Contents
Title page 3
Explanation of symbols 4
On The Fully-Fledged French 7
Foreword 8
Seven symbols 14
Part One – The origin 15
Chapter 1 Bringing the king’s knight straight into play 18
Chapter 2 Gulko’s System 27
Chapter 3 White’s original set-up: 6.Bd3 34
Chapter 4 A dynamic set-up against Nimzowitsch’s Gambit 4.Qg4 40
Chapter 5 A hundred years later: 6.Be2 46
Chapter 6 Labyrinths of the old system 52
Part Two – Weapons and dogmas 69
Chapter 7 Beyond Tarrasch 71
Chapter 8 Salto Mortale: 9.Nf4 82
Chapter 9 Game Changer vs the Universal System: 7.Ngf3 90
Chapter 10 The plan with the exchange ...Bc8xBf1: 6...b6 97
Chapter 11 A pawn wedge: 5.f4 108
Chapter 12 The Romanishin Variation 122
Chapter 13 A French-Scandinavian hybrid 136
Part Three – French Magic 159
Chapter 14 The Attacking Machine 160
Chapter 15 The proper scope of the move 7...Be7 176
Chapter 16 A legendary pin 191
Part Four – Behind the barricades 221
Chapter 17 The Anti-Winawer 228
Chapter 18 The Semi-Winawer 249
Chapter 19 My System in the Winawer 259
Chapter 20 The Sub-Winawer: the classical 7.Nf3 and the anti-dynamic 7.a4 275
Chapter 21 The sharp flank attack 7.h4 290
Chapter 22 The Eingorn Variation 300
Part Five – Five surprise weapons for dynamic players 319
Chapter 23 How to break the symmetry in the Exchange Variation 320
Chapter 24 The King’s Indian Attack 331
Chapter 25 Kortchnoi’s wedge against the French Super Gambit 338
Chapter 26 Taking advantage of an over-developed bishop 342
Chapter 27 A ‘coffeehouse’ counterattack in the Classical French 346
Index of variations 353
Index of names 358
Bibliography 367
A brief biography 368
Viktor Moskalenko
The Fully-Fledged French
Fresh Strategies and Resources for Dynamic Chess Players
New In Chess 2021
© 2021 New In Chess
Published by New In Chess, Alkmaar, The Netherlands
www.newinchess.com
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
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otherwise, without the prior written permission from the publisher.
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ISBN: 978-90-5691-939-9
4
Explanation of symbols
The chessboard with its coordinates:
K King
Q Queen
R Rook
B Bishop
N Knight
² White stands slightly better
³ Black stands slightly better
± White stands better
µ Black stands better
+– White has a decisive advantage
–+ Black has a decisive advantage
= balanced position
∞ unclear
! good move
5
!! excellent move
? bad move
?? blunder
!? interesting move
?! dubious move
™ only move
‚ attack
ƒ initiative
„ counterplay
° compensation
# mate
ch championship
zt zonal tournament
izt interzonal tournament
ct candidates tournament
tt team tournament
ol olympiad
m match
cr correspondence
6
On The Fully-Fledged French
Compared to The Even More Flexible French, The Fully-Fledged French has:
• 56 new games
• new chapters, updates and expansions in every chapter
• hundreds of improvements, alternatives and new ideas.
For this project, I’ve checked many recent books on the French Defence, and discovered that most of
these books are mainly ‘engine work’ aimed to look for either a ‘professional advantage’ for White
(²) or equality for Black (=). This is not a very creative approach, and it doesn’t teach the reader
anything about the concepts behind the moves.
In The Fully-Fledged French I have re-structured many chapters; lines that have become more
important have been turned into separate games, or even separate chapters. ‘Old’ games have been
either replaced by others or updated. For example, the Part on the Advance Variation now features 10
games instead of 22. Also, recently at the Tata Steel Chess Tournament, Pentala Harikrishna surprised
Nils Grandelius with the line with ...Bd7 and ...Bb5, but I already concluded in The Even More
Flexible French that this line is too slow, and therefore I have not included it in this book either.
As a result, you see before you a book that may look rather similar to my previous books on the
French Defence, but in fact by far the most of the material is new. I guess we can speak of ‘new wine
in old bottles’!
7
8
Foreword
Fresh strategies and resources for dynamic chess players
‘May your will be done! May the Force be with you!’ – ‘Zarathustra’
The French Defence remains a fantastic and inexhaustible opening. This is already the fourth book
I’ve written on it! Through the years, not only new move sequences but also entirely new concepts
keep being introduced into this opening. In the French, a good knowledge of these numerous basic
ideas remains the most important tool for the practical player, rather than a memorization and
repetition of long, forced lines – even in this computer age! In most of the variations, a tense battle
starts already after the first few moves.
This new book, The Fully-Fledged French, continues to mix various aspects as did my earlier
works The Flexible French and The Even More Flexible French: my broad experience in this opening
(this book also contains many of my own games), my vision of its concepts and analysis of creative
new ideas that keep coming up. The purpose of these books has always been to offer a combative
repertoire to black players. This is the case especially in this new book, in which I have concentrated
more on Black and removed a number of less relevant lines. Still, there is also much to learn here for
white players, and after my two previous books on the French it has become clear that my readers
have acquired a better understanding of the opening as a whole.
9
With 1...e7-e6, Black builds a fortress with a closed centre, so the main roads to success are those
leading to a game where White’s extra tempo is not so important. This defence is also full of strategic
as well as tactical resources, and according to many masters, its lines are among the most complicated
in chess. There are also several forgotten systems that are still full of possibilities, sharp and exotic
lines, original ideas and much more.
The author’s workshop
As usual, my approach to the French in this book is more of a strategic nature, with lots of practical
pieces of advice that reveal the key resources of the opening. Of course, all the important tactics are
also highlighted, some of which have been presented as exercises for the reader.
I have carefully chosen the most interesting games – in total, 54 by other players and 18 of my own.
In my analyses of these games I have strived for a good understanding of the intentions of the players,
during the opening and also beyond it, into the French middlegame and even sometimes into a French
ending.
Below I give short introductions to each of the five Parts of this book.
Part One – The Advance Variation
Chapter 1: to begin with, we focus on the ‘Universal System’ with an early development of Black’s
king’s knight:
5...Nh6 (Game 1)
and especially 5...Nge7!? (Game 2). Black’s counterplay here (mainly his pressure on d4) is quite
simple and effective.
10
If you are looking for more complications, then Part 1 also offers:
Chapter 2: the old Gulko System reloaded: 5...Bd7 and 6...f6, with a direct attack on the advanced
e5-pawn.
Chapter 6: the most ambitious attack by Black’s queen: 5...Qb6, combined with the blocking idea
...c5-c4. This is the oldest system against the Advance Variation.
The remaining Chapters (3-5) describe improved methods for dealing with White’s gambits and
other common set-ups.
Part Two – The Tarrasch Variation
Throughout Chapters 7-13, you will come across many interesting ideas that have not been noticed
(or properly understood) before.
For instance, recently I came back to the closed anti-Tarrasch system ...b7-b6/...Ba6, and actually
‘fell in love’ with it:
Position after Black’s 6th move (Chapter 10, Games 17 and 18). You will certainly be delighted to
find several so far unexplored defensive resources for Black here.
Even in the last game of Part Two (exotic lines), a pleasant surprise awaits you in today’s most
popular ‘Scandinavian Hybrid’: 6...Qd8!?.
11
This ‘illogical’ queen retreat has not been properly appreciated up till now. However, it turns out that
the black king’s bishop has direct access to the more active squares in this line – see the WEAPON in
Game 29.
Part Three – The Classical System
Actually, this system, which we might also call ‘French Magic’, is my favourite part of the book, with
many discoveries as always.
Chapter 14 – The Attacking Machine
Game 30: the manoeuvre 5.Ne2, with the aim of strengthening the centre after 5...c5 with 6.c3, has
12
been known since the days of McDonnell and Steinitz. Today it has gained popularity, particularly
online at all levels. Without having to study a lot of lines, Black can start counterplay immediately
with 6...cxd4 7.cxd4 f6! 8.Nf4 Bb4+ 9.Bd2 Qb6! – the queen defends and attacks at the same time!
Game 32: after 10...Nxd4 11.Bxd4 a6!, despite the fact that White has about five different
continuations, which also have been covered for many years in all the anti-French books, none of
these moves guarantees the first player an advantage. Some even lead to quick trouble for White!
Chapter 16 – The McCutcheon
13
Game 42 includes a weapon against the brand-new artificial move 6.Bf4!?.
The Alpha/Leela Chess Zero engines have reached the point where they find killing novelties in
centuries-old variations already on the 6th move! However, it turns out that the old chess ideas are
tenacious!
Part Four – The Winawer Variation
The ‘Wonderful Winawer’ part of this book has been nicely expanded – Black will be armed to the
teeth against any white system!
Here are some examples from the chapters on the ‘open game’ theme:
Game 43: no less than five options are examined here: 8...c5,
8...Bd7,
8...Rg6,
8...Nbd7
and 8...b6
14
Game 46: 4...Nf6!? (with the purpose of transposing from an anti-Winawer to a Classical French)
5.e5 Nfd7!
Game 50: in the semi-Winawer line 4.e5 c5 5.Bd2 cxd4!? 6.Nb5 Bc5!, see the WEAPON 7.b4 Be7
8.Qg4 Nf6!!N
Finally, in the main-line Winawer, Black defends strategically behind the barricades:
Chapter 19: 4.e5 b6!?
15
Chapter 22: 7.Qg4 Kf8!?
Part Five – Dynamic weapons
Among other surprises (in Chapters 23-27), I am glad to present two practical ideas in the King’s
Indian Attack: the Barcza System with 2.Qe2 and 2.d3 d5 3.Nd2.
16
In a well-known position, after 5...b5!?, White’s main threat e4-e5 and c2-c4 is no longer effective
due ...bxc4 and the pin ...Ba6 !
5...a4: Black pushes his a-pawn as the universal method to meet the King’s Indian Attack (C00) and
the Réti Opening (A07).
In both cases White finds himself in zugzwang very soon! See Chapter 24 (Games 67 and 68).
The current state of opening theory
17
As a result of the global evolution in our time, chess has practically ceased to be an art, or some sort
of culture or religion, to become a somewhat artificial form of individual fulfillment (by hook or by
crook), as evidenced by the crowded current generation of PlayStation-style online players.
This change has also deeply affected chess literature. We find multi-volume works on openings
everywhere, but they are stuffed with computer lines rather than presenting a useful concept.
In contrast, the reader of The Fully-Fledged French will find it easier and more interesting to learn
the main plans with the following structure in each Part:
• The historic origin of each variation
• A presentation of the main ideas, resources, and advice
• Analysis of the most interesting lines through model games
• Illustrative games
• Statistics, summaries and conclusions.
I hope that the present work, just like my previous publications, can serve as good examples of this
creative method of writing opening books and articles.
Of course, many questions will always remain open, for practical players as well as theoreticians.
However, in this day and age you won’t need years and years to study this great opening – the French
Defence. Just read this book!
Greetings to you all!
Grandmaster Viktor Moskalenko,
Barcelona 2021
18
Seven symbols
For the convenience of the reader of my books, certain special lines in the analysis are marked with
either of the following seven symbols:
TRICK: hidden tactics and some tricky ideas, e.g. traps you can set and pitfalls you have to
avoid.
PUZZLE: exercises, possible transpositions, move-order subtleties, curiosities and rare lines.
WEAPON: the best lines to choose; strong or surprising options for both attack and defence,
which deserve attention.
PLAN: the main ideas for one of the sides in the next phase of the game.
STATISTICS: winning percentages for a line or for either side/player.
WORKSHOP: how the author plans to construct the chapter at hand.
KEEP IN MIND: here, fundamental ideas for either side are given.
19
Part One
The origin
Advance Variation – 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5
Dedicated to Gioacchino Greco
The famous Italian master Gioacchino Greco
(1600-1634) played the first genuine French game
as long ago as 1620.
A bit of history
The best way to learn the genuine French Defence is by
playing the Advance Variation – 3.e5, the most natural
move for White, which closes the centre immediately and
gains space.
The stem game of the Advance Variation and, we could
say, the first genuine French game, was played as long ago
as 1620! The famous Italian master Gioacchino Greco
attacked with the white pieces.
Strategies – 3...c5!
From this point on, both players must develop their main plans as quickly as possible: White must get
ready to castle kingside and to attack on the flanks, while Black looks for counterplay with the
standard ...c7-c5, and tries to develop his queenside and exert pressure on the central pawn on d4.
Among other important resources for Black, we find the classical break ...f7-f6, exerting pressure in
the centre and, of course, the manoeuvre ...Ng8-e7-f5 or else ...Nh6!?.
20
With this simple strategy the battle begins.
Keep in Mind
• In many of the games that we will study here, the strategic plans do not work without tactical tricks.
• Generally speaking, the two black knights and the white king’s bishop are the most important pieces
in the Advance Variation.
Directions
One of the ‘small’ advantages for Black when facing the Advance Variation is that he just needs to
know a couple of lines deeply, whereas White must make a thorough study of all the existing ideas.
Throughout my career I have conducted a personal search for a weapon against the 3.e5 system,
analysing in several directions.
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3
After these natural moves, the key position in the Advance Variation is reached.
Black must choose his strategy now.
Of all the many possibilities in the opening I generally tend to choose the most aggressive plans
with black. With set-ups like ...Ne7/...Nh6/...Qb6 Black prepares a direct attack against the d4-pawn
(or also ...f7-f6 vs the e5-pawn), not allowing White time to castle and forcing him to defend his
centre first.
This tense situation allows Black to ‘look for satisfaction’ by entering some quite forcing lines,
where pieces will be fighting against pawns.
Early alternatives for Black
21
Chapter 1 – Direct development of the king’s knight: 5...Nh6 or 5...Nge7 (Games 1 and 2)
Chapter 2 – The classical French break ...f7-f6: 5...Bd7 6.Be2/6.a3 f6!? (Games 3 and 4)
Two gambits for White
Chapter 3 – The Milner-Barry Gambit: (5...Qb6) 6.Bd3 (Game 5)
Chapter 4 – Nimzowitsch’s Gambit: 4.Qg4 (Game 6)
The main lines with 5...Qb6
First we will investigate the semi-open set-up:
Chapter 5 – Another early move with the king’s bishop: (5...Qb6) 6.Be2 (Game 7)
Next, we will return to the classical paths in the French Defence:
Chapter 6 – The labyrinths of the old system: after 6.a3, the blockading 6...c4 (Games 8-10). This
move prevents the critical advance 7.b4.
Chapter 1
Bringing the king’s knight straight into play
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3
• Game 1: 5...Nh6
22
This move-order may be more flexible than the immediate 5...Qb6 (Chapters 5 and 6) and offers
Black several plans to choose from in this complex position (game Nikolaidis-Moskalenko).
Mikhail Gurevich.
• Game 2: 5...Nge7
An expert of the French on the black side, grandmaster Mikhail Gurevich, is a very strong champion
of this set-up.
White has many options on move 6. A well-known manoeuvre is 6.Na3!?; after Na3-c2 the pawn on
d4 will be sufficiently protected. However, with simple play Black can equalize, and, what’s more,
23
there is a lot of room for active counterplay. We will discuss the many alternatives for White and
Black in the game Shirov-Mousavi.
Bringing the king’s knight straight into play – Games
Game 1 – 5...Nh6
Konstantinos Nikolaidis 2315
Viktor Moskalenko 2545
Agios Nikolaos 1995 (8)
1.d4 e6 2.e4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Nh6!?
A creative possibility, which has become much more popular thanks to my previous books on the
French Defence (The Flexible French in 2008, and The Even More Flexible French in 2015).
6.dxc5
According to specialist GMs Sveshnikov and Kortchnoi this is the most dangerous answer. Let’s
check some other ideas:
WEAPON: Surprisingly, the most popular move is 6.Bd3 and now: 6...Nf5!? is, in my view, the
safest alternative (6...f6 is a sharper system often recommended by the grandfather of the French
Defence, John Watson, while 6...cxd4 7.Bxh6!? has yielded White good results recently)
24
analysis diagram
7.Bxf5 (the attack on d4 practically forces White to make this unfavourable exchange) 7...exf5 8.0-0
h6!. As we will see in different places in Part One, Black has the better chances in this structure:
9.dxc5 Bxc5 10.b4 Bb6!N.
WEAPON: After 6.a3 I also prefer 6...Nf5!? (after 6...f6?! Black falls victim to a strategic
blockade: 7.Bxh6! gxh6 8.Bb5! – 5½-½ for White) 7.b4 (7.dxc5 Bxc5 8.b4 Bb6!) 7...cxd4 8.cxd4
and now:
25
analysis diagram
8...Bd7!?. Black prepares a counterattack with ...b7-b5 and ...a7-a5 ! (Black still can revert to the
main lines with 8...Qb6 – see The Even More Flexible French, Chapter 1) 9.Bb2 (if 9.Nc3 then
9...Rc8 10.Bb2 Nh4!„) 9...b5!„ is a great resource, e.g. 10.Nbd2 (10.Bxb5 Nxe5³; 10.Nc3 a5!„)
10...a5!ƒ Movsesian-M.Gurevich, New York 1998.
WEAPON: 6.Bxh6!? is a strategic exchange; White will try to block the centre with his knights
after the recapture 6...gxh6.
analysis diagram
A) 7.Be2 Bg7!? 8.0-0 0-0 9.Na3 cxd4 10.cxd4 f6„;
B) 7.Bb5 Bd7!? 8.Bxc6 (8.0-0 Nxe5!) 8...bxc6 9.Nbd2 Qb6„ Friedland-H.Nielsen, Stockholm 2018;
C) 7.Bd3 Qb6!? 8.Qd2 Bd7 9.dxc5 Qc7!N 10.Qf4 Bg7 and Black’s pieces are excellently placed –
he has good counterplay.
WEAPON: Grandmaster Kupreichik against the author tried 6.Be2 Nf5!? (again, the best option
in my view; 6...cxd4 7.Bxh6!?) 7.g4 (White must attack the knight; if 7.0-0? cxd4 8.cxd4 Qb6µ;
or 7.dxc5 Bxc5 8.0-0 Qc7!„) 7...Nh4 – I think that Black is better here.
26
analysis diagram
8.Nxh4 Qxh4 9.Be3 Bd7 (9...cxd4 10.cxd4 f6³ Sturt-Leon Valdes, Platja d’Aro 2019) 10.Nd2 (10.00 f6!? 11.f4 fxe5 12.dxe5 g5!µ Kupreichik-Moskalenko, Blagoveschensk 1988) 10...cxd4 11.Nf3
Qd8 (11...Qxg4!?) 12.cxd4 h5 13.gxh5 Rxh5 14.h4 with a complicated game, KupreichikMoskalenko, Lviv 1988.
WEAPON: Finally, 6.Na3 cxd4 7.cxd4
analysis diagram
27
7...Bxa3!? (or, 7...Nf5!?, transposing to Game 2) 8.bxa3 Nf5„; so far Black achieves very good
results here.
6...Bxc5
TRICK: A well-known trick is 6...Ng4? 7.Qa4! and Black cannot capture either pawn,
Kupreichik-Kaidanov, Lviv 1988.
7.b4!?
This advance is more logical than the direct exchange 7.Bxh6?! gxh6 8.b4 Bf8! (intending ...Bg7)
9.b5 Ne7 10.Bd3 Bg7 11.0-0 Ng6 12.Re1 Qc7 13.Qa4 0-0 14.Qd4 f6! with an initiative for Black in
the centre, Almeida-Moskalenko, Fuerteventura 1992.
7...Bb6!
The retreat 7...Bf8?! is absurd now, since White has not played Bxh6.
8.Bxh6
PLAN: GM Sveshnikov achieved no advantage in our second game either: 8.b5 Ne7 9.Bd3 Ng6
(9...Ng4!?) 10.0-0
28
analysis diagram
10...0-0 (later I played 10...Qc7!? 11.Qe2 0-0 and Black had no problems in Rojas-Moskalenko,
Badalona 2007) 11.Bxh6 gxh6 12.a4 (after the natural 12.Nbd2, Black can continue 12...Qc7!?³
13.Bxg6 and now 13...hxg6!N) 12...f6 (guaranteeing Black counterplay; more ambitious is
12...Qc7!?, first activating the queen, with pressure on c3 and e5) 13.Bxg6 (there is no other way to
defend the centre) 13...hxg6 14.Qd3 Kg7„.
analysis diagram
29
Black has an equal game thanks to his active bishop on b6, Sveshnikov-Moskalenko, Rostov-on-Don
1993.
8...gxh6 9.b5
Here, I tried another interesting option:
9...Na5!?N
Intending to sacrifice the h6-pawn. 9...Ne7 is similar to the above game Sveshnikov-Moskalenko.
10.Bd3
PLAN: The key variation is 10.Qd2 Qc7!? 11.Qxh6 Bd7 12.Bd3 0-0-0 13.0-0 Kb8°.
10...Qe7 11.0-0 Bd7 12.Qc1 Qf8 13.Qf4
13.Nbd2 0-0-0!?.
13...0-0-0!
Intending ...Kb8 and ...Rc8.
14.Nbd2 Kb8 15.Nd4 Qg7 16.Rfd1
16.Rfc1 Qg5!.
16...Rc8 17.Rac1 Rc7!³
30
With active counterplay along the c- and g-files.
18.Rc2 Rhc8 19.Ne2 Qg5!? 20.Rdc1 Qxf4 21.Nxf4 Bc5!
The arisen endgame is pleasant for Black.
22.Rb1 Be7 23.Ne2 f6!
Eliminating the advanced pawn on e5, the pride of White’s entire variation.
24.exf6 Bxf6 25.Rbc1 e5!–+
As a result of a correct strategy, the black army now dominates the board.
31
26.f3 Bg5 27.Rb1 Be6 28.Rcb2 Be3+ 29.Kf1 Rf8 30.Ke1 h5 31.Rb4 Rg7 32.Ng3 Bf4 33.Ndf1 h4
34.Ne2 Rxg2 35.Bxh7 Nc4 36.Bd3 Bxh2 37.Bxc4 dxc4 38.Ne3 Rg5 39.Nxc4 h3 40.b6 a6 41.Nd2
Bf4 42.Nxf4 exf4 43.Ne4 Rg2 44.Nf2 h2 45.Rd1 Bf5 46.Rxf4 Re8+
White resigned.
Summary:
5...Nh6 is an interesting option for Black, with many possibilities for both sides. This is now a wellestablished alternative to 5...Qb6 (Chapters 5 and 6), 5...Bd7 (Chapter 2) and 5...Nge7 (Game 2).
Game 2 – 5...Nge7
Alexei Shirov 2674
Seyed Khalil Mousavi 2422
Hamedan 2016 (5)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Nge7!?
I’m starting to like this compact set-up more and more. The only problem of this move is that it
allows a new option for White:
32
6.Na3!?
With the idea Nc2, to protect d4 and then develop the kingside. White’s alternatives are:
PUZZLE: 6.a3 and 6.Be2 transposes to the lines given in the previous game and also in Chapter
5.
PLAN: 6.Bd3 allows Black’s key idea: 6...cxd4! 7.cxd4 Nf5 8.Bxf5 exf5 9.Nc3 Be6.
analysis diagram
33
Shirov: 16.h4? – no ‘fire on board’ against the
French counterattack!
A position that is typical for the Advance Variation. It can
arise by various move-orders, and chances are arguably
equal here. See also similar examples in the notes to this
game and in Chapters 5 and 6. 10.Ne2 (10.0-0 Be7³)
10...Be7 11.h4 h6!? (a useful move, preventing the
placement of any white piece on g5, and at the same time
supporting ...g7-g5) 12.Nf4 Qb6 13.Rh3 g6! (if
immediately 13...0-0-0 14.h5!, ruling out Black’s resource
...g7-g5) 14.Kf1 0-0-0 15.Kg1 g5!ƒ Nun-Moskalenko,
Pardubice Open 1994.
PLAN: 6.dxc5 Ng6! leads to a better structure for Black:
7.Be3 (7.Bb5 Bxc5³) 7...Ngxe5 8.Nxe5 Nxe5 9.Nd2
(9.f4 Nd7!N) 9...Qc7! 10.b4 b6!³
analysis diagram
11.Bb5+?! (11.Nb3 Nc4!) 11...Bd7 12.cxb6 axb6 13.Bxd7+ Nxd7 14.Qb3 Bd6µ Honfi-Moskalenko,
St Ingbert 1989.
6...cxd4 7.cxd4
The intermediate jump 7.Nb5 Nf5 8.Nbxd4 Nfxd4 9.cxd4 Qb6 leads to balanced play.
7...Nf5 8.Nc2
34
The critical position.
In spite of the fact that the white pawn on d4 is well protected, Black still has several active options
here, for example:
8...Qb6
8...Bd7!? is similar.
9.Bd3
PLAN: 9.Be2 is also popular and complicated: 9...Bd7 10.0-0 Rc8!?.
35
analysis diagram
White generally resorts to g2-g4 sooner or later, both to gain space and to set up a kingside advance,
and because no other convincing plan presents itself. The drawback is that he may lose some key
squares in the process.
11.Kh1!? (a quite fashionable preventive manoeuvre by the king. Previously we have seen 11.g4
Nfe7 12.Nh4 Ng6 13.Ng2 f6! 14.exf6 gxf6 15.f4 Bd6 16.Kh1 Nce7!? followed by ...f6-f5, with
mutual chances in Stevic-Ulybin, Pula 1999) 11...Na5!? (preparing ...Bb5) 12.g4 Ne7 13.Nfe1 Bb5!
14.Nd3 h5! 15.gxh5 Nf5 16.Be3 Nc4 17.b3 Ncxe3 18.fxe3 Qd8! 19.Rc1 g6!N.
36
analysis diagram
Black’s last move is a novelty which puts White in some trouble, as there are no useful moves in sight
for him.
9...Bd7!
The threat 10...Nxd4 forces White to exchange on f5 sooner or later.
9...Bb4+ is an unclear idea: 10.Kf1 Be7 11.h4!.
10.0-0!
PLAN: 10.Bxf5?! exf5 11.0-0 h6!? 12.a3 a5! 13.Re1 Be6 14.h4 Be7³.
analysis diagram
Black is preparing the standard break ...g7-g5, Blees-M.Gurevich, Ghent 1997.
10...a5!
This move prevents b2-b4 and again threatens to capture on d4, but you need to be careful!
TRICK: 10...Nfxd4?? loses a piece to 11.Nfxd4 Nxd4 12.Be3 Bc5 13.b4!+–.
11.Bxf5
The exchange Bd3xNf5 usually leads to fairly balanced strategic positions.
37
TRICK: The prophylactic idea behind ...a7-a5 can be seen after 11.g4? Nfxd4 12.Nfxd4 Nxd4
13.Be3 Bc5 and Black is clearly better.
TRICK: However, 11.a3 Nfxd4? (11...a4!„) 12.Nfxd4 Nxd4 13.Be3 Bc5 14.b4 axb4 15.Qg4!+–
Kravchenko-Cherniy, Moscow 2006.
TRICK: After 11.Rb1, 11...Nfxd4?? is still wrong (11...Nb4!„ Carlsen-Porat, Budapest 2003):
12.Nfxd4 Nxd4 13.Be3 Bc5 14.b4! axb4 15.Bxd4 Bxd4 16.Rxb4+–.
TRICK: Finally, 11.Kh1!? Nfxd4?? (11...Rc8!?) 12.Be3 and White wins.
11...exf5³
According to GM Sveshnikov (and Shirov in this game) ‘White has more space’. However, some
French experts, including myself, would like playing with black here.
12.Ne3
Here are some more typical examples:
PLAN: 12.Re1 h6!? 13.Bd2 Be7 14.Bc3 Be6 15.a3 g5! Bhavesh-Moskalenko, Badalona 2019.
PLAN: 12.Be3 Nd8 (12...h6!? is more natural) 13.Rb1 h6 14.h4?!.
38
analysis diagram
This automatic defence against ...g7-g5 only weakens White’s kingside: 14...Be7 15.h5?! Ne6 16.g3
g5!ƒ Jonkman-M.Gurevich, Vlissingen 1997.
12...Be6 13.g3 h6 14.Ng2
PLAN: 14.h4 Be7 15.Ng2 0-0-0!? 16.a3 Rhg8 17.Qd3 g5µ Alarcon-Cordova, Lima 2006.
14...g5!µ
39
Only a few moves have been made, but instead of ‘space’, White has a strategically lost position.
15.Be3 Be7 16.h4?
Fire on board? No way! This pseudo-active move looks more like suicide.
16...Rg8
Also, 16...f4!? 17.gxf4 Bg4! with a winning pin.
17.hxg5 hxg5 18.a3 a4
18...f4!?‚.
19.Rc1 f4!
The decisive breakthrough.
In such a dubious position White has no way to escape.
20.gxf4 Bg4!
20...gxf4!?.
21.fxg5 Bxg5 22.Re1 Bd8 23.e6 fxe6 24.Bf4 Bc7 25.Bxc7 Qxc7 26.Re3 Qg7 27.Qf1 Bxf3 28.Rxf3
Nxd4 29.Rg3 Qf7 30.Rxg8+ Qxg8 31.Qd3 Qg7 32.Kf1 Qh6 33.f4 Qh1+ 34.Kf2 Qxc1 35.Qxd4 00-0 36.Ne3 Rg8 37.Qe5 Qc6 38.f5 d4 39.Qxd4 exf5 40.Qe5 Qe4 41.Qxe4 fxe4 42.Nd5 Rf8+
43.Ke2 Rf3 44.Nc3 Kc7 45.Nxa4 Kd6 0-1
40
Summary of Chapter 1
In many variations, Black’s knights are the key pieces in the search for counterplay, and they perform
impressively at the critical moments in these complicated games, right to the end.
The alternative moves 5...Nh6 (Game 1) and 5...Ne7 (Game 2) are a great support for the main
ideas discussed in Part 1. However, if you learn to combine the ideas behind both these knight
manoeuvres, you will really have a probate anti-Advance elixir!
41
Chapter 2
Gulko’s System
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Bd7
In this chapter we examine the set-up with an early 5...Bd7 (diagram position), following up with the
classical French break 6...f6!? (Games 3 and 4).
• Game 3: 6.Be2 f6
STATISTICS: 1291 games, Black = 48%
The most dynamic concept for Black in the French Defence is to immediately create pressure against
the centre: in this case, attacking the e5-pawn (stem game Kupreichik-Gulko, 1976).
• Game 4: 6.a3 f6
STATISTICS: 1299 games, Black = 53.8% (!)
One way of looking at it is that Black is responding to a flank attack with a central attack. This has
proven to be very effective, but this game shows that Black also has some occult resources (AdamsEpishin).
Gulko’s System – Games
Game 3 – 6.Be2 f6
Viktor Kupreichik 2490
Boris Gulko 2530
42
Moscow ch-URS 1976 (5)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Bd7 6.Be2
The gambit move 6.Bd3 cxd4 7.cxd4 Qb6 leads to Chapter 3, Game 5.
6...f6!?
The legendary GM Boris Gulko.
This set-up was out of fashion for a while, but seems to
have achieved new respectability. The main idea is to
immediately put pressure on White’s e5-pawn.
7.0-0
7.exf6?! loses developing time; 7...Nxf6=.
TRICK: 7.c4?! is premature and probably even worse:
7...cxd4 8.cxd5 exd5 9.exf6 Nxf6 10.Nxd4 Bc5!µ
(Kupreichik-Dolmatov, Vilnius 1980) and if 11.Nb3?
Bxf2+!.
7...fxe5! 8.dxe5
WEAPON: More often White prefers 8.Nxe5!? Nxe5
(8...cxd4 9.cxd4 Bd6∞ – 1-3 for Black) 9.dxe5 Qc7.
43
analysis diagram
Recently this position has been fairly popular, with largely non-compromise results. 10.c4 (10.f4
Nh6!?) 10...d4 (10...0-0-0!? leads to a more open game: 11.cxd5 Qxe5 12.Nc3 Nf6!? 13.Bf3
(13.dxe6 Bc6!N) 13...exd5 14.Re1 Qf5³ Keitlinghaus-Haub, Budapest 1996) 11.Bf4 (the main move;
11.Re1 also defends e5: 11...0-0-0 12.Bd3 Kb8!? 13.Nd2 Nh6 14.Ne4 Nf7∞ Salonen-Kuusela, cr
2014) 11...0-0-0 12.Nd2 Bc6„ with the idea 13.Bd3 g5!ƒ – 2-6 for Black:
analysis diagram
44
8...Qc7
WEAPON: An ultra-modern interpretation of Gulko’s system is 8...Nh6!?
analysis diagram
Viktor Kupreichik (1949-2017) was an
uncompromising Belarussian grandmaster. A
typical chess duelist, who always played according
to the motto ‘Attack is the best defence!’
with a sharp struggle, e.g. 9.c4!? d4 10.Bxh6 (10.b4 cxb4∞
Shirov-Stocek, Prague 2019) 10...gxh6 11.Nfd2 (otherwise
Black plays 11...Qc7 and 12...0-0-0) 11...Nxe5! 12.Bh5+
Ng6 13.Ne4 Qe7 14.b4 cxb4 15.c5 Qg7µ
Nepomniachtchi-Mamedyarov, Ningbo 2011.
9.Na3
PLAN: A similar recent model game saw 9.Re1 Nh6!?
10.c4 d4 11.Bd3 0-0-0.
45
analysis diagram
Preparing the key break ...g7-g5: 12.Na3 (12.a3 Nf7„) 12...a6 13.Nc2 Nf7 14.Bf4 Be7 15.h4 Rdg8!?
16.Ng5 Nxg5 17.hxg5 Rf8! and Black already had a winning initiative in Brunello-Valsecchi, Porto
Mannu 2019.
9...a6
Preventing 10.Nb5.
10.Bf4 Nh6!?
46
The manoeuvre to f7 looks fine.
PLAN: With his next moves, Black does not waste time on castling queenside, but skilfully
prepares the advance of the g-pawn.
11.Nc2 Nf7!? 12.c4 d4 13.Bd3
The immediate 13.b4∞ would have been more in Kupreichik’s style!
13...Be7! 14.Qe2?
With 14.h4!? White could have temporarily delayed the impetuous advance of the black army, e.g.
14...0-0-0 with many options.
14...g5!–+
47
Now Black is clearly ahead in the ‘attack on opposite flanks’.
15.Bg3 0-0-0! 16.b4 h5! 17.h4 Nxb4
17...Rdg8!? was even stronger, not getting distracted from the goal.
18.Nxb4 cxb4 19.Nxd4
19.hxg5 Nxg5 20.Nh4 Rhg8!–+.
19...gxh4 20.Bf4 Rdg8!
48
21.c5 Rg4 22.Qe3 Bxc5 23.Rfc1 Kb8 24.f3 Rg7 25.Nc6+ Bxc6 26.Qxc5 Rhg8 27.Be3 Nxe5 28.Be2
h3 29.Kf1 h2 30.Qa7+ Kc8 0-1
A great strategic victory by legendary grandmaster Boris Gulko, who discovered this creative system.
Game 4 – 6.a3 f6
Michael Adams 2620
Vladimir Epishin 2620
Ter Apel 1992 (3)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Bd7 6.a3 f6!?
In this case, ...f7-f6 is a principled reply directed against the non-developing move a2-a3.
This position offers some fascinating choices.
PUZZLE: 6...Nge7!? 7.b4 – see analysis (5...Nh6 6.a3) in Game 1. The closed system 6...c4!?
has also been popular, mainly with the idea to play ...Na5/...Bc6/...Qd7/...Ba4 with good results
for Black.
7.Bd3
WEAPON: 7.b4 fxe5 (7...c4!? is also played: 8.Bf4 Nge7!? 9.Nbd2 Ng6 10.Bg3 fxe5 11.dxe5
b5!µ Fressinet-Mchedlishvili, Plovdiv 2003) 8.b5 (8.dxe5 Qc7 9.Bf4 0-0-0 10.Bd3 Be7!? with the
idea 11.0-0 Rf8! 12.Bg3 g5!µ).
49
analysis diagram
PUZZLE: How should Black proceed? Here comes the ‘boar kick’: 8...Nxd4! 9.Nxe5 (9.cxd4
exd4³ is very messy) 9...Nf5 10.Qh5+ g6 11.Nxg6 Nf6 12.Qh3 Bh6!N (12...Rg8³) 13.Nxh8
Bxc1 and Black is close to winning.
7...Qc7!?
PUZZLE: 7...fxe5 8.Nxe5 is similar to 8...Nxe5 in the previous game, but with the white bishop
on d3: 8...Nxe5 9.dxe5 Ne7 10.0-0 Qc7∞.
WEAPON: 7...Nh6!?
50
analysis diagram
seems to work out rather well, with the idea ...Nf7: 8.0-0 (8.b4 Nf7!; 8.Bxh6 gxh6 is 1-3 for Black)
8...Nf7 9.Re1 c4!?N 10.Bc2 g5!„.
8.0-0
WEAPON: 8.Bf4
analysis diagram
51
8...c4!? 9.Bc2 0-0-0 10.Nbd2 and now Black should prefer 10...Nh6!? with the idea 11.Bg3 f5„:
0-3 for Black.
8...0-0-0!?
From here on, the game can develop in various ways, but in many sequels there are signs of a real
Dutch Stonewall!
9.Bf4
A) 9.Re1 is the main move: 9...h6!? 10.b4 c4 11.Bc2 f5!?, 2-5 for Black;
B) 9.Qe2 h6!? 10.b4 c4 11.Bc2 f5! was Grischuk-Short, Reykjavik 2000, which ended 0-1 (in 32
moves).
9...c4!?
9...h6 is similar to the above lines.
10.Bc2 h6!?
52
STATISTICS: 8-13 for Black!
11.h4
TRICK: 11.Bg3 f5! is better for Black, as 12.Bxf5? exf5 13.e6 f4 loses a piece for White.
11...Be8!?
A good plan, but a bit slow.
WEAPON: Here, and further on, a stronger resource is 11...g5!?N, revealing the power inherent
in Black’s position: 12.Bg3 f5! 13.hxg5 Nge7!ƒ.
12.b3
12.Nbd2 Bh5!?.
12...cxb3 13.Bxb3 Bh5ƒ
53
Russian grandmaster Vladimir Epishin followed in
Gulko’s original footsteps in this game from 1992.
As in the previous game, White has been strategically
outplayed.
Or 13...g5!? 14.Bg3 f5!.
14.Nbd2 fxe5
14...g5!? 15.Bg3 f5‚.
15.dxe5 Bc5
15...g5!–+.
16.Qb1 Nge7 17.c4
Too late.
17...Rhf8
Preparing the exchange sacrifice on f3, but this was not
necessary at all; 17...g5!?.
18.Bh2
54
The game ended in an extreme time scramble in which a huge number of amazing mistakes were
made by both players:
18...Bxf3
18...Kb8 with a decisive advantage for Black.
19.Nxf3 Rxf3?! 20.gxf3 Nd4 21.Kg2? Nef5 22.Bg3 Qf7 23.f4 g5!
Now Black has a winning advantage again.
24.cxd5 gxf4 25.dxe6 Qh5 26.e7
55
PUZZLE: Black to move.
26...Nxh4+!
With checkmate in 5 moves.
Summary of ‘Gulko’s System’ – 5...Bd7 and 6...f6
Everything looks so interesting and mysterious, so difficult to solve, that many white players lose
their nerves and start making mistakes out of the blue.
Keep In Mind (Chapters 1 and 2)
It’s very easy for White to go wrong in these lines. Also in the statistics we see that this variation can
be a real threat to the Advance Variation as a whole (in terms of White obtaining any serious positive
chances).
56
Chapter 3
White’s original set-up: 6.Bd3
German master Louis Paulsen (1833-1891). After
many years of playing 6.Bd3, without much
success, he introduced 6.a3! in 1879.
• Game 5 – The Milner-Barry Gambit
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Qb6 6.Bd3
In the 1850s, when the main Advance move 6.a3 was not discovered yet, Louis Paulsen used to play
the natural move 6.Bd3, but he experienced problems after Black’s logical answer 6...cxd4 7.cxd4
Bd7, attacking the pawn on d4 – since White’s gambit idea of 8.0-0 appeared in practice only much
later, in the middle of the 20th century!
The Gambit Accepted: 6...cxd4 7.cxd4 Bd7 8.0-0 Nxd4
57
This normally leads to the Milner-Barry Gambit, in which White gives up one or two central pawns
for a quick development.
STATISTICS: 3277 games = 47% for White
This gambit has been relegated to the league of rare sidelines, but we should also look at new ideas
here, for example on White’s 9th-10th moves: 9.Nxd4 Qxd4 10.Nc3. Instead of the risky 10...Qxe5
(main game), Black has some possible improvements on move 10, mainly the prophylactic 10...a6!?.
This rules out Nb5, while keeping the position closed. We will test four attacking ideas for White:
11.Re1, 11.Qe2, 11.Qf3 and 11.Kh1, preparing f2-f4.
The Gambit Declined: 6...Nh6!? 7.0-0 cxd4 8.cxd4 Nf5 9.Bxf5 exf5 10.Nc3 Be6
58
After this quite forced sequence, we have a quite original pawn structure in the Advance Variation
(d5/f5/f7):
Who is better, White or Black? For many years the answer depended on a good understanding of this
well-known position. During the 1980s and 1990s, theory favoured White in this structure, but,
suspecting that the books might be wrong, I studied the position more closely and eventually
managed to achieve outstanding results with black.
From here on the play is long-winded and strategic – see the plan described in the game SchenkMoskalenko in the notes to Game 5. But there is already a nice collection of similar examples in the
games before that (as in Chapter 1).
White’s original set-up – Game
Game 5 – 6.Bd3
Orestes Rodriguez Vargas 2425
Yukio Miyasaki 2280
Skopje ol 1972 (2)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Qb6 6.Bd3
59
6...Bd7?!
Touching the French bishop prematurely is wrong – be careful!
TRICK: If Black is going to take the pawn on d4, the best way is 6...cxd4! 7.cxd4 Bd7 (but not
immediately 7...Nxd4?? 8.Nxd4 Qxd4 9.Bb5+ and Black lost his queen in 43 games!) 8.0-0
Nxd4, which leads to the main Gambit line.
PLAN: Fortunately Black is not forced to accept the material. First he continues his development
with 6...Nh6!?. This is my favourite line: 7.0-0 cxd4! 8.cxd4 Nf5 9.Bxf5 (gambiting with 9.Nc3
is still possible, but now Black has a knight on c6 instead of g8: 9...Nfxd4! 10.Nxd4 Qxd4
11.Nb5 Qxe5! (the principled option) 12.Re1 Qb8 13.Qf3 e5!N 14.Qxd5 Bb4!? and Black has an
extra pawn and better chances) 9...exf5 10.Nc3 Be6.
60
analysis diagram
Once again, the original Advance structure. Actually, this typical position is playable for both
sides – if you enjoy pure strategy. For instance: 11.Ne2 (11.a3 h6 12.Na4 Qa6!?N) 11...h6! (this
avoids the simplification with Bg5, and prepares ...g7-g5!?) 12.Qa4 (12.Nf4 g5! DegraeveKosten, Belfort 1997) 12...Be7 13.a3 0-0 (13...g5!) 14.b4 Rfc8! and Black is dominating the entire
board: 15.Bd2 a6 16.Rfc1 g5!µ; a typical attack with pawns in this strategic line, SchenkMoskalenko, Palma de Mallorca 2000.
7.0-0
White is accommodating and allows the gambit again.
7.dxc5!?.
7...cxd4 8.cxd4 Nxd4!
The key position of the gambit. Both players are prepared to play on the edge of the abyss!
61
9.Nxd4
There are two main alternatives:
A) 9.Nbd2!? is the most challenging line and the favourite of Czech IM Jiri Nun and Australian GM
David Smerdon: 9...Bc5 (9...Nc6 10.Nb3∞; 9...Nxf3+ 10.Nxf3 Bb5!? is more balanced) usually
leads to wild play: 10.b4!? (universally recommended; 10.Nxd4 Bxd4 11.Nf3 Ne7!? cedes the two
bishops, but improves development: +10 for Black)
analysis diagram
62
10...Be7!? (10...Nxf3+ 11.Nxf3 Qxb4!?∞, 6-10 for Black) 11.Rb1 Nh6!?N 12.Nxd4 Qxd4 13.Nf3
Qg4 is still unclear, Zakharopulo-Kiselev, Cherkessk 2014;
B) 9.Ng5 this ‘knight salto’ is known as ‘Sörensen’s Gambit’, but it is dubious.
analysis diagram
9...Nc6! is safest, avoiding the Be3 pin: 10.Re1 (10.Qe2 Nb4! 11.Bxh7 Nh6!N) 10...Bc5! 11.Qf3 00-0 (11...Nh6!?) 12.Nc3 (12.Nxf7 Rf8–+) 12...f6! looks fine for Black: 1-4.
9...Qxd4
63
10.Nc3
A) 10.Re1 a6!? is similar to Black’s main weapon;
B) 10.Qe2 Ne7!? 11.Nd2 (11.Nc3 Nc6!? … 12.Nb5 Qxe5!µ; 11.Kh1 Nc6 12.f4 Nb4! 13.Bb5 0-0-0!
14.Nc3 Bc5µ Kinkelin-Speisser, cr 2000) 11...Nc6 12.Nf3 Qb6 13.Be3 Bc5 14.Bxc5 Qxc5 15.Rfc1
Qe7³ Potemri-Nucci, cr 2011.
10...Qxe5
Taking the second pawn is not a mistake, but it is a risky decision: White gets full compensation in an
open position.
WEAPON: 10...a6!, preventing Nb5, is by far the safest move.
analysis diagram
White has four natural moves here:
A) 11.Qe2 is the most popular line by far, but Black’s position is solid after 11...Rc8!?, preparing
...Bc5: (11...Ne7!?) 12.Rd1 Bc5! 13.Bc2 Qh4!µ, with a fabulous 2-9 score for Black;
B) White has better statistics with 11.Kh1 – but not after 11...Qxe5! 12.Re1 (12.f4 Qd6µ) 12...Qd6
and in comparison with the game, Black has won a decisive tempo, ...a7-a6!;
C) 11.Re1 is simply a useful move: 11...Ne7 (11...Rc8!?) 12.Be3 Qxe5 and after the popular 13.Bc5
Qc7µ the score is positive for Black;
D) White’s most recent try is 11.Qf3, e.g. 11...Ne7! 12.Rd1 Qxe5! 13.Bf4 Qf6 14.Re1.
64
analysis diagram
Here Black can simplify with 14...g5!, as suggested by Watson on ChessPublishing, e.g. 15.Be5 Qxf3
16.gxf3 Rg8 17.Bxh7 Rg7! 18.Bd3 f5 19.Bxg7 Bxg7 and Black gets a wonderful endgame.
11.Re1 Qd6
Defending the d5-pawn.
WEAPON: More in ‘edge of the abyss’ style is 11...Qb8!? 12.Nxd5 Bd6 which still offers
uncompromising play.
12.Nb5!
65
GM Orestes Vargas Rodriguez: A 2400+ player
plays the Milner-Barry and gets lucky!
Another critical moment, but not the last in this crazy
game.
12...Qb8?
12...Qb6™ with a possible draw by repetition: 13.Be3 Qa5
(13...Qd8? 14.Bf4±) 14.Bd2 Qb6=. But after 12...Bxb5?!
13.Bxb5+ Kd8 14.Qh5! White is winning.
13.Qf3!ƒ
Threatening 14.Bf4.
13...Bd6 14.Qxd5?
This leads to extremely unclear play. White should win
after 14.Nxd6+! Qxd6 15.Bf4‚ followed by Qg3!.
14...Bxh2+ 15.Kh1 a6 16.Qg5 g6
16...Kf8!–+.
17.g3 h6??
The decisive mistake in a sharp position.
After the correct defence 17...Bxg3! 18.fxg3 Bc6+ 19.Kh2 axb5µ Black remains three pawns up in an
66
open position.
18.Qc5!+–
Considerably improving the position of the queen – see move 21!
18...Bxg3 19.fxg3 axb5 20.Bf4 Qa7
PUZZLE: White to move.
21.Rxe6+!!
An amazing and hightly effective combination. The black fortress collapses immediately.
21...fxe6
Or 21...Bxe6 22.Bxb5+ Bd7 23.Re1+ Kd8 24.Qc7#.
22.Bxg6+ Kd8 23.Qf8+
Black resigned, as it’s mate next. This relatively old game shows why the gambit has been popular
for so long.
Summary of the Milner-Barry Gambit
Accepting the gambit leads to a complex game. After sacrificing his central pawn White leads in
development, the position is quite open and in addition the black king remains in the middle.
Therefore, deep knowledge and a sharp tactical eye are two decisive factors when playing this line
on either side.
67
In the Declined line, after the exchange Bd3xNf5, usually the better positional player (on either
side) manages to outplay his opponent without much risk.
6.Bd3 may not yield much, but the game is not forced even after Black accepts the gambit (6...cxd4
7.cxd4 Bd7), and so new improvements may be found at any point.
68
Chapter 4
A dynamic set-up against Nimzowitsch’s Gambit 4.Qg4
• Game 6 – The Nimzowitsch Gambit
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.Qg4
The attacking move Qd1-g4 is basically the sharpest option for White in all the main lines of the
French Defence.
In this oldest gambit variation, after bringing the queen to the kingside, White’s idea is to block the
centre first (making use of Black’s doubled d-pawns), and then to prepare the following set-up: Nf3,
Bd3, 0-0, Re1, trying to develop an initiative in the centre – combined with pressure on the kingside
with h2-h4.
Nowadays this variation is not a serious threat to the French, but it is quite popular in Internet
games and is a favourite of many club players.
STATISTICS: approximately 1400 games = 54% in White’s favour
In practice, as Black I usually faced this gambit in rapid and blitz games (also online, under the
handle CapNemo), when there is not much time to concentrate on the opening phase. Therefore, I
focused on the most dynamic anti-gambit options for Black against typical play by White.
4...cxd4 is the principled response (two interesting alternatives were played by classical masters:
Alekhine’s 4...Nc6, and Botvinnik’s tricky check 4...Qa5+).
5.Nf3 Nc6 6.Bd3
69
This is the key position of the French Advance Gambit.
Among several good and bad ideas (see the options I give on moves 6 and 7), our main line is the
following: 6...Nge7! 7.0-0 Ng6! 8.Re1 Qc7! 9.Qg3 f6!.
Black’s set-up is extremely active, with great pressure on e5 (which was the fundament of
Nimzowitsch’s attacks).
As the above diagram shows, with his energetic play Black has created a crisis in the middle of the
board. Now White has to make some tough decisions.
STATISTICS: besides my own Internet/OTB practice, there are only 20 games in the online
database = 13½ points for Black
70
A dynamic set-up against Nimzowitsch’s Gambit 4.Qg4 – Game
Game 6 – 4.Qg4
Caralho Voador
CapNemo (Moskalenko)
playchess.com 2009
Since the ‘dynamic anti-gambit set-up’ is still hardly developed in tournament practice, I am forced to
use one of my Internet blitz games as a model game.
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.Qg4
The oldest gambit begins with White’s most active anti-French move. However, according to general
chess rules this attack should be premature.
PUZZLE: Keep in mind the transposition to the main line: 4.Bd3 cxd4 5.Qg4 etc.
4...cxd4!
There are two interesting alternatives:
A) Natural development with 4...Nc6!? 5.Nf3 Nge7!? Canepa-Alekhine, Carrasco 1938;
B) 4...Qa5+!? is a curious intermediate zwischenschach invented by Botvinnik. Now White has to
find a good answer: 5.Bd2!? (probably the most suitable move if you want to play gambit-style;
5.Nd2?! Nc6! … 6.Ngf3 Nb4!µ; or 5.c3 cxd4! 6.Qxd4 Nc6 7.Qf4 Nge7! and Black is better again,
Rabinovich-Botvinnik, Moscow match 1937) 5...Qb6 6.Nc3!?.
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analysis diagram
However, Black has a good position anyway: 6...Nh6!? 7.dxc5™ 7...Nxg4!? 8.cxb6 Bc5!„ and the
endgame looks fine for Black. He is simultaneously attacking the f2- and e5-pawns, Wanzek-Gottuk,
Germany tt 2001/02.
5.Nf3 Nc6 6.Bd3
The well-known classical grandmaster Aron
Nimzowitsch was the first successful explorer of this
gambit idea – see his stem game against Jenö
Székely in 1927.
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The initial position of the Gambit.
6...Nge7!
Developing the knight to g6 is the most active defence.
Other options are:
WEAPON: The fianchetto 6...g6!? is a very solid set-up:
7.0-0 Bg7 8.Re1 f6!³ Vega Gutierrez-Cruz, Zaragoza
2009.
WEAPON: The break 6...f6!? is another way to sharpen
your blitz repertoire: 7.Qh5+ (7.Bxh7 fxe5!–+) 7...Kd7
8.0-0 Qe8!µ Novoselski-CapNemo, playchess.com 2008.
WEAPON: 6...Qc7!? is the main move: 7.Bf4 (7.Qg3?!
f6!µ) 7...Nge7 8.0-0 Ng6 9.Bxg6 fxg6!?µ TurciNaumkin, Montecatini Terme 1999.
7.0-0
TRICK: 7.Bf4?! Ng6! with the idea 8.Bg3 h5! is winning for Black.
7...Ng6!
8.Qg3
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After 8.Re1, 8...Qc7! 9.Bf4?! (9.Bxg6 hxg6³; 9.Qg3 f6! leads to the main game) 9...Nxf4 10.Qxf4
f6! favours Black.
8...Qc7!
Right on time – the position is strengthened by the activated knight on g6.
TRICK: 8...Be7!? 9.Nbd2 0-0 10.Nb3? (10.Bxg6 fxg6³) 10...Ncxe5! 11.Nxe5 Bh4!–+.
9.Re1
The critical moment.
9...f6!
Quite a new idea (though, of course, it is a common French break), causing a global crisis in the
centre.
In the stem game of this line, the defence of the blocked d-pawn with 9...Bc5? was completely wrong
– Black loses all dynamics: 10.h4!ƒ (a typical attacking resource; now White is ahead on the
kingside) 10...Kf8 11.h5 Nge7 12.h6 g6 13.a3 a5 14.Bg5 Ng8 15.Nbd2 – White has achieved the
desired position and is strategically winning, Nimzowitsch-Szekely, Kecskemet 1927.
10.Bxg6+
Almost a forced exchange, but this way White admits the failure of his opening strategy.
WEAPON: In case of the gambit move 10.c3
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analysis diagram
10...Ngxe5! is the most precise answer: 11.Nxe5 (11.cxd4 Nxf3+ is a pawn up for Black)
11...fxe5 12.Bxh7 Bd6! 13.cxd4 e4–+ Simacek-Novosak, Plzen 1995.
10...hxg6 11.Qxg6+
A) Black is better after 11.exf6 Qxg3 12.f7+ Kxf7 13.hxg3 and now 13...Be7!? 14.Bf4 Bf6µ. There
is also the curious plan with ...Bd7, ...Rh7 and ...Rah8!;
B) 11.c3!? d3 12.Qxg6+ Qf7 13.Qxd3 fxe5 14.Nxe5 (14.Rxe5!?) 14...Nxe5 15.Rxe5 Bd6µ
J.Yukhtman-Matulovic, Kiev 1959.
11...Qf7
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12.Qg3™
The exchange of queens helps Black: 12.Qxf7+? Kxf7 13.Bf4 g5!–+ Gen-Gutman-CapNemo,
playchess.com 2006.
12...Qh5!?N
A typical blitz move. After the natural 12...Bd7 Black is solidly better; or 12...Rh5!? 13.Bf4 g5!
14.Bd2 g4! and Black is winning, Fuka-Trita, cr 2005.
13.h3
Defending h2, but there is not much time for prophylactic moves:.
13.Na3 a6!µ or 13.Nbd2 Rh6! with the idea ...Rg6.
13...fxe5! 14.Nxe5
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14...Bd6!
This pinning move is more ambitious than 14...Nxe5 15.Qxe5 (15.Rxe5? Qd1+) 15...Qxe5 16.Rxe5
Bd6µ.
15.Qg6+
15.f4 0-0µ.
15...Kf8! 16.Qxh5 Rxh5
Black’s advantage is obvious; the game ended in Black’s victory on move 30.
Summary of the gambit 4.Qg4
Since in the classical era, dynamic chess was still in its dormant phase, a grandmaster like
Nimzowitsch could win many games using his own System against ignorant players... but in our
times, this gambit can only scare kids in Internet blitz games.
However, if you are not ready for this, just choose your favourite set-up from the options I give in
the model game, to fight the dogmas of the old players!
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Chapter 5
A hundred years later: 6.Be2
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Qb6 6.Be2
• Game 7: 6.Be2
With this old but natural move White strives for the fastest possible development and further play in
the centre. The main ideas helping White here are 6...Nge7 7.dxc5!? and 6...Nh6 7.Bxh6!.
However, despite the outward calm of the position, the battle begins already on the next move:
6...cxd4!. It is hard to imagine that White does not even have time to castle!
It’s noteworthy that I had been looking for the best move-order for Black for a long time, and
unexpectedly found the answer on a YouTube video.
I invite you to enjoy a great game between two legends: Vasiukov-Kortchnoi, Suzdal 2011.
A hundred years later – Game
Game 7 – 6.Be2
Evgeni Vasiukov 2455
Viktor Kortchnoi 2553
Suzdal 2011 (5)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6
4...Qb6!? is even playable right now. This move-order avoids 5.Be3 which is another popular plan for
White.
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5.Nf3
5.Be3 (1668 games = 49.1%) 5...Qb6 (5...Nge7!?) 6.Qd2 f6!?„.
5...Qb6 6.Be2
This seems the most natural move in this position: 8607 games = 44.8% for White.
6.Bd3: 7934 games = 49% – Chapter 3; 6.a3: 19281 games = 55% – Chapter 6.
6...cxd4!?
A universal solution against the calm (but quite poisoned) variation with 6.Be2.
My good old weapon 6...Nh6 isn’t strong enough against modern engines: 7.Bxh6! gxh6 8.Qd2 Bg7
9.0-0 0-0 10.Na3 cxd4 11.cxd4 f6 12.exf6 Rxf6 13.Nc2 Bd7 (13...a5 14.a4!?² and 15.Bb5) 14.b4!
Be8 (14...a6 15.a4!) 15.b5 Ne7 16.a4! and White has an edge (4-1).
7.cxd4 Nge7!
Avoiding any possibility of Bxh6. I have deliberately corrected the order of moves in this game.
Again 7...Nh6 (this was also Kortchnoi’s move) allows the same nasty exchange: 8.Bxh6!? Qxb2
9.Nbd2 (9.Nc3!?) 9...gxh6 10.0-0.
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analysis diagram
A popular position recently, with good practical chances: for the pawn, White has space and a lead in
development. 10...Nxd4 (10...Qa3 11.Nb3 Bd7 12.Qd2 Rc8 13.Rfc1± Shirov-Kislov, chess.com blitz
2020) 11.Rb1 Nxe2+ (11...Nxf3+ 12.Nxf3 Qa3 13.Bb5+ Kd8 14.Qd2+– Shirov-Lomasov, Moscow
2020) 12.Qxe2 Qa3 13.Nd4 a6 14.Rfc1ƒ Jones-Howell, London 2019.
8.Nc3
White does not have time to castle, as he loses the d4-pawn after 8.0-0 Nf5.
PUZZLE: 8.Na3 Nf5 9.Nc2 transposes to the line in Game 2 (see 9.Be2), Chapter 1.
TRICK: After the weak 8.b3 Black has a forced option based on tactics: 8...Nf5 9.Bb2 Bb4+!
10.Kf1 0-0.
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analysis diagram
This also goes back to the early days of modern chess: 11.g4?! (11.Nc3 f6„) 11...Nh6 12.h3 f6!
with the idea 13.exf6 Rxf6! 14.g5? Rxf3, winning.
8...Nf5! 9.Na4
Indirectly protecting the d4-pawn.
9.Bb5?! Bd7, threatening 10...Nxe5!.
TRICK: The tricky 9.Kf1?! loses tactically to 9...Nfxd4! 10.Na4 (10.Be3 Qxb2!) 10...Qb4
11.Bd2 Qe7µ.
9...Qa5+
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10.Kf1!?
The only way to fight for a win, so Vasiukov throws down the gauntlet!
WEAPON: 10.Bd2 has been a main line for over 100 years (Nimzowitsch-Spielmann, Stockholm
1920): 10...Bb4 11.Bc3 Bxc3+ (11...b5!? 12.a3 Bxc3+ 13.Nxc3 b4„) 12.Nxc3 Qb6 13.Bb5 Bd7
14.Bxc6 Bxc6³.
10...Bd7
WEAPON: Black can start his counterplay immediately: 10...b5!? 11.Nc3 b4 12.Nb5 (12.Bb5
Ba6!; 12.Nb1?! Qb6! 13.Be3 Be7–+ and ...f7-f6) 12...h5 13.Bf4 Bd7!?„ Pastor Alonso de PradoIagar, Madrid 2018.
11.Nc3
However, White’s opening play resembles the famous ‘one step forward, two steps back’ principle.
TRICK: 11.g4? loses material after 11...Nfxd4 12.Nxd4 Nxd4 13.Qxd4 Qxa4–+.
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11...h5!?
Willingly accepting the challenge.
Still: 11...Qb6 12.Na4 Qa5=.
WEAPON: An interesting line is 11...Be7 12.g4 Nh4 13.Nxh4 Bxh4„ Werner-Peters, Germany
tt 1992/93.
12.a3
After the game, Kortchnoi immediately announced to his opponent: ‘You should not have allowed
...h5-h4, after that Black’s position is won!’.
In case of 12.h4 Black has 12...a6!? followed by ...b7-b5.
12...h4
(!) according to Kortchnoi.
The engine’s favourite moves are 12...b5 or first 12...a6!?.
Whoever is right, one thing is certain: Black already owns the initiative.
13.Bf4 Qb6
It was easier to prepare the advance ...g7-g5 after 13...Be7!? and 14...Qd8!.
14.Na4
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Once more, dancing with the knight and defending the centre pawn.
14...Qd8 15.Rc1
15.Nc5? Nfxd4!.
15...Be7 16.Nc5 g5!
Timely starting the offensive.
By the way, have you noticed that this typical break is applied in almost every chapter of this book?
17.Be3
17.Nxd7 Kxd7 18.Be3 Qb6ƒ.
17...g4 18.Ne1 Bxc5!
Eliminating White’s only active piece.
19.Rxc5 Nxe3+ 20.fxe3 Qg5
20...f6!.
21.Rc3 f6!
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After another French break on move 21, White is hopelessly lost.
22.Bxg4 fxe5 23.h3 e4!?
All roads lead to Rome here.
24.Ke2 0-0-0! 25.Kd2 Rhf8 26.Kc2 Kb8 27.Kb1 Rf2 28.Rg1 Na5 29.g3 Nc4 30.gxh4 Rxb2+!
31.Kc1
PUZZLE: Black to move.
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31...Qe7! 32.Nc2
32.Rxc4 Qxa3–+.
32...Rb6 33.Be2 Nb2 34.Qe1 Na4 35.Qg3+ e5 36.Rc5 Nxc5 37.dxc5 Rc6 38.Kd2 Rxc5 39.Qg5
Qxg5 40.hxg5 Rdc8 41.Ne1 Bxh3 42.g6 R5c7 43.Rg5 Re8 44.Bh5 d4 45.Bd1 Rd8 46.Bb3 dxe3+
47.Ke2 Rc3!
White resigned.
A fantastic game played by Kortchnoi on his 80th birthday!
Grandmasters Evgeny Vasiukov (1933-2018) and Viktor Kortchnoi (1931-2016).
Summary of 6.Be2
Over time, both the early developments of the king’s bishop, Be2 and Bd3 (Chapter 3), have became
less popular than the modern pawn move 6.a3!?.
Keep In Mind
The previous mini-chapters (1-5) contain many important lines and moves which are very helpful for
a good understanding of the way the Advance Variation should be played.
Prologue to the main line 5...Qb6 6.a3
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First White prepares a queenside advance: 7.b4 and then Bb2 or Be3, defending the d4-pawn and
gaining more space.
On a historical note, this plan was suggested long ago by the well-known German master Louis
Paulsen, and introduced by him in 1879 (see Chapter 3). Even today, this is considered to be the best
way for White to fight for an advantage against Black’s set-up with an early 5...Qb6.
The ultra-dynamic variation 6.a3 Nh6 7.b4 was discussed extensively in my two Flexible French
books from 2008 and 2015. But I have not included it in my new ‘Fully-Fledged’ repertoire, since I
have replaced it with a more stable option.
With time and experience, I found that there is a safer way for Black to achieve a satisfactory game
after 6.a3: 6...c4!?, which we will look at in Chapter 6.
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Chapter 6
Labyrinths of the old system
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Qb6 6.a3 c4!?
History, strategies
In the 1950s, leading specialists in the French such as grandmasters Tigran Petrosian and Wolfgang
Uhlmann investigated a new strategy for Black, characterized by the blockading move 6...c4. Now
Black is no longer pressing on d4, but he avoids the dangerous white set-up aimed at controlling the
board. This innovation produced completely new positions, which can lead to very creative practical
play and are interesting to study.
• Since the b3-square has been weakened, Black closes the centre and shifts the struggle to the
flanks.
• Curiously, the black knights have more space (and free squares!) to manoeuvre.
• At the moment there are neither points of direct contact nor forced lines with pawn moves.
Both players must devote themselves to preparatory manoeuvres.
Typical ideas for Black
• After 6...c4 the follow-up 7...Na5 is virtually forced, taking aim at the weakness on b3. Then, after
8...Bd7, Black always has the option of castling queenside (but there is no need to hurry!).
• Sooner or later Black can prepare the classic break ...f7-f6 or the blockading move ...f7-f5 (as in
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Game 10).
• The king’s knight also has a very important role. Typical manoeuvres are: ...Ng8-e7-c6, preparing
...f7-f6; or ...Ng8-e7-c8-b6, intending ...Ba4; or even ...Ng8-h6, in order to play ...f7-f6/...Nf7 and
exert pressure on the e5-pawn, or ...f7-f5/...Nf7, intending to continue with ...g7-g5.
• The king’s bishop is usually developed on e7, keeping an eye on White’s Ng5 sortie and sometimes
supporting the counterattack with ...g7-g5.
• Black can also play ...h7-h6 (a very useful move!) in order to definitely prevent N/Bg5 and prepare
the advance ...g7-g5.
• The black queen and queen’s bishop should look out for possible action along the a4-d1 and h7-b1
diagonals.
Typical ideas for White
• White plays 7.Nbd2!, defending the b3-square and threatening to push b2-b3.
Next, there are two main plans:
A) 8.Be2 and 9.0-0, playing in the centre or on the queenside with b2-b3 (Game 8), or
B) the set-up g2-g3, h2-h4, Bh3/Bg2, preparing action in the centre and on the kingside (Games 9
and 10).
• White can also combine both plans or transfer from one to another if necessary.
• Other useful manoeuvres in the Labyrinth System involve the rooks: Rfe1, strengthening the centre
and meeting ...f7-f6, and Rab1, preparing b2-b3/b4.
Theory
Studying dozens of games played at all levels, I noticed that there is hardly any theory on this line.
The wonderful feature of this variation for both sides (especially for Black) is the huge number of
different plans that can be used, even if the typical examples are known. You can create your own
labyrinths!
Mistakes and Tactics
In order to avoid the typical traps in this line, we will check the best-known examples (see also the
notes to Game 8):
1) After 7.Nbd2 the natural move 7...Nge7?? (64 games in the online database!) is an awful mistake,
since it allows a thematic combination:
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TRICK: After 8.Bxc4! dxc4 9.Nxc4 Qa6 10.Nd6+ Kd7 11.Nxf7 White has a huge advantage.
2) Another mistake after 7.Nbd2 is 7...Bd7?!, another ‘hasty’ move (7...Na5! is better), since it
allows 8.b3!?, when White advantageously opens up the centre:
As in 263 games in the online database!
3) Even in the main line, the wrong move 10...Nb3??...
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TRICK: ... once again allows 11.Bxc4!.
PLAN: Black should be careful not to transfer too many pieces to the queenside. Often the most
important operations take place on the other side of the board.
PLAN: During the opening I think that Black’s best option is to keep his king in the centre for as
long as possible. This allows him to castle kingside if White breaks with b2-b3.
PLAN: Generally, piece exchanges and simplifications favour Black!
Armenian legend Tigran Petrosian (1929-1984) was
the leading player of the genuine French in his time.
The blockading move 6...c4 brought the seventh
World Champion several outstanding strategic
victories, and it certainly suited his style! (Game 9)
Directions and games
There is a detail which makes the study of this variation more difficult. In the initial stage both sides
have several alternatives with independent ideas, but after a few moves many different continuations
will lead to the same positions.
• Game 8 – White’s most flexible option is the natural developing move 8.Be2.
First we will investigate an aggressive method, where White tries to open up the queenside with b2b3 and c3-c4, or tries to play on the entire board (Mamyrbay-Wang Yiye). Black can defend against
10.Rb1 with the idea of b2-b3 by means of 10...Qc7!?, using his queen as a ‘submarine’, attacking the
c3-pawn from ‘beneath the surface’. Many other important examples and ideas can be found inside
this model game.
Quite often White prefers 7/8.g3 and h2-h4, seizing space on the kingside while his bishop takes up a
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comfortable position on g2 or h3.
In the following examples White looks for better squares
for his key piece, the king’s bishop:
• Game 9 – The ‘Classical Fianchetto’ g2-g3 and Bg2
(Clarke-Petrosian). In this game we see Black employing
his pieces in the best manner.
The ‘Armenian Fianchetto’ g2-g3 and Bh3?!, without
h2-h4, and the defensive idea of the Azeri grandmaster
Radjabov (Movsesian-Radjabov).
• Game 10 – The ‘Weird Fianchetto’ g2-g3, h2-h4, Bh3
(Svidler-Fedoseev), featuring grandmaster Portisch’s
counterplan in true Dutch Stonewall style with 10...f5!.
Another idea connected with g2-g3 and h2-h4 is the plan
...Ne7/...h7-h6/...0-0-0 played by a student of mine
(Nozdrachev-Bajarani, in the notes to Game 10).
Labyrinths of the old system – Games
Game 8 – Nbd2/Be2
Assad Mamyrbay 2217
Wang Yiye 2439
Al-Ain 2015 (9)
First we will investigate the system where White tries to open up the queenside, or plays on the entire
board. This model game also contains some must-know alternatives and deviations.
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Qb6 6.a3!?
White’s main idea is to gain some space on the queenside, carrying out the b2-b4 push.
6...c4!?
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Black prefers to close the queenside – a logical idea against a2-a3 and a good choice against attacking
players! White’s initiative is temporarily frozen.
7.Nbd2
The most natural move, trying to achieve some activity with b2-b3 and c2-c4.
7...Na5!
Prevents all tactics!
Black’s main trump is his continuous pressure on b3.
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7...Bd7?! 8.b3! – see introduction.
TRICK: Remember! 7...Nge7?? (64 games) 8.Bxc4!+–.
8.Be2
According to some experts, this developing move is more flexible than the fianchetto with g2-g3 and
Bg2/Bh3 (Games 9 and 10). The main plus of Be2 is that it allows quick castling and the possibility
of Rb1, b2-b3 and c3-c4. However, e2 is not the perfect square for the bishop.
8...Bd7
Now Black can castle queenside. My advice, however, is to wait and first play some more useful
moves.
9.0-0
White has easily deployed his pieces, but there is no way he can profit from his lead in development.
9.Rb1 prepares the quick knight manoeuvre before castling, but it weakens White’s control of b3:
9...Ne7 10.Nf1 Qb3=; after the queen exchange there is less danger on the kingside and Black can
become ambitious on this wing, Sveshnikov-Eingorn, Sochi 1985.
9...Ne7
This is a very popular manoeuvre. The other knight retains a choice between four possible
destinations (c6/c8 or g6/f5).
10.Rb1
With the possibility of b2-b3.
PLAN: Another typical move is 10.Qc2 Qc7 11.Bd1 (11.Ng5?! Nf5 12.g4 Nh4 13.Nxh7 Be7 –
Black is slightly better, Alekseenko-Blübaum, Moscow 2019) 11...Nc8.
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analysis diagram
This position occurred several times in a recent online match: 12.Qb1 Nb6 13.a4 Be7 14.Bc2 Bc6
(14...f5!?; 14...h6 15.g3 0-0-0∞ Kovalenko-Meier, chess24.com 2020) 15.g3 Qd7„ KovalenkoMeier, chess24.com 2020.
PLAN: White could also continue 10.Ng5 h6 11.Nh3. However, when the other knight is not on
f3, White cannot play b2-b3 because of the ...Ba4 pin, so 11...0-0-0!? is logical: 12.Nf4 g6 13.Rb1
Kb8!?.
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The position is blocked and White has no successful plans at his disposal. But Black does! ZaitsevPetrosian, Moscow 1969.
10...Qc7
A flexible move. The black queen is acting as a submarine, eyeing c3 ‘beneath the surface’: further
preventing b2-b3 and preparing another common plan with ...Ne7-c8-b6 and ...Ba4. Two other
practical options are:
PLAN: 10...h6!? is another key move, but with this move-order Black’s idea is to wait, intending
to exchange the queens:
analysis diagram
11.Re1 Nc8!? (11...Qc7 transposes to the main game; or, for instance, 11...Bc6 … 12.Nf1 Qb3=
Sveshnikov-Eingorn, Riga ch-URS 1985) 12.Nf1 Qb3 13.Qxb3 Nxb3= Sveshnikov-Lutz, Berlin
1989.
PLAN: After having played and analysed many games, I have come to the conclusion that an
interesting strategy is 10...Nf5!?.
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analysis diagram
Black’s position is flexible; ...Qc7 or ...Qc6 and ...h7-h6 are the next useful moves: 11.Qc2 h6!?,
creating weaknesses in White’s position after 12.g4 Ne7 13.b3 cxb3 14.Nxb3 Ba4 15.Nfd2
Nec6„ Fraser-Galanov, cr 2007.
TRICK: Remember! 10...Nb3? is an awful mistake (58 games):
analysis diagram
97
11.Bxc4!+–.
11.Re1
PLAN: A classical example is 11.Qc2 h6!? 12.b3, trying to open up the queenside: 12...cxb3
13.Nxb3 Ba4! (this pin by the bishop is an important tactical resource against b2-b3) 14.Nfd2
Nec6!?„. The position is balanced; White cannot exploit his lead in development, Tal-Petrosian,
Tbilisi 1956.
PLAN: 11.h4!?.
analysis diagram
Intending h4-h5, when the h-pawn assists in a kingside assault. By leaving the rook on f1, White adds
force to the idea f4-f5: 11...h6 12.h5 0-0-0! (normally Black has plenty of time for the manoeuvre
with 12...Nc8?!, but here it allows White to play the quick advance f2-f4, Zhigalko-Vitiugov, St
Petersburg 2018) 13.Qe1 (if 13.Nh4 (Brunello-Luciani, Verona 2006) 13...g5!?) 13...Kb8 14.Bd1 f5!
„.
11...h6
A very useful move in this kind of position: it prevents the white pieces from occupying g5 and
prepares an eventual ...g7-g5. Depending on his plans, Black can choose his time (a little later or
earlier) to play it.
PLAN: For example, now is a good moment for 11...Nc8!?.
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analysis diagram
This is a well-known plan to stabilize the queenside with ...Nb6 and ...Ba4: 12.Nf1 Nb6 13.Bf4
f5!?„, building a fortress in Dutch Stonewall style, Stany-Moskalenko, chess.com blitz 2020.
12.Qc2!?
Both sides are pursuing a waiting strategy.
The young Chinese IM Wang Yiye.
White is trying to improve his major pieces first. But he is obviously lacking breathing space for his
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minor pieces.
PLAN: The main alternative is 12.Nf1.
analysis diagram
White refuses to play b2-b3 and regroups his pieces for a massive attack on the kingside: 12...Nb3
(logical and strong: intending NxB or Ba4; also good was 12...0-0-0!?, when the safest idea is
...Kb8-a8 etc.; Black has achieved good results with 12...Nc8 which is the main option given by
GM Marin in his recent video Play the French Defense. We will encounter this typical manoeuvre
throughout the game) 13.Bf4 Ba4 14.N3d2 Qd7!?N 15.Nxb3 Bxb3 16.Qd2 0-0-0!? and Black is
ready for action: on e7, the knight will be more useful for the battle on the kingside.
12...Nc8!?
Returning to familiar paths: preparing ...Nb6 and ...Ba4.
