TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE
KEY TO SYMBOLS
INTRODUCTION
1. CLASSICAL VARIATION (Be2)
Parts 1, 2, 3, 4
2. 7.Bc4: ANTI-YUGOSLAV
VARIATION
Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
3. 7.Bc4: MY SYSTEM
Parts 1, 2, 3
4. MAROCZY BIND: BREYER
VARIATION
Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
5. MAROCZY BIND: MAIN LINE
Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
6. 4.Qxd4 VARIATION
Parts 1, 2
7. ANTI-SICILIANS: ALAPIN AND
MORRA
Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
THE HYPER ACCELERATED DRAGON
by Raja Panjwani
First edition 2017 by inkers
Publishing
e Hyper Accelerated Dragon
Copyright © 2017 Raja Panjwani
www.thinkerspublishing.com
Managing Editor
Romain Edouard
Proofreading
All rights reserved. No part of this
publication may be reproduced, stored in
a retrieval system or transmitted in any
form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording or
otherwise, without the prior written
permission from the publisher.
Daniël Vanheirzeele
ISBN 978-94-9251-009-9
Graphic Artist
D/2017/13730/4
Philippe Tonnard
Cover design
Iwan Kerkhof
Typesetting
i-Press ‹www.i-press.pl›
All sales or enquiries should be directed
to inkers Publishing, 9000 Gent,
Belgium.
e-mail: info@thinkerspublishing.com
website: www.thinkerspublishing.com
KEY TO SYMBOLS
!
a good move
±
White has a serious advantage
?
a weak move
μ
Black has a serious advantage
!!
an excellent move
+–
White has a decisive advantage
??
a blunder
–+
Black has a decisive advantage
!?
an interesing move
‚
with an attack
?!
a dubious move
ƒ
with initiative
™
only move
„
with counterplay
=
equality
…
with the idea of
∞
unclear position
¹
better is
‹
worse is
N
novelty
+
check
#
mate
with compensation for the
© sacri ced material
²
White stands slightly better
³
Black stands slightly better
INTRODUCTION
It simply isn’t an adventure worth telling if there aren’t any dragons.
J.R.R. Tolkien
My Favorite Sicilian
I was introduced to the Accelerated
Dragon when I was ten years old, more
than seventeen years ago. It was arguably
my rst ‘serious’ defense against 1.e4:
prior to then I would develop my pieces in
a manner my father and I called ‘P-Play’
(the ‘P’ deriving from our family name)
but which I later discovered is widely
known as the Hippopotamus Defence. He
and I were of similar strength at the time,
and we studied the opening together from
the then recently published, and now
classic, Accelerated Dragons by IMs
Donaldson and Silman.
What drew me to the opening initially
was the abundance of cheapos I could set
up for my opponents in the early stages of
the game, which even experts and masters
seemed unprepared for. e following was
always one of my favorites:
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Bg7
5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Bc4 Qa5 8.Qd2?
8.0-0
8...Nxe4! 9.Nxc6
9.Nxe4 Qxd2+ 10.Bxd2 Nxd4μ
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+-tr0
9zpp+pzppvlp0
9-+N+-+p+0
9wq-+-+-+-0
9-+L+n+-+0
9+-sN-vL-+-0
9PzPPwQ-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
9...Qxc3!! 10.Qxc3
10.bxc3 Nxd2 11.Bxd2 bxc6μ
10...Bxc3+ 11.bxc3 bxc6μ
Beyond simple tricks like this one, I
found that the positional themes of the
opening were fairly easy to digest; for
example, dark square control, central
breakthrough (especially ...d7-d5),
queenside expansion, as well as the typical
favorable and unfavorable endgames which
tend to arise. As I have matured as a
player, my perspective on this opening has
correspondingly transformed, but my
respect and appreciation for its strength
has only been enhanced. is book is an
attempt to convey my current
understanding and approach with black.
I have always felt that the Accelerated
Dragon does not get its due respect among
the Sicilians. Even its prodigal brother, the
un-accelerated Dragon, had its time in the
spotlight when it was used by Kasparov to
twice defeat (and twice draw) Anand in
their 1995 PCA World Championship
match. Why then, has the Accelerated
Dragon — the theoretically no worse off,
and much safer of the two (I like to think
of it as the only Sicilian where Black
needn’t worry about getting mated in 25
moves) — historically been only an
occasional guest in top events, and, unlike
every other respectable Sicilian, never
occupied the central battle eld of a World
Championship match?1 Part of the
discrepancy is a vestige of the old (pre1970s) dogma that in the Sicilian, to avoid
suffocation, Black must prevent White
from obtaining a ‘clamp’ pawn center
(pawns on e4 and c4). Indeed, the
Maroczy Bind (5.c4) has always been the
bane of the Accelerated Dragon’s existence.
However, while this attitude towards the
Sicilian may have been justi able half a
century ago, Black has since demonstrated
counterattacking prospects against the
e4/c4 clamp in a variety of structures, as in
the Hedgehog, Kalashnikov, Kan,
Taimanov, and certainly no less in the
Accelerated Dragon.
I suspect that computers have deterred
many potential devotees away from the
Accelerated Dragon. Computer
evaluations in the main lines tend to
uctuate between +0.25 and +0.5, which
plausibly leads to the rationale that
playing the Accelerated Dragon instead of
the Berlin or Marshall — where
evaluations are closer to +0.15 — is like
playing with a small handicap straight out
of the opening. ings, however, are not
so simple. Computers evaluate each
position by objective features, without
regard for subjective factors which are very
often more important in tournament
chess. Machines systematically ignore the
value of, for example, being able to follow
one of a small number of thematic plans,
irrespective of what the opponent does,
saving on clock time as well as risk of
mishandling the position. is sort of
human element is unaccounted for by the
engine, resulting in an in ated estimation
of White’s chances. In this regard, there
are similarities between the Accelerated
Dragon and the King’s Indian Defense —
another opening notoriously bastardized
by the engine. King’s Indian devotees are
used to seeing +0.5 computer evaluations,
but they are not discouraged because they
recognize that there is a narrow margin of
error for White, and to err is human. e
same can be said for the Accelerated
Dragon.
Fortunately, the tide of fashion is
turning, and contemporary Accelerated
Dragon experts like (super) Grandmasters
Tiviakov, Mamedov, Iturrizaga, and
Malakhov have demonstrated that this
opening can be a reliable counter to 1.e4
even against top opposition. Recently, in
fact, World Champion Magnus Carlsen
upheld the Black side of a Maroczy to put
a halt to Caruana’s 7-0 run in the 2014
Sinque eld Cup. I predict a bright future
for this opening, for many reasons, but
most of all because 1) e resulting
positions are difficult for computers to
properly assess- many ‘+=’ evaluations are
more accurately ‘=’ but more importantly
‘easier to play for Black’, a factor which
should not be underestimated especially
considering the increasingly short time
controls, and 2) ere is plenty of
unexplored terrain, which cannot be easily
navigated by the positional dictums we are
brought up with, because the Accelerated
Dragon is a genuinely nonstandard
opening. is means that there is a
competitive advantage to those who work
out its unusual nuances, unlike in, say, the
Najdorf or Sveshnikov where it often feels
like the strategic ideas are all well known,
and only concrete novelties are yet to be
discovered (if it is unclear what I mean by
this, I hope it isn’t by the end of the
book!).
e Accelerated Dragon State of
Mind
A friend of mine (a strong IM) recently
commented to me that if he could be
certain that his opponents wouldn’t play
the Maroczy bind, he would always play
the Accelerated Dragon instead of his
usual (un-accelerated, but I sometimes
teasingly prefer ‘un-playable’) Dragon,
because White can’t play the critical
Yugoslav Attack against the Accelerated
Dragon (despite this being lesson #1 of the
Accelerated Dragon, a surprising number
of masters have not gotten the memo).
“However”, he continued, “in the
Maroczy, Black is just playing for a draw,
you can never win!” A loyal defender of
my beloved pet opening, I insisted he had
it all wrong, and that I welcome the
Maroczy in must-win games with Black.
“at’s really weird dude, you’re probably
the only one” was his retort, but I think
when it comes to the Accelerated Dragon,
there’s a requisite state of mind needed in
order to properly handle it — some
players have had a conversion experience
after catching a glimpse of its incredible
power, while others haven’t. Plausibly as a
result of this, from my experience there is
a peculiar camaraderie among Accelerated
Dragon practitioners. Whereas Najdorf
‘bros’ espouse a Darwinian angst that their
novelty on move 25 in the Poisoned Pawn
variation will be discovered, used, and
rendered useless by their colleagues, I have
found that Accelerated Dragon players
enjoy discussing their ideas with each
other. A personal anecdote of mine is fairly
typical: in the nal round of the 2013 US
Masters tournament I was in a must-win
‘money game’ with Black against Cuban
GM Abreu, and I noticed GM Rauf
Mamedov (a leading expert on the Black
side of the Accelerated Dragon) was taking
an interest in the Maroczy Bind on my
board. I won the game in a tense struggle,
and afterwards when I was collecting my
prize, Rauf kindly congratulated me on
the win and took an interest in the 15...e6
line I played (see chapter 5), which he said
he hadn’t studied before. I told him I was
not too happy with the more popular
15...Qb6, but he asserted that from his
analysis Black has no problems there —
“it’s equal” he said. His con dent
proclamation was just the nudge I needed
to look closer into some of the lines I
thought were undesirable for Black, and
on closer inspection I realized
(unsurprisingly) he was right!
While this elusive ‘state of mind’ is
somewhat ineffable, and better grasped
from experience than anything else (if I
am successful then the contents of this
book will convey precisely this), I think it
is helpful to think of the Maroczy as a
close cousin of the Hedgehog. I
understand the ‘philosophy’ of the
Hedgehog in terms of how Mihai Suba
describes it in his excellent Dynamic Chess
Strategy. It is worth quoting him at length.
“White’s position looks ideal. at’s the
naked truth about it, but the ‘ideal’ has by
de nition one drawback — it cannot be
improved. ...In the early 1970s, the
successes of Karpov and Andersson
showed that [Hedgehog] positions are not
only playable but offer as many winning
chances as any other opening. is was in
glaring con ict with classical strategy.
White enjoys more space, better
development [and] his position has no
weaknesses. How is it possible that Black
not only resists in these positions but
sometimes wins? e only plausible
answer lies in the hidden dynamics of the
positions. After the opening, White’s
position has all the qualities of a successful
picture, but lacks concrete possibilities for
improvement. Within our terminology, it
is rigid (not elastic). Black’s position, in
contrast, ‘looks’ bad but has greater scope
for improvement.” (p. 26)
is description applies equally well to
the Maroczy. In fact, you might say that
the Accelerated Dragon (speci cally the
Black side of the Maroczy) ‘state of mind’
is, to borrow Suba’s phrase, an
appreciation for the “hidden dynamic
factors” in each position which
compensate for the static de ciencies
(again, the best way to ‘sense’ these is by
studying the opening — the variations in
this book are meant to illustrate these
factors). Moreover, as a long time
Hedgehog player myself, I must say that in
my opinion, Black has much more
freedom in the Maroczy than in the
Hedgehog; for instance, in the Hedgehog,
it is usually unfavorable for Black to
exchange queens, whereas in the Maroczy
(and the Accelerated Dragon more
broadly), White often takes pains to avoid
exchanging queens so as to not lose the
initiative, and that is a liability which
contributes to the “rigidity” (another apt
term of Suba’s) of White’s position. Terms
like ‘elastic’ and ‘counterattacking
potential’ will be interspersed throughout
this book — they are much more
informative than reductive evaluations like
‘=’.
An Inclusive Opening
One of the remarkable things about the
Accelerated Dragon is its appeal to players
with vastly different styles. Compare Bent
Larsen, the epitome of dynamic, offbeat,
risky chess, with Sergei Tiviakov, who
claimed in an interview recently that his
style has been shaped most by Petrosian
(who was a great Accelerated Dragon
devotee himself ), Smyslov, and Karpov —
both these players have championed the
Accelerated Dragon as their main weapon
against 1.e4 and yet their styles are in
many ways polar opposites of each other!
How can this be? I think the answer to
this question is subtle and instructive. I
think that when playing the Accelerated
Dragon it ‘feels’ like you are playing
White, not Black (albeit in a hypermodern
manner). What I mean is, in chess, White
tends to be the one to control the tempo
of the game — usually it is White who
chooses whether to enter into an opposite
side castling situation, or to exchange
pieces early on and maneuver around in a
simpli ed middlegame, or invoke the
center as the locus of battle, ensuring king
safety above all.2 Furthermore, Black
usually needs to play accurately to not end
up slightly worse, or at least give the
initiative to White. e situation is, to the
well prepared Accelerated Dragon player,
precisely the reverse: in the Maroczy, for
example, there are half a dozen different
ways for Black to develop, and players of
diverse styles can choose the one which
suits them best (or vary their choice
depending on practical considerations).
Black controls the tempo and determines
the character of the struggle, which is why
it is so effective in must-win games.
Furthermore, unlike in many 1...e5
openings, or in most other Sicilians like
the Kan, Sveshnikov, or even the Najdorf,
White’s choices are rather limited if he
does not want to end up slightly worse out
of the opening. In practice, White meets
the Accelerated Dragon with either the
Maroczy Bind or the 7.Bc4 variation; this
is simply not so in the Najdorf where
every single reasonable move is a viable
candidate from the starting position of the
Najdorf (6.h3, 6.Rg1, 6.g3, 6.f3, 6.Be3,
6.f4, 6.Be2, 6.Bc4, 6.Bg5, 6.a4, and that
is not even to mention variations therein),
and the margin for White error is far
greater (for example 6.Be2 e5 7.Nf3!? is a
serious challenge to the Najdorf but 6.Be2
Bg7 7.Nf3?! is just dubious against the
Accelerated Dragon).
e above may sound a little hyperbolic,
and I would like to make it clear from the
outset that I am not claiming that ‘Black is
better’ in the Accelerated Dragon; to do so
would be dishonest. My claim is a serious
one: the character of the Accelerated
Dragon is that of a White opening. In
fact, the Accelerated Dragon reversed is a
White opening, called the English, and is
fashioned by most of the top players in the
world, including Carlsen, Kramnik,
Aronian, Anand, Giri, and others: the
exact piece arrangement occurs with colors
reversed (and a tempo up) after 1.c4 e5
2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.Nc3,
as well as 1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 d5
4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.g3 Nc6 6.Bg2 Nc7 7.0-0
e5 (reversed Maroczy). I have enjoyed
playing this ‘reversed Accelerated Dragon’
with White as well.
In addition to being inclusive in the
above sense, that it can suit players of
diverse styles, and also that it can be a
coherent complement to a 1.c4 repertoire
with White, there are many interesting
ways that the opening ‘ ts’ with defenses
against 1.d4/1.c4/1.Nf3, and can often
directly transpose from them.
King’s Indian:
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6
i) 5.Nf3 0-0 6.Be2 c5 7.0-0 cxd4
8.Nxd4 Nc6
ii) 5.f3 0-0 6.Be3 c5 7.Nge2 cxd4
8.Nxd4 Nc6
Benoni/Benko Gambit:
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nf3 cxd4 4.Nxd4
Nc6 5.Nc3 g6 6.e4
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 c5 4.Nc3 (4.d5
either 4...b5 or 4...e6) 4...cxd4 5.Nxd4
Nc6 6.e4
Symmetrical English:
1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4
Bg7 5.e4 Nc6
1.Nf3 c5 2.c4 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4
Bg7 5.e4 Nc6
Of course, there is no obligation on
Accelerated Dragon players to deploy these
defences in order to allow for
transpositional possibilities — Tiviakov
has been a lifelong Nimzo-Indian/Queen’s
Indian devotee as a counterexample — but
I have found it useful to play these systems
in tandem myself.
One more point on the topic of move
orders: since the Accelerated Dragon
(especially the Maroczy) can come about
from so many different move orders, I
have taken some liberties with the games
in this book to convert the initial moves to
the 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 ‘Hyper-Accelerated
Dragon’ move order we will be focusing
on. I have done this, following a not
uncommon practice, purely for didactic
purposes — I don’t want readers happy
with their 1.d4 defenses to be confused by
transpositions from openings they don’t
play.
About is Book
is book presents a repertoire for Black
after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 — the HyperAccelerated Dragon. I am relatively lax
about distinguishing between ‘Accelerated
Dragon’ (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4
4.Nxd4 g6) and ‘Hyper-Accelerated
Dragon’, and I use the two
interchangeably unless to emphasize move
order nuances, for example, “the HyperAccelerated Dragon avoids the
Rossolimo”. However, this is not merely ‘a’
Hyper-Accelerated Dragon repertoire, it is
my repertoire, and I present the material as
such, from a rst person perspective,
making brazen use of my own games and
offering personal anecdotes and opinions.
is stylistic choice risks my coming
across as presumptuous and at times even
boastful, but my hope is rather that the
conversational mode of presentation
makes readers feel as though I am their
tour guide through what might otherwise
feel like an insurmountable labyrinth of
variations. Further on the point of stylistic
choices, I am regrettably not sufficiently
skilled in writing without gender-speci c
pronouns, so please regard all generic
references to ‘he’ as ‘s/he’ (or alternative)
and so on.
I provide as much information as I
think is necessary for readers to play this
opening with Black; however, this is
absolutely not meant to be an anthology
on the opening. I make no claim to cover
every conceivable variation White can
play. Any attempt at such, couched under
the heading of a ‘complete repertoire’
would not only be misleading, but in this
day and age obsolete. is is not to say
that opening books are altogether obsolete;
on the contrary, as inundated with
information as we all are nowadays, it can
be enormously helpful to have an author
divulge opening secrets from their years of
experience which would not easily be
gathered from a database search.
What is obsolete is the attempt to
thoroughly and comprehensively ‘prove
equality’ with Black, and more
importantly for our purposes it is
antagonistic to the spirit of the Accelerated
Dragon, which is that of an opening
refusing to be evaluated on static grounds
alone. As Jonathan Rowson instructs in his
Seven Deadly Chess Sins, “You need to
assess not only the position as it stands but
the position as it has changed and how it
is likely to continue to change”. (p.75) So,
I am not a big fan of evaluations like ‘=’ or
‘=+’ or ‘+=’ (though I capitulate to these at
times) because ‘=’ makes me think of a
draw and ‘+=’ makes me feel like I ought
to be satis ed with a draw as Black, when
in reality Black can very much be
optimistic about his position despite such
evaluations, and that is why I prefer
evaluations like “counterplay” or “mutual
chances”.
If you encounter a variation not covered
in this book, for example 1.e4 c5 2.Na3,
my general prescription is this: nd a
database (no excuses, they are free online),
and search the position with an
Accelerated Dragon player (I gave you a
list above) as Black to see how they have
chosen to play the position. Ideally you’ll
nd a model game that you can recall
whenever you face the system; after all,
when it comes to rare systems like 2.Na3
it is foolish to memorize concrete
variations since you’ll never remember
them anyway, but the key ideas of a model
game you can. Even in the main lines of
the Accelerated Dragon, don’t try to
memorize the moves given in this book as
if they are the ultimate truth. ey aren’t.
Your learning will be enhanced if you
actively seek out novelties of your own,
and try to understand how the various
positional ideas for both sides t together.
To make this book as valuable to the
Petrosian-style (risk-averse) Accelerated
Dragon player as to the Larsen-type (riskcraving), I have recommended two systems
against each of the 7.Bc4 and Maroczy
Bind variations. I hope at least one of
these suits you. For those among you who
will embark on the risky course (‘My
System’ against 7.Bc4 and the Breyer
Variation of the Maroczy), may I caution
you to do so with a realistic attitude
towards the cost of risk-taking in chess. It
is in the (mathematical) nature of risktaking that it increases the variability of
outcomes — both good and bad. e
mature risk taker is mindful of this,
cognizant that their risk-taking is
compatible with their aims and
justi cations. is was the attitude of Bent
Larsen. If you would like to play the
Accelerated Dragon ambitiously, with a
tolerance for risk, keep in mind the
following description of Larsen, given by
Reshevsky: “He is a rm believer in the
value of surprise. Consequently, he often
resorts to dubious variations in various
openings. He also likes to complicate
positions even though it may involve
considerable risk. He has a great deal of
con dence in his game and fears no one.
His unique style has proven extremely
effective against relatively weak opponents
but has not been too successful against
top-notchers.” Alas, this is the risk-taker’s
predicament, but far from discouraging it,
I am thankful for the risk-takers among
you who resist the ‘genetic’ drift of our
chess community towards timidity and
results-oriented pragmatism.
I sincerely hope you nd this to be an
enjoyable and enriching experience.
CHAPTER 1
CLASSICAL VARIATION (Be2)
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Bg7
5.Nc3 Nc6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+ntr0
9zpp+pzppvlp0
9-+n+-+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9tR-vLQmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Contents
1. 6.Nb3, 6.Nde2
2. 6.Be3 Nf6 7.sidelines & 7.Be2 d5!?
3. 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Be2 0-0 8.sidelines
4. 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Be2 0-0 8.0-0
1
We begin with the variation which
epitomizes the Accelerated Dragon
philosophy. In most defenses to 1.e4,
White has the option of playing a
‘Classical’ variation by developing the light
squared bishop to e2. is is particularly
the case in Sicilians like the Najdorf,
Scheviningen and Taimanov, but also in
other defenses like the Pirc/Modern and
Alekhine. In all these systems, the
Classical Variation offers White serious
chances to obtain an opening advantage,
and the immortal games of past
champions like Geller and Karpov provide
textbook illustrations of successful
‘Classical’ 1.e4 play. In contrast, the Be2
(Classical) variation against the ordinary,
un-Accelerated Dragon is rather harmless
for Black, the Yugoslav Attack being its
critical test. As Accelerated Dragon
players, we are in an even more favorable
situation than ordinary Dragon players
when it comes to the Classical variation,
because we can choose to transpose to
harmless variations of the Classical
Dragon by opting for ...d7-d6 at
opportune moments, and in some lines we
can strike with ...d7-d5 directly, saving a
full tempo compared with analogous lines
in the Dragon. Despite the fact that this
system offers White no advantage, it is still
seen in about 15% of Accelerated Dragons
(the other 85% are nearly evenly
distributed between the Maroczy and Bc4
variations), the bulk of which occur at the
club level.
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Bg7
5.Nc3 Nc6
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+ntr0
9zpp+pzppvlp0
9-+n+-+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9tR-vLQmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
6.Nb3
is move tends to be played later on
anyway in the Be2 system, in order to
hinder Black from playing ...d7-d5 (note
that the Maroczy and Bc4 variation both
target the d5-square), so some players
prefer to play 6.Nb3 directly without
committing the Bishop to e3.
6.Nde2
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+ntr0
9zpp+pzppvlp0
9-+n+-+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-+P+-+0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9PzPP+NzPPzP0
9tR-vLQmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
is is not part of the Be2 system so I
just mention it in passing. Some people
who like to anchetto their light bishop in
other Sicilians play this ‘Chameleon’ line;
such variations are apt against tamer
Sicilians like the Najdorf, not the
unforgiving Accelerated Dragon.
6...Nf6 7.g3
(7.a4 d5!N 8.exd5 (8.Nxd5? Nxe4μ)
8...Nb4 9.Nf4 (9.Ng3 0-0 10.Bc4 Qc7
11.Bb3 Rd8„) 9...Bf5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqk+-tr0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+-+-snp+0
9+-+P+l+-0
9Psn-+-sN-+0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9-zPP+-zPPzP0
9tR-vLQmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
10.Bb5+ Kf8 11.Bd3 Nxd3+ 12.cxd3
g5 13.Nfe2 Nxd5 14.Bxg5 Nxc3
15.bxc3 Bxd3 16.0-0 Bc4=)
7...b5! 8.Bg2 Rb8 9.0-0 0-0
XIIIIIIIIY
9-trlwq-trk+0
9zp-+pzppvlp0
9-+n+-snp+0
9+p+-+-+-0
9-+-+P+-+0
9+-sN-+-zP-0
9PzPP+NzPLzP0
9tR-vLQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
10.h3
a) 10.Nd5 d6 11.Bg5 (11.h3 Nd7
12.c3 e6 13.Nb4 Nxb4 14.cxb4 Nb6³
Polgar,Z (2550)-Georgiev,V (2615)
Matinhos 1994) 11...Nd7 12.c3 Re8
13.Nd4 Nxd4 14.cxd4 Nb6 15.Nb4
Bb7 16.Rc1 Qd7 17.b3 a5 18.Nc2 b4=
1–0 (57) Kuzmin,G (2540)-Macieja,B
(2460) St Petersburg 1996;
b) 10.Bf4 d6 11.Qd2 b4 12.Nd5 Ng4
13.Rab1 Nge5 14.b3 e6 15.Ne3 Qa5μ;
10...b4 11.Nd5 Ba6 12.Re1 Nxd5
13.exd5 Na5
XIIIIIIIIY
9-tr-wq-trk+0
9zp-+pzppvlp0
9l+-+-+p+0
9sn-+P+-+-0
9-zp-+-+-+0
9+-+-+-zPP0
9PzPP+NzPL+0
9tR-vLQtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
14.Bf4
(14.Nd4 Nc4 15.Rb1 e5! 16.dxe6
fxe6³)
14...Rc8 15.d6 e6 16.a3 b3! 17.cxb3
Qb6 18.b4 Nc4³ Perovic-Nikolic, Pula
1991.
6...Nf6 7.Be2 0-0 8.0-0
ere are ways of playing this in the
spirit of the Accelerated Dragon but I
think Black’s best and simplest path is to
proceed in Dragon style with ...d7-d6 and
...Bc8-e6, aiming to play ...d6-d5.
8...d6
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+nzp-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-+P+-+0
9+NsN-+-+-0
9PzPP+LzPPzP0
9tR-vLQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
9.Bg5
is is likely to be White’s idea if they
play 6.Nb3 directly.
9.f4?!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+nzp-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-+PzP-+0
9+NsN-+-+-0
9PzPP+L+PzP0
9tR-vLQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
9...b5!„;
9.Kh1 Be6 10.f4 Qc8! Preventing f4-f5.
(10...d5?! 11.f5 Bc8 12.exd5 Nb4
13.fxg6 hxg6 14.Bf3 Bf5 15.Nd4±)
11.Be3
(11.f5? gxf5 12.exf5 Bxf5μ One might
think White has some compensation
because Black’s king position has been
compromised but the far more salient
factor is Black’s superiority in the
center.)
11...Rd8= White cannot prevent ...d6d5, which as a rule (at least) equalizes for
Black.;
9.Re1 Be6 10.Bf1 d5 11.Nc5
(11.exd5 Nxd5 12.Ne4 b6=)
11...dxe4 12.Nxe6 Qxd1 13.Rxd1 fxe6
14.Bc4 Kf7³ Black’s tripled pawns are not
to be scoffed at; they restrict White’s
pieces by controlling important central
squares.
9...Be6 10.Kh1
White signals his intention to continue
with f2-f4. Since White’s bishop is on g5,
it is no longer realistic for Black to aim for
...d6-d5, so he refocuses attention toward
the queenside.
10.f4?! b5!„
10...Rc8 11.f4 a6
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwq-trk+0
9+p+-zppvlp0
9p+nzplsnp+0
9+-+-+-vL-0
9-+-+PzP-+0
9+NsN-+-+-0
9PzPP+L+PzP0
9tR-+Q+R+K0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black can take his time on the
queenside because if White continues with
f4-f5 then Black will happily take
possession of the e5 square with his
knight.
12.Qe1
12.f5 Bd7! 13.Qc1 Ne5 14.Qf4 b5„;
12.Bf3 Nd7!? Just one idea of many.
13.Rb1 Bxc3 14.bxc3 Qc7³;
12.a4 Na5 13.Nxa5 Qxa5 14.Bd3 Rfe8
15.Qe2 Qb4 16.a5 Bg4 17.Qd2 Bd7
Black threatens ...d6-d5 thanks to the pin
on the c3-knight. 18.Qe2?! Qxb2 19.Bxf6
Bxf6 20.Nd5 Bb5 21.Bxb5 Qxb5
22.Qxb5 axb5 23.Rab1 Rc5μ 0–1 (42)
Anand,V (2715)-Topalov, V (2640)
Linares 1994.
12...b5
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwq-trk+0
9+-+-zppvlp0
9p+nzplsnp+0
9+p+-+-vL-0
9-+-+PzP-+0
9+NsN-+-+-0
9PzPP+L+PzP0
9tR-+-wQR+K0
xiiiiiiiiy
13.f5 Bd7 14.Qh4 Ne5 15.Nd4 Rc5!„
Black intends ...Qd8-a8 with prospects
for the thematic ...Rxc3 Sicilian exchange
sacri ce.
15...Nc4?! 16.Nd5 Nxd5 17.exd5ƒ
2
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Bg7
5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Be3 Nf6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+-tr0
9zpp+pzppvlp0
9-+n+-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+-sN-vL-+-0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
7.Be2
7.Nxc6 bxc6 8.e5 Ng8! (8...Nd5 I never
liked this pawn sacri ce but several
grandmasters have played it. 9.Nxd5 cxd5
10.Qxd5 Rb8∞) 9.f4 Nh6 10.Qd2 0-0
11.0-0-0 d6!=;
7.f4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+-tr0
9zpp+pzppvlp0
9-+n+-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-sNPzP-+0
9+-sN-vL-+-0
9PzPP+-+PzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
7...0-0 8.Be2 Black can of course
continue with 8...d6 here and transpose to
the ordinary Dragon but I suggest we only
do so after White has displaced his knight
from the active d4-square.
(8.e5 White can’t afford such extensions
before castling and completing
development. 8...Ne8 9.Qf3 (9.Nxc6?!
bxc6 10.h4?! d6 11.h5 Qa5 12.hxg6
hxg6μ; 9.Qd2 d6„) 9...d6 10.0-0-0
(10.Nxc6?! bxc6 11.Qxc6 Bd7³)
10...Bd7„)
8...e5!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+p+pvlp0
9-+n+-snp+0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9-+-sNPzP-+0
9+-sN-vL-+-0
9PzPP+L+PzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
9.Ndb5 Black has safe paths to equality
here like 9...Ne8, but the following
opportunity, while messy and slightly
risky, is far too appealing to pass up.
(9.fxe5 Nxe5 10.0-0 d6 11.Bg5 h6
12.Bh4 g5 13.Bg3 Qb6 14.Kh1 Neg4
15.Qd3 Nh5„; 9.Nxc6 dxc6 10.fxe5
Ng4!„)
9...Nxe4!!N 10.Nxe4 d5 11.Nf2
(11.Ned6 a6 12.Nxc8 Rxc8 13.Na7
Nxa7 14.Bxa7 b6μ)
11...a6 12.Na3 exf4 13.Bc1
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9+p+-+pvlp0
9p+n+-+p+0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+-+-zp-+0
9sN-+-+-+-0
9PzPP+LsNPzP0
9tR-vLQmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black’s compensation is of a long-term
nature. For the sacri ced piece he
currently has two pawns, control over the
center, and most of White’s pieces are
awkwardly placed. Black can ‘just play’ the
position, even the computer gives its
approval (“0.00”) to several moves
(13...Re8, 13...Qh4, 13...Nd4). e
following is just one possible
continuation. 13...f3!? 14.Bxf3
(14.gxf3?! Qh4 15.0-0 Bd4 16.c3 Ba7
17.Nc2 Bh3 18.Be3 Bxe3 19.Nxe3
Qg5+ 20.Kh1 Bxf1 21.Nxf1 Rfe8=)
14...Re8+ 15.Kf1 Nd4 16.c3 Nxf3
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqr+k+0
9+p+-+pvlp0
9p+-+-+p+0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9sN-zP-+n+-0
9PzP-+-sNPzP0
9tR-vLQ+K+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
17.gxf3
(17.Qxf3 d4! 18.Bd2 Be6 19.Re1
Qb6μ)
17...d4! 18.Bf4
(18.cxd4?! Bf5 19.d5 Rc8 20.h4 b5
21.Nb1 b4!μ)
18...dxc3 19.Qxd8 Rxd8 20.bxc3 Bxc3
21.Rd1 Be6 22.Rxd8+ Rxd8 23.Nb1 Bd4
24.a3 Rc8 25.Kg2 Rc2 26.Nd2 Ra2=
7...d5!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+-tr0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+n+-snp+0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+-sN-vL-+-0
9PzPP+LzPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black is not supposed to be able to play
this; the general rule is that, except in
extraordinary circumstances, Black must
castle before playing this. Obedience to
that rule is likely why this move has never
been played by a 2400+ player (at least
according to the database). Computers are
helpful for showing us the exceptions to
our rule of thumb heuristics. Nevertheless,
Black is not better off here than he is in
the main line (7...0-0), it is just another
path to easy equality.
8.Bb5
8.exd5 Nxd5 9.Nxc6 bxc6 10.Nxd5
Qxd5 11.0-0 0-0= We have transposed to
the 7...0-0 8.0-0 d5 line.
8...0-0 9.Bxc6
9.Nxc6 bxc6 10.Bxc6 Rb8©
9...bxc6 10.Nxc6 Qc7 11.exd5 e6!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zp-wq-+pvlp0
9-+N+psnp+0
9+-+P+-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-sN-vL-+-0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
12.0-0
12.Nb5 Qb7 13.Nd6 Qc7 14.Nb5
Qb7=;
12.Qd2 exd5 13.Nd4 Ne4 14.Nxe4
dxe4=
12...exd5 13.Nd4
13.Nb4 Ng4 14.g3 Nxe3 15.fxe3 d4³
13...Ng4 14.g3 Nxe3 15.fxe3 Qb7=
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpq+-+pvlp0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+-sN-+-+0
9+-sN-zP-zP-0
9PzPP+-+-zP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
3
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Bg7
5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Be2 0-0
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+pzppvlp0
9-+n+-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+-sN-vL-+-0
9PzPP+LzPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
8.Nb3
We previously considered this move
coupled with Bc1–g5; here Black proceeds
in essentially the same way.
8.Qd2?! d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxd5
(10.0-0-0 Nxe3 11.Nxc6 Qxd2+
12.Rxd2 Nf5 13.Nb4 Bh6–+ 0–1 (13)
Salimbagat,R (2269)-Panjwani,R (2393)
World Open 2016)
10...Nxd4! 11.Nxe7+
(11.Bxd4 Qxd5 12.Bxg7 Qxg2!
13.Bxf8 Qxh1+ 14.Bf1 Qe4+ 15.Be2
Kxf8μ)
11...Qxe7 12.Bxd4 Bxd4 13.Qxd4 Re8
14.Qe3 Qb4+ 15.Qd2?!
(15.c3 Qa4μ)
15...Rxe2+ 16.Kxe2 Bg4+ 17.f3 Re8+
18.Kd1 Qxb2 19.Rc1 Qb6–+
8...d6!
As per our recipe, we transpose to the
Classical Dragon when White commits to
Nb3.
8...a5 I used to follow Donaldson and
Silman in playing this Accelerated
Dragon-style move, but unfortunately I
don’t think it equalizes. 9.a4 d5?!
(9...Nb4?! 10.f4 (10.0-0 d5 11.e5 Ne4
12.f3 Nxc3 13.bxc3 Nc6 14.f4 f6
15.exf6 Bxf6 16.Qd2 e6∞) 10...d5
11.e5 Ne4 12.Nb5!²)
10.exd5 Nb4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9+p+-zppvlp0
9-+-+-snp+0
9zp-+P+-+-0
9Psn-+-+-+0
9+NsN-vL-+-0
9-zPP+LzPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
11.Bf3
(11.d6 Bf5 12.Nd4 (12.dxe7 Qxe7
13.Nd4 Rfd8μ) 12...Qxd6=)
11...b6N
a) 11...Bg4 12.Bxg4 Nxg4 13.Qxg4
(13.Bd4 Bxd4 14.Nxd4 Nf6=)
13...Nxc2+ 14.Ke2± (14.Kd2±);
b) 11...Bf5 12.Nd4 Nfxd5 13.Nxf5
Nxc3 14.Qxd8 Rfxd8 15.Nxe7+ Kf8
16.0-0 Nxc2 17.Bc5 Bd4 18.Nc6+
Bxc5 19.Nxd8 Rxd8 20.Rac1 Ne3
21.Rfe1!±;
12.d6 Bg4 13.Bxg4 Nxg4 14.Qxg4
Nxc2+ 15.Ke2 Nxa1 16.Rxa1 Qxd6
17.Rd1 Qxh2 18.Bf4 f5 19.Qf3 Qh4
20.Nd4 e5 21.Bg3±
9.0-0
9.f4 Be6 10.g4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+nzplsnp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-+PzPP+0
9+NsN-vL-+-0
9PzPP+L+-zP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
is is the old ‘Rabinovich Attack’,
popularized in the 1930s by Kan,
Leven sh, Bondarevsky, and Alekhine.
10...Rc8
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwq-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+nzplsnp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-+PzPP+0
9+NsN-vL-+-0
9PzPP+L+-zP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
(10...d5?! 11.f5 Bc8 12.exd5 Nb4
13.Qd2 (13.Bf3 gxf5 14.a3 fxg4 15.Bg2
Na6 16.Qd3 e6 17.0-0-0 Nxd5 18.h3
g3 19.Rhg1 Qd6 20.Bxd5 exd5
21.Nxd5 Kh8 22.Bf4+– 1–0 (38)
Fischer,R-Reshevsky,S Los Angeles
1961; 13.d6 Qxd6 14.Bc5 Qf4 15.Rf1
Qxh2 16.Bxb4 Nxg4 17.Bxg4 Qg3+
18.Rf2 Qg1+ 19.Rf1 Qg3+ 20.Rf2
Qg1+ 1/2–1/2 (20) Alekhine, ABotvinnik,M Nottingham 1936)
13...Nfxd5 14.Nxd5 Qxd5 15.0-0-0!
Qxd2+ 16.Bxd2²)
11.f5
(11.g5 Nd7 12.h4 Nc5! 13.Nxc5
(13.Bxc5 dxc5 14.Qxd8 Rfxd8 15.Nxc5
Nd4 16.Nxe6 Nxe6³) 13...dxc5
14.Qxd8 Rfxd8 15.Bxc5 Nd4 16.Bxd4
Bxd4 17.Bd3 Bxc3+ 18.bxc3 Rxc3³)
11...Bxb3! ank you to Daniel
Vanheirzeele for informing me of this idea.
12.cxb3
(12.axb3 is is a worse version for
White than 12.cxb3 since the c2-pawn
falls in the main line. 12...d5! 13.exd5
(13.Nxd5 Nxe4μ) 13...Nb4 14.Bf3
(14.Bc4 a6³) 14...Nfxd5!! 15.Nxd5
(15.Bxd5 Bxc3+ 16.bxc3 Rxc3 17.Bh6
Qb6!! 18.fxg6 hxg6 19.Be4 Rd8 20.Qe2
Qf6 21.Ra5 Qh4+ 22.Qf2 Qxg4–+)
15...Nxc2+ 16.Kf2 Nxa1 17.Qxa1 e6
18.f6 exd5 19.fxg7 Re8μ)
12...d5! 13.exd5 Nb4
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwq-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+-+-snp+0
9+-+P+P+-0
9-sn-+-+P+0
9+PsN-vL-+-0
9PzP-+L+-zP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
14.Bf3
(14.Bc4 Here I prefer the simple
14...Qa5 but 14...b5 leads to interesting
complications. Unlike in the 12.axb3
line, 14...a6 is not playable here because
White has a2-a3 available to him in this
line. 14...Qa5!
a) 14...a6 15.g5 Ne8 16.a3²;
b) 14...b5 15.Nxb5 Nfxd5 (15...Nbxd5
16.Bxa7 Qa5+ 17.Qd2 Qxd2+
18.Kxd2 Nxg4 19.Ke2²) 16.Bxa7
Bxb2 17.0-0∞;
15.0-0 Rcd8=)
14...Nfxd5!! 15.Nxd5
(15.Bxd5 Bxc3+ 16.bxc3 Rxc3
17.Bxf7+ Kxf7μ)
15...Nc2+ 16.Kf2
(16.Kf1 Qxd5! 17.Bxd5 Nxe3+³)
16...Nxa1 17.Qxa1 e6 18.f6 exd5
19.fxg7 Re8³ Practically speaking, White
is just lost here — computer level accuracy
is required to only remain slightly worse.
9...Be6
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+nzplsnp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-+P+-+0
9+NsN-vL-+-0
9PzPP+LzPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
10.f4
10.Qd2 d5=;
10.Nd4 d5 11.Nxe6
(11.exd5 Bxd5=)
11...fxe6 12.exd5 exd5=
10...Rc8
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwq-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+nzplsnp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-+PzP-+0
9+NsN-vL-+-0
9PzPP+L+PzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
is position has been defended on the
Black side by such champions as
Khalifman and Kramnik. White’s attack is
not to be underestimated, but Black’s
resilience and counterattacking chances are
fully adequate.
10...Qc8!? 11.h3 Rd8 12.Bf3 Nd7
13.Qd2 Nb6=
11.Qe1
11.f5?! White cannot just ‘go for it’; too
many weaknesses are created in the
process. 11...Bd7 12.g4 Ne5! 13.g5?
(13.Nd2 Rxc3! 14.bxc3 Bc6©)
13...Rxc3!–+ Just thirteen moves and
White is toast.;
11.g4 Na5 Another thematic idea to
keep in mind. 12.f5
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwq-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+-zplsnp+0
9sn-+-+P+-0
9-+-+P+P+0
9+NsN-vL-+-0
9PzPP+L+-zP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
12...Bc4!
(12...Bd7?! We were happy to move
back to d7 when the knight’s arrival on
e5 was imminent but here White’s
attack is too fast. 13.Nd2 (13.g5? Rxc3!
μ) 13...Nc6 14.Rf2 Ne5 15.g5 Ne8
16.h4‚)
13.g5
(13.Bd3 Nxb3 (13...Nd7 14.Bxa7∞)
14.axb3 Bxd3 15.cxd3 d5! 16.g5? d4μ)
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwq-trk+0
9zpp+nzppvlp0
9-+-zp-+p+0
9sn-+-+PzP-0
9-+l+P+-+0
9+NsN-vL-+-0
9PzPP+L+-zP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
14.Bd3
(14.Bxa7 Bxc3 (14...Be5!?©) 15.bxc3
Bxe2 16.Qxe2 Rxc3 17.Bd4 Rc8„)
14...Bxc3! Black creates a target for his
queenside counterplay. e g7-bishop is
often a liability anyway when White
threatens f5-f6, etc. 15.bxc3 Ne5 16.Bd4
(16.Rc1 d5μ)
16...Nac6„;
11.Kh1 a6 12.g4
(12.Qe1 is transposes to 11.Qe1.;
12.Bf3 Nd7!„ Intending ...Nd7-b6c4.)
12...d5! 13.f5 d4! 14.Nxd4 Nxd4
15.Bxd4
(15.Qxd4 Qxd4 16.Bxd4 Bc4³)
15...Bc4©
13...Nd7
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwq-trk+0
9+p+-zppvlp0
9p+-+-snp+0
9+-+-+P+-0
9-+lvLP+P+0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9PzPP+L+-zP0
9tR-+Q+R+K0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black has full compensation, White has
to play accurately to not become worse;
11.Bf3
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwq-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+nzplsnp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-+PzP-+0
9+NsN-vLL+-0
9PzPP+-+PzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
11...Nd7!„ e reader might have
noticed this is a common way to meet
Be2-f3. Black can temporarily remove the
d7-retreat square from his bishop since
White has relinquished control over c4,
and if Black achieves ...Nd7-b6-c4 he will
take over the initiative.
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwq-trk+0
9+-+-zppvlp0
9p+nzplsnp+0
9+p+-+-+-0
9-+-+PzP-+0
9+NsN-vL-+-0
9PzPP+L+PzP0
9+-+RwQR+K0
xiiiiiiiiy
13...b4!N
13...Nd7 14.f5 Bc4
(14...Bxb3 15.cxb3² 0–1 (50) Negi,PKryvoruchko,Y FIDE World Cup 2013)
15.Bxc4 bxc4 16.Nd2
(16.Nd4 Nxd4 17.Bxd4 Bxd4 18.Rxd4
Qb6 19.Rd1 Nf6 20.Rf3 Kg7=)
16...Bxc3
(16...Qa5!? 17.Nd5 (17.Nxc4 Bxc3
18.Qxc3 Qxc3 19.bxc3 Ncb8!³) 17...e6!
18.fxe6 (18.Nf4 Qxa2 19.fxe6 fxe6„)
18...fxe6 19.Nf4 Qxa2∞ (19...Nd8!?))
17.bxc3 Qa5 18.Nf3 Rb8„
14.Na4 Nxe4 15.Bb6 Qe8 16.Bxa6 Nf6
17.Bxc8 Qxc8
Black’s compensation is undeniable.
18.Nd4 Bd7 19.Nf3 Qb7 20.Bg1
11...a6 12.Kh1
12.Rd1 Ng4„
12...b5 13.Rd1
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-trk+0
9+q+lzppvlp0
9-+nzp-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9Nzp-+-zP-+0
9+-+-+N+-0
9PzPP+-+PzP0
9+-+RwQRvLK0
xiiiiiiiiy
20...Nd8! 21.b3 Ne6 22.Nd4 Nd5 23.f5
Nef4 24.Qg3 Nh5 25.Qf3 Qa8©
4
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Bg7
5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Be2 0-0 8.0-0
d5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+n+-snp+0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+-sN-vL-+-0
9PzPP+LzPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
If Black played 8...d6 instead, we would
have a position from the Classical Dragon
where Black would intend to play 9...d5
next. is is the sense in which we are
effectively up a tempo in the Accelerated
Dragon.
9.Nxc6
Not the most popular but in my
opinion White’s best.
9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxd5
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+n+-+p+0
9+-+N+-+-0
9-+-sN-+-+0
9+-+-vL-+-0
9PzPP+LzPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
e following choice is just a matter of
taste: both lead to very dry, equal
endgames. I tend to prefer 10...Nxd4
because it keeps Black’s pawn structure in
tact.
(10.Nxc6 bxc6 11.Nxd5 cxd5 12.Bf3
Bb7 13.c4 d4 14.Bxb7 Rb8 15.Bd2
Rxb7 16.b4 e5=)
10...Nxd4
(10...Qxd5 11.Bf3 Qc4 (11...Qa5
12.Nxc6 bxc6 13.Qc1 Rb8 14.c3 c5
15.Rd1 White is not better, but our
current world champion has taught us
with his games that enduring even mild
unpleasantness such as this can be made
to be a Herculean task.) 12.Nxc6
(12.Be2 Qb4³) 12...bxc6 13.c3 Bf5
14.Qb3 (14.Be2 Qe6 15.Qa4 Rfb8
16.Bc4 Qc8 17.Bb3 Be6=) 14...Qa6
15.Bc5 Rab8 16.Qa3 Qxa3 17.Bxa3
Rfc8=)
11.Bxd4
(11.Bc4 e5 12.c3 Be6=)
11...Qxd5 12.Bxg7 Qxd1 13.Raxd1
Kxg7 14.Rd2
(14.Bf3 Be6=)
14...Be6 15.Rfd1 Rfc8 16.a3 Rab8=
9...bxc6 10.e5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zp-+-zppvlp0
9-+p+-snp+0
9+-+pzP-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-sN-vL-+-0
9PzPP+LzPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
is system is underrated, and Black
needs to be a little careful here.
Computers initially think every move is
absolutely equal, but they are slow at
grasping the positional pressure White can
apply if Black does not act fast.
10...Ne4!
Liquidating the position is in my
judgment the easiest path to equality for
Black.
10...Ne8 is (like 10...Nd7) is
thematic but Black needs to play very
energetically to cope with his static
weaknesses and the requisite level of
accuracy makes this a risky variation to
enter into. 11.f4 f6 12.exf6 Bxf6 13.Qd2
Rb8
(15...Bf5 16.Bf3 I prefer White.)
16.Na4 e5 17.fxe5 Ne4 18.Qe1 Bxe5
19.Rxf8+ Kxf8 20.Qh4 Kg8∞;
10...Nd7 11.f4 e6
(11...f6?! 12.Nxd5! fxe5 13.fxe5 Nxe5
14.Nf4²)
12.Na4 a5
(12...f6 13.exf6 Qxf6 14.c3 ese
positions are just much easier to play for
White, so I recommend avoiding them,
even though Black must objectively be
ne.; 12...Qa5 13.c4 Ba6 14.Bd2 Qc7
15.Rc1 Qb7 16.Qe1 Rfc8 17.Rf3 dxc4
18.Qh4 Qb5 19.b3 Qd5 20.Be3 Qa5
21.Bxc4 Bxc4 22.Rxc4 Nb6 23.Nxb6
axb6³ 0–1 (40) Paiva,J-Panno,O (2570)
Sao Paulo 1972)
13.Qd2?!
(¹13.c4! f6 14.cxd5 cxd5 15.exf6²)
13...Ba6 14.c4 Qb8 15.cxd5 Bxe2
16.Qxe2 cxd5 17.Rac1 g5!?∞ 0–1 (38)
Mahia,G (2380)-Sorokin,M (2490)
Pehuajo 1993.
11.Nxe4 dxe4 12.Qxd8
12.Qd4 Qd5=
12...Rxd8 13.Rfd1 Be6 14.Bd4
(13...Nd6? 14.Nxd5±)
14.b3 Nd6 15.Rad1 Qc7
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-tr-+k+0
9zp-+-zppvlp0
9-+p+l+p+0
9+-+-zP-+-0
9-+-vLp+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9PzPP+LzPPzP0
9tR-+R+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
14...c5!
14...Rd7 15.a4 Nigel Short
demonstrates what can go wrong for Black
if he isn’t careful. 15...f5?! 16.exf6 exf6
17.a5 Kf7 18.f3 exf3 19.Bxf3 Rc7 20.b4!²
1–0 (59) Short,N (2685)-Yrjola,J (2485)
Manila 1992.
15.Bc3
15.Bxc5 Rdc8=
15...f5 16.b3
16.exf6 Bxf6 17.Bxf6 exf6=
16...Kf7=
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-tr-+-+0
9zp-+-zpkvlp0
9-+-+l+p+0
9+-zp-zPp+-0
9-+-+p+-+0
9+PvL-+-+-0
9P+P+LzPPzP0
9tR-+R+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Neither side can make progress; Black
should resort to waiting moves (...Bh6-g7,
etc.) until White initiates exchanges.
CHAPTER 2
7.Bc4: ANTI-YUGOSLAV VARIATION
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Bg7
5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Bc4 Qa5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+-tr0
9zpp+pzppvlp0
9-+n+-snp+0
9wq-+-+-+-0
9-+LsNP+-+0
9+-sN-vL-+-0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Contents
1. 8.sidelines & 8.0-0 0-0 9.sidelines
2. 8.0-0 0-0 9.Bb3 d6 10.sidelines
3. 8.0-0 0-0 9.Bb3 d6 10.h3 Bd7
11.sidelines
4. 8.0-0 0-0 9.Bb3 d6 10.h3 Bd7
11.Re1
5. 8.0-0 0-0 9.Bb3 d6 10.h3 Bd7 11.f4
1
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6
5.Nc3 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Bc4 Qa5
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+-tr0
9zpp+pzppvlp0
9-+n+-snp+0
9wq-+-+-+-0
9-+LsNP+-+0
9+-sN-vL-+-0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
I follow Donaldson and Silman in
referring to this system as the ‘AntiYugoslav variation’. In their words, “We
call this system the Anti-Yugoslav because
7...Qa5 more or less forces White to castle
kingside and thus avoids the dangers of
the Yugoslav Attack in the Dragon.”
is concession from White is not
without compromise from Black. In his
repertoire book on the White side of 1.e4,
Negi points out the defects in Black’s
position: “...the queen on a5 is badly
placed — it just gets in the way of Black’s
typical plans like ...Na5, or ...b5/...a5.
Now ...b5 can always be met by a2-a3
without any worries. Black also has the
typical plan of ...Nxd4 and ...Bc6
available but if White avoids playing f2-f4,
the positions after Nd5 (intending to meet
...Bxd5 with exd5) seem quite pleasant for
him. Moreover, it is not easy for Black to
nd a new square for the queen. Going to
c7 will only encourage Bg5, with ideas of
Bxf6 and Nd5, so the most common plan
is ...Qh5. Although this may offer a few
tactical tricks, it’s hard to believe that the
queen can be well placed there.” I do not
disagree with Negi — Black’s queen
usually does need to be relocated from a5,
because the c6-Knight wants that square,
and very often Black’s maneuvers in this
system are (in his words) “hard to believe”.
at being said, the fact that White
players will be incredulous towards Black’s
maneuvers is a positive feature of Black’s
strategy (in this speci c variation and
more broadly in the Accelerated Dragon),
not a reason to avoid this line.
In my experience playing this system
over the board for more than sixteen years,
White players have real difficulty
managing their position, because Black’s
Queen on a5 means that play neither
resembles the Yugoslav Attack nor does it
follow the usual paths in the Bc4/0-0
Dragon. White therefore must be
extremely accurate in order to pose any
problems whatsoever for Black, and more
often than not White players are
unprepared to do so. Black, in his favor, is
usually con ned to deciding between a few
typical themes, and that makes his life
much easier.
In the introduction to the book I
mentioned that I was initially drawn to
this system for its incredible “cheapo
potential”, but to reassure the reader that
this is a serious, safe, and reliable counter
to 7.Bc4, I point out that Ivanchuk relied
on this system at the highest stage when
he employed it against Grischuk in the
London Candidates, 2013 (see 10.Nd5!?
in the next subchapter).
8.0-0
Conventional wisdom dictates that this
is basically forced, but in my opinion 8.f3
is not to be underestimated either.
8.Qd2? For White players who have
never seen 7...Qa5, this blunder is not a
rare occurrence. 8...Nxe4! 9.Nxc6
(9.Nxe4 Qxd2+ 10.Nxd2 Nxd4μ)
9...Qxc3!!μ
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+-tr0
9zpp+pzppvlp0
9-+N+-+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+L+n+-+0
9+-wq-vL-+-0
9PzPPwQ-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
I’ve had the pleasure of playing this over
the board many times. Black is up at least
a pawn in all variations.;
8.Nb3? Another frequent sighting when
facing unprepared opposition. 8...Qb4!
9.Bd3
(9.Nd2 Apparently, according to
Donaldson and Silman, this was an idea
of the late GM Pilnik, who felt that
White had enough compensation for a
pawn. Plausible as it may have been at
the time, modern computers
demonstrate concretely that White just
ends up suffering here — and being
down material. 9...Qxb2 10.Nb5 Qe5
11.f4 Qb8 12.e5 Nxe5! 13.fxe5 Qxe5
14.Nf1 Ng4! 15.Qxg4 Qxa1+ 16.Kf2
0-0μ)
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+-tr0
9zpp+pzppvlp0
9-+n+-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-wq-+P+-+0
9+NsNLvL-+-0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
9...Nxe4! 10.Bxe4 Bxc3+ 11.bxc3
Qxe4μ;
8.f3!? is move is highly underrated;
for example, Donaldson and Silman, as
well as Negi give the move a question
mark. 8...Qb4!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+-tr0
9zpp+pzppvlp0
9-+n+-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-wqLsNP+-+0
9+-sN-vLP+-0
9PzPP+-+PzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black must not allow White to play
Qd2 and 0-0-0, establishing a Yugoslav
setup. e ‘Anti-Yugoslav variation’
wouldn’t be aptly named if it allowed this!
9.Ndb5! White takes advantage of Black’s
queen being on b4, and therefore the c7
square being vulnerable. is move has
surprisingly been overlooked by other
commentators.
(9.Bb3? Nxe4 10.Nxc6 Bxc3+ 11.bxc3
Qxc3+ 12.Ke2 dxc6 13.Qd4 Qxd4
14.Bxd4 Nf6 15.Rhe1 Rg8! Keeping the
king centralized in anticipation of the
endgame. 16.Kf2 Nd5μ)
9...Qxc4!
(9...0-0 10.Bb3 d6 11.Qd2 Bd7 12.0-00 is is ‘just a game’, of course, but
White has succeeded in establishing the
Yugoslav setup, so on principle we do
not allow it.)
10.Nc7+ Kd8 11.Nxa8 b6 12.a4 Bb7
13.Nxb6
(13.a5 bxa5 14.e5 Ne8 15.Ra4 Qe6
16.f4 Bxa8–+ 0–1 (31) Tatekhin,V
(2154)-Danin,A (2543) Belgorod 2011)
13...axb6 14.Bxb6+ Kc8 15.a5
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9-+k+-+-tr0
9+l+pzppvlp0
9-vLn+-snp+0
9zP-+-+-+-0
9-+q+P+-+0
9+-sN-+P+-0
9-zPP+-+PzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
A highly unusual position has arisen. If
memory serves, it was Bent Larsen who
claimed that in unusual positions the best
moves are often unusual themselves. e
following maneuever may appear unusual,
but it will be a recurring theme in this
book. 15...Ne8! Black’s knight unblocks
the g7 bishop and heads to d6, targeting
the c4 square. 16.Na4 Nd6! 17.Be3 Qb5
18.Qd5 Ba6=
8...0-0
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+pzppvlp0
9-+n+-snp+0
9wq-+-+-+-0
9-+LsNP+-+0
9+-sN-vL-+-0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
By far the most popular move for White
here is 9.Bb3, which will be the subject of
the next few chapters. Here we consider
alternatives for White.
9.Nb3
is is a clever line: if Black continues
9...Qa5-d8, White intends to accept the
loss of a tempo with Bc4-e2, because
Black has lost two tempi with ...Qd8-a5d8. us, a position from the Classical
Dragon is reached a full tempo up for
White. is was reason enough for
Donaldson and Silman to attribute a “?”
to 9...Qd8, but in my judgment the
Classical Dragon is ‘so equal’ that even a
tempo down, Black has no problems.
9.f3?! Qc5 10.Bb3
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+pzppvlp0
9-+n+-snp+0
9+-wq-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+LsN-vLP+-0
9PzPP+-+PzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
If you ask a seasoned Accelerated
Dragon player how many times the d4knight is currently under attack, they will
surely say “three”, never forgetting to
include the g7-bishop, which can be
uncovered with tempo. 10...Ng4! 11.fxg4
Bxd4 12.Bxd4 Nxd4 13.Kh1 Qe5
14.Nd5 Nc6=;
9.Nd5 White cannot hope for an
advantage by releasing the central tension
so quickly. 9...Nxd5 10.exd5 Nxd4
11.Bxd4 e5! 12.dxe6 dxe6 13.Bxg7
Kxg7=
9...Qd8!
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9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+pzppvlp0
9-+n+-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+L+P+-+0
9+NsN-vL-+-0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
I recommend calling White out on their
cleverness. If White plays the 7.Bc4
XIIIIIIIIY
variation against the Accelerated Dragon
(as opposed to 7.Be2) in the hope that
they will be able to favorably transpose
into a 7.Be2 line, then they probably don’t
have much experience with Be2 systems,
so we should welcome this transposition.
Besides, it is no more correct to say that
Black is down a tempo in this line than it
is to say that Black is up a tempo in the
Classical line as compared to this one!
Retreating the queen to d8 is the simplest
way for Black to handle the position; he
intends to continue in the same fashion as
I recommended in the Be2 chapter. It is
worth mentioning that super GM
Malakhov has adopted this move in more
than one tournament game.
9...Qh5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+pzppvlp0
9-+n+-snp+0
9+-+-+-+q0
9-+L+P+-+0
9+NsN-vL-+-0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
I used to enjoy playing this when I was
younger. It amazed me that Black’s queen
could get away with such tightrope
acrobatics. Unfortunately I can’t
recommend this for anything other than,
perhaps, blitz chess. 10.Be2 Qh4 11.f3
Nh5 12.Qd2
(12.Bf2?! One little inaccuracy from
White and Black is back in business.
12...Qg5 13.Nd5 e6 14.Be3 Qh4
15.Qd2 Be5 16.f4 Bxb2 17.Rab1
Bg7∞)
12...Be5 13.f4 Bxc3 14.Qxc3 Nf6
15.Nd2 d5 16.Nf3 Qh5 17.e5 Ne4
18.Qd3±;
9...Qc7
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zppwqpzppvlp0
9-+n+-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+L+P+-+0
9+NsN-vL-+-0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
10.Bg5² Perhaps it is a little harsh to
evaluate this as +=, because the truth is, it
is just an interesting game after, for
example, 10...e6!?. In this opening,
though, what matters is the level of
counterplay, not objective assessment.
With White threatening Bg5xf6 and Nc3d5, Black’s counterplay is put on hold in
order to defend further, and so compared
to 10...Qd8! which genuinely offers equal
chances, I assess this as slightly preferable
for White.
(10.f4 d6 11.Be2 a6 12.Qe1 Bg4
13.Bxg4 Nxg4 14.Nd5 Qd8 (14...Qb8
15.c3 e6 16.Nb6 Nxe3 17.Qxe3 Qa7
18.Rad1 Rad8=) 15.Bb6 Qd7 16.Rd1
Nf6 17.Nxf6+ Bxf6 18.e5² 1–0 (62)
Wei Yi (2641)-Bu Xiangzhi (2710)
Zhongshan CHN 2014)
10.Be2
10.Bg5 d6 11.Re1
(11.Bxf6?! Bxf6³ Since Black’s queen is
on d8 (and not c7), Black can recapture
with the bishop without fearing Nc3d5xf6.)
11...Nd7 12.Qd2 Nb6 13.Be2 Be6
14.Bh6 Rc8 15.Bxg7 Kxg7 16.Rad1 Nc4
(16...Ne5 17.Nd5 Bxd5 18.exd5 Qc7
19.c3 Rcd8 20.Nd4± 1/2–1/2 (56)
Perez Candelario,M (2474)-Malakhov,V
(2664) Sanxenxo ESP 2004)
17.Bxc4 Bxc4 18.Nd5 b5= Black will
continue with a typical minority attack on
the queenside.
