Contents

Title page 1
About the Author 3
Introduction 6

1) Sicilian Defence 7
Games 1-14 9
Games 15-28 43
Games 29-43 76
2) Four Knights and Vienna Game 114
Games 44-53 115
Games 54-63 137
3) Caro-Kann Defence 161
Games 64-75 162
4) French Defence 189
Games 76-87 190
5) Scandinavian and Alekhine Defences 221
Games 88-99 222
6) Pirc, Philidor and Others 254
Games 100-109 256
Games 110-120 282

Index of Opening Variations 308

Index of Complete Games 317

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 Strategic Play with 1 e4

Milos Pavlovic

First edition 2024 by Popular Chess

Copyright © 2024 Milos Pavlovic

Opening Repertoire: Strategic Play with 1 e4

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, photocopying,
recording or otherwise, without prior permission of the publisher.

ISBN (hardback) 978-1-83684-012-1

ISBN (paperback) 978-1-83684-000-8
ISBN (ebook) 978-1-83684-024-4

All sales or enquiries should be directed to

Popular Chess
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50 Wellington Street,
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3
United Kingdom

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4
 About the Author

Milos Pavlovic is a grandmaster and former Yugoslav Champion. He has two medals from the
European Senior Championships and has won many European tournaments, including very strong
events, such as Biel. He has also been a trainer of many prominent players. He is also a prolific
author, having written over 20 books.

Also by the Author:

Opening Repertoire: Strategic Play with 1 d4

Fighting the Ruy Lopez

5
 Introduction

This book is about positional play when starting 1 e4. Not in a sense of slow or boring but based on a
strong positional points, such as rapid development, more space, attacking chances, or even gambit
ideas in some cases. I am covering all the major options and openings by Black in normal chess
games. It is clear that the Sicilian is the most popular with many games inside. After that come solid
reactions such as 1...e5, 1...c6 and 1...e6, followed by other stuff such as the Alekhine, Pirc, and
Scandinavian, which are also very popular. Sometimes I present sharper positions and sometimes
ones that are less well known or simply less analysed or less published in general. It is very important
to realize that learning such positions will greatly help the reader’s ability to understand positional
aspects of less forcing lines but not necessarily less dangerous lines.
I have separated material into six chapters. The Sicilian, Caro-Kann, French, and 1...e5, each have
their own chapters due to their importance. The Sicilian, for instance, has 43 annotated games alone!
That’s how popular and widespread it is. For other openings I have also presented various move
orders for the Philidor Defence and Pirc.

Milos Pavlovic
October 2024

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 Show in Text Mode

Chapter One
Sicilian Defence

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3

Finding lines in the Sicilian that have a more positional, rather than tactical or forcing, character is
not an easy task. I finally made an interesting collage of variations against main move orders that
Black utilizes after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3. In my opinion it is best to develop a knight to f3 and after that
decide which lines to opt for with White.

Question: Is it good to avoid forced lines and main lines in the Sicilian? Do such plans minimize
efforts to reach a superior game?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: It is perfectly okay to play lines with a more positional aspect rather than a tactical or forced
type. It is about learning how to maintain the initiative in such positions and this book is about that.

2...d6

One of three main continuations that we will examine here. The other two are:
a) 2...e6 3.b3 (Games 22-35)
This is played less often than other lines, but when I was going through games I found that it is very
interesting, less forced, and still not deeply analysed, so for me it offers a good challenge. We will see
variety of positional ideas here. I divide these between lines with and without a knight on c6, at least
in the early phase.

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 b) 2...Nc6 3.c3 (Games 36-43)

The 2...Nc6 move order is often used by Black, as it can lead to very popular Sicilians such as the
Rauzer or Sveshnikov, so this is an important continuation to cover. At first I thought about 3.Bb5,
but then realized that many of those positions are more sharp and tactical than positional, so it didn’t
somehow come in handy for this book. Looking elsewhere, the 3.c3 line, as given inside, seemed to
me as a perfect way to handle this move order.

3.Bb5+

A logical move which I have also played with White. It is probably the most solid choice if one
doesn’t want to go into open Sicilians, and is the choice of many positional players.

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 Black has three reactions here:
a) 3...Nd7 (Games 14-21) is a main option in today’s chess, very popular among players who are
looking for sharp play. Here I am proposing to open the game after all with 4.d4.
b) 3...Bd7 4.c4 (Games 1-9), on the other hand, is less sharp but very interesting from a positional
point of view.
c) 3...Nc6 4.Bxc6+ bxc6 5.e5 (Game 10-13) is a less played line but also highly interesting, in that
it is very educational to see how to conduct such positions when Black has doubled pawns but the
bishop pair.

Game 1
[Link]
German Bundesliga 2013

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Bd7 4.c4

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 Instead of taking on d7 at once White elects to wait, since taking on b5 is not a threat from a
strategic point of view. We can clearly see similarity with the Vitolins variation in the Bogo-Indian (to
the line)(1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Bb4+ 4.Bd2 c5). We will examine various approaches that Black can

adopt.

Question: Is it logical to allow the c-pawn (should Black exchange bishops) to become a
doubled pawn on b5 which is far away from the central squares?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Although it may seem so, that is not the whole story. The pawn on b5 then prevents the
natural development of the b8-knight to c6, while the c4-square is free and can be used by a white
knight or some other piece. Finally, if Black doesn’t take on b5, the c4-pawn is already useful in the
centre.

4...Nf6

4...Bxb5, 4...a6 and 4...e5 will be examined in Games 5-9.

5.Nc3 g6

Sometimes Black throws in 5...Nc6, as we will see in Game 4.

6.0-0 Bg7 7.d4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 0-0 9.Bxd7 Qxd7

The alternative 9...Nbxd7 is covered in Game 3.

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10.b3

The main aspect of the game and a very solid approach, strengthening the pawn structure and
preparing to place a bishop on b2.

10...Nc6 11.Bb2 a6

A logical response, with the clear idea of going for ...b7-b5.

Alternatively, Black can try for a central break with ...d6-d5. For example: 11...e6 12.Re1 Rfd8
13.Nxc6 bxc6 14.Qf3 Qc7 15.Rad1 Nd7 and then 16.Qg3 was good strategy in [Link]-
[Link], Cappelle-la-Grande 2013.
The position slightly favours White because Black cannot now achieve the desired ...d6-d5. A plan
for White might be to exchange bishops so that the king on g8 is weakened.

12.Nxc6

The main reaction. Black has two choices, which we will analyse separately.

12...Qxc6

12...bxc6 is examined in the next game.

13.Nd5!

Clear strategy, representing exactly what this line is about.

13...Nxd5 14.exd5 Qc5 15.Bxg7 Kxg7 16.Re1 Rfe8

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 If Black goes for 16...e5 17.dxe6 fxe6 18.Qd2 Rf6 19.Rad1 Raf8 20.Re2 e5 21.a4 R8f7 22.h3 Qb6,
as in [Link], European Team Championship, Warsaw 2013,
White could obtain a big advantage with 23.Qc3!, keeping the option of playing a4-a5.

17.Qd2 b5 18.Rac1!

White is ready to take on c4 with a rook, with the idea of launching an attack via the h4-square
given the weak position of Black’s king.

18...Qa7 19.b4

Now c4-c5 is a serious positional threat.

19...bxc4 20.Rxc4 h5 21.Qc3+ Kg8 22.Rc7 Qb6 23.a4 Rab8 24.Re4 f6 25.g4 Rb7 26.Qxf6 1-0

Black is mated after 26...Rxc7 (or 26...exf6 27.Rxe8 mate) 27.Qxg6+ Kh8 (or 27...Kf8 28.Rf4
mate) 28.Qxe8+ Kg7 29.Re6.

Game 2
[Link]
Groningen 2013

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Bd7 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.0-0 Bg7 7.d4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 0-0 9.Bxd7 Qxd7
10.b3 Nc6 11.Bb2 a6 12.Nxc6 bxc6

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 Black opts for the pawn recapture, taking control of the d5-square. On the other hand, the option of
action with ...b7-b5 is ruled out, so the game has a slightly different character.

13.Qe2

White has an alternative here, the main point of which is to exchange bishops: 13.Na4 Qc7 14.Qe2
Nh5 15.Bxg7 Nxg7 16.Rad1 Ne6 17.f4 Qa7+ 18.Kh1 Nc5 19.Nc3!, [Link]-
[Link], Ahvaz 2018. We can say that White has an edge because Black is passive. The pawn on
c6 stops White’s knight from coming to d5, but other than that Black is too slow for counterplay with
...a6-a5-a4, while the ...d6-d5 plan is not an option either.

13...Rad8 14.Rad1 Rfe8 15.Na4

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 Similar strategy as in the previous note. White is ready to exchange bishops.

Question: Isn’t that knight on the edge of the board a bad piece?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: It’s all about timing not prejudice. The knight on a4 wants to provoke the trade of bishops
and in that case White will have preferable chances.

15...e5

Black wants to rule out any possible bishop exchange, but now the d6-pawn is a clear target,
especially if ...d6-d5 is not possible.

16.Rd2 d5 17.cxd5 cxd5 18.exd5 Qb5

Instead, 18...Nxd5 19.Rfd1 Nf4 20.Rxd7 Nxe2+ 21.Kf1 Nd4 22.Rxd8 Rxd8 23.Nc5 Bf8 24.Rc1
gives White some edge in the endgame due to weak pawn on a6 and superior structure overall.

19.Rfd1 Qxe2 20.Rxe2 Rxd5 21.Rxd5 Nxd5 22.Rd2 Nf4 23.Nc5 Rc8 24.g3 e4 25.gxf4 Bxb2
26.Nxe4

White has picked up a pawn and the weakness at a6 will fall as well.

26...Bc1 27.Rd6 Bxf4 28.Rxa6 Rc2 29.a4 Be5 30.a5

White has a much better endgame and is close to winning.

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30...Re2 31.Nf6+ Kg7 32.Ng4 Bd4 33.Rd6 Ba7 34.Rd7 Bc5 35.Rc7 Bb4 36.a6 Ra2 37.Rc4 Bd6
38.Ra4 Rxa4 39.bxa4 Bb8 40.Ne5 1-0

Game 3
[Link]
[Link] (rapid) 2022

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Bd7 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.d4 cxd4 7.Nxd4 Bg7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Bxd7 Nbxd7

Yet another way of handling this line. Here we can see similarities to the 3.Bb5+ Bd7 4.Bxd7 Nxd7
variation.

10.b3

The standard reply.

Question: What exactly is White’s plan here?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: White intends to utilize the d5-square and, should Black elect to exchange, take back with
e4xd5 thus creating pressure on the e-file; while if Black goes ...e7-e6 as in this game, White will try
doubling rooks on the d-file to create pressure on the d6-pawn.

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10...Qa5

The usual reaction, though Black has other options which may reach the same position or lead to
slightly different plans:
a) 10...a6 11.Be3 (possible since Black didn’t directly challenge the c3-knight) 11...e6 12.Rc1 Qe7
13.Re1 Rfd8, [Link], [Link] (blitz) 2020, and now White can establish the usual
grip with 14.Qd2 Rac8 15.f3, reaching typical play in this line. Black cannot easily achieve a typical
break, neither ...d6-d5 nor ...b7-b5.
b) 10...e6 is an interesting idea rarely seen in this specific move order. It seems that now White
must go 11.Rb1! d5 12.exd5 exd5 13.Ba3 Re8 14.Ndb5 dxc4 15.bxc4 b6 16.Bd6 with some initiative.

11.Bb2 a6 12.Re1

White can also place the rooks in a slightly different manner: 12.Qe2 Rac8 13.Rac1 Qc5 14.Rfd1
Rfe8 15.Nd5 Nxd5 16.exd5 Qb6 17.Qd2 with an edge, as in [Link], Moscow 1974.

12...e6 13.Qe2 Rac8

14.Rac1

Another idea might be 14.Rad1 Rfd8 (White can place a rook on d1 because the tactics after 14...b5
don’t work for Black in view of 15.cxb5 Rxc3 16.Qd2!) 15.h3 Ne5 16.Qe3 with the idea of doubling
rooks on the d-file.

14...Rfe8 15.Qd2 h5 16.h3 Ne5 17.Rcd1 Ned7 18.Kh1 Nc5 19.Kg1 Rcd8 20.Ba1 Qc7 21.Nf3

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 White finally managed to get a typical position where Black cannot achieve either ...b7-b5 or ...d6-
d5. Again the plan may be to double rooks on the d-file.

21...b6 22.Qf4 Qb7 23.b4

Much stronger was 23.e5! dxe5 24.Nxe5, when White has unpleasant pressure.

23...e5 24.Qe3 Ne6 25.Nd5 b5 26.Nxf6+ Bxf6 27.cxb5?!

This is a mistake, after which it is White who is fighting to maintain the balance. Instead, 27.c5
dxc5 28.bxc5 Qc6 29.Nxe5 Bxe5 30.Bxe5 Rxd1 31.Rxd1 Qxc5 leads to equal chances.

27...axb5

Now the initiative is on Black’s side.

28.h4 Bg7 29.Qb3 Bh6 30.Bb2 Qc6 31.g3 Rc8 32.Rd3 Red8 33.Red1 Qxe4 34.Rxd6 Rxd6 35.Rxd6
Rc2 36.Rxe6 Qe2 37.Re8+ Bf8 38.Qe3 Qxe3 39.fxe3 Rxb2 40.Nxe5 Kg7 41.a3 Bd6 42.Kf1 Rb3
43.Kf2 Rxa3

Black has obtained a favourable endgame, but White managed to pull out a draw.

44.Nc6 Ra6 45.Rc8 Ra2+ 46.Kf3 Rc2 47.Na7 Rxc8 48.Nxc8 Bxb4 49.Na7 Kf6 50.Nxb5 Ke5
51.Nd4 Bc5 52.Ne2 Bb6 53.Nf4 Ba7 54.Nh3 Kf6 55.Ng5 Bb8 56.Ne4+ Kg7 57.Nc5 Bd6 58.Nd3
Bc7 59.Nc5 Bd6 60.Nd3 Bc7 ½-½

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 Game 4
[Link]
[Link] (rapid) 2022

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Bd7 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.0-0 g6

This is yet another strategy for Black. There are differences when the knight is developed to c6
early. The main point is that Black want to exchange a knight rather than the bishop.

7.Re1

The main continuation, though alternatives are very interesting too:

a) 7.d4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Bg7 9.Bxc6 bxc6 (that’s the point: Black keeps the bishop pair) 10.c5 0-0
11.cxd6 exd6 12.Bf4 Re8 13.Re1 c5 14.Nb3 Bc6 and Black was doing fine in [Link],
[Link] (blitz) 2022; we can clearly see that the bishop pair plays a big role here.
b) 7.a3 (such strategy is common in this line) 7...Bg7 8.Rb1 a5 9.d3 0-0 10.h3 Ne8 11.Bg5 Nc7
12.Nd5 Nxd5 13.exd5 Ne5 14.Bxd7 Nxf3+ 15.Qxf3 Qxd7 16.Rfe1 and White established a good
game in [Link], Monterey Park 2003.
c) 7.Bxc6 Bxc6 8.d4!? is an interesting pawn sacrifice that was tested in [Link],
Warsaw 2021: 8...Nxe4 9.Nxe4 Bxe4 10.Re1 Bf5 11.Bg5 Qc7 12.dxc5 dxc5 and now after 13.b4
cxb4 14.Qa4+ Bd7 15.Qxb4 0-0-0 16.Bxe7 Re8 17.Bxf8 Rhxf8 18.Rec1 White keeps the initiative
with Nd4 to follow.

7...Ne5

This idea is seen many times in 3.Bb5+ lines and here it’s no exception.

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 The alternative is 7...Bg7 8.Bxc6 Bxc6 (if 8...bxc6, the key idea 9.e5! breaks up the pawn structure
and White is better) 9.d4 cxd4 10.Nxd4 0-0 11.b3 e6 12.Bb2 Qd7 13.Qe2 Rfd8 14.Rad1, as in
[Link], Israeli League 1996, where White achieved his desired position because the
pair of knights are clearly favourable to the bishops here.

8.Nxe5 dxe5 9.d3 Bg7 10.Be3 Rc8 11.a3 0-0 12.b4

Standard strategy for White, playing fast on queenside, while Black still hasn’t managed to regroup
his pieces to apply pressure on the d-file.

Question: Is it typical for White to count on queenside pressure in such cases?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Yes it is. Taking on e5, connected with activity on queenside, is considered typical play, but
it must be said that Black’s idea of putting a knight on e5 is also a legitimate strategic idea.

12...a6 13.Bxd7 Nxd7 14.Qb3 e6 15.Na4 cxb4 16.axb4 Nb8 17.b5

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 This advance is already a significant achievement for White in the early stages of the game.

17...axb5 18.cxb5

Depriving the black knight of the desired c6-square.

18...Nd7 19.Rec1 Qe7 20.Rc4!

Taking this rook allows White to recapture with the d3-pawn, creating two against one on the
queenside.

20...Qd6 21.Rac1 Ra8 22.Rc7 Rfb8 23.h3 Bf8 24.R1c4

It was stronger to go 24.b6! with the idea of Qb5, which gives White a winning position.

24...Nf6 25.Qc2 h6 26.b6 Ne8 27.Rc8 Qd7 28.Rxb8 Rxb8 29.Nc5 Qb5 30.Qc3 Nd6 31.Rb4 Qa5
32.Qxe5?

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 Losing all advantage.

32...Qxb4?

Black returned the favour. After 32...Bg7! 33.Qxd6 Qa1+! 34.Rb1 Qxb1+ 35.Kh2 Ra8 36.Nxb7
Ra1 Black has counterplay.

33.Bd4 f6 34.Qxf6 Ne8 35.Qxg6+ Bg7 36.Nxe6 Qe7 37.Nxg7 Nxg7 38.Qxh6 Rd8 39.Bf6 Rd6
40.e5 Rxb6 41.d4 Qd7 42.d5 Qf7 43.e6 Qc7 44.f4 1-0

Game 5
[Link]
Padua 2015

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Bd7 4.c4 Bxb5 5.cxb5 Nf6 6.Nc3 g6

In my opinion, this is a better choice than 6...e6, as Black has a more compact structure here.
Let’s see how play might continue in the other case in a game between two famous grandmasters.
After 6...e6 7.d4, White is aiming for space and potential pressure on the d-file. Black has two
possible ways to handle this line:

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 a) 7...cxd4 8.Nxd4 Be7 9.0-0 0-0 10.Be3 Nbd7 11.Qe2 Qb8 12.Rfd1 Rc8 13.Rac1 Nb6 14.Bf4
Nbd7 15.Nb3 Ne5 16.a4 and White has an easy game, while it is clear that Black suffers from not
being able to create counterplay, as seen in [Link]-Tran Tuan Minh, Kuala Lumpur 2017.
b) 7...Nbd7 8.0-0 Be7 9.e5! (Black now faces a difficult position) 9...dxe5 10.dxe5 Ng4 11.Qe2
Qc7 12.Re1 h5 13.a4 Rd8 14.a5 Nf8 15.a6! b6 16.Nd2 (even stronger is 16.h3 Nh6 17.Bxh6 Rxh6
18.Qe4 Nd7 19.Rad1 Rc8 20.Rd2, when White has a decisive advantage with almost straightforward
play) 16...Ng6 17.Nc4 and White got a firm grip on the position in [Link], [Link]
(rapid) 2022.

7.d4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Bg7 9.0-0 0-0 10.Qe2

It is perfectly normal to place the queen on e2, liberating the d1-square for a rook.

10...Nbd7

Black can try to eliminate the b5-pawn in order to place a knight on c6, so 10...a6 11.Be3 axb5
12.Ndxb5 Nc6 13.Rfd1 Qa5 14.Rac1 Rfc8 15.f3 Ne5 16.b3 Rc6 17.a4 is another way, logical from a
human perspective, and Black is solid at the moment, but it seems that White preserves an edge.

11.Rd1 Rc8

Going for a break on the queenside is also possible: 11...a6 12.Be3 Qa5 13.Nb3 Qc7 14.Rac1 Rfc8
(best is 14...axb5 15.Nxb5 Qb8 16.Nc3 Rc8 17.Nd4 Ne5 18.Ndb5, when White has some edge, but
again Black’s position is solid) 15.e5!? (an interesting motif) 15...Nxe5 16.Nd5 Qd8 17.Bb6 Qf8
18.Nc7 axb5 19.Nxa8 Rxc1 20.Rxc1 Qxa8 21.Qxb5 Qxa2 22.Bd4 Nc6 23.Qxb7 Nxd4 24.Nxd4
brought White an advantage in [Link], Romanian Team Championship 1998.

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12.Be3 Re8 13.Rac1

White has more space and an easy game, whereas Black suffers from not being able to play in the
centre.

Question: What is exactly is White’s plan in this position?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: The plan is to squeeze Black on the queenside simply by pushing the a-pawn all the way to
a6, if possible, to open up the c6-square. Indeed, speeding that up with 13.a4 e6 14.a5 seems like a
good idea for White.

13...Rc7

A solid alternative is 13...e6 14.Nb3 Nb6 15.Na5 Rc7! (the best defensive set-up; after 15...d5
16.e5 Nfd7 17.Nxb7 Qh4 18.Nd6 White was winning in Hou [Link], Nations Cup,
[Link] 2020) 16.Bf4 Rd7 with an interesting game ahead.

14.a4!

It is important to take space, with the possible a5-a6 motif that we just mentioned and saw in the
Svidler-Shirov game.

14...Qb8 15.a5 Rec8 16.a6!

White has a clear advantage now.

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16...Nxe4 17.Nd5! Rxc1 18.Bxc1 Bxd4 19.Nxe7+ Kg7 20.Qxe4 Rc4 21.Be3 Bxe3 22.Qxc4 Bc5
23.Qc3+ f6 24.b4 1-0

Game 6
[Link] Schroeder
[Link] (rapid) 2022

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Bd7 4.c4 a6

Black is forcing matters, which is also an important choice.

5.Bxd7+ Qxd7

In the next game we will deal with 5...Nxd7.

6.0-0 Nc6 7.d4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Nf6 9.Nc3 e6

An elastic approach but it doesn’t challenge White’s centre, so the game continues in a typical
manner.

Question: Is going for ...d6-d5 a good idea for Black?

Show/Hide Solution

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Answer: Yes, it’s a main goal which White is trying to prevent with clever play, as seen in many
games.

10.Re1

White can also develop the bishop on b2 directly: 10.b3 Be7 11.Bb2 0-0

and White has options here, though in most cases the same ideas have been used effectively:
a) 12.Nxc6 Qxc6 13.Qe2 Rac8 14.Rfe1 Rfe8 15.Rad1 Qc5 16.Kh1 Qh5 17.f3 Rc5 18.a4 Qh4 19.g3
Qh3 20.Ba3 Nh5 21.Qg2 Qxg2+ 22.Kxg2 and White obtained the better endgame, [Link]-
[Link] Gomez Casero, Torredambarra 2011.
b) 12.Re1 Rfd8 13.Nxc6 Qxc6 14.Rc1 Qe8 15.a4 (it is important to prevent ...b7-b5 in this line)
15...Qc6 16.h3 Qb6 17.Rb1 Rac8 18.Re3! Nd7 19.Ne2! Bf6 20.Bxf6 Nxf6 21.Ng3 Qb4 22.Rd3 and
White kept some edge, [Link], Sarajevo 2017.

10...Be7 11.b3 0-0 12.a4 Qc7 13.Be3 Rab8 14.Rc1 Qa5 15.h3 Rfc8 16.f4

An ambitious try. Another way of playing might be 16.Qd2 Nd7 17.Red1 Bf6 18.Nxc6 Rxc6
19.Bd4 Bxd4 20.Qxd4 Qb4 21.Rb1 h6 22.Qe3 with an edge.

16...Nd7 17.Kh2 Nc5 18.Nf3 Bf6 19.Bxc5 Qxc5 20.Nd5!?

25
 A sharp choice, which White was obviously counting on.

20...exd5

Simply retreating the bishop was better: 20...Bd8 21.f5 exd5 22.cxd5 Qb6 23.dxc6 Rxc6 24.Rxc6
Qxc6 with balanced play.

21.cxd5 Qb4 22.Rc4 Qa3 23.dxc6 Rxc6 24.Qd3 Rbc8 25.Rec1 g6

Here 25...Rxc4! 26.Rxc4 Rxc4 27.Qxc4 g6 28.Qc8+ Kg7 29.Qxb7 Qc1 30.Kg3 Bh4+!! still gives
Black equal chances, but that is not easy to spot in a tournament game.

26.Rxc6 Rxc6 27.Rxc6 bxc6 28.Qxa6 Qc1 29.Kg3! h5 30.h4 Bc3 31.Qe2 Ba5 32.e5 dxe5 33.Qxe5
Bc3 34.Qe4 Qa1 35.Qxc6 Be1+ 36.Kh2 Bf2 37.Qe8+ Kg7 38.Qe5+ 1-0

Game 7
[Link]
FIDE World Cup, Krasnaya Polyana 2021

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Bd7 4.c4 a6 5.Bxd7+ Nxd7

This is another way of handling this line.

6.Nc3 Ngf6 7.0-0 e6 8.h3

It is important to take the g4-square away from the f6-knight.

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8...Be7

In [Link] Foreest, European Cup, Mayrhofen 2022, Black played 8...Rc8 first, when
9.d3 Be7 10.Nh2!? Ne5 11.f4 Nc6 12.Nf3 0-0 led to a very interesting and complex position. White
has more space and Esipenko later went for a d3-d4 plan which gave him the advantage.

9.d3

This is the typical plan, trying to prove that Black’s knight on d7 is a bit passive. Indeed, Black may
try to reroute that knight to c6 to gain control over the d4-square.

Question: Why does White go for d2-d3 here, whereas in other cases we saw the d2-d4 reaction?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Because with the knight on d7 Black is quick to create counterplay on the c-file; for
instance, 9.d4 cxd4 10.Nxd4 Rc8 11.b3 b5 already gives Black fine play.

9...0-0 10.a3 Rb8 11.b4 b5 12.bxc5

Taking on b5 is preferable: 12.cxb5 cxb4 13.axb4 axb5 14.Nd4 Ne5 15.Be3 Qd7 16.Qd2 Rfc8
17.f4 Ng6 18.f5 Ne5 19.Rfc1 and White has pressure.

12...Nxc5

Another interesting way to go is 12...bxc4 13.cxd6 Bxd6 14.d4 e5 with unclear play.

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13.cxb5 axb5 14.Nd4

Having gone for an early ...b7-b5, Black now must solve the problem of how to keep that pawn or
else find a clear path for compensation, otherwise the pawn will simply fall.

14...Qd7

After 14...Qa5 15.Na2 Rfc8 16.Nb4 Qb6 17.Be3 Qb7 18.Rb1 Black has managed to defend the b-
pawn, but it’s still easier to handle this position with White.

15.Rb1 Rfc8 16.Be3

Now the situation is not at all good for Black who is suddenly facing the loss of the b5-pawn.

16...e5 17.Ndxb5 d5 18.Bxc5 Rxc5 19.a4 Rbc8 20.Qb3 Bd8 21.Rfd1 Ba5 22.Nxd5 Nxd5 23.exd5
Rxd5 24.Na3!

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 Right on time. If the knight comes to c4 then the a4-pawn will start to run.

24...Rc3 25.Qxc3! Bxc3 26.Rb8+ Qd8 27.Rxd8+ Rxd8 28.Kf1

Now White is just a clear pawn up in the endgame.

28...Ra8 29.Nb5 Ba5 30.Rc1 Bb4 31.Rb1 Ba5 32.Na7 Bc7 33.Rb7 Bd6 34.a5 g6 35.Nc6 Rc8
36.Ne7+ Bxe7 37.Rxe7 Rc5 38.a6 Ra5 39.a7 Kg7 40.Ke2 Kf6 41.Rb7 Ra2+ 42.Kd1 h5 43.Kc1
Ke6 44.Kb1 Ra5 45.Kb2 f6 46.Kc3 Ra1 47.Kc4 Kd6 48.Rf7 1-0

Game 8
[Link] Enea
Polish League 2022

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Bd7 4.c4 e5

29
 Black is closing the centre, so the game now shifts to the wings. White will utilize greater space to
generate a plan of a2-a3 and b2-b4 or in some cases f2-f4, while Black will strive mainly for ...f7-f5.

Question: Isn’t 4...e5 anti-positional because it creates a weak d5-square?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Not at all. In this case ...e7-e5 is perfectly okay because Black is taking space which is often
an important positional aspect; it also eliminates all d2-d4 options that we already saw.

5.Bxd7+

This is a transposition to the 4.Bxd7+ Qxd7 5.c4 e5 line but it’s required to be covered. Another
plan is to wait with 5.Nc3 which we will see in the next game.

5...Qxd7 6.Nc3 Nc6 7.d3

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 A key position in which Black has opted for various ideas, all interesting and equally important.

7...Be7

Let’s see some other possibilities here:

a) 7...f5 8.exf5 Qxf5 9.Ng5 Be7 10.Nge4 Nf6 11.0-0 0-0 was [Link], FIDE World
Cup, Krasnaya Polyana 2021. Now White can play the simple 12.Be3, intending to continue with the
usual a2-a3, b2-b4 plan with some edge due to greater control of the centre.
b) 7...g6 8.0-0 Bg7 9.a3 Nge7 10.b4 b6 11.Rb1 0-0 12.Nd5 (White can also wait a bit: 12.Bd2 f5
13.exf5 Qxf5 14.Ne4 Rad8 15.Bg5 h6 16.Bxe7 Nxe7 17.Qe2 d5 18.Ng3 and due to pressure on the
c5-pawn we can say that White has reached a preferable position, [Link], [Link]
blitz 2021) 12...Nxd5 13.cxd5 Nd4 14.Nxd4 (although such exchanges may seem like
simplifications, it is not really like that) 14...cxd4 (taking the other way with 14...exd4, as in
[Link], [Link] blitz 2021, is also possible and an important choice; now with
15.bxc5 dxc5 16.Bf4 f5 17.f3 White keeps some edge because of the a4-a5 plan) 15.Bd2 Rac8
16.Qb3 Rc7 17.Rbc1 Rfc8 18.b5 Rxc1 19.Rxc1 Rxc1+ 20.Bxc1 Qc7 21.Qc4 Qxc4 22.dxc4 and
White has the better chances in this important type of ending, as demonstrated in the famous game
[Link], Candidates match, San Juan 1974.

8.0-0 Bd8

This is a clever way of handling this line. On d8 the bishop is active on both flanks, while the
king’s knight is best placed on e7.

9.a3 Nge7 10.Rb1

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 White can try gambit style with 10.b4 cxb4 11.axb4 Nxb4 12.Ba3 Nbc6 13.d4 exd4 14.Nb5 0-0
15.Nfxd4 Bb6 16.Nxc6 Qxc6, as in [Link], Gelendzhik 2022, where he
should have continued 17.Nxd6 Rfd8 18.Qd3 with active play.

10...a5

A logical way to prevent b2-b4. Instead, 10...Ba5 11.Nd5 Nxd5 12.exd5 Nd4 13.b4 Nxf3+
14.Qxf3 Bb6 15.Be3 Rc8 16.a4! 0-0 17.a5 Bd8 18.bxc5 dxc5 19.Bd2 b6 20.Bc3 was [Link]-
[Link], German Bundesliga 2018, where we can say that White has more space and better chances,
although Black still has a solid defensive position.

11.Nh4

White now switches play to the kingside.

11...0-0 12.f4 exf4 13.Bxf4 Nd4 14.Be3 Nec6 15.Nf5 Nxf5 16.Rxf5

Due to nice control over the light squares we can see that White has the upper hand here, even if it’s
not so clear because the position still has a rather closed character.

16...g6 17.Rf1 f5 18.Qd2 Bf6 19.Nd5 Rae8 20.exf5 gxf5 21.Kh1 Bg7 22.h3 Ne5 23.b4 axb4
24.axb4 b5 25.cxb5 c4

Black undertakes risky action to try and break up the positional pressure he was facing.

26.dxc4 Nxc4 27.Qd3 Qxb5 28.Bg1 Re4 29.Rfc1 Na3 30.Qxa3 Qxd5 31.b5

White is clearly better and the b5-pawn is dangerous now.

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31...f4 32.Qb3?!

A mistake that loses his huge advantage. Much stronger was 32.Qf3! Qb7 33.b6 Re7 34.Qxb7
Rxb7 35.Rc7 Rfb8 36.Rxb7 Rxb7 37.Rc1, when White should win in few more moves.

32...Qxb3 33.Rxb3 d5!

Black hurries to close down the bishop on g1.

34.b6 Rc4 35.Re1 d4 36.b7 Rb8 37.Bh2 d3 38.Rxd3 ½-½

Game 9
[Link]
Porto San Giorgio 2013

1.Nf3 c5 2.e4 d6 3.Bb5+ Bd7 4.c4 e5 5.Nc3

This is yet another idea; White is waiting a bit.

Question: Is it fair to say that it’s aimed against Black’s plan of transferring a bishop to a5?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Yes, it is a method which might also prevent that idea.

5...Nc6

This is the logical response now, because the plans that we saw in the previous game simply can’t
be applied.

6.d3

The usual reaction here.

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6...Be7

Black develops in the most classical way. This is not played much but the resulting positions are
very interesting. Black has other ways too to continue development:
a) 6...Nge7 7.h4 h6 8.a3 g6 9.h5 g5 10.Nd2 f5 11.exf5 Nxf5 12.Nde4 Be7 13.Nd5 0-0 14.b4 cxb4
15.axb4 Be6 16.Bxc6 bxc6 17.Nxe7+ Qxe7 18.0-0 reached a dynamic position in [Link]-
[Link], Biel 2022, where the plan of placing a bishop on b2 followed by c4-c5 should favour
White.
b) 6...g6 7.Nd5 Bg7 8.0-0 h6 9.b4 Nge7 10.bxc5 dxc5 11.Be3 b6 12.Qc1 f5 13.a4 f4 14.Bd2 g5
15.Bc3 g4 16.Nd2 0-0 17.a5 Rb8 18.axb6 axb6 19.Qb2 and White is not afraid of a King’s Indian-
type attack here, which proved to be the correct assessment in [Link], European Cup,
Rhodes 2013.

7.0-0 a6 8.Ba4 Nf6 9.Ne1 0-0 10.f4 exf4 11.Bxf4 Bg4 12.Qd2 Nd4 13.Bd1 Be6 14.Nf3 b5
15.Nxd4 cxd4 16.Nd5!

34
 This is a key reaction worth noting. White must be active otherwise all his advantage will
disappear.

16...bxc4 17.Nxe7+ Qxe7 18.Bg5 cxd3 19.Qxd3 h6 20.Bxf6 gxf6 21.Qxd4 Qa7 22.Qxa7 Rxa7
23.Rxf6

White has won a pawn, but Black is not without chances to minimize the damage.

23...Rb8 24.Rf2 Rab7

Inaccurate. After 24...Rc7 25.Rd2 a5 26.b3 Rb4 27.Bf3 a4 Black should still hold the endgame.

25.b3 Kf8 26.Rd2 Ke7 27.Rc1 Rb6 28.Be2 Kf6 29.Rc7 Ra8 30.Bh5 Rf8 31.Rd4

35
 White’s advantage is clear here, since Black is passive as well as a pawn down.

31...Rb5 32.Be2 Rc5 33.Rxc5 dxc5 34.Ra4 Ke5 35.Kf2!

The activity of the king is very important.

35...Rd8 36.Ke3 Rd4 37.Bxa6 Rxa4 38.bxa4 Bxa2 39.a5

White is now winning.

39...Kd6 40.Bb7 f6 41.a6 Kc7 42.Bd5 Bxd5 43.exd5 Kb6 44.d6 1-0

Game 10
[Link]
Greek Championship, Thessaloniki 2017

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 d6

This is yet another important system for Black. Here we will look at an interesting line in which
White tries for a favourable pawn structure at an early stage, rather than going for sharp lines that can
come later.

4.Bxc6+ bxc6 5.e5

36
 This is the idea; White doesn’t allow ...e7-e5, instead blocking that with his own pawn. It also rules
out the option of easy development for Black.

Question: Is it necessary to play this way with White, giving up the bishop pair so soon?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: It’s not at all forced, but it’s a plan worth noting. Relinquishing the bishop pair early in the
opening is a perfectly legitimate strategic idea, not only here but in other openings too; for instance, a
famous one we might mention is the Nimzo-Indian.

5...dxe5

Other options, 5...Bg4 and 5...f6, are examined in subsequent games.

6.Nxe5 Qd5 7.Nf3

A highly interesting position.

7...Qe4+

An alternative is 7...Bg4,

37
 when White can choose between:
a) 8.Nc3 Bxf3 9.Qxf3 Qxf3 10.gxf3 (such endgames should favour White, but things are not that
simple...) 10...Nh6! (heading directly for d4) 11.Na4 Nf5 12.c3 e6 13.d3 0-0-0 14.Ke2 h5 15.Be3
Rd5, [Link], [Link] (rapid) 2022, and here White should have tried 16.a3 Be7 17.b4
Rhd8 18.Rhd1 with chances to obtain an advantage.
b) 8.d3 Nf6 9.Nbd2 e6 10.h3 Bh5 11.0-0 Be7 12.Qe1 0-0 13.Ne5 Nd7 14.Ndc4 Nxe5 15.Qxe5
Bf6 16.Qg3 was [Link], [Link] (blitz) 2022, where White achieved his early
goals overall. We can see that knight is strong on c4, while the two black c-pawns are potential
targets.

8.Kf1

White wants to gain a tempo attacking the queen so this is the best option; the king is not unsafe on
f1.

8...Nf6

If 8...g6 9.d3 Qf5 10.Bd2 Ba6 11.Bc3 f6 12.Nbd2 e5, as in [Link], Aghios Kirykos
2017, White could play simply 13.Qe2 Ne7 14.Re1, when Black has problems continuing with his
development.

9.d3 Qf5 10.Nbd2 g6 11.b3 Bg7 12.Bb2 0-0 13.Qe2

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 Logical play so far; White managed to stop any early ...c5-c4 ideas which could open it up for the
bishop pair, so we can say that White has some advantage.

13...Ba6

After 13...Re8 14.Qe5! (an important motif) 14...Qd7 15.Qxc5 Ne4 16.Nxe4 Bxb2 17.Rb1 Bg7
18.Ne5!, Hou [Link], German Bundesliga 2018, Black didn’t have enough compensation for
the pawn.

14.Qe5!

Exchanging queens is a good positional idea here.

14...Rfd8 15.Re1 e6 16.h3 Ne8 17.Qxf5 exf5 18.Ne5 Rac8 19.Ba3 Bf8 20.g4!

39
 White has a superior ending in that, although far from easy, it is much easier to handle it with
White.

20...f6 21.Nef3 Rd5 22.Nc4 fxg4 23.hxg4 Rd7 24.Nfd2 Bxc4 25.bxc4 Re7 26.Kg2 Rxe1 27.Rxe1
Rb8 28.Re6 Rc8 29.Nb3

Black didn’t play in the best manner and faces a difficult situation.

29...Kf7 30.Re1 Rb8 31.Bxc5 Bxc5 32.Nxc5 Rb2 33.Re6 Rxc2 34.a4 Ng7 35.Rxc6

The endgame is winning now.

35...h5 36.Rc7+ Kg8 37.gxh5 Nxh5 38.Rxa7 g5 39.a5 g4 40.a6 g3 41.Ne4 gxf2 42.Nxf2 Ra2
43.Kf3 f5 44.c5 1-0

Game 11
[Link]
Dutch Championship, Amsterdam 2012

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Nc6 4.Bxc6+ bxc6 5.e5 Bg4

Rather than taking on e5, Black reacts in a slightly different manner, trying to force White to take
on d6 which will liberate Black’s pieces.

6.h3 Bxf3

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 We will look at this first, and 6...Bh5 in the next game.

7.Qxf3

Black has options here, but it is clear that Black must already be on the alert not to get a bad
position out of the opening.

7...d5

Closing the centre is not forced:

a) 7...Qc7 8.exd6 exd6 9.0-0 Be7 10.d3 Rb8 11.Nd2 Nf6 12.Nc4 Nd5 13.b3 0-0 14.Bb2 Bf6
15.Bxf6 Nxf6 16.Qg3 Rbd8 17.Rae1 and White got the upper hand in [Link],
Omegna 2009.
b) 7...Qd7 8.exd6 exd6 9.0-0 Nf6 10.Nc3 Be7 11.d4 c4 12.d5 Nxd5 13.Nxd5 cxd5 14.Qxd5 Rc8
15.Be3 and White got an advantage due to a superior structure in [Link]-U.Bönsch, German
Bundesliga 2019.

8.e6!?

A typical reaction in many 1.e4 openings, which White uses to obtain a rapid initiative.

Question: Is this the only way to gain the initiative?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: It is best, but it is possible to play in a less sharp manner, such as with d2-d3, b2-b3,

41
followed by placing the bishop on a3 and knight on a4 to attack the weak c5-pawn.

8...fxe6 9.0-0 Qd6 10.d4!?

White is playing in very energetic fashion, but it seems that the alternative is stronger: 10.Re1 (first
developing a rook) 10...g6 11.d4! Bg7 12.Bf4 Qd7 13.Nd2!

(the knight is heading to the strong f3- or b3-square) 13...Nf6 14.dxc5 0-0 15.Qe3 Nh5 16.Bh2
Bxb2 17.Rab1 Bf6 18.Nf3 and White has an edge.

10...cxd4 11.Bf4 e5 12.Qh5+ g6 13.Qxe5 Qxe5 14.Bxe5 Nf6 15.Bxd4 Bh6 16.Nc3 Kf7 17.Na4
Rhe8 18.Rfe1 Nd7 19.f4 e6 20.b3 g5 21.fxg5 ½-½

Game 12
[Link]
World Online Open, [Link] (rapid) 2020

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 d6 4.Bxc6+ bxc6 5.e5 Bg4 6.h3 Bh5

This time Black is not ready to give up the bishop pair.

7.d3 e6

Black can also take on e5, generating sharp play. After 7...dxe5 8.g4 Bg6 9.Nxe5 e6 10.Nc3 Bd6
11.Nc4 Nf6 White has tried two paths:

42
 a) 12.Qf3 Nd5 13.Bd2 Be7 14.0-0-0 Rb8, [Link], PRO League, [Link] (rapid)
2020, and now the active 15.h4 Bxh4 16.Ne4 Be7 17.Qg3 0-0 18.g5 would give White very strong
play for sacrificed pawn.
b) 12.Qe2 Nd5 13.Bd2 Bf4 14.Ne4 0-0 15.0-0-0 Bxd2+ 16.Nexd2 Re8, Chen Qi-Wang Yue,
Chinese Team Championship 2019, and here too White missed the strong 17.h4! with much better
chances.

8.exd6 Bxd6 9.Nbd2 Ne7

As we can see, this is less committal play and more solid from Black’s perspective.

43
 Question: Can we say that Black has weak pawns on c5 and c6?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Yes, from a strategic point of view, but the situation is far from clear. White has to play in
an accurate way to be able to target those pawns.

10.Nc4

A logical response. Delaying this move is possible but will most likely reach similar positions. For
example: 10.Qe2 Nd5 11.Nc4 Nb6 12.Qe4 0-0 13.Nxd6 Qxd6 14.0-0 Qd5 15.Ne5 Rfc8 16.Re1 f6
17.Nc4 e5 18.b3 and White kept an edge in [Link], Barbera del Valles 2020.

10...0-0 11.Qe2 Bc7

Black is not ready to give up the dark-squared bishop either.

12.g4 Bg6 13.Bd2 f6!

It is important to understand that if the position remains static White’s chances of increasing the
pressure are greater, therefore Black must play actively.

14.0-0-0 e5 15.Rhg1

Perhaps a rather slow plan. It might have stronger to play 15.h4 Nd5 16.h5 Bf7 17.g5 Nf4 18.Bxf4
exf4 19.g6!? with attacking chances for White.

15...Nd5 16.Nh4 Bf7 17.g5 g6 18.gxf6 Qxf6 19.Bg5 Nf4 20.Qf1 Qe6 21.Bxf4 exf4 22.Nf3

We have reached a balanced game.

22...Qf6 23.h4 Rab8 24.c3 Bd5 25.Qh3 Qf5 26.Qxf5 Rxf5 27.Ncd2

44
 It is still balanced, only without queens now.

27...Bxa2?!

Unnecessary and risky, and it doesn’t really gain anything for Black.

28.c4 a5 29.Rg5 Rxg5 30.hxg5 a4 31.Re1 Ba5 32.Re7! Bxd2+ 33.Nxd2

Black is now lost because the bishop on a2 is bad.

33...Rd8 34.Kc2 f3 35.Ne4 Rd4 36.Nf6+ Kf8 37.Rxh7 Rf4 38.Kc3 Bb3 39.Ne4 Rg4 40.Nxc5 Rg2
41.Ne4 Rg1 42.Nf6

Much better and simpler was 42.Rc7 Rc1+ 43.Kd4 Rc2 44.Rxc6 Rxb2 45.Rxg6, leading to an easy
win.

42...Rc1+ 43.Kd4 Rc2 44.Rd7??

An inexplicable move, losing all advantage, unless it was a drawing mechanism in extreme time
trouble. Something like 44.Ng4 Rxb2 45.Ke5 Re2+ 46.Kf6 should still win straightforwardly for
White.

44...Rxf2 45.Nh7+ Ke8 46.Nf6+ Kf8 47.Nh7+ Ke8 48.Nf6+ Kf8 ½-½

Game 13
[Link]

45
 [Link] (blitz) 2022

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 d6 4.Bxc6+ bxc6 5.e5 f6

This time the idea is to force White to take on either d6 or f6, opening up for Black’s pieces in
either case. On the other hand, it is a slightly passive move.
A less played, yet important idea is 5...g6 6.0-0 Bg7 7.Re1 Nh6 8.exd6 Qxd6 9.d3 0-0 10.Nbd2
Nf5 11.Ne4 Qd5 12.c4 Qd8 13.Nxc5, when White was a pawn up in [Link],
[Link] (blitz) 2021, though matters are still not entirely clear because the d3-pawn and d4-square
are not under good control.

6.exd6

The logical response.

6...e5

Best. The alternative is passive: 6...exd6 7.0-0 d5 8.Re1+ Kf7 9.d4 Bd6 10.c4 Ne7 11.cxd5 cxd5
12.dxc5 Bxc5 13.Be3 Bb4 14.Nc3 Bxc3 15.bxc3 Nf5 16.Bc5 and White has an edge, [Link]-
[Link], Taleigao 2019.

7.d3 Bxd6

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8.Nc3

It is perhaps better to go 8.Nfd2 Ne7 9.0-0 0-0 10.Ne4 f5 11.Nxd6 Qxd6 12.Re1 Ng6 13.Nc3 Be6
14.b3 Rae8 15.Be3 Bf7 16.f3. This is a bit difficult for Black to handle because the c5-pawn is a clear
target.

8...Ne7 9.Nd2

In the following game White made too many preparatory moves: 9.h3 Nf5 10.0-0 Nd4 11.b3 0-0
12.Nd2 Qe8 13.Nce4 Be7 14.c3 Ne6 15.Nc4 Qg6, when Black had achieved his main goal in
[Link], Pardubice (rapid) 2017. The pawn on c5 is safe, and so his bishop pair.

9...0-0 10.Nc4

Another possibility is 10.0-0 Nd5 11.Nc4 Be7 12.f4 exf4 13.Bxf4 Nxf4 14.Rxf4 f5, [Link]-
[Link], Vaxjo 2015, but giving up two bishops is not something White should do unless some
serious positional gain is made, which is not the case here.

10...Bc7 11.Be3 Nd5 12.Bxc5

Too early, in that grabbing the pawn should not offer White any advantage. It was better to play
12.Qd2 Nxe3 13.Qxe3 Bb6 14.0-0 Ba6 15.Qe4 and in this unusual set-up it seems that White has, if
nothing else, an easier game due to the threat of a2-a4-a5.

12...Rf7

The alternative 12...Nxc3 13.bxc3 Re8 was stronger, when 14.0-0 Qd5 15.Be3 e4 gives Black

47
excellent compensation for the pawn.

13.Ne4 Be6 14.0-0 Nf4

This is an interesting way of playing. Black sacrificed a pawn but the two bishops and strong knight
outpost certainly compensate, so we can say the position is balanced.

Question: Is it considered good strategy for Black to give up a pawn?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Having the two bishops it is advisable to be active, even if necessary to sac a pawn in this
way.

15.Be3 g5 16.b3 Kh8 17.Qd2 Bd5 18.f3 Rg7 19.Rae1 Ne6 20.Bf2

White defended well but lacks activity so the game is still not clear.

20...Qe7 21.Ne3 Qd8 22.Bg3

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22...f5??

A huge oversight that unfortunately spoiled the game.

23.Nxf5 Rg6 24.Qc3 Ba5 25.b4 Bb6+ 26.Kh1 Kg8 27.Bxe5 h5 28.Nf6+ Kf7 29.Nxh5 Qd7 30.f4
g4 31.Nfg3 Rh6 32.f5 Ng5 33.Bg7 Rh7 34.Qf6+ Kg8 35.Qxg5 Rxg7 36.Nxg7 Qxg7 37.Qf4 Bd4
38.f6 Qxf6 39.Qxf6 Bxf6 40.Rxf6 1-0

Game 14
[Link]
European Championship, Minsk 2017

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Nd7

49
 This is probably the most popular continuation today, especially among players who are looking for
chances to play for a win. On the other hand, placing a knight on d7 is slightly passive and neglects
normal development, so that is a place where White can try to profit.

Question: Why this line is so popular and is it better than other lines?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: It is flexible; a quick ...a7-a6 is in the air, when Black is ready to gain the bishop pair but
without creating weak pawns. So it’s both popular and good, but White has good strategic ideas as
well, as we will see.

4.d4

This line has been known for many decades but recently it has been modified, and we will see
highly interesting positions in which White will basically try to get Maróczy bind type of play
(meaning having c4- and e4-pawns in the centre).

4...Ngf6

Only some years ago this continuation represented a very solid answer, whereas it has now been
abandoned. We will soon see why this occurred. The best move according to modern theory is
4...cxd4 which is examined in Games 16-21, while the immediate 4...a6 features in the next game.

5.e5

This was also known before but only recently successfully revived.

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5...Qa5+ 6.Nc3 Ne4

The main point of Black’s play. 6...Nd5 7.Rb1 has a similar effect to the main line. If instead
6...cxd4 7.Qxd4 dxe5 8.Qxe5 Qb4 9.Bd2!, White already has a huge advantage.

7.Rb1!

This “little” move is causing all the trouble. Sooner or later the b-file will be opened, and rook is
ready to take advantage of that.

7...a6

There are other moves, but none show much resilience:

a) 7...Nxc3 8.bxc3 Qxa2 (8...Qxc3+ 9.Bd2 Qa3 10.Rb3 Qxa2 11.e6! fxe6 12.Ng5 is winning for
White despite the three pawn deficit) 9.Bf4 a6 10.Bxd7+ Bxd7 11.0-0 0-0-0 12.exd6 exd6 13.dxc5
dxc5 14.Ne5 Be6 15.Qe2 Be7 16.Nxf7 Bxf7 17.Qxe7 Rd7 18.Qxc5+ Kd8 19.Bg5+ 1-0 was a quick
win in [Link], Katowice (rapid) 2017.
b) 7...d5 8.e6! fxe6 9.0-0 Nd6 10.Bxd7+ Bxd7 11.dxc5 Qxc5 12.Be3 Qc7 13.Bd4 0-0-0 14.Re1
Nf5 15.Be5 Qb6 16.Nd4 Nxd4 17.Bxd4 Qa6 18.Be5 and Black’s position collapsed in [Link]-
[Link], World Junior Championship, Khanty-Mansiysk 2015.
c) 7...cxd4 8.Qxd4 Nxc3 9.bxc3 a6 10.Bxd7+ Bxd7 11.exd6 Rd8 12.dxe7 Bxe7 13.Qxg7 Rf8 14.0-
0 and again White was already winning in [Link] [Link], Gibraltar 2014.
d) 7...dxe5 8.Nxe5 Nxc3 9.bxc3 Qxc3+ 10.Kf1 a6 11.Bxd7+ Bxd7 12.Nxd7 Kxd7 13.Rxb7+ Ke8
14.dxc5 Rd8 15.Qf3 Qxc5 16.g3 Qxc2 17.Kg2 f6 18.Re1 gives White better play, illustrating the
potential of White’s early initiative.

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8.Bxd7+ Bxd7 9.0-0 Nxc3 10.bxc3

Now we see a clear effect of having a rook on b1. Black must be careful.

10...e6

The best chance in already unfavourable circumstances. If 10...d5, as in [Link],

Purley 2013, White has the very strong 11.Ng5! h6 12.e6 hxg5 13.exd7+ Kxd7 14.Qg4+ Kc6 15.c4
and is practically winning.

11.d5!

Strong, not losing momentum; whereas 11.Rxb7 Bc6 12.Rb1 Qxc3 could offer Black some hope.

11...Qxa2

Other ideas are not helpful either:

a) 11...Qc7 12.Ng5 exd5 (or if 12...dxe5, as in [Link], Donji Milanovac 2013, then
13.Qf3 f6 14.Nxe6 Bxe6 15.dxe6 0-0-0 16.Be3 and White is much better) 13.Re1 Be6 14.exd6 Qxd6
15.Rxb7 Be7 16.Nxe6 fxe6 17.Qg4 Kf7 18.Bf4 e5 19.Rxe5 g6 20.Rexe7+ Qxe7 21.Rxe7+ Kxe7
22.Qg5+ 1-0 [Link], Hastings 2014/15. Another quick win for White, this time
with Gormally on the right side of the board!
b) 11...c4 12.dxe6 Bxe6 13.Nd4 Qd5 14.Nxe6 fxe6 15.Qg4 0-0-0 16.Rd1 h5 17.Qe2 Qc6 18.exd6
Bxd6 19.Qxe6+ Rd7 20.Kf1 Kc7 21.Bf4 Rh6 22.Bxh6 gxh6 23.Rd4 Re7 1-0 [Link],
Viljandi 2016, since Black’s position is clearly hopeless.

12.Rb3!

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 Black has no good responses now.

12...exd5 13.exd6

Opening up the position.

13...Be6 14.d7+ Bxd7 15.Re1+ Be6 16.Qxd5 Be7 17.Qxb7 Rd8 18.Ng5

18...Bxg5 19.Qc6+ Rd7 20.Rxe6+ fxe6 21.Qxe6+ Kd8 22.Rb8+ 1-0

It is rare to find a miniature in the opening, especially between grandmasters.

(back to the text)

We can clearly see similarity with the Vitolins variation in the Bogo-Indian (1.d4 Nf6
2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Bb4+ 4.Bd2 c5).

53
 Show in Text Mode

Game 15
[Link]
[Link] (blitz) 2021

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Nd7 4.d4 a6

Rather than clarify the situation in the centre by taking on d4, Black decides first to act against the
bishop on b5.

5.Bxd7+ Bxd7 6.dxc5

Stabilizing the pawn structure should help White seize the initiative due to superior development.

Question: Isn’t it logical to go 6.d5, creating a strong centre?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Usually that is a good reaction, but in this moment taking on c5 is stronger because White is
better developed, which helps him create an early initiative.

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6...dxc5

The issue for Black is lack of control over the central squares, in particular the e5-square, which
makes this line very difficult to play. On the other hand, trying to recapture with the queen only slows
down Black’s development: 6...Qa5+ 7.Nc3 Qxc5 8.Be3 Qa5 9.Qd4 e6 10.0-0-0 Rc8 11.Bf4 Rc6
12.Ne5 gave White a huge advantage in the early stages of the game, [Link], Moscow
1973.

7.Qe2

White is going for better development, pressure on the d-file, and a strong outpost for knights as we
will see.

7...Qc7

7...e6 8.0-0 Ne7 9.Bf4 Ng6 10.Bg3 Be7 11.Rd1 Qb6 12.b3 Rd8 13.h4 Bb5 14.c4 Rxd1+ 15.Qxd1
Bc6 16.h5 Nf8 17.Nc3 also gives White easy play and clear plans of how to increase the pressure.

8.0-0 e6 9.a4 b6 10.Nbd2

Black faces problems how to develop pieces in the best possible way.

10...Be7

If instead 10...Ne7 11.b3 Ng6 12.Nc4 Be7, then 13.h4! Nxh4 14.Nxh4 Bxh4 15.Bb2 Bf6 16.Bxf6
gxf6 17.Rfd1 gives White a tremendous initiative for the sacrificed pawn.

11.Nc4 Nf6 12.Bg5

55
 Here 12.e5 Nd5 13.Ng5 0-0 14.Ra3 b5 15.Nd6! is another interesting way to seize the initiative.

12...h6 13.Bh4 0-0 14.Bg3 Qb7 15.Nfd2

White is playing a more “safe mode” type of chess.

15...b5 16.axb5 axb5 17.Nd6 Qc6 18.e5 Bxd6 19.exf6 Bxg3 20.hxg3

20...g6?

It was necessary to take the pawn: 20...gxf6 21.Ne4 e5 22.Rad1 Bf5 23.Nd6 Be6 24.Rd2 Rfd8
25.Rfd1, though White still has the initiative since the knight on d6 is very strong.

21.Rad1 Rfd8 22.Nf3 Be8 23.Qe3 Kh7 24.Ne5 Qb7 25.Ng4

Winning already, as Black is forced to weaken his king position.

25...g5 26.Ne5

Simply 26.f4 was very strong.

26...Bc6 27.f3 c4 28.Qc5 Be8 29.Kh2 Rd5 30.Qe3 Rad8 31.Qe4+ Kg8 32.Ng4 Rxd1 33.Nxh6+
Kf8 34.Qh7 1-0

Game 16

56
 [Link] Persson
European Team Championship, Terme Catez 2021

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Nd7 4.d4 cxd4

In modern contemporary chess this is considered best. Now we will see a lot of interesting
possibilities in which Black will use ...e7-e6, ...e7-e5 and ...g7-g6 reactions, while White will try to
establish a kind of Maróczy bind (with pawns on c4 and e4).

5.Nxd4 Ngf6

This is the main approach, but Black can also go directly 5...a6 or even 5...g6; we will see both later
in other games.

6.0-0 e5

The typical reaction in this line, allowing a white knight to come to the strong f5-square but hoping
that it will be driven away in a good manner.

Question: Isn’t going early ...e7-e5 a bit dangerous?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: It is a demanding choice, but Black is playing in a tactical way, trying to get an early
initiative.

57
7.Nf5 a6 8.Ba4!?

In the next game we will analyse 8.Bd3. Anyway, the text deserves serious attention.

8...b5

Grabbing the e-pawn is an option here: 8...Nxe4 9.c4 Rb8 10.Qg4 b5 11.cxb5 axb5 12.Nxg7+
Bxg7 13.Qxg7 Qf6 14.Qxf6 Ndxf6 15.Bc2 Rg8 16.Re1 Bb7 17.f3 Nc5 with unclear consequences in
[Link], [Link] (blitz) 2022.

9.Bb3 Nc5 10.Nc3 Bxf5 11.exf5 Be7 12.Bg5 0-0 13.Bxf6 Bxf6 14.Nd5 e4 15.c3

Such positions tend to favour White due to strong knight outpost on d5.

15...a5 16.a3 Re8 17.Bc2 Re5 18.f4 Re8

Black is hoping that the e4-pawn will be an asset but that is not certain, so perhaps it was better to
go for simplifications: 18...exf3 19.Qxf3 Rb8 20.Rae1 Nd7 21.Bb3 Nb6, when White has some edge
but Black is still in a solid position.

19.Qe2 a4?!

Black needed to keep the option of ...b5-b4; now there is no more counterplay.

20.Rad1 Rb8 21.g4!

White will use his kingside pawn majority to launch an attack.

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21...h6 22.Kh1 Na6 23.Bb1 Nc7 24.Ba2 Nxd5 25.Bxd5 Rc8 26.Rg1 Rc5 27.Qe3 Bh4 28.Rg2 Qc8
29.Ba2 Qc6 30.Rgd2 Be7 31.Bd5 Qc8 32.Qxe4

By combining threats, such as going for g4-g5 and attacking d6, White managed to pick off the e4-
pawn.

32...Kf8 33.Qd3 Qc7 34.Re1 Bf6 35.Rxe8+ Kxe8 36.Rg2

White is winning now.

36...Kd8 37.g5 hxg5 38.fxg5 Be5 39.f6 gxf6 40.gxf6 Bxf6 41.Rg8+ Ke7 42.Qe3+ Be5 43.Qg5+ Bf6
44.Qh5 Rxd5 45.Qxd5 Qb6 46.Qa8 Be5 47.Re8+ Kf6 48.Qd8+ 1-0

Game 17
[Link]-Wei Yi
[Link] (rapid) 2022

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Nd7 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Ngf6 6.0-0 e5 7.Nf5 a6 8.Bd3

59
 This is the main move and logical one, but at the same time its an engine-generated line so will not
be to everybody’s taste.

8...Nc5

Now we see Black’s plan, attacking e4 and getting ready to eliminate the knight on f5.

9.Nc3

The usual response. 9.Bg5 is an interesting alternative, but 9...d5 10.Nc3 just transposes back to the
main game, while 9...g6 10.Bxf6 Qxf6 11.Ne3 Qd8 12.Nc3 Bh6 13.Ned5 0-0 14.a4 Be6 15.a5 Rc8
16.Qe2 Nxd3 17.Qxd3 f5 18.Ra4 Rf7 19.Rd1 f4 20.f3 g5 reached an unclear position in [Link]-
[Link], Thessaloniki 2022.

9...d5

Naturally, eliminating the knight on f5 is also possible: 9...Bxf5 10.exf5 Be7 (after 10...d5 11.Bg5
d4 12.Ne4 Qb6 13.Bxf6 gxf6 14.Rb1 h5 15.Qf3 h4 16.b4 White obtained better play in [Link]-
[Link], [Link] blitz) 2022 11.g4 h6 12.Re1 Nxd3 13.cxd3 Qb6 14.h3 0-0 15.Qf3 and White
established an ambitious set-up in [Link], Canberra 2010.

10.Bg5 dxe4

Probably the correct move order. In the case of 10...Ncxe4 11.Bxe4 dxe4 12.Qxd8+ Kxd8, as in
[Link], Novi Sad 2022, White could have played 13.Nxg7 Bxg7 14.Nd5 Ke8 15.Bxf6 Bxf6
16.Nxf6+ Ke7 17.Nxe4 with a healthy extra pawn.

11.Bxe4

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 Taking the other way is a bit risky: 11.Nxe4 Nxd3 12.Bxf6 gxf6 13.Qf3 Nf4 14.Rfd1 Qb6 15.Qe3
Qc6 16.Nfd6+ Kd8 17.Nxb7+ Kc7 18.Na5 Qb5 19.Qc3+ Kb6 20.Qe3+ Kc7 21.Qc3+ Kb6
22.Qe3+ Kc7 ½-½ [Link] [Link], [Link] (blitz) 2021. It’s all a forced draw by
engines.

11...Ncxe4 12.Nxg7+ Bxg7 13.Qxd8+ Kxd8 14.Nxe4 Ke7 15.f4 Ke6 16.f5+ Ke7 17.Rad1

A more or less forced position which has been seen a couple of times. White has sacrificed a piece
for the initiative.

Question: Is it a correct sacrifice?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Yes, White has enough play for piece; it is Black who must be careful to maintain the
balance.

