Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
Michael
Roiz
QUALITY CHESS
Grandmaster Repertoire
Michael Roiz
Quality Chess
www.qualitychess.co. uk
First edition 20 1 7 by Quality Chess UK Ltd
4.e3
10 Rare 5th Moves 139
11 5.a3 153
12 5.ltlge2 163
13 5.i.d3 185
14 6.a3 202
15 6.ltlf3 220
16 10.i.g5- Main Line 233
4.'i'c2
17 Various 5th Moves 255
18 5.a3 264
19 7.ltlf3 279
20 7.i.g5 297
21 5.cxd5 310
22 6.e3 c5 7.i.d2 324
23 6.ltlf3 337
24 7.b3 352
? a weak move
?? a blunder
a good move
!! an excellent move
!? a move worth considering
?! a move of doubtful value
# mate
Preface
My madness for chess started in 1 989, when as a six-year-old kid I saw my father playing with
my uncle. Back then, I could see chess in almost everything, and I started to collect and explore
every chess book I could find. Those were tough times in the Soviet Union and it was not easy to
get good chess books, but my parents did their best to support my hobby. So in 1 990 I was lucky
enough to have plenty of books at my disposal, including David Bronstein's tournament book
about the Zurich 1 9 5 3 Candidates. There were many spectacular games in this book, but I was
especially impressed by the Geller - Euwe encounter, where the former World Champion played
the Nimzo-Indian and scored a memorable victory in counterattacking style, using the exciting
motif of a rook sacrifice. The influence of this game was so significant that for the next ten years
I avoided getting doubled c-pawns in my games!
When I look back on my childhood career, I can understand why I did not play 3 .tLlc3 with
White and allow the Nimzo-Indian - it is one of most complex openings from a strategic point
of view, and the arising positions are sometimes tough to handle, even for grandmasters, so it
would be impossible for a young child. Even after many years of playing the Nimzo-Indian with
both colours, and analysing various systems with top players (including preparing for the Anand
- Gelfand World Championship match in 20 1 2, where the Nimzo played an important role) I
still fail to evaluate some positions properly, and so does the engine!
So when Quality Chess asked me to write a book on this opening, focusing on Black's side, I
found this project very challenging and this appealed to me. Indeed, White has a large choice of
possibilities even on the 4th move - therefore, a thorough evaluation of all the possible responses
for Black is difficult to say the least.
The concept of this book is to enable players to feel knowledgeable enough in any system they
may encounter when playing the Nimzo-Indian. So I offer a complete repertoire for Black after
3 . . ..ib4.
I feel I have succeeded in improving my own understanding of the Nimzo-Indian, and I hope to
share this knowledge with the reader. Best of luck in your journey with the Nimzo-Indian.
Michael Roiz
Beer Sheva, December 20 1 6
Bibliography
Cox: Starting Out: J.d4!, Everyman Chess 2006
Dearing: Play the Nimzo-Indian, Everyman Chess 2005
Emms, Ward & Palliser: Dangerous Weapom: The Nimzo-Indian, Everyman Chess 2006
Hansen: The Nimzo-Indian: 4 e3, Gambit 2002
Kaufman: The Kaufman Repertoirefor Black and White, New in Chess 20 1 2
Kornev: A Practical White Repertoire with I.d4 and 2.c4: Volume 2, Chess Stars 20 1 4
Schandorff: Playing I.d4- The Indian Defences, Quality Chess 20 1 2
Sielecki: Opening Repertoire: Nimzo and Bogo Indian, Everyman Chess 2015
Sokolov: The Strategic Nimzo-Indian: Volume I, New in Chess 20 1 2
Vigorito: Challenging the Nimzo-Indian, Quality Chess 2007
Watson: A Strategic Chess Opening Repertoire for White, Gambit 20 1 2
Yakovich: Play the 4j3 Nimzo-Indian, Gambit 2004
Periodicals
New in Chess Yearbooks
Electronicllntemet Resources
ChessPublishing
ChessBase Magazine
Gustafsson: Grandmaster repertoire: 4.Qc2 agaimt the Nimzo-Indian, Chess24 20 1 4
Various 4th Moves
a b c d e f g h
Rare Options
Variation Index
l.d4 tLlf6 2.c4 e6 3.tLlc3
3....tb4
A) 4.e4? 8
B) 4.f;C/d3?! c5! 8
B 1) 5.dxc5 9
B2) 5.d5?! 0-0 9
B2 1) 6.d6N 10
B22) 6.i.g5N 11
C) 4.i.f4 0-0 5.e3 d5 6.tLl f3 c5 13
C 1) 7.a3 14
C2) 7.dxc5 15
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
1 0 . . d6!N
. 8 . d6N
. .
8 Various 4th Moves
a b c d e f g h
IO...d6!N
a b c d e f g h White cannot stop ...e6-e5, so Black will
have a positional advantage on top of his extra
4 ... xe4 s.Yig4
pawn.
White is obviously pinning his hopes on this
double attack.
1 1.0-0 e5 12.dxe5 dxe5+
White's position should collapse soon.
5.Yic2 is hardly an improvement: after 5 ...ll:lxc3
6.bxc3 ie7 7.ll:lf3 b6 8.ie2 ib7 9.0 -0 0 -0
l O.ge l c5+ White had no compensation for
the pawn in T. Carlsen - Freydl, email 200 7.
6....te7!
The most natural and effective.
This move was employed by the famous s ... ttla6! 6.a3 ttlxc5 7.Yffc2 .bc3t s.Y!fxc3
Lithuanian player Vladas Mikenas, and rhus We have reached a well-known theoretical
is usually called the Mikenas System. More position from the Classical System, but usually
recenrly, Richard Palliser devoted a chapter it is White's turn to move here! I think Black
to ir in Everyman's Dangerous Weapons: 7he should proceed wirh:
Nimzo-Indian. However, my analysis indicates
that purring the queen in the centre like this is
dangerous only to Whire, and it seems to be
one of his worst 4th move options.
4...c5!
Challenging the centre seems the most
principled reply.
B2) 5.d5?!
a b c d e f g h
10 Various 4th Moves
6
5 ...0-0
There have not been many games from this 5
position, so I will focus on Palliser's two main 4
suggestions ofB21) 6.d6N and B22) 6 ..tg5N .
3
6.e4?! i.xc3t 7.bxc3 exd5 8.exd5 d6 9.tLlf3 2
WaS 1 0.i.e2 if5FF highlights the awkward
1
placement ofWhite's queen.
a b c d e f g h
6.i.d2
6 ... b5!
This move is rather passive, and Black easily
I especially like this aggressive option.
builds an initiative by targeting the queen.
A good alternative is:
6 . . . exd5 7.cxd5 d6 8.g3
A desperate attempt to complete the
6 . . . tLl c6 7.tLlf3 b6
development of the kingside pieces. Palliser briefly suggests that 7 . . . e5 deserves
8 . . . b6 9.i.g2 i.a6 1 0.Wfc2 attention, but I prefer the text move.
We have been following the famous game 8.i.g5 h6 9.i.h4 i.b7 1 0.a3
Mikenas - Keres, Moscow 1 949. A simple 1 0.e4 e5 1 l .a3 ixc3t 1 2.bxc3 tLl a5+ leaves
and strong continuation would have been: White with no compensation for his pawn
weaknesses, which can be exploited by
. . . e8-e6 and . . . i.a6.
1 0 . . . ixc3t 1 l .Wfxc3
a b c d e f g h
7.cxb5 a6
a b c d e f g h
10 ...c4! l l.Vxc4 xc3 12.bxc3 hd6
a b c d e f g h
White has no compensation for the
8.b6 damaged pawn structure, and he is also behind
This seems like the best of a bad bunch for in development.
White.
B22) 6..tg5N
8.bxa6?! i.xa6 9.'1Wc2 ll:l c6 gives Black an
overwhelming initiative, and White may
8
already be objectively lost.
7
8.e4 This advance is the most logical 6
continuation of White's previous ambitious
play, but it simply doesn't work: 8 . . . axb5 9.e5 5
!:_Jd5 4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
Palliser gives this move as White's best, but I
am not impressed by it.
6...exd5
a b c d e f g h 6 . . . ixc3t? 7.'1Wxc3 ll:lxd5 does not really
work, as 8.ixd8 ll:lxc3 9.ie7 :ge8 l O.ixc5
l O.ll:lf3
c4 1 1 .'1Wc2 ll:l c6+ Followed by . . .f6
ll:le4 I I .ia3 leaves White with the two
and White's position is going to collapse.
bishops, as Palliser points out.
8...f;Yxb6 9..tg5 d5 10.e4
7.cxd5 d6 8.f3 bd7
12 Various 4th Moves
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
10.e3
Palliser ends his analysis here, calling it a
"tough and roughly balanced struggle." I have
already pointed out the favourable comparison
with the Leningrad System, and Black can a b c d e f g h
cause serious problems with:
Chapter 1 - Rare Options 13
C) 4.J.f4
8
7
6
5 a b c d e f g h
4 6.6
3 The alternatives hardly promise more:
10 ... c6 I I ..te2
l l .cxd5 gives up the file too early: 1 l . . .exd5
1 2.id3 gest 1 3 .ie3 ig4+
a b c d e f g h
l l .i.d3 as in Jennen - Tonceri, Hastings 1 982,
8 . . . b6N 9.i.d3 dxc4 1 0.ixc4 i.b7 would lead allows Black to secure a stable advantage with
to a typical position from the 4.e3 system some neat tactics: 1 1 . . .lLlxd4!N 1 2.ll:lxd4 e5
where Black has gained a couple of tempos. 1 3 .'1Wb4 Wxb4 1 4.axb4 exd4 (less convincing
would be 1 4 . . . exf4 1 5 .c5, with an unclear
Cl) 7.a3 position) 1 5 .cxd4 gest 1 6.'it>d2 dxc4 1 7.i.xc4
ie6+
a b c d e f g h
Spending an important tempo, but at least
White grabs the bishop.
12 ... tvxd5 13.tvxd5 xd5 14.J.d2 J.b7 15.c4 1 0 . . . Wfxd5 1 1 .0-0 i.xc3 1 2.bxc3 i.d7 1 3.c4
ct6 Wff5 1 4.llJd4 Wff6 1 5 .if3 Wfg6
I prefer Black in this endgame, since the
hanging pawns are under pressure.
C2) 7.dxc5
8
7
6
5
a b c d e f g h
4
Black has the better pawn structure and
3
excellent piece play, which fully compensates
2 for White's bishop pair.
1
a b c d e f g h 8
7 ... e4 8Jk l 7
The other way to support c3 is: 6
8.tvc2
This was played in Meyer - Mach, Germany 5
1 99 1 , and can also be well met by: 4
8 ... llJ a6N 9.cxd5
3
9.i.e2 llJ axc5 1 0.0-0?! (the better 1 0.cxd5
tvxd5 would transpose to the line below) 2
1 0 . . . ixc3 1 l .bxc3 f6! 1 2.l::1 fd 1 e5 1 3.E1xd5 1
tves 1 4.i.g3 i.e6+
9 . . . llJ axc5 1 0.i.e2 a b c d e f g h
1 0.dxe6 Axe6 gives Black a serious initiative 8 ... a6!N
for the pawn, with ... if5 and/or . . . Wla5 This way of regaining the pawn seems
coming soon. more attractive - it aims to complete the
development of the minor pieces first.
10 ...Yixd5 Conclusion
a b c d e f g h
Variation Index
l.d4 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 i.b4 4.Y;Yb3
4...c5
A) s..tgs 19
B) 5.dxc5 20
C) 5.8 c6 24
Cl) 6.a3 24
C2) 6.e3 26
C3) 6.dxc5 27
8 8 8
7 7 7
6 6 6
5 5 5
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2
I
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
So far we have been following the game This may be the lesser evil from White's
Golichenko - Laznicka, Pardubice 2009. perspective. Still, giving up the dark-squared
bishop is a clear positional concession, and
Black has excellent prospects here too.
7.e3 b6 8.lLlf3 ib7 9.ie2 tLl c6
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
a b c d f g h
White's mixture of the Leningrad System e
with the queen on b3 makes a weird impression.
1 2 . . . ixf3! 1 3.ixf3 :gc8 1 4.ie2 cxd4 1 5 .exd4
s ... h6 6 ..th4 tLlxc4 1 6.ixc4 b5 1 7.b3 0-0 1 8 .WI'd3
I also checked: 1 8.0-0 d5 leaves White a pawn down in a
6.ixf6 Wl'xf6 lost position.
1 8 . . . bxc4 1 9.bxc4 d5 20.cxd5 :gfd8+
20 Various 4th Moves
6.a3 ll:l d4
a b c d e f g h
This tactical resource enables Black to treble
White's pawns along the c-file. 6 ... h6 7 ..bf6
6 . . . ixc5 7.ll:lf3 0-0 has been played in Leaving the bishop on the board leads to
almost every game, but I would prefer to unfavourable consequences: 7.ih4?! g5 8 .ig3
avoid the quiet character of play that arises. and we have transposed to variation A above;
7.Wa4 this was the actual move order of the Agdestein
7.Wd l ixc3t 8.bxc3 ll:lc6 9.ll:lf3 W!a5 also - Hjartarson game referred to there.
offers Black rich counterplay.
7 . . . ixc3t 8.bxc3 ll:l c6 7 ..ti'xf6
.
8. f3
The most common.
a b c d e f g h
1 o . . . lLle5!
A novelty when I first analysed it, but it has a b c d e f g h
since been played. Now Black has a couple of reasonable ways
1 l .i.e2 i.b7 1 2.Wfd 1 of handling the position, but I definitely prefer:
1 2.tLlxe5 Wfxe5 1 3.0-0 Wfg5+ is also excellent
for Black. 8 ....bc3t 9.Wfxc3
1 2 . . . lLlxf3t 1 3.i.xf3 ixf3 1 4.Wfxf3 Wfxf3 9.bxc3 ?! is inferior. My analysis continues:
1 5 .gxf3 9 . . . Wfe7N 1 0.g3 ( l O.Wfb5 is an awkward
attempt to keep the extra pawn, which can be
strongly met by: 1 0 . . . b6 1 l .cxb6 Wfa3! 1 2.Wfb3
axb6+) 1 o . . . Wfxc5 1 1 .ig2 b6
a b c d e f g h
1 5 . . Jk8!N
In Zhou Jianchao - Wei Yi, China 20 1 6,
Black instead forced a drawish double-rook a b c d e f g h
ending with 1 5 . . . ib4 1 6.c;i;>e2 ixc3 1 7J:xc3 This position resembles the Romanishin
c8. The text move is more ambitious. Variation, but White's dynamic play is
1 6. 'it>e2 c;i;>e?+ significantly limited, so after 1 2.tLld2 lLl a5
White will have to work hard to draw this 1 3 .Wfb4 b8 1 4. 0-0 d6 Black can claim a clear
endgame. advantage due to his better pawn structure.
9 ...Wfxc3t 10.bxc3
White is still a pawn up, but his queenside
pawn structure is hideous. Black's best way
forward is:
Chapter 2 - 4.'?9b3 23
a b c d e f g h
10 . b6!
. .
8
7
6
5
4
3
2 a b c d e f g h
1 1 8 . . . 'it>d8!N 1 9.lLlc4 c;i;>c?+
a b c d e f g h Avoiding any unnecessary pawn exchanges
on the queenside. White faces a thankless
12.e3
defensive task.
In one game White tried:
1 2.e4
12 ... ci!?e7 13.i.e2
This doesn't change the pleasant (for Black!)
This position arose in the game Z. Varga -
character of the position.
Z. Almasi, Kazincbarcika 2005, when Black
1 2 . . . :i:l:a4 1 3 . .td3 i.a6 1 4.c;i;>d2
could have set his opponent definite problems
I also examined 1 4.tLld2 lLle5 1 5 .i.c2?! (the
by means of:
computer points out that 1 5 .c;i;>e2 maintains
24 Various 4th Moves
a b c d e f g h
13 ... i.a6!?N 14.c:bd2
I4.0-0 ltl a5 I 5 .ltld2 :i:l:hc8 I 6.:i:l:fbi ll:lxc4
I 7 .llJ xc4 .ixc4 I 8 . .ixc4 :i:l:xc4 I 9 .:i:l:xb6 :i:l:xc3
20.g3 :i:l:ca3+ results in a rook ending where
White will have to work hard in order to save
half a point.
7 e4!
... 1 2.dxc5 0-0 1 3.b4 ( 1 3 .WI'c3?! Wl'd8! 1 4.b4
The queen is forced to leave the c3-square, so d4 1 5 .WI'c2 i.e6 1 6.i.b2 lDd5 is too risky for
Black gets the opportunity to disturb White's White) 1 3 . . . lDxb4 1 4.Wfc3 l2J c6 1 5 .WI'xa5
king. lDxa5 Black has at least equal chances in the
queenless position.
8.d3
The following alternatives lead to the loss of
a pawn: 8
7
8.WI'c2?! Wl'a5 t 9.ltJd2 ltJxd2 1 0.i.xd2 l2Jxd4+
6
8.WI'e3?! Wl'a5t 9.l2Jd2 l2Jxd2 1 O.i.xd2 cxd4
1 l .WI'g3 Wl'e5+ 5
4
3
7 2
6 1
5 a b c d e f g h
4 We have been following the game
Ruckschloss - Pushkov, Cappelle-la-Grande
1 995, in which Black retreated the knight to
2 f6. A stronger continuation would have been:
1
IO ... d6!N l l .dxc5
a b c d e f g h 1 1 .cxd5 c4! 1 2.WI'c3 exd5+ is one of the ideas
8 ...a5t 9.d2 d5 behind the previous move.
White still has the bishop pair, but Black's
active piece play fully compensates for that. l l ... xc4 12.e3 0-0
Black's lead in development gives him fine
IO.f3 prospects, for instance:
A better choice for White would be
1 0.cxd5N exd5 1 l .f3 , bur 1 1 . . .l2J f6! still gives
Black fine prospects, for instance:
a b c d e f g h
26 Various 4th Moves
13.<1t>fl 4e5 14.c2 b6 15.b3 a4 In the event of 8 . . . 0-0 9.0-0 a6 White gets
With a useful initiative. the additional opportunity to keep the tension
by means of 1 0.:i:l:d 1 , when 1 0 . . .dxc4 1 1 .Wixc4
C2) 6.e3 Wfe7 1 2.a3 leads to a symmetrical position in
which White's chances are slightly preferable.
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
White supports his centre, but such a
modest-looking move cannot pose Black any 9.c:x:d5
problems. I also examined an interesting pawn
sacrifice: 9.0-0!? lD aS 1 0.Wic2 dxc4 (weaker
6 ... d5 is 1 0 . . . l2Jxc4?! 1 l .e4 0-0 1 2.gS with the
There are some decent alternatives, but I initiative)
see no reason for deviating from this natural
advance. Now we will consider two ways of
releasing the pressure in the centre.
7.dxc5
7.cxdS exdS opens the path for the c8-
bishop: 8.dxcS 0-0 9.e2 (9.a3 xeS leads
to a normal IQP position except that White's
queen is clearly misplaced on b3, so I prefer
Black) 9 . . . e6!? 1 0.l2Jd4 xeS 1 1 .l2Jxe6 fxe6
1 2.0-0 Wfe7 Black had the more pleasant game
a b c d e f g h
in Karpov - Kramnik, Nice (blindfold rapid)
1 997. 1 l .:i:l:d 1 N ( l l .e4 occurred in Sava - Bondoc,
Bucharest 2002, when 1 1 . . . bSN would have
7 ... hc5 8.e2 a6! called White's compensation into question)
In my opinion this move is the most precise. 1 l . . .Wfc7 It's hard to believe that White's
This prophylactic move is always useful in compensation offers more than equality.
positions with an isolated dS-pawn. At the Play might continue: 1 2.l2Je4 e7 1 3.d2
same time, 9 . . . ltJ aS is now a clear positional bS 1 4.xaS WixaS 1 S .a4 b7 1 6.axbS WixbS
threat. 1 7.xc4 Wib6 1 8.Wia4t c6=
Chapter 2 - 4.Wfb3 27
C3) 6.dxc5 e4 6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
8 ... 0-0
In most games Black has preferred 8 . . . ixc5 ,
but I see no reason to hurry to recapture the
pawn - the text move seems somewhat more
a b c d e f g h flexible.
The other way to develop is: 9 .g3 ixc5 1 o.ig2 1 0.0-0-0?! is a poor choice: 1 0 . . . b6 1 l .i.e2
a6 ( l O . . . b6!? 1 1 .0-0 i.b7 is also perfectly ( l l .l2J de4 i.e7 transposes to the next note on
playable) 1 1 .0-0 :gb8. Black has an excellent 1 o.l2J de4) 1 1 . . .i.b7+
version of the Hedgehog set-up. Now after
1 2.Wfc2, as was played in Welling - B. Martin, 8
Oakham 1 994, Black should have played: 7
a b c d e f g h
2
a b c d e f g h
9 . hc5 IO.i.e2
.. a b c d e f g h
The most consistent. White's intentions are 1 2 . . . a6!N 1 3.Wfc2 b5 1 4.c5 Wfc7 1 5.c;i;>b 1 i.b7
clear: he will castle and plonk one or possibly Sooner or later, Black will swap off the strong
both rooks on the d-file, hoping to apply some knight on d6 and press ahead on the queenside.
pressure there. Here are some other possible
continuations: 1 0.:gd 1 has also been played, but I don't see the
sense for White in delaying the development
Chapter 2 - 4.%Vb3 29
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
1 3 . . . c8N 1 4.%Vc2 a6 1 5 .%Vd2 c7+ White
1 3 . . . %Vc8!N 1 4.a3 ltl e5+ With a fine position. suffers from the lack of a constructive plan,
while the pressure along the c-file is rather
annoying for him.
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
IO ... f5!
I like this aggressive approach - the e4-square a b c d e f g h
is no longer available to White's knights, so the l l ... b6 12.adl
c5-bishop is secured for a while. Moreover, Black An attempt to cover the long diagonal by
puts White's monarch under some pressure, as means of 1 2.g3 ib7 1 3.if3 led White to an
the . . . f5-f4 advance is potentially dangerous. inferior position after 1 3 . . . %Vc8 1 4.ac l ltle5
in Donner - Bohm, Leeuwarden 1 98 1 .
1 1 .0-0
Just as on the previous move, 1 1 .0-0-0?! 1 2.a3 ib7 1 3.%Vc2 c8 1 4.if3?! (better was
is more dangerous for White than for Black. 1 4.l':iad 1 , but still after 1 4 . . . ie7 1 5 .ltlf3 ltla5
1 l . . .b6 1 2.ltlf3 ib7 1 3.'b 1 (hardly better is Black's position would be preferable) 14 .. .f4!
1 3.d2 %Ve7 1 4.hd 1 ad8+, as was played in gave Black a powerful initiative in Pakleza -
Alster - Piskov, Sofia 1 949) This position arose Wojtaszek, Warsaw (rapid) 2007.
30 Various 4th Moves
12 ....tb7 13.f3
Obviously, there was no better spot for the
d2-knight. This position has occurred in about
twenty games, but Black has only found the
strongest continuation in a couple of them.
a b c d e f g h
1 5 ... g4 16.d4 xd4 17.exd4 gbs! 18.cxb6
axb6 19.c3
1 9.d5 ixd5 20.1:'!:xd5 exd5 2 l .Wfxd5t h8
22 .id3 l':!:a8 doesn't yield White sufficient
compensation for the material losses.
a b c d e f g h
13 ... g5! 19 ....td6!
This aggressive measure is fully justified by Black's powerful bishops and kingside
positional factors: both of Black's bishops put space advantage make his position easier, at
pressure on White's king, while the queen is least from a human point of view. It is quite
offside on b3. important that White has no time to chase
The most popular choice has been 1 3 ... Wfe7, away the bishop:
but it allows White to reduce Black's attacking
potential with 1 4.ll:la4.
8
14.a4N 7
This innovation is definitely the best 6
reaction.
14 ....te7
In comparison to 1 3 . . . We7, the e7-square is a b c d e f g h
now vacant for this retreat. 20. b5? .tds 2 I ..tc4 hh2t! 22.xh2
ti'h4t 23.<1t>gl g6
1 5.c5 With a decisive attack.
It looks like White will regain his harmony,
but Black retains a fine position after:
Chapter 2 - 4.Y!fb3 31
Conclusion
a b c d e f g h
4.id2
Variation Index
l.d4 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 i.b4 4.i.d2
4...0-0
A) S.'i'c2 33
B) S.a3 34
C) S.e3 36
D) 5.8 c5 38
Dl) 6.a3 38
02) 6.e3 40
03) 6.dxc5 hc5 7.g3 dS 43
03 1) 8.i.g2!?N 44
032) 8.cxd5 45
8 8 8
7 7 7
6 6 6
5 5 5
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
l.d4 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 i.b4 4.i.d2 8 . . . b5! 9.a4 i.b7! 1 0.axb5 a6 1 1 .bxa6 ltlxa6
This is quite a harmless line. Still, it has 1 2.:1k 1 c5 1 3 .ltlf3 cxd4 1 4.ltlxd4 c8+ With a
been tried by such great players as Petrosian, useful lead in development for Black.
Korchnoi and lvanchuk, and is generally
a sensible option if White wishes to avoid Also too passive would be:
mainstream theory. 6.cxd5?! exd5 7.ltlf3
7.e3 e8 8.ltlf3 was played in Dolezal -
4... 0-0 Weinzetd, Prague 2007, when the simple
Castling immediately is the most flexible 8 . . . c6N 9.id3 i.d6 1 0.0-0 Vf!e7 would have
choice. White has four main options: yielded Black the better position. White's
A) 5.c2, B) 5.a3 , C) 5.e3 and D) 5.f3. bishop is not at all well placed on d2.
And here Black has several good possibilities,
A) 5.c2
but I favour the most active and aggressive:
7 . . . c5!
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
8.a3N
This mixed set-up looks rather passive, and 8.dxc5 i.xc5 9.e3 ltl c6+ Aleksandrov - Low,
Black gets a nice position by natural play in AI Ain 20 1 3 .
the centre. 8 . . . ixc3 9.i.xc3 c4 1 0.b3
Black is simply better after a slow
s ... d5 6.e3 continuation such as 1 0.e3 ltl c6 1 1 .i.e2
Harmless is: 6.a3 i.xc3 7.ixc3N (7.bxc3 ?! ltle4 1 2.0-0 i.f5+.
b6+ makes even less sense for White, Nikolov The text move {intending to meet 10 ... b5
- Kostov, Sofia 20 1 2) 7 . . . dxc4 8 .e3 with 1 1 .a4) is a reasonable attempt to
undermine our pawn chain, but we can
emphasize White's slow development with:
1 0 . . . ltl e4!
With the following idea:
1 1 .bxc4 i.f5 1 2.Vfib3 dxc4 1 3 .WI'xc4 ltl c6
1 4.e3 c8
Black gets a dangerous initiative for the
sacrificed pawn.
a b c d e f g h
34 Various 4th Moves
B) 5.a3
5 ....txc3 6.i.xc3 e4
Black prepares to eliminate the bishop, and
will set up a comfortable position with . . . d6
and . . . e5 at some point.
7.Yffc2
a b c d e f g h There are a couple of other options to
IO . e4N
..
consider:
I also considered 1 0 . . . d4, but there is no
need to allow 1 1 .0-0-0! e5 1 2.exd4 llJxd4 7.c l d6 8.g3 e5 9.i.g2 llJ xc3 1 0.xc3 gives
1 3 .i.xd4 exd4 1 4.llJf3, when Black must give Black a choice:
up a pawn for uncertain compensation.
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
C) 5.e3
a b c d e f g h
1 0 . . . llJxc3N
It's necessary to eliminate the strong bishop.
l O . . . llJ c6?! is dubious: l l .bxc5 dxc5
1 2.ib2i Gurgenidze - Karner, Tbilisi 1 983.
l l .:gxc3 b6 1 2.ie2 ib7 1 3.0-0 llJ d7=
Black has a solid position and may consider
some kingside activity by means of .. .f5 and
a b c d e f g h . . . e5.
Chapter 3 - 4.id2 37
a b c d e f g h
Black is now three pawns up. It looks like
White has some attacking chances, but Black
a b c d e f g h
38 Various 4th Moves
has full control over the dark squares, especially The most popular and flexible move. White
the e5-spot for the knight. For instance: delays the development of his bishop, keeping
the fianchetto option in mind.
1 5 Jhl ti'f6 16,gh6 .tg4 17.gdh l d7
18,gxh7 e5 19.g3 .tf3! 5 ... c5
Restricting the mobility of the g3-knight. Although this is only Black's third most
popular option according to the statistics,
20.e4 in my opinion it gives Black more dynamic
No better is: 20J:Bh6 1:'Ub8 2 1 .ie4 f8 chances than 5 . . . b6 or 5 . . . d5.
22.Wff2 tJie7+
a b c d e f g h
20 ... xd3t 2 1 .ti'xd3 he4 22.ti'xe4 gfe8
23.ti'g2 ge5 24.ti'h2 gh5 25.gxh5 gxh5
26.ti'xh5 ges+ Dl) 6.a3 hc3 7.hc3 e4
White's kingside initiative is under control,
and Black has good chances to convert his Once again, Black should liquidate the
extra pawn. powerful dark-squared bishop.
Chapter 3 - 4.id2 39
8.c2 10.e3
The other way to avoid doubled c-pawns is: ib7 l l .dxcS bxcS
In the event of l O .'a.dlN
8 .:S.c l b6 9.g3 ib7 1 0.ig2 d6 1 1 .0--0 lDd7 White is unable to exert meaningful pressure
1 2.Wfc2 along the d-file. An illustrative line is: 1 2.e3
1 2.b3 lDxc3 1 3.:S.xc3 Wfe7 was fine for Black aS 1 3.ie2
in Schaufelberger - Gyimesi, Kerner 2007.
1 2.Wid3 lDxc3 1 3.:S.xc3 has occurred a couple
of times; I suggest 1 3 . . . We7N= with similar
play to the main example below.
1 2 . . . :S.c8 1 3.:S.fd 1 lDxc3 1 4.Wxc3 Wfe7 1 5 .Wfe3
lD f6
a b c d e f g h
Having failed to obtain any advantage from 10 ...ib7 l l .ie2 d6 12.0-0 d7 13JUdl
the opening, White played too optimistically e7
in the following example:
1 6.d5?! :S.ce8! 1 7.dxe6 fxe6+ 8
Black managed to seize the initiative in
Dj uric - Tiviakov, Formia 1 995. 7
6
8 ... lthc3 9.xc3 b6
5
Black aims for a familiar set-up with the
bishop on b 7. 4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
14J::M2?!
White should prefer something like 1 4.h3N,
or any other neutral move, with equality.
Doubling rooks along the d-file is obviously
something White would like to do, but here
it runs into:
a b c d e f g h
40 Various 4th Moves
6 .. cxd4
.
a b c d e
Chapter 3 - 4.id2 41
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
White's attacking potential and secure I definitely prefer to keep the bishop on the
control over the d5-square in the future. board.
9.ig5
42 Various 4th Moves
9.b4
8
9 ..id3N can be well met by: 9 . . . .ia6! (9 . . . d5?
would be premature in view of 1 0.cxd5 ll:lxd5 7
l l .Wfc2! h6 1 2.ltlxd5 exd5 1 3.0-0;!;) 1 0.Wfe2 6
( I O.b4 d5 1 1 .b5 dxc4 1 2 ..ixc4 .ib?+) 1 0 . . . d5
l l .cxd5 .ixd3 1 2.Wfxd3 ltlxd5+ 5
4
The text move is the only realistic way to
avoid an IQP, as White is now ready to meet 3
. . . d5 with c4-c5 . However, there is an obvious 2
drawback as White loses more time. In Atia -
1
Hussein, AI Ain 2008, a logical continuation
would have been: a b c d e f g h
14.-tbS
14 . .id3 d6+ is pleasant for Black.
3
a b c d e f g h
9 ... a5!N IOJbl 2
1 0.b5?! is inferior in view of 10 ... d5 1 1 .cxd5
ll:lxd5 1 2 . .id3 .ib7 1 3.0-0 ltl d7+, when
a b c d e f g h
everything is in order for Black.
1 8 . . . .ixb4! 1 9.ltlxb4 ( 1 9.ltlxd8 .ixc3t 20.'e2
10 ... axb4 l l .axb4 c6 12.c5 [20.tJifl .ig4+] 20 . . . a2t 2 1 .tJifl a 1 +)
1 2.b5?! ltl a5 1 3 . .id3 .ib7 1 4.0-0 We?+ 1 9 . . . Wa5 20.Wfa4 Wfxa4 2 1 ..ixa4 .ib7 White
leaves White under pressure on the queenside. is under pressure, since he lacks harmony
between his pieces.
12 ... bxc5 1 3.dxc5 e5!
I like this aggressive idea - Black should be 14 ... ttl d4
aiming to exploit his lead in development. Black could also consider 1 4 . . . e4!?, when
Now White has to play precisely in order to my analysis continues 1 5 .ltl g5 ll:l d4 1 6 . .ic4
avoid trouble. d5 1 7 . .ie3 dxc4 1 8.Wfxd4 Wfxd4 1 9 ..ixd4 .if5
20.0-0 fd8 2 1 . .ie3 d3 22.1':1fc 1 , reaching an
extremely complex endgame.
Chapter 3 - 4.id2 43
a b c d e f g h
1 5.xd4 exd4 16.e2 d6 17.xd4 dxc5
18.c6 Y!lc7 19.0-0 id6
Black obviously has nothing to worry about.
03) 6.dxc5
a b c d e f g h
1 4.id4?!
1 4.ll:ld4 id7 with approximate equality.
1 4 . . . ll:le4
Black had a dangerous initiative in the classic
game Petrosian - Portisch, Palma de Mallorca
1 974.
4 /i
-r----%
- - - iir0 =
w-:m
r
- - %--0
3
2 ----%
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
1 3 .lt'la4?
9.0-0!?N
White is playing with fire!
White plays in the spirit of the Catalan,
1 3 .ib5N a5 1 4.ixc6 bxc6 1 5 .0-0= was
offering a pawn sacrifice in order to free a path
safer.
for the light-squared bishop.
1 3 . . . g5! 1 4.ig3 d4!
The lack of development put White in a
9 ... d4!
critical situation in Varga - Babula, Plovdiv
In the event of 9 . . . dxc4 1 0.a4 e5 1 l .ig5
2003.
( l l .xc4 e7 1 2.ig5 ie6 1 3 .h4 h6
1 4.ixf6 xf6 1 5 .xf6 gxf6 is about equal)
7 ... d5
1 l . . .ie6 1 2.1"lad 1 c8 1 3 .ixf6 gxf6 1 4.lt'lh4
From this, the final branching point of
White gets promising compensation for the
the chapter, I examined the more ambitious
sacrificed pawn.
D3 1) 8.i.g2!?N as well as D32) 8.cxd5 .
10.ttla4 e7 l l .e3
D3 1) 8.g2!?N
Too risky would be l l ... d3?! 1 2.i.c3 and it's D32) 8.cxd5 exd5
not easy to protect the advanced pawn. For
instance: 1 2 . . . ll:l e4 1 3 .'\Wb l e5 1 4.:i:l:d l i.f5
1 5 . ltl e l;!;
12 ..be3 e5
Black has a solid position without
weaknesses. The game may continue: a b c d e f g h
This allows Black to develop all the pieces
13.c2 c7 14.a3
quite easily.
1 4.ltlc3 Ae6 1 5 .ltlb5 '1Wc8= seems fine for
Black. 9.i.g2 c6 10.0-0 :i:l:e8
If you put this rook back on f8 and White's
dark-squared bishop on c 1 , we would arrive
in one of the main variations of the Tarrasch
Defence. Here Black is essentially a tempo up
on that scenario, as his rook invariably goes to
e8 in that line anyway, whereas White's bishop
accomplishes nothing on d2.
l l .:i:l:cl
l l .ltla4 if8 1 2 .a3 h6 1 3 .:i:l:c l d4 1 4.e3 ig4
gave Black an excellent position in Goy -
Langer, email 20 1 3.
a b c d e f g h 1
"""=--==....
a b c d e f g h 2
Conclusion
4.ig5
Variation Index
l.d4 tLlf6 2.c4 e6 3.tLlc3 i.b4 4.i.g5
4...c5
A) 5J3cl 49
B) 5.d5 d6 51
Bl) 6.tLl 3 52
B2) 6.3 54
B3) 6.e3 exd5 7.cxd5 tLlbd7 56
B3 1) 8.i.b5 57
B32) 8.i.d3 'i'a5 9.tLlge2 tLlxd5 10.0-0 hc3 ll.bxc3 c4! 59
B32 1) 12.i.5?! 60
B322) 12.i.c2 0-0 61
B322 1) 13.tLlg3?! 62
B3222) 13.i.h4 63
8 8 8
7 7 7
6 6 6
5 5 5
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2
l .d4 c!Ll6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 ib4 4 ..tg5 bishop on g5 , which can be hit by either . . . lfl e4
or . . . cxd4. Clearly, the g5-bishop is misplaced
here.
a b c d e f g h
Known as the Leningrad System, this is one
of White's most aggressive ways to tackle the
Nimzo-Indian. White pins the opponent's
knight in order to gain control over the
important e4-square. Obviously, breaking
the pin along the h4-d8 diagonal by means
of . . . ib4-e7 would be a loss of tempo. Even
a b c d e f g h
though 4.ig5 isn't popular any more at the
highest level, some aggressive players such as
Mamedyarov, Korobov and Moiseenko still 8 . . . lfle4!N 9.Wfd3 lflxg3 1 0.hxg3 d6! 1 l .lflxg4
use this weapon from time to time. e5 White has serious problems, for instance:
1 2.dxe5 ixg4 1 3.0-0-0 ixc3 1 4.Wxc3 lfl d7
4 ... c5 1 5 .exd6 Wg5t 1 6.E1d2 0-0-0+
This is the most natural and direct way to
exploit the white bishop's departure from the
queenside.
Black often starts with 4 . . . h6 5 .ih4 before 8
playing 5 . . . c5. However, it is crucial for our
7
repertoire that we refrain from . . . h6 any time
soon! When we get to the main lines, we will 6
see that some of Black's ideas only work because 5
of the exposed bishop on g5 , and would be
completely ineffective if this piece was on h4. 4
3
We will analyse the sideline A) SJcl before
moving on to the normal B) 5.d5 . 2
1
Mter 5 .e3? Wa5 White is already in trouble
a b c d e f g h
due to the unpleasant pin and the vulnerable
50 Various 4th Moves
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
7.i.xf6
This is White's safest approach. a b c d e f g h
1 2.ixf6
7.'1Wh4?! With the bishop still on fl , the piece sacrifice
This is playing with fire, since White's set-up is useless: 1 2./ixh6? gxh6 1 3 .WI'xh6 Wl'h5-+
lacks the necessary coordination. 1 2 . . .ixf6 1 3 .WI'f4 d8 1 4.ie2 d5+
7 . . . 1ie7 8.lLlf3 h6 9.e3 Black has the more comfortable position due
We have been following Gonzalez Vassallo to the bishop pair.
- Contreras, Santiago 2007. In the game,
Black brought his queen to a5 and obtained 7 ...ti'xf6 8.ti'xf6 gxf6
a good position.
However, the following finesse would have 8
been even stronger:
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
9.6
Chapter 4 - 4.ig5 51
9.a3 ie7 1 0.e3N is slightly more precise, of exchanging on c3, followed by setting up
but Black still has excellent play after 1 0 . . . b6. a dark-squared pawn wall with . . . h6, . . . e5
and . . . g5, I will instead be proposing a more
9 ... b6 IO.a3 dynamic approach involving . . . exd5, leading
This position was seen in Ionescu - Benjamin, to a Benoni structure. One way to think of it is
Moscow 1 987. In the game Black took on c3 that we will be playing a so-called Snake Benoni
and made a draw, but I would strongly prefer where, instead of taking the rather convoluted
to keep the dark-squared bishop on the board: route from f8-d6-c7-a5, our bishop has saved
time by going to the queenside using one
tempo instead of three. And as I mentioned
8
previously, we will also look to target the
7 bishop on g5 in some lines.
6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
IO ...ie7!N l l .e3 ib7 12.d2
1 2.ie2 :gg8+ is also good for Black.
a b c d e f g h
12 ... f5 13.ie2 e5
White finds himself in a passive, unpleasant We will analyse the important options of
position. Bl) 6.6. B2) 6.6 and B3) 6.e3, after first
checking a couple of minor alternatives:
B) 5.d5
6.e4?! makes little sense, as after 6 . . . ixc3t
This is White's usual choice, and the only way 7.bxc3 h6 8.ixf6 '1Wxf6+ White has no
to fight for an advantage. compensation for his damaged pawn structure.
5 ... d6 6.'1Wc2
Let me repeat: do not be tempted to touch This is a slightly more interesting sideline,
your h-pawn! The bishop on g5 may be and has been used a few times by GM Nana
White's greatest asset, as it yields an annoying Dzagnidze.
pin, but it's also his greatest liability, as it can 6 . . . exd5 7.cxd5 h6
be tactically vulnerable. On this occasion you are allowed to prod the
bishop.
Before we start analysing any variations, let 8.ih4 ll:l bd7 9.ltlf3 0-0 1 0.ltld2
me say something about the plan I have in This position was seen in Dzagnidze -
store. Rather than the well-known scheme N. Kosintseva, Hangzhou 20 1 1 . In my
52 Various 4th Moves
optmon, the best way to meet White's 1 5 .0-0 ixc3 1 6.bxc3 llJxd5+
somewhat slow method of development is:
Bl) 6. 6
a b c d e f g h
1 0 . . . l::1 e 8N
A natural move. Black is fighting against the
e2-e4 advance and will put strong pressure a b c d e f g h
on the d5-pawn. This has been tried by several strong players
l l .e3 Wia5! - and the number rises again if we count the
A concrete approach. White's next move is games where White has gone for a llJ f3 set
practically forced. up with the moves . . . h6 and ih4 included.
1 2.llJc4 We? 1 3.ie2 Chris Ward advocated this set-up for White in
White has no time to secure the c4-knight: a chapter of Dangerous Weapons: 1he Nimzo
1 3 .a4 llJxd5 1 4.l::1 d l llJ 7b6+ !ndian. The English GM mainly focuses on the
version with . . . h6 and ih4 included; he does
briefly discuss the possibility of Black avoiding
those moves, but concludes that in most cases it
does not make much of a difference. However,
I managed to find a precise sequence where
Black can benefit from the exposed bishop on
g5 - see the main line below for full details.
1 0.ib5t id7 1 l .ixd7t Wxd7 1 2.Wfc2 0-0 capture the c3-pawn but White will have a lot
1 3.0-0 l::1 fe8+) 1 0.Wfc2 0-0 1 l .ie2 tLle5 of compensation.
1 2. 0-0 tLl g6 Black was better in V. Georgiev
Eames, Hastings 2008. 10.f3
The somewhat more natural 1 O.id3 is
8 ... 0-0 9.e4 strongly met by: 1 o . . . ixc3 1 1 .bxc3
After the modest 9.e3 h6 1 0.ih4 lLl b6
1 l .id3 ixc3 1 2.bxc3 tLl bxd5+ White does
not get sufficient compensation for the pawn.
a b c d e f g h
The aforementioned game continued 9 . . . h6
1 0.ih4, reaching a position which is also l l ... xd5!
covered by Ward via a different move order 1 1 . . .We5 is less effective here than in the
with an earlier . . . h6. Both the game and note above, as after 1 2.ih4 Wxc3 White does
Ward's analysis continued 1 O . . . l::1 e 8 1 1 .ie2 not have a bishop hanging on d3, and the
Wa5 1 2.f3 ixc3 1 3.bxc3, when Black can f3-pawn is useful for supporting his centre.
54 Various 4th Moves
On the other hand, capturing the d5-pawn 7 . . . exd5 8.cxd5 0-0 9.e4 is another possible
works better here than in the note above. move order.
After the text move the game goes on and 8.e4 exd5 9.cxd5
the position is still complex, but White will Now Black can immediately benefit from
struggle to j ustify the loss of a pawn and I the lack of a pin on the f6-knight.
strongly prefer Black. Play might continue: 9 . . . ll:lh5!
Threatening a check on h4 while preparing
1 Vc4 xc3 13.ti'xd6 b5 14.e3 gbsi to put pressure on White's centre with . . . f5 .
B2) 6.f3
a b c d e f g h
1 0.g3
1 0 .ll:lge2 f5 1 1 .WI'c2 fxe4 1 2.fxe4, as played
in Parker - Laurier, Mondariz 2000, can be
a b c d e f g h strongly met by 1 2 . . . ig4!N 1 3.0-0-0 lLld7+.