10...d6
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9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+nzp-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-+P+-+0
9+NsN-vL-+-0
9PzPP+LzPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Since this variation is discussed, tempo
up, in the chapter on the Be2 (Classical)
Accelerated Dragon, here we will only
consider attempts by White to take
advantage of the extra tempo with
aggressive play. If White sticks to slow
maneuvering, the extra tempo will be
diluted over time.
11.f4
11.Qd2 a5 12.a4 Be6 13.Rfd1 Rc8
14.f3 Nd7 15.Nd4 Nxd4 16.Bxd4 Bxd4+
17.Qxd4 Qb6 18.Bb5 Qxd4+ 19.Rxd4
Nb6 20.Kf2 Rc5 21.Rd2 Rfc8³ 0–1 (58)
Recuero Guerra,D (2407)-Malakhov,V
(2690) Benidorm ESP 2007.
11...Be6 12.g4
e test of whether Black can get away
with playing this system down a tempo is
whether such immediate attacks work for
White. Fortunately, they don’t, so as Black
we should provoke and welcome White to
overreach. 12.Qe1 Rc8 13.Qh4 Nb4
14.Rac1? Rxc3! 15.bxc3 Nxa2μ
12...Rc8 13.g5
13.f5 Bd7 14.Qe1?! A typical method
of attack but simply inadequate here.
14...Ne5 15.Qh4?! Rxc3! 16.bxc3 Nxe4μ
13...Ne8 14.f5 Bd7 15.Qe1
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9-+rwqntrk+0
9zpp+lzppvlp0
9-+nzp-+p+0
9+-+-+PzP-0
9-+-+P+-+0
9+NsN-vL-+-0
9PzPP+L+-zP0
9tR-+-wQRmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
White is overextended; the onus is now
on Black to hit back and demonstrate the
soundness of Black’s counterplay, even
down a tempo.
15...Bxc3! 16.Qxc3
16.bxc3 Ne5³
16...Ne5 17.Qd2 gxf5! 18.exf5 f6!„
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwqntrk+0
9zpp+lzp-+p0
9-+-zp-zp-+0
9+-+-snPzP-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+N+-vL-+-0
9PzPPwQL+-zP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black has counterattacking ideas such as
...Kh8/Rg8, ...Ne8-g7, and ...Bd7-c6.
White’s king is weaker than Black’s,
because whereas Black’s king can hide on
h8, White’s corresponding h1 square is
vulnerable to ...Bd7-c6 (a consequence of
White’s overextension).
2
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6
5.Nc3 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Bc4 Qa5 8.0-0
0-0 9.Bb3 d6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+nzp-snp+0
9wq-+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+LsN-vL-+-0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
White’s options are limited, as Black
threatens ...Nf6-g4.
10.Nd5
Played in Grischuk-Ivanchuk, London
Candidates 2013. After that game, I
considered this move to be the critical test
of this entire variation. However, I now
consider it to be harmless, and not just
because of 10...Qd8!.
10.f3 is move is played often, but it is
clearly inferior to 10.h3, because Black can
continue in the same way as he does in the
main line, except White will eventually
lose a tempo when he inevitably plays f3f4. 10...Bd7
(10...Nxd4 is is playable but
unnecessary. 11.Bxd4 Be6 12.f4
(12.Nd5 Bxd5 13.exd5 Nd7 14.c3
Bxd4+ 15.Qxd4 Rfe8 16.Rfe1 a6
17.Re2 Qc5 18.Qxc5 Nxc5 19.Rae1
Kf8 20.Bc2 b5=) 12...Qa6!? 13.Re1
Qc6 14.Nd5²)
11.Qd2 Nxd4 12.Bxd4 Bc6 13.Rad1
Nd7=
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9zpp+nzppvlp0
9-+lzp-+p+0
9wq-+-+-+-0
9-+-vLP+-+0
9+LsN-+P+-0
9PzPPwQ-+PzP0
9+-+R+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black has solved his opening problems.
It is crucial to understand that if Black
succeeds in exchanging on d4, and
exchanging queens with ...Qa5-c5, then
Black is to be preferred (though not
enough to seriously plan for more than a
draw), for typical Sicilian reasons: more
central pawns, potential queenside
minority attack, etc.;
10.Qd2? Nxd4! (10...Nxe4 11.Nxc6±)
11.Bxd4 (11.Qxd4 Ng4³) 11...Nxe4μ
10...Qd8!N
Black vacates the a5-square for his
knight, leaving White with the only piece
in ‘no man’s land’ (the 5th rank).
10...Nxd5!? 11.exd5 Ne5 12.h3 Qa6„;
10...Re8 11.Nxf6+ Bxf6 12.c3 Bd7
(12...Ne5?! is was Ivanchuk’s choice,
and it turned out okay for him —
though he lost the game, it was due to
the clock rather than the position.
White, however, could have posed
serious problems with 13.f4! 13.f4!
(13.h3 Qa6 14.Nc2 Nd3 15.Qf3 Be6
16.Bd4 Bxd4 17.Nxd4 Bc4= 1–0 (39)
Grischuk,A (2764)-Ivanchuk,V (2757)
London ENG 2013) 13...Ng4 14.Bc1!±
Black’s knight is stranded on g4, and
White’s b3-bishop will coordinate with
his f1–rook to target f7 after f4-f5.)
13.f4 Nxd4 14.Bxd4 Bxd4+ 15.Qxd4
Qc5=
11.Nxf6+
11.f3 Black has his pick of ways to
equalise. 11...Bd7
(11...Na5 12.c3 Nxd5 13.exd5 Bd7=;
11...Nxd5 12.Bxd5 e6!? 13.Bxc6 bxc6
14.Nxc6 Qc7 15.Nd4 Rb8 16.Rb1 Ba6
17.Re1 Rfd8© With two bishops and
...d6-d5 imminent, Black’s
compensation is undeniable.)
12.c3 Na5= Black’s queenside
counterplay, combining a minority attack
with in ltration via ...Na5-c4, is simple
and strong.
11...Bxf6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-zpp+p0
9-+nzp-vlp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+L+-vL-+-0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
12.c3
12.Nxc6 bxc6 13.c3 c5 14.Bc4 Rb8
15.Rb1 Qa5„ Black prepares to exchange
light squared bishops with either ...c8-e6
or ...Bc8-a6, releasing pressure from the
f7-pawn, so that White’s f4-f5 loses force.
e onus will then be on White to defend
against Black’s ensuing b- le pressure.;
12.f4 Na5 13.c3 Nxb3 14.axb3
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-zpp+p0
9-+-zp-vlp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-sNPzP-+0
9+PzP-vL-+-0
9-zP-+-+PzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
14...a5! 15.Qf3 Bd7 16.f5 b5„ is is
typical of Black’s counterplay in this
variation.
12...Na5! 13.Qd2
13.Bd5 e6 14.Bb3 a6 15.Nc2 b5
16.Bf4 Be5!=
XIIIIIIIIY
13...Bd7
Black prepares to take on b3, then
charge forward on the queenside with
...a7-a5/b7-b5/a5-a4. It is unclear what
White is doing; 14.f4 only creates
weaknesses.
14.f4 Nxb3 15.axb3 e5! 16.Ne2 Bc6
17.Ng3 d5!=
3
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6
5.Nc3 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Bc4 Qa5 8.0-0
0-0 9.Bb3 d6 10.h3 Bd7
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9zpp+lzppvlp0
9-+nzp-snp+0
9wq-+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+LsN-vL-+P0
9PzPP+-zPP+0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
e rst major branching point for this
variation. Black intends ...Nc6xd4,
followed by ...Bd7-c6 and ...Nf6-d7.
Ideally, Black will exchange dark squared
bishops on d4, as well as queens (after
...Qa5-c5). Black seeks out an endgame
for obvious reasons: Black’s trumps
include a central pawn majority and the
prospect of a long term queenside
minority attack coupled with play along
the half-open c- le. White is banking on
obtaining a middlegame initiative as
compensation for these long term
disadvantages, so White will try to avoid
exchanges. e two most sensible moves
here are 11.Re1, recommended by Negi,
and the main line, 11.f4. ese two moves
will be covered in the next two
subchapters.
10...Nxd4 11.Bxd4 Be6 12.Nd5²
11.Nf3
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9zpp+lzppvlp0
9-+nzp-snp+0
9wq-+-+-+-0
9-+-+P+-+0
9+LsN-vLN+P0
9PzPP+-zPP+0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
11.Qd2? A surprisingly common
blunder — the database shows that even
grandmasters have fallen for this.
11...Nxd4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9zpp+lzppvlp0
9-+-zp-snp+0
9wq-+-+-+-0
9-+-snP+-+0
9+LsN-vL-+P0
9PzPPwQ-zPP+0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
12.Bxd4?!
(12.Qxd4 Most strong players catch
their blunder and choose to accept a
worse endgame rather than lose a pawn.
12...Ng4 13.Qd5 Qxd5 14.Nxd5 Nxe3
15.Nxe7+ Kh8 16.fxe3 Rae8 17.Nd5
Bxb2 18.Rab1 Be5 (18...Bg7 19.Nf6
Bxf6 20.Rxf6= 1–0 (75) Medvegy,Z
(2474)-Stolz,M (2391) Balatonlelle
2005; 18...Ba3 19.Nf6 Re7 20.Nxd7
Rxd7 21.Bd5= 1/2–1/2 (29) Simacek,P
(2476)-Malinovsky,K (2367) Olomouc
2009) 19.Nf6 Rd8 20.Bd5 b6 21.Nxd7
Rxd7³)
12...Nxe4! 13.Qe3
(13.Nxe4 Qxd2 14.Nxd2 Bxd4μ)
13...Bxd4 14.Qxe4 Bxc3 15.bxc3 Qg5μ
0–1 (70) Hou Yifan (2584)-Bacrot,E
(2721) Villarrobledo ESP 2009;
11.Qd3 Black proceeds with the usual
plan of ...Nc6xd4, ...Bd7-c6, and ...Nf6d7. 11...Nxd4 12.Bxd4 Bc6 13.Rae1 Nd7
14.Bxg7 Kxg7 15.f4 Qc5+ 16.Kh2 a5
17.a4 Rad8
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-tr-tr-+0
9+p+nzppmkp0
9-+lzp-+p+0
9zp-wq-+-+-0
9P+-+PzP-+0
9+LsNQ+-+P0
9-zPP+-+PmK0
9+-+-tRR+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
18.Qg3 Nf6
(18...Qb4?! Misplacing the queen; Black
wants to be able to meet f4-f5 with
...Qc5-e5. 19.f5 Ne5 (It is not too late
for Black to admit his mistake.
19...Qc5!=) 20.f6+² 1/2–1/2 (58) Wei
Yi (2557)-Yu Yangyi (2657) Shenzhen
CHN 2013)
19.f5
(19.e5 dxe5 20.fxe5 Nh5 21.Qf2 Qxf2
22.Rxf2 g5! 23.g3 Rd4!„)
19...Qe5=;
11.Qe1?!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9zpp+lzppvlp0
9-+nzp-snp+0
9wq-+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+LsN-vL-+P0
9PzPP+-zPP+0
9tR-+-wQRmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
A move once played by Carlsen. White
sets up a positional trap (see 11...Nxd4),
but Black has an easy path to equality.
11...Nxe4!
a) 11...Nxd4?! e usual plan doesn’t
work here. 12.Bxd4 Bc6?! 13.Nd5!
Qxe1? (13...Qd8 14.Nxf6+ Bxf6
15.Bxf6 exf6 16.Rd1²) 14.Nxe7+ Kh8
15.Rfxe1+–;
b) 11...Rfe8 Perfectly playable but
unnecessary given the strength of
11...Nxe4. 12.Rd1 Nxd4 13.Bxd4 Bc6
14.f4 (14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.Nd5 Qc5
16.Nxf6+ (16.Nc7 Bxb2³) 16...exf6
17.Qd2 Rad8³) 14...Nd7 15.Bxg7
Kxg7 16.f5 (16.Kh2 Rac8 17.Qh4 h6
18.Nd5 e6 19.Nc3 Nf6 20.Qe1 1/2–
1/2 (20) Nisipeanu,L (2695)-Carlsen,M
(2646) Sarajevo BIH 2006) 16...Nf6
17.Qh4 Qe5 18.Bd5 Rf8! (18...e6
19.Bxc6 bxc6 20.fxg6 fxg6 21.Rxd6
Qxd6 22.Qxf6+ Kg8 23.Qf7+ Kh8=)
19.Rf3 e6 20.Bxc6 bxc6=;
12.Nxc6
(12.Nxe4? Qxe1 13.Rfxe1 Nxd4μ)
12...Bxc6 13.Nxe4 Qxe1 14.Raxe1
Bxe4 15.Bc1 Bc6 16.Rxe7 Bf6 17.Re3
d5=
11...b5!
11...Rfc8 (is is the routine way we
meet White’s Nd4-f3, with the idea of
...Bd7-e8, ...Nf6-d7-c5. is is Negi’s
recommendation for Black, but in this
particular move order I think we can do
better with 11...b5!.) 12.Ng5! Be8 13.f4²
White’s f1 Rook, b3 Bishop, and g5
Knight all target f7, and Black doesn’t
ideally want to play ...h7-h6 to kick out
the g5 knight because then the g6 pawn is
weakened.
12.a3
12.Re1!? Black is no worse in the
ensuing complications. In my opinion,
such lines aren’t worth memorizing;
Black’s position is fundamentally sound
(none of his pieces are bad) so White’s
pawn sacri ce is bound to be inadequate
— there are laws of justice governing our
beloved game. 12...b4 13.Nd5 Nxe4
14.Bf4
(14.Bc1 Nc5 15.Bg5 Bxb2 16.Rb1 Bc3
17.Nxc3 bxc3 18.Bxe7 Nxe7 19.Rxe7
Nxb3 20.axb3 Bc6=)
Nxb3 20.axb3 Bc6=)
14...Nc5 15.Nxe7+ Nxe7 16.Bxd6
(16.Rxe7 Be6=)
16...Nf5 17.Bxc5 Qxc5 18.Qxd7 Rad8
19.Bxf7+ Kh8 20.Qb7 Bxb2 21.Rad1
Rxd1 22.Rxd1 Nd4=
12...Qa6!N
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9zp-+lzppvlp0
9q+nzp-snp+0
9+p+-+-+-0
9-+-+P+-+0
9zPLsN-vLN+P0
9-zPP+-zPP+0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
With the intention of relocating the
queen to b7, where it simultaneously
keeps one eye on the center and one eye
on the queenside minority attack.
13.Re1
13.Qd2 Qb7 14.Bh6 Ne5 15.Nxe5
dxe5 16.Bxg7 Kxg7 17.Nd5 Bc6 18.Qc3
Nd7 19.Nxe7 Bxe4 20.f3 Rae8=
13...Qb7 14.Bg5 h6 15.Bh4 g5 16.Bg3
Na5=
4
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6
5.Nc3 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Bc4 Qa5 8.0-0
0-0 9.Bb3 d6 10.h3 Bd7 11.Re1
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9zpp+lzppvlp0
9-+nzp-snp+0
9wq-+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+LsN-vL-+P0
9PzPP+-zPP+0
9tR-+QtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
As I have mentioned, Black’s main plan
in this system begins with exchanging on
d4 and playing ...Bd7-c6. e
prophylactic 11.Nf3!? prevents this idea,
but it is better for White to wait a move to
ask Black to commit a piece before playing
Nd4-f3, especially since on this move
11...Nxd4 is dubious.
11...Rfc8
It was hard to decide which move to
recommend in this line, but I am happy
with this choice for two reasons:
1) Black’s next few moves (except after
12.f4) can be pretty much played on
autopilot (...Bd7-e8, ...Nf6-d7-c5) —
one shouldn’t underestimate the value of
such conveniences.
close to equal but without many
winning chances;
11...Rac8 (Even though I am not
recommending this, it will be instructive
for the reader to play through these
variations to get a feel for why 11...Rfc8 is
a better choice, especially to play for a
win.) 12.Nf3
a) 12.Qe2!? Prophylaxis against ...Nc6e5, because now White will be able to
hit the e5 knight with f2-f4, and the c4square will be unavailable to it. 12...a6
13.Rad1 Qc7 14.Nd5 Nxd5 15.exd5
Ne5 16.Qd2 Rfe8 17.Bh6 Bf6 18.Bg5
Bg7 19.Bh6 Bf6 1/2–1/2 (19) Brkic, A
(2573)-Mamedov,R (2653) Sarajevo
BIH 2010;
b) 12.Nd5 Rfe8 13.Nxc6 bxc6 14.Nc3
Rcd8 15.Qd2 Bc8 16.Rad1 Nd7
17.Bd4 Nc5 18.Bxg7 Kxg7 19.Qe3
e5!= 0–1 (62) Mehar,C (2246)Kuzubov,Y (2626) Gurgon IND 2009;
12...Qh5
a) 12...Qc7?! 13.Bg5! Na5 14.Bxf6 exf6
15.Nd5² 1/2–1/2 (54) Petrosian,T
(2627)-Mamedov,R (2640) Bursa TUR
2010;
b) 12...Rfe8 13.Qd2 b5 14.a3 Qa6
15.Bg5 Qb7 16.Rad1 Na5 17.e5±
2) In the other lines, play often
liquidates into positions where Black is
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+r+k+0
9zpq+lzppvlp0
9-+-zp-snp+0
9snp+-zP-vL-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9zPLsN-+N+P0
9-zPPwQ-zPP+0
9+-+RtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
We see that one of the problems for
Black in this line is the d7-bishop; this is
why I recommend playing 11...Rfc8 and
12...Be8;
13.Qe2
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+-trk+0
9zpp+lzppvlp0
9-+nzp-snp+0
9+-+-+-+q0
9-+-+P+-+0
9+LsN-vLN+P0
9PzPP+QzPP+0
9tR-+-tR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Negi’s recommendation. He omits our
next move though. 13...Ng4!N Black
forces simpli cations and the resulting
position is close to equal.
a) 13...a6 14.Rad1 Ne5 15.Nxe5 Qxe5
16.f4 Qa5 17.Qf2 Rxc3 18.Bd2!± 1–0
(34) Fedorov,A (2602)-Malakhov, V
(2670) Warsaw POL 2005;
b) 13...h6 14.Rad1 g5 15.Nd5 b6
16.Ba4! A novelty found by Negi. e
ensuing variation he gives is not
inspiring for Black. (16.c3 Nxd5
17.Bxd5 Ne5 18.Nxe5 Qxe2 19.Rxe2
Bxe5 20.h4 Bb5 21.Ree1 Bf6 22.hxg5
hxg5= 1/2–1/2 (50) Wang Hao (2519)Malakhov,V (2670) Khanty Mansyisk
RUS 2005) 16...Rfe8 17.c3 Nxe4
18.Bxb6 Nf6 19.Nxf6+ Bxf6 20.Bd4
Nxd4 21.Rxd4!²;
14.hxg4 Bxg4 15.Qb5
(15.Nd5 g5 16.Bxg5 Bxf3 (16...Ne5
17.Qe3 Nxf3+ 18.gxf3 Bxf3 19.Qxf3!!
Qxf3 20.Re3 Qh5 21.Rg3 Rc5 22.Bxe7
Rxd5 23.Bxd5±) 17.Qxf3 Qxg5=)
15...Bxf3 16.Qxh5 Bxh5 17.f3 g5
18.Bxg5 Bg6 19.Nd5 Bxb2 20.Bxe7
Bxa1 21.Rxa1 Nxe7 22.Nxe7+ Kg7
23.Nxc8 Rxc8 24.Rd1 Rc6 25.Rd5 f6
Black should be able to hold, but I
recommend avoiding all this and playing
11...Rfc8 instead.;
11...Rad8!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-tr-trk+0
9zpp+lzppvlp0
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9wq-+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+LsN-vL-+P0
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9tR-+QtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
A move not mentioned by Negi, but
deserving of our attention if for no other
reason than the fact that Korchnoi played
it in 2003. In my judgment this is a
serious alternative to our main line, and
perhaps the place to go if our main line
runs into theoretical problems. 12.Nf3!
is must be White’s best.
(12.Qd2 Nxd4 13.Bxd4 Bc6 14.Rad1
Rfe8 15.Qe3 Nd7 16.Bxg7 Kxg7
17.Kh1 Qc5= 1/2–1/2 (53)
Sadvakasov,D (2523)-Korchnoi, V
(2642) Astana KAZ 2003)
12...Qh5!
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-tr-trk+0
9zpp+lzppvlp0
9-+nzp-snp+0
9+-+-+-+q0
9-+-+P+-+0
9+LsN-vLN+P0
9PzPP+-zPP+0
9tR-+QtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
is move is a recurring theme in this
Nd4-f3 variation. Black intends to
continue with ...h7-h6 and ...g6-g5, with
counterplay against White’s king. 13.Rb1!?
Prophylactically defending the b2-pawn
which will be vulnerable after Nc3-d5.
(13.Qe2 Ng4!
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-tr-trk+0
9zpp+lzppvlp0
9-+nzp-+p+0
9+-+-+-+q0
9-+-+P+n+0
9+LsN-vLN+P0
9PzPP+QzPP+0
9tR-+-tR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
A stunning resource that we see more
than once in this chapter. 14.hxg4 Bxg4
15.Qb5 (15.Nd5 g5! (15...Ne5?
16.Nf4+–) 16.Bxg5 Ne5 (16...Nd4?
17.Nxd4 Bxe2 18.Bxe7 Bxd4 19.Bf6!!
±) 17.Qe3 Nxf3+ 18.gxf3 Bxf3 19.Bh4
Qg4+ 20.Bg3 Qh5 21.Bh4=) 15...Bxf3
(15...d5 Unfortunately White gets away
after this. 16.exd5 Bxc3 17.bxc3 Bxf3
18.gxf3 Ne5 19.Kf1!!±) 16.Qxh5 Bxh5
17.f3 g5 18.Bxg5 Rd7= Black is about
equal.)
13...h6 14.Nd5 g5
(14...Nxe4? 15.Nf4 Qf5 16.g4 Qa5
17.Nxg6±)
15.Bd4 Qg6 16.Bxf6 Bxf6 17.c3
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-tr-trk+0
9zpp+lzpp+-0
9-+nzp-vlqzp0
9+-+N+-zp-0
9-+-+P+-+0
9+LzP-+N+P0
9PzP-+-zPP+0
9+R+QtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
17...Kh8!„ Black is ready for ...Rf8-g8
and ...g5-g4. White players won’t know
what hit them!;
11...Nxd4?! 12.Bxd4 Bc6
(12...Qg5 13.Be3²)
13.Nd5! Black is not given time to play
...Nf6-d7; he has to make a concession
either by allowing White to capture on f6,
damaging Black’s pawn structure, or by
opening up White’s e- le. 13...Bxd5
14.exd5 Rfe8 15.c4 a6 16.Bc3 Qc7
17.Rc1 Nh5 e following is a
recommendation of Negi’s. 18.Ba4!? Rec8
19.Qd2²
12.f4
I am a little surprised that Negi didn’t
recommend this in his book. is rare
move is extremely underrated, and has
only been played by one 2500+ player —
none other than Negi himself (NegiKhalifman 2007). e main upshot of this
move from White’s perspective is that it
deters Black from his usual, comfortable
course of ...Bd7-e8 and ...Nf6-d7, because
White’s f- le pressure can become
overwhelming.
12.Qe2 Qh5!
(12...Be8 is playable as well but
12...Qh5 is better)
13.Nf3
a) 13.Nxc6 Bxc6 14.f3 d5! 15.g4
(15.Nxd5 Nxd5 16.exd5 Bxd5 17.c3
Bc6=) 15...Qxh3 16.exd5 Bd7 17.Qg2
Qxg2+ 18.Kxg2 b5!„;
b) 13.Qxh5 As usual Black welcomes
the trade of queens. 13...Nxh5 14.Rad1
Na5 15.Nd5 Kf8=;
13...h6!
(13...Ng4? is doesn’t quite work here,
because the f7-pawn’s weakness poses a
problem. 14.hxg4 Bxg4 15.Qc4!±)
14.Rad1 g5!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+r+-+k+0
9zpp+lzppvl-0
9-+nzp-sn-zp0
9+-+-+-zpq0
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9+LsN-vLN+P0
9PzPP+QzPP+0
9+-+RtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
15.Nd5 Nxd5 16.Bxd5 Bxb2 17.Rb1
Bc3 18.Rxb7 Bxh3 19.Nxg5 Qxe2
20.Rxe2 Bg4 21.Nf3 e6 22.Bxc6 Rxc6
23.Bxh6 We have been following CarlsenRadjabov, 2010 (1–0). Black’s opening
preparation was excellent, but his play
could have been improved here. 23...Rb6!
24.Rc7 Ba5 25.Rc4 e5!= Black’s two
bishops fully compensate for the pawn; if I
had to choose I’d take Black.;
12.Qd2
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9tR-+-tR-mK-0
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12...Ne5
(12...Be8 As always Black can follow
through with this plan, but with White’s
queen on d2 Black has the added
possibility of ...Nc6-e5-c4.)
13.Bh6 Nc4 14.Bxc4 Bxh6 15.Qxh6
Rxc4 16.Nb3
a) 16.Rad1 Qb6 17.e5 dxe5 18.Nf3 e4
19.Ne5 Rd4 20.Rxd4 Qxd4 21.Nxd7
Qxd7 22.Nxe4 Nxe4 23.Rxe4 Qd1+
24.Kh2 Qd6+ 25.Kg1 Qd1+ 26.Kh2
Qd6+ 1/2–1/2 (26) Akopian,V (2712)Bacrot,E (2721) Jermuk ARM 2009;
b) 16.Nf3 Qh5 17.Qe3 Qc5=;
16...Qb6 17.Rad1 a5 18.e5 dxe5
19.Rxe5 a4 20.Nd2 Rd4 21.Qe3 Qd6= 1–
0 (57) Akopian,V (2696)-Bacrot, E (2728)
Nalchik RUS 2009;
12.Nf3 It is a good sign for our
11...Rfc8 that 12.Nf3, which is supposed
to be White’s main idea after 11.Re1, is
not very effective here. 12...Be8!
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13.Qd2
a) 13.Nd5 Nd7 (13...e6 Black should
be ne here as well. 14.Nxf6+ Bxf6
15.c3 Ne5 16.Nxe5 dxe5=; 13...Nxe4
14.Bf4 Nc5 15.Rxe7 Bxb2 16.Rb1
Bg7∞) 14.c3 e6 15.Nf4 Nc5 16.Qxd6
Nxe4 17.Qd1 Nc5 18.Bc2 Nd7=;
b) 13.Bg5 Nd7 14.Nd5 e6 15.Ne7+
Nxe7 16.Bxe7 Bxb2 17.Rb1 Bg7
18.Bxd6 Ne5 19.Bxe5 Bxe5 20.Bd5
Bc3 21.Bxb7 Bxe1 22.Qxe1 Qxa2
23.Bxc8 Rxc8 24.Ra1 Qxc2 25.Rxa7
Qc1 1/2–1/2 (25) Kurnosov,I (2602)Bacrot, E (2722) Moscow RUS 2009;
13...Nd7 14.Rad1
(14.Bh6 Bxc3 15.bxc3 Nce5 16.Nxe5
dxe5 17.Qg5 Nf6„ In addition to
winning the c3-pawn, White’s b3
Bishop will be vulnerable to Black’s
...a5-a4.)
14...Bxc3! 15.bxc3 Nce5 16.Nxe5 dxe5
17.Bg5 Nf6
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18.Bh4 reatening Qd2-h6.
(18.Re3 Rc7!„; 18.c4 Qxd2 19.Rxd2
Kf8 20.f3 Nd7=)
18...Kg7 19.c4 Qxd2 20.Rxd2
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9+L+-+-+P0
9P+PtR-zPP+0
9+-+-tR-mK-0
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20...Kf8! 21.f3
(21.Bg3 Nd7 22.Red1 Nb6 23.Bxe5
Nxc4 24.Bxc4 Rxc4³)
21...Nd7 22.Red1 Nc5³;
13.Rad1 Nd7 14.Nd5 Qd8!= 0–1 (43)
Timofeev,A (2657)-Malakhov, V (2690)
Tomsk RUS 2006;
12.Nd5 is is Negi’s recommendation.
He only considers 12...Nxd5 and
12...Qd8, but it seems to me that Black’s
best is 12...Re8!
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I don’t see anything for White here; as a
general rule I tend to think that if White
rushes with Nc3-d5 then as long as Black
isn’t obligated to take it, he should be ne
(this doesn’t mean that if he is forced to
take it then he is necessary not ne!).
(12...Nxd5 13.exd5 Ne5 14.Bg5 Re8
15.c3² (Negi); 12...Qd8 13.Bg5! Nxd4
14.Bxf6! Nc6 15.Bh4 Bxb2 16.Rb1
Bg7 17.Ba4± (Negi))
13.Nxf6+
a) 13.Nxc6 bxc6 14.Bd2 Qd8 15.Nc3
c5
12.Qd3 Played by GM Timofeev, but as
best I can tell the Queen just becomes a
target to either ...Nf6-d7-c5 or simply
...Nc6-e5 12...Be8
(12...Ne5 13.Qe2 Qa6!=)
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Black has no problems. If White starts
to get ambitious then Black come out
on top. 16.e5?! dxe5 17.Rxe5 c4
18.Bxc4? Qc7μ;
In this particular variation Black is well
advised to abandon the ...Be8/ ...Nd7
plan, because as we see in the alternatives
White is able to build up pressure on f7
after f4-f5/Re1–f1/ Qd1–f3. Instead, we
take immediate advantage of the weakness
White has created: Black threatens to win
the f4 pawn, so White’s options are
limited.
b) 13.Bd2 Qc5 14.Nxc6 (14.Nf3 Nxd5
15.exd5 Na5 16.Be3 Qb5=) 14...Nxd5!
(14...bxc6?? 15.Nc7+–) 15.exd5 bxc6
16.Be3 Qb5=;
13...Bxf6 14.c3 Qc7! Vacating the a5
square for the knight.
(14...Nxd4!? is is acceptable but
unnecessary. 15.Bxd4 (15.cxd4 e6!=)
15...Bxd4 16.Qxd4 (16.cxd4 e6!=)
16...Qc5 17.Qd2 Bc6 18.Rad1 Rad8=)
15.Nb5 (15.f4 Na5=) 15...Qb8 16.a4
a6 17.Nd4 Na5 18.Ba2 Qc7=
12...Nh5!N
12...Nxd4 13.Bxd4 Bc6 14.Nd5
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14...Bxd5
XIIIIIIIIY
(14...Re8 15.c3 Nd7 (15...Nxd5
16.exd5 Bxd4+ 17.Qxd4 Bd7
18.Kh2²) 16.f5! (16.Bxg7 Kxg7
17.Qd4+ e5 18.Qf2 Bxd5 19.Bxd5 Qc5
20.Qxc5 dxc5 21.Rad1 (21.Bxb7 Rab8
22.Bc6 Re7=) 21...Re7 22.f5 Nf6=)
16...Bxd4+ 17.cxd4 Bxd5 18.Bxd5 Nf6
19.fxg6 hxg6 20.Bb3²)
15.exd5 Re8 16.c3
(16.c4 a6 17.Bc3 Qc5+ 18.Bd4 Qa5
19.Bc3 Qc5+ 1/2–1/2 (19) Negi,P
(2529)-Khalifman,A (2632) Amsterdam
NED 2007)
16...b5 17.a3 Nd7 18.Bf2²;
12...Be8 Unfortunately Black can’t stick
to the routine and play this move here;
White builds up too much pressure.
13.Qf3 Nd7 14.Rad1 Nc5 15.Qf2 Nxb3
16.axb3 Nb4
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9+-+RtR-mK-0
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is was played by Bacrot in BurgBacrot, 2011 where White’s play could
have now been improved upon.
17.f5!± White will simply pile up on
the f- le with Re1–f1, and I don’t see a
constructive plan for Black.
13.Nde2
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13.f5 Nf6 Having provoked White into
weakening the e5-square, Black retreats to
f6, guarding d5 against Nc3-d5, and
prepares ...Nc6-e5.
(13...Nxd4 Black is perfectly resilient
against White’s attack here as well.
14.Bxd4 Bc6 15.Rf1 Rf8 16.g4 Nf6
17.Nd5 Bxd5 18.exd5 Nd7=;
13...Ne5?! 14.Nd5²)
14.Rf1
(14.Nxc6 bxc6 15.g4 Be8!=)
14...Ne5
(16...Nxd4 17.Bxd4 Bxd4 18.Rxd4
(18.Qxd4 Qc5=) 18...Bc6 19.b4! Qb6
20.b5! e beginning of a long forcing
variation which is unequivocally in
White’s favor. 20...Bxb5 21.Nd5 Qd8
22.Qh4 Rc4 23.Nxe7+ Kf8 24.Rxc4
Bxc4 25.Qf6! Ke8 26.Nd5 Qxf6
27.Nxf6+ Ke7 28.Nxh7 f6 29.e5 dxe5
30.fxe5 f5 31.Ng5²)
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A typical Dragon position; Black is
salivating at the prospect of an exchange
sacri ce on c3. 15.Qe2
(15.Nd5 Nxd5 16.Bxd5 Bc6 17.Nxc6
bxc6 18.Bb3 Rab8=)
15...Rxc3! 16.Bd2
(16.bxc3 Nxe4³)
16...Rxc2!
(16...Bb5 17.Nxb5 Qb6+ 18.Kh2 Rc5
19.a4 (19.Nd4 Rac8„) 19...Rf8
20.Rae1 a6 21.Nc3 Rcc8 22.g4²)
17.Bxc2
(17.Nxc2 Qb5©)
17...Qb6 18.Bc3
(18.Be3 Qxb2 19.Rab1 Qxa2 20.Rxb7
Bc8 21.Rxe7 Kf8 22.Rc7 Qa5
23.Rxc8+ Rxc8³)
18...Nc6 19.Qf2
(19.Rad1 Ng4 20.Kh1 Nxd4 21.Bxd4
Bxd4 22.hxg4 Rc8 23.b3 g5=)
19...Nxe4! 20.Bxe4 Bxd4 21.Bxd4
Qxd4 22.Qxd4 Nxd4
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23.f6
(23.fxg6 hxg6 24.Bxb7 Rb8 25.Bd5 e6
26.Bb3 a5 27.Rad1 Nxb3 28.axb3 d5
29.Ra1 Rxb3 30.Rxa5 Rxb2 31.Ra7 Be8
32.Ra8 Kf8 33.Rc1 Rb7 34.Rcc8 Re7=)
23...e5
(23...Bc6 24.Bxc6 bxc6 25.fxe7±)
24.Bxb7 Rb8 25.Bf3 a5 26.b3 h5
27.Rac1 Be6 28.Rc7 Kh7
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29.Bc6
(29.h4 d5=)
29...g5! 30.Bd7
(30.Be4+ Kh6=)
30...Kg6 31.Bxe6 Nxe6 32.Rd7 Rb6=;
13.Nf5 anks to my editor, GM
Romain Edouard, for assuaging my
concerns about this variation. In his
words, “White better give mate, or he is
worse!” A more modest assessment is that
Black has at least equal chances in the
ensuing complications. 13...Bxf5 14.exf5
Nf6 15.fxg6 hxg6
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16.Qd3
(16.g4 Rd8 17.f5 d5 18.g5 Nh5 19.fxg6
fxg6 20.Bf2 Kh7„)
16...Rd8! is move saves the day. Black
indirectly defends the g6 pawn. 17.g4
(17.Qxg6? d5!μ) 17...e6 18.Rad1 (18.f5
gxf5 19.gxf5 Qxf5 20.Qxf5 exf5=) 18...d5
19.Bf2 Ne7= Preventing f4-f5. ings are
at a standstill; it is hard to see how either
side makes progress, but Black is certainly
no worse.;
After 13...Qc7 14.Qd2 Na5 15.Rad1
we would like to play ...Bd7-e8 but White
then has Nc3-d5xe7. is is why we play
13...Qd8! 15...Be8? 16.Nd5 Qd8
17.Nxe7+ Qxe7 18.Qxa5±
14.Qd2 Na5 15.Rad1
15.Nd4?! Nc4 16.Bxc4 Rxc4³
15...Be8
15...b5 16.e5²
16.f5 Nxb3 17.cxb3 Bc6 18.Bd4 Nf6
19.Nf4
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19...Qf8!
A nice little queen sortie; Black intends
to continue with ...Nf6-d7, and then
recapture on g7 with his queen,
potentially heading to e5 eventually.
20.Qe3 Nd7 21.Bxg7
21.Ncd5 Bxd4 22.Rxd4
(22.Qxd4 g5 23.Nd3 f6=
13.Nd5 Re8 Black maintains his threat
to win the f4 pawn, as its defender on d5
can be hit with ...e7-e6. 14.g4 Nxd4
15.Bxd4 Nxf4 16.Nxf4 e5 17.Nxg6 exd4
18.Nf4 Qg5 19.Qf3 Be5 20.Rf1 Be6=
13...Qd8!
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e weak e6-square is inaccessible to
White. As we will see, in other lines
Black allows White to plant a knight on
e6; it turns out to not do much from
there.)
22...Kh8 23.Qg3 Bxd5 24.Nxd5 Rc2
25.Nb4 Rcc8 26.Qh4
(26.Nd5=)
26...Qg7 27.Red1 g5 28.Qf2 g4!
29.hxg4 Nf6 30.Qh4 Nxg4„;
21.Nfd5 Bxd4 22.Qxd4 f6 23.Nf4 Ne5
24.Ne6 Qh6 25.Nd5 Bxd5 26.Qxd5
Rab8= White has no productive
discovered check, and Black’s e5-knight is
more valuable than his counterpart on e6,
which is hitting thin air. Computers call
this position 0.00 but I suspect most
White players would collapse rather
quickly here in over the board play — the
squares Black controls are more valuable
than the squares White controls.
21...Qxg7 22.Nfd5 Bxd5 23.Nxd5 Qe5=
22...Kh8 23.Qg3 Bxd5 24.Nxd5 Rc2
5
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6
5.Nc3 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Bc4 Qa5 8.0-0
0-0 9.Bb3 d6 10.h3 Bd7 11.f4
e most popular move, though I
suspect it may become overshadowed by
11.Re1, especially given the popularity of
Negi’s book which recommends it.
E menko,Z (2680) Emsdetten GER
2008;
13.Qf3?
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11...Nxd4 12.Bxd4 Bc6
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Black proceeds with his usual plan. Next
he’d like to play ...Nf6-d7, and ideally
exchange dark squared bishops and
queens.
13.Qd3
13.Qe1?! is 7...Qa5 line is one which
induces even grandmasters to blunder
within the rst 15 moves. 13...Qb4!
14.Bxf6
(14.Rd1 Nxe4!!μ)
14...Bxf6 15.Nd5 Qc5+ 16.Kh1 Bxd5
17.Bxd5 Qxc2 18.Rc1 Qxb2 19.Rb1
Qd4μ 1/2–1/2 (47) Hector,J (2551)-
13...Nxe4! 14.Bxg7 Qc5+ 15.Kh1 Nf6!
μ;
13.Qe2? e database shows that a
2478-rated player fell for this. 13...Qb4!
14.Rad1
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14...Nxe4!μ;
13.Nd5 Rae8!
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Abiding by the general rule that if we
can avoid taking on d5 then we should —
here White’s weak e4 pawn more than
compensates for the doubling of our fpawns in the event that White takes on f6.
14.f5
15.Kh1
is used to be considered good for
White, because Black would follow up
with 15...Nc5 and further queenside play,
rather than reverting back to the kingside
and solidifying control over the center
with ...e7-e6!
a) 14.Nxf6+ exf6³;
b) 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.Nxf6+ exf6
16.Qxd6 Rxe4 17.Rad1 (17.Qxf6?? Re2
18.Rf2 Rxf2 19.Kxf2 Qd2+–+)
17...Kg7μ;
c) 14.Qd3 Nd7 15.Rad1 Bxd4+
16.Qxd4 Qc5=;
14...Bxd5 15.exd5 Nd7
(15...b5?! An odd recommendation of
Donaldson and Silman. is move
seems altogether wrong-headed. 16.c3²)
16.Kh1 Bxd4 17.Qxd4 Ne5 18.f6
Nd7!³ In the long run, White’s dark
squared weaknesses will tell.
13...Nd7
13...Rad8 is is the recommendation
of Donaldson and Silman, but their
problems with 13...Nd7 can be solved.
14.Bxg7 Kxg7
XIIIIIIIIY
15.Nd5 Qc5+ 16.Kh1 e6 17.Nc3 Nf6
18.Rad1 Rad8
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Black is slightly better. 19.f5 Qe5
20.Rde1 b5 21.Nd5 Nh5 22.Re3 a5
23.f6+ Kh8 24.a3 Bb7–+ White’s
initiative has run out of steam and Black is
ready to collect the f6 and thereafter the
e4 pawn.
(24...Qxb2 25.Ne7 Ba8 26.Qxb5
Nxf6–+ 27.Qg5 Nxe4 28.Qh4 Qe5??
(¹28...g5 29.Qh6 Qg7–+) 29.Rxf7!±
Morozevich,A (2760)-Carlsen,M (2864)
Moscow 2013);
15.Qd4+ Kg8 16.Kh1
(16.Rf2 Qc5 17.Qd3 b5 18.Bd5 Bxd5
19.Nxd5 e6 20.Nc3 Nf6„; 16.Rad1
Qc5=)
16...Qc5 17.Qd3 Nf6
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Black has ideas of ...Rad8, ...e7-e6, and
then either (or both) ...b7-b5/...a7-a5 or
...d7-d5. e dark square weaknesses in
White’s position, especially g3, are a
signi cant liability. 18.Rae1 e6 19.f5 Qe5
20.Nd5 Nh5 21.Ne7+ Kg7 22.Nxc6
bxc6³;
15.Rae1 Qc5+ 16.Kh2 e6!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-tr-+0
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9+-wq-+-+-0
9-+-+PzP-+0
9+LsNQ+-+P0
9PzPP+-+PmK0
9+-+-tRR+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Typical for this line. Black tempts
White’s f4-f5, when either his knight or
queen would discover immortality on e5.
(16...b5?! 17.Bd5²)
17.Rd1 Nf6 18.Rfe1 Rad8³ e
position doesn’t look too bad for White,
but all the dynamic potential in the
position lies in Black’s hands: he can take
his time expanding on the queenside, and
break with ...d6-d5 at the right moment,
while White can only wait in angst.
15...Nf6!N
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-tr-+0
9zpp+-zppmkp0
9-+lzp-snp+0
9wq-+-+-+-0
9-+-+PzP-+0
9+LsNQ+-+P0
9PzPP+-+P+0
9tR-+-+R+K0
xiiiiiiiiy
is idea of countering in the center
and kingside, instead of playing on the
queenside (at least for now — that is
XIIIIIIIIY
certainly on the to-do list for later on)
breathes new life into this variation.
15...Nc5 is is currently the most
popular move but I believe it too much
neglects Black’s kingside, as the following
game illustrates. 16.Qd4+ Kg8 17.Rae1
Nxb3 18.axb3 Qc5 19.Qd2 Rad8 20.Nd5
Bxd5 21.exd5 Rc8 22.c3 Qb5 23.f5!
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+-trk+0
9zpp+-zpp+p0
9-+-zp-+p+0
9+q+P+P+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+PzP-+-+P0
9-zP-wQ-+P+0
9+-+-tRR+K0
xiiiiiiiiy
23...Rc5 24.Qh6 Qd3 25.Rf4 Qg3
26.Ref1 gxf5 27.Rxf5 f6 28.R1f4 Qe1+
29.Kh2 Rf7 30.Rg4+ Kh8 31.Qh5 1–0
(31) Guseinov,G (2573)-Ahmadinia,E
(2195) Iran 2005.
16.Rae1
16.Nd5!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-tr-+0
9zpp+-zppmkp0
9-+lzp-snp+0
9wq-+N+-+-0
9-+-+PzP-+0
9+L+Q+-+P0
9PzPP+-+P+0
9tR-+-+R+K0
xiiiiiiiiy
White seeks to prevent Black from
playing ...e7-e6, but it can still be played
after a bit of preparation. 16...Qc5
17.Rae1 Rae8 18.a4
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+rtr-+0
9zpp+-zppmkp0
9-+lzp-snp+0
9+-wqN+-+-0
9P+-+PzP-+0
9+L+Q+-+P0
9-zPP+-+P+0
9+-+-tRR+K0
xiiiiiiiiy
18...e6! 19.Nxf6 Kxf6 Black has
nothing to fear. White can’t target d6
without dropping e4 either. 20.f5 Kg7
21.f6+
(21.fxe6 fxe6 22.Rxf8 Kxf8 23.Qf3+
Kg7 24.Rf1 Qe5 25.Qf7+ Kh8 26.c3
Qxe4 27.Qf6+ Kg8 28.Qf7+ Kh8=)
21...Kh8= Do not fear ghosts: White
has no mating attack, and to divert his
pieces to the kingside in the hope of
obtaining one would allow Black to
dominate the center more than he already
has.
16...e6!
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-tr-+0
9zpp+-+pmkp0
9-+lzppsnp+0
9wq-+-+-+-0
9-+-+PzP-+0
9+LsNQ+-+P0
9PzPP+-+P+0
9+-+-tRR+K0
xiiiiiiiiy
17.e5
17.Qxd6? Rfd8 18.Qe7 Rd7 19.Qa3
Qxa3 20.bxa3 Rad8³ Black will win his
pawn back after ...Rd4 (and if e4-e5 then
...Nf6-h5), and after he does his superior
pawn structure will yield him the
advantage.;
17.Qe3 Rad8 18.f5 Qc5
(18...Qe5 Black also comes out on top
in the ensuing complications here.
19.Qxa7 Nxe4 20.Nxe4 Bxe4 21.f6+
Kh8 22.Qe3 d5 As long as Black can
meet Qh6 with ...Rg8 (and Rf4 with
...g5) — which Black always can as long
as his king is on h8, there is nothing to
worry about. White’s b3-Bishop is
missing in action. 23.Qh6? Rg8 24.Rf4?
g5–+)
19.fxe6 fxe6 20.Bxe6 Nxe4! 21.Rxf8
Rxf8 22.Qxc5
(22.Nxe4?! Rf1+! 23.Kh2 Qe5+ 24.g3
Rxe1 25.Qxe1 Qxe6 26.Qc3+ Kg8
27.Nf2 Qxa2μ)
22...Nxc5 23.Bd5 Rf2³
17...dxe5 18.fxe5 Nd7 19.Qe3
19.Qg3 Rad8„
19...Qc5 20.Qf4 Rad8
White needs to play perfectly to not be
worse here; in practice most players will
collapse, either allowing Black queenside
counterplay or central control.
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-tr-tr-+0
9zpp+n+pmkp0
9-+l+p+p+0
9+-wq-zP-+-0
9-+-+-wQ-+0
9+LsN-+-+P0
9PzPP+-+P+0
9+-+-tRR+K0
xiiiiiiiiy
Generally speaking, exchanges favor
Black (White’s e5 pawn will be weak in
any endgame), and Black should keep a
lookout for counterplay with ...f7-f6(f5).
A sample variation may continue as
follows
21.Nd1! h6
21...f6!? 22.exf6+ Nxf6„
22.Nf2 f5! 23.exf6+
23.Bxe6?! g5 24.Qh2 f4 25.Bxd7 Rxd7
26.Nd3 Rxd3! 27.cxd3
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-tr-+0
9zpp+-+-mk-0
9-+l+-+-zp0
9+-wq-zP-zp-0
9-+-+-zp-+0
9+-+P+-+P0
9PzP-+-+PwQ0
9+-+-tRR+K0
xiiiiiiiiy
27...f3μ
23...Rxf6 24.Qg3 Rdf8 25.Rxe6 Bb5
26.Rxf6 Rxf6 27.c4 Bc6„
CHAPTER 3
7.Bc4: MY SYSTEM
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Bg7
5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Bc4 0-0 8.Bb3
a6!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9+p+pzppvlp0
9p+n+-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+LsN-vL-+-0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Contents
1. 9.sidelines
2. 9.f3 Qc7 10.sidelines & 10.Qd2 b5
Appendix. 9.f3 Qc7 10.Qd2 Na5
1
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6
5.Nc3 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Bc4
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+-tr0
9zpp+pzppvlp0
9-+n+-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+LsNP+-+0
9+-sN-vL-+-0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
e Anti-Yugoslav Variation (7...Qa5)
seemed to me to be in trouble after
Grischuk-Ivanchuk, Candidates 2013
(recall Grischuk’s 10.Nd5!?). In the
summer of 2013 I had not yet discovered
the equalizing 10...Qd8! novelty, and I
found myself struggling to meet the 7.Bc4
variation. I searched the database for some
guidance, but to no avail. At the time I
was simultaneously a Taimanov Sicilian
player as well, and at some point it
occurred to me that nobody plays Bc4
against the Taimanov, presumably because
its scope on c4 is stunted by the e6 pawn.
is led to the idea of meeting the Bc4
variation with an eventual ...e7-e6, and
transporting ideas from the Taimanov
such as ...a6-...Qc7-...b5-...Bb7-...Nc6a5(e5), and even ...Nf6-e8-d6. e process
of developing this system has been some of
the most enjoyable chess research I have
engaged in, and I am pleased to say it has
resulted in a powerful and truly novel
system. As the ‘prime mover’ of this
project, my work is undoubtedly
incomplete. ere are reams of unexplored
possibilities, and I encourage readers to
attempt their own contributions. e
following chapters are by no means the
nal — only the rst — word on this
system.
7...0-0 8.Bb3
Black’s next few moves can almost be
played automatically, irrespective of what
White does: ...a6, ...Qc7, ...b5, ...Bb7.
Although our main idea is to play ...e7-e6,
the rst priority is to complete our
development and connect the rooks.
8.f3?! White must not be permitted to
reach a Yugoslav Attack setup with Qd2
and 0-0-0. 8...Qb6!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+pzppvlp0
9-wqn+-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+LsNP+-+0
9+-sN-vLP+-0
9PzPP+-+PzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
9.Bb3
(9.a3 Qc5 (9...Nxe4?? 10.Nd5 Qa5+
11.b4+–) 10.Ba2 Ng4 11.fxg4 Bxd4
12.Bxd4 Nxd4=)
9...Nxe4! 10.Nd5 Qa5+ 11.c3 Nc5
12.Nxc6 dxc6 13.Nxe7+ Kh8 14.Nxc8
Raxc8 15.0-0 Rfe8=
8...a6
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9r+lwq-trk+0
9+p+pzppvlp0
9p+n+-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+LsN-vL-+-0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
From my experience playing this system
over the last few years, most players, never
having seen this system before, follow a
safe course of castling kingside as White
usually does in the 7.Bc4 system.
However, in this particular system, White
castling kingside leads to easy equality for
Black, which I take to be a signi cant
practical upshot of this system. We will
postpone our discussion of White’s
queenside castling until the next chapter.
8...Qc7 is move has been
championed by Grandmasters Aronin,
Pogorelov, and Balogh, also with the
intention of expanding on the queenside,
but they did without our core idea of ...e7e6. It is a matter of taste which move
(8...a6 or 8...Qc7) is played rst; usually
they will transpose. 8...Qc7 avoids 9.Nxc6
followed by 10.e5 since the e5 square is
covered, but depending on your taste you
might prefer to welcome the uncritical
9.Nxc6. When I came up with the idea of
this system I was unaware of 8...Qc7, and
for some (possibly arbitrary) reason went
with 8...a6.
9.Ndb5 Qa5 10.f3 a6 11.Nd4 Qc7
transposes to our main line in the next
chapter.
9.0-0
Although Black can choose whether to
play 8...a6 or 8...Qc7, whichever he
chooses on move 8 it is important to
follow it up with the other on move 9
before embarking on 10...b7-b5.
9.h3 Qc7 As per protocol. 10.0-0
(10.Nxc6?! dxc6 11.0-0 b5 12.a3 c5
13.Nd5 Nxd5 14.Bxd5?! Rb8μ
XIIIIIIIIY
9-trl+-trk+0
9+-wq-zppvlp0
9p+-+-+p+0
9+pzpL+-+-0
9-+-+P+-+0
9zP-+-vL-+P0
9-zPP+-zPP+0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Variations like this illustrate what I
meant in the intrduction when I
claimed that it often feels like you’re
playing White when you play the
Accelerated Dragon. A couple of careless
moves by White and Black is not only
equal, Black is already better. It is
uncommon for White to be forced to
play under such a slim margin of error
as he must in this line.)
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9+-wqpzppvlp0
9p+n+-snp+0
9+p+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+LsN-vL-+P0
9PzPP+-zPP+0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
11.a3
(11.f4 b4 12.Nd5 Nxd5 13.Bxd5 e6!
(Black is also to be preferred after
13...Bb7 14.Rc1 e6 15.Bxc6 dxc6 16.c3
e5!) 14.Bb3 (14.Nxc6 dxc6 15.Bc4
Bxb2μ) 14...Bb7„ …15.f5? gxf5
16.exf5? Qe5–+)
11...Na5 12.f4 d6 e usual way to
meet White’s f2-f4.
(12...Bb7!? 13.e5 Ne4 14.Nd5
(14.Nxe4 Nxb3 15.Nxb3 Bxe4³)
14...Qd8 15.Nf3 (15.Ba2 e6μ) 15...Nxb3
16.Bb6 (16.cxb3 d6μ) 16...Qb8 17.Bc7
Qe8 18.cxb3 Ng3 19.Re1 Nh5∞)
13.Qd3
(13.Nd5 Nxd5 14.exd5 Bb7μ)
13...Bb7 14.Rad1 Rac8³ ‘
10...b5
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+-trk+0
9+lwq-zppvlp0
9p+-zp-snp+0
9snp+-+-+-0
9-+-sNPzP-+0
9zPLsNQvL-+P0
9-zPP+-+P+0
9+-+R+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
White has nothing to do. Black will
continue to build pressure, keeping an eye
out for central counterplay with ...e7-e5’;
9.Nxc6 bxc6 10.e5
(10.0-0 d6 11.h3 a5 12.a4?! Ba6 13.Re1
Nd7³ 14.Qd2 Nc5 15.Bxc5?! dxc5
16.Qe3 Bd4 17.Qf3
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9+-+-zpp+p0
9l+p+-+p+0
9zp-zp-+-+-0
9P+-vlP+-+0
9+LsN-+Q+P0
9-zPP+-zPP+0
9tR-+-tR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
17...Qb8! 18.Ne2 Be5 19.Rab1 Qb4!
20.Nc3 c4 21.Ba2 Rfd8μ 0–1 (36)RuizPanjwani, SPICE Cup 2013).
10...Ne8 11.f4 d6
(11...d5 12.0-0 Nc7 13.Qf3 a5
14.Bb6²)
12.0-0 Qc7
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+ntrk+0
9+-wq-zppvlp0
9p+pzp-+p+0
9+-+-zP-+-0
9-+-+-zP-+0
9+LsN-vL-+-0
9PzPP+-+PzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
13.Qe2 White’s best attempt.
a) 13.exd6 White cannot hope for an
advantage without the possession of any
central pawns 13...exd6 14.Bd4 Nf6
15.Qf3 a5„;
b) 13.Qf3 is forcing variation is
worth committing to memory, or at
least remembering that it exists and that
the complications favor Black 13...dxe5
14.fxe5 Bxe5 15.Bxf7+ Kg7–+
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+ntr-+0
9+-wq-zpLmkp0
9p+p+-+p+0
9+-+-vl-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-sN-vLQ+-0
9PzPP+-+PzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black threatens to win a piece with
...Bxc3 and ...e7-e5, as well as with
...Ne8-d6. 16.Ne2 (16.Kh1 Bxc3
17.bxc3 e5–+; 16.Rae1 Nd6 17.Bh6+
Kxh6 18.Qe3+ g5 19.Qxe5 Qa7+
20.Kh1 Rxf7–+) 16...Nd6 17.Bh6+
Kxh6 18.Qe3+ g5 19.Qxe5 Qa7+
20.Kh1 Nxf7–+;
13...dxe5 14.Bc5! exf4!
(14...Be6 is may be enough for
equality but is unnecessary given
14...exf4! 15.Rae1 (15.Bxe6 fxe6
16.fxe5 Rxf1+ 17.Rxf1 Qxe5=)
15...Bxb3 16.axb3 Nd6 17.fxe5 Nb7
18.Bf2 Nd8 19.Na4 Ne6∞)
15.Bxe7
(15.Qxe7 Bd4+ 16.Kh1 Bxc5 17.Qxc5
Be6=)
15...Bg4 16.Qe1 Nf6 17.Bxf8 Rxf8©
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-trk+0
9+-wq-+pvlp0
9p+p+-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-+-zpl+0
9+LsN-+-+-0
9PzPP+-+PzP0
9tR-+-wQRmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
As is often the case in Dragon setups,
White’s dark squared bishop is worth the
exchange, especially here where Black is up
a pawn as well.
will remain unnamed) and he found the
following slight edge for White. In a way,
the problems with 9...b5 make Black’s life
easier, because he can follow the simple
rule: rst 8...a6/9...Qc7 (or the other way
around) and only then consider ...b7-b5.
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9+-+pzppvlp0
9p+n+-snp+0
9+p+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+LsN-vL-+-0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
10.Nxc6!
(10.f3 Qc7 11.Qd2 (11.a4 b4 12.Na2
(12.Nd5?! Nxd5 13.Bxd5 (13.exd5
Qe5–+) 13...Bb7 14.Rc1 e6! 15.Bb3
Be5! 16.f4 (16.h3 Nxd4 17.Bxd4 Bf4
18.Rb1 a5³; 16.g3 f5!μ) 16...Nxd4
17.fxe5 Nxb3 18.cxb3 Qxe5 19.Qxd7
Qxe4 20.Rf3 Qd5 21.Qe7 Rae8
22.Qxb4 Rc8=) 12...Rb8 (12...Nxd4
13.Bxd4 a5?! 14.c3² Black should avoid
positions like this where he lacks
counterplay) 13.Qd2 Nxd4 14.Bxd4
Ne8! 15.Bxg7 Nxg7
9...Qc7
Black will simply continue ...b7-b5,
...Bc8-b7, ...Nc6-a5, and if White plays
f2-f4 Black will prevent e4-e5 with ...d7d6.
9...b5?! e rst le I made on this
system recommended this move. I sent the
le to a friend over Facebook (a GM who
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9-trl+-trk+0
9+-wqpzppsnp0
9p+-+-+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9Pzp-+P+-+0
9+L+-+P+-0
9NzPPwQ-+PzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black is to be preferred: the knight will
nd its way to c5 via e6, and White’s
pieces are sloppy on b3 and a2.)
11...Na5 12.Nd5 Nxd5 13.Bxd5 Rb8=)
10...dxc6 11.Qxd8
(11.f3 Qc7 12.a4 (12.Qe1 c5 13.a4 b4
14.Ne2 c4 15.Ba2 a5³) 12...Rd8
13.Qe1 b4 14.Ne2 a5 15.Qf2 (15.Bc4
Nd7³) 15...Nd7=)
11...Rxd8 12.Rfd1 Nd7 13.f4 White
has a moderately annoying clamp on
Black’s position. Black should still be ne
with precise play but it is better to avoid
this.
10.f4 d6 11.h3
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9r+l+-trk+0
9+pwq-zppvlp0
9p+nzp-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-sNPzP-+0
9+LsN-vL-+P0
9PzPP+-+P+0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
11...Na5 12.Qd3 b5 13.Nd5
11...Na5 12.Qd3 b5 13.Nd5
13.a3 Bb7 14.Rad1 Rac8³ White has
nothing to do. Black will continue to
build pressure, keeping an eye out for
central counterplay with ...e7-e5.
13...Nxd5 14.Bxd5 Bb7
Also good for Black is 14...Rb8 15.b4?!
(15.f5 Nc4„)
15...e6! 16.bxa5 exd5 17.exd5 Bb7
18.f5 Be5 19.Qb3 Rbc8³
15.b3 e6! 16.Bxb7 Nxb7 17.b4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9+nwq-+pvlp0
9p+-zpp+p+0
9+p+-+-+-0
9-zP-sNPzP-+0
9+-+QvL-+P0
9P+P+-+P+0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
17...e5!
17...Rad8?! 18.f5 exf5 19.exf5 Rfe8
20.f6 Bf8 21.Bf4 Qb6 22.a4 Nc5 23.a5
Nxd3 24.axb6 Nxf4 25.Rxf4± Kurnosov,ITopalov,V Astana KAZ 2012.
18.Ne2
18.fxe5 dxe5³
18...d5! 19.fxe5 Qxe5 20.Bd4
20.exd5 Rae8–+
20...Qxe4μ
2
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6
5.Nc3 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Bc4 0-0 8.Bb3
a6 9.f3
White signals his intention to play in
Yugoslav Attack fashion with Qd2 and 00-0. is is the most critical continuation,
but since White players are not prepared
for this new system, over the board they
tend to shy away from the challenge.
9...Qc7
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9+pwqpzppvlp0
9p+n+-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+LsN-vLP+-0
9PzPP+-+PzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
9...b5?! Don’t forget — rst 9...Qc7,
and only then 10...b5. 10.Nxc6 dxc6
11.e5²
(11.Nd5?! Nxd5 12.exd5 b5 (12...Nxb3
13.axb3 Qe5 14.Re1 Qxd5 15.c4©)
13.Qd2 Bb7³)
11...b5 12.Rad1 e6!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9+-wqp+pvlp0
9p+-+psnp+0
9snp+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+LsN-vLP+-0
9PzPPwQ-+PzP0
9+-+R+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Now White’s b3 Bishop literally has no
squares to go to, a triumph of our concept
13.a3 Bb7„ Super cial developing moves
on White’s part have allowed Black to take
over the initiative: ...d7-d5 is now
imminent.;
10.g4!? Black must be accurate here.
