Dreev - Anti-Spanish The Cozio Defence (2014) PDF

ell.
ss Stars
ap V 111 £.tJi'"
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Technical Editor: IM Sergei Soloviov
Translation by: GM Evgeny Ermenkov
Cover design by: Kalojan Nachev
Copyright © Alexey Dreev 2014
Printed in Bulgaria by "Chess Stars" Ltd. - Sofia

ISBNI3 : 978 619 7188 01-1
Alexey Dreev
Anti-Spanish. The Cozio Defence
Chess Stars
Contents
1.e4 e5 2.lilfJ lilc6 3 . .ib5 lilge7
1 Minor Lines: 4.c4; 4.hc6; 4.b3; 4.d3

Quick Repertoire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Step by Step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Complete Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
2 4.c3 g6; 4 . . . a6
Quick Repertoire 37
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Step by Step . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Complete Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
3 4.c3 d5
Step by Step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Complete Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
4 4.d4 exd4
Step by Step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
Complete Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
5 4.�c3 �g6; 4 . . . g6; 4 . . . d6

Step by Step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Complete Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
6 Classical Variation. 4.0-0 g6 5.c3 �g7

Step by Step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Complete Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
7 Modern Variation. 4.0-0 g6 5.c3 a6

Step by Step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Complete Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
4
PREFACE
In this book, we have analysed one of the oldest variations of the Ruy
Lopez - l.e4 e5 2.lt:lf3 lLlc6 3 . .ib5 lLlge7.
The move 3 . . . lLlge7 was particularly popular during the second half
of the 19th century. It was played at these times by such outstanding
masters like Adolph Andersen and Willhelm Steinitz. At the beginning
and during the middle of the 20th century, the theory of the Ruy Lopez
began to develop very intensely and the popularity of this old variation
diminished rapidly. It remained in the shadow of the more complicated
Chigorin schemes - l.e4 e5 2 .lLlf3 lLlc6 3 . .ib5 a6 4 . .ia4 lLlf6 5.0-0 .ie7
6J3e1 b5 7 . .ib3 d6 B.c3 0-0 9.h3, the Marshall counter attack - l.e4 e5
2.lLlf3 lLlc6 3 . .ib5 a6 4 . .ia4 lLlf6 5.0-0 .ie7 6J3e1 b5 7 . .ib3 0-0 B.c3 d5
and the Open variation - l.e4 e5 2.lLlf3 lLlc6 3.ib5 a6 4.ia4 lLlf6 5.0-0
lOxe4 6.d4 b5 7.ib3 d5 B.dxe5 ie6. In all these positions, Black's pos
sibilities to seize the initiative proved to be greater...
During the BOies and the 90ies of the past century, the popularity
of the line 3 . . . lOge7 began to increase. Grandmaster Ivan Sokolov made
a great contribution to the development of this system for Black and
he tested it very often in his games. My long time friend and coach, the
international master from the city of Izhevsk Alexander Filipenko was
working as a coach in the Russian School of grandmaster Alexander
Panchenko and he gave a course of lectures about this variation. Based
on his knowledge and experience, during the BOies and the 90ies of the
last century, this system was played quite successfully in the tourna
ment practice by such famous students of this School like grandmas
ters Alisa Galliamova, Maxim Sorokin and Ruslan Shcherbakov. Mean
while, the theory of the variation l.e4 e5 2 . 1Of3 lOc6 3.ib5 lOge7 was
developing intensely. Black refrained from including the move a7-a6 at
this early stage of the game, so that later, he did not wish to transpose to
positions from the Steinitz Defence Deferred l.e4 e5 2 . lOf3 1Oc6 3 . .ib5
lOge7 4.0-0 a6 5.Ba4 d6 6.c3 .id7 7.d4, or 6 . . . g6 7.d4 id7, in which
Black ended up in very solid but rather passive positions. He was trying
to enter situations which were not so typical for the long manoeuvring
structures of the Ruy Lopez, but were more similar to the majority of
the Open Games in which the value of every move increased consider
ably. Under these conditions, each mistake by White in the opening
stage of the game may lead to Black seizing the initiative.
5
At the beginning of the 21st century, the development of the vari
ation l.e4 eS 2,lt:lf3 llJc6 3 . .ibS llJge7 was given a new impulse and its
popularity increased considerably. This was connected with the new
and interesting idea that Black could give up the centre with l.e4 eS
2.llJf3 llJc6 3 .i.bS llJge7 4.0-0 g6 S.c3 a6 6 . .ia4 .ig7 7.d4 exd4 8.cxd4,
or 6.i.c4 i.g7 7.d4 exd4 8.cxd4, reaching very complicated positions
with mutual chances. Nowadays, this variation is played by famous
grandmasters like Levon Aronian, Sergey Karjakin, Vadim Zvjaginsev,
Ivan Sokolov and many others . . .
Finally, I would like t o mention that the entire variation l.e4 eS

2.llJf3 llJc6 3 . .ibS llJge7 has not been so well analysed yet.
Dear readers, I would like to believe that after you have read this
book, you will make your own contribution with your games and analy
ses to the development of this system . . .
Alexey Dreev
6
Chapterl l.e4 e5 2.�f3 �c6 3.J.b5 �ge7
Minor Lines
Quick Repertoire
es to avoid the thematic endgame,

arising after 4.0-0 llJxe4 5.d4 It)d6
6.hc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 llJf5 8.�xd8
�xd8, he usually chooses 4.d3,
avoiding the semi-forced varia
tions of the above mentioned end
game and enters a complicated
middle game with approximately
equal chances. There arises a sim
ilar situation in the classical Ruy
Lapez where after l.e4 e5 Vt:'lf3
This chapter is mostly devoted llJc6 3.i.b5 a6 4.i.a4 llJf6 5.0-0
to the variation 4.d3. i.e7, it is relatively popular for
White's last quiet move is only White to play 6.d3 (instead of the
seldom played and is not danger usual move 6J'!el). It can be en
ous for Black. White usually plays countered even in the repertoire
like this with the idea to avoid of such famous grandmasters like
theoretical disputes and to steer v. Anand, G. Kamsky and V. To
the game into calm positional palov . . .
lines. Concerning this, we can
make the following analogy. In I n the position we are discuss
the Berlin variation of the Ruy ing, following 4.d3, there arises a
Lopez, after the moves l.e4 e5 2. complex manoeuvring game with
It)£3 llJc6 3.i.b5 llJf6, if White wish- approximately equal chances.
7
Chapterl l.e4 e5 2.�f3 �c6 3 .tb5 �ge7 •
Minor Lines
Step by Step
Now, we will analyse in details 4 . . . g6 ! ?

some rarely played moves for White has weakened the d4-
White: A) 4.c4, B) 4.,bc6, C) square and Black's plan is to ex
4.b3 and D) 4.d3. ploit this.
About 4.h4 - see Kalegin -
S.Pavlov, Moscow 2011, game 1. Meanwhile, there are some
other plans for him which deserve
The move 4 . .tc4 does not de attention as well:
serve serious attention, because it 4 ... a6 ! ? 5 ..ia4 tlJg6 6.tlJc3 (The
looks like a loss of a tempo and active move 6.d4 does not prom
after Black's standard response ise anything good to White, be
4 . . . d5 5.exd5 tlJxd5 6.d3 fJ.e7= cause after 6 . . . exd4 7.tlJxd4
there arises one of the variations .ic5 ! ?� Black obtains an excellent
of the Two Knights Defence with position.) 6 . . .fJ.c5 7.0-0 0-0=
an extra tempo for Black (1.e4 e5
2.tlJf3 tlJc6 3 . .tc4 tlJf6 4.d3 d5 or 4 . . . tlJg6 ! ? , for example 5.
5.exd5 tlJxd5). 0-0 (following 5.d4 exd4 6.tlJxd4
�f6, White must play very accu
A) 4.c4 rately in order not to end up in an
This move looks too slow and inferior position, since it is bad
is not dangerous for Black at all. for him to opt for 7.tlJxc6? dxc6
8
4.c4 g6
8 .i.a4 lLlh4 9.0-0 �g6 1O .g3 .tg4 8.i.gS h6 9.i.e3 fS 1O.lLle1? ! f4

11.f3 i.cS+ 12.mh1 .ih3-+) S . . . i.cS 1l.i.d2 f3 12.lLlxf3 i.g4 13.hc6
6.d3 0-0= and in both lines he lLlxc6 14.lLle2 hf3 (14 . . . l!xf3 ! - + )
has no problems at all. It is only lS.gxf3 l!xf3 16.lLlg3 �f6 1 7. .te3
White who can have difficulties in lLld4 18.mg2 l!f8+ with a very dif
similar positions, because Black ficult position for White, Bakazar
controls the tremendously impor - Vul, Tatranske Zruby 2010.
tant strategically d4-square in
such types of pawn-structures. 5 exd4 6.�xd4 .1g7 7. .1e3
•..
0-0 8.�c3 d6
5.d4
If White refrains from this the

matic move, then Black has com
plete control over the d4-square
and White loses all his chances of
fighting even for a minimal open
ing advantage. After S.lLlc3 (About
5.0-0 see Ferozkohi - Wohl,
North Geelong 2011, game 2) 5 . . .
i.g7 6.d3 0-0 7 . 0 - 0 d 6 , it be
comes much easier for Black to
play this position, because his Black has no problems what
plan is quite obvious. soever. The pawn-structure in
this position resembles the Ma
roczy system of the Dragon varia
tion of the Sicilian Defence : l.e4
cS 2 . lLlf3 lLlc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.lLlxd4
g6 S.c4 .ig7 6 . .ie3, but in an infe
rior version for White, because
his light-squared bishop seems
rather awkwardly placed on bS in
this scheme.
He needs to advance f7-fS, 9 .txc6

•
having in mind to organise an at

tack on the kingside. See several After 9.0-0, Black has good
examples on this theme : counterplay following 9 . . . lLleS, for
8.h3 h6 9.lLlh2 lLld4 10.i.e3 fS example : 10.f4?! lLlg4t or 10 .�e2
1l.hd4?! exd4 12 .lLle2 f4 13.f3 fS ! ?+!
gS+ S.Shmidt - Radulov, Bad
Mergentheim 1989; 9 ••• bxc6
9
Chapter 1 Step by Step
9 . . . lDxc6 ! ? 1O.�d2 f5f! of the exchange variation of the

Ruy Lopez (1.e4 e5 2 . lDf3 lDc6 3.
i.b5 a6 4.hc6 dxc6 5.0-0 lDe7),
in essence with an extra tempo,
because the move a7-a6 is prac
tically immaterial in this posi
tion.
5.0-0
After 5.d4, Black's simplest re

action would be 5 . . . exd4 (It is also
possible for him to opt for 5 . . . d5
10.0-0 c5 (lO . . J'!bB, Uddin - 6.lDxe5 dxe4 7.lDxc6 bxc6= ; 6.
Abdulla, Dhaka 2 004, game 3) exd5 �xd5 7.lDc3 i.b4'!'; 6.dxe5
1l.lDde2, Berg - Short, Malmo dxe4 7.�xdB+ lDxdB B.lDd4 i.d7'!'
2013, game 4. with the idea lDc6) 6.lDxd4 i.c5 ! ?
with a complicated position in
which Black is not worse.
B) 4 .ixc6
.
The position resembles the

well-familiar variation of the
Scotch Game l.e4 e5 2 .lDf3 lDc6
This move is harmless for 3.d4 exd4 4.lDxd4 ic5, but in a
Black. White exchanges voluntar better version for Black, because
ily his important light-squared of the early exchange of White's
Ruy Lopez bishop without any ne light-squared bishop for Black's
cessity. knight. 7.i.e3 �f6 B.c3 0-0 9.0-0
4 . . . �xc6 b6 (9 ... lDe5! ?oo). White misses bad
ly his light-squared bishop, for ex
It is also good for Black to play ample : 1O.lDxc6 (1O.lDb5 he3 11.
here 4 . . . dxc6, since he reaches the lDxc7? .tf4 12.lDxaB i.a6-+ ; 11.
position from one of the schemes fxe3 �dB'!'; lOJ�el i.b7 11.b3 hd4
10
4. hc6 tLlxc6
12.i.xd4 §'g6 13.f3 �aeB and in he maintains some initiative.

view of the threats d7-dS and fl
fS, Black's prospects are slightly
preferable.) 1O . . . .be3 11.tLlb4 (11.
tLld4 i.f4 ! ?+) 11 ... .icS+
Following S.tLlc3,
S . . d6
.
This is a reliable and solid

move.
the best response for Black Black does not need to enter
would be S . . . .te7 6.0-0 0-0 7.d4 the not so clear positions after 5 ...
(It seems too slow for White to i.cS 6.llJxeS llJxeS 7.d4 .td6 B.dxeS
play 7.d3, because after 7 . . . d6, heSoo or S . . . g6 6.d4 exd4 7 . .ig5oo
Black has a good position in view although even then his prospects
of the threat fl-fS; 7.llJdS d6=) 7 . . . are not inferior.
d6=
The more active move 5 . . . 6.d4
icS ! ? i s not worse at all, but then
Black will need to consider the 6.c3 .te7 (It is also possible for
variation 6.llJxeS �gS 7.llJg4 d6 Black to play here 6 . . . g6 7.d4
B.h3 �g6 with a very complicated .ig7oo) 7.d4 0-0 and his position
position ; 6.0-0 d6= seems to be slightly preferable
It is not so reliable for Black, in having in mind his bishop-pair.
comparison to S ... .te7 and S ... i.cS,
to choose S . . . g6. After 6.d4 exd4 6 . . . ie7= He has no difficul
7.llJxd4 i.g7 B.i.e3 0-0 9.§'d2, ties in this position. White has
following 9 . . . llJeS 10 .b3 , as well as problems to find an active plan.
in the variation 9 . . . d6 10.0-0-0, For example after: 7.dS llJbB B.c4
White's prospects seem slightly 0-0 9.llJc3, Black obtains good
preferable. For example: 10 . . . llJeS counterplay with the standard
1l.igS ! ? f6 ! ? and although the po move for similar positions - 9 ...
sition remains very complicated, fS ! ?
11
C) 4.b3
6 d5 ! ?
.••
With this move Black sharp

4 a6 ! ?
••• ens the game and is trying to seize
With this move Black creates the initiative at an opportune mo
easily active counterplay. ment.
It would be sufficient for him The position is equal after 6 . . .

to equalise with 4 . . . g6, but then d 6 , because following 7.d4, Black
after S.i.b2 i.g7 6.d4 exd4 7.lLlxd4 has the possibility with the ag
0-0 B.O-O lLlxd4 (B .. J':%eB 9.lLlxc6 gressive attempt 7 .. .f5 ! ? to organ
dxc6 1O.�xdB �xdB 11.hg7 <j,?xg7 ise counterplay.
12 .i.d3 gS ! ? = with the idea lLlg6)
9.hd4 dS ! ? 10 .hg7 <j,?xg7 11.
Wd4+ f6= the position is simpli
fied.
5 .lxc6
.
S.i.e2 dS't
It seems a bit awkward for
White to choose here S.i.d3 ? ! dS't
Following S.i.c4 dS 6.exdS B.dxe5? ! fxe4 9.lLld4 Wg5+

lLlxd5, Black's prospects are at Closing of the centre does not
least equal, for example: 7.i.b2 promise good prospects for White
lLlf4 B.O-O i.d6, or 7. 0-0 lLlb6 ! ? after B .dS, because following B . . .
B.�e1 (B.i.d3 ? ! f5 ! ?t) B . . . lLlxc4 9 . lLle7, o r B . . . lLlbB, Black's position
bxc4 i.e7 1O.i.b2 (10.lLlxe5 lLlxe5 is preferable. The pawn-structure
11.�xe5 O-O�) 10 .. .f6 and in both resembles the Indian schemes in
variations he is slightly better. a very good version for Black,
since it is very good for him that
5 . . . �xc6 6 ..tb2 White has exchanged his light-
12
4. b3 a6
squared bishop for Black's knight

and White's bishop on b2, after
the move 8.dS, does not have any Or 8.0-0 .ig4 9.llJc3 �e6+
good prospects, because the im with the idea 0-0-0.
portant for Black eS-square is
quite reliably protected. 8 •.• 9d6 9.0-0
8.exfS hfS (He does not need
to refrain from this simple and 9.llJe4 �g6 10.�e2 .id7!?
strong move in favour of 8 . . . e4, (planning castling queenside) -
because then, after 9.llJfd2 �gS Black's prospects are at least
10.0-0 hfS 11.f3 ! ?00 the position equal. Now, after 11.d4, he can
is complicated and very unclear.) continue with 11 . . . 0-0-0 12.dxeS
9.0-0 (9.dxeS dxe5 10.�e2 .ih4+ ! ? .ib4+ 13.c3 .iaS+, as well as with
11.llJc3 �d6 1 2 . 0 - 0 0-0-0+) 9 . . . 11 . . . exd4 12.llJf6+ (12 .llJcS+ \t>d8
�d7 1O.dxeS O-O-O� Here, fol 13.llJxd7 .ib4+ 14.\t>f1 'tt> xd7+) 12 ...
lowing 11.exd6 .ixd6, Black's bish 'tt>d 8 13.llJxd7 .ib4+ and in both
op-pair and his more active pieces cases he is noticeably better.
are more than sufficient compen
sation for the sacrificed pawn. 9 •.• .ifS 10.�el 0-0-0+
7.exd5
The line : 7.llJxeS?! llJxeS 8.

heS �e7 9.d4 f6 1O .ig3 �xe4+
11.�e2 �xe2+ 12 .'.!lxe2 ie6+ leads
to a very bad endgame for White,
in which Black's two bishops pro
vide him with a slight but stable
edge.
7 9xd5
•.•
Black has a bishop-pair and

dominates in the centre, so he has
a stable positional advantage.
White can hardly find any active
plan and is forced to adhere to
waiting strategy. On the contrary,
Black's plan is quite obvious. He
must fortify the eS-square with
the move f7-f6 and advance his
kingside pawns - g7-gS, h7-hS
h4, gS-g4.
13
D) 4.d3 White cannot achieve much

wit 5.lLlc3 ig7, for example : 6.,ie3
(6.,ig5 h6! - see DI. 6.0-0 0-0
- see D3. It is hardly advisable for
White to play the seemingly active
move 6.lLld5? ! , since later in the
game Arakhamia - Galliamova,
Sochi 1989, there followed 6 . . .
lLlxd5 7.exd5 lLle7 8.d4? ! e4 9.lLlg5
c6 1O .d6 lLlf5 1l.,ia4 lLlxd6 12.0-0
0-0 13.�el lLlf5 14.d5 e3 ! 15.f4
�b6+)
4 g6
• •.
This is a reliable and logical

move. Black does not lose time for
4 . . . lLlg6 and tries to fianchetto his
dark-squared bishop as quickly as
possible.
It is also possible for him to

opt for 4 . . . d6 5.c3 (It is not so pre
cise for White to choose 5.0-0 a6 6 . . . lLld4 ! ? This move is the
6 ..b4 b5 7.i.b3 lLla5, or 5.lLlc3 a6 simplest for Black in order to ob
6.i.a4 b5 7.ib3 lLla5 8.0-0 c6 ! ? tain good counterplay. (It is also
and i n these positions Black has good for him to choose here 6 . . .
no problems, because White can 0-0 7 . 0 - 0 lLld4 8.,ia4 d6+t After
not avoid the exchange of his im 7.�d2 lLld4, only White may have
portant Ruy Lopez light-squared problems, since in the game
bishop for Black's knight.) 5 . . . ,id7 Hacaperkova - Collette, Znojmo
6.0-0 lLlg6 7.d4 i.e7, transposing 2 0 04, there followed : 8.,ic4 c6 9.
to the pawn-structure, typical for ,ib3 d5 1O .,ih6 as 1l.a4 lLlxb3 12.
some variations of the Steinitz cxb3 dxe4 13 . .ixg7 I!lxg7 14.lLlxe4
Defence of the Ruy Lopez in which lLld5+ with a considerable posi
Black has a solid but somewhat tional advantage for Black.) 7.,ia4
passive position. 0-0 - see Belaska - Vul, Prague
1996 (game 5).
Now, we will analyse the
moves DI) 5 . .ig5, D2) 5.h4 and
D3) 5.0-0. DI) 5 .ig5
•
About 5.c3 ,ig7 6.0-0 0-0 - This is a seldom played move

see variation D3. which is not dangerous for Black.
14
4.d3 g6
5 ••• J.g7 6.�c3 has much better prospects.

White's dark-squared bishop on
It is not preferable for White g3 is without any good future in
to choose 6.'lBd2, because after 6 . . . this pawn-structure.
h6 7.i.e3 f5 ! ? Black's prospects
are at least equal. It is also good It seems anti-positional for
for him to play here 7 . . . �d4, in White to trade his dark-squared
the game Gumirov - Ostrovsky, bishop for his opponent's knight
Sochi 1998, there followed later after 7.i:xe7 It)xe7 8.0-0 0-0+
8.i.c4 (It is not preferable for Black maintains a stable advan
White to choose 8.i.a4, in view of tage due to his bishop-pair in this
8 . . . li)xf3 9.gxf3 c6 with the idea dynamic position. Later, depend
d5't) 8 . . . d5 9.hd4 exd4 1O.exd5 ing on circumstances, he can try
li)xd5 IV�e2 + ? ! (after 11.0-0 to advance c7-c6 and d7-d5, or fl
o-m: Black has extra space and a f5, while White has no good plan
bishop-pair) 11 . . . i.e6 1 2 . WI'e4? ! c5 for action in this position and
(12 . . . 0-0 ! ? 't with the idea 13. must only wait.
It)xd4 l'!e8 14.0-0 c6=F) 13.J.b5+
r;t.f8+ Gumirov - Ostrovsky, Sochi It would be more prudent for
1998. him to opt for 7.i.d2, but then fol
lowing 7 . . . 0-0 8.0-0 d6, Black
has no problems and has an easy
task in this position . He has a
clear-cut plan for actions on the
kingside, connected with the ma
noeuvre fl-f5 and further advance
of his kingside pawns: fS-f4, g6-
g5 etc.
6 h6 !
•••
This is the best move for Black,

forcing White to determine the
placement of his dark-squared
bishop.
7 .te3
.
It is hardly preferable for

White to choose here 7.i.h4, be 7 �d4
•••
cause after 7 . . . g5 8.i.g3 d6, Black This is the simplest way for
15
Black to organise active counter This is an aggressive move, but

play. it is logical. Having fortified his
centre with the move 4.d3, White
7 . . . 0-0 ! ? = is not in a hurry to castle kingside
and is trying to begin immediately
8 .1a4
• active actions on the kingside.
Black must play very precisely in
It is not better for White to this position.
choose here 8 . .ic4, because after 5 h6 ! ?
...
8 . . . c6, in view of the threat d7-dS, I believe this standard move is

he must already think about the best in similar pawn-struc
equality, for example: 9.i.xd4 (9. tures.
O-O?! dS 1O. �xdS cxdS 11 . .ibS+
wf8 ! ?+ with the idea 1 2 . hd4 The alternatives S . . ..ig7 and
exd4 13.llJe2 �aS 14.llJexd4 a6- +) S . . . d6, following 6.hS, present
9 . . . exd4 1O.llJe2 dS 11.exdS cxdS White with the initiative, while
12 . .ibS+ llJc6 13.0-0 0-0 14. hc6 the move S . . . hS weakens the gS
bxc6 1S.llJexd4 �b6 16.c3 cS square. In the game Janev - Sap
17.llJb3 aS� and Black has more tarshi, Italy 2011, there followed
than sufficient compensation for later: 6.llJc3 i.g7 7.i.gS a6 8 . .ic4
the sacrificed pawn. bS 9 . .ib3 f6 1O . .ie3;l;
8 . . . 0-0 9.0-0 d6 = In the 6.h5

game Bertok - Trifunovic, Bled
1961, there followed later: 10. 6.c3 i.g7 7.llJbd2 dS ! ? 8.�e2
.ixd4 exd4 11.<�� e 2 .ig4 (11 ... 0-0 9.llJf1, Lopez Garcia - Baron
dS ! ?) 1 2 . �g3 f5 13 .ib3 + • Rodriguez, Aragon 1998, 9 . . .
wh700 .ie6=
White would not achieve much

D2) 5.h4 with 6.i.e3, trying to prevent his
opponent from castling kingside.
6 . . . .ig7 7.�d2 fS? (It is also pos
sible for Black to choose 7 . . . a6, for
example: 8 .i.a4 d6=, or 8 . .ic4
dS?) 8 .g3? ! f4 9.i.cS (9.gxf4? exf4
1O . hf4 hb2-+) 9 . . . d6 1O . .ia3 a6
11.i.xc6+ llJxc6+ Now, it would
not work for White to try 12.gxf4?!
due to 12 . . . 0-0 13.f5 gxfS 14.
�g1 fxe4 1S.�xh6 �e7 16.llJfd2
llJd4- +
16
4.d3 g6
Following 6.lLlc3 i.g7 7.i.e3 Black has no problems at all

lLld4 (It is also interesting for after 7.0-0 i.g7 B.lLlc3
Black to opt here for 7 . . . a6 ! ? , for
example: B.i.a4 d6, or B.i.c4 d6
and he has no problems.) B.ia4
a6= or B.ic4 c6= Black has a very
good game and his prospects
seem even preferable thanks to
his more harmoniously deployed
pieces.
6 ..• g5
B . . . a6 ! ? 9.i.a4 (9.i.c4 bS 10.
i.b3 lLlaS=) 9 ... bS 10 .ib3 lLlaS=
B . . . O-O 9.i.c4 (9.a3 d6= ; here,
the sacrifice does not work for
White - 9.lLlxgS hxgS 10 . .bgS,
since after 10 . . . l!lh7 1l.h6 i.hB
12 .'?9hS d6+ his compensation for
the piece is hardly sufficient) 9 . . .
lLlaS ! ? =
7 ••• i.g7
7.c3
After 7.lLlc3 i.g7 B .ic4, the

simplest and most reliable re
sponse for him would be B . . . d6,
with at least an equal position.
(Following B . . . lLlaS, White can
sacrifice a piece with 9.lLlxgS ! ?
lOxc4 1O.dxc4 hxgS 1l.hgS c6
12 .h6� obtaining dangerous ini
tiative. 12 . . J�h7? ! 13 .'?9d6� Vachal
- Trmal, Czech Republic 1999 ; Black has no problems what
12 . . .i.fB 13.h7 ig7 14.'?9d6±) . soever in this position. In the game
Here, the sacrifice 9.lLlxgS is not Fraas - Berkovich, Haifa 2010,
correct, because after 9 . . . hxgS there followed later 8./t'lbd2 (8.
10.hgS gh7+ White's compensa d4 exd4 9.cxd4 dS 1O.exdS lLlxdS
tion for the piece is insufficient. 1l . .bc6+ bxc6 12.0-0 O-Ot with
17
the idea i.g4 ; lO.eS a6 11.i.e2 f6 with the same idea to prevent the
12.exf6 hf6t) 8 . . . a6 9.i.a4 d5 trade of his bishop for Black's
10.ee2 .ie6 11.�f1 1fd6 12. �g3 knight, but this move does not
0-0-0 13.0-0 .ig4+ pose serious problems for Black.
White can hardly prevent Black's
main idea in this pawn-structure
D3) 5.0-0 - the pawn-advance f7-fS with
This is White's most popular very good counterplay on the
reply. kingside. 6 . . . 0-0 7.�c3 d6 8.i.c4
5 .ig7
.•• h6. Black is planning '.t>h7 and f7-
fS with an equal position. In the
game Janowski - Gunsberg, Ha
stings 1895, there followed: 9.�el
'.t>h7 lO.f4 fSt, while after 11.
fxeS? ! �xeS 12 .i.a2 fxe4 13 J'!xf8
�xf8 14.dxe4 i.g4 IS.�e2 ? ! (15.
�d21ff6t) IS ... �f6+ White ended
up in a very difficult position.
Black should not be afraid of

the move 6.�c3
6.c3
With this move he plans a long
positional fight in a complicated
middle game, preserving his
important light-squared bishop
from a possible exchange for
Black's knight.

6.i.e3 0-0, for example: 7.�c3 Meanwhile Black can enter a
�d4 8 . .ic4 c6 with the idea dS� ; very complicated position with
o r 7.c3 a6 ! ? (It i s also good for 6 . . . a6 7.i.a4 bS 8.i.b3 �aS, ex
Black to play here 7 . . . d6, planning changing his knight for White's
h7-h6 followed by f7-fS.) 8.i.a4 important light-squared Ruy Lo
d6 9.�bd2 fS� ; or 7.�bd2 a6 8 . pez bishop. Now, his game will
i.a4 b S 9.i.b3 � a S = and later, involve a certain strategical risk,
Black exchanges White's impor because even a small imprecision
tant Ruy Lopez bishop. from White may lead to tragic
consequences for him. Black will
White plays sometimes 6.a3 remain with a bishop-pair and
18
4.d3 g6
seize the initiative as it happened .tb3 .te6 14.lbbd2 lbc6+ and Black
in the game Garberg - Romanov, ends up with a bishop-pair and a
Helsingor 2 0 1 2 : 9.i.g5 h6 10 . .te3 space advantage. White's pieces
i.b7 11.'i;!ld2? ! (11 . .td5 ! ?oo) 11 . . . do not have any good prospects,
0xb3 12.axb3 f5 13J3fe1 d6t while Black's doubled pawns are
Since he can counter it with not important at all.
the simple resource 6 . . . 0-0, after
which his prospects are not worse, The move 6 . .tg5 does not cre
because White has problems to ate any real problems for Black
find a good plan for further ac either. 6 . . . h6! 7 . .te3 (following 7.
tions. Black's plan is quite clear. i.h4 g5 B.i.g3 0-0, only White
He wishes to advance d7-d6 and may have certain problems hav
to try either immediately, or after ing in mind his misplaced dark
the preliminary move h7-h6 (pre squared bishop on g3) 7 . . . 0-0. It
venting the enemy knight-sortie is easier for Black to play this po
lbf3-g5), to push the thematic sition, because his plan is quite
move f7-f5, in an attempt to seize obvious. He must advance f7-f5
the initiative and to attack White's under favourable circumstances
kingside. 7 . .tg5 (7 . .tc4 ltJa5 ! ? ; 7. and begin active operations on
.te3 ltJd4 - see 6 . .te3) 7 . . . h6 B. the kingside. In the game Bishop
.ie3?! (B..th4 g5 9..tg3 d6 and Black - D.Brown, Caleta 2009, there
has a quite acceptable position followed: B.'i;!ld2?! (after B.lbc3
due to the misplacement of White's lbd4 9.i.c4 c6t only White may
dark-squared bishop on g3 .) B . . . have problems because of Black's
lbd4 9 . .tc4 (9.i.a4 c6) 9 . . . c6 threat d7-d5) B ... Wh7 9.lbc3 f5
10.exf5 lbxf5 11 ..tc5 d6 12.i.a3
lbcd4 13.lbxd4 ltJxd4+
6.•. 0-0
and due to the permanent

threat d7-d5, Black's prospects
are slightly preferable. For exam
ple: 1O .hd4 exd4 11.lbb1 d5 12.
exd5 cxd5 (This move is even
stronger than 12 . . . lbxd5+ Cherni-
aev - Barnes, London 1994.) 13. 7.gel
19
Chapter 1 Step b y Step
About 7.lLlbd2 d6 8 .l"1el h6 -

see 7.l"1el.
The move 7 .i.gS is not good,

because it only helps Black to im
prove his position with the very
useful move 7 ... h6 and here' after
8.i.e3 (following 8 .i.h4, the place
ment of White's dark squared
bishop is even less favourable for
him, because after 8 . . . d6, White
will need to take care about his knight after i.c8-g4 and besides,
opponent's threats g6-gS and fl the pawn-move may create a tar
fS+t) 8 . . . d6 (with the idea fl-fS-f4, get for Black to enhance his pawn
g6-gSt, organising a pawn-offen offensive on the kingside, for ex
sive on the kingside) there arises ample: 8 . . . h6 9.lLlbd2 �h7 1O .V;Ve2
the pawn-structure of the King's f5+t, planning fS-f4, g6-gS, lLle7-
Indian Defence in a very good g6, h6-hS and gS-g4. It is also
version for Black. possible for Black to react in a
standard fashion 8 . . . a6 9.i.a4 (9.
It is not preferable for White i.c4 lLlaS+t) 9 ... bS 10.i.c2 i.b7=
to choose here 7.i.e3 a6 (It may be and there arise pawn-structures
interesting for Black to opt here for similar to the Chigorin variation
7 . . . d 6 ! ? , planning h7-h6 followed in the Ruy Lopez, but in a better
by fl-fS.) 8 ..b4 d6 9.lLlbd2 f5+t version for Black, since his bishop
is on g7 and not on the e7-square.
After 7.d4?! exd4 8.cxd4 dS !
Black has a very good game, since
there arises a position from the
Classic variation 4.0-0 g6 S.c3
i.g7 6.d4 exd4 7.cxd4 dS, but with
an extra tempo for Black, since he
has already castled kingside.
7••• d6
(diagram)
8 . lLlbd2
It is not in the spirit of the po 8 . h6

. .
sition for White to play 8 .h3. It is

not in favour of Black to exchange It is also good for him to play
his light-squared bishop for White's here 8 . . . a6 9.i.a4 (9.i.c4 lLlaS=)
20
4.d3 g6
9 . . . b5 1O . .ib3 (1O . .ic2 .tb7=) 10 . . .

lLla5 1l . .ic2 cS, reaching compli
cated structures of the Ruy Lapez
in very good versions for him. If
we compare these positions with
similar structures in the classical
schemes of the Ruy Lapez, for ex
ample with the Chigorin varia
tion : 1.e4 e5 2.lLlf3 lLlc6 3 . .ib5 a6
4.ia4 lLlf6 5.0-0 ie7 6J:!e1 b5
7. .td3 d6 8.c3 0-0 9.h3 lLla5 10 .
.ic2 cS 1l.d4 Yfic7, or with Igor Za Black's prospects are not
itsev's variation : 1.e4 e5 2 .lLlf3 worse. After 9 . . . a6 10 ..b4 b5 11.
lLlc6 3 ..ib5 a6 4 ..ia4 lLlf6 5.0-0 .ib3 (1l ..ic2 .ib7) 1l ... lLla5 12 . .ic2
1e7 6J:!e1 b5 7 . .td3 d6 8.c3 0-0 cS, he can go for a complicated
9.h3 .ib7, Black's position in our positional fight in semi-closed po
line seems to be more active and sitions with approximately equal
dynamic than those in the above chances, or try the riskier move -
mentioned schemes thanks to his 9 .. .f5 ! ? also with about equal
perfectly deployed dark-squared prospects. In the blitz game Ka
bishop on g7 and the placement of simdzhanov - Dreev, Moscow
his knight on e7 and not on g6. 2007, there followed later 1O.exf5
lLlxf5 1l . .ta4 g5 12.lLlg3 lLlxg3 13.
hxg3 �h8oo
21
Chapterl l.e4 e5 2.�f3 �c6 3.J.b5 �ge7
Minor Lines
CO.mplete Games
1 Kalegin S.Pavlov Wfd600

Moscow 2011 6.h5 h6 !?
1.e4 e5 2.�f3 �c6 3.J.b5 Black fixes the potential pawn
�ge7 4.h4 weakness on h5.
6 . . . .ig4 ! ? 7.c4oo
Naturally, this move contra

dicts the basic principles of devel 7.c3? !
opment in the opening and can Now, this plan is not good for
not be good. On the other hand, it White. He had to play 7.c4 ! , pre
impedes Black's plan to fianchet venting the important move for
to his dark-squared bishop (It is Black in the future b7-b5. 7 . . . .ig4
obvious that after 4 . . . g6, White S.lLlc3oo
will follow with the rather un 7. . . f5?!
pleasant move for Black - 5.h5.), This opening of the position is
therefore it is essential to under not at the right moment.
stand how to react against it in the After 7 . . ..ig4 S.d3 (S.d4 exd4
best possible way. 9.cxd4 d5 ! 10.e5 b5 11..ic2 �f5t)
4 a6 5.J.a4 d6
.•• S ... lLlgS ! White will have to regret
This is a very reasonable re his not well prepared march for
sponse for Black. The g4-square ward of his h-pawn.
has been weakened and his light 8.exf5 �xf5
squared bishop is headed there. S . . . hf5 9.d4t
5 . . . d5 ! ? 6.exd5 Wfxd5 7.lLlc3 9.J.c2?!
22
l.e4 e5 2. lDj3 lDc6 3 . .tbS lD ge7
The obvious move 9.0-0, fol 14 g5 !

•••
lowed by d2-d4, would have pro This is an aggressive move.

vided White with better chances. White fails to complete his devel
It is premature for him to play opment.
9.d4? ! e4 10.�e2 �e7� 15.hxg6 .tg7 16.fJ? !
This is a mistake, but White's
position remains difficult too af
ter 16.lDa3 exd4 17.cxd4 �de8 18.
�d2 hS=t
9 d5 !+ 10.g4
•.•
10.d4 ! ? e4 11.g4 lDg3 ! (It is

slightly weaker for Black to opt
here for 11 . . . lDd6 12.lDh4+) 12.
fxg3 ixg4+ 16 h5 ! 17.g5 �f5 IS.�xf5
•••
10 . . . �fe7 1l. �h4 .te6 12.d4 .txf5-+ Black realised quite con
"ld7 vincingly his great advantage.
Black wins an important tem 19.�a3 exd4 20.hd4 gdeS+ 21.
po for development. mf2 �xd4 22.cxd4 �hf8 23.
13.gg1? ! .txf5 �xf5 24.�c2 "lxg6 25.
It is more solid for White to "ld2 �f5 26."lc3 ge6 27.�el
choose 13.f3 0-0-0 14.i.e3 mb8 gfeS 2S.gcl "lf4 29.mf1 hd4
lS.lDd2 exd4 16.cxd4. Now, prob 30.�g2 �g3 0-1
ably Black's best resource would
be 16 ... gS ! 17.hxg6 hSt, but he had 2 Ferozkohi Wohl
to make up his mind to sacrifice a North Geelong 2011
pawn . . . l.e4 e5 2.�fJ �c6 3 .tb5 •
13 0-0-0 14 . .te3
••• �ge7 4.c4 g6
23
Chapter 1 Complete Games
5.0-0
We have already mentioned in
the part Step by Step that White's
last move enables his opponent to
occupy the important central d4-
square. On the other hand, after
S.d4, Black's bishop on g7 would
be raging.
5 J.g7 6.d3
•.•
White has a problem to choose 9 �h7

..•
his further course of actions, be This move is not so necessary.

cause it is not easy to see how he Black could increase his space ad
can organise counterplay. With vantage on the kingside with the
his next moves he is trying to do move 9 . . . gS ! ?t, freeing in the pro
this, ignoring his harmonious de cess the g6-square for his knight
velopment. on e7, or could even ignore his op
6 0-0
..• ponent's capturing of the h6-
pawn and reply with the counter
strike 9 . . . ig4 ! t with the idea 10.
,hh6?! ohf3 1l.gxf3 lLld4 (Now,
you can see the drawback of the
placement of White's queen on
the cl-square - Black is threaten
ing at some moment lLld4-e2+)
12.'it>h1 lLlec6 (It is weaker for
Black to opt here for 12 . . . ,hh6 13.
ti'xh6 lLlc2, in view of 14J'�gl ! ?
7 . .tg5 with the idea ggl-g3-h3. 1 4. . . lLlxa1
This looks like a loss of a tem lS.gg3 f6 16.cS gfl 17.gh3 gg7 1B.
po, since it helps Black to advance J.c4+ dS 19.exdS lLlxdS 20 .,hdS+
his kingside pawns. ti'xdS 2 1.WfhB+ 'it>fl 22.WfxaB = ; or
•••7 h6 8.J.e3 d6 16.gxg6+ lLlxg6 17.Wfxg6+ 'it>hB lB.
It seems a bit premature for Wfh6+ �gB 19.Wfg6=) 13.J.gS WfcB
Black to play the active move B . . . 14.lLld2 (14.ohc6 lLlxf3 with the
fS due t o 9.cS ! ?oo idea Wfh3-h2 checkmate ! lS.lLld2
9.ti'c1? ! lLlxgS 16.ia4 J.f6 ! - + with the idea
Having in mind all our previ 'it>g7 and ghB) 14 . . . lLle2 lS.Wfd1
ous notes, it seems much more lLlcd4+ and in this pawn-structure
logical for White to choose here Black's cavalry is no doubt strong
9.Wfd2, although even then after er than White's bishops. His light
9 . . . gSt Black's position would be squared bishop is particularly
more promising. bad, because it has been isolated
24
l.e4 e5 2. ttJj3 ttJc6 3. ,ib5 ttJg e7
from the actions by his own 1l fxe4 12.dxe4 exf4 13.

•••
pawns. gxf4
10.�el White would not have saved
In response to f7-f5, White is the day with 13 . .ixf4 ttJd4 14.ttJc3
preparing the counter strike f2-f4, a6 15.ia4 ,ie6+ 16.,ib3?! g5 17.
but he should not play so actively ie3 1!xf1+ 18.Wxfl Wfg8 !-+
because of his lag in development.
He must complete it first with the
move 10.�c3, in order to transfer
his light-squared bishop to a more
promising position with 1l.,ia4
with the idea .b4-d1, from where
it can help in the defence of his
kingside.
White can also play more reso
lutely and exchange his idle bish
op with 1O .,ixc6. In this case how 13 gxf4
•••
ever, Black's position would be Black reacts in the best possi
come preferable. ble way. He exchanges his oppo
10 f5
••• nent's active pieces, because the
rest of White's forces have not
been developed yet . . .
14 .lxf4 �d4
•
It was also possible for Black

to play here 14 . . . ,ie6 ! ?+, empha
sising the vulnerability of White's
c4-pawn and the disharmony in
the placement of his pieces, for
example: 15.�c3 �e5 16.ixe5
.ixe5 17 . .ta4 .ixc4 18.�f3 .tg7+ or
1l.f4? ! 15.Wh1 a6 16.ixc6 �xc6 17.ttJd2
White's pieces, contrary to %yf6 18 . .te3 ttJa5+
their black counterparts, are not 15.�c3
so well prepared for the fight. White takes care about his de
As before, it was more reliable velopment, but a bit too late . . .
for White to play 1l.,ia4 ttJd4 1 2 . He could have continued to ig
�c3 with the idea ,id1 o r 1l.,ixc6 nore his problems with a line like :
�xc6 1 2 .exf5 .ixfS 13.ttJc3 and in 15.Wfd2 .te6 ! ?+ (it is also good for
both cases his position would be a Black to choose here 15 . . . a6 16 .
bit cramped but still reliable. .ta4 b5+) with the idea 16.ixh6?
Now, he ends up in a difficult ixh6 17.%Yxd4 c6 18.,ia4 ,ig7
situation by force. 19.Wff2 Wfb6 ! - +
25
15 c6 16 .ia4 .ie6 17.�c2

••• • ti'h4 ti'g7 26.gdl �f5 27.Yfh3
White's c4-pawn is already �e3 0-1
doomed . . .
17 .txc4- + IS.�xd4
••• 3 Uddin Abdulla
Even after White's relatively Dhaka 2 004
best reaction 18.llJe3 .ie6-+ Black's l.e4 e5 2 . �f3 �c6 3 . .ib5
extra pawn and his better position �ge7 4.c4 g6 5.d4 exd4 6.
make his advantage decisive. �xd4 .ig7 7..ie3 0-0 S.�c3 d6
IS .txd4+ 19.c;t>hl
••• 9 . .txc6 bxc6 10.0-0 gbS
19 g5? !
••• Black is trying to free the h8-
He could have played calmly al diagonal...
here : 19 . . . .ig7 ! ? with the idea dS, It.b3
for example: 2 0 . 'i;l!d2 dS- + White should not have weak
2 0 . .ic2? ened the al-h8 diagonal so early
It was still possible for White and should have chosen the more
to complicate his opponent's task useful move Il.Yfd2 ! ? with the fol
with the move 2 0 . 'i;l!d2, for exam lowing exemplary variation: 11 . . .
ple : 20 . . . .ieS 2 1..ig3 'i;l!aS ! with the c S 12 .llJde2 ge8 13.gadl .tb7 and
idea hc3 and 'i;l!xa4, practically only then 14.b3 =
forcing the exchange of the bish Here after
ops. 2 2 .heS ( 2 2 . .ic2 gf8 23.heS It c5 12.�de2 f5
.••
'i;l!xeS 24.gel cS 2S.llJdl ha2+) the weakened al-h8 diagonal

22 . . . 'i;l!xeS 23.llJdl �g7 24.llJe3 becomes a telling factor .
.ie6 2S.gdl gd8 26 . .ic2 gd7+ and
Black may need to solve some
technical difficulties.
20 gxf4
•••
This sacrifice is obviously in

correct. White's pieces are not
ready to attack yet.
21.e5+ c;t>g7 2 2 .'i;l!xf4 dxe5
23.ti'g4+ c;t>hS 24.�e4 ti'gS 25.
26
1.e4 e5 2. lD.fJ lDc6 3 . .tbS lDge7
13.gel lDxe3, White will have problems
White's desire is understanda in the endgame after 19.Wxe3
ble. He wishes to remove as Wlxe3 20.fxe3 �d7 2U':lxf8+ �xf8
quickly as possible his rook away 2 2 .l3fl l3xf1+ 23.'i!;>xfl c6+, as well
from the dangerous diagonal and as following 19.fxe3 l3xfl+ 20.l3xfl
to protect his e4-pawn. Still, it c6 21.lDf4 .tfS 22 .lDhS .th8 23.
seemed more energetic for him to lDg3 i.e6 24.Wd3 .tt7t and Black's
opt for 13.Wc2 ! ? (with the idea powerful bishop-pair becomes a
l3adl) 13 . . .fxe4 14.l3adl, but even very important factor.
then White would have to solve 17 g5 18 .ig3
••• •
some problems after 14 . . . YNe8t

(removing the queen away from
the pin) followed by We8-fl.
13 fxe4 14.�xe4 �f5
•••
Black gradually improves the

placement of his pieces and is
ready to begin an offensive on the
kingside.
15 .tg5 YNd7 16.Wd2 h6
•
18 wn
•••
Here, Black overlooked a

very promising possibility: 18 ...
as ! with the idea as-a4xb3, creat
ing additional threats on the oth
er side of the board. This is a well
known strategical resource - the
principle of creating two weak
nesses for the opponent. 19.1D2c3
17 .tf4
• (White does not have time to play
White's reluctance to give up 19.WxaS? .tb7 20. f3 lDe3-+ fol
his last bishop is understandable lowed by lDxg2 ! ) 19 . . . Wt7 20.f3
if he plays 17.i.e3, but after 17 . .tf4 .td7 2 1..tf2 a4t
gS, Black's pressure on the king 19.�2c3 .ib7
side will become even stronger. Just like before, here it was
This happens very often in in very strong for Black to play 19 ...
ferior positions. One of the sides aSt
wishes to avoid making some po 20. �d5
sitional concessions and makes The seemingly more prudent
some other. Still, it is reasonable move 20.f3 after 20 . . . l3be8 21..tf2
to choose the least of evils . . . lDh4 ! (with the idea to counter
After 17 . .te3 We7 18.lD4c3 2 2 .Wd3 ? ! with 22 . . . lDxg2 ! 23.
27
'i!7xg2 g4 ..... ; 2 1 . . . ttld4 2 2 .§'d3 �h5t position remains difficult like be
with the idea g4) 2 2 .ixh4 gxh4 fore.
23Jkel h3 24.gxh3 (24.g3? .td4+ 21 .id4
•.•
25.'i!7hl §'h5 26.§'d3 .txc3 27. He is completely paralysed. It

§'xc3 gxf3 - + ; 2 6.g4 §'g6-+) 24 . . . is not good for him to choose now
ge5 ! =+ leads t o a very dangerous 2 2 . gcel? in view of 22 . . . c6 and his
position for White. If Blac�'s at knight will have no square to re
tack fails, he can rely on having an treat to. . . 23.ttle3 ttlxe3 24.fxe3
advantage in the endgame thanks he3+ 25.�xe3 §'xfl+ 26.gxfl
to his two bishops. Still, despite gxfl+ 27.'i!7xfl gxe3-+
all this, White had to play like 22 .ttlb5
that, because it was the least of This is a hopeless move, but
evils for him . . . the alternatives are even worse,
for example: 2 2 .ttle2 hd5 23.
cxd5 �xd5 24.ttlxd4 ttlxd4 with
the idea ge2- +
2 0 gbe8
•••
It seems interesting for Black

to choose here 2 0 . . . .txd5 ! ? , forc
ing White to occupy the key 2 2 c6
••.
square for the manoeuvres of his Now, analogously to 20 ....td5!?,

knights - d5, with a pawn. After it was again very good for Black to
that, he would hardly find a good have chosen 22 . . . hd5 ! , for exam
square for his knight, left on the ple : 23.cxd5 (23.ttlxd4? ttlxd4 24.
board, and the defects of Black's cxd5 ttle2 - + ) 23 ... .tg7-+ 24.ttlxa7
queenside pawn-structure would 'ttld4 25.'i!7hl (25.gcel? �xd5-+ ;
be absolutely immaterial, moreo 25.ttlc6 ttle2 + 26.'i!7hl ttlxcl 27.
ver that White is very likely to fail gxc1 �g6 28.f3 h5 29.gel gxel+
to hold on to his pawn on d5, for 30.�xel �d3 31.h3 'i!7h7 ! - + , re
example: 21.cxd5 (21.�xd5 �xd5 moving the king away from the
22.cxd5 .td4 23.'i!7hl ttle7+) 2 1 . . . checks) 25 . . . ge2 26.�d3 ga8 27.
gb4 ! ?=+ with the idea gd4. ttlc6 gaxa2 28.gcel gad2+ White
2 1.c�� e c3 will hardly manage to protect his
White has succeeded to fortify queenside pawn-weaknesses.
his d5-square just in time, but his 23.�xd4 cxd4 24.�b4
28
1.e4 e5 2. tLlj3 tLlc6 3 . i. b5 �ge7
White's knight changes its lo 26 9c6 27.f3 �e3

• •.
cation from d5 to d3 and it is more 27 . . . Ei:e3 ! ? (with the idea gxf3)

comfortably placed there, because 28.gc2 (28.gxe3 dxe3 29.�e2
his opponent can hardly remove it �e8 30.gel �e6. Black is prepar
from that square. ing h6-h5-h4. 31.b4 �xc4 32 .bxc5
24 c5 25.�d3 9d7
• •. i.a6-+) 28 . . . Ei:f7! ? He brings his
Black's pieces are concentrat rook to exert pressure on the g
ed on the f and e-files, so that was file (The position is not so clear
the right time for him to improve after 28 . . . Ei:xf3 29.gxf3 �xf3 30.
his position : 25 . . . Ei:e6 ! (with the �g2 �xd3 31.�e2+, or 28 ... g4
idea gf6 or gg6) 26.gcel (26.gfel 29 . .tf4 gxel+ 30.tLlxel gxf3 31.
gg6 ! 2 7.b4? tLlh4- + ; 2 7.�e2 tLlh4 tLlxf3 Ei:f6t). 29.Ei:fl (White cannot
28.f3 h5 29.Ei:c2 hf3- + ) 26 . . . gf6 save the day with the deflecting
(26 . . . gg6 ! ? 27.f3 h5-+) 27.ge2 move 29.b4, because of 29 ... g4 !
tLle3 ! + and Black's attack becomes deci
sive. 30 . .tf4 gxel+ 31.tLlxel gxf3
32.tLlxf3 �e8 33.�e2 ge7 34.�f2
Ei:e4 35 . .tg3 d3 36.Ei:d2 gxc4 37.
gxd3 gc1+ 38.tLlel c4 39.ga3 �e4
40.�d2 gbl 41.ltifl d5- +) 29 . . . g4
30.fxg4 tLlxg3 31.hxg3 Ei:xfl + 32.
ltixfl �d7- +
28.h3
26.gfel
Now, White had an interesting
possibility to complicate the issue
with the move 26.b4 ! ? and al
though Black would still have the
edge, the situation would have be
come very complex. For example :
26 ... �c6 27.f3 (This is the right
way to emphasise the drawbacks 28 . . . �xg2?
of Black's plan begun with the This move is premature and
move 25 . . . �d7.) 27 . . . tLle3 28.gf2 incorrect, since White has suffi
and White would still have the cient defensive resources.
possibility to offer resistance . . . Following 28 . . . h5-+, Black has
Now, his best reaction would great chances of realising his ad
be the most practical line: 26. vantage.
�kel! �c6 27.f3 tLle3 28.gf2 with 29.9xg2 gxf3 30.gxe8?
the idea �d3-b2-d1+ This move is in favour of Black,
29
because it helps him to bring his 3S.h4

queen into the attack to a much White fails to deflect the ene
more favourable position. my king with the move 38.lLlf7,
White could have solved all his because of 38 . . . i.f3 ! - + , for exam
problems with the move 30. ple: 39.lLlxd6 d3 40J"!gl+ @h7
@h2 ! = and here, the hI-square 41.lLlbS gc2 + 42.@g3 i.hS 43.lLla3
would be reliably protected, for gxa2 44.lLlbl d2 4S.lLlxd2 gxd2-+
example: 30 . . J"!ef8 31.lLlf4 ! and it White cannot save the end
becomes evident that Black's king game after 38.@xg2 @xgS 39.ge6
is not so reliably placed either. @f4-+
31..J"!8xf4 32 .hf4 gxf4 33.�xc6
.b:c6 34.ge6=
30 ti'xeS 31.gel ti'f7
•••
Black is ready to begin a new

attacking wave, but now, his at
tacking potential has been re
duced considerably. White enters
by force an inferior endgame, but
it would be very difficult to sug
gest to him anything more prom
ising. 3S i.f3?
•••
32.�f2 ge3 33. �g4 .bg2 This is a terrible mistake !

34.�xh6+ @g7 35.�xf7 gxg3 In this endgame, the bishop is
36.@h2 stronger than the knight, so the
simple and logical move 38 . . . i.b7
would have provided Black with
excellent winning prospects, for
example: 39.lLle4 he4 40.gxe4
@fS 41.gel @g4 42 .@g2 (42 .ge4+
@f3 ! - + ) 42 ... gc2 + 43.@f1 @f3-+
Now, after several accurate
moves, White should manage to
draw . . .
39.ge6+ c;th5
36 gc3 !
••• It would be interesting, as a
This is the only way for Black practical chance, for Black to try
to fight for an advantage. 39 . . . @fS 40.gxd6 i.g4 41.@g2 @f4
37. �xg5 c;tg6 ! 42.gf6+ i.fS 43.lLlf7 gc2 + 44.@fl
This is again his most precise d3 4S.lLld6 gcl+ 46.@f2 d2 47.
move ! He can hardly obtain any gxfS+ @g4 48.ggS+ @xh4 49.gdS
thing more substantial after 37 . . . dl1Ml SO.gxdl gxdl Sl.lLle4 = , but
i.b7 38J"!e6 ! = not more than that...
30
l.e4 e5 2.1:i:,f3 I:i:,c6 3.i.b5l:i:,ge7
40.�xf3 gxf3 41.Wg2 ge3 It is logical for Black to remove

42.gxd6 wxh4 43.gg6 as 44. his opponent's knight away from
wf2 ge2 + the centre, moreover that this will
44 . . . a4 45J'k6= even enhance the effect of the
4S.wf3 gxa2 46.ge6 gb2 pawn-advance O-f5.
47.gxeS 11.c� de2
47 a4?
••• H . . . .ib7
This is difficult to explain! It It was also possible for him to
was maybe due to the time-trou play immediately 11 . . .f5, for ex
ble? ! ample: 12.exfS hf5 13.�d2 �e6
After the simple move 47 . . . 14.b3 1:i:,f5 15 . .ig5 �d7 16.l:i:,g3=
�xb3+ the draw would have been Still, I believe that Black's best
obvious. possibility would be to adhere to
48.We4? the strategy of improving his po
After the quite natural reply sition in the centre and on the
48.bxa4+- the outcome of the queenside for the moment and
game would have been changed not clarifying the position imme
radically. White's extra pawn and diately with the pawn-break 0-f5
Black's isolated king, would have - 11 . . . l'!e8 ! ? With this move Black
been sufficient to settle the issue prevents the trade of the dark
in favour of White. squared bishops with �d2 and
48 . . . gxb3 49.Wxd4 Wg4 SO. �h6 and also increases the pres
gaS a3 Sl.cS wfS S2.e6+ We6. sure against the enemy e4-pawn.
Draw. There might follow 12 .�d2 a5 13.
�h6 �h8t with the idea 14.l:i:,f4
�a6 15.b3 a4t , creating maximum
4 Berg Short pressure on the enemy queenside.
Malm02 013 After Black plays 0-f5, the sit
1.e4 eS 2.�f3 �e6 3 . .ibS uation in the centre will be clari
�ge7 4.e4 g6 S.d4 exd4 6. fied and the position may be sim
�xd4 .ig7 7 .ie3 0-0 8.�c3 d6
• plified considerably due to the
9.he6 bxe6 10.0-0 cS opening of the e-file, which would
31
not have happened if Black had own bishop and makes possible
realised the above mentioned White's next move.
plan. It is also essential that White It was not possible for Black to
would not have the chances of ob play now the seemingly active
taining counterplay. move 20 . . . .ieS? ! , because of 2l.
12 .Vd2 f5 13.f3 �cl;j; with the idea lLld3.
This is a correct decision with Still, it was more prudent for
the idea after 13 . . . fxe4 to fo How him to opt for 20 . . . 13ad8, prevent
with 14.fxe4= ing the move in the game. Here, it
In the variation 13.lLlg3 fxe4 would not work for White to con
14.lLlgxe4 lLlfS lS.�f4 h6+ White tinue with 2 l.b4 due to 2 1 . . . cxb4
would need to fight long and hard 2 2 .Vxb4 ( 2 2 .�d4 ? ! �eS+) 22 . . . cS
for equality. 23.Wfb3 .ieSt
13 ... �c6 21.h4!
It is obvious that Nigel Short
has underestimated the active
counter strike. Black is not well
prepared for the opening of the
game on the queenside.
21 . . . cxh4
14.�f4? !
White did not have to let the
enemy knight to occupy the d4-
square. He had to play instead
14.exfS ! ? 13xfS lS.13ael 13f7=
14 �d4 15.�fd5 c6 !+ 16.
.•.
�f4 2 2 . .td4
White's task would have been Black is deprived of his two
even more difficult after 16 ..igS bishop advantage and what is
Wfd7 17.lLle3 f4+ more important his active dark
16 ... g5?! squared bishop on g7 disappears
Black could have improved his off the board. It would be prema
position obtaining an edge after ture for White to capture 2 2 .Vxb4
16 . . . WfaSt cS 23.Wfb3 13g6f±, because he
17. �fe2 �xe2+ 18.�xe2 f4 would fail to exchange the impor
19 .tf2 1re7 20.gadl gf6? !
• tant enemy bishop on g7.
This move looks active, but 2 2 gg6 23 . .ix:g7 Vxg7 24.
••.
covers the diagonal of Black's �d4? !
32
1.e4 e5 2.c!!Jj3 c!!J c6 3. 1b5 c!!Jge7
This is a very risky decision. tOd3 'ed2 36.tOxf4 gxdS 37.

