course also
due to the fact that, like the ma
jority of Dvoretsky's pupils, he
plays all kinds of endgames ex
tremely well.
1 believe that in this particular
position, Black has sufficient de
fensive resources.
Black's task is much simpler
after the rather slow line: S ..ig2
c6 6.tLlc3 .ie6 7.f4 (Black has no
problems in a calm, maneuvering
struggle such as: 7.tLlf3 f6 8.i.e3
l1c7 9.a3 tLle7 10.0-0-0 tLld7 11.
h4 hS with chances for both sides.)
7 ... exf4 8 ..ixf4 tLld7 9.tLlf3 .ib4! ?
1O.tLlgS tLlgf6 11.tLlxe6+ fxe6 12.
0-0-0 l1e7. Black has given his
 l.d4 d6

opponent the two-bishop advan

tage, but his position is neverthe
less quite solido
5 ..ib4
Black pins his opponent's
knight and frees the e7-square for
his king.
(diagram)
6 . .id2
There are not very many games
played using this line, so in the
chapter Step by Step we have ana common-sense reasoning is not
lyzed all these more or less seri adequate..
ous tries for White, such as 6. 6 .ie6 7.a3 .ie7 8 . 0 - 0 - 0
..

,igS+, 6.f4, 6 ..ig2. This position lLld7 9.f4 lLlh6 1 0 .e4 .ig4 11.
requires concrete knowledge, so .ie2 he2 12.lLlgxe2 lLlg4

207
Chapter 11 1.d4 d6
Step by Step
A) 2.c3
B) 2.,ig5
e) 2.,if4
D) 2.g3
2 .e3 'l:ld7 3.e4 e5 4.'l:le3 g6 -
see Chapter 2 .
Against the move 2.h3, I sug
gest that Blaek eontinues in the
same fashion as after 2.g3, that is
with 2 ... e5. It is obvious that the
move g2-g3 is mueh more useful
in the endgame than h2-h3; if
Blaek has an aeeeptable position
there, then against 2.h3 he should
not have any problems. 3.dxe5
dxe5 4.1ifxd8+ Wxd8 5.e4 (5.'l:lf3
f6 6.e4 i.e6 7 . .ie3 'l:ld7 8.'l:lfd2
i.b4 9.a3 ta5 10.i.e2 tb6 11.txb6
'l:lxb6 12.'l:le3 e6 13.0-0-0 We7=
208
Crea - Saeeona, Asti 1997) 5 ...te6
6.i.e3 'l:ld7 7.'l:le3 e6 (It makes
sense to restriet the c3-knight and
free the e7-square for the king in
the proeess.) 8.0-0-0 We7 9.f4 f6
1O.'l:lf3 td6 1l.f5 i.V 12.'l:ld2,
Glienke - Dornieden, Germany
2002, 12 ...te5 13 ..b:e5 'l:lxe5
2 .'l:le3 'l:lf6 (Now, the game
usually transposes to variations
we have already analyzed.) 3 ..ig5
(After 3.e4 e5 we enter the Mod
ern Philidor Defenee, while after3.
'l:lf3 tg4 we are in the system with
2.'l:lf3 tg4. Original positions
arise only after the plan with a
king's fianehetto, but without e4;
otherwise, it would once again be
the Modern Philidor Defenee! I
believe that Blaek should not have
great problems equalizing, for ex
ample: 3.g3 'l:lbd7 4.tg2 e5 5.dxe5
dxe5 6.'l:lf3 tb4 7.0-0 O-O 8 ..td2
:ge8 9.'l:lg5 h6 1O.'l:lge4 .tf8 1l.te3
'l:lg4 12.i.el 'l:lgf6= Kaidanov -
Komliakov, Internet 2 000.) 3 ...
'l:lbd7 4.'l:lf3 (Or 4.e4 e5 - Modern
Philidor Defenee; 4.Wd2 h6 5.th4
g5 6.tg3 'l:lh5 7.e4 'l:lxg3 8.hxg3
tg7 9.f4 g4 1O.te4 a600 Zsehis
ehang - Stuemer, Goeh 2008.)