10.Qd2
10.0-0 It makes no sense to combine f3
with kingside castling, as White’s only
constructive plan after 10.0-0 is to go for
f4 anyway.
10...Na5
(As usual 10...b5!? is perfectly playable
as well.)
11.Qd2
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XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9+pwqpzppvlp0
9p+n+-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+P+0
9+LsN-vLP+-0
9PzPP+-+-zP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
10...b5!
(10...e6 Black can play this way and
transpose to the main line but 10...b5!
takes advantage of White’s premature
10.g4. 11.Qd2 b5 12.0-0-0
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9+-wqp+pvlp0
9p+n+psnp+0
9+p+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+P+0
9+LsN-vLP+-0
9PzPPwQ-+-zP0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
12...Na5?! (¹12...Bb7 13.h4 h5 is
transposes to our main line.) 13.h4‚
13...h5 We will see similar positions
later on, except with Black’s knight on
c6.
a) 13...Bb7?! 14.h5 In this system it is
almost always unwise for Black to allow
White h4-h5. 14...Rac8 (14...b4
15.Na4 Nxe4 16.fxe4 Bxe4 17.hxg6
Nxb3+ 18.axb3 fxg6 19.Qh2±)
15.Kb1±
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+-trk+0
9+lwqp+pvlp0
9p+-+psnp+0
9snp+-+-+P0
9-+-sNP+P+0
9+LsN-vLP+-0
9PzPPwQ-+-+0
9+K+R+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
15...Nxg4 16.fxg4 Nxb3 17.Nxb3+–;
b) 13...d5!? It is worth researching this
move further;
14.Bh6±
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9+-wqp+pvl-0
9p+-+psnpvL0
9snp+-+-+p0
9-+-sNP+PzP0
9+LsN-+P+-0
9PzPPwQ-+-+0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
It took me a while to realize that Black
should keep his knight on c6 to prevent
White from playing this move, on
account of ...Nxd4 winning a piece.
Allowing White Be3-h6 in this way is
enough of a concession to turn a
dynamically equal position into a
difficult one for Black. (14.g5 Ne8„))
11.g5
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9+-wqpzppvlp0
9p+n+-snp+0
9+p+-+-zP-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+LsN-vLP+-0
9PzPP+-+-zP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
11...Nh5
(11...Ne8 Playable but not the best.
12.Nd5 Qd6 (12...Qe5 13.c3± Na5??
14.Bf4+– is is why the knight is
better on h5) 13.Qd2²)
12.Nd5 Qe5 13.c3 Na5! 14.Ne2
(14.Bc2 Nc4μ) 14...Nxb3 15.axb3
(15.Qxb3 e6 16.Ne7+ Kh8³)
15...Bb7„
10...b5
I give some analysis on 10...Na5 in the
next chapter, but that material is an
appendix to this one; I prefer to play in
the way I recommend here.
11.0-0-0
11.Nxc6 dxc6= Although objectively
equal, Black is to be preferred in practice.
White is planless; the b3 bishop is
vulnerable to Black’s ...c5-c4, and the c3
knight no longer has its favorite d5
square.;
11.a4 b4 12.Na2 Rb8! 13.Nxc6
(13.0-0 Nxd4 14.Bxd4
XIIIIIIIIY
9-trl+-trk+0
9+-wqpzppvlp0
9p+-+-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9Pzp-vLP+-+0
9+L+-+P+-0
9NzPPwQ-+PzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
14...Ne8! 15.Bxg7 (15.Nxb4 Bxd4+
16.Qxd4 e5 17.Qc3 Qb6+–+)
15...Nxg7= e knight will nd its way
to c5 via e6; White’s pieces are sloppy
on b3 and a2.)
13...dxc6 14.Nxb4 c5 15.Nd5
(15.Nd3
XIIIIIIIIY
9-trl+-trk+0
9+-wq-zppvlp0
9p+-+-snp+0
9+-zp-+-+-0
9P+-+P+-+0
9+L+NvLP+-0
9-zPPwQ-+PzP0
9tR-+-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
15...Nxe4!! (15...c4 16.Bf4±) 16.fxe4 c4
17.Bf4 e5³ e ability to play ...e5 in
response to Bf4 is why Black must
sacri ce with 15...Nxe4!!)
15...Nxd5 16.Qxd5 Bxb2 17.Rd1
(17.Rb1?! Ba3 18.0-0! Be6μ)
XIIIIIIIIY
17...Be6 18.Qxc5 Qxc5 19.Bxc5 Bf6
20.Bxe6 fxe6= …...Rfc8;
11.g4 Bb7 12.g5 Nh5 13.Nd5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9+lwqpzppvlp0
9p+n+-+p+0
9+p+N+-zPn0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+L+-vLP+-0
9PzPPwQ-+-zP0
9tR-+-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
13...Qd6 It is admittedly a little difficult
to remember to play 13...Qd6 in this
11.g4 variation, whereas in the 10.g4
variation the right move was 12...Qe5.
e reason is that in the 10.g4 variation
White was forced to play 13.c3 in
response to 12...Qe5, whereas here, thanks
to White’s d2-queen already being
developed, White can defend the d4knight with 14.0-0-0.
(13...Qe5 14.0-0-0²)
14.0-0-0 Nxd4 15.Bxd4 Bxd4 16.Qxd4
Bxd5 17.e5 Qc7 18.Qxd5 Ng7=;
11.h4 h5 12.0-0-0 Bb7 transposes to
the main line.
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9+lwqpzppvlp0
9p+n+-snp+0
9+p+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+LsN-vLP+-0
9PzPPwQ-+PzP0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Although this position has only been
reached 30 times in the datababse, it is the
rst critical position of our main line.
Both sides have developed their pieces and
connected their rooks, and it remains to
be determined which of the opposing wing
attacks will succeed. Black’s sights aren’t
limited to the queenside though, because
the central pawn majority offers prospects
for counterplay with ...d7-d5 or even ...e7e5.
12.h4
By far the most common move.
12.Nd5?! Nxd5 13.exd5 Ne5 14.Kb1
Rac8 15.Bh6 Nc4 16.Bxc4 Bxh6
17.Qxh6 Qxc4 18.h4 f6μ;
12.Bh6?? Nxd4 13.Bxg7 Nxb3+
14.axb3 Kxg7–+;
12.Kb1
11...Bb7
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9+lwqpzppvlp0
9p+n+-snp+0
9+p+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+LsN-vLP+-0
9PzPPwQ-+PzP0
9+K+R+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
is is the concession we induce by
prolonging the Knight’s stay on c6. White
now threatens 13.h4 h5 14.Bh6, as after
14...Nxd4 15.Bxg7 Nxb3 is no longer
check, allowing 16.Qh6+–.
12...Na5! Having induced White’s Kb1,
Black can now go for lines similar to those
after 10...Na5 where White is effectively
down a tempo in the critical variations
because Kb1 turns out to be unnecessary.
(12...e6 13.Nxc6 Bxc6 14.Bf4 Qb7
15.Nd5 a5 16.Ne7+ Kh8 17.a3²;
12...Rac8?! 13.h4 h5 14.Bh6 Nxd4
15.Bxg7 Nxb3??
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+-trk+0
9+lwqpzppvL-0
9p+-+-snp+0
9+p+-+-+p0
9-+-+P+-zP0
9+nsN-+P+-0
9PzPPwQ-+P+0
9+K+R+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
No longer check as it was when the
White king was on c1. 16.Qh6+–)
13.Bh6
(13.h4 b4!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9+lwqpzppvlp0
9p+-+-snp+0
9sn-+-+-+-0
9-zp-sNP+-zP0
9+LsN-vLP+-0
9PzPPwQ-+P+0
9+K+R+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Since White spent a tempo on Kb1,
Black’s queenside counterplay is in time.
14.Na4 (14.Nd5 Bxd5 15.exd5 Rfc8„
16.h5?! Nxb3 17.Nxb3 Nxd5!μ)
14...e5! 15.Ne2 d5!„)
13...Nxb3 14.cxb3
(14.Nxb3 Bxh6 15.Qxh6 b4 Black can
allow White’s Nc3-d5 when he can
capture with the bishop on b7, leaving
the f6 knight to defend against White’s
h4-h5 attack (in particular the h7 square
will be defended). 16.Nd5 Bxd5
17.exd5 Rfc8 18.Rd2 Qd6 19.h4 a5
20.h5 a4 21.Nd4 a3 22.hxg6 (22.b3
Ra5 23.hxg6 fxg6–+) 22...fxg6–+)
14...b4 15.Bxg7
(15.Nce2 Bxh6 16.Qxh6 d5!
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9+lwq-zpp+p0
9p+-+-snpwQ0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-zp-sNP+-+0
9+P+-+P+-0
9PzP-+N+PzP0
9+K+R+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
17.h4 e5 18.Nf5 Fear not! 18...Ne8!
19.Ne3 (19.Qg5 f6 20.Nh6+ Kg7
21.Nf5+ Kh8³) 19...d4 20.Nc4 f6=)
15...bxc3 16.Qh6 Rfc8!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+r+-+k+0
9+lwqpzppvLp0
9p+-+-snpwQ0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+Pzp-+P+-0
9PzP-+-+PzP0
9+K+R+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
is is one of the few lines worth
committing to memory as well. 17.bxc3
Nh5 18.Nf5 gxf5 19.Bd4 e5 20.Qxh5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9+lwqpzppvlp0
9p+n+-snp+0
9+p+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+P+0
9+LsN-vLP+-0
9PzPPwQ-+-zP0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
A slight inaccuracy. White should start
with 12.h4, so as to ensure that Black
plays ...h7-h5; in this line Black can get
away without it.
12...Na5!
(12...Rac8 13.g5 Nh5 14.Nd5²;
12...e6!? Black can transpose to the main
line with this move. 13.h4 h5 etc.)
13.Kb1
a) 13.Bh6 Bxh6 14.Qxh6 Rac8„
Black’s queenside attack is too fast for
White (14...b4 15.Nd5 Nxb3+ 16.axb3
Nxd5 17.exd5 Rac8 18.d6!∞);
b) 13.g5 Nh5³ Black has a knight on
each rim, but it is White’s position
which is dim.;
c) 13.h4 Rfc8!
(20.Bb6 Qxc3 21.Qxh5 Qc2+=)
20...exd4 21.Qg5+
(21.Rxd4 Qxc3 22.Qg5+ Kh8 23.Qf6+
Kg8 24.Qg5+ Kh8=)
21...Kh8 22.Qf6+ Kg8=;
12.g4
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+r+-+k+0
9+lwqpzppvlp0
9p+-+-snp+0
9snp+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+PzP0
9+LsN-vLP+-0
9PzPPwQ-+-+0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
We see that White’s g2-g4 is redundant;
Black could have played h2-h4-h5
without it, as it would have been suicide
for Black to capture ...Nf6xh5.
(13...h5?! 14.Bh6²) 14.h5 Nxb3+
15.axb3 b4 16.Na4 e5 17.hxg6 fxg6
18.Ne2 Nxe4! 19.fxe4 Bxe4„;
13...Rac8
(13...Rfc8 14.Bh6 Bxh6 15.Qxh6 b4
16.Nf5 gxf5 17.g5±)
14.Bh6
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+-trk+0
9+lwqpzppvlp0
9p+-+-snpvL0
9snp+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+P+0
9+LsN-+P+-0
9PzPPwQ-+-zP0
9+K+R+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
As a rule, Black’s counterplay (whether
on the queenside or in the center) tends to
‘work’ when White has spent a tempo on
Kb1. 14...Nxb3
(14...Bxh6 15.Qxh6 Nxb3 (15...b4
16.Nd5 Bxd5 17.exd5 (17.Bxd5 e6
18.Bb3 d5 19.exd5 Nxb3 20.d6 Qc5³)
17...Nxb3 18.d6!! Black may be ne
here but to allow this is unnecessary
18...exd6 19.cxb3± White threatens
Nd4-f5, winning.) 16.axb3 transposes
to 14...Nxb3. (16.cxb3? b4 17.Nce2
Nxg4! 18.fxg4 Bxe4+ 19.Ka1 Bxh1
20.Rxh1 Qe5μ))
15.axb3
(15.cxb3 b4 16.Nce2 Nxe4 17.fxe4
Bxh6 18.Qxh6 Bxe4+ 19.Ka1 Bxh1
20.Rxh1 Qe5μ 21.Rd1 (21.h4 Rc5
22.h5 Qg5–+) 21...Rc5–+)
15...Bxh6 16.Qxh6 b4 17.Rhg1!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+-trk+0
9+lwqpzpp+p0
9p+-+-snpwQ0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-zp-sNP+P+0
9+PsN-+P+-0
9-zPP+-+-zP0
9+K+R+-tR-0
xiiiiiiiiy
(17.Na4 d5!„)
17...Kh8! 18.Na4
(18.Na2 d5 19.exd5 Nxd5μ)
18...d5 19.e5 Qxe5 20.g5 Nd7μ
12...h5!N
A new move, but more importantly a
new concept for this line: containment.
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9+lwqpzppvl-0
9p+n+-snp+0
9+p+-+-+p0
9-+-sNP+-zP0
9+LsN-vLP+-0
9PzPPwQ-+P+0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Previously, Black would rush with
queenside counterplay, hoping to mate
White before getting mated himself. It
turns out that Black can contain White’s
kingside attack and solidify the center
with ...e7-e6, and only then proceed with
queenside and/or central counterplay. For
his part, White must keep the attack going
with urgency, because Black’s queenside
counterplay is just a few moves away, and
it will come with devastating effect
(...Rac8, ...Rfd8, ...Na5, etc.).
12...Na5!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9+lwqpzppvlp0
9p+-+-snp+0
9snp+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+-zP0
9+LsN-vLP+-0
9PzPPwQ-+P+0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
is may turn out to be playable as well,
but it is not in the spirit of the concept I
am advocating. To allow White h4-h5
without immediate counterplay is akin to
the ordinary Yugoslav Attack in the
Dragon; our aim is to play in ‘Taimanov
style’ with ...h7-h5 and ...e7-e6. 13.h5 b4
14.Na4
(14.Nce2 Rfc8 15.hxg6 Nxb3+
16.Nxb3 hxg6 17.Nc5 Bc6 18.Bh6
Bh8∞)
14...Nxb3+ 15.Nxb3 Nxh5 16.Nb6
(16.g4 Nf6 (16...Ng3? 17.Qh2) 17.Nb6
Rad8 18.Na5∞)
16...Rad8 17.Na5²
13.g4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9+lwqpzppvl-0
9p+n+-snp+0
9+p+-+-+p0
9-+-sNP+PzP0
9+LsN-vLP+-0
9PzPPwQ-+-+0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
e character of the position demands
that this be played. Timidity will not
suffice; time is of the essence in the race to
determine which of the ank attacks will
succeed. My initial attitude towards this
system was that I should delay ...e7-e6 for
as long as possible, because I felt I would
always have the option later on, and I
thought there could be more useful
attacking moves on the queenside such as
13...Na5 (which also guards the important
d5-square). However, as I delved deeper
into this variation, I realized that Black
should keep the knight on c6 for a little
longer to deter White’s Be3-h6. e result
is a rather peculiar middlegame ‘standoff’,
where White cannot make progress with
Be3-h6 until Black moves his knight from
c6, but at the same time Black cannot
make progress on the queenside until he
does either.
13.Nxc6 is may look unnatural —
and it is — but the ‘computer move’
which it is based on (14.Bd4!) is not to be
underestimated. Black’s f6-knight is the
MVP (most valuable piece) of his position,
as without it, White’s g2-g4xh5 would be
decisive. Fortunately, the f6-knight is
difficult to get at, as 13.Bg5?? loses to
13...Nxe4. White’s 13.Nxc6 takes aim at
Black’s f6-knight by paving the way for
14.Bd4. 13...Bxc6
(13...dxc6 Black does not quite equalize
here. 14.Bc5 a5 15.a3 (15.a4 Ba6∞)
15...Rfd8 (15...b4 16.Na4 Ba6∞)
16.Qe3 Rxd1+ 17.Rxd1 a4 18.Ba2 Rd8
19.Rxd8+ Qxd8 20.e5 Nd5 21.Nxd5
cxd5 22.f4²)
14.Bd4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9+-wqpzppvl-0
9p+l+-snp+0
9+p+-+-+p0
9-+-vLP+-zP0
9+LsN-+P+-0
9PzPPwQ-+P+0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
(14.Bh6 a5 15.Bxg7 Kxg7 16.Qd4 b4
17.Na4 d6³ 18.g4?! hxg4 19.h5 Qa7!
20.Qd2 Rh8μ)
14...a5!
(14...e6?! 15.e5 (15.g4 a5 16.gxh5
Nxh5=) 15...Nh7 16.Qe3 a5 17.a4
Rfb8 18.axb5 Bxb5 19.g4 White’s
attack is too fast. 19...a4 20.Ba2 hxg4
21.h5 a3 22.b3 Bc6 23.hxg6 fxg6
24.Ne4 Rf8 25.f4‚)
15.e5
(15.Nd5?! Bxd5 16.Bxd5 Rac8μ)
15...Ne8 16.Nd5
(16.Qg5 a4 17.Nd5 Black has an
embarrassment of riches, needing to
choose between two beautiful variations
17...axb3!! (17...Bxd5 18.Bxd5 Rc8
19.Rd2 e6 20.Be4 Qc4 21.Kb1 Nd6!!
„) 18.Nxc7 bxa2 19.Kd2 Nxc7³)
16...Bxd5 17.Bxd5 Rc8
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+ntrk+0
9+-wqpzppvl-0
9-+-+-+p+0
9zpp+LzP-+p0
9-+-vL-+-zP0
9+-+-+P+-0
9PzPPwQ-+P+0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Fair warning is in order: what follows is
a total mess. at being said, look closely
and you will see that it is White who
needs to be accurate and nd several
(nontrivial) ‘only’-moves in order to
survive the complications. As Black,
playing a risky line like this, we should
welcome our opponents into what Tal
called the “deep dark forest where 2+2=5
and the path leading out is only wide
enough for one”. 18.f4
(18.g4 e6 19.Be4 Bxe5 20.Bxe5 Qxe5
21.Rhe1 Qc5 22.Qh6 Nf6 23.Bxg6
fxg6 24.Qxg6+ Kh8 25.g5 Nd5
26.Qh6+ Kg8 27.Qg6+ Kh8=)
18...d6 19.Qe2
(19.e6? f5³)
19...dxe5
(19...e6 20.Bf3 Bh6 21.g3 d5 22.g4
Bxf4+ 23.Kb1‚)
20.fxe5 Qb8!!
XIIIIIIIIY
9-wqr+ntrk+0
9+-+-zppvl-0
9-+-+-+p+0
9zpp+LzP-+p0
9-+-vL-+-zP0
9+-+-+-+-0
9PzPP+Q+P+0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Making room to relocate the knight
from e8-c7-e6. 21.g4
(21.a3 Nc7 22.Ba2 b4„)
21...Nc7 22.Bf3 Ne6 23.gxh5 Rc4
24.Bc3
(24.c3 Rfc8 25.Kb1 b4 26.Bd5 bxc3
27.Bxc4 Rxc4 28.Bxc3 Rxc3 29.hxg6
fxg6³)
24...Rfc8!
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9-wqr+-+k+0
9+-+-zppvl-0
9-+-+n+p+0
9zpp+-zP-+P0
9-+r+-+-zP0
9+-vL-+L+-0
9PzPP+Q+-+0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
(24...Qc7 25.hxg6 (25.Kb1 Rxc3
26.bxc3 Nc5 27.hxg6 Na4 28.gxf7+
Rxf7 29.Qe3 Nxc3+ 30.Kc1 Nxa2+
31.Kd2 Bxe5∞) 25...Rxc3 26.gxf7+
Kh8 27.bxc3 Qxc3∞)
White’s only move to not be clearly
worse here is... 25.Rd7™ 25...Qb6
26.hxg6 Nf4 27.gxf7+ Kf8 28.Qd1™
28...b4 29.Kb1™ 29...bxc3 30.b3 Qc5
31.Rd8+
(31.Ka1 Qa3 32.Rd8+ Rxd8 33.Qxd8+
Kxf7 34.Bd5+ e6 35.Qd7+ Kg8
36.Bxe6+ Nxe6 37.Qxe6+ Kh7
38.Qf5+ Kg8 39.Qe6+ Kh7=)
31...Rxd8 32.Qxd8+ Kxf7 33.Rf1™
33...Rd4 34.Bh5+ Ke6 35.Qg8+ Kd7
36.Bg4+ Kc7 37.Qc8+ Kb6 38.Qb8+
Kc6 39.Bf3+
(39.Qc8+ Kb6=)
39...Kd7 40.Re1 Qa3 41.e6+ Nxe6
42.Qb5+ Kd8 43.Qb8+ Kd7=;
13.Rdg1?! White cannot hope for an
advantage with such timidity 13...e6 14.g4
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9+lwqp+pvl-0
9p+n+psnp+0
9+p+-+-+p0
9-+-sNP+PzP0
9+LsN-vLP+-0
9PzPPwQ-+-+0
9+-mK-+-tRR0
xiiiiiiiiy
14...Qd6! 15.Nxc6 Qxd2+ 16.Bxd2
dxc6 17.gxh5 Nxh5³ White’s Bb3 is a
mere spectator, soon to be cornered by
Black’s c-pawn (...c5-c4).
13...e6!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9+lwqp+pvl-0
9p+n+psnp+0
9+p+-+-+p0
9-+-sNP+PzP0
9+LsN-vLP+-0
9PzPPwQ-+-+0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Like 13...Na5, this move also prevents
White’s g4-g5 followed by Nc3-d5, but by
keeping the knight on c6, White’s Be3-h6
is hindered. What follows is somewhat a
game of ‘cat and mouse’ — White’s main
resource of Be3-h6 is unavailable at
present, and it is difficult to see how to
continue the attack without that. Black
would welcome White’s g4-g5, which
locks up the kingside and directs Black’s
knight to d6 via e8. On the other hand,
Black’s queenside attack is stalled by the
fact that he can’t play ...Nc6-a5 without
allowing Be3-h6. at being said, whereas
White is at a loss for ways to improve his
position, Black can place his rooks on the
d-and-c (or b-) les and threaten both
central counterplay and a queenside pawn
storm. 13...Na5?!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9+lwqpzppvl-0
9p+-+-snp+0
9snp+-+-+p0
9-+-sNP+PzP0
9+LsN-vLP+-0
9PzPPwQ-+-+0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
14.Bh6! is is ultimately the problem
with 13...Na5 — White gets to exchange
Black’s ‘Dragon bishop’. White threatens
Nd4-f5, so the following (14...e6) is
forced.
a) 14.gxh5 Nxh5 15.Rhg1
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9+lwqpzppvl-0
9p+-+-+p+0
9snp+-+-+n0
9-+-sNP+-zP0
9+LsN-vLP+-0
9PzPPwQ-+-+0
9+-mKR+-tR-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Computers take some time to appreciate
the power of this idea, but anyone who
has studied the Yugoslav Attack will
know that White’s recipe is to, as Fischer
said, “pry open” les to Black’s king,
then “sac, sac, mate”. 15...e6!
(15...Nxb3+ 16.axb3 b4 17.Na4 d5
18.Rg5! is is the point. White really
does intend to “sac, sac, mate” 18...dxe4
19.Rxh5! e5 (19...gxh5 20.Rg1+–)
20.Qh2 gxh5 21.Nf5+– White’s attack
is overwhelming) 16.Rg5!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9+lwqp+pvl-0
9p+-+p+p+0
9snp+-+-tRn0
9-+-sNP+-zP0
9+LsN-vLP+-0
9PzPPwQ-+-+0
9+-mKR+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
e aggressively inclined Black player
may be in dismay — White is initiating
dangerous threats like Rg5xh5, and
Black’s counterattack seems far off.
However, as Suba teaches in his book
Dynamic Chess Strategy, “initiative is a
psychological advantage”, so it is up to
us as defenders to grant or deny this
advantage to our opponents. e
aggressor is not better simply by virtue
of being on the offensive: White was the
rst to initiate action but if we defend
well, he may quickly run out of steam
and be left with no attack and static
pawn weaknesses. 16...Kh7! (16...Bf6?!
17.Rxh5 gxh5 18.f4±) 17.Rdg1 Bf6
18.Rxh5+ gxh5 19.e5 Nxb3+ 20.axb3
Bxe5 21.Rg5 Rg8
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-+r+0
9+lwqp+p+k0
9p+-+p+-+0
9+p+-vl-tRp0
9-+-sN-+-zP0
9+PsN-vLP+-0
9-zPPwQ-+-+0
9+-mK-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
is position is a draw according to my
computer. Technically, then, Black is not
worse in this variation, but you can see
why I prefer to avoid this mess by
playing 13...e6!. 22.Rxh5+ (22.Nxe6
dxe6 23.Rxh5+ Kg6 24.Rg5+ Kh7=
(24...Kf6 25.Rxe5 Qxe5 26.Bd4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-+r+0
9+l+-+p+-0
9p+-+pmk-+0
9+p+-wq-+-0
9-+-vL-+-zP0
9+PsN-+P+-0
9-zPPwQ-+-+0
9+-mK-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
26...Rg1+ 27.Nd1 Bxf3 28.Bxe5+ Ke7!!
Study-like 29.Qb4+ Ke8 30.Kd2 Rd8+
31.Ke3 Bxd1=) ) 22...Kg6 23.Qd3+
Kf6 24.f4 Bd6∞ e Higher Power
calls this “0.00”, but I would not write a
book recommending this madness as the
rst option.;
b) 14.g5 Black is usually happy to see
this; White blocks off his own attack
and lures Black’s knight to e8 where it
wants to go anyway 14...Ne8! 15.Nde2
Nd6!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9+lwqpzppvl-0
9p+-sn-+p+0
9snp+-+-zPp0
9-+-+P+-zP0
9+LsN-vLP+-0
9PzPPwQN+-+0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
When the concept of transporting this
maneuver from the Taimanov occurred
to me, I was pessimistic that it would
turn out to be possible in the
Accelerated Dragon. It was a pleasant
surprise when I saw that the computers
approve of it, and as it turns out it is a
recurring theme in this line. 16.Bf4 b4
17.Na4 (17.Nd5?! Nxb3+ 18.axb3
Bxd5 19.Qxd5 Rfc8 20.Rd2 a5!
21.Bxd6 exd6 22.Qxd6 a4 23.Qxc7
Rxc7 24.Kb1 a3!μ) 17...Rfc8 18.Bxd6
exd6 19.Kb1
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+r+-+k+0
9+lwqp+pvl-0
9p+-zp-+p+0
9sn-+-+-zPp0
9Nzp-+P+-zP0
9+L+-+P+-0
9PzPPwQN+-+0
9+K+R+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
19...d5! 20.exd5 Nxb3 21.cxb3 Bxd5
22.Qxd5 Qc2+ 23.Ka1 Qxe2„;
14...e6
(14...Nxb3+
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9+lwqpzppvl-0
9p+-+-snpvL0
9+p+-+-+p0
9-+-sNP+PzP0
9+nsN-+P+-0
9PzPPwQ-+-+0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
In the one tournament game in which I
had this position over the board, I
played this move. I took over the
advantage in that game, but only
because my opponent let me...15.axb3
b4 16.Nce2 hxg4 17.Bxg7 Kxg7
18.Qg5 Nh7 19.Qxe7?! (19.Qxg4 e6
20.Nf4±) 19...Qa5 20.Qxd7? gxf3!
21.Nf4?! Qa1+ 22.Kd2 Qxb2
23.Nde6+ Kg8 24.Nxf8 Qc3+ 25.Kc1
Bxe4μ Cao,J-Panjwani,R Kitchener
2015).
15.Rhe1!
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9+lwqp+pvl-0
9p+-+psnpvL0
9snp+-+-+p0
9-+-sNP+PzP0
9+LsN-+P+-0
9PzPPwQ-+-+0
9+-mKRtR-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Not an easy move for humans to nd
because we tend to expect that the battle
will be decided on the kingside. e logic
of this move is clear: White threatens e4e5, and Black cannot prevent this with
15...d6 for tactical reasons. Furthermore,
White’s pressure on the kingside is still
felt, and eventually some sort of Nd4-f5
or gxh5 will be decisive.
(15.Bxg7 is eases Black’s task a little;
there is no need to take on g7, as Black
certainly couldn’t allow White’s queen to
in ltrate by taking on h6 15...Kxg7
16.g5 (16.Rhe1 Nxb3+ 17.axb3 d6²)
16...Ne8! (16...Ng8!? 17.Rhe1 b4
(17...Ne7 18.f4 Rad8 19.f5 Kg8 Black’s
position is surprisingly resilient) 18.Na4
e5 19.Ne2 Nxb3+ 20.axb3 Rac8
21.Kb1 a5 22.c4 Bc6=) 17.Kb1
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+ntr-+0
9+lwqp+pmk-0
9p+-+p+p+0
9snp+-+-zPp0
9-+-sNP+-zP0
9+LsN-+P+-0
9PzPPwQ-+-+0
9+K+R+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
17...Rd8! Preparing the thematic ...Ne8d6, since now after 18.Nxe6+ dxe6 the
d6-Knight is defended 18.Nde2 Kg8!
reatening ...b5-b4 (18...b4
19.Qd4++–) 19.Nf4 b4 20.Na4 Nxb3
21.cxb3 d5! 22.exd5 a5!„)
15...Nxb3+
(15...b4 16.Na4 hxg4 17.Bxg7 Kxg7
18.e5 Nd5 19.fxg4±; 15...d6?? 16.Bxe6!
Bxh6 17.Qxh6 fxe6 18.Qxg6+ Qg7
19.Qxg7+ Kxg7 20.Nxe6++–)
16.axb3 d6 17.Bxg7 Kxg7 18.gxh5
Nxh5 19.Rg1
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-tr-+0
9+lwq-+pmk-0
9p+-zpp+p+0
9+p+-+-+n0
9-+-sNP+-zP0
9+PsN-+P+-0
9-zPPwQ-+-+0
9+-mKR+-tR-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black is suffering. White’s attack is not
decisive, but lacking counterplay Black is
condemned to passive defense. 19...Kh7
(19...Rae8 20.b4 Black needs to be
accurate to not collapse here. 20...Nf6?!
21.h5! Nxh5 22.f4 d5 23.Rdf1 dxe4
24.f5!±; 19...Rh8?? 20.Rxg6++–)
20.Qg5 reatening Nd4xe6, as well as
f4-f5.
(20.Rg5 Rg8 21.b4 Rad8 22.Nde2 f6
23.Rg4 e5!=)
20...Rfe8 21.b4! Rac8
(21...Qe7 22.Nb3±)
22.Kb1 Qe7 23.Nb3± Black is
positionally dominated.
14.Kb1
Small ‘re nement’ moves like this are
useful prophylaxis for when the position
(inevitably) explodes.
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9+lwqp+pvl-0
9p+n+psnp+0
9+p+-+-+p0
9-+-sNP+PzP0
9+LsN-vLP+-0
9PzPPwQ-+-+0
9+K+R+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
14.a3 is is admittedly a ‘computer
move’ — I can’t imagine many humans
will weaken their king position
unprovoked. Nevertheless, it is instructive
to see how Black builds up attacking
potential. 14...Rfc8!
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+r+-+k+0
9+lwqp+pvl-0
9p+n+psnp+0
9+p+-+-+p0
9-+-sNP+PzP0
9zPLsN-vLP+-0
9-zPPwQ-+-+0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
In such positions it is notoriously
difficult to decide which rook to put on a
given le. Pal Benko is rumored to have
joked that his method is as follows: think
really hard, decide which rook would be
the right choice, then play the other rook!
By placing the f-Rook on c8 instead of d8,
Black sidesteps a potential Be3-g5 pin,
and also defends his Qc7 in case, after
...Nc6-e5 for example, White pins the
Knight with Be3-f4 or Qd2-h2.
(14...Na5?! is always runs into Be3h6 15.Bh6± (15.g5 I can’t resist
including some pretty variations which I
encountered in my research. 15...Ne8
16.Ba2
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+ntrk+0
9+lwqp+pvl-0
9p+-+p+p+0
9snp+-+-zPp0
9-+-sNP+-zP0
9zP-sN-vLP+-0
9LzPPwQ-+-+0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
16...Nd6! Computers rarely suggest this
as their rst choice (including here) but
from my perspective, if I can get away
with this maneuver then I’m playing it
17.Qh2 (17.Nxe6 fxe6 18.Qxd6 Qxd6
19.Rxd6 Bxc3 20.bxc3 Rxf3 21.Bb6
Nc4 22.Bxc4 bxc4 23.Rxd7 Bxe4=)
17...e5! 18.Nb3 Nac4 19.Bf2 a5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9+lwqp+pvl-0
9-+-sn-+p+0
9zpp+-zp-zPp0
9-+n+P+-zP0
9zPNsN-+P+-0
9LzPP+-vL-wQ0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black’s pieces are the picture of
harmony; in contrast, look at White’s!
20.Nd5 Bxd5 21.Rxd5 To those who
complain that computers have ruined
chess, I sympathize for the most part,
but every now and then they win back
our hearts with ingenious sequences like
the following 21...Nxb2!! 22.Kxb2
Nc4+ 23.Ka1 d6!! White’s pieces are so
uncoordinated that Black can take time
out of his day for this calm, solidifying
move, covering the c5 square and
threatening ...Nc4xa3. (23...Nxa3
24.Bc5±) 24.c3 b4! 25.a4 Qc6 26.Rb1
Qxa4 27.Be1 Rfb8
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9rtr-+-+k+0
9+-+-+pvl-0
9-+-zp-+p+0
9zp-+Rzp-zPp0
9qzpn+P+-zP0
9+NzP-+P+-0
9L+-+-+-wQ0
9mKR+-vL-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Alas, at least as often as computers
uncover hidden beauties for us, they
ruin our fun with awless defense,
insisting that chess played correctly
settles down to a draw. 28.Qe2 Na3
29.Rc1 Nb5 30.Rd3 Bf8= Apparently
0.00 but we needn’t continue along
these lines, as 15.Bh6 must not be
permitted earlier on.))
15.Bf4
a) 15.Nxc6 Bxc6 16.Bf4 Qb7 17.Be5
b4! 18.axb4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+r+-+k+0
9+q+p+pvl-0
9p+l+psnp+0
9+-+-vL-+p0
9-zP-+P+PzP0
9+LsN-+P+-0
9-zPPwQ-+-+0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
18...a5!! 19.Qf4 (19.bxa5?? Rxa5
20.Qf4 Rxe5! 21.Qxe5 Nxe4–+)
19...axb4 20.Bxf6 (20.Nb1 Nxe4!!
21.Bxg7 (21.fxe4 Bxe5 22.Qxe5 Bxe4
23.Rh2 hxg4©) 21...Nc5!! 22.Bc4 Kxg7
23.gxh5 Bxf3 24.Rdf1 Bxh5 25.Qxf7+
Kh8 26.Qf6+ Kh7=) 20...bxc3 21.bxc3
Ra5!³ Black enjoys superior king safety
and White’s light-squared bishop is
caught offside, unable to assist on the
Kingside;
b) 15.Kb1 Ne5 16.Bg5 hxg4 17.Bxf6
Bxf6 18.h5 g5 19.fxg4 Qc5! 20.Rdf1
Qe7„
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+r+-+k+0
9+l+pwqp+-0
9p+-+pvl-+0
9+p+-sn-zpP0
9-+-sNP+P+0
9zPLsN-+-+-0
9-zPPwQ-+-+0
9+K+-+R+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black plans to play ...Rc8-c5 and double
up rooks on the c- le, threatening to
sacri ce the exchange on c3 with
devastating effect.;
15...Ne5 16.Qh2 d6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+r+-+k+0
9+lwq-+pvl-0
9p+-zppsnp+0
9+p+-sn-+p0
9-+-sNPvLPzP0
9zPLsN-+P+-0
9-zPP+-+-wQ0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black has a lot going for him: more
central pawns, White’s attack has been
halted, and Black’s queenside attack is just
getting started. In addition to this, the
tactics on e6 do not work for White.
17.Nxe6
(17.Bxe5 dxe5 18.Nxe6 fxe6 19.Bxe6+
Kh7 20.Bxc8 Rxc8„)
17...fxe6 18.Bxe5 dxe5 19.g5 Qe7
20.gxf6 Bxf6 21.Qh3 Rc6 22.Qg3 Kh7=;
14.g5 Ne8
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+ntrk+0
9+lwqp+pvl-0
9p+n+p+p+0
9+p+-+-zPp0
9-+-sNP+-zP0
9+LsN-vLP+-0
9PzPPwQ-+-+0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
15.Nde2
XIIIIIIIIY
a) 15.a3 Na5 16.Kb1 (16.Ba2 Nc4
17.Bxc4 bxc4=) 16...d5! 17.exd5 Nxb3
18.cxb3
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+ntrk+0
9+lwq-+pvl-0
9p+-+p+p+0
9+p+P+-zPp0
9-+-sN-+-zP0
9zPPsN-vLP+-0
9-zP-wQ-+-+0
9+K+R+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
18...Rd8! We have seen this before; it is
worth keeping this idea in mind. 19.Rc1
(19.dxe6 Bxf3μ) 19...Qb8=;
b) 15.Nxc6 Bxc6 16.Bc5 d6 17.Bxd6?
(17.Bd4 Bxd4 18.Qxd4 Rb8„)
17...Nxd6 18.Qxd6 Qb6!μ with ...a5-a4
to follow;
15...d6 16.Rhf1 Na5 17.Kb1
(17.f4? b4 18.Na4 Nxb3+ 19.axb3
Bxe4μ)
17...Rd8! Since White’s pawn storm has
been blockaded, he is condemned to
meandering piece play, whereas Black is
effectively up a pawn in the center.
18.Bd4 d5 19.exd5 Nxb3 20.axb3 Bxd5=;
14.Nxc6 Bxc6 15.Bf4 Qb7
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9+q+p+pvl-0
9p+l+psnp+0
9+p+-+-+p0
9-+-+PvLPzP0
9+LsN-+P+-0
9PzPPwQ-+-+0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
16.Bh6 a5 17.Bxg7 Kxg7 18.g5
(18.gxh5 Nxh5 19.Rhg1 a4 20.Bd5 b4
21.Qd4+ Kh7 22.Bxc6 dxc6 23.Ne2
c5!„)
18...Ne8 Computers take quite some
time to realize that black has no problems
here. 19.Bd5 b4 20.Bxc6 Qxc6 21.Ne2
Rd8=;
14.Rdg1 Qd6! 15.Nxc6 Qxd2+
16.Bxd2 Bxc6 17.g5 Ne8„
14...Rfd8
14...Rad8 e following is a good
illustration of what not to do. 15.a3 d5?!
16.gxh5 Nxh5 17.Nxc6 Bxc6 18.exd5
exd5 19.Bg5 Rd7 20.Ne2 Bb7 21.Nd4±;
14...Rfc8?! is doesn’t work here, as
White hasn’t weakened himself with a2-a3,
so Black’s queenside pawn storm is less
effective than in was after 14.a3. 15.Nxc6
(15.Bf4 Ne5 16.Qh2 d6 17.Nxe6 fxe6
18.Bxe5 dxe5 19.Bxe6+ Kh7 20.g5
Ne8 21.Bxc8 Rxc8=)
15...Bxc6 16.Bf4 Qb7 17.Be5 a5
(17...b4 18.Qf4 bxc3 19.Bxf6 Qc7
20.Qg5±)
XIIIIIIIIY
18.Qf4 a4 19.Bxe6 dxe6 20.Bxf6 b4
21.Bxg7 Kxg7 22.Ne2±
15.g5
We are in unexplored territory here, so I
can only guess what White’s likely choice
would be in an over-the-board situation. I
suspect that the urge to ‘do something’
would be overwhelming, and White would
be the rst to cave in. ese days we tend
to think the onus is on White to initiate
complications. In the early days of chess,
they used to think that the more talented
player has a moral responsibility to initiate
aggression!
15.Bh6 White invites simpli cations
which yield no advantage 15...Bxh6
16.Qxh6 Nxd4 17.Rxd4 Qe5!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-tr-+k+0
9+l+p+p+-0
9p+-+psnpwQ0
9+p+-wq-+p0
9-+-tRP+PzP0
9+LsN-+P+-0
9PzPP+-+-+0
9+K+-+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
18.gxh5
(18.Qd2 hxg4 19.fxg4 b4 20.Rxb4
Nxe4 21.Nxe4 Bxe4 22.Rf1 d5 23.Rb7
Rf8=
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9+R+-+p+-0
9p+-+p+p+0
9+-+pwq-+-0
9-+-+l+PzP0
9+L+-+-+-0
9PzPPwQ-+-+0
9+K+-+R+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
e computer gives ‘zeroes’ (“0.00”) but
I would prefer Black in a practical
setting because Black has a better
Bishop, more central pawns, and
potential for taking over the initiative
with ...a5-a4, whereas attempts by
White to ‘do something’ seem to only
make his position worse. 24.g5?! a5
25.a4 Rab8 26.Rb5 Rxb5 27.axb5 Qc7³
With ...Rf8-b8 to follow.)
18...Nxh5 19.Rhd1 Qf4!
(19...Bc6 Black should be able to hold
here with accurate play but the position
is a little annoying to defend because
Black lacks a constructive plan. is is
why I recommend forcing matters by
liquidating with 19...Qf4. 20.Ne2 a5
21.a3 b4 (21...Re8 22.Rg1 Rab8 23.f4
Qg7 24.Qg5 d5 25.e5²) 22.a4 Re8∞)
20.Qxf4
(20.Qg5 Bc6 21.Ne2 Qxg5 22.hxg5 a5
23.a3 Kf8=)
20...Nxf4 21.Rxd7 Rxd7 22.Rxd7 Bc6=
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-+k+0
9+-+R+p+-0
9p+l+p+p+0
9+p+-+-+-0
9-+-+Psn-zP0
9+LsN-+P+-0
9PzPP+-+-+0
9+K+-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
It is not necessary to memorize the
precise way Black draws in the ensuing
variations; I include them just for the sake
of completeness, but without comments.
It is enough to recognize that White’s h4
pawn is bound to eventually capitulate to
Black’s ...Kg8-g7 and ...Ra8-h8 or ...Nf4g2, and White’s Bishop remains frozen,
missing in action on b3.
23.Rc7
(23.Rd6 Rc8=; 23.Rd2 Kf8! 24.Ne2
Nxe2 25.Rxe2 Ke7 26.Rg2 Rh8 27.Rg4
e5=)
23...Be8 24.e5
a) 24.Rc5 b4 25.Nd1 (25.Na4 Bxa4
26.Bxa4 Kg7=) 25...Bb5 26.c4 bxc3
27.Nxc3 Bd3+ 28.Kc1 (28.Bc2 Kg7
29.Bxd3 Nxd3 30.Ra5 Rh8 31.Rxa6
Rxh4=) 28...Rd8=;
b) 24.Kc1 Rd8=;
c) 24.a4 Ng2 25.axb5 axb5=;
24...Rd8 25.a4
(25...Ng2?! It is inspiring that despite
such an error Black can still hold; such
margin for error is important to account
for when choosing a repertoire. 26.a5!
Nxh4 27.f4 Ng2 28.Ra7 Nxf4 29.Ne4
Bc6 30.Nd6 Bd7 31.Rxa6 g5 32.Ne4
Ng6 33.Nxg5 Nxe5=)
26.Bxa4
(26.Bc4 Ng2 27.Bxa6 Nxh4 28.Bb7
Rd7 29.Rxd7 Bxd7 30.Ka2 g5 31.Ne4
Kg7 32.Nxg5 Ng6 33.Ka3 Nxe5
34.Kb4 f5 35.Kc5 Kf6 36.f4 Ng6
37.Nh3 e5=; 26.Nxa4 Ng2 27.Nc5
Nxh4 28.f4 Ng2 29.Nxa6 Nxf4=)
26...Bxa4 27.Nxa4 Rd1+
(27...Ng2 28.Rc4 a5 (28...Rd5 29.Rc8+
Kg7 30.c4 Rxe5 31.c5±) 29.c3 Rd3
(29...Kg7 30.b4 axb4 31.cxb4 Ne3
32.Rc3 Nd5 33.Rb3²) 30.b4 axb4
31.cxb4 Rxf3 32.Kb2 Ne3 33.Re4 Nd5
34.b5 f5 35.exf6 Rf5 36.Ka3 (36.Rxe6
Nc7=) 36...Nxf6 37.Rxe6 Kf7 38.Rb6
Nd7 39.Rb7 Ke6 40.Nc3 Rh5 41.Rc7
Rxh4 42.b6 Nxb6 43.Rc6+ Kf5
44.Rxb6=)
28.Ka2 Rh1 29.Nc5
(29.b4 Rxh4 30.Ra7 Nd5 31.c3 Nxb4+
32.cxb4 Rxb4 33.Nc5 Rf4 34.Rxa6
Rxf3=)
29...Rxh4 30.Nxa6 Nd5 31.Rc8+ Kg7
32.Nc7 Ne7 33.Ne8+ Kf8 34.Ra8 Rf4
35.Nf6+ Kg7 36.Ra3 Nc6 37.Ng4 g5=;
15.Bf4 e5
(25.a3 a5 26.a4 bxa4 27.Nxa4 Ng2=)
25...bxa4
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-tr-+k+0
9+lwqp+pvl-0
9p+n+-snp+0
9+p+-zp-+p0
9-+-sNPvLPzP0
9+LsN-+P+-0
9PzPPwQ-+-+0
9+K+R+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
16.g5
(16.Nf5 gxf5 17.Bg5 Na5 18.Bxf6
Bxf6 19.Bd5 f4 20.g5 Bg7 21.g6 Kf8
22.Bxf7 Rac8μ)
16...Nxe4!
(16...Nxd4 17.Qxd4 d6 18.Qd3 Nxe4
19.Nxe4 exf4 20.Nf6+ Kh8 21.Rhe1∞)
17.Nxe4 exf4„;
15.Rdg1 b4 16.Na4 d5!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-tr-+k+0
9+lwq-+pvl-0
9p+n+psnp+0
9+-+p+-+p0
9Nzp-sNP+PzP0
9+L+-vLP+-0
9PzPPwQ-+-+0
9+K+-+-tRR0
xiiiiiiiiy
(18.Rxg6 fxg6 19.Nxe6 Qe5 20.Nxd8
Rxd8 21.Bxd5+ Kh8=; 18.Nc5 Nxd4
19.Bxd4 Bxd4 20.Qxd4 dxe4 21.Qxb4
Bd5 22.Nxe4 Bxe4 23.fxe4 Ng3
24.Rh3 Ne2 25.Rf1 Ng3 26.Rg1=)
18...fxe6 19.Rxg6 Qf7 20.Qg2
(20.Rg5 Ne5„; 20.Rxe6 Na5„)
20...Ne5 21.Rh6 Nf4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-tr-+k+0
9+l+-+qvl-0
9p+-+p+-tR0
9+-+psn-+-0
9Nzp-+Psn-zP0
9+L+-vLP+-0
9PzPP+-+Q+0
9+K+-+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
22.Bxf4 Qxf4 23.Rxe6 Qxf3 24.Qg1
(24.Rg1 Qxg2 25.Rxg2 Kf8 26.Rf2+
Kg8 27.Rg2 Kf8=)
24...Re8 25.Nc5
(25.Rb6 Ra7 26.h5 Kh8 27.h6 Bf8μ)
25...Bc6=
15...Ne8 16.Qf2 Ne5
17.gxh5
(17.g5 Nxe4! 18.fxe4 dxe4 19.c3 bxc3
20.bxc3 Na5©)
17...Nxh5 18.Nxe6
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-trn+k+0
9+lwqp+pvl-0
9p+-+p+p+0
9+p+-sn-zPp0
9-+-sNP+-zP0
9+LsN-vLP+-0
9PzPP+-wQ-+0
9+K+R+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Around now White will start to regret
caving under the pressure to ‘do
something’ with 15.g5.
17.Nde2
17.Bf4 Nd6!„ White’s kingside attack
is distant memory, and the fun is just
getting started for Black.;
17.a3 Nd6 18.Nde2 Ndc4 19.Bd4 d5!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-tr-+k+0
9+lwq-+pvl-0
9p+-+p+p+0
9+p+psn-zPp0
9-+nvLP+-zP0
9zPLsN-+P+-0
9-zPP+NwQ-+0
9+K+R+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
20.Bxc4 Nxc4 21.Bxg7 Kxg7 22.exd5
Bxd5 23.Nxd5 Rxd5 24.Rxd5 exd5
25.Qd4+ Qe5 26.Qxe5+ Nxe5 27.Nd4
25.Qd4+ Qe5 26.Qxe5+ Nxe5 27.Nd4
Rc8 28.c3 Nc6=;
17.Qg3 Nd6„
17...Nc4 18.Bxc4
18.Bd4 d5 19.Bxc4 Bxd4 20.Rxd4 dxc4
21.Rxd8 Rxd8„
18...Qxc4 19.Bd4
19.Rd2 d5 20.Rhd1 a5! 21.exd5 b4
22.b3 Qa6 23.Na4 Rxd5 24.Rxd5 Bxd5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+n+k+0
9+-+-+pvl-0
9q+-+p+p+0
9zp-+l+-zPp0
9Nzp-+-+-zP0
9+P+-vLP+-0
9P+P+NwQ-+0
9+K+R+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
25.Nb6 Rb8 26.Nxd5 exd5 27.Bd4
(27.Rxd5? Nc7 28.Rd3 Nb5μ)
27...Bxd4 28.Nxd4 Nd6=
19...Bxd4 20.Rxd4
20.Nxd4 Qc5! 21.Rd2 Nd6 22.Nb3
Qxf2 23.Rxf2 Nc4 24.Nc5 Bc6=;
20.Qxd4 Qc7!=
20...Qc5 21.f4 Nd6!„
Appendix
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6
5.Nc3 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Bc4 0-0 8.Bb3
a6 9.f3 Qc7 10.Qd2 Na5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9+pwqpzppvlp0
9p+-+-snp+0
9sn-+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+LsN-vLP+-0
9PzPPwQ-+PzP0
9tR-+-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
is may (with further research) turn
out to be playable (and if my mainline
runs into problems this is a serious
fallback to research further) but I prefer to
continue developing before committing
the knight. In the early stages of
developing this system I tried out all kinds
of move orders, and ultimately realized
that Black should keep the knight on c6 so
as to deter White’s Be3-h6 as long as
possible (when ...Nc6xd4 would win a
piece).
11.0-0-0
11.Bg5 e6!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9+pwqp+pvlp0
9p+-+psnp+0
9sn-+-+-vL-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+LsN-+P+-0
9PzPPwQ-+PzP0
9tR-+-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
e core theme of my system. 12.0-0-0
(12.0-0 b5 13.Rfe1 d6 14.a3 Rb8
15.Red1 Nc4 16.Bxc4 bxc4 17.Rab1
Bb7 18.Nde2 d5³)
12...b5 13.a3 Bb7 14.Kb1
(14.Ba2 Nc4 15.Bxc4 Qxc4 16.Nb3 a5
17.Qd3 Qxd3 18.Rxd3 b4³)
14...d5!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9+lwq-+pvlp0
9p+-+psnp+0
9snp+p+-vL-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9zPLsN-+P+-0
9-zPPwQ-+PzP0
9+K+R+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
15.exd5
XIIIIIIIIY
(15.Bxf6 Bxf6 16.exd5 Nxb3 17.Nxb3
Bxc3 18.bxc3 Bxd5–+)
15...Nxb3 16.Nxb3 Nxd5μ;
11.g4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9+pwqpzppvlp0
9p+-+-snp+0
9sn-+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+P+0
9+LsN-vLP+-0
9PzPPwQ-+-zP0
9tR-+-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
11...b5!
(11...e6?! If Black is intent on this
10...Na5 variation then he should prefer
11...b5 instead. 12.h4 (12.0-0-0 b5
13.Bh6 Bxh6 14.Qxh6 b4 15.Nce2
Bb7 16.h4 Nxb3+ 17.axb3 Rfc8∞
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+r+-+k+0
9+lwqp+p+p0
9p+-+psnpwQ0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-zp-sNP+PzP0
9+P+-+P+-0
9-zPP+N+-+0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
18.Rd2 (18.c4 bxc3 19.Nxc3 d5³)
18...Bxe4 19.fxe4 Nxe4 20.h5 (20.Rf1
d5μ) 20...g5∞) 12...h5 13.0-0-0 b5
14.Bh6± Again, Black wishes his knight
were on c6 to deter this move.)
12.g5 Nxb3 13.axb3 b4„
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9+-wqpzppvlp0
9p+-+-snp+0
9+-+-+-zP-0
9-zp-sNP+-+0
9+PsN-vLP+-0
9-zPPwQ-+-zP0
9tR-+-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black is just in time: he will play Nh5
only after White’s knight moves from c3
(and therefore cannot reach d5).;
11.0-0 I include this move, because
computers endorse it, but I can’t imagine
humans combining f3 with 0-0. 11...b5
12.a4 b4 13.Nd5 Nxd5 14.Bxd5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9+-wqpzppvlp0
9p+-+-+p+0
9sn-+L+-+-0
9Pzp-sNP+-+0
9+-+-vLP+-0
9-zPPwQ-+PzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
14...Bb7
(14...Rb8 Black may prefer this.
15.Rac1 e6 16.Ba2 Nc4 17.Bxc4 Qxc4
18.b3 Qc7 19.c3 bxc3 20.Rxc3 Qa5=)
15.Qxb4
(15.Bxb7 Qxb7μ; ¹15.b3 e6 16.Bxb7
Qxb7³)
15...Bxd5 16.exd5 Rab8 17.Qc3 Rfc8μ
Black is calling all the shots. In most
openings, White can get away with a few
inaccuracies, especially with innocent
developing moves, but the price of an
inaccuracy is quite high for White in this
system.
11...b5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9+-wqpzppvlp0
9p+-+-snp+0
9snp+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+LsN-vLP+-0
9PzPPwQ-+PzP0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
12.h4!
12.g4 Black generally has three ways of
meeting this move, all intended to prevent
White from playing g4-g5 and Nc3-d5:
1) ...Bc8-b7
2) ...e7-e6
3) wait for g4-g5 and meet it with ...b5b4.
Concrete factors determine which of
these is the best in each particular
situation. 12...Bb7 13.h4
(13.g5?! Nh5 14.Nd5 Bxd5 15.Bxd5
Rab8³
XIIIIIIIIY
9-tr-+-trk+0
9+-wqpzppvlp0
9p+-+-+p+0
9snp+L+-zPn0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+-+-vLP+-0
9PzPPwQ-+-zP0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
A sample continuation may be...
16.Kb1 Nc4 17.Bxc4 bxc4 18.c3 Rb7
19.Ka1 Rfb8 20.Rb1 a5 21.Ne2 a4
22.a3 Rb3 23.Ka2 (23.Nc1 Bxc3)
23...e6! 24.Ng3 Nxg3 25.hxg3 R8b5
26.Qh2 Qd6 27.Qxh7+ Kf8–+ White
is defenseless against the combined
threats of ...Bg7xc3 and in ltration with
...Qd6-d3 (threatening ...Rxb2+).)
13...Rac8!
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+-trk+0
9+lwqpzppvlp0
9p+-+-snp+0
9snp+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+PzP0
9+LsN-vLP+-0
9PzPPwQ-+-+0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
An isolated instance where Black can
allow White to play h4-h5.
(13...h5?! Black would ideally like to
prevent White’s h4-h5 but since Black’s
knight is on a5, White now has 14.Bh6!
XIIIIIIIIY
‚ White threatens Nd4-f5, so the
following is forced 14...e6 15.Rhe1!
Nxb3+ (15...d6?? 16.Bxe6+–) 16.axb3
d6 17.gxh5 Nxh5 18.Bxg7 Kxg7
19.Rg1 Kh7 20.Qg5² Black is on the
defensive. ings aren’t so dire, but we
can do better (13...Rac8!).)
14.Kb1
(14.h5?! b4 15.Na4
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+-trk+0
9+lwqpzppvlp0
9p+-+-snp+0
9sn-+-+-+P0
9Nzp-sNP+P+0
9+L+-vLP+-0
9PzPPwQ-+-+0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
15...Nxe4!! 16.fxe4 Bxe4 17.hxg6
Nxb3+ 18.axb3 fxg6³ 19.Rh2? e5–+)
14...e5! 15.Nde2 d5! 16.g5 Nxb3
17.axb3 d4 18.gxf6 dxe3 19.Qd6 Bh8
20.Qxc7 Rxc7 21.Rd6 Rfc8 22.h5 Rc6
23.Rd7 R6c7 24.Rd6=;
12.Kb1
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9+-wqpzppvlp0
9p+-+-snp+0
9snp+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+LsN-vLP+-0
9PzPPwQ-+PzP0
9+K+R+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
12...Bb7
(12...Nc4?! is should ‘feel’ wrong;
Black needs to harness more potential
energy before striking. 13.Bxc4 bxc4
14.g4‚)
13.a3
(13.g4 e position is very rich, and
Black has many possibilities. I’ll just
show a couple of them. 13...Rac8
(13...e6 14.h4 (14.Nde2?! d5 15.g5
Nh5 16.exd5 b4 17.Ne4 exd5 18.Bxd5
(18.Nc5? d4! 19.Bxd4 Bxf3 20.Bxg7
Nxg7 21.Nd7 Rad8 22.Rhf1 Nxb3
23.axb3 Rxd7 24.Qxd7 Qxd7 25.Rxd7
Bxe2μ) 18...Rad8 19.Bf4 Qb6 20.Be3
Qb5 21.Bxf7+ Kxf7 22.Nd6+ Rxd6
23.Qxd6 Nc4 24.Qc7+ Kg8 25.Bc5
Na3+ 26.Kc1 Qxe2 27.Bxf8 Qe3+
28.Rd2 Bxb2+ 29.Kxb2 Qxd2 30.Bh6
Qd4+ 31.Kb3 Qd5+ 32.Kb2 Qd4+
33.Kb3=) 14...d5! 15.e5 (15.g5 Nh5
16.exd5 Nxb3 17.cxb3 b4 18.Ne4
Bxd5„) 15...Nd7 16.f4 Nc4 17.Qe1
(17.Bxc4 dxc4 18.Rhf1 Nc5„)
17...Nc5 18.h5 Nxe3 19.Qxe3 g5!!„
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9+lwq-+pvlp0
9p+-+p+-+0
9+psnpzP-zpP0
9-+-sN-zPP+0
9+LsN-wQ-+-0
9PzPP+-+-+0
9+K+R+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+-trk+0
9+-wqpzppvlp0
9p+-+-+p+0
9+-+P+-zPn0
9-+psN-+-+0
9+-zP-vLP+-0
9PzP-wQ-+-zP0
9+K+R+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
) White has two main options now.
18...e5! is is a thematic push in this
line, made possible by Black holding
back the d7 pawn. 19.dxe6 fxe6³;
a) 14.g5 Nh5 (14...b4
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+-trk+0
9+lwqpzppvlp0
9p+-+-snp+0
9sn-+-+-zP-0
9-zp-sNP+-+0
9+LsN-vLP+-0
9PzPPwQ-+-zP0
9+K+R+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
ings get pretty insane in this line.
Fortunately it isn’t necessary for Black to
go into this. 15.Nf5!
(15.Na4 Nxe4! 16.fxe4 Bxe4 17.Rc1
Nxb3 18.axb3 Bxh1 19.Rxh1 f6=)
15...bxc3 16.Nxe7+ Kh8 17.Qf2 Nh5
18.Bb6 (18.Nxc8 Qxc8) 18...Qe5
19.Nxc8 Nxb3 20.axb3 Bxc8=) 15.Nd5
Bxd5 16.exd5 Nc4 17.Bxc4 bxc4 18.c3
XIIIIIIIIY
b) 14.h4 e5! 15.Nde2 Nxb3 16.cxb3
(16.axb3 d5 17.exd5 Nxd5) 16...b4
17.Nd5 Bxd5 18.exd5 e4 19.Rc1
Qb7μ;
13...e6!
(13...Rad8 14.Qf2 Qb8!?„
a) 14...d5 15.Nf5 dxe4 16.Bb6∞;
b) 14...Nc4 15.Bxc4 bxc4 (15...Qxc4
16.Nb3²) 16.Nde2²);
14.g4 d5!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9+lwq-+pvlp0
9p+-+psnp+0
9snp+p+-+-0
9-+-sNP+P+0
9zPLsN-vLP+-0
9-zPPwQ-+-zP0
9+K+R+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
15.e5
(15.g5 Nh5 16.exd5 Nxb3 17.cxb3
Rad8! 18.Qc2 (18.dxe6? Bxf3–+)
18...exd5„)
15...Nd7 16.f4 Nc4 17.Bxc4 dxc4
18.Rhf1 Nc5„;
12.Bg5 Bb7³;
12.Bh6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9+-wqpzppvlp0
9p+-+-snpvL0
9snp+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+LsN-+P+-0
9PzPPwQ-+PzP0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
12...Nxb3+
(12...e5?? 13.Nf5+– Beware of this!;
12...Nc4? Too soon, Black needs to
harness more potential before striking
13.Bxc4 Bxh6 14.Qxh6 bxc4 15.h4+–
White is too fast, Black has no
counterplay.)
13.Nxb3
(13.axb3 Bxh6 14.Qxh6 b4 15.Nd5
Nxd5 16.exd5 e5! 17.Nf5 gxf5 18.Qg5+
Kh8 19.Qf6+ Kg8=)
13...Bxh6 14.Qxh6 Bb7„
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9+lwqpzpp+p0
9p+-+-snpwQ0
9+p+-+-+-0
9-+-+P+-+0
9+NsN-+P+-0
9PzPP+-+PzP0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black will continue ...Rfc8, ...a5, ...b4,
etc.
12...h5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9+-wqpzppvl-0
9p+-+-snp+0
9snp+-+-+p0
9-+-sNP+-zP0
9+LsN-vLP+-0
9PzPPwQ-+P+0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
13.Bh6!
is poses Black the most problems
when the knight is on a5.