After the simple line: 24. g3+ �gS
'I19xb4 ! ? cS 2S.'I19d2 ! ?�, there would White has done so much in or
arise a situation, similar to the der to save the game, but his posi
one in the game, but with materi tion remains hopeless. Black's
al equality. queen decides the issue . . .
24 cS 2S.tOfS 'eeS
••• 38.cxdS �f6 39.fxg4 �eS
40.tOhS c4 41.gf5+ �d4 42 .d6
c3 43.d7 �c4 44.gdS 'eel 0-1
S Belaska Vul
Prague 1996
1.e4 eS 2.1013 lOc6 3.1b5
tOge7 4.d3 g6 S.tOc3 1g7 6.1e3
White has some compensation

for the pawn due to the enemy
weakness on d6. Still, Black's po
sition remains quite solid and
White will still need to prove how
meaningful his compensation re
ally is.
26. tOxd6?
This is an obvious blunder. 6 tOd4!
..•
White would have preserved ex Black prevents the pawn-ad

cellent chances of a draw after vance d3-d4 and wishes to fortify
26.h4 h6 27J!f2 E:eB 2B.'I19c2 ic6 his knight on d4 with the move
29.E:fd2 E:ee6 30.'I19b2't tOe7-c6. White would lose a piece
26 gd8-+ 27.tOxb7
••. now with 7.tOxd4 and giving up
It is likely that after 26 c!!Jd 6? his dark-squared bishop (7.,bd4)
White had overlooked the fact would be a considerable position
that following 27.c!!Jf7 E:xd2 2 B . al concession.
c!!JxeS, Black would have the re 7 .1a4
•
source 2B . . J!gd6 ! - + White's reluctance to exchange

27 gxd2 28.gxd2 g4-+
•.• his important light-squared bish
29.gd8+ �g7 30.gd7+ �h6 op for the enemy knight is under
Black would have won simpler standable. The bishops are
with 30 . . . �hB 31.E:dB+ E:gB. stronger than the knights in nu
31. tOd8 'eb2 32.tOf7+ �hS merous open games and it may
33.gdS+ �h4 34.tOeS ggS 3S. happen often that the absence of
33
bishops may prove to be a very

negative factor in the future if the
position is opened.
7 0-0 8 .ti'c1? !
•••
White wishes to trade the

dark-squared bishops with the
move �e3-h6 and then to organ
ise an attack against Black's cas
tled king with h4-hS.
Instead of this, White had to 12 . . . f5
complete his development with This move is a bit premature.
8.0-0 d600 reaching a complicat White's task would have been
ed position in which Black's pros much more difficult after 12 . . . aS !
pects would not be worse at all. with the idea a4 and d4 and Black
As it is well known, when you would force his opponent to
attack on the side you need to im weaken his queenside with the
prove your position in the centre moves a4 or a3, after which
and Arkady Vul demonstrates White's king would be seriously
now all these familiar principles endangered. Even following 13.
of the central strategy. a4, Black should not be in a hurry
8 . . . d5 to play the move fS, but should
It was possible that it was prepare it with 14 . . . �e6 or 14 . . .
stronger for Black to play the pre 'l;Yd6.
paratory move 8 . . . c6 ! ? with the 13.ti'g5
idea dS, so that after the exchange White could have simplified
on dS, he could capture - c6xdS. considerably the position with the
9 .Ah6? ! line: 13.exdS .!t:lxdS (The situation
It was the least of evils for would have become very compli
White now, to simplify the posi cated after 13 . . . cxdS ! ? 14.'l;Ye3
tion with 9.i.xd4 exd4 1O . .!t:lxdS Wfd6 1S.d4 e4oo) 14 . .!t:lxdS cxdS+,
.!t:lxdS 1l.exdS, but after 1l . . . 'l;Ye7+ ending up in a passive but rather
he would be doomed to a passive solid position.
defence, because Black would 13 . . . h6
have a powerful bishop-pair in an It was good for Black to con
open position. tinue here with 13 . . . aS ! ? with ide
9 . . . c6 10 .ixg7 �xf3+
• as mentioned by us in our notes to
It was also possible for Black Black's move 1 2 .
to choose here 1O . . . @xg7 ! ? and it 14.ti'g2 a5+
would not work for White to play His advantage is obvious now.
1l . .!t:lxd4?? in view of 1l . . . exd4 15.a4
1VlJe2 ti'aS-+ (diagram)
1l.gxf3 �xg7 12.Ab3 15 . . . d4
34
1.e4 e5 2. lLlp lLlc6 3.i.b5 lLlge7
with the idea i.b5 and a4.

22.chd1 ga8 23.chd2 .id7
24.�e2 gtb8+
Black is well prepared for the
opening of the game on the
queenside and all his pieces are
ready for that.
25.Vld1
Black has a tremendously

great choice here of attractive
possibilities.
It seemed also good for him to
opt for 15 . . . .ie6t or 15 . . . §'d6, im
proving the placement of his piec
es and not clarifying yet the situa
tion in the centre. White must
decide where to put his king and
his plan for further actions, for 25 . . . Yfb6
example: 16.exd5 lLlxd5 17.lLlxd5 It also seems very good for
cxd5 1B.O-O-O .ie6 19J::!hgl �f6t him to try 25 . . . §'b4+ and now,
16.�e2 f4 White must, either open files on
The situation in the centre is the queenside after 26.c3 dxc3+
clear now. White's position is pas 27.bxc3 §'d6+, which will make
sive and without any good pros his situation even worse, or leave
pects and he is doomed to a labo his king on the queen side after
rious defence. 26.'i!;>cl bxa4 27J3xa4 �b6 2BJ3a2
17.h4 a4 29 ..ic4 lLlcB-+ (with the idea
White is playing with fire .. .!t is lLld6), where it will come under a
evident that he cannot even crushing attack.
dream about organising an attack 26.gb1 ga7 27.gg1 gab7
on the kingside. 28.axb5 cxb5 29.<!>e1
17 . . . §'b6 18.�c1 Wb4+ 19. This move saves the king, but
che2 b5 not the game. White's queenside
Now, contrary to White's un is doomed.
timely attacking attempt, Black"s 29 ... a4 30 . .ia2 b4
queenside attack is completely White's only hope is to try to
justified and is enhanced by his build a fortress on the queen side,
reliable set-up in the centre. after which he will have some
20 .Vlg1 Vlc5 21.chd2 gb8 chances for a draw. He succeeds
It is also good for Black to opt in doing this indeed, but naturally
here for 2 1 . . .bxa4 2 2 . �xa4 i.a6 ! ?t not without his opponent's help . . .
35
It seemed simple and strong It would be worse for White to

for Black to play here 30 .. J''k7 , ex try the other, more principled
erting pressure on the demi-open capture - 42.dxc4? with the idea
file. 31.�d2 . Now, after he pre ltJcl-d3, in view of 42 . . . d3 ! 43.
vents the appearance of the ene �xd3 ltJc6+
my queen on the b4-square with 42 gb8 43.gabl gcb7 44.
•••
the move 3 1 . . .�d6-+ (followed by ltJcl ltJc6

ltJe7-c6-b4), Black would obtain a Now, Black transfers purpose
decisive advantage. fully his knight to cS, but this does
•31 .tc4 gc7 not change the character of the
Here, he needed to prevent position . . .
White's move 3 2 .b3, by playing 45. �b3 �e7 46.gg4 ti'd6
3 1 . . .b3+ himself. 47.ti'el ga7 48.gal ltJd8 49.gg1
3 2.b3 �e6 50.'it>d2 �c5 51.ga2 �a4
This knight is roaming without
any particular effect.
52 .ti'cl �c3 53.gal gc8 54.
ti'fl a2 55.ti'cl ga3 56.ti'fl �e6
57.gg4?
This could have been the deci
sive mistake, but it was over
looked by both opponents.
57 gca8?
•••
Black was winning immedi

32 a3?
••• ately with 57 . . . ltJxe4 ! 58.dxe4
Black loses his advantage, gxc4 (with the idea 59 . . . gxc2 ! )
closing the queenside and allow 59.gel gxb3 60.cxb3 gc3-+
ing White to build up a fortress 58.gg1 gxb3? !
there. It was necessary for Black This rook would have been
to keep an open file there with the very useful on the queenside;
line: 32 . . . axb3 33.cxb3 ga7+ therefore, he did not need to give
33.ltJcl �c6 34.�a2 � a7 it for the harmless enemy knight.
35.gal ti'c5 36.ti'd2 ti'e7 37. Black had some hopes, con
gbl ti'c5 38.gg1 .tb5 39.�c1 nected with opening of the game
gd8 40.'it>e2 gdc8 41.�a2 bc4 on the kingside. Now, his resourc
Black has waited for the right es are exhausted and the game
moment to capture the bishop, af ends up logically in a draw.
ter his opponent's knight has 59.cxb3 ga3 60. 'it>c2 �c6
abandoned the cl-square. 61.ti'g2 ti'e6 62.�g4 ti'xg4 63.
42.bxc4 fxg4 ga5. Draw.
36
Chapter 2 1.e4 e5 2.tlf3 tlc6 3.1b5 tlge7 4.c3
Quick Repertoire
0-0 iJ.g7 6.d4 exd4 7.cxd4, he

could transpose to the Classical
variation (Chapter 6), or 4 a6 !?,
•••
trying to transpose to the Modern

variation (Chapter 7) after 5.ia4
(5.ic4 d5 ! ? = ) 5 ... g6 6.0-0 (6.d4
exd4 7.cxd4 ig7) 6 ... iJ.g7 7.d4
exd4 8.cxd4. Therefore, in this
chapter we will analyse the posi
tions after 4.c3 g6 5.d4 (5.ixc6)
and 4 a6 !? 5 .ia4 (5.iJ.c6 ; 5.
••• •
It was for a long time that the ic4) 5 g6 6.d4, which do not
•.•
move 4.c3 did not create any arise after the usual move-orders
opening problems for Black. He in the Classical and the Modern
solved them with the help of the variations.
active response 4 . . . d5 (see Chap All Black's three possibilities
ter 3), suggested by the first (4 d5, 4 g6, 4 a6) are about
••• ••• •••
World Champion Willhelm Stein equally strong and depending on

itz back in the year 1867. Still, af the tournament situation and the
ter World Champion number 11 style of the player can be tested
Robert Fischer found an improve will probably equal success. There
ment for White in the year 1971, arise more stable, manoeuvring
the move 4.c3 was considered positions following 4 ... g6 and 4 ...
quite justifiably a serious weapon a6. The variation with 4 ... d5 Ieads
for White. Black had to try to find to complications full of tactical
new ways of a fight for equalis tricks and would suit the taste of
ing . . . the players who enjoy similar
So, his most popular reply kinds of positions and can be
against 4.c3 became the move 4 ••• more applicable when Black is
g6, trying to prove that after 5. trying to play for a win.
37
Chapter 2 1.e4 e5 2.�f3 �c6 3.J.b5 �ge7 4.c3
Step by Step
S . .b:c6 .!t:lxc6 6.d4 exd4 7.cxd4

(7 . .!t:lxd4?! fi.g7+) 7 . . . dS= , for ex
ample : 8.exdS %YxdS 9.0-0 (9 .
.!t:lc3 ? ! \1!1lc4+; 9 .%Ye2 + %Ye6 1O.ie3
i.g7 11 . .!t:lc3 0-0 12.0-0 %Yd6=) 9 ...
i.g4 ! ? 1O . .!t:lc3 \1!1lfS ! ? (It is weaker
for him to opt for 10 . . . %YhS 11.
%Ye1+ i.e7 12 . .!t:lgS and he has no
problems after 12 . . . h6 13 . .!t:lge4
0-0-0 14.dS;!;, as well as follow
ing 12 . . . 0-0 13.f3;!;) 1l.%Ye1+ (11.
We will deal now with : A) 4 ••• E:e1+ i.e7 12.E:e3 0-0-0=) 11 . . .
g6 and B) 4 a6.••. i.e7 12 . .!t:leS .!t:lxeS 13.dxeS %Yd3 14.
i.h6 0-0-0= and Black should
not be worse in this open position
A) 4 g6 5.d4
••• with a pair of bishops.
With this move, Black refrains
from entering the Classical varia 5 ••• exd4 6.cxd4
tion (S.O-O) and is trying to fight
for a slight opening edge. Or 6.i.gS i.g7 7.cxd4 (7.0-0?!
h6! Osuna Vega - Vul, Gibraltar
About S.d3 fi.g7 6.0-0 0-0= - 2008, game 6) 7 . . . h6 ! ? = Salazar
see Chapter 1, variation D3. - Caruana, Guaymallen 2001,
with the idea 8 .i.e3 dS=
Following S.h4, it seems good
for Black to play S . . . dS ! ? , because 6 •.. d5
now, after 6.d3 dxe4 7.dxe4 (diagram)
%Yxd1+ 8.�xd1 f6= , as well as fol
lowing 6 . .!t:lxeS dxe4 = , his pros This is the only move which
pects are not worse at all. leads to original positions, but it
would not trouble Black at all.
Black has no problems after White should better transpose to
38
4.c3 g6
the Classical variation here with sition: AI) 8.�e5 and A2)
7.exdS ttJxdS 8.0-0 ig7. 8.ttJxe4.
7.eS - see Gipslis - Smyslov, AI) 8. �e5 i.g7 9.i.g5 Vd6

Tbilisi 1979, game 7. This position is complicated
but Black's prospects are not
Black should not be afraid of worse.
the move 7.i.gS, because after 7 . . . 10.i.f4
dxe4 ! ? 8.ttJeS (It i s bad for White
to play here 8.if6 ? ! in view of 8 . . . 10.0-0 0-0 11.ttJxe4 �b4
exf3+ with a n excellent game for 12.ttJxc6 ttJxc6 13 .hc6 bxc6=
Black, for example : 9.hc6+ bxc6
10 .hh8 fxg2 1U!gl ttJdS ! ? 12. 10.he7 @xe7 11.hc6 bxc6
1!xg2 f6- + ; 12 .�e2+ ie7 13.ttJc3 12.ttJxe4 �dS= 13 .�c2 1!e8 ! ? (13 . . .
@f8+ - his great advantage is i fS 14.�cS+ �xcS lS.ttJxcS heS
doubtless; after 9.hh8 fxg2 10. 16.dxe5 1!hd8=) 14.0-0 (14.�c5+?!
1!gl �d6 ! ? White saves the day �xcS lS.ttJxcS @d6 16.ttJe4+ @dS
neither with 11.ieS �b4+ 12.ttJc3 17.ttJc3+ @xd4 18.0-0-0+ @cS+
ie6 13.hc7 ttJdS+, nor following with the idea 19.ttJxf7 ifS 20.1!he1
11.1!xg2 ifS 12.ttJc3 0-0-0+) 8 . . . 1!ab8+) 14 . . . @f8 lS.1!ad1 ifS 16.f3
�d6! (The careless move 8 ...i.d7? ! , f6 ! ? 17.ttJxc6 1!xe4 18.fxe4 ixe4
after 9.hc6 hc6 1O.i.f6 1!g8 11. 19.ttJb4 hc2 20.ttJxdS ixd1 21.
ttJxc6 bxc6 12.ttJc3± led to a great 1!xd1 c6 22 .ttJb4 1!c8 23.1!c1 fS
advantage for White in the game 24.1!c4 @e7 2S.@f1 @d6=
Rooze - Kulago, Condino 2009.) (diagram)
9.ttJc3 ig7 - see variation Al. 10" .Ve6
This is a simple and reliable
7" .dxe4 move.
(diagram) Black does not need to enter
We will analyse in details two the complications following 10 . . .
moves for White in the arising po- �b4 l1.dS 0 - 0 12.dxc6 bxc6 13.
39
.ia4 ! (13 . .ie2 ? ! ltJdS ! =F with the There has arisen a sharp and
idea 14 . .id2 ? ! Wxb2-+) 13 . . . WcS ! complicated position in which
14.0-0 i.xeS IS.ltJxe4 Wd4 16. Black has sufficient counterplay,
Wxd4 ! ? (16.heS WxeS 17J'!el for example: 13.ltJd7 (13.Wg4 WxeS
Wxb2 IBJ��b l Wg7 19.Wc2 .ifS 2 0 . 14.heS hg4 IS.hg7 �xg7 16.
WcS ltJdS 2 1 .bc6 he4 2 2 .haB cxb7 l'!abB 17 ..ia6 ltJc6 IB.O-O
l'!xaB 23.l'!xe4 ltJc3 24.l'!eb4 ltJxbl ltJb4 19 . .ic4 l'!xb7=) 13 . . . �xf4 14.
2S.l'!xbl l'!eB = ) 16 . . . hd4 17.hc7= ltJxfB (14.g3? WfS-+) 14 . . . e3 ! ? 15.
with approximately equal chanc fxe3 (It is weaker for White to
es, but Black must play very ac choose here IS. 0-0?! in view of
curately. For example, after IS ... exf2 + 16.l'!xf2 .td4=F; 16.�hl
17 . . . bb2 (17 . . . �e6 ! ?oo) IB.l'!abl� bxc6 17.�e2 .td4=F and now, it
White has the initiative for the would be bad for White to con
pawn and more than sufficient tinue with 18.Wxe7? ! .ieS I9.WxeS
compensation. Here, it is not WxeS 2 0 .hc6 l'!bB 2 1 .ltJd7 hd7
good for Black to play the seem 2 2 .hd7 l'!xb2 23.l'!ac1 cS=F with a
ingly natural response IB . . . �g7 very difficult position for him; 15.
(IB . . . .thB ! ? 19 . .td6�) 19.�d6 �fS We2 hc3+ 16.bxc3 exf2 + 17. �xf2
(19 ...l'!eB? 20.be7 l'!xe7 21bc6+-) WeS+ 18 .�e2 Wxc3+ 19.�f2 Wd4+
2 0 .be7 he4 2 1.hfB hfB 2 2 . 2 0.We3 Wf6+ 2 1.Wf3 Wd4+ 2 2 .
l'!b7± and his compensation for �e3 �f6+ 23.Wf3 �d4= White can
the exchange is insufficient. not avoid the repetition of moves.)
IS ... �xe3+ 16.�e2 hc3+ 17.bxc3
ll.dS �xc3+ 18.�f2 Wd4+ 19.We3 Wf6+
2 0 .Wf3 Wd4+ 2 1.�e3 �f6=
11.0-0 0-0 12.l'!el ltJxeS 13.
l'!xe4 �b6 14.beS beS ! ? (14 . . .
.te6 IS.bg7 �xg7=) IS.dxeS (15. A2) 8. �xe4 .tg7 9 .tgS •
l'!xeS ltJfS ! ? = ) IS ... c6 16 . .tc4 .tfS= (diagram)

Now, Black has two possibili
ll ftf5 12.dxc6 0-0?
••• ties: A2a) 9 ftdS, leading to a
•••
40
4.c3 g6
This move practically forces

Black to trade his important dark
squared bishop.
1l hc3+
•••
But not 11.. .a6 12.0-0 ! ?;j; and

it would not work for Black to
continue with 12 . . . axb5? 13.
lLlxbS+-
12 .bxc3 liJxd5
complicated and unclear position
and the simple A2b) 9 0-0 ! ? ••• 12 . . . ti'xdS 13.hc6+ bxc6 14.
0-0 lLlfS 15.1!e1+ .ie6 16.ti'a4 0-0
17 . .if6 1!feB 1B.lLleSt
A2a) 9 ••. ti'd5 10.�c3 ! ?
13.c4!?�
10.lLlf6? ! i.xf6 1l . .txf6 ti'e6+
12 .i.eS f6 13.dS lLlxdS 14.0-0 fxeS
15.i.c4 lLlce7 16J'!e1 ti'd6 17 . .txdS
lLlxdS 1BJ'!xeS+ i.e6 19.ti'a4+ bS !
20.ti'e4 (20 .ti'xbS+ c6 2 1 .ti'e2
lLlf4-+ ) 2 0 . . .'it>d7+
1O.ti'e2 0-0 1l.i.c4 (1l.lLlf6? !

i.xf6 1 2 .hf6 i.g4 13.0-0 lLlfS+)
ll . . . ti'aS+ 12 .i.d2 ti'fS ! ? Black's
prospects after 13.0-0 i.e6 = , as
well as following 13.lLlg3 ti'c2 ! ?
14.d5 (14J'!c1 ti'xb2 1S.dS lLle5 16. White has sufficient compen
liJxeS ti'xeS+) 14 . . :�xb2 15.0-0 sation for the pawn thanks to his
liJd4 16.lLlxd4 ti'xd4 17J'!ac1 .ig4 ! ? bishop-pair and the initiative.
1B.ti'xe7 ti'xd2+ are at least equal. 13 . . . lLlde7 ! ? (13 . . . lLldb4 14.ti'e2+
Now, it is bad for White to play ti'e6 15 . .ie3 ! ? ti'e4 ! ? 16.0-0 i.g4
19.ti'xc7? ! in view of 19 . . . bS ! 2 0 . 17.ti'b2 ! 0-0-0 1B.lLlgS� - His
i.b3 (20.hbS? 1!acB-+) 2 0 . . . 1!acB initiative more than compensates
21.1!c2 ti'd3 2 2 .ti'f4 1!xc2 23.hc2 the sacrificed pawn ; 1S . . . 0-0?!
�xc2 24.ti'xg4 ti'xa2 2S.d6 as 26. 16.a3 lLla6 17.0-0t) 14.0-0 ti'xd1
d7 't;Ye6 27.�xe6 fxe6+, with the 15.�axdl 0-0 16.�fel .te6oo - No
idea 2B.1!c1 <it>f7 29 .1!cB ? ! <it>e7-+ doubt, White has compensation,
but he can hardly rely on having
10 ti'd6 11.d5
••• the advantage.
41
A2b) 9 ••• 0-0 ! ? rather unclear, for example : 13.h3

.ixf3 14.�xf3 �xd4 15.i.c3 �d7 16.
gadl lLld5oo) 12 . . . .te6 (12 . . . gb8 ! ?
13.b3 f5 ! ? 14.lLlc5 f4 1 5 . .tcl .tg4=)
13.lLlc5 i.d5= . There has arisen a
very complex position in which
Black's chances are not worse at
all. His inferior pawn-structure is
compensated by his bishop-pair
(his light-squared bishop on d5 is
particularly active) and the better
dynamics in the situation for him,
because he has the possibility to
This i s the simplest road to advance in the future his f and g
equality for Black. pawns in order to organise an at
10.0-0 tack on the kingside. In the game
Nykopp - Balshan, Gausdal 1982,
10.i.xc6 bxc6 11.0-0 (l1.lLlf6+?! there followed 14.lLlel lLlf5 15.
mh8't; 11 . . . ixf6 12 . .bf6 �d6 13. lLled3 ge8 16.gel gb8 17.b3 g5
i.e5 �b4+ 14.�d2 �b5 15.�e2 (17 . . . lLlh4! ?+) 18.�g4? ! lLlh4=t and
�b6t; 15.a4 �a6+) Black seized the initiative.
11 .. .f6. It is essential for Black

to preserve a complicated posi
tion with his two bishops in order Now, Black can simplify the
to compensate his inferior pawn game with the move A2b1) 10 •••
structure (The simplification of �d5 or continue calmly with the

the position 11 . . . h6 12 .i.f6 ixf6 line: A2b2) 10 h6. •••
13.lLlxf6+ mg7 14.lLle4 .ig4 15.lLled2;!;

is in is favour of White thanks to A2b1) 10 •••�d5 11.�c3
his superior pawn-structure.) 1 2 .
i.e3 (12 .i.d2 i.g4 and the position Following 1l.hc6 lLlxc6 12.
remains very complicated and lLlf6+ .bf6 13 . .bf6 .tg4, there
42
4.c3 g6
arises a very complicated position squares on Black's kingside, his

in which Black is not worse. 14.h3 prospects are not worse, because
(14.�d2 �d6 15.�g5? ! hf3 16. the position is rather concrete
gxf3 lDxd4+; 15.�e5 �e7 16.�f4 and semi-forced. 16.he7! ? (16.
ixf3 17.�xf3 lDxe5 18.dxe5 �xe5 lDxe5? ! lDxd5 17.a4 �b6 18.�g5
19.�xb7 1!fb8 2 0.�c6 �xb2 = ; 17. 1e6+; 16.he5 lDxd5 17.a4 �d7+)
�f6 �d6 18.�xf3 lDxd4 19.ixd4 16 . . . 1!e8 17.a4 �b6 18.lDxe5 1!xe7
�xd4 2 0.�xb7 1!ab8 2 1.�xc7 1!fc8 19.1Dc4 �b4=
22 .�g3 1!xb2 23.1!ad1 �c5=) 14 . . .
.bf3 15.�xf3 �xf3 16.gxf3 lDb8 ! ? 14 .be5
•••
17.1!fc1 lDd7 18.�h4 c6 19.d5 cxd5

20 .1!c7 lDe5 2 1.�f6 1!fe8 2 2.'.tg2
(22.1!ac1 b6 23.mg2 lDd3 24.1!lc6
lDf4+ 25.mg3 lDh5=) 22 . . . 1!e6 23.
he5 1!xe5 24.1!xb7 1!g5=
11 ••• �d6
15.d6 lDf5 16.d7 ixd7 17.ixd7

�xe4 18.1!e1 �d4 19 .ixfS gxfS
20 .�f3 1!fe8 2 1.�xfS �xb2C1O
15 •.• mg7 16.lOe8+ gxe8

12.d5
Black's alternatives are worse:
White would not obtain any 16 . . . mh8? 17.�el ! + -, or 16 ... mg8
advantage after his alternatives: 17.d6 �g4 18.�e1 �xb5 19.1Dxc7
12.lDe4 �b4C1O; or 12 .1!e1 �g4 = ; or hh2 + 20.mxh2 �xg5 21.�xe7;!;
12.lDe4 �d5 13.lDc3 �d6 14.lDe4
�d5= 17 .be8 (6 18 .ict .if5 19.
• •
.ia4 gd8;i Black's active pieces

12 ••• lOe5 13.lOe4 ti'b4 14. are quite sufficient to compensate
�xe5 the exchange.
Following 14.lDf6+ ix:f6 15. A2b2) 10 h6 •••
hi6 �xb5, despite the weak This simple and reliable move
43
provides Black with equality. worse at all - lS . . . i.xf3 16.gxf3

(16.Wfxf3 ? ! tLId4 17.Wfc3 WfxdS IS.
1!ad1 1!adS=F) 16 ... tLIeS 17.f4 (17.
Wfd4 ? ! Wff6 ! ! =F) 17 ... tLId7= and 15 . . .
tLIeS 16.Wfd4 i.xf3 17.WfxeS+ f6 IS.
Wfd4 he4 19.Wfxe4 1!eS = with
equality, but in more complicated
positions in comparison to lS.1!eS.
13 •••q;xf6 14.Wfe1 q;g7
1l .tf6
•
11. tLIf6 + ?? �hS-+ S. Lupu -

Radulov, Val Trorens 1995.
1l ••• .txf6 12.�xf6+ q;g7 13.

d5
13.tLIe4 i.g4 14.,hc6 tLIxc6

lS.dS 15.dxc6
lS.Wfc3+ tLIeS ! 16.WfxeS+ (After

16.tLIxeS ? ! tLIxdS 17.Wfd4 f6 lS.tLIf3
c6 19.i.c4 i.e6=F White has no
compensation whatsoever.) 16 . . .
f6 17.Wfe4 tLIxdS leads t o a com
plex position in which White has
more than sufficient compensa
tion, but not more than that. Now,
his best possibility would be IS.
lS ... 1!eS. This is the simplest. tLIh4 fS 19.Wfd4+ Wff6 20.WfxdS c6
16.dxc6 Wfxd1 17.1!fxd1 1!xe4 IS. 21.,hc6 bxc6 2 2 .Wfc4 as 23.1!fc1
cxb7 1!bS 19.tLId2 (19.b3 i.xf3 2 0 . 1!bS 2 4 . Wfxc6 Wfxc6 2S.1!xc6 gS
gxf3 1!e2 = ) 19 . . . 1!d4 20.f3 .ifS 21. 26.tLIf3 1!xb2= with an equal end-
1!ac1 1!xb7 2 2 .b3 cS 23.tLIc4 1!xd1+ game.
24.1!xd1 i.e6= with an equal end-
game. 15 . . . �xc6 16.hc6 bxc6 17.
Black's alternatives are not 1!c1 Yff6 18.�e5 ge8 19.f4 a5=
44
4.c3 a6
B) 4 . . . a6 ! ? 7.0-0 ! ? .ie6 ! ? B.l'!e1 tDxc3?!

9.tDxc3 ixc4 10.d4±; B . . . .ie7 9 .
.ib3 .if6 10.tDa3 0-0 1l.tDc4 l'!eB
12.tDcxe5 tDxe5 13.tDxe5 tDxc3 = ;
7 . . . .ie7 B. l'! e 1 Y;!id6?! 9.d4;!;; B ...
tDb6 9 . .ib3 ig4 1O.h3 .ih5 1l.g4
ig6. This position is with mutual
chances. Now, after 12.tDxe5 tDxe5
13.l'!xe5 0-0 14.d4 'i!ihB !� with
the idea id3 and V-f5, Black's
initiative compensates fully the
sacrificed pawn. After 12.d4, his
simplest reply would be 12 . . . exd4
5 . .ia4 13.tDxd4 tDxd4 14.Y;!ixd4 Y;!ixd4 15.
cxd4 l'!dB 16.tDc3 l'!d7=)
It is not in the spirit of the po 7.d4
sition for White to play 5.hc6
tDxc6, because the exchange of
the " Ruy Lopez" bishop for Black's
knight without any particular ne
cessity is not in White's favour.
Following 6.d4 d6=, or 6 . . . exd4
7.cxd4 d5= , Black has no prob
lems in the opening at all.
After 5 . .ic4, it seems very good

for Black to continue with the About 7 . . . b5 - see Bjarnason
counter strike in the centre 5 . . . Thorfinnsson, Hafnarborg
d5 ! , which i s his most energetic 2003, game 8.
and principled response. (5 . . . tDg6 7... exd4! ? 8.0-0 (B.tDxd4 tDxd4
6.d4;!;) 6.exd5 (Black should not 9.Y;!ixd4 Y;!ie7+) B . . ..ig4 (B ... .ie7
be afraid of 6 . .ib3 dxe4 ! ? 7.tDg5 9.tDxd4 tDe5 1O . .ib3 0-0 = ; in the
due to 7 . . . tDd5.) 6 . . . tDxd5 game Cuasnicu - Panno, Buenos
Aires 1975, Black tried 9.cxd4, but
after 9 . . . 0-0 1O.tDc3 .ie6 1l . .id3
Y;!id7 12.l'!e1 l'!adB, his position
seemed to be even slightly prefer
able. In similar pawn-structures,
with an isolated pawn, the side
with it usually has more actively
placed pieces and this is the case
here.) 9.cxd4 .ie7=
45
5 ••• g6 ative, Kudrin - Alonso, Salaman

ca 1989.) 8 . . . 0-0 9.0-0 d6 10.c4;!;
Following S . . . d6 6.d4 id7, (or 1O.a4;!;)
there arises after transposition of
moves, one of the positions of the
Modern Steinitz Defence in which
Black has a solid but somewhat
passive position. The analysis of
similar positions is outside the
scope of this book.
6.d4 ! ?
This i s a n interesting possibil
ity for White to fight for the initia White's chances are preferable
tive. due to Black's terribly misplaced
knight on a7. The pawn-structure
About 6.0-0 !;"g7 - see Chap in this position is similar to the
ter 7, variation B . King's Indian and the Indian set
ups in which Black's queen knight
belongs to d7 and not to the a7-
square. White's plan is quite obvi
ous - this is active operations on
the queenside by advancing the
pawns there and accomplishing
the pawn-break c4-cS, as it often
happens in similar King's Indian
pawn-structures. Still, we have to
mention that White must play
very precisely in similar situa
tions; otherwise, Black will organ
6 ••• exd4 ise an attack on the kingside and
his plan would be quite obvious
Following 6 . . . ig7 7.dS ! ? (7. too. He will play h7-h6, in order
0-0 exd4 - see Chapter 7) 7. J i J a7 to prevent after t7-fS the enemy
(7 . . . lLlb8? 8 .d6 ! cxd6 9.V;Yxd6±) 8 . knight-sortie lLlf3-gS with the idea
!;"c2 ! ? (Here, the move 8 .d6 is not lLlgS-e6, and then to follow with
so strong as after 7 . . . lLlb8 ? ! Fol t7-fS with the idea fS-f4 and then,
lowing 8 . . . cxd6oo, the position is the advance of the g and h-pawns.
just as complicated and unclear as
in the game. 9.V;Yxd6 lLlbS 10.�d3 7.cxd4
0-0 1l.,bbS ? ! axbS 1 2 . 0 - 0 dS 13. (diagram)
gd1 fSf Black has seized the initi- Now, we will analyse two pos-
46
4.c3 a6 5. i.a4 96 6.d4 ed 7.cd
sibilities for Black: B1) 7 bS

••• 10 cS
•••
and B2) 7 J..g7.

•••
Black should not expect any

thing promising after 1O . . . !J.xb2?!
B1) 7 bS .•. 11.haS hal 12.lLlc3. Now, fol
This move is beginning to be lowing 12 . . . ,bc3?! (It is better for
come very popular lately, but it Black to opt here for 12 . . . i.b2 13.
seems to me that it is less precise d6 lLlc6 14.lLldS 0-0 IS.dxc7 VNe8
than 7 . . . !J.g7, in view of: 16.i.d2;!;; 14 ... lLlxaS? IS.dxc7+-) 13.
8 .J..c 2 ! hc3 0-0 14.VNd4 f6 IS.eS± and
White has very dangerous initia
Now, Black has a choice be tive.
tween B1a) 8 J..g7 and BIb)
•••
8 . . . dS. 1O . . . lLlc4 11.!J.c3
B1a) 8 ••• J..g7 9.dS
About 9.0-0 d6 - see Chapter

7, variation B1.
9 ••• �aS
It is not preferable for Black to

choose here 9 . . . lLlb4 1O.i.b3 as 11.
a3 lLla6 12.lLlc3 lLlcS 13.i.c2;!; with After 11 . . . 0-0 12 .,bg7 �xg7
the idea i.e3, followed by i.d4, 13.VNd4+ f6 14.!J.d3 lLlb6 1S.lLlbd2±
with a slight but very stable posi Black's position is obviously
tional advantage for White, Co worse.
lovic - Netzer, Belfort 2012. Following l L..lLlxb2, White can
either enter a very complicated
10.J..d 2 ! position with 12 .VNc1 !J.xc3+ 13.
47
tDxc3 tDc4 14.i.d3iii , in which he

has more than sufficient compen
sation for the pawn, or play sim
pler - sacrificing his queen for
two minor pieces and a rook: 1 2 .
i.xg7 tDxd1 13.i.xhB tDxf2 14.
@xf2;!;, with better chances, si'nce
he has a space advantage, a great
number of pieces and a powerful
dark-squared bishop. It would be
much easier for him to play this
position. positional edge for White, Sve
11 . . . ,bc3+ 1 2 .tDxc3 d6 (After tushkin - Sivuk, Rethymno 2012.
12 . . . tDxb2, it would be simplest Black's position is passive and his
for White to continue with 13.�d4 knights have no good prospects.
0-0 14.tDd2 d6 lS.0-0iii with
tion for him for the pawn and po BIb) 8 . . . d5
sitional pressure, for example: We must pay attention to this
lS . . . cS 16.�f6 ga7 17.gab1 tDc4 lB. logical move, but it seems to me
tDxc4 bxc4 19.tDd1 tDc6 20.'<M'xdB that here, White can create cer
tDxdB 2 1 . tDe3±; 16 . . . tDc4 17.tDxc4 tain problems for his opponent
bxc4 1B.tDd1 as 19.tDe3;!; with the with the move
idea 19 . . . i.a6 2 0 .tDg4.) 13 . .ib3 ! ?
tDaS (13 . . . tDeS 14.tDd4 0 - 0 15.
O-Ot threatening f2-f4) 14.�d2
0-0 lS.0-0t Black's kingside
has been obviously weakened, be
cause the trade of the dark
squared bishops in similar pawn
structures is evidently in favour of
White.
1l.J.c3 0-0 12.0-0 d6

(diagram)
13.b3 9.exd5 !
This is the best!
13.h3 ! ?t
After 9.eS .ig7 1O.tDbd2 0-0
13 . . . J.g4 14.J.xg7 @xg7 15. 11.h3 f6 12.exf6 M6= Black equal
�bd2 �b7 16.h3 J.xf3 17. ises without any problems, Karja
�xf3;!; - with a slight but stable kin - Aronian, Monaco 2011.
4B
4.c3 a6 5. 1a4 g6 6.d4 ed 7.cd
9 ••• lOxd5 pensation for the exchange.
It is not preferable for him to 10.0-0 Ag7

opt for 9 . . . 1Ob4 10.j.b3 j.g7 11.0-0
IObxd5 (11 ... 0-0? 12 .j.g5 l!e8 13. After 10 ... 1e6, White has the
ltlc3 j.b7 14.ltle5 ltlbxd5 15.§'fJ+-; possibility to fight for the initia
12 ...j.b7 13.�e1 f6 14.d6+ ltled5 15. tive with the line: 11.ltlc3 197 12.
�xb4 fxg5 16.ltlc3 c6 17.ltle5+-) ig5t Now, Black has nothing bet
ter than 12 . . . ltlxc3 (12 .. .f6? 13.l!e1
<.!lf7 14.l!xe6+ - ; 12 . . .�d7 13.ltlxd5
hd5 14J!e1+ <.!lf8 15.ltle5±) 13.
bxc3 and after 13 ... �d6 14.ltld2;!;,
as well as following 13 ... �d7 14.
�e4 ! ?;!; White maintains long last
ing initiative.
1l.Ag5 §'d6
12 .�g5 f6 (Following 12 . . . �d6 About 11 . . . ltlce7 12.l!e1 0-0 13.

13.ltlbd2 ! ?t, White exerts posi ltlc3 ltlxc3 14.bxc3 f6 15.1d2 i.b7
tional pressure and has the initia - see 11 . . .f6.
tive. Later, in the game Zhere
bukh - Dounis, Athens 2012, 11 . . .f6 12 .l!e1 + ltlce7 13.�d2
there followed: 13 . . . 0-0 14.ltle4 0-0 14.i.b3 (14.ltlc3 ltlxc3 15.bxc3
�b6 15.ltlc5 h6 16.j.h4 g5 17.j.g3 ib7 16.a4 ltld5 17.l!b!;!; Guliev -
l!d8 18.ltle5± with an obvious po Abdulov, Baku 2011) 14 . . . 'it>h8
sitional advantage for White. 15 . . . (14 . . . �b7? ! 15.ltlc3 <.!lh8 16.ltle4±)
ig4?! 16.h3 h fJ 17.�xfJ±) 13. 15.ltlc3 ltlxc3 16.bxc3 �b7 17.h4;!;
1d2 0-0 14.ltlc3 <.!lh8 (14 ... �b7 and White maintains the initia
15J!e1 <.!lh8 16.ltle4±) 15.ltle4 �g4 tive and positional pressure, al
16.ltlc5 ltlc6 17.ltlb7 §'d7 18.h3 though the position remains still
1xfJ 19.§'xfJ± and White has a very complicated.
great advantage thanks to the vul
nerability of the e6 and cS-squares 12. lObd2
in the enemy camp. Now, after (diagram)
19 ... ltlb6, there would follow 2 0 . 12 0-0
•••
ltlc5!± �d6 ( 2 0 ... ltlxd4?! 21. �xa8±;

20 ... �xd4? ! 2 1.�xc6 §'xd2 2 2 . It would not work for Black to
gad1 �xb2 23.ltle6 l!fc8 24.ltlxg7 play here 12 . . . ltlxd4?, due to 13.
c,txg7 25.l!fe1 +-) 2 1 .j.f4 ! ? ltlxd4 ltle4 �b6 (13 . . . ltlxf3+ 14.�xfJ �e6
22.�xa8 �xf4 23.�b7 f5 24.l!ad1 15.ltlc5 §'d6 16.l!fe1+ i.e6 17.ltlxe6
1e5 25.g3± and Black has no com- fxe6 18.�b3 c6 19.1!ac1+-) 14.
49
ltJxd4 .ixd4 (14 . . . �xd4 lS.�xd4 gxf4 21./(}c5 'Bd6 22 .'BcU

hd4 16J'!ad1 cS 17 . .ib3 ltJc7 lB. White's prospects seem prefera
ltJxcS + - ; 17 ... .ie6 1B.hdS .ixdS ble, although the position still re
19.1tJf6+-) lS . .ib3 i.e6 (lS . . . c6 mains very complicated. Here,
16.ltJd6 + - ; lS . . . ltJe7 16.�f3 ltJfS Black should better continue with
17.ltJf6+ hf6 1BJ'!fe1+ .ie6 19. the variation 2 2 . . . hf3 23.hf3
�xaB+ @d7 2 0 J'!ad1+ ltJd6 2 1 . ltJxd4 24.haB l3xaB 2S.ltJb3 ! ? f3
he6+ fxe6 2 2 .�e4 hgS 2 3 . 26.ltJxd4 hd4, trying to compli
�xe6+ @ d B 24.�eS+-) 16.hdS cate the issue, but even then after
.ixdS 17 . .ie3 cS 1B.ltJxcS ! + - 27.�c2 ! ?;!;, or 27.a4;!;, White's
prospects would be preferable
13./(}e4 'Bd7 thanks to his extra exchange.
Here, Black cannot transpose B2) 7 •.. J.g7

to the Classical variation 13 . . .
�b4? ! , due t o 1 4 . .ib3 ! .!e6 lS.l3c1
ltJxd4 16.ltJxd4 �xd4 17.�xd4
hd4 1B.l3fd1 cS 19.hdS hdS
20.l3xd4 cxd4 2 1 .ltJf6+ @g7 2 2 .
ltJxdS l3fcB 23 . .if6+ @fB 24.l3dl±
14.gel
After 14 ..ib3 ltJ aS lS.ltJeS �e6
16.ltJcS �d6= , Black maintained
the equality in the game Adams -
Iordachescu, Konya 2 0 1 2 .
(diagram) 8.dS
14 h6 15.J.h4, Grandelius -
••• This is the only move leading
Tomazini, Kocaeli 2 013, 15 /(}f4••• to positions, which are principally
16./(}c5 'Bd6 17.J.e4 J.g4 18. different from the Modern varia
/(}b7 'Bd7 19.J.g3 g5 2 0 .ixf4 • tion.
50
4.c3 a6 5. i.a4 g6 6.d4 ed 7.cd
8.0-0 0-0 - see Chapter 7.
8 . . . �a5 ! ?
8 . . .b 5 9.i.c2t - see variation

Bla.
Black cannot equalise with 8 . . .

lLle5?, because after 9 .lt:lxe5 he5
10.0-0t his position is obviously
worse, due to the permanent
threat f4-f5 and White's space ad 9.lLlc3 0-0 10.0-0 d6= Lind
vantage. Now, it is not good for berg - Varga, Balatonlelle 2007.
Black to play 10 . . . 0-0? ! in view of
11.f4 i.g7 1 2 .f5± and White has 9.lLlbd2 cS ! ? 10.0-0 0-0 11.
dangerous initiative. gbl b5 12 .i.c2 c4 13.b4 lLlb7= -
(diagram) The chances of both sides are ap
There has arisen a seldom proximately equal, Delchev -
played and not so well analysed Varga, Pula 1998.
position, which has been tested in
several games in which White has 9 ... 0-0 10.�bd2 c5 1l.d6
failed to obtain an advantage in �ec6 12 . .ic6 �c6 13.a4 gb800
the opening. Black is not worse at all in this
complicated position, Szalanczy -
9.0-0 Mozez, Hungary 1997.
51
Chapter 2 1.e4 e5 2 .tt� fJ �c6 3 ..ib5 �ge7 4.c3
Complete Games
6 Osuna Vega Vul Black to play more prudently 10 ...

Gibraltar 2008 d6! 11.h3 (11.lLlc3 g4+) 11 . . . f5+
1.e4 e5 2 .!Of3 .!Oc6 3 . .tb5 g6
• 1l.exd5
4.c3 .!Oge7 5.d4 exd4 6 .tg5 •
.tg7 7. 0-0?!
1l .!Oxd5
•••
Black overlooked here the tac

7 h6!
••• tical possibility: 11...lLlxd4 ! 12.
This is even stronger for Black lLlxd4 �xd5 13 . .!Oc3 (13Jle1 lLlg6
than accepting the pawn-sacrifice 14.lLlc3 �xd4 15.hc7 .ie6+) 13 ...
- 7 . . . dxc3 8 . .!Oxc3 h6 9 . .ie3 ! 0-0 �xd4 14.hc7 a6+ and his actively
1O .�d2 'i!lh7 1U�ac1� placed pieces provide him with
8 . .th4 0-0 good chances of seizing the initia
This is not the right decision, tive.
however! With a bishop on h4, 12 .!Oe5? !
•
White does not have compensa This move looks very active,
tion for the pawn, so Black had to but it is a mistake.
prefer 8 . . . dxc3 9 . .!Oxc3 0-0 lOJk 1 White would have no prob
d6 1U�e1 g 5 12 . .tg3 .ie6+. Mean lems after 12.lLlc3 ! ? .ig4 13 . .ie2 = ,
while, he is better after the move o r 12 .hc6 ! ? bxc6 13.lLlbd2=
in the game as well. 12 .!Oce7
•.•
9.cxd4 g5 10 .tg3 d5? !

• This move seems to be the
No doubt, it was stronger for most consistent for Black, be-
52
4.c3
cause it enables him to fortify his

blocking knight on dS, but it was
better for him to continue with
12 . . . �db4 13.,bc6 �xc6 14.�xc6
bxc6 IS . .teS ,beS 16.dxeS Wfxdl
17J':lxdl gbS (17 . . . geS 18.�c3
gxeS 19.9dS+ �g7 20.f3=) IS.b3
gbS+.
13.ge1
The character of the position This bishop will not run away,
would have remained the same so Black had better improve his
after 13.�c3= position with 17 . . . WfaS ! ?
13 . . . �f5 14.�c3 18.hxg3 liJxc3 19.Wfxc3
hc4 20.Wfxc4
14 c6
•••
Now, Black has the possibility 20 Wfd5

•••
to complicate the position with Black is not in a fighting

14 ...i.e6 ! ? with the idea IS.�g6 mood . . . He could have tried : 20 . . .
liJde3 16.fxe3 fxg6 17 . .tf2 Wfe700 Wfc7 2 1.ge4 gadS 22.gdel gd5t,
15 .tc4
• with the idea to exploit the defects
The position is approximately of his opponent's isolated pawn
equal, but White could have set up on dS.
a trap for his opponent here - 15. 21. Wfxd5 cxd5 22.gc1 gacS
1d3!? with the idea IS ... �xd4?! 16. 23.f4 f6 24.gxcS gxc8 25.�g6
1c4�, but following IS . . . �de7 16. gc2 26.f5 gxb2 27.geS + �n
1c4 bSoo it would be rather unclear The draw is inevitable too after
whether it had been effective. 27 . . . �h7 2S.ge7 hS 29.�fS+ �gS
15 .1e6 16.Wd2 ge8 17.
••• 30.�e6 .ih6 31.geS+ �h7 (31...
gad1 �f7?? 32 .ghS+-) 32 .ge7.
(diagram) 2S.ge7+ c.t>gS 29.geS+ c.t>n
17 �xg3
••• 30.ge7. Draw.
53
7 Gipslis Smyslov 12 . . . cS 13.lLlb3 c4 (13 . . . cxd4 ! ? 14.

Tbilisi 1979 %Vxd4 gb800) 14.lLlcS gS ! oo
1.e4 e5 2 . �f3 �c6 3 . .ib5 g6 1l" .g5 ! 12 . .ig3 �f5i 13.h3
4.c3 �ge7 5.d4 exd4 6.cxd4 It is not preferable for White
d5 7.e5 .ig7 8 ..ig5 to choose 13.lLlc3 hS 14.h3 g4
The move 8.0-0 leads to the lS.hxg4 hxg4 16.lLlh2 %VgS+
Classical variation. White saves a
tempo for castling and tries to
seize the initiative.
13".gb8
It was possible for Black to try
here 13 ... hS ! ?t, not losing time for
8 " .0-0 queenside operations, but trying
This is the correct reaction. It to develop faster his initiative on
is weaker for Black to play now the kingside.
8 . . . h6? ! 9 . .ixe7! �xe7 10.�c3 .ie6 14.b3
11 .%Va4:t White would still have some
9.hc6 problems following 14.%Vd2 cS 15.
White continues with his plan, dxcS d4 16.lLla3 .tb7t
because half-measures would not 14" .h5 15.�c3 g4 16.hxg4
be appropriate here : 9.0-0 h6 hxg4 17.�e1
1O . .ie3 a600 White would have offered
9" .bxc6 10.0-0 much tougher resistance after
If White succeeds in fixing the 17.lLlh2 %VgS 18.%Vd3 f6+
enemy pawn-weakness on c6, 17" .�g5 18.�e2 �xg3 19.
then he will obtain a long lasting fxg3
advantage. Naturally, the World He would not have solved his
Champion, playing with Black, problems after 19.1Llxg3 f6+
understood this perfectly. . . (diagram)
Therefore, h e followed with : 19".c5 !
10".h6! 1l . .ih4?! Black's play i s very impressive
White loses his concentration. during this stage of the game. If
It was more principled for him to we try to describe it in short - he
opt for 1l ..ixe7 %Vxe7 1 2 . �bd2 (12. played energetically, powerfully
%Vc2 cS ! 13.dxcS .ifS 14.�c1 f6 ! +) and all his reactions were timely
54
4.c3
25.lOf6+ hf6 26.gxf6

We3+ 27.Wxe3 dxe3 28.gel
Ae4 29.1Oc5
After the move 29 . . . Ag6, there
arises approximate equality on
the board, so the opponents de
cided not to take chances any
more . . . Draw
- so his play was just exemplary!

20.lOd3 ! ? 8 Bjarnason - Thorfinnsson
20.lLlf4 cxd4 21.lLled3 .ifS=t Hafnarborg 2003
20 tre3 +
••• 1.e4 e5 2.�f3 �c6 3.Ab5
Objectively, this move was the IOge7 4.c3 a6 5.Ac4
best, bit still, it deserved attention White has tried seldom this
for him to choose the more practi move in practice. He usually plays
cal move 20 . . . cxd4 21.lLlef4 .if5=t 5 . .ia4.
2U:�f2 cxd4 22.lOef4 Wxg3
23.lOxd5
5 ... d5 !
This is Black's most energetic
23 ge8?!
••• and principled response.
Black would have preserved a 6.exd5 lOxd5 7.d4 b5 8.Ab3
great advantage with the line: 8 ..id3 !? exd4 9.0-0 !e7 1O.a4oo
23 ... !e6 24.lLlf6+ (24.lLle7+ 'it>h7 8 . . . exd4 9.�xd4? !
25.lLlf5 !xfS 26J�xf5 �b6 !+; 25. 9.0-0 .ie6 1O.lLlxd4 lLlxd4 11.
1'c2 !h6=t) 24 ... !xf6 25.exf6 \1;lIh4 \1;lIxd4 c5 12.\1;lIe4 c4 13 ..ic2 g6 ! ?oo
26.�f4 �b5 !=t 9 ... �xd4 10.trxd4
24.trd2 Ab7 1O.cxd4 .ib4+ 11 . .id2 \1;lIe7+
Now, White equalises. Black had (diagram)
to sacrifice the exchange and get lO Ae6? !
.•.
rid of his opponent's dangerous Black overlooks an excellent

knight: 24 ... �6! ! 25.lLlxb6 (25.lLlf6+ chance of seizing the initiative:
hi"6 26.exf6 \1;lIe3-+ ) 25 . . . axb6't 1O . . . \1;lIe7+ ! 11 . .ie3 (11.'it>f1 .ie6 !
55
with the line: 16.\1Nxf4 llJxf4 17.

E:el.
16 Yfxg3 17.hxg3 0-0-0=
•••
18.a4 �b7 19.axb5 axb5 20.

lOe4
It would be more careful for
White to have tried here 20 .!e4
�b6 21.!f3=
20 .ie7 21.b3
•••
12 .i.xdS O-O-O! 13.c4 bxc4 14.

llJc3 hdS lS.llJxdS �e6+) 11 . . .
llJxe3 12 .fxe3 !b7 13.0-0 f6+
11.0-0 c5 12.Yfe5
12:�e4 ! ?
12 c4 13 .ic2 Yff6
••• •
Black could equalise simpler

with 13 . . . �d6 14.\1Nd4 \1NcS.
He begins active operations on

the queenside, hoping to attack
the enemy king, but weakens con
siderably his pawn-structure in
the process.
21 lOb6 22 .ia3 ha3 23.
••• •
gxa3 �c6 !
Black takes under control the
14.Yfg3 cS-square. In fact, the king is not
The position is close to equali a helpless piece in the endgame
ty even after White's best move and does not need protection at
14.\1Ne4 !e7 lS.llJd2 \1Ng6 16.llJf3 the moment.
�xe4 17.he4 E:d8 18.llJd4 !f6 24.bxc4
19.1lJxe6 fxe6. 24.b4 ! ? ga8 2S.gea1 gxa3 26.
14 h6
••• gxa3 !fS 27.f3 llJdS+
14 ... !e7 lS.llJd2 0-0 16.llJe4 24 .ixc4
•••
�g6 = (diagram)
15.1od2 Yff4? ! 25.g4
It is better for Black to play This is no doubt a useful move,
here lS . . . ie7= but may be White had better pre
16.gel fer here the more modest move
White could have created 2S.f3.
some problems for his opponent 25 ghe8
•••
S6
4.c3
This is a mistake. After the im 35.ga6+ �e5 36.gxg6?

mediate exchange of the rooks, 36.f4+ mxf4 37.,ixg2 mxg3
the vulnerability of the pawn on 38.13xg6+ mf4 39.f6±
c3 would have become a much 36 gd2 =
••• • 37 .ic6 ged8
more important factor: 25 . . . 13a8 ! 38.lLIe4
26.13eal 13xa3 27.13xa3 13a8 28. It was more reliable for White
13xa8 ltJxa8. to have played 38.13xh6 mf4 39.
26.13eal ga8 27.£3 g6 13g1 �xf5=
28.�f2 38 gdl+ 39.gxdl gxdl+
•••
It was simpler for White to 40.�h2 lLIxf5 4l.ggl gd3

play here 2 8 . 13xa8 13xa8 29.13xa8 41...13xg1 42.mxgl �e7 43 ..ie8=
�xa8 30.�f2 = 42.gel �f4 43.lLIf2 gd2
28 gad8 29.gcl? !
••• It was better for Black to play
29.�gl= 43 . . . 13e3 .
29 f5 ! 30.lLIg3 gd2 + 31.
••• 44.ge4+ �g5 45.�gl gc2
�gl lLld5 46.gg4+
Black overlooks a line, which 46.13e5 13c1+ 47.mh2 mf4 48.
was not so easy to find, though . . . 13e4+ �g5 49.13e5=
3 1 . . J!g8 ! 3 2 .ltJfl (32 .mh2 h 5 33. 46 �f6 47.lLIe4+ �e6 48.
.••
gxf5 gxf5 34.,ixf5 h4t) 3 2 ... ,ixfl f4? !

33. mxfl fxg4+ 48 .13g8 �e7 49.13e8=
32.gxf5 lLIe3 33 .ie4+ �d6
• 48 �f7? !
•••
33 . . . �b6 34.mh2 gxf5 35.�xf5 48 . . . lLIe7 49 . .ib7 .Ad5+

�xg2 36.13cal �c5 37.�hl lLIf4 49.gg2 gc1+ 50.�h2 lLIe3
38.13a8= 5l.gb2
34.�hl The resources have already
(diagram) been exhausted.
34 gxg2?
••• 5l lLIdl 52.gb4 gc2 + 53.
•••
34 ... me5 ! 35.fxg6 mf4 36. �g3 lLIxc3 54. lLIxc3 gxc3+ 55.
�h5+ mg5= �f2 gb3. Draw.
57
Chapter 3 1.e4 e5 2.lLlf3 lLlc6 3.J.b5 lLlge7 4.c3
d5
Quick Repertoire
Still, the move 4 . . . d5 has not

disappeared from the tournament
practice, but simply now, its theo
ry is in a period of further devel
opment. Relatively recently, in
the game Caruana - I. Sokolov,
Reykjavik 2012, following 5.lLlxe5
dxe4 6.'lWe2,
This counter strike was used

for the first time and quite suc
cessfully back by the first World
champion Willhelm Steinitz in his
game against Frazer (Dundee
1867) .
The play in this position, just
like in many open games, is very
concrete and semi-forced. For a
period of more than a hundred instead of the popular move
years White has failed to create 6 . . . 'lWd5, Black tried 6 . . . .ie6 !?
any serious opening problems for and after 7.d4 exd3 8.lLlxd3 lLlg6
Black until the eleventh World 9.0-0 .id6 1O.lLld2 0-0 1l.lLle4
champion Robert Fischer in 1971 1'!e8 12 . .ig5 f6 13 . .ie3 a6 14. hc6
played 5. �xe5 dxe4 6.'Be2 ! , bxc6 15.lLlxd6 cxd6 16.b3 a5= he
which caused certain worries for solved easily all his opening prob
Black. lems.
58
Chapter 3 1.e4 e5 2.lLlf3 lLlc6 3.J.b5 lLlge7 4.c3
d5
Step by Step
f6'+ like i n the game Blackburne -

Steinitz, London 1870. There fol
lowed later: 6.d3 id7 7.0-0 a6 8.
hc6 hc6 9.Y9c2 tLlg6 10.i.e3 i.e7
Il.lLlbd2 0-0'+ and Black's posi
tion was better thanks to his bish
op-pair and he had the initiative;
6 ...ie6! ?'+) 6 ..ixc6+ (6.lLlxe5? axb5
7.Y9xa8 tLlxe5-+ ; 6.exd5? axb5 7.
Y9xa8 lLlxd5-+ with the idea lLlb6)
6 . . . lLlxc6 7.d3 (7.d4 b5 8.Y9c2 f5'+;
We will analyse in details the 7.0-0 b5 8.Y9c2 ig4'+; 7.lLlxe5?
following possibilities for White : Y9g5 8.lLlxc6 Y9xg2 -+ ) 7 .. .f6 8.0-0
A) 5.d4, B) 5.ti'e2 and C) 5.�e5!? ie6'+ and White has no good pros
His alternatives are obviously pects at all, since he misses badly
worse. his light-squared bishop and
Black does not have any prob Black has seized completely the
lems to worry about after 5.d3 initiative, Rohit - Howell, Yere
dxe4 6.dxe4 ti'xdl= van 2007.
It is not good for him to opt for
5.exd5? ! , because after 5 .. .'�xd5 A) 5.d4 exd4!?
6.Yge2 ig4 ! ? (6 . . . e4 7.lLld4 .id7 8.
tLlxc6 hc6 9.hc6+ Y9xc6 10.0-0
0-0-0'+) 7.ic4 hf3 8.hd5 he2
9.hc6+ lLlxc6 10.�xe2 e4 11.f3 f5
12 .fxe4 fxe4t Black's positional
advantage becomes quite evident,
due to White's lag in development.
Only he can have problems af
ter 5.Y9a4?! a6. This is a modern
move, although it is quite good for
Black to play the ancient move 5 . . .
59
i.g4 12J:!d4 fS 13 . .txc7 icS 14J'k4

ie7 IS.ieS cSt and his prospects
White should better avoid are preferable thanks to his two
6.exdS ? ! �xdS+ bishops.) 8 . . . bS ! ?oo Now, howev
er, he will have to prove whether
He does not achieve anything his compensation is sufficient. 9.
with 6.\1;1le2 dxe4 7.tLlxd4 i.d7= i.b3 ! ? (9.i.c2 tLlxd4 1O.cxd4 ib7
1l.tLlc3 fS+; 1l.\1;1lhS �d6 ! ?+) 9 . . .
Black should not be afraid of ib7 (9 . . . tLlaS 1O .ic2 fS 1l.b4 tLlac6
6.�xd4, because after 6 .. ..td7 7.�e3 12.tLlxc6 tLlxc6 13.a4 E:b8 14.axbS
dxe4 8 .�xe4 a6 9.i.a4 i.fS= his axbS IS.f3 i.d6 16.fxe4 �h4 17.g3
counterplay is quite sufficient and i.xg3 18.hxg3 �xg3 =) 1O.E:el tLlaS
his position is not worse at all. (10 . . . tLlg6 ! ? 1l.E:xe4+ i.e7? ; 10 . . .
tLlxd4 ! ? Il.cxd4 fSoo) 1l.tLld2 (11.
It is not preferable for White ic2 cS 12 .tLle2 \1;1lxdl 13.E:xdl g6+,
to continue with 6.cxd4 dxe4 7. or 13 . . .fS+) 1l . . . tLlxb3 12.tLl 2xb3
tLlgS (7.tLleS a6 8 .tLlxc6 tLlxc6 9. tLlg6 13.tLlaS idS 14.f3 E:c8 ! ??,
i.xc6 + bxc6+) 7 . . . h6 8.tLlxe4 i.fS+ freeing the a8-square for the
Black is better in this position, for bishop, with the idea IS.fxe4 ia8,
example: 9.tLlbc3 (9.tLlcS a6 10. followed by eSt
tLlxb7 \1;1ldS- + with the idea \1;1lg2)
9 . . . i.xe4 1O.tLlxe4 \1;1ldS 1l.�e2 6 ••• dxe4 7.We2
0-0-0+
After 6.0-0, it is good for

Black to choose 6 . . . dxe4 7.tLlxd4
a6 ! ? (About 7 . . . id7 see Najer -
Arkhipov, Moscow 1996, game 9)
7 .td7 8. �xc6 hc6 9.

•••
hc6+ �xc6 10.Wxe4+ �e7 11.