17...a5

Black can insert ...h7-h6 first: 17...h6 18.Bh4 a5 19.Rd5 Ra6 20.Rxe5+ Kd8?! (this is probably
wrong; Black should have played the precise 20...Kd7! 21.Nc5+ Kd6 22.Bg3 Ng4, when it seems
White has no more than a draw: 23.f6 Nxe5 24.fxg7 Rg8 25.Nxa6 bxa6 26.Rxf7 Kd5 27.Rf8 Be6
28.b3 Nd7 29.c4+ Kd4 30.Rf4+ Kd3 31.Rf3+ Ke4 32.Rf4+, repeating) 21.Rc5! and White got an
edge in [Link]-Wei Yi, Chessable Masters, [Link] (rapid) 2022.

18.Rd5 Ra6 19.Re1

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 Here 19.Rxe5+? Kd7! 20.Nc5+ Kd6 21.Bf4 Nd5 wins for Black, as we see a difference with ...h7-
h6 not having been played.

19...Kf8

It may be best is to throw in 19...h6 20.Bh4, when 20...Kf8 21.Rd8+ Ke7 22.Rd5 Kf8 23.Rd8+
Ke7 24.Rd5 Kf8 ½-½ [Link], Chennai Olympiad 2022, was an easy draw.

20.Rd8+ Ke7 21.Rd5 Kf8 22.Rxe5

White has the initiative, but it seems that Black has enough counterplay overall.

22...Ng4

Here 22...Nxe4 23.R5xe4 Bxb2 24.Re8+ Kg7 25.Rxh8 Bd4+ 26.Kf1 Bd7 27.Rd8 Bb5+ 28.Re2 Bf6
29.Bxf6+ Rxf6 30.Rd5 slightly favours White.

23.Rd5?!

Not a precise move. The alternative is stronger: 23.Be7+ Kg8 24.Rd5 h6 (if instead 24...f6 25.h3
Ne5 26.Bxf6 Bxf6 27.Nxf6+ Rxf6 28.Rexe5 Kf7 29.g4 Rc6 30.c3 Kf6 31.h4 h6 32.Re4, White still
has the initiative but the position is complex) 25.h3 Nf6 26.Nxf6+ Rxf6 27.Bxf6 Bxf6 28.Re8+ Kh7
29.Rxh8+ Bxh8 30.c3 a4 31.g4 gave White chances to play for a win in [Link],
German Bundesliga 2022.

23...f6 24.Bf4 Ne5 25.Rc5 Bxf5 26.Bxe5 Bxe4 27.Rc8+ Kf7 28.Rc7+ Kg8 29.Rc8+ Kf7 30.Rc7+
Kg8 31.Rc8+ Bf8

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32.Bd4?

With 32.Rxe4 fxe5 33.Rxe5 White keeps some, if not quite enough, compensation. After the text
Black is just winning.

32...Re6 33.Re3 Kf7 34.Rc7+ Be7 35.Bc5 Re8 36.Kf2 Bc6 37.Ra3 a4 38.b4 axb3 39.axb3 Kg6
40.Rxe7 R8xe7 41.Bxe7 Rxe7 0-1

Game 18
[Link]
[Link] (blitz) 2022

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Nd7 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Ngf6 6.0-0 a6 7.Bd3 g6

This is another type of reaction, albeit less forcing and logical, as it allows White to set up his bind.

8.c4 Bg7 9.Nc3 0-0

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10.Re1

Not the only idea here. After 10.Be3 Nc5 11.f3 Nxd3 12.Qxd3 Nd7 (Black has managed to get the
bishop pair, but we already saw that White’s space in this line often compensates for that) 13.Rfd1 e6
14.Qd2 Qc7 15.b3 Re8 16.Nde2 Bf8 17.Rac1 b6 18.Kh1 Bb7 19.Bh6 Be7 20.Qd4 (the plan of
provoking ...f7-f6 is worth noting) 20...f6 21.Be3 Rab8 22.Qd2 White kept some edge in [Link]-
[Link], Online Olympiad, [Link] (rapid) 2021.

10...Nc5

The position doesn’t carry the mark of forced lines, so alternatives are possible:
a) 10...e6 11.Bg5 h6 12.Bh4 Qc7 13.Rc1 b6 14.Bf1 Bb7 15.b4 Rac8 16.a3 Qb8 17.f3 Rfd8 18.Qd2
Ne5 19.Na4 Ba8 20.Bf2 d5 21.exd5! exd5 22.c5 is a clever way of handling this line when Black
goes for a ...d6-d5 break; White is better, [Link], [Link] (rapid) 2022.
b) 10...Qc7 11.Bf1 e6 12.Nb3 b6 13.Bf4 Ne5 14.Rc1 Bb7 15.h3 Rac8 16.Nd2 Qb8 17.b3 Rfd8
18.Qe2 Nfd7 19.Qe3 Nc6 20.Bh6 Bh8 21.Red1 and again we can say that White gained the form of
play that he was looking for, [Link], European Championship, Terme Catez 2022.

11.Bf1 Ng4 12.f3 Ne5 13.Be3 Bd7 14.Rc1 Rc8 15.b4!

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 A typical well-timed reaction.

15...Ne6 16.Nxe6 fxe6

This is usually the wrong response.

Question: Why is it illogical to take back with a pawn which then controls the d5-square?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Because Black’s entire pawn chain is weak and static. Instead of using the d5-square White
has a plan of going c4-c5, breaking Black’s structure into an even weaker formation.
Taking back with the bishop is safer: 16...Bxe6 17.Nd5 Bxd5 18.exd5 b6 19.f4 Nd7 20.Qb3 a5
21.a3 Rc7 22.Bf2 Ra7. Such play is more to the point; it may look passive but the a-file serves as a
possible source of counterplay.

17.c5 dxc5 18.bxc5 Qe8 19.Qb3 Rb8 20.Rcd1

Although there is no d5-square for a white knight, we can see that Black lost functionality in his
game.

20...Kh8 21.Bd4! g5 22.Qb2 Nc6 23.Bxg7+ Kxg7 24.Nd5+ e5 25.Bc4

We can say that the position is now winning for White.

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25...Kg6 26.Nb4 Nxb4 27.Qxb4 Bc6 28.Qb2 Kf6 29.Rf1 Qh5 30.f4 gxf4 31.Rxf4+ Kg6 32.Be2
Qxe2 33.Qxe2 Rxf4 34.Rf1 Rbf8 35.Rxf4 Rxf4 36.Qd3 Rxe4 37.h3 Kf7 38.Qb3+ Kg7 39.Qb2 Rd4
40.Kh2 Rd5 41.Qc3 Kf6 42.Kg3 Kf5 43.Kh4 e4 44.g4+ Kf4 45.Qg3 mate

Game 19
[Link]
German Bundesliga 2022

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Nd7 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Ngf6 6.0-0 e6

This is another plan, going for a hedgehog type of position.

7.Re1

A logical move, securing a retreat for the bishop to f1.

7...Be7 8.Bf1 0-0 9.c4

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 Setting up a Maróczy-type bind. As I said, White often is happy with this formation in the Bb5+
systems.

Question: Why White is generally happy to create such play?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: The positions reached are less forcing. Many players enjoy such lines, which give White
more space, easier manoeuvring and, after all, chances to play for a win.

9...a6

Black can play slightly different moves, but the position doesn’t change its character:
a) 9...Qc7 10.Nc3 a6 11.Be3 b6 12.Rc1 Bb7 13.f3 Rac8 14.a3 Qb8 15.b4 (a typical plan for White)
15...Kh8 16.Kh1 Rg8 17.Qd2 Bd8 18.Red1 Bc7 19.b5!, [Link], FIDE Grand Swiss,
Riga 2021. Pushing the b-pawn is a good option when Black reroutes the dark-squared bishop. It may
look anti-positional, but the idea is either to put a knight on c6 or simply take on a6, followed by
knight to b5 with pressure on the d6-pawn.
b) 9...Re8 10.Nc3 Bf8 11.a4 Ne5 12.Bf4 Ng6 13.Bg3 a6 14.h3 b6 15.Qd2 Bb7 16.a5! bxa5
17.Nb3 Rb8 18.Nxa5, [Link] Lagrave, [Link] (rapid) 2021; White’s queenside
breakthrough is typical against a hedgehog.

10.Nc3 Ne5 11.h3 Qc7 12.Qe2

12.Bf4 b6 13.Rc1 Bb7 14.b3 Rac8 15.g3 Rfd8 16.Bg2 is another good way of handling this line

67
with White, who has better control of the centre and more proactive bishops.

12...Bd7 13.f4

This is a bit controversial. In my opinion it is better to wait with this push because it exposes White
to ...e6-e5 ideas.

13...Ng6 14.Be3 Rfe8 15.Rac1 e5 16.fxe5 Nxe5 17.Qf2 Rac8 18.Nf5 Bxf5 19.Qxf5 Qa5 20.Bd4
Qb4 21.Qf2 Nc6 22.Be3

The position is now double-edged, as Black has pressure on the e4-pawn.

22...Bd8

The alternative was preferable: 22...Ne5 23.a3 Qb3 24.Nd5 Nxd5 25.exd5 Bf6 26.Bd4 Qa4
27.Rc3, when the position is still balanced.

23.c5!

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 A strong reaction. The queen on b4 has problems.

23...dxc5?!

A further mistake. It was better to go 23...h6 24.Nd5 Nxd5 25.exd5 Ne5 26.a3 Qa4 27.cxd6 Rxc1
28.Rxc1 Qe4 with a defensible position.

24.Bxc5 Qa5 25.Nd5!

Now it’s difficult for Black

25...Nxe4 26.b4! Qa3 27.Rc3! Qa4 28.Rce3 Nxb4 29.Rxe4 1-0

Game 20
[Link] Scheltinga
Beverwijk 1953

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Bb5+

A slightly unusual move order. This is an old game, but I selected it on purpose to show that the
ideas have actually been known for a long time!

5...Nbd7

Now we have reached our main line with 3.Bb5+ Nd7 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Ngf6, in which 5...g6 6.0-
0 Bg7 7.Re1 Ngf6 would also lead to the game position below.

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6.0-0 g6

Okay, Black doesn’t care about driving the b5-bishop away, instead going for rapid development.

Question: Can Black benefit from omitting the early ...a7-a6 option?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Well, it’s a good try with some important specifics and differences, but ...a7-a6 is generally
played sooner or later.

7.Re1 Bg7 8.Bf1 Nc5

Probably critical because it puts the e4-pawn under pressure. An alternative is 8...0-0 9.c4 b6
10.Nc3 Bb7 11.Bg5 a6 12.Qd2 Rc8 13.Rad1 Re8 14.f3 Qc7 15.Nd5 Qb8 16.Kh1 e6, as in [Link]-
[Link], Abu Dhabi (rapid) 2021. The best continuation in this type of position is 17.Nxf6+ Nxf6
18.b4 Nd7 19.a4 with good play, because Black doesn’t have an easy solution except to wait.

9.f3

White wants to play c2-c4 next. Developing the knight to c3 is also possible: 9.Nc3 0-0 10.Nb3
Nxb3 (in my opinion, it was better to keep the tension: 10...b6 11.f3 Bb7 12.Be3 Rc8 13.Qd2 Re8
14.Rad1 is an interesting and playable position, but I don’t think that White achieved any advantage)
11.axb3 Bg4 12.f3 Be6 13.Nd5 Nxd5 14.exd5 Bf5 15.c3 e5 16.dxe6 Bxe6 17.b4 a5 18.b5 d5 19.Be3
Qd6 20.Bd4 and White has preferable chances, [Link] [Link], [Link] (rapid)
2021.

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9...Qb6

Aiming to increase the pressure on the d4-knight. Instead, 9...0-0 10.Be3 Ne6 11.c4 Nxd4 12.Bxd4
Be6 13.Nc3 Qa5 was [Link], Chennai Olympiad 2022, where White should go for the
typical plan 14.Rb1 Rfc8 15.b4 Qd8 16.Nd5 Nd7 17.Bxg7 Kxg7 18.f4 a5 19.b5 Rc5 20.Rb3 Rac8
21.Qd2 with more space and attacking chances.

10.Na3

The knight is heading to the c4-square. We will see that this is a solid approach, but there are a few
other ideas too:
a) 10.c4? is now a mistake in view of 10...Ne6 11.Be3 Ng4!.
b) 10.c3 0-0 11.Na3 a6 12.Nc4 Qc7 13.Ne3 b5, [Link], [Link] (rapid) 2022, is
exactly what Black is looking for. White lost too much time transferring a knight to e3 and did not
manage to achieve c2-c4.
c) 10.a4 Ne6 11.c3 0-0 12.a5 Qc7 13.Nb5 Qb8 14.Be3 Bd7 15.c4 is another good way to handle
this line with White.

10...Ne6

After 10...0-0 11.Nc4 Qc7 12.Be3 a6 13.Qd2 b5 14.Na5! it’s a different story. With the knight on
a5 White can play the active c2-c4 now.

11.Be3 Ng4 12.Bb5+ Bd7 13.Nc4!

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13...Nxe3

This loses. 13...Qc7 was best, though 14.Nxe6 fxe6 15.Bd4 Bxb5 16.Bxg7 Rg8 17.Bd4 Bxc4
18.fxg4 e5 19.Bf2 Be6 20.b3 gives White preferable chances.

14.Bxd7+ Kd8 15.Nxe6+ fxe6 16.Nxb6 Nxd1 17.Nxa8 Kxd7 18.Rexd1 Rxa8 19.c3

Having won the exchange, White is now winning.

19...Rc8 20.a4 Rc6 21.Kf2 Rb6 22.Ra2 Rc6 23.Ke3 Rc8 24.a5 Rc5 25.Kd3 Rh5 26.h3 Rc5 27.c4
Rc8 28.b4 Kc6 29.Kc2 Rf8 30.Kb3 Be5 31.Rc2 Rd8 32.b5+ Kd7 33.c5 Rf8 34.Ka4 Rc8 35.Kb3
Rb8 36.cxd6 exd6 37.Rdc1 d5 38.Rd1 d4 39.f4 Bxf4 40.Rxd4+ Ke7 41.Rd3 a6 42.Ka4 axb5+
43.Kxb5 Ra8 44.Rf3 g5 45.g3 Be5 46.Rc5 Bd4 47.Rxg5 1-0

Game 21
[Link]
Warsaw (blitz) 2022

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Nd7 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 a6 6.Bd3 g6

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 Black wants to challenge the knight on d4 at once.

7.c4

Anand goes directly for a Maróczy set-up. White can also play in a slightly different manner: 7.0-0
Bg7 8.Be3 Ngf6 9.c4 Ne5 10.f3 0-0 11.Nc3 Nxd3 12.Qxd3, which transposes to Esipenko-Sonis in
the notes to Game 18.

7...Bg7 8.Be3 Qb6

Still insisting on pressure against d4. Otherwise 8...Ngf6 9.Nc3 0-0 10.Be2 e6 11.0-0 d5 12.exd5
exd5 13.cxd5 Nb6, for instance, was [Link], Online Olympiad, [Link] (rapid)
2021, where 14.d6 Nbd5 15.Nxd5 Nxd5 16.Nf5 Nxe3 17.Nxe3 Be6 18.Nd5 Qa5 19.Nc7 Rad8
20.Nxe6 fxe6 21.d7 gives White some edge despite the fact that the position is simplified.

9.Nb3 Qc7 10.Nc3

The sharp alternative is 10.Qd2 Ne5 11.Nc3 Nxd3+ (not 11...Nxc4?? 12.Nd5) 12.Qxd3 Be6
13.Nd5 Bxd5 14.cxd5 Bxb2 15.Rb1 Qc3+ 16.Qxc3 Bxc3+ 17.Ke2 b5 18.Rhc1 Bg7, followed by
...f7-f5, which looks like adventurous play but seems to be possible.

10...Bxc3+ 11.bxc3 Ngf6

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 Such positions are known from the Accelerated Dragon and it is always a bit unclear as to what is
happening. White has the bishop pair and attacking chances, while Black is hoping to capitalize on
the weak c4-pawn.

Question: Is it good strategy for Black to give up the dark-squared bishop? Or, to put it in a
slightly different way, are the doubled pawns on c3 and c4 weak or strong?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: As always, that depends on the circumstances. Therefore this game is important in order to
understand such play. The usual answer would be that it’s double edged .

12.0-0 b6 13.f3 h5 14.a4 a5

I am not too fond of this move. It is better to ignore the possibility of a4-a5. After all, if Black
eliminates the c4- or c3-pawn, the pressure on b6 doesn’t really matter.

15.Nd4 Ne5 16.Nb5

We can see now that the b5-square plays an important role.

16...Qc6 17.Be2 Be6?

Better was 17...0-0 18.Qc1 Kh7 19.Bd4 Be6, when 20.f4 Nxc4 21.f5 just gives White attacking
chances.

18.Nd4

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 Anand missed the strong reply 18.f4! Nxc4 19.Bd4 Bg4 20.e5 dxe5 21.fxe5 Nd5 22.e6 f6 23.Bxg4
hxg4 24.Qxg4 and White is better.

18...Qc5 19.Nf5 Qc8 20.Ng7+ Kf8 21.Nxe6+ Qxe6 22.Bxb6 Nxc4 23.Bd4

White has the initiative but the situation on the board is far from clear.

23...Rc8 24.Rb1 h4! 25.Rb5

Perhaps it was better to stop that pawn with 25.h3.

25...Rh5 26.Qb3 h3! 27.g4 Rxb5 28.axb5 Nd7 29.Ra1 d5

Stronger was 29...Ndb6! 30.Qd1 Kg8 31.Qf1 Qd7 32.Qxh3 e5 with counterplay.

30.Bxc4! dxc4 31.Qd1 Ra8 32.Qf1 f6 33.Qxh3

White now has clear chances to play for a win, especially after eliminating the h3-pawn.

33...Kg7 34.Qg3 g5 35.Qc7 Ne5 36.Bxe5 Qxe5 37.Qxe5 fxe5 38.Ra4 Kf6 39.Rxc4 Ke6 40.Ra4
Kd6 41.c4 Kc5 42.Kg2 Kb6

Anand has achieved a winning endgame but was unable to convert it in blitz play.

43.Kg3

Here a strong idea was 43.h4! gxh4 44.Kh3 Rh8 45.Ra1! e6 46.g5 Rf8 47.Kxh4 Rf4+ 48.Kg3 Rf8
49.Kg4 Rf4+ 50.Kh5 Rxf3 51.g6 and White is winning.

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43...Rh8 44.Ra1 Rh6 45.Rd1 Rd6 46.Rc1 Rh6 47.h3 Kc5 48.Ra1 Kb6 49.Rd1 Rd6 50.Rg1 Rh6
51.h4?

Losing all advantage. It was much better to play 51.Rd1 Rd6 52.Rh1 Rh6 53.Kg2 a4 54.h4 Rxh4
55.Rxh4! gxh4 56.g5 a3 57.g6 a2 58.g7 a1=Q 59.g8=Q and White should win the queen endgame.
More simply, 51.Ra1! looks like zugzwang, since the black rook cannot maintain control of both the
d-file and the white h-pawn.

51...Rxh4 52.Rd1 Rh8 53.Ra1 Ra8 54.Ra4 Rd8 55.Kf2 Rd3 56.Ke2 Rc3 57.Kf2 Rb3 58.Ke2 Rc3
59.Kf2 Rb3 60.Ke2 ½-½

Game 22
[Link]
Slovakian Team Championship 2022

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.b3

No open Sicilian, at least not yet. Instead, we go for a very interesting and less explored positional
option that, of course, involves fewer forcing lines. The idea is simple: before playing d2-d4 White
tries to build an English set-up with pawns on c4 and e4 and both bishops often fianchettoed.

3...Nc6

Due to the many move orders Black can adopt in this line, I decided to separate things into a couple
of sections, depending on whether Black plays an early ...Nc6 (Games 21-28) or not (Games 29-35).

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4.Bb2 a6

A logical Sicilian continuation, which Black often plays sooner or later.

5.c4

I have chosen this set-up because the entire book is about positional play, so here we adopt a
variation which is less forcing and from a strategic point of view.

5...Qc7

Black continues with standard moves, basically waiting for White to open the Sicilian by playing
d2-d4.

6.g3

That’s what I was talking about in the introduction to this game. White goes for a kind of English
Opening.

6...Nf6

Black is developing quickly, putting pressure on the e4-pawn.

7.e5

Pushing on is not obligatory. White can also defend the pawn with 7.Nc3 and then:
a) 7...Nd4 (a logical reply) 8.Bg2 d6 9.0-0 Be7 10.Ne2 e5 11.Nh4 0-0 12.Nxd4 cxd4 13.Nf5 Rb8
was [Link], [Link] (rapid) 2022, where White should have played first

77
14.d3 and if 14...b5 then 15.Nxe7+ Qxe7 16.Ba3 bxc4 17.bxc4 Qc7 18.Qd2 Nd7 19.f4 Nc5 20.f5 f6
21.g4 with an edge.
b) 7...Rb8 8.Bg2 Be7 9.d4 cxd4 10.Nxd4 d6 11.0-0 0-0 12.Rc1 Nxd4 13.Qxd4 b6 14.Rfd1 Bb7
15.h3 Rfd8 16.Qe3 Ba8 17.Ne2 Nd7 18.Rd2 Bf8 19.Nd4, [Link], World
Rapid Championship, Riyadh 2017, is typical English Opening play, which is what White is looking
for: transforming the game into a more favourable version.

7...Ng4 8.Qe2

8...Be7

Black has a few other options, but the main point is that the g4-knight will be driven away by the
key move Bh3. Otherwise, by rerouting the knight from h6 to f5, Black will seize firm control over
the d4-square.

Question: Is it standard to place a bishop on h3 instead of going for natural development on the
long diagonal?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: In this game and in the sidelines below, we often see this motif. The simple idea is to
eliminate the knight should it come to f5. It is a bit unusual but not illogical, something to bear in
mind. For instance, if Black tries to develop in a slightly different way:
a) 8...b5 9.Bh3 h5 10.cxb5 axb5 was [Link], Serbian League 2018, where White

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should have played 11.0-0 Bb7 12.Bg2 Be7 13.d3 Nh6 14.Nc3 b4 15.Ne4 Nf5 16.Rfc1 Qb6 17.h4
reaching a very interesting position that probably favours White.
b) 8...Nh6 9.Bh3 (anyway, so that White is able to take on f5, while the queen’s knight will come
to c3 with great effect) 9...Be7 10.Nc3 Nd4 11.Nxd4 cxd4 12.Nd1 Bc5 13.a3 a5 14.b4 axb4 15.axb4
Rxa1 16.Bxa1 Bxb4 17.Bxd4 0-0 18.0-0 b6 19.Ne3 Bb7 20.Rb1 Bc5 21.Bc3 and White is better,
[Link], Budapest 2016.

9.Bh3 f5 10.exf6 Nxf6

Taking with the bishop is also possible: 10...Bxf6, as in [Link] Garcia, Sabadell
2016, where White can play the simple and strong 11.Bc3 Nge5 12.Nxe5 Bxe5 13.Bxe5 Qxe5
14.Qxe5 Nxe5 15.Bg2 Rb8 16.0-0 b6 17.f4 Ng4 18.h3 Nf6 19.d3 0-0 20.Nd2.

Although such structures appear balanced, it seems they tend to favour White slightly.

11.Bg2

Having played its part, the bishop goes back to the best diagonal.

11...0-0 12.0-0 b5 13.Na3!

A good reaction worth noting.

13...b4

Not forced, but 13...bxc4 14.Nxc4 just brings White’s knight to a better square.

14.Nc2

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 Now d2-d4 is finally coming.

14...Bb7 15.d4 cxd4 16.Ncxd4 Bc5 17.Rad1 Rae8 18.Nxc6 Bxc6 19.Ne5 Bxg2 20.Kxg2 Qb7+
21.f3 d6 22.Nd3 Ba7 23.Bxf6! Rxf6 24.Nf2

Such positions favour White. We see that Black’s pawn structure is fragile, since the pawns on d6
and e6 are targets.

24...Bxf2 25.Rxf2 Rd8 26.Rd4 Qc6 27.Qe4

This allows Black to minimize his disadvantage. It was better to play 27.Qd3 a5 28.Rc2 h6 29.Qe4!
Qxe4 30.fxe4 as White has more chances in a double rook endgame.

27...Qxe4 28.fxe4 Rxf2+ 29.Kxf2 Kf7 30.e5 d5 31.Ke3 a5 32.c5 Ke7 33.Rg4

The idea is to play c5-c6 and bring the king to c5, but Black is fast enough...

33...Rg8 34.c6 g5 35.h4 h6 36.Kd4 Kd8 37.Kc5 Kc7 38.hxg5 hxg5 39.a3 bxa3 40.Ra4 Rb8
41.Rxa3 Rb6 42.Rxa5 Rxc6+ 43.Kd4 Rb6 44.Ra7+ Rb7 45.Ra6 Rb6 46.Ra7+ Rb7 47.Ra6 Rb6
48.Ra7+ ½-½

Game 23
[Link]
Jerusalem 2022

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.b3 Nc6 4.Bb2 a6 5.c4 Nf6

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 This time Black attacks the e4-pawn directly. It is similar to the previous game, but there are also
some differences...

6.e5 Ng4 7.h3

It’s not obligatory to chase the knight as the alternative is also good: 7.g3 Be7 (7...Qc7 8.Qe2
would transpose to the previous game; here the absence of the queen on c7 gives White an extra
option which was not played in [Link] [Link], Buenos Aires 2018) 8.Bg2 Qc7 9.0-0! (since
taking on e5 is not a threat) 9...Ncxe5 (or if 9...0-0 10.Qe2 Nh6 11.Na3 Nf5 12.Nc2 d6 13.exd6
Qxd6 14.Rfd1 Nfd4 15.Nfxd4 Nxd4 16.Nxd4 cxd4 17.a4, White has pressure on the queenside)
10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.f4 Nc6 12.Bxg7 Rg8 13.Bb2 and White is better.

7...Nh6 8.g4

Direct play, but White can also play in an interesting manner: 8.Bd3 (with the option again of
taking the black knight should it come to f5, while the bishop may also occupy the e4-square) 8...d6
9.exd6 Nb4! (a strong in-between move; in the case of 9...Qxd6 10.Be4 Nf5 11.0-0 Bd7 12.b4! Nxb4
13.Be5 Qb6 14.Nc3 Nd6 15.d4, White’s energetic and well-timed pawn sacrifice gave him an early
initiative in [Link], Dombai 2013) 10.Be2 (10.Be4 would be met by 10...f5!) 10...Bxd6
11.0-0 Nf5 12.Re1 0-0 13.a3 Nc6 and Black is fine, [Link], Qinhuangdao 2018.

8...d6 9.Bg2

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 An aggressive set-up, though White must also be careful because the f4-square is now weak.

Question: On what does it depend whether it is good or not for White to play in this manner?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: On tactics; if the tactics are okay it’s fine to play this way, because the knight on h6 is then
surely a bad piece.

9...Nb4

Taking the e-pawn at once is possible too: 9...dxe5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 (if 10...Nd4, as in [Link]-
[Link], Reykjavik 2011, White’s best continuation looks to be the sharp 11.b4 Qc7 12.f4 f6
13.Qa4+ Kd8 14.Bxd4 cxd4 15.Nd3 Qxc4 16.Ke2! Bd7 17.Qa5+ Qc7 18.Qxc7+ Kxc7 19.Rc1+
Kd8 20.Na3 Rb8 21.Nc4 Nf7 22.a4 with compensation for sacrificed pawn) 11.Bxe5 f6 12.Bb2 Nf7
13.d4 cxd4 14.Qxd4 Qc7 15.Nc3 Bd6 16.0-0-0 0-0, [Link], World Blitz
Championship, Riyadh 2017, and now 17.Ne4 Be5 18.Qc5! Rb8 19.Bxe5 Qxc5 20.Nxc5 Nxe5 21.f4
gives White the advantage.

10.d3 dxe5 11.Nxe5 Bd6 12.0-0 f6 13.a3 Bxe5 14.Bxe5 Nc6 15.Bf4 Nf7 16.Nc3!

White develops quickly with the idea of attacking the c5-pawn.

16...Nfe5

Or if 16...0-0 17.Be3 Nd4, then 18.b4 cxb4 19.axb4 f5 20.f4 and White has an edge.

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17.Ne4! b6 18.Bxe5 Nxe5 19.Nxf6+ Qxf6 20.Bxa8

White is winning now.

20...0-0 21.Be4 Qh4 22.Kg2 Rf4 23.f3 h5 24.Qe1 Qf6 25.Qe3 Bd7 26.Rae1 Nf7 27.b4 cxb4
28.axb4 Ng5 29.Qxb6 Nxh3 30.Kxh3 hxg4+ 31.Kg3 Qg5 32.Qb8+ Rf8 33.Bh7+ Kxh7 34.Qxf8
gxf3+ 35.Kxf3 Bc6+ 36.Re4 1-0

Game 24
[Link]
Oslo 2022

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.b3 Nc6 4.Bb2 a6 5.c4 d6

This is yet another standard Sicilian move.

6.d4 cxd4 7.Nxd4 Nf6

Black is developing in a logical way, although given what happened later perhaps there is room for
further investigation here. Something to consider is 7...Bd7 8.Nc3 Nf6 9.Be2 Be7 10.0-0 0-0 11.Kh1
Nxd4 12.Qxd4 Bc6 13.Rfd1 Qa5 14.f3 Rad8, as in [Link], Russian Team
Championship 2017, when the easiest way to handle this position is 15.a3 Qg5 16.b4 Nh5 17.b5 Bd7
18.g3 Qh6 19.Qf2 and White has good chances of obtaining an advantage.

8.Nc3 Qa5

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 Or 8...Be7 9.g3 0-0 10.Bg2 (as I said, this is the normal way of handling this line) 10...Bd7 11.0-0
Rc8 12.a4 Qa5 13.Nce2 Rfd8 14.h3 Bf8 15.Bc3 Qc7 16.Rc1 Qb8 17.Kh1 Nxd4 18.Bxd4 b5,
[Link], [Link] (rapid) 2022, and here White’s best is 19.Bxf6 gxf6 20.axb5 axb5
21.Nf4 bxc4 22.bxc4 Be7 23.Nh5 Kh8 24.Qd2 with much easier play.

9.Nxc6! bxc6 10.Bd3

This is clearly a favourable version for White. If we compare it with the Taimanov Sicilian we can
see that White has already achieved the c4/e4 structure with the bishops nicely placed on d3 and b2,
whereas the black queen is not perfectly placed on a5 and Black lacks development.

Question: How come this is a favourable position for White, seeing that Black has a central
majority and an elastic structure?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: The problem is that White is better developed, and although Black’s pawns give him some
central control it is not easy to advance them, therefore White has the initiative.

10...Be7 11.0-0 0-0 12.Qe1 Qb6 13.Na4 Qa7 14.c5 dxc5

Black is not forced to capture but the alternative doesn’t offer a bright future either: 14...d5 15.Nb6
Rb8 16.Rc1 Rd8 17.exd5 exd5 18.Bd4 is good for White.

15.Rc1 Rd8 16.Qe2 c4 17.Rxc4 c5

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18.Rfc1

Missing a clever idea that could create serious problems: 18.e5 Nd5 19.Ba3 Nb4 20.Bxb4 cxb4
21.Be4 Rb8 22.Qc2! Kf8 23.Bf3 g6 24.Qc1! and White is clearly better.

18...Bd7!

Best under difficult circumstances.

19.Bxf6

Black’s idea was to give up a pawn but keep a strong knight after 19.e5 Nd5 20.Nxc5 Bxc5
21.Rxc5 Bb5!? 22.Qf3 Bxd3 23.Qxd3 h6.

19...gxf6 20.Nb2 Bb5 21.R4c3 Bd6 22.Qg4+ Kf8 23.Nc4 Bxc4 24.Bxc4

White is still better, since opposite-coloured bishops favour his safer king.

24...Ke7 25.Rh3 Rg8 26.Qe2 Rg7

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27.Rd1

Not the best. Stronger was 27.Rd3! Be5 28.Rcd1 Bd4 29.b4 and White is much better, since the
black rook is misplaced on the g7-square.

27...Rag8 28.g3 Be5 29.Kg2 a5 30.Qf3 Qc7 31.Rh6 Rd8 32.Rxd8 Qxd8 33.Qe2 Qd4 34.a4 Qc3
35.Rh4 Bd4

Black defends well in a slightly inferior position. Without both rooks White has fewer chances of
gaining a meaningful advantage.

36.Rg4 Rxg4 37.Qxg4 Qd2 38.Qe2 Qxe2 39.Bxe2 Bc3 40.Bh5 Bd4 41.Kf3 Bc3 42.Ke2 f5 43.exf5
exf5 44.Kf3 ½-½

Game 25
[Link]
[Link] (blitz) 2020

1.e4 c5 2.b3 e6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.Bb2 a6

As I’ve said, this is a typical move in the entire Sicilian and here it also has its points.

5.c4

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 Again this plan, which I think is logical.

Question: Why logical?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: For the simple reason that White is gaining space, and we know it’s very important to gain
space as that will help in better coordination of the pieces.

5...d5

With this direct response Black aims for fast development. 5...Nge7 6.Nc3 Ng6 is a rarely played
but interesting option, but not with 7.g3 Bd6?! 8.d4 cxd4 9.Nxd4 Nxd4 10.Qxd4 Be5 11.Qd2 d6
12.Bg2 h5 13.f4 Bf6 14.Rd1, when White already achieved a huge advantage in [Link]-
[Link], World Blitz Championship, Doha 2016.

6.cxd5 exd5 7.exd5 Qxd5

The alternative 7...Nb4 is possible. After 8.Be2 the attempt to exploit the c2-square doesn’t give
Black easy play: 8...Bf5 9.0-0 Nc2 10.d4! Nxa1 11.dxc5 Nc2 12.Bd3! and White has a tremendous
initiative, while if 9...Nf6 10.Nc3 Bd6 11.d4 0-0, as in [Link], Romanian Team
Championship 2015, White can obtain the advantage with 12.dxc5 Bxc5 13.Rc1 Re8 14.Nh4 Be4
15.a3 Nbxd5 16.Nxd5 Nxd5 17.Rxc5 Nf4 18.Nf3 and stands much better.
Instead, Black can try to profit from direct play with 8...Nf6 9.0-0 Be7 10.d4 0-0 11.dxc5 Bxc5
12.Nc3 Nbxd5 13.Nxd5 Nxd5, but White played well and, after 14.Rc1 Be7 15.Bc4 Nf4 16.Be5

87
Ng6 17.Bc7 Qxd1 18.Rfxd1 Be6 19.Bxe6 fxe6 20.Rd7, gained some advantage in the endgame,
[Link], European Team Championship, Warsaw 2013.

8.Bc4

Actually other moves are stronger. This is a rare case where the main game is not the best choice,
but still the entire idea with ...d7-d5 is a bit problematic. After 8.Nc3

we have further split of ideas, but none seems to offer Black an easy game:
a) 8...Qe6+ 9.Be2 Be7 10.0-0 Nf6 11.d4 cxd4 12.Nxd4 Nxd4 13.Qxd4 0-0 14.Rad1 Re8 15.Bf3
and White is clearly better. [Link], Oslo 2018.
b) 8...Qf5 9.Bc4 Be6 10.0-0 0-0-0 was [Link], Quilmes 1945, and now in this
old, but obviously still interesting game White can obtain better play with 11.Bxe6+ fxe6 12.Qe2 Nf6
13.Rae1.
c) 8...Qh5 9.Be2 Nf6 10.Nd4! Qg6 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.Bf3 Bd7 13.0-0 Bd6 14.Re1+ Kf8 15.d4 h5
16.dxc5 Bxc5 17.Na4 1-0 [Link], [Link] (blitz) 2020, was an easy win that
doesn’t need further explanation.

8...Qe4+ 9.Qe2

This doesn’t bring White anything. Therefore it’s better to look at 8.Nc3 above, or else here 9.Be2!
Qg6 10.Na3! Nf6 11.0-0 Be7 12.g3 0-0 13.Nc4 with a playable position that might offer White some
advantage.

9...Qxe2+ 10.Kxe2 Nf6 11.Re1 Be7 12.d4 b5 13.Bd3 0-0 14.Nbd2 Nd5

The simple and strong 14...Nxd4+ 15.Nxd4 cxd4 looks good for Black.

88
15.Be4 Be6 16.dxc5 Rfd8 17.Rac1 f5 18.Bb1

Whereas this endgame is favourable for White.

18...Kf7 19.Kf1 Rac8 20.a3 b4 21.Nc4!

And now Black is lost.

21...Bxc5 22.Ng5+ Kg8 23.Nxe6 bxa3 24.Bxa3 Bxa3 25.Nxa3 Rd6 26.Nc4 Rd7 27.Bxf5 Nce7
28.Bh3 Rb7 29.Nd4 Rb4 30.Bxc8 Nxc8 31.Re8+ Kf7 32.Rxc8 a5 33.Nd6+ Kf6 34.Nc4 a4 35.bxa4
Rxa4 36.Rc6+ Kg5 37.g3 Ra2 38.h4+ Kg4 39.Kg2 h6 40.Ne5+ Kh5 41.g4+ Kxh4 42.Ndf3 mate

Game 26
[Link]
Moscow Championship Superfinal (rapid) 2014

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.b3 Nc6 4.Bb2 Nf6 5.e5 Nd5

This is one of the basic ideas for Black, attacking the e4-pawn before White goes for the c2-c4 plan.
It can also arise via 3...Nf6 4.e5 Nd5 5.Bb2 Nc6.

Question: Is it good to allow White a quick e4-e5 with tempo?

Show/Hide Solution

89
Answer: It is a legitimate idea, and often Black adopts such strategy in order to attack the centre later.

6.Na3

Now we see what’s going on. Black has established knights in the centre; the problem is how to get
the bishops out.
White can also play 6.Nc3 Nxc3, when both recaptures are interesting:
a) 7.Bxc3 Qc7 8.Bd3 g6 9.Qe2 Bg7 10.h4 h6, [Link], Linares 1981, and here the
10th world champion tried the manoeuvre Rh3-g3-g4, but simply 11.Be4 b6 12.0-0-0 Bb7 13.Kb1
Ne7 14.Bxb7 Qxb7 15.d4 is good with very active play.
b) 7.dxc3 d5 8.exd6 Qxd6 9.Bd3 Ne5 10.Be2 Bd7 11.Qxd6 Bxd6, [Link],
Grand Chess Tour, Paris (rapid) 2018, and now the easiest way seems to be 12.Rd1 Bc7 13.c4 Nc6
14.Bxg7 Rg8 15.Bf6 Rxg2 16.Ng5 Nd4 17.c3 Nxe2 18.Kxe2, when White has an edge.

6...a6

There are other options here:

a) 6...d6 7.exd6 Bxd6 8.Bxg7 Rg8 9.Bb2 Bd7 10.g3 Qe7 11.Nc4 Bc7 12.Bd3 f6 13.a3 e5 14.Qe2
and White is a pawn up. [Link], [Link] (blitz) 2022.
b) 6...Be7 7.Nc4 0-0 8.g3 f6 9.Bg2 and now 9...fxe5 10.Ncxe5 Bf6 11.0-0 d6 was the old game
[Link] Scheltinga, Chaumont Neuchatel 1958, where 12.Nxc6 bxc6 13.d4! Ne7 14.Qd2 is
better for White, who has c2-c4 coming next. Or if 9...b5, as in [Link], [Link]
(blitz) 2021, the best plan is 10.Ne3 Nxe3 11.dxe3 Bb7 12.0-0 Nxe5 13.Nxe5 Bxg2 14.Kxg2 fxe5
15.Bxe5 Qc8 16.Qg4 Bf6 17.Bxf6 Rxf6 18.e4 Qc6 19.a4 and we can say that White has some edge
due to a slightly superior structure.

7.g3 Be7 8.Bg2 0-0 9.0-0 b5 10.c4!

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 It is important to undermine the strong knight on d5.

10...Nc7

Black avoids bringing the a3-knight into play as after 10...bxc4 11.Nxc4, with d2-d4 to follow, the
knight on c4 will dominate the board.

11.d4 cxd4 12.Nxd4 b4

Black would do better to play 12...Bb7 13.Nxc6 Bxc6 14.Bxc6 dxc6 15.Qf3 Qe8 16.Nc2 c5
17.Ne3, but it is not easy to defend such a position with the knight on c7 out of the game.

13.Nxc6! dxc6 14.Nb1 Bb7 15.Nd2 a5 16.Ne4

White has very quickly obtained a winning position.

16...Na6 17.Qh5 Kh8 18.Rad1 Qe8 19.Nf6 Bxf6 20.exf6 g6 21.Qxa5 Qc8 22.Qb6 Nb8 23.Qxb4
Rxa2 24.Be5 Ba8 25.Qc5 Re8 26.Qe7 Kg8 27.Bxb8 Qxb8 28.Rd7 1-0

Game 27
[Link]
[Link] (blitz) 2022

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.b3 Nc6 4.Bb2 d6

This time Black plans to develop a knight on f6 without allowing a quick e4-e5, but White can

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often play this move anyway.

5.d4 cxd4 6.Nxd4 Nf6 7.Nxc6

Due to the specific move order, this has a clear idea that we will see in a moment.
White can also just develop normally: 7.Bd3 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.c4 a6 with a typical Open Sicilian
position. This may not be to everyone’s taste; still, I will give an example: 10.Qe2 Qc7 11.Nxc6 bxc6
12.e5! dxe5 13.Bxe5 Bd6 14.Bxd6 Qxd6 15.Rd1 Qf4 16.g3 Qg5 17.Nc3 c5 18.Ne4! and White is
much better, [Link], [Link] (blitz) 2020.

7...bxc6 8.e5

An interesting idea, using momentum to break up Black’s structure and aim for a favourable
ending.

Question: Is it fair to say that this is good strategy in general?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Under these circumstances it is good strategy, but not always, depending on other aspects
such as development.

8...Nd5

Not the only move but, overall, it seems that White must play in a precise way otherwise he may
end up in a bad position.

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 a) 8...dxe5 9.Qxd8+ Kxd8 10.Bxe5 Bc5 11.Be2 Ne8 12.Nd2 f6, [Link], European
Women’s Cup, Mayrhofen 2022, where White is clearly better after 13.0-0-0! Ba3+ 14.Kb1 Ke7
15.Nc4.
b) 8...Ne4 9.Bd3 Qa5+ 10.Kf1!? (10.Nd2 Qxd2+ 11.Qxd2 Nxd2 12.Kxd2 d5 13.c4 also gives
White chances for advantage) 10...d5 11.Bxe4 dxe4 12.Qe1 Qb6 13.Qxe4 Bb7 14.Nd2 c5 15.Qe2
Rd8 16.Nc4 Qc6 17.f3 Ba6 18.Kf2 and White is better since the bishop pair doesn’t compensate for
the loss of a pawn, [Link], Warsaw (rapid) 2008.

9.exd6

Here 9.c4! is much stronger. If Black tries 9...Qa5+, as in [Link] [Link] Benitez, San
Fernando 2004, then 10.Nd2! is simple and good, since 10...Nc3 11.Qf3 Qxe5+ 12.Qe3 Qxe3+
13.fxe3 wins on the spot.

9...Bxd6 10.Be2

This is too passive. This time it is Black who develops quickly so White must find the correction
reaction. Here he missed 10.Nd2! Qc7 11.g3 Be5 12.Qc1 0-0 13.Bg2 Ba6 14.c4 Nb4 15.0-0 Bxb2
16.Qxb2 Rad8 17.Ne4 with a very good game. Whereas in the main game White soon landed in
trouble.

10...e5 11.0-0 0-0 12.Bf3 Qc7 13.c4

A risky move because the f4-square is not covered, nor d3.

13...Nf4 14.Re1 Re8 15.Nc3 Bf5 16.Ne4 Bb4 17.Bc3 Rad8 18.Qc2 Bxc3 19.Qxc3 Rd3 20.Qb4 Rd4

Now Black is better.

21.Nc5 e4 22.Qc3 Qe5 23.b4 g5 24.Nb3 Rd3 25.Qxe5 Rxe5 26.Be2

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26...Nxe2+

Missing 26...e3! 27.Kf1 (not 27.Bxd3? exf2+ 28.Kxf2 Nxd3+ 29.Kf1 Nxe1 30.Rxe1 Bd3+ with a
winning endgame) 27...Rc3 and Black is much better.

27.Rxe2 Rc3 28.Rc1 Rxc1+ 29.Nxc1 a5 30.a3 Be6 31.Rc2 f5 32.Kf1 Kf8 33.Ke2 Ke7 34.Nb3

We can finally say that White has equalized. That’s how important it is to play accurate moves in
the opening.

34...axb4 35.axb4 f4 36.Nd4 Bg4+ 37.Ke1 Bd7 38.c5 Rd5 39.Rc4 Kf6 40.f3 e3 41.Ne2 1-0

Something went wrong: missing moves perhaps, or more likely Black lost on time, since he is
clearly better again in the final position.

Game 28
[Link]
[Link] (blitz) 2020

1.e4 c5 2.b3 Nc6 3.Bb2 e6 4.Nf3 d5

We already saw a similar idea (in Game 25) so it’s perfectly logical for Black to try it in various
forms.

5.exd5 exd5 6.Bb5

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 White is ready to castle and utilize his lead in development.

Question: Is it always necessary to place a bishop on b5?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Yes, for many reasons: it creates further pressure and speeds up development, just to name a
couple.

6...Nf6

There are some options here:

a) 6...Nge7 7.0-0 a6 8.Bxc6+ Nxc6 9.d4 Qf6 10.Nc3 Be6 11.dxc5 Rd8, [Link],
Shawinigan 2003, and now 12.Re1 Be7 13.Qc1 Qg6 14.Ne2 clearly favours White.
b) 6...Qe7+ 7.Be2 Bg4 8.0-0 0-0-0 9.Re1 Nf6 10.d4 Qc7 11.Nbd2 Bd6 with an interesting sharp
position seen in [Link], Lausanne (rapid) 2004.

7.0-0

Also interesting is 7.Qe2+!? Be7 8.Bxf6 gxf6 9.Nc3 0-0 10.0-0 Bg4 11.Bxc6 bxc6, as in [Link]-
[Link], USSR Championship, Moscow 1957, where with 12.Rae1! Bd6 13.Qd3 Qd7 14.Nh4
Rfe8 15.Ne2 White could obtain favourable chances despite the opponent’s two bishops.

7...Be7 8.Ne5

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8...Bd7

Another way of handling this line is 8...Qc7 9.Re1 0-0 10.Bxc6 bxc6 11.d3 Bd6 12.Nd2 Re8
13.Ndf3 h6 14.h3 Bf5 15.Qd2 Re6 16.Re2 Rae8 17.Rae1, as in [Link] Wely, Kuppenheim
(blitz) 2005, when the position is balanced so that seems to be a good option for Black.

9.Nxd7 Qxd7 10.d4 0-0 11.dxc5 a6 12.Bxc6 bxc6

Here 12...Qxc6 13.Qd3 Qxc5 14.Re1 Rfe8 15.Nd2 Rac8 16.Rac1 reaches a playable position as in
the Tarrasch French.

13.b4 a5 14.a3 Rfb8

14...Qb7 doesn’t help much. After 15.Nd2 axb4 16.Rb1! Ra4 17.c4 Rfa8 18.Re1 White still has
pressure.

15.Be5!

Gaining an important tempo.

15...Rb7 16.c3

White has established a clear extra pawn.

16...Ne4 17.Nd2 Qf5 18.Bd4 Ng5 19.Re1 Ne6 20.Nf3 f6 21.Be3 Kf7 22.Nd4 Nxd4 23.Bxd4 axb4
24.axb4 Rba7 25.Rxa7 Rxa7 26.h3 h5 27.Qe2 g6 28.g4 hxg4 29.hxg4 Qf4 30.Qe6+ Kg7 31.Kg2
Qd2 32.Re3 g5 33.Rf3 1-0

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 Show in Text Mode

Game 29
[Link]
Aaronson Masters, London 1979

1.e4 e6 2.Qe2 b6 3.b3 Bb7 4.Bb2 c5 5.Nf3

This game has an unusual move order, but we’ve finally reached a position that is part of this book:
1.e4 1...c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.b3 b6 4.Bb2 Bb7 5.Qe2 and there we are. White plays in a slightly different
manner, so next will be g2-g3, followed by Bg2, and then c2-c4, d2-d4 and so on, if allowed. Black,
on the other hand, adopted this type of play because the bishop on b7 attacked e4 at once.

Question: Isn’t it a bit strange to place a queen on e2 so early?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Not at all; in such closed positions this is thematic play. As just described, the f1-bishop will
be fianchettoed.

5...Nf6

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 Black accelerates development, attacking e4 again. Black can also develop the other knight first:
5...Nc6 6.g3 d5!? 7.Bg2 and we have a mixture of everything. The position will closely resemble a
reversed King’s Indian, especially if Black decides to close the centre with ...d5-d4.

6.e5 Nd5 7.g3 Nc6 8.Bg2 Be7

Black has other options too:

a) 8...d6, [Link], Vienna 2015, and now best is 9.0-0 dxe5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Bxe5,
when it is not easy for Black to develop in a good way.
b) 8...Ndb4 9.Na3 Nd4 10.Bxd4 cxd4 11.0-0 Ba6 12.Nc4 Nxc2 13.Rac1 Nb4 14.Nxd4 and White
got a huge advantage, [Link] [Link], World Junior Championship, Porto Carras
2018.

9.0-0 g5!?

There are always such ideas when the centre is blocked. After the more natural-looking 9...0-0
10.c4 Ndb4 11.d3 d5 12.exd6 Qxd6 13.Rd1 Rfd8 14.Nc3 Rac8 15.a3 Na6 16.d4 cxd4 17.Nxd4 Nxd4
18.Rxd4! White again gained the advantage, [Link], Marianske Lazne 2010.

10.c4 Ndb4 11.Rc1 g4 12.Ne1 f5 13.a3 Na6 14.b4!

White must be vigilant in order to gain the initiative. The push of the b-pawn is often seen in this
system.

14...cxb4

14...Nc7 15.b5 Nd4 16.Bxd4 Bxg2 17.Bxc5 Bxc5 18.Kxg2 h5 is less clear; Black is more active

98
than in the game.

15.d4! Na5 16.Bxb7 Nxb7 17.c5 Nc7 18.axb4

Now White is clearly better.

18...bxc5 19.bxc5 Kf7 20.Nc3 h5 21.d5! Bxc5 22.Rd1 Qc8 23.Na4 Nxd5 24.Rxd5! exd5 25.Qd3

And now White has a decisive attack.

25...Qc6 26.Qxf5+ Ke8 27.Nxc5 Nxc5 28.e6 Rf8 29.Qg6+ Kd8 30.Bf6+ Kc7 31.Be5+ Kd8 32.Rc1
Qxe6 33.Qg5+ Qe7 34.Bc7+ Ke8 35.Qxd5 Rc8 36.Bd6 Qf7 37.Qe5+ Kd8 38.Nd3 Qf6 39.Bxf8
Qxe5 40.Nxe5 Ne6 41.Be7+ Kxe7 42.Rxc8 1-0

Game 30
[Link]
Isle of Man 2015

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.b3 a6 4.Bb2 d5

We have started to look at lines where Black refrains from an early ...Nc6. Another plan might be
to play ...b7-b5 directly. After 4...b5 5.c4 bxc4 (if 5...Bb7, [Link] [Link] Bonelli,
[Link] rapid 2022, best in my opinion is 6.cxb5 Bxe4 7.Nc3 Bb7 8.Be2 Nf6 9.0-0 Be7 10.a4 0-0
11.d4 axb5 12.Nxb5 Na6 13.Rc1 with very active play for White) 6.Bxc4! Bb7 7.Nc3 Nf6, as in
[Link], Hungarian League 2014, White should go again active with 8.0-0 Nxe4 9.Nxe4

99
Bxe4 10.Ne5 Nc6 11.Re1 Nxe5 12.Bxe5 Bc6 13.d4 cxd4 14.Qxd4 with compensation for the
sacrificed pawn.

5.exd5 exd5

As in lines of the Tarrasch French, Black combines ...d7-d5 with preventing a bishop excursion to
b5. Let’s see how the game might continue.

6.Bd3!?

Nigel is known for his unorthodox thinking, and this is indeed a good idea.

6...Bg4

Putting pressure on the f3-knight. If Black develops differently with 6...Nf6 7.Qe2+ Qe7, as in
[Link] Debs, Gibraltar 2014, the easiest way is 8.0-0 Qxe2 9.Bxe2 Be7 10.Nc3 Nc6
11.Na4 d4 12.Ba3 b5 13.Nb6 Rb8 14.Nxc8 Rxc8 15.Rfe1, when White has the bishop pair in the
endgame and chances to play on for the advantage.

7.0-0 Ne7 8.Re1 Nbc6 9.h3 Bh5 10.Nc3 Qd6 11.Bf5 d4 12.Ne4 Qf4 13.g4 Bg6 14.Nh4 Bxf5
15.Nxf5

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 After a very unusual opening White has achieved better development.

Question: How has unorthodox play helped White to gain an advantage?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: White didn’t break any positional rules of the game; thus even with such play White can
achieve the advantage, because rapid development and organization was never put in danger.

15...Kd8 16.Nfg3 Ng6

Losing momentum, but it’s not easy to find accurate moves here. Best was probably 16...Ne5
17.Nh5 Qf3 18.Ng5 Qxd1 19.Raxd1 N7c6 20.c3 f6 21.f4, when the position is less clear, though
White still has some initiative.

17.Nh5! Qc7 18.c3

White is better now.

18...Nf4 19.Qf3 Ne6 20.Rac1 Rc8 21.Neg3 Qd7 22.Nf5 Kc7 23.cxd4 cxd4 24.Nf4 Kb8 25.Nxe6
fxe6 26.Nxd4 Nxd4 27.Qf4+ Bd6 28.Qxd4

Black managed to bring the king to a safer place but lost a pawn.

28...g6 29.Kg2 Rhd8 30.Rxc8+ Rxc8 31.Qe4 Bc7 32.Qxe6 Qxd2 33.Re2 Qd3 34.Be5 Bxe5
35.Qxe5+ Ka8 36.Qe4 Qd1 37.Re1 Qd2 38.a4 Rf8 39.Re2 Qd6 40.Re3 Rf4 41.Rd3 Qc7 42.Qe8+

101
Ka7 43.Rd8 Rb4

44.Ra8+?!

Losing a big part of his advantage. Instead, 44.a5 Qc6+ 45.Qxc6 bxc6 46.Rd7+ Kb8 47.Rxh7 Rxb3
48.Rg7 wins for White.

44...Kb6

White is still better but needed to play a lot more moves in order to convert to a win.

45.Rc8 Qd6 46.Qe3+ Qd4 47.Qe6+ Ka7 48.Rc4 Rxc4 49.Qxc4 Qe5 50.b4 Kb8 51.a5 Qd6 52.Qc5
Qe6 53.Kg3 Qe1 54.h4 Ka8 55.Qd4 Qe7 56.Qc5 Qd8 57.f3 Qd1 58.Qc8+ Ka7 59.Qc3 Ka8
60.Kf4 Qd8 61.Kg3 Qd1 62.Qe3 Qd6+ 63.Qf4 Qd1 64.Qe4 Qd6+ 65.f4 h6 66.Kh3 Qd1 67.f5
Qf1+ 68.Kg3 Qg1+ 69.Kf4 Qh2+ 70.Ke3 Qg1+ 71.Ke2 Qh2+ 72.Kd3 Qg3+ 73.Kd2 Qf2+ 74.Kc3
Qg3+ 75.Kc2 Qf2+ 76.Kc3 Qg3+ 77.Kc4 Qc7+ 78.Kd5 Qd7+ 79.Kc4 Qc7+ 80.Kd4 Qd6+
81.Qd5 Qf4+ 82.Kd3 Qg3+ 83.Kc2 Qf2+ 84.Qd2 Qxh4 85.fxg6 Qxg4 86.Qd8+ Ka7 87.Qb6+
Ka8 88.Qd8+ Ka7 89.Qf6 Qc4+ 90.Kd1 Qd3+ 91.Ke1 Qe3+ 92.Kf1 Qd3+ 93.Kf2 Qd2+ 94.Kf3
Qd1+ 95.Ke4 Qg4+ 96.Ke5 Qg3+ 97.Ke6 Qb3+ 98.Kd7 h5 99.g7 h4 100.Qf2+ Ka8 101.Qf8+
Ka7 102.g8=Q Qa4+ 103.Kd8 Qd1+ 104.Ke7 Qe1+ 105.Qe6 Qxb4+ 106.Kf7 1-0

Game 31
[Link]-Yu Yangyi
Biel 2022

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1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.b3 d6 4.Bb2 Nf6

Now White must do something because the pawn on e4 is attacked and Black is intending simply to
continue developing.

5.e5 dxe5 6.Nxe5

Here we deal with f2-f4 Sicilian-type play – or, as it was called in my youth, the Grand Prix Attack.
White has established a strong knight on e5 and is ready to launch an attack with f2-f4, Qf3, and so
on.

6...Be7

Black can go for queenside development first: 6...Nbd7 7.f4 Qc7 8.a4 Nxe5 (if 8...Bd6 then 9.Na3!
Bxe5 10.Nb5 Qb8 11.fxe5 Nxe5 12.d4 with the initiative) 9.fxe5 Nd7, [Link],
Baku Olympiad 2016, and now best is to continue in an active manner: 10.Na3! Nxe5 11.Qh5 Nc6
12.Bb5 a6 13.Bxc6+ Qxc6 14.0-0, for example, already wins for White.

7.Bd3

This is a typical idea here. Hitting the kingside with both bishops and preparing in some lines to
castle queenside is a clear indication as to White’s plan.

7...Bd7

The idea is to place a knight on the more active c6-square. The alternative is simply to play
7...Nbd7 8.f4 and then:

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 a) 8...Nd5, as in [Link] Zuniga, Wijk aan Zee 2004, is best met by 9.Qg4 Bf6
10.Na3 0-0 11.0-0 g6 12.Be4 Bg7 13.Qg3 with active play.
b) 8...Qc7 9.Qf3 0-0 10.Qh3 g6 11.0-0 Nxe5 12.Bxe5 Qd8 13.Na3 Bd7 14.Nc4 Bc6 15.Ne3 Nd7
16.Bc3 Bf6 17.Rae1 Bxc3 18.dxc3 Re8 19.Ng4 and White got the upper hand in [Link]-
[Link], Serbian League 2015.
c) 8...0-0 9.0-0 Nxe5 10.fxe5 Nd5 11.Na3 Bd7 12.Nc4 Bc6 13.Qh5 h6 14.Rae1 b5 15.Nd6! and
White seized the initiative, [Link], Mesa 2010.

8.Na3

The game [Link], Bled Olympiad 2002, is a very good example of the strategy
White uses here: 8.0-0 Nc6 9.f4 0-0 10.a4 (first securing the knight outpost on c4) 10...g6 11.Na3
Nxe5 12.Bxe5 Bc6 13.Nc4 Nd7 14.Bc3! Bf6 15.Qe1! (these moves are important to understand: the
bishop will be exchanged on c3) 15...Bxc3 16.dxc3 Qf6 17.Rd1 Bd5 18.Ne3 and White has the better
game.

Question: Is it all about an attack with White here?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Not at all. As we can see it’s about securing good control over the e5-square and the centre;
if the situation allows it may lead to an attack as well.

8...Nc6 9.Nac4 0-0 10.0-0 Nd4 11.Re1 Be8 12.Nf3 Nc6 13.Nce5 Nb4 14.Bf1

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 An interesting manoeuvring game; both sides are avoiding weaknesses and continue in a cautious
manner.

14...Qc7 15.a3 Nc6 16.Nxc6

It’s perhaps a bit early for this. Instead, 16.g3 Rd8 17.Bg2 Nxe5 18.Nxe5 gives White slightly
easier play.

16...Bxc6 17.Ne5 Be4 18.d3 Rad8 19.Qe2 Bd5

The idea is to provoke c3-c4 which assists Black’s play on the d-file.

20.c4 Bc6 21.g3 a5 22.Bc3 Nd7 23.Nxd7 Rxd7 24.Qb2 g6 25.Qd2 Ra8 26.Qh6

Here 26.h4 b6 27.h5 still gives White a slightly favourable game.

26...Bf8 27.Qg5 Be7 28.Qh6 Bf8 29.Qg5 Be7 ½-½

Game 32
[Link]
European Blitz Championship, Minsk 2015

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.b3 d6 4.Bb2 e5

105
 There is, of course, strong logic to this – blocking the long diagonal and at the same time taking
control over the centre – but a price must be paid in that Black is losing a tempo playing twice with
the e-pawn.

5.Bc4

White has a choice here but in general we can say that his main goal is to break in the centre with
c2-c3/d2-d4 or f2-f4.
The alternative is 5.Bb5+, and I’ve looked some of the games played here:
a) 5...Nd7 6.0-0 Ngf6 7.c3 Be7 8.Re1 0-0 9.d4 Qc7 10.Bxd7 Bxd7 11.dxe5! dxe5 12.c4! (a well-
known and good idea, but for the purpose of this book I want to emphasize it) 12...Bd6 13.Nc3 a6
14.Qe2 Rab8 15.a4 b6 16.h3 and White gained strong strategic control over the d5-square and d-file
in [Link], European Championship, Ohrid 2001.
b) 5...Nc6 6.0-0 Be7 (instead, 6...Nf6 7.c3 Bd7 8.d4 Qc7 9.Re1 Be7 10.dxc5 dxc5 was [Link]
[Link], Dubai 2016, where White could have played 11.Bxc6 Bxc6 12.c4 Bd6 13.Nc3
with the same type of position that I discussed previously) 7.c3 f5 8.exf5 e4 9.Ne1 Nf6 10.d3 Bxf5
11.Nd2 exd3 12.Bxd3 Bg4 13.Nef3 0-0 14.c4 Qd7 15.Re1 Rae8 16.h3 Bh5 17.a3 actually favours
White due to a better coordination of pieces, [Link], Huaian (blitz) 2016.

5...Be6

I have also analysed an old game, partly to show various positional ideas but also how old this
system is: 5...Be7 6.0-0 Nc6 7.Nc3 Bg4 8.Nd5 Nf6 9.Re1 Nxd5 10.Bxd5 0-0 11.c3 Bf6 12.h3 Bh5
13.Qe2 Qd7?! (this is imprecise; it was better to play 13...Rb8 14.Bxc6! bxc6 15.d3 Re8 16.g4 Bg6
17.c4 h6 18.Kh2 a5 19.Bc1, though White still has the edge, since the knight and bishop are clearly
stronger than the bishop pair here) 14.Nxe5! Nxe5 15.Qxh5 Nd3 16.Re3 Nf4 17.Qg4 Qxg4 18.hxg4

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Nxd5 19.exd5 and Black does not really have enough for the pawn, [Link], USSR
Championship, Moscow 1973.

6.d3 Nc6 7.0-0 Be7 8.Nc3 Nf6 9.Nd5 0-0 10.h3 Bxd5 11.Bxd5 Nxd5 12.exd5 Nd4 13.Nd2 Qd7

Question: Shouldn’t all those exchanges on d5 help Black?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: In general that’s the case, but we can see that there are some other points here, such as the
c4-square for a knight which can help White to maintain chances.

14.Re1

Alternatively, 14.a4 Rae8 15.c3 Nf5 16.Qg4 g6 17.a5 Bd8 18.Qa4 Qc8 19.b4 cxb4 20.Qxb4 looks
like a good plan in such positions.

14...Rfe8 15.a4 Bf8?

It was better go for 15...Nf5 16.Qg4! Rad8 17.c4 Nd4 18.Qxd7 Rxd7 19.Bxd4 cxd4 20.g3 f5 21.f4
Bd8 22.a5, even if White still has some pressure in the endgame.