13.g4!? Bb7 14.Bh6‚
(14.g5 Ne8 15.Kb1 Nd6! 16.Nd5
Bxd5 17.Bxd5 Rac8³ 18.Qd3 e6
19.Bb3 Ndc4 20.Bc1 d5! 21.exd5 Rfd8
22.Nxe6 fxe6 23.Qxg6 Na3+ 24.Ka1
Nxb3+ 25.cxb3 Qc2–+)
13...Nxb3+ 14.axb3
14.Nxb3 Bxh6 15.Qxh6 Bb7 16.a3
Rac8 17.Kb1 a5„
XIIIIIIIIY
14...Bb7 15.g4 e6 16.b4!±
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9+lwqp+pvl-0
9p+-+psnpvL0
9+p+-+-+p0
9-zP-sNP+PzP0
9+-sN-+P+-0
9-zPPwQ-+-+0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Such positions are to be avoided: White
dominates on all sides of the board, which
will be evident after Nd4-b3-a5(c5).
CHAPTER 4
MAROCZY BIND: BREYER VARIATION
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Bg7
5.c4 Nc6 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Nc3 Ng4 8.Qxg4
Nxd4 9.Qd1 e5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+-tr0
9zpp+p+pvlp0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9-+PsnP+-+0
9+-sN-vL-+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Contents
1. 6.Nc2 Nf6
2. 6.Nc2 e6
3. 10.Be2
4. 10.Nb5 0-0?!
5. 10.Nb5 d6!N 11.sidelines
6. 10.Nb5 d6!N 11.Qd2
7. 10.Bd3 d6
Appendix. 10.Bd3 0-0
1
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Bg7
5.c4
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqk+ntr0
9zpp+pzppvlp0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+PsNP+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tRNvLQmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
We have here the starting position of
the Maroczy Bind, named after Hungarian
master Geza Maroczy (1870–1951).
Maroczy was one of the best players in the
world in the early 1900s, and was even set
to play a World Championship match
with Emanuel Lasker in 1906, but for
various political reasons the match did not
end up taking place. He was an engineer
by training, and a nancial auditor by
profession. Capablanca, near the end of
his life in the early 1940s, said of Maroczy
that “with the exception of Botvinnik and
Keres, Maróczy in his time was superior to
all the other young masters of today.”
Maroczy popularized White’s setup in his
capacity as a chess journalist, but there are
no published games of his where he played
the system with White. In fact, the rst
recorded game in the Maroczy Bind is
Swiderski-Maroczy, 1904, where Maroczy
defended the Black side of the Accelerated
Dragon against the (to be named)
Maroczy Bind. In order to combat the
Maroczy Bind, Black must follow a darksquares strategy. Notice that in asserting
the central c4/e4 ‘clamp’, White has
forever denied the (dark) d4-square
protection from a pawn. We will see in the
subchapter 3 that the Breyer Variation is
based on seizing this square from White’s
grip. In keeping with the dark-squares
strategy, exchanging dark-squared bishops
is in general congenial to Black. In fact,
GM Tiviakov once highlighted the
importance of this exchange by playing
the highly creative, though slightly
dubious, 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4
4.Nxd4 g6 5.c4 Bh6!?.
5...Nc6 6.Nc2
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+ntr0
9zpp+pzppvlp0
9-+n+-+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9PzPN+-zPPzP0
9tRNvLQmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
is is not the most challenging line for
Black, but since it has been played by
Keres, Tal, Korchnoi, and Carlsen, it has
earned our serious attention. White
usually waits for Black to play ...Bc8-d7
before retreating this Knight, because
Black’s two most common ways of
countering Nc2 are either a) ...Nf6-d7-c5,
often capturing on c3 with the g7 bishop
(an option made available by White’s
departure from d4), or b) ...Bc8-e6 (which
is not recommended when White’s knight
is on d4) and quickly targeting the c4
pawn with ...Ra8-c8, ...Nc6-e5, etc. e
latter of these plans will be covered when
we discuss the ‘Main Line’ Maroczy. Here
I will go over two additional systems for
the reader who wishes to take advantage of
White’s premature retreat.
6...Nf6 7.Nc3 0-0 8.Be2 b6
e double- anchetto is particularly
adept at meeting White’s Nd4-c2. With
the knight on d4, a reliable way to meet
Black’s double anchetto is with Nd4xc6,
which is not possible here.
9.0-0 Bb7
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpl+pzppvlp0
9-zpn+-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9PzPN+LzPPzP0
9tR-vLQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black intends to continue with the at
rst glance unbelievable, but in this book
thematic, ...Nf6-e8-d6, followed by ...f7f5.
10.f3
10.Bf4 is deters Black’s ...Ne8-d6
idea but after ...Nf6-e8 Black may instead
gain a tempo on the f4-bishop after
...Ne8-c7-e6. Also, White’s f4-bishop is
under X-ray attack from Black’s f8 rook
after an eventual ...f7-f5. 10...Rc8 11.Ne3
Ne8 12.f3
(12.Ng4?? h5 13.Ne3? e5–+ HermanPanjwani, New York 2014)
12...Nc7 13.Ned5 Ne6 14.Be3 f5
15.exf5 Rxf5„
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwq-+k+0
9zpl+pzp-vlp0
9-zpn+n+p+0
9+-+N+r+-0
9-+P+-+-+0
9+-sN-vLP+-0
9PzP-+L+PzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black will continue with ...Ne6-d4,
...e7-e6, and eventually ...d7-d5.;
10.Bg5 Not the most popular, but quite
possibly White’s best. 10...Ne8!
(10...Rc8?! Black should not delay
...Nf6-e8, because that allows White to
coordinate in the center and render the
plan too slow. 11.f3 h6 12.Be3 Kh7
13.Qe1 Ne8?! 14.Rd1 Nd6?! 15.Qd2!
(15.Kh1 f5 16.c5 bxc5 17.Bxc5 fxe4
18.Bxd6 exf3 19.Bxf3 exd6„ 0–1 (35)
Sadorra,J (2431)-Jobava,B (2664) Al
Ain UAE 2008) 15...f5 16.exf5 Nxf5
17.Qxd7 Nxe3 18.Nxe3±)
11.Qd2
(11.f3 Bxc3 (11...Nd6 12.Qxd6! exd6
13.Bxd8 Raxd8 14.Rad1² Black
certainly has compensation for the
weakened structure, because White is
without his prized dark-squared bishop,
but I think Black’s compensation will be
at best enough for a draw, and as a
general rule it is worth avoiding
positions where your opponent is
playing for two results.) 12.bxc3 Ng7„
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpl+pzppsnp0
9-zpn+-+p+0
9+-+-+-vL-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+-zP-+P+-0
9P+N+L+PzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black will play in accordance with the
system of Nimzowitsch: rst blockade
White’s doubled c-pawns with ...d7-d6,
...Ng7-e6-c5, then pile up on the weak
c4-pawn with ...Ra8-c8, ...Nc6-a5,
...Bb7-a6.)
11...Nd6 12.f3
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpl+pzppvlp0
9-zpnsn-+p+0
9+-+-+-vL-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+-sN-+P+-0
9PzPNwQL+PzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
12...f5!
(12...f6 It is instructive to see how Black
ends up worse after this move. 13.Bf4
(13.Bh6 Bxh6 14.Qxh6 Ne5 15.b3
g5„) 13...Ne5 14.Ne3 f5 15.exf5 Nxf5
16.Nxf5 Rxf5 17.Be3 Rc8 18.b3 Black
cannot allow White to coordinate like
this, because Black has made antipositional moves and he can only get
away with them if he plays energetically
enough to prevent White from
‘achieving harmony’. erefore, Black
lives and dies by the power of his
counterplay: here, unfortunately, Black
has capitulated control over the center,
and is consequently unable to achieve
the desired ...d7-d5. 18...Nf7 19.Rad1
Nd6 20.Bd4²)
13.exf5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpl+pzp-vlp0
9-zpnsn-+p+0
9+-+-+PvL-0
9-+P+-+-+0
9+-sN-+P+-0
9PzPNwQL+PzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Both recaptures on f5 are interesting,
but my analysis indicates that 13...Nxf5 is
the better of the two. 13...Nxf5
(13...Rxf5?! 14.Bh6! is move, which
is all too easy for White to nd, makes
life difficult for Black. From a broader
perspective this should not surprise us:
by exchanging pieces White dulls Black’s
counterplay, which is Black’s only
compensation for his hanging central
pawns and multiple weaknesses.
(14.Be3 Qf8! 15.Rad1 Rf7 16.c5 Nf5
17.cxb6 e6 18.bxa7 Nxe3 19.Qxe3
Nxa7©) 14...Qf8 15.Bxg7 Qxg7 16.b3
Raf8 17.Rad1 g5 In a practical game
Black can probably get away with
playing like this, but I cannot
recommend this as something to aim for
from the outset. 18.Bd3 Rf4 19.Ne4
Ne5 20.Nxd6 exd6 21.Be2! R8f6
22.Ne3²)
14.Rad1 Rc8! 15.b3
(15.Qxd7? Bd4+ 16.Rxd4 Nfxd4
17.Qxb7 Nxc2³)
15...h6! Black guarantees himself the
two bishops, if he desires. 16.Bf4 g5
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwq-trk+0
9zpl+pzp-vl-0
9-zpn+-+-zp0
9+-+-+nzp-0
9-+P+-vL-+0
9+PsN-+P+-0
9P+NwQL+PzP0
9+-+R+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Irrespective of where White moves his
bishop, Black will continue with ...e7-e6
and ...d7-d5. It is amazing that Black can
get away with this central break seeing as
White currently has four pieces directly
targeting at the d5 square and Black has
none! 17.Bg3
(17.Be3 e6 (17...d5!? 18.Nxd5
(18.cxd5?? Bxc3 19.Qxc3 Ncd4–+)
18...e6 19.Ndb4 (19.Nc3 Qf6 20.Nb5
Rcd8 21.Qc1 a6 22.Nba3 Nxe3
23.Qxe3 Nd4 24.Nxd4 Qxd4!=)
19...Nxb4 20.Qxb4 Qc7 21.Bf2 Be5
22.h3 Ng3 23.Bxg3 Bxg3∞) 18.Bd3
(18.Nb5 d5! 19.cxd5 exd5 20.Qxd5+?
Qxd5 21.Rxd5 Na5 22.Rd2 Rxc2
23.Rxc2 Nxe3–+) 18...d5! 19.Bxf5 Rxf5
20.cxd5 exd5 White’s position is slightly
more pleasant but Black shouldn’t have
much difficulty holding. 21.Nd4
(21.Nxd5 Qd6©) 21...Nxd4 22.Bxd4
Bxd4+ 23.Qxd4 Qf6
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+-+k+0
9zpl+-+-+-0
9-zp-+-wq-zp0
9+-+p+rzp-0
9-+-wQ-+-+0
9+PsN-+P+-0
9P+-+-+PzP0
9+-+R+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black will have enough activity to
compensate for his pawn de ciency. It is
not worth memorizing an exact path to
equality in the ensuing variations; there
are multiple paths. 24.Qxf6 (24.Nb5
Ba6 25.Qa4 Bxb5 26.Qxb5 d4 27.Qd3
Rd5=) 24...Rxf6 25.Nxd5 Re6 26.Nb4
a5 27.Nd3 Ba6 28.Rfe1 Rxe1+ 29.Nxe1
Re8 30.Nc2 Re2 31.Rd8+ Kf7 32.Nd4
Rxa2 33.Rd6 Ra1+ 34.Kf2 Ra2+
35.Ke3 h5 36.Rxb6 Bf1=)
17...e6
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwq-trk+0
9zpl+p+-vl-0
9-zpn+p+-zp0
9+-+-+nzp-0
9-+P+-+-+0
9+PsN-+PvL-0
9P+NwQL+PzP0
9+-+R+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
18.Nb5
(18.Bf2 d5!! 19.cxd5? Bxc3 20.Qxc3
Ncd4μ)
18...d5! Black will be ne after a long
forcing series of exchanges. 19.cxd5 exd5
20.Qxd5+ Qxd5 21.Rxd5 Ncd4 22.Rxd4
Rxc2 23.Bc4+ Kh8 24.Rd3 g4! 25.Nd6
Nxd6 26.Bxd6 Re8
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+r+-mk0
9zpl+-+-vl-0
9-zp-vL-+-zp0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+L+-+p+0
9+P+R+P+-0
9P+r+-+PzP0
9+-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
27.a4
(27.Bb4 Preventing ...Re8-e2 on
account of Rd3-d8+. 27...gxf3 28.gxf3
Rxa2=)
XIIIIIIIIY
27...Ree2 e following variation is
remarkable: 28.Kh1! Rxg2 29.Bd5 Ba6
30.Re3! Bxf1 31.Re8+
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+R+-mk0
9zp-+-+-vl-0
9-zp-vL-+-zp0
9+-+L+-+-0
9P+-+-+p+0
9+P+-+P+-0
9-+r+-+rzP0
9+-+-+l+K0
xiiiiiiiiy
31...Bf8
(31...Kh7 32.Be4#)
32.Rxf8+ Kg7 33.Rg8+ Kf6 34.Rf8+
Kg7 35.Rg8+ Kh7 36.Be5!! gxf3 37.Rh8+
Kg6 38.Be4+ Kh5 39.Bxf3+ Kg5
40.Bxg2 Bxg2+ 41.Kg1=;
10.Rb1 Ne8 11.Qd2 Nd6 12.f3 f5
13.Nb5 fxe4 14.Nxd6 exd6 15.Qxd6 Ne5
16.f4 Nd3 17.Bxd3 exd3 18.Qxd3 Re8©
0–1 (38) Tseshkovsky,V (2555) -Gufeld,E
(2535) Vilnius 1975.
10...Ne8
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqntrk+0
9zpl+pzppvlp0
9-zpn+-+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+-sN-+P+-0
9PzPN+L+PzP0
9tR-vLQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
11.Be3
11.Bd2 Played in order that Black will
not capture on c3, but to seek an
advantage White should allow that.
11...Nd6 (…...f5) 12.Rc1 f5 13.exf5 Nxf5
14.Kh1 e6 15.Qe1
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpl+p+-vlp0
9-zpn+p+p+0
9+-+-+n+-0
9-+P+-+-+0
9+-sN-+P+-0
9PzPNvLL+PzP0
9+-tR-wQR+K0
xiiiiiiiiy
15...Kh8
(15...d5!? 16.cxd5 exd5³)
16.Ne3 Nfd4
(16...Ncd4 17.Bd3 Nxe3 18.Bxe3 d5?!
19.cxd5 exd5 20.Rd1 Nf5 21.Bxf5 Rxf5
22.Bd4² 1–0 (46) Hebert,J-Panjwani,R
Montreal 2013)
17.b3 d5!³
11...Nd6
A signi cant branching point for this
variation. White’s attempts in the database
are not convincing, but I have found a
new move (12.Nd4) which does present
Black with some problems. Fortunately,
they are not insurmountable.
11...Bxc3!? 12.bxc3 d6 13.Bh6 Ng7
14.f4 Re8 15.Bg4∞
12.Nd4N
As I mentioned before, White’s knight
belongs on d4 in these double- anchetto
systems, especially in the cases where
Black’s play revolves around ...f7-f5. White
intends on eliminating Black’s pesky d6
knight with Nd4-b5.
12.Qd2 f5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpl+pzp-vlp0
9-zpnsn-+p+0
9+-+-+p+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+-sN-vLP+-0
9PzPNwQL+PzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
13.c5
(13.exf5 Nxf5 14.Bf2 Bh6 15.Qe1
(15.Qd1 e6 16.g4 Nfe7 17.Bg3 d5
18.cxd5 Nxd5 19.Nxd5 exd5„) 15...e6
16.Rd1 Qe7 17.g4 Ng7 18.Bg3 Bf4=)
13...bxc5 14.Bxc5 fxe4 15.fxe4 Rxf1+
16.Rxf1 Ne5 17.Bxd6 Qb6+ 18.Kh1
Qxd6=;
12.c5 bxc5 13.Bxc5 f5 14.Bxd6 exd6
15.Kh1 Qh4 16.g3 Qh3 17.exf5 Be5
18.Rg1 Ne7!„;
12.Nb5 Bxb2 13.Rb1 Be5 14.f4 Bg7
15.Nxd6 exd6 16.Qxd6 Re8 17.Qd3 Na5
18.Bf3 Rc8³ 0–1 (37) Minasian,A (2478)Aronian,L (2528) Ohrid 2001.
12...Rc8!
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwq-trk+0
9zpl+pzppvlp0
9-zpnsn-+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+PsNP+-+0
9+-sN-vLP+-0
9PzP-+L+PzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
12...f5?! 13.Ndb5 Nxb5 14.cxb5 Na5
15.Bd4²
13.b3
13.Ndb5 Nxb5 14.cxb5 Na5 15.Bd4
Bh6 16.f4 e6 17.Be5 f6 18.Bd6 Rf7=
Black can play around the d6 bishop, and
always get rid of it with ...Bb7-a8 and
...Na5-b7 if necessary.
13...f5! 14.exf5 Nxd4
14...gxf5 15.f4 e6 16.Nxc6 Bxc6
17.Qxd6 Bxc3 18.Rad1²
15.Bxd4 Bxd4+ 16.Qxd4 Nxf5 17.Qd2
e5!
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwq-trk+0
9zpl+p+-+p0
9-zp-+-+p+0
9+-+-zpn+-0
9-+P+-+-+0
9+PsN-+P+-0
9P+-wQL+PzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
18.Rad1 Nd4
e position is equal, even if White has
the ‘better half ’ of it. ings will
eventually zzle out; the following is a
sample.
19.Nb5 Nxb5 20.cxb5 d5 21.f4 Qe7
22.fxe5 Rxf1+ 23.Rxf1 Qxe5 24.Bf3 Re8
25.Rd1 Kg7=
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+r+-+0
9zpl+-+-mkp0
9-zp-+-+p+0
9+P+pwq-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+P+-+L+-0
9P+-wQ-+PzP0
9+-+R+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black should stick to waiting tactics —
let White try to make progress. At the
right moment Black may ditch the d5pawn to arrive at a drawn rook endgame.
2
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Bg7
5.c4 Nc6 6.Nc2 e6!
is move is almost a novelty, but (to
my dismay) not quite: it has been played a
mere four times (and with different
intentions to ours) in the recorded history
of our game.
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+ntr0
9zpp+p+pvlp0
9-+n+p+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9PzPN+-zPPzP0
9tRNvLQmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
e idea of this move occurred to me
while I was analyzing the ...Ne8-d6
maneuver in the 6...Nf6 line, where Black
often plays ...f7-f5 and recaptures on f5
with the knight. I wondered whether
Black could reach similar positions and
save some time by taking the route Ng8e7-f5 rather than Ng8-f6-e8-d6-f5. I was
also aware of similar ideas with colors
reversed in the English opening, such as
after 1.c4 e5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 d5 4.cxd5
Nxd5 5.Nc3 Nb6 6.e3!?
or 1.c4 c5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.g3 d5 4.cxd5
Nxd5 5.Bg2 Nc7 6.e3!?. Black’s basic idea
is to go for a quick ...f7-f5, and then
recapture on f5 with the knight, from
where it controls the important d4 square
and also often pressurizes White’s e3
bishop. White can take one of (at least)
two strategies: either try to develop
normally and hope that Black’s offbeat
play will lead to static positional
weaknesses in the middlegame, or White
can aim for a refutation of the system with
an early h2-h4 or Bc1–f4-d6. According
to my analysis, Black equalizes in all
variations.
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Bg7
5.c4 Nc6 6.Nc2 e6! 7.Be2
7.Nc3 Nge7 8.Bf4 is is the most
obvious way to counter Black’s setup —
planting a bishop on d6. It turns out,
however, that Black need not be bothered
by such an intruder.
a) 8.h4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+-tr0
9zpp+psnpvlp0
9-+n+p+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+P+P+-zP0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9PzPN+-zPP+0
9tR-vLQmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
8...f5 (8...0-0 9.h5 d5!? Further research
is warranted here.) 9.exf5 (9.h5 fxe4
10.Nxe4 d5 11.Nc3 0-0„) 9...Nxf5
10.h5 0-0 11.hxg6 hxg6 12.Bf4
(12.Qg4 Ne5 13.Qh3? Kf7! 14.Ne4
Rh8 15.Ng5+ Kg8–+; 12.Ne3 Qb6„)
12...Qb6 13.Rb1 Nce7!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+psn-vl-0
9-wq-+p+p+0
9+-+-+n+-0
9-+P+-vL-+0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9PzPN+-zPP+0
9+R+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black can ‘premove’ ...d7-d5 here; with
White’s king in the center Black
shouldn’t hesitate to sacri ce a pawn to
open les. 14.Ne3
a1) 14.Be2 d5! 15.cxd5 exd5 16.Nxd5?
Nxd5 17.Qxd5+ Be6μ;
a2) 14.Qd2 d5! 15.g4 Nd6 16.Be3 Qc7
17.Bh6 (17.cxd5 Nc4 18.Bxc4 Qxc4„)
17...Nf7 18.Bxg7 Kxg7=;
14...d5! 15.cxd5 exd5 16.Ncxd5 Nxd5
17.Qxd5+ Be6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9zpp+-+-vl-0
9-wq-+l+p+0
9+-+Q+n+-0
9-+-+-vL-+0
9+-+-sN-+-0
9PzP-+-zPP+0
9+R+-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
18.Qxe6+ Qxe6 19.Bc4 Qxc4 20.Nxc4
Rae8+ 21.Ne3 Re4 22.Bg5 Bf6 23.Bxf6
Rxf6 24.Rh3 g5=;
b) 8.Bg5 0-0 9.Qd2 Qa5 10.Bh6
(10.Be2 d5!„) 10...Bxh6 11.Qxh6 f5!
„;
8...0-0 9.Bd6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+psnpvlp0
9-+nvLp+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9PzPN+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
9...f5 White has taken time to occupy
d6; as such, he is behind in development
so Black should not delay this counterpunch.
(9...b6?! 10.h4 Bb7 11.h5 f5?! 12.hxg6
hxg6 13.Qf3 fxe4 14.Qh3 Kf7 15.Nxe4
Rh8 16.Ng5+ Kg8 17.Qxh8+ Bxh8
18.Rxh8+ Kxh8 19.Nf7+ Kg7 20.Nxd8
Rxd8 21.0-0-0±) 10.exf5 (10.Bd3 Rf7
11.0-0 b6 12.Qd2 Bb7 13.Rae1 Rc8
14.b3 Ne5 15.Bxe5 Bxe5 16.exf5 Bxc3
17.Qxc3 gxf5=)
10...Rxf5 Although Black would
normally prefer to take on f5 with the
knight, the knight will nd its way to f5
anyway after ...Rf5-f7. 11.Bd3
(11.Ne3 Rf7 12.h4 Nd4 13.h5 Nef5
14.hxg6 hxg6 15.Nxf5 Nxf5 16.Bf4
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-+k+0
9zpp+p+rvl-0
9-+-+p+p+0
9+-+-+n+-0
9-+P+-vL-+0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9PzP-+-zPP+0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
16...b5!! A shot out of the blue. Black
can afford to sacri ce a pawn in order to
accelerate his development because
White’s king is still awkwardly
uncastled. 17.Nxb5 (17.cxb5 d5©)
17...Bb7 18.Qd2 (18.Qg4 Bxb2
19.Rd1 Qf6„) 18...Qb6 19.Rh3 Raf8
20.0-0-0 d5!„)
11...Rf7 12.0-0 b6 13.Ne3 Bb7 14.Re1
Rc8 15.Rc1 Nf5 16.Nxf5 gxf5 Routine
development for both sides has led to a
dynamically equal position.
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwq-+k+0
9zpl+p+rvlp0
9-zpnvLp+-+0
9+-+-+p+-0
9-+P+-+-+0
9+-sNL+-+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9+-tRQtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
(17.Re3 Qf6 18.Rg3 A little knight
sortie solidi es Black’s kingside and calls
into question the placement of White’s
g3-rook. 18...Ne5! 19.b3 Ng6!=)
17...Nd4 18.Bh5 Qg5!
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+-+k+0
9zpl+p+rvlp0
9-zp-vLp+-+0
9+-+-+pwqL0
9-+Psn-+-+0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9+-tRQtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
19.g3
(19.Bxf7+ Kxf7 20.Bg3 f4 21.Qd2
Bxg2! 22.Qxf4+ Qxf4 23.Bxf4 Bb7
24.Kf1 Rxc4= Two bishops and two
central pawns are more than enough
compensation for Black.)
19...Rxc4 20.b3?
(20.h4 Qd8 21.b3 Rc6 22.Bxf7+ Kxf7
23.Qh5+ Kg8 24.Be5 Bxe5 25.Rxe5
b5!©)
20...Bf3!! 21.Bxf3 Qxc1!! 22.Qxc1
Nxf3+ 23.Kg2 Rxc3 24.Qd1 Nxe1+
25.Qxe1μ;
7.h4 Nge7 8.h5 d5! 9.h6 Bf6³
7...Nge7 8.Nc3
Black looks forward to occupying the gle with his rook, which combines nicely
with pressure from the b7-bishop. 17.Be2
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+-tr0
9zpp+psnpvlp0
9-+n+p+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9PzPN+LzPPzP0
9tR-vLQmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
8...f5!
As is so often the case in this opening,
Black’s play is contrary to basic chess
principles; usually one is supposed to
castle before such breaks. en again,
White’s king isn’t castled either.
e only top-level game continued as
follows: 8...0-0 9.0-0 f5 10.exf5 gxf5?!
is misses the point; Black should
recapture with the knight! (10...Nxf5=)
11.f4 d5! 12.cxd5 exd5 13.Rf3 Be6
14.Bd3 Rc8 15.Rg3 Rf6! 16.Bd2 Rg6
17.Qe1 Bf7 18.Kh1 Qd7 19.Qf2 Re8
20.a3 Nc8! 21.Re1 Rxe1+ 22.Bxe1 Nd6μ
1/2–1/2 (56) Yanofsky,D-Stoltz,G Karlovy
Vary 1948.
9.h4
When I thought of this system, I
showed it to a 2600+ rated friend, and he
claimed he was con dent he could refute
this line over the board. is was his rst
attempt (of many unsuccessful attempts!).
9.exf5 Nxf5 10.0-0 0-0 11.Bf4 b6 Both
of Black’s bishops occupy the longest
diagonals on the board. 12.Qd2 Bb7
13.Rad1 Ncd4 14.Nxd4 Nxd4=;
9.0-0 fxe4 10.Nxe4 d5 11.Nc3 0-0=
9...fxe4 10.h5
10.Nxe4 d5„;
10.c5 b6 11.Nxe4 0-0 12.h5 bxc5
13.hxg6 Nxg6μ
10...d5 11.hxg6 hxg6 12.Rxh8+ Bxh8
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+-vl0
9zpp+-sn-+-0
9-+n+p+p+0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+P+p+-+0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9PzPN+LzPP+0
9tR-vLQmK-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
White has compensation for the
sacri ced pawn but only enough for
equality, and that is with perfect play from
here on out.
13.Bg5! Qa5 14.Qd2 Bd7 15.0-0-0 Bxc3
16.Qxc3 Qxc3 17.bxc3 0-0-0 18.Ne3
Rf8=
3
e Breyer variation of the Maroczy is
characterized by Black’s 7...Ng4. Unlike
the Maroczy Bind (5.c4), which was never
played by its namesake Geza Maroczy, the
Breyer variation was indeed rst played by
Gyula Breyer in Kostic-Breyer,
Gothenburg 1920. It has since been
entrusted for important games by World
Champions Botvinnik (SmyslovBotvinnik, Alekhine Memorial 1956) and
Kasparov (Ribli-Kasparov, World Cup
1988).
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Bg7
5.c4 Nc6 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Nc3
7.f3 Qb6!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+-tr0
9zpp+pzppvlp0
9-wqn+-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+PsNP+-+0
9+-+-vLP+-0
9PzP-+-+PzP0
9tRN+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
8.Nf5 Qxb2 9.Nxg7+ Kf8 10.Nd2
(10.Bh6?? Qxa1–+)
10...Kxg7 11.c5 Rd8 12.Rb1 Qe5
13.Nc4 Qe6³ Black will free his position
with either ...d7-d5 or ...b7-b5.
7...Ng4
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+-tr0
9zpp+pzppvlp0
9-+n+-+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+PsNP+n+0
9+-sN-vL-+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
8.Qxg4
8.Nxc6?! is is what they played in
Breyer’s time. 8...Nxe3 9.Nxd8 Nxd1
10.Kxd1 Kxd8³
8...Nxd4
8...Bxd4? It is reasonable to ask why
this move is not played more often, given
that Black usually seeks to exchange darksquared bishops in the Marozy. True, in
the middlegame — after both sides have
developed — the trade of dark squared
bishops is generally desirable for Black,
but here Black purchases this exchange at
the cost of precious time. 9.Bxd4 Nxd4
10.0-0-0! Nc6 11.Qg3! 0-0 12.h4±
White’s attack is overwhelming.
9.Qd1
9.0-0-0 Nobody plays this. 9...Nc6
10.Nd5 e6!
(10...0-0 11.Qh4‚)
11.Nc3 Qa5„
9...e5
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+-tr0
9zpp+p+pvlp0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9-+PsnP+-+0
9+-sN-vL-+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Bent Larsen used to prefer 9...Ne6, but
I think 9...e5 offers more chances for
counterplay based on Black’s occupation
of the center. Computers generally tend to
prefer White in the Breyer, but from my
experience even 2600+ GMs nd it very
uncomfortable to ‘play around’ Black’s d4
knight, which (invariably) leads them to
mishandle White’s position. is line has a
very Sveshnikov Sicilian feel to it. Fischer
taught us that “you have to give squares to
get squares”; Black has opted to relinquish
control over the light squares (especially
d5) in order to stake a claim over the allimportant d4 square. is is the rst
signi cant branching point for White: he
will either develop routinely with Bd3, 00, Qd2, etc., or he will attempt to
immediately take advantage of Black’s
weaknesses with 10.Nb5. We consider
these options in the coming chapters, but
we begin with an underrated sideline.
10.Be2
If this move is followed by routine
development, then it lacks independent
value, since White’s bishop is better placed
on d3. However, there are some
idiosyncrasies to this line if White
combines Bf1–e2 with Nc3-b5.
10...0-0
10...d6 e reader can make life easier
for themselves by playing 10...d6 in
response to any of White’s major options,
but since he can get away with it, it is at
least symbolically more exible for Black
to castle rst.
11.Nb5!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+p+pvlp0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+N+-zp-+-0
9-+PsnP+-+0
9+-+-vL-+-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
A tricky move, not least of all because
the response recommended by the
computer at even high depths (11...Qh4)
is a blunder due to a brilliant double-rook
sacri ce demonstrated by former Women’s
World Champion Nona Gaprindashvili
more than 40 years ago!
11.0-0 d6 12.Qd2
(12.Nb5 Nxb5 13.cxb5 Be6 14.Qd2
(14.Bf3?! Bc4=) 14...f5 15.Bg5 Bf6
16.Bxf6 Qxf6 17.Qxd6 Rfd8 18.Qc7
Rd7 19.Qc5 fxe4 20.Bc4 Rd4 21.Bxe6+
Qxe6=)
12...Be6= White can obtain this
position with his bishop more
appropriately placed on d3. In fact, my
computer recommends that White play
13.Bd3 here.
(12...f5?!
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-+-vlp0
9-+-zp-+p+0
9+-+-zpp+-0
9-+PsnP+-+0
9+-sN-vL-+-0
9PzP-wQLzPPzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black shouldn’t rush ...f7-f5; the
following is just a blitz game I played
over the internet which gives an
illutration of the sort of counterplay
Black can generate. 13.f3 (13.exf5
Nxe2+ 14.Qxe2 gxf5 15.Rfd1 Qe7
16.c5!±) 13...f4 14.Bf2 g5 15.Nb5?!
Nxe2+ 16.Qxe2 a6 17.Nc3 g4 18.fxg4
Qg5 19.h3 h5„)
11...Nxb5!
Black is well advised to transpose into
the variations after 11.0-0 d6.
11...Qh4? It is a pity this doesn’t work
for Black (on account of 12.Nxd4!),
because many of the ensuing variations
illustrate the elastic potential for Blacks
position to suddenly ‘come to life’.
12.Nxd4!
a) 12.Qd3 d5!! 13.cxd5 (13.exd5? Bf5μ)
13...Nxe2 14.Kxe2 (14.Qxe2 Qxe4=)
14...f5 15.f3 fxe4 16.Qxe4 Qf6!„;
b) 12.Nd6 Qe7 13.Nxc8 Rfxc8 14.0-0
Qb4 15.b3 a5 16.Rb1 a4 17.Bxd4
(17.Bd3 axb3 18.Bxd4 exd4 19.Rxb3
Qd6= See 17.Bxd4 for transposition.)
17...exd4 18.Bd3 axb3 19.Rxb3 Qd6
20.Qb1 Rcb8 21.f4 Qc7 22.e5 Ra5=;
c) 12.Bf3? d5!!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+-+pvlp0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+N+pzp-+-0
9-+PsnP+-wq0
9+-+-vLL+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
13.exd5 Nxf3+ 14.Qxf3 Qxc4³;
d) 12.Nc7
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zppsNp+pvlp0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9-+PsnP+-wq0
9+-+-vL-+-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
12...Qxe4!! (12...Rb8!? 13.Bd3
(13.Qd3? f5 14.exf5 d5!!μ) 13...b6
(13...d6 14.0-0 f5 15.f3²) 14.0-0 Bb7
15.Nd5 (15.f3 f5 16.exf5?! Nxf5
17.Bxf5 gxf5 18.Qxd7 Qxc4 19.Ne6
Rf7 20.Qd6 Re8 21.Nd8 Bf8 22.Qd2
Bb4 23.Qd1 Rg7 24.Nxb7 Rxb7=)
15...f5 16.Bxd4 Bxd5 17.cxd5 fxe4
18.g3 Qf6 19.Bxe4 exd4 20.Qd3
White’s position is more pleasant, but
Black can shift around and ask White to
prove an advantage — most likely things
will zzle out into a draw.) 13.Bxd4
(13.Nxa8 Qxg2 14.Rf1 d5! 15.cxd5 Bf5
16.Bxd4 exd4 17.Nc7 Qh3© Black is a
full rook down but his attack is
overwhelming.; 13.Bf3 Nc2+ 14.Kd2
Nxe3 15.Bxe4 Nxd1 16.Raxd1 Rb8=)
13...exd4 14.f3 (14.Nxa8 Qxg2 15.Rf1
Qxh2μ After Black eats up the a8
knight with ...Qh2-b8, he will be
materially and positionally winning.)
14...Qe5 15.Nxa8
XIIIIIIIIY
9N+l+-trk+0
9zpp+p+pvlp0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+-+-wq-+-0
9-+Pzp-+-+0
9+-+-+P+-0
9PzP-+L+PzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
15...Bh6!! (15...d5 16.0-0 (16.cxd5 Bf5
17.0-0 d3 18.Bxd3 Qd4+ 19.Rf2
Bxd3©) 16...Bf5 17.Kh1! Rxa8 18.f4²)
16.0-0 (16.Kf1 Be3©) 16...Bf4 17.g3
Bxg3 18.hxg3 Qxg3+ 19.Kh1 Qh3+
20.Kg1=;
12...exd4 13.Bxd4 Qxe4 14.Bxg7 Qxg2
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+p+pvLp0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+P+-+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9PzP-+LzPqzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
(14...Kxg7 15.0-0±)
15.Qd4!! Engines have difficulty seeing
this brilliant motive several moves in
advance, but humans, especially after
Anderssen-Kieseritzky 1851 (better known
as “e Immortal Game”), know to look
for such ideas. 15...Qxh1+ 16.Kd2 Qxa1
17.Qf6! 1–0 (17) Gaprindashvili,NServaty,R Dortmund 1974.
12.cxb5 d6 13.0-0 Be6=
We have transposed to 11.0-0 d6
12.Nb5, which we have already seen is
ne for Black.
4
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Bg7
5.c4 Nc6 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Nc3 Ng4 8.Qxg4
Nxd4 9.Qd1 e5 10.Nb5
In the 1960s and 1970s, thanks to some
masterpieces by World Champions
Smyslov and Tal, this move was thought to
be a near refutation of Black’s setup. Over
the years, preference of top players has
vacillated between 10.Nb5 and 10.Bd3,
their popularities remaining about equal
to this day.
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+-tr0
9zpp+p+pvlp0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+N+-zp-+-0
9-+PsnP+-+0
9+-+-vL-+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
10...0-0?!
is is what everyone plays, but the
positions Black tends to get are not
inspiring, and White is scoring quite well
(over 60%) after this move in the
database. is is why I recommend instead
the powerful novelty 10...d6! in the next
subchapter.
11.Qd2 Qh4!
De nitely Black’s best try, but due to
the novelty I recommend for White next
move, Black is left struggling to equalize.
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+p+pvlp0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+N+-zp-+-0
9-+PsnP+-wq0
9+-+-vL-+-0
9PzP-wQ-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
11...Re8 12.Nd6 Re6 13.c5²;
11...d6 12.Nxd4 exd4 13.Bxd4 Qh4
14.Bxg7 Qxe4+ 15.Be2 Kxg7 16.0-0±;
11...d5 12.cxd5 Qh4 13.Nc3 Bg4
14.Bg5±;
11...Nxb5 12.cxb5 d6
(12...Qh4 13.Bd3 Qg4 14.0-0 b6
15.Bc4 Bb7 16.f3+–)
13.Bc4²
12.Nc3!N
It may appear odd to retreat this knight
to where it was just a couple of moves ago.
White’s idea is to castle queenside and
pawn storm Black’s king — punishment
for castling too early, at least compared to
the line I recommend in the next chapter.
Black’s queen is misplaced on h4, and if it
retreats to d8 then White and Black’s lost
tempi ‘cancel out’.
12.Bd3 d5!!
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+-+pvlp0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+N+pzp-+-0
9-+PsnP+-wq0
9+-+LvL-+-0
9PzP-wQ-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
13.exd5
(13.cxd5 Nxb5 14.Bxb5 Qxe4 15.0-0
Rd8 16.Rfd1 Bd7=)
13...Bh3!! 14.Bxd4 exd4 15.gxh3
(15.0-0 Bxg2 16.Kxg2 Qg4+ 17.Kh1
Qf3+ 18.Kg1=)
15...a6 16.Nd6
(16.Na3 Bh6 17.Qc2 Qxh3©)
16...Qe7+ 17.Ne4 f5 18.0-0-0 fxe4
19.Rhe1 b5 20.Rxe4 Qc7©
12...d6
12...Qd8 13.h4 h5 14.Ne2 Nc6 15.g4
hxg4 16.h5‚
13.0-0-0 Be6
13...Qd8 14.h4 h5 15.Ne2 Nc6
16.Qxd6 Qa5 17.Nc3 Nd4 18.Qa3 Qxa3
19.bxa3²
14.Bg5 Qh5 15.Kb1 f5 16.f3 Rfe8
17.Be3²
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+r+k+0
9zpp+-+-vlp0
9-+-zpl+p+0
9+-+-zpp+q0
9-+PsnP+-+0
9+-sN-vLP+-0
9PzP-wQ-+PzP0
9+K+R+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black’s queen is miserable on h5.
5
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Bg7
5.c4 Nc6 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Nc3 Ng4 8.Qxg4
Nxd4 9.Qd1 e5 10.Nb5
It is remarkable that in the sixty year
history of this position, which has been
defended by such champions as Kasparov
and Korchnoi, not a single game is in the
database after 10...d6!. e following is
arguably the most powerful novelty in this
book; I believe that the ensuing variations
demonstrate the superiority of 10.Bd3
over 10.Nb5.
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+-tr0
9zpp+p+pvlp0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+N+-zp-+-0
9-+PsnP+-+0
9+-+-vL-+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
10...d6!N
I refer to this as a novelty, even though
(as we will see) I have played this move
twice (and won both times!) in
tournament play — in unpublished games
against WGM Nemcova (2350) and IM
Gorovets (2550). Black saves a crucial
tempo by delaying ...0-0 which allows him
to generate central counterplay one move
sooner. is does not violate the laws of
opening play; after all, White is not
castled either. It is actually quite in line
with the advice given by American legend
GM William Lombardy in his recent
book: “Not only should one not rush to
castle, but should delay that passive
maneuver for as long as good judgment
relates that there are more urgent, if only
slightly better, tasks to accomplish”.
11.Nxd4
is is of course the rst line to check:
presumably 10...d6 was never played
because it was thought to lose a pawn in
this way.
11.Be2!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+-tr0
9zpp+-+pvlp0
9-+-zp-+p+0
9+N+-zp-+-0
9-+PsnP+-+0
9+-+-vL-+-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
11...Qa5+!
(11...Nxb5?! is transposes to an
inferior version of our main line.
12.cxb5 Be6 13.0-0 0-0 (13...d5
14.exd5 Qxd5 15.Qxd5 Bxd5 16.Rfd1
Be6 17.Bf3+–) 14.Qd2 d5 15.exd5
Qxd5 16.Qxd5 Bxd5 is is a position
from our main line except there Black
plays ...e5-e4 instead of ...0-0. 17.Rfd1
Be6 18.Bf3²)
12.Bd2
(12.Qd2
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+-tr0
9zpp+-+pvlp0
9-+-zp-+p+0
9wqN+-zp-+-0
9-+PsnP+-+0
9+-+-vL-+-0
9PzP-wQLzPPzP0
9tR-+-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
12...Qxd2+ (12...Nc2+ 13.Kd1 Nxe3+
14.fxe3 Qxd2+ 15.Kxd2 0-0 16.Rhd1
Bh6! 17.Nxd6 Rd8 18.c5 b6 19.b4 Be6
20.a3 a5„) 13.Kxd2 (13.Bxd2 Nxb5
14.cxb5 Be6 15.0-0 f5 16.Bb4 0-0-0
17.Rfd1 d5=) 13...Nxb5 14.cxb5 Be6
15.Bf3 (15.Rhc1 d5 16.exd5 Bxd5
17.b6 axb6 18.Bb5+ Ke7 19.Rc7+ Ke6
20.Ke2 e4μ is was a game I played
online.) 15...0-0 16.Rhc1 a6 17.bxa6
(17.b6? f5! 18.exf5 gxf5 19.Bxb7 Rab8
20.Bxa6 f4μ) 17...Rxa6 18.Rc7 Rb8=
White’s occupation of the 7th rank is
short-lived; Black will continue ...Bg7f6-d8 with equality.)
12...Qb6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+-tr0
9zpp+-+pvlp0
9-wq-zp-+p+0
9+N+-zp-+-0
9-+PsnP+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9PzP-vLLzPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
13.Nxd4
(13.0-0 0-0 14.Nxd4 exd4 15.Qb3 Be6
16.Bd3 Qc7 transposes to 13.Nxd4.;
13.Be3 a6 14.Nxd4 exd4 15.Bc1 f5„)
13...exd4 14.Qb3 0-0 15.Bd3 Be6
16.0-0 Qc7 17.Qa3
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9zppwq-+pvlp0
9-+-zpl+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+PzpP+-+0
9wQ-+L+-+-0
9PzP-vL-zPPzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
17...f5 18.exf5 Bxf5 19.Bxf5 Rxf5=
Black will eventually undouble his pawns
with ...d6-d5.
11...exd4 12.Bxd4
12.Bd2 White cannot expect an
advantage playing like this; Black has
many ways to equalize. 12...Qh4
XIIIIIIIIY
(12...0-0!? 13.Bd3 f5 14.0-0 Be6
15.Qe2 Qc7 16.b3 Rae8 17.Rae1 Bd7=)
13.Bd3 Be5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+-tr0
9zpp+-+p+p0
9-+-zp-+p+0
9+-+-vl-+-0
9-+PzpP+-wq0
9+-+L+-+-0
9PzP-vL-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
14.g3
(14.h3 0-0 15.Qc1 f6 (…...g5) 16.0-0
(16.g3 Bxg3 17.fxg3 Qxg3+ 18.Ke2
Qg2+–+; 16.c5 Be6„) 16...Bxh3 17.f4
(17.gxh3 Qxh3–+) 17...Qg3 18.Rf2
Bxg2! 19.Rxg2 Qxd3 20.fxe5 dxe5
21.Bh6 Rf7 22.Qc2 Qxc2 23.Rxc2 f5„
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-+k+0
9zpp+-+r+p0
9-+-+-+pvL0
9+-+-zpp+-0
9-+PzpP+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9PzPR+-+-+0
9tR-+-+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
is will most likely be drawn but I’d
rather be Black than White.)
14...Qh3 15.Bf1 Qe6 16.Qb3
(16.f4 Bg7 17.Bd3 Qh3=)
16...0-0 17.Bg2 Bd7 18.0-0
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9zpp+l+p+p0
9-+-zpq+p+0
9+-+-vl-+-0
9-+PzpP+-+0
9+Q+-+-zP-0
9PzP-vL-zPLzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
18...b5!„;
12.Bf4?! f5! 13.exf5 0-0³
12...Qa5+ 13.Ke2 Be5!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+-tr0
9zpp+-+p+p0
9-+-zp-+p+0
9wq-+-vl-+-0
9-+PvLP+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9PzP-+KzPPzP0
9tR-+Q+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Our compensation becomes of a longterm nature with this move. White cannot
exchange bishops without returning his
extra pawn, so he has to look for ways to
disentangle his pieces — starting with his
king on e2. I suspect most players will not
play the most critical lines for White here
(it can’t be easy to if you have never seen
this position before), so Black may
pragmatically opt to just remember
13...Be5! and gure things out over the
board from here.
14.f3
XIIIIIIIIY
According to my research this is clearly
White’s best try for an advantage.
14.Bxe5 Qxe5
(14...dxe5!?©)
15.Qd2 Qxe4+ 16.Qe3 Qe7=;
14.g3 Be6 15.Kf3
(15.b3 0-0 16.Bg2 b5!„)
15...f5 16.exf5 Bxf5 17.Kg2 Be4+
18.f3 Bc6 19.Be2 0-0©
14...f5!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+-tr0
9zpp+-+-+p0
9-+-zp-+p+0
9wq-+-vlp+-0
9-+PvLP+-+0
9+-+-+P+-0
9PzP-+K+PzP0
9tR-+Q+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
14...Be6 15.Kf2 0-0 16.Be2 f5 17.b4
Qc7 18.Bxe5 dxe5 19.exf5 Rxf5 20.c5
Rd8 21.Qc2 Rf4 22.Qc3 e4 23.Qe3²;
14...0-0 15.Kf2 Be6 16.Be2 f5 17.exf5
Rxf5 18.Bxe5 Qxe5 19.Qd2 Qc5+
20.Qe3 Bxc4 21.Bxc4+ Qxc4=
15.Qd3!
15.exf5 Bxf5 16.Kf2 0-0-0
(16...0-0!?)
17.Rc1
(17.Be2? Bc2!³)
17...Rhe8 18.Be2 Kb8 19.Rc3 d5„
15...fxe4 16.Qxe4
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+-tr0
9zpp+-+-+p0
9-+-zp-+p+0
9wq-+-vl-+-0
9-+PvLQ+-+0
9+-+-+P+-0
9PzP-+K+PzP0
9tR-+-+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
16...Be6!
16...Bf5?! It’s too bad this doesn’t quite
work because of 17.Qe3; the variations
after 17.Qxb7 are quite pretty. 17.Qe3!
(17.Qxb7 Bxd4! 18.Qxa8+ Ke7
19.Qd5 Qb6 20.Rd1 (20.Qb5 Qc7
21.Qd5 Qb6©) 20...Bc5©)
17...0-0-0
(17...0-0 18.Kf2 Rae8 19.Bxe5 Rxe5
20.Qd4²)
18.Qc3!
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+ktr-+-tr0
9zpp+-+-+p0
9-+-zp-+p+0
9wq-+-vll+-0
9-+PvL-+-+0
9+-wQ-+P+-0
9PzP-+K+PzP0
9tR-+-+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
is Qc3 move would not be available
to White were his pawn on b3, as it is in
the (main) variation 16...Be6 b3 17.Bf5.
(18.Kf2 Rhe8 19.Qc3! Qxc3 20.bxc3
(20.Bxc3 Bxc3 21.bxc3 Re5=) 20...Re7
21.Rd1 Kc7 22.Rd2 Rde8 23.g3 h5
24.Be2²)
18...Qxc3 19.bxc3 Kb8 20.Kf2 Rc8
21.h4²
17.Qe3
17.Rd1 Bxc4+ 18.Kf2 Bf7 19.Bxe5
dxe5 20.Qxb7 0-0 21.Qb5 Qxa2 22.Qxe5
Rfe8 23.Qf6 Rab8 24.Rd2 Qa5=;
17.b3 Bf5! Unlike in the 16...Bf5 lines,
White will not have Qe3-c3 now. 18.Qe3
(18.Qxb7?? Bxd4 19.Qxa8+ Ke7
20.Qb7+ Kf6–+)
18...0-0-0
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+ktr-+-tr0
9zpp+-+-+p0
9-+-zp-+p+0
9wq-+-vll+-0
9-+PvL-+-+0
9+P+-wQP+-0
9P+-+K+PzP0
9tR-+-+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
19.Kf2 Rhe8 20.Bxe5 Rxe5 21.Qd4
Rde8©;
17.Bc3 Qc5 18.Bxe5 dxe5 19.b3 0-0
20.Qe3 Qa3! 21.Kf2 Rae8
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+rtrk+0
9zpp+-+-+p0
9-+-+l+p+0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9-+P+-+-+0
9wqP+-wQP+-0
9P+-+-mKPzP0
9tR-+-+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
22.Be2
(22.Qxe5? Bf7 23.Qc3 Qc5+ 24.Kg3
Re3 25.Qb2 Rd8 26.Be2 Qg5+ 27.Kf2
Rxe2+–+)
22...e4!
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+rtrk+0
9zpp+-+-+p0
9-+-+l+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+P+p+-+0
9wqP+-wQP+-0
9P+-+LmKPzP0
9tR-+-+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
23.Rhe1
(23.Qxe4 Qc5+ 24.Kf1 Bh3 25.Qd3
Qe5 26.Qd5+ (26.Re1 Rd8 27.Qc2
Qe3 28.gxh3 Rd2–+) 26...Qxd5
27.cxd5 Bxg2+ 28.Kxg2 Rxe2+ 29.Kg3
Re3 30.Rhf1 Rd3 31.Rad1 Rfxf3+
32.Rxf3 Rxd1=)
23...exf3 24.Bxf3 Bxc4 25.Qxe8 Rxe8
26.Rxe8+ Kg7 27.Ree1 Bf7
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+-+0
9zpp+-+lmkp0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9wqP+-+L+-0
9P+-+-mKPzP0
9tR-+-tR-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9zpp+-+-+p0
9-+-+-+p+0
9wq-+-zp-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-wQP+-0
9PzP-+-mKPzP0
9tR-+R+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
is position may not look equal;
White does after all have a slight material
advantage, but his rooks will be
permanently tied down to the defense of
the queenside pawns and therefore never
able to get activated. e position is just a
draw. 28.Kg1
e simpli ed nature of the position
should not induce a comatose attitude.
From Shereshevsky’s marveous book
“Endgame Strategy” we are shown the
plight of the passive defender; Black must
be vigilant to avoid ending up on the
wrong end of a masterpiece.
(28.Bxb7 Qc5+ 29.Re3 Qc7 30.Bf3
Qxh2=)
21...Rac8!
In such endgames it is usually easiest to
get a draw by defending actively — Black
threatens to invade the 2nd rank, allowing
White to invade the 7th.
28...b5 29.Kh1 Qb2 30.Bc6 b4 31.Rf1
a5 32.Rae1 Bg8 33.Re7+ Kh6 34.Re8
Kg7=;
17.Bxe5 dxe5 18.Kf2 0-0-0 19.Qe3
Rd2+ 20.Be2 Rhd8 21.Rad1 Qb6
22.Qxb6 axb6=
17...Bxc4+ 18.Kf2 Bxf1 19.Rhxf1
19.Bc3 Qb6 20.Qxb6 axb6 21.Bxe5
dxe5 22.Rhxf1 Kf7 23.Rfe1 Ke6 24.a3
Rhc8 25.Re2 Ra5 26.Rae1 Rc4=
19...0-0 20.Bxe5 dxe5
20...Qxe5 21.Qxe5 dxe5 22.Rfe1 Rae8
23.Re2²
21.Rfd1
XIIIIIIIIY
21...Rad8 22.a3 Rxd1 23.Rxd1 Qa4
24.Rc1 Qh4+ 25.Kg1 Qf4 26.Qc3 Rd8
27.g3²;
21...Rae8 22.Qb3+
(22.Kg1 Rf7 23.a3 Re6 24.Kh1 Qb6
25.Qe2 Rfe7=)
22...Kh8 23.Qxb7
(23.Rd5 Qc7 24.Qe3 e4 25.Qd4+ Qg7
(25...Kg8 26.Rd7 Qe5 27.Qxe5 Rxe5
28.Rxb7²) 26.Qxg7+ Kxg7 27.Rd7+
Rf7 28.Rxf7+ Kxf7 29.f4 Ke6 30.Rd1
Rc8 31.Ke3 h5 (31...Rc2 32.Rd2 Rxd2
33.Kxd2±) 32.Rd2 Kf5 33.h3 Rc1
34.Rd5+ Ke6 35.Re5+ Kf6 36.Rb5 b6
37.Kxe4²)
23...Qc5+ 24.Kf1 e4 25.Rd7 Qh5
26.Qxa7 exf3 27.Qd4+ Re5 28.Re1 fxg2+
29.Kg1 Rf1+ 30.Rxf1 gxf1=Q+ 31.Kxf1
Qxh2 32.Re7 Qh1+ 33.Kf2 Qh2+
34.Kf1=
22.Rd7 Rf7 23.Rad1
23.Qb3 Qb6+ 24.Qxb6 axb6 25.Rxf7
Kxf7 26.Re1 Ke6 27.Re2 Rc4=
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+k+0
9zpp+-+r+p0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+q+-zp-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-wQPmK-0
9PzP-tR-+PzP0
9+-+-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
23...Rc2+ 24.Kg3
24.R7d2 Rxd2+ 25.Rxd2 e4!=
26...e4!! 27.Rd8+
27.f4 Qa5 28.a3 Re7=
24...Qb5 25.R1d2 Rxd2 26.Rxd2
27...Rf8 28.Rxf8+ Kxf8 29.Qxe4 Qxb2=
XIIIIIIIIY
6
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Bg7
5.c4 Nc6 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Nc3 Ng4 8.Qxg4
Nxd4 9.Qd1 e5 10.Nb5 d6!N 11.Qd2
I dub this the main line because it was
played in the only two tournament games
of mine in this variation.
11...Nxb5 12.cxb5 Be6!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqk+-tr0
9zpp+-+pvlp0
9-+-zpl+p+0
9+P+-zp-+-0
9-+-+P+-+0
9+-+-vL-+-0
9PzP-wQ-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
We continue to delay castling —
Lombardy would be proud. e
importance of the saved tempo is already
felt: if 12...0-0 then we transpose into the
10...0-0 line and White is allowed
13.Bc4+=. It amazes me how good Black’s
position is here: it is already ‘zeroes’
according to the computer, and if White
makes the slightest inaccuracy (as both my
strong opponents did) then Black is
already better. Once again, this opening
forces us to look past our intuitive, visceral
response to each position, which might
mislead us into thinking White is better
here due to Black’s backward d-pawn and
apparent lack of counterplay.
12...0-0?! 13.Bc4²
13.Be2 d5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqk+-tr0
9zpp+-+pvlp0
9-+-+l+p+0
9+P+pzp-+-0
9-+-+P+-+0
9+-+-vL-+-0
9PzP-wQLzPPzP0
9tR-+-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
14.exd5 Qxd5 15.Qxd5 Bxd5 16.0-0 e4!
17.Rfd1 Be6
White must already, as Carlsen often
says, “pull the emergency brake” so as to
not end up worse.
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+k+-tr0
9zpp+-+pvlp0
9-+-+l+p+0
9+P+-+-+-0
9-+-+p+-+0
9+-+-vL-+-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9tR-+R+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
18.Bd4
is was Nemcova’s choice.
18.Rd2 Gorovets went with this one.
18...0-0 19.a4 a6
(19...f5 20.g3 (20.Bf4 Rfd8³) 20...Be5
21.Rc1 Rfd8 22.Rxd8+ Rxd8 23.a5 b6
24.b4²)
20.bxa6 bxa6 21.a5 Rfb8!
XIIIIIIIIY
9rtr-+-+k+0
9+-+-+pvlp0
9p+-+l+p+0
9zP-+-+-+-0
9-+-+p+-+0
9+-+-vL-+-0
9-zP-tRLzPPzP0
9tR-+-+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
is nuance was preparation; I doubt I
would have come up with the subtlety of
luring White’s bishop to b6 over the
board. 22.Bb6 Rc8! Black threatens
...Bg7-h6. 23.Rad1 Bf6 Preventing White
from trading rooks with Rd8+, and
preparing ...Be6-c4.
(23...Bh6? 24.Rd8+ Rxd8 25.Rxd8+
Rxd8 26.Bxd8±)
24.b4?! Bb3! 25.Rb1
(25.Bg4 Rc3 26.Rb1 Bg5„)
25...Bc3 White’s last chance to achieve
equality. 26.Rxb3?
is was as far as I had prepared
(though it was still time consuming for me
to remember my preparation over the
board!).
19.Bxg7 Kxg7 20.f3?!
20.Rd4 f5 21.Bc4 Bxc4 22.Rxc4=
20...Rfc8! 21.b3 Rc2 22.Re1?!
22.Kf1 Bf5³
22...Rd8!
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-tr-+-+0
9zpp+-+pmkp0
9-+-+l+p+0
9+P+-+-+-0
9-+-+p+-+0
9+P+-+P+-0
9P+r+L+PzP0
9tR-+-tR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
23.Bd1
23.fxe4 Rdd2 24.Kf1 Bg4 25.Bxg4
Rf2+ 26.Kg1 Rxg2+ 27.Kh1 Rxh2+
28.Kg1 Rcg2+ 29.Kf1 Rxg4–+
23...Rb2 24.Kf1?!
24.fxe4 Rdd2 25.Bf3 Rxa2μ
24...Rdd2 25.Re2 e3!
(26.Rd7 Bc2 27.Rf1 Bxb4 28.f3 exf3
29.Bxf3 Bf5 30.Rd4 Bc3 31.Bxa8
Bxd4+ 32.Bxd4 Rxa8 33.Bf6=)
26...Bxd2 27.g4 Bg5! 28.b5 axb5
29.Bxb5 Bd8 30.Bd7 Rcb8 31.Bc6 Ra6–+
0–1 (39) Gorovets,A-Panjwani ,R
Greensboro 2016.
18...0-0
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+-+0
9zpp+-+pmkp0
9-+-+l+p+0
9+P+-+-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+P+-zpP+-0
9Ptr-trR+PzP0
9tR-+L+K+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
26.Rxd2 Rxd2 27.Be2 Kf6! 28.a4 Bxb3
29.Ra3 Rb2 30.g3 Rb1+ 31.Kg2 Ke5!
32.a5 Kd4
0–1 Nemcova-Panjwani, Chicago 2014.
7
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Bg7
5.c4 Nc6 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Nc3 Ng4 8.Qxg4
Nxd4 9.Qd1 e5 10.Bd3
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+-tr0
9zpp+p+pvlp0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9-+PsnP+-+0
9+-sNLvL-+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
In my opinion this is White’s best move,
but authors like Khalifman recommend
10.Nb5 because they claim that “White
should straighten out the situation with
the black knight on d4 at once. Should it
be left unmolested now, it will be much
harder to contend with it later.”
10...d6 11.0-0 0-0
White has many possibilities here, but
Black’s play is fairly straightforward
regardless. He will either play on the
queenside with ...a7-a6 and ...b7-b5 or on
the kingside with ...f7-f5 (and often he
combines play on both sides). However, he
should not rush with either of these plans,
because that would give White something
to respond to, while at present the onus is
on White to reveal how he plans to
improve his position.
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-+pvlp0
9-+-zp-+p+0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9-+PsnP+-+0
9+-sNLvL-+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
12.Qd2
12.Nb5?! Played by Almasi, Korneev,
and Izoria. With this move, however,
White no longer has an opening
advantage. 12...Nxb5 13.cxb5 d5 14.exd5
Qxd5 15.f3 Be6 16.Qe2 Qd7 17.Rfd1
Qe7=;
12.Kh1?! Not a bad move in and of
itself, but it only makes sense in
combination with f2-f4 (when the king is
better placed off the g1–a7 diagonal)
which yields White nothing here. 12...Be6
13.Qd2 Qd7
(13...f5?! Too soon. 14.exf5 Nxf5
15.Bxf5 gxf5 16.Bg5 Bf6 17.Bxf6 Qxf6
18.b3 Rad8 19.Rad1 a6 20.f4²)
14.f4 exf4 15.Bxf4
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9zpp+q+pvlp0
9-+-zpl+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+PsnPvL-+0
9+-sNL+-+-0
9PzP-wQ-+PzP0
9tR-+-+R+K0
xiiiiiiiiy
15...Nc6! is is the typical way to meet
White’s f2-f4. 16.Nd5 Bxd5 17.exd5
Ne5=;
12.f4?! exf4 13.Bxf4 Ne6
(13...Nc6!?=)
14.Be3 Be5 15.Qd2 Nc5 16.Bc2 Be6
17.b3 Qa5 18.Bd4 Rac8„;
12.Ne2 GM Shankland played this
against me in 2014. Our game
continued... 12...Nc6 13.Qd2 Be6 14.b3
f5!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpp+-+-vlp0
9-+nzpl+p+0
9+-+-zpp+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+P+LvL-+-0
9P+-wQNzPPzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
(15.f3 f4 16.Bf2 g5 17.Nc3 h5 18.Rfd1
Rf7„)
15...Qe8 16.exf5 gxf5 17.Bc2
(17.f3 Qh5 18.Be3 f4 19.Bf2 Rf6
20.Kh1 Kh8 21.Bg1 Rg8„; 17.Nc3 f4
18.Be4 Qh5 19.Qxd6 Rfe8 20.Bd5
Bxd5 21.Qxd5+ Kh8 22.Ne4 Rf8
23.Qd7 Rf7 24.Qh3 Qxh3 25.gxh3
Nd4³)
17...f4!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+qtrk+0
9zpp+-+-vlp0
9-+nzpl+-+0
9+-+-zp-vL-0
9-+P+-zp-+0
9+P+-+-+-0
9P+LwQNzPPzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
18.Qxd6
(18.Rae1 Qh5 19.h4 (19.Qxd6 Bf7μ)
19...Qf7 20.Qxd6 Bf5 21.Bxf5 Qxf5³)
18...Bf5 19.Bxf5 Rxf5 20.Qd5+ Kh8
21.Bxf4
With White’s knight misplaced on e2 I
felt I could play ...f7-f5 earlier than usual.