�d2 0-0-0 12.0-0 Wxe4 13.
�xe4 .te7 14 .tf4 ghe8 IS.gfel
•
8 .i.a4. White exploits his h6= This equal position arose in

slight lead in development and one of my games in the World
sacrifices a pawn. (8.i.xc6+ tLlxc6 Blitz Championship (Anand -
9.tLlxc6 �xdl lO.E:xdl bxc6 1l.if4 Dreev, Moscow 2 0 07) .
60
4.c3 d5
B) SJfe2 .ig4 ! ? 0-0 1B.gfe1 the position is com

plicated, but Black's chances are
at least equal) 9.0-0 ie7+ and his
position seems to be preferable in
view of his powerful bishop-pair.
White could have preserved
his light-squared bishop - 7.�a4
(instead of 7.ixc6+), but then
Black can counter that with 7 ...
exd4 (7. . .fS ! ? B.exdS �xdS 9.dxeS
O-O-O� with more than suffi
cient compensation for the pawn)
B.hc6+ bxc6. This is the simplest
6.d3 and most reliable move (it is also
quite possible for Black to opt for
He should not be afraid of 6. B . . . lLlxc6 9.exdS+ lLle7 1O .c4 c6co
h3, because after 6 . . . hf3 7.�xf3 with an approximately equal, but
(7.gxf3 ? ! d4+) 7. . . dxe4 B.�xe4, very complicated position) 9.cxd4
Kononenko - Rudak, Alushta g6 (It is also interesting for Black
2006, B . . . �d6 9.0-0 (9.d4? ! exd4 to choose here 9 . . . dxe4! ? 10.�xe4
10.0-0 0-0-0 1U'1d1 �g6+) 9 . . . �d7= with the idea 11.0-0 �fS;
0-0-0 = his chances are not 1l.lLleS �fS 12 .lLlxd7 he4 13.lLlxfB
worse at all. hg2 14 J�gl id5 15.l"1.xg7 Iii xf8 16.
'!'!.gl lOf5=) 1 0 . 0 - 0 �g7= N ow , i n
Black has no problems after the variation l1.exd5 O-O! Black's
6.d4 a6 position is even considerably bet
ter. It would not work for White to
play 12 .dxc6 ? ! (12 .igS ! ? l"1.eB+)
12 . . . lLlxc6't and Black has very
dangerous initiative for the pawn.
6 . . . �d6 7.h3
Following 7.0-0 0-0-0 8 .

lLlbd2 a 6 9.ia4 dxe4 1O.dxe4 lLlg6=
or 7.lLlbd2 a6 B.ia4 0-0-0=
7.hc6+ lLlxc6 B.lLlbd2 (B.O-O?! Black's position is not inferior to
f5!? 9.exdS �xdS+) B . . .f6 ! ? (fol say the least.
lowing B . . .fS 9.exfS e4 1O.lLlxe4 (diagram)
dxe4 11.�xe4+ �e7 12.lLleS �hS 7 .ihS !
..•
13 ..lgS �xgS 14.lLlxc6+ .le7 15. This is a simple and strong

0-0 �f6 16.lLlxe7 �xe7 17.�xb7 move.
61
Vysochin - Ravot, Cappelle la

Grande 2 005, there followed: 11.
ltJe4 (11.ltJxe5 ltJxe5 12 .'lWxe5 i,g6
13.0-0 ltJc6=) 11 . . . ltJd5 12.0-0 f5
13.ltJg3 i.xf3 14.'lWxf3 g6=
9 .ta4
•
It would be anti-positional for

White to choose 9.ixc6 + ? ! and
after 9 . . . ltJxc6t his position is
Following 7 . . . .te6 8.ltJg5oo, it considerably worse without his
would be senseless for Black to important light-squared bishop.
enter this complicated and rather
unclear position. 9 •.. 0-0-0 10.0-0 '.!lb8 !?
7 . . . .td7? ! 8.exd5 ltJxd5 (8... 10 . . .f6 =

�xd5 9 . .tc4 'lWd6 1O.ltJbd2 f5 11 .
.tb3±) 9.ixc6 'lWxc6 10.ltJxe5 �e6
11.ltJxd7 �xe 2 + 1 2 . '.!lxe2 @xd7
13J�dl±
Black's position is not worse at

all and even seems a bit prefera
ble. Now, the active move 1l.b4? ! ,
following 1l . . . ltJg6 1 2 .g3 �d7 ! ?+
presents Black with active coun
terplay. After the natural reac-
8 a6 ! ?
••• tion 13.@h2 (13.@g2 ltJd4 ! 14.
cxd4 'lWxa4=F) it is possible for
It is also quite possible for Black to continue with 13 . . . ltJd4!?
Black to continue with 8 . . . 0-0-0 (his position is preferable even af-
9.exd5 'lWxd5 10 . .tc4 �d7, with a ter the more modest move 13 ...
complicated and approximately f6 ! ?+, for example: 14.b5 axb5 15.
equal position. Later, in the game ixb5 ltJd4 16.cxd4 �xb5 17.gb1
62
4.c3 d5 S. lilxeS de
Wla6+) 14. cxd4 (14.ixd7 lilxe2 act with 8 . . . exd3 9.Wlxd3 Wlxd3
15.i.f5 lile7+) 14 . . . Wlxa4+ 1O.ixd3 0-0-0 11.'i!le2 lild5+ and
his lead in development promises
him better prospects. White's
C) 5.lilxe5 ! ? bishop-pair has no good pros
I t i s only after this move that pects and the placement of his
White has chances of fighting for pawn on f4 restricts the scope of
the opening advantage. his bishops.) 7.lilxc6 (7.Wla4? axb5
5 dxe4
••• 8.Wlxa8 lilxe5 9.fxe5 lilc6-+; 7.
i.a4 f6 8.lilxc6 lilxc6+) 7 ... lilxc6
8.,ixc6+ bxc6+ - with an obvious
positional advantage for Black.
It hardly deserves serious at

tention for White to try 6.0-0, be
cause then, after 6 . . . Wld5, he will
be forced to trade his light
squared bishop for his opponent's
knight, so Black will have no
problems at all. 7.lilxc6 (It is even
worse for White to choose the an
This position is something like ti-positional move 7.i.xc6+?! lilxc6
the mini-tabia of this variation 8.lilxc6 Wlxc6t with a considera
and White has four main alterna ble advantage for Black. Here, af
tives, which are encountered most ter the seemingly attractive move
often in the tournament practice: 9.d4, Black has the possibility 9 .. .
Cl) 6.lilxc6, C2) 6.d4, C3) exd3 1O.Wlxd3 .id6 1 U�e1+ i.e6i
6."a4 and C4) 6.1!Ie 2 ! with an obviously better position
for him, since he will be threaten
Now, before w e begin the anal ing to castle either on the queen
ysis of all these possibilities, I side or on the kingside and his
would like to say a few words bishop-pair will be tremendously
about some seldom played and powerful in this open position.)
not so modern moves. 7 ... �xb5 8.lild4 Wld5= This is
Black's simplest reaction (The po
White would not obtain much sition becomes much more com
with 6.f4? ! , because Black's best plicated after 8 . . . Wld3 and in the
reaction against this would be 6 . . . game Cazetta Ruiz - Ypma, Gron
a6!? (It i s also possible for him to ingen 2012, there followed later:
try the more modest move 6 . . . i.d7 9J�e1 cS 10.l''! e3 Wla6 11.lilb3 Wlc6oo)
7.tLlxd7 Wlxd7. Now, after the at 9.d3 i.d7 10.dxe4 Wlxe4 1 U�e1 (11.
tractive move 8 .d4, Black can re- lild2 Wld5=) 1l ... Wlg6 (11.. .Wld5 12.
63
i.f4 0-0-0 13.geS V;Vd6oo) 12.�f4 11.gel �d3+ Fraser - Steinitz,

0-0-0= Black's prospects are not Dundee 1867.
worse in the arising position. In Black is much better too after
the long run, his chances may be 8 . . . bxc6 9.0-0 i.d6't White would
come even better, particularly in not achieve much after 10.c4? ! in
an eventual endgame thanks to view of 10 . . . V;VeS ! and now, he los
his pair of bishops. es following 11.V;Vxc6+ ? �d7 12.
V;Vxa8+ r,!{e7- + , while in the varia
tion 11.g3 0-0+ Black maintains a
Cl) 6.lOxc6 considerable positional advan
This move is not dangerous for tage.
Black. 8.c4 V;Ve6 9.hc6+ bxc6 10.
6 lOxc6
••• 0-0 '?9g6 11.'?9b3 �d6't L. Paulsen
This is his simplest response. - Blackburn, Baden-Baden 1870.
8.0-0 �d7 ! ? This is the sim
It is also possible for him to plest move for Black with which
opt for 6 . . . bxc6 ! ? 7.�c4 ttJdS = , he consolidates his great position
with a complicated and approxi al advantage. (He is better too af
mately equal position. ter 8 . . . �d6 ! ? Now, White's at
tempt to win a pawn with the
7.ti'e2 move 9.gel ? ! would lead to a very
dangerous position for him fol
Following 7.V;Va4?! V;VdS't Black lowing 9 . . . 0 - 0 ! 1O.gxe4 i.d7+ -
has an excellent game. his queenside is not developed
and Black is threatening with the
moves V;VhS and gae8 to begin a
victorious attack. It would be even
worse for White to try to win a
pawn by giving up his light
squared bishop with 10.hc6?!
bxc6 11.'?9xe4 V;VhS+ and due to his
colossal lag in development his
position would be hardly defensi
ble.) 9.d3 (It would not be prefer
White should better avoid 8. able for White to choose 9.gel,
hc6+ '?9xc6 9.V;Vxc6+ bxc6't with because after 9 . . . 0-0-0t Black
a considerably better endgame for would seize completely the initia
Black. His compromised queen tive. Now, it is bad for White to
side pawn-structure is not an im continue with 10.gxe4? a6! 11.
portant factor, while his bishop �f1 ttJb4-+ ; 11.ha6 ttJaS-+ ; 10.
pair and White's lag in develop hc6? hc6-+ with the idea 11.
ment are essential. 10.0-0 i.a6 V;Vxa7? i.cS) 9 ... exd3 10.gel+ �e7+
64
4 . c3 d5 S . l:fIxe5 de
White tries only seldom 7.0-0

and Black can react against that
with 7 . . . 1d6 8 J'!e1 0-0 9J!xe4
�gS ! ?� with quite sufficient com
pensation for the pawn.
8.0-0 .id7 9.gel 0-0-0 10.

�xe4 .g5� - The chances of
both sides are equal in this situa
tion, but Black's game is much
The pawn-structure resembles easier, since he has the initiative.
the Marshall counter attack in the
Ruy Lopez. White lags considera
bly in development and must play C2) 6.d4 exd3
very carefully not to end up in an
inferior position. Black has the
initiative with good attacking
prospects and his play is consid
erably easier in this position. 10.
1f1 (10 ..te2 .th3 1l.g3 �dS 12 .d3
f5 13.c4 fff7 14J'!h4 .tg4t with ini
tiative for Black and more than
sufficient compensation for the
pawn) 10 . . ..tfS 1U'!e1 .tg4 12 . .te2
�S 13.hg4? �xh2+ 14.'it>fl ffh1+
lS.'it>e2 l!ae8- + ; 13.h3 he2 14.
�xe2 l!ae8 lS.fffl l!xe1 16.ffxe1 7.�f3 ! ?
�eS ! ? 17.ffxeS lLlxeS 18.d4 lLld3�; This i s the best move for White
lS.�xe8 l!xe8 16.l!xe8 + .tf8 17.f3 and it equalises.
�cS (with the idea lLlb4-d3) 18. After his alternatives he might
ge3 g6't - White's lag in develop end up in a worse position.
ment is considerable.
(diagram) 7.1f4? �dS 8.�xd3 �xg2 9.l!f1
7 •e7!
••• .tfS+ Zapata - De Greif, Medellin
1997.
It is worse for Black to choose
here 7 . . . ffdS due to 8.d4 ! ;!; 7.�xd3 ffxd3 8.lLlxd3 a6 9 ..ta4
6S
.ifS 1O.lLlf4 g6 (1O . . . 0-0- 0 ! ? 11. .id6 13.lLlc3 .ieS 14 . .id2 �d7 15.
0-0 lLleS 1 2.gel lLl 7c6+) 11.0-0 ti'xd7 + i.xd7 16.gfel ghdB+ - with
.ig7 12.liJd2 O-Q:j= Dvoirys - Fili a considerably better endgame for
penko, Berdichev 1990. Black, Gerigk - Arkhipov, Muen
ster 1991.
7.0-0 ti'dS B .i.xc6+ (B.lLlxc6
�xbS ! ? 9.lLld4 ti'a6 ! + with the idea After B.lLlxd3 a6 ! ? 9.hc6+
.id7 and 0-0-0 and Black's bish (9 . .ia4 1dS+) 9 . . . lLlxc6+ Black's
op-pair, in a position with an chances are preferable thanks to
open centre, guarantees his ad his bishop-pair in a position with
vantage) B . . . lLlxc6 9.lLlxd3 .if5+ - an open centre.
It is inconceivable how White can
equalise here, because he has no B .llJxc6 llJxc6
good prospects with his light
squared bishop absent from the
board, Samsonkin - Short, Otta
wa 2 0 13 .
7 . . . .ie6
9.i.xc6+ bxc6 10.ti'xc6+ 1d7+

11.ti'e4+ (11.�f3 ? ! .td6 12.0-0
0-0 13.ti'xd3 gbB 14.�f3 geB=t
Black maintains powerful posi
tional pressure, Petrushin -
Arkhipov, Azov 1993 ; 11.�d5 1d6
12 . .igS ti'cB+) 11 . . . �e7 12 .�xe7+
he7 13.1e3 0-0 14.llJd2 .te6+
8.0-0! with the idea gfbB and as, would
White must play very precisely seem preferable, Siebert - Kalep
in order to maintain the balance. ky, Germany 200B.
9.0-0 �d7 ! ? (9 . . . �dS 1O.�xdS
B .c4? ! f6 (B . . . ti'd6 ! ? 9.lLlxc6 hdS ll.gel+ .ie6 12 .hd3 0-0-0
lLlxc6 1O ..if4 �d7 11.0-0 0-0-0+; 13.1c2 = Vachier Lagrave - Aro
9 . .if4 gS 1O ..ig3 d2+ 11.'it>dl �cS+ nian, Paris 2 009) 10.ti'xd3 1d6+
or 11.lLlxd2 0-0-0 12 .lLle4 ti'b4+ Black's pieces are much more har
13.ti'c3 .ig7 14.i.xc6 lLlxc6 15. moniously deployed.
�xb4 llJxb4+) 9.lLlxc6 lLlxc6 10.
i.xc6+ bxc6 11.ti'xc6+ tit>f7 1 2 . 0-0 8 . . . ti'd5 9.ti'xd5
66
4.c3 dS S. l?Jxe5 de 6. Wla4 WldS 7.f4
It would be worse for White to for Black however. On the con

choose here 9.l?Jxc6?! due to 9... trary, White must play very pre
Wlxb5 1O.l?Jd4 Wld5 1l.l?Jxe6 fxe6 cisely after it.
12.Wlxd5 I?Jxd5 13J'!d1 0-0-0 14.
1!xd3 i.c5+ and in view of his lag in
development he will have serious
problems following 15.l?Jd2 I?Jf4
16.1!xdB + 1!xdB 17.<;t>f1 i.b6, Black
would maintain powerful posi
tional pressure.
9 . . . hd5
6 Wd5 7.f4
•••
This is the best. The alterna

tives are considerably weaker.
7.d4? exd3 B.l?Jxd3 (B.hc6+

I?Jxc6 9.l?Jxc6 Wlxg2 10.l?Je5+ c6
1U'!f1 ih3-+ ) B . . . a6 9 . .ic4 Wlf5-+
7.l?Jc4? ! a6 B.hc6+ Wlxc6 9.

10. l?Jxd3 Wlxc6+ I?Jxc6+
This is White's most reliable
move. After 7.l?Jxc6 I?Jxc6+ Black is
clearly better, because he has a
The simplifications after 10. considerable lead in development.
�xc6 hc6 1l.hd3 0-0-0+ lead
to a slight edge for Black, Ostojic
- Deze, Novi Travnik 1969.
10 a6 1l . .ia4 .ic4 12.gdl

•••
0-0-0 13.l?Jf4= Trois - Rubine

tti, Porto Alegre 1976.
C3) 6.Wa4
With this straightforward
queen-sortie White increases his B.c4 We6 9.0-0 .ic5 (9 ...
pressure against the c6-square. It Wlg6 ! ?+) 10.l?Jc3 0-0+ Now, it is
does not create opening problems bad for White to choose 1l.l?Jd5?
67
MacLeond - Showalter, New Now, we will analyse a varia

York 1889, due to 1l . . . ttJd4! with tion which leads to a complicated
the idea 12.ttJxc7 ttJf3+ 13.gxf3 game: C3a) 7 .id7!? as well as a
•••
§'h3 14.fxe4 �g4+ lS.�h1 §'f3+ simple reply which provides Black
16. �gl .i.h3- + with at least an equal position -
After the anti-positional varia C3b) 7 ext'3.
...
tion 8 . .b:c6 bxc6 9.0-0 j.d6+ or

8 . . . �xc6 9.§'xc6+ bxc6+ Black's C3a) 7 .id7!?
.•• 8.�xd7
prospects are considerably better, �xd7!
because the trade of White's bish This move leads to a very com
op for Black's knight is bad for plex and unclear situation in
White in this pawn-structure. which both sides must play very
8.0-0 .i.d6 9.d3 (It is too risky accurately.
for White to try to grab a pawn:
9.l'!e1 ? ! 0-0 1O .hc6 ? ! bxc6 11.
§'xe4 §'hSt - with powerful initi
ative for Black, Zukertort - Munk,
Berlin 1870) 9 . . . exd3 1O.c4 §'hS
1l . .b:c6+ , Batsiashvili - Scatch
kov, Yerevan 2 004 (1l.l'!e1+?
�d8 ! 12 .g3 ttJd4- + ; 12 .h3 hh3 !
13.hc6 j.d7 ! - + ) . Now, Black's
simplest reaction would be 11 . . .
�f8 (11 . . . bxc6 ! ? 12 .�xc6? ! �d8
13.h3 l'!b8=F; 12 .l'!e1 �f8+) 12 .g3
(12 .h3? hh3 ! - + ) 12 . . . bxc6+ - 9 . .ic4!?
The light squares on White's king
side are very weak, with his light 9.d4? ! exd3 10.0-0 ttJfS+
squared bishop absent from the
board and Black has a considera It is weaker for White to opt
ble positional advantage. here for 9.0-0, because after 9 ...
ttJfSt Black has the initiative and
his prospects are at least equal.
1O.d4 (It is bad for White to con
tinue with 10 .b4? because of 10 ...
as !=F and if 11.�h1, then 1l . . . axb4
12 .hc6+ bxc6 13.�xa8 j.cS 14.
�xh8 ttJg3 + lS.hxg3 �hS#). 10 ...
exd3 11.l'!d1 j.cS+ 12.�f1 ttJd6+
After 9.ttJa3, in the game Proe

hl - Almasi, Dusburg 199 2 , there
68
4.c3 d5 5. tLlxe5 de 6. 'lWa4 'lWdS 7.f4
followed 9 . . . a6 1O . .te2 (l0.!c4 C3b) 7 •.. exf3

'lWfS= 11.�b3 ? ! bS+ with the idea
12.ixf7? tLlaS 13.� tLlec6-+) 10 ...
1'!d8 (lO . . . tLlfS ! ?= ) 11.0-0 tLlfSoo
with a complicated and approxi
mately equal position.
9 . . . �f5

reply providing Black with at least
an equal position.
8.�xf3 a6
This is his modern and most
popular response.
10.d4 ! ?
1O.'lWb3 tLlaS 11.'lWbS+ (11.�a4+

tLlac6 12.�b3 tLlaS=) 11.. .'lWxbS 12 .
.bbS+ c6 13.i.e2 b6=
After 10.0-0 a6, Black is not

worse. 1l.tLla3 (1l.!e2 1'!d8 12 .d4
exd3 13.!xd3 'lWcS+ 14.'itih1 'itic8oo)
11 . . . bS 12 .!XbS axbS 13.'lWxa8 tLlg6
14.'lWa6 !cS+ lS.'itih1 tLlh4 16.'lWxbS
'lWg4 17.g3 tLlfS 18.'lWxcS tLlxg3 + 9 . .te2
19.hxg3 (19.'itig2 tLlxfl + 20.'itixfl This is White's best move.
'lWd1+ 2 1 . 'itig2 �f3= ) 19 . . . 'lWh3+
20.'itig1 �xg3+ 2 1.'itih1 'lWh3= 9.c4? 'lWe6+ 10.'itif2 axbS 11.
'lWxa8 tLlb4 12 .tLlc3 (12.1'!f1 tLlfS 13.
10 exd3 11.0-0 gd8+t 12.
••• 'itig1 i.cS+ 14.'itih1 0-0- + ; 13.d4
hd3 ! ? (12 .b4? ! tLldS 13.�b3 'itic8 tLlxd4 14.tLlxd4 i.cS lS.'itig1 hd4+
14.a4 as! ?+ Olsson - Hector, Umea 16.'itih1 tLlc2-+) 12 . . . tLlfS 13.1'!d1
2003; 12 . . . 'itic8 ! ? 13.bS tLlaS ! 14. (13.tLlxbS i.cS+ 14.d4 tLld3+ lS.
'lWxaS 'lWcS+ lS.'itih1 �xc4 16.�xa7 M1 0-0 16.dxc5 1'!e8-+) 13 ... tLld3+
'lWxbS=t) 12 1Yc5+ 13. 'itihl 'itic8oo
••• 14.'itif1 i.d6 1S.tLlxbS hh2-+
69
White should better avoid 9. His plan connected with cas

ltJa3 ? ! axbS ! ? 1O.�xaB Wd3;s since tling queenside leads to less clear
Black has more than sufficient and not so stable positions. After
compensation for the exchange 9 . . . .id7 1O .d4 0-0-0 11.0-0 there
due to his powerful, initiative. 1l. arises a very complex situation
I!>d1 (11J3f1 l!>d7 ! ? 12.c;t>f2 ltJdS 13. with mutual chances. Still, in a
b4 �d6-+ with the idea ltJb6) 11 ... position with opposite sides cas
c;t>dB 12J3e1 ltJdS 13J3eB+ c;t>xeB tling, Black's king is more vulner
14.WxcB+ ltJdB 1S.ltJc2 (1S.�d7+ able than in the plan connected
I!>xd7 16.ltJeS+ I!>cB 17.ltJxd3 ha3 with castling kingside. In the
1B.bxa3 13eB+) 1S . . . ltJf4 16.ltJce1 game Szilagyi - Monostori, Hun
We2 + 17.c;t>c2 ltJxg2 1B.ltJxg2 �xg2 gary 19BO, there followed: 11 . . .
19.1tJd4 .id6+ with the idea 20. ltJfS 12 .Wd1 f6 13.b4 g S 14.ltJa3oo
ltJxbS? We4+ 2l.c;t>b3 WdS+ 2 2 . with a double-edged position in
l!>a4 �c6 23.�fS hh2+ which the final outcome depend
ed of the success of the flank at
After 9 . .ic4, it is very good for tacks of both sides.
Black to continue with 9 . . . We4+
10.l!>f2 (The other retreats of
White's king are worse: 10.c;t>f1? !
�e6+; 1O.c;t>d1?! Wg6+) 10 . . . �fS ! t
and i n view o f the threat b7-bS
and the superior development
Black's prospects are much bet
ter. In the game Dunn - Grazinys,
Email 1999 there followed later:
1l .�e2 ltJdS 12 .d4 �d6 13.ltJa3
O-Ot with a better position for
him.
10.0-0
9 �g6
•••
This move is only seldom 10 .d4

played, but no doubt, it deserves
very serious attention. Its idea is
to play later �d6, to castle king
side, to transfer the queen to hS
and to try to organise an attack
against White's kingside. Mean
while, after castling kingside,
Black's king will be completely
safe.
70
4.c3 dS S. llJxeS de 6. We2
After the rather simple variation Black's chances in this posi

- 1O . . . i.d7 1U;Yb3 (11.0-0? llJxd4) tion seem to be slightly prefera
I1...Wxb3 12.axb3= Black can enter ble, so White must already think
an approximately equal endgame. about equalising.
If White avoids this, he would not For example, after the seem
achieve much, for example: 11. ingly attractive move 11.d4 0-0+
Wdl i.d6 12.0-0 0-0= and Black's (with the idea WhS and llJf4) only
prospects would be at least equal. White might have problems.
He can also try a more resolute Following 11.Wb3 and 11 . . .
approach - 1O . . . i.d6 ! ? , having in i.e6 ! ? (It was still not too late for
mind a variation connected with a Black to fall into the trap after 11 ...
piece-sacrifice. Il.c4 (11.0-0 0-0+) WhS? 12 .Wxf7! It>xf7 13.llJgS+ It>e7
11 . . . WhS 12 .dS (12.0-0?! 0-0 13. 14.hhS±) 12 .WxdS hdS 13.d4
cS llJxd4 ! - + ; 12 .llJc3 ? ! o-m: with 0-0, Black can either enter an
the idea 13.llJe4? ! llJxd4 ! 14.llJxd4 endgame, or go to a much more
Wh4+ IS.llJf2 Wxd4-+) 12 . . . i.d7 complicated position in the varia
13.dxc6 .txc6 14.Wlc2 (14.Wldl?! tion 11 . . .WfS 12 .g3 (12 .d4 �f4+)
0-0-0-+) 14 ... 0-0! ? (14 ... 0-0-0 12 . . . 0-0 and in both cases his po
IS.llJc3 ghe8oo) IS.llJc3 gfe� Black sition is not worse at all.
has powerful positional pressure
for the sacrificed piece and more
than sufficient compensation for C4) 6.W1e2 !
it. 16.llJdS (White has problems
after 16.i>f1 llJh4 ! ? 17.llJdS llJfS�,
but it would be even worse for
him to try 16.i.d2? ! hf3 17.gxf3
193+ 18.i>dl llJf4-+) 16 . . .bS ! ?
17.b3 bxc4 (17 . . . gxe2 + ! ? 18.i>xe2
tLlh4�) 18.bxc4 llJh4�
We will analyse now the popu

lar move C4a) 6 W1d5 as well as
•••
the relatively new idea C4b) 6 ••.
.ie6 !?
C4a) 6 •••Wld5 7.llJxc6 !
It would not be so energetic for
71
White to play 7.f4 exf3 (It is inter 7 . . . bxc6?! B.i.c4± Baklan - Ba
esting for Black to try a move, ratosi, Eforie Nord 2009.
which has not been tested in prac
tice 7 . . . i.e6 ! ? , with the idea B .i.c4 8.d4 ! ?
'lWd6 9.'lWxe4 fS 1O.'lWe2 i.xc4 11.
lilxc4 'lWxf4=; 10.'lWe3 lildS 11.�g3?! Black should b e afraid neither
gS+; 11.i.xdS 'lWxdS 12.0-0? .tcS of B.O-O .te6 = Jansa - Polak,
13.d4 lilxd4-+ ; 12.lilf3 O-O-O�) Pardubice 2011, nor of B.f3 .tfS
B.lilxf3 9.0-0 (9.i.xc6+ bxc6+) 9 . . . 0-0-0
1O.fxe4 'lWxe4 11.'lWxe4 (11.d4 'lWxe2
12.i.xe2 i.g6=) 11 . . . i.xe4 12 .d4
(12 J'!xf7? lileS 13J'!f4 .td3-+ ; 12.
i.xc6? ! .td3 ! 13J'!d1 i.cS+ 14.�h1
bxc6=i=) 12 . . . .tg6= and in both var
iations the game is equal.
8 , . .i.f5
B . . . .td7? ! 9.i.c4 'lWfS 10.i.d3±;

It would not be so reasonable 1O.f3±
for Black after B . . . i.g4 9.0-0
0-0-0 1O.d4, to enter a very com B . . . i.e7? ! 9 . .tc4 'lWfS 1O.lild2±
plicated position (with opposite
sides castling and queens present
on the board), because White's
pawn-centre provides him with
much greater freedom of action
and his prospects seem slightly
preferable. For example, after 10 ...
lilfS, White has the resource 11.
'lWd3 ! and Black has nothing bet
ter than 11 .. J'!eB, but after 12 .i.xc6
bxc6 13.lilbd2:t White's prospects
are clearly preferable.
B . . . 'lWe6. This is the simplest 9.i.f4! 0-0-0 10.�d2t
move for Black. 9.d4 'lWxe2 + 10. White's pieces are more actively
�xe2 .td7 11. �f2 f6= with an placed and the dynamics in the
equal endgame, Arbakov - Vull, position is in his favour thanks to
Russia 1993. his powerful pawn-centre, Gdan
ski - Ye Rongguang, Manilla 1992
7
••• lilxc6 (game 10) .
72
4.c3 d5 5. lLlxe5 de 6.�e2
C4b) 6 •••.ie6 ! ? 7 bxc6

•••
It might be also interesting for

Black to try here 7. . . lLlxc6 ! ?N and
White would be practically forced,
if he would wish to try to obtain
an advantage in the opening, to
continue with the variation 8.
�xe4 .id6 9 ..ixc6+ bxc6 10.�xc6+
.td7 11.�e4+ .ie6 12.0-0 (12.
�c6+ .id7=) 12 ... 0-000, in which
Black would have compensation
for the two sacrificed pawns. It is
This i s a relatively new move much easier for him to play this
and it was played for the first time position in a practical game, be
in the game So - Gupta, Dubai cause he leads considerably in de
2008. velopment and has the initiative.
7.�xc6 ! ? Still, only tournament practice
This i s the only way for White will show whether his compensa
to try to fight for a slight edge in tion for the pawn is sufficient.
the opening.
8 . .ia6 !
About 7.d4 - see Caruana -
I.Sokolov, Reykjavik 2 0 1 2 (game It is worse for White to choose
11) . here 8 ..b4 �d3� Martinez -
Wohl, Havana 2010.
He should not be afraid of
7.�xe4, because in the game Ed
ouard - Wohl, Hastings 2010,
there followed later 7 . . . id5 8 .�e2
(8.�g4 h5 ! ? 9.�h3 ie6 1O .�f3
.id5 11.�e2 hg2 12J�gl id5 13.
d4 �d600 with the idea 14.c4? !
O-O- O ! ?+ 15.ie3 tLlf5t; 15.hc6
lLlxc6+ with the idea 16.cxd5?!
lLlxd4 17.�e4 �xe5 18.�xe5 lLlf3+
19.<;!,Je2 tLlxe5-+) 8 . . . hg2 9.gg1
.id5 10 .d4 f6 1l.tLlxc6 bxc6 12 .ia4
lWd6 13.gg3 <;!,Jf7 14.ic2 ge8 15. 8 . . . gb8 !?N
.ie3 g600 with a complicated posi
tion in which Black's prospects In the game So - Gupta, Dubai
are not inferior at all. 2 008, there followed 8 . . . �d5 9.
73
0-0 ttJg6 1O.d3 (lOJ3el ! ? i.d6 11.

%Vxe4;!; and Black must still prove
that he has adequate compensa
tion for the pawn) 1O . . . exd3 11.
i.xd3;!; O-O-O?? 12 J3dl mb8 13.
i.c2 Wlxdl+ 14.hdl+-
9.0-0 �d5 10.Wxe4 J.d600

(diagram)
This is a very important posi
tion for the entire variation 4.c3 ther practical tests will show
dS. Black has a superior develop- whether this compensation is suf
ment for the pawn but only fur- ficient.
74
Chapter 3 1.e4 e5 2.liJ fJ �c6 3.J.b5 �ge7 4.c3
d5
Complete Games
9 Najer Arkhipov
Moscow 1996
1.e4 e5 2.iM'3 ltlc6 3 . .tb5
ltlge7 4.c3 d5 5.d4 exd4 6.0-0
dxe4 7. ltlxd4 .id7
The tricky move 9.�f4? would

not have worked for White due to
9 . . . lt)xd4 ! 1O . .txd7+ �xd7 11.cxd4
f5+ and his compensation for the
pawn would be insufficient.
(White was relying on the varia
8.tfe2 tion 9 . . . axb5? 10.lt)xb5 l'kB 11.
8.lt)xc6 It)xc6 9.lt)d2 �g5 ! ?� hc7!±. The premature regaining
with the idea 0-0-0 (following of the pawn 9.lt)xc6 It)xc6 10.
9 .. .f5, White can force a draw by a �xe4+ , after 1O ... �e7� would en
perpetual check with 10.lt)xe4 able Black to obtain a lead in de
fxe4 11.�xc6 hc6 l2 .�h5+ @d7 velopment, for example: l1.�d3
l3.�fS+ @eB 14.�h5=). It)e5 l2 .,tc2 O-O-Ot).
8 ... a6 ••.9 ltlxd4
It seemed more principled for This is a reliable move. Black
Black to play B . . .f5 ! ?oo, forcing has decided to avoid the princi
White to prove that his pawn-sac pled reply 9 .. .f5 ! ?oo
rifice was justified. 10.cxd4 ltlf5
(diagram) Black does not create prob
• 9 .tc4 lems for his opponent and is try
There is nothing better for him. ing to complete his development
9.,ta4? It)xd4 1O.hd7+ �xd7 in the fastest possible way.
1l.cxd4 0-0-0+ White's task would be more
75
difficult after 10 . . . .tc6 ! ? , if he It would be too risky for Black

would try to hold on to his extra to try to capture a pawn with 12 . . .
pawn. 11.ttJc3 �xd400 or 1U3d1 ttJxd4?! 13.Wlhs i.e6 ( 1 3 . . . 0 - 0 14.
fsoo and he would have to play ttJgs hgs ls.hgs Wlc8 16 . .te7± ;
very accurately. ls . . . �e8 16.gfe1 ttJe6? 17 . .tf6 ! +
with the idea Wlg4; 16 . . . .ie6 1 7.
.tf6 ! t with the idea .id3 and WIgS)
14.he6 ttJxe6 1s.gd1� and Black's
lag in development becomes a
telling factor.
1 2 . . . bs ! ? 13 . .ids ! (13 . .ib3? !
ttJxd4 14.Wlhs ttJxb3+) 1 3. . .c 6 14 .
.ib3 0-0 (14 . . . ttJxd4? ls.ttJd6+
c;!{f8 16.Wlhs�) ls.gd1 (ls ..ie3 .ie6
16.he6 fxe6 17.gfd1 Wlds 18.ttJc3
1l,c�:lc3 Wld7 19.9ac1 .id8 ! =) ls . . . .ie6 16.
White cannot win a pawn with he6 fxe6 17 ..ie3 Wlds 18.f3 .id8 ! =
11.�xe4+ .te7 1 2 .�xb7?, because with the idea .ib6.
after 12 . . . ttJd6 13.�ds ttJxc4 14. 13.gdl �d6
Wlxc4 .tbs, he loses the exchange
without obtaining sufficient com
pensation for it. 15. Wlc2 .bf1 16.
Wlc6+ C;!{f8 17. c;!{ xfl gb8 ! ?±
I t i s also v e ry good fo r
White to play here 1 2 . ge1 ! ? and
the complications are rather
dangerous for Black after the
attractive move 12 . . . ttJd6? ! (12 . . .
0 - 0 = ) Or 13.�es ttJxc4 14.Wlxg7
gf800 and White develops very 14 . .tb3
dangerous initiative having at The arising position is very
least a draw. ls.ds .ifS 16.i.gs f6 typical. White's isolated d4-pawn
17.hf6 gf7 18.Wlg8+ gf8 19.�gs provides him with a space advan
(19.�g7 gf7 20.Wlg8=) 19 . . . gxf6 tage in the centre and on the
20.Wlxf6 ttJd600; ls . .igs ! ? .ie6 16. queenside. Black in his turn will
he7 c;!{ xe7 17.ttJc3 c6 18.gad1 ttJb6 try to exploit the vulnerability of
19.f4 gg8 2 0.fue6+ c;!{xe6 2 1 .ds+ that pawn. Depending on the style
c;!{ e7 2 2 .�es+ c;!{f8 23.dxc6 �e7 of the players, some like to play
24.cxb7 Wlxb7 2s.�cs+ c;!{ g7 2 6 . with an isolated pawn, or fight
Wlgs+ c;!{h8 27.Wlf6+ gg7 2 8 . gd8+ against it.
gxd8 29.�xd8+ gg8 30.�f6= In our case, the weakness of
11 . . . .te7 12.�xe4 0-0 this pawn is just minimal. On the
76
4.c3 d5
contrary, the pawn is very power for 16 . . .1f6=, for example: 17.1f4
ful, since it helps White to pre V;Ye7= and continue later in the
serve more space. Having in way we have commented to
mind that now he can "sacrifice" Black's previous move.
his bishop with the move 14. 17.h3 M6? !
1f4 ! ? with the idea 14 . . . llJxc4 (14 . . . After 1 7. . . b6! ? 18.id5 bxc5
ifS 15.llJc5 ! ? ) 15J1;Yxc4t, trying to 19.dxc5 i.e4 20.1xe4 tt:lxe4 21.
exert pressure against Black's V;Yxe4 hc5=, the position is sim
queenside. plified considerably and Black's
14 1f5
••. pawn-weaknesses on the queen
It was simpler for him to play side are just symbolic.
here 14 . . . llJxe4 ! ? 15.V;Yxe4 1c6 16. 18 ..if4 b6
d5 1d7, followed by i.d6= He ousts the enemy knight
15. �c5 ! ? from its powerful placement hop
White has all the reasons t o try ing to occupy the e4-square.
to break on his opponent's queen All the other alternatives for
side. Still, despite all that, Black's Black are not so clear: 18 ... tt:le4
position remains solid and the 19.1"!ac1t, or 18 ... tt:lb5? 19.1e5 !
position is approximately equal. he5? (19 . . . b6 20.hf6 bxc5 2l.
15 ge8
••• i.e5t; 2 0 . . . gxf6 21.1d5±) 20.dxe5
l"!xe5 2l.llJd7!+-
16 •f3
•
White would not achieve much 19 .id5

•
after 16.i.f4 1f6 = , for example: White has no time to retreat

17.V;Yf3 V;Ye7 18.1xd6 cxd6 19.V;Yxf5 his knight: 19.1lJa4 i.e4 20.V;Yg3
dxc5 20.dxc5 (20.V;Yxc5 l"!ad8 =) llJf5t and he must already think
20 . . J�ac8 2 l.1a4 'lWe4= about equality.
16 •c8? !
••• After the move order 19.hd6
Black's threat i.g4 i s too prim cxd6 20.i.d5, Black has an addi
itive, while the placement of his tional possibility - 20 ... dxc5 ! ?
queen on the c8-square is not so 2l.ha8 V;Yxa8 22.V;Yxf5 hd4;l;,
adequate. I believe, it is simpler preserving his pawn-structure on
and more reliable for him to opt the queenside.
77
19 bxc5 20 .lxd6 gb8

.•• • V;Yd8 24.ha6±) 24.ha6±
Black refrains from 20 . . . cxd6 22 . . . .td7 23.a4 (23.gac1 ! ? t ; af
2 1 .ha8 .bd4 2 2 .i.b7 §'e6 23 . ter 23.ge7 gxe7 24.he7 i.c6 ! ;!;
.tdS;!;, or 2 1 . . .V;Yxa8 2 2 .§'xfS;!;, be White still maintains some edge,
cause after that he will have a dif but his attacking potential would
ficult defence with an exchange be considerably reduced) 23 . . .
down, but that might b� the least V;Yb8 24.i.c4. White i s eyeing his
of evils for him. Now, Black sim opponent's a6-pawn. 24 . . . aS 2S.
ply ends up in a worse position in §'hS g6 26.V;YdS i.e6 27.V;Yc6±
which his queen on c8 is mis 23 . .lxe6
placed and White's space advan White will allow the enemy
tage provides him with long last rook to escape with the move 23.
ing initiative. §'a3 - 23 ... gb8 ! ;!; and Black's de
2 1 .lxc5 gxb2
• fence is solid. 24 ..tc6 gd8 2S.h7?
Black has regained his pawn, hd4+
but his rook is rather unstable on Still, following 23.V;Yc3 ! gb8
the b2-square. 24.i.c6 gd8 (24 . . . i.d7 2S.i.a7+-)
2 2 .gel ! 2S.i.a7± Black's rook will be
White neutralises his oppo trapped!
nent's active rook. 23 . . . gxe6 24.gxe6 fxe6
2 2 . . . .ie6 The position has been simpli

Black is trying to save the issue fied considerably, but White pre
by simplifying, since his alterna serves an overwhelming position
tives are even worse . . . al advantage, based on his extra
2 2 . . .l'!d8? 23.i.b3± (with the space, a more active queen and
idea V;Yc3) 23 . . J'l:d2? ! 24 . .te7 ! + - also on the fact that Black's iso
Black i s doomed t o a rather lated e6-pawn is weak and restricts
unpleasant defence following 22 ... considerably his possibilities.
gxel+ 23.gxel± (with the idea 25.§'c6 !
.tb3 and V;Yc3) 23 . . . gbl 24.gxbl White squeezes the enemy
hb1 2S.hf7+ �xf7 26.§'b3± queen to the unfortunate c8-
22 . . ..tg6 23 ..tb7 V;Yb8 (23 . . . square.
78
4.c3 d5
It seemed more consistent for 27.V9a4 ! ?t l'!b2 28.l'!el �f7 29.V9c6

him to play 2SJ�el with the idea l'!d2 30.l'!e4±
2S .. J'�xa2?? 26.'1Wb3+-, but after White would have exerted
2S .. .'IWb7! 26.V9xb7 (following 26. powerful pressure after 27.%Ve4 ! ?
V9g4 WfdS;!; Black's queen would be l'!xa2 28.l'!bl t threatening icS-a7
freed) 2 6 . . J'�xb7 27J'!xe6 l'!bl+ and l'!b8.
28.�h2 l'!dl 29.l'!xa6 .hd4 30. 27 �h8
•••
.hd4 l'!xd4;!;, Black would have Black could have removed his
obtained good chances of drawing pawn from the attack of White's
this rook and pawn ending. queen - 27 ... aS ! with the idea
25 l'!c2
••• 28.V9bS %Va8;!; or 28.%Vf3 %Va6;!; and
2S . . . �f7 26.l'!el l'!d2 (26 . . . Black's queen gets free, so his de
l'!xa2 ? 27.dS+-) 27.l'!e4± fence becomes much easier. Just
like before, White has the possi
bility to sacrifice a pawn with 28.
Vge4 ! ? l'!c4 (Black loses a pawn af
ter 28 . . . l'!b2 29.dS exdS 30.%VxdS+
�h8 31.ie3±) 29.l'!blt, although
this sacrifice is not so effective
any more. It would not work for
Black to play now 29 . . . l'!xa4 30.
fia7?, in view of 30 ... l'!b4+
26.l'!dl
White defends against the
threat .hd4 and prepares gradu
ally a positional bind on the king
side. Black's position is without
good prospects.
26 h6
•••
He is preparing the move �f7,

because it was not good for him to
play it immediately: 26 . . . �f7 27. 28.g3?!
%Ve4 l'!xa2 28.Wfxh7± and Black's This move is a loss of time ...
king is rather unstable. It seemed very good for White
26 . . . l'!e2? 27.l'!bl ! +- to choose 28.Vge4 ! (with the idea
27.a4? ! l'!bl) 28 . . . l'!c4 (28 . . . l'!a2 ? ! 29.l'!bl±
White advances his pawn, but l'!xa4? 30.ia7 V9f8 31.l'!b8 i.d8
not to the right square. 32 .g3 l'!a2 33.dS+-) 29.l'!bl as
He had to preserve the a4- 30 .l'!bS ! (30.ia7? l'!b4=) 30 . . . c6
square for his queen by playing (30 . . . l'!xa4? 31.V9bl+-) 31.l'!b6±
27.a3 as 2 8.V9a4t, or immediately 28 gc4
•••
79
2S . . . WldS ! 29.a5 �c4 (29 . . . 33 gd3?

•••
�c3 ! ? 30 .�el .bd4 31.�xe6 ixf2 + Black had to force a transfer

3 2 .l!lxf2 '!'tId3 ! =) 30.�el hd4 31. into a rook and pawn endgame
�xe6 hc5 32 .�eS+ iofS 33.Wle6 with 33 . . . WlgS 34.'!'tIxgS+ I!lxgS
�cl+ 34.l!lg2 '!'tId6 35.Wlxd6 cxd6 35.hd6 cxd6 36.dxe5 dxe5 37.
36.�xfS+ I!lh7 37.�aS �c6= �xe5 I!lfl;!; and despite White's ex
29.l!lg2 tra pawn, Black would have excel
This is the consequence of lent chances of saving the game.
what White has missed . . . 34.'!'tIe4 gd2?
After 29.a5, Black's defence Black could have prolonged
would be much easier after " 29 . . . his resistance with the move -
'!'tIdS ! ;!; (with the idea '!'tId5) and 34 . . . �b3, not allowing White's
White's edge would gradually rook to occupy the b-file. 35.�c1
evaporate. hc5 36.�xc5 exd4 37.�e5 �b8
29 .te7
••• 3S.Wlxd4 Wlb7+ 39.l!lh2 Wlc6 40.
29 . . . WldS ! = �e7 �gS± - It would not be easy
30.gel for White to break his opponent's
3 0 .�d3 ! ? with the idea 30 . . . defence here.
hc5 ? ! ( 3 0 . . . .tf6 31.a5 WldS ! = ; 3S.'llYe 3
31.Wle4 �xa4 32 .�b3 �a5=) 31. He did not need to remove his
dxc5t queen from its active position on
30 .td6 31.aS gca 32.h4
••• the e4-square.
It is not easy to see how White Black's last rank is vulnerable
can improve his position in any and White overlooked the not so
other way. obvious move 35 . .la7! with the
32 eS
••• idea �b1-bS+ - , after which
Black could have waited a bit: Black's position is beyond salva-
32 . . . l!lgS ! ? 33.�e4 I!lhS 34.h5 tion, for example: 35 . . . c5 (35 ...
I!lgS;!; and it would be inconceiva �b2 36.dxe5+ - ; 35 . . . exd4 36.
ble how White could improve his hd4+ - threatening Wle3-h6) 36.
position, for example: 35.�g4 dxe5 .le7 37.e6+ -
WlfS ! = 3S �c2 36.'llYd3 Wfb7+ 37.
•••
33.'!'tIdS I!lg1 Wfb2
so
4.c3 d5
38.'fffS ing the protection of the pawn on

White could have created cer a6.
tain problems for his opponent 45.'ffa7 c5=
with the move 38J'U1 ! ? keeping It was also possible for Black
the enemy pawn on a6 under to continue with 45 ... e3 46.lM'xe3
threat, for example: 38 . . . exd4 (46.fxe3 lM'd1=) 46 ... lM'xa5=
39.i.xd6 cxd6 40 .lM'xa6 lM'b3 (40 . . . 46.a6 'ffd l+ 47.'it>h2 'ffe 2
�c1 4l.�xc1 lM'xc1+ 42.'it>g2 lM'a3 48.'ffxc5 'ffxa6 49.'fffS + 'ffg6
43.lM'c8+ 'it>h7 44.�f5+ 'it>h8 45. 50.'fff4. Draw.
g4 ! ± with the idea g4-g5-g6) 4l.
�a8+ (4l.�e1 �f3 42.lM'fl �c8 43.
�d1 �a8 44.�xd4 �xa5 45.�xd6;!;; 1 0 Gdanski - Ye Rongguang
43J'!a1 lM'c3 44.a6 d3 45.a7 �a8 Manila 1992
46.�d1 d2 47.�a2 lM'c1 48.�xd2 l.e4 e5 2.�f3 �c6 3 . .lb5
lM'xd1+ 49.�xd1 �xa7;!;) 41.. .lM'g8 �ge7 4.c3 d5 5.�xe5 dxe4 6.
(4l. ..'it>h7? 42 .�e4+ 'it>g8 43.a6+-) 'ff e 2 lM'd5
42 .�e4 �a2;!;, but all these prob 6 . . . .le6 !
lems are just of a practical aspect. 7.�xc6 �xc6 8.d4 .lfS 9 •
Now, Black should manage to .tf4 0-0-0 10. �d2 .lg6

draw after a precise defence. 10 . . . .ld6?! 1l . .tc4 'l!9a5 1Vtlb3
38 . . . gc1 39.gxc1 'ffxcl + 40. �b6 13 . .le3±
'it>g2 hc5 41.dxc5 �xc5 42. 11.0-0 .ld6 12.hd6 gxd6
lM'c8 + 'it>h7 43.'ffxa6 'ffd 5+ 44. 13.gael .lh5 14.'ffc4 fS 15.
'it>gl 'l!9xd5 gxd5 16.hc6
Or 16 . .lc4 ! ? �d6 17.£3 exf3 18.
ttJxf3 i.xf3 19.�xf3 g6 20.�fe3iand
White maintains a stable posi
tional advantage.
16 bxc6 17.�c4±
••.
44 e4!
•••
Black covers the b1-h7 diago

nal and prepares the pawn-ad
vance e4-e3 at an opportune mo
ment, opening the enemy king.
This also places White's queen in He has an obvious edge in this
a zugzwang position, since it does endgame. Black's position has no
not have any useful retreat, keep- good prospects and he will have to
81
fight long and hard for a draw. 22.gdl gc2+) 21.. .gd8 22 .ge2 gd3
17 gb5
••• 23.gcl as 24.bS c6 2S.c4 .ihS
His queenside pawns are 26.f3 e3 with an excellent posi
weak, so his position is clearly tion.
worse. White must take the as 20.a3 ge8 21.ge3
and cS-squares under coptrol and White is preparing the under
then Black's situation will become mining move f2-f3.
just terrible. Therefore, he had to 21 .ig6
•••
prevent that immediately with the Black could have advanced his
move l7 . . . aS, although even then pawn here - 2 1 . . .gS, but after 22.
after l8.f3 exf3 19.9xf3 f4 2 0 . ge7, f3 axb4 23.axb4 exf3 24.gxe8+
White would have a clear advan he8 2S . .!lJxf3 f4 26.h4 h6 27.hxgS
tage. hxgS 28.gel I!id8 29.l!if2 , he
18.b4 would hardly manage to defend
Now, Black's c-pawns are fixed this endgame.
forever. It was obviously better for
Still it was even stronger for Black to continue in an active
White to follow here with l8.a4 fashion with the help of a pawn
gb3 19.f3 exf3 2 0 . ge7! fxg2 21. sacrifice : 2 1 . . . axb4 2 2 . axb4 cS !?
gxfS .ig6 2 2 . gf2 and due to the 23.dxc5 gd8 24.ge2 (24 . .!lJbl gbB
horribly misplaced black rook on 2S.f3 i.dS+±) 24 . . . gb8 2S.gcl gd3;!;
b2 , his position would remain 2 2.g3 gb8 23.f3 axb4 24.
very difficult. axb4 ga8?
18 .lf7 19.�d2?
••• This is a principled mistake.
This is a mistake. White need Black had to capture on f3 : 24 ...
ed to play here 19 . .!lJb2 as 2 0 .a3, exf3 2S.gxe8 + .ixeB 26.gal .ihS
followed by a transfer of his 27. l!if2 I!ib7 2B . .!lJxf3 .ixf3 29.
knight to the cS-square via a4. I!ixf3 geB 30 .gaS g6;!;. Now, his
pawn on e4 has become very weak
and will be soon lost.
25.fxe4 ga2 26.gf2 fxe4
27.�c4
White's knight is headed for
the eS-square.
27 gal+ 28.l!ig2 I!ib7 29.
••.
g4 h5
(diagram)
This is an attempt by Black to
19 a5
••• open the position with the help of
Now, Black had a very power a pawn-sacrifice. He would not
ful move - 19 . . . cS ! , for example: obtain compensation for it,
2 0 . a4 gb8 21.dxcS (21.bxc5 gb2 though . . .
82
4.c3 d5
Here, the exchange of the

rooks only helps Black's activa
tion. It was stronger for White to
follow with 42 .l!h8.
30.�e5 ge6 31.gxh5 hlt5

32 .gxe4+ -
The fight enters a technical
stage.
32 .ie8 33.gg4 ge7 34.
•••
gh4! 42 ga4? !
•••
White is planning to occupy Black avoids the exchange, but

the last rank with his rooks. in vain. Following 42 ... l!xf3 43.
34 ga3 35.gh8 cS 36.bxc5
••. lDxf3 .lc6 44.lDeS .ldS, his bishop
gxc3 would become active and this
would provide him with some
counterplay.
43.Wc3 gh6 44.gg3 g6 45.
c6+ -
White's position i s winning.
45 gh7 46.d5 ge7 47.gb7+
•••
<;!{a8 48.gg5 (with the idea dS

d6) 48 ga7 49.gxa7+ Wxa7
•••
50.wd4 gh7 51.gg2 gh4+ 52.

<;!{c5 ga4 53.gb2 ga5+ 54.<;!{d4
37.gb2+ ga4+ 55.lDc4 g5 56.gb7 1-0
It was stronger for him to play
37.l!ff8 and after 37 . . . .tc6+ 38.
\!,lf2 l!c2+ 39.<;!{g3 l!xcS 40 .l!b8+ 11 Caruana I.Sokolov
\!,la6 41.dxcS l!xeS 42.l!hc8 l!xcS Reykjavik 2012
43.l!xc7+- Black would be be 1.e4 e5 2.lDf3 lDc6 3.ib5
yond salvation. lDge7 4.c3 d5 5.�xe5 dxe4 6.
37 <;!{a7
••• ti'e2 .ie6 !? 7.d4
Now, the fight becomes still Now, the simplifications in the
more complicated. centre lead to complete equality.
38.gm ga3 39.<;!{f2 ga4 40. 7 exd3 8.�xd3 �g6
•••
me3 ga3 + 41.<;!{d2 ge6 42. (diagram)

gf3?! 9.0-0
83
17 . . . ti'c8
Here, even after the best line
for Black: 17 . . . a4 18.c4 axb3 19.
axb3 �b8 2 0 .�c2 .ifS 2 1.�c3 ga3
22.lLlc1 cS 23.£3, the position would
have remained within equality.
18.c4
White refrains again from 18.
lLlb2 = , preventing his opponent's
The exchange 9 . .b:c6+ bxc6 next move.
will be hardly justified from the 18 ... a4
positional point of view. Black ob
tains the two-bishop advantage
and will have the open b-file to
operate on.
9 iLd6? !
•••
Black could have solved all his

problems with the move 9 . . . �ds = ,
with the idea 0-0-0. Following
1O.c4 �fs (with the idea O-O-Ot),
only White may have problems.
10.�d2 ? ! Black still exerts some pres
Here, with the resolute move sure, but it is easily neutralised.
1 O .f4 ! ;I; , White could have created The draw becomes more and
certain problems for Black. more evident.
10 . . . 0-0 11.�e4 ge8 12 .iLgS 19.9fe1 axb3 20.axb3 gb8
Following 12.liJxd6 �xd6t, White 21.ti'c2 iLfS 22 .ti'c3 ti'b7 23.
should think about equalising. �f4=
12 . . . f6 13 .iLe3 a6 14 .ixc6
• It was also possible for White
The position would be consid to play 23.lLlc1=
erably simplified after 14 . .ia4 .ic4 23 . . . �eS 24.gxd6 ti'xb3 25.
ls.lLlxd6 �xd6 16J�fd1 gad8 17 . ti'xb3 gxb3 26.cS
.ib3 �e6= The opponents could have
14 . . . bxc6 lS. �xd6 agreed to a draw at this moment.
This rather unstable knight 26 . . . �t7 27.h3 gc8
should be exchanged sooner or It was more accurate for Black
later on d6, for example, after 15. to play 27 . . . ga3, not letting the
b3 .if7= enemy rook to the a-file.
lS cxd6 16.b3 as 17.gad1
•.• 28.ga1 gb7 29.ga6 .id7 30.
White could have prevented gd4 ge8 31.�d3 .ixh3 ! ?
the pawn-advance as-a4 with Black i s trying t o complicate
17.lLlb2 = the fight.
84
4.c3 d5
32.�xe5+ ga6 gd5 37.gh4 .td3 38.ga8

But not 32 .gxh3??, because of h6
32 . . . llJf3+ 33.�g2 llJxd4 34.hd4
�d7-+
32 fxe5 33.�h4
•••
White has a slight initiative,

but it is obviously insufficient for
anything substantial.
33 .tf5? !
•.• 39.gha4 gc7 40.g4a7 gdd7
Black had t o play here 3 3. . . 41.c6 gxa7 42.gxa7 gxa7 43.
id7= , preventing the possibility ha7
for White to create a powerful Now, the draw becomes inevi
passed pawn. table. 43 . . . e4 44.c7 .ta6 45.
34.gxc6;t mh2 g5 46 . .td4 h5 47.f3 ext'3
Now, Black needs to play pre 48.gxf3 mg6 49 . .te3 mf5 50.
cisely. .td2 h4 51 .te3 g4 52 .fxg4+
•
34 gd8 ! ? 35.gh5 .te4 36.