This move strikes me as over-ambitious. 1 0 . . . f5
Mixing the 4.f3 and 4.i.g5 systems is a risky Black's play is very natural and consistent.
approach, but it has been tried by many 1 1 .ig2
strong grandmasters, including Epishin, 1 1 .i.d3 ll:l d7+ was even worse for White in
Azmaiparashvili, Bauer and others. Berhhorst - King, Hamburg 1 98 5 .
1 1 . ..ll:lf6 1 2.exf5
6 ... h6! Hardly better is 1 2.ll:lge2 fxe4 1 3 .fxe4 ll:l bd7
In this variation there is not much to be 1 4.0-0 ll:le5. Having occupied an important
gained from leaving the bishop on g5 . On the central square, Black keeps a stable edge.
other hand, as we will see, it is worth forcing the 1 2 . . . i.xf5 1 3.ll:lge2
bishop to declare its intentions, as each possible
retreat has some sort of drawback for White.
7 . .th4
Occasionally White has tried:
7.id2
This retreat makes a weird impression and
doesn't suit White's aggressive intentions in
this line.
7 . . . 0-0
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 4 - 4.ig5 55
IO.a3 a b c d e f g h
White can attempt to complete his IO ...J.xc3t!?N
development in a couple of other ways: 1 O . . . i.a5 is also a decent option. For instance,
1 1 .i.d3N a6 1 2.ll:lge2 b5 1 3 .0-0 ll:le5 with a
1 0.ll:lh3 ll:le5 1 1 .lLlf2 allows 1 1 . . . ll:lg6 1 2.i.g3 good game for Black.
ll:l h5+ when Black eliminates the important
dark-squared bishop and gains the upper l l .bxc3 e8 12.ie2 a6!
hand, as in V. Toth - Najdorf, Mar del Plata This is not so much intended to prepare . . . b5
1 956. (although that might be a useful option at
some stage) ; but rather to prevent White from
1 O.i.d3 lLle5 1 1 .i.c2 (After 1 1 .ll:lge2 Black was utilizing the b5-square.
able to exploit the above-mentioned drawback
of putting the bishop on h4: 1 1 . . . c4! 1 2.i.c2 The immediate 1 2 . . . ll:le5 allows 1 2.i.b5
i.c5 and White got into trouble in Mohandesi followed by ll:l e2, when White manages to get
- Barsov, Leuven 2002.) 1 1 . . . c4 1 2.i.f2 his kingside in order.
8
7
6
5
4
3
a b c d e f g h
2
B3) 6.e3
8
7 a b c d e f g h
B32) s . .td3.
obtained a huge advantage with: Also perfectly playable is: 9 . . . a6! ? l O.ixd7t
ixd7 1 l .llJge2 0-0 1 2.0-0 e8 1 3.'1Wc2 Vfle7
1 4.';t>h 1 White has scored surprisingly well
from this position, but this in no way reflects
the outcome of the opening, especially after:
a b c d e f g h
10.bxc3
58 Various 4th Moves
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
10 ... 0-0! l l ... b6!
A natural improvement over Kramnik's play. It turns out that there is no way to protect
This move has only been played in a couple the d5-pawn.
of email games, never over the board. Black's
development advantage should tell in all cases 12.0-0
now. Even giving up the dark-squared bishop
doesn't save the pawn: 1 2.ixf6 Wl'xf6 1 3 .WI'd2
1 0 . . . WI'a5 1 1 .ixd7t lDxd7 was also fine for Wl'e5 1 4.gd 1 a6 1 5 .id3 l2Jxd5+
Black in Korobov - Kramnik, Tromso 20 1 3,
but the text move seems more ambitious. 1 2 ... bxd5 13 . .td3
We have been following the game Vodicka
1 1 .e2 - Larwinski, email 20 1 2. Now I suggest the
Wasting one more tempo on the light natural innovation:
squared bishop with 1 1 .id3 looks dubious.
Mter 1 1 . . .Wa5 (or 1 1 . . .WI'c7!? 1 2.c4 b5! 8
1 3 .cxb5 a6 with the initiative) 1 2.lDe2 lDxd5+
White doesn't get any compensation for the 7
pawn. 6
5
I also examined 1 Uk 1 l2J b6 1 2.c4, but it
leaves White undeveloped, so Black develops a 4
powerful initiative after 1 2 . . . a6 1 3 .ia4 lDxc4! 3
1 4Jhc4 b5.
2
The text move is the most natural continuation,
and was played in both games. However,
Black can immediately exploit the awkward a b c d e f g h
placement of the b5-bishop by means of: 13 ... .tg4!N
Indeed, why not develop a piece with tempo?
14Jcl
Chapter 4 - 4.ig5 59
1 4.f3 leads to an inferior endgame: The only drawback of this set-up is that the
14 . . . lLlxe3 1 5 .ixf6 Wfxf6 1 6. fxg4 tLlxfl d5-pawn remains unprotected.
1 7.Wfxfl Wfxfl t 1 8.'it>xfl d5+
8 ..a5
.
a b c d e f g h
1 5 ... id7 16.c4 b6 17.c3 ic6
Black has successfully completed his
development and doesn't have any weaknesses,
so White's compensation is questionable.
B32) s.id3
a b c d e f g h
IO .ixc3 l l .bxc3 c4!
..
We will analyse B32 1) 12.i.f5?! and compensation for the pawn in Ovetchkin -
B322) 12.i.c2, after first considering a couple Lysyj , St Petersburg 20 1 2.
of minor lines:
B321) 12.i.f5?!
1 2.i.xc4? drops a piece after 1 2 . . . ltJ 5b6, but
it's worth continuing the analysis j ust a little
8
further: 1 3.f4!?N ( 1 3.i.xf7t c;i;>xf7 gave White
no real hope in the two existing games) 7
1 3 . . . l2Jxc4 6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
On a5 the queen keeps an eye on both
a b c d e f g h
bishops, so this is definitely amongst White's
worst possibilities, even though it was once
1 4.W/d4 The g7-pawn hangs, but Black can successfully employed by Jan Timman against
still secure a big advantage by returning some Anatoly Karpov.
of his extra material with 1 4 . . . l2J de5! 1 5 .fxe5
i.e6+. 12 .. 0-0!
.
13.e4
The following line nicely illustrates the
vulnerability ofWhite's bishops: 1 3.Wfc2 ltJ 7f6
1 4.i.xc8 axc8 1 5 .ad l
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
This is the best retreat.
Now the best way to limit White's attacking 12 ... 0-0
potential was: 1 4 . . . ll:l c5!N 1 5 .ixc8 ( 1 5 .ic2 Having inserted the . . . c4 move to protect the
l::1 e8 1 6.if4 d5-+) 1 5 . . . E1axc8 1 6.E1ac l lLl 5a4 knight on d5, Black gets time to complete his
1 7.e4 E1fe8 1 8.E1fe 1 b6-+ development.
13 ... xc3 14.xc3 xc3 Clearly inferior is 1 2 . . . ll:lxc3 ?! 1 3 .ll:lxc3 Wlxc3
(after 1 3 . . . Wixg5 ? 1 4.ll:le4 White would restore
the material balance while keeping the black
king in the centre) 1 4.Wixd6 Wle5 1 5 .if4
Wlxd6 1 6.ixd6 ll:lf6 1 7.l::1 ab l ! b6 1 8 .l::1 fd 1 ie6
1 9.ia3 White had a powerful initiative for a
mere pawn in Ulko - Lukjanenko, Voronezh
2005.
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
1 5 .'1Wh4 ll:l ce4! 1 6 . .ixe4 ll:lxe4 1 7.ie7 :ge8 1 5 . . . ltl c5!N 1 6.:gfd 1
1 8.'1Wxe4 Wfe5! Black won the piece back 1 6.ltle4 is well met by 1 6 . . . Wfe5 1 7.:gfd 1 b5!
and kept an extra pawn in Bareev - Dautov, with the idea 1 8.Wfxb5 if5+.
Moscow 1 990. 1 6 . . . .ie6 1 7.Wfe2
1 7.Wld4 b6 1 8.ll:le4 Wfg6+
In the more recent game Ratkovic - Perunovic, 1 7 . . . :gfd8 1 8.:gd4 Wfe7 1 9.:gad 1 h6+
Serbia 20 1 5 , White tried the fresh idea Despite the activity of White's pieces, he
1 3 .:gb 1 ?!, but it is unlikely to attract many does not have full compensation for the
followers. Black should have continued: pawn.
B322 1) 13.g3?!
8
7
a b c d e f g h 3
1 3 . . . ltl7b6!N 1 4.W/d4 ltlxc3 1 5 .ltlxc3 Wfxg5+ 2
1
1 3 .Wfd4 ltlxc3!
Mter 1 3 . . . ltl 7b6 1 4.i.h4 i.d7 1 5 .a4 White a b c d e f g h
has no more than sufficient compensation This has been played by many good players,
for the pawn, but Black's pieces lack but it leads White down a forcing path to a
breathing room. clearly inferior position after:
1 4.ll:lxc3 Wfxg5 1 5 .Wfxc4
We have been following the game Dekker 13 ... xc3 14.Yih5 5! 1 5 ..ie7
- Van der Werf, Dieren 1 99 1 . I suggest the Even worse is 1 5 .e4? ll:lxe4 1 6.:gad 1 ll:l df6-+
following way of handling the position: as in V. Georgiev - Leko, Istanbul (ol) 20 1 2.
The text move was played in A. Mastrovasilis
Chapter 4 - 4.ig5 63
a b c d e f g h
1 5 .. JH7!N 16.xf5
1 6.ixd6 lLle5 1 7.ixf5 ixf5 1 8.lLlxf5 lLl f3t
1 9.Wxf3 Wxf5+ leads to the same.
a b c d e f g h
16 ... e5 17.hd6
No better is: 1 7.lLlxg7 lLlf3t 1 8.'hl Wxh5 13 ... xc3 14.xc3
1 9.tLlxh5 :gxe7 20.gxf3 b5+ The following little tactic leads White to a
clearly inferior position: 1 4.ixh7t ?! xh7
17 ...hfs lS.ix5 1 5 .Wc2t tJig8 1 6.lLlxc3 tLle5 1 7.:gab l (hardly
better is 1 7.ie7 :ge8 1 8.ixd6 tLl d3+, with
a similar assessment to the line below) This
position occurred in Chirila - Hernandez
Carmenates, Houston 20 1 3 . A natural
improvement over Black's play would be:
a b c d e f g h
1 8 ... f3t! 19.ti'xf3 ti'x5 20.ti'xf5 e2t
2 I .thl gx5+ a b c d e f g h
Despite the material balance, White finds
himself in a very difficult position: Black's 1 7 . . . a6!N 1 8.ie7 :ge8 1 9.ixd6 lLl d3+ Even
queenside passers are too strong. though there is material balance on the
64 Various 4th Moves
board, Black's position is much better due to with no real compensation for the pawn. For
a strong d3-knight, which is supported by the instance: 1 8.e4 ( 1 8 .E1e 1 also fails to impress
queenside passers. after 1 8 . . . b5 1 9.Wff3 lLl b6 20.l::1 cd 1 Wlg4+)
14 Y;Yxc3
a b c d e f g h
Conclusion
8
7 4.ig5 is an ambitious and aggressive approach
from White, but the bishop's abandonment
6
of the queenside gives Black ample counter
5 chances. The logical reply is 4 . . . c5 when s .:gcl
4 is rather harmless, so 5 .d5 is the critical line.
After 5 . . . d6 there are various options but one
3 tough test is 6.e3 exd5 7.cxd5 l2J bd7 8.id3 .
2 Black does indeed have a good antidote in
8 . . . WI'a5 9.l2Jge2 l2Jxd5 1 0.0-0 ixc3 l l .bxc3
1
c4! but Black should pay close attention to this
a b c d e f g h line and all the details I give about it. Black has
19 .. f6!N 20.ia4 d8 2 1 .ib5
.
no theoretical problems but if this variation
After 2 l .:gxc4 White's lack of harmony leads caught you unawares over the board, then you
to the loss of a pawn again: 2 l . . .ie6 22.:gcd4 might have a difficult job finding the answers.
(22.:gc2?? l2Je4-+) 22 . . . ixa2+ Doing your homework in advance will be
rewarded against 4.ig5 .
2 1 ... e4!
The most ambitious way of handling the
endgame.
a b c d e f g h
22.ie7 xdl t 23.xdl ie6 24,gd4 6
25.hc4 c8 26.ifl d5
Black's pieces are much more active, though
White should be able to hold with careful
defence.
Various 4th Moves
a b c d e f g h
4.f3
Variation Index
l.d4 6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 J\b4 4.3
4...c5
A) 5.a3 hc3t 6.bxc3 c6 7.e4 d6 67
Al) 8.e2 67
A2) 8.J\e3 68
B) 5.d5 d6 6.e4 b5 69
Bl) 7.cxb5 70
B2) 7.J\d2 70
B3) 7.a3 71
B4) 7.J\g5 72
B5) 7.ge2 74
B6) 7.J\d3!? 75
B7) 7.dxe6 he6 8.J\f4 0-0! 76
B7 1) 9Jfxd6 77
B72) 9.hd6 78
8 8 8
1 1 1
6 6 6
5 5 5
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
9 tt:\e5!N
. . . 9 . . exd5N
. 8 0-0!N
. . .
Chapter 5 - 4.f3 67
4 ... c5
4 . . . d5 has been the most popular choice, and
4 . . . 0-0 is another big move; both of these have
certain points in their favour, but I found the
text move the most attractive of all.
being the only adequate alternative to the After 1 O.ie3 , as was played in Gutman -
standard B) 5.d5. Spassky, Germany 1 986, Black had no reason
to deviate from the most natural 1 0 . . . lDa5N
68 Various 4th Moves
1 1 .llJg3 ia6 1 2.id3 cxd4 1 3.cxd4 l::1 c 8 A sort of concession - instead of pinning
1 4.l::1 c 1 0-0 1 5 .We2 We?, forcing 1 6.c5 ixd3 the opponent's knight, the bishop is tied to
1 7.Wxd3 bxc5 1 8.dxc5 d5+. defensive functions.
Isle of Man 20 1 4. Now it makes sense to Since the pin on the f6-knight doesn't cause
clarify the situation in the centre by means of: Black any concrete problems, it makes sense to
attack the weak c4-pawn as soon as possible.
8
9 .id3
.
A2) s ..ie3
8 a b c d e f g h
6.e4 b5
According to the database, this move was
introduced by GM Leonid Yudasin in 1 990.
B) 5.d5 It has still not been played in many games but
I like the concept: Black is ready to give up a
pawn in order to weaken White's pawn centre
and exploit his lead in development.
a b c d e f g h
No doubt this advance is the most principled
reply - White seizes a lot of space and hopes to a b c d e f g h
keep the massive pawn centre.
The most principled response to this gambit
5 ... d6 idea is 7.dxe6, but I will also mention a range
Surprisingly, this popular move was not even of other lines. So the main lines we will see
mentioned by Yakovich in Play the 4j3 Nimzo are Bl) 7.cxb5, B2) 7.i.d2, B3) 7.a3,
Indian. In most of the older games Black went B4) 7.i.g5, B5) 7.ge2, B6) 7.i.d3!?N and
on to either block the centre with . . . e5 or go B7) 7.dxe6.
for a Benoni structure with . . . exd5. Instead, I
want to make life more difficult for White by 7.i.e3?!
undermining his pawn structure with . . . b5. Considering that the centre is about to blow
up, this way of developing seems too slow.
70 Various 4th Moves
9 .tc4?
.
a b c d e f g h 9 .. lLlh5!
.
1 2.Wfxa8? ib7-+
1 2 . . . ia6 1 3.<;i;>f2 lLl c6+
Lindqvist - Haapasalo, Jyvaskyla 1 99 1 .
Bl) 7.cxb5
a b c d e f g h
Breaking the pin.
7 ... a6!
a b c d e f g h I do not like supporting White's development
with 7 . . . bxc4 8.ixc4 e5 9.lLlge2 lLl bd7
Chapter 5 - 4.f3 71
8 .ld3
B3) 7.a3
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
12.dxe6 be6 13.cxb5
After 1 3 .ixe5 dxe5 1 4.Wfxd8 :i:l:fxd8 Black is
clearly better in the endgame. a b c d e f g h
This move has only been played one game,
13 ... axb5 14 .hb5
but it's a reasonable option which forces us to
At first glance, the powerful c3-bishop gives make an important decision.
White reasonable chances to consolidate.
However, Black has a beautiful tactical 7 ....la5
resource:
72 Various 4th Moves
In general, Black prefers to keep the 1 0.ixd6?! Wlb6 1 1 .l2Jge2 l2J c6 gives Black
dark-squared bishop on the board. some initiative.
A double-edged endgame would arise after:
On the other hand, the value of a tempo in 1 0.Wfxd6 Wlb6 1 1 .Wfxb6 axb6 1 2.lDge2 l2J c6
such sharp positions is exceptionally high, 1 3.0-0-0 0-0?
so 7 . . . ixc3t!?N 8.bxc3 0-0 deserves serious 1 0 . . . l2J bd7 1 1 .ixd6 ic7 1 2.ixc5 ie5
consideration as well. Play may continue: 1 3 .l2Jge2 Wfc8
Black gets interesting compensation for the
sacrificed pawn.
8 0-0 9.ge2
..
a b c d e f g h
s .td3
a b c d e f g h
.
I also examined:
8.dxe6!?N ixe6 9.if4 9 exd5N IO.cxd5 a6 1 1 .0-0 bd7
. . .
B4) 7.-tgs
a b c d e f g h
9 . . . bxc4
9 . . . l2J c6!? 1 0.Wfxd6 l2J d4 is also interesting.
1 0.Wla4t
Chapter 5 - 4.f3 73
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
1 3 .a3 (The following line illustrates well Black's
attacking potential: 1 3 .exd5? tLlxd5 1 4.tLlge2
1 0 . . . bxc4N 1 l .i.xc4 i.xc3t 1 2.bxc3 tLl bd7 Wf6, with a decisive attack.) 1 3 . . . i.xc3t
1 3.lLle2 lLle5 1 4.i.d3 gbs 1 5 .0-0 g5 1 6.i.f2 Exchanging the dark-squared bishop isn't
lLlxd5+ White has no compensation for the really a concession - Black wins another tempo
missing central pawn. for developing the initiative! 1 4.bxc3 tLl bd7
1 5 .Wd2 dxe4 1 6.Wxh6 1he queen is the most
9 ...be6 IO.cxb5
powerful piece, but it doesn't bother Black on
its own:
8
8
7
7
6
6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2
2
1
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
74 Various 4th Moves
1 6 . . . exf3 1 7.gxf3 e8 1 8.i.e2 ic4 Black has In such dynamic positions, time is worth
the more dangerous attack. more than material!
l S .bfB x8
8
The lack of development and the vulnerability
7 of the dark squares around the king put White
6 under strong pressure.
5
4
3
a b c d e f g h
12 ... dxe4
Also possible is 1 2 . . . d4 1 3 .a3 ia5 1 4.b4
i.e? 1 5 .llJa4 d3 1 6.llJxc5 dxe2 1 7.ixe2, but I
do not like the character of the play that arises
- White gets full compensation for the piece!
a b c d e f g h
13.a3
The endgame arising after 1 3 .'1Wxd8 xd8 This is a rare move, but significant in that
1 4.a3 ia5 1 5 .ixc5 llJ bd7 1 6.id4 ac8 still it has been played by 4.f3 specialist Sergey
offers Black full compensation for the pawn. Volkov.
8 ....bc3t
A solid alternative is 8 . . . e5 9.llJfe2 llJ bd7
1 O.llJ g3 llJ b6 1 I .ie2 0-000 as in Baron -
Ushenina, Jerusalem 20 1 6.
9.bxc3 e5 10.e2
Now I suggest a simple developing move:
a b c d e f g h
14 ... bd7!
Chapter 5 - 4.8 75
7 ... 0-0N
7 . . exd5 8.cxd5 a6 was seen in Galiano
.
8.ge2
After 8.dxe6 .ixe6 9.cxb5 a6 1 0.bxa6 c4
a b c d e f g h 1 1 . .ic2 .ic5 White's king is stuck in the centre,
IO ... bd7N so Black is fine.
1 0 . . . Wla5 was played in Volkov - Bartel,
Dubai 20 1 5 , but the queen is ineffective on 8 ... bxc4 9 ..hc4 exd5 lO.i.xdS xd5
aS, as shown after 1 1 .tLlg3!N. The tactical l l .'!Wxd5
justification is: 1 1 . . . Wfxc3t?! 1 2 . .id2 Wla3 The aS-rook is trapped, but it leads to
1 3 . .ixc4 0-0 1 4.Wfb3! Wfxb3 1 5 .axb3;!; Black's interesting complications:
extra pawn will not last due to the plan of f2
and doubling rooks on the a-file.
l l .g3 b6CD
This is similar to the Baron - Ushenina game
mentioned above. Black's extra pawn is not so
significant yet, but if White wants to win it
back at once then he will have to give up the
bishop pair.
B6) 7.i.d3!?
a b c d e f g h
13.0-0
The following alternatives also offer Black
sufficient counterplay:
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
Black's development advantage is obvious
now, but the point behind White's last move
is revealed after:
s . .t4
The important d6-pawn falls.
8.cxb5N
This is the other natural move to consider,
although it has not yet been tested in
practice.
a b c d e f g h
8 . . . d5
13 ... c6 14.xf8t cj;>x8 This seems perfectly playable for Black:
White has a small material advantage, but 9.exd5 lDxd5 l O.ltJge2
it's not easy to neutralize the activity of all
Black's pieces.
15.4
1 5 .d l c4t 1 6.c;i;>h l l2Je5 also offers Black
enough play.
1 5 ...hc3 16.bxc3
White should avoid 1 6.l2Jxe6t?! fxe6
1 7.bxc3 c4t 1 8.c;i;>h l lDe5 when Black has the
initiative.
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 5 - 4.f3 77
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
1 3 .Wfc2 Now we have another split, as White may
1 3 .i.e3 0-0 1 4 . lt:l f4 Wff6 1 5 .ltlxe6 Wfxe6 choose B71) 9.Yfxd6 or B72) 9 ..bd6.
1 6.Wfb3 Wff6 leaves White in danger.
1 3 . . . 0-0 1 4.ie3 Wff6 B71) 9.Yfxd6 Yfa5 10.ge2 hc4
Black has an active position and White's
king is far from safe, while his extra pawn has This may seem scary for White, but his position
little value. is not as bad as it looks.
8 l l .a3 a6
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
8 ... 0-0!N
a b c d e f g h
78 Various 4th Moves
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
1 9 . . .f5! Black's attack is sufficient to secure
This puts White under some pressure, since a draw at least. For instance, 20.h4?! E1g6t
the king is still in the centre. 2 1 .h3 Wf2 22.g4 fxg4t 23.fxg4 Wfe3t
24.g2 Wxe4t 25 .'it>h3 E1b6+ and by now
12 ...be2! White would be wishing he had taken
1 2 . . . l::1 ad8 1 3 .Wfg3 h8 1 4.f2 i.xe2 a draw.
1 5 .ixe2 ixc3 1 6.bxc3 seems less precise - the
potential of White's bishops might tell in the I4 ... .txfl t s .Y;Ygst 'it>hs I6.Y;Yf6t 'it>gs=
long run.
B72) 9 . .bd6 ges
13 ..bf6 gxf6
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
IO.cxb5
14.f;Yxf6 This seems like the most consistent choice.
This leads to a draw by perpetual. Obviously White is going to suffer from
Chapter 5 - 4 . f3 79
undeveloped pieces anyway, so why not grab A little tactic which helps Black to make use
a second pawn? of his development advantage and the unstable
placement of the bishop on d6.
Black has nothing to worry about after:
1 0.a3 i.xc3t l l .bxc3 'WaS 1 2.AxcS
(dubious is 1 2.'1Wd2? :gd8! 1 3.eS ll:l eS+)
1 2 . . . '1Wxc3t 1 3 .c;i;>f2 bxc4 1 4.ll:le2 'WaS
1 S .ie3 ll:l c6 The strong c4-pawn and active
pieces fully compensate for White's pair of
bishops.
I O.if4 'WaS
Black has some reasonable alternatives, but
keeping the queens on the board looks like
an attractive idea.
1 1 .'\Wc l
l l .cxbS a6 1 2.bxa6 c4 1 3.'1Wc2 ll:lxa6 a b c d e f g h
offers Black rich play which more than l l ..te5
compensates for two pawns. l l .exdS ifSt 1 2.tJif2 '1Wxd6 looks extremely
l l . . . bxc4 1 2.a3 Axc3t 1 3.Wxc3 '1Wa4 dangerous, since Black has full control over the
dark squares.
a b c d e f g h
1 4.:gc l
After 1 4.ll:le2 ll:l c6 1 S .lLlg3 lLl d4 Black is not
worse, at least.
1 4 . . . ll:l c6 1 S .lLle2
1 S .i.xc4? ll:lxe4! 1 6.fxe4 ixc4-+
1 S . . . ltl d7 1 6.ig3 fS 1 7.ltlf4 if7
The pressure along the e-file forces White to
liquidate into an equal endgame: a b c d e f g h
1 8 .ixc4 Axc4 1 9.Wxc4t Wxc4 20.:gxc4 fxe4 1 S .h4 h6 1 6.ltlf4 ixc3 1 7.bxc3 ih7 1 8.id3
2 l .fxe4 ll:l d4= ixd3 1 9.ltlxd3 a6 With an attack.
10 ... d5!
80 Various 4th Moves
Another tempting try, l l . . . WI'g5 ?!, can be Also quite playable is: 1 3 .. .f6 1 4.id3 ( 1 4.d6
strongly met by 1 2.f4! lDxf4 1 3. l2J f3 Wl'g4 fxe5 1 5 .ic4t tJih8 1 6.l2Jge2 Wfh4t 1 7.g3 Wfh3
1 4.tJif2!, and White's set-up is becoming with counterplay) 14 . . . ixc3t 1 5 .bxc3 ixd3
harmonious. 1 6.WI'xd3 fxe5 1 7.lDe2
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a b c d e f g h
1
1 7 . . . c4! 1 8.Wxc4 :gc8 Black's counterplay is
a b c d e f g h sufficient for equality: 1 9.Wfd3 lD c5 20.Wfd l
12.exd5 .tf5! Wl'b6 2 l .d6 exf4 22.0-0 l2J e4t 23.'h l Wxd6
The materialistic approach should be 24.WI'xd6 l2Jxd6 25.l2Jd4 :gxc3=
rejected: 1 2 . . . ixd5?! 1 3 .'f2 :gxe5 1 4.l2Jxd5
ie l t 1 5 .Wxe l :gxe l 1 6.:gxe l Wfh4t 1 7.g3 14.fxe5 h4t 1 5 .g3 e4t 16.'it>fl xh1
Wl'd4t 1 8.l2Je3;!; And the unbalanced position 17.3
seems better for White.
8
13.4
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
17 ... c4!
This practically forces both players to find
a b c d e f g h the only moves.
Chapter 5 - 4.f3 81
endgame by means of 1 7 . . ..ig4 1 8 . .ig2 VNxd l Now White must force a draw by perpetual:
1 9.xd l .ixf3 20 . .ixf3 xeS, but after 2 1 .d6
d8 22.ic6;!; the passed d-pawn is a source of 23.'\W4
concern. After 23.ltlh4?! VNh2t 24.ig2 .ixg2
25.ltlxg2 e6 White is in trouble.
It looks like White has consolidated and will 23 .. gd3 24.'1Wg5t 8 25.'1Wh6t g8=
.
21 ... g5!
The same concrete approach - White doesn't
have time to consolidate and attack the queen.
22.d6
After 22 . .ixh3 VNxh3 23.d6 g4 24.d7 gxf3
25 .xf3 cd8 26.dxe8='VNt xe8 White's
king is still in danger, so the position remains
dynamically balanced.
Various 4th Moves
4.a3
Variation Index
l.d4 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 i.b4 4.a3
4...i.xc3t 5.bxc3 c6!?
A) 6.f;C/c2 83
B) 6.e4!? 84
C) 6.i.g5 88
D) 6.e3 90
E) 6.f3 b6 7.e4 i.a6 92
El) 8.h3 92
E2) 8.e5 93
E3) 8.i.d3 a5 94
E3 1) 9.e5 94
E32) 9.f;C/e2 95
E4) 8.i.g5 97
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2 2
I
a b
9 . . . e8!N 1 2 . . d6!N
. I 4 . . .li:l g6!N
Chapter 6 - 4.a3 83
a b c d e f g h
8.6
The somewhat awkward 8.tlJe2 0-0 9.f3 is
well met by 9 ... tlJh5! 1 0.g4 Wfh4t l l .tJid l tlJ f6.
White's position lacks development, so there
is no way to exploit the slight vulnerability of
the queen on h4. 1 2.E1gl Wff2 1 3 .Wid3 tlJa5+
White was in trouble in Mikenas - Jahner,
Prague 1 93 1 .
a b c d e f g h
A relatively rare continuation, but I like this 8 ... 0-0 9.i.e3
concept: Black is ready to exert strong pressure 9.ig5 ?! h6 l O.ih4 exd4 l l .cxd4 g5 1 2.ig3
on the c4-pawn as soon as possible. tlJxe4 sees Black pick up a pawn for not much
compensation.
6 . . . b6 can be played with similar ideas in
mind, and it may easily transpose within a few The text move has occurred in a couple of
moves. That said, I find it slightly more flexible games. I recommend:
to start by developing the knight.
A) 6.'1Wc2
1 3.h3 7.ti'g4
White manages to win the pawn back, but
in doing so he allows us to force a queen
exchange, which clearly favours Black.
7 ... f5 8.ti'xg7
8 .h5t? g6 9.h6 f6 l O.ltlf3 b6 l l .id3
ia6+ leaves White with no compensation for
the pawn.
8 ... 6
Obviously there is no way for White to avoid
the exchange.
a b c d e f g h
8
1 3 ... exd4 14.hxg4 fxe4 1 5.he4 !U4 16.d2
dxc3 17.ti'xc3 gxe4t 1 8.xe4 ti'xe4t
7
19.fl ti'xg4 6
Black has more than enough for the
5
exchange.
4
B) 6.e4!?
8
7
a b c d e f g h
6
9.ti'xf6
5 9.h6?! is inferior, as long as Black responds
4 with: 9 . . . xh6 l O.ixh6 gg8! (avoiding the
simple trap: 1 0 . . . ltlxc3?? l l .d5 exd5 1 2.ig7+-)
3 l l .ltle2 b6 1 2.f3 ltl d6 1 3 .ltlg3 ia6+
2
9 ... xf6 10.f3
1
It makes little sense to start with 1 O.if4 d6,
a b c d e f g h when White has nothing better than l l .ltl f3 .
Chaprer 6 - 4.a3 85
1 0.g3 makes Black's rask even easier: 10 . . . b6 A quierer way of handling rhe posirion is ro
1 l .ig2 ib7 1 2.lLlh3 0-0-0+ complere developmenr:
1 l .id3 ia6 1 2.0-0 lLl a5 1 3.E1e 1
IO b6!
... Now Black has a choice of decem oprions,
This enables Black ro keep a flexible pawn bur I especially like:
srrucrure (for comparison, 1 0 . . . d6 would
weaken rhe e6-pawn) and pur pressure on rhe
weak c4-pawn.
8
7
6
5
4
a b c d e f g h
3 1 3 . . . ll:le4!?
2 Now Whire is forced ro give up rhe lighr
squared bishop in order ro keep rhe marerial
1
balance:
a b c d e f g h 1 4.ixe4 fxe4 1 5 .E1xe4 ib7!
l l .d5!? 1 5 . . .ixc4 allows 1 6.ll:le5 idS 1 7.E1h4
A sraric characrer of rhe barrie can hardly when rhe pressure on rhe h7-pawn is rarher
suir Whire, so rhis advance is a narural arrempr annoying, rhough Black should srill be okay.
ro make rhe play more concrere. 1 6.d5 0-0-0 1 7 .ig5 E1df8 1 8.E1d 1 E1hg8
Arracking rhe c7 -pawn is illogical, since The b7-bishop is blocked ar rhe momenr,
Black would benefir from opening up rhe bur ir srill exerrs srrong pressure. The
c-file: 1 l .if4 ia6! conrinuarion mighr be:
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
4
3
a b c d e f g h
ll a5
. . .
12.o d4
Here I found a useful improvement over a
top-level game.
a b c d e f g h
8
The text move prepares to put Black's king
under fire. However, the position is still 7
perfectly playable for Black after: 6
1 3 . . . lLl ce7! 1 4.0-0 i.b7 1 5 .:ge 1
Black is also doing reasonably well after 5
1 5 .ig5 h6 1 6.i.h4 lLl f4 1 7.:gfe 1 :gh7 4
1 8.i.xe7 :gxe7 1 9.lLlh4 c;i;>f8 20,:gxe7
3
mxe7 2 1 .lLlxf5t c;i;>f6 22.lLle3 :ges, with
counterplay. 2
1 5 . . . 0-0-0
1
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 6 - 4 .a3 87
14.dxe6
Now, in comparison to the above-mentioned
After 1 4 .ih6 :i:l:fe8 White has nothing better
game, 1 3 .dxe6 dxe6 14 . .if4 can be met
than 1 5 .dxe6 dxe6, with similar play to the
strongly by:
main line.
a b c d e f g h
16 ...hb5!
It is worth straightening out White's pawn
structure in order to gain time and liquidate
White's most active piece.
a b c d e f g h
88 Various 4th Moves
C) 6 ..tg5
a b c d e f g h
8 ....tb7!
This is an important moment, as the direct
attack on the c4-pawn seems less effective:
8 . . . i.a6?! This position has been seen in a
couple of games, including at GM level.
a b c d e f g h
However, I managed to find a new way of
The pin on the f6-knight is quite unpleasant, developing White's kingside initiative: 9.e4!N
so White is trying to provoke some weakening g5 1 0.ll:lxg5! hxg5 l l .i.xg5 :gg8 1 2.h4 e5
reaction, like . . . h6 and . . . g5 .
8
7
6 ... h6 7.Ah4
7.i.xf6?! is a serious positional concession:
6
7 . . . Wfxf6 8.e4 d6 9.ll:lf3 e5+
5
7 ... b6 4
8.f3
a b c d e f g h
The most consistent move - the knight
is heading to d2, where it will protect the 1 3 .f4! Wl'e7 1 4.Wff3 White has a venomous
c4-pawn and support the thematic e2-e4 attack, and the pin of the f6-knight puts
advance. Black under unpleasant pressure. For instance,
1 4 . . . exd4 1 5 .e5 :gxg5 1 6.hxg5 ll:lg8 1 7.cxd4
8.f3 i.a6 9.e4 transposes to variation E4. yields White a decisive advantage.
in Smailovic - Blaeser, Luxembourg 1 998, Better is 1 4.fxe5, but then Black gives up
when Black missed a chance to eliminate the extra piece and gets a definite positional
the dark-squared bishop in a favourable advantage: 1 4 . . . l2Jxe5 1 5 .dxe5 Wfxe5+
situation: 14 . . . exd4 1 5 .e5 l2Jxe5 1 6.Wfxb7 l2Jf3t-+
The white king can choose which side of the
board to be mated on.
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
90 Various 4th Moves
1 2.c f3 d6 13.0-0
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
13 ... e5!
Black reaches a comfortable position, as
grabbing the e-pawn only leads to hardship for
White:
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
Definitely the most ambitious continuation
- White wants to seize space in the centre
before bringing his pieces into play.
8 ... g8 9.h3
9.i.d3 llJ a5 is covered via the 8.i.d3 move
order in variation E3 1 below.
9 ... a5 IO.f;Ya4
Alas, there is no other way for White to
protect the weak c4-pawn and keep the light
squared bishop on the board.
IO ... e7
Black re-develops the knight and prepares to
castle. This position has been well known since
a spectacular victory by Kotov over Keres at
the 1 950 Candidates Tournament!
I I .Ad3
12.e5 h6 13.exf6
The knight transfer 1 l .llJg5 h6 1 2.llJe4
1 3 .i.h4 g5 14.llJxg5 ?? is impossible, as doesn't really help White: 1 2 . . . 0-0 Now
1 4 . . . llJd5 wins a piece. the d7-pawn is unpinned, so White's next
prophylactic move is almost forced: 1 3.i.f4
I3 ... hxgs I4.fxg7 ggsi Now Black can obtain a clear positional
advantage by means of:
Black will capture on g7, with an extra pawn
and a clear advantage.
E2) 8.e5
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
This more consistent mode of development
is usually connected with the loss of the
c4-pawn. As tournament practice shows, it is
a b c d e f g h
not easy to prove that White has long-term
1 2 ... d6!N compensation.
Avoiding the weakening 1 2 . . . h6 1 3 .ih4,
as was played in the above-mentioned classic 8 ... a5
game. Let me show you how Alexander White may proceed with E3 1) 9.e5 or
Kotov managed to develop a powerful attack: E32) 9.YlYe2.
1 3 . . . d5 1 4.i.b 1 !! g5 1 5 .W1 c2 llJg6? (correct was
1 5 . . .f5 1 6.exf6 llJ f5 with unclear consequences) E3 1) 9.e5 g8
1 6.llJf4! White went on to win in fine style in
Kotov - Keres, Budapest 1 950. Even though Black is forced to take a step back
in development with this move, it doesn't help
Similarly, 12 ... d5?! 1 3.i.b l ! also gives White White to develop an initiative on the kingside.
a dangerous attack. The text move is much Indeed, White's pawn centre is becoming even
better, as Black avoids blocking the centre and more vulnerable and can be easily attacked by
makes the e5-pawn into a second target (along Black's d-pawn.
with c4) .
IO.ti'e2
13.fl The other way of protecting the pawn
I don't see anything better for White. is too awkward: 1 0.V!ff a4? c5 l l .i.e3 :i:l:c8+
Kravchenko - Shaposhnikov, Yalta 1 996.
Chapter 6 - 4.a3 95
IO ... d5!
I like this concept, as the ensuing bishop
exchange will guarantee Black full control over
the light squares.
I S .gdl
Liquidating into an endgame with 1 5 .%Ve4
%Vxe4 1 6.fxe4 c5+ would leave White with
vulnerable central pawns and a passive knight
a b c d e f g h
on e2.
13.ttle2 e7
Finally Black manages to complete the 15 ... h6 16.i.cl gd8 17.f;Yc2 c5+
development of the kingside pieces. Black is firmly in control.
A standard way of developing queenside We have been following the game Kelires
counterplay - opening-up the c-file is - Stamatoupoulos, Greece 20 1 2. Here
extremely annoying for White here. Black could have consolidated his positional
advantage with 1 3 . . . llJ d7!N 1 4.0-0 0-0.
Black has opted for 9 . . . llJ b3 1 0J::! b 1 llJxc l White has no constructive ideas apart from
1 1 J::hc 1 i n most games. However, my opinion 1 5 .f4, but then 1 5 . . . e5!+ would significantly
is that releasing the pressure on the c4-pawn restrict the activity of all White's pieces.
makes White's play much easier, despite the
liquidation of the powerful dark-squared
8
bishop.
7
10.h3!?N 6
This move has never been seen in practice,
but it makes sense to complete development 5
as soon as possible, even if the c4-pawn is lost. 4
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 6 - 4.a3 97
E4) s . .tgs
a b c d e f g h
10 ... h5!
I really like this prophylactic concept. Black's
priority for now should be reducing White's
a b c d e f g h
active possibilities on the kingside, as White's
This is the most ambitious and challenging queenside weaknesses will not run away.
approach. Since it's hard to protect the c4-pawn
anyhow, White concentrates on creating some 1 0 . . . tLla5?! 1 1 .h4 lLl h7 1 2.hxg5 Wfxg5 1 3 .lLlh3
threats on the other side of board, pinning the gave White some initiative in Panov - Sidorov,
knight and forcing Black to think about e4-e5 . Yalta 1 99 5 .
1 2.d5 tLla5?!
The lesser evil was 1 2 . . . tLle5 1 3.c5 xfl
1 4.d6 cxd6 1 5 .cxd6 Wfffi 1 6.'xfl tLle8
1 7.hxg5 lLlxd6 1 8.gxh6;t, with a slight edge
for White in this complex position.
1 3.c5 xfl 1 4.d6 cxd6
a b c d e f g h
1 2 . . . xfl 1 3 .tJixfl d5
13 ... bxc5 is playable, but after 1 4.d5 tLld8
1 5 .h4 the black king is much less secure.
1 4.cxd6 Wxd6
Followed by . . . 0-0-0, leading to a long
a b c d e f g h
strategic battle where Black's chances are
certainly not worse.
Now in Carlsen - Leko, Monte Carlo
(blindfold) 2007, White could have obtained
a clear advantage with: 8
1 5 .cxb6!N axb6 7
Even worse is: 1 5 . . . xg2? 1 6.bxa7 tJib7
l ?Jb l t tJia8 1 8.Wfd4 tLl c6 1 9.Wfb6+-
6
1 6.c;i;>xfl d5 1 7.xb6 5
4
l l .h4N
This is a novelty, but it's surely the most 3
logical move. 2
l l .g3 1
This was played in Akvist - Nyberg, Sweden a b c d e f g h
20 1 0, but I don't see much sense in spending
l l . Wf6 12.g4
a tempo restricting the h5-knight. Black gets
. .
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
1 5 . . . Wg6!
Leaving the h8-rook unprotected is a b c d e f g h
concretely justified. 13.h3 xh3
The natural-looking 1 5 . . . Wg7?! allows Exchanging the knights is part of Black's
1 6.E1xh5! E1xh5 1 7.l2Jg3 and after 1 7 . . . E1h4 restricting strategy; now White's dynamic play
1 8.i.xc4 l2Jxc4 1 9.Wfxc4 Wxe5t 20.l2Je4 is significantly limited.
E1xe4t 2 l .fxe4 Wxe4t 22.'fl ;!; Black's pawns I have also examined 1 3 . . . l2Jg6 1 4.e5 Wg7
would not fully compensate for the bishop. 1 5 .h5 lDge7, but White has a powerful knight
1 6.g4 Wd3! transfer: 1 6.i.g3! lD a5 1 7.l2Jf2 i.xc4 1 8.i.xc4
Exploiting the awkward placement of lDxc4 1 9.l2Je4 With a promising initiative for
White's queen. a pawn.
1 00 Various 4th Moves
16.g2
1 6.gxh5?! xh5 1 7.g2 Wfh7 1 8.hxg5 h 1
1 9 . .ig 1 ltl a5+
16 ... hxg4
1 6 . . . ltl a5!? is also possible.
4. g3
Variation Index
l.d4 6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 i.b4
4.g3
A) 4...hc3t!? 5.bxc3 d6 6.i.g2 0-0 7.f3 c6 8.0-0 e5! 102
A1) 9J::b 1 104
A2) 9Jfc2 104
A3) 9.c5 105
B) 4 c5 106
B 1) s..tg2 106
B2) 5.d5 107
8 8 8
7 7 7
6 6 6
5 5 5
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
9 . h6!N
. . 1 0 B:e8!N
. . . l l . f5N
. .
1 02 Various 4th Moves
8
7
a c e f g h
6
This move often leads to the main lines of
5
the so-called Romanishin System, which will
be covered in the next two chapters via the 4
move order 4.tLlf3 c5 5 .g3 . However, nowadays 3
4.g3 is considered less flexible than 4.tLlf3, as
it gives Black a couple of good options apart 2
from the main 4 . . . c5.
The fianchetto was first tried in the
a b c d e f g h
early 1 920s, but was deeply explored and
successfully employed much later by Ukrainian 7.f3
Grandmaster Oleg Romanishin, starting in the Dubious is: 7.:gb 1 tLl c6 8.c5?! (8.tLlf3 e5
1 970s. White is aiming to put strong pressure 9.0-0 transposes to variation A1 below)
along the h 1 -a8 diagonal and prevent Black 8 . . . dxc5 9 . .ia3 as in Miana - Giardelli, Buenos
from developing the light-squared bishop. In Aires 1 98 5 , when 9 . . . :ge8N 1 0 . .ixc5 e5 gives
most cases, White should be ready to play very Black the initiative.
energetically, without being worried about
sacrificing a pawn or two. This concept became The ambitious 7.e4?! e5 8.lLle2, as tried in
especially popular after Kasparov's successful Makarichev - Razuvaev, Moscow 1 982, leaves
experience with 4.tLlf3 in his second World the g2-bishop locked in for a long time.