15.Bg5?!
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+q+-mk0
9zpp+-+-vlp0
9-+n+-+-+0
9+-+Qzpr+-0
9-+P+-vL-+0
9+P+-+-+-0
9P+-+NzPPzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
I was not accurate here. I should have
continued with 21...Rd8!
(21...Ne7 is was my choice, but
White is close to equal here thanks to a
surprise resource that I missed. 22.Qxb7
exf4 23.Rae1 Rb8 24.Qxa7 Ra8 25.Qb7
Rb8 26.Qa7 Instead of repeating here
and accepting a draw I made a terrible
hallucination. 26...Re5?? 27.Nxf4 My
board vision failed me as I had missed
White’s last move in this variation.
27...Rxe1 28.Rxe1 Nc6 29.Rxe8+ Rxe8
30.Qe3™+–)
22.Qe4 exf4 23.Qxf5 Bxa1 24.Rxa1
Qxe2 25.Qf6+ Kg8 26.Qg5+ Kf7
27.Qxf4+ Ke8μ;
12.a4 Be6 13.a5 f5 White has
effectively wasted two tempi with a4-a5 so
Black can play ...f7-f5 earlier than usual.
14.exf5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-+pvlp0
9-+-zp-+p+0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9-+PsnP+-+0
9+-sNLvL-+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9+-tRQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Witness the battle between two former
World Chess Champions (though Smyslov
got his title the year after this game was
played). Botvinnik masterfully outplayed
Smyslov but let him get away with a draw
in the end.
12...Be6 13.b3 a6 14.Bb1 Rb8 15.Kh1
b5
XIIIIIIIIY
9-tr-wq-trk+0
9+-+-+pvlp0
9p+-zpl+p+0
9+p+-zp-+-0
9-+PsnP+-+0
9+PsN-vL-+-0
9P+-+-zPPzP0
9+LtRQ+R+K0
xiiiiiiiiy
14...Nxf5 15.Bxf5 gxf5„;
16.cxb5 axb5 17.Qd3 b4 18.Nd5 Bxd5
19.exd5 Qa5 20.Qc4 Rb5 21.Bd2 Rfb8
22.Qc8+ Bf8 23.Qd7 R5b7 24.Qg4 f5
25.Qh3 Qxd5μ 1/2–1/2 (46) Smyslov,VBotvinnik,M Moscow 1956.
12.Rc1
12...Be6
(14.Bxd4 exd4 15.Nd5 f4 16.Be2 Bxd5
17.cxd5 h5„)
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpp+-+pvlp0
9-+-zpl+p+0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9-+PsnP+-+0
9+-sNLvL-+-0
9PzP-wQ-zPPzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
It is worth dissecting this position a
little, because it is one where general
understanding of themes is more
important than concrete knowledge of
moves. Black’s counterplay will take root
in either (or both) ...f7-f5 or ...b7-b5, but
suppose for a moment that Black ‘does
nothing’ — what will White do? ere are
basically two plans at White’s disposal that
Black must constantly be prepared to
meet: White will either aim for Nc3-e2 or
go for f2-f4. Black generally has three ways
of meeting Nc3-e2: capture on e2, ignore
it and play ...b7-b5, or retreat ...Nd4-c6.
Which of these Black plays will depend on
the concrete timing of White’s Nc3-e2;
sometimes all three options are viable for
Black. In response to f2-f4, Black will
either (and not both this time) play ...f7f5, or he will capture on f4 and re-route
his knight from d4 to e5 via c6. Of course,
Black should not ‘do nothing’; he should
remain exible so as to be able to play
either ...f7-f5 or ...b7-b5 depending on
what White does. Black’s a8 rook will
either be placed on c8 or b8. Black’s
Queen usually goes to d7, but as we will
see it can also nd a home on e7,c7, or a5.
An important disclaimer is in order before
we continue: computers favor White by
approximately +0.4 in most lines.
However, when one presses the computer
to formulate a plan, it is totally at a loss:
while maintaining its += evaluation, it
recommends shifting White’s pieces back
and forth aimlessly. So, my point is, do
not be discouraged by the engine’s
prejudice — it has similar biases against
the King’s Indian and other respectable
openings as well.
13.Rad1
13.Rac1 a6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9+p+-+pvlp0
9p+-zpl+p+0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9-+PsnP+-+0
9+-sNLvL-+-0
9PzP-wQ-zPPzP0
9+-tR-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
14.b3
a) 14.Rfd1 e following is just one way
for Black to handle this position; he can
alternatively play 14...Rc8 or 14...Qd7.
14...Rb8 15.f3 (15.b3 Qd7 16.f3 b5
17.Nd5 Bxd5 18.cxd5 Rfc8 19.Qa5
Qb7=) 15...b5 16.cxb5 axb5 17.Nd5
Bxd5 18.exd5 b4 19.Rc4 Qa5 20.Bxd4
exd4 21.a3 Qxd5=;
b) 14.f4 exf4 (14...f5?!
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9+p+-+-vlp0
9p+-zpl+p+0
9+-+-zpp+-0
9-+PsnPzP-+0
9+-sNLvL-+-0
9PzP-wQ-+PzP0
9+-tR-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Even though this is suboptimal here, it
is worth seeing the variations which arise
from it to get a feel for the ‘other’ way of
meeting White’s f2-f4. 15.fxe5?!
(15.Nd5! b5 16.Bxd4 exd4 17.exf5
Bxf5 18.cxb5 axb5 19.a3²) 15...dxe5
16.Nd5 White’s knight is vulnerable on
d5, which it would not have been had
White played 15.Nd5 without
exchanging on e5. 16...b5 (16...fxe4!?
17.Bxe4 Qh4„) 17.exf5 (17.cxb5 fxe4–
+) 17...bxc4 18.fxe6 cxd3 19.Rxf8+
Bxf8 20.Qf2 Nxe6³) 15.Bxf4 Qa5!
(15...Nc6!?= is is perfectly playable as
well.) 16.Bxd6 Rfd8 17.b4 Qh5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-tr-+k+0
9+p+-+pvlp0
9p+-vLl+p+0
9+-+-+-+q0
9-zPPsnP+-+0
9+-sNL+-+-0
9P+-wQ-+PzP0
9+-tR-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
18.c5 (18.Bf4 a5! (18...Bxc4?? 19.Bxc4
Nf3+ 20.Rxf3 Rxd2 21.Bxd2+–) 19.b5
Bxc4 20.Bxc4 Nf3+ 21.Rxf3 Rxd2
22.Bxd2 Qc5+–+) 18...Rxd6! 19.cxd6
Be5 20.h3 Bxd6©;
14...Rc8!
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwq-trk+0
9+p+-+pvlp0
9p+-zpl+p+0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9-+PsnP+-+0
9+PsNLvL-+-0
9P+-wQ-zPPzP0
9+-tR-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black intends to meet White’s Nc3-e2
by taking on e2 and defending the d6
weakness with ...Rc8-c6.
a) 14...f5?! Black should not commit to
this so early; it just enables White to
clarify his intentions. 15.exf5 gxf5
(15...Nxf5 16.Bxf5 Bxf5 (16...gxf5
17.Bg5 Qd7 18.Rfd1±) 17.Qd5+ Rf7
18.f3±) 16.Bxd4 exd4 17.Ne2 d5
18.c5±;
b) 14...Rb8!? 15.Ne2 (15.Bxd4 exd4
16.Ne2 b5! 17.cxb5 axb5 18.Qb4 Qb6
19.Rc2 Rfd8 20.Nf4
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9-tr-tr-+k+0
9+-+-+pvlp0
9-wq-zpl+p+0
9+p+-+-+-0
9-wQ-zpPsN-+0
9+P+L+-+-0
9P+R+-zPPzP0
9+-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
20...d5! 21.exd5 Bxd5 22.Nxd5 Rxd5=
1/2–1/2 (39) Foisor,S (2258)Melekhina,A (2205) St. Louis USA
2016) 15...Nc6! (15...b5?! 16.cxb5
(16.Nxd4 exd4 17.Bh6 Bxh6 18.Qxh6
Qa5 1/2–1/2 (18) Korneev,O (2615)Georgiev,V (2519) Elgoibar 1999
19.cxb5 axb5 20.Bb1±) 16...axb5
17.Nxd4 exd4 18.Bh6 Bxh6 19.Qxh6
Qa5 20.Bb1 d5 21.e5±) 16.Rfd1
XIIIIIIIIY
9-tr-wq-trk+0
9+p+-+pvlp0
9p+nzpl+p+0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+P+LvL-+-0
9P+-wQNzPPzP0
9+-tRR+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
(16.a4 f5„; 16.f4 exf4 17.Nxf4 Qd7
18.h3 Ne5=) 16...Qe7!? (16...f5!?
17.exf5 (17.f3 f4 18.Bf2 g5 19.Bb1?!
g4! 20.Qxd6? Qe8μ) 17...gxf5 18.f4
(18.f3 Qe8 19.Bb1 Rd8 20.Nc3 Qf7
21.Nd5 Kh8„) 18...Qe8 19.Nc3 Rd8
20.Nd5²) 17.Bb1 (17.Bb6 Bf6 18.Qb2
Bg5 19.Rb1 f5 20.Nc3 Qg7„)
17...Rbd8 18.f3 f5 19.exf5 gxf5 20.Nc3
Qf7 21.Nd5² Anything can happen,
but objectively I’d say White has better
chances.;
15.f3
(15.Ne2 Nxe2+ (15...Nc6!? 16.Rfd1
Qe7 17.Bb1 Rfd8 18.Bb6 Rd7 19.Nc3
Qf8 20.Be3 Nd4„) 16.Bxe2 Rc6!
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-wq-trk+0
9+p+-+pvlp0
9p+rzpl+p+0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+P+-vL-+-0
9P+-wQLzPPzP0
9+-tR-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
An excellent square for the rook: Black
hinders White’s b3-b4 due to the c4
weakness, and defends d6 while
preventing a future Be3-b6. 17.Rfd1 f5
18.exf5 gxf5 19.Bg5 Qe8„)
15...Qd7 16.Rfd1
(16.Ne2 b5 17.Nxd4 exd4 18.Bh6
Bxh6 19.Qxh6 bxc4 20.bxc4 Rc5=)
16...Rfd8 17.Ne2
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rtr-+k+0
9+p+q+pvlp0
9p+-zpl+p+0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9-+PsnP+-+0
9+P+LvLP+-0
9P+-wQN+PzP0
9+-tRR+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
17...Nxe2+! Without knights on the
board Black’s d5-square is less of a
weakness. 18.Bxe2 Qe7 19.Bb6 Rd7
20.a4 f5 21.exf5 gxf5„;
13.Nd5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpp+-+pvlp0
9-+-zpl+p+0
9+-+Nzp-+-0
9-+PsnP+-+0
9+-+LvL-+-0
9PzP-wQ-zPPzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
is was GM Sevian’s choice against me
in August 2016. Please note that our game
was somehow incorrectly recorded in the
database as an entirely different game
altogether — clearly someone confused
our scoresheets with another game’s! Our
game continued... 13...Bxd5
(13...f5 14.Bxd4 Bxd5 15.exd5 exd4
16.Rfe1 Re8 17.Re6²)
14.cxd5
(14.exd5 Qd7=)
14...f5 15.Bxd4
(15.f3 f4 16.Bf2 Qd7 17.Rac1 g5„)
15...fxe4! 16.Bxe4 exd4 17.g3
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpp+-+-vlp0
9-+-zp-+p+0
9+-+P+-+-0
9-+-zpL+-+0
9+-+-+-zP-0
9PzP-wQ-zP-zP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
17...Qb6
(17...Qd7 18.Rae1 Rae8 19.Qd3 Re7
20.f4 Bf6 21.Re2 Rfe8 22.Rfe1 Kg7
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+r+-+0
9zpp+qtr-mkp0
9-+-zp-vlp+0
9+-+P+-+-0
9-+-zpLzP-+0
9+-+Q+-zP-0
9PzP-+R+-zP0
9+-+-tR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
I was concerned about not having
counterplay were I to go into this
variation but it turns out that passive
defence suffices for Black. 23.Kg2 Qg4
24.h3 Qd7 25.h4 Qg4=)
18.Bd3! Rac8
(18...Rae8! 19.Rac1 Qd8! 20.Rfe1
Qd7=)
19.Rac1 Rc5 20.h4 Kh8? I thought I
calculated this accurately but I missed
White’s ‘only-move’ on move 26.
a) 20...Qc7! e queen’s assistance is
needed on the kingside. 21.h5 (21.Rfe1
Rxc1 22.Rxc1 Qf7=) 21...gxh5 22.Qg5
Qf7=;
b) 20...Rfc8?! 21.h5 Rxc1 22.Rxc1
Rxc1+ 23.Qxc1±;
21.h5 gxh5
(21...Rxd5 22.hxg6 hxg6 23.Kg2!+–)
22.Qg5 Rxc1
(22...Qc7 23.Qxh5 Be5 24.Rxc5 dxc5
25.Bxh7±)
23.Rxc1 Qxb2 24.Rc2
(24.Rf1 Qc3 25.Rd1 Qc7 26.Qxh5 Be5
27.f4 Bf6 28.Re1±)
24...Qb1+ 25.Kg2 Qd1 26.Bf5™
26...d3 27.Rc7 Rg8 28.Qh6 1–0 Sevian,SPanjwani,R Greensboro 2016;
13.f4 exf4 14.Bxf4 Qa5! 15.Bxd6
(15.Rad1 Nc6! 16.Bxd6 Rfd8 17.c5
Bd4+ 18.Kh1 Bxc5 19.Bxc5 Qxc5³)
15...Rfd8
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-tr-+k+0
9zpp+-+pvlp0
9-+-vLl+p+0
9wq-+-+-+-0
9-+PsnP+-+0
9+-sNL+-+-0
9PzP-wQ-+PzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
16.b4 Two moves are equally good here:
16...Qb6 is simpler to remember but
16...Qh5 gives White more chances to go
astray.
(16.c5 16...Be5!! 17.Bxe5 Qxc5
18.Bxd4 Qxd4+ 19.Rf2 Qxd3=; 16.e5
Nc6μ)
16...Qb6
(16...Qh5 17.Bf4 (17.c5?! Rxd6!
18.cxd6 Be5 19.h3 Bxd6μ White is
naked on the dark squares.) 17...Ne2+!
18.Nxe2 Bxc4 19.Ng3 Rxd3 20.Nxh5
Bd4+ 21.Qf2 gxh5 22.Rfd1 Bxf2+
23.Kxf2 Rad8=)
17.Bc5 Qc7 18.Kh1
(18.Rad1 b6 19.Bxd4 Bxd4+ 20.Kh1
Bxc4 21.Bxc4 Qxc4 22.Nd5 Be5=)
18...b6 19.Bxd4 Rxd4 20.Nd5
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-+k+0
9zp-wq-+pvlp0
9-zp-+l+p+0
9+-+N+-+-0
9-zPPtrP+-+0
9+-+L+-+-0
9P+-wQ-+PzP0
9tR-+-+R+K0
xiiiiiiiiy
20...Qxc4! 21.Rad1 Bxd5 22.Bxc4
Rxd2 23.Bxd5 Rxd1 24.Rxd1 Rc8=
13...a6 14.b3
In addition to being a good solidifying
move, White is now ready for Nc3-e2
(14.Ne2 b5!). Black has several ways of
playing this position. I have recommended
what I consider to be the simplest as the
main line (14...Rc8), but both alternatives
are playable as well.
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9+p+-+pvlp0
9p+-zpl+p+0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9-+PsnP+-+0
9+PsNLvL-+-0
9P+-wQ-zPPzP0
9+-+R+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
14...Rc8!
Just as in the variation where White
plays 13.Rac1, Black intends to meet Nc3e2 by taking on e2 and defending d6 with
...Rc8-c6!
14...Qd7 White’s attempts against this
move which are found in the database do
not pose problems for Black, but if White
plays the novelty 15.Ne2!? then Black’s
best option is to defend a slightly worse
but drawn rook endgame. I would have
felt bad recommending this as the main
line, but if one is happy with a draw and
comfortable defending the resulting
endgame, then this may be the best
option. 15.Ne2!N Unlike when Black’s
queen is on c7, he cannot here capture on
e2 because the d6-pawn will fall (a
defender on d8 can be hit by Be3-b6).
a) 15.Nd5 Bxd5 16.cxd5 Rac8=;
b) 15.f4 exf4 (15...Rae8!? 16.fxe5 dxe5
17.Nd5 b5 18.Nf6+ Bxf6 19.Rxf6 bxc4
20.bxc4∞) 16.Bxf4 Nc6N (16...Be5
17.Bxe5 dxe5 18.Qg5 Qc7 19.Kh1 b5
20.Nd5 Bxd5 21.cxd5² 1–0 (48)
Bellia,F (2424)-Royset,P (2215)
Rethymnon 2011) 17.Be2 Ne5 18.Nd5
Rae8„;
15...b5!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9+-+q+pvlp0
9p+-zpl+p+0
9+p+-zp-+-0
9-+PsnP+-+0
9+P+LvL-+-0
9P+-wQNzPPzP0
9+-+R+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
a) 15...Rfd8?! 16.Nxd4 (16.Bg5 Nxe2+
17.Bxe2 f6 18.Be3 Qc6 19.f3 f5„)
16...exd4 17.Bh6 Bh8 18.Qg5²;
b) 15...Nc6?! 16.Bb1±;
16.Nxd4
(16.Bxd4 exd4 17.cxb5 axb5 18.Bb1
d5! 19.Nxd4 dxe4 20.Bxe4 Rad8
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-tr-trk+0
9+-+q+pvlp0
9-+-+l+p+0
9+p+-+-+-0
9-+-sNL+-+0
9+P+-+-+-0
9P+-wQ-zPPzP0
9+-+R+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
21.Nxe6 (21.Nf3 Qxd2 22.Rxd2 Rxd2
23.Nxd2 Rd8 24.Nf3 b4=) 21...Qxd2
22.Rxd2 Rxd2 23.Nxf8 b4 is
endgame is easy for Black to draw.
24.Nxh7 Kxh7 25.g3 Rxa2 26.Bd5 f5
27.Bc4 Bd4 28.Kg2 Kg7 29.Kf3 Kf6
30.h3 Kg7 31.g4 fxg4+ 32.hxg4 Ra1
33.Rxa1 Bxa1 34.g5 Bc3 35.Ke4 1/2–
1/2 Brattain-Panjwani, Philadelphia
2014)
16...exd4 17.Bh6 Bxh6 18.Qxh6 bxc4
19.Bxc4 Bxc4 20.bxc4 Qa7 21.Qd2
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9wq-+-+p+p0
9p+-zp-+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+PzpP+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9P+-wQ-zPPzP0
9+-+R+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
e aforementioned slightly better, but
with some accuracy drawn rook endgame
starts here. Black’s rst task is to decide
where to place his rooks. I give some
sample variations, but I make no claim to
‘solve’ this endgame. 21...Rfc8!
(21...Rab8 22.Qxd4 Qxd4 23.Rxd4 Rb2
24.Rxd6 Rxa2 25.g3 Rc8 26.Rc1 Rc5
27.Rc3 Ra4 28.Rd8+ Kg7 29.Rd7
Raxc4 30.Rf3+–)
22.Qxd4 Qxd4
(22...Qc5 23.Qxc5 Rxc5 24.Rxd6 Rxc4
25.Re1 Rc2 26.a3 Rc3 27.Ra1 (27.a4
Rc4 28.a5 Ra4 29.Rd5 Rb8=) 27...Rac8
28.f3 R8c6 29.Rxc6 Rxc6=)
23.Rxd4 Rab8 24.g3!
(24.f3 Rb2 25.a3 Ra2 26.Rb1 Rxa3
27.Rb6 Ra4 28.Rbxd6 Raxc4 29.Rxc4
Rxc4 30.Rxa6 h5=)
24...Rc6 25.Rfd1 a5 26.Rxd6 Rxc4
27.e5 Rb2 28.a3 Rc5 29.Rf6 Rb7 30.e6
fxe6 31.Rxe6 Rc3 32.a4 Ra3 33.Ra6 Rxa4
34.Rd5 Kg7 35.Raxa5 Rxa5 36.Rxa5 h5=;
XIIIIIIIIY
14...Qc7!? is was Dzindzichashvili’s
choice against my compatriot GM Lesiege
in 1993. With the queen on c7, Black can
respond to Nc3-e2 with either ...Nd4xe2
or ...Nd4-c6, since the d6-pawn can be
defended in one move by either rook.
15.Bxd4
a) 15.Ne2 Both 15...Nc6 and
15...Nxe2+ are playable; it is a just a
matter of taste. 15...Nc6 (15...Nxe2+
16.Bxe2 Rfd8 17.Qb4 Qe7 18.Bb6 Rd7
19.Rd2 Rc8 20.Rfd1 Rc6 21.Ba5 f5
22.Bf3 f4 23.Rd3 Bf8 24.a4 Qf7
25.Qd2 h5 26.h3 b6 27.Bb4 a5 28.Ba3
Qf6= It is difficult to see how either side
will make progress.) 16.f4 (16.Bb1
Rad8 17.Nc3 f5 18.exf5 gxf5 19.f4
Qf7=) 16...exf4 17.Nxf4 Ne5 18.Be2
Rad8 19.h3 Qc6!
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-tr-trk+0
9+p+-+pvlp0
9p+qzpl+p+0
9+-+-sn-+-0
9-+P+PsN-+0
9+P+-vL-+P0
9P+-wQL+P+0
9+-+R+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
20.Nd5 Bxd5 21.Qxd5 Qc7 22.Bf4
Rfe8 23.Bg5 Rd7 24.Rf2 h5 25.Bf4
Qc5=;
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+k+0
9+p+rwq-vlp0
9pvLrzpl+p+0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9PwQP+Pzp-+0
9+P+-+P+-0
9-+-tRL+PzP0
9+-+R+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
White only has four pieces capable of
attacking the d6-pawn, and Black has
four potential defenders. If White triples
on the d- le and aims for c4-c5 then
Black will be able to obtain counterplay
against White’s weak pawn on b3 (with
...Qe7-f7 for example). A sample
variation may continue as follows. 23.a5
g5 24.h3 h5 25.c5 dxc5 26.Bxc5 Qxc5+
27.Qxc5 Rxc5 28.Rxd7 Bxd7 29.Rxd7
Rxa5 30.Rxb7 Bf8=) 17.Bb1 Rfd8
18.a4 Rd7 19.f4 (19.Nc3 Nd4„)
19...exf4 20.Nxf4 Qa5=;
15...exd4 16.Ne2 Bg4 17.f3 Bd7
18.Bb1
(18.a4 b5 19.cxb5 axb5 20.axb5 Rfb8=)
18...b5
b) 15.f3 Rac8 16.Ne2 (16.Rc1 Qd7
17.Ne2 b5=) 16...Nc6 (16...Nxe2+!?
17.Bxe2 Rfd8 18.a4 Qe7 19.Qb4 f5
20.Rd2 Rc6 21.Rfd1 f4 22.Bb6 Rd7
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9+-wql+pvlp0
9p+-zp-+p+0
9+p+-+-+-0
9-+PzpP+-+0
9+P+-+P+-0
9P+-wQN+PzP0
9+L+R+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
19.cxb5 Bxb5 20.Bd3 Qb6 21.Rf2 Rfc8
22.g3 Ra7 23.Kg2 d5 24.exd5 Rd7
25.Rc1 Rxc1 26.Nxc1 Rxd5 27.Bxb5
axb5= 0–1 (62) Lesiege,A (2485)Dzindzichashvili,R (2535) New York
1993.
15.f3
15.Ne2 b5!
(15...Nxe2+!? 16.Bxe2 Rc6∞)
16.Bxd4
(16.cxb5 Nxb5„)
16...bxc4!? 17.Bxc4 Bxc4 18.Be3 Be6
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwq-trk+0
9+-+-+pvlp0
9p+-zpl+p+0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9-+-+P+-+0
9+P+-vL-+-0
9P+-wQNzPPzP0
9+-+R+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
(19.Nc3 Qd7 20.Na4 (20.Nd5 Qb7=)
20...Rc6 21.Rc1 Qb7 22.Rxc6 Qxc6
23.Qd3 d5 24.exd5 Bxd5 25.Rc1 Qa8
26.Nb6 Be4! 27.Qc4 Qb7=)
19...Qxd6 20.Rxd6 Rc2 21.Nc1 Ra8
22.Rfd1 Bf8 23.R6d2 Rac8 24.Nd3 f6
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+-vlk+0
9+-+-+-+p0
9p+-+lzpp+0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9-+-+P+-+0
9+P+NvL-+-0
9P+rtR-zPPzP0
9+-+R+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black is at little risk here; his two
bishops and active rooks provide fully
adequate compensation for the pawn.
25.f3 a5 26.Kf2 h5 27.Rxc2 Rxc2+
28.Rd2 Rc6 29.f4 exf4 30.Nxf4 Kf7=
15...Qd7 16.Rfe1
16.Ne2 Nxe2+
(16...b5 17.cxb5 Nxb5 18.Qa5 Qb7∞)
17.Bxe2 Rc6 18.a4 f5„
16...Rfd8
16...b5!? 17.cxb5 axb5 18.Bxd4 exd4
19.Nxb5 Rc5 20.Na3 Rc3∞
17.Ne2 Nxe2+
17...b5 18.cxb5 Nxb5 19.Qa5 Ra8∞
18.Bxe2 Rc6 19.Bg5 Rf8 20.a4 f5„
19.Qxd6
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-trk+0
9+p+q+-vlp0
9p+rzpl+p+0
9+-+-zppvL-0
9P+P+P+-+0
9+P+-+P+-0
9-+-wQL+PzP0
9+-+RtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Appendix
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Bg7
5.c4 Nc6 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Nc3 Ng4 8.Qxg4
Nxd4 9.Qd1 e5 10.Bd3 0-0 11.0-0 b6!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zp-+p+pvlp0
9-zp-+-+p+0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9-+PsnP+-+0
9+-sNLvL-+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
I was pleasantly surprised to come
across this very rare idea in a book on
pawn structures by Andy Soltis. Soviet
(grand) masters of the 1950s and 1960s
like Simagin, Bagirov, Aronson, and
Veresov developed some truly original
ideas in this system. Even if their crafty
maneuvers are ultimately ‘too good to be
true’, it is instructive to play over their
games to get a feel for this system. Black
plans to continue with ...Bc8-b7, ...Rf8e8, ...Ra8-c8, followed by ...Bf8c5/...Nd4-e6, or ...Re8-e6-d6! I envy them
for playing chess in the pre-computer era;
the analysis of this variation must have
brought them such joy. Computers do
spoil the fun a little, but there is no clear
refutation of the idea either.
12.Nd5?! Bb7 13.f4 exf4 14.Bxf4 d6
15.Qd2 Ne6 16.Bh6 Bxh6 17.Qxh6
Bxd5 18.exd5 Nc5 19.Rf3 f5!³ 0–1 (69)
Byvshev,V-Simagin,V Moscow 1952;
12.a4 Bb7 13.Nb5
(13.a5 bxa5 14.Qa4 Bc6 15.Qxa5 Qxa5
16.Rxa5 Rfb8=)
13...f5!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpl+p+-vlp0
9-zp-+-+p+0
9+N+-zpp+-0
9P+PsnP+-+0
9+-+LvL-+-0
9-zP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
14.Bb1 f4!
(14...Nxb5 15.axb5 fxe4 16.Qg4± 1/2–
1/2 (36) Hon ,K-Zaitsev,A Budapest
1963)
15.Bxd4 exd4 16.Ra3 Qf6 17.f3 a6
18.Nc7 Rac8 19.Nd5 Bxd5 20.cxd5 Rc5
21.Bd3 a5=
12...Bb7
12...Re8!? 13.Rfe1 Bb7 14.Rad1 a6
15.b3 Bc6
12.Qd2
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqr+k+0
9+-+p+pvlp0
9pzpl+-+p+0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9-+PsnP+-+0
9+PsNLvL-+-0
9P+-wQ-zPPzP0
9+-+RtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
is is another typical idea of this line:
Black plans to leave the pawn on d7, so
the bishop is well placed on c6 from where
it defends (and is defended by) the d7
pawn and prepares ...b6-b5. 16.f3 Re6!?
(16...Ne6 17.Qf2 Rb8 18.Nd5 b5
19.Bb6 Qc8 20.Ba7 Rb7 21.Be3 Qb8
22.Qh4 Bxd5 23.exd5 Nf4 24.Bxf4
exf4 25.Rxe8+ Qxe8 26.Qxf4²)
17.Bf1 f5 18.Ne2 fxe4 19.fxe4 Nxe2+?!
(19...Rd6!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-+k+0
9+-+p+-vlp0
9pzpltr-+p+0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9-+PsnP+-+0
9+P+-vL-+-0
9P+-wQN+PzP0
9+-+RtRLmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
What a triumph of the artistic approach
to chess that this was Black’s best try.
20.Nxd4 exd4 21.Bg5 Qf8 22.c5!!
Incredibly, Black can equalize against all
other moves! 22...bxc5 23.Bc4+ Re6
(23...Kh8 24.e5±) 24.Bxe6+ dxe6
25.e5²)
20.Bxe2 Qc7 21.Bg4 Rf6 22.Bxd7 Bb7
23.Bg5 Rff8 24.Qd6 Qc5+ 25.Qxc5 bxc5
26.Be7 Rf4 27.Be6+ Kh8 28.Bd5 1–0
(28) Kholmov,R-Aronson,L Riga 1954.
13.Rad1
It is not clear how Black should handle
this position. Based on my research, Black
should delay ...Ra8-c8 for some time.
13.Ne2 Ne6 14.Rfd1 f5 15.f3
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpl+p+-vlp0
9-zp-+n+p+0
9+-+-zpp+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+-+LvLP+-0
9PzP-wQN+PzP0
9tR-+R+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
15...Rf7! Black’s idea is to exchange dark
squared bishops with ...Bg7-f8-c5.
Computers tend to make us pessimistic
about such maneuvers, but in this
particular position science and aesthetics
coincide.
(15...f4 16.Bf2 Qe7 17.c5 Nxc5
18.Bc4+ Kh8 19.b4 Na6 20.a3 Rfd8
21.Nc3 Nc7 22.Qd6 Qxd6 23.Rxd6
Rac8 24.Rd3 Ne6 25.Bxe6 dxe6
26.Rxd8+ Rxd8 27.Nb5 1/2–1/2 (27)
Roizman,A-Veresov,G Minsk 1955)
16.Nc3 Bf8! 17.exf5 gxf5 18.a3 Bc5
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-+k+0
9zpl+p+r+p0
9-zp-+n+-+0
9+-vl-zpp+-0
9-+P+-+-+0
9zP-sNLvLP+-0
9-zP-wQ-+PzP0
9tR-+R+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
19.Bxc5 bxc5„;
13.f3 Qe7 14.Rfd1 f5 15.exf5 gxf5
16.Nd5 Qd6!=;
13.b3 f5 14.exf5 Qh4!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9zpl+p+-vlp0
9-zp-+-+p+0
9+-+-zpP+-0
9-+Psn-+-wq0
9+PsNLvL-+-0
9P+-wQ-zPPzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
15.f3
(15.fxg6?? Nf3+ 16.gxf3 Bxf3–+)
15...gxf5 16.Nd5 Bxd5 17.cxd5 e4„
13...Ne6
13...Bc6!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zp-+p+pvlp0
9-zpl+-+p+0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9-+PsnP+-+0
9+-sNLvL-+-0
9PzP-wQ-zPPzP0
9+-+R+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
14.f4
(14.b3 Ne6 15.Bc2 Re8 16.b4 Rc8
17.Bb3 Nd4 18.f3 Bf8 19.Bxd4 exd4
20.Ne2 b5 21.Nxd4 bxc4 22.Bxc4 Ba4
23.Bb3 Bxb3 24.Nxb3 Qb6+=)
14...exf4 15.Bxf4 Ne6 16.Bd6
(16.Bh6 Bxh6 17.Qxh6 Qe7 18.Nd5
Bxd5 19.exd5 Ng7=)
16...Re8 17.Kh1 Nc5 18.Qf2 Kh8
19.Qxf7 Qg5 20.Bc2 Nb7 21.Nb5 Nc5=;
13...Rc8?! 14.b3 Bc6
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwq-trk+0
9zp-+p+pvlp0
9-zpl+-+p+0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9-+PsnP+-+0
9+PsNLvL-+-0
9P+-wQ-zPPzP0
9+-+R+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
15.f4
XIIIIIIIIY
(15.Bb1 Ne6 16.a4 Bf6! 17.Nb5 Ra8
18.Nd6 (18.g3 Be7 19.Nd6 Qb8
20.Bc2 Nd4 21.Bxd4 Qxd6 22.Bc3
Qe6 23.a5 bxa5 24.Bxa5 Bc5 25.Bb4
Qe7 26.Bc3 Rfb8 27.Ra1 Rb7=)
18...Bg5 19.g3 Bxe3 20.Qxe3 Qe7
21.f4 f6=)
15...exf4 16.Bxf4 Ne6 17.Bd6 Re8
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwqr+k+0
9zp-+p+pvlp0
9-zplvLn+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+PsNL+-+-0
9P+-wQ-+PzP0
9+-+R+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
18.Nb5 is is one reason Black’s rook
would have been better placed on a8.
(18.e5 Nc5 19.Qf4 Nb7 20.Nb5 Bxb5
21.Qxf7+ Kh8 22.cxb5 Nxd6 23.exd6
Qh4 24.g3 Qd4+ 25.Qf2 Qxf2+
26.Kxf2 Re6 27.Bc4 Rf8+ 28.Kg2 Rxf1
29.Bxf1 Bf8=)
18...a6 19.Na7 Ra8 20.Nxc6 dxc6
21.e5²;
13...f5
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpl+p+-vlp0
9-zp-+-+p+0
9+-+-zpp+-0
9-+PsnP+-+0
9+-sNLvL-+-0
9PzP-wQ-zPPzP0
9+-+R+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
14.exf5 Qh4 15.Nd5
(15.fxg6?? Nf3+ 16.gxf3 Bxf3–+)
15...Nxf5
(15...gxf5 16.f4±)
16.Bxf5 gxf5 17.f4 e4 18.Bd4²
14.Bb1
14.b3 Bc6 15.f3 Re8
(15...Qe7 16.Bc2 Rfd8 17.Rfe1 Qa3!=
Black can ‘premove’ ...Bg7-f8.)
16.Nd5 Bf8 17.b4 Bg7 18.Rc1 Rc8
19.a4 Nd4 20.Rc3 a5 21.b5 Bxd5 22.cxd5
Bf8=
14...Bc6 15.b4 Rc8 16.a3
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwq-trk+0
9zp-+p+pvlp0
9-zpl+n+p+0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9-zPP+P+-+0
9zP-sN-vL-+-0
9-+-wQ-zPPzP0
9+L+R+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
16...Kh8!
16...Rc7 17.Ba2 Kh8 18.c5 Nd4 19.f4
bxc5 20.bxc5 Rb7 21.fxe5
(21.Nd5²)
21...Ne6 22.Bxe6 fxe6 23.Bg5 Qa5
24.Qd6 Rbb8 25.Be7 Rxf1+ 26.Rxf1 Re8
27.Rf3 Qxa3μ 1/2–1/2 (36) Smyslov,VBagirov,V Leningrad 1960.
17.Ba2
17.c5 bxc5 18.bxc5 Qa5„;
17.b5 Ba8 18.Qxd7 Qxd7 19.Rxd7
Rxc4 20.Nd5 Ra4=
17...f5 18.exf5 gxf5 19.f3 Qe8 20.Nd5
20.b5 Ba8 21.Qxd7 e4„
20...f4 21.Bf2
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+qtr-mk0
9zp-+p+-vlp0
9-zpl+n+-+0
9+-+Nzp-+-0
9-zPP+-zp-+0
9zP-+-+P+-0
9L+-wQ-vLPzP0
9+-+R+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
21...e4! 22.fxe4 Qh5 23.Rde1 Be5„
CHAPTER 5
MAROCZY BIND: MAIN LINE
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Bg7
5.c4 Nc6 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Nc3 0-0 8.Be2 d6
9.0-0
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+nzp-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+PsNP+-+0
9+-sN-vL-+-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Contents
1. 9...Nxd4
2. 9...Bd7 10.sidelines
3. 9...Bd7 10.Nc2
4. 9...Bd7 10.Qd2 Nxd4 11.Bxd4 Bc6
12.sidelines
5. 9...Bd7 10.Qd2 Nxd4 11.Bxd4 Bc6
12.f3 Nd7 13.sidelines
6. 9...Bd7 10.Qd2 Nxd4 11.Bxd4 Bc6
12.f3 Nd7 13.Be3
1
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Bg7
5.c4 Nc6 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Nc3 0-0 8.Be2 d6
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+nzp-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+PsNP+-+0
9+-sN-vL-+-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
is variation does not have an accepted
name, but because it is the top choice of
virtually all the top Accelerated Dragon
players nowadays, I will refer to it as the
‘main line’. Compared with the Breyer
Variation, this line is far more nuanced
and, frankly, difficult to play well (for both
sides). As with all practical matters, the
choice involves a tradeoff: the Breyer is
easy to play for Black, but if White plays
accurately (which very few are able to do
in practice) then he can achieve a slightly
more pleasant position (if you nd this
state of affairs to be unacceptable, I
recommend abandoning the Sicilian
altogether in favor of the Berlin or
Marshall). In this line Black’s counterplay
is more reactive in nature — Black can’t
just ‘wear a blindfold’ and proceed with a
plan on autopilot, but in return Black can
count on dynamic equality and a tense
struggle where all three results are on the
table.
9.0-0
ere are many ways to play this
position for Black, but the main tabiya
involves Black playing (in various move
orders) ...Bc8-d7, ...Nc6xd4, ...Bd7-c6,
...a7-a5, ...Nf6-d7-c5. e question of
move order is an important one for Black
here: should Black start with 9...Bd7 or
rst play 9...Nxd4 10.Bxd4 Bd7? In
practice they usually transpose, because
most White players are unwilling to play a
different line against each of these,
preferring instead to enter the Qd2 main
line regardless of Black’s move order. at
being said, according to my research,
9...Bd7 is the signi cantly better move
order (and it is introducted in the next
chapter), in light of 9...Nxd4 10.Bxd4
Bd7 11.Qd3!.
9...Nxd4 10.Bxd4 Bd7
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpp+lzppvlp0
9-+-zp-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+PvLP+-+0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
11.Qd3!
is is not a new move, it was rst
played in Smyslov-Pirc 1956 (1–0); for
some reason it has not caught on. I owe
Kevin Spraggett for revealing its strength
to me. White’s basic idea is to
prophylactically defend the e4-pawn so
that ...Bd7-c6 can be met with b2-b4!
White usually wants to wait for Black’s
bishop to be on c6 before playing b2-b4,
because the weak c4-pawn is under less
pressure when Black’s bishop is on c6 as
opposed to e6. In general Black wants to
prevent White from playing b2-b4 (at
least) until his knight has landed on c5, so
the central theme of this variation is
White trying to achieve b2-b4 and Black
trying to either prevent it or render it
premature. Unfortunately, nothing seems
to work for Black. I will present the
following lines without comment, because
I am recommending we avoid this
altogether, but I encourage the reader to
try to nd improvements on my analysis,
and to at least skim through the ensuing
variations to get a feel for which positions
are playable for Black and which are to be
avoided.
11.b4 Be6 12.f3 Nd7 13.Nd5 Bxd4+
14.Qxd4 Bxd5 15.cxd5 a5 16.a3 axb4
17.axb4 Rxa1 18.Rxa1 Qc7=
11...a6!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9+p+lzppvlp0
9p+-zp-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+PvLP+-+0
9+-sNQ+-+-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
11...Bc6?! 12.b4!²;
11...a5 12.b3!
(12.a3 a4 13.c5 dxc5 14.Bxc5 Bc6
15.Qe3 Qc8 16.f3 (16.Bxe7 Re8
17.Bxf6 Bxf6 18.f3 Qe6©) 16...Qe6
17.Rfd1 Rfd8=)
12...Bc6 13.a3 Nd7
(13...b6 14.b4 Nd7 15.Bxg7 Kxg7
16.Qd4+ Kg8 17.f4²)
14.Bxg7 Kxg7 15.b4 axb4
(15...b6²)
16.axb4 Qb6 17.b5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-tr-+0
9+p+nzppmkp0
9-wqlzp-+p+0
9+P+-+-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+-sNQ+-+-0
9-+-+LzPPzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
17...Rxa1
(17...Ne5 18.Qd2 Bd7 19.Na4 Qa7
20.c5 dxc5 21.Qd5 Qb8 22.Nxc5±)
18.Rxa1 Ne5 19.Qd2
(19.Qc2 Bd7 20.Nd5 Qd4 21.Rd1 Qc5
22.Nxe7 Re8 23.Nd5 Bxb5=)
19...Bd7 20.Na4!
(20.Nd5 Qc5 21.Qe3 (21.Nxe7 Nxc4
22.Qc3+ Ne5 23.Qxc5 dxc5 24.f4
Bg4=) 21...Rc8 22.Qc3 (22.Nxe7
Nxc4=) 22...e6 23.Ne3 f6 24.Qd2 Be8
25.Rd1 Nf7 26.Bg4 Bd7=)
20...Qc7
(20...Qa7 21.c5 dxc5 22.f4 c4+ 23.b6±)
21.f4
(21.Qd4 g5 22.h4 h6=)
21...Ng4
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-tr-+0
9+pwqlzppmkp0
9-+-zp-+p+0
9+P+-+-+-0
9N+P+PzPn+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-wQL+PzP0
9tR-+-+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
22.Rd1!
(22.Qd4+ e5 23.Qb6 Qxb6+ 24.Nxb6
Nf6 25.Rd1 Be6 26.Bf3 Rb8! (26...exf4
27.Rxd6 Rb8 28.e5 Ne8 29.Rd4 g5
30.Nd7 Rd8 31.Bxb7 Rxd7 32.Rxd7
Bxd7 33.b6 Kf8 34.Bd5±) 27.Rxd6
Ne8 28.Rd1 exf4 29.e5 (29.c5 g5 30.h3
Nc7 31.Rb1 Ne8∞) 29...f6 30.exf6+
Nxf6 31.h4 h6 32.Rd6 Kf7 33.Nd5
Bxd5 34.Bxd5+ Nxd5 35.cxd5 Rc8
36.Rd7+ Kf6 37.Rxb7 Rd8 38.Rb6+
Kf5 39.d6 g5 40.hxg5 hxg5 41.Rc6
Ke5 42.b6 Rxd6 43.Rxd6 Kxd6 44.Kf2
g4 45.b7 Kc7 46.Ke2 Kxb7 47.Kd3
Kc6 48.Ke4 f3 49.gxf3 gxf3 50.Kxf3
is was not a game, I just wanted to
analyze at least one variation ‘down to
kings’ in this book.)
22...Nf6 23.Qd4 Bc8 24.e5
(24.Nc3 e5=)
24...dxe5 25.fxe5 Nd7 26.e6+ Nf6
27.exf7 e5 28.Qc3
(28.Qc5²)
28...Be6 29.c5 Nd5 30.Qb2 Bxf7
31.Bf3±
12.b4!
12.a4 a5 13.Nd5
(13.Rfd1 Bc6 14.b3 Nd7 15.Rab1 Nc5
16.Qe3 Bxd4 17.Rxd4 e5 18.Rd2
Qe7=)
13...Nxd5 14.exd5 Bf5 15.Qe3 Bxd4
16.Qxd4 Ra6=;
12.Qe3 Qb8!?
(12...b5 13.cxb5 axb5 14.Bxb5
(14.Nxb5 Ra4!©) 14...Bxb5 15.Nxb5 e5
16.Ba7 d5 17.Bc5 d4 18.Qd3 Re8
19.b4±)
13.Rfd1
(13.a4 a5 14.Rfd1 Bc6 15.Nd5 Re8!
(15...Bxd5 16.cxd5 Nd7 17.Bxg7 Kxg7
18.Bb5 Nc5 19.Rac1 f6 20.f4²)
16.Nb6 (16.b3 Nd7 17.Bxg7 Kxg7=)
16...e5 17.Bc3 Nxe4 18.Nxa8 Nxc3!
(18...Qxa8?! 19.Be1 Nc5 20.b4
(20.Rxd6 Ne6©) 20...axb4 21.Bxb4 Bf8
22.a5±) 19.bxc3 Qxa8 20.Rxd6 Bf8
21.Rdd1 e4©)
13...Bc6
XIIIIIIIIY
9rwq-+-trk+0
9+p+-zppvlp0
9p+lzp-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+PvLP+-+0
9+-sN-wQ-+-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9tR-+R+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
14.Rac1
(14.a4 a5 15.Nd5 Re8 (15...Bxd5
16.cxd5 Nd7 17.Bxg7 Kxg7 18.Bb5
Nc5 19.Rac1 Qd8 20.f4 f6 21.Rc3 Rc8
22.Rdc1 Rg8! 23.R1c2 b6 24.b3 Qf8!
25.Rc4 Kh8 26.g3 g5=; 15...e5 16.Bb6
Bxd5 17.cxd5 Nd7 18.Rac1 Nxb6
19.Qxb6 Bf6 20.g3 Bd8 21.Qb5 Qa7
22.Qd7 Qb8 23.Rd3 Bb6 24.Rb3 Rd8
25.Qb5 Bd4 26.Qxb7 Qxb7 27.Rxb7
Rdb8 28.Rxb8+ Rxb8=) 16.Nb6 e5
17.Bc3 Nxe4 18.Nxa8 Nxc3 19.Qxc3
Qxa8 20.Rxd6 e4©)
14...b5
(14...e5 15.Bb6 Nd7 16.Nd5 Bxd5
17.Rxd5±)
15.Nd5 Bxd5
(15...Re8 16.cxb5 Bxd5 17.exd5 axb5
18.Qb3 b4 19.Rc4± 1–0 (31)
Gurevich,I (2475)-Taylor Chicago
1992)
16.cxd5 Nd7 17.Bxg7 Kxg7 18.Qd4+
Kg8 19.Bg4 Nf6 20.Bh3 Qa7 21.Qd3 a5
22.g3 Rfb8∞;
12.f3
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9+p+lzppvlp0
9p+-zp-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+PvLP+-+0
9+-sNQ+P+-0
9PzP-+L+PzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
12...Rb8
(12...b5?! 13.cxb5 axb5 14.Nxb5 Ra4
15.Nc3 (15.Na3 Qb8!©; 15.Be3 Bxb5
16.Qxb5 Qa8=) 15...Rb4 16.Rab1
(16.b3 Nxe4 17.Bxg7 Nc5 18.Qe3
Kxg7 19.Nd5 Rb8= Instinctively, White
appears to be better because of the
connected passed pawns; however, those
pawns are easily blocked and the dark
squared weaknesses in White’s position
shouldn’t be discounted.) 16...Qb8
(16...Nxe4 17.Bxg7 Nc5 18.Qe3 Kxg7
19.Nd5 Rb8 20.b4 Na4 21.b5 Nc5
22.Rfd1 Be6 23.Bc4 f6 24.Qd4 Bxd5
25.Bxd5 Qb6∞) 17.b3
XIIIIIIIIY
9-wq-+-trk+0
9+-+lzppvlp0
9-+-zp-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-tr-vLP+-+0
9+PsNQ+P+-0
9P+-+L+PzP0
9+R+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
17...Be6 (17...Rxd4 18.Qxd4 Ng4
19.Qd3 (19.Qd2 Qa7+ 20.Kh1 Nf2+
21.Rxf2 Qxf2 22.Nd5 Bb5=) 19...Qa7+
20.Kh1 Nf2+ 21.Rxf2 Qxf2 22.Nd5 e6
23.Ne3 Bb5 24.Qxb5 Qxe3 25.Qd3
Qf2 26.Rf1 Qa7 27.a4 d5 28.exd5 Rd8
29.Qa6 Qxa6 30.Bxa6 Rxd5 31.Bc4
Rd2 32.a5±) 18.Be3 d5 19.Bc5 dxe4
20.fxe4 Rd8 21.Qe3 Rb7 22.Rbd1
Rbd7 23.Kh1²)
13.a4 b6 14.Rfd1 Bc6 15.b4 a5 16.b5
Bb7=;
12.Rfd1 b5 13.cxb5 axb5 14.Nxb5
Bxb5 15.Qxb5 Nxe4 16.Bxg7 Kxg7
17.Bf3 Rb8 18.Qd3 Nc5=
12...Be6
12...b5 13.cxb5 axb5 14.Nxb5 Bxb5
15.Qxb5 Nxe4 16.Bxg7 Kxg7 17.Qd5
Nf6 18.Qb3±;
12...e5 13.Be3 Be6 14.Rac1 Rc8
15.Na4 b5 16.cxb5 axb5 17.Nc3 Bc4
18.Qd2±
13.Rfc1 Rc8 14.Nd5 Nxd5
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwq-trk+0
9+p+-zppvlp0
9p+-zpl+p+0
9+-+n+-+-0
9-zPPvLP+-+0
9+-+Q+-+-0
9P+-+LzPPzP0
9tR-tR-+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
15.exd5
15.cxd5 Bxd4 16.Qxd4 Bd7=
15...Bf5 16.Qd2 Bxd4 17.Qxd4 Re8
17...e5 18.dxe6 Bxe6 19.a3²
18.Bf3 a5 19.a3 b6 20.h4 h5 21.Re1²
2
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Bg7
5.c4 Nc6 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Nc3 0-0 8.Be2 d6
9.0-0 Bd7
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpp+lzppvlp0
9-+nzp-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+PsNP+-+0
9+-sN-vL-+-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
e downside of this line is 10.Nc2,
whereas the downside of the 9...Nxd4
move order is 11.Qd3! In my judgment we
should prefer to allow White 10.Nc2 here.
Let’s rst have a look at some side moves.
10.Nb3
e logic of this move is similar to
10.Nc2: since White has more space, he
wants to avoid exchanges to keep Black’s
position cramped. Furthermore, the ‘soft’
c4-pawn can be defended by Nb3-d2, as it
often is by Nc2-a3 in the 10.Nc2 line.
10.Rc1 Nxd4 11.Bxd4
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpp+lzppvlp0
9-+-zp-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+PvLP+-+0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9+-tRQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Nowadays I prefer to play 11...Bc6
here, because things are likely to transpose
to the 10.Qd2 line where White’s rook on
c1 does nothing to promote the central
positional aim of b2-b4. e reader may
prefer 11...Bh6!? which I have played a
few times as well. e choice is just a
matter of taste. 11...Bh6!?
(11...Bc6 If Black plays this then the
10.Rc1 line has little independent value.
12.f3 a5 13.b3 Nd7 14.Be3 Nc5
15.Qd2= is is a transposition to the
10.Qd2 line, where White’s a-rook does
not tend to go to c1.)
12.f4
(12.Rc2 e5 13.Be3 Bxe3 14.fxe3 Bc6
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpp+-+p+p0
9-+lzp-snp+0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+-sN-zP-+-0
9PzPR+L+PzP0
9+-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
15.Qd3 (15.Bd3 a5 16.Rcf2 Nd7
17.Qg4 Nc5 18.Bc2 Bd7 19.Qd1 Be6
20.Nd5 Kg7 21.b3 Bxd5 22.Qxd5 f6
23.a3 Qb6 24.Rb1 Qc6=) 15...a5
16.Rd2 Ne8 17.Bd1 Qb6 18.Rdf2 Rd8
19.Bg4 Nc7 20.h4 Na6 21.h5 Nc5
22.Qc2 Qb4 23.Nd5 Bxd5 24.exd5 e4
25.Be2 (25.Rf6 Nd3 26.b3 a4„)
25...a4∞)
12...Bc6 13.Bxf6
a) 13.e5 dxe5 14.Bxe5 Nd7 15.Bd4 e5!?
(15...Re8!? 16.Rc2 e5 17.fxe5 Nxe5„)
16.fxe5 Qg5 17.Nd5 Bxd5 18.cxd5
Qxc1 19.Qxc1 Bxc1 20.Rxc1 Nxe5
21.Rc7 (21.d6 f6μ) 21...f6 22.Rxb7
(22.d6 Rac8 23.Rxb7 Rf7 24.Rxa7 Rxa7
25.Bxa7 Rc2μ) 22...Rf7 23.Rb5³;
b) 13.Qd3 e5 14.Be3 exf4 15.Bxf4
Bxf4 16.Rxf4 Nd7=;
13...exf6
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpp+-+p+p0
9-+lzp-zppvl0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+P+PzP-+0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9PzP-+L+PzP0
9+-tRQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
14.Qd4 is was American prodigy
Ruifeng Li’s choice against me.
a) 14.Qd2 Re8 15.Bf3 Qb6+ 16.Kh1
Rad8 17.g3 Bg7 18.Rc2 Qc5 19.Nd5
a5=;
b) 14.Kh1 We follow one of my games
here. 14...Re8 15.Bd3 Qb6 16.Rc2 a5
17.Rd2 a4 18.Bb1 Bf8 19.b3 axb3
20.axb3 Ra1 21.Nd5 Bxd5 22.Rxd5
Qe3? (22...Rxe4 23.Bxe4 Rxd1
24.Rdxd1 f5 25.Bd5 Bg7 26.b4 Bf6
27.b5 Kg7=) 23.Rf3 (¹23.c5!)
23...Qa7 24.Qc2 f5 25.Rf1 Rxe4
(25...fxe4 26.f5 e3 27.fxg6 hxg6
28.Rxf7 Rxb1+–+)
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-vlk+0
9wqp+-+p+p0
9-+-zp-+p+0
9+-+R+p+-0
9-+P+rzP-+0
9+P+-+-+-0
9-+Q+-+PzP0
9trL+-+R+K0
xiiiiiiiiy
26.g4!! Qe3 27.Rd3 Qe2 (27...Rxf4
28.Rxe3 Rxf1+ 29.Kg2 Rfxb1∞)
28.Qxe2 Rxe2 29.gxf5 Rb2μ ShlionskyPanjwani, New York 2016 (1/2–1/2);
14...Re8 15.Rcd1 Qa5 16.Bd3 Bg7
17.Qf2 a6 18.a3
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+r+k+0
9+p+-+pvlp0
9p+lzp-zpp+0
9wq-+-+-+-0
9-+P+PzP-+0
9zP-sNL+-+-0
9-zP-+-wQPzP0
9+-+R+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
18...f5! 19.exf5 Bxc3
(19...gxf5 20.Nd5 Bxd5 21.cxd5 Qxd5
22.Bxa6=)
20.bxc3 gxf5 21.Rde1
a) 21.Qg3+ Kh8 22.Qg5 Rg8 23.Qf6+
Rg7 24.g3 (24.Bxf5?? Bxg2–+)
24...Qxa3=;
b) 21.Qh4 Re6³;
21...Qxa3 22.Bxf5 Qxc3μ Ruifeng Li
— Raja Panjwani, Philadelphia 2014 (0–
1);
10.f3 (As with the 11.Qd3 line which
we avoided by playing 9...Bd7 instead of
9...Nxd4, White prophylactically defends
the e4-pawn in anticipation of ...Bd7-c6).
10...Nxd4 11.Bxd4 a5 If White plays
ordinary developing moves like 12.Qd2
here then we will transpose into material
we will discuss later, so we will just
consider attempts by White to obtain
immediate play.
(11...Bc6?! 12.b4²)
12.c5
(12.b3 Bc6 13.a3 Nd7 14.Bxg7 Kxg7
15.Qd4+ Kg8 16.b4 Qb6 17.Qxb6
Nxb6=)
12...dxc5 13.Bxc5 Bc6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9+p+-zppvlp0
9-+l+-snp+0
9zp-vL-+-+-0
9-+-+P+-+0
9+-sN-+P+-0
9PzP-+L+PzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
14.Qb3
(14.Qxd8 Rfxd8 15.Bxe7 Rd2=; 14.Rc1
Nd7 15.Be3 a4 16.Qc2 Qa5=)
14...Nd7 15.Be3 Qb8! 16.Rad1 a4
17.Qc4 Rc8 18.Nd5 Bf8!
XIIIIIIIIY
9rwqr+-vlk+0
9+p+nzpp+p0
9-+l+-+p+0
9+-+N+-+-0
9p+Q+P+-+0
9+-+-vLP+-0
9PzP-+L+PzP0
9+-+R+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black may optically appear to be passive
but his compactness is deceptive; all of
Black’s soft spots have been covered and
White has no targets. 19.Nb4 e6 20.Nxc6
Rxc6 21.Qb5 Bc5 22.Bxc5 Nxc5=
10...a5!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9+p+lzppvlp0
9-+nzp-snp+0
9zp-+-+-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+NsN-vL-+-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black immediately targets White’s b3
knight and threatens to gain further space
on the queenside with ...a5-a4 and ...Qd8a5.
11.Nd2
11.f3?! a4 12.Nd2?! a3 13.bxa3 Ng4
14.fxg4 Bxc3μ;
11.a3 a4 12.Nd2 Qa5= Ideas for Black
include ...Be6/...Nd7-c5 or alternatively
...e7-e5/...Nc6-d4.
11...Bc8!
Black’s bishop is misplaced on d7 in
both the 10.Nc2 and 10.Nb3 lines.
Ordinarily Black would prefer to play
...Be6/...Nd7-c5 but there is no time for
that here since White’s f4-f5 comes too
fast.
13.f3 Bd4!N 14.Bxd4 Nxd4 15.Ndb1
e5 16.Na3 Nc5 17.Nab5 Nce6=
13...a4 14.Nd4 Nxd4 15.Bxd4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9+p+nzppvlp0
9-+-zp-+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9p+PvLP+-+0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9+-tRQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
15...Bh6!
is is a fairly common idea when
White’s rook is on c1. Black wants to play
...e7-e5 next, when White has to accept
doubled, isolated e-pawns.
16.Rc2
16.f4 e5 17.Be3 exf4 18.Bxf4 Qb6+
19.Kh1 Bxf4 20.Rxf4 Qxb2 21.Rc2 Qb6
22.Rd2 Ne5 23.Nd5 Qc5 Black’s dark
squares are in theory weak, but without
White’s dark squared bishop on the board
Black has nothing to worry about. On the
other hand, Black’s light squared bishop is
clearly superior to its counterpart.
24.Nf6+ Kg7 25.Rxd6 Be6=
16...e5 17.Be3 Bxe3 18.fxe3 Nc5 19.Rd2
Ra6 20.Bg4 Be6 21.Qe2 Qe7
11...Be6 12.f4 Nd7?? 13.f5+–
12.Rc1 Nd7 13.Nb3
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-trk+0
9+p+-wqp+p0
9r+-zpl+p+0
9+-sn-zp-+-0
9p+P+P+L+0
9+-sN-zP-+-0
9PzP-tRQ+PzP0
9+-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
It is hard to see how either side will
make progress; Black doesn’t particularly
want to play ...f7-f5 because that would
undouble White’s e-pawns, but White has
nothing constructive to do either. Black
can literally play ...Ra6-a8-a6-a8 and wait
for White to do something.
22.Bxe6
22.Nd5? Bxd5 23.exd5 f5μ
22...fxe6 23.Rxf8+ Kxf8 24.Nb5 Kg7
25.Qf3 Rc6 26.Rf2 Rc8 27.Nxd6
27.g4 Rf8 28.Qxf8+ Qxf8 29.Rxf8
Kxf8 30.Nxd6 Ke7 31.Nb5 Nxe4³
27...Qxd6 28.Qf6+ Kg8 29.Qf7+ Kh8
30.Qf6+ Kg8=
3
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Bg7
5.c4 Nc6 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Nc3 0-0 8.Be2 d6
9.0-0 Bd7 10.Nc2
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpp+lzppvlp0
9-+nzp-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+-sN-vL-+-0
9PzPN+LzPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
is move was a real headache for me to
deal with when preparing this book. I did
not have the luxury of recommending the
usual 9...Nxd4 because I was in on the
secret of Smyslov’s powerful 11.Qd3! e
database games were not much help either;
the consensus seems to be that Black must
sit back passively and demonstrate
resiliency in the face of White’s b2-b4 or
f4-f4/g2-g4 expansions (see the
alternatives to 10...Rc8 for an illustration).
I analyzed all kinds of weird ideas for
Black, like ...a7-a5/...Nc6-b4/...Bd7c6/...Nf6-d7-c5, but I realized that
White’s position is too solid for Black to
get away with unprincipled play. I
concluded that if Black is going to be able
to equalize in this line, it will be via
‘healthy’, thematic moves in the spirit of
the opening.
10...Rc8!