Still: 12...0-0-0!?, or:
PLAN: 12...Nf5!? 13.Bd1 (13.g4 Ne7„ Pospisil-Hyldkrog, cr 2008) 13...Be7 14.Nf1 Nb3
15.Ne3 Nxc1 16.Qxc1 Nxe3 17.Qxe3 b5 18.Nd2 a5 19.Ra1 0-0 20.Bc2 b4³ SokolikBaranowski, cr 2008.
13.Bd1
PLAN: 13.Nf1 Nb6 14.Ng3 g6 15.Bf1 0-0-0 16.Be3 Kb8 17.h4 Be7 18.h5 Rdg8!„ ThipsayZillur Rahman, Calcutta 1994.
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13...Nb6 14.Nf1 0-0-0!?=
The beauty of chess symmetry! After some slow manoeuvring on both sides, no piece or pawn has
been exchanged, and so the balance is not broken. Alternatively, 14...Ba4 15.Qe2 Bxd1 16.Qxd1 0-00= Zhigalko-Salgado Lopez, Dubai rapid 2014.
15.Ng3 Be7 16.Nh5
This attacking attempt will ultimately lead to White’s defeat.
16.Be3 Kb8 17.Qe2 Rdg8= Schlumbohm-Nogga, cr 2013.
16...g6 17.Nf6 Ba4 18.Qe2 Bxd1 19.Qxd1 Bxf6 20.exf6 Nd7³
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The white pawn on f6 is a weakness.
21.Qa4? b6µ 22.g3 Nxf6 23.Bf4 Qd7 24.Qc2 Ne4 25.Ne5 Qb7 26.f3 Nf6 27.b4 cxb3 28.Qd3 g5
29.Bd2 Kb8 30.Qb5 Rc8 31.c4 a6 32.Qa4 Nxc4 33.Bb4 a5 34.Bc5 Nd2 35.Rb2 bxc5 36.dxc5 Rxc5
37.Rxd2 b2 38.Rb1 Rc1+ 39.Rd1 Rhc8 40.Nd3 Qb6+ 41.Kh1 R8c4 42.Rxb2 Qxb2 43.Nxb2 Rxa4
44.Rxc1 Rxa3
And White resigned.
Summary:
White’s most consistent strategy is to proceed with his development and start a slow positional
kingside attack. For immediate purposes, the move Be2 achieves this the fastest. But in the long run,
the fianchetto with g2-g3, examined in the next games, tends to be more useful.
Game 9 – Bg2/Bh3
Peter Clarke
Tigran Petrosian
Munich ol 1958 (8)
Petrosian rarely attacked his opponents directly. First he would focus on not allowing them too much
counterplay, and then he would take advantage of their mistakes. Combinations, sacrifices and tactics
could wait. The following game is an excellent example, indicating the best path in this line.
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Qb6 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.a3 c4!?
This advance became a popular plan in the 1950s. The theory of this line was not very advanced, so
players tended to make many mistakes here. Except for Petrosian!
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7.Nbd2
PUZZLE: 7.g3 Na5!? (the early break 7...f6 was GM Uhlmann’s favourite weapon) 8.Nbd2
transposes to the main line.
7...Na5! 8.g3
Preparing the classical fianchetto. By developing his bishop to g2 or h3, White gets some more space
for his pieces in the centre.
8...Bd7
The most natural plan for Black is to complete the development of his queenside, while White castles
kingside.
9.Bg2
There are two other plausible set-ups. The more ambitious option is 9.h4. This we will call the
‘Austrian Fianchetto’ and it will feature in Game 10.
PLAN: 9.Bh3 – this way of developing the bishop, employed by several Armenian masters, is
quite odd and could be called the ‘Armenian Fianchetto’. 9...Be7!? (the most efficient defence,
preventing Ng5 and preparing ...h7-h5 and ...g7-g5) 10.0-0 (10.Rb1 h5!?) 10...h5! (this advance
reveals the disadvantages of the Bh3 plan without the preliminary h2-h4) 11.Qe2 (11.Ne1 g5!)
11...0-0-0³ 12.Ne1.
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analysis diagram
PUZZLE: How should Black continue?
This was the key moment in Movsesian-Radjabov, Sarajevo 2002: 12...g5! and Black has a better
position. The idea Bh3 without h2-h4 must be incorrect. According to the strategic rules, the bishop is
better placed behind its pawns.
9...h6
PLAN: Petrosian’s intended set-up is ...Ng8-e7-f5 (but not ...Nc8), ...0-0-0, ...Kb8, ...Be7 etc.,
which in my opinion remains the best. Only the move-order may differ, depending on White’s
play.
PLAN: 9...Be7 is a rare move connected with an ambitious idea, similar to the ‘Armenian
Fianchetto’, but here the white bishop isn’t on h3: 10.0-0 g5!?.
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analysis diagram
The point. Black will attack with ...h7-h5 and ...g5-g4: 11.Re1 (11.Qe2 h5! Mamedov-Smirnov,
Wijk aan Zee 2020; 11.Ne1 h5 12.f4? gxf4!N 13.Rxf4 h4!ƒ) 11...g4 (11...h5!?) 12.Nh4 h5
13.Rb1∞, Krapivin-Yakimenko, Sochi 2017.
10.0-0 Ne7
11.Re1
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If 11.Rb1 Black can use Petrosian’s plan with 11...Nf5 or 11...0-0-0.
PLAN: After 11.Ne1 Black can already switch to 11...0-0-0 12.Qf3 (12.f4 f5!N) 12...Nf5!?N.
11...0-0-0
11...Nf5!?.
PLAN: Also possible was 11...Qc7 12.Rb1 Nc8. This plan of ...Ng8-e7-c8-b6 and ...Ba4 is fairly
common and playable but a little slow: 13.h4 Nb6 14.Qe2 (14.Nf1 0-0-0) 14...Ba4 15.Nf1 0-0-0.
analysis diagram
Both sides are trying to optimize their pieces. Although neither side has a clearly effective break,
Black’s chances of opening lines to good effect on the kingside appear better: 0-2 for Black (ManeaMarin, Olanesti 2018, and Tan Zhongyi-Ni Hua, Makati 2018).
12.Nf1
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Due to his problems with regrouping, which is partly a consequence of ...c5-c4, White cannot keep
control on either side of the board.
PLAN: 12.Rb1 Kb8 13.h4 Nf5!?= 0-2.
12...Nf5!?
12...Nb3= and ...Ba4, without the unnecessary manoeuvre ...Ne7-c8- b6.
PLAN: 12...Kb8 is an alternative waiting strategy, e.g. 13.Ne3 Qc7 14.Qe2 Nc8 (14...Nec6!?)
15.Nd2 Nb6 16.f4?! f5! 17.exf6 gxf6 18.f5? (18.Ng4 f5!) 18...e5! 19.Nxd5 Nxd5 20.Bxd5 Bxf5µ
Galic-Kuljasevic, Zagreb 2012.
13.Ne3
After 13.g4 Ne7„ White’s kingside is weak.
13...Nxe3
Simplifications tend to favour Black in this line.
14.Rxe3
A) Worse would be 14.fxe3 f5! 15.exf6 gxf6 16.e4 dxe4 17.Rxe4 e5!ƒ;
B) However, 14.Bxe3 was tactically interesting:
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analysis diagram
14...Qxb2! (14...Be7=) 15.Rb1 Qa2! 16.Re2 Qxa3 17.Ra1 Qb3 and Black keeps a material advantage.
14...Be7 15.Re1 Qb3! 16.Qe2
The exchange of queens with 16.Qxb3 Nxb3 would have left White without counterplay, while Black
can safely advance his pawns on the flanks.
16...Ba4 17.Be3 Kb8
Planning ...Rc8-c6-b6, pressing on b2. 17...Qc2!? was also possible.
18.Rad1 Qc2 19.Rd2 Qf5 20.Rf1 g5!
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The Tiger starts one of his famous counterattacks, this time with his g- and h-pawns.
21.h3 h5! 22.Nh2 Rdg8 23.g4
The blockade does not work.
After 23.f4 g4 24.h4 White will remain too passive.
23...Qg6
23...hxg4!?.
24.Bf3
24.f4 hxg4!.
24...hxg4 25.Bxg4 Nc6! 26.f3 Bd8 27.Bf2 Ne7 28.Re1 Rh6 29.Nf1 Rgh8 30.Bg3
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PUZZLE: How can Black make progress here?
30...Rxh3!
A well-prepared sacrifice which destroys the enemy’s fortress.
31.Bxh3 Rxh3 32.Qg2 Qh7 33.Ne3 Ng6
The white pieces cannot protect their king.
34.Ng4 Nf4! 35.Bxf4 gxf4 36.Kf1 Rg3 37.Qf2
Or instead 37.Qh2 Rxf3+ 38.Rf2 Rh3 39.Qxf4 Rh1+ 40.Ke2 Qd3 mate.
37...Qh3+ 38.Ke2 Rg2 39.Rg1 Rxf2+ 40.Nxf2 Qh7 41.Rh1 Qg6
White resigned.
A classic game, in which Petrosian demonstrated a good set-up for Black, with his active pieces
combining well with the march of the g- and h-pawns.
We conclude our study of the ‘Labyrinth System’ with an investigation of the ‘Portisch Stonewall’
plan (invented in 1986):
Game 10 – h2-h4/Bh3
Peter Svidler 2727
Vladimir Fedoseev 2659
Berlin Wch Rapid 2015 (12)
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1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Qb6 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.a3 c4 7.Nbd2 Na5 8.g3
A popular choice, putting the bishop on a more useful square than e2.
8...Bd7 9.h4!?
This preparatory advance may be more effective than the direct 9.Bh3.
Now Black has to choose a plan.
9...0-0-0
Now queenside castling is logical, as White has spent two tempi on the advance of his g- and hpawns.
PLAN: The main alternative is the flexible manoeuvre 9...Ne7 10.Bh3 (10.Ng5 is a slow attempt
to improve the knight: 10...h6 11.Nh3 0-0-0! (Black continues his development without wasting
any tempi) 12.Nf4 Kb8= Ivanchuk-Bareev, Monaco blind 2003) 10...h6!?.
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analysis diagram
A common and useful move. The black knight should stay on e7 to overprotect f5 and aid the gpawn push. (Regrouping with 10...Nec6 and ...Be7 seems a solid alternative.) 11.0-0 0-0-0!?
12.h5 (12.Re1 Kb8!?) 12...Nf5!? 13.Ne1 Be7 (or 13...g6!?) 14.Ndf3 Nb3 15.Rb1 Nxc1 16.Qxc1
g6!?„ – a well-timed break played by my student in Nozdrachev-Bajarani, Voronezh 2016.
10.Bh3
This looks natural, but it is still difficult to assess whether this is the best square for the bishop.
10...f5!?
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Portisch’s plan: an aggressive break in the spirit of the Dutch Defence. The bishop on h3 faces a
‘Stonewall’!
11.exf6
Logically, the bishop on h3 should aid White in the fight against ...f7-f6 or ...f7-f5, by attacking the
h3-c8 diagonal. However, it is possible that the exchange of the central e5-pawn is wrong. Let’s have
a look at some more ideas:
PLAN: The origin: 11.0-0 Nh6 (preparing ...Nf7 and ...g7-g5; even better is 11...h6!? or
11...Ne7!? and ...h7-h6, De Lima Filho-Lima, Fortaleza 2016) 12.Ne1?! (a dubious manoeuvre; a
more trying continuation is 12.Ng5 Be7 with the idea 13.Rb1 (13.Ndf3 Rdf8³) 13...Bxg5!
14.hxg5 Nf7„ with excellent possibilities for Black, Thipsay-Hariharan, Calicut 2003) 12...Nf7
13.Ng2 g5!ƒ.
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After only a few moves Black has achieved a very promising position already. As also happened in
Game 9, the f- and g-pawns start an assault on the white king’s fortress, Klinger-Portisch, Dubai
1986.
PLAN: 11.Ng5 Nh6 (also 11...Be8) 12.Rb1 Be7 13.Nf1 Rdf8 14.Bf4 Nf7= Kristjansson-Hoang,
Budapest 2004.
PLAN: 11.Rb1 Nh6!? 12.Nf1 Nf7„ Zhigalko-Schmidt, Polanica Zdroj 2001.
11...gxf6 12.0-0 Nh6!
Followed by ...Nh6-f5/Rg8/Bd6/ Qc7, attacking the white king, whereas White has no obvious plan.
13.Re1
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13...Nf5!
With a strong initiative for Black, who controls the greater part of the board. 13...e5∞ YilmazMoskalenko, Ankara 2010.
14.Rb1
14.Nf1 Bd6!ƒ.
14...Bd6!ƒ 15.Nf1
15.b4 cxb3 16.Nxb3 Rhg8µ.
15...Rdg8!?
PLAN: 15...Rhg8!? 16.Kh1 (16.Bxf5 exf5 17.Ne3 f4!–+) 16...Nb3 (16...Qc6!?) 17.Ne3 Nxg3+
18.fxg3 Rxg3 19.Bg2 Rdg8–+ RobinsonVV93-Nemo101 (Moskalenko), lichess.org 2020.
16.Ne3?
Despair. More resistant was 16.Bxf5 exf5 17.Ne3 Bxg3! 18.fxg3 Rxg3+ 19.Kf2 Rhg8‚.
16...Nxg3! 17.fxg3 Rxg3+ 18.Bg2 Rhg8
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So far, so good. Black has easily achieved an absolutely won position; any natural continuation leads
to victory. However, on move 34, a miracle happens (perhaps due to time-trouble in this rapid game)
and Fedoseev spoils his entire advantage with one bad move!.
19.Rf1 Be8
19...f5!–+.
20.b4 cxb3 21.Ne1 Bg6 22.Rb2 Bxa3 23.Rf3 Be4 24.Rxg3 Rxg3 25.Re2 b2 26.Bxb2 Bxb2 27.Kf2
Qd6 28.Bxe4 dxe4 29.N1g2 Rf3+ 30.Kg1 Rh3 31.Rxb2 Qh2+ 32.Kf2 Rxe3 33.Qg4 Rf3+ 34.Ke2
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PUZZLE: How should Black proceed?
34...Qg3?
A chicken move, losing all of his advantage and allowing Svidler to escape with perpetual check...
34...Rxc3–+; 34...a6–+.
35.Qxe6+ Kd8 36.Qd5+ Kc8 37.Qe6+ Kd8 38.Qd5+ ½-½
Anyhow, in this model game, White’s strategy (the fianchetto g2-g3, h2-h4 and Bh3) was refuted
several times with great elegance. The key moves of the ‘Portisch Stonewall’ are 9...0-0-0, 10...f5!
and then an attack with the kingside pawns.
Summary of Games 9 and 10:
It seems that the g2-g3 fianchetto does not prevent Black from successfully carrying out his plans.
Theoretical giant grandmaster Lajos Portisch
(1937) always demonstrated a fine knowledge of the
French Defence (see the fragment given after move
11).
Summary of the plans
After studying most of the possibilities in the variation
with Be2 and the one with g2-g3, I have not been able to
find any effective plans for White. In many lines Black
obtains dangerous counterplay on the kingside, advancing
his f-, g- and h-pawns in order to prepare a central
counterattack or an attack on the flank. The analysis of
other, secondary lines also shows that Black’s fortress is
made of hard rock!
Finally, I decided to follow a safer path, studying the
games of the leading experts in this variation:
• In most of the games White wins by taking advantage of
his opponent’s mistakes, but he obtains positions without
any advantage.
• Many black ‘fanatics’ in this line have followed their own
concepts: trying to exchange the queens and simplify the
position as much as possible. This is the reason why they made some mistakes at key moments.
• Tigran Petrosian has demonstrated a couple of very rich possibilities in these positions, looking for
creative plans instead of exchanging pieces (Game 9).
• The most successful try was the ‘Stonewall’ set-up created by Portisch (in 1986); later (after the
publication of The Flexible French in 2008) this became the main defence against the ‘weird
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fianchetto’ (Game 10).
Statistics for the Old Blockade System
Nowadays the most popular continuation for Black is the blockading move 6...c4, preventing 7.b4 –
we can find almost 7343 games in the online database, with an equal score for both sides.
• The play is not spectacular during the initial moves, but this line is a solid defence which allows for
a sharp middlegame and enjoyable tactics at later stages.
• White has some advantage in space, but this factor is not too relevant in the arising positions.
• After castling queenside, Black often succeeds in developing an initiative on the kingside.
• This seems to be a strong and creative possibility for Black after 6.a3 – as long as you do not get
lost in the Labyrinth!
Focus your attention on the games played by the experts!
Conclusions on the Advance Variation
The plans with an early ...Ne7/Nh6/Qb6 or ...Bd7/f7-f6 probably represent the most dynamic and
effective way to defend against the Advance Variation.
After an extensive study of all the ways to play against 3.e5, I am satisfied with the lines offered in
Part One of this new book, since they allow Black to play some real chess.
I would like to point out that nowadays the historic move 3.e5 is not as popular as 3.Nd2 or 3.Nc3
(see Parts Two to Four), so you should simply choose one of the systems (1. Forcing a
counterattack or 2. Solid plans) and study it well, in order to develop your own strong weapon
against the ambitious Advance Variation.
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Part Two
Weapons and dogmas
Tarrasch Variation – 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2
Dedicated to Siegbert Tarrasch
‘Dogmas exist to camouflage defects and fears’ – the author.
The illustrious grandmaster Dr. Siegbert Tarrasch
(1862-1934) was well known as an ‘anti-dogmatic’
chess player in the late 19th – early 20th century.
He was the first to play 3.Nd2 against the French.
A bit of history
In the period 1891-94, Dr. Siegbert Tarrasch played (in Germany) the historic first three games with
the move 3.Nd2 and won them all. But during the rest of his career he mainly played 3.Nc3 when
facing the French Defence. It should be noted that the French line 3.Nd2 c5 4.exd5 exd5 is quite
similar to the Queen’s Gambit with an isolated pawn on d5, and thus it resembles the Tarrasch
Defence.
The theoretical question is: where in the French Defence is Tarrasch most conspicuously present?
Strategies and problems
3.Nd2 is undoubtedly more flexible than 3.e5. It supports the pawn on e4 and offers a foundation for
lines with very different structures and styles of play. It is true that it allows Black secondary escapes
such as 3...dxe4, or, for instance, going into the Tarrasch Variation with 3...c5 4.exd5 exd5. However,
as we have already commented, the main aim of this book is to get to understand the genuine French
Defence variations.
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The main problem for Black when facing 3.Nd2 is how
to achieve satisfactory counterplay. In order to solve this
problem, we will check the main lines after 3...Nf6 4.e5
Nfd7 in Chapters 7-11, analysing the most interesting and
dynamic lines in my repertoire.
In most of the variations in Part Two, the key moves that
offer Black counterplay are the thematic breaks ...c7-c5
and ...f7-f6.
Exotic Deviations
Chapter 12 – investigates modern ideas like 3...Be7, an
odd ‘poker-style’ move.
Chapter 13 – here we examine 3...c5 4.exd5 Qxd5!?, an
interesting hybrid defence in French-Scandinavian style.
This part is useful for increasing the second player’s number of weapons against 3.Nd2, in order to
make his Black repertoire more universal.
Chapter 7
Beyond Tarrasch
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7
Ukrainian top grandmaster Vasily Ivanchuk (born
1969) is an incredibly versatile opening player.
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Against the French Defence, he used to prefer
Tarrasch’s move 3.Nd2.
Introduction
Ukrainian grandmaster Vasily Ivanchuk is one of the bestknown modern chess players. In 2007 he reached second
place in the world rankings. He tends to play all theoretical
variations without any clear preference. However, when
facing the French Defence he used to play 3.Nd2 very
often; he played this move even in our last game in
Barcelona 2005! – see Game 11. In this important key
game we will discover some new things about the French
Defence, and we will try to expose some persistent dogmas
and show some new weapons.
Directions and concepts
In my view (I play this opening with black), if Black wants
to enjoy the true spirit of the French Defence he should
continue 3...Nf6!?. As usual, the pressure on e4 forces
White to close the centre with 4.e5 (4.Bd3 c5 5.e5 Nfd7 is a similar line). After 4...Nfd7 (see diagram
above), genuine French (temporarily blocked) positions arise.
The black knight on d7 is rather passive (whereas in the Advance Variation 3.e5 it is more flexible on
its original g8-square). For this reason, Black must attack the centre immediately with his pawns by
...c7-c5 and ...f7-f6, activating his minor pieces as well.
In this position White has several interesting plans at his disposal, which we will investigate here
and in the following chapters.
Dynamic alternatives in the most popular lines – 5.c3 c5 6.Bd3 Nc6 7.Ne2 cxd4 8.cxd4 f6 9.exf6
Nxf6 10.Nf3 Bd6 11.0-0
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Here Black has two different possibilities: 11...0-0, see Game 11, and 11...Qc7, see Game 12.
Black can prepare the thematic sacrifice ...RxNf3. This is an important resource in the middlegame,
but also after the queens are exchanged.
Beyond Tarrasch – Games
When analysing Ivanchuk’s games, I noticed a little detail: sometimes he is uncomfortable when his
opponents counterattack! In certain cases he prefers to play safer, technical lines, trying to exploit a
minimal advantage. This knowledge was the key to my preparation for and my strategy during this
important game (we had both won our three previous games in this short tournament).
Game 11 – 11...0-0
Vasily Ivanchuk 2748
Viktor Moskalenko 2529
Barcelona 2005 (4)
1.d4 e6!? 2.e4
Played immediately.
2...d5 3.Nd2 Nf6!?
Played genuinely!
4.e5
Keeping the central tension with 4.Bd3 may lead to an equalish semi-open game: 4...c5 5.c3 (923
games = 51.7%)
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analysis diagram
A) 5.e5 transposes to the main game;
B) 5.dxc5 dxe4 6.Nxe4 (6.Bxe4 Bxc5=) 6...Nxe4 7.Bxe4 Qxd1+ 8.Kxd1 Bxc5 9.Ke2 Nd7=
Vinogradov-Moskalenko, Alushta 1999;
C) 5.c3 cxd4 6.cxd4 dxe4 7.Nxe4 Nxe4 (7...Bd7!? with the idea 8.Nf3 Nxe4 9.Bxe4 Bc6³) 8.Bxe4
Bb4+ 9.Bd2 Bxd2+ 10.Qxd2 Nd7 11.Ne2 Nf6 12.Bf3 0-0 13.0-0 Rb8 and Black is doing well.
4...Nfd7 5.c3 c5 6.Bd3 Nc6 7.Ne2
The most natural development. The other knight will go to f3.
7.Ngf3 – Chapter 8.
WEAPON: 7.Ndf3 cxd4 8.cxd4 f6 9.exf6 Nxf6 10.Nh3.
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This is a line recommended in Dangerous Weapons: The French. 10...Bb4+ 11.Bd2 Qa5
(11...Bxd2+ 12.Qxd2 Ne4!?„ Losev-Matyunin, Moscow 2016) 12.Bxb4 (12.a3 Bxd2+ 13.Qxd2
Qxd2+ 14.Kxd2 0-0³ with the idea 15...e5!) 12...Qxb4+ 13.Qd2 Qxd2+ 14.Kxd2 0-0 15.Rhe1.
Here Black can play actively with 15...e5!? 16.Nxe5 (16.dxe5 Ne4+ 17.Ke3 Bxh3 18.gxh3 Nc5
19.Rad1 Ne6„) 16...Bxh3 17.Nxc6 bxc6 (17...Bxg2=) 18.gxh3 Nh5„ Vazquez-Gorti,
Brownsville 2016.
7...cxd4!
Black is forced to exchange the central pawns before playing ...f7-f6;
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if 7...f6 8.Nf4ƒ.
8.cxd4 f6!
The main opening resource for the French army: Black attacks the centre in order to activate his
minor pieces.
9.exf6
The immediate attack 9.Nf4 will be analysed later, in Chapter 8.
TRICK: 9.f4?! does not work here due to 9...fxe5! 10.fxe5? (better is 10.dxe5 Nc5³) 10...Nxd4!
11.Nxd4 Qh4+, favouring Black.
9...Nxf6 10.Nf3 Bd6 11.0-0
The key position of the line 3.Nd2 Nf6. Black has two main options:
11...0-0!?
This natural move allows the strategic exchange of the dark-squared bishops.
11...Qc7 is more ambitious, controlling the b8-h2 diagonal. See Game 12.
12.Bf4
According to theory, White has a slight advantage in this line, but I think that Black has enough
resources to equalize. The main line is:
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12...Bxf4
WEAPON: For many years, my favourite line in order to complicate has been 12...Nh5!? (249
games in Online Database) 13.Bxd6 Qxd6.
The idea is to play the thematic sacrifice ...RxNf3!?, e.g.:
A) 14.Qc2 h6!? 15.Ng3 Nf4„ 16.a3? Nxg2! 17.Kxg2 Rxf3µ R.Milos-CapNemo, playchess.com
2008;
B) 14.Ng3 Nf4„ 15.Bc2 a6 16.Re1 Bd7 17.Rc1 g6!? 18.a3 Rae8 19.Qd2 Nh3+! 20.Kh1 Rxf3!?
21.gxf3 Rf8 22.Qh6? e5! 23.Nh5 Rf7 24.dxe5 Nxe5–+ Kobalia-Moskalenko, playchess.com 2005;
C) 14.Rc1 Rxf3!? (14...a6 15.Re1 Rxf3!? Maratonac-CapNemo, playchess.com 2007) 15.gxf3 Bd7
16.Bb5 Rf8 17.Rc3 Rf6 18.Ng3 Nf4° 19.Re1 Qf8 20.a3 Rh6!° Atlas-Lion-CapNemo, playchess.com
2006;
D) 14.Qd2 a6!? (to prevent the strategic idea Bb5 and BxNc6, controlling the e5-square; however,
14...Rxf3!? 15.gxf3 Bd7 16.Qg5 g6 17.Rad1 Rf8° Basas Gamazo-Moskalenko, Catalunya 2006, or
14...Bd7 15.Rad1 Rxf3!? Wolff-Moskalenko, Wijk aan Zee 1992) 15.Rac1 (15.Qe3 Nf4!=; 15.Qg5
Nf4= Perez Mitjans-Moskalenko, Barcelona 2010) 15...Rxf3!? (15...Bd7 is more balanced) 16.gxf3
(White has many weaknesses in his pawn structure and his king is unsafe now) 16...Bd7 17.Qg5 g6°.
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analysis diagram
Black’s plan is ...Rf8 and ...Nf4. 18.Kh1!? Rf8! 19.Rg1 Nf4! (the game is complicated and interesting
for both sides) 20.Qg3 (20.Bb1 Rf7!? 21.Nxf4 Qxf4 22.Qxf4 Rxf4 23.Rg4!? Rxf3° with a typical
French ending, Gergoo-CapNemo, playchess.com 2008) 20...Qb8!? 21.Rgd1 (more logical is
21.Rcd1) 21...Rf6! (preparing ...Qf8) 22.b4 Nxb4 23.Rb1??T 23...Ba4!–+ Garrido DominguezMoskalenko, Roquetas de Mar 2006.
Summary of the plan with 12...Nh5: Black has good practical counterchances after the extremely
interesting sacrifice ...RxNf3, especially in blitz and rapid games. However, according to modern
engines, the emerging positions are predominantly in White’s favour. So be careful!
13.Nxf4 Ne4
127
Another key position.
14.Qc1
This solid move has been attracting more attention.
Here is an overview of the most important alternatives:
WEAPON: 14.g3 g5!? 15.Nh5 Bd7 16.Ne5 Be8!„ 4-8 for Black.
WEAPON: 14.Nh5 Bd7 15.Ng3 Ng5 16.Ne5 Nxe5 17.dxe5 Nf7 18.f4 Qb6+ 19.Kh1 Bb5= 0-3
for Black.
If 14.Ne2,
128
analysis diagram
I recommend 14...Bd7!? with quiet play (the typical sacrifice 14...Rxf3 is more popular, but also
riskier: 15.gxf3 Ng5 16.f4!? (16.Kh1 leads to plenty of complications) 16...Nh3+ (16...Nf3+
17.Kg2±) 17.Kg2! Qh4 18.f5! is better for White, Dedina-Postupa, cr 2015), e.g. 15.Bxe4 (for
15.Ng3 see 14.Nh5 above) 15...dxe4 16.Nd2 Qb6 17.Nxe4 Rad8=; four draws.
14...Ng5!
In the event of 14...Qf6?! White maintains slight pressure with 15.Ne2.
15.Nxg5 Qxg5
129
16.Ne2
TRICK: The tactical attempt 16.Bxh7+ Kxh7 17.Nxe6 Qf5 18.Nxf8+ Qxf8 19.Qg5 (19.Re1
Bd7!? 20.Qg5 Qd6! and 21...Rf8=) 19...Qf5 20.Qxf5+ Bxf5 gives equal chances, Svidler-Ulybin,
Elista 1994.
16...Qxc1 17.Raxc1
17...a6!=
130
With this important prophylactic move Black equalizes without trouble. The standard (and
theoretical) 17...Bd7 allows 18.Bb5! and after the BxN exchange Black would be very passive.
18.Rfd1
Other relevant games do not change the evaluation of the position:
A) 18.a3 Bd7 19.f4 Rac8 20.g3 Na7 (20...Na5!?) 21.Rxc8!? (21.Kf2 Bb5=) 21...Rxc8 22.Rc1 Rxc1+
23.Nxc1 Bb5 24.Kf2 Bxd3 25.Nxd3 b6!= Korneev-Moskalenko, Villa Salou 2000;
B) 18.Rfe1 Bd7 19.f3 Rac8 20.Bb1 Na7 21.Rcd1 Nb5 22.Kf2 Rc7 23.Nc1 Rfc8= Tiviakov-Rahal,
Sanxenxo tt 2004;
C) 18.Rc3 Bd7 19.Rb3 Rab8 20.Rb6 h6 21.Rc1 Kf7 22.Rc3 Ke7 23.Rcb3 Na5 24.Rc3 Nc6= CanM.Gurevich, Istanbul ch-TUR 2006.
18...Bd7 19.f3 Rac8 20.Kf2 Na7 21.Bc2 Rc6=
As so often, the simplification along the c-file leads to a draw.
22.Ke3 Rfc8 23.Kd2 Rc4 24.Bb1 Rxc1 25.Rxc1 Rxc1 26.Kxc1 h6 27.Kd2 Kf7 28.Ke3 Kf6 29.g3
Nc8 30.Nf4 Be8 31.Bd3 Nd6 32.b3 ½-½
After this game, Ivanchuk more often opted for 3.Nc3!?.
Summary of 11...0-0:
Black’s game is very solid, leading to a probable draw. The problem is that he is too passive to
improve this result. To test the ‘dogmas’, it is very interesting to analyse almost forgotten possibilities
such as 12...Nh5, 17...a6! and certain other lines after 11...0-0!?.
131
In the following game, Black changes his 11th move, activating his queen and trying to complicate.
Game 12 – 11...Qc7
Sergey Fedorchuk 2415
Viktor Moskalenko 2469
Alushta 1999 (3)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Nf6! 4.e5 Nfd7 5.Bd3 c5 6.c3 Nc6 7.Ne2 cxd4 8.cxd4 f6! 9.exf6 Nxf6
10.Nf3 Bd6 11.0-0 Qc7!?
The ideas behind this move are analysed in many books on the French, and are easy to understand.
Ukrainian GM Sergey Fedorchuk is another
protagonist of the ‘Beyond Tarrasch’ move 3.Nd2.
Black controls the b8-h2 diagonal, reinforces his e5-point and temporarily avoids the exchange of the
dark-squared bishops. Also, the black queen is more active on the seventh rank and does not disturb
the development of the queenside. However, these factors are not too noticeable at this point, and
White controls the situation.
12.Bg5
With the popular manoeuvre Bc1-g5-h4-g3, White continues the fight for the h2-b8 diagonal. The
main alternatives are:
A) I think that the manoeuvre starting with 12.Nc3 is too hasty, since the knight is more effective on
e2 than on this square: 12...a6 13.Bg5 0-0 14.Bh4
132
analysis diagram
14...Nh5!? (the key idea in many positions of this chapter; alternatively, 14...g6 15.Rc1 Nh5
(15...Qg7!?) 16.Na4 Bd7 17.Ne5 Rf4! 18.Bg5 Rxd4 19.Nxd7 Bxh2+ 20.Kh1 Bf4! 21.Nf6+ Nxf6
22.Bxf6 e5µ Kuijf-Moskalenko, Wijk aan Zee 1992) 15.Re1 g6 16.Rc1 Qg7!? 17.Bf1 Bd7 18.Bg5
Rf7 19.Na4 Raf8 20.Nc5
analysis diagram
20...Rxf3! (as in several examples given in the previous game, this sacrifice ensures Black active
133
counterplay) 21.gxf3 Nxd4 22.Bg2 Bc6 23.Nxe6 Nxe6 24.Rxe6 Bf4!° Koch-Wheeler, cr 2002;
B) 12.g3!?, intending Bf4, brings us back to simplifications: 12...0-0 13.Bf4
analysis diagram
13...Bd7!? (13...Ng4 is a creative idea, e.g. 14.Rc1 Bxf4 15.Nxf4 Rxf4 16.gxf4 Qxf4∞, but risky
against the engine) 14.Rc1 Ne4!? intending 15.Ne5 Bxe5! 16.Bxe5 Qb6„ Gomez-Ganguly,
Guangzhou 2010;
C) 12.h3!?.
134
analysis diagram
A rather venomous plan aimed primarily at preventing the activation of Black’s pieces: 12...0-0
13.Be3 Bd7 and now:
TRICK: After the natural 14.Rc1 Black has a tactical resource: 14...Be8 15.Ng5 Qe7! and if
16.Nf4? Bxf4 17.Bxf4 Ne4! wins material, Tsaruk-Parvanyan, Pardubice 2019.
14.Re1!?. ‘Things look completely different when we consider Black’s possible plans. White first
avoided the knight sortie to g4 and then prepared for ...e6-e5, which would bring Black a structurally
inferior position. Next, he takes measures against the manoeuvre ...Bd7-e8-h5, which is Black’s most
important idea in the position’ – GM David Navara on his own game as White.
analysis diagram
14...Be8 (the alternative 14...h6!? prevents Ng5: 15.Nh4 Be8 16.Rc1 g5!? 17.Ng6 Bxg6 18.Bxg6
Qg7 19.Bb1 (Balogh-Choukri, Biel 2016) 19...g4!? with counterchances) 15.Ng5 Bf7 (now
15...Qe7?! does not work: 16.Nf4!) 16.Rc1 h6!? and Black is still OK: 17.Nxf7 Qxf7 18.Bb1 Rae8
19.Qd3 Ne7 (19...Bb8!?) 20.f3 g5 21.Bf2 Nf5 22.g4 Nh4 23.Bxh4 gxh4 24.Kg2 Kh8 25.Qg6 Qxg6
26.Bxg6 Re7 27.a3 Rg8 28.Bb1 Nh5 29.Ba2 Nf4+ 30.Nxf4 Bxf4³ Moussard-Parvanyan, Karlsruhe
2019.
12...0-0 13.Rc1
135
13...Nh5!?
An original and effective manoeuvre: the idea is ...RxNf3.
More popular options are 13...Bd7 and 13...Ng4, but after, for example, 14.Ng3!? Black has worse
results, since he is statically worse and does not have enough resources.
WEAPON: 13...a6!? is quite similar to the main game: 14.Bh4 g6!? (after ...a7-a6/...g7-g6 the
white bishop on d3 is restricted) 15.Bg3 Nh5! 16.Bxd6 Qxd6 17.Qd2 Rxf3!? (17...Bd7 18.Qe3
Nf4=) 18.gxf3 Bd7 19.Qe3 Rf8 20.Kh1 (Kolev-Moskalenko, Castellar 1999) 20...e5!?°.
14.Bh4
136
14...g6!?
In my opinion, this move is quite useful: it defends the b1-h7 diagonal and prepares a queen’s
fianchetto with ...Qg7, attacking the pawn on d4. It also allows the manoeuvre ...Nh5-g7-f5.
The immediate sacrifice 14...Rxf3 is premature: 15.gxf3 Bxh2+ 16.Kg2!.
15.Qd2N
PLAN: 15.Bb1 Qg7!? 16.Rc3 Bd7 17.a3 Kh8 18.Qd2 Nf4 19.Bg3 g5!„, Wieczorek-Fedoseev,
Warsaw 2012.
15...a6!?
Preventing 16.Bb5.
16.Qe3 Bd7 17.Bg5 Rae8 18.Bh6 Rf6 19.Kh1 Qb8
137
Black’s queen acts as a submarine, preventing 20.Ne5. Note that all of Black’s pawns are placed on
light squares. This is a key part of Black’s middlegame strategy: restraining the white bishop on d3.
20.Bc2!? Ng7!? 21.Qd2 Ref8 22.Neg1 Bf4!?
Unexpectedly, Black proposes to simplify, in order to exploit the passivity of the remaining white
pieces.
23.Bxf4 Qxf4!? 24.Qxf4 Rxf4
After the exchange of queens, the pawn on d4 is weaker than the one on e6.
25.Ne2 R4f7 26.Rfe1 Ne8!
In order to activate the knight: ...Ne8-d6.
27.Kg1 Nd6³
138
28.Red1
At this point my opponent was already rather short of time. So I decided to improve my position first,
and then to apply the main idea of ...Rxf3.
28...Kg7 29.Ba4 b5! 30.Bc2 h6 31.Rf1 g5 32.Ng3?
Now this knight is not defending d4.
32...Rxf3!
139
The most desired moment for a French Defence player!
33.gxf3 Nc4
33...Nxd4!µ was better, when the white pawns start falling like ripe fruit.
34.Ne2 Nxb2 35.Kg2 Nc4
35...Be8!?.
36.Rcd1 Be8! 37.Ng3
37...h5!?
The black pawn avalanche decides.
38.Rfe1 h4 39.Ne2 Bh5 40.Ng1 Rf6 41.Bb1 Kf7 42.Bc2 Rf4 43.Bd3 Nxd4 44.Bxc4 bxc4
White’s position is hopeless.
140
45.Re3 g4! 46.fxg4 Rxg4+ 47.Kh3 Rf4 48.Rf1 Nf3!? 49.Nxf3 Bxf3 50.Ra3 d4 51.Rxa6 d3 52.Ra7+
Kf6 53.Rd7 Bd5 54.a4 c3 55.Rc7 Rc4 0-1
Summary of 11...Qc7:
This move is more aggressive than 11...0-0, and it can be used as a change in Black’s way of playing
the opening. White, for example, can try to simplify with 12.g3 and 13.Bf4, but this does not
guarantee him any advantage.
141
Chapter 8
Salto Mortale: 9.Nf4
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.Bd3 c5 6.c3 Nc6 7.Ne2 cxd4 8.cxd4 f6 9.Nf4
142
This acrobatic knight manoeuvre creates the threat of 10.Qh5+. This may be the most aggressive idea
for White.
Here Black should opt for the counter-jump 9...Nxd4!, with many possibilities for both sides. In the
main line, after 10.Qh5+ Ke7 11.exf6+ Nxf6 12.Ng6+ hxg6 13.Qxh8 Kf7!
143
... an eccentric opening position arises! White has only two acceptable options: 14.0-0 and 14.Qh4.
Overall, little has changed in recent years in the evaluation of the sharp attack by the white cavalry.
However, the defensive concept has evolved, providing Black with more resources in a mutually
challenging game. All these new ideas have been thoroughly analysed in Games 13 and 14.
Salto Mortale – Games
Game 13 – 14.0-0
Bartosz Socko 2587
Hans Tikkanen 2515
Stockholm 2016 (8)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.Bd3 c5 6.c3 Nc6 7.Ne2 cxd4 8.cxd4 f6 9.Nf4
144
Swedish grandmaster Hans Tikkanen fought like a
samurai against the Salto Mortale Variation.
With this knight jump, with contempt for death, White
intends to launch a direct attack with the threat of
10.Qh5+. In these original lines the black king moves back
and forth.
9...Nxd4!
The main response. Black is not afraid to enter
complications. Two other options are worse:
A) 9...Qe7 is an old line, which basically leads to a passive
defence;
B) 9...fxe5 is a more recent idea, but energetic play with
10.Nxe6! gives White the better game, e.g. 10...Qb6 11.00! Nf6 12.dxe5 Nxe5 and now either 13.Nxf8 or 13.Bb5+
is quite good for White.
10.Qh5+ Ke7
145
11.exf6+!?
PUZZLE: The direct check 11.Ng6+?! allows Black two more options: 11...hxg6 12.exf6+
Kxf6!? (or else 12...gxf6 13.Qxh8 Ne5°; 12...Nxf6 leads to the main game) 13.Qxh8 Kf7∞ –
White’s result here is only 32.8%.
11...Nxf6 12.Ng6+ hxg6
Returning to the common paths.
13.Qxh8 Kf7!
Now that the position has stabilized, the play becomes calmer.
14.0-0
This option is safe for White and therefore the most popular: 755 games = 54.8%.
A) 14.Qh4: 580 games = 50.3% – see Game 14;
B) 14.f4?
146
analysis diagram
is met by the strong 14...Nc6! (14...Nh5!?) 15.Qh4 e5! 16.fxe5 Nxe5 17.Be2 Qb6 and White is lost
due to a multitude of threats: ...Bg4/f5, ...Re8 etc.;
C) 14.b3? is too slow: 14...Nh5! (14...e5µ) 15.Bb2 Nf4 and Black is winning.
14...e5!
The basic position.
147
15.Nb3
TRICK: 15.Nf3? is played a lot, but in fact White is lost right away thanks to tactics: 15...Nxf3+
16.gxf3 e4! with a strong initiative.
analysis diagram
Next, the threat is ...Nh5, ...Qh4, ...Bd6 etc. 17.fxe4 (or 17.Be2 Nh5! 18.Rd1 Be6 19.f4 Qh4! 20.f5
Kf6!!–+) 17...Nh5! (shutting off the retreat of the white queen) 18.exd5 Qf6! 19.Qh7 (19.d6 Qh4!?–
+) 19...Bd6, winning, Grasso-Bascetta, cr 1997.
15...Nxb3 16.axb3
148
16...Be6!?
Keeping more pieces on the board. Black has achieved good results with this concept.
PUZZLE: Black can include 16...e4 in many cases on moves 17-19. The well-known line is
16...Bf5 17.Bxf5 gxf5 18.Bg5! Bc5 19.Qh3 and now Black has three options: 19...Qd7, 19...g6
and 19...Ke6 with play typical of the 9.Nf4 variation. The emerging positions are over-analysed,
but practically equal.
17.Bg5
The best set-up to attack the black fortress.
17.Qh4 e4!? 18.Be2 Qb6„ Cunha-Brotherton, cr 2013.
17...Qb6
The most active way to create counterplay.
WEAPON: Another typical development is 17...Bc5!? with a solid +2 score for Black: 18.Qh4
(18.Qxd8 Rxd8= Sosovicka-Repka, Prievidza 2014) 18...e4 19.Be2 Qe7 20.Kh1 Rd8= LewickiLoos, Warsaw 2014.
18.Bxf6N
Otherwise the game is equal: 18.Rac1 (or 18.Rfc1) 18...e4 19.Be2 Rd8 (19...Re8) 20.Qh4 Be7 21.Qg3
Bd6=.
149
18...Kxf6!
The king goes to war!
19.Rac1
Or 19.Kh1 e4 20.Be2 Rd8„.
19...e4! 20.Bb1 Rd8! 21.Qh4+?
Retreating leads to defeat.
WEAPON: White was probably concerned about a bishop ‘salto discovery’ after, for example,
21.Kh1 Ba3!? 22.Qh7 Bxb2 23.f3 e3 24.Qxg6+ Ke7 25.Bd3 Bf6 with a great fight ahead.
21...g5 22.Qh5 g6! 23.Qe2 Bd6
150
An unexpected outcome of the battle: despite some material loss, the black army completely
dominates the board.
24.Rfd1 g4
Or 24...a5!? and White has not a single useful move.
25.Qd2 g5 26.g3 a5 27.Bc2 Rf8 28.Qe2 Kg6 29.Rf1 Kh6 30.Bd1 Be5 31.Kg2 Bd7 32.Qd2 d4
33.Qe2 Bf5 34.Bc2 Re8 35.Qc4 d3 36.Bb1 Bxb2 37.Rce1 Qg6 38.Qb5 b6 39.b4 Bc3 40.bxa5 Re5
41.Qb3 Bxe1 42.axb6 e3 43.Rxe1 Qc6+
White resigned, as it is checkmate in a few moves.
After enjoying this great duel between two strong grandmasters, we will check another key idea for
Black in the Salto Mortale variation with 9.Nf4: a surprising defence arising on moves 15 and 16.
Game 14 – 14.Qh4
Igor Kusnetsov 2134
Sergei Ljukin 2367
Zaporozhye 2010 (7)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.Bd3 c5 6.c3 Nc6 7.Ne2 cxd4 8.cxd4 f6 9.Nf4 Nxd4
10.Qh5+ Ke7 11.exf6+ Nxf6 12.Ng6+ hxg6 13.Qxh8 Kf7 14.Qh4
Better early than never! Instead of 14.0-0 (and 21.Qh4?) in Game 13.
151
14...e5!
However, now White will no longer have time for castling.
15.Nf3
It’s nice that already here White has only one move; 15.0-0? e4!; 15.Nb3? Bb4+!.
15...Bb4+!
152
To begin with, this evergreen dynamic bishop check destroys the harmony in White’s camp.
15...Nxf3+ is an old automatic move: 16.gxf3 Bf5 17.Bxf5 gxf5 18.Bg5!.
analysis diagram
This well-known position is considered to be quite balanced, but in practice it is harder to play for
Black: 18...Qa5+ (18...Bc5?! 19.0-0-0!±) 19.Kf1 Be7 (19...g6?! 20.Qh8!ƒ) 20.Kg2 d4 21.Rac1 Nd5
22.Rhe1!? (22.Qh5+ Ke6 23.Rhe1 d3! 24.Rcd1 Bf6∞ Freydl-Brodda, cr 2007) 22...Nf4+ 23.Qxf4!
(23.Kg3?? Ng6–+ Sai-Kasyan, Acri 2006) 23...exf4 24.Rxe7+ Kg6 25.h4 and obviously only White
can have winning chances.
16.Kf1
With interesting complications. The white king will be a target.
TRICK: 16.Bd2?? Nxf3+ 17.gxf3 Bxd2+ 18.Kxd2 Ne4+ wins the queen, 0-1 Hans-Koch,
Rotenburg 2013.
TRICK: 16.Kd1? Bg4 17.Be2 Bxf3 18.gxf3 Ne4! 19.Qxd8 Nxf2 is checkmate.
16...e4!
Certainly a creative idea. Its point is based on Black’s strong centre pawns.
It is difficult to assess the position after 16...Nxf3 17.gxf3 (17.Qxb4!? Nd4 18.Be3∞ PereiraRodrigues, Guarapari 2009) 17...Be7!? 18.Qg3 e4! 19.fxe4 Nxe4! and Black keeps the balance, Arias
Sastre-Molina Martin, Valladolid 1994.
153
17.Nxd4
17.Ne5+ Kg8–+.
17...exd3°
We find ourselves on a very narrow path; good analysis is still lacking here.
18.Bg5
A mandatory square for the white bishop in the Salto Mortale line.
A) 18.Be3 Be7!?³;
B) 18.Qf4 Qb6 19.Nf3 Bd6!?³;
C) 18.Nf3?! Qe7 19.Be3 Bf5ƒ; +3 for Black.
18...Qb6!
This manoeuvre (played first by English GM Tony Kosten in 1985) offers better chances of active
counterplay.
After the publication of The Flexible French in 2008, this position has become more popular.
WEAPON: After 18...Be7!? White can remove the strong d3-pawn, but the position is still
unbalanced: 19.Qg3 Qb6 20.Qxd3 Qxb2 with chances for both sides, Istratescu-Sengupta,
Hastings 2012 and Rodgaard-Gleizerov, Runavik 2017.
19.Bxf6
154
It seems this exchange is forced, e.g.
19.Nf3 Kg8!; 19.Nb3? Bf5 (19...a5!?µ) 20.Bxf6 gxf6!–+.
19...Qxf6 20.Qxf6+ gxf6 21.Rd1
21.h4 b6! 22.h5 Ba6!?µ Simacek-Danin, Grygov 2013.
21...b6!
With an excellent ending for Black.
22.a3 Bc5 23.Nb5?
WEAPON: 23.Nb3 Ba6 24.g3 Bc4!N (24...Re8 – three draws) 25.Nc1 (25.Nd2? Bd4–+)
25...d2+ 26.Ne2 Re8 27.Rxd2 a5!ƒ; White found the way to equalize in a correspondence game:
23.Nf3!? Ba6 24.g3 Re8 25.Kg2 Re2 26.Rd2 and drawn on move 44 in Behling-Titzhoff, cr 2014.
23...Bd7!
Another fiasco for the white army. All escape routes are blocked by the Napoleonic infantry.
24.Nc3
TRICK: By some strange coincidence, 10 years later, the same Ukrainian player used the same
variation online with black: 24.Nc7 Rd8! 25.Nxd5? Titus-Ljukin, chess.com blitz 2020: 25...Ba4–
+.
155
24...d4!
White could have safely surrendered right here, as all resistance turns out futile.
25.Ne4
25.Rxd3? Bf5!.
25...Re8
Or, 25...Ba4!? 26.Rd2 Rc8 27.g3 Be7 28.f3 f5–+ Vysochin-Shchukin, St Petersburg 2009.
156
26.f3 f5 27.Ng3 Ba4 28.Rd2 Bd6 29.Kf2 Bf4 30.Rxd3 Be3+ 31.Rxe3
31.Ke1 Bb5–+.
31...dxe3+ 32.Ke2 Bb5+ 33.Kd1 Rd8+ 34.Kc1 Rd2 35.Re1 Rxg2 36.f4 e2 37.Kd2 Rxh2 38.Ke3
Kf6 39.a4 Ba6 40.b4 Bc4 41.a5 bxa5 42.bxa5 a6 43.Nh1 g5 44.fxg5+ Kxg5 45.Rg1+ Kf6 46.Ng3
Ke5 47.Kd2 f4 48.Nh1 Bd5
White resigned.
Summary of the ‘Salto Mortale’ 9.Nf4
It is obvious that White does not have enough resources to unleash a serious attack. After a forced
sequence of moves, the resulting positions are balanced, but the material is not. The advantage will be
on the side of the player who has analysed these positions better and understands them more deeply.
Since it is hard to imagine a thematic ‘mortale combat’ tournament where all doubts will be
resolved, we will have to wait for new games with this line!
157
Chapter 9
Game Changer vs the Universal System: 7.Ngf3
Dedicated to GM Matthew Sadler and AphaZero
PUZZLE: One theoretical reason to dub this system ‘Universal’ is that this position can arise
from two Tarrasch lines:
– 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Nf6 4.e5 etc.
– 3...c5 4.Ngf3 Nf6 5.e5 etc.
The ‘Game Changer’ in this chapter is English GM
Matthew Sadler, as is the recent very popular book
on the computer program AlphaZero he wrote with
Natasha Regan. The human question is: did Sadler
use AphaZero’s deep artificial mind, or his own, to
find the brilliant idea 12...f6 ?
• Game 15: What are White’s intentions after 7.Ngf3!?. If Black plays the ‘logical’ 7...Qb6, his idea
is to sacrifice the d4-pawn, gaining a long-term initiative. White is also posing a strategic threat to
block the centre with his pieces: 0-0, Re1, dxc5 and Nb3, with a solid positional advantage. However,
after 8.0-0 cxd4 9.cxd4 Black can improve the situation with the waiting move 9...a5!?.
• Game 16: Black’s common counterplan with 7...Be7 8.0-0 g5 indirectly poses a threat to the white
centre: ...cxd4, ...g5-g4 and ...Nxd4. At the same time, Black prepares tactical operations over the
entire board. Therefore, White has to take action in the centre – his d4-pawn is in trouble – and solve
the problem of his queenside development (see my analysis of several critical lines on move 9).
Game Changer vs the Universal System – Games
Game 15 – 7...Qb6
158
Zdenek Nemec 2175
Richard Pijl 2308
cr 2012
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Nf6
PUZZLE: Another way to reach the ‘Universal System’
is by playing 3...c5 4.Ngf3 Nf6 5.e5 etc.
4.e5 Nfd7 5.Bd3 c5 6.c3 Nc6 7.Ngf3
White aims to block the centre with the following PLAN: 0-0, Re1, dxc5 and Nb3, a set-up that
would guarantee a slight but solid positional advantage.
7...Qb6!?
This is by far the most popular choice. Remember the three main alternatives:
A) 7...Be7 – Game 16;
B) 7...g6!? with the fianchetto ...Bg7, ...0-0 and ...f7-f6 has been analysed extensively in both my
Flexible French books;
C) With 7...f6 Black continues in the spirit of the French Defence: 8.exf6 (8.Ng5? fxg5–+) 8...Nxf6
9.0-0 cxd4 10.cxd4 Bd6 11.b3!?.
159
analysis diagram
The knight on d2 is slightly passive; however, with his last move White is planning Bb2 and Ne5!,
which would be difficult to neutralize.
8.0-0 cxd4 9.cxd4 a5!
This advance is quite useful and remains a tough nut to crack.
Richard Pijl, a solid Dutch correspondence player.
Black is waiting for White to commit. As usual, straight away 9...Nxd4 is dangerous: 10.Nxd4 Qxd4
160
11.Nf3 Qb6 12.Qa4! with a lasting initiative for White.
10.Re1!?
For instance: 10.a4 Nxd4! 11.Nxd4 Qxd4 12.Nf3 Qb6
13.Bb5 Be7!?³.
10...Be7!
Black is combining two resources: ...g7-g5 and ...Nxd4.
11.Nb1!?
PUZZLE: White is back in the Advance Variation (Part
I, Chapter 3), the Milner-Barry Gambit! He uses the fact
that here the b5-square is weakened.
11.Qa4 g5!.
WEAPON: An important line is 11.a4!? Nxd4 12.Nxd4 Qxd4
analysis diagram
13.Nf3 (13.Nb3 Qb6 14.Be3 Qd8, defending everything) 13...Qb6 14.Be3 Nc5!? (intending
...Bd7/...Rc8) 15.Bb5+ Bd7 16.Bxd7+ Kxd7 17.Nd4 Qb4!= 18.Qf3 Rhf8 19.Red1 Rac8 20.g3 ½-½
Volodarsky-Shustov, cr 2017.
11...Nxd4! 12.Nxd4 Qxd4 13.Nc3 Qb6! 14.Qg4
161
14.Be3 d4! 15.Na4 Qa7!.
14...Kf8!? 15.Nb5 Nc5 16.Be3 Bd7
16...h5!?.
17.Nd6
17.Qe2 Bxb5!.
17...Bxd6 18.exd6 Rc8! 19.Qg3!?
19.Bd4 f6=.
White has some compensation, but not enough for an advantage.
19...Qd8
The safest defence.
19...Qb4 20.a3 Qb3∞.; TRICK: 19...f6!? 20.Rac1 Kf7?? (better was 20...e5! 21.f4 e4=)
21.Bf5+– Bok-Das, Hoogeveen 2015.
20.Bc2 f6!
162
After many prophylactics, the game, a typical correspondence game, is balanced.
21.h4
21.Rac1 Rc6=.
21...Na6
21...Ne4 22.Bxe4 dxe4=.
22.Rac1 Nb4 23.Bb3 Rxc1 24.Rxc1 Nc6 25.Ba4 Kf7 26.h5 g6 27.Rc5 Rg8 28.Bd2 Qb8 29.Bc3 d4
30.Bxa5 gxh5 31.Qh4 Qxd6 32.Rxh5 Rg7 33.Rxh7 Qd5 34.Rxg7+ ½-½
Game 16 – 7...Be7
Fabien Libiszewski 2540
Matthew Sadler 2687
England 4NCL 2017/18 (6)
Coincidentally, this important ‘Universal System’ game was played in an NCL event, between French
(White) and English (Black) grandmasters.
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Nf6
PUZZLE: Remember the transposition from the Romanishin Variation (see Chapter 12): 3...Be7
4.Ngf3 Nf6 5.e5 etc.
4.e5 Nfd7 5.Bd3 c5 6.c3 Nc6 7.Ngf3 Be7!?
163
This quiet-looking move is mainly connected to the resource ...g7-g5.
8.0-0 g5
The original idea of this line, which has been played by many masters.
PUZZLE: 8...a5!? can transpose to Game 15.
9.dxc5
The main response. Instead of supporting his d4-pawn, White prefers to open the game. It is helpful
to explore other important alternatives, sorted on popularity:
TRICK: 9.h3?! weakens the white king’s flank:
164
9...h5! 10.g4? (10.Re1 cxd4 11.cxd4 g4 12.hxg4 hxg4 13.Nh2 g3! 14.fxg3 Nxd4 15.Ndf3 Nc6!?
³) 10...hxg4 11.hxg4 Qb6 12.Qa4 (12.dxc5 Qc7!–+) 12...cxd4 13.cxd4 and now Black wins with
13...f5!N.
A) 9.Bb5 also works well for Black: 9...g4 10.Ne1 cxd4 11.Qxg4 Ndxe5 12.Qxd4 (VucinicPerunovic, Herceg Novi 2005) 12...0-0!? 13.Qe3 Ng6³;
B) 9.b4 is an interesting gambit idea, to reduce the pressure on White’s centre at the cost of a pawn. It
has been played by some strong players: 9...cxb4 10.cxb4 Nxb4 11.Be2 (11.Bb1 a5³)
analysis diagram
165
11...Nf8!? 12.Nb3. Black’s results have been pretty good here. One example is 12...b6 (12...Ng6)
13.Bd2 h6 14.h4 (14.Ne1 – intending f2-f4 – 14...Ng6!) 14...gxh4 15.Nh2 a5 (15...h5!?) 16.Ng4 h5!
with mutual chances, Gipslis-Savchenko, Alushta 1993.
Actually, the most dangerous for Black are the following two options (despite the fact that they are
less popular):
C) 9.Qe2!?.
analysis diagram
Since the e1-square is needed to retreat the knight from f3 there (in case of ...g5-g4), the white queen
protects the centre and also helps with later central attacks: 9...h5 (9...g4?! 10.Ne1±; 9...Qc7
10.Qe3!) 10.dxc5 (10.Qe3!?) 10...g4 11.Nd4 Ndxe5 12.Nxc6 (12.Bb5!?) 12...Nxc6 (BhaktiJ.Rapport, Athens 2012) 13.b4!?ƒ;
D) 9.Nb1!? ‘This retreat is rare, but makes sense, challenging Black to justify ...g7-g5’ – John
Watson.
166
analysis diagram
In general, if White takes central control this should give him some advantage: 9...Qb6!? (perhaps the
better option; 9...g4 10.Ne1²) 10.Bxg5 (10.dxc5 Nxc5∞ Shytaj-Braga, Germany Bundesliga
2016/17; 10.Nxg5!? might be critical, but there are no games with it) 10...Bxg5 11.Nxg5 cxd4„
12.cxd4? Qxd4µ Mons-Kotainy, Willingen 2008.
9...Ndxe5!
After removing White’s centre (which was his main advantage), the black pieces gain freedom (175
167
games)!
A) The riskier 9...g4?! has 397 games, but is very messy and seems to favour White: 10.Nd4 Ndxe5
11.Bb5 Bd7 (11...Bxc5 12.f4!) 12.Bxc6! bxc6 (12...Nxc6 13.Qxg4ƒ; 12...Bxc6 13.Qe2±) 13.f4! gxf3
14.N2xf3 Ng6 15.Qe2 Qc7 has been seen in three games: however, after 16.Bh6!N White has a
dangerous initiative;
B) Also 9...Nxc5?! (114 games) looks wrong: 10.Bb5 (10.Bc2!?²) 10...0-0 (10...Nd7 11.Re1±)
11.b4!? Nd7 12.Re1± Adams-Karttunen, Eilat 2012.
10.Nxe5
A) 10.Bb5 Ng6!? looks playable, for example: 11.Nb3?! (11.Re1 0-0!? Pepino-Formento, Acqui
Terme 2011) 11...e5! 12.Re1 f6µ;
B) 10.Bc2 Ng6!? 11.b4 0-0 12.Nb3 (12.Re1 (Mista-Bartel, Warsaw 2018) 12...Bf6!?„) 12...f5 ½-½
Oratovsky-Plazuelo Pascual, Utebo 2018.
10...Nxe5 11.Nb3
Again:
A) 11.Bb5+ Bd7 12.Qe2 (12.Bxd7+ Qxd7=) 12...Bxb5 13.Qxb5+ Qd7 14.Qe2 Ng6!?=
A.Bouwmeester-Kuijf, Netherlands tt 2015/16;
B) 11.Bc2 Bxc5 12.Nb3 Bb6! 13.Qh5 h6 with equal chances, Womacka-Ceschia, Deutschlandsberg
2018.
11...Nxd3!
Simple and best.
11...Qc7?! 12.Bc2!?±; 11...Bd7?! 12.f4±; 11...a5?! 12.Bc2!±.
12.Qxd3
168
The critical position of the 9.dxc5 line.
12...f6!
A fantastic prophylactic concept by GM Sadler! Black avoids White’s attacks as in case of the main
move:
12...e5?! 13.Qe2! f6 (13...Qc7 14.Re1±) 14.Qh5+ Kd7 15.c4!?ƒ; or, 12...0-0? 13.f4!; 12...a5?! 13.f4!.
13.f4
WEAPON: Three months later, in the same team league, 13.c4 a5!? (13...dxc4 14.Qxc4 Qd5
15.Qe2 e5 16.Rd1 Qe6=) was seen, which is an attempt to complicate matters: 14.Be3 a4 15.Nc1
(McDonald-Sadler, England 4NCL 2018) 15...d4!?ƒ.
13...gxf4 14.Bxf4 e5 15.Bh6?!
The idea Bg7 turns out to be wrong.
According to the engine (deep artificial mind) best was 15.Qg3 exf4 16.Qg7 Rf8 0.00 (totally
balanced).
15...Rg8!
An active defence, fighting for the initiative.
15...Be6 16.Rae1 Rg8! 17.Nd4 Qd7 18.Nxe6 Qxe6 19.Qxh7 (Kolosowski-Webb, Germany tt 2019)
19...Qg4!?, intending 20...Qg6.
16.Qxh7 Be6
169
The key moment in this human game.
17.Bg7??
White (the French opponent) did not spot a hidden tactical resource.
Better was 17.Rf2 as was once played against a student of mine: 17...Qd7 18.Be3 0-0-0 (18...a5!?;
18...Bd8!?) 19.c6 bxc6 20.Qd3 and things are still unclear, Gonzalez Vidal-Chinchilla Miranda, San
Salvador zt 2019.
17...Qd7!
The winning threat is 18...RxB and 19...Bc5+, but also the pin 18...Bf8/...Bd8.
18.Kh1
18.c6 bxc6 19.Kh1 Bf8 (19...Bd8!–+) 20.Rxf6 0-0-0 21.Rxe6 Qxe6µ Tsekmes-Kourkoulos Arditis,
Anogia 2019.
18...Bd8!–+
170
A celebration (fiesta) of the black pieces.
19.Qg6+ Bf7 20.Qg3 Be7 21.Na5 b6 22.cxb6 axb6 23.Nb3 Ra4 24.h3 Re4 25.a4 d4 26.cxd4 Qd5
27.a5 Qxb3 28.Qxb3 Bxb3 29.dxe5 fxe5 30.axb6 Rxg7 31.b7 Bd6 32.Ra8+ Ke7
White resigned.
Conclusions regarding the ‘Universal System’ – 7.Ngf3
In his attack against the centre Black can combine two important resources, ...Qb6 and ...g7-g5-g4, at
any moment during the opening phase. The arising positions are very complicated and neither side is
guaranteed success.
Game 15: When studying the line 7.Ngf3 it is interesting to begin with the immediate 7...Qb6 8.0-0
cxd4 9.cxd4 a5!?, a line which offers a lot of chances to both sides.
Game 16: In the counterattack with 7...Be7 8.0-0 g5, Black uses this aggressive advance to create
the threat of ...g5-g4. However, this can be a serious weakening if it doesn’t lead to the liquidation of
White’s centre (check those alternatives on move 9!).
171
Chapter 10
The plan with the exchange ...Bc8xBf1: 6...b6
This is an old strategic method to avoid the main lines. Among the 1611 games played in this line, we
find the names of some specialists on the French Defence, such as Botvinnik, Petrosian, Kortchnoi,
Portisch, Short, Jussupow, Knaak, Moskalenko... and, more recently, Socko, Korobov and
Nepomniachtchi.
This non-standard move has a sound positional idea: Black is intending to force the favourable
exchange of light-squared bishops by 7...Ba6. However, this plan is rather slow and it gives White
several additional tempi for his development.
White can choose between two main plans: f2-f4, strengthening his centre with a ‘concrete pawn
wall’, or, alternatively, knight manoeuvres like 7.Ne2/7.Nh3/7.Nf3, preparing an attack with his
pieces. These two plans can also be combined.
The most dangerous set-up for Black is the one that prepares an attack with pieces: Ne2/Nh3-Nf4Qg4. After a crisis was experienced in this uncomfortable (for Black) set-up, many grandmasters
abandoned the 6...b6 variation.
I have made a deep investigation of this, my favourite scheme, trying to reanimate it. Along the
way, I learned a great deal more about the French Defence, and this knowledge was very useful to me
in subsequent games. What I especially learned about was the kind of positions Black should avoid.
See Games 17-18.
The author, GM Viktor Moskalenko, used the plan
with ...Bc8xBf1 in the 1980s, at the Capablanca
Memorial (Holguin, Cuba, 1989). See Game 17,
line 13.Ng3, Martin del Campo-Moskalenko.
172
The plan with the exchange ...Bc8xBf1 – Games
Game 17 – f2-f4
Agata Bykovtsev 2219
Anna Zatonskih 2470
St Louis ch-USA w 2016 (6)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.Bd3 c5 6.c3 b6!?
The idea behind this move is to exchange White’s most dangerous piece with ...Ba6 and ...BxB and
from there on to block the position as much as possible. White has two different plans here, and he
can also combine both.
7.Ne2
The knight’s position on e2 is very flexible, so this is the most practical move.
Another useful knight manoeuvre is 7.Nh3!?, see also Game 18. The automatic response 7.Qe2?!
temporarily prevents ...Ba6, but it allows a more serious counterattack: 7...Nc6 (7...cxd4!? may be a
better move-order) 8.Ngf3 cxd4 9.cxd4 Nb4.
173
analysis diagram
Now Black succeeds in exchanging the terrible Bd3 ‘for free’.
TRICK: Here, 10.Bb5?? is another automatic response, played very often in my Internet games!
After 10...Nc2+! my opponents shut down the screen! 10.0-0 Nxd3.
PLAN: 7.h4.
analysis diagram
174
White’s new idea is to gain space on the kingside: 7...Ba6 8.Bxa6 Nxa6 9.Ne2 (9.h5 h6) 9...b5!
(utilizing the knight on a6 to support a queenside advance) 10.Nf3 b4 with plenty of chances for
both sides, Lorenzo de la Riva-Moskalenko, Sabadell 2019.
PLAN: 7.f4 maintains the centre with pawns: 7...Ba6 8.Bb1!? (a radical concept. White keeps his
bishop as an extra attacking resource. Black must react in an ultra-active way; for 8.Bxa6 see the
main game) 8...Nc6 9.Ndf3 cxd4!? (9...b5!? 10.Ne2 b4„ is a fresh idea: 10.cxd4 Rc8 11.Ne2.
analysis diagram
Ukrainian and (since 2003) American IM and WGM
Anna Zatonskih, four-time U.S. Women’s
Champion.
The critical position for the plan implemented by GM Ivanchuk. 11...Bb4+! (of course, the
possibilities of this check have to be investigated. In The Flexible French, I trusted in the fabulous
concept of the blockade: 11...f5, see Ivanchuk-Moskalenko, Lviv 1988) 12.Bd2 (12.Kf2 f6!„ DoleKobese, Cape Town 2011) 12...Bxd2+ 13.Qxd2 Qe7!? 14.0-0 Qb4„ and I think Black’s position will
be satisfactory in the resulting ending.
7...Ba6
175
The ball is again in White’s court.
8.Bxa6
PLAN: If White combines Ne2 with Ivanchuk’s idea, he achieves nothing: 8.Bb1 Nc6 9.Nf3
cxd4 10.cxd4 Bb4+!.
analysis diagram
Simplifying the position with gain of tempo is always interesting: 11.Bd2 Bxd2+ 12.Qxd2 Qe7
176
13.a3 (13.0-0 Qb4!„; 13.Nc3 (Baron Rodriguez-Moskalenko, Alcudia 2003) 13...0-0!?)
13...Na5! with a slight initiative, Rozentalis-Moskalenko, Odessa 1989.
8...Nxa6 9.0-0 Nc7!?
This knight manoeuvre is aimed at strengthening Black’s fortress.
10.f4
White aims for f4-f5; this attacking method is the most popular in practice. The main alternative is
10.Nf4!? – Game 18.
10...f5!
I think this is the best defence, although other moves are possible.
11.exf6
Natural, as slower play favours Black.
PLAN: Another successful game by a classical player was 11.Nf3 Be7 12.Be3 c4 13.Kh1 b5
14.Rg1 Nb6 15.g4 fxg4 16.Rxg4 g6 17.h4 Kd7!. Black gets the better chances with this typical
French move.
analysis diagram
This diagram shows the best aspects of the 6...b6 plan (thanks to the ,,,Bc8xBf1 exchange). Black
won on move 30 in Bednarski-Petrosian, Lugano ol 1968.
177
11...Nxf6 12.Nf3 Bd6
Black has e6 well covered by the c7-knight, and has the better bishop on d6. This balances the
position at least.
13.Ne5
PLAN: In my own games, 13.Ng3 was played more often: 13...0-0.
analysis diagram
Another satisfactory position for Black. During my visit to Cuba, to the traditional Capablanca
Memorial, I faced 14.Qe2 (14.Ne5 is the main game; 14.Qd3 Qe8!?; also 14.b3 Qe8!? KhamrakulovMoskalenko, Villa Salou 2002, analysed in The Flexible French) 14...Qe8!? (a very useful queen
manoeuvre in this kind of position) 15.Bd2 Nh5! 16.Nxh5 Qxh5 17.g3 c4!? (intending ...b6-b5-b4)
18.Rae1 Rae8 19.Qg2 Qg6 20.Re2 b5! 21.Rfe1 a5 22.a3 h6!? 23.Nh4 Qd3 24.f5 b4!„ and I won this
game thanks to the very creative atmosphere in the tournament, Martin del Campo-Moskalenko,
Holguin 1989.
13...0-0 14.Ng3 g6!?
The beginning of a deeply interesting plan (and the reason why I selected this game). More typical
ideas (see also ...c5-c4 on move 13) are 14...Ne4!?N, and:
PLAN: 14...cxd4 15.cxd4 Ne4!?
178
analysis diagram
16.Nxe4 (creating an outpost on d5; 16.Ng4 Qe8!? Kan-Botvinnik, Soviet Union 1952; 16.Be3
Nxg3 17.hxg3 Ne8!?„) 16...dxe4 17.Qb3 (17.Qe2 Bxe5! 18.dxe5 Qd3³) 17...Bxe5!? 18.dxe5
Qd5! with an apparent edge, Zabawski-Socko, Wroclaw 2014.
15.h4?!
The wrong idea, in view of what happens.
If 15.Be3 (Grinberg-Foisor, Wattignies 1976) 15...Nce8!? similar to the main game.
15...cxd4 16.cxd4 Nce8!
179
Black is considering the wonderful prophylactic manoeuvre 17...Ng7 followed by either ....Nf5 or
...Nh5.
17.h5
17.Be3 Ng7!µ.
17...Nxh5 18.Nxh5 gxh5 19.Qxh5 Ng7 20.Qh3 Rc8
Later in the game, the struggle became more complicated due to both players’ lack of time. The
typically dramatic moment in women’s chess is approaching, where the game usually turns into a
180
spectacle for the audience and tremendous ‘heart problems’ for their coaches!
Strategically, the winning plan was 20...Nf5!, intending ...Rf6/...Bxe5/...Rg6.
21.g4 Qe8!?
Preparing ...Bxe5.
22.Rf2 Bxe5! 23.dxe5 Qg6 24.Be3 Rc4?!
Now tactically strong was 24...h5! 25.Rg2 Rc2! 26.Bf2 Qe4µ.
25.Raf1 d4?
This works out badly, for reasons that are not obvious at first.
26.Bd2 Rc2?
27.Rg2!
Suddenly f4-f5 is a major threat, and there is little to be done about it. White is already winning!
27...Rxb2 28.f5 Qf7 29.f6 Qg6 30.Qh6?
Not terrible, but two other moves would have been decisive: 30.Bh6! or 30.Rgf2! would have won.
30...Ne8 31.Qxg6+ hxg6 32.Rf3 Rb5 33.Re2 Rf7 34.g5?
Missing Black’s reply.
181
34.Rd3! Rd5 35.Rh3!+–.
34...Ng7!
The knight gets to h5 or f5, and all bets are off.
35.Rh3 Rb1+ 36.Be1 Nh5! 37.Re4?
Time was undoubtedly running low; 37.Kf2=.
37...Rd7 38.Kf2 Rb2+
Black is simply winning now.
39.Kf3 d3 40.Rc4 d2 41.Bxd2 Rbxd2 42.Rxh5 gxh5 43.g6 R7d3+ 44.Ke4
44...Rd4+!
A beautifully calculated rook sacrifice!
45.Rxd4 Rxd4+ 46.Kxd4 h4! 47.Ke4 h3 48.Kf3 b5 49.Kg3 b4 50.Kxh3 a5 51.Kg4 a4 52.Kg5 b3
White resigned.
In the next game we will analyse the natural knight manoeuvre 7.Ne2 (7.Nh3/7.Nf3).
White prepares to attack with his pieces; for his part, Black has several defensive set-ups.
There is a considerable number of good as well as bad examples!
182
Game 18 – Ne2/Nh3/Nf3
Zoltan Siklosi 2400
Viktor Moskalenko 2525
St Ingbert 1990 (8)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.Bd3 c5 6.c3 b6
This strange plan was somewhat discredited many years ago, but was revived by some new ideas
from especially the two Flexible French books.
7.Ne2
As in the previous game, this is the most flexible move here. However, White can also show his cards
before castling:
PLAN: Another popular and strong option is 7.Nh3!?, aiming to attack with his pieces. There are
many similarities to the lines with 7.Ne2: 7...Ba6 8.Bxa6 Nxa6 9.0-0.
analysis diagram
A very important position in the 6...b6 variation.
WEAPON: 9...Nc7!? is similar to the main game: 10.Qg4!? Nb8!? (regrouping another knight;
for the idea 10...h6!? see further on in the main game) 11.Nf4 g6 12.Nf3 Nc6∞ – only a few
games.
In my earlier game against the same IM Siklosi, I had tried 9...b5, taking advantage of the knight
183
being on a6 to support a queenside advance:
A) 10.f4 harks back to the ideas from the previous game:
analysis diagram
10...Qb6!? 11.Nb3 c4 12.Nd2 Nc7 13.Kh1 f5! 14.exf6 Nxf6 15.f5 Bd6! 16.fxe6 0-0 and Black won
on move 59 in the game Siklosi-Moskalenko, Budapest 1988;
B) 10.a4 cxd4!? with counterchances, Fernandez Garcia-Moskalenko, Solsona 2003;
C) 10.Qg4!? is more critical: 10...cxd4 (opening the c-file is a different strategy; for 10...c4!?, see the
main game) 11.cxd4 Nb6 12.b3 Qd7 13.a4 bxa4 14.bxa4 Nb4 15.a5 Nc4 16.Nxc4 dxc4 17.Be3 Rc8
with good prospects for Black, Semeniuk-Moskalenko, Riga 1988;
PLAN: The natural developing move 7.Ngf3 offers White fewer ideas: 7...Ba6 8.Bxa6 Nxa6
184
analysis diagram
9.0-0 (9.Nf1 is the ‘point’ of 7.Ngf3: 9...cxd4 10.cxd4 Bb4+ 11.Ke2 (Antipov-Gilevych, lichess.org
blitz 2020) 11...Be7!=) and now:
PUZZLE: 9...Be7!? also transposes to the Romanishin Variation from Chapter 12: 10.Qe2
(10.Re1 Nab8!?) 10...Nc7 (the conventional square for the knight in this system) 11.dxc5 bxc5
12.c4 0-0³, Black’s pieces and pawns are more active, Frolov-Moskalenko, Lviv 1988 and
Simferopol ch-UKR 1990.