••• mxg4 53 .1f2 . Draw.
•
85
Chapter 4 1.e4 e5 2.�f3 �c6 3.J.b5 �ge7 4.d4
Quick Repertoire
squared bishop and plans later to

accomplish the counter strike in
the centre d7-d5, without losing
time for the move d7-d6. The po
sitions arising after 5 . . . g6, resem
ble in their structure one of the
variations of the Philidor Defence :
l.e4 e5 2.lLlf3 d6 3.d4 exd4 4.lLlxd4
g6 5.lLlc3 i.g7 6.i.e3 lLlc6,
In this chapter we will analyse

the variation with 4.d4, which is
not so fashionable as the lines
with 4.0-0, or 4.lLlc3 and is not
dangerous for Black at all. The
main possibility for him 4 . . . exd4
5. lOxd4 g6 ! ? seems to be the
most logical in this situation.
but in a slightly better version
for Black, because his pawn is still
on d7 and he will have the possi
bility to inflict the standard coun
ter strike in the centre - d7-d5 at
once, moreover that the move
i.fl-b5 is not so useful for White
in these types of positions.
This counter strike in the cen
tre d7-d5, provides Black with
good counterplay and is typical
for similar set-ups. For example,
Black fianchettoes his dark- in one of the lines of the Dragon
86
variation of the Sicilian Defence, the moves l.e4 cS 2.lLlf3 lLlc6 3.d4
after the moves 1.e4 cS 2.llJ f3 d6 cxd4 4.lLlxd4 g6 S.lLlc3 !g7 6.!e3
3.d4 cxd4 4.lLlxd4 lLlf6 S.lLlc3 g6 lLlf6 7.!e2 0-0 8.0-0, the coun
6.!e3 i.g7 7.f3 0-0 8 .§'d2 lLlc6 ter strike in the centre 8 . . . d5, is
9.0-0-0, with a pawn on d6, played at once and equalises im
which means with a loss of a tem mediately, solving all the opening
po, Black plays 9 . . . dS, entering problems for Black.
the so-called Konstantinopolsky In this particular case, the po
variation. The arising position is sitions arising after 5 g6 , are of
.•.
very complicated, but still theory a semi-forcing concrete type,

considers White to be slightly bet which is typical for many open
ter after the opening. In another games, in which the value of every
line of the Dragon variation, after move is of paramount importance.
87
Chapter 4 1.e4 e5 2.�f3 �c6 3.J.b5 �ge7 4.d4
exd4
Step by Step
would be 7.ltJf5;t or 7.ltJb3 i.b6 8.

ltJc3;t)
5. �xd4
This variation does not create Now, the simplest decision for
serious problems for Black. White would be to transfer to the
main line with 6.ltJxd4 i.g7 7.i.e3
After 5.c3, his simplest re 0-0 8.ltJc3 - see variation C.
sponse is 5 . . . d5 - see Chapter 3, He would not achieve much
variation A. with the seemingly active move
6.i.g5, because after 6 . . . i.g7, it is
5.0-0 g6. This is no doubt only White who might have prob
Black's most active move. (He has lems. See several examples which
also tried in practice 5 . . . �g6 6. may deserve attention: 7.c3 (7.e5
ltJxd4 i.c5, but this position is 0-0 8 J3el a6 9.i.a4 h6 1O .i.h4 g5
rather passive for him. It resem 1l.i.g3 ltJf5 12 .c3 d6 13 .hc6 dxc3 !
bles in its structure a variation of 14.ltJxc3 bxc6 15.�a4 cS 16J"�adl
the Scotch Game: l.e4 e5 2 .ltJf3 gb8+ Kalegin - Korneev, St. Pe
ltJc6 3.d4 exd4 4.ltJxd4 i.c5, but in tersburg 1996) 7 . . . h6! 8.i.d2 (8.
a worse version for Black, since i.h4 dxc3 9.ltJxc3 0-0:1= 1O.ltJd5 g5
his knight is not so well placed on 1l.i.g3 d6 12 .h4 ? ! g4 13.ltJh2 ltJd4
the g6-square and does not con 14.ltJxe7+ �xe7 15.i.d3 h5+ and
trol the important d5-square. White does not have sufficient
Here, the simplest reply for White compensation for the pawn, Si-
88
4.d4 ed 5. ltJxd4 g6
chert - Arkhipov, Germany 1991) but Black has no weaknesses and

8 ... dS ! + 9.ltJxd4 dxe4 1O .'�a4 0-0 his game is easier. White must
1l.ltJxc6 bxc6 12 . .te2 (12 .hc6? ! play very precisely in order to
ltJxc6 13 .'�xc6 l'!b8 14.b3 l'!b6 IS. maintain the positional pressure,
'{;lfxe4 ifS+) 12 . . .fS+ Romanishin for example, after 8 ..tgS h6!? 9.
- Smyslov, Moscow 1981. ie3 (or 9.ih4? ! 0-0 10.eS gS+ he
After 6.c3 failed to obtain sufficient com
pensation for the pawn in the
game Lortkipanidze - Javakha
dze, Poti 2010) 9 ... 0-0 10.'�d2
�h7oo Adnoy - Tallaksen, Gaus
dal 2001.
Black has a choice. He may en

ter after 6 . . .ig7 7.cxd4 dS, the
Classical variation, which will be
analysed by us in Chapter 6, or
following 7 . . . a6 to enter the Mod
ern variation: 8.ia4 0-0 - see
Chapter 7, variation B 2 ; 8.ic4 bS
9.ib3 0-0 - see Chapter 7, varia 5 g6
•••
tion A. The retreat 8.ie2 is very This is a good and logical

passive for White and after the move. Black intends to fianchetto
natural move 8 . . . dS= , there arise his dark-squared bishop and to
positions resembling in its struc develop it to an active position
ture the Classical variation, in from where it will exert pressure
which White's light-squared bish against White's centre.
op is not so well placed. In gener
al, giving up the Ruy Lopez light It would be too passive for
squared bishop with the move Black to play S . . . ltJg6, since fol
8.ixc6 is practically always anti lowing 6.ltJc3 .tcS 7 . .ie3t White
positional for him. will have a slight but stable posi
Black can also choose the sel tional advantage. It would not be
dom played line : 6 . . . dxc3 ! ? 7. in the spirit of the position for
lLlxc3 ig7, entering a complicated Black to exchange S ... ll:lxd4 6.
and approximately equal position �xd4 ll:lc6 7.�e3 (It is not so good
in which White has some com for White to choose 7.�d3, due to
pensation for the sacrificed pawn, 7 . . . ic5 8.0-0 0-0= with an ap-
89
proximately equal position, Lo velopment. 7.lDxc6 (7.fie3? ! 0-0

chte - Beier, Germany 1996, or 7. 8.lDc3 dS+) 7 ... bxc6 8 .fid3 0-0
hc6 dxc6 8 .�xd8+ �xd8 = , with 9.hS dS= ; 9.lDc3 dS=
a complicated but about balanced
endgame in which White's king Black should not be afraid of
side pawn-majority is compen the move 6.figS, because after 6 . . .
sated by Black's bishop-pair. It is fig7 7.c3 lDxd4 ! ? 8.cxd4 c 6 , h e ob
also possible for him to capture tains a very good game, for exam
with his other pawn - 7 . . . bxc6, ple : 9.fia4 (9.fic4?! �aS+ 1O .fid2
which would lead to a complicat �b6 11.fic3 dS+) 9 . . . �aS+ 10 .fid2
ed and approximately equal posi �b6+ with an advantage for Black,
tion.). The situation resembles a Smirin - Ki.Georgiev, Manila
variation from the Central Game 1992.
(1.e4 eS 2 .d4 exd4 3 .�xd4 lDc6
4.�e3), but in a much better ver 6.0-0 fig7 and the position is
sion for White, since he has the not promising for White.
initiative. 7 . . . fie7 (7 . . . fib4+ 8 .fid2
hd2 + 9.�xd2 0-0 1 O .lDc3 d6
11.0-0-0:t) 8 . 0 - 0 0-0 9.lDc3 d6
1O.lDdS:t with a slight but stable
edge for him, Stripunsky - Benja
min, New York 2 0 0 0 .
7.c3 lDxd4 8.cxd4 c6 9.fic4

(following 9.fie2 dS, or 9.fia4 dS,
Black would even have a slight
edge) 9 . . . dS 10.exdS lDxdS 11.lDc3
0-0=
7.lDxc6 bxc6 (The position re
mains approximately equal after
7 . . . lDxc6 8 .lDc3 0-0 9 .fie3 d6=
6.�c3 Vargic - Stevic, Bizovac 2006) 8.
This is a very flexible move. fid3 (It is not preferable for White
White preserves the possibility to to opt for 8.fic4 dS 9.exdS cxdS
castle in the future on either side 1O.fib3 0-0 and Black's prospects
of the board. are at least equal, Kiewra - Pan
chanathan, Berkeley 2 0 1 1 ; follow
After 6.h4 fig7, Black has no ing 8 .fia4, it is possible for Black
problems, because he leads in de- to play 8 .. J'�b8, with a complicat-
90
4.d4 ed 5. lLlxd4 g6 6. lLlc3
ed and approximately equal posi (10.f4 We7 11.i.e3 0-0=) 1O ... 'lWe7
tion) B . . . O-O= with a balanced 1l.i.e3 0-0= Pinto - Brecken
game, Rozentalis - Al-Sayed, ridge, Vancouver 2012.
Khanty-Mansiysk 2010. 9.i.f4 i.g7 10.0-0 0-0= Ca
White's best decision here pelan - Lehmann, Solingen 1974.
would be to transfer to the main 9.h4 i.d6 ! ?oo (9 ... We7 1O.h5
line with 7 . .!e3 0-0 B.lLlc3 - see ggBoo; 1O.lLlc3 i.g7 11 . .tf4 f500 - see
variation c. A.Sokolov - Savchenko, Helsinki
1992, game 12). Now, after 10.h5
There arises a complicated po (10.lLlc3 We7=) 1O . . . i.e5 1l.'lWa4
sition after 6.lLlxc6 lLlxc6 7.hc6 We7! ?oo Black's prospects are not
bxc6 (It is also possible for Black worse at all. He should not be
to opt here for 7 . . . dxc6 with the afraid of 12 .hxg6, in view of
following exemplary variation B. 12 . . . Wg7+ and only White may
'lWxdB+ 'it>xdB 9.i.g5+ .!e7 10.he7+ have problems, for example: 13.
't!ixe7 and despite White's superi gxh7 gxh7 14.gxh7 Wxh7+ and he
or pawn-structure, he can hardly must think seriously about equal
obtain any meaningful advantage ising.
in this endgame.) B.�d4 f6.
It would not be in the spirit of
the position for White to choose
the rather slow move 6.c4, like in
the Maroczy system in the Sicilian
Defence (1.e4 c5 2.lLlf3 lLlc6 3.d4
cxd4 4.lLlxd4 g6 5.c4), in which
this set-up may provide him with
an advantage in the opening. In
our case White's bishop is not so
well placed on the b5-square. Fol
Tournament practice has lowing 6 . . . ig7 7.ie3 0-0 B.lLlc3
shown that Black has quite suffi d6 9.0-0 lLle5, Black has a very
cient counterplay in this end good game. His position is prefer
game. See several examples which able and he is threatening a7-a6.
I believe deserve attention :
9.b3 .td6 =
9.Wc4 a 5 1O . .td2 We7 1l.ic3
1a6 12 .�d4 ih6+ Planchon -
Dubois, France 1993.
9.lLlc3 .tg7 (9 ... id6= ) 10.0-0
0-0 1l.if4 gO= Gdanski - Ur
ban, Ksiaz 199B.
9.0-0 id6 (9 ... i.g7oo) 1O.lLlc3
91
1O-'��'e 2 (10.f4?! ttJg4 1l . .tc1 c6 imately equal after 7.ttJf3 0-0

12 ..ta4 'lWb6+; 12 ... bs! ? 13.cxbs \Wb6 8.0-0 d6=
14.ttJce2 cS ls.ttJf3 a6 16.bxa6 c4+
17.ttJfd4 .txa6+ 18.�h1 .tb7+; lB. 7. . . 0-0
h3 c3 19.bxc3 .txe2 2 0.�xe2 l3xa4
2 1.hxg4 l3xd4 22.cxd4 .txd4+ 23 .
.te3 .txe3+ 24.�h1 ds+) 10 .. .fst
This is the simplest move for
Black. He has the initiative and
his prospects are slightly prefera
ble due to the uncomfortable
placement of White's bishop on
the bs-square.
Black does not need to enter
more complicated positions with
1O . . . a6 1l . .ta4 bs 12.cxbs (12 . .tb3
cS 13.ttJc2 bxc4 14 . .txc4 ttJxc4 15. This position can be termed as
'lWxc4 i.e6t) 12 ... axbs 13.hbs c6 the tabia of the variation 4.d4
14.f4 (14 . .id3 ? ! ttJxd3 ls.'lWxd3 exd4 s.ttJxd4 .
.ta6+) 14 . . . cxbs ls.fxes b4 16. We will analyse now: A)
ttJcbs hes 17.'lWc4 .id7 1B.'lWxb4 8 .tc4, B) 8.'Bd2 and C) 8.0-0.
•
'lWbB 19.a3 ttJc6 2 0 .�d2 ttJxd4 21.

ttJxd4 �b'Too
A) 8 .tc4•
6 .tg7 7. .te3
•.. White is trying to prevent
White's alternatives look very Black's standard counter strike in
passive and are not fashionable. the centre - ds.
8 �a5
•••
For example, Black can coun This is the simplest decision

ter 7.ttJde2 with 7 . . . 0-0 8.0-0 a6 for him.
9 ..ta4 bs 1O ..tb3 ttJas= Dovitis -
Slipak, Villa Martelli 2 0 1 0 . Following B ... ds, the position
becomes much sharper.
I t seems rather anti-positional
for White to give up his Ruy Lopez
bishop without any particular
reason: 7 . .txc6 bxc6 B.O-O 0-0+
and Black's prospects are slightly
preferable thanks to his bishop
pair.
The position would be approx-
92
4.d4 ed 5.tiJxd4 g6 6. 0.c3 i.g7 7. i.e3 0 - 0 8. Y9d2 d5
9 . .bdS? 0.xd4 1O . .bd4 hd4 He has the initiative after 9.

11. Y9xd4 c6-+ i.e2 dSt, or 9.i.b3 0.xb3 10.axb3
After 9.0.xdS 0.xdS, White has dSt
problems following 1O.0.xc6 .bxc6
11.exdS Y9h4+, as well as in the 9 a6 10.a4 �xc4 1l.Vxc4
•••
variation 1O.exdS?! 0.xd4 11.ixd4 b5 12.Vh4 d6 13.axb5 �b8

�e8+ 12.'.t>f1 Y9h4 13.c3 ixd4 14. 14.Wa3 axb5 15.�dxb5 .id7
cxd4 �e4+ 16.�d4 fStBlack maintains dan
9.exdS 0.aS 10 .Y9d3 (lO.Yge2 cS gerous initiative which more than
11.0.f3 ixc3+ 12 .bxc3 0.xc4 13. compensates his sacrificed pawn.
Y9xc4 0.xdS+; 1O.i.b3 0.xb3 11.
axb3 0.xdS 12.0.xdS Y9xdS 13 .0-0
b6+ Black has a stable positional B) 8."t1Id2
advantage thanks to his pair of
bishops.) 1O . . . cS 11.dxc6 ixd4 12.
ixd4 0.exc6 13.i.c5 �e8+ 14.'.t>f1
(14.0.e2? Y9h4-+ with the idea
ig4) 14 . . . 0.xc4 lS.Y9xc4 Y9f6+ and
Black leads in development,
moreover that White's king is ter
ribly misplaced.
9.0.xc6 bxc6 1O.exdS cxdS 11.
0.xdS i.e6 1 2 .0.xe7+ Y9xe7 13.
he6 ixb2 14.i.dS i.c3 + lS.'.t>f1
�ad8 16.�b1 c6 17.Y9d3 Y9f6 18.
hf7+ �xf7 19.Yge2oo, the position 8 ... d5 !
is very complicated, but approxi This counter strike in the cen
mately equal and Black has suffi tre is standard for similar posi
cient compensation for the pawn. tions and it is the only way for
Black to equalise.
His alternatives are consider
ably less reliable and do not de
serve serious attention.
For example, after 8 . . . d6,

White will play 9.0-0-0 and in
this position, with castling on op
posite sides of the board, his
chances of organising an attack
on the kingside with h4-hS are
considerably more effective than
9.Wd3 Black's queenside counterplay,
93
for example : 9 . . . a6 10 .i.e2 b5 11. the arising position: B1) 9.exd5,

tDxc6 tDxc6 12 .h4;!; and White has B2) 9 .lxc6 and B3) 9.0-0-0.
•
seized completely the initiative.
It is not good for Black to Bl) 9.exd5

choose here S .. .f5? ! , because after After this move, only White may
9.i.c4+ 'i!lhS 1O.tDxc6 bxc6 11. have problems in the opening.
i.d4± White has a clear positional 9 tDxd5 10.�xc6
•••
advantage.
1O.hc6? ! tDxe3 11.fxe3 bxc6! ?+
The character of the position Barasz - Reti, Debrecen 1913.
remains more or less the same
after S . . . a6, since following 9 . .te2 10 ••• bxc6
(planning castling queenside)
White obtains a much more
promising position. 9 . . . b5 (Now,
it is not so good for Black to opt
for 9 . . . d5 1O.tDxc6 bxc6 11 . .tc5
1!bS 12.0-0-0;!;) 10.0-0-0 (10.
O-O;!;) 1O . . .b4 11.tDd5 tDxd5 12.
exd5 tDxd4 13.hd4 .bd4 14.
V;Yxd4;!; (with the idea h4-h5)
White is much better developed
and will create threats against
Black's kingside. His position is
very passive and without any good 1l.�xd5
prospects, so White maintains a
great positional advantage which It is weaker for Black to play
is quite obvious. here 11.hc6, due to 11 . . . tDxe3.
12 .�xdS? ! 1!xdS 13 .fxe3 1!b8

14.tDd1 hb2 15.1!b1 1!b6 16.1!xb2
He has three possibilities in 1!xc6+
94
4.d4 ed 5. lDXd4 g6 6.liJc3 !g7 7. !e3 0 - 0 B. ffd2 d5
12 .haB? ! ffxd2+ 13.'it>xd2 26. 'it>f1 �dl+ 27.l%xd1 �xd1+ 2B.

lLlc4+ 14.'it>c1 (14.'it>e1 �eB+ lS.'it>f1 'it>g2 �d2 + 29.'it>h3 ffe6+ 30.g4
!a6 16 . .ic6 �bB 17.'it>gl �xb2+ gS-+ ) lS . . . .ih3+
Black's initiative more than com 13.ffxdB �xdB 14.lLld1 .bb2
pensates the sacrificed exchange.) (14 . . . .ig4 lS.!f3 i.xf3 16.gxf3
14 ... i.h6+ lS.'it>d1 (lS.'it>b1? lLld2+ .bb2 17.�b1 .if6+ Black's bishop
16.'it>c1 lLle4+ 17.'it>d1 lLlxc3+ lB. is evidently stronger than White's
bxc3 �dB+ 19.'it>e1 .b6-+) 15 . . . knight in this position, Manelis -
!a6 16. !c6 (16.!f3 lLl xb2+ 17.'it>e1 Egin, Odessa 1973.) lS.l%b1 l%b6
�eB+ 1B.lLle2 lLl a4-+ ; 1B.!e2 !g7 16.�xb2 �xc6+ Black has a better
19.'it>f1 lLl c4-+ ; 16.i.e4 lLlxb2+ 17. pawn-structure on the kingside,
'it>e1 �dB 1B.lLle2 �eB 19.f3 fS-+ ; moreover that his bishop is more
1B.lLldS i.g7 19J'l:b1 �xdS-+) 16 . . . powerful than his opponent's
l%dB+ 17.'it>e1 (17.'it>e2 �d2 + 1B.'it>f1 knight.
lLle5+ 19.i.bS hbS+ 20.lLlxbS lLlg4
21.'it>e1 �xf2 2 2 .l%d1 l%xc2 23.l%dB+ 12.ffxe3. This is White's rela-
'it>g7 24.�f1 �xg2 2S.�f3 !gS 26. tively best move. 12 ... �bB 13.l%d1
l%d4 hS 27.lLlxc7 �xh2+) 17 ... !d2 + (13.0-0 �xb2+) 13 . . .ffh4 14.0-0
1B.'it>e2 .bc3 19.bxc3 lLl eS+ l%xb2+ and Black has the initiative
12 .fxe3? ! �bB and a considerable positional ad
vantage as well.
After 13.0-0-0?! ffe7-+ Black's

attack seems to be crushing. 14.
ioa4 .ig4 lS.�df1 �fdB 16. ffe1
ioe2 ! 17 ..ib3 (17.ffxe2 �xb2-+) 1l ffxd5
•••
17... ffxe3+ 1B.'it>b1 .bc3 19.ffxc3 This is the simplest for him.
ffxc3 2 0.bxc3 i.xf1-+
13 . .idS ffh4+ 14.g3 ffb4 15. It is also possible for Black to
0-0 (1S . .ib3? i.b7 16.0-0 .bc3 opt for 11...cxbS 12. 0-0-0 c6 (It is
17.bxc3 ffe4+ 1B.'it>f2 �fdB 19.ffe2 weaker for him to choose the
i.a6 20.c4 �b6 21.'it>e1 �bd6 2 2 . seemingly active move 12 . . . !e6? !
gb1 c5- + with the idea 23.�f4 i n view o f 13.i.cS �eB 14.lLle7+
ffeS 24.fff3 i.b7 2S.ffxb7 ffxe3+ 'it>hB lS.ffgS ffbB 16.h4--.. and
95
White has a dangerous attack.) In the variation 13 . .tcS l'!bB

13.�b4co with a complicated and 14.a4 a6 IS . .txfB �xfB 16 . .tc6
approximately equal position. l'!xb2 17. 0-0 l'!b6 IB.l'!abl l'!xc6
19.1'!bB .tf6 20.l'!xcB+ �g� Black
Or ll . . . cxdS 12 . .tcS (12.0-0 obtains sufficient compensation
l'!bB 13 . .ta4 d4 14 . .tgS �<;l6 = ; 13 .. . for the exchange.
hb2 14.l'!abl .ta6 IS.l'!fel=) 12 . . .
l'!bB 13.hfB (13.a4 hb2 14.l'!bl 13 . . . gb8 14 .bd5 gb5 15.c4
•
l'!eB+ IS.,beB i.c3 16.l'!xbB �xeB+ l'!xb2 16.0-0 a5 = - His pros

17.�dl hd2 IB.�xd2 �g7co with pects are not worse in the arising
a very complex but about bal situation.
anced position) 13 . . . �xfB. Now,
after 14.a4 hb2 IS.l'!bl �e7+ B2) 9 .lxc6
•
16.�e3 (16 ..te2 .tc3 17.fubB hd2+ Now, Black must play very ac
IB.�xd2 �gS+ 19.�el �fS+ with curately.
the idea 2 0 . .ta6? �f6 21.l'!xcB+ 9 bxc6 10 .ih6
••• •
�g7 2 2 .�d2 �xa6-+ ) 16 . . . .tc3+

17.�e2 �f6�, as well as following
14 . .te2 hb2 IS.l'!dl (IS.l'!bl .tc3
16.fubB hd2 + 17.�xd2 cS! ?+ with
the idea IB . .tg4 fS 19 . .tf3 �g7 2 0 .
ghbl �dB 21.l'!lb7+ �h6 2 2 . l'!xa7
c4 23.l'!bS �h4+; IB . .ta6 �d6 19.
l'!xcB+ �g7 2 0 . l'!dl �xa6 21.l'!xcS
�d6+) IS . . . .te6 16.0-0 �cS�
White has more than sufficient
compensation for the exchange.
12.'i'xd5 cxd5 10 .ixh 6 ! ? N

•••
I believe, this is Black's best

move.
In the game Egin - Korneev,

Omsk 1996, he tried 10 . . . dxe4,
but after 1l ..txg7 �xg7 12.�xe4
�dS 13.f3 cS 14.�b3 �xd2+ 15.
�bxd2 �dS 16.�xcS �e3 17.�f2
�xc2 IB.l'!ac1 �b4 19.a3:! White
obtained a stable positional ad
vantage in the endgame.
13 .ic6
• 1l.'i'xh6 c5 12.�f3
96
4.d4 ed 5. !i:Jxd4 g6 6.!i:Jc3 1g7 7. 1e3 0 - 0 8. 'ff d2 d5
Following 12.!i:Jb3 d4 13.0-0-0 cxd6 21.h3 (21.gd1 1g4=) 21.. .1e6

�eB 14.!i:Je2 'ffb S+t or 12 ... gbB ! ?+t 2 2 .gd1 1dS 23.!i:Jxd4 hg2 24.
there arise very complicated posi !i:Jxc6 hc6 2S.!i:Jc3 'tt> e 6. Black's
tions in which Black has more position is even a bit more pleas
than sufficient counterplay. ant due to his powerful bishop.
12 . . . f6
Now, Black has the interesting

possibility to sacrifice a second
There has arisen a complicated pawn for initiative:
and approximately equal position. 13 . . . c6 !?
13.exd5! ?
This i s a very attractive move. White maintains the initiative
after 13 . . . !i:JfS 14.'fff4 (14.'ffd 2
13.�d2 d4 14.!i:Ja4 (14.0-0-0? ! geB�) 14 . . . geB+ lS.'tt> d 2 c6 16.
'ffeB lS.!i:Je2 gbB 16.'ff aS �c6't) gae1 gxe1 17.gxe1 cxdS 1B.'tt> c 1
14 ... 'ffd 6 lS.'ff aS !i:Jc6 16.�xcS i.b7 19.g4 !i:Jg7 20 .h4;!;
!!eBoo with a complex and about
balanced position, for example: It is also possible for Black to
17.0-0-0 (17.!i:Jd2 gbB 1B.'ffx d6 choose the not so risky move 13 ...
cxd6 19.0-0 i.a6 2 0 .gfc1 i.bS 21. gS, but after 14.'ffhS (14.h4? !i:JfS
b3 ha4 2 2 .bxa4 gb4 23.c3 gxa4 lS.'ffhS !i:Jg7 16.'ffh 6 'ffe B+ 17.'tt>f1
24.cxd4 !i:Jxd4 = ; 1B.0-0-0 !i:Jb4 !i:JfS-+) 14 . . . !i:JfS lS.!i:Jg1 (It would
19.!i:Jb3 d3 2 0 .'ffx d6 cxd6 21.!i:Jc3 be worse for White to opt for lS.
ia6=; 19.'ffx d6 cxd6 2 0 . a3 !i:Ja2+ 0-0-0, after which there may fol
21.'tt>b 1 !i:Jc3+ 2 2 .!i:Jxc3 dxc3 23. low the practically forced varia
�b3 gxe4= ) 17 ... gxe4 1B.ghe1 (lB. tion: lS . . . !i:Jg7 16.'ffh 6 !i:JfS 17.'ffhS
ti'xd6 cxd6 19.9he1 gf4't) lB . . . !i:Jg7= ; 16 . . . i.g4 ! ? 17.h3 !i:JfS lB.
!!xel 19.gxe1 'tt> f7 . The chances are 'ffxfB+ 'ffxf8 19.hxg4 !i:Jh6't) White's
about equal and White can hardly prospects seem to be slightly
exploit effectively his opponent's preferable. Black should better try
pawn-weaknesses after 2 0 .'ffx d6 to equalise in the endgame after
97
15 ... �e8+ (15 ... ttJd4 16.0-0-0 ifS �xb2 18.!l:d1 i.a6+ 19.1t>gl .ie2
17Jl:d2 !l:b8 18.�dU; 15 . . . !l:e8+ ? ! 20 .•c1 (20.!l:e1 .ib5 21..c1 !l:xe1+
16.ttJge2 !l:b8 17. 0-0-0t) 16.�xe8 2 2 .�xe1 It>g7 23.g4 �xa2 24.�e6
!l:xe8+ 17.ttJge2 .ia6 18.lt>d2 he2 �c4 25.�xf6+ It>h6 26.�g5+ It>g7
19.ttJxe2 c6. White can try to ob 27 .•f6+ It>h6 = ; 2 1 . . .�xc1 22.!l:xc1
tain an advantage without any !l:ec8 23.c4 hc6 24.ttJxf6+ It>g7
risk in variations of the tYP e 20 .c4 25.ttJd5 !l:ab8=) 20 . . . !l:ab8 (20 . . .
cxd5 21.cxd5 (21.ttJc3 !l:ed8 2 2 . • xc1 21.!l:xc1 !l:ec8 2 2 .ttJxf6+ It>g7

!l:aeU) 2 1 . . . ttJ e 7 2 2 .ttJc3 ttJxd5 23. 23.ttJd5 hf3 24.gxf3 !l:xc6=) 2 1.c7
ttJxd5 !l:ad8 24.lt>c3 !l:xd5 25.!l:adU .bd1 2 2 .ttJxf6+ (22.cxb8� !l:xb8
23 .•xd1 .b1 24.�f1 .xa2 25.ttJc3
14.dxc6 �xc2 26.�c4+ It>g7 27.h4 !l:b3
28.�f4 !l:xc3 29 .• c7+ It>h6 30 .
The positions arising after 14. •f4+ It>g7=) 22 . . . 1t>f7 23.�xb2
0-0-0 cxd5, or 14.0-0 cxd5 are !l:xb2 24.ttJxe8 ttJe7 25.ttJd6+ It>e6
complicated indeed, but Black's 26.c8�+ ttJxc8 27.ttJxc8 !l:xa2 28.
chances are not worse at all. h4 .bc2 29.lt>h2 It>d7 30.ttJxa7
!l:xa7= with an approximately
equal endgame.
There has arisen a very com

plicated position in which Black
has the initiative as compensation
for his two sacrificed pawns. The
game is forced. It is not preferable for White
15.flrd2 to try here 16.1t>f1, because after
16 . . . .ia6+ 17.lt>gl ttJd4, Black's ini
15.flrf4 !l:e8+ 16.1t>f1 �b6 17. tiative would compensate his two
ttJd5 (17.!l:d1 flrxc6 18.h4 !l:b8 19. missing pawns, for example: 18.
ttJd5 flre6 2 0 . lt>gl i.b7 21.c4 hd5 !l:d1 (18.ttJxd4 cxd4 19.c7 �xc7 20.
2 2 .cxd5 flrd7 23.�d2 h5�) 17 . . . �xd4 !l:ad8� 2 1 .•xf6 !l:d6 2 2 .�g5
98
4.d4 ed 5. liJxd4 g6 6 . liJc3 i.g7 7. i.e3 0-0 B. V9 d2 d5
gde6 23.V9cl gfB 24.V9d2 gdB 25. IiJf4 Y;Yb6 22.liJxe6 gxe6 23.gxe6
V9cl gfB= or 24.h3 gxf2 25.'i!fxf2 Y;Yxe6 24.gbl (24.Y;Yd8+ 'i!ff7 25.
gf6+ 26.'i!fgl '.Wc5+ 27.'i!fh2 Y;Ye5= gbl Y;Yd6+ 26.Y;Yxd6 IiJxd6 27.liJd4
and Black's prospects are not gxc7=) 24 . . . 'i!ff7 25.gb7 c3 26.Y;Yd3
worse. He has at least a draw.) Y;Yxa2 27.Y;Yb5t. White has an edge
IB . . . '.Wc7 19.1iJxd4 gadB 2 0.a4 thanks to his powerful pawn on c7
cxd4 2 1. liJ b5 Y;Yxc6 2 2 .h4 (It and he practically does not risk
would be worse for White to try anything in this position, for ex
2 2 . liJxd4?! ge2 ! 23.Y;Yc3 gxc2- + ; ample: 27 . . . Y;Ye6 2B.Y;Yb3 V9xb3 29.
23 . . . Y;Ye4 24.h3 Y;Yf4-+ ; 23.liJxe2 cxb3 a6 30. 'i!fc2t and Black will
gxd2 24.gxd2 '.WeB ! 25.'i!ffl '.Wxa4 have to fight for the draw.
26.'i!fel '.Wal+ 27.gdl '.Wxb2-+)
22 . . . hb5 23.axb5 Y;Yxb5= 17.gel gd8 18.�d5 V9f7
19.c4 .ie6=
16 :ec7!?
••
The chances of both sides are

It is not so reliable for Black to approximately equal in this posi
choose 16 . . . Y;Yb6, because of the tion. White is likely to fail to hold
practically forced variation 17.gel on to his two extra pawns due to
ie6 IB.liJd5 ! ? (White would not the unsafe position of his king,
obtain much with 18.'i!fcl gad8 19. for example : 20.'i!fc2 (20.gxe6? !
YlYf4 V9xc6 2 0 .b3 c4 2 1.'i!fb2 g5 2 2 . Y;Yxe6 2 1.c7 gd6 2 2 .Y;Ye2 liJe7 23.
YlYe4 '.WcB� 23.gadl IiJd6 24.Y;Yd4 Y;Yxe6+ gxe6 24.liJf4 gc6 25.'i!fc2
cxb3 25.Y;Yxf6 IiJc4+ 26.'i!fc1 b2+ gxc7+) 2 0 . . . hd5 21.cxd5 gxd5
27.'i!fbl Y;Yb7 2B.Y;Yxg5+ 'i!fhB 29. 22 .'.We2 gd6 23.gadl gxc6 24.Y;Ye4
YlYf6+ 'i!fgB 30 .'.Wg5= and he would gacB with approximate equality.
be forced to draw by repetition
of moves.) IB . . . '.Wxb2 19.9c1 c4
(19 ... gadB? ! 2 0 . c4±) 2 0.c7 (20. B3) 9.0-0-0
YlYc3 Y;Yxc3 21.liJxc3 gacB 2 2 .gbl This is White's most reliable
�c6 23.gb7 ga6=) 20 . . . gacB 21. move.
99
9 ••• dxe4 The position is equal after

1l.�xd2 bxc6 12 .ia4 ifS= or 12.
ic4 ifS=
1l ... �xc6 12.�xe4

with 12 .hc6 bxc6 13.ttJxe4 ifS=
12 . . . �d4=
approximately equal in this end
game.
10. �xc6
Following 10.hc6, Black's sim C) 8.0-0

plest response would be 10 . . . �xc6
(in the game Duras - Tartakower,
Gamburg 1910, he tried 1O . . . bxc6
11.ttJxe4 ? ! ttJfS 12.ttJxfS i.xfS 13.
�xdB �axdB 14.ttJc5 = ; l1...�dS
12.ttJc3 V;Yxg2+; 1l.i.h6 ! ?;!;) 1l.ttJxc6
�xd2+ 12.�xd2 bxc6 13. ttJxe4,
Uriel - Gallardo Garcia, Madrid
2011, 13 . . . .ifS= Black's bishop
pair compensates his inferior
pawn-structure on the queenside.
After 1O.ttJxe4, it would be 8 d5 !

•••
good for Black to continue with This is no doubt Black's best

10 . . . �dS 1l.ttJxc6 V;Yxe4. This is move and it equalises without any
the simplest. (There arise less problems.
clear positions following 1l . . . bxc6
12.�xdS ttJxdS 13 . .ixc6 ttJxe3 14. B . . . d6. This move is not so en
fxe3 �bB�; 14 . .baB ttJxd1 1S.�xd1 ergetic and it does not clarify the
.ig4 16.f3 .ixf3 17.gxf3 �xaB= ) situation in the centre. After 9.
1 2 . f3 �e6 13.ttJxe7+ V;Yxe7= and �d2 ! ? (9.ie2 - see Kolbak - Lar
Black's prospects are not worse, sen, Grenaa 1973, game 13)
Bozov - Kr.Georgiev, Sunny White's chances seem to be slight
Beach 2009. ly preferable thanks to his space
advantage, for example: 9 ... a6 (9 ...
10 •.. Ybd2 + 1l.hd2 ttJeS 10 . .ie2;!; fS? ! 1l.igS ! c6 12.
100
4.d4 ed 5,ti"xd4 g6 6.ltJc3 i.g7 7. i.e3 0-0 8. 0-0 d5 9.ed
exf5 .txi5 13.ltJxf5 gxf5� Jaracz - fxe3 ge8 and Black's compensa
Berkovich, Andorra 2 001) 1O.i.e2 tion would be more than suffi
ge8 11.gadU Ruchieva - Semeno cient.) 11 .. :�xd5 12.c3 gb8 13.
va, Simferopol 1992. ltJb3 a5 14.i.c5 ge8t Airapetian -
Korneevets, Lipetsk 2008.
The careless move 8 ... a6, after
9.i.e2 d6 (It would not work for 9.ge1 dxe4 10.ltJxc6 (10.hc6? !
Black to choose now the active bxc6+ with the idea 11.ltJxe4 f5 12.
move 9 . . . d5 in view of 1O.ltJxc6 ltJg5 f4 13.ltJde6 %Yxd1 14.gaxdl
bxc6 1 1.i.c5 gb8 12 .gb1 ge8 13. he6 15 . .ic5 ha2 16.he7 gfe8=t ;
%Yd2 i.e6 14.gfdU and White 13.ltJge6? he6 14.ltJxe6 fxe3 15.
would have a slight but stable ad ltJxd8 exf2 + 16.'it>h1 gaxd8 17.%Ye2
vantage thanks to Black's com fxe1%Y+ 18.�e1 i.f6=t) 10 ... ltJxc6 11.
promised pawn-structure on the ltJxe4 hb2 12. %Yxd8 gxd8 13.gabl
queenside.) 10.Wfd2� leads to a i.g7 14.i.g5 gf8 15.ltJf6+ 'it>h8+
slight positional advantage for
White.
We will analyse two possibili

ties now. The most popular Cl)
9.exd5 9 ltJxd5 and the relatively new
.••
move C2) 9 ltJb4!

•••
9.ltJxd5 ltJxd5 10.exd5 %Yxd5

(10 . . . ltJxd4 11 . .ixd4 %Yxd5 12 .hg7 Cl) 9 ltJxd5
•.•
%Yxd1 13.gaxd1 'it>xg7= Karimov This move used to be popular

Kornev, Kemerovo 2 007) 11.ltJxc6 before but it does not solve Black's
%Yxb5 12.ltJe7+ 'it>h8 13.ltJxc8 opening problems.
gaxc8= 1O.�xc6
Following 1O.ltJxd5 %Yxd5=
9.hc6 bxc6 1O.exd5 ltJxd5 11. Black will have no difficulties in
�xd5 (It would be too risky for the opening. 11.c4 %Ye4 12 .hc6
White to try to win a pawn : bxc6 13.%Yb1? ! %Yh4 ! 14.gd1 c5 15.
11.�xc6 ltJxe3 12.Wfxd8 gxd8 13. ltJf3 %Yxc4 16.gc1 %Ya6 17.gxc5
101
�bBt Moutousis - Dreev, Tunja �1+ 20.1!lf2 iel+ 2l.l!le2 1!lxf7 22.
19B9. �xc7+ l!le6 23.�xa7 hS+, as well as
following 17.ttJxdl �xc2 IB . .tb3
It hardly deserves serious at �d2 19.�fl �d7+ Black has a con
tention for White to opt for 10. siderable advantage in this end
.bc6 ttJxe3 1l.fxe3 bxcQ+ with the game thanks to his bishop-pair.)
idea 12.ttJxc6? ! �eB 13.ttJdS I!lhB IS . . J:!fB 16.ixf7+ �xf7 (16 . . . l!lhB?!
14.ttJde7 fS+ 17.ib3 �xfl+ IB.l!lxfl .ia6+ 19.
ttJe2±) 17.�dB+ �fB IB.�fxf8+ i.xf8
10 ••• bxc6 19.�xcB �xc2 20.ttJdS �xa2 2l.
�xc7= Now, after 21.. . .tg7, in view
of Black's dangerous passed pawn
on the a-file, White should better
follow with 2 2 Jl:cB+ I!lfl 23.�c7+
I!lgB 24J'kB+ I!lfl 2S.�c7+ and
force a draw by repetition of
moves.
14 . . . .tfS. This is the simplest

decision for Black. IS.�adl (IS.
e4? ! ie6 16 ..tb3 cS+; 16 . .txe6
fxe6+) IS . . . �fB 16 . .tb3 hc2 17.
1 ...��xd5 ! .bc2 �xb2 IB . .tb3 .txc3 19.�d7
.ieS 2 0 .�fxf7 �xf7 2l..bfl+ I!lfB=
1l . .txc6 ttJxe3 12.fxe3 �bB 13.
�xdB �xdB I4 ..idS (14.�abl .ie6+; 1l ..• cxb5
14.�adl �xdl lS.ttJxdl .bb2+)
After 1l ... cxdS 12 . .tcS �bB 13.
�e2 ! ? (with the idea .ie7) 13 . . . Wff6
14.�abU or 1l . . . WfxdS 12.�xd5
cxdS 13 . .icS �bB 14.a4 a6 IS.hfB
1!lxf8 16 ..ie2 l3xb2 17.�abU Black's
compensation for the exchange is
insufficient.
12 .ic5 ge8 13.�e7+ I!lh8

14.Wff3 ie6 15.gadl Wfb8 16.
The position is equal after 14 . . . �c6
�xb2 IS.�adl (But not I S . .txf7+? ! It is also good for White to play
I!lhB 16.�adl �xdl and White will here 16.�fe l ! ? t with powerful po
have certain problems after 17. sitional pressure.
�xdl ixc3 IB.�dB+ I!lg7 19.�xcB 16 Wfb7 17.id4;t
•••
102
4.d4 ed S.!Dxd4 g66.lLlc3 1ig77.ie3 0-0 8.0-0 d5 9.ed
After the move 9...lLldS, the Black equalises completely

diagrammed position arises prac with this excellent move.
tically by force. Black will have to 10.ig5
fight long and hard for the draw.
17 ic4
••• He would not have any prob
This is Black's relatively best lems after 1O.�d2 lLlbxdS ll.lLlxdS
move. �xdS= or 10.1ic4 lLlbxdS l1.lLlxdS
He should better avoid 17... lLlxdS+ and White would have to
b4?! lBJ'Uel!± and his situation give up one of his bishops for the
would become very precarious. enemy knight, which is not fa
Now, he loses immediately after vourable for him in this position
the careless move lB...1ic4? Dvoi with an open centre.
rys - Filipenko, Katowice 1992 (It
is also bad for Black to opt for lB... 10 h6 1l.he7 lYxe7cii In
•.•
1xd4?! 19.1:!xd4 ifS 20.l:!xeB+ l:!xeB the arising position, Black has a
21.g4+-, as well as for lB...aS? bishop-pair and particularly his
19J3xe6! l3xe6 20. V!!xf7 hd4 21. dark-squared bishop on g7 is very
�xe6+-) in view of the exquisite powerful. This provides him with
problem-like move 19.1LldB!!+- good compensation for the sacri
18.hg7+ mxg719.ti'c3+ ficed pawn. 12.a3 (12.l3el �cS
l3.ttJb3 �d6 l4.ic4 ifS lS.lLle4
19.13d7?! b4= he4 l6.l3xe4 bS l7.hbS hb2
lB.l3bl ig7=) 12hd4 13.axb4
••.
19 mg8 20.�a5 ti'a6 21.

••• ig714.d6 (14.l3a4 a6 lS.l3el �d6
tlxc4 bxc4 22.h4t White has l6.ifl ifS� l7.bS hc3 lB.bxc3
seized completely the initiative axbS 19.ixbS �cS 20.g4 .txc2
and Black's position is without 21.�xc2 V!!xbS=) 14lYxd6 15.
•••
any good prospects, so his de lYxd6 cxd6= and Black's pros
fence will be very difficult. pects are not worse at all with his
two powerful bishops. T.Kosintse
C2) 9 ••• �b4! va - Zhu Chen, Nalchik 2010.
103
Chapter 4 1.e4 e5 2 .ll� f3 lLlc6 3 . .ib5 lLlge7 4.d4
cxd4
Complete Games
12 A.Sokolov - Savchenko plicated endgame) 13 ... d6 (13 ...

Helsinki 1992 fub2 14.lLld5!;!;) 14.0-0-000
1.e4 e5 2 . �f3 �c6 3 . .1b5 12 fxe4 13.h5? !
•••
�ge7 4.d4 exd4 5.�xd4 g6 6. It was better for White to opt

�xc6 �xc6 7.J.xc6 bxc6 8.%!Id4 here for 13.i.h6.
f6 9.h4 'lfe7 10. �c3 .1g7 11 .1f4 • 13 d5 14.0-0-0 gb8
•••
f5 14 . . . i.g4+
15.a3 .1f5? !
I t i s considerably stronger for
Black to play 15 ... 0-0 16.i.h6 J.g4+
16.J.h6+
12 .'lfe3?
White needed here to enter the
complications after 12.e5 l"!b8 ! (12 ...
d6 13.�c4 i.d7 14.0-0-0 dxe5?
15.fud7! �xd7 16.l"!d1+-; 15 ... 'i!;>xd7 He has obtained a more prom
16.l"!d1+ 'i!;>c8 17.�xc6 l"!b8 18 .i.g5 ising position thanks to his pow
�f7 19.1Lla4 + - ; 18 . . . �b4 19.�d7+ erful pawn-centre, supported by
'i!;>b7 20.lLlb5 + - ; 18 . . . �e8 19. his bishop-pair, although the fight
l"!d8± ; 14 ... he5 15.he5 dxe5 16. is just beginning.
lLla4± ; 14 ... d5 15.�d3;!;; 15.�d4 16 . . . .1f6 17.'lfxa7 rtlf7 18.
0-0 16.lLla4;!;) 13.a3 ! ? White does bxg6+ J.xg6 !
not let the enemy queen to occupy Black wishes to preserve both
the b4-square (13.0-0-0 �b400, rooks for the forthcoming attack.
it is essential for Black to trade Following 18 . . . hxg6 19.i.f4,
the queens entering a very com- White could have facilitated his
104
4.d4 ed 5. lLlxd4 g6
defence by exchanging a pair of 22 .id4 ,lg5+ 23.Ae3 Ae7

•
rooks. He must avoid the trade of the

19 .ie3 ti'd7
• bishops, since this is the only way
Black is reluctant to exchange for Black to play for a win.
on c3, since his dark-squared 24.t3
bishop is particularly valuable in White will have to play this un
this position. His last move is dermining move sooner or later.
aimed at preventing its exchange.
19 . . . �a8 2 0 .%Yc5 %Yd7 2 1.lLle2 ! =
20.%Ya6
2 0.1d4? �a8 21.�c5? i.e7- +
24 exf3?!
•••
It was stronger for Black to play

24 ... %Yd6 25.fxe4 (25.lLlxe4 %Ye6 26.
lLlg3 %Ye5 27.�d4 ha3 ! 28.bxa3
20 ga8
••• E:xa3 29.md2 c5 30.�f4+ mg8 31.
Black does not capture on c3 �c1 �e8+; 27 ... %Yxg3?? 28 . .if4 .ig5
here, because in the endgame af 29.%Yd2 ! hf4 30.E:xf4+ mg8 31.
ter 20 . . . hc3 2 1.bxc3 �a8 2 2 .%Ye2 �h3+-) 25 ... l:!xb2 26.%Yf2 + mg8 27.
lha3 23.f4 exf3 24.%Yxf3+ %Yf5 25. .ic5 %Yxc5 28.%Yxc5 ixc5 29.mxb2
�xf5+ hf5 26.�df1+ his extra ha3+ 30. mb3 .id6+, although his
pawn might prove insufficient to advantage in this endgame might
win the game. He prefers to con prove insufficient to win the game.
centrate his forces on the queen 25.ti'xf3+ mg8 26 .ih6?
•
side in order to organise a deci This is a mistake. After 26.

sive attack there. �d4 ! �f8 27.ti'g4, Black's advan
21.ti'e2 tage would be just minimal.
It deserved attention for White
to choose 2 1.�c4 �e6 2 2 .%Ya2 ! ?+
21 ghb8?
•••
It was much stronger for Black

to play here 2 1 . . .%Ye7 and White
would be helpless against the at
tack of the enemy rook against the
a3-square. It was also possible for
Black to choose 2 1 . . .�d6.
105
26 ti'd6 !
••• 13 Kolbak Larsen
Now, he is threatening to cap Grenaa 1973
ture on b2. 1.e4 e5 2 . �f3 �c6 3 .tb5 •
27.�e2 .tf6?! �ge7 4.d4 exd4 5.�xd4 g6 6.

Black had to play here 27 . . . 0-0 .tg7 7 .te3 0-0 8.�c3 d6
•
ga4 ! 28.ghf1 �eS 29.ltJc3 gxa3

30.bxa3 .lxa3 + 31.'kt>d2 �d4+ 32.
'kt>e1 �h4+ 33.g3 �xh6- + and his
attack would be decisive.
28.b4!
This is White's only defence
against the immediate crush. 28.
ltJd4 cS 29.ltJb3 c4 30.ltJd4 cS- +
28 ti'e5 29. �d4 cS ! 30.
•.•
bxcS
30.1f4 i,gS-+ 9 .te2
•
30 ga4
••• Naturally, White should not
lose a tempo in the opening and
play again with an already devel
oped piece. He had to prefer the
developing move 9.§,d2.
9 f5 10.�xc6
•••
It would lead to transposition

of moves after 10.exfS ltJxfS (10 ...
.lxd4? 1l . .lxd4 ltJxfS?? 12 .i.c4+-)
1l.ltJxfS hfS 12 .�d2 �d7.
10 . . . �xc6
31.ghe1?
This is the decisive mistake.
Following 31.ghfl gxd4 32.gxd4
(32 .�xf6 gxd1+ 33.'kt>xd1 §'hS+
34.�f3 §'xh6- + ) 32 . . . i.gS+ 33 .
.lxgS §'xd4 34.gf2 ge8+ White
can still offer tough resistance.
31 .te4-+
•••
Now, it is all over.

32 .ti'g4+ 'kt>h8 33 .tf4 We7
•
34.�c6 1l.exfS
34.ltJb3 gc4 3S.gd3 i.g7 36. It was preferable for White to
'kt>d1 �f6-+ opt here for 1l.§'d2 fxe4 12 .1c4+
34 ti'xcS 35.gxe4 ti'xa3 +
••• 'kt>h8 13.ltJxe4 and if 13 . . ..lxb2 14.
36.<.t>d2 ti'c3 0-1 gab1 1g7, then lS.1dS ! with pow-
106
4.d4 ed SJ Dxd4 g6
erful initiative for the sacrificed and solid position.

pawn. 17 gee8 18 . .tf3 mh8 19.h3
•••
1l .ixf5 12.1M2 1rd7=

••• �b4!
Black has solved successfully Black is attacking the weak
all his opening problems. points in the enemy position.
13.�d5 gae8 14.c4 20.�d5 �c2 21 . .tf2 c5!
He is occupying the powerful
d4-outpost. Meanwhile, the posi
tion is still approximately equal.
22. �c3 �d4 23 ..td5 a6
24.gfel b5
14 . . . ge4 ! ?
This move i s obviously provoc
ative. Larsen understands per
fectly that after a logical play
there will only arise further sim
plifications. So, he finds a way to Black continues with his offen
liven up the game and offers his sive on the queenside with the
opponent to begin a chase after support of his powerful knight.
his provocatively deployed rook. White is trying to simplify the po
15.�c3 ge5 16.gadl b6 sition by exchanging pieces, since
he has no other reasonable plan
in sight.
25.gxe8 gxe8 26.gel h5 !
Black stops the advance of the
enemy pawns on the kingside and
guarantees the placement of his
bishop on the f5-square.
17.f4? !
Black's manoeuvre has suc
ceeded and his opponent makes
an unnecessary weakening. White
should have played calmly, for ex
ample: 17 . .if3, preserving a good
107
Chapter 4 Complete (James
27.lOe4! 33 d3+ 34.g4

•••
Now, White's knight is trying Following 34.§'b4 and the qui

to find squares for penetration, et response 34 . . . mg7! Black would
eventually to f7 via the gS-square. have obtained a decisive advan
27 bxc4 28.lOg5 lhe1+
••• tage, for example: 3S.ti'b8 id4+
29.Ybe1 .lf6 36.mh2 ti'b6 37.ti'xb6 hb6 38.
Following 29 . . . i.d3 30.1Of7+ 1Of3 ie3 39.g4 ie4 40 .mg3 d2-+
mh7 31.lOgS+ White would have
forced a draw by a perpetual check.
30 .lxc4 ti'c6
•
34 .le4?
•••
This is a mistake. Black need

ed too clarify immediately the
31 .lxd4? !
• placement of the enemy king: 34 ...
Here, White can capture brave id4+ 3S.mfl (3S.mh2 ti'c2-+)
ly a pawn with 31.,ha6 ! hgS 3S ... i.e4 36.lOxe4 (36.ic4 dxc4
(31 . . . ti'xa6?? 32 .ti'e8+-) 32.fxgS 37.ti'xe4 ti'xe4 38.lt:lxe4 c3-+)
ti'xa6 33.,hd4+ cxd4 34.ti'e8 with 36 ... dxe4 37.ic4 e3- +
a draw by a perpetual check. In 35.lOxe4 dxe4 36 .lc4 ti'c5+
•
stead of this, he gives up an im Now, after 36 . . . id4+, White

portant bishop and creates a very would have the resource 37.
dangerous passed pawn for his mh2 ! =
opponent. 37.mg2?
31 cxd4 32.b3?
••• It was correct for White to fol
White would have still kept the low here with 37.mfl ! ti'd4 38.
balance after 32 .g4 ! §'xc4 33.gxfS ti'b4 mh7 (38 ... ti'al+ 39 .ti'e1+) 39.
d3 34.ti'e8+ §'g8 3S.§'d7 ,hgS 36. ti'b7+ ig7 40 .ti'f7+, with serious
fxgS gxfS 37.h4= and the activity counterplay.
of his queen would be sufficient to 37 §'d4-+
•••
eliminate the eventual difficul Now, White's king perishes

ties. due to the deadly check from the
32 d5 33 .ixa6?
••• • b2-square.
White had to play here 33.ifl 38 .§'b4 §'b2 + 39.mh1 ti'b1+
and after 33 . . . d3 34.ti'e3 ! = 40.mg2 ti'c2 + 0-1
108
Chapter 5 1.e4 e5 2.�f3 �c6 3 ..tb5 �ge7 4.�c3
Quick Repertoire
ally fights for the initiative with

the help of a temporary pawn-sac
rifice: 5.d4 exd4 6.lLld5 ! , avoiding
the variation 6.lLlxd4 ig7 (see
Chapter 4), in which Black does
not have serious problems.
The positions arising after 4 ...
lLlg6 and 4 . . .g6, are rather con
crete and semi-forced, as it is the
situation in numerous Open
Games. Lately, Black has found
In this chapter, we will analyse new ideas, which help him to fight
the old variation 4.�c3, which is for equality in the opening.
still quite applicable nowadays in Recently, a more modest and
White's fight for the initiative in not so risky move has become
the opening in comparison to the fashionable - 4 d6, with the
•.•
more popular and modern move idea to transpose to the Old Stein
4.0-0. itz Defence in which White has
The idea of the move 4.lLlc3 played too early lLlbl-c3 (He usu
can be seen in the variation 4 ••• ally plays in this opening l.e4 e5
�g6 5.d4 exd4 6.lLlxd4 and White 2 .lLlf3 lLlc6 3.ib5 d6 4.d4 and is
enters positions, which are simi not in a hurry to develop his
lar in their pawn-structure to the knight - lLlbl-c3.). Black exploits
Scotch Game, but in a slightly bet this and solves his problems in
ter version for him, because the opening successfully. Here,
Black's knight on g6 is a bit pas there arise semi-closed positions
sive. in which the play is complicated
Following 4 g6, White usu-
••• and manoeuvring.
109
Chapter 5 1.e4 e5 2.lll f3 lll c 6 3.J.b5 lll ge7 4.lll c3
Step by Step
Following S ... bS 6.i.b3t White,

in view of the threat �gS and his
more harmoniously deployed piec
es, preserves a stable positional
advantage. 6 . . . lLlg6 (6 . . . .tb7? ! 7.
�gS ! dS 8.V9f3 ! f6 9.lLle6±; 6 . . . h6.
This move is too slow and is not in
the spirit of the position, which is
rather open. 7.d4 exd4 8.lLlxd4;!;
White has a lead in development.)
7.h4 h6 8 .d4 exd4 9. lLlxd4 lLlxd4
Black has three main respons 10.�xd4 .tb7 1l.hS± Praneeeth -
es in this position: A) 4 �g6,
•.• Saptarshi, Kolkata 2012.
B) 4 g6 and C) 4 d6.
..• ... S . . . lLlg6 6.d4 exd4 7.lLlxd4t.
This position resembles the
It is not promising for him to Scotch Game but in a worse ver
opt for 4 ... a6, because White is sion for Black. His main problem
not forced after S.i.a4 d6, to is that his knight on g6 is very
transpose to one of the versions of passive. 7 . . . .tb4 (7 . . . .tcS 8 . .te3;!;;
the Modern Steinitz Defence. In 8.lLlfS 0-0 9.�hS .tb4 10.0-0
stead, he can play S . .tc4 ! ?;!;, ob hc3 1l.bxc3 V9f6 12 J''!b 1t) 8.0-0
taining a position in which he 0-0 9.lLldS .tcS lO.lLlfS d6 11.�hS;!;
maintains stable initiative. hfS ? ! 12 .exfS �h4 13.�xh4 lLlxh4
14 . .td3± Kotronias - B.Georgiev,
Athens 1989.
A) 4 �g6•••
After this move, Black can

hardly create active counterplay.
The position resembles the Four
Knights Defence (1.e4 eS 2 .lLlf3
110
4. lLlc3 lLlg6 5.d4
lLlc6 3.lLlc3 lLlf6 4.i.b5) in a slight will not be worse at all.) 6 ...b5 7.
ly worsened version for Black, ib3 lLla5=
since in our case, his knight on g6
is passive. Still, despite this, his It may be interesting for White
position is solid enough and quite to try here the move 5.h4, intro
acceptable and the last evaluation duced into the tournament prac
by the theory has not been made tice by grandmaster Viorel Bolo
yet . . . gan.
About 5 . . . id6 - see Istratescu

- Mladenov, Plancoet 2012, game
5.d4 14.
This is a logical and most ac 5 . . . i.c5?! 6.h5 lLlf8?! (Black's
tive move and it emphasizes best line here was : 6 . . . lLlf4 7.lLlxeS
Black's slight lag in development. lLlxe5 8.d4 lLlfd3+ 9.hd3 hd4
10.lLld5t) 7.lLlxe5. White develops
It is not so active for White to powerful initiative. 7 ... lLlxe5 8.d4
choose 5.0-0, because of 5 . . . i.c5= id6 9.dxe5 he5 1O.f4 hc3+ 11.
and Black has no problems in the bxc3 We7 12 .h6 gg8 ( Black will
opening at all. 6.lLla4 (6.lLld5 a6 not save the day with 12 ... g6 13.
7.ic4 d6 8.c3 h6 9.d4 ia7=) 6 . . . Wd4 gg8 14.Wg7! gxg7? 15.hxg7
ie7 7.ixc6 bxc6 ( 7. . . dxc6=) 8.d4 Wxe4+ 16.'�f2 Wxc2+ 17.ie2 +-;
f6 9.Wd3 0-0= Berelovich - 14 . . . Wc5 15.Wxg8 Wxc3? 16.@e2
Arkhipov, Azov 1993. Wxal 17.ia3+-; 15 . . .Wxb5 16.
ie3±) 13.Wf3 a6 14.id3 d6 15.ia3
After 5.d3, Black Ravenna Wf6 16.0-0-0t Bologan - Arkhi
equalises without any problems pov, Moscow 1995.
following 5 . . . i.c5 = , as well as in It may be interesting for Black
the variation 5 . . . a6 6.i.a4 (after to try the active move 5 . . . lLlf4!?,
6.ic4 lLla5 ! = with the idea lLlxc4, for example: 6.g3 (6.d4 exd4=;
Black will trade later his knight 6.0-0 lLld4 7.g3 lLlxf3+ 8.Wxf3
for White"s important Ruy Lopez lLle6 = , threatening lLle6-d4 ; there
bishop, after which his prospects may arise a very precarious posi-
111
Chapter S Step by Step
tion for Black following 7 . . . lLlxb5 lLlc3-d5, Black is practically forced

8.lLlxb5 lLlh3+ 9.@g2 d6 1OJ::l:h 1 to exchange his important dark
�d7 11.lLlc3 f6 12 .d4 c6oo) 6 ... lLle6 squared bishop for White's
7 . .ixc6 dxc6 8.lLlxe5 lLld4 9.d3 knight.
Vlfe700 and White's extra pawn is
practically immaterial. It would be bad for Black to
I believe, it is more reliable for play here 6 . . . 0-0? ! , because of
Black to choose 5 . . . i.e7, for exam 7.lLld5 i.a5 8.dxe5 lLlgxe5 9.lLlxe5
ple: 6.lLld5 (6.hc6 dxc6 7.h5 lLlh4 lLlxe5 1O.f4 lLlc6 11.f5± and White
8.lLlxh4 hh4 9.h6 g6= ; 6.h5 lLlh4 would develop dangerous initia
7.lLlxh4 ixh4= Nepomnichtchi - tive.
Krstic, Ljubjana 2 0 04) 6 . . . lLlxh4
7.lLlxh4 ixh4 and here, after 8 .c3 After 6 . . . exd4 7.lLlxd4;!; ixc3
i.f6oo, as well as following 8 J::l:xh4 8.bxc3 0-0 9.f4;!; (with the idea
Vlfxh4 9.lLlxc7+ @d8 10.lLlxa8 lLld4 f4-f5-f6), White obtains a notice
11.�e2 Vlfxe4�, the positions re able positional advantage thanks
main very complicated, but Black to his bishop-pair and his king
has no serious problems. side initiative, Berg - Urichsen,
Oslo 1987.
7.bxc3
We will deal now with: Al)

5 �b4 and A2) 5 exd4.
.•• ...
7. . . �e7
AI) 5 j.b4
... This is Black's main reply.
This seemingly active move
would not solve the opening diffi After 7 . . . 0-0, White maintains
culties for Black. The arising posi a stable positional advantage with
tions are very passive for him, but the move 8.d5;!; with the idea d6.
remain quite solid.
6.0-0 hc3 The pawn-advance 7 . . . d6 ! ? is
Now, in view of the threat practically not well analysed yet
112
4. lLlc3 lLlg6 5.d4
and its idea is to prevent the the queenside, so this guarantees

rather unpleasant possibility for for him a slight but stable posi
White - dS-d6. His best line now tional edge.) 10 .d6 %!lxd6 11.%!lxd6
would be: 8.dxeS (8 . .tgS f6 9 . .te3 cxd6 12.a4� White has more than
0-0 10.�d3 'it>h8 11.a4 lLlaS 12. sufficient compensation for the
%!ld2 .te6 13J3fbl b6= Lanka - pawn. His future plan includes
S.Arkhipov, Nettetal 1992.) 8 . . . exerting pressure with his rooks
dxeS 9.%!lxd8 + 'it>xd8 lOJ3bU - on the open b and d-files.
The position has been simplified
considerably, but White preserves 8 . . . lLlaS. This move cannot
slightly better prospects in the solve the problems for Black. 9.d6
endgame thanks to his pair of %!lxd6 10.%!lxd6 cxd6 11.,ta3 a6 12.
bishops and the precarious situa ,td3 O-O?! (It would be preferable
tion of Black's monarch in the for him to opt for 12 ... 'it>e7, but
centre. even then after 13.13fdl bS 14.c4!?
8.dS bxc4 IS . .tfl lLlb7 16.lLld2±: 14 ...
lLlxc4 IS ..txc4 bxc4 16.13xd6 'it>e8
17.13blt, White's initiative more
than compensates the missing
pawn.) 13 . .txd6 13e8 14.c4 13e6
IS.cS+- Zakic - D'Amore, Raven
na 1983.
9.a4
White can also obtain a slight

positional advantage in a simpler
way with 9.d6 %!lxd6 1O.%!lxd6
8 . . . �d8 cxd6 11.lLld2�
8 ... a6 9 . .te2 ! ? White keeps the

possibility for his queen to sup
port the pawn-advance dS-d6 (af
ter 9 . .td3 lLlaS lO . .tgS f6 11.,te3 d6
12.lLld2 0-0 13.%!lhS b600 Black
ends up in a slightly passive, but
rather solid position without ob
vious weaknesses). 9 . . . lLlaS (9 . . .
�d8 1O.d6 �xd6 11.%!lxd6 cxd6 12.
a4� f6 13.13dl lLlf7 14.aS 'it>e7? ! 15.
ic4±; 14 ... dS IS.exdS� White has
a bishop-pair and extra space on 9 ••• a6
113
9 . . . 0-0?! 10.d6 \Wxd6 11.�xd6 A2) 5 ••• exd4 6 .!ilxd4

•
cxd6 12 ..b3t
9 . . . \Wc5? 10 ..ia3 \Wxc3 11.\Wbl!