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwq-trk+0
9zpp+lzppvlp0
9-+nzp-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+-sN-vL-+-0
9PzPN+LzPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Until around 2012 this was by far the
most popular move, and it still is overall,
but it has been absent from the top games
in the last ve years, particularly in favor
of 10...Qa5. I nd the positions after
10...Qa5 to be overly provocative: Black
does not need to cede as much ground as
he tends to in those lines. After 10...Rc8
we will consider White’s three most
popular attempts.
10...Qa5 11.Qd2 Rfc8 12.Rac1 Ne5
13.b3 Nc6 14.b4 Qd8 15.f4 Bg4 16.Bd3
Be6 17.h3 a5 18.a3 axb4 19.axb4 Nb8
20.Nd5 Bxd5 21.cxd5 Ra2 22.Qe1 Nbd7
23.Nd4 Ra3 24.Qd2 Rca8 25.Kh2 Ra2
26.Rc2 Rxc2 27.Qxc2 Qb6 28.Qc4 Qd8
29.Rc1± 0–1 (42) Swicarz,MCyborowski,L Poland 2015;
10...a6 11.f3 Na7?! 12.Na3 Bc6
13.Qd2 Nd7 14.Rab1 Qb8?! 15.Rfc1 Rc8
16.b4 b6 17.c5 dxc5 18.bxc5 Nb5
19.Naxb5 axb5 20.cxb6 Nxb6 21.Nxb5
Be8 22.Rxc8 Nxc8 23.Qc1!+– 1–0 (47)
Vuckovic,B (2558)-Abramovic,B (2455)
Kraljevo SRB 2015.
11.f3
is is by far White’s most popular
choice. Against White’s other moves Black
plays ...Nc6-e5, but here since White has
committed himself to f2-f3, Black can play
11...Be6! when White’s best plan is to go
for f4-f5, now at the cost of a tempo.
11.Qd2 Ne5
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwq-trk+0
9zpp+lzppvlp0
9-+-zp-snp+0
9+-+-sn-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+-sN-vL-+-0
9PzPNwQLzPPzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
12.b3 White’s most popular move.
a) 12.Na3 Be6 13.b3 Qa5 14.Nab5 a6
15.Nd4 b5=;
b) 12.c5 Bc6! (12...dxc5 13.f4 Nc6
(13...Neg4 14.e5 Nh5 15.h3 Nxe3
16.Qxe3 Bh6 17.Rad1 Qe8 18.Bxh5
gxh5 19.Qf3²) 14.Rad1 Nb8 15.Qe1
(15.e5 Ng4„) 15...Qe8 16.Qh4 b5
(16...Bc6 17.f5 Nbd7 18.Ne1²) 17.f5
b4 18.Nd5 Nxd5 19.Rxd5 Bxb2
20.e5∞) 13.cxd6 Bxe4 14.Bxa7 Qxd6
15.Qxd6 exd6 16.Ne3 Bd3=;
12...b5! 13.f4
(13.cxb5? Qc7 14.Bd4 Nxe4 15.Nxe4
Qxc2 16.Qe3 f5!μ)
13...Neg4 14.Bd4
(14.Bxa7 bxc4 15.b4 Bc6³ 1/2–1/2
(38) Nijboer,F (2525)-Bosch,J (2425)
Amsterdam 1996)
14...bxc4 15.Bxc4
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwq-trk+0
9zp-+lzppvlp0
9-+-zp-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+LvLPzPn+0
9+PsN-+-+-0
9P+NwQ-+PzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
15...e5! 16.fxe5
(16.Bxa7? Qa5 17.Be3 Nxe3 18.Nxe3
exf4 19.Rxf4 Nxe4–+)
16...dxe5 17.Bxa7 Qc7 18.Bf2 Be6!
19.Nb5 Qb7 20.Nd6 Nxe4!³;
11.Rc1 Ne5
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwq-trk+0
9zpp+lzppvlp0
9-+-zp-snp+0
9+-+-sn-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+-sN-vL-+-0
9PzPN+LzPPzP0
9+-tRQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
(11...a6!? 12.f4 b5 13.cxb5 axb5
14.Bxb5 Ng4 15.a4 Nxe3 16.Nxe3
Nd4 17.Bxd7 Qxd7 18.f5 Qa7 19.Kh1
e6 20.Rb1 Rfd8©)
12.b3 is line may be one reason that
Black stopped playing 10...Rc8, but I have
found a new move which seems to revive
Black’s position.
(12.Na3 Qa5 13.f3 Be6 14.Nd5 Nxd5
15.exd5 Bd7
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+-trk+0
9zpp+lzppvlp0
9-+-zp-+p+0
9wq-+Psn-+-0
9-+P+-+-+0
9sN-+-vLP+-0
9PzP-+L+PzP0
9+-tRQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
In general Black has three plans in such
positions: either play ...f7-f5-f4 securing
the e5 square for Black’s knight, or play
...e7-e6 opening up the center with
White’s knight misplaced on a3, and
nally ...a7-a6/...b7-b5 as usual. Here
we will see Black implement a different
idea from these, which works because of
the concrete features of the position.
16.h3 (16.f4 Ng4 17.Bxg4 Bxg4
18.Qxg4 Bxb2 19.Nb5 Bxc1 20.Rxc1
Rxc4!–+) 16...g5!?
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+-trk+0
9zpp+lzppvlp0
9-+-zp-+-+0
9wq-+Psn-zp-0
9-+P+-+-+0
9sN-+-vLP+P0
9PzP-+L+P+0
9+-tRQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Not the only move for Black, but
certainly his most aesthetically appealing
option. 17.Qe1 (17.Rc2 h6 18.f4 gxf4
19.Rxf4 f5„; 17.Bxg5?! Qb6+ 18.Rf2
h6 19.Bd2 Qxb2 20.Nb1 Qxa2³)
17...Qxe1 18.Rfxe1 f5 19.Bxg5
(19.Bxa7 g4©) 19...Nf7 20.Bxe7 Rfe8
21.Bd1 Bxb2 22.Rb1 Bxa3 23.Rxb7
Ne5 24.Rxe5 Bc5+ 25.Kf1 dxe5
26.Bxc5 Rxc5 27.Rxd7 Rxc4 28.Rxa7
Rd4=)
12...Qa5!N
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+-trk+0
9zpp+lzppvlp0
9-+-zp-snp+0
9wq-+-sn-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+PsN-vL-+-0
9P+N+LzPPzP0
9+-tRQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
An important novelty. White is forced
to make a decision of how to deal with the
hanging c3-knight, and Black will respond
accordingly.
a) 12...a6 13.Nd4! Were it not for this
move, 12...a6 would be ne for Black.
13...Qa5 (13...Neg4 14.Bd2 Qb6
15.Nc2²) 14.Nd5! Nxd5 (14...Qd8
15.f3 Nxd5 16.exd5 e6 17.dxe6 fxe6∞)
15.exd5 f5 16.a4 Ng4 17.Bxg4 fxg4
18.Re1²;
b) 12...b5?! is is thematic but
unfortunately Black’s compensation is
inadequate. 13.Nxb5 Nxe4 (13...Bxb5
14.cxb5 Nxe4 15.f4 Nd7 16.Nd4±)
14.Nxa7 Ra8 15.a4 Nc5 16.Bxc5 dxc5
17.Nb5 Qb6 18.Qd2 Rfd8 19.Qe3 Bf5
20.Nb4 e6 21.Rfd1 Rab8 22.Nd3²;
13.Qd2
a) 13.Nd4 Neg4! (13...a6 14.Nd5!
(14.h3 b5 15.f4 Nc6 16.cxb5 Nxd4
17.Bxd4 axb5=; 14.f3 b5 15.cxb5 axb5
16.Ndxb5 Bxb5 17.Nxb5 Rxc1
18.Qxc1 Qxa2=) 14...Rfe8 15.b4 (15.a4
Nxd5 16.exd5 e6 17.dxe6 (17.f4 Nxc4!
18.bxc4 exd5μ) 17...fxe6 18.f4 Nf7
19.Bf3 d5=) 15...Qd8 16.f4! (16.Nxf6+
exf6! 17.Qd2 Nc6 18.f3 f5„) 16...Neg4
(16...Nc6 17.Nc2±) 17.Nxf6+ Nxf6
18.e5 Ne4 19.e6 fxe6 20.Bg4 Bxd4
21.Bxd4 Nf6 22.Be2 Rf8 23.Qb3²)
14.Bd2 Qc5 (14...Nxh2 15.Ncb5 Qb6
16.Kxh2 a6 17.Be3 axb5 18.Ne6 Qa5
19.Nxf8²) 15.Nf3 (15.Nc2 Compare
this to the analogous position in the
12...a6 line, where Black’s queen is on
b6 instead of c5. ere, Black’s next
move is unavailable to him. 15...Qe5!
16.g3 Qh5 17.h4 Qc5=) 15...Rfe8
16.h3 Ne5 17.a4 a6 18.Nxe5 Qxe5
19.Bd3 Qh5! 20.Qxh5 Nxh5=
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+r+k+0
9+p+lzppvlp0
9p+-zp-+p+0
9+-+-+-+n0
9P+P+P+-+0
9+PsNL+-+P0
9-+-vL-zPP+0
9+-tR-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
In general Black should be happy to
exchange queens in this line of the
Maroczy. Here, Black will consider
relocating his h5 knight to c5, or
perhaps instead he will relocate his g7
bishop to a7 and keep the knight on f6.
Eventually things will zzle out: White
will play Nd5, Black will take it with
either knight or bishop, and rooks will
get exchanged on the c- le. As always,
Black’s counterplay is to be found in
...f7-f5 or ...b7-b5.;
b) 13.Bd2 Qb6 14.Nd5 Nxd5 15.exd5
f5„;
13...b5!
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+-trk+0
9zp-+lzppvlp0
9-+-zp-snp+0
9wqp+-sn-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+PsN-vL-+-0
9P+NwQLzPPzP0
9+-tR-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Now that White’s c3-knight is ‘pinned’,
Nc3xb5 is no longer possible as it was
after 12...b5. 14.Nd5
(14.b4 Qc7 15.c5 Rfd8„; 14.Nxb5?!
Qxd2 15.Bxd2 Nxe4 16.Be3 a6
17.Nbd4 f5„)
14...Qxd2 15.Bxd2
(15.Nxe7+ Kh8 16.Bxd2 Rce8 17.Nd5
Nxe4=)
15...Nxd5 16.cxd5 f5 17.exf5 gxf5 e
position is dynamically equal. Black has
obvious static weaknesses, but he also has
more central pawns and active pieces. I
will just give a sample variation for how
play could continue.
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+-trk+0
9zp-+lzp-vlp0
9-+-zp-+-+0
9+p+Psnp+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+P+-+-+-0
9P+NvLLzPPzP0
9+-tR-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
18.Nd4 a6 19.a4 bxa4 20.bxa4 Bxa4
21.Bxa6 Rxc1 22.Rxc1 Bd7 23.Nc6 Ra8
24.Bb5 Kf8 25.Bg5 Ng6=
11...Be6!
11...a6
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwq-trk+0
9+p+lzppvlp0
9p+nzp-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+-sN-vLP+-0
9PzPN+L+PzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
12.Rc1!
(12.Qd2 Ne5 13.Na3 (13.b3 b5
14.cxb5 Qa5 15.b4 Qc7 16.Bd4 Nc4!
(16...Bxb5 17.Ne3 Nc4 18.Nxc4 Bxc4
19.Rac1 Qb7=) 17.Qc1 axb5„)
13...Be6 14.Nd5 Bxd5 (14...Nfd7?!
15.Rac1 (15.Bd4 Nc6 16.Bxg7 (16.Be3
f5 17.Nf4 Bf7∞) 16...Kxg7 17.Kh1 a5
18.Nc2 Nc5 19.Nce3 f6²) 15...f5
16.exf5 gxf5?! (16...Bxf5 17.Rfd1²)
17.f4 Nc6 (17...Ng4 18.Bxg4 fxg4
19.f5 Bf7 20.b3 Nf6 21.Nxf6+ exf6
22.Rf4 h5 23.Rd4±) 18.Bf3 Nc5
19.Rfe1 Bf7 20.b4 Ne4 21.Bxe4 fxe4
22.b5 Nb8 23.Bb6± 1–0 (53)
Young,G-Panjwani,R Las Vegas 2013)
15.exd5 (15.cxd5 e6=) 15...e6 16.dxe6
fxe6 17.Rad1 (17.b4 d5=) 17...d5 18.c5
Nfd7 19.Rc1 (19.b4 a5=) 19...d4
20.Bg5 (20.Bxd4 Nxc5³) 20...Nf6=)
12...Ne5?!
(12...Be6 A recommendation of
Khalifman. 13.Nd5! (13.Na3 Nd7
14.Qd2 Qa5 15.Rfd1 f5! 16.exf5 Bxf5
17.Qd5+?! Qxd5 18.cxd5 Nb4 19.g4?!
Bd3 20.Bxd3 Rxf3μ) 13...Nd7 14.b4 f5
15.exf5 Bxf5 16.b5±)
13.c5!! A brilliant computer-move!
(13.Na3 Be6 14.Nd5 Nfd7 15.f4 Nc6=
Black will continue with ...f7-f5; White’s
knight is awkward on a3.)
13...dxc5 14.f4 Neg4
(14...Nc6 15.e5 Ne8 16.Bf3 b6 17.Rf2!
Be6 18.Qxd8 Nxd8 19.Na4 Rb8
20.b4±)
15.e5 Nxe3 16.Nxe3 Ne8 17.Rc2! b5
18.Rd2 Rc7 19.a4±;
11...Na5 12.b3 a6
(12...Ng4 13.Bd2! Qb6+ (13...Ne5
14.Rc1 (14.f4 Nexc4!„) 14...f5 15.f4
Nf7 16.exf5 Bxf5 17.Ne3±) 14.Kh1
Nf2+ 15.Rxf2 Qxf2 16.Nd5+–)
13.Qd2 b5 14.cxb5
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwq-trk+0
9+-+lzppvlp0
9p+-zp-snp+0
9snP+-+-+-0
9-+-+P+-+0
9+PsN-vLP+-0
9P+NwQL+PzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
14...Qc7
(14...Rxc3 15.Qxc3 Nd5 16.Qd2 Nxe3
17.Nxe3±; 14...Ng4 15.Bd4 e5 16.Ba7!
±)
15.Bd4 Bxb5
(15...axb5 16.Nb4 Qb8 17.Kh1 Nc6
18.Nxc6 Bxc6 19.a4±)
16.Bxb5 axb5
(16...e5 17.Nb4 exd4 18.Ncd5 Nxd5
19.Nxd5 Qa7 20.Bd3 Nc6 21.f4 Ne7
22.Nxe7+ Qxe7 23.Bxa6 Rc3 24.Bd3±)
17.Rac1 Qb7 18.Nd5 Nxd5
(18...e5 19.Be3 Nxd5 20.exd5 Ra8
21.Nb4±)
19.Bxg7 Kxg7 20.exd5±;
11...Ne5 12.b3 a6 13.Nd5 Nxd5
14.exd5 f5 15.Qd2 b5 16.cxb5 axb5
17.Nd4²
12.f4
is is the computer’s recommendation
— machines don’t have egos about
blatantly losing tempos.
12.Qd2 Nd7 13.Rac1
(13.Rab1 f5 14.exf5 Bxf5=; 13.Nd5
Bxb2 14.Rab1 Bg7 15.Rxb7 Nc5=)
13...Re8!
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwqr+k+0
9zpp+nzppvlp0
9-+nzpl+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+-sN-vLP+-0
9PzPNwQL+PzP0
9+-tR-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Prophylaxis! Black would like to play
13...Qa5 instead, but that allows 14.b4!
which works because of Black’s e7-pawn
being weak.
(13...Qa5?! 14.b4! Nxb4 15.Nd5 Nc6
16.Qxa5 Nxa5 17.Nxe7++–)
14.b3
(14.Rfd1 Qa5=; 14.f4 Nc5 15.Nd4
Nxd4 16.Bxd4 Qb6 17.Be3 Qb4=)
fortunately we don’t need to in light of
12...Qa5! 24...Bd4
(24...d5!?∞)
14...Qa5 15.Nd4 Nxd4 16.Bxd4
Bxd4+ 17.Qxd4 Qc5 18.Qxc5 Nxc5=
25.Bd7 Nb6 26.Nxb6 Bxb6 27.Bxe6
Bd4 28.b4±
12...Qa5!
13.Rc1!
e most logical choice: White takes his
rook off the h8-a1 diagonal on which it
was vulnerable after b2-b4, and by X-ray
defends both the c3-knight and c4-pawn.
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+nzplsnp+0
9wq-+-+-+-0
9-+P+PzP-+0
9+-sN-vL-+-0
9PzPN+L+PzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black threatens a discovery attack on the
c4-pawn with either ...Nc6-b4(b8), when
White’s usual b2-b3 is impossible because
of the hanging c3 knight.
12...a6 is followed by 13...b5 almost
works but not quite. e opposite colored
bishop endgame which results is highly
unpleasant for Black, even if objectively
drawn. 13.Rc1
(13.Qd2 Na5 14.b3 b5 15.cxb5 axb5
16.Bxb5 Qc7 17.Bd4 Bxb3!μ)
13...b5 14.cxb5 axb5 15.Bxb5 Ng4
16.f5!
(16.Bxc6 Nxe3 17.Nxe3 Qb6 18.Qd2
Rxc6©)
16...Nxe3 17.Nxe3 Qb6 18.fxe6 Qxe3+
19.Kh1 fxe6 20.Rxf8+ Kxf8 21.Na4 Na7
22.Rxc8+ Nxc8 23.Qf3+ Qxf3 24.gxf3 It
won’t surprise me if Black can nd a plan
to force a draw in this endgame, but
13.a3 Nb8!
XIIIIIIIIY
9-snr+-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+-zplsnp+0
9wq-+-+-+-0
9-+P+PzP-+0
9zP-sN-vL-+-0
9-zPN+L+PzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
14.Nd5
(14.b4 Qd8³ White’s c4-pawn falls.)
14...Qd8 15.Bd3
(15.f5 Bd7 16.Bxa7 Nxd5 17.Qxd5
Bc6 18.Qd3 Bxb2 19.Rab1 Be5=)
15...Nbd7 16.Nd4 Bg4=;
13.g4 Nb4!
(13...Nb8!?)
14.Nxb4 Qxb4 15.a3 Qa5 16.Nd5
Nxd5 17.exd5 Bd7=
13...Qa6!
13...Nb4?! 14.Nxb4 Qxb4 15.b3²;
13...Nb8?! 14.Nd5 Qd8 15.Nxf6+ Bxf6
16.Nd4² Note that were White’s rook not
on c1 the c4-pawn would be hanging.
14.b3
14.Na3 Nxe4! 15.Nxe4 Bxb2 16.Nb5
Bxc1 17.Qxc1 Qxa2 18.Nbc3 Qa5„
14...Ng4 15.Bxg4 Bxg4
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9q+nzp-+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+P+PzPl+0
9+PsN-vL-+-0
9P+N+-+PzP0
9+-tRQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
16.Qd2!
16.Qxg4 Bxc3 17.a4 White is searching
for harmony, and Black must act fast to
prevent White from nding it. 17...Na5!
(17...Qa5 18.Rcd1 Bg7 19.Qe2²)
18.Rb1
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+-trk+0
9zpp+-zpp+p0
9q+-zp-+p+0
9sn-+-+-+-0
9P+P+PzPQ+0
9+Pvl-vL-+-0
9-+N+-+PzP0
9+R+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
18...Nxb3! 19.Rxb3 Qxc4 20.Rfb1
Qxe4 21.Qe2 Rc4 22.Na3 Rxa4 23.Rxc3
Rxa3 24.Rbc1 Rxc3 25.Rxc3 a5=
16...Bd7 17.f5 Qa5 18.Nd4 Rfe8!
19.Rcd1 a6 20.a4 Ne5
20...Be5 21.Nd5 Qxd2 22.Rxd2 Bxd4
23.Bxd4 Nxd4 24.Rxd4 Bc6 25.Nb6
Rcd8 26.Rfd1
(26.b4 e5 27.fxe6 Rxe6=)
26...a5 27.c5²
21.h3 Bc6²
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+r+k+0
9+p+-zppvlp0
9p+lzp-+p+0
9wq-+-snP+-0
9P+PsNP+-+0
9+PsN-vL-+P0
9-+-wQ-+P+0
9+-+R+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
is is one of the few times in the book
where I’ll give White a slight advantage in
a main recommendation. e reader
should be suspicious of authors who claim
pure equality in all lines in anything other
than the most topical lines of the Ruy
Lopez or perhaps the Najdorf Sicilian.
is is the sort of += we have to live with
as Accelerated Dragon players. White
played very well to get here; he had to
navigate his way around many landmines.
After all that, we can seek consolation in
the fact that objectively speaking, there are
only three results in chess, and ‘+=’ is just
short-hand for ‘= after accurate play’. e
onus is on White to improve his position;
Black can shift his pieces around until
White makes a concession. For example, if
White goes for g4-g5, then Black may
relocate his knight to c5 via d7, and place
his bishop on e5, perhaps combined with
...Qa5-b4.
4
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Bg7
5.c4 Nc6 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Nc3 0-0 8.Be2 d6
9.0-0 Bd7 10.Qd2 Nxd4 11.Bxd4 Bc6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+lzp-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+PvLP+-+0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9PzP-wQLzPPzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Here White’s main alternative to 12.f3
is 12.Bd3.
12.Bd3
A move rst played by GM (and now
professor of economics at Harvard) Ken
Rogoff against Bent Larsen in 1976. By
abstaining from f2-f3, White intends to
meet ...Nf6-d7 with the exchange of dark
squared bishops, followed by the rook lift
Ra1(f1)-e1–e3-h3, threatening Qd2-h6.
12.Rfd1 e5 13.Be3 Nxe4 14.Nxe4 Bxe4
15.Qxd6 Qh4=;
12.Qe3 e5 13.Bxa7 Nxe4!N 14.Nxe4
Bxe4 15.Rfd1 Bc6! 16.Bc5 dxc5 17.Rxd8
Rfxd8= I’d rather be Black: ...e5-e4 and
...Bg7-d4 are to follow.
12...a6!? is was Larsen’s choice against
Rogoff. It appears to be perfectly sound
and deserves further research. 13.Rfe1
(13.b4 b5 14.cxb5 axb5 15.Qe2 Qd7
16.a4 bxa4 17.b5 Bb7 18.Nxa4 Qg4
19.f3 Qg5=)
13...Rb8 14.a4 a5 15.Nd5 Nd7
16.Bxg7 Kxg7 17.Re3 e5 18.Rh3 h5
19.Nc3 Nc5 20.Bc2 Qe7 21.Rd1 Rbd8=
1/2–1/2 (40) Rogoff,K (2480)-Larsen,B
(2625) Biel 1976.
13.Rae1
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9+p+-zppvlp0
9-+lzp-snp+0
9zp-+-+-+-0
9-+PvLP+-+0
9+-sNL+-+-0
9PzP-wQ-zPPzP0
9+-+-tRRmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
White is anticipating Black’s ...Nf6-d7,
and preemptively initiating his thematic
rook lift. Black, however, need not
comply.
13.b3 Nd7 14.Bxg7 Kxg7
12...a5
By far Black’s most popular choice.
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-tr-+0
9+p+nzppmkp0
9-+lzp-+p+0
9zp-+-+-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+PsNL+-+-0
9P+-wQ-zPPzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
15.Rfe1 Once played by a 14-year old
Magnus Carlsen!
(15.Rae1 Nc5 16.Re3 e5! 17.Rh3 h5
18.f4 exf4 19.Qxf4 (19.Rxf4 a4!„)
19...Qe7=)
15...Qb6! Black threatens ...Qb6d4/...Nd7-c5. If Black manages to
exchange queens he will have the ‘better
half ’ of an equal endgame.
a) 15...Re8 16.Re3 Qb6 17.Rh3 Kg8
18.Qh6 Nf6 19.Be2 Kh8 20.g4‚;
b) 15...Nc5 16.Bc2 (16.Bf1 e6 17.Re3
Qf6 18.Rae1 e5 19.Nb5 Rfd8 20.Nc7
Ra7 21.a3 b6 22.Nd5 Bxd5 23.exd5 a4
24.b4 Nb3 25.Qd1 Qg5³ 1/2–1/2 (25)
Shabalov, A (2520)-Panjwani,R (2422)
Dearborn 2013) 16...b6 17.a3²;
16.Bf1 is was 14-year old (but still
nearly 2600–rated) Carlsen’s choice.
a) 16.Bc2 Qc5 17.Nd5 (17.Re3 a4
18.Rh3 Nf6 19.Qh6+ Kg8 20.Rd1
axb3 21.axb3 Ra5=) 17...e6 18.Qc3+ e5
19.Rad1 Rfd8 20.Rd3 Nf8! 21.Qd2
Ne6=;
b) 16.Nd5 Bxd5 17.exd5 Qd4 18.Rad1
Ne5 19.Bc2 Qxd2 20.Rxd2 g5! 21.Rd4
Rab8 22.a4 Rh8! 23.f4 gxf4 24.Rxf4
Rbg8 25.Bf5 b6 26.Kf2 Kf8=;
16...a4!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-tr-+0
9+p+nzppmkp0
9-wqlzp-+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9p+P+P+-+0
9+PsN-+-+-0
9P+-wQ-zPPzP0
9tR-+-tRLmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
a) 16...Qc5 17.Rad1 Rfd8 18.Re3 e6
19.Qxd6 (19.Rd3 Nf6=) 19...Qxd6
20.Rxd6 Nc5 21.Rxd8 Rxd8 22.f3²;
b) 16...Ne5 17.Nd5 Bxd5 18.exd5 e6
19.Rad1 exd5 20.Qxd5² 1/2–1/2 (65)
Carlsen,M (2581)-Lie, K (2474)
Drammen 2004;
17.Qb2 Ne5 18.Nd5 Bxd5 19.exd5
axb3 20.axb3 f6 21.Qc3 g5= In such
positions Queens and Knights tend to
cooperate better than Queens and
Bishops.;
13.Rfe1 a4 14.Nd5 Nd7 15.Bxg7 Kxg7
16.Re3 e5 17.Rh3 h5 18.Ne3 Rh8 19.Rg3
Nc5 20.Rd1 h4 21.Rh3 Bxe4μ 0–1 (47)
Kramnik-Grischuk, WCh Candidates
KAZ 2011.
13...a4!
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9+p+-zppvlp0
9-+lzp-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9p+PvLP+-+0
9+-sNL+-+-0
9PzP-wQ-zPPzP0
9+-+-tRRmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Here all the games in the database
continue with 14.Nd5 in order to prevent
Black’s ...Qd8-a5.
13...Nd7?! 14.Bxg7 Kxg7 15.Re3 Qb6
16.Rh3
(16.Nd5 Bxd5 17.exd5 Rfe8 18.Qc3+
Kg8 19.Rfe1²)
16...h5 17.Rxh5 gxh5 18.Qg5+ Kh8
19.Qxh5+ Kg7 20.Qg5+ Kh8 21.e5‚
14.Nd5
14.f4 Qa5 15.e5 Ng4 16.h3 dxe5
17.fxe5 Nxe5–+
14...Nd7
Now that White has ‘wasted’ a move
with Nc3-d5, Black is in time to counter
White’s attack after the exchange of darksquared bishops.
14...e6 15.Nb4!
(15.Bb6 Qd7 16.Nb4 (16.Nxf6+ Bxf6
17.Rd1 d5 18.Bb1 d4 19.Qf4 Bg7
20.e5 Bxg2! 21.Rxd4 Qc6 22.Rd6 Qf3
23.Qxf3 Bxf3 24.Re1 Rfc8„ 1/2–1/2
(85) Tomazini,Z (2411)-Krumpacnik,D
(2290) Ptuj SLO 2015) 16...Qe7
17.Bd4 Qc7 18.f4 Nd7 19.Bxg7 Kxg7
20.Kh1 (20.f5 Qb6+ 21.Kh1 Qd4=)
20...Qb6 21.Qc3+ Kg8 22.f5 Ne5
23.f6 Qc5 24.Qd2 Kh8 25.Qh6 Rg8
26.Rf4?? g5–+)
15...Bd7 16.Rd1 Qe7 17.Rfe1 Rfc8
18.Bf1 e5 19.Bb6 Be6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+r+-+k+0
9+p+-wqpvlp0
9-vL-zplsnp+0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9psNP+P+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9PzP-wQ-zPPzP0
9+-+RtRLmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
20.b3
(¹20.Nd5 Nxd5 21.cxd5 Bd7 22.Rc1
f5 23.f3 fxe4 24.fxe4 Qh4 25.Qb4 Bh6
26.Rxc8+ Rxc8 27.Bf2 Qe7 28.Qxb7±)
20...axb3 21.axb3 Nd7 22.Be3 Nc5
23.Qxd6 Qxd6 24.Rxd6 Nxb3= 1/2–1/2
(36) Wojtaszek,R (2727)-Mamedov,R
(2650) Huai’an 2016.
15.Bxg7 Kxg7 16.Re3
16.Qc3+ e5 17.Ne3 Nc5 18.f3 Qa5
19.Qxa5 Rxa5 20.Rd1 Ra6 21.Bb1 Rb6
22.Rf2 Rd8 23.Rdd2 Kf8 24.Rfe2 Ke7
25.Kf1 Ra8 26.Ke1 f6 27.Kd1 Ne6
28.Kc1 Nd4³ 0–1 (64) Moreno Ibanez,M
(2210)-Moreno Ruiz,J (2470) La Roda
2015.
16...e5!
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-tr-+0
9+p+n+pmkp0
9-+lzp-+p+0
9+-+Nzp-+-0
9p+P+P+-+0
9+-+LtR-+-0
9PzP-wQ-zPPzP0
9+-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Not only does this move take rm grip
over the d4-square, Black also uncovers his
Queen’s defense of the important g5square which in many variations prevents
Qd2-g5.
17.Rh3 h5 18.Ne3
18.f4 Bxd5 19.exd5 Qa5 20.Qxa5 Rxa5
21.f5 Nf6 22.fxg6 e4 23.Be2 fxg6=;
18.g4?! Bxd5 19.exd5 Nf6 20.gxh5
Nxh5 21.Rxh5 gxh5 22.Kh1 Qf6 23.f4
e4! 24.Qg2+ Kh6 25.Qxe4 Rh8μ
18...Nc5
18...Rh8!? 19.Nd1 Nc5 20.Nc3 Ne6
21.Rd1 Qb6 22.Bf1 Rad8 23.Rd3 Nd4=
1/2–1/2 (32) Espinosa Aranda, A (2399)Vazquez Igarza,R (2597) Madrid 2015.
19.Rxh5?!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-tr-+0
9+p+-+pmk-0
9-+lzp-+p+0
9+-sn-zp-+R0
9p+P+P+-+0
9+-+LsN-+-0
9PzP-wQ-zPPzP0
9+-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
19...Nxd3! 20.Nf5+ Kf6! 21.Qxd3 gxf5
22.Rxf5+ Ke7μ
0–1 (28) Jerez Perez, A (2405)-Herraiz
Hidalgo, H (2442) Barcelona 2015.
5
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Bg7
5.c4 Nc6 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Nc3 0-0 8.Be2 d6
9.0-0 Bd7 10.Qd2 Nxd4 11.Bxd4 Bc6
12.f3
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9tR-+-+RmK-0
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12...Nd7
12...a5 It is hard to say which move
order — 12...a5 or 12...Nd7 is more
accurate. In practice neither is because
they will quickly transpose. 13.b3 Nd7
14.Be3 Nc5 transposes to 12...Nd7.
13.Bf2!?
is is only played about 6% of the
time, 13.Be3 being by far the most
popular (80%), and 13.Bxg7 second most
(13%). However, this move has at least
two clear advantages over 13.Be3:
1) As we will see, it is helpful for the
bishop to be less vulnerable on f2 than it
is on e3 in the ...Qb6 lines.
2) In the ...e6/...Be5 lines, a common
idea for Black is to play ...Qd8-h4,
which is now impossible.
13.b4 Bxd4+ 14.Qxd4 Qb6 15.Qxb6
Nxb6=;
13.Bxg7 Kxg7 14.Kh1 is was GM
Oliver Barbosa’s choice against me in
2016. I managed to win the game, but
both our play could have been
signi cantly improved upon. 14...a5 15.f4
a4 16.Nd5
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9PzP-wQL+PzP0
9tR-+-+R+K0
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16...Bxd5
(16...Qa5!? is was my choice against
Barbosa. 17.Qe3 (17.b4!? axb3 18.Qb2+
Nf6 19.axb3 Qd8 20.Rxa8 Qxa8=;
17.Qxa5 Rxa5 18.Nxe7 Bxe4μ)
17...Qc5 18.Qc3+ e5?! (18...Nf6!
19.Nxf6 exf6 20.Bf3 b5=) 19.Rad1
Rae8 20.f5 (20.Bg4 Nb6 21.Nxb6
Qxb6 22.Rxd6 Qc5 23.Rfd1 Bxe4=;
20.fxe5! Nxe5 21.b4 axb3 22.axb3±)
20...Bxd5 21.Rxd5 Qc7 22.Qd2 Nf6
23.Rxd6
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23...Rd8! (23...Nxe4 24.f6+ Kh8
25.Qh6 Rg8 26.Rd3 g5 27.Qxh7+
Kxh7 28.Rh3+ Kg6 29.Bh5+ Kh7
30.Bxf7#) 24.c5 Rxd6 (24...Nxe4
25.f6+ Kh8 26.Qh6 Rg8 27.Rf3 g5
28.Qxh7+ Kxh7 29.Rh3+ Kg6
30.Bh5+ Kf5 31.Rf3#) 25.cxd6 Qc6
26.fxg6 hxg6 27.Bf3 Rd8 28.Rd1 Nxe4
29.Qa5 Qc5!³ Barbosa-Panjwani, NY
Int 2016 0–1)
17.exd5 Qa5 18.Qd4+ Kg8 19.Rf3 Qc5
20.Qd3
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20...f5! 21.Re3 Nf6 22.Bf3 Rfe8
23.Rae1 b5! 24.cxb5 Rab8=
13...a5 14.b3 Nc5 15.Rab1 e6
15...Qb6 16.a3 Qd8 is has been
played a few times by Tiviakov and
Larsen. Black is sitting back and waiting
for White to ‘do something’ like b3-b4 in
which case Black at present has adequate
counterplay. at being said, if White
calmly continues developing then
eventually he will achieve a favorable b3b4, and by ‘wasting’ time with ...Qd8-b6d8 Black’s counterplay has been stalled.
(16...Nxb3?? 17.Qd1!+– Note that if
White’s bishop were on e3, this would not
be possible.) 17.Bd1!?
(17.b4?! axb4 18.axb4 Ra3„)
17...b6 18.Bc2 Qb8 19.Rfc1 Rc8
20.b4²
16.Rfd1
16.Nb5 is is premature; White
should rst lure Black’s bishop to e5 (with
16.Rfd1) so that he can later gain a tempo
with f3-f4. Now Black can do without
...Bg7-e5 because he is in time to connect
his rooks. 16...Bxb5 17.cxb5 Qe7 18.b6
(18.Rfd1 Rfd8 19.b6 d5=)
18...Rfc8!
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(18...Rfd8 19.Rfc1! Preventing Black’s
freeing ...d6-d5.)
19.Rfd1 d5! A long forcing variation
results in equality. 20.exd5 exd5 21.Qxd5
Qxe2 22.Bxc5 Bf8! 23.Bxf8 Rc2 24.f4
Rd8!! 25.Qf3 Qxf3 26.gxf3 Rxd1+
27.Rxd1 Kxf8 28.Rd7 Rxa2 29.Rxb7 Rb2
30.Ra7 Rxb3 31.Rxa5 Rxb6=
16...Be5 17.Nb5
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20.Rc4?!
(20.Qe3 Rad8 21.f4 Bg7 22.g4 Bh6!
23.g5 Bg7 24.Bg4 f6!³)
20...d5! 21.exd5 exd5 22.Bh4 Qc7
23.Qxd5 Bxh2+ 24.Kh1 Rae8 25.Bf1 Re6
26.Qg5 Re5 27.Qf6?? Rh5 28.Rg4
(28.g4 Be5 29.gxh5 Bxf6 30.Bxf6 Qg3
31.Bg2 Ne6 32.Rg4 Qf2–+)
Compare this with the analogous line
after 13.Be3. ere, 17.Nb5 is just a
blunder because of 17...Qh4!
28...Be5 29.Qc6 Qxc6 30.bxc6 f5
31.Rc4 g5–+ 0–1 (37) Findlay,IPanjwani,R Calgary 2016.
17...Bxb5 18.cxb5 Qe7!?
18...b6!? is was my choice when I
faced this position over the board. Precise
move orders are not so important here;
Black will eventually play both ...b6 and
...Qe7, then look for opportunities to
break with ...d6-d5. 19.Rbc1 Qe7
19.Qe3 b6 20.f4 Bg7
20...Bf6!? is also possible.
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21.Rd2
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We have been following MaciejaZaninotto, 2016. Here I recommend an
improvement which turns out to be a
fairly thematic way of handling such
positions.
25...e5! 26.b4 axb4 27.axb4 Na4
28.Qb3 Nc3 29.Bxb6 Nxd1 30.Rxd1 exf4
31.Bxc7 Qxc7 32.Qd5 Rb8 33.Be2 f3!
34.gxf3 Bf4=
21...Bh6!
Since White does not possess a knight
to plant on d5, Black is able to go for the
...e6-e5 push, which also unleashes
pressure on the weak e4-pawn.
23...dxe5
23...d5 24.Rc2 Rc8
21...Rfd8 22.Rbd1
(22.g4!? is would have been a better
try for Macieja. 22...e5 23.f5 Bf6
24.Qf3²)
22...Rac8 23.a3 Bh6! 24.Bg4 Rc7
Zaninotto should have maintained some
pressure on the c- le.
(24...Rb8? 25.b4 axb4 26.axb4 Nxe4
27.Qxe4 f5 28.Qf3 (28.Qe1 fxg4
29.Bh4 g5 30.fxg5 Bxg5 31.Bxg5 Qxg5
32.Qxe6+±) 28...fxg4 29.Qxg4±
Macieja-Zaninotto, Najdorf Memorial
2016)
25.Qf3
(25.b4 axb4 26.axb4 Na4³)
25...e5! 26.b4 axb4 27.axb4 Na4
22.Rbd1 Rad8 23.e5
23.Bf3 e5 24.g3 Rfe8„
(24...f6 25.Bh4 g5 26.exf6 Rxf6
27.Bxg5 Bxg5 28.fxg5 Rf5 29.h4²)
25.Rdc1 f6 26.Bh4 Bg7 27.a3²
24.Qxe5 Bg7 25.Qe3 Rxd2 26.Rxd2
Rd8=
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6
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Bg7
5.c4 Nc6 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Nc3 0-0 8.Be2 d6
9.0-0 Bd7 10.Qd2 Nxd4 11.Bxd4 Bc6
12.f3 Nd7 13.Be3 a5
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9tR-+-+RmK-0
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Most people automatically play 14.b3
here, but it isn’t technically necessary to do
so immediately. If White wants to expand
on the queenside, though, b2-b3 is
inevitable, as a direct a2-a3 will invariably
be met by ...a5-a4!
14.b3
14.Rab1 Nc5
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(14...a4 15.b4 axb3 16.axb3²)
15.Kh1 GM Fedorowicz played this
against me and then offered a draw the
next move.
(15.Rfd1 Be5 16.Bg5 (16.Bd4 Ne6=)
16...Ne6 17.Bh6 Re8 18.b3 Nc5
19.Qe3 e6 20.Nb5 Bxb5 21.cxb5 b6
22.f4 Bg7 23.Bxg7 Kxg7 24.Rb2
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24...d5! White’s weak dark squares
justify the following pawn sacri ce to
open les and diagonals. 25.exd5 exd5
26.Qd4+ Kg8 27.Qxd5 Qe7 28.Qf3
Rad8©)
15...a4 16.Rfc1 1/2–1/2 FedorowiczPanjwani 2015
(16.Bg5 Ne6 17.Be3 Nc5=; 16.Nd5 e6
17.Nb4 Qe7„)
16...Be5 is is likely how I would have
played on if I had declined Fed’s draw
offer.
(16...f5!? It’s nice to always have this
option in a must-win type situation, but
in general I think Black should hold off
on ...f7-f5 until he at least connects his
rooks, or until White does something to
disrupt the harmony in his position (like
Nc3-b5).
17.exf5 Rxf5 18.Nd5
(18.b4 axb3 19.axb3 Ra3 20.Bd1 Qf8!
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is such a mess that in a practical game
both sides have equal chances.)
17.b4 axb3 18.axb3 Ra3 19.Bd1 e6
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20.Bg5
(20.b4? Qh4 21.Bg1 Qf6 22.bxc5 Bxc3
23.Qe2 d5!³)
20...f6
(20...Qd7!? 21.b4 Na4 22.Bxa4
(22.Ne2 b5!„) 22...Bxa4 23.b5 Qc7!
24.f4 Bg7 25.f5 Be5 26.Ne2 e
computer calls this equal but I nd it a
little awkward to function with my
bishop stranded on a4 so I prefer 20...f6
instead.)
21.Bh4 g5 22.Bg3 Bxg3 23.hxg3 e5
e ‘degenerate’ plan of ...Rf5-h5 and
...Qf8-f6-h4 is actually Black’s best here.
21.Nb5 Ra8 22.b4 Ne4!∞)
18...Qf8∞ is is probably ‘objectively’
+= (whatever that means) but the position
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I like the look of Black’s dark-squared
Stonewall formation (shift Black’s g,f,e,dpawns to the right one square). 24.b4
Ne6=
14...Nc5
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e rst stage of Black’s plan is
complete. Far and away the most common
(nearly 80% of the time) way to continue
for Black is with the spectacular, if
unbelievable ...Qb6, ...Rfc8, ...h5, ...Qd8,
...Kh7, and ...Qh8 with pressure on the
long diagonal. is is the line I mentioned
early in the book, which Mamedov
suggested was equal. Playing this plan on
autopilot has its appeal, but because of its
extravagance most White players are aware
of it nowadays, and will not be caught off
guard. e line I recommend in lieu of
this is, in contrast, quite rare (it is played
only about 8% of the time, but it has been
growing in popularity) and in my
judgment equally sound, but with far
greater surprise value. e idea is to ght
for the center with ...e7-e6 and ...Bg7-e5,
ideally followed by ...f7-f5. Black’s bishop
is rather safe on e5, because White can
scarcely achieve f3-f4 without losing the
e4-pawn. White tends to focus his
attention in one (or more) of three
directions: either he will directly target the
weakness on d6 that Black creates after
...e7-e6, or he will try to achieve f3-f4
which indirectly targets d6 by hitting its
defender (the bishop to be on e5), or as
always White can ‘ignore’ Black’s central
gestures and continue with the usual a3/b4
queenside expansion.
15.Rab1
is is by far the most popular move,
played nearly 90% of the time. 15.Rfc1
Be5
(15...e6!? Move order is not important
here; ...e6/...Be5 are interchangeable.)
16.Rab1 e6 17.Qe1 Qf6 18.Qd2
(18.g3 Bd4 (18...g5!?) 19.Qd2 Bxe3+
20.Qxe3 e5 21.Nd5 Qd8 22.f4 exf4
23.Qxf4 Bxd5 24.exd5 f5³)
18...Qh4! 19.g3
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19...Bxg3
(19...Qe7 GM Maze probably wanted
to avoid a draw (with 19...Bxg3) so
chose to play on this way. 20.Nd1 b6
21.Nf2 Rad8 22.Nd3 Bg7 (22...f5
23.exf5 Rxf5 24.Rf1 Bg7=) 23.Rc2 f5
24.exf5 Rxf5 25.Rf1 Rdf8 26.Ne1 h5
27.Bh6 e5 28.Bxg7 Kxg7 29.Qc3
Ne6μ 0–1 (68) Makka,I-Maze,S Aixles-Bains FRA 2011)
20.hxg3 Qxg3+ 21.Kh1
(21.Kf1 f5 22.Bxc5 dxc5 23.Qe3 fxe4
24.Nxe4 Bxe4 25.Qxe4 Rf5! 26.Qxe6+
Kh8 27.Qe3 Raf8–+)
21...f5
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22.Bxc5!
(22.Qe1 Qh3+ 23.Kg1 fxe4 24.Bxc5
exf3–+)
22...dxc5 23.Rf1™ Black can give a
perpetual whenever he wants, it’s just a
matter of how many accurate moves he
wants to make White nd before he gives
the draw.
(23.Qe1? Qe5μ)
23...g5 24.Qe1™ 24...Qh3+ 25.Kg1
Rf6
(25...g4 26.Rf2 g3 27.Rg2 f4∞)
26.Rf2 Rh6 27.Rg2 Qh1+ 28.Kf2
Qh4+ 29.Kf1 Qh1+ 30.Kf2=;
15.Rac1
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e second most popular move. GM
Lenderman played this against me in
2013. My game against him will be our
main line in what follows.
15...e6
(15...b6 An interesting recommendation
of Khalifman’s which is a perfectly viable
alternative to 15...e6. Black intends the
crafty maneuver ...Ra8-a7-d7. I played
this against GM Kovalyov in 2013; I
was unsuccessful in that game but it was
not due to the opening. 16.Rfd1
(16.Bd1 Not the last time we will see this
idea. 16...Qb8!?
a) 16...e5?! 17.Bc2 Ra7 (17...Ne6 18.Rfd1
Nd4 19.Bxd4 exd4 20.Ne2 Qh4 21.g3
Qh5 22.Nxd4±) 18.Rfd1 Rd7 19.a3 Ne6
20.b4 f5 21.Nd5 Nd4 22.Bg5±;
b) 16...e6 This deserves further research.
17.a3 a4 18.b4 Nb3 19.Bxb3 axb3
20.Qb2 d5∞ (20...Ba4 21.Rfd1 Qc7
22.Bd4 Bh6 23.Nxa4 Bxc1 24.Qxc1
Rxa4?? 25.Bf6™+–);
17.a3
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17...a4! (17...b5 18.b4 axb4 19.axb4 Ne6
20.Nxb5 Bxb5 21.cxb5 Ra3 22.Re1 Qxb5
23.Be2 Qb7 24.Kh1 Be5 25.Rc2 Rxe3
26.Qxe3 Qxb4²) 18.b4 (18.bxa4 Bxa4
19.Bxa4 Bxc3 20.Qxc3 Nxa4 21.Qd4
Nc5 22.Bh6 Ne6 23.Qc3 Re8 24.f4 f6
25.f5 Nc5 26.fxg6 hxg6 27.Rxf6 exf6
28.Qxf6 Ra7 29.Qxg6+ Kh8=) 18...Nb3
19.Bxb3 axb3 20.b5 Bb7 21.Qb2
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21...d5!! 22.exd5 Qd6 23.Qxb3 Rxa3
24.Qb2 Rxc3 25.Rxc3 Rc8=)
16...Ra7
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17.Bf1 (17.Nb5 Rd7 18.Nd4 Bb7
19.Rb1 e5 20.Nb5 f5„; 17.Nd5 Rd7
18.Bg5 f6 19.Be3 e6 20.Nc3 f5 21.exf5
Rxf5 22.f4 Qh4 23.g3 Qh3 24.Bf1 Qh5
25.Be2=) 17...Rd7 e following is my
game against Kovalyov. 18.Qc2 e5
(18...e6 19.a3 a4 20.b4 Nb3 21.b5 Bb7
22.Nxa4±) 19.a3 Ne6!
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9+-+r+pvlp0
9-zplzpn+p+0
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9+-tRR+LmK-0
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is would have led to a very interesting
game. (19...f5?! 20.Nd5 fxe4 21.fxe4
Qh4 22.g3! Qxe4 23.Qxe4 Nxe4
24.Bg2 Bxd5 25.Rxd5 Nc5 26.Rcd1
Nxb3 27.Rxd6 Rxd6 28.Rxd6± 1–0
(43) Kovalyov-Panjwani Michigan
2013) 20.b4 (20.Nb5 f5 21.exf5 gxf5
22.Bd3 e4 23.fxe4 f4 24.Bf2 f3©)
20...Nd4 21.Bxd4 (21.Qf2 f5∞)
21...exd4 22.Ne2 axb4 23.axb4 Qg5
24.Kh1 f5©)
16.Rfd1
a) 16.Nb5!? Be5 17.Bg5 Qb6
XIIIIIIIIY
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9+p+-+p+p0
9-wqlzpp+p+0
9zpNsn-vl-vL-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+P+-+P+-0
9P+-wQL+PzP0
9+-tR-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
18.Qe3 (18.Kh1 Rfe8 19.Nxd6??
Red8–+) 18...Bxb5! We have come
across the resulting structure in the
13.Bf2 line. 19.cxb5 Rac8 20.f4
(20.Rfd1 Rfe8 21.Qf2 Qc7 22.Be3 b6
23.f4 Bg7 24.Bf3 Qe7= Black is ready
to continue with ...d6-d5.) 20...Bg7
21.e5 Rfe8 22.exd6 Qxd6 23.Rfd1 Qf8!
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+rwqk+0
9+p+-+pvlp0
9-+-+p+p+0
9zpPsn-+-vL-0
9-+-+-zP-+0
9+P+-wQ-+-0
9P+-+L+PzP0
9+-tRR+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black’s idea is to open up the center
with ...e6-e5 and take advantage of
White’s weak dark squares and loose
pieces. 24.Bc4 (24.b6 e5„; 24.Bg4 h5
25.Bh3 f5! 26.g3 e5!„) 24...b6 25.Bh4
(25.Rc2 Kh8! 26.a3 f5 (26...e5=)
27.Bh4 e5 28.Bf2 Ne4=) 25...Kh8!
Sidestepping the light diagonal in order
to play ...f7-f5 before ...e6-e5. (25...e5?
26.Rf1!±) 26.Rc2 f5! 27.Rcd2 e5
28.fxe5 (28.Bf2 exf4 29.Qxf4 Be5
30.Qh4 Bf6 31.Qh3 Rb8=) 28...Rxe5
29.Qf4 Re4 30.Qg3 a4 31.Rd8 Re8
32.Rxe8 Qxe8=;
b) 16.Bd4 Be5 17.Rfd1 Qe7 18.f4 Bxf4
19.Qxf4 e5 20.Qg3 exd4 21.Rxd4 Nxe4
22.Nxe4 Bxe4 23.Rxd6?
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9+p+-wqp+p0
9-+-tR-+p+0
9zp-+-+-+-0
9-+P+l+-+0
9+P+-+-wQ-0
9P+-+L+PzP0
9+-tR-+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9+p+-+p+p0
9-+lzpp+p+0
9zpNsn-+-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+P+-vLPwq-0
9P+-wQL+-+0
9+-tRR+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
(23.Qxd6?? Qg5–+) 23...Bf3!!–+
Gorgeous.;
Remember the ensuing ideas, they come
up in various permutations of this type
of position. 20.Kf1 (20.Kh1 Nxe4!
21.Qe1 Qh3+ 22.Kg1 Ng3 23.Bb6
Nxe2+ 24.Qxe2 Bxf3–+) 20...Nxe4!
21.Qd3 (21.fxe4 f5!–+) 21...f5!–+
White can’t untangle, so Black can take
his time with ideas like ...g6-g5-g4.;
16...Be5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9+p+-+p+p0
9-+lzpp+p+0
9zp-sn-vl-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+PsN-vLP+-0
9P+-wQL+PzP0
9+-tRR+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
White must already take precautions
against Black’s immediate threat of ...Qd8h4.
b) 17.Bd4 Qe7 18.f4 Bxf4 19.Qxf4 e5
20.Qe3 exd4 21.Qxd4 Nxe4 22.Nxe4
Bxe4 23.Qxd6 Qg5 24.Qg3 Qxg3
25.hxg3 Rfd8=;
c) 17.g3 Qe7 18.Bg5 (18.Nb5 Rfd8
19.Bg5 Bf6 20.Bxf6 Qxf6 21.Nxd6 e5
22.Qe3 Nxb3 23.axb3 Rxd6=) 18...f6
19.Be3 Rad8 (19...b6? 20.f4 Bxc3
21.Qxd6!±) 20.Nb5 f5
17.Bg5 is was Lenderman’s choice
against me. I played correctly for the next
6 moves, then stumbled — fortunately he
didn’t punish my error.
a) 17.Nb5? Qh4 18.g3 (18.h3 Qg3
19.Nxd6 b6 20.Nb5 f5–+) 18...Bxg3
19.hxg3 Qxg3+
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-tr-trk+0
9+p+-wq-+p0
9-+lzpp+p+0
9zpNsn-vlp+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+P+-vLPzP-0
9P+-wQL+-zP0
9+-tRR+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
21.exf5 exf5!„ I admit it is always hard
to decide what to recapture with on f5.
It needs to be decided on a case-by-case
basis. Here, Black’s a5-pawn is hanging
unless Black opens up the e- le to tie
down White’s queen to the defense of
the e3-bishop. (21...gxf5 22.Bg5 Bf6
23.Bh6 Rf7 24.Qxa5±);
d) 17.Rc2 Witness how even a top
grandmaster can fall victim to Black’s
sudden counterplay. 17...Qe7 18.Nb5?
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9+p+-wqp+p0
9-+lzpp+p+0
9zpNsn-vl-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+P+-vLP+-0
9P+RwQL+PzP0
9+-+R+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
18...Qh4! 19.g3 Bxg3 20.hxg3 Qxg3+
21.Kf1 Nxe4 22.Qd3 f5 23.Nd4 f4
24.Nxc6 fxe3 25.Qxe3 Rf4 26.Nd4 Rh4
27.Qg1 Rh1 0–1 Lupulescu-Iturrizaga,
Baku Olympiad 2016;
17...Qb6 18.Qe3
(18.Kh1 a4 19.Be7 axb3 20.Bxf8 Kxf8
21.axb3 Nxb3 22.Qb2 Qb4 23.Rc2
Bg7 24.Rb1 Ra3–+)
18...a4! 19.Nb5
(19.b4 Qxb4 20.Be7 a3 21.Bxf8 Rxf8©;
19.f4 Bxc3! 20.Rxc3 axb3 21.axb3 Qa7
22.e5 Ne4 23.Qxa7 Rxa7 24.Re3 Nxg5
25.fxg5 d5=)
19...axb3 20.axb3 Ra2 21.Bf1 Rb2!
22.Rb1 Rxb1 23.Rxb1
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-trk+0
9+p+-+p+p0
9-wqlzpp+p+0
9+Nsn-vl-vL-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+P+-wQP+-0
9-+-+-+PzP0
9+R+-+LmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
23...Ra8?!
(¹23...Bxb5 24.cxb5 Ra8 25.f4 Ra1
26.Rxa1 Bxa1 27.b4 Na4³)
24.f4 Ra1 25.Rxa1 Bxa1 26.Nxd6?
(26.b4! Bxb5 (26...Na4 27.Qxb6 Nxb6
28.Nxd6+–) 27.bxc5 dxc5 28.Qb3!±)
26...Qxb3 27.Qxb3 Bd4+ 28.Kh1
Nxb3³ 1/2–1/2 Lenderman-Panjwani,
Arlington 2013;
15.Rfd1
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9+p+-zppvlp0
9-+lzp-+p+0
9zp-sn-+-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+PsN-vLP+-0
9P+-wQL+PzP0
9tR-+R+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
White can only temporarily delay ...e7e6 with this move, as after 15...Be5 White
has no appealing way of preventing it.
15...Be5 16.Bg5?!
(16.Bd4 Ne6=; 16.Rab1 transposes to
the main line 15.Rab1.)
16...Qb6 17.Kh1 f6 18.Be3
(18.Bh6 Rfb8! 19.Be3 a4 20.Rab1 axb3
21.axb3 Qb4 22.Nd5 Qxd2 23.Rxd2
Bxd5 24.cxd5 Ra3³)
18...a4 19.Rab1 axb3 20.axb3 Qb4!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9+p+-zp-+p0
9-+lzp-zpp+0
9+-sn-vl-+-0
9-wqP+P+-+0
9+PsN-vLP+-0
9-+-wQL+PzP0
9+R+R+-+K0
xiiiiiiiiy
Typical for this line. Black sets up a
dark-square blockade, to be followed by
...Ra8-a3 if unhindered. 21.Nd5 Qxd2
22.Bxd2
(22.Rxd2 Bxd5 23.cxd5 Ra3 24.Bc4
Rb8=)
22...Bxd5 23.cxd5 Ra3 24.Bc4 b5
25.Bxb5 Rxb3 26.Rxb3 Nxb3 27.Be3
Rb8 28.Be2 Nc5=
15...e6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9+p+-+pvlp0
9-+lzpp+p+0
9zp-sn-+-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+PsN-vLP+-0
9P+-wQL+PzP0
9+R+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
16.Rfd1
16.Rfc1 Be5 17.Bf1
(17.g3 h5 18.Nb5 h4 19.g4 f5„)
17...f5
(17...Qe7!? 18.Rc2 f5 19.exf5 gxf5
20.Re1 b6 21.Ne2 Qh4 22.Bf4 Rad8
23.Rcc1 Rd7 24.Bg3 Qf6 25.Rcd1 f4
26.Bf2 Qg6 27.Kh1 Rg7 28.Nc3
Qh5„ 0–1 Perera, P-Cuenca Jimenez,J
Seville ESP 2004)
18.exf5
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9+p+-+-+p0
9-+lzpp+p+0
9zp-sn-vlP+-0
9-+P+-+-+0
9+PsN-vLP+-0
9P+-wQ-+PzP0
9+RtR-+LmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
It is a perpetual dilemma for this line —
what to recapture on f5 with? I have yet to
come up with a general algorithm; the
concrete features of the position usually
suggest one over the others, but here there
are two viable continuations.
18...Rxf5 Black has two bishops and a
rook pointed at White’s king, and his
queen is ready to join the action with
...Qd8-h4.
a) 18...gxf5!? 19.Ne2 (19.f4 Bxc3
20.Qxc3 Ne4 21.Qd4 Rf6 22.a3 Rg6„)
19...Qh4 (19...Rf7 20.Nd4 Rg7
21.Nxc6 bxc6 22.g3± 1/2–1/2 (49)
Bauer,C-Schmitt,A Clichy FRA 2004)
20.Nf4 Qh6„;
b) 18...exf5? 19.Nd5±;
19.f4
a) 19.a3?? Qh4 20.g3 Bxg3 21.hxg3
Qxg3+ 22.Bg2 (22.Qg2 Qe5–+)
22...Rxf3 23.Bxc5 dxc5–+ ...Ra8-f8 to
follow.;
25.Bf4 Qg4 26.Qxg2 Qxf4 27.Qd5+
Kg7 28.Qxc5 Qg3+ 29.Kf1 Qh3+
30.Kf2 Qh2+ 31.Kf1 Qh3+ 32.Kg1=;
19...Bg7
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-+k+0
9+p+-+-vlp0
9-+lzpp+p+0
9zp-sn-+r+-0
9-+P+-zP-+0
9+PsN-vL-+-0
9P+-wQ-+PzP0
9+RtR-+LmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
A point made by GM Rowson in his
book Chess for Zebras: a pawn on f4
weakens the king in a way which should
not be underestimated. It is such a
common move in so many openings that
we take it for granted, but it weakens
squares around White’s king and here
Black is ready to shine light on those
weaknesses with ...e6-e5. 20.g3
(20.Be2 e5! 21.Rf1 exf4 22.Rxf4 Rxf4
23.Bxf4 Qf6 24.Nd5 Qd4+ 25.Be3
Qxd2 26.Bxd2 Bxd5 27.cxd5 Ne4
28.Be1 Bd4+ 29.Kh1 Rc8³)
20...e5! 21.Bh3
(21.fxe5 Qe8!„)
21...exf4 22.Bxf4
b) 19.Nb5 Qh4 20.g3 Bxg3 21.hxg3
Qxg3+ 22.Bg2 Bxf3 (22...Rxf3 23.Bxc5
dxc5 24.Rf1 Rf5 25.Rxf5 exf5 26.Qf2
Qg4©) 23.Nxd6 Bxg2 24.Nxf5 exf5
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-+k+0
9+p+-+-vlp0
9-+lzp-+p+0
9zp-sn-+r+-0
9-+P+-vL-+0
9+PsN-+-zPL0
9P+-wQ-+-zP0
9+RtR-+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
22...Rxf4! 23.gxf4
(23.Qxf4? Qb6–+)
23...Qb6©;
16.Bd1
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9+p+-+pvlp0
9-+lzpp+p+0
9zp-sn-+-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+PsN-vLP+-0
9P+-wQ-+PzP0
9+R+L+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
I rst came across this move when
Cuban GM Abreu seemed to come up
with it over the board against me after a
long think in the game I mentioned in the
introduction of this book. However, he
was not the rst to play it; that honor goes
to the late Bulgarian GM Georgi Tringov
who played it in 1986.16.Bd1 is a
perfectly logical move: the bishop will
relocate to c2, from where it
simultaneously bolsters the critical e4, b3,
and a4 squares. White already threatens
17.a3 since the knight cannot hop into b3
after 17...a4 18.b4. In the last few years,
16.Bd1 has been played more times than
it has in all previous years combined. I
think the most common move, 16...Be5,
does not equalize for Black, but 16...Qc7
does. It makes sense too — Black targets
the c4-square which has been abandoned
by the relocation of the e2-bishop. I thank
IM Dave Ross for suggesting this move to
me. 16...Qc7! is move is a good
illustration of the aforementioned
‘reactive’ nature of Black’s play in this line.