7...Ba6 8.Bxa6 Nxa6 9.0-0
For 9.Nf3 see moves 7 and 10.
WEAPON: The premature 9.Nf4 after 9...cxd4!? 10.cxd4 Nb4!
185
analysis diagram
allows Black to improve the a6-knight and prevent White’s most annoying plan with Qg4. For
example: 11.0-0 (11.a3 Nc6 12.Nf3 b5„ Schuh-Van Mechelen, Belgium tt 2013) 11...Rc8 12.Nf3
Be7 13.Bd2 Nc6 14.Qa4 0-0 15.b4 a6!„ Hracek-Kutsin, Czechia tt 1994/95.
9...Nc7!?
Hungarian IM Zoltan Siklosi scored 0-2 against the
author’s novelties in 1988-90.
This manoeuvre maintains the centre and prepares the usual plans in this line: ...c5-c4/...b6-b5/...f7186
f5.
10.Nf4!?
White brings his pieces into play. Note that the resulting
position is similar as in the event of 7.Nh3 – see the
analysis there.
Instead, 10.f4 transposes to the previous game.
PLAN: 10.Nf3 leads to calmer play: 10...c4 (or
10...Be7!? and 11...0-0) 11.Ng3 b5 12.Nh5 a5 13.Bg5
Qb8∞ Zhang-Korobov, Beijing 2008.
10...Be7
WEAPON: 10...h6!?N is a useful prophylaxis that slows
down White’s plans, with the idea 11.Qg4 Qg5!.
PLAN: 10...c4 releases the pressure on White’s centre: 11.Qg4! b5?! (better 11...h6!, see the line
12.c4) 12.a4! (if 12.Nf3, 12...a5!? is playable) 12...bxa4 13.Rxa4 g6 14.h4!ƒ – try to avoid such
positions with black!, Asis Gargatagli-Perez Mitjans, Sant Adria de Besos 2017.
11.Qg4!
This is a dangerous queen manoeuvre, especially in the Winawer Variation. See Part Four.
11.c4 cxd4 12.cxd5 Nxe5!³ Munoz Pantoja-Moskalenko, Catalunya ch 2003.
187
11...g6 12.Nf3
The slower 12.Re1 would help Black to execute his plans: 12...c4 (12...Nb8!?) 13.Nf3 b5 (13...h5!?)
14.h4 h6! 15.Nh3 a5 16.h5 g5 17.Nh2 f5!³ 18.exf6 Nxf6 19.Qe2 Rg8 (19...Qd7!?) 20.Ng4 Nxg4
21.Qxg4 Kd7!= Grischuk-Zakharov, Moscow 1997.
12...h5!?
After I played this advance in 1990 it was repeated in 19 games: the score is still equal, but with only
3 draws!
PLAN: 12...c4!?.
analysis diagram
In my opinion, closing the centre is very risky from a tactical viewpoint. White begins to exert
pressure on the kingside, where his pieces are well placed to unleash an attack. However, the position
is sharp, so Black is okay if he remembers to use the key defensive resources: 13.h4!? (13.Nh3 h6!?)
13...h6! (this defence is more creative than the blockade with 13...h5?!) 14.b3 b5 15.bxc4 bxc4∞
16.Nxg6? (Horvath-Baumegger, playchess.com 2020) 16...h5! 17.Qg3 Rg8–+.
13.Qg3 g5!?
Suddenly, Black responds with a sharp counterattack on the same flank!
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Starting from this position, there are still some games and ideas of theoretical interest.
14.Ne2
PLAN: 14.Nd3 g4!? 15.Nfe1 c4!?N 16.Nf4 b5!? (creating the extra option of ...Nb6 and
...Kd7!?) 17.Ne2 Rg8!∞.
14...g4 15.Ne1
PLAN: 15.Nd2 f5!? 16.exf6 Nxf6∞ Bernal Caamano-Henri, cr 2012.
15...Nf8
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A quite complicated position has arisen.
WEAPON: 15...Qc8!?N intending ...Qa6 and ...0-0-0.
16.f4
PLAN: 16.Nf4!? c4 17.Qe3 Ng6!? (17...Bg5?! 18.Qe2± Heinemann-Mammadova, Baku 2017)
18.Nxg6 fxg6 19.f3 gxf3 20.Nxf3 Kd7! 21.Qf4 Qg8! and the position looks very playable!
16...Qd7 17.f5 exf5 18.Qf4 Nfe6!? 19.Qxf5 0-0-0!
Timely castling.
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Thirty years after this game, it still seems to me that Black has more practical chances to attack here.
20.b3
20.Be3 Rdf8„ or 20.Qxf7 Rdf8 21.Qg6 Rxf1+ 22.Kxf1 Qc6!∞, intending 23...Nxd4!.
20...Rdf8 21.Nd3 f6!
Black seizes the initiative.
22.Bd2 fxe5
22...c4!µ.
23.Qxe5 Bd6 24.Qe3 Re8
24...Qh7!–+.
25.Qf2 h4 26.Ne5 Bxe5 27.dxe5 g3 28.hxg3 hxg3 29.Nxg3 Qh7 30.Qe3 d4 31.Qe4 Qh2+ 32.Kf2
Ref8+ 33.Nf5 0-1
This dynamic old game, as well as the many interesting ideas behind the scenes, reveals some still
unused resources for Black.
Summary of the Bc8xBf1 exchange plan with 6...b6
Theoretically, the development of the 6...b6 system has hardly changed. Even if Black gets to
exchange White’s best piece, he loses some tempi and has little space. Nowadays, the best French
Defence players hardly use 6...b6. This might be due to the difficulty to obtain serious counterplay
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and also to its bad statistics.
The most dangerous plan is Ne2/Nh3-Nf4 and Qg4, which promises White a long-term initiative
and prospects of an attack on the kingside. At this point, closing the centre with ...c5-c4 is very risky,
but Black cannot afford to open up the game either! As for the dynamics, White has more tempi
available in many lines.
My advice to fans of the ...b7-b6/...Ba6 plan: please analyse all the possibilities in the opening
(especially those given in Game 18). If they don’t suit you, you can try other variations against
3.Nd2.
The dogma that ‘the c8-bishop is bad’ might not be correct. As yet there is no convincing evidence
of it!
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Chapter 11
A pawn wedge: 5.f4
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4
White makes solid preparations, creating a broad chain of central pawns. This set-up has been very
popular since the 1960s (now there are already 10,000 games with it in MegaBase). So, we should
study Black’s best chances against the white wall from all the angles.
After 5...c5! White can play in classical style, without c2-c3, trying to occupy the d4-square with his
knights: 6.Ngf3. See the comments to Game 19 and also Part Three (the Classical System, by
transposition).
However, the most appropriate move in this line is 6.c3!?, strengthening the centre with another
pawn.
6....Nc6 7.Ndf3
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Now Black has to reveal his plans:
1) The forgotten (but still legendary) ‘Nimzo-Botvinnik-Kortchnoi-Petrosian’ method is 7...c4 (Game
19).
2) The modern line 7...Qb6! 8.a3 (Game 20).
3) Combining counterattacks with pieces (...Qb6 and the dynamic check ...Bb4+) with breakthroughs
(...a7-a5 or ...f7-f6; Games 20 and 21).
4) An important resource is the preparation of a spectacular knight sacrifice in the centre: ...Ndxe5!
(see comments to Game 21).
5) Also, Black can combine several ideas and resources as if he were making a salad (Games 20
and 21).
6) For his part, White has a slow ‘sarcophagus set-up’ against 7...Qb6, devised by the strong master
Sakharov: g2-g3/Kf2 and Kg2 or Bh3, dominating the centre (Game 21).
A pawn wedge – Games
Game 19 – 7...c4
Josef Kupper
Tigran Petrosian
Tel Aviv ol 1964 (1)
Remarkably, in the absence of a clear strategy and attacking resources, White got confused almost
immediately in this game. However, it is surprising that so far very few games have been played with
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this line. Tigran Vartanovich Petrosian (also known as ‘Iron Tigran’) was a brilliant champion of
blocked pawn structures, and his proficiency in playing them on both sides of the board yielded him a
great number of points.
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2
PUZZLE: Remember the similarity: 3.Nc3 (see Parts Three and Four) 3...Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 and
now 5.Nce2!? c5 6.c3 Nc6 7.f4 c4!? 8.Nf3 transposes to the main game.
3...Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4
A very solid plan. Usually in this line Black tends not to get too much space for his pieces. The knight
on d7 suffers a lot, but never the bishop on c8!
5...c5 6.c3
Maintaining the centre with pawns, according to the concept behind f2-f4.
PUZZLE: Knight moves such as 6.Ndf3 Nc6 7.Ne2 lead to the Classical System, which can be
found in Part Three.
WEAPON: A more or less independent idea is the manoeuvre 6.Ngf3 Nc6 7.Nb3, which was
suggested in some articles and books (for white players).
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analysis diagram
Let’s look a bit deeper: 7...c4!? is similar to the main game, but gains some extra tempi: 8.Nbd2
Qa5!?, forcing 9.c3 (9.Be2? c3! 10.bxc3 Qxc3–+) 9...b5! (played in 13 games: 3-6 for Black) 10.b4
(10.Be2 b4 11.Nb1 Be7 12.0-0 0-0 13.Qe1 f5³ Bhend-Luther, Löberitz 1996) 10...Qb6! (10...Nxb4
11.cxb4 Bxb4∞) 11.a4 a5! 12.axb5 Qxb5 13.Be2 Nb6³. Summarizing: Black is attacking on the
queenside, while White is not even developed yet, Georgiadis-Moor, Switzerland tt 2018.
6...Nc6 7.Ndf3 c4!?
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This is the old concept. Black puts an end to the central tension by blocking the position. We will
check the modern choices next, in Games 20 and 21.
8.Ne2!?
Preparing g2-g4.
The older move-order was 8.g4?! h5!.
WEAPON: 8.b3 b5! 9.bxc4 (9.a4?! Na5!³) 9...dxc4!?N 10.a4 b4! 11.Bxc4 Qc7„.
8...Nb6!?
The safest option. Petrosian prepares his typical counterattack from behind the barricades.
PLAN: Five years later, a classic defence was provided by Botvinnik: 8...b5.
analysis diagram
Beginning an attack on the opposite flank: 9.g4 and now 9...Nb6!? (the immediate 9...h5 leads to
dynamic complications with mixed results: 10.gxh5 Rxh5 11.f5!? (a new idea) 11...exf5™
(11...Rxf5?! 12.Ng3±) 12.Nf4 and Black’s position looked a little dangerous in RathnakaranNaiditsch, New Delhi 2018):
A) 10.Bh3 h5!. A common defence.
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analysis diagram
11.gxh5 Rxh5 12.Bg4 Rh8 13.Ng3 Ne7 14.Qc2 g6 15.h4!? Nf5 16.Bxf5 (16.Kf2!?) 16...gxf5!. ‘Now
Black’s position on the kingside is secure. He has sufficient space for manoeuvring, while the white
h-pawn is not only blocking the enemy forces, but is also a target’ – Botvinnik in his comments to
Ostojic-Botvinnik, Wijk aan Zee 1969;
B) In the same year, Black scored another victory with 10.Bg2 h5! 11.gxh5 Rxh5 12.Ng3 Rh8 13.Be3
Ne7 (13...b4!?) 14.Qd2 Rb8 15.b4 Ng6 16.Bf2 a5! and after having gained control over the entire
board, Black won slowly but without relaxing for a moment in Garcia Martinez-Kortchnoi, Havana
1969;
C) Later the computer found 10.Ng3!? which stops ...h7-h5 and supports White’s own breakthrough
f4-f5: 10...h6 11.Be2 Kd7!? – a much higher-level concept than that of the machine, so eventually the
former was completely outplayed by a human chess player in typical ‘French’ style: 0-1 on move 52,
Comp Dragon-Seirawan, The Hague 1997.
9.g4 h5! 10.gxh5 Rxh5 11.Ng3 Rh8
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World Champion Mikhail Botvinnik (1911-1995).
The French was his favourite opening against 1.e4.
Many of Botvinnik’s ideas still retain their value.
From here, Black won in fascinating strategic style, quite
similar to the game Clarke-Petrosian in the Labyrinth
System (Part One):
12.b4
PLAN: Later White tried to improve, but in such closed
positions the play remains very complex: 12.h4!? Bd7
13.h5 (13.Be3 Qc7 14.Qc2 Ne7 15.Bh3 (0-1 (41)
Klingenberg-Fischer, DDR 1988) 15...f5!?∞) 13...Qe7!?
(13...Ne7!? Ros-Kresz, cr 2000) 14.Qc2 0-0-0∞ HortBasman, Harrachov 1967.
12...Bd7
12...Ne7!?.
13.a4 a5 14.b5 Ne7∞ 15.Ba3?!
Kupper loses orientation and soon finds himself in a difficult position.
15.Ng5 Nf5!?; 15.h4 Nf5!?.
15...Ng6!
Piece exchanges favour Black: White’s advanced pawns and open king become important
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weaknesses.
16.Bxf8 Nxf8!?
Keeping the option of ...0-0-0.
16...Kxf8 would have been more balanced.
17.Qc1 Ng6 18.Be2 Qe7 19.Bd1 0-0-0!³
The rest of the game is a great illustration of Black’s strategy in this variation. Enjoy!
20.Ra2 f6! 21.Rf2 Rdf8 22.0-0 f5
22...Nh4!?.
23.Rg2 Be8 24.Rff2 Nh4! 25.Nxh4 Rxh4 26.Nf1 Bh5 27.Bc2 Rh8 28.Rg3 Kb8
28...Bg4!?.
29.Rfg2 g6 30.Rf2 Ka7 31.Rfg2 Qf8 32.Rg5 Qh6 33.R2g3 Bg4 34.Qd2 Nd7!
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Black needs to improve his knight anyway: to continue the attack, or simply to win the rook on g5.
35.Rg2 Nf8 36.Ne3 Bf3 37.b6+ Kb8! 38.Qc1 Bxg2 39.Qa3
It’s too late for complications.
39...Qh7 40.Qd6+ Kc8 41.Qc5+ Kd8 42.Bxf5 Rxh2 43.Qd6+ Qd7 44.Qb8+ Ke7 45.Bc2 Bf3
46.Rg3 Rxc2 47.Nxc2 Be4 48.Ne3 Rh1+ 49.Kf2 Qxa4!
White resigned.
Summary of the blockading move 7...c4:
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In their classic games, Botvinnik, Petrosian and Kortchnoi demonstrated the best defensive qualities
of the French Defence. The value of their ideas will be retained for as long as our game is played! In
my research, I have not been able to find an immediate refutation of this almost forgotten plan.
However, I greatly enjoyed analysing the games of the best players of that period.
Nowadays, the main weapon to meet the ‘Pawn Wedge’ is the dynamic counterattack connected with
7...Qb6 (analogically to Black’s set-up in the Advance Variation, but with the black knight on d7
instead of g8).
First we will have a look at White’s fashionable prophylactic move 8.a3.
Game 20 – 7...Qb6 8.a3
David Howell 2624
Ray Robson 2527
Puerto Madryn Wch jr 2009 (10)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.c3 Nc6 7.Ndf3
7...Qb6!
PLAN: The most effective manoeuvre. In this set-up Black combines ...Qb6, ...cxd4 and ...Bb4+,
and then ...f7-f6 or even ...g7-g5, thus trying to crush the white centre. This plan will be seen more
clearly in the next game.
8.a3
This pawn move has become quite popular lately thanks to some of GM Luke McShane’s attacking
202
games. It defends against ...Bb4+ and supports b2-b4. Compared to the 6.a3 variation of the Advance
French (Part One), White’s pawn chain is stronger at the head. However, the potential weakness of
the b3- and c4-squares remains a key problem, and Black’s direct attempt to exploit them (as we will
see here) is his main antidote and weapon.
8.g3/Ne2 – Game 21.
8...Be7!?
Black develops first and waits.
PLAN: A universal plan chosen by LCZero is 8...a5!? 9.b3 Be7 10.h4 (also transposing to 9.h4)
10...Qc7!?.
analysis diagram
A regrouping, leading to complex positional play. This is another route that could be investigated:
11.Rb1 h6 12.Bd3 Rb8!? 13.Ne2 b5 14.0-0 b4! 15.f5 exf5 16.Bf4 Qb7 17.cxb4 axb4 18.axb4 Nxb4
19.Bxf5 Nf8 20.Ng3 Ne6 and this computer game ended in draw on move 51, AllieStein-LCZero,
TCEC chess.com 2020.
9.b4
PLAN: If, for example, 9.h4 Black can return to the idea of simplification (on moves 8/9):
9...cxd4, investigated in The Even More Flexible French (2015) (or follow up with 9...a5!? as on
move 8) 10.cxd4 Na5!? 11.Ne2 Qb3 12.Qd2 Nc4!?N 13.Qc3 Qxc3+ 14.Nxc3 Ndb6 with a quite
playable ending.
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PLAN: 9.Ne2!?.
analysis diagram
US grandmaster Ray Robson (born 1994), a new
young Francophile.
This position often arises through opening transpositions:
184 games. 9...0-0 (9...f6!?; 9...a5 10.f5∞) 10.b4 (10.f5? is
tactically suspicious: 10...cxd4 11.cxd4 exf5! 12.Nc3 Rd8!
13.Nxd5? Qa5+ 14.Nc3 Ndxe5–+) 10...cxd4 11.cxd4.
Now Black can set up a standard defence with 11...f6 (or
11...a6!?, similar to the main game) 12.Qd3 Qc7„,
intending 13...Nb6 etc.
9...cxd4 10.cxd4
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Here I like the natural plan invented by Georgian/Belgian GM Dgebuadze:
10...a6!?
An effective way to meet the a2-a3 line. Black not only defends against b4-b5 but prepares his own
attack on the queenside, intending ...Qc7/...b7-b5/...Nd7-b6-c4.
11.h4
PUZZLE: Another advance, which was played in most of the games. However, out of the first 11
opening moves, White has played 10 with his pawns!
After 11.Bd3?, Black can safely grab the pawn with 11...Nxd4.
TRICK: 11.Nh3 Qc7 (11...Qa7!?) 12.Bd3? Nxd4!.
PLAN: 11.Bb2!?.
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analysis diagram
A curious line: 24 games in total, but only two draws. 11...Qc7 (11...Qd8 also looks satisfactory for
Black, with the idea 12...Nb6!?) 12.Rc1 (12.Ne2 b5! 13.Nc3 Nb6µ Rudd-Dgebuadze, Liverpool
2006) 12...b5 13.Qc2 Bb7 14.f5!? exf5 (14...Qb6!?) 15.Qxf5 Nb6 with equal chances, Tobella
Torras-Biedermann, cr 2012.
11...Qc7! 12.Bd2
PLAN: The origin: 12.Rb1 b5! (12...Nb6!?) 13.Bd3 Nb6„ Dutreeuw-Dgebuadze, Aalst 2005.
PLAN: The most recent game by the hero of 8.a3 shows 12.h5 b5! – perfectly good, ignoring
White’s push h5-h6.
206
analysis diagram
13.Nh3 (13.h6 g6 doesn’t help White: 14.Nh3 Nb6 15.Nhg5 Nc4³ Pap-Van Vliet, Lille 2012)
13...Nb6! 14.Bd3 Nc4 15.0-0 a5! and suddenly Black holds a winning advantage, as it’s not easy to
see an effective plan for White, McShane-Pigott, London 2017.
12...b5!
Again the same plan: so what should White do after a disastrous 0-5 result?
12...Nb6!?N is an interesting alternative.
207
13.Ne2
Or 13.Bd3 Nb6 14.Ne2 Nc4„, intending 15...a5!.
13...Nb6 14.Nc1
14.Nc3 Nc4³.
14...Nc4 15.Nd3 a5!
The most important idea. Black already stands considerably better.
16.Nc5 0-0 17.Bd3 h6 18.Bc3 f6!?
The opening of the second front, with serious pressure.
Or 18...axb4 19.axb4 Bb7µ.
19.Ke2
This move is hard to argue with, but young samurai Robson doesn’t shy away.
19...Rb8
19...Bxc5!?–+.
20.Bc2 f5!?
Transposing to the Diamond Dutch!
208
21.Qc1 Bxc5! 22.bxc5
22.dxc5 d4!.
22...b4 23.axb4 axb4 24.Bb2 b3 25.Bd3 Nb4! 26.Nd2
26.Bxc4 dxc4 27.Qxc4 Qc6–+.
26...Qc6 27.Rh3 Nxd3 28.Rxd3 Ba6
Black’s light-square domination quickly forced the white army to surrender:
29.Rxa6 Qxa6 30.Nxc4 dxc4 31.Rc3 Rb4 32.Kf2 Ra4 33.c6 Rc8 34.d5 exd5 35.Qd2 Qxc6 36.e6
Ra2 37.Rg3 Qc5+ 38.Kf3 c3 39.Qe1 cxb2 40.Rxg7+ Kxg7 41.Qe5+ Kg8 0-1
We conclude our study of 3...Nf6 with a ‘mixed salad’ of lines. Here Black combines all his
resources in the fight against the pawn wedge created by 5/6.f4.
Game 21 – 8.g3/Ne2
Roeland Pruijssers 2520
Mikhail Ulybin 2482
Groningen 2018 (5)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.c3 Nc6 7.Ndf3 Qb6!
7...cxd4 8.cxd4 and now 8...a5!? and the dynamic check 8...Bb4+ were developed in my Flexible
French books of 2008/2015. Here we see how these ideas are reflected and evolved in modern games.
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8.g3
White builds his ‘sarcophagus’! He supports the centre, at the same time vacating the g2-square for
the king and/or the h3-square for the bishop.
WEAPON: After the flexible 8.Ne2, a dynamic resource is 8...f6!? (8...Be7!? – Games 20 and
21) 9.g3 (if 9.a3 see Game 20, line 6.Ne2: 9...Be7 10.b4 cxd4 11.cxd4 0-0 12.Qd3 Qc7!? and
13...Nb6 etc.)
analysis diagram
This is a tactically important position in the ‘Pawn Wedge’ variation. 9...cxd4!? 10.cxd4 (10.Nexd4
fxe5! 11.fxe5 Nc5 12.Bh3 Be7 13.0-0 0-0 14.Qe2 Nxd4 15.Nxd4 Rxf1+ 16.Kxf1 Bd7„ AtlasLuther, Austria tt 2001/02) 10...Bb4+ 11.Bd2? (allowing a frontal attack in the centre; 11.Kf2? is
another error: 11...fxe5 12.fxe5 Ndxe5!; better is 11.Nc3 fxe5! 12.fxe5 0-0 13.Bf4 Ndxe5!, a forced
combination leading to a balanced endgame: 14.Bxe5 Nxe5 15.Nxe5 Bxc3+ 16.bxc3 Qb2 17.Qc1™
17...Qf2+ 18.Kd1 Qxf1+ 19.Rxf1 Rxf1+ 20.Kd2 Rxc1 21.Rxc1 b6= Robson-Meier, Lubbock 2010)
11...fxe5 12.fxe5 0-0 13.Bg2
210
analysis diagram
13...Ndxe5!‚. Total 72 games. One solution to the problem of the d7-knight in the ‘Pawn Wedge’ is
to give it away! 14.dxe5 Nxe5, winning in all lines: 15.Bxb4 (15.Nf4 Qe3+; 15.Ned4 Nd3+ etc.)
15...Qxb4+ 16.Kf2 and now best is 16...Qe4! 17.Nc3 Nd3+ 18.Kf1 Qc4 19.Qe2 e5 20.h3 e4–+
Hartwig-Seifert, Germany tt 1998/99.
8...Be7!?
The same waiting strategy as in the previous game. These days Black tends to prefer more positional
lines against the pawn wedge.
The most dynamic option is an older variation: 8...cxd4 9.cxd4 Bb4+ 10.Kf2 g5!?, an important
resource invented by the American IM Edward Formanek in 1968. For years, this was a main line,
and considered to be the most complicated (it was investigated by the author in The Flexible French).
Gradually, both White and Black began to look for other ways to develop, and this fantastic idea has
been transferred to the Classical Variation 3.Nc3 Nf6 (see Part Three).
9.Kf2
PLAN: 9.Bh3!?.
211
analysis diagram
This is slightly reminiscent of the ‘Armenian fianchetto’ from the Advance Variation, Game 9.
9...cxd4 10.cxd4 0-0 11.Ne2 (11.Kf1 /Kf2 11...a5!? 12.Ne2 a4„, intending ...a4-a3 or ...Qa6/Nb6)
11...f6!? is a well-known pawn sacrifice: 12.Bxe6+ (12.Rf1 Kh8) 12...Kh8 13.exf6 (13.Bxd5? fxe5
14.fxe5 Ndxe5! is famously strong for Black) 13...Nxf6 14.Bxc8 Bb4+! 15.Kf2 (15.Nc3? Re8+)
15...Raxc8 16.Kg2 Ne7!?° with the ideas ...Qb6-e6-c6-a6 and perhaps ...Bb4-a5-b6, when Black has
compensation with his light-square control and better pieces.
9...a5!?
212
PLAN: Grandmaster Ulybin, an experienced Francophile, is well-versed in the opening and
applies a deeply thought-out plan (although this is far from the most popular move): with this
seemingly incomprehensible advance of the queen’s pawn, Black actually intends to obtain
counterplay in the centre!
10.Kg2 cxd4!?
In order to determine White’s pawn structure.
10...a4 11.Rb1 cxd4 12.Nxd4 Nc5= was Rodgaard-Ulybin, Runavik 2017.
11.cxd4 a4!
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Russian GM Mikhail Ulybin (born 1971) is one of
the present-day champions of the French. In this
game he crushed the white pawn wedge with a
‘mixed salad’ of ideas.
With typical creative French play.
12.Nh3
It looks as if White has nowhere to put his pieces. 12.a3
weakens b3 and c4: 12...Qc7 (on c7 the queen will be
under a pin; 12...Qd8!?) 13.Bd3 Nb6 14.Qc2 Bd7=
Bocksberger-Enigk, Germany tt 1995.
12...Ndb8
A long journey of the king’s knight. As we can see, the g2g3 system can lead to slow play on both sides.
12...Qa7!?, intending ...Nb6-c4.
13.Nf2 Bd7
214
The position is more or less equal, but Black has a clear plan for improving his pieces. After a few
moves, the 2500+ Dutch GM, who has been lulled to sleep, completely loses his bearings and quickly
finds himself in a hopeless situation.
14.Bd2 Na5 15.Bxa5?! Rxa5 16.Bd3 Nc6 17.Bc2 Qxb2 18.Rb1 Qxa2 19.Qd2 b5 20.Rhc1 Ba3
21.Re1 Bb2 22.Nd3 a3 23.Nc5 Qc4 24.Bb3 Qc3 25.Qe2 Nxd4 26.Nxd4 Qxc5 27.Nf3 Qc3 28.Ba2
0-0 29.f5 exf5 30.Bxd5 Be6 31.Bxe6 fxe6 32.Red1 b4 33.Nd4 Rd5 34.Nf3 Rxd1 35.Rxd1 a2
36.Qa6 Qc2+ 37.Rd2 Qxd2+ 38.Nxd2 a1=Q 39.Qxe6+ Kh8 40.Nc4 Bd4 41.Nd6 Qg1+ 42.Kf3
Qf2#
Perhaps White should have tried to somehow get activated in the opening (preparation of f4-f5, or the
215
typical push h2-h4). Otherwise, there is a certain chance to be checkmated, forever sleeping in a
sarcophagus.
Summary of the ‘Pawn Wedge’ concept – 5/6.f4
In any database you can find almost 10,000 games with this scheme. I have offered three model
games (19-21) which contain (almost) all the important themes for both sides.
Please enjoy these very complicated positions and the sometimes quite bizarre play.
General Conclusion to Chapters 7-11 – Beyond Tarrasch (3.Nd2 Nf6)
In my opinion, the main dilemma for both sides in this complex opening is the choice between solid
but passive positions on the one hand, and attacking ideas that force the player to take extreme risks
on the other. Grandmaster Psakhis, in his book The Complete French, says about 3...Nf6!?: ‘A sharp
and complex variation, which has had, still has, and I am sure always will have, its supporters. Black
provokes the advance e4-e5 and thereby permits his opponent to create a powerful pawn centre. If
White succeeds in consolidating this centre, the advantage will be on his side; if not, the
consequences for him may be truly catastrophic.’
Hasta la vista!
Dedicated to Arnold Schwarzenegger
If the ideas mentioned in Chapters 7-11 were not enough for you, we will present in Chapters 12 and
216
13 a brief update of some very special variations against 3.Nd2. Let’s leave the closed struggles aside
and open up the game!
Directions
Chapter 12: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Be7!? (Games 22-24)
Chapter 13: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.exd5 Qxd5!? (Games 25-29)
Generally, a true ‘terminator’ player uses these variations to avoid his opponents’ home preparation.
However, some of these ‘exotic’ lines have grown to be so popular that they have become main
weapons!
217
Chapter 12
The Romanishin Variation
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Be7!?
3...Be7 is an asymmetrical response! – though very similar to a waiting strategy poker-style.
Oleg Romanishin.
History
Ukrainian GM Oleg Romanishin (born 1952) is a specialist
in exotic variations in all kinds of openings. In the mid1970s he rediscovered 3...Be7.
The French with 3...Be7!? is Alexander Morozevich’s
main weapon against 1.e4. Everybody knows this well in
advance, but no-one has been able to claim a serious
opening advantage against him here.
Nowadays it is very fashionable, because of its
peculiarity, but also thanks to the support given to it by
grandmasters Romanishin in the 1970s, Rainer Knaak in
the 1980s, and more recently Morozevich, Lputian,
Radjabov, Pert, Sadler, Nepomniachtchi, So and many
others. They have enriched the line with new and unusual
ideas.
Grandmaster Lev Psakhis writes: ‘The main idea of 3...Be7 is that Black first wants to see what plan
White will adopt, before deciding on a corresponding course of action. Another point of some
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significance is that in this line Black avoids the numerous exchanges that can occur following 3...c5.’
Author’s note: But the tempo spent is very important here. White must try to take advantage of
this.
Grandmaster Julen Luis Arizmendi Martinez writes: ‘This variation is becoming popular nowadays,
but it was Romanishin, back in the seventies, who first began to use it frequently. The main idea
behind 3...Be7 is to wait and see White’s piece setting, and react accordingly, while having developed
the bishop (admittedly not to such an active square, but a normal one in the French). Thus after
4.Ngf3 Nf6 5.e5 Nfd7 we reach a Tarrasch with the knight on f3, something which is not to
everyone’s liking. Or 4.c3 c5 5.dxc5 Bxc5 6.exd5 exd5, which leads us to a normal 3...c5 Tarrasch
where White has committed himself to an early c2-c3, which is not considered to be dangerous for
Black at all. I guess 4.e5 c5 5.Qg4 is the most “principled” variation, but Black has scored quite OK
with Morozevich’s 5...Kf8, making use of White’s misplaced queen to develop a quick initiative.’
Author’s note: I am sure that the most critical positions arise after the flexible move 4.Bd3!?. On
the other hand, many positions in the 3...Be7 variation can be defended thanks to unexpected tactical
resources!
Statistics for the move 3...Be7
Total (year 2008) 2812 games: 1-0=963, 0-1=816, 0.5=1033
Total (year 2014) 5590 games: 1-0=1931, 0-1=1697, 0.5=1960
New (update 2020) 8829 games: 1-0=3232, 0-1=2732, 0.5=2863
Line 4.Ngf3: year 2008=1062=52.3%, year 2014=2230=51.6%, 2020: 3548=52.2%
Line 4.Bd3: year 2008=1037=53.2%, year 2014=1936=52.2%, 2020: 2919=52.8%
There are certain possible transpositions between the moves 4.Nf3 and 4.Bd3.
Line 4.e5: year 2008=343=54.7%, year 2014=671=54.7%, new: 1206=56.7%
Line 4.c3: year 2008=318=50.9%, year 2014=653=51.8%, new: 998=51.7%
The situation has not changed much over the years. Only with the sharp advance 4.e5 the
percentage has grown in White’s favour, but perhaps this is due to the increase of online blitz and
rapid games. In any case, here I have tried to strengthen Black’s defence with some clearer directions
and tactical resources.
Exotic Lines
The most interesting options will be examined in the main lines.
First, two white pawn moves:
• 4.e5 – an ‘ambitious’ line, Game 22: Tan-So.
• 4.c3 – a ‘discreet-modest’ line, Game 23: McShane-Rapport.
And then two different piece moves that merit serious attention:
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• 4.Ngf3 – the most natural move. After 4...Nf6
... now 5.e5 transposes to the Universal System, see Game 16 (Libiszewski-Sadler), and 5.Bd3 c5
6.exd5 Qxd5! transposes to the next Chapter, No. 13.
• 4.Bd3 is more flexible. The idea is 4...c5 5.dxc5 Nf6 6.Qe2.
This popular set-up is perhaps the most dangerous for Black.
Here we examine the strength of the solid classical counterplan of 6...0-0, 7...a5!? and 8...Na6
followed by recovering the pawn on c5. There are many possibilities for both sides; see Game 24,
Erenburg-So.
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The Romanishin Variation – Games
Game 22 – 4.e5
Justin Tan 2502
Wesley So 2765
chess.com 2019 (1)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Be7
Playing hide-and-seek! This is also Morozevich’s main weapon against 3.Nd2.
4.e5
White chooses an ambitious but risky line.
The attacking idea 4.Qg4? fails after, for instance, 4...Nf6! 5.Qxg7 Rg8 6.Qh6 dxe4 7.Qe3 Qd5
8.Ne2 Nc6 and Black has the initiative, Heredia Serrano-Kantor, Budapest 2011.
4...c5! 5.c3
This is White’s most popular move. We have now reached a position that is typical of the Advance
Variation, with the extra moves 3.Nd2 Be7.
WEAPON: 5.Qg4!?. This idea from the Winawer Variation is not a panacea for the entire
French! 5...Kf8!.
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analysis diagram
Black loses the right to castle, but White’s central pawn chain is about to fall apart (5...g5 6.Qh5!?
and the queen blocks the kingside), e.g. 6.dxc5 Nc6 7.Ngf3 (a logical response; 7.Qg3 h5!? 8.Nb3 h4
9.Qe3 Nh6!?„; 7.Ndf3 f6!? 8.Bf4 h5!?N 9.Qg6 Bxc5„) 7...h5!?. Black starts counterplay with the
help of his foot soldiers: 8.Qg3 (8.Qa4 Qc7!? 9.Qf4 Nh6„ Olofsson-Boukal, cr 2013) 8...h4! 9.Qf4
g5! (the key to Black’s counterplay) 10.Qa4 (10.Qe3 Nh6!) 10...Qc7!.
analysis diagram
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Now Black is flexible and has more interesting options, Sherwood-Cabello Rodriguez, cr 2006 (an
improvement on 10...Bd7 Adams-Morozevich, Sarajevo 1999);
WEAPON: A powerful demonstration of Black’s possibilities is 5.dxc5 Nc6 6.Ngf3 Bxc5 7.Nb3
Bb6! 8.Bd3 f6!.
analysis diagram
The battle for e5 begins: 9.Qe2 fxe5 10.Nxe5 Nf6!? 11.0-0 (11.Bb5? 0-0!) 11...Nxe5! 12.Qxe5 0-0
13.Bg5 (13.c4 h6!; 13.Bf4? Ng4–+). This inaccuracy has tragic consequences, since Black gets a
chance to develop a dangerous initiative: 13...Bc7! 14.Qd4 h6 (14...e5!µ) 15.Bh4 e5!ƒ.
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analysis diagram
After this important advance Black is clearly comfortable, Adams-Morozevich, Dortmund 2001.
5...cxd4
After this exchange Black can use two ideas that are common in the ‘Advanced’ structure.
WEAPON: 5...Nc6!? retains more tension:
6.Bd3!? Bd7 7.Ne2 (7.Qg4 (Mamedov-Lagarde, Skopje 2018) 7...g5!?) 7...f6 8.Nf3 (8.f4 Nh6„ is an
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anti-Pawn Wedge set-up, Hauge-Ragger, Graz 2017) 8...fxe5 9.Nxe5 Nxe5 10.dxe5 Qc7 11.Bf4 g5!
perfectly echoes the ideas of Gulko’s System (Chapter 2), Van den Doel-Sadler, Haarlem 2016.
6.cxd4 Qb6 7.Ndf3 Bd7!?
Intending 8...Bb5.
PLAN: The years 2016-20 saw 25 games with the sequence 7...Bb4+!? 8.Bd2 Nc6
analysis diagram
The hero of Chapter 12: the US (online) champion
of 2020, GM Wesley So (born 1993), with two
brilliant wins in Games 22 and 24.
... which is the easiest path to an equal game: 9.Bc3 (9.Bxb4 Qxb4+ 10.Qd2 f6 11.Rc1 Qxd2+
12.Kxd2 Bd7 13.Bd3 Nh6= V.Kovalev-J.Christiansen, Dubai 2018) 9...Bd7 10.Qd2 f6 11.Bd3 Nge7
12.Ne2 (Mamedov-Anton Guijarro, Turkey tt 2017) 12...fxe5 13.dxe5 0-0=.
8.Bd3
WEAPON: 8.Ne2 is an old move: 8...Nc6!? with the idea 9.Nc3 Nh6! 10.Bxh6 gxh6 11.Qd2
Rg8„.
8...Bb5
The critical moment. Remember: 8...Bb4+?! is better on move 7, as now White would be able to
avoid simplification with 9.Kf1!.
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9.Bc2!?
An ambitious concept. White has two other tries:
PLAN: 9.Bxb5+!? Qxb5 10.Ne2 Bb4+ (10...Nc6!?) 11.Kf1!? (11.Bd2=) 11...Ne7 12.g3
(Grandelius-Ostenstad, Bergen 2018) and now 12...Nd7!? with the idea 13.Kg2 Rc8 14.h4 Qc4
15.Nf4 Qc2=.
PLAN: 9.Ne2 is a natural move. Then, 9...Bxd3 10.Qxd3 Nc6 (10...Qa6!?=) 11.0-0 Bd8!?∞
should slightly favour White with his space advantage, Yu Hua-Xuwen Wang, Hangzhou 2019.
9...Nc6 10.a3?!
Too slow; 10.Ne2 Bb4+ (10...Nb4!?) 11.Bd2 Bxd2+ 12.Qxd2 Bxe2!? 13.Kxe2 Nge7=.
10...Qa6!
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A nice counterattacking resource, intending 11...Bf1 or 11...Nb4.
11.Be3
11.Ne2 is natural, but allows 11...Nb4!.
11...Bf1! 12.Nd2?
White was clearly confused on moves 10-12. 12.h3 Bxg2 13.Bd3 Qb6 14.Rh2 Bxf3 15.Nxf3 would
offer some compensation, although Black remains objectively better.
12...Bxg2 13.Qg4 Bxh1 14.Qxg7 Nb4!
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Now the battle is tactically lost for White.
15.Rc1 Nxc2+ 16.Rxc2 Qd3 17.Qxh8
If 17.Rc3, 17...Qg6 wins.
17...Kd7 18.Rc3 Qg6 19.Ne2 Re8 20.Nf4 Qg1+ 21.Nf1 Nf6 22.f3 Qxe3+ 23.Rxe3
23.Nxe3 Rxh8 24.exf6 Bd6!–+.
23...Rxh8 24.exf6 Bxf6 25.Rd3 Bg5 26.Nh3 Bh4+ 27.Ng3 Rc8
27...Rg8–+.
28.Kd2
28.Kd1 Bg2 29.Nf4 Bxg3 30.hxg3 Bf1µ.
28...Bg2 29.Nf4 Bg5 30.Nge2 Bf1 31.Rc3 0-1
Summary of 4.e5:
Some of the games mentioned here are a fantastic window display of modern chess, full of resources!
• 5.c3 – leads to a similar kind of balanced game as in the Advance Variation.
• 5.dxc5 – after the French break 8...f6, White does not hold the centre and loses all hope for an
advantage.
• After 5.Qg4 the most important moves in the opening are those made by the black pawns: ...h7-h5,
...g7-g5, ...f7-f6 and also the knight manoeuvre ...Ng8-h6-f5. After 6.dxc5 Black does not recover this
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pawn, but looks for tactical possibilities instead.
Game 23 – 4.c3
Luke McShane 2697
Richard Rapport 2676
Germany Bundesliga 2013/14 (11)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Be7!? 4.c3
A modest try for technical players. The present game is the most interesting and attractive one played
in this line.
4...c5!?
4...dxe4 (analogous to the Rubinstein Variation) is a good way to equalize: 5.Nxe4 Nd7 6.Nf3 Ngf6
7.Nxf6+ Nxf6 8.Bd3 0-0 9.Qe2 b6=.
5.dxc5
Other options for White:
PUZZLE: 5.e5 – Game 22.
PLAN: 5.exd5 Qxd5!? is a more relevant position for Chapter 13, next.
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analysis diagram
The young ‘Terminator’ and champion of exotic
lines GM Richard Rapport (born 1996) loves sharp
positions with the initiative, his imagination is
limitless, and his blows are dangerous for any
opponent.
The inclusion of the moves c2-c3 and ...Bf8-e7 slightly
favours Black (5...exd5 6.dxc5 is the main C07): 6.dxc5
(6.Ngf3 cxd4=) 6...Qxc5 7.Ne4 Qc6 8.Bd3 Nd7 9.Nf3
Ngf6 10.Qe2 Nxe4 11.Bxe4 Qc7 12.0-0 0-0= intending
...Nf6 and ...b7-b6, Dvoirys-Morozevich, Samara 1998.
PLAN: 5.Ngf3 is a normal move
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analysis diagram
... but here it is harmless after 5...cxd4 (5...Nf6 6.e5 (6.exd5 Nxd5; 6.Bd3 cxd4) 6...Nfd7 7.Bd3 Nc6
is the Universal System, Game 16) 6.Nxd4 (6.cxd4 dxe4=) 6...Nc6 7.Bb5 Bd7 (this is the Tarrasch
Variation with 3...c5, but with the extra moves c2-c3 for White and ...Be7 for Black) 8.N4f3 (8.Nxc6
Bxc6=; 8.Bxc6 bxc6!) 8...Nf6 9.exd5 (9.e5? Nxe5µ) 9...Nxd5 is very comfortable for Black,
Guramishvili-Bok, Wijk aan Zee 2017.
5...Bxc5
WEAPON: 5...Nf6!? is an equivalent and also popular option, for example: 6.exd5 Nxd5
(6...Qxd5 7.b4∞) 7.Ne4 0-0 8.Nf3 Nd7=.
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6.Bd3!?
PLAN: Another sharp and dramatic game by Alexander Morozevich saw 6.Ngf3 Nf6 7.e5!? (for
7.Bd3 see the main game). This advance always leads to sharp and double-edged positions, e.g.
7...Qb6! (7...Ng4?? loses the knight after 8.Qa4+) 8.Nd4 Nfd7 9.Qg4 (a provocative manoeuvre;
9.N2f3 Nc6„) 9...0-0 10.N2f3 Nc6!. Thanks to his lead in development, Black soon obtains a
dangerous initiative after preparing an exchange sacrifice: 11.Bh6 g6ƒ A.Onischuk-Morozevich,
Germany Bundesliga 1998/99.
PLAN: 6.Nb3 Bb6 7.exd5 (7.e5 Nc6 8.Nf3 f6!„ transposes to the Adams-Morozevich duel, see
the notes to Game 22) 7...exd5.
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analysis diagram
With typical play revolving around the isolated pawn: 8.Nf3 (8.Bb5+ Nc6 9.Nf3 Nf6 10.Qe2+ Ne4
11.Be3 0-0³ Tiviakov-Rapport, Wijk aan Zee 2013) 8...Nf6 9.Be2 0-0 10.0-0 Nc6 11.Bg5 (11.Bf4?!
Re8 12.h3 Ne4ƒ Malakhov-Morozevich, Moscow blitz 2014) 11...Re8 12.Bh4 h6 13.Re1 g5! 14.Bg3
Ne4 15.Nfd4 f5µ A.Onischuk-Kramnik, Tilburg 1997.
6...Nf6 7.Qe2
PLAN: 7.Ngf3 dxe4 8.Nxe4 Nxe4 9.Qa4+ Bd7 10.Qxe4 Bc6 11.Qe2 Nd7= Svidler-Shipov,
Moscow 2006.
7...Qc7!?N
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PLAN: Instead of the usual 7...Nc6, Black intends to develop the knight to d7 and then play ...b7b6 and ...Bb7.
8.Ngf3 0-0 9.0-0
TRICK: Importantly, the tactic fails: 9.e5 Ng4 10.Bxh7+? Kxh7–+.
9...Nbd7!? 10.Bc2
It is strange that such an active player as McShane takes such a very modest stance in this game.
TRICK: He should at least have tried 10.e5!?
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analysis diagram
10...Ng4 11.Nb3 Bb6 12.Ng5 Ndxe5! 13.Bxh7+ Kh8 14.Bd3™ 14...f6 15.Bf4 fxg5 16.Bxe5 Qxe5
17.Qxg4 Qf6 with a balanced but sharp position.
10...b6! 11.exd5 exd5!
White’s entire set-up, including the queen, will remain passive against an isolated pawn.
11...Nxd5 was balanced.
12.Nb3 Re8 13.Qd3 a5! 14.Nxc5 bxc5! 15.Re1 Rxe1+ 16.Nxe1 Ba6 17.Qd1 Re8 18.Nd3?! Qb6!
19.h3 h6 20.Rb1 Bc4 21.a4 Ne4 22.Bd2?
Quite a natural mistake in such a stalemate position.
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PUZZLE: Black to move. Check your tactical vision.
22...Bxd3! 23.Bxd3 Nxf2!–+
An elegant combination that brings home the point.
24.Qf3
24.Kxf2 c4+.
24...Nxd3 25.Qxd3 c4+ 26.Qd4 Re2 27.Rd1 Qxb2 28.Qxd5 Qc2 29.Bf4 Rxg2+ 30.Kh1 Re2 31.Rg1
Qd3 32.Qxd3 cxd3 33.Bxh6 d2 34.Rxg7+ Kh8 35.Rg1 Ne5 36.Bf4 Nf3 0-1
Summary of 4.c3:
This move is not especially useful in these lines. The game is still very balanced. But if White plays
the advance e4-e5, the arising positions are very similar to those of the Advance Variation with 4.e5;
the extra move Nd2 is not very appropriate here, as we have seen confirmed throughout Games 22
and 23.
Game 24 – 4.Bd3
Sergey Erenburg 2601
Wesley So 2762
Las Vegas 2014 (5)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Be7 4.Bd3!?
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Another popular set-up, which is more flexible. The difference with 4.Ngf3 is that the text move
enables White to play Qe2 at a favourable moment.
PUZZLE: 4.Ngf3 is a natural and therefore popular development of the knight: 4...Nf6 5.Bd3
(5.e5 Nfd7 transposes to the Universal System, Game 16) 5...c5 6.exd5 (6.dxc5 dxe4=)
6...Qxd5!?, activating the queen as in the ‘Scandinavian Hybrid’. This is also a position from
Chapter 13, with the inclusion of the moves Bd3 and ...Be7.
4...c5!
The most dynamic response.
Romanishin’s original idea was 4...Nc6 5.Ngf3 Nb4, but this manoeuvre is somewhat slow: 6.Be2².
And 4...dxe4 would lead to the Rubinstein Variation.
5.dxc5
The logical continuation (after ...Be7) and also the main one.
PUZZLE: 5.exd5?! is nothing to worry about: 5...Qxd5! 6.Ngf3 cxd4! is similar to the next
chapter (3...c5 4.exd5 Qxd5!?), but the inclusion of the extra moves Bd3 and ...Be7 favours
Black.
5...Nf6!
Black prefers to develop.
6.Qe2!
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This possibility is the difference between 4.Bd3 and 4.Ngf3.
In this position, the most tried and true theoretical line is:
6...0-0!?
Black is not in a hurry to take on c5, but prepares to capture the pawn with his queen’s knight.
PUZZLE: Or first 6...a5 7.Ngf3 0-0 etc.; Morozevich’s plan with 6...Nc6 and 7...Nb4 is an
especially tactical operation. Today it has lost its popularity, and it is not included in the practical
repertoire of the ‘Terminators’.
7.Ngf3 a5! 8.0-0
The rare advance 8.e5 does not seem to disturb the black army: 8...Nfd7 9.h4 (White is threatening
10.Bxh7+; 9.0-0 Nxc5³) 9...h6! 10.Nb3 (10.g4?! Nxc5 11.g5 h5!µ; 10.c3 Nc6!? 11.Nb3 a4 12.Nbd4
Nxc5³) 10...a4 11.Nbd4 Nxc5 12.Rh3 f5! 13.exf6 Bxf6–+ Simacek-Pesotskiy, Pardubice 2019.
8...Na6
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In view of the coming ...Nxc5, White’s next move is obvious:
9.e5
Other options are no better:
A) 9.exd5 exd5 10.Re1 (10.Nb3 a4!) 10...Re8 11.Nb3 a4!? 12.Nbd4 Bxc5 13.Be3 Bg4³ KirillovMochalin, Kirishi 2019;
B) 9.Bb5 Nxc5 10.e5 Nfd7 11.Rd1 Qc7 12.c4 (Salem-Bellahcene, Dubai 2018) 12...Nb6=;
C) 9.Re1 Nxc5 10.e5 Nfd7 11.Nf1 (Vega Gutierrez-Moskalenko, Sabadell 2011) 11...Nxd3 12.cxd3
d4!?³.
9...Nd7
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This is the key position for the 4.Bd3 line.
10.c3
GM Sumets, CBM 154: ‘In my view White has more chances to play for an opening advantage if he
plays 10.c4 or 10.Nd4.’ Actually, White has three other natural options:
A) 10.Nb3 a4! 11.Nbd4 Ndxc5!? 12.a3 Nxd3 13.cxd3 Bd7 14.Bf4 (Sherwood-Wingo, cr 2008)
14...b5!³ intending ...b5-b4;
B) 10.Nd4 is similar to the previously seen manoeuvre: 10...Naxc5 (or 10...Ndxc5!? 11.f4 Nxd3
12.cxd3 Nb4N 13.N2f3 Qb6!? 14.Be3 Qa6„ Urazayev-Nogerbek, Astana 2018) 11.N2f3 Nxd3
12.cxd3 Nc5 (12...Nb8!?) 13.Be3 Bd7 14.Rac1 Rc8 15.Rc3 Na6= Jansa-Petr, Pardubice 2013;
C) 10.c4!? is a quite logical attempt to open the game and make use of White’s space advantage:
10...Naxc5 (or 10...Ndxc5!? 11.Bb1 d4 (11...Nb4!? 12.a3 Nc6 13.Nb3 Nxb3 14.Qc2 g6 15.Qxb3
a4= Haubro-Naroditsky, Helsingor 2016) 12.Rd1 d3!? 13.Qe3 b6 14.Ne1 (14.Nb3 Bb7=) 14...Bb7
15.Nxd3 Qc7° Liang-So, St Louis 2018) 11.Bc2.
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analysis diagram
Now Black has to find the best way to develop his queenside: 11...b6!? (11...dxc4!?; 11...Nb6?
12.Nb3!±) 12.b3 (or 12.Nd4!? Qc7!? 13.Re1 Ba6 14.b3 Rfd8= Domancich-Tazelaar, cr 2013)
12...dxc4!?N (12...Nb8 /...Qc7/...Ba6/...Bb7 are four other playable moves) 13.Nxc4 b5! with active
and satisfactory counterplay, e.g. 14.Nd6 Nxe5!.
10...Naxc5
11.Bc2
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WEAPON: Another bishop retreat is 11.Bb5 a4!? 12.Nd4 (12.c4 Nb6!?) 12...f6!³.
11...b5!
The most ambitious advance, played in 55 games already. Black achieves excellent counterplay in all
lines.
12.Nd4
For example:
A) 12.a3 Qc7 13.Re1 Ba6!„;
B) 12.Re1 b4 13.Nd4 Ba6 14.Qf3 Rc8 15.Qh3 g6„ Ogleznev-Baklan, Sovata 2018.
12...Qc7!
‘It is hard to underestimate Black’s achievements on the queenside. He had to find the best setup of
his pieces in order to prevent a possible white attack’ – Sumets, CBM 108 (commenting on the game
Kasimdzhanov-Kamsky, Zug 2013).
13.N2f3
A) 13.Re1 b4! 14.Qe3 Re8!? intending 15.Qh3 Nf8„;
B) White can try 13.f4, but Black’s chances are better here: 13...b4! 14.Rf3 g6³ Dominguez RinconGarcia Pantoja, Medellin 2019.
13...b4!
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At this point we can finish the theoretical treatment of the move 4.Bd3 and, finally, enjoy the
practical play.
14.cxb4 axb4 15.Re1 Ba6 16.Qd1 Ne4!ƒ
With a triple effect: attacking White’s e5-pawn, blocking the c2-h7 diagonal and controlling the g5square.
17.Bxe4 dxe4 18.Rxe4 Bb7 19.Re1 Rfd8 20.Bf4 Nc5 21.Qc2 Qd7 22.Red1 Rxa2!–+
Black has achieved an overwhelming advantage, but subsequently, Wesley did not play perfectly and
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almost let his opponent escape. Eventually, everything was decided in an extraordinary ending.
23.Ng5
23.Rxa2 b3–+.
23...g6 24.Rac1 Qa4 25.Qe2 Rxd4 26.Rxd4 Nb3 27.Rdd1 Nxc1 28.Rxc1 Ra1 29.Qd2 Rxc1+
30.Qxc1 Qb3 31.f3 h6 32.Nh3 g5 33.Be3 Qd5 34.Qc7 Bd8 35.Qc5 Qd1+ 36.Kf2 g4 37.Bxh6
Bh4+ 38.Ke3 Qe1+ 39.Kd4 Qd1+ 40.Ke3 Qe1+ 41.Kd4 Kh7
42.Qf8?
The last mistake in this tactical game; 42.Ng5+ was necessary.
42...Qd1+
Now the white king is caught in a mating net.
43.Kc5 Qc2+ 44.Kb5 Qd3+
44...Qc6+!.
45.Kb6? Bd8+! 46.Kc5 Qc2+ 47.Kb5 Bc6+ 48.Kxb4 Qxb2+ 49.Kc5 Be7+ 0-1
Summary of 4.Bd3 and Black’s counterplay:
This move offers richer and more dynamic play than 4.Nf3. Both sides can vary here. In the main
line, the most reliable is the classical plan of 6...0-0, 7...a5!?, 8...Na6 and recovering the c5-pawn.
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Some remarkable news
Compared to the old games, here in most of the lines Black does not use the common French resource
...f7-f6. After Black has placed his knight on c5, White obviously does not have enough time to
regroup and create real threats in the centre or on the kingside, while Black is gradually making
progress on the queenside.
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Chapter 13
A French-Scandinavian hybrid
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.exd5 Qxd5!?
The Italian player Davide Marotti was the first to
discover the unusual move 4...Qxd5 at the board in
1923.
Introduction
The Italian player Davide Marotti was the first to discover
this unusual move on the board in 1923. Soon the idea was
developed by grandmasters such as the Austrian
Argentinian player Erich Eliskases, Tigran Petrosian from
Armenia (who played 17 games in this line, scoring 16
draws (!) and one win), and the Swede Ulf Andersson.
Peculiarly, Andersson also played 17 games in this line,
with the result: 7 wins, 1 loss and 9 draws – of course his
opponents were not so strong...
Statistics: Total MegaBase, year 2008: 4700 games,
year 2014: 6860 games
Now this popular system has a base of 12,630 games while
4...exd5 has 12,360 games only – which means that
4...Qxd5 has become the main variation of the Tarrasch with 3.Nd2 c5! (presumably, not in the last
place thanks to my previous books).
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Two deviations
• Game 25 (Adams-Graf): 4.Ngf3, avoiding the main Tarrasch, but allowing 4...cxd4!?.
• Game 26 (Bruzon-Shankland): 5.dxc5, deviating from the main line of the ‘Hybrid’ system.
Three main squares
If we compare these positions with those that arise in the Scandinavian Defence, we see that Black is
better here! The added moves are Nb1-d2 and d2-d4 for White, and the pawn moves ...c7-c5 and
...e7-e6 for Black. However, White keeps a lead in development after 5.Ngf3 cxd4 6.Bc4.
Play in this line is similar to the Rubinstein Variation 3...dxe4. But both sides have an additional
possibility: that of castling queenside. At this point the black queen has three main squares: d6, d7
and d8.
• Games 27 and 28: 6...Qd6, the most popular retreat (9966 games).
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Here the main continuation employed at high level is the classical one: 7.0-0 Nf6 8.Nb3 Nc6
9.Nbxd4 Nxd4.
Black’s natural replies are the following:
10...Bd7 is an aggressive plan, with the possibility of queenside castling (on the other hand, 10...Be7
was Petrosian’s drawing weapon) – Game 27 (Tseshkovsky-Glek).
10...a6 is a flexible treatment, intending ...Qc7-Bd6 and ...b7-b5 – Game 28 (Kuthan-Sebenik).
And:
In Game 29 (Daulyte-Osmak) we examined two other options: the modern 6...Qd7 (1010 games), and
the as yet ‘undiscovered’ 6...Qd8!? (1120 games).
An advantage of both these moves compared to 6...Qd6 is that the queen does not shut off the direct
sortie of the f8-bishop.
But also the defence in these lines is quite flexible, avoiding some typical forced lines.
A French-Scandinavian hybrid – Games
Game 25 – 4.Nf3 cxd4
Michael Adams 2727
Alexander Graf 2576
Germany Bundesliga 2017/18 (2)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.Ngf3
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Trying to avoid the main lines of the Tarrasch.
4.exd5 Qxd5! is the ‘Scandinavian Hybrid’, Games 26-29.
WEAPON: Another type of pawn centre is created after 4.dxc5 Bxc5 5.Bd3 (5.Nb3 Bb6) 5...Nf6
6.Qe2 Nc6 7.Ngf3.
A slightly surprising decision for English GM
Michael Adams, who is a great expert on the 3.Nd2
variation with the white pieces and a ‘Terminator’
in exotic lines.
White prepares e4-e5 and tries to organize an attack against the enemy king with his pieces. However,
7...Qc7!? 8.0-0 0-0 9.e5?! (9.c4 h6!?³) 9...Ng4! 10.Nb3 Bb6! and now 11.Bxh7+? (11.Bf4 f6³) is
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tactically wrong due to 11...Kxh7 12.Ng5+ Kg8 13.Qxg4
Nxe5 14.Qd1 (14.Qh5 Qxc2–+) 14...f6! and Black soon
won in Munoz Pantoja-Peralta, Barcelona 2016.
4...cxd4!?
PUZZLE: 4...Nf6 is quite possible: 5.e5 (5.exd5
Nxd5!?, see the WEAPON on move 5) 5...Nfd7 6.c3
Nc6 enters the Universal System, Chapter 9.
5.Nxd4
Again, 5.exd5 Qxd5! is the main line of Chapter 13.
5...Nc6
Natural.
WEAPON: A popular alternative is 5...Nf6!?,
developing and attacking e4: 6.exd5 (6.Bb5+ Bd7 is equal; a handy trick to know is 6.e5 Nfd7 7.f4?
Nxe5! intending 8.fxe5 Qh4+ 9.g3 Qxd4–+) and here 6...Qxd5 is the most common move.
TRICK: Recapturing with 6...Nxd5!? is also considered playable: 7.N2f3 (7.Ne4 Be7=) 7...Bb4+
8.c3? (8.Bd2 0-0=) 8...Nxc3 9.bxc3 Bxc3+ 10.Bd2 Bxd4µ) 7.Nb5!?. The only serious attempt at
an advantage.
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analysis diagram
7...Qd8!? (an extremely unusual move which is, however, quite reasonable; 7...Na6 is common
here) 8.Bd3 (8.Nc4 Nd5 9.Ne3 a6! 10.Nxd5 exd5=; 8.Nb3 Qxd1+ 9.Kxd1 Kd8!? looks about
equal) 8...a6 9.Nc3 Nc6 and Black has gained comfortable equality, Vachier-Lagrave-Caruana,
Paris blitz 2017.
6.Bb5
The immediate exchange 6.Nxc6 bxc6 creates the same pawn structure, but leaves the d7-square
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available for Black’s knight:
analysis diagram
7.Bd3 (7.c4 Nf6 8.cxd5 cxd5 9.Bb5+ Bd7= Rausis-Moskalenko, Vilafranca de Bonany 2009) 7...Nf6
8.Qe2 (8.0-0 Bd6!) 8...Be7 (8...Qc7!? intending ...Bd6) 9.0-0 0-0 10.c4 (10.Re1 a5=) 10...Bb7 11.b3
a5 12.Bb2 a4„ Munoz Pantoja-Moskalenko, Mollet del Vallès 2011.
6...Bd7 7.Nxc6
7.Bxc6 bxc6 8.0-0 Bd6 hasn’t given White anything in recent years.
7...bxc6!?
Recently, Black has tended to opt for this recapture, retaining more pieces on the board and thereby
keeping winning chances.
7...Bxc6 is still considered to be a good solution: 8.Bxc6+ bxc6 9.c4!
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analysis diagram
9...Nf6!? 10.Qa4 Qc7!? 11.cxd5 exd5 12.0-0 (12.exd5 Qe5+!) 12...Be7 13.exd5 Nxd5=; his strong
knight and potentially active pieces give Black decent compensation for the flaws in his pawn
structure.
There are at least two other reasonable moves:
A) 9...Rc8N 10.Qa4 Qd7!? 11.cxd5 (11.0-0 Rizouk-Moskalenko, Catalan cup rapid 2020: 11...d4!?)
11...cxd5 12.Qxd7+ Kxd7 13.exd5 e5!? 14.Nf3 f6„ M.Villanueva-Moskalenko, Catalan cup rapid
2020;
TRICK: 9...dxe4 10.Qa4? (an automatic reaction; 10.Nxe4!? and perhaps White has a slight
edge) 10...f5!N.
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analysis diagram
This is a known type of position, in which Black’s pawns are strong and he can develop efficiently.
11.f3 (11.Qxc6+ Kf7µ) 11...Qb6! 12.fxe4 Nf6! 13.exf5 0-0-0–+ Kolev-Moskalenko, Montcada
2001;
8.Bd3 Bd6
This is a major option.
PLAN: Everyone plays this differently: Black usually plays a combination of ...Bd6 and/or
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...Qc7, ...Ne7/Nf6, whereas White has to decide whether to play Qe2, c2-c4 and/or castle early
and Re1. I’m not sure if anyone knows which move-orders are best for either side, since each
move comes with a tradeoff.
PLAN: 8...Qc7!? delays the development of the f8-bishop in favour of ...Ng8-e7-g6. Now:
A) 9.b3 dxe4!? (or 9...f5!? 10.exf5 Qe5+!; or 9...Bd6!? 10.Bb2 Nf6=) 10.Nxe4 f5! 11.Ng5 Bb4+
12.Kf1™ 12...Bc3 13.Rb1 Nf6„;
B) 9.0-0 Nf6 10.f4 Bc5+ 11.Kh1 h5„ Rendle-Haug, chess.com blitz 2018;
C) 9.Qe2 Ne7!? 10.Nf3 Ng6 11.0-0 (11.e5 f6!?) 11...Be7 (11...Bd6!? 12.Re1 Nf4!?) 12.Re1 0-0
13.e5 c5 14.b3 (Kovalev-Flom, chess.com blitz 2020) 14...c4!?„.
9.0-0
9.Qg4? Nf6 10.Qxg7 Rg8 11.Qh6 Rxg2µ.
PLAN: 9.c4 Nf6 10.0-0 Qc7 11.h3 0-0 12.Qe2 Rae8 13.c5 Bh2+ 14.Kh1 Bf4 15.Nf3 dxe4
16.Bxe4 e5 17.Bc2 e4!ƒ Sek-Vallejo Pons, Moscow Wch rapid 2019.
9...Qc7!? 10.Nf3
10.h3 spends time on a relatively unproductive move: 10...Ne7 (10...Nf6!? 11.Re1 0-0 12.c4 dxe4=)
11.b3 0-0 12.Bb2 e5!?„ Perez Candelario-Forcen Esteban, Linares 2018.
10...Nf6! 11.Qe2
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11...dxe4 12.Bxe4 0-0!?
A good alternative is 12...Nxe4 13.Qxe4 0-0! 14.b3?! (14.Rd1 Rad8= Wang Yiye-Shankland,
Edmonton 2015) 14...c5! 15.Bb2 Bc6 16.Qg4 f5ƒ Druska-Tomashevsky, Skopje 2019.
13.Rd1
PLAN: 13.Bd3 Rae8!? intending ...e6-e5.
13...e5!? 14.Bd2 Rae8 15.Ba5 Qb8!
Black avoids simplifications and gradually seizes the initiative.
16.Ng5 Bg4
16...h6!? 17.Nh7 Nxh7 18.Bxh7+ Kh8³.
17.f3 Bh5
The climax of this game.
18.Bxc6?
Too ambitious, even for Adams.
18.Qd3 Bc5+ 19.Kh1 was still unclear.
18...e4!ƒ
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A thematically elegant refutation of White’s entire strategy.
19.Nxe4
One mistake follows the other...
19.Bxe8 Rxe8ƒ.
19...Bxh2+ 20.Kf1 Nxe4 21.Bxe4 Bg6 22.Bc3 Bxe4 23.fxe4 f5 24.Qc4+ Kh8 25.Rd7?? Qf4+
White resigned.
Summary of 4.Ngf3 cxd4:
In the main line, after 7..bxc6!? 8.Bd3, Black’s chances look at least not worse. However, the
ultimate success of this set-up is a matter of understanding and implementing further strategies and
plans, many of which have been touched upon in this model game.
Game 26 – 5.dxc5
Lazaro Bruzon Batista 2664
Samuel Shankland 2671
Havana 2018 (2)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.exd5 Qxd5!?
In recent years, this ingenious Scandinavian-style move has become the most popular.
5.dxc5
For some reason, this exchange is often used at high levels. Kasparov tried this back in 1999, but after
he lost that game, it failed to catch on. Recently, however, interest in this line has revived.
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In this position Black has several moves but the main division is into the lines 5...Qxc5 and 5...Bxc5.
PUZZLE: 5.Ngf3 is the main line of the ‘Scandinavian Hybrid’. See Games 27-29.
5...Nf6
Stopping Ne4.
PUZZLE: 5...Qxc5!? is similar to the main game, but it allows White one extra option: 6.Ne4,
attempting to exploit the rare move-order, e.g. 6...Qb4+ 7.Nc3 with a slightly unusual but equal
position after 7...Nf6 8.a3 (8.Nf3 Ne4!; 8.Bd3 Nbd7!? 9.a3 Qd6= Timofeev-Morozevich,
Taganrog 2011) 8...Qa5 9.Bd3 a6= Karjakin-Giri, Wijk aan Zee 2012.
6.Ngf3
Returning to the main paths.
With 6.Nb3 White can try to defend the extra pawn, but after 6...Qxd1+ 7.Kxd1 Nbd7 8.Bb5 a6
9.Ba4 Be7 10.Nf3 0-0 11.Be3 Nd5! 12.Bd4 Rd8! Black gets full compensation.
6...Qxc5!?
I like this recapture with the queen, and it is quite convenient in view of Black’s further plan.
WEAPON: 6...Bxc5 looks more natural, but actually it is a bit more complicated to play:
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analysis diagram
7.Bc4 (7.Bd3 occurred in a fairly old game: 7...0-0 (7...Nc6!? prevents 8.Qe2 by 8...Nb4!) 8.Qe2
Nbd7 9.Ne4 b6!?= Kasparov-Anand, Reggio Emilia 1992) and here the black queen has retreated to
almost every square! 7...Qc6!? seems the best square in this line (7...Qh5 8.Qe2 Nc6!?∞), e.g. 8.Qe2
0-0 (8...a6!?) 9.0-0 a6!?.
analysis diagram
Play is approximately equal since both sides are still limited in their development. But in practice, the
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score is 52.2% in Black’s favour: 10.Bd3 (10.a4 b6!?; 10.a3 b6!?; 10.Nb3 Bd6 11.Bg5 b5 12.Bd3
Nbd7„; 10.Ne5 Qc7 11.Ndf3 b5 12.Bd3 Bb7 13.Bf4 Bd6„) 10...Nbd7 11.Ne4 (11.Nc4 Qc7
12.Bg5 b5 13.Nce5 Bb7³ Svidler-Danielian, Voroshilovgrad 1989) 11...Nxe4! 12.Bxe4 Qc7 13.Bd3
Nf6 (13...e5!?) 14.Ne5 (14.Bg5 h6!?) 14...b5 15.Bg5 Nd5 16.c4 bxc4 17.Nxc4 Nb4 (17...Bb7!?
Lagno-Abrahamyan, Astana 2019) 18.Be4 Bb7 with a draw on move 26 in Rodi Maletich-Forsloef, cr
2017.
7.Bd3 Nbd7!?
PLAN: Black is intending the most flexible development: ...Qc7 and ...Nc5!? (and NxB), or
simply ...Be7, ...b7-b6 and ...Bb7 etc.
8.0-0
PLAN: 8.Qe2 usually serves as a kind of waiting move. However, 8...Qc7! 9.a4 (designed to
discourage ...b7-b6 and create weaknesses on Black’s queenside; 9.Nb3 b6!?) 9...Nc5!? 10.Bb5+
Bd7 11.Ne5 a6 12.Nxd7 Nfxd7 13.Bc4 Qc6! 14.Qf3 Qxf3 15.gxf3³ Kovalenko-Martinovic,
Karlsruhe 2017.
8...Qc7!?
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Black is extremely solid.
9.Re1!?
A) Again: 9.Qe2 Nc5!? 10.Bc4 (10.Bb5+ Bd7 11.Bxd7+ Ncxd7=) 10...Bd6 11.b3 a6 12.a4 b6
13.Bb2 Bb7 (Black has active pieces and no developing problems) 14.Rfd1 0-0 15.Bxf6? (this tends
to be a bad move) 15...gxf6µ Zherebukh-Akobian, St Louis 2017;
B) 9.Nd4 a6 (9...Nc5!?) 10.Re1 Ne5 (10...Nc5= Pap-Sedlak, Kragujevac 2016) 11.Ne4 Nxd3
12.Nxf6+ gxf6 13.Qxd3 Bd7 14.Qf3 and Black succeeded in holding her super-GM opponent to a
draw in Vachier- Lagrave-Zatonskih, Gibraltar 2012. Now: 14...Rg8!?.
9...Be7
Slowly preparing ...b7-b6.
WEAPON: But why not immediately 9...b6!? 10.b3 Bb7 11.Bb2 Be7 12.Ne5 0-0= TurnerSpeelman, England 4NCL 2019.
WEAPON: However, the simplest alternative is 9...Nc5!? 10.Bb5+ (10.Bf1 Be7=) 10...Bd7=
Gräfen-Laine, cr 2015.
10.Ne4 b6!?
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Black’s strategic plan is almost completed.
11.Nxf6+
11.g3 Bb7 12.Bf4 Qc8 13.Nxf6+ Nxf6 14.Bb5+ Bc6 15.Bxc6+ Qxc6 16.Ne5 Qb7 17.c4 0-0 18.Qf3
Qxf3 19.Nxf3= Naiditsch-Svane, Basel 2015.
11...Nxf6
This recapture leads to extremely sharp complications, actually matching the combative atmosphere
that often prevails at the Capablanca Memorial.
WEAPON: 11...Bxf6!? also looks fine. If 12.Ng5 then 12...Nc5! 13.Bb5+ Bd7 14.Bxd7+ Qxd7
15.Qxd7+ Nxd7 16.Ne4 Be7 and the endgame is equal, Naiditsch-Zhao, Danzhou 2014.
12.Ne5 0-0
12...Bb7? 13.Bb5+.
13.Qf3!?
13.Bf4 is not better: 13...Bd6= Yu Ruiyuan-Yu Shaoteng, Hangzhou 2018.
13...Bd6
An attempt to improve on the previous game, which however was no less interesting: 13...Bb7!?
14.Qh3 Rfd8! 15.Bg5 Rd5!
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analysis diagram
16.Bxf6 (16.f4 h6! 17.Bxh6 Rxd3! 18.cxd3 gxh6 19.Qxh6 Nd5!³) 16...Bxf6 17.Qxh7+ (17.Ng4
Bxb2!?) 17...Kf8 and Black’s bishop pair makes up for the pawn: 18.f4 Rd4 19.Be4 FridmanBlübaum, Verden an der Aller ch-GER 2014. Now 19...Bxe4! 20.Rxe4 Rad8 equalizes at least.
14.Qg3 Bb7
A critical moment, between the opening and the middlegame.
15.Bh6?
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A serious mistake by the Cuban ‘comandante’, GM Lazaro Bruzon Batista.
The correct move was 15.b3 with a balanced but in many ways complicated position; for instance,
15...Nd5!?.
15...Nh5 16.Qg5 f5! 17.Qxh5 Bxe5 18.Bc1
And White has a clearly worse position. Still, ‘Captain America’ GM Sam Shankland almost allowed
his opponent to escape in the further struggle.
18...Rf6!? 19.Bf1 Rg6!? 20.c3 Rd8?! 21.Bg5! Rd5 22.Rad1 b5 23.h4?! Bh2+ 24.Kh1 Bf4 25.Kg1
a6 26.a3?!
Missing a good opportunity: 26.Bxf4 Qxf4 27.b3!=.
26...Bxg5 27.hxg5 Qe7 28.Rd4?!
White had to play 28.Qh2.
28...Rxd4 29.cxd4 Qd8!
A precise move. Black obtains a big advantage again.
29...Rxg5? wouldn’t work well because of 30.Rxe6!=.
30.Qh2 Bd5! 31.Rc1 Rxg5 32.Qe5 h5 33.Rc3 Rg4 34.f3 Rg6 35.Qf4 h4 36.Kf2 Qf6 37.Rc8+ Kh7
38.Rc7
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PUZZLE: Black to move.
38...Rh6
Playing for an attack. A strong hidden idea was 38...h3! 39.gxh3 e5! 40.Qxe5 (40.dxe5 Qb6+)
40...Qh4+ 41.Ke2 Re6, winning.
39.Ke3?! h3! 40.gxh3 Rh4 41.Qe5 Qg5+ 42.Kf2 Qd2+
42...Rh6!, intending 43...Rg6, was a crushing regrouping, but difficult to see.
43.Be2 Qxd4+ 44.Qxd4 Rxd4–+
Despite several inaccuracies, Black still has a healthy extra pawn in the endgame.
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45.Ke3 Rh4 46.Bf1 Kg6 47.b4
A more stubborn try was 47.f4!?.
47...f4+ 48.Kf2 Rh8! 49.Ra7 Ra8 50.Rc7 Kf6 51.Bd3 g5 52.Be2 Rb8 53.Bd3 Rb6 0-1
Summary of 5.dxc5:
All the options proposed for Black up to move 11 are fine. But if you are going to enter the lines after
11...Nxf6!?, I strongly recommend that you drink a ‘chupito’ from the oldest Havana Club first!
Game 27 – 6...Qd6
Vitaly Tseshkovsky 2490
Igor Glek 2535
Philadelphia 1990 (9)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.exd5 Qxd5!? 5.Ngf3 cxd4
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The main position of the ‘Scandinavian Hybrid’ system. At this moment, the chances are equal. Both
sides still have a lot to say, though.
6.Bc4 Qd6
This is the most popular square for the queen’s retreat. However, the other two common moves,
6...Qd7 and 6...Qd8, have recently been seen to contain new and interesting features – see Game 29.
7.0-0
The main continuation.
WEAPON: 7.Qe2.
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analysis diagram
White prepares Nb3, Bg5 and 0-0-0. This is an interesting set-up, but it does not guarantee White any
advantage: 7...Nf6 8.Nb3 Nc6 9.Bg5 a6!? (intending to push ...b7-b5 on the next move; Black can
also try 9...Qb4+!?, a tactical manoeuvre to improve the queen’s position, e.g. 10.Bd2 Qb6 with
mutual chances) 10.0-0-0 b5!. The position is sharp, and typically Sicilian: 11.Bd3 Be7 12.Nbxd4
Nxd4 13.Nxd4 Qd5!? (the most effective manoeuvre; 13...Qc7!? is a more flexible treatment)
14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.Be4 (or 15.Kb1?! Bb7 16.Nxb5 Ke7!µ) 15...Qxa2 16.c3? Ra7!–+ Losev-Rozanov,
Moscow 2013.