4 ... h6 5 ..ih4 (5.hf6 CiJxf6 6.e4
.tg4 7..ie2 e6 8.h3 5 9.'?!lfd2 .te7
1O.'?!lfe3, Zhuravlev - Derezuk,
Tula 2002, 10 ... 0-0 11.0-0-0
d5) 5 ... g5 6 ..ig3 CiJh5 7.e4 .tg7
The weakening of the kingside
should not bother Black. He has a
powerful bishop on g7 and can
evacuate his king to either side of
the board. 8.'?!lfd2 a6 9.0-0-0 e6
1O.b1 '?!lfe7 11..ic4 b5 12 ..td3
ttJxg3 13.hxg3 c5 Nedimovic -
Tratar, Portoroz 2005 (game
53). Black has already started an
attack against the enemy king,
while it is still unclear for White
where he should start the hunt for
the enemy monarch, since it is
quite comfortable in the centre
and can go at any moment either
to c8 or g8.
2 .b3 (1 think that with a pawn
on d4, it does not make much
sense for White to fianchetto his
queen's bishop, but there is sorne
logic in this move too.) 2 ... ttJd7
(Black can also play 2 ... e5 imme
diately here, but I like this pre
paratory move with the knight
even more.) 3.b2 e5 4.g3 (4.e4
CiJgf6 - Modern Philidor Defence;
1.d4 d6
\
4.e3 f5 - transposition to the
scheme l.d4 d6 2 .c4 e5) 4 .. .f5
(Black operates in a standard
fashion: he creates a pawn-pair in
the centre and then completes his
development under its cover.)
5.ttJf3 e4 6.CiJh4 CiJdf6 7.ttJg2
(White's knight is foIlowing an
unusual route, but its final desti
nation is quite familiar - the f4-
square.) 7... ttJh6 8.c4 c6 9.'?!lfd2 g6
1O.CiJc3 .ig7 (It seems a bit prema
ture for Black to play 1O ...d5, be
cause of 11.cxd5 cxd5 12.ttJf4 ttJt7
13.h4t and his pieces are overbur
dened with the protection of the
d5-pawn.) 11.d5 o-o 12.0-0-0
CiJhg4 13.e3 c5 WeIling - Okhot
nik, Lyngby 1990.
2.f4 (White physicaIly prevents
Black's pawn-advance e7-e5. If
White can later advance with e2-
e4, he wiIl have a powerful pawn
centre. The point is that Black can
impede the move e2-e4.) 2 .. .f5!?
"A pawn against a pawn" - this
is a standard way of playing in the
opening. In addition, it is in
Black's favour that he controls the
e5-square with his pawn, while
White's e4-square is weak. 3.ttJf3
209
Chapter 11
(3.c4 liJf6 4.liJc3 g6 S.liJf3 g7
6.V!1c2 O-O 7.e3, Reis - Perez
Mauricio, Ourense 20 07, 7 .. .
liJc6 ! ? 8.dS lijaS 9 .V!1d3 cS) 3 . . .
liJf6 4.e3 g6 S.c4 e6 6.0-0 dS 7.
d3 ig7 (The position is symmet
rical, with a closed centre. Both
sides have approximately equal
development and in general the
prospects are about balanced.)
8.liJeS liJbd7 9.liJd2 o-o 1O.liJdf3
liJe4 Ganslmayer - Greifzu, Bad
Woerishofen 2002.
A) 2.e3
1 would define this move as
"semi-developing". White sup
ports his d4-pawn and opens the
way for his queen to the queen
side, but still 1 think that he can
create greater problems for his
opponent with more energetic
and enterprising play.
2 . liJd7
Frankly speaking, 1 do not see
anything dangerous for Black af
ter 2 ... eS either. The endgame is
even less problematic for him
with a white pawn on c3 than with
210
a pawn on c4, while after 3.e4 liJf6
4.d3, Black has a wide choice of
possibilities. He can enterschemes
from the Modern Philidor De
fence with 4 ... liJbd7, or play some
thing more original, for example
4 ... liJc6, or 4 .... dS! ? There is pIen
ty of theory to study there, how
ever, so maybe he does not need
the extra effort involved.
3 .ig5
Black has no problems at all
after 3.liJf3 eS 4.dxeS (H is better
for White to play 4.e4 here, but
this transposes to the Modern
Philidor Defence.) 4 ... dxeS S.e4
liJgf6 6.c4, Meis - Frhat, Gron
ingen 2003, 6 ...id6 7.0-0 O-O 8.
liJbd2 aS
3 h6 4. .ih4 liJgf6 5.liJd2 g5
6 ..ig3 liJh5
Black does not have enough
space, so an exchange of a pair of
minor pieces is exactly what Black
would be very happy with.
7.e4
White increases his control
over the centre.
He would not achieve much by
playing timidly: 7.e3 liJxg3 8.hxg3
g7 9.id3 e6 1O.g4 liJf6 11.liJe4
liJxe4 12 .fi.xe4 dS 13.f3 eS Me
duna - Hausner, Lazne Bohdanec
1995. Black activates his light
squared bishop and attacks the
enemy gS-pawn. He could also
consider striking a blow against
his opponent's centre from the
other side, by 13 ...cS.
7 liJxg3 8.hxg3 .ig7 9.liJgf3
..
e5