White relocates his bishop to c2, so Black
targets the c4-pawn with his queen, and in
some lines with his knight by relocating to
e5 via d7.
a) 16...f5?! 17.exf5 gxf5 (17...Rxf5
18.Ne2± 1–0 (43) Tringov, G-Haik,A
Vrnjacka Banja 1986) 18.Bc2 f4 19.Bf2
Qg5 20.Kh1 Be5 21.Rfe1 Qg7 22.Ne2
b6 23.Nd4 Bb7 24.a3 Rf6 25.b4 Nd7
26.Nb5 Kh8 27.Bg1 axb4 28.axb4 Rg8
29.Re2 d5 30.Rbe1 (¹30.cxd5 Bxd5
31.Bb3 Bxb3 32.Rxb3±) 30...dxc4
31.Nd4 Rh6 32.Rxe5?? Nxe5 33.Rxe5
Qxe5 34.Nf5 Rf6?? (34...Bxf3!–+)
35.Nd6 (¹35.Bd4 Rd8 36.Bxe5 Rxd2
37.Bxf6+ Kg8 38.Nd4=) 35...Qd5
36.Qc3 e5 37.Nxb7 Qxb7 38.Qxe5
Qg7 39.g4 fxg3 40.Bd4 g2+ 41.Kg1
Rxf3 0–1 Abreu Delgado-Panjwani, US
Masters 2013;
b) 16...Be5 17.a3! Qc7 (17...f5 18.exf5
Qf6 19.Ne2 exf5 20.g3!²) 18.b4 axb4
19.axb4 Na4 20.Nxa4 Bxa4 21.Be2
Rfd8 22.f4 Bg7 23.b5 d5 24.cxd5 Qc2
25.Rfc1 Qxd2 26.Bxd2 Bd4+ 27.Kf1
exd5 28.e5²;
17.Bc2
(17.a3 Rfd8 18.b4 axb4 19.axb4 Na4
20.Nxa4 (20.Bxa4 Bxa4 21.b5 Qxc4
22.Rfc1 Rdc8 23.Nd5 exd5 24.Rxc4
dxc4„) 20...Bxa4 21.Be2
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-tr-+k+0
9+pwq-+pvlp0
9-+-zpp+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9lzPP+P+-+0
9+-+-vLP+-0
9-+-wQL+PzP0
9+R+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
21...d5! 22.exd5 exd5 23.cxd5 Qe5=)
17...Rfd8
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-tr-+k+0
9+pwq-+pvlp0
9-+lzpp+p+0
9zp-sn-+-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+PsN-vLP+-0
9P+LwQ-+PzP0
9+R+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
An important branching point. White’s
a2-a3 is imminent; other plans do not
make sense of White’s bishop maneuver. It
is just a question of how White chooses to
position himself before playing it. 18.Rfd1
a) 18.Rfc1 Nd7! White’s last move (by
X-ray) defended the c4-pawn, so Black
calls the knight for reinforcement. 19.a3
Ne5 20.Nb5 Qe7 21.Bb6 Rd7 22.f4
(22.Qe2 Bh6 23.Rd1 d5 24.Bd4 dxc4
25.bxc4 Bg7³) 22...Bxb5 23.cxb5 Ng4
24.Bd1 Nf6 25.Bf3
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-+k+0
9+p+rwqpvlp0
9-vL-zppsnp+0
9zpP+-+-+-0
9-+-+PzP-+0
9zPP+-+L+-0
9-+-wQ-+PzP0
9+RtR-+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
25...Bh6! 26.g3 e5„;
b) 18.a3 a4! 19.Nxa4 (19.b4 Nb3
20.Bxb3 axb3 21.Rxb3 Be8!=)
19...Bxa4 20.bxa4 Rdc8=;
c) 18.Bg5 Rdc8 19.Rfd1 Na6! 20.a3
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+r+-+k+0
9+pwq-+pvlp0
9n+lzpp+p+0
9zp-+-+-vL-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9zPPsN-+P+-0
9-+LwQ-+PzP0
9+R+R+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
20...b5!! 21.cxb5 Be8 22.bxa6 Rxa6
23.Bd3 Bxc3 24.Qf2 Raa8=;
18...Be5 19.a3
(19.g3 f5 20.exf5 gxf5 21.Nb5 Qg7„)
19...a4!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-tr-+k+0
9+pwq-+p+p0
9-+lzpp+p+0
9+-sn-vl-+-0
9p+P+P+-+0
9zPPsN-vLP+-0
9-+LwQ-+PzP0
9+R+R+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
A major idea of 17...Qc7 is to be able to
meet a2-a3 with this move, softening the
c4-pawn further. 20.b4
a) 20.bxa4 Rdc8 21.Rb4 Na6 22.Nb5
Bxb5 23.Rxb5 Qxc4 24.Bb3 Qc6=;
b) 20.Nxa4 Bxa4 21.bxa4 Rdc8 22.f4
Bf6 23.Qb4 (23.Qxd6 Nxa4 24.Qxc7
Rxc7=) 23...Qc6 24.Bxc5 Qxc5+
25.Qxc5 Rxc5 26.Bb3 Rc6 27.Rd3
Bd8=;
20...Nb3! It will be evident from this
variation why the queen is so valuable on
c7 in this line. 21.Bxb3
(21.Qd3 d5„)
21...axb3 22.Rxb3 Be8! 23.Qe2 Rdc8
24.f4 Bf6 25.Nb5 Qxc4 26.Qxc4 Rxc4
27.Nxd6 Ba4! 28.Nxc4 Bxb3 29.Rc1
Bxc4 30.Rxc4 Rxa3 31.Rc8+ Kg7 32.Bc5
Bc3=;
16.Nb5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9+p+-+pvlp0
9-+lzpp+p+0
9zpNsn-+-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+P+-vLP+-0
9P+-wQL+PzP0
9+R+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
We saw the following idea in my game
against Lenderman after 15.Rac1. 16...Be5
17.Bg5 Qb6 18.Qe3 White threatens f3f4 and d6 will fall, so Black must act
quick.
(18.Kh1 Rfe8 19.Rbd1 (19.Nxd6??
Rad8 20.Bxd8 Rxd8–+) 19...d5! 20.Qe3
(20.Be3 Red8=) 20...Bxb5 21.cxb5 Bg7
22.e5 Nd7 23.Qxb6 Nxb6=)
18...Bxb5! 19.cxb5 Rac8
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+-trk+0
9+p+-+p+p0
9-wq-zpp+p+0
9zpPsn-vl-vL-0
9-+-+P+-+0
9+P+-wQP+-0
9P+-+L+PzP0
9+R+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
20.Kh1
a) 20.f4 Bg7 21.Rfd1 Rfe8 22.Rbc1 d5
23.e5 Bf8 24.Rc3 (24.Bh4 Nd7=)
24...Nd7 25.Qxb6 Nxb6 26.Rdc1 Be7
XIIIIIIIIY
27.Bh6 Bf8 28.Rxc8 Rxc8 29.Rxc8
Nxc8 30.Bxf8 Kxf8=;
b) 20.Rfd1 Rfe8 21.Qf2 Qa7 22.Bc4
(22.a3 b6 23.Be3 Qb7 24.Bd4 Bxd4
25.Qxd4 d5!³) 22...b6 23.g3 (23.Rbc1
Qb8= White has no constructive plan,
whereas Black has long term ideas of
...f7-f5 or even ...d6-d5 after ...Rc8-c7d7/...Qb8-b7.) 23...f5 24.exf5 d5
25.Be2 gxf5 26.Qe3 Qg7„;
20...Rfe8
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+r+k+0
9+p+-+p+p0
9-wq-zpp+p+0
9zpPsn-vl-vL-0
9-+-+P+-+0
9+P+-wQP+-0
9P+-+L+PzP0
9+R+-+R+K0
xiiiiiiiiy
21.Qd2 White targets Black’s weak d6pawn, but does not demonstrate any
constructive plan. Black has time to
regroup and prepare for ...d6-d5 or ...f7f5. e following is just one illustration of
how Black can successfully regroup.
a) 21.f4 Bg7 22.Rbc1 (22.a3 d5 23.e5
Na4!³) 22...d5 23.e5 Nd7 24.Qxb6
Nxb6 25.Bh4 Bh6³;
b) 21.Rfd1 d5„;
21...Qa7! 22.Rfd1 b6 23.Rbc1 Qb8
24.Bc4 Rc7 25.Qe2 Rd7 26.Rd2
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9-wq-+r+k+0
9+-+r+p+p0
9-zp-zpp+p+0
9zpPsn-vl-vL-0
9-+L+P+-+0
9+P+-+P+-0
9P+-tRQ+PzP0
9+-tR-+-+K0
xiiiiiiiiy
26...f5! 27.a3
(27.exf5 gxf5 28.Be3 d5 29.Bxc5 bxc5
30.b6 Rde7 31.Bb5 Rd8 32.Rxc5 Bxh2
33.Rdc2 Bg3=)
27...a4 28.exf5
(28.b4 Nb3 29.Bxb3 axb3μ)
28...gxf5 29.bxa4 d5 30.Ba2 Bxh2
31.a5 Bd6 32.axb6 Rg7„;
16.Bg5?? Bxc3–+
16...Be5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9+p+-+p+p0
9-+lzpp+p+0
9zp-sn-vl-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+PsN-vLP+-0
9P+-wQL+PzP0
9+R+R+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
e database reveals that it was Danish
IM Jan Sorensen who introduced the idea
of ...e6/...Be5 into tournament practice.
In 1990 and 1991 he scored 1.5/2 against
then IMs (now GMs) J. Kristiansen and A.
Fishbein. It has since been championed
most notably by Azerbaijani GM Gadir
Guseinov, and has also been implemented
by Grandmasters Iturrizaga, Bauer, Leon
Hoyos, Cebalo, Lie, Perelshteyn, and
many others.
17.Qe1
17.Bf2 e fact that this retreat is
played so often indicates to me that the
bishop should go directly to f2 from d4
earlier on. 17...Qe7 18.Rbc1 f5
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19.exf5 Rxf5!
(19...gxf5 20.Nb5 (20.Bd4 Bxd4+
21.Qxd4 Rad8 22.Rd2 e5 23.Qf2 Ne6
24.Re1 Kh8 25.Bf1 Qg7„ 0–1 (39)
Jakovljevic,V-Leon Hoyos,M Cento
2011) 20...Rfd8 21.Nd4²)
20.Nb5
(20.Bd4 Bxd4+ 21.Qxd4 Rd8= Black
has ideas of ...e6-e5 and ...Nc5-e6-d4.
Black’s weakened d5-square is less of an
issue than White’s weakened d4-square
because Black has a light-squared bishop
to guard his weak square.)
20...Bxb5 21.cxb5 Raf8! 22.Qxa5
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22...Ne4! 23.Qe1
(23.Be3?? Bxh2+ 24.Kxh2 Qh4+
25.Kg1 Rh5–+)
23...Qg5 Black has enormous pressure.
e following is just an illustration of how
things could continue. 24.Kh1 d5 25.g3
Rxf3 26.Bxf3 Rxf3 27.Rc8+ Kg7 28.Bd4
Bxd4 29.Rxd4 Qf6 30.Rc7+ Kh6 31.Rd1
Rf2 32.Qe3+ g5 33.Kg1 Qf5 34.Rxb7
Qh3 35.Qxf2 Nxf2 36.Kxf2 Qxh2+
37.Kf1 d4! 38.Rd7 e5–+;
17.Bd4
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Black has (at least) two adequate
responses to this move. I prefer 17...Qe7
but the alternative is more direct and
simplifying. 17...Qe7
(17...Bxd4+ 18.Qxd4 Qb6!? Black
twists and turns in order to achieve
...e6-e5 and ...Nc5-e6. 19.a3 e5 20.Qe3
Qd8 21.b4 axb4 22.axb4 Ne6 23.b5
Be8 24.Nd5 Kg7 25.f4 (25.Qb6
Qxb6+ 26.Nxb6 Rd8 27.Ra1 f6 28.Ra7
Nc5 29.Na4 Nxa4 30.Rxa4 Rf7 31.Ra2
(31.c5 Rfd7=) 31...Kf8 32.Rad2 Rfd7=)
25...f6 26.fxe5 fxe5 27.Bg4 Nc5= 0–1
(41) Porat,M-Bejtovic,J Prague 2011).
18.Bf1
(18.f4 Bxf4 19.Qxf4 e5 20.Qg3 exd4
21.Rxd4 Nxe4 22.Nxe4 Bxe4 23.Re1 f5
24.Bf3 Qe5=)
18...Rad8 19.Qe3 Bxd4 20.Rxd4 e5
21.Rd2 f5
(21...Ne6=)
22.exf5 gxf5 23.f4
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23...Ne6! 24.fxe5 f4 25.Qe1 dxe5
26.Rxd8 Qc5+ 27.Qf2 Rxd8³ Bok, BLie,K Wijk aan Zee NED 2010;
17.g3 A recommendation of
Khalifman’s in his (eternally informative)
repertoire series for White. 17...Qe7
18.Nb5 Rfd8
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19.Nd4
(19.Bg5 f6 20.Be3 g5 21.Nd4 Be8„
Black has ideas of ...h7-h5, ...g5-g4,
...Be8-g6. White is solid but already on
the defensive.)
19...d5! 20.cxd5 exd5 21.Qc1 Ne6
22.Nxc6 bxc6 23.Qxc6 d4 24.Bf2 Rac8
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25.Qa6
(25.Qa4 Ng5! 26.f4?? Nxe4 27.fxe5
Nc3–+)
25...Rc2 26.Bf1 Qg5!
(26...Rxa2 27.Ra1 Rxa1 28.Rxa1 d3
29.Rd1 Qb4 30.Rxd3 Rxd3 31.Qxd3
Bd4= 1/2–1/2 (46) Nyback-Sorensen
2008)
27.a4?
(27.Qxa5?? Rxf2–+; ¹27.Bd3 Rxa2
28.Ra1 Rb2 29.Rxa5 Nf4„ Computers
give a way for White to escape with a
draw but it would be terrifying to
defend this over the board.)
27...h5 28.h4 Qf6 29.Rd3 g5–+;
17.Bf1? e Accelerated Dragon is full
of landmines. Grandmasters Chuchelov,
Erenburg, Zubarev, and Beim have
misstepped onto the following. 17...Qh4!
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18.h3
(18.g3 Qf6μ e f3-pawn falls.)
18...Qg3 19.Bd3 f5 20.exf5 Nxd3
21.Qxd3 Bxf3–+ Shvayger,Y-Socko,M,
Baku 2016;
17.Nb5?
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Victims of the following include IM
Danny Rensch and GM Peter Heine
Nielsen! 17...Qh4! 18.g3 Bxg3 19.hxg3
Qxg3+ 20.Kf1 Nxe4! 21.fxe4 f5μ;
17.a3
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Black’s last move accompanied a threat
of ...Qd8-h4, which is enough for
equality, but it is far more effective if
White’s knight has been driven away from
c3. 17...Qf6!?
(17...Qh4!? 18.g3 Bxg3 19.hxg3 Qxg3+
20.Kf1 Qh3+ 21.Ke1 Qh4+ 22.Bf2
Qh1+ 23.Bf1 Qxf3 24.Qe3 Qxe3+
25.Bxe3 Nxe4 26.Nxe4 Bxe4 27.Bd3
Bc6=)
18.Bd4
(18.Nb5? Qh4! 19.g3 Bxg3 20.hxg3
Qxg3+ 21.Kf1 Nxe4! 22.fxe4 f5–+)
18...Bxd4+
(18...a4 19.Bxe5 dxe5 20.b4 Nb3
21.Qe3 Nd4 22.b5 Bd7∞)
19.Qxd4 Qxd4+ 20.Rxd4 Rfd8 21.b4
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(21.Bd1 e5 22.Rd2 Ne6=)
21...e5! 22.Rd2 axb4 23.axb4 Ne6
24.b5 Be8 25.Nd5 Nd4=
17...Qe7
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In the database Black plays his Queen to
f6 about equally as often, but I tend to
prefer my Queen on e7 as a general rule
unless there is something concretely
favorable about placing it on f6.
17...Qf6 18.Nb5
(18.Rbc1 Rad8 19.Bf1 g5„)
18...Rfd8 19.Nd4 Bf4 20.Bf2²
18.a3
18.Nb5 f5 19.exf5 exf5! 20.Qd2?
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(20.Bd4 Ne6=)
20...Ne4!! 21.Qe1
(21.fxe4 Qh4–+)
21...Bxb5 22.fxe4 Bc6 23.exf5 Bxh2+
24.Kxh2 Qxe3μ
18...f5 19.exf5
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It is usually a challenge to decide how to
recapture on f5 but here Black has an
embarrassment of riches — not only are
all three recaptures playable, Black can
even opt for none of the above with
19...Qf6!?.
19...Rxf5
19...exf5 20.Qd2 Rfe8 21.Nd5 Qf7
22.Bf2 Bxd5 23.Qxd5 Bxh2+ 24.Kxh2
Rxe2 25.Bg3 Qxd5 26.Rxd5 Rd8 27.Bxd6
Ne6©;
19...gxf5 I would recommend this the
least of the four options. 20.b4
(20.Bd4 Qg7 21.Qf2 Bxd4 22.Qxd4
Rfd8 23.Qxg7+ Kxg7 24.b4 Na4
25.Nxa4 Bxa4=)
20...axb4 21.axb4 Qg7 22.Nb5 Bxb5
(22...f4 23.Bf2 Na4 24.Nd4 Bd7
25.Bf1 Kh8 26.Kh1 Rg8 27.Rbc1²)
23.bxc5 Ba4 24.Rxd6! Bxd6 25.cxd6∞;
19...Qf6!? 20.Nb5 Qxf5 21.Nxd6
(¹21.h3 Bxb5 22.cxb5 Rac8∞)
21...Bxh2+ 22.Kxh2 Qe5+ 23.Kg1
Qxe3+ 24.Qf2 Qg5=
20.Bd4
20.Nb5 Bxb5 21.cxb5 d5„
20...Bxd4+ 21.Rxd4 e5 22.Rdd1
Black can continue ‘normally’ with
22...Ne6, especially if he wants to keep
tension and play for a win, but the
simplest path to equality is to liquidate
things with 22...e4! 22.Nd5 Qg7 23.Rdd1
e4 24.fxe4 Nxe4 25.Bf3 Bxd5 26.Bxe4
Bxe4 27.Qxe4 Re5 28.Qd3 Qe7=
22...e4!
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23.fxe4
23.Bd3 Rxf3! 24.gxf3 Qg5+ 25.Qg3
Qe3+ 26.Qf2 Qg5+=
23...Nxe4 24.Bd3 Re5 25.Bxe4 Bxe4
26.Nxe4 Rxe4=
CHAPTER 6
4.Qxd4 VARIATION
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Qxd4 Nf6
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Contents
1. 5.sidelines
2. 5.e5
1
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Qxd4
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e Hyper Accelerated Dragon move
order (2...g6) avoids the Bb5 Sicilian at
the cost of allowing 4.Qxd4 here. In my
opinion, the tradeoff is very much worth
it: the Bb5 Sicilian is a real buzzkill for the
dynamic and ambitious Black player,
whereas the 4.Qxd4 line is for the most
part rich in dynamical possibilities and
offers Black real chances to play for a win.
4...Nf6 5.Nc3
We cover White’s main move, 5.e5, in
the next subchapter. is line has some
venom, and in my judgment Black does
not equalize in the most popular way of
dealing with it.
5.Bb5 I have faced this move several
times in online blitz but never over the
board. It’s basically just a cheapo attempt:
if Black plays 5...Bg7 then 6.e5! is strong
for White. However, this unrespectable
move actually has, according to
Donaldson and Silman, a highly
respectable originator — David Bronstein.
5...a6 (5...Bg7? 6.e5±) 6.e5 is can be a
little scary the rst time you see it, but it’s
just a bluff by White. It works well against
an unprepared opponent in 1–minute
chess though!
a) 6.Ba4 b5 7.Bb3 Nc6 8.Qd3 Bg7
9.Nc3 0-0 10.0-0 d6
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We have here just a normal Dragon
structure for Black where White’s pieces
are misplaced. 11.Bg5 h6 12.Be3
(12.Bxf6 Bxf6 13.e5 Bf5μ; 12.Bh4 g5
13.Bg3 Nh5³; 12.Bd2 Nd7„)
12...Ng4 13.Bf4 Bb7=;
b) 6.Qa4?! Nxe4! (6...b6 7.e5 Bb7∞
Arribas Lopez-Leon Hoyos, New
Orleans 2016) 7.Qxe4 (7.Bxd7+ Bxd7
8.Qxe4 Nc6³) 7...axb5 8.Qe5 f6
9.Qxb5 Qa5+ 10.Qxa5 Rxa5³;
6...axb5 7.exf6 Nc6 8.fxe7
(8.Qd3 b4! 9.0-0 e6³; 8.Qh4 exf6 9.0-0
d5 10.Re1+ Be6 11.Nc3 b4 12.Nb5
Bg7 13.Bh6 0-0 14.Bxg7 Kxg7
15.Nbd4 Qd6μ)
8...Qxe7+ 9.Qe3
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Donaldson and Silman give preference
to White here but it is Black who is better.
9...Qxe3+ 10.Bxe3 Bg7 11.c3 b4!³
5...Nc6 6.Qa4 d6 7.e5 dxe5 8.Nxe5 Bd7
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9.Nxd7
Here 9...Qxd7 is the most popular move
by a 6:1 margin but it looks to me that
Black struggles to equalize there. Giving
up the two bishops is already a concession
Black has to live with in this line; he
should rush to nish his development with
9...Nxd7 rather than spend several tempos
on queen moves as he must after 9...Qxd7.
9.Nxc6 Donaldson and Silman give this
as += however... 9...Qb6!N A nice little
novelty which renders 9.Nxc6 harmless.
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We wait to see where White puts his f1–
bishop before we decide how to take back
on c6.
(9...Bxc6 10.Bb5² Black is slow getting
developed and castled.)
10.Qb3
(10.Bb5 bxc6! 11.Bc4 Bg7 12.0-0 0-0
13.Bb3 c5 14.Qc4 Rac8„)
10...Bxc6 11.Qxb6 axb6 12.f3 Bg7
13.Be2 0-0 14.Be3 Nd7
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e Nd7/Bc6/b7 are a common trio in
the Accelerated Dragon — all three pieces
are mutually defended and they exert
control over important central squares.
15.Kf2 Bxc3! 16.bxc3 Ra3„
9...Nxd7!
9...Qxd7 10.Be3 Bg7 11.Rd1 Qg4
(11...Qc8 12.Be2 0-0 13.0-0 a6 14.Qf4
Qf5 (¹14...e6 15.Bf3 Rd8 16.g3²)
15.Qxf5 gxf5 16.Na4 e6 17.c4 Rfd8
18.Bb6 Rxd1 19.Rxd1± 1–0 (67)
Rausis,I (2600)-Turner,M (2493)
Fagernes NOR 2015)
12.Qb3!
(12.Rd4 Qf5! (12...Qc8 13.Bb5 a6
14.Bxc6+ Qxc6 15.Qxc6+ bxc6 16.Ke2
0-0 17.Rhd1 e6 18.Rc4 Nd5 19.Bd4
Rfc8 20.Bxg7 Kxg7 21.Rc5 Rab8
22.b3² 1–0 (43) Erdos,V (2651)Gledura,B (2395) Zalakaros HUN
2014) 13.Bd3 Qe5 14.Rb4 Qc7 15.Bb5
0-0 16.Rc4 Rfc8 17.0-0 e6 18.Bf4 Qb6
19.Be3 Qc7= 0–1 (36) Wei Yi (2706)Bu Xiangzhi (2681) China CHN 2015)
12...0-0 13.h3 Qb4 14.Be2 Qxb3
15.cxb3 Rfd8 16.Bf3 a6 17.Ke2 Rxd1
18.Rxd1 Rd8 19.Rxd8+ Nxd8 20.b4²
10.Bb5
10.Bd2
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is new move (with the idea of castling
queenside) was tried by GM Popilski in
2016. It has some bite, so Black should be
accurate here. 10...Bg7
(10...Nb6!? 11.Qe4 Bg7 12.0-0-0 0-0
13.h4 Qd4=)
11.0-0-0 0-0
a) 11...Qc8 12.h4 h5 13.Rg1!?
(13.Qf4!?‚) 13...Nb6 14.Qe4 0-0
15.g4 hxg4 16.h5‚
b) 11...Nb6!? tr. 10...Nb6;
12.h4!
(12.Bb5 Nb6 13.Qe4 Qc7= PopilskiPerelshteyn, Dallas 2016)
12...Nb6!
(12...h5? 13.g4±)
13.Qe4 Qd4 14.Be3
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14...Qb4!
(14...Qxe4 15.Nxe4 Rfd8 16.Rxd8+
Rxd8 17.Bxb6 axb6 18.c3²)
15.Qxb4 Nxb4 16.h5
(16.a3 Bxc3 17.bxc3 N4d5=)
16...Rfd8=
10...Bg7!
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A temporary pawn sacri ce.
11.0-0
11.Bxc6 bxc6 12.0-0
(12.Qxc6 Rc8 13.Qf3 Bxc3+! 14.bxc3
Qa5 15.0-0 0-0 16.Re1 Rfe8 17.Bd2
Ne5= White will not be able to hold on
to his extra pawn.)
12...0-0 13.Qxc6 Rc8 14.Qa4
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14...Bxc3! 15.bxc3 Qc7 16.Be3 Nb6
(16...Nc5 17.Qh4 Ne6=)
17.Qa5 Qxc3 18.Bxb6 axb6 19.Qxb6
Qxc2=
11...0-0 12.Bxc6
12.Rd1 Qc8 13.Nd5
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13...Nb6! 14.Nxb6 axb6 15.Qc4 Rd8
16.Rxd8+ Qxd8 17.c3 Na7 18.Be3 Rc8
19.Qb3 Nxb5 20.Qxb5 Rc6= Black’s
pawns are doubled but White cannot
make use of his queenside majority
without allowing Black to undouble them.
12...Nb6
12...bxc6!? is will transpose to
11.Bxc6.
13.Qh4 bxc6 14.Bh6 e6=
1/2–1/2 (44) Gorovets,A (2551)Panjwani,R (2393) New York 2016.
2
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Qxd4 Nf6
5.e5
If White is going to seek an advantage
in this line, this is his best hope.
5...Nc6
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9zpp+pzpp+p0
9-+n+-snp+0
9+-+-zP-+-0
9-+-wQ-+-+0
9+-+-+N+-0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9tRNvL-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
6.Qa4
6.Qc3 Ne4!
(6...Nd5!?)
7.Qe3 d5 8.exd6 Nxd6³;
6.Qh4? Nxe5! 7.Nxe5 Qa5+ 8.Nc3
Qxe5+³;
6.Qe3? Ng4 7.Qe4 d5!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqkvl-tr0
9zpp+-zpp+p0
9-+n+-+p+0
9+-+pzP-+-0
9-+-+Q+n+0
9+-+-+N+-0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9tRNvL-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
(7...Ngxe5 8.Nxe5 Qa5+ 9.Nc3 Qxe5
10.Qxe5 Nxe5 11.Nb5 Kd8 12.Be3©)
8.exd6 Bf5 9.Qe2 Qxd6 10.h3 Nge5
11.Nxe5 Nxe5μ
6...Nd5 7.Qe4
7.Qb3 Nc7!
(7...Nb6 8.a4 a5?? 9.Be3+–)
8.Nc3
(8.Bc4 Ne6=)
8...d5 9.exd6 Qxd6 10.Bc4 Be6
11.Bxe6 Qxe6+ 12.Be3 Qxb3 13.axb3
Bg7=
7...Nb6!
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqkvl-tr0
9zpp+pzpp+p0
9-snn+-+p+0
9+-+-zP-+-0
9-+-+Q+-+0
9+-+-+N+-0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9tRNvL-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black’s knight is less vulnerable on b6
than it is on b4 in the 7...Ndb4 line, and
it is also better placed on b6 than c7
because it deters White’s Bf1–c4. What I
like most about this line for Black is that
White has to be extremely accurate to not
immediately be worse — there are a lot of
ways to go astray.
7...Ndb4?! is is the most popular
move, even though Sutovsky basically
refuted the system ten years ago. 8.Bb5
Qa5 9.Nc3
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+kvl-tr0
9zpp+pzpp+p0
9-+n+-+p+0
9wqL+-zP-+-0
9-sn-+Q+-+0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9tR-vL-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
9...Bg7
(9...d5 10.exd6 Bf5 11.Qe5 Nxc2+
12.Ke2 0-0-0 13.Qxh8 Nxa1
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+ktr-vl-wQ0
9zpp+-zpp+p0
9-+nzP-+p+0
9wqL+-+l+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzP-+KzPPzP0
9sn-vL-+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
is used to be thought of as better for
Black (for example Donaldson and
Silman say “Black has a distinct
advantage”) but the optics are
misleading: White has a clear advantage.
14.Qxh7 Nc2 15.Rd1±)
10.0-0 0-0 11.a3 d5 12.exd6 Bf5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+nzP-+p+0
9wqL+-+l+-0
9-sn-+Q+-+0
9zP-sN-+N+-0
9-zPP+-zPPzP0
9tR-vL-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
13.axb4! Qxa1 14.Qh4 exd6 15.Nd5 f6
16.Bxc6 bxc6 17.Ne7+ Kh8 18.Nxf5 gxf5
19.Nd4± 1–0 Sutovsky,E (2637)Guseinov,G (2586) Dresden GER 2007.
8.Nc3
8.Bb5?! a6 9.Bxc6 dxc6 10.0-0 Bg7
11.Qh4 h6 12.Nc3 Bf5³;
8.Bf4?! d5 9.exd6 Bf5 10.Qe2 Nd5!
11.Bg3
(11.Be5 f6 12.Bg3 e5μ)
11...Ndb4 12.Na3 Bg7μ
8...Bg7
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+-tr0
9zpp+pzppvlp0
9-snn+-+p+0
9+-+-zP-+-0
9-+-+Q+-+0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9tR-vL-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
9.Bf4
9.Bg5?! d5! 10.exd6 Bxc3+ 11.bxc3
Qxd6 12.Bb5 f6 13.Bf4 e5³
9...d5!
As we have seen, this is the central
motive for Black in this variation. 9...0-0
10.0-0-0 d5 11.exd6 Bf5? (¹11...Bxc3
12.bxc3 Bf5∞) 12.dxe7±
10.exd6 Bf5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqk+-tr0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-snnzP-+p+0
9+-+-+l+-0
9-+-+QvL-+0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
White might be well advised to already
seek to liquidate the position into an equal
endgame after 11.dxe7. Otherwise, with
Black’s pieces so active and White’s king
still in the center, things could become
dire pretty fast on the slightest misstep by
White.
11.Qe3
11.dxe7 (is used to be the most
popular move but in the last few years it
has been eclipsed by 11.Qe3 and 11.Qe2.)
11...Bxc3+!
(11...Qd7 12.Qe2 (12.Qe3 Nb4 13.Rc1
Nxc2+ 14.Rxc2 Bxc2 15.Bb5 Bxc3+
16.Qxc3 Qxb5 17.Qxh8+ Kxe7=)
12...Nb4 13.Rc1 Qxe7 14.Bd6! Qxe2+
15.Bxe2 Nxc2+ 16.Kf1 Nd4 17.Nxd4
Bxd4 18.g4 Bd7 19.Kg2±)
12.bxc3 Bxe4 13.exd8=Q+ Rxd8
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-trk+-tr0
9zpp+-+p+p0
9-snn+-+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-+lvL-+0
9+-zP-+N+-0
9P+P+-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
14.Bh6!
(14.Bg5 Rd5 15.Bh6 Rh5 16.Bg7 Rg8
17.Bd4 Bxf3 18.gxf3 Nxd4 19.cxd4
Ke7= White’s extra pawn is eeting.)
14...Ke7! In order to play ...f7-f6
without blundering a pawn to Bh6-g7.
Black has time to do this because White is
so under-developed.
(14...f6 15.Bg7±)
15.Bb5 f6 16.0-0 Kf7
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-tr-+-tr0
9zpp+-+k+p0
9-snn+-zppvL0
9+L+-+-+-0
9-+-+l+-+0
9+-zP-+N+-0
9P+P+-zPPzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
17.Be3
(17.Rfe1 Bxc2 (17...Bxf3!? 18.gxf3 g5
19.f4 Rhg8 20.fxg5 fxg5 21.f4 Rd6
22.Bxg5 h6 23.h4 hxg5 24.fxg5=) 18.a4
Bd3=)
17...Nd5 18.Bc4 Bxf3 19.gxf3 Ne5
20.Bb3 Kg7 21.Bxd5 Rxd5 22.Rfd1
Rhd8 23.Rxd5 Rxd5 24.f4 Nc6=;
11.Qe2 0-0 12.0-0-0
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-snnzP-+p+0
9+-+-+l+-0
9-+-+-vL-+0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzPP+QzPPzP0
9+-mKR+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
ere are a couple of novelties that
Black can try here, but I think the best
practical chances come from what has
already been played — 12...exd6, because
White has to nd several ‘only moves’ in
order to survive. 12...exd6 Here, innocent
moves like 13.h4 (played by GM Pavlidis
in 2015) or 13.Bxd6 leave White simply
worse.
a) 12...Bxc3!?N 13.bxc3 (13.dxe7 Qxe7
14.Qxe7 Bxb2+ 15.Kxb2 Nxe7 16.Nd4
Bd7 17.Bd6 Rfe8³) 13...e6! 14.Qb5!
Nd5 15.Rxd5! exd5 16.Qxd5 Be6
17.Qc5 (17.Qg5 f6 18.Qc5 Qb6
19.Qxb6 axb6³) 17...Qb6 18.Qxb6
axb6 19.Kd2 Ra4 20.Bg3 Bxa2 21.Bb5
(21.Bd3 Rd8³) 21...Ra5 22.c4 Na7
23.Re1 Nxb5 24.cxb5 Rxb5 25.Re7 Be6
26.Nd4 Rd5 27.c3 Bc8³;
b) 12...Re8N 13.dxe7 (13.Qb5 exd6
14.Rxd6 Qc7! 15.Bg3 Qe7„) 13...Qc8
14.Qb5 Bxc3 15.bxc3
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+q+r+k+0
9zpp+-zPp+p0
9-snn+-+p+0
9+Q+-+l+-0
9-+-+-vL-+0
9+-zP-+N+-0
9P+P+-zPPzP0
9+-mKR+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
15...Qe6! 16.Re1 Qxa2 17.Qb3 Qa1+
18.Kd2 Qa5 19.Ng5 Qd5+ 20.Qxd5
Nxd5 21.Bd6 Ncxe7 22.Bxe7 Rxe7
23.Rxe7 Nxe7=;
13.Rxd6
a) 13.h4? Re8?! (¹13...Bxc3! 14.bxc3
Qf6 15.Qe3 Rfe8 16.Rxd6 Rxe3
17.Rxf6 Rxc3μ) 14.Qd2 d5 15.Bd3?
d4? (¹15...Nb4! 16.Bxf5 Bxc3 17.bxc3
Nxa2+ 18.Kb1 Nc4–+) 16.Nb5 Qd5
17.b3?? (17.Kb1∞) 17...Bxd3 18.Nc7
Qc5 19.Nxe8 Rxe8 20.Qxd3 Nb4 0–1
(20) Pavlidis, A (2522)-Zvjaginsev, V
(2660) Berlin GER 2015;
b) 13.Bxd6? Bxc3! 14.bxc3 (14.Bxf8
Qxf8 15.bxc3 Qa3+–+) 14...Re8
15.Qb5 Be4 16.Bg3 Qf6μ;
13...Qc8
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+q+-trk+0
9zpp+-+pvlp0
9-snntR-+p+0
9+-+-+l+-0
9-+-+-vL-+0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzPP+QzPPzP0
9+-mK-+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
White only has one move here — he
needs to prevent ...Nc6-b4 (a5). 14.Qb5™
14...Re8
(14...Bg4 15.Bd3 Bxf3 16.gxf3 Nd4
17.Qb4 Ne6?! 18.Bg3 Re8 19.Rd1 Rd8
20.Ne4± Esserman,M (2295)Perelshteyn,E (2555) Philadelphia USA
2008).
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+q+r+k+0
9zpp+-+pvlp0
9-snntR-+p+0
9+Q+-+l+-0
9-+-+-vL-zP0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzPP+-zPP+0
9+-mK-+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
(¹15.Bd3 Bxc3 16.bxc3 Bxd3 17.Rxd3
Qe6 18.Kb1 Nc4„)
15...Bxc3!
(15...h5?! 16.a4?? (¹16.Bd3²)
16...Bxc3 17.bxc3 Re4–+ 1/2 (30) –1/2
(30) Saric,I (2666)-Hou Yifan (2673)
Wijk aan Zee NED 2015)
16.bxc3 Re4 17.Be3 Qc7 18.Rd2 Qe7
19.Bc5 Qf6 20.Bd4 Nxd4 21.Rxd4 Rxd4
22.Nxd4 Bd7μ
11...0-0 12.0-0-0
12.dxe7 Nxe7 13.Bg5 Ned5!μ
12...exd6 13.Rxd6
13.Bh6 Re8 14.Qd2 Bh8 15.Qxd6
Qxd6 16.Rxd6 Nb4 17.Rd2 Rec8„;
13.Bxd6 Re8 14.Bg3 Nd7 (14...Qf6!?)
15.Qd2 Qa5 16.a3 Rac8 17.Bd3 Be6μ
13...Qc8
15.h4
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+q+-trk+0
9zpp+-+pvlp0
9-snntR-+p+0
9+-+-+l+-0
9-+-+-vL-+0
9+-sN-wQN+-0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9+-mK-+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
14.Bh6
is option was not available to White
in the analogous position after 11.Qe2.
14.Qc5 is move is analogous to
14.Qb5 in the 11.Qe2 line: White needs
to prevent ...Nc6-b4(a5).
14...Re8!³ e threat is ...Bg7-f8.
(14...Bxc2 15.Kxc2 Nd4+ 16.Qxd4
Bxd4 17.Rxd4²);
14.Bb5? Nb4 15.Nd4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+q+-trk+0
9zpp+-+pvlp0
9-sn-tR-+p+0
9+L+-+l+-0
9-sn-sN-vL-+0
9+-sN-wQ-+-0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9+-mK-+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
15...Nxa2+! 16.Kb1
(16.Nxa2 Bxd4–+)
16...Nxc3+ 17.Qxc3 Qxc3 18.bxc3 Be4
19.f3 Bd5μ
14...Re8 15.Qd2
15.Qf4!? Bxc3! 16.bxc3 Re4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+q+-+k+0
9zpp+-+p+p0
9-snntR-+pvL0
9+-+-+l+-0
9-+-+rwQ-+0
9+-zP-+N+-0
9P+P+-zPPzP0
9+-mK-+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
17.Qg5
(17.Qd2 Qc7 18.Bg5 Be6 19.Bf6
Nd7μ)
17...Re6 18.Qf4
(18.Rd1?? Nb4!–+)
18...Nd8!„ (18...Re4=)
15...Bh8
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+q+r+kvl0
9zpp+-+p+p0
9-snntR-+pvL0
9+-+-+l+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzPPwQ-zPPzP0
9+-mK-+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
I think most (even strong) players
would falter and collapse here. Black
threatens ...Nc6-b4(a5) and only one
(highly computerized) idea prevents it.
16.Be3!
16.Bb5 a6 17.Bxc6? bxc6 18.b3 Nd5!
19.Nxd5 cxd5 20.Rxd5 Be4 21.Rd6??
Qc5–+;
16.Qf4?! Ne7! 17.Bd3 Bxc3 18.bxc3
Qxc3³;
16.h4?! Nb4μ
16...Qb8!?
16...Na5 is leads to a forced draw but
it is unnecessary to allow the ensuing
chaos. 17.Bd4™
(17.Bxb6 axb6 18.Nd4 Nc6! 19.Nxf5
Qxf5 20.Kb1 Qc5μ)
17...Nac4 18.Bxc4 Nxc4 19.Qh6 Nxd6
20.Bxh8 Kxh8 21.Ng5 Kg8 22.Rd1!
(22.Qxh7+ Kf8 23.Rd1!)
22...Qc6
(22...Re2 23.Qxh7+ Kf8 24.Rxd6
Rxc2+ 25.Kd1 Qc4 26.Qh8+ Ke7
27.Qe5+ Kf8=)
23.Qxh7+ Kf8 24.Qh6+ Kg8 25.g4
Bxg4 26.Rxd6 Re1+ 27.Nd1 Qe8
28.Qh7+ Kf8 29.Qh8+ Ke7 30.Qf6+
Kf8=;
16...Re6!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+q+-+kvl0
9zpp+-+p+p0
9-snntRr+p+0
9+-+-+l+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-sN-vLN+-0
9PzPPwQ-zPPzP0
9+-mK-+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
I had originally intended to recommend
this as the main line; perhaps some readers
will prefer this to my selection. 17.Ng5
(17.Bxb6 Bxc3 18.bxc3 axb6 19.Bc4
Rxd6 20.Qxd6 Na5 21.Bxf7+ Kxf7
22.Ng5+ Kg8 23.Qd5+ Kh8 24.Qe5+
Kg8=; 17.Rxe6 Qxe6 18.Ng5 Bxc3
19.Qxc3 Qxa2³)
17...Rxd6 18.Qxd6 Be5 19.Qc5 Bg7
20.Bc4 Nxc4 21.Qxc4 Qe8=;
16...Nb4?! (is doesn’t work here
because of a brilliant resource which was
the point of 16.Be3!) 17.Bd4! Nxc2
18.Bxh8 Kxh8 19.Bb5 Nc4 20.Qh6!
Nxd6 21.Ng5 Re1+ 22.Rxe1 Qg8
23.Re7±
17.Bf4
17.Bb5 a6 18.Bxc6? Nc4!³;
17.h4?! Ne5μ
17...Qc8!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+q+r+kvl0
9zpp+-+p+p0
9-snntR-+p+0
9+-+-+l+-0
9-+-+-vL-+0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzPPwQ-zPPzP0
9+-mK-+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
By diverting White’s bishop from e3,
Black reinstates his threat of ...Nc6-b4.
White is worse if he doesn’t accept the
repetition.
18.Be3 Qb8=
CHAPTER 7
ANTI-SICILIANS: ALAPIN AND
MORRA
1.e4 c5
XIIIIIIIIY
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9zpp+pzppzpp0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-zp-+-+-0
9-+-+P+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9PzPPzP-zPPzP0
9tRNvLQmKLsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
Contents
after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6: the Alapin, also
known as the c3-Sicilian, and the Morra
Gambit, also known as the Esserman
Gambit. e Alapin can be played on
move two (1.e4 c5 2.c3) or on move three
(1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.c3), so for
convenience and consistency I recommend
a line for Black which works against either
of these. e Morra Gambit (1.e4 c5 2.d4
cxd4 3.c3 or 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4
4.c3), a sister to the Alapin, has recently
seen a revival, especially at the club level,
thanks to the publication of IM
Esserman’s masterpiece “Mayhem in the
Morra”.
1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3
1. 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3
2. 2.c3 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.sidelines &
4.d4 g6 5.sidelines
3. 2.c3 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.d4 g6 5.Nf3
Bg7 & 5...Nc6 6.sidelines
4. 2.c3 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.d4 g6 5.Nf3
Bg7 6.Be2
5. 2.Nf3 g6 3.c3 d5
6. 2.Nf3 g6 3.c3 Nc6
1
In these nal chapters we turn to
White’s most popular anti-Sicilian options
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqkvlntr0
9zpp+pzppzpp0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-zpP+-+0
9+-zP-+-+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tRNvLQmKLsNR0
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Here we have the Morra Gambit, a
system emblematic of the Romantic Era in
chess — not chronologically, but in spirit:
“e masters of that time found a sound
and fruitful plan: disregarding pawns,
achieve a rapid development of the pieces
for a swift attack on the enemy king. “
(World Champion Emanuel Lasker). On
Steinitzian grounds one might insist that
the principled continuation for Black is to
accept the gambit — “the best way to
refute a gambit is to accept it”. However,
there is a hidden premise in this assertion:
the gambit must be refutable! It is not at
all clear to me that the Morra Gambit is
refutable; on the contrary, Esserman’s
aforementioned book is a convincing
defense of its soundness. Furthermore, as
Hyper Accelerated Dragon players we offer
White the option of a ‘delayed’ Morra
Gambit 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.c3
after which our options are far more
limited. As best I can tell, Black cannot
safely accept the delayed Morra Gambit,
so for the sake of consistency I
recommend declining after 1.e4 c5 2.d4
cxd4 3.c3 as well. e usual way to decline
the gambit is to transpose to the Alapin
with ...Ng8-f6, but this is not in keeping
with my recommended Alapin repertoire.
Fortunately, the ...d4-d3 line is a reliable
way of transposing into Maroczystructures which we are familiar with and
happy to play as Black. I cannot overstate
how frustrating it is for Morra Gambit
players to be denied their Romantic
fantasies and instead be lulled into a slow,
maneuvering Maroczy structure.
3...d3 4.Bxd3 g6 5.c4 Bg7 6.Nf3 d6 7.h3
Nf6
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqk+-tr0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+-zp-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+-+L+N+P0
9PzP-+-zPP+0
9tRNvLQmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
In what follows, Black is free to proceed
with traditional Maroczy development;
however, I am instead recommeding a new
idea I came up with while preparing this
book based on a rapid ...Nf6-d7 and
...Bg7xc3.
8.0-0
8.Nc3 Nfd7! If Black wants to play my
idea, then White must not be permitted to
recapture on c3 with the queen, so Black
must play ...Bxc3 before White achieves
Bc1–e3 and Qd1–d2.
(8...0-0 9.Be3 Nfd7 10.Qd2 is is of
course playable for Black but not in
keeping with our theme.)
9.Be3 Bxc3+ 10.bxc3 Ne5!
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqk+-tr0
9zpp+-zpp+p0
9-+-zp-+p+0
9+-+-sn-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+-zPLvLN+P0
9P+-+-zPP+0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
is idea will be studied in greater detail
in the main line. 11.Nxe5
(11.Bh6 Nxd3+ 12.Qxd3 Nd7 13.0-0
f6=)
11...dxe5 12.Bh6 Qc7 13.Qe2 Be6
14.0-0 Nd7=
8...0-0 9.Nc3 Nfd7!N
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwq-trk+0
9zpp+nzppvlp0
9-+-zp-+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+-sNL+N+P0
9PzP-+-zPP+0
9tR-vLQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
In a similar position, Esserman cautions
that White should not allow “the queen’s
knight to be lopped off by the swooping
...Bxc3 wrecking the pristine Maroczy
structure...Black’s dark squared
de ciencies are overshadowed by White’s
mangled formation.” Here, however,
White does not have much of a choice:
Black is ready to capture on c3 and
White’s only ways to prevent it are rather
contrived.
9...Nc6 Black’s most popular move, but
in my judgment it is insufficiently
sensitive to the time factor in the position.
White does, after all, have more space, so
he will go on to have a more comfortable
position (‘achieve harmony’) if Black is
unable to pose any disruptive threats.
10.Be3 Nd7 11.Qd2 Nc5 12.Bh6!² Black
should be able to defend, but White is
playing for two results.
10.Be3
I think if White wants to attempt an
opening advantage then this is his best
hope. Allow the doubled pawns, and hope
there is enough dynamic compensation. In
researching this structure I have come to
regard White’s attacking potential as quite
formidable, even though computers tend
to think that Black is equal ‘no matter
what’. I recommend immediately aiming
for simpli cations with 11...Ne5! to
neutralize White’s initiative.
10.Bg5 Bxc3! 11.bxc3
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwq-trk+0
9zpp+nzpp+p0
9-+-zp-+p+0
9+-+-+-vL-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+-zPL+N+P0
9P+-+-zPP+0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
11...Ne5 Computers take some time to
appreciate this idea, but from a human
perspective it is clear that exchanging
pieces bene ts Black. is is because
White’s compensation for his static pawn
weaknesses must be predicated on
dynamic piece play.
(11...Nc5 is is perfectly playable for
Black as well, but as a matter of
convenience I have recommended
11...Ne5 here instead since I
recommend the same idea in the main
line. 12.Bc2 Be6 13.e5 (13.Qe2 f6
14.Bh6 Re8=) 13...Bxc4 14.exd6 Qxd6
15.Qxd6 exd6 16.Rfd1 d5=)
12.Nxe5
(12.c5 Nxd3 13.Qxd3 dxc5 14.Qxd8
Rxd8 15.Bxe7 Re8 16.Bxc5 Rxe4=)
12...dxe5 13.c5
(13.f4 exf4 14.Rb1 Na6!=)
13...Be6 14.Rb1 Nd7 15.Rxb7 Qc8!=;
10.Nd5 is is a pretty extreme way for
White to avoid ...Bg7xc3; with this
concession Black can equalize with
‘normal’ Maroczy moves. 10...Nc5 11.Rb1
e6 12.Ne3
(12.Nc3 Bxc3 13.bxc3 e5=)
12...a5 13.Ng4 Nc6 14.Bc2 f5³;
10.Qe2 Bxc3 11.bxc3 Ne5
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwq-trk+0
9zpp+-zpp+p0
9-+-zp-+p+0
9+-+-sn-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+-zPL+N+P0
9P+-+QzPP+0
9tR-vL-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Our go-to idea: the resulting structure is
always ne for Black as long as White can’t
immediately stir up some trouble.
(11...Nc5 12.Bc2 e5!? is interesting
blockading idea is playable as well.
13.Rd1 Nc6 14.Nd2 Be6 15.Nf1 Na5
16.Ne3 Rc8 17.Nd5 Qh4 18.Rb1 b6=)
12.Nxe5 dxe5=;
10.Qc2 White deters Black’s ...Bg7xc3
but in so doing misplaces his queen.
10...Nc6 reatening ...Nc6-b4. 11.a3
Nde5 12.Nxe5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+nzp-+p+0
9+-+-sN-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9zP-sNL+-+P0
9-zPQ+-zPP+0
9tR-vL-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
12...Nd4! 13.Qd1 dxe5=;
10.Bd2
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwq-trk+0
9zpp+nzppvlp0
9-+-zp-+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+-sNL+N+P0
9PzP-vL-zPP+0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
is is a concession — the bishop
would prefer a more active square. Now
we can equalize with ‘normal’ Maroczy
development. 10...Nc5 11.Bc2 Nc6 12.a3
ere are of course many ways to handle
this position, I just give one relatively
straightforward and logical path for Black
— targeting the d4-square.
(12.Rb1 Nb4 13.a3 Nxc2 14.Qxc2 b6
15.b4 Ne6=)
12...b6 13.b4 Ne6 14.Bd3 Bb7 15.Rc1
Ne5! 16.Nxe5 dxe5 17.Be3 Nd4=;
10.Qd2 Ne5!
(10...Nc6 11.b3 Nc5 12.Bb2 f5 13.exf5
Nxd3 14.Qxd3 Bxf5 15.Qe3²)
11.Nxe5 dxe5 12.b3 Nc6 13.Bb2 b6
14.Rad1 Bb7=
10...Bxc3 11.bxc3
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwq-trk+0
9zpp+nzpp+p0
9-+-zp-+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+-zPLvLN+P0
9P+-+-zPP+0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
11...Ne5!
I recall an interview with Aronian where
he said (paraphrasing) that the greatest joy
in chess preparation nowadays comes from
nding ideas the computer is unable to
immediately appreciate. at was certainly
the case with this move. e computer’s
suggestions all enabled White to develop a
dangerous kingside attack, but I was
looking for something requiring less
accuracy from Black. e engine initially
thinks that White is += after the exchange
on e5, but the human realizes that either
Black is getting into immediate trouble or
he’ll successfully develop his pieces and be
ne. If it is the latter, which it fortunately
is, then ‘+=’ is not a very meaningful
assessment.
11...Nc5?! 12.Bxc5 dxc5 13.e5²;
11...Nc6 is is the computer’s rst
choice but I think the engine
underestimates White’s attacking
potential. 12.Nd4 Nce5 13.Be2 Nb6
14.Bh6 Re8 15.f4 Nexc4 16.f5‚
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqr+k+0
9zpp+-zpp+p0
9-sn-zp-+pvL0
9+-+-+P+-0
9-+nsNP+-+0
9+-zP-+-+P0
9P+-+L+P+0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
White’s attack is not devastating, but it’s
just not very comfortable to be Black here.
e position is reminiscent of lines in the
Scaemish or Rubinstein Nimzo Indian
where Black doubles White’s c-pawns and
expends several tempos to win the c4pawn at the cost of allowing White an f4f5 attack.;
11...Na6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+nzpp+p0
9n+-zp-+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+-zPLvLN+P0
9P+-+-zPP+0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
is move ts with Nimzowitsch’s
philosophy of blockade: “First restrain,
next blockade, lastly destroy”.
Unfortunately, the ideal blockade is not
always the most relevant aspect of a
position, and I believe Black’s rst priority
should be to avoid a kingside onslaught by
liquidating with 11...Ne5! 12.Bc2 Nac5
(12...f6 13.Nd4 Nac5 14.Bh6 Re8
15.f4 Kh8 16.h4 Rg8 17.Re1 Nb6
18.e5 dxe5 19.fxe5 Nxc4 20.exf6 exf6
21.h5±)
13.Nd4 Re8
(13...b6 14.Nc6 Qe8 15.Bh6±)
14.f4 b6 15.f5 Ne5
(15...Bb7 16.Qf3 (16.fxg6 fxg6)
16...Ne5 17.Qf4 Kh8 18.fxg6 fxg6
19.Qh4 Kg8 20.Rad1²)
16.Nf3 Qc7 17.Qe1 Nxc4 18.e5∞
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+r+k+0
9zp-wq-zpp+p0
9-zp-zp-+p+0
9+-sn-zPP+-0
9-+n+-+-+0
9+-zP-vLN+P0
9P+L+-+P+0
9tR-+-wQRmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
A complete mess. We should avoid this,
as the overzealous Morra Gambit player
will be rewarded for their impatience in
positions like this which require direct,
un-nuanced play.
12.Nd4!
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwq-trk+0
9zpp+-zpp+p0
9-+-zp-+p+0
9+-+-sn-+-0
9-+PsNP+-+0
9+-zPLvL-+P0
9P+-+-zPP+0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
I believe this is White’s best attempt to
develop an initiative.
12.Bh6 Re8 13.Nd4 f6! 14.Be2
(14.f4?? Nf7–+)
14...Nbc6 15.Be3 Na5„;
12.Bc2 Be6 e simplest way for Black.
(12...Nxf3+ 13.Qxf3 Nc6 14.c5 dxc5
15.Bxc5 Qa5 16.Bd4∞; 12...Nxc4?
13.Bh6 Re8 14.Bb3 Ne5 15.Ng5 e6
16.f4 Nec6 17.f5+–)
13.Bh6 Nxf3+ 14.Qxf3 Re8 15.e5 Nc6
16.exd6 Qxd6 17.Rfb1 Na5=;
12.Nxe5 dxe5
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwq-trk+0
9zpp+-zpp+p0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+-zPLvL-+P0
9P+-+-zPP+0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
White had better act quick, otherwise
Black will be better if he achieves ...Qd8c7, ...Nb8-d7, ...b7-b6, and ...Bc8-a6.
13.Rb1
a) 13.Be2 Qc7 14.Qa4 Na6 15.Qa3 b6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zp-wq-zpp+p0
9nzp-+-+p+0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9wQ-zP-vL-+P0
9P+-+LzPP+0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
16.Rab1 (16.Rfb1 Rd8 17.Rb5 Kg7
18.Rab1 Qd6 19.Qc1 Be6 20.a4 Nc5
21.Bxc5 (21.a5 Bd7³) 21...bxc5 22.Qe3
Rdc8=) 16...Qd6 17.Qxd6 (17.c5 Nxc5
18.Rfd1 Qf6 19.Bh6 Bd7! 20.Bxf8
Kxf8 21.f3 Kg7= Black clearly has full
compensation, just look at the dark
squares.) 17...exd6 18.Rfd1 Nc5 19.f3
Rd8 20.Rd2 Be6 21.Rbd1 Nb7=;
b) 13.f4 exf4 14.Bxf4 Qb6+ 15.Rf2 Be6
16.Rb1 Qc6 17.Bg5 Qc7 18.Bf4 Qc8
19.Qe2 Nd7³;
13...Qc7 14.f4 Nd7 15.f5 b6 16.Qf3
reatening Be3-h6.
(16.Bh6 Rd8 17.Qf3 Nf6³ White
cannot make progress on the kingside,
and Black is ready to pick up the c4pawn with ...Bc8-a6.)
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-tr-mk0
9zp-wqnzpp+p0
9-zp-+-+p+0
9+-+-zpP+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+-zPLvLQ+P0
9P+-+-+P+0
9+R+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
17.fxg6
(17.Bh6 Rg8 White’s aggressive stance is
wholly illusory; Black is already clearly
better. 18.fxg6 Rxg6 19.Qxf7 Ba6
20.Be3 Rag8 21.g4 Nf6μ)
17...fxg6 18.Qxf8+! White can force a
draw here. 18...Nxf8 19.Rxf8+ Kg7
20.Rbf1 e6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-tR-+0
9zp-wq-+-mkp0
9-zp-+p+p+0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9-+P+P+-+0
9+-zPLvL-+P0
9P+-+-+P+0
9+-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
21.R1f7+! Qxf7 22.Bh6+! Kf6 23.Bg5+
Kg7 24.Bh6+ Kf6=
12...f6!
16...Kh8!
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwq-trk+0
9zpp+-zp-+p0
9-+-zp-zpp+0
9+-+-sn-+-0
9-+PsNP+-+0
9+-zPLvL-+P0
9P+-+-zPP+0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
is move is prophylaxis against 13.Bh6
Re8 14.f4?? when 14...Nf7! wins a piece.
It also bolsters the all-important e5 square.
12...Nxd3 is is the most obvious
move — Black would normally be happy
to capture White’s bishop. However, here
Black is severely underdeveloped, which
allows White the time to initiate a strong
attack. 13.Qxd3 Nd7
(13...Qa5?! 14.Bh6 Rd8 15.f4 Qh5?!
Black deserves to be punished for
parading around with his queen in total
neglect of his development. 16.Bg5 f6
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnltr-+k+0
9zpp+-zp-+p0
9-+-zp-zpp+0
9+-+-+-vLq0
9-+PsNPzP-+0
9+-zPQ+-+P0
9P+-+-+P+0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
17.c5!! fxg5 (17...d5 18.exd5 fxg5
19.Qc4 Bxh3 20.c6±) 18.Qc4+ Kh8
19.cxd6 exd6 (19...Bxh3 20.dxe7 Re8
21.f5!!±) 20.Qf7 Rg8 21.Qf6+ Rg7
22.fxg5+–)
14.Bh6 Re8 15.f4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqr+k+0
9zpp+nzpp+p0
9-+-zp-+pvL0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+PsNPzP-+0
9+-zPQ+-+P0
9P+-+-+P+0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Whatever the objective evaluation of
this position, I would not want to defend
it as Black. 15...b6
(15...f6 16.Ne6 Qb6+ 17.Rf2 Nc5
18.Nxc5 Qxc5 19.f5 Kf7 20.Raf1²)
16.e5! Ba6
(16...dxe5 17.fxe5 Nxe5 18.Qe4+–)
17.e6 fxe6 18.Nxe6 Qc8 19.f5 Ne5
20.Qg3 Qxc4 21.Rae1 Rac8 22.fxg6 hxg6
23.Nf4±;
12...Nbd7 13.Be2! Nc5 14.f4 Ned7
15.Bf3 Nb6 16.Qe2²
13.Be2
13.Bc2 Kh8 e onus is on White to
make something happen here; Black’s ideas
of completing development and
blockading on c5 are clear. In a practical
game I would prefer Black, because I think
most White players would mishandle the
simultaneous demands of aggression and
restraint. 14.Bb3 Na6 (14...g5!?∞) 15.f4
Nf7 16.Bc2 Nc5 17.h4 e5 18.Nb5 b6
19.fxe5 Nxe5 20.Qxd6 Qxd6 21.Nxd6
Be6=;
13.f4 Nxd3 14.Qxd3 Na6 15.f5 Nc5
16.Qc2
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-zp-+p0
9-+-zp-zpp+0
9+-sn-+P+-0
9-+PsNP+-+0
9+-zP-vL-+P0
9P+Q+-+P+0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
16...Qe8! 17.Nb3 Nd7 White is well
advised to liquidate the situation before
Black achieves ...b7-b6 and cements
White’s c4-weakness.
(17...b6 18.Bh6 Rf7 19.Nxc5 bxc5
20.Rf4²)
18.c5 dxc5 19.Nxc5 Nxc5 20.Bxc5 b6
21.Bd4 Bb7=;
13.Bh6 Re8 14.f4?? Nf7–+
13...Na6 14.f4 Nf7 15.Bf3
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-zpn+p0
9n+-zp-zpp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+PsNPzP-+0
9+-zP-vLL+P0
9P+-+-+P+0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
e position is dynamically equal:
White has two bishops and a space
advantage as compensation for his
weakened pawn structure.
15...Nc5
15...e5?! 16.Nb5 Qe7 17.f5 b6 18.Qd5
Rb8 19.Rad1 Rd8 20.Bg4!
XIIIIIIIIY
9-trltr-+k+0
9zp-+-wqn+p0
9nzp-zp-zpp+0
9+N+QzpP+-0
9-+P+P+L+0
9+-zP-vL-+P0
9P+-+-+P+0
9+-+R+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
20...Nc5 21.fxg6 hxg6 22.Bxc8 Rbxc8
23.Rf2 Kg7 24.Rdf1²
16.Nb3 Na4 17.c5 dxc5 18.Qxd8 Rxd8
19.Nxc5 Nxc5 20.Bxc5 Rd7
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-+k+0
9zpp+rzpn+p0
9-+-+-zpp+0
9+-vL-+-+-0
9-+-+PzP-+0
9+-zP-+L+P0
9P+-+-+P+0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
White has gotten rid of his c4-weakness
but the isolated c3-pawn still remains a
liability. e position should zzle out
into a draw; the following is an
illustration.
