ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 1

A01 commentary on these games, I'll be

Introduction there to ask him all the questions that a
[GM Pier Luigi Basso] player who has never played 1.b3 as
White would want to ask. Baadur will
When my good friend Baadur Jobava open up about how he started playing 1.
suggested we team up for a course on 1. b3, the philosophy behind it, and why it's
b3, I'll admit, I was a bit skeptical at not as popular at the highest levels.
first. As a traditional player, diving into Together, we'll discover that it's more
the depths of 1.b3 for White didn't about psychological motivations than
immediately strike me as a winning purely chess-related ones. 1...Nf6
strategy. But as Baadur shared his [ 1...b6 2 is analyzed in Chapter ]
insights and strategies, I began to see [ 1...e5 2.Bb2 Nc6 ( 2...d6
the potential. With a blend of creativity In Chapter 1 we'll deal with this
and preparation, we uncovered exciting sytem ) 3.e3
opportunities to gain an edge right from A) 3...g6 In Chapter 3 we'll deal
the opening move. Here's the deal: to with 3...g6 and other Black's
make 1.b3 work for you, you've got to sidelines;
mix things up, understand the key B) 3...Nf6 4.Nf3! This was the
positions and strategies, and let your hardest Choice for Baadur. He is
creativity shine. And that's where our really in love with the system 4.Bb5
course comes in. We've crafted it to that he has employed in many of
inspire you, to ignite your passion for his games at a high level. But
the game, and to give you the tools you because of new, very strong
need to dominate the board with 1.b3. engines, it is always more difficult
So, whether you're a seasoned pro to play this system with 4.Bb5, and
looking for a new challenge or a budding 4.Nf3 appears to be a more
enthusiast eager to explore new positionally sound choice. I often
horizons, join us on this exciting journey receive messages in the evening
with 1.b3. Let's turn your opening game where Baadur expresses his big
into a masterpiece together! 1.b3 desire to share with you also the 4.
Now, let's delve into some technical Bb5 system, maybe it will happen
aspects. The course will be divided into one day, but for now we'll go into
four main areas: 1...e5, 1...c5, 1...d5, the more appreciated by engine
and systems where Black plays g6. In move 4.Nf3 ( 4.Bb5 is the system
this initial database, we'll tackle 1...e5 that Baadur has employed in most
and systems with g6 together. We've of his games, but more in the past.
organized the material into 12 chapters. Nowadays, he is also playing more
By the end, you'll have access to model 4.Nf3 or even 3.Nf3. We will
games played by Baadur, which will discuss this in his model game
prove immensely helpful in inspiring against Areschenko );
you and understanding the types of C) 3...d5 4.Bb5 Bd6 ( 4...Nge7 5
positions involved. During Baadur's Chapter; 4...f6 5 Chapter ) 5.f4
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 2

This very complex position will be compared to the classical e4-e5 line,
analyzed in Chapter 6. I am really Black's bishop remains behind the
happy about the work I have made pawn chain due to 2...d6
here together with Baadur because [ 3.c4 Nf6 4.g3 g6 5.Bg2 Bg7
I feel we have discovered a lot of 6.Nc3 0-0 7.Nf3 Nc6 8.0-0 Re8
new interesting attempts to 9.d3 h6 10.Rc1 Be6 11.d4 e4
create practical but also real 12.d5 exf3 13.exf3 Bf5 14.dxc6
problems for the Black players ] bxc6 15.c5 d5 16.Ne2 h5 17.h4 a5
2.Bb2 g6 3.c4 Bg7 4.g3 0-0 5.Bg2 1...e5 2...d6-N,N [Raunak] (74) ]
Here we have to analyze different 3...Nc6
systems. A lot of this systems are taking [ 3...c5 Black doesn't let us to play for
the name after their "older brothers" in 1. d2-d4 4.f4! But we will go for the
d4 5...c5 other break! Nc6 ( 4...exf4?!
[ 5...c6 6.Nf3 d5 7.0-0 7 This is a very rare case when engine
The "symmetrical gruenfeld style" will likes for White the King's gambit!
be analyzed in Chapter ] 5.Qf3 Qh4+ 6.g3! fxg3 7.hxg3
[ 5...d5 6.cxd5 Nxd5 7.Bxg7 Kxg7 8 White has a huge lead in
The "Gruenfeld style" will be analyzed development ) 5.Nc3! exf4 6.Qf3 Nd4
in Chapter ] ( 6...Qh4+ 7.g3 fxg3 8.hxg3 Qf6
[ 5...d6 6.d4 e5 The "King's Indian 9.Qg2!? huge lead in development )
style" will be analyzed in Chapter 10, 7.Bb5+! Bd7 ( 7...Nxb5 8.Nxb5 )
but also in a model game Jobava- 8.Bxd7+ Qxd7 9.Qd3 Ne7 ( 9...Qg4?
Neiksans ] concrete but bad 10.Nd5! Qxg2
6.Nf3 Nc6 11.0-0-0 Qxh1 12.Bxd4 cxd4
[ 6...d6 7.d4 d5 9 This is the system 13.Nc7+ Kd8 14.Nxa8+- ) 10.0-0-0
suggested for Black by the strong GM Nec6 11.Nd5 Be7 12.Nf3 ]
Gaiwain Jones. We'll deal with it in [ 3...Nf6 4.Nc3 g6 5.d4
Chapter ] A) 5...exd4 6.Qxd4 Bg7 7.0-0-0
7.0-0 d5 11 Chapter Typical position, Whites play is very
[ 7...d6 12 Chapter ] natural.;
B) 5...Qe7 most reliable move
6.a4! Very deep, with the point of
A01 having Ba3 resource. Bg7 7.dxe5
Chapter 1 Qxe5 ( 7...dxe5? 8.Ba3 Qd7
1...e5 2.Bb2 d6 9.Qc1 ) 8.Bd3 0-0 9.Qd2 Nc6
[Jobava B. / Basso P.L.] 10.Nge2 Be6 11.0-0-0
White position still remains easier
A01: Nimzowitsch-Larsen Opening to play.;
Drazic,Sinisa: 'Drazic,S: 'Inf 80/(1)'' 1.b3 C) 5...Nc6 6.dxe5 going for the
e5 2.Bb2 d6 3.e4!? An interesting Philidor type endgame makes
choice to steer the game into an e4 e5 perfect sense, as Black wasted the
type of structure, using the fact that, .. .g6 move, as he will need the
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 3

bishop on d6. dxe5 ( 6...Nxe5 has 2 choices, both are fine,

7.f4 is just horrible for Black. ) after which Black will need a
7.Qxd8+ Kxd8 ( 7...Nxd8 8.Nf3 miracle to survive.;
Bd6 9.Nb5 Nc6 10.Nxd6+ cxd6 A1a2) 11...Ne7 12.Nd2
11.Nd2 White definitely enjoys Ng6 13.Qe3 f4 14.Qe2
such a pleasant endgame. ) Nxe5 15.Bxe5 Qe6
8.0-0-0+ Bd6 9.g3 Be6 10.Bg2 16.Bxc7 Qxe2+ 17.Kxe2
f4 next with pleasant advantage ] Rd7 18.Bxf4 Bxg2
[ 3...f5 4.d4! 19.Rhg1 Bc6 20.Nc4
A) 4...exd4 5.Qxd4 Black definitely has
A1) 5...Qf6!? An interesting compensation, but we
choice to try and steer the game cannot be unhappy about
towards an endgame; Black the fact that we are a pawn
wants to argue that the structure up.;
that is now on the board favours A1b) 7...Qxd4 8.Nxd4 fxe4
him. 6.Nf3 This double-edged 9.Nxc6 a6 10.Nd4+ axb5
move is interesting. ( 6.Qa4+ 11.Nxb5 Kd7 12.c4
This forced move doesn't I like this endgame a bit more,
achieve that much for White. Bd7 because besides the monster
7.Bxf6 Bxa4 8.Bb2 Bd7 9.Nc3 on b2 we can hope to create
fxe4 10.Nxe4 d5 11.Nc3 c6 counterplay against the
12.0-0-0 Nf6 13.Re1+ Kd8 somewhat vulnerable pawn on
14.Nf3 Maybe White can still e4. The pair of bishops is not
retain a nominal plus thanks to that relevant, as its pretty
the weakened dark squares in tough to find a good home for
the position, although black play the c8 bishop.;
is kind of easy. ) 6...Nc6 7.Bb5 A2) 5...Nf6 6.Nc3 Nc6 ( 6...fxe4
A1a) 7...Bd7 8.Bxc6! 7.0-0-0 it is very similar to what
Concrete idea Bxc6 9.e5! we have seen after the 4... fxe4,
dxe5 10.Nxe5 Rd8 11.Qf4 all the ideas remain valid. ) 7.Qe3
A1a1) 11...Bxg2 Be7 8.0-0-0 0-0
Very risky business 12.Rg1 Punzón Moraleda, Jesús -
Be4 13.Nd2 Qh6! Parkkinen, Jyrki, 1-0, WC32/sf03,
Only move ( 13...Bxc2?? 2008, https://lichess.org/4tkI2LfE
14.Rc1 Be4 15.Nxe4 fxe4 9.Kb1!? There was nothing
16.Qxe4+- Black is wrong with exf5, but playing in
completely lost, with Rc7 gambit style seems more fitting
coming next. ) 14.Qxh6 and coherent with what we
Nxh6 15.0-0-0 Nf7 previously analyzed. Nxe4
16.Nxf7 Kxf7 17.Nxe4 ( 9...fxe4 10.f3 with a direct
Rxd1+ 18.Rxd1 fxe4 transposition. ) 10.Nd5!
19.Rd7+ Ke6 And white Very instructive move, we don't
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 4

go for material, but we go instead 12.g4! And here even if Blacks

for the dark square bishop; this king is safer, White retains a
way, the monster on b2 will be a pleasant initiative, as it is yet
reigning king over the a1-h8 unclear how to develop the rest
diagonal forever. Be6 11.Nxe7+ of Blacks pieces, while in a
Qxe7 12.Nh3 Rae8 13.f3 Nf6 couple of moves white achieves
14.Qf2 14.Bb5 was another perfect coordination.;
possible move; the different color B2) 5...Qe7 6.Nge2 Nf6 7.Qd2
bishop middlegame was also As usual, we don't really care
favorable for white, but even about the material, so developing
after a slow retreating move, the pieces is far more important.
white retains a pleasant plus and g6 ( 7...Nc6 8.d5 Nb8 9.Ng3
more than enough g6 10.Bb5+ Bd7 11.Ngxe4
compensation.; Nxe4 12.Bxd7+ Nxd7 13.Nxe4
B) 4...fxe4 5.Nc3! We continue to With a nice positional edge. )
focus on developing our pieces, 8.0-0-0 Bg7 9.dxe5 dxe5
and we use the fact that the pawn ( 9...Qxe5? 10.Nd5!
is still on d4 to meet ...Nc6 We transition into a more or less
effectively. ( 5.dxe5?! Most natural winning endgame. Qxd5
move is met by the energetic 11.Qxd5 Nxd5 12.Bxg7 Rg8
response: Nc6! 6.exd6 Nf6! 13.Bb2 Ne7 14.Nc3 Bf5
7.dxc7 Bb4+! 8.c3 Qxd1+ 9.Kxd1 15.Rg1!? One of the many
Ba5 And despite being a pawn up, options available. The pawn on
Blacks development advantage will e4 cannot survive for long. g5
crash through Whites position. ) 16.g4 Bg6 17.Bg2 Close to
B1) 5...exd4 6.Qxd4 Nf6 lost endgame for Black. ) 10.Nb5!
7.0-0-0 There is no need to rush Very concrete idea, to use the
taking on e4. it is very similar to awkward queen on c7. 0-0
what we have seen after the 4... 11.Ba3 c5 12.Nec3
fxe4, all the ideas remain valid. I just dont see Black surviving
Nc6 8.Qe3 Qe7 ( 8...Be7 9.f3!? such an onslaught, Bc4 and Qd6
Interesting idea, as we are more are possible ideas, and the
than happy if Black opens up questions are almost impossible
more lines. 0-0 10.Kb1 to respond to.;
Prophylaxis against ...Bg5 ideas. B3) 5...Nc6 6.d5
exf3 11.Nxf3 With a strong B3a) 6...Nd4?! An active
initiative, as the extra Black pawn square, but that knight is more
on d6 is not going anywhere, and of a source of play for White.
White has good attacking 7.Nxe4 Nf6 ( 7...Bf5 8.Bd3
prospects. ) 9.Nge2 Bd7 Nf6 9.Nxf6+ Qxf6 10.Bxd4
Black does best to try and castle exd4 11.Ne2
long. 10.Nf4 0-0-0 11.h3 Kb8 White dominates the light
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 5

squares and also the pawn on B3c3) 9...Kf7 10.Nh3!

d4 will be collected. ) 8.Nxf6+ Sharp move, leaving Black
Qxf6 9.Bxd4 exd4 10.Bb5+ with the choice to force the
Black has to make a king matters or continue to
move, so he will play the rest weaken his kingside with ...
of the game with the king in h6. Nxe4 ( 10...h6 11.Nxf6
the center, and also the d4 gxf6 12.0-0-0 Now white
pawn will sooner than later be has a main strategic
collected.; objective to achieve: trade
B3b) 6...Nb8 7.Nxe4 Nf6 the light squares bishop in
8.Nxf6+ Qxf6 9.Bd3 Be7 the near future with Bd3,
10.Ne2 With a strategical after which all the holes on
battle ahead, but at least the kingside become more
White safely secures the e4 vulnerable. ) 11.Bd3!
square for the rest of the game We were relying on this
with a nice edge.; double pin, which allows us
B3c) 6...Nce7 7.Nxe4 Bf5 to safely recapture a piece
8.Qf3!? A clever way to defend either or on e4 or f5. Nc5
the hanging knight Nf6 12.Bxf5 Nxf5 13.Qxf5+ Qf6
( 8...Qd7 9.c4 Nf6 10.Nxf6+ 14.Qh5+ Qg6 15.Qxg6+
gxf6 11.Ne2 With Ng3 Kxg6 16.0-0-0
coming next, Whites position Black successfully entered
is for choice. ) 9.Bb5+! an endgame, but this
Very annoying move to disrupt doesn't mean his troubles
any kind of coordination in ended. f4 next, or Rhe1-f4
Blacks camp. leaves Black in an
B3c1) 9...c6?? 10.dxc6 extremely uncomfortable
bxc6 11.Bxc6+ Nxc6 situation as his king on g6
12.Nxf6+ gxf6 13.Qxf5+-; is more of an issue than a
B3c2) 9...Bd7? 10.Bxd7+ strength. ]
Qxd7 ( 10...Nxd7 11.c4 4.Bb5N
Whites active queen of f3 [ 4.g3 g6 5.Bg2 Bg7 6.Ne2 h5 7.h3
does a tremendous job to f5 8.d3 h4 9.Nd2 Nf6 10.exf5 hxg3
stop anyway for Black to 11.fxg3 Bxf5 12.Ne4 Nxe4 13.dxe4
untangle the position. ) Be6 14.Bc1 Qd7 15.g4 0-0 16.c3
11.Qxf6! Very easy tactics. a5 17.Be3 a4 18.b4 Drazic,S (2508)
gxf6 12.Nxf6+ Kd8 -Lovric,B (2312) Torino 2000 CI1-130
13.Nxd7 Kxd7 14.Rd1 [Drazic,Sinisa] ]
And converting the pawn 4...Bd7 5.Nf3 we have reached a Ruy
advantage into a win is Lopez Stainitz defence, where we have
purely a matter of already b3-Bb2 on the board 5...Nf6
technique.; [ 5...g5!? 6.h3 Bg7 7.d4
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 6

A) 7...exd4 8.Bxc6 bxc6 9.Bxd4 A01

( 9.Nxd4 ) 9...Nf6 10.Qd3! Chapter 2
-0.01/19 Nbd2-0-0-0 next 1...b6
( 10.e5 0.40/22 dxe5 11.Bxe5 ); [Jobava B. / Basso P.L.]
B) 7...exd4= 0.08/22 8.Bxc6
Bxc6; A01: Nimzowitsch-Larsen Opening 1.b3
C) 7...Nxd4 0.39/22 8.Bxd7+ Qxd7 b6 2.e4! Bb7 is the most logical move,
9.Nxd4 exd4 10.Bxd4 Be5 but let's check for fun what happens if
11.Na3 0-0-0 12.Bxe5 dxe5 Black is playing e5, the Sicilian, the
13.Qxd7+ Rxd7 14.Nc4 French, the Scandinavian, or the Caro-
The endgame is clearly in whites Kann with b3-b6 included! :)
favour due to the strange kingside [ 2...c6 the Caro Kann is not so great
structure. ] here 3.d4 d5 4.e5 Bf5 ( 4...c5
6.Nc3 g6 5.dxc5! bxc5 6.c4! ) 5.Be2 e6
[ 6...a6 7.Bxc6 Bxc6 8.Qe2 g6 9.d4! 6.Nf3 This is an improved Caro Kann
Qe7 10.a4! the typical motif Bg7 for White. First of all here Black
11.dxe5 dxe5 12.Ba3 Qe6! doesn't have the Qb6 lines, and in
13.0-0 ] general, b3 can be useful for White to
7.d4! exd4 8.Nxd4 The position is play with c2-c4 ]
equal. 8...Bg7 9.Nxc6 bxc6 [ 2...e6 also the French is not great for
[ 9...Bxc6 10.Bxc6+ bxc6 11.Qd3 Black when b3-b6 are included
Makes whites life even simpler. ] 3.Bb2 d5 4.exd5! exd5 5.Nf3 Bb7
10.Bd3 0-0 11.Qd2 d5 12.0-0-0 Re8 6.a4!? Nf6 7.Qe2+ Qe7 8.Bxf6 gxf6
[ 12...Qe7 13.h4!? d4 14.Ne2 c5 9.Nc3 ]
15.f3 a5! 16.h5 0.01/21 ( 16.a4 [ 2...e5 3.Nf3 very interesting to note
0.44/20 was preferrable. ) 16...a4 that when b3-b6 are included a lot of
0.44/23 ( 16...Nxh5= 0.01/21 lines of the Petroff or the Italian are
deserves consideration. 17.g4 Nf6 ) not playable for Black!
17.hxg6 hxg6 18.Nf4! Hoping for A) 3...Nf6 4.Nxe5 d6??
Bd3-c4. axb3 19.axb3 The game is ( 4...Nxe4?? 5.Qf3+-; 4...Bb7
double-edged, but White seems to be 5.Bc4 Qe7 6.d4 d6 7.Ba3 Nbd7
in time to consolidate his position- ] 8.f4 0-0-0 9.0-0 Nxe5 10.fxe5
13.Rhe1 White coordination is very Nxe4 ) 5.Bb5++- big difference
good and has good prospects to go on comparing to the Petroff!;
and achieve a very big advantage. B) 3...Nc6 4.Bc4 White is already
Weighted Error Value: White=0.01 better Bc5 ( 4...Nf6 5.Ng5 d5
(flawless) /Black=0.06 (flawless) 6.exd5 Na5 7.0-0 ) 5.c3 Nf6
6.d4 exd4 7.e5 d5 8.Bb5+-
thanks to the inclusion of b7-b6,
now the Max Lange variation is just
winning for White ]
[ 2...d5 actually the Scandinavian may
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 7

