CHESS EVOLUTION

November 2011

By

Arkadij Naiditsch

Quality Chess
www.q ualitychess.co. uk
CHESS EVOLUTION
November 2011

By

Arkadij Naiditsch

Quality Chess
www.q ualitychess.co. uk
 First edition 201 1 by Anuk.doo
with technical assistance from Quality Chess UK Ltd

Copyright 20 I I Arkadij Naiditsch

CHESS EVOLUTION - November 2011

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored
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ISBN 978- I -907982-07 - 1

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Key to Symbols used 4
Editorial Preface 5
Contributors 6

A 9
B 51
c 99
D 177
E 265
24 Puzzles 367
A Chess Evolution Adventure 378
 Key to symbols used
White is slightly better
Black is slightly better
White is better
+ Black is better
+- White has a decisive advantage
-+ Black has a decisive advantage
equality
iii with compensation
with counterplay
CD unclear
t with initiative
with an attack
11 with the idea
0 only move

? a weak move
?? a blunder
a good move
!! an excellent move
!? a move worth considering
?! a move of doubtful value
# mate
 Editorial Preface
First, I would like to offer my apologies to readers for there being some delay to the November
issue of Chess Evolution. The whole Chess Evolution team has been working as hard as possible,
but the European Team Championship slowed down our work for a week, and we decided "better
to have about a week of delay and still produce a I 00% job".

I have tried to base the current issue on analyses from many different GMs. If this been a good
idea, only our readers can judge. In the January issue we shall be going back to having fewer
commentators involved.
New contributors for the November issue:
Paco Vallejo Pons - the Spanish number one.
Alexander Ipatov - a young Ukrainian-born GM, now representing Spain.
David Baramidze - a young German GM.
Yannick Gozzoli - the head of the French version of CE has finally decided to comment on some
games himself. I was very positively surprised by his extremely high level of analysis!

Etienne Bacrot has written a very nice article mainly based on his own games. He has also provided
great analysis of a typical rook endgame from the recent game J. Polgar - Vachier Lagrave, an
ending which quite often occurs.
We have the usual puzzles section, again done by Jacob Aagaard. This time there are 24 puzzles
included - in response to requests from our readers who liked the previous puzzles a lot and
wanted a larger section.

As usual I hope that our readers receive a lot of new information from this issue of CE, and
succeed in winning many games using the novelties given in this book!

Finally, I have to show off a little - the German Team became 20 I I European Champions, with
yours truly playing on board one, so reading CE brings results even at the very highest level!

Arkadij Naiditsch
November 20 I I
 Contributors
Etienne Bacrot: France, 28 years old, GM 27 1 4, number 29 in the
world. Became GM at the age of 1 4, a record at the time.
Six times French Champion starting from 1 999.

Winner of many international events including: 2005: 1 st place in

Poikovsky, 3rd in Dortmund and 3rd of the World Cup in Khanry
Mansiysk. 2009: 1 st in Aeroflor Open, second in Montreal and Anrwerp.
20 I 0: First equal in Gibraltar, 3rd in Nanjing and winner of Geneva
Open. 20 1 1 : First equal in Basel, Geneva (rapid) and Rabat (blitz) .

Yannick Gozzoli: France, 28 years old, GM 2549.

For the last few years Yannick was an extremely

high-rated IM, and he recently completed the
requirements for the Grandmaster title.

Sebastien Maze: France, 26 years old, GM 2577

Winner of 2008 Rabat blitz tournament, 1 st equal m Marseille

2009 and Menton 2009.

Member of the French ream in the Olympiad in Dresden 2008 .

Was the second of Etienne Bacrot in FIDE Grand Prix Elista 2008,
Dortmund 2009 and Nanj ing 20 1 0.

Kamil Miton: Poland, 27 years old, GM 2622.

World Junior U 12 Champion in 1 996. No 2 at the

World Junior Champion (U 20) .

Twice the winner (2002 and 2005) o f one o f the

world's biggest tournaments, the World Open in
Philadelphia, USA.
Arkadij Naiditsch: Germany, 26 years old,
GM 27 1 2, number 3 1 in the world. Became
International Master at the age of 1 3, Grandmaster
at 1 5 .

Winner of 2005 Super-tournament in Dortmund

and since 2006 the top-rated German player. In
2007 was German Champion and won the Baku
Open. In 20 I 0 Arkadij won a match against
Efimenko in Mukachevo and was 1 st equal in the
European Rapid Championship in Warsaw.

Borlri Predojevic: Bosnia and Herzegovina, 24 years old, GM 2642.

Gained the GM title at the Calvia Olympiad in 2004 when he was
1 7. Best Elo was 2654 in September 2009. Joined the top 1 00 in
2007; highest place so far was 68th on the October 2007 list.

Winner of several international open tournaments including: Open

Metalis in Bizovac, Croatia in 2006, Zagreb Open, Croatia in 2007,
Hit Open in Nova Gorica, Slovenia in 2008, Acropolis Open in
Greece 2009. in 2008, Acropolis Open in Greece 2009.

Paco Vallejo Pons: Spain, 29 years old, GM 2705 ,

number 40 in the world.

Former child prodigy who became a grandmaster

aged 1 6 and won the under- 1 8 World Youth
Championship in the year 2000. Has been
competing at the highest levels for many years.

Ivan Sokolov: 43 years old, GM 2646 . Best world ranking

on the FIDE list of 1 2th (several times) .

Winner of many top GM events of which the most important

are: Hastings, Sarajevo, Selfoss, Reykjavik, Hoogeveen, Lost
Boys, Staunton Memorial. Yugoslav Champion in 1 988 and
Dutch Champion in 1 995 and 1 998. Won team gold with
the Dutch team at the 2005 European Championship in
Gothenburg.
GAM E l Eljanov - Ponomariov, [Al3] 10
GAME 2 Wang Hao - Rublevsky, [A20] 27
GAME 3 Radjabov - lvanchuk, [A37] 33
GAME 4 Gelfand - Jobava, [A61] 39
10 Chess Evolution

GAMEl s.Wfa4t tlJbd7 6.Wfxc4 c5

I> P. Eljanov (2683) 6 . . . a6 occurred in the game Fressinet -
.... R. Ponomariov (2758) Bacrot, as analysed on page 292 of September's
Governor's Cup, Saratov Chess Evolution.
Round 1 1 , 1 9. 1 0.201 1 [Al3]
Annotated by Yannick Gozzoli 7.d3!?
Quite a tricky move. White has a lot of other
This was quite a bizarre game. Eljanov went for possibilities as well.
the fashionable English/Catalan hybrid and
chose the tricky 7.d3!?, which deserves serious 7.0-0
attention. I don't know what happened in the
players' minds as Ponomariov reacted with a
known theoretical mistake in 7 . . . b6?, which
allows White to win material for insufficient
compensation by force. But for some reason
Eljanov rejected the critical 8.<ild4 in favour
of the new 8.<ilg5N, and a double-edged
middlegame ensued. The game was balanced
until Eljanov played the dubious 1 7.e5?!
which weakened his position considerably. But
Ponomariov was unable to take full advantage, a b c d e f g h
and after a few inaccuracies on both sides the
7 . . . b6!
game ended in a draw.
7 . . . a6 is playable, but the text is the most
Overall the game was not of great theoretical
attractive. Now, compared to the game, the
significance, apart from drawing attention to
queen on c4 is not protected which allows
the 'refutation' of Black's play by 8.<ild4, as well
Black to get away with exposing himself on
as the revival of the 7.d3!? variation. Black's
the long diagonal.
normal reply of 7 . . . id6 has been analysed in
8.<ild4
the notes, along with the computer suggestion
8.b3 is not ambitious and Black easily gets a
of 9 . . . <ilb8! ?N, which seems quite interesting.
good position: 8 . . . ib7 9.ib2 ie7 1 0.d3 a6
l.c4 tlJf6 Vf3 e6 3.g3 d5 4.g2 dxc4 1 1 .<ilbd2 b5 1 2.\Wc2 0-0= King - Korchnoi,
Switzerland 1 997.
8 ... <ile5 9.<ilc6 <ilxc4 1 O.<ilxd8
8

a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
 November 20 1 1 11

1 0 . . . lt:Jd5! I I . lt:l c3 Black obtained a good game but went on to

White wants to use the strength of the lose after pushing too hard for a win, Roiz -
bishop on the long diagonal. Naiditsch, Heidelberg 20 1 0.)
1 1 .d3?? lt:la5-+ leaves the knight trapped on
d8.
1 I .lt:lc6?! .id7 1 2.d3 is not dangerous:
1 2 . . . .ixc6 This equalizes easily. (Black can try
for an advantage with 1 2 . . . lt:lxb2!? although
after 1 3 .e4 or 1 3 . lt:l e5 White's development
advantage gives him decent compensation)
1 3.dxc4 lt:l b4 1 4. lt:l c3 0-0-0 1 5 . t.f4 t.xg2
1 6. Q;lxg2 .ie7= Black has no problems at all.
1 1 .. .\t>xd8 1 2. lt:l xd5 t.b7 1 3.lt:lc3 t.xg2
14. Q;lxg2 lt:l e5 a b c d e f g h

9 . . Jb8 Preparing ... b6, but White can

thwart that idea. 1 o.lt:la3! Threatening to
go to bS. 1 0 ... a6 1 1 .lt:l c4 ic7 1 2.a5t Black
will have problems developing his light
squared bishop without damaging his pawn
structure.
8.d3 .id6 9.lt:lc3
Compared with the note to Black's 7th
move above, the plan of 9. lt:l a3?! is strongly
countered by 9 ... b5! when the white knight
a b d e f g h
c
looks stupid on the edge of the board, and
1 5 .2"1dl 1 0. lt:l xb5?? is impossible due to 1 0 ... a5t-+.
Planning to open the centre in the hope of 9 . . . a6 1 0.0-0
exploiting the temporary misplacement of
the black king.
1 5 .b3 lt:l c6=
1 5 ... lt:l c6 1 6.d4 cxd4 1 7.e3 Q;lc7 1 8.exd4 !"1d8
1 9.d5
1 9. t.e3 .ib4=
1 9 . . . exd5 20. lt:J xd5t Q;lb7 2 I . t.g5 f6 22. t.e3
.id6
The position is equal.

7.b3!? l"1b8!
a b d f g h
The safest path to equality. c e

7 ... .id6 is less reliable. 8.0-0 0-0 Now 1 0 . . . 0-0

Roiz mentions a strong idea for White: 1 0 . . . b6 1 1 . lt:l d2 0-0 1 2 . lt:l c4 ic7 1 3.a4 lt:l e5
9.a4! (9. lt:l c3 a6 1 0.a4 [ 1 0.d4!? bS 1 1 .lt:le5 1 4.!"1d 1 ib7 1 5 .ixb7 l"1xb7 1 6.ig5 lt:lc6
cxd4 1 2.ixa8 ixeS 1 3. lt:l e4 lt:l xe4 1 4.ixe4 1 7. lt:Jd2 lt:l aS 1 8.c2 h6 Y2-Y2 Schlosser -
lt:l cS] 1 0 . . . c7! 1 l.d3 b6 1 2. lt:le5 ib7= Yusupov, Vienna 1 998.
12 Chess Evolution

1 l .ig5 b5 1 2.lt:'le4 ie7 1 3.lt:'lxf6t xf6 8.a4

1 4.ixf6 'Wxf6 1 5J'fc l ib7 1 6.'Wc3 We? This has been White's highest-scoring reply.
1 7 .lt:\d2 ixg2 1 8. 'i!?xg2;:!; 8 . . . 0-0 9.'\Wb3
Naiditsch - Efimenko, Rogaska Slatina
201 1 .

a b c d e f g h

From this position a) 9 . . . lt:'le5 is a solid move,

but the untested b) 9 . . . lt:'lb8!?N also deserves
serious attention.
a b c d e f g h
7 b6?
... a) 9 . . . lt:'le5 1 o.lt:'lxe5 xe5 1 l .lt:'la3 l:!b8
A really strange choice from Ponomariov,
who is known to be strong in openings (and
other areas too of course) . Black's last move
has occurred in three previous games in my
database; on each occasion White has won
material in the same way, and gone on to win
the game.
Why would such a strong player make a
move which has been dismissed with a "??" by
some annotators? The first possibility is that
Ponomariov was unaware of the refutation or
a b c d e f g h
mixed up his variations, but this is difficult to
believe. The alternative explanation is that he 1 2.lt:'lc4
analysed the position at home and concluded 1 2.0-0 lt:'ld5 1 3.lt:'lc4 c7 1 4.lt:'le3 lt:'le7
that the critical line was okay for Black after he (Black should be able to improve with
gives up an exchange. However, after analysing 14 . . . lt:\b4!? 1 5 .id2 a5) 1 5 .Wc3 b6 1 6.b4
the variations myself I fail to see how Black gave White some initiative in Hauchard -
can justifY the material sacrifice that his last Kiselev, Bucharest 1 993.
move entails, so Ponomariov's reasons remain 12 ... ic7 1 3.'\Wa3 b6 1 4.b4 cxb4 1 5 .Wxb4 e5
a mystery to me. 1 6.0-0 ig4
Yz-Yz Lputian - Ivanchuk, Batumi 1 999.
The main line is:
7 . . .id6 b) 9 ... lt:'lb8!?N
Developing and avoiding any weakening This computer move is not as stupid as
pawn moves for the moment. it looks. The black knight will go to its
 November 20 1 1 13

'rightful' home on c6 and then Black will

play . . . e5.

a b c d e f g h

20.ixh6
a b c d e f g h
20.tt:lb5 xa l 2 l .xa l tt:ld4+ is pleasant for
Black.
l O.tt:la3 tt:l c6 l l .tt:lc4 e5 1 2.0-0 b8 1 3 .ie3 20 . . . tt:ld5 2 1 .ixd5
1 3.a5 h6 1 4.ie3 ie6 1 5 .c2 tt:ld5 2 I .ig5 tt:ld4!? gives Black promising play.
1 6.tt:lxd6 tt:lxe3 1 7.fxe3 xd6 1 8.c3 id5 = 2 l . . .ixd5 22.ixg7 =

( 1 8 . . . e4!?) The game will shortly end in perpetual check.

1 3 . . . b6 1 4.a5

a b c d e f g h

14 . . . ic7
1 4 ... tt:lxa5!? 1 5 .tt:lxa5 bxa5 1 6.a3 ( 1 6.c2
ie6 looks fine for Black) 1 6 . . . c4 1 7.xa5
cxd3 1 8.exd3 e7 is more or less equal.
White should probably try 1 9.d4!? if he
wants to search for some initiative.
1 5 .axb6 axb6 1 6.tt:la3 ie6 17.a4
1 7.b5 tt:la5+
1 7 . . . a8
1 7 . . . id5 1 8.tt:lb5t
1 8 .h4 h6 1 9.tt:ld2 d7!?
A typical computer move! The whole idea
is based on the bad position of the white
queen.
a b c d e f g h
8.ltlg5 ?!N
What a surprise from Eljanov! He decides
against 'refuting' Black's last move, and goes
for something that has never previously been
tested. His chosen move is not bad in itself,
but it fails to punish Black's last move in the
way it deserved.
8.tt:ld4!
This is the critical test, and I have not been
able to find a good reason for White not to play
it. Black can reply with a) 8 ... tt:ld5 or b) 8 ... tt:le5.
14 Chess Evolution

a) 8 . . . lt:Jd5 compensation. We will need to do some

This move is interesting, but the tactics work digging to understand or at least to guess
out in White's favour. why Ponomariov chose the 'losing' 7 . . . b6
9 . .ixd5 lt:l e5 1 0.'1Wa4t move.
But not 1 O.lt:Jc6?? exd5! l l . lt:l xd8 dxc4-+
and the knight is trapped.
1 0 . . . id7

a b c d e f g h

1 2.0-0
1 2.f3 has been played twice and is also
a b c d e f g h good, but in my opinion there is no need
1 1 .lt:lxe6! to weaken the kingside structure. 1 2 . . . h5!?
This simple blow wins a pawn. Other moves Trying to create some counterplay, but it is
turn out badly for White: not enough. ( 1 2 . . . b5 1 3.'1Wc2 .ie7 1 4.e4 0-0
l l ..ic6? lt:lxc6 1 2.lt:lxc6 WeT+ 1 5 . .ie3 c8 1 6.lt:ld2 Tregubov - Monin,
1 1 .'1Wb3?! exd5 1 2.'1Wxd5 lt:lxd3t! 1 3.exd3 St Petersburg 1 993) 1 03.lt:lc3 h4 1 4 .g4 '1Wc6
cxd4 1 4.0-0 ( 1 4.'1Wxd4?! would be met by 1 5 .a4 .id6
the simple 1 4 . . . .ic6 1 5 .Wxd8t xd8 1 6.0-0
xd3+) 1 4 . . . .ie7 1 5 .Wxd4 0-0 1 6.lt:Jc3 .ih3
1 7.Wxd8 axd8+ is also slightly better for
Black.
1 l . . . .ixa4
1 l ...fxe6 1 2.'1We4! exd5 1 3.'1Wxe5t+-
1 2. lt:l xd8 xd8 1 3 . .ig2
Black has no compensation whatsoever.

b) In all three of the games to have been played

so far, Black played: a b c d e f g h
8 ... lt:Je5 9.lt:Jc6 lt:lxc6
This was Sher - S. Polgar, Aarhus 1 993, and
The point of White's 7th move can be seen
now White could have played 1 6.if4!N with
after 9 ... lt:lxc4? I O. lt:l xd8!+- when Black has
an almost winning position, for instance:
both a rook and a knight under attack.
1 6 . . . lt:J d5 1 7 . .ixd6 '1Wxd6 1 8.d4 0-0
1 O . .ixc6t .id7 1 1 ..ixa8 '1Wxa8
( 1 8 . . . lt:l e3 1 9.dxc5 bxc5 [ 1 9 . . . '1We5 20.'1Wd3
Here we are. The last few moves were
bxc5 2 l .'tt>f2 +-] 20.'1We4+-) 1 9.lt:Je4 '1Wf4
forced, and have led us to a position where
20.dxc5 bxc5 (20 ... lt:l e3 2 1 .\Wc l intending
White is a full exchange up for no clear
a3 wins) 2 1 .\Wc l
 November 20 1 1 15

1 2 . . . h5!? 9. ..ib7
.

Trying to develop a kingside initiative. It is
hard to suggest any other sensible plan for
Black.
1 3.h4
1 3 . .ig5!? followed by e4 and lLld2 also gives
White a clear advantage.
1 3 . . . id6 1 4.lLlc3
White's moves have been good and logical.
Black has no attack on the kingside and is
simply an exchange down without serious
compensation.
Black can also consider expanding on the
queenside.
9 ... b5!? 1 0.b3 1'!b6
Now the critical continuation is:
1 1 .a4!?
Fighting for control of the c4-square.
1 1 .0-0 :!J..e7 1 2.lLl f3 ( 1 2.a4?! is less effective
if Black can play . . . lLld5 with the bishop
already on e7: 1 2 . . . bxa4 [ 1 2 . . . lLld5!?]
1 3.c2 lLld5 1 4.lLlh3 :!J..b 7 Black's position
is comfortable.) 12 ... 4:ld5 1 3.id2 Black
must be careful here, as White has a direct
threat of :!J..a 5 and some positional threats
such as a4 or e4. The active 1 3 . . . c4co may be
the best solution.

8 .. J b8
Black will complete development by
a b c d e f g h
exchanging the strong bishop on g2, but he
will still have to be careful as his queenside 1 1 ... c4!?
light squares could become weak. 1 1 ...bxa4 is less enterprising but still
playable: 1 2.c2 ( 1 2.xa4? 1'!a6 1 3.xa6
9 .if4
.
:!J..xa6 1 4.1'!xa6+ White has active pieces
and a solid structure, but a queen is still a
queen!) 1 2 . . . 4:ld5 ( 1 2 . . . :!J..e7 1 3.lLlf3 lt:l d5
8
1 4 . .id2 transposes) 1 3 ..id2 .ie7 1 4.4:lf3 0-0
7 1 5 .0-0 White's structure is better but Black
6 has decent piece play and some pressure on
the b-file. 1 5 . . . tLlb4 1 6.d 1 :fJ..b7 1 7.1'!xa4
5 White's position is preferable but Black
4 should be able to hold.
After the text move White can choose
3
between a) 1 2.dxc4 and b) 1 2.c2!?.
2
a) 1 2.dxc4
1 Taking the pawn is the most natural reaction.
a b c d e f g h
 16 Chess Evolution

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

1 2 ... h6? 1 8 . . . Eia7 1 9.lt:Jd2 Elxa6

This is a bad move, but it was nevertheless 1 9 . . . lt:Jxa6 20.lt:Jf3
interesting to analyse. 20.lt:Jf3 Elxa 1 2 1 .lt:Je5t 'it>g8 22.Eixa 1
12 ... bxc4 1 3.Wfxc4 h6oo White's position is almost winning.
1 3 /t.)xf7!
0 However, we must not forget that Black could
This powerful sacrifice gives Black serious have avoided all this with 1 2 . . .bxc4 instead of
problems. 1 2 . . . h6?.
1 3.lt:Jf3 bxc4 1 4.Wfxc4 lt:Jd5 1 5 .0-0 e7
followed by ... 0-0 gives Black some b) 1 2.Wfc2!?
compensation for the pawn thanks to his After this move Black will have to be careful
pressure on the b-file. in order to avoid an inferior endgame.
13 . . .<;!;>xf7 1 4.axb5 1 2 ... cxd3 1 3.Wfxd3 h6 1 4.lt:Jf3 bxa4 1 5 .lt:Jc3
White has three pawns for the piece and the White has to develop his pieces quickly if he
a7-pawn is under attack. Moreover, Black is is to have any chance of exploiting Black's
suffering from a serious lack of development temporary lack of piece coordination.
and it is not easy to find good squares for 1 5 .Eixa4 Elxb2 gives Black a good position.
his pieces.
1 4 . . . lt:Jc5?
This natural move only makes matters worse,
as the white queen will move to a better
position and the knight is not stable on c5.
14 ...ib7 is the best chance although 1 5 .0-0
ixg2 1 6.'it>xg2 Wfa8t 1 7.f3 ic5 1 8.Wfc3 still
leaves White on top.
1 5 .Wfc2 a6
1 5 . . . ib7 1 6.Eixa7
1 6.0-0 i.b7
a b c d e f g h
1 6 . . . axb5 1 7.Eia7t Elb7 ( 1 7 ... ib7 1 8.b4 Ela6
1 9.Eixa6 lt:Jxa6 20.ixb7+-) 1 8.Eia8 1 5 . . . i.b4
1 7.i.xb7 Elxb7 1 8.bxa6!? Safest, although Black is still not ensured of
There is also 1 8.Eid 1 Wfb6 1 9.b4 when equality.
White wins back the piece, keeping an extra 1 5 . . . Eixb2 is playable but slightly riskier:
pawn and a fine position. 1 6.lt:Jxa4 Elb4 ( 1 6 ... Wfa5t? is bad: 1 7.id2

:B:xd2 1 8.lt:lxd2 .ib4 1 9.0-0! .ixd2
[ 1 9 ....ia6 20.\Wc2 ixd2 2 I . lt:l b2 c3
22.:B:fc l !] 20. lt:l b2 lt:l c5 [20 . . .c3 2 l .xc3
i.xc3 22.:B:ac l +-; 20 . . .b4 2 1 .lt:lc4
ig5 22.h4+-] 2 l .c2 c7 [2 I . . .c3
22.:B:fc l !+-] 22.lt:ld3+-) 1 7.0-0 ib7 1 8.id2
ie4 1 9.a6t White keeps some pressure
due to Black's backward development.
1 6.0-0
1 6.:B:xa4 can be met by 1 6 ... a5 followed by
... 0-0 and ...ib7 or ... ia6 when Black is fine.
a b c d e f
From here it is worth checking b l ) 1 6 . . . a5?
and b2) 16 ... ia6.
b l ) 1 6 ... a5?
This move is a luxury that Black can ill-afford,
and allows White to seize the advantage.
1 7.lt:lxa4
The point is that the rook is in some trouble.
1 7 . . . :B:a6
1 7 . . . ia6?! only makes things worse: 1 8 .d 1
:B:c6 1 9. lt:l d4! :B:c4 ( 1 9 ... :B:c8 20. lt:l c6+-)
a b c d e f
November 20 1 1 17
20. lt:l c6 c8 {20 . . . :B:xc6 2 I .ixc6 0-0
22.:B:cl +-) 2 1 .lt:lxb4 :B:xb4 (2 I . . .axb4
22.d6+- The black king is stuck in the
centre and White plans :B:fc l followed by b3,
winning material .) 22.:B:c l d8 {22 ... :B:c4 is
met by 23.d6+- followed by b3) 23 . .ic7
c8 24. lt:l b6 lt:lxb6 25.ixb6 :B:c4 (25 ... b8
26.ic7 c8 27.d6+-) 26.:B:xc4 ixc4
27.d6 1hreatening ib7. 27 . . . i.d5 28.:B:d 1
It is all over, as 28 . . . ixg2 29.ic5 is mating
by force.
g h a b c d e f g h
1 8. lt:l e5!
Black's position is critical. His pieces are
suffering from a serious lack of coordination
and he has several weak squares on the 6th
rank.
1 8 . . . g5!?
The only move to continue the fight.
1 8 . . . lt:l xe5 1 9 .xd8t 'tt>xd8 20.i.xe5 is
highly unpleasant for Black. His king is
unsafe, the rook on a6 can barely move, and
White can easily improve his position by
taking control over the c- and d-files.
1 9. lt:l xd7 lt:l xd7
1 9 . . . xd7 20.ie5 xd3 2 1 .exd3 'tt>e7 22.d4
:B:d8 23. lt:l c5 ixc5 24.dxc5 The passed
c-pawn and the powerful bishop pair should
decide the game in White's favour.
20.ie3 :B:d6 2 1 .b3 0-0 22. lt:l c3
White keeps a clear plus due to his superior
piece coordination and the opponent's
numerous weaknesses.
g h
18 Chess Evolution

b2) 1 6 . . . a6 1 8.bxc3
This is a much sounder move. White has a passed pawn and strong pressure
1 7.Wd4 along the a-file and on the dark squares. But
with precise play, Black should be able to
equalize.
1 8 . . . 0-0
1 8 . . .ixe2?! is dangerous, for instance:
1 9.:!'l:fe 1 ixf3 20 ..ixf3 0-0 2 l .:!'l:xa4 The
a7-pawn is weak, White's pieces control the
board and Black has no counterplay.
1 9.:!'l:xa4 Wc8!
1 9 . . .ixe2 20.:!'l:fe l is analysed above.
The point of the text move is to restrain the
c-pawn. The following line is not forced, but
a b c d e f g h
it looks logical to me.
1 7 ...xc3 20.c4lt::lc 5 2 l .:!'l:a2lt::lb 3
Black has some alternatives: 2 I . ..:!'l:d8!?
1 7 . . . 0-0? is weak and leads to a loss of 22.Wb2 lt::la 5
material: 1 8.lt::lxa4 :!l:b5 (Perhaps Black's best After 22 . . . ixc4 23.:!'l:xa?t White keeps a
chance would be to give up the exchange slight edge due to his pressure on the dark
with 1 8 . . . ixe2, but this is hardly an ideal squares.
solution either.) 1 9.:!'l:fd 1 Increasing the 23.Wa 1
pressure on the d-file. 1 9 . . . We7 ( 1 9 . . lt::l
. d 5 is A nice square for the queen, where it adds to
met by 20.e4 lt::lx f4 2 l .gxf4 ic8 22.lt::le 5+ the pressure on the a-file while keeping an
when Black is forced to give up the exchange eye on the a 1 -h8 diagonal.
on e5.) 20.Wxa7 White has an extra pawn
and the better position.
17 . . .ic5 1 8 .Wxa4 0-0 1 9J:!fd 1 We7 20.l2Je5
lt::lxe5 2 1 .ixe5

a b c d e f g h

23 . . lt::l
. b3
23 . . lt::l
. xc4?! allows 24.l2Je5! when White
unleashes the power of his light-squared
a b c d e f g h
bishop: 24 . . . lt:Jd5 (24 ...lt::lxe5 25 .ixe5)
Black has chances to equalize, but White's 25 .:!'l:c l f6 26.lt:x:l c4 ixc4 27.:!'l:ac2 :!l:c6
pressure on the a- and d-files gives him a 28.Wxa7 White is almost winning.
pleasant advantage. 24.Wd 1 ixc4
 November 20 1 1 19

24 . . . Wxc4?! allows White a good initiative:

25 .lDe5 '<Mic8 26.lt'lc6 l'!xc6 27.ixc6 ic4
28.ig2 a5 White has won material
although converting his extra exchange will
not be easy.
25 .l'!c2 Wa6 26.lt'le5 id5 27.e4 ia8 28.l'!e l
Black should be okay here, although White
is the only one who can hope for an advantage.

8 -
_f.fi)'Y-
-
7
6 a b c d e f g h

Trrn The position is more or less equal. White

-;J."
5
has a slight structural disadvantage, but he
is slightly ahead in development and Black's
-
4

M yW!J queenside is a little loose. White can try to

3
Md' exploit the open d-file and the d6-square,
,_____

2 r,i
'm"
a b c d e f g h
IO.tLle4 tLlxe4
1 0 . . . b5 l l .'<Mic2 lDxe4 1 2.ixe4 transposes to
the game. Via this move order White can also
consider 1 2.ixb8!? lt'lxf2 1 3.xb7 ( 1 3.0-0
lt'lxd3 1 4.i.xb7 '<Mixb8 1 5 .i.c6lLJ3e5 1 6 . .ixd7t
lt'lxd7 is good for Black, as White's king is
weak and his pawn structure is bad) 1 3 . . . Wxb8
1 4.@xf2 '<Mixb7 although in this line Black's
safer king and superior structure gives him
good compensation.
while Black will try to advance his queenside
pawns, especially with . . . c4 which will free the
c5-square for his pieces.
1 5.a4
Trying to create some weaknesses in the
enemy queenside.
1 5 ... a6
1 5 . . . b4? would be a huge positional mistake
as it surrenders the c4-square and fixes Black's
structure. After 1 6.lt'ld2 followed by lt'lc4
and doubling rooks on the d-file, White has a
considerable advantage.

I I .he4 b5 16.tLlc3 0-0 17.e5?!