Now the move e7-e5 would
make less sense, although he must
try to destroy his opponent's cen
tre somehow, because his bishops
must be activated.
1 0 ..ic4
1O.dxc5 ltJxc5 11.Wfc2 Wfc7 12.
ltJc4, Yankin - Sosnovskiy, Ke
merovo 2008, 12 ...d7 13.ltJd4 b5
14.ltJe3 Wfb7?
1 0 ... b6!?
Now the position is simplified
to an endgame in which every
thing seems advantageous for
Black. He also has a solid alterna
tive: 10 ... 0-0 11.Wfe2 Wfc7?
1l.dxc5 xc4 12.xc4 dxc5
13.Wfxd8+ xd8 14. 0 - 0 - 0 +
c7 15.e3 e6 16.c4 .id7 17.
d6, Schlindwein - Ceschia,
Austria 2 000.
17...g4 18.h2 h5 19.f4
White could have won a pawn
in two different ways, but neither
of them would be sufficient even
for equality: 19.1tJxf7 B:hf8 20.ltJg5
B:xf2+; 19.1tJxb7 i.a4 2 0.b3 xb7
21.bxa4 hc3 22 .B:d7+ cj{c6 23.
B:xf7 B:ab8gg
l.d4 d6
19 ... l!aS 2 0 .xb7
Black is better after 2 0.ltJf1
c6+
2 O ....ia4 21.xc5 hdl 22.
l!xdl l!d8::
B) 2 ..ig5
It is obvious that this rather
"abstract" move cannot be so bad
if it is regularly played by grand
masters such as Ivan Sokolov,
Mikhail Gurevich and Dmitry Ko
marov, as well as great players
such as Veselin Topalov and Vass
ily Ivanchuk. Of course, Black has
an enormous variety of plans, but
White has not laid his cards on
the table yet either. He can choose
practically any kind of pawn
structure.
2 ... h6
This is a quite concrete scheme
and White cannot counter it by
playi ng according to common
sense alone.
3 ..ih4
The alternative is 3.f4, but I
think that ifWhite wished to place
211
Chapter 11
his bishop on f4, it is better to do
it on his second move, because
the move h7-h6 may turn out to
be quite useful for Black: 3 ...ltJf6
4.c4 (After 4.ltJf3, Black can reply
with 4 ... g4, in essence transpos
ing to the system 2 .ltJf3 g4, and
the move h6 is hardly harmful for
him. He has another even more
concrete argument, however: 4 ...
gS S.g3 ltJe4 6.ltJbd2 ltJxg3 7.
hxg3 g7 8.c3 cS 9.dxcS dxcS 10.
e4 ltJc6 11.a4 ie6 12.1Mfc2 Wic7 13.
ic4 ixc4 14.ltJxc4 d8f! Kova
cevic - Todorovic, Belgrade 1988.)
4 ... cS S.dxcS WiaS+ (I can recom
mend to players who enjoy ana
lyzing original ideas to investigate
a gambit suggested here by "Ryb
ka": S ... eS !? 6.ig3 ltJe4 7.cxd6
ixd6) 6.ltJc3 WixcS 7.e3 ie6 8.b3
gS 9.g3 Wib4 1O.c1 g7 1l.id3
ltJe4 12 .ixe4 ixc3+ 13.';t;e2 ltJc6'!'
Stankovic - Lojanica, Adelaide
2002.
3 .. eS
. 4 Wia5+ 5.c3
This is a quite standard reac
tion - White has removed his
bishop from el, weakening his
queenside slightly, so Black im
mediately opens the way for his
queen to the b6- and aS- squares.
4.dxc5
The modest move 4.c3 hands
over the initiative to Black: 4 ...
Wib6 S.Wid2, Donka - Meszaros,
Hungary 1994, S...gS 6.dxcS dxcS
7.ig3 ltJc6 8.ltJa3 ie6'!'
It is dubious for White to play
4.dS? ! in view of 4 ...gS S ..tg3 ig7
and his queenside is endangered.
2 12
6.c3 ltJf6 7.e4?! This move is
too optimistic: White lags in de
velopment and he cannot afford
to play so ambitiously Ot would
be better for him to play 7.ltJa3
a6'!'). 7...Wib6 (NaturaHy, it would
be a disaster for Black to play 7...
ltJxe4? 8.Wia4+, but after, for ex
ample, 8.b3, he can capture the
pawn.) 8.Wic2 ltJxe4! The absence
of the bishop from el has been
punished after aH. 9.Wixe4 Wixb2
1O.ixd6 o-o 1l.id3 fS 12 .Wixe7
id7 13.Wie3 e8 14.ie7 Wixa1-+
Verdonk - Hartoch, Dieren 1991.
6.ltJc3 WiaS 7.Wid3, Kopeikin -
Shamsutdinov, Sterlitamak 2008,
7 ... xc3+ ! ? 8.Wixc3 O believe
White's defence is even more dif
ficult with queens still on the
board: 8 .bxc3 ltJf6 9.d1 ltJbd7
1O.ltJf3 ltJb6 11.e4 id7'!') 8 ...Wixc3+
9.bxc3 ltJf6 10.0-0-0 ltJbd7 11.f3
ltJeS and Black's position is at
least equal.
.
In the foHowing game, the op
ponents suddenly decided to play
a position from... the Sicilian De
fence: S.Wid2 WixcS 6.f4 ltJc6 7.e4
id7 8.ltJf3 ltJf6 9.d3 e6 (This
looks like the Richter-Rauzer sys
tem, does it not?) 1O.a3 e7 11.f2
WiaS 12.b4 Wic7f! Poussier - Le
Quang Kim, Metz 2009.
5 Jbc5 6.ttJd2 ttJc6 7.e4
g6
Black could consider playing
even more ambitiously with 7...
gS!? 8.g3 ltJf6 9.h4 g4f!
8.f4 i,g7

Now the position looks like a
version of the Dragon variation of
the Sicilian Defence!
9.tLlc4 tLlf6 1 0 .i.f2 h5
Black is quite willing to ex
change queens, because in an
endgame of a Sicilian type he
would probably have the initia
tive.
11. xh5 (11.i.e2 i.g4=) 11 . .
tLlxh5 12.g3 tLlf6+t Rivas Pastor
- Epishin, Dos Hermanas 1993.
Black's plan ineludes completing
the development, transferring of
his king's rook to the c8-square
and a pawn-storm on the queen
side.
e) 2.i.f4
If your opponent knows or
suspects that you will try to carry
out the plan with e7-eS, or with
lLld7 and eS, and he decides to try
to impede it, he may play this par
ticular move. Indeed, Black can
not play now e7-eS and if he tries
to prepare it with 2 ... lLld7, then
White can continue with 3.lLlf3 ,
after which Black can play neither
e7-eS nor i.c8-g4...
l.d4 d6
It seems to me therefore that
this is the right moment for Black
to revert to typical King's Indian
schemes, because White's options
have been reduced to the mini
mum. However, since we have de
cided not to enter King's Indian
territory, I will recommend some
thing else to you.
2 ... tLlf6
.
3.e3
After 3.lLlf3 i.g4 we reach posi
tions analogous to the variation
2 .lLlf3 i.g4. Tbere, however, in re
ply to 3.i.f4, Black would capture
on f3, while here he would con
tinue with 3 ... lLlf6. The character
of the struggle would not change
much as a result of this, because
we are already familiar with the
plans of both sides. So: 4.lLlbd2
(4.e3 lLlbd7 S.i.e2 e6 6.h3 i.hS
7.0-0 i.e7 8.c4 O-O 9.lLlc3 c6
10.b3 b6 11.xb6 axb6 12 .g4
i.g6 13.lLlh4, Heron - Henderson,
Aberdeen 1999, 13 ...dS+t) 4 ...
lLlbd7 S.h3 (S.c3 e6 6.b3 E:b8 7.
e4 i.e7 8.i.d3 i.hS 9 .c2 i.g6
10.0-0 O-O 11.lLlh4 lLlxe4. Here
213
Chapter 11
this well-known tactical strike has
become possible, because White's
bishop on f4 is hanging. 1VtJxg6
fxg6 13.ttlxe4 :1!xf4 14.g3 :1!f8 15.f4
cS=: Fauland - Mokry, Graz 1991.)
5 ...h5 6.c3 e6 (here Black con
tinues with his standard plan -
pawn on e6, bishop on e7, then
kingside castling and advancing
d5 and c5.) 7...grb3 :1!b8. We have
already discussed this moment
several times. White's queen at
tacks the b7-pawn and Black pro
tects it with his rook.
8.e3 e7 9.ie2 O-O 1O.g4 g6
1l.ttlh4 e4. This is again nothing
new. It is advisable for Black to
exchange this bishop for the
knight on d2 and his other knight
can wait a little. 12.ttlxe4 ttlxe4
13.ttlf3 d5 14 . ..grc2 :1!c8 (14 ...d6!?
15.hd6 ttlxd6 16.d3 Wf6 17.ttld2
g6 18.h4 c5 with a very sharp po
sition.) 15.d3 f5 16.gxf5 exf5f2
Filipovich - Mahadevan, Toronto
2002.
3.lDc3 lDbd7. Black is prepar
ing a blow against his opponent's
centre: e5 or c5, depending on cir
cumstances. 4.ttlf3 c5 5.e3 (After
5.d5, he can try an extended fian
chetto with 5... h6, while if this is
not feasible he should continue
with a normal fianchetto: 6.h4 g6
7.e4 g7 8.Wd2 a6 9.a4 Wa5
10':a3 lDh5 l1.ih2 f5 12.ttld1 Wc7
13.exf5 gxf5 14.c4 ttldf6f2 Bo
guszlavszkij - Horvath, Zalakaros
2002.) 5 ...g6 6.c4 g7 7.Wi'd2,
Barva - Peter, Hungary 1995,
7. . . 0-0 8.0-0 ttlb6 9 ..id3 .ig4f2.
2 14
We shall also analyze 4.e4 (in
stead of 4.ttlf3) 4 ... e5 5 ..ig3 (This
position is similar to the Modern
Philidor Defence, but not quite
the same, because there White's
bishop goes to the g3-square via a
longer route. Black plays accord
ing to the following scheme: he
protects his e5-pawn with the
queen from c7, develops his bish
op to e7, castles short and then,
depending on circumstances, ei
ther begins a queenside offensive
or reduces the tension in the cen
tre.) 5 ... c6 6.ttlf3 Wi'c7 7.a4 .ie7 8.
c4 O-O 9.0-0 a5 (1 should like
to remind you that Black must
play this move, otherwise, White
will continue with a4-a5 himself,
depriving Black's pieces ofthe im
portant communication square
b6.) 1O.ttlh4 g6 11.e2 Wb6 12.
dxe5 dxe5 13.:1!b1 gd8f2 Djoric -
Obradovic, Vrnjacka Banja 2004.
3 ... ttlbd7
Here is another idea for fans of
experimenting: 3 ....ig4 !? 4.f3 (4.
ttlf3 - see 3 .ttlf3 g4 4.e3) 4...ih5
5.g4 g6 6.h4 h5 7.g5 ttld5f2
4.ttlf3 ttlh5