be the best choice for Black when b3- Rfd8 12.Qc1! unpinning Nc3 d5
b6 are included 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.Nf3! 13.exd5 Nxd5 14.Nxd5 Rxd5
( now would be wrong for White to 15.Rxd5 exd5 16.Ng3;
play the normal 4.Nc3 Qe6+! 5.Be2 B) 3...Nc6 Black stops d2-d4 4.Nf3
Bb7= 6.Nf3 Bxf3! 7.gxf3 Nc6= ) Bb7 5.Nc3
4...Bb7 5.d4 e6 6.Bc4 Qd8 7.Qe2 B1) 5...Nd4 6.Bd3!? defending
Nf6 8.Bb2 Bd6 9.Nc3 0-0 the e4 pawn, and preparing
10.0-0-0!? White has ideas like Nxd4-cxd4-Ne2 Nf6 7.0-0 e6
Ne5-d5, or can start by taking space 8.Re1 Be7 9.Nxd4 cxd4
on the kingside with h4-h5 ] 10.Na4!? e5 11.c3 dxc3
[ 2...c5 if Black wants to play in the 12.Bxc3 d6 ( 12...Qb8 13.Nb2
Sicilian style, then he should start 0-0 14.Nc4 d6 15.Ne3
with 2...c5, as after 3.Bb2 his best is Qf3-Nf5 next ) 13.Bb5+!?
Nc6! without allowing White to play ( 13.Bb2 0-0 14.Nc3
d4-cxd4-Qxd4 3.Bb2 also possible ) 13...Kf8 14.d4
A) 3...Bb7 4.d4!! a key move that Nxe4 15.Bb2 with a huge
almost refutes Black's system initiative;
( 4.Nc3 Nc6 unfortunately gets in B2) 5...e6 6.d4 cxd4 7.Nxd4
the way of our main idea. ) Nf6 8.Nxc6!? Bxc6 9.Bd3
A1) 4...Bxe4? 5.d5 e6 6.Nc3 Thanks to Bb2 White has an
White is too much ahead in interesting version of the Open
development exd5 ( 6...Bg6 Sicilian Bb4 10.Qf3 Rc8 11.0-0
7.h4! h5 8.Nf3+- ) 7.f3 Bg6 Qc7 12.Ne2 ( 12.Ba6!? Rd8
8.Nxd5 Ne7 9.Nh3!?; 13.Nb5 Bxb5 14.Bxb5 Qxc2
A2) 4...cxd4 5.Qxd4 Nc6 15.Bxf6 gxf6 16.Qxf6 Bc3
( 5...a6 6.Nc3 d6 7.0-0-0 e5 17.Rac1 Bxf6 18.Rxc2 )]
8.Qd2 Nf6 9.f4 Nbd7 10.Nf3 3.Nc3 e6
Rc8 11.Bc4 b5 12.Bd5 Qc7 [ 3...g6 4.Bb2 Bg7 5.d4 e6 6.Nf3
13.Bxb7 Qxb7 14.Rhe1 Be7 Ne7 This was reached in my game
15.fxe5 dxe5 1-0 Raahul,V against the German player Seel, and
(2344)-Dizdarevic,E (2423) now White would have been much
Arandjelovac ASK-1 GM 2021 better after 7.h4! h5 8.Qe2
(2) 16.Nd5!+- ) 6.Qd2 Nf6 000 next ]
7.Nc3 e6 8.0-0-0 Bb4 9.f3 4.Bb2 Nf6
Qe7 ( 9...d5 10.a3 Bxc3 [ 4...c5 5.d4 cxd4 6.Qxd4 Nc6
11.Qxc3 0-0 12.exd5 exd5 7.Qd2 transposes in 2...c5 ]
13.Ne2 Rc8 14.Nd4 Nxd4 [ 4...d5 5.exd5 exd5 6.Qe2+!
15.Qxd4 1-0 Daneshvar,B similiar to 2...e6 that we have
(2490)-Santos Ruiz,M (2581) checked before ]
Titled Tuesday intern op 30th 5.e5 Nd5
Aug Early Chess.com INT blitz [ 5...Ne4 6.Nxe4 Bxe4 7.h4!
2022 (11) ) 10.Kb1 0-0 11.Nge2 White wants to take space on the
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 8

kingside with h4-h5 c5 ( 7...d6 A01

8.Qe2 Bb7 9.Nf3; 7...h5 8.Nf3 Be7 Chapter 3
Against Nf3-g5 9.d3 Bb7 10.d4 ) 1...e5 2.Bb2 Nc6 3.e3 sidelin
8.Qg4 Bb7 9.h5 White is already [Jobava B. / Basso P.L.]
better Nc6 10.0-0-0 a6 11.Nf3 h6
12.Kb1 b5 13.d4 cxd4 this was A01: Nimzowitsch-Larsen Opening 1.b3
reached in the game Nihal-Andreikin e5 2.Bb2 Nc6 3.e3 Black's two main
at the 2021 World Cup, and now I moves are 3...Nf6 and 3...d5. In this
suggest 14.Bd3!? with the idea Be4 chapter we will check the sidelines,
and only then White takes back on d4. namely 3...d6, 3...a6 and especially the
According to engines, White is already move 3...g6 3...g6
close to winning ] [ 3...d6 4.Nf3 now Black should
6.Nxd5 Bxd5 7.h4! 0.03/19 same idea decide if he wants to develop with Nf6
as after 5...Ne4 or with f5-Nf6
[ 7.Nf3 0.35/19 is more appropriate. ] A) 4...f5?! 5.d4! as a rule, when
7...c5N 0.42/18 Black plays with f5, we can break
[ 7...d6 8.f4! -0.09/20 ( 8.Nf3 immediately with d4! e4 6.d5! exf3
0.22/19; 8.exd6 Qxd6 9.Rh3 Nd7 ( 6...Nce7 7.Nd4 Nf6 8.c4 Ng6
10.Rd3 Qc6 11.Nf3 0-0-0 12.Ng5 9.Nc3 Be7 10.Qc2 White will
Bc5 13.Qe2 e5 14.Rxd5 Qxd5 continue with 000, with a better
15.c4 Qc6 16.Nxf7 Rdf8 17.Nxh8 position ) 7.dxc6 bxc6 ( 7...fxg2??
Bxf2+ 18.Kd1 Bxh4 19.g3 Bxg3 8.Bxg2+- ) 8.gxf3 we have a
20.Bg2 Qd6 21.Bc3 1...b6 better dark squares bishop and the
[Raunak] ) 8...Be7 ( 8...dxe5 9.fxe5 f5 pawn is clearly misplaced;
Followed by Qg4, long castling with B) 4...Nf6 5.d4!? usually we don't
advantage. ) 9.Qg4 This is clearly break with d2-d4 when Black hasn't
better for White as it not so easy to played f5, but here we'll make an
defend g7. ] exception e4 ( 5...exd4 6.Nxd4
[ 7...a5= 0.03/19 is superior. ] Nxd4 7.Qxd4 Be7 8.Nc3 0-0
8.Qg4 h5 was reached in the Adhiban- 9.0-0-0 Be6 10.Rg1! White will
Salgado 2022 9.Qf4N continue with g2-g4 ) 6.d5! Nb4!
[ 9.Qg3?! Nc6! ] ( 6...exf3 7.dxc6 bxc6 8.Qxf3 )
9...d6 7.Ng5! h6 8.a3 Nxc2+ ( 8...Nbxd5
[ 9...Nc6?? 2.87/21 9...d7-d6 0.39 not 9.Nxe4 Nxe4 10.Qxd5 Nf6
possible after Qf4 10.c4+- 11.Qd2 ) 9.Qxc2 hxg5 10.Bb5+!
where Balck doesn't have Be4 ] Bd7 11.Bxd7+ Qxd7 12.Bxf6 gxf6
[ 9...g6 10.Nh3 Bh6 11.Ng5 ] 13.Qxe4+ Be7 14.Nc3
10.Nf3 Black got outplayed after the engine shows his classical zeros,
opening. Weighted Error Value: White=0. but from a human point of view it
10 (very precise) /Black=0.10 (very looks more pleasant to play with
precise) White ]
[ 3...a6 this move is against Bb5 4.c4
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 9

A) 4...d5!? this is an engine-style not great, but still we have an extra

move 5.cxd5 Qxd5 6.Nc3 Qd6 pawn and Black should be the one
7.Nf3 Bf5 8.a3! against Nb4 ideas proving compensation here ) 12.Be2
Nf6 9.b4 e4! ( 9...Be7 10.b5! ) b6 and Here I like the following plan:
10.Qc2!? Rd8 11.Rd1; A) 13.0-0 Bb7 14.Bf3 Bxf3
B) 4...Nf6 5.Nf3 but comparing to 15.Qxf3 Qxd2 0.38/24 ( 15...f6=
the line 1.b3 e5 2.Bb2 Nc6 3.e3 Nf6 0.01/19 ) 16.Ne4;
4.Nf3, which we will check in a few B) 13.h4!? Bb7 14.Bf3 Bxf3
chapters, includes the moves a6 15.Qxf3 White wants to continue
and c4 is clearly in White's favour ] with h5 Qd3! 16.Qe2 the position
4.Nf3 is unclear, but from the practical
[ 4.f4 would be in true Larsen spirit, point of view it should be more fun
but unfortunately modern engines are to play White here ]
showing a concrete solution for Black [ 5...f5 6.d4 e4 7.Ng1! Nce7 8.Nc3
Bg7 5.Nf3 d6 6.Bb5 Nge7! 7.fxe5 Nf6 Shimanov-Niemann 2021 9.d5
0-0! and Black is completely fine ] 0-0 10.Nge2 ]
4...Bg7 5.c4 6.Nc3 now Black should decide if he
[ 5.d4 e4! 6.Nfd2 f5 and Black has a wants to play with Nge7, with Nf6 or
good game ] with f5+Nf6
5...d6 consolidating the e5 pawn [ 6.d4 exd4 7.Nxd4 Nxd4 8.Bxd4
[ 5...Nge7 allows a nice idea 6.b4! Nf6 9.Be2 0-0 10.0-0 Re8 11.Bf3
Nxb4! Black should go for a concrete c6 12.Nc3 Be6 13.Rc1 Re7 14.e4
play ( 6...d6 7.b5 Nb8 8.d4 0-0 Rd7 15.Qd2 a6 16.Rfd1 b5 17.Ne2
happened in Karjakin-Kramnik blitz bxc4 18.bxc4 Rb8 19.Nf4 Qe7
2019 9.dxe5! Nd7 10.Be2 Nxe5 20.g3 c5 Gallardo Garcia,A (2707)-
11.Nxe5 Bxe5 12.Bxe5 dxe5 5.f3 c6 6.Qd2 b5 (2730) Paris 2018
13.Qb3 White has some extra space 200 Traps In The Opening [Rechel,B]
on the queenside, and a more 1-0 (55) ]
pleasant position ) 7.Bxe5 Bxe5 [ 6.Be2 f5 7.h4 h6 8.Nc3 Nf6 9.d4
8.Nxe5 White has an extra central e4 10.Ng1 Ne7 11.d5 c5 12.Nh3
pawn. The only way for Black to 0-0 13.Nf4 a6 14.Qd2 Rb8 15.f3
justify this is to play something fast Qe8 16.0-0-0 b5 17.Rdg1 b4
0-0 9.a3! Nbc6 10.Nxc6 dxc6! 18.Nd1 a5 19.Nf2 a4 20.Bd1 a3
playing for a very fast development 3...g6-N,N [Raunak] (39) ]
( 10...Nxc6 11.Nc3 ) 11.Nc3 ( 11.d4 6...Nge7N
c5! 12.dxc5 Qxd1+ 13.Kxd1 Bf5 ) [ 6...f5 7.d4! only against f5 we will
11...c5! against d2-d4 ( 11...Bf5 break immediately with d4! e4 8.Ng1!
allows 12.d4 c5 13.dxc5 the knight belongs to the e2 square
comparing to 11.d4, here if Black Nf6 9.Nge2 0-0 10.h4! ensuring
exchanges queens White can take the f4 square. We can then continue
back with the rook. It's true that our with Nf4-Qd2-000 with a very
pawn structure on the queenside is interesting position, where it should
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 10

be unpleasant to play Black ] with a long game where White has

[ 6...Nf6 7.Be2 0-0 8.0-0 ( 8.d3 d5 the more pleasant side;
9.cxd5 Nxd5 10.Nxd5 Qxd5 11.0-0 B) 5.d4 exd4! ( 5...e4?! 6.Nfd2
a5 12.a3 Be6 13.Nd2 Qd7 14.Qc2 0-0 7.g4!N Re8 8.g5 Nd5 9.h4 )
#6 The Brave and The Bold: 1.b3 -3. 6.exd4 0-0 7.Be2 Re8
c4 g6 ) 8...e4!? ( 8...Re8 9.d3 h6 ( 7...Bb4+?! 8.c3 Be7 9.d5 Nb8
10.a3 White can continue with useful 10.0-0 d6 11.c4 ) 8.d5 Ne5
moves like Re1-Bf1 with a fighting 9.0-0 c6 10.c4 more pleasant for
but slightly better position ) 9.Ne1 Re8 White ]
10.d3 Bf5 11.Nxe4 Nxe4 12.Bxg7 [ 4...d6 5.d4
Kxg7 13.dxe4 Bxe4 14.Bf3 A) 5...Bg4?! 6.h3 Bxf3 ( 6...Bh5
we have the typical slighly better 7.Bb5 ) 7.Qxf3 e4 8.Qe2
structure ] next c4-Nc3-Qc2 and sometimes
7.Be2 0-0 8.0-0 h6 9.Rc1 Be6 g4;
10.d3 0.03/17 we have reached an B) 5...e4 6.d5 Nb4! ( 6...exf3
interesting middlegame position, where 7.dxc6 bxc6 8.Qxf3 ) 7.Ng5 h6
we can continue with moves like ( 7...Nbxd5 8.Nxe4 Nxe4 9.Qxd5
Re1-Bf1-Rc2-Qa1. We are slightly Nf6 10.Qd3 ) 8.a3 Nxc2+ 9.Qxc2
better, but of course, all the fight is hxg5 10.Bb5+! Bd7 11.Bxd7+
ahead. Not much happened in this game. Qxd7 12.Bxf6 gxf6 13.Qxe4+ Be7
Weighted Error Value: White=0.06 14.Nc3 more pleasant for White;
(flawless) /Black=0.08 (flawless) C) 5...exd4 6.Nxd4 Nxd4 7.Qxd4
[ 10.d4 0.35/20 should be Be7 8.Nc3 c6 ( 8...0-0? 9.Nd5!
considered. exd4 11.exd4 ( 11.Nxd4 c6 10.Nxe7+ Qxe7 11.0-0-0
Nxd4 12.exd4 Nf5= )] next Rg1-g4 ) 9.0-0-0 Be6
10.Kb1 Qb6 11.Qf4 0-0-0
12.e4 ]
A01 5.Nd4 Nxd4
Chapter 4 [ 5...d5 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.c4 Bd6
1...e5 2.Bb2 Nc6 3.e3 Nf6 8.cxd5 ( 8.Qc2!? possible if White
[Jobava B. / Basso P.L.] wants to have a game without
allowing the engine-style draw in the
A01: Nimzowitsch-Larsen Opening 1.b3 8.cxd5 line 0-0 9.c5! Be7 10.d3
e5 2.Bb2 Nc6 3.e3 Nf6 4.Nf3 e4 Nd2 next with some initiative )
[ 4...Bd6 here White has two 8...cxd5 9.Bb5+
interesting ways A) 9...Bd7 White has now an easy
A) 5.d3!? more positional 0-0 play 10.Bxf6 gxf6 ( 10...Qxf6
6.Nbd2 with Nc4 ideas Re8 7.Be2 11.Bxd7+ Kxd7 12.Nc3 c6
( 7.Nc4?! now it's not so good 13.Qe2 ) 11.Bxd7+ Qxd7
because Black has the f8 square 12.Nc3;
and e5 pawn is defended Bb4+ B) 9...Kf8! 10.Bc6!? Rb8 11.Nc3
8.c3 Bf8 ) 7...Bf8 8.c4 Rb6! ( 11...Be5 12.Qc2 Ba6
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 11