1 2 . . . e5?! 1 3 . .ie3 is not helping Black, whose
light squares have been weakened.
Black could have considered 1 1 . . .xe4 1 2.dxe4
and now 1 2 . . . b5 transposing to the game. (But
note that 1 2 ... l'!c8? 1 3.lDc3 is bad for him as
White has good control over the centre and
light squares.)
12.Y*fc2 he4 13.dxe4 gb7 14.0-0 i.e7
This double-edged move is perhaps a bit
too ambitious. White frees the e4-square for
his pieces - especially his knight - and fixes
an outpost on d6. On the other hand the e5-
pawn could become weak and White has to
watch out for the possibility of . . . g5.
A sounder continuation would have been:
1 7.axb5 axb5 1 8.l'!fd l
Now Black must decide where to put his
20 Chess Evolution

queen, as she is clearly not comfortable on 20.lLlb l ? allows 20 ... e5 2 l .ie3 \Wc7 22.1'!a l
the d-file. c4 when Black is better.
After the text move Black's position is tricky,
for instance:
20 . . . \Wc6?!
This natural move gives White an
opportunity to invade.
20 . . . e5! is correct, when White's position
is a bit easier to play, but objectively Black
should be fine.

a b c d e

1 8 . . .\Wc8
1 8 . . . c4? is bad: 1 9.lLlxb5! 1'!xb5 20.1'!a7
ic5 2 1 .1'!dxd7 (2 1 .1'!axd7 \Wb6 22.e3 1'!xb2
23.\Wxc4) 2 I . . .ixa7 (2 1 . . .\Wb6 22.1'!ab7
\Wxb7 23.1'!xb7 1'!xb7 24.\Wxc4) 22.1'!xd8
1'!xd8 23.\Wa4 1'!b7 24.\Wa6 White will win
the c4-pawn although the technical task of
converting his material advantage will not a b c d e
be easy.
2 1 .lLla7! \Wb6 22.\Wa4
However, 1 8 . . . \Wb6 is playable; the queen
Black has no time to breath. He is threatened
controls the aS-square, but she is also a bit
with 1'!xd7 and 1'!a6, so the choices are
more exposed. 1 9.e5 Freeing the e4-square
limited.
for the knight. 1 9 . . . h6 Taking control over
22 ... lLl b8
the g5-square. ( 1 9 . . . c4!? is also possible.)
The only chance.
20.lLle4 c4 2 1 .lLld6 1'!c7 22.h4 1he position
22 . . . lLl f6?? 23.1'!a6+- wins immediately.
is close to equal, but I would take White if
After 22 . . . e5 23.lLlc6 if6 24.ie3 White
given the choice.
obtains a fantastic position. His pieces are
1 9.1'!a5
super-active while Black has no way to create
Hoping to provoke the b-pawn into
counterplay.
advancing, in order to obtain the c4-square
23.ixb8!
for his knight.
Now, a strong sequence of moves gives
1 9 . . . b4?!
White an overwhelming position.
Not the best move, but we will analyse it
23 . . . 1'!bxb8
to see how White's strategy might play out.
23 . . . 1'!fxb8 loses by force: 24J:l:b5 '1Wc7
Black's main problem is that he needs to
25.1'!xb7 1'!xb7 26.\We8t if8 27.lLlc8 f6
involve the f8-rook in the support of his
28.1'!d8 \Wf7 29.\Wc6 1'!c7 30.\Wd6 1'!b7
queenside pawns.
3 1 .lLlb6 Threatening to invade on d7.
The right path is 19 ... \Wc6! 20.1'!da l c4
3 1 . . .\We7 (3 1 . . .1'!e7 32.'1Wb8 followed by \Wc8
2 1 .1'!a6 '1Wc8 22.1'!6a5 \Wc6 23.1'!a6= with a
and lLl d7 wins.) 32.\Wxe7 1'!xe7 33.lLld7 1'!f7
draw by repetition.
34.lLlxc5+- White wins easily.
20.lLlb5!
 November 20 1 1 21

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

24.tt'lc6 13b7 25.13a6 Vffc7 26.tt'la5! 13b6 1 9.tt'le4

26 ...13a7? 27.13xa7 Vffxa7 28.13d7+-
27.13xb6 Vffxb6 28.13d7 if6 29.tt'lc4
With total domination.
a b c d e f g h
17 c4
...
A logical move, although it also looks
tempting to attack the e5-pawn with:
1 7 ...Vffc7 1 8.axb5
Opening the a-file for the rook while creating
a weakness on b5.
Also possible is: 1 8.13fd l tt'lxe5 1 9.Vffe4 if6
20.axb5 axb5 2 1 .13a6 c4 22.Vfie3 Threatening
tt'le4. 22...tt'lg4 (Black can try 22...b4
23.tt'le4 c3 but the draw is not far away after
24.bxc3 bxc3 25.13c l c2 26.tt'lxf6t gxf6
27.Vffe4 13b2 28.ixe5 Vffxe5 29.Vffxe5 fxe5
30.13c6=) 23.Vfif3 tt'le5 24.Vffe3 tt'lg4= A draw
by repetition is the most likely outcome.
1 8 ...axb5
1 9.Vffe4?! c4+ is awkward for White; the
black knight is heading for the c5-square and
the queenside pawns will soon get moving.
1 9.13a6 b4 20.tt'le4 l2lxe5 transposes to
1 9.tt'le4.
1 9 ...tt'lxe5
Black is able to take this pawn as the pin does
not hurt him too much. Now his pieces lack
harmony, but he is not in any real trouble
and a pawn is a pawn.
20.13a6
Threatening Vfic3.
The immediate 20.Vfic3 can be met by
20 ...Vffc 6! 2 l .tt'lxc5 (2 1 .ixe5?! Vffxe4
22.ixg7 b4 23.Vfie5 Vffx e5 24.ixe5 f6
25.if4 c4+ is clearly in Black's favour;
2 l .Vffxe5 f6 22.tt'lxf6t ixf6 23.Vffd 6 Vffxd6
24.ixd6 13c8+ and Black has the upper
hand.) 2 l ...Vffxc5 22.Vffx c5 ixc5 23.ixe5
with equality.
20 ...b4
a b c d e f g h
22 Chess Evolution
Black cannot move many pieces, so he
stops the threat while preparing to create
counterplay with his queenside pawns.
2 I .l'!fa l
2 l .l'!d 1 i s also possible, but after the forcing
line 2 l . . .c4 22. lt:l d6 ixd6 23.l'!dxd6 VMc5
24.We4 lt:l g4 25 .ie3 (In the event of25 .Wf3
c3 26.bxc3 b3 27.l'!d l b2 2B.l'!b l VMh5 29.h4
Wf5 30.e4 Wb5 3 l .l'!a2 h5 32.c4 Wxc4
33.l'!axb2 l'!xb2 34.l'!xb2 Wd4= the position
is roughly equal but only Black can play for a
win.) 25 . . . lt:l xe3 26.Wxb7 c3 27.bxc3 Wxc3
2B.fxe3 We i t 29.'it>g2 Wxe2t the game ends
up in perpetual check.
2 l ...c4 22.E16a5
22.l'! l a5 f6 23. lt:l g5 fxg5 24.ixe5 WeB=
22 . . . f6 23.ixe5 fxe5 24.l'!a6 WeB 25.'it>g2 l'!c7
26.f3=
It is hard for either side to improve their
position, so a draw should be the logical
outcome.
a b c d e f g h
18.axb5 axb5 19.e4 YNb6?!
I do not understand this move.
Better is 1 9 ... Wc7 20. lt:l d6 (20.l'!fd l lt:lxe5
2 l .l'!a6 b4 is analysed in the previous note)
20 . . . ixd6 2 l .exd6 Wc6 when Black is fine; he
can play .. .f6 and . . . e5 to cut off the support
for the d6-pawn, while Black's own queenside
pawns are ready to advance at any moment.
20JUdl VN c6
a b c d e f g h
2 l.h4?!
This move secures the position of the bishop
on f4 while preparing to put a piece on g5, but
I think it is too slow.
2 I .lt:ld6
This seems like a more logical sequel to
White's last few moves. Now Black can
choose between taking the knight or moving
the rook.
2 1 . . . l'!c7!
The best move in my opinion. Black does
not need to exchange the knight, and indeed
he can look to undermine it by striking at
the e5-pawn, perhaps after having driven the
bishop away from f4. From White's point of
view the knight looks nice on d6, but what
should he do with it?
2 1 . . .ixd6?! is a radical decision but not the
best. 22.l'!xd6 We? 23.l'!ad l lt:l b6 (23 . . . lt:l c5
is not helping as the knight is going nowhere
from this square.) 24.id2 Threatening
ia5 . 24 . . . Wc5 25 .ie3 We? 26.ixb6 l'!xb6
27.We4 The position should be level, but at
the same time it is Black who has to be more
careful.
22.l'!a5
The immediate 22.We4 is similar.
 November 20 1 1
a b c d e f g h
22 . . . :gb8 23.'!:lfe4 '!:lfxe4 24.lLlxe4 h6
In this position I see no reason for White to
be better, and Black might soon be able to
start thinking about seizing the initiative on
the queenside.
25.lLld6
After the 'mechanical' 25.h4?! Black can
seize the initiative: 25 . . . ib4 26.:ga2 lLlc5
27.lLld6 (After 27.lLlc3!? ixc3 28.bxc3 h7
White should be able to survive although
only Black can try to win.) 27 . . . c3! 28.bxc3
ixc3+
25 . . . g5 26.lLlxb5
26.ie3 is also possible. 26 ... lLlxe5 27.lLlxb5
l0c6 {27 ... ib4 28.:ga7 :gxa7 29.lLlxa7 ia5
30.:ga l ib6 3 1 .ixb6 :gxb6 Despite Black's
superior position, a draw is the most likely
outcome.) 28.lLlxc7 lLlxa5 29.:ga l lLl c6
30.:gc l :gxb2 3 l .:gxc4 lLle5 32.:ge4 lLld7
33.fl =/+ Black can play on for a while,
but the position should of course be a draw.
a b c d e f g h
23
26 . . . :gcb7
26 . . . :gxb5? would be a mistake as after
27.:gxb5 gxf4 28.gxf4 White has a serious
advantage. The c4-pawn is weak, the rook
has to guard the 7th rank and the minor
pieces have no good squares. On the other
hand White can improve his king's position
and then start to mobilize his central pawns
while keeping pressure on the c4-pawn.
27.ic l lLlxe5
27 . . .ib4 28.:ga4 :gxb5 29.:gxd7 :gxe5
30.id2 leads to an immediate draw after
30 . . . ixd2 3 l .:gxd2 :geb5 32.:gxc4 :gxb2
33.:gcc2 :gxc2 34.:gxc2=.
28.lLlc3 lLl c6 29.:ga4 lLl b4=
Black has an active position but White can
secure enough counterplay by attacking the
c4-pawn, so the game should end in a draw.
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
2l. .. c5
Now Black has no problems and can look
to make something of his queenside majority.
22.ttlg5 g6
Avoiding exchanges for the moment.
After 22 . . .ixg5 23.hxg5 lLl b3 24.:ga3 White
will obtain counterplay with the help of the
d6-square: 24 ... :gd7 25.:gd6 '!:lfb7 (25 ... :gxd6
26.exd6 ttld4 27.'!:lfd2 '!:lfd5 28.ie3 e5 29.f4
f6 30.gxf6 gxf6 3 l .:ga6 leads to a draw, for
24 Chess Evolution

instance 3 l ...Wfb7 32.Ei:a3 Wfd5 33.Ei:a6=) 8

26.Ei:aa6 Ei:xd6 27.Ei:xd6 g6 28 ..ie3= White 7
intends f3, g2 and Wfd l , with equal chances.
6

23.h5 5
f"///,/,,/, ,;:::;c;,/,////. ,,
Now White can start thinking about plans 4
L ... J"''"
such as f3, 'i!tg2 and putting some pieces on 3
the h-file. Black has to be careful and must try
2
to exchange rooks to remain with the better
minor pieces.
a b c d e f g h

27.l'!h l ?!
Better is 27.Ei:a3 although after 27 ...ltJ d4
28.Wfe4 h6 29.Wfxc6 ltJxc6 30.ltJe4 gxh5
3 1 .ltJd6 it is still Black who is fighting for
an advantage.
The text move is tempting but inaccurate.
Now Black can eliminate the dangerous
knight, as he no longer has to worry about
being mated on the back rank.
27 ...ltJd4 28.We4 hg5 29.Wfxc6
After 29.j_xg5 Wxe4 30.fxe4 ltJ b3+ Black
a b c d e f g h can improve his king and then prepare to
advance his c-pawn. Meanwhile the white
23 .. J d7?! rook has no access to the open files.
The wrong rook!
29 ...ltJxc6 30 ..ixg5 gxh5!
23 ...Ei:d8 It is important to give the king some fresh
This would have been more accurate. One air.
of the main advantages of this move is that
8
White will not have time to bring his knight
to e4. 7

24.Ei:xd8t j_xd8 25.f3 6

25.Ei:a8 Ei:d7+ 5
25.Ei:d l Ei:d7 also suits Black well: 26.Ei:xd7
4
Wfxd7 27.hxg6 (27.ltJe4 ltJ xe4 28.Wfxe4
3
Wfd l t 29.h2 Wfd5+) 27 ... hxg6+ Black has
an extra pawn on the queenside and the 2

better minor pieces. White will have to fight

hard for a draw. a b c d e f g h
25 ...l'!d7 26.g2 ltJ b3!
It is important to drive the rook away from 3 l .Ei:xh5
a l . From that square it has access to both the 3 l .j_f6?! f8! 32.Ei:xh5 Ei:d2 shows why the
bishop should not lose sight of the second
h-file and the 8th rank, but now it will have to
rank.
choose one or the other.
 November 20 1 1 25

Also after 3 1 .l'!a l l'!a7 32.l'!d l Wg7 the 28 ...f6!

black king is safe and it will soon be time to Undermining the knight.
advance the queenside pawns. 29.d4
3 1 ...l'!d5 32.i.f4 !iJe7 29.Wfc3 l'!d8 is unpleasant for White.
Black has excellent winning chances. 29 ...tiJ b3 30.ic3 fxe5 3 1 .We4 Wxe4
After 3 1 ...Wc5 32.i.xe5 Wxf2t 33.W h l
ixd6 34.i.xd6 Wf5 35.Wc6+ White has
some counterplay due to the weakened
position of the black king and the passivity
of the knight on b3.
32.!iJxe4 b4 33.i.xe5 !iJc5 34.!iJxc5 .ixc5
35.e3 l'!f5 36.i.d6 g4
The game should end in a draw, but Black
has some chances to press.

26.xe4
Now White's well-placed queen gives him
chances for counterplay, but Black's position
a b c d e f g h remains slightly preferable.
24J:!:xd7 xd7 25.e4
Exchanging the strong black knight. 26 .. J c8
Mter 26...Wd5 27.Wfxd5 exd5 28.l'!a7 White
25 ... xe4 is out of danger.
I do not like this move, which draws the
white queen to a better square. 27.i.e3 b4 28Ja7 e8
28 ...l'!c7 29.Wa8t if8 30.l'!xc7 Wxc7
Black could have kept a nice advantage with: 3 1 .ih6 Wfc5 32.i.xf8 Wxf8 33.Wc6=
25 ...Wd5! 26.tiJd6
Presumably this is what Ponomariov wanted 29.h6 c3
to avoid.
26.!iJxc5 is possible although compared with 8
the game White's queen is less well placed.
7
26...g5 27.l'!d l Wc6 28.e3
6
8
5
7
4
6 r""'.%:?,ii'''"#'
"=./=J///'//.
5
3

4 2
3 1
2
a b c d e f g h
30.b3?!
a b c d e f g h
26 Chess Evolution

There is no reason for White to offer his there are still some moves to make. Here is
opponent a strong protected passed pawn. an illustrative line:

30.bxc3 bxc3 3 l .'l&b7

This would have been the right path to
equality.
3 l ...if8
After 3 1 ...\t>f8 32.\t>g2 neither side can
improve their position. The finish might be
32 .. J'!b8 (32 ...c2? would be a huge mistake
due to 33.ic l followed by a2 and 'l&e4
when Black will lose the c-pawn) 33.'1&c7
c8 34.'1&b7 b8 35.'1&c7= with a repetition
a b c d e f g h
of moves.
32.'1&f3 c2 33.icl 34.\t>f3
Once again the game should be headed for a 34.g4!? is a possible improvement.
draw in the near future. 34 ...c3t 35.\t>g4 xb3 36.c7 c3 37.xc3
bxc3

6
''""'"'"'"-------
5

4
'""""'""'
3

a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
33 ...ic5
Black can avoid the move repetition with 38.\t>f3
33 ...c5 34.\t>g2 xe5?! 35.c7, but only 38.e4? is well met by 38 ...g5! 39.\t>xg5
White can have winning chances here. ic5 , intending to bring the bishop to d2
34.%Vf6 if8 3 5.%Vf3= via f2 and e l . 40.g4 ixf2 4 1 .\t>f4 ih4
42.g5 if2 43.\t>f3 id4 44.\t>e2 ixe5
30...c2 3I .Aci .trs 45.\t>d3 f5 46.gxf6 \t>f7 47.\t>xc2 ixf6
Now White is in some trouble. 48.ia3 \t>g6 49.if8 \t>h5 50.\t>d l (50.ig7
ig5 5 1 .\t>d l ixh6 52.ixc3 \t>g4 53.\t>e l
32.c.tg2 'ifdS?! \t>f3 54.\t>fl ie3 5 5 .ie l \t>xe4 56.\t>g2
In order to keep any winning chances alive, e5 57.ic3 id4 58.id2 \t>d3 59.ic l e4
Black should have gone for a queen exchange 60.\t>g3 ic3-+) 50 ...ig5 5 l .ig7 ixh6
on a different square. 52.ixc3 \t>g4 53.\t>e2 i>g3 54.\t>fl ie3
32 ...Wc6! 33.'1&xc6 xc6 By now Black is winning easily. 55.ie l t
White should be able to draw from here, but \t>f3 56.ih4 dtxe4 57.\t>g2 \t>f5 58.ie7 e5
 November 20 1 1 27

59.ih4 <j;g4 60 ..ie 1 e4 6 l .ia5 h5 62.<;i;Jh 1 35 g5 36J:xd5 .hh6 37 .g4

.

if4 63.<j;g2 h4 64.ib6 h3t 65 .<;i;Jg 1 .ig3 Ensuring that the black bishop will not be
66 . .id4 <;f;lf3-+ able to assist his passed pawn.
38 . . . g5 39.<;i;Je4 ixh6 40.<j;d3 <;!;lg7 4 l .<j;xc3

a b c d e f g h

4 I . . .<;i;Jg6 a b c d e f g h
4 I . . .g4 42.ixh6t <;i;Jxh6 43.<;i;Jxc2 is a 37 ....ig7 38. f3 :Sc3t 39.<j; e4 h6
simple draw. 43 ... <;!;lg5 44.<;i;Jd3 h5 (44 ... <;i;Jf5 Neither side can play for a win, so they
45.<;i;Jd4 h6 46.e4t=) 45.<;i;Je3 h4 46.gxh4t repeat moves.
<j;xh4 47.<j;f4 <j;h3 (47 . . . <;i;Jh5 48.f3=)
48.<;i;Jg5 g3 49.fxg3 <;!;lxg3 50.<;i;Jf6 <j;1f4= 40.:Sd3 :Sc5 4I .:Sd5 :Sc3 42.:Sd3
42.<j;xc2 .ig7 43 ..ib2 h5 44.<;i;Jd3 <;!;lf5 45.f3 112-lfl
.ixe5 46.g4t hxg4 47.fxg4t <;f;lf6 48 ..ic l
Black can play on for a while, but White GAME2
should not have too much trouble holding the [> Wang Hao (2733)
endgame a pawn down. .... S. Rublevsky (2681)
European Club Cup, Rogaska Slatina
28.09.20 1 1 [A20]
Annotated by Borki Predojevic

The following game leads us into an old line

of the English Opening. White can reach the
variation with 7 .d4 only from the move order
with 2.g3 when he "saves" the move lLl c3 for
later. Wang Hao has played this line with
White before and in this game he improved
on his previous play with the dangerous idea
1 0.lLld2!?. Black played the natural 1 0 . . . 0-0
and after 1 1 .lLlb3! he replied 1 I . . .'Wd6!?N
a b c d e f g h
which looks playable for Black. Very soon
33.Yb7 Yd5t 34.Yxd5 exd5 35J d7 after Black quickly played 1 2 . . . 'Wg6?! and next
Now White is out of danger, as there is no 1 3 .. .f4? when White was clearly better after
way for Black to force his c-pawn through. 1 5 .lLla5 and he convincingly won the game.
28 Chess Evolution

The correct move was 1 2 ...ll'l b4!N when I was
unable to find any advantage for White.
I also suggest that the readers consider the
line with 1 1 ....id6 and 1 3....ia6!N which also
looks okay for Black. This variation is very rich
in ideas so I am sure that there are also other
ways to play it with White.
l .c4 e5 2.g3 ttlf6 3 ..ig2 d5 4.cxd5 ttlxd5
5.ttlf3
When White replies to l ...e5 with 2.g3 then
this line is possible since White delays playing
ll'l c3. White is concentrating on playing a very
fast d2-d4.
reversed colours, when White is faced with this
problem, he cannot get any advantage. The
main reason White plays this line is the fact
that he is a tempo up compared to the position
with reversed colours, so he has chances to
gain the advantage.
7... e4
The alternative is:
7...exd4 8.ll'lxd4 ll'lxd4 9.Wxd4

8 .i.J.-
Jl
%---
7
6
------%
/. . . . .

s - B
4..,. 9 ...ll'l f6
a b c d e f g h

On 9 ...ll'lb4? White can take the pawn with:

3
-
-tjj-wr - . % - 1 0.Wxg7! if6 1 1 .Wh6 ll'lc2 1 2.ll'lc3
2 t!J '!! '!! t!J '!! i, '*
1 ttl-- 'ff""
a b c d e f g h
6....ie7
Black can play 6 ...ll'l b6 in order to avoid
the line which was played in this game. This
move order also gives White the chance to
play another set-up after 7.d3 i.e? 8.a3 0-0
9.ll'lbd2 (premature is 9.b4?! .if6t and White
has problems on the a 1 -h8 diagonal) 9 ...a5 a b c d e f g h

1 O.b3 This was played recently at a high level
in rapid games. This line is not related to the
main line in the game, so we will not discuss it,
at least not this time.
7.d4
This is a typical break in the Accelerated
Dragon variation of the Sicilian. With
1 2 ...ll'lxa 1 ( 1 2 ...ixc3 1 3.bxc3 ll'l xa 1 1 4.Wg7
l'!f8 1 5.ia3+-) 1 3.l'!d 1 Black's position
is hopeless. A game continued: 1 3...id7
1 4.ll'ld5 i.e? 1 5.Wg7 l'!f8 1 6.ih6+- f6
1 7.if3 if5 1 8.ih5t ig6 1 9.ixg6t hxg6
20.Wxg6t d7 2 1 .ll'lxf6t 1 -0 Franco
Ocampos - Needleman, Buenos Aires 2003.
 November 20 1 1
After the text move the main reply is:
1 0.'1Wa4t
1 0.'1Wxd8t i.xd8 1 1 .lt:lc3 c6 1 2.b4;!; also
looks better for White since his minority
attack with a4 and b5 is very fast.
1 0 . . .'1Wd7
1 0 ... c6 1 l .d 1 '1Wb6 1 2.ie3 ic5 1 3.ixc5
Wxc5 1 4.b4 Wb6 1 5.lt:lc3 0-0 1 6.b5t is
better for White. His pieces are more active
and Black is faced with an attack on his
queenside pawns.
1 1 .'1Wc2! c6 1 2.d 1 '1We6 1 3.lt:lc3 0-0 1 4.h3;!;
White is slightly better thanks to the
possibility of quickly advancing his central
pawns. Black's queen is on a bad square so he
must lose some time solving this problem.
s)) e5 f5 9.ttlxc6 bxc6
a b c d e f g h
lO.tLld2!?
Probably this was a surprise for Rublevsky.
White usually plays 1 o.lt:lc3 or 1 o.'\Wa4.
A few months earlier Wang Hao played
differently with:
1 0.Wc2
Now Black can react with:
1 0 ... '1Wd6!?
Also interesting looks 1 0 ...'1Wd7 1 1 .lt:lc3
0-0 1 2.lt:lxd5 cxd5 1 3.if4 ia6! 1 4.fc l
ac8 1 5.e3 c 5 1 6.dxc5 ixc5 1 7.'1Wb3+! and
29
although Black lost this game, his position
was okay at this point in Wang Hao -
Karjakin, Ningbo 20 1 1 .
1 1 .tt:lc3 i.e6 1 2.tt:lxd5 i.xd5 1 3 .if4 '1Wd7
1 4.f3 exf3 1 5 .ixf3 0-0
Black did not have any problems.
1 6.i.e5
1 6.i.xd5t '1Wxd5 17 .e3 c5 1 8.dxc5 g5!
1 9.i.xc7 ac8 20.ad l '1We6 2 l .i.d6 i.xd6
22.xd6 '1Wxe3t= leads to an equal position.
1 6 ... id6 1 7.ixd6 cxd6 1 8.e4 fxe4 1 9 .ixe4
ixe4 20.'1Wxe4 d5 2 1 .'1Wd3 '1Wg4 22.'i!ig2 h5=
A draw was agreed in Miroshnichenko -
Eljanov, Ukraine (ch) 20 1 1 .
8
7
6
4
3
a b c e h
10 ... 0-0
In Janssen - Van den Doe!, Dieren (op)
200 1 , Black played: 1 0...c5 1 l .dxc5 ixc5?
Now White replied 1 2.'1Wc2? missing a very
nice tactical blow: 1 2.tt:lxe4! fxe4 1 3.'1Wa4t
'i!ff7 ( 1 3 . . . i.d7 1 4.'1Wxe4t+-) 1 4.'1Wc6+- White
regains the piece with a winning position.
A very aggressive but suspect try for Black is:
1 0 ...h5?!
Generally this kind of move should not be
played in the opening phase, but compared
to the positions from the Accelerated
Dragon, Black is a tempo down, and the
missing move is castling short. This is the
reason Black can try this idea.
30 Chess Evolution

1 1 .%Yc2
Mter the passive l l .ltlb3?! h4 1 2 . .td2
%Yd6f Black had reasonable chances in
C. Foisor - Minnebo, Liechtenstein 1 996.
l l .ltlc4 h4 1 2.%Ya4 .td7 1 3 .ltle5 .td6t
l l . . ..td7 1 2.ltlc4t/
White is faster with his attack in centre; his
idea is to play ltla5 or ltle5. It is also possible
to play f3.
After 10 ... e3 l l .ltlc4 ex2t 1 2.Ei:x2 0-0 I 2 . . . We8 1 3.e3
1 3.%Ya4 White is better thanks to the
weakness on c6. His next move will be ltle5
and Black cannot defend against it.
l l ...d6!?N
Later in the same tournament Black played:
l l . ...id6!?
White replied:
I 2 ..td2
The normal 1 2.%Yc2 We8 1 3.ltla5 is met by:
I 3 . . . ltl b4 I 4.%Yb i ( 1 4.Wa4 .ta6 I 5.a3 .tb5
I 6.%Yb3t ltld5f Black intends . . . Wh5.)
1 4 . . . ia6 1 5 .a3 ltld5 I 6.Wc2 Wh5! This
secures Black a good game.
The active 1 3 .ltla5 can be met by I 3 .. .f4f!.
8

7
I O . . . a5!?N is a possible idea to fight against the 6
plan with ltl b3-a5 , but we will see that after
5
I 0 ... 0-0 Black also has many options.
4

3
V"c"'"Z:;"/'""'mc"'
2

a b c d e f g h

Here Black missed a good active move:

a b c d e f g h
l l . b3!
An alternative is I l .ltlc4, but this doesn't
look as strong as the game move. Black's best
reply is: I l . .. .ta6! (after I l . .. c5 I 2.dxc5 .txc5
I 3 .i.g5 lLl f6 I 4. %Yc2 i.e6 I S .Ei:ac 1 t White was
better in King - Joyce, Dublin I 995) I 2.ltle5
%Yd6f With the idea of playing ... if6 or ... c5.
For example, 1 3.f3 exf3 I4 . .ixf3 Ei:ad8 looks
very comfortable for Black.
I l .a3 looks slow as after I l . .. a5oo White has
made no progress.
1 3 ... ia6!N
After I 3 . . ..te6 I 4.Ei:c l ltl e7 1 5 .ltla5 idS
I 6.b3 f6 I 7.%Ye2 h5 1 8.h4! Wg6 1 9.ltlc4t
White was better in Vitiugov - Motylev,
Rogaska Slatina 20 I I .
1 4.e i b8 I 5 .c l
I 5 ..ifl i.b5 I 6.Wc2 f6! I 7.ltla5 h6f!
offers Black a good game.
1 5 ... f6!f
This position looks very good for Black. He
can continue his kingside attack and if White
tries to attack the c6-pawn then Black has the
simple . . . .ib5.
l l . . . .ie6
This normal development does not look
best since after ltlc5 the bishop on e6 will be
attacked. White can continue with his plan:
1 2.i.d2 ltlb6
 November 20 1 1 31

1 2 . . . Elf6?! 1 3 .Elc l Wfe8 1 4 .g5 Elg6 1 5 .xe7
lLl xe7 1 6.lLlc5 leads to a clear positional
advantage for White. 1 6 . . . d5 1 7.Wfd2 lLlc8
1 8.Wff4 lLld6 1 9.f3!? Wfe7 (after 1 9 . . . exf3
20.exf3! White occupies the e-file) 20.fxe4
fxe4 2 I .Wfe5 Ele8 22.Wfxe7 Elxe7 23.b3
White was on top in Milos - Adla, Buenos
Aires 1 99 1 .
1 I .. ..ia6 1 2 . .id2 Elb8 1 3.Elc l Wfd7 1 4..!%e 1
Wfe6 1 5.Wfc2 lLlb4 1 6 . .ixb4 ixb4 1 7.Eled 1
.id6 1 8.e3:t is better for White.
12.Wfc2
After 1 2.lLla5 c5 1 3.dxc5 Wfxc5 1 4 . .id2 Wfb6
1 5 .Elc l c5f Black's position looks good. He
has more space, which compensates for his
worse pawn structure.

3
a b c d e f g h
2
1 3.lLla5!N
The alternative 1 3 .Wfc2 lLlc4 1 4.e3 lLlxd2
1 5 .lLlxd2 d5 1 6.lLlc4 a5 looks slow, as in a b c d e f g h
Matamoros Franco - Lapshun, Philadelphia
20 1 1 . 12 '1Wg6?!
...

1 3 . . . Wfd5 1 4.Elc l c5 1 5 .dxc5 ixc5 1 6.\Wc2 Black dreams about counterplay with the
d6 1 7.b3:t break .. .f4, but with his last move he loses his
White has a nice positional advantage. At way.
some point he can play e3 and activate the
light-squared bishop by playing .ifl . Black's best reaction was:
1 2 . . . lLl b4! 1 3.Wfc3 lLld5
The former World Champion Veselin Topalov
played 1 l . . .a5?! but after: 1 2 . .id2 a4 1 3.lLla5
.id7 ( 1 3 ... c5!? 1 4.lLlc6 Wfd7 1 5 .lLlxe7t
Wfxe7 1 6.dxc5 Wfxc5 1 7.Elc l Wfb5 1 8.Elc2:t)
1 4.Wfxa4 Wfe8 Now in D. Paunovic - Topalov,
Villarrobledo 2008, White should have played
the simple 1 5 . Wf c2!:t/ when he is obviously
better.

The attacking idea 1 1 ... f4?! looks premature.

Mter 1 2 ..ixe4 .ih3 White can even
a b c d e f g h
play: 1 3 .Wfc2! (also after 1 3.Ele l Black's
compensation is questionable) 1 3 . . . fxg3 And if White wants to play for the advantage
1 4.hxg3 ixfl 1 5 .Wfxc6 lLl f6 1 6.Wfxa8 .ixe2 he is obliged to play:
32 Chess Evolution

1 4 .Wa5 1 7.Wxc6+-) 1 5 .fe U it is very hard to believe

14.Wc4 is met by 14 . . . a5! and White's queen that Black's kingside attack will be successful
on c4 is exposed to a new threat: i.a6. while White will increase his pressure on the
1 4.Wc2lt'lb4= queenside by playing ac l and then a3 and b4.
Probably in most positions this manoeuvre
to a5 would be useful for White, but not 14JUcl! gf6
here. From a5 the queen does not create After 14 . . . fxg3 1 5.fxg3 Black loses his
pressure on the c6-pawn and also the a5- attacking chances and there is no doubt that
square is not free for White's knight. These White is clearly better.
facts help Black, so now it is time for the
plan he tried in the game:
1 4 . . . Wg6!
Black prepares his attack with . . . f4, while
White's pieces are not as coordinated as in
the game. For example:
1 5 .lt'lc5 .ixc5
1 5 ... h5 1 6 . .id2 h4 also looks good.
1 6.1M'xc5 i.a6 1 7.e l
Or 1 7.Wc2 ae8+ and next . . .f4.
17 .. .f4!
Black has a very good game.

a b c d e f g h
Strong and concrete. White is not afraid
of ghosts, so he doesn't play any defensive
moves on the kingside. It is remarkable how
Wang Hao achieved a clearly better position
just by playing a few natural moves. It seems
that Black always needed one more tempo -
the extra move which White usually has in the
Sicilian Defence.

1 5 ...f3
1 5 . . . id7 1 6.Wxe4 if5 1 7.Wf3+-
a b c d e f g h
In reply to 1 5 . . . fxg3 1 6.hxg3 i.f5 White
l3 ... f4? has: 1 7.lt'lxc6 .id6 ( I 7 . . . e3 1 8 .Wb3 exf2t
The plan with 1 2 . . . Wg6 and 1 3 . . .f4? looks 1 9.';f;>fl +-) 1 8.lt'le5 i.xe5 1 9.dxe5 e6
too aggressive and it will be punished very ( 1 9 ... e3 20.ixd5t @hs 2 1 .Wxc7+-) 20.Wb3
quickly. c6 2 l .c5 White is on top. Still this was
Black's best option since after 1 5 . . . f3 as in the
More consistent was 1 3 . . . f6. After 1 4. lt:l a5 game, he ends up in a worse endgame without
i.a6 ( 1 4 .. .f4?? 1 5 .i.xe4 i.f5 1 6.i.xf5 xf5 any counter-chances.
 November 20 1 1
16.exf3 exf3 17.'ilYxg6 hxg6 18.i.fl i.d7
a b c d e f g h
19.a3!
With this move White increases his
advantage on the queenside by preparing to fix
Black's doubled pawns with b2-b4.
19 .. J:e8 20.b4 i.f8 2l .i.g5 U5 22.h4!?
Another option was 22 . .ih3 Ei:7 23.ixd7
Ei:xd7 24.lLlxc61+- but White has no need to
hurry with taking material, as Black cannot
save the pawn on c6.
22 tl.'!e7
..
A better option for Black was: 22 ... ie7
23.ih3 (23.ixe7 lLlxe7) 23 . . . ixg5 24.hxg5
Ei:7 25 .ixd7 Ei:xd7 26.lLlxc6/+- Even so,
White has a near decisive advantage.
23.tl.'!c4
White had plenty of options here. For
example 23.ic4t lLldS 24.id3 +- wins the
exchange.
23 .. J:d5 24.tl.'!e5 gxd4 25.i.e3 gd5
26.i.c4+-
Finally White decides to convert his huge
positional advantage into a decisive material
advantage. Some players would have resigned
here, but this is not today's fashion. Black
continued to fight with:
33
a b c d e f g h
26 i.e6 27.i.xd5 i.xd5 28.i.xa7 tl.'!f5
.
29.tl.'!xg6 i.d6 30.i.c5 'i!.>h7 31 .h5 i.xc5
32.gxc5 tl.'!d4 33Jdl tl.'!e2t 34.'i!.>h2 'i!.>h6
35.g4 :Be4 36.'i!.>h3 tl.'!d4 3i.'i!.>g3 'i!.>g5
38.gxd4 :Bxd4 39.lLle5 'i!.>f6 40.tl.'!xc6 :Bd3
4l .b5
And after passing the first time control,
Black resigned.
1-0
GAME 3
C> T. Radjabov (2744)
V. Ivanchuk (2768)
FIDE World Cup 20 I I , Khanty-Mansiysk
Round 5, Game 2, I 0.09.20 I I [A37]
Annotated by Borki Predojevic
In the lvanchuk - Radjabov match in the
20 I I World Cup, the first game resulted in
a win for lvanchuk. Radjabov had to find a
way to win the second game in order to stay
in the match. The English Opening was his
choice in the following game. He employed a
very nice idea in the variation with 5 . . . e6 and
6 . . . lLlge7. His novelty 9.h5N was connected
with the quite shocking I O.lLlxgS!. lvanchuk
became confused and he already made a little
mistake on the 1 I th move. Radjabov obtained
the advantage, and it was converted into a
win very quickly, thanks to a lot of help from
lvanchuk. My conclusion about the I O.tt:lxg5!
34 Chess Evolution

sacrifice is that Black should be able to hold

the position, but the line deserves attention
and further analysis.

1 .0 c5 2.g3 g6 3.c4 ig7 4.ig2 c6

5.c3 e6 6.d3 tlJge7 7.h4!?
This idea was analysed in the July issue of
Chess Evolution but from another move order,
first 6.h4 and then 7.d3. The main idea is to
get an extra tempo compared to the line 7 .ig5
h6 8.id2. White threatens h4-h5, and so the
most logical reply is:
7 ... h6
After 7 ... b6 8.h5t White would achieve his
goal.
s.idl b6
a b c d e f g h
a) 1 2 ...0-0 1 3.b4 dxc4
With this move order, White has the
intermediate move:
1 4.b5! tt'l a5
1 4 ...tt'ld4 looks more active, but the lines I
analysed turn out slightly better for White:
1 5.tt'lxg5 id7 1 6.e3! ( 1 6.tt'lge4 cxd3
1 7.exd3 tt'lef5 1 8.a4t is also pleasant for
White) 1 6 ... tt'l b3 1 7.tt'lge4 tt'lxd2 1 8.Wxd2
cxd3 1 9.Wxd3 a6! ( 1 9 . . . Wc7 20.Wc4 l:%ad8
2 l .ih3:!) 20.Wc4 axb5 2 l .tt'lxb5 tt'ld5
22.tt'led6 We7 23.0-0 !%adS 24.!%bd l :! with
a solid plus for White.
1 5.tt'lxg5! l:%b8 1 6.tt'lge4 ib7
1 6 .. . tt'l f5 1 7.tt'la4! cxd3 1 8.ixa5 bxa5
1 9.exd3 tt'l d6 20.tt'laxc5:!
1 6 ...cxd3 1 7 .ixh6

9.h5N
This novelty is connected with White's next
move, which to say the least is surprising.