Championship match against Karpov.
As just mentioned, 4.g3 allows Black to
choose between several ways of avoiding the
usual lines of the Romanishin Variation. So in
this case I will offer a choice of replies: I believe
A) 4 ...i.xc3t!? is one of the most attractive
alternatives to the more usual B) 4 ... c5 .
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 7 - 4.g3 1 03
7.llJh3!?
This has been seen only in some online
engine games, but definitely deserves some
practical tests.
7 . . . l2k6!
Instead, 7 . . . e5 8.f4 llJ c6 9.0-0 leads to a
highly double-edged struggle. a b c d e f g h
8.0-0
Now 8.f4 can be met by 8 . . . d5!, getting 8 ... e5!
control over the e4-square. This move makes Black's play much more
8 . . J::! e 8! active and prevents White from seizing more
An excellent prophylactic move. space in the centre. Moreover, the further
Once again, 8 . . . e5 seems less flexible. advance of the e-pawn might block the
g2-bishop and yield Black some attacking
possibilities.
7 ... c6 8.0-0
a b c d e f g h
1 04 Various 4th Moves
l l . ..e4!N 1 2.'1W a4 b6 1 3.c5 d5 1 4.c4 ll:lxc4 excellent counterplay due to the opponent's
1 5.ltlxc4 dxc4 1 6.WI'xc4 i.e6 1 7.Wa4 Wl'd5+ weaknesses.
With full control over the light squares.
The text move seems like a reasonable attempt
AI) 9J:bl to swap off one of the weak pawns and open
the position for White's bishops, but Black has
This posmon has been reached in several a good answer.
games, but so far nobody has played the strong
prophylactic move: IO ... e4 l l .d2
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
9 ... h6!N 1 1 ..Je8!
Black is not in a hurry; White has no direct 1 1 . . .d5 is playable but the text move is much
threats, so it makes sense to restrict the minor simpler.
pieces.
12.cxd6 cxd6 13.c4 d5 14.e3 b6 1 5.cxd5
9 . . J:e8 1 0.i.g5!? h6 l l .i.xf6 Wl'xf6 1 2.e3 aS
gave White easier play in Epishin - Barlocco, Black is firmly in control.
Di Roseto 20 1 0. Unlike some other Nimzo
variations, White's dark-squared bishop does A2) 9.WI'c2
not have many prospects in this structure, so
it makes sense to restrict it.
10.c5!?
I also checked 1 0.Wfc2 :ge8 l l .dxe5 ll:lxe5
1 2 .ltlxe5 :gxe5 1 3 .if4 i.f5 when Black has
Chapter 7 - 4.g3 1 05
10 ... xe5!N
1 0 . . . dxe5 1 1 .tLl d2 gave White reasonable
prospects in Potapov - Spirin, Pardubice
2007. The text move makes it harder for him a b c d e f g h
to justify his ugly pawn structure, for instance: Among White's possibilities, this looks most
ambitious: White is trying to get rid of the
weak pawns and open up the position so that
his bishops become more powerful. However,
Black can interfere with those plans by means
of:
9 ... e4 10.g5
We have been following the game
V. Georgiev - Mancini, La Fere 20 1 2. Now
Black should choose:
IO ... e8!N
Echoing the earlier variation A l .
a b c d e f g h
l l .xe5
1 1 .c5 tLlxf3t 1 2.i.xf3 dxc5 1 3 .E1d 1 We?+
doesn't give White full compensation for the
pawn.
l l .cx:d6
l l .d5 looks ambitious, but it merely yields
Black the c5- and e5-squares for the knight:
l l . . . llJ b8 1 2.cxd6 cxd6 1 3 .c4 h6 1 4.llJh3 if5
1 5 .ib2 llJ bd7+ With . . . llJe5 to follow.
BI) s.i.g2
a b c d e f g h
The two main options we will consider in
this chapter are Bl) 5.i.g2 and B2) 5.d5.
This position occurred in the game Adamis Black's active piece play fully compensates
Fidriliakis, Greece 20 1 5 . Now Black shou l d for White's bishop pair.
have played:
B2) 5.d5
8
7
6
5
- a b c d e f g h
7... d5!N 8.cxd5 exd5
I nstea d 8 . . . "l..l
.r.-- xd5 9.i.d2 Axc3 1 0.i.xc3 0-0
s ... e4
leads to an equal position with a symmetnca 1 Black has some other attractive possibT
I mes,
pawn structure. but I like this aggressive move.
6.
9.a3 bc3t IO.xc3 0-0 I I .llJf3 d4 12.d3
d5 move looks like a concession, but there
is no other way to keep the material balance.
r.-- r.-- -
Wh Ite Is 7 ."l..l h3 llJxc3 8.i.d2 "l..l xd5+ as was
.
I a d in Vaganian - Karpov, Lenmgrad
r ;
9 ) 7 . . . llJxc3 8.i.d2 llJxd5 9.cxd5 ixd2t
1 0.llJxd2 d6+ White does not get adequate
compensation for the pawn.
1 08 Various 4th Moves
6 ....bc3 7.hc3
Hardly better is:
7.bxc3 f6 8.f3!?N
8.tLlf3 lLlxc3 9.c l lLl e4 10 . .if4 d6+ didn't
give White much for the missing pawn in
Cativelli - Adla, Buenos Aires 1 994.
a b c d e f g h
l l ... f5N 12 ex:f5 L5 13.0-0 d7 14.h4
.
g6
White suffers from a lack of active play,
a b c d e f g h while the weakness of the doubled pawns
might soon tell.
8 . . . tLlxd2!
I do not like the unclear position after Conclusion
8 . . . lLlxc3 9.c l tLl a4 1 0Jb l . In my opinion,
the poor placement of the a4-knight might This chapter dealt with 4.g3 , and the first
tell in the long run. thing to note is that closely related lines can be
9.xd2 d6 1 0. lLl h3 0-0 1 1 . tLl f2 e5 1 2.ig2 reached after 4.lLlf3 c5 5 .g3, as will be covered
e7 1 3.0-0 f5 shortly. By starting with 4.g3, White offers his
Black's position seems preferable due to the opponent a little more freedom, and I decided
better pawn structure. to exploit that by giving two possible replies.
Firstly, 4 . . . ixc3t!? avoids reaching the usual
7 ... x:c3 8.bx:c3 d6 9.Ag2 e5 IO.e4 0-0 lines, and offers Black comfortable play after
1 1 .6 5.bxc3 d6 6.ig2 0-0 7.lLlf3 lLl c6 8.0-0 e5!.
We have been following the game Kluger Instead the main line is 4 . . . c5 when the critical
- Schneider, Eksjo 1 977. Now I suggest the test is 5.tLlf3. In this chapter we looked at
natural move: 5 . .ig2 and 5.d5, neither of which causes Black
much trouble.
Various 4th Moves
a b c d e f g h
Variation Index
l.d4 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 i.b4 4.8
4...c5
A) 5.c2 1 10
B) 5.dxc5 111
c) 5.d5 1 12
D) 5.a3 1 12
E) 5.g3 c6 1 15
El) 6.a3?! 1 15
E2) 6.d5 1 16
E3) 6.dxc5 1 17
8 8 8
7 7 7
6 6 6
5 5 5
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
l .d4 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 i.b4 4.6 Chapter 2. 5 .ig5 is a harmless sideline of the
This move was first seen back in 1 887(!), Leningrad System - see the note on 5 . lLl f3 at
but it was mainly explored by the great the start of Chapter 4. And finally, 5.e3 0-0 is
players of the 1 920s and 1 930s: Alekhine, variation B of Chapter 1 0.
Euwe, Rubinstein and others. Developing the
A) 5.Yic2
knight in this way keeps White's position quite
flexible, and the dark-squared bishop can still This leads to a harmless line of the Classical
be placed on g5 in the future. Nowadays this System with 4.Wfc2 c5, where White responds
can be considered as an invitation to debate with 5.lLlf3 instead of the more critical 5.dxc5 .
the Romanishin System - most White players
prefer to enter it via this move order rather s ... c:x:d4 6.xd4 c6
than with 4.g3. White has to take care of the d4-knight, so
it's obvious that the queen is misplaced on c2.
4 ... c5
4 . . . b6 is also highly topical, with a Nimzo/
Queen's Indian hybrid, and moves such as
4 . . . 0-0 and 4 . . . d5 are of course possible, the
latter being a Ragozin. But I will recommend
the text move, directly challenging the
d4-pawn and keeping the game in pure
Nimzo-Indian territory.
8
7
6
a b c d e f g h
5
7.xc6
4 The modest 7.e3 0-0 8 .ie2 d5 9.lLlxc6 bxc6
3 1 0.0-0 Wfe7 1 l .b3 e5 didn't pose Black any
problems in Yakimenko - Popilski, Golden
2
Sands 20 1 4.
1
7 ...dxc6 8.a3 i.e7 9.i.f4 VIaS!
a b c d e f g h
The . . . e6-e5 advance will solve the problem
The options we will cover in this chapter of the c8-bishop. Black is already completely
are A) 5.Yic2, B) 5 .dxc5, C) 5.d5, D) 5.a3 fine, and in the following game he was able to
and E) 5.g3. The last move is by far the most take over the initiative.
important, and the analysis of it will continue
into the next chapter as well. 10.e3?! h5!
Gaining the advantage of the bishop pair.
There are three other significant moves, but
each of them transposes to a separate variation. l l .i.d3 e5 12.i.g3 g6 13.i.e2 xg3 14.hxg3
5 .Wfb3 has been covered in variation C of i.e6
Chapter 8 - 4.tLlf3 111
8 ....bc3t 9. c:bdl
7
6
1 5
a b c d e f g h 4
This offers comfortable play after: 3
a b c d e f g h
1 12 Various 4th Moves
9 ...hc3 10.bxc3 d7
Black had excellent play in Fritz - Soelter,
Lieme 2004, due to his control of the
e4-outpost.
8
a b c d e f g h 7
Gaining space does not seem to be effective 6
in this situation - the d5-pawn becomes
5
vulnerable when White cannot support it by
e2-e4. 4
3
s ... exd5 6.cxd5 d6 7.g3
7 .i.g5 transposes to a line of the Leningrad 2
System which was covered in variation B 1 of 1
Chapter 4.
a b c d e f g h
7.e3 0-0 8.i.d3 will be covered via the 4.e3 In comparison to the usual Samisch System,
move order - see variation B 1 of Chapter 1 0. White's active possibilities are limited - it's
difficult for him to gain control over e4.
7... 0-o s ..tg2
6 ... 0-0
Since pinning the f6-knight isn't effective in
this situation, there is no reason to reject this
natural move.
7.e3
It is amazing how one line can transpose to
another in chess. Here is one more example:
7.WI'c2 d5 8.e3
8.ig5 is completely harmless after 8 . . . cxd4
9.cxd4 dxc4 1 0.Wxc4 b6. This way of
handling the position resembles the Classical
System as covered later in the book. 1 1 .e3
a b c d e f g h ia6 1 2.Wfa4 ixfl 1 3 .l::1 xfl llJ bd7=
8 ... e4! 9 ..td2 8 . . . b6 9.cxd5
Chapter 8 - 4 . tLl f3 1 13
a b c d e f g h
9 . . . Wfxd5
a b c d e f g h
This suddenly takes the game into Classical
paths - see variation B2 of Chapter 2 1 , where
this position arises after 4.Wfc2 d5 5.cxd5 This interesting position was reached in the
Wfxd5 6.e3 c5 7.a3 i.xc3t 8.bxc3 0-0 9.tLlf3. game Ivanisevic - Kravtsiv, Jerusalem 20 1 5 .
Incidentally, 9 . . . exd5!? 1 0.c4 cxd4 1 1 .tLlxd4 White was trying to exploit the opponent's
i.b? is also perfectly playable for Black. exposed kingside structure, but Black
actually has no reason to deviate from the
Let's see why pinning the knight on f6 achieves 'greedy' approach:
nothing for White: 1 3 . . . d4N 1 4.0-0 f5 1 5 .l:!b 1 tLl c6 1 6.l:!b3 Wla5
7.i.g5 h6 8.i.h4 Wla5! 1 7.e3 l:!es+
Exploiting the lack of harmony in White's The reduced material leaves White with
camp. insufficient attacking potential.
a b c d e f g h
9.i.xf6?!
This pawn sacrifice is dubious, but it's the a b c d e f g h
only way to fight for the initiative. 7 b6
...
The passive 9.Wfc2 is not in the spirit of the There is also nothing wrong with 7 . . . d5,
position: 9 . . . tLl e4 1 0J::! c l d5 1 l .e3 cxd4N but I like the text move - it allows Black to
Black grabbed the a3-pawn in one game, but keep control over the e4-square without letting
the text move is much easier: 1 2.lLlxd4 tLl c6 White get rid of the weak c4-pawn.
1 3 .cxd5 exd5 1 4.i.d3 l:!e8 1 5 .0-0 i.d7=
1 14 Various 4th Moves
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 8 - 4.lt:l f3 1 15
13.tiJc2!
8
White chooses the wrong way to handle
the position - the c4-pawn isn't worth such 7
measures. 6
Better was 1 3 .dxc5N bxc5 1 4.a3 llJ e5 5
1 5 .xc5 Vfic7 1 6.xd6 Vfixd6 1 7.e2 We?= 4
when Black gets full compensation for the
pawn, but not more. 3
2
13 .. .tt:l a5 14.tlJa3
This position arose in Laurier - Gelfand, 1
Biel 1 997, when Black's strongest continuation a b c d e f g h
would have been:
The lines we will consider in depth in
this chapter are El) 6.a3?! , E2) 6.d5 and
E3) 6.dxc5 . The main line is 6.g2 and we
will cover it in the next chapter.
El) 6.a3!
E) 5.g3
5 ... tlJc6
This move is somewhat provocative - it
looks like White is being invited to seize a lot
of space with gain of tempo by pushing d4-d5.
However, the pin on the c3-knight offers
Black various tactical resources, so this idea is
justified. Two more common moves are 5 . . . cxd4
and 5 . . . 0-0, but after much analysis, I like a b c d e f g h
what is happening after the knight move.
1 16 Various 4th Moves
a b c d e f g h
Seizing space with gain of tempo is amongst
White's most natural replies. However, closing
the long diagonal helps Black to develop the
queenside pieces and attack the c4-pawn.
a b c d e f g h 8
10.i.g5!?N 7
This may be White's best attempt to j ustify 6
his opening play, although it still doesn't
inspire confidence in his set-up. 5
4
After 1 O.dxc5 bxc5 1 1 .i.f4 llJxc4+ Black was
3
obviously better in Stare - Morovic Fernandez,
Pula 2000. 2
1
10 ... xc4 l l . e5 bg2 1 2.<xg2 xe5
13.dxe5 h6 14 ..txf6 gxf6 1 5.f;Yd6 a b c d e f g h
White has some compensation for the 10 ... b6!?
sacrificed pawn, but Black is the only one who I like this concrete approach - White will
can realistically fight for the advantage. not be given time to protect the c4-pawn.
1 0 . . . l::1 e 8 1 l .e4 b6 1 2.l::1 e 1 i.a6 1 3 .i.f1 led
to a long, strategical battle in Miladinovic -
Short, Istanbul (ol) 2000.
Chapter 8 - 4 . lLl f3 1 17
s "if -
-
.... v.-
7.f;Yc2
Clearly dubious is 7.Wfd3?! as in Name -
7
-
- - l
,
5
.. . .. ..... % '------
%
z
x% A ,gj:
.JL .:
view of 7 . . . .ixc3tN 8 .bxc3 lLlxc5 9.Wfe3 b6
10 . .ia3 d6 1 1 . .ig2 .ib7+.
4 , zr
-
. 0 x - White's only other plausible continuation is:
7 . .id2 lLlxc3 8 . .ixc3
8u- - - 8n- - -
3
8.bxc3 .ixc5 9 . .ig2 0-0 1 0.0-0 d6+ simply
2
>w\ili/if--- leaves White with an ugly pawn structure.
- 8 . . . .ixc3t 9.bxc3 Wfa5 1 0 . .ig2
a b c d e f g h
13.6 xc4 14.lihc4 hc4i
Black had an extra pawn plus long-term
positional compensation for the exchange
in Gulko - Kuzmin, Tashkent 1 984. Black's
minor pieces coordinate nicely, while it is not
so clear what White should do with his rooks
and bishop. The loss of the g2-bishop also
means that White's king could be vulnerable
in the long term.
a b c d e f g h
This posmon has been seen five times in 0-0 to follow shortly. Note how strong
practice. In all those games, the knights were White's tripled pawns are!
exchanged on c3, seemingly automatically. I 8 . . . ixc5 is safer, but 9.Wfxc3 0-0 1 0.b4 ie7
would like to suggest something better: l l .ib2 if6 1 2.Wfd2;!; is pleasant for White.
9.axb4 lt:lxc l l O.Wfxc l lt:lxb4 l l .Wfc3 Wff6
1 2.Wfxf6 gxf6 1 3 .'it>d2 lt:l a6 1 4.lt:ld4 lt:lxc5
1 5 .ig2
White has at least enough compensation for
two pawns; the poor bishop on c8 is going to
have no moves for a long time.
8.bxc3 xeS
Even though the knight is somewhat less
effective in fighting for the dark squares,
Black's position still looks quite attractive due
to having stable squares for both knights and
potential play along the c-file.
a b c d e f g h
7 ...J.xc3t!N 8
To understand the necessity for this
7
improvement, we must consider the alternative.
6
7 . . . lt:lxc3 5
In Farago - Dely, Budapest 1 978, the
obvious 8.bxc3 ixc5 led to a fine position 4
for Black. However, I discovered a great new 3
idea for White:
8.a3!!N 2
a b c d e f g h
9 ..ig2
9.ie3 b6 1 0.ixc5 bxc5 l l .ig2 ib7 1 2.gb l
lt:l a5 1 3 .0-0 would transpose to the same
position.
8 . . . Wla5 ?! runs into 9.axb4! Wfxa l 1 0.bxc3 bxc5 13Jabl Yffc7 14Jfdl h6
and White is clearly better, with ig2 and
Chapter 8 - 4.tlJf3 1 19
Conclusion
a b c d e f g h
4. f3 - Main Line
Variation Index
l.d4 tLlf6 2.c4 e6 3.tLlc3 i.b4 4.tLl a c5 5.g3 c6 6.i.g2
6... tLle4
A) 7.d5 12 1
B) 7.flc2 cxd4 122
B 1) 8.a3!? 122
B2) 8.tLlxd4 124
C) 7.fld3 cxd4 8.tLlxd4 tLlxc3 9.bxc3 tLle5! 10.flc2 i.e? 125
C 1) 1 1.f!le4?! 126
C2) 1 1.fla4?! 126
C3) 1 1.flb3 127
D) 7.i.d2 tLlxd2 8.f!lxd2 cxd4 9.tLlxd4 0-0 129
D 1) 10.tLlc2 130
D2) 10.0-0 tLle5 ll.b3 a6 13 1
D2 1) 12.tLl8 133
D22) 12.tLlc2 134
D23) 12JUd1 135
D24) 12.a3 137
B 1 ) after 9 . bxc3 82) after I O.'Wd2 022) after 1 5 . lLl e4?!
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
6 a b c d e f g h
5
l SJ:: b lN
The over-optimistic 1 5 .h4? e5 1 6.h5
4 h6 led White to a lost position in Zude -
3 T. Kosintseva, Moscow 2005. The text move
is a better try, but Black can retain the better
2 chances by giving back the exchange:
1 22 Various 4th Moves
1 5 ...f;Ya6! 16.dxe6 he6 17.bb7 Wfxa2 9.b3? was played in Moebus - Miller,
1 8.ba8 .bc4:j: Augsburg 1 997, when 9 . . . d5N 1 0.cxd5
White still has some problems to solve. Wfxd5 would have left White a pawn down
in a bad position.
B) ?.f;Yc2 9 . . . 0--0 l O.:i:l:d l cxb2
If the drawing line below is not fully
acceptable, I can also suggest 1 0 . . . f5!? l l .Wfc2
cxb2 1 2.ixb2 Wfe7 with a complex battle.
l l .ixb2 ic5 1 2.lLle5 Wfc7
a b c d e f g h
This method of protecting the c3-knight is a b c d e f g h
not without merits - the queen is comfortably
Black's position is very solid, so White
placed on c2, and it attacks the knight on
has nothing better than forcing a draw by
e4. However, the lack of control over the
perpetual:
d4-square is an obvious drawback.
1 3 .Wff4 d6 1 4.ll:lxc6 bxc6 1 5 .ixg7 c;!.?xg7
1 6.Wfg5t c;!.?hs 1 7.Wff6t mg8=
7 ... c:x:d4
Now White has two main options: Bl) 8.a3!
Bl) 8.a3! and B2) 8.xd4.
This original idea has been tried only once in
A harmless sideline is: practice, but it deserves attention.
8 .'1Wxe4 dxc3
8 ....bc3t 9.bxc3
3
a b c d e f g h 2
9.0-0N 1
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 9 - 4.tLlf3 - Main Line 1 23
l l ... a4!
White is at a crossroads now. a b c d e f g h
1 2 ... d5 13.cxd5 xd5 14 ..tb2 0-0
12.d3 Black has two extra pawns, so it makes sense
The alternative is: to get castled and force White to spend a
1 2.Wxa4 ll:lxa4 1 3 .ll:lxd4 tempo capturing on d4.
Mter 1 3.exd4 b6 1 4.d5 lLla5 1 5 .ll:l d4 i.b7
1 6.lLlb5 ll:lxc4 1 7.lLlc7t me7 1 8.ll:lxa8 ixa8 1 5.xd4
1 9 J::! e 1 f6 Black's chances are preferable in I also analysed: 1 5 .ac l b6 1 6.ll:lxd4
this complex endgame.
1 3 . . . ll:lb6! 1 4.c5 ll:la4 1 5 .lLlb5 cJle7 1 6.d 1
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
1 6 . . . ia6! (inaccurate is 1 6 . . . ll:lxd4?! 1 7 .c4!
We8 1 8.Wxd4 with a promising initiative)
1 6 . . . b6! 1 7.Wfd 1 Wxd 1 1 8.fxd 1 ll:lxd4 1 9.xd4 ac8
Activating the light-squared bishop is Black's The endgame is absolutely safe for Black after
main task in the Romanishin System! 20.xc8 ixc8! - but not 20 . . . xc8?!, when
Instead, the greedy 1 6 . . . ll:lxc5 1 7 .a4!, 2 1 .a4! wins back the pawn while giving
followed by 1 8.ia3 , would offer White White a chance to press with the two bishops.
excellent play for two pawns.
1 7.cxb6 axb6 1 8.i.d2 ib7+ 1 5 ... xd4 16.hd4 b6
1 24 Various 4th Moves
Black is ready to complete his development, 1 2.a4 e5 would offer Black a slight advantage
so White should force a draw by perpetual due to his better pawn structure.
while he has the chance.
9 ... xd4 IO.Yfd2
Here I would like to bring a new idea to your
8
attention:
7
17 ..lxd5 1
White should avoid: 1 7.:1l:fd 1 i.b7 1 8.e4
a b c d e f g h
llJ f6+
IO ...Yfc7!N
17 ... exd5 18.hg7 xg7 1 9.Yfxd5 i.e6 An interesting novelty, which has a tactical
20.Yig5t h8 2 I .Yif6t g8= basis.
l l .cxb4
1 1 .'1Wxd4 e5 1 2.'1Wd3 i.c5 1 3.0-0 d6 offers
Black comfortable equality.
a e f g h 13.i.b2
8 ... xc3 9.bxc3 I doubt that White has anything better.
Dubious is 9.llJxc6, as was played in Garcia
Roman - Jedlicka, Pardubice 20 1 5 . Now the 1 3.b5 gives Black a choice, with 1 3 . . .f6!?
simple 9 . . . dxc6N 1 0.bxc3 ic5 1 1 .0-0 0-0 being the ambitious option. (If a draw is an
acceptable result, then 1 3 . . . d5 1 4.i.b2 llJxb5
Chapter 9 - 4 . ltl f3 - Main Line 1 25
1
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
1 7.ia3 l::1 e8 1 8.0-0 lLld5 1 9.E1cl Wa5 The advantage of putting the queen here
20.E1d4 Wxd2 2 1 .E1xd2 a5 White has some rather than on c2 is that the d4-square is
compensation for the two pawns, but Black is adequately defended. The drawback is that the
well and truly out of danger. queen can be easily attacked by the opponent's
minor pieces, so White's dynamic play is
slowed down.
a b c d e f g h 8
13 ...Wxb4! 7
A nice trick to force the queens off. 6
1
a b c d e f g h
1 26 Various 4th Moves
10.Yic2 i.e7
8
I consider this the most logical retreat.
Another popular continuation here is 7
1 0 . . . ic5 , but I prefer not to block the c-file 6
without reason.
5
The main lines we will look at are 4
C1) l l .Yfe4?!, C2) l l .Yfa4?! and C3) l l .Yfb3.
3
White's development advantage is rather 2
symbolic here, so the following pawn sacrifice is
1
not justified: 1 1 .0-0?! lLlxc4 1 2JM 1 ( 1 2.Yid3
Ylc7 1 3 .:i:l:b 1 a6+) 1 2 . . . 0-0+ Battaglini - a b c d e f g h
Brunner, Mulhouse 20 1 1 . 13.c5
I also examined: 1 3 .:i:l:d 1 N ll:lxc4 1 4.ltlf5
C1) l l .Yie4?! exf5 1 5 .Wxc4 i.e6 1 6.Wb4 :i:l:b8+
C2) 1 1 .Yia4?!
a b c d e f g h
The queen looks awkwardly placed here.
l l ... d6!
1 1 . . .ll:lxc4 1 2.ll:lxe6 d5 lets White off the
hook by giving him two routes to equality:
1 3 .ltlxg7t (there is also 1 3 .WI'xc4 i.xe6
1 4.Yib5t Wfd7 1 5 .Wxd7t c;i;>xd7 1 6.0-0 with
an equal endgame) 1 3 . . . c;i;>f8 1 4.Wxd5 Ylxd5
1 5 .ixd5 ltlb6 1 6.i.h6 ltlxd5 1 7.0-0-0 ll:lxc3
1 8.ltlf5t c;i;>e8 1 9. ltlg7t= With a perpetual. a b c d e f g h
This is also unsuccessful.
12.0-0 0-0
1 1 ...0-0 1 2.i.f4
Chapter 9 - 4.ltJ f3 - Main Line 1 27
12 ...ti'c7 13 . .be5
This is the only way to relieve the pressure on
the c4-pawn, but giving up the dark-squared
bishop is a high price.
12 ..tf4
Chasing the knight away with 1 2.f4?! isn't
in the spirit of White's system, as it closes
the path for his dark-squared bishop. In the
following game Black got the upper hand
quite soon: 1 2 . . . l2J c6 1 3 .i.e3 'We? 1 4.l2Jb5
Wb8 1 5 .c5 b6 1 6.cxb6 axb6+ Stamenkovic
a b c d e f g h
Mareco, Campinas 20 1 1 .
This was Guseva - Kashlinskaya, Skopje There is no independent value in 1 2.0-0
20 1 5 . Now I suggest a natural novelty: '1Wc7, when White has nothing better than
1 3 .i.f4.
14 ... a6N 1 5.0-0 gbs 16JUd1 b6;
Black consolidates a small but long-lasting 12 ...ti'c7!
positional advantage. Stepping into a pin looks somewhat
provocative, but Black can break it at any
C3) l l .ti'b3 moment.
1 2 . . . d6?! would allow White to get rid of
This is clearly the most harmonious way to one of his weak pawns and open up the d-file:
protect the pawn, and it has been the most 1 3 .c5! dxc5 1 4.i.xe5 cxd4 1 5 .0-0;!;
popular choice by far.
13.0-0
A natural-looking alternative is:
1 3 .l2Jb5
1 28 Various 4th Moves
13 d6
. . .
1 5 .i.e3
1 5 .l2Ja3?! would obviously be an awkward
way to protect the pawn. 1 5 . . . i.d7 1 6.l::1 ab l
ic6 1 7.Wb4 occurred in Jianu - Macak,
Chapter 9 - 4.lLl f3 - Main Line 1 29
a b c d e f g h
6 D) 7.i.d2
5
1
a b c d e f g h
16.f4!N
This is the best chance to make White's
position work.
7 ... xd2
1 30 Various 4th Moves
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
White's set-up is rather harmless, but
Black still needs to find the right way to get
organized. The last move prepares to put the
Chapter 9 - 4 . ttJ f3 - Main Line 131
8
I do not see any reason why Black should be
worse here.
7
6
02) 10.0-0
5
a b c d e f g h
1 9 . . . tLld5!?N 20.lLlxb5
20.exd5 Wfxd6 is no problem, and 20.tLlxc8
:gfxc8 also gives Black the most comfortable
side of equality.
20 . . . :gxb5 2 l .exd5 Wla7t 22.tLld4 .ic5 23.'h2
.ixd4 24.Wfxd4 Wfxa2
The position is close to equal, but Black
has some chances to press against the weak
b-pawn.
12 ...'!Wc7 13.:gacl
1 3.tLle4 lLle5 1 4.b3 d6 1 5 .:gac l :gd8 was a b c d e f g h
equal in Potapov - Platonov, Orel 1 996. IO e5
..
:gds
1 32 Various 4th Moves
8
I have also examined I I .Wf4!?N, which can be
compared with the note above, but the absence
7
of the moves . . . a6 and E1ac l helps Black. The
6
most convincing way to equalize is to enter an
5 endgame: l l . . .Wf6!? 1 2.Wxf6 gxf6 Doubling
4 the opponent's f-pawns isn't a real achievement
3
for White, and the c4-pawn cannot be
defended. Play might continue: 1 3 .l::1 fc l l2Jxc4
2
a b c d e f g h
l l . . . l2J e5!?N
Mter l l . . .l::1 b 8 1 2.l::1 fd U Black had trouble
completing development in Moiseenko -
Shkapenko, Warsaw 2006.
1 1 . . .'1Wc7N transposes to a few games;
after 1 2.a3 Ae7 1 3 .E1fd l !N Black is under
pressure, since 1 3 . . . l2Je5 can be strongly met
a b c d e f g h
by 1 4.c5!.
The text move is a typical device to provoke
b2-b3, but it can be strongly met with: 1 4.l2Jdb5 (after 1 4.l2Je4 d5 1 5 .l2Jxf6t c;i;>g7
1 2.'1Wf4! l2Jxc4 1 3 .l2Jxe6 fxe6 1 4.Wxc4 Ae7 1 6.b3 l2J d6 1 7.lDh5t c;i;>h6 only Black can
1 5 .'1Wb3 l::1 b 8 1 6 .l::1 fd l b5 1 7.e3;!; be better) 1 4 . . . l2Jb6 1 5 .a4 The activity of his
Black is under unpleasant pressure. pieces gives White reasonable compensation
for the pawn, but after 1 5 . . . d5 1 6.e4 dxe4
1 7.lDxe4 ltJd5 1 8.l2Jed6 a6 Black is absolutely
fine.
1 1 ... a6
Taking control over the b5-square is usually
necessary when playing a Hedgehog structure.
a b c d e f g h
This has been seen only once in practice, but
a b c d e f g h
it's a genuine attempt to fight for an opening
advantage. I suggest the simple: 1 5 ... d6 16,gfdl Ylc7 17J:: acl b6 1 8.e4
After 1 8.b4 fib? 1 9./ixb? gxb7 20.ltJe4
12 ... xf3tN gdg 2 1 .gd3, trying to put some pressure on
1 2 . . . 'Wa5 1 3 .gfc l lt:lc6 was seen in Grischuk the d6-pawn, Black can simplify matters by
- Ivanchuk, Sochi 2008, when White could means of:
have exploited the vulnerable placement of
Black's pieces by means of:
a b c d e f g h
check the following attempt to exploit the reaches an endgame where White has some
undefended queen: practical winning chances.
022) 12.c2
a b c d e f g h
20.c5! he4 21 .be4 bxc5 22Jxc5
22.bxc5 ? Wfa5! leads to the loss of a pawn for
White, since 23.cxd6? blunders the exchange:
23 . . . ig5-+
a b c d e f g h
22 ... dxc5 23.Yfxc7 gxdl t 24.g2 i.d6
25.Yic6 White can also push away the opponent's
Despite having two rooks for a queen, bishop in this way, but the c2-knight is placed
Black's lack of coordination means that he still quite passively, so Black shouldn't face serious
has to be slightly careful. problems.
4
a b c d e f g h
3
25 ... gd4!
2
25 . . . cxb4 26.ixh7t f8 27.id3 :i:l:d8
28.axb4 ixb4 29.Wfa4! :i:l: l xd3 30.exd3 a5
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 9 - 4 . lLl f3 - Main Line 135
a b c d e f g h
1 5 ... d5!N 16.cxd5 exd5 17.c3 .teSt
18.d4
Liquidating into an endgame after 1 8.e3
ll:lxe3 1 9.ltlxe3 d4 20.ll:led5 dxc3t 2 1 .c;i;> h l
cxd2 22.ltlxc7 l::1 a7 23.E1xd2 b 6 doesn't fully
solve White's problems either.
2
14 ... g4 1 5.e4?!
1
More to the point was 1 5 .if3N ltl f6 1 6.e4
d6, but Black is by no means worse here. a b c d e f g h
White can also ignore the pin for a while,
We have been following the game Mamedyarov but it doesn't look challenging.
- Dominguez Perez, Huai' an (rapid) 20 1 6.
Now Black could have refuted his opponent's 12 .. ,gb8
artificial strategy by means of:
1 36 Various 4th Moves
Black has preferred 1 2 .. .'1Wa5 in a few games, The text move differs from the note above:
but I don't fully trust the early development of rather than bringing his last piece into play,
the queen, as a2-a3 tactics will be in the air. White is moving an already-developed piece in
the hope of invading on d6. This demands a
The text move seems safer: Black gets on with more energetic response from Black:
his main strategic plan of neutralizing the
pressure along the h 1 -a8 diagonal.
8
13.c2 !J.e7 14.e4 7
1 4Jhc l is a logical alternative. Black's
6
soundest continuation is:
5
8
4
7
3
6
5 2
4 1
3 a b c d e f g h
2
14 ... b5!
Inaccurate is 14 . . .Wc7 1 5 .tLld6 b5 1 6.cxb5
a b c d e f g h axb5 1 7.E1ac l i.
1 4 . . . Wc7!N ( 1 5 . . . b5 is slightly premature, and
1 5 .Wfe3! left Black with some coordination 15.c5 ffc7 16.ffc3 /J.b7 17.d6
problems in Sandipan - Bindrich, Gibraltar We have been following Raupach -
20 1 0) 1 5 .tLl e4 d6! Black is ready to complete Firsching, email 20 1 3 . Now Black should have
played:
development with . . . l::1 d 8 and . . . b6, so
the following tactical sequence is critical:
1 6.tLlxd6!? l::1 d 8 1 7.c5 Wxc5 1 8 .tLle3 8
7
8
7
6
6 5
5 4
4
3
3
2
2
1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
1 8 . . . E1xd6! (but not 1 8 . . . Wxd6? 1 9.Wfc3! when 17 .../J.xg2N 18.'it>xg2 !J.f6 19.e4 IJ.e7
Black is in trouble) 1 9.E1xc5 E1xd2 20.l::1 xc8t 20J:: acl
E1xc8 2 1 .E1xd2 E1c 1 t With an equal endgame. 20.tLld6= would lead to a repetition.
Chapter 9 - 4 . lLl f3 - Main Line 1 37
D24) 12.a3
8
7
6
a b c d e f g h
5
Here I found a natural way to improve
4 Black's play from a high-level game.
3
14 ... d6!N
2 The more aggressive 1 4 . . . 5 1 5 .lLl c3 :gbs
1 1 6.e4 fxe4 1 7.lLlxe4 b6 occurred in Vitiugov
- lvanchuk, Reggio Emilia 20 1 2. Now White
a b c d e f g h
could have secured a solid space advantage by
Chasing the bishop seems White's most means of 1 8.f4!N tLl g6 1 9.b4 .ib7 20.:gac l ;!;.
natural way of breaking the pin. However,
the presence of the pawn on a3 renders his I S.acl d8
queenside less stable. The last preparation before solving the
problem of the c8-bishop.
12 ....te7 13.fdl
Since the a 1 -rook has some defensive 16.e3 b8
functions now, White puts the other rook Black has a solid position and will prepare
on d 1 in order to cause Black some concrete the thematic . . . b5 break, which will make both
problems. of his bishops more effective.
Rare 5 th Moves
Variation Index
l.d4 ttlf6 2.c4 e6 3.ttlc3 i.b4 4.e3
4...0-0
A) 5JNc2 c5! 140
A1) 6.i.d3 14 1
A2) 6.a3 142
A3) 6.tB a 142
B) 5.ttl8 c5 145
B 1) 6.d5 145
B2) 6.i.d2 146
B3) 6.i.e2 d5 148
B3 1) 7.0-0 149
B32) 7.a3 i.xc3t 8.bxc3 'i'c7 9.cxd5 exd5 150
B32 1) 10.0-0 15 1
B322) 10.dxc5N 15 1
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
4... 0-0
4 ... b6, 4 ... c5 and 4 ... d5 all have their
supporters, but the text move is the most flexible
of all, as well as the most popular. This is a huge
branching point for the Nimw-Indian.
8
7 a b c d e f g h
bishop stuck on c l . Specifically, after 4.WI'c2 c5 Any normal developing move is fine, but
5.dxc5 0-0, White's best continuation is 6.a3 this one particularly emphasizes the misplaced
ixc5 7.lLlf3, intending to develop the bishop queen on c2.
actively on f4 or gS . Instead, the weird 6.e3
would transpose to our position after 6.dxc5 . 9.8
If you do face this position, then the simple 9.lLle2, as was played in Michenka - Rigo,
6 . . . lLl a6 already gives Black a comfortable Slovakia 2009, leaves the d3-bishop no squares
game. for retreat, and after 9 . . . b6!N 1 0.cxd5 ( 1 0. 0-0?
runs into 1 0 . . . dxc4 I I .ixc4 cxd4 1 2.cxd4
AI) 6 ..td3 d5 ia6-+) 1 0 . . . c4 1 I .ie4 exd5 1 2.if3 lLlc6
1 3 . 0-0 lLl a5+ Black gets the better position.
8
7
6
5
7.a3
The poor placement of White's queen 4
becomes obvious after 7.cxd5 exdS 8.dxc5 3
lLlc6 9 .lLl f3 ixc5 1 O.a3 ig4, as in Kraidman -
Vadasz, Skara 1 980. 2
1
7 ....txc3t 8.bxc3 c7!?
a b c d e f g h
We have been following the game Luther -
Grandelius, Cappelle-la-Grande 2008. Now I
like the following way of regrouping the pieces:
a b c d e f g h
1 42 4.e3
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
8 . . . exd5! when Black is at least equal. be met by: 1 2 ... b6N 1 3 .0-0 i.a6 1 4.:i:l:fc l
( 1 4.tLle5 i.xd3 1 5 .Wfxd3 lLlc6+) 1 4 . . . i.xd3
8.c5 b6 9.a3 This seems consistent. (Instead 1 5 .Wfxd3 lLl c6 1 6.c4 lLl a5 1 7.cxd5 Wid?+
after 9.cxb6 Wfxb6 1 0.i.d3 lLl c6 l l .i.e3 i.a6 Black regains the pawn and keeps some
Black was clearly better in Kracunov - Orlov, positional advantage.
Sombor 2008.) 9 . . . ixc3t I O.Wfxc3 bxc5 1 2 . . . b6 1 3.0-0 i.a6 1 4.i.xa6 lLlxa6 1 5 .i.f4
1 l .dxc5 Now 1 1 . . .aS gave Black a playable :i:l:ac8 1 6.:i:l:fc l Wlb7
position in Simmons - Maggiora, email 2007, White had no compensation for the exposed
but much stronger would have been: queenside structure in Braga - Fernandez
Romero, Albacete 200 1 .
8 . h6 9 .th4 c6
. .
a b c d e f g h
8.a3
White is taking a risk in playing such a move
while already behind in development.
8 . . . ixc3t 9.bxc3 Wfc7 1 0.cxd5 exd5 1 I .i.d3
:i:l:e8t
a b c d e f g h
IO.a3
1 0.:i:l:d 1 was well met by 10 ... g5!? 1 I .i.g3 tLle4
1 2.i.d3 f5+ in Stremavicius - Sheykhhasani,
Maribor 20 1 2.
a b c d e f g h IO .bc3t l l .bxc3
..
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
14.:i:l:xd5
a b c d e f g h
1 4.cxd5 allows Black to make use of the
1 5 . . . if5 1 6.id3 ixd3 1 7 .:i:l:xd3 g5 1 8.ig3 knight: 1 4 . . . tLl g6! 1 5 .ig3 id7 1 6.tJib2 'WaS
:i:l:xd5+ White was under pressure in With excellent attacking chances.
Kameneckas - Kunzelmann, corr. 2008.
14 ... ed7 1 5.i.d3 Ylb6 16.:i:l:b5 Ylc6
1 2.cxd5N '1Wxd5 1 3 .ixf6 gxf6 does not really White's extra pawn is relatively meaningless,
help White, as the doubled f-pawns are not but his shattered structure and unsafe king will
enough to make up for the deficiencies in his be relevant for a long time to come.
position. For example:
Chapter 1 0 - Rare 5th Moves 145
B ) s .a 6 d6 7.i.d3
. .
m
1 O.Wfxd2 ig4+ and Black had an edge in
8 E -.i.B
-:--,/. ,Y.
Rosenberg - Kacheishvili, New York 2008.
" ! -
7
7 . exd5 8.cxd5
.
6 --
. .
-
GM level, and was also advocated for White by
4 w,w
w o o
IM Palliser in Chapter 9 of Dangerous Weapons:
The Nimzo-Indian (via a slightly different
- - - %ffD:
. .
1
a b c d e f g h
This position has been tested in a huge
number of games, but it usually converts to
the main lines after a subsequent 6.i.d3 . Most
strong players tend to put the bishop on d3
first, as that way White keeps his opponent
guessing as to whether the knight will go to
f3 or e2.
s c5
. . .
6.a3 i.xc3t 7.bxc3 has been covered via the 9.hh7t 'it>xh7 IO.Wfxd5 'it>gs 1 1 .0-0 hc3
4.ll:lf3 c5 5.a3 move order - see variation D 12.bxc3 c6
of Chapter 8.
8
6.i.d3 d5 leads to the absolute main line of 7
the Rubinstein Variation, as discussed from
the start of Chapter 1 5 . 6
5
Bl) 6.d5
4
The presence of the pawn on e3 makes this 3
advance less effective, as the d5-pawn doesn't
2
receive enough support.
1
a b c d e f g h
1 46 4.e3
13.e4 i.e6! 8
1 3 . . . Wf6 1 4.i.g5 Wg6 1 5 .:gfd 1 i.g4 1 6.lLlh4
Wfh5 1 7.f3 i.e6 ( 1 7 . . . tLle5!) 1 8.g4 i.xd5
7
1 9.gxh5 Ae6 20.:gxd6;!; was Korchnoi - Parma, 6
Soviet Union 1 965, as quoted by Palliser. Even
5
this would have been quite reasonable for
Black after the improvement noted at move 4
1 7, but the text move is better still. 3
14.f;Yh5 f6 15 ..tf4 2
Black also has good compensation after: 1
1 5 .:gd l We8!?N ( 1 5 . . . Wa5 was played in
a b c d e f g h
Knaak - Adamski, Polanica Zdroj 1 979, but
it feels strange to place the queen so far from 6 ... cxd4 7 .exd4 d5
the kingside) 1 6.Wxe8 :gfxe8 1 7.:gxd6 :gads;; White's active possibilities are limited by the
timid placement of his bishop.
8.c5
This is the only ambitious try - White is
aiming to build a solid pawn chain, seizing a
lot of space on the queenside. There are a few
alternatives:
7
15 ... Ve8!N 16.f;Yxe8 fxe8 17.i.xd6 b6i
6
Black has superb compensation for a pawn,
thanks to the vulnerability of White's pawns 5
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 1 0 - Rare 5 th Moves 1 47
I O.l2Jxd5 i.xd2t 1 1 .Wfxd2 Wxd5 1 2.i.c4 Wfe4t - Grund, Viernheim 1 99 5 . Simple and strong
1 3 .Wfe3 i.b7 1 4.0-0 l2J d7= would have been:
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
16 ...d7 17.0-0 b5
8
Black has been able to set up a stable
7 blockade, so there is no reason to worry.