13.Na4 ) 12.Bxd5 Nxd5 13.Nxd5 Bb4+!? ) 7...d5 8.Nxc6 bxc6 9.Qc2

Qg5 14.Nxb6 Qxg2 15.Nxc8 Nc3-cxd5 next with a very
Qxh1+ 16.Ke2 Qf3+= ] interesting position for both sides ]
[ 5...Bc5 6.d3 6.Bxd4 The position is equal. 6...Be7
A) 6...0-0 7.Nxc6 dxc6 8.Nd2 [ 6...d5 I am always very happy when I
exd3 9.Bxd3 Bg4! ( 9...Re8 face this move 7.c4!
10.0-0 Bd6 11.Nc4 ) 10.Qc1 Bh5 A) 7...c6 8.Nc3 Be7 0.45/22
11.0-0 Bg6 12.Nf3; ( 8...Bf5= 0.01/19 was preferrable. )
B) 6...Nxd4 7.exd4 9.cxd5 cxd5 10.Bb5+! Bd7
B1) 7...Be7 8.dxe4 Nxe4 9.Bd3 11.Bxd7+ Qxd7 12.0-0 0-0
d5 10.Bxe4! dxe4 11.Nd2 0-0 13.f3 ½-½ Bernadskiy,V (2617)-
( 11...f5?! 12.Qh5+ g6 13.Qe2 Ceres,D (2380) Lancenigo op 2022
f3-000 next ) 12.Nxe4 Bb4+ (2);
13.c3 Re8 14.0-0 Rxe4 B) 7...c5?! many Black players
15.cxb4 Be6 16.f3 Rh4 have played this move, but White
17.Re1 1-0 So,W (2752)-Ter is already better here 8.Bxf6 Qxf6
Sahakyan,S (2643) Titled 9.Nc3
Tuesday intern op 19th Dec B1) 9...dxc4 0.62/21 9...d5-d4 0.
Early Chess.com INT blitz 2023 26 10.Bxc4 Qg6 0.92/20
(9) engine can hold, but in a ( 10...Bf5 0.60/20 ) 11.Qc2!;
human game the extra pawn B2) 9...d4 10.Nxe4 Qe5
should mean something; 11.Bd3 dxe3 12.dxe3 Bf5
B2) 7...Bb6 8.Nd2 exd3 9.Bxd3 aiming for ...0-0-0. 13.f4! Qe6
0-0 10.0-0 d5 11.h3 14.Qf3 Rd8 15.Bc2;
White has the more pleasant C) 7...c6= 0.01/21;
position: Re8 12.Re1 c6 D) 7...dxc4 0.33/21 8.Bxc4 Bd6
13.Rxe8+ Qxe8 14.c4 Be6 9.Nc3 Bf5 ( 9...0-0?! 10.Bxf6
15.Nf3 Rd8 16.Qc2 Re1 next; Qxf6 11.Nxe4 Qg6 12.Ng3! )
B3) 7...Bb4+ 8.c3 Be7 9.dxe4 10.f3 0-0 is the strong threat. 0-0
Nxe4 10.Bd3 d5 11.0-0 11.0-0 exf3 0.79/22 ( 11...Bg6?
( 11.Bxe4?! dxe4 12.Nd2 f5 12.f4! Black must now prevent f4-
with Bb2 closed by the c3 pawn f5. Bf5 13.h3 g4 next; 11...Nd7
now Black is fine ) 11...0-0 0.33/23 ) 12.Qxf3 Bg6 13.Bxf6
12.Nd2 Nxd2 13.Qxd2 Bd6 Qxf6 14.Qxb7 ( 14.Qxf6 gxf6
14.Rfe1 c6 15.a4!? Ba3 next 15.Rxf6 Rad8= Black has the full
exchanging the bad bishop, and compensation ) 14...Qe5! 15.g3
White will have the more Rad8! 16.Rad1 Black has some
pleasant game ] compensation, but not a full one
[ 5...h5!? engine style move, but a and White can hope to achieve
very interesting fighting option 6.c4 something with his extra central
Rh6! 7.a3!? with the idea d2-d3, pawn ]
without allowing Bb4+ ideas ( 7.d3 7.c4 0-0
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 12

[ 7...b6 8.Nc3 Bb7 9.Rb1!?N bishops and the e4 pawn could be

an amazing idea that I invented a few potentially weak ]
years ago. I had 2 ideas: - play b3- 11.Bh4! Nd7
b4 - unpin the c3 night in the case I [ 11...d5!? 12.Bxf6 Bxf6 13.cxd5
will play Bxf6-Bxf6-Nd5 0-0 ( 9...c5 engine shows 0.00 but I think White
10.Bxf6 Bxf6 11.Nd5 Bxd5 12.cxd5 has a very easy play, as you can see
White can continue with g2-g3 and in my game against Elham in title
he is slighly better in this opposite tuesday 2022 ]
colour bishops middlegame ) 10.b4 12.Bxe7 Qxe7 13.d4 Nb6 14.a4 a5
now Black cannot play with c5 15.Qd2 Rfd8 16.d5 Bg6 17.h4 Bh5
immediately d6 11.Qc2 Re8 12.b5 18.Be2 ½-½ Jobava,B (2687)-So,W
a6 13.a4 White will continue with (2810) FIDE World Cup Tbilisi 2017 (4.2)
Be2-00 and he has the more as you will see in the model game
pleasant game in my opinion ] session, from here I was pressing
8.Nc3 c5N this is critical and now it's against Wesley So in World Cup 2017.
important to understand White's ideas A rather calm draw. Weighted Error
[ 8...c6 9.Be2 d5 10.cxd5 cxd5 Value: White=0.03 (flawless) /Black=0.
11.0-0 Be6 12.d3 -0.01/19 05 (flawless)
( 12.Rc1 0.32/17 a6 13.f4 exf3
14.Bxf3 Qd6 15.Ne2 Nd7 16.Qe1
Bf6 17.Bxf6 Nxf6 18.Nd4 Rac8 A01
19.Rxc8 Bxc8 20.Qc1 Bd7 21.Qb2 Chapter 5
Rc8 22.Rc1 Rxc1+ 23.Qxc1 g6 1...e5 Main line 4....Nge7 /
24.Qc3 Kf8 25.b4 Ke7 26.a3 h5 [Jobava B. / Basso P.L.]
27.Nb3 Chapter Fast Lane-Games
Game 1 (31) )] A01: Nimzowitsch-Larsen Opening 1.b3
9.Be5 d6 10.Bg3 in order to fight for e5 2.Bb2 Nc6 3.e3 d5 This is the
the d5 square and the e4 pawn White most ambitious line for the Black side,
will play later Bh4 10...Bf5 and for this reason we should play
[ 10...d5 played by Vladimir Kramnik, concretely against it 4.Bb5! Nge7N
who always has interesting ideas, not this is an interesting line played by a lot
only in chess :) 11.cxd5 Nxd5 of strong players, where Black gives a
12.Bc4 ( 12.Nxe4 it is possible to take paw but tries to fight for some initiative
the pawn, but I don't recommend it [ 4...f6 5.d4!
Bf5 13.Qf3 Qd7 14.Be2 ) 12...Nxc3 A) 5...Bb4+?! 6.c3 Bd6 7.dxe5
13.dxc3 Qxd1+ ( 13...Qa5?! 0.31/22 Bxe5 ( 7...fxe5 8.Qxd5 Nf6
13...Be7-f6 -0.01 0-1 Sokolovsky,Y 9.Bxc6+ bxc6 10.Qxc6+ Bd7
(2464) -Kramnik,V (2753) Titled 11.Qc4 ) 8.f4! followed by Qxd5;
Tuesday intern op 08th Aug Early B) 5...e4 doesn't look great when
Chess.com INT blitz 2023 (5) 14.0-0! Black has played f7-f6 6.c4 a6
Qxc3 15.Qd5 ) 14.Rxd1 7.Bxc6+ bxc6 8.Ne2 f5 9.cxd5
in this endgame White has better cxd5 10.Ba3! Bxa3 11.Nxa3 Nf6
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 13

12.Rc1 Qd6 13.Nb1! next Nbc3- pawn 8...d4!

Na4 where the c5 square and [ 8...Bg4?! 0.39/21 8...d5-d4 0.01
Black's c pawn will be weak 9.Ne2 d4 10.f3 Be6 ( 10...Bf5 11.e4
forever; Be6 12.d3 ) 11.exd4 Nxd4 12.Nxd4
C) 5...exd4 the most logical, but Qxd4 13.Nc3 0-0-0 14.Ne2 Qb2!
White gets an easy play 6.Qxd4 ( 14...Qd5 0.65/19 14...Qd4-b2 0.33
Nge7 7.Nc3 Be6 ( 7...a6? 15.d4 ) 15.Qc1 Qxc1+! 16.Rxc1
8.Bxc6+ bxc6 9.0-0-0 ) 8.0-0-0 Black has some but not full
a6 9.Bxc6+ Nxc6 10.Qd3 Qd7 compensation for the pawn ]
11.Nge2 Nf4 next ] [ 8...Bd6 9.Bxd6 Qxd6 10.d4 Qg6
[ 4...Bd6 5.f4 ( 5.Nf3 f6 6.d4 e4 11.Kf1 Bf5 12.c3! White keeps his
7.Nfd2 a6 8.Bxc6+ bxc6 9.c4 Be6 extra pawn ]
10.Qc2 f5 11.Nc3 Qh4 12.cxd5 9.Ne2 Bd6 0.38/20 this position was
cxd5 13.Na4 Ne7 14.g3 Qh5 reached in the game So-Moussard,
15.Qd1 Qxd1+ 16.Kxd1 0-0 17.Rc1 World Cup 2023. Now I suggest to play
g5 18.Nc5 Bc8 19.Rg1 Ng6 [ 9...dxe3= 0.01/20 10.dxe3 Qxd1+
11.h4 b4 12.Nce2 d5-Winawer 7.Qg4 11.Kxd1 Bg4 ]
0-0 line India 2020 CBM 98 ext 10.Bxd6 Qxd6 11.exd4 Engine shows
[Nickel] ) 5...f6 ( 5...Qh4+ 6.g3 Qe7 0.00, but in a real game Black is the one
7.Nf3 f6 8.Nc3 Be6 9.Qe2 a6 who needs to know the precise moves
10.Bxc6+ bxc6 11.0-0-0 Nh6 11...Nxd4
12.Na4 e4 13.Nd4 Bg4 14.Qf1 [ 11...Bg4!? 12.f3 0-0-0!
Bxd1 15.Qxd1 c5 16.Ne2 0-0 17.h3 Engine shows 0.00, but in a real game
c4 18.Kb1 Ba3 19.Bc3 Rab8 20.g4 Black is the one who needs to know
Ismagambetov,A (2531)-Lahiri,A precise moves 13.d5!? 0.01/25
(2361) Dahka BAN 2009 [Nigel ( 13.fxg4 aiming for c2-c3. Nxd4;
Davies] 0-1 (57) ) 6.Ne2 Nge7 7.fxe5 13.fxg4 0.78/25 Strongly threatening
fxe5 8.0-0 a6 9.Bxc6+ Nxc6 Nb1-c3. Rde8 14.c3 )
10.Ng3 Be6 11.e4 Bc5+ 12.Kh1 d4 A) 13...Qxd5 1.07/23 13...Bg4xf3 0.
13.d3 Qd7 14.Qh5+ g6 15.Qh6 Bf8 01 14.Nbc3
16.Qg5 Qe7 17.Qf6 Qxf6 18.Rxf6 A1) 14...Qe5? 15.fxg4
Kd7 19.c3 Moradiabadi,E-Genovese, Threatens to win with g4-g5.
A Deutschland 110/(53) 2000 CBM Rhe8 2.70/22 ( 15...Nd4
104 ext [Khalifman,Alexander; 1.28/23 ) 16.0-0+-;
Komarov,D] 0-1 ] A2) 14...Qc5! 0 against 15.Ne4
5.Bxe5 a6! 6.Bxc6+ Nxc6 Black's 0.36/23 ( 15.fxg4 0.77/22
idea is that if White plays Bb2, he can Black must now prevent d2-d3.
play Qg5! 7.Bg3 Rhe8 16.Kf1 ) 15...Qe7! 16.d3
[ 7.Bb2?! Qg5! and Black has the Bf5 17.Qd2;
initiative ] B) 13...Bxf3= 14.gxf3 Qxd5
7...h5 8.h4 Black needs to play fast in 15.Nbc3 ( 15.Kf2!? ) 15...Qxf3
order to create some counterplay for the 16.Rf1 Qh3 17.d3! White would be
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 14

better if not Nb4! 18.Rf4 Nxd3+ A01

19.cxd3 Rxd3 20.Qc2 Qh1+ Chapter 6
21.Kf2 Qh2+= with a perpetual 1...e5 Main line 4...Bd6
check ] [Jobava B. / Basso P.L.]
12.Nxd4 Qxd4 13.Nc3 Bg4 0.58/25
Against Qd1-e2+ A01: Nimzowitsch-Larsen Opening 1.b3
[ 13...0-0!= 0.08/22 ] e5 2.Bb2 Nc6 3.e3 d5 This is the
14.Ne2! and now Black has only one most ambitious line for the Black side,
good square and for this reason we should play
[ 14.f3?? -0.40/24 14.Nc3-e2 0.69 concretely against it 4.Bb5! Bd6
careful! 0-0-0! ] this is Black's classical main move 5.f4!
14...Qf6 keeping an eye on Ra1 and let's go all-in! 5...Qh4+
pawn h4 15.f3 [ 5...exf4?? 6.Bxg7 Qh4+ 7.Kf1 fxe3
a b c d e f g h
8.Qe1 Qf4+ 9.Nf3+- ]
[ 5...f6 6.Nc3!? Nge7 7.fxe5 fxe5
8 8
8.Qh5+ g6 9.Qh4 and now Black has
7 7 to find Be6, that is not obvious as
White has Qf6 ideas Be6 10.Nf3
6 6
( 10.Qf6 Black hold thanks to Kd7!!
5 5 11.Nf3 a6 12.Ng5 Qg8 13.Bxc6+
Nxc6 14.Nxe6 Qxe6 15.0-0= )
4 4
10...a6 ( 10...Qd7? 11.Ne2 ) 11.Be2
3 3 the position now is very interesting
A) 11...Qd7 12.Ng5 Nf5 13.Qh3
2 2
Bg8! Black needs to keep the light-
1 1 squares bishop ( 13...0-0-0?!
a b c d e f g h 14.Nxe6 Qxe6 15.e4! dxe4
0-0-0! 16.d4! Rhe8! 17.Kf2! 16.Nxe4 ) 14.0-0 0-0-0 15.Bg4
Black had to find many only moves. Now Rf8 16.e4! dxe4 17.Ncxe4 Be7
White will continue with Qd2-Rae1, 18.Rf2 Raf1 next;
and still Black is the one who needs to B) 11...Nf5 12.Qxd8+ Rxd8
show something. Weighted Error Value: 13.0-0-0 ( 13.e4 would be nice,
White=0.03 (flawless) /Black=0.07 but Black has d4! 14.exf5 dxc3
(flawless) 15.Bxc3 gxf5= ) 13...Rf8
[ Don't go for 17.fxg4? Rxd4 18.Rh3 ( 13...0-0?? 14.Ng5+-; 13...h6?!
Rxd1+ 19.Rxd1 hxg4-+ ] 14.e4 d4 15.exf5 dxc3 16.Bxc3
gxf5 17.Rhe1 ) 14.Rhf1 ( 14.e4
Nfd4! ) 14...Bg8 ( 14...h6 15.e4
Nfd4 16.Nxd4 Nxd4 17.Bd3 )
15.e4 Nfd4 16.Nxd4 Nxd4
17.Rxf8+ Kxf8 18.Bf1 c6 19.g3
/= Bg2 next, with a slightly more
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 15

pleasant endgame for White ] Prevents Qd6-a3+. Rae8 15.Bd3

[ 5...Qe7?! if Black wants to play with Re7 0.68/22 ( 15...h5 0.32/19 )
Qe7, then it's better for him to include 16.g4 Rfe8 17.g5! Rxe3 18.Qf2
Qh4+ g3. Why? For a few reasons: - Nh5 19.Rhf1 Nd8 0.72/25
with the pawn on g3 White will not ( 19...R8e7!= 0.22/24 ) 20.Qf5 g6
have Qe1-Qh4 ideas - with the pawn 21.Qxd5 ]
on g3, after White plays 00, it will be 8.Nc3! Be6
harder for him to play h3 against Bg4 [ 8...d4?! Jobava-Nakamura 2012
- with the pawn on g3 White's light 9.Ne4!N dxe3 10.Qe2! 0.01/21
squares on the kingside are in ( 10.fxe5 0.38/21 Bg4 11.0-0 )
general weaker 6.Nf3 f6 ( 6...Bg4? 10...exf4= ( 10...exd2+ 11.Nfxd2
7.0-0 ) 7.Nc3! Be6 8.0-0 Black should prevent Nd2-c4. Nh6
A) 8...a6 9.Bxc6+ bxc6 10.fxe5 12.Bxc6+ bxc6 13.Qc4! Bd7
fxe5 11.Nxe5! Bxe5 12.Qh5+ Bf7 14.0-0-0 Nf7 15.g4! 0-0 16.f5
13.Rxf7 Bxh2+ 14.Qxh2 Qxf7 White can continue with h4-g5.
15.Qe5+ Kd7 ( 15...Qe7?? Prevents Bd7-e6. ) 11.Nxd6+ cxd6
16.Nxd5 Qxe5 17.Bxe5 cxd5 12.0-0-0! ]
18.Bxg7+- ) 16.Na4 Nf6 17.Nc5+ [ 8...Qf7 9.fxe5 fxe5 10.0-0 Nf6
Kc8 18.Rf1; 11.d4 exd4 12.Nxd4 Bd7 13.e4
B) 8...0-0-0 9.Bxc6 bxc6 10.Na4 Nxd4 14.Qxd4 c5 15.Qa4 d4 16.e5
Bg4 11.h3! this wouldn't be Bxe5 17.Rae1 0-0 18.Rxe5 dxc3
possible if Black would have 19.Bxc3 Bxb5 20.Qxb5 b6 21.a4
included g2-g3 (with Qh4+ first) ! Rae8 22.Rxe8 Qxe8 23.Qxe8
Bh5 12.Qe1 exf4 13.Nd4 fxe3 10.Ba3 b6 11.ba5 Nh5_7469 (2757)-
14.Nf5; Dias,M (2618) Russia 2021 CBM 090
C) 8...Nh6 9.fxe5 fxe5 10.e4 d4 Extra [Zsolt Karacsony] 1-0 (54) ]
( 10...dxe4? 11.Nxe4 0-0 12.Bxc6 9.fxe5N
bxc6 13.Qe2 1-0 Arencibia [ White shouldn't play in the same
Rodriguez,W (2513)-Kaidanov,G fashion as after 5...Qe7 9.0-0
(2624) Olympiad-34 Istanbul 2000 A) 9...0-0-0 10.Bxc6 0.54/22
(13.2) ) 11.Nd5 Qd7 12.Ng5 Bg4 ( 10.d4= 0.15/19 ) 10...bxc6
( or 12...0-0-0 13.Qh5 Bg4 11.Na4 Bg4! because of g2-g3
14.Qh4 ) 13.Qe1 0-0-0 14.Qh4 White now doesn't have h3, and in
Qh4 wouldn't be possible with general his light squares are
White's pawn on g3 ] weaker;
6.g3 Qe7 7.Nf3 f6! B) Better is 9...0-0-0= 0.00/24;
[ 7...Bg4 0.66/23 7...f7-f6 0.23 White C) 9...Nh6 0.51/23 10.fxe5 fxe5
has now an easy play 8.fxe5! Bxe5 11.e4 d4 12.Nd5 Qd7 13.Ng5
9.Bxe5 Bxf3 10.Qxf3 Qxe5 11.Nc3 Bg4 Inhibits Qd1-h5+. 14.Qe1
Nf6 12.0-0-0 0-0 13.d4 Qd6 -0.15/23 ( 14.Be2 0.48/21 )
14.Kb2 next g4-g5 putting pressure 14...0-0-0 and White doesn't
on the g5 pawn. For example:. have the Qh4 idea, as he would
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 16