White has left his own bishop
on f4 without any possibility of
retreat and now Black wants to
exchange it.
5 . .ig5
S.g3 'Llxg3 6.hxg3 g6 7.c4
'Llf6 8.'Llbd2 dS (This is a good
move, but 1 think it is even more
flexible for Black to play 8 ...g7
9.e2 c6) 9.d3 g4 1O.c3 c6
11.b3 b6 12.'LleS, McCarthy -
Roberts, England 2009, 12 ...g7
5 . . . h6 6 ..ih4 g5 7.llJfd2
White is trying to complicate
the position. After the straightfor
ward response - 7.g3 g7 8.d3
e6, Black's game would be easy
and quite understandable, for ex
ample: 9.c4 'Llxg3 1O.hxg3 cS
11.0-0 g4 12.'Llfd2 cxd4 13.xg4
gS+ Kodua - A.Petrosian, Yere
van 1997 (game 54).
7... llJdf6 8 . .ie2
8.g3 g7 9.d3 c6 1O.'Llf1,
Muschik - Richter, Germany
2009, 1O ...b6 11.c1 e6+
8 .. llJg7
. 4.xd4 (He can sacrifice a pawn
You do not see a fianchettoed
knight very often. Meanwhile, it
l.d4 d6
wiIl soon leave this square, which
belongs to another piece.
9 ..ig3 llJf5
White's dark-squared bishop
wiIl finaIly be exchanged.
1 0 ..id3 llJxg3 1l.hxg3 .ig7
12.llJc3 c5 Pri - Galego, San
Sebastian 2 009.
D) 2.g3 e5
3.dxe5
If White does not exchange
queens, the only line leading to
original positions is 3.g2 exd4
to speed uphis development, but 1
do not think this attempt is suffi
cient to play for a win: 4.'Llf3 cS
S.c3 dxc3 6.'Llxc3 'Llf6 7.0-0 e7
8.e4 'Llc6 9.f4 O-O 1O.Ele1 g4
11.h3 xf3 12.xf3 Ele8 13.d1
aS 14.e3 Elad8, Epishin - Cha
talbashev, Cutro 1999. White has
sorne compensation for the sacri
ficed pawn, but nothing more.)
4 ... 'Llc6 S.d2 (S.d1 g6 6.d2
g7 7.c3 'Llf6 8.'Llh3 O-O 9.'Llf4
Ele8 10.0-0, Abramovic - Ker
man, Las Vegas 2007, 1O ... aS 11.
215
Chapter 11
e3 ltJeS; S.e3+ fi.e7 6.ltJf3 ltJf6
7.0-0 O-O 8.c4 fi.e6, Romanishin
- Tomczak, Germany 1992. Of
course, he is playing very origi
naUy, but he has not created any
real problems for his opponent.
After 9.ltJa3 d7 1O.b3 h6 1l.fi.b2
ltJg4 12 .d2 fi.f6, Black has an ex
ceUent position.) S ...ltJf6 (He plays
strictly in the centre. Black wishes
to place a pawn on dS and to de
velop his bishops, on cS and g4 for
example.) 6.ltJh3. White's knight
wiU go to f4 and maybe even to
dS. (6.b3 dS 7.ltJc3 fi.e6 8.fi.b2 fi.b4
9.a3 fi.aS 1O.b4 fi.b6 1l.ltJa4 o-o
12.ltJxb6 axb6 13.ltJh3 - White
lags in development and after the
natural move 13.ltJf3 Black would
have the powerful riposte 13 ...
ltJe4. White is trying to find
strange routes for his pieces - 13 ...
fi.xh3 ! ? Black quite consistently
follows his "central strategy". 14.
.b:h3 ge8 lS.fi.g2 ltJeS Galliamo
va - Vaulin, Koszalin 1997. One of
his knights eyes the c4-square and
the other the e4-square. He has
already seized the initiative.) 6 . ..
g6 7.ltJf4 fi.g7 8.0-0 O-O 9.ltJc3
ge8 1O.ge1 ltJeS 1l.b3 c6 12.fi.b2
dS Donchenko - Chekhov, Mos
cow 1996. Black has placed a
strong pawn on dS and controls
much more space thanks to this.
White must play very accurately
in order not to end up in a worse
position.
3.ltJf3 e4 4.ltJgS (4.ltJfd2 fS S.
fi.g2 ltJf6 6.c4 - see Chapter S) 4 ...
fS S.h4 (S.c4 !l.e7 - see Chapter 6)
216
S ... ltJf6 6.c4 fi.e7 7.ltJc3 c6 - see
Chapter 6, variation Cl.
3 dxe5 4.xd8+ <!>xd8
Dl) 5 .ig2 .
D2) 5.ltJc3
Sorne other, rather abstract,
manoeuvres are not so dangerous
for Black, for example: S.ltJd2 f6
6 .e4 ltJd7 7.ltJc4 ltJcS 8.f3 c6 9.fi.h3
fi.e6 (Black wishes to exchange on
e6, in order to win a tempo for the
transfer of his knight to the d4-
square.) 1O ..b:e6 ltJxe6 1l.fi.d2 bS
12.ltJe3 fi.cs Bandza - Belikov,
Kecskemet 1992.
S.b3 c6 6.fi.a3 fi.e7 (The last
few moves of both sides resemble
a game between young children -
who is going to be trickier... ?
White wants the exchange ofbish
ops to take place on a3, in order to
win a tempo for the transfer of his
knight to the c4-square. Black
wants the exchange to be on e7, so
that his king can occupy this
square right away.) 7.e4 ltJf6 8.f3
aS 9.!l.h3 ltJbd7 (However, Black
is reluctant to exchange the light-
 1.d4 d6 2.g3 e5 3.dxe5 dxe5 4. xd8+ mxd8