16.Nc4

Playing quickly neither side noticed that the d4-knight was in a bit of danger. After the simple
16.g4! followed by c2-c3, Black is lost.

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16...b6 17.Ne3 g6 18.Nc4 Qb7 19.Bxd4 cxd4 20.Qf3 f5 21.g4 Qd7 22.gxf5 gxf5 23.Kh1 Kh8
24.Rg1 Be7 25.Rg3 Rg8 26.Rag1 Bf6

Missing an important detail: 26...Rxg3! 27.Rxg3 Rf8 and Black is fine.

27.Qh5! Rxg3 28.Rxg3 Rg8

Here too after 28...Bg7! 29.Nd2 Rf8 Black is doing okay.

29.Rxg8+ Kxg8 30.Qh6! Qe7 31.Kg2

This type of position is good for White.

31...Qd8 32.Kf1 Qe7 33.b4 Qd8 34.b5 Qe7 35.a5 bxa5 36.Nxa5 e4 37.Nc4 exd3 38.cxd3 Be5
39.Qh5 Qd7 40.Qg5+ Bg7 41.Qg3 Qxb5 42.Qxd6 Qb1+ 43.Kg2 Qxd3 44.Qe6+ 1-0

Game 33
[Link]
Caplin British Online, [Link] 2021

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.b3 d5

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 A logical approach. Black accelerates his central play, enabling him to develop his pieces more
easily. On the other hand, White will try to create an isolated pawn on d5, or else mobilize even more
quickly in order to seize the initiative.

4.exd5 exd5 5.Bb5+

We have seen this motif before.

5...Nc6

We will examine 5...Bd7 in the next two games.

6.0-0 Bd6

Black can try to develop knights first: 6...Nf6 7.Ba3!? (typical Zvjaginsev, another grandmaster
who prefer unorthodox thinking; otherwise 7.Bb2 transposes to Game 28) 7...Be7 8.d4 0-0 9.Bxc5
Bxc5 10.dxc5 Bg4 11.Nc3 Ne7 12.h3 Bh5 13.Re1 Qc7 14.Na4 Rfd8 15.Be2 Ne4 16.Nd4 Bg6
17.Bf1 and White keeps an edge. [Link], Sochi 2020.

Question: Is it fair to say that Black must take care about development in such lines?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Absolutely; as we can see from numerous examples, Black suffers from neglecting exactly
those principles.

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7.Bb2

7...Nge7

This is interesting but a bit risky. Black has a few other ideas:
a) 7...f6 8.d4 Bg4 9.c4 a6 10.cxd5 axb5 11.dxc6 bxc6 12.dxc5 Bxc5 13.Qc2 already gave White a
huge initiative in [Link], Aix les Bains 2003.
b) 7...d4 8.c3 Nge7 9.cxd4 cxd4 10.Nxd4 0-0 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.Be2 Nd5 13.Na3! Nf4 14.Nc4 and
Black has some compensation, but White is resourceful, [Link], Ekaterinburg 1997.
c) 7...Nf6 8.Qe2+ Be6 was [Link], Wijk aan Zee 2016, and now 9.Ng5 Bxh2+
10.Kh1 Bd6 11.Nxe6 fxe6 12.Qxe6+ Qe7 13.Qxe7+ Kxe7 14.Bxf6+ Kxf6 15.Nc3 Ne7 16.Rae1 is
interesting. This endgame is easier to handle with White, since the d5-pawn is a bit weak, and
advancing it to d4 will create good squares such as e4 and c4 for White’s pieces.

8.Bxg7 Rg8 9.Be5 Bg4 10.Bg3 Qc7

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11.Nc3

Here White has a strong idea, albeit not easily seen: 11.d4! cxd4 12.Qd3! 0-0-0 13.Bxc6 Nxc6
14.Nxd4 Nxd4 15.Qxd4 h5 16.Nc3 and it seems that White has repulsed Black’s attack.

11...0-0-0 12.Bxc6 Qxc6! 13.d4 cxd4 14.Ne2

After this Black seized the initiative. Instead, 14.Na4 (not an easy move to play either) 14...Qd7
15.Qxd4 Nc6 16.Qd3 Qf5 17.Rad1 Qf6 is still complicated.

14...Bxf3 15.gxf3 Bc5 16.Qd2 h5 17.Kh1 Ng6 18.Qg5 h4 19.Bxh4 Qe6?!

A tactical mistake, overlooking the strong 19...Rde8! 20.Nf4 Nxh4 21.Qxh4 Rh8 22.Qg5 Bd6 and
Black is winning since the white king is very weak.

20.Nf4! Nxf4 21.Qxf4 Bd6 22.Qxd4 Qf5 23.Qc3+ Kb8 24.Bg3

Just in time to cover everything.

24...Qh5

A better chance was 24...Bxg3 25.fxg3 Rxg3 26.Rae1 d4 27.Qd3 Qh3 28.Rf2 Rgg8 and the position
is still balanced.

25.Rg1 Rh8 26.Rg2!

No more attack.

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26...Rh6 27.Re1 Rc8 28.Qb4 Bxg3 29.fxg3 Qxf3 30.Kg1

White is now winning in view of the weaknesses at d5 and f7, as well as the fact that Black is
already a pawn down.

30...Rf6 31.Qd4 a6 32.Qe3 Qxe3+ 33.Rxe3 Rfc6 34.Ree2 d4 35.Rgf2 R8c7 36.Rd2 Rd6 37.Kg2 Kc8
38.Rf4 Rcd7 39.h4 Kd8 40.Kh3?!

It was better to seize the e-file with 40.Re4 and bring the king to the centre. Then Black has his d-
pawn to worry about, and the passed white h-pawn too if a pair of rooks come off.

40...Ke8 41.h5 Kf8 42.Kh4 Kg7 43.g4 f6 44.Re4 Rd5 45.Rde2 Kf7 46.Re8 d3 47.cxd3 Rxd3
48.Rh8 Kg7 49.Rhe8 Kf7 50.Rh8 Kg7 51.Ree8 Rd1 52.h6+ Kf7 53.Ref8+ Ke6 54.Re8+ Kf7 55.Re3
Rh1+ 56.Rh3 Rxh3+ 57.Kxh3 Kg6 58.Rf8 Rd3+ 59.Kh4 Rd2 60.a4 Rh2+ 61.Kg3 Rb2 62.h7
Rxb3+ 63.Kh4 Kxh7 64.Rxf6 Rb4 65.Kh5 Rxa4 66.Rf7+ Kg8 67.Rxb7 Rc4 68.Rb6 a5 69.Ra6 a4
70.g5 Rc7 71.Rxa4 Rc6 72.Ra7 Rb6 73.Re7 Ra6 74.Kg4 Ra4+ 75.Kf5 Ra6 76.Re6 Rxe6 77.Kxe6
Kg7 78.Kf5 Kf7 79.g6+ Kg7 80.Kg5 Kg8 81.Kf6 Kf8 82.g7+ Kg8 83.Kg6 ½-½

Game 34
[Link] Wely
Blitz match, Schagen 2006

1.b3 c5 2.e4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.exd5 exd5 5.Bb5+ Bd7

Black logically plays to exchange pieces and ease his development.

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6.Bxd7+

White does have an option: 6.Qe2+ Qe7 7.Nc3 Nf6 8.d4 a6 9.Bxd7+ Nbxd7 10.Be3 cxd4 11.Bxd4
Qxe2+ 12.Nxe2 Ba3 13.0-0 0-0 14.Rfd1 Rfe8 15.Kf1 Rac8 16.c3 Ne4 17.Rab1, [Link]-
[Link], Riga (rapid match) 2015, is a playable endgame, typical of the Tarrasch French with an
isolated pawn on d5.

6...Nxd7

We will deal with this first and 6...Qxd7 in the next game.

7.0-0 Bd6 8.d4

That’s normal strategy, White aims to create an isolated pawn on d5.

8...Ne7 9.Nc3 0-0

If Black tries 9...h6 to prevent a bishop coming to g5, then 10.dxc5 Nxc5 11.g3! Bc7 12.Ba3 b6
13.Qd4 0-0 14.Rad1 and White is clearly better, [Link], Vilnius 1988.

10.dxc5 Nxc5 11.Bg5

Playing to provoke ...f7-f6, after which the weak e6-square may help White.

11...f6 12.Be3 Ne4 13.Nb5 Bb8

14.Nfd4

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 Although this looks attractive, it complicates matters.

Question: Is it always bad to complicate?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Not at all; sometimes the position demands such strategy, but this game didn’t.
Simple and good is 14.Qd3 Nc6 15.Nbd4 Qd7 16.Nxc6 bxc6 17.Rfd1 Rd8 18.c4 Bc7 19.Rac1,
when has White easy play and a clear plan.

14...a6 15.Ne6 Qc8 16.Nbd4 Rf7 17.f3 Nc3 18.Qd3 Be5 19.a4 Qd7 20.Nc5 Qc7 21.Qxc3 b6

Black was relying on this tactical ploy, but it’s bad.

22.Ne4

Missing the strong idea 22.f4! Bxd4 23.Bxd4 bxc5 24.Qxc5 Rc8 25.Qxc7 Rxc7 26.Rf2 Nf5
27.Rd1, when White is much better in the endgame.

22...Bxh2+ 23.Kh1 dxe4 24.Qxc7 Bxc7 25.fxe4 Be5

This is now fine for Black.

26.Rad1 Rc8 27.c4 h5 28.Nf3 Bc7 29.Rd3 Nc6 30.Rd5 Re8 31.Rxh5 Rxe4 32.Bf2 Na5 33.c5 b5

Simple and strong was 33...bxc5 34.Rxc5 Nxb3 and Black is better.

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34.axb5 axb5 35.c6 Nxb3 36.Rxb5 Rc4??

A blitz game blunder. 36...Na5 should lead to a draw.

37.Rxb3

Winning a piece and the game.

37...Rxc6 38.Nd4 Rc4 39.Rh3 Rd7 40.Nf5 Kf7 41.Re1 Rf4 42.Rf3 Rxf3 43.gxf3 g6 44.Ng3 Rd2
45.Ne4 Rc2 46.Bd4 Bd8 47.Rd1 f5 48.Nf2 Bh4 49.Nd3 g5 50.Be3 Rc3 51.Kg2 g4 52.f4 Bf6 53.Bf2
Rc2 54.Nb4 Rb2 55.Nd3 Ra2 56.Kg3 Ra3 57.Rd2 Bc3 58.Rd1 Bf6 59.Kg2 Ra2 60.Kf1 Ke6
61.Nc5+ Kf7 62.Rd7+ Kg6 63.Ne6 Ra6 64.Nf8+ 1-0

Game 35
[Link]
Russian Team Championship 2008

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.b3 d5 4.exd5 exd5 5.Bb5+ Bd7 6.Bxd7+ Qxd7

This is yet another way to continue.

7.0-0 Nf6

Castling queenside is also possible: 7...Nc6 8.Re1+ Be7 9.d4 cxd4 (if 9...0-0-0, as in [Link]-
[Link], Voronezh 2019, White should go active with 10.Nc3 Nf6 11.Ba3! Qf5 12.Na4 Ne4
13.Bxc5 Rhe8 14.b4 Bf6 15.Qd3 and although the position is rather unbalanced it probably favours
White) 10.Nxd4 0-0-0 11.Nxc6 Qxc6 12.Bb2 Bf6 13.Bd4 Kb8 14.Nc3 Bxd4 15.Qxd4 Nf6 16.a4 a6
was [Link], Russian Team Championship 1998, and now White can take a positional
grip with 17.Rad1 Rd6 18.Re3! Rc8 19.Red3 h6 20.h3 with an edge.

8.d4 Be7 9.dxc5 0-0 10.Bb2 Na6

Black is going to get the c5-pawn back with this knight, but it seems it’s not so easy to develop
further due to the activity White has.

11.Ne5 Qc8

In another game Black didn’t manage to get equal chances either: 11...Qc7 12.Ng4 Qf4 13.Nxf6+
Bxf6 14.Nc3 Rad8 15.Ne2 Qf5 16.Ng3 Qg6 17.Bd4 Bxd4 18.Qxd4 Qxc2 19.Rac1 and White has an
edge, since the knight on a6 is weak at least for the moment, [Link], World Junior
Championship, Porto Carras 2015.

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12.Nc3 Rd8

I am not sure about this move. Delaying taking on c5 seems wrong. Probably best is 12...Qxc5
13.Nd3 Qa5 14.Ne2 Rfe8 15.Nef4 Nc7 16.a4, when White has good play, but Black has managed to
complete development and create counterplay.

13.Qf3

13...Qxc5

This was the last moment for Black to take back with the knight: 13...Nxc5 14.Rad1 Qe6 15.Rfe1
Nce4 16.Nd3 Qc6 17.Ne2 Re8 18.Nd4 Qd7 19.Nf5, when White has some pressure but the position
is far from simple.

Question: Overall, how should we estimate such isolated pawn positions?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: In this case, as I said, it’s a bit easier to play with White, but in general it depends on who
has more active pieces.

14.Rad1

Already we can say that White has easy play here and the d5-pawn is more of a liability than an
asset.

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14...Nb4?!

After this tactical mistake Black is in difficulties. He had better chances to equalize with 14...Nc7
15.Nd3 Qb6 16.Nf4, though White still has easier play.

15.a3!

Simple and strong.

15...Nc6

A sad necessity. After 15...Nxc2? 16.b4 the knight on c2 is lost.

16.Rfe1 Bf8 17.Nd3 Qa5 18.b4 Qc7 19.Nb5! Qd7 20.Bxf6 gxf6 21.Nc5 Bxc5 22.bxc5

Black is now losing as his king is without defence.

22...Kg7 23.Qg3+ Kh8 24.Qf4 f5 25.Nd6 d4 26.Qg5 1-0

Game 36
[Link]
World 50+ Team Championship, Dresden 2018

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 d5

Readers may wonder why I have chosen the Alapin against 2...Nc6. The answer is that, with the

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b8-knight already developed to c6, many options are no longer possible for Black and, in my opinion,
...d7-d5 is not as strong here as it is via the direct 2.c3 d5 move order. Of course, in later games we
will also analyse 3...Nf6 which is considered another main line.

4.exd5 Qxd5

The game actually went 2.c3 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.Nf3 Nc6, transposing here.

5.Na3

We have reached the basic position we are looking for. I want to add that this specific idea of an
early 5.Na3 is much more interesting than it may appear at first sight. I noticed many games between
grandmasters which ended in quick wins for White, which ought to mean something.

Question: Is placing a knight on a3 the only strategy here?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Not at all; it’s just one of the ideas, but utilizing the fact that the knight is already on c6 is
interesting, because in the case of any Nb5 ideas there is no ...Na6 as a possible defence. Otherwise,
the main approach is to play d2-d4 as usual.

5...Bg4

Such ideas are trademark against the Alapin, but because White hasn’t played d2-d4 yet the
position is slightly different...

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6.Be2 Nf6 7.d3

A slightly unusual strategy in the Alapin where White goes for d2-d4 almost exclusively, but here it
is possible to play more conservatively.
Alternatively, 7.Qa4 Qe4 8.Qxe4 Nxe4, as in [Link], Arandjelovac 2021, seems like
an equal ending, but White has an interesting option of how to continue: 9.h3 Bh5 10.Bb5!? Bxf3
11.gxf3 Nd6 12.Bxc6+ bxc6 13.d3 e6 14.Be3 Nf5 15.Nc4, when the knight on c4 is strong and gives
White chances for an initiative.

7...e6

Black can also try to fianchetto after 7...g6, when 8.h3 Bf5 9.Be3 Bg7 10.Nb5 0-0-0 11.c4 Qd7
12.Qb3 a6 13.Qa3, with a strong initiative for White, is yet another interesting example how the
game may continue.

8.Nc4

This is the point, the knight comes to the nice c4-square.

8...Qd7

Black can continue with his development as well: 8...Be7 9.Qa4 0-0 10.Ne3 Qh5 11.Nxg4 Qxg4
12.Qxg4 Nxg4 13.0-0 Rad8 14.d4 Nf6 15.dxc5 Bxc5 16.Bg5 and White has a slightly preferable
endgame in view of his queenside majority, [Link], US 50+ Championship,
[Link] (rapid) 2020; this time Benjamin is on the right side of the board!

9.Qb3

Threatening Nfe5.

9...Bxf3

If Black castles long with 9...0-0-0, as in [Link]äuning, Magdeburg (blitz) 2020, White has
the simple 10.Bf4! (coming out to this strong diagonal) 10...Nd5 11.Bg3 Bxf3 12.Bxf3 f5 13.0-0-0 g5
14.Ne5 Nxe5 15.Bxe5 Bg7 16.Bxg7 Qxg7 17.Qa3 and is clearly better.

10.Bxf3 Nd5 11.Bg5 Rc8 12.0-0

At this early stage White already has the advantage, since Black has problems organizing his play.

12...Be7 13.Bxe7 Kxe7 14.Qa3 Rhd8 15.Qxc5+ Kf6 16.Rfe1 b6 17.Qa3 Nf4 18.Rad1 Qe7 19.Qa4

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 We can claim that White is winning now. It is surprising to see how the opening can go wrong,
even in a line where White didn’t play as actively as one might think necessary to gain the initiative.

19...Nd5 20.Ne3 Nxe3 21.Rxe3 Qc5 22.Bxc6 Rxc6 23.Qh4+ g5 24.Qxh7 Ke7 25.Rde1 Qb5 26.h4
Qxb2 27.hxg5 Qxc3 28.g6 Qf6 29.g7 Qg6 30.Qh4+ Qf6 31.Qb4+ Kd7 32.Rg3 Rg8 33.Qa4 a6
34.Qxa6 Rxg7 35.Rxg7 Qxg7 36.Qb7+ Kd6 37.Rb1 Qg5 38.Qxf7 Rc1+ 39.Rxc1 Qxc1+ 40.Kh2
Qd2 41.a3 Qxd3 42.g4 Qd4 43.Kg3 Qa1 44.Qf3 Ke7 45.g5 Qe5+ 46.Kg4 Qd4+ 47.Qf4 Qd1+
48.f3 Qb1 49.Qb4+ 1-0

Game 37
[Link]
Arandjelovac 2021

1.e4 c5 2.c3 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.Na3 Nf6

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 This time Black goes for normal development.

6.Be2

White is still waiting with d2-d4.

6...e6

Instead, 6...Bg4 would transpose to the previous game.

7.0-0 Be7 8.d4

Only now when development is finished does White go for his trademark idea.

8...cxd4

Black can ignore the d-pawn and castle instead: 8...0-0 9.Nb5 Qd8 10.dxc5 Bxc5 11.Bf4 Nd5
12.Bg3 a6 13.Nbd4 Nxd4 14.Nxd4 is a typical position for such lines and has a lot of similarities to a
French ...d5xe4 structure. Now I checked two ideas for Black:

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 a) 14...Qb6 15.Nb3 Be7 16.c4 Nf6 17.c5 Qb4 was [Link], [Link] (blitz) 2022,
where White has a very good way to transpose into a favourable endgame: 18.Bd6 Rd8 19.Bxe7 Rxd1
20.Rfxd1 Nd5 21.Rd4 Qxd4 22.Nxd4 Nxe7 23.Rd1 with the initiative.
b) 14...Bd7 15.Bf3 Rc8 16.Re1 Re8 17.Nb3 Ba7 18.Bxd5 exd5 19.Qxd5 Bc6 20.Qxd8 Rcxd8
21.Bc7 Rxe1+ 22.Rxe1 Rd3 23.Bf4, [Link], [Link] (blitz) 2020. Black has
some compensation, but it is clear that White has chances to convert into a winning endgame.

9.Nb5 Qd8 10.Nbxd4 Nxd4 11.Qxd4

Going for an endgame is a trademark of the Alapin, where White’s queenside majority is often an
asset.
Taking with the knight is also possible: 11.Nxd4 0-0 12.Bf4 Nd5 13.Bg3,

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 and here too I’ll give two instructive examples:
a) 13...Bd6 14.Bxd6 Qxd6 15.Bf3 Rd8 16.Qb3 and White has some pressure, [Link]-
[Link], Bad Wörishofen 2007. It is important to note that the entire idea of placing the bishop
on e2 in the opening is about positional play rather than attacking.
b) 13...a6 14.Bf3 Qb6 15.Qb3 Qxb3 16.axb3 g6 17.b4 Rd8 18.Nb3 Bd7 19.Rfd1 Rac8 20.Na5 and
White is clearly better in this endgame, [Link], Obrenovac 2011.

Question: Is it always dangerous for Black to enter such or similar endgames?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: It really depends on development, which in this case is clearly on White’s side; that’s why
he got the upper hand so early in the game.

11...Qxd4 12.Nxd4

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 Here again we can clearly see a queenside majority to be supported by a bishop on f3 and knight on
d4.

12...0-0

Or 12...a6 13.Bf4 Nd7 14.Rfe1 0-0 15.Bf3 g6 16.Rad1 Nc5 17.b3 Re8 18.c4 and White has an
edge. [Link], Zupanja 2009.

13.Bf4 Nd5 14.Bg3 Bf6 15.Rfd1 Rd8 16.Bf3

This set-up is ideal in such endgames: both bishops hitting the queenside plus a centralized knight.

16...a6 17.Nb3 b5 18.Na5!

This strategy is similar, for instance, to many QGA d4xc5 lines where the queens are exchanged.

18...Re8 19.Rd2 h6 20.Re1 Bd7 21.h3 Ra7 22.Bxd5 exd5 23.Rxe8+ Bxe8 24.Rxd5

When everything was ready White took a pawn. Black’s bishop pair offer some compensation but,
without any weak points to attack, they only really serve as defensive pieces.

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24...Rd7 25.Bd6 Bg5 26.Nc6 Bc1 27.b3 f6 28.Rd4 Bg6 29.Ne7+ Kf7 30.Nxg6 Kxg6 31.c4

Now White is just a clear pawn up.

31...bxc4 32.bxc4 Kf7 33.c5 Ke6 34.Kf1 Bb2 35.Rb4 Be5 36.Rb6 a5 37.Bxe5+ Kxe5 38.Ra6 Rd1+
39.Ke2 Rc1 40.Rxa5 Rc2+ 41.Ke3 g5 42.a4 Rc3+ 43.Kd2 Ra3 44.c6+ Kd6 45.Rc5 1-0

Game 38
[Link]
US Open, Rancho Mirage 2022

1.e4 c5 2.c3 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.Na3 Bf5

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 This idea is known via the move order 5.d4 Bf5, which is a popular line. The difference here, of
course, is that White has not yet played d2-d4.
Another option for Black is to fianchetto the king’s bishop after 5...g6. In this case White might
play, for example, 6.d4 Bg7 (or 6...Bg4 7.Be2 Bg7 8.Nb5 Rc8 9.dxc5 Qxd1+ 10.Bxd1 a6 11.Na3
Nf6 12.Nc4 Nd7 13.Be3 and White stands well in this endgame) 7.Nb5 Qe4+ 8.Be2 cxd4 9.Nc7+
Kf8 10.Nxa8 and quickly reached a winning position in [Link], [Link] (blitz)
2021.

6.Qb3

An interesting decision. Another idea was tested amongst grandmasters: 6.Nc4 Nf6 (Black can try
to simplify with 6...Bd3 7.Bxd3 Qxd3 8.Qe2 Qxe2+ 9.Kxe2 Nf6, but after 10.Rd1 Rd8 11.d3 e6
12.a4 Nd5 13.g3 Be7 14.d4 0-0 15.Be3 White has the easier game in this ending) 7.Ne3 Qd7 8.Nxf5
Qxf5 9.d4 0-0-0 10.Bd3 Qe6+ 11.Be3 Nd5 12.Qe2 cxd4 13.Nxd4 Nxd4 14.Bxd4 Qxe2+ 15.Bxe2
gave White the better endgame in [Link], [Link] (blitz) 2021.

6...Qxb3 7.axb3

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 This endgame already presents Black with certain problems on how to continue.

7...f6

Not the only choice here:

a) 7...0-0-0 8.d4 cxd4 9.Bb5! (an interesting type of gambit!) 9...e5 10.Nc4 f6 11.Bxc6 bxc6
12.cxd4 exd4 13.0-0 and White has full compensation for the sacrificed pawn due to superior
development and Black’s shattered queenside pawns.
b) 7...Rd8 8.Bb5 Bd7 9.Bxc6 Bxc6 10.Ne5 Bxg2 11.Rg1 Be4 12.Nb5 e6 13.Nc7+ Ke7 14.Rxa7
and White is better.

Question: Is it fair to say that Black is in difficulty after exchanging queens so early?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: It seems so; in practice Black hasn’t found an easy way to maintain the balance. That’s why
the entire system is very interesting to examine.

8.d4! e5 9.dxe5 fxe5 10.Bb5 e4 11.Ne5 Bd7 12.Nxd7 Kxd7 13.Nc4

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 Remarkably, White is already winning.

13...Ke6 14.Bxc6 bxc6 15.Ra6 Nf6 16.Rxc6+ Kf5 17.h3 h6 18.g4+ Kg6 19.Ne5+ Kh7 20.h4 Re8
21.Nf7 Rg8 22.g5 Kg6 23.Nxh6 gxh6 24.Rxf6+ Kh5 25.gxh6 Be7 26.Re6 Bxh4 27.h7 1-0

Game 39
[Link]
Novi Sad 2022

1.e4 c5 2.c3 Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 4.Nf3 Nc6

Most of the games below start in this sort of fashion. 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 Nf6 4.e5 Nd5 would be our
move order.

5.d4 cxd4 6.Bc4

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 I’ve taken this as a starting position of the 3...Nf6 line; I have an impression that there are ideas
here still waiting to be discovered.

6...Nb6

We will start with this line, which has been topical for many years. We will look at another critical
plan, starting with the move 6...e6, in Games 41-43.

7.Bb3 d5

7...d6 8.exd6 leads to same thing. Other attempts to develop are possible but risky. For example:
7...g6 8.Ng5 d5 (taking the e-pawn is dangerous: 8...Nxe5 9.Qxd4 f6 10.Qxe5 and White is clearly
better) 9.exd6 e6 10.Qf3 Ne5 11.Qg3 Bxd6 12.Ne4 Nec4 13.Qd3 Ne5 14.Qg3 Nec4 15.Qd3 Ne5
16.Qxd4 Bc7 17.0-0 Qxd4 18.cxd4 Nc6 19.Rd1 Na5 20.Nf6+ Kf8 21.Bh6+ Ke7 22.Bg5 Kf8
23.Bh6+ Ke7 24.Bg7 Nxb3 25.axb3 Rd8 26.Nc3 and White has the advantage in the endgame, since
it is clear that Black is under pressure, [Link], World Blitz Championship, Moscow
2019.

8.exd6 Qxd6 9.0-0 Be6

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 This has been established as the primary idea for a long time.

Question: Is it important, when entering this line, for Black to know the details in the opening?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Actually, it is important for both sides because the positions are very sharp.
For instance, grabbing the c3-pawn here while neglecting development is possible but suspicious:
9...dxc3 10.Nxc3 Qxd1 11.Rxd1 a6 12.Be3 Nd7 13.Nd5 Kd8 14.Ng5 Nce5 15.Nb6 Rb8 16.Nxf7+
Nxf7 17.Bxf7 1-0 [Link], [Link] (blitz) 2021. A convincing win.

10.Na3

This game caught my attention, so I am going for this line in which White persists with the pawn
sacrifice.

10...dxc3

Black is not obliged to accept the pawn. The main alternative is 10...Bxb3 11.Qxb3 e6 12.Nb5 Qd7
13.Nbxd4 Nxd4 14.Nxd4 Be7 15.Rd1 0-0 16.Be3 Qc8 17.Nb5 Bc5 18.Bxc5 Qxc5

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 and now I analysed two interesting possibilities, both leading to a solid position for Black, but
where White can still apply some pressure.
a) 19.Rd4 Rfd8 20.Rad1 Rxd4 21.Rxd4 Nd5 22.c4 a6 23.cxd5 axb5 24.Rd1 exd5 25.Qxd5 Qxd5
26.Rxd5 b4 27.Rd4 Kf8 28.Rxb4 Rxa2 29.Kf1 and White has an unpleasant edge in this rook
endgame.
b) 19.Nd6 Qc7 20.a4 Rad8, [Link], Moscow 2005, and now White should try
21.Nxb7 Qxb7 22.a5 Qc6 23.axb6 axb6 24.h4 h5 25.Rxd8 Rxd8 26.Rd1 Rxd1+ 27.Qxd1 g6 28.Qd3.
The endgame is probably equal but the queenside majority gives White whatever chances still exist.

11.Bxe6

Not the most popular idea here but, as I said, this game drew my attention to this line, so let’s see...

11...Qxe6

We’ll look at 11...Qxd1 in the next game.

12.Nb5 Qd7

Not 12...Rc8? 13.Re1! Qd5 14.Nd6+ Kd7 15.Nxc8 Kxc8 16.Qc2 and Black is lost.

13.Bf4

Critical and best. Another attempt is 13.Qe2 Rc8 14.bxc3 a6 15.Rd1 Qe6 16.Qxe6 fxe6 17.Nbd4
Nxd4 18.Nxd4 e5 19.Ne6, when White has compensation for the pawn but no more than that,
[Link], British Championship, Coventry 2015.

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13...0-0-0

Actually, one of the alternatives is better:

a) 13...e5 14.Qe2 0-0-0 15.Rad1 Qf5 16.Rxd8+ Kxd8 17.Bxe5 Nxe5 18.Nxe5 Bc5 19.b4 Bxb4
20.Rd1+ Kc8 21.Nxf7 Qxf7 22.Qe5 Qd7 23.Rxd7 Kxd7 24.Qxg7+ Kc6 25.Nd4+ 1-0 [Link]-
[Link], German League 2014. Another good example of the initiative White can quickly gain in
this variation.
b) 13...Rc8 is probably Black’s best option. After 14.Qe1 cxb2 15.Rd1 b1=Q 16.Rxb1 e6 17.Rd1
Nd5 18.Nd6+ Bxd6 19.Rxd5 Bb4 20.Rxd7 Bxe1 21.Rxb7 Bc3 22.Rc1 Bf6 23.Bd6 Be7 24.Bxe7
Nxe7 25.Rxc8+ Nxc8 26.Ne5 0-0 27.a4 White has a preferable endgame, but Black is not without
chances to defend it, [Link], correspondence 2016.

14.Qb3!

Already it’s difficult for Black!

14...Qf5

If instead 14...Qe6 15.Qxc3 Qc4 16.Qxc4 Nxc4, then 17.Rfc1 Rd5 18.Nxa7+ Nxa7 19.Rxc4+ Nc6
20.Ne5 and White is better.

15.Bg3 e5 16.Nxe5 Nxe5 17.Nxa7+ Kb8 18.Qxb6 Rd6 19.Qe3 cxb2 20.Rab1

Now White is winning.

20...Nc4 21.Qd4 Ka8 22.Qxc4 Kxa7 23.Bxd6 Bxd6 24.Qd4+ Bc5 25.Qxb2 1-0

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 A fascinating quick win.

Game 40
[Link]
Tylosand 2015

1.e4 c5 2.c3 Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.Bc4 Nb6 7.Bb3 d5 8.exd6 Qxd6 9.0-0 Be6
10.Na3 dxc3 11.Bxe6 Qxd1

This is another option. Black exchanges queens while there is still the chance to do so.

12.Rxd1 fxe6

Heading for an endgame.

13.bxc3

We have reached an interesting ending where Black is seriously underdeveloped and passive
although, at the moment, a pawn up.
White can also play in a slightly different manner: 13.Nb5 Rc8 14.Nxc3 (this way White maintains
a compact pawn structure) 14...h6 (simply 14...g6 15.Re1 Bg7 16.Rxe6 0-0 is safer, with approximate
equality) 15.Re1 Kf7 16.Nb5 Nd5 17.Nbd4 Nxd4 18.Nxd4 Nb4 19.Bd2 Nd3 was [Link]-
[Link], correspondence 2000, and now 20.Re3 Nxb2 21.Rf3+ Kg8 22.Nxe6 Nc4 23.Bc3 Rh7
24.Re1 g5 25.h4 gives White a strong initiative for the pawn.

Question: Is this sideline better than the main line choice for White?

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 Show/Hide Solution

Answer: It is more safe but the main line has been played more times and still has some interesting
moments.

13...Na4

Attacking c3 is a logical continuation. Alternatives are :

a) 13...g6 14.Nb5 Rc8 15.Ng5 a6 16.Nd4 Nxd4 17.cxd4 Rc6 18.Re1 Bg7 19.Nxe6 Bf6 20.Rb1 h6
21.Nf4 Bxd4 22.Re4 Bc5 23.g3 was the interesting game [Link], correspondence 2015, in
which White kept some initiative.
b) 13...Nd5 14.Nb5 Rc8 15.Ng5 Nd8 16.Nxa7 Rxc3 17.Nb5 Rc4 18.Nxe6 Nxe6 19.Rxd5 and
again White has pressure in this ending, [Link], correspondence 2013.

14.Nb5 Rc8 15.Bf4 e5

In the case of 15...h6 16.Nc7+ Kf7 17.Ne5+ Nxe5 18.Bxe5 Nc5 19.Rab1 h5 20.g3 h4 21.g4 Rh6
22.Nb5 White keeps the initiative.

16.Nxe5 a6 17.Nxc6 Rxc6 18.Nd4 Rc4 19.Ne6

19...Kf7

Black can take on c3 but the position still favours White: 19...Nxc3 20.Rd8+ Kf7 21.Re1 h6 22.Rb8

134
b5 23.h4 with pressure.

20.Nd8+ Ke8 21.Ne6 Kf7 22.Ng5+ Kf6 23.Rd4! Rxd4 24.cxd4 h6 25.Nf3 Nc3 26.Bd2 Nd5
27.Rb1 b6 28.Ne5

Once again White has the initiative in the endgame. Perhaps not much at first sight, but it seems it
is Black who must solve problems.

28...g5 29.Nd7+ Kf7 30.Nxb6 Nxb6 31.Rxb6 Bg7 32.Rxa6 Bxd4 33.Kf1

White has a clear advantage now.

33...Rb8 34.Ra4 Bc5 35.Rc4?!

He shouldn’t allow Black’s rook to the second rank; 35.Bc3 was better.

35...Rb2 36.Rxc5 Rxd2 37.Ra5

Black should hold this rook endgame, but ultimately was unable to do so.

37...g4 38.g3 Kg6 39.Ra8 h5 40.Ke1 Rb2 41.a4 Ra2 42.a5 Ra1+ 43.Kd2 Ra2+ 44.Ke3 Ra3+
45.Kd4 Ra2 46.a6 Kg7 47.Ke3 Ra3+ 48.Kf4 Rf3+?

A fatal mistake.

49.Kg5 Rxf2 50.Re8 Ra2 51.Rxe7+ Kf8 52.Ra7 Ra5+ 53.Kf6 Kg8 54.Kg6 Kf8 55.Ra8+ Ke7 56.a7
1-0

Game 41
[Link]
Ukrainian Championship, Kharkov 2007

1.e4 c5 2.c3 Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.Bc4 e6 6.d4 cxd4

The game now reaches the same position as after 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 Nf6 4.e5 Nd5 5.d4 cxd4 6.Bc4
e6.

7.cxd4 d6 8.0-0

This is considered the old main line of the Alapin, yet a very important system that many players
still rely on. Basically, this is an offensive set-up for White, but I will try to give it more of positional
character – combined, of course, with the idea to take the initiative if the game goes that way.

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 It is important to note that 8.Qe2 can also be played first, intending to meet 8...Nb6 with 9.Bb3, but
it is not really necessary.

8...Be7

The main continuation and the best. There are a few other options but no game changer in any sort
of way. For example, after 8...Nb6 9.Bd3 Black has two reasonable ideas:
a) 9...dxe5 10.dxe5 Nb4 11.Be4 (White is not afraid of an endgame) 11...Qxd1 12.Rxd1 N4d5
13.a4 a5 14.Nc3 Nxc3 15.bxc3 Bc5 16.Nd4 0-0 17.Nb3 Be7 18.Be3 Nc4 19.Bd4 Bd7 20.Bc5 Bxc5,
[Link] der [Link], PRO League, [Link] (rapid) 2017, and now after 21.Nxc5 Bc6 22.Bxc6
bxc6 23.Nd7 Rfd8 24.Rab1 c5 25.Kf1! White is clearly better.
b) 9...Nb4 10.Be4 d5 11.Bd3 Nxd3 12.Qxd3 Bd7 13.b3 Rc8 14.Nc3 Be7 15.Bd2 0-0 16.Ne2! Na8
17.h4! (building a strong attack) 17...Bxh4 18.g4 Be7 19.Kg2 f5 20.exf6 gxf6 21.Rh1 Rf7 22.Rh3
Qf8 23.Rah1 and White is winning, [Link], Chelyabinsk (rapid) 2022.

9.Qe2 0-0

10.Rd1

I have chosen this line as it appears to me to be the most solid and the rook stands well on d1.

Question: What are other options and what are the main points?

Show/Hide Solution

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Answer: Options such as 10.a3 or 10.Nc3 or 10.Re1 10.Qe4 are similar in the sense that White wants
to establish quick attacking plans. The difference is in the details and type of pawn structure. For
instance, if 10.Nc3 dxe5 11.dxe5 Nxc3 12.bxc3, we can see that White voluntarily destroyed his
structure but is ready to launch the typical idea Qe4 followed by Bd3 and so on...

10...Na5

One of the main moves for Black. We’ll look at the immediate 10...Bd7 in the next two games.

11.b3!?

The idea is to take back on c4 with a pawn, but it’s also an introduction to a positional plan...

11...Bd7

The main option, but Black can deviate: 11...a6 12.Ba3 b5 13.Bxd5 exd5 14.Nc3 Be6 15.h3 Nc6
16.exd6 Bxd6 17.Bxd6 Qxd6 18.Ne5 Ne7 19.Nd3 Nc6 was [Link], Turkish
League 2018, where White can claim an edge with 20.Qd2 Nxd4 21.Nf4 Nf5 22.Ncxd5 Bxd5
23.Nxd5, even if it appears equal here.

12.Bxd5 exd5 13.Nc3 Be6 14.Ba3!

A key strategy in this position. White wants to play with two knights versus bishop and knight,
since the bishop on e6 is limited due to the pawn on d5. Of course, it’s not much, but it can be rather
unpleasant for Black.

14...a6

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 Defending against Nb5 at some moment. Other moves are:
a) 14...Rc8 15.Rac1 Nc6 16.h3 dxe5 17.Bxe7 Qxe7 18.dxe5! Rfd8 19.Qe3 Qa3 20.Nb5 Qxa2
21.Nd6 Rb8 22.Nd4 and White is better, [Link], Sochi (rapid) 2017. This is another
good example of what White is looking for here.
b) 14...Nc6 15.h3 a6 16.Rac1 Re8 17.Qd2 Rc8 18.exd6 Bxd6 19.Bxd6 Qxd6 20.Na4,
[Link], Agen 2016. So it’s all about the c5- and e5-squares and playing around the
bishop on e6 which is quite passive, at least for now.

15.h3 b5 16.Rac1 Rc8 17.Qd2 Nb7

The idea is to cover d6 but it’s also a bit passive if White continues with good manoeuvres. Another
logical idea is to place the knight on a more active square with 17...Nc6, but then 18.Ne2! is good
strategy for White; for instance, after 18...Re8 19.Nf4 Bf8 20.Bxd6 Bxd6 21.exd6 Qxd6 22.Rc3 we
can see that Black has certain problems on the dark squares.

18.Ne2! a5 19.Rxc8 Bxc8 20.Nf4 b4 21.Bb2 Be6 22.Rc1 Qd7 23.Qc2

White controls the c-file, so Black still faces problems even after driving the bishop from the
unpleasant a3-square.

23...Rb8 24.Nxe6! fxe6 25.Qc7 Qxc7 26.Rxc7 Kf8 27.Bc1!

Very strong. If Black is forced into exchanging on e5 he will be left with a very bad position.

27...h6 28.Bf4 g5 29.Bg3 Ke8 30.h4 Kd8 31.exd6 Nxd6 32.Ra7 Rc8 33.hxg5 hxg5 34.Nxg5

White is now a clear pawn up and has the more active pieces as well.

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34...Rc1+ 35.Kh2 Bxg5 36.Bxd6 Bf6 37.Bc5 Be5+ 38.Kh3 Bc7 39.g4 Rh1+ 40.Kg2 Rh2+ 41.Kf3
Rh3+ 42.Ke2 Rh4 43.Ra8+ Kd7 44.Rg8 e5 45.dxe5 Bxe5 46.Rg6 Rh3 47.Be3 Rh1 48.Ra6 d4
49.Rxa5 Ke6 50.f4 Bh8 51.f5+ Kf7 52.Bd2 Rh3 53.Rd5 1-0

Game 42
[Link]
Sables d’Olonne 2014

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 Nf6 4.e5 Nd5 5.Bc4 e6 6.d4 cxd4 7.cxd4 d6 8.0-0 Be7 9.Qe2 0-0 10.Rd1
Bd7

This is logical play; Black is ready to develop the rook to c8.

Question: What is Black’s main defensive plan in such positions?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: It’s about placing rooks on d8 and c8, after which the bishop goes safely back to the e8-
square, from where it controls the structure on the queenside.

11.Bd2

The modern positional plan. White wants to put a knight on c3 but then, if necessary, to take back
with the bishop, avoiding having a weak pawn on c3.

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11...Qc7

We will deal with 11...Qb6 in the next game. Meanwhile there are a few other ideas for Black:
a) 11...Ndb4 12.exd6 Bxd6 13.Nc3 Ne7 14.Bg5 h6 15.Bh4 Qe8 16.Bxe7 Qxe7 17.a3 Nc6 was
[Link], FIDE Grand Swiss, Isle of Man 2019, and now 18.Rd3 Rfe8 19.Rad1 Qf8
20.Ne5 Rad8 21.Nxd7 Rxd7 22.Qc2 gives White preferable chances due to the constant threat of d4-
d5.
b) 11...Rc8 12.Nc3 Nxc3 13.Bxc3 d5 14.Bd3 f5 15.exf6 Bxf6 16.Bb5 Qe8 17.Bxc6 Bxc6 18.Bb4
Bb5 19.Qe3 Rf7 20.Re1 Bd7 21.Bd6 looks like a typical French position that favours White,
[Link]-R.D’Arruda, [Link] (blitz) 2022.

12.Nc3 Nxc3 13.Bxc3 dxe5

Black should react in the centre because the white bishops on c4 and c3 are in aggressive mode. For
instance, if 13...Rac8 14.exd6 Bxd6 15.d5! exd5, as in [Link], [Link]
(blitz) 2021, White can play 16.Rxd5 Be6 17.Rg5 g6 18.Bxe6 Rce8 (18...fxe6 19.Qxe6+ Rf7 20.Rd5
wins) 19.Bxf7+ Qxf7 20.Qc2 and stands better, having won a pawn.

14.dxe5 Rfd8

Logical strategy; Black develops to challenge for the d-file and is ready to retreat the bishop to the
good defensive square e8.

15.Bd3 Be8 16.Qe4 g6 17.h4

After provoking ...g7-g6 this comes as an almost automatic response, though White can also wait a
bit and play 17.Qf4.

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 Now I analysed two possible moves for Black with the idea of doubling rooks:
a) 17...Rd7 18.Be4 Rad8 19.Rxd7 Rxd7 20.h4 f5 21.Bc2! Nb4 22.Bxf5 and White is better,
[Link], Bayerisch Eisenstein 2013.
b) 17...Rd5 18.Be4 Rxd1+ 19.Rxd1 Rd8 20.Re1 (naturally, White doesn’t wish to exchange the
other rook) 20...a5 21.h4 Nb4 22.a3 Nd3 23.Bxd3 Rxd3 24.Ng5 Qd8 25.Ne4 Bc6 26.Nf6+ Kg7
27.h5 and White has the initiative. [Link] Gonzalez Quevedo, Cappelle-la-Grande
2010.

17...Rd5 18.Bc4 Rxd1+ 19.Rxd1 Rd8 20.Rxd8 Nxd8 21.Be2 Qc6 22.Qf4 Qd5 23.a3 Bb5 24.Bxb5
Qxb5 25.Nd2!

A nice manoeuvring idea; White will try to utilize the f6-square to his advantage.

25...Qd5 26.Ne4

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 It seems that Black did everything by the book, exchanging both rooks and the light-squared
bishops, but still there are problems in his position that are not easily solvable. It is worth noting that
the bishop on c3 is very strong and keeps White’s entire game solid.

26...Nc6 27.Kh2 Qd8 28.g3 a6 29.Nd6! Bxd6 30.exd6 Qe8 31.Bf6

Prolonging the game. White could win at once with 31.Qf6 e5 32.Bd2! Qd8 33.Qxd8+ Nxd8
34.d7, followed by Bg5 or Ba5.

31...Nb8 32.Qh6 Qf8 33.Qc1 Nd7 34.Be7 Qe8 35.Qc7 b6 36.b4 h6 37.Qb7 a5 38.bxa5 bxa5
39.Qb5 Qc8 40.Qxa5 Qc2 41.Qa8+ Kh7 42.Kg2 e5 43.Qd5 Kg8 44.Qb7 Qf5 45.Qf3 Qc2 46.h5 e4
47.Qe3 Kg7 48.Qd4+ f6 49.Bxf6+ Nxf6 50.d7 e3 51.Qxf6+ Kxf6 52.d8=Q+ 1-0

Game 43
[Link] Perez
Havana 2011

1.e4 c5 2.c3 Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 4.Bc4 e6 5.d4 cxd4 6.cxd4 d6 7.Nf3 Nc6 8.0-0 Be7 9.Qe2 0-0 10.Rd1
Bd7 11.Bd2 Qb6

This time Black develops the queen more aggressively, attacking both b2 and d4.

12.Nc3 Nxc3 13.Bxc3 dxe5 14.dxe5 Rfd8

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 Again, we have this logical plan where Black is ready to exchange rooks on the d-file, but we will
see that it doesn’t equalize entirely.

15.h4

White has a few other options that will lead to similar positions, but it is important to note the
positional plans in these games:
a) 15.Qe4 (White centralizes the queen as in the previous game, intending to provoke ...g7-g6 and
then follow up with either h4-h5 or transfer a knight to e4, or both if possible) 15...Rac8 (if 15...Be8
16.Bd3 g6, then 17.Nd2! Bc5 18.Nc4 Qc7 19.Nd6 Bxd6 20.exd6 Rxd6 21.Bf6 looks like an
interesting way to utilize a knight manoeuvre against the queen on b6; White has compensation)
16.Bb3 Be8 17.h4 Rxd1+ 18.Rxd1 Rd8 19.Rxd8 Qxd8 20.a3 b5 21.Bc2 g6 22.Bd3 a6 23.h5 and
White still has some edge, [Link], correspondence 2016.
b) 15.a3 (played to prevent counterplay via the b4-square) 15...Be8 16.h4 Rxd1+ 17.Rxd1 Rd8
18.Rxd8 Qxd8 19.Bd3 g6 20.h5 Nb8 21.Nh2 Bc6 22.Ng4 Qd5 23.f3 Nd7 24.Kh1 Bg5 25.Bc4 Qc5
26.hxg6 hxg6 27.b4 Qb6 28.Qd3 was [Link], Serbian League 2014 – an interesting game
where White managed to drive the black queen from the active d5-square, giving him chances to
obtain an advantage.

15...Be8 16.h5 Rxd1+ 17.Rxd1 Rd8

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18.h6

Perhaps this is too early; it seems better to leave the pawn where it is, at least for the moment. Let’s
look at an alternative: 18.Rxd8 Qxd8 19.a3 Bf8 20.Qd3 (White is not afraid of an endgame because
the plan of manoeuvring a knight to e4 still offers good chances of obtaining an advantage) 20...g6
21.hxg6 hxg6 22.Qxd8 Nxd8 23.Nd2! Bc6 24.Bd3 Be7 25.Ne4 b6 26.f4 and White has the
preferable ending, [Link], Hoogeveen 2012.

Question: It seems that both sides have achieved their plans, but can we say that White still
preserves some edge?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Yes, but not without playing accurate moves or finding the right knight manoeuvres.

18...Rxd1+ 19.Qxd1 g6 20.a3 Qd8 21.Qc1 Bf8 22.Qd2 Qxd2 23.Bxd2 Nb8 24.Be3 a6 25.Kf1 Ba4
26.Nh2 ½-½

The knight will come to g4, but it’s not the same as having it on e4, therefore we can say that the
position is balanced.

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 Show in Text Mode

Chapter Two
Four Knights and Vienna Game

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3

Here I want to emphasize that we adopt this move order, rather than the Vienna 2.Nc3, because I
strongly believe that 2.Nf3 is better.

2...Nc6

We will also examine a Petroff (2...Nf6) variation where Black responds to 3.Nc3 with 3...Bb4 (see
Game 63) rather than 3...Nc6. The Philidor with 2...d6 is covered in Chapter Six (Games 117-119)
due to its similarities to Pirc (1...d6) type positions.

3.Nc3 Nf6 4.g3

This opening is known as the Glek System, which I think is a very interesting positional asset for
White against the traditional move 1...e5. The idea is to play an improved version of the Vienna,
where the knight already being on c6 rules out some ideas for Black, such as ...c7-c6 followed by
...d7-d5. On the other hand, White has also committed a knight to f3, whereas on e2 or at home on g1

145
White is able to play a quick f2-f4 in some lines. All those pros and cons we will investigate in the
main games of this chapter.
We will focus on two major plans for Black: developing the king’s bishop to c5, playing a rapid
...d7-d5, or indeed both.
a) 4...d5 5.exd5 Nxd5 6.Bg2 (Games 53-59) 6...Nxc3 7.bxc3 is a well-known line in the Vienna
Opening. The fact that the knight is already on c6 in a way reduces Black’s options, but that doesn’t
mean Black has problems, far from it. Instead, we will have very interesting positional and sharp
chess to see.
b) 4...Bc5 5.Bg2 d6 6.d3 (Games 44-52) 6...a6 is the alternative main line, where Black develops
pieces to logical squares without creating any weaknesses.
Other ideas in this chapter are of importance too, such as 4...Bb4, 4...g6, and 4...Nd4 (Games 60-
62).
I want to note here that interesting piece sac 4...Nxe4!? 5.Nxe4 d5 6.Nc3 d4, aiming for a strong
initiative, will transpose to the 4...d5 line if White simply returns the piece with 7.Bg2 dxc3 8.bxc3.

Question: Why is the Vienna not so popular today?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Many old openings have been forgotten or simply not analysed enough. That doesn’t mean
an opening is itself bad or doesn’t give enough recourse to play for a win. It’s just what is trending
more. For instance, the Scotch was nearly forgotten until the 1990 Kasparov-Karpov match.

Game 44
[Link]
Banter Blitz Cup, [Link] 2020

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d3 Nc6 4.g3 Bc5 5.Bg2 d6 6.0-0 0-0 7.Nc3

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 We come to one of the basic positions that I suggest against 1...e5. It’s kind of a combination of the
Four Knights and Vienna Game. The system with 4.g3 initiates a universal, positional approach and
has the advantage that Black can’t really avoid it.
In this particular line White utilizes what I call a triple strategy: eliminating the bishop on c5 with
Na4, while having in mind both f2-f4 and/or d3-d4. From the other side Black has a solid position,
from which he can combat all those plans with his main idea of going ...d6-d5.

7...a6

Securing the bishop on c5. We will examine an attempt by Black to do without this move in Game
50.

8.h3

This is the usual continuation.

8...h6

Securing a place for a bishop on e6 is a standard reaction too.

9.Be3

One of the main ideas here, preparing d3-d4, and a very solid approach. If Black exchanges bishops
White will open the f-file, while gaining an additional pawn to control the centre. An alternative plan
with 9.Kh2 Be6 10.Nd2 is featured in Game 47.

Question: After an exchange on e3 White will have doubled pawns. Is that good?

147
 Show/Hide Solution

Answer: It is all about conducting the right plans. That’s why I present here how the game may
continue in a correct way, so that such aspects can prove to be an asset rather than a liability.

9...Be6

10.Kh2

A typical move, safeguarding the king and overprotecting the h3-pawn. White has other options
too:
a) 10.d4 exd4 11.Nxd4 Nxd4 12.Bxd4 Bxd4 13.Qxd4 c5 14.Qd2 Qb6 15.b3 Rad8 16.Rad1 Rfe8
was the earlier game [Link], Yerevan 2012, and now 17.g4 looks best; if 17...Qc7
18.a4 b6 (intending to reroute the e6-bishop to b7) then 19.f4! and White is faster with his play.
b) 10.Nh4 (White is now ready to take on c5 and go f2-f4 at some moment) 10...Bxe3 11.fxe3 Ne7
12.Kh2 c6 13.d4 Ng6 14.Nf5 d5 15.exd5 cxd5 16.dxe5 Nxe5 17.Qd4 Bxf5?! 18.Rxf5 Nc6 19.Qf4
Ne7? 20.Rxf6! (this is a key motif in the entire system when the f-file is open) 20...gxf6 21.Qxh6 and
White achieved a winning position, [Link], Porto San Giorgio 2001.

Question: Can we say that Rxf6 is a positional threat?

Show/Hide Solution

148
Answer: Yes, because Black’s kingside structure will be bad in that case; also Black’s pieces will
have to remain in passive positions to defend the weak squares around their king.

10...Qd7

We will deal with the more popular 10...Bxe3 in the next game, while 9...Bxe3 on the previous
move is examined in Game 46.

11.d4

The normal plan when Black ignores the d3-d4 idea for too long.

11...exd4 12.Nxd4 Bc4 13.Re1 Rfe8

It’s logical to place a rook on e8, whereas after 13...Bb4 14.Nxc6 Bxc3 15.bxc3 bxc6 16.Bd4! Rab8
17.Bxf6 gxf6 18.Qd4 White had the advantage in [Link], German Bundesliga
1993.

14.f4 Rad8 15.b3 Bxd4 16.Bxd4 Nxd4 17.Qxd4 Bb5 18.Rad1 Bc6 19.g4

White has more space and control of the d5-square. Black is solid with no clear weak points but a
bit passive because there are no central breaks.

19...Qe7 20.Qf2 Nd7 21.h4 Qf6 22.Qg3

This is not bad but it’s not the most accurate either. Instead, 22.Nd5 Bxd5 23.g5! Qg6 24.Rxd5
gives White more pressure.

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22...g5!

Right on time; the position is still balanced.

23.fxg5 hxg5 24.h5

White has a passed pawn but in return Black has control of the central dark squares.

24...Qe5 25.Rf1 Qxg3+ 26.Kxg3 Re5 27.Rf2 Nc5 28.Rdf1 Rf8 29.Rf5!

It is important to exchange the strong black rook.

29...Ne6 30.Rxe5 dxe5 31.Nd5 Nf4?!

Black didn’t play precisely here. After 31...Kg7 32.Rd1 Rd8 33.Bf3 Rd7 34.Kf2 a5 35.Ne3 his
position is still okay, though the h5-pawn is a potential asset for White.

32.Ne7+ Kg7 33.Nxc6! bxc6 34.Rd1

Taking control of the d-file.

34...Re8 35.Bf1! Re6 36.Bxa6 Rf6 37.Bc4

Winning for White, who is a pawn up with passed pawns on both sides of the board.

37...Ne6 38.Bxe6 Rxe6 39.a4 c5 40.a5 Ra6 41.Ra1 Kf6 42.Kf3 Ke7 43.Ke3 Kd7 44.Kd3 Rd6+
45.Kc4 Kc8 46.c3 Rf6 47.Kxc5 Kb7 48.Rh1 Rc6+ 49.Kd5 Rxc3 50.Kxe5 Rxb3 51.h6 1-0

Game 45
[Link]
European Team Championship, Plovdiv 2003

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.g3 Bc5 5.Bg2 d6 6.d3 a6 7.0-0 0-0 8.h3 h6 9.Kh2 Be6 10.Be3
Bxe3

This is the usual reaction.

11.fxe3

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 An interesting position that somehow both sides were looking to get. Black can now go active with
...d6-d5 as in our main game or else wait a bit.

11...d5

Let’s look at two more ideas here, after 11...Ne7 12.Nh4 and then:
a) 12...Ng6 13.Nf5 c6 14.Qe1 Bxf5 15.exf5 Ne7 16.Ne4 Ned5 17.c4 Nxe4 18.cxd5 Nf6 19.dxc6
bxc6 20.Rc1 and White has some edge, [Link] [Link], Navalmoral 2004.
b) 12...Kh7 13.Qd2 Nfg8 14.d4 c6 15.Rad1 Qa5 16.d5! cxd5 17.exd5 Bd7 18.g4 g6 19.Ne4 Qxd2
20.Rxd2 Bb5 21.Rc1 Rfd8 22.c4 Be8 23.c5 and White is clearly better, [Link],
Yugoslav Cup 2002.

12.exd5 Nxd5 13.Qe1

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 We can see that the e3-pawn covers the central squares nicely.

13...Qd7

Black can also proceed in a slightly different manner:

a) 13...Rb8 14.Rd1 Qd6 15.Ne4 Qb4 16.c4! Qxe1 17.Rfxe1 Nde7 18.Nc5 Bc8 19.d4 and White got
a preferable endgame due to his play in the centre, [Link] de Goni, Arco 1998.
b) 13...Nde7 14.Rd1 Bf5 15.g4 Bh7 16.Qg3 Qd6 17.Nh4 Rad8 18.Nf5 Qe6 19.Be4 with an edge
for White in [Link], Mangalore 2008, is yet another good example how the game
may continue.

14.Rd1 Rad8 15.a3

The problem for Black is how to continue because all the squares are covered, so it’s important to
play in a patient way.

15...Rfe8

Another option for Black is to trade knights to ease his position, yet 15...Nxc3 16.Qxc3 f6 17.Nh4
Bd5 18.Rd2 Kh7 19.Bxd5 Qxd5 20.Rdf2 Rd7 21.Nf5 g6 22.e4! Qe6 23.Ne3 gave White some
chances to play for an advantage, [Link], Novokuznetsk 2008.

16.Ne4 b6 17.g4!

This is a good strategy. The outpost on e4 is very strong now, while Black must be careful due to
White’s c2-c4 ideas and attacking chances.

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17...f6 18.Nh4 Rf8 19.Nf5 Bxf5 20.gxf5

White is better, since Black is not able to generate counterplay anymore.

20...Kh8 21.Ng3 Nde7 22.Rg1 Rg8 23.Be4 1-0

The best plan for Black is to manoeuvre the c6-knight round to d6 to defend the kingside. All the
same, White stands better. Unfortunately, the game score stops at this point in the databases and it is
unclear what happened, apart from the result.
Game 46
[Link]
Moscow 2008

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.g3 Bc5 5.Bg2 d6 6.d3 a6 7.0-0 0-0 8.h3 h6 9.Be3 Bxe3

This time Black exchanges on e3 at once.

10.fxe3 Ne7

Black can try to speed up his play in the centre with 10...d5. Then the game [Link],
Montreal 2013, continued 11.exd5 Nxd5 12.Nxd5 Qxd5 13.Kh2 Qd6 14.Nh4 g6 15.Bxc6!? Qxc6
16.e4

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 (an interesting strategy and instructive one, hoping that the knight on h4 is stronger than Black’s
bishop) 16...Qe6 17.g4 h5, and now White should have played 18.Qd2! hxg4 19.Qg5 Kh7 20.Rae1
with strong attacking play.

Question: Why might the knight be stronger than the bishop?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: We can see from this example that knight is a much more fluid piece and can generate
threats, whereas the bishop is static and only doing a defensive job.

11.Nh4 Nh7

Black retreats the knight to pre-empt a possible exchange sacrifice on f6, while trying to create
counterplay with ...f7-f5.

12.Rf2

A sensible move which, as we will see, has a multipurpose function. An alternative is 12.Qd2 g6
13.d4 Be6 14.Rad1 Kg7 15.Qf2 with another complex game, Zhang [Link], Elista
Olympiad 1998.

12...g6 13.d4 c6 14.a4 b6 15.Qd3 Qc7 16.Rd1 b5 17.Nf3 Be6

154
18.dxe5

Missing the strong idea 18.d5! cxd5 19.exd5 Bf5 20.e4 and White is better.

18...dxe5 19.Qd6

But this is not bad either. White is going for a favourable form of endgame.

19...Qxd6 20.Rxd6 b4 21.Ne2 Ng5 22.Nxg5 hxg5 23.Nc1!

Heading for the strong d3-square.

23...a5 24.Rfd2

Supporting play on the d-file.

24...c5 25.Nd3

White has much the better endgame now.

25...Rfc8 26.Nxe5 c4 27.Rd1 Kg7 28.Nf3 c3 29.b3 Rc6 30.e5 Rxd6 31.exd6 Rd8 32.e4 f6 33.e5 fxe5
34.Nxg5 Bxb3 35.cxb3 Rxd6 36.Bf3 Nf5 1-0

Game 47
Bu Xiangzhi-Bai Jinshi

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 Chinese Team Championship 2018

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.g3 Bc5 5.Bg2 d6 6.0-0 a6 7.d3 0-0 8.h3 Be6 9.Kh2 h6 10.Nd2!?

Rather than playing Be3 as in the previous games, White adopts a modern approach with the idea of
pushing f2-f4 and doesn’t really care whether Black plays ...d6-d5 or not.

10...d5

The main response. Black can also confront f2-f4 by going symmetrical with ...f7-f5 but needs to
play precisely: 10...Nh7 11.f4 f5 (Black should exchange on f4 first, otherwise White may expand on
the kingside) 12.exf5 Bxf5 13.g4 Bd7 14.Nde4 Bd4 15.f5 Qh4 16.Nd5 Rac8 17.c3 Ba7 18.Bd2 and
White already achieved a winning game, [Link] [Link], [Link] (blitz) 2021.

11.f4 exf4 12.gxf4 dxe4 13.dxe4

White now has strong central control in a very interesting position.

Question: Isn’t White’s king a bit compromised by these activities?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: It’s always about correct judgment. That’s why we have all these examples in order to
understand the correct paths. In this case it’s okay to play like this.
Recapturing with a knight is also logical because two knights are hitting the e4-square. I
investigated two possible continuations: 13.Ndxe4 Be7 (or 13...Nxe4 14.Nxe4 Bd4 15.f5 Bd5

156
16.Qg4 Be5+ 17.Kh1 Bxe4 18.Bxe4 Qf6 19.Rg1 Rfe8 20.c3 with advantage for White, [Link]-
[Link], [Link] blitz 2022) 14.f5 Bd7 15.Be3 Rb8 16.Rb1 Qc8 17.Qf3 Re8 18.Nxf6+ Bxf6
19.Ne4 Be5+ 20.Kh1 Nd4 21.Bxd4 Bxd4 22.f6 and White has attacking chances, [Link]-
[Link], [Link] (blitz) 2022.

13...Re8

Black has played other moves here:

a) 13...Ba7 14.f5! Qd6+ 15.Kh1 Bd7 16.Nc4! Qxd1 17.Rxd1 Rfe8 18.Bf4 Rac8 19.e5 gave White a
tremendous initiative in the endgame, [Link] [Link] Martin, Spanish League 2020.
b) 13...Be3 was [Link] [Link], Online Olympiad, [Link] (rapid) 2020, where
White should have played the active 14.e5 Nd5 15.Nxd5 Bxd5 16.Ne4! Bxe4 17.Bxe4 Qxd1
18.Rxd1 Bb6 19.Bd2 Rad8 20.Be1 and has the edge in this ending.

14.e5!