6
B3) 6 . .te2
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
l l ... aSN 12.b4 axb4 13.axb4 gxal t
14.bal .ta6!
It makes sense to get rid of the passive light
squared bishop.
a b c d e f g h
1 5 ..ha6
1 5 .b5?! runs into 1 5 . . . bxc5! 1 6.Wla4 ib7 This modest-looking move has been tried
1 7.dxc5 lDxc5 1 8.Wfd4 Wff6 1 9.Wfxf6 gxf6 by many strong players, including Viktor
20.ixf6 ltJ bd7+ and the lack of development Korchnoi.
causes White serious problems.
6 d5
. .
a b c d e f g h
8.e5!?
I have to admit that this move is not without
merit: it enables White to change the pawn
structure so that both sides have a weakness.
8
7
6
a b c d e f g h
1
1 8 ..bg7 <lt>xg7 19.'\WgSt <lt>hs 20.'!Wf6t=
a b c d e f g h
1 50 4.e3
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
This aims to avoid the isolated pawn.
a b c d e f g h
7 ...hc3t 8.bxc3 ffc7
8 . . . dxc4 might transpose to one of the most l l . . .b5! 1 2.a4 b4 1 3.ixc4 l2J fd7! 1 4.Wfe2
explored positions in the Nimw-Indian after lDxe5 1 5 .dxe5 lD c6 1 6.f4 i.b7+
9.i.xc4 l2J c6 1 0.0-0, but this is not part of our Black is better due to the strong passed
repertoire. b-pawn.
B32 1) 10.0-0
10 ... c4!
This ambitious move makes both of White's
bishops passive and yields Black a clear
superiority on the queenside.
1 1 . e5
1 l .Wfc2, restncnng the mobility of the
c8-bishop, is not effective: 1 1 . . . lLl c6 1 2.lLld2 a b c d e f g h
E1e8 1 3 .if3 ig4+ Black was clearly better in 1 I . .. tLl c6!N
Hrescak - Brkic, Split 20 1 5 . A natural novelty.
1 1 .lLld2 was played in Petschar - Exler, Austria Also possible is 1 1 . . . lLle4, as was played in
20 1 2. Since White's main goal is to advance B.A. Toth - Neagu, Calimanesti 20 1 3 . However,
the e-pawn, I suggest 1 1 . . .if5N 1 2.f3 lLl bd7 in that case White could have tried 1 2.Wfc2N
1 3.a4 ig6 1 4.l::1 e 1 E1fe8 1 5 .ifl E1e6 1 6.ia3 l::1 e8 1 3.f3 lLld6 1 4.h3 ifS 1 5 .e4! dxe4 1 6.Wa2,
l::1 ae8, mobilizing all Black's forces. Play might with definite compensation for the pawn.
continue:
12.xc6 f;Yxc6 13.Yfc2 i.g4 14.6 i.h5
Black's play seems much easier, as White
lacks a clear plan to make his bishops work.
B322) 10.dxc5N
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
Even though this move has yet to be tested, I
believe it is the best choice. White is trying to
open lines for his bishops.
1 52 4.e3
IO ...Yixc5 Conclusion
l O ... ll:l bd7!? l l .c4 dxc4 1 2.xc4 ll:lxc5= also
looks perfectly playable. In the position after 4.e3 0-0 White can
employ various set-ups, most of which will
l l .c4 be covered in subsequent chapters. Amongst
l l .a4 Ylxc3t 1 2.d2 Yfc7 offers White White's minor possibilities, 5.ll:\f3 c5 6.d5
some compensation for the pawn, but Black is is the most ambitious try, and it leads to
certainly not worse. interesting complications after 6 . . . d6 7.d3
exd5 8.cxd5 ll:lxd5, when the subsequent
Also harmless is l l .b2 ll:l c6 1 2.0-0 g4, novelty 1 5 ... Yie8!N makes Black's position
when Black's active piece play fully compensates quite attractive. Another tricky set-up is 5.ll:\f3
for White's bishop pair. c5 6.e2 d5, but the drawbacks of White's
rather passive placement of both bishops are
l l ...dxc4 12.Yid4 Ylxd4 13.xd4 illustrated after both 7.cxd5 cxd4! 8.exd4
White intends to restore material equality lLlxd5 and 7.a3 xc3t 8.bxc3 Yfc7 9.cxd5
and enjoy his bishop-pair advantage, but he will exd5, followed by . . . c5-c4 if the opportunity
have to sacrifice some time and coordination presents itself.
while regaining the pawn after:
a b c d e f g h
13 c3! 14.b5 c6 1 5.xc3 i.e6 16.i.b2
..
gac8 17.0-0 aS
Black is fine; the exposed light squares along
the c-file prevent White from putting his
bishop pair to good use.
8
>-=""''wC.oJ'
7
.-=-'-'=/.._;:,:;,pm
6
5
4
4.e3
lm_o/ ' " ' " ,i<"77/' ' Nmd
3
e ....." m..
2
a b c d e f g h
5.a3
Variation Index
l.d4 ttlf6 2.c4 e6 3.ttlc3 i.b4 4.e3 0-0 5.a3
5...hc3t 6.bxc3 d6
A) 7.3 154
B) 7.ttl f3 156
C) 7.ttle2 157
D) 7.i.d3 e5 8.ttle2 e4! 159
D 1) 9.i.c2 160
D2) 9.i.b 1 16 1
8 8 8
7 7 7
6 6 6
5 5 5
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
1 J . h6!N
. . 7 . . . e5!?N I O . . . c5!N
1 54 4.e3
I .d4 6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 .tb4 4.e3 0-0 5.a3 White's play is slowed down by the early e2-e3
bc3t 6.bxc3 advance.
7 ... c5 s ..td3
The over-ambitious 8.e4 tLl c6N 9.i.g5 h6
1 O.i.h4 leaves White with undeveloped pieces.
His only real achievement is the unpleasant
pin of the f6-knight, which can be addressed
as follows:
a b c d e f g h
This way of handling the position obviously
resembles the Samisch, as White spends a
tempo to practically force the exchange on
a b c d e f g h
c3 , putting his faith in the bishop pair and
pawn centre. However, in my opinion, mixing
the 4.e3 and 4.a3 systems makes little sense 1 0 . . . cxd4! 1 l .cxd4 '1Wa5t 1 2.'it>f2 '1Wd8! The
- sooner or later White will have to push threat of . . . tLlxe4t puts White in a difficult
e3-e4 anyway. Still, it has been employed by situation.
such strong players as Carlsen, Eljanov and
Alekseev, among others. 8
7
6 ... d6
It would be a mistake to try and follow the 6
plan from Chapter 6 against the pure Samisch, 5
as we have already committed to short castling.
4
There are reasonable alternatives, but I like 3
the text move the most. Black is preparing
. . . e5 followed by activating the light-squared 2
bishop as soon as possible, all of which fits in 1
well with the early castling.
a b c d e f g h
We will look at four options: A) 7.f3, 8 ... c6 9.e2
B) 7.f3, C) 7.e2 and D) 7 ..td3. Developing the knight in a different way
doesn't bother Black: 9.tLlh3N b6 1 0.0-0 ia6
A) 7.f3 1 1 .'1We2 lLl a5 1 2.lLlf2 :gcs 1 3.d5 lLl d7!+ and
the weakness ofWhite's queenside pawns starts
In comparison with the usual Samisch, to tell.
Chapter 1 1 - 5.a3 1 55
1 5 .e4
8
1 5 .ic2 WeB 1 6.i.d3 E1d8+
1 5 . . . i.xc4 1 6.i.g5 i.xd3 1 7.E1xd3 l2J d7+ 7
White had no compensation for the pawn in 6
Kunicki - Jakubowski, Wisla 2000.
5
This position has been seen in a couple of 4
games. In my opinion, the best way to prove
that losing a tempo is critical for a system as 3
sharp as the Samisch is: 2
1
a b c d e f g h
14.ti'c2
The following alternatives do not solve
White's problems:
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
This move does not seem to be in the spirit 1 0 . . . l2J e4!
of the position, but it was tried by Akiba Admitting that the bishop pair is just
Rubinstein so it deserves some attention. I as significant as the weakness of White's
like the following new way of handling the doubled pawns.
position: 1 o . . . dxe5 is less convincing due to 1 l .W.xd8
E1xd8 1 2.g4 e4 1 3 . gxh 5 exf3 1 4.ixf3 when
7 .. e5!?N
.
White's bishops may become powerful.
The most dynamic, although I should l l .exd6
mention that there is nothing wrong with a I l .ib2 dxe5 1 2.W.xd8 l::1 xd8 1 3 .g4 ig6
normal continuation such as 7 . . . W.e7 followed 1 4.l2Jxe5 l2J c6 1 5 .l2Jxg6 hxg6 looks too
by . . . e5 . passive for White.
l l . ..l2Jxc3 1 2.W.d3 lDxe2 1 3 .'it>xe2 cxd6
8.d2 1 4.E1d l l2J c6 1 5 .ib2 f6
Mter 8.dxe5 dxe5 9.W.xd8 E1xd8 1 0.l2Jxe5
l2Je4 Black regains the pawn and gets excellent
play, since 1 l .ib2?! l2J a6 1 2.f3 l2J ec5 1 3.E1d 1
ie6 1 4.ie2 l2J a4 1 5 .ia 1 f6 puts White in a
difficult position.
8.ie2
This is another natural developing
move which briefly transposes to an old
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 1 1 - 5 .a3 1 57
An interesting concept: Black is trading the With White's knight heading for g3, it makes
better pawn structure for active piece play, sense to attack the c4-pawn as soon as possible.
while getting rid ofWhite's space advantage.
8.g3
10.cxd4 cxd4 l l .exd4 c6 12 ..tb2 The ambitious 8.d5N isn't supported by
Mter 1 2.d5 lLl d4 1 3 .0-0 if5 1 4.i.b2 b6 White's undeveloped pieces, so after: 8 . . . tLl bd7!
Black forces an exchange of the opponent's 9.dxe6 tLle5 1 0.exf7t E1xf7
dark-squared bishop and gains some positional
advantage.
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
9 ... b6 10.0-0 .ta6 l l .Wfe2 c8!
Since the d4-d5 advance isn't possible,
it's better to keep the tension for as long as
a b c d e f g h
possible.
This was played in Averbakh - Matanovic, 1 1 . . .cxd4 1 2.cxd4 c8 1 3 .ib2 llJ a5 1 4.ac l
Rijeka 1 963, and should be met by: would allow White to consolidate and protect
1 1 . . .llJa5N 1 2.Wfe2 cxd4 1 3 .cxd4 Wfc7! the c4-pawn; 1 4 . . . d5 1 5 .cxd5 ixd3 1 6.Wfxd3
A precise move, preparing to put the king's Wfxd5 is still okay for Black, but the text move
rook on c8. poses more problems to White.
Instead, 13 . . . c8 1 4.cl Wfc7 1 5 .0-0
ixc4 1 6.ig5 llJ d7 1 7.llJh5 offers White 12 ..tb2
interesting play for a pawn. Obviously the dark-squared bishop is
1 4.c l feB 1 5 .0-0 ixc4 1 6.ig5 misplaced now, but White has to get ready
to defend the c4-pawn, and 1 2.d5? llJe5 is
horrible for him.
12 ... a5 13.d5
1 3 .ac l d5 1 4.cxd5 ixd3 1 5 .Wfxd3 exd5+
led White to a passive position in Golz -
Radovici, Ploiesti 1 957.
a b c d e f g h
14 ... .ixd3N 1 5.Yixd3
And then blocked the other one with: a b c d e f g h
15 ... c4! 16.Yif5 g6 17.Yif3 ge8 1 8.e4 b3 1 o . . .f5 1 l .Yfc2 Wle7 1 2.0-0 tlJd7 1 3 .a4
19,gadl c5+ c5 1 4.tlJd2 tlJ df6 Black's play in the game
Black has strong pressure against the Eidelson - Minogina, Vitebsk 1 985, was
e4-pawn, and the c5-knight threatens to j ump highly instructive. White was doomed to
to d3 at any moment. passive defence and eventually lost.
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
8 ... e4! a b c d e f g h
This advance is part of Black's restricting
1 5 . . . ltle5!N 1 6.'it>h 1 ( 1 6.f4 ll:l g4 1 7.E1f3 Wh4
strategy - it makes both White's bishops look
1 8.id2 ig2-+) 1 6 . . . c5 1 7.dxc6 ll:lxc6 1 8.Wd5
poor.
g6+ Securing a big positional advantage.
The two lines to look at are of course
The attempt to protect the c4-pawn with
D l ) 9.i.c2 and 02) 9 ..lb l .
1 0.ib3N fails after: 1 0 . . . ltl c6! 1 1 .ltlf4 (The
tactical justification for Black's last move is
Dl) 9 ..lc2 .le6
1 1 .d5 ltle5 1 2 .dxe6 ltl d3t 1 3 .'fl ll:lg4+ and
White is in trouble; the text move is not much
I like this natural developing move. Protecting
of an improvement though . . . )
the c4-pawn would slow down White's
counterattack.
a b c d e f g h
&(t-ilB .iV-Wi
8
1 %
.....% ....%
IO.Vb3
T
. . . . . .
". 'l.-
r'm%'m"
The ugly-looking 1 O . .ia2, as was played in
3 - %. Einarsson - Vidarsson, Hafnarfjordur 1 996,
w[l!j
2 can be met strongly by: 10 . . . ll:l c6!N We saw
...
exactly the same idea in the note to move
1 . I] : 1 0 in the previous variation. The critical line
a b c d e f g h continues: 1 1 .d5 ltle5 1 2 .dxe6 tDd3t 1 3 .tJifl
We have been following the game Podolny ll:l g4
Furman, Vilnius 1 949. Now Black could have
put White under some pressure by means of:
a b c d e f g h
Conclusion
Variation Index
l.d4 tLlf6 2.c4 e6 3.tLlc3 i.b4 4.e3 0-0 5.tLlge2
5.. Je8!?
A) 6.g3 164
B) 6.a3 i.8 165
B 1) 7.tLl f4 165
B2) 7.g3 d5 8.cxd5 exd5 9.i.g2 a5 10.0-0 tLla6 168
B2 1) 1l.i.d2 169
B22) 1l.'i'c2 170
B3) 7.e4 d5! 8.e5 tLl fd7 170
B3 1) 9.c5?! 17 1
B32) 9.cxd5 172
B4) 7.tLlg3 d5 175
B4 1) 8.cxd5 175
B42) 8.i.e2 177
B5) 7.d5 a5! 180
B5 1) 8.g3 1 80
B52) 8.tLlg3 tLla6 181
B52 1) 9.i.e2 181
B522) 9.i.d3 183
1 64 4.e3
l .d4 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 .th4 4.e3 0-0 placement of the d2-bishop by means of:
s.ge2 8 . . . lLl bd7N 9.ig2 lLl b6 1 0.0-0 c6 1 l .b3
This move was introduced and deeply if5 1 2.f3 ia3+
explored by one of the greatest players of the
past: Akiba Rubinstein. White avoids doubled
c-pawns and keeps the pawn chain flexible.
The drawback is that the development of the
light-squared bishop is somewhat delayed,
s .. Je8!?
This move was introduced back in 1 937,
but it has become fashionable again in recent
years. The main continuation is 5 ... d5 6.a3
ie7, whereas the text move secures a more
a b c d e f g h
comfortable square on f8 for the bishop's
retreat. Of course, the rook move costs a 8 . . . c5!
tempo and does not immediately occupy the Since the d-file is blocked, this advance is
centre, so we have to consider various attempts more effective than usual.
by White to gain space in that area. 9.a3 ixc3 1 0.ixc3 lLl c6 1 1 ./ib5
Too passive is 1 1 ./ie2?! c4 1 2.0-0 b5+.
1 1 . . ./ig4 1 2.'1Wd2 cxd4 1 3 .ixd4 lLlxd4
8
1 4.'1Wxd4 '1Wa5t 1 5 .'1Wb4 '1Wxb4t 1 6.axb4 l::1 e 6=
7 The weakness of the b4-pawn yields Black
6 sufficient counterplay.
5 A) 6.g3 d5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
We will start by considering A) 6.g3, which
is an attempt to deviate from the main line of
B) 6.a3 .
6./id2
For some reason, this natural-looking move
a b c d e f g h
has been seen in only one tournament game.
6 . . . d5 7.cxd5 exd5 8.tLlg3!?N 7. .tg2
8.g3 was played in Aleksandrov - Lopez White should probably return to the usual
Martinez, Lugo 2009. Now Black could paths with 7.a3 /if8, as covered in variation
have exploited the somewhat awkward B2.
Chapter 1 2 - 5 . tLl ge2 1 65
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
12.e4 s ..td3
No better is: 1 2.f4 e7 1 3 .a3 ia5 1 4.e4 c5 8.lLlh5, as was played in Shirazi -
1 5 .i.e3 cxd4 1 6.lLlxd4 i.d7+ Shchekachev, Paris 20 1 4 , looks artificial, and
the simple 8 . . . lLlxh5N 9.xh5 e5 1 0.d5 e4
12 ... e5 13 ..te3 exd4 14 ..ixd4 e7i offers Black a better position.
Black remained a pawn up in Giorgadze -
Bacrot, Groningen 1 997. White has also tried: 8.i.e2 e5 9.tLlfd5
(releasing the tension in the centre is a definite
B) 6.a3 concession: 9.dxe5 dxe5 1 0.xd8 gxd8
1 1 .lLlfd5 lLl e8! 1 2.0-0 lLla6 1 3.gd 1 i.e6+
This is the most natural and consistent choice. Black was better in Schandorff - P.H. Nielsen,
Aalborg 2006) In Lutsko - A. Zhigalko, Minsk
6 ...-tm 2008, a good continuation would have been:
Now we have a major branching point; we
will look at Bl) 7.4, B2) 7.g3, B3) 7.e4,
B4) 7.g3 and BS) 7.d5 .
1 66 4.e3
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
1
8 . . . c6 9.i.d3 a b c d e f g h
Too passive is: 9.ie2 cxd5 1 0.cxd5 e5 9.fe2N
1 1 .lLlh5 ll:lxh5 1 2.ixh5 e4 1 3.0-0 g6 Previously 9.dxe5?! dxe5 1 O.ll:lfd5 was
1 4.i.e2 ig7+ played in Moor - Mantovani, Switzerland
Black is also doing well after 9.dxe6 fxe6 2005 . Now Black could have exploited the
1 0.e4 e5 1 1 .lLlh5 ll:lxh5 1 2.Wfxh5 ie6. lack of harmony in the opponent's camp by
9 . . . ll:l bd7! means of:
The most precise.
Chapter 1 2 - 5 . lLl ge2 1 67
a b c d e f g h
9 ... d5! a b c d e f g h
I don't like releasing the tension in the centre
12.hl7t
with 9 . . . exd4 1 0.exd4 d5, since after 1 l .c5 b6
The simple 1 2.tlJxd5 Wfxd5 1 3 .0-0 is
1 2.b4 a5 1 3 .E1b 1 the space advantage is on
unthreatening, as Black has easy development
White's side.
after, for example, 1 3 . . . lLl c6.
8
7
6
5
a b c d e f g h
10.cxd5 4
This leads to some tricky tactics. 3
a b c d e f g h
7... d5 8.cxd5
a b c d e f g h
Instead 8 .ig2?! dxc4 9.WI'a4 seems dubious
White manages to regain the pawn, but it takes
a long time: 9 . . . llJ bd7 1 0.WI'xc4 e5 1 1 .0-0 e4 1 3 . . . llJ d6!N 1 4.llJg3 g6+ Black is firmly in
1 2 .b3 llJ b6 1 3 .Wfc2 if5+ As a result, Black control.
was able to seize a lot of space in I. Sokolov -
a b c d e f g h
White may proceed with B2 1) l l .id2 or
B22) I I .f;Yc2.
A minor alternative is 1 1 .llJf4 c6. Provoking
the . . . c6 advance in this way is hardly a
a b c d e f g h significant achievement for White, as we
Chapter 1 2 - 5 . lLl ge2 1 69
can see after the further: 1 2.f3 0. c7 1 3.e4?! White's play in the following game seems too
A tempting but incorrect advance. 1 3 . . . c5! slow: 1 2.h3 0.c7 1 3.Wfc2 0. e6 1 4.<kt>h2 g6
White has lost control of the centre and found 1 5 .:gad 1 Aleksandrov - Lopez Martinez, Lugo
himself in an inferior position after: 2009. Now Black could afford some aggressive
measures:
3
2 r=ru
h
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
1 4.e5 ( 1 4.ie3 dxe4 1 5.0.xe4 c4 1 6.if2 b5+)
14 . . . cxd4 1 5.Wfxd4 tt::l d7 1 6.tt::l d3 :gxe5 1 7.f4 1 5 . . . b5!N 1 6.0.a2 Wfc7 1 7.0.ac l b4 1 8.axb4
:ges 1 8.tt::l xd5 0.xd5 1 9.Wfxd5 Wfb6t 20.<it> h 1 axb4 1 9.0.d3 ia6+
0.f6+ S . Bekker Jensen - Hammer, Borup 2008.
12 ... c7 13.a4
B2 1) l l .i.d2 c6 In the event of 1 3 .f3 0. e6 1 4 .ie 1 , intending
to regroup the pieces and push e3-e4, Black is
able to seize the initiative with energetic play:
14 . . . b5! 1 5 .if2 b4 1 6.axb4 axb4 1 7.0.a4 ia6
1 8.:ge 1 ib5+
8
7
6
5
4
a b c d e f g h 3
12Jcl 2
As was mentioned earlier, 1 2.f3N should 1
be met by 1 2 . . . c5 , and then 1 3.dxc5 0.xc5
a b c d e f g h
1 4.0.d4 id7 offers Black comfortable play.
13 ... e6 14.b4 e4 1 5 .i.el axb4 16.axb4
Black did not face any problems after 1 2.0.f4 d6i
if5 1 3.f3 h5 1 4,:gf2 b5 1 5 .ifl id6 in Milov Black had valuable control over the light
- Alekseev, Santo Domingo 2003. squares in Volkov - Morozevich, Moscow 2005.
1 70 4.e3
14... h6 1 5.h4?!
I will show this move just to illustrate what
happens if White is over-ambitious.
B3) 7.e4
a b c d e f g h
12 ... c5
Once the g2-bishop has been blocked, Black
is better placed to accept the creation of an
IQP. Moreover, the e3-pawn provides a target
for counterplay.
13Jdl
Chapter 1 2 - 5 . tLl ge2 171
B3 1) 9.c5?! b6 10.b4 aS
8
7
6
5
4 I. . . . . . . /W//,r.. .
3
WN//r.. , . . . .
2
1
a b c d e f g h
14.g3?!
a b c d e f g h
1 4.f4 would be the lesser evil, but even then
This only invites serious trouble for White, after 1 4 . . . tLl c6 1 5 .i.e3 f6 1 6.i.f2 ic4 White
as we can see from tournament practice. would be under strong pressure.
We have been following the game l O.lLlxd5?! c5 only leads to a loss of time, and
Konstantinov - Arsic, Paracin 20 1 5. Black's White will not remain a pawn up for long.
easiest and most effective way to break through Play might continue: l l .lLlec3 cxd4 1 2.Wixd4
would have been: ll:lc6 1 3.Wid l lLldxe5 1 4.ie2
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a b c d e f g h
1
1 4 . . . ge6! 1 5 .0-0 gd6+ and the pin on the
a b c d e f g h d5-knight causes White a lot of problems.
l9 ... tldxe5!N 20.dxe5 d4
With a winning position at an early stage of The attempt to limit Black's active play by
the game. means of I O.b4?! is not effective either: I O . . . a5
l l .b5 c5 1 2.bxc6 bxc6 1 3.g3 c5 1 4.ig2 cxd4
B32) 9.ad5 exd5
1 5.ll:lxd4 ll:lxe5 1 6.0-0
8
7
6
5
4
3
2 a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
1 2.b4?
White should prefer 1 2.i.e3 , transposing to
our main line.
The greedy 1 2.Wfxd5? l2Jxc5 1 3 .Wfxd8 :gxd8
1 4.lDg3 lD b3 1 5 .:gb 1 i.c5+ also invites a lot
of trouble.
1 2 . . . a5 1 3.:gb 1 axb4 1 4.axb4 l2J dxe5! 1 5 .fxe5
if5 1 6.:gb3 d4
Black regains the piece with great effect!
8
7 a b c d e f g h
6 12 ... xc5
Weaker is 1 2 . . . i.xc5?! 1 3 .i.xc5 lDxc5 1 4.b4
5
d4 1 5 .bxc5 dxc3 1 6.Wfxd8 :gxd8 1 7.lDxc3 ,
4 when claiming full compensation for the pawn
3 turns out to be a tough task.
2 13.xd5
1 Apparently, 1 3.b4 is a safer way to maintain
the balance. Play continues 1 3 . . . d4! 1 4.l2Jxd4
a b c d e f g h
l2Jxd4 1 5 .Wfxd4 Wfxd4 1 6.ixd4 l2J b3 1 7.:gd 1
l l ... c6 12.dxc5 a5! , when White's lack of development
An attempt to complete the development prevents him from keeping the extra pawn:
1 74 4.e3
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
White is not trying to refute Black's set-up
with this move, but instead aims to complete
development and build upon his slight space
advantage.
1 76 4.e3
9 ... c5 IO.dxc5
1 0.0-0 ltl c6 1 1 .ic2, as was played in
Kuruppu - Karas, Gyor 20 1 4, should be
met by: 1 1 .. .ig4N 1 2.f3 ie6 1 3 .ltlge2 :gc8
1 4.id2 cxd4 1 5 .exd4 ltl a5+
a b c d e f g h
1 5 . . . d4!?N 1 6.b5
1 6.e4 a5 1 7.b5 ltle5 leads to double-edged
play.
1 6 . . . ltl a5 1 7.exd4 b6
The passive placement of his pieces prevents
White from benefiting from his extra pawn:
1 8.ltlc4
Also level is: 1 8.Wa4 ie6 1 9.:gac l Wfd6
20.:gfe 1 :gad8=
18 ... ig4! 1 9.lLle2 lLlxc4 20.ixc4 :gc8 2 1 .id3
ltld5 22.Wfd2 ixe2 23.ixe2 ltl c3 24.ig4
a b c d e f g h :gc7=
l l ... c6 12.b4
It doesn't make much sense to postpone
development with 1 2 .ltlh5 ie6 1 3.ltlf4 -
after 1 3 . . . d4! 1 4.ll:lxe6 :gxe6 1 5 .ltl a4 if8
1 6.exd4 Wfxd4 1 7.ie3 Wfh4+ Black was
better in Lilienthal - Sokolsky, Kuibyshev
1 942.
For instance, after 1 6 . . . Ag4 1 7.lLlce2 Axb2 Better was 1 6.c;i;>h 1 h4 1 7.ltJfS AxfS 1 8.Axf5
1 8.WI'xb2 Wl'e7 1 9.h3 Ad7 20.ltlf4:t White d4 1 9.lLlbS, maintaining the balance.
maintains a small but stable advantage.
16 ...d4! 17.exd4 h4 18.e2 h3 19.g3
15.4 1 9 .g3 is a better try, although 1 9 . . . Ag4
1 S .:i:l:ad 1 !?N is less drastic way to handle the 20.:i:l:ae l WfdS 2 1 .1':1f2 :i:l:ad8 still gives Black a
position. Still, Black's position seems perfectly promising initiative.
playable after: 1 S . . . h4 1 6.ltlge2 h3 1 7.g3 Ae6
19 ... xd4
White was in trouble in Michalik - Swiercz,
Czech Republic 20 1 2.
B42) 8 .te2
8
7
6
a b c d e f g h 5
1 8.lLlf4 (or 1 8.Ab l :i:l:c8 1 9.f4 Axc3 20.Axc3 4
Ag4, with plenty of counterplay) 1 8 . . . d4
1 9.lLlxe6 :i:l:xe6 20.ltle4 dxe3 2 1 .ltlxf6t Axf6 3
22.fxe3 Wl'b6 The position remains dynamically 2
balanced.
1
1 5 ....tc7 a b c d e f g h
This was Watson's recommendation in A
Strategic Chess Opening Repertoire for White,
but he only mentions 8 . . . cS for Black. I don't
like that move at all, since 9.dxcS AxeS 1 0.b4:t
followed by Ab2 gives White easy play, while
Black has wasted too much with his bishop,
causing a delay in the development of the
queenside pieces. Instead I would like to
recommend:
8 ... b6!
This move not only aims for a fianchetto, but
also makes the counterattacking . . . cS advance
a c e g
more effective.
16.a4?! 8 . . . dxc4 9.0-0 cS 1 0.dxcS AxeS 1 l .Axc4
A dubious decision - White cannot afford to Wl'xd l 1 2.:i:l:xd l ltl bd7, as played in Fier
move the knight away from the centre. - Harikrishna, Eppingen 20 1 S , seems
1 78 4.e3
insufficient for equality in view of: 1 3 .ie2!N 1 2.b5 cxb5 1 3.llJxb5 llJ c6, when the weak
a6 1 4.llJge4 i.e? 1 5 .llJd6;!; c4-spot in White's camp yields Black excellent
counterplay.
9.cxd5
9.0-0 c5 1 O.dxc5 bxc5 1 1 .e4?! ( l l .cxd5 exd5 IO ... c5
would transpose to our main line below) was With White's kingside knight on g3 instead
played in Manolache - Cheparinov, Pontevedra of the normal 3, Black has more reason to
2004. Black should have continued: create hanging pawns.
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
10.0-0
1 0.b4 c6 1 1 .0-0, as was played in
Schepetkova - Charochkina, Satka 20 1 5 ,
can be comfortably met by 1 1 . . . i.a6N
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 1 2 - 5 . lLl ge2 1 79
1 3 . . . d7! 13 ...i.a6!N
Protecting the bishop and getting ready to A natural way of handling the position.
break open the centre.
1 4.i.b2 The previously played 1 3 . . . i.b7?! 1 4.i.f3;!; was
1 4.a2 is also well met by 1 4 . . . d4! 1 5 .i.xb7 too passive for Black in Berovski - Dobrev,
xb7 1 6.exd4 cxd4 1 7.lLlce2 lLl c6 1 8.d2 Shumen 1 995.
ab8 1 9.b4 a5= and White cannot avoid an
exchange of all the queenside pawns. 14J:el
14 . . . d4! 1 5 .i.xb7 xb7 1 6.exd4 cxd4 1 7.lLlce2 Over-optimistic is: 1 4.i.f3?! i.xfl 1 5 .xfl
1 7.xd4 xb3 1 8.lLlce4 lLl bd7 is slightly tLl d7! (instead 1 5 . . . tLl c6 1 6.i.xd5 c8 1 7.i.d2
better for Black. offers White more compensation) 1 6.i.xd5
b8+
14 ... c6!
This pawn sacrifice allows Black to complete
development and exploit the light-square
weaknesses in the opponent's camp.
a b c d e f g h
1 7 . . . lLl c6
The passed d-pawn is strong, so White has
nothing better than:
1 8.lLlxd4 lLlxd4 1 9.i.xd4 adS 20.a2 e6
2 l .d2 i.xa3=
8 1 5 .xd5
1 5 .xd5 lLle5 1 6.i.e2 i.xe2 1 7.xe2 b8
7
leads to a double-edged battle.
6
5 1 5 .i.f3 leads to a similar character of play:
1 5 . . . lLle5! 1 6.i.xd5 b8 1 7.e4 h4! The
4 c l -bishop is tied to protecting the b2-pawn,
3 whereas Black has a few dangerous ideas, such
as transferring the rook to h6.
2
1 1 5 ...i.c4 16.c3 b6 17.a4 i.b3i
White experiences serious problems with the
a b c d e f g h
development of his queenside pieces.
1 80 4.e3
BS I) 8.g3
B52) 8.g3
a b c d e f g h
IO ... a4 l l .Yic2 d6 12.i.d2 i.d7
Black should also be okay after 1 2 . . . lLl b3
1 3 .gad l exdS 1 4.cxd5 id7.
13.dxe6
Releasing the tension in the centre looks This is the most popular way to handle the
like a concession, but I do not see a better position. The knight is freeing the way for the
alternative. bishop and taking control of the important
e4-square.
The natural 1 3.gad 1 ?! c6! 1 4.e4 exd5 1 5 .exd5
cxd5 1 6.cxd5 tLl g4 leads White to a passive 8 ... a6
and inferior position. Now the two main lines are B52 1) 9.i.e2
and B522) 9.i.d3.
13 ... .be6
White cannot afford to delay development
8 even more with 9.gb 1 ?! in view of 9 . . . exd5
1. -=C7. /''Hm. , . . . . . .
1 0.cxd5 c6! 1 l .ie2 b5 1 2.dxc6 dxc6, and
7
White was already in trouble in Berezjuk -
6 Markos, Czech Republic 2002.
5
I also examined 9.b3 exd5 1 0.tLlxd5 ( l O.cxd5
4 c6 1 1 .ie2 b5!+ would force White to release
3 the tension in a worse situation) 1 0 . . . lLlxd5
1 l .cxd5 c6 1 2.ie2 tLl c7 1 3 .dxc6 dxc6 1 4.Wfc2
2 ie6, when Black has excellent play.
1
B52 1) 9.i.e2 c5 10.0-0
a b c d e f g h
14.d5 c6 1 5.xf6t Ylxf6 16.d4 i.d7 There are a couple of serious alternatives:
The vulnerability of the c4-pawn and
ideal placement of the c5-knight afforded
1 82 4 .e3
1 0.b3
This prophylactic move can be met by:
1 0 . . . a4
In my opinion, liquidating the dark-squared
bishop is the most challenging reply.
1 l .b4 ltl b3 1 2.1:h2
Or 1 2.:i:l:b 1 lLlxc l 1 3 .:i:l:xc l exd5 1 4.cxd5
c5! 1 5 .bxc5 ( 1 5 .0-0 cxb4 1 6.axb4 ixb4
1 7.ltlxa4 Wla5 1 8.Wfd4 Wlxa4 1 9.:i:l:c4
Wla5 20.:i:l:xb4 Wfxd5= leads to major
simplifications) 1 5 . . . ixc5 1 6.0-0 Wla5 with a b c d e f g h
promising counterplay. 1 2 . . . g6
1 2 . . . ll:lxc l 1 3 .Wfxc l Another attractive idea is 1 2 . . . :i:l:xe3!?N
We have been following the game Thingstad 1 3 .fxe3 Wfe7, when Black has excellent
- Predojevic, Norway 20 1 6. In my opinion, compensation due to his superb control over
Black should have activated the dark-squared the dark squares.
bishop by means of: 1 3 .0-0 ig7 1 4.:i:l:b 1 id7 1 5 .b4 axb4 1 6.axb4
ll:l fe4 1 7.ltlgxe4 ll:lxe4 1 8.ll:lxe4 :i:l:xe4+
The activity of both Black's rooks put
White in an unpleasant situation in Zueger -
Greenfeld, Munich 1 987.
a b c d e f g h
sufficient compensation for the pawn, at the White will have to expend another tempo after
very least. . . . ll:la6-c5 .
B522) 9 ..td3
a b c d e f g h
13 ...'\WbS!?N
I like this ambitious new approach.
14Jbl
a b c d e f g h 1 4.ll:lge2 i.d6 1 5 .0-0 c6 1 6.g3 ie5 puts
A double-edged continuation. The bishop White under strong pressure - both of Black's
is placed more actively here than on e2, but bishops are extremely powerful.
1 84 4.e3
a b c d e f g h
A2) note to 1 Oth move o p tions A22) after 1 5 .e4 B l ) after 1 3 .b3
8
1
6
5
4
3 Wlf1'"""f%';m
///A/' ' "" ///C'/A
2
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
s ... ds
Taking space in the centre is Black's most
popular reply.
a b c d e f g h 8
In this introductory chapter to the 5 .i.d3 7
set-up we will focus on A) 6.ge2 and 6
B) 6.cxd5 .
5
6.a3 will be discussed in the next chapter, 4
while the most important 6.tLlf3 is covered in
Chapters 1 5 and 1 6. 3
2
A) 6. ge2 dxc4
1
Another common variation is 6 . . . c5 7.cxd5 a b c d e f g h
cxd4 8.exd4 lLlxd5 9.0-0 tLl c6, but I don't I I .i.e3
like the position after 1 0.tLlxd5 exd5 1 1 .tLlf4, Of course, such a modest method of
when White can claim a risk-free edge. development doesn't suit White's attacking
ambitions, so Black gets comfortable play. By
7.i.xc4 c5 the way, the text move actually transposes to
Chapter 1 3 - 5 .id3 1 87
a b c d e f g h
8 ... cx:d4 9.exd4 c6
a b c d e f g h This position with the isolated d4-pawn
is similar to the main tabiya from Chapters
14 ..ig5 g6 15.d5 1 5 and 1 6. However, the somewhat modest
Finally it comes, but White has to exchange placing of the e2-knight severely limits White's
the powerful dark-squared bishop after: attacking possibilities.
15 ... h6! 16.i.xf6 xf6 17.dxe6 fxe6 1 8.d7 The two main moves are A21) 10.a3 and
A prophylactic move such as 1 8.f3 can be A22) IO .ig5, but I will also mention a few
.
1 0.if4 id6 1 1 .Wfd2 ixf4 1 2.Wxf4 l:i:J e7 Positions with an isolated pawn always contain
Forget any notion about White benefitting strategic risk, so White cannot afford slow
from the exchange of his 'bad' bishop. Such play. For instance, 1 0.h3 b6 1 1 .ie3 ib7 1 2.a3
exchanges almost always benefit the side was seen in the high-level game Vaganian -
playing against the isolated pawn, and in the Tukmakov, Reggio Emilia 1 987. Now Black
following example Black soon took control: should have played:
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
1 3.gad 1 b6 1 4.gd3 ib7 1 5 .gh3 l:i:Jg6 1 6.Wfe3 1 2 . . . id6!N 1 3.ia2 ( 1 3.d5? l:i:J a5 1 4.ia2
Wd6+ Hoensch - Knoedler, Germany 1 987. exd5+ leads to the loss of a pawn) 1 3 . . . gc8
1 4 .ig5 (once again, 1 4.d5 fails to solve
1 0.Wfd3 The queen's transfer to the kingside White's problems: 1 4 . . . exd5 1 5 .1:i:Jxd5 l:i:J a5+)
is one of White's main attacking ideas in such 14 . . .ie7 1 5 .gcl l:i:Jd5 1 6.ixe7 l:i:J cxe7+
positions. However, in this variation it has a
concrete drawback: 1 0 . . . ti:Ja5! That's the point! Another pretty harmless continuation is:
Black manages to liquidate the light-squared 1 0.ie3 id6 1 l .l:i:Jg3 b6
bishop and thus limit White's attacking There are only two moves left before Black
potential. can complete the perfect set-up with
1 2 . . . ib7 and 1 3 . . . ti:J e7.
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
1 1 .ib5 id7 1 2.ig5 ie7 1 3.gfd 1 ixb5
1 4.Wxb5 a6 1 5 .Wfd3 l:i:J c6 White had to 1 2.ti:Jh5
take care in order to equalize in Graf - Weaker is 1 2.Wfe2?! ixg3 1 3 .hxg3 l:i:Jxd4+
Mchedlishvili, Batumi 2002. and White had no compensation for the
pawn in Aarland - Ekeberg, Oslo 2008.
Chapter 1 3 - 5 .id3 1 89
I also checked 1 2.d5N exd5 1 3 .lLlxd5 lLl g4!? on e2. In particular, now 1 1 .ig5 ? doesn't work
1 4Jk 1 ie6, with a sharp position where in view of 1 1 . . . ixh2t!.
Black is not worse.
1 2 . . . ib7 l l .Yid3
Once again, slow play will not suffice: 1 1 .h3
h6 1 2.ie3 ll:l e7 1 3.Wfd3 id7 1 4.:ihd 1 ic6+
and Black was better in Alatortsev - Bukhtin,
Moscow 1 976.
l l . .. b6
This move is sound and reliable, but in my
main line it has the drawback of allowing a
forced draw.
To avoid that outcome, I also examined:
1 1 . . . e5!? This aggressive reply is connected
a b c d e f g h with an interesting pawn sacrifice. 1 2.d5 e4!
1 3.lLlxf6tN 1 3.lLlxe4 lLle5
1 3.a3 is rather slow, and 13 . . .ie7 1 4. ll:l f4
Wlb8!? (intending . . J:!:d8) was good for Black
in Christensen - Skorna, corr. 200 1 .
1 3 . . . Wfxf6 1 4.W/g4
And of course not: 1 4.ll:le4? ixh2t 1 5.tJixh2
Wfh4t 1 6.tJig1 Wfxe4+
1 4 . . . Wfg6=
Black doesn't face any problems.
A2 1 ) 10.a3
a b c d e f g h
8 10 ...i.e7 l l .a3
This is a multi-tasking prophylactic move:
7
White secures a good spot for the retreat of
6 the c4-bishop and restricts the mobility of the
c6-knight.
5
4 As before, 1 1 . "W d3 can be well met by:
3 1 1 . . . lD a5! 1 2.i.b5 a6 1 3.i.a4 b5 1 4.i.c2
g6 1 5 J:l:ad 1 i.b7+ - White has lost time
2 preventing the bishop from being exchanged,
1 so Black has been able to make a lot of progress
on the queenside.
a b c d e f g h
14 ... gxh6 1 S.f;Yxh6 g4 The strategical danger of having an isolated
I don't see much point in risking 1 5 . . . l2J h7?! pawn is well illustrated in the following
1 6.l2Je4 lD e7 1 7.d5! with a strong attack. It's example: 1 l .:i:l:c l b6 1 2.a3 i.b7 1 3 ."Wd3 :i:l:c8
probably still a draw with best play, but it's 1 4.i.a2 In Fish - Dinstuhl, Germany 2007,
messier and more dangerous. If you wish to Black should have continued:
avoid the early draw, then go for the alternative
at move 1 1 rather than this.
16.Vh5 f6 17.Vh6
With a draw by repetition coming soon.
A22) lO .tgS
Also too slow is: 1 1 .Wfd2 b6 1 2J::! ad 1 ib7 As usual, the bishop trade with 1 4.ixe7?!
1 3 .a3 1:'k8 1 4.ia2 lLl cxe7+ favours Black.
a b c d e f g h 8
1 4 . . . tLld5! 1 5 .ie3!? White tries to keep the 7
position complex by avoiding a straightforward 6
bishop exchange, but now Black can get
active on the queenside: 1 5 . . . tLla5! 1 6.Wfd3 5
Wfd7 1 7J'k 1 ?! fd8+ De Vita - Womacka, 4
Olomouc 2004.
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
14 ...hg5 1 5.ie4
Clearly inferior is: 1 5 .ia2?! lLl e7 1 6.d5
What else? Now in Sarosi - Tompa, Hungary
2005, Black could have played:
a b c d e f g h
l l ... b6 12.Wfd3 ib7 13,gadl
Now, with the d4-pawn protected, White is
ready to target the opponent's king with Wfh3.
13 ... d5
This is the right moment to release the tension!
a b c d e f g h
1 92 4.e3
The e6-pawn is no weaker than the one on Chasing the bishop would be premature:
d4. 7.a3 id6 8.tLlb5 ie7 9.Wfc2 a6!
I like this concrete approach, but there is
17JUel gadS also nothing wrong with 9 . . . c6 1 O.tLlc3 l::1 e 8.
The queen on d3 is clearly misplaced, so
White has to spend more time moving it.
1 0.ll:lc3
After 1 0.lLlxc7?! a7 1 l .id2 id6 1 2.c l b6
the knight would be trapped. Even though
White can grab two more pawns with
1 3 .ll:lxd5 lLlxd5 1 4.ixh7t tJih8 1 5 .id3
c7+, Black is still better.
1 0 . . . c5 1 l .dxc5 ixc5 1 2.ll:lf3
Too artificial is 1 2.ll:lce2 ia7 1 3 .id2
ll:l c6 1 4.ic3 e8, and Black was better in
Rakhmanov - lturrizaga Bonelli, Linares
20 1 4. a b c d e f g h
1 2 . . . ll:l c6 1 3 .0-0 ig4 1 2.ixe4 ( 1 2.Wfc2 if5 1 3 .Wfd l ll:l c6 1 4.0-0
White's pieces were not well placed for Wfd7+) 1 2 . . . xe4 1 3 .b3 cxb3 1 4.Wfxb3 ll:l c6
fighting against the isolated pawn in Diekers 1 5 .id2 b6 1 6J'k 1 ib7 1 7.0-0 ia6 Black is
- Rother, Bavaria 2002. at least equal.
a b c d e f g h
Delaying castling in this way can be well met
by:
8 c5!?