(with the idea .ib4+-) 11 . . . \Wa5
12 .\Wb2 f6 (12 . . . a6 13 . .!ilxe5 axb5
14 . .!ilxg6+-) 13 . .ib4 \Wb6 14.
\Wc3+-
10.d6
1O . .ia3 \wf6 11 . .ie2 d6 12 .g3

0-0 13.c4 b6 14.a5;t
We will analyse now: A2a)
10 ti'xd6
••• 1l.ti'xd6 cxd6 6•••.iCS and A2b) 6 �xd4 ! ? •••
12 .le2
• 6 . . . a6 7.Bc4;t - see 4 . . . a6.
A2a) 6 .ic5 •••
This is Black's most popular

move.
7. .le3
White maintains a slight posi

tional edge following 7 . .!ilb3 .ib6
8 . .!ild5;t with the idea after 8 . . . 0-0
(8 . . . .!ilce7 9 . .!ilxb6 axb6 1O.h4;t) to
reply with 9.a4 a6 10 . .!ilxb6 cxb6
11 . .ic4;t
12 .. .f6 13.:1!dl .!ilf7 14.a5 d5

(14 . . .'.t>e7? ! 15 . .ic4±) 15.exd5;t
13.�d2
13.g3 ! ?;t
13 �gf4 14..ifJ �g5 15.J.d.tt
.•.
White has more than sufficient

compensation for the pawn. He is
threatening to oust his opponent's
knights with the moves h4 and g3
and then to increase his pressure 7 . . . .ixd4
with the moves .!ilc4 and .ia3. This is Black's main response.
114
4.liJc3 liJg6 5.d4
It is not so popular for him to maintains better prospects thanks

play 7 . . . i.b6 and White's best re- to his lead in development after
ply against that is 8.Y;Yd2, prepar- 8 . . .i.h4 9.Y;Yd2 0-0 10.0-0-0;1;, or
·
ing castling queenside (It would 8 . . . i.b6 9.Y;Yd2 0-0 10.0-0-0;1;)
not be so energetic for him to opt 9 . .bd4 liJxd4 (9 ... 0-0 10.1e3;1;)
for 8.0-0 0-0 9.f4 d6=). 8 . . . 0-0 10.�xd4 0-0 (It would not work
9 . 0 - 0 - 0;1; White has a better for Black to play here 1O ... Y;YgS?,
development. 9 . . . liJxd4 10.hd4 because of 11.f4! Y;Yxf4 12.Y;Yxg7
d6 (It would be rather dubious liJg6 13.l'!fl Y;Ye3+ 14.1e2+-) 11.
for Black to try to capture a 0-0-0 d6 12 .ie2 liJg6 13.g31 The
pawn here with 1O . . . hd4 11. main drawback of Black's posi
Y;Yxd4;1; Y;YgS ? ! 12 .@b1 Y;Yxg2? 13. tion is its passivity. White is
h4�) 11.h4 hd4 (1l . . . liJxh4? 12. threatening to play h4 or f4 and to
!xg7 @xg7 13.g3+-) 12.Y;Yxd4;1; develop his initiative on the king
with the idea h4-hS-h6 and White side. Black has no active counter
increases his positional advan- play in sight and must adhere to a
tage. It would be too dangerous passive defence.
for Black to capture a pawn: 12 . . .
liJxh4, R.Mainka - S.Arkhipov, 8 . .ixd4 0-0 9 .le3 !?
•
Lippstadt 1993, 13.eS liJg6 (13 ...

lilfS 14.�g4;!;) 14.exd6;!;
Black tries only very seldom to

set a trap with the move 7 . . . liJh4.
With this move, White pre

serves his bishop and keeps the
possibility to play later 0-0-0,
White must counter this with followed by an advance of his h
8.l'!gl! (It is not so energetic for pawn, emphasizing the unstable
him to continue with 8 .ifl .txd4 position of the enemy knight on
9.!xd4 Y;Yg5= Mainka - Arkhipov, g6. In this pawn-structure, it
Muenster 1993. The effect of the would be advantageous for White
trap can be seen in the variation to castle queenside.
8.0-0? hd4 9.hd4 liJxd4 10. 9 d6 10.�d2 a6 1l .le2 f5
••• •
�xd4 Y;Yg5-+) 8 . . . hd4 (White 12 .exfS
115

move.
It may be also promising for
him to opt for the more aggressive
move 12 .f4, as it was played in the
game Ghaem Maghami - Short,
Tehran 2013, which followed later
with 12 . . . fxe4 13.0-0-0 ltJh4 14.
g4 wh8 lS.fS ltJg2 16 . .tgS e3 17.
he3 ltJxe3 18.�xe3t
12 hf5 13.0-0;t and White

.•• achieve much for him. 8 . . . �b6 9.
has a pair of bishops, Popovic - ie3 (following 9.�xb6 axb6=,
I.Sokolov, Pula 1991. Black's prospects are not worse in
this endgame, for example : 10 .
.te3 .tcS ! ? 11.hcS bxc5= , or 10 .. .
bS 11 . .tb3 .te7 12.0-0-0 d6=) 9 .. .
�xd4 (9 . . . �xb2 ! ? 10J'!b1 �a3oo)
1O.hd4 bS 11.!e2 ltJf4 12 .!f3
ltJe6 13.!e3 b400 - There has aris
en a complicated and approxi
mately equal endgame, Arnason
- Wedberg, Oslo 1984.
8 ••• �b6 9.1M3
The position has been simpli After 9 . .ie3 �xb2 10J'!b1 �a3
fied considerably. His bishop-pair 11.0-0 �d6oo, White obtains
guarantees for White a slight but some compensation for the pawn,
stable positional advantage, but but not more than that, De la Villa
Black can rely on a successful de Garcia - Allan, Szirak 1987.
fence.
9 ••. .ie7
A2b) 6 ltJxd4 ! ?
••• (diagram)
(diagram) 10.h4 ! ?
This is a seldom played and
not so well analysed move, but I 1 0 . 0 - 0 0-0 Black's position is
believe that it may be the best for quite acceptable. He intends to
Black in his fight for equality. play d7-d6, planning later V-fS.
7.1bd4 c6 8 . .ie2
White's seemingly more active 10 hh4 1l.g3, Howell -
•••
attempt - 8.ic4 would not Erwich, Leiden 2 0 1 2 , 1l .if6 ! ? oo

•••
116
4. ltJc3 g6
played and not so well analysed

possibility Bl) 5.h4, in which
Black will still need to solve some
serious opening problems.
About S.d3 ig7 - see Chapter

1, variation D.
It would be too passive for

White to choose here 5.0-0, since
this is not in the spirit of the
with the idea 12.f4 dS 13.exdS variation for him, connected with
0-000 the pawn-advance d2-d4. Follow
ing S . . . ig7, Black has no prob
lems at all, because it becomes
B) 4 g6
••• very difficult for White to push
This is Black's most popular the thematic move d2-d4, while
move. The positions, arising after after 6.d3 0-0=, there arise posi
it, are complicated and rather un tions, similar in their structure, to
stable. In some variations Black those analysed in Chapter 1, after
must react with tremendous accu 4.d3.
racy in order to maintain the bal
ance,
Bl) 5.h4
Now, I believe that the only

way for White to fight for an ad This seldom played move is
vantage in the opening is to play not without venom.
B2) 5.d4. 5 ltJd4!?N
•••
I believe, this is the best move

Besides that, it may be inter for Black and it enables him to
esting for him to try the seldom fight for equality.
117
There arise very complicated

positions after s . . . i.g7 6.hs ds.
must still fight for it. For example,

in the game Kholmov - Dreev,
Baleares 19B9, after 1s . . . ..t>g7 16.
7.exds ttJxds B .h6 i.f6 9.ttJe4 l'!hd1 ttJf5 17.l'!dB i.e6 1B.l'!xaB l'!xaB
i.g4= 19.94 ttJd6 20.ttJxd6 cxd6 21.i.e2
7.d3 d4 B .hc6+ bxc600 gdB = , Black equalised indeed, but
7.hxg6 bxg6 B J'!xhB + hhB instead of 17.l'!dB, White could
9.hc6+ bxc600 Gabrielian - Var have played 17.l'!4d3 ! ?;I;, preserv
avin, Alushta 2006. ing a slight positional advantage
7.d4 exd4 B .h6 i.f6 9.i.gs hgs thanks to his control over the d
1O.%!fxd4 f6 ll.exds a6 12 .hc6+ file and the slight lag of develop
ttJxc6 13.dxc6 �xd4 14.ttJxd4 ment of his opponent's queenside .
..t>f7oo
The standard move for similar

positions, and most often played
too - s . . . h6 would not solve
Black's problems either. White
usually enters the practically
forced variation : 6.hs (6.d4 exd4
7.ttJxd4 i.g7 B .i.e3 0-0 9.%!fd2 hs
10.0-0-0;1;; B . . . a6 9.ttJxc6 bxc6? !
- 9 . . . ttJxc6 1O .i.e2;1; - 10 .i.a4 0-0
1l.%!fd2 ..t>h7 12. 0-0-0;l; Istratescu
- Chabanon, Dieppe 2012) 6 . . . gs
7.d4 exd4 B .ttJxd4 i.g7 9 .i.e3 0-0
10.%!fd2 ds 11.0-0-0 ! ? (ll.exds Black should not be afraid of the
ttJb4oo) 1l . . . dxe4 1 2 .ttJxe4 ttJxd4 complicated positions arising af
13.hd4 hd4 14.�xd4 �xd4 15. ter 6.hs c6 7.hxg6 (7.i.c4 ds B.exd5
gxd4;1; cxds=t; 7.i.e2 i.g7=) 7 . . . fxg6 (He
(diagram) should not play 7...cxbs? in view of
In the arising endgame, Black the variation B.gxf7+ ..t>xf7 9. ttJxe5+
does not have clear equality, so he ..t>e6 10.%!fhs+-) B.i.a4 i.g7oo
11B
4. 11Jc3 g6
6 ••• J.g7 7.�f3

with the seemingly active line:
7.f4 llJxb5 B.llJxb5 d6 9.11Jf3 �g4
1O.d3 �d7 11.c4 (11.11Jc3 O-O-O�)
11 . . . 11Jc6�
7 . . �xb5 8.�xb5 d5 9.d3

.
Black should not worry about

the possibility: 9.exd5 �g4 10. Black plays only seldom the
0-0 O-O� move 5 . . . .tg7, since White's sim
plest response against it would be
9 . . . c6 10. �c3 J.g4 11.0-0 6.dxe5 ! ? (6.�g5 exd4 7.11Jd5 - see
O-O� 5 . . . exd4) 6 . . . 11Jxe5 7.11Jxe5 Axe5 8.
'?Nf3 0-0 (B .. .i.g7 9�5 h6 1O.i.f6't)
9 . .th6 �g7 (9 . . J'�e8 10. 0-0-0�)
10 .hg7 'i!lxg7 11. 0-0-0�
6.�d5!
6.11Jxd4 .tg7 - see Chapter 4.
In the arising position, Black

has excellent compensation for
the sacrificed pawn, with his bish
op-pair and the possibility to pin
rather unpleasantly the enemy
knight with the move �g4. He has
the initiative and it would be
much easier for him to play this 6 J.g7
•••
position in a practical game.

Black cannot solve his prob
lems with 6 . . . 11Jxd5?! 7.exd5 '?Ne7.
B2) 5.d4 This move is practically forced.
(diagram) B.'i!lf1 ! (It is not so precise for
5 . . . exd4 White to opt here for 8 . .te2 �e5
119
9.0-0 .ig7 1O.lilxd4 0-0=)
B . . . lileS 9.W1xd4 .ig7 (It would avoiding the insidious trap (White
be a disaster for Black to choose would counter the attractive move
9 . . . lilxf3? 1O.gxf3 f6 11 . .if4 cJif7 12. 7 . . . d6? with B . .igS ! +-) B.exdS.
d6! �dB 13 . .ic4+ cJig7 14.W1dS + - ;
i t i s not preferable for h i m t o con
tinue with 11 . . . cJidB 12 .�c3 c6 13.
l'!e1 �f7 14 . .tc4+-) 1O.i.f4 f6 11.
l'!e1 0-0 12.lilxeS fxeS 13 . .ixeS
heS 14.l'!xeS W1d6 (Black should
better avoid 14 ... W1f6 1S.d6 cxd6 16 .
.ic4+ cJihB 17.l'!dS+-) lS.h4+- and
White's initiative is decisive, Joh
ner - Tartakower, Karlsbad 1911.
It seems a bit better for Black B . . . W1e7! ? 9.cJif1 (9 . .ie2 lilb4+
to opt for the move B �cS, but he
•.• with the idea 10 .d6? ! �e4t ; 9.W1e2
cannot solve his serious problems d3 1O.hd3 .ixb2 11.l'!b1 .ic3+ 12.
with it either. 9.�e2 + lile7 1O ..igS .id2 hd2 + 13.lilxd2 �xe2+ 14.
i.g7 11.l'!e1 f6 12 .b4 (It is also good he2 lil aS+) 9 . . . a6 1O .i.a4 (1O . .id3
for White to play here 1 2 .i.f4 0-0 lilb4=) 10 ...bS 11 ..ib3 lilaS= 12 ..igS
13.W1c4 �xc4+ 14.hc4 bS lS . .ib3 (12 .d6? ! cxd6 13 .W1d3 0-0 14J''!e1,
lilf5 16.d6+ cJihB 17.dxc7 .ib7 lB. Somkin - Kozionov, Izhevsk 2010,
h4±) 1 2 ... �xb4 13.i.d2 �cS 14. 14 . . . W1dB ! lS.hd6 l'!eB 16.l'!xeB+
lilxd4± Gaponenko - Mamedjaro W1xeB 17 . .icS lilxb3 1B.axb3 .ib7+)
va, EICC 2010, with the idea 12 . . . f6 13.�d3 cJifB, I.Zaitsev -
14 . . . 0-0 lS.lilb3 �xc2 16.�xe7 Vul, Moscow 19B6, 14 ..tf4 �c5=
W1xa2 17.W1b4± B . . . lile7 9.d6 cxd6= Black's
(diagram) prospects are not worse in this
. 7 .ig5 ! position, despite his tripled pawns
on the d-file. See several exam
White would not achieve much ples, deserving most attention, il
with 7 . .if4, because of 7 . . . lilxdS ! , lustrating this:
120
4. llJc3 g6
,bg7+ <.t>xg7 1O.0-0t Black will

have very serious problems in the
opening. 10 ... d6 (10 ... llJxdS?! 11.
exdS llJe7 12.�xd4±; 1l ...llJb8 12.
�xd4+ �f6 13.�xf6+ 'it>xf6 14.d6
cxd6 lS.gfel±; 10 ... ge8 1l.ge1 d6
12 .�d2;!;) 11.,bc6 llJxc6 12 .llJxd4
ge8 (12 . . . j,e6 13.llJbS !!c8? ! 14.
llJxa7 llJxa7 lS.�d4+ f6 16.�xa7±;
10.0-0 0-0 11.,bd6 ge8 12. 13 . . . ,bdS 14.exdS llJe7 lS.�d4+
ic5 ? ! �aS 13.a4 a6 14.b4 �c7 <.t>h7 16.gfeU) 13.llJbS ! !!xe4 14.
lS.id3 llJc6 16.aS d6 17.ib6 Wfe7 llJbxc7;!; gb8 lS.�d3 ifS 16.�c3+
18.ge1 ie6+ I.Zaitsev - Dreev, llJeS 17.b3 !!e2 18.f4 !!xc2? 19.
Moscow 1989. �d4+- Svidler - Aronian, Nice
10.�d2 �b6 11.j,c4 dS (11 .. . 2010.
�cS+) 12 . .tb3 as 13.a4 d6 (13 . . .
d3+) 14.0-0-0 0-0+ Ulibin - Fil
ipenko, Kursk 1987.
10.0-0 0-0 11 . .ixd6 ge8 12.
ge1 llJf5 13.gxe8+ �xe8 14.if4 b6
lS.Wfd3 j,b7 16.ge1 �d8= Somkin
- Bronnikov, Izhevsk 2010.
7 h6 8.j,f6
•••
This is the tabia of the varia

tion 4.llJc3. The arising positions
are very complicated and Black
must play very accurately.
We will analyse now the

moves: B2a) 10.0-0, B2b)
8 . . . .ixf6 ! 10. �xd4 and B2c) 10.1fd2.
This is the most accurate move
for Black!
B2a) 10.0-0 a6!
Following 8 . . . <.t>f8, he can This is the only way for Black
hardly fight for equality. After 9. to rely on equalising.
121
The more natural move 10 . . .

'i!lg7 i s weaker. 11.ttJdS d 6 12.
ttJxd4 (It is also good for White to
play here 12 .hc6 ttJxc6 13.ttJxd4
- see 8 . . . 'i!lf8.) 12 . . . ttJxdS 13.ttJxc6
(13.exdS ttJxd4 14.'1Wxd4+ �f6 IS.
�xf6+ 'i!lxf6 = ) 13 ... bxc6 14.hc6
ttJb6 (14 .. J�b8 IS . .hd5 l':!xb2 16.
f4t with the idea 16 ... �f6 17.eS
dxeS l8.fxeS �b6+ 19.'i!lhl l':!f8 2 0 .
e6! he6? 21.he6 fxe6 2 2 . �d7+
'i!lg8 23J'!xf8+ 'i!lxf8 24.l':!f1 + - ; 1l.J.a4
20 . . . fxe6? 21.l':!xf8 'i!lxf8 22 .i.b3
'i!le7 23.�d2 + - ; 20 .. .f6 21.e7 l':!e8 Black has no real problems
2 2 .i.b3 l':!xe7? 23 .�d8+ - ; 2 2 . . . following 11 ..ixc6 dxc6 12.�xd4
i.b7 23.�d8 .ic6 24.l':!ael±) IS. �xd4 13.ttJxd4 'i!lg7 14.e5 cS 15.
has ttJxa8 16.�d4 + , Loiret - ttJb3 b6 16.f4 l':!d8 = S.Salov - Ne
Feryn, La Fere 2011, 16 . . . �f6 17. zad, Khanty-Mansiysk 2010. White's
�xa7;!; - His rook and two pawns pawn-majority on the kingside is
look stronger than Black's two practically immaterial, since it
minor pieces. In this position, he would not be real for him to man
must try to avoid the exchange age to advance his pawn-mass
of queens, because in the end there in a position like this. In
game, White's passed pawn will fact, Black's light-squared bishop
provide him with an even more seems stronger in this situation
meaningful advantage. than any of White's knights.
After 1O . . . ttJfS? ! , it is good for 11 .i.c4 'i!lg7 12.ttJxd4 ttJeS 13.

White to opt for 11.ttJdS ttJg7 12 .c3 ttJf3 (13.i.b3 'i!lxf6 14.f4 ttJSc6 15.
dxc3 13.�b3� with the idea 13 . . . fS ttJeS 16.fxg6+ 'i!lg7 17.gxf7 d6+)
cxb2 14.�xb2 d6 1S.l':!ac1t, a s well 13 . . . ttJ7c6 (13 . . . ttJxc4 14.�d4 ttJf5
as for 11.ttJxd7+ hd7 1 2 .exfS hfS IS.ttJhS+ 'i!lh7 16.exfS gxhS 17.
13 .hc6 bxc6 14.ttJxd4;t �xc4 dS 18.�f4t) 14.ttJxeS �xf6
IS.f4 l':!f8 16.ttJxc6 dxc6 17.c3
Or 1O . . . d6? ! 11.ttJxd4 'i!lg7 12. �d6= Now, White would obtain
ttJxc6 ! ttJxc6 13.ttJdS;t with the idea much neither with 18.�e2, Ior
13 . . . l':!e8 (13 . . . .ie6 14.f4t; 13 . . . a6 dachescu - Nezad, Gibraltar 2011,
14 ..ia4 i.e6 IS.f4t) 14.�d2 l':!xe4 18 . . . i.e6 19.he6 �xe6 20.fS �e5
IS.hc6 bxc6 16.�c3+ f6 17.ttJxf6 2 1.l':!adl l':!ad8= , nor following
�xf6 18.�xc6 i.b7 19.�xb7 l':!ae8 18.�xd6 cxd6 19.1':!adl l':!e8 20.
20.�xc7+ l':!8e7 21.�b8± l':!d4 i.e6 2 1..ixe6 l':!xe6=
122
4. lilc3 g6
1l Wg7 12.�dS bS 13 .lb3

••• •
�xdS 14 .lxdS
•
It is not preferable for White

to choose 14.exd5 tDa5 15.V!fxd4+
Wlf6 16.V!fd2 tDxb3 17.axb3 (17 . . .
Wlxb2? 18.tDd4+-) 17 . . . c5=
B2b1) 10 Wg7 11.'Bd2 !

•••
This brilliant move (threaten

ing Wlc3) was played for the first
time in the game Murey - Dreev,
Moscow 1989.
It is obviously weaker for Black

to continue with 14 . . . .ib7 15.
lilxd4;t - see Sebag - Zhu Chen,
Ulaanbaatar 2010, game 15.
lS.�xd4 �e7= The chances

of both sides are approximately
equal in this position. 16.f4
�xdS 17.exdS ge8 18.f5 WlgS= 1l ••• �g8 !
11.. .tDf5? 12 .tDh5+ gxh5 13.

B2b) 10.�xd4 tDxf5+ wg6 14. 0-0-0+-
After this move, White keeps
the possibility to castle on either Black cannot capture the
side of the board. knight 1l . . . Wxf6? , because of 12.
(diagram) Wlc3 tDe5 (It would be hardly rea
Now, we will analyse two sonable for him to try to capture
moves for Black. His more natu the enemy knight: 12 ... lilxd4 13.
ral B2b1) 10 Wg7 as well as
••• Wlxd4+ We6 14 . .lc4+ d5 15.exd5+
the counter strike B2b2) 10 ••• wd7 16.0-0-0+-) 13.£4 d5 (13 . . .
�f5! d 6 ? 14.fxe5+ dxe5 15. 0-0-0+-)
123
14.fxe5+ It>g7 15.e6 f6 16.0-0 :SfS 17.ltJe6+ It>h7 lS.'lWxd5 cxd5 19.
17.exd5 ltJxd5 18.�g3 ltJe7 19. ltJxc7± White has a superior de
:Sad 1 +- velopment and better coordina-
tion of his pieces. Black's position
It is not good for Black to opt has some defects indeed, but the
for 11.. .d6? ! , since after 12.�c3 ! fight remains very complicated
White develops powerful initia- and is just beginning.
tive 12 . . . ltJxd4 (It is even worse for
Black to try here 12 . . . ltJe5, due to
13.f4 c6 14.fxe5 dxe5 15.0-0-0+-; B2b2) 10 ••• ltJf5!
or 13 . . . lt>xf6 14.fxe5+ dxe5 15.0-
0-0+- and in both cases White's
attack is victorious.) 13.'lWxd4 ltJf5
14.ltJh5+ It>h7 15.exf5 gxh5 (15 . . .
�e7? 16.lt>d2 gxh5 17.f6 'lWe5 IS.
i.d3+ It>gS 19.:Sae1+-) 16.f6 ifS
17. 0-0-0±
12.c!Oxg8
The character of the position

remains more or less the same af
ter 12.ltJd5 ltJf6 13.ltJc3;t Murey - This excellent move provides
Dreev, Moscow 19S9. Black with some counter chances.
1l.c!Oh7! ?
This i s the best move for White
in his fight for a slight opening
advantage. The tournament prac
tice has shown however, that he
does not achieve anything sub
stantial.
1l.exf5 �xf6 12 .hc6 dxc6!+

13.fxg6 It>g7! 14.ltJe2 (14.gxt7?!
:SdS 15.fS'IW+ :SxfS ! 16.ltJf3 :Se8+
17.lt>f1, Stevanovic - Ho, Yerevan
1996, 17 . . . 'lWxb2+; 14.�f3 :SeS 15.
1t>f1 �xf3 16.ltJxf3 fxg6+ Ponkra
13.f4t (13.0-0-0;t Macieja - tov - Gerasimov, Saratov 2013)
Kuczynski, Czestochowa 1992) 14 . . . fxg6 15.0-0 i.g4 (15 . . . �xb2
with the idea 13 ... �e7 14.0-0-0 16.c3oo) 16.f3 :SadS 17.�c1 ifS
�xe4? ! 15.hc6 dxc6 16.:She1 'lWd5 lS.c3 :SheSf
124
4.tt:lc3 g6
Black should not be afraid of gd6 18.tDeS �g7 (18 ...ifS - see
1l . .txc6 %Yxf6 1VL'lxfS, Mahia - Bruzon Batista - Baron Rodri
Barrionuevo, Villa Martelli 2013 guez, Havana 1998, game 16)
(12.exfS dxc6 - see 1l.exfS) 12 . . . 19.tDc4 �d4 20.tDe3 ie6 2UUd1
§'xb2oo, o r h e can t ry the not so �ad8 22.�xd4 �xd4 23.IM1 \tlf6
resolute line: 12 . . . bxc6 13.%Yd4 24.�e2 cS 2S.a3 as 26.�d1 bS
§'xd4 14.tDxd4 �b8= 27.c3 �d6= and White has failed
to achieve anything real, Ozolin -
H . . . gxh7 12.exfS §'f6 13. Bronnikov, Izhevsk 2010 .
.ixc6
17.%Yxf6+ �xf6 18.gad1
After 13.fxg6, Black's simplest gd6 = The defects of Black's
reaction would be 13 . . . fxg6 (13 . . . queenside pawn-structure are ful
tDxd4? ! 14.gxh7 tDxbS lS.%Yf3 %YeS+ ly compensated by the presence of
16.§'e3 §'f6 17.%YcS+ tDd6 18. his more active bishop, Chernov
O-O-O±) 14.tDe2 (14.§'f3 �e7+ - Vul, Moscow 1992.
lS.�d2 �g7=) 14 ... d6 1S.0-0 �e7=
B2c) 10.%Yd2
13 dxc6
••• 14.fxg6 fxg6
15.0-0
This move is played with the

idea to counter the attractive
15 gd7
••• move 10 . . . �g7 with 1l.tDxd4!t,
This is a good and reliable transposing to the variation 10.
move. tDxd4 �g7 11.%Yd2.
Now, we will analyse Black"s
The position is not so clear af most popular answer B2c1) 10 •••
ter lS . . . cS 16.tDbS b6 17J'!e1 .ib7oo d6, as well as the recently invent

ed counter strike B2c2) 10 •••
16. Bf3 �g7 d5 ! ?

It is also good for Black to I t would not work for Black to
choose here 16 . . . %Yxf3 17.tDxf3 try here the counter strike 10 . . .
125
tLlfS? ! , because after 1l.tLldS± his l'!xd4 ! (14.�xd4+ 'it>e6 lS.�c4+

efforts would turn out to be futile. 'it>f6 16.�d4+ 'it>e6=) 14 . . . 'it>e6 lS.
eS dS 16.l'!f4 tLlfS (16 . . . tLlg8 17.l'!e1
B2c1) 10 d6 ••• c6 18.,bc6 bxc6 19.�xc6+ 'it>e7
After this move, there arise 2 0.�xa8+-) 17.g4 �gS 18.gxf5+
passive positions for Black in gxfS 19.�f3±
deed, but they are tremendously
complicated. 12 .bc6 tLlxc6 13.tLld5 .ie6
•
11.0-0-0
This is White's most princi 13 . . . i.g4 14.h3 hf3 lS.gxf3
pled answer. 'it>g7 16.f4;1;
It is not so energetic for him to

play 1l.tLlxd4, because of Black's
possible counter strike 1l . . . tLlfS !
(It would b e too risky for him to
try 1l . . . 'it>g7 1 2 J�'c3 ! ) . Now, fol
lowing 12 .tLlxc6 (12.exfS �xf6 13.
tLlxc6 bxc6 14.hc6 i.b7! lS.hb7
l'!e8+ 16.'it>f1 �xb2 17.l'!d1 �xb7= ;
12 .,bc6 �xf6 13.exfS bxc6 14.0-0
cS lS.tLlbS l'!b8 = ) 12 . . . �xf6, Black
equalises. 13.0-0 (13.exfS bxc6
14.,bc6 i.b7 1S.,bb7 l'!e8+ 16.'it>f1 14.tLlxd4 .bd5 15.exd5
�xb2 17.l'!d1 �xb7=) 13 . . . tLlh4 ! ? tLlxd4 16.�xd4 'it>g8 17.h4t
He i s trying t o solve his problems White has the initiative, but the
in a tactical fashion. 14.tLld4 i.h3 position remains very complicat
lS.�c3 ,bg2 16.tLle6+ �xe6 17. ed, Recuero Guerra - Castillo
�xh8+ 'it>e7 18.�xa8 tLlf3 (18 . . . Gallego, Burguillos 2007.
�g4 19.�e8+ 'it>f6 2 0 .�h8 + 'it>gS?
2l.f4+ 'it>hS 2 2 .�c3 + - ; 20 . . . 'it>e7 B2c2) 10 ••• d5 ! ?
21.�e8= ) 19.'it>xg2 �g4+ 2 0 .'it>h1
�f4 (20 ... �h3 2 1.�e8+ 'it>f6 2 2 .
�h8+ 'it>gS 23.l'!gl + - ; 2 2 . . . 'it>e7
23.�e8 =) 2 1.�e8+ 'it>f6 2 2 .�h8+
'it>e7 (Black cannot avoid the per
petual check.) 23.�e8 =
11 ••• a6
Or 1l . . . 'it>g7 12 .tLlxd4 ! t with the

idea 12 . . . 'it>xf6 ? ! 13.�c3 tLlxd4 14.
126
4 . lil c3 d6
This active move deserves The position resembles in its

most serious attention for Black structure the Old Steinitz De
in his fight for equality. fence, but with an early sortie of
1l .bc6 �xc6 12.�xd5 .ifS !
• White's knight to c3. In this varia
13.ti'f4 tion, Black wishes to obtain a sol
id and stable position and would
He should hardly be afraid of not avoid simplifications.
13.�xc7 WJxc7 14.exfS �e8+ 1S.
'i!ff1, Agopov - Dokutchaev, Fin Now, White has a choice be
land 2011, 1S . . .gxf5oo tween Cl) 5.0-0 and C2) 5.d4.
13 .be4 14.'fbe4 'ffd6 15.

••• S.lildS a6 6.J.a4 lilxdS 7.exdS
�xc7 'ffxc7 16.0-0 gd8 17. bS 8.J.b3 lilaS=
gad1 'i!fg7 18.�xd4 ghe8= Haz
nedaroglu - Chan Wei Xuan, Ma It would be anti-positional for
nila 2010. Black has sufficient White to part voluntarily with his
compensation for the pawn, for important light-squared bishop
example: 19.'ffh4 (19.lilbS gxe4 for Black's knight with S.,bc6
2 0 .lilxc7 !!ed4 21.�xd4 lilxd4+) lilxc6 6.d4 J.g4=
19 . . . lilxd4 20.!!xd4 gS 21.!!xd8
gxh4 2 2 . �xe8 WJxc2 23J:!e7 'ffxb2 Following S.d3 a6 6 ..tc4 bS 7.
24.h3 'i!fg6= .tb3 lilaS=, White is deprived of
his important "Ruy Lopez" bish
op. 8 . . . 0-0 lilxb3 9.axb3 c6=
C) 4 d6
••• Marzolf - Karpatchev, Saint Af
frique 2011 (9 . . . .tb7= with the
idea lilg6, J.e7) and then lilg6,
fie7, with the same ideas as after
S.h3.
S.h3 a6 6.fia4 bS 7 . .tb3 lilaS=

8 . 0-0 lilxb3 9.axb3, Feher - Moz
es, Veszprem 1996. Black can
choose between different plans
here, See one of them 9 . . . c6
(White was threatening lilxbS.).
Black is not in a hurry to deter
This move has become very mine the placement of his light
fashionable lately. It has been squared bishop. 10 .d4 lilg6 11 . .te3
tested by such outstanding grand ie7 12.dxeS dxeS 13.'ffxd8 'i!fxd8=
masters like Z. Efimenko, H. Na with an approximately equal end
kamura and I. Sokolov. game.
127
Cl) 5.0-0 7 . . . lLlec6 8.lLldS .ie7=

White can hardly obtain an ad
vantage in the opening with this 6 . .ic4 lLlaS 7 . .ie2 (7.i.b3 lLlxb3
move. 8.axb3 lLlc6=) 7 . . . cS ! ? = , Black
does not allow his opponent's the
matic pawn-advance d2-d4. His
plans include pushing g6 as
quickly as possible and following
this with i.g7. This position is
closed, so White's slight edge is
practically immaterial.
6 .td7!?
•••
This is a reliable move and

with it Black transposes to the
Modern Steinitz Defence in a
5 . . . a6 ! ? good version for him. White has
This i s the simplest reply for played a bit too early lLlb1-c3 and
Black. Now, White is forced to has failed to advance the thematic
clarify his intentions, concerning move for similar positions d2-d4.
the future of his light-squared Obtaining an advantage in the
bishop. opening without this move is
6 . .*.a4 practically impossible for him.
The line : 6.hc6+ lLlxc6= is It would be weaker for Black to

not in the spirit of the position for chase the enemy light-squared
White. His attacking potential is bishop in the standard fashion 6 ...
considerably reduced without the bS 7 . .ib3 lLlaS, because of 8.d4
light-squared bishop and Black exd4 9.lLlxd4t and White's lead in
has no problems whatsoever. development would become a
White cannot even advance the telling factor. Now, Black has no
thematic move for similar posi time to capture the enemy bishop
tions - 7.d4, because of 7 . . . .ig4+ 9 . . . cS? ! 1O.lLlfS hfS 1l.exfS c4 12.
with the idea lLld4. There arises a gel cxb3 13.axb3 lLlac6 14.i.f4±,
thematic pin of White's knight by because White's dangerous initia
his opponent's bishop and getting tive more than compensates the
rid of it by White without posi sacrificed piece, for example: 14 ...
tional concessions may become a lLleS 1S.heS dxeS 16.ti'f3 + -
great problem for him. (diagram)
7.d4
6 ..te2 lLld4 ! ? = 7.d3 (7.lLlxd4 White would not achieve much
exd4 8.lLldS lLlxdS 9.exdS .te7=) if he postpones this move. See
128
4. lLl c3 d6
several examples which I believe This position is very compli

deserve attention: cated but is quite acceptable for
Black.
7.a3 g6 B .d4 1g7 9.dxes lLlxes lO.ti'f3 ! ?N
1O.lLlxes hes 11.1b3 (11.hd7+
�xd7 12 . .ih6 0-0-0(0) 11 . . . .ie6 Or 1O.lLlds? ! cS ! 11.lLlxe7 he7
12.lLlds lLlxds 13 .hds .ixdS 14. 12 . .idS �cB+ and White's com
exds 0-0= Smeets - Grischuk, pensation for the pawn is insuffi
Wijk aan Zee 2011. cient, Wallace - Bartel, London
2013.
7.d3 lLlg6 ! ? Black prepares the
development of his dark-squared Following 10 .�hs lLlg6, he has
bishop to the e7-square. (It would hardly anything better than after
not be good for him to develop l1.�ds 1e6 12 .�c6+ 1i.d7 13.�ds
now his bishop to g7 - 7 . . . g6 B. 1e6 14.�c6= , to force a draw by
19s 1i.g7, since following 9.lLlds repetition of moves. It would be
h6 10.lLlf6+ �fB 11.lLlxd7+ �xd7 worse for him to play 11.lLle2,
12.1d2;!; White would exchange Yanofsky - Shulman, Canada
his knight for Black's more im 1963, 11.. .lLles ! + threatening .ig4
portant dark-squared bishop and and g6, for example: 12.£4? .ig4
he would need to lose some more 13.hf7 �d7- + ; as well as 11.lLlds
time to improve the placement of c6+ 12 ..igs (12.lLlf4 �f6+) 12 . . . �cB
his king.) B .1e3 1e7 9.lLlds 0-0 13.�fe1, Fierro Baquero - Raineri,
1O.c3 �hB 11.d4 fs 12.lLlxe7 (12. Porto San Giorgio 2010 (13.lLlb6
dxes fxe4 13.exd6 .ixd6=) 12 ... .ig4+ and White will need to prove
YfJxe7= with the idea 13.ds lLldB whether his compensation for the
14.exfs .ixfs= Meribanov - Ao pawn is adequate.) 13 . . . h6 ! ? 14.es
mazini, Kocaeli 2 0 13. (14.lLlb6 1i.g4+) 14 . . .cxds ls.exd6
1e6 16.1d2 .ixd6 17.hds 0-0 lB.
7 bS 8.J.b3 lLlxd4 9.lLlxd4
••• �g6 (lB.he6 �xc2+) 1B ... hh2 !
exd400 19.�xh2 hds=t
129
10 . . . J.e6 11.�e2 c5 12 . .ixe6 6 . .ia4. Black has no problems

fxe6 13.�f4 ti'd7 14.e5 d5 (14. after this move. 6 . . . bS 7 . .ib3 1tJxd4
ti'h3 <itlf7oo) 15.ti'h3 <itlf7oo White 8.ltJxd4 exd4 9.�hS (9.�f3 J.e6
has some compensation for the 10 . .b:e6 fxe6 11.ltJe2 eS 12.0-0
pawn, but not more than that. �d7oo - Now, White must still
prove that his compensation for
the sacrificed pawn is sufficient,
C2) 5.d4 Schmittdel - Varga, Dortmund
1999.) 9 . . . ltJg6 10.ti'dS (1O.ltJd5,
Saiboulatov - Winants, Belgium
2 013, 1O .. J3b8 11 . .ig5 ti'd7 12.0-0
c6+) 10 ... .ie6 11.ti'c6+ .td7 12 .�d5.
Black can repeat the moves here
12 . . . .ie6 13 .ti'c6+ .id7= , or can try
to play for a win with 12 . . . ltJe5
13.f4 c6 14.�xd4, Fang - Grover,
Kocaeli 2013, 14 . . . ltJg4oo, reaching
a very complicated position, in
which he has quite sufficient
counter chances due to the threat
This is the way for him to fight c5-c4.
for a slight opening edge.
5 . . . a6 It may be interesting for
White to try here the relatively
Black avoids the variation S . . . seldom played move 6 . .ie2 and
exd4 6.ltJxd4 J.d7 7.0-0;t, with a Black's best response against it
transfer to one of the positions of would be 6 . . . ltJxd4 7.ltJxd4 exd4
the Steinitz Defence in which 8.ti'xd4 ltJc6, ending up in a
White maintains a slight but sta slightly cramped, but quite solid
ble positional edge. position.
6.J.c4
This is his most most popular
move.

the transfer into an endgame after
6 . .b:c6+ ltJxc6 7.dxeS ltJxeS 8 .
ltJxeS dxeS 9.�xd8 + <itlxd8 1O . .te3,
Maciejewski - Masternak, Lub
niewice 1995, 1O . . . .te6 11.0-0-0+
<itlc8 12 .ltJdS b6= , or 1 O . .igS+ f6 9.�e3 g6 10 .�g3 (1O .�g5 h6
11.0-0-0+ .id6= 11.�g3 .ig7= ; 1O . . . .tg7 11.�xd8+
130
4. tLlc3 d6
'i!lxd8 12 .,tg5+ f6 13 .i.e3 i.e6=)

1O . . .i.e6 11.tLld5 i.g7 12 .i.g5 f600
L.Milov - Heimrath, Bad Wiessee
2010.
After 9.�d1, the simplest reply
for Black would be 9 . . . i.e7 10.tLld5
0-0 11.0-0 i.h4 ! ? , analogously to
the variation 9.�d3, except that
with a white pawn on a3 . The
placement of the pawn here, on
the a2-square, is absolutely irrel
evant for Black's choice of a plan 6 exd4
.•.
for his further actions. This is Black's most reliable

9.�d3 tLlb4 1O.�d1 i.e7 (This response.
modestly looking move seems
more reliable for Black than the The move 6 . . . b5 is second-rate
seemingly more active 1O . . . g6, since it weakens his queenside.
which White can counter with 11. Following 7.i.e2! i.b7? ! (it is pref
h4 ,tg7 12 .i.g5 f6 13.i.e3t with the erable for Black to play here 7...
idea 13 .. .f5 14.�d2:t; 13 . . . ,te6 14. tLlxd4 8.tLlxd4 exd4 9.�xd4:t) 8.
�d2t ; 12.a3 hc3+ 13.bxc3 tLlc6 0-0 tLlg6 9.d5 tLlb8 10 .b4 ie7 11.
14.i.g5 f6 15.i.h6 �e7 16.0-0 b6 a4t White develops very powerful
17J�e1 i.b7(0) 11.a3 tLlc6 12 .tLld5 initiative, Zontakh - Vospernik,
0-0 13.0-0 i.h4 ! ? = White has Bled 1995.
slightly extra space, but this is not
important. Black is threatening to 7.tLlxd4 �xd4 8.1bd4 �c6
play tLle7 and to exchange the 9.'8e3
knight on d5, which is his oppo
nent's only active piece. 14.g3. White plays only seldom the
This move weakens White's king retreat 9.�d1, which can be coun
side. 14 . . . i.f6 15.c3 l:!e8 16.�c2 tered by Black with 9 . . . i.e7 10.
�e500 The arising position is quite 0-0 0-0 11.�d5 i.h400, as well as
acceptable for Black. Now, White with 9 ... g6 10 .h4 h6 11.,te3 ig7
would not achieve anything with 12 .�d2 i.e6=
17.tLlxf6+ V9xf6 18.f4 tLld700, be (diagram)
cause his bishop-pair is not dan This is one of the most modern
gerous. Meanwhile, the light positions in the variation, we ana
squares on his kingside are vul lyse - 4.tLlc3 d6.
nerable, as well as his e4-pawn 9 . . . .le6
(Black wishes to play �e7 and The contemporary opening
Ill f6, increasing his pressure theory considers this move as the
against it.). most reliable for Black.
131
tion for Black to continue with

10 . . . g6 ! ? , fianchettoing his dark
squared bishop and not being
afraid of the move 1l.h4, which
can be parried by 11 . . . h6 ! 00 with
the idea 12 .hS gS=
1l .Ad2 0-0=
.
About 9 . . . ie7 - see Dragicevic

- Wohl, North Geelong 2 0 1 2 ,
game 17.
9 . . . g6 1O .'IWg3 .ie6 (1O . . .ig7 11 .

.tgS f6 12 ..if4t; 10 ... llJd4 11.0- 0 ! ?;!;
with the idea 11 . . . llJxc2? 1 2 .llJdS
ig7 13 . .igS f6 14.%!Ic3+-) 11.llJdS
i.g7 12 . .igS f6 13.ie3;!; White's
prospects are slightly preferable, White maintains some space
but the position remains very advantage indeed, but he has not
complicated. achieved much. See three very
good examples of how to play this
position with Black:
The retreats of the bishop 12 .i.c3 llJeS 13.ib3 hdS 14.

would not create difficulties for hdS c6 lS.ib3 if6 16.0-0 as
Black: 1O . .ie2 g6 11.llJdS ig7 12. 17.a4 llJg4 18 .hf6 llJxf6 19 .1!9d4
0-0 0 - 0 = , or 1O.ib3 g6 1l.id2 %!Ie7 2 0.f3 �fd8 2 1.�ad1 dS 22.
(11.1!9g3 .ig7 12 ..igS %!Id7 13.0-0-0 exdS llJxdS 23.�de1 1!9c7, draw,
h6 14 ..id2 0-0-0=; 13 ... 0-0(0) 11 ... Vysochin - Efimenko, Kiev 2011 .
.ig7 1 2 . 0-0-0 0-0 13.�b1 llJaSoo
1 2 . 0- 0 llJeS 13 . .ib3 hdS 14.
10 .le7
••• hdS c6 lS.ib3 if6 16.�ad1 as
17.a4 llJd7 18.c3 �e8 19 . .ic2 llJc5
This natural developing move 2 0 .1!9f3 %!Ib6 2 1.b4 axb4 2 2 .aS 1!9bS
enables White to exchange, at an 23.cxb4 llJe6= Istratescu - Le
opportune moment, his knight for Roux, Belfort 2 0 1 2 .
Black's bishop and then to try to
exploit his two-bishop advantage. About 12.f4 - see Migot - Wi
Therefore, it deserves great atten- nants, Wirtzfeld 2 0 14, game 18.
132
Chapter 5 1.e4 e5 2.�f3 �c6 3 .tb5 �ge7 4.�c3
•
Complete Games
14 Istratescu - Mladenov ty to attack the enemy bishop with

Plancoet 2012 lilc6-a5 and it has the wonderful
1.e4 eS 2.�f3 �c6 3.AbS a2-square as a safe haven.
�ge7 4.�c3 �g6 S.h4!? Ad6!?
8...�d4
This move seems awkward, It was stronger and more prin
but is Black's most natural reac cipled for Black to play here 8 .. .
tion against White's flank activity. hh4! 9.lilxh4 (9.lild5 .if6 10 .

Black develops a piece and forti lilxf6+ gxf611.d4 d612..ie3 ig4co;
fies his e5-pawn. 9...ie7?! 1O.lilxe7! Wlxe7 1l.lilg5±)
6.d3 hS 9...lilxh4 1O.g3 d5!= - It is possi-
This move is too risky. Black is ble that both opponents over
now deprived of the possibility to looked this possibility.
evacuate his king to the kingside. 9.�gS
It was more reliable for him to White could have created
play 6...h6!? more tension in the centre with
7.a3 9.ie3!? lile6 1O.g3 d6 1l.d4t
White could have ignored the 9 •.. �e610.�f3
possibility .id6-b4 - 7..ie3!? .ib4 It was also good for him to opt
8.d4t for 1O.lilxe6!? dxe6 1l.g3t, but in
7••• Ae7 8.Ac4!? this line, Black would have gained
The move 7 a3 is justified now! control over the important d4-
Black does not have the possibili- square.
133
Chapter S Complete Games
10 .lf6 1 ...�:Jd5 c6? !

•..
Following 1l . . . d6=, he would

have obtained a quite acceptable
position.
12. �xe6
It was probably even stronger
for White to continue here with
12.luxf6 + ! ? '<MIxf6 13.,he6 ! dxe6
(13 . . . \1!Yxf3 14.hd7+ - ; 13 . . . fxe6
14.'<MIe2±) 14.\Wg3± with the idea arising complicated endgame. He
ltlf3. has the two-bishop advantage
12 fxe6
••• and a superior pawn-structure.
15.g3
It was correct for him to play
15.b4 !:t, seizing immediately more
space on the queenside.
15 d5 16 .lb3 b6 17.f3 .lb7
••. •
18.�f2 c5 19.gel �f7 20.c3
13.�xf6+
White could have tried to ex
ploit the unstable position of the
enemy knight on g6 with the move
13.\Wg3 ! ?t
13 Y!Yxf6 14.Y!Yxf6
•••
This exchange of queens ena Now, thanks to White's mini

bles Black to increase his pawn mal activity during the last sever
mass in the centre and is in his al moves, Black feels more com
favour. fortably on the queenside, where
It was stronger for White to as we remember, White could
play 14.'<MIg3t, avoiding exchanges have developed his initiative.
and increasing the tension in the 20 b5? !
•••
centre. This move is premature ...

14 gxf6
.•• Black had to prepare for it, im
(diagram) proving the position of his pieces,
We have already seen that before beginning active actions
White has overlooked several there. Therefore, he had to choose
times the possibility to play better 20 . . . �e7 2 1 .i.c2 !!ad8 ! ? (21.. .a5!?
and still, he has the edge in the 2 2 ..ld2 a4= ) with the idea 22.
134
.id2 ? dxe4 23.fxe4 c4+ my rooks, but has not solved his
21.a4! problems.
White exploits immediately
his opponent's imprecision and
seizes the initiative.
2 1 a6 22 .ie3 c4
••• •
Black does not wish to protect

his cS-pawn, so he decides to push
it forward, opening the position,
which is in favour of White, be
cause of his bishop-pair. For ex
ample, after 22 . . . d4 23.i.d2 E:hd8
24.cxd4 E:xd4 25.i.c2±, Black's 28.d4? !
cS-pawn would be very weak. This is a mistake, but Black
23 .ic2
• failed to exploit it.
It is not easy to see how White
can win after 28.r,!,>e3 f5 29.exf5
exf5 30.d4 f4;!;
The move 28 .i.d6! however,
would have created great prob
lems for Black: 28 . . . i.c6 29. r,!,>e3 f5
(29 . . . r,!,>g7 30 .d4±) 30.exf5 exf5
3l.f4±
28 .ic6 29.r,!,>e3
•••
23 .ic6
•••
His knight on g6 is practically

idle, so Black had to play 23 . . . lLle7
sending the knight to support the
centre and the queenside, where
the actions will be focused in the
nearest future.
24.axb5 axb5 25 .ic5 •
It was stronger for White to

play here 25.b4 with the idea to 29 �f8?
•••
create an outpost on the a5- This is the decisive mistake.

square for the penetration of his Black would have preserved
rooks on the a-file 25 . . . lLle7 26. good chances for a draw after 29 . . .
gaSt exd4+ 30.cxd4 (30.r,!,>xd4 lLle5=)
25 gxal 26.gxal ga8 27.
••• 30 ... e5;!;. Now, he has the prospect
m8 .b.:a8 to rely later on the presence of
Black has eliminated the ene- bishops of opposite colours on the
135
board, giving up a knight and a ally are connected with the possi
pawn for the enemy light-squared bility to trade the active enemy
bishop. pieces.
30 . .bf8 15 . . . Bf6 16.c3 gabS
Naturally, this exchange is in He is ready now to exchange
favour of White, becaus e he gains on d4, but White had better pre
access to Blacks pawn-weakness vent that by retreating his knight
es. to the b3-square.
30 ... 'it>xf8 31.dxe5 fxe5 32. 17.f4
exd5 exd5 33.f4± exf4+ 34. 17.�b3;t
gxf4 'it>f7 35 . .1dl 'it>g6 36. 'it>d4 17 . . . �xd4 1S . .lxb7 �c6 ! ?
.1eS 37 . .1c2 + 'it>f6 3S. 'it>xd5 This is a n interesting idea.
The rest is quite obvious and Black prefers to double his pawns,
there still followed: but not to improve his opponent's
3S .1f7+ 39.'it>c5 .1eS 40.
•.• pawn-centre .
.1e4 'it>e6 41 .1c6 .1g6 42 .lxb5
• • 18 . . . 1L1e6? 19.e5 �e7 (19 ...
'it>f5 43 . .lxc4 'it>g4 44.b4 'it>xh4 �f5?? 2 0 .g4+-) 2 0 .�d5±
45 .1d5 1-0
• 18 . . J�xb7 19.cxd4;t
19 . .lxc6 dxc6 20.Bf3
It was slightly preferable for
15 Sebag Zhu Chen White to choose here 2 0.�d7, for
Ulaanbaatar 2010 example : 2 0 . . J�bd8 21.�xc7 gd2
l.e4 e5 2.�f3 �c6 3 . .1b5 2 2 . gad1 ghd8� with good com
�ge7 4.�c3 g6 5.d4 exd4 6. pensation for the pawn .
�d5 .1g7 7 . .1g5 h6 S .1f6 .ixf6
• 20 gbdS
.•.
9. �xf6 + 'it>f8 10.0-0 a6 11 .1a4 •
'it>g7 12.�d5 b5 13 .1b3 �xd5

•
14 ..lxd5 .1b7 15. �xd4;t
21.gf2
White's plan is to advance f4-
f5 after the doubling of his rooks.
White dominates obviously Still, after Black doubles in re
in the centre, so he has obtained sponse his rooks on the d-file, he
an advantage in the opening. will organise quite sufficient
Black's hopes to equalise gradu- counterplay.
136
21.e5 �e6 22J'!ad1 l3xd1 23.
gxd113e8 24.b3 l3e7=
21...ghe8 22.gao. gd7= 23.
eh3 ged8 24.eS
With this move, White weak
ens the f5-square and this will be
come a telling factor in the forth
coming endgame.
The position would have re
mained equal after 24.'�e3 l3d3 White has failed to try any un
25.Wfa713d2 26.Wfxc713xf2 27J'!xf2 dermining pawn-moves on the
l3d1+ 28.13£1 l3d2 29.l3f2 l3d1=, queenside and this has led to an
with repetition of moves. obvious space-advantage for
24 ••• fte6 2S.ftxe6 fxe6 Black. Now, White is forced to
wait passively...
33.go. gf7 34.g1f2 hS! 3S.
gxhS?!
He did not need to let the ene
my king to come all the way to the
fS-square. It was better for White
to play 35.l3e2+
3S ••. gxhS 36.gxd3 cxd3 37.
�f3 �h6?!
37... c4+
26.g4?!
White had to try to create
some counterplay by opening files
on the queenside: 26.a4! C;!;>f7
27.axb5 axb5 28.l3a1 l3d1+ 29.
l3xd113xd1+ 30.l3£1 l3d5 31.g3=
Later, he overlooked this pos-
sibility as well.
26 ••• gdS 27.h4 gm 28.�g2
28.a4!?
28 ••• cS 29.�g3 c4 30.gf3 38.gg2?
30.a4!? White could have exploited
30 ••• cS 31.g1f2 here the wonderful possibility to
It was preferable for White to break with 38.b3! c4 39.bxc4 bxc4
play here 31.b3. 40.c;!;>e3 l3g7 41.�d4 l3d7+ 42.
31 gd3 32.a3?!
••• c;!;>e3+ and it would be unclear how
32.b3! Black could break through.
32 aS+
••• 38...gg7 39.ggS c4 40.�e3
137
a4 4t.ci�;>d2 gxg5 ! 42 .fxg5+ 19.�c4 gd4 20.�e3 gd2?!

mg6 43.me3 mf5 0-1 It was preferable for Black to
Now, Black transfers by force play 2 0 . . . gad8, avoiding the trade
to a winning queen and pawn of a couple of rooks.
ending with 44.md2 '.t>xe5 45.'.t>e3 21.gfd1 gadS 22.gxd2 gxd2
'.t>f5 46.'.t>d2 e5 47.'.t>e3 e4 48.'.t>d2 23.mf1! J.e6
'.t>f4 49.g6 e3+ 50.'.t>e1 '.t>f3 5log7 23 . . . ,bc2?? 24.'.t>e1+-
d2 + 52.'.t>d1 '.t>f2 53.g8� e2+ 54. 24.me1 gd4 25.gd1 c5!
'.t>xd2 e1�+ 55.'.t>c2 �e4+ 56.'.t>d2 26.me2
�xh4 57.�f7+ '.t>g3 58.�g7+ �g4-+ 26.c3? 1'!xd1+ 27.'.t>xd1 ,ba2+
and his h-pawn becomes unstop 26 . . . me7 27.gd3 b6 2S.md2
pable. Therefore, White resigned mf6 29.b3 me5
immediately, although he could
have tested the execution of this
plan by his opponent . . .
1 6 Bruzon Batista -
Baron Rodriguez
Havana 1998
1.e4 e5 2.�f3 �c6 3 .J.b5
�ge7 4.�c3 g6 5.d4 exd4 6.
�d5 .lg7 7 . .lg5 h6 S.J.f6 hi6
9.�xf6+ mfS 10.�xd4 �f5 11. Black's pieces have occupied
�h7 + gxh7 12.exf5 1ff6 13. dominating positions, but White
hc6 dxc6 14.fxg6 fxg6 15. is still not worse thanks to his su
0-0 gd7 16.1ff3 1fxf3 17. �xf3 perior pawn-structure.
gd6 lS. �e5 .lf5 30.c3 gh4 31.h3 gf4? !
This is not accurate. It was
better for Black to play immedi
ately 31 . . . c4 32 .bxc4 ,bc4 33.gd7
i.e6 ! 34.1'!xc7 1'!a4 with some ini
tiative.
32.f3 c4 33.bxc4 hc4
(diagram)
34.gd7
It is stronger for White to opt
here for 34.g3 ! , although follow
There has arisen approximate ing 34 . . . ,bd3 35.gxf4+ '.t>xf4 36.
equality on the board. Black has '.t>xd3 '.t>xf3 37.ltJg4 h5 38.ltJe5+
doubled pawns in this endgame '.t>g3 39.ltJxg6 mxh3, Black's coun
indeed, but this is fully compen terplay would be sufficient for a
sated by his active pieces. draw.
138
4.lOc3
43.fS gxf5 44.Itlxf5+ c,!,>xh3?!

44 ... c,!,>h2 !+
45.�xh6
The position is almost equal
now.
45 c,!,>b4 46.�fS?
•••
Following 46.gd7 .ie4 47.ge7

i.f3 48.c,!,>b1+, Black's advantage is
evidently insufficient to win the
34 .te6 35.gxc7 ga4 36.
••. game.
c,!,>c1? 46 c,!,>xg4 47.�e3+ c,!,>g5
•••
This retreat of White's king to 4S.�d5

the first rank is not justified at all.
Naturally, it was better for him to
play 36.c,!,>d3 gxa2 37.h4=
36 c,!,>f4 37.�c2 gxa2 3S.
•••
gg7?
38.�b1 ga5 39.ltJd4 i.f5+
40.ltJxf5 gxf5+
3S .tfS 39.�d4 .td3+
•••
Now, Black maintains an obvi

ous advantage.
40.g4 a5 41.gf7+ c,!,>g3 42.f4 4S .tc4?
•••
It was necessary for him to

continue with 48 . . . gc2 + 49.c,!,>d1
gh2 50.ga7 b5+ and his winning
chances would have remained
considerable.
Now, White forces a draw.
49.gg7+ c,!,>b6 50.�xb6! .tb3
After 50 . . . \!.?xg7 51.lOxc4 \!'?f6
52.�b1 gh2 53.ltJb2 a3 54.ltJc4
a2+ 55.\!.?a1 \!.?f5 56.ltJb2, there
42 a4? !
••• would have arisen a theoretically
His edge would have become drawish endgame.
decisive after 42 . . . �xh3, for ex 51.ga7
ample : 43.f5 �xg4 44.fxg6 hg6 The draw is inevitable now.
45.gf6 �g5 46.gxb6 h5 47.ltJf3+ 51 a3 52.c,!,>bl gb2+ 53.
•••
�f4 48.gxg6 �xf3 49.gh6 �g4 c,!,>al ga2 + 54.c,!,>bl gb2+ 55.
50.c4 ga4 51.gg6+ �f4 52 .gc6 c,!,>al .tgS 56.ga6 c,!,>g7 57.ga7+
h4-+ c,!,>b6 5S.ga6 c,!,>g7. Draw.
139
17 Dragicevic Wohl With this move, Black over

North Geelong 2012 looks an excellent resource of his
l.e4 eS 2 . �f3 �c6 3 .tbS • opponent.
�ge7 4.�c3 d6 S.d4 a6 6 .tc4 • He had to capture a pawn
exd4 7.�xd4 �xd4 8.ti'xd4 with : IS .. :�xe4 16.i.d3 We6 17.
�c6 9.ti'e3 .te7 10.'Bg3 l3del Wg4 IB . .te7 tDxe7 19.13xe7
This is the beginning of a WhS 20.l3hel WaS !'+'
wrong plan.
10 0-0
•••
16.h4! ti'hS?
Black needed to enter the com
1l .th6
• plications after 16 . . . Wxe4 17 ..bh6
White had to consider here the (17.i.f6 Wh7 IB.i.d3 WhB 19.13del
possibility 11.h4 ! ? .te6 12 . .be6 i.d7'+') 17 . . . Wh7 IB.i.gS WhSoo, but
fxe6 13 . .td2 bS 14.0-0-000 with not IB . . ..ifS 19.hS ! --+
actions on both sides of the board. 17.f5! c,!,lh7
11.0-0 i.h4= 17 . . . tDeS IB . .tf6 'i9g4 (IB . . . tDg4
1l .if6 12.0-0-0? !
••• 19 . .te2 + -) 19 . .ixeS+ -
It was more prudent for him to 18.ti'e3 f6
choose 12.0-0 l3eB 13.l3ael .ie6 = This was the only move for
and Black would have a comfort Black, since White was threaten
able game, but still within equali ing 19.i.e2.
ty. 19.94 'Be8 20 .tf4 �e5 •
12 .txc3 ! 13.bxc3 ti'f6 14.

••• 21 . .te2
.tgS ti'g6
Now, White will become a vic
tim of his activity. He will need to
find attacking chances, because
after an indifferent play, his
pawn-weaknesses would lead in
evitably to his demise.
IS.f4
IS.h4? ti'xe4 16.i.dS Wg4+
IS h6? !
•••
140
White has played excellently l'!dgl±) 28.�d5 gafB 29.hxg7 gxg7
during this part of the game and is 30.l'!xg7+ Iflxg7 31.gg1+ c,t;hB 32.
now ready to attack the enemy l'!g6 Iflh7±
monarch. 27.hxg7 gf6 28.gdg1
21 9a4
••• White's rook on hI is useless
Black would not save the day behind his own pawn on h4, so he
with 21...id7 22.g5 i.b5 23.l'!dgl +- had to place his other rook on gl
2 2 .g5 .ld7 23.gxh6 2B.l'!hgl �f4+ 29.lflbl �xf5 30.
White's simplest and most ef �c4±
fective winning line was : 23 . .txe5 !
23 . . . dxe5 (23 . . . fxe5 24.gxh6 gxh6
25.l'!dgl+-) 24.gxh6 gxh6 25.�c5
(25.l'!hgl ieB 26.�g3 �a3+ 27.
Iflb! �e7 2B.l'!g2 +-) 25 ... l'!aeB 26 .
.lh5+ -
23 .ic6 24 .lxe5 .lxe4
••• •
24 . . . dxe5 25.�g3 + -
Now, after a series o f mistakes,
the game ends in a draw in a most
amazing way! 2S gg8?
.•.
This is a terrible blunder! Af

ter the correct line : 2B . . . �f4+ 29.
Iflb2 �xf5 30.�c4 �e6 31.�e4+
�f5 32 .�xb7 �f3 ! ?± Black would
have all the chances of saving the
game.
29.gg5 ! gxg7 30.gh5?
30.l'!hgl +-
30 lflgS 31.9d5+ gm 32.
•••
9xb7 9f4+ 33. lflb2 gxf5 34.

25 .id3?
• gxf5 ti'xf5 35.9xa6 e4?
White overlooks the win. Black would have preserved
He would have scored a full chances for a draw with 35 . . . �f2 !?
point following 25.lflb2 ! �xc2+ 36.a4 �b6+ 37.�xb6 cxb6 3B.gdl
(25 . . . dxe5 26.l'!hgl +-) 26.lfla3 l'!g4 39.lflb3 1flt7 40.gxd6 e4±
hhI 27.l'!xhl fxe5 2B.l'!c1+- 36.gfl ge6 37."BaS + Iflh7
25 .lxd3 26.9xd3 fxe5
••• 3S.gm d5 39.h5?
Black could have still hold the 39.a4+-
position with 26 . . . dxe5 ! ? 27.l'!hgl 39 9b6+ 40.lfla3 9c5+ 41.
••.
gt7 (27 . . . lflxh6 2B.l'!g6+ Iflh7 29. Iflb2 9b6+ 42. lfla3 . Draw.
141
18 Migot Winants he had to consider the move 13 ...

Wirtzfeld 2014 ih4 ! ? , provoking his opponent to
1.e4 e5 2.lLlf3 lLlc6 3 . .lb5 continue with 14.g3 i.f6 15.i.e3
lLlge7 4.lLlc3 d6 5.d4 a6 6 . .lc4 Wld7 ! ? 16.if2 (Black should not be
lLlxd4 7.lLlxd4 exd4 8.Yfxd4 afraid of the doubling of his pawns
lLlc6 9.Bd1 .le6! ? 10.lLld5 .le7 after 16.lilxf6+ gxf6 17.id3 i.g4
11.0-0 0-0 12 .f4 18.Wld2 f5.) 16 . . . id8 17.l!el lile7 in
an attempt to exchange pieces.
14.b4
White's plan, connected with
an advance of his queenside
pawns is naturally possible, but
does not seem timely at the mo
ment. He has not completed his
development yet.
He would not obtain anything
substantial with 14.f5 hd5 15.
This active move by White hd5 l!b8.
seems logical and appropriate. It was more reasonable for
12 ge8
..• him to choose the prophylactic
Following 12 . . . lilb4 ! ? , White move 14.ib3;!;
would not achieve much with 13. 14 .ld7
•..
f5 (13.lilxe7 ! ? Wlxe7 14.i.e2 lilc6 14 . . . lile7 ! ?