have been in the same position with Qxc1+ 19.Rxc1 ( 19.Bxc1 Nd7 )]
the pawn still on g2 ] [ 16...Bxe5? 17.dxe5 Ng4 18.Bd4+- ]
[ 9.Qe2 a6 10.Bxc6+ bxc6 11.0-0-0 17.Nxg4
Nh6 12.Na4 e4 13.Nd4 Bg4 14.Qf1 [ Don't go for 17.Qd2? Qf2+ 18.Kd1
Bxd1 15.Qxd1 c5 16.Ne2 0-0 17.h3 Bxe5 19.dxe5 Ne3+ 20.Kc1 Nc4-+ ]
c4 18.Kb1 Ba3 19.Bc3 Rab8 20.g4 17...Bxg4 18.Qd2! Qxd2+
c5 21.Rg1 Nf7 22.g5 fxg5 23.h4 [ Don't play 18...Bxb4 19.c3 Qxd2+
Qd7 Ismagambetov,A (2531)-Lahiri,A 20.Kxd2 ]
(2361) Dahka BAN 2009 [Nigel 19.Kxd2 0-0! next ...Rf8-f2 is good for
Davies] 0-1 (57) ] Black. 20.h3 very unclear. Weighted
9...fxe5 10.d4 aiming for d4xe5. White Error Value: White=0.10 (very precise) /
has an edge. 10...e4 11.Ne5 Black=0.01 (flawless)
Balck needs to find a few strong and
difficult moves to fight for equality
11...Qg5! A30
[ 11...Bxe5 the only move that was Chapter 7
played here, but a mistake 12.dxe5 1...g6 Symmetrical Gruenfeld
A) 12...Qc5 13.Bxc6+ bxc6 [Jobava B. / Basso P.L.]
14.Qd2 Bg4 1.36/22 ( 14...Ne7
0.38/21 ) 15.Na4 Qc3 next; A11: English Opening: 1...c6 1.b3 g6
B) 12...Qg5 13.Bxc6+! bxc6 2.Bb2 Nf6 3.c4! we start immediately
14.Qd4 Threatens to win with Nc3- with c4 so that if Black ever plays d7-d5
e2. Ne7 15.0-0-0 Nf5 0.46/23 (without c7-c6) we can take cxd5
( 15...Bg4= 0.11/20 should be 3...Bg7 4.g3 0-0 5.Bg2 c6
considered. ) 16.Qa4! Qxe3+ [ 5...c5 6.Nc3 Nc6 7.Nf3 d5 8.cxd5
17.Kb1+- Qxc6 next ] Nxd5 9.Qc1 Nxc3 10.Bxc3 e5 11.d3
[ 11...a6 0.63/22 11...Qe7-g5 0.26 Bd7 12.Nd2 Rc8 13.Ne4 Qe7 14.h4
12.Bxc6+ 0.25/23 ( 12.Qh5+ 0.63/22 Nd4 15.f3 b5 16.Bd2 c4 17.dxc4
g6 13.Nxg6 ) 12...bxc6= 13.Qd2 bxc4 18.bxc4 Qe6 19.Bh3 f5 20.c5
000 next ] Unusual Openings Larsen-4.Bg2 0-0
12.Nxc6 a6! 5. c4 Survey 2020 Lexikon20
[ 12...Qxe3+?! 0.87/23 12...a7-a6 0. [Ftacnik] ]
27 13.Qe2 Qxe2+ 14.Kxe2 6.Nf3 d5 7.0-0 Welcome to our chess
Hoping for Nc6-a5+. a6 15.Ba4 b5 journey into the Fianchetto Gruenfeld
16.Nxb5! axb5 17.Bxb5 Bd7 style variation! This is where the fun
Strongly threatening ...Ng8-e7. begins. Instead of boring memorization,
18.a4 ] we'll enter into the exciting strategies
13.Ba4 Nf6! 14.Ne5+! c6 15.b4!? behind each move. We'll walk you
0.01/22 through the common moves, explaining
[ 15.Qd2 0.70/19 ] the smart ideas behind them and how to
15...Qxe3+= 16.Ne2 Ng4! respond as White. And to spice things
[ 16...Bxb4+ 17.c3 Ba5 18.Qc1 up, we'll explore some model games
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 17

after each of Black's moves, so you can Nxc3 11.Bxc3 Nb6!= ) 10...Nxd2
see these strategies in action. 7...a5N ( 10...Ndf6 11.Ne5 ) 11.Qxd2 dxc4
This move is the most popular choice at 12.bxc4 e5!? 13.Qc2 exd4 14.Nxd4
the highest level. Black aims to expand Nc5 15.Rad1 Qb6 16.Ba3 Re8
on the queenside and prepares for a5- 17.Rb1 Qa7 18.e3 ]
a4, employing the strategic concept [ 7...Re8 now a4 would be less logical,
known as the 'signal of attack.' Aaron because Black's knight is still on b8,
Nimzowitsch brilliantly articulated this so it will be easier for him to play a5-
idea around a century ago in his Na6-Nb4 with a fine game. But from
seminal work, 'My System.' the other hand we can play the
[ We begin with the moves Nbd7 and immediate 8.d4 because if now Black
Re8. In both cases, Black's idea is to plays 8...b5 we can play Ne5! 8.d4
play e7-e5 7...Nbd7 8.a4! ( 8.a4 a5!= ) 8...Bf5 ( 8...b5 9.Ne5!;
a4! It's a move we will play only now. 8...Ne4 9.Ne5 Bf5 10.Nc3 trans )
Why? Let's follow the logic: a4 9.Nc3 ( 9.e3 Nbd7 10.Qe2 dxc4
weakens the b4 square, which could 11.Qxc4 e5 12.dxe5 Ng4 13.e6
allow Black to capitalize by playing a7- Bxe6 14.Qe2 Bxb2 15.Qxb2 #2
a5 and Na6-Nb4. However, since The Brave and The KID: Nf6-g6,d-7..
Black has already developed the .Re8 8.d4 Bf5 ) 9...Ne4 10.Ne5!
knight to d7, exploiting the b4 square now it's hard for Black to play Nd7
becomes less feasible. But what are because the d5 pawn would be
the benefits of playing a4? Generally, hanging. This means that White has at
White aims to seize space on the least a pleasant advantage. Let's
queenside, with the potential for follow a high-level game played by
moves like Ba3. However, the most the strong grand master Banusz
crucial aspect is preventing Black Tamas in 2023 Nxc3 11.Bxc3 dxc4
from playing b7-b5. In fact, if White Black understands that the d5 pawn
starts with 8.d4, Black has the strong is a problem, and because of it he
response 8...b5!. So 8.a4 is also cannot play Nd7, so he decides just to
preventing Black from playing b7-b5 trade it, but in this way White will get
( 8.d4 b5!= ) 8...a5 ( 8...Re8 9.d4 an extra central pawn 12.Nxc4 Qc8
Ne4 10.Nc3 Nxc3 11.Bxc3 Nf6 13.e4 Bh3 14.Qc2 Bxg2 15.Kxg2
12.Ne5 ) 9.d4 Since we've stopped Nd7 16.Rad1 Qc7 Black wants to
Black from playing b7-b5, thanks to play e7-e5 at some moment, White
the inclusion of a4-a5, it's time for decided to play f2-f4 to prevent it, that
our next move: d2-d4. It's pretty is fine, but it's not the only possible
straightforward: Black wants to play way
e7-e5, so we block that with d2-d4 A) 17.Rfe1!? Rad8 ( 17...e5
Ne4 10.Nbd2 White is typically 18.d5 ) 18.h4 e5 19.d5 cxd5
slightly better in these positions, but 20.Rxd5 Nb6 21.Rxd8 Rxd8
let's check what happens if Black 22.Ba5 Qc5 23.Qc1 Nxb6 next;
plays in a concrete way ( 10.Nc3 B) 17.f4 e6 18.Bb4 b6?!
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 18

( 18...Nb6! was Balck's last chance ( 13...Qc7? 14.Qxe7; 13...e6

to maintain a balanced game ) 14.Rad1 Qc7 15.Qe2 c5 16.d5
19.e5 a5 20.Bd6 1-0 Banusz,T Bxb2 17.Qxb2 exd5 18.cxd5
(2616) -Thorhallsson,T (2392) Rfe8 19.Nd2 ) 14.Qe2 e6
Reykjavik op 2023 (8) and White 15.Rad1;
was dominating ] A2) 12...c5 13.Nxf6+ Bxf6
[ 7...dxc4 8.bxc4 c5 By playing dxc4- ( 13...Nxf6 14.d5 ) 14.d5 e6!
bxc4-c5, Black is changing the this is probably the only way for
dynamics of the game. White has an Black to achieve just a slightly
extra central pawn, and the g2 bishop worse position 15.dxe6 fxe6
strengthens. On the other hand, 16.Nd2 e6 is weak forever so
Black has now a nice c6 square for White has a risk-free
his Nb8 9.d3 Nc6 10.Ne5! advantage;
very logical: we are activating the g2 B) 10...e6 a better move then 10..
bishop and exchanging Black's nice Rc8. Black's idea is to meet e4-
Nc6 Na5 ( 10...Nxe5 11.Bxe5 Ne8 dxe4-Nxe4-Nxe4-Qxe4 with Qc7,
12.Bxg7 Nxg7 13.Nc3 White has a where the e7 pawn will not be
better bishop and an extra central hanging 11.Rad1 ( 11.e4 dxe4
pawn, and it is not clear what Black 12.Nxe4 Nxe4 13.Qxe4 Qc7!=
has in exchange of it ) 11.Qc1 Black will be able to play c7-c5
here we should follow a very nice next with an equal game ) 11...Rc8
game played by Aronian who beated ( 11...Qc7 12.Bc1! an other nice
Magnus Carlsen in Stavanger 2016 idea, we will play Bf4 with tempo on
Qc7 12.Nd2 Ne8 13.f4! Nd6 14.Bc3 the Qc7 Rad8 13.Bf4 Qc8
now Na5 is under pressure and White 14.cxd5 cxd5 15.Rc1 a6 16.Qd2
can continue with Qa3 Rb8 15.Qa3 White has a nice plus thanks to his
b6 16.Bxa5 bxa5 17.Nb3 Nb7 strong Bf4 ) 12.e4 dxe4 13.Nxe4
18.Bxb7 Qxb7 19.Nxc5 Qc7 20.d4 Nxe4 14.Qxe4 Qc7 the main
1-0 Aronian,L (2784)-Carlsen,M difference now is that thanks to
(2851) Norway Chess 4th Stavanger Rad1, White will be in time to play
2016 (8) Aronian won an important d4-d5 15.Qe2 c5 16.d5 ]
pawn and in a few moves the game ] [ 7...Bg4 this has been the most
[ 7...b6 this is an alternative way for played move 8.d3
Black to develop his light squares A) 8...Bxf3 This is a solid decision.
bishop. Now White's main idea is to Black exchanges on f3 before
play e2-e4 8.d4 Bb7 9.Nc3 Nbd7 White has played Nbd2.
10.Qc2 preparing e2-e4 Consequently, White must
A) 10...Rc8 the most common recapture with Bg2, which may feel
move, but not the most precise, slightly out of place on f3. However,
now White can play immediately White gains the bishop pair. 9.Bxf3
e2-e4 11.e4 dxe4 12.Nxe4 e6 10.Nd2 Nbd7 11.Qc2 Qe7
A1) 12...Nxe4 13.Qxe4 Nf6 12.Rab1!? a nice move played by
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 19

the strong grandmaster Maxim piece ]

Matlakov. White's idea is to play b4 [ 7...Qb6 8.Qc2 a5 9.d3 Re8
in some cases a5 13.d4 10.Nbd2 Nbd7 11.Ne5 Nxe5
( 13.Bg2!? e5 14.e3 ) 13...e5 12.Bxe5 Bg4 13.Rfe1 d4 14.h3 Be6
14.dxe5 Nxe5 15.Bg2 Rfd8 16.e3 15.c5 Qd8 16.Qb2 Qd7 17.Qxd4
dxc4 17.bxc4 Nd3 18.Bd4 Nb4 Bxh3 18.Qxd7 Nxd7 19.Bxh3 Nxe5
1-0 Matlakov,M (2689)-Fargere,F 20.Rab1 Red8 21.Rec1 Nd7 22.e3
(2407) FRA-chT Top 12 Saint Dempsey,T (2507)-4.00 Bg7 5.Re1
Quentin 2014 (8.4) 19.Qb2!; e5 6.c3 (1847) Uxbridge 108/(288)
B) 8...Nbd7 9.Nbd2 Re8 2018 Sicilian Sveshnikov MBM
Black is playing again for e7-e5. [Leykekhman,D] 1-0 (34) ]
But compared to the immediate 8... 8.Nc3! a concrete move against a5-a4
Re8 or 8... Nbd7, now his light 8...Ne4
squares bishop is already on g4, [ 8...Na6 9.d4 Bf5 10.Ne5 Ne4
and this means that White can win 11.Qc1 ]
the bishops pair 10.h3 Bxf3 [ 8...d4 9.Na4! Ne8 10.e3 e5
11.Nxf3 e5 12.cxd5 cxd5 13.Rc1 11.exd4 exd4 12.Ba3! Nd6
White has the bishops pair and a 1-0 Matamoros Franco,C (2486)-
more pleasant position. Here I Kamsky,G (2662) Titled Tuesday
suggest to follow a very nice game intern op 07th Sept Chess.com INT
played by Levan Pantsulaia, an blitz 2021 (6) 13.Bc5! putting the
expert player of these structures maximum pressure on the d4 pawn d3
from the White side 14.Rc1 0.66/21 d3 is potentially weak,
B1) 13...Qa5 14.Rc2!?N Qxa2 as is the b6 square, and White has
( 14...Rac8 15.Rxc8 Rxc8 better pieces ( White should play
16.Nxe5; 14...a6 15.Qa1 ) 14.Nb6 1.00/23 Nd7 15.Bxd6 Qxb6
15.Nxe5 Nxe5 16.Bxe5 Qxb3 16.Bxf8 Bxa1 17.Qxa1 Nxf8
17.Bxf6 Bxf6 18.Qb1 Qxb1 18.Re1 )]
19.Rxb1; 9.Na4 Bxb2
B2) 13...e4 14.dxe4 dxe4 [ 9...b5 played a few times by the
15.Nd4 Qb6 16.Nc2 Rad8 Norwegian talent GM Aryan Tari
17.Ne3 Ne5 18.Qc2 Nh5 10.Bxg7 Kxg7 11.cxb5 cxb5 12.Nc3!
1-0 Pantsulaia,L (2595)- A) 12...Nxc3?! was his choice in
Baramidze,D (2614) EU-chT his game against Grandelius, but
(Men) 19th Warsaw 2013 (3.7) here White is better 13.dxc3 Nc6
Black is threatening Nxg3, but 0.94/21 Prevents Qd1-d4+.
engine shows that White could ( 13...Bb7 0.53/19 deserves
have just ignored it: 19.Rfd1! consideration. ) 14.Nd4 Na7
Nxg3 20.Rxd8 Rxd8 21.Bxe5 15.c4 ½-½ Grandelius,N (2651)-
Bxe5 and now are coming the Tari, A (2634) NOR-SWE Online
two key moves 22.Nc4! Qc5 Blitz chess24.com INT 2020 (13.1);
23.b4! and White will win a B) 12...b4!N and improvement for
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 20