squared bishops; after that the

enemy knight might go to h3 and
from there occupy the g5-square,
or the d3-outpost, via f2 .) 10.
!xe7+ (White is the first to tire of
the waiting game ...) 1O ... mxe7 11.
a3 h5 12.mf2 h4+! Samovojska -
Lalic, Pula 1992.
5.f4 (The drawback of this
move is that White voluntarily
creates an isolated pawn for him
self on e2.) 5 ... exf4 (Here "Rybka" Dla) 6.f4
's recommendation for Black de Dlb) 6.lLlc3
serves consideration: 5 ... ct:Jc6 6.
ct:Jf3 ct:Jd4!?) 6.!xf4 .td6!? (Black Dla) 6.f4
is also ready to end up with an White leads in development
isolated pawn just to get rid of the and according to aIl the principIes
pressure against his c7-pawn and of strategy he should strive to
to ensure the e7-square for his open the position. The drawback
king.) 7.!xd6 cxd6 8.ct:Jc3 ct:Jf6 of this move is that he ends up
9J"ldl me7 10.ct:Jb5 ct:Je8 (This is with an isolated pawn on e2 and
just a temporary retreat, because under favourable circumstances
Black wiIl soon expel the enemy Black may obtain an exceIlent
knight from the b5-square.) 11. outpost for his pieces on the e5-
i,g2 ct:Jc6 12.ct:Jh3 (White's knight square.
dreams about going to d5, but 6 exf4 7 .hf4 lLle7

Black succeeds in covering aIl his This knight goes to g6, in order
weaknesses.) 12 ... a6 13.ct:Jd4 ct:Je5 to repel the enemy bishop from f4
14.ct:Jf4 ct:Jf6 15.b3 !"lb8+! Reschke and occupy the e5-square.
- Lorenz, Germany 1997. Black 8.lLlc3 lLlg6 9. 0 - 0 - 0 + lLld7
has protected everything and now
wants to begin a kingside offen
sive (h5, g5 etc.).

Dl) 5 .tg2
.

This is a logical move, but it is

a bit slow.
5 . c6
..

Black builds a wall on the long

diagonal and frees the c7-square
for his king.