Driving the f6-knight back while opening lines and squares for White’s pieces.

14...Nh7

If 14...Nd5 15.Nb3 Nxc3 16.Qxd8 Nxd8 17.Nxc5 Nb5 18.Nxe6 Rxe6 19.Be3, White has an
obvious advantage.

15.Nb3 Ba7 16.Qf3 Bf5

Black might do better to attack the centre with 16...f6, though after 17.Qg3! fxe5 18.f5 Bxb3
19.axb3 Kh8 20.Ra4 Bd4 21.Ne4 Rf8 22.c3 Bb6 23.h4!? White has strong play for the sacrificed
pawn, with the idea of placing either a bishop or knight on g5!

17.Be3!

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 Nicely played; it seems that Black already doesn’t have any good reactions at move 17!

17...Bxc2 18.Bxa7 Bxb3 19.Bc5 Bc2 20.Nd5 Qc8 21.Qc3 Bf5 22.Rg1 Nf8 23.Nf6+! gxf6
24.Bxc6+ Ng6 25.Bxe8 Qxe8 26.Rae1 Qa4 27.Qd4 Qxa2 28.e6 Bxe6 29.Qxf6 Qd5 30.Rxg6+ 1-0

Game 48
[Link]
[Link] (blitz) 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.g3 Bc5 5.Bg2 d6 6.d3 a6 7.0-0 h6 8.h3 Be6

158
 Here we deal with lines in which Black delays castling and tries to speed up the game in a slightly
different manner.

9.Kh2

Various transpositions are possible, but I will focus on positions which we haven’t examined yet,
especially those where Black goes for queenside castling.
The same applies to 9.Be3 Qd7 (the main choice if Black wants to castle queenside; 9...Bxe3
10.fxe3 Ne7 is similar to positions we already analysed, e.g. 11.Kh2 0-0 transposes to 11...Ne7 in
Game 45) 10.Kh2 Bxe3 11.fxe3 0-0-0 (this has an independent character; instead, 11...d5 12.exd5
Nxd5 13.Qe1 mirrors Game 45, to which 13...0-0 is a direct transposition) 12.Qe2!? (so far no one
has tried this active plan, opting instead for either 12.d4 or 12.Nh4) 12...h5 13.Ng5 Rdf8 14.Nd5
Qd8 15.Nxf6 gxf6 16.Nxe6 fxe6 17.h4 Kb8 18.Bh3 Qe8 19.Rf2 Rhg8 20.Raf1 Qg6 21.Qf3 Nd8
22.Qg2 and it seems that White has the initiative on the queenside with c2-c4, b2-b4 and so on, while
Black’s play is effectively stopped on the kingside.

Question: In such opposite castling positions, who is faster?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: The side that can generate threats first or create certain assets.

9...g5

A sharp attempt. Black has other ways too which may lead to transposition or give the game a new

159
path:
a) 9...Qd7 10.a3 (discouraging Black from going long) 10...Ba7 11.b4 g5 12.Ng1 a5 13.Rb1 axb4
14.axb4 Nd4 15.Nd5 Bxd5 16.exd5 Bb6 17.c3 Nf5 18.Bd2 Rg8 19.Qc2 g4 20.Rbe1 Kf8 21.d4 and
White achieved better play, [Link] [Link], Krasnogorsk (blitz) 2022.
b) 9...d5, as in [Link], Russian Team Championship 2018, is not exactly the best
move order, since White can profit with 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.d4 Nxe4 12.dxc5 Nxc3 13.bxc3 Qd7
14.Re1 Nc6 15.Rb1 and stands better, despite the tripled c-pawns.

10.Be3

A familiar idea, except that this time Black didn’t castle but played ...g7-g5, which is sharp indeed.
The alternative 10.Nd2 is very interesting too: 10...Qd7 11.Nd5! (making the best use of the other
knight’s retreat) 11...Bxd5 12.exd5 Ne7 13.c4 Nf5, [Link] [Link], World Blitz
Championship, Almaty 2022, when 14.a3 Ba7 15.b4 0-0-0 16.Rb1 Rdg8 17.c5! dxc5 18.Nc4 gives
White a strong attack.

10...Qd7

This is probably the wrong combination of plans: having pushed ...g7-g5 Black shouldn’t let White
play d3-d4 so easily. Instead, 10...Bxe3 11.fxe3 g4 takes us to a sharp position, although after
12.Nh4! gxh3 13.Bxh3 Bxh3 14.Kxh3 Qd7+ 15.Kg2 Ng4 16.Nd5 0-0-0 17.Nf5 h5 18.b4 Rdg8
19.c4 h4 20.b5 it seems that White is faster.

11.d4! exd4 12.Nxd4

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12...Bc4

Castling queenside is now a mistake: 12...0-0-0 13.Nxc6! bxc6 14.Bxc5 dxc5 15.Qe2 Kb7 16.e5
Nd5 17.Na4 Qe7 18.Qc4 and White is winning already, [Link], Kharkov 2000.

13.Re1 0-0-0

It’s just as bad here.

14.Nxc6 Qxc6 15.e5! dxe5 16.Bxc6 Rxd1 17.Nxd1 Bb4 18.c3 Bd6 19.Bg2 Rg8 20.b3 Be6 21.c4
Bb4 22.Re2 h5 23.a3 Be7 24.Nc3 h4 25.g4 c6 26.Rd1 Bxa3 27.Na4 Nd7 28.Nb6+ Nxb6 29.Bxb6
f6 30.Red2 Be7 31.Be4 1-0

Game 49
[Link]
World Blitz Championship, Dubai 2014

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.g3 Bc5 5.Bg2 d6 6.d3 a6 7.0-0 Bg4

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 White can prevent this idea by playing h2-h3 earlier, although I don’t see why that is necessary.
Let’s see what is going on here.

8.h3 Bxf3

That’s the main idea. Retreating the bishop is passive: 8...Bh5 9.Bg5 h6 10.Bxf6 Qxf6 11.Nd5 Qd8
12.Qd2 0-0 13.Nh4 Ne7 14.Ne3 Bxe3 15.Qxe3 and White has both d3-d4 and f2-f4 plans, while it is
clear that bishop on h5 is a bit out of play.

9.Qxf3

Taking back with the bishop is also possible: 9.Bxf3 h6 10.Bg2 Qd7 11.Ne2 d5 12.exd5 Nxd5
13.Nc3 Nxc3 14.bxc3 0-0 15.Qg4 Qd6 16.Rb1 Rab8 17.Kh2 Kh8 18.f4 and White has the initiative,
[Link], Women’s World Rapid Championship, Riyadh 2017.

Question: What is the main idea behind ...Bg4 then?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: To develop quickly, prepare the attacking idea ...h7-h5 sometimes, and castle queenside in
that case.

9...Nd4 10.Qd1 h5 11.h4!

Stopping ...h5-h4. Here’s an example of why that should be prevented: 11.Bg5 Ne6 12.Bxf6 Qxf6
13.Qf3 Qh6 14.Nd5 h4! and Black is better, [Link], Essen 2000.

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11...Ne6

Black is looking for ...g7-g5, while anticipating c2-c3 at some moment. Also possible is 11...Qd7
12.Ne2 0-0-0 13.Nxd4 Bxd4 14.c3 Ba7 15.Bg5 Kb8 16.Qf3 Qe6 17.b4 Rdg8 18.Bxf6 Qxf6 19.Qxf6
gxf6 20.Kh2 and despite the exchanges we can say that White has better chances, since the white
bishop will be stronger on h3 than its counterpart on a7.

12.Nd5!

Clearing the way for c2-c3 and possibly d3-d4.

12...c6 13.Ne3 g6 14.c3 Qe7 15.b4 Ba7 16.a4 0-0

Black decides to castle and the game changes tack as White switches to the f2-f4 plan.

17.Kh1 Kg7 18.Qe1 Bxe3 19.Bxe3 d5 20.f4!

White is better now.

20...exf4 21.gxf4 dxe4 22.dxe4 Ng4 23.f5!

Winning, due to the f5-f6+ threat.

23...Nc7 24.f6+! Nxf6 25.Bd4

Not the best solution; 25.Rxf6! wins on the spot.

25...Nce8 26.Bc5 Qe5 27.Bd4 Qe7 28.Qf2 Rd8 29.e5

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 White has messed it up.

29...Ng4 30.Qg3 Nc7 31.e6+ Rxd4 32.cxd4 Nxe6

Now Black is winning.

33.Rad1 Qxb4 34.Bh3 Rd8 35.Bxg4 hxg4 36.Qe5+ Kg8 37.Rxf7 Kxf7 38.Rf1+ Ke7 39.Qf6+ Kd7
40.Qe5 Re8 41.d5 cxd5 42.Rf7+ Re7 43.Qxd5+ Ke8 44.Rf1 1-0

Black is completely winning on the board here so it must be assumed that he lost on time.

Game 50
[Link]-Bu Xiangzhi
World Blitz Championship, Doha 2016

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.g3 Bc5 5.Bg2 0-0 6.0-0 d6 7.d3 h6 8.Na4

When Black omits ...a7-a6 the standard plan for White is to go after the c5-bishop.

Question: Why is Black giving up the bishop pair at such an early stage of the game?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: It is often seen in 1.e4 e5 type play, not only in the Vienna. Black is ready to take firm
control over the d4-square and is trying to use that to generate play and fast development.

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8...Be6

Ignoring the attack, ready to take back on c5 and create strong play on the d-file.
The alternative is to give up the bishop on b6 to keep ...d6-d5 possibilities: 8...Bb6 9.Nxb6 axb6
10.h3 Be6 11.c4 (clamping down on the d5-square) 11...Qd7 12.Kh2 Nh7 13.b3 f5 14.exf5 Rxf5
15.d4 exd4 16.Nxd4 Nxd4 17.Qxd4 Raf8 18.Bb2 and White is clearly better, [Link],
[Link] (blitz) 2022.

9.h3 a5

Moving the a-pawn one square makes little difference: 9...a6 10.Nxc5 dxc5 11.Be3 Qe7 12.Nd2!
Nd7 13.Kh2 Rfd8 14.f4 f6 15.Qc1 Bf7 16.Nf3 Nf8 17.Nh4 and White has the initiative, Xu Yuhua-
[Link], Asian Women’s Team Championship, Shenyang 1999.

10.Nxc5 dxc5 11.Be3 b6 12.Kh2 a4 13.a3 Qe7 14.Nd2! Rad8 15.f4

White has achieved his desired f2-f4 idea. Black is solid but has a slightly passive position.

15...exf4 16.gxf4 Bc8

Black gave up the centre but still has firm control over the d4-square, along with a potential ...c5-c4
break.

17.Qe1

Perhaps an interesting plan for White is 17.Bf2!? (the idea is to go to h4 to create an unpleasant pin)
17...Nh7 18.Nc4 Nd4 19.f5 (preventing ...f7-f5) 19...b5 20.Ne3 Bb7 21.Qe1! Rfe8 22.Bh4 Qe5+
23.Bg3 Qe7 24.Qf2 and White has organized a good set-up, which we can say is an edge.

17...Rfe8 18.Rg1 Nd4 19.Bxd4 Rxd4 20.Nf3 Rdd8 21.Qh4 Nh7 22.Qg3 Nf6 23.Qh4 Nh7 24.Qxe7
Rxe7 25.Rae1 Nf6

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26.Nd2

A passive reaction. Instead, 26.Ne5! Bb7 27.Bf3 Kf8 28.h4 b5 29.Kg3 Nd7 30.Ng4 gives White a
preferable endgame.

26...b5

The position is balanced for the moment.

27.e5 Nh5 28.Rgf1 c4 29.Be4 g6 30.Re2 cxd3 31.Bxd3 Rd4 32.Ne4 Bf5

Black is creating pressure.

33.Nf6+ Nxf6 34.Bxf5 Nh5

Now it’s Black who is much better.

35.Be4 f5 36.Bc6 Nxf4 37.Ref2 g5 38.Bxb5 Rxe5 39.Bc6 Re3 40.Bg2 Kg7 41.c3 Rdd3 42.h4 Kg6
43.hxg5 hxg5 44.Rc1 Rd6 45.c4 Nd3 0-1

Game 51
[Link]
Sarajevo 2009

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.g3 Bc5 5.Bg2 d6 6.d3 Nd4

166
 A typical motif by which Black wants to exchange as many pieces as possible to ease his position.
Another aspect is to try to secure the c5-bishop with ...c7-c6 next and so on.

7.h3 Be6

Other options for Black are:

a) 7...c6 8.0-0 Nxf3+ (here 8...a5 9.Be3 a4 10.Bxd4 exd4 11.Ne2 0-0 12.Rb1 Qb6 13.c3 dxc3
14.bxc3 Qa5 15.d4 Ba7 16.Nd2 b5 17.Qc2 gave White easier play in [Link],
Serbian League 2003) 9.Qxf3 Be6 10.Na4 Bb4 11.Be3 b5 12.Nc3 Bxc3 13.bxc3 Qa5 14.Bd2 Qa4
15.Qd1 Nd7 16.f4 f6 17.a3 Rd8 18.Kh2 Bf7 19.g4 0-0 20.f5 d5 21.Re1 Kh8 22.h4 and it seems that
White’s position plays itself, [Link] la Riva Aguado-Ng Tze Han, Baku Olympiad 2016.
b) 7...Nxf3+ 8.Qxf3 Be6 9.Be3 Qd7 10.Bxc5 dxc5 was [Link], European Women’s
Championship, Istanbul 2003, where White can obtain pressure and an edge with 11.Qe2 0-0-0 12.f4
Qd6 13.0-0-0 Kb8 14.Rhf1.
c) 7...Bd7 8.Be3 0-0 9.Bxd4 exd4 10.Ne2 Bb4+ 11.Nd2 c5 12.0-0 Bc6 13.f4 b5 14.g4 Bxd2
15.Qxd2 Ne8 16.Ng3 g6 17.g5 and White has a preferable game, [Link], Bastia
1998.

8.Na4

The standard reply. A different path is also interesting: 8.Be3 Nxf3+ 9.Qxf3 Bxe3 10.Qxe3 0-0
11.0-0 Re8 12.f4 c6 13.Qf2 and White keeps some edge here.

8...Nxf3+ 9.Bxf3

Taking with the queen is possible and reasonable: 9.Qxf3 Bd4 10.c3 Bxf2+ 11.Qxf2 b5 12.Qc2 0-0

167
13.g4 bxa4 14.Qxa4 Nd7 15.Be3 Qh4+ 16.Bf2 Qg5 17.Qd1 c5 18.Qd2 looks like a good way to
handle this line.

9...Bb6

The usual retreat. The alternative 9...Bb4+ is actually very interesting and we should be ready for
such attempts: 10.c3 Ba5 11.b4 Bb6 12.Bg2 d5 13.f4! (White must play energetically) 13...dxe4
14.fxe5 Nd5 15.Bxe4 0-0 16.d4 f6 17.c4 Nxb4 18.Nxb6 cxb6 19.a3 Nc6 20.d5 Qc7 21.Bb2 and
White seems to be better in the complications.

10.Nxb6 axb6 11.Bg2 d5

12.f4?!

Too early and probably wrong. Much better is to make preparations first with 12.0-0 0-0 13.b3! b5
14.f4! (a proper way to handle this line) 14...dxe4 15.dxe4 Qxd1 16.Rxd1 Rfe8 17.Bb2 exf4 18.gxf4
and White has a good endgame.

12...exf4 13.e5 Ng8!

The best retreat for the knight.

14.Bxf4 Qd7 15.g4 Ne7 16.Qd2 Ng6 17.Bg3 h5!

Black is fine here.

18.gxh5 Rxh5 19.a3 0-0-0 20.0-0-0 Rdh8 21.Qf2

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 Black is doing so well that he can choose which pawn to take.

Question: Is it fair to say that White got into trouble due to a wrong f2-f4 plan?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Yes, it was played in a wrong way. The point is not to play f2-f4 in itself but with a well-
timed plan.

21...Bxh3 22.Bf3 R5h6 23.c4 Be6 24.Rxh6 gxh6 25.Qg2 Rd8 26.Rh1 Ne7 27.cxd5 Bxd5 28.Bxd5
Nxd5 29.Rxh6 Ne3 30.Qh3 Qxh3 31.Rxh3 Rxd3 32.Rh1 Kd7?

This careless move allows a trick which lets White back into the game. After 32...Nd5, followed by
...Kd7, Black should win.

33.e6+ fxe6 34.Rh7+ Ke8 35.Kb1 c5 36.Rxb7 Nc4 37.Bf4 Rd7 38.Rb8+ Rd8 39.Rb7 e5 40.Bc1 e4
41.Bg5 Rd7 42.Rb8+ Kf7 43.b3 Nd2+ 44.Bxd2 Rxd2 45.Rxb6 e3 46.Kc1 Rd3 47.Rh6 Rxb3
48.Kc2 Rxa3 49.Rh5 c4 50.Rh4 Ra2+ 51.Kc3 Kf6 52.Re4 Ra3+ 53.Kd4 Kf5 54.Rxe3 ½-½

Game 52
[Link] [Link]
[Link] (rapid) 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.g3 Bc5 5.Bg2 d6 6.d3 a5

A popular response today; we see this motif in the Italian Game and it’s applicable here as well.
Black secures the c5-bishop and takes more space on the queenside which can be useful in the
middlegame.

7.h3 0-0 8.0-0 a4

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 Using momentum to accelerate his play and seize more space.

Question: Are such plans usual?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: It seems that they are gaining popularity. In recent years we see similar plans in the Italian,
and they are known from the past as well.
Instead, 8...h6 might be met by 9.Na4!? (at first sight illogical but it’s a very interesting idea: since
Black has played ...a7-a5 there are now no more ...b7-b5 plans, so White is using that to create an
English-type set-up) 9...Ba7 10.c4!

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 (that’s the point: White gained more space on the queenside and in the centre) 10...Bd7 11.Nc3
Nd4 12.Be3! c6 13.Bxd4 Bxd4 14.Nxd4 exd4 15.Ne2 c5 16.a4! (ruling out ...b7-b5), [Link]-
[Link], correspondence 2011. Now the game will proceed on the kingside where White has active
chances.

9.Kh2

Other ideas are interesting too:

a) 9.a3 Nd4 10.Nxd4 Bxd4 11.Kh2 c6 12.f4 h6 13.Ne2 Ba7, as in [Link]-Yu Yangyi, World
Blitz Championship, Moscow 2019, where the best plan is 14.Qe1! Bb8 15.f5 d5 16.g4 with typical
attacking play on the kingside.
b) 9.Bg5 h6 10.Bh4!? g5 11.Nxg5 hxg5 12.Bxg5 Be6 13.Nd5 Bxd5 14.exd5 Nb8 15.Bh4 Nbd7
16.Qc1 Re8 17.Be4 and White has attacking chances.

9...h6 10.Nh4

I am not too fond of this knight move here because, with the black queen on d8, White will not be
able to play an effective f2-f4 very easily.
Instead, 10.a3 Re8 11.Be3 Bxe3 12.fxe3 Ne7 13.Nh4 c6 was [Link], Belgrade 2021.
We see that the motifs remain the same, and now White can play the thematic 14.Rxf6! gxf6 15.Qh5
Kg7 16.Rf1 with compensation for sacrificed exchange.

10...Nd4 11.Ne2 Re8 12.Nxd4

After 12.Be3 Nxe2 13.Qxe2 Bxe3 14.Qxe3 d5 Black is quite okay.

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12...Bxd4 13.c3 Bb6 14.f4

White pushes the f-pawn anyway, but it’s very risky here.

14...exf4 15.Bxf4 g5 16.Qf3 gxf4 17.Qxf4 Kg7 18.Rf3 Rf8 19.Nf5+ Bxf5 20.Qxf5 Ra5

A nice way to consolidate.

21.Qf4 Rg5 22.Raf1 Rg6 23.d4 c5 24.e5 dxe5 25.dxe5 Nh5 26.Qe4 Bc7 ½-½

Black is completely winning, but he only needed a draw to progress to the next round of the
competition.

Game 53
[Link]
[Link] (blitz) 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 d5

This is a main idea against the Vienna and it is here too. Black is going for activity and rapid
development, while the e5-pawn stakes out the centre. On the other hand, White will use the bishop
on g2 to generate an initiative and we will see that White will try with d2-d4 (if possible) or some
other means to create play around the e5-pawn. We can also see why we adopted a Four Knights
move order: in a pure Vienna Black doesn’t need to develop a knight to c6, so we limited Black’s
options.

5.exd5 Nxd5 6.Bg2 Nxc3

We will examine taking on c3 first, which is the most popular and best. Other moves, 6...Nde7 and
6...Be6, feature in Games 58 and 59.

7.bxc3 Bc5

This is the most active placement for Black’s f8-bishop. In Games 56 and 57 we will look at lines
where the bishop is developed to d6 and e7 respectively.

8.0-0 0-0 9.d3

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9...Bg4

Black develops the c8-bishop to its most active square as well. We will examine 9...Re8 and 9...h6
in the next two games. Black has also tried:
a) 9...Bb6 10.Re1 Re8 11.a4 Bg4 12.h3 Bh5 13.g4 Bg6 14.Bg5 Qd6 15.Nh4 h6 16.Be3 Bh7
17.Nf5 Bxf5 18.gxf5 Ba5 19.Bd2 Rad8 was [Link], [Link] (blitz) 2020, and
here White could have launched a powerful attack with 20.Be4! Ne7 21.Qh5 Kf8 22.Rab1 b6
23.Kh2 Nd5 24.Rg1 Nf4 25.Qg4 Qf6 26.Rg3, when White has big pressure.
b) 9...f6 10.Qe2 Kh8 11.Rd1 Re8 12.d4 exd4 13.Qc4 Bb6 14.cxd4 Be6 15.d5 Ne7 16.Qf1 Bg4
17.a4 a5 18.Ba3 Nf5 19.c4 and White is better, [Link], Harkany 2002.

10.h3 Bh5 11.g4 Bg6 12.Ng5

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 This is typical strategy in this line, albeit slightly controversial since g3-g4 can create weak squares;
on the other hand, White secures control over the e4-square.

Question: Doesn’t such an aggressive set-up compromise the kingside structure?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Yes it does; the point is to learn how not to cross the thin line between sharp, positional
chess and wild, anti-positional chess.

12...Bb6

Anticipating the Ne4 retreat. Alternatives lead to sharp play:

a) 12...Be7 13.Ne4 f5 14.gxf5 Bxf5 15.Qh5 Qd7 16.Ng3 Bg6 17.Qg4 Qxg4 18.hxg4 Na5 19.Be3
Rad8 20.Rab1 b6 21.c4 c5 22.Bd5+ Bf7 23.Nf5 and White got the edge, [Link],
Alessandria 2018.
b) 12...Qd7 13.h4 f6 14.Ne4 Bxe4 15.Bxe4 Ne7 16.Bxb7 Rab8 17.Bg2 f5 18.gxf5 Nxf5 19.Qg4
with an unclear position, [Link], French League 2019. Although a pawn up, White
must be careful not to push his play too far.

13.Rb1 Qd7 14.Ne4

Logical, but White can also utilize another interesting motif: 14.c4 Rfe8 15.Be3! (that’s the point)
15...Bxe3 16.fxe3 Rab8 17.h4 h6 18.Ne4 Qe7 19.Qe1, as in [Link], Berlin 2019. This is
the type of position White is looking for: all weak squares are covered, and Black can’t generate

174
counterplay.

14...Ne7 15.c4 c6 16.Be3 f5 17.Nc5 Bxc5 18.Bxc5 Rac8

The immediate ...b7-b6 would drop the c-pawn. The alternative is 18...fxg4 19.hxg4 Rf4 20.f3 b6
21.Be3 Rff8 22.a4. Although the bishop on g2 is blocked for the moment, f3-f4 is in the air, as well as
a4-a5.

19.Re1 b6 20.Ba3 fxg4 21.Qxg4!

Now Black has a serious problem how to defend the e5-pawn. Once that falls, he quickly folds.

21...Bf5 22.Qg5 Rf7 23.Rxe5 c5 24.Rbe1 Nc6 25.Rd5 1-0

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 Show in Text Mode

Game 54
[Link]
Belgian League 2013

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.g3 d5 5.exd5 Nxd5 6.Bg2 Nxc3 7.bxc3 Bc5 8.0-0 0-0 9.d3 Re8
10.Re1 Bg4

Here we have the same line but with the rooks on e8 and e1, which is also an important aspect of
this system.

Question: Who benefit from inclusion of the two rook moves?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: That depends on circumstances; whoever creates better piece coordination will benefit more.
As in the 9...Bg4 line, alternatives are possible. For example, 10...h6 11.Nd2 Bf5 12.Qf3 Be6
13.Ne4 Bb6 14.g4 also leads to interesting complex play.

11.h3 Bh5 12.g4 Bg6 13.Ng5

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 We can see a clear difference from the previous game. In my opinion White has profited from the
two rook moves because Black’s option of ...f7-f5 to create counterplay looks less effective without
the rook behind it. Indeed, the rook soon goes back to the f-file.

13...Bb6 14.a4

Black must be wary of a4-a5 threats.

14...Qd7

After 14...h6 15.Ne4 f5 16.gxf5 Bxf5 17.Qh5 Rf8 18.Be3 Qe8 19.Qxe8 Raxe8 20.Nc5 Bxc5
21.Bxc5 Rf6 22.f4 White has some edge in the endgame, [Link], Roquetas de
Mar 2020.

15.h4 h6 16.Ne4 f5 17.gxf5 Qxf5 18.Be3 Rf8 19.Ng3 Qf6 20.Qg4

White keeps everything covered and prepares to initiate play on the g-file. It is worth noting that
control over the e4-square is key.

20...Kh8 21.Kh2

The alternative is perhaps stronger: 21.Rf1 Bf7 22.a5! (an important motif worth remembering)
22...Nxa5 23.c4 Be6 24.Qh5 Bf7 25.Qf5 Qxf5 26.Nxf5 c6 27.c5 Bd8 28.Nd6 Bd5 29.Rfb1 and
White has the initiative.

21...Bf7 22.Ne4 Qe7 23.Bh3 Nd8 24.Rg1 Be6 25.Qh5

Here 25.Qg6 is more precise, but Black can still equalize: 25...Bxe3 26.fxe3 Bxh3 27.Kxh3 b6

177
28.Raf1 Nb7 29.Ng3 Nd6 30.e4 Rxf1 31.Rxf1 Rf8 32.Rxf8+ Qxf8.

25...Bxh3??

The wrong way round. After 25...Bxe3! 26.fxe3 Bxh3 27.Kxh3 Nf7! (fighting for the e4-square is
essential) 28.Raf1 Nd6 Black is okay.

26.Bxh6! 1-0

Delivering checkmate in at most eleven moves.

Game 55
[Link]
Moscow 2006

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.g3 d5 5.exd5 Nxd5 6.Bg2 Nxc3 7.bxc3 Bc5 8.0-0 0-0 9.d3 h6

Before committing the c8-bishop or f8-rook, Black plays this little move which rules out Ng5 and
also puts ...Qf6 in mind.

10.Qe1!?

A rare choice, pre-empting a possible pin with ...Bg4. The alternative 10.Re1 is actually very
interesting, even though Black can transpose to the previous game with 10...Re8 or try a different
idea. For instance, 10...Qf6 11.Be3 Bb6 12.Nd2 is very logical. White develops all his pieces and is
ready to utilize the e4-square and at the same time create pressure on the queenside:

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 a) 12...Qg6 13.Nc4 Re8 14.a4 Bg4 15.Qd2 Rad8 16.a5 Bxe3 17.Rxe3 and White achieved pressure
on the e5-pawn, [Link], [Link] (blitz) 2021.
b) 12...Re8 13.a4 Bf5 (preparing to eliminate an active knight on e4) 14.Qh5!? (provoking a bit;
14.Qb1 Na5 15.c4 Qd6 16.Ne4 Bxe4! 17.Bxe4 Bxe3 18.fxe3 c6, as in [Link],
correspondence 2015, is balanced – although it may appear that Black’s a5-knight is bad, the plan is
to go to c5 via the b7-square) 14...Bg6 15.Qe2 Bxe3 16.fxe3 Rad8 17.Qg4 Qe6 18.Qxe6 Rxe6 19.a5
b6 20.axb6 axb6 21.Ra6 Kf8 22.Rb1 Ne7 23.c4 and White has the edge in this ending, [Link]-
[Link], correspondence 2006.

10...Re8 11.Be3 Bb6 12.Nd2 Be6 13.Nb3 Bxe3 14.fxe3 Bd5 15.Qf2 Re7 16.Nc5! b6 17.c4 Bxg2
18.Qxg2 Qd6 19.Ne4 Qe6 20.g4!

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 Good play, showing a clear plan behind White’s previous moves.

Question: Can we say that this is an ideal set-up for White?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Yes it is; we can see clear domination on the f-file, the knight on e4 is a tremendous piece,
and the idea of g4-g5 will create further threats,

20...Rf8 21.h4 f6 22.g5 fxg5 23.Rxf8+ Kxf8 24.hxg5 Rf7 25.Rf1 Ne7 26.gxh6 gxh6 27.Rxf7+ Kxf7
28.Kf2 Qg6 29.Qh2

White has achieved a compact position which is easier to play: his king is safer, and Black has no
clear targets.

29...Ke6 30.Qh4 c6 31.a4 Kd7 32.Ke1 Nf5 33.Qh3 Ke7 34.Kd2 h5 35.c5 Qg4 36.Qh2 Ke6 37.c4
Nh4 38.Kc3 Nf3 39.Qh1!

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 White is better now; although the black h-pawn may look strong, White’s queenside pawn storm,
together with his dominant knight and queen, is stronger.

39...Ke7 40.cxb6 axb6 41.c5 b5 42.a5 Kd8 43.a6 Kc8 44.Qa1 Qg1 45.Qa2 Qe1+ 46.Kb3 Qxe3
47.a7 Qxd3+ 48.Kb4 Qxe4+ 49.Ka5 Kb7 50.a8=Q+ 1-0

Game 56
[Link]
FIDE Grand Prix, Tashkent 2014

1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.g3 d5 4.exd5 Nxd5 5.Bg2 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bd6

This is about keeping the bishop less exposed and the e5-pawn as strong as possible. On the other
hand, White now has options of d2-d4 and, as we will see, the bishop is not as active as on c5.

7.Nf3 0-0 8.0-0 Nc6

Via a slightly different move order we have reached our position, as after 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6
4.g3 d5 5.exd5 Nxd5 6.Bg2 Nxc3 7.bxc3 Bd6 8.0-0 0-0.

9.Rb1

This is best in my opinion: posting the rook on b1 before deciding what plan to adopt.

9...h6

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 A waiting move to see how the game may continue. Otherwise, Black can use the same strategy as
in the ...Bc5 line. For example, 9...Rb8 10.d3 Bg4 11.h3 Bh5 12.g4 Bg6 13.Ng5 with typical play:

a) 13...h6 14.Ne4 Ne7 15.c4 b6, [Link], Huaian (rapid) 2016, and now
White’s best is to take the bishop pair with 16.Nxd6 cxd6 before 17.f4 f6 18.h4 gets his kingside
initiative going.
b) 13...Be7 14.Ne4 f5 15.gxf5 Bxf5 16.Be3 Qd7 17.Qh5 g6 18.Qf3 Be6 19.Qg3 Bxa2 20.Rb5 Be6
21.Nc5 Bxc5 22.Rxc5 Qd6 23.Rb1 and White achieved better play in [Link], Baku
(rapid) 2021, due to combined pressure on the e5-pawn and the queenside.

10.d3 Rb8 11.Nh4!?

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 A rather provocative idea, but the plan is clear: the knight makes way for both the f-pawn to
advance and the queen to take up an active position on h5, creating attacking chances.

Question: Is placing a knight on the edge of the board a sound idea?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: It’s thematic in many openings, especially if there is a plan behind it as here.

11...Be6

If 11...Ne7 12.Qh5 c6 13.c4 Be6 14.f4 exf4 15.gxf4 f5 16.Kh1 Qd7 17.Rg1 Kh7, as in
[Link], Budapest 2001, then 18.Bh3! Qe8 19.Bb2! Rg8 20.Qe2 Bd7 21.Be5 Bxe5
22.Qxe5 g6 23.Rg3 gives White the better chances.

12.Qh5 Ne7 13.f4

White is playing actively.

13...exf4 14.gxf4 Nd5 15.Bxd5 Bxd5 16.Nf5 Bc6 17.Be3?!

Missing a very strong – and actually very unusual! – attacking idea that starts with a king move:
17.Kf2!!

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 Due to the threat of Rg1, there is not much that Black can do. For example: 17...Bd7 18.Nxh6+
gxh6 19.Qxh6 Bg4 20.Rg1 f5 21.h3 Qf6 22.Qxf6 Rxf6 23.hxg4 and White is winning. Well, it’s not
often we see among strong players Black being easily outplayed in a small number of moves and in a
spectacular way.

17...Qf6 18.Bd4 Qg6+ 19.Qxg6 fxg6 20.Nxd6 cxd6 21.Rbe1 Rbe8 22.Rxe8 Rxe8 23.Bxa7 Ra8
24.Bb6 Rxa2 25.Rf2 Ba4 26.Bc7 d5 27.Be5 Kf7 28.Kg2

The game is equal now.

28...h5 29.h4 Bd7 30.Kg1 Bg4 31.Bd4 b5 32.Be5 Ra7 33.Kg2 Ke6 34.Bd4 Re7 35.Be5 Kf5 36.Rf1
Ra7 37.Rb1 g5 38.Bd4 Ra2 39.fxg5 Rxc2+ 40.Kg3 Rd2 41.Bxg7 Rxd3+ 42.Kf2 Rh3 43.Rxb5 Rxh4
44.Rxd5+ Kg6 45.Be5 ½-½

Game 57
[Link]
World Rapid Championship, Dubai 2014

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.g3 d5 5.exd5 Nxd5 6.Bg2 Nxc3 7.bxc3 Be7

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 This is yet another way to continue. The bishop seems even less active on e7, but it’s a solidly
placed piece and stops attacking plans on the kingside.

8.0-0 0-0 9.Re1 Bf6

That’s the main point. Black wants to have a bishop exactly here.

10.Rb1 Re8

More usual is 10...Rb8 11.d3, when Black has two logical ways to continue:
a) 11...Be6 12.c4 (we can see now that plans are different to those with either ...Bc5 or ...Bd6; here
White is trying to create pressure on the e5-pawn) 12...Qd7 13.Bb2 Bg4 14.Qc1 Rfe8 15.Bc3 b6,
[Link], Wijk aan Zee 1997, when White has the strong idea 16.Rb5 Bxf3 17.Bxf3 Nd4
18.Bxd4 exd4 19.Rd5 Qc8 20.Rxe8+ Qxe8 21.Qf4 Qe7 22.Rf5 with the initiative.
b) 11...Bf5 12.Nd2 Qd7 13.Ba3 Rfe8 14.Ne4 Be7 15.Bxe7 Qxe7 16.Nd2 Bd7, [Link]-
[Link], Varna 1994, and now White should have tried the active 17.Bd5! Kh8 18.Qf3 f6 19.d4
Qf8 20.Nb3 exd4 21.cxd4 Rxe1+ 22.Rxe1 Re8 23.Re3 Rxe3 24.fxe3, when Black can’t easily
untangle given the pressure on the h1-a8 diagonal.

11.h3 g6 12.Nh2!?

An interesting manoeuvre; basically White wants to attack the bishop on f6, so Black must decide
how to respond.

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12...h5

This is a rather controversial decision that can also create weaknesses.

Retreating the bishop might be safer: 12...Bg7 13.d3 Qd7 (planning to develop the other bishop on
b7), [Link], Belgian League 2011, and now White’s best plan may be to go 14.Qg4
(exchanging queens is a good idea here) 14...b6 15.Qxd7 Bxd7 16.Ng4 with chances to obtain an
advantage.

13.d3 e4?!

This only creates problems for Black. Better was 13...Bg7 14.Bd2 Qd6 15.Nf3 Rb8 16.Ng5, though
Black still has problems developing in a natural way.

14.d4 Qd5 15.Bf4 Qxa2 16.Nf1!

White wants the knight to take on e4 with great strength, and which Black’s next move merely
enhances this.

16...Qd5 17.Nd2 Kg7 18.Nxe4

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 White is just winning now.

18...Bxh3 19.Bxh3 Rxe4 20.Rxe4 Qxe4 21.Bg2 Qf5 22.Rxb7 Ne7 23.Rxc7 Rd8 24.Rxa7 Nd5
25.Bd2 Rc8 26.Ra5 Ne3 27.Qa1 Nxc2 28.Rxf5 Nxa1 29.Rb5 Nc2 30.Rb3 Ra8 31.Bxa8 1-0

Game 58
[Link]
Biel 2015

1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.g3 d5 4.exd5 Nxd5 5.Bg2 Ne7 6.Nf3 Nbc6 7.0-0 g6

187
 Not a very popular line but interesting. Black is playing in a similar manner as against the English
Opening. Firm control over the d4-square is a main point, while obviously regarding that the knight
on c3 is not on the most elastic square.

Question: Can such a position arise from a different move order?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Yes, it might arise from 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 type set-up where White goes for a King’s Indian
plan with d2-d3, e2-e4 and taking on d5. Alternatively, 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.g3 d5 5.exd5 Nxd5
6.Bg2 Nde7 and ...g7-g6 would be a route via the Four Knights.

8.d4

The most direct attempt and a logical one; White is going fast to exploit his lead in development.

8...exd4 9.Nb5 Bg7 10.Bf4 0-0

The alternative 10...Nd5 11.Re1+ Be6, as in [Link], Israel 2001, is no better since
12.Be5 Nxe5 13.Nxe5 0-0 14.Nxd4 c6 15.Nxe6 fxe6 16.Nd3 is good for White.

11.Nxc7 Rb8 12.Nb5 Ra8 13.c3 dxc3 14.bxc3

We have reached an interesting position in which we can say that White enjoys some pressure,
though Black is still solid.

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14...Be6

If 14...a6, as in [Link], Kolkata 2002, then 15.Nc7 Qxd1 16.Raxd1 Rb8 17.c4
Bf5 18.Nd5 Rbc8 19.Bg5 f6 20.Be3 gives White the initiative in the ending.

15.Nc7 Bc4 16.Nxa8 Bxf1 17.Bxf1

Not the strongest reply. Instead, after 17.Qxf1 Qxa8 18.Qc4 Qd8 19.Ng5 h6 20.Ne4 White has
preferable chances.

17...Qxa8 18.Qb3

White still preserves some pressure because the light squares are in his hands.

18...Qc8 19.Rd1

The rook could also go to a different file: 19.Re1 Na5 20.Qb5 Nec6 21.Re3 h6 22.h4 Rd8 23.Qb1,
when White has chances to increase his initiative.

19...Rd8 20.Ng5 Rxd1 21.Qxd1 h6 22.Ne4 Qd8 23.Qb3 Qd5

24.Qb1

Here 24.Nd6 Qxb3 25.axb3 Bxc3 26.Nxb7 Kg7 27.Kg2 was the last try for an initiative. Although
the position has simplified Black still has some problems to solve because White can generate play
against the a7-pawn.

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24...Ne5 25.Bxh6 Nf3+ 26.Kg2 Nh4+ 27.Kg1 Nf3+ 28.Kg2 Nh4+ 29.Kg1 ½-½

Game 59
[Link]
USSR Championship, Baku 1961

1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.g3 d5 4.exd5 Nxd5 5.Bg2 Be6 6.Nf3 Nc6

Instead, 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.g3 d5 5.exd5 Nxd5 6.Bg2 Be6 would be our move order. Black
insists on keeping the knight on d5, but this gives time to White to organize play on the e-file.

7.0-0 Be7

8.Re1 Bf6

Black is focused on having all his pieces in the centre.

Question: Is this strategy at all good for Black?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: It’s good strategy but bad timing, since it seems that Black can’t simply keep the knight on
d5 here.

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 On the other hand, 8...Nxc3 9.bxc3 Bf6 is clearly inferior to Game 57. After 10.Rb1! Bxa2 (or
10...Rb8 11.Ba3! Bxa2 12.Rb2 Be6 13.d4) 11.Rxb7 0-0 12.d3 Be6 13.c4 White has a definite edge,
[Link] [Link] Toledo, Santiago 2014.

9.Ne4

For me, I prefer to present this game between the Titans Smyslov and Polugaevsky to show the
positional strategy that occurred, but from a theoretical point of view the alternative is also strong:
9.Nxd5 Bxd5 10.d4 Bxf3 11.Bxf3 0-0 12.dxe5 Qxd1 13.Rxd1 Bxe5 14.Be3 a6 15.c3 Rad8 16.Kf1
and White has a favourable endgame due to the bishop pair, [Link], Moscow 2007.

9...0-0 10.d3 Be7 11.a3 Nb6 12.b4 Bg4 13.c3 a6 14.h3 Bh5 15.Nc5 Rb8 16.Bb2

White has managed to create good squares and to get good pressure on the e5-pawn.

16...Bd6 17.Qb3 Nd7 18.d4!

White is clearly better now. Smyslov is hitting hard in the centre and the knight on c5 in particular
is very strong.

18...Re8

Inserting 18...exd4 19.cxd4 Re8 20.Rxe8+ Qxe8 21.Re1 Qd8 22.Nh4 allows White a very strong
initiative. Removing the knight with 18...Bxc5 19.dxc5 Re8 20.g4 Bg6 21.c4 also favours White.

19.Re3

Missing the straightforward 19.Nxd7 Qxd7 20.g4 Bg6 21.d5 Nd8 22.c4 f6 23.c5 Bf8 24.Rad1,

191
when White has a big advantage.

19...exd4 20.cxd4 Rxe3 21.Qxe3 a5 22.b5 Ne7 23.Re1 Nd5 24.Qb3 N5f6 25.Nd3 Nb6 26.Nfe5

Black has problems bringing his rook into the game and his queen is passive on d8 as well.

26...a4 27.Qc2 Bg6 28.Nxg6 hxg6 29.Ne5 Nbd5?

This just gives a pawn away. After 29...Qe8 Black is still in the game.

30.Qxa4 b6 31.Nd3 Bf8 32.Ne5 Qd6 33.Nc6 Re8 34.Re5 Ne7 35.Qc4 Nf5 36.Rxe8 Nxe8 37.Ne5
Qe7 38.Nxf7 Qe1+ 39.Bf1 Nxg3 40.Ne5+ Kh7 41.fxg3 Qxg3+ 42.Kh1 1-0

Game 60
[Link]
Riga 2015

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.g3 Bb4

This is another kind of set-up. By taking on c3 at some point Black is ready to build solid control in
the centre.

Question: Can we say this is a reversed Ruy Lopez with a tempo more for White?

Show/Hide Solution

192
Answer: Yes, it is like that, so similar strategy applies.

5.Bg2 0-0

Black doesn’t gain anything by postponing castling. For instance, 5...d6 might be met by 6.Nd5!?.

This has never been played before but it is a clever way of managing things in the opening. I
analysed two possible paths, taking the e4-pawn or exchanging knights:
a) 6...Nxd5 7.exd5 Nd4 8.Nxd4 exd4 9.0-0 0-0 10.d3 Bf5 11.Bd2 Bc5 12.b4 Bb6 13.a4 a5 14.Qb1
and White has pressure.
b) 6...Nxe4 7.c3 Bc5 8.d4 exd4 9.cxd4 Bb6 10.0-0 0-0 11.Re1 f5 12.Be3 and White has
compensation. An interesting line.

6.0-0 d6

Not the only way here. Black can also take on c3 at once, after which I think it is best to recapture
with the d-pawn, 6...Bxc3 7.dxc3.
Black wants to simplify to reach equality as soon as possible. Now the logical paths are playing
solid with ...d7-d6 or taking on e4 again:
a) 7...d6 8.Qd3 h6 9.c4 Be6 10.Nh4 Qd7 11.Re1 Bh3 12.Bh1 Rae8 13.Bd2 Kh8 14.Bc3 g5 15.Nf5
gave White the upper hand in [Link], Villa Gesell 1997.
b) 7...Nxe4 8.Nxe5 Nxe5 9.Bxe4 d6 10.f4 Nd7 11.f5 (White goes for pawn play on the kingside,
not so much in order to attack but rather to take space and be able to develop the c1-bishop to an
optimal square) 11...Nf6 12.Bg2 Re8 13.g4 d5 14.Bg5 c6 15.Kh1 Qd6 16.Qd4 Ne4 17.Rae1 c5

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18.Qd1 and White has an edge, [Link], Katowice 1992.

7.d3 h6

A sensible move which is often played automatically. Black can always do something different. For
instance, 7...Bg4 8.h3 Bh5 9.g4 Bg6 10.Bg5 h6 11.Bh4 Bxc3 12.bxc3 Qe7 13.Rb1 Nd8 14.Re1 Bh7
15.Qc1! (preventing ...g7-g5) 15...Rb8 16.d4 Qe6?! (not good, but the position is already
unfavourable; if 16...Kh8 17.Qa3, White has the initiative) 17.d5 Qe7 18.g5! Nxe4 19.g6 1-0
[Link] [Link] Pallisse, Santa Clara 1999.

8.a3

A natural reaction, since Black goes ...a7-a6 all the time in the Ruy Lopez, but it is not the only
choice: 8.Nd5 Nxd5 9.exd5 Ne7 10.c3 Ba5 11.d4 exd4 12.Nxd4 Nf5 13.Nc2 Bb6 was [Link]-
[Link], Hungarian League 1998, and now 14.Re1 Bd7 15.Qf3 Re8 16.Rxe8+ Qxe8 17.Bd2 Qf8
18.a4 a5 19.b3 Re8 20.Na3! gives White some edge.

8...Bxc3

Retreating as in the Ruy Lopez is also possible: 8...Ba5 9.b4 Bb6 10.Na4 (we had similar positions
in the 4...Bc5 line) 10...Bg4 11.h3 Be6 12.Nxb6 axb6 13.Bb2 b5 14.Kh2 Nd7 15.Nh4 Nb6 16.f4 f6,
[Link], Liepaja (rapid) 2018, and now White should have switched his dark-squared
bishop to another diagonal: 17.Bc1 Qd7 18.Be3 with good play.

9.bxc3

Obviously, White no longer has a choice of recapture. Here one main idea is to generate fast f2-f4
play.

9...Be6

Going for a central break is possible: 9...d5 10.exd5 Nxd5 11.Bb2 Re8 12.Re1 Nb6 was [Link]-
[Link], Bratislava (rapid) 2022, but now there is the strong plan 13.a4 a5 14.Nd2 Bf5 15.c4 Qd6
16.Nb3 and White is better.

10.c4! Qd7 11.Nh4 g5

Black wants to stop f2-f4, at least for the moment.

12.Nf3 Bh3 13.Ne1 Kh7 14.f3 Rg8 15.g4! Bxg2 16.Nxg2

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 Good strategy. Now the f5-square is a serious weakness and play with h2-h4 is also possible.

16...h5 17.c3

The idea of this move is to lift the a1-rook to a2 and across to the kingside to support the other
pieces.

17...Ne7 18.h4!

Black should not have allowed this move.

18...hxg4 19.fxg4 Qe6 20.Qf3 Nxg4 21.Qxf7+ Qxf7 22.Rxf7+ Rg7 23.Rxg7+ Kxg7 24.Bxg5 Ng8
25.Rf1

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 White is a pawn up with the better endgame but somehow was unable to convert it.

25...a6 26.Rf3 Kg6 27.Rg3 Kh5 28.Ne3 Nxe3 29.Bxe3 Kxh4 30.Rg7 Rc8 31.a4 Kh5 32.Kg2 Nf6
33.Kh3 Rh8 34.Rxc7 Kg6+ 35.Kg2 Rh7 36.Rxh7 Nxh7 37.c5 dxc5 38.Bxc5 b5 39.axb5 axb5
40.Kf3 Kf7 41.Ke3 Ke6 42.d4 Kd7 43.Kd3 Ng5 44.Ba3 Nh3 45.Ke3 Nf4 46.Bc5 Ne6 47.Bb4
Ng5 48.d5 Nf7 49.Bf8 Ng5 50.Bh6 Nf7 51.Bg7 Kd6 52.Bf6 Kc7 53.Ke2 Kd6 54.Kf2 Kc7 55.Kf3
Kd7 56.Bg7 Ng5+ 57.Ke3 Nf7 58.Kd3 Kd6 59.Bf8+ Kd7 60.Ke3 Ng5 61.Bg7 Nf7 62.Kd2 Nd6
63.Kd3 Nc4 64.Bf8 Nb2+ 65.Ke2 Nc4 66.Bb4 Ke8 67.Kf3 Kf7 68.Kg4 Kf6 69.d6 Ke6 70.d7
Kxd7 71.Kf5 Kc7 72.Ke6 Kc6 73.Be7 Kb6 74.Kd5 Ka5 75.Bd6 Ka4 76.Bxe5 Kb3 77.Bd4 b4
78.cxb4 Kxb4 79.e5 Nxe5 80.Bxe5 ½-½

Game 61
[Link]
FIDE World Cup, Tromsø 2013

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.g3 g6

This reaction is also perfectly normal. The game may transpose to a Pirc if White goes for an early
d2-d4, but this is not our intention.

5.Bg2 Bg7 6.0-0 0-0 7.d3 d6 8.h3

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 The plan here is simple: Be3, Qd2, only after developing all pieces will White break in the centre
with d3-d4, or f2-f4, or both.

Question: Clearly Black will go for ...f7-f5. What is a key aspect for White?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: To confront via d3-d4 and utilize the d5-square are key ideas, while keeping in mind that
...f7-f5 e4xf5 may follow, connected even with f2-f4, if in that case Black will face pressure on his
central position.

8...Ne8

That’s one option. Black wants to play ...f7-f5 as in the King’s Indian. If instead 8...h6 9.Be3 Be6
10.Qd2 Qd7 11.Kh2 Kh7, we can already appreciate White’s plan: 12.d4! exd4 13.Nxd4 Nxd4
14.Bxd4 Rfe8 15.Rad1 Bc4 16.Rfe1 Re7 17.b3 Be6 18.f4 c6 19.Qf2 and White is clearly better,
[Link], Hamburg 1993.

9.Nd5

Not a bad choice, but not the only reaction. The alternative is good too: 9.Bg5 f6 10.Be3 f5
(otherwise d3-d4 will be even stronger) 11.exf5 gxf5 12.Nd5 Nf6 13.Bg5 Be6 14.Nh4 Qd7 was
[Link], Zürich 2015, and now simplest play is often the best: 15.Bxf6 Bxf6 16.Nxf6+
Rxf6 17.f4! Qg7 18.Qf3 Kh8 19.Qf2 Rg8 20.Bxc6! bxc6 21.Kh2 and the knight is stronger than the
bishop.

197
9...Be6

A logical development. Black can also challenge the knight directly with 9...Ne7, as in [Link]-
[Link], Skopje Olympiad 1972. Here after 10.Nxe7+ Qxe7 11.Re1 f5 12.exf5 gxf5 13.c4 Nf6 14.c5
Kh8 15.Bg5 Be6 16.cxd6 cxd6 17.Nd4 White has easier play.

10.c3

Preparing to break in the centre.

10...h6

Black takes precautionary measures against Ng5 ideas. The players’ previous game saw 10...Qc8
11.Kh2 h6 12.d4 exd4 13.Nxd4 Bxd5 14.exd5 Nxd4 15.cxd4 and although White has doubled d-
pawns it is clear that he also has more space and better pieces, [Link], FIDE World Cup,
Tromsø 2013.

11.d4

I also analysed if White held this back here, waiting for Black to play ...f7-f5 first. For instance,
11.Re1 f5 12.Nh4 Bxd5 13.exd5 Ne7 14.f4 is another way of handling this position. The passive
knights and missing light-squared bishop are not in Black’s favour.

11...f5 12.Nh4!?

A good reaction; attacking g6 gains an important tempo.

12...Bxd5 13.exd5 Ne7 14.dxe5 dxe5 15.Qb3 Nd6 16.Nf3 Kh7 17.Re1 e4 18.Nd4 Bxd4 19.cxd4

198
Qe8 20.Bf4

The same players, the same type of doubled pawns, and again it is White who is better.

20...Qf7 21.Bxd6 cxd6 22.Qxb7 Nxd5 23.Qxf7+ Rxf7 24.f3 Re8 25.fxe4 Rfe7 26.e5 Nb4 27.Rad1
Nxa2 28.Ra1 Nb4 29.Ra4 Rb8 30.e6 Kg7 31.d5 Kf6 32.Re3 Rb5 33.Bf1 Rb6 34.Bc4 a6 35.Ra5
Rc7 36.b3 Ke7 37.Kf2 Rb8 38.Re2 Rbc8 39.Ke3 Rc5 40.Rxc5 Rxc5 41.Kd4 Ra5 42.Rf2 Ra1
43.Kc3 a5 44.g4 Rc1+ 45.Kd2 Ra1 46.Rf3 Ra2+ 47.Kc1 a4 48.gxf5 Rc2+ 49.Kd1 a3 50.f6+ Kf8
51.f7 1-0

Game 62
[Link]
Lithuanian Championship, Vilnius 2002

1.e4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e5 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 Nd4

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 As in the English Four Knights Black’s plan is to exchange pieces and to bring ...c7-c6, ...d7-d5
ideas on stage.

Question: Can’t White just take the e5-pawn?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: That’s possible, but 5.Nxe5 d5 6.d3 Bc5 7.Bg2 Qe7 seems to offer Black decent
counterplay.

5.Bg2 Nxf3+ 6.Qxf3 Bc5

This is the main set-up here and it’s a logical one. Black can also develop the bishop on e7, but then
White can achieve f2-f4 more straightforwardly. For example: 6...d6 7.d3 Be7 8.Qe2 0-0 9.0-0 c6
10.h3 b5 11.f4 Nd7 12.Kh2 a5 13.Nd1 a4 14.Ne3 Nc5 15.Bd2 Bf6 16.f5 and White achieved typical
attacking play on the kingside, [Link], European Rapid Championship, Cap d’Agde 1996.

7.d3 h6

The alternative is 7...c6 which is perfectly normal and consistent with Black’s fourth move. Then
8.h3 d6 9.0-0 0-0 10.Be3 (as in the main game, this is a good reaction) 10...Bxe3 11.fxe3!? was Ni
[Link], FIDE World KO Championship, Tripoli 2004. We saw such motifs when we
analysed 4...Bc5 lines, but in my opinion it is better to take with the queen here: 11.Qxe3 Re8 12.f4
Qb6 13.Qxb6 axb6 14.a4 Bd7 15.Kh2 h5 16.Rad1, when White has more space and some initiative
due to d3-d4 ideas.

200
8.0-0 d6 9.h3 a6 10.Be3

As soon as Black loses a tempo to secure the bishop, this is a good reaction.

Question: Doesn’t White exchange too many pieces at an early stage?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Exchanging pieces doesn’t necessarily mean that White is playing for a draw. In this case,
we can say that it eases his search for the initiative.

10...Bxe3 11.Qxe3 c6 12.f4 b5?

A bad reaction or at least a badly-timed one. Instead, after 12...0-0 13.Rf2 Qe7 14.Raf1, although
the position is simplified White still has the initiative.

13.fxe5 dxe5 14.Qc5

White is winning a pawn which gives him a clear advantage.

14...Be6 15.Qxe5 0-0 16.Ne2 Nd7 17.Qf4 c5 18.c3 Qb6 19.Qe3 Rad8 20.b3 b4 21.d4 f6 22.d5 Bf7
23.cxb4 Qxb4 24.Rac1 Rfe8 25.Rc4 Qb8 26.Qf2 Re5 27.Nf4 Qd6 28.Nd3 Rg5 29.Qf4 Ne5
30.Nxe5 Rxe5 31.Rfc1 f5 32.exf5 Bxd5 33.Rxc5 Re1+ 34.Bf1 Rxc1 35.Rxc1 Qf6 36.Rd1 Bf7
37.Rxd8+ Qxd8 38.Kf2 Kh7 39.g4 Qh4+ 40.Qg3 Qf6 41.Qf3 Qh4+ 42.Kg1 Qf6 43.Bd3 Qa1+
44.Kf2 Qxa2+ 45.Kg3 1-0

201
 Game 63
[Link]
Tal Memorial, Riga (blitz) 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 Bb4

This is a specialty from the Petroff Defence, though many don’t use it. What we have here is a
reversed Ruy Lopez, a tempo up for White. That doesn’t necessarily guarantee any advantage, but
White surely has some long-term initiative, as long as he plays accurately.

4.Nxe5 0-0 5.Nd3 Bxc3 6.dxc3 Nxe4 7.Be2

White has the bishop pair and perhaps an easier type of position to control. The plan is to send the
knight to f4 and follow with c3-c4 and f2-f3, to start using space and the bishops to his advantage.

Question: There is no centre so how to estimate the players’ chances here?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: White can slowly try to control the centre by putting a pawn on c4, after which the bishop
pair will start to become active, although it’s fair to say that Black is solid.

7...d6

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 Black keeps his position solid and is ready to develop pieces, trying to exchange some more.
Black can also play more actively in the centre with 7...d5 8.0-0 and then:
a) 8...Bf5 9.Nf4 Nf6 10.g4 Bc8 11.h3 Re8 12.c4 d4 13.Bf3 Nc6 14.Bg2 a5 15.Nd5 Nxd5 16.cxd5
Nb4 17.c4 c5 18.a3 Na6 19.Bf4 and White is better, [Link], Greek Championship,
Athens 2014.
b) 8...c6 9.Nf4 Nd7 10.c4 dxc4 11.Bxc4 Ne5 12.Be2 Qxd1 13.Rxd1 Bf5 14.g4!?, when White
obtains more space and has some advantage in the endgame due to the bishop pair, [Link]-
[Link], Gold Coast 2018.

8.0-0 Re8 9.Nf4 Nd7

This is all okay for both sides. Now let’s see how the game may continue in terms of plans.

10.Be3

The idea is to go f2-f3 followed by c3-c4, but White can also use different move orders to get all
that. For instance, after 10.f3 Nef6 11.c4 Qe7 12.Rf2 Qe5 13.Rb1 Nf8 14.b3 Bd7 15.Nd3 Qe7
16.Bb2, as in [Link], Linares 1995, White has achieved his goal. All pieces are
developed on good squares, while the bishop pair and c4-pawn are doing a good job in controlling the
centre.

10...h6

Not a critical reply, more a waste of time. Black should hurry to exchange pieces, so alternatives
are probably more accurate:
a) 10...Ndf6 11.Bd4 Bd7 12.f3 Ng5 13.Qd2 Ne6 14.Nxe6 Bxe6 15.Bd3 h6 16.c4 Nd7, [Link]-

203
[Link], PRO League, [Link] (rapid) 2017, when White’s best is to play for the initiative with
17.f4! f6 18.Rae1 Bf7 19.Rxe8+ Qxe8 20.Re1 Qf8 21.Qa5 Re8 22.Rxe8 Qxe8 23.Bf2 and White is
better.
b) 10...Ne5 11.f3 Nf6 12.Bf2 h6 13.Qd2 Bf5 14.Rfe1 Qd7 15.b3 Qc6 16.c4 was [Link]-
[Link]ünfeld, Vienna 1922. I’m happy to find a game between great masters of the past that still serves
as a clear example of how to play this position.
c) 10...Ndc5 11.c4 Ne6, as in [Link], Zgierz (rapid) 2018, should be met by
12.Nd5 c6 13.f3 N4c5 14.Nc3 Nc7 15.Qd2 Bf5 16.Rfe1 h6 17.Bf1 Qf6 18.Rad1, which slightly
favours White, although the position is still complex.

11.Re1 Ndf6 12.Bd4 Bd7 13.f3 Nc5 14.Qd2 Bc6 15.Bc4

Already we can say that Black is facing serious problems, although it may not look like that at first
sight.

15...Rxe1+ 16.Rxe1 Ncd7 17.Ng6! d5 18.Ne7+ Kh8 19.Bd3

Black is now losing since his king’s position is seriously compromised.

19...Qf8 20.b4

Missing a clear win: 20.Nf5 Re8 21.Rxe8 Qxe8 22.Nxh6 finishes easily.

20...a6 21.Nxc6 bxc6 22.Qf4 Qd6 23.Qf5

Here too White missed an easier path: 23.Qxd6 cxd6 24.Re7 Kg8 25.Bxf6 Nxf6 26.Rc7 and wins.
Instead, the game swung back and forth until Black finally went astray in a drawn rook ending.

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23...a5 24.a4 axb4 25.cxb4 Qxb4 26.c3 Qd6 27.f4 c5 28.Be5 Qb6 29.Kh1 Kg8 30.Bc2 Qb2 31.g4
Nxe5 32.fxe5 Ne4 33.Bxe4 dxe4 34.e6 fxe6 35.Qxe6+ Kh8 36.Qxe4 Rf8 37.Qd3 c4 38.Qxc4 Qf2
39.Qe4 Rf4 40.Qe3 Qxe3 41.Rxe3 Rxa4 42.h3 Kh7 43.Kg2 Ra2+ 44.Kg3 Rc2 45.Kf4 Kg6 46.Ke5
Rd2 47.h4 Rg2 48.Re4 Rd2 49.Rd4 Rc2 50.c4 c5 51.Rd6+ Kf7 52.Kd5 Rg2 53.Kxc5 Rxg4 54.h5
Rh4 55.Kb6 Rxh5 56.c5 Rh1 57.c6 Rb1+ 58.Ka7 h5 59.c7 Rc1 60.Kb7 Rxc7+ 61.Kxc7 h4 62.Kc6
g5 63.Kd5 h3 64.Ke4 Kg7 65.Kf3 1-0

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 Show in Text Mode

Chapter Three
Caro-Kann Defence

1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Ne5

I decided to cover this interesting modern variation, for reasons similar to Chapter One: to avoid
forced engine lines and concentrate on pure positional understanding of chess. We can consider this
as a kind of reversed QGD Exchange where White is using the extra tempo to create an active set-up.

Question: Doesn’t such play contradict the basic rule not to play with the same piece in the
opening, at least at an early stage?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: It does, but due to specifics here, such as the closed nature of the position and potential
checks on b5, this is okay.
Let’s see more closely what will be presented here.

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4...Nf6

We will start with variations in which Black develops a knight to f6 before anything else. Later we
will look at plans where Black brings the other knight out first. After 4...Nc6 5.d4, very often 5...Nf6
follows but, as we will see, Black has independent options too, such as 5...a6, 5...e6 and 5...Nxe5 (see
Games 74 and 75).

5.d4 Nc6

Black has several other choices here, such as 5...e6, 5...a6 and 5...Bf5 (examined in Games 70-72)
and especially 5...g6, which is the subject of the first game below.

6.Bb5 Bd7 7.Nxd7 Qxd7

Positions in which White takes a bishop on d7 are a trademark of 4.Ne5 lines. White gets the
bishop pair which is significant here. Firm control of the light squares comes in handy in preventing
Black’s potential play on the e4-square, though mainly it’s about fighting against the typical minority
attack with ...a7-a6 and ...b7-b5. Both sides have solid set-ups, and it is important to understand the
nuances to know which plan to count on.

Game 64
[Link]
Nice (rapid) 2008

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.Ne5

207
 We have transposed to 2.Nf3 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Ne5 Nf6 5.d4. I want to emphasize that, although
4.Ne5 may look like an attacking move, the line is more about positional aspects of the pawn
structure, as we will see when we start studying the games.

5...g6

A logical approach, as Black develops in a natural way.

Question: What is the main point of this set-up?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Solidity in pawn structure and piece play.