Black on the Grandelius-Tari game White=0.09 (flawless) /Black=0. 16

13.Nxe4 dxe4 14.Ng5 f5 15.d3 (very precise)
h6 16.Nh3 Unpleasant to play for
Black ]
10.Nxb2 Na6 White has an edge. A30
11.d3 Nf6 12.cxd5 cxd5 13.Qd2 Chapter 8
White has a small but risk-free 1...g6 Pure Gruenfeld style
advantage. Please note that the move [Jobava B. / Basso P.L.]
a7-a5 in this scenario has only
weakened some squares on the A15: English Opening: 1...Nf6 1.b3 g6
queenside. Let's follow the game played 2.Bb2 Nf6 3.c4 In the previous chapter,
by the young but strong Indian grand we looked into what happens when
master Nihal Sarin 13...Bd7 14.Rfc1 Black goes for the c6-d5 setup
Qb6 0.72/19 (Symmetrical Gruenfeld style). Let's
[ 14...Nb4 0.32/22 was preferrable. ] delve into what occurs when Black
15.Na4! 0.38/23 Nihal shows a great immediately plays d7-d5 without first
strategic understanding! If Black plays playing c7-c6 (Pure Gruenfeld style).
Bxa4, after bxa4, he will have problems This chapter highlights the importance
on the b line of starting with 3.c4: it enables White to
[ Better is 15.e4 0.72/19 ] counter Black's d7-d5 with cxd5 3...Bg7
15...Qd6 [ 3...d5 if Black plays d5 before having
[ 15...Bxa4 16.bxa4 Rfc8 17.Rab1 played Bg7-00, then after cxd5 he
Rxc1+ 18.Qxc1 ] must take back with the queen 4.cxd5
16.Qxa5 Nb4 17.Qc7 White was Qxd5 5.Nc3
better and managed to win the game in A) 5...Qa5 6.Nf3 Bg7 7.g3 0-0
Nihal Sarin- Iskandarov, M Belgrade 8.Bg2 Rd8 ( 8...e5 9.0-0 e4
Open 2021. CONCLUSIONS: When 10.Ne1 Re8 11.d3 ) 9.0-0 c5
Black plays in the Symmetrical ( 9...Nc6 10.d3 Nd5 11.Na4 Bxb2
Gruenfeld style, he ends up with a solid 12.Nxb2 White will continue with
but somewhat passive position. The Nc4-Ne5 ) 10.Ne5
challenge for White in this scenario is without allowing Black to continue
that Black has many options at move 8, with Nc6;
and each choice leads to a different type B) 5...Qh5?! doesn't make sense if
of position. The key is to grasp the White still hasn't played g2-g3
main ideas behind each of Black's 6.e4! Qxd1+ 7.Rxd1 Bg7 ( 7...c6
moves and understand the basic 8.d4 Bg7 9.Bd3 ) 8.Nd5;
strategies for White. I really hope that C) 5...Qd8 6.g3 Bg7 7.Bg2 0-0
after studying this chapter, you now ( 7...c5 8.Nf3 Nc6 9.Na4! Qd6
feel ready to understand these ideas 10.Rc1 b6 11.d4 ) 8.Nf3 c5
and play these positions successfully ( 8...Nc6 9.d4 ) 9.0-0 Nc6
as White! Weighted Error Value: 10.Na4! thanks to this, and only to
this move, Black is not in time to
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 21

complete his development Qd6 bxc4 18.bxc4 Qe6 19.Bh3 f5 20.c5

( 10...b6 11.d4! ) 11.Rc1 b6 11.h4 b4 12.Nce2 d5-Anderssen
12.d4 ] India 2020 CBM 98 ext [Lane,
4.g3 0-0 CCYB6] Qa6 21.Rh2 Qa4 22.Rb1
[ 4...d5 5.cxd5 Qxd5 comparing to 3... Nc2+ 11.h4 b4 12.Nce2 d5-
d5, the difference is that now Black Baramidze,D India 2020 CBM 98 ext
can play with Qh5, which makes more [Nickel] ]
sense when White has already 6.cxd5!= Nxd5 only when Black has
played g2-g3 6.Nf3 0-0 7.Bg2 already played Bg7-00, he can take
A) 7...Qh5 8.h3! ( 8.0-0?! Bh3= back on d5 with Nf6 7.Bxg7 Kxg7
and Black is completely fine ) now White should play a little bit creative
8...Nc6 9.d3 Rd8 10.Nbd2 a5 in order to create some problems for the
11.a3 White will continue with opponent 8.Qc2!? -0.16/19 with the
useful move such as Rc1-Qc2; idea to play Nc3
B) 7...Nc6 8.d3! White can wait [ the logical 8.Nf3 doesn't promise
one or two moves before playing 00, much after Nc6! 9.d4 ( 9.0-0 e5= )
so that Qh5 makes less sense 9...Bg4 10.0-0 Qd6 0.32/21
because until the rook is on h1, ( 10...e6= 0.01/18 deserves
White can always play h3 ( 8.0-0 consideration. ) 11.e4! Nb6 12.d5
Qh5! ) 8...Rd8 9.Nbd2 Qh5 Ne5 13.Qd4 Bxf3 14.Bxf3 Qf6
10.h3 ] 15.Nd2 Nxf3+ 16.Nxf3 Qxd4
5.Bg2 d5N 0.30/21 17.Nxd4 Rfd8= ]
[ 5...d6 -0.02/18 feels stronger. 6.d4 [ 8.d4 0.25/22 ]
c5 7.Nf3 Qa5+ 8.Bc3 Qc7 9.0-0 8...Nc6
Ne4 10.Bb2 Nc6 11.Nbd2 Bf5 12.e3 [ 8...Re8!? 9.d4 ( 9.Nc3 Nxc3
Qa5 13.Nxe4 Bxe4 14.Ne1 Bxg2 10.Qxc3+ e5= ) 9...Nc6 10.Nf3 e5
15.Kxg2 cxd4 16.exd4 d5 17.c5 b6 11.dxe5 Nxe5 0.51/21 ( 11...Qe7=
Andreikin,D (2725)-Ponkratov,P 0.12/20 ) 12.Nxe5 Rxe5 13.0-0 Qf6
(2630) ProChessLeague (Int. -rapid) 14.e4 White has the potential of f4-
140/(15) 2019 140 Games Section e5 ]
[Petronijevic,Zoran] ] [ 8...f6 9.Nc3 Nxc3 10.Qxc3 e5
[ 5...c6 6.Nf3 d5 7.0-0 a5 8.Nc3 11.Rd1 d4 next ]
Ne4 9.Na4 Bxb2 10.Nxb2 Na6 9.Nc3 Nxc3 0.24/22
11.d3 Nf6 12.cxd5 cxd5 13.Qd2 [ 9...Ndb4 10.Qb2 Nd4 ...Nb4-c2+ is
Bd7 14.Rfc1 Qb6 15.Na4 Qd6 the strong threat. 11.Rd1 Qd6
16.Qxa5 Nb4 17.Qc7 Chapter-1...g6 0.03/19 ( 11...Nbc2+? 0.19/22
Symmetrical Gruenfeld [Jobava B. / 11...e7-e5 -0.25 12.Kf1 Black is
Basso P.L.] ] running serious risks to lose on of
[ 5...c5 6.Nc3 Nc6 7.Nf3 d5 8.cxd5 his knights; 11...e5 -0.34/21 12.Kf1
Nxd5 9.Qc1 Nxc3 10.Bxc3 e5 11.d3 Rb8 ) 12.Nf3= aiming for Nc3-e4. Rd8
Bd7 12.Nd2 Rc8 13.Ne4 Qe7 14.h4 0.39/20 ( 12...Nbc2+= 0.03/19
Nd4 15.f3 b5 16.Bd2 c4 17.dxc4 was preferrable. 13.Kf1 e5 ) 13.0-0
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 22

0.04/22 ( 13.Nxd4 0.39/20 very logical: if Black plays dxc4,

should be considered. Qxd4 14.0-0 ) White wants to take back with the
13...Nxf3+= 14.Bxf3 Qd4 0.37/20 knight. For this reason, Black's best
( 14...e5= 0.01/22 ) 15.Bg2 c6 16.a3 now is the other capture, cxd4 ( 8.0-0
Nd5 17.e3 Qf6 18.d4 Nxc3 dxc4 and Black should be able to
19.Qxc3 ] equalize; 8.cxd5 Nxd5= ) 8...cxd4
[ 9...Ndb4 -0.22/21 is superior. The key idea here is that White
10.Qb2 Nd4 ] intends to capture on d4 only after
10.Qxc3+ Qd4 11.Rc1 Qxc3 12.Rxc3 Black has deployed his knight to c6.
Bd7 13.f4!? Nf3 next with a pleasant Why? Because if White would
endgame for White thanks to his extra capture immediately with Nxd4, Black
central pawn. Weighted Error Value: could counter with e5! However, if
White=0.06 (flawless) /Black=0. 16 Black's knight is already on c6, then
(very precise) after Nxd4-e5, White can respond
with Nxc6 ( 8...dxc4 9.Nxc4 ) 9.0-0!
( 9.Bxd4 Nc6 10.Bb2 e5! 11.Nxe5?
A30 Nxe5 12.Bxe5 Re8 Black has too
Chapter 9 much development; 9.Nxd4?! e5! )
1...g6 Jones line A) 9...Re8 a waiting move, but the
[Jobava B. / Basso P.L.] inclusion of 00 and Re8 is for sure
in White's favour: 10.cxd5 Nxd5
E60: King's Indian: Unusual lines and 11.Nxd4 White wants to continue
Fianchetto Variation without Nc3 1.b3 with Nc4, so Black should try to
g6 2.Bb2 Nf6 3.c4 Bg7 4.g3 0-0 play fast Nf4! 12.gxf4 Bxd4
5.Bg2 c5 6.Nf3 d6 7.d4 if Black plays 13.Bxd4 Qxd4 14.e3 White will
with 7...Ne4 or with 7...Nc6, as he continue with Nc4 enjoying a
usually does, then we are transposing pleasant position thanks to his
into Chapter 12. What we have to check better Bg2;
now is what happens if Black is playing B) 9...d3 played in the majority of
cxd4-Nxd4 followed by the "strange" the games, but here White gets a
waste of tempo d6-d5! I can say favourable position 10.exd3 Nc6
immediately that this is considered one ( 10...b6 Jussupow- Radjabov,
of the critical lines according to the here I like the following plan: 11.b4!
nowadays state of theory 7...cxd4 Bb7 12.a4 White intends to
[ 7...Ne4 8.0-0 Nc6 12 trans in continue with a5 a5 13.b5
Chapter ] Black's b6 pawn is a potential
[ 7...Nc6 8.0-0 12 trans in Chapter ] weakness, and White is
[ 7...d5 this is the move suggested by strategically better here ) 11.Ne5!
Gaiwain Jones. Black is aiming for a Nxe5 12.Bxe5 Bg4 13.Qc2 Qd7
fast liquidation in the center. Here in was played in the game Meier-
my opinion the only challenging Andriasian here White has played
continuation is Nbd2 8.Nbd2! d3-d4, but I prefer to play a move
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 23

like Rfe1-followed by Qb2 with full advantage ]

control on the e5 square 14.Rfe1 [ 10...Na6 Wojtaszek-Krasenkow
Rac8 15.Qb2; 2019 11.Qd2! White wants to play
C) 9...Nc6 the move suggested by as fast as possible Rd1, and it's
Jones, and probably Black's best clear that White pieces are much
10.Nxd4 Bd7!?N again we are more active ]
following Jones' recommendation [ 10...Qa5 according to the current
( 10...Nxd4 11.Bxd4 Be6 12.c5 state of theory, this move equalizes,
White has long term chances but I'm suggesting a new move
thanks to the queenside majority ) posing some problems to the Black
11.e3!? consolidating Nd4 and player 11.e3!?N more ambitious
intending cxd5 next Bg4! ( 11.Qd2 White can go for a safe
Black's most precise reaction endgame after Qxd2 12.Nxd2 Rd8
12.Qc1 Rc8 13.Nxc6 bxc6 13.Rfd1 Bxd4 14.Bxd4 Nc6 15.Bb2
Jones' asses this position as equal, White has a more pleasant position,
and he is probably right in a higher even if it's not clear if this is enough
sense, but White can still pose for a real advantage ) 11...e5!
some problems ( 13...Rxc6 this is Black's best move for concrete
14.Be5 Qb2 next ) 14.Re1! reasons, but from a positional point of
with the idea to play e3-e4 Bf5 view now his Bg7 will be a little bit
looks the more logical, trying to passive ( 11...Rd8 0.61/22
exchange the light-squares 11... e7-e5 0.28 12.Na3! Nb6
bishops one White playes e3-e4 13.Qe2; 11...Nc6 12.Nxc6 bxc6
15.e4 dxe4 16.Nxe4 Bxe4 13.Bxg7 Kxg7 14.Qd4+ typically
17.Bxe4 Nxe4 18.Rxe4 e6 slightly better for White thanks to
19.Bxg7 Kxg7 20.Qa3 the better pawn structure ) 12.Nb5!!
Black is solid, but White has a the key move Qxb5 ( it would be too
better pawn structure on the risky for Black to take the pawn
queenside, and for this reason we 12...Nxe3?! 0.58/23 12...Qa5xb5 0.25
can press even against the players 13.fxe3 Qxb5 14.Nc3 White will
that have studied carefully the play Nd5 next; even for the engine, it
wonderful job of Jones Gaiwain ] is not clear if Black can survive
8.Nxd4 White is slightly better. 8...d5 against such active White's pieces )
9.cxd5! Nxd5 10.0-0! Black has two 13.Na3 we play another developing
good moves now: Qa5 and Nb4 move before taking back on d5 Qa6!
10...Nb4 ( 13...Qa5?! 0.82/22 13...Qb5-a6 0.40
[ 10...e5? 1.07/21 10...Nd5-c7 0.46 14.Nc4! gives even extra tempi for
11.Nb5 Be6 1.42/25 ( Better is White Qc7 aiming for ...Nd5-b4.
11...a6 1.03/23 ) 12.Bxd5 Bxd5 15.Qxd5 Nc6 16.Qd6
13.Ba3+- White is already winning ] very unpleasant for Black ) 14.Qxd5
[ 10...a6 11.Qc1! White will play Nc6 15.Qc4 White would like to
Rd1 next with already a good exchange queens on c4, so that Na3
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 24

will become a fantastic piece on c4. [ 11...e5 as we have seen already this
Threatens to win with Qc4xa6. move gains space but blocks a little
( White can force a queen exchange bit the Bg7 12.Ndb5! Black must now
with 15.Qb5 Qxb5 16.Nxb5 prevent Qd1xd8. N8c6 13.Nc4
but now Nb5 is a little bit misplaced White is going for the d6 square ]
Rd8! still more pleasant for White but 12.Nxc6 Nxc6 13.Bxg7 Kxg7
Black can hold with a few precise 14.Bxc6N
moves ) 15...Qb6! but Black shouldn't [ 14.Rc1 ]
go to the endgame, and he plays Qb6 14...bxc6 15.Qc2 objectively speaking
now that Nc4 is not available because Black can hold, but from a practical
our queen is on that square point of view it is very unpleasant to
( 15...Qxc4 1.05/22 15...Qa6-b6 0. 45 play such positions from the Black side
16.Nxc4 ) as the c6 pawn will be a weakness
A) 16.Qh4!? Be6 17.Nc4 forever. Weighted Error Value: White=0.
( 17.Rfd1!? ) 17...Qc7! 18.Ba3 01 (flawless) /Black=0.11 (very precise)
Hoping for Ba3-d6. Rfd8
Inhibits Ba3-d6. 19.Rad1
a little bit unpleasant for Black. A30
Prevents Be6-d5.; Chapter 10
B) 16.Qa4 Be6 ( 16...Bd7 1...g6 King's Indian style
17.Rad1 Rfd8 18.Nc4 Qc7! [Jobava B. / Basso P.L.]
19.Ba3! looks a little bit scary but
in fact White wants Bd6 next and A15: English Opening: 1...Nf6 1.b3 g6
Black doesn't have great ideas 2.Bb2 Nf6 3.c4 Bg7 4.g3 0-0 5.Bg2
here ) 17.Rac1 Rac8 18.Nb5!? d6
going for the d6 square Rfd8 [ 5...c5 6.Nc3 Nc6 7.Nf3 d5 8.cxd5
19.Ba3! Bf8! 20.Bxf8 Kxf8 Nxd5 9.Qc1 Nxc3 10.Bxc3 e5 11.d3
21.Qa3+ Kg7 22.Nd6 Rc7 Bd7 12.Nd2 Rc8 13.Ne4 Qe7 14.h4
23.Ne4 Qb2-Nc5 or Ng5 next and Nd4 15.f3 b5 16.Bd2 c4 17.dxc4
White has some initiative ] bxc4 18.bxc4 Qe6 19.Bh3 f5 20.c5
11.Na3 N8c6! 11.h4 b4 12.Nce2 d5-Anderssen
[ 11...N8a6 0.66/21 11...Qd8-d7 0.35 India 2020 CBM 98 ext [Lane,
12.Nc4 Rb8 13.a3 Nd5 14.b4! CCYB6] ]
it is easy to understand who has the 6.d4 In this Chapter, we will check how
better pieces here ] to deal when Black plays in the style of
[ 11...Qa5?! going under 12.Nc4 the King's Indian defense (KID) 6...e5N
with tempo Qh5 Black hopes to [ 6...c5 trans in next Chapter 7.dxc5
achieve something on the kingside, ( 7.Nf3 Qa5+ 8.Bc3 Qc7 9.0-0 Ne4
but he is too much behind in 10.Bb2 Nc6 11.Nbd2 Bf5 12.e3
development 13.Qd2 N8c6 14.Nxc6 Qa5 13.Nxe4 Bxe4 14.Ne1 Bxg2
Nxc6 15.Bxg7 Kxg7 16.Qc3+ f6 15.Kxg2 cxd4 16.exd4 d5 17.c5 b6
17.Qe3 Inhibits Qh5-c5. ] Andreikin,D (2725)-Ponkratov,P
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 25

(2630) ProChessLeague (Int.-rapid) 14.f4 -0.08/20 ( 14.a3 0.43/18 )

140/(15) 2019 140 Games Section 14...e4= 15.Rf2! this is called the
[Petronijevic, Zoran] ) 7...Qa5+ 8.Qd2 "Botvinnik plan". White wants to
Qxc5 9.e4 Nc6 10.Ne2 Bh3 11.b4 play Bf1-Ng2-Ne3 and slowly
Qxc4 12.Na3 Nxe4 13.Nxc4 Nxd2 break on the kingside with h3-h4 ]
14.Bxc6 Nxc4 15.Bxg7 Kxg7 [ 6...Nbd7
16.Bxb7 Rab8 17.Bd5 Rxb4 18.Nf4 A) 7.Nf3 e5! 8.dxe5 dxe5
Bf5 19.a3 Ra4 7 Chapter Im-Games with an equal game, the e5 pawn is
Game ] not hanging as after 9.Nxe5?
[ 6...Nc6 7.Nf3 e5 ( 7...a6 -0.60/21 Black has ( 9.Nc3=
Black tries to play in Panno style 8.d5! 0.20/19 ) 9...Ng4!;
Na5 9.Nbd2 thanks to White's B) 7.e3! now we go for Ne2
construction b4+c4+Nbd2, Na5 is development 7...e5 8.Ne2 Re8
pretty passive, comparing to the 9.Nbc3 c6 ( 9...e4 0.51/19
classical "Panno systems" in KID. In 9...e5xd4 0.13 10.Qc2 Qe7 11.h3!
those setups, the knight on a5 White goest for g3-g4 h5
typically exhibits some pressure Against g3-g4 12.g4! hxg4
against White's c4 pawn. ) 8.d5 Ne7 13.hxg4 Nxg4 14.Qxe4 Qxe4
9.Nc3 Nd7 logically Black tries to play 15.Bxe4 our extra central pawn
f7-f5 in true KID style 10.0-0 gives us a pleasant endgame )
A) 10...f5? 0.60/18 10...a7-a5 0.28 10.d5! ( 10.0-0?! e4! and Black
11.Ng5! aiming for Ng5-e6. Nf6 gets some play on the light
a b c d e f g h
squares ) 10...c5 0.69/18
( 10...Qc7= 0.20/20 should be
8 8
considered. ) 11.e4 ]
7 7 7.dxe5 Nfd7
[ 7...Ng4 is the most common move,
6 6
but White gets a typical pleasant play
5 5 8.Nc3 Nxe5 9.Nf3 Nxf3+ 10.Bxf3
Nc6 11.Bg2 ( 11.0-0 Bh3!? )
4 4
11...Re8 12.0-0 White will simply
3 3 continue with Qd2-Rfe1-Rad1, and at
some moment in the future Nd5 ]
2 2
[ 7...dxe5!?N fine according to
1 1 engines, but Black should know
a b c d e f g h exactly what he is doing 8.Qxd8 Rxd8
12.e4 0.44/21 ( Better is 12.Qd2! 9.Bxe5 Re8! 10.Bc3 a5! only with
0.79/18 ) 12...h6 13.Ne6!; these two moves, Re8, and a5, Black
B) 10...h6 11.e4 f5 12.exf5! gxf5 has some compensation for the pawn,
13.Nh4! White will play f2-f4 next according to the engine. I don't think
a5 securing the c5 square for Nc5, we need to analyze any further. We
so that White cannot play b3-b4 can just continue with normal
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 26