217
Chapter 11
1 0 . tLlf3
If White's bishop retreats, then
after 1O.i.e3 rj]c7 l1olLlf3 lLldeS=
Black wiIl fortify his knight in the
eS-outpost.
After 1O.lLlh3 lLlxf4 11olLlxf4 it is
far from clear what White's knight
is doing on f4. Black unpins his
d7-knight and transfers it to eS:
11...mc7 12.:1'lhf1 lLleS 13.lLld3
(White corrects his pawn-struc
ture thanks to this move, but now
the position is simplified even
more.) 13 ... lLlxd3+ 14.exd3 f6 15.
d4 i.g4 16.i.f3, draw, Jirovsky -
Lipka, Czech Republic 2 0010
10 tLlxf4 1l.gxf4 i.b4 12.
. maneuvering struggle Black's
tLle4 me7 13.a3
After 13.:1'ld4 aS 14.lLld6 i.b6
IS.lLlxcS+ :1'lhxcS 16.:1'lc4 :1'ldS't
Shneider - Bagirov, Moscow 1991
(game 55), Black obtained a
slight advantage.
13 .. i.a5 14.tLld6 i.c7
15.tLld4?
This spectacular move is based
on a tactical oversight. It was cor
rect for White to continue with
IS.lLlxcS+ :1'laxcS 16.e3 with an ap-
21S
proximately equal position.
15 . mxd6!
Black is not afraid of ghosts!
16.tLlxc6+
After 16.lLlbS+ rj]c5 17.lLlxc7
:1'lbS::: White's knight wiIl not es
cape from the c7-square.
16 me6 17.tLld4+ mf6 18.
.
ghf1 a6-+ - Black has parried
aH the threats and remained with
an extra piece in the game Davies
- Finkel, Beer-Sheva 1994.
D1b) 6.tLlc3 i.e6 7.f4
White must play this under
mining move because in a calm
prospects are at least equal, for
example: 7.lLlf3 f6 S.e3 rj]c7 9.a3
lLle7 10.0-0-0 lLld7 l1oh4 hS 12.
i.h3 hh3 13.:1'lxh3 lLlfS 14.i.d2
i.e7+ Pali - Antok, Aviles 2003.
Black has more space and his king
is much more active.
7... exf4 8.i.xf4 tLld7 9.tLlf3
9 i.b4
..
1 think Black does not have
enough time to play the aH-pur
pose fortifying move 9 .. .f6. He
 l.d4 d6 2.g3 e5 3.dxe5 dxe5 4. WIxd8+ @xd8
lags considerably in development
and in this case White wiIl suc
ceed in occupying the vulnerable
d6-outpost. So Black must con
sent to the exchange of his light
squared bishop.
1 0 .ltJg5 ltJgf6 11.ltJxe6+ fxe6
12. 0 - 0 - 0 @e7
Now his king is quite safe,
right in the centre of the board.
13.a3
White is willing to compro
mise his pawn-structure irrevoca
bly for the sake of obtaining the
famous advantage of the two bish
ops.
13 hc3 14.Ad6+ @f7 15.
queenside castling. Black's de
bxc3 ltJb6 16.e4 ltJc4 17.e5,
Benjamin - Christiansen, Inter
net 2 010, 17... ad8! 18.Ah3
he8 In this particular position
Black's knights are not inferior at
aIl to White's bishop-pair.
D2) 5.ltJc3
5 Ab4
. e4, so his knight on c3 may use
The English grandmaster Ni
gel Davies, in his exceIlent and
instructive CD "1.. .d6 Universal",
recommends here the seldom
played move 5 ....tf5. He suggests
studying the foIlowing games:
6.e4 (6 ..tg5+ f6 7.0-0-0+ ltJd7 8 .
.te3 c6 9.f4 @c7 1O.tLlf3 .tb4 Bek
ker-Jensen - Rasmussen, Den
mark 1999) 6 ....te6 7.f4 .tb4 8.
tLlf3 tLlf6 9.tLlg5 E:e8, Bezold - Dut
schak, Wuerzburg 1997. However,
Davies does not consider a very
strong move for White - 1O ..td2!
(in the game 1O ..te3 was played.).
The idea is to prevent the dou
bling of the pawns on c3, to elimi
nate the pressure against the e4-
pawn and, of course, to prepare
fence would be very difficult, for
example: 1O ... h6 (1O ...exf4 11.gxf4
tLlc6 12 ..td3;t; and White's central
pawns are ready for a decisive of
fensive: 1O ... tLlc6 11.a3 .tc5 12.f5
.td7 13 . .tc4 tLlg4?! 14.h3) 11.
tLlxe6+ E:xe6 12 ..th3 (12 ..tc4 ! ? E:e7
13.fxe5) 12 ... E:e7 13.0-0-0.
The main theoretical line here
is 5 ... c6, but I do not like this move
for Black very mucho He is behind
in development anyway and in
stead of developing a piece he
makes an abstract move with a
pawn (he may not need this move
at aH ... ), weakening the d6-square
in the process. In fact, in this po
sition, in contrast to the endgame
in the Modern Philidor Defence,
White does not have a pawn on
this square at sorne point and
penetrate to the d6-outpost.
6.Ad2
219
Chapter 11
There have not been very many
games played with this line, but 1
wiH try, at least briefly, to deal
here with aH the reasonable pos
sibilities for White.
6 ..tgS+ lfle8 7.0-0-0 iJe7 8.
i.d2 .taS!? (Black could consider
8 ... a6 9.f4 iJbc6.) 9.f4 iJbc6 10.
iJf3 exf4 11.,hf4 .te6+!
6.f4 (In response to this logical
move, Black has an interesting
tactical possibility.) 6 ... iJf6 ! ? 7.
fxeS iJe4 8.a3 (After 8.,tg2 iJxc3
9 ..td2 iJxa2 1OJ:l:xa2 hd2+ 11.
Iflxd2 8:e8+! he has an exceHent
position.) 8 ... hc3+ 9.bxc3 8:e8