7...Nf6 8.Nb3 Nc6 9.Nbxd4 Nxd4 10.Nxd4
The most ambitious try. If 10.Qxd4 Qxd4! 11.Nxd4,
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analysis diagram
Long-time French professor GM Igor Glek. Thirty
years ago he discovered a gem in the ‘Hybrid’ line
11...Bd7, 12...0-0-0.
the main idea for White is to reach an ending in which he
would be better: three pawns against two on the queenside
and more active minor pieces. However, this rule only
prevailed in Capablanca’s day. After 11...Bd7 (11...Bc5!?
is another developing strategy) 12.Be2 (12.Nb5?! Rc8!)
12...Bc5 13.Nb3 Bb6= Black’s position is quite flexible for
a change.
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The critical moment for Black. There are three ideas in this position:
10...Bd7
This development is quite useful, since it defends b5 and enables Black to castle queenside. The
preventive pawn move 10...a6 is the main option, see Game 29 (next).
PLAN: 10...Be7!? is not the most popular option, but it can be useful for players looking for a
quick draw, just as in the Rubinstein Variation.
analysis diagram
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The position after 10...Be7 and 11...0-0 is slightly passive but very solid:
A) 11.Nb5 Qc6= Tal-Petrosian, Tbilisi 1976;
B) 11.b3, preparing a fianchetto: 11...0-0! 12.Bb2 Qf4 (12...a6!?; 12...Qc7!?) 13.Qf3 (13.Qe2 Bc5!?)
13...Qxf3 14.Nxf3 b6= Bok-Giri, Netherlands tt 2013/14;
C) 11.c3!? (White prepares the queen move) 11...0-0 12.Qf3 (12.Re1 Qc7 13.Bb3 b6!?=) 12...Qc7!
13.Bb3 (13.Bd3 was tested recently: 13...Bd7 14.Re1 Rfd8!?= Mamedov-Andreikin, Moscow 2019)
and now:
C1) 13...Bd7!? was analysed in The Even More Flexible French;
C2) 13...a5!? 14.Bf4 (14.a4 Bd7=) 14...e5 15.Bg3 a4 16.Bc2 Ra5!?= Svane-Blübaum, Magdeburg
2020;
C3) 13...Bd6!? 14.h3 Bh2+ (or first 14...Bd7) 15.Kh1 Be5 and it’s hard to see any problems for
Black, Moreno Martin-Diaz Camallonga, Sabadell 2019.
11.b3!?
The fianchetto is a quite active idea:
A) 11.Nb5 Qb6!? 12.Be3 Bc5 13.Bxc5 Qxc5=;
B) I can’t figure why the modest 11.c3 is the most popular: 11...Qc7 12.Qe2 (12.Bb3 Bd6!) 12...a6
13.h3 (13.Bg5 h6!?) 13...Bd6! 14.Nf5?!.
analysis diagram
A typical blunder: 14...Bh2+ 15.Kh1 0-0! 16.Nxg7?? Kxg7 17.g3 Bxg3–+ Korneev-Fernandez
Romero, Pamplona 2002. The idea: 18.fxg3 Qxg3! and ...Bc6+.
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11...0-0-0!?
11...Be7 with ...0-0 is a solid plan.
12.Bb2 Qc7
PLAN: Preparing a sortie by the f8-bishop and a standard attack with ...h7-h5 and ...Ng4!.
13.Qe2
Or 13.Qf3 Bc5 (13...h5!?; 13...Bd6!?) 14.Rad1 h5!„ Bujakevich-Tunik, Minsk 1996.
13...h5!?
Here we can already make an assessment of this old, almost forgotten variation. White’s attack has
been delayed, but it is still unclear whether Black will give checkmate...
14.Nf3
Important lines are:
A) 14.h3 Ng4!? 15.Nf3 Bc6∞ with the idea 16.hxg4?! (16.Rfd1 Bc5!; 16.Ne5 Nxe5=) 16...Bxf3!
17.gxf3 hxg4‚ 0-3 for Black;
B) 14.Bb5 Bc5 (14...Ng4 transposes) 15.Bxd7+ Rxd7 16.Nf3 Ng4!? 17.h3 Rd5!?∞ intending ...Rd5f5xf3!;
C) An old game went 14.a4 Ng4!? 15.g3 a6! 16.Nb5 (16.h3 Bc5! 17.hxg4? Bc6–+) 16...axb5 17.axb5
Kb8. This position is balanced, but Black won on move 26 in Geller-Naumkin, Palma de Mallorca
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1989.
14...Ng4!
You never know!
15.Rad1
15.h3 Bc6!? transposes to the above line.
15...Bd6! 16.h3
16.g3 h4!.
16...Bc6!
The tensest moment in this struggle. I found 9 games with an uncompromising result: only 1 draw,
and otherwise 3-5 for Black.
17.Rxd6?
Now Black successfully continues his attack and soon raises the flag of victory on the white fortress.
However, two other options do not give White an easy life either:
A) 17.hxg4 hxg4 18.Bxe6+ (18.Ne5 Rh4!) 18...fxe6 19.Qxe6+ Kb8 20.Rxd6 gxf3 21.Be5 Ka8³;
B) 17.Rfe1 Bxf3 (or 17...Bh2+ 18.Kf1 Rxd1 19.Rxd1 Bxf3 20.gxf3∞) 18.Qxf3 Bh2+ 19.Kf1 Rxd1
20.Qxd1! Be5„.
17...Qxd6–+ 18.hxg4 hxg4 19.Ne5
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19...Rh4!
The doubling of the black rooks on the h-file is crucial.
20.Nxg4 Rdh8 21.f3 Qg3! 22.Bxe6+ fxe6 23.Qxe6+ Bd7 24.Qc4+ Kd8! 0-1
Summary of 10...Bd7:
As we have seen, the old move 10...Bd7 is quite flexible, and it offers a good range of continuations
and ideas with very different concepts. After ...0-0-0, for Black it is very important to study the
counterattacking set-up with ...h7-h5 and ...Nf6-g4 at every moment in the game.
Game 28 – 6...Qd6, 10...a6
Andreas Kuthan 2221
Matej Sebenik 2534
Austria Bundesliga 2017/18 (6)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.exd5 Qxd5 5.Ngf3 cxd4 6.Bc4 Qd6 7.0-0 Nf6 8.Nb3 Nc6 9.Nbxd4
Nxd4 10.Nxd4 a6!?
The idea behind this popular move is quite flexible.
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PLAN: It forestalls any tricks on b5 first of all, and prepares the set-up ...Qc7/...Bd6, combined
with the Sicilian-style advance ...b7-b5. However, according to general rules, White should be
able to take advantage of his lead in development and he has to attack at any price.
11.Re1!?
A forceful manoeuvre which obliges Black to take good care of his e6-square.
A) 11.b3 Qc7!? 12.Bb2 Bd6 13.Nf3 b5 (13...b6!? Timoshenko-Danielian, Cappelle-la-Grande 1994)
14.Bd3 Bb7 15.Re1 (15.c4 0-0!?) 15...0-0=;
B) 11.Bb3 Qc7 12.Qf3 Bd6 13.h3 0-0 (13...Bh2+ 14.Kh1 Be5=) 14.Bg5 Nd7= is a common
sequence, intending ...Nc5/...Ne5.
11...Qc7!?
Generally, the queen tends to conclude its manoeuvres (...Qxd5-d6-c7) with this move.
TRICK: After 11...Bd7?! (analysed in The Even More Flexible French) 12.Bg5!? now 12...Qc5?
allows a beautiful, though thematic, combination: 13.Bxe6!+–, Adams-Nisipeanu, Sofia 2007.
275
12.Bb3
The traditional line that usually arises from 6...Qd6.
A) After 12.Bf1 the critical reply is 12...Bd6 (12...Be7 is more solid) 13.Nf5 (13.g3 is also played,
but 13...e5!? with the idea 14.Bg5 Ng4! seems to equalize) 13...Bxh2+ 14.Kh1 Kf8! is apparently
still playable for Black: 15.Qd4 exf5 16.Qxf6 h6! 17.Qd4 Bd6 18.Bc4 Be6 19.Bxe6 Re8!=;
B) 12.Qe2!? is White’s most popular idea, which implies a sacrifice on e6: 12...Bc5 (12...Bd6
13.Bg5!?ƒ; 12...h6!? is a prophylactic move that has been seen in dozens of master games) 13.c3 h6
14.Nf5 Kf8™ 15.Nd4 Bxd4!? 16.cxd4 Bd7 17.Bd2 Bc6= is a fortress for Black.
12...Bd6!?
Of course, this is the most aggressive move, but it allows:
13.Nf5
This is the classical old line of the 4...Qxd5 variation, usually leading to a draw after multitudes of
complications:
276
13...Bxh2+ 14.Kh1 0-0 15.Nxg7 Rd8! 16.Qf3 Kxg7 17.Bh6+! Kg6™ 18.c3 Nh5!= 19.Bc1
A) 19.Re4 Kxh6 20.Rh4 Qe5! is eventually a draw after 21.Qxf7 Rd7 22.Qf8+ Qg7 23.Qc5!=;
B) 19.Be3 f5!
analysis diagram
20.Rad1 (played only a few times; instead, 20.g4 Nf6 21.gxf5+! exf5 22.Qg2+ Ng4 23.f3 b5=)
20...Rxd1! 21.Bxd1! (attacking h5) 21...Nf6 22.g3 Ng4 (22...Bd7= Pichot-Le Quang Liem, Gibraltar
2018; 22...b5= K.Saric-Unuk, Bol 2015) 23.Qg2 Bxg3 24.Bxg4 fxg4 25.Qe4+ Kh5! 26.fxg3 Qc6
277
27.Qxc6 ½-½ Villarreal-Arounopoulos, cr 2017.
19...Bf4!
TRICK: 19...f5?! 20.g4 Nf6 21.Bxe6!ƒ.
20.g4
20...Ng3+
20...Kg7=.
21.fxg3 Bxc1 22.Raxc1 Bd7
22...b6!?=.
23.Bc2+
A) 23.Kh2 Bc6 24.Qe3 h6= denies White any attacking chances;
B) 23.Qe3 Bc6+ 24.Kg1 Rd2! 25.Rc2 Rad8 26.Rxd2 Rxd2 27.Qxd2 Qxg3+ 28.Kf1 Qh3+ with
repetition.
23...Kg7 24.Be4 Bc6
278
The last tactically important moment.
25.Bxc6?
This hands Black the initiative; 25.Rc2=.
25...Qxc6
An extremely important endgame. After the queen exchange, the only thing the two players have left
to demonstrate is their technique!
26.Qxc6 bxc6 27.Rcd1 Rd5³
279
Only Black has winning chances here.
27...Kg6!?.
28.c4 Ra5 29.a3 Rb8! 30.Re2 Rg5
30...Rc5!?.
31.Rd4?
31.Rd7™.
31...c5 32.Rf4 a5–+ 33.Rd2 Rb7 34.Re4 Kg6 35.Kg2 Rb3 36.Rf4 Re5 37.Rdf2 Rb7 38.Rf6+ Kg7
39.R6f4 Re3 40.R4f3 Reb3 41.Rf4 h6! 42.Rf6 Rd3 43.Kh3 a4 44.Kh4 Rd4 45.R6f4 Rbd7 46.g5
Rxf4+ 47.Rxf4?
47.gxf4 Rd1–+.
47...hxg5+ 48.Kxg5 Rd2 49.b4 axb3 50.Rf3 b2 51.Rb3 Rd3!? 0-1
Summary of the popular advance 10...a6:
After studying several forced draws, we can conclude that this is a significant prophylactic concept
that prevents White from developing an initiative, forcing him to revert to other ideas and look for
early deviations (see again Games 25 and 26).
Game 29 – 6...Qd7/Qd8
Deimante Daulyte 2419
Iulija Osmak 2353
280
Turkey tt 2017 (1)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.exd5 Qxd5 5.Ngf3 cxd4 6.Bc4 Qd7
Today, this eccentric move is enjoying a flourish of popularity.
WEAPON/PUZZLE: The modest retreat 6...Qd8!? seems to have been underestimated so far.
Let’s check out the differences with 6...Qd7/6...Qd6: 7.0-0 Nc6 8.Nb3 Nf6 9.Nbxd4 Nxd4 10.Nxd4
and now 10...Bc5!? is an original option, e.g. 11.Nb3 (11.Be3 0-0 (11...Bd7!?) 12.c3 Qc7!?=)
11...Bd6!? (a fighting move; 11...Qxd1 12.Rxd1 Bb6= is for technical players).
analysis diagram
Surprisingly, there are still no serious games with this position: 12.Qe2 (12.Bb5+ Bd7 13.Qxd6
Bxb5=) 12...0-0 13.Bg5 h6 14.Bh4 Qc7! (Black is already more comfortable here, as the Nb3 is out
of play) 15.Bg3 (15.Bxf6 gxf6³) 15...Bxg3 16.hxg3 e5³ – I look forward to your messages on this
matter!
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7.0-0
But let’s get back to weekdays.
7.Nb3 is a slightly unusual move-order: 7...Qc7 (7...Nc6!? is normal) 8.Qxd4 (8.Qe2?! Bb4+!)
8...Nc6 9.Qh4 (Adams-Predojevic, Baden-Baden 2018) and now 9...Be7!? and Black has no
problems whatsoever.
TRICK: 7.Ne5?! Qc7 8.Bb5+ Nd7 9.Ndc4 a6 10.Bxd7+ Bxd7 11.Qxd4 Bb5³ Solovyov-Neale,
cr 2018.
282
7...Nc6
As we will see, the fundamental idea in the 6...Qd7 line is the development of the king’s knight to e7.
However, Black can always try the standard 7...Nf6!? 8.Qe2 (8.Nb3 transposes) 8...Nc6 9.Rd1 a6
10.a4 (stopping ...b7-b5) 10...Qc7 (10...Bd6!? has some unique ideas) 11.Nb3 Bd7 12.Nbxd4 Bc5!?
which is balanced.
8.Nb3 a6!?
Again, 8...Nf6!? is possible, and after 9.Qe2 (White will recover his pawn after Rd1; 9.Re1 Bb4!?)
9...a6 10.a4 (10.Rd1 b5„; 10.Bf4 Bd6= Kotronias-Landa, Cappelle-la-Grande 2015) 10...Bd6!?.
analysis diagram
Black aims to play ...e6-e5. This is another line, and it is one of the differences with 6...Qd6 (10...Qc7
11.Rd1 transposes to the above line with 7...Nf6): 11.Rd1 (11.Bg5 0-0 12.Bxf6 gxf6 13.Nbxd4 Nxd4
14.Nxd4 Qc7!?= Tacke-Haumann, cr 2012) 11...0-0 (11...e5∞) 12.Nbxd4 e5! 13.Nxc6 Qxc6 14.Bg5
Bc7 15.h3 (15.Bxf6 Qxf6=) 15...e4!? 16.Nd2 (16.Nd4 Qd6! Daianu-Gavrilescu, Arad 2018)
16...h6!?= Lagunow-Gavrilescu, Hamburg 2020.
9.Nbxd4 Nxd4
Once more, the move 9...Nf6!? may transpose.
10.Nxd4 Qc7
A popular move-order which, however, does allow some tactics.
283
The main alternative is the simple 10...Nf6 11.Re1.
analysis diagram
This is similar to the main line 6...Qd6, to which 11...Qc7 would now transpose (Game 28). 11...Bc5
(not the only idea in these lines; 11...b5!? 12.Bb3 Bb7 13.Bg5 (13.Nxe6!? fxe6 14.Rxe6+ Be7
15.Bf4∞) 13...Ne4!? (13...Bc5?? 14.Nxe6+–) 14.Bh4? (14.Be3 Nc5=; 14.Bf4 Bc5!= Blanco
Gramajo-Bernal Varela, cr 2018) 14...g5 15.Bg3 Nxg3! 16.hxg3 (16.Nxe6 fxe6 17.Qg4 h5!–+)
16...0-0-0 17.c3 h5!‚ Mista-Edouard, Le Lamentin 2016) 12.Be3 (12.Nxe6? Qxd1 13.Nxg7+ Kf8–
+; 12.c3 Bxd4 13.cxd4 b5 14.Bb3 Bb7 15.Bg5 Rd8!?= looks solid).
284
analysis diagram
White hasn’t been able to generate much play from this position: 12...0-0= 13.Nxe6? (13.Bb3 b6!?=;
13.Nf3 Qc7!?=; 13.c3 Qc7!?=) 13...Qxd1 14.Raxd1 Bxe6–+ Fossan-Meier, Helsingor 2014.
11.Bb3
A) 11.Qe2!? Bd6!? (again, 11...Nf6 is normal) 12.Nf5 (other moves allow Black to carry out his idea
with ...Ne7: 12.h3 Ne7!?; 12.Re1 Ne7!?)
analysis diagram
12...Bxh2+ 13.Kh1 Be5 (13...g6!? is unclear, but 13...Kf8?? is lost: 14.b3!+–) 14.Re1 g6! 15.Nh6
(15.Qxe5 Qxe5 16.Rxe5 gxf5³) 15...Bf4 (15...Bg7!?N) 16.Nxf7! (16.Ng4? h5!µ Osmanodja-Svane,
Gibraltar 2019) this seems to lead to a balance; however, 16...Kxf7!? 17.Bxe6+? (17.Qf3=)
17...Kg7–+ Tuncer-Ozen, Turkey tt 2017;
B) 11.Bd3 Bd6
285
analysis diagram
12.Qh5?! (this attacking move loses time here, as it has more effect when Black has already
committed to ...Ne7; 12.h3 Nf6; 12.Re1 Nf6) 12...Nf6 13.Qh4 Bd7 14.Bg5 0-0-0! and Black already
has the better chances, Dolana-Gavrilescu, Baile Govora 2017.
11...Bd6
PUZZLE: 11...Nf6 12.Re1 (12.Bg5 Bd6„; 12.Qf3 Bd6„) 12...Bd6 transposes to the main line
6...Qd6 examined in Game 28.
286
12.h3
A) Recently, 12.g3 Ne7!? 13.c3 0-0 14.Qh5 b5 15.Bc2 Ng6 16.Be4 Bb7= was seen in Wei-Xiong,
chess.com blitz 2019;
B) 12.Qh5 is an ambitious idea. White both protects h2 and pressures the kingside, threatening
13.Nxe6!. 12...Nf6 13.Qh4 Bd7 14.Bg5 (14.Re1 0-0-0! Gschnitzer-Beckett, London 2018) 14...0-00! 15.Rad1 h6!? 16.Bxf6 gxf6 17.Rd3 Kb8 18.Rc3 (18.Rfd1 Be7!?N) 18...Qa5 19.Qxf6 Qg5!, with
mutual chances, was seen in several master games;
C) 12.Re1!? Ne7!?
analysis diagram
13.Qh5 0-0 14.c3 (14.Re3 Qc5!?) 14...Bd7!? (14...Ng6 15.Bc2∞) 15.Bc2 (15.Nf3 g6!?) 15...Nf5!N.
12...Ne7!?=
287
Still, 12...Nf6!?.
13.c3 0-0 14.Re1
14.Qh5!? was logical now, e.g. 14...Bd7!? 15.Bc2 g6 16.Qh4 Nf5!?=, see also below.
14...b5!?
An alternative in Caro-Kann style is 14...Bd7!? 15.Qh5 Rae8 16.Bc2 (Sjugirov-Escalante Ramirez,
lichess.org blitz 2020) and now 16...Nf5!? 17.Nxf5 exf5=.
15.Qh5
15.Bg5 Ng6 16.Bc2 Bb7= Dembo-Beliavsky, Liverpool 2008.
15...Ng6
Now Black is altogether comfortable.
288
16.Bc2
16.Nf3 Nf4=.
16...Bb7 17.Be3
17.Nf3 h6!.
17...Bh2+
17...Rad8!?.
18.Kh1 Bf4 19.Nf3 Bxe3
19...Bd5!?.
20.Rxe3 Bxf3 21.Qxf3 Rad8= 22.Bxg6 hxg6 23.Rd1 Rxd1+ 24.Qxd1 Rd8 25.Rd3 Rxd3 26.Qxd3
Qf4 27.Qc2 Kf8 28.Kg1 Ke7 29.b3 g5 30.c4 bxc4 31.bxc4 Qd4 32.Qb3 Qa1+ 33.Kh2 Qe5+ 34.g3
Qd4 35.Kg1 Qd6 36.Qb7+ Kf6 37.Qf3+ Ke7 38.Qb7+ Kf6 39.c5 Qd1+ 40.Kh2 Qc2 41.Kg1
Qd1+ 42.Kh2 Qc2 43.Kg1 Qd1+ 44.Kh2 Ke5 ½-½
My student WGM Iulija Osmak.
Summary of the ‘Three main squares’ chapter:
For the moment, 6...Qd8!? seems easier to learn than the other two options, and it takes much less
time to prepare and play successfully.
Statistics and summary of the ‘Hybrid line’ 3...c5 4.exd5 Qxd5
289
Totals in MegaBase:
Year 2008: 4700 games, 1-0=1685, 0-1=1140, 0.5=1875.
Year 2014: 6857 games, 1-0=2514, 0-1=1628, 0.5=2715.
New update: 10,358 games (online database: 12,630
games), 1-0=3743, 0-1=2589, 0.5=4019.
This variation is currently the most popular of the exotic
deviations after 3.Nd2. This is mainly based on the fact
that White has no clear path to an advantage in any of the
lines!
Dogmas and weapons
After studying Black’s weapons versus 3.Nd2 in Part Two,
you can now use the following repertoire with the black
pieces:
• the authentic 3...Nf6 (Chapters 7-11);
• revert to tactics with 3...Be7 (Chapter 12);
• and finally, the wild Scandinavian-style 3...c5 4.exd5 Qxd5 (Chapter 13).
Hasta la vista!
Postscriptum – an opinion about 3.Nd2
Normally the move 3.Nd2 against the French Defence is used by players who do not want to fight for
a serious advantage in the opening, but prefer balanced positions, hoping to profit from their technical
prowess. See the games by grandmasters like Adams, Tiviakov, Karpov and others.
Statistically, nowadays most of the world’s best players have hardly ever placed their knight on the
d2-square. They prefer developing it to c3. This may be the most accurate move, and we will study it
in the next two parts.
290
Part Three
French Magic
The Classical System – 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6
‘As usual in “classical” lines, domination and balance go together’ – the author.
The first World Champion Wilhelm Steinitz (18361900) was the inventor of the move 4.e5 against the
Classical System 3.Nc3 Nf6.
Directions
We already know that French Magic works from the very
first moves. After 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 White must spend an
important tempo on either defending, sacrificing,
exchanging or advancing his e4-pawn. Therefore the game
can very soon become quite complicated...
3.Nc3 – a good move at last! However, Black can reply in
vintage French style with 3...Nf6 and the discussion
continues!
Chapters 14 and 15 (C11) offer a wide range of the main
resources after 4.e5 Nfd7 (see the directions given in
Chapter 14).
Chapter 16 (C12) ‘A legendary pin’: the McCutcheon Variation 4.Bg5 Bb4 completes Black’s
repertoire in the Classical French.
291
However, for true lovers of rapid chess (these days online), I have deliberately prepared a practical
surprise weapon in the main line: 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Be3 h6!? and 8...g5!?, which
awaits you at the end of the book, in Part Five (Chapter 27).
Chapter 14
The Attacking Machine
‘The attacking machine is turned on, but tactical mistakes are also about to appear’ – the author.
Practical possibilities in the classical line 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7
Directions and resources
In the diagram position there are three main directions for White: 5.Ne2, 5.Nf3 and the classical 5.f4.
Below we will give a brief description of the typical games and strategic ideas for both sides:
• Game 30: 5.Nce2
This manoeuvre retains the possibility of the ‘Pawn Wedge’ (c3/d4/e5/f4) seen in Part Two, Chapter
11 (some transpositions lead to similar examples). But in this move-order, the most interesting way
for Black to create counterplay after 5.Nce2 c5 6.c3 Nc6 7.f4 is 7...b5!?, while the main game
featured a recently fashionable idea: 7.Nf3!?.
292
However, this is a position I remember from old times (see Velimirovic-Moskalenko, 1988).
• Game 31: 5.Nf3 – ‘Russian Roulette’
White sacrifices his centre; this is a line that usually arises from the Two Knights Variation 2.Nf3 d5
3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.d4.
In this game we will investigate a sharp idea for White that was invented in the 1990s by the Russian
player Alexander Zakharov: 5...c5 6.dxc5 Nc6 7.Bf4 Bxc5 8.Bd3 f6 9.exf6 Nxf6 10.Qe2!? 0-0 11.00-0!
293
This set-up got a new lease of life in my book The Flexible French (2008). The sharpest and most
intense fight occurs in the lines where White uses Zakharov’s plan beginning with Ne5!?, followed
by the advance of his kingside pawns. However, the positions that arise are very flexible, so during
the opening both players can change their strategic plans, play waiting moves or enter very specific
tactical lines.
For his part, Black should opt for the effective counter-plan that can be found in my notes, and
study it thoroughly (see my antidote in the game Alvarez Pedraza-Moskalenko).
• Game 32: The main line: 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Be3 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Bc5
After 9.Qd2 0-0 10.0-0-0 Black looks for counterplay on all sides (Kruppa-Moskalenko).
• Chapter 15: 7...Be7!? is a modern alternative to Black’s 7...cxd4 option.
The Attacking Machine – Games
Game 30 – 5.Nce2
Dragoljub Velimirovic 2540
Viktor Moskalenko 2475
Belgrade 1988
This is a game I played in Belgrade in the last round of a strong GMA tournament. In order to fulfill
the grandmaster norm, I had to beat a more experienced opponent with the black pieces – not an easy
task, although I came close. It was a good thing that Velimirovic played uncompromisingly in his
usual attacking style, and with black I gradually managed to seize the initiative. In the end,
dramatically, in a double-edged dynamic position, I lacked tactical vision and a bit of luck.
294
Many grandmasters, as well as the chess staff of the Yugoslav Informant, were watching this exciting
game. Not surprisingly, it was recognized as one of the most interesting in the tournament.
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3
The most aggressive move against the French Defence, and the most popular.
3...Nf6
The main alternative is Winawer’s move 3...Bb4!? – see Part Four.
4.e5
For the legendary McCutcheon system 4.Bg5 Bb4 see Chapter 16.
4.Bd3 allows 4...c5! 5.exd5 cxd4 6.Bb5+ (6.Nb5 Bc5!) 6...Bd7 7.Bxd7+ Qxd7 8.Qxd4 Nc6!³.
4...Nfd7
5.Nce2!?
Similarly to the idea of the ‘Pawn Wedge’ (see Part Two, Chapter 11), White chooses a plan which
strengthens his pawn structure in the centre, at the same time preparing an attack on the kingside.
However, Black can profit from his lead in development by starting counterattacks all over the board.
5.Nf3 leads to the Two Knights Variation – Game 31; 5.f4 is the main line, see Game 32 and Chapter
15.
5...c5 6.c3!?
295
6.f4 see below.
6...Nc6
WEAPON: Black can start counterplay right away: 6...cxd4 7.cxd4 f6!?.
analysis diagram
PUZZLE: 8.exf6 Nxf6 is a favourable version of the Tarrasch Variation for Black.
A) In the lines given here and further below, the attacking jump 8.Nf4 often leads to an interesting
ending: 8...Bb4+ 9.Bd2 Qb6! 10.Bxb4 Qxb4+ 11.Qd2 Qxd2+ 12.Kxd2 Ke7 13.exf6+ gxf6 14.Re1
Nb6 15.Nf3 Kd6! 16.Bd3 Nc6 17.Nh5 e5!ƒ Leisebein-Kleinsorgen, cr 2004;
B) After 8.f4, in many cases knight sacrifices on e5 will favour Black: 8...fxe5 9.fxe5 Bb4+! 10.Kf2
(10.Bd2 Qh4+!) 10...0-0+ 11.Nf3 Nc6 12.Be3 (12.h4 Ndxe5!; 12.a3 Ba5!; 12.g3 Ndxe5!)
12...Ndxe5!ƒ.
296
7.Nf3!?
PUZZLE: A popular set-up these days, which can also arise via 3.Nd2 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.c3 c5
6.Ndf3 Nc6 7.Ne2. White prepares the knight jump to f4 or the fianchetto g2-g3, but his pawn
centre is not as strong as it is after f2-f4.
WEAPON: The main line is the one with the ‘pawn wedge’: 7.f4.
7...b5!? (a logical and strong counter-advance. There are many other options here: 7...Qb6!?
transposes to Chapter 11, see Games 20 and 21; or 7...cxd4 8.cxd4 Qb6 9.Nf3 f6!? – Black wants to
open up the centre, Morozevich-Moskalenko, 2nd match game Moscow 1994; see my Flexible
French books) 8.Nf3 (after 8.a3, 8...c4!? is similar to the blockading idea of Botvinnik and Petrosian,
as in Game 19 (Part Two). But here a2-a3 clearly favours Black: 9.Nf3 Nb6 (9...Na5!?) 10.g4 h5!„
Robson-Akobian, St Louis 2010) 8...b4.
297
analysis diagram
Dragoljub Velimirovic (1942-2014): a spectacular
game with a famous attacking player.
Black is well on top: 9.g4 (9.f5 exf5 10.Nf4 bxc3 11.bxc3
Qa5!? (11...Rb8∞ Smirin-Vallejo Pons, Nakhchivan 2011)
12.Bd2 c4∞) 9...Rb8!? (9...Be7!? Bulanov-Lou, Moscow
2007; 9...Qa5!? 10.Bd2 bxc3 11.bxc3 Nb6„ Garcia
Martinez-Kortchnoi, Skopje 1972) 10.f5 bxc3 11.bxc3
cxd4 12.cxd4 Qb6!? 13.a3 Qb3 (13...Be7!?) 14.Bg2
Qxd1+ 15.Kxd1 Nb6µ Dragojlovic-Glek, Porto San
Giorgio 2002.
7...cxd4!?
Preparing the ...f7-f6 break. Surprisingly, most games
continued with the standard 7...Qb6, but here this
manoeuvre is a bit slow. So I will give two other dynamic
options for Black’s repertoire:
WEAPON: 7...a5!? contains a terrific additional idea: 8.Nf4?! (8.g3 a4„; if 8.a4 now 8...Qb6„
is OK) 8...cxd4 9.cxd4 g5!.
298
analysis diagram
Here we have the first ‘black jet’ in Part Three! 10.Ne2 g4 11.Nd2 f6! 12.exf6 Qxf6 13.Nb1 e5!–+
M.Ly-Kostenko, Pavlodar 2015.
WEAPON: 7...Be7!?, quickly developing:
analysis diagram
8.a3 (8.Nf4 Qa5!?; 8.Ng3 Qa5!?; 8.g3 b5!?; 8.h4 cxd4 9.cxd4 f6!?„ Stopa-Kraai, Calgary 2011)
299
8...0-0 9.b4 (9.Nf4 Qa5!?) 9...f6! with the idea 10.Nf4 Ndxe5! 11.dxe5 fxe5ƒ Pirs-Galanov, cr 2012.
8.cxd4 f6! 9.Nf4
An attacking move that is somewhat similar to the ‘Salto Mortale’ variation (Tarrasch Variation,
Chapter 8).
9.exf6 Nxf6 can transpose into a 3...Nf6 Tarrasch.
9...Bb4+! 10.Bd2 Qe7
The main position in this old line.
11.Bxb4
11.exf6 Nxf6 12.Bd3 (12.Bb5 Ne4!) 12...Ne4!„.
11...Qxb4+ 12.Qd2 Qe7N
My preparation back in 1988, Black is fighting for the initiative.
12...Nb6!?N keeps the option of castling kingside.
WEAPON: 12...Ke7!? is Kortchnoi’s idea, preparing for a complex multiple-piece endgame:
300
analysis diagram
13.exf6+ (after this exchange Black has better chances in the centre; 13.Nd3 Qxd2+ 14.Kxd2 b6
(14...Nb6!?) 15.Rc1 Bb7 16.Be2 Rac8= Wiegner-Altmann, Germany tt 2004) 13...gxf6 14.Rc1 (as
was played in the stem game; instead, 14.0-0-0 Qxd2+ 15.Rxd2 was seen in Vishnu-Short, Abu
Dhabi 2018, and now 15...Kd6!?; 14.Qxb4+?! Nxb4 15.Kd2 Kd6! 16.Nh5 Rf8µ Siigur-J.Kuzmin,
Estonia tt 2002) 14...Qxd2+! 15.Kxd2 Kd6 (15...a6!³) 16.Bb5 e5 (16...Ndb8!?) 17.Nh5 Rf8³
Bannik-Kortchnoi, Moscow 1957.
13.exf6
13.Nd3 fxe5 14.dxe5 0-0 15.Be2 b6 (15...Nc5=) 16.0-0 (Toma-Eggleston, Torquay 2019), and now
16...Ba6!„.
13...Nxf6 14.Bd3
14.Bb5 Ne4!.
14...Ne4!
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I had been striving for this position, considering that Black has sufficient counterplay.
15.Qe3!
This move maintains the balance.
15.Bxe4 dxe4 16.Ne5 Nxe5 17.dxe5 0-0 18.0-0 Bd7 (18...Qg5!?) 19.Ne2 Bc6³ Gomez BailloPereyra Arcija, Buenos Aires 1997.
15...Qb4+ 16.Kf1 0-0 17.Re1
17.Bxe4 dxe4 18.Qxe4 Qxb2 (18...e5!?) 19.Re1 transposes.
17...Qxb2!?
Or 17...Qd6 18.Ne2 (18.g3? g5!) 18...e5„.
18.Bxe4 dxe4 19.Qxe4 Qxa2
19...h6!?; 19...Bd7!?; 19...Qb5+ 20.Kg1 Qf5=.
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20.g4?
Aggressive, but too slow! White had to play immediately 20.Ng5 g6™ 21.Nxh7! Kxh7 22.Qxg6+
Kh8 but it leads to no more than a draw.
20...Nb4?!
The winning moves were 20...e5!, 20...Bd7, and 20...h6–+.
21.Re2!
In the heat of the struggle, I underestimated this intermediate move.
21.Ng5? Qc2!.
21...Qa5 22.h4! Nd5 23.Ng5 Nf6 24.Qd3?
Another mistake – but chess is a tough game!
24.Qb1 was the only move: 24...Bd7 25.Nh5 g6 26.Nxf6+ Rxf6 27.Qxb7 Rd8³.
24...b6!
Taking advantage of the possibility of 25...Ba6.
25.Nh5 g6 26.Nxh7!? Kxh7
26...Nxh5? 27.Qxg6+ Ng7 28.Ng5 and White wins.
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27.Nf4
PUZZLE: Black to move and win:
27...Ba6=
Agreeing to a draw.
27...Rg8? 28.h5+–; however, the non-obvious 27...Nxg4! would have led to victory in all the
complicated lines!
28.Qxg6+ Kh8 29.Qh6+ Nh7 30.Ng6+ Kg8 31.Ne7+ Kh8
31...Kf7=.
32.Ng6+ ½-½
Summary of 5.Nce2:
White is lagging behind in development, so after 5...c5 6.c3:
• Seeking immediate counterplay with 6...cxd4 7.cxd4 f6! is already interesting.
• In the ‘pawn wedge’ line after 6...Nc6 7.f4, advancing on the queenside with 7...b5!? offers Black
good counterplay.
• In case of the recently popular 7.Nf3, 7...a5!? or 7...Be7!? are potentially powerful weapons, while
7...cxd4 8.cxd4 f6! (main game), is more in typical
Tarrasch style, where there are two creative directions for Black on move 12.
Game 31 – 5.Nf3
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Aramis Alvarez Pedraza 2515
Viktor Moskalenko 2564
Catalunya tt 2011 (5)
John Watson on Chesspublishing: ‘Moskalenko effused over White’s system with 11.0-0-0 in his
Flexible French. Now we get to see him play against it!’
Wilhelm Steinitz, the first World Champion, already employed an ‘open method’ against the French
more than 100 years ago.
1.e4 e6 2.Nf3
Also possible is 2.Nc3, for Closed Sicilian adepts if Black replies 2...c5.
2...d5 3.Nc3
The Two Knights Variation. The first player surrenders his pawn centre in order to develop quickly
and smoothly.
3...Nf6
The advance 3...d4!? is another option with which Black can aim for an Indian structure: 4.Ne2 c5
5.c3 (5.b4 Nf6 6.e5 Nfd7 7.bxc5 Bxc5 8.c3 dxc3 9.d4 Bb4³) 5...Nf6!?
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analysis diagram
6.cxd4 (6.e5 Nfd7 7.cxd4 cxd4 8.Nexd4 Nxe5 9.Bb5+ Nec6=) 6...cxd4 7.Nexd4 Nxe4 8.Nxe6 Bxe6
9.Qa4+ Nc6 10.Qxe4 Bc5 (10...Qd5=) 11.Bc4 0-0! is balanced.
4.e5 Nfd7 5.d4 c5 6.dxc5
A) 6.Bb5 seems an artificial idea (which has been played in 845 games though): 6...Nc6!? 7.0-0 cxd4
8.Nxd4 Ndxe5 9.Re1 Bd6³;
B) 6.Bg5 transposes to a famous trap in the Steinitz Variation: 6...Qb6 7.dxc5 Bxc5 8.Qd2.
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TRICK: And now 8...Bxf2+? (8...Nc6!³ is the correct answer: 9.Na4? Bxf2+!) 9.Qxf2 Qxb2
10.Kd2! Qxa1 11.Bb5 Qxh1 12.Qc5!, winning.
6...Nc6 7.Bf4 Bxc5
The most popular continuation. Black develops his bishop and prepares ...f7-f6.
The main alternative is to play against the blocked centre: 7...Nxc5 with many options for both sides.
8.Bd3
8...f6!
Theoretically the best recipe.
TRICK: 8...0-0? would be a fatal mistake because of 9.Bxh7+! – 43 games.
TRICK: 8...Qb6?! 9.0-0 Qxb2? 10.Nb5!+– 212 games.
9.exf6 Nxf6
Nowadays in the French Defence it is common to steer towards positions with a closed or semi-open
centre, giving the game a strategic character. This line, however, requires very dynamic play in view
of the open centre.
Alternatively, 9...Qxf6 10.Bg3 (10.Bg5!?) 10...0-0 11.0-0 is more balanced because of the kingside
castling.
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10.Qe2
The white player initiates a new line that has come to be used recently by players who are looking for
a direct attack.
Most of the games continued automatically with 10.0-0, for example 10...0-0 11.Ne5 g6!?„.
analysis diagram
This move is useful here: it prepares ...Nh5 and limits the white bishop on d3. But of course, it is not
the only option.
10...0-0 11.0-0-0!?
The key: queenside castling is a common idea in the Sicilian, but it is quite new in this variation of
the French, although the plans in the positions that now arise are quite similar.
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This is the critical position of the variation, and Black must quickly take some serious decisions.
11...a6!?
A useful move in these lines. Actually this is the most common response.
PLAN: The stem (and model) game for White was played in the 1990s by the Russian player
Alexander Zakharov: 11...Bd7 12.Ne5!?.
analysis diagram
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This move is very energetic; the idea is to follow up with g2-g4-g5. 12...Nxe5?! 13.Bxe5 b5 14.g4!.
Who will get there first?! An instructive attacking game ensues, with castling on opposite sides of the
board: 14...b4 15.g5!+– Zakharov-Potkin, Moscow 1997. This was an important battle, where a new
aggressive weapon against the Classical French was born. White plays in ‘Russian Roulette’ style.
TRICK: 11...Nh5? is dubious because of the typical sacrifice 12.Bxh7+!
analysis diagram
12...Kxh7 13.Ng5+ Kg6 14.Nxe6!‚ with a decisive advantage for White, Kosteniuk-Stellwagen,
Wijk aan Zee 2000.
12.Ne5!?
White chooses Zakharov’s plan, just like after 11...Bd7. The alternatives merely provide more bullets
for a game of Russian Roulette.
Strategically, the advance 12.h4!? looks strong, as it does not weaken the white position and prepares
action on the kingside: 12...b5!? a normal counterattack (12...Bb4!?, playing in McCutcheon style)
13.h5 (13.Ne5 Bd6!) 13...h6! 14.Ne5 Nxe5 (14...Bd6!?) 15.Bxe5 b4!„ De Eccher-Naumkin, Forni di
Sopra 2015.
PLAN: 12.Rhe1 is a solid move; White is well prepared for central action: 12...Bd7!? 13.Ne5
Nxe5 14.Bxe5 b5 and here White pursued a path similar to Zakharov’s main plan: 15.g4 Be8!
16.f4 b4! 17.Nb1 Nd7!³ Zakharov-Dolmatov, Novgorod 1997.
12.Kb1 is a prophylactic move which is very common in the Sicilian Defence.
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TRICK: However, after 12...Bb4!?
analysis diagram
now the key move 13.Ne5? is too late (13.Bd2∞) in view of 13...Bxc3 14.bxc3 Ne4! 15.Bxe4
Rxf4 and Black’s position is much better.
12...Bd6!
Continuing in proper French style, fighting for the control of the central square e5: preparing
13...Qc7.
13.Bg3
TRICK: 13.Kb1? Qc7! 14.Nxc6 (14.Rhe1 g6!–+) 14...Bxf4 15.Nd4 e5 is miserable for White.
13...Qc7!
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14.Ng4
Black’s pressure forces White to abandon the e5-square.
14.f4 is weak because of 14...g6!„, intending 15...Nh5.
TRICK: 14.Rhe1? reveals the key to Black’s defence: 14...Nxe5 15.Bxe5 Bxe5 16.Qxe5 Qxe5
17.Rxe5 Ng4! 18.Re2 Nxf2µ.
14...Nxg4!
This exchange reduces White’s initiative. The more balanced 14...Bd7!? had been played earlier.
15.Qxg4 Ne5!
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Now the black knight dominates on e5 (threatening ...Nxg4 and ...Nxd3).
16.Qd4!?
In the year 2004, several Spanish youngsters already improved their repertoire with this line: 16.Qh5
Nxd3+ 17.Rxd3 Rf5 18.Qe2 Bd7„ Rodriguez Guerrero-Cuenca Jimenez, Seville 2004. The chances
are at least equal, as White has no time to build a strong pawn structure.
16...Bd7 17.Rhe1 Nxd3+ 18.Rxd3 Rac8!
The placement of the major pieces of both armies is almost perfect; therefore, the minor pieces and
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the pawns, and certainly also time, are the factors that will decide the battle.
19.a3 b5! 20.Kb1! Rf7
Prophylaxis against the tactical threat Nxd5!.
21.Ree3
White continues aggressively; the second rook on e3 increases his attacking potential.
Objectively, better was 21.Bxd6 Qxd6 22.g3!?, intending f2-f4, but my opponent was afraid to
become the passive side after, for example, 22...a5!?„.
21...Qc5!
From early on, Black uses simplification as the best defensive method against the ‘Russian Roulette’
game.
22.Bxd6 Qxd6 23.Rf3 Be8
A bit premature; 23...Rc4!ƒ first was more accurate.
24.Rxf7
24.Ne4!? was the last chance for White to improve his knight.
24...Bxf7
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25.Re3
25.Rg3 Bg6µ.
25...Bg6!
Definitely improving the bishop. Now Black’s strategy becomes clearer: it will be a fight of B vs N.
According to Watson (and all the engines), the simple material gain with 25...Qxh2 was better.
26.g3 Rc6 27.f4 h6
Again, prophylaxis. 27...a5!‚ would have been hard to meet.
28.h4 Rc4 29.Qe5 Qxe5 30.Rxe5 Kf7µ
Watson: ‘With the 2:0 central pawn majority and bishop versus knight, only Black can win this.’
31.h5 Bf5 32.Re2 Kf6 33.Re3 Rc5 34.Re5 Rc6
As usual I was in time-trouble, but I managed to keep control; 34...a5!.
35.Re2 Rc4 36.Re3?!
Finally allowing the winning move.
36...a5! 37.Nxb5 Bxc2+ 38.Ka2 a4 39.Re1 d4 40.Nd6 Rc6 41.Ne4+ Kf5 42.Nf2 d3 43.Re5+ Kf6
44.Ne4+ Kf7 45.Nd2
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PUZZLE: How to play?
45...Bb3+! 46.Kb1
If 46.Nxb3 axb3+ 47.Kxb3 d2, queening.
46...Rc2! 47.Nxb3 axb3 48.Re1 Re2!
The key rook manoeuvre.
49.Rd1 d2 0-1
Summary of 11...a6 12.Ne5:
A flank attack should be met by an attack in the centre! Following this classical concept, Black
played ...a7-a6/...Bd6/...Qc7, and defended his position against Zakharov’s dangerous plan. After this
White had neither the time nor the resources to attack his opponent’s king.
Game 32 – 7...cxd4
Yuri Kruppa 2460
Viktor Moskalenko 2460
Chernigov 1985 (5)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Be3 cxd4
After this exchange, Black wants to exert pressure on d4 with his pieces. The positions that emerge
are quite full of resources for both sides. 7...Be7 is a modern move-order, see Chapter 15; 7...a6 is a
traditional line with a reputation for solidity: see the WEAPON 8...a6 in Chapter 15, Game 33.
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8.Nxd4 Bc5 9.Qd2 0-0 10.0-0-0!
The main position of this line. White is going to attack on the kingside, and he is also solid in the
centre.
10.h4 transposes on move 12; 10.g3 is just a waste of time: 10...Rb8!? with the idea 11.Bg2 Nxd4
12.Bxd4 b5!³.
10...Nxd4!?
A purely preventive exchange.
In case of the usual 10...a6 White can simplify with 11.Nb3!? (for 11.Kb1/h2-h4/Qf2 see below;
11.Nce2 Na5! 12.Ng3 b5„)
317
analysis diagram
11...Bb4 (11...b6 12.h4!; 11...Bxe3 12.Qxe3²) 12.Bd3 b5 13.g4!? Bb7 14.Rhg1!?, intending Rg1-g3h3, gives White great practical prospects.
11.Bxd4 a6!
Preparing ...b7-b5.
12.Kb1
A typical prophylaxis in such positions, but White loses an important tempo for his ‘attacking
machine’. Therefore, the main alternatives deserve serious attention:
A) The popular advance 12.h4!? is always relevant.
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analysis diagram
However, an attack with pawns is known to be slower than an attack with pieces: 12...b5 13.h5
(13.Rh3 b4 14.Na4 (14.Ne2 a5!) 14...Bxd4 15.Qxd4 a5 (15...Qe7) 16.Bb5 Rb8=) and now with the
logical advance 13...b4!? Black forces the play: 14.Na4! (14.Ne2?! a5 15.Qe3 Qc7! TopalovMorozevich, Sarajevo 1999)
analysis diagram
and now: 14...Bxd4 15.Qxd4 Qa5!? 16.b3 Bb7! 17.h6 g6 18.Kb1 Bc6 19.Nb2 Qc5 (this leads to a
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puzzling endgame; 19...Nc5!? is also unclear) 20.Rh3 (20.Qd2? a5µ) 20...Qxd4 21.Rxd4 a5 22.c3 f6!
„ Alsina Leal-Ladron de Guevara Pinto, Linares 2020.
WEAPON: My own experience seems to be more flexible: 13...Bb7!? (maintaining a complex
middlegame) 14.h6 g6 15.Qe3 Rc8 16.Bxc5 Nxc5∞ 17.Rd4 Qe7 18.Kb1 Rc7 19.g3 b4! 20.Nd1
a5 21.Nf2 a4 22.Bg2 Rfc8µ A.Ivanov-Moskalenko, Frunze 1987.
B) Actually, the most dangerous idea is 12.Qe3!?, both intending f4-f5 and preparing Bd3/Qh3:
12...Qc7! (with an eye on e5; 12...Qb6N) 13.Bd3 Bxd4! (simplifying) 14.Qxd4 Qc5!? (14...b5
15.Rhe1! and 16.f5ƒ) 15.Ne2.
analysis diagram
White is trying to establish a classical advantage in the centre, but Black has a hidden neutralization
plan: 15...b6!? 16.Rhe1 (16.h4 Nb8!?) 16...Nb8!? 17.Qxc5 bxc5 18.c4 d4 19.b4 cxb4 20.Nxd4 Bb7!?
with a draw on move 26, Tritt-Abolins Abols, cr 2018;
C) The move 12.Qf2 was brought back into fashion by Kramnik, after he scored a very convincing
win with it over Radjabov in Linares 2003:
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analysis diagram
12...b6!? (this strategic supporting move works perfectly here; if 12...Qe7 13.Bd3 b5∞) 13.Bd3 (after
13.Qe3, suggested in Negi’s anti-French book, the best defence is 13...Qc7!?, see 12.Qe3; 13.Kb1, a
move that has been analysed by Harikrishna, also deserves attention. Here I propose 13...Bb7
14.Be2!? and now 14...Bxd4!N when if 15.Qxd4 Qe7 is unclear, and on 15.Rxd4 b5 is interesting)
13...f6! (starting counterplay in the centre) 14.Qh4 (14.exf6 Qxf6!) 14...g6„ with a sharp but
balanced position;
D) Finally, 12.Bxc5!? Nxc5 13.f5!?.
321
analysis diagram
White combines attacks in the centre and on the kingside: (13.Qd4 Qc7!) 13...Qc7! 14.Qf4!?
(14.Qd4 Nd7 15.Re1 Qc5„ Lhotellier Bezerra-Sanchez, cr 2008) 14...Nd7 15.Re1 b5 16.Bd3 Bb7
17.Rhf1 (17.f6? Nxf6; 17.fxe6 fxe6 18.Qh4 h6 19.Qg4 Nc5³) 17...f6! 18.fxe6 (18.exf6? e5!)
18...Nxe5 is complex, but nearly balanced.
12...b5!„
After this advance Black succeeds with the key manoeuvre ...Qb6!, e.g.
13.Bxc5
A) 13.h4 Qb6!? (13...b4 is similar to the above line 12.h4) 14.h5 Bxd4 15.Qxd4 Qxd4 16.Rxd4 h6!
17.a3 Ra7!? (regrouping) 18.g3 Rc7„;
B) Or 13.Qe3 Qb6!? 14.Bxc5 Nxc5 15.Bd3 (15.Ne2 b4„ J.Geller-Nepomniachtchi, Dagomys 2004)
15...b4 16.Ne2 a5 17.Nd4 Rb8!N and Black is ready for 18.f5 exf5„.
13...Nxc5 14.Qd4 Qb6!? 15.a3 Rb8!
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Black insists on ...b5-b4.
16.g3
White is already beginning to think about defence and is strengthening his pawn wedge.
16...b4!ƒ 17.axb4 Qxb4 18.Qxb4 Rxb4 19.Na2 Rb6 20.Rd4 a5 21.b3 Bd7 22.Bg2 Rfb8µ 23.Rhd1
PUZZLE: How should Black proceed?
23...Ba4!
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The computer engine supports this move, but the simple 23...Be8!? and 23...h5 were also useful
options.
24.Bxd5
Dissatisfied with the course of the game, my opponent decided to complicate things, but this only
leads to a technically winning ending for Black; 24.R4d2 g6–+.
24...exd5 25.Rxd5 Nb7!–+
26.Nc3 Bc6 27.R5d4 g6 28.Kb2 Kg7 29.Rc4 h5 30.Nd5 Bxd5 31.Rxd5 Rd8 32.Rd3 Rb5 33.Rdc3
Rdd5 34.Rc7 Nc5 35.Rc4 Ne6 36.Ra7 Rbc5 37.Rxc5 Nxc5 38.Ka3 Rd2 39.c4 Rd3T
39...Rxh2! 40.Rxa5 Ne6 41.c5 Rg2–+.
40.Rxa5 Nxb3 41.Rd5 Rxd5
41...Nd4+!.
42.cxd5 Nd2 43.Kb4 Kf8 44.Kc5 Ke7 45.Kc6 Kd8 46.h3 Ne4 47.g4 hxg4 48.hxg4 Nf2 49.Kd6
Nxg4 50.e6 Ke8 51.exf7+ Kxf7 52.Kc7 Ne3 53.Kc6 Ng2 0-1
Summary of the plan with 7...cxd4 8.Nxd4 Bc5:
After castling queenside White controls the centre and the kingside, while his opponent must try to
find counterplay on the queenside. Sometimes Black plays ...f7-f6!? in order to open up the centre.
The arising positions are very similar to the sharper lines of the Sicilian Defence, but with a closed
centre.
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Chapter 15
The proper scope of the move 7...Be7
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Be3 Be7!?
‘Not one of the main traditional lines, but nowadays players tend to explore a wide range of
variations, especially in such a flexible opening as the French’ – Mikhail Marin (CBM 157).
‘I had this position in 5 of 6 games as Black. Surprisingly, they all went down different roads by
move 11 at the latest!’ – Thomas Johansson (ChessPublishing).
Author’s note: Black actually refrains from the standard queenside action (7...a6 8.Qd2 b5) in favour
of play in the centre. However, Black can still switch the game to a flexible and trendy hybrid with
8.Qd2 a6!? (see the WEAPON in Game 33).
A bit of history
The old main line for many players on both sides is the classical set-up with 7...a6 and 8...b5, which is
mainly directed against White’s threat of 8.Qd2 and 9.0-0-0, forcing White to castle kingside.
However, my first book The Flexible French (2008) offered a brief outline of the modern move
7...Be7 as an attractive ‘weapon’. Then, in the 2015 update, I suggested a few lesser-known strategic
ideas for Black in this new line of the Classical French, using certain important advantages (and
‘hidden’ possibilities) behind the early move 7...Be7!?. Now it is played and recommended nearly
everywhere.
A losing concept
Before presenting serious alternatives for White and Black on move 9, I should propose an important
correction of a mistaken concept: after 8.Qd2 0-0, White’s queenside castling, 9.0-0-0, is the biggest
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mistake one can make in a life of chess!
Here Black should continue 9...c4! and then 10...b5!, with a winning initiative on the queenside (see
key Game 33). Remarkably enough, 9.0-0-0?? is the third most popular move for White: 278 games
in total, but only a 32.7% score. The improved computer engine already understands such positions –
and the red mate sign appears very soon!
New strategic ideas for Black
9.Be2 b6!? 10.0-0
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10...f5! (note: 10...f6 is worse due 11.dxc5!)
This ultra-modern position contains many interesting plans and strategies: using the flexibility of the
pawn structure by playing ...b7-b6 and then ...f7-f5, with the original idea of removing the white
pawn wedge (after 11.exf6 Nxf6). Today, this has become one of the main resources of the entire
7...Be7 variation, instead of the old ...a7-a6/...b7-b5 set-up. With the blocking idea 10...f5!?, Black
also intends to improve the position of the d7-knight with ...Nd7-c5-e4 at a later stage.
Recently, this new strategic set-up was applied successfully by many experts of the French. Note that
even if you are a new member of the French community, ...b7-b6/...f7-f5 is easy to understand
because of its strategic theme: the pawn structure.
For the full story on 9.Be2 b6 10.0-0 f5!?, see Game 34.
Statistics
Up till now, about 650 games have been played with 9...b6. The statistics for the new line 10.0-0 f5
are fascinating: about 55.4 percent for Black, an excellent score for any variation!
Most grandmasters, when reading opening books or preparing with databases, mainly look at
secondary lines. The reason: their good intuition and strategic understanding. There is no time for
deep study, tomorrow there will be another game!
An open question: 9.dxc5
‘Is 7...Be7 a wasted tempo or not? There is no clear answer to this...’ comments Emil Anka in
Yearbook 95. What he means is that White can start simplifications in the centre with 9.dxc5!?,
forcing the black bishop to move twice.
The option dxc5 is also natural in the parallel lines after ...a7-a6 and ...b7-b5. But here White can try
to gain a tempo by castling queenside, since Black’s a- and b-pawns have not been advanced yet. In
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the above diagram Black has two main directions:
• Game 35 – Recapturing on c5 with the knight: 9...Nxc5!? 10.0-0-0. Here I like to follow GM
Shirov’s creative idea with 10...Rb8!? and 11...b5!.
• Game 36 – GM Volkov’s ‘bluff’ gambit: 9...Qa5 10.0-0-0 b6!? (after the slow 9/10...Bxc5,
queenside castling by White leads to sharp but nearly balanced positions).
I have found all these lines to be playable for Black.
The proper scope of the move 7...Be7 – Games
Game 33 – A losing concept: 9.0-0-0?
Santiago Alfonso Abrego 1797
Gregorio Sola Plaza 1945
Pamplona 2016 (6)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6
PUZZLE: 6...Be7 7.Be3 b6 is an early version, trying to avoid the simplifications after 9.dxc5 (as
in Games 35 and 36). Black’s idea is to answer dxc5 with ...bxc5. However, after 8.Qd2
analysis diagram
Black suffers from a kind of zugzwang, for instance: 8...Nc6 (8...0-0 9.h4!?) 9.Bb5! (gaining an
important tempo) 9...Qc7 (9...Bb7 10.0-0-0!) 10.0-0-0! a6 11.Bxc6 Qxc6 12.f5!± with a clear
initiative in the game Caruana-Akobian, St Louis 2018.
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7.Be3 Be7!?
This has been the main focus of the Classical Variation for a couple of years, as reflected in The
Flexible French and in other recent books and articles.
8.Qd2 0-0
WEAPON: The traditional set-up 8...a6!? is fully playable and has made an active return in
recent online elite chess, especially by Caruana, Kramnik and Firouzja.
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analysis diagram
Here I give the key lines:
A) 9.0-0-0? c4!;
B) 9.dxc5 Nxc5! 10.0-0-0 Qa5!?„;
C) 9.Bd3 b5! 10.a3 0-0 (10...c4∞ Anand-Kramnik, chess24.com blitz 2020) 11.0-0 f6!„ 12.exf6
Nxf6 13.Rad1? Ng4!µ Piccoli-Bernal Varela, cr 2017;
D) 9.Be2 b5!? 10.a3 (or 10.0-0 0-0 11.Nd1 b4! 12.c4 (12.c3 a5!?„) 12...dxc4!³ NepomniachtchiKramnik, lichess.org 2020) 10...0-0 11.0-0=.
analysis diagram
As a result of a correctly played opening, White’s Be2 and Nc3 are poorly positioned, so Black has
enough time to create decent counterplay: 11...Qb6!? (an alternative plan is 11...Qc7 12.dxc5
(12.Nd1 cxd4 13.Nxd4 Nxd4 14.Bxd4 Nb8!?„) 12...Nxc5 13.Nd4 Bb7 14.Nxc6 Bxc6 15.Bd4
Ne4„ Dominguez Perez-Caruana, lichess.org 2020) 12.dxc5 (12.Nd1 a5!?„) 12...Bxc5 13.Bxc5
Nxc5 14.Kh1 d4!ƒ (with a total of 7 games in the period 2007-2013), Hillarp Persson-Berczes,
Stockholm 2007.
9.0-0-0?
Premature. Other moves for White are given in Games 34-36.
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9...c4!
Preparing 10...b5, which is already practically winning.
10.f5
Any other move loses time.
10...b5!‚
The white king is on his own.
11.fxe6
A) 11.f6 is not much help: 11...gxf6 12.exf6 (12.Bh6 fxe5!) 12...Nxf6 13.Bh6 Ng4! 14.Bxf8 Bxf8
and Black is winning, Vovk-Martinez Martin, cr 2009;
B) 11.Nxb5 allows an attack along the b-file: 11...Rb8 12.Nd6 Bxd6 13.exd6 Nf6! 14.c3 Ne4 15.Qc2
exf5 and Black won in 23 moves in E.Pinter-Lipka, Slovakia tt 2007/08.
11...fxe6
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12.Nxb5
TRICK: 12.Ng5? b4! 13.Nb1 c3!–+.
TRICK: 12.Bg5 b4 13.Ne2 c3! 14.bxc3 bxc3 15.Nxc3 Ba3+ 16.Kb1 Qb6+ 17.Nb5 a6 0-1
Wallis-Matamoros, Sydney 2007; a nice miniature.
12...Rb8 13.Nd6 Bxd6! 14.exd6 Nb4!
The best move-order for attackers who like to play for mate.
Or first 14...Nf6!? 15.Ne5 (15.c3 Qa5‚) 15...Qb6 16.Qc3 Ne4 17.Qa3 c3!–+ Szelag-M.Gurevich,
Warsaw rapid 2007.
15.Kb1 Nf6!
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Game over.
16.c3
White has also tried 16.Qc3 Ne4 17.Qa3 Rb6! 18.Kc1 Qxd6 0-1 Terrieux-Jossien, France tt 2007/08,
and; 16.a3 Ne4 17.Qc1 (17.Qe1 c3!–+ Pruijssers-Li Shilong, Dieren 2006) 17...Nc3+ 18.Ka1 Nba2
0-1 Blazek-Kukucka, Slovakia tt 2015.
16...Ne4 17.Qc1 Nxa2! 18.Kxa2 Qa5+ 19.Kb1 Nxc3+ 20.Kc2 Bd7 21.b3 Qa2+ 22.Qb2 cxb3+
White resigned.
Game 34 – New strategic ideas: 10...f5
Jolanta Zawadzka 2439
Markus Ragger 2686
Vienna 2016 (4)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Be3 Be7!?
‘This is another old method, quite natural and recently used by many masters’ – the author in The
Flexible French.
8.Qd2 0-0 9.Be2
The most natural move.
9.dxc5!? – Games 35 and 36.
9.Bd3 was often seen when this system was young.
333
analysis diagram
WEAPON: 9...f6! (9...b6 10.h4!?) 10.exf6 Bxf6 11.Bb5 cxd4= (11...Ndb8!? Nijboer-Geurink,
Netherlands tt 2012/13) 12.Nxd4 Bxd4!? 13.Bxd4 a6 14.Be2 (14.Bxc6 bxc6=) 14...e5!ƒ
Abdulov-Bajarani, Baku 2019.
9.h4 is certainly a direct attempt to punish Black,
analysis diagram
334
WEAPON: ... but again it can be met with a fully-fledged French hit on the centre: 9...f6!
(9...cxd4 10.Nxd4 Bxh4+ looks dangerous and unnecessary) 10.exf6 Nxf6 11.dxc5 Qa5!? 12.0-00 b6!? is similar to Volkov’s gambit in Game 36: 13.cxb6 axb6 (13...Bb4!?) 14.Nd4 (VoigtHoolt, Germany tt 2019) and now 14...Bd7!?°.
9...b6!
This strategic concept of strengthening the centre is the key to Black’s defence.
10.0-0
Again, the aggressive 10.0-0-0?! results in double-edged play after 10...c4! 11.f5 b5!ƒ etc.
One of White’s main resources in Classical French lines is the manoeuvre 10.Nd1, intending to
support d4 with c2-c3.
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analysis diagram
WEAPON: The best reaction is 10...cxd4! 11.Nxd4 Nxd4 12.Bxd4 and now 12...Nb8!? is a
typical regrouping of the knight: 13.0-0 Nc6 14.c3 Nxd4 15.cxd4 Bd7 16.Ne3 b5!„.
10...f5!
With the idea ...cxd4 and ...Nc5-e4. This advance has been played only since 2009. At the dawn of
this variation (2007) black players opted for two other moves:
A) 10...Bb7 is a bit passive without ...f7-f5; after 11.Nd1!?, intending c2-c3, Black has no time to
push his f-pawn: 11...cxd4 12.Nxd4 Nxd4 (12...Nc5 13.Nf2²) 13.Bxd4 Nb8 14.Ne3 Nc6 15.c3²
Zherebukh-Sethuraman, Kirishi 2010;
B) The break 10...f6 used to be very popular, but later White found 11.dxc5!? (11.exf6 transposes to
below) 11...Nxc5 (11...fxe5 12.Nxd5!ƒ; 11...bxc5? 12.Nxd5!) 12.Bb5!? Bb7 13.Bxc6 Bxc6 14.exf6
Bxf6 15.Bd4².
11.Nd1!?
A common knight manoeuvre; White prepares c2-c3.
If 11.dxc5 Nxc5!„.
Quite a ‘logical’ plan is 11.Kh1, 11...Bb7 12.Rg1 intending g2-g4.
336
analysis diagram
WEAPON: However, 12...cxd4! 13.Nxd4 Nc5!„ 14.g4 Ne4 15.Nxe4 dxe4 16.c3 Nxe5! JackoMotuz, Slovakia tt 2015/16.
WEAPON: Black’s original idea appears after the universal response 11.exf6: 11...Nxf6,
intending 12...Ng4!.
analysis diagram
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The extremely solid Austrian GM Markus Ragger.
This is the former main position of this modern opening
line. The game is balanced, but Black has a clearer
strategy: 12.Bb5 (alternatively, 12.Kh1 (prophylaxis; if
now ...Ng4 then Bg1): 12...Bb7 (12...Bd6!?) 13.Rad1
(13.Rae1 Ne4!?) 13...Rc8 14.Bb5 Bd6„ Hjartarson-Short,
Nuuk 2016) and now:
TRICK: 12...Na5!? contains a poisonous idea: 13.Ne5?
c4!, hunting for the bishop on b5: 14.Nc6 Nxc6
(14...Qc7!?) 15.Bxc6 Rb8µ intending 16...b5!,
Isgandarova-Osmak, Riga 2017.
However, after the normal 12...Qc7!? 13.Bxc6 Qxc6
14.Ne5 Qe8!?³ White is left with a bad bishop and no
positive plan, Strugnell-Gleizerov, Senta 2012.
11...cxd4! 12.Nxd4 Nxd4 13.Bxd4 Nc5„
The key position of the modern line. The black pawn on f5 blocks the centre and supports ...Ne4.
14.Nf2
A) 14.c3 Kh8 (14...a5!?; 14...Ne4!?) 15.Nf2∞ Kobalia-Terry, chess.com blitz 2020;
B) 14.Ne3 Ne4 15.Qe1 Bb7!? (15...Kh8!?).
338
analysis diagram
With his strong Ne4/Bb7 battery, Black is better, also in the tactics: 16.Rd1 Qe8! 17.c4 dxc4 18.Bxc4
Qg6µ Swati-Ghosh, Nagpur 2012.
14...Bb7
WEAPON: 14...a5!? prevents b2-b4 and prepares ...Ba6.For example, 15.Kh1 (15.Qe3 Ba6!?;
15.Rad1 (Jerez Perez-Anton Guijarro, Barbera del Valles 2009) and now 15...Qe8!?³) 15...Kh8
16.Nd3 Ba6 17.Qe3 Qc7 18.Rg1 Ne4 19.c3 Bc5µ Silich-Quintiliano Pinto, chess.com blitz 2020.
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15.Rfd1
White seems to be starting to move back into defence already.
15.b4 Ne4„.
WEAPON: After 15.c3 Rc8!? the idea is 16.b4 Ne4 17.Nxe4 dxe4 18.a4 g5!?„.
WEAPON: Or 15.Rad1 Qe8!? 16.b4 Ne4 17.Nxe4 dxe4„ 18.c4? Qa4!µ Moreno Tejera-Osmak,
Spain tt 2018.
15...Rc8 16.Rac1
A curious tactical motif was missed in the game Roseneck-Firat, Basel 2018, after 16.c3 g5!?
(16...Kh8!?) 17.g3 gxf4 18.gxf4 Kh8 19.Qe3 Bh4 20.Bf3 Rg8+ 21.Kh1.
analysis diagram
PUZZLE: How to continue the attack?
Black could have won immediately with 21...Bg3!!.
16...g5!
Creating active counterplay in the centre and on the kingside.
17.Be3 gxf4 18.Bxf4 Kh8 19.b4 Ne4 20.Nxe4 fxe4 21.Be3 Rg8 22.Rf1
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PUZZLE: How can Black make progress?
22...d4!?
Winning material; 22...Bg5!?³.
23.Qxd4 Bg5
23...Qxd4 24.Bxd4 Bg5µ is similar.
24.c3 Qxd4 25.Bxd4 Bxc1 26.Rxc1 Bd5µ
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Later on, the extremely solid GM Ragger gradually realized his advantage against the charming
Polish WGM:
27.a3 Rc7 28.g3 Rf8 29.Re1 Kg7 30.Bd1 Bc4 31.Bg4 b5 32.Bh3 Rf3 33.Rxe4 Rd3 34.Rg4+ Kf8
35.Bc5+ Ke8 36.Rg8+ Kf7 37.Rf8+ Kg7 38.Rf6 Rf7 39.Bd4 Rd1+ 40.Kf2 Rd2+ 41.Kg1 Rd1+
42.Kf2 Rxf6+ 43.exf6+ Kg6 44.Bg2 Rd2+ 45.Kg1 Bd5 46.Bxd5 exd5 47.g4 Ra2 48.h3 Rxa3
49.Kg2 a5 50.bxa5 Rxa5 51.Kf3 Ra1 52.h4 Re1 53.h5+ Kf7 54.Kf4 b4 55.Kf5 b3 56.g5 Rf1+
White resigned.
Summary of the plan with 7...Be7!?, 8...b6 and 9...f5!:
For obvious reasons, given in the comments above, recently White has been trying to avoid the main
line 9.Be2 in favour of 9.dxc5!?. It’s reminiscent of a cat-and-mouse game! See the following games.
Game 35 – An open question: 9.dxc5 Nxc5!?
Masoud Mosadeghpour 2437
Alexei Shirov 2674
Hamedan 2016 (4)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Be3 Be7!? 8.Qd2 0-0 9.dxc5!?
White intends to castle queenside.
9.Be2 has been the main line for some time (Game 34), but the text has steadily become more
popular.
9...Nxc5!?
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Recapturing with the knight is a complex and interesting choice: Black shifts between using the c-b-a
files, advancing with the f-pawn, and playing ...Ne4. For 9...Qa5 and 9...Bxc5 see the next game.
10.0-0-0!
The sharpest option: White can start activity on the kingside since Black has all his pieces on the
other flank. Speed is of the utmost importance in such positions!
10...Rb8!?
Intending 11...b5!. This is a novelty from 2016, but it is still a decent option (only 12 games).
A) The strategic concept 10...b6 works well against White’s 0-0, but not here: 11.Bb5!? and White is
ahead in the race: 11...Bb7 12.Bxc6!? Bxc6 13.Nd4ƒ followed by 14.f5! is recommended by GM
Negi and has done well for White. Obviously, 10...Rb8 prevents this;
B) The classic plan 10...a6 is also too slow. White has 11.h4!. This advance supports the thematic
idea of Bd3xh7+ followed by Ng5+ (Negi suggested 11.Qf2!? but 11...b6!? is unclear, with the idea
...Ra7-Rd7), e.g. 11...b5 (11...Qa5 12.Nd4!?² Kasimdzhanov-Lupulescu, Germany Bundesliga
2016/17) 12.Bd3!ƒ (or first 12.Bxc5 Bxc5 13.Bd3 intending 14...Bxh7!) 12...b4? (12...Nxd3+
13.Qxd3±) 13.Bxc5 Bxc5 14.Bxh7+! (a nice trap) 14...Kxh7 15.Ng5+ Kg8 16.Qd3 g6 (16...f5
17.exf6+–) 17.h5, winning in all lines.
11.h4
Quite a logical advance, but Black has prepared a nasty surprise.
A) A more solid alternative for White is 11.Qf2 Qa5!? with counter-chances.
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analysis diagram
For example: 12.a3 (12.Kb1 Bd7!? 13.f5 exf5! 14.Rxd5 Ne4!„) 12...Na4 (12...Rd8!?) 13.Nxa4
Qxa4 14.Nd4 Bd7 15.Bb5 Qa5 16.Bd3 (Cernousek-Druska, Slovakia tt 2016/17) and now
16...Rfc8!? 17.c3 Nxd4 18.Bxd4 Ba4!„;
B) 11.Kb1 b5 12.Bxb5 Na5!?°.
11...b5!„
The most creative idea and a typical advance in this line.
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Summing up the consequences after the ultra-short opening shot on moves 9-11: this leads to a
mutual attacking game on opposite flanks, but Black’s pieces are closer to the enemy king!
12.Qf2
The key idea behind the gambit is 12.Bxb5 Qb6! 13.b3 Nb4!ƒ.
12...Na4! 13.Nd4
13...Bd7
WEAPON: 13...Na5!ƒ is a clear improvement for Black to increase his lead.
14.Nxc6 Bxc6
In the further, not error-free struggle, Shirov proves defter:
15.Nxa4 bxa4 16.Bxa7 Rb7?!
16...Qa5!?„.
17.Bc5?!
17.Ba6!?.
17...Bb5 18.Rh3 h5 19.f5 exf5 20.Bxb5 Rxb5 21.Bd4 Qd7 22.Qe2 g6 23.e6 fxe6 24.Re3 Kf7 25.Re1
Re8 26.g4 hxg4 27.Rf1 Rb4 28.c3 Rc4 29.b3 axb3 30.axb3 Rxd4 31.cxd4 Qa7 32.Kb1 Bf6 0-1
345
Game 36 – An open question: 9.dxc5 Qa5
Alireza Firouzja 2669
Constantin Lupulescu 2634
Reykjavik 2019 (7)
These notes contain some interesting comments by GM Firouzja in CBM 189.
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Be3
Firouzja: ‘Of course this is a very risky line for White, but I was really in the mood for a fighting
game.’
7...Be7!? 8.Qd2 0-0 9.dxc5!?
Recently very popular, probably because the ideas are relatively clear and simple.
9...Qa5
An aggressive queen manoeuvre. The latest fashion recommends the most dynamic continuation.
PUZZLE: 9...Bxc5.
analysis diagram
Interestingly, this illogical recapture by the bishop has attracted much attention from anti-French
authors, who have tried to finish Black off for good! 10.0-0-0! Qb6 (10...Qa5!? transposes to below)
11.Nd4 (the most thematic move, and GM Negi’s recommendation. White goes for a slightly superior
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ending) 11...Nxd4 12.Bxd4 Bxd4 13.Qxd4².
10.0-0-0!
This seems to be the best way for White to fight for an advantage. The game continues with a gambit
idea introduced by GM Volkov in 2009:
10...b6!?
Firouzja: ‘Having checked this line after the game, I find it very remarkable that he managed to make
such a big bluff.’
The initially popular 10...Bxc5 now seems to be not such an exciting option: 11.a3!? (11.Nd4?!
Bxd4! 12.Bxd4 Rb8!„ Shomoev-Potkin, Dresden 2007; the immediate exchange 11.Bxc5 Nxc5
offers more dynamic chances for Black: 12.Kb1 Bd7!? 13.h4 Rac8!? 14.h5 h6! 15.Nd4 Rfd8 16.Rh3
Be8 17.g4 Nxd4! 18.Qxd4 Ne4!„ Van Haastert-Kasimdzhanov, Vlissingen 2007)
347
analysis diagram
A) 11...Rd8!? (Black is contemplating ...d5-d4) 12.Bxc5 Nxc5 13.h4!? (recommended by Negi;
White advances on the kingside) 13...Bd7!? (this set-up seems the most effective against the h2-h4-h5
push) 14.h5 h6 15.g4
analysis diagram
15...d4!? (Volkov tried 15...Be8?! twice, but there is 16.g5!) 16.Nb5 (16.Nxd4? Nxd4 17.Qxd4 Bc6–
+) 16...d3! 17.Bxd3 Qxd2+ 18.Rxd2 Nxd3+ 19.Rxd3 Nxe5! 20.Nxe5 Bxb5 and Black escaped to a
348
draw in Savoca-Laurenc, cr 2016.
Other options may be too slow:
B) 11...Be7 12.h4!? Rb8 13.Bd3 b5 14.Bxh7+!;
C) 11...Rb8 12.Bxc5!? Nxc5 13.Qe3! Qb6 14.Nd4²;
D) 11...a6 12.Bxc5!? Nxc5 (12...Qxc5 13.Bd3± intending 14...Bxh7!) 13.Qe3!? Rd8 14.Kb1 Bd7
15.f5!± Puranik-Gadimbayli, Baku 2015.
11.Bb5!
Accepting the pawn with 11.cxb6?! only helps Black: 11...axb6 (11...Nxb6) 12.Nd4 Nxd4 13.Bxd4
Bb4 with obvious compensation, Munguntuul-Batchimeg, Tsetserleg 2018.
11...Nb4!?
A wild sacrificial line, which appeared in 2017 and quickly gained much attention at all levels.
Originally, Volkov played 11...Bb7
analysis diagram
12.Kb1!? Kh8 (avoiding the well-known trick Nxd5 Qxd2 Nxe7+ etc.; 12...Nxc5?! 13.Bxc5 Bxc5
14.Ng5! h6 15.h4‚ Dunlop-Davidson, cr 2018) 13.cxb6 (13.h4!? Popovic-Cabarkapa, Palic 2016)
13...Bb4 (13...axb6 14.Nd4!) 14.Bxc6 Bxc6 15.bxa7 and White retains a clear advantage, EvansThornton, cr 2017.
12.a3
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12.Kb1 transposes; 12.c6 Nxa2+!„.