9 ... g5
A more concrete approach is 9 . . . d5!?. After
1 0.hxg6 fxg6, White can continue with the
typical idea: 1 l .a3 ( l l .Wa4 g5 1 2.0-0-0 a b c d e f g h
id7 1 3.'b 1 t is another plan for White, but
I don't think it is any better) 1 l . . .g5 1 2J:'!b 1 1 7.!%xh6! ixh6
(The original 1 2.ltJh2!? preparing f2-f4 and I think that this is more or less forced.
tt'lg4 also deserves attention.) Here Black has 1 7 ...cxd3 1 8.!%xe6 tt'lf5 1 9.!%g6 dxe2
two options: 20.Wxe2 We8 2 1 .Wg4!
 November 20 1 1 35

1 8.ixh6 l!f5 1 9.ih3 tLlg6! b) 1 2 ... dxc4!

19 ... cxd3? 20.exd3+- opens the way for the This is the best idea for Black.
white queen to come to g4. 1 3.dxc4 ib7 1 4.'De4!?
20.dxc4 1 4.b4 cxb4 1 5.axb4 0-0+2
20.ixf5 exf5 2 l .ig5 'De7 22.'Df6t <>f7 1 4 ... 0-0 1 5.ic3 Wxd l t
23.dxc4 Wd4;!; is another possibility for Black seems to be able to hold the ensuing
White. endgame.
20 ... l!e5 After 1 5 ... 'Dd4 1 6.'Dfd2;!; White can
20 ... 'Dxc4 2 l .ixf5 exf5 22.'1Wb3 fxe4 continue with e2-e3.
23.Wxc4t <i>h7 24.ie31+- 1 6.l!xd I l!ad8 1 7 .l!d6
2 1 .'1Wxd8t
2 1 .tLlg5?! Wf6!+!
2 l . . .l'!xd8 22.'Dg5 'D f8 23.f4 l'!e3 24.l'!c l l'!xg3
25.\tlf2 l!xg5 26.ixg5 l!d4 27.ih6 lLlxc4

a b c d e f g h

1 7 ... 4Jd4! 1 8.ixd4 ixd4 1 9.l'!xe6

1 9.l'!xd8 l!xd8 20.'Dxd4 ixe40 2 l .ixe4
l'!xd4 22.id3 <>g7 23.\tld2 'Dc6 24.e3
a b c d e f g h
l!d8 25 .\tlc3 'De5 26.ie2 g4! 27.l'!h5 'Dd7
28.e4! 28.l'!h4 lLl f6 should be equal.
I think White is better after this. The best 1 9 ... ixe4
defence is: 1 9 ... 'D f5 20.g4 ixe4 2 I .gxf5 ixb2 22.l'!g6t
28 ... l'!d2t 29.4Je2 ixe4 30.l'!g l t \tlf7 3 l .l'!g7t ig7 23.l'!hxh6 ixf5 24.l!xg5;!;
\tlf6 32.l'!xa7 'Dd7 33.f5 l'!a2! 20.l'!xe4 ixb2 2 l .l'!xe7 ic3t 22.'Dd2 l'!xd2
Worse is 33 ... l!d3 34.fxe6 l'!f3t 3 5 .<>gl 22 . . .ixd2t 23.\tld l !
'Dde5 36.ig7t \tlg5 37.ixe5 l'!xh3 38.e7
l'!h l t 39.\tlf2 ig6 40.ic7, and the pawn on
e7 gives a decisive advantage to White.
34.l!xd7
Another option is the long line 34.fxe6
'Dde5 35 .ig7t \tlg5 36.ixe5 'Dxe5 37.l!g7t
\tlh6 38.l'!g3 id3 39.l'!e3 l'!xe2t 40.l'!xe2
ixe2 4 1 . \tlxe2 \tlg6 42.a4 \tlf6 43. \tle3 \tle7
44.<>e4 'Dc4 45 .ig4;!;, but I am not sure if
White is able to win this ending.
34 ... ixf5 35 .ixf5 \tlxf5 36.ic l
a b c d e f g h
White has a clear advantage.
36 Chess Evolution

23.0-0 l:!f6;!;/= a l ) I 2 ...e5 I 3.h6 exf4

White may have slightly more practical On 1 3 ...if8 White has I 4.e3! Wfc7
chances, but objectively the position is equal. ( 1 4 ... d6? is met by 1 5 .Wfh5t 'i!;d? I 6.'Wf7!
exf4 I 7.'Wxf6 ixh6 1 8.lLlb5 and suddenly
Black is lost) I 5.'Wh5t 'i!;d8 I 6.lLl b5 Wfb8
I 7.ig5! fxg5 I 8.Wxg5.

a b c d e f g h
Io.tl:l:xg5! a b c d e f g h

This was probably a big shock for lvanchuk,
but it looks to be the only consistent follow-up
to 9.h5. Otherwise Black would play a quick
...d5, giving him the better prospects.
IO ... hxg5 I I ..ixg5 ixd t?!
This is not a good decision. The dark squares
become very weak, which White is able to use
immediately. As further analysis confirms, this
was the critical moment in the game, with
Black having two playable options:
a) l l ...f6 1 2.if4 (The forced line after 1 2.h6
fxg5 1 3.hxg7 l:!xh I t I 4.ixh I lt:lg8 I 5.ixc6
dxc6 1 6.d2 'if;f7 I ?.Wfh i id7 I 8.lt:le4 'i!;xg7
I 9.Wfh5 ie8 20.Wfxg5t Wfxg5t 2 I .lLlxg5 id7+
is in Black's favour.) There is now another split:
White is better, despite being two pieces
down! Black can defend against the threat
of 'Wf6 only with: 1 8 ...e4 I 9.ixe4 d5
( 1 9 ...'We5 20.'Wxe5 lLlxe5 is objectively
better. However, after 2 I .ixa8 tt'lxd3t
22.'i!;e2 tt'lxb2 23.tt'ld6 White keeps a huge
advantage.) 20.ixd5 id7 2 I .f4!+- Stopping
...We5, and preparing 'Wf6 with a decisive
advantage to White.
I 4.hxg7 l:!xh I t I 5.ixh I 'i!;f7
1 5 ...fxg3 is met by the nice I 6.'Wd2! and
White will protect the pawn on g7. For
example: I 6...'i!;f7 I 7.'Wh6 gbg 1 8.if3 g2
1 9.'i!;d2 tt'le5 20.ixg2+- looks very bad for
Black.
I 6.gxf4 'Wg8 I 7.id5t! tt'lxd5 I 8.cxd5 tt'le7
8

5
1""/mm/
//'' -
4
<,,,,../""'"'.,
3
'""""uN,,/"
2

a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
 November 20 1 1
1 9.<jj d2! YMh7!
1 9 ...VMxg7 loses after 20.d6 llJc6 (20 ...ib7
2 1 .dxe7 rj:;xe7 22.Wfg 1 ) 2 1 .Wfh 1 ib7
22.l'!gl Wh8 23.Wd5t rj:;8 24.Wf5! and
White's attack is too strong. On 24 ... llJb8
25.llJe4 ixe4 26.Wxe4 llJc6 27.l'!h 1
Wg8 (27 . . . Wg7 28.l'!h7+-) 28.l'!h6 Wg7
29.l'!h7 +- Black can't defend against all the
threats.
20.d6 llJc6 2 1 .Wb3t rj:;xg7 22.l'!gl t rj:;fg
23.Wd5 ib7 24.llJe4 llJ a5 25.llJxf6 ixd5
26.llJxh7t rj:;f7 27.llJg5t rj:;f8 28.b3
28.llJ h7t=
28 ...ig8 29.f5 llJc6 30.f4
White has excellent compensation.
a2) 1 2 ... llJ f5
This looks most critical.
1 3.g4
a b d e f g h
c
1 3 ...ih6!
1 3 . . . llJ h6 would give White very good
compensation after 1 4.llJb5 e5 ( 1 4 . . . \t>f7
1 5 .ie4) 1 5.ixh6 ixh6 1 6.llJd6t rj:;e7
1 7.llJf5t 'kt>f8 1 8.llJxh6 l'!xh6 1 9.Wd2
l'!h8 20.0-0-0 and White's next moves,
such as f4 or g5, will open up the black
king.
1 4.gxf5 ixf4 1 5 .e3 ie5 1 6.Wg4 We? 1 7.fxe6
ib7 1 8.exd7t Wxd7 1 9.Wxd7t 'kt>xd7 20.rj:;d2
White has three pawns for the piece, but
that is only enough for an unclear game and
equality.
37
b) 1 l . . .ib7!
This is logical, putting the onus on White to
demonstrate his compensation.
1 2.Wd2
12.llJe4 Wffc7 1 3.llJf6t ixf6 1 4.ixf6 :gh6!
1 5 .ig5 :gh7 1 6.Wid2 tt:ld4+ is better for Black.
1 2 . . .f6
An interesting idea for Black is: 1 2 . . . Wc7!?
1 3.llJb5 ( 1 3.h6 ixc3 1 4.bxc3 :i!h?oof+)
1 3 . . .Wb8 1 4.h6 ie5 ( 1 4 . . . id4 1 5 .e3 a6
1 6.llJxd4 cxd4 1 7.0-0-0 gives White good
compensation) 1 5.f4 id4 1 6.e3 f6 1 7.ih4
a b c d e f g h
1 7 . . .ixe3! 1 8.Wxe3 :1'1xh6 1 9.Wf2 a6 20.llJc3
llJ f5oo Black has given the piece back, but in
return White no longer has any pressure.
1 3 .h6 fxg5 1 4.hxg7 l'!xh l t 1 5 .ixh 1 rj:;f7
1 6.YMxg5
After 1 6.llJe4 rj:;xg7 ( 1 6.. . llJc8 1 7.llJxg5t
'kt>xg7 1 8.Wf4 We? 1 9.llJe4) 1 7.llJd6 ia6
1 8.Wxg5t llJg6D 1 9 .Wd2 YMe7 20.ixc6
dxc6 2 1 .Wc3t rj:;g8 22.llJe4 e5+1+ Black has
successfully defended the position and holds
the advantage.
1 6 ... llJg8
The alternative is 1 6 . . . llJ f5 1 7.Wf4 rj:;xg7
1 8.ie4 We? ( 1 8 . . . llJ h6 1 9.0-0-0 We700 is
a transposition to the line after 1 6 . . . llJg8)
1 9.ixf5 exf5 20.Wxf5 :1'1h8 2 1 .0-0-0 l'!h6oo
with a complicated position.
1 7.Wf4t rj:;xg7 1 8 .0-0-0 Wffe7 1 9.ie4 llJ h6
1 9 ... Wf7 20.Wc7 d5 2 1 .Wfxf7t rj:;xf7 22.cxd5
exd5 23.tt:'lxd5+
38 Chess Evolution

20.l'!h l l'!h8 2 l .tt:ib5 e5

The endgame after 2 l ...tt:if7 22.l'!xh8 'it>xh8
23.lt:ixa7 'M'g5 24.'Mixg5 lt:ixg5 25.lt:ixc6
ixc6 26.xc6 dxc6 can be dangerous for
Black.

a b c d e f g h
27.a4! e5! (On 27 ... tt:if7 White can try
28.d4! cxd4 29.c5! bxc5 30.a5 tt:id6 3 l .a6
tt:ib5? [the correct defence is 3 l . . .lt:ic8!
32.b3 e5 33.f3 'it>g7 34.i>d2 'it>7 3 5 .'it>d3
'it>e7 36.g4 'it>e6= with a drawish position]
32.b3! e5 33.f3 lilg7 34.lilc2 lilf6 3 5 .'it>d3
e6 36.g4! and Black has problems. His
knight is tied to the a-pawn, while the white
king is free to invade his position via e4 or
c4.) 28.b4 cxb4 29.c5 bxc5 30.a5 lt:ie6 3 l .a6
lt:ic7 32.a7 lt:ia8 33.'it>b2 'it>g7 34.\i/b3 f6
35.g4 tt:i b6 36.e3 lilg5 37.f3 f6 38.f4 exf4
39.exf4 lt:ia8= The game should finish as a
draw.
22.'Mfe3 d6
22 ... a6 23.lt:ic7 lt:if7 24.l'!xh8 'it>xh8 25.tt:id5
'M'd8 26.ig6 lt:ig5 27.f4
22 ... lt:ia5 23.lt:ixa?oo
23.l'!h5 tt:i 7 24.l'!xh8 'it>xh8 25 .id5 lt:icd8
26.ixb7 'Mfxb7 27.lt:ixd6 'Mfh l t 28.'it>c2 'it>g?oo
The final position is similar to some of the
above lines. White has managed to capture
one more pawn and obtain material equality.
On other hand, Black shouldn't be worse
here.
12.bxc3 Ab7 l3.'Mfd2 'Mfc7 14 ..if6
a b c d e f g h
14 ...
On 1 4 ... l'!h7 White has 1 5.ie4! lt:ig8
1 6.'Mfg5 and Black can't avoid the loss of
material: 1 6 . . . lt:ixf6 1 7.'Mfxf6 'M'd8 ( 1 7 ... lt:ie5
1 8.ixh7 ixh I I 9.f4! looks winning for White)
I 8.'Mfxd8t lt:ixd8 1 9.xh7 .ixh I 20.f3 f5
2 1 . cit> fL. ixf3 22.exf3 'it>7 23.g4 'it>g7 24.ig6
and White is a pawn up in the endgame.
1 5.0-0-0
White doesn't hurry to take the exchange.
The reason is very simple - his bishop on f6
is much stronger than either of Black's rooks.
1 5 .. J3hg8?
A better option was:
1 5 ... l'!he8
I reckon lvanchuk didn't want to play this
because his rook on d8 would be left without
any squares.
1 6.f4!?
This has the idea of stopping the ... lt:ie5-g6
manoeuvre.
1 6.h6 lt:ie5 I 7.ixb7t ( 1 7.e4 lt:ig4)
17 ... xb7 1 8.Wf4 ( 1 8.h7 lt:i 5g6 1 9.e4 d5)
I 8 . . . d6 I 9.h7 lt:i 5g6 20.'Mff3t lilb8 2 1 .l'!h6t
is also better for White.
1 6 ... tt:ib8
16 ... l'!g8 would lead to a position similar
to that which could arise in the game:
I 7.ixc6 ixc6 1 8 .ixe7 l'!de8 I 9.ih4 ixh l
 November 20 I I 39

20.l':i:xh I WI c6 2 l .e4 e5 (2 1 . ..f5 22.l':i:e I t)

22.f5 l':i:g7 23.f6 l':i:h7 24.g4 l':i:g8 25.Wfe2 b5
26.g5 bxc4 27.dxc4;!; and White is superior.
I 7 ..ixb7t Wxb7 I 8.h6 l':i:c8 I 9.h7 tLlg6 20.e4
d6 2 1 .E:h6 tLl d7 22 . .ig7 Wfc6 23.g4t
White is better. The main problem for Black
is the lack of counterplay; all his pieces are
passive.

a b c d e f g h
2l. .. d6
2 I . . . E:xf2 22.dxc5t tLld5 23.Wfe3 E:f5
24.cxb6 axb6 25 .E:hh i !?+- was a better
defence, although Black is still lost.

22.g5 :B5
After 22 ... l':i:g6 23.Wfh4 We? 24.dxc5 Wfxc5
25 .l':i:e8+- it is time to resign.
a b c d e f g h
16.hc6! dxc6? 23.h4 cxd4 24Jhd4 :Bd5
This loses immediately. A last desperate try.

I 6 ... tLlxc6 I 7.h6 l':i:g6 I 8 . .ixd8 Wfxd8 I 9.h7 25.cxd5 a3t 26. bl cxd5 27.:Bh7 xc3
Wfh8 20.Wc2 tLle5 2 Lf3 looks very good for 28Jhf7
White, the pawn on h7 paralysing the black 1-0
pieces.
GAME 4
Most resistance was offered by: I 6 . . . .ixc6 [> B. Gelfand (2746)
1 7 . .ixe7 E:de8 I S . .ig5 .ixh I I 9 .E:xh I f6 ... B. Jobava (2712)
20 . .if4 e5 2 I ..ie3 Wfc6 22.E:h4;!;/ White European Club Cup, Rogaska Slatina
has the better position, but Black still has 27.09.20 I I [A61]
reasonable chances to survive. Annotated by Kamil Miron

17.h6+- The Benoni family of defences are rarely seen

Now everything is clear. Black cannot stop at the highest level, with the major exception
the pawn coming to h7. of Vugar Gashimov who uses the Modern
Benoni regularly. The present game sees Badur
17 ... :Bg6 1 8.h7 :Bxf6 19.h8= :Bxh8 Jobava, one of the most combative players
20Jhh8t d7 2I .d4! around, playing the aggressive 9 ... b5!? against
This is most precise. White opens the centre White's .if4/Wfa4 set-up. Unfortunately for the
and the black king is left without any shield. Georgian grandmaster he soon went wrong in
40 Chess Evolution

a known position with the weak 13 ... lLla6? and 1 0 . . . 0-0

quickly lost the game. The critical continuation White has a space advantage in the centre
is 1 3 . . . b4 1 4.lLlb 1 Elc8!? as analysed in the and his main plan will be to break through in
notes. the centre with e4-e5 . Meanwhile Black will
either look to seize space on the queenside
l .d4 tlJ6 2.c4 e6 3.tlJf3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 with ... b5, or strive for the initiative on the
g6 6.tlJc3 g7 kingside with . . . f5 .
Benoni positions tend to lead to unbalanced
play and murky complications, so the opening
is often employed by aggressive players,
especially when playing for a win against a
weaker opponent - not that the last description
in any way applies to Boris Gelfand.

7.f4 d6 8.a4t d7 9.b3

a b c d e f g h

White can try a few ideas from this position.

a) 1 1 .d3?!
In my opinion this move is inaccurate
and enables Black to generate the kind of
dynamic counterplay that is so typical for
the Modern Benoni.
1 1 . . .Eie8 1 2.lLld2
1 2.0-0 can be met by the thematic 1 2 . . . c4!
1 3.Wxc4 Wxc4 1 4.xc4 lLlxe4 1 5 .Eife l lZlxc3
1 6.Eixe8t xe8 1 7.bxc3 lLld7 with equality.
1 2 ... lLlh5 1 3.e3
F. Mueller - D. Richter, Nordhausen 2009.

9 . . . c8!? appears to be a tempo loss but is not

such a bad move, as the white queen is not
ideally placed on b3.

9 .. .'Wfc7 1 0.e4
1 o.xd6?? is of course disastrous due to
1 0 . . . Wxd6 1 1 .Wxb7 Wb6 1 2. Wxa8 Wxb2-+.
However, White can consider a quieter set
up involving 1 O.e3!? intending h3 (securing
a retreat square on h2 for the bishop) a b c d e f g h

followed by e2 and lLl d2-c4. 1 3 . . .f5!N 1 4.exf5

 November 20 1 1
1 4.f3?! weakens the dark squares. 1 4 . . . i.d4!
1 5 .i.xd4 cxd4 1 6.'Lle2 ( 1 6.'Llb5 b6 1 7.a4
'Lla6 1 8.'Llc4 d8t) 1 6 . . . lLla6 1 7.i.xa6 bxa6
1 8.lLlxd4 lLl f4t
1 4.g3 fxe4 1 5 .lLldxe4 i.f5 1 6.lLlb5 a5t
1 7.'Lld2 i.xd3 1 8.xd3 i.xb2 1 9.'Llxd6
i.xa 1 20.'Llxe8 'Lld7 2 1 .'Lld6oo
1 4 . . . lLl f4
1 4 . . . gxf5 1 5 .0-0 f4 1 6.d 1 fxe3 ( 1 6 . . . l'!e5
1 7.'Llc4 l'!g5 1 8.lLle4 l'!xd5 1 9.'Llcxd6)
1 7.i.xh7t 'ii> xh7 1 8.xh5t 'it>g8 1 9.fxe3
'<Mid8 20.'Llde4--t
1 5 .if1
1 5.ie4 l'!xe4 1 6.lLldxe4 lLlxg2t 1 7.'ii> e 2
'Llxe3 1 8.fxe3 .ixf5
1 5 . . . gxf5 1 6.g3 lLlg6 1 7.i.e2 lLla6 1 8.0-0 f4
1 9.gxf4 l'!f8 20.'ii> h 1 'Llxf4 2 l .l'!g 1
a b c d e f g h
2 1 . . .i.e8!oo
Better than 2 1 . . .'Llxe2 22.l'!xg7t 'it>xg7
23.'Llxe2 i.f5 24.l'!g 1 t i.g6 25.lLlf4 e7
26.lLle6t 'it>g8 27.i.g5 when White has an
attack.
b) 1 l .i.e2 b5!?
The e4-pawn is not well defended and the
white king has not yet castled, which is
enough to justify Black's activity on the
queenside.
1 2.e5
1 2.'Llxb5 i.xb5 1 3.xb5 'Llxe4 1 4.0-0
'Lld7!? 1 5 .c6 d8 1 6.i.d3 l'!c8 1 7.a6
f5oo
41
1 2.i.xb5 'Llxe4 1 3.'Llxe4 a5t 1 4.i.d2
'<Mfxb5 1 5 .xb5 i.xb5 1 6.'Llxd6 i.d3oo
1 2 ... lLlh5 1 3.ie3 c4 1 4.b4 l'!c8!? 1 5.l'!c l
After 1 5 .exd6 '1Wb7 the white queen IS
awkwardly placed.
1 5 . . . lLl a6 1 6.'1Wxd6 '1Wxd6 1 7.exd6 lLlc5 1 8.0-0
b4 1 9.l2Jd 1 llJd}oo
c) 1 l .'Lld2
A typical manoeuvre. The knight is heading
for c4, where it attacks the pawn on d6 while
supporting the future advance of the e-pawn.
1 1 . . .lLlh5
Aiming for . . . f5 , although one should not
forget that the move . . . b5 could appear at an
appropriate moment.
1 2.ie3 f5 1 3.exf5
a b c d e f g h
1 3 . . .i.xf5
Also possible is: 1 3 . . . gxf5 1 4.i.e2 f4N
( 1 4 . . . i.e8?! Black's pieces are uncoordinated
and . . . f4 is still not a real threat. 1 5 .0-0 a6
[ 1 5 .. .f4 1 6.i.xc5] 1 6.d 1 tt:l f6 1 7.'Llf3
b5 1 8.'Llg5 if7 1 9.i.d3 '<Mlc8 20.f3
i.g6 2 1 .'Lle6 lLl bd7 22.i.f4 lnarkiev -
Gashimov, Baku 2008.) 1 5 . .ixc5 Wxc5
Thanks to the strong bishop on g7, Black has
some compensation for the pawn. 1 6.'Llde4
( 1 6.i.xh5 a5 1 7.0-0 a4 1 8.d 1 a3 1 9.'Llde4
d4 20.b3 xd 1 2 l .l'!axd 1 'Lla6) 1 6 . . . b6
1 7.i.xh5 xb3 1 8.axb3 i.e5 1 9.0-0 lLla6
14.i.e2
1 4.lLlb5?! Wd8 1 5 .lLl c4 a6 1 6.'Llbxd6 b5
1 7.'Llxf5 gxf5t
42 Chess Evolution

1 4.h3 %lfe7!? The threat of ... tt'lg3 is 1 8 ... tt'l d3! 1 9.g4
unpleasant for White. White is playing a risky game as his pieces are
1 4 ... tt'l f6 1 5 .0-0 a6 a long way from the kingside. Nevertheless
1 5 . . . tt'l bd7? 1 6.tt'lb5 Wb8 1 7.i.f4 tt'le8 the position remains in balance.
1 8 .tt'lc4 1 9 . . . %lfe7! 20.tt'ld l
15 ... tt'l a6 1 6.a3 %lff7 1 7.tt'lc4 ad8 1 8.ad U 20.f3 hg4 2 1 .hxg4 tt'lxg4 22.hd3 tt'lxe3
23.tt'le2 id4 24.tt'lxd4 cxd4--+
20.tt'lc4 b5!? 2 1 .axb5 axb5 22.tt'lxb5
(22.%lfxb5 xa 1 23.xa 1 tt'lh5! [23 ... tt'lxg4=]
24.gxf5 tt'l hxf4 25 .ifl id4 26.ixd4 cxd4
27.f6 xf6--+) 22 ... xa 1 23.xa 1 tt'lxf4
24.i.xf4 (24.i.fl tt'lxh3t 25 .i.xh3 tt'lxg4--+)
24 ... %lfxe2 25.gxf5 tt'le4 26.fl xf5 27.tt'le3
f8--+
20 ... tt'lxg4 2 1 .hxg4 Wh4 22.f2 tt'lxf2 23.i.xf2
%lfe7 24.%lfe3 %lfxe3 25.tt'lxe3 id?oo
a b c d e f g h
c2) 1 6.h3!
In this position I analysed two continuations
for White:

c l ) 1 6.a4
In most types of Benoni this move is virtually
an automatic reaction to . . . a6. In the present
case it is playable, but not the best.
1 6 ... tt'lbd7 17.h3 tt'le5
1 7 ... ae8?! 1 8.g4 tt'l e4 19 .gxf5 tt'lxd2
20.ixd2 ixc3 2 1 .%lfxc3 xe2 22.ih6
(22.ae 1 xd2 23.%lfxd2 xf5) 22 ... f7
a b c d e f g h
23.ae 1 t The black king is vulnerable.
After the text move Black has managed to In fact White can ignore his opponent's
get organized and his position is quite all queenside play and accelerate his own plans.
right, for instance: 1 6 ... b5 1 7.g4 ic8
1 8.f4 1 7 ... c4 1 8.%lfb4 id3 1 9.ixd3 cxd3 20.a4t
The d3-pawn is weak.
1 8.a4!
A thematic move to seize control over the
c4-square.
1 8 ... b4 1 9.tt'lce4t
White controls the c4-square and Black's
queenside play is blocked. Additionally, White
is better developed and has the promising plan
of tt'lg5-e6.

lO.Ld6
a b c d e f g h
 November 20 1 1 43

1 0.4Jxb5?! has been played in several games,
but after 1 0 . . .ixb5 1 1 .'\WxbSt 4J bd7 1 2.ixd6
tLle4 1 3.ie5 0-0 1 4.ixg7 xg7 White's king
remains in the centre and Black may develop
a strong attack using the b-file and a5-e 1
diagonal.
8
7 fxe4 22.E:xb2 4J b4t 23.d l 'Wxa4t 24.ctle2
6
1 5 .'1Wxb4 'We? 16.'\WxcS ixb2 1 7.!'!:b l E:c8
1 8.'\Wxa? ic3t 1 9.tLld2 'Wxd6 20.e4 i>g?
1 2 ... '1Wa5 1 3.0-0-0 ixb5
1 3 . . . 4Jxd2 1 4 .'1We3t i>d8 1 5 .ie7t i>c8
1 6.4Jd6t i>c? 1 7.E:xd2 'Wxa2 1 8.'1Wa3
1 4.4Jxe4 d?
1 4 . . . 0-0-0 1 5 .ie7
1 5 .e3 E:ab8 1 6.ixb8 E:xb8 1 7.ixb5t E:xb5
1 8.'1Wc4 .ixb2t 1 9.i>c2 f5 20.a4 E:b6 2 l .!'!:b l

5 8

4 7

3 6

2 5

1 4

a b c d e f g h 3

IO ...b6 2
1 O . . tLla6?!
.

This move is inaccurate, but it is important

for White to know how to react. a b c d e f g h
1 1 .tLlxb5 l l .e5
1 l .a4 'Wb6 1 2.tLlxb5 tLle4 13 ..ie5 0-0 Aiming to neutralize the g7 -bishop.
14.'\Wc4 E:fe8 1 5 .'\Wxe4 tLlb4i
l l .e3 c4 1 2.'\Wd l .ig4 1 3.ie5 0-0 l l .e4? is worse: l l . . .'Wxd6 1 2.e5 c4 1 3.4Jxb5
I I ... tLl e4 'Wxe5t ( 1 3 . . . '1Wb6 1 4.ixc4 tLle4+) 1 4.4Jxe5
1 1 . . . '1Wa5t 1 2.tLlc3 tLl e4 1 3.ie5:! cxb3 1 5.tLlc7t i>e? 1 6.f4 !'!:c8 1 7.tLlxa8 lLlxd5
1 8.axb3 ixe5 1 9.fxe5 tLlc6 20.ia6 E:xa8
2 l .ib7 E:b8 22.ixc6 ixc6 23.E:xa7t i>e6
7 24.0-0 ie8+
6
1 1 ... 0-0 12.e3
5
White has an extra pawn but he still requires
4 two tempos to complete his development. In
that time Black will strive for counterplay by
advancing on the queenside and attacking the
d5-pawn.

12 ... c4
1 2.4Jd2! Improving over a previous game where
1 2.'1Wa4 tLl b4 1 3.ixc5 tUxeS 1 4.4Jd6t i>f8 Gelfand had the white pieces.
44 Chess Evolution

1 2 . . . b4?! 1 9.0-0?
Weakening the c4-square does not make a 1 9.d6!N
good impression. Now even if Black regains 1 9 . . . li:Jxd5! 20.ic6 c4 2 l .li:Jxc4 li:Jc5 22.c2
the d5-pawn (which is far from guaranteed) E1ac8
White is still likely to maintain a slight Gelfand - Gashimov, Linares 20 1 0.
positional advantage based on a strong piece
outpost on c4. 8
1 3. li:J b l
7

a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
13.dl
1 3 . . . a5 This position has been reached in several
1 3 . . . ib5 1 4.ixb5 xb5 1 5 .ixf6 ixf6 games. Black's next move must have been
1 6.li:Ja3 b7 17.li:Jc4 '\1!l!xd5 1 8.li:Jb6 either a bad decision at the board or faulty
13 ... if5 1 4.li:Jbd2 li:Jbd7 1 5 .li:Jc4 d8 preparation.
1 6.l'M l ( 1 6.ie2 li:Jxe5 1 7.li:Jcxe5 ie4
1 8.0-0 ixd5 1 9.ic4:!: 1 6.d6) 1 6 ... li:Jxe5 13 ... c!Lla6?
1 7.li:Jfxe5 li:Jxd5 1 8.ie2 c7 1 9.E1xd5 ie6 A weak move.
20.li:Jxg6 hxg6 2 l .E1d l
1 4.a4 ig4 The right path is:
1 4 . . . if5!? 1 5 .li:J bd2 li:Jbd7 1 6.id3 li:Jxe5 1 3 ... b4!
1 7.li:Jxe5 ixd3 1 8.xd3 E1ad8 1 9.li:Jec4
E1xd5 20.li:Jxb6 E1xd3 2 l .li:Jbc4:!:
1 5 .li:Jbd2 li:J bd7 1 6.ib5 E1fd8 1 7.ig3 ixf3
1 8.gxf3 a7

a b c d e f g h

This move can lead to all kinds of

complicated variations. We will check the
various possibilities, one by one.
a b c d e f g h
 November 20 1 1
a) 1 4.tt'la4?! a5 1 5 .d4 ( 1 5 .b3 xa4 1 6.bxa4
tt'l bd7+) 1 5 . . .xa4 1 6.xf6 xf6 1 7.xf6
tt'ld7 1 8.d4 c3 1 9 ..ie2 cxb2 20.xb2 ggfc8
2 l .tt'ld4 tt'l f6 22.0-0 tt'lxd5=
b) 1 4.tt'le2
Temporarily blocking White's development,
but the idea is to put the knight on f4 to
help protect the d5-pawn.
1 4 . . . ib5 1 5 .tt'lf4
1 5 .id4 b7 1 6.ggc l ggc8 The d5-pawn is
weak.
1 5 .tt'led4 tt'l bd7 1 6 ..ixf6 ( 1 6.tt'lxb5 xb5
1 7 . .id4 xd5 1 8 . .ie2 ggfc8 1 9.0-0 c3oo)
1 6 ... tt'lxf6 1 7.ggc l ggac8 1 8.tt'lxb5 xb5
1 9.ggxc4 ggxc4 20.b3 xd5 2 l .ixc4 xd l t
22.'>xd l tt'l e4=
1 5 ... tt'l bd7 1 6.id4 b7
a b c d e f g h
1 7.ie2
1 7.d6 .ih6 1 8.ie2 ggfe8 1 9.0-0 g5
1 7Jk l !? ih6 1 8.ixc4 ( 1 8 . .ixf6 tt'lxf6
1 9.d4 xf4 20.xf6 ih6) 1 8 . . . ixf4
1 9.exf4 ggac8 20.b3 tt'lxd5 2 1 .0-0 ixc4
22.bxc4 tt'lxf4 23.d2 tt'le6 24.ia l Black
has some problems to solve, due to the
potential threats on the long diagonal.
1 7 ... tt'lxd5 1 8.tt'lxd5
1 8.ixg7 tt'lxf4 1 9.ixf8 tt'lxe2 20.ixb4 c3
2 l .ixc3 tt'lc5 22.d6 tt'l e4t
1 8 ... xd5 1 9.ixg7 xd l t 20.gxd l \t>xg7
2 l .tt'ld4 ia6
2 l . . . a6 22.tt'lxb5 axb5 23.ggxd7 ggxa2 24.ggd2
45
gfa8 25.0-0 c3 26.gc2 cxb2 27.ggb l b3
28.ggcxb2 gxb2 29.gxb2 gga2 30.ggxb3 ggxe2
3 l .g4
22.tt'lc2 ib5 23.tt'lxb4 ggab8 24.0-0 tt'lf6
25 .ggd4 id7 26.a3 a5 27.tt'ld5 tt'lxd5 28.gxd5
ggxb2 29.ixc4 ie6 30.ggb5 gb8=
c) 1 4.tt'lb l
Probably the most challenging move.
8
7
6
5
lmm.-mjuc"'/;;_m/ --
4
3
2
a b c d e f g h
1 4 . . . gc8!
Supporting a future advance of the c-pawn.
Other moves do not equalize:
1 4 ... \Wc5 1 5.tt'l bd2 c3 1 6.bxc3 bxc3 1 7.tt'lb3
xd5 1 8 .ixc3
1 4 . . . ib5 has been the usual move, but so far
no one has found the best reaction: 1 5 .a3!N
Weakening Black's queenside structure and
securing the c3-square for the knight. Even
if Black regains the d5-pawn, White should
maintain a positional advantage. 1 5 . . . tt'l bd7
1 6.id4 a5 1 7.tt'lbd2 gac8 1 8.axb4 xb4
1 9.ic3
After 1 4 ... ggc8! White has four main
candidates.
c l ) 1 5 .id4 b7 1 6.tt'lbd2 ib5 1 7.a4 a6
( 1 7 . . . bxa3?! weakens Black's structure and
eliminates the possibility of pushing the
c-pawn. 1 8.ggxa3 xd5 1 9.ie2 tt'lc6 20 . .ic3)
1 8.gc l xd5 1 9.ie2 tt'lc6 20.0-0 (20.ixf6
ixf6 2 l .ixc4 ixc4 22.tt'lxc4 ic3t 23.bxc3
xc4 24.cxb4 xb4t 25 .d2 xa4=)
46 Chess Evolution