15.i.f3;!;; it would be too risky for
Black to opt for 14 . . J�ad8 15.f5
i.c8 16.f6 gxf6 17J'!f3--+; 14 .. .f6 ! ?)
13 . . . i.xd5 14.exd5 c6 15.dxc6 lilxc6
16.id5 if6.
13.c3
13.i.d2 ! ?
15.Bc2? !
This i s not the most active
square for White's queen. He had
to protect his e4-pawn in a tacti
cal way: 15.lile3 ! with the idea 15 ...
l!xe4? 16.i.xf7! 'it>h8 (16 . . . 'it>xf7?
17.Wld5+ l!e6 18.f5) 17.Wlf3 l!e7
13 AfS
••• 18.i.b3±
Black's position is cramped, so 15 lLle7! = 16.a4
•••
142
It was more careful for White V!!xc4 2S.l!xe8+ !3xe8 26.V!!d7=
to choose here 16.llJe3 .ibS ! ? = , or 21 !3xe8 22.llel gxel +
•••
16 . . . bS 17 ..id3 as= 23.hel c5 24.t:Ye4

16 . . . �xd5 17.exd5 It was more accurate for White
Black would have a comforta to play here 24.i.d3 g6 2S.V!!b3.
ble position after 17.,hdS c6 18. 24 g6
•••
i.c4 V!!c 7 19.i.d2 as, with the idea It was reasonable for Black to
d6-dS. exchange on b4 - 24 ... cxb4 25.
cxb4 g6.
25 .id2
•
White had to play 2S.i.f1 with

the idea after 2S . . . cxb4 to capture
on b4 not with the pawn, but with
his queen - 26.V!!xb4=, with ap
proximate equality.
25 .ifS 26.t:Ye2 h5 27.td3
•••
cxb4 28.cxb4 td4+ 29.<;t>f1

Wd7
17 .ie7
•••
He is happy to develop now his

dark-squared bishop. Following
17 . . . V!!h4 ! + however, he could have
activated his queen and only later,
after g7 -g6, he should have placed
his dark-squared bishop on the
long diagonal.
18 .id2 .if6 19.9ael = c6
•
20.a5 Wc7
Black has a slight edge, but
cannot increase it without the
help of his opponent ...
30.tel .if6 31.t:Yc2 hd3 +
32.V!!xd3 t:Yg4 33.g3 h4 34.<;t>g2
h3+ 35.c!>f2 t:Yc8 36 .id2 We8
•
37.<;t>fJ
It was more precise for White
to follow here with 37.g4 ih4+ 38.
�f3 V!!a4 39.<;t>e2 V!!e 8+ 40.�f3=
21.�e8+ 37 Wa4 38.<;t>g4? !
•••
White could have reduced the This move finally provides

tension with 21.dxc6 ! ? hc6 2 2 . Black with some counter chances.
�f5 .id7 23.V!!d 3 .ifS 24.V!!xfS After 38.�e2 V!!a 1 39.i.e1, not
143
letting Black's queen to occupy 45 .id4? !

•••
the hl-square, the situation would Black makes a mistake as well.

have remained the same. It was correct for him to con-
38 ti'dl + ! 39. c.tlxh3 .ib2
••• tinue with 45 ... d4! with the idea 46.
40.ti'e3 �eS @g7 47.g5 �d3 4S.@g4 ixg5!+
This is White's only move ! 46.f¥fJ = .ig7 47.g5?!
It was better for White to play
47.f5 i.e5+ 4S . .if4=
47 ti'd4 ! 48 .Wle3
•••
The move 48.�e2 !+ would

have been more resilient, with the
idea 4S . . . �gl+ 49.�g2 �dl 50.
�xd5 i.c3 51.�dS+ @h7 52.11�'d 7
�xd2 53.�xf7+ i.g7 54.�xb7=
48 ti'b2
•.•
4S . . . �xe3 ! ? 49.i.xe3 i.c3 50.

40 f¥h5+
••. i.c5 f6+
Black overlooks a line, which 49.ti'd3 d4? !
was not easy to find at all : 40 . . . 49 . . . �a2+
�fl+ ! 41.c.tlg4 c.tlh7! 42.i.c3 �dl+ 50.h5
43. @h3 �h5+ 44.@g2 �xd5+ 45. 50.f5 gxf5 51.@f4.
@f2 �hl 46 . .ixb2 �xh 2 + 47.@f1 50 gxh5 51.t'5?
•••
�xb2 4S.�e7 �cl+ 49.@f2 �d2 + 51.@h4=

50.@gl �d5+ 51 .ie5 + 52.c.tlh4 Wla2
.••
41.c.tlg2 f¥xd5 + 42.c.tlh3 Wlc4 Or 52 . . . �al ! ? 53.@xh5 �hl+

43.g4 54.@g4 �g2 + 55.@h4 @fS 56.f6
White frees the g3-square for @gS 57. �h3 and there is no win
his king. ning line for Black in sight, for ex
43 .if6 44.c.tlg3 d5
•.. ample : 57 . . . �e4+ 5S.�g4 �h7+
59.�h5 �d3 (59 . . . i.g3 + 60.i>g4
�xh5+ 61.@xh5 @h7 62.c.tlg4 if2
63.@f3 .igl 64.@g2 i.e3 65.ixe3
dxe3 66.@f3 @g6 67.@xe3 i>xg5
6S.@d4 @xf6 69.@c5=) 60.�g4.
53.c.tlxh5 f¥d5 54.c.tlg4? (This
is a terrible blunder at the end of
the game. It was correct for White
to defend with 54.�e2 ! d3 55.
�e3= ) 54 f¥g2 + 55.c.tlh5? (He
.••
45.h4? ! could have still hold the position

45.g5 ! ? i.b2 46.h4 d4 47.�eS+ with the move 55.@h4.) 55 •.•
@h7 4S.h5 ! = .ig3 ! 0-1
144
Chapter 6 1.e4 e5 2.�f3 �c6 3.ib5 �ge7 4.0-0
Classical Variation
Quick Repertoire
for a long time against the plan

with 4.0-0. Recently however,
the variation 4.0-0 g6 S.c3 a6 !?
has become very modern and we
will analyse it in the next chapter.
The play in the Classical varia
tion after 4.0-0 g6 5.c3 !i.g7 6. d4
exd4 7.cxd4 d5 is forced, or semi
forced in the majority of the cases.
This is typical for the open games,
in which the value of every move
In this chapter, we will analyse for both sides is very high.
one of the most fashionable varia The Classical variation is very
tions of the entire system l.e4 e5 well analysed. The theory of some
VlJf3 llJc6 3 . .tb5 llJge7 and that is positions goes deeply into twenty
4.0-0 g6 S.c3 ,tg7 6.d4 exd4 or more moves. The arising posi
7. cxd4 dS. It can be considered tions in the main lines are usually
quite justifiably Classical, because very complicated and double
it was the main weapon for Black edged.
145
Chapter 6 1.e4 e5 2.�fJ �c6 3 ..tb5 �ge7 4.0-0
Classical Variation
Step by Step
5.tDc3 ig7 - see Chapter 5.
5.l3el. This move is a bit too

slow. 5 . . . ig7 6.c3 (There do not
arise original positions after the
moves 6.tDc3 and 6.d3, because
they lead to the positions, which
have been analysed in the chapter
with the early move l3e1, which is
obviously in favour of Black.)
6 . . . 0-0 7.d4 exd4 8.cxd4 d5= -
4 g6
••• see 5.c3, 6.l3el.
This is no doubt the most ac
tive move for Black. The move 5.b3 is too slow and
is not in the spirit of the position.
The variations of the type 4 . . . 5 . . . ig7 6.i.b2 0-0 7.d4, Sorcnik
d 6 5.c3 i.d7 6.d4, or 4 . . . a 6 5.i.a4 - Brinovec, Sentjur 2 0 13 (other
(5.i.c4) 5 . . . d6 6.c3 id7 7.d4 tDg6 wise, the plan with b3 and i.b2
(7 . . . g6) 8.tDbd2 i.e7 are related to becomes completely senseless) 7...
the Old Steinitz Defence and to d5 ! ? = Black has no problems at
the Modern Steinitz Defence. All all. 8.hc6 (8.exd5 tDxd4 9.ll:lxd4
these lines are passive, but very exd4 1O.hd4 tDxd5 1l.hg7 'it;>xg7
solid for Black and they remain 12.1Mld4+ �f6 = ; 8.tDxe5 dxe4't) 8...
outside the scope of this book . . . tDxc6 9.exd5 tDxd4 1O.tDxd4 exd4
1l.hd4 1l;l/xd5 12 .hg7 1l;l/xd1 13.
5.c3 l3xd1 �xg7=
5.d3 i.g7 - see Chapter 1, vari 5 . . ..ig7

ation D3.
5 . . . a6 - see Chapter 7.
5.d4 exd4 6.tDxd4 .ig7 - see
Chapter 4. 6.d4
146
4. 0 - 0 g6 5.c3 .ig7 6.d4 ed
6 .d3 0-0 - see Chapter 1, vari queenside and here, after B . . . ltJbB,
ation D3. B . . . ltJe7, or B . . . ltJa7, it is possible
for him to continue with 9.d6;l;,
It would be absolutely sense while following B . . . ltJa5 - 9.b4
less for White to try 6.lDa3. In this ltJc4 10 .�e2 ltJd6 1l.c4;l; he would
position, his task, in the fight for increase his advantage.
the opening advantage, is to ad
vance as quickly as possible the After 6 . . . 0-0 7.d5;l;, White
thematic move d2-d4. 6 . . . i.g7= It maintains powerful positional
would not be easy to find a sensi pressure, for example: 7 . . . a6 (7 . . .
ble plan for White after 6.lDa3, ltJbB ? ! B.d6±) B.ie2 ( H e still pre
while Black's idea is to develop serves a slight positional edge af
faster. ter B.i.a4 ltJa7 - B . . . ltJbB 9.d6± -
9.c4 b5 1O.i.c2;l;; the thematic
It would be too slow for White pawn-advance 9.d6 is not so clear
to play 6.l'!e1 0-0 7.d4 exd4 B. now in view of the variation 9 . . .
cxd4 d5= and there arises a pawn cxd6 1O.�xd6 ltJb5 ! 1 l . .b:b5 axb5
structure similar to the one we 12.l'!d1 l'!a6 13.�b4 d5�) B . . . ltJa7
analyse in the main variation, ex (B . . . ltJbB ? ! 9.d6).
cept that Black has already cas
tled, which is obviously advanta
geous for him. He obtains a very
good position following 9.e5
.ig4 = , as well as after 9.exd5
lDxd5=
It would not work for White to

play now 9.d6 cxd6 10.�xd6, due
to 10 . . . ltJb5 ! 1l . .ixb5 axb500 and
the presence of the bishop-pair
with Black, in connection with the
possibility for him to open the
centre by advancing d7-d5, oust
ing at first the enemy queen from
6 ..• exd4 ! the d6-square with the move l'!a6,
provides Black with excellent
In the variation 6 . . . a6 7 . .b:c6 prospects to organise active coun
ltJxc6 B .d5�, White obtains a con terplay. This will compensate the
siderable space advantage on the defects of his pawn-structure, for
147
example: 12.ll'la3 l'%a6 ! 13:�d3 dS+

Woda - Zolmerowicz, Warsaw
1990; or 12 . .tgS f6 13 . .te3 l'%a6
14:�b4 dS 1S.l'%d1 .te6 16:�xbS
�a8�; or 12.l'%d1 l'%a6 with the idea
13.�d3?! dS 14.�xbS l'%d6�; 13.
�b4 dS 14 . .tgS f6 1S ..te3 .te6
16.i.cS ll'lc6 17:�b3 l'%f7 18.exdS
l'%d7oo
9.c4 ! ? White consolidates his
space advantage on the queen
side. 9 . . . d6 1O.ll'lc3;l; The pawn 7 ••• d5
structure in this position resem
bles the King's Indian Defence in Black should not ignore his
which Black's knight on a7 occu opponent's possibility d4-dS,
pies, mildly speaking, not the best since it enables White to increase
possible position and this pro and consolidate his space advan
vides White with a considerable tage. For example, after 7 . . . 0-0?!
positional advantage. In the game 8.dS ll'leS 9.ll'lxeS heS 1 O.ll'lc3;l;,
Gruenfeld - Sanz Alonso, Buenos in the game Shirov - Casales, An
Aires 1978, Black tried some hasty dorra 2001, White obtained a de
activity - 1O .. .fS ? ! and ended up cisive advantage after 1O . . . d6
in a very difficult situation follow (1O . . . c6 11.d6 cxbS 12 .dxe7 �xe7
ing 11.b4 f4 12.ll'ld2 c;t>h8 13.cS 13.ll'ldS �d8 14 . .th6 hh2 + 15.
i.d7 14.a4 gS 1S.ll'lc4± White has c;t>xh2 �h4+ 16.c;t>g1 �xh6 17.ll'lc7
seized completely the initiative on l'%b8 18:�d6 b6 19.1l'le8 l'%a8 20.
the queenside, while Black has no ll'lf6+ c;t>g7 2 1.�d4 + - ; 20 . . . c;t>h8
real counterplay on the kingside. 21.l'%fe1+- with the idea l'%e1-e3-
h3; 14 . . . l'%e8 1S.f4 i.h8 16 . .tgS f6
7.cxd4 17.i.h6 i.g7 18.hg7 c;t>xg7 19.1'%c1
l'%xe4 20.ll'lc7 l'%b8 21:�d6 + - ; 11 ...
It is obviously not good for hc3 12 .i.gS f6 13.i.h6 i.eS 14.
White to play here 7.ll'lxd4? ! , al .tc4+ c;t>h8 1S.dxe7 V!fxe7 16.i.xfB
though hundred of games have �xf8 17.V!fd2;l;) 11.i.h6 i.g7 12.
been played after it. Following 7 . . . hg7 c;t>xg7 13.l'%c1 c6 14.dxc6 bxc6
ll'lxd4 ! ? ( 7. . . 0-0= with the idea dS 1S.i.c4 i.b7 16.�d4+ c;t>g8 17.
or d6. Black leads in development l'%fd1+-
and White's knight on b1 has no
good prospects.) 8.cxd4 c6 9.i.a4 Following 7 . . . a6, it would be
dS 10.eS 0-0 11.ll'lc3 �b6+ with best for White after 8.i.a4 0-0, to
the idea f7-f6, Bronnikova - Faiz transpose to the Modern varia
rakhmanov, Niznii Tagil 2 005. tion (see Chapter 7), since he
148
4. 0 - 0 g6 5.c3 1g7 6.d4 ed 7.cd d5
would not obtain much with Black should not be afraid of

B .hc6 (B.1e2 dS 9.exdS ltJxdS = ; the move 8.eS, because after
9.eS f6 1O.exf6 hf6= with the B . . . O-Ooo, there arise complicated
idea 1l.1h6? ! ltJfSt) B . . . dxc6 9. positions with mutual chances.
ltJc3 (9.h3 0-0 1O.ltJc3 �e600) 9 . . .
.ig4 1O.�e3 0-0 1l.h3 i.xf3 1 2 .
'fNxf3 fS ! = Chandler - Spassky, Vi
enna 19B6, with the idea 13 . .igS
fxe4 14.'fNxe4 13f7 lS.13fe1 'fNd7=
16.he7? ! 13eB+
White can hardly create prob

lems for his opponent with 9 ..igS
h6 10.1f6 (10.1h4? ! gS 1l ..ig3
ltJfS+) 1O . . . 1xf6 1l.exf6 ltJfS 12.
ltJc3 'fNxf6 13.ltJxdS 'fNd6=
He would not achieve much
with 9.ltJc3 .ig4 10 . .ie2 (1O ..ie3
ltJfS=) 10 . . . ltJfS= Fernandes Moli
8.exd5 ! ? na - Guadamuro Torrente, For
This is t h e only way for miga1 2002.
White to fight for a slight opening 9.h3 h6 ! ? This is Black's most
edge. accurate move, because it pre
vents .igS, (The more natural re
B.hc6. This move is only sel sponse 9 .. .f6, after 1O.exf6 ,ixf6
dom played, but is of some inter 1l . .ih6 13f7 12.ltJgS hgS 13.,ixgS
est. B . . . bxc6 9.eS 0-0 10 .h3 (10. 'fNd6 14.ltJc3;1;; 10 . . . 13xf6 1l.,ixc6
ltJc3 194 - see B.ltJc3 0-0). Here, 13xc6 12 .ltJc3 13e6 13 . .if4;1;; 11...
it is possible for Black to play 10 . . . bxc6 12 . .igS 13e6 13.ltJc3 'fNfB 14.
f6 1l.13e1 fxeSoo or 1l . . . ltJf500, or he 'fNd2 h6 1S . .ie3 ltJfS 16.13feU would
can try to exploit the fact that not cope with his difficulties.)
White's move 10 is a bit too slow 1O.ltJc3 f6 1l.13e1 (1l.�a4 gS ! ?oo)
and sacrifice a pawn with the idea 1l . . . fxeS 12.dxeS gS ! ? (with the
to open the position, exploiting idea gS-g4t) 13.hc6 (13 ..ia4
the power of his two bishops: 10 . . . g400) 13 . . . bxc6 14.ltJa4 g400 Jurcik
cS ! ? 1l.dxc5 d 4 12.ltJxd4 ( 1 2 . .igS - Vul, Tarty 2013 .
.ib7 13.ltJbd2 h6�) 12 . . . heS 13.
ltJf3 'fNxd1 14J"!:xd1 .ig7 lS.ltJc3 After B.ltJc3, Black's simplest
13bB� reply would be B . . . dxe4 (It is also
149
acceptable for him to opt for 9.gel!

8 . . . 0-0, but this move leads to This is a very fashionable
more complicated and not so move.
clear positions, for example : 9.
exdS ttJxdS 10 .i.gS �d6oo or 9. Black should not be afraid of
hc6 bxc6 1O.eS i.g4 11.h3 ixf3 9.�a4 in view of 9 . . . 0-0 ! , after
12.�xf3 f6 13.e6 ttJfSoo Nadig - which he obtains a quite accepta
Vul, Gibraltar 2008.) 9.ttJxe4 0-0 ble game. 10.i.xc6 bxc6. Now, it
10 .i.gS h6 (Black can look for would be hardly reasonable for
counter chances in the more com White to try to capture a pawn,
plicated positions following 10 . . . since his queenside is not devel
�dS 11.ttJc3 �d6 12 .dS ttJeS 13. oped. ll.�xc6 (11.ttJc3 .ig4 12.ttJeS
ttJe4 �b4 14.ttJxeS i.xeS= with the .ie6oo; 11 .. J:!b8 12.�xa7 ifS�; 12.
idea IS.d6 ttJfS l6.d7 i.xd7 17.hd7 �xc6 ttJb4�) 11 ... l3b8� with the
�xe4 18J�!el �d4 19.hfS gxfSoo) idea ttJb4 and i.b7 and Black seiz
11.if6 (l1.ttJf6+? �h8- + Lupu - es the initiative. It compensates
Radulov, Val Thorens 1998) 11 . . . fully his minimal material deficit.
ixf6 12.ttJxf6+ �g7 13.dS �xf6 Later, in the game Kosteniuk - Si
14.�el �g7 1S.dxc6 (IS.V9c3+ ttJeS mon, Geneve 2001, there followed
16.�xeS+ f6 17.V9g3 ttJfSoo) 15 . . . 12.ttJc3 (12 .V9a4 .ib7t with the
ttJxc6 16.hc6 bxc6 17J'kl �f6= idea 13.V9xa7? ! ttJb4+) 12 . . . ttJb4
13.�a4 i.fS�
The character of the position

Black will only help his oppo remains more or less the same af
nent to develop and to seize the ter 9.hc6 bxc6 10 .i.gS (10 .�a4
initiative with the move 8 .. . O - O ! - see 9.�a4) 10 . . . �d6 11.
�xdS?! 9.ttJc3t, for example : 9 .. . l3el+ (following Il.ttJbd2 0-0,
�d6 10 .i.xc6+ bxc6 (10 . . . �xc6? Black does not have any particu
lU:lel+-) 11.�a4 0-0 12 .b3 cS lar problems after 12.ttJc4 �b4
13.ia3 id7 14.�c4± 13.l3c1 l3e8oo, as well as in the vari
ation 12 .ttJb3 l3e8 13.h3 l3b8oo)
11 . . . i.e6 12.ttJbd2 0-0.
150
4. 0 - 0 g6 S.c3 ig7 6.d4 ed 7.cd dS
About 13.lLle4 'lWb4 or 13.'lWc1 14.hc6 (Black is not worse af

l"lfe8 14.lLle4 'lWb4 - see 9.l"lel ! ter 14.lLlcS, for example : 14 ... ig4
13.l"lcl l"lfe8 14.lLlc4 'lWb4 IS. IS.hc6 bxc6 16.b4 'lWb6oo Sep
lLlfeS 'lWbSoo Van Leeuwen - Ye man - Egin, St. Petersburg 2002;
Rongguang, Groningen 1996. IS.'lWc4 lLlb6 16.'lWd3 a6 17.hc6
13 .a3 ! ? White does not let the bxc6 18 .l"lac1 'lWbS 19.'lWxbS cxbSoo;
enemy queen to occupy the b4- IS.lLlxb7 'lWb6 16.hc6 'lWxc6 17.
square, where it usually belongs lLlcS l"lfe8 18.'lWd3 h6 19.id2 lLle7t ;
in this scheme. Now, Black must 17.lLlaS 'lWa4 18.b4 l"lfe8 19.'lWd3 cS !
play very precisely. 13 . . . l"lfe8 ! 14. with the idea 20.h3 ifS 21.'lWc4
lLle4 'lWf8 IS.'lWa4 ifS 16.lLlg3 id7 lLlb6 22 .'lWxcS ie4�) 14 . . . bxc6 IS.
17.lLleS lLlb6 18.'lWaS (18 .'lWc2 cS lLleS (IS.b4? ! 'lWbS't; IS.l"lfcl 'lWb6oo)
19.1Llxd7 lLlxd7=) 18 . . . 'lWd6 19.l"ladl IS . . . l"lfe8 ! (1S ... l"lae8, Timman -
'lWdS 2 0 .'lWc3 l"le6 21.'lWcl l"lae8 2 2 . Spassky, Bugojno 1986, 16.lLlcS ! ?oo)
lLle4 f6 23.lLlc3 'lWb3oo 16.'lWf3?! (16.l"lfc1 'lWa4oo; 16.lLlcs
ifS ! 17.id2? l"lxeS ! - + ; 17.b4
Following 9.igS 'lWd6, it would 'lWbS't ; 17.'lWd2 'lWxd2 18.hd2 l"lab8
be the best for White to play 10. 19.b4 i.xeS 20.dxeS l"lxeS=) 16 .. .f6
l"lel, transposing to the main line. 17.id2 'lWb5+ 18 .lLld3? ig4 ! 19.
His attempt to try something else 'lWxg4 'lWxd3 20.l"lfel fS 0-1 Boch
with the move 1O.'lWe2 + (After - Dreev, Arnhem 1989.
1O.lLlc3 0-0=, there arises an im
proved version for Black, because The seemingly active knight
the inclusion of the moves l"lel + sortie 9.lLleS is not dangerous for
ie6 is in favour of White. Now, Black.
Black is not forced to place later
his bishop on e6 and is threaten
ing to play ig4, solving all his
problems. 1l.h3 ifS= Le Roux -
Ortega Ruiz, Cappelle la Grande
2012) would not be good for him
at all. 1O . . . ie6 1l.lLlbd2 0-0 12.
lLle4 'lWb4 13.a3 'lWaS
He has a very pleasant choice :

9 . . . lLlde7= 1O .'lWf3 (l0 .d5 .be5
1l.dxc6 0-0 12 .cxb7 hb7+ Black's
considerable lead in development
compensates with an interest the
defects of his pawn-structure on
the queenside.) 10 . . . 0-0 11 .ixc6
IS1
ltJxc6 12.ltJxc6 bxc6+ - He has a

bishop-pair and a superior devel
opment and his compromised
pawn-structure on the queenside is
not so important, because.the vul
nerability of White's d4-pawn com
pensates this. 13.ltJc3, Madl - C:rebe,
Cobanya 1991, 13 ... 1!b8 14.1!d1 1lml4t
or 9 . . . 0-0 10.ltJxc6 (Black ob
tains a very good position follow
ing 1O . .ixc6 bxc6 1l.ltJc3 cS+ Bay
ley - O'Donnell, Canada 1989 ; it 1O.ltJc3 0-0 11.h3 (ll . .tgS �d6
is not good for White to opt here - see 1O . .igS) 1l . . . 1!e8 12 ..igS �d6
for 1l.ltJxc6?! �d6 12.ltJeS cS 13. 13.�d2 .ifSoo
ltJc3 ltJb4+, or 12 .ltJaS ? ! .ia6 13.1!e1
cS+ with the idea 14.dxcS �xcS 1O.ltJeS O - O !
1S.ltJb3 �c6 16.ltJd4 �b6 17.ltJf3
ltJb4+) 1O ... bxc6 1l.hc6 1!b8�
Black has very good counterplay
for the missing pawn. 12 .ltJc3
ltJe7 ! ? = (It would not be so relia
ble for him to choose here 12 . . .
ltJb4, due t o 1 3 . .ie4 ! hd4, Ko
steniuk - Popova, Beijing 2008,
14.a3 ltJa6 1S . .ih6 .ig7 16.�cl;!;)
13 ..tf3 (13 . .te4 �xd4= ) 13 . . . �xd4
(13 . . . ltJfS ! ? 14.dS 1!e8 1S.1!e1 1!xe1+ 1l.hc6 bxc6 12.ltJxc6 (12.ltJc3
16.�xe1 ltJd4 17. .td1 i.fS�) 14 . .ie3 cS+; 12 .ltJd2 ltJe7 13.ltJdf3 .idS=;
�xd1 1S.ltJxd1, A.Horvath - Ste 13.�a4 .idS = ; 13.ltJe4 ltJfS ! ? 14.
vic, Rijeka 2010, 1S . . . .ib7 16.hb7 ltJxc6 �d7 1S.ltJeS �d4+; 14 . .te3
1!xb7= and there has arisen an ap .idS= 1S.�e 2 ? ! 1!e8+ Casella -
proximately equal endgame. Remlinger, Los Angeles 2012)
12 . . . �d6 13.ltJeS cS= 14.ltJc3 (14.
9 ••• i.e6 dxcS �cS 1S.ltJd2 ltJb4+) 14 . . . cxd4
(diagram) 1S.�xd4 1!fd8t Black's bishop
10 .ig5 ! ?
• pair and his superior develop
This i s White's most popular ment more than compensate the
and fashionable move in his fight sacrificed pawn.
for a slight opening edge. 1l.ltJxc6 bxc6 12 . .ixc6 1!b8� 13.
ltJc3 (13.ltJd2 ? ! ltJb4+) 13 . . . ltJb4!?
His alternatives are not so Black is trying to parry his oppo
dangerous for Black. nent's pressure in the centre and
1S2
4. 0 - 0 g6 S.c3 !g7 6.d4 ed 7.cd d5
on the queenside and to avoid the

possible simplifications (it is also
interesting for him to continue
with 13 . . . �d6 14.hd5 i.xd5� or
14 . .ta4 \!;!Ib4�).
Now, he can follow with the

more natural move 10 . . . \!;!Id6 with
this exemplary variation: 1l.lt:lxe6
fxe6 12 .lt:ld2 (12 .\!;!Ig4 O-O-O ! ?oo
with the idea 13.gxe6 \!;!Id7 14.
hc6 bxc6+ followed by ghe8,
14 . .tf3? ! �xd4+ Mudongo - Elansary, Tripoli
After 14.!a4, Black regains his 2 005; 13.,ixc6 \!;!Ixc6 14.i.g5 It:lf6=;
pawn 14 . . . �xd4= and only White it is also good for Black to play
might have problems, since Black's here 12 . . . 0-0 13.,ixc6 \!;!Ixc6 14.
pieces occupy much more active It:lc3 gf5=) 12 . . . 0-0 13.,ixc6 (13.
positions, Wood - Richardson, It:lc4 �b400; 13.lt:le4 \!;!Ib4 14.,ixc6
London 1995. bxc600; 13.lt:lf3 gxf3 14.\!;!Ixf3?!
Following 14.d5 j.f5�, Black It:lxd4 15.\!;!Id3 It:lb4+ ; 14.gxf3?!
increases his pressure in the cen It:lxd4t ; 14.hc6 gf5 15.hb7 gb8
tre and on the queenside. 15 . .ta4 16.,ixd5 gxd5=) 13 . . . \!;!Ixc6 14.lt:lf3
(15 . .te3? ! It:ld3+; 15.g4? ! It:lxc6 \!;!Ib6 15.a4 a500
16.gxf5 It:ld4+ Medvegy - Rogulj , Black can also ignore his op
Oberwart 1995) 15 . . . lt:ld3 16J''! e 2 ponent's attempt with 10 . . . 0-0
tDxb2 17.hb2 �b2 18.�b2 hc3= 1l.,ixc6 bxc6 12.lt:lxe6 (After 12.
Lazarus - Vul, Gibraltar 2008. It:lc3, Black preserves his impor
14.i.e4 i.xd4 (14 . . . \!;!Ixd4 15. tant light-squared bishop 12 . . . i.f5
�xd4 i.xd4= Ronchetti - Isakov, and White's move 10.lt:lg5 be
Heraklio 2 0 04) 15.\!;!Ie2 (15.!h6 comes senseless. It would be too
ixf2+ 16.@xf2 �h4+ 17.@gl risky for him to try to capture a
�xh6+; 15.lt:le2 i.g7+; 15.�f3 f5 pawn in the variation 12.gxe6
16.i.bl ge8+ with the idea 17.a3 fxe6 13.lt:lxe6 \!;!Ie7 14.lt:lxf8 gxf8t
!b3 ! t) 15 . . . ge8 16.i.e3 cS= Ange and Black's initiative would com
lov - Radulov, Burgas 1991. pensate fully his slight material
deficit. White lags in develop
1O.lt:lg5. This straightforward ment, his queenside is completely
knight-sortie is not dangerous for idle, while all Black's pieces are
Black at all. very actively placed.) 12 . . . fxe6 13.
153
tLld2 (after 13.tLlc3, Black's sim 18 . . . tLlf4 19.l"ld1 (19.�c4+ �dS 20.
plest reaction would be 13 . . . �f6 �xdS+ tLlxdS=) 19 . . .�e8 2 0.�c4+
14.�e2, Moradi - Egin, Indonesia �f7 21.a4 as 22.l"lxc7 �xc4 23.
1998, 14 .. .l:'lab8= . White may pay l"lxc4 tLlh3+ 24.gxh3 l"lxf3=
dearly ifhe tries to capture a pawn
with 13J'lxe6? ! �h4 ! + Malevinsky 1O.,hc6 bxc6 1l.i.gS (ll.tLlgS
- Egin, Tashkent 1977 and due to 0-0 12.tLlxe6 fxe6 13.tLld2 - see
Black's numerous threats, White 1O.tLlgS) 11.. .�b8 ! ? = , Black at
will hardly manage to preserve his tacks the enemy b2-pawn on the
material advantage. For example, open b-file. This resource for him
he cannot solve the problem with has become possible because of
the protection of his f2-pawn with White's early exchange on c6 (11 ...
14.�e2?, because of 14 . . . ,hd4-+) �d6 12.tLlbd2 0-0 13.tLle4 �b4 -
see 1O.i.gS) .
After 13 ... tLlf4, Black has no

difficulties following 14.tLlb3 as ! ? 12 .�d2 h6 (12 . . . 0 - 0 ! ? = ) 13.
lSJ:�e4 eSoo, but i n the variation i.h4 0-0 14.tLleS cS= lS.tLlc3 (15.
14.tLlf3 �dS lS.hf4 l"lxf4 16.�e2, dxcS ? ! �b4 ! 16.�xb4 tLlxb4 17.
he should not play 16 . . . l"le8 ? ! 17. tLl a3 l"lfe8+ Black's pieces are very
�e3 ! ;!; Vorontsov - Kozionov, Ba actively deployed and this more
tumi 2010, but should enter the than compensates his minimal
endgame after 16 . . . ,hd4 ! ? 17. material deficit.) lS . . . tLlxc3 (15 ...
tLlxd4 l"lxd4 18.�xe6+ �xe6 19. �b7 ! ? 16.dxcS l"lfe8�) 16.bxc3
l"lxe6 l"ld2;!;, which looks drawish, cxd4 17.cxd4 �b6 (17 . . . l"le8 =) 18.
but Black would still need to de l"lac1 l"lfe8= Wolff - Dreev, New
fend it precisely. York 1990.
13 . . . hd4 14.tLlf3 i.g7 lS.l"lxe6 Or 12.tLlc3 0-0= 13.tLla4 (13.
l"lb8oo 16.�a4 (16.�e2 �d7oo ; 16. �d2 l"le8 =) 13 . . .i.g4 14.l"le4?! i.f5
l"lxc6 tLle7 17.�xd8 l"lfxd8 18.l"le6 lS.l"le2 �bS 16.l"lc1 l"lfe8 17.l"lxe8+
l"ld1+ 19.1"le1 l"lxe1+ 2 0 . tLlxe1 c5�) l"lxe8t Panbukchian - K.Geor
16 . . . hb2 17.hb2 l"lxb2 18.l"lxc6 giev, Bulgaria 1988.
(18.�xa7? l"lxf3 19.9xf3 �gS+ 2 0 . 12 .�c1 0-0 13.tLlbd2 (13.tLlc3
mfl tLlf4-+ o r 2 0.mh1 tLlf4-+) l"le8 = ; 13.tLla3 cSoo ; 13 . .th6 hh6
154
4. 0 - 0 g6 5.c3 i.g7 6.d4 ed 7.cd d5
14.§'xh6 §'xb2 lS.lilgS ? ! lilf6 16. 1l.lilc3 0-0

lilxe6 fxe6 17.§'d2 gab8+; lS.lilbd2
lilf6 16.gab1 Y;Yxa2cc with the idea
17.ga1 §'b2 18.gab1 §'c2 19.gec1
Y;YfS 20.gxc6 gfe8cc) 13 . . . lilb4 14.
§'c3 lilxa2 lS.§'xc6 (lS.gxa2? !
.txa2 16 .b3 as 17.ga1 §'b4 18.Y;Yc2
.bb3 19.1ilxb3 a4 20.lilcS a3t
Fogarasi - Coopey, Utasellato
1990) lS . . . lilb4=
10 §'d6
••• 12 ..ixc6?! lilxc3 ! 13.bxc3 Y;Yxc6+
12 .lile4 Y;Yb4 13 . .bc6 bxc6 -
White obtains a positional ad see 1l.lilbd2.
vantage after 1O . . . Y;Yb8 ? ! 1l.lilc3 12.a3 lilxc3 13.bxc3, Hogen
0-0 12 .§'d2;!;, for example : 12 . . . acker - Schwarzkopf, Germany
lilce7? ! 1 3 . .ic4 ! c 6 1 4 . .be7 lilxe7 1991, 13 . . . gfe8=
lS . .ixe6 fxe6 16.gxe6±; or 12 . . . 12 .h3 gfe8 13.Y;Yd2, Skripchen
lilxc3 13.bxc3 .idS 14.Y;Yd3t ko - Magomedov, Cappelle la
Grande 1994, 13 ... .ifScc
12 .Y;Yd2 gfe8 ! ? This is the sim
plest way for Black to organise
quite sufficient counterplay to
equalise (There arise more com
plicated and less clear positions
following 12 . . . lilxc3 13.bxc3 lilaS
14 . .if4 Y;YdS lS.Y;Yb2 gac8cc ; 14 .
.ih6 c6 lS . .ixg7 'i!lxg7 16.id3
gfe8 = ; 14.gab1 c6 lS.id3 gfe8cc;
14.c4 lilxc4?! lS.hc4 hc4 16.ie7
§'a6 17.hf8 M8 18.Y;Yf4 gc8 19.
11.�bd2 a4;!;; 14 ... b6 lS.cS Y;YdScc) 13.ih6
(13.gac1 lilxc3 14.bxc3 a6 lS ..id3
Black should not be afraid of idS=; lS.ia4 Y;Ya3cc; 13.lile4 Y;Yb4cc;
11.lileS, since in the variation 13.h3 ifScc) 13 . . . lilxc3 14.bxc3 a6
11 ... 0-0 12 . .bc6 (12.lilxc6? ! bxc6 lS.id3 (lS.ia4 .idS=) lS . . . .tdS=
13 ..ia4 cS+) 12 . . . bxc6 13.lild2 f6
14.lile4 (14.lilec4 §,d7 1S.�4 lilb6 11 .•. 0-0
16.lilaS .idS=) 14 ... Y;Yb4 lS.id2
ti'xb2 16.lilxc6 gfe8cc his pros It would be an important loss
pects are not worse at all thanks of a tempo for Black if he tries 11 ...
to his bishop-pair. h6? ! , in view of 12.lile4 Y;Yb4 13.
15S
hc6+ bxc6 14.Wfc1 (14 . .id2 ! ? 16.a4 Wfa6 1 7. .id2 liJe7 and after
'lWxb2 lS.liJcS 0-0 16.liJxe6 fxe6 the careless move 1B.liJe3? ! gadB+
17.gxe6±) 14 . . . 'lWb6 lS . .id2± and Black seized the initiative; there
there would arise a position re- arise complicated but quite ac
sembling the main variation, ex- ceptable positions for him follow
cept that instead of 0-0, Black ing 1B.liJaS .idSoo with the idea
has played the move h6, which 19.b4 gadB 20 . .if4 f6 2 1.liJexc6
impedes his castling kingside, liJxc6 2 2 .liJxc6 hc6 23.bS hbS
since his rook on hB would be 24.axbS WfxbS 2S.gxeB+ gxeB 26.
forced to protect the pawn on h6. gxc7 Wfa4 ! = or 2S.gxc7 gxd4 ! 26.
15 ... 0-0-0 16.liJcS .ifS 17.liJeS gxeB+ WfxeB 27.Wfb3+ 'it>hB 2B.g3
heS 1B.dxeS liJb4 19.1iJa4 WfbS Wfe1+ 29.'it>g2 'lWe4=) 14 . . . gfeB 15.
20 . .ixb4 'lWxa4 2 1 .i.e7 gd3 2 2 .i.f6 i.d2 'lWbSoo 16.a4 Wfa6 17.liJceS (17.
geB 23 .b3 'lWbS 24.'lWxh6+ - Ko- liJaS liJe7 1B.liJeS .idS=) 17 . . . liJe7=
valevskaya - Torbin, Samara Fercec - Stevic, Zadar 2005.
2002.
12 :llrh4 13.,ixc6 hxc6
••
14.'lWcl!
Black should not b e afraid of
12.liJc4, because after 12 . . . Wfb4 13. This is the best move for
.txc6 (about 13.a4 - see Kubik - White, since it prepares the ma
Vul, Tarty 2 013, game 19) 13 . . . noeuvre i.gS-h6, protects the b2-
bxc6 and in connection with the pawn and also creates threats on
not so harmonious placement of the c-file against the enemy pawn
White's knight on c4, than on the on c6.
e4-square, Black's position is 14.a3 ? ! 'lWxb2 lS.gb1 Wfxa3 16.
quite acceptable. 14.'lWc1 (14.gc1 gal Wfb4 17.gb1 WfaS 1B.i.d2 Wla6
gfeBoo In the game Van Leewen - 19.1iJcS WfcB 20.liJxe6 fxe6 21.Wla4
Ye Rongguang, Groningen 1996, Wfd7+ Galiana - Mellado Trivino,
there followed later lS.liJfeS WfbS Calvia 2005.
156
4. 0 - 0 96 S.c3 i97 6.d4 ed 7.cd d5
14.b3 i.g4= 14 . . . gab8 lS.b3;t;
14.lLleS ti'xb2 lS.lLlxc6 gfe8=
14.ti'd2 gfb8 (14 ... i.fS lS.lLlg3

i.e6=) lS.b3 as= (with the idea
as-a4), Firat - Gunnarsson, Ke
meri 2 007.
It is not so good for White to

play here 14.ti'c2, because thus he
loses the possibility to play .igS
h6 and the placement of his queen
on the c2-square is not so appro After 14 gfe8 has arisen
•••
priate under the permanent ene the most modern tabia of the en
my threat i.e6-fS. Now, after 14 . . . tire variation which we analyse in
gfe8 ! = Black obtains a quite ac this chapter. The main defect of
ceptable position. lS.h3, De Firm Black's position is his compro
ian - D'Amore, New York 1990 mised queenside pawn-structure.
(lS.ti'xc6 - see 14.ti'c1; lS.lLlcS .ifS Still, his more actively placed
16.\&d2 f6 17.a3 \&xd2 18.hd2 pieces and the presence of the two
ig4=) lS . . . gab8 16.b3 .ifS= with bishops compensate his compro
the idea 17.g4 he4 18.gxe4 ge4 mised pawn-structure. The posi
19.\&xe4 h6 20 . .id2 \&a3= tion is open and very complicated
and the value of every move is tre
14 ••• gfe8! mendously important.
His alternatives are weaker. We will analyse in details now:

It would be too risky for A) 15.a3, B) 15.ih6, C) 15.
Black to try to capture a pawn - id2 ! ? and D) 15.h3 ! ?
14 . . . ixd4? ! In the game Minic -
Dely, Belgrade 1968, there fol Black obtains a quite accepta
lowed later: lS.lLlxd4 \&xd4 16. ble position after lS.\&xc6 \&xb2=
\&xc6t \&xb2 17.gad1 \&b6 18.
\&c1 ! ± and White's initiative be
came even more dangerous.
14 . . . .ifS lS.lLlg3 i.g4 (lS . . ..ie6

16.i.h6t) 16.lLleS;t;
14 ... '!Wb6 - see Yansa - Schwar

zkopf, Badenweiler 1990, game 20.
157
Following 16.lilcS, the simplest This move is not so fashiona

reaction for him would be 16 . . . ble as IS . .id2 and IS.h3 and is
�b6 17.�a4 lilc3 18.�c2 lilbS 19. only seldom played, because it
.ie3 .idS= does not create any difficulties for
It is not preferable for him to Black.
choose here 16.:1!abl, in view of 15 :frb6
••
16 . . . §'xa 2 = and White should bet

ter avoid 17.lilcS, due to 17 . . . lilc3 It is also possible for him to
IB.lilxe6 (IBJ�al? lile2+ 19.@hl opt for IS . . . �bS.
�dS- + ; 19.@f1 �c4-+) IB ... lilxbl
19.1ilxg7 1:!xel+ 2 0.lilxel �e2 ! 21.
�xaB+ @xg7 2 2 .g3 �xel+ 23.@g2
lilc3+
16.1:!ebl §'a3 (16 . . . §'e2? 17.lilg3
�d3 IB.1:!b3+-) 17.lilcS (17.1:!bS ? !
�a4 IB.lilc5 �c4+; 17.1:!b3 §'fB
IB.lilcS �d6 19.�xd6 cxd6 20.
lilxe6 1:!xe6= Sadzikowski - Dra
gun, Porto Carras 2010) 17 . . . lilb4
18.§'b7 (18.�xc7 1:!acB 19.�b7 16.�d2 .ig4 ! ? Black solves all
1:!bB= ) IB . . . 1:!abB I9.�xc7 1:!bcB 2 0 . his opening problems with this
�b7 (20.�f4 .idSt; 2 0 .§'d6? ! lilc2 move (16 .. .f6oo Sznapik - Kr.
2 1 ..ic1 §'xcS ! 2 2 . dxcS 1:!cdB+; 2 0 . Georgiev, Stara Zagora 1990).
�g3 ? ! .ic4 ! + with the idea 2 1 . Now, following 17.lileS .if5+ it
.ic1 ? ! §'xf3 ! 2 2 .gxf3 1:! e l + 23.@g2 would not work for White to play
.ifl+ 24.@hl .ih3+ 2S.�gl 1:!xgl+ IB.lilg3 ? ! because of IB . . .f6-+
26.@xgl lilc2t) 2 0 ... 1:!bB 2 1.�c7 After 16 . .ih6, Black has the
1:!bcB = counter strike - 16 . . . .ifS ! + and
only White may have problems,
for example: 17.i.xg7 (17.lilg3? !
A) 15.a3 1:!xel+ IB.lilxel .ixd4 19.1:!a2 .ie6+;
19.1ilxfS? ! i.xb2-+) 17 . . . .ixe4 ! +
16.lilc5 .ifS 17.b4 (17.§'d2 f6
IB . .ih4 .ifB = ) 17 . . . 1:!xel+ IB.§'xel
.ig4 19.1ileS 1:!eB 2 0.§'d2 .ifS=
Emms - Kr.Georgiev, Capelle la
Grande 1992.
16. 1Oc5
About 16.§'d2 - see Gruenfeld

- D'Amore, Haifa 19B9, game 21.
ISB
4. 0 - 0 g6 5.c3 .lg7 6.d4 ed 7.cd d5
16 .lfS=
•••
Black has obtained a quite ac

ceptable position.
17.Bd2
17.b4 l%xe1+ 18.Wfxe1 f6 19 . .ld2

'.!lfl 2 0 .h3 l%eB 2 1.\1;Yd1 ifB= - The
powerful black knight on d5 and
his bishop-pair compensate his
inferior queenside pawn-struc
ture, Groszpeter - C.Balogh, Sze
ged 2009. This seldom played move is
quite logical from the strategical
17••• f6 point of view. The trade of the
dark-squared bishops is no doubt
in favour of White, because in
that case, the vulnerability of the
dark squares will become a very
important factor. Still, Black has
another interesting possibility.
15 .lfS
•••
Now, he obtains a quite ac

ceptable position.
15 . . . hh6? ! 16.'�xh6t
18 .le3
• 15 . . . ihB 16.a3 Wfb6 17.ltJc5;!;
Following 1B.ih4, it is bad for 16.Wfxc6

Black to opt for 1B . . . h5? ! 19 .ig3 Black must play precisely in
g5 (19 . . . '.!lh7? ! 20.ltJh4 ! ih6 21. order to counter this move.
f4±) 2 0 .h4 g4 2 1.ltJh2;!;; but the
moves 1B . . . ifB = , or 1B . . . ig4= 16.ltJg3? ! l%xe1+ 17.ltJxe1 hh6
would solve his problems. 1B.Wfxh6 id7'+
18 .lg4 19. c![}h4 gad800 and

••• 16.id2 Wfb6 17.ltJc5 l%xel+
in the arising complicated situa 1B .he1 l%eB = Luther - Radulov,
tion, Black's prospects are not Lille 2005.
worse, Lukovishnikov - Filipen
ko, Ryazan 1992. Following 16.hg7 he4 ! =
Black equalises easily. 17.a3 Wfb6
B) 15 .lh6 • (17 . . . Wfb5 ! ?'+) 1B.l%xe4 (lB .ltJe5
159
�xg7 19.i!xe4 f6 2 0.tlJd7 �b5=)

18 . . . i!xe4 19 . .ie5 f6 2 0 '\�'lc2 fxe5
(It was more reliable for him to
continue with 20 . . . i!g4 21.h3
i!xg2+ 2 2 . �xg2 fxe5 23.tlJxe5
tlJf4 = ; 23.dxe5 i!f8 = ) 21.�xe4
�xb2 2 2 .i!e1 \Wxa3oo Velimirovic
- Radulov, Baleares 1989.
16 .bh6
•••
16 . . .,ixe4 17.i!xe4 tlJe7 18.�c1 We will deal now with Cl)

hh6 19.\Wxh6 tlJf5 2 0.\Wd2 \Wxd2 15 tfb5 ! ? and C2) 15 tfb6.
.•• •••
2 1 .tlJxd2 i!xe4 2 2 .tlJxe4 tlJxd4, Bu

csa - Daryczy, ICCF 2008, 23.i!dU
Cl) 15 tfb5 ! ?
•••
17.�xd5 he4 18.i!xe4 I have played this move for the

ged8 first time in the game Gelfand -
Dreev, Moscow 1989. It seemed
more active than 15 . . . \Wb6, but
also more risky in view of the not
so stable position of his queen.
Black must be constantly on the
alert about the threat a2-a4, fol
lowed by i!a3-b3.
16.�e5
About 16.tlJc5 i.f5 17.tlJe5 1'!e7

- see 16.tlJe5.
19."f!Yb3 (19.�c6 \Wxb2oo; 16.a4 �b6 17.tlJc5 .if5 18. tlJe5

19.�c5 \Wxb2oo) 19 "f!Yxb3 20.
••• 1'!e7 ! ? - see 16.tlJe5.
axb3 gdb8=
16 .if5 17.tlJc5 !
•••
This i s the only way for White

C) 15 .td2 ! ?
• to fight for a slight opening
White removes prudently with edge.
tempo his bishop from the g5-
square, so that after his knight oc 17.tlJg3. This move does not
cupies in the future the e5-square, create any problems for Black.
he would not be afraid of the move 17 . . . tlJe7 18 . .ih6 i.xh6 19.\Wxh6
f7-f6. f600 - his chances are not worse at
160
4. 0 - 0 g6 S.c3 fig7 6.d4 ed 7.cd d5
all. 2 0 J:�e3 fxeS 2U�xeS cS ! 22. White would not achieve much
�gS �d7 23.gae1 lLlc6 ! + 24.lLlxfS with 19.aS %YbS 20.ga3 gxeS ! 21.
lLlxeS 2S.lLlh6+ @g7 26.dxeS %Yd8 ! dxeS (21.l3xeS?! fixeS 22.dxeS lLlb4t
27.h4 %YxgS 28.hxgS gab8+ and with the idea 23.gb3? %Ye2-+)
White will have to fight long and 21.. . .if8 22 .lLle4 he4 23.gxe4
hard for a draw, Gelfand - Dreev, ha3 24.bxa3 �d3 =
Moscow 1989. There arise not so clear posi
tions after 19.9a3 , in view of 19 ...
gxeS ! (19 . . . heS?! 20.gb3 fixd4
21.gxe8+ gxe8 22.gxb6 cxb6 23.
lLlb3 .if6 24.�xc6 gd8�; 20.dxeS !
lLlb4, Filipenko - Belousov, Vo
ronezh 1991, 21 .fie3 ! ?± with the
idea 21.. .lLlc2 22.lLld7 gxd7 23.
hb6 cxb6 24.g4 lLlxel 2S.gxfS
gxeS 26.f6+-; 23 . . . lLlxel 24.ha7
lLld3 2S.gxd3 gxd3 26.h3±) 20.
dxeS (20.gb3?! gxe1+ 21.hel
hd4 22.gxb6 cxb6 23.lLlb3 fig7
17. . . ge7!? 24.%Yxc6 lLlb4+; 20.gxeS heS 21.
I believe this is the best move dxeS lLlf4 ! 2 2 .hf4 �xcS= ; 21.gb3
for Black, which enables him to hd4 22.gxb6 cxb6 23.lLlb3 fig7
deploy his pieces in the most har 24.%Yxc6 hb2�) 20 . . . .if8 21.lLle4
monious way. As you will see in he4 22.gxe4 ha3 23.bxa3 gb8oo
the following variations, he pre 19.h3 ! ?;l; Now, Black has very
pares with it the doubling of his serious problems. 19 ... hS 20.ga3
rooks with the move gae8, or the gxeS 21.gxeS ! heS 22.dxeS %Yb8
retreat of his queen with the ma 23.gb3 %Yc8 24.gb7 %Ya8 2S.e6
noeuvre %YbS-b8-e8. fxe6 26.%Yel±
White can counter the attrac 18.a4

tive move 17 . . . gad8 with 18.a4 Black has nothing to worry
%Yb6. about following 18.h3 gae8 19.a4
%Yb6 20.ga3 �b8 21.gb3 %Ya8 22.
lLla6 f6 23.lLlc4 gxe1+ 24.he1
!f8oo with the idea %Yc8.
18 Vb6
•••
(diagram)
19.9a3
19.1Llc4 gxe1 2 0.%Yxe1 (20.hel

%Yb8 - see lS . . . �b6, 18.lLlc4) 20 . . .
161
promised queenside pawn-struc

ture. Still, the position is rather
complicated and Black has his
pluses too. He has a powerful
bishop-pair and can exert pres
sure against White's isolated d4-
pawn.
17 ge7!?
•••
With this move, Black wishes

to double his rooks on the e-file
and to oust the enemy knight
'fNb8 with an approximately equal from the e5-square.
position. This move was played for the
first time by me in the game OIl -
There arise very complicated, Dreev, Odessa 1989.
but quite acceptable positions for
Black after 19.94 .b:e5 20.dxe5 After 17 ... 1!ad8 18.b3 (or 18 .
.bg4oo h3�) White maintains a stable po-
sitional advantage. 18 . . . tLlb4 (18 .. .
19 'fNb8 20.h3 'fNe8 21.g4
••• h5 19.h3t; 18 . . . lLlf6 19.'fNc4�; 18 .. .
.lc8oo (followed by 1!b8) Black f6 19.1Lla4 'fNb5 20.lLlxc6 1!xe1+
has coordinated his forces and 2 1 ..b:e1 1!d6 22.lLla5� with the
obtains a very good game. idea 2 2 . . . 'fNd3? 23.lLlb7 1!d7 24.
lLlbc5 + - ; 18 ... lLle7 19.'fNc4 1!d5 20.
1!ac1t with the idea 2 0 . . . 1!ed8 21.
C2) 15 Ub6 16. tLlc5 .lf5
••• .ie3±; 18 ... 1!e7 19.i.a5 ! �xa5 20.
17.tLle5 lLlb7 �xe1+ 2 1.�xe1 1!de8 2 2 .�a5
lLlf4 23.lLlxc6 lLle2+ 24.mh1 1!e4
25.f3 1!e3 26.�xc7 lLlxd4 27.1!gl
lLlxc6 28.�xcM) 19 . .b:b4 �xb4
(19 . . . .b:e5 2 0.i.c3 i.g7 2 1.�f4�)
2 0 . lLlxc6 1!xe1+ 2 1.�xe1 �xel+
2 2 .1!xe1 1!d6 23.lLle7+ mf8 24.
lLlxf5 gxf5 25.mfl .bd4 26.1!c1
1!d5 27.lLld3 i.b6 28.me2�
He would hardly obtain much

White's prospects in this mod- with the line : l8.lLlc4 1!xe1+ 19.
ern position seem to be slightly .bel �b5 20.a4 'fNb8 2 1.lLle5 (21.
preferable thanks to Black's com- .lc3 �d8= Ellis - Kask, IECG
162
4. 0 - 0 g6 5.c3 �g7 6.d4 ed 7.cd dS
2 001) 21.. .�e8= Atabayev - Ja- �e6?! 23.ttJb2 ! t on - Dreev,

vakhadze, Kayseri 2010. Odessa 1989.
IS ,beS ! ?
••• 21.j,c3
I t i s weaker for Black t o choose 21.b3? ! l!xeS+

here 18 .. J'!ae8, due to 19 .iaS �b8
2 0 .�xc6 heS 21.dxeS l!xeS 2 2 . 21.ttJxc6 l!e6 22.ttJaS l!xeS
l!xeS l!xeS 23.l!d1 ie6 24.h4t - 23.l!xeS l!xeS+
The vulnerability of the dark
squares on Black's kingside and 21.�xc6 l!xeS 22 .�xe8+ l!xe8
his inferior queenside pawn-struc 23.l!xe8+ <J;;g7=
ture provide White with a slight
but stable positional advantage. 21 cS 22 .Bd2 c4 23.b3
.••
BcS 24.�b7 Bb6 2S.�aS �xc3

19.dxeS 26.Bxc3 BcS 27.�xc4 hc4
2S.l!e4 l!xeS 29Jlxc4 Bb6=
He can hardly achieve any
thing with 19.1!xeS l!xeS 20.dxeS
l!e8°o Borisovs - Verde, ICCF D) IS.h3 ! ?
2006.
2 0 .ic3 cS 21.iaS �a6 22.�xc5

ttJf4 23.l!e3 l!d7iii Dugo - Quat
trocchi, ICCF 2009.
This move was introduced into

the tournament practice by
grandmaster Vitaly Tseshkovsky
in the game Tseshkovsky - Dreev,
Moscow 1992.
IS l!abS
•••
Its idea, after the standard

20 ••• id3 ! = line : 16.b3 i.fS 17.id2, is to im-
prove the coordination of his
20 . . . c5 21.b3 id3 22,lb c4 pieces with 17 . . . �f8 ! ? , instead of
163
the usual retreat in this system - 23.l3e4 l3xe4 24.tLlcxe4 WfeB=) 17 . . .