6.Bb5+

This important nuance is the primary idea here, but the rarely seen alternative 6.Be2 is playable as
well. For example: 6...Bg7 7.0-0 0-0 8.c3 Nc6 9.Bf4 (it looks like a London System now) 9...Nd7
10.Nxd7 Bxd7 11.Qb3 Bc8 12.Nd2 b6 13.Rfe1 Bb7, [Link], Schwäbisch
Gmünd 2016, when White can achieve fine play with 14.Nf3 e6 15.Bd3 followed by h2-h4-h5 plans.

6...Nbd7

Having a knight on d7 is not the ideal situation for Black, but 6...Bd7 allows White to get the
bishop pair, a main point in the entire system. For example, 7.Nxd7 Nbxd7 8.0-0 Bg7 9.Re1 0-0
10.Nd2 e6 11.c3 a6 12.Bd3 b5 13.a4 b4 14.cxb4 Qb6 15.Nf3 Qxb4 16.Qe2 Qb7 was [Link]-

208
[Link], [Link] (rapid) 2020, where it seems that 17.Bf4 Nb8 18.b4 Nc6 19.Rab1 Nh5
20.Bd6 Rfd8 21.Bc5 Nf4 22.Qd2 Nxd3 23.Qxd3 keeps an edge for White due to active play on the
queenside.

7.0-0 Bg7 8.Nf3

In other games White has generally elected to have a pawn on c3, whereas Carlsen has a different
intention. One example is 8.Re1 0-0 9.Nf3 Nb8 10.h3 Nc6 11.c3 Ne4 12.Nbd2 Nxd2 13.Bxd2 Qb6
14.Qb3 e6 15.Bd3 Qc7 16.Qd1 a6 17.Qc1!, as in [Link], [Link] (blitz) 2021, with
the good plan of exchanging dark-squared bishops via Bh6, followed by h2-h4-h5.

8...0-0 9.Nc3

A rather unusual strategy, but it’s not really a problem to play like this. The knight can easily be
transferred to other squares because we already have a fixed pawn structure in the centre.

9...Nb8 10.h3 a6 11.Bd3 Nc6 12.a3 Bf5 13.Bxf5 gxf5 14.Ne2!

This manoeuvre is known from other lines in the Caro-Kann. Black has the g-file and a strong grip
on the e4-square, while White is hoping to use the f4-square for his pieces. Let’s see how to conduct
this type of play.

14...e6 15.Bg5

Not the only way here. The alternative is actually very strong: 15.Ne1! Kh8 16.Nd3 Rg8 17.c3.
Now White has f2-f3 at his disposal, while the e2-knight controls the g3-square and the d3-knight is a
strong piece which controls both sides of the board.

209
15...Qb6 16.Bxf6!

Typical Carlsen: exchanging a bishop for a knight is his trademark. Here it eliminates the
possibility of ...Ne4.

16...Bxf6 17.Rb1 Kh8 18.c3 Rg8 19.Nf4 Qc7 20.Qd2 Be7 21.Kh1 Bd6 22.Nh5

Actually this is a bit aggressive. White can play more simply 22.Nd3 Rg7 23.Rg1 Rag8 24.g3 Na5
25.Rbe1 Nc4 26.Qc1 with a better version of a position he gets in the game.

22...b5 23.Rg1

This is not only a defensive move; at some moment White may go active with g2-g4.

23...Qe7 24.Rbe1 Rac8 25.Re2!

A multifunctional move, as we will soon see.

25...Na5 26.Nf4 Nc4 27.Qc1 Qc7 28.Nd3

Okay, safety first; White is fighting against ...b5-b4 breaks.

28...a5 29.Qe1!

The point of the plan started with 25.Re2.

29...Rg7 30.Nfe5 Rcg8 31.f4 Be7

With the idea of transferring his knight to e4 via d6.

32.g4!

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 White found a good way to push the g-pawn and at the same time obstruct ...b5-b4 ideas.

32...Nd6 33.Reg2! fxg4 34.hxg4

Logical but not necessarily the best. Exchanging a pair of rooks is more to the point: 34.Rxg4 Bf6
35.Nc5 Nf5 36.Qf2 a4 with a mutually solid position.

34...f6 35.Nf3 Ne4 36.Qh4?!

Asking a little too much of his position. After 36.Nd2 Qc6 37.Qe3 the game remains balanced.

36...Qc4!

Now Black has the initiative.

37.Nde1 b4 38.axb4 axb4 39.cxb4 Qxb4 40.g5 fxg5 41.fxg5 Bxg5 42.Nxg5 Rxg5 43.Rxg5 Rxg5
44.Rxg5 Nxg5 45.Qxg5 Qxe1+ 46.Kg2

Although Black has won a pawn, he has few real winning chances in view of his exposed king.

46...Qe4+ 47.Kg3 Qd3+ 48.Kg2 Qxd4 49.Qd8+ Kg7 50.Qe7+ Kg6 51.Qxe6+ Kg5 52.Qe7+ Kf4
53.Qh4+ Ke3 54.Qe1+ Kd3 55.Qd1+ Ke4 56.Qg4+ ½-½

Game 65
[Link]
World Rapid Championship, Doha 2016

211
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.Ne5 Nf6

Now we’ll examine variations in which Black brings both knights out.

6.Bb5

This is the main idea again.

6...Bd7

If Black wants to keep the bishop, 6...Qb6 is possible as in Game 69.

7.Nxd7!

Taking the bishop pair at an early stage is a key point. White’s bishop on b5 will then go back to d3
and control the light squares nicely.

Question: Why is gaining the bishop pair important when the position is relatively closed?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: It is mostly a good positional idea. Of course, if the game is not conducted well, it will have
no meaning; that’s why we are analysing the aspects of such play here.

7...Qxd7

212
8.c3 e6

We will begin with this normal Caro-Kann development. Alternatives, 8...a6 and 8...g6, are
examined in Games 67 and 68.

9.0-0 Bd6 10.Re1

White can also play 10.Nd2, as in the next game.

10...0-0 11.Bd3

The plan is simple: the queen’s knight is coming to f3, after which White will start the usual
attacking plan using the e5-square.
The immediate 11.Nd2 is also possible. I extracted two interesting examples to show how play may
continue:
a) 11...a6 12.Bd3 e5 13.dxe5 Nxe5 14.Nf3!

(White is satisfied with the achievement of creating an isolated d5-pawn) 14...Nfg4 15.Nxe5 Nxe5
16.Bc2 Rfe8 17.Bf4 Bc7 18.g3 Rad8 19.Bxh7+ Kxh7 20.Bxe5 Bxe5 21.Qh5+ Kg8 22.Rxe5 Rxe5
23.Qxe5 and White was a clear pawn up, [Link], Wijk aan Zee 2018.
b) 11...Rad8 12.Bd3 e5 13.dxe5 Nxe5 14.Nf3 (again here we see the same motif) 14...Nxf3+
15.Qxf3 Qg4 16.Qxg4 Nxg4 17.Bf5 h5 18.h3 Ne5 19.Bg5 f6 20.Be3 Bb8 21.Be6+ Kh7 22.Rad1
and White has some edge, [Link], European Online (rapid) 2021.

11...Qc7

Black can also go for an ...e6-e5 plan: 11...e5 12.dxe5 Nxe5 13.h3 Rfe8 14.Be3 Re7 15.Bf1 Rae8

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16.Nd2, when the position is playable for both sides.

12.g3

It is important not to let Black easily exchange a bishop via the f4-square.

12...h6

Black still wants to play ...e6-e5, but now after 12...e5 13.Bg5! Nd7 14.dxe5 Ndxe5 15.Bf1 Rfe8
16.Nd2 h6 17.Be3 Rad8 18.Nf3 White got what he was looking for: play against the isolated pawn on
d5.

13.f4

That’s very much possible, preventing ...e6-e5 and preparing an attack on the kingside.

13...Rab8 14.a4 a6 15.Qe2 Rfe8 16.Qf1 Nd7 17.Nd2 f5

Trying to get counter chances using the e4-square.

18.Nf3 Nf6 19.Be3 Ne4 20.Ne5

We have reached a closed type of position but, as we can see, having control over the light squares
helps White immensely.

20...Rf8 21.Qg2 Nxe5 22.fxe5 Be7 23.Rf1 Bg5

Perhaps Black should prefer 23...Qd8 24.h4 Kh8 25.Kh2 g5 26.g4 f4 27.Bc1 Ng3 28.Rf3 Kg7
29.h5 with a highly unusual position, though White has preferable chances due to the exceptionally
strong bishop on d3.

24.Bxg5 hxg5

In the case of 24...Nxg5 25.h4 Ne4 26.g4 Qc6 27.gxf5 exf5 28.Rf4 Qe6 29.Raf1 White is better.

25.g4! Qe7 26.a5 g6 27.c4 Kg7 28.Rac1 Rbd8 29.cxd5 exd5 30.Kh1

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 A very sharp position; White has the initiative but it’s far from simple due to the complex situation
in a centre.

30...Rd7 31.gxf5 gxf5 32.Bxe4 dxe4 33.e6 Qxe6 34.Qxg5+ Kh8 35.Rc5 Rg7 36.Qh4+ Rh7 37.Qf4

With precise moves White keeps the initiative.

37...e3?!

That is not good. Better chances to survive follow 37...Rg7 38.Rxf5 Qxf5 39.Qxf5 Rxf5 40.Rxf5
Rd7 41.d5 Kg7 42.b4 e3 43.Kg2 Kg6 44.Re5 Kf6 45.Re4 Rxd5 46.Kf3 Rd3 47.Rxe3 Rd5 and Black
is close to a draw.

38.Re5 Qc6+ 39.d5 Qb5 40.Rg1

Now White is winning.

40...Qxb2 41.Rxe3 Rc8 42.d6 Qf6 43.Re6 Qc3 44.d7 Rf8 45.Re8 Qc6+ 46.Rg2 1-0

Game 66
[Link]
Batumi Olympiad 2018

1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.d4 Nc6 5.Ne5 e6 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.Nxd7 Qxd7 8.c3 Nf6

Via a slightly different move order we reach the same position with the bishop pair.

215
9.0-0 Bd6 10.Nd2 Qc7 11.g3 0-0 12.Bd3

This time White has omitted Re1 but still wants to keep the option of f2-f4. From the other side,
Black goes for a traditional ...b7-b5 plan, which is why it is important to look at this game.

12...Rab8

Black can still go for ...e6-e5 and other ideas:

a) 12...e5 13.dxe5 Nxe5 14.Nf3 Nxf3+ 15.Qxf3 Rfe8 16.Kg2 a6 17.Rd1 and White has slightly
better chances, [Link], Bunratty Online (blitz) 2021.
b) 12...a6 13.a4 Na5 14.f4 Rab8 15.Qe2 g6 16.Ra2!? (White wants to play Nf3 without allowing
...Nb3 ideas) 16...Be7 17.Nf3 Nc4 18.Bxc4 Qxc4 19.Qxc4 dxc4 20.a5 Rbc8 21.Ra4 Rc7 22.f5! gxf5
23.Bf4 Rcc8 24.Ne5 and White has slightly better chances in the ending, [Link],
Russian Team Championship 2018.

13.Nf3

In my opinion, White does better after 13.a4 a6 14.Nf3 b5, when 15.Qe2! Qb7 16.b4!? Rfc8
17.axb5 axb5 18.Bd2 creates a target on b5.

13...b5 14.Bg5 Nd7 15.Qe2 Qb7 16.Rad1 Rfe8 17.Rfe1

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 This is standard play in this line. White has centralized his pieces and is ready for the middlegame,
looking for potential improvement of his attacking ideas.

17...a5 18.a3

An important move in this type of position. We will soon see why.

18...h6 19.Bc1

White can retreat to a more active square as well: 19.Bd2 b4 20.cxb4!? (creating an unbalanced
pawn structure in view of the bishop pair) 20...axb4 21.a4 Ra8 22.Bb5 is yet another interesting way
to handle this line.

19...b4 20.a4!

This is the reason, securing the b5-square and keeping the a-file closed. Black is unable to capture
en passant because the a-pawn already moved.

20...bxc3 21.bxc3 Qc7 22.c4 dxc4 23.Bxc4 Nb6 24.Bb5

That’s another point, but the position is still balanced since Black has firm control over the d5-
square.

24...Rec8 25.Qe4 Nd5 26.Bd3 Nf6 27.Qh4 Qd8 28.Ba6 Rc7 29.Bb5 Nb4 30.Bd2 Rbc8 31.Ne5
Be7 32.Qh3 Qd5 33.Bxh6 gxh6 34.Qxh6 Bd8 35.Qg5+ Kh8 36.Qf4 Kg7 37.Qg5+ Kh8 38.Qf4

217
38...Qb7?!

Objectively, Black would do better to repeat with 38...Kg8 or 38...Kg7, unless perhaps his team
needed a win.

39.d5!? Nbxd5 40.Qh6+ Kg8??

This is no longer a safe move. He had to play 40...Nh7 41.h4 Ndf6 42.Bd7 Kg8 43.Bxc8 Qxc8
44.Rd4 Rc5, when Black is probably still okay.

41.Rd4!

Now it’s winning for White.

41...Nh7 42.Rg4+ Bg5 43.h4 f6 44.hxg5 Nxg5 45.Rxg5+ fxg5 46.Qxe6+ Kh8 47.Bd7 Rxd7
48.Nxd7 Qc6 49.Qe5+ Kh7 50.Qxd5 1-0

Game 67
[Link]
World Blitz Championship, Dubai 2014

1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.d4 Nf6 5.Ne5 Nc6 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.Nxd7 Qxd7 8.c3 a6

Black hits the b5-bishop and leaves the c8-h3 diagonal open because he has a different idea in
mind.

9.Bd3 Qg4

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 That’s the interesting point. Black indicates that he is happy to go into an endgame.

Question: Can we say that chances in the endgame are balanced?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: It’s fair to say that the position is probably equal. Nonetheless, White has chances to press
with the two bishops.

10.Qxg4 Nxg4 11.Bf4

White can drive the knight back first if he wants to: 11.h3 Nf6 12.Bf4 e6 13.Nd2 Kd7 14.a4 b6
15.0-0 Bd6 16.Bxd6 Kxd6 17.f4! h5 18.Nf3 g6 19.Ne5 and White got a pleasant edge in
[Link], Tarvisio 2017.

11...e6 12.Nd2 Nf6 13.Nb3

219
 With the possible idea of going to c5 at some point, which Black decides to prevent.

13...Nd7

Alternatively, 13...Nh5 is a sensible option, driving the white bishop from the h2-b8 diagonal. After
14.Be3 Bd6 15.g3 Nf6 16.0-0 White has the bishop pair, but Black is ultra-solid.

14.Ke2 Be7 15.a4 0-0 16.a5

Developing a rook first is a better way to go: 16.Rhe1! Rfe8 17.Kf1 h6 18.h3 Rac8 19.g4 and White
has some edge in the endgame.

16...Rfe8 17.Rhe1 e5 18.dxe5 Ndxe5 19.Kd2 Bd6 20.Bg3 Nc4+

Missing the chance for good counterplay with 20...d4! 21.Bf1 dxc3+ 22.bxc3 Rac8 and Black
should be okay.

21.Bxc4 dxc4 22.Bxd6 cxb3 23.Bc7!

220
 White is just in time to question Black’s strategy. Now the pawn on b3 may be weak.

23...Rxe1

It was better to let White exchange rooks: 23...f6 24.Rxe8+ Rxe8 25.Ra3 Re7 26.Bb6 Rd7+ 27.Ke3
Re7+ 28.Kf3 Kf7 29.Rxb3 g5 with some activity for the missing pawn.

24.Rxe1 f6 25.f4 Kf7 26.c4 Rc8 27.Bb6 Ne7 28.Re4 Rc6 29.Rd4?!

More precise was 29.Kd3! Nc8 30.Bf2 Nd6 31.Rd4 Ke8 32.h3 h5 33.Be1 and White is better due
to the threat of Bb4.

29...Nf5 30.Rd3 Rxc4 31.Rxb3 Nd6 32.Kd3 Rc6 33.g4 g6 34.Bd4 Nb5 35.f5 gxf5 36.gxf5 Rc1
37.Bf2 Rh1 38.Bg3 Rf1 39.Ke4 Rc1 40.Kd5

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40...Rd1+?

A blunder. Black managed to reach a position where White could not improve but now makes a big
mistake. Best was to wait with 40...Rf1, when the game move 41.Kc5? would run into 41...Rxf5+
42.Kb6 Nd4! and Black is better.

41.Kc5! Rf1 42.Kb6 Rxf5 43.Kxb7

Having been gifted a tempo on the previous note, White is now winning.

43...Nd4 44.Rd3 Ne6 45.b4 Rb5+ 46.Kxa6 Rxb4 47.Bd6 Rb1 48.Rd5 Kg6 49.Rb5 Rd1 50.Rb6 Ra1
51.Kb5 Kf5 52.a6 Nd4+ 53.Kc4 Nf3 54.Kd5 h5 55.Kc6 Nd4+ 56.Kb7 Ne6 57.a7 Nd8+ 58.Kb8
1-0

Game 68
[Link] Lopez
World Blitz Championship, St. Petersburg 2018

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.Ne5 Nc6 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.Nxd7 Qxd7 8.c3 g6

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 Black opts for a fianchetto which, as I said earlier, is a perfectly sensible option.

9.0-0 Bg7 10.Re1 0-0 11.Nd2 e6

Going for fast play on the queenside is logical, and 11...a6 12.Bd3 e6 13.Nf3 b5 14.a3 Qb7 is a
standard set-up for Black.
Black’s king is safer with a bishop on g7, and he has the simple plan of ...a6-a5 and ...b5-b4. White,
on the other hand, hopes that his control over the light squares is good enough to give him chances for
an advantage. [Link], [Link] (blitz) 2021, continued 15.Qe2 Rfe8 16.Bf4 Nd7 with a
complicated game ahead.

12.a4 a6 13.Bd3 Rfc8 14.Nf3 Na5

Another plan is 14...Qd6 15.g3 Qf8. The queen acts as a defender here and supports ...b7-b5-b4
ideas. Still, after 16.h4, it is not easy for Black to advance the b-pawn, while White can play in a
slower manner, simply improving his pieces.

Question: Can we conclude that it’s of upmost importance for both sides to keep their structure
intact?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Yes, we can say that.

15.Ne5 Qe7 16.Bg5 Qc7 17.Qf3 Ne8 18.Ng4

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 White achieved his attacking play with ease and the next phase is to push the h-pawn, while Black
has serious problems organizing counterplay.

18...Nc4 19.Re2 Ned6 20.h4 h5

Black can try to defend in a different way with 20...f5, but 21.Nh6+ Bxh6 22.Bxh6 Ne4 23.Rae1 is
still good for White because Black can’t prevent f2-f3 sooner or later.

21.Nf6+ Bxf6 22.Qxf6 Ne8 23.Qf3 Ncd6 24.Bxg6!

This thematic sacrifice gives White a strong attack.

24...fxg6 25.Rxe6 Qf7 26.Qxd5 Rc6 27.Rxg6+ Ng7 28.Rxd6 1-0

Game 69
[Link]
[Link] 2021

1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Ne5 Nc6 5.d4 Nf6 6.Bb5 Qb6

This is yet another way of handling this line. Black is not ready to give up the bishop pair. On the
other hand, such an early queen excursion is often fraught with danger.

7.Nc3

Not the most active response. The alternative 7.c4 is critical, going for direct pressure.

224
 I analysed a couple of variations here:
a) 7...Nd7 8.Nc3 Ncxe5 9.dxe5 e6 10.cxd5 Bb4 11.Qe2 exd5 12.0-0 Bxc3 13.bxc3 0-0 14.Be3
Qc7 15.Bd4 and White is better, [Link], Moscow 2018.
b) 7...e6 8.Qa4 Bd7 9.Nxd7 Kxd7 10.Nc3 a6 11.c5 Qc7 12.0-0 and White is clearly better,
[Link], [Link] (blitz) 2022, Such a terrible game by Bacrot shows how this line
can create problems even for very strong theoreticians.

7...e6 8.0-0 Bd6

Placing a bishop on d6 is a perfectly sensible. If Black instead plays 8...Be7, White can respond
9.Bxc6+ bxc6 10.Na4 Qb7 11.Bf4 0-0 12.c3 Ne4 13.Re1 with good chances of obtaining an
advantage, since Black doesn’t have an easy time in liberating with ...c6-c5.

9.Bf4 Qc7 10.Re1 0-0 11.Bf1 a6 12.Bg3 Nd7 13.Nf3 b5 14.a3 Bb7 15.Ne2 Nf6 16.Nc1!

225
 An important idea for White is to transfer a knight from the rather passive c3-square to a better one;
we already saw this Game 64. Here exchanging dark-squared bishops helps White because he can use
the e5- and c5-squares to create strong outposts.

Question: Can we say that it’s important for White in such cases to find the right knight
manoeuvre at the right time?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Correct; otherwise Black will exploit the passivity of the knight on c3 to create pressure on
the c-file.

16...Ne4 17.Bxd6 Qxd6 18.Nb3 Qc7 19.Bd3 f5 20.c3 Rae8 21.a4!

White is combining ideas; no need to rush.

21...Qb6 22.axb5 axb5 23.Qe2 b4 24.c4 dxc4 25.Bxc4 Kh8 26.Qe3

Note that White has firm control over the c5- and e5-squares, which is exactly what I was talking
about earlier.

26...Ne7 27.Ne5 Nf6 28.Nc5 Bc8 29.Qh3 Qd6 30.Bxe6! Bxe6 31.Ra6 Qxd4 32.Nxe6 Qd2 33.Nf3
Qd3 34.Raa1 Ne4 35.Nxf8 Rxf8 36.Ng5

Forcing the queens off. White is winning.

36...Qxh3 37.Nxh3 Nd5 38.Ra5 Nef6 39.Rd1 Rc8 40.g3 Ne7 41.Re5 Rc7 42.Rd8+ Nfg8 43.Nf4

226
Ra7 44.Rb5 h6 45.Ne6 Ra6 46.Nd4 Ra2 47.Nxf5 Nxf5 48.Rxf5 Kh7 49.Rd2 Ne7 50.Rf7 Nc6
51.Rdd7 Rxb2 52.Rxg7+ Kh8 53.Rh7+ Kg8 54.Rdg7+ Kf8 55.Rc7 Kg8 56.Rhd7 Rc2 57.Rc8+ 1-0

Game 70
[Link] Pons
Leon (rapid) 2008

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.Ne5 e6

This time Black intends to develop in a classical way. The problem is that the bishop stays on c8,
but Black is hoping its activation will come later.

6.Nd2 Nc6 7.c3

Starting a typical plan and development.

7...Bd6

That’s the usual move. Black can also take on e5 with 7...Nxe5 8.dxe5 Nd7 9.Nf3 and then has two
interesting ways to continue, though neither seems to offer equality:
a) 9...Qc7 10.Bf4 Nc5 11.Be2 Bd7 12.0-0 Be7 13.c4! (a good motif to bear in mind) 13...dxc4
14.Bxc4 0-0 15.Rc1 a5 16.Nd4 and White has a preferable position, [Link], Sombor
2008.
b) 9...g6 10.Bd3 Bg7 11.Bf4 Qc7 12.Qe2 Nc5 13.h4 Nxd3+ 14.Qxd3 Bd7 15.h5 0-0-0 16.Rh4 Bc6

227
17.Qe3 Kb8 18.h6 Bf8 19.Bg5 Rc8 20.Bf6 Rg8 21.Ng5 and White is winning, [Link],
[Link] (blitz) 2021.

8.f4 g6 9.Qf3 Nh5

In order to execute a plan a player must play as precisely as possible, otherwise everything may go
wrong. Here 9...0-0 10.Bd3 Ne8!? 11.0-0 Ng7 is an improved version of the game and is rather
unclear.

Question: Why place a knight on g7 at all?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Because it controls f4-f5 breaks and opens up ...f7-f6, ...e6-e5 possibilities in some cases.
Simply put, it is flexible here.

10.g4!?

Anand immediately goes for a sharp continuation.

10...Ng7

If instead 10...Qh4+ 11.Kd1 Ng7 12.Qg2 Qe7 13.Bd3 Bd7 14.b4, White has play on both sides of
the board, albeit in a complicated position.

11.Qh3

Preventing ...f7-f6.

11...h5 12.Bd3 Kf8 13.Ndf3 Kg8

228
14.Bd2?!

Missing a clear path of attack. This was the right moment for 14.Ng5! and after 14...Nxe5 15.fxe5
Be7 16.Nxf7! Kxf7 17.0-0+ Nf5 18.gxf5 exf5 19.Kh1 White is clearly better.

14...Bd7 15.0-0-0 Be8 16.Rdg1 Ne7 17.Ng5

It appears that White still has a strong attack, but Black is nicely controlling the f5-square and all
around it.

17...Qc7 18.Kb1 Rb8 19.gxh5 Rxh5 20.Qg4 Nef5 21.Qd1 b5

Now it is Black who has attacking play.

22.Be2 Rh4 23.Ngf3 Rh3 24.Bf1 Rh8 25.h4 b4 26.c4 dxc4 27.Bxc4

229
27...f6?

The correct execution was 27...Bxe5! 28.Nxe5 f6 and Black should win. Note that 29.Qb3 fails to
29...Nxd4.

28.Qb3!

Turning the tables. White is not yet winning, but from here on he is the only one to find good
moves.

28...fxe5 29.fxe5 Be7 30.Bxe6+ Kf8 31.Bxf5 Nxf5 32.h5 Qd7 33.d5 Qa4 34.Qxa4 Bxa4 35.h6 b3
36.Rxg6 bxa2+ 37.Ka1 Bb3 38.Rh5 Ke8 39.Rxf5 Bxd5 40.e6 Be4 41.h7 Ba3 42.Rg8+ Ke7 43.Rf7+
Kxe6 44.Ng5+ Kd5 45.Rxb8 Rxb8 46.bxa3 1-0

Game 71
[Link]
Dortmund 2021

1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Ne5 Nf6 5.d4 a6

Deliberately preventing any Bb5 ideas and preparing later play with ...b7-b5.

6.Bd3 Nc6 7.c3 g6 8.0-0 Bg7 9.Re1

Another logical plan is to leave the rook on f1 and develop the queen first: 9.Qe2 0-0 10.Nd2 Nxe5

230
11.dxe5 Nd7 12.Nf3 e6 13.Bf4 b5 14.Nd4 Bb7 15.Rfe1 Qb6 16.a3 Nc5 17.Bc2 Rfc8 18.h4! and
White has the initiative, [Link] Alonso, [Link] (blitz) 2020. Everything in this
game was done in a proper way.

9...0-0 10.Nd2

10...Bf5

Exchanging light-squared bishops is a basic idea in the Caro-Kann with a similar type of structure.
Black wants to minimize White’s chances for an attack, and now using the e4-square helps Black
generate his own plans much more easily. On the other hand, White will try to profit from the
resulting doubled pawns on f7 and f5.
Here are a couple of interesting examples of how the game may continue if Black tries something
else:
a) 10...Nxe5 11.dxe5 Nd7 12.Nf3 Nc5 13.Nd4 Bg4 14.f3 Bd7 15.Bg5 Re8 16.Bh4 b5 17.Kh1 Rc8
18.Bf1 (usually the bishop goes to c2 but in this case it’s also fine on f1) 18...Qb6 19.Qd2 a5 20.a3
Qb7 21.Rad1 Ne6 22.Nxe6 Bxe6 23.Bf2 Rb8 24.b4 Ra8 25.Bc5 and White is better, [Link]-
[Link], Grand Chess Tour, Paris (blitz) 2018.
b) 10...Nd7 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.Nf3 c5, [Link], [Link] (blitz) 2022, and now best play
for White is 13.Bf4 Re8 14.Qd2 Qb6 15.Rac1 a5 16.h4 Ba6 17.Bxa6 Qxa6 18.Ne5 Nxe5 19.Bxe5
with some pressure due to h4-h5 ideas.

11.Bxf5 gxf5 12.Nd3

This is okay, but under these circumstances White can do better: 12.Nb3 e6 13.Nxc6 bxc6 14.Bf4

231
Kh8 15.Nc5 Rg8 16.Nd3 Nd7 17.Qh5 Qf8 18.Re3 Bf6 19.Rh3 Qg7 20.Rg3 Qf8 21.Re1 with a clear
advantage because Black doesn’t have an active plan.

12...e6 13.Nb3 Kh8 14.Bf4 Ne7 15.a4 Ng6 16.a5 Nxf4 17.Nxf4 Rg8

18.Nh5

Going to the kingside, as in Carlsen’s game with Morozevich, but this is not compulsory. Another
plan is 18.Nc5 Ne4 19.Ncd3 Bh6 20.Qe2 Qh4 21.Qh5 Qxh5 22.Nxh5 Rac8 23.h4 with an
interesting endgame which might offer White some chances.

Question: White often seems to play endgames in this line. Is that part of the system?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Yes, due to a stable pawn structure and good piece play, going for the endgame is always a
good choice under such circumstances.

18...Ne4 19.f3 Nd6 20.Nxg7 Rxg7 21.Re2 Nc4 22.Nc5 Qc7 23.b4 Rag8 24.Qc1 Rg5 25.Nd3 Nd6

This position is balanced.

26.Raa2 Rh5 27.Qf4 Qxc3 28.Qe5+ Rg7 29.Qxd6 Qxd3 30.Qd8+ Rg8 31.Qf6+ Rg7 32.Qd8+ Rg8
33.Qf6+ Rg7 34.Qd8+ ½-½

232
 Game 72
[Link]
[Link] (blitz) 2022

1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.d4 Nf6 5.Ne5 Bf5

Logical play; the bishop comes out as soon as possible.

6.c3

The alternative 6.Nc3!? is actually very interesting.

Black has a few options here but must be careful:

a) 6...e6? 7.Bb5+ Nbd7? 8.Bg5 wins as early as move eight!
a) 6...a6 7.g4 Bc8 8.Qf3 Nc6 9.g5 Nxe5 10.dxe5 d4 11.exf6 dxc3 12.Qxc3 exf6 13.gxf6 Qxf6
14.Qxf6 gxf6 15.Be3 and White has the better endgame.
c) 6...Nc6 7.Bb5 Bd7 8.0-0 e6 9.Re1 Be7 10.Nxd7 Qxd7 11.Ne2 0-0 12.c3 a6 13.Bd3 reaches the
sort of position we analysed in Games 65 and 66.

6...Nbd7 7.Nd2 g6 8.Be2 Bg7 9.Nxd7 Qxd7 10.0-0 0-0 11.Re1

233
 This is a positional approach; White is building his play in a slower manner. Due to the fixed pawn
structure it’s not difficult to organize something for White, such as utilizing the e5-square and
squeezing the queenside with a2-a4-a5. Also, it’s important to note that, while the position may look
equal, it’s actually more balanced and can rapidly become unbalanced.

11...Bg4 12.Nf3 Ne4 13.h3 Be6 14.Bd3 Nd6 15.Qe2 Rfe8 16.Ne5 Bxe5?!

Not a good choice. It was better to go 16...Qd8 17.Bf4 Bf5 18.Bxf5 Nxf5 19.Qb5 b6 20.a4 e6
21.Nc6 Qd7 22.Nb4 Red8 23.Qxd7 Rxd7 24.a5, when White has the preferable endgame but is far
from a clear advantage.

Question: Obviously, Black also must be prepared for a good endgame not just good piece play?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Yes, Black must take care to reach an active endgame or otherwise end up in a bad position.

17.Qxe5

234
 White is better here...

17...Bf5 18.Bh6 f6 19.Qxd5+ e6 20.Bxf5 gxf5 21.Qb3

...and is just winning now.

21...Kf7 22.Re3 Ne4 23.Rae1 Rg8 24.f3 Nd2 25.Qc2 Nc4 26.Rxe6 Rae8 27.Qxf5 Rg6 28.Rxf6+
Rxf6 29.Qxd7+ 1-0

Game 73
[Link]
Paracin 2021

1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Ne5 Nd7

This time Black challenges the e5-knight at once, but White can just defend it.

5.d4

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5...Ngf6

Reverting to a 4...Nf6 line (with 5.d4 Nbd7). Black has also tried:
a) 5...e6 6.Bd3 Bd6 7.f4 Ngf6 8.Nd2 Qb6 9.c3 0-0 10.Qe2 Ne8 11.0-0 f5 12.Kh1 Nef6? (setting
himself up for a trick) 13.Nec4 dxc4 14.Nxc4 and White is winning, [Link], Hamburg
2012.
b) 5...Nxe5 (or 4...Nc6 5.d4 Nxe5, as in the game below) 6.dxe5 e6 is an independent option:
7.Bd3 Ne7 8.Nd2 Nc6 9.Nf3 Be7 10.Bf4 0-0 11.a3 b5 12.h4! (when a black knight is absent from
the kingside, this comes as a natural reaction) 12...Rb8? (missing the threat) 13.Bxh7+! Kxh7
14.Ng5+ Kg8 15.Qh5 Bxg5 16.hxg5 f6 17.g6 1-0 [Link], [Link] (blitz) 2021. This
time Bacrot was on the right side of the board!

6.Bd3 g6

If 6...e6 7.0-0 Nxe5 (7...Bd6 8.f4 is much the same as in the previous note) 8.dxe5 Nd7,
[Link], [Link] (blitz) 2020, the simple 9.Re1 looks best for White, intending to
answer 9...Nc5 with 10.Bf1 and 9...Be7 with 10.Qg4.

7.0-0 Bg7 8.Re1

8.Bf4, as in [Link], [Link] (blitz) 2022, is the wrong way to support the e5-
knight in view of 8...Nh5.

8...0-0 9.Nd2 Ne8!?

Black is regrouping; the idea is to place a knight on d6 and bishop on f5, in order to exchange light-

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squared bishops without risking his pawn structure.

10.c3

Too soft, as it does not challenge Black’s plan. Much better is 10.Ndf3! Nd6 11.b3! (this is not
about developing the bishop on b2, it prepares to attack in the centre) 11...Nf6 12.c4! Bf5 13.c5 Bxd3
14.Qxd3 Nde4 15.b4 and White has an edge.

10...Nd6 11.Qe2 Nf6! 12.Ndf3 Bf5!

Black’s plan took a while with all those knight pirouettes, but here we are.

13.Bf4 Bxd3 14.Nxd3 Re8 15.Nfe5 Rc8 16.Qe3 Nh5 17.Bg3 e6 18.Re2 Ne4 19.Nf3 Nhxg3
20.hxg3 h5

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 Black is fine.

Question: Is this a model game for Black?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Yes, this is good play that Black can follow, whereas White must constantly try to avoid
such plans.

21.Nd2 Nd6 22.g4 hxg4 23.Qg3 Nf5 24.Qxg4 Qh4 25.Qxh4 Nxh4 26.g4 g5 27.f4 gxf4 28.Nxf4
Bh6 29.Rf1 Bxf4 30.Rxf4 Ng6 31.Rf1 e5 32.dxe5 Rxe5

The endgame is level.

33.Rg2 Rce8 34.Nf3 Re3 35.Rd2 R8e4 36.Rxd5 Rxg4+ 37.Kf2 Re6 38.Rd4 Rf4 39.Rxf4 Nxf4
40.Rd1 Re2+ 41.Kg3 Ne6 42.Rd2 Rxd2 43.Nxd2 Kf8 44.Kg4 Ke7 45.Ne4 Nc7 46.Kf5 Nd5
47.Ke5 Ne3 48.b3 Ng4+ 49.Kf5 Ne3+ 50.Kf4 Nd5+ 51.Ke5 Nc7 52.c4 Ne6 53.b4 Nf8 54.c5
Ng6+ 55.Kd5 f5 56.Nd6 f4 57.Ke4 b6 58.cxb6 axb6 59.Nc8+ Kd7 60.Nxb6+ Kc6 61.Nd5 f3
62.a4 f2 63.Ne3 Ne7 64.Kf3 Nd5 65.Kxf2 Nxb4 66.Ke2 Nd5 67.Nc2 Nc3+ 68.Kd3 ½-½

Game 74
[Link]-Chu Wei Chao
PRO League, [Link] (rapid) 2019

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1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.Bb5 e6 6.Ne5

Transposing to 2.Nf3 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Ne5 Nc6 5.d4 with 5...e6 6.Bb5. We’ll look at fifth move
options for Black in the next game.

6...Bd7 7.Nxd7 Qxd7 8.c3 Bd6 9.0-0 Nge7

That’s what this move order is about. 9...Nf6 would return to the standard line seen in Games 65
and 66. Instead, Black is looking for a more elastic idea, but White shouldn’t worry with the bishop
pair and strong control over the light squares.

10.Nd2 0-0 11.Nf3 Qc7 12.Re1

Another way to handle this position is 12.g3 Rad8 13.Re1 e5 14.dxe5 Nxe5 15.Nxe5 Bxe5 16.Bd3
Nc6 17.Bg5 Rd6 18.Qg4, as in [Link] Foreest, World Rapid Championship, St.
Petersburg 2018. This is slightly in White’s favour due to the two bishops and play against the
isolated d5-pawn.

12...Ng6 13.g3 Rfc8 14.Bd3 Rab8 15.a4 a6 16.Kg2 b5 17.h4! Nf8 18.Qe2 Qb6 19.b4!

Good play; it is important to halt the black b-pawn, which is now a target.

Question: Can we say that this is thematic play for White?

Show/Hide Solution

239
Answer: Yes, the combined pressure on b5 and kingside attacking chances show why White went for
the light-squared bishop in the opening.

19...Re8 20.Be3 Qb7 21.Qa2 Qc7 22.Qb3 Nd7 23.axb5 axb5 24.Ra6 h6 25.Rea1 Rec8 26.Bd2 Bf8
27.Nh2 Nf6 28.Qd1 e5 29.Ng4!

Good timing; Black is lost now.

29...Nxg4 30.Qxg4 e4 31.Be2 Kh8 32.Qf5 Rd8 33.Bf4 Bd6 34.Qxd5 Nxb4 35.cxb4 Bxf4 36.Qxe4
Bd6 37.Ra7 Re8 38.Qf3 Qb6 39.Bd3 Qxd4 40.Qf5 g6 41.Qxf7 Re7 42.Rxe7 Bxe7 43.Re1 Bxb4
44.Re8+ Rxe8 45.Qxe8+ Kg7 46.Qxg6+ Kf8 47.Qxh6+ Ke7 48.Qg5+ Kf8 49.Qf5+ Kg7 50.Bxb5
Bc5 51.Bd3 1-0

Game 75
[Link]
[Link] (blitz) 2022

1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Ne5 Nc6 5.d4

Alternatively, 5.Bb5 Bd7 6.Nxd7 Qxd7 7.d4 is playable, when 7...Nf6 would transpose above
(Games 65-68). However, Black can also throw in 7...a6, which is slightly annoying because
retreating the bishop to d3 would drop the d4-pawn.

5...a6

Here 5...Nf6 returns to the 4...Nf6 5.d4 Nc6 line examined earlier. In this game we will examine
less played, but still important options to see how to proceed.
a) 5...Nxe5 was covered via 4...Nd7 in the notes to Game 73.
b) 5...Qb6 6.Nc3 Nf6 7.Bf4 a6 8.Na4 Qa7 9.c4! dxc4 10.Bxc4 e6 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.0-0 Be7
13.Rc1 0-0 14.Bd3 Rd8 15.Nc5 and White is better, [Link], European Championship,
Batumi 2018.

6.c3 Bf5

Having prevented Bb5, Black now develops the c8-bishop to its most desired diagonal,
discouraging Bd3 as well. In response, White changes tack, using methods from the London System
in which the static structure helps him generate play on the queenside.
I also looked at a couple of other ideas:
a) 6...e6 7.Bf4 Bd6 8.Qg4 g6 9.Bd3 Nge7 10.Qg3 Bxe5 11.dxe5 Qb6 12.b3 Nb4? fails to 13.cxb4
Qd4 14.0-0 Qxa1 15.Nc3 and White is winning, [Link], French Championship, Albi

240
2022. The early tactics didn’t work well for Black.
b) 6...Nxe5 7.dxe5 Bf5, as in [Link], PRO League, [Link] (rapid) 2020, might
be met by 8.Be3! e6 9.Nd2 Ne7 10.Be2, and if 10...Bg6 11.f4 Nf5 12.Bf2 h5 13.0-0 Be7 14.Nb3,
White has good play similar to lines of the Advance Caro-Kann.

7.Bf4 e6 8.Qb3 Nxe5 9.Bxe5 Qd7 10.Nd2 Nf6 11.Be2

White is not going for an attack anymore, opting instead for positional play.

11...Be7 12.0-0 0-0 13.a4 Ne4 14.Nxe4 Bxe4 15.a5! Bd6 16.Bxd6 Qxd6 17.Ra4 Qc7 18.Rfa1 e5

If 18...Rfe8 19.Rb4 Re7 20.Rb6 Rc8 21.Ra4 Qd7 22.Rab4 Rc7 23.h4 h6 24.Qd1, White has a solid
advantage, though it’s not so easy to make a breakthrough.

19.Qd1 Rfd8 20.Rb4

Good positional play by White, who was not afraid of exchanging pieces.

Question: Why not?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Because White’s remaining pieces are more active and have better coordination.

20...Bf5 21.dxe5 Qxe5 22.Bf3 Rd7 23.Qd4 f6 24.Rd1

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 Simply 24.Rxb7 wins, in view of the potential fork on d5.

24...Rad8 25.h4 Kf7 26.Rb6 Kg6 27.g3

And here 27.Qxe5 picks up the queen. The players were clearly blitzing out their moves. White
later won on time in a drawn rook ending.

27...Qxd4 28.Rxd4 h5 29.Kf1 Be4 30.Bxe4+ dxe4 31.Rxe4 Rd1+ 32.Kg2 R8d7 33.Reb4 R1d5
34.Rxb7 Rxb7 35.Rxb7 Rxa5 36.b4 Ra3 37.c4 Rb3 38.Rb6 Rc3 39.c5 a5 40.bxa5 Rxc5 41.a6 Ra5
42.Kf3 Kf5 43.Rb7 Ra3+ 44.Kg2 g5 45.a7 gxh4 46.gxh4 Kg4 47.Rf7 Kxh4 48.Rxf6 Rxa7 49.Rg6
Ra2 50.Rg8 Rb2 51.Rg7 Ra2 52.Kf1 Kh3 53.f4 1-0

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 Show in Text Mode

Chapter Four
French Defence

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5

We will examine the Advance Variation as the main option for White. It’s perfectly playable,
modernized, and cuts out many options for Black, not least early ...d5xe4 plans. Also, by playing e4-
e5 at once White restricts the g8-knight from using the f6-square any time soon. The main line
begins:

3...c5 4.c3 Nc6

We will investigate other plans as well, such as 4...Qb6 5.Nf3 Bd7 (Game 82) and 4...Ne7 5.Nf3
Nec6 (Game 87).

5.Nf3 Qb6

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 Here I analysed 6.a3 and we will see fascinating positional ideas for both sides and White’s best
tries to gain an advantage against Black’s various options, which include 6...c4, 6...Nh6, 6...Bd7,
6...Nge7, 6...a5, and 6...f6 (Games 76-81).
Of course, Black is not forced to bring the queen out so early. Another important set-up is 5...Bd7.
Here the same 6.a3 (Games 83-85) is a bit less explored, which suits the aim of focusing on less
played and less analysed but still interesting positions.

Question: How good is the Advance Variation in today’s chess?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: It’s a very good choice overall. Strong players like Shirov have added many interesting
ideas.

Game 76
[Link]
Warsaw (rapid) 2022

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5

The Advance is very popular in today’s practice, perhaps more than ever before. One reason is that
the line is practical. White dictates the nature of the game at once and, not least, avoids ...d5xe4 plans
that Black has often used in recent years.

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3...c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Qb6

This is the main continuation for Black, applying pressure on the d4- and b2-pawns.

6.a3

In my opinion, this reaction is best; it’s also an old and logical one. White prepares to play b2-b4,
expanding even further.

6...c4

We’ll start with this standard reply, which deters White’s intended b-pawn push.

Question: Why is Black abandoning pressure on the centre?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: This is one of the basic ideas in the French. Black takes more space on the queenside, with
possible ideas of hiding the king there and confronting White on the kingside.

7.Nbd2

Playing to open the queenside with b2-b3.

7...Na5 8.Rb1

White insists.

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8...Bd7 9.b4

9.b3 comes to the same thing, since Black should take on b3 in either case.
Another option is to wait a bit with 9.h4!?. For example: 9...Ne7 10.b4 cxb3 11.Nxb3, and now if
Black plays 11...Ba4 12.Nxa5 Bxd1 13.Rxb6 axb6 as in the main game, then 14.Nxb7! Ba4 15.Nd6+
Kd7 16.Nxf7 Rg8 17.Bd3 is clearly better for White, [Link], Belgrade 2022.

9...cxb3 10.Nxb3

White is happy to trade b-pawn for c-pawn from a positional perspective. A main point is that there
is no pressure on his c3/d4/e5 pawn chain.

10...Ba4

Exchanging knights doesn’t help Black to equalize: 10...Nxb3 11.Rxb3! Qc7 12.Bd3 Ne7 13.0-0
Nc6 14.Ng5! Na5 15.Rb1 h6 16.Qh5 hxg5 17.Qxh8 Qxc3 18.Rd1 Qxd4 19.Bxg5 Qxe5 20.h4 and
White is better.

11.Nxa5!? Bxd1

Taking on a5 doesn’t equalize either: 11...Qxa5 12.Qd2 Qc7 13.Qb2 Ne7 14.Bd3 Nc6 15.0-0 Na5
16.Qe2 h6 17.Nd2 again looks like good play for White.

12.Rxb6 axb6 13.Bb5+

White has sacrificed the exchange to get an early initiative.

13...Ke7

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 The king can go to the other square as well: 13...Kd8 14.Nxb7+ Kc7 15.Nd6 Bxf3 16.Nxf7 Bxg2
17.Rg1 Be4 18.Nxh8 Ne7 19.Nf7 h6 20.Nd6 and White is winning, [Link],
[Link] (blitz) 2021.

14.Kxd1 bxa5

After 14...Rxa5 15.a4, Black is the exchange up but the bishop on b5 is extremely strong and Black
has problems with how to continue development. If 15...f6 16.Re1 Rxb5 17.axb5 Kd7 18.Kc2, White
has a preferable endgame. [Link], London (rapid) 2021.

15.a4

Here too, White has very good play for the sacrificed exchange.

15...f6 16.g4 Kf7 17.g5 h6 18.gxf6 gxf6 19.Rg1 Bg7 20.Ba3 fxe5 21.dxe5 Bf8 22.Bxf8 Rxf8
23.Nd4

In order to develop Black had to make certain concessions. We can see that the knight on d4
dominates the board.

23...h5 24.Ke2 Rh6 25.Bd7 Ke7 26.Bb5 Kd8 27.f4 Ne7 28.Ke3 h4 29.h3 Nf5+ 30.Nxf5 Rxf5
31.Rg7 Rh8 32.Rxb7

Although the balance of the game has not yet shifted to either side, it’s obvious that White’s
position is easier to handle.

32...Rhf8 33.Rd7+ Kc8 34.Kd4 R8f7 35.Rd6 Rxf4+ 36.Kc5 Rf3 37.Rxe6 Rxc3+ 38.Kd6

247
 Anand plays this game in highly energetic mode, forcing his opponent to find accurate moves just
to make a draw.

38...d4 39.Re8+ Kb7 40.e6 Rfc7 41.Rd8 d3 42.Ke5 d2 43.Rxd2 Rxh3 44.Kd6 Re3 45.Rb2 Rg7
46.Re2 Rxe2 47.Bxe2 h3 48.e7 Rg8 49.Kd7 Kb6 50.e8=Q Rxe8 51.Kxe8 ½-½

After 51...h2 52.Bf3 Kc5 White’s final pawn will soon fall.

Game 77
[Link]
World Rapid Championship, Warsaw 2021

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Qb6 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.a3 Nh6

This is an important idea as well. Black continues to develop in a natural way, bringing the knight
to f5 and increasing the pressure on d4.

7.Bd3

Intending to trade this bishop for a knight on f5, creating a structure that suites White’s own knights
well.

7...cxd4 8.cxd4 Nf5

Black can postpone this move but the game may well transpose: 8...Bd7 (threatening to capture on
d4) 9.Bc2 Nf5 10.Bxf5 exf5 11.Nc3 Be6 reaches the same position as at move ten below. If Black

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tries instead to muddy the waters with 9...g5!?, as in [Link], Ayvalik 2023, then 10.Bxg5!
Qxb2 11.Nbd2 Nxd4 12.Nxd4 Qxd4 13.0-0 Qg4 14.Nf3 Rg8 15.h3 Qh5 16.Qd2 f6 17.exf6 Nf7
18.h4 Bd6 19.Rab1 leaves White with better chances in the complications.

9.Bxf5 exf5 10.Nc3 Be6 11.0-0

The starting position for this variation. Black has the bishop pair, but White has developed
harmoniously and is planning to place a knight on f4, while expanding on the queenside with b2-b4
remains an option.

Question: Giving up White’s strong light-squared bishop for a knight at an early stage doesn’t
look like a positional idea. Is it?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: It destroys Black’s pawn structure and helps White to keep his central pawns strong and
conduct his activities on the queenside.

11...Qd8

The queen retreats to avoid Na4 ideas while thinking about somehow playing ...g7-g5 if possible.
Other plans are:
a) 11...Be7 12.Ne2 h6 13.Nf4 0-0 14.b3 Rac8 15.Rb1 Qd8 16.h3 Qd7 17.Bd2 Rc7 18.Ra1 Rfc8
19.Qe2 Bf8 20.Qd3 Nb8 21.Nh4 g5 22.Nxe6 fxe6 23.Ng6 Qf7 24.Nxf8 Kxf8 25.f4 and White is
better, [Link], [Link] (blitz) 2020. Patient play by White in this game, waiting

249
for a mistake in a clever way.
b) 11...h6 12.h4 Be7 13.b4 0-0 14.h5 Rfc8 15.Qd3 Qd8 16.Bd2 a5 17.b5 Nb8 18.Ne2 a4 19.Ng3
and White has preferable chances since Black is somewhat passive, [Link],
[Link] (rapid) 2022.

12.Be3 Be7 13.Ne1

This is an interesting way of handling the position.

13...g5 14.f4

So, confronting ...g7-g5, White doesn’t play h2-h4 but blocks the kingside with f2-f4.

14...g4 15.Nd3 Rc8 16.Rc1 h5 17.b4

White has more space, though Black is also solid here.

17...h4

Black hurries to block and gain even more space, which might be important in a later part of the
game.

18.Qa4

It seems that White should be more precise and stop ...h4-h3 plans. Better was 18.Nf2! Rg8 19.h3
gxh3 20.Nxh3 Rg4 21.Qd3 Kf8 22.Ne2 a6 23.Bd2 Qd7 24.Nf2 Rg6 25.Nd1!, when the knight
coming to e3 gives White nice play on both wings.

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18...h3 19.g3 0-0 20.Rf2 a6 21.Rfc2 Na7 22.Nc5

This gives White some chances to get an advantage.

22...Bxc5 23.bxc5 Qe8?!

Exchanging queens only helps White. 23...Nc6 and ...Na5 was better.

24.Rb2 Qxa4 25.Nxa4 Rc7 26.Rcb1 Bc8 27.Nc3 Rd8 28.Bd2 Nc6 29.Ne2 Re7 30.Kf2 Kf8 31.Bc3
Rdd7 32.Rb6 Re6 33.Nc1 Kg7 34.Nd3 Kg6 35.Nb4 Nxb4 36.R1xb4 Kg7 37.Rd6 Kf8 38.Rbb6

White is winning now, as he completely dominates the board.

38...Rdxd6 39.cxd6 Ke8 40.Ke3 Kd7 41.Ba5 Re8 42.Kd3 Rg8 43.Kc3 Rg6 44.Kb4 Rg8 45.Kc5
Ke6 46.d7+ Kxd7 47.Kxd5 Ke8 48.Rh6 Ke7 49.Bb4+ Kd7 50.Rf6 Ke8 51.Kd6 b6 52.d5 a5
53.Bd2 Bb7 54.Kc7 1-0

Game 78
[Link] [Link]
Polish League 2022

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Qb6 6.a3 Bd7

This is another well-known plan, in which Black goes for fast development of the rook on c8.

7.b4 cxd4 8.cxd4 Rc8

Developing the g8-knight first is not so good: 8...Nge7 9.Nc3! (with the rook on c8 this would not
be possible) 9...Nf5 10.Na4 Qc7 11.Be2 Be7 12.Bb2 0-0 13.Rc1 a6 14.0-0 Rfc8 15.Bd3 and White
has centralized nicely with firm control over the centre and c5-square.

9.Bb2

The position has stabilized as regards the pawn structure. Black can now consider bringing the
knight to f5 from where it will attack d4.

9...Nge7 10.Bd3

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 A rarely played but interesting idea. As I said, many positions have been modernized. Let’s see this
one.

Question: The bishop on b2 looks a bit passive?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: At the moment it has a purpose in supporting the central pawns. Later it may shift
somewhere else or have deeper meaning on b2 if game starts to open up.

10...Na5

Other plans here include:

a) 10...Ng6 11.g3 Be7 12.Nc3 Qd8 13.h4 h5 14.0-0 0-0 15.Rc1 and White achieved better chances
since the knight on g6 is not strong.
b) 10...Nf5 11.Bxf5 (we saw this motif in the previous game) 11...exf5 12.0-0 Be7 13.Nc3 Be6
(and this looks like a favourable version since White has achieved b2-b4 already) 14.Qd3 g5 15.Na4
Qd8 16.Nc5 b6 17.Nxe6 fxe6 18.Rfc1 g4 19.Ne1 Kf7 20.Rc2 Qd7 21.Bc1 h5 22.Bd2 and the plan of
bringing the knight to f4 will create serious problems for Black.

11.0-0 Nc4 12.Bc3

Black managed to get a knight to c4. The question is how to continue development because White
has more space.

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12...a6

Black can opt for slightly different play:

a) 12...Nf5 13.Re1 g6 (Black is now ready to take back with the g-pawn if required), Zmer-
Svak1988, correspondence 2014, and now 14.h3 a6 15.Bxf5 gxf5 16.Nbd2 Bc6 17.Nf1 h5 18.Ng3
h4 19.Ne2 Bh6 20.a4! Qd8 21.Nc1 b6 22.Nd3 gives White easier play, although the position remains
complex. White can play either b4-b5 or a4-a5 or to try to exchange dark-squared bishops, which
would give him control over the f4-square.
b) 12...Ng6 13.g3 Be7 14.h4, and if 14...h5 15.Qe2 a6 16.Rc1 Ba4 17.Nbd2 Nxd2 18.Qxd2 Bb5
19.Bb1 Bc4 20.a4, it is not easy for Black to find real play except to somehow keep the position
closed.

13.Re1 Nf5 14.Nbd2 Ne7 15.Qe2 Bb5 16.a4 Nxd2 17.Bxb5+ axb5 18.Bxd2 bxa4 19.Rxa4 Nf5
20.Rc1!

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 A strong tactical idea; White is ready to attack down the a-file.

20...Rxc1+ 21.Bxc1 Be7 22.g4

Well timed. White is winning now.

22...Nh6 23.Ra8+ Bd8 24.Bg5 0-0 25.Bxd8 Rxd8 26.Qb5 1-0

Game 79
[Link]
Austrian League 2021

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Qb6 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.a3 Nge7

Once again Black tries to speed up his kingside development.

7.Bd3

I have chosen this reaction again, which we already saw in Game 77. Of course, there are some
differences, so let’s see...

7...cxd4 8.cxd4 Bd7

Threatening to take on d4. It’s like the 6...Nh6 line but here the knight is on the more natural e7-
square.

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9.Bc2 g5!?

We will analyse this idea here, as 9...Nf5 10.Bxf5 exf5 11.Nc3 Be6 would just transpose to Game
77. The g-pawn push is sharp and demanding, in that Black is threatening to win a central pawn, so
White must know what to do.

10.h3

Defending against the direct threat. The alternative is possible but risky: 10.Bxg5 Qxb2 11.Nbd2
Nxd4 12.Nxd4 Qxd4 13.0-0 Bg7 14.Rb1 Qxe5 15.Nf3 Qc7 16.Re1 Rc8 17.Bd3 looks complicated
enough. Black is two pawns up, but his king can’t easily find a safe place.

10...Nf5 11.Bxf5 exf5

The threat is ...g5-g4 again and the inclusion of h2-h3 would not be in White’s favour in the event
of opposite side castling.

12.Bxg5

Not the only idea here:

a) 12.Nxg5 Qxd4 13.0-0 Qxd1 14.Rxd1 d4 is a balanced endgame.
b) 12.Nc3 is probably critical for the assessment of 9...g5. Now it is Black who must decide
whether to take material or sacrifice material. Let’s look at both options:

Question: Is it fair to say that White should mainly focus on this idea?

Show/Hide Solution

255
Answer: The current state of theory would seem to indicate that, yes.

b1) 12...g4 13.hxg4 fxg4 14.Ng5 Qxd4 15.Be3 Qxe5 16.Qxd5 Be6 17.Nxe6 Qxe6 18.0-0-0 Bg7
19.Ne4 and White has the initiative.
b2) 12...h6 13.Nxd5 Qa5+ 14.Nc3 0-0-0 15.Be3 f4 16.Bd2 Be6, [Link], British
League (4NCL) 2022, and best now for White is simply to complete development with 17.b4! Qb6
18.d5! Bxd5 19.Nxd5 Rxd5 20.Qb3 Qb5 21.0-0-0!, and if 21...Nd4 22.Nxd4 Rxd4 23.Bc3 Rc4
24.Kb1 Bg7 25.Rd6 Rc7 26.Bb2 Kb8 27.Rhd1, it seems that White has chances to obtain an
advantage.

12...Qxb2 13.Nbd2 Qb5

Preventing castling is an important motif for Black. Taking the d-pawn is not so good: 13...Nxd4
14.0-0 Ne6 15.Rb1 Qxa3 16.Rxb7. Although Black is a pawn up, his pawn structure is bad and his
pieces are underdeveloped.

14.Qe2

It was worth inserting 14.a4 Qd3 15.Qe2 Qxe2+ 16.Kxe2 Rg8 17.Nb3 as it rules out bishop checks
on b5. After 17...Nd8 18.Bxd8 Rxd8 19.g3 Rg6 20.Rhc1 the position is approximately equal.

14...Qxe2+ 15.Kxe2 Rg8 16.Nb3

If White develops the bishop with 16.Bf4 then 16...Nd8! 17.g3 Bb5+ 18.Ke3 Rc8 gives Black a
good endgame.

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16...Nd8 17.g3

Here 17.Bxd8 Rxd8 18.g3 Bb5+ 19.Kd2 (or 19.Ke1 Rc8) 19...Bh6+ 20.Ke1 b6 is clearly better for
Black with the two bishops.

17...Ne6 18.Be3 Rc8 19.Rhc1 Rxc1 20.Nxc1 Bb5+ 21.Kd2 Be7 22.Ne2 Kd7

Black has all the chances in this endgame, if not yet a concrete advantage.

23.Nc3 Bc6 24.Ne1 h5 25.Nd3 h4 26.gxh4 Rh8 27.Ne2 Rxh4 28.a4 a5 29.Kc3 Bb4+ 30.Kb3 b5
31.axb5 Bxb5 32.Nxb4 Bc4+ 33.Kb2 axb4 34.Ra7+ Kc6 35.Ng1 Rh7 36.h4 Rxh4 37.Rxf7 f4
38.Bd2 Rh2 39.Rf6 Kd7 40.Bxb4 Rxf2+ 41.Kc3 Rg2 42.Rf7+ Kc6 43.Rf6 Rg3+ 44.Kb2 Kd7
45.Rf7+ Kc8 46.Rf6 Rg2+ 47.Kc3 Ng5 48.Rxf4 Ne4+ 49.Rxe4 Rg3+ 0-1

Game 80
[Link]
Rapid match, St. Petersburg 1999
A game of Titans in chess.

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Qb6 6.a3 a5

This is an old reaction that is actually very important. Black doesn’t allow any b2-b4 activity at all,
though there can be problems with the b5-square in some sharp lines.

7.Bd3 Bd7 8.Bc2 h5

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 Not the only idea. Black has multiple choices here, though many will feature standard positional
ideas that we’ve already seen:
a) 8...Nh6 9.0-0 cxd4 10.cxd4 Nf5 11.Bxf5 exf5 12.Nc3 Be6 (similar to 6...Nh6 lines, except that
Black doesn’t allow b2-b4) 13.Na4 Qb5 14.Be3 Be7 15.Ne1! 0-0 16.Nd3 Rac8 17.Rc1 was
[Link], Tbilisi 1985. This type of play is good for White.
b) 8...Qa6 9.b3 Nh6 10.Bb2 Be7 11.dxc5 Bxc5 12.b4 Be7 13.Bd3 Qa7 14.b5 Nd8 15.c4 also gives
White the advantage.

9.0-0 Nh6 10.b3 Be7 11.Ra2

11.h4!? is an interesting waiting move. After 11...cxd4 12.cxd4 Rc8 13.Bb2 Qd8 14.g3 b5 15.Nbd2
Qb6 16.Re1 b4 17.a4 Kd8 18.Nf1! Kc7 19.Ne3 White had a much easier manoeuvring position in
[Link], Baden 1997.

11...cxd4

It is necessary for Black to release the tension. If 11...Rc8 then 12.dxc5! (an important motif to keep
in mind) 12...Bxc5 13.b4 Be7 14.Bd3 axb4 15.axb4 Nf5 16.Na3 g6 17.Nc2 gives White better play.

12.cxd4 Rc8

Here the sharp continuation 12...g5 is risky: 13.Nxg5 Qxd4 14.Nf3 Qxd1 15.Rxd1 0-0-0 16.Nc3
h4 17.h3 and White has a favourable endgame. The h6-knight is a bit out of the game, and White can
generate play on the queenside.

13.Bxh6

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 Spassky decides to eliminate this knight and at the same time prepare development.
a) 13.Kh1 saw the reaction 13...g5!? (this is more logical with Kh1 and ...Rc8 included) 14.Be3 in
[Link], Israeli Championship, Tel Aviv 2002, where it seems that Black can go
14...Ng4! 15.Qd2 Nxe3 16.fxe3 g4 17.Ng1 Bg5 with a complicated position.
b) 13.h4!? is probably best, with the idea of placing the c1-bishop on g5. For example, after
13...Ng4 14.Bg5 f6 15.exf6 gxf6 16.Bf4 Kd8 17.Bg3 Rg8 18.Qd2 Bf8 19.Nc3 it seems the position
is more dangerous for Black.

Question: Why do we keep seeing White play h2-h4 in such positions?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: It is important to block all kinds of ...g7-g5 activities. but not only that: White also takes
control of the g5-square for himself.

13...Rxh6 14.Qd2 Rh8 15.h4! Kf8 16.Qf4

It was better to play 16.Nc3! Qd8 17.Qf4 Kg8 18.Ne2, when White looks to have achieved an
opening advantage.

16...Kg8 17.Nbd2 g6 18.Rd1 Kg7 19.Nf1 Na7 20.Ng5 Be8 21.Rd3 Nb5 22.Bd1 Rc3 23.Rad2 Qc7
24.a4 Rxd3 25.Rxd3 Nc3 26.Ng3

The position is sharp but still unbalanced.

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26...Nxd1 27.Rxd1 Qb6 28.Rd3 Qc7 29.Rf3 Bd8 30.Ne2 Qe7 31.Qc1 Qb4 32.Nf4 Bxg5 33.hxg5
Bc6 34.Qe3 Rc8 35.Kh2 Be8 36.Nd3! Qxb3 37.Qf4 Qxa4 38.Qf6+ Kg8 39.Nf4

Spassky played nicely with his knights and now has a winning attack.