3
l'"""'"o"o/'""'"ou/ "

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

20 . . . tt:lxd4 2 1 .tLlxd4 ab8 22.b3 \Mid? 23.ixc4 1 7 . . . tt:lxd5

ib7 Black has compensation thanks to his
strong pair of bishops and the possibility of
transferring the knight to c3.
c2) 1 5 .tLlbd2 c3 1 6.tt:lc4
1 6.bxc3 bxc3 1 7.tLlc4 \Mfa6 1 8.tLld6 ( 1 8.c l
ia4 1 9.tLld6 \Mfxd6 20.\Mfxa4 [20.ixd6
ixd l 2 1 .xd l c2 22.c l tt:lxd5 23.id3
tt:lc6+] 20 . . . Wxd5 2 1 .xc3 tt:l bd7 22.ia6
tt:lxe5 23.xc8t xc8 24.ixc8 tt:l e4 25.0-0
tt:lxf3t 26.gxf3 tLld2=) 1 8 ... c2 1 9.Wd2 Wa3
1 7 . . . bxc3 1 8.ixc3 ib5 1 9.id4 Wb4t
20.\Mfd2 xc4 2 l .ixc4 \Mlxc4 22.c l Wa4
23.c8t tt:le8 24.ixg7 c;:f;>xg7 25 .Wd4t
\Mfxd4 26.tLlxd4 id7 27.c5;!; In this instance
White's rook and two pawns are better than
Black's two pieces because White has a
strong centre and he may easily strengthen
his position with moves like 'it>d2, e4, he 1 ,
a5, c;:f;>e3 and so on.
1 8.ixg7 c;:f;>xg7 1 9.cxb4
1 9.Wd4t f6 20.Wxc5 xc5 2 1 .cxb4 tt:lxb4
22.b 1 tt:lxa2=
19 . . .Wxb4t 20.tLl fd2 ia4 2 1 .\Mfc l tLla6 22.a3
We? 23.ie2 tLlc5 24.\Mfb2t f6 25.0-0 ab8
26.Wd4 d8
Black's activity provides ongoing
compensation.

c3) 1 5 .a3 \Mfa5

a b c d e f g h

20.c l (20.tLlxc8 tt:le4 2 1 .Wxc2 ixe5

22.tLlxe5 \Mfa5t 23.c;:f;>e2 tLl c3t 24.c;:f;>f3
Wxd5t 25.e4 Wxe5 26.c l tt:l c6 27.Wxc3
tt:ld4t 28.c;:f;>e3 xc8 29.\Mfd2 tLl f5 t 30.c;:f;>f3
tt:ld4t=) 20 . . .if8 2 l .xc2 ixd6 22.xc8t
ixc8 23.ib2 Wxa2 24.ixf6 Wb l t 25.\Mfd l
ib4t 26.tLld2 Wa2 27.\Mfc l tLld7 28.ic3
a b c d e f g h
ixc3 29.Wxc3 ia6t
1 6 . . . \Mfc5 1 7.bxc3 1 6.tt:lbd2
 1 6.'&d4 c3 1 7.bxc3 bxc3 1 8.lt:lxc3 lt:le4 27.c;f;>e2 ixa 1 =
1 9.'&xe4 ( 1 9.i.xg7 l:!xc3 20.it:Jd2 l:!c2 24 . . .axb6 25.0-0 lt:le8 26.l:!a2 it:J d6 27.ib3
2 l .'&b4 '&xb4 22.axb4 lt:lxd2 23.i.d3 l:!c8 b5
24.c;f;>xd2 <j;Jxg7 25.b5) 1 9 . . .ixe5 20.'&xe5
l:!xc3 2 l .it:Jd2 ie6 22.ie2 lt:l c6 23.'&f4 c4) 1 5 .ie2
ixd5 24.0-0 l:!c2 25.lt:le4 l:!xe2 26.l:!ac l
i.xe4 27.'&xe4 '&xa3 28.'&xc6=
1 6 . . . c3
Highlighting the main advantage of
1 4 . . . l:!c8! over the more common 1 4 ... ib5.
1 7.bxc3
1 7.lt:Jc4 '&xd5 1 8.axb4 cxb2 1 9.ixb2 '&b7
1 7 . . . bxc3 1 8.lt:lc4 '&xd5
1 8 . . . '&a6 is met by 1 9.it:Jd6 when the queen
does not have the a3-square available.
1 9 ... c2 20.'&d2 '&xd6 2 l .ixd6 lt:le4 22.ie5
a b c d e f g h
lt:lxd2 23.c;f;>xd2 l:!c5 24.ixg7 c;f;>xg7 25 .i.d3
l:!xd5 26. c;f;>e2t 1 5 . . .if5
1 5 . . . '&c5!? 1 6.0-0 '&xd5 1 7.'&xd5 lt:lxd5
1 8.ixg7 c;f;>xg7 1 9.l:!c 1 ib5 20. lt:J d4 c3
2 l .bxc3 ixe2 22.lt:lxe2 lt:l a@
1 6.it:Jbd2
Maybe White should consider: 1 6.0-0
lt:lbd7 1 7.id4 '&a5 1 8.lt:lh4!? ( 1 8.a3 c3t;
1 8.it:Jbd2 c3 1 9.lt:lc4 '&xd5 20.bxc3 bxc3
2 l .i.xc3 Wxd 1 22.l:!fxd 1 ie6 23.ixf6
[23.lt:lfd2 lt:l b6 24.lt:lxb6 axb6 25 .id4
it:Jd5] 23 . . . ixf6 24.l:!ac l lt:l b6 25.lt:lxb6
axb6 26.l:!xc8t l:!xc8 27.a4 ib3 28.l:!b 1
a b c d e f g h
ixa4 29.l:!xb6 l:!c 1 t 30.ifl <j;Jg7=) 1 8 . . . i.e4
1 9.ixc3 1 9.it:Jd2 ixd5 20.a3!t
1 9.it:Jd6 l:!c6 20.ic4 '&xd l t 2 1 .l:!xd 1 lt:lg4 16 . . . c3 1 7.lt:lc4 '&d8 1 8.bxc3 lt:l bd7 1 9.cxb4
22.ig3 ie600 lt:lxe5
1 9 . . . ie6 20.'&xd5 ixd5 2 l .it:Jfd2 lt:l bd7
22.id4
White still has some problems with
development as ie2 will allow . . . ixg2.
Meanwhile Black will develop counterplay
along the b- and c-files, and against the
vulnerable a3-pawn.
22 . . . lt:Jb6
22 ... l:!c7!? is another idea.
23.ixb6 ixc4 24.ixc4
24.lt:lxc4 axb6 25.lt:lxb6 lt:le4 26.lt:lxc8 ic3t
a b c d e f g h
48 Chess Evolution
20.tt:lcxe5
20.tt:\fxe5!? tt:l xd5 2 1 .0-0 e6 leaves White's
knights unstable, while the strong g7-bishop
and weakness of the c3-square seem to give
Black promising counterplay. Nevertheless
after 22.'Wd2 (22./"k 1 tt:lxb4 23.'Wxd8t
!'l.xd8 24.a3 tt:la2 25.!'1.c2 !'l.ac8 26.f4 !'l.c5)
22 . . .'Wc7 23.f4 !'l.d8 24.'We 1 f6 25.tt:lf3
tt:lxf4 26.exf4 xc4 27.xc4t 'Wxc4 28.f5t
White's position is a bit easier.
20 ... tt:\xd5 2 1 .0-0
2 l .'Wd4 e6
2 1 . . .e4 22.!'1.c l
22.c4 !'l.xc4 23.tt:lxc4 xa l 24.'Wxa l
.ixf3 25.gxf3 'Wg5t 26.'i!th 1 'Wf5 27.tt:\d2
tt:lxb4 28.\&d4 a5 29.a3 tt:\c2 30.'Wd6 tt:lxa3
3 l .'l&xa3 !'l.d8 32.!'1.b 1 'Wc2 33.'Wxa5 'Wxd2
34.'Wxd2 !'l.xd2 35.'it>g2
22 . . . !'1.xc l 23.'Wxc l !'l.c8
a b c d e f g h
24.'Wd2
24.tt:\c6 'We8 25 .b5 tt:lc3
24 . . . 'We7
24 . . . xe5 25.tt:\xe5 xg2 26.g4t
25.d3 hf3 26.tt:\xf3 'Wxb4 27.!'1.c l tt:\c3
The strong knight makes it hard for the white
rook to join in the game, making it difficult for
White to make much use of his extra pawn.
The a2-pawn is also vulnerable, and . . . a5-a4-a3
may feature in Black's plans.
To summarize, 1 3 . . . b4 1 4 .tt:\ b l !'l.c8! was the
critical continuation for this line, and would
have given Black much better chances than the
game continuation. We examined a jungle of
variations. In a few of them White maintained
somewhat better chances, it is hard to say if
this would be enough for serious winning
chances at a high level.
Let us now return to the game after 1 3 . . . tt:\a6?,
after which White quickly obtained a large
advantage.
a b c d e f g h
14.a4!
White's idea is the same as after a2-a3 against
a black pawn on b4: to destroy the enemy
queenside structure.
14 ... b4
1 4 . . . b4 1 5 .tt:\b5
15.axb5
1 5 .e2 bxa4 1 6.0-0 is also tempting.
1 5 ...if5 16.ixc4
Simplest, although White could also have
considered: 1 6.!'1.c l !? tt:ld3t ( 1 6 ... !'1.ac8 1 7.'Wd4
tt:lc2t 1 8.!'1.xc2 xc2 1 9.d6 'Wxd4 20.tt:lxd4
b3 2 1 .tt:lc6t) 1 7.ixd3 ixd3 1 8.b3 ( 1 8.d4
'Wd6 1 9.tLle5 lLlxd5 20.tLlxc4 xc4 2 l .ixg7
!'l.fd8 22.tLlxd5 xd5 23.ic3 ixg2 24.'Wxd6
!'l.xd6 25.!'1.gl ie4) 1 8 . . . !'1.fe8 1 9.id4 'Wd6
20.bxc4 ixc4 2 1 .tLld2 ixd5 22.0-0
 November 20 1 1 49

1 9.e2 was also wmnmg, but Gelfand's

8
queen sacrifice makes a lovely aesthetic
7 impression.
6
19 ...hc2 20.id4 Wfd8 21 .0-0+-
5 The material balance is approximately even,
4 with White having two pieces and three pawns
for the queen. But White's pieces are perfectly
3
coordinated in the centre, and his position is
2 so strong that it practically wins by itself, with
no effort from the player.

a b c d e f g h 2 1 . Wfe7 22JUcl .i5 23.e4! i.d7 24.h3

16 .. JUc8 c!bf6 25.d6 Wfd8 26.e5 c!bh5 27.c!bd5

1 6 . . . lLlc2t 1 7 .e2 ( 1 7.fl lLlg4 1 8.ga6
lLlgxe3t 1 9.fxe3 lLlxe3t 20.g l lLlxd l t
2 1 .gxb6 axb6 22.lLlxd l ixe5 23.lLlxe5 gfe8
24.lLlf3 ga l 25.f2 i.c2 26.i.e2;!;) 1 7 . . . lLlxa l
1 8 .'\Wxa l lLle4 1 9 ..ixg7 xg7 20.b3 White
has a great position: three pawns for the
exchange, numerous stable outposts for his
pieces in the centre, and weaknesses in the
enemy king position on the dark squares.

17.b3 c!bg4 18.hg7

1 8.lLla4 was also winning.

1 8 c!bc2t
..
a b c d e f g h
The board reveals a beautiful picture of total
domination by the white pieces.

27 c.!?ftl 28.i.e3 tl)g7 29.i.g5

1-0

a b c d e f g h
19.Wfxc2!!
GAME S Caruana - Eljanov, [B 1 2] 52
GAME 6 Caruana - Motylev, [B 1 2] 58
GAME 7 Karjakin - Laznicka, [B 1 2] 66
GAME S Dominguez - Polgar, [B33] 71
GAME 9 Motylev - Laznicka, [B48] 80
GAME 10 Rublevsky - Bruzon, [B85] 86
GAME 1 1 Motylev - Woj taszek, [B90] 91
52 Chess Evolution

GAME S In the European Club Cup my team-mates

[> F. Caruana (271 2) GM Berkes and GM Ragger played instead the
..... P. Eljanov (2683) popular:
European Club Cup, Rogaska Slatina
0 1 . 1 0.20 1 1 [Bl2] 6 . . . a6!?
Annotated by Borki Predojevic Black wants to push ... c6-c5 without
allowing ib5t. Now there are two options:
The Caro-Kann is one of the most popular a) 7.ie3 and the main move b) 7.ie2.
openings at the top level today, so we frequently
see interesting new ideas in this line. In the a) 7 . .ie3
4.ltJd2 line of the Advance Variation, Eljanov White is trying to stop ... c5 but Black can
chose the rare line 6 . . . c5!? and it seems this is plays the normal:
playable for Black. Eljanov then played the 7 . . J"k8
novelty 1 I . . ..ig6N, but the previously played Once again . . . c5 is coming.
1 1 ... 0-0 also looks fine for Black. After the 8.c3 c5 9.dxc5
opening Black had no problems and when
White let him achieve a break with . . . b4 it was
clear that only Black could win the game. Mter
a period of waiting moves from both sides,
White made the fatal mistake 52.f4?? and soon
resigned.
It is worth mentioning that I also cover new
games in the more popular 6 ... a6!? line. Both
6 . . . c5 and 6 . . . a6!? are currently giving Black
good results, so now it is up to White to find a
new way to fight for an advantage.
a b c d e f g h

l.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 .t5 4.ltld2 e6 5.lilb3 9 . . . ixc5!

ltld7 6.lilf.3 Black is okay.
Worse is 9 . . . ltJxc5 I O.ltJfd4! ig6 I I .ie2
ltJ h6 1 2.h4 and White is clearly better.
In Jakovenko - Eljanov, Odessa 20 1 0, the
game continued 1 2 . . . tt:lxb3 1 3.axb3 ic5
and after 1 4.h5 if5 1 5 .ixh6 gxh6 1 6.g4
ixd4 1 7.\Wxd4 ic2 1 8.l:'!a3 \Wg5 1 9.\Wd2+
Black lost a piece.
Normal now is:
I O.ltJxc5 tt:lxc5 I I .i.e2 tt:le7
White can chose a plan with:
1 2.tt:lh4
But after:
1 2 . . . h6 1 3.tt:lxf5 ltJxf5 I 4.ixc5 l:'!xc5=
Black had no problems. Now White made
an error:
 November 20 1 1 53

1 5 . .id3? 1 3 . . . V9c7!? and White replied: 14.f4 ie4

1 5.0-0 0-0= 1 5 .a5 tt:l f5 1 6 . .if2 f6! 17.exf6 !%xf6 1 8.g3
1 5 . . . d4! 1 6.V9a4t b5 1 7.V9xa6 xe5t+ tt:ld7 1 9.!!a3 tt:lxd4 20.ixd4 !%ff8 2 l .id3
Black was dearly better in Navara - .ixd3 22.cxd3
Grischuk, Khanty-Mansiysk 20 1 1 .

b) 7 ..ie2 c5 8.dxc5 ixc5!

As we have already seen, this is Black's main
idea.
9.0-0 'Oe7 1 o.'Oxc5 'Oxc5

a b c d e f g h

22 . . . '0 b8! 23.V9g4 Wd7 24.!%e l 'Oc6 25 .ic5

!%f6 26.d4 h6 This was Caruana - Motylev,
Poikovsky 20 1 1 , which you can find analysed
in detail in Game 6, starting on page 60.
1 4.f4 .ie4 1 5 .c3 tt:l c6 1 6.tt:lxc6 !%xc6 17 ..id4
a b c d e f g h Inaccurate is 1 7.a5. Black continues with his
l l .tt:ld4 plan: 1 7 .. .f6 1 8.exf6 Wxf6 1 9.f2 V9g6!?
After l l ..ie3 !!c8 1 2.c4 0-0 1 3 J:'k l tt:l d7 And now after 20 ..ih5 Wh6 2 l ..ie2 Wg6
1 4 . .ig5 the best reaction is: 1 4 . . . h6!N 22.Wb3 !!c7 23.!!e l tt:le5!= 24.Wd l a draw
(worse is 14 . . ..ie4 1 5 .'0d2 if5 1 6.tt:lf3 was agreed in Grischuk - Ragger, ECC
ie4 1 7.tt:ld2 .if5 1 8.cxd5 !!xc l 1 9.V9xc l 20 1 1 . Black has no problems and 24 . . . tt:lc4
tt:lxe5 20.dxe6 .ixe6 2 l .!!d U Van Kampen would lead to easy equality.
- Turov, Haarlem 20 I I ) 1 5 ..ixe7 V9xe7
1 6.cxd5 !!xc l 1 7 .Wxc l exd5 1 8.V9c7 V9b4?
Black has nothing to worry about.
l l .tt:lh4 ie4 1 2.f3 ig6 leads to a good
game for Black. After 1 3 ..ie3 !!c8 1 4.c3 b5!
1 5 .!!e 1 tt:la4 1 6.VNd2 tt:l c6 1 7.tt:lxg6 hxg6
1 8.f4 tt:la5 1 9 ..id4 tt:l c4 20.ixc4 dxc4?
Black had a nice position in Z. Almasi -
Grischuk, Ningbo 20 1 1 .
1 1 . . .0-0 1 2.a4
With this move White stops . . . b5. a b c d e f g h
1 2 ... !!c8 1 3 ..ie3 tt:ld7
1 7 . . .f6
After the games from the European Club
A typical idea in this set-up. Many players
Cup we also saw fights in this line in the
will compare this position with those which
Poikovsky 20 1 1 super-tournament. In one
arise from the French Defence.
of these games Black played the interesting
1 8.Wd2
54 Chess Evolution

1 8.exf6 lt:lxf6 1 9.d2 lt:l e8! 20.l'!ae 1 lt:l d6
2 1 .b3 lt:l f5 22 ..if3 .ixf3 23.l'!xf3 a5 Yz-Yz
Rublevsky - Laznicka, Poikovsky 20 1 1 .
1 8 . . . lt:l c5! 1 9.l'!a3 fxe5 20 . .ixe5 lt:l d7 2 1 .id4
The idea of . . . c6-c5 and . . . ixc5 is logical
since White has played lZl b 1 -d2-b3 just to take
Black's bishop. Positionally, Black has made a
correct decision since he gained plenty of time
to develop his pieces.

9.lLld4 lLle7 lO.i.b5t lLld7 l l.i.g5

8
7

a b c d e f g h
4

2 l . . .e5?! 3
Too optimistic. As Ferenc told me after 2
the game, he saw 2 1 . . .lt:lb6 22.e3 c7
(22 . . . 4:lc4?! 23.ixc4 l'!xc4 would be met 1
by 24 ..ic5 l'!f6 25.b3 l'!xc5 26.xc5 with a b c d e f g h
a clear advantage for White) 23.l'!a2 lt:lc4
24 . .ixc4 l'!xc4= which leads to a more or less l l ...i.g6N
equal position, but he thought that the move This is a novelty. Previously Black had
in the game was better. played:
22.fxe5 l'!g6 23.l'!xf8t lt:lxf8 24.ifl lt:l e6
25 ..ie3 h5 26.l'!b3 h4 27.h3 c7 28.c4 1 1 . . .0-0
28.a5!?t would keep some pressure. This is also very interesting. Logical in reply
is:
1 2. lt:l xf5 exf5 1 3 .ixe7
After 1 3.0-0 lt:lxe5 1 4.l'!e1 f6 1 5 .ie3 a6
1 6.ia4 l'!c8? Black is okay.
1 3 . . . Wxe7 1 4.ixd7 xd7 1 5 .0-0

a b c d e f g h 4
bmo""""

28 ... d4! 29 ..ixd4 d8 30.ie3 xd2 3 1 .ixd2 3

lt:ld4 32.l'!e3 lt:l f3t 33.l'!xf3 ixf3 34.ie 1 ic6 2
>-=J-="---;
35 ..ixh4 ixa4 36 ..ie 1 .ib3
Yz-Yz Svidler - Berkes, ECC 20 1 1 .
a b c d e f g h
7.dxc5 hc5 8.ltlxc5 ltlxc5
 November 20 1 1
This posmon is very interesting. Black
has a weakness on d5, but this is not so
important, as he can create pressure on the
c- and e-files.
1 5 .. J'!ac8!N
This looks more precise than the alternative
below since now VMd4 is not possible
(c2 would be hanging) .
1 5 . . . gfd8 1 6.VMd4 gac8 1 7.gac l gc4
1 8.VMxa7 ga4 ( 1 8 . . . d4!? 1 9.VMa3 VMb5;!;/= was
more acceptable for Black) 1 9.VMb6 gxa2
20.l'l:a 1 !l:xa 1 2 l .l'l:xa 1 l'l:c8 22.c3;!; White
was better in T. Antal - Magyar, Hungary
20 1 1 .
1 6.c3 gc4 1 7.ge 1 ge8 1 8.VMd3 ge4! 1 9.gxe4
fxe4 20.VMd4 VMb5 2 l .b3 VMd3 22.VMxd3 exd3
23.l'l:d l (23.f4 !l:c8!) 23 ... !l:xe5 24.g3 l'l:e2
25.!l:xd3 !l:xa2 26.!l:xd5 g6=
The position is equal. This line shows that
1 1 . . .0-0 should be tested more in the future.
a b c d e f g h
12.'d2
After this game White tried to find an
advantage by playing:
1 2.h4!? h6 1 3 ..ixe7 vtfxe7 1 4.h5 ih7 1 5 .VMg4
But now Black doesn't have to play . . . a6.
1 5 . . . 0-0 1 6.ixd7 VMxd7 1 7.0-0 !l:ac8
We have reached a position which is
important for us, as in the main game we
will see a similar fight between bishop and
knight.
55
1 8.c3 b5 1 9.a3 aS 20.!l:fe1 b4 2 l .axb4 axb4
a b c d e f g h
22.ge3
More prom1smg was 22.cxb4!? gc4
23.b5 since I don't see a better move than
23 . . . vtfxb5. After 24.VMxg7t Wxg7 25.lt:lxb5
!l:b4 26.lt:ld6 !l:xb2 27.l'l:e3 ig8 28 .!l:a7t
White is better but the question is whether
he can convert it into a win.
22 . . . bxc3 23.bxc3 Wh8 24.gg3 gg8=
De Ia Riva Aguado - Peralta, Barcelona
20 1 1 , was equal.
12 ...a6
This is not the only reaction, but Eljanov
doesn't want to castle before his opponent.
One alternative was: 12 . . . 0-0 1 3.ixe7
( 1 3.VMb4 l'l:e8 1 4.0-0 a6 1 5 ..ixd7 vtfxd7?
gives Black a better version than in the game)
1 3 . . . VMxe7 1 4 . .ixd7 '11:llxd7 Now I do not see
anything better than the normal 1 5 .0-0
( 1 5.h4 h6=) when after 1 5 . . . !l:ac8 1 6.c3 b5?
Black has counterplay.
13.he7 'xe7 14 ..ixd7t 'xd7 1 5.h4 h5!?
A very interesting moment; many players
would not consider this unusual reaction at
all, since Black puts one more pawn on a white
square. A more solid reaction was 1 5 ... h6
1 6.h5 ih7, but then White can play 1 7.gh3oo
and place his king on fl .
56 Chess Evolution

This does not look best as now Black will

play . . . b4.

More logical was 2 1 .1"!.ad l !. Now Black has to

prepare . . . b4 with 2 1 . . .1"!.b8 (2 I . . .b4? 22.cxb4
axb4 23.b3 1"!.c3 24.axb4 is simply better for
White. He will play next b4-b5 and the bishop
on g6 is out of the game, having no influence
on the queenside) . After the aggressive 22.g4
'<Mfd8! 23.1Mfxd8t 1"!.xd8 24.gxh5 xh5 25.f3oo
White would have better chances than in the
game, but even so Black has no real problems
a b c d e f g h here.
16.c3
On 1 6.a4 Black has time for I 6 .. ."'Wc7!?. 2l. .. b4 22.axb4 axb4 23.g4 bxc3 24.bxc3
After 1 7.0-0 ( 1 7.1Mfg5 '<Mfb6 1 8.1Mfd2 '<Mfc7=) '%lidS!
17 ... 1Mfxe5 (another move is 17 . . . 0-0?) 1 8.f4 This nice defensive move slowly leads to a
'<Mff6 1 9.f5 exf5 20.1"!.ae l t 'it>f8 2 I .ll'lf3 White slightly better position for Black.
has enough compensation, but no more than
that. 25.gxh5 '%lfxg5t 26.hxg5 hh5

16 b5

Both players are trying to save castling for

later. If Black castles short then very quickly
there would be a possibility of White playing
g2-g4.

17.'%Yg5 a5 18.a3 gcs 19.0-0 0-0 20.gfel

a b c d e f g h
27.f3?!
There was no reason for this move, but
probably Caruana missed Black's positional
plan. More precise was 27.1"!.h3 g6 (27 . . . g6
28.'it>g2 1"!.fc8 29.ll'lb5 1"!.b8 30.ll'ld4=) 28.'it>g2
1"!.fc8 29.1"!.ah l 'it>f8 30.1"!.a l != with an equal
position.
a b c d e f g h
20 . . . gc4 2l .ge3?! 27... gfc8 28.ll'le2 gbs
Black could start his main plan immediately
with 28 . . . c;t>h?!+ and probably this was better 8
than the waiting moves chosen in the game.
7

6
29.c;!{fl .ig6 30.c;!{g3 Elc7 3l.d4 Elbc8 bmj//'"'' n,m/mm,,,;;;;;p

32.Ela3 E!c5 33Jb3 c;!{h7! 5

Finally Black prepares to transfer the king to 4

g6. I guess both players were in time trouble, 3
as this would explain why during this stage 2
of the game both sides were playing neutral
moves.
a b c d e f g h

Now White can steer the game to a draw

with: 52.E1e I ! c;t>h? 53.g5t c;t>g6 54.e6! ixe6
5 5 .E1xe6t c;t>xg5 56.E1e8 E1cc8 57.f8='1W E1xe8
58 .Wf4t c;t>g6 59.Wd6t c;t>h? 60.Wxd5=

47Jb4 gal 48.gh4 Elel 49.c;!{fl Eldl!

Black's main threat i s . . . i.d3.

50.gd4
On 50.c;t>g3 id3 5 I .E1h2 (5 I .E1d4 E1xe2
52.E1dxd3 E1gl t 53.c;t>h3 E1h l t 54.cJ:;>g3
E1eh2!+) 5 1 . . .ic4 Black's bishop would be on
a b c d e f g h a much better post. After 52.g6 fxg6 53.f4
34.e2 El5c7 35.d4 Ela7 36.c;!{f4 Elal E1gl t 54.E1g2 E1cxg2t 55.lt:lxg2 g5+ 1-+ Black
37.Elb2 Elcl 38.e2 E!c4t 39.c;!{g3 Elel is, technically speaking, winning.
40.E!d2 E!a4
In the last few moves Black activated his 50 ghl!
..

pieces, while White was obliged to wait. It is This i s a key move; Black prepares a king
clear that White will have a hard job defending invasion on the h-file.
this position.

4l.E!d4 Ela2 42.Elh4t c;!{gs 43.c;!{fl gbi!

Now Black controls the a- and b-files. With 8
every move Black improves one of his pieces, 7
but the big question is if he can win this
6
position.
5
44.c;!{g3 ga3 45. c;!{n gb2 46.c;!{g3 gc2 4
After 46 . . . i.d3 47.d4 xc3 48.g6!=
White would gain counterplay which would 3
be enough for a draw. For example: 48 . . . b l 2
49.h8t c;t>xhs 50.gxf7 E1b8 5 1 .xe6
if5 1

a b c d e f g h
58 Chess Evolution

52.4?? conclude by saying that these positions require

This is a game-ending mistake. Much a deep understanding of pawn structures and
stronger was 52.E!g4!+1+ when Black would be piece play, as any positional imprecision could
faced with technical problems. have severe consequences.

52 ...f5-+ I.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 f5 4.c!Lld2!?

Now all the black pieces will be activated The Advance Variation of the Caro-Kann
and White can't do anything about it. is rather fashionable these days, as Black has
had some problems equalizing. Of particular
53. 3 gh2 54.gb4 h7! significance is the so-called "Short System"
In the end even the black king joins the with 4.lt:lf3 e6 5.i.e2, which is considered the
attack. main line nowadays thanks in particular to
the efforts of Karjakin amongst others. You
55,ga4 g6 56,gb4 h5 can find several relevant games in the previous
White resigned since he can't defend against issues of Chess Evolution.
all the threats. For example, 57.El:b8 i.g4t Of course there are a number of other
58.\ilg3 El:h3t 59.\ilf2 El:xe3-+ wins a piece. possibilities, each with their own subtleties.
0-1 The text move is also quite popular, and has
been championed by Sergei Rublevsky.
GAME 6
[> F. Caruana (2712) 4... e6 5.c!Llb3
A. Motylev (2690) White's main idea is to impede Black's
1 2th Karpov International, Poikovsky thematic counterplay with . . . c6-c5 . In some
Round 8, 1 2 . 1 0.20 1 1 [Bl2] cases the knight may even play a role in a
Annotated by Yannick Gozzoli queenside offensive, for instance by jumping
to a5 or c5 . The knight's position also has some
In this game Motylev chose the solid Caro drawbacks; it blocks the b-pawn, which takes
Kann and Caruana responded with the away some options on the queenside such as
Advance Variation with 4.lt:J d2 instead of the developing the bishop on b2.
fashionable 4.lt:lf3. Motylev's 6 ... a6!, intending
to play a 'safe' . . . c6-c5, is interesting and gives
Black a decent and solid position, although
Black has some playable alternatives as well.
The critical position seems to occur around the
1 Oth move, where White has to decide how to
activate his pieces. Perhaps a plan involving c4
is most ambitious, although it has the potential
to backfire due to the holes on the queenside
and weakness of the e5-pawn.
The game turned into a complicated
positional battle where Black chose the
dubious 1 6 .. .f6?!. White obtained some
advantage, but failed to make the most of
it and the game ended in a draw. I can only
 November 20 1 1 59

Despite White's last move, Black can still go

ahead with:
5 . . . c5!?
However, n IS a bit risky as Black must
exchange an important bishop and expose
his queen.
6.dxc5 i.xc5 7.ltlxc5 '1Wa5t 8.c3 '1Wxc5

a b c d e f g h

1 2.0-0 a6 1 3.ig5 ltlg6?!

13 ... l2Jc6 1 4.lt:ld4 is also unpleasant for
Black.
1 3 . . . Wd8 was the best chance although
White's position remains preferable.
14.lt:ld4!t
a b c d e f g h Vachier Lagrave - Mchedlishvili, Mulheim
9.'1Wa4t! 20 1 0.
White is searching for a concrete way to put
pressure on the enemy position using the
bishop pair.
9.i.e3 We? 1 0.f4 was the latest try of 8
Rublevsky. Undoubtedly he has his own 7
ideas about it, but personally I do not
6
like the idea of restricting the scope of the
dark-squared bishop and weakening the e4- 5
square. 1 0 ... ltle7 1 1 .ltlf3 ltlbc6 1 2 . .ie2 0-0
1 3.0-0 ie4 14.ltld2 ig6 1 5 .ltlb3 :gfd8 This 4
was Rublevsky - Laznicka, Valjevo 20 1 1 . 3
Black's position is super-solid; it is not easy
2
for White to find a clear plan and the game
was eventually drawn.
9 . . . ltld7 a b c d e f g h
9 . . . lt:lc6 1 O.ie3 '1Wa5 1 1 .'1Wxa5 l2Jxa5
1 2.ltlf3;!; gives White a slight edge thanks to 6... a6!
his bishop pair. I like this prophylactic move. The main idea
1 o.ib5 \We? 1 1 .ltlf3 ltle7 is to prepare . . . c5 and meet dxc5 with ... l2Jxc5
1 l .. .a6!? is a possible improvement: 1 2.0-0 without fearing a troublesome check on b5.
:gc8 1 3.ie2 ltle7 1 4 .ig5 lt:l c6 ( 1 4 . . . lt:l g6?!
1 5 .ltld4! 0-0 1 6.g4t; 14 ... ie4!?) 1 5 .ltld4!? Black has several other options available. Here
White's position seems pleasant, but is a brief summary based on the latest games:
the situation is not that clear. 1 5 . . . 0-0
( 1 5 . . . \Wxe5?! 1 6.'1Wa3!-+) 1 6.ltlxf5 exf5oo 6 . . . ig6 7.ie2 l2Jh6 8.0-0 ie7 9.a4 0-0
60 Chess Evolution

1 0.a5 b5 1 1 .tt::l e 1 a6 1 2 .tt::l d3;!; Areshchenko
Sundararajan, Chennai 20 1 1 .
6 ... f6 7 . .ie2 tt::l e7 8.0-0 fxe5 9.tt::l xe5 tt::l xe5
1 0.dxe5 Wic7
This is a solid option. Black gives priority
to the development of his pieces rather than
pushing the c-pawn.
7.ie2
From here Black must decide where to put
the e7-knight before developing the dark
squared bishop. His choices are a) 7 . . . tt::l c 8 and
b) 7 . . . ig6 preparing . . . tt::l f5 .

s z % J Ji
7 --
6 ..% . .. . ..
5
4 Wfi -*--

iL . %
a b c d e f g

1 1 .:1'i:e l !?N An interesting improvement.