. .
a b c d e f g h
In general, I prefer not to exchange the
dark-squared bishop for the knight on c3
The two main moves to consider are in this central structure, but in this specific
Bl) 8.id2 and B2) 8.0-0. situation it is the best way to prove that the
In the event of 8.Wfc2 the immediate break in d2-bishop is misplaced.
the centre seems effective: 8 . . . c5!? 9.a3N (after
9.dxc5 lLl c6 1 0.0-0 ixc5 1 l .a3 ib6 Black had 9.0-0
excellent play in Shengelia - Berkes, Hungary Completely toothless is: 9.dxc5 ixc5
20 1 0) 9 . . . ixc3t 1 0.Wxc3 c4 1 l .ib 1 ll:l e4 1 0.lLlb5 ( 1 0.0-0 ll:l c6 1 l .cl a6=) 1 0 . . . ll:l c6
1 94 4.e3
1 U'k 1 i.b6 1 2.0-0 i.g4 1 3.ic3 a6 1 4.ll:lbd4 Reykjavik 1 992, can be strongly met by
ll:lxd4 1 5 .exd4 ll:l e4+ Milanovic - Ki. Georgiev, 1 0 . . . c4!?N l l .i.b l a6 1 2.f3 b5+ when Black's
Skopje 20 1 6. play is faster.
it also has some independent significance: This advance makes White's dark-squared
9 . . .i.xc3 1 0.i.xc3 c4 l l .i.c2 bishop passive again.
12 ..tc2 .tg4!
Once again Watson does not cover this
. . . i.g4 idea, giving instead 1 2 . . . a5, which
occupies a square I want to reserve for a piece.
13.b3
Or 1 3 .f3 ih5 1 4.Wfd2 i.g6? gives Black
pleasant play.
a b c d e f g h
13 ... a5!N 14.b4
1 4.i.xa5 Wfxa5 1 5 .bxc4 dxc4 1 6.f3 i.d7
1 7.e4 b5 leads to double-edged play with
roughly equal chances.
14 ... b3!
This brave move is connected with a
a b c d e f g h
positional pawn sacrifice.
9 . c6 IO.a3
..
Instead, 1 4 . . . ll:l c6?! 1 5 .f3 i.h5 1 6.b5 ll:l b8
1 0J'k 1 as in Conquest - Stefansson, 1 7.Wfd2 yields White a promising position.
Chapter 1 3 - 5 .id3 1 95
15 ..bb3 cxb3 16Jbl e4 17Jxb3 launch an attack like this, but it's good to
know that the ideas exist, and White will still
have to worry about them.
a b c d e f g h
17 ...ti'g5 1 8.ti'd3 gac8
Black has full compensation for the pawn,
due to his control over the c-file and the light
squares.
B2) 8.0-0 a b c d e f g h
B2 1) 9.4 c6 IO.f3
8 ...id6
The bishop has little to do on b4, especially if
Black is planning to challenge the opponent's
centre with . . . c7-c5 . In addition, its presence
on d6 yields some attacking resources, such as
. . . tlJg4 or even . . . ixh2t followed by . . . tlJg4t.
In most cases we will not be in a hurry to
a b c d e f g h
1 96 4.e3
1 4
a b c d e f g h 3
2
14.e4? L4 1 5.Lf4 e6 16 ..te5 dxe4
17 .fxe4 g4+
White was in trouble in Gavrish - Aroshidze, a b c d e f g h
Sitges 20 1 5 . 1 4 . . . a5! It's important to cover the aS-square.
1 5 .a4 i.b7 1 6.gfd l '1Wb6= White cannot put
especially strong pressure on the hanging
pawns, while Black's set-up looks harmonious.
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
This tactical resource aims to favourably
1 5 . . . l2J e4 1 6.a3 l2J d3! 1 7.ixd3 cxd3 1 8.'1Mfxd3 change the character of the play. However,
ixf5= Black has no problems. Black can get two minor pieces for a rook after:
1 2.f5 l2J c6 1 3.dxc5 can be met by: 17 ... c6! 18.e7t! xe7 19.Wfxa8t c8
20.ic3 ib5 2 1 .hf6 ic6 22.Wib8 gxf6
In this unbalanced position Black should be
fine.
1 98 4.e3
a b c d e f g h 3
9 ... c6 2
The aggressive 9 . . . tLlg4!? certainly contains 1
a drop of poison, but I have chosen a calmer
a b c d e f g h
approach.
14,c!ihe4
IO.f;Yc2 After 1 4.fxe4 c5 1 5 .ig5 ixh2t 1 6.tJih l
This was tried once by former World cxd4 1 7.ixf6 gxf6 1 8.tJixh2 dxc3 1 9.lLlxc3
Champion Garry Kasparov. lLlcS+ White doesn't get full compensation for
the pawn.
IO ... b6!?
1 0 . . . ixh2t was played in a memorable 14 .. Jc8 1 5 .i.g5 i.e7 16.hf6 hf6 17J:adl
encounter between Garry and a computer i.e7=
and ended in a quick but spectacular draw:
l l .tJixh2 tLl g4t 1 2.<;i;>g3 '1Wg5 1 3.f4 '1Wh5 B24) 9.f3
1 4.id2 '1Wh2t 1 5 .tJif3 '1Wh4 1 6.ixh7t <;i;>hs
1 7.lLlg3 lLl h2t 1 8.tJif1 lLlg4t 1 9.<;i;>f3 lLl h2t
8
Y2-Y2 Kasparov - Comp Deep Junior, New
York (5) 2003 . Even though the result wasn't 7
bad for Black, improvements for White have 6
been pointed out - and in any case, I do not
see the need for such drastic measures. 5
4
l l .f3 i.a6N
l l . . . c5!? also led to interesting play in 3
Jambrich - Kupec, Slovakia 2003 . The critical 2
continuation looks to be 1 2.dxc5 !?N bxc5
1
1 3 .lLlxd5 lLlxd5 1 4.ixh7t <;i;>hs 1 5 .ie4 :i:l:xe4
1 6.'1Wxe4 ie6 with double-edged play. a b c d e f g h
Chapter 1 3 - 5 .id3 1 99
a b c d e f g h
l l ... h6 12.id2
White gets nothing special with the
aggressive advance: 1 2.g4 a6 1 3 .Wff2 b5
a b c d e f g h 1 4.l2Jg3 This position was reached in
200 4.e3
Giorgadze - Hjartarson, Yerevan (ol) 1 996, This move exposes some light squares in
when Black should have continued: White's camp, but it's impossible to leave the
knight on b4 for a long time.
8
7
6
5
4
a b c d e f g h
8 8
1 1
6 6
5 5
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2
I
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
6 ...hc3t 7.bxc3
a b c d e f g h
IO.ffe2
1 O.id3 transposes to variation B below.
s ..txc4 c5
a b c d e f g h
Black prepares . . . 'We?, developing the queen
while targeting the bishop. We will analyse 1 4 . . . ie6! 1 5 .ixe6 fxe6 1 6.'it>g1 :i:l:ad8 Black
A) 9.i.b2, B) 9.i.d3, C) 9.e2 and D) 9.f3. has excellent counterplay.
204 4. e3
The text move avoids the queen check I4 ... xg4!N 1 5.hxg4 ixg4 16 .td5 gadS
B) 9 ..td3 flc7
12 ....tg4! 13.h3
a b c d e f g h
1 3 .d5? e4! 1 4.dxc6 Wxc6 has given Black an
easily winning position in a couple of games. IO . .tb2
The threat of . . . cxd4 followed by . . . Wfc3t
13 ... .th5! meant that White's choices were limited. The
Much weaker is 1 3 . . . i.xf3 ?! 1 4.Wxf3 cxd4 only other logical option is 1 0.llJe2, which
1 5 .cxd4 exd4 1 6.exd4t, when White's bishops transposes to variation C2.
were powerful in Lund - De Verdier, Bugibba
20 1 1 . IO ... llJc6 l l .llJf3
1 1 .llJe2 e5 1 2.0-0 converts to variation C2
14.g4 again.
We have been following the game Cruz 1 1 .e4?! is premature. 1 1 . . .Wa5! 1 2 .Wfd2
Lledo - Cerrato Torrijos, Padrun 20 1 1 , where Now in Milov - Guido, Genova 2003, Black
Black missed a golden opportunity: should have played:
a b c d e f g h
1 S .f3 llJ aS+ Exposing all the drawbacks of This type of position is typical of cases when
White's set-up. Black manages to free himself with the . . . e6-eS
advance.
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
l l ... e5!
A well-timed advance: Black shouldn't let 14.Wfc2
White complete his development and establish 1 4.Wfe2 gd8 1 S .c4 WigS 1 6.f3 i.f5! I like
his central superiority. this provocative move. 1 7.e4 ( 1 7.i.xf5 Wfxf5
1 8.0-0 Wfe6 1 9.gfd l gxd l t 20.gxd l llJ d7
12.dxe5 followed by . . . llJ b6 would also guarantee
The attempt to keep the tension in the centre Black comfortable equality) 1 7 . . . ie6 White's
by means of 1 2.Wfc2 turns out to be risky: position becomes less safe with the pawn on e4,
1 2 . . . cxd4 1 3 .cxd4 e4! 1 4.i.xe4 llJxe4 1 S .Wfxe4 as Black's knight gets some potential outposts.
WaSt 1 6.llJd2 i.f5 1 7.Wff3
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
1 8.gd l ( 1 8.0-0? llJhS! is nasty) 1 8 . . . gd7 1 9.g3
1 7 . . . WfbS! Forcing White's king to remain in gad8 20.0-0 h6. Despite the bishop pair, it is
the centre. 1 8.ic3 gfe8 1 9.dS llJ e7 20.a4 Wla6 White who suffers from a lack of activity.
2 l .d6 Wfxd6 Black was somewhat better in
T. E. Carlsen - Fenwick, corr. 2007. 14 ... c4!
A brilliant pawn sacrifice to delay White's
12 ... xe5 13.xe5 Wfxe5 development.
206 4.e3
Harmless is: 1 2 .ib2 l2J c6 1 3 Jk 1 fd8 1 4.c4 been following the game Aleksandrov - ltkis,
cxd4 1 5 .exd4 This position was reached in Kishinev 1 998. Now Black should have
Tregubov - Efimenko, Muelheim 20 1 6, and played:
now the most logical continuation would have
been:
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
1 7 . . . ll:lxb2!?N 1 8.'1Wxb2 E1ac8 White is under 1 8 . . . Wfd7N The pressure on the d4-pawn is too
pressure along the c-file. strong, so the next few moves are forced: 1 9.d5
exd5 20.e5 ll:l e4 2 1 .lLlxe4 dxe4 22.Wfxd7 E1xd7
1 5 .E1c l ic4 1 6.ib 1 is a natural regrouping. 23.ixe4 l::1 c 5 24.f4 ib7 The activity of Black's
(Exchanging the bishops seems a clear pieces fully compensates for White's bishop
concession: 1 6.ixc4 lLl xc4 1 7. Wb3 lLl a5 pair.
1 8.Wfd 1 l::1 ac8 1 9.Wfe2 h6 20.h3 Wc6+ Volke
Petursson, Radebeul 20 1 6.) Now in Horowitz
- Rossolimo, Havana 1 952, Black could have
exploited the awkward placement of White's
pieces by means of:
a b c d e f g h
1 5 ...i.c4 1 6.hc4
a b c d e f g h
1 6.e5, as played in Bhat- Aroshidze, Balaguer
2008, is connected with serious strategic risk. I
1 6 . . . ll:l b3!N 1 7.E1c2 e5 1 8.f3 E1d7 1 9.E1f1 E1ad8 suggest the following regrouping of the pieces:
20.Wfc2 g6+ White is under pressure in the 1 6 . . . ll:ld5N 1 7.ib 1 ll:l b3 1 8.l::1 a2 ll:le7! This
centre and he has problems organizing any accurate move severely limits White's attacking
active play. possibilities, so Black should be better.
1 5 .ib 1 l::1 ac8 1 6.e4 ll:l c4 1 7.ic l cxd4 1 8.cxd4 16 ... xc4 17.i.cl
occurred in Marin - Dokhoian, Budapest Since the pressure on the d4-pawn has been
1 988. Now I suggest a simple improvement released, White feels free to move the bishop
over Black's play: from such a passive spot.
Chapter 1 4 - 6.a3 209
22.gf4
22.exd6 f5 is the idea. White can keep the
material balance with 23.lDxf5 exf5 24.Wfg5
(24.Wfh3 l2Jxd6+) but after 24 . . . h6 25 .Wfe7
xd6 26.Wfxd7 xd7 27.e5 xd4 28 .ie3
d3 29.xf5 ad8+ he still has to work to
secure a draw.
C2) IO .td3 c6
. 1 4 . . . :i:l:ac8 1 5 .'1We2 :i:l:fd8 1 6.i.b2 cxd4 1 7.cxd4
idS 1 8.f5 i.c4! 1 9.:i:l:bc l i.xd3 20.Wxd3
ll:l c4 Black's control over the c4-square offers
excellent counterplay.
l l .. e5
.
a b c d e f g h
With White's bishop on the other diagonal
and the knight on the slightly passive
e2-square, it makes sense to challenge the
pawn centre by all possible measures!
1 1 .0-0
The presence of White's king in the centre
tells after 1 l .e4? cxd4 1 2.cxd4 ll:lxd4!+ with
the idea 1 3 .ltlxd4? '1Wc3t.
a b c d e f g h
The restricting 1 1 .f4 has the drawback of
exposing the light squares, giving Black good 12.i.b2
play after: 1 l . . .b6 1 2.0-0 ib7 1 3 .ltl g3 ltla5 White can also try to change the character
1 4.:i:l:b 1 !?N ( 1 4.We2?! ltl b3 and White felt of the play with an interesting pawn sacrifice:
compelled to give up the exchange in Huguet 1 2.e4!? cxd4 1 3 .cxd4 exd4 1 4.'1Wc2
- Casas, Buenos Aires 1 95 1 , since 1 5 .:i:l:b 1 This position was reached in Bagirov -
ll:lxc l 1 6.:i:l:bxc l :i:l:ac8 would put White under A. Ivanov, Frunze 1 979. White's attacking
strong pressure along the c-file) potential, which is based on f2-f4 and e4-e5,
shouldn't be underestimated, so I suggest:
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 1 4 - 6.a3 21 1
1 2.c2 e6 1 3 .tLlg3
Releasing the tension with 1 3.dxe5?! is a
clear concession: 1 3 . . . tLlxe5 1 4.tlJf4 tLlxd3
1 5.xd3 ad8 1 6.tLlxe6 fxe6 1 7.c4 c6 a b c d e f g h
and Black was better in Aleksandrov - 13.e4
Polgar, Dresden (ol) 2008. This has only been played once but it seems
White also faces clear positional problems like the most natural move to consider.
after: 1 3.b 1 ac8 1 4.[5 xf5 1 5 .xf5
fd8 1 6.b2 d7+ Reshevsky - Piesina, Alternatives do not cause any problems. For
Vilnius 1 978. instance, 1 3.c l fd8 1 4.c2 ac8 1 5 .tLl g3 ,
as i n Ploehn - Scheipl, Bavaria 2000, can be
strongly met by:
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
I S.gb lN
1 5 .dxe6 :i:l:ad8 1 6.exf7t :i:l:xf7 1 7.:i:l:b l Wfxa3
1 8.Wfc2 llJ b4! 1 9.cxb4 Wfxd3 20.Wfxd3 :i:l:xd3+
left Black a pawn up in Lees - Doudon, France
1 997.
15 ... ti'xa3 16,gal ti'b2 17.gb l ti'a2 1 8,gal It is important to recognise the difference between
this and another major variation in which the
moves 0-0 and . . . llJc6 have already been played.
The line in question usually arises after: 4.e3
0-0 5.i.d3 d5 6.llJf3 c5 7.0--0 llJc6 (I will
be recommending 7 . . . cxd4 in the next two
chapters) 8.a3 Axc3 9.bxc3 dxc4 I O.i.xc4 Wfc7
a b c d e f g h
1 8 ...bd5!?
It seems to me that Black has enough reasons
not to accept a draw too early! a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
t t .Ad3
This involves a loss of time but there is
a b c d e f g h
nothing better:
13 ... b8N
1 1 .0-0? cxd4! 1 2.cxd4 a6 just drops material. 1 3 . . . Wfb7 1 4.0-0 :i:l:fd8 1 5 .Wfe2 :i:l:ac8 1 6.b2
llJ b8 also gave Black comfortable play in
1 1 .b2 cxd4 1 2.cxd4 a6 1 3 .d3 was tried Medina Garcia - Pomar Salamanca, Palma de
in the classic game Petrosian - Unzicker, Mallorca 1 965.
Gothenburg 1 95 5 . Simple and strong would
have been: 14.0-0 c6 1 5.e4 h6
As a result of White's slow play, Black has
managed to put strong pressure on White's
central pawns.
02) IO.f;Yd3
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 1 4 - 6.a3 215
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1 1 ....tb7 1 2.e5 1
As a result of White's over-aggressive play,
a b c d e f g h
Black gained control over the light squares in
Li Shilong - Lupulescu, Golden Sands 20 1 2 . 16 ... d5 17.g3 g6 1 8J:M1 c6 19.4
However, the sharp character o f the position e5i
forces Black to play precisely. The correct Black succeeds in liquidating into a better
continuation is: endgame.
D3) 10 . .ia2
8
/=ij/'''!"--., .../'"'"'"""
7
6
5
4
3
2
a b c d e f g h
1
12 ... .ie4!N 13.e2 .bf3 14.xf3
a b c d e f g h
Even worse is 1 4.gxf3?! l2Jd5 1 5 .l::1 g 1 l::1 c 8
1 6 . .th6 g6 1 7 . .txd5 exd5 1 8.WI'e3 l2J c6+ and Just as in the earlier variation C 1 , White
hopes that the bishop will be well placed after
216 4 .e3
Black pushes with . . . e5. Although that plan is Removing the rook seems logical; now the
still playable, I find the following continuation b5-pawn really is hanging.
more logical:
1 3 .ib2 tLl bd7 1 4.gfc l lLl b6 1 5 .lLle5 lLl fd7
lO ... bS!? l l .O-O .th7 12.e2 gives Black good prospects.
White should not indulge in pseudo
aggressive measures like 1 2.tLlg5?! lLl bd7 1 3 .f3 I also considered: 1 3.ib l lLl c6 ( 1 3 . . . tLl e4 can
h6 1 4.lLlh3 idS 1 5 .ib l ic4 1 6J:'f2 e5+, be met by 1 4.ib2) 1 4.ib2 ( 1 4.Wfxb5 tLl a5
when Black was clearly better in Savchenko - gives Black a lot of compensation for the
Predke, Moscow 20 1 5 . pawn) 1 4 . . . tLl a5 1 5 .e4 tLl c4 1 6.ic l tLl d7
5 13 ... bd7!
4 It turns out that, having such well-developed
pieces, Black does not need to spend time on
3 prophylactic moves!
2
1
a b c d e f g h
12 .. Jc8!?N
I like this flexible mode of development -
Black keeps the knight on b8 for a while, so
the b5-pawn remains indirectly protected.
At the same time, White has to deal with
the possibility of the c-file opening up at any
moment.
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 1 4 - 6.a3 217
14 ... g4!
8
Black's threats are serious, so White's next
move is practically forced. 7
6
1 5 .d5 bd5 16 ..bd5 exd5 17,gxd5
White has won a pawn, but the undeveloped 5
a1 -rook and c l -bishop allow Black to extend 4
the initiative:
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
1 1 .0-o gds
Black is perfectly prepared for the . . . e5
advance, so White will have to move the queen
sooner or later.
12.Vc2
1 2.ib2 e5 1 3.gcl is toothless. ( 1 3 .WI'c2 ig4
transposes to our main line) 1 3 . . . ig4 1 4.h3
a b c d e f g h ih5 1 5 .lLlxe5 ixe2 1 6.WI'xe2 tLlxe5 1 7.dxe5
17 ... df6 IS.gdl e4 19.ti'c4 gds 20.gfl Wxe5 1 8.c4 We6= D. Guseinov - Lagashin,
ti'e7 2 1 .h3 gf6 Moscow 2009.
Black has full, long-lasting compensation for
the pawn. 1 2.c4 b6 1 3 .ib2 This position was tested a
few times at a high level, including Pasman -
D4) 10.i.e2 Tal, Riga 1 9 54. In my opinion, it makes sense
to keep the tension in the centre by means of:
This has been played by many strong
grandmasters. In my opinion, however, it is
not in the spirit of the chosen system - the
bishop on e2 is placed rather passively, so it is
easier for Black to take the light squares under
control now.
10 ... c6
There is nothing wrong with 1 O . . . b6 1 1 .0-0
ib7, b r.opl that the more direct approach
a b c d e f g h
218 4.e3
1 3 . . . lLl a5N 1 4 .WI'c2 i.b7 1 5 .lLle5 ( 1 5 .:gfd 1 on b2 doesn't really bother Black, while the
cxd4 1 6.exd4 :gac8 1 7.lLld2 Wff4+) 1 5 . . . lLl d7 c4-pawn is a permanent cause of concern.
1 6.lLlxd7 :gxd7= The game Mozharov - Zhidkov, Moscow
2006, saw White trying to complicate
1 2 ... e5 13 ..tb2 .tg4 matters by means of:
Black's forces are perfectly mobilized, so
White cannot keep the tension any longer.
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
15.c4 xf3t 16.gxf3 .th3 17Jfdl
1 8 .c4 Wl'e6 1 9.:gfd l lLl e4 20.:gac l b6 2 l .f3 White is relying on the bishop pair, but
lLl g3 22.Wff2 lLl f5 23.e4 lLle7 24.WI'g3 f6 the exposed kingside structure offers Black
The position is about equal: the active bishop sufficient counterplay:
Chapter 1 4 - 6.a3 219
a b c d e f g h
1 8 g4 1 9Jixd8t gxd8 20.e4
Variation Index
l.d4 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 i.b4 4.e3 0-0 S.i.d3 dS 6.f3
6...c5
A) 7.cxd5 22 1
B) 7.0-0 cxd4 8.exd4 dxc4 9.hc4 b6 223
Bl) 10.a3 224
B2) lO.i.d3 225
B3) lO.eS 226
B4) 10.'i'b3 227
BS) 10.'i'e2 228
B6) lOJel 230
8
7
I''"'"':.::=.71:'7//
6
//N//,
5
t'"/////,wJ"/"///mh
4
3
2
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
6 ... c5
Virtually every sensible-looking move has
been tried by strong players, but the text move
is the most classical response, challenging
White in the centre.
a b c d e f g h
We will analyse A) 7.cx:d5 and B) 7.0-0.
1 0 . . . llJ e4! 1 l .ixe4N This seems like the only
7.a3 is the only other significant move, but way to challenge Black's last move. ( l l .ib2
in that case 7 . . . ixc3t 8.bxc3 dxc4 9.ixc4 ifS 1 2.0-0 Lindstrom - Tasic, email 2009,
transposes to variation D of the previous 1 2 . . . llJc6N 1 3 .llJ d2 llJxd2 1 4.'1Wxd2 ixc2
chapter. 1 5 .Wfxc2 bS+) l l . . .dxe4 1 2.llJd2 WigS! 1 3 .'it> fl
WfdS+ White has a passive position with a
A) 7 .cx:d5 exd5 misplaced king.
a b c d e f g h
8.dxc5
This approach is similar to another a b c d e f g h
fashionable line, 7.0-0 llJ c6 8.cxd5 exdS
9.dxc5 , where sometimes Black finds it hard to 1 0 . . . ixf3N l l .gxf3 :i:l:e8 1 2.b3 cxb3 1 3.axb3
prove that active piece play fully compensates Wid? 1 4.ia3 llJ c6 With excellent play.
for the isolated d-pawn. In comparison to that
line, Black now benefits from not having the 8 ... bd7!
knight on c6! This resource enables Black to save a tempo
rather than moving the dark-squared bishop
8.a3?! cannot be recommended for White. again. Moreover, the knight will be placed
8 . . . ixc3t 9.bxc3 c4 I O.ic2 Now simple and quite actively on c5, taking control of the
strong is: important e4-square.
222 4.e3
22.f4 ixb2 23.id3 ixd3 24.Wxd3 We6 is posmon is also frequently reached via the
balanced. Panov Attack against the Caro-Kann. Black's
last move obviously prepares to post the
bishop on b7, while the b8-knight remains
8
flexible: it often goes to d7, but I also like the
7 idea of bringing it to c6 in some variations.
6 At the moment Black is playing against an
isolated queen's pawn, but it is not uncommon
5 to convert to a hanging pawns structure after
4 an exchange on c3 .
3 In this chapter we will study the following
2 options: Bl) 10.a3, B2) IO .td3, B3) IO.e5,
.
24.E1d l E1xd5 25 .Wxd5 Wh4 26.h3 Wg3 1 0.Wfd3 ib7 l l .l::1 d l tLl bd7 1 2.ig5 E1c8
27.';t>fl Wfh2 is equal claims the computer, but 1 3 .ib3 is a harmless continuation which
practically more dangerous for White. occurred in Peter - Schmitzer, Hessen 1 998.
A good plan for Black could have been:
24 ...Ac7 25 ..ic5 Ab6!
Black has full compensation; his pieces are
more active and White has numerous pawn
weaknesses.
B) 7.0-0
a b c d e f g h
12.We2
White insisted on 1 2.id3 in L. Guliev -
Abasov, Baku 20 1 1 , but the blunt 1 2 . . . Wfxc3N
1 3.ig5 tLlbd7 1 4.l::1 c l Wla5+ would have left
White with no real compensation for the pawn.
1 5.dxe5
a b c d e f g h
1 5 ... d7!?N
1 5 . . . Wfc6 1 6.f4 tLl e4 is fine, but after
1 7 .ixe4 Wfxe4 1 8.Wfxe4 ixe4 1 9.ie3 Black
l l .bxc3 Wc7! has no more than a symbolic advantage, and
Chapter 1 5 - 6 . ltl f3 225
16.i.f4 c5
Black has a clear positional advantage due to
the better pawn structure.
1 5.e4
Pinning the f6-knight seems to be White's
only dangerous idea.
l l ....td6!?N
I was quite surprised that this typical retreat
hasn't been tried yet. The bishop is more active
on d6 than on e7, and White's bishop would be
better on c4 than d3 in the ensuing position.
a b c d e f g h
226 4.e3
16 ...ti'c6!
Finally forcing favourable simplifications.
a b c d e f g h
8
1 5 . . . ltl a5! 1 6.i.xf7t Wfxf7 1 7.W/xf7t tJixf7
7 1 8.i.xf6 gxf6 Black's chances are better due to
6 his domination over the light squares.
5
1 3 .ltlxc6 i.xc6 is already at least equal for
Black, for instance: 1 4.i.e2 Wid? 1 5 .i.f4
1
a e
This looks active and aggressive, but White
is spending time moving an already developed
piece, and it is often Black who can look to
seize the initiative.
a b c d e f g h
IO ... .tb7 l l .ti'b3
l l .ig5 transposes to variation B of the next 1 5 . . . b5! 1 6.l':i fe l a6 1 7.Wfb2 ltl d5+ Black was
chapter. able to set up a solid blockade on the light
squares in Davidov - Dimitrov, corr. 20 1 0.
l l . .. .bc3 12.bxc3 c6
Challenging the active knight while creating
the annoying positional threat of . . . ltla5.
13 ..be6!?
This seems like the only challenging idea,
but Black has more than one decent reply.
1 8 ... fe8!?
a b c d e f g h
1 8 . . . lt:lxc3 1 9.ixc3 Wfxc3 20.WI'a4= leads to
simplifications.
1 5 . . . WI'e7! Black should eliminate the light
squared bishop rather than the dark-squared 19.gfel b5
one, so that his own bishop will be able Black's control over the light squares
to dominate the light squares. ( 1 5 . . . WI'xf4 and superior minor piece offer him full
1 6.i.xf7t tJih8 1 7. 3 lLla5 1 8.WI'c2 enables compensation for a pawn.
White to maintain the balance.) 1 6.i.g5 lLl a5
1 7.i.xf6 Wl'xf6 1 8.i.xf7t Wfxf7 1 9.Wfxf7t B4) IO.ti'b3
c;i;>xf7+ Even though White has a slight material
advantage, he is doomed to a passive defence.
In comparison to variation B l , it looks as 1 4 . . . l2J a5N 1 5 .Wfd l :i:l:c8 1 6.:i:l:c l Wfd5 ! 1 7 . .txf6
though White has made an active developing gxf6 1 8.:i:l:e 1 f5 Here too, Black's play seems
move rather than a useless pawn move. However, somewhat easier - the pressure on White's
the queen proves to be misplaced on b3, so it queenside pawns is quite unpleasant, whereas
turns out that White actually loses time. Black's king still feels safe.
a b c d e f g h
14 ... e7! I S . .tx6 gxf6 16.gcl g6 17.gel
:i:l:c7 18.d2 s;
Black had the better position in Sipila -
a b c d e f g h Alekseev, Jerusalem 20 1 5 .
1 3 . . . l2J a5N 1 4.WI'b2 :i:l:c8 1 5 .:i:l:ac l Wl'd5!
1 6.i.xf6 gxf6+ Once again, the doubled BS) IO.e2
f-pawns are of little consequence as the rest of
Black's pieces are so well placed. 8
Another game continued 1 2 . .td3 .tb7 1 3 . .tg5 7
h6 1 4 . .th4, Zilka - Kravtsiv, Yerevan 20 1 3 . 6
Now I prefer the following way of handling
the position: 5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
10 ... .tb7
This is the most natural, although 1 0 . . . l2J c6!?
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 1 5 - 6 . lLl f3 229
8
1 1 .d 1 lLl a5 1 2.d3 b7 1 3.g5 e7 seems a
reliable alternative.
7
6
l l J:MI
1 1 .g5 transposes to variation C of the next 5
chapter. 4
3
White's set-up became popular in roughly the
2
middle of the 20th century. The main idea
behind it is to prepare for the d4-d5 advance.
In particular, 1 1 . . . lLl bd7 can be met with a b c d e f g h
1 2.d5, so in most games Black has preferred 1 4 . . . c8!N 1 5 .a6 xa6 1 6.'1Wxa6 lLl ed5
to deviate from those complications with 17 .lLlxd5 ll:lxd5+
1 1 . . .xc3 1 2.bxc3 lLl bd7. However, I take
a different view. Since exchanging the dark White may try to force the exchange on c3 by
squared bishop is something of a concession, means of:
it makes sense to postpone the development 1 2.a3!?N xc3 1 3.bxc3
of the queen's knight for a while. Therefore I But in doing so, he loses an important
recommend: tempo. Black has a good position after:
1 3 . . . Wfc7 1 4.d3
1 4.lLle5 lLl bd7 1 5 .d3 lLlxe5 1 6.dxe5 lLl d7
is good for Black, for instance: 1 7 .f4 fd8
1 8.Wlg4 lLlxe5 1 9.Wfg3 f6 20.ixh6 'it>f8
2 1 .f4 Wfxc3+
1 4 . . . Wfxc3
a b c d e f g h
l l h6!
...
12 ... c6
Black is well developed and ready to improve
a b c d e f g h
his position with . . . tlJa5 or . . . tLle7, so White
should not hesitate to get rid of the isolated 17.hd5
pawn. 1 7.xd5? turns out to be a blunder:
1 7 . . . ttJ d4!-+
13.d5 exd5 14.xd5
We have been following the game Agdestein 17 ...b6 1 8.h3 gadS=
- Kramnik, Stavanger 20 1 4. Now Black The activity of Black's pieces fully
should have played: compensates for the slight weakening of his
pawn structure.
14 ... i.c5!N
Instead, 1 4 . . . tLlxd5?! 1 5 .i.xd5 Wf6 1 6.i.e3;t B6) IO,gel
left Vladimir under some pressure.
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 1 5 - 6 .lt:l f3 23 1
12 ..tf4
1 2.a3 d6! 1 3.Wfe2, as played in Korobov
Lysyj , Legnica 20 1 3, can be well met by:
a b c d e f g h
Conclusion
l .d4 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 i.b4 4.e3 0-0 5.i.d3 1 2 .i.c2 should be met by the typical 1 2 . . . i.e7,
d5 6.6 c5 7.0-0 cxd4 8.exd4 dxc4 9 ..bc4 breaking the pin. I don't see anything better
b6 lO.i.g5 for White than 1 3 .a3 , transposing to the main
This is White's most popular continuation, line below.
setting up an annoying pin. Depending
on circumstances, Black may counter it by A fairly toothless alternative is:
retreating his bishop to e7, but he can also 1 2.i.e4 i.e7 1 3 .i.xf6 i.xf6 1 4.Wfa4 a6!?
consider playing with doubled f-pawns in 1 4 . . . ll:la5 1 5 .ixb7 ll:lxb7 1 6.:1l:fd 1 ll:ld6 is
some variations. also fine for Black.
lO ... i.b7
First things first! Before addressing the pin
on the knight, Black brings the light-squared
bishop to the obvious square. White has five
main contenders: A) l l .i.d3, B) l l .e5,
C) 1 I .f;Ye2, D) l l Jel and E) l l Jcl .
A) l l .id3
1 5 .d5N
1 5 .ixc6? b5 1 6.i.xb5 axb5 1 7.Wfd 1 b4
1 8.ll:le2 i.xf3 1 9.gxf3 :i:l:a5+ leaves White
with too many weaknesses.
The previously played 1 5 .:1l:fd 1 ?! is also
inaccurate: 1 5 . . . b5 1 6.Wfc2 g6 1 7.a3 :i:l:c8+
Black was better due to his strong bishops
in Portisch - Gheorghiu, Crans Montana
1 976.
1 5 ... exd5 1 6.ll:lxd5 :i:l:e8 1 7.:1l:ad 1 b5 1 8 .Wfc2
g6=
White's active knight makes up for Black's
bishop pair, but it's not enough for him to
a b c d e f g h
claim any advantage.
l l . .. c6
Often the knight goes to d7 in this structure. 12 ...i.e7 13.i.c2 h6
However, in the main theoretical lines of this Another decent option is 1 3 . . . lLld5!? 1 4.Wfd3
chapter, I favour a set-up with the knight g6 1 5 .i.h6 :i:l:e8 1 6.ll:le4 ll:l f6 and Black had
on c6. I suggest doing the same against this comfortable play in Krivoshey - Jakubek,
sideline, to allow for transpositions. Kosice 1 997.
12.a3 14.i.h4
1 2J:e 1 and 1 2 J:k 1 transpose to the later 1 4.i.f4 i.d6 1 5 .lLle5, as was played in
variations 0 1 and E3 , respectively. Karpatchev - Munkhgal, Moscow 20 1 2,
Chapter 1 6 - l O.ig5 - Main Line 235
14 ... h5!
This is a typical simplifying mechanism in
such positions. We will encounter it again
in variation D 1 , where I will say a bit more
about it.
1 5.d5
1 5 .ig3N lLlxg3 1 6. hxg3 if6 1 7.Wfd3 g6
1 8.ad 1 lLle?+ leaves Black with the bishop
pair and a firm blockade of the isolated pawn.
This looks like a natural move but it runs I was surprised to discover that nobody has
into some tactics. tried this thematic sacrifice. Black should be at
1 2 . . . ixc3! 1 3.bxc3 least equal with precise play, but he will have
1 3.WI'xc3 l2J e4! forces a favourable endgame: to navigate some wild-looking positions, some
1 4.ixd8 lDxc3 1 5 .ie7 l2Jxe5 1 6.dxe5 :gfc8+ of which involve an 'active' king!
Now Black can exploit the lack of harmony
in White's camp by means of: 12 ... xf7!
1 3 . . . l2Jxe5 1 4.dxe5 Wl'c7!! 1 2 . . . :gxf7 1 3 .ixe6 is playable, but Black has
A simple but beautiful tactic. to be careful and White is not really behind in
material. The text move forces White to play
more accurately to justify his last move.
13.d5
1 3.Wfb3 ? ixc3 1 4.ixe6t 'it>g6 1 5 .Wfc2t ie4
1 6.WI'xc3 h6 leaves White with insufficient
compensation for the piece.
13 ... e5!
13 ... e5 1 4.d6t 'it>g6 1 5.f4! exf4 1 6.h4! is too
scary.
a b c d e f g h
1 5 .exf6 14.dxe6t g6
Also after 1 5 .ixf6 gxf6 1 6.exf6 h8 1 7.ie2
:ggs 1 8.g3 Wl'e5+ Black regains the pawn in a
favourable situation.
1 5 . . . WI'c6! 1 6.f3 Wc5t 1 7.h l Wxg5 1 8.fxg7
This was Maloberti - Petters, email 2000,
and now Black is better after the simple
recapture:
1 8 . . . xg7N+
Bl) 12.lthf7!?N
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 1 6 - l O.igS - Main Line 237
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h 22 ... h5!?
This is an interesting winning attempt.
1 8 . . . ll:lg4! 1 9.g3t <j;lh3-+ A rare case in which
the king feels completely safe in the opponent's
22 . . . g6= is the safe option, when White has
camp!
nothing better than a perpetual.
16 ...e8 17.h4t 'it>xh4
23J:ixb4 '1We7 24JM4 gadS 25.gxd8 gxd8
26.g4 g6CD
Black is not worse in this sharp position; his
bishop is excellent and his king is no longer
any weaker than White's.
238 4.e3
a b c d e f g h
1 5 . . . g8!N 1 6.d5 exd5 1 7.id3 g7 1 8 .ad l I7 ....hc4 Is.Y;Yxf6t <lt>gs I9.Vgst <lt>hs
Wl'g4 1 9.WI'xg4 xg4 and White would have to A draw was agreed in Shirov - Giri,
play precisely in order to keep the balance. Hoogeveen 20 1 4.
C) l l .Yfe2
a b c d e f g h
6
1 2 . . . ll:l a 5 1 3 .i.d3 h 6 was seen i n Kashlinskaya
- Saduakassova, Skopje 20 1 5 , and now White
5
could have utilized the poor placement of the
4
knight on aS by means of 1 4.i.xf6!N Wfxf6
1 5 .ll:le4 Wfd8 1 6.a3 ie7 1 7.b4 ll:l c6 1 8.ll:lg3, 3
a b c d e f g h
Cl) 12.d5
1 5Jadl
8 1 5 .bxc3 lLl c5 1 6.ixe6t lLlxe6 1 7.Wfxe6t
'it>h8 is similar to the main line, and the loss
7
of one of the bishops can hardly help White.
6
15 ...Wfc7 16.he6t cot>hs 17.bxc3
5
4
8
3
7
2
6
1
5
a b c d e f g h
4
This rare but important move leads to
interesting complications, but they are 3
acceptable for Black: 2
1
12 ... hc3
Much weaker is: 1 2 . . . exd5?! 1 3 .tLlxd5 a b c d e f g h
ge8N ( 1 3 ... ixd5?! 1 4.ixd5 was downright 17 .. Jae8 18.Wfc4 Wlb7
unpleasant for Black in Bindrich - Houriez, Despite his extra pawn and bishop pair,
Puerto Madryn 2009) 1 4.Wfc2 id6 1 5 .gad l White had too many weaknesses to hope
gc8 1 6.Wfd3 With some initiative. for an advantage in Arizmendi Martinez -
Gharamian, Cappelle-la-Grande 20 1 6.
13.dxe6 .b3 14.gxf3
Chapter 1 6 - l O.igS - Main Line 24 1
14.acl
This has been by far the most common
continuation, but Black has more than one
good reply.
8
7
a b c d e f g h
6
18 g8! 19.Wixf6t gg7-+
5
. .
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
The most consistent. Since the isolated pawn
is less vulnerable with Black's knight on d7
instead of c6, White is free to develop his rook This position arose in Dambacher -
in a way that combines active and prophylactic Henrichs, Maastricht 20 1 5 . Had Black played
duties. In particular, the c3-knight is over 1 7 . . ,gc5!N 1 8.Ad3 ll:lxc3 1 9.VIig4 V!ifB, White
protected, and the c7 -square is no longer safe would not have had adequate compensation
for Black's queen. for the pawn.
12 ti'b8!
...
1 3.gfe l gc8 1 4.id3 h6! and now either
This elegant way of avoiding the pin and bishop retreat carries a drawback:
solving the problem of the dB-queen is one
more example of Vladimir Kramnik's deep
home preparation. Black takes control of the
important b8-h2 diagonal, while the blocked
a8-rook is only a temporary problem.
have neutralized the temporary activity of with: 1 5 .d5 lDxdS 1 6.l2Jxd5 l::1xc l 1 7.ixc l
White's pieces by means of: ixd5 1 8.ixd5 exd5 1 9.l::1 xd5 lD f6=) 1 5.bxc3 h6
4
L . . ,J=''
3
-=------ ----
2
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
1 8 . . . Wff8!N 1 9.E1xc8 Wfxc8 20.l2Jd6 Wfc6 1 6.ixf6 ( 1 6.ih4 Wff4 1 7.ig3 Wlg4 1 8.E1e l
2 1 .lDxb7 Wfxb7 22.l2Je5 WfdS The position ltJ hS =) 1 6 . . . l2Jxf6 1 7.l2Je5 E1c7 1 8.c4 lD d7
is still about equal, but the weakness of the 1 9.E1c3 lDxeS 20.Wfxe5 E1d7 The position is
d4-pawn might tell in the long run. equal, but plenty of play remains.
13 .. J:fc8! 14.id3
White safeguards the bishop and points 8
it towards the kingside. On the other hand, 7
Black obtains full control over the d5-square.
6
Black is well prepared for the thematic 5
advance: 1 4.d5 l2Jxd5 1 5 .l2Jxd5 exdS 1 6.ixd5 4
ixdS 1 7Jhc8t Wfxc8 1 8.l::1 xd5
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
I4....td6
The bishop no longer has much of a role on
b4, so Black relocates it to a stable square in
the centre.
a b c d e f g h 1 5.g3
1 8 . . . Wfc6 1 9.Wfd l l2J f6 20.l::1 d 8t E1xd8 1 5 .h3 h6 1 6.ixf6 lDxf6 1 7.l2Je4 ie7 gives
2 1 .Wfxd8t ifB= Black easy play.
1 4.ib3 is also harmless. 1 4 ... ixc3!? This is the I also considered 1 5 .ia6 h6 ( 1 5 . . . ixa6
ambitious option. (If a draw is an acceptable 1 6.Wfxa6 if4=) 1 6.id2 E1c7 1 7.id3 lDdS
result, then 1 4 . . . id6 invites simplifications 1 8 .l2J e4 if4 and Black is doing well.
244 4.e3
D) l l .el
a b c d e f g h
1 5 ... a6
a b c d e f g h
1 5 . . . h6 1 6 . .ixf6 ltJ xf6 1 7.ltJe4 l::1 xc 1 1 8.l::1 xc l
'1Wd8 1 9.l2Jxf6t Wxf6 20 . .ie4 'We? is another l l ... c6
route to an equal position. l l . . .l2J bd7 is much more popular, but the
text move appeals to me. The knight puts
16 . .bf6 xf6 17.e4 xcl 1 8.xcl pressure on the d4-pawn and may later move
We have been following the top-level game towards the kingside via e7.
Gelfand - Kramnik, London 20 1 3 . The
position is roughly equal, but Black could We will look at two options: Dl) 12.i.d3 is a
have made things mildly unpleasant for his harmless alternative to D2) 12.a3 .
opponent with:
1 2.E1c l transposes to variation E5 .
a b c d e f g h
1 8 ....le7N 19.xf6t .bf6 20.i.e4 g6
It should be a draw, but White still has to a b c d e f g h
think about the potential weakness of the
1 3 .ib5 ixf3 1 4.gxf3 (in the event of
isolated pawn.
1 4.Wxf3 Wxd4 1 5 .E1ad l Wg4 1 6.'1Wxg4 l2Jxg4
Chapter 1 6 - l O .igS - Main Line 245
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e 14 ... h5!