12...bxc5
12...Na2+ 13.Nxa2 Qxb5 14.Nc3!±.
13.Bxd7?
Firouzja: ‘After this move White is lost.’
13.axb4? cxb4–+; 13.f5? Na2+ Ponkratov-Volkov, Yaroslavl 2018; 13.Kb1! is critical and has
already been analysed in many sources:
analysis diagram
13...Rb8 (13...Nb6?! 14.f5! Fakhrutdinov-Volkov, Yaroslavl 2018; 13...a6!? 14.Bxd7 Bxd7 15.axb4
Qxb4 16.Nxd5!? exd5 17.Qxb4 cxb4 18.Rxd5 and Black has sufficient compensation, SchmakelEscalante Ramirez, lichess.org blitz 2020) 14.axb4 cxb4 (14...Qxb4? 15.Nxd5!) 15.Nxd5 exd5
16.Bxd7 (16.Nd4 Nxe5!) 16...Bxd7 17.Qxd5 Qxd5 18.Rxd5 Bc6 19.Ra5 Rfc8 20.Rc1 (20.b3!?).
Firouzja: ‘I think White is better here, although it is not easy to convert the advantage.’ 20...Be4!?°
Shevchenko-Esplugas Esteve, Sitges 2019.
13...Bxd7 14.axb4
14.f5 Rfb8!µ.
14...cxb4 15.Nb1 Rfc8
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Firouzja: ‘It’s very hard to find counterplay for White.’
16.Nd4
16.f5 Ba4!–+; 16.Bd4 Qc7!? 17.c3 Ba4 18.Qd3 a5‚.
The stem game for the move 11...Nb4, Saric-Martinovic, Valpovo 2017, saw 16.Rdf1 and now
16...Qc7–+ with the idea 17...a5!.
16...Qa2
Black still has to be careful: 16...Qa1!? 17.Qd3 (17.f5!? exf5!µ Priasmoro-Taher, Yogyakarta 2019)
17...a5ƒ Santos Ruiz-Edouard, Skopje 2019.
17.f5
17.Qd3!? is probably the best try, but the position remains difficult for White: 17...a5 (17...Rab8!?µ)
18.Kd2! (18.b3 Rc3!) 18...Qxb2 19.Ke2 a4!?ƒ Clarke-Lenderman, Douglas 2019.
17...exf5
17...Ba4!?µ.
18.Rhf1 a5!
351
Firouzja: ‘Black just slowly pushes the queenside pawns, and White has no counterplay on the
kingside.’
19.Nxf5
19.Qf2 a4–+ Kryvoruchko-Sychev, Minsk 2017.
19...Bxf5 20.Rxf5 a4 21.Bd4
The attack is too strong: 21.Qxd5 Rxc2+!–+.
21...a3
Firouzja: ‘From here he started to go a little bit wrong.’ 21...b3!?.
22.e6!?
The only try.
22...f6 23.Qd3 b3 24.Rf2
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PUZZLE: How to continue? This one is hard to find.
24...Ra4! 25.c3 Rxd4! 26.Qxd4 Bc5 27.Qd2 Bxf2?
27...axb2+! 28.Qxb2 Bxf2–+. Firouzja: ‘We both were in very very big time trouble, so he missed
this simple thing.’
28.Qxf2 Qa1 29.e7?
Firouzja: ‘And here I missed my only chance in this game’: 29.Rxd5! a2 30.Qf5=.
29...a2 30.e8=Q+
Firouzja: ‘30.Qf5 Rxc3+! – I missed this move when I played 29.e7.
30...Rxe8 31.Qf5 d4! 0-1
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The rising star of 2020, GM Alireza Firouzja (right): ‘My opponent played a really fascinating game,
and congratulations to him on winning such a big event.’
Conclusion
‘The whole line with 7...Be7 is gaining popularity and White players are still searching for the best
method to meet it,’ commented GM Ftacnik in CBM 118 (2007).
Now we are in 2021, but the situation does not seem to have changed. Black will be even more
ahead with the update suggested in this chapter.
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Chapter 16
A legendary pin
The McCutcheon Variation
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Bb4
‘As in many positions in the French Defence, both sides have a big variety of moves and plans to
follow, especially in Winawer structures (occurring mostly after 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5
5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3)’ – GM Mekhitarian in CBM 142.
But we can say the same about McCutcheon lines!
Introduction
The McCutcheon Variation emerged at the end of the 19th century. The first recorded game with it
was in a simultaneous display against William Steinitz at the Manhattan Chess Club on Thanksgiving
Day, November 1885.
For a long time, a refutation of this popular variation was sought, but I think that the old
McCutcheon still has many resources and several unexplored ideas. This is the reason why the
variation has been staying alive year after year and has been successfully defended even at the highest
levels by super-grandmasters such as Viktor Kortchnoi, Alexander Morozevich, Alexei Shirov,
Hikaru Nakamura and Ian Nepomniachtchi.
The variation’s secret
The opening begins with a few tactical tricks (such as 5.e5 h6!), but after that almost the entire game
is based on the strategy of preparing attacks.
The main positions are quite closed if Black blocks the centre by playing ...c7-c5-c4 (see Kortchnoi’s
355
and Volkov’s games in the following), or semi-open after ...c7-c5xd4/...Qa5 or White’s move dxc5.
In all cases the game develops quite progressively.
In contrast to other, similar variations in the French, in this line two minor pieces are exchanged
(...Bxc3 and ...Nxd2), reducing the potential to play for an attack, although the major pieces remain
on the board, as do most of the pawns (usually, 14-16 of them).
A feature of this variation is that White can easily increase the number of his pieces on the
kingside.
Meanwhile, after exchanging his f8-bishop and his g8-knight, Black is slightly passive and he has
to either prepare counterplay in the centre with his usual French break ...c7-c5 or block the centre
with ...c7-c5-c4, preparing a counterattack on the queenside with ...b7-b5/...a7-a5/...b5-b4.
With the centre closed, White can also advance his f-, g- and h-pawns to attack on the kingside.
Finally, the best part of this variation is that the kings can move freely!
Directions – 5.e5 h6
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Main Line: 6.Bd2 Bxc3 7.bxc3 Ne4 8.Qg4 (Games 37-39)
Modern Lines: 6.Be3 (Game 40) and 6.Bc1 (Game 41)
Old Lines: 6.exf6 and 6.Bh4
There is also a new line: 6.Bf4!? (see Game 42).
Analysis of the main lines with 6.Bd2, 8.Qg4
The opening continues with 5.e5 h6, after which 6.Bd2!? is the most popular move for White. Now,
after 6...Bxc3 7.bxc3 Ne4 White attacks g7 with 8.Qg4!. This is the most aggressive move against the
French Defence in general.
357
We have arrived at the main position in the system. White is preparing action on the kingside.
Black has two normal ways of defending his g7-pawn:
• Game 37: 8...Kf8 – the ‘strategic’ defence
(2236 games in the online database, with the result = 44.8%)
This is a ‘strategic’ defence of the g7-square, an appropriate method in the French. Black loses the
right to castle, but keeps his kingside free of weaknesses and retains a flexible pawn structure. For
many years, this has been the favourite option of Kortchnoi and Volkov, two McCutcheon experts.
• Games 38 and 39: 8...g6 – the most popular, ‘dynamic’ move
(4099 games = 45.1%)
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With this move Black keeps the option to castle queenside, but the price is the weakening of his
kingside and, especially, of the f6-square.
For example, Morozevich used to play 8...Kf8, but later he replaced this move by 8...g6, whereas
Kortchnoi did the opposite, going over to 8...Kf8.
White usually plays 9.Bd3/Nf3/h2-h4 and sometimes Qf4 or Qd1 without worrying much about the
order of these moves.
Analysis of the modern lines: 6.Be3 and 6.Bc1
This is very similar to the Winawer Variation after ...Bxc3 (with 3+3 minor pieces on the board), but
here the black knight is already on e4(!) instead of g8 or e7.
One of Black’s main resources in many lines of the McCutcheon Variation is the ‘Black Jet’ plan
with the pawn moves ...h6-h5 and ...g7-g5.
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Felgaer-Moskalenko (6.Bd2, 9.Be3)
Erdogdu-Moskalenko (6.Be3)
See Games 37, 39 and 40 (the black king may be on e8 or f8 and the white a2-pawn may be on a3).
For other examples on the move 6/9.Bc1, see Games 37 and 41.
PUZZLE
Finally, there is a quite striking optical secret in the McCutcheon that may be of practical interest:
there is not so much difference between 6.Bd2 and 6.Be3, since after 6.Bd2 Bxc3 7.bxc3 Ne4 8.Qg4
g6 (or 8...Kf8) White can always surprise Black by playing 9.Be3!? and the same position arises, the
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only difference being the a-pawn’s position: a2/a3, and the black king on e8 or f8. However, for the
reasons I mentioned, the variation with 6.Bc1!? can be even more tricky (Game 41)!
A legendary pin – Games
After 8...Kf8 the critical line begins when White plays h2-h4 and Rh3.
Game 37 – 8...Kf8
Anna Muzychuk 2456
Elisabeth Pähtz 2457
Krasnoturinsk 2007 (5)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Bb4!
PUZZLE: 4...dxe4 has become a quite popular option in this pragmatic era. The move mainly
serves to equalize the game. There have even been several ‘rational’ books and articles on this
topic recently. But the main question is: why do they call this the French Defence? I do not
understand!
5.e5
WEAPON: 5.exd5 Qxd5!?
analysis diagram
6.Bxf6 gxf6 7.Nf3 Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 b6!³ would be a nasty surprise for anti-McCutcheon players.
5...h6
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6.Bd2
Two other popular moves for White are 6.Be3 and 6.Bc1, which will be examined in Games 40 and
41. Two old and almost forgotten methods are 6.exf6 and 6.Bh4 (see Game 42).
6...Bxc3 7.bxc3
Incidentally, 7.Bxc3 does not seem to be a successful idea: 7...Ne4 8.Ne2 (8.Bb4 c5!) 8...0-0 9.Bb4
c5!.
362
analysis diagram
TRICK: 10.Ba3 (10.dxc5? Nxf2!–+) 10...Nc6!? (this move promises Black good chances in the
forthcoming struggle; 10...b5!?„ is also good) 11.f3 b5! 12.fxe4 b4ƒ and Black’s lead in
development begins to play a significant role, Svidler-Morozevich, Frankfurt 1999.
7...Ne4 8.Qg4
The critical position in the main line.
8...Kf8
Keeping the pawn structure intact.
For 8...g6 see Games 38 and 39.
9.h4!?
A logical move: White brings his rook to the third rank. At the same time, this move-order avoids
many of Black’s alternatives.
PLAN: For example, 9.Bd3 (9.Nf3 c5 transposes) 9...Nxd2 10.Kxd2 c5! (in the McCutcheon
spirit! 10...Qg5+ is a peculiar option that has not been used very often: 11.Qxg5 hxg5 and now
12.f4!? gxf4 13.Rf1ƒ) 11.Nf3.
363
analysis diagram
I’m sure experts like Kortchnoi, Morozevich, Volkov and others have tried out all the possible moves
in this position, e.g. 11...cxd4!? offers a semi-open game against the slow move Nf3 (11...b6!? 12.h4
Ba6„; 11...c4 is the standard blockading move: 12.Be2 b5∞ as in many games by GM Volkov)
12.cxd4 (12.Nxd4 Qg5+!?) 12...Qa5+ 13.c3 b6!?„ intending ...Ba6, Borisenko-Anton Guijarro,
Albena 2011.
PLAN/PUZZLE: An attacking plan is 9.Be3, imitating the popular idea of 6.Be3 (given in Game
40). At first sight the same position arises! Only here, the white pawn is on its original square
instead of a3: 9...c5!? 10.Bd3 Nxc3 11.dxc5 Qa5!?„ (11...Nc6 12.Nf3 f5∞ Gromotka-Prystenski,
cr 2013).
364
analysis diagram
Now it is clear that the position is different from those arising after 6.Be3, since White’s a-pawn
should be on a3 in order to play 12.Qb4. 12.Nf3 (for 12.Bd2 see 9.Bc1) 12...Ne4+ (12...Nd7!?)
13.Kf1 (13.Nd2 Nxc5!) 13...Nxc5∞ and from here on, both sides can try to show what they’re worth.
PLAN/PUZZLE: Or similarly 9.Bc1, imitating 6.Bc1 (Game 41): 9...c5! 10.Bd3
analysis diagram
365
10...Nxc3 (10...cxd4!? 11.Ne2 dxc3 12.0-0 Nc6 13.Bxe4 dxe4 14.Qxe4 Qd5=) 11.dxc5 Qa5! (this is
an exclusive option here, since with the pawn on a2 instead of a3 White cannot play 12.Qb4) 12.Bd2
Qxc5!? 13.Ne2 Ne4! 14.Bxe4 dxe4 15.Qxe4 Nc6 16.Bc3 b6! 17.0-0 Ba6³; a brilliant McCutcheon
performance by one of the classics, Yates-Tarrasch, Hastings 1922.
PLAN: 9.Qf4.
analysis diagram
Another strange plan. This manoeuvre allows White to castle (...Nxd2, Qxd2), but he wastes several
tempi and some attacking chances: 9...c5 10.Bd3 Nxd2 11.Qxd2 Qa5!? (as usual, semi-open play is
the main alternative to 11...Nc6 12.Nf3 c4∞) 12.Nf3 b6!? 13.0-0 Nc6„.
9...c5! 10.Rh3 Nc6 11.Bd3 Nxd2 12.Kxd2 c4!
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The plans for both sides are perfectly clear: White tries to create something on the kingside, while
Black plays on the opposite side, aiming to advance ...b5-b4.
13.Bf1
This move enables White to develop his knight to e2, but now the rook gets stuck on the third rank
for a long time.
13.Rg3? cxd3!.
PLAN: The most popular line is 13.Be2 b5!?
367
analysis diagram
with a quite balanced position, but many uncompromising games have come out of this position:
(13...Ne7!? is a radical defensive idea) 14.Rg3 (14.Rf3 Bd7!? 15.Nh3 Ne7!? 16.Nf4? Nf5! and
White has problems, Havlik-Sebenik, Aschach 2005; 14.Qf4 Bd7!? 15.Bh5 Be8 16.Rf3 Qe7 17.a3
a5! 18.Nh3 Ra7! 19.Qg3 b4!µ Al-Modiahki-Peralta, Tromsø ol 2014) 14...Rg8 15.Nh3 b4!ƒ.
analysis diagram
German WGM Elisabeth Pähtz played a beautiful
McCutcheon game, showing Black’s best defensive
resources.
This McCutcheon break helps to destroy White’s
queenside fortifications: 16.cxb4 Qb6! 17.c3 a5! 18.b5
Qxb5 19.Ke1 Qb2 20.Rd1 Qxa2 21.Qf4 a4 22.Rf3 Ra7
and Black’s passed a-pawn will soon decide the game,
Gonzalez Laso-Volkov, Spain tt 2017.
13...b5 14.a3 Bd7 15.Ne2
A logical move after Bf1.
15...a5 16.Nf4
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PUZZLE: The key moment: how should Black proceed?
16...Ne7!?
A typical defensive resource. However, it reduces Black’s possibilities of counterattacking on the
opposite wing.
WEAPON: An extremely aggressive move is 16...b4!?, e.g. 17.Rf3 bxc3+ 18.Kd1 (or 18.Kxc3
a4! 19.Nxe6+ Bxe6 20.Qxe6 Qa5+ 21.Kb2 Rb8+! 22.Ka2 Qc7 23.Qd6+ Qxd6 24.exd6 Nxd4³).
369
analysis diagram
PUZZLE: How should Black continue?
18...Qb6! 19.Ng6+ Kg8 20.Nxh8 and now 20...Nxd4! (20...h5= Wilson-Cumbers, Birmingham
2006) 21.Rxf7 Nf5 22.Rxd7 Qxf2 23.Qe2 Qd4+ 24.Ke1 Kxh8, intending 25...Rf8!, and Black seems
to be winning even with a rook less!
17.Nh5
If 17.Rb1 then 17...Nf5!?, intending 18...Qe7, attacking a3.
17...Rg8
WEAPON: A similar idea is 17...Nf5!?.
analysis diagram
18.Qf4 (18.Rb1=) 18...b4! 19.Be2 (19.axb4? axb4µ; 19.g4 bxc3+ and 20...Nxh4!) 19...bxc3+
20.Kxc3 Rb8!ƒ Canizares Cuadra-Cabello Rodriguez, cr 2006.
18.Qf4?!
18.Rb1 b4!?N.
18...b4!ƒ
We already know Black’s main attacking resource after ...c5-c4.
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19.axb4 axb4 20.Rxa8 bxc3+ 21.Rxc3 Qxa8 22.g4 Qa5!µ
A legendary pin! Black has made the best of the McCutcheon.
23.g5
Too late.
23...hxg5 24.hxg5 Rh8! 25.Be2 Nf5 26.Bg4 g6 27.Bxf5 gxf5 28.Qf3 Qa7! 29.Ke3 Qa1 30.Kd2
Ke7T
30...Be8! and 31...f6 should win.
31.Qh3 Qa7 32.Ke2 Qxd4 33.Rg3 c3 34.Rg1 Bb5+ 35.Kf3 Qe4+ 36.Kg3 Be2 0-1
A study of this interesting collection of games by French experts against some elite players with
white will surely help the reader. In my opinion, Black’s position is solid, but somewhat passive –
behind the barricades.
Summary of 8...Kf8:
This king move allows Black to control the situation, balancing the game in many lines, but in order
to win he needs to be patient, waiting for the moment when White attacks without let-up. Black has
no serious weaknesses, but when complications arise, White’s spatial advantage will tell since he is
able to bring his pieces more quickly to either wing. This is White’s main advantage.
The critical line is characterized by the white moves h2-h4 and Rh3 (main game). After ...c5-c4, pay
attention to two of Black’s main resources:
• the defensive manoeuvre ...Ne7-f5
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• a carefully prepared attack with ...b5-b4.
In any case, this line leads to complicated play with many possibilities and resources.
In the following games (Nos. 38 and 39) we will investigate Black’s most popular 8th move: 8...g6.
First we will check the classical blockade move ...c5-c4 by Viktor Kortchnoi, and then some lines
where Black aims for a semi-open centre either without the possibility of castling, or preparing
queenside castling.
Game 38 – 8...g6
Vasily Panov
Viktor Kortchnoi
USSR tt 1953
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Bb4 5.e5 h6 6.Bd2 Bxc3 7.bxc3 Ne4 8.Qg4 g6!?
Veteran grandmaster Kortchnoi used this move early on, but later replaced it by the king move
8...Kf8.
9.Bd3 Nxd2 10.Kxd2 c5! 11.h4!?
White must do something; this is a direct try against Black’s king.
PLAN/WEAPON: More common is 11.Nf3.
372
analysis diagram
Black can continue as in the main game, but it is also interesting to test his ideas in a position with a
semi-open centre: 11...Bd7!? (preparing a set-up with ...Bc6/ ...Nd7 and then ...Qe7 or ...Qa5; or first
11...Qe7!? 12.h4 Bd7 13.Qf4 Bc6 14.a4 Nd7 15.Rhb1 c4!? 16.Be2 a5! 17.Nh2 g5!ƒ MatikozianAkobian, Las Vegas 2005) 12.h4 Bc6 (12...Qe7!? avoids the draw) 13.Qf4 (13.Bxg6 fxg6=; 13.Rh3
Qe7!?) 13...Nd7
analysis diagram
373
14.Nh2 (14.Rhe1 Qe7 with the idea ...c5-c4/...0-0-0, Degraeve-M.Gurevich, Belfort 1998) 14...Qa5!
15.Ng4 0-0-0!µ and suddenly the white king in the centre is under attack, Bruzon Batista-Glek,
Esbjerg 2002.
11...Nc6
A standard move.
WEAPON: Again, Black has a peculiar alternative in 11...Bd7!?.
analysis diagram
12.h5 (the main response; for 12.Nf3 Bc6 see above under PLAN) 12...g5 13.f4 but now 13...Nc6!
14.fxg5 Qa5!, intending to castle queenside; Black gets quite successful counterplay after either
15.Nf3 (15.g6 0-0-0! or 15.dxc5 d4!) 15...0-0-0!„.
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12.Nf3
Natural development, but now he cannot push his f-pawn.
12.Qf4 c4!? is similar to the main game.
PUZZLE: For example, 12.h5 g5 (12...c4!? with the idea 13.Be2 g5 14.f4 f5 15.exf6 e5!µ) 13.f4
Qa5!? (13...Bd7 is similar; 13...c4? 14.Bg6!) 14.fxg5 Bd7! transposes to the previous WEAPON.
WEAPON: The manoeuvre 12.Rh3 is not very effective because of 12...Qe7!?.
375
analysis diagram
Black prepares ...0-0-0 with counterplay on the same flank! (12...Qa5!?) 13.Rb1 c4 14.Be2 Bd7!
15.Rxb7 (15.Rf3 0-0-0³) 15...0-0-0! 16.Rb1 Qa3! 17.Rh1 Qxa2 18.Nh3 Na5!, winning by 19...Nb3+
or 19...Ba4.
12...c4
Kortchnoi’s favourite option, closing the position as usual.
PLAN: A semi-open alternative is 12...cxd4!? 13.cxd4 Qa5+
analysis diagram
Legendary GM Viktor Kortchnoi (1931-2016) was a
recognized champion of the McCutcheon for a long
time.
with the strategic idea ...Ba6, to exchange the bishops, e.g. 14.c3 (14.Ke2 b6 15.Qf4 Ba6 with
counterplay) 14...b6!? with decent results: 15.Qf4 (15.h5 g5 16.Nh2 Ba6 17.Bxa6 Qxa6 18.Qf3
Qa5„) 15...Ba6 16.Bxa6 (16.Qf6 Rg8³ with three wins for Black) 16...Qxa6 17.h5 (17.Nh2 Rc8!
18.Ng4 Qa3! 19.Rhb1 h5 20.Nf6+ Kd8 21.Rb3 Qa4 22.Ke1 Na5 23.Qg5 Kc7µ) 17...gxh5!? (17...g5
18.Qf6∞) 18.Rxh5 Qa3! 19.Rc1 Qxa2+ 20.Rc2 Qb1 21.Rc1 Qb2+ ½-½ Kudr-Ress, cr 2013.
13.Be2
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13...Bd7
Or, for instance, 13...Qe7!? 14.Rhb1 b6 15.a4 Bd7 16.Qf4 0-0-0= Castella-Moskalenko, Ampolla
rapid 2006.
14.Qf4
If 14.Rab1 b6 15.Qf4 Qe7 16.h5 g5³ Nakamura-Laznicka, Oropesa del Mar jr 1999.
14...Qe7
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PUZZLE: The critical position for the classical blockade plan with ...g7-g6/...c5-c4. It is still
difficult to say what is preferable for Black: to have a king on f8 (previous game) or a pawn on g6
(and a hole on f6). Due to a lack of resources, the game is fairly equal in both cases.
15.Qf6
A) 15.Nh2 0-0-0 (15...h5) 16.Ng4 h5 17.Nf6 Qa3=;
B) 15.a3 0-0-0 16.Nh2 g5!?„ Golubev-Moskalenko, Alushta 1994.
15...0-0-0!?
PLAN: The main characteristic of 8...g6 is that it retains the option of castling queenside.
15...Qxf6!? 16.exf6 0-0-0=.
16.h5?!
Move by move, the famous Soviet theoretician IM Panov (1906-1973) loses vigilance, or perhaps he
simply ‘fell asleep’. Whatever the case may be, he loses to Kortchnoi’s hidden dynamics.
16.Qxe7 Nxe7 17.Nh2 h5 was equal.
16...g5
WEAPON: Here Black missed a great resource: 16...Qa3!ƒ.
analysis diagram
378
For example: 17.hxg6 (17.Qxf7 g5!µ) 17...fxg6 18.Qxg6 b5! 19.Rab1 b4 20.cxb4 Nxb4 with a strong
initiative.
17.Qxe7 Nxe7 18.Nh2 Ng8!?
An important manoeuvre, but better was first 18...Rdf8!.
19.Ng4 Rf8„
Preparing ...f7-f5.
19...f5!? 20.exf6 Rf8„.
20.Nf6
20.f4 f5! 21.exf6 gxf4=.
20...Nxf6 21.exf6 e5!ƒ 22.dxe5?!
22.Rae1 was a little better: 22...Re8µ.
22...Re8 23.Raf1 Rhg8!
Black now has the better ending and despite some inaccuracies the great endgame specialist Viktor
Kortchnoi hauls in the point:
24.g4 Rxe5 25.f4 Re4?!
The typical time-pressure swing begins. 25...gxf4 26.Rxf4 Kc7!–+ was even better.
379
26.Bf3 Rxf4 27.Bxd5 Bxg4 28.Rxf4 gxf4 29.Bxf7 Rf8 30.Rg1 Rxf7 31.Rxg4 Rxf6
After all – endings are basic!
32.Rg6 Rc6 33.Ke2 Kd7 34.Rg7+ Ke6 35.Rxb7 Ra6 36.Kf3 Rxa2 37.Kxf4 Ra5 38.Ke4 Rxh5
39.Rxa7 Rh4+ 40.Ke3 h5 41.Ra6+ Kf5 42.Ra5+ Kg4 43.Rc5 Rh3+ 44.Kd4 Rf3 45.Kxc4 Rf4+
46.Kd3 h4 47.Rc8 h3 48.Rh8 Kg3 0-1
Good technique is an important quality in the McCutcheon Variation. This blockade line with ...c5-c4
is very safe; its evaluation has not changed for a century. However, as we have seen in the examples,
a ‘semi-open’ game is also acceptable (and sometimes even more attractive) for Black, thanks to the
dynamic possibility of ...0-0-0!.
In the next game, we will analyse White’s attempt to keep his dark-squared bishop on the board.
Game 39 – 9.Be3
Ruben Felgaer 2636
Viktor Moskalenko 2529
Barcelona 2005 (2)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Bb4 5.e5 h6 6.Bd2 Bxc3 7.bxc3 Ne4 8.Qg4 g6
380
9.Be3
Alex Finkel on ChessBase: ‘I don’t think White can fight for an opening advantage by wasting
another tempo...’ Again, let us look at White’s alternatives here:
PUZZLE: 9.Bc1 c5!? 10.Bd3 (10.Ne2?! cxd4 11.cxd4 Qa5+! 12.c3 Nc6ƒ) 10...Nxc3! 11.dxc5
Qa5!? 12.Bd2.
analysis diagram
381
The same position can arise after 9.Be3 (main game). And as in the line 8...Kf8 9.Be3 (see line in
Game 37), White lacks his pawn on a3 in order to continue with Qb4 ! So Black stands perfectly if he
plays accurately: 12...Qa4!? (12...Qxc5 13.Ne2°) 13.h3 (13.Qf3 is also played, but 13...Ne4 is fine)
13...Ne4 is all right since 14.Bxe4 (14.Ne2 Nxc5) 14...Qd4!? (14...Qxe4+!?) 15.Rb1 (15.Rd1 Qxe5)
15...Qxe5 is at least balanced for Black, Klovans-Gusev, Soviet Union 1977.
PLAN: 9.Qf4 has the aim of recapturing on d2 with the queen in order to castle kingside: 9...c5!
10.Bd3 Nxd2 11.Qxd2 Nc6 12.Nf3 and now 12...c4!? (12...Qa5 is an equivalent alternative)
13.Be2 Bd7 14.0-0, completing the main idea behind 9.Qf4. The truth is that White has nothing in
this situation: 14...Qe7 (14...f5!?=).
analysis diagram
The position is balanced, it’s hard to make progress right away: 15.a4 0-0-0!? 16.a5 g5 17.a6?! b6
and the a6-pawn will be another weakness in the ending, Korneev-Moskalenko, Roquetas de Mar
2006.
Summary of the idea Qg4-f4xd2: After castling kingside, White cannot proceed with his attack on
that flank, so Black can improve his play and his king’s position at many points, whereas White
cannot.
9...c5!?
PUZZLE: Accepting the pawn with 9...Nxc3 10.Bd3 c5 (10...Nc6∞ Sutovsky-Nakamura, Turin
2006) 11.dxc5 Qa5 after 12.Bd2 transposes to the above line after 9.Bc1.
10.Bd3
382
10...h5!?
The attack against White’s queen begins.
PUZZLE: 10...Nxc3!? is still possible here, and transposes to the above.
11.Qf4
A) If 11.Qd1 Nxc3 12.Qd2 cxd4! 13.Bxd4 Ne4 14.Bxe4 dxe4 with better chances;
B) Or, for instance, 11.Qf3 Nxc3! 12.dxc5 Nc6!? 13.Qf4 d4 14.Bd2 g5!?„ and Black is doing fine.
11...g5!
383
A typical attack in McCutcheon style!
12.Qf3 Nxc3 13.Qg3?
A) If 13.Ne2 Nxe2 14.Bxe2 cxd4 15.Bxd4 Nc6 with equal chances;
B) The best alternative was 13.dxc5 when Black has a pleasant choice: 13...Nc6!? (or including the
advance 13...d4!? with an unclear position) 14.Qf6 Qxf6 15.exf6 e5!? with excellent counterplay.
13...c4!
Combining both approaches: blocked and semi-open.
14.Ne2
If 14.Bxg5 Qb6!, winning material; More tenacious was 14.Bd2 Nb5! (14...cxd3!?µ) 15.Be2 Nxd4,
but Black is clearly better anyway.
14...h4!
384
Combining his pawn thrusts, Black dominates the board.
15.Qg4
In the event of 15.Qxg5 Qxg5 16.Bxg5 Nb5 17.Bf6 cxd3 18.Bxh8 dxe2 the resulting position is
dismal for White.
15...Na4 16.0-0
Or 16.Bxg5 Rg8 17.f4 cxd3 18.cxd3 Qa5+, winning.
16...cxd3 17.cxd3 f5!? 18.exf6 Qxf6 19.Bxg5 Qf5!?
The simplest option.
20.Qxf5 exf5 21.Nf4 Nc6 22.Nxd5 Kf7µ
385
White does not have enough compensation for his piece.
23.Nc7 Bd7
23...Rb8!–+.
24.Nxa8 Rxa8 25.d5 Ne7 26.d6 Ng6 27.Rfe1 Nc5 28.Rac1 Ne6!
28...Nxd3? 29.Rc7„.
29.Bd2 Bc6! 30.Ba5 Ngf4 31.Re3 Nxg2 32.Re5 Rg8 33.Kf1 Ngf4 34.Rxf5+ Kg6 35.Rxc6 bxc6
36.Re5 Kf6 37.Bc3 Kf7 38.d7 Ke7 39.Ra5 Kxd7 40.Rxa7+ Kd6 41.Ra4 Rf8 42.d4 Kd5 43.Ke1
Ke4 0-1
Conclusion on the ‘optical’ moves 9.Be3/9.Bc1 (in Games 37 and 39):
Mostly the white pawn being on a2 (instead of a3) favours Black. It does not change the whole
concept (8...Kf8 or 8...g6), but only the concrete lines. Among other disadvantages, 9.Be3/9.Bc1
wastes an important tempo. For the modern options 6.Be3/6.Bc1 see Games 40 and 41.
Summary of 8...g6:
This may be a more adventurous option due to the possibility of queenside castling. In some
variations (mainly in semi-open lines) the play becomes quite forced.
Keep in Mind
In the McCutcheon with 6.Bd2 and 8.Qg4, both 8...Kf8 and 8...g6 are perfectly playable for Black.
When the centre is closed, the game becomes quite strategic. Both sides have limited attacking
resources and they have to engage in lengthy preparatory manoeuvres.
386
White’s position is very solid, but if he wants to win he should look for risky continuations which
allow Black some counterplay.
This line of the French Defence can be suitable for black players who are facing a strong opponent,
and for whom a draw is a satisfactory result. Some well-known players who use(d) the McCutcheon
are Kortchnoi, Volkov and Glek.
In Games 40-42 we investigate several other McCutcheon lines. First we will check White’s (modern)
attempt to keep his dark-squared bishop (6.Be3/6.Bc1). We will use the knowledge acquired in the
previous games of the main lines with 6.Bd2 to suggest the best options for Black.
White wants to keep his bishop on the board and is ready to sacrifice the pawn on c3 in order to
obtain good piece play and a dangerous initiative. The main difference with 6.Bd2 is the presence of
3+3 minor pieces on the board (on the black and the white side), a detail that allows more tactical
possibilities. However, this does not mean that Black has to defend.
Game 40 – 6.Be3
Mert Erdogdu 2513
Viktor Moskalenko 2538
Ankara 2010 (1)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Bb4 5.e5 h6 6.Be3!?
For the even trickier 6.Bc1 see the next game.
6...Ne4 7.Qg4
After 7.Nge2 c5! 8.dxc5 (if 8.a3 cxd4! 9.Bxd4 Ba5„) 8...0-0 (8...Nc6!?) 9.a3 Bxc5 Black is OK.
387
WEAPON: On 7.a3 interesting is 7...Nxc3!? (7...Bxc3+ is the main game) 8.Qg4 Bf8!?.
analysis diagram
Black also keeps his bishop on the board: 9.bxc3 c5 10.dxc5 (if 10.Nf3 Qa5 11.Bd2 Qa4!³, the
‘queen blues’!) 10...Qa5!? (10...Nc6 11.Bb5) 11.Qb4 Qc7„.
Black basically has two ways of answering the text move.
7...g6!
I recommend this defence. The game will soon acquire a more dynamic character and the possibility
of castling queenside is an important resource.
Defending with the king by 7...Kf8 is a more passive option here.
388
analysis diagram
Also in this line, White has more offensive ideas:
A) 8.Nge2 c5 9.0-0-0!?∞;
B) Instead, 8.Bd3!? is not completely clear: 8...Nxc3 (8...Bxc3+ 9.bxc3 Nxc3 10.h4!) 9.Bd2 Nxa2
10.c3!? Nxc3 11.bxc3 Be7 12.Nh3!?° with interesting attacking chances, although two pawns is a
lot, Muzychuk-Pähtz, Dagomys 2010;
C) 8.a3 is the most common move: 8...Bxc3+ 9.bxc3 c5!? is the most active, and an appropriate
choice in this type of position (9...Nxc3 10.h4!?° Opl-Kortchnoi, Dresden 2007): 10.Bd3
389
analysis diagram
and now 10...h5. Black begins the McCutcheon counterattack, but this resource is more interesting in
the main game version (an independent possibility with 7...Kf8 is 10...Nxc3 11.dxc5 Nc6 12.Nf3
f5∞): 11.Qf4 Qa5∞. Black has achieved good results in this line, but the position is highly unclear
due to 7...Kf8, Kasparov-Kortchnoi, Kopavogur 2000.
8.a3
Again, the most popular move. Remarkably, if we compare with 7...Kf8, here White’s alternatives do
not not work at all:
A) 8.Bd3?! Nxc3 9.Bd2 Na4!?, exploiting the fact that now the recapture on b4 is not with check, so
10.Bxb4 Nxb2³;
B) Or 8.Nge2 c5! 9.0-0-0 Nxc3 10.Nxc3 Bxc3 (10...Nc6!?) 11.bxc3 Qa5 12.Kb2 b6!?N with scope
for creative play.
8...Bxc3+
8...h5 mostly transposes.
9.bxc3
9...c5!
Black declines any gifts and fights for the initiative, in the true spirit of the McCutcheon.
Also popular is the capture of the pawn with 9...Nxc3 but usually White gets enough compensation:
390
10.Bd3 Nc6 (10...b6 11.h4!) 11.h4ƒ – an automatic move.
10.Bd3
Remember that in the previous game the white pawn was on a2.
10...h5!
The right method in the McCutcheon is the ‘Black Jet’ counterattack with ...h7-h5 and ...g7/g6-g5 !
Before The Flexible French was published (2008), only three games had been played with this
concept. Now it has become the main line!
PUZZLE: If now 10...Nxc3? 11.dxc5! and thanks to the move a2-a3 the white queen controls the
key square b4: 11...Qa5? 12.Qb4! which was not possible in the main lines (6.Bd2, with the white
pawn on a2).
11.Qf4
The main retreat: the white queen remains on the fourth rank, controlling d4 and b4. Let’s check three
other retreats by the white queen:
A) 11.Qh3 Nxc3 12.dxc5 d4! 13.Bd2 Nd7!?„ 14.Nf3 Nxc5 15.0-0 b6!?N Cvak-Jørgensen, cr 2018;
B) 11.Qd1 Nxc3 12.Qd2 cxd4 13.Bxd4 Ne4 14.Bxe4 dxe4 15.Ne2 Nc6
391
analysis diagram
16.Rd1 (16.0-0 b6„ was given in The Flexible French, 2008) 16...b6!? 17.Qe3 (17.Qf4 Qc7 18.Bb2
Ba6µ Hietanen-Oikamo, cr 2010) 17...Nxd4 18.Rxd4 Qc7µ Grebenshchikov-Shustov, cr 2017;
C) 11.Qf3 Nxc3! 12.dxc5 d4!? (12...Nc6 is similar) 13.Bd2 Nc6 14.Qf4 (14.Bxc3 dxc3 15.Qe3 Bd7
16.Ne2 Qc7 17.f4 Ne7 18.Nxc3 Bc6 19.0-0 Nf5„) 14...g5! 15.Qxg5 (15.Qf6 transposes to the main
game) 15...Qxg5 16.Bxg5 Nxe5.
analysis diagram
392
Black has succeeded in demolishing White’s pawn centre. 17.Bf6 (the pseudo-active 17.Nf3 leads to
some problems: 17...Rg8! 18.Bf6 Nxd3+ 19.cxd3 Nd5 20.Bxd4 Rxg2³, White is weak on the light
squares, Sutovsky-Wang Hao, Poikovsky 2008) 17...Nxd3+ 18.cxd3 Rg8 19.Bxd4 Nd5!? (19...Na4
20.Nf3 Bd7°) 20.g3 Bd7 (20...f6!?) 21.Nf3 Bc6 and Black has enough counterplay for the pawn,
Kosteniuk-Zhukova, Gibraltar 2010.
11...g5!
11...Nxc3? would have been a big mistake due to 12.dxc5±.
A highly interesting position has arisen.
12.Qf3™ 12...Nxc3!
Just in time.
13.dxc5
A) 13.Qg3 h4 (13...c4!? 14.Bxg5 Qb6„) 14.Qxg5 Qxg5 15.Bxg5 c4„;
B) If 13.Ne2 Nxe2 (13...Nc6!?) 14.Bxe2 cxd4 15.Bxd4 Nc6= Prill-Iacomi, cr 2017.
13...d4!
The natural 13...Nc6 seems to be worse: 14.Qg3!? Qa5 15.Bd2 Qxc5 16.Nf3! g4 17.Ng5 Qd4
18.Qf4!².
14.Bd2
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14...Nc6
Threatening 15...Nxe5. A couple of other moves:
WEAPON: 14...Nd7!? 15.Bxc3 dxc3 16.Bb5 (16.Qe3 Qa5) 16...Qa5„ 17.Qf6?! Rg8³ WellsWeller, England 2013.
WEAPON: 14...Bd7!? is an interesting tactical idea: 15.Qg3 (15.Bxc3 Bc6!„ Erdogdu-Ozen,
Kemer 2018) 15...Bc6
394
analysis diagram
with a complicated position: 16.Ne2 (16.Nf3 h4 17.Qg4 h3„; 16.Bxg5 h4 17.Qf4 Qa5!∞) 16...h4!?
17.Qxg5 Qxg5 18.Bxg5 h3„ Domanov-Lehnen, cr 2009.
15.Qf6
This endgame had featured in my home preparation.
A) 15.Qg3 h4! 16.Qxg5 Qxg5 17.Bxg5 Nxe5 18.Bf6 Rh5 19.Nf3 Nxd3+ 20.cxd3 Na4 (20...Nd5=)
21.Bxd4 Nxc5= Jong-Löschnauer, cr 2012;
B) 15.Bxc3 dxc3 16.Rd1 (16.Qe3 Qd4=) 16...Qd4 17.Be4 Qxe5 18.Ne2 (18.Qe3 Ke7=) 18...Bd7
19.Qe3 Ne7!?N with the idea 20.Bxb7 Qxe3 21.fxe3 Rb8 22.Rb1 Nc6 23.0-0 Na5 24.Ba6 Ke7=.
15...Qxf6 16.exf6
A critical moment after the opening.
16...Na4!
Attacking the c5-pawn – the best idea.
17.Bxg5 Nxc5! 18.Nf3
If 18.f4?! e5!³; or 18.Ne2?! Nxd3+ (18...h4!? Sutton-Anderson, cr 2010) 19.cxd3 b6 20.Kd2 Bb7³
Goh-Smerdon, Dresden 2008.
18...Nxd3+ 19.cxd3 b6!
395
Now Black has good counterplay, thanks to his superior pawn structure in the centre.
PLAN: The set-up of his pieces will be ...Bb7/...Rd8/ ...Rd5/...Kd7 etc.
20.Rc1 Bb7
21.Ke2
A) If 21.0-0 Rd8! 22.Rfe1 Rd5!„ Sanchez Ibern-Moskalenko, Sitges 2009;
B) 21.h4 Rd8! 22.Ke2 Rd5!³ Erdogdu-Kindermann, Novi Sad 2009;
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C) 21.Kd2 Rd8! 22.Rc2 Rd5 23.Rhc1 Kd7 24.Bf4 Rc8 with equality, Areshchenko-Smerdon, Port
Erin 2007.
21...Rd8!
Following the mentioned plan.
22.Rc4 Rd5 23.Rhc1 Kd7 24.h4?
24.Bf4 Rc8!.
24...Rc8
24...e5!.
25.R4c2
25.Bf4? e5!–+; 25.Bd2? Ba6 26.R4c2 e5!–+ Erdogdu-Kindermann, Novi Sad 2009.
25...e5! 26.Nd2 Ba6
26...Ra5!?; 26...Nd8!?.
27.Ne4 Rb5!
Black’s position is strategically winning: the Ba6 (the active French bishop) is an extra piece in
comparison with the passive Bg5.
28.Rd1 Rb3 29.Bc1 Rg8 30.g3 Nd8!? 31.Rb2 Rxb2+ 32.Bxb2 Ne6 33.Kd2 Nc5! 34.Nxc5+ bxc5
397
35.a4 Rg6!
36.Rc1 Rxf6 37.Ke1 Rc6 38.Ba3 Kd6 39.Kd2 f5 40.f3 Kd5 41.g4 fxg4 42.fxg4 c4 43.gxh5 c3+
44.Kc2 Rf6 45.Rd1 Rf2+ 46.Kb3 Rh2 47.Be7 c2 48.Rg1 Bxd3 49.h6 Rd2 50.Ba3 Rd1 51.Rg3 Rb1+
White resigned.
Conclusion:
The modern lines 6.Be3 (and 6.Bc1 from the next game) are the future of the McCutcheon Variation.
The possibilities are very rich and there are many resources for both sides. The option 9...c5 is always
more active than 9...Nxc3, but the latter leads to more complicated play.
Game 41 – The tricky dynamic retreat 6.Bc1
‘Highly underrated, I think... this has gone from being an eccentric move to a well-analysed variation’
– John Watson on ChessPublishing.
Samvel Ter-Sahakyan 2580
Ulvi Bajarani 2494
Moscow 2015 (6)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Bb4 5.e5 h6 6.Bc1!?
As we will see, this move is more effective against 7...g6.
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PUZZLE: Do not forget to compare this with some ideas from the main lines (6.Bd2/9.Bc1:
Games 37 and 39). However, now the positions resembles the Winawer Variation (see Part Four),
but the black knight will be on e4 instead of g8 or e7.
6...Ne4!
WEAPON: 6...Nfd7!?, with the strategic idea of applying the ‘Barricades style’ in the Classical
System, might be an interesting alternative for players who look for new paths: 7.Qg4!? (7.a3 Be7
8.Qg4 (8.f4 c5 9.Nf3 Nc6 10.Be3 Qb6!?„) 8...g6 9.Nf3 c5 10.dxc5 Nc6 11.Bb5 Nxc5
(11...Qc7!?) 12.0-0 a6∞ Hovhannisyan-Grigoryan, Yerevan 2013) 7...Bf8!?
399
analysis diagram
8.f4 (or 8.Nf3!? a6!? 9.Bf4 (9.Bd3 c5„ Erdogdu-Fridman, Riga 2016; 9.Nd1!? c5 10.c3∞ AndeerVan Tienhoven, cr 2014; 9.Be3 c5 10.dxc5 Nc6 11.0-0-0 Qa5 12.Kb1 Nxc5„ E.Hansen-Martins,
London 2015) 9...c5 10.dxc5 Nc6 11.0-0-0 Nxc5 (11...h5!?) 12.Kb1 Bd7 13.h4 b5 and Black’s
queenside initiative should be enough to balance the game, B.Savchenko-Polivanov, chess.com blitz
2020) 8...c5 9.Nf3 Nc6 10.Be3 (10.Nb5 Rg8!) 10...h5 (10...a6!?; 10...g6!?) 11.Qg3 Ne7!? 12.Nh4
cxd4 13.Nb5 (13.Bxd4 Nc6!) 13...Nc6 14.Nxd4 Nc5 15.Nxc6?! (15.0-0-0!? with mutual chances)
15...bxc6 16.Bxc5? Bxc5 17.Qxg7 Rf8 (17...Qxh4+!?–+) 18.Qg3 Rb8‚ and suddenly Black’s
position is much better, Warakomski-Volkov, Ortisei 2013.
7.Qg4!
400
Again, the discussion on 8...Kf8 vs 8...g6 continues.
7...Kf8!
PUZZLE: A typical French move against any Qg4 attack, defending g7 with the king. Contrary
to 6.Be3 from the previous game, here the defence by the king is the best option! John Watson: ‘I
tend to favour lines with ...g6 over ...Kf8, but in this case the lack of weaknesses and proximity to
the kingside make the latter move more attractive.’
Still, 7...g6 is more popular here, but the weakening of the kingside hands White more ways to use his
potentially powerful bishop.
Compared to the main game (7...Kf8), here Black’s position is more passive – be careful: 8.Nge2!?
(or 8.a3!?, in order to exchange the Winawer bishop and avoid dynamic play as in the other lines:
8...Bxc3+ (8...Ba5?! 9.Nge2²) 9.bxc3 and now 9...c5?! is too dangerous in many ways. I recommend
studying 9...Nxc3!?) 8...c5 (8...Nxc3 9.Nxc3 (9.bxc3 Be7∞) 9...c5 (9...Be7!? may be safer) 10.a3!?
Qa5 11.axb4! Qxa1 12.Qf4°) 9.a3 Bxc3+ (9...Ba5 allows 10.dxc5!; 9...Qa5? loses to 10.axb4!)
10.Nxc3!? (10.bxc3!? is less clear, but still dangerous: 10...cxd4!? 11.cxd4 Qa5+ (11...Nc6 12.c3
Qa5 13.Be3!) 12.c3 Bd7!? 13.f3 Bb5 14.fxe4 Bxe2 15.Bxe2! Qxc3+ 16.Kf2 Qxa1 17.exd5°)
10...Nxc3 11.bxc3 Qa5 12.Bd2 Qa4.
401
analysis diagram
PUZZLE: The position resembles the Portisch-Hook Variation in the Winawer (see Part Four).
However, the two knights (Ng1xNg8) have been exchanged, which favours White. Black may
even be losing strategically, since he has no pieces to defend his weakened kingside.
8.Nge2!
PUZZLE: With the bishop on c1, the move 8.a3 is not very popular: 8...Bxc3+ 9.bxc3.
402
analysis diagram
White can also reach this position with the pawn on a2, see the main line of the McCutcheon, Game
37. 9...c5!? (9...Nxc3 10.Bd3 is unclear) 10.Bd3 cxd4!? 11.Ne2 (11.Bxe4 dxe4 12.Qxe4 Bd7!?„)
11...dxc3!? 12.Bxe4 dxe4 13.Qxe4 Bd7! intending ...Bc6. Through this regrouping, Black has better
prospects thanks to his healthy structure.
8...c5!?
The main break in the entire French Defence.
WEAPON: The Dutch Stonewall motif 8...f5!? is another ‘barricade’ set-up favoured by Volkov:
analysis diagram
9.exf6 (9.Qh5 Qe8∞) 9...Qxf6 10.Qf4 (10.f3 h5!? Mussanti-Belmonte, La Cumbre 2019) 10...Nc6
11.a3 Ba5 12.Qxf6+ gxf6³ Kokarev-Volkov, Taganrog 2016.
9.a3
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My former student, Azeri GM Ulvi Bajarani,
playing his McCutcheon game in 2015. For this
game we prepared a fundamental plan to strengthen
Black’s play in the modern variation 6.Bc1.
The critical moment.
9...Bxc3+!?
This was one of the home-cooked options; working on this,
my student and I found some improvements. Still, not
many games have been played with this direct exchange.
A) He lost a previous game after 9...Nxc3? 10.axb4 Nxe2
11.Bxe2ƒ Bortnyk-Bajarani, Moscow 2015;
B) The retreat 9...Ba5 is the main move and it rather
resembles the ‘Armenian set-up’ in the Winawer. However
we didn’t really like the position after the obvious
10.dxc5!.
WEAPON/PUZZLE: First including 9...h5!? is
interesting and in the spirit of this line: 10.Qf3 (the main
idea is 10.Qf4 Ba5!? 11.dxc5 (11.b4 Nxc3!) 11...Nc6!N 12.b4? Bc7!µ and the white queen on f4
is vulnerable) 10...Bxc3+ (10...Qa5!?∞) 11.Nxc3 Nc6 12.Nxe4 dxe4 13.Qxe4 Qxd4 14.Qxd4
Nxd4 15.Bd3 c4 16.Be4 Bd7!= Saric-Pigott, Gibraltar 2020.
TRICK: Finally, 9...Qa5? allows a standard sacrifice: 10.axb4! Qxa1 11.Nxe4 (11.Nxd5!?)
11...dxe4 12.bxc5± Short-Soares, Luanda 2011.
404
10.bxc3
WEAPON: After 10.Nxc3
analysis diagram
Black has two options: 10...Nxc3!? (10...f5 11.exf6 Nxf6∞ Bukavshin-Volkov, Samara 2011)
11.bxc3 Qa5! 12.Bd2 Qa4!„. Now we have a nice version of the Winawer – the Portisch-Hook
Variation, Zawadzka-Volkov, Kavala 2012.
10...Qa5!
The next four moves are forced:
11.f3 Nxc3 12.Bd2 cxd4 13.Nxd4
13.Qxd4 Nxe2!.
13...Qc7 14.Qf4 Bd7!
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Here we came to the conclusion that Black’s position is quite reliable, and even offers chances of
playing for a win.
PUZZLE: The same position after 7...g6?!, however, would probably be lost!
15.Bd3
Natural and ambitious.
A) 15.a4?! Kg8! Nabaty-Jorczik, Kemer 2009;
B) 15.Nxe6+ Bxe6 16.Qb4+ Kg8 17.Qxc3 Nc6 18.f4 Rc8=.
15...Kg8! 16.0-0 Na4!
Regrouping.
17.Rfe1 Nc5
17...a6!? intending ...b7-b5.
18.Bf1 a6
18...Ba4!? preparing ...Nc6 or ...Nbd7.
19.c4 Nc6 20.cxd5 Nxd4! 21.d6
406
21...Qd8?!
A ‘chicken’ move, gaining material but definitely losing the initiative.
21...Qc6! was much more adequate: 22.Qxd4 Nb3 23.Qe3 Nxa1 24.Rxa1 Rc8³.
22.Qxd4 Nb3 23.Qe3 Nxa1 24.Rxa1°
The black rook on h8 does not play.
24...Rc8 25.Rb1 Bc6 26.Rb4 h5 27.h4 Qd7 28.Bd3 Bb5 29.Be4 Bc6 30.Bxc6 Qxc6 31.Qb6 Qxb6+
31...Kh7!?, here or on the next move.
32.Rxb6 Rc2?! 33.Bg5T
33.Bb4!?.
33...f6!= 34.exf6 gxf6 35.Bxf6 Rh7 36.Be7 Rd2 37.g4 hxg4 38.fxg4 Rf7 39.Rxb7 Rd1+ ½-½
Conclusion on the modern lines 6.Bc1 and 6.Be3:
The theory of the curious but dynamic retreat 6.Bc1 has still not developed much. However, in actual
practice it makes it difficult for Black to choose between standard options (see the old 6.Bd2 and the
modern 6.Be3) and concrete antidote ideas. The two model games can serve as a starting menu:
• 6.Be3 Ne4 7.Qg4 g6! (Game 40): Black uses the dynamic ‘Black Jet’ ...h7-h5/...g7-g5!
• 6.Bc1 Ne4 7.Qg4 Kf8! (Game 41): importantly, Black has no weak squares on the kingside.
Generally, in all the main lines after Qg4, the flexible defence ...Kf8 and the dynamic ...g7-g6 are
407
vintage McCutcheon dishes, but here Black needs to cook up a new filling!
In the final game we examine two old McCutcheon lines: 6.Bh4 and 6.exf6, as well as the brand new
line 6.Bf4!?.
Game 42 – 6.Bh4, 6.exf6, 6.Bf4
Irina Bulmaga 2446
Maxime Lagarde 2651
Gibraltar 2020 (8)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Bb4 5.e5 h6 6.Bh4
PUZZLE: This ancient move resembles the motif in the Botvinnik Variation of the Queen’s
Gambit, as it forces Black to push his kingside pawns forward.
Instead, 6.exf6 is another old method: 6...hxg5 7.fxg7 Rg8 8.h4 (8.Qh5? Qf6µ) and now:
analysis diagram
8...Nc6!? is a relatively new approach by GM Morozevich in a well-known position which simply
gives Black the chance to start a tough struggle at this early stage of the game (however, the classical
move 8...gxh4!? – or simply 8...Qf6 – also offers Black good counterchances: 9.Nf3 (9.Qg4 Qf6!)
9...Qf6 10.Qd3 Bd7 11.a3 Be7! 12.Nb5 Na6! with counterchances, Zelcic-Socko, Dresden 2007)
9.h5 (a natural and aggressive move) 9...Rxg7 10.h6 (some alternative lines: 10.Qd3 Qf6 11.h6 Rg8³
Kiltti-Lampen, Tampere 2000; 10.Qd2 Qf6 11.0-0-0 Bd7³ Abadia Pascual-Torres Coll, Cala Mendia
2001; 10.Bb5 Bd7 11.Qd3 Qf6 12.Nf3 Bd6³, taking e5 under control, Finegold-Kraai, Seattle chUSA 2003) 10...Rh7 11.Bd3 Rh8 and Black’s chances were preferable in the stem game Landa408
Morozevich, Samara 1998.
PUZZLE/WEAPON: 6.Bf4!? is the latest novelty by new Dutch GM Max Warmerdam and his
engine Leela Chess Zero! However, the weaknesses of this artificial move are as obvious as its
advantages. For example, the attack Qg4 is no longer so effective because of the possible Black
Jet ...g7-g5.
The game Warmerdam-Di Benedetto, Villorba 2021, continued 6...Ne4 7.Nge2 (this move is forced –
7.Qg4? g5! – but it delays White’s development) 7...c5 (from Stockfish’s perspective, Black already
has time for non-standard experiments here: 7...Nc6!? 8.a3 Ba5 9.b4 Nxc3 10.Nxc3 Bb6 11.Bb5
(11.Be3? Nxe5!) 11...a5!? 12.Na4 (12.Ne2 Bd7!) 12...axb4 13.Bxc6+ bxc6 14.axb4 Ba6„ and the
Bf4 looks a bit silly here) 8.a3 Nxc3 (with this exchange, Black opts for a Winawer structure instead
of opening up the centre; 8...Ba5 is also possible, e.g. 9.dxc5 Bxc3+ 10.Nxc3 Nxc3 11.bxc3 Qa5!?
(11...Qc7?! is weak, as in the main game) 12.Qf3 Nc6 (12...Nd7!?) 13.Rb1 (13.Qg3 Ne7!)
13...Qxa3!? 14.Qg3 Kf8!∞) 9.Nxc3 Bxc3+ 10.bxc3
analysis diagram
Sergey Volkov (born 1974) is one of the present-day
champions of the Classical French. Many of his
ideas feature throughout Part Three.
10...Qc7 (this is slow, and not in accordance with the position’s demands; (10...Qa5!? 11.Bd2
(11.Qd2?! b6) 11...Nc6 12.Qg4 0-0!?N 13.Qg3 (13.Bd3 f5!) 13...f5!? 14.Bxh6 Rf7 15.Bd2 Qa4„)
11.Rb1 b6 12.Qg4 Kf8 and now, better was 13.h4!? (instead of the premature game move 13.c4?!)
13...Ba6 14.Bxa6 Nxa6 15.0-0 as suggested by Warmerdam, but the position is still quite balanced.
6...g5 7.Bg3
409
7.exf6?! gxh4³.
7...Ne4 8.Nge2
PLAN: Now the typical advances 8...c5 and 8...f5 are unclear. Black should look for options to
keep his McCutcheon bishop on the board. It could become a dominant piece.
8...h5
PLAN: 8...Bd7!? 9.a3 Nxg3 10.Nxg3 Be7! 11.h4 gxh4 12.Nh5 c5!„ Ilyin-Elyoseph, cr 2018.
PLAN: 8...Nd7!? 9.a3 Nxg3 10.hxg3 (10.Nxg3 Be7!?) 10...Be7! 11.b4 (11.f4 a6!?) 11...a5!ƒ
12.b5 c5 13.f4 a4!–+ Karjakin-Volkov, Panormo Ech blitz 2002.
9.f3
If 9.h4 Nxg3 10.Nxg3 g4„ Avotins-Zmokly, cr 2008.
9...Nxg3 10.hxg3 Bd7
10...Be7!?.
11.Qd2 Be7!
410
One of the possible desirable positions for Black in this variation – the ‘Mc-bishop’ becomes the hero
of the game.
12.f4
Or, for instance, 12.g4 h4 13.g3 c5!ƒ Stukopin-Nakamura, Las Vegas 2015.
12...c5 13.dxc5 Nc6 14.0-0-0 Qa5!
From here on, Black is enjoying all the advantages of the Classical French (discussed in Part Three of
this book).
411
15.Nd4 Nxd4 16.Qxd4 Bxc5 17.Qd3 0-0-0! 18.Kb1 a6! 19.Ne2 Bb5 20.Qc3 Qxc3 21.Nxc3 Bc6
The endgame is hopeless for White.
22.Ne2 Bf2 23.Nd4 Bxg3 24.Nxc6 bxc6 25.Bxa6+ Kd7 26.fxg5 Bxe5 27.Rdf1 Ke7 28.Rh3 Rb8
29.b3 Rbg8 30.Rhf3 Rg7 31.Bd3 Rxg5 32.Rxf7+ Kd6 33.R1f2 Bd4 34.R2f4 Bc3 35.Bf1 Re5 0-1
The old McCutcheon lines are considered by modern opening theory to lead to very comfortable
positions for Black. The same seems to apply to Max Warmerdam’s latest invention 6.Bf4.
412
Part Four
Behind the barricades
The Winawer Variation – 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4
‘Barricades always have two sides’ – the author.
Welcome to the Wonderful Winawer!
413
Anish Giri, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and the author brushing up their French at the Hoogeveen
tournament, 2010.
In this part, we examine the highly complex Winawer Variation. Since the days of Aron Nimzowitsch
(1886-1935) and Mikhail Botvinnik (1911-1995), who were the first pioneers of the French Defence,
the Winawer System emerged as a result of the historical and theoretical development of the French,
and this variation harbours all the typical French resources – but it also has its own particular aspects,
both strategic and tactical.
In the middle of the 20th century, the French Defence (and mainly the line 3.Nc3 Bb4) was tested at
the highest level in the World Championship matches Smyslov-Botvinnik (1954 and 1957) and TalBotvinnik (1960 and 1961). Soon enough, several great French Defence experts appeared, such as
Tigran Petrosian, Viktor Kortchnoi, Wolfgang Uhlmann, Rafael Vaganian and a whole further army
of ‘Francophiles’. Thanks to their ‘modern-classical’ games, the French Defence, though complex,
has become one of the most popular openings today. It is amazing to see how many important and
exciting games are played with the French Defence every month.
Ideas
The main ideas of the 3...Bb4 pin are quite simple: Black attacks the centre and does not waste any
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tempi (as in the Classical Variation 3...Nf6 4.e5). In this way, the king’s knight stays on its most
flexible square: g8. In the event of ...Bb4xNc3, bxc3 Black obtains a favourable pawn structure. The
other bishop can be exchanged after ...b7-b6 and ...Ba6, or activated by manoeuvres such as ...Bc8d7-a4 or ...Bc8-d7-e8-g6.
For his part, White must take advantage of his space surplus, of the weakness created on g7
(through Qg4!), of the mobility of his minor pieces, and also of the attacking resources offered by his
h-pawn with h2-h4.
Directions
White has four main methods to develop:
1) The Anti-Winawer: avoiding the advance e4-e5.
2) The Semi-Winawer: playing 4.e5, but without including the key move 5.a3.
These first two methods can be found discussed in Chapters 17 and 18 on The Open Game.
3) The Sub-Winawer: after (4...c5) 5.a3 Bxc3 White plays classically slow, developing and trying
to make progress on all parts of the board (Chapter 20).
4) The Main Winawer: White can try a sharp flank attack with the h-pawn (h2-h4), or start exerting
massive pressure on the kingside – this always starts with the move Qg4. This method can be found
throughout the book, and features especially in Chapters 21 and 22.
Of course, White can combine these different methods.
Meanwhile, Black also has a number of well-known systems and deviations:
1) The Barricade method – playing without the direct ...c7-c5 (Chapter 19).
2) The Eingorn Variation – after Qg4, the defence by the king with ...Kf8!? in the main Winawer
(Chapters 21 and 22).
3) The Black Queen Blues Variation – the blues motif ...Qa5 and ...Qa4 (used in Chapters 20-22).
Many other main lines and sub-lines will be examined throughout this part of the book.
Statistics
Statistics are relative and should not be given all the credit since many games are between players
with very different ratings – in most of them White had a higher Elo. Therefore, sometimes it is
interesting to check the results among high-rated players who are known for their deep theoretical
preparation.
In fact, when the author places the symbol (=) at the end of a line in this book, it does not mean that
the game is a draw! There may still be plenty of play in such positions. Moreover, we should not
forget that computer programs do not understand French lines too well and here they are less helpful
than in other sharp opening positions.
The well-known Polish master Szymon Winawer
(1838-1920) was the first to investigate the system
with 3.Nc3 Bb4. He defended from both sides of
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the barricades, playing this line both as White and
as Black.
In all aspects and at all levels, the Winawer System offers
creative play for both sides. White can test almost all the
lines offered in this book and even try to turn them into
critical lines, but almost all Black’s counter-ideas are
playable and sound.
The book’s structure allows the reader to study both the
theoretical and the historical development of the main lines
in the Winawer System, while enjoying the games of the
great stars of the French Defence. There are twenty
commented model games. Each game in Part Four is a
compilation of many stories, and each chapter is full of
interesting issues.
There is much to learn in the Wonderful Winawer!
The open game: deviations for White and Black
Alexander Alekhine (left) used to opt for an ‘open game’ against the Winawer. Here he plays Max
Euwe during their 1935 World Championship match.
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A bit of history – the Botvinnik Era
Chapters 17-19 contain the history of some players and the theoretical development of many antiWinawer lines. Since deviations are a typical phenomenon in any major system, we need to check all
of them carefully.
The ‘open game’ against the Winawer Variation was tried out in praxis by the fourth World
Champion Alexander Alekhine (1892-1946), in full accordance with his fantastically active style. As
an anti-Winawer weapon it was also popular during the era of the Patriarch – and great Francophile –,
the sixth World Champion Mikhail Moiseevich Botvinnik (1911-1995). Consequently, this method
was developed during the formation of the Soviet chess school.
Many strong grandmasters, who were true murderers of the French, have been searching for sharp
refutations of the Winawer Defence. We have to consider the games played by such fine players as
Paul Keres and the World Champions Vasily Smyslov, Boris Spassky and Bobby Fischer.
In spite of all this, history and statistics reveal another significant direction: in that era, the romantic
style was still predominant among the best players in the world, but nowadays these attractive
variations are only appealing to amateur chess fans – not professionals!
Why is it that both the theory and the practice of deviations have almost come to a standstill? Was
it because Black found the best defences or because White found new attacking methods that were
even more effective? Or was it because the new generation changed their style completely? Perhaps it
was a mixture of all these factors.
Directions – 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4
Chapter 17 – The Anti-Winawer
White does not advance the e-pawn:
A) 4.a3, 4.Qg4, 4.Bd2, 4.Ne2
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B) 4.Bd3 or 4.Qd3
C) 4.exd5
Chapter 18 – The Semi-Winawer (4.e5 c5)
After 4.e5 c5, White does not immediately play 5.a3:
A) 5.Qg4, 5.Nf3 and 5.dxc5
B) 5.Bd2
Chapter 19 – My system in the Winawer: 4.e5 b6
After 4.e5 Black does not play the classical break ...c7-c5 immediately, but strives for a closed game.
An introduction to the open game
White’s main deviations are attempts to keep the centre semi-open. The game becomes quite forced
and dynamic from the very first moves.
Tactical schemes
A) Sacrificing the centre
A good tactical scheme is the early queen sortie 4.Qg4 in the anti-Winawer, where White
immediately attacks Black’s weakest point: the pawn on g7. However, with either a black or a white
pawn on e4 this attack can be met with ...Nf6! (see Games 43-45).
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419
In the Semi-Winawer, after 4.e5 c5, the move 5.Qg4 introduces another sharp line, which was a
popular attacking weapon in the era of Boris Spassky:
Here the best defence is 5...Ne7, a move which leads to attractive complications (Game 49).
Black can also try to avoid the sharpest lines of the Semi-Winawer by playing first 4...b6 instead of
4...c5 (Chapter 19), or even 4...Ne7 (as in chapters 20-22 on the Sub- and the Main Winawer).
B) Defending the centre; C) Exchanging
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421
The ideas behind 4.Bd3 and 4.Qd3 are obvious enough. Both moves aim to defend the e4-pawn,
maintaining the tension in the centre while trying to force Black to give up the centre by playing
...dxe4 (Game 47).
The resulting structures are symmetrical and hardly attractive after 4.exd5 exd5 (diagram right).
This situation is especially bothersome for genuine French players, who prefer to close the game and
play positions with a closed centre. However, the game is very balanced here, and I will present to
you my own anti-method (see Game 48).
Semi-strategic schemes
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In the Anti-Winawer, after 4.Ne2 (diagram left), White prepares a2-a3 with the main, fundamental
idea of achieving the favourable BxN trade (Game 46).
In the Semi-Winawer with 4.e5 c5 and now 5.Bd2 (instead of the main move 5.a3) White prevents
the doubling of the c-pawns, keeping a classical French structure (Game 50).
Keep in Mind
The labyrinths of the deviations can be tricky and dangerous, but only if you are not well prepared.
Chapter 17
The Anti-Winawer
Directions – 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 (lines without an immediate 4.e5)
In the Anti-Winawer, White does not advance his e-pawn, maintaining the tension in the centre and
using his turn to achieve three possible aims:
• Games 43-46: White sacrifices the e4-pawn temporarily or even permanently: 4.a3 (Game 43),
4.Qg4 (Game 44), 4.Bd2 (Game 45) and 4.Ne2 (Game 46). These are dangerous surprise weapons,
recommended for tactical players. Black must be well prepared for these.
• Game 47: defending the pawn on e4: 4.Bd3 or 4.Qd3
• Game 48: exchanging, simplifying the pawn structure and the game with 4.exd5
These last two games feature quite modest lines with low winning chances for White.
Sacrificing the centre – Games 43-46
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Game 43 – 4.a3
(MegaBase games: 3314 = 52%. Online: 5987 = 53.4%)
The ambitious move 4.a3 gained its first popularity thanks to Alekhine’s victory against Euwe (World
Championship Match 1935, round 3), and also later after several successful games by the 7th World
Champion Vasily Smyslov, mainly against Botvinnik and Uhlmann. Still later, the legendary Bobby
Fischer tried it in six games (4½ points), but usually against the Winawer he preferred the main pawn
advance 4.e5.
Against Smyslov in their World Championship matches, Botvinnik only scored 1½-2½ with 3...Bb4.
In modern chess, this variation is quite rarely seen at the highest level. However, we have to check
some old games by Ukrainian grandmaster Gennady Kuzmin (1946-2020), an expert of 4.a3, and
some fresh ideas from the Serbian grandmasters Igor Miladinovic and Ivan Ivanisevic, who still
manage to find new attractive paths today, helping White’s cause.
The following sharp game is a fine example.
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Alexandra Kosteniuk 2541
Dronavalli Harika 2505
Beijing rapid w 2014 (4)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.a3!?
This leads to interesting, dynamic play. White spends a tempo to force the BxN exchange, trying to
immediately exploit the weakness on g7.
4...Bxc3+
The retreat 4...Ba5 must be weaker. White has a pleasant choice between 5.b4 and the exchange
5.exd5, which is more favourable in this line.
5.bxc3 dxe4!
Accepting the consequences is the right way.
6.Qg4!
This manoeuvre is generally considered to be the most dangerous resource against the Winawer
Variation. Black has to face it in many lines.
WEAPON: The Winckelmann-Riemer Gambit 6.f3 can be met with the straightforward 6...c5!
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analysis diagram
7.Be3 (7.Be2 Qa5!?N; 7.Bb5+ Bd7µ; 7.Qd2 Nf6µ) 7...Qa5! (7...Bd7!?) 8.fxe4 (8.dxc5 Nf6!?)
8...Qxc3+ 9.Bd2 Qxd4 10.Nf3 Qxe4+, and with three extra pawns Black can hardly lose!
6...Nf6 7.Qxg7 Rg8 8.Qh6
Indian GM Harika Dronavalli was very close to
winning a brilliant game, but perhaps the chess
clock got in the way!
We have reached the key position of the 4.a3 variation: White has two bishops and he would like to
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open up the game, but the pawn structure favours Black
(and the pawn on e4 is still a strong soldier). Black has a
few typical alternatives here. Some of them follow the
same concept, and it is advisable to consider them all:
8...c5 and 8/9...Bd7 (main game), 8...Rg6, 8...Nbd7 and
8...b6.
8...c5!?
This energetic break was Botvinnik’s favourite defence.
PLAN: 8...Bd7!? is an unusual but strong manoeuvre,
similar to the main game, intending ...c7-c5,
...Bc6/...Nbd7 or ...Ba4, and retaining the possibility of
the dynamic sortie ...Qa5!. 9.Nh3 (this leaves d4
vulnerable. The alternatives: 9.Bg5 see the main game;
9.Ne2 Ba4!?„; 9.Rb1 Bc6! 10.Ne2 Nbd7 11.Ng3 Qe7 12.Be2 0-0-0„ Rogos-Zatko, cr 2013)
9...c5! is the logical reaction in the centre: 10.Be2 Nc6 11.Bg5 Rg6 12.Qh4 cxd4 13.0-0 h6!³
Hector-Vocaturo, Helsingor 2019.
PLAN: The most popular defence is 8...Rg6!? with a quite balanced game:
A) 9.Qd2 b6! 10.a4 Nc6!³, aimed against a4-a5;
B) There is little point in 9.Qh4 Rg4 10.Qh3 (10.Qh6 Rg6=) 10...Nc6 and White cannot be happy
here;
C) 9.Qe3 Nc6!? (the knight is heading via e7 to f5/d5; 9...b6!?) 10.Bb2 (if 10.Ne2!? b6!?) 10...Ne7!?
– Black delays the fianchetto in favour of 11.0-0-0 b5!„.
PLAN: 8...Nbd7!? is perhaps the most flexible move, which is mainly good in connection with
the thematic fianchetto: ...b7-b6 and ...Bb7. Now:
A) 9.Nh3!? b6!?„;
B) 9.Ne2 b6! 10.Bg5 (this pseudo-active move led to disaster for the 11th World Champion; 10.Ng3
Bb7!?„; 10.a4 Ba6!?„) 10...Qe7!? 11.Qh4 Bb7 12.Ng3 h6!?„ Fischer-Kovacevic, Zagreb 1970;
C) 9.a4!? is a modern, dynamic idea, played in many lines (with 4.a3) by Serbian GMs Ivan
Ivanisevic and Igor Miladinovic. 9...Nb6!? may be an antidote for Black: 10.a5 Nbd5 11.Ne2 Qd6!?
„, preparing ...Bd7 and 0-0-0.
PLAN/TRICK: Finally, 8...b6!? is also playable, and quite similar to the line 8...Nbd7 – at least,
I have not found any extra attacking resources for White: 9.Nh3 (9.Bg5 Nbd7!?; 9.a4 (the typical
attack against any fianchetto) 9...Nc6!) 9...Bb7 10.Bg5 (10.Bb5+?! Nbd7!³) 10...Rg6 11.Qh4 h6!
„ 12.Bxh6?? Rg4, trapping the white queen.
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9.Ne2
A) If now 9.dxc5 Nbd7 (9...Bd7!?) 10.Ne2 (10.Bb5 Rg6!) 10...Nxc5„;
B) 9.Bg5 can be met by 9...Ng4 (or 9...Rg6!? like in the main game) 10.Bxd8 Nxh6, leading to
equality, but with a 0-2 score for Black.
9...Bd7!?
PLAN: To develop the French bishop via d7 is relatively rare, but perfectly logical; Black intends
...Bc6/...Nbd7 or ...Ba4. Also, the queen retains access to a5.
WEAPON: 9...cxd4!? is a modern option with good results for Black:10.cxd4 (10.Nxd4 a6
11.Bb2 e5ƒ Lu-Ganguly, Douglas 2019) 10...Nc6 11.Bb2 (11.c3 e5!?) 11...Bd7 12.Ng3 (12.0-00? Ng4!; 12.h3? Rc8!; 12.c4 Na5!„; 12.Rd1 Qa5+ 13.Bc3 Qf5=) 12...Rg6 (12...Qa5+!?;
12...Rc8) 13.Qd2 Qb6!?³.
10.Bg5
This seems to be the principled reaction.
A) 10.dxc5 weakens White’s structure: 10...Ba4 (10...Na6!? Rombaldoni-A.l’Ami, Porto Mannu
2013) 11.Nd4 Nbd7„ Zumsande-Lenderman, London 2014;
B) 10.Ng3 Rg6 (10...Bc6 11.dxc5 Nbd7„ Zhigalko-Das, Lille 2013) 11.Qh4 Bc6³ J.ChristiansenMarin, Porto Mannu 2018;
C) With the black pawn on b7, 10.a4 is mainly a waste of time: 10...Bc6 11.a5 (11.dxc5 Nbd7
Conquest-Aubert, France tt 1991) 11...Nbd7 12.h3 Bb5!? 13.dxc5 Qc7³, and once again Black can
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exploit the numerous weaknesses in White’s camp, J.Wang-Kacheishvili, Las Vegas 2013.
10...Rg6!?
As before, 10...Ng4 leads to a balanced ending: 11.Bxd8 Nxh6 12.Bc7 cxd4= Albano RivaresVitkevicius, cr 1991.
11.Qh4 Bc6!
12.d5
A necessary preparation for Nf4, clearing the long diagonal. However, this only creates problems for
White.
TRICK: 12.Nf4? Qa5!–+.
TRICK: 12.Rd1 Nbd7 13.Nf4?! Rxg5! 14.Qxg5 Qa5µ H.Wang-B.Savchenko, Riyadh blitz 2017.
If 12.a4 cxd4 13.cxd4 Nbd7 14.a5 Qe7 15.c3 e5!„; ½-3½ for Black.
12...exd5 13.Nf4 Rxg5!
With strong compensation for the exchange.
White’s point is that if 13...Qa5? 14.Bxf6 covers c3.
14.Qxg5 Nbd7ƒ
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Reaching the desired position – the French army is ready to attack.
15.Nh5?
PLAN: For example: 15.Be2 Qa5!? 16.Qg3 0-0-0 17.0-0 Rg8 (17...Qc7!?) 18.Qh3 Kb8!?
(18...Qc7° Savchenko-Ponfilenok, St Petersburg 2017) 19.Rfd1 Qc7µ Van Kempen-Anderton, cr
1990.
15...Nxh5 16.Qxh5
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PUZZLE: Black to move and win.
From here on, Black could have won many times, but in rapid chess a lot depends on the time left on
the clock...
16...Qf6
16...Qa5! 17.Qh3 d4 18.Rd1 d3!–+ could have been a brilliant finish to the game!
17.Qh3 0-0-0 18.Rb1 Re8
18...a6µ.