( l l .c4?! 0-0-0 1 2.Wie l d4 was excellent
h
!mdB!
. . f .%vw :
for Black in Svidler - Ponomariov, Moscow a b c d e f g h

2008) Now if Black tries 1 1 . . .0-0-0?! as in
the aforementioned game, then 1 2.tt::l d 4! Wffxe5
1 3.-igSt is highly unpleasant for Black.
6 ... c5!? can also be played immediately: 7.dxc5
(7.c4!? is interesting and deserves further
investigations) 7 ... .ixc5 8.tt::l x c5 tt::l x c5 9.tt::l d4
a) 7 ... tt::l c 8 8.0-0 ie7 9.tt::l e 1
Th e knight i s heading for the d3-square,
where it helps to control c5 .
9.a4!? is an idea of Rublevsky. White plans to
push the a-pawn as far as possible to create a
weakness in Black's queenside. 9 . . . 0-0 1 0.a5
a6 l l .c4 dxc4 1 2.ixc4 tt::l a7 Highlighting
one of the advantages of the knight on c8.
1 3.ie3 tt::l b 5 1 4 .Wie2 tt::l c7 1 5 .tt::l e l tt::l d 5
1 6.tt::l d 3;!;

a b c d e f g h

9 . . tt::l e7 1 0 . .ib5t tt::l d 7 1 l .i.g5 i.g6 1 2.Wid2

.

a6 1 3 ..ixe7 Wffxe7 1 4.ixd7t Wixd7 1 5 .h4 h5

1 6.c3 b5 1 7.Wig5 aS 1 8.a3 :1'i:c8 1 9.0-0 0-0= a b c d e f g h
Caruana - Eljanov, Rogaska Slatina 20 1 1 . White has a pleasant position. He has a lot
of space to manoeuvre his pieces, and the
6 ... tt::l e7
 November 20 1 1
c5-square could make a nice outpost. O n
the other hand Black's position i s extremely
solid and he was able to draw it in Rublevsky
- Doetding, Baden Baden 20 1 1 .
9 . . . lLlcb6 1 O . .ig4 i.g6 1 1 .lLld3
With the 'threat' of lLl f4 to secure the
advantage of the bishop pair.
a b c d e f g h
1 1 . . . ixd3?
A bad decision, after which White has a
great position. Why should Black give up
this bishop so readily?
1 2.cxd3 c5?!
Consistent, but illogical. Black only succeeds
in opening the position for White's bishops.
1 3.dxc5 xc5 1 4.lLlxc5 lLlxc5 1 5.b3 lLlcd7
1 6.d4 0-0 1 7 .ia3 l'!e8 1 8.l'!c l
J. Polgar - Prohaszka, Eretria 20 1 1 .
9.i.d2
61
9.c3 l'!c8 1 0.i.f4 c5?! ( 1 0 ...i.e7 was
probably better) 1 1 .dxc5 ixc5 1 2.lLlxc5
lLlxc5 1 3.ib5t lLld7 1 4.ig5 Wff c7 1 5.c4 a6
1 6.cxd5 axb5 1 7.l'!c l b8 1 8 .dxe6 fxe6
1 9.Wib3 White had a strong initiative for
the piece in J . Polgar - lordachescu, Aix-les
Bains 20 1 1 .
9 . . . ie7
9 . . . l'!c8 1 0.l'!c l e7 1 l .a5 b6 1 2.i.d2
0-0 1 3.c4 ih5 1 4.l'!e U Rublevsky -
Hovhannisyan, Aix-les-Bains 20 1 1 .
1 0.g4 lLl h4 1 1 .lLlxh4 ixh4 1 2.f4
a b c d e f g h
1 2 . . .f5
1 2 . . . ie4 1 3.i.f3 ixf3 14.Wffxf3 i.e? 1 5 .f5
0-0 1 6.l'!ae 1 c5 1 7.c3 c4 1 8.lLlcl ig5
1 9.i.xg5 Wffxg5 20.lLJe2 exf5 2 l .Wixf5
Wff e7 22.lLlf4 lLl b6 23.lLlh5 Wffe6 24.Wig5
Wffg6 25 .Wih4 l'!ae8 26.l'!f5 Rublevsky -
Vuckovic, Aix-les-Bains 20 1 1 .
1 3.exf6 ixf6 1 4.g5 e7 1 5 .g4 i.f5 1 6.l'!e l
0-0 1 7.l'!xe6! i.xe6 1 8.i.xe6t cj;>hg 1 9.Wih5 g6
20.Wih6
White eventually lost in Efimenko - Parligras,
Delmenhorst 20 1 1 , but at this stage he has an
excellent position with fine compensation for
the small material investment.
7 .ie2!?
.
7.ie3 l'!c8 8.c3 c5 9.dxc5 i.xc5! (Improving
over 9 . . . lLlxc5 1 o.lLJfd4 i.g6 l l .i.e2 lLl h6?!
1 2.h4! Jakovenko - Eljanov, Odessa 20 1 0)
1 0.lLlxc5 lLlxc5 1 l .i.e2 lLle7 1 2.lLlh4 h6
62 Chess Evolution

1 3.ti:'lxf5 ti:'lxf5 14 ..ixc5 l'hc5= Black position 1 0.0-0 ti:'le7 1 1 .ti:'l h4 .ie4 ( l l . . . h6!? is possible;
was fully satisfactory in Navara - Grischuk, Grischuk actually used the same type of idea
Khanty-Mansiysk 20 1 1 . against Navara a month later in a similar
position.) 1 2.f3 .ig6 1 3 . .ie3 Ei:c8 1 4.c3 b5

a b c d e f g h

a b c d e f g h Once again White's position looks like it

7... c5 8.dxc5
The attempt to attack in the centre with
8.c4?! is strongly met by 8 . . . dxc4 9 ..ixc4 b5+.
8 ....ixc5
8 ... ti:'lxc5?! 9.ti:'lfd4;!; resembles the
aforementioned Jakovenko - Eljanov game,
and is better for White.
9.xc5 xc5
should be somewhat better, but Black remains
as solid as ever and it is not easy for White
to make progress. In the game Almasi -
Grischuk, Ningbo 20 1 1 , White failed to find
a convincing plan and later he got into trouble
and lost.
Another interesting line is:
1 O . .ie3 Ei:c8 1 1 .0-0 ti:'le7 1 2.c4!?

a b c d e f g h
2
With the intention of opening the centre in
order to make full use of the bishop pair. Black
can try a) 1 2 . . . dxc4 or b) 1 2 . . . 0-0.
a b c d e f g h
IO.d4 a) 1 2 . . . dxc4 1 3.'\Wxd8t 'it>xd8 1 4 ..ixc4 ti:'la4
White has two other ideas which deserve 1 5 .b3 ti:'l b2 1 6.ie2 ti:'ld5 1 7.ti:'le1
attention. In this odd-looking position Black has some
 November 20 1 1 63

problems with his knight on b2 and his l 9.ixf7 ri!;bs

king is not safe. On the other hand White is l9 ... tt:lxe3 20.fxe3 ri!;b6 2 l .f4t
uncoordinated and it will take some time to 20.ig5 d7 2 l .ih5
reorganize his pieces. White is a pawn up but his lack of
coordination gives Black some counterplay.

b) 1 2 . . . 0-0
This seems like the safer option.

a b c d e f g h

l 7 . . .'i!;c7
l 7 ... tt:l c3 l 8 . .if3t
It is worth pointing out that l 7 . . . tt:lxe3? is
a serious mistake, as after l 8.fxe3 White is a b c d e f g h
already threatening xf5 followed by b l
1 3.c l
winning the knight. Black has a hard time
Threatening to take on d5.
avoiding this, as l 8 . . ..ig6 is met by 1 9.e4!
l 3 ... lt:Jd7!oo
.ixe4 20 ..if3 .ixf3 (20 . . ..ig6 2 l .f1+-)
l 3 . . .dxc4 l 4.xc4 is a bit more pleasant for
2 l .xf3+- when the knight is doomed.
White. Mter the text move White's position is
l 8 . .ih5 hd8!
optically better, but Black has a healthier pawn
l 8 . . . g6 l 9.if3 tt:ld3 20.id4 (20.ixd5 wins a
structure and good squares for his knights.
pawn but after 20 ... tt:lxe l 2 l ..ixe6 [2 l ..ixb7
ri!;xb7 22.fxe l hd8t is similar] 2 l ...tt:lf3t
22.gxf3 ixe6t Black has good chances to
hold the position a pawn down, thanks to
his active pieces and the opposite-coloured
bishops.) 20 . . . hd8 2 l .tt:lxd3 ixd3t White
has a slight edge but the black position is
solid enough.

a b c d e f g h
lO .. .ltJe7 1 1 .0-0 0-0 12.i.e3 gcs 13.a4
Y!fc7=
Black has equalized. He has some counterplay
a b c d e f g h
64 Chess Evolution

on the c-file and against the e5-pawn. IfWhite

tries to solve the latter problem by putting his
pawn on f4, the black pieces will get a nice
square on e4.
At the same time it is not easy for Black to
generate much activity. The only way to break
White's position is to strike at the centre with
.. .f6, but this can create weaknesses as we will
see in the game.

Black has also achieved solid results with

1 3 ... tt:ld7 in three recent games: 1 4.f4 ie4
1 5.c3 tt:lc6 1 6.tt:lxc6 j'!xc6 a b c d e f g h
I6 ... f6?!
8
Black must have been hoping to take
7 advantage of the passivity of White's pieces.
vmu-.. ;;c:-:Jmu. --=7/"'"'-.;=.

6 However it looks too risky to weaken the e6-

5 pawn and the dark squares.
4
1 6 . . . tt:lxd4 1 7 ..ixd4 ig6 was more solid. In
3 that case Black's position would remain fully
2 sound, although it would be difficult for him
to play for more than a win.
a b c d e f g h
17.exf6
1 7.id4 ( 1 7.a5 f6 1 8.exf6 "Wxf6 1 9.j'!f2 "Wg6 Natural, but too slow.
20.ih5 "Wh6 2 1 .ie2 "Wg6 22."Wb3 j'!c7
23.j'!e l tt:le5 24."Wd 1 Yz-Yz Grischuk - Ragger, The strongest move was:
Rogaska Slatina 20 1 1 ) 1 7 ... f6 1 8."Wd2 ( 1 8.exf6 1 7.b4!
tt:lxf6 1 9."Wd2 tt:le8 20.j'!ae 1 tt:ld6 2 l .b3 tt:l f5 Leading to a forcing line where White has
22.if3 ixf3 23.j'!xf3 "Wa5 Yz-Yz Rublevsky good chances to exploit his bishop pair and
Laznicka, Poikovsky 20 1 1 ) 1 8 . . . tt:lc5 1 9.j'!a3 the weakness of the e6-pawn and the dark
fXe5 20.ixe5 tt:ld7 2 l .id4 e5 22.fXe5 j'!g6 squares.
23.j'!xf8t tt:lxf8 24.ifl tt:le6 25 .ie3 h5= 1 7 ... tt:lxd4 1 8 .ixd4 tt:ld7 1 9.exf6
Svidler - F. Berkes, Rogaska Slatina 20 1 1 .

14.f4 .ie4
Vacating the f5-square for the knight.

1 5.a5
Fixing the b7-pawn and giving the rook the
option of joining the action along the a-file at
some point.

I5 ... c!Llf5 I6.Afl

a b c d e f g h
 November 20 1 1 65

1 9 . . . gxf6?! 20 . . .xc2 is strongly met by: 2 I .l::1 b 3!

19 ... lLlxf6 is safer although after 20.d3;!; (2 1 .xf6 lLlxf6) 2 l . . .e5 (2 I . . .l::1 f7 22.l::1 x b7)
White has a pleasant edge. 22.fxe5 l::1 xfl t 23.xfl
20.d3 xd3 2 l .cxd3 d6
2 l . ..e5 22.g4t h8 23.f2 reaches a 2I .i.d3 .L:d3 22.cxd3;t
position where Black's king is unsafe and his White has emerged with a pleasant edge.
central pawns are rather shaky.
22.d2;!;
White is better. His bishop is shining on the
board, the e6-pawn is weak and the black king
is vulnerable.

17 .. Jxf6 18.g3
1 8 .b4?! is not as effective in this situation, as
after 1 8 . . . tLld7 Black has an improved version
of the above note. His rook can go to g6, and
the pawns on c2 and f4 are both vulnerable.
Furthermore, his knight might go to d6 and
later c4 or e4.
a b c d e f g h
18 ... ttld7 19Jia3
22 ttlb8!
.

Improving the position of the worst piece.

8

7 23.YlYg4 Wd7 24Jiel llJc6 25.i.c5 gf6 26.d4

Black's position is solid and it will not be
6
easy for White to break through. On the other
5 hand it is clear that Black is playing for no
4 more than a draw.

3 26 ... h6 27 .gae3?!
2 A strange decision. White could and should
have calmly improved his position with
1
27.b4;!;. This secures the queenside and sets
a b c d e f g h up the possibility of breaking with b5 at some
19 ... ttlxd4?! moment in the future. Black has no active
This move just activates the enemy bishop ideas and can only sit and wait.
for no good reason. Better was: 1 9 ... lLld6
20.d3 (maybe White should try 20Jk3!? 27 h7?!
..

xa5 2 1 .l::1 xc8t lLlxc8 22.g4 lLl f8 23.lLlb3
c7 24.lLlc5 lLld6 25 .d4) 20 . . . l::1 cf8 (or
20 . . . e5!? immediately) intending ... e5 with a
good game for Black.
20 .ixd4 E!:ff8
Believing the opponent's bluff. It is hard
to see why Black rejected 27 ... lLlxa5 28.l::1 xe6
l::1xe6 29.xe6t (or 29.l::1 xe6 lLl b3= and there
is no way for White to avoid mass exchanges)
29 . . . xe6 30.l::1 xe6 lLl b3 3 I .l::1 b6 lLlxc5 32.dxc5
l::1 xc5 33.l::1 x b7 with a drawn endgame.
66 Chess Evolution

l.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 f5 4.tl:H3 e6 5.e2 c5

8
6.e3 Nb6 7.c3 c6 8.0-0
7 After 8.tt:la4 Wa5t the knight is poorly
6
placed on a4.

5 8.ib5 is also an interesting idea, and has been

employed twice by Naiditsch.
4
3
8 ...Nxb2 9.'iNel c4
2
9 . . . cxd4 I O.ixd4 tt:lxd4 I I .tt:lxd4 ib4
1 2.l"!b l ixc3 1 3.l"!xb2 ixe l 14.l"!xe l b6
1 5 .ib5t @f8 1 6.tt:lxf5 exf5 1 7.l"!b3 tt:le7
a b c d e f g h 1 8.l"!c3 has been played in a couple of games,
and it is clear that White has the initiative.
28.b4
Now Black is on the defensive again. lO.gbl fNxc2 l l .gxb7
I I .ii.d l Wxb l 1 2.lt:Jxb l ixb l 1 3.ia4 ig6
28 .. J:fe8 29.Nh5 g8 30.Ne2
1 4 .Wa5 @d7 1 5 .ic 1 b6 1 6.Wb5 l"!c8 17.Wa6
White's advantage may not be enough to
!:1c7 1 8.ib5 tt:lge7 1 9 .ia3 tt:lc8 20.-ic l ie700
win, but he should certainly be able to play for
a win without any risk. But for some reason
Caruana felt differently and decided to repeat
the position.

30 ...Nf7 3l.'iNd3 Nd7 32.Ne2 Nf7 33.%Yd3

'lNd7 34.Ne2
lf:z-1/z

GAME 7
C> S. Karjakin (2772)
.... v. Laznicka (2701)
1 2th Karpov International, Poikovsky
Round 3, 06. 1 0.20 I I [Bl2]
Annotated by Kamil Miton
The Czech grandmaster Laznicka decided
to play one of the most complex lines of the
Advance Variation of the Caro-Kann Defence.
It seems that during his preparation he did
not anticipate the strong move 1 3.id I !N
employed by Karjakin. This novelty means that
l l . . .ib4?! should be considered imprecise.
Although Black was not immediately losing
after 1 8 ... Wxc2, his position seemed to be
very difficult. On the eleventh move I feel that
l l . . .l"!b8!? is worthy of attention.
a b c d e f g h
l l ...b4?!
The alternative is:
1 1 . . .!:1b8!? 1 2.!:1xb8t
1 2.-id l !:1xb7 1 3.ixc2 ixc2 1 4.Wc 1 id3
1 5 .l"!d l In exchange for his queen, Black
has rook, bishop and a very strong pawn
on c4, but most important of all, his king is
safe. That is why I think his position should
not be any worse, although he needs to be
wary of tricks of the !:1xd3 and tt:lxd5 variety.
1 5 ... tt:lge7 1 6.!:1d2 ( 1 6.Wa3 !:1b6 1 7.Wa4 l"!b4
1 8.Wa3 l"!b6=) 1 6 . . . 1'%b6 ( 1 6 . . . tt:l f5 1 7.1'%xd3
 November 20 1 1 67

cxd3 1 8 .tt:'lxd5 Wd7 1 9.g4-+) 1 7.l3b2 tt:'lc8
1 8.tt:'la4 ia3 1 9.tt:'lxb6 tt:'lxb6 20.!3xb6 ixc l
2 1 .l3xc6 ixe3 22.!3c8t Wd7 23.!3xh8 .ic l oo
1 2 . . . tt:'lxb8
a b c d e f g h
The character of the position is very
complicated and the following analysis
features typical computer vananons.
However, we may notice some more general
ideas and plans which apply in several lines.
White's aims include the fastest possible
activation of his pieces (for example, '11Ma 1 ,
l3b l , i.d 1 -a4, tt:'lb5, .ic l -a3 and tt:'lg5), in
order to attack the black king. Whereas
Black aims to develop his kingside as quickly
as possible, to defend his king and to seek
simplification.
We look at two options here:
2 1 .. .!3b8 (2 l . . .ct?b6 22.!3d7 Wc6 23 .!3c7t
Wb6 24.if3 ixd4 25 .i.xd4t tt:'lxd4 26 . .ixd5
tt:'lxe6 27.!3c6t Wb5 28.a4t c;!;>xa4 29.ixe6
c;!;>b5 30.!3c7 id3 3 l .f4;!;) 22.id l mb6
(22 ... !3b l 23.tt:'ld8t) 23.!3d7 .ie8 24.!3xd5
if7 25.tt:'lf4 ct?a6 26 ..ic2 .ixd5 27 ..ixf5;!;
1 5 .!3xb8t c;!;>d7
1 5 .. .<ttl e7!? 1 6.\Wfl h6oo
1 6.'11Md 1
1 6.\Wfl c;!;>c7 1 7.!3f8 ( 1 7.!3a8 '1Wxa2oo)
1 7 . . . ib4 1 8.!3xf7t tt:'le7 One of Black's main
tasks is solving the problems of being tied
up along the back rank. At the price of the
f7-pawn, Black may introduce his pieces
into the game, an idea appears in several
variations. 1 9.ig5 Wd7 20.!3xg7 l3b8oo
1 6.\Wc l c;!;>c7 1 7.l3a8 ct?b7 1 8 .!3f8 \Wxc l t
1 9 .ixcl .ig6oo C. Balogh - Michalik, Aix
les-Bains 20 1 1 .
1 6 . . . \Wxa2
1 6 . . . h6!?

a) 1 3 .'11M a 1 ib4 1 4 .!3b 1 .ixc3

1 4 . . . '11Mxc3 1 5.'11Mxc3 ixc3 1 6.!3xb8t Wd7
1 7.tt:'lg5 ig6 1 8.!3b7t ct?c6 1 9.!3xf7 tt:'l h6 a b c d e f g h

20.!3xa7 tt:'l f5 2 l .tt:'lxe6 1 7.tt:'lg5

1 7.\Wc l !? c;!;>c7 Getting rid of the rook from
8
''"""J""'" the back rank is a top priority. 1 8.'11Mxc3
7 ( 1 8.!3f8 .ib4! 1 9.!3xf7t tt:'le7+; 1 8.l3b5 ia5oo)
.'nnn/
6 1 8 . . . c;!;>xb8 1 9.'1Wb4t c;!;>c7 20.\Wd6t c;!;>b7
Onm./""'"-m,-n/
5 2 1 .'11Md 7t ct?b6 22. tt:'l d2! with advantage to
4 White.
1 7 . . . c;!;>c7
3
1 7 . . . ig6 1 8.tt:'lxf7 ( 1 8.ifl Wal 1 9 .\Wf3 tt:'lh6
2
20.!3xh8 id3 2 l .h3 \Wxfl t 22.c;!;>h2 ib4oo)
1 1 8 . . . ixf7 1 9.!3b7t c;!;>c6 ( 1 9 . . . ct?e8 20.ifl
a b c d e f g h
68 Chess Evolution

It's hard to believe, but it appears that Black 2 1 . . .Wb4

cannot defend here.) 20.xf7 tt:lh6 2 l .i.xh6
gxh6 22.fl 00
1 8.a8
1 8.f8 b4 1 9.xf7t tt:le7 20.g4 i.c2
2 I .Wfl <t!id?+
1 8 . . . g6

a b c d e f g h

22.g3!
22.xf7t .ixfl 23.tt:\xf7 Wf8 24.tt:\xh8 Wxf3
25.gxf3 a5t
22.h4 We? 23 . .ixc4 h5 24.g4 xg4
25.Wxf7 Wxfl 26.xf7t 't!ic6 27.id3 h6
a b c d e f g h
28.tt:\h7 a500
1 9.-tfl 22 . . . a5 23.a8 b7
Played in order to improve the queen's 23 . . .Wb7 24.tt:lxe6t fxe6 25 .Wf8+-
position, which will enable White to create 24.e8 Wb l 25.tt:\xf7 .id3 26.tt:ld6t 't!ic6
threats against the f7- and e6-pawns. 27.h3 Wxfl t 28.h2+-
1 9.h4 h6 (after 19 ... h5 White can continue
as in the main line with 20.ifl , when the b) 1 3.d l Wb2 14.a4t
interjection of the h-pawns' moves favours Black has two sensible ways to react to the
White) 20.xc4 Wa l 2 1 .Wxal xa l check:
22.tt:\xf7 xfl 23.xd5 exd5 24.l'"xa7t 't!id8
25.xfloo 8
1 9 . . . Wb3 7
Since our main line does not turn out 6
well for Black, it might be worth trying >nnm"" ""
5
the murky: 1 9 . . . ib4 20.xc4 (20.Wf3!?)
20 . . . Wxc4 2 1 .Wa4 a6 22.We8 't!ib6 23.tt:lxf7 4

(23.c8 tt:l e7 24.b8t a5 25.Wxh8 tt:lc600) 3

F'":"', ""''/" " "
23 . . . tt:\e7 24.Wxh8 xfl 2 5.Wd8t <i>b5oo 2
19 . . . h6? 20.tt:\xf7 xfl 2 l .Wf3+-
20.Wf3 Wb7 2 l .f8
a b c d e f g h
2 l .tt:lxe6t 't!ib6 22 . .ixc4 Wxa8 23.i.xd5
h5 24.Wxh5 Wxd5 25 .Wxf7 tt:l h6 26.Wxg7 b l ) 1 4 . . . tt:ld7 1 5 .tt:lb5
c8 27.Wxh6 c6 28.g3 xd4 29.Wf4 (after 1 5 .Wd l Wb7+
29.xd4t Wxd4 30.tt:lxd4 xh6 the black 1 5 . . . b4
a-pawn is very strong) 29 ... xe6 30 ..ixd4t 1 5 ... a6 1 6.Wa5+- is a disaster for Black.
<i>b5oo 1 5 . . . Wb4 1 6.Wd l and now:
 November 20 1 1
i) 1 6 . . . tt:J b6 At the cost of the h8-rook,
Black aims to simplify the position, hoping
that the strong c4-pawn will give him some
initiative. 1 7 .tt:Jd6t d8 1 8.tLlg5 Wxa4
1 9.tLlgxf7t d7 20.Wxa4t lLlxa4 2 1 .lLlxf5
exf5 22J:!b 1 lLl b6 23.tLlxh8 e6 24.a4 lLle7
25 .a5 lLld7 26.E:b7
ii) 16 . . . Wa5 17 .i.d2 White activates another
piece. 1 7 . . . Wd8 1 8.We 1 i.e? 1 9.ia5 lLl b6
20.lLlxa7t f8 2 1 .Wd2 Wb8 22.lLlc6 Wa8
23.ib5 lLlc8 24.ib4 Wb7 25.a4;!;
iii) 1 6 . . . c3 1 7.lLlxa7 lLl h6 1 8.Wb3 Wxb3
1 9.axb3 ia3 20.tLlb5 ib2 2 1 .lLlxc3
1 6.ic l
a b c d e f g h
1 6 '\Wb l
. . .
1 6 . . .ixe 1 1 7.lLld6t f8 1 8 . .ixb2 tt:J b6
1 9.ia3 lLle7 20.E:xe l lLlxa4 2 1 .tLlc8
1 7.tLld6t ixd6 1 8.exd6 lLlgf6 1 9.tLle5 h6
19 ... Wb7 20.g4 ixg4 2 l ..ixd7t lLlxd7
22.lLlxg4
20.Wa5 Wb6 2 1 .Wc5 Wxc5 22.dxc5 ic2
23.ixc2 lLlxe5 24 ..ia4t
b2) 1 4 . . . d8 1 5 ..ig5t
White's other attempts seem less dangerous:
1 5 .lLlxd5 exd5 1 6.Wa5t c8 1 7.Wxd5 .ie6
1 8.We4 Wb7 1 9.Wc2
1 5 .i.c l '\Wb6oo
1 5 .tLlb5 i.b4 1 6.'\Wd l ( 1 6.i.d2 ixd2
1 7.lLlxd2 Wb4 1 8.Wd l tLle7 1 9.tLld6 ig6+)
1 6 . . . .id3 1 7.tLlg5 lLlh6 ( 1 7 . . . ixf1 1 8.tt:Jxf7t
e7 1 9.ig5t f8 20.lLlc7 .ie2 2 1 .lLlxe6t
69
xf7 22.tLld8t f8 23.tt:Je6t=) 1 8 .Wh5
E:f8!? 1 9.tLld6 i.xd6 20.exd6 c8 2 1 .lLlxh7
ixfl 22.tLlxf8 (22.d7t lLlxd7 23.ixd7t
b7! 24 ..ixe6 E:d8 25 . .ixd5t a6 26.xfl
Wh i t 27.e2 Wc2t 28 .e 1 E:b8-+)
22 . . .Wb 1 23.Wd 1 Wxd l 24.ixd l i.d3
25 .ia4 lLlf5 26.if4 lLlxd4 27.d7t lLlxd7
28 . .ixd7t d8+
1 5 . . . lLle7
Black could try: 1 5 . . . c8 1 6.tt:Jb5 Wb4
1 7.Wd l oo
1 6.tLlb5 tt:J bc6
8
a b c d e f g h
1 7.ic l
1 7.lLlxa7 lLlxa7 1 8.Wa5t c8 1 9.Wxa7 Wb7
20.Wc5t b8 2 1 .Wd6t Wc7=
1 7.tLld6 c7 1 8.tt:Jxf5 ( 1 8.lLlxf7 E:g8+)
1 8 ... tt:Jxf5 1 9.i.xc6 xc6 20.Wa5 Wb6
2 1 .Wa4t Wb5 22.Wxa7 Wb7 23.Wa4t
Wb5 = 24.Wc2?! .ia3 25 .E:b 1 Wa6+
1 7 . . . Wb4 1 8.Wd 1 tt:Jc8
1 8 . . . id3?! 1 9.E:e1 tLlc8 ( 1 9 . . . h6!?) 20.a3
We? 2 l .i.g5 f6 22.exf6 gxf6 23.i.h4
1 9.i.d2
1 9.a3 Wa5 20.tt:Jd6 .ixd6 2 l .exd6 Wa6
22 ..ixc6 Wxc6 23.lLle5 Wb7 24.d7 lLld6
25 . .id2 f6 26.ia5t e7 27.Wh5 fXe5
28.d8=Wt E:xd8 29.Wg5t f7 30.Wxd8
lLl b5 3 l .dxe5 h6+
1 9 ... We7 20 . .ig5
20.tt:Jd6 lLlxd6 2 l .ixc6 tt:Jc8 22.Wa4 We?
23.lLlg5
70 Chess Evolution

l3.J.dl!N
A very strong new move.

1 3.'1M'a 1 4:lxa2 1 4.4Jxa2 Wa4 ( 1 4 . . . '1M'xe2?

a b c d e f g h
23 . . . 4Jb6! (23 ...g6 24.b l ! 4J b6 25J'hb6
axb6 26.i.e8 'IM'b7 27.i.xf7 b5 28.'1M'a5t
cjj d ? 29.xg6 e7 30.7 a8 3 l .xe6t
cjj e 8 32.'1M'c3 xa2 33.h4-t) 24.4Jxf7t 'IM'x7
25.g5t cjj c 8 26.'1M'a6t cjj b g 27.d8 b4
28.xb6 c8 29.i.d8 xd8 30.'1M'b5t cjj c8 14..ia4t
3 l .'IM'a6t=
20 .. .f6 2 1 .h4-t a6
2 l . . .g8!?
22.4Jc3
22.exf6 gxf6 23.4Je5 4:lxe5 24.dxe5 axb5
25 .xf6 bxa4 26.'1Wxa4 'IM'xf6 27.exf6 i.d6oo
22 ... 4Jb4 23.a3 4Jd3 24.exf6 gxf6 25 .4Je5
cjj c7 26.c2
26.4:lxc4 dxc4 27.'1M'f3 4Jb2 28.Wc6t cjj b g
29.g3t e5 30.'1Wxa6 4:lxa4 3 1 .4:lxa4 'IM'd6
32.'1M'b5t cjj a?oo
26 . . . '1Wxa3 27.ixf6 g8 28.4J b 1
12J::!:xb4 li)xb4
1 5 .4Jc3 'IM'c2 1 6.b 1 4:le7 and now rather
than winning the queen with 1 7.4:le 1 'IM'xc3
1 8.'1M'xc3 xb 1 1 9.'1Wb4 g6 20.g5 4:lc6
2 l .'IM'b7 0-0 22.'1M'xc6 a5oo, White should
prefer 1 7.b7!) 1 5.4Jc3 'IM'xa 1 1 6.xa 1 4:le7
1 7.c l b8 1 8.id 1 0-0 1 9.ia3 b7 20.ia4
a6 2 1 .h3 Y2-Y2 Motylev - Alsina Leal, Moscow
20 1 1 .
l3 ...Wfd3
1 3 . . . '1Wb2 14.c l 4Jd3 1 5 .a4t cjj fg
1 6.xb2 4:lxe 1 1 7.xe 1
1 4.4Jb5 c3 1 5 .4:lc7t cjj d7 1 6.4:lxa8 4:lc2
1 7.xc2 'IM'xc2 1 8 .'\Wc l 'IM'xc l 1 9.xc l 4:le7
20.xc3 xa8=
14 ... c.t>m 1 5.Wfal
This is more precise than 1 5 .'\Wc l 4Jc200
1 5 .. .J.g4
Now 1 5 ... 4Jc2 can be met by 1 6.xc2 'IM'xc2
1 7.c l 'IM'd3 1 8.4:le 1 +-.
1 5 . . . g6 1 6.h3+- leaves the queen in trouble
on d3 .
16.Wfb2

a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
 November 20 1 1
16 .. Jb8
1 6 . . . a5 1 7.lLle1 'Wg6 1 8.a3 b8 1 9.axb4
axb4 20.f3 .if5 2 1 .lLlb5
17Jbl hB
Or 1 7 . . . f6 1 8.ltJe 1 'Wg6 1 9.'Wxb4t xb4
20.xb4, and once again Black fails to get
h8-rook out.
1 8.i.c2 i.e2?
1 8 ... 'Wxc2 1 9.'Wxc2 lLlxc2 20.xb8t e7
2 l .gxf3
a b c d e f g h
We can compare this to the variation with
1 1 . . . b8, where similar positions with a pin
along the 8th rank occurred. There Black could
chase away the white rook, either with . . . c7
and . . . .ib4 or by bringing back his queen, but
here he does not have that possibiliry. Thus
Black is forced to play without two pieces,
and his extra pawn is not enough to make
up for this. White can slowly strengthen his
position by bringing his king to the centre
with fl -e2-d2, and then he may play lLlb5 at
the right moment. 2 1 . . .d7 (2 1 . . .f6 22.b7t
d8 23.lLlb5 lLle7 24.xa7 lLlxe3 25.fxe3 fxe5
26.dxe5; 2 1 . . .a6 22.fU) 22.lLlb5 (22.fl
f6 23.f4) 22 . . . a6 23.t2Jd6 lLlxe3 24.fxe3 c3
(24 . . . lLle7 25 .xh8 c3 26.lLl b7+-) 25.b7t
c6 26.b3 ttJh6 27.xc3t d7 28.b3
ltlf5 29.lLlxf5 exf5 30.b7t e6 3 l .b6t
e7 32.xa6 c8 33.f2 c2t 34.g3 e2 White is able to create concrete threats on
35.f4
71
a b c d e g
19.hd3 hd3 20.a3 hbl 21 .axh4+- i.g6
The lack of development of the kingside
makes Black's position hopeless.
22.a3 gb7 23.b5t ge7 24.i.f4 h6 25.h4
gh7 26.a6 Af5 27.i.c1 f6 28.i.a3 fxe5
29.c8t i>f7 30.ltlxd5
1-0
GAME S
[> L. Dominguez (2719)
J. Polgar (2699)
FIDE World Cup 20 1 1 , Khanry-Mansiysk
Round 4, Game 2, 07.09.20 1 1 [833]
Annotated by Alexander Ipatov
This game features the Grivas Sicilian, which
is a rare guest at the highest level, although
it is quite popular with players up to 2600.
Nevertheless, even elite players sometimes
choose it in critical games, for example,
Gelfand recently played it against Kamsky in
their Candidates match in Kazan 20 1 1 , in a
game that Gelfand had to win with Black in
order to equalize the score.
In this game Dominguez played 7.g5 and
introduced a novelry on the very next move!
I believe that 8.'Wf3!?N is very strong because
the kingside. Nevertheless, I think that with
72 Chess Evolution
7 . . .:/J.e7 (instead of rolgar's 7 . . .a6) Black would
avoid any big problems.
l .e4 c5 2.lLlf3 lLlc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.lLlxd4 '1Wb6
This is the starting point of the Grivas
Sicilian, the variation being named after the
Greek grandmaster Efstratios Grivas, who
analysed it in detail and has been successfully
defending his analyses for more than twenty
years.
a b c d e f g h
6.lLlc3
Mter knocking out Dominguez, Polgar
played the Grivas Sicilian once again in the
next round and easily equalized against the
eventual World Cup winner, Peter Svidler:
6.:/J.d3
I doubt whether this move can be better
than the normal 6. tt:l c3.
6 ... e6
The Dragon style of development can be
applied in the Grivas Sicilian as well: 6 . . . g6!?
7.0-0 ig7 8.:/J.e3 Wic7 9.tt:lc3 0-0 1 0.h3 d6
1 1 .f4 a6oo B. Pavlovic - Kuraj ica, Bor 1 983.
7.0-0 ie7
According to Grivas, an immediate 7 ... d5?!
doesn't work well: 8.tt:lc3! dxe4 (8 ... d4 9.tt:le2
e5 1 O.c3! and the opening ofcentre is good for
White as he's ahead in development) 9.tt:lxe4
ie7 (9 . . . tt:lxe4?! I O.ixe4 ie7 I I .:/J.e3 Wic7
1 2.Wih5 Nilsson - V. Schneider, Marianske
Lazne 2008) I O.tt:lxf6t ixf6 1 I .Wih5 and
White has some initiative.
8.c4 d5!
Both players are playing in a principled way.
9.cxd5 exd5 1 0.tt:lc3 ie6
1 O . . . dxe4!? is possible too: 1 I .tt'lxe4 0-0
1 2.Wie2 tt:ld4 1 3.tt:lxd4 Wixd4oo Timoshenko
- Epishin, Tbilisi 1 989
1 l .exd5 tt:lxd5 1 2.tt:lxd5 ixd5
a b c d e f g h
1 3.e l !N
White develops a piece, taking advantage
of the fact that Black can't yet castle. White
may then choose whether to develop his
bishop to e3 or g5 .
1 3.ie3?! Wib4 14.Wic2? This allows a forced
draw. ( 1 4.e 1 ! is useful in all circumstances,
so why not make it now? 1 4 . . . 0-0-0 The best
reply, Black doesn't want to defend passively,
preferring to look for counterplay. 1 5 .Wic2
<;t>b8! 1 6.:/J.d2 Wig4 1 7.:!J.e4oo) 1 4 . . .:/J.xg2!
1 5 .<;t>xg2 Wig4t 1 6.<;t>h 1 Wif3t 1 7.g 1
Wlg4t Yz-Yz Svidler - J. Polgar, FIDE World
Cup (5. 1 ) , Khanty-Mansiysk 20 1 1 .
1 3 . . . d8
A sensible move.
1 3 . . . 0-0? 1 4.ixh7t <;t>xh7 1 5 .Wixd5
14.ig5 ie6
White can keep an advantage after
1 4 ... h6!? as well, but that may be the more
practical choice for Black as more material is
 November 20 I I 73

exchanged. White has:

a) 1 5 .ih4?! g5 ( 1 5 . . .e6?? 1 6.lhe6! fxe6
1 7.ig6t i>f8 1 8.'Wf3t+-) I 6.ig3 ic4
1 7.ixc4 ( 1 7.f1e3? 'Wb5!+) 1 7 ... !!xd l
1 8.!!axd 1
b ) 1 5 .ixe7 CiJ xe7 1 6 .'Wg4!