The exchange of dark-squared bishops
1 6 . . . ltlxc3 1 7.bxc3 ixg5 1 8.fxg5 c8+ White
would make Black's set-up more harmonious.
no longer has doubled pawns, but his position
This approach was also successfully employed
still contains numerous holes and weaknesses.
by former World Champion Anatoly Karpov
in such situations. I remember his impressive
Dl) 1 2 ..ld3 h6 13 ..lh4 i.e7 14J:kl
victory over Viktor Korchnoi in their 1 98 1
World Championship match in Merano.
This is the only move to have been tried.
1 5 ..lg3
1 4.a3N may be a touch more precise, although
1 5 .ixe7 ll:lxe7 1 6.ltle5 ll:l f4+ is unpleasant
Black seems fine after: 1 4 . . . ltlh5 1 5 .ig3 ltlxg3
for White.
1 6.hxg3 if6 1 7.ie4
1 5 .d5!?N is not quite correct, but it is worth
taking a quick look at the remarkable idea
connected to it: 1 5 . . . exd5 1 6.ll:lxd5 ixh4
1 7.ltlxh4 Wl'xh4 1 8.c4 White almost regains
the piece while keeping an active position, but
Black can counter with:
a b c d e
1 8 . . . g5 ! 1 9.h4 xd5! 20.h7t xh7 lasting advantage due to the passive bishop on
2 1 .xd5 ltlf6 I believe Black's three pieces are b7) 1 5 .e4 f6 1 6.a4! ltl a5 1 7.ltle5 e7
worth more than a queen here. 1 8.ad l;!; White was better in Naiditsch -
Bluebaum, Deizisau 20 1 2.
1 5 ... xg3 16.hxg3
We have been following the game Barsov - 13.bxc3
Demianjuk, Moscow 20 1 5 . Now Black missed
a great opportunity to create problems for his
opponent:
a b c d e f g h
16 ....tg5!N 17.gal
1 7.ltlxg5 xg5 1 8.d5 exd5 1 9.ltlxd5 adS The previously played 1 3 . . . c8 14.d3 ltl e7
20.ltlf4 ltl b4+ is also problematic for White. seems weaker, as it doesn't force White to
exchange his bishop. Indeed, after 1 5 .b3
17 ... .tf6 IS .te4 gbs 19.d5 exd5 20.hd5
ltlg6 1 6.ad 1 c7 1 7.xf6 gxf6 1 8.c4;i; White
f;Yd7i was well prepared for the key d4-d5 advance in
White has swapped off his isolated pawn, Wojtaszek - Socko, Berlin (blitz) 20 1 5.
but Black's bishop pair gives him the upper
hand. 14 ..th4
This seems like the only principled reply.
02) 12.a3
1 4.f4 leaves Black at liberty to occupy the
This is a more challenging move, forcing Black light squares: 1 4 . . . c8 1 5.d3 ltl a5 1 6.c l
to decide what to do with the bishop. ltl c4 with excellent play.
I S.i.x6
Again, the most challenging move.
1 5 ... gxf6
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
16.i.b3
After 1 6.Wfd3 We? 1 7 .i.b3 Wf4! 1 8.i.c2
f5 1 9.lt:le5 WigS (it makes sense to provoke
g2-g3 , so that White's rook will not have access
a b c d e f g h
to the kingside) 20.g3 ac8 2 1 .c4 fd8?
Black's pieces are perfectly mobilized for 23.h3
attacking the opponent's centre. 23.xf4?? WigS 24.g3 lt:lf3t!-+ is a nice
detail.
White may also try to develop a direct attack 23 . . . Wg5 24.ie4 e5 25.'it>h l f5 26.id5 fd8
with: 27.Wa2 exd4 28.cxd4 Wf6?
1 6.id3 c8 1 7.Wfd2 With such active pieces, Black should not be
After 1 7.c l Wd6 1 8.Wfd2 g7 1 9. lt:l h4 worse.
lt:l d5! 20.c4 Wf4 Black manages to liquidate
into a comfortable endgame. 16 tLlg6 17.ti'd3
. . .
a b c d e f g h
20 ... 4!
Interrupting the harmony of White's pieces.
8
7
a b c d e f g h 6
17 ... 5 1 8.e3 5
In the event of 1 8 .:gad l Wff6 1 9.c4 Wig?
20.Wfe3 :gac8 White's play is slowed down, 4
since 2 1 .d5? exd5 22.cxd5 loses on the spot to: 3
22 . . . :gc3! 23.:gd3 :gxd3 24.Wfxd3 lLl f4 25.Wffl
.ia6-+ 2
1
18 . . <tt> g7 19Jad1
a b c d e f g h
.
E) l l .cl
El) 12.d5
12 ... a5 13.id3N
This is better than 1 3 .ll:le4? as played
in Yuksel - Baskara, Kayseri 20 1 0, when
1 3 ... ie7!N 1 4.d6 ixe4 1 5 .dxe7 Wfxe7+ would
have left White with no compensation for the a b c d e f g h
pawn. 2 1 ... x:e2! 22.xe2 e5
The weakness of the light squares gives Black
13 ... h6 plenty of counterplay.
1 3 . . . exd5 1 4.ib l ! offers White promising
compe : ' '1 .
250 4.e3
14.i.b l
1 4.:i:l:e 1 :i:l:c8 1 5 .ib 1 transposes to variation
E5.
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a b c d e f g h
1
The pressure on the isolated pawn practically
forces White to play 1 8.d5 exd5 1 9.ixd5, but a b c d e f g h
then after 1 9 . . . tlJa5 20.b4 ixc3 2 l .ixb7 ib2 20.ia2!N
22.gb 1 gxb7 23.gxb2 tlJ c4 Black's position is Supporting the powerful knight is the best
preferable due to his more active knight. way of handling the position.
20.tlJxf6t Wfxf6 2 l .Wfd2 tJig7 22.Wfc3 gfd8
8 23.Wfxf6t tJixf6+ led White to an inferior
endgame in Leenhouts - Ernst, Vlissingen
7 20 1 5 .
6
20 ... e5!
5 20 ... ixb2 2 l .gc2 ig7 22.gd2 would give
4 White full compensation for the sacrificed
pawn.
3 The text move is simpler - Black is inviting
2 favourable simplifications.
1
a b c d e f g h
14 .. Jc8 1 5.a3
Covering the b4-spot, so that the queen can
go to d3 without fearing harassment from the
enemy knight.
1 5 .ge 1 is another transposition to variation
ES .
1 5 ... h5 16.ig3
1 6.'1Wd3 ?! achieves nothing: 1 6 . . . g6 1 7.ig3
tlJxg3 1 8.hxg3 if6 1 9.gcd 1 ig7 20.gfe 1
a b c d e f g h
tlJe7+ Van der Stricht - Burg, Belgium 20 1 5 .
2 1 Jxc8 ixcS 22Jel xf3t 23.xf3 <lt>g7=
16 ... xg3 17.hxg3 if6 18.d5 exd5 19.xd5 White has nothing better than liquidating
g6 into an equal endgame.
252 4.e3
E4) 12.a3
a b c d e f g h
16 ... ha6!N 17.Yfxa6 d5 1 8Jc4
Mter 1 8.xc8 xc8 1 9.xa7 c2 Black will
regain the pawn with a positional advantage,
a b c d e f g h
since 20.b4?! c6 does not help White at all.
14.Yid3
I 4.ia2 lLle7 1 5 .l'hc8 xc8 1 6.tLle5 lLl fd5+
was ideal for Black in Radjabov - Karpov,
Buenos Aires 200 I .
14 ... e7!
Now is the time to open a path for the
light-squared bishop, while solidifying Black's a b c d e f g h
control over the d5-square. Once again, Black develops the rook and
menaces the hanging bishop on c4, forcing
I S ..b6 gxf6 16 ..ia6 White to waste time on prophylaxis.
We have been following the game Potkin -
Alekseev, Moscow 20 1 2. Natural and strong 13.i.d3
would have been:
Chapter 1 6 - I O . .ig5 - Main Line 253
1 3 .Wfd3N isn't without drawbacks either: 1 9.E1e3 f5 20.E1h3 ig5+ With a healthy extra
1 3 ... h6 1 4.ih4 ie7 1 5 .a3 We have transposed pawn.
to a game, in which Black made use of a
familiar device: 14 ... h6 1 5 ..th4
1 5 .ixf6 ixf6 1 6. WI d3 g6+ leads nowhere for
White.
8
7
6
5
4
a b c d e f g h 3
1 5 . . . l2Jh5! 1 6.ixe7 ( 1 6.ig3N lDxg3 1 7.hxg3 2
if6 1 8.l:kd 1 l2Je7+) 1 6 . . . l2Jxe7 1 7.l2Je2 l2Jg6
1 8.g3 l2J f6+ Black had a comfortable position
playing again the isolated pawn in Pribyl - a b c d e f g h
Matejka, corr. 2005. 1 5 ... h5!
13 ....ie7 14 . .ibl The same approach as in some of the notes
I also considered: 1 4.a3 l2Jd5 As we often above, as well as the earlier variation D 1 - the
see in this variation, the exchange of dark exchange of bishops will benefit Black.
squared bishops makes Black's play easier. 16 . .tg3!
1 5 .h4!? This aggressive move is connected with This is the only way for White to maintain
attacking ambitions, but they are not realistic. the balance.
1 5 ... l2Jxc3 1 6.bxc3 h6 1 7 . .id2 So far we have
been following Henrichs - Walter, Germany 1 6.Wfd3 ?! g6 1 7.ig3 l2Jxg3 1 8.hxg3 if6+
20 1 2, and here Black should have played: was pleasant for Black in Bindrich - Meier,
Dresden 20 1 5 .
1 6.Wfc2?! g6
a b c d e f g h
1 7Jhe6 Conclusion
The quiet 1 7.i.xe7 CiJxe7 1 8.CiJe5 CiJ f4+ also
leads to a bad position for White. There is no doubt in my mind that 10.i.g5 is
1 7 . . . t'iJ f4! the best way of developing active play - with
This cold-blooded reply allows Black to grab the Nimw bishop far away on b4, the pin
the material in a comfortable situation. becomes quite annoying. After the natural
1 8J:he7 reply 1 0 . . . i.b7 there is a variety of possible set
1 8.e4 CiJ b4 1 9 .'1Wd2 i.xe4 20.i.xe4 i.xh4 ups, but White's main intentions are:
2 1 .%Vxf4 ig5-+ 1 ) getting control over the d5-square and/or
1 8.i.xe7 CiJxe7+ forces White to give up the pushing d4-d5 at a suitable moment;
exchange with 1 9.e4, since 1 9.e3? CiJ f5 2) creating threats on the kingside, utilizing
would be even worse. a powerful knight on e5 (which may sacrifice
1 8 . . . t'iJxe7 1 9.Wd2 g5+ itself on f7, supported by the bishop on c4)
Black was much better and eventually won and perhaps a transfer of heavy pieces along
in I. Sokolov - Leko, Wijk aan Zee 20 1 3 . the third rank.
Various 5 th Moves
Variation Index
l.d4 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 J\b4 4.f;C/c2
4...d5
A) 5.e3 256
B) 5.J\g5 257
C) 5.f3 dxc4 258
Cl) 6.J\g5 259
C2) 6.e4 260
C3) 6.a3 26 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
l .d4 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 i.b4 4.Yic2 Rubinstein systems doesn't make much sense,
This is known as the Classical System, and but this is still White's third most popular
is arguably the most theoretically challenging choice! We won't have to spend much time
answer to the Nimzo-Indian. The main idea on it though, as my recommended solution is
of the queen move is to prepare a2-a3 without likely to transpose to a harmless line which has
suffering from doubled c-pawns. The queen already been analysed in another part of the
may also support the e2-e4 advance. book.
A) 5.e3
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
6 ... cxd4! 7 ... 0-0
This is the most accurate move order. We can end the line here, as Black's last move
reaches a position analysed via the Rubinstein
6 . . . ll:lc6 move order - see variation A3 of Chapter 1 0.
This has been by far the most popular move,
and was even used by Nimzowitsch to score B) s ..t8s
1 V2/2 against Reti and Capablanca! However,
it gives White the annoying option of:
8
7.dxc5!
7.a3 i.xc3t 8.bxc3 0-0 is similar to the main 7
Rubinstein lines from Chapter 1 4, but the 6
presence of White's queen on c2 (instead of
the bishop on d3) makes Black's task easier. 5
The games Korchnoi - Yusupov, Switzerland 4
2008, and L. Horvath - Ragger, Mureck
2004, are good examples of Black's chances.
3
7 . . . 0-0 8.a3 i.xc5 9.b4 id6 1 0.ib2 2
This theoretical position can be reached via
1
different move orders, and first occurred as
early as 1 909! Solving the problem of the a b c d e f g h
c8-bishop is not an easy task here. For This looks like a natural move, but it is
instance: connected with a dubious pawn sacrifice.
1 0 . . . ll:le5 1 1 .0-0-0 Wff e7 1 2.lLlb5!
White obtained a dangerous initiative in the s .. dxc4
.
classic game Tal - Aronin, Moscow 1 957. Why not? It's surprisingly hard for White to
regain the pawn, so he will have to search for
7.exd4 compensation.
After 7.ll:lxd4 0-0 White is equal at best. In
practical terms, Black has an easy position with 6.e3
a lot of freedom, and has achieved a heavy plus 6.ll:lf3 converts to variation C l .
score.
25 8 4.'1Wc2
a b c d e f g h
This position might also be reached via the
s.L6 Ragozin move order of l .d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.tLlf3
White is happy to destroy the opponent's lLlf6 4.tLlc3 b4, and now the somewhat
pawn structure at the cost of exchanging the premature 5.'1Wc2.
powerful bishop.
8
After 8.e2 b7 9.f3 a6 1 0.tLlge2 tLl bd7
1 1 .0-0 '1Wb6 Black was a sound pawn up in 7
Levitas - Sokolsky, Leningrad 1 938. 6
8 ... gxf6 5
Avoiding a thematic trap: 8 . . . '1Wxf6? 9.axb5 4
cxb5? 1 0.'1We4+- and the rook is trapped.
3
9 . .te2 a6 10 ..tf3 2
This position occurred in Wehmeier -
1
Kotronias, Munich 1 993. Now I suggest
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 1 7 - Various 5th Moves 259
5 dxc4
This was played almost a century ago in
Once again, Black should be happy to grab Vilardebo Picurena - Noteboom, Prague
an important pawn. 1 93 1 . Black could have taken full advantage
of the premature development of White's
White may proceed with Cl) 6 .tg5, C2) 6.e4
. queen with:
or C3) 6.a3.
a b c d e f g h
1 7.0-0 V!ff g 5 1 8.g3 ltlc5 is already losing for 7.e4 h6 8.ixf6 V!ffxf6 9.a4, as played in
White. Esedov - P. Horvath, Chalkidiki 2000, can be
1 o . . . cxb5 1 1 .b3 strongly met by:
260 4.'%Vc2
C2) 6.e4
7 ... c6 8.g3
White also failed to get anything concrete
after 8.axb5 cxb5 9.i.xf6 gxf6 1 0.We4 Wd5+
in Postl - Lerner, Graz 1 995.
8 a b c d e f g h
7 6 ... b5 7.a4
6 Once again, ifWhite is to cause problems, he
should play this move before the bishop arrives
5 on b7. Now Black has a couple of options, but
4 my preference is:
3
7 ...i.b7!
2 I like this counterattacking concept. Black is
1 ready to give up his extra pawn, but it forces
White to lose control over the d5-square.
a b c d e f g h 7 . . . c6 8.ie2 ib7 9.0-0 a6, as played in
10 ...ti'b6 l l .e4 a6 lots of games, leaves White with long-lasting
A complicated middlegame was reached in compensation due to the strong pawn centre.
Mamedyarov - Carlsen, Shamkir 20 1 4, but Still, Black's position is by no means worse
White did not really have enough for the pawn. here, so the choice is one of personal taste.
8.axb5!
The most dynamic move, giving up a central
pawn in order to open up the queenside.
Chapter 1 7 - Various 5 th Moves 26 1
8
7
6
5
4
a b c d e f g h 3
1 l . . .c6! 2
Dynamic factors are the most important
1
here. The b5-pawn was a potential weakness,
but securing the c6-square for the knight is a b c d e f g h
crucial. 9 ...ti'e7N IO.i.e2
1 2.'1Wf4 1 0.ixc4 i.xf3 1 1 .gxf3 lLl bd7+ leaves White
In the event of 1 2.0-0 i.g6 1 3.bxc6 tLlxc6 with no compensation for the damaged pawn
1 4.'\Wf4 0-0 Black's pieces are perfectly structure.
developed.
1 2 . . . ig6 1 3 .id2?! IO ... bd7 1 1 .0-0 b6 12.ti'dl i.b7
A dubious pawn sacrifice. 13 ..tg5 ti'd6
Better was 1 3 .bxc6 lLlxc6 1 4.0-0, Black has comfortable play due to his
transposing to the note above. excellent piece development and pressure on
the isolated pawn.
C3) 6.a3
8
7
6
5
a b c d e f g h 4
1 3 . . . ixc3 1 4.bxc3 tLld5 1 5 .Wg3 cxb5 1 6.h4 3
h5+
2
Black had an extra pawn and full control
over the light squares in Bergez - Duhayon, 1
Charleroi 2003. a b c d e f g h
262 4.VNc2
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
7 ... c5 8.e4
a b c d e f g h
The more modest 8.e3, as played in
I. Sokolov - Wells, London 2008, is well met
by 8 . . . cxd4!N 9.cxd4 b5. White can regain the 1 0 . . . tLl a5!N 1 l .e5 ( l l .ixc4 lLlxc4 1 2.Wfxc4
lost pawn with 1 O.a4, but this entails a serious tLlxe4+) 1 1 . . .tLld5 1 2.ixc4 tLlxc4 1 3 .Wfxc4
strategic concession: id?+ Black dominates the light squares.
8
7
6
5
a b c d e f g h 4
1 0 . . . b4 1 l .i.xc4 0-0 1 2.0-0 ib7 The 3
strong passed pawn offers Black an excellent
position. 2
1
8 ... cxd4 9.cxd4 c6
a b c d e f g h
White's position looks promising due to his
powerful bishops and mobile pawn centre. l l ... c6!
Chapter 1 7 - Various 5th Moves 263
l l . . .l2Jxf3t?! 1 2.gx:f3 0-0 1 3.:i:l:gl offers 19.he6 :i:l:xe6 20.:i:l:xe6 fxe6 2 1 .xe5 d4!
White a promising initiative. 22.ti'd2 :i:l:d8
Black is by no means worse due to his active
12.0-0 0-0 13 ..tb2 piece play.
The pressure along the a l -h8 diagonal is quite
unpleasant, but Black can neutralize it with: Conclusion
13 ...ti'a5! 14.ti'e3 e5 1 5 .h3 This chapter has dealt with a few sidelines after
This position was reached in Vanheiden - 4.WI'c2 d5. White only has so many sensible
Meissen, email 20 1 3 . Now I recommend the moves, especially with the c4-pawn hanging.
following natural innovation: Indeed, after 5 .ig5 dxc4, followed by ... b5,
Black should be able to keep a healthy extra
pawn without compromising his position too
much. Of the lines where White gives up the
c4-pawn, his best option might be 5.l2Jf3 dxc4
6.a3 ixc3t 7.bxc3, but then the abandonment
of White's queen from the d-file makes the
centre unstable, so 7 . . . c5 offers Black excellent
play.
a b c d e f g h
1 5 h6N 16.:i:l:adl :i:l:e8 17.:i:l:d6 ti'b6!
. .
1 8.ti'e2 .te6!
Black returns the extra pawn in order to
neutralize the activity of White's bishops.
a b c d e f g h
8
-=p..;;;,/-
7
6
5
4
lw--."'"""zz>
3
2 r-jr'uur--A"
a b c d e f g h
5 .a3
Variation Index
l.d4 tLlf6 2.c4 e6 3.tLlc3 i.b4 4.f;C/c2 d5 5.a3
5....txc3t 6.f;C/xc3 0-0
A) 7.cxd5 tLle4! 8.f;C/c2 exd5 265
Al) 9.e3 266
A2) 9.i.f4 tLlc6 10.e3 ge8 ll.tLlf3 g5! 12.i.g3 g4 13.tLle5 tLlxe5 267
A2 1) 14..ixe5 269
A22) 14.dxe5N 270
B) 7.e3 b6 272
Bl) 8.cxd5 273
B2) 8.tLl f3 i.a6 275
B2 1) 9.b3 275
B22) 9.b4 276
8 8 8
7 7 7
6 6 6
5 5 5
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
l l . . .e5!N I O c5!N
. . . 1 4 . . . li:lxe5!N
Chapter 1 8 - 5 .a3 265
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
In this chapter we will focus on two 1 1 .. .e5!N 1 2.cxd5
significant sidelines: A) 7.cxd5 and B) 7.e3. 1 2.i.g3 if5 is even worse for White.
1 2 . . . if5! 1 3.Wfc l exf4 1 4.dxc6 fxe3-+
7.llJf3 and 7.ig5 are the two main moves, White's king is fatally exposed.
analysed in Chapters 1 9 and 20 respectively.
A) 7.cxd5
7.i.f4
This rare move has achieved a heavy score 8
for White, but it allows Black to fight for the
7
initiative with:
7 ... c5! 8.dxc5 llJ c6 6
5
4
3
2
1
a c e g
7 ... e4!
a b c d e f g h
266 4 .Yic2
This intermediate move prevents White We will analyse AI) 9.e3 and A2) 9.-t4.
from pinning the knight and renders White's
development more problematic. 9.tLlf3 if5 1 0.Wfb3 tLl c6+ gives Black a lead in
development and good prospects on the light
8.Yic2 squares.
Definitely the best retreat.
AI) 9.e3
8.Wfb3?! misplaces the queen, as the following
game illustrates: 8 . . . exd5 9.tLlf3 c5 1 0.dxc5 This was played by Kramnik against Anand in
lLl a6 l l .e3? ( l l .Wid l lLl axc5 1 2.b4 Wf6 the stem game with 7 . . . tLl e4!. Playing this way
1 3.Wfd4 was the lesser evil, but even then is a significant concession, as White's dark
Black's lead in development forces White to squared bishop will now be locked in for a
fight for equality after 1 3 . . . tLl b3 1 4.Wxf6 tLlxf6 long time.
1 5 .l::1 b l tLlxc l 1 6.l::1 xc l id7 1 7.e3 l::1 fc8+)
9 ....t5 IO ..td3
This position was reached in Kramnik -
Anand, Nice (rapid) 2009, and a number of
subsequent games. For some reason, nobody
found the strongest continuation for Black:
a b c d e f g h
8 ... exd5
a b c d e f g h
A2) 9.-t4
8
7
6
a b c d e f g h
5
1 3.l2Jf3 (even worse is 1 3 .b4 l2Je5 1 4.l2Jf3 l2Jxf3
1 5.gxf3 ih3t 1 6.e l Wg2 l ?Jm l2Jg5-+) 4
1 3 . . . Wf6+ Black manages to regain the pawn 3
and develop a powerful initiative.
2
l l ...g6 12.3 1
Attempting a tactical solution. There is
nothing better, as Black's next move can hardly a b c d e f g h
be prevented anyway. 9 ... c6
9 . . . if5 was tried in some grandmaster
12 ... xg3 1 3.ggl hd3 14.xc7 games, but I don't like it because of: 1 0.Wfxc7
White will recapture on g3 to restore the Wxc7 l l .ixc7 :gcs 1 2.if4 l2J c6 1 3 .f3 l2J f6
material balance, but Black can establish a 1 4.g4 ig6
clear positional advantage with:
8
7
6
5
4
3
a b c d e f g h
2
1 5 .e3!N ( 1 5 .h4 l2Jxd4 1 6.:gd l l2Je6? gave
1
Black decent play in AI Sayed - Moradiabadi,
a b c d e f g h Ha Long City 2009) l S ... lD aS 1 6.h4 lD b3
14 ... .te2! 1 5,gxg3 a6+ 1 7.:gd l ic2 1 8.lDe2 White may not be able to
With full control over the light squares. claim an advantage, but he will certainly have
adequate compensation for the exchange.
IO.e3
268 4.Wc2
Statically, White's position is better due to 1 2 .Wfd 1 g5! 1 3.ig3 h5 1 4.h4 i.g4!+ and
the bishop pair and pressure along the c-file. White is in trouble.
However, there are also dynamic factors in the
position! 1 1 .0-0-0?!
This is too risky, as the king will not be safe
1o .. J:e8 on the queenside.
The more aggressive 1 0 . . . g5!? also seems 1 l . . .i.f5 1 2 .i.d3 c8!
playable. 1 1 .ig3 f5 1 2.0-0-0 This position The most consistent way to prove the
was reached in Karpov - Anand, Corsica significance of the above-mentioned factor
(rapid) 2009, and now I recommend: is to prepare a line-opening piece sacrifice.
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
a c e
1 1 .6
White doesn't have any adequate alternatives.
a b c d e f g h
1 1 .tLle2?, as tried in Kotanj ian - Zhao Xue,
Moscow 20 1 1 , should be met by 1 1 . . .if5N 1 5 .fxe4
Chapter 1 8 - 5 . a3 269
a b c d e f g h
l l ... g5!
Black has to play energetically in order to
make use of the development advantage. 1 8 . . . ge6 1 9.c;i;>h 1 gg6 20.f3 gxf3 2 1 .gxf3 g5
22.Wfd2 ifS 23.gg 1 Wfh5 24.Wlf2 f6 25.i.f4
12 ..tg3 g4 13.e5 xeS c;i;>f7 Black was absolutely fine in Bendana
So far A21) 14.he5 is the only move to Guerrero - Serner, corr. 20 1 1 .
have been tested, but it is also important to
examine A22) 14.dxe5N. Black is also doing well after 1 6.ixe4N ixe4
1 7.Wfd 1 Wlg5 1 8. 0-0 c4, but that would still
A2 1 ) 14 . .L:e5 have been an improvement for White over the
text move.
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
270 4.VNc2
8
7
6
5
4
a b c d e f g h 3
19 ...ti'a6!N 2
White's king is stuck in the centre. 1
a b c d e f g h
7
5
6 4
5 3
4
2
3
1
2
a b c d e
a b c d e f g 30.e6!
White has no time for 30.:gxa7?? g3 3 1 .hxg3
26 . . . :gdd2! 27.:gxf5 :ge l t 28.:gfl :gxb l
hxg3-+ when it's all over.
29.:gxb l :gxe2+ White will have to give up his
bishop for the b-pawn, leaving Black with an
30 ... fxe6 3 l ,gb5!
extra pawn and good winning chances in the
The only defence!
rook endgame.
3 I .. <It>f7
.
a b c d e f g
19 ... b3t 20.f;Yd2 b2 2 1 J:b l f;Yxd2t 22.<1t>xd2
gac8 23 .tb3 ged8t 24. <lt>e2
B) 7.e3
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
Bl) 8.cxd5
a b c d e f g h
1 1 . . . e5!
Also possible is 1 1 ... ib7, but I prefer the
more aggressive concept.
1 2.lDf3 e4 1 3.l2Jd4 ib7 1 4.b3 l2J d7 1 5 .ib2
lDeS
The activity of Black's pieces fully
compensates for White's bishop pair.
a b c d e f g h
8 ... xd5!
I like this move, since it forces White to
spend another tempo moving his queen and
leaves the long diagonal open.
9.f;Yc2
Another possible retreat is:
9.d2N
This hasn't been tested in practice yet. The a b c d e f g h
following line illustrates that the queen is 9 . .tb7!
..
placed rather awkwardly on d2: I was surprised to discover that this natural
9 . . . c5 developing move has hardly ever been seen in
I do not see a reason to delay this thematic practice.
advance.
1 0.l2Jf3 9 . . . ia6 1 0.ixa6 lDxa6 1 l .e4 l2Je7, as played
After l O.dxcS bxc5 1 1 .l2J f3 b6 1 2.ic4 ia6 in Carlsen - Kramnik, Moscow (rapid) 20 1 1 ,
1 3.e2 ixc4 1 4.xc4 l2J c6 the pressure doesn't look attractive: 1 2.c4!?N c8 1 3 .b4
along the b-file fully compensates for the c5 1 4.dxc5 bxc5 1 5 .b5 l2J b8 1 6.ib2;!; White is
weakness of the c5-pawn. better due to the powerful bishop and pressure
1 o . . . cxd4 1 1 .l2Jxd4 on the weak c5-pawn.
274 4 .VNc2
10.6
This natural developing move is the only
option to have been tested so far. I checked
three alternatives:
l l ... d7 12.c6
The greedy 1 2.cxb6?! c8 1 3.d 1 xb6
a b c d e f g h leaves White under strong pressure - it will be
1 4.ie3 cxd4 1 5 .ixd4 c8 1 6.e2 ltlc5= not easy for him to complete development. For
White is forced to exchange the dark-squared instance: 1 4.b4 e5 1 5 .ib2 fd8 1 6.ie2
bishop, so Black gets comfortable play.
B2 1) 9.b3
a b c d e f g h
12 .. Jc8! 13.i.b5 e7
Black will regain the pawn while retaining a
lead in development.
B2) 8.f3 a b c d e f g h
9 ... c5!
For some reason, 9 . . . lLl bd7 has been a more
frequent choice. However, challenging the
centre at once seems a principled approach.
IO.dxc5
After 1 0.i.b2 lLlbd7 l l .:i:l:d l :i:l:c8 1 2.lLld2
'1We7 Black was already better in Mkrtchian
Xu Yuhua, Nanjing 2009.
8 ...i.a6
8 . . . i.b7 is a decent choice too, but the text
move seems somewhat more active.
a b c d e f g h
276 4.Wfc2
1 2.ib2 ( 1 2.dxc5 may be safer, but after 13 ....ixc4 14.Yixc4 c6 15.i.b2 Yld3!=
1 2 . . . l2J e4 1 3.Wfc2 lD xc5 I still prefer Black due The activity of Black's pieces stops White
to the better pawn structure) 1 2 . . . cxd4 1 3 .exd4 from benefiting from having a strong dark
l::1 c8 1 4.E1cl l2J e4 1 5 .Wfe3 l2J d6+ Black exerts squared bishop.
strong pressure against the hanging pawns.
B22) 9.b4
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
10 ... dxc4!N
After 1 0 . . . bxc5 1 l .ib2 l2J bd7, as played in This is the most ambitious concept: White
Leyva - Lima, Dresden (ol) 2008, White could seizes space on the queenside and tries to make
have played 1 2.E1d l !N ib7 1 3.ie2 when the . . . c5 break more problematic.
Black would be doomed to passive defence.
9 ... bd7
l l . .ixc4 On this occasion I favour this natural
After 1 1 .b4 l2Jd5 1 2.Wfc2 bxc5 White drops developing move.
a pawn.
9 . . . ixc4 looks like a concession, as it supports
l l ... e4 12.Yfc2 xeS 13.0-0 White's development, so 1 0.ixc4 dxc4
1 1 .Wfxc4 Wfd5 1 2.Wfxd5 l2Jxd5 1 3 .id2 l2J d7
1 4.tJie2 c5 1 5 .dxc5 bxc5 1 6.l::1 h c l l::1 fc8 1 7.l::1 c2
gave White a small but stable advantage in
Nakamura - Giri, Tashkent 20 1 4.
a b c d e f g h lO.i.b2
Chapter 1 8 - 5.a3 277
1 0.b5N has not yet been tested but it's a the c-file is likely to cause problems with the
natural enough move. My analysis continues: queen on c3 .
l l . . .i.b7 l l .a4 ( l l .cxd5 i.xd5 1 2.a4 :i:l:e8
1 3 .i.b2 :i:l:c8 followed by . . . c5 also offers l l ... bxc5 12.b5 .tb7 13 . .te2
Black comfortable play) l l . . .c5 1 2.bxc6 i.xc6 White needs to catch up with the
1 3 .i.a3 :i:l:e8 1 4.cxd5 i.xd5= development of his kingside pieces.
1 0.i.d3 , as played in Selisek - Kunej , Ptuj The over-optimistic 1 3 .a4?! e5! 1 4.cxd5 llJxd5
2008, can be well met by: 1 O ... dxc4N l l .i.xc4 1 5 .Wfd2 e4 led White to an inferior position in
llJe4 1 2 .Wfc2 i.xc4 1 3 .Wfxc4 llJdf6 1 4.0-0 Laurent - Frayssinet, Paris 20 1 0.
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a b c d e f g h
1
1 4 . . . Wfd5 ! The queen is perfectly placed in
the centre. 1 5 .Wfc2 (the greedy 1 5 .Wfxc7?! is a b c d e f g h
refuted by 1 5 ... :i:l:fc8 1 6.Wfe7 llJ c3!+ and Black 13 ... e5!
dominates the board) 1 5 . . . c5 1 6.dxc5 bxc5 The same idea works well here too.
1 7.i.b2 cxb4 1 8.axb4 :i:l:fc8=
14.lthe5?!
1 4.cxd5N llJxd5 1 5 .Wfc2 would be safer, but
even then Black can fight for the initiative with:
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
IO ... c5 l l .dxc5
White is virtually forced to release the 1 5 . . . c4! 1 6.i.xc4 ( 1 6.llJxe5 llJxe5 1 7.ixe5
tension in this way, otherwise the opening of :i:l:e8 also offers Black rich play for the pawn)
278 4.Wc2
A) 9.g3 280
B) 9.i.f4 i.a6! 10.f;C/xc7 f;C/dS 281
B 1) 1 1.f;C/d6?! 281
B2) 1 1.f;C/c2 282
C) 9.i.g5 i.a6 283
C 1) 10.f;C/c2 283
C2) 10.f;C/c3 h6 286
C2 1) 1 1.i.h4 286
C22) 1 1.hf6 287
C3) 10.f;C/a4 cS 288
C3 1) 1 1.M1 288
C32) 1 1.dxc5 bxcS 289
C32 1) 12.h4!? 289
C322) 12J::M1 292
C323) 12Jc 1 294
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
1 3 . . . d3!?N 1 5 . . . f6!N
280 4.c2
a b c d e f g h
Black prepares . . . ia6, developing with gain
of tempo. White may proced with A) 9.g3,
B) 9 ..tf4 or C) 9 . .tg5.
A) 9.g3
IO.ti'xc7
Toothless is: 1 0.Wfc2 lLl bd7 1 1 .E1d 1 (the
over-ambitious 1 1 .e4?! xfl 1 2. xfl c5
1 3.d6 E1e8 1 4.e5 tLld5 led White to an inferior
position in Morozevich - Kramnik, Moscow
2009) 1 1 . . .Wfc8 1 2.g3 c5 1 3.g2 b7=
M. Gurevich - Adams, Khanty-Mansiysk
2007.
IO ...ti'd5
a b c d e f g h With the c-file open, White's king feels less
1 9 . . . c2! 20.l::1xd8 l::1 fxd8 2 1 .tLld4 c l =Wit comfortable in the centre.
22.E1xc l l::1 xc l t 23.fl h6 Black's position is
by no means worse. We will analyse Bl) l l .ti'd6?! and B2) l l .Wfc2.
17 .. Jc7! B I ) n .ti'd6?!
Covering the seventh rank and freeing a path
for the queen.
I S.!Udl ti'cS+!
Black has reached a harmonious set-up, and
White will have to keep a watchful eye on the
passed c-pawn.
B) 9 ..tf4
8
7
6
5
4
3
l l . ..ti'f5! 12.g3
2 No better is:
1 1 2.g4 Wc2 1 3 .l::1 c l Wfxb2 1 4.Wfb4
1 4.g5 tLld5 1 5 .d2 lLlc6 1 6.e3 xfl
a b c d e f g h 1 7.xfl tLl a5+ was unpleasant for White
9 ... .ta6! in Ki. Georgiev - Illescas Cordoba, Andorra
A typical concept: fast development is more 20 1 2.
important than the c7-pawn! 1 4 . . . Wfa2
282 4.c2
a b c d e f g h
1 5 .d2N
After 1 5 ..id6? l::1 d 8 the threat of . . . l2J d5
forced White into a humiliating bishop
retreat in Eames - G. Buckley, Brentwood
2008. The text move is better, but Black still
has fine prospects after:
1 5 . . . xa3 1 6 . .ig2 a b c d e f g h
The best White can do is to castle and hope 1 8 ... ti'c2! 19Jd2 xd2 20.xd2 gadS
for some long-term compensation for the 2 I .ti'b4 f6i
pawn. Nevertheless, after: Ordinarily two bishops would outgun a
1 6 . . . .ib7 1 7.0-0 .ie4 1 8.lDe5 .ixg2 1 9.'it>xg2 rook and two pawns, but Black's superior
l2J bd7 20.l2Jc6 l::1 fe8 coordination, king safety and pawn structure
I still prefer Black; he keeps an extra pawn, swing the balance in his favour.
and the queenside passed pawns could be huge
in a future endgame. B2) l l .ti'c2 gcs 12.ti'b l
12 ... bd7 13.i.g2 1 2.d l l2J c6 1 3 .e3 .ixfl 1 4.'it>xfl lDa5 gave
We have been following the game Black a great initiative in Flear - Franco
Gordievsky - Kachar, Moscow 20 1 2. In this Alonso, San Sebastian 20 1 1 .
critical position, Black overlooked a powerful
sacrificial resource:
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1 a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 1 9 - 7. tLl f3 283
Cl) IO.ti'c2
a b c d e f g h
16 .. Jd8
Calmly shifting the rook to oppose White's
queen, while making room for the other rook
to go to c8 at some point. White has nothing
better than:
17.0-0 ti'xe2
Black is fine; he has restored material a b c d e f g h
equality, and his active pieces are at least as IO ... h6
important as White's bishop pair. There is nothing wrong with the immediate
1 0 . . . c5 l l .dxc5 bxc5, but I see no drawback in
C) 9 ..tg5 prodding the bishop first.
l l ..th4
Completely toothless is:
1 1 .i.xf6 Wxf6 1 2.e3
White's position lacks development, so
grabbing the pawn with 1 2.Wxc7? :i:l:c8 is
extremely dangerous: 1 3.We5 Wg6 1 4.g3
Wc2+ Uwahodo - Saitou, corr. 20 1 1 .
1 2 ... i.xfl 1 3 .'xfl c5 1 4.'it>e2 cxd4 1 5 .tLlxd4
lLld7
Black doesn't face any problems, and may
seize the initiative after:
a b c d e f g h
284 4.'1Wc2
1 6.l::1 ac l ?! l l . c5
. .
8
7
6
5
a b c d e f g h
4
1 6 . . . e5! 3
16 ... '1Wg5 was only equal in lvanchuk - 2
Karjakin, Monte Carlo (rapid) 20 1 1 .
1
1 7.lLlb3
After 1 7.tLlf5 E1ac8 1 8.Wxc8 l::1 xc8 1 9.E1xc8t a b c d e f g h
@h7 20.tLlg3 tLlc5t White's king is in 12.dxc5
danger. The over-optimistic 1 2.e4?! i.xf1 1 3.E1xf1 ,
1 7 . . . Wg5 1 8.l::1 h d 1 as seen in Morozevich - Topalov, Nice (rapid)
In Eichner - Moreira, email 20 1 4, Black 2009, is strongly met by: 1 3 . . . tLl c6!N
could have safely played:
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
1 4.dxc5 ( 1 4.e5? lLlxd4 1 5 .lLlxd4 '1Wxd4-+
1 8 . . . '1Wxg2!N 1 9.Wf5 is one line that illustrates the benefit of
1 9.E1xd7?? '1Wg4t is the simple tactical point. including . . . h6 and ih4) 14 . . . bxc5 1 5 .'1Wxc5
1 9 . . . l::1 ad8! E1c8 The lack of development puts White in a
Black wins a pawn for insufficient critical situation: 1 6.l::1 d 1 lLlxe4 1 7 .E1xd8 lLlxc5
compensation, as 20.E1xd7? still loses the 1 8.l::1 xf8t @xf8+
exchange after 20 . . . g6.
Chapter 1 9 - 7. lLl f3 285
a b c d e f g h
1 4 . . . Wfc8!
a b c d e f g h
1 4 . . . g5 ?! 1 5 .lLlxg5 ! hxg5 1 6.ixg5 lLl bd7
1 7.E1xd4 Wfc8 1 8.Wfd2 offers White 1 7.e3 ixf1 1 8 .l::1xf1 l::1 a b8+ Laznicka - Hracek,
promising compensation for the piece. Ostrava 2009.
1 5 .Wfxc8 E1xc8 1 6.ixf6 gxf6 1 7.lLlxd4 lLl c6=
13 ...J.xfl 14Jxfl
12 . bxc5
.. We have been following the game Ma
Zhonghan - Motylev, Ningbo 20 1 1 . Black
should have continued:
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a b c d e f g h
1
13.e3
Black's development advantage tells also in a b c d e f g h
the following examples: 14 ... bd7!N
With the following idea:
286 4.Y!fc2
1 5.0-0-0 Y!fc7 16.bl gacs; 1 2.tLle5 tLlxe5! 1 3.dxe5 tLl e4 gives Black fine
The subsequent advance of the c-pawn will prospects after: 1 4.ixd8 tLlxc3 1 5 .i.xc7
put pressure on White's monarch.
C2) IO.Y!fc3
10 ... h6
We will analyse C2 1) l l .i.h4 followed by
a b c d e f g h
the more popular C22) l l ..tx6.
1 5 . . . l::1 fc8! 1 6.id6 lLl e4 1 7.f3 tLlxd6 1 8.exd6
C2 1) l l .i.h4 E1c2 The activity of Black's rook forces White
to fight for equality.
8 12 .. ,gc8 13.gdl
7 Harmless is: 1 3 .i.xf6 lLlxf6 1 4.e3 i.xfl
1 5 .'it>xfl Wfd5 1 6.Wfxd5 exd5 l ?.c;i;>e2 c5=
6
5 13 ... b8 14.Y!Ia4
After 1 4.Wfc l c5 1 5 .dxc5 Wfe7 Black's lead in
4 development is becoming threatening.
3
2 8
1 7
a b c d e f g h 6
l l ... bd7N 5
A natural novelty. 4
12 ... d7!
This improves over 1 2 . . . ib7, when 1 3.ig2
lD a6 1 4.0-0 c5 1 5 .E1ac l was better for White
in the aforementioned game Nakamura -
Kramnik, Antalya 20 1 3.
a b c d e f g h
17.xb8
1 7.lDxa7?! Wfd8 only invites trouble, as
White's knight is almost trapped.
a c e f g h
288 4.f;Yc2
17 .. Jxb8 1 8.0-0-0 !Ud8 19.f4 gd7 20,gd2 White was fighting for equality in Carow -
gbd8= Y. Vovk, Berlin 20 1 5 .
Black has strong pressure on the d4-pawn,
and White's space advantage does not matter 1 2.Wfb3 , as played in Bareev - Bu Xiangzhi,
much with no minor pieces left on the board. Moscow 20 1 0, can be met well by: 1 2 . . . tLl e4!N
1 3.dxc5 Wb7 1 4.cxb6 tLlxg5 1 5 .tLlxg5
C3) IO.f;Ya4
8
7
6
5
4
3
2 a b c d e f g h
13 ... d3!?N
Since the d4-pawn will fall anyway, it makes
sense to give it up in a better situation!
14.f;Yc3
1 4.exd3 gxf6 1 5 .i.e2 g7 1 6.0-0 :gc8
1 7.WI'd2 tLl c6 is at least equal for Black.
a b c d e f g h
25 .. ,gxdl t 26.xdl ga2 27.a4 f6 28. d2
d5
Black has full compensation for the pawn.
8
7
a b c d e f g h
6
16 ...f;Yd5! 17.exd3 L ; - .. . . F""'' u - .
17 ... d7 1 8.f;Yf4 3
1 8.WI'g5 t Wxg5 1 9.lLlxg5 :gc2 20.:gd2 :gac8 2
also holds no danger for Black.
1
18 .. ,gc2 19.f;Ya4 f;Ya5t 20.f;Yxa5 bxa5 a b c d e f g h
Black has at least enough compensation for Now C32 1) 12.h4!? is a tricky idea, but
the sacrificed pawn. the two main options are C322) 12,gdl and
C323) 12,gcl .
2 1 .gd2 gac8!?
If a draw is an acceptable result, then C32 1) 12.h4!?
2 1 . . .:gc l t 22.:gd l :gc2= leaves White with no
other option than to take it. This tricky move has only been played in a
few over-the-board encounters, but it has been
22.d4 gel t 23,gdl .ixfi 24,gxfl g8c2 more popular among correspondence players,
25.b3 which is quite telling. In any case, it requires
careful handling, and I recommend deviating
from most of the games by playing:
290 4.Wc2
13 ... g4!