1O.iJf3 (1O.,tb2 ie6! ? 11.i.g2 iJcS
and Black has good compensation
for the sacrificed pawn.) 1O ... iJc6
11.iJgS ,tfS ! ? 12.ig2 (His pieces
are very active and if White cap
tures a second pawn, then the
game may end in a repetition of
moves: 12.iJxV+ lfle7 13.iJgS h6
14.iJf3 iJxc3 lS . .td2 iJe4 16.,te3
iJc3) 12 ...iJxgS 13.,hgS+ Iflc8 14.
0-0-0 8:xeS+!
6.,tg2, Vidakovic - Bozic, Cro
atia 2007, 6 ... iJf6 ! ? (Black wants
to develop his kingside pieces as
quickly as possible.) 7.f4 (7.id2
lfle7 8.0-0-0 8:d8 9.iJf3 iJc6
1O.iJbS id6+!; 7 ..tgS lfle7 8.
0-0-0 hc3 9.bxc3 h6 1O ..td2
8:d8 11.c4 aS+!) 7... iJbd7 8.iJf3 (8.
iJh3 8:e8+!) 8 ...exf4 9.hf4 iJdS
1O.id2 iJxc3 11.bxc3 i.d6+!
Of course the variations which
220
1 have analyzed here cannot ex
haust aH the possibilities of the
position. 1 only wanted to show
you that Black has numerous and
varied resources. If White does
not play precisely and does not re
act properly to concrete situa
tions, Black may easily seize the
initiative.
6 .te6
7.a3
A double-edged position might
arise after 7.0-0-0 iJd7 8.f4 iJgf6
9.iJf3 iJg4! ? lOJ'l:e1 f6<Xl
7 .te7 8. 0 - 0 - 0 iJd7 9.f4
The exchange of the light
squared bishops is not at aH dan
gerous for Black: 9.,th3 hh3 10.
iJxh3 c6 11.f4 1fle8 12 .iJgS iJgf6+!
9 . iJh6
Black could also consider 9 ...
iJgf6 1O.iJf3 iJg4.
10 .e4 .tg4 1l .te2 he2 12.
iJgxe2 iJg4 13.gdf1 .tc5 14.gf3
ge8 15.h3 iJgf6+! Milov - Piku
la, Winterthur 2001 (game 56).
Chapter 11 l.d4 d6
Complete Games
53 Nedimovic Tratar
Portoroz 2005
1.d4 d6 2 . .!BfJ .!Bf6 3.ig5
.!Bbd7 4 .!Bc3 h6 5.ih4 g5 6.ig3
.!Bh5 7.e4 i.g7 8.\1!!ld 2 a6 9.
0 - 0 - 0 e6 1 0 .'tt>b 1 \1!!le 7 11.ic4
b5 12.id3 .!Bxg3 13.hxg3 eS
Looking at the diagrammed
position, you might gain the im
pression that Black already has
the initiative. In fact, nothing very
terrible for White has happened
yet.
14.d5
Here White could have tried
an interesting pawn-sacrifice to
impede Black's offensive: 14.dxc5
ltJxc5 15.e5!? dxe5 16.We3. In
stead, Nedimovic decided to con
tinue the fight in a position with
material equality.
14 .!Bb6 15.dxe6 he6 16.
..
.!Bd5 .!Bxd5
Black could also have played
16 ...Wb7 17.ltJxb6 Wxb6 18.c3 gd8
with slightly the better prospects.
17.exd5 \1!!lf6
In response to 17. . ..ixd5, White
would not play 18 . .ixb5+ axb5
19.xd5 o-o when the open a-file
would be the basis for a powerful
attack for Black, but 18.ghe1 i.e6
19.i.e4 0-0-0 20.a5 and White
would have dangerous initiative
for the sacrificed pawn.
18.c3 id7 19.ghe1+ <;t>d8
The safest place for Black's
king is in the middle of the board.
2 O .ge2 a5 21.gde1 b4 22.
cxb4 axb4 23.\1!!lc1 ge8 24.\1!!lc2
gxe2 25.gxe2
25 . . ia4
221
Chapter 11
Black does not achieve much
with the spectacular move 25 ...
E1a3. After 26.liJe1 h5 27.\!ffc4 g4,
Black's rook is again untouchable
- 28.bxa3? a1+ 29.<,t>c2 i.a4+
30.<,t>d2 i.h6+ 31.E1e3 d1#, but
White can play simply 28.i.h7 and
it hard to see how Black can im
prove his position.
26.e4 ga7 27.te4 .id7 28. exd3. Black resigned.
liJh2 h5 29.ttJf1 d4
This is the correct decision. If
he cannot checkmate his oppo
nent, he should not try for too
much out of the position and he
should enter a favourable end
game instead.
3 O .ttJe3 xe4 31.,he4 .ib5
32.ge1 ge7 33 ..if3?
White did not need to give up
control of the d3-square. He
should have played 33.f3.
33 .. .id3+ 34.e1
It would be even worse for him
to move his king into the comer:
34.<,t>a1 c4 35.i.e2 i.d4 and White's
defence is tremendously difficult.
For example: 36.bd3 cxd3 37.
<,t>b1 f5 38.E1d1 he3 39.fxe3
E1xe3-+
34... ga7
222
Black breaks through along
the a-file and finally organizes a
mating aUack.
35.'it,>d2?
This move loses right away. He
could have offered more tenacious
resistance with 35.i.e2.
35 e4 36 .ie2 .b:b2 37.a4
..
.ie3+ 38.d1 fuca4 39 .b:d3
54 Kodua - A.Petrosian
Yerevan 1997
1.d4 ttJf6 2.ttJf3 d6 3 ..if4
ttJbd7 4.e3 ttJh5 5 . .ig5 h6 6 .
.ih4 g5 7..ig3 .ig7 8 ..id3 e6 9.
e4 ttJxg3 1 0 .hxg3 e5 11. 0 - 0
g4 12.ttJfd2 exd4 13.tbg4 g5
14.e2
In the endgame after 14.xg5
hxg5 15.exd4 bd4 16.liJc3 bc3
17.bxc3 liJc5, White's defence
would be very difficult, so he is
trying to create complications by
sacrificing a pawn.
14 ... dxe3 15.ttJe4 e5
Black's queen has occupied an
ideal position in the centre. It cov
ers his king and exerts pressure
against the enemy position.
16.fxe3 o - o 17.g4 d5 18.