a b c d e f g h
7...a6
A fair alternative is:
7 . . . ie7!? 8.'Wd2 0-0 9.0-0-0 !!d8
a b c d e f Black wants to break in the centre with . . . d5.
1 0.'We l d5!
White endeavours to exploit his initiative.
1 o ... d6 is possible, but less principled.
1 6 . . . 0-0 1 7.!!xe7 ixb3 1 8.'We4! f5 1 9.'Wxb7
1 l .e5
(An alternative is 1 9.ic4t ixc4 20.'Wxc4t
l l .exd5 doesn't bring any problems for
lt>h7 2 l .'Wc3 !!f6 [2 I . . .!!d4? 22.!!xb7 'Wxb7
Black: I I ...CiJxd5 1 2.ixe7 ( 1 2.!!xd5 f1xd5
23.'Wxd4] 22.f1ae I !!df8! 23.a3 !'187 24.h4;t
1 3.CiJxd5 ixg5t 1 4.f4 'Wd8 1 5 .fxg5 exd5=)
and White is still better due to activity of
1 2 . . . CiJcxe7= ( 1 2 . . . CiJ dxe7!? 1 3.f1xd8t 'Wxd8
his pieces, but if Black defends correctly the
1 4.id3 e5!oo is also possible, and Black can
game should be drawn.) 1 9 . . .'Wxb7 20.f1xb7
continue with . . . 'Wb6, ... ie6, etc.)
!!xd3 2 1 .axb3 !!f7! 22.!!xf7 lt>xf7 23.!!xa7t
lt>f6 24.!!a6t \t>7 25.g3 !!xb3 26.!!a2;!;
8
White is a pawn up but it seems that Black
7
can hold the position thanks to the activity
of his rook. 6

1 5 .ie3! 5
rmu,""h"//""'""'////[
The exchange of bishops gives nothing: 4
1 5 .ixe7?! CiJxe7 1 6 .'Wc2 f1c8 1 7.'Wd2 f1d8!= 3
(but not 17 . . . 0-0 1 8.CiJd4!)
2
1 5 . . .'Wb4 1 6.'Wc2!
Black is prevented from castling again.
1 6 . . . h6 1 7.CiJc5t a b c d e f g h
Black will have to defend very precisely. l l . . . CiJxe5!!
An unexpected move, after which it is not
6... e6 7..ig5 an easy task for White to find the route to
This is known as the "Poseidon" subvariation equality.
of the Grivas Sicilian. It has some ideas in In his book Grivas suggests the weaker
common with the Rauzer Attack. I I ...CiJg4?! 1 2.ixe7 CiJxe7 1 3.CiJd4 CiJc6
74 Chess Evolution

I 4.lt:Jxc6 bxc6 I 5 .h3 lt:J h6= ( 1 5 ... tt:Jxf2??
I 6.lt:Ja4+-) , but even here the position is
okay for Black.
I 2.'\Wxe5 lt:Jg4 I 3 .Wf4 e5 I 4 .\Wd2 i.xg5
I 5 .Wxg5 lt:Jxf2 I 6.id3!
I 6.E!:xd5 ie6 I 7.E!:xd8t ( 1 7.E!:b5 \Wd6!
Threatening mate in two. I 8.i.e2 [ I 8.E!:gi ??
Wd i t I 9 .lt:Jxd i E!:xd i #] I 8 . . . lt:Jxh l + Black
is an exchange up and White can't obtain
enough compensation as his rook is a bit
ridiculous on b5.) I 7 .. J'hd8 I 8 .E!:gi The
only move. I 8 . . .f6 I 9 .\Wh4 (after I 9.'1Wg3
lt:Jd3t 20.ixd3 Wxg i t+ Black has an easy
game while it is not clear where White
chances for a draw, but it's clear that only
Black can play for a victory.
I 6 . . . lt:Jxh i I 7.E!:xh i Wf6!
Black should exchange queens to minimize
White's active play; after this exchange
Black's centre will be strong rather than
weak.
I 7 . . . e4 gives away control over the d4-
square. I 8.ie2 ie6 I 9.E!:d i E!:ac8 20.lt:Jd4
a6 2 1 .\We5!oo
I 7 . . . Wd6 I 8.E!:d l !
I 8.Wxf6 gxf6 I 9.E!:fi 'it?g7=
The position is about equal, but Black has
the easier play.

.i. - Jl
should put his pieces) I 9 . . . lt:Jd3t 20.ixd3
Wxg i t 2 I .lt:J d i Wxg2 22.\Wxh?t 'it?f7+ Once
the queens are exchanged, the h2-pawn will
be extremely weak.
s
7
X
- - - ' -
- -
"
I 6.tt:Jxd5 i.e6! 6

.m!m"
l" % %'a
;n/'----: --'0
4
3

2
t3J r -
- - %t3J r
t3J r-
f!J
5

a b c d e f g h
8.f3!?N
a b c d e f g h Quite a strong novelty, in my opinion. White
wants to transfer his queen to g3, and then
I 7.ic4 ( 1 7.lt:Jf6t <j;Jhg I 8.i.d3 lt:Jxd3t perhaps to h4, in order to disturb the black
I 9.E!:xd3 E!:xd3 20.cxd3 i.xb3 2 I .axb3 gxf6+; king. In a blitz game later in the same match
I 7.lt:Jxb6?? E!:xd i #) I 7 . . .ixd5 I 8.ixd5 Dominguez varied, but was convincingly
lt:Jxh i I 9.'1Wxe5 tt:J f2 20.E!:d4 White wants beaten:
to prevent the return home of the black 8.'1Wd2 Wc7N 9.0-0-0 b5 I O.f3
knight. (20.E!:fi lt:Jg4 2 I .ixf7t 'it?h8 22.We2 White secures his e4-pawn and will go for an
We3t 23.'1Wxe3 lt:Jxe3+) 20 . . . \WhGt 2 I .'it?b I attack with g2-g4.
E!:e8 22.Wf4 (22.ixf7t? \tJxf7 23.'1Wf5t I O . . . ie7 I I .\tJbi 0-0
[23.Wd5t We6-+] 23 ... Wf6-+) 22 ... E!:e i t I believe that Black has emerged from the
23.lt:J c l Wxf4 24.E!:xf4 E!:d8 25 .ixf7t <j;Jhg opening with no real problems.
26.E!:xf2 (26.id5 g5!+) 26 . . . E!:dd i 27.b4 I 2.g4?!
E!:xc l t 28. <j;Jb2 E!:fl 29.E!:d2 E!:cd I 30.E!:e2 This move weakens the f3-pawn and the
E!:fe I 3 I .E!:f2 g6+ White has quite good h I -a8 diagonal.
 November 20 1 1 75

Attacking with 1 2 .h4!? was probably better.

1 2 . . . tLle5! 1 3 . .if4
After 1 3.ie2 ib7 1 4.if4 d5! 1 5 .Wd4 .id6
1 6.a3 !!fd8! Black has an ideal position.
1 3 . . . b4
Black seizes the initiative.
1 4.tLle2
I reckon Dominguez did not want to put his
knight on the edge of the board as it would
be out of play. After 14.ltJa4 l'!b8! Black
defends the b4-pawn, and intends . . . d6 and a b c d e f g h

. . . .id7 to attack the knight on a4. 1 8.exd5?!

1 4 . . . l'!d8 Now the f3-pawn becomes even weaker. The
The idea of this move is very clear: to support opening of centre is favourable for Black as
the advance . . . d5. she has the much better coordinated pieces.
1 4 . . . a5!? 1 5 .ltJbd4 a4-+ was also worthy of An improvement was 1 8 .g5 tLlh5 1 9 . .ih2 g6
consideration. 20 . .ie2 dxe4 2 1 .fxe4 .id6+, although with
1 5 .tLled4 ib7 . . . a5-a4 coming and the e4-pawn hanging,
Black is doing well. 22.ixh5?! gxh5 23.l'!fl
aS!+
1 8 . . . l'!xd5 1 9 .h5 lLlxf3! 20.\W g3
20 . .ixc7 doesn't hold the position either:
20 . . . tLl xe 1 2 l .l'!xe 1 l'!xc7-+
20 ... e5-+ 2 1 .ig2 exf4 22.Wxf3 l'!xd4 23.tLlxd4
.ixf3 24.ixf3 tLld7 25 .!!he 1 if6 26.ltJc6 tLle5
27.tLlxe5 Wxc2t 28.';t> a 1 .ixe5 29.l'!b 1 f6
30.ie4 Wd2 3 1 .if5 ixb2t!
0- 1 Dominguez - ]. Polgar, FIDE World
a b c d e f g h Cup (4.8 - blitz) , Khanty-Mansiysk 20 1 1 .
1 6.We 1
White wishes to avoid the confrontation 8 ...i.e7 9.'1Wg3 d6 10.0--0-0 0-0
with the black rook on the d-file, meanwhile
keeping an eye on the e4-square.
1 6 . . . !!ac8
Black brings the last piece into the play.
Everything is ready for the break in the
centre with . . . d5.
1 7.h4
White is too late with his attack on the
kingside.
1 7 . . . d5!
Finally! In response to White's attack on the
flank, Black counters in the centre - one of
the principal axioms in chess! a b c d e f g h
76 Chess Evolution

Everything has been quite logical up to this 1 8 .a3

point. Now White has a couple of ways to go.
l l.<.!lbl
Taking the d6-pawn seems to be risky for
White: l l ..ixf6?! ixf6 1 2.l:'!xd6 1Mfc7! 1 3.l:'!d l
ie5 1 4.Wlf3 b5 with powerful compensation.
1 8.f4? tt'l fg4 1 9.1Mfd4 tt'ld7 20.tt'lc6 Wxb6
2 l .Wfxb6 tt'lxb6 22.tt'lxe7 tt'lf2 23.l:'!xd6
tt'lxh l 24.l:'!xb6 id7+
1 8 . . . tt'l fd7 1 9.ie3 b4 20.axb4 Wxb4 2 l .tt'lb3
tt'l c5!--+

l l .h4!?
This has the pretry simple idea of pushing
the pawn to h6. Nevertheless, I couldn't
find even a tiny advantage for White here.
I L .<;t>hs!
A necessary prophylactic move, so that ... h6
can be played in order to stop the white
h-pawn.
l l .. .l:'!d8?! is too reckless, as after 1 2.h5!
Black can't stop h5-h6, which will seriously
weaken his kingside pawn structure.
1 2.h5 h6

a b c d e f g h
12.4
White had another interesting way to
continue his attack on the kingside:
1 2 . .ie2!? Wlc7 1 3.ih6 tt'le8
Black will defend without creating pawn
weaknesses in front of his king.
After 1 3 . . . g6?! 1 4.h4! White has a target to
attack!
a b c d e f g h

1 3.ie3 8
1 3.i.f4 can be met by: 1 3 . . . e5! 1 4 . .ie3 Wlc7 7
1 5 .8 b5 1 6.Wlf2 l:'!b8 1 7.g4 b4 1 8 .tt'ld5
6
( 1 8.tt'l a4? blunders a pawn to 18 ... ixg4!
5
1 9.tt'lb6 [of course not 1 9.fxg4?? tt'lxg4
20.Wif3 tt'lxe3 2 l .Wlxe3 .ig5-+] 1 9 . . . .ie6+) 4
lu"=,,/" =v<<
1 8 . . . tt'lxd5 1 9.exd5 tt'la5 20.tt'lxa5 1Mfxa5 3
2 l . b l f5!+! 2
13 ... 1Mfc7 1 4.f3 b5 1 5 .Wf2 tt'le5 1 6.ib6
1 6.g4? tt'l fxg4-+
a b c d e f g h
I 6 ... 1Mfb7 1 7.tt'la5 Wlb8
White's pieces will soon be kicked away 14.h4! .if6 1 5 .h5 .ixc3!
from their advanced positions. Spoiling White's pawn structure.
 November 20 1 1 77

1 6.bxc3 'kt>h8 1 7 ..ie3 14.Wih4!

1 7.ig5 f6 1 8 . .ie3 h6! White prepares to sacrifice.
1 7 . . . h6!
Preventing h5-h6 by White. 14 h6
..

1 8.f4
White has to react quickly in order to
compensate for the weakness on c3.
1 8 . . . tt:l f6 1 9 ..if3 e5
After 19 . . . a5 20.W!f1t both .ie3-b6 and
g2-g4-g5 are threatened; White is faster with
his attack.
20.'Wf1 tt:l g4!
20 ... tt:l d7 is too passive, as 2 l .g4! gives
White a strong attack.
2 l .ixg4 ixg4 22 . .ib6 'We? 23.ixd8 j'!xd8
24.j'!d3 exf4 25.'Wxf4 ttl e5
a b c d e f g h
Black accepts the challenge. The game now
develops into a very complicated struggle.

1 5.i.xh6 gxh6
1 5 . . . ttlxe4?! does not seem to be a good
option for Black: 1 6 ..ig5 ixg5 ( 1 6 . . . tt:lxc3t
1 7.bxc3 f5 1 8.g4--+) 1 7.fxg5 tt:lxc3t 1 8.bxc3
g6 1 9.'Wf1--+ Freeing the way for h-pawn.
I believe White has the better chances here.
a b c d e f g h (If instead 1 9.tt:ld2 then 1 9 . . . d5! prevents the
Despite White being an exchange up, Black invasion ttld2-e4-f6.)
has very good compensation for the following
reasons: 16.Wfxh6 tLle8
1 ) White has many pawn weaknesses across
the whole board.
2) Black has good chances to attack on the
queenside due to the damaged pawn structure
next to white king.
3) Black's pieces are perfectly coordinated.

12 ...Wfc7 l3.i.d3
A very aggressive set-up by White; his target
is the h7-pawn.

13 ... b5
Black must look for counterplay.
a b c d e f g h
78 Chess Evolution

17.e5 (27.l'!d8t Wh7 28.Wxf4 'Wf6! and Black will

The main alternative was 1 7.tt:ld5!? exd5
1 8.exd5 if6 1 9.ih7t Wh8 20.dxc6 ig7
2 l .'Wh4 (2 l .'Wh5?? tt:l f6--+ ) 2 l ...tt:lf6 22 ..tf5t
Wg8 23.tt:ld4 i>f8oo. The position remains very
unclear, but I believe that Black can hold it.
hold the position) 27 ... 'Wf8 28.'Wc7 and
White retains an unpleasant initiative.
20.tt:la4!? is also worthy of consideration.
8

7
17 ... 5 6

3
pun/,___-;-;;-;F-=----c;,c,

a b c d e f g h

20 ... bxc3 2 l .h6 if8 22.g4!

Opening more files and diagonals!
22 ... tt:l e7
22 . . . 'Wf7?? 23.h7t+-
23.Wg5 ib7 24.hxg7 ixg7 25 .l'!h6 dxe5
a b c d e f g h 26.l'!xe@
1 8.ixf5? White has excellent compensation.
White missed a good opportunity:
1 8.'Wg6t! tt:lg7 18 ... exf5 19.lLid5
After 1 8 ... Wf8? 1 9.g4+- the opening of the
g-file decides the game.
1 9.h4 b4!
I believe this is the only chance for Black to
hold the position!
19 . . . id7? 20.g4! ie8 2 l .'Wh6+- and Black
can't prevent the opening of the kingside.
1 9 . . . dxe5?! 20.h5 if8 2 l .h6 l'!a7 (2 l . . .tt:le7
22.'Wg5 exf4 23.l'!h3! followed by doubling
rooks on the h-file) 22.tt:le4! fxe4 23.ixe4
and Black is in trouble.
1 9 . . . if8?? 20.ixf5 tt:l e7 (20 . . . exf5
2 l .tt:ld5+-) 2 l .'Wh7t <i>f7 22 . .tg4+-
a b c d e f g h
20.h5!?
20.tt:le2!? if8 2 l .h5 dxe5 (2 l . . .tt:l e7 19 ...iffi!
22.'Wg5!--+ and h5-h6 is coming) 22.h6 exf4 This move forces White to exchange queens,
23.hxg7 ixg7 (23 . . . 'Wxg7 24.ixf5! 'Wxg6 after which his attack comes to an end.
25.ixg6 e5 26.ih7t Wf7 27.ie4) 24.ic4
l'!xd l t 25 .l'!xd l 'Wf7 26.'Wg5 tt:le5 27.'Wd8t 20.llJxc7 ixh6 2I.lbxa8 L4 22.exd6 Ld6
 November 20 1 1 79

Quite a forced line has resulted from
19 . . ..if8. Let's evaluate the position. White has
a rook and two pawns for two bishops, and the
position is close to being dynamically equal.
Nevertheless, I would prefer to play Black in
this position as the black pieces have more
potential.
defence as Black's rook and pair of bishops
make up a considerable force. Probably White's
position is already lost . . .
8
7

6
23.lbb6 i.e6 24.ttld5 f7
5

a b c d e f g h
41Jh7 :Sg4 42.:Sa4 if4 43.:Sel i.d2
44.:Sdl Ac3 45.:Sa6t b7 46Ja5 ie4
47.:Sa4 :Sg2 48.:Sa2 b6 49.:Sd6t b5
SO.:Sdl i.f3 S I .:Sfl c5 52.:Sa7 i.e4 53.:Sc1
b6 54.:Sa2 :Sg3 ss.:sn i.g7 56. c1 :Sg2
a b c d e f g h 57. bl :Sd2 ss. c1 :Sh2 59. bl i.c3
25.ttle3?! 60.:Sdl if3 6I .:Sfl c5 62.:Sa7 ie4 63.:Sc1
This is the wrong direction. White should d4 64.:Sd7t e3 65.:Se7 :Sh6 66.:Sa7
have tried to force the exchange of the kingside i.d2 67.:Sgl 2 68.:Sdl e2 69.:Sgl Ae3
pawns by playing 25 .h3! with the idea of 70.:Se7 :Sh4 7I.:Sg8 Ad4 72. a2 d2
g2-g4. 73.:Sd7 hc2 74.:Sh8

25 ... ttlf6 8
Black's pieces have become significantly
more active over the last few moves. 7

6
26.g3 ttlg4 27.ttlxg4 fxg4
Now it is clear that Black is doing well. It 5
seems likely that the following moves were 4
made in time trouble.
3

28.ttld4 ttlxd4 29.:Sxd4 Ac7 30.:Sfl t e7 2

3l .:Se4 :Sg8 32.a4 Ad6 33.axb5 axb5 34J5
b4 35.:Sh5 :Sg6 36.h3 gxh3 37.:Sxh3 d7
38.:Sh7t c6 39.b3 idS 40.:Se3 ixg3-+ a b c d e f g h
In the time trouble White has lost a valuable 74 '='xh
.!::!>
.. 8??
pawn, and he now has to conduct a passive
80 Chess Evolution

74 . . .'>!re i ! would have won the game
immediately: 75 .l:xh4 (75 .Ek7 ic3! 76.1'l:xc3
l'l:xh8-+) 75 ... ib 1 #
75Jxd4t .id3 76Jxb4 c3 77Ja4 B:h2t
78. a3 B:b2 79.B:g4
White's best defence was 79.1'l:b4! l'l:b 1
80.Wa2! and now Black can't take the rook
due to stalemate! 80 . . . 1'l:h 1 8 1 .1'l:b7 and White
keeps chances to draw.
79 ... B:xb3t 80. a4 B:b1 81. a5 B:b5t
82. a4 B:f5 83.B:g3 B:f4t 84. a3 B:fl
85Jg2 B:h1 86.B:b2 B:a1 t 87.B:a2 B:b1
88Jg2 B:b3t 89. a4 B:b4t 90. a3 B:b6
9 I .B:g4 B:a6t 92.B:a4 B:b6 93.B:g4 B:b7
94.B:h4 B:b1 95.B:h2 B:b6 96.B:h4 .ifl
97.B:g4 B:b5 98.B:g3t .id3 99.B:g4 B:b1
100.B:g2 B:b3t 10l. a4 B:b5 102.B:g4 B:f5
103. a3 B:fl 104.B:g2 B:b1 105.B:h2 .if5
106.B:g2 .id3 107.B:h2 .ifl 108.B:fl .ic4
109.B:f3t .id3 l lO.B:fl B:b3t l l l . a2 B:b6
1 12. a1 B:g6
0-1
GAME 9
C> A. Motylev (2690)
.... V. Laznicka (2701)
1 2th Karpov International, Poikovsky
Round 7, 1 1 . 1 0.20 1 1 [B48]
Annotated by Alexander lpatov
I.e4 c5 2.ttlf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.ttlxd4 ttlc6
5.ttlc3 Y!!fc7 6 ..ie3 a6 7.Y!!fd2
This main alternative is 7.ie2 lLl f6 8.0-0,
transposing to Rublevsky - Bruzon, Poikovsky
20 1 1 , which is analysed on page 86.
7... ttlf6 8.0-0-0 .ie7
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a b c d e f g h
9.0
White has a more aggressive weapon at his
disposal: 9.f4!? b5 1 0.e5 The principled move.
( 1 O.id3 is less ambitious. 1 O . . . b4 1 1 .lLla4 1'l:b8
1 2.Wb 1 d6 1 3.b3 0-0 1 4.lLlxc6 '<Mfxc6 1 5 .1'l:he 1
'<Mlc7 1 6.'<Mle2 id7 1 7.lLlb2 ib5 1 8.id4 '<Mfc6
1 9.'<Mff3 l'l:fc8 and Black was fine in Gashimov
- Movsesian, Reggio Emilia 20 1 0.) 1 0 . . . b4
1 1 .exf6 bxc3 1 2.'<Mlxc3 ixf6

White won the opening battle due to his deeper

preparation, and then one mistake by Black was
enough to lose the game. On the 1 9th move
Motylev employed a logical novelty, which is
the first choice of Houdini, and obtained a
powerful attack. Black made a serious mistake
on the 2 1 st move, after which his position
became hopeless. But even if Black had played
all the best moves, that would only have been
enough to reach an inferior endgame. I believe
a b c d e f g h
Black had some improvements earlier in the
game, such as 1 2 ... lt:l xd4 or 1 8 ... g6, with a 1 3.g4 h6 1 4.h4 ib7 1 5.1'l:h2 l'l:c8 1 6.Wd2
perfectly playable position. ixd4 1 7.ixd4 lLlxd4 1 8.Wxd4 0-0 1 9.g5 h5
 November 20 1 1 81

20JU2 '1Mfa5 2 l .a3 l'%c700 lnarkiev - Movsesian, 1 2 ..if4 tLle5 1 3 .ixe5?! concedes the bishop
Olginka 20 1 1 . pair: 1 3 . . .'1Mfxe5 1 4.f4 We? 1 5 .e5 d6 1 6 ..ig2
.ib? 1 7.:!'%he 1 b4 1 8.ttJe4 h8 1 9.tiJf3
9 0-0
... l'%d8! 20.'1Mfe2 id5 2 1 .'it> b 1 a5t Motylev
Black can stop g2-g4, although he could then Morozevich, Lugo 2007.
have some problems with castling short: 1 2.h4 .ib? ( 1 2 . . . tLl e5!?) 1 3.h5 tLl xd4
9 . . . h5!? 1 4 ..ixd4 l'%c8 and now:

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

1 0.ttJxc6 a) 1 5 .g6? b4 1 6.gxh7t i>h8 1 7.h6 ( 1 7.tLle2

1 0.b 1 !? b5 1 1 .'1Mff2 d6 1 2.h3 .ib7 1 3 .id3 ig5! 1 8.f4 ixe4-+) 1 7 . . . e5 1 8.hxg7t tLlxg7
h4 1 4.tLlxc6 ixc6 1 5 .:!'%he 1 b4 1 6.tLle2 e5 1 9 .id3 exd4+
1 7.ib6 Wb7 1 8.ttJcl ltJd7 1 9.ia5 0-0 b) 1 5 .'it>b 1 b4 1 6.tLla4 ixg5! 1 7.Wg2 h6+
20.ic4 l'%fc8 2 1 .tLld3 Y. Yu - Movsesian, Gelfand - Karpov, Tallinn 2005.
Khanty-Mansiysk 2009. c) 1 5 .ie3 b4?
1 0.tLlb3 d6 1 l ..ig5 l'%b8 1 2.f4 b5 13 ..ixf6 1 2 . . . dxc6
gxf6 14.id3 b4 1 5 .tLle2 a5 1 6.'it>b 1 a4-t 1 2 . . . '1Mfxc6!?
Abergel - Negi, St Petersburg 2009.
10 . . . bxc6 1 1.. f4 e5 12 ..ig5 d6 1 3.ic4 ie6
1 4 . .ib3 l'%d8 1 5.We2
1 5.h3 ixb3 1 6.axb3 h4 1 7.b 1 ltJh5!
1 8.ixe7 Wxe7= Guerra Mendez - lturrizaga
Bonelli, Collado Villalba 20 1 0.
1 5 ... a5 1 6.'it>b 1 0-0 1 7.h3 Wb7 1 8.g4 d5
1 9.exd5 tLlxd5 20.ixd5 cxd5 2 l ..ixe7
(2 1 .Wxe5!?) 2 1 . . .Wxe7 22.gxh5 d4 23.tLle4 f5
24.ttJd2 if7=
Negi - Vachier Lagrave, Biel 20 1 0.
a b c d e f g h

10.g4 b5 l l .g5 h5 1 3.h4

The other possible knight move has 1 3.f4 ttJd6 1 4.Wd4 ltJb7 1 5 .1Mlb6 Wxb6
been successfully played several times by 1 6 . .ixb6 e5! 1 7.ie3 exf4 1 8 ..ixf4 tLlc5
Morozevich: 1 9.:!'%g 1 .ib7= and Black had no problems
1 1 . . .ltJe8!? 1 2.tLlxc6 in Gashimov - Morozevich, Dagomys 2008.
82 Chess Evolution

1 3 . . . e5 1 4.Wf2 .ie6 1 5 ..ih3 ixh3 1 6.xh3 1 4 . . . ltJ f4 1 5.h4

tt:'ld6= 1 5 . s!fb I lt:lg6!? Preventing h2-h4, as the
The knight is heading to c4, Leko - knight on g3 would be hanging. ( 1 5 . . .ib7?!
Morozevich, Moscow 2008. 1 6.ixf4! '<Mfxf4 1 7.lt:lh5 e5 1 8.'<Mff2 ic5!
[ 1 8 . . . Wxg5? 1 9.lt:lxg7!] 1 9.'<Mfxc5 '<Mfxf3
20.lt:lf6t gxf6 2 l ..id3 and White had a
strong attack in Quesada Perez - Fier,
Sabadell 20 1 0.) 1 6.Wb6 ( 1 6.lt:lh5 if8!)
16 ... Wxb6 1 7.ixb6 e8 1 8.h4 d5!
1 9.exd5 exd5 20.lt:lh5 id6 2 l .id4 ie5
22 ..ixe5 lt:lxe5 23.ie2 lt:lc4 24.xd5 ib?t
Huschenbeth - Fier, Moscow 20 1 1 .
1 5 . . . ib7 1 6.Wb6
1 6.s!fb 1 ac8 1 7.'<Mfd2 lLlg6 1 8 .h5 lLle5 1 9.f4
( 1 9.'<Mff2 ic5 20.ixc5 '<Mfxc5 2 1 .'<M'xc5 xeS
22.ie2 d5!) 1 9 . . . lt:lg4 20.id3 d5!t Bok
Gharamian, Bid 20 1 1 .
a b c d e f g h 1 6 . . . Wb8 1 7.s!fb 1 d5!
12.<ttl b l This leads by force to a repetition of moves.
White can also consider: 1 8.ixf4 '<Mfxf4 1 9.'<Mfxb7 ic5
1 2.tt:'lce2 d8!
Preparing the typical ... d5 break; Black has
no real problems.
1 3.lt:lg3
1 3.f4 ib7 1 4.ig2 g6 1 5 .lt:lb3 ac8
1 6.s!fb l d5 1 7.e5 d4!? 1 8.lt:lexd4 lt:lxd4
1 9.lt:lxd4 ic5 20.ixb7 '<Mfxb7 2 1 .'<Mff2 We4
Solodovnichenko - Fier, Sabadell 2009.
1 3 . . . lt:lxd4 1 4.Wxd4
1 4 . .ixd4 lt:l f4 1 5 .h4 ib7 1 6.'it>b 1 ( 1 6.ib6?
is very bad, as it weakens the dark squares
a b c d e f g h
and gives the bishop pair to Black. 1 6 ... Wxb6
1 7.'<Mfxf4 d5+ Flores Rios - Leitao, Sao Paulo 20.exd5
2009.) 1 6 . . . ac8f! 20.h3 db8 2 1 .'<M'c6 c8 22.'<M'b7=
Neumann - Bern, e-mail 2008.
20.lt:le2 Wd6!
20 ...Wxg3 2 I .id3 db8 22.'<Mfc6 c8 23.'<M'b7
ebB 24.Wc6=
Salgado Lopez - Movsesian, Moscow 20 1 1 .
5

4
12 ... tLle5
3 The plan of preparing . . . d5 doesn't work
2 properly here: 1 2 . . . d8 1 3.'<Mff2! b4 1 4.lt:la4
( 1 4.lt:lce2!?) 1 4 . . . d5 1 5 .exd5 exd5 1 6.lt:lxc6
a b c d e f g h
 November 20 1 1
\Wxc6 1 7.tt:\b6 b8 1 8 .tt:\xc8 bxc8 1 9.ih3!
c7 20.ig4 g6 2 Lixh5 gxh5 22.he 1
Worthy o f Black's consideration is:
1 2 . . . tt:\xd4!? 1 3.ixd4 ib7 1 4.tt:\e2 ac8N
This is an improvement on: 14 . . . e5?! 1 5 .ic3
ac8 1 6.a3 d5 1 7.ia5 '1Wd7 1 8.h4! and
White's bishop is going to h3, Amonatov -
J . Geller, Izhevsk 20 1 0.
1 5.ih3
Threatening ig4 and forcing Black's reply.
a b c d e f g h
1 5 . . . f5! 1 6.gxf6
1 6.exf5 ixf3 and now:
a) 1 7.f6 gxf6 1 8.hg 1 ( 1 8.gxf6 ixf6
1 9.hg l t i>h8+ and White has no real
compensation for the pawn) 1 8 . . . fXg5
1 9.xg5t ixg5 20.'1Wxg5t i>f7 2 1 .d2 In
order to defend the c2-pawn. 2 1 . .. \Wd6!oo
a b c d e f g h
At first glance White might appear to have a
mating attack, but that is not the case. Black
83
can hold this position and even think about
more than a half point.
b) 1 7.fxe6 d5! and White has to sacrifice the
exchange on h 1 , as otherwise Black would
get a crushing position after 1 8.hfl ?!
\Wxh2!+.
16 . . . ixf6 1 7.ixf6 tt:\xf6 1 8.tt:\ d4 ce800
The position remains unclear. White has
a simple plan of pressing on the g-file, while
Black has some prospects on the f-file. I believe
that overall Black is doing fine.
13.4!
The most ambitious.
After 1 3.ie2?! ib7 1 4.f4 ( 1 4.hfl ac8 1 5.a3
b4!4) 1 4 . . . ltk4 1 5 .ixc4 '1Wxc4, the initiative is
clearly on Black's side.
13 ... lLlg4
1 3 . . . tt:\c4 1 4.ixc4 bxc4? (Black should
certainly play 14 . . . \Wxc4, although after 1 5 .f5
White keeps some initiative) 1 5 .tt:\f5!
a b c d e f g h
1 5 . . . ic5 ( 1 5 . . . exf5 1 6.tt:\d5 \Wd6 [ 1 6 . . . \Wd8
1 7.ib6+-] 1 7.'1We2! g6 1 8.lLlf6t lZlxf6 1 9.xd6
tt:\xe4 20.dd 1 c3 2 l .b3+-) 1 6.ixc5 \Wxc5
1 7.lZlg3 lZlxg3 1 8.hxg3 and White obtained
a decisive attack on the h-file in Kurmann -
Brunello, Merlimont 20 1 1 .
I4.e5
This move leads to quite a forced line.
84 Chess Evolution

1 4. lt:l ce2 .ib7 1 5.ih3 ib4 1 6.1Wd3 lt:l xe3 2 l . ..d5! 22.exd6 ixd6 23.l!f3 e5 24.fxe5 ixe5
1 7.1Wxe3 f5!+ Ozolin ]. Geller, lzhevsk
- 25 .ixa6 l!cd8 26.l!fd3 .ixd4 27.l!xd4 lt:l e6
20 1 0. 28.l!4d2 l!xd2 29.l!xd2 lt:l c5 30.1We2 1Wf4
with excellent compensation for the pawn in
14 ...i.b7 1 5J:gl lt:lxe3 16.'ifxe3 b4 17.lt:le4 Florea - Heinke, e-mail 2009.
he4 18.'ifxe4
19.exd6N
A very logical novelty. According to Houdini
this is the only move to keep an advantage.