19.Be2 Kc7 20.0-0 Ne5
20...Rg8µ.
21.Bb5 Rg8
21...Bxb5 22.Rxb5 b6µ.
22.Bxc6 Kxc6 23.c4 Nxc4
23...d4!µ.
24.Qb3 b6 25.Qa4+ Kb7 26.Qd7+ Kb8 27.Qxd5 Rxg2+
Finally, forcing a draw by perpetual check.
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28.Kxg2 Qf3+ 29.Kg1 Qg4+ 30.Kh1 Qf3+ 31.Kg1 Qg4+ ½-½
Summary of 4.a3:
Objectively, I think that this variation is still playable for White, even in modern chess!
Both sides have a hard time trying to judge (and play) correctly the positions that appear after each
line.
There are still lots of ideas and alternatives hidden in all the lines.
Anyway, Botvinnik’s 8...c5, the most popular 8...Rg6 and the fundamental 8...Nbd7 and 8...b6 are
strong alternatives to the move 8/9...Bd7!? from the main game.
Black can combine all the knowledge from the analyses of this model game.
Personally, I like the solid positions arising after any development of the French bishop!
Game 44 – 4.Qg4
(Mega: 566 = 55.5%. Online: 691 = 52.4%)
1-0 in Alekhine-Euwe, Round 9, World Championship Match 1935.
John Watson: ‘The “Blitz Variation”. White tries to save a tempo on 4.a3 by bringing his queen out
immediately. The problem is that he hasn’t strengthened his centre (as bxc3 did above), and Black
can therefore counterattack more quickly in that sector. Although the debate about 4.Qg4 is still
raging, I think that accurate play by Black makes it difficult for White even to equalise.’
In fact, in this line Black has more active pieces and pawns, i.e. better development, and therefore has
more tempi and more opportunities to play intermediate moves. His immediate central counterattack
compensates for the central position of his king and the rest of his weaknesses.
Vairis Kurpnieks 2177
Ilmars Graudins 2350
cr 2016
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qg4
A risky continuation leading to sharp play with mutual chances.
4...Nf6! 5.Qxg7
Remember Tarrasch’s axiom: ‘Any capture of a pawn with the queen in the opening is a mistake.’
5...Rg8 6.Qh6
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We continue with Alekhine’s furious attacks (Games 43-45).
6...Rg6!?
The main idea of this intermediate move is to take on e4 with the knight.
WEAPON: 6...c5!? is the typical French break, and is logical in this situation. Black’s pieces are
ready for action: 7.e5?! (7.a3 see the main game; 7.Nge2? loses to 7...cxd4 8.Nxd4 e5!–+)
7...cxd4! (White gives up his centre) 8.a3 (8.exf6 dxc3 9.b3 Nd7ƒ) 8...Bf8! 9.Qxf6 Qxf6 10.exf6
dxc3 11.Ne2 (11.bxc3 Nd7µ) 11...cxb2! 12.Bxb2 Nd7!? 13.Ng3 b6µ. Black has a superior pawn
structure and he will try to exploit this, Iriarte Gomez-Calonge Gonzalez, cr 2010.
7.Qe3
The most popular and most ambitious queen retreat.
A) 7.Qh3? e5!–+;
B) 7.Qf4 Nxe4!?ƒ;
C) 7.Qh4 Nxe4!? (7...Rg4 forces 8.Qh6, since 8.Qh3? loses to 8...e5µ) 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.Nge2 b6!?
with an edge for Black, Nikac-Orosz, Djenovici 2018.
7...c5!
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It turns out that White’s position is not entirely safe either.
8.a3
This, Miladinovic’s weapon, is probably the best try for White. Here is some more good news:
A) 8.e5 Nc6! 9.Nf3 (9.Bb5 Qb6!) 9...cxd4 10.Nxd4 Ng4µ;
B) 8.exd5 Nxd5 9.Qd3 (9.Qe5 Nxc3µ) 9...cxd4 10.a3 Qa5!?N (10...Ba5µ) 11.Qxd4 e5! is winning
for Black;
C) 8.Nge2 Nc6 (8...cxd4!? 9.Nxd4 Nxe4³ Moran-Vaughan, lichess.org 2020) 9.a3 Ba5 10.exd5
Nxd5ƒ Sidenko-Michael, cr 2008;
D) 8.Bd2 Nc6!.
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analysis diagram
Winning in all lines: 9.Bb5 (9.Nge2 Qb6!N; 9.Nf3 cxd4! 10.Nxd4 Ng4! 11.Qd3 Bc5!–+ YilmazMorovic Fernandez, Dubai ol 1986) 9...Bd7 10.Bxc6 (10.Nge2 cxd4 11.Nxd4 Ng4 12.Qd3 Qf6
13.Be3 e5!µ Kunzmann-Pospisil, cr 2017) 10...Bxc6 11.Nge2 (11.0-0-0 dxe4µ) 11...dxe4 12.dxc5
Ng4 13.Qd4 and now 13...e3!–+ Günther-Toscano, cr 2000.
8...Ba5!
Keeping the pressure on the centre. It’s obvious that White is the one who has to be careful if he
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wants to keep the balance.
9.b4
9.Nge2 Nc6!ƒ.
WEAPON: 9.Bd2 Nc6! 10.Bb5 and now 10...cxd4! is the strongest option: 11.Qxd4 Bd7 and
Black is ahead in development, Zunkovic-Majer, cr 2013.
9...cxd4! 10.Qxd4 Bb6µ
Black dominates the game from a dynamic point of view.
11.Qd3 a5!?
A more humane and technical method would be 11...Nxe4!? 12.Nxe4 dxe4 13.Qxd8+ (13.Qxe4
Qf6–+) 13...Bxd8 with better chances for Black due to his favourable structure.
12.b5 Nbd7 13.exd5 exd5 14.Na4
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14...Ne5!
This leads to a marvelous attack in the romantic style of the old masters, but in our day an amateur
player did it in a correspondence game using a silicon engine.
15.Qe2 Nfg4 16.Nxb6 Qxb6 17.Bb2 Bf5! 18.f4
18.Nf3 Re6–+.
18...Rc8 19.h3 Ne3 20.Bxe5 Rxc2 0-1
Summary of the variation 4.Qg4:
This variation is suspicious. White falls behind in development in order to capture the pawn on g7.
Black has good counterattacking chances, mainly in the centre.
Game 45 – Sharing the concept – a classic game: 4.Bd2
(Mega: 2048 = 47.9%. Online: 2455 = 46.3%)
Paul Keres
Mikhail Botvinnik
The Hague/Moscow Wch 1948 (25)
Prior to this game, Keres had a truly wretched score against Botvinnik: =6 -6. So this victory must
have been extremely sweet.
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Bd2
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Once again, White’s idea is Qg4. The main difference is that White develops more rapidly here at the
cost of a pawn.
4...dxe4!
On the ChessPublishing website, the amiable IM Goh Wei Ming wrote: ‘This is the principled move
and the mainline of this variation which leads to some wild complications in the later stages.’
The flexible move 4...Ne7 can transpose to sub-lines of the Winawer after e4-e5 (see the following
chapters). Here is a game with this line from my own experience: 5.Qg4 0-0 6.e5 f5!?„ (6...c5!?)
7.Qg3 c5 8.0-0-0 cxd4 9.Nb5 Bc5 10.Nf3 Nbc6 11.Bg5 Qb6 12.Bxe7 Bxe7 13.Nbxd4 Bd7 and
Black has better chances on the queenside, Gamundi Salamanca-Moskalenko, Mallorca 2003.
5.Qg4
According to the same concept as in the two previous games.
5.Nxe4?! Qxd4 loses a pawn without convincing compensation; 5.Nge2?! Nf6 6.Nxe4 Bxd2+
7.Nxd2 b6!?³ is 0-5 for Black.
5...Nf6!
Capturing the second pawn is not forced at this point, and it is certainly out of place in an open game!
However, some modernist authors recommend 5...Qxd4. Now perhaps White can quickly make up
for the lack of material with his advantage in development: 6.Nf3!? h5 (6...Nh6?! 7.Qxe6+! favours
White) 7.Qxe6+ (7.Qf4!?) 7...Bxe6 8.Nxd4 Bd7 9.Ndb5!?² Ianovsky-Galinsky, Kiev 2004.
6.Qxg7 Rg8 7.Qh6
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In my opinion, Black has two good options here:
7...Nc6!?
Again, the Patriarch, the father of pragmatic chess, plays a natural developing move. Accepting the
central pawn with 7...Qxd4!? is more ambitious and looks promising. Probably Botvinnik was afraid
to enter this position without any previous analytical work.
analysis diagram
TRICK: 8.Nge2 Qe5 9.Bf4 (9.0-0-0 Nbd7!? +5 for Black) 9...Qf5 10.Bxc7? Qxf2+!µ
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Halldorsson-Schmitz, Reykjavik 2000.
The most popular continuation 8.0-0-0 Bf8!? was also analysed by Goh Wei Ming. White
compensates for the pawn deficit with his better development and active pieces, but Black’s fortress
is very solid: 9.Qh4 (this is the main try; instead, 9.Qf4 Bd6!?) 9...Rg4! 10.Qh3 Qxf2.
analysis diagram
White seems to have no serious compensation for the two pawns: 11.Be2 (11.Be3 Qh4!) 11...Rh4!
12.Qxh4 Qxh4 13.g3 Qh6! 14.Bxh6 Bxh6+ 15.Kb1 Nc6!µ Ivekovic-Martinovic, Zagreb 2011.
8.0-0-0
After 8.Nge2 Nxd4!? 9.Nxd4 Qxd4 10.0-0-0 Bf8 (10...Rg6=) 11.Qf4 Bd6 12.Qh4 Qe5 the game is
quite balanced.
440
The key moment. Black has to find a way forward.
8...Rg6!
The rook move is correct, defending the knight on f6. From now on, taking the d4-pawn is too
dangerous.
9.Qh4
9.Qe3?! Qxd4! 10.Qe1 Bxc3!? (10...e5!?) 11.Bxc3 Qc5³.
9...Bxc3!?
Looking to unbalance the game and start creative play.
Black could have offered a draw by playing 9...Rg4 10.Qh3 Rg6 11.Qh4 Rg4=.
10.Bxc3 Qd5
441
The position is complicated, and of course there is a lot of play on the board. Strategically, Botvinnik
wants to make use of the light squares and Keres will play on the opposite ones.
11.b3 Ne7!?
Such a central set-up is characteristic for Botvinnik’s play.
11...a5 was a flank attempt.
12.f3
Continuing the concept of ‘playing an open game’.
12.Ne2!? was an alternative option; after 12...Qd6 things are unclear.
12...Bd7!
The golden rule is: develop before taking action.
13.Bb2
Preparing c2-c4; if 13.fxe4 Qxe4! 14.Nf3 Bc6„.
13...Bc6!
442
It’s time to draw up a balance. Finally the black army is also well prepared. Therefore White can no
longer wait and has to become active.
14.c4! Qf5
The safest and most logical queen move, but 14...Qd6!? deserved attention. The ending after 14...Qh5
will be equal. Finally, 14...Qa5 15.d5 seems unclear too.
15.d5!?
The opening phase has been concluded and the real battle begins. However, White still has
443
undeveloped pieces on the kingside and this factor neutralizes his own attack.
15...exd5™ 16.fxe4?
An inaccurate move.
16.Nh3!? could have been a more critical try: 16...dxc4!? 17.Bxc4 b5!„; or 16.Ne2 dxc4 17.Ng3
Qc5 and the position is dynamically balanced.
16...dxe4
Botvinnik aims for a strong e-pawn.
16...Nxe4! brings the pieces into play: 17.Nf3 Rg4 18.Qe1™ 18...dxc4 (after 18...0-0-0!?³ Black is
very solid) 19.Ne5 (19.Bxc4 Rxg2µ) 19...Qf4+ 20.Kb1 Nf2 with complications, but also with two
extra pawns.
17.Nh3 Ng4
17...Nd7!? 18.Qxh7 0-0-0!.
18.Qg3
18.Qxh7 Rg8∞.
18...Qc5
18...Qa5!?.
19.Qxc7 Rc8 20.Qf4 Qe3+ 21.Rd2
The most tense moment in this classic game. Probably both players were a little tired in this World
Championship tournament game, which was played in Round 25! Consequently, they lost their way at
the most critical moments during time-trouble...
444
21...Qxf4?!
21...Qe1+ 22.Rd1 Qe3+ was a correct draw.
22.Nxf4 e3 23.Rc2 Rg5 24.Be2 Nf2?
24...Be4!? was the only move: 25.Rc3 Nf5„.
25.Re1± Rd8
It was too late to play 25...Be4 26.Bf3! Bxc2 27.Kxc2±.
26.g3
26.Bf1!?+–.
26...Rf5 27.Bf1 Rxf4
The losing move. 27...Bf3!? was the only chance to complicate.
28.gxf4 Nd3+ 29.Bxd3 Rxd3 30.Rc3!
445
This simplification leads to a technical win.
30...Rxc3+ 31.Bxc3 Nf5 32.Bd2! Kd7 33.Bxe3 b6 34.Bf2 f6 35.Kd2 h5 36.Kd3 Nh6 37.Bh4 f5
38.Re7+ Kd6 39.h3! 1-0
446
Famous Soviet/Estonian grandmaster Paul Keres (1916-1975) finally beat Botvinnik in their 13th
game. Keres was an expert of the classical open game with many important victories against
strongest opposition.
Summary of 4.Bd2:
This is a quite solid line, but that is not enough in an open game. The arising positions are at least not
worse for the black side.
Game 46 – two knights: 4.Nge2
(Mega: 6791 = 55.4%. Online: 7460 = 55%)
The variation 4.Ne2 was analysed for both sides in The Flexible French (Game 73). My general
summary has not changed: the Two Knights Variation with 4.Nge2 is one of many Anti-Winawer
lines and is quite fashionable these days. It offers an escape from the main lines, and interesting play.
Objectively it gives an equal game (after 4...dxe4 5.a3 Bxc3 6.Nxc3 Nc6, White must play 7.d5=).
However, the final outcome usually depends on both players’ knowledge of the line.
Here is an update on the most combative line for the black side.
Jorge De la Riva Aguado 2246
Viktor Moskalenko 2543
Sitges 2006 (3)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nge2
White prepares a2-a3 with an idea based on the fundamental chess concepts: achieving the favourable
BxN trade. However, Black can reply in vintage French style:
4...Nf6!?
447
The opening discussion (the fight for the e4-point) continues. The text move looks very logical: Black
develops and puts pressure on the centre. But we are not in a genuine French Defence here!
The most straightforward way to equalize is 4...dxe4!?, see the notes to Game 73 in The Flexible
French.
5.e5
Closing the centre is not common in the Anti-Winawer, but what to do?
WEAPON: The gambit 5.a3 can be refuted by 5...Be7!? (5...Bxc3+ 6.Nxc3 Nxe4 is more
complex) 6.e5 Nfd7 7.f4
analysis diagram
(see also the line with 6.f4 given below) 7...c5 8.g3 Nc6 9.Be3 b6!? 10.Bg2 Ba6³ FirouzjaMoskalenko, Al-Ain rapid 2014.
WEAPON: Another popular motif is 5.Bg5!?, counter-pinning in McCutcheon fashion: 5...dxe4
6.a3 Be7! 7.Bxf6 (7.Qd2 Nbd7 8.Ng3 b6!?„ Wilke-Vrana, Austria tt 2020) 7...gxf6 8.Nxe4.
448
analysis diagram
This position is also important for the theory of 4.Ne2. 8...f5! is the best move-order for Black:
TRICK: If 9.N4g3 Nd7!?³ 10.Qd3 Nf6 11.0-0-0? Ng4! 12.d5 Qxd5!–+.
9.N4c3 Nd7!?. A solid set-up, but there’s neither many games nor theory here: 10.g3 Nf6 11.Bg2
Qd6! 12.Qd2 Bd7! 13.0-0-0 0-0-0³ and Black’s army is ready for action.
5...Nfd7!
Transposing to structures similar to the Classical French. The alternative 5...Ne4, imitating the
McCutcheon, was deeply analysed in The Flexible French, Game 73.
449
6.Qd3
Sharp, preparing queenside castling.
A) 6.a3 Be7!;
B) 6.Nf4 c5! 7.a3 (7.Qg4 0-0!³) 7...cxd4 (7...Ba5!?) 8.axb4 dxc3„;
C) After 6.f4 0-0 (6...c5?! 7.a3) 7.a3 Be7! we reach a hybrid of the Classical French (3.Nc3 Nf6),
analysed in Part Three.
analysis diagram
450
8.g3 c5 9.Be3 Nc6 10.Bg2 b6! 11.0-0 Ba6„. In Asis-Moskalenko, Montcada 2006, White continued
12.Rf2 Rc8 13.f5?! and here 13...Bg5! (13...Kh8!µ) 14.Bf4 Bxf4 15.gxf4 Qh4 was good for Black.
6...0-0! 7.a3
7.Qg3 f6!?„.
7...Be7!
The Winawer bishop has turned Classical.
8.Qg3 Kh8!
Defending against Bc1-h6. 8...c5? 9.Bh6±; 8...Bh4!? 9.Qg4 Kh8„.
9.Be3
WEAPON: 9.h4 c5 10.Be3 Nc6 11.f4 b5!? (11...f6!?; 11...Nb6„ Brenjo-Rapport, Bar 2015)
12.dxc5 b4!ƒ.
9...c5 10.0-0-0 Nc6 11.f4 b5!
451
Beginning the counterattack – time is the prevalent rule! You can learn about the Five Touchstones in
my book Revolutionize your Chess (New In Chess 2009).
12.dxc5
WEAPON: Accepting the gift with 12.Nxb5?! can lead to a quick catastrophe, which was
confirmed in the following game: 12...Rb8 13.Nec3 c4! 14.Be2 f5 (14...Qb6! was even stronger,
with the idea of 15...a6) 15.Qf2 Qa5–+ and White resigned on move 19 in R.Perez-Rustemov,
Villa de Albox 2002.
12...b4!
The trick of Black’s magic is to open the game on the right side.
13.axb4 Nxb4 14.f5!?
452
White is trailing behind on the other side, so he decides to provoke some complications.
14...Bxc5
A logical move, but it costs time.
14...Qa5! was more in attacking spirit.
15.fxe6 fxe6 16.Nd4 Bxd4! 17.Bxd4
The bishop on d4 is not the same as a knight on that spot!
17.Rxd4!? was the last chance to fight for the initiative.
17...Qa5‚
453
The end of the drama is near.
18.Be2 Ba6
18...Qa1+!?.
19.Bg4 Qa1+ 20.Nb1
After 20.Kd2 Qxb2 21.Rc1 Rac8 22.Bxe6 Nc5 23.Bxc8 Nb3+ Black is winning.
20...Rac8 21.c3 Na2+ 22.Kc2 Rb8 23.b4 Nxb4+ 24.cxb4 Rfc8+ 25.Bc5 Qa2+ 0-1
And mate in 4 moves.
Summary:
The line 4.Ne2 Nf6!? leads to a creative semi-open game, where the final outcome depends on the
skills of both players.
Defending the centre
Game 47 – Two modest lines: 4.Bd3
(Mega: 2721 = 53.1%. Online: 2995 = 53.1%) and 4.Qd3 (Mega: 911 = 58%. Online: 1002 = 57%)
White defends his pawn on e4 and keeps his options open in the centre. However, Black gets a nice
range of possibilities and disposes of extra tempi to complete his development.
Martin Lorenzini 2344
Viktor Moskalenko 2508
Alicante 2000 (9)
454
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Bd3
Watson: ‘This lacks punch and is seldom seen at the top levels any more.’
PLAN: Another modest line is 4.Qd3. Watson: ‘White covers e4 and would like to transfer the
queen to pressure the kingside. In addition, he can prepare 0-0-0 by say, Bd2... but generally, the
queen is not well placed on d3.’ 4...Ne7!?.
analysis diagram
This is more flexible than 4...Nf6 or 4...dxe4 and it enables Black to save some tempi. 5.Bd2 (or 5.a3
Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 0-0 7.Nf3 b6³ Hou Yifan-Kramnik, Medias 2016) 5...0-0 6.a3 Bxc3!? 7.Bxc3 b6!
(typical counterplay) 8.0-0-0 Ba6 9.Qe3 Bxf1 10.Rxf1 a5!µ, intending to push ...b6-b5.
455
analysis diagram
The bishop on c3 is now useless and White’s other pieces are out of play. Black has a comfortable
game, which allowed him to win easily in Jerez Perez-Moskalenko, Barbera del Valles 1999.
4...dxe4!
Taking advantage of the over-developed bishop on e4.
4...Nf6? 5.e5±.
456
5.Bxe4 Nf6
5...c5 is similar.
6.Bg5
PLAN: 6.Bf3 is more popular, although this move seems harmless: 6...0-0 (or 6...c5!? 7.a3 Bxc3+
8.bxc3 0-0 9.Ne2 e5!„ Vera Gonzalez Quevedo-Vallejo Pons, Leon 1996) 7.Nge2 e5!.
analysis diagram
Probably the most forcing way to obtain an equal game.
TRICK: In case of 8.dxe5?! Qxd1+ 9.Kxd1 Ng4! White is the one who has to be careful:
10.Bxg4™ 10...Bxg4 11.f3 Bf5 12.Bd2 Nc6 13.f4 Rad8ƒ Muromtsev-Lysyj, Sochi 2006.
8.0-0 Bxc3!? 9.Nxc3 (9.bxc3? e4–+) 9...exd4 10.Nb5 c5 11.Bf4 Ne8!? (a primitive but safe route)
12.c3 a6 13.Na3 Nc6³ Lejlic-Grover, Dubai 2009.
PLAN: 6.Bd3 is grandmaster Djuric’s specialty:
457
analysis diagram
6...c5! 7.a3 (7.Nge2 cxd4 8.Nxd4 0-0 9.0-0 e5! 10.Nde2 Nc6 11.a3 Be7= Djuric-Moskalenko,
Calpe rapid 2000) 7...Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 Qc7 9.Nf3 0-0 10.0-0 c4 11.Be2 Nd5³ Djuric-S.Ivanov,
Stockholm 2009.
6...c5
6...Nbd7!?; 6...h6 7.Bxf6 Qxf6=.
7.Nf3
7.dxc5 Qxd1+ 8.Rxd1 Nbd7³.
458
The key moment.
7...cxd4!?
This is the positional refutation of White’s strategy.
Or 7...Nbd7!?. The tactical path is less clear: 7...Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 Qa5 9.Bxf6 Qxc3+ 10.Nd2 gxf6 11.00° Menshikov-Kolpakov, Orsk 2002.
8.Nxd4 Nbd7!N
Black is comfortably preparing ...h7-h6.
9.Nde2 h6!? 10.Bd2
10.Bxf6µ is a psychologically impossible exchange.
10...0-0 11.0-0 Be7!?
A useful manoeuvre prior to the capture of the bishop on e4.
12.Ng3 Nxe4
Eliminating the strongest white piece – or was it the weakest?
13.Ngxe4 f5!µ
The punishment starts.
459
14.Ng3 f4 15.Nge4 f3!
Nasty harassment, creating some glaring holes in White’s fortress. 15...Ne5 was also good.
16.gxf3
16.g3 Qe8‚.
16...Ne5‚ 17.f4 Ng6 18.Be3 Qe8!
Bringing the queen to the kingside.
18...Qc7!?.
19.Nd6 Bxd6 20.Qxd6 Bd7!
20...Nh4!?.
21.f3 Bc6
460
My opponent decided to avoid the torture by the great French bishop and resigned here.
The exchange
Game 48 – Simplification versus symmetry: 4.exd5
(Mega: 8243 = 52,6%. Online: 8984 = 52.8%)
This was first World Champion Wilhelm Steinitz’s main weapon against the Winawer Variation. The
popularity of the exchange of the central pawns has continued into the modern era (just like the
Exchange Variation 3.exd5), until black players found several easy paths to follow. The truth is that
defending here is not hard at all for Black: the most important thing is not to be too ambitious and to
patiently keep simplifying.
Nowadays this line is even used by strong players. I’ll try to show the path Black has to follow to get
a balanced game. The examples are mainly from my own practice.
Lluis Maria Perpinya Rofes 2430
Viktor Moskalenko 2560
Badalona 2007 (7)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.exd5 exd5
WEAPON: 4...Qxd5 is playable, to unbalance the game. I have tried an interesting plan on the
Internet: 5.Nf3 Bd7.
461
analysis diagram
The idea is to prepare ...Bb5!? and continue with ...Nc6 followed by queenside castling. For example:
6.Bd2 (6.Bd3 Bb5!?) 6...Bxc3 7.Bxc3 (7.bxc3 Bb5) 7...Nf6 8.Bd3 Bb5 9.0-0 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 Nc6
11.Rad1 0-0-0 12.b3 g5!.
analysis diagram
The desired position for Black. 13.Qe3 g4 14.Ne5 Nxe5 15.Qxe5 Ne4 16.Bb2 Qxe5 17.dxe5 Nd2
18.Rfe1 Rd7 19.Bc1 Rhd8–+ Sulashvili-CapNemo, playchess.com 2006.
462
5.Bd3
After 5.Qf3?! Black gets an excellent game with the most precise move: 5...Qe7+!.
5...Nf6!?
A logical and good move. Right now, this is my favourite defensive method. My opponents have tried
various ways to fight for the initiative, but with no great success.
PLAN: Alternatively, 5...Nc6 can be played. This has been the most popular continuation in the
past few years: 6.Nge2 (if 6.a3 Ba5!? 7.Nge2 Nge7 8.0-0 Bb6!? 9.Be3 Bf5= MoskalenkoAlmeida Quintana, Solsona 2003) 6...Nge7 7.0-0 Bf5= Capablanca-Alekhine, Buenos Aires Wch
m 1927.
Alekhine even won this famous game in 43 moves. ‘It ushered in the era of the Winawer, since the
feared exchange line had been shown to be innocuous’ (Taulbut, CBM).
6.Nge2
The most flexible continuation.
A) 6.a3 Bd6!? (6...Bxc3+ 7.bxc3 0-0 8.Ne2 Re8 9.0-0 Ne4= 10.Bf4 Bf5= Caruana-Nepomniachtchi,
chess24.com 2020) 7.Nb5 Be7 8.Bf4 Na6 9.Ne2 c6 10.Nbc3 Nc7 11.h3 Ne6 12.Be5 Nd7 13.Bh2 00 14.f4?! Bf6 15.Bg1 Re8µ Nataf-Tu Hoang Thong, Montreal 2007;
B) 6.Bg5?! is a pseudo-active move: 6...h6 7.Bh4 0-0
463
analysis diagram
TRICK: 8.Qf3? is another rare manoeuvre that almost loses the game already: 8...g5! 9.Bg3 Bg4
10.Qe3 c5!, and Black was winning in Ferron Garcia-Moskalenko, Villa Salou 1999.
8.Nge2 Re8 9.0-0 c6 (zugzwang!) 10.f4 Bg4! (10...Nbd7=) 11.h3 Bxe2 12.Nxe2 Nbd7. Black now
has at least an equal game, Perpinya Rofes-Moskalenko, Catalunya tt 2002.
6...0-0 7.0-0
464
7...c6
7...Re8 is similar, e.g. 8.Bg5 (8.Ng3 Nbd7 9.Nce2 Bf8 ½-½ Cornette-Moskalenko, Medes 2006)
8...c6 9.Qd2 h6! 10.Bxf6 Qxf6³ Fluvia Poyatos-Moskalenko, Medes 2006/07.
8.a3
With 8.Ng3 White wants to regroup his cavalry: 8...Re8 9.Nce2 Bf8!? 10.c3 Nbd7 11.Bf4 Nb6
12.Qc2 Bd6 13.Rae1 h6 14.b3 Qc7 15.Qd2 Bxf4 16.Qxf4 ½-½ De la Riva Aguado-Moskalenko,
Catalunya tt 2007.
8...Bd6 9.Bf4 Bg4!? 10.Qd2
In case of 10.f3 Bh5 11.Qd2 Bg6 the game is too balanced.
10...Bxe2!
Keep in Mind: A N can be more helpful than a B in such pawn structures (7=7).
11.Nxe2 Bxf4 12.Qxf4 Nbd7 13.Ng3 g6=
Simplifications are welcome in this symmetrical pawn structure!
14.Rfe1 Re8 15.h4 Nf8! 16.c3
16.Rxe8 Nxe8=.
16...Ne6 17.Qf3 Nd7!? 18.Qg4 Qc7 19.Ne2 Nf6 20.Qf3 Kg7 21.g3 Re7 22.Nf4 Rae8
465
22...Nxf4 23.Rxe7=.
23.Nxe6+ Rxe6 24.Rxe6 Rxe6 25.Kg2 Qb6
TRICK: 25...Ne4!?,
threatening 26...Rf6, was another chance for Black, for example: 26.Qd1? (26.Bxe4 Rxe4³)
26...Nxg3! 27.fxg3 Re3, winning.
26.Rb1 Qc7 27.Rc1 Qe7 28.Rc2 Ne4 29.Re2 h6 30.Qf4 a5 31.f3 Nf6 32.Rxe6 Qxe6 33.Qe5 Qxe5
Draw agreed.
Conclusion to Chapter 17, The Anti-Winawer
Many lines are (too forced and) over-analysed, and are basically useful as ‘surprise weapons’, but
generally speaking they do not offer White any advantage – the resources are still quite limited since
both armies are underdeveloped.
Therefore, in modern chess, the strongest players prefer to advance the e-pawn: 4.e5 is the main
move against the Winawer, and this is the move we will be facing from the next chapter right until the
end of Part Four.
466
Chapter 18
The Semi-Winawer
Directions – 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5
Lines without an immediate 5.a3
I have named these lines the ‘Semi-Winawer’ because here White does not try to force the trade of
the Winawer bishop immediately. Instead he tries:
• Game 49: Tactics with 5.Qg4, 5.Nf3 or 5.dxc5, or:
• Game 50: 5.Bd2, a strategic concept.
Still, keep in mind: tactics and strategy should go together!
5.dxc5 usually transposes to one of the first two lines.
The Semi-Winawer – Games
Tactics
Game 49 – Spassky’s queen attack: 5.Qg4
(Mega: 1298 = 57,3%. Online: 1756 = 55.7%), 5.Nf3 (Mega: 639 = 39.7%. Online: 759 = 40.7%)
and 5.dxc5 (Mega: 525 = 57,5%. Online: 613 = 56.6%)
Marco Bulgarini Torres 2201
Eoin Campbell 2193
cr 2015
467
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 5.Qg4!?
This is an independent line against the Winawer. White does not respect the rule which states that a
flank attack only works if the centre is fixed. This concept can be useful as a guide to the labyrinths
of the Semi-Winawer and also as a guide to this model game.
PUZZLE: Another variation with an unbalanced centre is 5.Nf3 cxd4!? (of course, 5...Nc6 or
5...Ne7 are the most natural moves and these lines can transpose into the main sub-Winawer after
6.a3 Bxc3 7.bxc3: for the lines without the move Qg4, which are absolutely harmless for Black,
see Chapter 20) 6.Qxd4 Nc6 7.Qg4 (7.Bb5 Qa5!„) 7...Nge7! 8.Qxg7 Ng6 and Black has at least
a draw after the subsequent ...Bb4-f8-e7.
5...Ne7!
The best defence against 5.Qg4. The pawn on g7 is poisoned now.
TRICK: 5...cxd4? 6.Qxg7 dxc3 7.b3 and Black loses his h8-rook (total 26 games).
6.dxc5
TRICK: 6.Qxg7?! is dangerous for White, because the Winawer bishop on b4 is still alive:
6...Rg8 7.Qh6 (after 7.Qxh7?! cxd4 8.a3 Qa5! Black wins material) 7...cxd4 8.a3 and now
8...Ba5! 9.b4 Bc7 10.Nb5 a6!µ.
TRICK: 6.a3?! is a well-known mistake: 6...Qa5!
468
analysis diagram
with the double threat of 7...Bxc3+ and 7...cxd4. 7.Nge2 (7.axb4 Qxa1–+; 7.Bd2 cxd4ƒ) 7...cxd4
8.Rb1 (8.axb4 Qxa1–+) 8...Nbc6!N (8...Bxc3+³) 9.axb4 Qxb4 10.Qxg7 Rg8 11.Qxh7 dxc3µ
Vedmediuc-Li, Agneaux 2019.
PLAN: 6.Nf3 develops too late. Black gets his counterplay in first: 6...cxd4! 7.Nxd4 Qc7!?.
analysis diagram
10th World Champion Boris Spassky won three easy
469
games with 5.Qg4, even though this was mainly due
to poor play by his opponents in the opening.
The point of this concept appears after 8.Bb5+ (a forced
check, in order to gain some tempi for development)
8...Nd7! (the most precise defence; 8...Nbc6∞ leads to the
ultra-classic game Spassky-Uhlmann, Manila izt 1976) 9.00 Bxc3 10.bxc3 0-0 and Black has a better pawn structure,
as in Ashton-Cox, England tt 2005/06.
6...Nbc6!
Dynamic development, defending the Winawer bishop and
attacking the e5-pawn.
7.Bd2
Defending against ...d5-d4.
PUZZLE: After this move the game can transpose to the variation 5.Bd2, see Game 50 below.
TRICK: 7.Nf3 d4!? 8.Bb5™ (8.a3? Qa5–+) 8...Qa5! 9.0-0? (9.Bxc6+™ 9...bxc6 10.Qxd4 Nf5ƒ)
9...dxc3 10.Bxc6+ bxc6 0-1 Das-Amin, chess.com blitz 2020.
TRICK: The g7-pawn is still poisoned: 7.Qxg7? Rg8 8.Qxh7 d4 9.a3 Qa5!
470
analysis diagram
10.Rb1 dxc3 11.Be3 Bd7! and Black is ahead in development.
7...0-0
Castling allows Black to use his f-pawn as another resource.
PLAN: 7...Ng6!? defends g7; now Black is ready for many possible counter-plans: 8.Nf3 Bxc5
9.Bd3 Qc7!? (9...Nb4 10.Bxg6! hxg6 11.0-0-0∞).
471
analysis diagram
Provoking 10.Nb5, but this does not seem dangerous: 10.0-0-0 (choosing the most aggressive set-up;
if 10.0-0 a6!?; 10.Nb5 Qb8∞) 10...a6 11.h4 Bd7!„. Just in time (intending 12...0-0-0) and reaching
an interesting position, Negi-Kostenko, New Delhi 2009.
8.Nf3
A) 8.0-0-0 Bxc5!? (8...b6!?; 8...Ng6!?) 9.f4 f6!„;
B) 8.Bd3 Bxc3 (8...Ng6!? – see the PLAN below) 9.Bxc3 d4„ Van der Veen-Wempe, Hoogeveen
2004.
8...f5!?
PLAN/PUZZLE: 8...Ng6!? 9.Bd3 Bxc5!? 10.Qh5 Nb4!„ transposes to a line in the next game
with 5.Bd2.
PLAN/PUZZLE: In my own games I have used another strong set-up: 8...Nf5. This universal
idea can also occur in Black’s deviation line 4...Ne7 5.Qg4. 9.Bd3 f6!„ Mitkov-Moskalenko,
Barbera del Valles 2000.
9.Qg3
WEAPON: Previously, an important improvement was found in another correspondence game:
9.exf6 Rxf6 10.0-0-0 e5 11.Qh5 Rf5!
analysis diagram
472
12.Qh4 (12.Ng5 h6 13.g4 Rf6!) 12...Qf8! 13.Qg3 Kh8! and Black is better, De Waele-Manheimer, cr
2011.
9...Ng6!?³
Now Black is more comfortable – behind the barricades!
10.Bd3 Bxc5
10...Qc7!?; 10...d4!?.
11.Ne2
11.0-0 Nd4!³.
11...Qc7 12.Bc3 Rd8 13.0-0-0 d4
13...a5!?.
14.Bd2
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Black has some initiative. In this ‘computer battle’ a winner was not determined, although the rest of
the game was tactically attractive:
14...Ngxe5 15.Kb1 Bd6 16.Nfxd4 Nc4 17.Qh3 Nxb2 18.Nb5 Qb6 19.Kxb2 Ne5 20.Kc1 Be7
21.Bc3 Rxd3 22.Rxd3 Qxb5 23.Bxe5 Qxe5 24.Nd4 Qa5 25.Kb1 Qb6+ 26.Nb3 Qxf2 27.Rhd1 Qb6
28.Qh5 g6 29.Qh6 Qc7 30.Qe3 Bf6 31.Rd6 Qc4 32.Qh6 ½-½
Summary of 5.Qg4:
In this model game we found many options to face the Queen Attack. This tactical line was still
popular in the time of Russian World Champion Boris Spassky, but nowadays this weapon can only
frighten weak players or kids!
Strategy
Game 50 – A problematic move in the Winawer: 5.Bd2
The idea of 5.Bd2 is not especially strong (compared to 5.a3), but since it prevents the doubling of
pawns on c3 it tends to lead to positions with a slight advantage for White without any risk. The
statistics are very reasonable for White: Mega: 5400 games = 58.2%. Online: 6445 = 56.9%.
After this bishop move Black has experienced some problems trying to unbalance the game in order
to fight for the initiative. In The Flexible French, I proposed a surprising bishop retreat: 5...cxd4!?
6.Nb5 Bc5!. This was not very well known, but it has certain bonuses compared to the usual defence
5...Ne7.
So I’m not surprised that lately this has become Black’s most common counterplan in practice. Here I
have prepared an update of this dynamic set-up, with some new interesting details.
Jordi Ayza Ballester 2285
Viktor Moskalenko 2544
474
La Pobla de Lillet 2004 (5)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 5.Bd2!?
A problematic move in the Winawer. After this Black has experienced some problems in unbalancing
the game and fighting for the initiative in the opening (see The Flexible French, page 263).
5...cxd4!?
Our line begins with this move.
5...Nh6, a ‘Spanish Sword’, was analysed in The Wonderful Winawer.
PLAN: The most common option is still 5...Ne7!? which guarantees Black an equal game. Here I
give some key ideas: 6.Nb5 (6.a3 is too slow: 6...Bxc3=) 6...Bxd2+ 7.Qxd2 0-0 8.f4 Bd7!?.
475
analysis diagram
This natural move offers Black interesting counterplay and, more importantly, positive results:
A) 9.a4?! a6³;
B) 9.Nf3? Bxb5 10.Bxb5 c4!µ;
C) 9.Nd6 cxd4 10.Nf3 Nbc6 11.Bd3 (11.Nxd4? f6ƒ) 11...f6!„;
D) 9.dxc5 Bxb5 10.Bxb5 Qc7 11.b4?! (11.Nf3 Qxc5=) 11...a5 12.c3 b6!ƒ Milosevic-Lundin,
Belgrade 2019.
6.Nb5
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6...Bc5!
This is the line we are going to develop. Some theoreticians have claimed a clear advantage for White
here, but my survey in The Flexible French clearly pinpoints the ignorance of those authors in
examining this, Black’s most common line today.
Those who play 5.Bd2 against the Winawer are used to seeing the black bishop exchanged on d2:
6...Bxd2+ 7.Qxd2 Nc6 8.f4²; after that, White tends to regain his pawn with a comfortable game.
7.Qg4!?
The most aggressive line, much in Winawer style. Now we face the same dilemma as, for example, in
the McCutcheon System: 7...g6 or 7...Kf8 ?
WEAPON: The main alternative is 7.b4 Be7!?; this is the best square for the bishop’s retreat, in
view of the bizarre consequences: 8.Qg4 (the principled move; 8.Nxd4 Qc7!?N KacprzakKolendo, Poznan 2018) 8...Nf6!!N.
477
analysis diagram
PUZZLE: The fully-fledged culmination of all Black’s ideas in an ‘open game’. Thanks to his
strong centre, Black obtains a great game in all possible lines. Let’s look at some lines: 9.Qxg7
(9.exf6 Bxf6 10.Nxd4 0-0!ƒ; 9.Qg3 Ne4 10.Qxg7 Rf8³ intending ...Nxd2 and ...Bxb4) 9...Rg8
10.Qh6 Rg6 (10...Ne4!?) 11.Qh3 Ne4 12.Bd3 Nc6 13.Qxh7 (after 13.Nf3 Black has many good
options to develop the initiative) 13...a6! 14.Nd6+ Bxd6 15.exd6 Qf6!µ.
analysis diagram
478
Please compare this position with any other line of the Wonderful Winawer: what more can you ask
for!?
7...g6
This was my old defence, leading to complicated play.
WEAPON: Another critical alternative is 7...Kf8!?.
This line was also given in The Flexible French. Now let’s take a look at some improvements:
A) If 8.Nxd4 Qb6!„;
B) 8.b4 Bb6! with an overwhelming result for Black (8...h5!? 9.Qf4 g5!N also has its advantages),
e.g. 9.Nxd4 h5! 10.Qf4 g5! 11.Qe3 Nh6ƒ Wiersma-Camps, cr 2015;
C) 8.Nf3!? Nc6 9.Nbxd4 (9.0-0-0 Qb6!; 9.Qf4 Nge7!?).
479
analysis diagram
And now: 9...Qb6!? (or 9...Bxd4 10.Nxd4 Nxe5 and Black has an extra pawn in exchange for an
insecure position) 10.Bc3 Nge7 11.0-0-0 Ng6!?N and obviously Black has his chances.
8.Nxd4
WEAPON: In the other game I faced 8.0-0-0!? Nc6 9.Nf3.
analysis diagram
480
Here an interesting idea is 9...Qb6!?N (instead of 9...f6?! 10.Nbxd4!² Jerez Perez-Moskalenko,
Montcada 2004) 10.Qf4 (Kevork-Jovanovic, Canberra 2004) and now 10...a6! 11.Nd6+ Bxd6
12.exd6 f6!µ leads to a typical fight for the centre.
WEAPON: The usual move is 8.b4 Bf8!? (8...h5!?),
analysis diagram
which is the advantage of ...g7-g6: 9.Nxd4 Bg7!?„ with pressure on e5 and the option of castling.
8...Nc6
WEAPON: Again, 8...h5!?.
481
analysis diagram
A deflection of the white queen, as in some previous lines: 9.Qf4 g5 10.Qe3 Qb6 with simultaneous
pressure on d4 and b2.
9.Bc3?!
This sluggish bishop move (already the second, early in the opening) allows Black to fight for the
initiative immediately.
9.Bb5 Bd7!?.
TRICK: 9.Nxc6 Qb6!„.
TRICK: 9.Ngf3 Qb6 10.Bc3.
482
PUZZLE: This was seen in six games, but can you find a killing novelty for Black? 10...Nf6!!N.
Right – this might be a nice trap when playing your next rival!
9...Nh6! 10.Qf4 Bxd4! 11.Bxd4 Nf5ƒ
The knights on f5 and c6 should guarantee that Black won’t have any problems here.
12.Nf3?
Again, a dubious move, since it allows a tactical sequence.
483
12.Ne2 was safer.
12...g5!
The white queen is overloaded.
13.Nxg5
13.Qd2? g4–+.
13...Ncxd4 14.0-0-0
The position is still complicated, but advantageous to Black.
14...h6
14...f6!?–+.
15.Nxf7 Kxf7 16.g4 Nc6
16...h5–+.
17.h4 Nce7 18.gxf5 exf5 19.Be2 Be6 20.Rhg1 Qc7 21.Bh5+ Kf8 22.Rd3 Rc8 23.Rc3 Qd7 24.Rcg3
Rc4 25.Qf3 Rg8
25...Rxh4–+.
26.Rxg8+ Nxg8 27.Qa3+ Qe7 28.Qxa7 d4 29.Kb1 Rc8?!T
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The time control was almost reached by both players. No matter how many mistakes we made in
those seconds, but I remember that during the dramatic finish there was complete silence, and many
spectators even stopped breathing...
30.Qxd4 Qc5 31.Qd2 Qd5 32.Qb4+ Qc5 33.Qd2 Qd5 34.Qb4+ Ne7 35.b3 Qe4 36.Qd2 f4 37.Re1
Qf5 38.Bf3 Nd5 39.Kb2 Qf7 40.c4 Ne7 41.Re4 Kg8 42.Rxf4 Nf5 43.Be4 Rf8 44.f3 h5 45.Qg2+
Kh8 46.Qd2
46.Qg5!+–.
46...Qg7 47.Qc3 Qg2+ 48.Bc2 Rd8 49.Ka3 Ra8+
49...Qf2!–+.
50.Kb4 Qf2
50...Qg1!–+.
51.a4 Ne3 52.Bb1 Rd8 53.Rf6 Bxc4 54.Rh6+ Kg8 55.Rg6+ Kf8 56.bxc4 Rc8
485
57.Qd3?
The final mistake; 57.Bd3™.
57...Qb2+
And White resigned, but the people from the audience went on discussing the spectacle that had taken
place before their eyes for a long time!
Conclusion:
In my opinion, the black counter-plan 5...cxd4!? 6.Nb5 Bc5! is an attractive and useful weapon
against the early 5.Bd2. It has yielded me good results. However, Black has one more magic trick to
avoid such annoying Semi-Winawer lines, as we will see in the next game.
486
Chapter 19
My System in the Winawer
Viktor teaching ‘My System’.
Introduction
The inventor of the 3.Nc3 Bb4 variation in the French Defence was the well-known Polish master
Szymon Winawer (1838-1920). Another specialist in the French Defence, the author of My System,
Aron Nimzowitsch (1886-1935), was one of the strongest dogmatic chess players of his time. Both in
his games and his concepts, he preferred ‘his own system’.
Meanwhile, another main character of that period, the fourth World Champion Alexander Alekhine
(1892-1946), often liked to play openings with both colours and he made investigations that reached
beyond dogmas and general rules.
In my opinion, the main debate has carried on until the present day, only the protagonists have
487
changed. This clash of concepts will be the key subject of Part Four, where we will learn how to play
using ‘many systems’ in the Winawer Variation.
Grandmaster Leonid Kritz wrote in his article in ChessBase Magazine 131: ‘The French Defence is
one of the least explored openings in modern opening theory. Apart from the classical main lines
there is a host of rarely played variations which constitute a great danger for the player with White if
he does not know exactly how to achieve an opening advantage.’
We will treat one such variation in this chapter.
One deviating weapon for Black is a strategic set-up without an immediate ...c7-c5, enjoying the
closed structure. This old, classic system was already tested in The Flexible French (2008 and later in
2015) and immediately became the main weapon for many Francophiles. Now the time has come for
new magical revelations!
Directions: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 b6!?
This is a typical plan in the Winawer, containing a couple of strategic ideas: it is based on trying to
exchange the light-squared bishops by ...Ba6, thereby reducing White’s initiative, or else playing in
Petrosian’s fianchetto style with ...Bb7/...Nc6/...Qd7 followed by queenside castling. In both cases
the position remains very closed.
Playing this way, Black can avoid getting involved in too many complications and he can also
avoid a lot of theoretical lines of both the Semi- and the Main Winawer (although he himself will also
be restricted!).
Black always has the option of playing the typical French advance ...c7-c5. Then, after dxc5 bxc5, a
wonderful pawn centre is created for him: c5/d5.
As we already know, White can continue in two ways:
• Game 51 – 5.Bd2 and
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• Game 52 – 5.Qg4 are typical Semi-Winawer moves (without 5.a3)
• Game 53 – Finally, White can play 5.a3, trying to get into Main Winawer lines.
There is very little theory on these lines!
My System – Games
There are no clear statistics on these lines due to the excessive amount of transpositions leading to
them.
As the following example shows, the proposed set-up almost neutralizes the strategic idea of Bd2
(since ...c7-c5 has not been played, Nb5 is not possible). Black comfortably prepares his alternative
plan with ...b7-b6 and ...Ba6.
Game 51 – 5.Bd2 Ne7!?: deviations versus deviations
Eduard Bakhmatov 2314
Viktor Moskalenko 2480
Minsk 1996 (1)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 b6!?
This flexible ‘blockade system’ allows Black to change his usual course, both in the Semi-Winawer
and in the Winawer main lines.
The main line is, of course, 4...c5 (or 4...Ne7) 5.a3, which will be discussed in the next chapters.
5.Bd2
In comparison with Game 50 above, here this move is too slow. We will examine the well-known
alternatives 5.Qg4 and 5.a3 in Games 52 and 53 below.
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For example, 5.Nf3 blocks the queen’s access to g4, allowing Black to continue his development.
PLAN: Creating a pawn wedge with 5.f4 only helps Black to realize his plans: 5...Ne7 (5...c5!?)
6.Nf3 c5 7.a3 Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 Ba6„.
5...Ne7!? 6.Qg4
Keep in mind the following opening rule: in almost all lines of the Winawer, White needs to
play aggressively on the kingside.
Therefore, natural continuations like 6.Nf3 do not make much sense. For instance, 6...Bxc3!? 7.Bxc3
Ba6 8.Bxa6 Nxa6 9.Qe2 Qc8 10.0-0 c5 11.Rfd1 Nb8 12.a4 Nbc6 13.dxc5 bxc5 14.Qb5 c4 15.Qc5
0-0³ (N vs B) Novichkov-Moskalenko, Moscow 1996.
6...Nf5!
Now the position is equal, but Black has no weaknesses in the ensuing fight with many pieces on the
board.
6...0-0 is probably better here than in the main Winawer! But it is still premature: 7.Nf3!?∞.
7.Nf3
Defending d4.
PLAN: After 7.Bd3, Black forces an ending with 7...h5!? 8.Qf4 g5! 9.Qxg5 Qxg5 10.Bxg5
Nxd4„ Martin Gonzalez-Psakhis, Benasque 1995. Please note that the endgame is basically
problem-free for Black.
490
7...Bxc3!?
The main strategic trick in this line and the main theme of the closed French structures (BxN).
7...Ba6!?.
8.Bxc3
Of course, here White cannot play the Winawer move 8.bxc3?!.
8...Ba6! 9.0-0-0
This is a basic position for our line vs 5.Bd2. White may have done everything correctly, but
miraculously he has no advantage at all! Opposite-side castling could even favour Black.
9...Bxf1 10.Rhxf1 c5!? 11.dxc5 bxc5 12.h4 h5!
After having blockaded the kingside, Black has better attacking prospects on the queenside.
13.Qf4 Nc6 14.b3 a5! 15.Ng5 a4‚
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After only six moves, White’s situation is dramatic. In football terminology, the lone bishop on c3 is
a poor goalkeeper.
16.f3 Qe7 17.Rfe1 Nfd4 18.Rd2 axb3 19.cxb3 f6 20.exf6 gxf6 21.Nh3 e5 0-1
Game 52 – 5.Qg4 Bf8!?: the genie returns to the bottle – a bishop is a long-range piece
In the theoretically important position given above, after the natural move 5.a3 (Game 53) the
bishop’s retreat was probably first used by Petrosian and Kortchnoi in 1957. But in the most
aggressive line with 5.Qg4 the idea had been known much earlier; see Alexander-Alekhine, Margate
1938, in the notes.
It may seem that Black has just wasted two full tempi, but he can claim that Nc3 and a2-a3 are not
very useful moves in the closed structure, and he may just be right...
Alexander Chistiakov
Tigran Petrosian
Moscow 1956
The following old game is a perfect collection of the main ideas in the Winawer line with ...b7b6/...Bf8.
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 b6!?
492
Tigran Vartanovich Petrosian (1929-1984) never
attacked his opponent directly. He liked to attack
from behind the barricades.
Instead of playing the usual break 5...c5, Black prepares
the French bishop sortie ...Ba6, solving one of the most
important (and dogmatic) problems for Black in the French
Defence: the positioning of his light-squared bishop.
5.Qg4
The most aggressive manoeuvre in the French Defence.
The pawn on g7 is under attack.
5...Bf8!
The genie returns to the bottle and the barricades are
reinforced. This was Alekhine’s preferred choice.
In the stem game the choice was 5...g6, the ‘dogmatic’ way
of defending the kingside in old times, ThomasNimzowitsch, Carlsbad 1929.
6.Nf3
Other attempts are more or less equivalent:
PLAN: Although the move 6.Bg5 has its own tactical ideas, it is very popular in practice, also on
the Internet: 6...Qd7!
493
(TRICK: 6...Ne7? runs into 7.Bxe7! Qxe7? 8.Nxd5!, winning a pawn)
7.0-0-0 (7.f4 h6 8.Bh4 h5!?; 7.Bb5 c6 8.Ba4 a5 9.a3 Ba6„).
analysis diagram
The most popular position.
TRICK: 7...h6!? intending 8.Bh4?? g5! winning material, Padevsky-Portisch, Varna ol 1962.
7...Ba6 and now 8.Nh3!? introduces the most flexible manoeuvre (8.Bxa6 is similar: 8...Nxa6 9.Kb1
h6 10.Bc1 Ne7 11.Qe2 Nb4 12.f4 h5! with an equal game, Lopez Martinez-Moskalenko, Mataro
2004/05): 8...Bxf1 9.Rhxf1 Nc6!? 10.f4 Nge7 11.Bxe7 Nxe7 12.Qe2 h5 13.Ng5 Nf5 and Black was
slightly better in Alexander-Alekhine, Margate 1938.
PLAN: 6.f4 – the pawn wedge; 6...Qd7 (6...Nh6!?; 6...c5!? and 6...Ne7!? are typical alternative
moves) 7.Qf3 (7.Nf3 Ba6 with equal chances) 7...Ne7 8.g4 h5! 9.h3 Bb7!? intending 10.Be3
Nbc6 11.Nge2 0-0-0„.
494
analysis diagram
Black plays a King’s Indian set-up horizontally mirrored. 12.Ng3 h4 13.Nh5 Ng8! 14.0-0-0 g6
15.Nf6 Nxf6 16.exf6 Na5 with an excellent game, Sermier-Moskalenko, Sitges 2008.
PLAN: 6.Bb5+ is a typical way of avoiding the exchange of bishops: 6...c6 7.Ba4
analysis diagram
and now 7...a5!? (preventing Nce2 and c2-c3) 8.a3 Ba6 9.Nce2 b5 (9...h5!?) 10.Bb3 Nd7! 11.c3
495
(11.Nf3 b4!) 11...b4 and Black has reasonable counterplay.
PLAN: 6.h4 is the ever-popular advance:
analysis diagram
6...Qd7 (6...h5!?) 7.h5 Ba6 (7...Nc6!? is the Petrosian set-up) 8.Bxa6 Nxa6 9.Qe2 (9.Nge2
(Praggnanandhaa-Maghsoodloo, chess.com blitz 2020) and now 9...Nb4!³) 9...Nb8 10.Nf3 c5
11.dxc5 bxc5∞ Pichot-Maghsoodloo, chess.com blitz 2020.
PLAN: 6.a4 obviously fights against ...Ba6, but weakens the b4-square: 6...Nc6! 7.Bb5 Nge7!?N
496
analysis diagram
8.Bg5 Bd7!= and the ‘pinball’ will soon unpin.
TRICK: And finally, 6.Bd3 is best met by 6...Qd7! (avoiding 6...Ba6?! 7.Nb5!).
6...Qd7!?
If you want to play the Winawer with 4...b6, you should understand what Black really needs to do
here.
6...Ne7 is another possible move-order.
7.a3
In order to play b2-b4.
A) If 7.Bb5 c6!;
B) 7.Bd3 Ba6!.
PLAN: Or else, for instance, 7.a4 Nc6!? (a common alternative is 7...Ba6 8.Nb5 Ne7! 9.c4
Nbc6! 10.Bd2 Bb7! 11.cxd5 Nxd5µ Montell Lorenzo-Moskalenko, Catalunya tt 2006) 8.Bd2
Nge7 9.Be2 Nf5! 10.0-0 h5 11.Qf4 g6!= and the barricades have been built, Tal-Petrosian,
Leningrad ch-URS 1977.
7...Nc6
PLAN: Traiding the bishops with 7...Ba6!? is the main alternative:
497
analysis diagram
8.Bxa6 Nxa6 9.0-0 Ne7 10.Ne2 Nb8 11.Bg5 Nbc6 12.b3 Nf5 13.Ng3 h6! 14.Bd2 g6 (14...0-0-0!?)
15.Qf4 Be7 16.Rfd1 g5ƒ – another Black Jet, seen in Matanovic-Kortchnoi, Uppsala 1956.
8.Be3 Bb7
PLAN: Remarkably, Petrosian never offered to exchange his queen’s bishop. His favourite set-up
was the fianchetto: ...b7-b6, ...Nc6 and ...Bb7, remindful of the King’s Indian Defence
horizontally mirrored.
498
9.Bb5
A useless move. There is nothing to attack here.
9...0-0-0 10.0-0 Nge7 11.b4 f6„
Black is ready for action; 11...h5!?.
12.Rfe1 Nf5 13.Qh3 h5! 14.g3?
TRICK: Not 14.g4? hxg4! 15.Qxh8 Bxb4!–+.
Better was 14.exf6 gxf6 15.Bd3 h4!ƒ.
14...a6 15.Ba4
Or 15.Bd3 Nxe3 and 16...g5!.
15...g5!–+
The Black Jet is jumping from the barricades! Black controls the game.
16.g4 hxg4
16...Nxe3!? 17.Rxe3 f5! also wins.
17.Qxh8 gxf3 18.Qh5
Or else 18.Qxf6 b5 19.Bb3 Ncxd4 with a great advantage.
499
18...b5 19.Nxb5 axb5 20.Bxb5 fxe5 21.Kh1 Qg7 22.Bxc6 Bxc6 23.dxe5 Be7 24.b5 Bb7! 25.Qg4
Rh8 26.Qg1 d4 27.Bd2 g4 28.Bf4 g3! 29.Bxg3 Nxg3+ 0-1
A typical, excellent win by Tigran ‘the Tiger’ Petrosian.
Summary:
The opening ends after 5.Qg4 Bf8. However, the main question for Black is which of the two plans to
choose: the strategic exchange of the queen’s bishop or the strong Petrosian plan ...Nc6/...Bb7. Both
choices offer possibilities of a creative defence, but Black should continue along the lines analysed in
this model game!
Game 53 – 5.a3: how to beat Garry!
Potentially, the set-up with ...b7-b6/...Bf8 offers dynamic play at a quite early stage of the game,
thanks to the fact that all the pieces and pawns (and squares!) remain on the board.
Objectively speaking, starting somewhere around the 6th move and until the end, it is hard to play,
analyse and comment on the position and the game itself. In fact, according to the engine, the two
strongest chess players of the planet at that time were carrying out some kind of nonsense.
Garry Kasparov 2795
Vasily Ivanchuk 2740
Horgen 1995 (6)
‘Barricades always have two sides.’
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 b6 5.a3!?
This is a logical and automatic move to clarify the strategies for both sides. The text move is the main
alternative to 5.Qg4.
500
5...Bf8!?
Vasily Ivanchuk, one of the greatest champions of modern chess, sets his opponents tough tasks in all
types of positions.
5...Bxc3+ remains a popular alternative. It is analysed in The Wonderful Winawer, Game 10.
6.Nf3
A very natural developing move. The following examples from my own practice may also be
instructive:
A) 6.Be3 allows 6...Ne7 7.Bd3 Ba6! Colovic-Moskalenko, Montcada 2003;
B) 6.Bb5+!?, avoiding the exchange of the light-squared bishops: 6...c6!? (6...Bd7 is also possible:
7.Bd3 c5∞ as the bishop is exposed on d3) 7.Ba4.
analysis diagram
The plan is Nce2, c2-c3, and Bc2. 7...Bd7 8.Nce2 c5 9.Bb3 Bb5 10.c3 Nc6 11.Nf3 Nge7 12.0-0
Nf5„ Korneev-Moskalenko, Montcada 2003;
C) The kingside thrust 6.h4 gives Black a free hand in the centre: 6...c5!? 7.Nf3 Ba6 8.Bxa6 Nxa6
9.Qd3 Nc7 10.h5 h6 11.Ne2 Ne7 12.c3 Nc6 13.b4 c4! – and on the queenside!
501
analysis diagram
14.Qe3 a5 15.Rb1 axb4 16.axb4 Nb5 17.Bd2 Ra2 18.0-0 Be7 19.Nh2 Qa8 20.f4 Qa3 21.Nc1 Rxd2!
22.Qxd2 Nxc3–+ Baches Garcia-Moskalenko, Catalunya-ch 2003;
D) Instead, 6.b4 rather plays into Black’s hands: 6...c5!? 7.Nf3 Nc6!? 8.Bd3 c4 9.Bf1 b5!.
analysis diagram
In Nimzowitsch’ ‘system’ style. 10.g3 (10.Nxb5 a5 11.Bg5 Qb6ƒ) 10...a5! 11.Nxb5 axb4–+ Baron
Rodriguez-Moskalenko, Mataro 2004/05.
502
6...Ne7!?
The right manoeuvre, waiting for one more tempo.
PLAN: The strategic 6...Ba6 could be too hasty, but it has its good points: 7.Bxa6 Nxa6
analysis diagram
8.h4 (or, for instance, 8.Ne2!? heading for f4: 8...c5!? 9.c3 Qd7 Gonzalez Perez-Cruz Estrada,
Barcelona 2012) 8...Ne7 9.h5 h6 10.Qd3 Nb8 11.Ne2 c5 12.dxc5 bxc5 13.c4 Nbc6 14.0-0 g5!.
503
analysis diagram
The Black Jet again. 15.hxg6 Nxg6 16.cxd5 Qxd5 17.Qb5 Qd7!„, threatening 18...Ncxe5, BerzinshMoskalenko, Solsona 2003.
PLAN: Here is one of my games on the white side of the board, against the risky advance 6...c5.
analysis diagram
This is an almost unknown move invented by Kortchnoi back in 1976. 7.Bg5! Qd7 (7...Be7 8.h4!?,
threatening 9.Nb5) 8.dxc5!? (White should open up the position as much as possible) 8...bxc5 9.Bb5!
(the white bishops prevent Black from developing comfortably; defending is not easy here) 9...Nc6
10.0-0 (Black’s centre is strong, but he is under-developed, and so White has many tactical chances)
10...a6?! (the unnecessary weakening of the b6-square will cost Black a lot; better was the immediate
10...h6!? 11.Bh4 Nge7∞ Asis Gargatagli-Gonzalez Rodriguez, Barcelona 2012) 11.Ba4 h6?.
504
analysis diagram
PUZZLE: How should White proceed?
12.Nxd5!!+–. I had seen this blow earlier and now the moment had arrived, Moskalenko-Gonzalez
Rodriguez, Montcada 2006.
7.h4
However, we all know that Kasparov will never wait for you!
PUZZLE: 7.Bb5+ is a familiar plan, it could actually transpose to 6.Bb5+ here.
TRICK: 7.b4 c5!? 8.Bg5 (White threatens 9.Nb5) 8...a6!, solving all problems, Tal-Dizdar,
Jurmala 1983.
After the natural 7.Bd3
505
analysis diagram
PLAN: Black can continue pursuing his main idea: 7...Ba6!? and now:
A) 8.0-0 Bxd3 9.cxd3 a5!?N, preventing b2-b4 and planning to block the queenside with ...a5-a4;
B) 8.Nb5 Nc8 (a possible counterplan is 8...Bb7!? and Black pushes ...a7-a6 and ...c7-c5) 9.0-0 Qd7
10.Nc3 Bxd3 11.Qxd3 c5∞ Alekseev-Marin, Jerusalem 2015;
C) 8.Bxa6 Nxa6 9.0-0 (if 9.Qd3?! Nb8!, returning to the most favourable route; 9.Ne2 Nb8!?)
9...Nb8!? (once again, a useful regrouping) 10.Be3 Nd7!? 11.Ne2 c5, starting to play in the centre,
Garcia Rosales-Dopazo Vega, cr 2017.
7...h6!?
This move seems to be useful, since it defends the g5-square.
On the other hand, after 7...h5?! 8.Bg5! White gained the initiative in A.Sokolov-Portisch, Moscow
1990.
8.h5
Some master games saw:
A) 8.Bf4 Ba6 9.Bxa6 Nxa6 10.Qd3 Nb8 11.b4 Nd7 (11...c5!?) 12.0-0∞ Kryvoruchko-Jussupow,
Switzerland tt 2017;
B) 8.b4 c5! 9.Bd3 (9.Nb5 Nec6!; 9.bxc5 bxc5 10.Nb5 Nec6!³) 9...Nec6!? 10.b5? Nxd4³ NegiMarin, Erts La Massana 2012.
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8...a5
Throughout his chess career, Garry Kasparov
suffered several painful defeats with white against
the French.
As usual, Ivanchuk finds his own path instead of choosing
between ...Ba6 or ...Nc6/...Bb7.
8...c5!? 9.Ne2 Ba6!=.
9.Bb5+
A thematic check, avoiding the exchange of the lightsquared bishops.
9...c6 10.Ba4 Nd7 11.Ne2 b5 12.Bb3 c5 13.c3 Nc6 14.0-0
Qc7!? 15.Re1 c4 16.Bc2
507
With a position very similar to the Labyrinths seen in Part One: the Advance Variation with Black’s
...c5-c4. White will have a hard time trying to find an effective plan.
16...Nb6 17.Bf4 Be7 18.Bg3 Rb8
Everything is ready for the ‘barricade’ attack ...b5-b4.
18...b4!?; 18...Ra7!?.
19.Nh2 Qd8?!
Lacking confidence. 19...b4! was a good move.
20.Ng4
Same comment as on Black’s last move. Why not simply 20.f4!?.
20...b4!„
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21.axb4 axb4 22.cxb4?!
After this unfortunate exchange Black gains the initiative on the queenside.
Once again White should have started his attack: 22.f4!?.
22...Nxb4 23.Bb1 Bd7 24.b3?!
This just helps Black to activate his b6-knight.
24...Ra8 25.Rxa8 Qxa8 26.bxc4 Nxc4 27.Nc1?
The manoeuvres of the white knights have not been very successful in this game.
27...Ba4 28.Qe2 Qa7!
Winning the d4-pawn.
29.Ne3 Qxd4 30.Nxc4 dxc4
The extra c-pawn should decide the game quickly.
31.Qf1 0-0 0-1
This was one of Kasparov’s last losses with the white colour.
Conclusion to ‘My System in the Winawer’
The defensive system with 4...b6 and 5...Bf8 allows you to:
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1) either fight dogmas or follow them (and even beat Garry Kasparov!);
2) avoid long theoretical lines;
3) go straight into the middlegame;
4) defend against the dangerous attack with Qg4;
5) spend some time playing purely strategic chess.
What more can we ask for? Oh yes, statistics! However, in these lines there are only attackers,
defenders and, eventually, just ruins, so statistics are simply not relevant.
What you have to keep in mind is: barricades always have two sides!
An epilogue on the ‘Deviations for White and Black’
In fact, there are so many off-beat lines in the French Defence that one could probably write an entire
book on the subject.
However, if you use only the ideas of Chapter 17-19 of this book, you will be able to successfully
play a couple of Winawer lines – even on both sides!
The Sub- and the Main Winawer
‘The Nimzowitsch/Winawer System enjoys great popularity with both colours and shows a high
percentage of decided games’ – Wolfgang Uhlmann.
Wolfgang Uhlmann (1935-2020)
A bit of history
The hero of the ‘French evolution’, the legendary German
grandmaster Wolfgang Uhlmann, has developed and
improved many ideas in the French Defence, often in
accordance with the Patriarch Mikhail Botvinnik’s ideas.
Uhlmann was also one of the best players who defended
the black side in the Winawer System. Uhlmann won many
excellent games against super-grandmasters, and in the
1960s he obtained a favourable score with it against Bobby
Fischer: ½-1½ (facing 7.Nf3). In this book we will
encounter many universal ideas in his games.
However, as we all know, worldwide chess evolution
made a giant step when it went from static to dynamic play
(after all, we are playing 21st-century chess today), and
this change has led to a decline of certain ‘universal’ setups in the French. The dynamic progress on the white side, helped by the computer, also put an end to
the successes of various old Winawer lines. In order to maintain the balance in such a great opening
as the French Defence, black players need to collect older and newer ideas and combine them, as in
fact the author did in his first book The Flexible French – heralding a new French revolution.
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Uhlmann knew the French Defence inside out. In his famous book Winning with the French he
annotated a collection of his own best games. The games are great to play through and there is a lot
that can be learned from them.
Uhlmann’s style was basically aggressive, but he was more than just another Francophile – his deep
understanding of the opening is apparent in both his play and his analysis.
A time of changes
After 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5, the most popular continuation is 4...c5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3.
GM Psakhis: ‘The fate of the entire French Defence largely depends on the assessment of the
resulting position. The beginnings of the coming conflict are visible to the naked eye. Black has
succeeded in weakening his opponent’s queenside pawn structure – though perhaps this assertion is
controversial! – at the considerable cost of exchanging off his dark-squared bishop and thus leaving
his kingside exposed to attack.’
However, Black has plenty of options here, from the old-main set-ups to the recently popular
Poisoned Pawn and Black Queen Blues variations, as well as what is today called the Modern
Winawer – see Chapters 21 and 22.
In this part, we will try to develop the study of some important – and sometimes exciting – opening
plans filed under the names ‘Sub-Winawer’ and ‘Main Winawer’. After an initial period, when the
Winawer was usually encountered with ‘open play’, these variations were especially popular from the
1960s-70s until the early noughties. Therefore, they are over-analysed in the well-known main books,
as, for instance, those by Lev Psakhis and John Watson.
Also, due to the fact that we are in the modern (computer) era now, many deviations, both for
White and for Black, that have been almost forgotten, may experience a comeback as reloaded
weapons!
So my general purpose is certainly not for this part to be encyclopaedic, but it is still ambitious: to
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update and improve the typical ideas in the Winawer System, offering a compact and creative
repertoire for the black player, as well as looking for refutations of suspicious lines here and there.
Directions in the Sub- and the Main Winawer
After 6...Ne7, White has several attacking methods and as many typical Winawer set-ups:
Chapter 20 – The Sub-Winawer
White’s pressure on the kingside always starts with an attack by the queen: Qg4. If White does not
want to play 7.Qg4, he has the following alternatives, examined in this chapter:
A) Classical (i.e. central) development of pieces and slow progress on all parts of the board: 7.Nf3
(Game 54).
B) Preventing Black’s planned manoeuvres ...b7-b6/...Ba6 or ...Bc8-d7-a4 with the ‘anti-dynamic’
advance 7.a4 (Game 55).
The Main Winawer (7.h4 and 7.Qg4)
In this section we examine White’s most dangerous attacking moves: 7.h4 and 7.Qg4.
Chapter 21 – The attacking move h2-h4 in the main-line Winawer: 7.h4 (Games 56 and 57, and h2h4 elsewhere in the Sub- and Main Winawer).
Chapter 22 – The Eingorn Variation: after 7.Qg4 Black defends g7 with the king: 7...Kf8!? (Games
58-63).
Keep in Mind
For any player, White or Black, the most important thing in the Winawer System is to learn how to
combine attacking and defensive methods.
If Black wants to play Botvinnik’s Old Winawer (see The Even More Flexible French) or the
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Poisoned Pawn Variation (see The Wonderful Winawer), I recommend to start with the ‘geometric’
move 6...Qc7!?, in order to avoid the sub-lines 7.a4 and 7.h4, as then 7...cxd4 is tactically interesting.
Also, with the knight still on g8, Black is more flexible and he can consider an advance of the f-pawn.
Many times, when the position is more or less equal but still complex, I will use the symbol ‘=’ at
the end of a line. However, this does not mean that a draw result is guaranteed for either side, at least
not in this book!
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Chapter 20
The Sub-Winawer: the classical 7.Nf3 and the anti-dynamic 7.a4
‘The extreme flexibility of both sides’ strategies has produced fascinating strategic battles over many
years’ – John Watson in his book Play the French.
Directions – 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 Ne7
With the Sub-Winawer I mean lines where White does not play the immediate 7.Qg4 (or 7.h4):
• Game 54 – Classical development with 7.Nf3
• Game 55 – An ‘anti-dynamic’ move: 7.a4.
Personally, as an aficionado of the old Winawer (4...b6 in this book, 6...Qc7, and the ‘Black Queen
Blues Variation’ 6...Qa5 and 7...Qa4 – see The Flexible French), I have played very few games
against White’s Sub-Winawer lines. For this reason, I have selected some well-known old games in
order to highlight the most important concepts. I have also added some new analysis.
Keep in Mind
• The main problem for White in these lines is that after spending one tempo on his development, he
loses almost all his dynamic options!
• Black’s problem is how to achieve active counterplay. A positional solution is Jussupow’s
‘sarcophagus set-up’ with 7...b6!?.
• But other great French players like Botvinnik, Uhlmann and Kortchnoi preferred more universal
defensive methods. They will be studied in this chapter.
• The moves 7.a4 (and 7.h4) still preserve the option of playing Qg4 at a later stage.
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• Against 7.Nf3 or 7.a4, Black can choose the universal set-up 7...Qa5!? 8.Bd2 Nbc6, and now after
9.a4 or 9.Nf3, 9...Bd7. Note that the move-order may vary.
To many Sub-Winawer experts, this is the most important opening position for both lines. Here, after
any move by White’s king’s bishop:
• GM Uhlmann always combined Botvinnik’s strategic blocking move ...c5-c4 with the dynamic
French break ...f7-f6;
• Some modern players, like Yannick Pelletier, use the sharper option of an early ...f7-f6.
• Another set-up is ...Qc7 and ...b7-b6, strengthening the pawn formation a7/b6/c5.
New rules
• Remarkably, in the Sub-Winawer lines I get the impression that White’s bishop is not well placed
on d3; Black can at least win a tempo with ...c5-c4.
• Black’s concept of kingside castling in this chapter can be named the New Winawer!
Workshop – Middlegame themes
In this feature we will highlight some important middlegame resources from the games that are
analysed further on. In this chapter we have the themes of the classical ‘French’ exchange sacrifice
(first and second diagrams) and the ‘Blues Queen’ (third diagram):
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The knight is clearly stronger than the rook; Game 54, after move 28.
Game 55: Black to move.
516
Game 55: How to improve Black’s position?
The Sub-Winawer – Games
Game 54 – Classical development: 7.Nf3
(8073 games = 53.4%) and 7.Bd3 (386 games = 49.9%)
It’s amazing that such a natural developing move as 7.Nf3 deprives White of dynamics for a long
time!
Kiril Georgiev 2660
Artur Jussupow 2645
Las Palmas 1993 (7)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5
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We are in the first position where Black gets to choose his system in the Winawer.
4...Ne7!?
This move-order is also common in main lines, avoiding the Semi-Winawer. However, the most
flexible approach is 4...c5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3. This is another key moment. Here, for instance, Black
can use the Old Winawer weapon 6...Qc7!?. This manoeuvre with the black queen is ‘multigeometric’, since it protects the seventh rank against 7.Qg4 with 7...f5 (see The Flexible French).
Here, the main line is 7...Ne7 (see the next chapters). And after the most conventional move 7.Nf3
Black can use the strategic set-up with 7...b6!? – see the main game.
5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 c5
518
7.Nf3
This natural move allows Black to successfully employ a strategic set-up with ...b7-b6. The wellknown options 7.a4, 7.h4 and 7.Qg4 are considered to be more dynamic and aggressive. For 7.Qg4
Kf8 see Chapter 22. Developing the bishop first with 7.Bd3 is a less valid idea. Black can win a
tempo with 7...Qc7 (or 7...Qa5!? 8.Bd2 c4!? 9.Be2 Qa4 – the ‘Queen Blues’ line) 8.Nf3 b6!? 9.0-0
Ba6=.
7...b6!?
Here is the positional solution: Black aims to exchange the light-squared bishops. This is grandmaster
Artur Jussupow’s main weapon in this line. However, Black has several ‘universal’ alternatives which
are also very helpful against opening moves like a2-a4 and h2-h4. Let’s check these:
WEAPON A: 7...Qa5!? is a good option for players who are familiar with the Black Queen Blues
Variation; see the next games, and also The Flexible French. It is advisable to make this
manoeuvre while the white king’s bishop is still on f1, otherwise White can simply castle.
519
analysis diagram
8.Bd2 (8.Qd2 Nbc6 9.a4 leads to ideas shown in the next game and in line B below: 9...b6!?)
8...Nbc6 (8...c4!? 9.a4 is also similar to the next game) 9.h4 (9.Be2 Qa4!?; 9.a4 Bd7 – see the
universal set-up in the next game) 9...Bd7 10.h5 h6 11.Rh4 c4!? 12.Rg4 Rg8 13.Nh4 0-0-0 and Black
is ready for counterattacking moves like ...f7-f6 or ...g7-g5, Rantanen-Vaganian, Tallinn 1979.