Exploiting the main drawback of 1 2.h4
- now it's not easy for White to push the
annoying knight away.
14,gdl
This brought White a victory in a
a b c d e f g h correspondence game. I considered two other
13.f;Yc2 moves:
Mter 1 3 .Wfxd7 l2J bxd7 1 4.l2Jd2 :gabS 1 5 .b3
:gfc8 1 6.:gc l l2Jg4! Black's lead in development 1 4.Wxc5N can be met by: 1 4 .. .f6 1 5 . .id2
offers good counterplay, for instance: ( 1 5 .:gd 1 Wb7 1 6.-ic l l2J c6 1 7. l2J d4 :gac8 is
unclear)
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 1 9 - 7 . ttl f3 29 1
1 5 . . . ttl c6 1 6.c2 tt:l ce5 1 7.i.c3 1"lac8 1 8.1"ld 1 full compensation for the pawn in Holroyd -
b7 White has parried the immediate threats, Sadzikowski, carr. 20 1 4 .
but Black maintains long-lasting compensation
due to his development advantage and pressure I briefly considered 1 5 . . . lt:l c6 but was not
along the a6-fl diagonal. satisfied with Black's chances after 1 6.lt:ld4!.
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
I S ... f6!N 16 ... ttlc6 17.ttld4
Mter 1 5 . . . 1"lc8 1 6.xc8t! xc8 1 7.1"ld8t Black's enormous lead in development forces
xd8 1 8 .i.xd8;!; Black was unable to find White to look for simplifications.
292 4.ti'c2
17 xd4!?
. C322) 12.dl ti'b6
Another good option is 17 . . . l::1 ac8 1 8.lLlxc6
E1xc6 1 9.Wfb4 Wfxb4t 20.axb4 E1c2, when best This is the right square for the queen; Black
play continues: should aim for counterplay rather than worry
too much about the ensuing damage to his
kingside structure.
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
19 ... e7! 20.gbl
20.Wfxh7? backfires after 20 ... tLl f5 2 1 .1':1g8t
c;i;>e? 22.:i:l:xc8 l':ixc8 23.e4 Wfc2 24.1':1e l lLld4+
a b c d e f g h
when White's queen is completely out of play.
16.h4!?N
This seems to me to be the most natural 20 ... 5!?
attempt to develop the initiative. 20 ... Wfxa3 2 l .Wfxh7 Wla6t 22.tJigl <t f5
23.e4 tLlxg3 24.fxg3 also offers White no more
The quiet 1 6.g3 Wfb7 1 7.tJig2 :i:l:c8 offers no than equality.
advantage, for instance:
2 1 .gx:b2 fxe4 22.g5 d5
8
7
6
5
4
3
a b c d e f g h
2
1 8.1':1d6N ( 1 8.1':1d3 tLl c6= Pavlicek - Crapulli,
Internet 20 1 4) 1 8 . . . lLl c6 1 9.Wlg4t c;i;>fg 20.Wff4
1
tJig7= a b c d e f g h
23Jib7 gc7 24Jix:c7 xc7 25.xe4 c4
16 .. ,gc8 17.gh3 c6 1 8.gg3t t8 19.'1We4
26.c3 e8 27.gg5 5=
It looks like White has succeeded in bringing The strong passed c4-pawn should secure
all his pieces into the attack, but Black's Black an easy draw.
defensive resources prove fully adequate after:
294 4.V;Vc2
a b c d e f g h
The main idea behind this move is not to
attack the isolated c5-pawn, but to prepare a
safe way of protecting the b2-pawn.
a b c d e f g h
12 ... YlYb6 I3 ..bf6 gxf6 I4J:c2 gds
Since the rook is not on d 1 , it makes sense to 20JM2
take control of the only open file. 20.1:'k3 llJ c4 2 Ud 1 Wxd 1 t 22.Wxd 1 gxd 1
23.c;i;>xd 1 llJ d6 24.llJd4 gb8= also leads
15.e3 Lfl. I6,gxfl c6 17.e2 nowhere for White.
Even though White's king is in the centre, 20 . . . Wc6! 2 l .Wfxc6 llJxc6 22.b5 llJ e7 23.gxd8t
Black still needs to take care to avoid falling gxd8 24.ga 1
Now in Oreev - Bacrot, Mulhouse 20 1 1
into a passive position where he is stuck
defending the c5-pawn. Black's most accurate continuation woul d
have been:
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h 24 . . . gb8!N
24 . . . llJ c8!?N, followed by . . . gd5 and . . . llJ d6,
17 ... a5 18.d2 achieves the same purpose.
Chapter 1 9 - 7 . lLl f3 29 5
25Jha7
25.lLld4 lLl c8 26J:!:a5 ltl d6= does not change
anything; Black can follow up with . . J!b7
and . . . e5 if needed.
25 . . . ltld5=
Liquidating the last queenside pawn.
8
7
a b c d e f g h
6
2 1 . . .h6! Covering the g5-square, so the king
5
will feel much safer. 22.h3 l':iad8 23. fl Wfb8=
4
20 ... cx:b4 2 1 .axb4 b7 22.k7
3
22.1':1c8t E!:xc8 23.1':1xc8t g7 24.Wfa l + e5=
2 is no problem for Black.
1
22 ...f;Yb5t 23.f;Yx:b5 E!:xb5 24.E!:d7 gxb4
a b c d e f g h 25,gcc7
1 8 .. Jld5!N The last try - White manages to get full
This seems like the perfect place for the control over the seventh rank, but it doesn't
rook, as it covers both the c5-pawn and the bother Black:
kingside while vacating the dB-square for the
other rook.
19J:Ucl f5
Restricting the mobility of White's knight.
20.b4!? a b c d e f g h
White has to try this if he is to make any 25 ... d8 26.lLlc4 a5 27.x:a5 gx:a5
headway. 28Jxd8t g7 29Jdd7 ga2t 30. f3 gbb2
3 1 .gxf7 t g6=
Exchanging the knights cannot bother Black Black is obviously out of danger.
here: 20.ltl c4 ll:lxc4 2 1 .Wfxc4
296 4.c2
Conclusion
7.ig5
Variation Index
l.d4 tLlf6 2.c4 e6 3.tLlc3 i.b4 4Jfc2 d5 5.a3 hc3t 6.'i'xc3 0-0 7.i.g5
7...h6
A) 8.i.h4 c5! 9.dxc5 d4 298
Al) 10.'i'g3 299
A2) 10.'i'c2 299
B) 8.hf6 'i'xf6 302
Bl) 9.tLl f3 302
B2) 9.cxd5 exd5 10.e3 i.5 305
B2 1) ll.tLlf3 305
B22) ll.tLle2 tLld7 306
B22 1) 12.tLlg3 306
B222) 12.tLlf4 308
8 8 8
7 7 7
6 6 6
5 5 5
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2
I
g h g h g h
1 4 d3!N
. . . 1 2 e5!N
. . . 1 3 a5!?N
. . .
298 4.V;Vc2
would rather put the question to the bishop 1 2 . . . Ad?! With a decisive attack - a pleasing
immediately with: finish would be 1 3.Vxe4? ia4t 1 4.'it>cl Ve l
mate! Quite an amusing final position, with
7 ... h6 most of White's pieces still on their original
I was quite surprised to discover that this squares!
natural move is only Black's fourth most
popular choice according to the database. 9 ... d4
White may react with A) 8.i.h4 or B) s . .t:x:6. Black has an improved version of two better
known theoretical lines:
A) s ..th4
7 . . . c5 8.dxc5 d4 has occurred in quite a lot
of games. In our version, the insertion of the
8 moves . . . h6 and i.h4 benefits Black, for two
7 reasons: the bishop on h4 is cut off from the
centre and queenside, and Black has the extra
6
option of throwing in . . . g5 if needed.
5
4 6 . . . c5 7.dxc5 d4 is a famous gambit. The
critical reply is 8.Vg3, with counter-chances
3 on the kingside. Here the queen move is less
2 troublesome as the g7-pawn is not en prise.
1
8
a b c d e f g h
7
Now Black has a choice between several
attractive possibilities, but I prefer the 6
following aggressive concept: 5
8 ... c5! 9.dxc5 4
9.cxd5?, as played in Kadimova - Pecorelli 3
Garcia, Port of Spain 2009, can lead to fatal
consequences after: 9 . . . g5!N l O.i.g3 ll:l e4 2
l l .Vc2 VaSt 1 2.'d l 1
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 20 - 7 .ig5 299
White is at a crossroads, with AI) IO.Yig3 I prefer Black in this wild-looking position:
and A2) I O.Yfc2 being the two most logical his king is reasonably safe, while White's pawns
options. might fall in the long run. For instance:
l l .e3 12 .. Je8!
No better is: This move looks a bit mysterious, but there
1 l . liJ f3 Wff e7 1 2.b4 is a concrete idea behind it: supporting the
After 1 2.0-0-0N l2Jbd7+ Black is ready . . . e5-e4 advance to prevent White from
to take on c5 , unless White tries 1 3.b4 a5 , developing the knight.
which looks more than a little risky for him.
1 2.e3N dxe3 1 3 .fxe3 Wffxc5 offers Black
excellent chances due to White's damaged
pawn structure.
1 2 . . . a5 1 3.E1b 1 axb4 1 4.axb4
We have been following the game Volkov -
Satyapragyan, Livigno 20 1 2. I suggest the
following natural innovation:
5 a b c d e f g h
4 13Jdl
3 I also examined:
2
1 3 .l2Jf3N d3!
1 3 . . . l2J c6 1 4. 0-0-0 g5 1 5 .ig3 dxe3 1 6.fxe3
l2Jg4 1 7.Wff c3 Wxc5 1 8.E.d2 i.e6 is playable,
a b c d e f g h
but the text move is stronger.
1 4 . . . l2J c6N 1 5 .e4 dxe3 1 6.fxe3 g5 1 7.if2 1 4.i.xf6 gxf6 1 5 .Wxd3 e4 1 6.Wd6
l2Jg4t 1 6.Wc3 exf3 1 7.gxf3 We5+ gives White
White's extra pawn has little value while his nothing.
king is stuck in the centre. 1 6 . . . exf3 1 7.gxf3
l l ...Wffe7 12.i.e2
1 2.i.xf6 Wxf6 1 3. lD f3 l2J d7 1 4.b4 a5 is 3
13 ... a5 14.f3
This position occurred in the top-level
encounter Nepomniachtchi - Karjakin,
Moscow 20 1 1 . I believe Black should have
gone for the same plan as in the above note:
a b c d e f g h
20.Wfd3
After 20.Wfc3 :i:l:a6! 2 l .:i:l:d5 :i:l:g8 22.:i:l:xg8t
'it>xg8+ White does not have enough
compensation for the material deficit.
a b c d e f g h
14 ... d3!N
GM Krasenkow evaluates this as risky in his
annotations, but I believe it yields Black some
advantage.
B) s ..ix6 ti'xf6
8
7
6
5
4 a b c d e f g h
3 IO ... c6
Black is preparing . . . e5 , hoping to open
2 the position and make use of the lead in
1 development.
a b c d e f g h
l l .ti'c3!?
This leads to a different type of game, Two other possibilities have been checked in
with White aiming for positional pressure. practice:
However, compared to a normal Queen's
Gambit Declined, the removal of two minor After l l .e4?! White's pieces are not ready to
pieces on each side makes it easier for Black to support the centre, so this pseudo-active move
organize his pieces. only invites trouble. l l . . JM8 1 2JM 1 Now in
Galojan - Franciskovic, Khanty-Mansiysk (ol)
We will consider Bl) 9.6 and B2) 9.cxd5 . 20 1 0, Black should have played:
1 1 .e3 e5 1 2.d5 e4! is an important little detail: I also examined another principled reaction:
1 2.lLle5!? l::1 b 8!
The most precise.
1 2 . . . tLlxe5 1 3 .dxe5 Wfe7 1 4.g3 b6 1 5.ig2
E1b8 1 6.ic6 id7 1 7.l::1 c l t leaves Black in a
somewhat passive position.
a b c d e f g h
1 3 .l::1 c 1
1 3 .lLlxc6?! bxc6 leaves White with
undeveloped pieces.
1 3 .e3 tLlxe5 14.dxe5 Wfe7 1 5 .E1c l id7
1 6.ie2 ic6 1 7.0-0 E1ed8 1 8.b4 E1bc8 1 9.b5
idS 20.f3 b6 2 1 .e4 ib7 is equal.
1 3 . . . lLlxe5 1 4.dxe5 Wfe7 1 5 .g3
a b c d e f g h
12,gdl
In my opinion this is White's most flexible
way of handling the position. 1 5 . . . b6! 1 6.Wfxc7 Wfxc7 1 7.E1xc7 ib7 1 8.f3
E1ec8 1 9 .E1xc8 t E1xc8
1 2.e3 e5 is harmless, and if 1 3 .d5?! then White has no good way to avoid a draw by
1 3 . . . tLl d4! 1 4.tLld2 ifS 1 5 .id3 Wfg6 yields perpetual:
Black a powerful initiative. 20.'d2 l::1 d 8t 2 l .c;i;>c3 E1c8t=
a b c d e f g h
% % %
3
2
- - - - - [j%W{j
- - - - -
- - - - -
1 m---- -
a b c d e f g h
12.Ae2
Delaying development by means of 1 2.l::k l
l':ifc8 1 3 .b4?! cannot be recommended. The
following game is an excellent demonstration
of Black's chances: 1 3 . . . a5! 1 4.bxa5 ?! ( 1 4 . .id3
is not an attractive alternative in view of
10.e3 14 . . . .ixd3 1 5 .Wfxd3 c6 1 6.0-0 b5!+ followed
1 o.ltJ f3 if5 l l .e3 transposes to variation by transferring the knight to c4. Still, it was
B2 1 below. the lesser evil!)
306 4.VNc2
15 b5 16.axb6 VNxb6
..
B22) l l . e2
a b c d e f g h
8
1 4 . . . c5! 1 5 .i.b5 cxd4 1 6.Wfxc8t :i:l:xc8 1 7.:i:l:xc8t
lLl ffi 1 8.:i:l:e8 dxe3 1 9.0-0 exf2t 20.:i:l:xf2 7
Wla 1 t 2 1 .i.fl Wlxa3+ Nogueiras Santiago - 6
A. Sokolov, Leningrad 1 987.
5
12 ... c5 1 3.0-0 4
After 1 3.dxc5 Wfxc3t 1 4.bxc3 lLlxc5= White
was obviously unable to claim any advantage 3
in Markos - Lupulescu, Germany 20 1 1 . 2
13 ... c4!? 1
I like this ambitious way of handling the a b c d e f g h
position.
This has been the most popular choice. The
knight is heading to either f4 or g3 .
l l ... d7
1 1 . . .c6 is fully playable as well, but I prefer
to keep the option of . . . c7 -c5 in mind.
We have a final split between B22 1) 12.ctg3
and B222) 12.ctf4.
B22 1) 12.ctg3 c5
1 5 . . . l2Jxc5 1 6.:gd 1 ?!
Perhaps better was 1 6.Wfb4 :gfd8 1 7.ie2
lD d3t 1 8 .ixd3 Wfxd3, but even then White's
position looks quite shaky.
1 6 . . . :gad8 1 7.Wfxd8 :gxd8 1 8.:gxd8t tJih7
a b c d e f g h
1 9.b4
1 9.ie2 Wlg5! exploits White's lack of
coordination. 20.:gd4 Wfxg2 2 1 .:gfl Wfxh2+
Another important line to consider is: 1 9 . . . Wff6!+
1 4.dxc5 d4! Despite the limited material, White's
Black's lead in development offers plenty of king was in big danger in Pataki - S. Porat,
play for the sacrificed material. Budapest 2005.
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a b c d e f g h
1
1 5 .Wfxd4?!
a b c d e f g h
This has been played a few times but it is
too risky. 14 ..Wff6 15.ib5
.
White should prefer 1 5 .exd4N :gfe8t The position after 1 5 .0-0 :gfc8 1 6.:gac l c4
1 6.ie2 when he is two pawns up, but the 1 7.ib 1 b5 was more comfortable for Black,
pin on the e2-bishop allows Black to regain who made serious progress on the queenside in
the missing material: 1 6 . . . Wfe4 1 7.Wff3 Wfc2 S. Ivanov - Yemelin, St Petersburg 1 998.
1 8.tJifl Wfxb2 1 9.:gd 1 lD f6 20.g3 :gadS=
308 4.Yic2
15 ... cxd4 16.Yixd4 Ylxd4 17.exd4 fd8 I also examined: 1 3 .b4N g5 !? Black can
get away with exposing his king in this way,
as White does not have many pieces in that
vicinity. 1 4.tLlh5 We6 1 5 .h4
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
1 8.hd7
White also gets no advantage with 1 8J:'k 1 1 5 . . . tLl f6 1 6.tLlxf6t Wxf6 1 7.hxg5 hxg5
lLl f8 1 9.'it>e2 tLle6 20.'it>e3 d6. 1 8.i.d3 <;i;>g?=
1 8 ... xd7 19.<i!?d2 e8 20.hel <i!?8= This position has been tested in a few high-level
Finegold - Akobian, Saint Louis 20 1 0. games, including Reshevsky - Geller, Zurich
1 953. Since White's main plan is connected
B222) 12.4 with a minority attack, I recommend the
following new way of handling the position.
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
This continuation seems more ambitious.
By provoking . . . c7-c6, White keeps the . . . c5 13 ... a5!?N 14.0-0
break off the table and thus prevents further Black's plan also works well after: 1 4.b4
simplifications. axb4 1 5 .axb4 1:ha 1 t 1 6.Wxa 1 Wd6 1 7.Wa5 b6
1 8.Wfa3
12 ... c6 13 ..te2
Chapter 20 - 7 .ig5 309
a b c d e f g h
Conclusion
5.cxd5
Variation Index
l.d4 tLlf6 2.c4 e6 3.tLlc3 .ib4 4.fNc2 dS S.cxdS
S...fNxdS
A) 6.a3 hc3t 311
Al) 7.bxc3 c5 311
All) 8.tLl f3 311
Al2) 8.f3!?N 3 12
Al3) 8..ib2 3 13
A2) 7.fNxc3 tLlc6 8.tLl f3 tLle4 3 13
A2 1) 9.fNc2N 3 14
A22) 9.fNd3 0-0N 3 15
A22 1) lO..if4 3 16
A222) 10.e3 3 17
B) 6.e3 c5 7.a3 .ixc3t 3 18
Bl) 8.fNxc3 3 18
B2) 8.bxc3 0-0 9.tLl f3 b6 320
B2 1) lO..ib2 32 1
B22) lO.c4 322
Al l ) note to l l .c4 B) note to 7.a3 82 1 ) after 1 0 .b2
8
7
6
5
4
23 F-''a:i-'wR!
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
8
8.e3 leads straight to variation B2.
7
6 Al l) 8.f3 0-0
5
4
3
2
1
a e f g h
Here White has to make a major choice. In
this chapter we will consider A) 6.a3 before
turning to B) 6.e3. The latter move is a major
option, coverage of which will span the latter
part of this chapter plus all of Chapter 22. a b c d e f g h
6.llJf3 is the most popular move of all, and it 9 ..tg5
will be covered in Chapters 23 and 24. Once again, 9.e3 transposes to variation B2.
A) 6.a3
9.c4, as played in Dietmayer - Ganaus, Tweng
I was quite surprised to see that this natural 2007, can be met by: 9 . . . Wle4N 1 0.Wfxe4
looking move has barely been tested at llJxe4 l l .e3 b6 1 2.d3 b7 1 3.b2 cxd4
Grandmaster level. Indeed, forcing an 1 4.exd4 llJ f6= In the arising position, Black
exchange of Black's dark-squared bishop is one has comfortable play against White's hanging
ofWhite's main goals in the Classical System. pawns.
312 4.Yic2
Putting the bishop on g5 looks like a logical Wd6 1 2.l2Je2 e5 1 3 .0-0 exd4 1 4.gd a) 1 1 .ic4
step before playing e2-e3, but the bishop is Wfd8 1 2.dxe5 l2Jxe5 1 3.l2Je2 0-0 1 4.0-0 l2Jxc4
actually not so well placed on that square; 1 5 .Wxc4 ie6 1 6.Wb4 Wid? 1 7.e4i Black's
compared to some other variations, the knight minor pieces are restricted, while the dark
on f6 is not pinned. squared bishop may exert unpleasant pressure
along the a1 -h8 diagonal.
9 ... bd7 IO.e3N
Officially a novelty, but it's the only move
that makes sense. In the one preceding game
1 o.id2?! was played, but obviously this bizarre
move doesn't deserve any attention.
8
7
6
5
4
a b c d e f g h
3
9.e4!?
2 This aggressive move is connected with a
1 pawn sacrifice.
a b c d e f g h 9.e3 defends the d-pawn but provoking this
IO ... b6 l l .c4 Yle4!? advance counts as an achievement for Black, as
I like this aggressive move, though 1 1 . . .Wc6 White's dark-squared bishop is blocked and his
is a perfectly decent alternative. active possibilities on the kingside are limited.
9 . . . 0-0 1 0.id3 l2J c6 1 1 .l2Je2 e5 1 2.0-0
12.i.d3 Ylg4 13.i.e2 cx:d4 14.exd4 i.b7 ie6 1 3.gd l We?? Black has reached a
The arising hanging-pawns position suits harmonious set-up, putting strong pressure on
Black, who has a very active set-up. White's pawn centre.
IO.Yfd2?!
This was Kotanjian's choice, but it is not the
best.
8... b6!
A natural reaction - White's decision to
delay developing the fl -bishop encourages
Black to take control over the light squares.
9.6
The less ambitious 9.e3 i.b7 1 0.c4 Wfd6 offers
Black a comfortable set-up with opportunities to
put pressure on White's hanging central pawns.
a b c d e f g h
12 ... 0-0 13.e2 Yla4!
Black takes full control over the c4-square,
making the b2-bishop a sorry sight. Black was
better in Kotanj ian - Sievers, Kerner 2007.
A21) 9.Vc2N
7 ... c6 8.f3 3
8.e3 has been played a couple of times but
is completely harmless after: 8 . . . e5!N 9.tLlf3 2
(9.dxe5?! lLlxe5 1 0.ie2 if5 1 1 .tLlf3 tLl d3t 1
1 2.ixd3 ixd3t is even worse for White)
a b c d e f g h
9 ... e5 10.e3 .tf5 l l ..tc4
1 l .id3 ?! exd4 1 2. tLl h4 ( 1 2. 0-0 tLl d6+ was
better for Black in Strathmann - Schenk,
Boeblingen 1 999) This position was reached in
Appl - Pinkus, Berliner Sommer 1 994, when
Black missed a strong retort:
a b c d e f g h
8 ... e4
a b c d e f g h
As in many lines of the Classical System,
Black is happy to occupy this central square 1 2 . . . tLle5!N 1 3 .tLlxf5 tLlxd3t 1 4.'1Wxd3 Wxf5
with tempo. It is worth considering two queen 1 5 .0-0 '1Wd5 1 6.exd4 0-0+ Black emerges
moves: A21) 9.f;Yc2N and A22) 9.f;Yd3. with a stable positional advantage due to his
superior minor piece and the solid blockade of
the IQP.
l l ...Y;Yast
Chapter 2 1 - S.cxdS 315
14 ....ie6 15.d5?!
1 5 .i.xe6 fxe6 1 6.0-0 was more stubborn but
it's not enough for White after: 1 6 . . . lt:lg5!
a b c d e f g h
12.b4?! a b c d e f g h
This is the critical move to consider, but the
1 7.dxe5 ( 1 7.e4?! lt:l f7 1 8.i.e3 Wa6-- + )
ensuing exchange sacrifice is unsound.
17 ... Wxe5 1 8.i.b2 We4 1 9.Wxc7 xh4
20.Wxb7 Eld8 2 1 .f4 lt:l f7 22.i.xg7 ;;d;
White should settle for 1 2.i.d2, but after
23.Wa8t Wd8 Black has good chances to
1 2 . . . lt:lxd2 1 3.Wxd2 Wxd2t 1 4.Wxd2 exd4
convert his extra material into a full point.
1 5 .lt:lxd4 lt:l xd4 1 6 .exd4 0-0-0 Black
obviously had no problems in Koblencs -
15 ... .id7 16.0-0 liJd6 17 ..ib3 '!Wa6-+
Estrin, Leningrad 1 949.
White had no compensation for the material
losses in Issakainen - Kokkila, Finland 20 1 1 .
12 ... liJxb4 13.axb4 '!Wxa1 14.ltJh4
This is the most forcing move, and it has
A22) 9.'1Wd3
been played in both of the existing games.
1 0.g3?! a c e f h
g
This looks like a natural way to highlight the
instability of Black's pieces on e4 and d5, but Developing the bishop before playing e2-e3
it takes too much time. is a tempting idea, but Black can utilize his
1 0 . . J:'d8! development advantage as follows.
Instead, 10 . . . Wfa5t 1 1 .id2 tLlxd2 1 2.Wfxd2
Wfxd2t 1 3 . tJixd2 gd8 1 4. c;i;>c3 tLl e7 1 5 .ig2= IO .td7 l l .cl
..
leads to a solid but rather dry position. The natural-looking 1 1 .e3? is bad in view of:
1 1 .ig2 e5! 1 1 . . .e5! 1 2.ixe5 Wla5 t 1 3 .tLld2 if5 1 4.ixc7
Wfxc7 1 5 .tLlxe4 Wla5t 1 6.c;i;>d 1 ixe4 1 7.Wfxe4
gfe8 1 8.Wfh4 tLlxd4 and White is in trouble.
l l ...Wa5t 12.d2
1 2.i.d2 l2Jxd2 1 3.Wxd2 Wxd2t 1 4.l2Jxd2 e5
gives Black easy equality.
a b c d e f g h
1 5 ... c4 16.e3 al t 17.e2 a2t=
A222) 10.e3
8
7
a b c d e f g h
6
12 ... 6!
5 It is necessary to avoid the exchange of
4 knights in order to keep the initiative.
3
13.ie2
2 1 3 .b3 e5 1 4.dxe5 lDxe5 1 5 .i.e2 i.g4t also
1 gives Black promising play.
a b c d e f g h 13 ... e5 14.dxe5
This solid move looks like the most After 1 4.b4 l2Jxb4 1 5 .Wc3 l2J c6 1 6.Wxa5
principled. The d4-pawn is securely protected lDxa5 1 7.dxe5 l2J d7 1 8.i.b2 lD c5 Black has the
now, and White has a clear plan of developing better pawn structure, which fully compensates
his kingside pieces. for White's pair of bishops.
6 ... c5
A few other moves have been tested by
strong players, but I favour the text move.
White's choices are limited, as there are only
so many ways to deal with the pressure on d4.
7 . a3 a b c d e f g h
7 .id2 is the main line, and will be covered
in the next chapter. l l . . . b6!
Now we see the value of the knight on d7!
7.dxc5 With the c-file open, Black's play is easier.
This may appear harmless, but it has been 1 2.ltlf3 ib7 1 3 .b4 We7 1 4.Wb2 ac8 1 5 .ie2
tried by such great players as Karpov and ltl e4=
Bareev.
7 . . . Wxc5 8.id2 7 ....hc3t
As usual, White has a choice between two
possible pawn structures after Bl) 8.Wfxc3 or
B2) 8.bxc3.
Bl) s.Wxc3
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 2 1 - 5.cxd5 319
8 j_
7 -B-Bfo
:I'I. -- - %
- '/ ;
' " " %
6
" '
_ _
5
, _ _
'fj . '
'- ' ' !
3
2
- -- -/- -- -%%1,0 :fffi.w/,0%
_ _ _ _ %'/. "/;,}----
m M
a b c d e f g h
8 ... ltlbd7 9.ltlf3 9 ... 0-0 IO ..ic4 cxd4
A harmless alternative is: If you prefer to keep the queens on, I can
9.dxc5 llfixc5 suggest the following alternative: 1 o . . . Vfih5!?
White's bishop pair will be easily neutralized l l .dxc5 ( l l .e2 b6 1 2.b4 b7 1 3.dxc5 tLle4
by Black's development advantage, as the 1 4.Vfic2 bxc5 gives Black decent counterplay)
following game illustrates. 1 1 ...lLlxc5 1 2.0-0 b6 1 3 .b4
1 0.d2
White also gets nothing after 1 0.Vfixc5N
tLlxc5, and if 1 1 .c4?! (the only way to keep
the bishop pair) then 1 l . . .d7 1 2.tLlf3 tLl fe4
1 3 . 0-0 1"lc8+, and the activity of Black's
pieces causes White serious problems.
a b c d e f g h
B2) 8.bxc3
3 a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
10 .. c:x:d4!N l l .exd4
.
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
322 4.Yic2
1 I . ...ta6! IO ...Yfh5!
There is nothing wrong with l l . . .ib7, but I like this aggressive way of handling the
the text move poses more problems to White. position. The placing of the queen on h5 is
somewhat annoying for White's monarch.
12.c4
After 1 2.ixa6 llJxa6 1 3 .0-0 l::1 ac8 1 4.l::1 ac l Compared with the note on 9.ib2 at the
b5 Black sets up a light-square blockade and bottom of page 320, White is now ready to
obtains the more pleasant position. meet 1 0 . . . Wfe4?! with l l .id3 Wfg4 1 2.ib2
cxd4 1 3 .llJe5!, when he obtained a powerful
12 ... f;Ye4t 13.Yfxe4 xe4 14 ..td3
initiative in Eljanov - Onischuk, Montreal
2006.
1 I ..te2
The other natural move is:
l l .ib2N
Black's most precise reaction is:
l l . . . l::1 d 8!
After l l . . .ib7 White gets an interesting
a b c d e f g h opportunity to fight for the initiative
by means of 1 2.d5!? exd5 1 3.ixf6 gxf6
I4 ... d6 1 5.gc1 gcs 16.d2 c6
1 4.cxd5 ixd5 1 5 .E1d l , when he has full
The pressure on White's hanging pawns is.
compensation for the pawn, at the very least.
becoming unpleasant for him.
B22) IO.c4
7
a b c d e f g h
6
1 2.llJe5
5
1 2.ie2 ib7 transposes to the note to
4 White's next move in the main line below.
3
1 2 . . . cxd4 1 3.exd4 ib7 1 4.ie2 Wfg5 1 5 .llJf3
W!g6
2 With comfortable play for Black.
1
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 2 1 - 5 . cxd5 323
1
a b c d e f g h
14.c3 c6 1 5 .fdl acSf!
The knight on c6 helps to put pressure on
White's central pawns, and it is not so easy for
White to find a constructive plan.
Conclusion
a b c d e f g h
12 .. Jd8!N 6.a3 is a rare but respectable move, forcing
This flexible move is an improvement over a the exchange of the dark-squared bishop. The
previous high-level game. drawback is that it loses time, and Black's
lead in development offers him good chances,
1 2 . . . l2J bd7 seems premature: 1 3 .a4! Wfg6 whichever way White recaptures on c3.
1 4.Wlxg6 hxg6 1 5 . .ib2 and White was better
in Van Wely - Short, London 2009. 6.e3 is a popular and respectable way of
handling the position, as White offers the
13 ..th2 d4-pawn solid protection. However, the
I also considered 1 3 .lDe5 Wfh4 1 4 . .ib2 decision to restrict the dark-squared bishop
cxd4 1 5 .l::1 ad l (or 1 5 .exd4 l2J bd7+) 1 5 . . . l2J c6 also gives Black the freedom to develop active
1 6.l2Jf3 Wfh6 1 7.exd4 l::1 ac8 when Black has piece play, beginning with 6 . . . c5 . We have seen
plenty of counterplay. that Black has fine prospects after 7.a3 and
other sidelines, so it's time to move on to the
13 ....te4! next chapter to see how to handle the more
Compared to the Van Wely - Short game, popular 7 . .id2.
Black benefits from having kept the b8-knight
on its initial square, as now it can take a more
active and harmonious route into the game.
8
7
6
5
'""" '"""',.--,--oc;J""" .
4
4.YMc2
l-Nzzk''=zJzzzz&,zz:
3
2 r'i\'ii?"\iiYPM& J/!@."i\' f*A""il
a b c d e f g h
6 . e3 c5 7.id2
Variation Index
l.d4 tLlf6 2.c4 e6 3.tLlc3 i.b4 4.'i'c2 d5 5.cxd5 'i'xd5 6.e3 c5 7.i.d2
7...i.xc3
A) 8.bxc3 0-0 325
Al) 9.f3 325
A2) 9.tLl f3 326
B) 8.hc3 cxd4 9.hd4 tLlc6 328
Bl) lO.i.x6 gxf6 ll.tLle2 i.d7 12.a3 'i'e5 328
Bll) 13.gdl 330
B 12) 13.tLlc3 330
B2) 10.i.c3 0-0 ll.tLlf3 gd8 12.i.e2 332
B2 1) 12...'i'e4 332
B22) 12...'i'c5! 334
B22 1) 13.'i'a4 334
B222) 13.gcl 335
B223) 13.0-0N 335
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
1 4 . . . lLl e4!N 1 3 . . . e5!N 1 4 . . . e5!N
Chapter 22 - 6.e3 c5 7 .id2 325
I .d4 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 ib4 4.Yic2 d5 finds it more difficult to hang on to his extra
5.cxd5 Ylxd5 6.e3 c5 7.id2 pawn.
This is the main line. White virtually forces l l . . . tLl d7 1 2 .ie3
the exchange of our dark-squared bishop,
while activating his own bishop in the process.
7 ...hc3
We will consider A) 8.bxc3 followed by the
more usual B) 8.hc3.
A) 8.bxc3
AI) 9.6
9 ... c6 IO.gbi a b c d e f g h
I also examined the natural alternative:
1 5 . . . Wh4t!
1 0.e4N Wd8 l l .dxc5
Taking the opportunity to weaken the light
The position resembles one of the main lines
squares on the kingside.
of the 4.f3 system, but in this case White
326 4.Yic2
1 6.g3 Vfle7 1 7. ll:l f3 ll:lgxe5 1 8.ll:lxe5 ll:lxe5 13 .. J:M8N 14 . .te2 .te6 1 5.e4
1 9.i.g2 f6 20.0-0 i.e6 1 5 J:hb7?! would be risky for White:
Black has full compensation for the missing 1 5 . . . ll:l c4 1 6.ic 1 ll:l b6 1 7.0-0 i.c8 1 8.gd 1
pawn. V!Jffi 1 9.gc7 gxd 1 t 20.lLlxd 1 V!Jd6+
a b c d e f g h
10 ...Yid6!
An excellent prophylactic move. With the
queen no longer vulnerable, Black is now
ready to attack the enemy centre by means of
. . . e6-e5.
10 Wfc6
a b c d e f g h
. . .
a b c d e f g h
6 B) 8.i.xc3
1
a b c d e f g h
1 3 ..tc3
I also examined the following logical
continuation: 1 3.a4!? cxd4 1 4.exd4 e5! It
makes sense to meet White's queenside activity
with typical counterattacking measures 1 5 .a5 a b c d e f g h
( 1 5 .dxe5 lLlxe5 1 6.a5 may lead to the same The most common continuation. In
thing) 1 5 .. Jhd8 1 6.axb6 axb6 1 7.dxe5 lLlxe5 comparison to 8.bxc3 , the ensuing symmetrical
1 8.ga7 gfe8= With such active pieces, Black pawn structure offers White more chances to
faces no difficulties. profit from the bishop pair.
6 Exchanging on f6 is a double-edged
5 decision. White wins an important tempo
for developing his pieces, while Black's pawn
4
structure is somewhat damaged. On the other
3 hand, giving up the bishop pair is a definite
concession, and White is still slightly behind
2
in development.
1
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 22 - 6.e3 c5 7 .id2 329
a b c d e f g h
1 3 . . . Wfe5!
a b c d e f g h Instead, 13 ... Wg5 ?! 1 4.a3 tLl c6 1 5 .tLl e4 Wfe5
l l .e2 1 6.id3 put Black under strong pressure in
Black's task seems easier in the event of Bareev - Anand, Monte Carlo (blindfold)
1 1 .tLlf3 Wfa5t 1 2.Wfd2 (White can hardly hope 2003.
for an advantage after 1 2.tLld2 id7 1 3.ie2 1 4.f4
c8 1 4.Wfd 1 d8, when the activity of Black's 1 4 .ie2 ic6 1 5 .0-0 0-0 is equal.
pieces causes him some problems) 1 2 . . . Wfxd2t 1 4.a3 tLld5 1 5 .tLlxd5 Wfxd5 1 6.Wfc3 We5
1 3.xd2 e7 1 4.id3 id7 and Black faced no Black faces no problems in the endgame.
problems in Melikhov - Romanov, Serpukhov 14 . . . Wfc5 1 5 .ie2 c8 1 6.0-0 0-0 1 7.d 1 i.c6
2004. 1 8.a3 tLld5 1 9.lLlxd5 ixd5 20.Wfxc5 xc5
The endgame was level in Tirabassi - Novak,
l l ...id7 1 2.a3 corr. 2009.
This prophylactic move, which restricts
Black's active possibilities on the queenside, 8
was introduced by Kasparov against Anand in
their World Championship match in 1 99 5 . 7
6
Th e reason for covering the b4-square is
5
illustrated after:
1 2.lLlc3 lLl b4! 1 3 .Wfc l 4
I also examined: 1 3.Wfd 1 Wf5 It makes
3
sense to provoke the e3-e4 advance in order
to weaken the d4-square. 1 4.e4 ( 1 4.c l 2
ic6 also offers Black an excellent position) 1
1 4 . . . Wfe5 1 5 .ie2 0-0-0 With good
prospects for Black. a b c d e f g h
After the text move, Black should be 12 ...e5
absolutely fine - provided he chooses the
right square for his queen! The correct White has two optiosn, B l l) 13Jdl or
option is: BI2) 13.c3.
330 4 .'%Vc2
1
a b c d e f g h
16 ... 0-0 17.gd4 adS
It makes sense to exchange one pair of rooks
before White can double or triple on the d-file.
a b c d e f g h
18.fd1 gxd4 19.xd4 c8=
14.c3N White has no squares on which to penetrate
The harmless 14.'1Wc3 gg8 1 5 .g3 was played along the d-file, and the damage to the kingside
in Savchenko - Sadvakasov, Baku 2007, when pawn chain isn't especially serious. The pawn
1 5 . . . '1Wxc3tN 1 6.llJxc3 llJe5= would have been on f5 exerts more influence over the centre
fine for Black. than it would have done on g7, so the chances
remain about equal.
1 4.g3 '1We4 1 5 .Wxe4 fxe4 1 6.llJc3 f5= also
promises White nothing. B12) 13.c3
14 ... e7!
This typical manoeuvre allows Black to solve
the problem of the d7-bishop once again.
1 5.ie2
1 5 .ic4 0-0-0 1 6.0-0 ic6= is no cause for
concern.
a c e f g h
Chapter 22 - 6.e3 c5 7 .id2 33 1
13 ... e7!
This move prepares to solve Black's main
problem - the passive placement of the
d7-bishop.
14.ie2 a b c d e f g h
I also checked 1 4 . .td3N i.c6 1 5 .0-0 f5 (now
1 5 . . . gg8?! can be met by 1 6 . .te4t) 1 6.gfd 1 I S ...ha 16.gxf3 0-0-0!
0-0= when Black is fine. This is the easiest way to ensure full equality,
since White has no harmful discovered checks
1 4.W/e4 has been played a few times, but available.
liquidating into an endgame is hardly White's
most ambitious way to handle the position. 17.d5t c6 18.e7t c;i;>bs 19.xc6t
14 . . . .tc6 1 5 . .tb5 Wfxb5 (also possible is bxc6 20.Wfxc6 hg8 2 I .Wfe4 WlaSt 22.Wfb4t
1 5 . . . Wfxe4 1 6.llJxe4 i.xb5 1 7.llJd6t c;i;>d? A rare instance of responding to a check with
1 8.llJxb5 llJ c6=) 1 6.llJxb5 i.xe4 1 7.llJd6t c;i;>f8 a check of one's own. White has no choice, as
1 8 .llJxe4 22.b4?? Wfc7 would leave him defenceless.
a b c d e f g h
B2 1) 1 2 ...Ve4 13.gcl
a b c d e f g h 5
4 a b c d e f g h
3 1 5 ... xe5N
A natural improvement over a previous
2 game.
1
1 5 . . . lLl db4 1 6.:gd2 :gxd2 1 7.<;hd2 lLlxa2
a b c d e f g h
1 8.lLlxc6 lLlxc3 1 9.<;hc3 bxc6 20.:ga a
13 .. JYxc2 14Jxc2 d5 favoured White in Prohaszka - Rozentalis,
It's important to neutralize White's bishop Koge 20 1 4.
pair.
Also insufficient for equality is 1 5 . . . id7
1 5.e5 1 6.lLlxc6 ixc6 1 7.ia5 :gdc8 1 8.0-0;!;.
1 5.0-0 lLlxc3 1 6.:gxc3 can be met by 16 .. .f6N
17 .ic4 (White also gets absolutely nothing 16 .be5 f6 17.ic7
after 1 7.ib5 id7 1 8.:gd 1 e5=) 1 7 . . . id7 After 1 7.ig3 e5 1 8.e4 tLl b4= White's bishop
1 8.:gfc l :gac8 1 9.a3 'tt> f8 with equality. pair has little value, since the g3-bishop is
rather passive.
Also insufficient is: 1 5 .id2 tLl db4 1 6.:gc4
tLl d3t 1 7.ixd3 :gxd3 1 8 .tLl d4 tLlxd4 1 9.exd4 17 ... xc7
After 1 7 ... :gd7?! 1 8.ig3;!; Black would suffer
8 from a lack of harmony.
7
6
18Jxc7
Obviously White's hopes for an advantage
5
are connected with the active rook on c7, but
4 Black is able to neutralize it by means of:
3
a b c d e f g h
334 4.Wfc2
19J:k3 e5 20.ic4t
20.0-0 l::1 d 2= a b c d e f g h
13 ... d5 14.i.d2
This position occurred in Bareev - Sakaev,
Moscow 200 1 . I propose the following natural
improvement:
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 22 - 6.e3 c5 7 .id2 335
a b c d e f g h
14 ... e5!N 1 5.0-0 ie6 16Jacl Y!le7
With a comfortable position. White's set-up
is rather passive now, and it will difficult for
him to activate the d2-bishop.
B222) 13.gcl d5
a b c d e f g h
1 5 ... Y!le7!
8
Less precise is 1 5 . . . ll:lxc3 1 6.Wfh4! h5
7 1 7J:xc3 Wfb4 1 8.Wfxb4 ll:lxb4 1 9.0-0, which
6 offers White some initiative in the endgame.
14 ... g6 1 5.Y!la4
a b c d e f g h
336 4.Wfc2
a b c d e f g h
Variation Index
l.d4 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 J\b4 4.'i'c2 dS S.cxdS 'i'xdS 6.f3
6...'i'f5
A) 7.'i'dl eS!? 338
Al) 8.e3 338
A2) 8.dxe5 340
B) 7.'i'xf5 exf5 34 1
Bl) 8.J\f4 342
B2) 8.J\d2 343
B3) 8.a3 J\e7 345
B3 1) 9.e3 346
B32) 9.g3 346
B33) 9.J\g5 348
B34) 9.J\f4 349
8
7
6
5
4 4
3
2
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
I I . . .i.c4!N 1 5 . . . g5 ! N 2 l . . .a5!N
338 4 .VNc2
White must decide whether to trade queens or After 8.d2 xc3 9.xc3 e4 l O.lLle5 White
move his own queen away. In this chapter we had the bishop pair but was suffering from a
will deal with A) 7.di and B) 7.xf5. lack of space in S. Ivanov - Khalifman, Sochi
2004. Black should have continued:
7.Wfb3 is the most theoretically critical move,
and will be covered in the next and final
chapter.
A) 7.di
a b c d e f g h
1
a b c d e f g h
8 ... c6!?N
I do not like 8 . . . exd4 9.lLlxd4, since in this
case Black has to waste time moving the queen
again. For instance, after 9 . . . i.xc3t 1 O.bxc3
a b c d e f g h
'1Wa5 , in Dreev - Adams, Las Vegas (rapid)
1 999, the simple 1 1 .ie2!N 0-0 1 2.0-0 c5 IO.tLlxe5
1 3.ll:lb3 Vflc7 1 4.c4;!; would have given White 1 0.V!Ja4t ll:l c6 1 1 .ll:l d4 Vflc5 1 2.id2 id7= is
the better chances. also harmless for Black.