39...Kh7 40.Nxe6 1-0

A great and instructive game.

Game 81
[Link]
European Championship, Skopje 2019

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Qb6 6.a3 f6

Active play. Black attacks the white pawn structure at once. Another point is to open the f-file and
create counterplay on the kingside.

7.Bd3

White develops in the most aggressive way.

7...fxe5 8.dxe5

I think it’s better to take with the pawn rather than the knight.

Question: Why?

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 Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Because it seems that the knight on f3 can play an active role in the forthcoming
complications.

8...c4

The main idea, sidestepping rapid queenside action by White. If Black decides instead to continue
development with 8...Nge7 then 9.c4! is a good reaction. After 9...g6 10.0-0 Bg7 11.Nc3 0-0 12.Bg5
Rf7 13.cxd5 Nxd5 14.Re1, White was better in [Link] [Link], Chicago 2019.

9.Bc2 g6

Black can also play 9...Nh6, with ideas of dropping the knight back to f7 to attack the e5-pawn. We
should therefore react vigorously: 10.0-0 g6 11.b3! cxb3 12.Bxb3 Ng4 13.Bf4 Bc5 14.Bg3 0-0
15.Nbd2 gives White easy development and better play, [Link], Sochi (blitz)
2018.

10.0-0 Bg7

Creating pressure on the e5-pawn is the main point of Black’s play,

11.Nbd2!

The best and only way to gain the initiative. The idea is to follow with b2-b3.

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11...Nge7

Black has tried other moves:

a) 11...Nh6 12.b3 cxb3 13.Bxb3 0-0 14.c4! Na5 15.cxd5 Nxb3 16.Nxb3 exd5 17.Be3 and White is
clearly better, [Link], Sochi 2018.
b) 11...Bd7 12.b3 cxb3 13.Bxb3 Nge7 14.c4! (as we can see, after b2-b3 this is the main way to
break down Black’s central pawn structure) 14...Nxe5 15.Nxe5 Bxe5 16.Rb1 Qd6 17.cxd5 exd5
18.Re1 Bc6 19.Qg4 and Black already has serious difficulties, [Link], Arica 2018.

12.Re1 Qc7 13.Qe2 0-0 14.a4 Bd7 15.b3 cxb3 16.Nxb3

Taking with the bishop seems good too: 16.Bxb3 Nf5 17.Ba3 Rfe8 18.Rac1 Qd8 19.Bc2 and White
keeps an edge.

16...Na5

If instead 16...b6 (to keep the b3-knight out of c5) 17.Ba3 Rfe8 18.Bd6 Qc8, as in [Link]-
[Link], Chelyabinsk 2021, then simple and strong is 19.Nbd4 Nf5 20.Bxf5! gxf5 21.Nb5 and
White is much better.
We should always consider the consequences of an exchange sacrifice on f3. Here after 16...Rxf3
17.Qxf3 Nxe5 18.Qg3 Rc8 19.Bf4 Qxc3 20.Qxc3 Rxc3 21.Bxe5 Bxe5 22.Rxe5 Rxc2 23.Nd4 Rc4
24.Nxe6 Nc6 25.Ree1, Black has some compensation but not enough to change the situation
dramatically.

17.Ba3 Rfe8 18.Bd6 Qd8 19.Nxa5 Qxa5 20.Rab1 Bc6 21.Nd4 Nc8 22.Bb4 Qc7 23.h4!

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 Very good play. White now has a strong attack.

23...Qf7 24.Qg4 Nb6 25.Nf3 Bxa4 26.Bd3 Bh6 27.h5 Qf4 28.Qh3 Kg7 29.Bc5 Qf7 30.hxg6 hxg6
31.Rb4 1-0

Game 82
[Link]
World Blitz Championship, Warsaw 2021

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Qb6 5.Nf3 Bd7

This is a popular and thematic idea known for a long time. Black wants to trade his light-squared
bishop via the b5-square.

6.Bd3

I think this is most natural way to play. White develops the bishop to its most active square.

6...Bb5

This is the principled continuation, but Black has a few other choices:
a) 6...Nc6 is answered by 7.dxc5! (this is a well-known motif, repeated in our main game) 7...Bxc5
8.0-0 a5 (preventing b2-b4) 9.Qe2 f6 10.c4! dxc4 11.Bxc4 fxe5 12.Nbd2 Nf6 13.b3 0-0 14.Bb2 and
it seems that White has preferable chances.
b) 6...cxd4 (avoiding d4xc5 ideas) 7.Nxd4!? (preventing ...Bb5 is the point) 7...Nc6 8.Nxc6 bxc6

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9.0-0 Ne7 10.Nd2 (we now have a type of Sicilian where Black’s queen and d7-bishop are not on
their optimal squares) 10...Ng6 11.Nf3 Be7 12.h4!? Bxh4 13.Nxh4 Nxh4 was [Link]-
[Link], [Link] (rapid) 2022; by sacrificing a pawn White gained control of the dark
squares, so he should follow up with 14.b4! Nf5 15.g4 Nh4 16.Bg5 Ng6 17.Be3 Qd8 18.f4 h5
19.gxh5 Qh4 20.Kg2 Qxh5 21.Qxh5 Rxh5 22.Rh1 Rxh1 23.Rxh1 and White is clearly better.

7.dxc5! Bxc5 8.b4 Bf8

Exchanging bishops first with 8...Bxd3 9.Qxd3 may offer Black more chances because he can then
develop in an easier way:

9...Be7 (after 9...Bf8 10.0-0 Ne7 11.a4 Qc7 12.Na3 Nec6 13.Nb5 Qd7 14.Bf4 a5 15.Nd6+ Bxd6
16.exd6 axb4 17.cxb4 f6 18.b5 Na5 19.Rfe1, White has a clear advantage, [Link]-
[Link], Tashkent 2022) 10.a4 Qc7 11.0-0 Nd7 12.Re1 Rc8 was [Link],
[Link] (blitz) 2022. It is important to understand the nuances of this position. One important idea
Black has is to retreat his bishop to d8, liberating the e7-square for the g8-knight, while the bishop
may go on to c7 in the future. White must play accurately: 13.Bd2 Bd8 14.Qd4 a6 15.Qg4 g6 16.Na3
h5 17.Qf4 Ne7 18.c4 with some initiative.

Question: Isn’t Black seriously underdeveloped in these positions?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: That is the case, but it’s not easy for White to open things up to exploit it, and by
exchanging light-squared bishops Black managed to ease the pressure a bit.

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9.Be3 Qa6 10.Bxb5+

The alternative seems even stronger: 10.Bc2!? b6 11.a4 Bd7 12.Na3 Qc8 13.0-0!, and if 13...Qxc3
14.Bd3 Bxb4 15.Nb5, White has a winning attack.

10...Qxb5 11.a4 Qc6

An earlier game saw 11...Qc4 12.Qd2 Ne7 13.Na3 Qc8 14.0-0 Nd7 15.c4! dxc4 16.Rfc1 Nd5
17.Rxc4 Qd8 18.Nb5 a6 19.Qxd5!! (a great motif)

19...exd5 20.Nc7+ Qxc7 (instead 20...Ke7 21.Nxd5+ Ke8 22.Nc7+ Ke7 23.Rac1 b5 24.Re4 is a
fantastic position; White has a strong initiative with only a piece for a queen) 21.Rxc7 Bxb4 22.Rd1
b6 23.Rxd5 and White was clearly better, [Link], Condom 2012.

12.0-0 Ne7 13.Nd4 Qd7 14.b5 Qc7 15.Nd2 Nd7 16.c4 dxc4 17.Rc1 c3?!

Black could have taken the e5-pawn, but it’s not easy to foresee all the consequences of that:
17...Nxe5 18.b6 axb6 19.Nb5 Qd7 20.Bf4 N7g6 21.Nxc4 Qxd1 22.Nc7+ Ke7 23.Rfxd1 Nxf4
24.Nxa8 Ne2+ 25.Kf1 Nxc1 26.Nxe5 Kf6 27.Nd7+ Ke7 28.Naxb6 Nb3 29.Nxf8 Rxf8 30.Rd7+
Kf6 31.Rxb7 and White keeps some chances, although objectively the ending should be drawn.

18.b6!

Now it’s bad for Black.

18...Qxe5 19.Nc4 Qd5 20.Nb5 Qxd1 21.Nc7+ Kd8 22.Rfxd1 Rc8 23.Ne5 Nd5 24.Nxd5 exd5
25.Rxd5

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 White is clearly winning.

25...Ba3 26.Rxd7+ Ke8 27.Rc7 Rxc7 28.bxc7 Ke7 29.Rxc3 1-0

Game 83
[Link]
Yugoslav Team Championship play-off 1999

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Bd7

We have come to the next big thing against the Advance Variation. Black doesn’t want to place a
queen on b6 so early and opts for developing pieces instead.

6.a3

Again, the same reaction from White, but we will see that there are differences. In any case gaining
space with b2-b4 is important for White in this system.

6...Nge7

The main approach here. We will examine other ideas in the next two games, while 6...Qb6 would
take us back to Game 78.

7.b4 cxd4 8.cxd4 Nf5

If Black chooses to play 8...Rc8 first, then 9.Nbd2!? is a very interesting reaction. The knight is

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going to b3 from where it controls the c5-square: 9...Qb6 10.Nb3 Nb8 11.Nc5 Bb5, [Link]-
[Link], Kyiv 2021, and now best play was 12.Bxb5+ Qxb5 13.a4! Qc6 14.Bd2 Ng6 15.b5
Qc7 16.Rc1 Bxc5 17.Rxc5 Qd7 18.Rxc8+ Qxc8 19.0-0 0-0 20.h4, when White has a clear advantage.

9.Nc3!?

Utilizing the fact that Black’s rook hasn’t appeared on c8 yet. This move has been rarely played but
it’s interesting to see if we can modernize it.

9...Rc8 10.Bb2 Nh4

The main idea; now we see why leaving the queen on d8 is useful. Black wants to weaken the
defence of the d4-pawn.
Black can also continue to develop with 10...Be7. After 11.Bd3, there are a few ideas:
a) 11...a5 12.Bxf5 axb4 13.axb4 exf5 14.b5 Nb4 15.0-0 0-0 16.Qd2 Be6 17.Rfb1 and White has a
more pleasant game.
b) 11...Ncxd4 12.Nxd4 Nxd4 13.Nxd5 Nf5 14.Nxe7 Qxe7 15.0-0 and White has an edge due to
the bishop pair.
c) 11...Nh4 12.Nxh4 Bxh4 13.Ne2 Be7 14.0-0 Qb6 15.Rc1 0-0 16.Rc3! gave White the upper hand
in [Link], Sarajevo 2012.

11.Nxh4 Qxh4 12.Bd3

Sacrificing a pawn. Black must react fast, otherwise White will increase the pressure.

Question: Isn’t it a bit dangerous for White to give away a central pawn, and is that a positional

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 approach or a tactical one?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: It is a positional approach because White is counting on superior development. Of course,

without good tactics it would be just another unsound gambit, but in this case it’s okay.
The alternative is probably too slow to achieve anything for White. After 12.Na2 Qe4+ 13.Qe2
Qg6 14.Rc1 Be7 15.Qf3 0-0 16.Bd3 Qh6 17.0-0 f6 18.Qe2 fxe5 19.dxe5, [Link] Cordoba-
[Link], Linares 1992, and now 19...a6 20.Rc2 Be8 21.Nc1 Bg5 22.Nb3 Bh5 Black has a strong
initiative on the kingside.

12...a5

Taking the d-pawn is both possible and critical: 12...Qxd4 13.Na4 Qh4 14.Rc1. White has active
play for the pawn, due to the c5-square and harmonious development. I analysed two interesting
variations:
a) 14...Qd8 15.0-0 a6 16.Re1 Be7 17.Nc5 Bxc5 18.Rxc5 0-0 19.Re3 and White has attacking
chances.
b) 14...Be7 15.0-0 0-0 16.g3 Qh6 17.Nc5 Bxc5 18.Rxc5 Ne7 19.Rxc8 Rxc8 20.b5! with
compensation for White due to the bishop pair, more space, and dark square control.

13.b5

An automatic response but not the best. Much stronger was 13.0-0! axb4 14.Nb5 in the spirit of the
Benko Gambit.

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 After 14...bxa3 15.Rxa3!? Bb4 16.Be2 0-0 17.Rh3 Qe7 18.Bd3 g6 19.Bc1 f6 20.Rg3 Qg7 21.exf6
Rxf6 22.h4 White has attacking chances.

13...Nxd4 14.0-0

Intending g2-g3 followed by Nxd5, so Black defends his knight.

14...Bc5 15.g3?!

This move is mistimed. He should have played 15.Na4! and then:

a) 15...Nxb5 16.Rc1 b6 17.Nxb6 Bxb6 18.Rxc8+ Bxc8 19.Bxb5+ Kf8 20.a4 g6 21.Qf3 Kg7 22.g3

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Qd8 23.Rc1 Bb7 24.Qf6+ Qxf6 25.exf6+ Kh6 26.Rb1 and White has a strong initiative.
b) 15...Ba7 16.g3 Qd8 (16...Qh3? 17.b6 wins a piece) 17.Qg4 Nxb5 18.Qxg7 Rf8 19.Rab1 and
here too it is clear that White has the initiative.

15...Qg5?

The wrong way; it was much better to search for direct counterplay with 15...Qh3!? 16.Na4 h5!!,
when 17.Nxc5? h4 wins for Black! That’s how sharp the position is.

16.Na4 Qd2 17.Nxc5

Missing the strong idea 17.Rc1! b6 18.Qxd2 Nf3+ 19.Kg2 Nxd2 20.Rfd1 Nb3 21.Rb1 0-0 22.Be2
(threatening to trap the knight with 23.Bc3) 22...Be7 23.Nxb6 Rc7 24.Bc1!! and White is close to
winning.

17...Qxb2 18.Nxb7 0-0 19.Nd6

Here 19.Rb1 was correct, avoiding Black’s next move.

19...Rc3 20.Re1 Nb3 21.Rb1 Qxa3 22.Bc2 a4 23.Bxb3 axb3 24.Qd2 Qc5 ½-½

Game 84
[Link]
World Blitz Championship, Doha 2016

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Bd7 6.a3 f6

Another natural reaction; Black is attacking the centre from both flanks.

7.Bd3

Again White’s bishop should go to this most active square.

7...Qc7

One of a few possibilities here for Black:

a) 7...fxe5 8.dxe5 (in my opinion it is best to recapture with the pawn) 8...Qc7 9.0-0 0-0-0 10.Qe2
leads to the same position as after 9...fxe5 10.dxe5 in the main line.
b) 7...cxd4 8.cxd4 Nh6 9.0-0 Nf7 (intentions are clear: Black is attacking e5 with all his pieces)
10.Re1 and now I analysed two interesting ideas:

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 b1) 10...fxe5 11.dxe5 g6 (intending to increase the pressure on e5 one more time) 12.Nc3 Bg7
13.Bf4 0-0 14.h4 Qb6 15.Na4 Qc7 16.Rc1 Nh6 17.Qd2 Ng4 18.Nc5 Rae8 19.b4 and White got a
huge advantage in [Link], Fürth 2002.
b2) 10...Be7 11.Nc3 0-0 12.Qc2 f5 13.Nxd5 exd5 14.e6 Bxe6 15.Rxe6 and White has the edge,
[Link], Linares 1995.

8.0-0 0-0-0

Grabbing a pawn with 8...fxe5 9.Nxe5 Nxe5 10.dxe5 Qxe5 is risky, as after 11.Re1 Qd6 12.Qh5+
Kd8 13.c4 White has strong attacking chances.

9.Qe2

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9...Nge7

Black has a few other ideas:

a) 9...h6 10.b4 c4 11.Bc2 f5, intending ...g7-g5, was [Link], Reykjavik 2000, and now
the best plan is 12.a4 g5 13.Na3 Be8 14.Nb5 Qd7 15.Nd6+! Bxd6 16.exd6 Bh5 17.b5 Na5 18.Re1
Re8 19.Qe5, when White is faster in creating threats.
b) 9...c4 10.Bc2 h6 11.Nbd2 f5 12.b3 cxb3 13.Nxb3 g5 14.Nfd2 Kb8 15.c4 Nge7 16.Rb1 Bc8
17.c5 and White has preferable chances, [Link], Ortisei 2016.
c) 9...fxe5 10.dxe5 Nh6 11.Re1 Nf7 12.h4 Be7 13.Bf4 Rdg8 14.c4 dxc4 15.Bxc4 g5 16.hxg5 Nxg5
17.Bxg5 Bxg5 18.Nc3 Nd4 19.Nxd4 cxd4 20.Nb5 Bxb5 21.Bxb5 was [Link],
Pardubice 1998, where White again has preferable chances because his light-squared bishop is
stronger than its dark-squared counterpart.

10.b4

This is thematic now.

10...c4 11.Bc2 Ng6 12.Re1 Be7 13.a4 fxe5 14.dxe5 Rdf8 15.Na3!

It seems that Black can’t generate quick counterplay.

15...Nf4 16.Qd1 Be8 17.Nb5 Qd7 18.Nfd4!

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 White has reached his optimum position and looks to have preferable chances.

Question: Is this an example of why White takes back on e5 with a pawn rather than a knight?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Yes, we can see that once White opens the game with b2-b4, the knight on f3 has a strong
purpose.

18...Bh5 19.f3 Kb8 20.Be3 Nxg2?!

A speculative sacrifice, which doesn’t work.

21.Kxg2 Nxe5 22.Bf4! Rxf4 23.Rxe5

White is winning.

23...g5 24.Qe1 Bf6 25.Rxe6 Re8 26.Rxe8+ Bxe8 27.Bf5 Qf7 28.Nd6 Qf8 29.Ne6 Qxd6 30.Nxf4
Bc6 31.Ne6 d4 32.Nxd4 Bxd4 33.cxd4 Qxd4 34.Rd1 Qb2+ 35.Qd2 c3 36.Qxb2 cxb2 37.Rb1 1-0

Game 85
[Link]
USSR Championship, Leningrad 1956

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1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Bd7 6.a3 c4

This advance is thematic, especially in this particular line. As we saw, after 5...Qb6 White has ideas
of Rb1, whereas here Black is more comfortable. One idea is to transfer the knight from g8 to b6 and
castle long.

7.b4!?

A rare choice; it’s interesting that this move has not been played more often. Or indeed 7.b3!?,
when 7...cxb3 8.Qxb3 reaches the same position.

7...cxb3 8.Qxb3 Na5 9.Qc2

What have we here? Obviously, trading b-pawn for c-pawn should be in White’s favour, the f1-
bishop can now go to the good d3-square, and let’s not forget that Black no longer has any pressure
on the centre. On the other hand, Black is quick with counterplay on the c-file, so there’s an
interesting positional struggle ahead.

9...Ne7

Not the only try here:

a) 9...Bc6 10.Bd3 h6 11.0-0 Ne7, [Link], St. Petersburg 2012, prepares a similar
plan to that in the note with 11...Nc8 below, so White’s reaction must be the same. Best is 12.a4 Qd7
13.Qd1 Nc8 14.Bc2 Nb6 15.Nfd2 Be7 16.Nb3! Nxb3 17.Bxb3 Rc8 18.Nd2, when White has
eliminated one knight and kept his pawn structure intact, which means it is not easy for Black to
generate counterplay.
b) 9...Rc8 10.a4! (it is important to play this move because after 10.Bd3 Qb6 11.Nbd2 Bb5! Black

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is fine) 10...Qb6 11.Nbd2 Ne7 12.Bd3 Nf5 13.0-0 h6 14.Ba3 Bxa3 15.Rxa3 with a playable position
where White has some chances.

10.Bd3 h6 11.0-0 Nf5

As mentioned above, sending the knight to the queenside with 11...Nc8, as in [Link],
Gibraltar 2015, is an option for Black. The best response is 12.a4 Nb6 13.Nfd2! (an important motif
to remember)

13...Bc6 14.Nb3! Nbc4 15.Nxa5 Nxa5 16.f4 g6 17.Ba3 Bxa3 18.Nxa3 a6 19.Nb1 and White is
clearly better.

Question: Why does White spend three moves to eliminate a knight on the edge of the board?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: The black knight on a5 is actually a strong piece. White needs to alleviate the pressure on
the queenside in order to activate his play on the other flank.

12.h3 Be7 13.Nbd2 Qc7 14.a4 Rc8 15.Bb2

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 Black plays with knights on both wings but we can see that, although the position is still balanced,
Black is missing some pawn breaks.

15...Nh4 16.Nxh4 Bxh4 17.f4

Another idea is to try to exchange the other knight: 17.Nb3 Nc4 18.Bxc4!? Qxc4 19.Nc5 b6
20.Nxd7 Kxd7 21.Qd1 Be7 22.Re1, when the rook coming to the third rank liberates the b2-bishop to
look for a better square.

17...Be7 18.g4 h5 19.Kg2 Nc4 20.Nxc4 dxc4 21.Be4

It is clear that initiative is on White’s side.

21...Bc6 22.Rae1 Bxe4+ 23.Qxe4 Qc6 24.f5 Qxe4+ 25.Rxe4 Rd8 26.f6 gxf6 27.exf6 Bf8 28.g5 Rd5
29.Bc1!

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 White has emerged with much the better endgame.

29...Kd7 30.Re5! Bd6 31.Rxd5 exd5 32.Bf4!

Fantastic play by Polugaevsky. Black is now lost.

32...Rg8 33.Kf3 Ba3 34.Ra1 Bf8 35.Re1 Ba3 36.Ra1 Bf8 37.Kg3 b6 38.Re1 Ba3 39.Kh4 Rh8 40.g6
fxg6 41.Kg5 Re8 42.Rxe8 Kxe8 43.Kxg6 Bf8 44.Bg5 a6 45.f7+ Kd7 46.Kh7 b5 47.axb5 axb5
48.Kg8 Bd6 49.f8=Q Bxf8 50.Kxf8 b4 51.cxb4 c3 52.Kf7 1-0

Game 86
[Link]
Shenzhen 1992

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Nge7

This is yet another independent try in which Black hurries above all to place a knight on the f5-
square. Once again, White should get ready to take it.

6.Bd3 cxd4 7.cxd4 Nf5 8.Bxf5 exf5 9.Nc3 Be6

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 We have already discussed this type of set-up in previous games. There’s not much difference here
except that the black queen is still on d8.

10.Ne2 h6 11.h4 Be7

Black can also try to prevent h4-h5 ideas. For example, 11...g6 12.Bd2 Qb6 13.Rb1 a5 14.0-0 Be7
was [Link], FIDE World Cup, Krasnaya Polyana 2021, and now the best plan is to attack
the h6-pawn with 15.Be3 Kf8 16.Qd2 Kg7 17.Nf4 Rac8 18.Rfc1, when White has chances of
obtaining an advantage.

12.Nf4 Qb6 13.Kf1

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13...Kd7

Another plan is to castle; for example, 13...0-0-0 14.h5 Kb8 15.Rh3 Rhe8 16.Rg3 Bf8 17.Kg1 Rc8,
[Link], Dutch League 1996. White achieved the optimum on the kingside, so the best
plan is to gain space on the queenside: 18.Rb1 Qb5 19.Be3 Qc4 20.b3 Qa6 21.Ne1! is a noteworthy
set-up. The knights are connected in a good way and the bishop protects d4.

Question: It seems from many examples that it is essential to know how to conduct play with the
knights?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Yes, that positional understanding is crucial, otherwise mishandling the knights will lead to
inferior play.

14.h5

A good idea; we will see in the long run that White needs to play this.

14...Rac8 15.Rh3 Nb4 16.Ne1 Rc4 17.Ne2 Rhc8 18.Bd2! Ke8 19.Rb3 Qc7 20.Rg3 Kf8 21.a3 Na6
22.b3 Rc6

Black has failed to create enough pressure on the queenside and must retreat.

23.Nd3

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 This is favourable for White now.

23...Qd7 24.Kg1 b6

25.Nef4

Much stronger was 25.Ndf4! Nc7 26.Qb1! Bh4 27.Rh3 Bg5 28.Qd3 Bxf4 29.Nxf4 Kg8 30.Nxe6!
(an important motif to have in mind; now Black either loses a pawn or gives up the g6-square)
30...fxe6 31.Rg3 Kf8 32.Rg6 Ne8 33.Re1 R8c7 34.g4 and White is clearly better.

25...Nc7 26.Nb4 Bxb4 27.Bxb4+ Kg8 28.a4! a5 29.Bd2 Kh8 30.Rc1 Rxc1 31.Qxc1 Nb5 32.Qb2
Na7 33.Qa3 Nc6 34.Bc3 Qe7 35.Qxe7 Nxe7 36.Kf1 Kh7 37.Ke1 g5 38.hxg6+ Nxg6 39.Bd2 Rc2?

A mistake. After 39...Nxf4 40.Bxf4 Rc6 41.Rh3 Bd7 42.Kd1 Kg7 Black is still holding.

40.Rxg6!

This wins for White on the spot.

40...fxg6 41.Nxe6 g5 42.Nf8+ Kg7 43.Nd7 Kf7 44.Nxb6 Ke6 45.Bxa5 f4 46.Na8 Kf5 47.Nc7
Ke4 48.e6 Kd3 49.Kd1 Re2 50.Na6 1-0

Game 87
[Link]
[Link] (blitz) 2022

280
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5

Black can also opt for a less played but solid idea where the main point is exchanging light-squared
bishops: 3...b6 4.c3 Qd7 5.a4 (it is good strategy to take space):
a) 5...Ba6 is now met by 6.Bxa6 Nxa6 7.b4 c6 8.Ne2 Ne7 9.Nf4 g6 10.Nd2 Bg7 11.h4 h6 12.Nb3
0-0 13.h5 g5 14.Nd3 f5 15.exf6 Rxf6 16.0-0 Nf5 17.Qg4 Raf8 18.Ne5 and White is clearly better,
[Link], Ukrainian Championship, Kiev 1964.
b) 5...a5 (a tough decision: if Black castles queenside then the a5-pawn will be a target, but
allowing White to play b2-b4 would mean Black lacks space) 6.f4 Ne7 (Black waits a bit with ...Ba6
in the hope of gaining a tempo should White play Bd3) 7.Nd2 h5 8.Ndf3 Ba6 9.Bxa6 Nxa6 10.Be3
Nf5 11.Bf2 Be7 12.Ne2 h4 13.0-0 0-0-0?! (here 13...c5 14.b3 Kf8, followed by ...g7-g6 and ...Kg7,
is more to the point) 14.Qd2 Rdg8 15.Rfb1 Nb8 16.b4 (exploiting the hook on a5) 16...Nc6 17.Nc1
g5 18.fxg5 Rg7 19.Nb3 axb4 20.a5 and White got a winning attack, [Link], Sochi
1970.

4.c3 Ne7 5.Nf3 Nec6

Not so popular but an interesting idea. Black concentrates on the queenside and the problems with
the c8-bishop will be solved by ...b7-b6 and ...Ba6. 5...Nbc6 would transpose to the previous game.

6.h4!

Question: What is the idea of this plan?

Show/Hide Solution

281
Answer: Due to the absence of Black’s knight, White creates pressure on the kingside.

6...b6 7.h5 h6

Preventing h5-h6 is logical. Instead, 7...Be7 8.Rh3 0-0 9.Rg3 Kh8, [Link], French League
2001, looks a bit risky. A good idea for White is to bring the queen into the action with 10.Qd2!? Ba6
11.Qf4 Bxf1 12.Kxf1 Nd7 13.Na3 a6 14.Nc2 Qe8 15.Qg4 Rg8 16.h6 g6 17.Ng5, when White has
pleasant play.

8.Rh3 a5 9.Bb5 Ba6 10.a4!?

This is a good reaction.

10...Bxb5?!

It is better to leave the bishop alone for the moment. 10...Qd7 11.Na3 cxd4 12.cxd4 Bxb5 13.Nxb5
Na6 14.Bf4 0-0-0 15.Kf1 Kb7 16.Rg3 is more solid for Black, whose knights can use the b4-square,
though his entire position is rather passive.

11.axb5 Na7 12.dxc5! Bxc5 13.Rg3 Kf8 14.b4

Much simpler was 14.Ra4! Nxb5 15.Rag4 Nc6 16.Qd3 Nc7 17.Rxg7 and White wins without any
complications.

14...axb4 15.cxb4 Bxb4+ 16.Kf1 Nd7 17.Qa4

White goes for active play to hamper Black’s development.

282
17...Ba5 18.Qg4 Nxb5

18...Rh7 would be met by 19.Bxh6! gxh6 20.Qg8+ Ke7 21.Qxh7 Qh8 22.Rg7 Qxh7 23.Rxh7
Nxb5 24.Rxh6, though this might have offered Black more chances of survival.

19.Qxg7+ Ke7 20.Bxh6 Qg8 21.Bg5+ Ke8 22.h6 Qxg7 23.hxg7 Rg8 24.Bf6 Nc5 25.Rh3 Ne4
26.Nbd2 Nxd2+ 27.Nxd2 Kd7 28.Nb3 Rac8 29.Rh8 Bc3 30.Ra4 d4 31.Ke2 Bb2 32.Rb4 Nc3+
33.Kd3 Nd5 34.Rc4 Nxf6 35.Rxc8 1-0

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 Show in Text Mode

Chapter Five
Scandinavian and Alekhine Defences

Against these sharp but not so solid openings I decided to opt for some less analysed lines, where
the accent is on development rather than taking an early initiative.

Scandinavian Defence
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5

I have always preferred to develop the king’s knight over the more popular 3.Nc3. I think that
keeping the option of taking over the centre directly with d2-d4 and c2-c4 is something that should
not be dismissed.

3.Nf3

The main line then continues 3...Bg4 4.Be2 Nc6 5.h3 (Games 88-91), though we will look at other
moves as well.
Another important idea for Black is to offer a pawn sacrifice with 2...Nf6. Rather than try to hang
on to it, we will examine the calm, positional 3.Nf3 Nxd5 4.d4 (Games 93-95).

284
Alekhine’s Defence
1...Nf6 2.Nc3

We offer an invitation to Chapter Two should Black play 2...e5, which many do. After the
independent:

2...d5 3.e5

We come to a position where Black has a few choices, each tested in practice: 3...d4, 3...Ne4, and
3...Nfd7 (Games 96-99).

Question: How important is it to be ready against these two less positional openings?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: It’s very important, especially the Scandinavian which is more popular than ever due to its
practical value: White simply can’t avoid it.

Game 88
[Link]
[Link] (blitz) 2020

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5

285
 One of the reasons the Scandinavian is popular in today’s chess is that it’s a direct opening; like the
Alekhine, there are no earlier deviations. Black is looking for similar types of position to a Caro-Kann
or French where the e4- and d5-pawns are exchanged. The obvious disadvantage is tactics: is Black
fast enough to compensate for such an early queen excursion in the centre?

3.Nf3

I am fond of this move. In this way White keeps the option of playing d2-d4 and c2-c4 and only
then developing the knight to c3. This will give White greater control of the central squares.

3...Bg4

We’ll look at other approaches for Black with 3...Nf6 in Game 92.

4.Be2 Nc6

The logical continuation, trying to fight for d4 and other central squares, and preparing to castle
queenside.

5.h3

This is an important detail. Now before doing anything else Black has to decide what to do with the
bishop.

5...Bxf3

We will look at the retreat 5...Bh5 in Game 91.

286
6.Bxf3 Qe5+

First we’ll deal with the exchange of queens. 6...Qe6+ 7.Qe2 Qxe2+ comes to the same thing,
though by that move order Black has the option of 7...Nd4, as we’ll see in the next game, while the
alternative 6...Qd7 is examined in Game 90.

7.Qe2 Qxe2+ 8.Bxe2 Nd4

Black can also just continue with development: 8...0-0-0 9.c3 e5 10.d3

White has the bishop pair, the c4-square is almost “beckoning” the b1-knight, and further expansion
with a2-a4 and b2-b4 is coming as well. On the other hand, Black has firm control in the centre. Here
are a few more examples:
a) 10...Nge7 11.0-0 g6 12.Nd2 Bg7 13.a4 Nd5 14.Nc4 h6 15.a5 (taking space on the queenside is
good strategy) 15...a6 16.g3 Rhe8 17.Bf3 f5 18.Rd1 Rd7 19.Kf1 and White maintains an edge,
[Link], [Link] (blitz) 2022.
b) 10...f5 11.Nd2 g6 12.Nc4 Bg7 13.a4 Nge7 14.0-0 Nd5 15.Rd1 h6 16.Bd2 Rhe8 17.Bf1 g5 18.b4
and again we see that White has preferable chances, [Link] [Link], [Link] (blitz) 2021.
c) 10...g6 11.Nd2 Bh6 12.Kd1 (transferring the king to c2 is a good idea) 12...Nge7 13.Kc2 Nd5
14.Re1 f6 15.Bf1 Nce7 16.g3 Nf5 17.h4 c6 18.a4 and here too we can say that White has a slightly
favourable endgame, [Link], Paracin 2018.

9.Bd3!?

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 A good idea, ruling out the f5-square when the d4-knight moves or is driven away.

9...0-0-0 10.c3 Nf3+ 11.Ke2 Nh4 12.g3 Ng6 13.Bc2 e5 14.d3 f5 15.Nd2 Nf6 16.a4 Bd6 17.Nc4

In this typical endgame it is much easier for White to organize his play, due to the bishop pair and
control over the light squares .

17...Rhe8 18.Bg5 f4 19.Bxf6 gxf6 20.g4

It may not seem like much, but White is counting on a better bishop. We will soon see what is
going on.

288
 Question: What determines who has the preferable endgame?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Activity of pieces and pawn structure; in this case White’s knight and bishop are more
active.

20...Nh4 21.Nd2

It is essential to exchange knights first.

21...Bc5 22.b4 Bf8 23.Rad1 c6 24.Nf3 Nxf3 25.Kxf3 Kc7 26.Rhe1 h6 27.d4?!

This looks premature since Black could just take it. 27.a5 would keep control.

27...a5 28.Bg6 Re6 29.dxe5 Rxd1 30.Rxd1 axb4 31.cxb4 Rxe5 32.Rd4

White still has some edge here.

32...Rg5 33.Bf5!

Now the rook on g5 is a bit cut off from the action.

33...Bd6 34.b5 Be5?

Letting the white rook in is a fatal error.

35.Rd7+ Kb6 36.bxc6 bxc6 37.Rh7 Rg8 38.Rxh6 c5 39.h4

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 The passed h-pawn will win for White.

39...Rd8 40.g5 c4 41.g6 c3 42.g7 Rg8 43.Rg6 Kc5 44.h5 1-0

Game 89
[Link]
Balatonszarszo 2017

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.Be2 Nc6 5.h3 Bxf3 6.Bxf3 Qe6+ 7.Qe2 Nd4

This is an interesting idea. Now both sides will have shattered pawns.

8.Qxe6 Nxf3+ 9.gxf3 fxe6

290
 An unusual position from the opening, but it seems that White should have preferable chances
because the e6-pawn is a greater liability than the f3-pawn.

10.d3

Probably safest; White doesn’t want to expand too much and is focused on fast development
without creating further targets. Let’s look at a couple of other choices:
a) 10.b3 g6 11.Bb2 Nf6 12.Na3 Bg7 13.0-0-0 Nh5 14.Rde1 Bxb2+ 15.Kxb2 Nf4, [Link]-
[Link], Paracin 2017, is not bad for Black, whose knight is strong on f4.
b) 10.d4 (an active idea, taking more space in the centre, but the d-pawn is now more exposed)
10...0-0-0 11.c3 g6 12.Na3 Bg7 13.Nc4 Nf6 14.0-0 Rhf8 15.Re1 Nd5 16.Kg2 Rf6 17.Bg5 Rf5
18.Bd2 Rdf8 19.Rxe6 Rxf3 and Black has good counterplay here, [Link],
[Link] (blitz) 2020.

10...g6 11.Nc3

The knight is heading for the e4-square, which is best because from there it may go to c5 or g5, so
Black must already be on the alert.

11...Bg7

Developing a knight first is possible: 11...Nh6 12.Ne4 (if White takes the knight with 12.Bxh6
Bxh6 13.Ne4 b6, the black bishop may land on f4, creating counterplay) 12...Nf5 13.Be3 Bg7 14.c3
b6 15.Ng5 Kd7 16.Ke2 Raf8 17.h4 h6 18.Ne4 Nd6 19.Rag1 and White has better chances,
[Link], [Link] (blitz) 2021.

12.Ne4

291
 Both sides have weak pawns, but White has fewer weak squares and his faster development helps
to create some initiative.

12...Nf6

If instead 12...Rd8 13.Ke2 b6 14.a4 a5 15.Ng5 Rd5 16.Re1 Bh6 17.Nxe6 Re5+ 18.Kf1 Rxe1+
19.Kxe1, White kept the advantage in [Link], Finnish Championship, Helsinki 2022.

Question: How to decide which pieces to trade in this endgame?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: First, although it looks powerful on e4, White’s knight is not stronger than the g7-bishop due
to his weakened kingside structure, so White should keep pieces on the board and only trade them if
his pawn structure is thereby improved.

13.Nc5 Kf7 14.Nxb7 Nd5 15.Na5 Rhf8 16.Ke2 Kg8 17.Nc4 Rf5 18.Be3 Nb6 19.c3 Raf8 20.a4!

292
 White is better, since his doubled f-pawns are of less significance than Black’s bad queenside
structure.

20...Rxf3 21.a5 Nxc4 22.dxc4 a6 23.Ra3 R3f5 24.b4 Re5 25.Kd3 c6 26.Rb1 Rb8 27.Rab3 Rh5
28.b5 cxb5 29.cxb5 axb5 30.a6 Ra8 31.Ra3 Rd5+ 32.Kc2 Be5 33.a7 Bd6 34.Ra5 b4 35.cxb4 Rxa5
36.bxa5 Kf7 37.Kb3 1-0

Game 90
[Link]
[Link] (blitz) 2020

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.Be2 Nc6 5.h3 Bxf3 6.Bxf3 Qd7

This is a more aggressive idea. Black keeps queens on the board and plans to castle queenside with
sharp play. The positional plus that the d4-square is firmly controlled gives Black hope that he can
justify such a plan.

7.Nc3

A sensible choice again. White has the bishop pair and intends to build a slower type of play.
The alternative 7.0-0 0-0-0 8.c3!? is a bit different.

293
 White is trying to establish a strong centre, but not only that: now b2-b4 can be easily played,
starting an attack on queenside. For example:
a) 8...e5 9.Re1 Bd6 10.d3 f5 11.Nd2 Nf6 12.Nc4 Rhe8 13.Bg5 Kb8 14.b4 and White has better
prospects.
b) 8...Ne5 9.d4 Nxf3+ 10.Qxf3 Nf6 11.Re1 e6 12.Nd2 with the strong idea of placing a knight on
c4 which secures the initiative, [Link], Mali Losinj 2016.

7...0-0-0

It makes little difference if Black postpones castling for a move or two. For example: 7...Nf6 8.d3
0-0-0 9.Be3 (inserting 9.g3, as in the main game, also makes sense) 9...e6 10.0-0 Nd4 11.Bxd4 Qxd4
12.Nb5 Qb6 13.a4 a6 14.Na3 Qd4 15.Nc4 and White has easier play, [Link],
[Link] (blitz) 2020.

8.d3 e6 9.g3

Safeguarding the light-squared bishop.

9...Nge7 10.0-0 Nf5 11.Rb1!

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 White is going for queenside expansion and an attack.

Question: How to evaluate who is faster here?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: The bishop on f3 is strong, so, combined with b2-b4 ideas, it seems that White is faster.
Nonetheless, accurate play is required as there are tactical ideas everywhere.

11...Bc5 12.Ne4 Bb6 13.b4 h5 14.a4

More precise was 14.Re1! h4 15.g4 Nfd4 16.Bg2 f5 17.Nc5 Bxc5 18.bxc5, which gives White a
clear advantage.

14...h4 15.a5

Here 15.g4 was correct, and if 15...Ng3 16.Re1 Nxe4 17.Bxe4 Qd6 18.Qf3 Nd4 19.Qg2! Nxc2
20.Re2 Nd4 21.Bxb7+ Kb8 22.Reb2, White still has preferable chances.

295
15...Bd4

Missing an interesting tactical motif worth noting: 15...Bxf2+!? (a highly unusual reaction, but it
was his only chance) 16.Kxf2 (not 16.Rxf2 hxg3 17.Re2? since 17...Qd4+ 18.Kf1 Rxh3 is very
strong) 16...hxg3+ 17.Kg2 Nh4+ 18.Kxg3 f5 and Black has counterplay.

16.c3 hxg3 17.cxd4 Qxd4 18.a6 b6 19.Bg2 Nxb4 20.Bb2 gxf2+ 21.Nxf2 Qe3 22.Re1 Qg3 23.Be5

White is winning now.

23...Qh4 24.Re4 Qg5 25.Rbxb4 Ne3 26.Qf3 Nxg2 27.Qxg2 Qc1+ 28.Kh2 Rd5 29.Rbc4 1-0

Game 91
[Link]
Budapest 2016

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.Be2 Nc6 5.h3 Bh5

This time Black insists on keeping his bishop. From the other side the point is that, when the queen
is attacked by a pawn or knight, the f5- and h5-squares are practically unavailable. That helps White
to conduct his game in a better way. Let see...

6.d4

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6...0-0-0

Black can develop in a different method:

a) 6...e5 7.dxe5 Bxf3 8.Bxf3 Qxd1+ 9.Bxd1 Nxe5 10.0-0 0-0-0 11.Be2 Nf6 12.Bg5 Be7 13.Nc3
h6 14.Bf4 Ng6 15.Be3 a6 16.Rad1 and White has preferable chances in the endgame due to the
bishop pair, [Link], St. Petersburg 2010.
b) 6...e6 7.Be3 Nf6 8.Nbd2 Be7 9.c4 Qd6 10.0-0 0-0 11.a3 Rfe8 12.Qb3 Bf8 13.Rfd1 Rab8 14.Nf1
a6 15.Rac1 Ne7 16.g4 Bg6 17.Ne5 and White keeps positional pressure, [Link]-
[Link], German Bundesliga 2014.

7.c4

This is exactly what I was talking about in the introduction: White increases his control over the
centre with pawns first.

7...Qd6

This is the problem for Black: his queen has no appealing retreat squares. The alternative is not
good either: 7...Qa5+ 8.Bd2 Qa6 9.g4 Bg6 10.d5 and White already got a huge advantage in
[Link], Budapest 2013.

8.d5 Bxf3 9.Bxf3 Ne5 10.0-0!

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 Black has serious problems conducting his play due to bad development.

Question: Is it okay to say that White has the initiative?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Yes, White already seized the initiative.

10...Nf6

Taking the c-pawn is bad: 10...Nxc4 11.Qd4 Nb6 12.Bf4 Qd7 13.Rc1 c6 14.Nc3 f6 15.Nb5 e5
16.dxe6 Qxd4 17.Nxa7 mate, [Link], [Link] (blitz) 2021, was a quick win.

11.Nc3 a6 12.Bf4 Nfd7 13.Bg4 Qf6 14.Bxe5 Qxe5 15.Re1 Qf4 16.Ne4 h5 17.Bxd7+ Rxd7 18.Nc5
Rd6 19.Qb3 Rb6 20.Qa4 Rd6 21.Qb3 Rb6 22.Qa4 Rd6 23.Rad1

298
 White is completely winning.

23...Rhh6 24.Ne4 Rd8 25.c5 e5 26.c6 Kb8 27.Re3 bxc6 28.g3 Qf5 29.Qxa6 Bb4 30.d6 Qc8
31.Qxc6 Qb7 32.Qxb7+ Kxb7 33.Rb3 c5 34.a3 1-0

Game 92
[Link]
[Link] (blitz) 2021

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nf3 Nf6

Here we’ll look at some different set-ups for Black against this system. White can continue in the
same manner as before with solid kingside development first.

4.Be2 Nc6

Black has other ways of developing, including setting up a Caro-Kann-type position, as I mentioned
previously. Let’s see:
a) 4...Bf5 5.0-0 e6 6.d4 c6 7.c4 Qd8 8.Nc3 Be7 9.Be3 0-0 10.Nh4

299
 (this is logical now, gaining the bishop pair) 10...Bg6 11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.Bf3 (White is ready to
launch d4-d5 at any moment, which is a serious positional threat) 12...Qa5 13.d5 exd5 14.cxd5 Bb4
15.Qb3 Bxc3 16.bxc3 Nxd5 17.Qxb7 Nxe3 18.fxe3 Na6 19.Bxc6 Rac8 20.Rxf7! and White is
winning, [Link], Grand Chess Tour, Paris (rapid) 2019.
b) 4...g6 (going for a hybrid version of the Alekhine, Scandinavian and Pirc!) 5.c4 (playing this
before d2-d4 means that Black doesn’t have ...Qa5 with check)

and here Black has tried two queen moves:

b1) 5...Qd6 6.d4 Bg7 7.Nc3 c6 8.0-0 (typical play; White advances both pawns in the centre and
only then develops the b1-knight) 8...Bg4 9.Qb3 Qc7, [Link] [Link], European

300
Rapid Championship, Warsaw 2012, and now simply 10.h3 Bxf3 11.Bxf3 0-0 12.Be3 gives White
easy play.
b2) 5...Qd8 6.d4 Bg7 7.Nc3 0-0 8.h3 c6 9.0-0 Bf5 10.Nh4 Bc8 11.Be3 Qc7 12.Qd2 e5 13.d5 Rd8
14.Rad1 c5 15.f4! and White got a clear initiative, [Link], Copenhagen 2021.
c) 4...Bg4 5.h3 again forces Black to make a choice:
c1) 5...Bxf3 6.Bxf3 Qe5+ 7.Qe2 Qxe2+ 8.Kxe2 (with the black knight still on b8, there is no need
for 8.Bxe2 here) 8...c6 9.d4 Nbd7 10.Re1 e6 11.Nd2 Bd6 12.Nc4 Bc7 13.a4 a5 14.Kf1 Nb6 15.Ne5
Nbd7 16.Nd3 0-0 17.c3, as in [Link], [Link] (blitz) 2021, is an interesting endgame
typical of many openings, including the Réti. White has slightly preferable chances, but it is solid for
Black as well.
c2) 5...Bh5 6.0-0 e6 7.d4 c6 (Black prevents a quick d4-d5 and creates a solid, albeit slightly
passive position; instead, 7...Nc6 transposes to the main game, while 7...c5 8.c4 Qd8 9.Be3 cxd4
10.Nxd4 Bxe2 11.Qxe2 Be7 12.Nc3 0-0 13.Rfd1 Qc8 14.Rac1 a6 15.a3 Nc6 16.b4 gave White fast
queenside play with his majority, [Link], [Link] blitz 2020) 8.c4 Qd8 9.Nc3 Be7
10.Be3 Nbd7 11.d5 exd5 12.cxd5 cxd5 13.Nxd5 0-0 14.Nf4 Bg6 15.Nxg6 hxg6 16.Rc1 Qa5 17.Bc4
was [Link], Swiss League 2008, where we can say that White emerged from the opening
with the initiative, due to the bishop pair and potential target on f7.

5.0-0 Bg4 6.h3 Bh5

Here 6...Bxf3 7.Bxf3 Qd7 8.c3 gives White good play, as in the notes to Game 90.

7.d4 e6 8.c4 Qd8 9.Be3 Be7 10.Nc3

We saw an almost identical position in line ‘c2’ above, the only difference being that Black has

301
played ...Nc6 here rather than ...c7-c6.

Question: How to estimate such a position? Is it a combination of the Alekhine and

Scandinavian?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Yes, we can put it that way. Positional chess is demanded now, where White first secures his
centre and then to tries to break, mainly with d4-d5.

10...0-0 11.Qd2

Developing and preparing to put the rooks on d1 and c1. Another plan is to gain more space on the
queenside after 11.a3.

11...Bg6

Black can try to balance the game in the centre by developing on the d-file: 11...Qd7 12.Rad1 Rad8
13.Qc1 Qc8 14.a3 a5 15.Rfe1 Rfe8 16.g4 Bg6, [Link], [Link] (blitz) 2022, but
now simple and strong is 17.d5 exd5 18.cxd5 Nb8 19.Ne5 Nbd7 20.Nxg6 hxg6 21.g5 Nh5 22.Bg4,
when White has a huge advantage.

12.Rfd1

The alternative 12.Bd3 is a solid positional approach. Exchanging light-squared bishops helps
White in gaining control because the bishop on g6 is an active piece. After 12...Bb4 (if 12...Nxd4
13.Nxd4 Bxd3 14.Qxd3 e5 15.Rad1 exd4 16.Bxd4 c5 17.Be5 Qxd3 18.Rxd3 Rad8 19.Re3, White is
still slightly better due to his more active pieces) 13.Bxg6 hxg6 14.Qc2 Ne7 15.a3 Bxc3 16.Qxc3
Nf5 17.Bf4 c6 18.Rfe1, [Link], Philadelphia 2004, the position favours White.
Although it’s not easy to make a breakthrough, Black has problems organizing his knights.

12...Ne4 13.Nxe4

It’s not necessary to take the knight. After 13.Qc1 Nxc3 14.Qxc3 a5 15.Ne5 Be4 16.Bf3 Bxf3
17.Nxf3 Bf6 18.Rd2 Ne7 19.Qb3 Qc8 20.Rad1 White has more space and easier play.

13...Bxe4 14.a3 a5 15.Rac1

Direct play in the centre doesn’t bring White an advantage: 15.d5 exd5 16.cxd5 Bxf3 17.Bxf3 Ne5
18.Be2 Bd6 19.Rac1 Qe7 is just unclear.

15...a4 16.Ng5 Bg6 17.Bf4 Na5 18.Qe3 Nb3 19.Rc3 Bf6 20.Nf3 Qc8 21.Be5! Be7

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22.h4?!

Too hasty. Instead, 22.c5 keeps the advantage, when 22...f6 might even be answered by 23.Bd6!?.

22...Rd8?

Too slow. Black needed to drive the bishop away with 22...f6, after which 23.Bg3 c5 24.d5 Rd8
should not be worse for him.

23.h5! Bxh5 24.Bxg7!

Now Black’s king is opened up.

24...Bxf3

Taking the bishop is bad as well: 24...Kxg7 25.Qe5+ Bf6 26.Qxh5 and White has a winning attack.

25.Bh6 Nxd4 26.Rxd4 Rxd4 27.Qxd4 e5 28.Qxe5 1-0

Game 93
[Link]
Canadian Open, Quebec 2018

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6

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 This time Black aims to recapture on d5 with the knight but is ready to sacrifice a pawn if needs be.
Instead, we will examine positional aspects of the line, where the plan for White remains the same.

3.d4 Nxd5 4.Nf3 g6

Other ideas for Black, 4...Bg4 and 4...Bf5, are examined in the next two games.

5.c4 Nb6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.c5 Nd5 8.Bc4

An aggressive set-up but not without positional points.

Question: What are they?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Fast development, a strong pawn structure, and an open e-file are all working well for White
now.

8...c6

Trying to keep the knight on d5 if possible. The alternative is to exchange on c3, but this
strengthens White’s centre: 8...Nxc3 9.bxc3 0-0 10.0-0 Nc6 11.Re1 Bg4 12.Bg5 h6 13.Bh4 g5
14.Bg3 e5 15.h3 (here 15.d5 Na5 16.Bf1 may be stronger) 15...Bxf3 16.Qxf3 exd4 17.Rad1 Qf6
18.Qxf6 Bxf6 19.cxd4 Bxd4 20.Bxc7 and White has the initiative in the endgame, [Link]-
[Link], Liepaja (rapid) 2018.

9.0-0 0-0 10.Re1

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 Centralizing all his pieces, White is prepared for further pressure.

10...h6

Preventing the bishop coming to g5. Black has other ideas, but none gives him easy play:
a) 10...Be6 runs into 11.Rxe6! (a typical sacrifice in such positions which can’t be missed) 11...fxe6
12.Ng5 Qd7 13.Qg4, when White enjoys a big initiative.
b) 10...b6 11.Bg5 Re8 12.Qb3 Be6 13.Nxd5 cxd5 14.Bb5 Rf8 15.Rac1 a6 16.Qa3 bxc5 17.dxc5
Ra7 18.Ba4 and White has strong pressure, [Link], Samara 2004.
c) 10...Nxc3 11.bxc3 b6 12.Ba3 b5 13.Bb3 a5 14.Bc1 a4 15.Bc2 Bg4 16.Bg5 Bf6 17.Bh6 Re8
18.h3 Bxf3 19.Qxf3 e6 20.Be4 and White is clearly better, [Link], Sochi (blitz)
2021.
d) 10...Bg4 11.Bg5 Nf6 12.h3 Bxf3 13.Qxf3 Nbd7 14.b4 h6 15.Bh4 e6 16.Rad1, as in [Link]-
[Link], Nefteyugansk 2002, is good for White, who has the bishops and more space, Black is
left with just the d5-square which is not enough to create counterplay.

11.Ne5

White goes active, of course.

11...Kh7

Defending g6 against possible threats. Again alternatives are possible, but we can see that Black is
suffering from not having space for his pieces:
a) 11...e6 12.Ne4 b6 13.Nd6 bxc5 14.dxc5 Qa5 15.Nd3 and White is much better, [Link]-
[Link], Oberwart 1999.

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 b) 11...Be6 12.Bf1 Bf5 13.Qb3 b6 14.Nxd5 cxd5 15.Bf4 bxc5 16.dxc5 also gives White the
advantage, [Link], Sochi (blitz) 2018.
c) 11...Nd7 12.Nxd5 cxd5 13.Bxd5 Nxe5 14.dxe5 Qc7 was [Link], Ajka (rapid)
2020, where 15.e6 Bxe6 16.Bxe6 fxe6 17.Rxe6 leaves White clearly better.

12.Qb3 e6 13.Ne4 Nd7 14.Qh3!

Simple and strong, changing flanks. Black is under heavy pressure.

14...Nxe5 15.dxe5

White is virtually winning already. Having d6 for a knight is a tremendous asset.

15...Rh8 16.Bd2 Kg8 17.Nd6 b6 18.Qf3 Qe7 19.b4 Bd7 20.Rab1 b5 21.Bd3 Be8 22.a4 bxa4
23.Ra1 Kh7 24.Rxa4 Rf8 25.Qg3 f5 26.exf6 Qxf6 27.h4 h5 28.Ra2 Bh6 29.Bxh6 Kxh6 30.Bc4
Bd7 31.Bxd5 exd5 32.Rae2 a5 33.Re7 Bg4 34.f3 Bf5 35.Qf4+ g5 36.hxg5+ Qxg5 37.Nxf5+ 1-0

Game 94
[Link]
Sverdlovsk 1989

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nxd5 4.d4 Bg4

This time Black brings the c8-bishop out before closing the diagonal.

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5.Be2 e6 6.0-0

6...Nc6

Black can play in a more cautious way, developing the kingside first:
a) 6...Bd6 7.h3 Bh5 8.c4 Nf4 9.Bxf4 Bxf4 10.Qb3 Nd7 11.Qxb7 Rb8 12.Qe4 looks good for
White, [Link], [Link] (blitz) 2021.
b) 6...Be7 7.h3 Bh5 8.c4 Nb6 9.Nc3 0-0 10.b3 Nc6 11.Be3 (White has established a strong centre
and it is difficult for Black to find good counterplay) 11...Bf6 12.Ne4 h6 13.Qd2 Bg6 14.Ng3 Qe7
15.Bd3 Bxd3 16.Qxd3 Rad8 17.Qe4 Rd7 18.Rad1 Rfd8 19.Nh5 and White is clearly better,
[Link], [Link] (blitz) 2021.

Question: In Game 92 we had the same position except that Black’s knight was on f6. Is this or
that one preferable?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Both are legitimate. The knight on b6 has the purpose of putting pressure on c4 and the
bishop can go to f6, while the knight on f6 gives more stability to Black’s position.

7.h3 Bh5 8.c4 Nb6 9.Nc3 Be7

Black must be careful not to end up in a bad position from the opening. For example, after 9...Bxf3
10.Bxf3 it is dangerous for Black to take either pawn:

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 a) 10...Nxc4 11.d5 exd5 12.Re1+ Be7 13.Nxd5 Kf8 14.b3 Nd6 15.Ba3 and White has a winning
attack, [Link], Solingen 2005.
b) 10...Nxd4 11.Bxb7 Rb8 12.Be4 Bd6 13.Nb5 Nxb5 14.Bc6+ Nd7 15.Bxb5 Rg8 16.Bxd7+ was
another quick win [Link], Metz 2005.

10.c5

White can also wait with 10.b3, when the game will likely transpose to the 6...Be7 line above after
10...0-0 11.Be3, since grabbing the d-pawn is not good for Black: 10...Bxf3 11.Bxf3 Nxd4 12.Bxb7
Rb8, [Link], European Rapid Championship, Tallinn 2019, and now after 13.Nb5!?
Rxb7 14.Nxd4 Bf6 15.Nc6 Qxd1 16.Rxd1 Nxc4 (not 16...Bxa1?? 17.Rd8 mate) 17.bxc4 Rb6 18.Nd4
c5 19.Nc2 Bxa1 20.Nxa1 Rb4 21.Be3 Rxc4 22.Nb3 White has preferable chances.

10...Nd5 11.Qb3 0-0

If Black defends the b-pawn with 11...Rb8, as in [Link], World Rapid

Championship, Almaty 2022, one idea for White is 12.Re1 0-0 13.Nxd5 Qxd5 14.Qxd5 exd5 15.Bf4
Bd8 16.Rad1 f6 17.g4 Bf7 18.a3 with some initiative in the endgame.

12.Qxb7

12...Ndb4

Trying to trap the queen, but it doesn’t work. On the other hand, 12...Bxf3 13.Qxc6 Bxe2 14.Nxe2
Qe8 15.Qa6 Qc8 16.Qc4 Qb7 17.b3 Rfd8 18.Bd2 just left White a clear pawn up in [Link]-
[Link] Lerch, Ostrava 1998.

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13.Bf4!

Black doesn’t have a good response now.

13...Bxf3 14.Bxf3 Qxd4 15.Bxc7

White is winning, since Black’s attempted pressure on queenside can’t be utilized.

15...Qxc5 16.a3 Nc2 17.Ne4 Qf5 18.Qxc6 Nxa1 19.Rxa1 Rac8 20.Qd7 Rfe8 21.Rd1 Qg6 22.b4 f5
23.Ng3 1-0

Game 95
[Link] Ortiz
Seville 2011

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nxd5 4.d4 Bf5

Another logical reaction. Black develops the bishop on a natural diagonal, potentially hitting the c2-
square in case of a careless c2-c4 by White.

5.Bd3

Although it may look like simplification White is speeding up his development and prepares to
continue with the usual c2-c4.

5...Bxd3

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 Black doesn’t need to take on d3, but the game will have a similar type of play: 5...Bg6 6.0-0 e6
7.c4 Nf6 8.Nc3 Be7 9.Bf4 0-0 10.Bxg6 hxg6 11.Qe2 Nbd7 12.Rad1 c6 13.a3 Re8 14.Rd3! Qa5
15.Ne5 Rad8 16.Rfd1 and White has a very active position, [Link], Sao Paulo 2002.

6.Qxd3 c6 7.0-0 e6

Black plays in a solid Caro-Kann-type fashion, of the kind we already saw in the notes to Game 92.

8.c4 Nf6 9.Nc3 Be7 10.Bf4

The best and most aggressive set-up, in my opinion, although fianchettoing the c1-bishop is also a
logical positional idea: 10.b3 Nbd7 11.Bb2 0-0

Now we have two main plans: a quick d4-d5 or just slowly building up pressure.
a) 12.Rfe1 Re8 13.Rad1 Qa5 14.d5 (the bishop on b2 has meaning now) 14...cxd5 15.cxd5 exd5
16.Nxd5 Nxd5 17.Qxd5 Qxd5 18.Rxd5 Nf6 19.Rb5 b6 20.Rbe5 Bb4 21.Rxe8+ Nxe8 22.Rc1 Rd8
23.Kf1 Bc5 24.Ke2 and White only has a symbolic advantage, [Link], Hastings
2008/09.
b) 12.Rad1 Qa5 (if instead 12...Qc7 then 13.Qe2! Rfe8 14.Ne5 Rad8 15.f4 c5 16.d5 exd5 17.Nxd5
Nxd5 18.Rxd5) 13.Rfe1 Rad8 14.Qc2 Rfe8 15.h3 a6 16.Re3 (the transfer of this rook is a good plan)
16...Nf8 17.Red3 looks more pleasant for White, [Link], Ayvalik 2022.

10...0-0 11.Rad1 Nbd7 12.Qe2 Re8 13.Rd3

Doubling rooks on the d-file is a good plan. White can also play in the centre first: 13.Ne5 Qa5
14.Rd3 Rad8 15.Rfd1 Nf8 16.a3 Ng6 17.Bg3 Bd6 18.h4! with the advantage, [Link]-
[Link], Police 2018.

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13...Qa5 14.Rfd1 Qh5 15.h3 Nf8 16.Qe3 Ng6 17.Bh2 Qa5 18.Ne5

White has very good control over the centre.

Question: How solid is Black’s position in general?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: It’s very solid, albeit a bit passive.

18...Rac8 19.Bg3

With ideas of advancing the h-pawn as we saw in the note to move 13.

19...b5 20.b3 Bb4 21.Qf3 Bxc3 22.Rxc3

Black is trying to ease his play with massive exchanges, but it’s not so easy.

22...Nxe5 23.Bxe5 Nd7 24.cxb5! Nxe5

It was safer to play 24...Qxb5 straight away, though 25.Qg3 f6 26.Bd6 also gives White good play
and chances to obtain an advantage.

25.dxe5 Qxb5 26.Rd7 Qxe5?

Of course 26...Rf8 was necessary, but White is now clearly better after 27.Qe3.

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27.Qxf7+ Kh8 1-0

Since 28.Rxc6 is one way to win.

Game 96
[Link]
Swinemünde 1932

1.e4 Nf6

The Alekhine is always an interesting defence. It’s also a very practical opening and by no means
bad. Challenging pawns and only attacking in the centre later belongs to a modern approach to chess.
White has many options here, but I decided upon a transpositional one, which goes with our
suggested system against 1.e4 e5.

2.Nc3

Offering Black the option of an Open Game after 2...e5, when 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 reaches our Four
Knights main line. 2.Nc3 is a practical solution and perfectly fits the notion of positional chess that
this book is all about.

2...d5

This is the only independent try if Black wants to walk a pure Alekhine Defence path. As we’ve
just seen, 2...e5 goes back to Chapter Two, while 2...d6 3.d4 heads into the Pirc in the next chapter.

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3.e5 Nfd7

This is first reaction that we will deal with, though it is a bit risky. 3...d4 and 3...Ne4 are examined
in the next three games.

4.e6!?

I want to emphasize here that 4.d4 e6 leads to a Classical French, which may not be to every
Alekhine player’s taste. It might serve White well, as many do play aggressive set-ups against the
French.

4...fxe6 5.d4

Giving up a pawn like this is thematic for White in many openings.