Wfb6. Black's queen on fB will oc l3xe1+ 1B.Wfxe1 .ie6 19.Wfd2 (19.
cupy a more promising position tLlxe6 l3eB 20 .Wfd2 l3xe6=) 19 . . .
than on b6. l3eB 20 .l3e1 .ifB 21.Wfc2 ! (21.Wfc1
.ixcS 2 2 . dxcS Wfa6 23.a3 Wfd3
It would be anti-positional for 24.l!?g2 f6 2S . .if4 hS=) 21.. .tLlb4
him to opt for lS . . . hd4, because 2 2 .Wfc1t with the idea 22 . . . tLlxa2?
that move would compromise 23.Wff4+- tLlb4 (23 . . . .ixcS 24.dxcS
considerably the dark squares on Wfxb2 2S . .if6 + - ; 23 . . . WfbB 24.
the kingside. 16.tLlxd4 Wfxd4 17. tLle4+-) 24.l3xe6 ! l3xe6 (24 ... fxe6
Wfxc6 Wfb6 (17 . . . Wfxb2 ? 1BJ3ad1+ 2S.tLleS+-) 2S.tLlxe6 fxe6 (2S . . .
with the idea l3xdS) 1B.Wfa4t with tLl d S 26. Wfe4+-) 26.tLleS+-
the idea 1B . . . Wfxb2? ! 19.13adl±
threatening l3xdS. 16.b3 .ifS
Among Black's alternatives, I

believe that the most interesting
for him may be the move lS .. .f6
and here, after 16 . .id2 , Blanco
Gramajo - Mary, IeeF 200B
(White would not achieve much if
he tries to capture a pawn with
16.Wfxc6 Wfb6 17.Wfxb6 axb6 lB .
.id2 , Marcos Nozar - Mary, IeeF
200B, 1B . . . hS 19.a3 I!?� and the
activity of Black's pieces, com
bined with the presence of his 17 .id2
•
bishop-pair, is more than suffi

cient to compensate his sacri After 17.tLlcS, Black can either
ficed pawn.) 16 . . . WfbS 17.tLlcS reply with the simple line : 17 ...
.if7oo There has arisen a quite ac l3xe1+ 18.Wfxe1 Wfxe1+ 19.13xe1 f6=
ceptable position for Black. His and his bishop-pair would com
light-squared bishop on dS is pensate his inferior pawn-struc
much stronger there than on its ture on the queenside, or enter
habitual position for this system the complications after 17 ...
- the fS-square. .ixd4oo, for example : 1B.tLla6 (lB.
tLlxd4 Wfxd4 19.tLla6 l3xe1 20.
Following lS . . . Wfb6, there may Wfxe1oo) 1B ... i.xf2 + 19.1!?xf2 l3xel
follow the semi-forced variation: 20.tLlxel (20.Wfxe1? ! Wfb6+ 21 . .ie3
16.tLlcS .ifS 17.g4 ! ? (17.Wfd2 f6 lB. tLlxe3 2 2 .Wfxe3 Wfxa6 23.tLld4
g4 hg4 19.hxg4 fxgS 2 0.l3xeB + Wfa3+) 2 0 . . . Wfd4+ 2 1..ie3 (21.l!?g3
l3xeB 2 1 .l3e1 WfbB 2 2 .tLlxgS .ih6 WfeS= ) 2 1 . . . tLlxe3 2 2 .Wfxe3 Wfb2 +
164
4.0-0 g6 S.c3 197 6.d4 ed 7.cd dS
23.�e2 (23.�g3 gb6+) 23...�d4+

24.�e3 (24.�f1? gd8-+; 24.�g3
gd8 25.gc1 tll d6+ 26.�f3 �f6+)
24...tllb2=
17 ••• BfB
White exerted powerful posi

tional pressure after 17...tllb6 18.
lLlc5 h5 19.lLle5;!; in the game Wolff
-I.Sokolov, Bie11993.
approximately equal. It would not
be easy for White to exploit the
It would not be so energetic for vulnerability of his opponent's
White to choose 18.lLlg3 gxe1+ queenside pawn-structure. Black
19.ixe1 id7 20.lLle5 tlle7!?oo and has his trumps - the bishop-pair.
Black's prospects would not be 20 ...1c8 (It would be too risky for
worse, for example: 21.liJxc6 ixc6 him to try to capture a pawn with
22.tllxc6ixd4 23.gd1 �e5 24.�c4 20 ... ixd4 and after 21.liJxd4 �xc5
c5=. After 20...tlle8 21.tllc 5 ixe5 22.liJxf5 gxfS 23.�d3� the extra
22.dxe5 �xe5 23.gd1tWhite ob pawn would not be important,
tains good compensation for while Black's pawn-structure on
Black's minimal material advan both sides of the board would be
tage, Tseshkovsky - Dreev, Mos terribly compromised.) 2Uk1 �d6
cow 1992. 22.ge1 gxe1 23.tllxe1 �e7 24.�xe7
lLlxe7 25.�f1 f6= There has arisen
18 ••. lxel+ 19.Bxelle8 20. an equal endgame, Van den Doel
.flOD - Stevic, Kusadasi 2006.
165
Chapter 6 1.e4 eS 2 . �f3 �c6 3.J.bS �ge7 4.0-0
g6 S.c3 J.g7 6.d4 ed 7.cd dS
Classical Variation
Complete Games
19 Kubik Vu}
Tatry 2 0 13
1.e4 e5 2 . �f3 �c6 3 . .tb5 g6
4.c3 �ge7 5.d4 exd4 6.cxd4
d5 7.exd5 �xd5 S.O-O .tg7 9.
ge1+ .te6 10 . .tg5 Vd6 11. �bd2
0-0 12.�c4 Vb4 13.a4
White gives up his b2-pawn for

nothing, after which Black ob
tains an obvious advantage.
It was much stronger for White
to play 18.Wlc1 and after for exam
ple: 18 . . . i!b8 19J'!a3 Wld6, there
would arise a position with mu
tual chances.
13 . . . gfeS It was also interesting for
13 ... i!fb8 ! ? Black frees the f8- White to choose here 18 .Wlf3 b6
square for the retreat of his queen. 19.�c4 cS 20.i!ad1oo
14.i!c1 Wlf8 1S.hc6 bxc600 G.Kuz lS . . . hb2 19.gb1 .tg7+
min - Baklan, Enakievo 1997. Now, Black dominates com
14.id2 'Wf8 1 5 . � a5 �xd4! pletely.
This is an absolutely correct 20.gc1 b6 21.ef3 c5 22 . .tg5
and justified exchange-sacrifice h6
for a pawn and domination in the It was even stronger for him to
centre. opt for 2 2 . . . llJb4, followed by an
16.�xd4 hd4 17.heS advance of the c-pawn.
gxeS 23 . .th4 gcS 24.�d2 Vd6
(diagram) Black had to play here 24 ... c4!
lS. �b3? 2S.i!xc4 i!xc4 26.llJxc4 Vb4 27.
This is a ridiculous move. Wle4 llJc3-+
166
4. 0 - 0 g6 5.c3 J.g7 6.d4 ed 7.cd d5
2S.J.g3 9c6 26 •a3 �b4

• in similar positions it is stronger
than any minor piece.
With the move in the game,
Black refrains from winning a
pawn and deprives of active pos
sibilities the enemy rook.
30.�d2 !3xel+ 31.hel
31.gxel lilc2-+
31 •e6
•••
It was stronger for Black to

play here 31.. .lila2 ! 32.gbl (32 .
27.�e4? gc2 ti'e6 33 . .ig3 ti'e2-+ ) 32 . . . lilc3
This is another mistake. His 33.gal (33.gc1 lilxa4-+) 33 ... b5 !
knight will be very unstable on 34.axb5 lilxb5 35.ti'cl hal 36.
this square. ti'xal ti'e6, with a technically win
White had to play 27 . .ie5, ex ning position.
changing the powerful enemy 32.lilfl lilc2 33.�c2 ti'xel
bishop. It also deserved attention 34.I!kI 9f2 3S.9d3
for him to continue with 27.lilf3
with the same idea.
27 J.dS 28.f3 ge8 29.'i!lhl
•••
White's knight cannot retreat:

29.lilf2 gxel+ 30.gxel lilc2.
3S J.d4
.••
Black could have played here

35 . . . 'i;Vd4 and his advantage would
be close to decisive in this end
game.
29 t'5!
••• 36.�g3 c4 37.9dl J.f7
Black could have captured a 37 . . . ti'e3 ! ? 38.gc2 'i!lh7 39.
third pawn: 29 . . . he4 30.fxe4 ge2 .bf3 ! 40.gxe3 hdl 41.ge7+
!3xe4 3l.gxe4 'i;Vxe4, but following .ig7-+
32 .gel ti'd5 33. ti'f3, White would 38.gc2 ge3 39.ge2 ti'c3
still preserve chances of defend 40.gd2 J.f6 41.gd7 9b3 !
ing successfully, both with queens Now, Black's passed pawn is
present on the board, or without free to march forward.
them. His rook is very active and 42.�e2
167
White would not have saved 45.mgl?

the day with 42 .'Mfd6 .ieS 43.l'�dB+ Following 4S.13d1= , Black can
@h7 44.�d7 c3 4S.lLle2 c2 46J'kB not avoid advantageously the rep
.ig7! etition of moves.
42 'Mfxdl?
••• 45 mf8 46.mf2
•••
Black loses all his advantage. It would be too slow for White
In fact, after 42 . . . .ie6 ! 43J�d2 to opt here for 46.13d1 .leB 47.13c1
(43.lLlc1 �xd1 + 44Jhd1 c3-+) .ba4 4B.13xc4 .leB ! 49.13cB, due to
43 . . . @f7 44.h3 a6, the advance of 49 . . . .le5 ! , preventing the activa
his pawns would have settled the tion of White's knight and prepar
issue very quickly. ing to advance Black's dangerous
43.gxdl .ie8 passed pawns. Still, in that case,
White was threatening to pen White would have preserved more
etrate to the d7-square with his chances of saving the game than
rook, after which Black would after the passive defence he chose
have lost one of his pawns. in the text.
The move 43 . . . c3?? was obvi 46 me7 47.me3 md6
•••
ously not working in view of 44.l'kl.

44.gc1
48A �d4??
This is a blunder. Still, even af
44 .lf7
••• ter the best defence for White
Following 44 ... bS 4S.axbS hbS 4B.13d1+ @c6 49.g4 .leB ! SO.gxfS
46.lLlc3= Black's scattered pawns gxfS 51.lLld4+ @cS, Black would
would be easily blocked and have great chances of scoring a
would not be dangerous at all. full point.
After 44 . . . ha4 4SJ�xc4 .lb5 48 a6? !
.••
(4S . . . .leB ? ! 46.1'kB @fB 47.lLlf4 ! ;!;) He was winning immediately

46.1'kB+ @f7 47.lLlc3, White's with 4B . . .f4+ 49.@e4 .ld5, but the
pieces are so active that he has no line in the game proved to be suf
problems whatsoever, for exam ficient for victory.
ple: 47 . . . .ld7 4BJ::k7 @e6 49.lLldS! 49.�c2 mc5 50.g4?
@xdS SO.13xd7+ @c4 51.13c7+ @d3 This is another mistake, but
S2.13xa7 .ld4 53.13b7= even after the more resilient line:
16B
4. 0 - 0 g6 S.c3 Ag7 6.d4 ed 7.cd dS
SO.llJel bS SI.axbS axbS S2 .llJd3+ however, that it would not be easy

�b6 S3.llJb4 i.gS+ S4.f4 i.e7 55. for White to obtain an edge even
gbl hb4 S6.gxb4 �c5, Black after the move in the game.
should win anyway. lS.i.h6
SO fxg4 SU!fl
••• This is the most consistent de
SI.fxg4 i.gS-+ cision.
Sl AgS+ S2.f4 Af6 S3.fS
••• There would arise transposi
gS S4.gb1 AdS-+ SS.�b4 Ab7 tion after the inclusion of the
S6.�c2 hS S7.gd1 Ac6 0-1 moves IS.llJcS ifS and now 16.
i.h6 gfeB 17.hg7 �xg7 (The
character of the position remains
20 Jansa - Schwarzkopf the same after 17 ... gxel+ 18.Wxel
Badenweiler 1990 �xg7 19 .b3 Wb4 20.h3t, or 19 ...
1.e4 eS 2 . �f3 �c6 3.AbS i.g4 20 .llJd2t) IB.llJeS.
llJge7 4.0-0 g6 S.c3 Ag7 6.d4 lS gfe8
•••
exd4 7.cxd4 dS 8.exdS �xdS Black's kingside will be deci

9.ge1 + Ae6 10.AgS Wd6 11. sively weakened following 15 ...
llJbd2 0-0 12.�e4 ti'b4 13. hh6? 16.Wxh6 f6 17.llJegS fxgS
hc6 bxc6 14.ect IB.llJxgS gO 19.9xe6 Wxb2 20.gfl
gd7 (20 ... gg7 21.gfel llJe7 22 .Wh3!
with the idea ge6-e2. 22 . . .Wxd4
23.Wa3! +-) 21.Wh3 Wd2 (2l...Wxd4?
22.geB + ! gxeB 23.Wxd7+- ; 21...
llJb6 2 2 .a4 as 23.gfel gfB 24.g6e2
Wb4 2S.geB+-) 22 .geS+-
The move IS ... gaeB ! ? would
have preserved for Black the
chance of retreating the bishop on
e6 to the cB-square at an oppor
14 Wb6
••• tune moment.
Black retreats prudently his 16.hg7 �xg7 17. �cS ifS
queen. The threat against the d4-
pawn is not dangerous for White,
because in that case Black would
have to part with his dark-squared
bishop, after which the vulnera
bility of the dark squares in his
camp might become decisive. We
have already mentioned in the
section Step by Step that Black
should better play here the more
active move 14 . . . gfeB ! We will see
169
Chapter 6
The arising situation should gxa3 2S.ga1 .ic8 ! ? = with the idea
be evaluated in favour of White, .ia6 ; 24.b3 ? ! tlJc3t; or 23.tlJbaS
because his knights have very ga6� with the idea gb6) 20 . . . gad8
good outposts in the centre, while 21.V;Ycl ! ? (21.tlJf3 gxe1+ 22.gxe1
Black has been deprived of his ac a4�; Black should not be afraid of
tive dark-squared bishop and is 21.h3 a4 22.tlJcS V;Yxb2 23J�'xa4 in
doomed to defend his pawn view of 23 . . . tlJb4 ! = with the idea
weaknesses on the queenside. tlJ b4-c2 and gd8-a8 and White
Still, it would not be easy for would fail to hold on to his weak
White to obtain a meaningful ad d4 and a2-pawns) 2 1 . . .a4 2 2 .tlJcS
vantage. gd6� Black is preparing f7-f6, not
It was also interesting for letting the enemy knight on eS to
him to try the prophylactic move the c6-square. He has the initia
18.b3, but following 18 .. .l:l:xe1+ tive on the queenside for the sac
(18 ... V;Yb4 19.h3 gad8 20.tlJeSt) rificed pawn and this should be
19.Wlxe1 V;Yb4 2 0 .h3 Wlxe1+ 21. sufficient for equalising. 23.Wlc4
gxe1, the position would be con Wlxb2 24.tlJxa4 V;Yb4 ! ? 2S.tlJcS (25.
siderably simplified and his edge a3 Wlxc4 26.tlJxc4 gxe1 27.gxe1
might prove to be just minimal. gd8 ! = with the idea ga8) 2S .. .f6
Still, that would have been his 26.a3 (26.V;Yxb4 tlJxb4 27.lt'lf3
best decision. gxe1 28.ge1 tlJxa2 29.ge7+ 'itlg8
30.gxc7 tlJc3 ! = with the idea tlJc3-
e2 or tlJc3-bS) 26 . . . Wlb2 ! Black is
attacking the enemy weaknesses
on the queenside. 27.tlJa4 V;Yd2 ! ?
2 8 . tlJ f3 gxe1 29.gxe1 WlaS ! He em
phasizes the defects of White's
pawn-structure. 30 .h3. He pre
vents Black's manoeuvre .ifS-g4.
30 . . . gS, with the idea to place the
bishop there anyway, after the
18 . . f6
. preliminary pawn-advance gS-g4.
Here, Black overlooked a very 31.ga1 (31.Wlb3 g4 32.hxg4 bg4
active possibility. 33.ge2 hf3 34.gxf3 'itlh6 ! ? = with
White had ignored the protec the idea tlJdS-f4) 31.. . .ie4 32 .tlJcS
tion of his d4-pawn and Black hf3 33.gxf3 (33.tlJb7 tlJe3 ! = ) 33 ...
could have exploited this with tlJf4 34.tlJb7 WlfS 3S.tlJxd6 cxd6
18 . . . V;Yb4 ! 19.tlJb3 as ! He sacrifices 36.Wlfl tlJh3+ 37.'itlh2 tlJf4 = , fol
a pawn in order to seize the initia lowed by V;YfS-g6-hS.
tive on the queenside. 2 0.V;Yxc6 19.�c4 tfb4
(20.tlJxc6 V;Yxe1+ 2 1.V;Yxe1 gxe1+ Now, this move is not so strong
2 2 . gxe1 a4 23.tlJcS a3 24.bxa3 any more.
170
4. 0 - 0 g6 S.c3 i.g7 6.d4 ed 7.cd d5
20.b3 27.b4 �xc5 28.bxc5 �a4 29.�xc6

It was even better for White to �xa3 30 .h4 �h5 31.�xf5 gxfS
play here 20.�e3 ! ?t, ousting the 32.�xf6 �xh4 33.�xf5±) 27.�xe6
enemy knight from its powerful (27.�xf5?! gxf5 28.�d7 �xd7 29.
placement, or 20J!xe8 �xe8 21. �xdn) 27 ....be6 28.b4± would
a3 ! ?t, removing Black's queen lead to an endgame which will be
from its active position. very difficult for Black to defend.
This would have been the least of
evils for him however, because
now, he loses a pawn without
compensation.
24.�a5 ge8
There is nothing better for
Black in sight.
24 . . . �d8 25.�xc6 �d6 26.
�b7!±
25.gxe8 mxe8 26. �xc6
20 �f4?
.•• White has an extra pawn and
He did not need to retreat his the game enters the stage of reali
knight from the active d5-square. sation.
After the exchange 20 . . . �xel+ ! ? 26 .td7 27.�b8 !
•••
2 1.�xel �t7! ? (with the idea �e8) The attractive move 27.�xa7? ! ,
it would have exerted powerful would not work, because after
pressure against White's queen 27 . . . �e2+ 28.�f1 �xd4 29.a4 cM
side pawns, for example : 2 2 .�xb4 White's knight is trapped.
�xb4 23.�a5 �d8 24.�dl �d6 27 .Ac8 28.mfl
.••
and despite the vulnerability of This is the right time to bring

Black's queenside pawns, his po the king closer! His knights will
sition would remain solid enough. fail to cope with the problems
25.�cb7 �d5 26.�d2 cS 27.�xc5 without it.
�c2 2 8 .�c6 �xd4 29.�xd4 �xc5 28 . . . �e6
30.�e2=
Now, the fact that Black's
knight is too far away from the
queenside becomes a telling fac
tor.
21.a3 ti"xel+ 2 2 .ti"xel �xel+
23.gxel mn
The seemingly active move
23 . . . �d8, after the practically
forced variation 24.�e7+ �h6 25.
�xc7 �xd4 26.�e3 �e6 (26 ... �d3
171
This is again the best move for b3-b4 and preparing .id7-e6. 33.
White ! �e2 (In the king and pawn ending
Following 29.lLlxe6? ixe6 30. after 33.lLlxd7 �xd7 34.�e2 �c6
b4 .ic4+ 31.�e1 .ibS ! = his knight 3S.�d3 �xc5 36.�c3 hS ! ! Black
would be trapped again and White wins pawn-tempi and White must
would need to give back the already think about saving the
gained material in order to save it. draw, for example: 37.h3 h4 38 .g3
29 a6
••• hxg3 39.fxg3 fS 40.h4 c6 41.b4 !
It is not preferable for Black All the other moves lose for White.
to opt for 29 . . . �d7 30.lLlxe6 (Here, 41 . . . axb4+ 42.�b3 �d4 43.�xb4
just like before, the position would cS+ 44.�b3 �d3 4S.�b2 �c4 46.
remain rather unclear after 30. �a3 �d3 47.�b2=) 33 ... �e6 34.
lLlxa7? ! lLlxd4 31.a4 c6;l; and Black's b4 axb4 3S. �d2 b3 36. �c3 idS
chances of survival would in 37.g3 �d8;l; (with the idea �d8-
crease.) 30 . . . he6 31.lLlaS±, White c8) and White's edge might prove
improves his position bringing to be insufficient for victory.
his king closer to the queenside. It 33.b4? !
is also very good for him to choose Black would have hardly saved
31.b4 a6 (31 . . . �d7 3 2 .lLlxa7 c6 33. the game after White's simple re
�e1 �c7 34.bS. The knight suc action 33.lLlxa6 ixb3 34.lLlxc7+
ceeds in avoiding the chase of the �d7 3S.lLlbS .ic4+ (3S . . . ha4
enemy king: 34 . . . �b6 3S.lLlxc6 36.lLld4±) 36.�e1 �c6 37.lLld6
�xbS 36.lLlb4 �c4 37.dS + - ; 33 . . . i.e6 (37 . . .i.dS 38.g4 ! ±) 38.lLle8 fS
.ic4 34.a4 �c7 3S.bS cxbS 36. 39.�d2 �xcS 40.lLlf6 h6 41.�c3±
lLlxbS+ hbS 37.axbS+-) 3 2 .lLlaS 33 .tb3 34.b5
••.
.idS 33.g3 �d7 34.�e2 �e6 3S. He would have preserved

�d3± with the idea lLlc4. some practical chances of win
30.a4 .td7 31.lLlb8? ! ning after 34.aS �c4+ 3S.�e1 .ibS
It would be simpler for White 36.c6 �e7 37.�d2 �d6 38.�c3 fS
to play here 31.lLlxe6 ixe6 3 2 . 39.�d4;l; with the idea to sacrifice
lLl aS±, followed b y �f1-e2-d3 and the c6-pawn at an opportune mo
lLlaS-c4, gradually improving his ment, freeing the knight on b8
position on the queenside, or with the move lLld7.
31.lLlxd7 �xd7 32 .lLlb8+ �d6 33.
lLlxa6 lLlxd4 34.b4± White will
manage to hold on to his queen
side pawns and his king will come
to assist into the defence there.
31 lLlxc5 32.dxc5 .te6
•••
It was natural and strong for

Black to play now 32 . . . aS ! , pre
venting the enemy pawn-advance
172
4. 0 - 0 g6 S.c3 .ig7 6.d4 ed 7.cd d5
34 . . . aS? 38.b7 c!>c7 39.�a6! 1-0

This is a mistake. Black was Following 39 ... <;!.>xb7 40 .lt:lcS,
very optimistic and considered Black loses his bishop.
that he might gobble the enemy
a4-pawn, obviously overlooking
White's next move. 21 Gruenfeld - D'Amore
Black would have preserved Haifa 19B9
good chances for a draw with the l.e4 eS 2.�f3 �c6 3 . .tbS
line: 34 . . . axbS 3S.aS <;!.>dB 36.<;!.>e2 �ge7 4.0-0 g6 S.c3 .tg7 6.d4
(36.lt:la6 c6 37.lt:lb4 <;!.>c7 3B.a6 exd4 7.cxd4 dS 8.exdS �xdS
ieM) 36 . . . ie6 ! , preparing to 9.gel + .te6 10 . .1gS ed6 11.
build up a fortress. 37.lt:lc6+ (37. �bd2 0-0 12.�e4 eb4 13.
<;!.>d3 <;!.>cB 3B.lt:la6 <;!.>b7 39.lt:lb4 hc6 bxc6 14.ec1 gfe8 IS.a3
.id7 40.<;!.>d4 cM and it becomes eb6 16.ed2 =
inconceivable how White can im
prove his position; 3B.lt:lc6 .id7
39.lt:lb4 <;!.>b7 40.<;!.>d4 c6;!;) 37 . . .
<;!.>d7 3B.lt:lb4 c 6 39.a6 <;!.>c7;t;
3S.c!>el !
This exquisite move was over
looked by Black.
3S ha4?
•••
This loses by force, but we can

hardly suggest to black anything
better. The position is approximately
For example, after 3S . . . .idS equal. The weaknesses of the op
36.g3 <;!.>dB 37.<;!.>d2 <;!.>cB 3B.lt:lc6+ ponents are balanced.
White should realise his material 16 f6 !
•••
advantage without any problems. This is the right move.

Black's most resilient defence It is essential for Black to take
would have been here 3S . . . <;!.>dB ! the important eS-square under
36.lt:lc6+ <;!.>d7! (36 . . . <;!.>cB 37.lt:lxaS control, since after the hasty move
ha4 3B.lt:lc6 ! +-) 37.lt:lxaS ha4 16 . . . ig4, White can follow with
3B.b6 cxb6 39.cxb6± and White 17.lt:leS .ifS 1B.l"!ac1 (lB.lt:lg3;!;) lB . . .
would have difficulties to realise he4 19.1"!xe4 f6 20.lt:lc4 �bS 21.
his extra pawn, for example; 39 . . . l"!xeB+ l"!xeB 2 2 . .ie3;!; with a slight
c;t>d6 40.<;!.>d2 .ibS 41.<;!.>e3 .if! 4 2 . edge for him.
g 3 h6 43.<;!.>d4 .ih3± and h e would 17.�cS? !
hardly succeed in breaking Black's This is an imprecise move.
fortress, because White's knight White needed to play here
on as would be misplaced. 17 . .ih6 .ixh6 (It was also good for
36.b6 cxb6 37.cxb6 c!>d8 Black to try 17 ... .if5= with the
173
idea 1B . .ixg7? ! .ixe4+) 18.�xh6

§'xb2 19J3ab1 §'a2 (19 . . . �xa3 ! ?
20.lLleg5 fxg5 2 1 .lLlxg5 lLlf6 2 2 .
lLlxe6 ge7 23.§'h4 lLl d 5 24.ge5
gaeB 25.lLlg5 as 2 6.h3 h5 27.§'e4
�d6 2 B.ge1 a4 29.lLle6 mf7 30.
lLlg5+ mg7 = ) 2 0 . g a 1 with . repe
tition of moves, or 1B . . . �f5 19.lLlg3
�g4 2 0 .lLlh4! §'xd4 21.lLlxg6=
17 .ig4 lS .ih4 .ifS
••• • 21 g5?
•••
This move loses the advantage

for Black. After 21...gxe1+ 2 2 .
§'xe1 m f7 23.lLlxfB gxfB=t, his po
sition would have been clearly
better.
2 2 .ig3 gadS
•
Now, the variation 22 . . .

gxe1+ ? ! 23.�xe1 mf7? 24.§'e4±
would have emphasized clearly
the defects of the move g6-g5.
Now, Black's position seems Black had to prefer 2 2 . . . �d6,
more promising, since White fails preventing the activation of
to fortify his knight on the c5- White's bishop.
square, while Black's knight on d5 23./(}xf8 mxf8 24.h4
is unassailable and is very power Following 24.ge4 ! (and later
ful. h2-h4) White would have seized
19.b4 .txrJ 20./(}d7? ! the initiative.
This is another imprecision. 24 gxel + 25.gxel Wxa3
•••
It was preferable for White to 26.We2

choose 2 0 .gxf3 .ixc5 21.dxc5 �a6
2 2 . ge4 f5 23.gxeB + gxeB 24.ge1
gxe1+ 25.§'xe1 mf7 26.§'c1+ with
a slightly worse but still defensi
ble endgame.
20 §'a6
•.•
20 . . . gxe1+ 21.gxe1 ( 2 1.�xe1??

§'xd4-+) 2 1 . . .�a6 2 2 .gxf3 §'xa3
23.lLlxf6+ lLlxf6 24.i.xf6 §'xf3 25.
�e5 gbB 2 6.§'a2+ §'f7 27.§'xa7
gxb4=t 26 gxh4??
•••
21.gxf3 This is a terrible blunder and it
174
4. 0 - 0 g6 5.c3 .ig7 6.d4 ed 7.cd dS
loses the game. Black had to play 30 "a6?!

••.
here 26 .. JWxb4 and after 27.hxg5 With the move 30 ... �a2 , Black
�e7! 28.�e4 as, White would could have prolonged his resist
have nothing better than repeti ance: 3U'!g1+ c;t>f7 (31.. .c;t>hB 32.
tion of moves : 29.�b1 (29.gxf6 �xh4 �gB 33.�xgB + c;t>xgB 34.
�xe4 30.fxe4 lLlxf6 31.f3 �aB 32. �g4+ c;t>f7 35.�d7+ c;t>g6 36.�eB+
i.xc7 lLleB 33 . .ib6 a4 34 . .icS+ c;t>f7 c;t>h6 37.�fB+ c;t>h5 38.�f7+ c;t>h4
35.�a1 lLlc7 36.c;t>f2 lLle6 37J"�a3 39.�xh7+ c;t>g5 40.�g7+ c;t>h5 41.
c;t>f6+) 29 . . . 'lWb4 30.'lWe4 �e7= �g4+ c;t>h6 42 ..ifB+ c;t>h7 43.
27.hc7! �c8 �g7#) 32 ..ic7 �hB 33.�g4 �xf2 +
Black would not have changed 34.�g2 �xg2+ 35.�xg2 lLlxc7 36.
anything with 27 . . . �aB 2B . .id6+ f4 lLld5 37.b5+-
c;t>g7 29.c;t>h2 c;t>hB 30.�g1 as 31. Black could have tried here the
�e6 'lWxf3 32 .�f7 and White following interesting variation
would be victorious. 30 . . . c;t>hB 31.�g1 �a6 32 ..ic7 1!gB
28 .td6+ mg7 29.mh2 ! gd8
• 33.1!xgB+ c;t>xgB 34.�eB+ c;t>g7 35.
.id6 h5 36 . .ifB+ c;t>gB 37 . .ic5+
c;t>g7 38.�fB+ c;t>g6 39.�gB + c;t>f5
40.�h7+ c;t>e6 4l.f4+-
30.'Be4? !
White was winning by force
with 30 .�g1+ c;t>f7 3l.f4 �xd6 32.
�h5+ c;t>fB (32 . . . c;t>e6 33.f5+ c;t>d7 31 .te7! "c8 32.gg1+ mh8
•
34.�g7+ lLle7 35.'lWf7+ -) 33.'lWxh7 33.'Bxd5 ! 'Bc7+ 34."e5 ! White

lLle7 34.'lWg7+ c;t>eB 35.�e1 �d7 finishes off the game very elegant-
36.�gB # ! 1y! 1-0
175
Chapter 7 1.e4 eS 2.ltJf3 ltJc6 3 .tbS ltJge7 4.0-0
•
g6 S.c3 a6
Modern Variation
Quick Repertoire
In this variation, this is quite

acceptable for Black and enables
him to deploy his pieces in the
most harmonious way. He man
ages to develop quickly his dark
squared bishop to the g7-square .
You can see an analogous idea in
one of the variations of the Ruy
Lopez, in which after the moves
l.e4 eS 2.lLlf3 tLlc6 3.i.bS a6 4..b4
tLlf6 S.O-O i.e7 6J'!e1 bS 7.i.b3 d6
In this chapter, we will analyse B.c3 0-0 9.h3 i.b7 1O.d4 E1eB 11.
the most fashionable treatment tLlbd2 i.fB 12. i.c2 g6 13.a4 exd4
nowadays of the variation 4.0-0 14.cxd4 i.g7, Black gives up the
g6 5.c3 and that is 5...a6!?, centre again and obtains a posi
which can be named Modern and tion with a similar pawn-struc
quite justifiably so. Its idea is af ture and a quite comfortable
ter the moves 6.Aa4 Ag7 (or game.
6.�c4 �g7) 7.d4 exd4 8.cxd4, The play in the variations, we
to obtain a lively piece play giving analyse in this chapter, is rather
up the centre. complex from the positional point
of view. The Modern variation is a
part of the opening repertoire of
L. Aronian, S. Karjakin, I. Sokolov
and many other famous grand
masters.
The Modern variation pro
vides Black with ample possibili
ties to seize the initiative, because
the positions arising in it are very
complex and dynamic. Having
this in mind, Black often tries to
176
enter it after the following move icS 8.�fS 0-0(0) 7. . . i.e7 (7 ...
order 1.e4 e5 2.�f3 �c6 3 .1b5 • icS?! 8.tDgS tLlgeS 9.f4 h6 10.fxeS
a6 4 .1a4 �ge7, with the idea
• hxgS 11.i.xfl+-) 8.tLlxd4;!; or
following S.O-O g6 6.c3 ig7 7.d4 •••5 h6 6.d4 exd4 7.tLlxd4;!;,
exd4 8.cxd4 0-0, to transpose to there arise pawn-structures which
the Modern variation. Still, this resemble the Scotch Game in im
situation is not so clear, because proved versions for White in
White can play the powerful posi which Black's moves S ... tLlg6 and
tional move 5 .1b3 !;!; with the
• S . . . h6 are not so useful for him in
idea tDgS. similar positions. White main
tains a slight but stable positional
edge in these situations.
He is better too after 5 d5•••
6.exdS (6.tLlc3 i.e6 7.tLlgS tLld4 8.

tLlxe6 fxe6 9.d3 tLlg6 1O.ti'g4 ib4
11.0-0 c6 12 .i.e3 ti'h4?! 13.ti'xh4
tLlxh4 14.i.xd4 exd4 lS.tLle2;!; Ako
pian - Dzhumaev, Istanbul 2012;
it was preferable for Black to play
here 12 . . . tLlxb3 13.axb3 d4 14.igS
ie7=) 6 . . . tLlxdS 7.0-0;!; and White
preserves an obvious lead in de
5 ••• g6? ! 6.tDgS dS 7.exdS tDd4 velopment. In the game N.Ko
8.d6 tDxb3 9 .lLlxt7 �xt7 10 .dxe7 sintseva - Gopal, Gibraltar 2011,
kxe7 11.axb3;!;, or lO .. .\!;ydS 11. there followed later: 7...i.e7 (There
exf8ti'+ l3xf8 12.axb3 ti'xg2 13.l3f1 is not a clear equality for Black in
i.h3 14.ti'e2;!; sight in the variation 7 . . . i.e6 ! ? 8.
Now, after d3 i.e7 9.l3e1t; it is a bit weaker
5 �g6 6.d4 exd4 7. 0-0!
••• for White to choose here 8.l3e1
(7.�gS tDgeS 8 .f4 h6 9.tDh3 lLlg6+'; icS ! ?oo with the idea 9.tLlxeS? !
9.ti'hS ? ! g6 1O .ti'h4 i.g7+; 7.tDxd4 tLlxeS 10.l3xeS kxf2+') 8.l3el;!;
177
Chapter 7 1.e4 e5 2 . tLlf3 tLlc6 3.J.b5 tLlge7 4.0-0
g6 5.c3 a6
Modern Variation
Step by Step
White's light-squared bishop,

while Black's light-squared bish
op will support the development
of his initiative on the kingside.
A) 6.J.c4 J.g7 7.d4 exd4 8.

cxd4
Black can also postpone the

clarification of his plans, delaying
the transfer to the Modern varia
tion - 5 . . . i.g7 6.d4 exd4 7.cxd4 a6
8 .i.a4 or 8 .i.c4, transposing to
the main line.
We will analyse now: A)
6.J.c4 and B) 6.J.a4.
Black should not be afraid of 8 b5

•.•
the line : 6.hc6 lLIxc6 7.d4 d6. In This is the most precise move
the game Naiditsch - Aronian, for Black.
Moscow 2009, there followed
later: 8 .d5 (8.dxe5 lLIxe5 9.lLIxe5 Following 8 ... 0-0?! 9.d5t,
dxe5= ) 8 . . . lLIe7 9.c4 i.g7 1O.lLIc3 White develops powerful initia
0-0 1l.lLIe1 f5= and the position tive. 9 . . . lLIe5 10.lLIxe5 he5 1l.f4
was very similar to some Indian i.g7 12.f5± and Black is almost be
and King's Indian pawn-struc yond salvation, Saldano - Castil
tures in a good version for Black. io, Seville 2004.
It is advantageous for him to trade
in such situations his knight for 9.J.b3
178
4. 0 - 0 g6 S.c3 a6 6. 1c4 197 7.d4 ed 8.cd bS 9. tb3 0 - 0
He should not b e afraid o f opt for 12 .hf7+ c;!;lxfl 13.ltlgS+

9.i.d3. In the game Borriss - c;!;lgB 14.�xg4 ltlxd4 lS.te3t) 11.
Arkhipov, Kecskemet 1991, there axbS axbS 12J%xaB �xaB 13.ltlc3
followed: 9 . . . dS (9 . . . ltlxd4 10. b4 14.ltlbS �aS lS.�e2 0-0 16.dS
ltlxd4 hd4 11.i.xbS i.g7 12 ..b4 ltleS 17.ltlxeS heS 1BJ%d1 ltlcB
0-0 13.ltlc3 l:!bBoo) 10.exdS ltlxdS 19.1tld4t
11.i.gS �d6 12 .ltlbd2 0-0=
We will deal in details now
9 ••• 0-0 with the moves A1) 10.a4, A2)
10.h3, A3) 10 .tg5, A4) 10.d5
•
and AS) 10.ltlc3.
He has also tried some other

moves in practice.
10.i.f4 dS ! ? This is the most

energetic move for Black and it
provides him with a very good po
sition (it is also possible for him
to choose 10 . . . d6 11.h3 ltlaS 12 .
.ic2 cS=) 11.exdS (l1.eS?! tg4t
This is a very modern position Tan - Wohl, North Geelong 2011)
in this variation and the play is 11 ... ltlxdS 12.i.xdS �xdS 13.ltlc3
positionally very complex in �d7 14.dS ltle7 1S.i.eS f6 (lS . . . .ib7
which the chances of both sides 16.i.xg7 c;!;lxg7 17.�d4+ f6 1BJ:iad1
are about balanced. ltlfSoo) 16.i.xc7 �xc7 17.d6 �d7
1B.�b3+ c;t;>hB 19.dxe7 �xe7 20.
The move 9 . . . d6 usually leads l:!fe1 �f7=
to transposition, for example: 10.
h3 0-0 11.ltlc3 i.b7 (11 ... h6 - see 10.l:!e1 d6 11.h3 ltlaS 12 . .ic2 cS.
Movsesian - Stevic, Rabac 2004, This is the simplest road for
game 22) 12J'i:e1 ltlaS 13.dS - see Black to equality. (There arise
Friedel - I.Sokolov, Reykjavik more complicated and approxi
2011, game 23. Still, after this or mately equal positions after 12 . . .
der of moves, White must consid tb7 13.ltlc3 cS = 14.tgS h 6 lS.i.h4
er the possibility 1O.a4 ! ? , chang gS 16.tg3 ltlc4 17.b3 ltla3 1B.td3
ing the standard development of cxd4 19.1tle2 ltlc6+; 17.l:!b1 l:!eB lB.
the fight with promising pros i.b3 cxd4 19.1tlxd4 l:!cB+; 14.dxcS
pects. 1O . . . .ib7 (following 1O . . . b4, dxcS= ; 14.dS ltlc4 lS.i.d3 ltlb6
White can play 11.aS and Black 16.l:!b1 l:!cB 17.ltle2 �d7= Myo Na
will not have the manoeuvre ltlc6- ing - Sriram, Pattaya 2011) 13.
as, while after 11 . . . .ig4, White can ltlc3 (Black has no problems after
179
13.dxcS dxcS 14.lDc3 j,b7= ; or Wfxf3 Wfxd4= ; 13 . . . lDfS 14.dS lDd4

13.dS lDc4 14.lDc3 1.WaS lSJ''!b1 lS.Wfd1 1.Wh4� 16.j,c4 (16.lDc3?
id7= ; 14 ... b4 lS.lDa4 id7 16.!'!b1 ig4 17.f3 ieS 18.h3 hh3-+ ; 16.
ibS= ) 13 ... cxd4 14.lDxd4 ib7=. ie3? ig4 17.Wfd3 lDf3 ! 18.gxf3
Later, in the game Chirita - hf3-+) 16 . . . lDxc6 17J%a4 lDd4=
Shabalov, Dallas 2011 and lS.igS
h6 16.if4 Ek8'1', Black succeeded ll.hdS lDxdS 12.exdS lDb4 ! ?
in deploying his pieces in the most 13.axbS hbroo There may follow
active way, while the placement of later: 14.Wfb3 lDxdS lS.bxa6 ba6
White's bishop on c2 seemed 16J'!e1 ic4 17J%xa8 hb3 18J%xd8
rather passive. gxd8� and Black's bishop-pair
compensates fully White's extra
space.
A1) 10.a4
11.lDc3 dxe4 12.lDxe4 ifS 13.
gel lDxd4 14.lDxd4 Wfxd4 (14 ...
hd4? lS.axbS±) lS.Wfxd4 (it is
more or less the same after lS.igS
gae8) lS . . . hd4 16.i.gS gae8 17.
lDf6 i.xf6 18 .hf6 lDc8=
H.eS ig4 12.axbS (12 .i.e3 lLlfS

13.axbS hf3 14.gxf3 axbS lS.
gxa8 Wfxa8 16.hdS?! gd8 17.ie4
heS=F; 16.lDc3 lLlce7 17.lLlxbS? !
gb8 18.lLlc3 cS !+; 17.Wfd3 c6'1') 12 ...
10 d5 ! ?N
••• axbS 13.ga8 1.Wxa8 14.lLlc3 bf3
This energetic response is con lS.gxf3 1.Wb7 ! ? Black has no prob
nected with a pawn-sacrifice. lems, because it would be bad for
White to choose 16.lLlxdS?! due to
Black's most popular move 16 . . . lLlfS 17.ie3 lLlaS'I' or 17 ...
here is 1O . . . b4, but following 1l. gd8 ! ?'I'
dS lD aS 12 .lDbd2 ! d6 13.lDc4 lDxb3
14.1.Wxb3 as lS.if4!, White's extra 1l ••• lDa5 12.axb5
space in the centre and his more
actively placed pieces provide him After 12 .ic2 lDxdS 13.i.g5
with a slight but very stable posi Wfd6 ! ?oo, Black has a quite accept
tional advantage. able position.
1l.exd5 12 lDxb3 13.Wfxb3 ib7

•••
(diagram)
H.axbS dxe4 12 .bxc6 exf3 13. 14. bxa6
180
4. 0 - 0 g6 S.c3 a6 6. i.c4 i.g7 7.d4 ed B.cd b5 9. i.b3 0 - 0
14.i.gS �xdS lS.�b4 liJfS 16. 13.i.gS h6 14.i.h4 (14.i.f4 fS ! ?

liJc3 �d7= lS.eS, Qiu - Tu Hoang Thong, Viet
nam 2013, lS ... liJc4oo) �d7 1S. gel
14.liJc3 axbS lS.i.gS i.xdS 16. (lS.eS? liJi5+) lS ... gae8 16.gc1 liJc4
�xbS gxa1 17.gxa1 .bf3 18.gxf3 17.b3 liJb6 18.i.b1 gS 19.i.g3 fS=
h6 19.i.h4 gS 2 0 .i.g3 c6 2 1.�b7 Jarkich - Delchev, Bosnjaci 2013 .
.txd4 2 2 .gd1 cS 23.b4 cxb4 24.
liJe4 liJf5 2S.�xb4 �b6 = 13.i.f4 liJc4 14.b3 (14.�c1 fS 1S.
i.h6 fxe4 16.he4 he4 17.liJxe4
l 4 .b:a6 l5.gel ti'xd5 16.
••• �d7= Stern - Mary, ICCF 2007,
ti'xd5 �xd5 l7.�c3 i.b7 (17 . . . or 17 . . . liJdS=) 14 ... liJa3 lS.i.d3 cS=
liJb4�) 18.gxa8 gxa8� Black's Hant - Svetushkin, Livigno 2011.
pair of bishops and his more ac
tively deployed pieces compen 13.b3 cS 14.i.b2 (14 . .te3, Geske
sate his minimal material deficit. - Ernst, Remagen 2011, 14 ...
dS ! ?t) 14 . . . cxd4 lS.liJxd4 �b6=
A2) lO.h3 �a5 1l.i.c2 d6 16.liJce2? ! dS+ Petenyi - Gronda,
l2.�c3 .tb7 Budapest 2012.
About 12 . . . cS - see Dijkhuis - 13.liJe2 cS 14.dS (14.gb1

Berkovich, Groningen 2012, game �ec6+; 14.b3 cxd4 1S.liJexd4 liJac6
24. 16.i.b2 liJeS=) 14 . . . liJc4 lS.gb1,
(diagram) Atabayev - Annageldyev, Buda
pest 2013, lS . . . �d7=
13.a3 cS= 13.dS c6 14.dxc6 (14.i.gS, Mu

zychuk - Stefanova, Beijing 2013,
13.a4 b4 14.�e2 cS= lS.i.f4 14 . . .cxdS lS.liJxdS i.xdS 16.exdS
liJc4 16.�c1 cxd4 17.i.h6 gc8+ Bel h6 ! ? 17.i.c1 liJc4 18.gb1 �b7+)
laiche - Ivanisevich, Aix-Ies 14 . . . i.xc6= Longson - Collins,
Bains 2011. Hinkley 2012.
181
13 ••• cS 13xf3 1B.gxf3 .ixd4+ and Black has

tion for the exchange) lS . . . cxd4
16.lLlexd4 lLlxd4 17.lLlxd4 lLlc6 lB .
.ie3 13cB 19.13c1 lLlxd4 20 . .ixd4
hd4 2 1.%Yxd4 %YgS+ Black exerts
rather unpleasant pressure, or
14 . . . cxd4 lS.lLlxd4 13cB (It is also
very good for him to opt for 15 ...
lLlac6 16 . .ie3 lLlxd4 17.hd4 heS+
followed by lLlc6) 16.ib2 13eB 17.
�d2 lLlec6 1B.lLlce2 lLlxd4 19 .hd4
dS ! +
14 .ig5?!
•
This move looks quite natural After 14.dS lLlc4 ! ? , there arises
but it is imprecise, because Black a pawn-structure which is typical
will play lLlc4 in the nearest future for the Benoni Defence in which
and White will have problems Black has already advanced b7-
with the protection of his b2-pawn. bS, so his position is quite accept
able, Agnelli - Pilgaard, Bergamo
14.dxcS. With this move White 2003.
gives up his position in the centre.
He cannot fight for an advan 14 h6 15 .ih4 cxd4
•.• • 16.
tage in this way. 14 ... dxcS 15. �xd4 gcS 17.gbl geS+
�e2? ! (The position would have
remained within equality after
lS . .igS 13eB ! ? 16.%Yc1 �c7=) 15 . . .
lLlec6 ! + I t i s essential for Black to
bring into the actions this particu
lar knight (in the game Jansa -
Korneev, Andorra 199B, Black
continued more modestly 15 . . .
lLl ac6 16 . .igS= ). He wishes to
transfer his knight to the d4-
square. After 16 . .igS ? ! Black will
play 16 . . . lLld4+ anyway.
The pressure on the hB-a1 di-
Following 14.b3, he has an ex- agonal, in connection with the at
cellent position after 14 . . . lLlac6 tack on the c-file, followed by
lS.lLle2 (lS . .ie3 fS ! 16.%Yd2. White lLlc4, provides Black with an ad
prevents the enemy pawn-advantage. White's bishop on h4 is
vance fS-f4. 16 . . . fxe4 17.lLlxe4 misplaced. Later, in the game
1B2
4. 0 - 0 g6 S.c3 a6 6. ic4 ig7 7.d4 ed B.cd b5 9. ib3 0-0
Dgebuadze - Fressinet, Germany Wlxf1+ 21.�xf1 fxg6+ 22 .Wlf3

2 0 1 1 there followed: lS.ib3? ! gxf3+ 23.gxf3 hh3+; 20.idS
lLlxb3 19.axb3 Wld7 2 0 .'!Wd2 dS+, ghS 2 1.Wld1 lLlge7 22 .eS dxeS 23.
but it was even stronger for Black dxeS lLlxeS 24.haS hfS 2S.if3
to play 19 . . . b4 ! 20.lLla4 hd4 21. lLld3 26.lLlc3 Wld4+ 27.�h2 hh3
�xd4 lLlc6 2 2 .�b6 (22.Wlf6 �xf6 2S.gxh3 WleS+ 29.�gl gxh3 30.
23.hf6 ge6 24.i.h4 lLld4+) 2 2 . . . Wle2 �d4+ 31.gf2 gg3+ 32 .�f1
Wlxh4 23.�xb7 lLld4+ White's piec lLlfS 33.gg2 lLle3+ 34.Wlxe3 Wlxe3
es are discoordinated, while Black 3S.gxg3+ �fS 36.lLld1 WleS+) 13.
is threatening gcS-c2 , so White's ic2 gS 14.1g3 fS= Lobanov - V.
situation is critical. The move Popov, St. Petersburg 2013.
24.�b4 is impossible due to 24 . . .
lLlc2 - + 1l.J.f4 d6 (ll ... dS 12 .eS 194+;
12.exdS lLlxdS= with the idea 13.
hdS WlxdS 14.lLlc3 WlhS) 12 .h3
Aa) 10 .ig5 h6
• (12 .dS lLlaS = ; 12 . . . hb2 13.hh6
ha1 14.hfS WlxfS lS.dxc6 lLlxc6
16.lLlbd2 i.f6+) 12 ... lLlaS 13.ic2
i.b7= 14.lLlc3 lLlc4 1S.b3 lLlb6 (15 ...
lLla3 ! ? 16.i.d3 cS=) 16.Wld2 gS 17.
i.h2 fS= Atabayev - Berczes, Bu
dapest 2013.
11 )oa5
.•
This standard manoeuvre pro

vides Black with a quite accepta
ble position.
11 .ie3
• It was weaker for him to play
1l . . . d6 in view of 12 .dS! lLlaS (It
It would be anti-positional would not work for Black to opt
for White to choose 1l.he7 for 12 . . . hb2 ? ! 13.lLlbd2 lLlaS 14.
lLlxe7= and without his important hh6 i.g7 lS.hg7 �xg7 16.Wlc2 t)
dark-squared bishop, he would 13.�d2 lLlxb3 14.axb3 �h7 15.
have no prospects to fight for the i.d4;!;. White neutralises his oppo
initiative in the opening. nent's important dark-squared
bishop, which guarantees a com
1l.J.h4 ? ! d6 12 .h3 lLlaS (12 . . . fortable game for him.
gS ! ? 13.J.g3 g 4 14.hxg4 hg4+; 13.
ixgS hxgS 14.lLlxgS J.h6 lS.WlhS The risky move 1l . . . dS, follow
ixgS 16.�xgS+ �h7 17.f4 lLlg6 lS. ing 12.eS lLlfS 13.lLlc3 i.e6 14.lLle2
WlhS+ �g7 19.fS Wlf6+ 2 0.fxg6? lLlaS lS.lLlf4;!;, enables White to so-
lS3
Chapter ? Step by Step
lidify his stable space advantage A4) lO.d5 �a5

in the centre.
1l .lc2
•
l2 .Ac2
It is not in the spirit of the po 1 l . d 6 . In the game Shomoev -
sition for White to give up his im Zvjagintsev, Moscow 2011, there
portant light-squared Ruy Lopez followed: 1l . . . cxd6 12 .�xd6 ltJb7
bishop for the enemy knight after (12 . . . .ib7 ! ? 13.ltJc3 !!e8 14.!!e1
12.lLl bd2 ltJxb3 13.ltJxb3 . Black ob ltJc8 15.�d3 ltJb6oo) 13.�f4 ltJc500
tains a good position after the ac 14.!!d1 d5 (14 . . . .lb7 ! ? = ) 15.hd5? !
tive move 13 . . . fS, trying to open ltJxd5 16.exd5 .if5 17.ltJc3 ltJd3+
the centre by undermining it, af
ter which his bishop-pair may 11.ltJc3 d6= 12 .ltJd4 (12 ..le3
become a very important factor. .ig4 13.h3 hf3 14.�xf3 f5= ; 12 .h3
14.exfS !!xf5 (it seemed more ac b4 13 .ltJa4 ltJxb3 14.axb3 f5'+; 13.
tive fo r Black to opt here fo r ltJe2 ltJxb3 14.�xb3 c5=) 12 ...
14 . . . ltJxf5 ! ?) 15.ltJc5? ! d6 16.�b3+ .ib7= Kolosowski - Sadzikowski,
ltJd5 ! 17.g4 ? ! dxc5 18.gxf5 c4 19. Polanica Zdroj 2010.
�d1 .ixf5+ D.Hart - D.Howell,
Halifax 2 0 1 0 . It would be interesting for
White to sacrifice the exchange
l2 . . . �c4 l3.Ac1 d6= Black is here with 11 . .ld2 ! ? and accepting
threatening to play the moves .lg4 it for Black would be very risky.
or c5 and to improve his position. (diagram)
The power of White's centre is 1 1 . . . ixb2? ! 12 ..txa5 ha1 13.
balanced by Black's more actively ltJc3 .txc3 (13 . . . ib2? 14.�d2 .la3
deployed pieces and the possibili 15.�h6+ - ; 14 . . . hc3 15.hc3 d6
ty for him to undermine it with 16.�h6 f6 17.ltJg5+-) 14.hc3 d6
the moves c5 and fS . 15 . .lf6 ig4 16.�d2 hf3 17.gxf3
184
4. 0 - 0 g6 5.c3 a6 6. i.c4 1J.g7 7.d4 ed B.cd b5 9. ib3 0-0
centre become important factors,

Rogic - Rade, Sibenik 2012.
14.ixg7 'it>xg7 IS.�c3 (15.
ltJbd2 f6oo) IS ... 'it>g8 ! (IS . . .f6 16.
b4;!;) 16.�f6 (16.b4? fS H). White's
position seems very threatening,
but after 16 . . .ig4 (it is also good
for Black to play here 16 ... ltJc6),
Smeets - Efimenko, Bremen 2013,
�e8 18.'it>g2 (18.'Wh6? ltJfS 19. 17.ltJbd2 ltJc8 18.�f4 ixf3 19.ltJxf3
i.xd8 ltJxh6 2 0 ..b:c7 fSoo) 18 ... �c8 ltJb6, Black is not worse at all.
19.�el+ - with the idea �gS and 14.dxc6 ie6 ! IS.�a3 ltJxc6 16.
e4-eS. ixg7 'it>xg7 17.�c3+ ltJeS 18.ltJxeS
It would be most prudent for dxeS 19.�xeS+ (19.f4? �b6+ 20.
Black to opt here for 11 . . . cS or 11 . . . 'it>hl b4 2 1.�xeS? f6-+ ; 21.�el
ltJxb3. exf4+) 19 . . . �f6 20.�xf6+ 'it>xf6 21.
11 . . . cS 12 .d6 (12 .1J.c3 d6 13. ltJc3 �fd8 22 .�adl b4 23.ltJdS+
!xg7 'it>xg7=) 12 ... ltJec6 13.1J.c3 1J.b7 i.xdS 24.exdS �ac8 2S.�d2 �cS=
(13 . . . ltJxb3 ! ? 14.�xb3 c4 IS.'Wc2 26.�fdl 'it>e7 27.f4 'it>d6 28.'it>f2 ,
ib7= , or 14 . . . ltJd4 IS.hd4 cxd4 draw, Erenburg - Gofshtein, Ash
16.eS ib7 17.ltJbd2, Nagy - Toma dod 2004.
zini, Iasi 2011, 17 . . . �e8= ) 14. �eloo
Bokros - Banusz, Budapest 2012. 1l . . . d6
11 . . . ltJxb3 12.�xb3 d6 13.1J.c3
(13.1J.aS, Umudova - Imnadze,
Tbilisi 2011, 13 . . . ib7 14.�dl �d7
IS.1J.c3 c6 16.ixg7 'it>xg7 17.dxc6
ltJxc6 18.a4 �e7 - the position is
close to equality) 13 . . . cS !
12.1Oc3
This natural move is the best
for White.
14.�dl? ! f6 ! + - Now, the pres His alternatives are not so en

ence of two bishops for Black and ergetic and enable Black to organ
his dynamic pawn-mass in the ise excellent counterplay.
185
After 12,ltJbd2 c6! 13.dxc6 13 c6

..•
ttJexc6+ Black has a considerable Black undermines his oppo

lead in development. nent's centre with this simple and
natural move.
1 2 .h3 c6 13.dxc6 ttJexc6 14.
ttJc3 i.e6 1S.ttJdS ttJc4= Djukic - It is also possible for him to
Khalifman, Aix-Ies-Bains 2011. play at first 13 . . . b4, in the game
T.Kosintseva - I.Sokolov, Bosna
12.ttJd4 i.b7 13.ttJc3 b4 14. 2010, there followed later 14.ttJa4
ttJce2 (14.ttJa4 c6+ 1S.dxc6 ttJexc6 c6 1S.dxc6 hc6=
16.ttJf3 ttJc4+; lS.a3 cxdS 16.axb4
ttJac6 17.ttJxc6 ttJxc6 18.ttJc3 ttJxb4 It may be interesting for Black
19.ttJxdS ttJxc2 20.'�xc2 hdS 2l. to try 13 . . . gc8 with the idea to ad
exdS �b6+) 14... c6 1S.dxc6 ttJexc6+ vance c7-c6, so that after dSxc6,
Black leads in development and he may capture on c6 with his
has more actively deployed piec rook.
es. 16.i.e3 (16.ttJf3 ttJc4 17J3b1
ge8+; 17 . . . gc8+; 17 . . . ttJ6eS+) 16 . . .
gc8 17.ttJxc6 ttJxc6 18.gb1 ttJeS+
(with the idea dS), Meera - Mo
hota, Chennai 2011.
12 J.b7
••.
It is not worse for Black to play

here 12 . . . b4. In the game Schoort
- Saric, Biel 2013, there followed:
13.ttJe2 c6 14.dxc6 ttJexc6 (Black's
position is very good too after 14 . . . 14 .lg5
•
ttJ axc6= ) lS.h3 (1S.gb1? ! Ly - Ze

lesco, Springvale 2 0 14, lS . . .i.g4+) 14.dxc6 ! ? i.xc6 lS.i.e3 i.b7
1S . . . i.b7 16.ttJf4 ttJc4= 16.i.d4 hd4 17.'�xd4 ttJc4 18.!b3
ttJc6 19.�d3 ttJ 6aS=
About 12 . . .fS - see S.Kasparov
- Zhao Xue, Brasschaat 2 013, 14 �c4 15.dxc6 hc6 16.
..•
game 25. �d4 J.b7 17.a4 h6!
In the game Ly - Zelesco, Can

berra 2 0 13, Black played impre
13.ge1, Inarkiev - Iordaches cisely 17 . . . b4? ! 18.ttJdS hdS 19.
cu, Konya 2 0 1 2 , 13 . . . gc8 14.gb1 c6 exdSt and White seized the initia
1S.dxc6 gxc6= tive.
186
4. 0 - 0 g6 5.c3 a6 6. i.c4 i.g7 7.d4 ed B.cd b5 9. i.b3 0-0
18.he7 (It i s weaker for Pavlov, Aix-Ies-Bains 2012) 13.

White to opt here for 1B.i.h4 gS i.e3 'ifih7 14.l!c1t fS (It was more
19.i.g3 Wlb6 20.lDce2 l!feB ! ?+) careful for Black to have played
18 Wlxe7 19.axbS gfc8� with
••• here 14 . . . i.b7, but even then he
excellent compensation for the would have problems following
pawn, for example: 20.'Bd3 (20. lS.dS;!; or lS.�d3;!;) lS.�d3 ! i.b7?
lDc6 WlfB 2 1.lDdS i>hB+; 20.lDdS 16.lDg5 ! hxgS 17.i.xgS dS 1B.exdS
hdS 21.exdS lDxe3 !+) 20 axbS ••• i.f6 19.Wlh3+ i>g7 20.�h6+ 'ifif7
21.lLIdxbS (21.lDcxbS dS ! ? 2 2 . 21.d6+ lDd5 22.l!xc7+ �xc7 23..ixf6
exdS �d7+ with the idea 23.lDc3 Wld7 24.�g7+ i>e6 2S.l!e1+ i>xd6
i.a6+) 21 i.a6 22 .i.b3 lLIeS ! ?
••• 26.i.eS+ i>c6 27J!c1 1-0 Danilen
23.�e2 gab8+ ko - Dounis, Paleohora 20H.
AS) 10.lLIc3
1l.i.gS
11.dS d6 - see 1O.dS.

This is White's best chance to
fight for at least a minimal open H.eS lDxb3 12.Wlxb3 i.b7=
ing advantage.
10 lLIaS!
••• 1U!e1 d6 12 .i.gS (12 .dS lDxb3
This is the best move for Black 13.Wlxb3 .!g4 = ; 12 .h3 i.b7=) 12 ...
and it provides him with a very h6 13.he7 (13 . .!e3 lDxb3 14.�xb3
comfortable game. i.g4 lS.lDd2 cS 16.dxcS dxcS=)
13 ... Wlxe7 14.lDdS �dB 1S.l!c1 i.b7!=
The seemingly natural move 16.lDxc7 (16.a4 cS 17.dxcS l!cB=)
10 . . . d6, can be countered very ef 16 ... l!cB 17.lDdS l!xcl l8.�xc1 lDxb3
fectively by White with the move 19.axb3 gS� 20.b4 (20.h3 fSt)
H.lDdS ! , for example: H . . . h6 (H . . . 20 ... g4 21.lDd2 WIgS 22.lDe3 hd4=
lLIxdS 12 .i.xdS i.b7 13.i.gS Wld7 14.
�d2;!;) 1 2 .lDxe7+ lDxe7 (12 ... Wlxe7 H.i.e3 d6 12 .Wld2 (12 .h3 i.b7=)
13 . .!dS i.b7 14.l!el;!; Akopian - S. 12 . . . lDxb3 13 .axb3 fSoo (13 . . . i.g4=)
1B7
14.i.gS (14.eS i.b7 lS.1t1gS ? ! dxeS 17.i.d4 i.bS (It would not be so
16.1t1e6 Wfd6 17.1t1xg7? f4- + ; 17. appropriate for him to play 17 . . .
ltlxfB ? ! f4- + ; 17.dS ltlxdS 1B.ltlxfB §'d7 1B .b3 i.h6?! 19.i.d3t N .
ltlxe3 19.Wfxe3 hfB+) 14 . . . Wfd7 Kosintseva - I.Sokolov, Sarajevo
'
lS.eS dxeS 16.1t1xeS he S 17.dxeS 2010.) 1B.i.d3 hd4 19.1t1xd4
§'xd2 1B .hd2 i.e6= ltlec6 20.1t1xc6 ltlxc6 21.b3 ltleS=
and Black has no problems at
11.i.c2 d6 all .
1l .•• h6!
Black should not be in a hurry

to trade on b3, because after 11 . . .
ltlxb3 12 .Wfxb3 h6 13 .he7 Wfxe7
14.1t1dS WfdB lS.l"1ac1 c6 16.1t1f4
Wff6 17.1t1d3 (17.g3 ! ?t) 17 . . . aS lB.
eSt, White's superior develop
ment provides him with stable
12 .h3 i.b7 - see 1O .h3 positional pressure.
12 .i.f4?! i.g4+ 13.1t1e2 hf3 14.
gxf3 cS (14 . . . 1t1ec6? ! lS.b3oo Sebag 12 .he7
- Stefanova, Beijing 2 0 13) lSJ:k1
§,b6 16.i.e3 1t1c4+ The retreat 12 .i.h4 is not pref
Black should not be afraid of erable, since following 12 . . . 1t1xb3
12 .i.gS ? ! h6 13.i.f4 i.b7 14.Ek1 13.§'xb3 gS 14.i.g3 d6, Black's
l"1cB lS.i.b1 ltlc4 16.§'e2 fS= Gan bishop-pair guarantees an excel
guly - Tkachev, Wijk aan Zee lent position for him.
2 0 1 1 and he could have put in
doubt White's play with the re lS.h4 (lS.l"1ad1 i.e6 16.dS i.g4+
source 13 . . . i.g4 ! 14.h3 hf3 15. or 16.Wfc2 fSf; lS.h3 'i!;>hB ! ? = with
Wfxf3 ltlec6 16.dS ltld4 17.Wfd1 (17. the idea f7-fS ; lS.l"1fe1 'i!;>hB 16.eS
Wfd3 1t1c4+) 17 . . . Wff6f ltlfS = Nurkic - Brkic, Jahorina
12 .dS i.b7 ! ? = Black is planning 2012) lS . . . g4 16.1t1h2 'i!;>hB (16 ...
c7-c6. 13.l"1b1 (13.i.f4 ltlc4= ; 13. hd4 ! ?+) 17.1t1e2 fS 1B.eS dxeS
l"1e1 l"1eB 14.l"1b1 c6 lS.dxc6 hc6 19.dxeS WfdS = AI Modiahki - M.
16.i.f4 l"1cB 17.1t1e2 ltlc4 1B.ltled4. Bartel, Moscow 2012.
Here, in the game Inarkiev - Ior
dachescu, Konya 2 0 1 2 , the oppo 12 . . . Ybe7 13. �d5 �M8 14.
nents agreed to a draw, but Black l"1c1
could have continued the fight by
playing 1B . . . i.b7+) 13 . . . b4 ! ? 14. 14.1t1eS ? ! , Makarenko - Mury
ltla4 c6 lS.dxc6 hc6 16.i.e3 l"1bB gin, Izhevsk 2011, 14 . . . d6 ! ? (it is
1BB
4. 0 - 0 g6 S.c3 a6 6. ia4 ig7 7.d4
also good for Black to play here B) 6 .*.a4•
14 . . . �b7) 1S.lilxg6 fxg6 16.lilxc7+

'it>h7 17.lilxaB ib7+
6 .lg7
•••
14 •••ib7!N= The line : 6 . . . d6 7.d4 id7 B.