3
a b c d e f g h 2
1 2 . . . '1Wc5! 1 3.cxb7 ixb7 1 4.V!lxb7 '1Wxc3t 1
1 5 . tJie2 '1Wc4t 1 6. tJie 1 '1Wc3t= With a perpetual.
a b c d e f g h
I also considered 9.a3 ixc3t 1 0.bxc3 0-0 13 ... b6 14.i.e2 c5 1 5 .Yib3 0-0=
1 l .i.e2 e4 1 2.lLld2 '1Wg6 when White is Black was fine in Balta - Packroff, carr.
behind in development and is forced to make 20 1 3.
340 4.Wfc2
10 ...hc3!
The tempting 1 0 . . . llJxd2 1 l .Wfxd2 llJxe5
is inferior due to 1 2.llJd4 Wff6 1 3 .a3 i.xc3
1 4.Wfxc3 0-0 1 5 .i.e2 and White was somewhat
better in Narciso Dublan - Lopez Martinez,
Barcelona 20 1 3.
a b c d e f g h
l l .hc3 xc3 1 2.bxc3 0-0!
White is forced to defend c3, while Black Black is in no hurry to collect the missing
intends to continue developing his pieces as pawn.
quickly as possible.
I do not like 1 2 . . . llJxe5 1 3.llJxe5 Wfxe5 1 4 .Wld4,
9.i.d2 c6 10.e3 when White is likely to obtain a better pawn
Nothing is promised by: structure.
1 0.llJxe4 Wfxe4 1 1 .:gc1
1 1 .i.xb4? llJxb4 1 2.:gc 1 i.f5 is simply bad 13.i.d3 h5
for White.
1 1 .a3 i.xd2t 1 2.Wfxd2, as played in Sumets
- Schneider, Pardubice 2006, should be met
by 1 2 . . . i.g4!N 1 3.h3 i.xf3 1 4.gxf3 Wfxe5
1 5 .f4 Wle4 1 6.:gg1 0-0 1 7.i.g2 W/f5, with
excellent play for Black.
a b c d e f g h
14.b l !?N
This seems like the critical continuation,
a b c d f g h
e eyeing the pawns on h7 and b7.
A draw was agreed in this position in After 1 4.Wfc2 g6! Black easily solves his
G.A. Szabo - Parligras, Golden Sands 20 1 2. problems: 1 5 .0-0 llJxe5 1 6.llJxe5 Wfxe5=
A likely continuation is: Penkin - Hens, corr. 2009.
Chapter 23 - 6.tLl f3 34 1
7 ... exf5
a b c d e f g h
6
It is worth briefly considering the modest
looking alternative: 5
8.e3!? 4
Interestingly, Black's most precise reply has
yet to be tested. 3
8 . . . ltl bd7!N 2
8 . . . c6 is a typical move but I found 9 . .id3!
to be an annoying reply, as Black will have 1
to make sure the f5-pawn is defended before a b c d e f g h
carrying out the . . . ltl d7-b6 manoeuvre.
8 c6
8 . . . ltl e4 9 . .id2 ltlxd2 1 0.ltlxd2 c6 has been
...
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
This plan of development is rather passive
and cannot pose Black any problems.
a b c d e f g h 8 ... c6
A multi-tasking move. Black strengthens his
9 ... tlJbd7N IO ..td3
control over the light squares and limits the
1 0.a3 ie7 would once again transpose to
movements of the c3-knight, thereby securing
variation B34.
the d6-square for the bishop's retreat.
lO ... tlJ b6 1 1 .0-0 0-0 12.a3 i.e7 9.e3
Black has reached a harmonious set-up Black didn't face any problems after 9 .a3 id6
and it will not be easy for White to find a 1 0.b4 tlJe4 l l .e3 ie6 1 2.id3 tlJxd2 1 3 .tlJxd2
constructive plan. Play might continue: tlJ d7= in Grachev - Maletin, Cheboksary
2006.
344 4.Wfc2
Black is also fine after 9.g3 ie6 1 O.ig2 ltl bd7, 10 ... b6 1 1 .0-0
and now, if 1 1 .ltlg5, as played in Amonatov After 1 1 .ll:le2 id6 (obviously there is no
- Kurnosov, Tashkent 2008, Black can cause reason to exchange the passive d2-bishop)
problems with: 1 2.0-0 ll:le4 1 3.ia5 0-0 1 4J1fc l e8 1 5 .ltld2
ll:lxd2 1 6.ixd2 a5 Black was able to solve all
his problems and outplay his strong opponent
in Beliavsky - Romanishin, Groningen 1 993
- which was, by the way, the original game
where 6 . . .Wff5 was introduced.
8
7
6
a b c d e f g h 5
1 1 . . .ic4!N 1 2.a3 ixc3 1 3.ixc3 0-0+ White 4
will experience some problems connecting his
rooks. 3
2
An original regrouping of the pieces - 9.ltle5
1
ll:l bd7 1 0.ltld3 ie7 1 1 .ig5 ll:l b6 1 2.e3 - was
tried in Najer - Lastin, Moscow 200 5. I think a b c d e f g h
Black should have continued: 1 1 ... 0-0 12.'a4
White achieves nothing with 1 2.a3 id6
1 3 .b4 a6 1 4.fc l ie6, when Black was taking
aim at the weak c4-square in Collas - Macieja,
Legnica 1 994.
12 ....td6
1 2 . . . ixd2 1 3 .ltlxb6 axb6 1 4.ll:lxd2 ie6=
also looks absolutely fine for Black.
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 23 - 6 . lLl f3 345
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
This is the most logical and popular move,
for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it breaks the pin
on the knight without committing the dark l l .if4
squared bishop to d2. Secondly, it forces Black After l l .e3 tLl bd7 1 2.id3 h6 (a standard
to make a decision regarding where to put his way to secure the e6-bishop) 1 3.0-0
bishop. tLl b6 1 4 .ib2 0-0 1 5 .gfc l id6 Black has
promising play.
8 ....te7 The text move is a more active plan of
8 . . . id6 has been tested many times by development but the f4-bishop is somewhat
strong players, but I would prefer not to allow vulnerable.
White to force the exchange of the bishop by l l . .. lLl bd7 1 2.e3 0-0 1 3.id3
means of 9.tLlb5. If the . . . c6 move had already 1 3 .tLlg5 is pointless in view of 1 3 . . . ib3!.
been played, then the d6-square would have 1 3 ... lLl b6
been slightly preferable for the bishop.
B3 1) 9.e3
8
7
6
5
4 a b c d e f g h
3 14 ...i.e6!N 15.e5!?
1 5 .ic2 id6 gives Black comfortable equality.
2
1 Mter the text move the b3-pawn should not be
touched, but instead Black can neutralize the
a b c d e f g h centralized knight:
This move looks somewhat modest, but
White intends to advance the queenside pawns 15 ... fd7! 16.xd7 xd7
and gain space on that side of the board. The With comfortable play.
bishop could be useful in supporting such a
plan from the d2-square. B32) 9.g3
9 ... bd7 8
As usual, Black is going to put the knight on
b6, where it is placed rather harmoniously: it 7
controls the d5-square and doesn't block the 6
c-pawn.
5
IO . .td3 b6 l l .i.d2 4
The ambitious l l .b4N can be met by
3
l l . . .ie6!?, intending 1 2.ll:lg5 ic4!. The
justification of Black's play is: 1 3 .ixf5 a5! 2
1 4.b5 ll:l fd5 1 5 .ll:lxd5 ll:lxd5 Black regains the
pawn and reaches a comfortable position.
a b c d e f g h
l l ... a5 12.'it>e2 0-0 13.:i:l:hcl c6 14.b3 This fianchetto has been tried by some strong
We have been following the game Van Wely players, but Black is well placed to counteract
- Adams, Wij k aan Zee 2004. In my opinion, the pressure along the h l -a8 diagonal.
Chapter 23 - 6 . lLl f3 347
8
9 ... c6 10 ..tg2 .te6 1 1 .0-0
1 l .i.g5 lLlbd7 gives White nothing better
7
than 1 2. 0-0, transposing to our main line.
6
1 1 .lLle5 0-0 1 2.b4 :gd8 1 3 .b5 is an over
optimistic attempt to apply pressure along the 5
a b c d e f g h
8 - .,- '".
7 - -
-----% : I-----%
6
5
jJjj
.
, .
4
"-- -,/---- rJ
3 -
'0
2 ""'%------
%; 8d"
.----\i( ""
- - - -
a
1 5 ... g5!N
b c d e f g h
. : ?.
- - - -
1 ' " " This advance looks somewhat risky, but it's
a b c d e f g h impossible for White to apply meaningful
pressure on the f5-pawn. At the same time,
l l . .. lLl bd7 12 ..tg5 gaining space on the kingside yields Black
The most popular plan - White can't find a promising counterplay, while starting the
useful role for the dark-squared bishop, so he process of opening the position for his bishops.
intends to exchange it before consolidating the
centre by means of e2-e3 . I6.e3 grds 17.gab l
1 2.b4 0-0 1 3 .:gb 1 , as played in Gagunashvili Also after 1 7. lLl e 1 f4+ Black succeeds in
- Sethuraman, Hyderabad 20 1 3, is well met getting rid of the doubled pawns and creating
by: some targets in White's camp.
348 4.c2
17 ... f4 18.gxf4 gxf4 1 9.e4 ig4 20.e2 f8+t 1 2 . . . h6 1 3 .i.xf6 (White also gets nowhere after
Black has promising counterplay against 1 3 .i.h4 gS 1 4.i.g3 lLl e4=) 1 3 . . . ixf6 1 4. ll:l f4
White's central pawns. gS 1 S .lLlxe6 fxe6=
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 23 - 6 . tLl f3 349
B34) 9 .tf4
. 1 1 .id3 ll:lb6 1 2.0-0 ie6 1 3.ig3 0-0
1 4.l::1 fc l g6 1 5 .ltle5?! (White should have
preferred 1 5 .h3 ltl bd5 1 6.ltlg5 id7=) Now in
Gagunashvili - Anand, Rishon Le Zion 2006,
Black should have played:
a b c d e f g h
9 . . c6 10.e3 bd7
.
a b c d e f g h
The knight is heading to b6, as usual.
1 5 . . . ltlh5!N Black obtains the better position
u .tc4 after eliminating the strong dark-squared
bishop: 1 6.b4 l::1 fd8 1 7.ie2 f4 1 8.exf4 .t xg3
.
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
1 3 . . . a5!? It makes sense to seize some space 1 5 . . .f4! This pawn sacrifice, which Vigorito
on the queenside and neutralize the potential does not mention in Challenging the Nimzo
lndian, allows Black to destroy the opponent's
minority attack. (That being said, there is also
nothing wrong with 1 3 . . . 0-0 1 4.0-0 ll:l fd5=.) pawn structure and obtain the advantage of the
1 4.ic7 lLl bd5 1 5 .ltlxd5 ll:lxd5= S. Zhi gal ko - bishop pair. (Vigorito does mention 1 5 . . . g5!?,
Wojtaszek, Wroclaw 20 1 1 . which would also warrant serious attention, if
it were not for the even stronger text move.)
3 50 4.'%Vc2
1 6.ixf4 lt:lxf4 1 7.exf4 ie6 1 8.lt:la5 0-0-0 This is the most principled move, and
1 9.0-0-0 id6 20.g3 ic7 2 1 .lt:lc4 gd7+ probably the best.
Michalik - Wojtaszek, Czech Republic 20 1 2.
1 4.ie5 f6 1 5 .ig3 ie6 1 6.0-0 cj;lf7 looks
roughly equal, but Black's position is easier
8
to handle. The g3-bishop faces an uncertain
7 future, since Black will soon be ready to push
6 the kingside pawns.
5 14 ... cxd5
4 We have reached a rather unusual pawn
structure. At first glance, Black's bishops are
3 not powerful, while his pawn structure is
2 seriously compromised. However, this is an
illusion. The d5-pawn is hard to attack and
1
therefore isn't really weak. Furthermore, both
a e f g h of White's minor pieces are well restricted,
l l ... b6 12 ..ta2 and have worse prospects than Black's
1 2.ib3 lt:l fd5 1 3 .lt:lxd5 lt:lxd5 1 4.ixd5 cxd5 bishops.
leads to the same thing.
I S Jcl
12 ... fd5!? After 1 5 .0-0 f6 1 6.lt:ld2 id7 1 7.gfc l b6
I like this somewhat provocative concept. 1 8. lt:l b 1 cj;lf7 1 9.lt:lc3 e6+ Black was better
in Richter - Naiditsch, Germany 20 1 2.
1 2 . . . ie6 1 3.ixe6 fxe6 1 4.gc l lt:l fd5 also led
to acceptable play for Black in I. Sokolov - 1 5 ... 6 16.'it>d2 .td7
Adams, Wijk aan Zee 2004. However, in this
case White's position seems much safer. 8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
17Jc7?!
a b c d e f g h This ambitious move is wrong, since the
13.xd5 xd5 14.hd5 rook is now in danger.
Chapter 23 - 6 . f3 35 1
a b c d e f g h
2 1 .. a5!N 22.gb6 td7 23.gb7t te6
.
24,gb6t tf7i
White would have to work hard to save half
a point from here.
a b c d e f g h
7.ib3
Variation Index
l.d4 ttl 6 2.c4 e6 3.ttlc3 i.b4 4.'i'c2 d5 5.cxd5 'i'xd5 6.ttl f3 'i'f5 7.'i'b3
7... ttlc6!
A) 8.g3 353
B) 8.e3 355
C) 8.a3 i.a5 356
C 1) 9.g3 356
C2) 9.e3 357
C3) 9.i.d2 358
D) 8.i.d2 0-0 36 1
D 1) 9J::c 1 36 1
D2) 9.e3 362
D3) 9.h3 aS! 10.g4 'i'g6 363
D3 1) 1 1.i.g2 365
D32) 1 1.a3 a4! 366
D32 1) 12.'i'd 1 366
D322) 12.'i'a2 368
D323) 12.'i'c4 i.xc3 370
D323 1) 13.bxc3 370
D3232) 13.hc3 372
Chapter 24 - 7.V;Vb3 353
l .d4 6 2.c4 e 6 3.c3 i.b4 4.V;Vc2 d5 to variation 03.) In Nikolov - Ninov, Bankia
5.cxd5 V;V:x:d5 6.f3 f5 7.b3 20 1 1 , Black should have played:
This is White's most ambitious choice,
avoiding the queen exchange while keeping
the queen on a more active square than d 1 .
However, the placement of the queen on b3
has its drawbacks, as we shall see.
7 ... c6!
This move looks somewhat artificial, as the
knight blocks the path of the c-pawn. On the
other hand, Black develops as quickly as possible
while preparing . . . e5 . The ensuing opening
a b c d e f g h
battle will revolve around White's attempts to
prevent or counteract this central break. 9 . . . Wla5!N 1 0.i.d2 ( 1 0.i.g2 tLl e4 1 1 .0-0
tLlxc3 1 2.bxc3 i.xc3 1 3.i.b2 i.xb2 1 4.xb2
In general, it would make sense to challenge tLl e7 offers some compensation for the pawn.
the opponent's centre right away by means of but I still prefer Black) 1 O . . . e5 1 1 .dxe5 Ae6
7 . . . c5. Alas, it turns out that after 8.a3 ia5 1 2.Wfc2 tLlxe5 1 3 .tLlxe5 Wfxe5 and Black gets
(8 . . . i.xc3t 9.Wfxc3 tLl bd7 1 O.g4! also offers an excellent position.
White some initiative) 9.Wfc4! tLl bd7 1 0.b4
White gets a stable positional advantage due to A) 8.g3
his superiority in the centre.
This looks like a natural plan of development.
but it allows Black to solve the problem of the
c8-bishop quite easily.
8 . . 0-0 9.i.g2 e5
.
8
7
6
a b c d e f g h 5
We will analyse four main options: 4
A) 8.g3, B) 8.e3, C) 8.a3 and the most
popular D) 8.i.d2. 3
2
8 .h3 0-0 9.g4 is an attempt to play actively on
the kingside while saving time by ignoring the 1
pin on the c3-knight. (9.i.d2 would transpose a b c d e f g h
354 4.'%Vc2
10.d5
I also examined:
1 O.dxe5N i.e6
The vulnerability of White's queen enables
Black to develop with gain of tempo - a
recurring theme in this chapter.
1 l .Wfa4 ll:l e4 1 2.0-0 i.xc3
a b c d e f g h
10 ... .bc3t l l .bxc3 a5 12.'%Va4 b6 13.d2
1 3 .0-0 was seen in Gerber - Adler,
Switzerland 1 994. Now Black should have
opted for 1 3 . . . e4N 1 4.ll:ld2 ll:lxd5 1 5 .Wxe4
a b c d e f g h Wxe4 1 6.i.xe4 i.b?+, getting a better endgame.
1 3 .ltlh4! So far we have been following the high-level
This intermediate move allows White to game Dreev - Bareev, Elista 1 998. Black
keep the material balance. should have played:
1 3 .bxc3 ? lLlxc3-+ leads to the loss of another
pawn.
1 3 . . . Wfxe5 1 4.i.xe4 b5 8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
9 ... e5
Black has no reason not to challenge the
opponent's centre.
8
7
6
a b c d e f g h 5
17 ... ib5! l S.c:bfl !Ue8 4
White's lack ofharmony and the vulnerability 3
of the king on f2 cause him serious problems.
2
B) 8.e3 0-0 1
a b c d e f g h
10.d5
This looks like the critical move, bur ir rurns
out to be too risky.
Mter 1 0.0-0 exd4 1 1 .tLlxd4 tLlxd4 1 2 .exd-l
i.a5 Black was fine in Hoang - Turov, Budapest
2003.
I also examined: 1 0.lLlxe5N ixc3t 1 1 .bxc3
( l l .V9xc3?? loses on the spot to 1 1 . . .tLle4,
hitting c3 and f2)
a b c d e f g h
9.1e2
An interesting concept: White intends to
avoid the pin on the c3-knight by means of
castling. However, it would be strange if such a
modest plan of development could pose Black
serious problems.
a b c d e f g h
9.i.d2 transposes to variation 02.
9.a3 only helps Black to push . . . e6-e5 , as the 1 1 . ..lLlxe5 1 2.dxe5 VNxe5 1 3.0-0 tLle4 1 4.ia3
bishop will no longer require protection after c5 = Black's active piece play fully compensates
for White's bishop pair.
356 4.Vc2
10 ... hc3t l l .bxc3 a5 12.f;Ya4 b6 13.c4 White may proceed with Cl) 9.g3, C2) 9.e3
.td7 14.f;Ydl or C3) 9 .td2.
IO . .te3
1 0.i.g2?, as played in Gunina - Mkrtchian,
Tromso (ol) 20 1 4, should be met by:
1 0 . . . ll:lxc3N 1 l .bxc3 Wfd5! 1 2.E1b 1 ll:lxd4
1 3.Wfa4t c6 1 4.tJifl i.xc3 1 5 .ltlxd4 Wfxd4
1 6.i.xc6t tJie7
a e f g h
This is the first of White's two most natural
and principled moves.
8 ... .ta5
a b c d e f g h
This is clearly the most challenging reply
- I do not see any reason to exchange such a Black has a sound extra pawn, and the attempt
strong bishop. to regain it leads White to a difficult position:
Chapter 24 - 7.V;Vb3 357
Black has a comfortable position. The Finally, I also examined 1 O.id2N , intending
subsequent transfer of the knight to d6 will to meet 1 0 . . . e5 with 1 l .d5, but it doesn't look
expose the weakness of the light squares in the attractive for White: 1 1 . .. llJ e7 1 2.ic4
opponent's camp.
a b c d e f g h
IO e5
. . .
1 5 ..txf3 .td5i
With a positional advantage.
a b c d e f g h
l l .dxe5?!
1 1 .0-0N is better; still, after 1 1 . . .exd4
1 2.exd4 d8 1 3 .ie3 ib6 1 4.ac l ie6
1 5 .'1Wd 1 h6= Black has comfortable play
against White's isolated pawn.
IO .. Jd8
Immediately exploiting the main drawback
of including 8.a3 ia5 - Black's bishop is no
longer hanging, so there is serious pressure on
the d4-pawn.
l l .g4 g6
White has achieved his objective of driving
a b c d e f g h the queen to a square from which she has
Chapter 24 - 7.VNb3 359
no safe moves. However, it is not easy to 1 4.0-0-0 Now the awkward placement of
benefit from this; the immediate 1 2.tLlh4?? is Black's pieces and the vulnerability of the back
impossible due to 1 2 . . . tLlxd4, so White must rank force Black to play precisely, but he can
strengthen his position in the centre before he solve his problems with:
can truly threaten the queen.
8
3
r-=----//""'/"=.,,,,"',/
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
14 d7!N
.. 1 7.llJh4 h6 1 8.g5 h5 1 9.:gd l llJxd2
The game continuation of 14 . . . llJd5 was not 20.:gxd2 :gxd2 2 1 . c;i;>xd2 :gdst 22. c;i;>c2 i.b6
bad, but the text move is more forceful. gives Black the initiative.
15.4
1 5 .b4 runs into a beautiful counter:
1 5 . . . llJc5! 1 6.d l (even worse is 1 6.bxc5
:gxd2! l ?. <;hd2 :gdst 1 8.'it>c1 i.xc3 1 9.:gb l
llJ d4-+) 1 6 . . . llJd4! 1 7.llJxd4 :gxd4 1 8.e3 :gd7
1 9.b l
a b c d e f g h
19 ....tb3!
a b c d e f g h
This queen sacrifice enables Black to develop
an enormous attack.
1 9 . . . h6! Of course, Black's initiative is much
more effective when the queens are on the 20.xg6 2xb4t 2 1 .gc2
board. 20.bxa5 :gad8 With a promising attack. 2 l .'it>e l llJxa2 22.llJe4 :gxd2 23.llJxd2 hxg6
24.i.g2 :gds+
1 5 ... c5
The transfer of the knight to b3 will cause
White a lot of problems.
a b c d e f g h
2 1 ... xc2 22.<.t>c1 xa3 23 . .tg2 hxg6
a b c d e f g h Black maintains some initiative.
16.b4 b3 17,:ga2
Chapter 24 - 7.'%Vb3 36 1
a b c d e f g h 4
3
This is the most popular continuation.
Unpinning the knight gives White more 2
a b c d e f g h
16 ..tg2 .tb7 17.0-0 ae8 1 8.fel g6
White's kingside pawn structure is rather
exposed, so Black gets excellent compensation
for the isolated d6-pawn.
02) 9.e3
a b c d e f g h
8 1 2 . . . ltle7 1 3.ig2 c6 1 4.e4
7 1 4.dxc6 ll:lxc6 1 5 . 0-0 ie7 reaches a position
with a symmetrical pawn structure where
6
Black's set-up is more harmonious.
5 14 . . . cxd5 1 5.exd5 ltl f5 1 6.ll:lxf5 ixf5 1 7.0-0
4 In this complex position, Black's active piece
play fully compensates for the strong passed
3 pawn on d5.
2
1
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 24 - 7.b3 363
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
10 ... e5 l l .dxe5 13.3?
After 1 1 .ltlxd6?! cxd6 1 2 .dxe5 dxe5 Black's A careless move which leads to disaster.
lead in development is well illustrated in the
following line: 1 3 .f4N was better, although even here
1 3 . . . ll:l c6 1 4.ll:lxc7 :i:l:b8 offers Black more than
sufficient compensation for the pawn.
D3) 9.h3
a b c d e f g h
l l ....be5!
1 1 . . . ll:lxe5, as played in Dao Thien Hai
- Romanishin, Balatonbereny 1 996, seems
less precise in view of: 1 2.ltlxd6N cxd6
( 1 2 . . . ll:lxf3t 1 3 .gxf3 Wfxf3 1 4.:i:l:g 1 ll:l g4 1 5.:i:l:g2
cxd6 1 6.ic3 also looks quite promising for
White) 1 3 .ltl d4 Wg6 1 4.Wc2 ll:l e4 1 5 .f3 ltlxd2 a b c d e f g h
1 6.Wxd2 I am not convinced that Black has This interesting idea was successfully
enough activity to offset the isolated d-pawn. introduced by Vishy Anand in his World
Championship match against Vladimir
1 2.oxe5 xeS Kramnik. White's ambitious concept is based
White suffers from a lack of development. on seizing a lot of space and causing Black
364 4.Wlc2
concrete difficulties in finding a stable home gives Black some initiative) 1 3 . . . e5 1 4.ll:lxe5
for the queen. i.e6 1 5 .g4 Wfxe5 1 6.dxe5 i.xc4 1 7.exf6 idS
1 8.:i:l:g1 gxf6+
9 a5!
. . .
A multi-purpose move. Apart from I also analysed: 1 0.a3 i.xc3 1 l .i.xc3 b6! 1 2.e3
overprotecting the bishop, Black also has the ltle7 1 3 .i.e2 i.b7 1 4.0-0
idea of pushing the a-pawn further forward.
a b c d e f g h
10 .Wfg6
..
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
1 4.ixb4
1 3 . . . ie6 1 4.Wfa4 lLld7 1 5 .a3 tLlc5 1 6.Wfb5 After 1 4.0-0 Wxb2 1 5 .:i:l:fb 1 ixd2 1 6.:i:l:xb2
:i:l:fd8! 1 7.axb4 Wfc2 1 8.:i:l:d 1 axb4 1 9.tLlb1 :i:l:a l + ixe3 1 7. fxe3 lLl e7 White has compensation
for the missing pawn, but Black is certainly
03 1 ) l l .i.g2 not worse in the endgame.
14 . . . axb4 1 5 .Wfd2 Wfxd2t 1 6.tJixd2 :i:l:d8
This move gives Black the opportunity to trade 1 7.'e3 :i:l:a5
a pair of knights in order to give his queen Despite White's space advantage, the pressure
some space. along the a-file and the vulnerability of the
white king offer Black excellent counterplay.
1 1 ... e4!
12 ... x:d2
Another attractive possibility is 1 2 . . . f5!?
1 3.Wfc2 id7 1 4.a3 id6 1 5 .:i:l:g 1 h8, reaching
a complex position where Black's chances are
by no means worse.
13.x:d2
We have been following the game Erdos
- Wojtaszek, Warsaw (rapid) 20 1 1 . Now I
suggest the following natural way of handling
the position:
a b c d e f g h
366 4.'1Wc2
19.0-0-0 dS+t
With mutual chances.
032) l l .a3
a b c d e f g h
13 ... e5N 14.d5 e7 15.c4
1 5 .a3 id6 1 6.ie4 f5 1 7.gxf5 '1Wh5 1 8 .'\Wd l
'1Wh6 1 9.'1We2 lLlxf5 20.0-0-0 id7? offers
Black plenty of activity.
1 5 ...i.d6 16.lihd6
1 6.ltlb5 can be met by 1 6 . . . f5!? (of course, if
a draw is an acceptable result then 1 6 . . . ib4t
a b c d e f g h
1 7.ltlc3 id6= is possible) 1 7.ltlxc7 ixc7 1 8.d6
ixd6 1 9.ltlxd6t ie6 20.'1Wxb7 '1Wf6 with some This is the main line, forcing Black to make
initiative for Black. a decision on the queenside.
032 1) 12.d1
12 ...hc3 13.hc3
a b c d e f g h 1 3 .bxc3 ll:l e4 1 4.ig2
17 ... 5 1 8.i.c2 e8 This was played in Arun Prasad -
Kjartansson, Edinburgh 2009. I see no
Chapter 24 - 7.Wfb3 367
reason to deviate from the usual way of the drawback of White's chosen queen retreat
developing counterplay with: by means of:
a b c d e f g h
8
7
6
5
4
a b c d e f g h 3
1 9.g5 ?! 2
This attempt to block the kingside runs into:
1 9 .. .f4 20.h4 ig4 1
With a strong initiative. a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
2 1 ... c6 22.f3 h5 23.xe5 f;YxeS+t
a b c d e f g h
Black's position is by no means worse.
1 9 . . . ll:l f4 20.ixf4 exf4 2 1 .1::1 b c l ie6 22.lLlg5 0322) 12.f;Ya2
ib3? Black has good chances thanks to the
activity of his pieces.
a b c d e f g h
13 .. . e4!
The centralized knight is annoying for White,
while the f-pawn is also ready to advance.
a b c d e f g h
8
1 7.llJd2
7 1 7.if4 can be met by 17 ... ib7 (also
6 possible is 1 7 . . . llJxf2!? 1 8.0-0 llJ e4 1 9.llJh4
L . . .... J'"'"''. . ,-o:=
Wfe8 20.ixe4 fxe4 2 1 .ixc7 llJ a5) and now
5 the greedy 1 8.ixc7? llJ a5! yields Black a
4 dangerous initiative.
1 7 . . . ib7 1 8.llJxe4 llJ a5 1 9.0-0 ixe4 20.ixe4
3 fxe4
2 In this unbalanced position Black's chances
are, at the very least, not worse.
1
a b c d e f g h 1 5 .. . <lt>h8
14 ..tg2 f5! This purposeful prophylactic move makes
This advance looks strategically risky, but the key . . . e6-e5 advance possible.
such considerations are of minimal importance
in such dynamic situations. What is more 16.Wfc2
relevant is that the opening of the f-file yields 1 6.llJe5N may be a slight improvement,
Black real attacking chances. although 1 6 . . . llJxe5 1 7.dxe5 b6 1 8.ixe4 fxe4
1 9.ie3 ib7= is still okay for Black.
370 4.Yic2
a b c d e f g h
Here the queen has more influence on the
centre, but it is also more prone to harassment
from Black's minor pieces.
12 ...hc3
We have a final split between two options:
0323 1) 13.bxc3 and 03232) 13.hc3.
0323 1) 13.bxc3
8
7 This is well met by:
6
- - - - - - -'"'"'' --=-'"
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
23Jb2
23.ixc6? runs into 23 . . .'1Mfg6t 24.ig2 ih3
and Black wins.
a b c d e f g h
23 ... exd4 24.cxd4 ge6 25.Vxa4 YfhS 13 ... e5! 14 ..tg2
Black has a dangerous initiative. Of course, we should also check whether
White can accept the pawn sac:
Chapter 24 - 7.b3 371
a b c d e f g h
1 7.c4
The attempt to keep the extra pawn with
1 7 .d4 runs into 1 7 .. .f6! 1 8.exf6 i.d5 1 9 .i.g2 a b c d e f g h
gae8t 20.i.e3 gxf6 2 1 .llJh4 i.xg2 22.llJxg2 1 7 . . . llJ a5!N 1 8.0-0 c6 1 9.b4 llJ b3 20.gad 1
llJ b6+ when Black gets more than enough b5+ Black's domination over the light squares
compensation. gives him a big advantage.
1 7 . . . llJ dxe5 1 8.llJxe5 llJxe5 1 9.0-0-0 gad8
20.ic3 llJ g6 2 1 .d4 c6
The weak spots in White's camp offer Black
good counterplay. In particular, the . . . f7-f5
advance might pose White concrete problems.
a b c d e f g h
16 ... e4
1 6 . . . llJxd4!? 1 7.cxd4 gad8 seems perfectly
a b c d e f g h
372 4.Yic2
17.Yfxb7 .td5 1 8.Yfxc7 xd4 19.cxd4 fe8 The less energetic 1 3 . . . ll:ld5 1 4.i.d2 i.d7 was
The activity of Black's pieces and the played in Morozevich - Karjakin, Moscow
vulnerability of the white king mean that 20 1 3 , and now 1 5 .c 1 N lLla5 1 6.ll:le5! ll:lxc4
White has no better choice than liquidating 1 7.ll:lxg6 hxg6 1 8Jhc4 ic6 1 9.f3;!; would
into an equal endgame. have given White a pleasant edge thanks to his
bishop pair and extra space.
14.d5
The tactical j ustification for Black's previous
move is based on:
1 4.ll:lxe5 Wfe4! 1 5 .ll:lxc6
1 5 .ll:lf3 runs into 1 5 . . . lLle5! 1 6.ll:lxe5
Wfxh H.
1 5 . . . bxc6
The materialistic approach should be
rejected: 1 5 . . . Wxh 1 ?! 1 6.ll:le7t 'it>h8
1 7.Wfxc7 and White gets too much for the
exchange.
a b c d e f g h
20 . .te3 ac8 2 1 .Yif4 c3 22.hd5 xd5
23.Yf5 Yfx5 24.gx5 xe3 25.fxe3 xe3=
03232) 13 ..lxc3
a b c d e f g h
1 6.3
1 6.:i:l:g1 :i:l:e8 enables Black to exchange the
light-squared bishops, and after 1 7.e3 i.a6
1 8.Wc5 i.xfl 1 9.:i:l:xfl Wfd3 he keeps some
initiative.
1 6 . . . Wf4 1 7.:i:l:g 1 :i:l:e8
White's king is stuck in the centre, and
White has nothing better than giving the
pawn back:
1 8.id2 Wxf3 1 9.0-0-0 Wfd5 20.Wfxd5 cxd5+
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 24 - 7 .Wfb3 373
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
374 4.YMc2
consider, but Black gets more than enough between several ways of developing, but in
play for the piece after: most cases Black obtains plenty of activity
after carrying out the . . . e6-e5 break. That's
20 ...Y;Yxnt 2 1 .di gadst why the set-up with 8.i.d2 0-0 9.h3 is the
most challenging: the potentially dangerous
idea of g2-g4, along with the vulnerability
8
of the bishop on d6, makes Black's task more
7 complicated than in the other lines. However,
6 9 . . . a5! I O.g4 YMg6 allows Black to shine
the spotlight on the drawbacks of White's
5 ambitious play: the weakening of White's
4 kingside and lack of connection between the
rooks will be telling factors in the dynamic
3 battle that ensues. In many cases Black can
2 afford to give up a pawn - and when the
. . . e6-e5 advance finally arrives on the board, it
1
will usually come with considerable force.
a b c d e f g h
22.cl f;Yxe2 23Jiel Vb5
With a powerful attack.
Variation Index
Chapter 1
l.d4 liJ f6 2.c4 e6 3.liJc3 i.b4
A) 4.e4? 8
B) 4.Wd3 ?! c5! 8
B l ) 5.dxc5 9
B2) 5 .d5?! 0-0 9
B2 1 ) 6.d6N 1 0
B22) 6.g5N I I
C) 4.f4 0-0 5 .e3 d5 6.lLlf3 c5 I3
C l ) 7.a3 14
C2) 7.dxc5 I5
Chapter 2
l .d4 liJ f6 2.c4 e6 3.liJc3 i.b4 4.\Wb3 cS
A) 5 .g5 I9
B) 5.dxc5 20
C) 5.tLlf3 tLl c6 24
C l ) 6.a3 24
C2) 6.e3 26
C3) 6.dxc5 27
Chapter 3
l .d4 liJ f6 2.c4 e6 3.liJc3 i.b4 4.i.d2 0-0
A) 5 .Wc2 33
B) 5.a3 34
C) 5.e3 36
D) 5 . tLl f3 c5 38
D l ) 6.a3 38
02) 6.e3 40
03) 6.dxc5 xc5 7.g3 d5 43
03 1 ) 8 .i.g2!?N 44
032) 8.cxd5 45
376 The Nimzo-Indian Defence
Chapter 4
l .d4 tll f6 2.c4 e6 3.1ll c3 .lb4 4..tg5 c5
A) 5 Jlc l 49
B) 5.d5 d6 51
B l ) 6.ltlf3 52
B2) 6.f3 54
B3) 6.e3 exd5 7.cxd5 ltl bd7 56
B3 1 ) 8.ib5 57
B32) 8 .id3 a5 9.ltlge2 ltlxd5 1 0.0-0 ixc3 l l .bxc3 c4! 59
B32 1 ) 1 2.if5?! 60
B322) 1 2.ic2 0-0 61
B322 1 ) 1 3 . ltl g3?! 62
83222) 1 3.ih4 63
Chapter 5
l .d4 1ll f6 2.c4 e6 3.fll c3 .lb4 4.8 c5
Chapter 6
l .d4 1ll f6 2.c4 e6 3.1ll c3 .lb4 4.a3 .bc3t 5.bxc3 1ll c6 !?
A) 6.c2 83
B) 6.e4!? 84
C) 6.ig5 88
D) 6.e3 90
E) 6.f3 b6 7 .e4 ia6 92
E l ) 8.ltlh3 92
E2) 8.e5 93
E3) 8.id3 ltl a5 94
E3 1 ) 9.e5 94
E32) 9.e2 95
E4) 8.ig5 97
Variation Index 377
Cbapter 7
l.d4 tlf6 2.c4 e6 3.fl c3 .ib4 4.g3
Chapter S
l .d4 flf6 2.c4 e6 3.tlc3 J.b4 4.flf3 c5
A) 5 .c2 1 1 0
B ) 5.dxc5 i l l
C ) 5.d5 1 12
D) 5.a3 1 12
E) 5 .g3 c6 1 15
E l ) 6.a3?! 1 15
E2) 6.d5 1 1 6
E3) 6.dxc5 1 1 7
Cbapter 9
l .d4 tlf6 2.c4 e6 3.tlc3 .ib4 4.tlf3 c5 5.g3 tlc6 6..ig2 tl e4
A) 7.d5 121
B) 7.c2 cxd4 122
B l ) 8 .a3!? 122
B2) 8.xd4 124
C) 7.d3 cxd4 8.xd4 xc3 9.bxc3 e5! 1 0.c2 ie7 125
C l ) l l .e4?! 126
C2) l l .a4?! 126
C3) l l .b3 127
D) 7.J.d2 xd2 8.xd2 cxd4 9.xd4 0-0 129
D l ) I O. c2 130
D2) 1 0.0-0 e5 l l .b3 a6 131
D2 1 ) 1 2. f3 133
D22) 1 2.c2 134
D23) 1 2J fd l 135
D24) 1 2.a3 137
378 The Nimzo-Indian Defence
Chapter 10
l.d4 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 .ib4 4.e3 0-0
Chapter 1 1
I .d4 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 .lb4 4.e3 0-0 5.a3 hc3t 6.bxc3 d6
A) 7.f3 154
B) 7.lLlf3 156
C) 7.lLl e2 157
D) 7.J.d3 eS 8.lLle2 e4! 159
0 1 ) 9.J.c2 160
02) 9.ib l 161
Chapter 12
l .d4 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 .lb4 4.e3 0-0 s.ge2 fte8!?
A) 6.g3 164
B) 6.a3 if8 165
B l ) 7.lLlf4 165
B2) 7.g3 dS 8.cxdS exdS 9.ig2 aS 1 0.0-0 lLl a6 168
B2 1 ) 1 1 .id2 169
B22) 1 1 .YMc2 170
B3) 7.e4 dS! 8.eS lLl fd7 170
B3 1 ) 9.cS?! 171
B32) 9.cxdS 172
B4) 7.lLlg3 dS 175
B4 1 ) 8.cxdS 175
B42) 8.J.e2 177
BS) 7.dS aS! 180
BS 1 ) 8.g3 180
BS2) 8 .lLlg3 lLla6 181
BS2 1 ) 9 . .ie2 181
BS22) 9.id3 183
Variation Index 379
Chapter 13
l .d4 tlf6 2.c4 e6 3.tlc3 .tb4 4.e3 0-0 s..td3 d5
Chapter 14
l .d4 tlf6 2.c4 e6 3.tlc3 .tb4 4.e3 0-0 s ..td3 d5 6.a3 .lxc3t 7.bxc3 dxc4 8.hc4 c5
A) 9.ib2 203
B) 9.J.d3 204
C) 9.lLle2 Y!! c7 206
C l ) I O.ia2 206
C2) I O.id3 210
D) 9.lLlf3 V!fc7 212
0 1 ) 1 0.V!fc2 214
02) 1 0.Vffd3 214
03) 1 0.ia2 215
04) 1 0.ie2 217
Chapter 1 5
l .d4 lLlf6 2.c4 e6 3.tlc3 .tb4 4.e3 0-0 s ..td3 d 5 6.lLla c5
A) 7.cxd5 221
B) 7.0-0 cxd4 8.exd4 dxc4 9.ixc4 b6 223
B l ) 1 0. a3 224
B2) I O .id3 225
B3) l O.lLle5 226
B4) I O.V!fb3 227
B5) 10.Vffe2 228
B6) l O.ge l 230
3 80 The Nimzo-Indian Defence
Chapter 16
l .d4 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 .lb4 4.e3 0--0 s..td3 d5 6./tla c5 7.0--0 ad4 8.exd4 chc4 9.hc4
b6 IO.Ag5 .lb7
A) l l .id3 234
B) l l .e5 bd7! 235
B l ) 1 2. xf7 !?N 236
B2) 1 2.xd7 238
C) l l .Wfe2 bd7 239
C l ) 1 2.d5 240
C2) 1 2.e5 241
C3) 1 2Jac l 242
D) l l .!!el ltl c6 244
0 1 ) 1 2 . .id3 245
02) 1 2.a3 246
E) l l .!!cl c6 249
E l ) 1 2.d5 249
E2) 1 2 .Wfd3 250
E3) 1 2 . .id3 250
E4) 1 2.a3 252
E5) 1 2.!!el 252
Chapter 17
l .d4 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 .lb4 4.Wfc2 d5
A) 5 .e3 256
B) 5 . .ig5 257
C) 5 . f3 dxc4 258
C l ) 6 . .ig5 259
C2) 6.e4 260
C3) 6.a3 261
Chapter 18
l .d4 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 .lb4 4.Yfc2 d5 5.a3 hdt 6.Yfxc3 0--0
Chapter 19
t.d4 tlf6 2.c4 e6 3.tlc3 .tb4 4.Vc2 d5 5.a3 .ixc3t 6.Vxc3 7.tla chc4 s.Vxc4 b6
A) 9.g3 280
B) 9.i.f4 ia6! 1 0.'%Yxc7 '%Yd5 281
B l ) 1 1 .'%Yd6?! 281
B2) 1 1 .'%Yc2 282
C) 9.i.g5 ia6 283
C l ) 1 0.'%Yc2 283
C2) 1 0.'%Yc3 h6 286
C2 1 ) 1 1 .ih4 286
C22) 1 1 .ixf6 287
C3) 1 0.'%Ya4 c5 288
C3 1 ) 1 Ud 1 288
C32) 1 1 .dxc5 bxc5 289
C32 1 ) 1 2.h4!? 289
C322) 1 2.d1 292
C323) 1 2.cl 294
Chapter 20
t.d4 tlf6 2.c4 e6 3.tlc3 .tb4 4.Vc2 d5 5.a3 hc3t 6.Vxc3 7..tg5 b6
Chapter 2 1
l .d4 tlf6 2.c4 e6 3.tl c3 .lb4 4.Y!Yc2 d5 5.ad5 Y!Yxd5
A) 6.a3 ixc3t 3 1 1
A I ) 7.bxc3 c5 311
Al l ) 8.tlJB 311
A 1 2) 8.8!?N 312
A I 3) 8.ib2 313
A2) 7.Wfxc3 tlJ c6 8.tlJB tlJe4 313
A2 1 ) 9.Wfc2N 314
A22) 9.Wfd3 0-0N 315
A22 1 ) I O.if4 316
A222) 1 0 .e3 317
B) 6.e3 c5 7.a3 ixc3t 318
B l ) 8.Wfxc3 318
B2) 8.bxc3 0-0 9.tlJB b6 320
B2 1 ) I O.ib2 321
B22) 1 O.c4 322
Chapter 22
l.d4 1tlf6 2.c4 e6 3.tlc3 .lb4 4.Yfc2 d5 5.ad5 Wfxd5 6.e3 c5 7.J.d2 hc3
Chapter 23
I .d4 tlf6 2.c4 e6 3.1tlc3 ib4 4.f;Yc2 d5 5.ad5 Vxd5 6.tla V5
Chapter 24
I .d4 tlf6 2.c4 e6 3.tlc3 J.b4 4.Vc2 d5 5.ad5 Vxd5 6.tla V5 7.B"h3 tlc6!
A) 8.g3 353
B) 8.e3 355
C) 8.a3 ia5 356
C I ) 9.g3 356
C2) 9.e3 357
C3) 9.id2 358
D) 8 .id2 0-0 361
D I ) 9Jk1 361
02) 9.e3 362
03) 9.h3 a5! I O.g4 Vg6 363
03 1 ) 1 I ./ig2 365
032) 1 l .a3 a4! 366
D32 1 ) I 2.Vd i 366
0322) 1 2.Va2 368
0323) 1 2.Vc4 ixc3 370
0323 1 ) 1 3.bxc3 370
03232) 1 3./ixc3 372
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