WEAPON B: 7...Bd7!?. Eventually, this move-order was used by Uhlmann and later by
Kortchnoi, with great results. It also transposes to the next game. 8.a4 (the main idea is the
‘blockade’ of the a4-square with the ‘French’ bishop: 8.Bd3?! c4 9.Be2 Ba4!?, restraining the
white bishop on c1) 8...Qa5!
520
analysis diagram
Artur Jussupow has scored a number of memorable
victories with the positional ‘sarcophagus’ system
...b7-b6 against the Sub-Winawer. Its key move
...Kd7 we might call the King Artur!)
9.Qd2 (keeping the option of Bc1-a3; the standard 9.Bd2 is
deeply analysed in the next game) 9...Nbc6 10.Bd3
(10.Be2 f6!?) 10...f6! (this move is more dynamic and
allows for both ways of castling, as Uhlmann comments in
his book on the French; after 10...c4 11.Be2 f6 12.Ba3!
White has some initiative, thanks to his active bishop on
the a3-f8 diagonal, as in the historic game FischerUhlmann, Buenos Aires 1960 (0-1 after 42 moves))
11.exf6 (‘It is very well possible that abandoning the centre
will soon favour Black, since White loses his space
advantage’ – Uhlmann; 11.0-0 fxe5 12.Nxe5 (12.dxe5 0-0
13.Re1 h6!„ Smyslov-Uhlmann, Havana 1964) 12...Nxe5
13.dxe5 0-0 14.c4 Qxd2 15.Bxd2 Bc6= Fischer-Uhlmann,
Stockholm izt 1962) 11...gxf6 12.dxc5 (12.0-0 c4!) 12...e5!
13.Be2 (13.c4 dxc4!) 13...0-0-0 14.0-0 Rhg8!ƒ.
521
analysis diagram
This is one of the desired positions for Black – even in the Sub-Winawer as a whole, TringovVaganian, Vrnjacka Banja 1971.
Summary of Weapons A and B:
Black can combine all ideas from the lines shown and thus fight successfully against the moves
7.Nf3, 7.a4 and 7.h4. Sometimes the plans are the same as in the ‘Queen Blues’ variation (...Qd8-a5a4). For more details, see the following games.
PUZZLE: Finally, 7...Nbc6. This move-order contains less ideas for Black, but it can transpose
into many lines seen in this game and elsewhere in this chapter.
Now we go back to the strategic set-up:
8.Bb5+!?
After ...b7-b6, this check is a typical resource for White, avoiding the exchange of bishops via a6.
Here there are some alternatives, usually with balanced play:
A) 8.a4 Ba6
522
analysis diagram
9.Bxa6 Nxa6 10.0-0 Nb8!?= Geller-Spassky, Sukhumi 1968;
B) White is not well prepared for a serious attack: 8.Ng5 h6 9.Qh5 g6 10.Qh3 Qc7!? worked quite
well in A.Sokolov-Jussupow, Riga m 1986, and Nunn-Hertneck, Munich 1991, but it is too risky and
unclear if Black is going to take the pawn on c2 (10...Kf8!? is the safest, Nunn-Nikolic, Skelleftea
1989);
C) The advance 8.h4 is much more dangerous and more effective on move 7, before Nf3; see the next
chapters. Here, 8...Ba6 9.Bxa6 Nxa6 10.h5 h6 11.Qd3 Nb8 12.dxc5 bxc5 13.c4 Nbc6 14.0-0 0-0 was
equal in Benjamin-Gulko, St John 1988.
TRICK: 8.Rb1?! Ba6! 9.dxc5 Bxf1! 10.cxb6 axb6 (10...Bxg2!?µ) 11.Kxf1 Nd7µ with nice
positional compensation for the pawn. By the way, such a pawn sac would be a good idea in
similar structures in any Winawer line.
8...Bd7 9.Bd3
PLAN: In case of 9.a4 the most solid set-up for Black is 9...Bxb5 10.axb5 Qd7 11.Qe2 c4 12.Rb1
a6 13.bxa6 Rxa6 14.h4 h6 with equality, Kryvoruchko-Minasian, Yerevan 2014.
523
The key position of this strategic set-up. The main idea here is to block the queenside, using the
wonderful ‘French’ bishop and the c-pawn.
9...Ba4
If Black is going to block the position, then his best chance to do this is by closing the ‘sarcophagus’
immediately with 9...c4!?. This is an important strategic decision, avoiding the lines with dxc5!?. This
move-order has become more popular recently – it was also reloaded by Jussupow. For example:
10.Bf1 Ba4!.
analysis diagram
524
This leads to the desired position, with lots of typical games.
10.h4
Now this is more of a waiting move than an attacking idea.
10.0-0 c4!.
10.dxc5 doesn’t seem dangerous for Black: 10...bxc5 11.Ng5?! Qc7!³.
10...h6!?
To prevent Ng5 definitively.
11.h5 c4!
Finally, Black opts for the blocking method.
PLAN: Another model game by Jussupow went 11...Nbc6 12.Rh4 (12.0-0 c4!?; 12.g3 Qc7!?)
12...c4 13.Be2 Kd7!? (the key move by Artur’s king) 14.Be3 Qg8 (14...Nf5!?) 15.Qd2 Qh7
16.Rc1 Kc7 17.Rf4 Raf8 18.Nh4 Nd8!? 19.Bg4 Kb7 20.Rf3 Be8!? 21.Rh3 g5! 22.hxg6 fxg6
23.Nf3 g5!ƒ
525
analysis diagram
and Black was better in A.Sokolov-Jussupow, Riga 1986.
TRICK: 24.Nxg5? Qg8, winning a piece.
12.Be2
PLAN: Sometimes a game finishes without any action. For instance, in Shirov-Jussupow,
Moscow ol 1994, 12.Bf1 Kd7!? 13.g3 Qg8 14.Bf4 Qh7 15.Rc1 Nbc6 16.Bg2 a5 17.Nh2 b5
18.Qd2 Nf5 19.0-0 Nfe7, after the development of both armies had been completed, there was no
way to make progress without moving pawns. A draw was agreed later, on move 28.
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12...Kd7!?
A fashionable set-up, with the idea to activate the queen immediately by means of ...Qd8-g8-h7. But
it is not forced.
WEAPON: Black can simply prepare queenside castling by 12...Nbc6!?. I also like the idea of
manoeuvring with ...Nb8-a6-c7-b5 (as in the main game), because there are more countering
possibilities, e.g. 13.Bf4 Qd7 14.Qd2 0-0-0= etc.
13.Nh4
PLAN: The following high-level game hardly changed the evaluation of the position: 13.Bf4 Qg8
14.Nd2 (preparing g2-g4, but this plan also fails) 14...Qh7 15.Ra2 Na6!? 16.g4 Nc7 17.Rh3 Raf8
18.Re3 Kc8 19.Bg3 Nc6 20.Nf3 Rhg8 21.Kd2 Kb7 22.Qh1 Nb5!.
527
analysis diagram
Black’s position is really wonderful: his minor pieces dominate the queenside and his artillery is well
prepared for breaks with the f-/g-pawns, Bologan-Vitiugov, Dagomys 2010.
13...Qg8 14.Bg4
White can play 14.Be3 Qh7 15.Rc1, but there is no real difference.
14...Qh7 15.Ra2
528
I believe that this strange position is equal. However, at some moment, one of the players may be able
to unbalance the game, using a pawn break, as we have already seen in previous lines.
15...Na6!?
On c7 this knight will be most effective and flexible.
16.Rh3 Nc7 17.Kf1 Raf8 18.Kg1 g5!? 19.Nf3
19.hxg6 fxg6 20.Nf3 Qg7„.
19...Nc6
19...Ne8!? intending to push ...f7-f5.
20.Nh2 f5!? 21.exf6™ 21...Rxf6 22.Re3 Rhf8 23.f3
Probably White’s first inaccuracy.
23...Qf7!
Eyeing the pawn on h5.
24.Bd2
Trying to improve the passive bishop.
24...Ne8! 25.Bh3?
529
The second bad move.
25...Qxh5! 26.Ng4 Rf5!
Preparing an exchange sacrifice.
After simply 26...R6f7!? Black is also better.
27.Nf2
If 27.Ne5+ Rxe5!µ.
27...Qg6!
The rook does not matter, but also after 27...R5f6!? 28.Ng4 R6f7! Black is better.
28.Bxf5 exf5µ
In this kind of positions the knight is clearly stronger than the rook (see for more material on the
properties of pieces my books Revolutionize Your Chess and Training with Moska).
29.Re2 Nf6 30.Qe1 Nh5 31.Ra1 Ng3 32.Re5 Qd6! 33.Nh1 Nxh1 34.Kxh1 Nxe5 35.dxe5 Qe6–+
The presence of opposite-coloured bishops only increases Black’s advantage.
530
36.Be3 Qxe5 37.Qd2 Re8 38.Bf2 f4 39.Rd1 Kd6 40.Re1 Qf5 41.Rxe8 Bxe8 42.Bd4 Ba4 43.Qe1
Kd7! 44.Qb1 h5! 45.Qb4 Bc6 46.Qb1 g4 47.fxg4 hxg4 48.Qe1 Ba4
White resigned.
Summary of the line 7.Nf3:
The defensive system with 7...b6 is flexible for positional players. On the other hand, Black can use
the universal A- and B-Weapons (the moves 7...Qa5!? and 7...Bd7!?) in the fight against all of
White’s Sub-Winawer lines. The study of this game will be useful for a good understanding of the
entire chapter.
Game 55 – The ‘anti-dynamic’ 7.a4
(2611 games = 55.5%)
Of course, this move cannot be the best option for White, but the concept behind it is easy to
understand: White wants to bring his bishop to the a3-f8 diagonal and make sure that Black does not
fix the queenside with ...Qd8-a5-a4 (Queen Blues) or ...Bc8-d7-a4 (sarcophagus). It certainly
prevents all of Black’s strategic counter set-ups, including Jussupow’s plan with 7...b6.
However, many ideas here are similar to those in the line with 7.Nf3. At some point in the opening,
the second player has to choose between closing the centre with ...c5-c4 (the main
Botvinnik/Uhlmann set-up), or going for more dynamic positions with semi-open structures.
For a better understanding of this system – and indeed of the whole Winawer System – I recommend
to the reader to first enjoy this full game by ‘French magister’ Wolfgang Uhlmann, and only then to
return to the study of all the options given in the notes. Leading up to 9.Nf3, I haven’t used the
original move-order from that game because I wanted to show the intermediate possibilities in the
entire line.
531
Laszlo Hazai 2450
Wolfgang Uhlmann 2475
Halle 1981 (4)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 Ne7 7.a4
7...Qa5!
This is a major defensive move with multiple ideas.
Now the strategic set-up with 7...b6 is less interesting: 8.Bb5+!? Bd7 (8...Kf8?! 9.Nh3!?ƒ is
advantageous as well, with the idea Nh3-f4-h5) 9.Bd3 and White has traditionally been thought to
have some advantage. Starting first with the natural move 7...Nbc6 is similar to Uhlmann’s set-up,
but with this move Black misses some important intermediate ideas (see below).
8.Bd2
This move is quite forced for White if he is looking for an advantage.
WEAPON: After 8.Qd2, trying to stick to the idea Ba3, 8...Nbc6!? (8...b6 is less clear due
9.Bb5+!?) 9.Nf3
532
analysis diagram
and now 9...b6!? just leads back to the model strategic set-up (9...Bd7 – see WEAPON B in the
previous game) 10.Bb5 Ba6 11.Rb1 Bxb5 12.axb5 Nd8 13.0-0 a6 with equality in the game ErdogduFirat, Buldan 2014.
8...Nbc6 9.Nf3
This position is still new for us – in this book, I mean. But play is very similar to the A- and B-lines
given in the first game.
WEAPON: The move 9.Qg4 is always interesting, even if White has already spent several
important tempi in the opening: 9...0-0! resembles the Warsaw Variation of the Winawer, e.g.
10.Bd3 (10.Nf3 f6!„ Fischer-Kortchnoi, Herceg Novi blitz 1970) 10...f5 (10...f6!?N; 10...c4
leads to a draw after 11.Bxh7+) 11.exf6 (11.Qg3!? c4 12.Be2 b5„) 11...Rxf6 12.Qh5 Nf5!
13.Nf3 (13.g4? c4!) 13...c4 14.Bxf5 (14.Be2? Nd6!?³) 14...exf5! (14...Rxf5? 15.Ng5 h6 16.h4!‚)
15.0-0 Bd7 and Black has equal chances.
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9...Bd7
An automatic move. Many times this position arises by transposition.
9...c4 was played originally in Smyslov-Botvinnik, Moscow URS-ch 1944. But there is no effective
counterplay for Black.
10.Bb5
The most popular move. However, it is really difficult to understand why. Natural development with
10.Be2!? is the second option for White:
534
analysis diagram
WEAPON: 10...f6!?, Kortchnoi’s dynamic break, is without any doubt an interesting option, but
things are highly unclear after 11.c4!? Qc7 12.cxd5 Nxd5 13.c4 Nde7 14.exf6 gxf6 15.dxc5 and
it is difficult to evaluate this position, which occurred for the first time in Timman-Kortchnoi,
Leeuwarden ch-NED 1976.
analysis diagram
Black has a nice pawn structure and his pieces are solidly placed. Of course, in human play nobody is
safe here! Maybe the black side is even easier to play, for instance, 15...0-0-0 (15...e5!?; 15...Rg8!?)
16.Bc3 e5 17.Qd6 Nf5 18.Qxc7+ Kxc7 was a favourable endgame for Kortchnoi, which was
eventually reflected in the result.
WEAPON: Here the strategic concept 10...c4 is quite logical and solid. With 11.h4 (11.0-0 is
White’s most common choice here: 11...f6!?„; if 11.Ng5 h6 12.Nh3 0-0!?N) there are only two
classical games, but the ideas in them are helpful in the preparation for the next chapter:
535
analysis diagram
11...f6! 12.h5 fxe5 13.h6 gxh6 (13...Rg8!?) 14.Nxe5 Nxe5 15.dxe5 0-0-0 and Black’s position is
strong enough, as in Fischer-Padevsky, Varna ol 1962, and Garcia Martinez-Uhlmann, Havana 1964.
10...c4!?
According to Uhlmann this is the ‘logical reply to the bishop’s trip to b5’.
WEAPON: Of course, there is an alternative where Black does not close the centre: 10...a6!?
11.Be2 (11.Bxc6 Bxc6/Nxc6=) and here I prefer the following most dynamic attempt advocated
by Kortchnoi and Watson: 11...f6!? 12.c4 Qc7 13.cxd5 Nxd5 14.c4 Nde7 15.exf6 gxf6∞.
536
analysis diagram
PUZZLE: The black pawn being on a6 possibly makes a favourable difference for Black, in
comparison to the line 10.Be2 f6.
11.Qc1
11.Bc1 (no games) 11...Nxe5!?; 11.0-0 h6 12.Re1 a6 13.Bxc6 Bxc6 with equality and a later draw in
Anand-Oll, Rome 1990.
11...f6
The main resource. 11...h6!?N seems more balanced.
537
12.exf6
After 12.0-0 fxe5 13.dxe5 (13.Bg5!? Ng6!) 13...0-0! Black’s position looks better.
12...gxf6 13.0-0 Rg8!?
From now on the white king will not have a comfortable life.
14.Re1 Kf7!
A quite revolutionary move for the 1980s!
‘Since the bishop is locked out on b5, there is no danger along the light squares anymore. Therefore,
the king can protect the e6-pawn in this unconventional way. At the same time, it allows the
connection of the rooks and Black can get ready to double them along the g-file’ – Uhlmann.
15.Kf1
Preparing the manoeuvre Bd2-f4.
15...Nf5!?
Without wasting time with ...a7-a6, Black prepares a massive attack on the kingside.
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Bobby Fischer achieved poor results against closed
French lines. In the sub-Winawer he was defeated
½-1½ by Wolfgang Uhlmann.
The result of the opening can be summarized as not
favourable for White.
16.Bf4 h5! 17.h3 Rg6! 18.Qa3
Curiously, White hasn’t got any clear counterplay here –
he is the passive side!
18...h4!
An optimistic advance, preventing g2-g3 and preparing an
exchange sacrifice which is typical in closed structures,
like in the previous game by Jussupow. After 18...Rag8
19.g3 it is not easy to make progress.
19.Nh2 Rag8 20.Ng4
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Black to move!
20...Rxg4!
Here is the point. ‘This subtle strategic exchange sacrifice will have long-term effects. The queen will
be transferred via d8 to g8 in order to help in the attack. The h-pawn threatens to advance at the right
time, aiming to create some penetration squares. White does not have any counterplay since his rooks
and bishop pair lack any targets in the black camp’ – Uhlmann.
21.hxg4 Rxg4 22.Bh2 Qd8!
Black improves his position, using the great skills of the ‘Blues Queen’. Now play is much easier for
him.
23.f3™ 23...Rg6 24.Qc1 Qg8!
Finally Black has enough activated pieces and pawns to start the attack.
25.Qd2 Ng3+ 26.Bxg3 Rxg3‚
540
An extremely dangerous position for White. His major pieces are out of play.
27.Bxc6!
The bishop is also useless on b5, so the best defence is systematic simplification.
27...bxc6
Keeping the bishop on the diagonal d7-h3; instead, 27...Bxc6 28.Qf4!„.
28.Re2 h3! 29.Rb1!
White is still in time to escape.
29...h2
This pawn advance might be too hurried, but in the game the idea worked nicely.
TRICK: 29...Qg6!? 30.Kg1 (30.Rb8!?) 30...Rxf3 31.Rb7?? Rf1+ 32.Kh2 (32.Kxf1 h2–+)
32...hxg2 and Black is winning.
30.Qh6 Rxf3+
A decisive mistake.
541
31.Rf2?
Not 31.gxf3?? Qg1#,; but 31.Ke1!, a defence that was difficult to find. After 31...Qg3+ (31...Rxc3?
32.Qxh2ƒ), 32.Kd2 would have led to a draw after a number of forced moves.
31...Qg6!!
‘This quiet intermediate move is full of venom and can be completely overlooked’ – Uhlmann.
32.Qxg6+ Kxg6 33.Ke2™ 33...Rxc3–+
The RR vs RB§§§ ending is technically won for Black.
34.Kd2 Rg3! 35.Rh1 c3+ 36.Kc1 Rg4!
‘This move finally yields a decisive advantage. The mass of black pawns cannot be stopped any
longer. My bishop is also alive and kicking’ – Uhlmann.
37.Rxh2 Rxd4 38.Rf3 e5! 39.Rxc3 Rxa4 40.Rg3+ Bg4! 41.Rc3 e4 42.Rh8 Ra1+ 43.Kb2 Rg1 44.g3
Bf3! 45.Rd8 Rd1 46.Rxc6 e3 47.Rf8 Be4! 48.Rcxf6+ Kg5 49.R6f7 Kg4! 50.Rf4+ Kh3! 51.Rh4+
Kg2 52.Rhf4 Rd2 0-1
Summary of 7.a4:
After losing his dynamic advantage (White spends one tempo to improve his position, but not for the
attack), Black has enough useful plans. Please check my analysis again and you will discover new
ideas in the comments to the first two games. However, we must remember that Uhlmann’s main setup with ...c5-c4 and ...f7-f6 still agrees with Botvinnik’s original ideas! I hope that the study of this
542
chapter will be useful for you in meeting the flank attack in the next chapter.
Conclusion on the Sub-Winawer
By playing 6...Qc7 Black can try to avoid the lines with 7.a4 and 7.h4, but as we have seen this is not
at all necessary, because in the Winawer System following a solid idea is more important than
winning or losing tempi.
Nowadays, the Sub-Winawer lines are not as popular as 7.Qg4, but they remain an important part
of the system. I hope that after studying these chapter you will be better able to find your way in these
labyrinths.
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Chapter 21
The sharp flank attack 7.h4
Games 56-57 – 7.h4 (2303 games = 59.6%; the best statistics for White!)
‘After losing two important games in the Winawer system (one of them against 7.h4, ShortKortchnoi, Wijk aan Zee 1987), I decided to change and play the Classical system with 3.Nc3 Nf6’ –
Viktor Kortchnoi.
Now we have to deal with a much more dynamic move than the two previous ones – 7.h4 is a typical
modern, aggressive resource against the Winawer System.
Curt Hansen in ChessBase Magazine: ‘If one does not know the opening theory of this line this move
may at first sight be a surprise. However it is in fact quite logical. White has a space advantage on the
king-side and furthermore Black has exchanged his main defender of g7 – the blacksquared bishop.
White’s intention is now to weaken the black squares further with h4-h5-h6 or put g7 under pressure
with h4-h5 and Rh3-Rg3.’
John Watson on ChessPublishing: ‘This advance has always produced tactical and double-edged
play and retained an appeal for those who like to mix it up directly. Kasparov, Morozevich and Short
(very often!) have played it, as well as ambitious players such as Fedorov and Ljubojevic.
• White goes right after the dark squares, intending h5-h6.
• Even if Black plays ...h6, his kingside will be more vulnerable to attack.
• By delaying Nf3, White reserves the possibility of Qg4, and his king’s rook can jump into action
via h4 or h3.
• The downside is that Black gains time for development and attack upon White’s centre, so the first
544
player will often sacrifice the d-pawn to keep things going.
There’s plenty of life left in the variations with h2-h4.’
Directions
This creative option has become popular recently. It allows White to avoid the highly theoretical lines
following 7.Qg4 Qc7 or 7...0-0. White first increases his resources on the kingside. Therefore, when
facing the h2-h4 variation, Black’s opening moves and ideas should be determined by new
considerations!
In the following two games, my purpose will be to open the search in two lines: 7...Qc7!? (Game
56) and 7...Qa5!?, playing as in the Black Queen Blues Variation (Game 57).
Workshop – Middlegame themes
Game 56: Black to move.
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Game 57: Black to move.
7.h4 – Games
Game 56 – Classical defence with the queen: 7...Qc7!?
(691 games = 43.3%; the best statistics for Black!)
This ultra-short queen move is in accordance with a solid defensive set-up, but it is always less
dynamic than the ‘long’ move ...Qa5.
Black temporarily prevents 8.Qg4? (8...cxd4!) and prepares the fundamental ‘sarcophagus’ scheme
...b7-b6 and ...Ba6.
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave 2767
Ian Nepomniachtchi 2774
Yekaterinburg ct 2020 (7)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 Ne7 7.h4!?
546
This move may look strange – why isn’t White developing his pieces? The idea of h2-h4 is to gain
space on the kingside – the area where White is stronger (thanks to the e5-pawn) and where normally
he should play.
7...Qc7!?
A very good option for solid French players. Straightaway 7...b6?! is premature: 8.h5 h6 9.Qg4!.
Black is too passive and he scores badly here; after 9...Kf8 10.a4!? a nice miniature followed:
10...Qc7 11.Rh3! Ba6 12.Rf3 (12.Bb5!?) 12...Kg8 13.Qf4 Nec6 14.Bb5!ƒ Rh7 15.Ne2 Na5? 16.Be8!
1-0 Nepomniachtchi-Shimanov, St Petersburg 2009.
8.h5!?
This attacking screw has become a popular plan recently.
PLAN: The quiet response 8.Nf3 leads us back to old classical lines: 8...b6!?
547
analysis diagram
9.Bb5+ Bd7.
TRICK: 10.Bd3 is by far the main move, e.g. 10...Ba4! 11.h5? (see our Workshop): 11...cxd4!
12.cxd4 Qc3+ 13.Bd2 Qxd3!³ Caruana-So, chess.com blitz 2017.
10.Be2 is rarely played. White avoids allowing ...c5-c4 with tempo, but fails to exert pressure on the
kingside: 10...Ba4 11.0-0 Nd7 12.Be3 h6!? 13.Ra2 Nf5 14.Bf4 Qc6 (14...Nf6! was Nepo’s original
idea) 15.Rb2 a6 with chances for both sides, Alekseenko-Nepomniachtchi, Yekaterinburg ct 2020.
WEAPON: The rook lift 8.Rh3 is too ambitious here. Black has good counterplay ideas:
548
analysis diagram
8...b6 (8...Nbc6!? also scores nicely for Black: 9.h5 h6 10.Qg4 Nf5!„) 9.h5 h6 10.Qg4 Nf5! 11.Bd2
(11.Bd3?! cxd4!) 11...Ba6 12.Bxa6 Nxa6 with a strategic plus for Black, Vocaturo-Sedina, Antalya
2009.
8...h6!?
Obviously, the solid option.
PUZZLE: Rustemov’s sharp line 8...cxd4 is highly unclear: 9.cxd4 Qc3+ 10.Bd2 Qxd4 11.Nf3
Qe4+ 12.Be2 Nf5∞.
549
analysis diagram
By transposition this is also a possible sub-line after 7...Qa5, see the notes to Game 57.
9.Rb1!?
After the present game, this became White’s most popular line in the Winawer in 2020!
PLAN: 9.Nf3 is very similar to the previous 8.Nf3: 9...b6!?. Again, 10.a4 (10.Bb5+ Bd7 11.Bd3
(11.Be2 Ba4! Rowson-Psakhis, Port Erin 1999) 11...c4 (11...Ba4!?) 12.Be2 Ba4=.
550
analysis diagram
This ‘sarcophagus’ set-up is a nice alternative to Jussupow’s ...Kd7/Qd8-g8-h7 manoeuvre)
10...Ba6 11.Bb5+ Bxb5 12.axb5.
analysis diagram
The chances are equal: 12...a5!? (12...0-0!?, intending 13...Rc8, Radovanovic-Drasko, Ulcinj 2014)
13.bxa6 (13.dxc5 bxc5 14.0-0 0-0=) 13...cxd4 (13...0-0!?; 13...Rxa6=) 14.cxd4 Rxa6 15.Rxa6 Nxa6
16.Qd3 Qc4= Böhm-Oberbarnscheidt, Germany tt 2013.
9...b6!?
WEAPON: Another plan is 9...Nbc6!? 10.Qg4 Nf5 11.Bd3 0-0!?N intending 12...f6.
10.Qg4
551
10...Rg8
This is a creative, but rare idea, so it’s worth looking at the alternatives.
In his later online game versus Caruana, Nepomniachtchi played in more dynamic ‘Poisoned Pawn’
style: 10...cxd4 11.Qxg7 Rg8 12.Qxh6 Qxe5+ 13.Ne2 (13.Kd1!? Motylev-Studer, Tallinn 2019)
13...dxc3 14.Qf4 Qxf4 15.Bxf4 with an unbalanced ending, Caruana-Nepomniachtchi, chess24.com
blitz 2020.
WEAPON: 10...Kf8!? – the defence by the king (used in only a few games) has been very
successful in practice, but this set-up is also very similar to the one in the next chapter! 11.Rh3!?
(11.Bd3 cxd4!N 12.cxd4 Ba6 is balanced; 11.Qd1 Ba6 12.Ne2 Nbc6 13.g4 Rc8 14.Rh3 Na5„
H.Rudolf-Cuenca Jimenez, Germany Bundesliga B 2017/18) 11...Ba6 12.Bxa6 (12.Rf3 cxd4
13.Bxa6 Nxa6 14.cxd4 Qxc2 15.Ne2 Kg8∞ Toma-Osmak, Antalya 2019) 12...Nxa6
552
analysis diagram
13.Ne2!? (13.Qe2?! Nb8 Karjakin-Djordjevic, chess.com blitz 2020; 13.Qf4 cxd4 14.Rf3 Nf5!)
13...cxd4 (13...Kg8!?) 14.cxd4 Qxc2 with a sharp position. Black eventually won this blitz game,
Dominguez Perez-So, St Louis 2017.
11.Bb5+!?
A slightly annoying check.
WEAPON: 11.Bd3 can lead to extremely tactical play:
553
analysis diagram
11...cxd4 (11...Ba6!? 12.Bh7 cxd4!) 12.cxd4 Ba6 13.Bh7 Kf8!? 14.Bd2 (14.Bxg8? Qxc2) 14...Rh8„.
11...Kf8!
TRICK: Black is threatening ...c5-c4, trapping the bishop on b5.
11...Bd7?! 12.Bd3!± Bartel-Jaroch, Zgierz 2017.
12.Bd3
554
12...Ba6?!
WEAPON: First 12...cxd4!? 13.cxd4 and now 13...Ba6„ prevents White’s plan in the game and
should be considered.
13.dxc5!ƒ
Black cannot allow the position to be opened.
13...Bxd3 14.cxd3 Nd7!?
14...Qxe5+ 15.Ne2ƒ; 14...bxc5 15.Nf3 Nd7 16.0-0ƒ.
15.d4
15.Ne2!?.
15...bxc5 16.Qd1!?
555
Black has no weaknesses, but the king on f8 combined with the rook on g8 is a real liability.
In a later online game Vachier-Lagrave deviated with 16.Ne2!? Rb8 17.Rxb8+ Qxb8 18.0-0 Qb5!?
(18...c4 19.Rd1!ƒ Vachier-Lagrave-Nepomniachtchi, chess24.com blitz 2020) 19.Ng3 (19.dxc5!?)
19...Qc4„ Degardin-Ivanchuk, Europe Chess 2020.
16...Qa5 17.Bd2 Rb8 18.Ne2
With an ongoing attack.
18...c4
It’s too late for blockade ideas.
The computer suggests 18...Rxb1 19.Qxb1 Qa6!? with some hope of survival.
19.0-0 Rb6
As it turns out, White is going to attack on both flanks. The last chance was 19...Rxb1!?, simplifying.
20.Qc2 Rh8 21.a4 Ke8 22.Rb4 Nc6 23.f4 Ne7 24.Rfb1 f5 25.Rb5 Qa6
556
26.Bc1!+–
The last accurate move, leaving Black no options.
26...Kf7 27.Ba3 Rhb8 28.Bxe7! Kxe7 29.g4! Rxb5 30.axb5 Rxb5 31.gxf5 Rxb1+ 32.Qxb1 exf5
33.Ng3 Qb6 34.Nxf5+ Kf8 35.Qa1
35.Qd1!?.
35...Qe6 36.Ng3 Qg4 37.Kg2 Qxf4 38.Qxa7 Ke7 39.Qa3+ Kd8 40.Qd6 g5 41.hxg6 h5 42.g7 1-0
557
Nepo was the sole leader of the Candidates Tournament 2020 (which had still not been finished while
I was working on this book). His opponent was just one point behind. Perhaps this fact somehow
influenced Black’s play in this game. However, it should be noted that Vachier-Lagrave played the
whole game brilliantly.
Summary of 7.h4 Qc7:
Defending with this classical scheme, you should never lose!
Game 57 – Queen Blues versus the sharp flank attack: 7...Qa5!?
(516 games = 42.1%)
Undoubtedly, the most dynamic play can be found in the modern ‘Black Queen Blues’ lines. We will
also be able to check this argument in the following game, where after ...Qd8-a5-a4 Black has two
options: closing the position with the blockading moves ...h7-h6 and ...c5-c4, or winning the d4pawn, with a sharp open game.
To conclude this chapter, let’s play in pure blues style with WGM Monica Socko.
Keep in Mind
Many lines in this game have also been analysed in my previous book, The Even More Flexible
French. In view of the many transpositions, it is very interesting to study this variation in direct
connection with one of the ‘Black Queen Blues’ lines. See also the next chapter of this book.
Kateryna Lahno 2450
Monika Socko 2479
Baku w 2007 (8)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 Ne7 7.h4 Qa5!?
Black’s ultra-dynamic move in the main Winawer.
Here Uhlmann’s old universal system 7...Nbc6?! is too slow: 424 games = 34.6%; really bad statistics
– be careful!
8.Bd2
558
8...Qa4!?
We are already in the ‘Queen Blues’ line, but the h-pawn is still on h4 (remember the properties of
queen and pawns).
PUZZLE: 8...cxd4 transposes to Rustemov’s line, which we have seen in the previous game.
9.h5
A logical move after the advance h2-h4. After 9.Nf3 we have again a quite different position
compared to the previous game.
559
analysis diagram
9...Nbc6 (once more, attacking d4; an alternative here is the blocking option 9...c4!?, which was not
possible in the previous game) 10.h5 (10.Qb1 c4!?) 10...h6!? (10...cxd4!? 11.cxd4 leads to
Nakamura-Shulman, St Louis 2010, analysed in The Even More Flexible French) 11.Qb1 (11.Rb1
c4!?) 11...c4.
analysis diagram
One of the most popular opening positions in this line. For example, 12.g3 Bd7! 13.Bh3 0-0-0! 14.0-0
560
Rdf8 15.Nh4 g5! – the Black Jet vs h2-h4. The black army is ready to counterattack. See The Flexible
French, comments to Game 67, Sadvakasov-Pogorelov, Moscow 2002.
9...h6!?
With this typical blocking move, Black stabilizes the pawn structure and still keeps three options in
mind: ...Nbc6, ...b7-b6, or ...c5-c4.
10.Rh4!?
The most popular attacking method in recent times.
WEAPON/PUZZLE: An important line is 10.Qg4!?. Now a new rule comes into play: 10...Kf8!.
This defence by the king is the best option.
561
analysis diagram
This position can also arise from the Eingorn Variation (7.Qg4 Kf8 8.h4 Qa5) or the Queen Blues
Variation – see next chapter, Game 60.
10...c4!
Black closes the position, which is still an unexplored option in this position (7 games, +2 for Black).
However, ...c5-c4 is a typical block for the ‘Queen Blues’ variation.
The same line appears after 10...Nbc6 11.Nf3 c4!? etc.
11.Rf4
PLAN: 11.Ne2 Nbc6 12.g4 Bd7 13.Ng3 (Nepomniachtchi-Arizmendi Martinez, Legnica 2013)
and now 13...0-0-0!.
11...Nbc6 12.Nf3 Bd7
562
The critical moment. Compared to Black’s other set-ups, this position is quite stable, but there is still
room for creativity.
13.g4
Allowing Black to comfortably castle queenside.
WEAPON: 13.Nh4!? Nf5!? 14.Nxf5 exf5.
analysis diagram
A wonderful ‘Queen Blues’ game with WGM
563
Monica Socko.
This gives equal chances, as in Khalifman-Shulman,
Khanty-Mansiysk 2005.
PLAN: 13.g3 Rf8 14.Bh3 0-0-0 15.Nh4 Rde8 16.Kf1
Nd8 17.Kg1 Rg8∞ Caruana-Bruno, Perugia 2011.
13...g5!
Shooting off the ‘Black Jet’ immediately.
After many transpositions, we have landed in one of my
games. I prefer 13...Rf8!?∞ Canal Oliveras-Moskalenko,
Barbera del Valles 2009.
14.hxg6 fxg6 15.Rf6 0-0-0
15...g5!?„ was probably a more precise move, with
guaranteed counterplay.
16.g5!? hxg5 17.Nxg5 Rh1
The critical moment.
18.Nxe6?
Taking the ‘French’ pawn on e6 will cost young star Kateryna Lahno dearly.
18.Nf7!? Rg8∞ was more balanced.
564
18...Rdh8?!
TRICK: Instead, 18...Bxe6 19.Rxe6 and now 19...Rdh8! should be winning for Black.
19.Ke2??
The decisive mistake, due to faulty calculation.
White was probably afraid of the tactics after 19.Nc5! Rxf1+ 20.Kxf1 Rh1+ 21.Ke2 Rxd1 22.Kxd1
Qb5, still with some complications, but according to the engine the position is equal.
19...Bxe6 20.Rxe6
Black to move (see the Workshop):
20...Nxd4+!!–+
Harsh punishment.
21.cxd4 Qd7!
The black queen is ready to sing.
22.Rf6 Qg4+ 23.Rf3 Nf5 24.Bf4 Nh4 25.Ke3 Rxf1! 0-1
Summary of h2-h4
Despite all the positive lines for Black presented in this chapter, if one day I face the Winawer with
the white pieces I will doubtlessly go on the attack with 7.h4!
565
Chapter 22
The Eingorn Variation
Games 58-63: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 Ne7 7.Qg4 Kf8!? (1430
games = 50.4% – a positive score!)
‘White has to try and demonstrate (not in words, but with deeds) that the opponent’s voluntary
rejection of castling has a substantial significance’ – Viacheslav Eingorn.
Indeed, in many games after 7...0-0 (the Warsaw Variation) Black gets checkmated very soon, and
not everybody likes the ‘Poisoned Pawn’ gambit after 7...Qc7. The strategic move 7...Kf8!? became
very popular in the late 1980s. It is still not clear how White can get a real advantage, and we can be
satisfied with Black’s results in practical games (see the above statistics).
Grandmaster Eingorn in Yearbook 27 (1992):
• ‘The move 7...Kf8 in the main line of the French Winawer is more or less a successful attempt to
avoid well-known theoretical paths.
• After 8.Nf3 Black usually solves his problem by playing 8...Qa5 9.Bd2 Qa4. The move 8.Qd1
prevents such counterplay, but only at the cost of time.
• In my opinion, the consistent move for White is 8.a4, after which 8...b6 requires accurate defending
on Black’s part. Because of this, 8...Qc7 9.Nf3 cxd4 should be preferred.
• Finally, the attempt at a straightforward attack with 8.h4, followed by Rh3-Rg3, does not seem too
dangerous for Black.
• The number of games in which ‘my move’ 7...Kf8 has been played so far is rather limited, so all
possibilities need further practical tests.’
566
Seasoned Ukrainian grandmaster Vereslav Eingorn
(1956) is an exponent of another generation of
experts in the genuine French. For a long time now
his ‘irregular’ king move (7...Kf8) has been part of
official opening theory.
Practical tests
• Nowadays, 7...Kf8 is the third most popular option
against 7.Qg4 in Black’s repertoire. There are lots of
interesting high-level games with this typical, paradoxical
king move.
• With 7...Kf8, Black is playing a slow positional system
compared to other main Winawer lines.
• According to the common idea of economy in defence,
the king alone is used to defend the g7-weakness. Black
can exploit this economic solution to start a queenside
counterattack, usually along the c-file.
• During the opening stage Black cannot open the game too
much, because the placement of his king is not yet secure
and his rooks are still unconnected.
• In order to make the defence 7...Kf8 more flexible, Black has to use some well-known ideas from
different Winawer set-ups: there are many possible alternatives and transpositions.
Main recommendations
• The best reaction against the move 8.a4 is the ‘geometric manoeuvre’ 8...Qc7! (Game 58).
• After the rare and modern continuation 8.Bd2, Black has to choose the standard positional plan with
8...b6!? (Game 59).
• But in case of 8.h4, 8.Nf3, 8.Bd3 and 8.Qd1, the set-up with ...b7-b6 and ...Ba6 is too slow. Here,
the ‘Blues motif’ 8...Qa5 followed by ...Qa4 becomes an attractive option again (Games 60-63).
In the following six model games (Nos. 58-63), we will see how Eingorn’s system works in modern
times, ensuring that this terrific ‘mysterious’ king move remains of interest.
The Eingorn Variation – Games
Game 58 – Using well-known concepts: 8.a4
(267 games = 53.9%)
This game illustrates the most important options with 8...Qc7!? and 8...b6?!. Although Black emerges
out of the opening in good shape, there are several moments when I think he could have gained some
advantage.
PUZZLE: For those who have made a good study of Chapter 20 with 7.a4...
567
... now understanding and capturing the best ideas will be easier (please compare the two diagrams)!
Alexander Areshchenko 2335
Yuri Drozdovskij 2462
Evpatoria jr 2001
Ukrainian GM Yuri Drozdovskij was a pupil of both Eingorn and the author. This may be one of the
reasons why he plays the French Defence successfully today. 7...Kf8 is his favourite line.
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 Ne7 7.Qg4 Kf8!?
568
The most arcane move in the French!
8.a4
A quite logical and popular continuation, preparing to meet 8...Qa5 by 9.Bd2. Also, with the black
king on f8, the move Ba3 can work more effectively here than in the games of Chapter 20.
8...Qc7!?
Clearly, this short geometric queen move is the most dynamic and appropriate practical option here.
Problem number one for Eingorn (!) was that he always had to defend this line in the old fashion with
8...b6. However this does not work in modern times. Here is an example: 9.Nf3 Ba6 (9...h6 10.Ba3
Qc7 11.Bd3 Ba6 12.0-0 and Black’s position was too passive in Arnason-Eingorn, Reykjavik 1989
and Hellers-Eingorn, Debrecen Ech-tt 1992) 10.Bb5! Bxb5 11.axb5.
569
analysis diagram
Due to the K being on f8, White retains a solid initiative. The main threat is c3-c4.
Summary of 8...b6?: This slow plan was Eingorn’s main weapon for many years, and therefore the
main reason why he twice wrote that ‘White’s 8.a4 is the more consistent continuation’. See his
conclusion at the end of this chapter.
9.Nf3
570
Another key moment.
The queen retreat 9.Qd1!? (which is also possible one move earlier, see Game 61) has gained top
popularity. White seems to be starting a new game!
WEAPON: 9...Kg8!? improves the kingside first: 10.Nf3 b6 (still, 10...h6!? delaying ... b7-b6,
waiting for 11.Bd3 and now 11...b6!?) 11.a5!? bxa5 12.Ba3 cxd4 13.c4! dxc4 14.Bd6° AnkaySchubert, cr 2018.
9...cxd4 10.cxd4 Qc3+ 11.Bd2 Qxd4.
analysis diagram
The main point of 8...Qc7. White gets typical compensation by 12.Nf3 Qe4+ 13.Be2, leading to a
messy game: 13...Nbc6 (13...b6∞ Kanmazalp-Romanov, Benasque 2015) 14.Bc3 Ng6 15.0-0 Nf4
16.Bd3 Nxd3 17.cxd3 Qf5 18.a5! Kg8 19.Qe2 h6 and this position still contains quite a lot of
mysteries. Result: two draws in recent correspondence games.
9...cxd4
Black plays this move almost automatically.
WEAPON: An interesting solution could be 9...h5!?, using motifs from the old Winawer System
with 7...Nf5:
571
analysis diagram
10.Qf4 cxd4 11.Qxd4 (11.Ra3 dxc3 12.Bd3 Kg8 13.0-0 Bd7 14.Qh4 Nbc6 15.Rxc3 Nf5 16.Qf4
Qd8= Feco-Stöckert, cr 2015) 11...Nf5! with excellent counterplay for Black, for instance: 12.Ba3+
(12.Qb4+ Kg8 13.Ba3 Nd7!³ Reppmann-Reschke, cr 1998) 12...Kg8 13.Qc5 Qxc5 14.Bxc5 b6 and
in the arising endgame chances are equal.
10.Qxd4
Forced.
572
10...Nbc6
Now (without ...h7-h5), 10...Nf5 is less attractive.
11.Qc5!?
This is the only way for White to fight for an advantage. However, it leads to a very unclear position!
11.Qe3 Nf5! (11...Kg8!?) 12.Qf4 h6!? preparing ...g7-g5: 13.h4 Nce7 (13...Kg8!?) 14.Ra3 Ng6
15.Qh2 h5= Seidl-Körber, cr 2016.
11...f6
Black tries to get rid of the e5-pawn. The alternatives are to continue with closed combat:
11...Bd7 12.Bd3 b6!?.
WEAPON: 11...Kg8!? 12.Bd3 Ng6 13.Ba3 Bd7, attacking e5: 14.Qd6 (Gongora ReyesNogueiras Santiago, Santa Clara 2005) and now 14...Qxd6! 15.Bxd6 f6.
12.exf6
Opening up the game is a logical concept against the K on f8, but it also improves Black’s central
pawn formation. White has used two blocking ideas versus the Socko family:
A) 12.Bf4 Qa5!? 13.Qa3 Kf7= Jakubowski-B.Socko, Czestochowa 1998;
B) 12.Bb5!? Kf7 (12...Bd7!?) 13.0-0.
analysis diagram
573
Now, an improvement could be 13...b6!? (13...fxe5∞ Lahno-M.Socko, Heraklio 2007; 13...a6∞
Belov-B.Socko, Hastings 2004/05) when White will have to show his cards: 14.Qd6 Qxd6 15.exd6
a6 16.Bd3 Nf5 17.Bxf5 exf5 18.Rd1 Be6 with opposite-coloured bishops and equality.
12...gxf6
Black won five games from this position with four draws, so White has to prove something here.
13.Be2
A) 13.Bh6+?! seems premature: 13...Kf7 14.Bd3 e5!?³ Rodriguez Talavera-Zlotnik, Ceuta 1992;
B) 13.c4 Kf7 14.cxd5 Nxd5 15.Bd3 Zaragatski-Drozdovskij, Peniscola 2002. Here, a clear
improvement is 15...b6! 16.Qc4 Ncb4!?³.
13...e5
The most active option, but with the king in the middle it looks too risky. Interesting is 13...Rg8!? and
then ...Kf8-g7-h8.
14.Nh4
574
Black must be careful in such positions.
14...Be6?!
Improving the king was a better idea: 14...Kg7!?.
15.0-0
I would be very nervous about Black’s king position, but young players are optimists!
15...b6
15...Rg8 16.f4 e4 17.f5! Bf7 18.Bh6+ Ke8 19.a5ƒ, Nijboer-Nikolic, Wijk aan Zee 2005.
16.Qe3 Ng6
575
The rest of this complicated game is full of inexplicable errors.
17.Qf3 Qf7 18.Nf5 h5 19.Nd6 Qg7 20.Bb5 Nce7 21.Bg5 Ng8 22.c4! N6e7 23.Bd2 a6 24.a5 axb5
25.axb6 Rb8 26.cxb5 Qg6 27.Bb4 Kg7 28.Qc3 h4 29.Ra3? h3! 30.g3 Rxb6 31.Ra7 d4 32.Qf3 Rh7
33.Ne4?? Kh8
And White soon resigned, just after the time-control (move 40):
34.Bxe7 Rxe7 35.Rxe7 Nxe7 36.Nxf6 Rb8 37.b6 Bf5 38.Nd5 Nxd5 39.Qxd5 Qe6 40.Qc5 Rxb6
41.Re1 Rb8 42.f4 0-1
Summary:
After 8.a4 Qc7!, in the main line Black can balance the game. However, keep your eye on new
possibilities that arise with the use of the old Knight System set-up: 9...h5!? 10.Qf4 and then
10...cxd4 11.Qxd4 Nf5!.
Game 59 – A strong prophylactic move: 8.Bd2
(330 games = 55.6% – a dangerous weapon!)
Seventeen years later, Eingorn wrote in Yearbook 90 (2009):
‘One of the best replies is considered to be the prophylactic 8.Bd2, which is directed against the
standard manoeuvre ...Qd8-a5-a4 and at the same time does not allow the complications which are
possible after 8.a4 Qc7 9.Nf3 cxd4’ (as in Game 58).
576
In fact, the preventive 8.Bd2 is not so dangerous, but it does render some of Black’s standard methods
less effective. However, in the ‘positional set-up’ with 8...b6!? (97 games = 47%) Black keeps
interesting counterplay in the most challenging lines. In many recent correspondence games this
variation looks to be proving one of Black’s safest options!
Uwe Eschert 2330
Bernhard Körber 2412
cr 2018
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 Ne7 7.Qg4 Kf8 8.Bd2
The modern move in the 1990s.
8...b6!?
This plan was considered ‘almost obligatory’ by Eingorn in Yearbook 90: ‘Black simply has no other
plan. By contrast, in the diagram position White has several active possibilities.’
PUZZLE: 8...Qc7 makes less sense than in the previous game, as after 9.Bd3!?, the most popular
response in view of the threat to the c2-pawn, 9...b6 (what else?) 10.Nh3!? (a typical alternative
for White: Nh3-f4-h5) 10...cxd4!? (avoiding dxc5, Black fixes the centre first) 11.cxd4 Ba6
12.Nf4 Bxd3 13.cxd3...
577
analysis diagram
... if you compare this position with the main game, especially line E) 9.Nh3, then here ...Qc7 is
simply a loss of an important tempo. So obviously White will have better attacking opportunities.
9.Bd3
Black is faring well against the alternatives:
A) 9.Nf3 is traditionally too slow: 9...Ba6 10.dxc5 (10.Bxa6=) 10...Bxf1 11.Kxf1 bxc5 12.h4 h5!
13.Qf4 Ng6 14.Qe3 Nd7„ Anand-So, Leon 2017;
B) 9.dxc5, trying to open the position for the two bishops: 9...bxc5 10.Nf3 c4!?=; now both lightsquared bishops are temporary out of the game! H.Stefansson-Ivanchuk, Leon 2001;
C) The advance 9.a4 is still an option: 9...Ba6 (9...Qc7!? – see Game 58) 10.Bb5. Now, for example,
10...Qc8!? intending 11...Nbc6, Golubev-Drozdovskij, Odessa rapid 2005;
D) 9.h4.
578
analysis diagram
This pawn thrust is always worth considering, with the possible continuation 9...Ba6 (9...h5!? – 0-4
for Black) 10.h5 h6! 11.Bxa6 (11.Ne2 Nbc6 12.Rh3 Karjakin-Efimenko, Kramatorsk 2001)
11...Nxa6 12.Ne2 Rc8 13.Qf3 Nb8!?=, improving the knight, Dworakowska-Kononenko, Varna
2002;
E) 9.Nh3.
analysis diagram
579
A familiar PLAN: Nh3-f4-h5. Also, the path is left open for f2-f4-f5: 9...Ng6!? (an interesting
novelty; the main line 9...Ba6!? is also good for Black; another standard idea is 9...h5!? 10.Qf4
Ba6 11.Ng5 Nf5=) 10.Bd3 Ba6 11.Ng5 Bxd3 12.cxd3= Qd7!? – Black’s queen is well-placed on
d7, and in a sense he has gained a tempo on the 8...Qc7 lines, Rogic-Dizdar, Austria Bundesliga
2015/16.
9...Ba6!?
It’s worth mentioning that:
WEAPON A: The alternative option 9...cxd4!? (avoiding dxc5 and fixing the centre) deserves
consideration in many lines of Eingorn’s Variation: 10.cxd4 Ba6=, four draws in correspondence
games.
WEAPON B: In a line like 9...Kg8!? 10.Nf3 cxd4 11.cxd4 Ba6 12.0-0 Bxd3 13.cxd3 Nbc6
14.Rfc1 Qd7
analysis diagram
followed by ...h7-h6, ...Rc8 etc...
PUZZLE: ... Black’s queen is well-placed on d7, and in a sense he has gained a tempo on the
8...Qc7 lines.
10.dxc5!?
A logical concept: opening the centre against the K on f8.
580
A) 10.Nf3 Bxd3 11.cxd3 cxd4!?„ Bienkowski-Zhdanenia, cr 2012;
B) 10.h4 h5!? 11.Qd1 Bxd3 12.cxd3 Nbc6³ Popov-Shipov, Sochi 2007;
C) 10.Nh3?! Bxd3 11.cxd3 cxd4!? (11...h5!? 12.Qf4 Ng6³) 12.cxd4 Nbc6³, intending ...Nf5,
attacking d4, Yagupov-Piorun, Pardubice 2015.
10...Bxd3
PUZZLE: Also after 10...bxc5 11.Bxa6 Nxa6 Black has gained a tempo compared to the lines
with 7...Qc7.
11.cxd3 bxc5 12.Nf3 Nd7 13.0-0 h6!=
An improvement on 13...Ng6?! Broniek-Zhdanenia, cr 2011.
14.c4 g6!?
Previously, another draw was made by the same player: 14...d4 15.Rab1 Rb8 16.h4 g6 17.h5 Qc7
18.hxg6 Nxg6 19.Nh4 Ndxe5 20.Nxg6+ Nxg6 21.Qh5 Rxb1 22.Bxh6+ Ke7 23.Rxb1 Qe5 24.Qxe5
½-½ Böhnke-Körber, cr 2017.
15.h4 d4 16.Bf4 Rb8 17.Rab1 Nf5 18.Rxb8 Qxb8 19.Nd2 Kg7 20.Rb1 Qa8 21.Qh3 h5 22.Qf3
Qxf3 23.gxf3 Rb8 24.Rxb8 Nxb8 25.Bg5
581
The result is a mutual fortress.
25...Kf8 26.f4 Ke8 27.Ne4 ½-½
Summary of 8.Bd2:
Obviously, the immediate 8...b6!? as a set-up is preferable to 8...Qc7. As Eingorn wrote in Yearbook
90, ‘the development of White’s initiative by h2-h4-h5 or Ng1-h3-f4-h5 also requires an expenditure
of time.’
Game 60 – Kasparov’s weapon: 8.h4
(240 games = 52%)
PUZZLE: This immediate attack is also Kasparov’s main weapon in the Winawer, and he has
made it dangerous for Black (compare the diagram below with the next one).
582
However, we have already discussed this type of attack in Chapter 21 above.
After 8.h4, the defence 8...Qc7?! is not OK. But the game can transpose to ‘Queen Blues’ set-ups by
means of the response 8...Qa5!?.
Valeri Atlas 2435
Lev Psakhis 2605
Geneva 1992 (3)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 Ne7 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 c5 7.Qg4 Kf8!?
Psakhis in CBM 73: ‘Risky, but an interesting move that became very popular in the end of the 80’s.’
8.h4
This time, the best defence is to transpose to the dynamic ‘Blues’ variation:
583
8...Qa5!
During my research, I came up with an original idea against 8...Qc7?!, which helps to understand the
essence of White’s attack: 9.h5!N (other moves do nothing to support the march of the h-pawn, e.g.
9.Rh3 h5!? Smirin-Eingorn, Metz 1991) 9...cxd4 (9...h6 10.Rh3!) 10.h6!‚ and here, even your silicon
friend won’t help you anymore!
9.Bd2 Qa4!?
The black queen sings the blues.
584
10.h5
PUZZLE: Or first 10.Rh3 Nbc6 11.h5 h6! etc., transposing to the main game. To me, Kasparov’s
old plan 10.Qd1 looks quite curious. After the aggressive moves Qg4 and h2-h4, White just plays
a provocative move which could never be called an attacking move! 10...cxd4!? (10...b6!?
intending ...Ba6; or 10...Nbc6 with pressure on d4) 11.cxd4 Qxd4 12.Nf3 Qe4+ 13.Be2∞.
analysis diagram
The ‘Demis Roussos’ of chess, GM Lev Psakhis.
This position was the main challenge in a rapid match
between Kasparov and Nikolic in 1994. White won 2-0,
but I disagree with the result of both games!
10...h6! 11.Rh3!?
This rook manoeuvre is an important resource in White’s
attack. 11.Qd1 b6!?; 11.Kd1? b6! with a dramatic 0-6
score in Black’s favour.
11...Nbc6
Threat: ...Nxe5, ...cxd4 and ...Qxc2.
12.Qf4
585
Psakhis in CBM 107: ‘The future of this variation depends upon the evaluation of this position.’ Let’s
have a look:
12...b6!?
The main continuation.
A) 12...Qxc2?! leads to a favourable position for White after 13.Bd3 followed by Rf3/dxc5;
B) The blockade 12...c4?! is too passive here: 13.Rf3 Nd8 14.Kd1!±.
13.Rf3 Nd8
586
The critical position. Black needs to exchange the bishops.
14.dxc5
Avoiding ...Ba6, but allowing simplification.
WEAPON: 14.c4!? Bb7 (14...Ba6!?) 15.dxc5 dxc4 16.Rb3 (16.Rg3∞ Bd5!?) 16...b5 17.Rb4 Qa6
18.Rb2 Nd5 19.Qg3 Kg8 20.Ne2 Rc8= Jonvik-Kögeler, cr 2018.
14...Qxf4 15.Rxf4 bxc5 16.Be3
WEAPON: 16.c4 Ndc6 17.Nf3 g5!„ Dominguez Perez-Pogorelov, Ubeda 2001.
16...c4=
The arising position looks like a ‘Stonewall’ fortress. Most of the games have ended in draws from
here.
17.Nf3 Ndc6
17...Ke8!? is quite similar: 18.Kd2 Ndc6 19.Rg4 Nf5 20.Bc5 Rb8= Külaots-Sumets, Alushta 2003.
18.Rb1
587
18...g5!?N
After almost 30 years this push still remains the most creative novelty!
PUZZLE: People who play by correspondence don’t understand chess so well, so 18...a5 allows
them to prepare 19...Rb8 and then to build an indestructible fortress: 19.Bc5!? (19.Kd2 Rb8=
Vaclav-Brobakken, cr 2015)
analysis diagram
588
19...Rb8!? (19...Ke8 Tiemann-Oppermann, cr 2015) 20.Rxb8 Nxb8 21.Nd4 Na6 22.Bd6 Bd7
23.Nb3!? Ke8! 24.Nc5 Nxc5 25.Bxc5= Scholz-Körber, cr 2016.
19.hxg6 Nxg6= 20.Rg4 Kg7 21.Nh4 Bd7 22.Nxg6 fxg6 23.Rb7 Rhd8 24.Be2 Rab8 25.Rc7 Rbc8
26.Rb7 Rb8
Draw agreed.
Summary:
The analysis of this game will enlarge your knowledge of Black’s options against 8.h4.
In the opening phase you should never voluntarily open up the game with black – especially not if the
great Garry K provokes you!
Games 61-63 – other options: 8.Qd1, 8.Bd3 and 8.Nf3
Black can apply the ‘Blues’ set-up with 8...Qa5!? in all cases.
For your convenience, here I offer three other important options in three mini-games.
Game 61 – 8.Qd1
(120 games = 60%; these statistics are tricky!)
It’s a true pleasure to present the following two games to you. GM Nikolic is one of the main
authorities of the 7...Kf8 line, and in these games it was severely tested.
Alexander Beliavsky 2635
Predrag Nikolic 2625
Tilburg 1993 (4)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 Ne7 7.Qg4 Kf8!?
Nikolic’s specialty. He has played this move against the strongest opponents, with quite good results.
8.Qd1!?
589
A standard idea in similar positions, to protect the queenside. This looks like a quite modest retreat,
but White is interested in reverting to Sub-Winawer lines now that the black king cannot castle either
side. This move is somewhat comparable with Kasparov’s unusual plan in Game 60.
8...Qa5!?
Probably the best option on move 8 (in Games 60-63).
PUZZLE: In contrast with the other lines, here 8...Qc7 makes sense, since 9.Nf3 b6 10.a4!?
Kg8!? 11.a5∞ transposes to the line 9.Qd1 in Game 58.
WEAPON: The ‘slow’ 8...b6 is now playable too: 9.a4 Ba6 (9...h6!?; 9...Kg8!?) 10.Bxa6
(10.Bb5 h6!?) 10...Nxa6 11.Nf3 h6 12.0-0 Kg8!? 13.Ba3 Rc8„ Llaneza Vega-Drasko, Amantea
2010.
9.Bd2 Qa4!?
590
PUZZLE: This is an interesting position. In the ‘Black Queen Blues’ line, Black usually plays
...b7-b6 instead of ...Ne7, but this does not change the general evaluation.
10.Nf3
Another typical idea, 10.Qb1 Nbc6 11.Nf3 c4!?, would lead to a blocked granite structure.
10...b6!?
PLAN: Again, 10...c4!? is the standard blocking move: 11.g3 h6 12.Nh4 Nbc6 13.Bh3 Ke8 14.00 Kd8 15.Ng2 Kc7 16.Ne3 Bd7 17.f4 g6 18.Ng4 h5 19.Nf6 Ng8„ Edouard-Istratescu, Nancy
2013.
11.Bd3
A) 11.dxc5 bxc5 12.Rb1 Ba6„;
B) The advance 11.c4 leads to Michielsen-Moskalenko, Banyoles 2006, analysed in The Flexible
French and in the Forum Section of Yearbook 93. Black is fine in many ways after, for example,
11...dxc4!?.
11...Ba6
591
Black is already feeling comfortable.
12.dxc5
Or, for instance, 12.0-0 h6 13.Re1 Bxd3! 14.cxd3 Qxd1³ Björnsson-Van Kampen, Reykjavik 2015.
12...bxc5 13.0-0
Or, more recently, 13.h4 Nd7 14.h5 Bxd3 15.cxd3 Qxd1+ 16.Kxd1 h6!?= Saric-Kovalenko, Gjakova
2016.
13...Nd7 14.Re1
14.Rb1 h6!³.
14...Rb8! 15.Rb1 Rb6 16.Be3 h6! 17.Nd2 Bxd3 18.cxd3 Qxd1 19.Rexd1 Nf5µ
592
And White had to work hard to save the endgame:
20.d4 Ke7 21.Kf1 Rc8 22.Ke2 cxd4
22...Ra6!? 23.Ra1 Ra4–+.
23.cxd4 Rc3 24.Ra1 Kd8 25.Rdc1 Rbc6 26.Rxc3 Rxc3 27.g4 Ne7 28.Nb1 Rb3 29.Nd2 Rc3 30.Nb1
Rb3 31.Nd2 Rb2 32.Kd1 Nc6 33.Kc1 Rb5 34.Kc2 Nb6 35.h4 Ra5 36.h5 Ra4 37.Kc3 Na5 38.Nf3
Rc4+ 39.Kd3 Na4 40.Rc1 Nb2+ 41.Ke2 Ke8 42.Ne1 Na4 43.Kd3 Nb2+ ½-½
Game 62 – 8.Bd3
(195 games = 44%)
Judit Polgar 2630
Predrag Nikolic 2625
Hilversum EU-Cup final tt 1993 (3)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 Ne7 7.Qg4 Kf8!? 8.Bd3
This pseudo-active bishop placement is quite wrong in many Winawer lines.
593
Grandmaster Predrag Nikolic played 7...Kf8
against the strongest opponents, with quite good
results.
I have also criticized, and strategically refuted, White’s
move Bd3 in the Advance Variation. Such arguments
confirm my ‘anti-orthodox’ theory that the bishop on c8 is
the most powerful piece in the French!
8...Qa5!
Once again, Black’s most important motif in the Winawer
system.
9.Bd2 Qa4 10.c4
Trying to open up the game.
PUZZLE: 10.Qd1 can still transpose to Game 61.
A) After 10.Kd1?! b6!? White has lost almost all games;
B) Same story with the most popular 10.Ra2 b6!? 11.Nf3 Ba6„.
PUZZLE: A curious computer line is 10.Qh5 c4!?
594
analysis diagram
11.Bxh7 Qe8 12.Qh3 Ng6 13.Bg5 Qd7 14.Nf3 Ke8 15.Bc1 Nf8 16.Ng5 Qe7 17.a4 Kd7 18.Qh5
Nxh7 ½-½ Keuter-Galanov, cr 2014.
10...dxc4 11.dxc5
The main position of the line with 10.c4.
11...Bd7!?
595
Defending the queen with the French bishop.
WEAPON: An equivalent alternative is 11...Nd7!? 12.Ne2 Nxe5! (12...Nxc5 Corrales JimenezBarria Zuniga, Parla 2010) 13.Qd4 Nxd3+ 14.cxd3 f6!?³.
12.Be2?!
White does not worry too much about his pawns. Better was 12.Qxc4 Qxc4 13.Bxc4 Bc6„ and
...Nd7.
12...Bc6!µ
From here on, Nikolic converts in the best technical style.
13.f4 h5 14.Qg3 h4 15.Qg4 Qxc2 16.Rc1 Qf5 17.Kf2 Qxg4 18.Bxg4 Bd5 19.Be2 Nd7 20.Bxc4
Nxc5!–+
596
21.Bxd5 Nd3+ 22.Ke3 Nxc1 23.Be4 Nb3 24.Bb4 Rc8 25.Nf3 Nc5 26.Rd1 Ke8 27.Nd4 Nxe4
28.Kxe4 a6 29.Bxe7 Kxe7 30.Rb1 b5 31.a4 Rc4 0-1
Another wonderful game by Nikolic, which also shows how Black can blow away his opponent from
a seemingly solid position. Later, in 1997 in a game between the same players, White opted for
8.Bd2!?, as in our Game 59.
Game 63 – 8.Nf3
(244 games = 42.5%)
We conclude this chapter with an elegant positional game by the master of the 7...Kf8 variation.
Game 63 – 8.Nf3
Yuri Balashov 2540
Vereslav Eingorn 2450
Minsk 1983
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 Ne7 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 c5 7.Qg4 Kf8 8.Nf3
597
This natural move may not be best.
8...Qa5!
Eingorn follows his own concept (see introduction).
A) As we explained in the introduction and in Game 58, 8...b6?! is too slow: 9.a4! Ba6 10.Bb5!ƒ etc.;
B) The standard bid for counterplay with 8...Qc7 seems a little risky after 9.Bd2 (9.dxc5 Nd7„;
9.Bd3 cxd4„) 9...cxd4 (9...b6!?) 10.cxd4 Qxc2 11.Rc1∞ H.Stefansson-Nikolic, Elista 1998.
9.Bd2 Qa4
598
Compared to the Queen Blues line with 6...Qa5 7.Bd2 Qa4 8.Qg4, there the move 8...Kf8 was met
by 9.Qd1, but this is not possible here.
10.Ra2
Practice has seen five other moves for White:
A) 10.Be2?! b6!, preparing ...Ba6;
B) 10.Bd3 c4!? (grabbing the pawn on c2; 10...h6!?) 11.Be2 Qxc2∞ and here the results are in
Black’s favour;
C) 10.Rc1 Nbc6 (10...b6!?) 11.Be2 b6! was fine for Black in Naiditsch-Drozdovskij, Odessa rapid
2009;
D) 10.h3!?, defending the queen: 10...Qxc2 (10...h6!? is a useful waiting move) 11.Rc1 (11.dxc5
Nd7„) 11...Qg6!? with a balanced game, Khan-Cimicki, cr 2014;
E) 10.c4!?.
analysis diagram
Trying to open up the position as in the previous game: 10...Qxc2 11.dxc5 Nbc6 (11...h6!?) 12.Be2
(or 12.Rc1 Qe4+ 13.Qxe4 dxe4 14.Ng5 Nxe5 15.Nxe4 Bd7 16.Nd6 Bc6= Stanojevic-Tauber, cr
2015) 12...h6!= (it’s better to play this prophylactic move first, and then ...Qe4 will be OK; after
12...Qe4?! the g5-square is available for the white knight, Baklan-Drozdovskij, Alushta 2001) 13.h4
(13.Qh5 Qe4³ Voracek-Boukal, Czechia tt 2011) 13...Qe4 14.Qf4 (14.Qxe4? dxe4µ) 14...Ng6
15.Qe3 Qxe3 16.fxe3 Ngxe5= Sergeev-Schwenteck, cr 2012.
10...b6!=
599
This is the desired position for Black (and so it would have been for Eingorn in his early games).
Only after the queen is activated is this plan helpful. Black has a small but static/strategic advantage,
therefore White is the one who should now consider his future actions.
11.Bd3
Another try is 11.Qf4, intending either Ng5 or dxc5: 11...h6!? (preventing the attack with Ng5)
12.dxc5 Qxf4 13.Bxf4 bxc5³ and Black won the ending without any rush in Ernst-Eingorn, Tallinn
1989.
11...Ba6 12.0-0 Bxd3 13.cxd3 c4! 14.Ng5 h6 15.Qh5 g6 16.Qh4 Nd7 17.dxc4 Qxc4
600
Black is better in this strategic battle, so White started looking for a safe haven...
18.Rb2 Nf5 19.Qh3 Kg7 20.Nf3 Qd3 21.Rd1 Qa6 22.Ra1 Qd3 23.Rd1 Qa6 24.Ra1 Qd3 ½-½
Conclusion by Vereslav Eingorn in Yearbook 90
‘Although the move 7...Kf8 after 7.Qg4 is obviously not to everybody’s taste, Winawer players still
have some room here for further investigation.
Looking at it from White’s point of view, the variation 8.Bd2 poses certain opening problems for
Black but (just as in my old 1993 Survey) I am still of the opinion that 8.a4 is the more consistent
continuation.’
General conclusions on 7...Kf8
I think the theoretical value of this line is that it is a good defensive system for positional players, as
for example grandmasters Nikolic and Eingorn. Rather inactive pieces and certain weaknesses on the
dark squares are the main disadvantages, but Black feels well as long as the game is not opened.
In the long term, Black can seek a safe place for his king: either going to h7 after the move ...h7-h6,
or going to the queenside, or staying in the centre.
Through time, this move looks to be one of Black’s safest options, as is also confirmed by many
recent correspondence games.
An epilogue to Part Four
The Winawer Variation still hides many resources – and it is always possible to revert from old and
rare ideas to modern lines!
To complete your knowledge of this system I recommend to read my previous book The Wonderful
Winawer, New In Chess 2010.
601
Part Five
Five surprise weapons for dynamic players
1.e4 e6
Dedicated to the art of Kung Fu
602
Directions
In this last part, we present a number of surprising but useful ideas in some popular lines of the
French Defence.
Chapter 23: How to break the symmetry in the Exchange Variation (C01):
2.d4 d5 3.exd5 exd5 (Games 64-66)
Chapter 24: The King’s Indian Attack (C00, A08): 2.Qe2, the Barcza
System (Game 67) and 2.d3 (Game 68)
Chapter 25: Kortchnoi’s wedge against the French Super Gambit (C00):
2.Nf3 d5 3.e5 c5 4.b4 (Game 69)
Chapter 26: Taking advantage of the over-developed bishop (C01):
2.d4 d5 3.Bd3 (Game 70)
Chapter 27: A ‘coffeehouse’ counterattack in the Classical French (C11):
2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Be3 h6!? (Games 71 + 72)
Chapter 23
How to break the symmetry in the Exchange Variation
Sometimes French fans complain: ‘By playing 3.exd5, White can balance the position too much and
take away all our winning chances.’ This explanation sounds strange to me – there are still lots of
pieces on the board!
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 exd5
603
From the beginning, old masters like Paul Morphy, Mikhail Chigorin and other players who were
looking to open up the game, used the Exchange Variation against the French Defence. In the 1990s
this variation was a part of Garry Kasparov’s repertoire.
However, the clear truth is that a line like this relieves Black of most of his opening problems. The
game transposes into a symmetrical structure with the e-file as the only open file. It seems as if White
is looking for a quick draw, but if we analyse certain games played by Alekhine, Nimzowitsch,
Botvinnik, Petrosian, Short and other French experts, it is clear that not everyone managed to get the
desired draw. If White wants to fight for an initiative, he can choose the advance c2-c4. However, in
this case the symmetry is broken and the game is far from being balanced or boring!
Black’s set-ups
On a theoretical level, long lines or clear paths do not exist in this variation. Therefore, every French
player will have to invest time doing some analytical work.
In my opinion as a long-time French defender, Black has at least two playable set-ups to face White’s
natural moves:
1) Opening the position after ...Nf6 with ...c7-c5 (Game 64: 4.Bd3 and 4.Qf3), which is quite
ambitious and similar to White’s advance c2-c4 (Game 66)
2) In order to unbalance the game, Black can play ...Nc6/...Bd6/...Ne7 and ...Bg4/Bf5, preparing
queenside castling after ...Qd7 or Qd6 etc. (Game 65).
Both sides can try to bring their queen to the kingside: Qf3/Qh5 or ...Qf6/...Qh4.
How to break the symmetry – Games
Personally, I have an excellent score against the early bishop move 4.Bd3. White refuses to play the
advance c2-c4, but keeps the possibility of Qf3/Qh5. Black can react successfully with either of the
above-mentioned ideas.
In our first example we will examine Black’s counterplay with the advance ...c7-c5.
Game 64 – 4.Bd3
Bernat Martinez Gutierrez 2057
Viktor Moskalenko 2509
Badalona 2001 (1)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 exd5 4.Bd3
Actually the most popular move, but now the dynamic advance c2-c4 is delayed.
Let’s check another move for White:
PLAN: 4.Qf3 Nf6 (4...Nc6!?) 5.Bg5 Be7 6.Bd3 0-0 7.h3 c5 (7...h6!?) with counterplay for
Black:
604
analysis diagram
8.dxc5 Nbd7 9.Nc3 Nxc5 10.Nge2 d4! 11.0-0-0 dxc3!µ Garcia Cano-Moskalenko, Montcada 2004.
4...Nf6
Preparing ...c7-c5.
4...Nc6!? is another critical line, see the next game.
PLAN: The immediate advance 4...c5!? (after 4.Bd3) is also a good idea. Here is a famous game:
5.Nf3 (5.dxc5 Bxc5 with an active isolani; 5.Qe2+ Be7 transposes to a comfortable version of the
Tarrasch system with 6.Qe2+, as the bishop is less active on d3 than on b5) 5...Nc6 (5...c4!? see
Chapter 26, Game 70) 6.Qe2+ Be7 7.dxc5 Nf6 8.h3?! 0-0 9.0-0 Bxc5 10.c3 Re8 11.Qc2 Qd6!–+.
605
analysis diagram
With the nasty threat to move the queen to g3: 12.Nbd2 Qg3! 13.Bf5 Re2 14.Nd4 Nxd4 0-1 TataiKortchnoi, Beer-Sheva 1978.
5.Nf3
White first develops the king’s bishop and knight – the two most used moves in this opening.
5.c3 c5!?.
5...c5!?
606
6.dxc5
PLAN: An important alternative is 6.0-0!? c4! 7.Re1+ Be7 8.Bf1 0-0 9.Bg5!? (9.b3 cxb3 10.axb3
Nc6 11.c3 Bf5„ ½-½ Narciso Dublan-Moskalenko, Catalunya tt 2006) 9...Nc6 10.Ne5 Be6
(10...h6!? Gaponenko-Moskalenko, Montcada 2007) 11.Nc3 Rc8 12.Ne2 h6 13.Bh4 g5!?³
analysis diagram
14.Bg3 Ne4 15.c3 Bf6 16.Nxc6 bxc6 17.f3 Nxg3 18.Nxg3 c5 19.Ne2 Qb6µ Stevic-Vallejo Pons,
Aix-les-Bains 2011.
607
6...Bxc5 7.0-0 0-0 8.c3
TRICK: 8.h3?! Nc6 9.Nbd2 Qd6!.
analysis diagram
Introducing the well-known motif ...Qg3, making use of the pin.
PLAN: 8.Nc3 is probably the most accurate move-order: after 8...Nc6 9.Bg5 Be6 Black’s
position is quite nice, White cannot make real pressure on the isolated pawn, e.g. 10.Qd2 Re8
11.Rad1 h6 12.Bh4 a6= Moskovic-Short, Birmingham 2002.
8...Nc6 9.Bf4
Now the pin with 9.Bg5?! is even worse for White: 9...h6 10.Bh4 g5! 11.Bg3 Ne4ƒ
608
analysis diagram
12.b4 (12.Ne5 Nxg3 13.Nxc6 bxc6 14.hxg3 Qd6!? 15.Kh1 g4!? 16.Nd2 Bxf2! 17.Rxf2 Qxg3–+
Viela-Lysyj, Zürich 2010) 12...Bb6 13.b5 Ne7 14.Be5 Ng6 (14...Bg4µ) 15.Bd4 Bg4 16.Qc2 Bxf3
17.Bxb6 Qd7! 18.gxf3 Qh3 19.Bxe4 Nf4 0-1 Chanoine-Libiszewski, Montpellier 2007.
9...Ne4 10.Nbd2 Re8
An ideal position for a dynamic black player right after the opening.
11.Nb3
609
This typical manoeuvre is too slow here. White wants to control d4, but the knight on e4 now
becomes a powerful piece.
Better was 11.Qc2 Qf6!? 12.Be3 Bxe3 13.fxe3 Qe7 14.Rae1 Bd7„.
11...Bb6 12.Qc2
Or 12.Nfd4 Qf6! 13.Be3 Ne5ƒ Niubo Arenas-Moskalenko, Catalunya tt 2001.
12...Qf6ƒ
13.Bg3 Bf5
13...Bg4µ.
14.Rad1 Rac8 15.Qb1 Bg4! 16.Nbd2 Nxd2 17.Rxd2 Bxf3 18.gxf3 g6
18...h5!.
19.Qd1 h5 20.h4 d4 21.cxd4 Nxd4
21...Ba5!?–+.
22.Be4 Nf5 23.Bxf5 Qxf5 24.Qb3?
This allows an effective finish to the game.
If 24.Kg2 Red8ƒ.
610
PUZZLE: Black to move.
24...Qh3! 25.f4 Re3! 0-1
Summary:
Against the early bishop move 4.Bd3 (or also against 4.Qf3), the counter-plan with ...Nf6 and ...c7-c5
is an attempt for Black to unbalance the position and play for more than equality. Against both 4.Bd3
and 4.Nf3, Black has a more solid idea in 4...Nc6 (the next game is an update of the one in my earlier
book The Flexible French).
The kung fu fight
The symmetry that occurs after 2.exd5 exd5 does not guarantee White a quiet life, but only if you
learn to play in ‘kung fu’ fashion with black. After 4.Nf3, it is possible to immediately break the
symmetry with 4...Nc6!?, unbalancing the game. This move promises Black rich piece play.
Game 65 – 4.Nf3
Fernando Braga 2444
Viktor Moskalenko 2509
Barbera 2001 (7)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 exd5 4.Nf3
Obviously, this move is more flexible.