.ib3t leads to one of the positions
The position is not so clear af of the Modern Steinitz Defence in
ter 14 . . J�a7. In the game Guliyev the Ruy Lopez, in a favourable
- Erdos, 2012, there followed lat version for White.
er 1SJ:l:e1 (1S.lilf4 ! ?;!;) 1S . . . d6 16.h3
'it>h7oo 6 . . . bS 7 . .ic2 ! ig7 B.d4 exd4
9.cxd4 dS 10.exdS ! lilxdS (10 ...
lS.eS lilb4 1l . .ib3;!; - see Chapter 2)
1l . .igS;!;
After 1S.lilxc7? ! l'!cB 16.lildS
l'!xc1 17.�xc1 lilxb3 1B.axb3 l'!eB 7.d4!
19.1'!e1 fS:;:, Black's initiative more This is White's most energetic
than compensates his missing move in his fight for a slight edge
pawn. in the opening.
lS . . . �xb3 16.exb3 d6 17.e6 The rather slow move 7.d3 en

(17.lilxc7? l'!cB 1B.lildS l'!xc1 19. ables Black to obtain a very com
l'!xc1 dxeS=F) 17 fxe6 18.�xc7
••• fortable position following 7 ... 0-
gxf3 ! 19.9xf3 WgS+ 20.'it>hl o B . .ie3 (B.lilbd2 dS= ; B . . . d6=)
ehS 2 1.Wxe6+ 'it>h7 22 .dS B ... d6 9.lilbd2 h6, with the idea
exf3 + 23.'it>gl gf8 24.ee3 f7-fS with good counterplay.
ef5 = 2S.�e6 (2SJ:kd1 l'!cB 26.
lile6 ixb2�) 2S exdS 26. ••• It would not be energetic
�xf8 + 'it>h8 27. �xg6+ 'it>h7 enough for White to opt for 7.l'!e1,
28.�f8+ 'it>h8 29.�g6+ 'it>h7= because after 7 ... 0-0 B.d4 exd4
1B9
9.cxd4 b5 1O .i.c2 (1O .i.b3 d6 -

see variation A, 10J'�e1 d6) 10 . . .
d5= , Black solves all his opening
problems, Palit - Stocek, Canber
ra 2 013.
7 ••• exd4 8.cxd4 .
It is not so active for White to

continue with 8.ltJxd4 0-0.
Wfd6 12.ltJbd2 0-0 13.ltJe4 Wfb4 14.

hc6 bxc6, or 13.ltJc4 Wfb4 14.,bc6
bxc6, there will arise pawn-struc
tures similar to the Classical vari
ation. The difference is that in our
case Black's pawn is on a6, while
in the Classical variation it is on
a7, which does not change the es
sence of the position. We have al
9 . .ie3 ltJe5 10.ltJd2 d5= Mc ready mentioned that in the Clas
Cormick - Ulvestad, Baltimore sical variation Black obtains reli
1948. able positions, but his chances of
9.f4 d5 10.ltJxc6 (10 .e5, Halp seizing the initiative are just mini
ern - Delmar, New York 1899, mal.
1O .. .f6=) 1O . . . ltJxc6 (1O . . . bxc6 11.
ltJd2 gb8oo) 11.�xd5 Wfxd5 12 .exd5
ltJe7 13.i.b3 gd8 14.gd1 i.g4 15. Bl) 8 . . . h5? !
gd2 i.f5� This move used to be consid
Or 9.i.g5 ltJxd4 1O.cxd4 h6 ered as the main line for Black,
1l.i.h4 (1l.he7? ! �xe7 12.ltJc3 but White found a very active plan
c6+ and White's pawn-centre does and Black was faced with serious
not compensate Black's powerful problems.
bishop-pair) 1l . . . d5 12 .e5 g5 13. 9.i.c2 !
i.g3 ltJf5 14.ltJc3 c6= Frolyanov - The placement of this bishop
Shurakov, Kazan 2 0 1 2 . on c2 is better than on the b3-
(diagram) square, because in numerous
Now, we will analyse two pos variations it would not come un
sibilities for Black: Bl) 8 h5 ••• der attack after the manoeuvre
and B2) 8 . . . 0-0 ! ? ltJa5.
He can also t ry 8 . . . d 5 and after
9.exd5 ltJxd5 10.ge1+ i.e6 1l.i.g5 About 9 ..ib3 0-0 - see 6 . .ic4.
190
4. 0 - 0 g6 5.c3 a6 6. i.a4 i.g7 7.d4 ed B.cd
After 11 ... cS, it is good for

White to play 12 . .tc3 ! ? , neutralis
ing Black's important dark
squared bishop (about 12.d6;t -
see Zherbukh - Zvjaginsev, Aix
les-Bains 2011, game 27) 12 ... d6
13.h3;t Black's misplaced knight
on the eS-square provides White
with a stable positional advan
tage.
Following 11 ... ttJc4 12 .i.c3
9 d6
... ttJxb2 13.'ltIe2 ! ? (13.'ltIcl ttJc4 14.
This is Black's relatively best i.xg7 �xg7 IS.ib3� with the idea
move, which however, would not IS . . . ttJb6 16.'ltIc3+ f6 17.ttJbd2 ib7
solve all the opening difficulties IB.a4 bxa4 19.ha4t) 13 . . . ttJc4 14.
for him. hg7 �xg7 IS.a4 .tb7 16.i.d3�
It is not preferable for Black to White has powerful initiative.
opt for 9 ... 0-0, since White has 16 .. .fS 17.hc4 bxc4 IB .'ltIb2+ �f6
the powerful counter argument 19.d6 (19.'ltIxb7? �b6-+) 19 ... cxd6
10.dS ! ttJ aS (10 . . . ttJa7 11.d6 cxd6 20 .�xbn
12 .�xd6;!;; 1O . . . ttJeS 11.ttJxeS .ixeS 11 . . . i.xb2 12 .i.xaS i.xaI 13.ttJc3
12.f4 i.g7 13.fSt; it is interesting i.b2 (Black will be in a great trou
for Black to choose 1O . . . ttJb4 ! ? , as ble if he parts with his important
it was played in the game Chith dark-squared bishop 13 . . . .ixc3?!
ambaram - Naiditsch, Reykjavik 14.hc3 f6? IS.d6 cxd6 16.�xd6
2 014 : 11.,tb3 as 12.a3 ttJa6 13.a4 ttJc6 17.eS+-; 14 ... d6 IS.if6± -
bxa4 14.i.xa4 ttJcSoo, but after 13. His position is hardly defensible
ttJc3 ! ? ttJc5 14.i.e3 ttJxb3, Black any more, for example: IS ... ig4
still has problems to worry about, 16.'ltId2 hf3 17.gxf3 �eB 18.�g2
for example: IS.'ltIxb3 ia6 16JUdl �cB 19.�el+- with the idea �d2-
�bB 17 ..id4;t) 11 . .td2 ! t (11.a4 - gS and e4-eS) 14.d6 ! ttJc6 IS.hc7
see Kupreichik - Arkhipov, 'ltIeB 16.ttJdS (16.'ltId2�) 16 . . . �h8
Muenster 1991, game 26). (16 . . . ib7 17.'ltId2 ttJdB IB.ttJe7+
�h8 19.ttJd4 ttJe6 20 ..ib6 hd4
21.hd4+ ttJxd4 22.�xd4+ f6 23.
ib3±; 16 ...ig7 17.eS ttJxeS l8. ttJe7+
�h8 19.ttJxeS heS 20.�dS+-;
17 . . . .tb7 18.�el± ttJd8 19.ttJf6+
hf6 20.exf6 ttJe6 21.'ltId2 +-; 20 ...
hf3 2 1.�d2 'ltIxel+ 22 .�xel i.b7
23.'ltId2 ttJe6 24.�h6 �h8 2S.h4±)
17.'ltId2� (17.i.b3 .ig7 18.eS ttJxeS
191
19J''! e 1 f6 2 0.liJxf6 hi6 2l.liJxe5 82) 8 ••• 0-0 !?

he5 22 . .tb6 1'!f4 23.g3+-) 17. . .
liJe5 ? ! 1B .liJxe5 ! h:e5 ( l B . . . �xe5? !
19.1'!b 1 ! ± �g7? ! 20.1'!xb2 �xb2 2l.
.tb6 + - ; 19 . . . .id4 2 0 .1'!d1 .ic5 2l.
.ia5±) 19.f4 .ig7 20.f5±
10.h3 0-0 1l.liJc3 �a5
This is Black's most reliable

reply in the pawn-structures of
the Modern variation. The arising
positions are complicated and
very dynamic and he has good
chances of seizing the initiative.
9.d5
This position resembles the This is a very modern move.
one analysed in the variation 6 .
.ic4 .ig7 7.d4 exd4 B.cxd4 b5 9. White's alternatives are only
.ib3 0-0 1O .h3 liJ a5 1l . .ic2 d6 12. seldom played and are not dan
liJc3, but in a better version for gerous for Black.
White, since in this case his bish 9 . .if4?! d5+
op on c2 is better placed there
than on the b3-square, not com He has no problems after 9.
ing under the strike liJa5xb3. .ig5 h6 1O . .ie3 b5 1l . .tc2 (1l . .tb3
12 .if4 .ib7 13.ge1 gc8?!
• liJa5= with the idea 12.liJbd2 d5=
It was relatively best for Black or 12 . . . .ib7=) 1l . . . d5=
to play here 13 .. :�d7 14.1'!c1 1'!aeB
15.a4;t Following 9.h3, Black equalis
14 .td3 ! b4 15.�a4 f1d7
• es easily after 9 . . . b5 10 . .ic2 (10.
16.a3 .ib3 liJa5 1l ..tc2 d6 12.liJc3 .ib7=
16 . .id2 ! ? t - see variation A) 10 . . . d5=
1 6 bxa3 17.gxa3±
•••
White has a space advantage Black's simplest way to coun

in the centre and his pieces are ter the move 9.liJc3 is the line: 9 ...
better coordinated, so he main b5 10 ..tc2 (1O . .ib3 liJa5 - see vari
tains a clear advantage, A.Zhi ation A3) 1O . . M 1l.liJe2 d5=
.
galko - I.Sokolov, Plovdiv 2 0 1 2 . Potze - Erwich, Hoogeveen 2011.
192
4. 0 - 0 g6 S.c3 a6 6. i.a4 i.g7 7.d4 ed B.cd
9 . . . �a5! been considerably reduced with

the absence of his dark-squared
9 ... b5 lO.ic2 ! (lO.dxc6 - see bishop off the board, Papp -
Jeran - Pavasovic, Ljubljana N.Pedersen, Aarhus 2012.) 11 ...
2007, game 28) lO . . . ltJ a5 11.i.d2 ! ltJxb2 12 .Wc2 ltJxa4 13.Wxa4 d6 -
- see 8 . . . b5. He has some compensation for
the pawn, but not more than that.
It is much easier to play this posi
tion with Black, since White will
need to work hard to prove that
his compensation for the pawn is
sufficient.
10 •.• b5 1l.i.c2
About 11.i.b3 d6 - see varia

tion A2.
1l ••• d6oo
White cannot achieve much

with the standard move lO.d6? !
in view of lO . . . cxd6 11.ltJc3 (11.
Wxd6? ! ltJc4 12.Wb4 b5t) 11 . . . b5
12 .i.c2 ib7+
After 10.ltJbd2, Black's sim

plest reply would be lO . . . c5 l1ol''l:b 1
(11.d6 ltJec6 12.ixc6 ltJxc6 13.a4
:!3b8= Szalanczy - Mozez, Hunga
ry 1997) 11 . . . b5 12 .ic2 c4 13.b4
ltJb7 14.:!3e1, Soltanici - Feryn, The chances of both sides are
Cappelle la Grande 2 0 14 (14.a4 approximately equal in this com
d6oo) 14 . . . d6 15.a4 Wc7! ?oo plicated position.
Black's plan includes advanc
Black will hardly have any ing c6 or c5 at an opportune mo
problems following 10 .id2, due ment and after the exchange on
to 10 . . . ltJc4, after which there aris c6, White's pawn will not cramp
es a very complicated position in Black's position. He will solve all
which his prospects are not worse. the problems with his development
11.ic3 (11.ib3 ltJxd2 12 .�xd2 d6= and will obtain a lively piece play.
White's attacking potential has 12. �d4
193
This looks like a natural move,

but it is not dangerous for Black.
12 .h3 b4 ! ? , Meier - Schunk,

Osterburg 1996, 13.lLIe2 c6 14.
dxc6 lL1axc6 1SJ!b1 dS=
12J:�b1 i.b7, Alavi - Nezad,

Sharjah 2011 (12 . . . b4 ! ? 13.lLIa4
.td7! ? 14.b3 .tbS lSJ�e1 c6oo) 13 .
.tf4 ¥Bd7 ! ? =
14 ••• c5 !N=
12 J�e1 b400 (12 . . J:!eB ! ?= ) 13.
lLIe2 .tg4 (13 . . . c6! ?oo) 14.lLIed4 cS 14 . . . lLIa3 ? ! lSJ�c1 '!Wd7 16.'!Wd2;!;
lS.dxc6 lLIexc6= Munguntuul - Khanin - Najer, Moscow 2014.
Zhu Chen, Ulanbatar 2010.
15.bxc4
12 ••• .lb7
lS.dxc6 lLIxc6 16.lLIxc6 hc6
It is also good for Black to play 17.bxc4 hc3 1B.�c1 i.b2 ! 19.hd6
here 12 . . . cS 13.dxc6 lLIexc6 14. (19.�b1 i.eS+) 19 . . . hc1 2 0.hfB
lLIxc6 lLIxc6= Duport - CoIlins, '!WxfB 2 1.'!Wxc1 bxc4 2 2 .'!We3 '!WeB
London 2012, or 12 .. J�eB= 13.a4? ! 23.¥Bc3 i.a4=
b4 14.lLIce2 cS lS.dxc6 lLIexc6 16 .
.te3 .tb7 17.lLIxc6 hc6 1B . .td4 15 hd4 16 .td2 (16.'!Wd2?
••• •
he4 19.he4 �xe4+ Dvoirys - ¥BaS-+) 16 b4 (16 .. .fS ! ?) 17.

•••
Ponkratov, Ugra 2 013. �e2. Now, it would be too risky

for Black to accept the exchange
13 .lf4 �c4
• sacrifice, because after 17 . . .
.tg7 ! ?oo, h e would have a comfort
13 . . . �eB ! ?= able game. He plans to transfer
his knight to the b6-square and to
14.b3 advance his a-pawn.
194
Chapter 7 1.e4 e5 2.ll� f3 �c6 3.J.b5 �ge7 4.0-0
g6 5.c3 a6
Modern Variation
Complete Games
22 Movsesian Stevic move under some doubt.

Rabac 2004 12 ... �a5 13.d5
l.e4 e5 2 . �fJ �c6 3.Job5 It has become obvious that
�ge7 4.0-0 g6 5.c3 a6 6.Joa4 White does not plan now to free
Jog7 7.d4 b5 8.Job3 exd4 9. his light-squared bishop, so it was
cxd4 sensible for him to think about
the inclusion of the moves 13.�d2
@h7 and only now - 14.d5 ! Mean
while, Black could have countered
that with 13 . . . g5 ! ?
9 . . . d6
In the theoretical part of our
book, we have analysed 9 . . . 0-0,
but the move 9 ... d6 is also possi
ble and may lead to transposition 13 . . . c5
of moves. This move is too straightfor
10.h3 0-0 11.�c3 h6 ward. It was more flexible for
In the theoretical part, we have Black to have played 13 . . . ltJxb3 ! ?
analysed as the basic move for 14.�xb3 (after 14.axb3, Black is
Black 1l . . . ltJa5, but in this game he not obliged to advance his c
decided to wait a bit with this ma pawn, which transposes to the
noeuvre. game, but can follow with the
12 .J.e3 more promising line : 14 . . . h4 ! 15.
The prophylactic move 12.a3 ! ? ltJa2 f5oo) 14 . . . c5 15.dxc6 .te6. We
frees the a2-square for the knight have analysed this position in our
and could have put Black's last notes to White's move 15.
195
Chapter ? Complete Games
Meanwhile, the move 13 . . . cS is erable advantage for him.

not a mistake. lS.gfc1? !
14.dxc6 tOxb3 15.axb3 ! ? Now, due to his control over
lS.YNxb3 i.e6 16.'1Wd1 ttJxc() 17. the b4-square, it would be very
YNd2 'i!;>h7 1B.ttJd4 ttJxd4 19.ixd4 strong for White to play 1B.ttJb6 !
�gS ! 20.f4 hd4+ 2 1.�xd4 �cS ga7 (lB . . J'!bB 19.9xa6 ixb3 20.
2 2 J'!ad1 gacB= gel ttJe7 2 1.�b4±; 2 0 . . . ttJeS 21.
15 tOxc6 16.tOd5
••• ttJxeS dxeS 2 2 .ttJd7+ -) 19.9fcl±
Black has a good position too lS . . . .txd5 19.exd5 tOe7 20.
after 16.ttJxbS ixh3 17.ttJxd6 i.g4 .id4
1B .�dS ttJb4 19.�d2 ttJc2 2 0 .gad1
ttJxe3 21.YNxe3 YNe7=
White maintains certain pres

sure and Black must play very ac
16 . . . .te6? ! curately.
This is not the right square for 20 tOf5? !
••.
the bishop ! In similar structures He did not need to remove un

it belongs to b7, since it protects necessarily his knight from its ac
the knight and the a6-pawn and tive position. From there it exert
does not impede Black's pressure ed pressure against White's dS
on the e-file against the enemy pawn and controlled the possible
e4-pawn, so he had to play 16 . . . penetration of his rook to the c6-
.ib7! 17.YNd2 'i!;>h7 1B.gfd1 gcB 19. square. 20 . . . ixd4 21.�xd4 YNd7,
gael geB= despite White's pressure, Black
17.ti'd2 has all the chances of a successful
It would be useless for White defence.
to choose 17.ttJb6, because after 21 .txg7 c,t>xg7 2 2 .b4? !
•
17 . . . gbB, it would be impossible 2 2 .gc6 ! as 23.�f4±

for him to play 1B.gxa6? due to 2 2 ti'f6 23.gc6 gfeS
•••
1B . . . ttJb4- + (diagram)
17 'i!;>b7
••• 24.gaxa6? !
Following 17 . . .ixdS 1B.exdS This hasty capturing o f a pawn
ttJeS 19.ttJxeS dxeS 2 0.d6± White's enables Black to organise effort
passed pawn guarantees a consid- lessly sufficient counterplay.
196
4. 0 - 0 g6 5.c3 a6
1l J.b7
•••
About 11 . . . h6 - see Movsesian

- Stevic, Rabac 2004, game 22.
It is simpler for Black to play
here 11 . . . lLlaS 12 .i.c2 cS, but the
move in the game is also quite
possible.
12 .ge1
12.lLldS ! ? as !oo
White would have created more 12 �a5 13.d5
•••
problems for his opponent with White had better preserve his
the line: 24.�c3 ! ge4 2S.g4 lLld4 bishop 13 . .tc2 , which would have
26.lLlxd4 �xd4 ! (26 . . . gxd4 27. led to a position with mutual
gxd6 �xd6 28.�xd4±) 27.gxd6 chances 13 . . . cS 14.dS lLlc4 IS.gbl
gae8 with good chances for Black lLlc8 ! ?
for a draw, for example: 28.gdl 13 geS
•••
�xc3 29.bxc3 gc8 30.gd3 gec4. Black's desire to make a useful

24 gxa6 25.gxa6 ge4!
••• = move for the moment and to wait
Now, after a correct play from a bit with the definition of his fur
both sides, the draw is inevitable. ther plan is quite understandable.
26.ga3 lLld4 27.�f1 lLlxf3 Still, he could have played simpler
2S.gxf3 YlYd4 29.'tlrc3 �gS 30. - 13 . . . b4 ! 14.lLle2 (14.lLla4? ! lLlxb3
YlYeS + �g7 31. 'tlre3 �gS 32. IS.axb3=!', or IS.�xb3 as=!' and
�eS + . Draw. White's knight on a4 is isolated
from the actions.) 14 ... lLlxb3 15.
�xb3 cS 16.dxc6 lLlxc6. Black's
23 Friedel I.Sokolov bishops are very active, so this
Reykjavik 2011 enables him to think about more
1.e4 e5 2 . lLlf3 �e6 3 .tb5 a6
• than equality . . .
4 .ta4 �ge7 5.0-0 g6 6.e3 b5
•
7 .tb3 .tg7 S.d4 exd4 9.exd4

•
d6 10.h3 0-0 1l.�e3
14 .tf4
•
The move 14.i.gS ! ? provokes

Black to advance h7-h6. 14 . . . h6
197
1S . .ie3. Now, White can win a heS dxeS? 2S.11Je6 V9d6 26.
tempo with the move VBd2 , but V9f6 + - ; 24 ... 11Jxd5 25.gac1 V9b6
even after that the p'o sition re 26 . .ig3 fxe4 27.11Jxe4�) 2 1.g4 (21.
mains unclear. gac1 .ie5 2 2 .V9h4 i.f6+) 2 1 . . .i.e5
14 ge8
••• 2 2 .V9f3 llJxd5 23.exd5 hd5 24.
Black, probably quite correct VBd1 .if6+
ly, does not force the issue yet: 19.�a4 gb8? !
14 . . . b4 1S.11Je2 hb2 (1S . . . 11Jxb3 Black has decided t o refrain
16.VBxb3 fS 17.11Jed4 fxe4 18.11Jc6 from 19 . . . f5, probably because of
hc6 19.dxc6+ �h8 20.11JgS;!;) 16. White's obvious response 20.11Jg5,
.ih6� but either overlooking or under
15.ffd2 ffd7 estimating the powerful move in
Black continues with the same return - 20 . . . V9b5 !
strategy. He finds a useful move 20.gadl �c8?!
and intends seriously to advance Black continues manoeu
fl-fS. vring. . . He has missed the right
16 .ih6 .ih8 17.fff4? !
• moment to seize the initiative, be
White had to take some meas cause now, with a white rook on
ures in anticipation of the move d1 and what is more important -
fl-fS, for example with : 17.11JgS f6 the defenceless black c7-pawn,
18.11Je6 llJxb3 19.axb3 fS 2 0 .f3 c6 the pawn-advance fl-f5 does not
21.dxc600 or even 17.g4 ! ? have the desired effect for him,
17 �xb3 18.axb3
••• for example : 20 .. .f5? ! 21.11Jg5
V9b5?! 2 2 .11Je6±. Therefore, Black
had to think about the prophylac
tic move 20 .. .f600
18 b4
•••
18 .. .fS ! ? 19.11JgS b4 20.11Ja4

VBbS ! (White can counter the nat
ural move 20 . . . i.eS with the sur 21.e5?!
prising resource 2 1.11JcS ! .ixf4 2 2 . This is no doubt an attractive
llJxd7 hgS 23.hgS � fl 24.11Jf6 move ! White overlooks however,
gh8 2S.eS h6 26.e6+ �g7 27.11JhS+ Black's counter resource.
gxhS 2 8.he7 hdS 29.i.h4 = ; 2 1 . . . It was stronger for White to
V9bS 2 2 .V9h4 VBxcS 23.i.g7 h S 24. choose 21.i.g5 ! with the powerful
198
4. 0 - 0 g6 S.c3 a6
positional idea to trade the dark

squared bishops, or if Black pre
vents that with 2 1 . . .f6?, then after
2 2 .hf6 �f8 23.e5 dxe5 24.lLlxe5
�d6, he will be faced with the
rather unpleasant surprise: 25.
�c4 ! ! hf6 2 6.lLlc6 lLlb6 (26 . . .
�a8 ? ! 27.�e6 ! �d7 28.lLlc5+-) 27.
lLlxb6 �be8 28.�xe8 �xe8 29.
lLla4± and Black has no compen voke his opponent to play 26 ... d5
sation for the pawn. 27.�c1+- and his knight would
21 �a7?
••• join into the actions with a great
He panics . . . Meanwhile, after effect; 26 . . . �e7 27.lLlc5 ! ; it is not
2 1 . . .�b5 ! + Black would have so good for White to opt for 26.
found a defect in his opponent's �xb4 �g7 27.�h4 hh6 28.�xh6
beautiful position. The d5-pawn �e7 29.lLlc3±) 24.dxe6 �e7 25.
can hardly be protected comfort lLlg5 �f6 26.�c4 d5 (26 ... �e7 27.
ably and Black's knight will be lLlc5) 27.�cl± and Black will
suddenly ready to join into the hardly manage to save the game.
fight, not remaining on the unfor 23 ti'fS
.••
tunate a7-square. The d6-square is protected

2 2 .ge3 now and this sortie becomes pos
White stumbles. This looks sible. The position is about equal
like a logical move, but he was again.
winning with the resolute re 24.�xf5 gxf5 25. �d4
source 2 2 .e6! fxe6 (22 . . . �e7 23. White is too optimistic. He
lLlg5 f6 24.lLlf7+-) 23.dxe6 �e7 had to think about the future of
(23 . . . �xe6 24.�c4 ! d5 25.�xe6 his knight on a4, joining it into
�xe6 2 6.�xc7+-) 24.lLlg5 �f6 the actions with 25.exd6oo
(24 . . . �f6 25.lLlc5 ! +-) 25.�c4 �e7 25 . . . he5 26. �xf5 .le8 27.
26.lLlf7+- �g7? !
2 2 �b5
•.. This knight should have head
Black has brought up his ed for the e4-square - 27.lLlg3 !
knight into the fight and his de .id7 28.lLle4 f5 29.�ec5 ! dxc5 30.
fence has become a bit easier . . . lLlxc5=
2 2 . . . �f5? 23.exd6+ - 27 .lg4? !
•..
(diagram) 27 . . . �e7! 28.lLlh5 f6 !+=

23.h4? 28.�xe8?
Once again, White's hesitation After 28.�de1 �ed8 29.�e4, or
saves Black. After 23.e6! fxe6 28. .. �e7 29.lLlc5 the fight would
(23 . . . �e7 24.lLlg5 fxe6 25.dxe6 be raging again.
�f6 26.�c4, White would pro- 28 hdl 29.gxe5 dxe5 30.
•••
199
�f6+ �h8 31.�cS gd8?! This attempt to play actively is

3 1 . . .aS ! ?+ not correct at the moment. White
needed to reduce the tension in
the centre, against the d4-pawn,
with the move 13.dS, or 13.dxcS
dxcS 14 . .igS and in both cases
with very complicated positions
and mutual chances.
13 . . . �c4
White has not played well in
the opening. Black could have
tried to exploit this with 13 . . . cxd4 !
32 .hS? 14.llJxd4 .ib7 lS.!'k1 13c8 16.13e1
This is a very strange move. llJc4 17.b3 llJa3 18.Wld2 13e8+
After 32 . .igS ! , Black would 14.b3 �a3
still have an edge, but not decisive This move looks good, but it
yet. only leads to a complicated and
32 . . . �d4 33.f3 approximately equal position and
33 . .igS h6 34 . .b:h6 .b:b3- + not to an advantage.
33 . . . .bb3- + 34.�cd7 .bdS IS . .1d3 .1b7
3S . .1fB .1e6 36.h6 �f5 37.g4 It would be weaker for Black to
.bd7 38 .gS gxf8 0-1 opt here for lS . . . cxd4 16.llJe2 llJc6
17.Wlc1 llJb4 18.13d1 llJxd3 19.13xd3
b4 2 0 . .ih6�
24 Dijkhuis - Berkovich 16.ti'cl
Groningen 2012 There may arise interesting
l.e4 eS 2.�f3 �c6 3 .1bS g6
• complications following 16.13c1 ! ?
4.0-0 .1g7 S.c3 a6 6 . .1a4 bS 13c8 17.dS c 4 18.ie2 b 4 19.bxc4
7 .1b3 �ge7 8 .d4 exd4 9.cxd4
• .b:c3 (19 . . . bxc3 2 0 .Wlb3±) 2 0 .Wlb3,
0-0 10. �c3 d6 1l.h3 � aS 12. but it was not easy for White to
.1c2 cS make that difficult decision dur
ing the game.
16 . . . gc8
This move is arguable but still
possible.
It seemed more natural for
Black to play 16 . . . b4 ! ? 17 . .ih6 ! (17.
llJa4 ! ? cxd4 18 .ti'd2 llJc6+) 17 ...
cxd4 18 . .b:g7 �xg7 19.llJe2=
(diagram)
17.Yba3
13 . .1f4? ! It looked more consistent for
200
4. 0 - 0 96 5.c3 a6
White could have tried to play a

more active move with his rook -
20.gfe1 ! ?
White to simplify the situation

in the centre: 17.dxcS ! ? dxcS 18.
gd1 c4 ! (18 . . :�aS 19 . .ieS c4 20.
hg7 �xg7 2 1 :�b2 ! b4 2 2 .bxc4
bxc3 23:i;![xb7 gfe8 24.gac1t) 19. 2 0 f5
...
bxc4 'i;!! aS 2 0 ..ieS lDxc4 2 1.hg7 It seems more reliable for

�xg7oo Black to play prudently 20 . . . 'i;!!c7
17 b4 18.ti'a4
••. 21.gfe1 gcd800 White has some
This decision seems risky, but advantage in the centre indeed,
is very good. but Black's position remains solid
It was more reliable for White enough.
to eliminate Black's passed pawn 21.gfel?
on c3 : 18.'i;!!b 2 bxc3 19.'I'9xc3 lDc6 Now, this seemingly logical
(19 ... cxd4? 20.'i;!!b4±) 20.'i;!!d 2 lDxd4 move seems inappropriate. It
2 1 .lDxd4 hd4 2 2 . gac1= would be more consistent for
18 bxc3 19.d5
.•• White to follow with 21.eS ! lDxdS
Here, just like before, it was 22 . .ic4 dxeS 23 .heS (23.lDxeS c2
interesting for White to reduce 24.gd2 gS 2S.i.h2 f4 26.ha6oo)
the pawn-tension in the centre 23 . . . ge8 24.hdS+ hdS 2S.hg7
with 19.dxcS ! ? dxc5 (19 . . . gxcS �xg7 26.'i;!!xa6 c2 27.gd2;!;
2 0 .gfe1oo) 2 0 . gad1oo 21 g5
•.•
19 h6
... Black did not need to oust the
This move is too slow. It was enemy bishop from the f4-square,
stronger for Black to play imme because after an eventual opening
diately 19 .. .fS ! ? , but even then, of the f-file it will come under at
the position would have remained tack by the rook on f8 .
within equality: 2 0 .lDgS ! (20 ..igS He had to clarify immediately
fxe4 2 1 .'i;!!xe4 gf7+) 20 . . . fxe4 21. the situation in the centre with
'i;!!xe4 (21.lDe6? 'l'ge8+) 2 1 . . .i.xdS 2 1 . . .fxe4 ! 2 2 .'i;!!xe4 hdS 23 . .ic4
22 . .ic4 hc4 23.bxc4 'i;!!d 7 24.lDe6 hc4 24.bxc4 lDfS'+ and White
gf7 2S.lDxg7 �xg7 26.gfe1 ! ? = would still need to prove that his
20.gadl compensation for the pawn would
This move was not forced. be sufficient for equality.
201
22.J.xd6? Black is under the hypnosis of

It is difficult to tell why White the enemy central pawns. Here,
decided to play this desperate just like on the previous move, it
move. His compensation for the was correct for him to choose 25 . . .
piece is obviously insufficient. His lLlg6- +
central pawns will be soon 26 .ic4? !
•
blocked and need permanent pro White is overly ambitious. Af

tection, while now, his defensive ter 26.e6 lLld4 27.d7±, his central
resources are being reduced. pawns would have been a real
Naturally, the placement of his threat.
bishop will look very ugly after 26 <i!lh7?
•••
22 . .ih2 ? ! f4 ! 23.e5 hd5 24 . .ic4 Black had to take some meas

hc4 25.exd6 lLlc6 26.�xc4+ <i!lh8 ures to evacuate his king: 26 . . .
27.�xc5 �d7+. Still, after the only <i!lh8 27.d7 (The defects o f the
right move 22 . .icl ! �e8 ! ?oo the check 26.Bc4? ! would have been
fight will be still raging. White has emphasized in the variation 27.e6
a very reliable position in the cen c2 28.l3cl lLld4oo) 27 ... l3cd8 28.
tre, while Black will be ready to l3d6 l3xd7 29.l3xd7 lLlxe5 30.l3xg7
begin active operations on the lLlxf3+ 31.<i!lfl <i!lxg7 32 .�d7+ <i!lh8
kingside at any moment. 33.l3e8 ef6 34.�c8 <i!lg7 35.ed7+
22 exd6 23.e5 �b6 24.d6
..• <i!lh8 =
.bf3? 27.d7 �d4?
He had to concentrate his at Black could have prolonged
tention on White's kingside: 24 . . . the resistance with 27 . . . l3cd8 28.
lLl g 6 25.e6 i.xf3 2 6.gxf3 �xd6 27. l3d6 ec7 29.�xc6 �xc6 30.l3xc6
e7 .id4 2 8 .exf8�+ l3xf8--+ l3xd7 31.l3xc5±, trying to save the
(diagram) endgame.
25.gxf3? 2S.l3xd4 cxd4 29.dxcSe
This is another mistake. White i:ixcS
needed to play 25.dxe7 hdl 26. (diagram)
exf8�+ l3xf8 27.�c4+ <i!lh8 28. 30.�d7?
l3xdl he5 29 . .ic2 = This move leads to a draw.
25 �c6?
. .• White was winning quite easi-
202
4. 0 - 0 g6 S.c3 a6
ly with 30.e6! c2 31.e7 1!!lg l 6 32. 13.exfS

1!!lld 7 E:e8 33 . .td3+ - After this move Black's de
30 . . . gd8 31.ti'xfS+ ti'g6 32. fence becomes easier. White had
ti'xg6 + c.!.>xg6 33.e6 .if6 to try to fight for an advantage
It was more careful for Black with the line : 13.lDd4 ! ? 1!!lle8 ! ? 14.
to have played 33 . . . a5 34 . .ib5 .if6 E:e1 fxe4 15.E:xe4t, or with 13.
35.e7 he7 36.E:xe7 d3 37.l'k7 d2 E:e1 ! ? lDc4 14.lDd4t
38.ie2 d11!!ll = or 33 . . . c.!.>f6 34.,ixa6 13 �xfS
•••
'i!le7 35 . .id3 E:a8 36.a4 E:b8 37. The trade of the light-squared
.ic2 E:d8 38 . .id3 = bishops would have weakened the
34 .id3 + c.!.>g7 35.i.xa6 c.!.>f8
• e6-square: 13 ... ,ixf5 14.,ixf5 lDxf5
36 .id3 c.!.>e7 37.c.!.>fl gd6 38.a4
• 15.lDg5J;
gxe6 39.gxe6+ 14.gel
White could have still tested 14.a4 .id7oc
his opponent with the move 39. 14 . . . �c4 15 .tb3? !
•
E:al ! j; I t i s better for White to play

3 9 c.!.>xe6. Draw.
••• here 15.1!!lld 3 with the idea 15 ...
lDh4 16.lDg5 1!!lfl 6 (16 . . . lDxb2? 17.
1!!llg3 !±) 17.1!!llf1 =
25 S.Kasparov Zhao 15 �h4!
•••
Brasschaat 2 013 Black exploits immediately

1.e4 e5 2 .�f3 �c6 3 .ib5 • White's slow play and organises
�ge7 4.c3 a6 5 .ia4 g6 6.0-0
• tremendously unpleasant actions
.tg7 7.d4 b5 8 .tb3 exd4 9.
• for his opponent on the f-file.
cxd4 0-0 10.�c3 �a5 1l .tc2 • 16.�g5
d6 12.d5 This is White's best move. Fol
(diagram) lowing 16.lDxh4? 1!!llxh4 17.g3
12 f5••• 1!!lld 4-+ , he will fail to hold on to
This move seems quite natu the f2-square without material
ral, but is very risky. It is more re losses.
liable for Black to follow with the (diagram)
move we recommended in the the 16 . . . �xb 2 ! 17.ti'c2? !
oretical part of the book - 12 ....tb7. White will have problems too
203
exchange of the knight for any of

White's bishops would be in obvi
ous favour of Black.
After the correct reaction 24.
g3 iLlfS 2S.h4 ! �d4 26 . .tgS l:!xgS
27.hxgS iLlxc2 28.�e4 l:!f8 29.
�xc2 .td4 30Jle2 �xgS 31.�d3,
the position would have remained
unclear.
even after his best line: 17.'�d2 24 gfB 25.gadl
•••
iLlc4 18 ..bc4 bxc4 19J:!e4 �f6 20. 2S.i.d4?? l:!gS-+

.tb2 (20 J:!xc4 iLlxg2 ! 2 l.<J;>xg2 h6 25 �fS 26 .ixf5 ghxf5=t
••• •
2 2 .iLle6 tvf3+ 23.'i!lgl .ixe6 24. 27.ee4 a5

dxe6 l:!fS 2S.h4 dS ! 26.l:!d4 hd4 It was even stronger for Black
27.tvxd4 cS ! - + ) 20 . . . iLlxg2 21. to play here 27 . . . l:!e8 28.�c6 l:!aS.
�xg2 l:!b8 2 2 .f4 tvfS� 2S.h4 h6 29.g3 geS
17. . . .ifS? 29 . . . l:!b8 ! ?+
This seemingly beautiful move 30 ..id4 hd4 31.gxd4
is not necessary. After the simple
17 . . . iLlc4, Black would have main
tained a considerable advantage.
IS.exb2 b4 19.�e6! bxc3
2 0.ee2 he6 21.dxe6 ee7 22.
eg4 gfS 23 .ie2 •
23 . .te3 ! ? with the idea 23 . . . dS

24.�a4=
23 gh5
. ••
31 ge5?
•••
This seemingly natural move

turned out to be a serious mistake
and Black lost all his advantage
with it. He had to opt here for 31...
�f6 ! 32 .e7+ �h7 33.�xc3 l:!xf2+
32.ed3
It was also good for White to
choose 32 .�a4 with the idea l:!d4-
24 . .ie3?! c4.
White's bishop did not need to 32 eg7 33.ge4 gxe4 34.
•••
come under attack after Black's exe4 ge7 35.gel ee5 36.gxc3
manoeuvre �h4-fS, because the d5 37.ee5 �e6 = Draw.
204
4. 0 - 0 g6 S.c3 a6
26 Kupreichik - Arkhipov would have been the line: 14 . . .

Muenster 1991 .ibn lS.aSt ; following 1 3 . . .c S 14.
l.e4 e5 2 . �f3 �c6 3 .tb5 • 4JxaS WfxaS lS.ltJd2 !;!; White occu
�ge7 4.0-0 g6 5.c3 a6 6 .ta4 • pies the important c4-square) 14.
,tg7 7.d4 exd4 8.cxd4 0-0 9. ltJxaS WfxaS lS.dxc6 ltJxc6 16 . .ib3
d5 b5 10 ..tc2 �a5 11.a4 (after 16.Wfxd6 .ie6 !+ Black main
tains powerful initiative for the
sacrificed pawn) 16 . . . .ib7 17.
Wfxd6, but even then after 17 . . .
gadS lS.Wff4 ltJd4 19.1tJxd4 gxd4
20 .ge1 gd3, Black has full com
pensation for the pawn, so White,
in order to avoid the worst, should
comply with the repetition of the
moves. 21.i.c4 (21..ic2?? b3 22.
hd3 Wfxe1+ 23.i.f1 he4-+) 21...
This is just one of the possible gd4 22 . .ib3 gd3 =
moves for White in this variation. If White tries to prevent the
He is trying to either weaken the appearance of the enemy bishop
enemy pawn on bS, or the c4- on the g4-square with the move
square. As the development of 13.h3, then after 13 . . . c6 14.dxc6
this game shows, this line cannot ltJexc6 lS.ltJb3 i.e6= , Black will
create serious problems for Black. have a very good position.
11 b4
••• 13 ... c6
Now, White's idea will be to Now, White fails to deploy his
trade the enemy knight on as and pieces in the most harmonious
then to fortify his pieces on the b3 way.
and c4-squares. Black will have to 14.�b3
advance c7-c6 sooner or later, so 14.dxc6 ltJexc6 lS . .id3 .ie6 16.
after the exchange on c6, White's Wfe2 Wfb6+
bishop will go to b3 and may be 14 ... �xb3
come a very powerful piece. It is even stronger for Black to
12.�bd2 d6 play here 14 . . . cxdS lS.exdS geS
But not immediately 12 . . . c6??, 16.gb1 i.b7+
because of 13.d6+- 15 ..txb3 .tg4!
13.gel? ! (diagram)
White slows down. He had to He has obtained an excellent
play immediately 13.4Jb3 c6 (the position now.
variation 13 . . . 4Jxb3 14.hb3 c6? ! 16 .tg5 ! ?
•
lS.dxc6 4Jxc6 16.i.gS ! Wfd7 17. White could have played here
ti'd2± is obviously in his favour 16.dxc6 ltJxc6 17.h3 hf3 lS .Wfxf3
and the least for evils for Black ltJd4 19.Wfd3 ltJxb3 20.Wfxb3 as=
205
20 ltIxfS 21.h3 .lh5

.•.
It deserved attention for Black

to choose 21 . . .hf3 2 2 .�xf3 lLlxg3
23.�xg3 .td4 24.�d3 �f6 2S . .tc2
�g7+ and he would exert powerful
pressure on the dark squares.
2 2.�d3 .lg6?!
Black had to prefer here 22 ...
hf3 23.�xf3+, transposing to the
The position would have re variation we had already ana
mained also equal following 16.h3 lysed.
hf3 17.�xf3 cxd5 1B.exd5 lLlf5 =
1 6 c5
• •.
The idea behind White's move

16 was that after capturing 16 . . .
ixb2? ! , h e would have the power
ful positional exchange-sacrifice:
17.dxc6 hf3 1B.�xf3 ha1 19.
1'!xa1 1'!cB 2 0.1'!dl±
Black had to prefer here 16 . . .
cxd5 17.ixd5 1'!cB 1B.1'!b1 �d7=
17.gb1 h6 18 .lh4
• 23.ge6?
It was better for White to go This attractive move is a mis
for the paradoxical line: 1B . .tc1 take. White had to choose be
1'!eB 19.h3 hf3 2 0.�xf3 lLlf5 21. tween 23.i.c2 lLlh4 24.�d2 lLlxf3 +
.lc4 lLld4 2 2 .�g3 a5 23 . .tf4 i.e5= 25.gxf3 hc2 26.�xc2 �f6 27.1'!e6
18 g5 19.i.g3
.•• �xf3 2B.hd6 1'!f5 29.�xc5 as and
23.lLld2 �f6 24.1'!e6 lLlxg3 2S.
�xg3 �f5, with inferior but de
fensible positions in both cases.
23 gf6 24.gD6 �xf6+ 25.
•.•
i.c2
This is his only move.
25 ltIh4 26.Wc4 1t1xf3+ 27.
• •.
gxf3 .lxc2 28.�xc2 Wxf3 29 .

.lxd6 �xh3?
This mistake loses all the edge
19 f5 !
••• for Black. After 29 1'!cB, followed
••.
Black seizes the initiative now. by capturing on d5 (or .td4), his

20.exfS advantage would have been over
2 0 .h3 hf3 2 1 .�xf3 f4 2 2 . .th2 whelming.
lLlg6+ 30.ge1=
206
4. 0-0 g6 5.c3 a6
Now, White is ready to begin a gf5 'it>g6 41.gxc5 gxd7 42 .gc6+

counter attack, penetrating with 'it>f5 43.gxa6 gdl+ 44.'it>g2 gbl
his rook to the e7-square. 45.a5+
30 Wg4+ 31 .ig3 �U'8 32.
•.• • 3S ... h4 36 .ih2 g4 37 .if4
• •
d6 hS 37.gxc5 g3-+
37 b3
•.•
37 ... ixb2 ! 38 .ig5 i.d4 39.d7

b3 40 .gd2 b2 41.gxb2 ixb2 42.
ixh4 c4 43.d8� gxd8 44.hd8 c3
45.i.f6 'it>f7 46.i.d4 'it>e6-+
3S.gxcS hb2 39.d7 .if6-+
Now, White will have to give
up his bishop for the enemy b
pawn.
40 .ieS b2 41.hb2 hb2
•
33.We2? 42.ggS+ riJr7 43.gxg4 1f6 44.

This blunder loses the game. gc4 as 4S. riJg2 riJe6 46.gc7
White had to capture bravely the .idS 47.ga7 gf4 0-1
pawn : 33.Wxc5 ! h4 34.�d5+ 'it>h7
35.ge4 §'fS (35 . . . �f3 36.d7! hxg3
37.gh4+ gxh4 38.§'xf3 gxf3 39. 27 Zherebukh - Zvjaginsev
d8� i.f6 40.�d7+ 'it>h6 41.fxg3 Aix-Ies-Bains 2011
gxg3+ 42.'it>f2 gb3 43.�d2+ 'it>g7 l.e4 eS 2.�f3 �c6 3 .ibS a6
•
44.§'d7+ 'it>h6= ) 36.�xf5+ gxf5 4 .ia4 �ge7 S.c3 g6 6.d4 exd4

•
37 . .ih2 (It would have been suffi 7.cxd4 .ig7 S.O-O 0-0 9.dS bS
cient for a draw to play 37.ixh4 10 . .ic2 �aS 1l.1d2 cS
gxh4 38.gxh4+ 'it>g6 39.gxb4=.)
37 ... ixb2? ! (37 ... gd5 38.gxb4
'it>g6=) 38.ge7+ 'it>g6 39.ge6+ 'it>f7
40.d7 gd5 41.i.d6 'it>xe6 42 .d8�
gxd6 43.§'xg5 i.c3 44.�xh4 'it>d5
with a probable draw.
33 Wxe2 34.gxe2 .if6
..•
The endgame is also very dif

ficult for White.
3S.gc2?
This move leads to a disaster. 12.d6? !
White would have preserved some This is an arguable move. On
chances for a draw after a transfer the one hand, it looks like White
into a rook and pawn ending: 35. places a wedge inside the enemy
i.e5 'it>f7 36.ge3 'it>e6 37.ixf6+ camp. On the other hand howev
'it>xf6 38.gf3+ 'it>g7 39 .d7 gd8 40. er, he frees Black's miserable
207
knight on e7. In addition, White's bxa3 24.\1;Yxc3 lLlb5 25.\1;Ye3;!;, with

d6-pawn may become an easy an obviously dominating position
prey for Black' s pieces. of White's pieces, while after 14 . . .
We have already mentioned in Wfa5, h e would have the resource
the theoretical part of our book 15.lLld5 lLlxb2 16.\1;Yc1 lLlc4 17.i.f6
that it seems more practical for lLlxd6 1B .e5 lLleB (1B . . . lLlc4? 19.a4 !
White to play here 12 .i.c3, forcing b 4 2 0.hg6±) 19.i.e4 again with
Black to trade his most active powerful initiative for the sacri
piece - his dark-squared bishop ficed pawn.
on g7. White would have main 15.Wfc1 f6
tained a considerable advantage The line: 15 . . . \1;Ya5 16.lLld5
after that. Now, there begin con would lead to transposition.
crete actions with mutual chanc 16.i.e3 �c4 17.hc5 i.b7 18.
es. �d5 �h8
12 �ec6 13. � c3
••• White has occupied plenty of
Here, it was again possible for space, but it is still unclear how he
White to follow with 13.i.c3 i.b7 can realise that.
14 . .b:g7 �xg7 15.�c3= 19.9b1
13 . . . �c4 ! ? Following 19.a4 lLl6e5 20.lLlxe5
Now, instead o f the quiet move hd5 21.lLlxg6+ hxg6 22.exd5 f5
13 . . . i.b7, Black has preferred a 23.axb5 E:cB 24.i.a7 axb5 25J':1b1
sharper move. Wfa5 26.i.d4 \1;Yd2 27.i.e3 \1;Yxc1
14 .ig5
• 2B.hc1 E:c5, Black's prospects
This is the only way for White are not worse in this endgame,
to fight for the initiative. while after 24.ib4 a5 25.id2
lLlxd2 26.Wfxd2 ha1 27.E:xa1, the
position is again approximately
equal.
14 �xb2
•••
After 14 . . . i.f6, it seems very

good for him to choose 15.h4 !
lLlxb2 16JWc1 lLlc4 17.lLld5 hg5 1B. 19 �6e5 !
•••
hxg5 lLlxd6 19.1Llf6+ �hB 2 0.i.b3 In this cramped position,

(20.Wfb2 ? lLlc4 21.Wfc3 \1;Ya5=t) 20 . . . Black will need to facilitate his de
c 4 21.Wfb2 ! b 4 2 2 .a3 c 3 23.Wfc1 fence by exchanging pieces.
20B
4. 0 - 0 g6 S.c3 a6
20.�xe5 hd5 ! 2l.�xg6+ Black could have tried to seize

hxg6 22.exd5 f5 the initiative with 29 ... �d4 30.
He has succeeded in getting hxg6 �xdl 31..bdl l'!cl 32.l'!d3
rid of the positional bind. Black l'!al 33.g4 ! ?CXl, with a very sharp
will soon regain White's extra d6- fight.
pawn. 30.ge3 'Bal 3l.YlYxal hal
23.gel 32 .ge2 .tc3?
It was more energetic for him This is a terrible positional
to choose 23.l';b3 l'k8 24.i.b4 c;t>g8 blunder. Black exchanges care
25.�g3 as 2 6.i.d2 �f6 27.i.c3 lessly the main defender of the
�xd6 = , but that would not have dark squares around his king
provided White with anything and this provides White with the
substantial. poss ibility to begin a decisive
23 . . .fYf6 24.gb3 gfc8 25. offensive with minimal forces. Af
.ib4 �xd6 = ter 32 ... .id4 33.c;t>h2 c;t>g7, Black
The position is equal. Black's would have maintained equality,
pieces are so harmoniously de because it would be bad for White
ployed that White's two-bishop ad to play 34.l'!e7? in view of 34 . . . c;t>f6
vantage is practically immaterial. 35.l'!xd7 (35.l'!e2 l'!h8+) 3S ... ieSl'
26.'Bdl ge8 33.hc3 + gxc3
27.h4 34.g4!
White's attempt to win a pawn In this way, White wishes to
with 27.l'!xe8+ l'!xe8 28.ixd6 open the diagonal of his bishop to
�xd6 29 . .txi"5, would have been attack the g6-square and this, in
refuted by Black with the surpris combination with his pawn on h6
ing move 29 . . . .ih6 ! and after and the rook on the 7th rank, may
30 .i.c2 �xd5 31.l'!d3 �xa2 32 .g3 lead to the creation of decisive
�e6 33.l'!xd7 �el+ 34.�xel l'!xel+ threats.
35. c;t>g2 l'!e6, there would arise an 34 ... c;t>g7?
equal endgame. This is another mistake in the
27 gxel+ 28.hel gc8
••• time-trouble. Following 34 ... fxg4
29.h5 g5 3S.ig6 b4 36.c;t>g2 as 37.l'!e7 l'!c7
209
38. Wg3 a4, Black could have still prefer here 10 . .ic2 . Still, 10.dxc6
resisted. Now, his king is forced is a quite natural move. After the
to the centre of the board and exchanges White relies on his
White's passed pawn becomes quick development and hopes to
unstoppable. exert pressure in the centre and
3S.ge7+ wf6 on the c-file, deploying his rooks
It was possible that Black had on the semi-open files. It is essen
to prefer to defend the rather dif tial for Black to find his counter
ficult rook and pawn ending after arguments and this is at first, nat
35 . . . Wg8 36.hf5 lDxf5 37.gxf5 urally, his bishop-pair and "his"
!'!h3 38.!'!xd7 !'!xh5 39.Wg2 !'!h4 semi-open b-file.
40.!'!a7 !'!d4 41.Wg3± 10 bxa4 11.ti'xa4
.•.
36.gxd7 WeS l1.lLlc3 a3=

36 . . . !'!xc2 37.!'!xd6+ We5 38. 1l . . . �xc6
!'!xa6 Wxd5 39.gxf5 We5 40.f6+-
37.ge7+ WxdS 38 .1b3+ •
Wc6 39.ge3 !
Now, White's passed h-pawn
decides the issue . . .
39 . . . gc1+ 40.Wg2 fxg4 41.
h6 1-0
28 Jeran Pavasovic
Ljubljana 2007 12 . .igS
l.e4 eS 2.lDf3 �c6 3 .1bS • It is stronger for White to play
�ge7 4.0-0 g6 S.c3 .1g7 6.d4 now 12.lDc3 ! !'!b8 (Or 12 . . . lLle5 ! ?
exd4 7.cxd4 a6 8 .1a4 0-0 9.
• preventing the move i.g5. 13.
dS bS lDxe5 he5 14.i.h6 !'!e8 15.f4 hc3
16.bxc3 �f6 17.e5 �b6oo - The
dark squares around Black's king
are tremendously vulnerable, but
it is not easy to see at the moment
how White can exploit that . . . )
13.i.g5 f6 (13 .. :�e8 14.lLld5;!;) 14.
i.f4 lLle5 ! ? (White has good com
pensation for the pawn following
14 . . . !'!xb2 15.�c4+ Wh8 16.lDd5
!'!b7 17.!'!acl and Black will have
10.dxc6 great problems to complete his
This is not the best move for development.) 15.lDxe5 fxe5 16.
White. As we know, he should i.cl !'!f7! ?oo
210
4. 0-0 g6 S.c3 a6
12 f6
••• his opponent's possible counter
It was even better for Black to play on the kingside. So, it is not
choose here 12 . . . §'e8 13.lLlc3 lLleS surprising that White decided
14.lLlxeS �xeS and his queen soon to try the pawn-break f2-f4.
would have regained the tempo, 16.lLld2 d6 17.ec4+ 'it>hS
won before by White's bishop.
IS . .te3 .tb7 16. �xd7 i.xe4=
13 .td2
•
He transfers his bishop to the

c3-square. This seems logical but
is too slow. It was more practical
for White to follow here with
13 ..tf4 l3b8 14.lLlc3.
13 . . . gbS 14 .tc3
•
lS.f4? !
This move looks effective, but
after this the maximum that
White can rely on is only equality,
or may be even less . . .
H e had to prefer instead 18.
l3acloo
lS exf4 19.hg7+ 'it>xg7
•.•
20.ec3 + 'it>gS
14 lLle5
••• It was possibly even better for
Black trades the knights and Black to choose the seemingly
changes the pawn-structure, but risky move 20 . . . <;t>h6.
that did not seem so necessary. 21.ec4+ <;t>hS 22 .ec3 + ef6
After 14 . . . �e8 IS.lLlbd2 d6, he This forces a transfer into a su
would have solved the slight prob perior endgame.
lems with his development and 23.gxf4 exc3 24.gxf8+
would have obtained a very prom 'it>g7 25.bxc3 'it>xf8 26.'it>f2
ising middle game. White had to consider serious
15.lLlxe5 fxe5 ly the possible trade of the rooks
This pawn-structure is not en 26.l3bl and after 26 . . . l3xbl+ 27.
countered so often; nevertheless, lLlxbl <;t>e7 28.<;t>f2 .te6 29 .a3 <;t>d7,
it is quite typical for this varia to follow with the exquisite line:
tion. I do not believe that in a long 30.<;t>e2 ! (30.<;t>e3? ! <;t>c6 31.<;t>d3
manoeuvring game and with at <;t>bS 32.<;t>c2 dS ! - + ; 31.<;t>d2 .ta2 ! ;
tempts to exert pressure against 31.<;t>d4 <;t>bS 32 .c4+ <;t>a4 33.<;t>c3
the c7-pawn, White will achieve gS 34.cS dxcS 3S.<;t>b2 <;t>bS 36.
much. He will have to consider <;t>c3 <;t>c6=t) 30 . . . <;t>c6 31.<;t>d1! <;t>bS
211
3 2 . 'kt>c1+. Meanwhile, even with White would have more chanc

rooks present on the board, his es of saving the game with the
position is quite defensible. correct line: 37.tLlxe4 37 . . . .ixhS
26 .ie6 27.'kt>e3 'kt>e7
••• 38.tLlc5 l'k4 39.tLlxa6 l'!c6 40 .tLlb4
27 .. J"!b2 ! ? l'!xc3+ 41.'kt>d4.
28.a3 gb5 37 .ig6 38.gg1 'kt>f6
•••
28 .. J:!b2 ! ? 29.c4 .id7 30.'kt>d3 It was more precise for Black

.ia4 31.'kt>c3 gc2 + 32 .'kt>d3 'kt>e6+ to opt here for 38 . . . l'!xa3 39.tLlxe4
29.g3 g5 30.h4 l'!aS=t
30.c4 ! ? 39. 'kt>f4 e3 + 40.'kt>xe3 gh4
30 gxh4 31.gxh4 gh5 32.
••• 41.gf1+ 'kt>e7
gh1 ga5 33.ga1 ga4 34.�f3
White had better leave his
knight on the d2-square and con
tinue with waiting strategy -
34.'kt>d3.
42.gf4? !
White had t o activate his
knight with 42.tLlf3 l'!xh6 43.tLleS.
42 gxh6 43.'kt>d4 gh5 44.
•••
�c4 c5+ 45.'kt>e3 gh3 + 46.gf3

34 d5 !
.•• gxf3 + 47.'kt>xf3 <.te6
Black will be trying to attack White must defend too many
the enemy h4-pawn. weaknesses, so he will fail to build
35. �d2 .if7 36.h5 up a fortress . . .
This move seems strange at 48.<.te3 <.td5 49. �b2
first sight, but this is an illusion. It 49.tLld2 .ic2 SO .'kt>f3 'kt>c6 SI.
is easy to see that White will lose a tLlc4 'kt>bS S2.tLlb2 .ib3 S3.'kt>f4 c4
pawn anyway, so his only chances S4.'kt>e4 'kt>cs SS.'kt>eS hS S6.'kt>f4
of survival are connected with the 'kt>dS- +
presence of just a few material on 49 .ic2 50.c4+ <.te5 51.
•••
the board. <.td2 .ifS 52.<.te3 .ie6 53. �d3+

36 dxe4 37.h6? !
••• <.td6 54.�b2 h5 0-1
212

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ell.

Translation by: GM Evgeny Ermenkov

Cover design by: Kalojan Nachev

Copyright © Alexey Dreev 2014

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

Anti-Spanish. The Cozio Defence

1.e4 e5 2.lilfJ lilc6 3 . .ib5 lilge7

1 Minor Lines: 4.c4; 4.hc6; 4.b3; 4.d3

5 4.�c3 �g6; 4 . . . g6; 4 . . . d6

6 Classical Variation. 4.0-0 g6 5.c3 �g7

7 Modern Variation. 4.0-0 g6 5.c3 a6

Finally, I would like t o mention that the entire variation l.e4 eS

es to avoid the thematic endgame,

Now, we will analyse in details 4 . . . g6 ! ?

8 .i.a4 lLlh4 9.0-0 �g6 1O .g3 .tg4 8.i.gS h6 9.i.e3 fS 1O.lLle1? ! f4

If White refrains from this the­

He needs to advance f7-fS, 9 .txc6

having in mind to organise an at­

9 . . . lDxc6 ! ? 1O.�d2 f5f! of the exchange variation of the

After 5.d4, Black's simplest re­

The position resembles the

12.i.xd4 §'g6 13.f3 �aeB and in he maintains some initiative.

This is a reliable and solid

With this move Black sharp­

It would be sufficient for him The position is equal after 6 . . .

Following S.i.c4 dS 6.exdS B.dxe5? ! fxe4 9.lLld4 Wg5+

squared bishop for Black's knight

The line : 7.llJxeS?! llJxeS 8.

Black has a bishop-pair and

D) 4.d3 White cannot achieve much

This is a reliable and logical

It is also possible for him to

About 5.c3 ,ig7 6.0-0 0-0 - This is a seldom played move

5 ••• J.g7 6.�c3 has much better prospects.

This is the best move for Black,

It is hardly preferable for

Black to organise active counter­ This is an aggressive move, but

8 . . . c6, in view of the threat d7-dS, I believe this standard move is

8 . . . 0-0 9.0-0 d6 = In the 6.h5

White would not achieve much

Following 6.lLlc3 i.g7 7.i.e3 Black has no problems at all

After 7.lLlc3 i.g7 B .ic4, the

Black should not be afraid of

Black should not be afraid of

and due to the permanent

About 7.lLlbd2 d6 8 .l"1el h6 -

The move 7 .i.gS is not good,

It is not in the spirit of the po­ 8 . h6

sition for White to play 8 .h3. It is

9 . . . b5 1O . .ib3 (1O . .ic2 .tb7=) 10 . . .

1 Kalegin S.Pavlov Wfd600

Naturally, this move contra­

The obvious move 9.0-0, fol­ 14 g5 !

lowed by d2-d4, would have pro­ This is an aggressive move.

10.d4 ! ? e4 11.g4 lDg3 ! (It is

White has a problem to choose 9 �h7

his further course of actions, be­ This move is not so necessary.

from the actions by his own 1l fxe4 12.dxe4 exf4 13.

It was also possible for Black

If White refrains from this the

having in mind to organise an at

After 5.d4, Black's simplest re

With this move Black sharp

Black to organise active counter This is an aggressive move, but

It is not in the spirit of the po 8 . h6

Naturally, this move contra

The obvious move 9.0-0, fol 14 g5 !

lowed by d2-d4, would have pro This is an aggressive move.

his further course of actions, be This move is not so necessary.

This sacrifice is obviously in

White's knight changes its lo 26 9c6 27.f3 �e3

White would have preserved ex Black prevents the pawn-ad

Black was winning immedi

World Champion Willhelm Stein equally strong and depending on

5 ••• g6 ative, Kudrin - Alonso, Salaman

Black should not expect any