development moves like Nf3-Nd2 and inclusion of Nc6. Fundamentally, we

check if our opponent wants to play recognize that if Black responds with c5
with pawn down ] followed by d5, the resulting position
8.Nc3 White is slightly better. 8...dxe5 can render the c5 pawn vulnerable after
the key concept, Black should take back the exchange cxd5. This vulnerability
with the pawn 9.Qd2! White wants to stems from the fact that the d-pawn can
play a fast Rd1 taking full control on the no longer defend the c5 pawn, and
'd' line 9...Nc5! Black should challenge advancing b7 to b6 might expose Black
immediately the 'd' line to challenges along the h1-a8 diagonal.
[ 9...c6? happened in my game While Black can seek to defend the
against Neiksans, 2018 10.Ba3 Re8 pawn with moves like Qd6, White retains
11.Ne4! a5 12.Nf3 ] the opportunity to apply rapid pressure
10.Qe3! without allowing the queen through moves such as Rc1, Nc3, and
exchange 10...Nbd7 11.Rd1 Na4. In conclusion, the crux of this
[ 11.Ba3!? Qe7 12.Kf1= ] variation lies in whether White can
11...c6 12.Ba3 Qb6 13.Nh3 effectively exploit the vulnerability of
Black still needs to solve some the c5 pawn. 6...Nc6
problems with the development. [ 6...d5 7.cxd5
Objectively, Black's position is fine, but A) Black can go for 7...Nxd5
we still have some initiative. Weighted 8.Bxg7 Kxg7 9.0-0 where Nc6
Error Value: White=0.04 (flawless) / would transpose into 6...Nc6, while
Black=0.04 (flawless) a move like 6.. .Nf6 doesn't bring
Black anything good Nc6
Would transpose to 7... d5
A30 ( 9...Nf6?! 10.Qc2! Na6 11.Qb2 );
Chapter 11 B) 7...Qxd5 8.Nc3 Qd6 ( 8...Qf5
1...g6 lines with c5 + d5 9.Na4! As already explained, the
[Jobava B. / Basso P.L.] key in this position is to attack the
c5 pawn Nc6
A05: Réti Opening: 1 Nf3 Nf6 1.b3 g6 Adhiban-Schevchenko 10.Nh4!N
2.Bb2 Nf6 3.c4 Bg7 4.g3 0-0 5.Bg2 Qh5 11.Rc1 and c5 is falling;
c5 6.Nf3 In Chapter 7, we explored the 8...Qh5 9.h3! As explored in the
implications of White adopting a "Pure Gruenfeld" chapter, when
Gruenfeld-style approach, opting for d5 Black opts for Qh5, White
without including c6. Meanwhile, Chapter possesses the option to respond
6 delved into the analysis of the with h3, particularly if castling
Symmetrical Gruenfeld style, kingside (0-0) hasn't yet occurred. )
characterized by the moves c6 followed 9.0-0 Nc6 10.Rc1 Bg4!
by d5. Now, let's turn our attention to ( 10...b6?! a common mistake, now
examining the "English style" variation, White can break immediately with
where Black plays with c5 followed by d5. 11.d4! Rd8 12.Qe1!N taking away
This setup can occur with or without the the queen from the 'd' line Bb7
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 27

13.Nb5 Qd7 14.dxc5 bxc5 Ante has played Rc1, and won
15.Rxc5 Ne4 16.Rc2 Bxb2 anyway the game, but would have
17.Rxb2 White has a healthy been better for White to play 22.Nc3!
extra pawn ) 11.Nb5 Qd8 12.Ne5 ( 22.Rc1 Bxe4 23.fxe4 Saric, A -
Nxe5 13.Bxe5 Qb6 14.Nc3 Rac8 Gschnitzer 2020 ) 22...Rd2 23.a4
15.d3 next Rc2-Qa1 with a little bit Rb2 24.g4 Be6 25.b5 White will
more pleasant position for White ] continue with Ke3-Kd4 with a very
7.0-0 d5 8.cxd5 Nxd5 hard-to-defend endgame for Black. If
[ 8...Qxd5? now this is just losing Black plays Rb3, White can defend
9.Ne5! Qd6 10.Nxc6 bxc6 11.d3 the knight with Ra3 if Black plays Rb3,
White is strategically winning: he while White can defend with Rc1 ]
can continue with Nd2-Rc1 and the [ 11...Nc3!? very rare but not a bad
c5 pawn will fall at some moment ] move for Black: he will just get a
9.Bxg7 Kxg7 10.d4 cxd4 slightly worse endgame 12.Nxc3
[ 10...Qb6? allows 11.e4 Nf6 12.d5 Qxd4 13.Qxd4+ Nxd4 14.Rfd1 Rd8
Nd4 13.e5+- when Nxd5 is not 15.Kf1 here we should follow a great
possible because of Nxd4-cxd4- game played by Tony Miles in 1988!
Bxd5 ] Ne6 16.Nd5 ( 16.f4!
11.Nxd4 Nxd4 was objectively better for White )
[ 11...Qb6 12.Nxc6 bxc6 13.Nd2 16...Kf8 17.Rac1 Rb8 18.Ke1 Rd6
Ba6 Rozum-Ponkratov 2023 14.Rc1! 19.Nf4 Nxf4 20.gxf4 Rxd1+ 21.Kxd1
Rfd8 15.Nc4 Qc5 16.Qc2 Ke8 22.Kd2 Kd8 23.Bd5 e6 24.Be4
White has a risk-free advantage b6 25.h4 h5 26.Bd3 Bb7 27.e4 Kd7
thanks to the strongest bishop and 28.Bb5+ Kd8 29.Ke3 Bc8 30.Kd4
Black's weak c6 pawn ] Bd7 31.Bxd7 Kxd7 32.Ke5+-
[ 11...e5 12.Nxc6 bxc6 13.Qc2 Qb6 1-0 Miles,A (2500)-Hoeksema,H
14.Nc3 ] (2355) Dieren op 1988 (2) ]
[ 11...Ndb4 12.Nxc6 Nxc6 13.Bxc6 12.Qxd4+ Nf6 13.Qe5
bxc6 engine evaluates just +0,40, but we have reached a symmetrical position,
in practice, out of 40 games, White where White has a more active queen
has scored here the 90%! This means and a better light-squares bishop
that in a practical game this position 13...Qd6 a sad move to play, but
is very unpleasant to defend for Black. objectively the best
White will just play moves like Nc3- [ 13...a5 14.Nc3 Ra6 was tried by
Rc1-Na4-Nc5 and Black's c6 Aronian 15.Rfd1 but here Black had
wekaness will be so forever. Let's to play Re6! 16.Qxe6 fxe6
follow a nice game played by the ( 16...Bxe6? 17.Rxd8 Rxd8
Croatian GM Ante Saric 14.Nc3 Bh3 18.Bxb7 ) 17.Rxd8 Rxd8 18.Kf1
15.Qxd8 Rfxd8 16.Rfd1 Rac8 17.f3! Ke1 next with a very unpleasant
bringing the king close to the center endgame for Black ]
Be6 18.Rxd8 Rxd8 19.Kf2 c5 [ 13...Qb6? 0.87/22 13...Bc8-e6 0.49
20.Ne4 c4 21.b4! Bf5 now Saric the most common move, but here
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 28

White gets the advantage 14.Nc3 endgame. Weighted Error Value:

Be6 White=0.01 (flawless) / Black=0.04
a b c d e f g h
(flawless)
8 8

7 7 A30
Chapter 12
6 6
1...g6 lines with c5 + d5 + N
5 5 [Jobava B. / Basso P.L.]
4 4
E60: King's Indian: Unusual lines and
3 3 Fianchetto Variation without Nc3 1.b3
g6 2.Bb2 Nf6 3.c4 Bg7 4.g3 0-0
2 2
5.Bg2 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.0-0 d6 8.d4
1 1 White is ready to push d4-d5, so Black
a b c d e f g h needs to do something about it 8...cxd4
15.Na4! Qb4 16.Nc5 ] [ 8...Bg4 Black shouldn't play moves
14.Qxd6 exd6 15.Rd1 Rd8 16.Nc3 like this because after 9.d5
the endgame is unpleasant for Black, White is just much better from a
but still holdable 16...Rb8!! the best strategical point of view ]
move, but a hard move to be played, as [ 8...Ne4 Black is playing against the
Black should know what to do against Bb2 9.e3 White defends the d4 pawn
Nb5 and wants to continue now with
[ 16...a6?! has been the most Qc1-d5 Bg4! this is the most logical
common move, but it's already a play, Black is preparing some
mistake 17.Rd2 Kf8 18.Nd5 Nxd5 counterplay against Qc1 ( 9...Qa5
19.Bxd5 Ra7 20.Rc1 b5 21.Rdc2 10.Qc1! defending Bb2 and preparing
White has a better pawn structure and d4-d5 cxd4 11.Nxd4 Nxd4 12.exd4
the 'c' line ] Nf6 13.Re1 Re8 14.Nd2 ) 10.Qc1
17.e3N Bxf3! if not this White just continues
[ 17.Nb5 d5! 18.Nxa7 Bd7! with d5 11.Bxf3 Ng5! Black attacks
White must now prevent . ..Rb8-a8. both the d4 pawn and the f3 bishop,
19.a4! Ra8 20.Nb5 Bxb5 21.axb5 now White needs to give some
Rxa1 22.Rxa1 Rc8! and according concessions ( 11...f5? 12.d5 )
to engine Black is just in time to 12.Bxc6 a move that we are not happy
equalize ] to play, but we have to play bxc6
[ 17.h3 h5 18.Nb5 #4 The Brave and 13.dxc5 Qd7!N Black has to go "all-
The KID with ..-5.Bg2 c5 6.c4 Nc6 7. in" on the kingside ( 13...Bxb2
O-O d5 ] 14.Qxb2 dxc5 15.Nc3; 13...dxc5
17...a6 18.Rd2 &Bianco is more active. 14.Bxg7 Kxg7 15.Nc3 White is
18...Kf8 19.h3!? White will continue definitely slightly better thanks to the
with Ne2-Nd4 with a very pleasant more healthy pawn structure ) 14.Bxg7
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 29

Nf3+ 15.Kg2 Nh4+! 16.Kh1 9.Nxd4 Bd7 10.Qd2N I like this waiting-
( 16.gxh4 Qg4+ 17.Kh1 Qf3+= ) useful move because as White we want
16...Qh3 17.Rg1 Nf3 18.Rg2 Kxg7 to be able to take back on d4 with Bb2
19.cxd6 now Black has to be very [ 10.Nc3 Nxd4! ( 10...Rc8 11.Nc2
fast, if White can just play Nd2 he will Qa5 12.Qd2 a6 13.Rfd1 Rfe8
be winning Rfd8! ( 19...exd6? 14.Na4 Qxd2 15.Rxd2 #1
20.Nd2 ) 20.dxe7 ( 20.Nd2 Nxd2 The Brave The Kid With-5.Bg2 c5 6.
21.Qxd2 Rxd6= ) 20...Rd7 c4 Nc6 7.O-O d6; 10...a6 11.Nc2
White has 2 extra pawns, but cannot Rb8 12.Nd5 Nxd5 13.Bxg7 Kxg7
now play Nd2 21.Nc3 Qe6! 22.Ne2 14.cxd5 Ne5 15.h3 #1 The Brave
Qxe7 23.Qc3+ Kg8 24.Ng1!? The Kid With-5.Bg2 c5 6.c4 Nc6 7.O-
we want to exchange that knight at all O d6 ) 11.Qxd4 Bc6 maybe White
costs Nxg1 ( 24...Qe4 25.Qf6 ) can press a bit here, but Black is
25.Kxg1 Rad8 26.Re1 Rd1 27.h4 almost completely fine ]
White has an extra pawn but Rg2 is 10...a6! a better waiting move comparing
out of the game for the moment. White to 10...Rc8, because now after Nc3-
would like to continue with Kh2-Rg1. Nxd4-Qxd4 the a7 pawn is not hanging
Engine thinks that Black here almost anymore
equalized; in a practical game, Black [ 10...Nxd4 11.Bxd4! Bc6 12.Nc3!
still needs to be a little bit precise to Bxg2 13.Kxg2 and comparing to the
not let White activate the g2 rook ] 10.Nc3 above line, here White has a
[ 8...d5!? This is the same position better version as his d4 bishop is
analyzed in Chapter 10, only that stronger. I suggest checking the
White has included the move d2-d4. Grachev-Kokarev game to
Strangely enough, this move could go understand a little bit the spirit of the
into Black's favor now, even if the Bb2 position a6 14.a4 e6 15.Rfd1 Qc7
is not participating directly in the 16.Rac1 Rfd8 17.f3 Rac8 18.e4
game for a moment. 9.Nbd2 cxd4 Ne8 0.86/19 ( 18...Nd7 0.49/22
10.Nxd4 Nxd4 11.Bxd4 Be6! 12.c5!? is superior. ) 19.Bxg7 Kxg7 20.Qd4+
changing structure, now we will play Kg8 21.Rd3 Qc5 22.Rcd1 Qxd4
for the queenside majority. It's 23.Rxd4 Kf8 24.a5 Ke7 1.00/22
important to note that for Black is ( 24...Rc5 0.62/21 was preferrable. )
very difficult to play e7-e5 Qd7 25.Na4 e5 26.R4d2 f5 1.33/23
13.Nf3 a5 14.Rc1 We have reached ( Black should play 26...Rc6 0.93/25 )
a fighting position, where White has 27.Nb6 Rc6 28.f4! 1-0 Grachev,B
the more pleasant side. He can (2615)-Kokarev,D (2605) RUS-chT
continue with moves like Qc2-Ne5- 26th Sochi 2019 (9.4) ]
Nd3 and slowly prepare a3-b4-b5. It [ 10...Rc8 Black plays a waiting move,
will not be easy, but from the other hoping for Nc3 where after Nxd4
side, Black doesn't have a clear plan White will have to take back with the
to prevent White from expanding on queen 11.Nc3 Nxd4 12.Qxd4
the queenside. ] but now the problem is that both the
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 30

a7 and b7 pawns are hanging ] Black is to give up the pawn with ...d4,
11.Nc2!? as Black totally collapses on the
[ 11.Nc3 Nxd4 12.Qxd4 Bc6= ] light squares otherwise. ]
11...b5 12.Ne3 Rb8 13.cxb5 axb5 [ 7...c6 8.Nc3 Be7 9.cxd5 cxd5
14.Rc1 White still has the more 10.Bb5+ Bd7 11.Bxd7+ Qxd7
pleasant side, but at least here Black is 12.0-0 0-0 with a good position for
more or less fine objectively. Black did White 13.f3 ½-½ Bernadskiy,V
not feel at home in the position after the (2617)-Ceres,D (2380) Lancenigo op
opening. Weighted Error Value: 2022 (2) ( 13.d3!? another interesting
White=0.00 (flawless) /Black=0.00 idea )]
(flawless) [ 7...c6= 0.06/22 ]
[ 7...dxc4 8.Bxc4 Bd6 9.Nc3 Bf5
10.f3 0-0 11.0-0 Bg6 12.fxe4 Nxe4
A01 13.Nxe4 Bxe4 14.Qg4 Bg6 15.Rf5
Jobava,Baadur 2588 c5 16.Bc3 Qc8 17.Raf1 Kh8
Areshchenko,Alexander 2670 18.Qg5 f6 19.Rxf6 Rxf6 20.Rxf6
EU-ch 22nd Terme Catez (11) 06.04.22 Qc6 21.Bd5 Li,R (2571)-He,A (2295)
[Jobava B. / Basso P.L.] Las Vegas 2017 [Tadic,Branko] ]
8.Nc3! White is slightly better. 8...dxc4
A01: Nimzowitsch-Larsen Opening 1.b3 The best moment to take.
e5 2.Bb2 Nc6 3.Nf3 In the course, we [ 8...c6 9.cxd5 cxd5 transposes ]
focus on 3.e3, but this line is also a [ 8...0-0 9.cxd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe4
poisonous idea, as players prepare less Maybe Black has some
for this move and there is not so much compensation, but for sure White is
theory. 3...e4 The strongest reply for choice. ]
[ 3...d6?! an inferior choice, as we 9.Bxc4 The most natural way to
strike immediately 4.d4! e4 5.d5! recapture.
a usual strong reaction that we [ 9.bxc4!? 0.01/20 9.Bf1xc4 0.42
recognize also from other lines ] Another interesting try for White. c5
4.Nd4 Nxd4 5.Bxd4 d5 6.e3 Nf6 10.Be5! We dont trade on f6 now as
Both players make the most natural Black recaptures with the bishop
moves in the position, developing the instead of the queen, and black is in
pieces. Now it is time for White to time to neutralize the knight due to
undermine the center. the pin 0-0 11.Rb1 Re8 12.Nb5!
[ 6...h5! The strong engine suggestion, With a pleasant initiative connected
followed by computer lines, where with Nc7 or Bxf6-Nc7-Nd5 ideas.
Black can maybe claim equality. ] Inhibits Be7-d6. ]
7.c4! Now we transpose to our repertoire 9...0-0 10.0-0 c6 Multipurpose move,
7...Be7N 0.48/22 controling d5 and also preparing b5
[ 7...c5? 0.46/19 7...c7-c6 0.09 Very 11.Qc2 White focuses on developing
grave positional mistake. 8.Bxf6! the queen with tempo 11...b5!
Qxf6 9.Nc3! And the best reaction for Important inclusion.
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 31