5...c5

Black strikes back in the centre at once. Instead, going for a fianchetto at this stage is dangerous,
since it will come directly under attack: 5...g6 6.h4 Nf6 7.h5! (the correct way to handle this position)

Now Black is struggling to find a way to defend. For example:

a) 7...Nxh5 8.Rxh5! gxh5 9.Qxh5+ Kd7 10.Nf3 Bg7 11.Bh6 Bf6 12.Nxd5 exd5 13.Qxd5+ Ke8
14.Qh5+ Kd7 15.0-0-0 c6 16.Bf4 Qg8 17.Ne5+ Kd8 18.Nf7+ Kd7 19.Qf5+ Ke8 20.Qxc8+ Kxf7
21.Bc4+ 1-0 [Link] [Link], Karlovac 1979. A great game and a well-known one!
b) 7...Rg8 8.hxg6 hxg6 9.Nf3 c5 10.Ne5 Nc6 11.Bb5 Bd7 12.Bxc6 Bxc6 13.Be3 Qa5 14.Qf3 Qb4
15.0-0-0! c4 16.g4 g5 17.Rh5 a5 18.Rxg5 Bg7 19.Rxg7 Rxg7 20.g5 0-0-0 21.gxf6 exf6 22.Qxf6 Re7
23.a3 Qd6 24.Bf4 Ree8 25.Nxc4 1-0 [Link]ön, Malmö 1988. Another quick win worth

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noting.

6.Nf3 Nc6

Eliminating the centre only helps White, who is coming there with his pieces: 6...cxd4 7.Nxd4 Qb6
8.Be3 a6 9.Qd2 Nf6 10.f4 g6 11.0-0-0 Qc7 12.Be2 b5 13.a3 Nc6 14.g4 Kf7 15.g5 Ne8 16.h4 and
White has a very strong attack, [Link], USSR Championship, Moscow 1931.
Another old game but powerful.

7.dxc5

It seems that this is still the best reaction after all these years!

7...g6

Other options are less reliable:

a) 7...Nxc5 8.Bb5! Qd6 9.g3! Nd7 10.Bf4 e5 11.Nxe5 Ndxe5 12.Qh5+ Kd8 13.Bxc6 bxc6
14.Bxe5 Bg4 15.Qg5 Qe6 16.Qe3 and White is clearly better.
b) 7...a6 8.Ng5! Nxc5 9.Qf3 Ne5 10.Qg3 Nf7 11.Nxf7 Kxf7 12.Be3 Qd6 13.Bf4 Qb6 14.0-0-0
and White has an attack.

8.Nd4

Probably best. Due to the direct threat on e6 Black must react at once. Note that 8...Nxc5?? loses a
piece after 9.Nxc6 bxc6 10.Qd4.

8...Nde5

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 Let’s look at the various other knight moves:
a) 8...Nxd4 9.Qxd4 Nf6 10.Bf4 Bg7 11.Be5 0-0 12.h4 Rf7 13.Be2 Qf8 14.0-0-0 Nd7 15.Bxg7
Qxg7 16.Qe3 Qf6 17.Kb1 and White has the initiative, [Link], European Online
Championship (rapid) 2021.
b) 8...Nf6 9.Bf4 Bg7 10.Bb5 Bd7 11.Bxc6 bxc6 12.Be5 0-0 13.0-0 gave White preferable chances
due to the nice blockade in the centre where his pieces dominate, [Link],
Hungarian League 2012.
c) 8...Ndb8 9.h4 Bg7 was [Link] [Link], [Link] (blitz) 2022, and now an
interesting option is 10.Nb3 Nd7 11.h5 Qc7 12.Nb5 Qe5+ 13.Be3 a6 14.N5d4 Nxd4 15.Qxd4!
Qxd4 16.Bxd4 0-0 17.Bxg7 Kxg7 18.f3 with the initiative for White in the endgame.

9.f4

The alternative 9.Bb5 is important: 9...Bd7 10.f4 Nf7 11.Be3 Bg7 12.Qd2 0-0 13.0-0-0, but now
Black can return the pawn with 13...Nxd4 14.Bxd7 Nc6 15.Bxe6 d4 16.Ne4 dxe3 17.Qxe3 Qa5
18.h4 Rad8 19.Ng5 Rxd1+ 20.Rxd1 Ncd8 21.Rxd8!? Qxd8 22.Nxf7 Rxf7 23.Qb3 Qe8 24.Qxb7 Qd8
and it seems that the balance has not been broken.

Question: Isn’t the entire system a bit wild for both players?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: It might appear that way, but White is surely doing okay.

9...Nf7 10.Be3 Bg7

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 Both sides have developed pieces and it’s time to find the best moves.

11.h4?!

When Black has already developed, this is a waste of time. Other continuations offer White more
chances to get the initiative:
a) 11.Qd2 0-0 12.0-0-0 e5 13.fxe5 Nfxe5 14.h3 e6 15.Kb1 Bd7 16.Be2 is unclear.
b) 11.Be2 0-0 12.0-0 e5 13.fxe5 Nfxe5 14.Rxf8+ Bxf8 15.Qd2 e6 16.Nb3 Bd7 with yet another
complex game ahead of us.

11...e5 12.fxe5 Bxe5 13.Qd2 Bg4 14.Be2 Bg3+ 15.Bf2 Bxf2+ 16.Kxf2 Bxe2 17.Ncxe2 e5

316
 Now Black is better, so the rest of the game does not concern us.

18.Nf3 Qd7 19.b4 Rd8 20.c3 0-0 21.Kg1 e4 22.Nfd4 Nce5 23.Nf4 Rfe8 24.Qe2 Nh6 25.Rd1 Nhg4
26.b5 Nd3 27.Nxd3 exd3 28.Qxd3 Re3 29.Qd2 Rde8 30.Rf1 Qe7 31.Nf3 Qxc5 32.Qd4 Rxc3
33.Rh3 Qxd4+ 34.Nxd4 Rxh3 35.gxh3 Re4 36.Nf3 Ne3 37.Rc1 Nc4 38.a4 h6 39.Rd1 Rf4 40.Nd4
Nb2 41.Rd2 Nxa4 42.Ne2 Rxh4 43.Rxd5 Re4 44.Rd8+ Kf7 45.Kf2 Nc5 46.Rd5 b6 47.Nd4 Re5
48.Rxe5 Nd3+ 49.Ke3 Nxe5 50.Ke4 Nc4 51.Kd5 Na3 52.Kc6 Kf6 53.Kb7 Ke5 54.Nc6+ Kf4
55.Nxa7 g5 56.Kxb6 h5 57.Kc5 Nxb5 58.Nxb5 g4 59.hxg4 h4 60.g5 Kxg5 61.Nc3 Kf4 62.Ne2+
Kf3 63.Ng1+ Kg2 64.Ne2 Kf2 65.Nf4 Kf3 66.Nh3 ½-½

Game 97
[Link]
World Student Team Championship, Dresden 1969

1.e4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e5 d4

This is a more solid idea and has been preferred by many grandmasters.

4.exf6 dxc3 5.fxg7 cxd2+ 6.Qxd2 Qxd2+ 7.Bxd2 Bxg7 8.0-0-0

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 We have reached an interesting endgame. Black has a slightly inferior pawn structure and that is
what White is counting on. Black must develop fast, the question is how? Should a knight come to c6
or perhaps d7?

8...Nc6

One of two main reactions. We’ll deal with 8...Bf5 in the next game.
Instead, 8...Be6 9.Ne2 Bc4 10.b3 Bb5 11.Bf4 e5 12.Ng3! Bxf1 13.Rhxf1 Nc6 14.Bg5 f6 15.Be3 0-
0 16.Rd7 Rf7 17.Rfd1 gave White the initiative in the ending due to nice control over the f5-square,
[Link], Croatian Women’s Team Championship 2008.

9.Bb5 Bd7 10.Nf3

White develops his pieces to the most active squares. The h1-rook is coming to e1 next, and Ng5
could also be an important motif.

10...a6

Black has various choices here, all leading to a critical evaluation of this endgame:
a) 10...0-0-0 11.Rhe1

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 We can say that White has an edge here, due to a slightly superior pawn structure and more active
pieces; note too that the knight on f3 is flexible.
Let’s see some examples:
a1) 11...Bf6 12.Ng5 Rhg8 13.h4 Rg7 14.g3 Bg4 15.Be2 Bf5 16.Bf3 Nd4 17.Be4 Bg4 18.f3 Bxg5
19.Bxg5 Nxf3 20.Rxd8+ Kxd8 21.Rd1+ Ke8 22.Bxb7 and White has the preferable endgame,
[Link], Mar del Plata 1994.
a2) 11...Nd4 can be met by 12.Nxd4! Bxd4, as in [Link], Warsaw 2006, and
then 13.Bc4 e6 14.Bg5 Rdg8 15.f4 Bg7 16.g3 h6 17.Bh4 Re8 18.Re3 a5 19.c3. Although the position
has simplified, it’s not dry, and White has better bishops.
a3) 11...e6 12.Ng5 Rdf8 13.Be3 a6 14.Be2 h6 15.Ne4 Ne7 was [Link], World
Junior Championship, Tjentiste 1975, where best play is 16.Bc5 Re8 17.Bh5 Rhf8 18.Ba3 b6 19.f4
Bc6 20.g3 and White has favourable chances since his pieces are much better placed.
b) 10...h6 11.Rhe1 e6 12.Re3 a6 13.Ba4 0-0-0 14.Bc3! (an important motif here)

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 14...Bxc3 15.Rxc3 Rhg8 16.g3 f6 17.Re3 e5 18.c3 Ne7 19.Bb3 Rgf8 20.Nh4 and White has some
pressure, [Link] [Link], Kecskemet 1979.

Question: What is the main point for White in this endgame?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Exchanging dark-squared bishops is an important positional aspect as it emphasizes Black’s

weak structure on the kingside.

11.Ba4 h6

Chasing the bishop is possible but may backfire: 11...b5 12.Bb3 Ne5 13.Bc3 Nxf3 14.Bxg7 Rg8
15.Bd5! c6 16.Bxf3 Rxg7 17.Rd3 0-0-0 18.Rhd1 and White has the better endgame, [Link]-
[Link], Folkestone Olympiad 1933.

12.Rhe1 e6 13.Bf4

Alternatively, 13.Re3 transposes to the Nogueiras-Popov game above.

13...0-0-0 14.Bg3 Rhe8 15.Bh4 f6 16.Bxc6 Bxc6 17.Rxd8+ Rxd8

Taking back with the king doesn’t equalize either, as after 17...Kxd8 18.Ne5 Bd5 19.Re3! White
still has an unpleasant initiative in the endgame. It’s interesting that with only a few pieces on the
board White managed to pull out such strong tactics.

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18.Rxe6

18...Bxf3?!

A bad choice. Better was 18...Bd5 19.Re7 Bf8 20.Re1 Bc5, when Black is a pawn down, but the
bishop pair surely helps minimize that fact.

19.gxf3 Rd6 20.Re7 Rd7 21.Re8+ Rd8 22.Rxd8+ Kxd8 23.f4 Kd7 24.f5! h5 25.Kd2 Bh6+ 26.Kd3
Bf4 27.h3 Be5 28.c3 Ke7 29.Bg3

Now White is winning.

29...Bd6 30.Kd4 Kd7 31.Bxd6 Kxd6 32.Ke4 Ke7 33.Kf4 Kf7 34.Kg3 Kg7 35.Kh4 Kh6 36.a4 c5
37.a5 c4 38.f3 1-0

Game 98
[Link]
World 50+ Team Championship, Radebeul 2016

1.e4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e5 d4 4.exf6 dxc3 5.fxg7 cxd2+ 6.Qxd2 Qxd2+ 7.Bxd2 Bxg7 8.0-0-0 Bf5

This time Black doesn’t allow White such easy development, and the bishop is active now.

9.Ne2

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 Probably best. White is looking for a simple strategy to exchange the dark-squared bishop.

9...0-0?!

Black has other choices, which are safer at least, basically about where the b8-knight will go:
a) 9...Nc6 10.Bc3 Bxc3 11.Nxc3 (now it’s not easy for Black to confront the threats of Nb5 or
Nd5, and a counterattack fails...) 11...Nb4 12.a3 Nxc2, [Link], Zgierz 2017, and now
13.Nb5! Kf8 14.Bd3 Bg4 15.Bxc2 Bxd1 16.Rxd1 c6 17.Nc3 is good for White.
b) 9...Nd7 10.Bc3 Bxc3 11.Nxc3 0-0-0 12.Nd5 Rhe8 13.Ne3 Bg6 14.f4 Be4 15.Bc4 Rf8 16.Rhe1
e6 17.Bf1 Nf6 18.Nc4 Rxd1+ 19.Kxd1 Bg6 20.Ne5 Bh5+ 21.Be2 Bxe2+ 22.Kxe2 was [Link]-
[Link], US Open, Somerset 1986.
This type of endgame is worth noting. Due to a slightly better structure and strong knight on e5, we
can say that White keeps a persistent initiative.

Question: Does exchanging pieces diminish White chances to obtain an advantage?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Not necessarily; as in the examples given, White’s remaining pieces are still active and
create problems for Black.

10.Ng3!

Now this is dangerous because Black is not well developed. It is instructive to see how White
seized the initiative very quickly.

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10...Be6

Trying to keep the bishop on the b1-h7 diagonal with 10...Bg6 allows White to rush his pawns
forward, creating serious threats on the kingside: 11.h4 h6 12.f4 e6 (or 12...Nc6 13.f5 Bh7 14.Bd3
Rfd8 15.Be4) 13.f5 exf5 14.h5 Bh7 15.Bd3 Nc6 16.Nxf5 Ne5 17.Ne7+ Kh8 18.Bxh7 Kxh7 19.Nf5
and White is clearly better.

11.Nh5!

Strong tactical play that undermines weak Black’s kingside. White already has a serious advantage.

11...Bxb2+

This is a desperate measure rather than a tactical idea, but the alternative doesn’t help either:
11...Bd4 12.Bh6 Rd8 13.c3 Bg4 14.Rxd4 Rxd4 15.cxd4 Bxh5 16.Bc4 Nc6 17.Re1 e6 18.d5 exd5
19.Bxd5 and White dominates the board. The bishop on h6 in particular is very strong.

12.Kxb2 Bg4 13.Re1 Bxh5 14.g4 Bg6 15.h4

Black’s tactical idea has simply failed.

15...f6 16.h5 Bf7 17.g5 Rd8 18.Bd3 fxg5 19.Bxg5

White is winning.

19...Nc6 20.Bxe7 Nxe7 21.Rxe7 Rac8 22.Bf5 Kf8 23.Re3 Rb8 24.Bxh7 Kg7 25.Bd3 Kh6 26.Re7
Rf8 27.Rxc7 Bg8 28.Rg1 Rxf2 29.Rcg7 1-0

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 Game 99
[Link]
Decin 1976

1.e4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e5 Ne4

Sharp, but probably a bit dubious. Nonetheless, some players are still using it.

Question: Can we say that the move is unsound?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Yes, it’s theoretically suspect, but it is very important that White knows what to do.

4.Nce2

Best, in my opinion; why allow easy exchanges? Now Black must play carefully not to lose a piece
in the centre.

4...f6

The idea is to retreat the knight via g5. The alternative is 4...d4 5.c3, when Black has a few options
but none of them give enough counterplay.

Black must decide how to deal with the centre and extract the e4-knight.

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 a) 5...dxc3 6.bxc3 Nc5 7.d4 Ne6 (this looks really bad already) 8.h4 b6 9.Nf3 Bb7 10.Ng5 Nxg5
11.hxg5 e6 12.g6 Qe7 13.Nf4 Be4 14.Bd3 Bxd3 15.Qxd3 h6 16.Rh3 Nd7 17.gxf7+ Kxf7 18.Ng6 1-
0 [Link] [Link], Dublin 2012.
b) 5...Nc6 6.Nf3 dxc3 7.bxc3 Bg4 8.d4 Qd5 9.Qc2 e6 10.Bb2 g5 11.Nc1 0-0-0 12.Bd3 Bxf3
13.gxf3 Nxc3 14.Bxc3 Nxd4 15.Bxd4 Qxd4 16.Rb1 Qxe5+ 17.Kf1 and White is better, [Link]-
[Link], Hamburg 2001. Black is obviously doomed to sac a piece in the opening but without any
special preparation such strategy is completely wrong.

5.Nf3 Bg4

Better is 5...fxe5. Then after 6.d3, Black has a choice where to go with the knight:

a) 6...Nf6 7.Nxe5 Nbd7 8.f4 c5 9.Ng1 Nxe5 10.fxe5 Nd7 11.Nf3 e6 12.g3 Be7 13.Bh3 Qb6 14.0-
0 0-0 was [Link], Maribor 1987. In our main game the famous GM “Knez” won
quickly with White. Here he was on the Black side but didn’t solve the problems, because White can
now play 15.c4! h6 16.Qe2 Qc6 17.cxd5 exd5 18.e6 Nf6 19.Ne5 Qb6 20.Ng6 Re8 21.Bxh6! and
Black is collapsing.
b) 6...Nd6 7.Nxe5 Nd7 8.Nxd7 Bxd7 9.Nf4 c6 10.Qe2 Nf7 11.d4 g6 12.Ne6 Bxe6 13.Qxe6 Bg7
14.c3 Qd6 15.Qxd6 Nxd6 16.f4 Kd7 17.Bd3 and White kept some edge in [Link],
USSR Championship, Leningrad 1977. Even though Black managed to develop somehow, White has
the bishop pair and the bishop on d3, especially, is strong.

6.d3 Nc5 7.d4 Ne4 8.h3 Bd7

Black is facing problems in any case. Exchanging on f3 doesn’t help: 8...Bxf3 9.gxf3 Ng5 10.Bxg5
fxg5 11.h4! e6 12.Bh3 Kf7 13.Qd3 g6 14.hxg5 Qxg5 15.f4 Qe7 16.0-0-0 and White has a winning
position, [Link]ö[Link], German League 1996. It seems the pressure on the light squares is far too

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strong.

9.Nf4 e6 10.Bd3

White has established a better position after only a few moves in the opening.

10...c5 11.0-0

Here White could have finished the game off in nice style with 11.Bxe4 dxe4 12.Ng5! fxg5
13.Qh5+ g6 14.Nxg6 Bc6 15.Nxh8+ Kd7 16.Bxg5 Qe8 17.Qxh7+ Kc8 18.Ng6 and wins.

11...cxd4 12.Nxd4 Qb6 13.Be3 Bc5 14.Bxe4 dxe4 15.Qh5+ Ke7 16.Rad1

Black’s position is just very bad.

16...Bxd4 17.Bxd4 Qc6 18.Ng6+ hxg6 19.Qxh8 f5 20.Qxg7+ Kd8 21.Qf8+ Kc7 22.Bc5 b6
23.Bd6+ Kb7 24.Bxb8 Rxb8 25.Qe7 Kc7 26.Rd6 Qb5 27.c4 1-0

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 Show in Text Mode

Chapter Six
Pirc, Philidor and Others

Pirc Defence
1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6

For positional players, I think the best set-up by far they can use against the Pirc is the Classical:

4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Be2 0-0 6.0-0

White develops in a sensible and natural way and will only later determine how the game will go.
From the other side, Black has multiple ideas, some of which interlink with one another, and some are
independent:
a) 6...c6 is a traditional line, probably the first that appeared in the Pirc. Black is ready to follow
with ...Nbd7 and ...e7-e5. After 7.h3, which is in my opinion best way to handle it, Black has a few
ideas: 7...Qc7, 7...b5, and 7...Nbd7, examined in Games 105-108.
b) 6...Nc6, preparing ...e7-e5 again, is an old line with a good reputation (see Games 103 and 104).
c) 6...e5 (Game 111) allows White to force an endgame by exchanging on e5 and d8. A similar

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variation from the Modern Defence, where Black plays without ...Nf6, is examined in Game 112.
d) 6...b6 goes for a double fianchetto (see Game 110).
e) 6...a6 (Game 109) is a modernized version, where Black is ready to take more space with ...b7-
b5.
f) 6...Bg4 is another main option and has been regarded as the main line. After 7.Be3 Nc6, it is
sensible to take the bishop pair with 8.h3 Bxf3 9.Bxf3 (Games 100-102) and meet 9...e5 with
10.dxe5.
Overall, we will see pure positional play based on good endgames, better development, and well-
conceived attacks.

Question: Doesn’t White have more aggressive options or lines that might give him better
chances of obtaining an early advantage?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Sharper, yes, but understanding this type of play is very important because it’s strongly
connected with knowing endgames as well.

Philidor’s Defence
1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 e5

The Philidor is a very popular opening nowadays and this is the most popular move order to reach
it. Here the best way, in my opinion, to respond is:

4.dxe5 dxe5 5.Qxd8 Kxd8

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 Playing this endgame is, of course, in the spirit of this book and it is important to understand it for
further appreciation of endings in general (see Games 113-115).
As explained in the introduction to Chapter Two, we will investigate the traditional move order
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 here too (see Games 117-119).
Finally, we will also examine the Nimzowitsch Defence, 1.e4 Nc6 (Game 120),
and unusual hybrid openings that can arise after 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 c6 (Game 116).
Game 100
[Link]
GMA Open, Moscow 1989

1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6

The Pirc Defence belongs to a group of openings where Black is aiming to play for a win, while
risking all kinds of problems that such an approach can create. First, White can adopt a plethora of
strategies and move orders to try and confuse Black. Second, it is almost impossible to find one line
for White that we can say is bad. Practically all lines are good against the Pirc. The main point is how
well a player understands them, that’s the critical thing.

4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Be2 0-0 6.0-0

This is the classical set-up and, in my opinion, the most solid approach. White is developing in a
harmonious way. We start this chapter with a line that has been very popular in recent decades.

6...Bg4 7.Be3 Nc6

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 Creating pressure on the d4-pawn in King’s Indian fashion; Black is ready to follow up with ...e7-
e5 now. In response White plays to gain the bishop pair.

8.h3 Bxf3 9.Bxf3 e5

Black can also try to prepare this move further with 9...Re8 or 9...Nd7, as we’ll see in Game 102.

10.dxe5

The most solid plan for White, going for a symmetrical pawn structure in the centre, but White
keeps the bishop pair and is counting on the d5-square. It is important to notice that, compared to the
King’s Indian, not having a pawn on c4 here helps White a lot because c2-c3 can always be used as
an asset.

10...dxe5

First we deal with the simple pawn recapture, where Black is hoping that firm control of centre will
offer him equal chances. 10...Nxe5 is examined in the next game.

11.Ne2

White takes the d4-square under control and now, as I just mentioned, c2-c3 is coming, enabling
White perhaps to expand on the queenside.

11...Qxd1

Exchanging queens is important but not forced. The alternative 11...Qe7 12.c3 Rfd8 is also
interesting.

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 Black has completed development and all his pieces are active, but White has the bishop pair which
makes it an interesting struggle. Now I analysed two possible continuations:
a) 13.Qc2 Rd7 14.Rad1 Rad8 15.Nc1 Ne8 16.Rxd7 Rxd7 17.Rd1 Bf6 18.Rxd7 Qxd7 19.Qd3 Qd6
20.Bd1 Kg7 21.Ba4 a6 22.f3 h6 23.Qxd6 cxd6 24.Nd3 was [Link], St.
Petersburg (blitz) 2013. As we can see, White is not afraid of massive exchanges due to the bishop
pair and a more flexible structure.
b) 13.Qb3 Rab8 14.Rfd1 Ne8 15.Rxd8 Qxd8 16.Rd1 Qe7 17.Nc1 h5 18.Nd3 was [Link]-
[Link], St. Petersburg (blitz) 2015, where a similar plan offers White preferable chances.

Question: Overall, what are the main points here?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Once the pawn structure is solid, the e2-knight must find a better square.

12.Raxd1

Instead, 12.Rfxd1 Rfd8 13.c3 is also fine, and then:

a) 13...Rxd1+ 14.Rxd1 Rd8 15.Rxd8+ Nxd8 16.b4 a6 17.Nc1 Kf8 18.a4 Ke8 19.Nd3 Nd7 20.Bd1
b5 21.Kf1 Nb7 22.f3 keeps a small but steady advantage, [Link], Pardubice 2007.
b) 13...Ne8 14.Ng3 h5 15.Nf1 Rxd1 16.Bxd1 Nd6 17.Nd2! and the knight has come to its best
place here, [Link]ü[Link], Halle 1984.

12...Rfd8 13.c3 Ne8 14.Nc1 Nd6 15.Nd3 Bf6 16.g3 Kg7 17.h4 h6 18.Rfe1 Re8 19.Bc1

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 Slow manoeuvring is a trademark of this position. Black is solid but lacks a plan except to wait.

19...a5 20.a4

It is normal not to allow Black further activity on the queenside.

20...Kh7 21.Bg4 Rad8 22.Nc5 Nb8 23.Rd5 b6 24.Nb3 Nxe4 25.Rxd8 Bxd8 26.Rxe4 f5 27.Rc4
fxg4 28.Rxg4 Nd7 29.Re4 Be7 30.Be3 Bd6 31.Nd2 Nf6 32.Rc4 c5 33.Ne4 Nxe4 34.Rxe4 Rd8
35.Kf1 Kg7 36.Ke2

Now White’s advantage is obvious, in view of Black’s bad pawn structure and passive bishop on
d6. Also, we can see a path for the white king to come all the way to b5!

36...Rd7 37.Kd3 h5 38.Kc4 Kf6 39.Kb5

This is it. Black is lost.

39...Ke6 40.Bg5 Bc7 41.Kc6 Rf7 42.Re2 Kf5 43.f3 1-0

Game 101
[Link]
Czech League 2003

1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Be2 Bg4 6.Be3 Nc6 7.h3 Bxf3 8.Bxf3 0-0 9.0-0 e5 10.dxe5
Nxe5

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 Recapturing with the knight makes the position livelier in a way. Black is still missing pawn breaks
but hopes that pressure on e4 will offer him balanced play.

11.Be2 Re8

The main approach and the best one. Passive continuations such as 11...h6 12.Qd2 Kh7 13.Rae1
Nfd7 14.f4 Nc6 15.Bf3 Nb6 16.b3 Qe7 17.Bf2 Rae8 18.Nd5! Qd8 19.c4 give White the advantage,
[Link], Passau 1999.

12.f4 Ned7

Flexible enough. Black can also leave d7 free for the other knight: 12...Nc6 13.Bf3 Nd7 14.Nd5
Nb6 15.c3 Nc4, [Link], Barletta 2013, and now White should have played 16.Bf2!
(the right place for the bishop) 16...Nxb2 17.Qb3 Nd3 18.Qxb7 with the advantage.

13.Bf3

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 This is usual strategy here, taking space, especially given that Black can’t easily put pressure on the
e4-pawn now. Note that if Black just waits, the plan is g2-g4-g5, expanding even further and taking
control over the light squares.

13...Nb6 14.Qd3

This is okay. Alternatively, 14.Bd4 c6 15.a4 d5 16.e5 Nfd7 17.a5 Nc4 18.a6 b5 19.b3 Ncb6
20.Ne2 Qe7 21.Bf2 also gives White good chances of obtaining an advantage, [Link]-
[Link], Serbian League 2009.

Question: Is it good for White to exchange dark-squared bishops?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: At a starting point yes; but if Black later manages to get control over the dark squares, then
probably no. In the game White actually kept his bishop.

14...Qe7

Black can go for fast ...d6-d5 plans as well with 14...c6, when best play for White is 15.Bf2 d5
16.e5 Nfd7 17.Rae1 Qe7 18.b3 f6 19.exf6 Qxf6 20.Ne2 Re7 21.a4 Rae8 22.a5 Nc8 23.c4 and White
is better. It is not enough for Black to force a d5 vs. e5 structure and then seek counterplay by means
of ...f7-f6, because White still has the bishop pair and harmonious development with the knight on e2.

15.Rfe1 Rad8 16.a4!

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 It is important to drive the black knight from its active square.

16...a6 17.a5 Nc8 18.Bf2 c6 19.Na4 Nd7 20.c3 Bh6 21.Be3 g5 22.f5 Bg7 23.Qd2 Bf6 24.Rad1
Kh8 25.b4

Although it may seem as if the e5-square offer chances for counterplay, Black is passive and White
has much more space.

25...Rg8 26.Nb2! Ne5 27.Re2 Rg7 28.Bh5 Rdg8 29.Bd4 g4 30.hxg4 Bg5 31.Qc2 Bf6 32.Nd3?!

Simply 32.Bxe5 Bxe5 33.Nc4 would keep a clear advantage.

32...Nxg4 33.Bxg4 Bxd4+ 34.cxd4 Rxg4 35.Ne1 f6 36.d5 Qg7 37.dxc6 bxc6 38.Qxc6 Qa7+ 39.Rf2
Qe3 40.Qxa6 Qxe4 41.Qe2 Qxb4 42.Qe6 Rf8 43.a6 Re4 44.Nc2 Qa4 45.Qd5 Re5 46.Qb7 Re7
47.Ra1 Qe8 48.Qd5 Re5 49.Qd4 Qd8 50.a7 Nb6 51.Rb1 Na8 52.Rb8 Qe7 53.Nb4 Re8 54.Nd3
Ra5 55.Rxe8+ Qxe8 56.Qxf6+ Kg8 57.Rf3 1-0

Game 102
[Link]
Doha 1992

1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Be2 0-0 6.0-0 Bg4 7.h3 Bxf3 8.Bxf3 Nc6 9.Be3

Here we will look at plans where Black doesn’t play ...e7-e5 directly but first prepares it.

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9...Re8

Another way of handling this line is 9...Nd7, again waiting before committing to ...e7-e5, but White
still has chances to create pressure: 10.Qd2 Nb6 11.Be2 e5 12.dxe5 (we count on this positional idea
in the entire system) 12...dxe5 (if 12...Nxe5 13.b3 Re8 14.Rad1 Ned7 15.Bd4, [Link]-
[Link], Hungarian League 2016, White has a typical advantage; Black is passive because not
even ...c7-c6 can be played) 13.Qxd8 Raxd8 (Black can recapture with 13...Rfxd8 as well; the best
plan then is an active one: 14.a4 Nd4 15.Bd3 c6 16.a5 Nd7 17.b4 Bf8 18.Rfb1 Ne6 19.Na4 and
White has some initiative in this endgame)

a) 14.Bc5 (not the best, although it may appear active) 14...Rfe8 15.Bb5 Re6 and now, rather than
16.Rad1 Nd4 as in the old game [Link], Wijk aan Zee 1969, much more to the point is
16.Bxb6 axb6 17.Nd5 which is not as simple as it may appear at first sight. After 17...Nd4 18.Bd3
Bf8 19.c3 c6 20.Nxb6 Nf3+ 21.gxf3 Rxd3 22.Rad1 Rxf3 23.Kg2 Rf4 24.f3 Bc5 25.Rd8+ Kg7
26.Nc8 b5 27.b4 Bf8 28.Na7 White has ways to improve his position, while Black has chances too,
namely pushing the h- and g-pawns.
b) 14.a4!? is the real test. For example: 14...Nd4 15.Bd3 Nd7 16.a5 a6 17.Rfd1 Nc5 18.Bc4! (it’s
important to realize that the c2-pawn is not in immediate danger) 18...Nce6 19.Rd2 Bf6 20.Rad1 c6
21.Bxe6 Nxe6 22.Rd7 and White is better.

10.d5 Ne5 11.Be2 c6 12.f4 Ned7 13.Bf3

Another interesting plan is to take control over the light squares and create attacking chances:
13.f5!? cxd5 14.exd5 a6 15.a4 Qa5 16.Qd2 Rac8 17.Ra3 with complicated play, H.Pä[Link],
correspondence 2014.

Question: Is White’s attack real?

336
 Show/Hide Solution

Answer: It is, and having a light-squared bishop might help in increasing the pressure.

13...Qc7 14.Re1

This is not a plan; the rook doesn’t belong here, at least not yet. White must be ready for active play
on the kingside and the light squares, and this was the best moment to go active: 14.g4! Nb6 15.Bd4
Rac8 16.Rc1 cxd5 17.exd5 Nfd7 18.Bxg7 Kxg7 19.Qd4+ Kg8 20.Ne2 Qc5 21.b3 and White keeps
an edge.

14...e5 15.dxe6 Rxe6 16.a4 Rae8 17.Qd3 Qa5 18.Bf2 Nc5

Black has managed to create serious counterplay in the centre.

19.Qc4 Nfd7

Also good was 19...Nfxe4 20.Nxe4 Nxe4 21.Rxe4 Rxe4 22.Bxe4 d5 23.Bxd5 Qxd5 24.Qxd5 cxd5
25.Rd1 Bxb2 26.Rxd5 Re4 with an equal game.

20.e5 Nb6 21.b4 Nxc4 22.bxa5 Nxa5 23.Bxc5 dxc5 24.Ne4

White has some pressure for the sacrificed pawn but no more than that.

24...c4 25.Rab1 Rd8 26.Nd6 Re7 27.Be2 Kf8 28.Red1 Red7 29.Bg4 f5 30.Be2 Ke7 31.Kf2 Rxd6
32.exd6+ Rxd6 33.g4 Rxd1 34.Rxd1 a6 35.Ke3 Bc3 36.h4 b5 37.axb5 axb5 38.gxf5 gxf5 39.Bf3 b4

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 We can say that Black has managed to keep the balance.

40.h5 b3 41.cxb3 cxb3 42.Kd3 Bf6 43.Rb1 b2 44.Bd1 c5 45.Bc2 c4+ 46.Kd2 c3+ 47.Kd3 Kd6
48.Re1 Nc6 49.Kc4 Ne7 50.Rxe7 Kxe7 51.Bxf5 h6 52.Kb3 Kd6 53.Kc2 Kd5 54.Bg6 Kd4 55.Bh7
Ke3 56.Bg6 Kxf4 ½-½

Game 103
[Link]
Wijk aan Zee 1973

1.Nf3 g6 2.e4 d6 3.d4 Bg7 4.Be2 Nf6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.0-0 Nc6

One of the moves that belong to modern ideas. Black is going for ...e7-e5, at the same time
provoking White to play an early d4-d5 which can then be used to create counterplay.

7.Be3

In my opinion, this is the practical solution.

7...Ng4

This is a motif from the King’s Indian; Black drives the bishop from the e3-square. Instead, the
direct 7...e5 is examined in the next game, while 7...Bg4 8.h3 Bxf3 9.Bxf3 transposes to the 6...Bg4
line that we already analysed.

338
8.Bg5 f6

Instead, 8...h6 9.Bh4 Nf6 10.d5 Nb8 11.Nd4 c6 12.a4 Qb6 13.Nb3 a5 14.Kh1 Na6 15.f4 Nb4
16.Bf3 cxd5 17.exd5 Bf5 18.Bf2 Qd8 19.Nd4 gave White good play in [Link],
Buenos Aires 1980. We can clearly see the strategy used in this game.

9.Bh4 e5

There are some similarities to the King’s Indian, but here White can use the c4-square for a piece
which is a crucial difference.

10.dxe5 dxe5 11.Qxd8

This is not forced. Another possible idea is 11.Qd5+ Qxd5 12.Nxd5 Rf7 13.Bc4 Be6 14.h3 Nh6
15.Rfd1 Re8 16.a4 Na5 17.Ba2 b6 18.b4 Nb7 19.b5 Nc5 20.Nd2, when it seems that White has
preferable chances due to the strong outpost on d5.

11...Nxd8 12.Nd5 Ne6 13.Bc4 Rf7 14.h3 Nh6 15.Rfd1 c6 16.Ne3

We have reached an interesting endgame. At the moment White is more active, but Black is solid
and is counting on slow manoeuvring to bring him equal chances.

16...Bf8

If 16...Rf8 17.a4 Nf7 then 18.Ne1! Re8 19.Nd3 h5 20.f3 Bh6 21.Nf1 Kg7 22.a5 and White again
has slightly better chances in the endgame.

17.c3

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 A typical idea, denying Black entrance to the d4-square and preparing play on the queenside.
17.g4!? is a very interesting alternative. Usually, such moves are risky but here the advance is
justified by the bishop on c4. After 17...Be7 18.Bg3 Kf8 19.g5 fxg5 20.Nxe5 Rg7 21.Nd3 Nf7
22.Kg2 Rg8 23.Re1 White has the initiative.

17...Kg7 18.Ne1!

A good idea. The knight heads for d3 and prepares f2-f3 followed by Bf2, liberating the bishop
whose job on h4 is done. This game is very instructive as to how White can develop an initiative in
the ending.

18...Rc7 19.f3 f5?!

This is wrong. 19...Nf7 20.Bf2 Be7 is more solid, though after 21.a4 Rd7 22.a5 White still has the
slightly better position.

20.exf5 gxf5 21.Nd3

Now Black’s pawns are under pressure.

21...Bd6 22.Bxe6 Bxe6 23.Nf4 exf4 24.Rxd6 Re8 25.Nc2

White has a clear advantage. Both his minor pieces are better and the pawn on f4 is weak.

25...Nf7 26.Rd2 Ne5 27.Re1 Ng6 28.Bf2 c5 29.Na3 Rc6 30.Nc4 b6 31.b3 a5 32.Nd6 Re7 33.c4
Kf6 34.Nb5 Bf7 35.Kf1 Rxe1+ 36.Bxe1 Ke7 37.Nc3 Rd6 38.Ke2 Rxd2+ 39.Bxd2 Kd6 40.a4 Be6
41.Nd1 Kd7 42.Nb2 Ne5 43.Nd3 Nxd3 44.Kxd3 Bf7 45.Bxf4 Bg6 46.Ke3 Kc6 47.Be5 Kd7
48.Kf4 Kc6 49.Bh8 Kd6 50.Bg7 Kd7 51.Bf8 Ke6 52.Bh6 Kd7 53.Bg5 Kc8 54.Bf6 Kd7 55.Ba1

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Kd6 56.Bb2 Kd7 57.Bc3 Kc6 58.Be5 Kd7 59.h4 Kc6 60.Kg5 f4 61.h5 Bc2 62.Kh6 Kd7 63.Bxf4
Ke6 64.Bc7 Kf7 65.Bxb6 Kg8 66.f4 Bxb3 67.g4 Bxa4 68.g5 Bb3 69.Bxc5 Bxc4 70.g6 Bd3
71.Kg5 hxg6 72.hxg6 a4 73.f5 Bc2 74.f6 Bb3 75.Kf4 Ba2 76.Ke5 Bc4 77.Kd6 Kf8 78.Kd7+ Kg8
79.Ke7 1-0

Game 104
[Link]
Russian Team Championship 2018

1.e4 d6 2.d4 g6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.Be2 0-0 6.0-0 Nc6 7.Be3 e5

Here we go with Black’s main idea.

8.dxe5

This is the trademark move for White, in my opinion.

8...dxe5

Black can also take back with the knight, 8...Nxe5, leading to further exchanges after 9.Nxe5 dxe5
10.Qxd8 Rxd8.

Such endgames may seem equal, but White has some initiative on the queenside, which is clear
from just looking at the board. White has several options here, all of which are solid ideas:
a) 11.Rfd1 Be6 12.Nb5 Rxd1+ 13.Rxd1 Ne8 14.Nxa7 f5 15.f3 Nd6 16.a4 Bf8 17.Nb5 Nxb5
18.axb5 Ra2 19.Rb1 b6 20.Bd3 Kf7 21.Kf1 f4 22.Bd2 and White is a pawn up, something which
can’t be ignored even if it’s a doubled pawn, [Link], German League 1999.

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 b) 11.Bc4 (pre-empting Black’s bishop development) 11...Be6 12.Bxe6 fxe6 13.f3 a6 14.Rfd1 Bf8
15.Kf1 Rd6 16.Ke2 Nd7 17.b3! Kf7 18.Na4 Ke8 19.Nb2 and White has the advantage, [Link]-
[Link], Swedish Championship, Örebro 2013; a good example of how to deal with this kind of
structure.
c) 11.Nb5 Bd7 12.f3 Bxb5 13.Bxb5 Nd7 14.Rfd1 Nb6 15.Rxd8+ Rxd8 16.a4 a6 17.Be2 Bf8
18.Kf1 and White keeps some edge, although Black is very solid, [Link], Budapest
1976.

Question: Overall, can we say that endgames are fine for White?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Yes, it’s okay for White to play those endgames.

9.Bb5

The positional idea is to take on c6 and then use the c5-square to organize play.
Alternatively, White can promote both bishops to more active squares: 9.Bc5 Re8 10.Bb5 Bd7
11.Re1 a6 12.Ba4 Na5 13.Bxd7 Nxd7 14.Be3 Nc4 15.Bg5 Bf6 16.Bc1 c6 17.b3 Ncb6 18.a4 Nc5
19.Be3 Nbd7 20.a5 Ne6 21.Na4 Qe7 22.c3 and White keeps an edge due to his slightly more
offensive pawn structure, though Black again remains solid, [Link], Sochi (rapid)
2021.

9...Bd7

Fighting against doubled pawns. Black has multiple other ways of continuing:
a) 9...Ng4 10.Bc5 Re8 11.Qxd8 Rxd8 12.Nd5 Bd7 13.Nxc7 Rac8 14.Nd5 gives White a clear
advantage, [Link], Online Olympiad, [Link] (rapid) 2021.
b) 9...Qe7 10.Bxc6 bxc6 11.Ne1 Ba6 12.Nd3 Rfd8, [Link], Charlotte 2020, and now
White should try to utilize the c5-square; for instance, 13.Qe2 Nd7 14.Rfd1 Nf8 15.Na4 Ne6 16.Qe1
should accomplish his main goal, though the game is still complicated.
c) 9...Qxd1 10.Rfxd1 Bg4 11.Bxc6 bxc6 12.Bc5 Rfb8 13.b3 a5 14.h3 Bxf3 15.gxf3 Bf8 16.Na4
Rd8 17.Be3 Nd7 18.Rd2 Be7 19.Rad1 Nf8 20.Bc5 Bg5 21.Rxd8 Rxd8 22.Rxd8 Bxd8 23.Be3 and
White is better since the a5-pawn is weak, [Link] [Link], Matanzas 1999.

10.Qe2?!

This is wrong as it allows Black to equalize. Sometimes it is important to investigate both bad and
good ideas, no matter the outcome of the games. Theory consists in finding accurate moves, not just
developing positional plans. Both need to be okay at least.

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 The right idea, which has not been played at all, is 10.Qd3!, when Black must be careful:
a) 10...Qe7 11.Bg5 Be6 12.Bxc6 bxc6 13.h3 h6 14.Bxf6 Qxf6 15.Na4 Rfe8 16.Qc3! shows the
advantage of having the queen on the third rank, as White can now occupy the c5-square.
b) 10...Nb4 11.Qe2 Bxb5 12.Nxb5 Qe7 13.Nc3 c6 14.Rfd1 Na6 15.Qc4

White has an edge here because the a7-pawn is a target and creates some problems for Black. I will
give some more moves as an example of how the game might continue: 15...Rfe8 16.h3 Qb4 17.Nd2
Nd7 18.Qxb4 Nxb4 19.Rac1 Nb6 20.a3 Na6 21.a4 Rad8 22.a5 Nc8 23.Na4 f6 24.Nc4 Bf8 25.f3 and
we can see that Black can’t really equalize though still has a solid position.

10...Re8

Black didn’t find the best idea. He has a strong equalizing motif here, though otherwise will face
problems so objectively White risks nothing:
a) 10...Qe7 11.Bg5 Qe8 12.Rad1 a6 13.Bc4 Bg4 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.Nd5 Bd8 16.c3 gives White
some chances of obtaining the advantage, [Link], European Team Championship,
Debrecen 1992.
b) 10...Nd4! (this spoils White’s plans) 11.Nxd4 exd4 12.Bxd4 Bxb5 13.Nxb5 c6 14.Bxf6 Qxf6
15.Nc3 Qd4 16.Rfd1 Qb6 17.Rab1 Rfe8 18.Rd3 Re7 and Black has enough play for the sacrificed
pawn. Most likely it’s a draw soon.

11.Rad1 Qc8 12.a3 h6 13.h3 a6 14.Bc4 Be6 15.Bxe6 Qxe6 16.Nd5 Rac8 17.Nxf6+ Qxf6 18.Rd5
Qe6 19.c3 f5 20.Bc1 Nd8 21.Rfd1

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 White is trying to use the d-file and d5-outpost to create some pressure.

21...Nf7 22.Ne1 Rcd8 23.Rxd8 Rxd8 24.Rxd8+ Nxd8 25.exf5

This is actually nothing much. It was better not to react in the centre: 25.Nd3 f4 26.Nc5 Qd6 27.b4
Kf8 28.c4 a5 29.Bb2 and perhaps the game will go on a bit longer.

25...gxf5 26.f4 exf4 27.Qxe6+ Nxe6 28.Kf2 Be5 29.Nd3 Bd6 30.Kf3 Ng5+ 31.Kf2 Ne6 32.Kf3
Ng5+ 33.Kf2 Ne6 ½-½

Game 105
[Link]
European Team Championship, Skara 1980

1.d4 g6 2.e4 Bg7 3.Nf3 d6 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.Be2 0-0 6.0-0 c6

In this and the next few games we will concentrate on this classical Pirc reaction. With ...c7-c6
Black is playing solid, first securing the d5-square and then slowly going for ...e7-e5. Black also
avoids the endgames we have already seen, so we can say that this is a decision to play for a win.

7.h3

The best plan for White, in my opinion, is to go for a quick e4-e5 so taking the g4-square under
control is essential. Restricting the bishop on c8 is another good aspect.

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7...Nbd7

In Games 107 and 108, we’ll analyse two more options for Black, 7...Qc7 and the quick 7...b5.
Against all these moves White reacts in the same way.

8.e5

That’s the starting position.

8...dxe5

We will examine 8...Ne8 in the next game.

9.dxe5 Nd5 10.Nxd5 cxd5 11.Bf4

White has an easy plan: exchanging dark-squared bishops, followed by h3-h4-h5 and so on,
developing attacking play. Notice too that the d4-square can be used strongly by the knight.

11...Nc5

Black has couple of other ideas that have been played quite often:
a) 11...e6 12.c3 Qc7 13.Qd4 b6 14.Rfe1 Bb7 15.Bb5 Bc6 16.Bd3 Nc5 17.Bc2 a5 18.Qe3 Ba4
19.b3 Bb5 20.Bh6, as in [Link] [Link], Yerevan Olympiad 1996, is a typical
plan worth noting. White has attacking chances.

Question: Can we say that White has managed to achieve his main goals in the opening?

Show/Hide Solution

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Answer: Yes, this is exactly the method that should be used, exchanging bishops, securing the strong
d4-square for the knight, and finally action with the h-pawn.
b) 11...Qc7 12.Qxd5 Qxc2 13.Bb5. Black has traded d-pawn for c-pawn but lacks development.
Black has tried a few ways to solve that problem:

b1) 13...Qf5 14.Qd4! Nb6 15.Rfd1 f6 16.Rac1 Be6 17.Rc5 Rac8 18.Rxc8 Bxc8 19.a4 and White is
better, [Link], Ostrava (match) 1997.
b2) 13...Qc5 14.Qxc5! Nxc5 15.Rac1 Ne6 16.Be3 b6 17.Bc6 Rb8 18.Rfd1 Rd8 19.b4 Rxd1+
20.Rxd1 Bb7 21.b5 Bxc6 22.bxc6 Nf8 23.Nd4! gives White an edge in the endgame,
[Link], Kujbyshev 1986.
b3) 13...Nb6 14.Qd4 Bf5 15.Rac1 Qe4 16.Rfe1 Qd5 17.Bc4 Qxd4 18.Nxd4 Rfc8 19.Nxf5 Rxc4
20.Nxe7+ Kf8 21.Rxc4 Nxc4 22.Nd5 with an edge, [Link], Jurmala 1983.

12.Qd2 Ne6

We can see that Black doesn’t have an ideal set-up for his pieces and his kingside is now under
pressure, as the king will be left by himself after the Bh6 motif. For example: 12...Be6 13.Bh6 Qb6
14.Bxg7 Kxg7 15.c3 Rac8 16.Nd4 Ne4 17.Qc1 Qc7 18.Qf4 Bd7 19.Bf3 g5 20.Qh2 f5 21.exf6+ exf6
22.Qxc7 Rxc7 23.Rfe1 and White has better play, [Link], Nussloch 1996.

13.Bh6 b6 14.Bxg7 Kxg7 15.Rad1 Bb7 16.Qe3 Qc7 17.c3

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 We have reached the desired position. White has achieved the first part of his plan. Now the idea is
to exchange knights on the d4-square, after which the rook may enter the action via the fourth rank.

17...f5

By opening the kingside Black hopes to defend more easily, but it doesn’t help much.

18.Nd4

This is a good and consistent idea, though the alternative is also fine: 18.exf6+ Rxf6 19.Ne5 Qc5,
[Link], World Junior Championship, Gaziantep 2008, and now after 20.Qg3 Nf4
21.Rfe1 Qd6 22.Bf1 Raf8 23.Qe3 White is better.

18...Nxd4 19.Rxd4 Rad8 20.Rfd1

White has the better position with the ability to play on both sides of the board.

20...Bc6?!

The immediate 20...e6 is a slight improvement but doesn’t change the overall evaluation. After
21.f4 Qe7 22.Kh2 White still has the advantage, with ideas of g2-g4 and/or c3-c4.

21.Bf3 e6 22.c4!

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 White now has a big advantage.

22...Rfe8 23.cxd5 exd5 24.Re1 Re6 25.Bd1 f4 26.Qxf4 Rde8 27.Rd3 Rxe5 28.Rde3 g5 29.Qd4 1-0

Game 106
[Link] [Link] Dublan
Spanish Championship, Leon 2006

1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Be2 0-0 6.0-0 c6 7.h3 Nbd7 8.e5 Ne8

Black retreats, intending different squares for the knights here.

9.Re1 Nc7

If Black plays 9...dxe5 10.dxe5 Nc7 first, then 11.Bf1 takes us back into the main game.

10.Bf1 dxe5 11.dxe5 Ne6

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 This is the main point of Black’s play; the knight blocks e5-e6 threats and at the same time is very
useful on that square. On the other hand, White has more space due to the strong pawn on e5 and will
try to use that to build an initiative.

12.a4

Gaining more space is a useful thing to do.

12...Qc7

Casting an eye on the e5-pawn. 12...Qa5 13.Bd2 Qc7 is much the same, and 14.Qe2 a5 15.Qe4 b6
16.Bc4! (it is important to activate this bishop before Black manages to exchange it with ...Ba6)
16...Bb7 17.Rad1 Rad8 18.Bxe6 fxe6 19.Ng5 gave White a winning position in [Link]-
[Link], Calvia Olympiad 2004.

13.Qe2 a5 14.Qe4

This is the best plan, in my opinion. The idea is to place the light-squared bishop on the strong c4-
square again.
A solid alternative is 14.b3 b6 15.Qe3 Ba6 16.Bxa6 Rxa6 17.Bb2 Raa8 18.Ne2.
White may have an edge here, but the exchange of light-squared bishops has eased Black’s position
dramatically. For example:
a) 18...Rfd8 19.Ned4 Ndc5 20.Rad1 Rab8 21.Nxe6 Nxe6 is equal, [Link], Dortmund
1990.
b) 18...Rad8 19.Ned4 Ndc5 20.Rad1 Rfe8, [Link], Ostrava (match) 1997, and now
21.h4 h5 22.g3 Rd5 23.c4 Rdd8 24.Ba3 keeps some pressure for White, because the knights on c5 and

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e6 are blocking each other and can’t untangle easily, though Black is still solid.

14...Nec5

More or less forced. If Black proceeds in the same manner with 14...b6, then 15.Bc4! is good for
White, as in the Iordachescu-Marin game above. Similarly, 14...Ndc5 15.Qh4 b6 16.Bc4 Ba6 17.Ba2
Rad8 18.Be3 gives White better play, since the bishop on a2 is very strong.

15.Qf4

The alternative might be simpler: 15.Qe3 b6 16.b3 Ba6 17.Bxa6 Rxa6 18.h4 h5 19.Ba3 Re8
20.Bxc5 Nxc5 21.Ne4 Nxe4 22.Qxe4 with an unpleasant position for Black. Now e5-e6 and g2-g4
are coming, and the knight is stronger than the bishop.

15...Na6

If instead 15...b6 16.h4 h5 17.b3 Ba6 18.Bxa6 Nxa6 19.Ba3 Ndc5 20.Qc4 Rad8 21.g3, White
keeps an edge.

Question: Is the f3-knight stronger than the g7-bishop here?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Yes, but not by much. The e5-pawn is under constant pressure, and going e5-e6 would open
the bishop’s diagonal, so White must be careful as well.

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16.Bd2 Nb4 17.Rac1 b6 18.Qg3

Creating the positional threat of e5-e6 again.

18...e6?!

This is not in the spirit of the position. Rather than create weak squares it was better to play
18...Nc5, followed by ...Ba6, although after 19.Bg5 Ba6 20.Bxa6 Nbxa6 21.Qh4 White keeps the
initiative.

19.Bf4 Bb7 20.Qh4 c5 21.Ne4 Bxe4 22.Rxe4

Black has defended against the direct threats, but White has a long-term advantage.

22...Nc6 23.Rce1 Nd4 24.Nxd4 cxd4 25.Bb5 Rfd8 26.Rxd4 Nxe5 27.Bxe5 Bxe5 28.Rxe5 Rxd4
29.Qxd4 Rd8 30.Qc3 Rd1+ 31.Bf1 Qd7 32.b3 1-0

Game 107
[Link] [Link] Wijgerden
IBM B, Amsterdam 1976

1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Nf3 c6 5.Be2 Nf6 6.0-0 0-0 7.h3 Qc7

Black is going for ...e7-e5 again in a slightly modified way, this time supported by the queen.

8.e5

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 Not much played, but this is still the critical idea, in my opinion. White wants to have a pawn on e5
to secure more space, drive the knight away from f6, and open the possibility of attacking chances.

8...dxe5

The main choice. If instead 8...Nd5 9.Nxd5 cxd5 10.Bf4, White preserves an edge. For example:
a) 10...Nd7 11.exd6 exd6 12.c3 Nf6 13.Qb3 Re8 14.Bb5 Bd7 15.Bxd7 Qxd7 16.Bg5 Qc6 17.Bxf6!
Bxf6 18.Ne1 Qc4, [Link], Pula 2000, and now a good plan is to go 19.g3!, in order to
bring the knight to e3 or f4 via the g2-square.
b) 10...dxe5 11.Bxe5 Qb6 12.Bxg7 Kxg7 13.Rb1 Nc6 14.c3 Bf5 15.Bd3 Bxd3 16.Qxd3 a5 17.Rfe1
e6 18.h4 with decent chances to create an initiative on the kingside, [Link], German
League 2007.

9.dxe5

The principled reaction.

9...Rd8

Retreating the knight with 9...Nfd7 allows the pawn sac 10.e6! fxe6 11.Bg5 Nf6 12.Re1 with
typical compensation in such positions, due to control over central squares and Black’s
underdeveloped pieces.

10.Bd3 Nd5 11.Nxd5 cxd5 12.Re1 Nc6 13.Bf4

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 We can see nicely here how important is to have played 7.h3, preventing the easy development of
the c8-bishop. The plan for White now is rather simple: Qd2, threatening e5-e6, encouraging Black to
play ...e7-e6, and then attack with h3-h4-h5 and so on.

13...Be6

The idea of this move is to exchange the light-squared bishop via the f5-square.
If instead 13...Qb6, as in [Link], European Championship, Jerusalem 2015, then
14.b3 Nd4 15.Be3 Nxf3+ 16.Qxf3 d4 17.Bg5 Qc7 18.Bc4 with fine play for White, whose bishops
are much stronger.

14.Ng5!

This is a good attacking idea.

Question: How important is it to understand when exactly to attack?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Very important. Missing the right moment limits your chances to gain an advantage.

14...Qd7 15.h4?!

This is too hasty. White can develop his initiative more effectively with 15.Qd2!, which prevents
...h7-h6, while if 15...Bf5 then 16.Bxf5! Qxf5 17.e6 is highly unpleasant for Black.

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15...Bf5!

Due to the fact that the f4-bishop would be hanging after an exchange on f5, this is a handy way for
Black to minimize White’s attack.

16.h5

Continuing the plan. White can play in a more solid manner, 16.Bg3 Bxd3 17.Qxd3 e6, but then the
game is simply balanced, since Black has managed to trade light-squared bishops.

16...h6

Taking on d3 at once was a safer choice: 16...Bxd3 17.Qxd3 Qg4 18.hxg6 fxg6 19.Nh3 e6 and the
position is unclear.

17.Nxf7?

This is too speculative. White should play 17.e6! fxe6 18.Bxf5 exf5 19.Ne6 g5 20.Bh2 with
compensation.

17...Kxf7 18.hxg6+ Kg8 19.Qh5

After 19.e6 Bxe6 20.Qh5 Bg4 21.Qh4 Bf6 22.Qxh6 e5 Black defends easily.

19...Bxd3 20.cxd3 e6 21.Re3 Nd4 22.Rh3 Rf8 23.Bxh6 Bxh6 24.Qxh6 Qg7 25.Qe3 Nc2?

Black could have put an end to White’s ambitions with 25...Rf4!, followed by ...Raf8 or ...Rg4. The
rook cannot be taken due to the knight fork on e2.

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26.Qg3 Rf5 27.Rc1 Nd4 28.Re1 Nc2 29.Re2 Nd4 30.Re3 Nc2 31.Rh7 Nxe3 32.Rxg7+ Kxg7
33.Qxe3 Rc8 34.g4 Rff8 35.Qxa7

Simply 35.Qg5, followed by f2-f4-f5, would win for White. Instead, he soon allows Black to
coordinate his rooks and make a draw.

35...Rc2 36.Qxb7+ Kxg6 37.Qb6 Kg5 38.a4 Rf4 39.Kf1 d4 40.Qd8+ Kxg4 41.Qg8+ Kf5 ½-½

Game 108
[Link]
Nice Olympiad 1974

1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Be2 0-0 6.0-0 c6 7.h3 b5

This is another possible idea and a logical one, connected with Black’s previous move. The
problem is that it neglects development.

8.e5

Of course this must be the best reaction.

8...Ne8

The elastic approach; Black doesn’t open the position because he’s underdeveloped at the moment.
Instead:

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 a) 8...dxe5 9.dxe5 Qxd1 (if 9...Nfd7 then 10.e6! fxe6 11.Ng5 Nf6 12.Bd3 Na6 13.Nce4 Nxe4
14.Bxe4 Qxd1 15.Rxd1 Nb4 16.a4! and White is better, [Link] [Link], Villa Clara 1995)
10.Rxd1 Nfd7 11.Bf4 b4 12.Ne4 c5 13.Be3 Nc6 14.Nxc5 is good for White, especially after
14...Ndxe5? 15.Nxe5 Nxe5 16.f4 and wins, [Link], Argentine Championship, Buenos
Aires 2010.
b) 8...Nfd7 might also be met by 9.e6!? (this is something we must consider each time Black
decides to retreat the knight to d7) 9...fxe6 10.Ng5 Nf6 11.Bd3 and if 11...Na6 12.a4 Qa5 13.Bd2 b4
14.Nce4 Rb8 15.Re1 Nc7 16.c4 Nxe4 17.Rxe4, White has attacking chances.

9.Ne4 Bf5

Driving the white knight from the centre. Alternatives are:

a) 9...Bb7 10.exd6 exd6 11.a4 a6 12.Bg5 Qd7 13.Qd3 looks good for White who can continue his
development by placing a rook on e1 and so on.
b) 9...dxe5 10.Nxe5! (this is logical here, considering the passive knight on b8) 10...Nd6 11.Nc5
Qb6 12.Bf4 f6 13.Nf3 Na6 14.Nxa6 Bxa6 15.c3 Kh8 16.Re1 and White is better, [Link],
Budapest 1995.

10.Ng3 Be6 11.a4!

A good reaction, utilizing the fact that Black’s queenside pawn structure is a bit compromised and
can’t be defended well with pieces.

11...b4 12.c4 bxc3 13.bxc3 Bd5

If 13...Nd7 then 14.Ba3!? is an interesting motif, increasing the pressure on the black pawn

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structure. For example: 14...Rb8 (after 14...dxe5 15.Nxe5 Nxe5 16.dxe5 Nc7 17.Qxd8 Rfxd8
18.Bxe7 Rd7 19.Bf6 Bxf6 20.exf6 Ne8 21.Ne4 Bf5 22.f3 Rad8 23.Rab1, the endgame doesn’t look
good for Black) 15.c4 Nb6 16.Rc1 Nc7 17.Qc2 Bh6 18.exd6 exd6 19.Rb1 and White is better,
[Link], Hungarian Championship, Budapest 1974. The pawns on c6 and d6 are possible
targets which Black will have difficulties defending.

14.Re1

This is unnecessary and wastes time. White needs to play actively now: 14.Rb1! Nd7 15.Ng5! dxe5
16.c4 Be6 17.d5 (that’s one of the ideas here) 17...cxd5 18.Nxe6 fxe6 19.cxd5 Nb6 20.Bg4 Qxd5
21.Qxd5 exd5 22.a5 Na4 23.Be6+ Kh8 24.Bxd5 Rc8 25.Rb7 Rc7 26.Rxc7 Nxc7 27.Bc4 Nc3 28.Be3
and White has the initiative in the endgame.

Question: Why is playing the rook to e1 a waste of time?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Because nothing is going on on the e-file. White should have started to put pressure on
queenside.

14...Nd7 15.Bf4 dxe5 16.Nxe5 Nxe5 17.Bxe5 Bxe5 18.dxe5 Qa5

Black has exchanged few pieces without quite managing to equalize, but White must be accurate
now or his initiative will disappear.

19.Qd4?!

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 The queen is on the wrong diagonal here and can quickly come under attack. Much stronger is
19.Qc1! Ng7 20.h4 h5 21.c4 Be6 22.Qg5, which looks very good for White.

19...Ng7 20.c4 Be6 21.Bf3 Rad8 22.Qh4 Qc7 23.Qe4

Karpov is losing too much time with the queen and that gives Black time to organize good play.

23...c5 24.Red1 Rxd1+ 25.Rxd1 Rb8 26.Ne2 Rb4

Missing a much better idea in 26...Nf5! 27.Nf4 Nd4, when Black is doing well.

27.Nf4!

Just at the right moment. Now Black has to play accurately to maintain the balance. Note that the
c4-pawn cannot be taken: if 27...Rxc4? 28.Nxe6 or 27...Bxc4? 28.Rc1, Black loses material.

27...Nf5 28.Nxe6 fxe6 29.Bg4 Nd4

Black has a strong knight, but the bishop is good as well and the pawn structure favours White.

30.h4

Logical play, trying to put pressure on the g6-pawn, indicating that Black’s king is also slightly
weak.

30...Kg7 31.h5 Rb8 32.Qe3

White is creating potential targets, while Black is not having an easy time figuring out how to react.

32...gxh5 33.Bxh5 Nf5 34.Qf4 Rd8 35.Rb1 Kh8 36.Bf7 Qd7 37.a5 Kg7 38.Bh5 Qd3??

Probably in time trouble, Black makes an oversight.

39.Rd1 Qxd1+ 40.Bxd1 Rxd1+ 41.Kh2 Rd4 42.Qc1

This is winning of course.

42...h5 43.Qg5+ Kf8 44.Qg6 Ng7 45.Qb1 Rh4+ 46.Kg1 Rxc4 47.Qb8+ Kf7 48.Qxa7 Rc1+ 49.Kh2
c4 50.Qd4 Rc2 51.Qa1 Ne8 52.a6 Nc7 53.a7 Rd2 54.Qa5 Rd7 55.Qa4 1-0

Game 109
[Link]
Stavanger (blitz) 2013

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1.Nf3 g6 2.e4 d6 3.d4 Nf6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.Be2 0-0 6.0-0 a6

This is a modern treatment of the Pirc. In many lines we have this little idea to go ...b7-b5,
expanding on the queenside, and here it’s no exception.

Question: Doesn’t Black seriously neglect development playing in this way?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: In a way, yes, but it’s closed type of position and non-forced type chess, as we have here,
helped him for a while to justify such ideas.