In that earlier game lnarkiev didn't react

properly and found himself in an inferior
position: 1 9.1We3?! g6 20 . .ie2 lt:l g7 2 1 .h4 ic5
22.ig4 l!fc8 23.l!d2

8
7

5
a b c d e f g h
4
18 ... d5 3
This move was first played by Movsesian
2
against lnarkiev two weeks before the current
game.
a b c d e f g h
Black should give serious consideration to: 23 . . . 1Wa7! 24.l!h l ixd4 25 .l!xd4 l!c4 26.l!hd l
1 8 ... g6!? 1 9.l!d3 ( 1 9 ..ie2 lt:lg7 20.h4 ic5 aS+ lnarkiev - Movsesian, Rogaska Slatina
2 l ..ig4 d6! 22.h5 dxe5 23.fxe5 l!fd8 24.hxg6 20 1 1 .
hxg6 25 .l!h l l!ac8 26. lt:l f3 l!xd l t 27J!xd l
a5= and Black had no problems in Erdogdu - 1 9...hd6 20.f5! exf5 21.lLlxf5 lUe8 22.'iff3
Miladinovic, Skopje 2002) 1 9 ... l!ac8 20.ie2
lt:l g7 2 1 .l!gd l

a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
 November 20 1 1 85

22 ....ic5?
The only move was:
22 . . . ixh2!
This is a really difficult move to make over
the board, especially if it appears that your
opponent is still following his preparation.
23.h l tt:l g3
23 . . . g6!?
24.tt:lxg3 ixg3 25.h5 h6 26.i.d3
26.gxh6 g6!

a b c d e f g h

26J!fl f6
26 . . . e7 27.e4! dd7 28.xe7 xe7
29.a8t e8 30.xa6+- and White is a pawn
up while retaining a powerful attack.

27.gxf6 ge3 28.hl .id4 29 ..ixg6!

Demolishing the pawn structure in front of
a b c d e f g h Black's king.
26 . . . e5! 27.ic4 a7! 28.dfl ee7!
Black has to keep making only moves in 29 ... hxg6 30.gxg6 h7
order to defend.
29.gxh6
29.g6 xh5 30.xh5 'i!if8 3 1 .ixf7 ie5!oo
and the bishop moves to a fine defensive
post on f6.
29 ... xh5 30.xh5 gxh6 3 1 .xh6
3 l .g l ?! e 1 t! 32.xe l Axe l =
3 1 . . . 'i!ig7 32.xa6 xa6 33.ixa6 e 1 t 34.xe 1
ixe l 3 5 .'it>cl 'i!if6 36.'i!id l if2 37.<t!?d2 id4!
Black should hold the endgame.

23Jg4!
The rook joins the attack.
a b c d e f g h
23 .. J!ad8 24..id3 3 1 .b7!
White's pieces are perfectly coordinated and A very nice move!
have a simple target to attack.
3l. .. xg6 32.xb4t g;,e8 33.f7t
24 ... g6 25.h6t g;,m 1-0
After 25 . . . 'it>g7 26.h4 e6 27.fl !+
White's threats are too powerful.
86
GAME 1 0
[> S. Rublevsky (268 1)
.... L . Bruzon (2682)
1 2th Karpov International, Poikovsky
Round 9, 1 3. 1 0.20 1 1 [B85]
Annotated by Alexander Ipatov
In a well-known variation Black showed
good opening preparation and employed the
interesting novelty 1 8 . . . h6!?, after which Black
experienced no problems equalizing. White
then drifted into an inferior position without
making any big mistakes, which demonstrates
the real strength of Black's novelty. I think
White will have to look for new ways to get an
opening advantage.
l.e4 c5 2.c!lJf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.l2Jxd4 a6 s ..ie2
l2Jf6 6.c3 YNc7 7.0-0 l2Jc6 8 .ie3
a b c d e f g h
8 ....1e7
A fair alternative is:
8 ...ib4
This has been played many times by Anand,
Karpov and other top players. The idea
is quite simple: Black wants to organize
immediate pressure on White's centre, and
especially the e4-pawn.
9.lt:la4!
The only move to fight for an opening
advantage.
Chess Evolution
a b c d e f g h
9 . . . ie7
Black has tried several other moves:
a) 9 . . . i.d6!? is quite playable.
b) 9 ... lt:lxe4? 1 0.lt:lxc6 Wfxc6D ( 1 0 . . . dxc6??
l l .Wfd4+-) l l .lt:l b6 l'i:b8 1 2.Wfd4 ie7
( 1 2 . . .if8 1 3.c4) 1 3.if3 d5 1 4.c4t
c) 9 . . . b5?! does not seem good for Black:
1 0.lt:lxc6 dxc6 l l .i.c5! bxa4 ( l l . ..ixc5
1 2.lt:lxc5t) 1 2.ixb4 c5 1 3.ia3 lt:lxe4
1 4.if3t
d) 9 . . . d5?! 1 0.lt:lxc6 bxc6 l l .lt:lb6 l'i:b8
1 2.lt:lxc8 l'i:xc8 ( 1 2 . . .Wxc8 1 3.exd5 cxd5
[ 1 3 ... lt:lxd5 14.id4 0-0 1 5 .i.e5 l'i:a8 1 6.c4
lt:le7 1 7.Wfa4] 1 4.c3 ie7 1 5 .Wfa4t Mter
the exchange of queens, White will have a
simple plan based on pushing his queenside
pawns with the support of the bishop pair.)
1 3.exd5 lt:lxd5 1 4.i.xa6 lt:lxe3 1 5.fxe3 l'i:d8
1 6.Wf3t White is a pawn up and Black's
compensation is probably not enough.
1 0.lt:lxc6
1 O.c4 lt:lxe4 l l .c5! is the main alternative.
A lot of games have been played from this
position and they have shown that White
has good compensation for the pawn.
10 ... bxc6 l l .lt:lb6 l'i:b8 1 2.lt:lxc8 Wfxc8 1 3.id4
0-0 1 4.e5 l2Jd5 1 5 .c4t
White is slightly better due to his bishop
pair and space advantage. Nevertheless, we
shouldn't underestimate Black's chances,
and his results in practice have not been too
bad.
 November 20 1 1 87

9.4 d6 lO.a4 23 . !'1:g8+

. .

Preventing the possibility of ... b5 by Black.
1 0.\We l
This is another popular continuation, but
it doesn't offer White much. We shall take
a look at some of Ivanchuk's games which
confirm that Black is doing fine.
10 . . .0-0 1 1 .'1Wg3 li:lxd4 1 2.xd4 b5 1 3.a3
b7 14.!'1:ae l
Quite a forced line.
White's attack has ground to a halt, while
Black still has many strong ideas such as . . . b4
or . . . d5. Black went on to win convincingly
in Anand - lvanchuk, Leon (rapid - 1 ) 2008.
1 7 ... g6 1 8 ..ic3 li:\h5 1 9.Wh3 f6 20.e5 dxe5
2 1 .fxe5 g5?!
It is better to retreat the bishop: 2 I . . . .ie7
22.li:le3 .ixa3! 23 . .ie2 c;i{ h8 24 . .ixh5 gxh5
25.\Wxh5 !l:g8
22.Wg4 Wds 23.li:lf2 .ih4 24.!'1:e2 '1Wg5
25 .Wxg5 xg5 26.li:\e4 xe4 27.!'1:xe4
Anand - lvanchuk, Leon (rapid - 3) 2008.

10 ... 0-0 l l .<j;lhl ge8 12 ..if3

1 2.li:lb3 b6 1 3.'1We 1 li:l b4 Ermenkov -
Jansa, Cienfuegos 1 975.

Here too White can play 1 2.We 1 , but after

a b c d e f g h
1 4 . . . !'1:ad8
Black continues to centralize, developing the
rooks to d8 and e8 in order to break in the
centre with . . . e5 or . . . d5 later.
The other main plan is to construct a queen
and bishop battery on the a8-h 1 diagonal:
14 . . . .ic6!? 1 5 .<iil h 1 \Wb7 1 6.d3 b4 1 7.axb4
\Wxb4 1 8.li:le2 \Wb7 1 9.e5 li:\h5 20.\Wh3 g6=
Shirov - Ivanchuk, Linares 1 993.
1 5 . .id3 !'i:fe8 1 6. c;i{ h 1 !'i:d7 1 7.li:ld1
1 7.f5 e5 18 . .ie3 c;i{ hs 1 9 . .ig5 li:lh5 20.Wh4
.ixg5 2 1 .'1Wxg5 li:l f6 22.!'1:f3 Wc5! 23.!'1:g3
1 2 . . . li:lxd4 1 3 . .ixd4 Black has the typical break
1 3 . . . e5! to obtain counterplay in the centre. I
believe that Black has no problems provided
he knows what he is doing. White has a couple
of options:
a} 1 4.e3 exf4 1 5 .xf4 e6 1 6.a5!?
White fixes the pawn structure on the
queenside, aiming for a strategic battle.
1 6.Wg3 is met by 1 6 ... li:ld7! and the knight
heads for the e5-square, where it will be
perfectly placed:

6
<-=c--mm
5
.------.,"""'
4

3
a b c d e f g h
2
i) 1 7.e3 f8 1 8 .!'1:f2 g6 1 9 ..id4 li:le5 20.a5

a b c d e f g h
88 Chess Evolution

ig7 2 l .i.b6 Wff e7 22.1"i:d 1 1"i:ac8= Klovans A popular alternative is 1 2 ....if8 and now:
Magerramov, Moscow 1 979.
ii) 1 7.ig4 tt:le5 1 8.i.xe6 fXe6 1 9.1"i:ad 1 i.f6 a) 1 3.g4 tt:lxd4 1 4 ..ixd4 e5 1 5 . .ig 1 exf4 1 6.g5
20 . .ig5 ixg5 2 1 .Wixg5 1"i:ac8+ Lukashuk - tt:ld7 1 7.tt:ld5 WidB 1 8.Wid2
Najer, Polanica Zdroj 1 999.
iii) 1 7.id3 tt:l e5 1 8 .tt:ld5 .ixd5 1 9.exd5
tt:lxd3 20.Wffxd3 i.f6 2 l .c3 .ie5 = Iskov -
Ftacnik, Berlin 1 984.
1 6 . . . tt:ld7!
The idea for improving the knight that we
have already seen.
1 7.Wffg3 tt:le5 1 8.ie3 .if8 1 9 . .ib6 Wc6 20.id3
g6 2 1 .tt:le2! i.g7 22.tt:ld4 Wd7 23.1"i:ad 1 1"i:ac8=
As compensation for the weakness on d6,
Black has a strong knight on e5, an active rook
a b c d e f g h
on the c-file and other well-coordinated pieces,
Kamsky - Van Wely, Wijk aan Zee 2006. 1 8 ... Wffxg5!?N
18 ... h6? 1 9.gxh6 g5 20.Wffg2 i>h7 2 I ..ih5
b) 1 4.fXe5 dxe5 1 5.Wig3 David - Berend, Germany 1 998.
1 5 .ie3 .ie6 1 6.Wig3 i>h8 1 7.a5 ic5 1 8.ig5 1 9.tt:lc7 tt:le5 20 . .ig2
ie7 1 9.ie3 .ib4 20.Wffh 4 fi.e7= Chandler 20.tt:lxa8 tt:lxf3 2 1 .1"i:xf3 .ig4 22.1"i:ff1
Psakhis, Sochi 1 982. (22.1"i:xf4?? if3t 23.1"i:xf3 Wff xd2-+) 22 ... 1"i:xa8
1 5 . . .id8! 23 .Wxf4 Wxf4 (23 ... Wff h 5!?) 24.1"i:xf4 id7
25 ..id4 .ic6

a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
1 6.i.e3
1 6 ..ig 1 .ie6 1 7.a5 i>h8 1 8.1"i:fd 1 1"i:c8 20 ... .id7 2 I .tt:lxa8 1"i:xa8 22.Wffxf4 Wxf4
1 9.1"i:d2 Wb8 20.id3 b5! 2 l .axb6 ixb6i 23.1"i:xf4 tt:lg6 24.1"i:f2 tt:lh4!
Draoui - David, Coubertin 2009.
16 . . . i>h8! 1 7.ig5 i.e6 1 8.1"i:ad 1 ie7 1 9.ixf6 b) 1 3.tt:lb3!
ixf6 20 . .ig4 1"i:ad8= This has the simple idea of blocking Black's
Padevsky - Ermenkov, Varna 1 973. queenside by a4-a5 and avoiding any
exchange on d4. Black seems unable to
12 .tihd4
.. achieve full equality.
 November 20 1 1 89

1 3 ... b6 Hodzic - Erdeljan, corr. 1 980. White has

1 3 . . . tt'la5 1 4.tt'lxa5 Wfxa5 1 5 .Wfd2;t
1 4.a5! bxa5
1 4 . . . b5?! 1 5 .e5
14 ... tt'ld7 1 5 .axb6 tt'lxb6 1 6.Wfe2 .ib7
1 7.tt'la4
1 5 .e5 dxe5 1 6.fxe5 :gdg 1 7.tt'ld4 tt'lxd4
The sacrifice of the exchange doesn't give
enough compensation: 1 7 . . . tt'lxe5?! 1 8.ixa8
tt'leg4 1 9.ig1 e5 20.tt'lce2 exd4 2 l .tt'lxd4
id7 22.if3 a4 23.Wfe2
prevented both the knight transfer to e5 and
the liberating move . . . d5, and he stands better.
17.a5
1 7.h3 has the idea of preventing . . . tt'l g4-e5 .
1 7 . . . :gac8 Compared with the previous note,
the rook is more active on c8 than on e8. 1 8.a5
tt'ld7!N Black temporarily sacrifices a pawn in
order to activate his pieces. 1 9.xd6 ixd6
20.Wfxd6 Wxd6 2 1 .:gxd6 tt'le5

E
1 8.i.xd4 tt'ld5 1 9.tt'lxd5 exd5 20.Wfd2;l;

13.'1Wxd4 e5!
s

7 -
A typical break.
6 .i.
14.'1Wd2 exf4 15.i.xf4 .ie6 16JUdl 5
4 %
-
8
3

2
m.i,
,
7
I ,
6 a b c d e f g h

5 Black's pieces are wonderfully coordinated.

4 22.:gxd8t (22.:gb6?! :gc7! 23.'i!i>g1 'i!i>f8 24.:gd l
Otherwise . . . :gd2 will give Black good play.
3 24 ... :gxd 1 t 25 .ixd 1 tt'lc4 26.:gb4 tt'lxa5+)
2 22 . . .:gxd8 23.:gd 1 :gxd 1 t 24.ixd 1 tt'lc6
25.'it>gl tt'lxa5=

a b c d e f g h 17 J:tac8 18J a4
.

Black now faces a dilemma: whether to put 1 8.h3 tt'l d7! transposes to the previous note.
his rooks on d8 and e8, or on d8 and c8. Both
set-ups have been tried many times in practice.

16 Jed8

1 6 . . . :gad8 1 7.h3! White prevents the

transfer of the knight to e5 . Now it will only
be possible via the d7-square, but that would
cost the d6-pawn. ( 1 7.a5?! tt'lg4! 1 8.ixg4
Otherwise the knight comes to e5. 1 8 . . . ixg4
1 9.tt'ld5 Wfd7 20.:ge 1 ie6 2 l .tt'lb6 Wfb5 22.b3
if6 23.:gab l i.e5 = and Black was fine in Glek
- Andersson, Berlin 1 996.) 17 . . . Wfc8 1 8.Wff2
a b c d e f g h
90 Chess Evolution

18 ...h6!?N
This novelty has two points. Firstly, Black
makes a bolt-hole for the king so that he no
longer needs to worry about the weakness of
the back rank, and secondly he will have the
possibility of expanding on the kingside with
... g5.

1 8 ... ltl d7?! is an idea we have already seen, but

here it doesn't work so well: 1 9.i.xd6 ixd6
20.xd6 xd6 2 1 .!!xd6 ltl e5 22.!!xd8t !!xd8 a b c d e f g h

23.ltld5 i.xd5 24.!!d4!;!; White is a pawn up 25 ... !!xc3!

for little compensation, and he went on to win
in Galkin - Gashimov, Batumi 2002.
19Jb4
1 9.ig3 ltld7! 20.i.xd6 xd6 2 1 .xd6
ixd6 22.!!xd6 ltle5 23.!!xd8t !!xd8 24.!!b4
(24.ltld5? i.xdS 25 .!!d4 !!c8 26.!!xd5 !!xc2+
and compared with Galkin - Gashimov above,
there is no mate on d8 thanks to 1 8 . . . h6)
24 ... !!d2 25.!!xb7 !!xc2 26.'it>g1 lt:l c4=
This leads by force to perpetual check.
26.bxc3 xc3 27.!!b 1 ltlfLt 28.'it>g 1 e3
29.b6D lt:J h3t 30.'it>h 1 lt:J f2t=
19 .. .l:d7 20.tlJa4 g5!
Otherwise White would just put his knight
on b6 with pleasant play.
2 1 .Lg5D
White has to sacrifice the bishop.

1 9.!!d4 After 2 1 .ie3? dS!+ the rook on b4 is under

Increasing the pressure on the d6-pawn. attack.
1 9 . . . 'it>h7!
Black need not fear the capture on d6. 2 1 .i.g3? xc2 22.xc2 !!xc2 23.ltlb6 !!dc7+
20.i.xd6 ixd6 2 1 .!!xd6 !!xd6 22.xd6 xaS and Black is just a pawn up.
23.e5 lt:lg4D 24.!!e 1
24.d4 !!c4 25 .d3t g6 26.i.xg4 !!xg4 2I ...hxg5 22.xg5t cjj hs 23.tLib6 tLih7
27.lt:Jd5 i.xdS 28.xd5 xdS 29.!!xd5 !!e4 24.d2 i.g5 25.\'Nel ge7 26.tlJxc8 i.xc8CD
30. <j;Jg 1 !!e2=
24 . . . g6!
A strong move, with the idea of avoiding any
checks on the b 1 -h7 diagonal.
25 .i.xb7
25 .ixg4 ixg4 26.e7 (26.lt:Je4?? xe 1 #)
26 . . . c7 27.xc7 !!xc7 28.ltld5 !!c4 29.b3
!!d4 30.lt:J f6t 'it>g7 3 1 .ltlxg4 (3 1 .c3? !!d 1
32.!!xd 1 ixd 1 33.b4 'it>f8 34.lt:Je4 'it>e7
35.ltlc5 b6 36.lt:lxa6 'it>e6+ and the more
active king along with a bishop in an open
position promises Black a clear advantage)
3 l . ..!!xg4 32.e6=
a b c d e f g h
 November 20 I I
White has rook and two pawns for bishop
and knight, and it seems to me that the
position is dynamically equal. Black has the
weaker king, but on the other hand he controls
the important e5-square. I believe that the
position is easier to play with Black, as his plan
is very simple: to coordinate his pieces and
start pressing on the kingside. It is not so easy
for White to determine the correct set-up for
his pieces.
27.\Wg3 ge5!
The control over the e5-square plays a key
role.
28,gb3 Ae6 29,gc3 \Wxa5 30.gxd6 i.f6
3 I .h4?! ttl8 32.g(;d3 ttlg6+
a b c d e f g h
Black's pieces have become a lot more
active over the last few moves. His position
is now much superior as White has seriously
weakened his kingside.
33.h5?
White is playing on the side where he is
much inferior, giving Black more and more
control over important squares.
33 ... gg5 34.\W2 ttl4!
Black launches a final attack on the white
king.
91
35.gdl \We5 36.c3 h7 37.\Wd4?
A decisive blunder.
37 .. ,gxh5t! 38. gl ttle2t 39.he2 \Wh2t
40. f2 hd4t
0-1
A quality game by Black!
GAME 1 1
[> A. Motylev (2690)
.... R. Wojtaszek (2704)
European Club Cup, Rogaska Slatina
Round 3, 27.09.20 1 1 [B90]
Annotated by Sebastien Maze
In Game 1 5 of July's Chess Evolution, I
analysed a crazy game between Kamsky and
Gelfand from the 20 I I Candidates matches
in Kazan, which featured a rare anti-Najdorf
line with h3 and "Wf3. In my opinion it is not
so easy for Black to find a good antidote. My
recommendation would be to play 9 ... a5!?N
instead of the natural 9 ... lt:l bd7. In the game
Wojtaszek tried a new idea with 1 0 . . . lt:l b6 in
order to look for activity on the c-file, while
leaving the h-pawn on h7 instead of h6 in
order to avoid giving White a target on the
kingside.
Later Motylev went wrong with the passive
1 7 .l"!:c 1 ? , when the superior 1 7 .a3 would have
offered him a pleasant position. After that the
Polish player built a serious advantage step by
step, but he missed several good opportunities
and White eventually succeeded in drawing a
difficult endgame.
I .e4 c5 2.ttlf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.ttlxd4 ttlf6
5.ttlc3 a6
Wojtaszek is one of Anand's seconds, so he is
extremely well prepared and likes to play sharp
openings such as the Najdorf.
6.Ae3 e5 7.ttlb3 Ae7 8.h3!? i.e6 9.\Wf3!?
92 Chess Evolution

b5-pawn is of course an issue, but Black has

enough active play to justifY it.

a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
9 . . . tl:lbd7
There is not much established theory from 1 0.ib5t
this position. Here are a few other possibilities: 1 0.0-0-0 lLl bd7 1 1 .a4?! ( l l ..ib5 0-0 1 2.g4
lLle8 1 3.We2 lLlc7 1 4.ia4 b5 1 5 .lLlxb5
9 . . .0-0 is playable although it is not to lLlxb5 1 6.Wxb5 Wfc7 1 7.Wc6 Wib8 1 8.Wb5
everyone's taste to commit the king so early. Wlc7=) 1 1 . . .l!c8 1 2.g4

9 ... h5 is a typical move to restrain the white

g-pawn. 1 0.0-0-0 lLlbd7 1 1 .Wb 1 Wlc7
( l l .. .lLlb6 1 2.g4 hxg4 1 3.hxg4 l!xh 1 1 4.Wfxh 1
ixg4 1 5 .f3 ih5 1 6.Wfg 1 lLl fd7 1 7.Wxg7)
1 2.lLld5 ixd5 1 3.exd5

5 a b c d e f g h
4
bnn/'nn'"n 1 2 ... l!xc3! ( 1 2 . . . h6?! 1 3.ib5 0-0 1 4.Wb 1
3 lLlb6 1 5 .g5 hxg5 1 6.ixg5;!;) 1 3.bxc3 We?
t'm"'"',-z;.cp
2 1 4.Wb2 0-0 1 5 .g5 l!c8 1 6.id2 lLle8 Black
has excellent compensation. All of his pieces
are headed for the queenside and at some
a b c d e f g h
point . . . b7-b5 will be strong.
1 3 . . . lLlb6 ( 1 3 . . . l!c8 1 4.c3 lLl b6 1 5.g4 lLlbxd5 1 0 . . . lLlbd7 1 1 .a4
1 6.g5 lLlxe3 1 7.fxe3 lLld7 1 8.g6t gives White 1 1 .0-0-0 0-0 1 2.Wb 1 ( 1 2.g4 lLle8 1 3.lLla4
good attacking chances) 1 4 .c3 h4 1 5 .g4 hxg3 lLlc7 1 4.i.xd7 i.xd7 1 5 .lLlb6 a4 1 6.lLlc5
1 6.fxg3;1; [ 1 6.lLlxa8? axb3 1 7.lLlb6 bxa2+] 16 ... ic6
1 7.lLld3 a3 1 8.b3 lLlb5oo Black has a
9 . . . a5!?N promising initiative) 1 2 . . . ttle8! This is the
This interesting move was the proposition key to Black's plan.
of Arkadij Naiditsch. The weakening of the
 November 20 1 1 93

7 7

6 6

5 5

3 3

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

The knight is heading for c7, in order to hit 1 6 . . . CiJ bd7

the bishop and prepare . . . b5 when the time
is right. 1 3.e2 CfJc7 14.ia4 b5! ( 1 4 . . . b8?!
1 5 .f4 b5 1 6.CfJxb5 CfJ b6 1 7.ixb6 xb6
1 8.fxe5 dxe5 1 9.CfJc3) 1 5 .CfJxb5 CfJxb5
1 6.xb5 c7 1 7.c3 l'!fc8 1 8.f3 l'!ab8
1 9.xa5 c4
1 1 . ..0-0 1 2.0-0 CiJ b6
It is not easy to find a convincing plan for
White now.
1 6 . . . if6 1 7.l'!d2 e7 1 8 .l'!ad 1 fd8
1 9.CfJh2
1 6 . . .c7 1 7.CfJg5 id7 ( 1 7 . . .ixg5 1 8.ixg5
f6 1 9.ie3 l'!fd8 20.l'!d2 7 2 l .b3)
1 8.ixc5 xc5 1 9.ixd7 CfJxd7 20.l'!d5 b6
2 l .l'!b5 c6 22.CfJ f3
1 7.d2
Now that the knight has moved from
d2, White cannot play 17 .ic4? due to
1 7 . . . CfJxe4+.
1 7 . . . CfJ f6 1 8.CfJg5 id7 1 9.ixd7 xd7

a b c d e f g h

1 3.CfJd2
a b c d e f g h
1 3.l'!fd 1 CfJc4 1 4.ixc4 ixc4 1 5.CfJd2 ie6=
1 3 . . . CfJ fd7 1 4 .e2 l'!c8 1 5 .l'!fd l CfJc5 20.l'!dd 1
Black should keep his other knight on b6 in Mter 20.b5 xb5 2 l .axb5 b6 22.l'!e2
order to prevent ic4. CfJ cd7 Black should be able to hold the
1 5 ... h6 1 6.CfJfl CfJc4 1 7.ic l ig5 ( 1 7 . . .f5 position.
1 8.CfJg3 fxe4 1 9.CfJgxe4 CfJ f6 20.CfJxf6t l'!xf6 20 . . . h6 2 l .ixc5 l'!xc5 22.CfJ f3 l'!fc8 23.CfJd2
2 l .CfJe4 l'!f8 22.b3) 1 8.ixd7 xd7 1 9.b3 b6 24.CfJb3 l'!c4=
ixc l 20.l'!dxc l CfJb6 2 1 .CfJb5 d5 22.exd5 White does not have enough coordination
xd5 23.l'!d U to force a favourable 'good knight versus bad
1 6.CfJf3 bishop' position, so the chances are level.
94 Chess Evolution
a b c d e f g h
IO.g4 tLl b6
Varying from 1 0 . . . h6 1 1 .0-0-0 c8 1 2.ltJd5
i.xd5 1 3.exd5 ttJ b6 1 4.h4oo as in Kamsky
Gelfand, Kazan 20 1 1 , which was analysed in
Game 1 5 of the July Chess Evolution.
The text move is not technically a novelty,
but according to my database it was just
played once in an amateur game, and Motylev
deviates on the next turn. Wojtaszek's idea is
to transfer the king's knight to d7 and prepare
some counterplay on the queenside.
l l .g5N tLlfd7 12.h4
1 2.0-0-0 ixg5 1 3.xd6 i.xe3t 1 4.\Wxe3
We? 1 5 .d2 0-0 1 6.g1 fd8 1 7.h4 ltJ f8
should be okay for Black.
12 Jc8
.
13Jgl !
Motylev does not want to castle before Black
plays ... ltJc4, so he plays a waiting move. Of
course the rook move has some useful aspects,
such as supporting a future kingside attack and
even swinging to the centre via g3.
The following line shows why White should
not be in a hurry to castle: 1 3.0-0-0?! xc3!
( 1 3 ... ltJc4?! 1 4.ltJd5 0-0 1 5 .'tt> b 1 ltJdb6
1 6.d3) 1 4.bxc3 ltJa4 1 5 .i.d2 ( 1 5 .c4 \Wc8
1 6.i.d2 ttJdb6) 1 5 . . . ttJdb6 1 6.ctfb 1 ( 1 6.i.h3
i.xh3 1 7.xh3 ltJc4 1 8.V*'d3+) 1 6 . . . 0-0
1 7.h3 \Wc8 1 8.h5 d5! Black has excellent
compensation.
13 ... tLlc4 14.0-0-0
Now it is safe to castle.
14 .'1Wc7
.
1 4 . . . ltJxe3 1 5 .\Wxe3 ( 1 5.fxe3 xc3! 1 6.bxc3
ltJb6i gives Black a strong initiative against the
poor white king) 1 5 . . . b5 1 6.f4 ( 1 6.ltJd5 i.xd5
1 7.xd5 Wb6 1 8.\Wxb6 ltJxb6 1 9.d3 g6=)
16 ... Wc7 1 7.g2 exf4 1 8.Wxf4 ltJe5 1 9.ltJd4
is pleasant for White, whose knights will find
excellent homes on d5 and 5 .
1 5 ..ixc4 '!Wxc4 16. bl b5
8
a b c d e f g h
17J'cl?!
 November 20 1 1 95

I cannot understand the thinking behind 17 ... 0-0 18.c!tld2 Y!!c7 19.ttld5 hd5
this move. The rook was shining on d 1 , where 20.exd5 5!
it supported a future knight jump to d5. Now Opening the f-file for the rook while giving
that it has gone to c l Black will have no trouble some fresh air to Black's other pieces.
on the d-file.
2 1 .gxf6 ttlxf6 22.Y!Jg2 l:U7 23.f4
The right continuation was: Motylev is trying to find some play against
1 7.a3! the enemy castle.
Safeguarding the future of the knight on c3.
1 7 . . . 0-0 I 8.Wg2! 23 ... exf4
The idea of this move is to play f4 and use
the queen to defend c2.

7
FW"''""""'w"-- o7C;;',/ ' " " '',,;7;c;"
6

3
v-=/-_ .;7;7://-=
2

a b c d f g h
a c e
e
b d f g h
1 8 . . . :i'l:b8 24.i.d4?!
1 8 ... b4?! is strongly met by 1 9.tLla5! We? Too optimistic. White should have accepted
20.axb4 Wb8 2 I .lLld5. that he had nothing and played for equality.
18 ... :i'l:fe8 1 9.h5 Wc6 20.f4 gives White a Now he is just a pawn down.
strong attack.
1 9.tLld5 ixd5 20.:i'l:xd5 :i'l:fc8 2 I .f4 b4 22.a4 Correct was 24.ixf4 Wb7 25 .ih6 if8
exf4 23.ixf4 tt:Jb6 24J:a5! (25 . . . Wxd5 can be met by 26.\Wxg?t! l:%xg7
White has a good advantage. 27.l:%xg7t i>h8 28.l:%xe7 l:%g8 29.l:%fl when
White has enough activity to compensate for
the missing queen) 26.tt:Je4 lLlxe4 27.Wxe4
We? 28.\Wh l l:%c4 when Black's position
remains a bit easier, but White should be able
to survive.

24 ... Y!Jb7 25.Y!Jh3 ges 26.c!tlf3 Y!Jd7 27.Y!Jg2?!

27.\Wxd? lLlxd7 28.:i'l:ce l h6 29.c3 was the
best chance to hold the position.

27 ttlh5 28.gcel i.f6 29.i.xf6 gxf6

.

30.gxe8t Y!!xe8 31 .Y!lg4

a b c d e f g h
96 Chess Evolution

f-pawn. The simple 43 ... 1'!f8 44.d6 e4 45 .E:g l

8
1M!d4-+ was winning easily.
7

6 44.E:xf4 '!Wxd5
Despite missing two clear wins Black is still
5 better, and the strong passed e-pawn is a real
4 pain for White.
3
45.E:fl '!Wb5 46.E:gl E:e7 47.'1Wd2 i>h7
2 48.'1Wb4 '!We5 49Jel e3 50.E:e2 E:f7
5 1 .'\Wel E:f3

a b c d e f g h
8
3l...b6?
7
3 1 . .. E:g6 was winning comfortably: 32.lLlg5
lLl f6 33.'Wd l We5 34.E:e l Wf5 Black intends 6
... h6 next, and the passed f-pawn should secure 5
Black's victory.
4
32.E:el '!Wg6 33.'\Wcst E:8 34.'1Wxa6 '!Wg3 3
35.'1Wa3 .!l)f6 36.'1Wd3 ti)g4 37.'1We4 ti)eS
38.ti)xe5 E:e8 39.'\Whl dxe5 40.E:gl '\W2 2
41 .E:fl '!Wc5 42.'1We4 '!Wc4 43.'1Wg2?
Overlooking a simple draw with: 43.!!xf4!
exf4 44.Wxe8t c;t>h? 45 .a4 Wxd5 46.axb5 f3 a b c d e f g h
47.Wf8 'Wd l t 48.c;t>a2 We2 49.Wf5t c;t>gs 52.a3??
50.Wc8t= Under pressure, White commits what should
have been a losing blunder. Of course, when
you are defending such a position it is hard to
8
maintain full concentration for every move.
7

6 White should have played 52.Wd l ! Wd5!

53.c;t>c l ! Wxa2 54.'1Wd3t g6 5 5.E:xe3 E:xe3
5 56.Wxe3 Wa l t 57.c;t>d2 'Wxb2 58.We7t
4 Wg7 59.'Wc5 with good chances to hold the
position.
3

2 52 ...'1Wf4?
Black could have won with 52 . . . Wf5!,
1
the difference being that this controls the
a b c d e f g h d5-square. 53.c;t>a2 (53.Wc3 E:fl t 54.c;t>a2
43 ... e4? Wd5t 55.b3 Wd l -+) 53 ... E:fl 54.Wb4
There is no need to give up the strong Wd5t 5 5.b3 We5 56.E:e l e2 57.Wd2 E:xe l
58.Wxe l We4-+
 November 20 1 1 97

53.'ifc3 'ife4 54.b3 gh3 55.h5 g:ms 56.gxe3 63.1f1d3 h5 64.e3 (64.1f1d4?? l'!g5 65 .c5 g3
'ifd5 57.gd3 wins immediately) 64 ... h4 65.1f1f4 g3 66.l'!c l
Now the position should be drawn. g2 67.1f1f3 h3

57...Yfe5 8

5
mn..""" JC

3
r=m.JNNU

a b c d e f g h

68.1f1f2 (68.1f1g3? l'!f5! 69.l'!g l l'!fl 70.If1h2

lf1g6 7 I .a4 lf1f5 72.a5 lf1f4 73.a6 l'!xg l
74.1f1xgl lf1g3 75 .a7 h2#) 68 . . . 1f1g6 1he black
a b c d e f g h king is heading for the queenside and it is not
58.'ifxe5? clear ifWhite can hold the position.
It was better to play 58.1f1b2, activating the
king for the rook endgame.

58 gxe5
.

Despite the reduced material White is in

some danger, as the black pawns are more
nimble.