[ 11...Bf5 A naive way of playing, as it [ 20.Kf1!! 0.34/22 20.Bd4xf6 0.79 The

just runs into 12.f3! And Black just brilliant waiting move, also hinting that
loses the pawn. ] in a soon to be endgame, Whites king
12.Be2 Bf5 And now this is possible as is close to e2 square (thats why f1
...exf3 is possible for Black now, due to and not h1). a6 0.88/23 If black
the bishop on e2. 13.Rad1 White has to continues to wait, then: ( 20...Qa6
challenge the pawn on e4, so as the f3 21.Bxf6 Bxf6
method is out of the picture, White plays, a b c d e f g h
preparing d3, avoiding potential
8 8
troubles on the d-file
[ 13.d3?? -1.94/22 13. Ra1-d1 0.50 7 7
exd3 14.Bxd3 Bxd3 15.Qxd3 c5
6 6
White just loses a piece. ]
13...Re8 14.d3 White is now in time to 5 5
achieve his strategical goals, and even
4 4
though the opponent went fast for this
position, and was clearly in preparation, 3 3
White still enjoys a comfortable position.
2 2
14...exd3 15.Bxd3 Bxd3 16.Rxd3 Qa5
Black is still playing very fast, which 1 1
means he is in his opening preparation. a b c d e f g h
17.Rfd1 Rac8 Supporting the c6 pawn. 22.Ne4!; 20...Nh7 0.34/22 ) 21.Bxf6
18.h3 Now begins a series of waiting Rxd2 22.Qxd2 Threatens to win with
moves, as Black doesnt really want to go Bf6xe7. Bxf6 23.Ne4! Qxd2
... c5 because Bxf6 and Nd5 is a strong 24.Nxf6+ gxf6 25.Rxd2
reaction, while White doesnt really want And the endgame is advantageous
to go e4 because . ..c5! and the d4 for White due to the close king. ]
becomes weakened. 18...h6 Black isnt [ 20.Bxf6 Rxd2 21.Qxd2
falling for it. And now Bf6xe7 would win. Bxf6
[ 18...c5?! 0.98/24 18...a7-a6 0.42 22.Ne4! Qxd2 23.Nxf6+ gxf6
19.Bxf6 Bxf6 20.Nd5 With a very 24.Rxd2 c5! and here Black can hold
pleasant position and central control. ] the endgame ]
19.R3d2 Still waiting. 19...Rcd8 1.01/24 [ 20.Bxf6 1.01/24 Rxd2 21.Qxd2
And now it is the crucial moment for Bxf6 22.Ne4! Qxd2 23.Nxf6+ gxf6
White, as visually the useful moves are 24.Rxd2 ]
over. Can you find Whites best 20...c5! Solves everything now for Black,
continuation? and the game soon settled. 21.Bc3
[ 19...a6 0.49/21 ] [ 21.Bxf6 Rxd2 22.Rxd2 Bxf6 23.Nf4
20.Ne2?! 0.42/24 A clear mistake, as If White aims for the d5 square, it
now White loses control of the d5 square allows some counterplay. Be5
and Black is in time to react in the 24.Nd5 c4! And Black is creating a
center. very dangerous passed pawn. ]
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 32

21...Qc7 22.Ng3 Rxd2 23.Rxd2 Bd6 [ 13.Be2?! Ne5 And Black is

24.Ba5 Qc6 Hoping for ...Bd6xg3. The absolutely fine, as the d2 pawn
position is equal. 25.Nf5 Bf8 26.Rd1 remains stuck. ]
Ne4 Weighted Error Value: White=0.07 [ 13.d3 not so precise, as Black
(flawless) /Black=0.07 (flawless) ignores the pawn. Nf6! Rad8-Rfe8
½-½ next ( 13...exd3 0.40/22 13...Ra8-d8
-0.01 14.Bxd3 Bxd3 15.Qxd3 Rad8
16.Rd1 This would be a dream
A01 scenario for White. ) 14.dxe4 Nxe4
Jobava,Baadur 2687 15.Nxe4 -0.71/23 ( 15.Nd5= -0.09/22
So,Wesley 2810 Qe5 16.Rc1 ) 15...Bxe4 And we are
Tbilisi (4.2) 13.09.2017 not in time to develop. ]
[Jobava B. / Basso P.L.] 13...Nb6 A sign of panic from the
opponent, as it is clear that the knight is
A01: Nimzowitsch-Larsen Opening 1.b3 a very bad piece on b6.
e5 2.Bb2 Nc6 3.e3 Now, White choses [ 13...Nf6 Was a better square. ]
the 3. e3 line, and we are in our 14.a4! A multipurpose move, of course
repertoire. 3...Nf6 4.Nf3 e4 5.Nd4 we want to play a5, but we also invite
Nxd4 6.Bxd4 Be7 7.c4 0-0 8.Nc3 c5 the ...a5 move from Black so when the
All theory for now. The position is equal. move d4-d5 happens, we have no
9.Be5 Clearly, we don't give up the pair problems on the queenside as it is all
of bishops. locked, and we just try to crush the
[ 9.Bxf6 Bxf6 10.Rc1 Bxc3 opponent on the kingside. 14...a5
After any recapture, the position is 15.Qd2 Good move, hiding the intention
very close to equal. ] of where White wants to castle. There
9...d6 10.Bg3 Bf5 Black supports the was nothing wrong with d5 either.
e4 pawn, to break in the center with ... 15...Rfd8 Now Black wants to break
d5. 11.Bh4 We try to stop it. 11...Nd7 open with ...d5. 16.d5! Of course, we
Most natural way to continue, releasing close it, and now the rook on d8 is
the tension of the unpleasant pin. completely useless. 16...Bg6 17.h4
[ 11...d5 is still possible for Black, but We grab space, and make it clear that
the arising position is very unpleasant we want to castle long. 17...Bh5
for Black, pawn down and trying to Logical move to try and stop the
make a draw all the game. 12.Bxf6 advance, and also to trade the bishops
Bxf6 13.cxd5 Qa5 14.Qc2 on e2, but it is not clear if it is best,
1-0 Jobava,B (2588) -Abdrlauf,E as we will see Black will have a lot of
(2343) Titled Tuesday intern op 01st problems on the light squares on the
Feb-B Chess.com INT blitz 2022 (7) ] future so the bishop on g6 was a good
12.Bxe7 Qxe7 Now it is an important defending piece. 18.Be2 We invite the
moment for White. 13.d4! Strongest trade. 18...Bxe2 19.Qxe2 f5
reaction, as we are inviting both Sooner or later Black has to play it
recaptures. anyway, as the e4 is quite weak. 20.f4!
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 33

Strategical understanding that the only we also want to trade queens with
good available square for the moment Qa1-Nb5 in some cases. 26...Nd7
for Black is the e5 square for the knight, Black just waits.
so we stop immediately and ask him to [ 26...Na6 27.Qa1 ]
decide. 20...exf3! The lesser evil. 27.Rg5 White is in no hurry. 27...Rf7
[ 20...Nd7 0.94/24 20...e4xf3 0.25 28.Kc2 Re8 29.Qd3 h6 0.83/24
a b c d e f g h
Dubious decision, to weaken further the
g6 square, but on the other hand its hard
8 8
to come up with any move for Black,
7 7 and White has a lot of ideas at his
disposal.
6 6
[ 29...Nb8 0.44/24 ]
5 5 30.Rg1 Nf8 31.h5 The position is just
strategically lost for Black. 31...b6
4 4
32.Rhg3 Ree7 33.Nb1 To reroute the
3 3 knight and also to trade queens, as the
endgame is hopeless for Black. 33...Qh4
2 2
34.Qf1 We indirectly protect the pawn.
1 1 34...Rd7
a b c d e f g h [ 34...Qxh5?? 5.12/23 34...Re7-e8 0.
21.g4! The only move in the position, 51 35.Rh1+- ]
as otherwise the knight gets to f6 and 35.Nd2 Nh7 36.Nf3 Qe7
Black is in time to close the position [ 36...Qxh5? 37.Rh1 Qg4
completely. ] 38.Rxg4+- ]
21.gxf3 Re8 22.Kd2 We are not scared, 37.Qd3 In a few moves, White
as Black's pieces still don't have any beautifully transfered the knight from c3
potential. 22...Qf6N Now Black prepares to f3, closer to the action. 37...Qe4
f4 with great effect. 1.11/27
[ 22...f4!? 0.72/23 22... Qe7-f6 0.28 [ 37...Kh8 0.78/23 ]
Maybe it was already time for Black 38.Nh4 Trading on d3 is more favorable,
to sacrifice a pawn to get some as the f5 weakness remains on the
activity, but White is for choice after board. 38...Qxd3+ 39.Kxd3
both accepting the offer with exf4 or White achieved the endgame, and even
the more direct Ne4 to put pressure if it looks holdable, Black is lost. 39...Nf8
on the d6 pawn. ] Prevents Rg3-g6. 40.Ke2 &Bianco is
23.f4! Now Black is totally helpless, with more active. 40...Rf6 41.Kf3
no chance for counterplay, has to only We place the king on an ideal square.
sit and wait. 23...Re7 24.Rh3 Nd7 41...Re7 42.Ng6?? A tough to explain
25.Rg1 We improve the rooks. 25...Nb8 decision, maybe due to the nerves of
Probably Black wanted to transfer the the World Cup, but after this the position
knight to b4, but it doesnt do much there is draw.
either. 26.Qd1 Good prophylaxis, and [ 42.R3g2! And the plan of Re2-e4 is
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 34

completely crushing for White, as a very interesting way to continue, and I

soon as the knight leaves f8, we will have a very good score in an online
go with the other rook to g6, trade one blitz in this line. 3...Bg7 4.g3 0-0
pair, return to h4 with the knight, and 5.Bg2 c5 6.Nf3 d6 7.d4 Now it is the
anyway e4 is crushing. Ra7 1.59/29 time to strike, as otherwise ...e5 is
( 42...Rd7 1.13/28 43.Ke2 Rff7 ) coming with a double-edged, but fine
43.Re2 Nh7 44.Rg6 The evaluation position for Black overall. 7...Nc6
is +3, but on human terms is just [ 7...Qa5+ 8.Bc3 Qc7 9.0-0 Ne4
completely lost. Black must now 10.Bb2 Nc6 11.Nbd2 Bf5 12.e3
prevent Rg6xf6. Raf7 45.Reg2 Nf8 Qa5 13.Nxe4 Bxe4 14.Ne1 Bxg2
2.77/27 ( 45...Kf8 1.85/28 46.Ke2 15.Kxg2 cxd4 16.exd4 d5 17.c5 b6
Kg8 ) 46.Rxf6+- Rxf6 47.e4+- ] Andreikin,D (2725)-Ponkratov, P
42...Nxg6 43.Rxg6 Endgame KRR- (2630) ProChessLeague (Int.-rapid)
KRR 43...Ref7 44.Re1 0.01/30 140/(15) 2019 140 Games Section
[ 44.R6g3 1.00/29 ] [Petronijevic,Zoran] ]
44...Re7 1.03/28 And White cannot [ 7...Ne4 8.Nfd2 Nxd2 9.Qxd2 Nc6
break e4. 10.Bxc6 bxc6 11.dxc5 Bxb2
[ 44...Rxg6= 0.01/30 45.hxg6 Rf6 ] 12.Qxb2 Qa5+ 13.Nc3 Qxc5 14.0-0
45.Reg1 -0.01/25 Qe5 Jobava,B (2629)-Sjugirov,S
[ 45.Rg3 1.03/28 ] (2663) ProChessLeague (Int.-rapid)
45...Ref7!= 46.Rxf6 Rxf6 KR-KR 140/(15) 2019 140 Games Section
47.e4 fxe4+ 48.Kxe4 Kf7 49.Kf3 Kf8 [Petronijevic,Zoran] ]
50.Re1 Kf7 51.Kg4 Kf8 52.Re6 Kf7 8.d5 Na5 The Panno setup is not the
53.f5 Kf8 best system to counter the double
[ 53...Rxe6? 54.dxe6+ Kf6 55.Kf4+- ] fianchetto in this position. 9.Nfd2N
54.Rxf6+ 0.01/35 Weighted Error Value: A bit unnecessary, as Nbd2 was also
White=0.11 (very precise) /Black=0.10 perfectly fine.
(very precise) [ 9.Nbd2 0.09/20 9.0-0 0. 42 a6
[ 54.Re2 0.86/31 ] 0.42/20 ( 9...e6= 0.09/20 ) 10.0-0
½-½ b5 11.e4 And the c4 is anyways well
protected. Rb8 12.e5 Ng4 13.Qe1
bxc4 14.exd6 exd6 15.Bxg7 Kxg7
E60 16.bxc4 #10 The Brave and The KID
Jobava,Baadur 2705 with ..-6.d4 c5 ]
Brunello,Sabino 2555 [ 9.0-0 e6 10.dxe6 Bxe6 11.Nc3 d5
EU-chT (Men) 21st (6.1) 03.11.2017 12.Nxd5 Nxd5 13.Bxg7 Kxg7
[Jobava B. / Basso P.L.] 14.cxd5 Qxd5 15.Qc1 #8 The Brave
and The KID with ..-6.d4 c5 ]
E60: King's Indian: Unusual lines and 9...a6 10.a4 A new way of playing, as
Fianchetto Variation without Nc3 1.b3 usually games would continue with Nc3,
Nf6 2.Bb2 g6 3.c4 The game follows 0-0 and a more standard way. This
our repertoire, even tho 3. Bxf6 is also move has the intention to stop b5, and
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 35

also open the a-file for the rook. White Very strong resource. 26.Qxa5 Qe1+!
has an edge. 10...e6 11.Na3 A) 27.Bf1? -2.75/19 27.Kg1-h2 -0.
Designed to make use of the c4 square. 01 Bd3! 28.Qc3? -12.24/26
11...exd5 12.cxd5 Bd7 13.Ra2 ( 28.Nc3 -2.90/23 ) 28...Ne4-+;
Vey nice move, defending the bishop B) 27.Kh2 Bxh3! Incredible tactics,
and also freeing the a1 square for the the game ends in a perpetual.
queen in some cases. 13...b5 14.0-0 28.Kxh3 Ng4! 29.f4! ( 29.Kxg4??
bxa4 -#2/6 29.Nb1-c3 0.01 Qe5
[ 14...Rb8 0.51/21 14...b5xa4 0.13 mate is unstopable ) 29...Nf2+
15.axb5 axb5 16.Qa1! A well-known 30.Kh2 Strongly threatening Bg2-
Reti systems idea. ] f3. Ng4+ 31.Kh3= ]
15.bxa4 Rb8 16.Bc3 Standard move to [ 25...Re8 0.39/24 ]
put pressure on the knight. 16...Ng4 26.Bf1?! -0.01/20 Inaccuracy, as black
17.Bxg7 Kxg7 18.Qa1+! Correctly gets a strong push.
assessing that the endgame is pretty [ 26.g4! Best move, giving up the
dubious for Black 18...Nf6 Black squares is justified. Bxb1
[ 18...Qf6?! 0.75/25 18...Kg7-g8 0.44 27.Rxb1 Ne5 28.Ne4 And white
19.Nac4! Qxa1 0.95/23 ( 19...Nxc4 gains a lot of momentum, due to
0.55/24 feels stronger. 20.Nxc4 Ne5 ) ideas of Re1 or g5. ]
20.Rfxa1 Nxc4 21.Nxc4 ] [ 26.g4 0.83/23 Bxb1 27.Rxb1 ]
19.Rb1 Trading blacks most active 26...Nf6?!= In time trouble Black
piece. repeated.
[ 19.Qc3 maybe stronger ] [ 26...Nf6!? ]
19...Rxb1+ 27.Bg2 Nd7! 28.Na3 0.60/22
[ 19...Bxa4? 20.Rxb8 Qxb8 Better choice than Bf1.
21.Ne4+- ] [ 28.g4 0.92/24 Bxb1 29.Rxb1 ]
20.Naxb1 Kg8 21.e4 0.35/20 28...Ne5 29.Bf1?! 0.01/23 Now white
Premature decision. missed Blacks strong resource. Inhibits
[ 21.h3 Better, prophylaxis against any Ne5xc4. Against Ne5-d3
Ng4 ] [ 29.Ne4! was a necessary move now
[ White should play 21.Qc3 0.84/21 ] to stop ideas related to Qf6, and the
21...Ng4! Correctly using the square. arising positions are complex, leading
22.Qc3 f5 23.h3 Nf6 24.exf5 Bxf5 to an objective slight advantage for
Now Blacks pieces are very much alive. White. ]
25.Rb2 0.39/24 Just a waste of time. [ 29.Ne4! 0.60/24 ]
[ 25.Na3 Was better to directly start 29...Qf6! is Very nice find by Sabino,
improving the knight. ] sacrificing the knight for a lot of
[ 25.Na3! 0.74/24 ] initiative against the White king. ...Bf5-
25...Nd7? 0.83/23 Logical move, but d3! is the strong threat. 30.Qxa5?
missed on a strong opportunity to -2.53/22
equalize. [ 30.Ndc4 The only move to hold
[ 25...Qe8! 1.51/23 25...Rf8-e8 0.23 balance. Naxc4 31.Nxc4 Bxh3!
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 36

32.Nxe5 Bxf1 33.Kxf1 Qxe5= ] a b c d e f g h

[ 30.Kh1= 0.01/24 and White has
8 8
nothing to worry. ]
7 7

a b c d e f g h 6 6
8 8
5 5
7 7
4 4
6 6
3 3
5 5
2 2
4 4
1 1
3 3 a b c d e f g h
Objectively bad move, but White is
2 2
playing on time now.
1 1 [ 34.Kg1 Qd4+= ]
a b c d e f g h [ 34.Kg1= -0.01/24 Qd4+ 35.Kh1
White captured the piece because the Qxb2 36.Nac4 ( 36.Bxg4 Qxa3
opponent was low on time, but it's 37.Nf3 h5= ) 36...Qa1+ 37.Kg2 ]
objectively losing now. 30...Bxh3!-+ 34...Qh5+!-+ 35.Kg1 Qh2+ 36.Kf1
Blacks point of the last move. 31.f4 Qxg3 -0.81/24 The most natural move is
[ 31.Bxh3 Qxf2+ 32.Kh1 Qe1+ a mistake.
33.Bf1 Rxf1+ 34.Nxf1 Qxf1+ 35.Kh2 [ 36...Ne3+! 37.Ke2 Re8!
Ng4# ] The winning idea. 38.Kd3 Prevents
31...Ng4? 0.01/21 c5-c4+. Qxg2-+ ]
[ 31...Bxf1! The tough to find a win. [ 36...Ne3+-+ -4.23/25
32.Kxf1 Nd3! ( 32...Ng4? 0.74/23 is more deadly. 37.Ke2 Re8 ]
32...Ne5-d3 -2.75 33.Ndc4! 37.Bd5+
Holds for White. ) 33.Rc2 Qe5! [ 37.Nf3 was stronger. Threatens to
Beautiful geometry. 34.Nf3 win with Qa5-c3. Ne3+! 38.Kg1
Prevents Qe5-e1+. Qh5! 35.Kg2 Nxg2 39.Rxg2 Qxf3 ]
Qg4 And now White is hopeless, 37...Kh8 -0.25/23
because Nf4 is unstoppable. ] [ 37...Kg7 -0.84/23 38.Ke2 Qf2+
[ 31...Bxf1!-+ -3.57/23 32.Qc3 39.Kd3 Qd4+ 40.Kc2 Ne3+ 41.Kc1
( 32.Kxf1? Nd3-+ ) 32...Bd3 ] Nxd5 42.Rb7+ Kh6 ]
38.Ke2= Qe3+ 39.Kd1 Qxa3 0.33/25
[ 39...Qg1+ -0.20/24 39...Ng4-f2+ -0.
(Diagram) 75 The best way to play. 40.Ke2
aiming for Qa5-c3+. Qf2+ 41.Kd3
The most natural. 32.Bxh3= Qd4+ Qd4+ 42.Kc2 Ne3+ Very unclear
33.Kh1 Qxd5+ 34.Bg2? -3.52/24 position, but probably better for
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 37