c!L\ee3 d4 19.c!L\e4 dxe3 2 0 .g5
hxg5 21.c!L\be3 f5
It was even stronger for him to
play 21...g4.
22.c!L\xg5 c!L\f6 23.f3
White would not solve his
problems with 23.tLlf3 '1f1c5 24.
c!L\a4 '1f1e7 25.'1f1xe3 in view of 25 ...
tLlg4 26.'1f1e2 '1f1d7! and his king is
very uncomfortable.
23 .ih6 24.c!L\h3 c!L\g4 25.g3
. threatening a checkmate on dI.
.id7 26.c!L\f4 f6 27.e1 .te6
28.m d8 29.c!L\h5 g6 3 0 .
c!L\f4 .txf4 31.xf4 h8
Black could have finished the
game off with an aUractive check
mate: 31.. .'1f1xf4! 32 .gxf4 tLlf2 +
33.mf1 i.g2+ 34.mg1 i.h3+ 35.
mh2 l:'!g2#, but he was obviously
not interested in beautiful solu
tions.
32 ..ie4 d2. White resigned.
55 A.Shneider - Bagirov
Moscow 1991
1.d4 d6 2.g3 e5 3.dxe5 dxe5
4.Ybd8+ <;!;>xd8 5 .tg2 e6 6.f4
exf4 7 .txf4 c!L\e7 8.c!L\e3 c!L\g6
9. 0 - 0 - 0 + c!L\d7 1 0 .c!L\f3 c!L\xf4
11.gxf4 .ib4 12.c!L\e4 <;!;>e7 13.
d4 .ta5 14.c!L\d6 .tb6 15.c!L\xe8+
hxe8 16.e4 d8
l.d4 d6
17.c!L\d4
This atlempt at activity is not
justified at all and only serves to
worsen White's position consid
erably. He should think about de
fending: 17.l:'!c3 c!L\f6 18.c!L\e5 etc.
17 c!L\f6 18.c!L\f5+ <;!;>f8 19.
k3 g6 2 O .c!L\g3 c!L\g4 21 ..if3
.ie3+ 22.<;!;>b1 c!L\f2 23.f1
After 23.l:'!xe3 tLlxh1, Black is
Now he wins a pawn thanks to the
weakness of his opponent's back
rank.
23 .txf4 24.e3 hg3 25.
..
hxg3 c!L\h3 26.b4 c!L\g5 27..th1
a6 28.a4 d6 29.b5 exb5
3 O .hb7 b8 31.e7 <;!;>e8 32 .
.ig2 bxa4+ 33. <;!;>a2 <;!;>d8 34.
a7 d2 35 .th1 xe2+ 36.<;!;>a3
e3+ 37.<;!;>a2
White could have defended
more resiliently with the line 37.
mxa4 tLle6 38.l:'!b7 l:'!xb7 39 ..ixb7
me7, but that would hardly have
changed the final result.
37 a3 38.xa6 b2+ 39.
.
<;!;>a1 xe3. White resigned.
56 Milov Pikula
Winterthur 2001
l.d4 d6 2.g3 e5 3.dxe5 dxe5
4. xd8+ <;!;>xd8 5.c!L\e3 .tb4 6 .
.id2 .ie6 7.a3 .ie7 8. 0 - 0 - 0
c!L\d7 9.f4 c!L\h6 1 0 .e4 .ig4 1 1.
.ie2 he2 12.c!L\gxe2 c!L\g4 13.
df1 .te5 14.f3 e8 15.h3
c!L\gf6 16.e1 e6 17.g4 exf4
18.tlJxf4 c!L\e5 19.m c!L\fd7
2 O .tlJd3 .td6
223
Chapter 11
Black has created an outpost
on eS and protected it quite se
curely.
21.ttle2 <tlc7 22.ttld4 ad8
23.ttlf5 f8 24 .tf4 <tlc8 25.:Sdl
f6 26.f2 ttlf7
It looks as ifhe was only think
ing about drawing, because after
2 6 ...ttlc4!? 27Je2 g6 28.ttld4
ttl de5, he could have tried to seize
the initiative.
27.ttlg3 ttlc5 28.i.e3 ttld7
Here, Blackshould have played
more resolutely: 28 ... id6 29.ttlf5
ttlxe4 30.l'%g2 1f8 31.a7 <tlc7 and
his position would be preferable.
29 ..td2 ttlc5 3 O .i.e3 ttld7
31.i.d2 ttlc5 32.ttlxc5
White avoids the repetition of
moves and gradually outplays his
rather timid opponent.
32 hc5 33.e2 g6 34.f1
..
:Se6 35.:Seel i.d6 36.ttle2 i.e5
37.ttlf4 4 38.xf4 de8 39.
ef1 ttld6 4 0 .:Sxf6 :Sxf6 41.
xf6 ttlxe4 42.f7 ttlxd2 43.
<tlxd2 d8+ 44.<tle3 d7 45.
xd7 <tlxd7 46.<tlf4 <tle6 47.
<tlg5 <tlf7 48.<tlh6 <tlg8
In principIe, this position
should be winning for White. The
224
difference in the activity of the
kings is considerable and most
probably White's monarch will
manage to break through on the
queenside in time.
49.a4 <tlh8 5 O .b4 <tlg8 51.a5
<tlh8 52.h4 <tlg8 53.c3
It appears that White could
have won with the following vari
ation: 53.h5 gxh5 54.gxh5 <tlh8
55.<tlg5 <tlg7 56.h6+ <tlf7 57.<tlf5
<tle7 (or 57... b5 58.a6 <tle7 59.<tle5)
58.<tle5 <tlf7 59.<tld6 <tlg6 60.<tlc7
<tlxh6 61. <tlxb7 <tlg5 62. b5 cxb5
63.<tlxa7 h5 64.a6 h4 65.<tlb6 h3
66.a7 h2 67.a8Wi.
53 <tlh8 54.c4 <tlg8 55.h5
..
gxh5 56.<tlxh5 <tlg7 57.<tlg5
h6+ 58. <tlf4
After 58. <tlf5 <tlf7 59. <tle5 <tle7
60.b5 cxb5 61.cxb5 b6 62.a6 <tlf7
63.<tlf5 <tlg7, the final outcome of
this game would be a draw.
58 . <tlf7?
It was correct for Black to play
58 ... <tlf6=
59.<tle5?
White makes a mistake in turno
He could have won the game with
the line: 59.<tlf5 b5 60.cxb5 cxb5
61.a6 <tlg7 62. <tle5 <tlg6 63. <tld6
<tlg5 64.<tlc6 <tlxg4 65.<tlb7 h5
66.<tlxa7 h4 67.<tlb6.
59 <tle7 6 0 .b5 cxb5 61.
cxb5 b6 62.a6 <tlf7 63.<tld6
<tlf6
Maybe White simply forgot
about this idea? Now, his king
cannot leave the back rank.
64.<tlc7 <tle7. Draw.