21.e5 Rc7 22.Bd4 fxe5 23.fxe5 Ng5
24.Bd5+ Be6 25.c4 Rd8 26.Be3 Bxd5
27.cxd5 Ne4 28.Rae1 Rcc8 29.Bxa7 Nd2
30.Rf4 Rxd5=
2
1.e4 c5 2.c3
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqkvlntr0
9zpp+pzppzpp0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-zp-+-+-0
9-+-+P+-+0
9+-zP-+-+-0
9PzP-zP-zPPzP0
9tRNvLQmKLsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
In keeping with our theme of ...g7-g6,
Black has three options:
1) 2...g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.cxd4 d5!? as
recommended by Alburt,
Dzindzichashvili, and Perelshteyn in
their “Chess Openings for Black,
Explained”.
2) 2...Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nf3
g6!? as in Adams-Kramnik, Dortmund
2013 (1/2–1/2).
3) My recommendation 2...d5 3.exd5
Qxd5 4.d4 g6!? which was also
recommended by Ftacnik in his
“Grandmaster Repertoire” book on the
Sicilian.
2...d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.d4
4.Na3 e rst time I saw this move
was in Nakamura-Yangyi, Gibraltar 2015
(1–0). It worked out for White in that
game, but I don’t think Black has any
problems if he responds actively. 4...Nc6
(4...Nf6 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.Bc4 Qd8 7.0-0
a6 8.Nc2 Bg4 9.d4 e6 10.h3 Bxf3
11.Qxf3 Rc8 12.Rd1 cxd4 13.Bb3! Qc7
14.Nxd4 Nxd4 15.cxd4 Bd6 16.Bg5
Ke7 17.Re1± 1–0 (39) Nakamura,H-Yu
Yangyi Gibraltar 2015)
5.Nf3 Bg4 6.Be2 e5!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+kvlntr0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-+n+-+-+0
9+-zpqzp-+-0
9-+-+-+l+0
9sN-zP-+N+-0
9PzP-zPLzPPzP0
9tR-vLQmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
It is unusual for Black to be able to
assert central dominance so early in the
Alapin. I do not think he should fear
ghosts in doing so: Black is effectively
calling White’s provocation in delaying
d2-d4 a bluff. 7.d3
a) 7.Qa4?! e4 8.Nb5 Rc8 9.Nfd4 Bxe2
10.Nxe2 Nf6μ;
b) 7.h3 Bh5 8.d3 (8.Qb3 0-0-0„; 8.0-0
e4 9.Ne1 Bxe2 10.Qxe2 0-0-0„) 8...f6
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+kvlntr0
9zpp+-+-zpp0
9-+n+-zp-+0
9+-zpqzp-+l0
9-+-+-+-+0
9sN-zPP+N+P0
9PzP-+LzPP+0
9tR-vLQmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
By further delaying his kingside
development, Black signals his intention
to castle queenside. 9.0-0 (9.Be3 0-0-0
10.0-0 Nge7 11.c4 Qg8! 12.Bxc5 Ng6!!
13.Bxf8 Qxf8 14.g4 Bxg4!! 15.hxg4
Nf4μ) 9...Nge7 10.Nc4 0-0-0 11.a3
(11.Ne3 Qd7 12.Nxe5 Bxe2 13.Nxd7
Bxd1 14.Nxf8 Be2 15.Ne6 Bxf1
16.Nxd8 Rxd8 17.Kxf1 Rxd3=)
11...Bg6
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+ktr-vl-tr0
9zpp+-sn-zpp0
9-+n+-zpl+0
9+-zpqzp-+-0
9-+N+-+-+0
9zP-zPP+N+P0
9-zP-+LzPP+0
9tR-vLQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
In this line the Accelerated Dragon
player gets to play the reverse of their
usual role — White is playing in
hypermodern fashion by relinquishing
the center and seeking counterplay on
the anks. From our experience and
preference for the Black side of the
Maroczy, we know not to underestimate
the elastic potential of White’s structure
here, but it is clear nevertheless that
Black should be content with the result
of the opening. 12.Ne3 (12.Qa4 Bxd3
13.Bxd3 Qxd3 14.Be3 Nd5³) 12...Qg8
(12...Qd7=; 12...Qe6?! 13.Nh4²)
13.Qa4 Bxd3 14.Bxd3 Rxd3 15.b4
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+k+-vlqtr0
9zpp+-sn-zpp0
9-+n+-zp-+0
9+-zp-zp-+-0
9QzP-+-+-+0
9zP-zPrsNN+P0
9-+-+-zPP+0
9tR-vL-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black should trust the soundness of his
structure and enter the complications
head on with 15...e4! 15...e4! (15...Kb8
16.b5 Nd8 17.Ne1 Rd6 18.Nc4 Rd5
19.f4 (19.Ne3 Rd6=; 19.Nc2 Qe6
20.N2e3 Rd7=) 19...Qe6 20.fxe5 fxe5
21.Nc2 (21.Nf3 Nf7=) 21...Ng6
22.Be3 Be7 23.Nb4!∞) 16.Ne1
(16.Nd2 Nd5 17.Nxe4 Qe6„)
16...Rxc3 17.b5 (17.Qd1 Qe6 18.Bd2
Rb3 19.Rc1 Kb8 20.Nc4 Nd4μ)
17...Nd4 18.Bd2 (18.Qxa7 Nd5
19.Qa8+ Kc7 20.Qa5+ Nb6 21.N1c2™
21...Ne2+ 22.Kh1 Rd3³) 18...Nd5!
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+k+-vlqtr0
9zpp+-+-zpp0
9-+-+-zp-+0
9+Pzpn+-+-0
9Q+-snp+-+0
9zP-tr-sN-+P0
9-+-vL-zPP+0
9tR-+-sNRmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
If Black makes it this far he should be
able to gure the rest out over the board.
19.b6 (19.Nxd5 Qxd5 20.Bxc3 Ne2+
21.Kh1 Nxc3 22.Qxa7 Bd6³; 19.N1c2
Nxc2 20.Nxc2 Rd3³; 19.Bxc3 Nxc3
20.Qxa7 Bd6μ) 19...Nxb6 20.Qe8+
Kc7 21.Bxc3 Ne2+ 22.Kh1 Nxc3
23.Rc1™ 23...Ne2 24.Ra1™ (24.Rd1?
Bd6 25.Qxg8 Rxg8–+) 24...Nc3=;
c) 7.0-0
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+kvlntr0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-+n+-+-+0
9+-zpqzp-+-0
9-+-+-+l+0
9sN-zP-+N+-0
9PzP-zPLzPPzP0
9tR-vLQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
is is oddly White’s most popular
move but it leads quite straightforwardly
to a slight edge for Black. 7...e4 8.Ne1
Bxe2 9.Qxe2 0-0-0 10.f3 exf3 11.Qxf3
Nf6³;
d) 7.Nc2 e4 8.Ne3 Qd7 9.Nxg4 Qxg4
10.Qa4 Nf6 11.Ne5 Qxg2 12.Rf1 Rc8
13.Bb5 Bd6 14.Nxc6
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+k+-tr0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-+Nvl-sn-+0
9+Lzp-+-+-0
9Q+-+p+-+0
9+-zP-+-+-0
9PzP-zP-zPqzP0
9tR-vL-mKR+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
14...0-0! 15.Na5 (15.Nxa7 Ra8„ ...Bb8
follows) 15...a6 16.Be2 b5μ 17...Nd5
will follow, eyeing the f4-square. Black
can take his time with the attack:
White’s king isn’t going anywhere.;
7...f6!N
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+kvlntr0
9zpp+-+-zpp0
9-+n+-zp-+0
9+-zpqzp-+-0
9-+-+-+l+0
9sN-zPP+N+-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9tR-vLQmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
is is our theme in this line: bolster
the center and aim to castle queenside.
(7...0-0-0 8.Nc4 f5 9.Ne3 Qd7 10.h3
Bh5 11.Nxf5 Qxf5 12.g4 Bxg4 13.hxg4
Qd7 14.Ng5²)
8.0-0 Nge7 9.h3
(9.Nc4 Be6 10.Re1 (10.a3 Qd7 11.b4
Nd5; 10.Nfd2 Qd7 11.Nb3 Nd5 12.d4
exd4 13.cxd4 b5 14.Ne3 c4 15.Nc5
Bxc5 16.dxc5 0-0„) 10...Qd7 11.a4
(11.a3 Nd5 12.Qc2 0-0-0 13.b4 Kb8
14.Qb2 Qc7 15.b5 Na5 16.a4 g5„)
11...Nd5 12.Bf1 0-0-0 (12...Be7 13.d4
exd4 14.cxd4 0-0³) 13.Qb3 Kb8 14.a5
g5! 15.a6 b6„)
9...Be6 10.d4 cxd4 11.cxd4 e4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+kvl-tr0
9zpp+-sn-zpp0
9-+n+lzp-+0
9+-+q+-+-0
9-+-zPp+-+0
9sN-+-+N+P0
9PzP-+LzPP+0
9tR-vLQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
12.Nb5 0-0-0 13.Nd2 a6 14.Bc4 Qd7
15.Nxe4 Bxc4! 16.Nbd6+ Qxd6
17.Nxd6+ Rxd6 18.Re1 Rxd4
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+k+-vl-tr0
9+p+-sn-zpp0
9p+n+-zp-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+ltr-+-+0
9+-+-+-+P0
9PzP-+-zPP+0
9tR-vLQtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
If we accept Euler’s estimation of the
value of the pieces, then the material is
numerically equal (three pieces for a
queen). However, in chess (and in many
spheres of life) there is a phenomenon
whereby the whole is greater than the sum
of its parts. My father used to refer to this
as ‘cooperation points’: for every
combination of pieces, add a point, so two
pieces are worth 3+3+1, ie. more than a
rook+pawn (pawns don’t count as pieces) .
Similarly, three pieces are worth
3+3+3+1+1+1. is may be a bit of an
exaggeration, but it’s not a bad rst
approximation. I suspect my father
thought of this himself (in the context of a
variation in the Pirc where three pieces
outshine a Queen and two pawns), but I
also came across the idea in Lasker’s Chess
Manual.
4...g6
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnl+kvlntr0
9zpp+-zpp+p0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+-zpq+-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-zP-+-+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tRNvLQmKLsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
e rst strong player to consistently
play this move was Yugoslavian
Grandmaster Ognjen Cvitan, who played
it several times throughout the 1990s.
Since then, the move has found a brigade
of supporters, most notably Radjabov,
Karjakin, Dreev, and Almasi. It was also
played several times by a young Magnus
Carlsen.
5.dxc5
5.Be3 is was the ‘main line’ in the
early days of the opening, but it is no
longer considered a critical test for Black.
5...cxd4 6.cxd4
(6.Qxd4 Nf6 7.Na3 (7.Qxd5 Nxd5
8.Bd4 f6=) 7...Nc6 8.Qa4 Bg7 9.Nb5
Qd8!³)
6...Bg7 7.Nc3 Qd8 8.Nf3
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqk+ntr0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-sN-vLN+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
8...Nh6!?
(8...Nf6 Black may prefer this mode of
development; it is largely a matter of
taste. I think many IMs and GMs prefer
ideas with ...Ng8-h6 because they lead
to positions which their lower rated
opponents (in Swiss-system
tournaments) may be unfamiliar with.)
9.Bc4
(9.Bb5+ Nd7 10.0-0 0-0 11.Bc4 Nf5=)
9...Nf5 10.Ne5 Nd6 11.Bb3 Nc6
12.Ba4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+-tr0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+nsn-+p+0
9+-+-sN-+-0
9L+-zP-+-+0
9+-sN-vL-+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
12...0-0! 13.Bxc6
(13.Nxc6 bxc6 14.Bxc6 Rb8 15.b3
Ba6μ)
13...bxc6 14.Nxc6 Qd7 15.Ne5 Qb7©;
5.Be2!? A tricky move rst played by
Grandmaster Hort in 1992. 5...cxd4!
a) 5...Nc6?! 6.Bf3² (6.dxc5²) ;
b) 5...Qxg2?? 6.Bf3+–;
6.cxd4
(6.Nf3 Nf6 7.cxd4 Bg7 8.Nc3 Qd6=)
6...Bg7 7.Nf3
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnl+k+ntr0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+-+q+-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-+-+N+-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9tRNvLQmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
7...Nh6
XIIIIIIIIY
(7...Nf6 I tend to prefer my knight on
f6, but as I have said, it is usually a
matter of taste. 8.Nc3 Qd6=)
8.Nc3 Qd8 9.Bf4 0-0 10.0-0 Nf5
11.d5 a6 12.a4 Nd7 13.Qb3 b6 14.Rad1
Bb7 15.Rfe1 Rc8= 1/2–1/2 (29) Hort,V
(2560)-Spraggett,K (2540) San
Bernardino 1992;
5.Na3 cxd4 6.Nb5 Na6 7.Qxd4 Qxd4
8.Nxd4 Nf6 9.Ngf3 Bg7 10.Bb5+ Bd7
11.0-0 Nc7 12.Bc4 Nfd5 13.Re1
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+k+-tr0
9zppsnlzppvlp0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+-+n+-+-0
9-+LsN-+-+0
9+-zP-+N+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-vL-tR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
13...f6! Black exes his muscles; the
center is his for the taking. 14.a4 a6=
5...Qxd1+ 6.Kxd1
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnl+kvlntr0
9zpp+-zpp+p0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+-zP-+-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-zP-+-+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tRNvLK+LsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
6...Nf6
Black needn’t rush to win back his
sacri ced pawn. Sometimes he will even
play ...b7-b6, abandoning hopes to regain
the pawn in favor of opening up lines for
his pieces. Even with queens off the board,
White’s king is not safe in the center.
6...e6N I toyed around with this new
idea for a while, but I came to the
conclusion that it is unnecessary since the
main move, 6...Nf6, equalizes
comfortably. I have included my analysis
of 6...e6 in case the reader is interested.
7.b4!
a) 7.Be3 Nf6
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnl+kvl-tr0
9zpp+-+p+p0
9-+-+psnp+0
9+-zP-+-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-zP-vL-+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tRN+K+LsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
8.Nf3
a1) 8.Bd4 Be7 9.Nf3 0-0 10.Nbd2 Rd8
11.Kc2 Nd5 12.Bc4 Nc6 13.Rhe1 Nxd4+
14.cxd4 b6 15.Bxd5 Rxd5 16.b4 Bb7©;
a2) 8.Na3 Nbd7 9.Nb5 (9.Bb5 Ng4 10.c6
bxc6 11.Bxc6 Rb8©) 9...Nd5 10.Nf3
Nxe3+ 11.fxe3 Ke7 12.b4 a5©;
8...Be7 9.Na3 0-0 10.Nb5 Nd5
11.Kc2 Nxe3+ 12.fxe3 a5 13.Nd6 Nd7
14.b4 Nf6 15.Nxc8 Rfxc8 16.Kb3 b6
17.Bc4 (17.cxb6 Ne4 18.b7 Rxc3+
19.Kb2 Rb8–+) 17...bxc5 18.b5 Ne4„;
b) 7.Bb5+ Bd7 8.Bxd7+ Nxd7 9.b4
Ne7 10.Kc2 Bg7 11.Nd2 0-0 12.Ne4
Nd5 13.Bb2 b6 14.c6 (14.cxb6
N7xb6³) 14...Ne5 15.b5 a6 16.a4 Nc4
17.Ne2 Nc7 18.bxa6 Rfc8μ;
7...Bg7 8.Kc2
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnl+k+ntr0
9zpp+-+pvlp0
9-+-+p+p+0
9+-zP-+-+-0
9-zP-+-+-+0
9+-zP-+-+-0
9P+K+-zPPzP0
9tRNvL-+LsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
8...Ne7
(8...a5 9.Bb2 (9.b5 Nd7 10.Ba3 Ngf6
11.Bd3 Bf8 12.c6 bxc6 13.bxc6 Nc5
14.Bb5 e5=) 9...Nf6 10.Nd2 0-0
11.Ngf3 axb4 12.cxb4 Bd7 13.Bc4 Bc6
14.Rhg1 Rd8 15.Bb3 Bb5 16.Nc4 Nc6
17.a3 Ne4 18.Bxg7 Kxg7 19.Rge1±)
9.Nf3 0-0 10.Bf4
(10.Nbd2 Nd5 11.Bb2 b6 12.Ne4
(12.cxb6 axb6©) 12...bxc5 13.Nxc5
Nd7 14.Ne4 Bb7 15.Nd6 Rab8 16.a3
Bc6 17.b5 Ba8 18.c4™ 18...Bxb2
19.Kxb2 Nf4 20.Kc3 Rb6 21.Rd1 Nc5
22.Kb4 Na6+ 23.Ka5 Nc5 24.Kb4=)
10...Nd5
(10...Nec6 11.b5 e5 12.Bg3 (12.Be3
Ne7=) 12...Bf5+ 13.Kb2 Na5 14.Nbd2
(14.Bxe5 Bxe5 15.Nxe5 Rd8©)
14...Nd7 15.Nb3 Nxb3 16.axb3 e4
(16...Nxc5 17.Bxe5 Bxe5 18.Nxe5
Rfd8 19.Bc4 Rd2+ 20.Ka3±) 17.Nd4
Nxc5 18.Bd6 Rfc8 19.Nxf5 gxf5
20.Bxc5 Rxc5 21.Bc4²)
11.Be5 a5 12.Bxg7 Kxg7 13.Kb3 Nc6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-tr-+0
9+p+-+pmkp0
9-+n+p+p+0
9zp-zPn+-+-0
9-zP-+-+-+0
9+KzP-+N+-0
9P+-+-zPPzP0
9tRN+-+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
14.Bc4
(14.b5 Nb8!=)
14...axb4 15.Bxd5 Na5+
(15...exd5 16.cxb4 Re8 17.b5 Na5+
18.Kc3 Bd7 19.Nd4²)
16.Kc2 exd5 17.cxb4 Bf5+ 18.Kc3
(18.Kb2!±)
18...Nc6 19.a4 d4+ 20.Nxd4 Nxd4
21.Kxd4 Rfd8+ 22.Kc4 b5+ 23.cxb6
Rac8+ 24.Kb3 Be6+ 25.Kb2 Rd4 26.Ra3
Rxb4+ 27.Ka1 Rxb6=
7.Nf3
7.Bb5+ Bd7 8.Na3
(8.Bxd7+ Nbxd7 9.c6 bxc6 10.Nf3 e5
11.Re1 Ng4 12.Kc2 f6 13.Be3 Nxe3+
14.Rxe3 Bh6 15.Re2 Rd8 16.Nbd2
Bxd2 17.Nxd2 Kf7= 1/2–1/2 (28)
Pedersen,N (2508)-Nevednichy,V
(2569) Istanbul 2003)
8...e6!
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-+kvl-tr0
9zpp+l+p+p0
9-+-+psnp+0
9+LzP-+-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9sN-zP-+-+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-vLK+-sNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
(8...Bg7 9.Nf3 0-0 10.Ke2 Rc8 11.Be3
Nd5 12.Rhd1 Nxe3 13.Kxe3 Bxb5
14.Nxb5² 1/2–1/2 (57) Madeira,W
(2215)-Leitao,R (2566) Sao Paulo
2004)
9.Bxd7+ Nbxd7 10.Nb5
(10.b4 Ne4³)
10...Ke7! 11.b4 a6 12.Nd6 b6³
7...Bg7 8.Bb5+
8.Be3 Ng4 9.Bb5+ Bd7 10.Bxd7+
Nxd7 11.Re1 Nxe3+ 12.Rxe3 Nxc5
13.Kc2 e6 14.Nbd2 Ke7 15.Nb3 Rac8=
0–1 (49) Ragger, M (2265)-Kozul,Z
(2587) Maribor 2003.
8...Bd7
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-+k+-tr0
9zpp+lzppvlp0
9-+-+-snp+0
9+LzP-+-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-zP-+N+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tRNvLK+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
9.Bd3
9.Bxd7+ Nbxd7 10.Kc2 Nxc5 11.Be3
Rc8 12.Re1 Nd5 13.Bd4 0-0 14.Bxg7
Kxg7 15.Nbd2 b5 16.g3 Rfd8 17.Rad1 e6
18.Nb3 Na4 19.Rd4 Naxc3 20.Kd2
Nxa2 0–1 (21) Sriram,J (2356)-Kunte,A
(2487) Mumbai 2000.
9...Bc6 10.Be3 Ng4 11.Nbd2 Nd7
12.Nb3 0-0-0 13.Kc2 Nde5 14.Nxe5
Nxe5 15.Bf1 Be4+ 16.Kc1 Ng4³
1/2–1/2 (53) Smerdon,D (2470)-Saric,I
(2559) Dresden 2008.
3
1.e4 c5 2.c3 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.d4 g6
5.Nf3
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnl+kvlntr0
9zpp+-zpp+p0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+-zpq+-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-zP-+N+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tRNvLQmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
5...Nc6!?
In this book I have tried, where
possible, to present novel ideas, even
where the accepted wisdom is perfectly
adequate. ere is value in exploring new
terrain, both from a scienti c perspective
of enriching the literature on an opening,
but also from the practical, ‘surprise value’
perspective. 5...Nc6 is an extremely rare
move, about fty(!) times less common
than the main move, 5...Bg7. I am not
sure, nor do I frankly care very much,
which of 5...Bg7 or 5...Nc6 is ‘objectively’
the better move. It seems to me though,
that the new ideas which follow lead to
rich, unexplored positions where a wellprepared Black player can pose serious
problems for their opponent. Praxis and
the test of time will determine whether
these ideas have wings, or whether Black is
better off adhering to the usual 5...Bg7.
Before continuing I would like to mention
that the following is joint analysis between
myself and Canadian (exiled by marriage
to America) IM Dave Ross.
5...Bg7 e reader may consult GM
Ftacnik’s book on the Sicilian for his
treatment of this move. Black may be ne
with accurate play, but the amount of
awkward queen moves Black is lured into
is not to my taste. 6.Nbd2!
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnl+k+ntr0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+-zpq+-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-zP-+N+-0
9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
9tR-vLQmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
I think this rare move deserves more
attention.
(6.Na3 is transposes to subchapter 5,
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.c3 d5 4.exd5 Qxd5
5.Na3 Bg7 6.d4.)
6...cxd4
(6...Qe6+?! We will see this is the right
move after 5...Nc6 6.Nbd2 but not
here. 7.Be2 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Bxd4 is is
the reason: instead of trading on d4 with
a knight as in the 5...Nc6 line, Black has
to cede the two bishops to White.
9.cxd4 Nf6 10.0-0 0-0 11.Bf3²)
7.Bc4 Qd8
(7...Qh5N
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnl+k+ntr0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+-+-+-+q0
9-+Lzp-+-+0
9+-zP-+N+-0
9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
9tR-vLQmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black does not quite equalize here. 8.00! (8.Qb3 Nh6 9.Nxd4 0-0 10.N2f3
Nf5 11.0-0 Nd6 12.Bd3 Nd7=)
8...Nc6 (8...dxc3? 9.Ne4! cxb2?
10.Bxf7+! Kxf7 11.Qb3+ Kf8 12.Neg5
Nh6 13.Bxb2 Bxb2 14.Qxb2 Rg8
15.Nxh7+ Ke8 16.Nfg5+–) 9.Qb3
(9.cxd4 Nf6 10.d5 Nxd5 11.Qb3 e6
12.Ne4 0-0 13.Ng3 Na5! 14.Qb5
Nc7!= Alas, Black hangs on by the skin
of his teeth.) 9...Nh6 10.Nxd4 Nxd4
11.cxd4 0-0
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+-+-+psn0
9+-+-+-+q0
9-+LzP-+-+0
9+Q+-+-+-0
9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
9tR-vL-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
12.h3! A strong prophylactic move:
Black can no longer disentangle with
...Nh6-f5 in light of g2-g4. 12...Bxd4
(12...g5?! 13.g4 Nxg4 14.Be2 (14.hxg4
Bxg4 15.Kg2 Bf5=) 14...Qh4 15.hxg4
Bxg4 16.Nf3±) 13.Re1 Nf5 (13...Bg7
14.Nf3 Nf5 15.Bf4²) 14.Ne4 Nd6
15.Nxd6 exd6 16.Re7 g5 17.Bd2! g4
18.hxg4 Bxf2+ 19.Kf1! (19.Kxf2 Qh4+
20.Kg1 Qxe7=) 19...Qg6 20.Kxf2
Qf6+ 21.Qf3 Qxe7 22.Rh1±)
8.Nxd4 Nh6
(8...Bxd4 9.cxd4 Qxd4 10.0-0 Nc6
11.Qb3²; 8...Nf6 9.0-0 0-0 10.N2f3²)
9.N2f3 0-0 10.0-0
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwq-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+-+-+psn0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+LsN-+-+0
9+-zP-+N+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-vLQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black’s position is not pretty; I prefer
the fresh positions which arise after
5...Nc6!?.
10...Nf5 11.Re1
(11.Bg5 Qc7 12.Qe2²)
11...Nxd4 12.Nxd4 Qc7 13.Bb3 a6
14.Bg5² 1/2–1/2 (57) Onischuk,A
(2664)-Kudrin,S (2549) Tulsa 2008.
6.Be3
e main move 6.Be2 will be covered in
the next subchapter. 6.dxc5 is is
premature; if White wants to take on c5
then he should rst play 6.Be3 then take
on c5 after Black commits his bishop to
g7. 6...Qxd1+ 7.Kxd1 Nf6 8.Be3 Nd5
9.Nbd2 e5!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+kvl-tr0
9zpp+-+p+p0
9-+n+-+p+0
9+-zPnzp-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-zP-vLN+-0
9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
9tR-+K+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
10.Ne4 Bf5 11.Bd3 0-0-0 12.Ke2
Nxe3 13.fxe3 Be7 14.Nd6+
(14.Bc2 Bg4 15.Nf2 Bxf3+ 16.gxf3
Bxc5=)
14...Bxd6 15.Bxf5+ gxf5 16.cxd6 Rxd6
17.Rad1 Kd7!=;
6.Na3
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+kvlntr0
9zpp+-zpp+p0
9-+n+-+p+0
9+-zpq+-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9sN-zP-+N+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-vLQmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
One of the nice things about this
5...Nc6 system is that it is particularly
well-suited to meet 6.Na3, which is the
most popular move against 5...Bg7.
Indeed, when I was practicing this line in
online blitz I came across Alapin specialist
GM A. Zhigalko and 6.Na3 was his
choice as well. As we see, though, Black’s
5...Nc6 enables him to quickly castle
queenside and pose White with immediate
problems. 6...Bg4 7.Nb5
(7.Be2 cxd4 8.cxd4 Nf6 9.Nb5 Rc8
10.Nc3 Qa5 11.d5 Rd8 12.0-0 Bg7³;
7.Bc4 Bxf3 8.gxf3 Qf5„ It is a great
practical upshot of this system that
natural moves by White allow Black to
equalize with ease. 9.Bd3 Qh5 10.Be4
Nf6 11.Nb5? Nxe4 12.Nc7+ Kd7
13.Nxa8 Nf6μ)
7...0-0-0!
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+ktr-vlntr0
9zpp+-zpp+p0
9-+n+-+p+0
9+Nzpq+-+-0
9-+-zP-+l+0
9+-zP-+N+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-vLQmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
White is suddenly caught off guard —
Black isn’t supposed to be able to castle
queenside in this opening! Reap the
rewards of 5...Nc6. Black has taken over
the initiative and White needs to be
extremely accurate to not lose outright in
the next few moves. 8.Be2™
(8.Be3 a6 9.a4 Bxf3 10.gxf3 Bh6!μ)
8...a6 9.a4
(¹9.Na3 cxd4 10.cxd4 Bxf3 11.Bxf3
Qxd4 12.Qc2 Qd3 13.Qxd3 Rxd3
14.Nc4©)
If you ever get this position over the
board, relish your opportunity — your
opponent is likely a masochist, and you
may get to enact one of the beautiful
variations which follow. 11.f3
(11.Nc7+ Kd8 12.f3 Qh4+ 13.Bf2 Qf6
14.Nxa8 Nc2+ 15.Ke2 Qe6+ 16.Ne4
Bxe4 17.dxc5+ Kc8–+)
9...cxd4 10.cxd4 axb5 11.axb5 Bxf3
12.bxc6 Bxe2 13.Ra8+ Kc7 14.Bf4+ e5
15.Bxe5+ Qxe5–+;
11...Qh4+ 12.Bf2
6.c4?! Qe4+ 7.Be3 Nb4!
(12.g3 Qf6 13.Bxh6 Nc2+ 14.Kf2
Nxh6 15.Rc1 a6 16.Nc7+ Kd8μ)
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+kvlntr0
9zpp+-zpp+p0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+-zp-+-+-0
9-snPzPq+-+0
9+-+-vLN+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tRN+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
12...Qg5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+k+ntr0
9zpp+-zpp+p0
9-+-+-+pvl0
9+Nzp-+lwq-0
9-snPzP-+-+0
9+-+-+P+-0
9PzP-sN-vLPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black gets to have some fun in this line.
8.Na3
(8.Nc3 Nc2+ 9.Kd2 Nxe3 10.fxe3 Qc6
11.Ne5 Qa6=)
13.Rc1
(13.Nc7+ Kf8 14.h4 (14.Nxa8 Nc2+
15.Ke2 cxd4–+) 14...Qf4 15.Nd5
Nxd5 16.cxd5 cxd4μ)
8...Bh6! 9.Nd2 Qg4 10.Nb5 Bf5!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+k+ntr0
9zpp+-zpp+p0
9-+-+-+pvl0
9+Nzp-+l+-0
9-snPzP-+q+0
9+-+-vL-+-0
9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
a6
13...Qf4 14.g3 Qb8 15.a3 Na2 16.Ra1
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9rwq-+k+ntr0
9+p+-zpp+p0
9p+-+-+pvl0
9+Nzp-+l+-0
9-+PzP-+-+0
9zP-+-+PzP-0
9nzP-sN-vL-zP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
17.Rxa2 axb5 18.Qb3
(18.cxb5 Nf6 19.Bg2 0-0 20.0-0
cxd4μ)
18...cxd4 19.Bxd4 bxc4 20.Nxc4
(20.Bxc4 Qd6!=)
20...Nf6 21.Be5 Qd8 22.Qb5+ Bd7
23.Qxb7 0-0©;
6.Nbd2N Since this was a big problem
in the 5...Bg7 line I searched for games
after 5...Nc6 6.Nbd2. Turns out it is a
novelty, but not one Black needs to worry
about. 6...Qe6+! 7.Be2 cxd4 8.Nxd4
(8.cxd4 Nf6 9.0-0 Bg7 10.Nc4 0-0
11.b3 Nd5 12.Bb2 Rd8=)
8...Nxd4 9.cxd4 Nh6 10.0-0 Bg7
11.Bb5+ Bd7 12.Re1 Qg4!=
6...Bg7
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+ntr0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+n+-+p+0
9+-zpq+-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-zP-vLN+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tRN+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
6...Bh6 7.dxc5 Qxd1+ 8.Kxd1 Bxe3
9.fxe3²;
6...Nf6 7.c4 Qd6 8.d5 Ne5 9.Be2²
7.dxc5
7.Na3 Black is ne after the mass
exchanges on d4. 7...cxd4 8.Nb5 Qd8
9.Nbxd4 Nxd4 10.Bxd4 Bxd4
(10...Nf6!? 11.Bb5+ Bd7 12.Qe2 0-0
13.Rd1 Bxb5 14.Qxb5 Qc8=)
11.Qxd4 Qxd4 12.Nxd4 Nf6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+-tr0
9zpp+-zpp+p0
9-+-+-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-sN-+-+0
9+-zP-+-+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
13.0-0-0 Bd7 14.Be2 0-0-0 15.Rhe1 e6
16.Bf3 g5!=
7...Qxd1+ 8.Kxd1 Nf6
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+-tr0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+n+-snp+0
9+-zP-+-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-zP-vLN+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tRN+K+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+ltr-+k+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+-+-+p+0
9sn-zPn+-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-zPLvLN+-0
9PzP-sNKzPPzP0
9tR-+-+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black is down a pawn, and will likely
stay down a pawn for the foreseeable
future, but as compensation he has better
control over the center and the potential
to harrass White’s king which has lost its
castling rights.
13.Nb3
13.Nc4 Bf5! 14.Nxa5 Nxc3+ 15.bxc3
Bxd3+ 16.Kd2 Be4+ 17.Bd4 e5=;
9.Bc4
9.Bd3 Nd5 10.Nbd2
14...Nb7 15.c6 Nd6 16.Nd4 e5
17.Nb5 Bg4+ 18.f3 Bf5 19.c7 Bxd3+
20.Kxd3 Rd7 21.Nxd6 Rxd6³
(10.Be4 0-0! 11.Bxd5 Rd8 12.Ke2
Rxd5 13.Na3 b6! 14.Nb5 (14.cxb6
Ba6+ 15.Ke1 axb6 16.Rd1 Ra5!
17.Nd4 Ne5„) 14...Rb8 15.Nc7 Rd7
16.cxb6 axb6 17.Nb5 Ba6 18.a4 Na7=)
10...0-0 11.Ke2 Rd8 12.Rhc1 h6©
Prophylactically guarding the g5-square.
Black will continue ...e7-e5/...Bc8Be6/...f7-f5 etc. White can only hope he is
resilient enough to endure this, because he
has no aggressive ambitions of his own.
13.Rac1 b6! 14.b4
(14.cxb6 axb6 15.a3 Nb7!„)
13...Nc6
Black is happy to ‘just play’ this position
down a pawn, without feeling any urgency
to regain it. Petrosian once said
(paraphrasing) that ‘too often players
sacri ce a pawn and then go on to play as
if they blundered it’.
14.Rhd1
14.Rac1 e5 15.Rhd1 h6 16.Nfd2 f5
17.f3 Be6 18.Nc4
9...0-0 10.Nbd2 Rd8 11.Ke2 Na5
12.Bd3
12.Rhd1 Nxc4 13.Nxc4 Nd5=
12...Nd5
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-tr-+k+0
9zpp+-+-vl-0
9-+n+l+pzp0
9+-zPnzpp+-0
9-+N+-+-+0
9+NzPLvLP+-0
9PzP-+K+PzP0
9+-tRR+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
18...e4! 19.fxe4 fxe4 20.Bxe4 Nxc3+
21.bxc3 Bxc4+ 22.Kf2 Rf8+ 23.Kg1
Rae8=;
14.Bc2 a5 15.a4 Be6=
14...Bxc3!? 15.bxc3 Nxc3+
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+ltr-+k+0
9zpp+-zpp+p0
9-+n+-+p+0
9+-zP-+-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+NsnLvLN+-0
9P+-+KzPPzP0
9tR-+R+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
16.Kf1
16.Ke1 Nb4 17.Be2 Nc2+ 18.Kf1
Nxd1 19.Rxd1 Rxd1+ 20.Bxd1 Nxe3+
21.fxe3 Be6 22.Nfd4 Bd5 23.Bf3 Bxf3
24.gxf3 b6= A rook is no worse than two
knights in the endgame.
16...Nxd1 17.Rxd1 Nb4 18.Nbd4 Nxd3
19.Rxd3 Be6 20.Rd2 Bc4+ 21.Ke1 Bd5=
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-tr-+k+0
9zpp+-zpp+p0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+-zPl+-+-0
9-+-sN-+-+0
9+-+-vLN+-0
9P+-tR-zPPzP0
9+-+-mK-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
It may not be clear from the looks of
this position, but it will be clear that Black
is no worse, perhaps even to be preferred,
once he achieves ...f7-f6 and ...e7-e5.
4
1.e4 c5 2.c3 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.d4 g6
5.Nf3 Nc6!? 6.Be2 Bg7
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+ntr0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+n+-+p+0
9+-zpq+-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-zP-+N+-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9tRNvLQmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
7.c4
7.dxc5 We do not take on d1 this time
because White can retain his castling
rights by recapturing with the bishop.
7...Qxc5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+ntr0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+n+-+p+0
9+-wq-+-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-zP-+N+-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9tRNvLQmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
8.Na3
(8.Be3 Qa5 9.0-0 Nf6 10.Na3 0-0
11.Nc4 Qc7 12.Qc1 Nd5 13.Bh6 e5=)
8...Nf6 9.Nb5 0-0 10.Be3 Qf5=;
7.Na3 cxd4 8.Nb5
(8.cxd4 Nf6 9.Nb5 0-0³)
8...Qd8! 9.Nfxd4 Nxd4 10.Nxd4 Nf6
11.Qa4+ Bd7 12.Qb4 Qb6 13.Qxb6 axb6
14.a3 0-0 15.0-0 Nd5 16.Bc4 Bc6
17.Rd1 e6=;
7.Be3 cxd4 8.cxd4 Nf6 9.Nc3 Qa5
10.0-0 0-0
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+n+-snp+0
9wq-+-+-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-sN-vLN+-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
is is a well-known position from the
Tarrasch Queen’s Gambit Declined
(Rubinstein Variation), with colors
reversed. us, White is effectively playing
the Tarrasch QGD a tempo up here, but
this tempo is only enough to allow him to
equalize, and in fact I still prefer Black.
11.Qb3
(11.a3 Be6 12.b4 Qd8=)
11...Qb4! 12.d5 Qxb3 13.axb3 Nb4
14.Bc4
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+-+-snp+0
9+-+P+-+-0
9-snL+-+-+0
9+PsN-vLN+-0
9-zP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
14...b5! 15.Nxb5
(15.Bc5 bxc4 16.Bxb4 cxb3 17.Bxe7
Re8 18.d6 Be6)
15...Nfxd5 16.Rxa7 Nxe3 17.Rxa8
Nxf1 18.Kxf1 Ba6 19.Rxf8+ Kxf8
20.Nc3 Bxc4+ 21.bxc4 Nd3=
7...Qd8!
e queen turns out to be happier on
d8 than d6 because it won’t come under
attack from White’s Nb1–a3-b5 or Nf3g5-e4.
7...Qd6 8.d5 Nd4
(8...Ne5 9.Ng5! (9.Nxe5 Bxe5 10.Nc3
Nf6 11.Bh6 Bd7 12.h3 0-0-0=)
9...Nh6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+-tr0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+-wq-+psn0
9+-zpPsn-sN-0
9-+P+-+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9tRNvLQmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
10.Ne4 (10.Nc3 Nf5 11.Nge4 Qc7=)
10...Qb6 11.Nbc3 Nf5 12.0-0 0-0
13.b3 Nd4 (13...Qd8 14.Bb2 b6
15.Qd2 Bb7 16.Rae1²) 14.Bb2 Bd7
(14...f5 15.Na4±) 15.f4 f5 16.fxe5 fxe4
17.e6±)
9.Nxd4!
(9.Nc3 Nxf3+ 10.Bxf3 Nh6 11.0-0
Nf5„)
9...cxd4 10.0-0 Nf6 11.Na3!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+-tr0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+-wq-snp+0
9+-+P+-+-0
9-+Pzp-+-+0
9sN-+-+-+-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9tR-vLQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
11...0-0 12.Nb5 Qb6 13.a4 Ne4
14.Bf3
(14.a5 Qf6 15.Bf3 Nd6 16.Nxd6 exd6
17.b4 Bf5 18.c5 d3 19.Ra3 Qd4„)
14...Nd6 15.Nxd6 exd6 16.b3²
(16.Be4²)
8.d5
8.dxc5 Qxd1+ 9.Bxd1 Be6 10.Be2 Nh6
11.Nc3 Nf5 12.0-0 0-0 13.Rd1 Rfd8
14.Bf4 Nfd4 15.Nxd4 Nxd4 16.Bd3
Rac8=
8...Nd4
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+ntr0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+-zpP+-+-0
9-+Psn-+-+0
9+-+-+N+-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9tRNvLQmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
9.Nc3
9.Nxd4 cxd4 10.0-0
(10.Nd2 e5! (10...e6!? 11.Ne4 exd5
12.cxd5 Ne7 13.Bb5+ Kf8∞) 11.0-0
(11.f4 exf4 12.0-0 Ne7=) 11...Ne7
12.Re1 0-0 e position is rich, and
offers mutual chances. 13.Bf1 b6 14.a4
Nf5 15.a5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zp-+-+pvlp0
9-zp-+-+p+0
9zP-+Pzpn+-0
9-+Pzp-+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-zP-sN-zPPzP0
9tR-vLQtRLmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+ntr0
9zpp+-+pvlp0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+-+Pzp-+-0
9-+Pzp-+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9tRNvLQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
It is very unclear which side’s passed
pawns are stronger here, but determining
this over the board will certainly lead to an
interesting ght.
(10...e6!? 11.Re1 (11.dxe6 Bxe6
12.Qa4+ Qd7 13.Qxd7+ Bxd7=)
11...Ne7 12.Qa4+ Bd7 13.Qa3 0-0
14.Bg5 f6 15.Bd2 exd5 16.Ba5 b6
17.Bb4 Rf7 18.Bf3 Bf8∞)
11.Re1
(11.dxe6 Bxe6 12.Qa4+ Qd7 13.Qxd7+
Bxd7 14.Re1 0-0-0=; 11.Nd2 Ne7
12.Qa4+ Bd7 13.Qb3 b6 14.f4 exf4
15.Ne4 0-0 16.Bxf4 Nf5=)
11...Ne7 12.Bd3 0-0 13.a4 b6
(13...f5!? 14.f3 f4 15.Nd2 Nf5„)
14.b4 Bf5 15.Bf1 Re8=
9...Nxf3+ 10.Bxf3 Nh6
15...b5! 16.b3 Re8 17.Bd3 Rb8 18.Ba3
Nd6=)
10...e5!
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+-tr0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+-+-+psn0
9+-zpP+-+-0
9-+P+-+-+0
9+-sN-+L+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-vLQmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Once Black plants his knight on d4 he
should be well positioned for anything
White throws at him.
11.0-0
11.Bxh6 (e concept for this move is
borrowed from a well known line in the
English: 1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2
Bg7 5.Nc3 d6 6.0-0 Nh6 7.d4! cxd4
8.Bxh6! Bxh6 9.Nxd4). 11...Bxh6 12.0-0
0-0 13.Re1 Bd7 14.Qe2
(14.Qb3 Rb8 15.Qa3 b6=)
14...Re8 15.Bg4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqr+k+0
9zpp+lzpp+p0
9-+-+-+pvl0
9+-zpP+-+-0
9-+P+-+L+0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9PzP-+QzPPzP0
9tR-+-tR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
15...f5! 16.Bf3 a6 17.a4 Rb8 18.a5
Bg7=
11...Nf5 12.Re1 0-0 13.Bg5
13.Bf4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+-zpP+n+-0
9-+P+-vL-+0
9+-sN-+L+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
White may do without provoking ...h7h6, but Black continues in more or less the
same way. 13...Nd4 14.Be4
(14.Rc1 a6 15.b3 Re8 (15...Bd7?!
16.Bg5 Re8? 17.d6±) 16.Be4 Bd7
17.Qd2 f5 18.Bd3 e5 19.dxe6 Nxe6=)
14...Re8 15.Rc1 Bd7 16.Qd2 f5
17.Bd3 e5 18.dxe6 Nxe6 19.Be5 Bc6=
13...h6 14.Bf4 Nd4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvl-0
9-+-+-+pzp0
9+-zpP+-+-0
9-+Psn-vL-+0
9+-sN-+L+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
As in the Breyer Variation of the
Maroczy, Black’s knight on d4 is a
nuisance for White to play around. e
following variations illustrate some
possible ways the game might continue,
but in general Black can probably just
gure things out over the board from here.
e position is roughly equal.
15.Rc1
15.Be4 g5 16.Be3 e5 17.dxe6 Bxe6„
15...Bd7 16.Be4 Re8 17.Qd2 g5 18.Be3
f5 19.Bd3 e5!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqr+k+0
9zpp+l+-vl-0
9-+-+-+-zp0
9+-zpPzppzp-0
9-+Psn-+-+0
9+-sNLvL-+-0
9PzP-wQ-zPPzP0
9+-tR-tR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
20.dxe6 Bxe6 21.Nd5 Qd7 22.Bxd4
22.b4 b6 23.bxc5 bxc5 24.Qa5 f4
25.Bxd4 Bxd4 26.Nc7 Qd8 27.Qa6
Bxf2+ 28.Kxf2 Qd4+ 29.Kf1 Qxd3+
30.Kg1 Qd4+ 31.Kh1
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+r+k+0
9zp-sN-+-+-0
9Q+-+l+-zp0
9+-zp-+-zp-0
9-+Pwq-zp-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9P+-+-+PzP0
9+-tR-tR-+K0
xiiiiiiiiy
31...f3!! 32.gxf3 Qf4 33.Qb7 Rab8
34.Nxe6 Rxb7 35.Nxf4 Rxe1+ 36.Rxe1
gxf4=
22...Bxd4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+r+k+0
9zpp+q+-+-0
9-+-+l+-zp0
9+-zpN+pzp-0
9-+Pvl-+-+0
9+-+L+-+-0
9PzP-wQ-zPPzP0
9+-tR-tR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
23.b4 b6 24.bxc5 bxc5 25.Rxe6 Qxe6
26.Nc7 Qf6 27.Nxa8 Rxa8=
5
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.c3
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqkvlntr0
9zpp+pzpp+p0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+-zp-+-+-0
9-+-+P+-+0
9+-zP-+N+-0
9PzP-zP-zPPzP0
9tRNvLQmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
is move order is recommended by
GM Sveshnikov in his book ‘e
Complete c3 Sicilian’ as particularly
effective against the system I am
recommending against 2.c3. White’s idea
is to delay d2-d4, so that after 3...d5
4.exd5 Qxd5 White has the option of
5.Na3, considered better for White by
Sveshnikov. Black has two ways to
transpose to the main line of this chapter:
either play 3...d5 and allow Sveshnikov’s
5.Na3, or play 3...Nc6 and allow a
‘delayed’ Rossolimo (4.Bb5). According to
my analysis, either of these is ne for
Black, but 3...Nc6 is more in keeping with
my recommended repertoire for reasons I
will make clear in this subchapter.
3...d5 4.exd5
4.Bb5+ is effectively leads to a forced
draw, which may be (for some) another
reason to prefer 3...Nc6. 4...Bd7 5.Bxd7+
Qxd7 6.Ne5 Qe6 7.Qb3!?
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-+kvlntr0
9zpp+-zpp+p0
9-+-+q+p+0
9+-zppsN-+-0
9-+-+P+-+0
9+QzP-+-+-0
9PzP-zP-zPPzP0
9tRNvL-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
7...Qxe5 8.Qxb7 Qxe4+ 9.Kf1
(9.Kd1?? Qa4+ 10.b3 Qc6–+)
9...Qd3+ 10.Ke1
(10.Kg1? e6 11.Qxa8 Bd6μ)
10...Qe4+ 11.Kf1=
4...Qxd5 5.Na3
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnl+kvlntr0
9zpp+-zpp+p0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+-zpq+-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9sN-zP-+N+-0
9PzP-zP-zPPzP0
9tR-vLQmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Sveshnikov is quite optimistic about
White’s chances: “White develops quickly
and takes a rm grip on the initiative”.
5.d4 Nc6 is transposes to the main line
of the Alapin (2.c3 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.d4
g6 5.Nf3 Nc6).
5...Bg7 6.d4
is transposes to 1.e4 c5 2.c3 d5
3.exd5 Qxd5 4.d4 g6 5.Nf3 Bg7 6.Na3,
and I think it is ne for Black. However, I
recommend (in the main line of the
Alapin section) that Black plays 5...Nc6
instead of 5...Bg7, so this variation does
not ‘come up’ in the main move order.
at being said, I recommend 5...Nc6
because I don’t like Black’s position after
5...Bg7 6.Nbd2! which is not the case
here, so some readers may prefer to allow
this line rather than allowing a delayed
Rossolimo with 3...Nc6.
6.Bc4 is is Sveshnikov’s
recommendation (following up with:
6...Qe4+ 7.Be2). 6...Qe4+ 7.Be2
a) 7.Qe2 Qxe2+ 8.Bxe2 (8.Kxe2 a6!=)
8...Nf6 9.d4 (9.Nb5 Nd5=) 9...cxd4
10.Nxd4 0-0 11.0-0 Rd8 12.Rd1 Bd7
13.Bf3 Nc6=;
b) 7.Kf1 Be6 8.Be2 Nc6 9.Ng5 Qf5
10.Nxe6 Qxe6 11.Qb3 Qd7=;
7...Nf6 8.0-0
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnl+k+-tr0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+-+-snp+0
9+-zp-+-+-0
9-+-+q+-+0
9sN-zP-+N+-0
9PzP-zPLzPPzP0
9tR-vLQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
We have been following Sveshnikov’s
recommendations from his book, but here
he only gives 8...0-0 which Miezis played
against him in 2005. e improvement for
Black was rst played by Van Kampen in
2011.
a) 8.Nb5 Qc6 9.d4 (9.Ne5 Qb6
10.Nc4 Qd8 11.d4 a6 12.Nba3 b5
13.Bf3 Ra7 14.Bf4 Nfd7=) 9...0-0
10.0-0 a6 11.Ne5 Qb6 12.dxc5
(12.Na3 Be6=) 12...Qxc5 13.Qd4
Nbd7=;
b) 8.d4 cxd4 9.Nb5 (9.Nxd4 Qxg2
10.Bf3 Qh3μ; 9.Qxd4 Qxd4 10.Nxd4
0-0 11.0-0 Rd8 12.Rd1 Bd7 13.Bf3
Nc6=) 9...0-0 10.Nbxd4 (10.Nc7 dxc3
11.Nxa8 Nd5–+; 10.Qxd4 Qxd4
11.Nbxd4 Bd7 12.0-0 Nc6 13.Nb3
Rad8 14.Nc5 Bc8=) 10...Nc6 11.0-0
Bg4=;
8...Nc6!
(8...0-0 9.d4 cxd4 10.Nxd4²
Sveshnikov-Miezis 2005)
9.d4
a) 9.Re1 0-0 10.Bc4 (10.Bb5 Qd5
11.Bxc6 Qxc6 12.Rxe7? Be6μ) 10...Qf5
11.Nc2 Qh5 12.h3 (12.Be2 Rd8=)
12...Rd8 13.Qe2 Nd5 14.d4 cxd4
15.Ncxd4 Nxd4 16.cxd4 Bf6!= (16...e6?
17.Bg5²);
b) 9.Nb5 0-0 10.Re1 Rd8 11.d4 Bg4!
12.h3 Bh5!
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-tr-+k+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+n+-snp+0
9+Nzp-+-+l0
9-+-zPq+-+0
9+-zP-+N+P0
9PzP-+LzPP+0
9tR-vLQtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
13.Be3 (13.g4? Bxg4 14.hxg4 Qxg4+
15.Kf1 Qh3+ 16.Kg1 cxd4 17.cxd4
Rd5μ) 13...Nd5 14.Qc1 Nxe3 15.Qxe3
Qxe3 16.fxe3 Bxf3 17.Bxf3 cxd4
18.exd4 e5 19.dxe5 Nxe5=;
9...cxd4 10.Nb5
(10.Nxd4 Nxd4 11.cxd4 0-0 12.Bf3
Qf5 13.Re1 Nd5=)
10...0-0 11.Nfxd4 Nxd4 12.Nxd4 e5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+-+pvlp0
9-+-+-snp+0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9-+-sNq+-+0
9+-zP-+-+-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9tR-vLQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
13.Nb5 Qc6 14.Qd6 Bd7 15.Rd1 a6
16.Bg5 Rad8 17.Qxc6 Bxc6 18.Nd6 h6
19.Bh4 Rd7 20.Nc4 Nd5 21.Bg3 Re8
22.a4 Nf4³ 1/2–1/2 (40) Michalczak,T
(2325)-Van Kampen,R (2519) Dortmund
2011.
6...cxd4
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnl+k+ntr0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+-+q+-+-0
9-+-zp-+-+0
9sN-zP-+N+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-vLQmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
7.Bc4
7.Nb5 Na6 8.Nbxd4 Nf6 9.Bb5+ Bd7
10.Qe2 0-0 11.Bxa6 bxa6= 12.Qxa6?? e5
13.Ne2 Bb5 14.Qa5 Qd3 15.Ng3 Nh5–+
7...Qe4+ 8.Be3 Nh6
Not 8...dxe3?? 9.Bxf7+ winning.
9.cxd4
9.Nb5 0-0 10.cxd4 Nc6 11.Nc3
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+n+-+psn0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+LzPq+-+0
9+-sN-vLN+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black has two equally viable options
here. 11...Qf5 is riskier, but perhaps more
fun as it involves an unclear piece sacri ce.
11...Qg4!?
(11...Qf5!? 12.h3 (12.0-0 Ng4 13.h3
Nxe3 14.fxe3 e6= Black will be ne
after he relocates his queen to e7 via f6.)
12...Qa5 13.g4 (13.d5 Ne5 14.Nxe5
Bxe5 15.Bxh6 Bxc3+ 16.Kf1 Bg7
17.Bxg7 Kxg7 18.Qd4+ f6 19.Re1
Qb4=) 13...Nxg4! 14.hxg4 Bxg4©)
12.h3 Qh5 13.Qd2
(13.0-0 Nf5=)
13...Ng4 14.Bg5 h6 15.Bh4 Nf6=
9...0-0 10.0-0 Nf5 11.Qb3 e6
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnl+-trk+0
9zpp+-+pvlp0
9-+-+p+p+0
9+-+-+n+-0
9-+LzPq+-+0
9sNQ+-vLN+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
I’ve seen some grandmasters in America
play this line against lower rated players in
Swiss tournaments presumably to obtain
winning chances but in my view White is
playing with little risk: the isolated pawn
is inadequately blockaded, so it can always
be pushed if White is content to neutralize
the position.
12.Rae1
12.Nb5 Nc6 13.Nc3
(13.Bd3 Qd5 14.Qa3 Nxe3 15.fxe3
Qd8=)
13...Qg4 14.Be2 Nxe3 15.fxe3 Qh5=
12...Nxe3 13.Rxe3
13.fxe3 Nc6=
13...Qf4 14.d5 exd5 15.Bxd5 Na6
16.Rc1 Qf6=
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+-+pvlp0
9n+-+-wqp+0
9+-+L+-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9sNQ+-tRN+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9+-tR-+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
6
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.c3 Nc6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqkvlntr0
9zpp+pzpp+p0
9-+n+-+p+0
9+-zp-+-+-0
9-+-+P+-+0
9+-zP-+N+-0
9PzP-zP-zPPzP0
9tRNvLQmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
I prefer this move order, because I quite
like the delayed Rossolimo (4.Bb5) for
Black, especially if it is an Alapin player on
the White side.
4.Bb5
is transposes to a harmless variation
of the Rossolimo: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6
3.Bb5 g6 4.c3.
4.d4 d5 5.e5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqkvlntr0
9zpp+-zpp+p0
9-+n+-+p+0
9+-zppzP-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-zP-+N+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tRNvLQmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Aside from transposing to the main line
of the Alapin subchapter with 5.exd5, this
is White’s only serious attempt at playing
for an advantage. However, I prefer Black
in the tense struggle which ensues.
(5.dxc5 is offers White no advantage
whatsoever. 5...dxe4 6.Qxd8+ Nxd8
7.Nd4 Bg7 8.Bb5+ Bd7 9.Bxd7+ Kxd7
10.0-0 Nc6 11.Rd1 Nxd4 12.cxd4 f5
13.Nc3 Ke6! 14.d5+ Kf7=; 5.exd5
Qxd5 is transposes to 1.e4 c5 2.c3 d5
3.exd5 Qxd5 4.d4 g6 5.Nf3 Nc6.)
5...cxd4 6.cxd4 Bg4 Black has ideas of
...Qd8-b6, ...Ng8-h6-f5, etc. e position
plays itself. 7.Be2
a) 7.Nbd2 Nh6 8.h3 Bxf3 9.Nxf3 Nf5
10.Qa4 (10.g4 Ng7=) 10...a6 11.Bd3
Qd7 12.Bxf5 Qxf5 13.Qb3 Qd7=;
b) 7.Bb5 Qb6 8.Bxc6+ Qxc6 9.0-0 e6
10.h3 Bxf3 11.Qxf3 Bg7 12.Nc3 Ne7
13.Bg5 Nf5 14.Ne2 h6 15.Bd2 0-0=;
7...Nh6 8.Nbd2
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqkvl-tr0
9zpp+-zpp+p0
9-+n+-+psn0
9+-+pzP-+-0
9-+-zP-+l+0
9+-+-+N+-0
9PzP-sNLzPPzP0
9tR-vLQmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
GM Hoyos now faltered against
Topalov with 8...f6?! but he would have
had a slightly preferable position after
8...Nf5.
8...Nf5
(8...f6?! 9.exf6 exf6 10.0-0² TopalovLeon Hoyos, Mexico 2010)
9.0-0 Qb6 10.Qa4 e6=
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+kvl-tr0
9zpp+-+p+p0
9-wqn+p+p+0
9+-+pzPn+-0
9Q+-zP-+l+0
9+-+-+N+-0
9PzP-sNLzPPzP0
9tR-vL-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black is ready to set up the ‘V’-structure
with ...h7-h5, and it is unclear whether
White has anything other than defensive
ambitions.
4...Bg7
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+ntr0
9zpp+pzppvlp0
9-+n+-+p+0
9+Lzp-+-+-0
9-+-+P+-+0
9+-zP-+N+-0
9PzP-zP-zPPzP0
9tRNvLQmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
5.0-0
5.d4 Qa5! 6.Bxc6 bxc6 7.0-0 Nf6
(7...cxd4 8.cxd4 Nf6 9.Nc3 0-0 10.Bg5
h6 11.Bd2 Qb6 12.b3 d6 13.Rc1²)
8.Re1 0-0
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zp-+pzppvlp0
9-+p+-snp+0
9wq-zp-+-+-0
9-+-zPP+-+0
9+-zP-+N+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tRNvLQtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
9.e5
(9.Bg5 h6 10.Bh4 cxd4 11.cxd4 g5
12.Bg3 Nh5„)
9...Nd5 10.c4 Nc7 11.dxc5 Qxc5 12.b3
d6 13.Bb2 Bg4=;
5.Bxc6?! is is premature, as Black
planned to expend a tempo next move
with ...a7-a6 inducing White to take on
c6. 5...dxc6=
5...a6!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+ntr0
9+p+pzppvlp0
9p+n+-+p+0
9+Lzp-+-+-0
9-+-+P+-+0
9+-zP-+N+-0
9PzP-zP-zPPzP0
9tRNvLQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
I very much like this move, which grew
up in the 1960s in the arsenals of
grandmasters Mednis, Taimanov, and Pirc.
Black demands a decision from White,
and the ‘wasted’ tempo on ...a7-a6 is not
really a waste when we consider that
White rarely couples Bb5xc6 with c2-c3
in the Rossolimo.
6.Bxc6
6.Ba4 b5 7.Bc2 d5 8.d4 cxd4 9.cxd4
Bg4=
6...dxc6!
White wishes the c-pawn were on c2; on
c3 it obstructs the natural square for the
knight, and also weakens the d3-square.
e only way for White to make sense of
his position is to play for d2-d4.
6...bxc6 7.d4 cxd4 8.cxd4 Nf6 9.Nc3 00 10.Re1 d6 11.h3 Rb8 12.Qc2 Qb6
13.b3²
7.d3
7.h3 Qd3! 8.Re1 Nf6 9.Re3 Qd8 10.d4
0-0 11.Nbd2 cxd4 12.cxd4
XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9+p+-zppvlp0
9p+p+-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-zPP+-+0
9+-+-tRN+P0
9PzP-sN-zPP+0
9tR-vLQ+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
12...Ne8! A thematic idea for this
structure: Black has his eye on the to-be
d5 hole after an eventual ...f7-f5. From e8,
the knight can reach d5 either via e8-d6b5-c7-d5 or directly e8-c7-d5. 13.b3 Nc7
14.Nc4 f5 15.Nb6 Rb8 16.exf5
(16.Nxc8 Rxc8=)
16...Bxf5 17.Ba3 Ne6
XIIIIIIIIY
9-tr-wq-trk+0
9+p+-zp-vlp0
9psNp+n+p+0
9+-+-+l+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9vLP+-tRN+P0
9P+-+-zPP+0
9tR-+Q+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
18.Nc4 Nxd4 19.Bxe7 Qd5 20.Bxf8
Rxf8 21.Nxd4
(21.Ne1 c5³)
21...Bxd4=;
7.d4?! cxd4 8.cxd4 Bg4 9.Nbd2 Qxd4!
10.Qb3 Qd7 11.Ng5 Nh6 12.f3 Qd4+
13.Kh1 Bc8 14.Rd1 Qa7³
7...Bg4!? 8.h3 Bxf3 9.Qxf3 Nf6
9...e5 10.a4 a5 11.Na3 Ne7 12.Be3 b6
13.Nc4 0-0 14.Qg3 f6 15.Rfd1²
10.Rd1 0-0 11.d4 cxd4 12.cxd4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9+p+-zppvlp0
9p+p+-snp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-zPP+-+0
9+-+-+Q+P0
9PzP-+-zPP+0
9tRNvLR+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
12...Ne8!
A recurring theme.
13.Be3 Nd6 14.Nd2 e6
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9r+-wq-trk+0
9+p+-+pvlp0
9p+psnp+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-zPP+-+0
9+-+-vLQ+P0
9PzP-sN-zPP+0
9tR-+R+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
All of Black’s pawns are on light squares;
as such, he plans to occupy the light
squared to-be hole on d5. For his part,
White will seek dark-squared holes like d6
and c5 for his knight, but Black’s dark
squared bishop can protect these squares,
whereas White’s dark-bishop cannot
protect White’s corresponding weaknesses
on the light squares.
14...f5!? 15.e5 Nb5 16.Nb3 e6 17.Nc5
f4 18.Bc1 Nxd4 19.Qe4 Qe7∞
15.Rac1 f5 16.e5 Nb5 17.Qf4
17.Nc4? f4!μ
XIIIIIIIIY
17...Nc7 18.Nc4 Nd5 19.Qf3 Rf7=