Black. ] b7+ and mate. 45...Nf6 1.42/25

[ 39...Nf2+! -0.86/25 40.Kc1 Qxa3 ] [ 45...Ne5 0.83/26 ]
40.Kc1 -0.97/24
[ 40.Rb3 ] a b c d e f g h
[ 40.Rb3 0.33/25 keeps the upper
8 8
hand. Qa1+ 41.Kc2 ]
7 7

a b c d e f g h 6 6
8 8
5 5
7 7
4 4
6 6
3 3
5 5
2 2
4 4
1 1
3 3 a b c d e f g h
46.Ng5! The board is on fire. &Bianco is
2 2
more active.
1 1 [ Don't go for 46.Qxd6? Nxd5
a b c d e f g h 47.Qd7+ ( 47.Qxd5? Rxa4+ 48.Kxa4
40...Qe3 0.01/23 Qa2+ 49.Ra3 Qxd5-+ ) 47...Ne7-+ ]
[ 40...Nf2! The last move to try and 46...Kh6? 7.25/24
claim advantage for Black. ] [ 46...Rxa4+ The last chance to hope
[ 40...Ne3?! 41.Nb1 Qd3 42.Qc3+ to save the game for Black. 47.Kxa4
Qxc3+ 43.Nxc3= ] White wants to mate with Ng5-e6+.
[ 40...Nf2! -0.97/24 White must now Qa2+ 48.Ra3 Qxd5 49.Qe7+ Kg8
prevent ...Nf2-d3+. 41.Bc4 ( 41.Nc4? (  ...Qd5-c4+) 50.Qe6+ Qxe6
Qa1+ 42.Rb1 Qd4 ) 41...Nd1! 51.Nxe6 Kf7 And the arising
42.Kxd1 Qxb2 43.Qxa6 Qd4 ] endgame is evaluated as only +2, so
41.Rb3 White is pushing. 41...Qe1+ still white has to prove the win. ]
0.97/26 Inaccurate, on g1 was better, but [ 46...Rf2? 47.Ne6+ Qxe6
the position is already unpleasant to 48.Bxe6+- ]
play with Black. [ 46...Rxa4+ 1.58/27 47.Kxa4 Qa2+
[ 41...Qg1+= 0.01/24 42.Kb2 Qd4+ 48.Ra3 Qxd5 49.Qe7+ Kg8 50.Qe6+
43.Qc3 Rxf4 ] ( 50.Rb3? Qd4+ 51.Ka5 Qa1+
42.Kb2 Rxf4 43.Qd8+ 52.Kb6 Nd5+ 53.Kb7 Nxe7-+ )
[ 43.Rb8+ Kg7 44.Qc3+ Nf6 ] 50...Qxe6 51.Nxe6 h5 ]
43...Kg7 44.Nf3 White threatens Rb3- 47.Nf7+!+- And now Black is lost. White
b7+ and mate. White has strong is clearly winning. 47...Kh5 48.Rh3+
compensation. 44...Qe2+ 45.Ka3 Kg4 49.Qc8+! Rf5 50.Bf3+ Qxf3+
Finally our king is safe. Intending Rb3- 51.Rxf3 Kxf3 52.Nxd6
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 38

A very adventurous game! Never resign B) 7.dxc5 Qa5+ 8.Qd2 Qxc5

too early! Weighted Error Value: 9.e4 Nc6 10.Ne2 Bh3 11.b4
White=0.45/Black=0.39 Qxc4 12.Na3 Nxe4 13.Nxc4 Nxd2
1-0 14.Bxc6 Nxc4 15.Bxg7 Kxg7
16.Bxb7 Rab8 17.Bd5 Rxb4
18.Nf4 Bf5 19.a3 Ra4 7
A15 Chapter Im-Games Game ]
Jobava,Baadur 2651 7.dxe5 Nfd7 This is a position that we
Neiksans,Arturs 2561 also check in the theory part of the
FRA Cup Asnieres sur Seine (1.1) course. 8.Nc3 White has an edge.
[Jobava B. / Basso P.L.] 8...dxe5 9.Qd2 We don't play moves
like Nf3 and 0-0 because we try to
A15: English Opening: 1...Nf6 1.b3 g6 anticipate the ...c6 move from Black,
2.Bb2 Nf6 3.c4 Bg7 4.g3 0-0 5.Bg2 and also Nf3 closes the g2 monster.
d6 Black chose to play in more of a 9...c6 0.68/21
king's Indian setup spirit. [ 9...Nc5 Best way to play 10.Qe3
[ 5...c5 6.Nc3 Nc6 7.Nf3 d5 8.cxd5 Nbd7 And we reach a complex
Nxd5 9.Qc1 Nxc3 10.Bxc3 e5 11.d3 position that is analyzed more
Bd7 12.Nd2 Rc8 13.Ne4 Qe7 14.h4 profoundly in the theory part. ]
Nd4 15.f3 b5 16.Bd2 c4 17.dxc4 [ 9...Nc5= 0.20/21 ]
bxc4 18.bxc4 Qe6 19.Bh3 f5 20.c5 10.Ba3! All suddenly, White is creating
11.h4 b4 12.Nce2 d5-Anderssen concrete problems for Black. 10...Re8
India 2020 CBM 98 ext [Lane, 11.Ne4 And Blacks pieces are kind of
CCYB6] ] stuck and in each others way. 11...a5
6.d4 e5N With the idea to reroute the knight to b4
[ 6...c5 and shut down the strong a3 bishop.
A) 7.Nf3 Qa5+ ( 7...Ne4 8.Nfd2 12.Nf3 Now we can safely develop, as
Nxd2 9.Qxd2 Nc6 10.Bxc6 bxc6 c6 is already played. 12...Na6 13.Rd1
11.dxc5 Bxb2 12.Qxb2 Qa5+ Strong move, as we are in no hurry to
13.Nc3 Qxc5 14.0-0 Qe5 castle, we could use some h4-h5 ideas
Jobava,B (2629)-Sjugirov,S (2663) also. 0x0.001e79d0094cdp-1022s more
ProChessLeague (Int.-rapid) 140/ active pieces. The black rooks are badly
(15) 2019 140 Games Section placed. 13...Nb4 Black executes his
[Petronijevic, Zoran] ) 8.Bc3 Qc7 idea. 14.0-0 Qe7 15.Nd6 Rd8
9.0-0 Ne4 10.Bb2 Nc6 11.Nbd2 16.Bh3! Very strong find; in any case,
Bf5 12.e3 Qa5 13.Nxe4 Bxe4 we don't allow the knight from d7 to
14.Ne1 Bxg2 15.Kxg2 cxd4 move, so Black's Kingside remains stuck
16.exd4 d5 17.c5 b6 Andreikin,D for longer. Threatens to win with Nd6xf7!
(2725) -Ponkratov,P (2630) [ 16.Ng5 keeps more tension. Nf6
ProChessLeague (Int.-rapid) 140/ 17.Bb2 Ne8 18.c5 ]
(15) 2019 140 Games Section 16...f5 More human way of playing.
[Petronijevic,Zoran]; [ 16...Nc5 1.04/27 16...f7-f5 0.18
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 39

17.Bxc8 Qc7 Tough move to spot. 26.Rd6! Our pieces are fully mobilized.
( 17...Bf8? 2.54/23 17...Qe7-c7 0.86 26...c5 27.Rfd1 Last piece to join.
18.Nf5!+- The bishop on c8 disrupts [ 27.Nxe5 Nxe5 28.Bxe5 Ng4
the rooks protection. ) 18.Bxb4 axb4 29.Bxg7 Nxe3 30.fxe3 Kxg7 ]
19.Qxb4 b6! 20.Nb7 Nxb7 21.Bxb7 27...Ra7 28.h3! First line of engine, to
Qxb7 After finding all this from Black, limit any Ng4. Inhibits Nf6-g4.
still White is for choice, who is up a [ 28.Bxe5 Nxe5 29.Nxe5 Ng4
pawn for little compensation. ] 30.Nxg4 ( 30.Rd8 Rae7 ) 30...Rxe3
17.Bxf5! 0.78/24 The most logical 31.Nxe3 Rd7 32.Rxd7 Bxd7 33.bxc5
continuation, it's not forced by any bxc5 ]
means, e4 is also good, but the position 28...Qe7 1.75/21
of black pieces is so uncomfortable that [ 28...Nh5! 0.70/20 ]
sacrificing the piece is a natural way of 29.g4 1.38/19 We control the f5 square
proceeding in this case. 17...gxf5 and introduce some Nh4-f5 ideas.
18.Nxf5 The compensation is clearly [ 29.b5+- 1.75/21 ]
visible, we sacrificed with tempo, 29...Rc7 1.99/22
collected two pawns and will eliminate [ 29...Qg7 1.38/19 ]
the important g7 bishop, and our bishop
from a3 will go to b2 and enjoy amazing a b c d e f g h
prospects on the long a1-h8 diagonal.
8 8
Black still has to find a decent way to
unpin his pieces. 18...Qf6 19.Nxg7 7 7
Qxg7
6 6
[ 19...Kxg7? 20.Nxe5! Nxe5
21.Qxd8+- ] 5 5
20.Bb2 Engines confirm this position
4 4
White had in mind, and the human
evaluation: 17.Bxf5 was objectively the 3 3
best way to continue. White has good
2 2
play. 20...Re8 21.a3 Na6 22.Qxa5
We collect another pawn. 22...b6 1 1
0.43/23 a b c d e f g h
[ 22...Qh6= 0.02/19 ] 30.b5!+- Important touch to crump Black
23.Qd2 White has compensation. position and not allow any counterplay.
23...Nac5 24.b4 Ne4 25.Qe3 Nef6 30...Qg7 31.Ng5 Strongly threatening
1.14/21 White stays focused until the Ng5-e6.
end. [ 31.Bxe5
[ 25...Ndf6! Engine suggests to give
out the pawn at least for some activity (Diagram)
26.Qxb6 aiming for Rd1-d8. Bh3
27.Rfe1 Ng4! ] Nxg4! 32.Bxg7 Nxe3 33.fxe3
[ 25...Ndf6! 0.54/23 ] Kxg7 ]
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 40

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

8 8 8 8

7 7 7 7

6 6 6 6

5 5 5 5

4 4 4 4

3 3 3 3

2 2 2 2

1 1 1 1

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
[ 31.Nxe5 Nxe5 32.Rd8 ( 32.Bxe5 42.Qf6+ Weighted Error Value: White=0.
Nxg4 33.hxg4 Qxg4+ 34.Kf1 Qh3+ 14 (very precise) / Black=0.64
35.Qxh3 Bxh3+ 36.Ke1 Rxe5= ) 1-0
32...Qe7 33.Rxe8+ Nxe8 ]
31...Ra7 2.17/21
[ 31...Nf8 1.67/22 ] Test 1
32.f3 Kh8 2.90/21 [Jobava B. / Basso P.L.]
[ 32...Qf8 1.56/19 33.Rc6 ( 33.Ne6
Qf7 ) 33...Rb7 ]
33.h4? 1.11/20 Now Black shuold just a b c d e f g h
wait with Kg8, but the position is very
8 8
bad anyway.
[ 33.f4+- 2.90/21 has better winning 7 7
chances. ]
6 6
33...Qg8? 2.27/22
[ 33...Kg8 1.11/20 was worth a try. ] 5 5

4 4

(Diagram) 3 3

2 2
Final mistake. 34.Rxf6! Deflection
34...Nxf6 35.Bxe5 Qf8 6.86/24 1 1
[ 35...Rg7 2.62/25 36.Rd6 Qf8 ] a b c d e f g h
36.Bxf6+ Kg8 37.Ne4 And the rest is White to move 5.Qf3 Qh4+ 6.g3! fxg3
smooth sailing for White. 37...h6 7.hxg3 White has a huge lead in
Inhibits Qe3-g5+. 38.Bb2 Rae7 development
39.Qc3 Intending Qc3-h8+ and mate.
39...Re5 40.Rd5 Rxd5 41.Qh8+ Kf7
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 41

Test 2 a b c d e f g h
[Jobava B. / Basso P.L.]
8 8

7 7

a b c d e f g h 6 6
8 8
5 5
7 7
4 4
6 6
3 3
5 5
2 2
4 4
1 1
3 3 a b c d e f g h
bishop and the f5 pawn is clearly
2 2
misplaced
1 1

a b c d e f g h
White to move 8.f4! Be7 Test 4
[ 8...dxe5 9.fxe5 Followed by Qg4, [Jobava B. / Basso P.L.]
long castling with advantage. ]
9.Qg4 This is clearly better for White as a b c d e f g h
it is not so easy to defend g7.
8 8

7 7
Test 3
6 6
[Jobava B. / Basso P.L.]
5 5

4 4

(Diagram) 3 3

2 2
White to move 5.d4! as a rule, when
Black plays with f5, we can break 1 1
immediately with d4! 5...e4 6.d5! exf3 a b c d e f g h
[ 6...Nce7 7.Nd4 Nf6 8.c4 Ng6 White to move 7.g4!N Re8 8.g5 Nd5
9.Nc3 Be7 10.Qc2 White will 9.h4
continue with 000, with a better
position ]
7.dxc6 bxc6
[ 7...fxg2?? 8.Bxg2+- ]
8.gxf3 we have a better dark squares
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 42

Test 5 White to move 16.Nxd5 Qxe5 17.Bxe5

[Jobava B. / Basso P.L.] cxd5 18.Bxg7+-

a b c d e f g h
Test 7
[Jobava B. / Basso P.L.]
8 8

7 7

6 6 a b c d e f g h

8 8
5 5
7 7
4 4
6 6
3 3
5 5
2 2
4 4
1 1

a b c d e f g h 3 3
White to move 10.Ba3! Bxa3 11.Nxa3
2 2
Nf6 12.Rc1 Qd6 13.Nb1! next Nbc3-
Na4 where the c5 square and Black's c 1 1
pawn will be weak forever a b c d e f g h
8.a4! a4! It's a move we will play only
now. Why? Let's follow the logic: a4
Test 6 weakens the b4 square, which could
[Jobava B. / Basso P.L.] allow Black to capitalize by playing a7-
a5 and Na6-Nb4. However, since Black
has already developed the knight to d7,
a b c d e f g h
exploiting the b4 square becomes less
feasible. But what are the benefits of
8 8
playing a4? Generally, White aims to
7 7 seize space on the queenside, with the
potential for moves like Ba3. However,
6 6
the most crucial aspect is preventing
5 5 Black from playing b7-b5. In fact, if
White starts with 8.d4, Black has the
4 4
strong response 8...b5!. So 8.a4 is also
3 3 preventing Black from playing b7-b5
[ 8.d4 b5!= ]
2 2
8...a5
1 1 [ 8...Re8 9.d4 Ne4 10.Nc3 Nxc3
a b c d e f g h 11.Bxc3 Nf6 12.Ne5 ]
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 43

9.d4 Since we've stopped Black from a b c d e f g h

playing b7-b5, thanks to the inclusion
8 8
of a4-a5, it's time for our next move: d2-
d4. It's pretty straightforward: Black 7 7
wants to play e7-e5, so we block that
6 6
with d2-d4 9...Ne4 10.Nbd2
White is typically slightly better in these 5 5
positions
4 4

3 3
Test 8
2 2
[Jobava B. / Basso P.L.]
1 1

a b c d e f g h

a b c d e f g h
White intends to continue with a5 12...a5
13.b5 Black's b6 pawn is a potential
8 8
weakness and White is strategically
7 7 better here
6 6

5 5 Test 10
[Jobava B. / Basso P.L.]
4 4

3 3

2 2 a b c d e f g h

8 8
1 1

a b c d e f g h 7 7
White to move 6.e4! Qxd1+ 7.Rxd1
6 6
Bg7
[ 7...c6 8.d4 Bg7 9.Bd3 ] 5 5
8.Nd5
4 4

3 3
Test 9
2 2
[Jobava B. / Basso P.L.]
1 1

a b c d e f g h
White to move 12.exf5! gxf5 13.Nh4!
(Diagram) White will play f2-f4 next 13...a5
securing the c5 square for Nc5, so that
White to move 11.b4! Bb7 12.a4 White cannot play b3-b4 14.f4 e4
ChessBase 12 Printout, John Doe, 7/24/2024 44

15.Rf2! this is called the "Botvinnik a b c d e f g h

plan". White wants to play Bf1-Ng2-
8 8
Ne3 and slowly break on the kingside
with h3-h4 7 7

6 6

Test 11 5 5
[Jobava B. / Basso P.L.]
4 4

3 3

a b c d e f g h 2 2

8 8 1 1

7 7 a b c d e f g h
12...Qd7 13.Nf3 a5 14.Rc1
6 6
We have reached a fighting position,
5 5 where White has the more pleasant side.
he can continue with moves like Qc2-
4 4
Ne5-Nd3 and slowly prepare a3-b4-b5.
3 3 It will not be easy, but from the other
side, Black doesn't have a clear plan to
2 2
prevent White from expanding on the
1 1 queenside.
a b c d e f g h
White to move 9.Na4! As already
explained, the key in this position is to
attack the c5 pawn 9...Nc6
Adhiban-Schevchenko 10.Nh4!N Qh5
11.Rc1 and c5 is falling

Test 12
[Jobava B. / Basso P.L.]

(Diagram)

White to move 12.c5 changing structure,

now we will play for the queenside
majority. It's important to note that for
Black is very difficult to play e7-e5