PLAN: Quiet development does not offer White much: 4.Bd3 Nc6!? 5.c3 (5.Nf3 – main game)
5...Bd6 6.Qf3 Nce7!? 7.Bf4 Nf6 8.h3 Bxf4! 9.Qxf4 0-0 10.Ne2 Ng6 11.Qh2 Re8 12.0-0.
611
analysis diagram
PUZZLE: Black to move.
12...Bf5! 13.Bxf5 Rxe2µ Kovacs-Kortchnoi, Sarajevo 1969.
4...Nc6!?
This symmetrical ‘kung fu’ pose of the knight allows Black to unbalance the game.
Certain experts like the pinning move 4...Bg4, looking for a way to immediately complicate the
position: 5.h3 Bh5 6.Qe2+!? Qe7 7.Be3 Nc6 8.Nc3 0-0-0 9.g4 Bg6 10.0-0-0². However, I prefer to
follow the classic rule: first develop the knights (in our case 4...Nf6 or 4...Nc6) and then the bishops.
5.Bd3
5.c4 transposes to Game 66.
WEAPON: Here, the counter-pin 5.Bb5!? may lead to a Ruy Lopez hybrid:
612
analysis diagram
5...Bd6 (5...Nge7!?) 6.c4 is slightly annoying for Black (few winning chances): 6...dxc4 7.d5 a6
8.Ba4 b5 9.dxc6 bxa4 10.0-0 Ne7 11.Nbd2 (11.Qxa4 Rb8!?) 11...Be6 12.Qxa4 c3!?„.
5...Bd6!
A curious option is 5...Nb4!? 6.Bb5+ c6 7.Be2 Bf5 8.Na3 Na6!?.
analysis diagram
613
TRICK: 9.Bxa6? (9.0-0 Nc7= Hammer-Riazantsev, Palma de Mallorca 2017) 9...Qa5+! 10.c3
Qxa6µ.
6.c3
Here is a more recent game of mine: 6.0-0 Nge7 7.Re1 Bg4 8.c3 Qd7 9.Nbd2 Bf5!? (9...0-0=)
10.Bxf5 Qxf5 11.c4 dxc4 12.Nxc4 0-0-0!?.
analysis diagram
White is passive with an isolated pawn, Rojas-Moskalenko, Sitges 2008.
6...Nge7!
Preparing either the strategic exchange with ...Bf5, or an aggressive plan with ...Bg4/...Qd7 followed
by queenside castling.
7.Qc2 Bg4! 8.Nbd2 Qd7 9.0-0 Bf5!=
614
Black has solved his opening problems. However, the middlegame, and even the endgame, still offers
rich play.
10.Re1 Bxd3 11.Qxd3 0-0-0!?
The most aggressive continuation.
11...0-0 is equal.
12.b4
This advance is logical against Black’s queenside castling, but it weakens White’s pawn structure,
which I exploited in this game.
12...Qf5!?
By proposing the exchange of queens, Black goes to a favourable ending.
13.Qxf5+
13.Qe2 Ng6„ Gorol-Tomaszewska, Chotowa 2009.
13...Nxf5 14.Nb3 Rde8 15.Bd2 f6!³
615
A very useful move in this structure, since it cuts off some options for White’s king’s knight and
dark-squared bishop.
16.b5 Nd8 17.Kf1 h5!
Preventing White’s g2-g4 advance.
18.h4
If 18.Rxe8 Rxe8 19.Re1 Ne6 with a stable plus.
18...Re4!? 19.a4 Rhe8 20.g3 b6!? 21.Rec1
Obviously, White has no clear plan, so it’s easy to make a mistake.
21...Nf7! 22.c4?
This advance only worsens White’s position many times over. But most likely my opponent was
already disappointed.
22...dxc4 23.Rxc4
616
PUZZLE: Black to move.
23...g5!?ƒ
TRICK: There was a tactical win: 23...Bxg3! 24.fxg3 Re3!.
24.hxg5 fxg5 25.Bxg5
25.Nxg5 Nxg5 26.Bxg5 Rf8!–+.
617
25...Nxg3+!–+
An endgame tactic is no less attractive!
PUZZLE: A question for the reader: what square did this knight come from, g8 or b8?
26.fxg3 Nxg5 27.Rc3
After 27.Nxg5 Rf8+ 28.Kg2 Re3 Black should win.
27...Rf8 28.Kf2 Rg4 29.Nbd2 Rxd4
29...Bb4! won immediately.
30.Kg2 Nxf3 31.Nxf3 Rg4 32.Nh2 Rb4 33.Ra2 Rg8 34.Kh3 Re4 35.Rd3 Kd7 36.Nf1 h4! 37.gxh4
Rh8 38.Kg2 Rexh4 39.a5?T 39...Rh2+! 0-1
Summary Games 64 and 65:
In spite of everything, the move-order with 4.Nf3 does not change much in the lines where White
does not play c2-c4.
It’s still not too late for White to revert to aggressive mode with 4/5.c4. Indeed, this is a typical idea
for both sides in the Exchange Variation! There are three options for the black king’s bishop: ...Bb4,
...Be7 or in some lines even ...Bd6. See the next game.
Game 66 – 4.Nf3
Boris Spassky 2551
Viktor Kortchnoi 2643
Zürich 2001 (3)
In the previous century there were many games with the French Defence between these two players.
But this was the first time that Spassky played the Exchange Variation. Maybe it was a special
surprise for Viktor’s birthday. However, Kortchnoi shows the best way to play for Black.
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 exd5 4.Nf3
4.c4 Bb4+!? transposes.
4...Nf6
A waiting move: if 5.Bd3 c5!?.
WEAPON: A similar set-up starts with 4...Nc6. In the main game Black does without this move.
618
analysis diagram
5.c4 Nf6 6.Bd3?! (6.Nc3 Bg4!?; 6.c5 a6!?) 6...Bg4! 7.Be3 Bb4+ 8.Nc3 Bxf3!? 9.Qxf3 dxc4 10.Bxc4
Nxd4³ and White has no good answer.
PUZZLE: Another possible move-order is 4...Bd6!? 5.c4 Nf6 6.Nc3 dxc4 7.Bxc4.
analysis diagram
The same position can arise from the Queen’s Gambit Accepted. 7...0-0 8.0-0 Nc6 9.h3 (9.Re1!?)
619
9...h6 10.Qc2 (10.Re1 Re8! Moskalenko-Navara, Catalunya tt 2011) 10...Na5 (10...Nb4!?) 11.Bd3
Be6 12.Ne5 (12.Re1 Nc6!?) 12...c5!= I.Rajlich-Kosic, Budapest 2007 and I.Sokolov-Kosic,
Kragujevac 2009.
5.c4!?
This is the modern and dynamic set-up for White in the Exchange Variation.
5...Bb4+!?
This looks like the most logical move, winning several tempi. However, Black has to quickly take
profit from this, as on b4 the bishop may become useless.
The solid set-up with 5...Be7 is the safest way to develop the king’s bishop, but it also provides less
winning chances (see the classical game Velimirovic-Uhlmann in The Flexible French).
6.Nc3
Obviously, 6.Bd2?! is too passive: 6...Bxd2+ 7.Qxd2 0-0³ Alvarez Diaz-Moskalenko, El Sauzal rapid
2003.
6...0-0
620
7.Be2
7.Bg5 Re8+ 8.Be2 dxc4 9.0-0 Be6 10.d5 Bg4 11.Bxc4 Nbd7³ Phadke-Garma, Manila 2010.
WEAPON: 7.a3 is an attempt to get rid of the tension at the cost of a move: 7...Re8+! 8.Be3
(8.Be2 Bxc3+ 9.bxc3 Ne4ƒ) 8...Bxc3+ 9.bxc3 Ng4!? 10.Qd2 Nd7!? with the strategic idea
11.Bd3 (11.cxd5?! Ndf6!ƒ Sandor-Staller, Werfen 1993) 11...dxc4 12.Bxc4 Nb6 13.Ba2 Be6!
and Black is slightly better.
7...dxc4
Also interesting is 7...Be6!? 8.cxd5 Nxd5 9.Bd2 Nc6 10.0-0 Ba5 with mutual chances.
8.Bxc4
8.0-0 Be6!?.
621
8...Re8+
Preparing ...Be6.
WEAPON: 8...Nc6!? is a bit more aggressive, with positive results for Black, for example: 9.0-0
Bg4 10.Be3 Qd6!?„ Sander-Carlsen, Bergen 2002.
9.Be3 Be6!
Simplifications vs the isolated pawn.
622
10.Bxe6 Rxe6 11.0-0 Nbd7 12.Qb3 a5! 13.d5
13.Ng5 Re7= Rodriguez Martin-Laurent, Belgium tt 2007.
TRICK: 13.a3 Bxc3 14.bxc3 a4!= (Boricsev-Kaczmarczyk, Hungary tt 2018) with the idea
15.Qxb7?? Rb6!, trapping the white queen.
13...Re8=
After some fairly accurate play the position is balanced, so this time both players are happy.
14.Rfd1 Bd6
14...Ne5!? 15.Nxe5 Rxe5= is even easier, Demidov-Kiriakov, Sochi 2015.
15.Nb5 Nc5 16.Qc2 b6 17.Rac1 Qd7 18.Nxd6 cxd6 19.a3 a4 20.h3 Rac8 21.Qe2 Qf5 22.Nd4 Qg6
23.Qf3 Nfd7 24.Qf5 Ne5 25.Qxg6 hxg6 26.Nb5 Rcd8 27.Rc2 ½-½
Summary of c2-c4:
The arising positions are quite similar to those in the Queen’s Gambit Accepted (sometimes with an
extra tempo for Black), and there is not more than equality for White in almost all the natural lines.
Conclusion about the Exchange Variation:
The symmetry that arises after 2.exd5 exd5 never guarantees White a quiet life. As the legendary
Bobby Fischer used to say: ‘In symmetrical positions the player who makes the first mistake loses the
game.’ If this is the case, we just have to wait!
Nowadays the Exchange Variation is hardly played at the highest level and it is easy to understand
623
why: in these structures, the possibilities during the opening are equivalent for both sides.
If White plays for a draw in solid mode, i.e. without the advance c2-c4, Black can try either of the
two basic ideas offered in this chapter:
1) ...Nf6 and ...c7-c5;
2) the plan ...Nc6 and trying to castle queenside.
If White plays the modern advance 4/5.c4 (as in Game 66) the game becames a bit sharper (for both
sides!) and promises rich piece play. Of course, this factor is not a real threat to the French Defence in
itself.
Statistics
My personal statistics with black against the Exchange Variation: 16 wins, 16 draws, 4 losses.
624
Chapter 24
The King’s Indian Attack
1.e4 e6 2.d3 or 2./3.Qe2
2.Qe2
PLAN: In KIA set-ups, White’s plan is based on an attack on the kingside, but he needs to close
the centre first.
625
Black’s main strategy is to create quick counterplay by increasing the pressure on the white centre,
combined with an advance of the queenside pawns.
In spite of the fact that the computer engine evaluates these positions as equal, in practice Black often
remains without counterplay, while White gradually seizes the initiative. When looking at the games,
it quickly becomes apparent that Black needs clearer ideas right in the early opening stage.
This chapter presents you with several fighting possibilities for Black in two main lines:
The Barcza System (Game 67)
PUZZLE: In the Barcza System with 2/3.Qe2, the b1-knight is usually developed more actively,
to c3 or a3. Such a flexible set-up is quite popular against the French Defence (and also in the
Closed Sicilian Defence with ...c7-c5/...e7-e6).
• Black can try the early advance ...b7-b5, which seems to completely discourage White’s typical
attack with e4-e5 and c2-c4.
• Black can just take a chance with the gambit 9...b5!?.
The KIA vs the French (Game 68)
In the main line with 2.d3 d5 3.Nd2, where play develops slowly, Black first pushes his a-pawn:
3...Nf6 4.Ngf3 a5 5.g3 a4 6.a3 Be7 7.Bg2 0-0 8.0-0
... and then introduces 8...Nc6!? (instead of the common 8...c5!?), an original concept that leads to
very sharp and interesting play.
PUZZLE: Curiously, the same position can arise from different openings: the French KIA (C00)
and the Réti Opening (A07), the Capablanca and New York systems.
The King’s Indian Attack –Games
626
Game 67 – 3.Qe2
Dmitry Svetushkin 2597
Andrey Zhigalko 2582
Eilat tt 2012 (5)
1.e4 e6
PUZZLE: In this game the move-order in the opening was 1...c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d3 Nc6 4.g3 d5
5.Qe2, a transposition from the Sicilian Defence.
2.d3
PUZZLE: 2.Qe2 c5!? (2...Be7!?) 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 Be7 5.Bg2 d5 6.d3 Nf6 also leads to the main
game.
2...d5 3.Qe2
This is known as the Barcza System.
3...Nf6 4.Nf3 Be7 5.g3 c5
The common plan consists in bringing the king to a safe place first and then trying to get some
activity. However, there is an interesting intermediate option:
WEAPON: 5...b5!?. Such a curious move-order actually helps to prevent White’s standard attack
with e4-e5 and then c2-c4.
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analysis diagram
6.e5 (if 6.Bg2, 6...c5!? most likely transposes to the lines given below) 6...Nfd7 7.h4 (a typical KIA
advance which also helps to develop the queen’s bishop: Bf4, or even Bg5; now the main blocking
resource 7.c4?! does not work due to 7...bxc4 8.dxc4 Nb6!?µ) 7...c5 (or first 7...h6!?) 8.Bg2 (8.Bh3
was played by an expert of the KIA: 8...Nc6 9.0-0 h6!³ Amin-Meier, Germany Bundesliga 2018/19)
8...h6!.
analysis diagram
628
White is in a kind of zugzwang: 9.Bf4 (if 9.0-0 Nc6 10.Bf4? g5!µ) 9...Nc6 10.Nbd2 a5!?³; here
Black is already more comfortable and has many interesting options to test.
6.Bg2 Nc6
6...b5!? is still possible, see the above WEAPON.
7.0-0
At this point, 7.e5?! is premature: after 7...Nd7 8.c4, Black’s simplest reply is 8...0-0!? 9.Nc3?! (9.00 b5!? – main game; 9.h4 b5!N) 9...dxc4 10.dxc4 Nd4!ƒ and Black is fine.
7...0-0!
Any wrong idea, e.g. 7...b6?!, allows White to achieve his desired play in the Barcza System: 8.e5!
Nd7 9.c4ƒ.
8.e5!?
In accordance with the main concept: closing the centre. Otherwise Black will quickly advance his
queenside pawns: 8.Re1 b5! (Black’s main resource to get active counterplay) 9.e5 Nd7 10.h4 a5!„
Belezky-Moskalenko, Badalona 2005.
8...Nd7 9.c4
With the idea of bringing the knight into the game via c3.
The key moment. Black must find some chances quickly.
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9...b5!?
A very interesting gambit (total 42 games), developed in blitz practice by Ukrainian GM Anton
Korobov.
WEAPON: Also good is 9...a6!?, slowly preparing ...b7-b5: 10.h4 (10.Nc3 Nd4!) 10...b5„ – the
only downside is that the c8-bishop cannot use the a6-square.
9...d4?! would be a strategic mistake, since the blocked centre offers Black no counterplay: 10.h4!?.
10.cxb5
Rejecting the gambit with 10.Na3?! allows the annoying pin 10...bxc4 11.dxc4 Ba6µ Amin-Mareco,
Sharjah 2018.
WEAPON: 10.cxd5 exd5 11.Nc3 (11.e6?! Nb6³) 11...Nb6 12.Nxb5 a6! 13.Nc3 (13.Na3 Bg4!?
° Maiwald-Keymer, Germany Bundesliga 2017/18) 13...Bg4!? 14.h3 Nd4 15.Qd1 Nxf3+
16.Bxf3 Bxh3= Bokros-Banusz, Zalakaros 2014.
10...Na5!°
The critical position of the gambit. The plan is very easy here, and it resembles the Volga/Benko
Gambit.
11.Nc3
A) The stem game went 11.d4 a6! 12.dxc5 Bxc5 13.Nc3?! axb5³ Paragua-Korobov, Beijing blitz
2008;
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B) The attacking push 11.h4 is now just a waste of time: 11...a6! 12.bxa6 Bxa6³ Bologan-Korobov,
Warsaw blitz 2011;
C) 11.Qc2 a6 12.a4 Bb7 (12...c4!?) 13.Na3 (13.Bd2 c4! Ramiro Ovejero-Cifuentes Parada, Monzon
2017) 13...Qb8 14.Bf4 h6 15.h4 Rc8° Schatz-Galjé, cr 2014;
D) 11.Nfd2 a6 12.a4 Nb6!? 13.b3 axb5 14.axb5 Nc6! 15.Rxa8 Nd4 16.Qg4 Nxa8.
analysis diagram
Ukrainian GM Anton Korobov introduced the best
blitz novelty against the Barcza System.
White suffers with his four weak pawns, Oratovsky-Santos
Latasa, San Sebastian 2016.
11...a6!
Providing active counterplay in the centre and on the
queenside.
12.Bf4
12.bxa6 Bxa6 13.b3 Nc6° Adla-Forcen Esteban, Aragon
2015.
12...axb5 13.Nxb5 Ba6 14.Nc3 Nc6!
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15.Rfd1?
A natural-looking move which actually leads to a quick loss.
Appropriate was 15.h4 Qb6 (15...h6!?; 15...Nd4!?° Hasangatin-Sapunov, Tula 2002) 16.Rfd1 (16.b3
was seen in Artemiev-Pichot, Moscow 2018. Now, 16...h6!?) 16...Nd4!? 17.Qd2 Rfb8 18.Rdb1 ½-½
Bachmann-Stripunsky, Philadelphia 2017. Black could have continued the game, for example with
18...Qb4!?°.
15...g5!ƒ
White has allowed the Black Jet!
15...Nd4!?.
16.Bc1 g4! 17.Ne1 Ndxe5µ
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After winning the key pawn on e5, Black dominates.
18.Bh6 Re8 19.f4 gxf3 20.Nxf3 Bf6 21.Nxe5 Nxe5 22.Bf4 Ng6 23.Bh6 Rb8 24.Rac1 Qa5 25.Qc2
Ne5 26.h3
PUZZLE: Black to move.
26...Bxd3!–+ 27.Rxd3 Rxb2! 28.Qd1 Nxd3 29.Qxd3 Qb4 30.Kh1 Qd4 31.Qa6 Qf2 0-1
A game full of tactics, odd and beautiful, mixing bits of everything.
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Game 68 – 2.d3 d5 3.Nd2
Hikaru Nakamura 2746
Pentala Harikrishna 2729
Kolkata rapid 2018 (3)
1.e4
PUZZLE: The Réti Opening 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 e6 4.0-0 Be7 5.d3 0-0 6.Nbd2 a5!? 7.e4
a4 8.a3 leads to the same position on move 8.
1.e4 e6 2.d3 d5 3.Nd2 Nf6 4.Ngf3
4...a5!?
The black pawn rushes to attack.
The old main line is 4...Be7 5.g3 c5 6.Bg2 Nc6 7.0-0 0-0 8.Re1 b5 with extremely complicated play.
5.g3
PLAN: 5.c3 a4 6.g3 (6.Be2 c5= Murzin-Morozevich, Tula 2019) 6...c5 7.Bg2 Nc6 8.0-0 Be7
9.Re1 0-0 10.e5 Nd7 11.Nf1 b5ƒ Shorokhov-Rustemov, Moscow 2002.
5...a4 6.a3
PLAN: 6.Bg2 a3 (6...c5!?; 6...Nc6!?) 7.0-0 axb2 (7...dxe4 8.dxe4 axb2 9.Bxb2 Ba3=) 8.Bxb2
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Be7 9.Qe2 0-0= Antipov-Morozevich, Moscow rapid 2015.
6...Be7
6...dxe4 7.dxe4 Bc5 8.Bg2 Nc6 9.0-0 e5„.
7.Bg2 0-0 8.0-0 Nc6!?
A completely different idea.
WEAPON: 8...c5!? might be followed by the usual schemes,
analysis diagram
GM Pentala Harikrishna.
but here Black can already play against e5: 9.Re1 Nc6 10.e5 Nd7 11.Nf1 f6!? (11...b5 12.h4∞)
12.exf6 Nxf6 13.c3 (13.Bf4 Bd6= Amin-Aronian, St Petersburg 2018) 13...Bd6= Carlsen-Aronian,
lichess.org blitz 2020.
9.e5
Otherwise Black exchanges on e4 and plays ...e6-e5.
For instance, 9.Re1 dxe4 10.dxe4 e5! 11.c3?! Bc5ƒ Nakamura-Bacrot, chess.com blitz 2020.
9...Nd7 10.Re1 f6!„
Black is going to capture on f6 with the bishop and play ...e6-e5 next.
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The King’s Indian Attack is refuted!
11.exf6
After 11.d4 White gets a worse position, e.g. 11...fxe5 12.dxe5 Nb6 (12...Nc5!?) 13.Qe2 Bd7 14.h4
Be8!?µ Rakhmangulova-Osmak, chess.com blitz 2020.
11...Bxf6! 12.Nf1
TRICK: 12.Rxe6? Nde5, trapping the rook.
12...e5! 13.h4
13.Be3 Nb6„ Strikovic-Sanal, Ruma 2017.
13...Nc5
13...h6!?.
14.Be3 Ne6 15.N3h2 Ned4 16.Nd2 Kh8 17.c4 dxc4 18.dxc4 Bf5 19.Ne4 Nb3 20.Qxd8 Raxd8
21.Rad1 Ncd4µ
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Black is the dominant side here.
22.g4 Bxe4 23.Bxe4 Nc5?!
23...Bxh4! 24.g5 (24.Bxb7 c6–+) 24...Nc5–+.
24.g5 Be7 25.Bb1 Bd6 26.Kg2 Nce6 27.Ng4 Nf4+ 28.Bxf4 Rxf4 29.Re4 Rdf8 30.Bd3 h5
30...b6µ.
31.gxh6 gxh6 32.h5 c6 33.Rde1 Nf3 34.R1e2 R4f5 35.R4e3 Rf4 36.Re4 R4f5 37.R4e3 Rf4 38.Re4 ½½
Nakamura was lucky enough to get out of the water in this fight. However, the ambitious plan with
4...a5!? and 8...Nc6!? can be a dangerous surprise weapon in your repertoire. Alternatively, 8...c5 is
also a good option.
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Chapter 25
Kortchnoi’s wedge against the French Super Gambit
1.e4 e6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e5 c5 4.b4 d4
Before we learn an opening or a certain line properly, we should check the games of the experts and,
after that, try to find our own directions.
In this gambit, which used to bother me, the idea of 4...d4!? was invented by specialist Viktor
Kortchnoi. Black uses his d-pawn as a ‘wedge’ on d4. I like this concept, where Black fights for space
in the centre.
Game 69 – 4.b4 d4
Tereza Olsarova 2234
Natalia Zhukova 2428
Tbilisi Ech-W 2011 (7)
1.e4 e6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e5 c5 4.b4 d4!?
In the event of 4...cxb4 5.a3 White sacrifices a pawn, with quite the same idea as in the Benko
Gambit, but in this case the centre is blocked. For instance: 5...Nc6 6.axb4 Bxb4 7.c3 and 8.d4, with
a typical position in this gambit: Black is slightly passive and does not have any counterplay.
WEAPON: I once tried to put up another blockade with 4...c4!?
638
analysis diagram
Ukrainian star GM Natalia Zhukova won an
important game after reading The Flexible French.
5.c3 (5.a3 b5! Stripunsky-Moskalenko, Simferopol chUKR 1990) 5...a5!? 6.b5 Nd7 7.d4 cxd3 8.Bxd3 f6!?„
Najer-Moskalenko, Moscow 1995.
5.bxc5
If 5.Bb2 Nc6 (5...Nh6!?) 6.b5 Na5!?N.
5...Bxc5 6.Ba3!?
White carries on with her main idea. 6.Bd3 does not offer
anything special: 6...Bd7!? (6...Ne7!?) 7.0-0 Bc6„
Bernadskiy-Rublevsky, Ruma 2020.
6...Qa5!
The best option.
7.Bxc5 Qxc5 8.c3 Nc6 9.cxd4 Nxd4 10.Qa4+
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In The Flexible French, 2008, I wrote: ‘Only seven games have been played with this line, but in one
of them Black found a very attractive possibility.’
10...Bd7!!
This knight sacrifice is an unexpected resource (23 games until 2021).
10...Nc6?! has mainly been played. This reply seemed to be forced, but after 11.Nc3 White gains the
initiative, threatening Nc3-e4-d6+: 11...Qa5 (Boersma-Kortchnoi, Leeuwarden ch-NED 1977) and
now 12.Qg4!ƒ.
11.Qxd4 Qc1+ 12.Ke2 Bb5+
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A spectacular check. This is the key position for this new idea. If the opponent is not ready for this
surprise, finding the right response over the board is a tough task.
13.Ke3
WEAPON: The alternative is 13.d3 (8 games) 13...Rd8! 14.Nbd2™ 14...Qa3! 15.Qf4 (15.Nc4?
Bxc4 16.Qxc4 Qb2+, winning the rook on a1) 15...Qb2 (15...Ne7!?) 16.Rd1 Bxd3+ 17.Ke1 Bc2
and the position remains complicated.
13...Bxf1
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Another key moment. But Black already has the better chances.
14.Qc3?
White makes too many defensive mistakes. The best ideas are:
A) 14.Qa4+ Kf8 15.Qb5 and now, e.g., 15...Qxd2+!³ winning a pawn;
B) Or else 14.Qd3 Qc5+! 15.Qd4 Qxd4+!? 16.Nxd4 Bxg2 (16...Ba6!?) 17.Rg1 Bc6 18.Rxg7 Ne7
with interesting counterplay for Black.
14...Qd1!ƒ
Threatening 15...Qe2+ and 16...Bxg2.
15.Qd3
The stem game went 15.Rxf1 Qxf1 16.Na3 Qa6! and Black did not have any trouble in converting
his material advantage in Deman-Haberkorn, Antwerp 1999.
15...Qxf3+! 16.gxf3 Bxd3 17.Kxd3 Ne7–+
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The endgame is easily won due to numerous pawn weaknesses, though White kept resisting for a long
time.
18.Rc1 Nc6 19.Rc5 0-0 20.Na3 f6! 21.Nc4 fxe5 22.Nxe5 Rf5 23.f4 Nb4+ 24.Ke2 Nd5 25.Rac1
Nxf4+ 26.Kf1 Rxe5 27.Rxe5 Nd3 28.Rec5 Nxc1 29.Rxc1 Rd8 30.Ke2 Rd7 31.Ke3 Kf7 32.d4 Ke7
33.Rc8 Kd6 34.Kd3 Rf7 35.Ke3 Rc7 36.Rg8 Rc3+ 37.Ke4 g6 38.f3 Ra3 39.Rg7 b5 40.Rb7 Kc6
41.Rxh7 Rxa2 42.Rh6 Rg2 43.h4 b4 44.h5 b3 0-1
It is obvious that ‘Kortchnoi’s wedge’ 4.b4 d4!?, reinforced with the fantastic resource 10...Bd7!, can
be a nasty surprise for b2-b4 gambit lovers – incidentally, this is a line which is especially popular on
the Internet.
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Chapter 26
Taking advantage of an over-developed bishop
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Bd3
In any French game, defending e4 with a piece (instead of advancing e4-e5) always means that White
prefers to fight in an open position.
PUZZLE: After 3.Bd3, there are three similar variations to keep in mind:
Tarrasch: 3.Nd2 Nf6 4.Bd3 (Part Two);
Anti-Winawer: 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Bd3 (Game 47);
Exchange: 4.Bd3 c5!? (Game 64). For example, here 3...c5!? 4.exd5 exd5 simply transposes.
However, in this move-order, Black can accept the challenge and exploit the concept of the ‘overdeveloped bishop’:
3...dxe4!? 4.Bxe4 Nf6 5.Bf3
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In the last round of a quite recent open tournament, my opponent (who was the sole leader, one point
ahead of me) opted for this scheme. The result was a rather instructive ‘kung fu’ battle.
Game 70 – 3.Bd3
Orelvis Perez Mitjans 2407
Viktor Moskalenko 2500
Platja d’Aro 2019 (9)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Bd3
White prefers to fight in an open position.
3...dxe4
PUZZLE: After 3...c5!?
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analysis diagram
White does not have any effective ways to maintain the tension, so after 4.exd5 the game transposes
to the Exchange Variation with 4/5...c5 (Game 64) (4.c3?! does not fit into the scheme: 4...dxe4
5.Bxe4 Nf6³): 4...exd5 5.Nf3 c4!? (for 5...Nf6 see the comments to Tatai-Kortchnoi, Game 64)
6.Be2 Nf6 7.0-0 Bd6 8.Re1 0-0 9.b3 cxb3 10.axb3 Nc6 and Black has good prospects (actually the
score is 0-3).
4.Bxe4 Nf6
Development and attack = a tempo win. From now on, the ‘centralized’ white bishop will be a target.
5.Bf3
White’s main idea is to use his dominant bishop on the long diagonal f3-a8.
5.Bg5?! is clearly an inappropriate pin due to 5...c5!ƒ.
PUZZLE: 5.Bd3 c5! would lead to a favourable interpretation of the Rubinstein Variation.
5...Nbd7!?
PLAN: A positional attempt to refute White’s strategy: Black prepares ...e6-e5.
WEAPON: The dynamic break 5...c5!? is very popular.
646
analysis diagram
This position is quite playable for Black, but in the game I preferred not to force things so early.
6.Ne2 Be7 (or 6...Nc6) 7.0-0 0-0 and now: 8.Nbc3 (8.Be3 cxd4!? 9.Bxd4 (9.Nxd4 e5!?=) 9...Qc7³
Abdusattorov-Ganguly, chess.com blitz 2019) 8...Nc6 9.Be3 Qa5!? 10.Qd2 (10.dxc5 Bxc5=)
10...cxd4 11.Nxd4 Ne5³ Fargère-Michiels, Montpellier 2015.
6.Nc3
6.Ne2 Bd6!?.
647
6...c6!?
A typical ‘kung fu’ move, slowly preparing ...Bd6. The alternative 6...Rb8!? is a thoughtful idea
(...b7-b5), e.g. 7.Nge2 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Bf4 Bd6 10.Re1 b5!„ Fedorchuk-Duda, Katowice 2017.
7.Nge2
7.Bf4 Nd5!? Fedorchuk-Miton, Riyadh 2017.
7...Bd6!
Black already feels pretty comfortable here.
8.Ne4
This attempt to simplify and make the desired draw actually leads to a passive position for White.
The same goes for 8.Bf4 Bxf4 9.Nxf4 Qb6!³ Walter-Prusikin, Forchheim 2010.
8...Nxe4 9.Bxe4 0-0!?
9...Nf6!? 10.Bd3 Qc7³ Keller-Bisse, Dresden 2007.
10.c3 Qh4!
Bringing the queen to the kingside straightaway.
11.Bf3
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The enemy piece has to retreat twice – a good sign!
11.Bc2 e5 12.dxe5 Bc5!?ƒ.
11...e5!
Black has gradually but confidently executed the planned strategic advance. White’s position is no
longer easy to defend.
12.dxe5 Bc5
Also interesting was 12...Bc7!?.
13.0-0 Nxe5 14.Nd4
649
The critical moment right after a successful opening. How to exploit the over-developed white
bishop?
14...Bxd4
So I decided to win a pawn and transfer to an endgame with opposite-coloured bishops.
The obvious 14...Rd8!? would have strengthened the initiative.
15.cxd4 Nxf3+ 16.Qxf3 Qxd4 17.Rd1 Qg4!? 18.Qxg4 Bxg4 19.f3 Be6 20.Be3 Rfc8!?
20...Bd5µ.
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PLAN: Let me explain this position from a technical point of view. First Black needs to establish
a pawn wedge on c5/b6/a7, then he wants to improve his king and exchange one (!) pair of rooks.
With the help of the remaining material, Black should gradually begin to advance his pawns on
the queenside. You will see what happens then if you play through the game to the end.
21.a3 c5! 22.Rac1 b6 23.Kf2 f6!? 24.Rd6 Kf7 25.Re1 Re8 26.Bd2 Re7 27.Bc3 Rc8 28.Re2 Bb3
29.Rxe7+ Kxe7 30.Rd3 Bc4 31.Rd1
The first part of the plan was quite successful. Now we begin the second part of the ‘Marlezon ballet’:
31...a5! 32.h4 Bb3 33.Rd2 Ra8!
The rook supports the push ...b6-b5.
34.g4 b5! 35.Re2+ Be6!? 36.Rc2 b4! 37.Bd2 Kd6–+
651
Finally, Black has reached the desired winning position; the game is basically over.
38.Bf4+ Kc6 39.Be3 c4 40.axb4 axb4 41.g5 c3! 42.gxf6
42.Bd4 Bf5 43.Rc1 Ra2–+.
42...gxf6 43.bxc3 b3 44.Rb2 Ra2 45.Bc1 Ra1! 46.Bd2 Kb5! 47.c4+ Kxc4 48.Ke3 Ra2 49.Rb1 b2
50.Ke4 Kb3
White resigned.
My advice: never play for a draw, even if you desperately need one. After all, a tournament only
really starts in the last round!
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Chapter 27
A ‘coffeehouse’ counterattack in the Classical French
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Be3 h6!?
Black prepares a well-known break in the French structures with 8...g5!?, which is usually directed
against White’s central pawn wedge d4/e5/f4. This is a unique option at such an early stage of the
opening. Even more interesting is that this line has not yet been studied and is rarely played in
practice (only about 36 games = 62,5% for Black (!), mostly in the period 2016-2020).
From a strategic viewpoint, the idea looks risky, but the further play is extremely unusual and
challenging. It is not easy for White to make crucial decisions already from the 8th move onwards.
Every natural line has plenty of hidden resources for Black. Personally, I have so far managed to win
almost all black games with this line on the Internet (over 30, see Nemo101 on lichess.com), and one
draw in a classical game (Game 72).
So, let’s take a closer look at the practical possibilities of this still quite novel option.
A ‘coffeehouse’ counterattack – Games
Game 71 – 8.Qd2 g5!?
9.fxg5 is the most frequent continuation, and is a typical reflex by White. It allows Black to
successfully destroy White’s centre with 9...cxd4 10.Nxd4 Ndxe5!. The black king remains in the
centre, which is normal in the genuine French Defence. In addition, this line allows a profitable
transposition to the endgame.
Dmitrij Jakovenko 2662
Petr Kiriakov 2555
playchess.com blitz 2006 (8)
653
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Be3 h6!? 8.Qd2 g5!?
Here is the attractive idea of GM Kiriakov, played already in 2005/6. Actually, this variation began to
be commonly used only in 2016.
9.fxg5
This answer immediately leads to amazing tactical play. See Game 72 for 9.dxc5!? and other options.
9...cxd4 10.Nxd4 Ndxe5!
White’s centre has been quickly destroyed. From here on, it is important for Black to move on to the
endgame.
11.0-0-0!?
Here are some lines that show Black’s main resource:
TRICK: 11.gxh6? Qh4+!
654
analysis diagram
12.Bf2 (12.g3 Nxd4! yaguigor-Nemo101, lichess.org blitz 2020) 12...Bxh6! 13.Qe2 (13.Bxh4
Bxd2+–+ VladislavKrasikov_FM-Nemo101, lichess.org blitz 2020) 13...Nxd4 14.Bxh4 Nxe2–+ ohnahhh-gmMoskalenko, Internet 2020.
TRICK: 11.Be2 hxg5 12.Bxg5 Bh6!
analysis diagram
655
13.Bxh6 (13.Bxd8 Bxd2+ 14.Kxd2 Kxd8µ Vinardell Cruanas-Ortega Serra, Barcelona 2019)
13...Qh4+ 14.g3 Qxh6µ, 6 games plus benlyli-Nemo101, lichess.org blitz 2020.
11...hxg5 12.Bxg5
Allowing Black to carry out the desired simplification.
TRICK: Or 12.Bb5 a6!? 13.Ba4 Bd7!? intending 14...Nc4, so 14.Bxg5 Qxg5! 15.Qxg5 Bh6µ
Adocchio-Hauge, Reykjavik 2016.
12...Qxg5! 13.Qxg5 Bh6 14.Qxh6 Rxh6µ
GM Petr Kiriakov played the first two games with
7...h6 and 8...g5!? already in 2005 and 2006.
Black is cleaely much better in this ending.
15.Be2
If 15.Bb5 Bd7 16.Rhe1 f6µ superstar2020-Nemo101, lichess.org blitz 2020.
15...Ke7
Also 15...Bd7µ H.Li-Williams, lichess.org blitz 2020.
16.h4 Bd7
Even stronger was 16...f5!–+, preventing g2-g4.
17.g4 f6!? 18.h5 Rg8! 19.Rhg1?
656
White is in a complete crisis, so it’s easy to make a
mistake.
PUZZLE: Black to move.
19...Nxd4 20.Rxd4 Rxh5!–+ 21.Rf1 Rh2 22.Rdf4 Rg6 23.Bd1 Rg2 24.Rb4 b6 25.Rff4 Nc6 26.Ra4
d4 27.Ne4 e5 28.Rf1 Bxg4 29.Rc4 f5 30.Bxg4 fxe4 31.Bh5 Rg1 32.Bxg6 Rxf1+ 33.Kd2 e3+ 34.Ke2
Rf2+ 35.Ke1 Kd6 36.Be4 Ne7 37.c3 b5 38.Rb4 Kc5 39.a4 a6 40.axb5 axb5 41.Bd3 Nd5 42.Rxb5+
Kd6 43.Be4 Nf4 44.Rb8 d3 45.Rd8+ Ke7 46.Rxd3 Nxd3+ 47.Bxd3 Rxb2 48.Be4 Kd6 49.Bh7
Kd5
White resigned.
Game 72 – 9.dxc5!?
This might be the critical answer. I am sure that after studying the few games that featured this move,
you will understand how complicated the play is for both sides – mistakes are inevitable.
In order to complete Black’s repertoire with 7...h6!?, please also check out some of the useful lines
given on move 8 (instead of White’s main move 8.Qd2): 8.h4, 8.dxc5, 8.Be2 and 8.Bb5.
Santiago Gonzalez de la Torre 2423
Viktor Moskalenko 2475
Melilla 2019 (2)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Be3 h6!?
657
8.Qd2
The main move.
PUZZLE: If 8.dxc5 Bxc5!?= Black wins a tempo compared to the classical line 7...Be7 (Chapter
15).
PUZZLE: On the other hand, the move 8.Bb5 enables White to castle kingside, but it is not
natural in the French to use the bishop in Ruy Lopez style: 8...a6!? (8...g5 is unclear) 9.Bxc6 bxc6
10.0-0 Qc7!?„.
PUZZLE: 8.h4.
658
analysis diagram
This advance hinders ...g7-g5, but now Black can choose between several favourable transpositions
into the main Classical French where h2-h4 is not a very useful move. For example, 8...Qb6!?
(8...a6!? is normal) 9.Na4 (Pham Guerrero-Ortega Serra, Barcelona 2019) and now 9...Qa5+!?.
WEAPON: 8.Be2.
analysis diagram
659
This developing move looks a bit slow, but it has much strategic sense. 8...g5!? 9.fxg5?! (White’s
most typical reaction after ...g7-g5; 9.dxc5 Bxc5!? 10.Bxc5 Nxc5 11.0-0 Qb6 12.Kh1 Bd7!?„ looks
fine for Black) 9...cxd4 10.Nxd4 (10.Bxd4? is a poor attempt to protect the centre due to 10...hxg5µ)
10...Ndxe5! 11.Qd2 (11.0-0 hxg5µ eloveja-Nemo101, lichess.org blitz 2020) 11...hxg5 12.Bxg5
Bh6! – 1½-5½ for Black.
8...g5!?
Black threatens to play either ...g5-g4 or ...gxf4. In this position, my opponent thought for about one
hour before making his next move. And many players came up to see what had happened on the
board!
9.dxc5!?
According to the engine, this is the best reply for White. After, for example, 9.g3?! g4! I have
collected over 10 easy blitz victories: 10.Nh4 (10.Ng1? cxd4) 10...cxd4 11.Bxd4.
660
analysis diagram
Here is a typical online game: 11...Nxd4 (11...Qa5!?) 12.Qxd4 Bc5 (12...a6 13.Qd1 Qb6µ
OhanyanEminChess-Nemo101, lichess.org blitz 2020) 13.Qd2 Qb6 14.Nd1? Be7 15.Ng2 Nc5
16.Bd3 Bd7 17.Nge3 h5–+ mhebden-gmMoskalenko, Internet 2019.
9...gxf4 10.Bxf4
The position is far from clear.
10...a6!?
661
Preventing 11.Nb5. 10...Bxc5 11.Nb5!?; 10...Nxc5 11.0-0-0 a6!? leads to the main game.
11.0-0-0 Nxc5!?
In another recent titled game, Black tried 11...Qa5 12.Kb1 Bxc5 13.Bxh6!? Bb4 14.Be3
analysis diagram
14...Bxc3 15.Qxc3 (more ambitious was 15.bxc3!?) 15...Qxc3 16.bxc3 Ndxe5 17.Nxe5 Nxe5
18.Bd4 f6 19.Re1. Now Black should have sacrificed a pawn with 19...Ke7!? (after 19...Ng4?± Black
remains underdeveloped and his king is weak, Firouzja-Agdestein, Doha Wch Rapid 2016) 20.Bxe5
fxe5 21.Rxe5 Bd7° and the endgame is balanced.
12.Qf2!?N
A) 12.Be2 b5„ Dietzsch-Mihajlov, Reykjavik 2016;
B) 12.Kb1 b5 13.Bd3 Qa5 14.Ne2?! Qxd2 15.Rxd2 Ne4„ Mullick-Kiriakov, Abu Dhabi 2019;
C) 12.Nd4 Nxd4 (12...Bd7 13.Be2 Qa5 14.Kb1 0-0-0∞ Djurhuus-Mihajlov, Fornebu 2016) 13.Qxd4
b5 14.b4 Na4 15.Nxa4 bxa4 16.a3 a5„ Storme-Tuomainen, Sweden tt 2016.
12...b5 13.Be3
662
13...Nd7?
This is a losing retreat.
WEAPON: Black should have continued 13...Qe7!. During the game I was afraid of the rook
sacrifice 14.Rxd5? (14.Bd3 Bb7„) 14...exd5 15.Nxd5 but after 15...Ne4! there is not much
compensation for White: 16.Qe1 Qd8 (16...Qd7!?) 17.c4 bxc4 18.Bxc4 Nb4 (18...Bc5!?) 19.Bb6
(19.Nxb4 Qc7–+) 19...Qxd5! followed by 20.Bxd5 Nd3+, winning material.
14.Be2!
Now White has a huge advantage in development, but the position is still complicated.
14...Qa5
14...b4 15.Nxd5!.
15.Rhf1 b4
663
16.Nb1?!
A weak defensive move (not the one that is required in this position), allowing Black to fight back.
After 16.Nxd5! or 16.Ng5!? White should win.
16...Qc7
Thinking about how to defend f7.
Better was 16...Bb7∞.
17.Nbd2 Bb7 18.Nb3 Bg7 19.Nfd4 Ncxe5 20.Qg3
20.Bh5!?.
20...Rg8
664
21.Nxe6?T
More confusion. Now this sacrifice was not necessary; 21.Bh5‚.
21...fxe6 22.Bh5+ Kd8 23.Nd4 Nd3+
According to the engine, 23...Nc5!? is equal, but Black is a piece up.
24.Rxd3 Qxg3 25.hxg3 Bxd4! 26.Bxd4
Finally, the game transposes into an unbalanced ending – which ended in peace, despite severe time665
trouble and a number of mistakes on both sides.
26...Kc7?
26...e5!.
27.g4 e5 28.Be3 Raf8
28...a5!?.
29.Rxf8 Rxf8 30.Bxh6 Rf1+ 31.Rd1 Rf2 32.Bd2 Rxg2 33.Rf1 a5 34.a3 Ba6 35.Re1 Be2 36.axb4
axb4 37.Bf7 Bf3 38.g5 d4 39.g6 b3 40.cxb3 Nc5 41.Bc4 e4 42.b4 Na4 43.b3 Nc3 44.Bxc3 dxc3
45.Re3 Rxg6 46.Bd5 ½-½
Conclusion on the counterattack with 7...h6 and 8...g5
Despite the fact that the first two games were played by GM Kiriakov in 2005 and 2006, the variation
didn’t start to be used actively until 2016. Therefore, from a practical point of view, your opponent
won’t have any experience playing these positions. There is currently no direct refutation of Black’s
sharp opening plan, so I don’t feel any danger in employing it now, especially in games with short
time controls.
Anyway, what could give you more pleasure than such a cool adrenaline rush? Good luck!
666
Index of variations
French Defence 1.e4 e6
Part One – Advance Variation 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 15
Chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 – 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3
5...Nh6 – Game 1
667
5...Nge7 – Game 2
5...Bd7 6.Be2 f6 – Game 3
6.a3 f6 – Game 4
5...Qb6 6.Bd3 – Game 5
6.Be2 – Game 7
6.a3 c4 – Games 8, 9, 10
Chapter 4 – 4.Qg4
4...Nc6/4...Qa5/4...cxd4 – Game 6
Part Two – Tarrasch Variation 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 69
668
Chapters 7-11 – 3...Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7
5.c3 c5 6.Bd3 Nc6 7.Ne2 cxd4 8.cxd4 f6 9.exf6 Nxf6 10.Nf3 Bd6 11.0-0 0-0 – Game 11
11...Qc7 – Game 12
9.Nf4 – Games 13, 14
7.Ngf3
7...Qb6 – Game 15
7...Be7 – Game 16
669
6...b6 – Games 17, 18
5.f4 – Games 19, 20, 21
Chapter 12 – 3...Be7
4.e5 – Game 22
4.c3 – Game 23
4.Bd3 – Game 24
Chapter 13 – 3...c5
670
4.Ngf3 cxd4 5.Nxd4 – Game 25
4.exd5 Qxd5 5.dxc5 – Game 26
5.Ngf3 cxd4 6.Bc4
6...Qd6 – Games 27, 28
6...Qd7 – Game 29
Part Three – Classical Variation 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 159
Chapters 14, 15 – 4.e5 Nfd7
671
5.Nce2 – Game 30
5.Nf3 – Game 31
5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Be3
7...cxd4 – Game 32
7...Be7 – Games 33, 34, 35, 36
Chapter 16 – 4.Bg5 Bb4 5.e5 h6
6.Bd2 – Games 37, 38, 39
672
6.Be3 – Game 40
6.Bc1 – Game 41
6.Bh4/6.exf6/6.Bf4 – Game 42
Part Four – Winawer Variation 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 223
Chapter 17
4.a3 – Game 43
4.Qg4 – Game 44
4.Bd2 – Game 45
4.Nge2 – Game 46
4.Bd3 /4.Qd3 – Game 47
4.exd5 – Game 48
Chapters 18, 20-22 – 4.e5 c5
673
5.Qg4 – Game 49
5.Bd2 – Game 50
5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 Ne7
7.Nf3 – Game 54
7.a4 – Game 55
7.h4 – Games 56, 57
7.Qg4 Kf8
8.a4 – Game 58
8.Bd2 – Game 59
8.h4 – Game 60
8.Qd1 – Game 61
8.Bd3 – Game 62
8.Nf3 – Game 63
Chapter 19 – 4.e5 b6
674
5.Bd2, 5.f4 – Game 51
5.Qg4 – Game 52
5.a3 – Game 53
Part Five – Surprise weapons 319
Chapter 23 – 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 exd5 (Games 64, 65, 66)
675
Chapter 24 – 2.Qe2 (Game 67)
Chapter 24 – 2.d3 d5 3.Nd2 (Game 68)
676
Chapter 25 – 2.Nf3 d5 3.e5 c5 4.b4 d4 (Game 69)
Chapter 26 – 2.d4 d5 3.Bd3 (Game 70)
677
Chapter 27 – 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Be3 h6 (Games 71, 72)
678
Index of names
(numbers refer to pages)
A
Abadia Pascual 218
Abdulov 181
Abdusattorov 343
Abolins Abols 173
Abrahamyan 144
Adams 27, 30, 95, 125-126, 130, 137, 139, 142, 151, 154, 158
Adla 335
Adocchio 348
Agdestein 351
Akobian 145, 163, 179, 201
Alarcon 26
Albano Rivares 232
Alekhine 40, 42, 224, 229, 233-234, 247, 259, 262-264, 320
Alekseenko 57, 292
Alekseev 269
Alexander 262, 264
Alfonso Abrego 179
AllieStein 114
Almeida 21, 246
Al-Modiahki 199
Alsina Leal 173
Altmann 165
Alvarez Diaz 328
Alvarez Pedraza 161, 166
Amin 251, 333-334, 337
Anand 143, 179, 287, 307
Andeer 214
679
Anderson 212
Andersson 136
Anderton 232
Andreikin 149
Anka 178
Ankay 303
Antipov 104, 336
Anton Guijarro 127, 184, 197
Areshchenko 212, 302
Arias Sastre 88
Arizmendi 123, 298
Arnason 303
Aronian 337
Arounopoulos 152
Artemiev 335
Ashton 251
Asis 242
Asis Gargatagli 105, 268
Atlas 117, 309
Atlas-Lion 75
Aubert 232
Avotins 220
Ayza Ballester 253
B
Baches Garcia 267
Bachmann 335
Bacrot 337
Bajarani 55, 65, 181, 213, 216
Bakhmatov 261
Baklan 134, 316
Balashov 315
Balogh 79
680
Bannik 165
Banusz 334
Baranowski 60
Bareev 65
Baron Rodriguez 100, 268
Barria Zuniga 314
Bartel 95, 295
Basas Gamazo 75
Bascetta 85
Basman 112
Batchimeg 188
Baumegger 105
Beckett 156
Bednarski 100
Belezky 334
Beliavsky 156, 312
Bellahcene 132
Belmonte 216
Belov 304
Benjamin 280
Benlyli 348
Berczes 180
Bernadskiy 339
Bernal Caamano 106
Bernal Varela 155, 179
Berzinsh 268
Bhakti 94
Bhavesh 25
Bhend 110
Biedermann 115
Bienkowski 308
Bisse 344
681
Björnsson 313
Blanco Gramajo 155
Blazek 181
Blees 25
Blübaum 57, 145, 149
Bocksberger 119
Boersma 340
Böhm 294
Böhnke 308
Bok 92, 129, 149
Bokros 334
Bologan 282, 334
Boricsev 329
Borisenko 197
Bortnyk 216
Botvinnik 40, 42, 97, 101, 108, 111, 113, 163, 221-222, 224, 229-230, 233, 236-239, 272, 274-276,
284-285, 289, 320
Boukal 125, 316
Bouwmeester. 95
Braga 94, 325
Brenjo 242
Brobakken 311
Brodda 87
Broniek 308
Brotherton 86
Brunello 29, 58
Bruno 298
Bruzon Batista 137, 143, 146, 202
Bujakevich 149
Bukavshin 216
Bulanov 164
Bulgarini Torres 250
682
Bulmaga 218
Bykovtsev 98
C
Cabarkapa 189
Cabello Rodriguez 125, 200
Calonge Gonzalez 234
Campbell 250
Camps 255
Can 76
Canal Oliveras 298
Canepa 42
Canizares Cuadra 200
Capablanca 148, 247
CapNemo 40, 42-44, 74-75, 246
Carlsen 25, 329, 337
Caruana 140, 179-180, 247, 292, 294, 298
Castella 203
Cernousek 186
Ceschia 95
Chanoine 324
Cherniy 25
Chigorin 320
Chinchilla Miranda 96
Chistiakov 263
Choukri 79
Christiansen 126, 232
Cifuentes Parada 335
Cimicki 316
Clarke 55, 61, 112, 189
Colovic 267
Conquest 232
Cordova 26
683
Cornette 247
Corrales Jimenez 314
Cox 251
Cruz 43, 268
Cuenca Jimenez 170, 294
Cumbers 199
Cunha 86
Cvak 210
D
Daianu 154
Danielian 144, 151
Danin 88
Das 92, 232, 251
Daulyte 138, 153
Davidson 189
Dedina 76
De Eccher 169
Degardin 296
Degraeve 36, 202
De la Riva Aguado 240, 247
De Lima Filho 65
Deman 340
Dembo 156
Demidov 329
De Waele 252
Dgebuadze 115
Diaz Camallonga 149
Di Benedetto 218
Dietzsch 351
Dizdar 269, 307
Djordjevic 294
Djurhuus 351
684
Djuric 244-245
Dolana 156
Dole 99
Dolmatov 28, 169
Domancich 133
Domanov 211
Dominguez Perez 180, 294, 311
Dominguez Rincon 134
Dopazo Vega 269
Dragojlovic 164
Dragon (comp) 112
Drasko 293, 312
Drozdovskij 302, 305, 307, 316
Druska 142, 186
Duda 344
Dunlop 189
Dutreeuw 115
Dvoirys 129
Dworakowska 307
E
Edouard 155, 189, 313
Efimenko 307
Eggleston 165
Eingorn 56, 58, 300-303, 306-309, 315-317
Eliskases 136
Eloveja 350
Elyoseph 219
Enigk 119
Epishin 27, 30
Erdogdu 194, 208, 211-212, 214, 285
Erenburg 124, 131
Ernst 316
685
Escalante Ramirez 156, 189
Eschert 306
Esplugas Esteve 189
Euwe 229, 233
Evans 189
F
Fakhrutdinov 189
Fargère 343
Feco 304
Fedorchuk 77, 344
Fedorov 290
Fedoseev 55, 64, 66, 80
Felgaer 194, 205
Fernandez Garcia 103
Fernandez Romero 149
Ferron Garcia 247
Finegold 218
Finkel 205
Firat 184, 285
Firouzja 179, 187, 189-190, 241, 351
Fischer 112, 224, 229, 231, 272, 279-280, 285-287
Flom 142
Fluvia Poyatos 247
Foisor 101
Forcen Esteban 142, 335
Formanek 118
Formento 95
Forsloef 144
Fossan 155
Fraser 58
Fressinet 31
Freydl 87
686
Fridman 145, 214
Friedland 20
Frolov 104
Ftacnik 190
Fuka 44
G
Gadimbayli 188
Galanov 58, 164, 314
Galic 63
Galinsky 236
Galjé 335
Gamundi Salamanca 236
Ganguly 78, 231, 343
Gaponenko 323
Garcia Cano 322
Garcia Martinez 111, 164, 286
Garcia Pantoja 134
Garcia Rosales 269
Garma 329
Garrido Dominguez 75
Gavrilescu 154, 156
Geller,E. 150, 280
Geller,J. 174
Gen-Gutman 44
Georgiadis 110
Georgiev 278
Gergoo 75
Geurink 181
Ghosh 183
Gilevych 104
Gipslis 94
Giri 143, 149
687
Gleizerov 88, 183
Glek 138, 147, 164, 202, 208
GmMoskalenko 347, 350
Goh Wei Ming 212, 236-237
Golubev 204, 307
Gomez 78
Gomez Baillo 165
Gongora Reyes 304
Gonzalez de la Torre 349
Gonzalez Laso 199
Gonzalez Perez 268
Gonzalez Rodriguez 268-269
Gonzalez Vidal 96
Gorol 326
Gorti 74
Gottuk 42
Graf 137, 139
Gräfen 145
Grandelius 7, 127
Grasso 85
Graudins 234
Grebenshchikov 210
Greco 15
Grigoryan 214
Grinberg 101
Grischuk 31, 105
Gromotka 197
Grover 244
Gschnitzer 156
Gulko 27-30, 280
Günther 235
Guramishvili 129
688
Gurevich 18, 20, 25-26, 76, 181, 202
Gusev 205
Gutierrez 43, 133
H
Haberkorn 340
Halldorsson 237
Hammer 326
Hans 87
Hansen,C. 290
Hansen,E. 214
Hariharan 65
Harika 229
Harikrishna 7, 174, 336
Hartwig 118
Hasangatin 335
Haub 28
Haubro 133
Haug 141
Hauge 126, 348
Haumann 154
Havlik 199
Hazai 284
Hector 230
Heinemann 106
Hellers 303
Henri 106
Heredia Serrano 125
Hertneck 280
Hietanen 210
Hillarp Persson 180
Hjartarson 183
Hoang 66
689
Honfi 24
Hoolt 182
Hort 112
Horvath 105
Hou Yifan 243
Hovhannisyan 214
Howell 47, 113
Hracek 104
Hyldkrog 60
I
Iacomi 211
Iagar 48
Ianovsky 236
Ilyin 219
Iriarte Gomez 234
Isgandarova 183
Istratescu 88, 313
Ivanchuk 65, 71, 73, 77, 99-100, 266-267, 269, 296, 307
Ivanisevic 229, 231
Ivanov,A. 173
Ivanov,S. 245
Ivekovic 237
J
Jacko 183
Jakovenko 347
Jakubowski 304
Jansa 133
Jaroch 295
Jerez Perez 183, 244, 256
Johansson 176
Jones 47
Jong 212
690
Jonkman 26
Jonvik 311
Jorczik 217
Jørgensen 210
Jossien 181
Jovanovic 256
Jussupow 97, 269, 275, 278-282, 288, 293
K
Kacheishvili 232
Kacprzak 255
Kaczmarczyk 329
Kaidanov 21
Kamsky 134
Kan 101
Kanmazalp 303
Kantor 125
Karjakin 143, 220, 294, 307
Karpov 158
Karttunen 95
Kasimdzhanov 134, 186, 188
Kasparov 143, 209, 266, 269-271, 290, 309-312, 320
Kasyan 87
Keitlinghaus 28
Keller 344
Keres 224, 236, 238
Keuter 314
Kevork 256
Keymer 334
Khalifman 298
Khamrakulov 101
Khan 316
Kiltti 218
691
Kindermann 212
Kinkelin 37
Kiriakov 329, 347, 351-352
Kirillov 132
Kiselev 37
Kislov 47
Kleinsorgen 163
Klingenberg 112
Klinger 65
Klovans 205
Knaak 97, 122
Kobalia 75, 183
Kobese 99
Koch 78, 87
Kögeler 311
Kokarev 216
Kolendo 255
Kolev 79, 141
Kolosowski 95
Kolpakov 245
Kononenko 307
Körber 304, 306, 308, 311
Korneev 76, 149, 206, 267
Korobov 97, 104, 334
Kortchnoi 19, 46-50, 97, 108, 111, 113, 164-165, 191-194, 197, 201-202, 204, 208-209, 222, 262,
265, 268, 275, 279, 285-287, 290, 319, 322, 325, 327, 338, 340-341, 343
Kosic 328
Kosten 36, 88
Kosteniuk 169, 211, 229
Kostenko 164, 252
Kotainy 94
Kotronias 154
692
Kourkoulos 96
Kovacevic 231
Kovacs 325
Kovalenko 57, 144, 313
Kovalev 126, 142
Kraai 164, 218
Kramnik 130, 173, 179, 243
Krapivin 62
Kravchenko 25
Kresz 112
Kristjansson 66
Kritz 259
Kruppa 161, 172
Kryvoruchko 190, 269, 281
Kudr 203
Kuijf 78, 95
Kukucka 181
Külaots 311
Kuljasevic 63
Kunzmann 235
Kupper 110, 112
Kupreichik 20-21, 27-28, 30
Kurpnieks 234
Kusnetsov 87
Kuthan 138, 150
Kutsin 104
Kuusela 28
Kuzmin,G. 229
Kuzmin,J. 165
L
Ladron de Guevara Pinto 173
Lagarde 126, 218
693
Lagno 144
Lagunow 154
Lahno 296, 299, 304
Laine 145
l’Ami 231
Lampen 218
Landa 154, 218
Laurenc 188
Laurent 329
Laznicka 203
LCZero 114
Lehnen 211
Leisebein 163
Lejlic 244
Lenderman 189, 232
Leon 20, 307
Le Quang Liem 152
Lewicki 86
Lhotellier Bezerra 174
Li 251, 348
Liang 133
Libiszewski 93, 124, 324
Lima 26, 65
Lipka 180
Li Shilong 181
Ljubojevic 290
Ljukin 87, 89
Llaneza Vega 312
Lomasov 47
Loos 86
Lopez Martinez 264
Lorenzini 243
694
Lorenzo de la Riva 99
Löschnauer 212
Losev 73, 148
Lou 164
Lputian 122
Lu 231
Luciani 58
Lundin 254
Lupulescu 186-187
Luther 110, 117
Lutz 58
Ly. 164
Lysyj 244, 323
M
Maghsoodloo 264
Maiwald 334
Majer 235
Malakhov 130
Mamedov 62, 126-127, 149
Mamedyarov 29
Mammadova 106
Mamyrbay 55-56
Manea 63
Manheimer 252
Maratonac 75
Mareco 334
Marin 59, 63, 176, 232, 269
Marotti 136
Martin del Campo 101
Martinez Gutierrez 322
Martinez Martin 180
Martin Gonzalez 262
695
Martinovic 144, 189, 237
Martins 214
Matamoros 180
Matanovic 265
Matikozian 201
Matulovic 44
Matyunin 73
McDonald 95
McDonnell 11
Mchedlishvili 31
McShane 114, 116, 124, 128, 130
Meier 57, 117, 155, 333
Mekhitarian 191
Menshikov 245
Mhebden 350
Michael 234
Michiels 343
Michielsen 313
Mihajlov 351
Miladinovic 229, 231, 234
Milos 74
Milosevic 254
Minasian 281
Mista 95, 155
Mitkov 252
Miton 344
Miyasaki 36
Mochalin 132
Molina Martin 88
Mons 94
Montell Lorenzo 265
Moor 110
696
Moran 234
Moreno Martin 149
Moreno Tejera 184
Morovic Fernandez 235
Morozevich 122-123, 125-126, 129-130, 132, 143, 163, 173, 191, 194, 196-197, 218, 290, 336
Morphy 320
Mosadeghpour 185
Moskalenko 18-25, 35-36, 59, 66, 73, 75-79, 97, 99-101, 103-105, 133, 140-141, 160-163, 166, 172173, 194, 203-206, 208, 212, 236, 240-247, 252-253, 256, 261, 264-265, 267-269, 298, 313, 322-326,
328, 334, 339, 343, 349
Moskovic 323
Motuz 183
Motylev 294
Mousavi 18, 22
Moussard 79
Movsesian 20, 55, 62
Mullick 351
Munguntuul 188
Munoz Pantoja 105, 139-140
Muromtsev 244
Murzin 336
Mussanti 215
Muzychuk 196, 209
N
Nabaty 217
Naiditsch 111, 145, 316
Najer 339
Nakamura 191, 203, 206, 220, 297, 336-337
Narciso Dublan 323
Naroditsky 133
Nataf 247
Naumkin 43, 150, 169
697
Navara 79, 328
Neale 154
Negi 173, 186-188, 252, 269
Nemec 91
Nemo101 66, 346-348, 350
Nepomniachtchi 29, 97, 122, 174, 179, 191, 247, 292, 294-295, 298
Nielse. 20
Ni Hua 63
Nijboer 181, 305
Nikac 234
Nikolaidis 18-19
Nikolic 280, 305, 310, 312-313, 315, 317
Nimzowitsch 44-45, 48, 108, 221, 259, 263, 320
Nisipeanu 151
Niubo Arenas 324
Nogerbek 133
Nogga 60
Nogueiras 304
Novichkov 261
Novosak 44
Novoselski 43
Nozdrachev 55, 65
Nucci 37
Nun 23, 37
Nunn 280
O
Oberbarnscheidt 294
Ogleznev 134
OhanyanEminChess 350
Oh-nahhh 347
Oikamo 210
Oll 287
698
Olofsson 125
Olsarova 339
Onischuk. 129-130
Opl 209
Oppermann 311
Oratovsky 95, 335
Orosz 234
Ortega Serra 348-349
Osmak 138, 153, 183-184, 294, 337
Osmanodja 155
Ostenstad 127
Ostojic 111
Ozen 155, 211
P
Padevsky 264, 286
Pähtz 196, 209
Panov 201, 204
Pap 116, 145
Paragua 334
Parvanyan 79
Pastor Alonso 48
Paulsen 34, 51
Pelletier 276
Pepino 95
Peralta 139, 199
Pereira 88
Pereyra Arcija 165
Perez Candelario 142
Perez Mitjans 75, 105, 343
Perez,R. 242
Perpinya Rofes 246-247
Pert 122
699
Perunovic 93
Pesotskiy 132
Peters 48
Petr 133
Petrosian 52, 55, 57-58, 61-62, 64, 67, 97, 100, 108, 110-113, 136, 149, 163, 222, 262-266, 320
Phadke 329
Pham Guerrero 349
Piccoli 179
Pichot 152, 264, 335
Pigott 116, 216
Pijl 91
Pinter 180
Piorun 308
Pirs 164
Plazuelo Pascual 95
Pogorelov 297, 311
Polgar 313
Polivanov 214
Ponfilenok 232
Ponkratov 189
Popov 308
Popovic 189
Porat 25
Portisch 65, 67, 97, 264, 269
Pospisil 60, 235
Postupa 76
Potemri 37
Potkin 169, 188
Praggnanandhaa 264
Predojevic 154
Priasmoro 189
Prill 211
700
Pruijssers 117, 181
Prusikin 344
Prystenski 197
Psakhis 120, 122, 262, 273, 293, 309-310
Puranik 188
Q
Quintana 246
Quintiliano Pinto 184
R
Rabinovich 42
Radjabov 55, 62, 122, 173
Radovanovic 293
Ragger 126, 181, 185
Rahal 76
Rajlich 328
Rakhmangulova 337
Ramiro Ovejero 335
Rantanen 279
Rapport,J. 94
Rapport,R. 124, 128, 130, 242
Rathnakaran 111
Rausis 140
Rendle 141
Repka 86
Reppmann 304
Reschke 304
Ress 203
Riazantsev 326
Rizouk 141
RobinsonVV93 66
Robson 113, 116-117, 163
Rodgaard 88, 119
701
Rodi Maletich 144
Rodrigues 88
Rodriguez Guerrero 170
Rodriguez Martin 329
Rodriguez Talavera 305
Rodriguez Vargas 36
Rogic 307
Rogos 230
Rojas 21, 326
Romanishin 122-123, 132
Romanov 303
Rombaldoni 231
Ros 112
Roseneck 184
Rowson 293
Rozanov 148
Rozentalis 100
Rublevsky 339
Rudd 115
Rudolf 294
Rustemov 242, 293, 297, 336
S
Sadler 90, 93, 95, 122, 124, 126
Sadvakasov 297
Sai 87
Sakharov 109
Salem 132
Salgado Lopez 60
Salonen 28
Sanal 337
Sanchez 174
Sanchez Ibern 212
702
Sander 329
Sandor 329
Santos Latasa 335
Santos Ruiz 189
Sapunov 335
Saric,I. 189, 216, 313
Saric,K. 152
Savchenko,B. 214, 232
Savchenko,S. 94
Savoca 188
Schatz 335
Schenk 35-36
Schlumbohm 60
Schmakel 189
Schmidt 66
Schmitz 237
Scholz 311
Schubert 303
Schuh 104
Schwenteck 316
Sebenik 138, 150, 199
Sedina 293
Sedlak 145
Seidl 304
Seifert 118
Seirawan 112
Sek 142
Semeniuk 103
Sengupta 88
Sergeev 316
Sermier 264
Sethuraman 182
703
Shankland 137, 142-143, 146
Shchukin 89
Sherwood 125, 133
Shevchenko 189
Shimanov 292
Shipov 130, 308
Shirov 18, 22, 25, 29, 47, 178, 185, 187, 191, 282
Shomoev 188
Shorokhov 336
Short 31, 97, 165, 183, 216, 290, 320, 323
Shulman 297-298
Shustov 92, 210
Shytaj 94
Sidenko 234
Siigur 165
Siklosi 103
Silich 184
Simacek 44, 88, 132
Sjugirov 156
Smerdon 37, 212
Smirin 164, 309
Smirnov 62
Smyslov 222, 224, 229, 280, 285
So 122, 124-125, 131, 133, 292, 294, 307
Soares 216
Socko,B. 84, 97, 101, 218, 304
Socko,M. 296, 304
Sokolik 60
Sokolov,A. 269, 280, 282
Sokolov,I. 328
Sola Plaza 179
Solovyov 154
704
Sörensen 37
Sosovicka 86
Spassky 224, 226, 251, 253, 280, 327
Speelman 145
Speisser 37
Spielmann 48
Staller 329
Stanojevic 316
Stany 59
Stefansson. 307, 315
Steinitz 11, 166, 191, 246
Stellwagen 169
Stevic 24, 323
Stocek 29
Stöckert 304
Stopa 164
Storme 351
Strikovic 337
Stripunsky 335, 339
Strugnell 183
Studer 294
Stukopin 220
Sturt 20
Sulashvili 246
Sumets 133-134, 311
Superstar2020 348
Sutovsky 206, 211
Sutton 212
Svane 145, 149, 155
Sveshnikov 19, 21-22, 25, 56, 58
Svetushkin 333
Svidler 55, 64, 67, 76, 130, 144, 196
705
Swati 183
Sychev 190
Szekely 44
Szelag 181
T
Tacke 154
Taher 189
Tal 58, 149, 222, 265, 269
Tan 124-125
Tan Zhongyi 63
Tarrasch 69, 164, 198, 234
Tatai 322, 343
Tauber 316
Tazelaar 133
Terrieux 181
Terry 183
Ter-Sahakyan 213
Thipsay 60, 65
Thomas 263
Thornton 189
Tiemann 311
Tikkanen 84
Timman 286
Timofeev 143
Timoshenko 151
Titus 89
Tiviakov 76, 130, 158
Tobella Torras 115
Toma 165, 294
Tomashevsky 142
Tomaszewska 326
Topalov 173
706
Torres Coll 218
Toscano 235
Tringov 280
Trita 44
Tritt 173
Tsaruk 79
Tsekmes 96
Tseshkovsky 138, 147
Tu Hoang Thong 247
Tuncer 155
Tunik 149
Tuomainen 351
Turci 43
Turner 145
U
Uhlmann 52, 61, 222, 229, 251, 272, 275-276, 279-280, 284-289, 296, 328
Ulybin 24, 76, 117-119
Unuk 152
Urazayev 133
V
Vachier-Lagrave 140, 145, 292, 295
Vaclav 311
Vaganian 222, 279-280
Valdes 20
Vallejo Pons 142, 164, 244, 323
Valsecchi 29
Van den Doel 126
Van der Veen 252
Van Haastert 188
Van Kampen 313
Van Kempen 232
Van Mechelen 104
707
Van Tienhoven 214
Van Vliet 116
Vasiukov 46-48
Vaughan 234
Vazquez 74
Vedmediuc 251
Velimirovic 160, 162, 328
Vera Gonzalez 244
Viela 323
Villanueva 141
Villarreal 152
Vinardell Cruanas 348
Vinogradov 73
Vishnu 165
Vitiugov 58, 282
Vitkevicius 232
VladislavKrasikov_FM 347
Voador 42
Vocaturo 230, 293
Voigt 182
Volkov 178, 187-189, 192-193, 197, 199, 208, 214-217, 220
Volodarsky 92
Voracek 316
Vovk 180
Vrana 241
Vucinic 93
Vysochin 89
W
Wallis 180
Walter 344
Wang,J. 232
Wang Hao 211
708
Wang Yiye 55-56, 142
Wanzek 42
Warakomski 214
Warmerdam 218-220
Watson 19, 38, 94, 166, 171, 213-214, 233, 243, 273, 275, 287, 290
Webb 95
Wei 156
Weller 211
Wells 211
Wempe 252
Werner 48
Wheeler 78
Wieczorek 80
Wiegner 165
Wiersma 255
Wilke 241
Williams 348
Wilson 199
Winawer 223, 259
Wingo 133
Wolff 75
Womacka 95
X
Xiong 156
Xuwen Wang 127
Y
Yaguigor 347
Yagupov 308
Yakimenko 62
Yates 198
Yilmaz 66, 235
Yu Hua 127
709
Yukhtman 44
Yu Ruiyuan 145
Yu Shaoteng 145
Z
Zabawski 101
Zaitsev 57
Zakharopulo 37
Zakharov 105, 161, 168-169, 171
Zaragatski 305
Zatko 230
Zatonskih 98, 145
Zawadzka 181, 217
Zelcic 218
Zhang 104
Zhao 145
Zhdanenia 308
Zherebukh 145, 182
Zhigalko 58, 60, 66, 232, 333
Zhukova 211, 339
Zillur Rahman 60
Zlotnik 305
Zmokly 220
Zumsande 232
Zunkovic 235
710
Bibliography
Programs
ChessBase 16, Mega Database 2021, CBM Magazine, Online Database
Stockfish 12-13 and the latest chess engines
Database with approximately 550 own games in the French, and another base with over 2000 games
on the Internet.
Periodicals – Internet resources
Chess Publishing (www.chesspublishing.com) – Forum and Theory.
Books
Yearbook series – New in Chess
La Defensa Francesa – a través de mis partidas by Wolfgang Uhlmann, Hispano Europea 2006
The Flexible French by Viktor Moskalenko, New In Chess 2008
Play the French by John Watson, Everyman Chess 2012
The French Defence – Reloaded by Nikita Vitiugov, Chess Stars 2012
Grandmaster Repertoire – 1.e4 vs The French by Parimarjan Negi, Quality Chess 2014
Grandmaster Repertoire – The French Defence 1-3 by Emanuel Berg, Quality Chess 2013-2015
The Even More Flexible French by Viktor Moskalenko, New In Chess 2015
The Complete French Advance by Evgeny and Vladimir Sveshnikov, New in Chess 2017
The Modernized French Defense 1-2 by David Miedema, Thinkers Publishing 2019-2020
The Modern French 1-2 by Dmitry Kryakvin, Chess Stars 2020
Beat the French Defense with 3.Nc3 by Pentala Harikrishna, Thinkers Publishing 2021.
Lifetime Repertoires: French Defense by Anish Giri, Chessable 2020 (e-book).
711
A brief biography
Viktor Moskalenko
• Born April 12, 1960 in Odessa, Ukraine
• Champion of Ukraine in 1987
• Champion of Catalonia (Spain) in 2001, 2005, 2007
• Chess Grandmaster since 1992
• Residing in Barcelona since 2000
• Winner of numerous international tournaments
• Chess coach, FIDE Senior Coach
• Specialist in theoretical articles
• E-mail: gm.moskalenko@gmail.com.
Books by Viktor Moskalenko published with New In Chess:
The Fabulous Budapest Gambit (2007; updated reprint 2017)
The Flexible French (2008)
Revolutionize Your Chess (2009)
The Wonderful Winawer (2010)
The Perfect Pirc (2013)
The Diamond Dutch (2014)
The Even More Flexible French (2015)
Training with Moska (2017)
An Attacking Repertoire for White with 1.d4 (2019)
712
713
Table of Contents
Title page
Explanation of symbols
On The Fully-Fledged French
Foreword
Seven symbols
Part One – The origin
Chapter 2 Gulko’s System
Chapter 3 White’s original set-up: 6.Bd3
Chapter 4 A dynamic set-up against Nimzowitsch’s Gambit 4.Qg4
Chapter 5 A hundred years later: 6.Be2
Chapter 6 Labyrinths of the old system
Part Two – Weapons and dogmas
Chapter 8 Salto Mortale: 9.Nf4
Chapter 9 Game Changer vs the Universal System: 7.Ngf3
Chapter 10 The plan with the exchange ...Bc8xBf1: 6...b6
Chapter 11 A pawn wedge: 5.f4
Chapter 12 The Romanishin Variation
Chapter 13 A French-Scandinavian hybrid
Part Three – French Magic
Chapter 15 The proper scope of the move 7...Be7
Chapter 16 A legendary pin
Part Four – Behind the barricades
Chapter 18 The Semi-Winawer
Chapter 19 My System in the Winawer
Chapter 20 The Sub-Winawer: the classical 7.Nf3 and the anti-dynamic 7.a4
Chapter 21 The sharp flank attack 7.h4
Chapter 22 The Eingorn Variation
Part Five – Five surprise weapons for dynamic players
Chapter 24 The King’s Indian Attack
Chapter 25 Kortchnoi’s wedge against the French Super Gambit
Chapter 26 Taking advantage of an over-developed bishop
714
4
5
7
9
19
20
42
57
69
78
88
119
142
158
172
193
218
246
291
325
355
413
467
487
514
544
566
602
625
638
644
Chapter 27 A ‘coffeehouse’ counterattack in the Classical French
Index of variations
Index of names
Bibliography
A brief biography
715
653
667
679
711
712