7.h3 Nc6

This is a kind of hybrid; Black is using all possible ideas to create confusion.
The alternative is 7...b5 8.e5 Nfd7 and then:

a) 9.e6!? (a typical idea in the Pirc; when I got this position it looked to me a natural thing to play
in this manner) 9...fxe6 10.Ng5 Nb6 (after 10...Nf6 11.Bf3 d5 12.Re1 Qd6 13.h4 Nc6 14.g3 Ne4?
15.Ncxe4 dxe4 16.Bxe4 Bxd4 17.Be3 Rb8 18.Nxh7! White was winning in [Link]-
[Link], Bhubaneswar 2018) 11.Bd3 Rf6 (11...b4 12.Ne2 Nd5 13.Ng3 Nf6 14.h4 Qe8 15.c3
bxc3 16.bxc3 c5 17.h5 gives White a strong attack, [Link], Chennai 2013)
12.Nce4 Rf5 13.Ng3 Rd5 14.c3 c5 15.Qg4 and Black already has serious problems due to Nxh7
ideas, [Link], Biel 2012.
b) 9.Bf4 (for those who prefer to continue in a calmer way) 9...Nb6 10.Re1 Bb7 11.Bf1 Nc6 12.a4
bxa4 13.Nxa4 Nxa4 14.Rxa4 Qd7 15.c3 Nd8 16.Ra1 a5 17.Bg3 and White has a nice position as

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well, [Link], [Link] (blitz) 2021.

8.Be3 e5

This is the same position as after 6...Nc6 7.Be3 e5 but with the extra moves h2-h3 and ...a7-a6
included. From Black’s perspective, this means that White’s ideas of Bb5 or Nb5 are no longer
possible.

9.dxe5 Nxe5

If 9...dxe5, White cannot play Bb5 as in Game 104, but 10.Qe1!? is a possibility, with ideas of Rd1
and Nd5.

10.Nxe5 dxe5 11.Qxd8 Rxd8 12.Bc4

Changing diagonal is the right thing to do.

12...b5

12...Be6 13.Bxe6 fxe6 14.f3 is still good for White, despite the wasted tempo with the h-pawn.

13.Bb3 Bb7 14.f3 Bf8 15.a4 b4 16.Nb1!

The bishop on b3 is strong and now the knight is heading for the c4-square. It is instructive to study
such positions. The obvious problem for Black is the bishop on b7, which is a bit passive at the
moment.

16...Nd7 17.Nd2 Bc5 18.Kf2 a5 19.Rfd1 Kg7 20.Nc4 Bxe3+ 21.Kxe3 f6 22.Rd2 Nb6 23.Nxb6

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cxb6 24.Rad1 Rxd2 25.Rxd2 Bc6 26.Rd6 Rc8

White has allowed exchanges since the active rook on d6 and strong bishop on b3 give him the
initiative.

27.Be6 Rc7 28.b3 Kf8 29.Bc4 Kg7 30.h4 h5

31.g4

31.Bd3 would avoid Black’s next while preparing f3-f4 to create targets on the kingside.

31...Bxa4 32.Rxb6 Bd7 33.gxh5 gxh5 34.Bd3 Kf7 35.f4 exf4+ 36.Kxf4 Rc5 37.Rb7 Ke6 38.Ra7
Kd6 39.Ke3 Bg4?

Here 39...Re5 40.Kd4 Bc6 should hold, keeping White tied down to defence on the e4-pawn.
Instead, Carlsen is given the chance to activate his bishop and then wins quickly.

40.Kd4 Re5 41.Bc4 Bf3 42.Bd5 Bd1 43.Rf7 Re8 44.Rxf6+ Kc7 45.Ra6 Bxc2 46.Rc6+ 1-0

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 Show in Text Mode

Game 110
[Link]
Amsterdam Interzonal 1964

1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Be2 0-0 6.0-0 b6

Another typical Pirc idea; Black wants to fianchetto the other bishop as well. White reacts by
preparing to defend his centre in an efficient way.

7.Re1 Bb7 8.Bf1 c5

Going for a typical Sicilian break is different from most of the games we have seen so far. If instead
8...Nbd7 then 9.e5!? dxe5 10.dxe5 Ng4 11.Bf4 (Black faces problems now) 11...e6 12.h3 Bxf3
13.Qxf3 Ngxe5 14.Qg3 Nc6 15.Bxc7 and White is better.

9.d5 Na6

This is a version of the Benoni. The knight is going to c7 to support both ...b7-b5 and ...e7-e6.

10.Bf4 Nc7 11.Qd2 a6 12.Bh6

White allows both pawn breaks in order to get rid of the g7-bishop.

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12...b5

The alternative is 12...e6 13.dxe6 fxe6 14.Bxg7 Kxg7 15.Rad1 d5 16.e5 Nd7 17.Ne4 Qe7 18.Ng3
Rad8 19.c3, as in [Link], correspondence 2000. Such positions favour White, whose
pieces are both more active pieces and better placed, that is on the correct side of the board.

13.Bxg7 Kxg7 14.a3 e6 15.dxe6 Nxe6 16.Rad1 b4 17.Nd5 a5 18.Bc4?!

This is not bad, but it’s not as strong as 18.c3!

18...bxa3 (if 18...Bxd5 19.exd5 Nc7, then 20.axb4 axb4 21.cxb4 Ncxd5 22.bxc5 dxc5 23.Re5 and
White has pressure) 19.bxa3 Bxd5 20.exd5 Nc7 21.c4 Re8 22.Bd3! (the bishop is going to c2, and we
can see that Black can’t equalize...) 22...Nd7 23.h4! Rxe1+ 24.Rxe1 Nf6 25.Bc2 Kg8 26.Ba4 is an
unpleasant position for Black who lacks real counterplay here.

Question: Isn’t this like various ideas from the Benoni?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Yes it is, and White is using the same strategy, simply trying to gain space and secure long-
term pressure.

18...Bxd5 19.Bxd5 Nxd5 20.exd5 Nc7 21.Re4!

An active plan at least.

21...Qf6 22.c3 bxc3 23.bxc3 Rfe8

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24.Rxe8?!

After this all advantage is gone. There was still time to regain the initiative with 24.Rf4! Qe7 25.c4
Kg8 26.Re1 Qd8 27.h4, which again looks very good for White. We can see that the knight on f3 is
stronger than the knight on c7 which is a passive piece indeed.

24...Nxe8 25.c4 a4 26.Rb1 Ra7 27.h3 h6 28.Qc2 Kh7 29.Nh2 Qd4 30.Rd1 Qf4 31.Ng4 Nf6 32.g3
Qf3 33.Rd3 Qf5 34.Qe2 Nxg4 35.hxg4 Qf6 36.Rf3 Qe7 37.Re3 Qf6 ½-½

Game 111
[Link]
USSR Championship, Moscow 1988

1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nf3 d6 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.Be2 0-0 6.0-0 e5

A direct attempt to go for this main motif in the Pirc. It is possible, but Black faces passive
endgames.

7.dxe5 dxe5 8.Qxd8 Rxd8 9.Bg5

White can take on e5 as well: 9.Nxe5 Nxe4 10.Nxe4 Bxe5 11.c3 is perfectly playable.
Although Black has managed to eliminate the central pawns, equalizing is still not easy because
White has superior development and the f6-square is rather weak. Black has tried several ideas here,
but in general he is facing problems:

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 a) 11...Re8 12.Re1! Bxh2+ 13.Kxh2 Rxe4 14.f3 Re8 15.Bf4 c5 16.Bb5 Rxe1 17.Rxe1 Be6 18.c4
Nc6 19.Bxc6 bxc6 20.b3 a5 21.Re5 a4 22.Rxc5 axb3 23.axb3 and White has long-term pressure in
this endgame.
b) 11...Nc6 12.Bg5 Rf8 13.Rfe1 Bd7 14.Nf6+ Bxf6 15.Bxf6 Nd8 16.Rad1 and White is better,
[Link], Oberpfalz 2001.
c) 11...Nd7 12.Bg5 Re8 13.Rfe1 Kg7 14.Bf1 h6 15.Be3 and Black has problems with how to
continue development.
d) 11...Bf5 12.Nc5 b6 13.Bf3 c6, [Link] Taher, Tanta 1997, and now the simple 14.Re1! f6
15.Nb3 Kf7 16.Be3 gives White the advantage.

Question: Might those variations be the reason Black doesn’t play 6...e5 very often?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: That might be so; it seems that Black is not ready to push the e-pawn yet.

9...Re8

The alternative is not an equalizer either: 9...Bg4 10.Rfd1 Nbd7 11.h3 Bxf3 12.Bxf3 c6 13.Be2 is a
preferable endgame for White, whose bishop pair can play an important role.

10.Rfd1

10...Bd7!?

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 An unusual reaction but it has a strong point in ...Bc6 followed by ...Nbd7. In any case Black’s path
to equality is not easy to find:
a) 10...Bg4 11.Nb5! (the knight is well placed here, since any ...c7-c6 attempt would surrender
White the d6-square) 11...Na6 12.h3 Be6 13.Bd3 Nd7 14.Be3 Nb6 15.b3 f6 16.Ne1! Nc8 17.Be2
looks good for White, whose knight is heading for the d3-square.
b) 10...h6 11.Be3 c6 12.a4 Bf8 13.a5 Nbd7 14.Nd2 Nc5 15.f3 and White has the initiative, as the
knight will come to c4 with strong effect, [Link], Parnu 2021.
c) 10...c6 11.Nxe5 Nxe4 12.Nxe4 Bxe5 13.Nd6 Bxd6 14.Rxd6 Bf5 15.Rd2 Nd7 16.Rad1 Kg7
17.f3 Nf8 18.Kf2 Ne6 19.Be3, [Link]üner, Seefeld 1999, is better for White due to the
bishop pair, while it’s already not easy to find good moves for Black.

11.Rd2 Bc6 12.Bxf6 Bxf6 13.Rad1 a5 14.Nd5 Bxd5 15.Rxd5 c6 16.Rd6 Kg7 17.c3 b5 18.g3 Ra7
19.Kg2 Rc7 20.a3 Be7 21.R6d2 f6 22.Ne1 Rcc8 23.b4

Although it may seem that Black equalized in view of the opposite-coloured bishops, this is not the
case. Black has pushed pawns on the queenside and created some potential targets.

23...axb4 24.axb4 Rcd8 25.Ra2 Rxd1 26.Bxd1 Bd6 27.Bb3! Re7 28.Nc2!

Heading for the strong e3-square.

28...Rb7 29.Ne3 Kf8 30.Ra8 Ke7 31.h4

Black is without counterplay and all his pieces are passive, while White now has clear action on the
kingside.

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31...h5 32.Kf3

Simple and strong is 32.g4 hxg4 33.Kg3 Bc7 34.Nxg4 Bd6 35.Nh6!, winning on the spot.

32...Bc7 33.Ke2 Kf8 34.f3 Bb6

35.Ra2?

This retreat loses all the advantage. White could create huge pressure with the simple manoeuvre
35.Nf1! Kg7 36.g4 Kh6 37.Ng3 and Black is lost.

35...Ra7!

Of course!

36.Rxa7 Bxa7 37.g4 hxg4 38.fxg4 Kg7 39.Be6 Bb6 40.Kd3 Kf8 41.Bc8 Kg7 42.Bb7 Ba7

White is still nominally better but can’t improve his position.

43.Ke2 Bb6 44.Nc2 Kh6 45.Ne1 c5 46.Nd3 cxb4 47.Nxb4 Kg7 48.Nd5 Bd8 49.Bc8 Kf7 50.Kd3
Kf8 51.Kc2 Kg7 52.Kb2 Kf7 53.Kc2 Kg7 54.Kb2 Kf7 55.Ka2 Kg7 56.Ka3 Ba5 57.Kb3 Kf7
58.Nb4 Bb6 59.Nd3 Be3 60.Bb7 Kg7 61.Kb4 Bd2 62.Nc5 Be1 63.Ne6+ Kf7 64.Bd5 Bxh4
65.Kxb5 Ke7 66.c4 Bf2 67.c5 Nd7 68.Bc4 Bg1 69.Bd5 Bf2 70.Bb3 Bg1 71.Bc4 Bf2 72.Kc6 Bg1
73.Bb3 f5 74.exf5 ½-½

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 Game 112
[Link]
Legends of Chess Final, [Link] (rapid) 2020

1.d4 d6 2.e4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7

Here we’ll examine a Modern version of the Pirc, where the knight is not yet on f6.

4.Be2

I think this move order, with the bishop out first, is better and more elastic than simply developing
the knight to c3.

4...Nc6 5.0-0 e5 6.dxe5 dxe5

If Black tries to keep the queens on by playing 6...Nxe5 7.Nxe5 Bxe5, he hands his opponent an
easy initiative in the centre, and 8.f4 Bg7 9.Nc3 Ne7 10.f5 gxf5 11.exf5 Bxf5 12.Bg5 Be6 13.Ne4
was already very good for White in [Link], [Link] (blitz) 2023.

7.Qxd8+

It’s not obligatory to take on d8. White can play in a different spirit with 7.Nbd2. For example:
a) 7...Nge7 8.c3 0-0 9.b4 Qe8 10.Nc4 a6 11.a4 Be6 12.Ba3 f6 13.b5 axb5 14.axb5 Na7 15.Ne3
and White is better with a good plan, [Link], World Student Team Championship,
Teesside 1974.
b) 7...Nf6 8.c3 0-0 9.b4 Re8 10.Bb2 Nh5 11.g3 Bh3 12.Re1 a6 13.a4 a5 14.b5 Nb8 15.c4 Nd7

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16.Nb3 b6 17.c5! is another interesting game in which White played in a good manner, [Link]-
[Link], Yugoslav Championship, Bjelovar 1979.

7...Nxd8 8.Nc3 Ne6 9.Bc4 c6 10.Ng5 Nd8 11.Rd1 Nh6 12.a4 f6 13.Nf3 Nhf7 14.a5 Be6 15.Be2
Bf8 16.Be3 Nd6 17.Nd2 N8f7 18.f3 Bh6 19.Bf2

After manoeuvring around we reached a position where White has preferable chances.

Question: Black has a solid position. Can’t he hold this?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: He has good chances to hold, but let’s not forget that c5-square might become a critical
weak spot, and White’s c3-knight can head there via a4.

19...Rd8

If Black plays 19...Ke7 to connect rooks, then 20.Na4! Rhd8 21.Nc5 Bc8 22.Nc4 Bf8 23.h4 keeps
up the pressure for White.

20.Nb3 Bxb3 21.cxb3 a6 22.Na4 Nc8 23.Nc5 Rxd1+ 24.Rxd1 Nfd6

This looks bad for Black but he is not yet lost, in view of White’s doubled b-pawns.

25.Nxb7!?

This wins a pawn but not the game. It was better to play something like 25.b4 Rg8 26.h4 Rg7 27.g4

369
Re7 28.g5 Bg7 29.Bf1, when White has a long-term initiative.

25...Nxb7 26.Bxa6 Nbd6 27.Bxc8 Nxc8 28.a6 Rf8! 29.a7 Nxa7 30.Bxa7 Rf7 31.Bc5 Rb7 32.b4
Bf8!

Just in time to cover everything and reach a drawn endgame.

33.Bxf8 Kxf8 34.Rd6 Ke7 35.Rxc6 Rxb4 36.Rc7+ ½-½

Game 113
[Link]
Serbian League 2020

1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 e5

Philidor’s Defence has been very popular over the past decade or more. It’s one of the ways to keep
as many pieces on the board as possible and play for a win with Black, a similar strategy to the Pirc.

4.dxe5 dxe5 5.Qxd8+

In my opinion, going for the endgame is a perfect choice for positional players.

5...Kxd8 6.Nf3

This is one several ideas but it looks logical to me. It’s not so much about attacking the e5-pawn as
transferring the knight to c4.

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6...Bd6 7.Be3

The bishop is fine here, controlling the a7-g1 diagonal, and is very useful in creating pressure on
the queenside.

7...Ke7

This is one of a few ideas for Black here. We will look at two more, 7...h6 and 7...a6, in the next
two games.

8.Nd2

White has other reasonable options. For instance, 8.a3 Be6 9.Ng5! h6 10.Nxe6 fxe6 11.f3 a6 was
[Link], British League (4NCL) 2018, in which Black deliberately went for doubled e-
pawns in order to control some central squares, but this is not an ideal solution. After 12.Nd1! Nbd7
13.Nf2 Rhd8 14.Bd2 Kf7 15.0-0-0 we can see that Black has certain problems in generating play
because the e5-pawn must be watched all the time.

8...Be6

Black can also try to develop in a slightly different manner:

a) 8...Ng4 9.Nd5+ Kd8 10.Nc4 Nxe3 11.Ndxe3 Be6 12.0-0-0 Ke7 13.Nf5+ Bxf5 14.exf5 gave
White a fine endgame and better chances in [Link], European Championship,
Batumi 2018. We can see that the opposite coloured bishops favour White in this situation.
b) 8...a6 9.f3 Nbd7 10.Nc4 Bb4 11.a4 b6 12.g4 Rd8 13.Bd2 Kf8 14.h4 Bb7 15.Rh2! Be7 16.Bh3
Ne8 17.g5 was a good plan by White to build a strong initiative, [Link],
correspondence 2015.

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9.f3 Nbd7

The natural developing move. The alternative 9...Bb4 10.Nb5 Na6 11.c3 Bd6, as in [Link]-
[Link], European Cup, Budva 2019, is not so good. A clear path for White now is 12.a3! Ne8 13.b4
c6 14.Nxd6 Nxd6 15.Bxa6 bxa6 16.Bc5 Rhd8 17.f4! with the initiative.

Question: On what grounds does White build pressure?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: We can see that the pawn structure is good. White also has more space and easier piece
movement.

10.Nb5

Going for the bishop pair is logical. Alternatively, White can aim for control of the light squares
with 10.Bc4 Bb4 11.Bxe6 Kxe6 12.Nd1 a5 13.Nf2 Bc5 14.Nf1 Bxe3 15.Nxe3 Nc5 16.Ke2. This
might be an interesting way of playing for those who enjoy slightly favourable endgames.

10...a6 11.Nxd6 cxd6 12.c4 b5

13.b3

White has achieved the advantage of the bishop pair and has more space, but Black is very solid
because there is a strong c5-square for a knight.

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 Instead, after 13.Kf2 Rhc8 14.b3 bxc4 15.Nxc4 d5 16.exd5 Nxd5 17.Bg5+ f6 18.Bd2 Nc5 19.Be2
Bf5 20.Ne3 Nxe3 21.Kxe3 Ne6 we can say that Black managed to keep the balance with active play,
[Link], correspondence 2014.

13...b4

Closing the position is logical considering that White has the bishop pair. Another option is
13...bxc4, as in [Link], Croatian League 2014, and playing for a ...d6-d5 break in a
centre. Here it’s best to take with the knight: 14.Nxc4 Rhc8 15.Bd2 d5 16.exd5 Nxd5 17.Kf2 and
White has an edge due to the bishop pair.

14.Bd3 a5 15.a3 Nc5 16.Bc2

It was more precise to play 16.Ke2! Rhb8 17.Bc2 Nfd7 18.a4! g6 19.f4 with an interesting
endgame in which White preserves chances to play for the advantage.

16...Nfd7

Black can achieve balanced play with 16...a4 17.Bxc5 dxc5 18.bxa4 Nd7 19.axb4 cxb4 20.Kf2
Nb8 21.Rhb1 Nc6 22.Ke3 Ra7 23.Rb2 Rha8, as in [Link], correspondence 2012.

17.0-0

Due to the bishop pair and a slightly superior pawn structure we can say that White has some edge,
although Black remains solid.

17...Rhc8 18.Rfb1 f6 19.Ra2 Rab8 20.axb4 axb4 21.Rba1 Rb7

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22.Kf2

Instead, 22.f4 exf4 23.Bxf4 Ne5 24.h3 Bd7 25.Kf2 Bc6 26.Be3 is around equal, but it is still White
who is pushing to gain the initiative.

22...Nb8! 23.Nf1 Nc6 ½-½

Game 114
[Link]
[Link] (blitz) 2020

1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 e5 4.dxe5 dxe5 5.Qxd8+ Kxd8 6.Nf3 Bd6 7.Be3 h6

This time Black takes time to prevent Ng5 ideas, which we saw in Gormally-Pakleza in the notes to
the previous game.

8.0-0-0

Black is more or less forced to move the king now.

Question: Does anything change in our plans because Black will be able to place a bishop on
e6?

Show/Hide Solution

374
Answer: Not really. White will aim trade that bishop off and bring the knight to c4.

8...Ke7

The alternative is a passive one: 8...Bd7 9.Bc4 Ke8 10.h3 a6 11.a3 Bc6 12.Rhe1 Nbd7 13.Nd2 b5
14.Ba2 Ke7 15.Nd5+ Nxd5 16.exd5 Bb7 17.c4 f5 18.f4 e4 19.g4 g6 20.b4 bxc4 21.Nxc4 and White
has the initiative, [Link], Barcelona 2017.

9.Nd2 Be6 10.f3 a6

If Black develops with 10...Nbd7, White plays the same way: 11.Bc4! c6 12.Bxe6 Kxe6 13.Nc4
Bc7 14.a4 Rhd8 15.b3 Ne8 16.Rd3 Nd6 17.Nxd6 Bxd6 18.Rhd1 with the initiative.

11.Bc4!

The main idea, exchanging light-squared bishops to bring the c4-square under control. Nonetheless,
putting the knight there at once is also playable: 11.Nc4 Nbd7 12.Nxd6 cxd6 13.g4 Rac8 14.h4 looks
like a Sicilian-type position, but favourable for White who is planning to transfer a rook from h1 to
d2 and create strong pressure. In [Link] [Link], Moscow 2012, Black tried 14...Rxc3!?
15.bxc3 d5 16.exd5 Nxd5 17.Bd2 but doesn’t really have enough for the sacrificed exchange.

11...Nbd7 12.Bxe6 Kxe6 13.Nc4 Rhd8 14.Nxd6 cxd6 15.Rd2 Rac8 16.Rhd1

It is clear that White is better here.

16...Nc5 17.b4 Nb3+ 18.axb3 Rxc3 19.Bc5 dxc5 20.Rxd8 cxb4 21.R8d6+ Ke7 22.Rb6 Rc7
23.Rxb4 Nd7 24.Kb2 f6 25.Rc4 1-0

375
 Game 115
[Link]
World Blitz Championship, St. Petersburg 2018

1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 e5 4.dxe5 dxe5 5.Qxd8+ Kxd8 6.Nf3 Bd6 7.Be3 a6

This is yet another way of handling this line. Black stops those Nb5 ideas that we saw in Game
113.

8.0-0-0

8...Ke7

Black has tried other moves as well:

a) 8...Ke8 9.Nd2 Be6 10.Bc4! (we already saw this motif) 10...Nbd7 11.Bxe6 fxe6 12.f3 Ke7
(showing that Black’s 8th was a waste of time) 13.a3 Bc5 14.Bxc5+ Nxc5 15.Nc4 Ncd7 16.Na5
Rab8 17.Rd2 Rhc8 18.b3 Rg8 19.Nd1 g5 20.h3 h5 21.Nf2 Nf8 22.Nd3 and White achieved an
advantage, [Link], Swedish Championship, Uppsala 2016. This is a good example
of how to deal with those doubled e-pawns.
b) 8...Nbd7 9.Nd2 b5 10.f3 Ke7 11.Nb3 Bb7 12.g4 h6 13.h4 Nb6 14.Na5 Rab8 15.Nxb7 Rxb7
16.b3 Nfd7 17.Kb1 Bc5 18.Bc1 Nf8 19.Ne2! Ne6 20.Ng3 f6 21.c3 and White created good play,
[Link], Skopje 2017. Another good example of how to conduct this endgame.

Question: The main idea in general is to transfer the knight from f3 to the queenside?

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 Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Yes, that’s a clear plan in all these examples.

9.Nd2

The alternative is strong too: 9.Bg5 Be6 10.Nh4 g6 11.Nf5+! gxf5 12.exf5 Rg8 13.Bxf6+ Kxf6
14.fxe6 fxe6 15.Bd3 Rg7 16.Be4 Ra7 17.Rd3 Nd7 18.Rh3 Nf8 19.Rd1 and White has a winning
endgame, [Link], Zadar 2013. When I say that I mean complete domination, since all
Black’s pieces are passive.

9...Be6 10.f3 Nbd7 11.g4 h6 12.h4 b5 13.Nb3

13...c5?!

Too ambitious at the wrong moment. Much more solid is 13...c6 14.Rh2 Bc7 15.Rhd2 Rad8
16.Kb1, when White just keeps a small but steady plus.

14.Na5! Rhc8 15.g5 hxg5 16.hxg5 Ne8 17.Bh3!

Now White is clearly better.

17...c4 18.Nd5+ Bxd5 19.Rxd5 Rc7 20.Rhd1 Nf8 21.Bb6 Rac8 22.Bxc8 Rxc8 23.Nb7 Rc6
24.Nxd6 Nxd6 25.Bc5 Rxc5 26.Rxc5 Ne6 27.Rxe5 g6 28.f4 Kd7 29.Red5 1-0

377
 Game 116
[Link]
Luxembourg 1990

1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 c6

There is no name for this combination of the Pirc and Philidor. The obvious drawback is that Black
neglects fighting for the centre at once, so gives White easy play.

4.f4

The best response, in my opinion. Taking space in this way is perfectly logical because Black is
simply not able to counterattack.

Question: Why f2-f4 as the main plan here but not in the Pirc?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Black’s pawn formation with ...d7-d6 and ...c7-c6 is not doing enough against White’s
centre, not even preparing piece play, so it’s logical to go very active against it.

4...Qa5 5.e5 Ne4 6.Qf3 Nxc3

Defending the knight in the centre with 6...d5 is possible, but it’s also a risky business. For

378
example, 7.Bd3 (after 7...f5 8.exf6 exf6 9.Bxe4 dxe4 10.Qxe4+ Be7 11.d5 Kf7 12.Nge2 Re8 13.Bd2
Bb4 14.Qf3 Bf5 15.0-0-0 White is clearly better, [Link], Vaxjo 2020) 7...Na6 8.Nge2
Nb4 9.f5 Nxc3 10.bxc3 Nxd3+ 11.cxd3 Bd7 12.e6 fxe6 13.Qh5+ Kd8 14.fxe6 Be8 15.Qh3 gave me
a winning position in [Link], Hastings 2005/06.

7.Bd2 Bf5

Black can go for a queen trade with 7...Qd5, but White is not forced into that here. Instead, after
8.Qxc3

I analysed two possible ideas:

a) 8...dxe5 9.fxe5 Bf5 10.Ne2!? (heading for the strong f4-square) 10...e6 11.Nf4 Qd7 12.0-0-0
Na6 13.Bxa6 bxa6 14.Rhg1 Be7 15.g4 Bg6 16.h4 and White is clearly better, [Link]-
[Link], Austrian League 2017.
b) 8...Bf5 9.Nf3 dxe5 10.Bc4! Qd8 11.Qb3 e6 12.Qxb7 Be7 13.Qxa8 Qb6 14.0-0-0 0-0 15.Nxe5
Bd6 16.Rhe1 Bxe5 1-0 [Link], Portoroz 1996. A quick and convincing win.

8.Bd3 g6

If Black wants the queens off he should take on d3 at once: 8...Bxd3 9.cxd3 (ensuring White of a
strong pawn chain in the centre) 9...Qd5 10.bxc3 Qxf3 (inserting 10...dxe5 first makes little
difference: 11.fxe5 Qxf3 12.Nxf3 e6 13.Ke2 Nd7 14.Rhb1 b6 15.a4 Be7 16.a5 b5 17.c4 a6 18.Rc1 0-
0 19.cxb5 cxb5 20.Rc7 and White is better, [Link], Moscow Olympiad 1994)
11.Nxf3 and we’ve already reached an endgame.

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 Black is hoping that having exchanged so many pieces will ease his defence, but we can see that
White still has a strong centre and the initiative. For example:
b1) 11...Nd7 12.0-0 e6 13.Rfb1 b6 14.a4 Be7 15.a5 0-0 16.Ra2 b5 17.c4 a6 18.cxb5 axb5 19.Bb4
c5 20.exd6 Bxd6 21.dxc5 Bxc5+ 22.Bxc5 Nxc5 23.Rxb5 and White is better, [Link]-
[Link], Moldovan Championship, Kishinev 2009.
b2) 11...h6 12.Ke2 Nd7 13.Rhb1 0-0-0 14.Rb3 dxe5 15.fxe5 e6 16.Rab1 Nb6 17.c4 Rd7 18.a4 Kb8
19.a5 Nc8 20.Be3 and White has a big advantage, [Link], Bunratty 2007.
b3) 11...e6 12.Ke2 Na6 13.Rab1 0-0-0 14.a4 Be7 15.Be3 f6 16.Rhf1 Rhf8 17.Nd2 Nc7 18.Nc4
Nd5 19.Bd2 dxe5 20.dxe5 fxe5 21.Nxe5 Bf6 22.c4 Ne7 23.Be3 also gave White preferable chances,
[Link], World Blitz Championship, St. Petersburg 2018.

9.bxc3 Qd5 10.Qe2

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 White doesn’t need to exchange queens here. In view of the strong centre, Black is facing serious
problems now.

10...Bxd3

If instead 10...c5 11.Nf3 Bxd3 12.cxd3 cxd4 then 13.c4! Qc5 14.Rb1 Bg7 15.Rxb7 0-0 16.e6! and
White is better, [Link], Khanty-Mansiysk Olympiad 2010.

11.cxd3 c5 12.c4!?

There is no need to sacrifice. Simply 12.Nf3 is good for White, as in the previous note.

12...Qxd4 13.Rb1 dxe5 14.Nf3 Qd7 15.Nxe5 Qc7 16.Qe4 Nc6 17.Nxc6 Qxc6?

This loses a pawn due to the X-ray on b7. After 17...bxc6 White has full compensation for the pawn
but no more than that.

18.Bc3 f6 19.Rxb7 Qxe4+ 20.dxe4

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 White is now much better and it is difficult to see how Black can defend this endgame.

20...Bh6 21.g3 Kf7 22.Ke2 Rhd8 23.Rd1 Rxd1 24.Kxd1 g5 25.f5 g4 26.Ke2 Bc1 27.Rc7 Ba3 28.e5
fxe5 29.Bxe5 a5 30.Ke3 h5 31.Ke4 Ra6 32.f6 Re6 33.Rxe7+ Rxe7 34.fxe7 Kxe7 35.Kd5 Kd7
36.Bd6 Bb4 37.Bxc5 Be1 38.a4 h4 39.gxh4 Bxh4 40.Bd6 Bf2 41.c5 Kc8 42.c6 Bb6 43.Ke6 1-0

Game 117
[Link]
European Online Cup (rapid) 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6

This is the traditional way for Black to enter Philidor’s Defence, rather than the Pirc move order we
analysed above.

3.d4 Nd7

Black delays his kingside development in order to avoid a queen trade on d8 after an exchange of
pawns on e5, but gives White some extra possibilities. We’ll examine the main alternative, 3...exd4,
in the next two games.
The old move order with 3...Nf6 is hardly seen nowadays, because 4.dxe5 Nxe4 (the same position
can arise via the Petroff: (to the line)2...Nf6 3.d4 Nxe4 4.dxe5 and then 4...d6, which is very much
inferior to the standard 4...d5) 5.Qd5 Nc5 6.Bg5 already lands Black in a difficult position. For
example, 6...Qd7 (or 6...Be7 7.exd6 Qxd6 8.Nc3) 7.Nc3 Nc6 8.0-0-0 dxe5 9.Nxe5 Qxd5 10.Nxd5

382
Ne6 11.Nxc6 Bd6 12.Bb5 a6 13.Nd4 axb5 14.Nxb5 and White has a big advantage in the endgame,
[Link], Nuremberg 2009.

4.Bc4

Active and best play. It is important to notice that we do not develop a knight on c3 just yet because
of a specific idea we have in mind.

4...c6 5.0-0 Be7 6.dxe5 dxe5 7.Ng5

This is the main point. Tactics allow White to play for the exchange of queens after all, hoping that
having the bishop pair will mean something.

7...Bxg5

The only way. 7...Nh6 8.Ne6! fxe6 9.Bxh6 is just bad for Black.

8.Qh5 Qe7

This is relatively best. 8...g6 9.Qxg5 Qxg5 10.Bxg5 leads to the same position, except that Black
has weakened his kingside dark squares. After 10...Nc5 11.Nd2 Ne6 12.Be3 Nf6 13.f3 Nh5 14.a4
Ke7 15.Rfd1 Rd8 16.Ba2 f6 17.Nc4 b6 18.Rxd8 Nxd8 19.a5 White had a big advantage in
[Link], Moscow 1942. A very good, old example.

9.Qxg5

In my opinion, White’s best continuation is to aim for the same endgame.

383
 Question: Is it favourable to enter endgames at such an early stage?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: In this case, yes. The bishop pair comes for free as Black doesn’t have clear play to
compensate.

9...Qxg5

Declining the queen exchange with 9...Ngf6 is not a good option for Black, because the dark
squares can be a problem. For example: 10.b3 b5 11.Ba3 b4 12.Bb2 0-0 13.Nd2 Nd5 14.Qxe7 Nxe7
15.a3 c5 16.Bb5 f6 17.Rfd1 and White is clearly better, [Link], Polish League 1999.

10.Bxg5

We have reached the main position of this line, where Black has to try and neutralize the bishop
pair and early initiative that White enjoys.

10...Ngf6

Black’s other ideas mainly involve bringing the c8-bishop to e6:

a) 10...Nf8 11.Rd1 Be6 12.Nd2 Nf6 13.f3 N6d7 14.a4 (we can see that it’s not easy for Black to
solve his problems, although his set-up is solid) 14...f6 15.Be3 a5 16.Ra3 0-0-0 17.Rd3 Kc7 18.Bb3!
(threatening to bring the knight to c4) 18...Bxb3 19.Nxb3 Ne6 20.Nxa5 and White is better,
[Link], Montevideo 2018.

384
 b) 10...Nc5 11.f3 Be6 12.Be2 Nf6 13.Nd2 Nfd7 14.Nc4 f6 15.Be3 Bxc4 16.Bxc4 leads to an
interesting struggle of bishops versus knights. Although Black managed to draw in [Link]-
[Link], Monte Carlo (rapid) 1996, there is no doubt that White has preferable play.

11.f3 b5

The idea is not just to push a bishop away but also, together with Black’s next move, to fight
against a2-a4 plans. Instead, 11...h6 12.Be3 Nf8 13.a4 Be6 14.Na3 N6d7 15.Rfd1 Ke7 16.Rd2 Nh7
17.Rad1 Rhd8 18.Bxe6 fxe6 19.Nc4 was just lost for Black, [Link], Romanian League 2021.

12.Be2

It is interesting to note that, as we can see all the time, leaving the knight on b1 in the early stages is
very good because it’s flexible.

12...Nc5

The alternative 12...Nb6 aims to control both a4 and c4, but White is able to break with c2-c4 in
any case: 13.Nd2 Be6 14.Rfc1 Nfd7 15.c4 b4 16.a3 bxa3 17.Rxa3 f6 18.Be3 Ke7 19.Rca1 is winning
for White, since Black has failed to create a fortress on the queenside, [Link], Dhaka
2003.

13.Nd2 Be6 14.c4 b4 15.Nb3!

Challenging Black and gaining space on the queenside is an important motif here.

15...Na4 16.a3! Nb6 17.Na5 bxa3 18.Rxa3

385
 In view of the weak a7-pawn and Black’s weak dark squares in general, we can say that this is a
winning endgame for White.

18...c5 19.b3 Nfd7 20.Nc6 f6 21.Be3 Kf7 22.Nxa7 Rhb8 23.Rfa1 Rb7 24.Nb5 Rxa3 25.Rxa3 Ke7
26.Kf2 h6 27.Ra6 Bf7 28.Ke1 Rb8 29.Kd2 Ra8 30.Rxb6 1-0

Game 118
[Link] [Link]
Carlsen Invitational, [Link] (rapid) 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 exd4

Rather than allow White to exchange on e5 at an convenient moment, Black opts to resolves the
tension in the centre straight away.

4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6

A mixture of things. Black is pretending that this is a Sicilian Dragon, but it’s not. We’ll look at the
safer alternative 5...Be7 in the next game.

Question: Is this 5...g6 line dangerous?

Show/Hide Solution

386
Answer: It has transpositional importance since it can arrive from the Pirc in some lines or even the
Scotch Game. The point to understand is not to play an early f2-f3 before castling queenside, as you
would in the Dragon, because Black can respond with a quick ...d6-d5.

6.Be3 Bg7 7.Qd2 0-0 8.0-0-0

Note that White doesn’t have to fear an early ...Ng4, because that would be answered simply by
Bg5 here.

8...Re8

The idea of this move is to avoid White’s plan of Bh6, exchanging dark-squared bishops to help
generate an attack. The alternative is 8...Nc6 9.f3, after which I analysed a few ideas:

a) 9...d5 doesn’t work well for Black. After 10.exd5 Nxd5 11.Bg5 Qd7 12.Nxc6 bxc6 13.Nxd5
cxd5 14.Qxd5 Qa4 15.Qb3 Qc6 16.Bc4 Be6 17.Bxe6 fxe6 18.Rhe1!, White is clearly better.
b) 9...Nxd4 10.Bxd4 Be6 11.g4 (White has the positional threat of g4-g5 and Bxg7, so Black must
act fast) 11...c5 (after 11...a6 12.g5! Nh5 13.Bxg7 Nxg7 14.h4 White has a big advantage, [Link]-
[Link], [Link] blitz 2021) 12.Be3 Qa5 13.Bh6 Bxh6 14.Qxh6 b5 15.Bxb5! (not fearing
anything!) 15...Rab8 16.Qf4! Ne8 17.Bxe8 Rfxe8 18.Rxd6 Bxa2 19.Qf6! and White is a safe pawn
up with the better chances, [Link], Aktyubinsk 1985.

9.f3 d5

An active plan. If Black goes for development first, it seems that White is faster anyway: 9...Nc6
10.g4 Ne5 11.Be2 a6 12.g5 Nfd7 13.f4 Nc6 14.h4 Nf8 15.Nxc6! bxc6 16.Bd4! gives White a
winning position, since Black is totally passive, [Link], Münster 1993.

387
10.Nb3 c6 11.Bh6! a5

If Black retreats the bishop with 11...Bh8, he loses a pawn after 12.exd5 cxd5 13.Nxd5 Nc6
14.Nc3 Qb6 15.Bc4 Ne5 16.Bb5 Bd7 17.Bxd7 Nfxd7 18.Rhe1 and White is clearly better, [Link]
[Link], Wijk aan Zee 1993.

12.Bxg7 Kxg7 13.a4 Be6 14.g4!

Black is again in difficulties. The pressure that White can create on the f6-knight is a strong
positional motif.

14...Qb6 15.g5

Even stronger is 15.Nd4! Na6 16.h4 Kg8 17.h5, when Black’s position is hopeless since White’s
attack is very fast.

15...Nh5 16.exd5 cxd5 17.Nxd5 Bxd5 18.Qc3+ Kg8 19.Rxd5 Nc6 20.Rb5 Qf2 21.Bc4 Rac8
22.Qd2 Qxd2+ 23.Nxd2 Re7 24.c3 Nf4 25.Kc2

White is a pawn up and clearly better.

25...Kg7 26.Rg1 Rd8 27.Rg4 Nh3 28.Re4 Red7 29.Nb3 Ng1 30.Re3 Ne7 31.Nd4 Rc7 32.Kb3 b6
33.Rxb6 Rxc4 34.Rxe7 1-0

Game 119

388
 [Link]
Chelyabinsk 2021

1.Nf3 d6 2.e4 Nf6 3.Nc3 e5 4.d4 exd4 5.Nxd4 Be7

This semi-Philidor is a popular idea in modern chess. Black hurries to castle and then try to
undermine the centre using the elastic ...c7-c6, or sometimes even ...a7-a6, while keeping pressure on
the e4-pawn.

6.Qf3

I must admit that this rather straightforward idea is interesting. White is again going for the bishop
pair, while avoiding all kinds of possible complicated positions. Instead, after eliminating a bishop,
White will enjoy solid type of play with chances to grind the opponent down slowly.

6...0-0 7.Nf5 Bxf5 8.Qxf5

This is it. Let’s see how Black is facing this opening phase.

8...Nc6

Black has other ideas, including some sharp ones:

a) 8...Nbd7 9.Be3 c6 transposes to note ‘c’.
b) 8...Qd7 9.Qxd7 Nbxd7 10.Bf4 Ne5 11.Be2 Ng6 12.Bg3 Rfe8 13.0-0-0 Bf8 14.f3, as in
[Link], La Massana 2012, is a typical example of what White is looking for: the bishop
pair and firm control in the centre, in particular over the d5-square. White of course has the preferable
game.

389
 c) 8...c6 9.Be3 Nbd7 10.0-0-0 b5 11.f3 Qa5 12.Kb1 Ne5 13.h4 g6 14.Qh3 b4 15.Ne2 h5 was
[Link] [Link] Jerez, Linares (rapid) 2015. We can see that Black is missing his light-squared
bishop. Now the right plan is 16.Qg3! Rfe8 17.Nd4 Bf8 18.Bg5 Bg7 19.Nf5 with an attack.

Question: Should White be ready for such sharp play:

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: Yes, for sure. Black lost the bishop pair, so many players will hope to compensate for that
by speeding up development and trying to get attacking chances.

9.Be3 Qc8

Black is playing in a solid manner, but there are sharp options here too:
a) 9...Ne5 10.Be2 b5 11.Nxb5 g6 12.Qf4 Rb8 was [Link], British League (4NCL)
2004, where White could and should have “entered a Dragon” with 13.0-0-0 c6 14.Nc3 Qa5 15.Bd2
Qb6 16.b3, when Black doesn’t have enough compensation for the pawn, and h2-h4-h5 is coming
next.
b) 9...g6 10.Qh3 Ne5 11.Be2 b5, [Link], Leeuwarden 1994, and now White should
put pressure in the centre at once with 12.f4 Nc4 13.Bxc4 bxc4 14.0-0-0 and has better chances due
to the threat of e4-e5.

10.Qxc8 Raxc8 11.f3 Rfe8 12.0-0-0

Exactly what White wants, and expanding on the kingside will gain even more space.

12...a6 13.g4 Nd7 14.g5 Nf8 15.h4 Ne6 16.f4 Bf8 17.Bh3 Na5 18.b3

White has a clear advantage. Notice that Black can’t put pressure on the e4-pawn due to the
absence of his light-squared bishop.

18...b5 19.Rhe1 Nb7 20.f5 Nec5 21.f6 Rb8 22.Nd5 Rxe4 23.Bxc5 Rxe1 24.Rxe1 dxc5 25.Nxc7 c4
26.Nxa6 Ra8 27.Nc7 Rxa2 28.Re8 Nd6 29.Rd8 gxf6 30.gxf6 cxb3 31.Nd5 Rxc2+ 32.Kb1 h5
33.Ne7+ Kh7 34.Rxd6 Rf2 35.Rb6 Bxe7 36.fxe7 Re2 37.Be6 1-0

Game 120
[Link]
Meltwater Tour Final, [Link] (rapid) 2021

390
1.e4 Nc6

The Nimzowitsch Defence, which is also a viable option.

Question: How does the Nimzowitsch stand in today’s chess?

Show/Hide Solution

Answer: It is very important to know how to organize play with White, due to the many
transpositions. That’s why I am suggesting the following independent line.

2.d4 d5 3.e5

As in the French, I find this advance logical and strong. Black doesn’t have ...c7-c5 but is counting
on ...f7-f6 and rapid queenside castling, while the c8-bishop is free to develop, as opposed to in the
French. On the other hand, White has more space and, if Black castles queenside, the possibility of
c2-c3 and b2-b4 to create an attack is coming very fast.

3...Bf5 4.c3

We can say that this is the starting position for this line.

4...e6

Black can also attack the centre with 4...f6 at once, although after 5.f4 the position doesn’t change
much. For example:

391
 a) 5...Qd7 6.Nf3 e6 7.Bd3 Be4 8.exf6 gxf6 9.Qe2 f5 10.Nbd2 0-0-0 11.Bb5 Bd6 12.Ne5! Bxe5
was [Link], [Link] (blitz) 2020, when 13.fxe5 Nge7 14.Nb3 Rdg8 15.Nc5 Qe8
16.Rg1 Qf7 17.Bd2 Nb8 18.0-0-0 is better for White.
b) 5...e6 6.Nd2 Nge7 7.Ndf3 Be4 8.Bd3 f5 9.Nh3 Qd7 10.0-0 h6 11.b4 0-0-0 12.a4 g6 13.Ba3 Bg7
14.b5 Nb8 15.a5 gives White a big advantage in view of his rapid action on the queenside,
[Link] Huizar, Europe-Echecs (blitz) 2021.

5.Bd3 Nge7

Black wants to retake on f5 with a knight. Otherwise, exchanging on d3 is possible: 5...Bxd3

6.Qxd3 f6 7.f4 Qd7 8.Nf3 Nh6 9.Be3 Be7 10.Nbd2 Nf5 11.Bf2 h5 12.b4 Nd8 13.a4 Nf7 14.0-0 (it
is difficult for Black to castle on either side) 14...fxe5 15.dxe5! (opening the d4-square for his pieces)
15...g5 16.fxg5 Bxg5 17.Nb3 and White is better, [Link] [Link] Trujillo, Madrid
2015.

6.Ne2 h5

This is perfectly logical and in the spirit of the system. Black has a few other ideas:
a) 6...Bg6 7.0-0 Qd7 8.Na3 Na5 9.b4 Nac6 10.Nc2 Bxd3 11.Qxd3 Ng6 12.f4 Be7 13.f5 exf5
14.Ng3 Nh4 15.Nxf5 Nxf5 16.Rxf5 and White established good play in [Link],
[Link] (blitz) 2022. The knight is doing a good job on c2 because it can go to strong squares,
such as f5, very quickly.
b) 6...Qd7 7.0-0 0-0-0 8.b4 f6 9.f4 h5 10.a4 h4 11.Qc2 a5 12.b5 Nb8 13.Nd2 Bxd3 14.Qxd3 Nf5
15.Nf3 and Black is passive, while White has a big space advantage and easy play, [Link]-
[Link], Sochi (rapid) 2017.

7.Bg5 Qd7 8.h4 Bxd3 9.Qxd3 Nf5 10.Nd2 Be7 11.Bxe7 Ncxe7 12.Nf3

It is a hybrid of the Caro-Kann and French now. White has more space but Black is solid due to the
strong knight on f5.

12...0-0-0 13.a4 Ng6 14.g3 f6 15.b4! Kb8 16.0-0 Rhf8 17.Kh2?!

This is both too slow and unnecessary. Instead, 17.a5 Qe8 18.Nc1!, heading for b3, is a very strong
plan that gives White the advantage.

17...Qf7 18.Neg1 Nh6 19.Rae1 Ng4+ 20.Kg2 fxe5 21.dxe5 Qe8 22.Nh3 Rf5 23.Nhg5

He had another chance for the advantage here in 23.Qd1! N4xe5 24.Nd4! Rf6 25.Ng5, when White
is dominating in the centre.

23...N6xe5 24.Nxe5 Nxe5 25.Qd4 Nc6 26.Qd3 Rf6 27.b5 Na5 28.Qh7

392
 White is playing on compensation which is fine.

28...e5 29.Qxg7 Rf5 30.Qh7 Rf8

Black had to play 30...Rf6, when the same idea 31.f4 e4 32.f5? loses to 32...Rd7 and the white
queen is trapped.

31.f4! e4 32.f5

White is better now since the f-pawn is running.

32...Qe5 33.f6 Qxc3 34.f7 Nc4 35.Ne6 Qd2+ 36.Kh3 Ne5 37.Nxf8 Nf3 38.Nd7+ Ka8 39.Qxh5
Nxe1 40.f8=Q 1-0

(back to the text)

The same position can arise via the Petroff: 2...Nf6 3.d4 Nxe4 4.dxe5 and then 4...d6,
which is very much inferior to the standard 4...d5.

393
 Index of Opening Variations

Chapter One: Sicilian Defence

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6

2...Nc6 3.c3

3...d5 4.exd5 Qxd5 5.Na3

5...Bg4 – Game 36
5...Nf6 – Game 37
5...Bf5 – Game 38
3...Nf6 4.e5 Nd5 5.d4 cxd4 6.Bc4
6...Nb6 7.Bb3 d5 8.exd6 Qxd6 9.0-0 Be6 10.Na3 dxc3 11.Bxe6
11...Qxe6 – Game 39
11...Qxd1 – Game 40
6...e6 7.cxd4 d6 8.0-0 Be7 9.Qe2 0-0 10.Rd1
10...Na5 – Game 41
10...Bd7 11.Bd2
11...Qc7 – Game 42
11...Qb6 – Game 43

394
2...e6 3.b3

3...b6 4.Bb2 Bb7 5.Qe2 – Game 29

3...a6 – Game 30
3...d6 4.Bb2
4...Nf6 – Game 31
4...e5 – Game 32
3...d5 4.exd5 exd5 5.Bb5+
5...Nc6 – Game 33
5...Bd7 6.Bxd7+
6...Nxd7 – Game 34
6...Qxd7 – Game 35
3...Nc6 4.Bb2
4...Nf6 – Game 26
4...d6 – Game 27
4...d5 – Game 28
4...a6 5.c4
5...Qc7 – Game 22
5...Nf6 – Game 23
5...d6 – Game 24
5...d5 – Game 25

395
3.Bb5+ Bd7

2...Nc6 3.Bb5 d6 4.Bxc6+ bxc6 5.e5

5...dxe5 – Game 10
5...f6 – Game 13
5...Bg4 6.h3
6...Bxf3 – Game 11
6...Bh5 – Game 12
3...Nd7 4.d4

396
 4...Ngf6 – Game 14
4...a6 – Game 15
4...cxd4 5.Nxd4
5...a6 – Game 21
5...Ngf6 6.0-0
6...a6 – Game 18
6...e6 – Game 19
6...g6 – Game 20
6...e5 7.Nf5 a6
8.Ba4 – Game 16
8.Bd3 – Game 17

4.c4

397
4...Bxb5 – Game 5
4...a6 5.Bxd7+
5...Qxd7 – Game 6
5...Nxd7 – Game 7
4...e5
5.Bxd7+ – Game 8
5.Nc3 – Game 9

4...Nf6 5.Nc3 g6

5...Nc6 – Game 4

6.0-0 Bg7 7.d4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 0-0

398
9.Bxd7 Qxd7

9...Nbxd7 – Game 3

10.b3 Nc6 11.Bb2 a6 12.Nxc6

12...Qxc6 – Game 1
12...bxc6 – Game 2

Chapter Two: Four Knights and Vienna Game

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6

2...Nf6 3.Nc3 Bb4 – Game 63

2...d6 – Chapter Six

3.Nc3 Nf6 4.g3 Bc5

4...Bb4 – Game 60
4...g6 – Game 61
4...Nd4 – Game 62
4...d5 5.exd5 Nxd5 6.Bg2

399
 6...Nde7 – Game 58
6...Be6 – Game 59
6...Nxc3 7.bxc3
7...Bd6 – Game 56
7...Be7 – Game 57
7...Bc5 8.0-0 0-0 9.d3
9...Bg4 – Game 53
9...Re8 – Game 54
9...h6 – Game 55

5.Bg2 d6 6.d3

400
6...a6

6...0-0 7.0-0 h6 – Game 50

6...Nd4 – Game 51
6...a5 – Game 52

7.0-0 0-0

7...h6 – Game 48
7...Bg4 – Game 49

8.h3 h6 9.Be3

9.Kh2 Be6 10.Nd2 – Game 47

9...Be6

9...Bxe3 – Game 46

10.Kh2 --

10...Qd7 – Game 44
10...Bxe3 – Game 45

Chapter Three: Caro-Kann Defence

401
1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Ne5

4...Nf6

4...Nd7 – Game 73
4...Nc6 5.d4
5...a6 – Game 75
5...e6 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.Nxd7 Qxd7 8.c3 Bd6 9.0-0
9...Nf6 – 4...Nf6
9...Nge7 – Game 74

5.d4 Nc6

5...g6 – Game 64
5...e6 – Game 70
5...a6 – Game 71
5...Bf5 – Game 72
5...Nbd7 – Game 73

6.Bb5 Bd7

6...Qb6 – Game 69

7.Nxd7 Qxd7 8.c3 e6

402
8...a6 – Game 67
8...g6 – Game 68

9.0-0 Bd6 10.--

10.Re1 – Game 65
10.Nd2 – Game 66

Chapter Four: French Defence

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5

3...c5

3...b6 – notes to Game 87

4.c3 Nc6

4...Qb6 5.Nf3 Bd7 – Game 82

4...Ne7 5.Nf3 Nec6 – Game 87

5.Nf3 Qb6

5...Nge7 – Game 86
5...Bd7 6.a3
6...Nge7 – Game 83

403
 6...f6 – Game 84
6...c4 – Game 85

6.a3

6...c4 – Game 76
6...Nh6 – Game 77
6...Bd7 – Game 78
6...Nge7 – Game 79
6...a5 – Game 80
6...f6 – Game 81

Chapter Five: Scandinavian and Alekhine Defences

1.e4 d5

1...Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e5

404
 3...Nfd7 – Game 96
3...Ne4 – Game 99
3...d4 4.exf6 dxc3 5.fxg7 cxd2+ 6.Qxd2 Qxd2+ 7.Bxd2 Bxg7 8.0-0-0
8...Nc6 – Game 97
8...Bf5 – Game 98

2.exd5 Qxd5

2...Nf6 3.Nf3 Nxd5 4.d4

4...g6 – Game 93
4...Bg4 – Game 94
4...Bf5 – Game 95

3.Nf3

405
3...Bg4

3...Nf6 4.Be2 – Game 92

4.Be2 Nc6 5.h3 Bxf3

5...Bh5 – Game 91

6.Bxf3 Qe6+

6...Qd7 – Game 90

7.Qe2 Qxe2+

7...Nd4 – Game 89

8.Bxe2 Nd4 – Game 88

Chapter Six: Pirc, Philidor and others

1.e4 d6

1...Nc6 – Game 120

1...e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4

406
 3...Nd7 – Game 117
3...exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3
5...g6 – Game 118
5...Be7 – Game 119

2.d4 Nf6

2...g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.Be2 Nc6 – Game 112

3.Nc3 g6

3...c6 – Game 116

3...e5 4.dxe5 dxe5 5.Qxd8+ Kxd8 6.Nf3 Bd6 7.Be3

407
 7...Ke7 – Game 113
7...h6 – Game 114
7...a6 – Game 115

4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Be2 0-0 6.0-0

6...c6

6...a6 – Game 109

408
6...b6 – Game 110
6...e5 – Game 111
6...Nc6 7.Be3
7...Ng4 – Game 103
7...e5 – Game 104
6...Bg4 7.Be3 Nc6 8.h3 Bxf3 9.Bxf3
9...Re8 – Game 102
9...e5 10.dxe5
10...dxe5 – Game 100
10...Nxe5 – Game 101

7.h3 Nbd7

7...Qc7 – Game 107

7...b5 – Game 108

8.e5

8...dxe5 – Game 105

8...Ne8 – Game 106

409
 Index of Complete Games

[Link]-Wadsworth.M, Caplin British Online, [Link] 2021

Adhiban.B-Erdos.V, Biel 2015
[Link], Russian Team Championship 2008
Amonatov.F-Bu Xiangzhi, World Blitz Championship, Doha 2016
Anand.V-Duda.J, Warsaw (rapid) 2022
Anand.V-Rapport.R, Warsaw (blitz) 2022
Anand.V-Vallejo Pons.F, Leon (rapid) 2008
Andersson.U-Planinc.A, Wijk aan Zee 1973
Arizmendi Martinez.J-Narciso Dublan.M, Spanish Championship, Leon 2006
[Link], Meltwater Tour Final, [Link] (rapid) 2021
Bacrot.E-Giri.A, German Bundesliga 2013
Balashov.Y-Padevsky.N, GMA Open, Moscow 1989
[Link]-Berkes.F, Batumi Olympiad 2018
Berczes.D-Engqvist.T, Budapest 2016
[Link]-Westerberg.J, Tylosand 2015
Blomqvist.E-Klinova.M, [Link] (blitz) 2020
Brkic.A-Hillarp Persson.T, European Team Championship, Terme Catez 2021
Bu Xiangzhi-Bai Jinshi, Chinese Team Championship 2018
[Link]-Dreev.A, World Blitz Championship, Dubai 2014
[Link]-Maghsoodloo.P, World Blitz Championship, Warsaw 2021
[Link]-Morozevich.A, Nice (rapid) 2008
[Link]-Nepomniachtchi.I, Legends of Chess Final, [Link] (rapid) 2020
[Link]-Svidler.P, Stavanger (blitz) 2013
[Link]-Van Wely.L, Blitz match, Schagen 2006
[Link]-Vidit.S, World Rapid Championship, Doha 2016
Chigaev.M-Lenderman.A, Banter Blitz Cup, [Link] 2020
Chigaev.M-Melkumyan.H, Riga 2015
Chigaev.M-Svane.F, [Link] (blitz) 2020
Csonka.B-Zhuravlev.A, [Link] (blitz) 2022
[Link], Padua 2015

410
Degraeve.J-Tirard.H, Sables d’Olonne 2014
Demchenko.A-Bulmaga.I, [Link] (blitz) 2021
[Link]-Sarkar.J, [Link] (blitz) 2022
Duda.J-Artemiev.V, [Link] (blitz) 2020
Durarbayli.V-Goltsev.D, [Link] (blitz) 2020
[Link], World 50+ Team Championship, Dresden 2018
Erdos.V-Yu Yangyi, Biel 2022
Esipenko.A-Muradli.M, [Link] (rapid) 2022
Fedorowicz.J-Pare.M, Canadian Open, Quebec 2018
[Link]-Vasquez Schroeder.R, [Link] (rapid) 2022
Gadimbayli.A-Seemann.J, [Link] (blitz) 2022
Giri.A-Mamedyarov.S, Oslo 2022
Giri.A-Reinderman.D, Dutch Championship, Amsterdam 2012
Glek.I-Kasimdzhanov.R, World Rapid Championship, Dubai 2014
[Link], Moscow 2006
Glek.I-Sargissian.G, World Blitz Championship, Dubai 2014
Glek.I-Winants.L, Belgian League 2013
Gligoric.S-Benko.P, Amsterdam Interzonal 1964
Gligoric.S-Tringov.G, European Team Championship, Skara 1980
Godena.M-Repka.C, Balatonszarszo 2017
Grandelius.N-Stupak.K, European Championship, Skopje 2019
Grischuk.A-Morozevich.A, World Blitz Championship, Doha 2016
[Link], Moscow Championship Superfinal (rapid) 2014
Haba.P-Rapport.R, Austrian League 2021
Handoko.E-Vasiukov.E, Doha 1992
Harikrishna.P-Eljanov.P, Sarajevo 2009
Harikrishna.P-Lupulescu.C, FIDE World Cup, Krasnaya Polyana 2021
Hovhannisyan.R-Zablotsky.S, World Blitz Championship, St. Petersburg 2018
Ivanchuk.V-Dominguez Perez.L, Havana 2011
[Link]-Hort.V, Nice Olympiad 1974
Kengis.E-Hausner.I, Luxembourg 1990
Knezevic.M-Alburt.L, Decin 1976

411
Kobalia.M-He.A, [Link] 2021
Korneev.O-Carretero Ortiz.F, Seville 2011
Lupulescu.C-Lagarde Enea.M, Polish League 2022
Mamedov.R-Movsesian.S, European Blitz Championship, Minsk 2015
Mastrovasilis.D-Volokitin.A, European Championship, Minsk 2017
Mieses.J-List.P, Swinemünde 1932
Najer.E-Pashikian.A, Moscow 2008
Naroditsky.D-Jones.G, [Link] (blitz) 2022
Navara.D-Mihok.O, Slovakian Team Championship 2022
Nihal.S-Kramnik.V, [Link] (rapid) 2022
[Link]-Kotronias.V, Greek Championship, Thessaloniki 2017
Plachetka.J-Nemec.P, Czech League 2003
Plaskett.J-Vaganian.R, World 50+ Team Championship, Radebeul 2016
Polugaevsky.L-Simagin.V, USSR Championship, Leningrad 1956
Ponomariov.R-Keymer.V, Dortmund 2021
Potkin.V-Artemiev.V, Russian Team Championship 2018
Predojevic.B-Kadric.D, Serbian League 2020
Predojevic.B-Kovalenko.I, [Link] (blitz) 2020
Predojevic.B-Safarli.E, World Online Open, [Link] (rapid) 2020
Radjabov.T-Karjakin.S, FIDE Grand Prix, Tashkent 2014
Ragger.M-Beerdsen.T, German Bundesliga 2022
[Link], World Rapid Championship, Warsaw 2021
Rapport.R-Wei Yi, [Link] (rapid) 2022
Rodshtein.M-Rasmus.S, Groningen 2013
Romanishin.O-Stella.A, Porto San Giorgio 2013
Rossolimo.N-Scheltinga.T Van, Beverwijk 1953
Rozentalis.E-Malisauskas.V, Lithuanian Championship, Vilnius 2002
[Link], FIDE World Cup, Tromsø 2013
Santos Latasa.J-Bluebaum.M, Polish League 2022
Savic.M-Atalik.S, Novi Sad 2022
Savic.M-Panic.N, Arandjelovac 2021
Sevillano.S-Szpisjak.S, US Open, Rancho Mirage 2022

412
Shankland.S-Chu Wei Chao, PRO League, [Link] (rapid) 2019
Shaposhnikov.E-Sitnikov.A, Chelyabinsk 2021
Shevchenko.K-Indjic.A, Tal Memorial, Riga (blitz) 2021
Shirov.A-Lenderman.A, [Link] (blitz) 2022
Short.N-Movsesian.S, Isle of Man 2015
Smirin.I-Halkias.S, European Team Championship, Plovdiv 2003
Smirin.I-Kobo.O, Jerusalem 2022
Smirin.I-Lammi.J, European Online Cup (rapid) 2021
Smirin.I-Salgado Lopez.I, World Blitz Championship, St. Petersburg 2018
Smyslov.V-Polugaevsky.L, USSR Championship, Baku 1961
[Link]-Khalifman.A, USSR Championship, Moscow 1988
Spassky.B-Korchnoi.V, Rapid match, St. Petersburg 1999
Speelman.J-Watson.J, Aaronson Masters, London 1979
Strikovic.A-Drasko.M, Yugoslav Team Championship play-off 1999
Sturt.R-Postny.E, Paracin 2021
Torre.E-Lputian.S, Shenzhen 1992
Tseshkovsky.V-Dautov.R, Sverdlovsk 1989
Tseshkovsky.V-Hlousek.Z, World Student Team Championship, Dresden 1969
Vachier Lagrave.M-Mamedyarov.S, Carlsen Invitational, [Link] (rapid) 2021
Vallejo Pons.F-Matlakov.M, [Link] (rapid) 2022
Van Baarle.J-Van Wijgerden.C, IBM B, Amsterdam 1976
[Link], [Link] (blitz) 2022
Vysochin.S-Truskavetsky.A, Ukrainian Championship, Kharkov 2007
Weetik.V-Demchenko.A, [Link] (blitz) 2022
Xiong.J-Bazarov.K, [Link] (blitz) 2021
Xiong.J-Makarian.R, [Link] (blitz) 2022

413