59.c4?
I dislike this move, as split pawns are slower
than connected ones. White could have
drawn relatively easily with the help of a pawn
sacrifice: 59.b4 g5 60.a4! bxa4 6 I .c4 Now the
a b c d e f g h
pawns are united and the draw is inevitable.
6 I . ..l'!e4 62.l'!c3 g4 63.b5 g3 64.b6 g2 65 .l'!g3 62.c5
l'!xc4 66.l'!xg2 a3 67.l'!a2 l'!c3 68.b7 l'!b3t Now the black rook will be forced into a
69.1f1c2 l'!xb7 70.l'!xa3 lf1g6 7 I .If1d2 lf1g5 passive position and it will be easy for White
72.1f1e2 lf1g4 73.1f1f2= to stop the kingside pawns.

59 ... bxc4 60.bxc4g5 61 .gc3 g4? 62 ... h5 63.c6 ge8 64. c,!;>c2 c,!;>g6 65.c7 gcs
6 1 ...1''k 5! was a much stronger move, 66.c,i;>d2 c,f;>5 67.c,!;>e3 c,!;>e5 68.gc5t
blocking the dangerous c-pawn. 62.1f1c2 g4 lfl-lfl
GAME 1 2 Grischuk - Morozevich, [C02] 100
GAME 1 3 Navara - Grachev, [C03] 109
GAME 14 Dominguez - Le Quang Liem, [C l l ] 1 13
GAME 1 5 Morozevich - Viriugov, [C I I ] 1 20
GAME 16 Ni Hua - Shirov, [C4 5 ] 1 26
GAME 1 7 Radjabov - Ponomariov, [C65] 137
GAME 1 8 Andreikin - Morozevich, [C69] 1 46
GAME 1 9 Volokirin - Iordachescu, [C70] 1 50
GAME 20 Grischuk - Shirov, [C78] 1 64
GAME 2 1 Caruana - Jakovenko, [C84] 1 69
1 00
GAME 1 2
[> A. Grischuk (2746)
... A. Morozevich (2694)
FIDE World Cup, Khanty-Mansiysk
Round 3, Game 1 , 03.09.20 1 1 [C02]
Annotated by Kamil Miton
In the 3.e5 variation of the French Defence,
Grischuk chose the interesting 6.id3 which
he had previously employed in his practice.
The critical moment in the opening was
1 o . . . a6 which is too slow and after which,
in my opinion, White gains a considerable
advantage. The alternative for Black was
1 o . . . ltk6, which results in unclear positions
which require very detailed examination. If it
turns out that White also has the advantage
there, then Black would need to give up on the
move 7 . . . ic5 altogether.
l .e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 .id7 5.3 'i;Yb6
6..id3 cxd4
6 ... tt:lc6 is an option.
7 . . . tt:l e7 8.tt:ld2 tt:l bc6 9.tt:lxc6 tt:lxc6 1 0.lLlf3
Chess Evolution
a b c d e f g h
I O . . . h6
1 0 ... 1Mfc7 I l .We2 fi..e7 1 2.0-0 0-0 1 3.if4
White's position is more pleasing. White's
set-up with .if4-1Mfe2-El:e l , which is typical
for this structure, strengthens the crucial
e5-point. Thanks to this, it will be more
difficult for Black to fight for the centre with
. . .f6, which is a typical move in the French
Defence. That is why Black's plan should be
to try to open one of the b-, c- or d-files with
... b5-b4 or . . . d5-d4. Meanwhile White will
focus mainly on the kingside, where he can
play h4-h5 in order to weaken the black king
or attempt to transfer one of his heavy pieces
into the attack, for example the queen to g4.
I will add that usually the exchange of light
squared bishops is advantageous for Black,
and of the dark-squared ones for White.
1 1 .0-0
l l .h4 ic5 ( I I . . .d4 1 2 .1Mfe2 dxc3 1 3.bxc3;!;)
1 2.1Mfe2 a5 1 3.if4
l l . . .g5 1 2.E'!:e l ig7 1 3.h3 0-0-0 1 4.b4 1Mfc7
1 4 ... @b8 1 5 .b5 tt:la5 1 6.ie3 Wc7 1 7.b6
axb6 1 8.E'!:b l tt:lc4 1 9.fi..xc4 1Mfxc4 20.El:xb6-+
1 5 .We2 f6 1 6.exf6 ixf6 1 7.fi..b 2 h5 1 8.b5
tt:la5 1 9.c4t
7 . . . lLl c6 8.lLlxc6 bxc6
8 . . . fi..xc6 9.We2 (9.a4!?) 9 . . . d4 (9 ... tt:l e7
I O.tt:ld2 tt:l g6 I I .tt:lf3 fi..e7 1 2.0-0 Wc7
1 3.id2;!;) 1 0.0-0 El:d8 1 I .tt:ld2 dxc3
1 2.tt:lc4 Wc7 ( 1 2 . . . Wd4 1 3.E'!:d l Wd5 I 4.f3
ic5t 1 5 .@h i ) 1 3.bxc3 b5 1 4.tt:ld6t ixd6
 November 20 1 1
1 S .exd6 xd6 1 6 . .ixbS liJe7 1 7.a4;!;
9.0-0 liJe7 1 0.liJd2 liJ g6 1 1 .liJf3 i.e? 1 2.e2
0-0 1 3.h4! h6 1 4.hS liJh8 1 S .if4 f5 1 6.exf6
ixf6 1 7.id6 gfe8 1 8.liJe5 ixe5 1 9.ixe5
liJf7 20.gae 1 liJxeS 2 1 .xeS b8 22.f4 cS
23.gf2;j;
Brynell - Akesson, Gothenburg 2006.
8.0--0
Another line starts 8.g4 liJ e7.
a b c d e f g h
Now White has two main options:
a) 9.0-0 tt'lg6 1 0.tt'lb3
1 0.liJd2 ixd4 ( l O ... liJc6 1 1 .liJxc6 ixc6
1 2.h4 h5 1 3.g3 ib5 1 4.c4 dxc4 1 5.hg6
c3 1 6.bxc3 ixfl 1 7.\tlxfl fxg6 1 8.xg6t
Wf8 1 9.Ei:b 1 t) 1 1 .cxd4 ibS 1 2 .ixbSt
xbS 1 3.h4 liJc6 1 4.hS liJ ge7 1 S.xg7 Ei:g8
1 6.xh7 tt'lxd4 1 7.Ei:e 1 Ei:c8+
a b c d e f g h
1 0 . . . liJc6
101
1 0 ... ibS 1 l .liJxcS xeS 1 2.ie3 c6 1 3.c4
ixc4 1 4.Ei:c l a6 1 5 .ixc4 dxc4 1 6.tt'ld2
0-0 1 7.liJxc4 tt'lc6=
10 . . . 0-0 1 1 .liJxc5 xc5 1 2.ie3 c7 1 3.f4;!;
1 1 .ixg6
1 1 .liJxcS xeS 1 2 ..ie3 liJcxeS 1 3.ixg6
liJxg4 14.ixf7t Wxf7 1 S.ixcS=
1 1 . . .hxg6
1 1 . ..fxg6 1 2.liJxc5 xc5 1 3.b3 liJxeS
14.g3 liJc6 1 S ..ia3 aS 1 6.id6 liJe?rxo
1 2.liJxcS xeS 1 3.Ei:e 1 Ei:hS 1 4.g3 e7
1 S .liJd2 h4=
b) 9.xg7 Ei:g8
5
vmmuuu / '--=. /='
4
3
2
a b c d e f g h
1 0.f6!?
1 0.xh7?! liJ bc6 ( 1 0 ... Ei:xg2 1 1 .fl Ei:g8
1 2.Ei:g1 Ei:xg l t 1 3.'i!?xg1 'i!?d8 1 4.liJd2
ixd4 1 5 .cxd4 xd4 1 6.h3 xeS 1 7.liJf3
f6 1 8.'i!?g2t ; 1 0 . . . .ixd4 1 1 .cxd4 xd4
1 2.0-0 gxg2t 1 3.'i!?xg2 g4t=) 1 1 .0-0
liJxeS 1 2 .ie2 0-0-0rxo
1 0 . . . Ei:xg2
1 0 . . . liJ bc6 1 1 .ixh7 gxg2 1 2.h8t Ei:g8
1 3.ixg8 0-0-0
1 1 .ixh7 ixd4 1 2.cxd4 xd4 1 3 .liJc3 g4
1 4.h4 hS 1 S .'i!ffl Ei:xf2t 1 6.'i!fxf2 xh7
1 7 .igS liJ bc6 1 8.Ei:ac l
Volokitin - Volkov, Dresden 2007.
8 .. .hd4 9.cxd4 Wfxd4 IOJtlc3
By sacrificing the pawn, White gained better
piece development and weakened the dark
squares around the black king.
1 02 Chess Evolution

1 8.1:%ad l
1 2.f4 WEbS 1 3.f5 e 5 1 4.Wlg4 'it>f8 1 5 .ie3
tt:lf6 1 6.Wlh4 h6+

a b c d e f g h
IO a6
...
a b c d e f g h
In this way, Black neutralizes the threat of
tt:lb5. However, one needs to bear in mind that 1 2 ... 'it>f8
the position is dynamic and Black should try to 1 2 ... tLlf6 1 3.'1Wxg7 1:%g8 1 4.'\Wh6 tt:l g4
develop his pieces and consolidate his position 1 5.Wh4
as soon as possible. Another interesting
possibility would be:
7

1 0 ... tt:lc6!? 6
From a practical point of view, choosing 5
this move is a very difficult decision, 4
because grabbing another pawn with L""F""-mh/.'",;-////-'/.'""
3
Black is connected with the very dynamic "m;"'"'w/-"n"0n
introduction ofWhite's pieces into the game.
As the variations demonstrate, although
White has a strong initiative, a definite a b c d e f g h
advantage is difficult to prove.
1 5 ... tt:l b4 ( 1 5 . . . a6 1 6.f4 '1Wb8 1 7.ixh7 1:%g7
l l .lLlb5
1 8.h3 axb5 1 9.hxg4oo; 1 5 ... l2Je7 1 6.f3oo)
1 Ue l ?! tt:lxe5 1 2.ge3 tt:l f6 ( 1 2 . . . tt:lxd3
1 6.ixh7 ixb5 ( 1 6 ... 1:%g7 1 7.f4 '1Wb8 1 8.if5
1 3.gxd3 Wih4+) 1 3.tt:le2 Wlh4 1 4.1:%xe5 tt:lg4
1:%g8 1 9.a4;!;) 1 7.ixg8 '1Wg7 ( 1 7 ... ixfl
1 5 .if4 Wixf2t 1 6.l!ih l Wlb6 1 7.ig3 tt:lxe5
1 8.'1Wxg4 ic4 1 9.if4 Wxb2 20.ixf7t+-)
1 8.ixe5 f6oo
1 8.1:%e l Wxg8 1 9.ig5 tt:lxf2 20.Wxb4 tt:lh3t
l l .ie3 Wxe5 1 2.1:%e l lt:lge7 1 3.ixa7 Wf6
2 I .'it>h l tt:l f2t 22.'it>g l tt:lh3t= 23.gxh3
1 4.ic5 0-000
\Wxg5t 24.Wfg4 Wfh6oo
l l . ..Wxe5 1 2.Wlg4
1 2 ... tt:lh6 1 3.ixh6 gxh6 1 4.1:%fe l Wg5
1 2.Wa4 Wb8 1 3.Wa3 tt:lge7 1 4.tt:ld6t 'it>f8+
1 5 .tt:lc7t 'i!fe7 1 6.Wxg5t hxg5 1 7.tt:lxa8
1 2.1:%e l b8 1 3.Wg4 ( 1 3.b3 tt:lge7 1 4.ia3
l:%xa8 1 8.ixh7oo
0-0 1 5 .id6 Wd8) 1 3 . . . 'it>f8 1 4.if4 ( 1 4.ie3
1 3.if4 h5
tt:l f6 1 5 .i.c5t 'it>g8 1 6.Wh4 a6 1 7.tt:ld6 b6
13 ... tt:l f6 1 4.Wg3 Wh5 1 5 .gfe l Wlg4
1 8.ia3 a5 1 9.1:%e3 tt:lb4) 14 . . . e5 1 5 .Wfxd7
1 6.We3t
tt:l f6 1 6.ixe5 tt:lxd7 1 7.ixb8 1:%xb8
 November 20 1 1 103

1 4.'Wh4 'Wf6 1 5 . .ig5 'Wxb2 1 6.l'!ab l 'We5 .ic6 1 8.l'!ad 1 0-0 1 9.l0b4 'We8 20.l0xc6
1 7.if4 'Wf6 1 8.ig5 'We5 = 1 9.l'!fe 1 'Wb800 l0xc6 2 l .'Wa3;!;
1 6.ie4
IUel White's pieces are very active and it will be
1 l ..ie3 'Wxe5 1 2.l'!e 1 .ic600 difficult for Black to defend against all the
threats.
1 6 .\Wh5 'it>f8 1 7.l0c3 l0c6 1 8.E!ad 1 Wfe?oo
1 6 ... ic6
1 6 ... exd5 1 7.ixd5t ie6 1 8.'Wb3 0-0
1 9 ..ixe6 l0c6 20.id5 l'!ad8 2 1 .l'!ad U
1 7.l0b6 'Wxd 1 1 8.l'!axd 1 l'!a7 1 9.l0c8 l'!a8
20.l'!c l f8=

1 1 . ..l0c6 1 2.ie3

a b c d e f g h

l l . ...ic6
The plan of ... a6 and ...i.c6 turns out to be
too slow. White can now improve his pieces,
taking advantage of the bad position of the
black queen. Therefore the alternatives are
especially important: a b c d e f g h

1 1 . . .l0e7 1 2.ie3 'Wxe5 1 3.ic5 'Wg5 1 4.ixe7 1 2 ... Wb4

Wxe7 1 5 .tLlxd5 1 2 ... Wxe5 1 3 . .ic5+-
1 2 ... Wh4 1 3 .ic5 lOge? 1 4.l0a4 l0xe5
( 1 4 ... 0-0 1 5 .l'!e3 h6 1 6.id6t) 1 5 .l0b6
l0xd3 1 6.'Wxd3 ib5 1 7.'Wc3 E!d8 1 8.\Wxg?
E!g8 1 9.ixe7 'it>xe7 20.t0xd5t l'!xd5
2 1 .'Wxg8 l'!g5 22.l'!e4 'Wh5 23.'Wb8 .ic6
24.'Wc7t 'it>e8 25 .'Wb8t=
1 3.a3
1 3.l0a4 l0xe5 1 4.l0b6 l'!d8 1 5.l0xd5 'Wd6
1 6.if4 Wfxd5 1 7.l'!xe5 Wfd4oo
1 3 ... Wxb2 1 4.l0a4 Wxe5 1 5 .tLl b6 l'!d8 1 6 . .ic5
'Wg5 1 7.f4 'Wh6 1 8.l0xd5 lOge? 1 9.l0c7t f8
a b c d e f g h 20.f5 e5 2 1 .'Wb3t
1 5 ... \WdG
1 5 ... \Wds 1 6.'Wb3 b5 ( 1 6 ... l0c6 1 7.l0b6 12.tl:)e2 g4
l'!b8 1 8.l'!ad 1 ; 1 6 ... 0-0 1 7.l0b6 E!a? On the kingside the queen will be a target
1 8.l'!ad 1 We? 1 9.ib 1 g6 20.'We3) 1 7.ie4 of attack for the white pieces, however other
1 04 Chess Evolution

options are much worse for Black. For example, 1 8 . .ig5 '!Wd4 1 9.l"1xe5t '!Wxe5 20.l:%e l '!We4
1 2 . . . '\Wb6 1 3 . .ie3 '!We? 1 4.ic5 or 1 2 . . . '\Wxe5 2 I .f3 '!Wxe l t 22.'\Wxe l t f8 23.'iMb4t e8
1 3 .tt'lg3 '!Wf6 1 4.tt'lh5. 24.ixf5-+
1 6.tt'lg3
13.h3 Wfh5 1 6.ig5 f6 1 7.exf6 gxf6 1 8.tt'ld4 '!Wxg5 1 9.f4
'iMh5 20.E1xe6 tt'lc5 2 I .E1xe7t xe7 22.'1Wb4
\t>f7 23.'1Wxc5 l:%he800
7
1 6 ... '\Wh4
1 6 . . . '\Wxe5 1 7.if4 '!Wd4 1 8J'1xe6 fxe6
6 1 9.ig6t tt'lxg6 20.'1Wxd4 e5 2 I .ixe5 tt'lgxe5
5 22.f4
1 7.ig5 '!Wd4 1 8 .tt'lh5
4

a b c d e f g h
14.i.f4
A logical and correct move, although one
could also position the bishop on e3, where it
would be more flexible, as it would be active
a b c d e f g h
not only along the cl -h6 diagonal but also
along gl -a7. Let's see some lines: 1 8 . . . tt'lxe5
1 8 . . . E1g8 1 9.ixe7 \t>xe7 20.'1Wg5t f6
1 4 . .ie3!? 2 l .exf6t gxf6 22.'\Wf5 tt'le5 23.'1Wxf6t \t>d6
24 ..ixh7 f1gf8oo
1 9.E1xe5 Wxe5 20.E1e l Wd4
20 . . . '\Wd6 2 l .tt'lxg7t d7 22 . .if4 '!Wc5
23.tt'lxe6 fxe6 24.'1We2-+
2 I .g4!t

a b c d e f g h

I 4 . . . tt'ld7
1 4 . . . '\Wxe5? 1 5 . .id4 'lW g5 1 6.f4 '!Wh6
1 7.tt'lg3+-
1 4 . . . ib5 1 5 .'1Wb3 tt'le7 1 6.ic5
1 5.'\Wd2 tt'le7
1 5 . . . tt'lxe5 1 6.tt'lg3 '!Wh4 1 7.tt'lf5 exf5
a b c d e f g h
 November 20 1 1 1 05

I4 Ab5
...

In principle, a legitimate decision.

Although now Black loses two pawns, thanks
to the exchange of the light-squared bishop
the black queen will not be in danger and
White's pressure on the kingside will not be
as strong.

After the natural 14 . . . tLle7 White gains a

strong attack, as the following lines show:
a b c d e f g h

Following 1 4 ... tLle7 1 5 .'Wd2 h6 1 9 ... tLld7

1 9 . . . h5 20.tLlxe6 h4 2 1 .tLlxg7t (2 l .if4
'Wxe6 22.if5 tLlxf4 23.ixe6 tLlxe6 24.f4oo)
2 l ...'it>f8 22.tLlf5 hxg3t 23.'it>xg3 'Wc7
24.gac l t
1 9 . . .id7 20.f4 tLlc6 2 1 .tLlxc6 ixc6 22.f5
tLl f8 23.f6 gxf6 24.exf6 'Wd8 25.'Wf4;!;
20.f4 0-0
20 ... tLlc5 2 1 .5 tLlxd3 22.Wxd3 tLl f8 23.f6
gxf6 24.tLlf5 'Wb4 25.tLld6t 'it>d7 26.exf6
'Wxb2t 27.'it>gl d4 28.tLle4 'it>e8 29.gab l
'Wxa2 30.gxb7+-
2 l .f5 tLlgxe5
We must consider two options:

a) 1 6.tLld4 ib5 1 7.ic2

1 7.tLlxb5 axb5 1 8.ixb5t tLl bc6 1 9.ie3 0-0
20.f4 gfc8oo
1 7.ixb5t axb5 1 8.tLlxb5 0-0 1 9.tLld6 tLl bc6
20.tLlxb7 gfbg 2 1 .tLld6 tLlg6 22.ig3 tLlgxe5
23.a4oo
1 7 ... tLl g6
1 7 ... tLlbc6 1 8.tLlf3 d4 1 9.gac l a5 ( 1 9 ... d3
20.id l t) 20.ie4 0-0 2 1 .'it>h2 f5 22.exf6 d e f g h
gxf6 23.id6 'Wf7 24.gc5t
22.fxe6
1 8.ixg6
22.gxe5 lLlxe5 23.ixe5 f6 24.ig3 e5
1 8.tLlxe6 fxe6 1 9.g4 tLlh4 20.gxh5 tLl f3t
25.tLlxc6 bxc6 26.gc l co
2 l .'it>g2 tLlxd2 22.ixd2 0-0=
22 ... tLlxd3 23.'Wxd3 tLl f6 24.tLlf5 'Wb4 25 .e7
1 8 ... 'Wxg6 1 9.ge3 tLlc6 20.gg3 'Wh7 2 1 .tLlxc6
25 .exf7t gxf7 26.tLlxh6t gxh6 27.'Wg6t
ixc6 22.ie3
gg7 28.'Wxf6 gf8 29.'We6t 'it>h7oo
25 ... Wxb2t 26.ci>g l gfc8 27.ie5 d4 28.Wfl
b) 1 6.'it>h2 tLlg6 1 7.g4 'Wh4 1 8.ig3 'We7
tLle8 29.tLlxg7 ib5 30.tLlxe8 ixfl 3 1 .tLlf6t
1 9 .tLld4
ci>g7 32.gxfl 'it>g6oo
106 Chess Evolution

lLl f3t 24.@h l ) 2 l .a4 i.d3 22.lLld6 (22.lLlc5

lLl cd4 23.lLlxd3 lLlxf3t 24.gxf3 1Mfxh3
25.g3 lLlxg3 26.fxg3 Wxg3t 27.@fl Wxf3t
28.tLlf2oo) 22 ... lLlfd4 23.ixc6 lLlxc6 24.Wd2
i.g6 25 .Eiac l t
1 7 . . . We7 1 8.i.xd5
4 1 8.a4 ic4 1 9.lLlh5 @fs
1 9 . . . g6 20.ig5 Wc7 2 l .lLl f6t lLlxf6 22.ixf6
3
Elf8 23.if3
2 20.ig5
20.ib l a5 2 l .l"'a3t
1
20 ...Wd7

White overlooked a quite complicated

opportunity of gaining a big advantage:

l 5 .'c l ! tt:lc6
1 5 ... tt:ld7 1 6.xb5 axb5 1 7.tt:ld4 tt:le7
l 8.1Mfc7 Eld8 ( l 8 ... Wh4 l 9.g3 Wxh3
20.tt:lxb5 lllf5 2 l .llld 6t lllxd6 22.Wxd6
Ela6 23.1Mfc7 Ela8 24.Eiac l E\d8 25 .i.d2
0-0 26.b4 Elfe8 27.e7 +-) 1 9.Wxb7 0-0 a b c d e f g h
20.g3
2 l .b3!? ixb3 22.Wa3t tt:lge7 23.Wxb3 dxe4
1 6.lLlg3 Wh4 24.Eiad l Wc7
24 . . . lLld5 25.lLlxg7 +-
25.Eixe4t

15 ... lLle7 16.hb5t axb5 17.Wfxb5t lL!bc6

1 8.Wfxb7

a b c d e f g h

1 7.ie4
Now Black has problems with his queen and
bishop.
1 7 . . . Wd8
1 7 ... h6 1 8.i.xd5 lLlge7 ( 1 8 ... exd5 1 9.lllf5
Wd8 20.Wc3) 1 9.if3 0-0 20.lLle4 lLl f5
(20 . . . lLld4 2 l .i.g4 lLlg6 22.lLlf6t gxf6 23.g3 a b c d e f g h
 November 20 1 1 1 07

18 ... 0--0 If 24.Eic2 then 24 . . . g5 in order to force the

The character of the position has changed
dramatically. Black has solved all his problems
and although it may be hard to believe, he has
compensation for the pawn in the form of
pressure on the a-, b- and c-files. In addition,
after the possible move ... ltJg6 the e5-pawn is
bishop to h2, where it would occupy a very
passive position and be difficult to improve.
For example: 25 .h2 tt::l cd4 26.tt::l xd4 Wxd4
27.Wxd4 tt::l xd4 28.Eid2 lLlc2 29.Eiee2 ltJ b4
24 .!lJfe7 25.'iflg2 :Ela8 26.:Elc5 5
. .

endangered, and the black queen, which had

been weak earlier, after the exchange of light
8
squared bishops can become very active on the
weakened squares of the b 1 -h7 diagonal. 7

6
Another option was: 1 8 . . . Eib8!? 1 9.Wa6 0-0
( 1 9 . . . Eixb2 20.tt::\ d4+-) 20.Wa3 Wf5 5

4
19.'iNb3 gabS
3
Black unnecessarily helps White improve his
pieces. Instead I would suggest 1 9 . . . Eifc8!?. 2

20.Nc3 gfc8 2 l .'iNd2

a b c d e f g h

8 27.gxf5?
From a strategic point of view, much better
7
was capturing on f6, which solves two problems
6 for White straight away: he eliminates the
e5-pawn, which in many variations may be
5
attacked, and at the same time he activates the
4 bishop. After the move in the game, the white
3 king's position is weakened, the bishop remains
passive and Black gains the fine square f5 for
2 his knight. Thanks to this defective move, very
good chances for black counterplay suddenly
materialize.
a b c d e f g h
White has managed to consolidate his The correct path was 27.exf6 Wxf6 28.ig3.
posmon. Morozevich once again played too
slowly and did not take advantage of the time 27... ltlxf5 28.:Elecl .!lJce7 29.gxc8t .!lJxc8CD
available to play more actively and scare the The position is rather unclear and at first
opponent with some specific threats. sight it is not easy to spot that Black may
very quickly and efficiently organize strong
2 1 . h6 22.gacl 'iNh4 23.b3
. counterplay against the white king, via the
23.Eic3 was also possible. weakened light squares.

23 .. .ttJ5 24.g4 30.gc6

1 08 Chess Evolution

30 ...e7
A key alternative was:
30 . . . d8
In comparison to the game move, in addition
to the plan of . . .e8-g6, Black also prepares
. . . d5-d4 and . . . dS .

a b c d e f g h

Because capturing the e6-pawn brings White

a b c d e f g h
White has various possibilities:
a) 3 I .lLld4 d7 32.1:'k2 lLlxd4 33.xd4 lLle7
34.a4 lLl f5 35 .d3 lLlh4t 36.gl f8t
b) 3 l .c2 d4 32.e4 (32.c4 lLlce7 33.xe6t
'it.>h7 34.d6 cT+) 32 . . . xa2 33.lLl c 1 b2
34.xe6 d7 35 .xf5 lLle7 36.g4 dSt
37.'it.>g l h5 38.xh5 xe6 39.e8t h7
40.h5t=
nothing:
33.c7
33J'he6 lLl h4t 34.'it.>fl d7 35.lLld4 lLlefS
36.lLlxf5 (36.%Vd3 lLlxd4 37.d6 Wa7
38.xd5oo; 36.c6 xc6 37.lLlxc6 f7
38.d6 lLlxd6 39.exd6 e600) 36 . . . xe6
37.lLlxh4 xh3t 38.'it.>g l xh4 39.c6
d8+
33 . . . d4 34.%Ve4 lLldS 35.c4 f7 36.lLlxd4
lLlh4t 37.'it.>g3 f8 38.ie3 g5 39.b4
39.a5 lLlxe3 40.xe3 b7 4 I .c6 f3t
42.xf3 lLlxf3 43.xf3 b4oo
39 . . . lLlxe3 40.xe3 b7 4 I .f3 dSt
33 ..ig3 lDce7 34.4
34.c7!?

c) 3 l .xe6 d4 32.fl (32.h2 lLlh4t) 34...f7 35Jc7 g5 36.e2 U8 37.a5

32 . . . h4 33.d3 lLle3t 34.e l xh3
35 .e8t 'it.>f7 36.e6t xe8 37.g6t d8
38.fxe3 h l t 39.'it.>f2 h4t 40.f3 h l t=

d) 3 l .a4 d4t

e) 3 I .i.g3 d4t

3 1 .c2 e8 32.a4
32.i.g3 xa2 33.xc8 xc2 34.xe8t f7+

32 ...g6t
Maybe more precise was:
32 . . . lLlce7!? a b c d e f
 November 20 II
37 h5?
..
The decisive mistake. Morozevich is famous
for his complex games and great ability to
calculate variations, but he was not at his best
during this game and once again he overlooked
a tactical possibility which could have resulted
in a draw:
37 . . . d4
With the idea of . . . ltl e3t.
38.'1Md3
38.a6 ltle3t 39.fxe3 1/Mfl t 40.Wh2 d3
4 1 .'1Mxd3 f2t=
38.Wgi 1/Mh5 39.1/Mc4 1/Mf3 40.ltlxd4 '1Md1 t
4 l .Wg2 ltlxd4 42.!he7 Wf3t 43.<i>h2 1/Md i
44.'it>g2=
38J!d7 '1Me8 with the idea of attacking on
the a8-h I diagonal.
38 . . . h5 39.ltlxd4
39.'1Md2 ltle3t 40.fxe3 1/Mfl t 4 I .<i>h2 ltld5
42.c l f2t 43 . .ixf2 Wxf2t 44.<i>h i ltl xe3
45 .gi Wf3t 46.'it>h2 Wf2t=
39 ... ltlxd4 40.Wxd4 Wf3t 4 I .Wgi ltld5
42.d7 h4 43 ..ih2 Wxb3 44.a6 '1Mb 1 t 45.ilg2
'1Wb5 46.d6 We2=
38.d2+-
Now the game is over as a contest.
38 g6 39.a6 h4 40.J.h2 g4 4I .f4 g5
..
42.e2 ltlh6 43Jhe7 gxh3t 44.<i>xh3 xe7
45.g6 b4 46.xffi <bxm 47.a7 a5
48 .if4 5 49.tlfh5
a b c d e f g h
109
49 <bg7 50.g5t <i>h7 5 I .h5t <bg7
..
52 .ig5 c3t 53.<i>g2 h3t 54.xh3 tlfc6
55.i.f6t <i>g6 56.tlig4t
1-0
GAME 1 3
[> D. Navara (2705)
... B. Grachev (2682)
Croatian Team Championship, Sibenik
12.10.20 1 1 [C03]
Annotated by Paco Vallejo Pons
Navara tried a rare line in the French Defence
by playing 6.c4!? and managed to create a very
unclear situation which was a little better for
White. But after good play from Black the
position gradually became equal, and then
soon ended in a draw by repetition.
I .e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.d2 a6
The idea of this move is normally twofold, to
surprise your opponent and to avoid a check
on b5 in lines where you get an isolated pawn.
4.gf3
The main alternative is 4 ..id3 c5 5.dxc5
(otherwise . . . c4 will come) 5 . . . .ixc5 and we
arrive at a position with plenty of theory.
4.e5
Trying to take advantage of the not-so-useful
. . . a6 move, but White's move ltld2 will also
prove to be somewhat unnecessary.
4 . . . c5 5.c3 ltlc6 6.ltlgf3
a b c d e f g h
1 10 Chess Evolution
6 . . . cxd4!?
6 . . . ltJh6? 7.lLlb3t
6 . . . lLlge7!? 7.id3 (7.dxc5 lLlg6) 7 . . . lLl f5
8.ixf5 exf5 9.0-0 (9.dxc5 ixc5 1 0.ltJb3
ia7 with a very solid position) 9 . . . b6!?oo
7.cxd4 '1Wb6
The knight on d2 is misplaced, while the
knight on g8 is better placed than it would be
on d7.
4. . c5 S.exdS exdS
.
6.c4!?
At first sight this may just look like a
simplifYing move, but as it is coming from
Navara, who is a great fighter and well
prepared, this is an indication that the line
contains some poisonous ideas. Moreover
he has been happy to repeat the line a few
times.
6 .. cxd4
.
The alternative is:
6 . . . ltJ f6 7.lLe2
7.cxd5 lLlxd5 (7 . . . cxd4 is just a transposition
to the main game) 8.ic4 b5 9.ixd5 '1Wxd5
1 0.0-0 ie6N ( l O . . . lLlc6 l l .dxc5 ixc5
1 2.lLle4 'IWxd l 1 3.Ei:xd l ie7 1 4.ltJd6t
xd6 1 5 .Ei:xd6 lLl d8 1 6.lLe3 0-0 1 7.ltJd4
Ei:e8 1 8.Ei:c l h6 1 9.h3 lLl e6 20.lLlc6 lLlg5
2 1 .lLla7 lLle4 22.lLlxc8 Ei:axc8 23.Ei:xc8 lLlxd6
24.Ei:xe8t tt:lxe8 and White has no advantage
at all Navara - Volkov, Dagomys 2008)
a b c d e f g h
l l .dxc5 ( l l .lLl b l !? b4 1 2.lLe3 lLld7=)
l l .. .ixc5 1 2.lLlb3 ie7 1 3.lLlfd4 0-0
1 4.lLlxe6 '1Wxe6 1 5 .Ei:e 1 '1Wf6=
7 ... ltJc6 8.0-0 cxd4 9.cxd5 '1Wxd5 1 0.ic4 '1Wh5
1 l .Ei:e 1 t e7
Black is doing okay.
7.cxd5
It is difficult to believe that 7.ie2 can create
any problems for Black; both 7 . . . ltJc6!? and
7 . . . ltJ f6!? should equalize.
7. tlJf6
..
7 . . . '1We7t 8.'1We2 ltJ f6 9.lLlxd4 ltJxd5 1 o.ltJe4
lLlc6 l l .lLlxc6 bxc6 1 2.lLld6t <i>d7 1 3.lLlxc8
c;!;>xc8 1 4.id2 with a comfortable position for
White.
7 . . . ic5?! is a bad square for the bishop.
Although it is desirable to protect the d4-
pawn, the bishop is too easily attacked. 8.d3
lLl f6 9.0-0 0-0 l O.ltJe4t
8.i.c4 b5
Black can first play:
8 . . . '1We7t!? 9.c;!;>f1
The ambitious move.
9.'1We2!? aims for a pleasant endgame:
9 . . . '1Wxe2t 1 o.ixe2 lLlxd5 l l .lLlxd4 and
White's slight lead in development gives him
a microscopic advantage.
 November 20 1 1
a b c d e f g h
9 ... b5!?N
This is an improvement on 9 .. .'1Mfd6? and
now:
a) 1O . .ib3 b5? 1 l .a4?! ( l l .Wc2!N is very
strong, almost winning. 11. . .lt:l bd7 [ 11. . .W c5
1 2.Wd3+-] 12.lLle4 lLlxe4 13.Wxe4t fie?
1 4.i.f4 Wg6 1 5 .We2) 1l. . .i.e7 12.axb5
0-0 13.lLlxd4 Wc5 14.Ei:a4 i.b7 15 .lLlf5 axb5
16.lt:le4 lLlxe4 1 7.Ei:xe4 i.f6 1 8.ie3 We?
1 9.h4 Wd7 20.g4 lt:lc6 2 l ..ig5 lLle5 22.ixf6
gxf6 23.Wc l 1-0 Navara - Delchev, Bled
(ol) 2002.
b) 1 o.Wc2!?N is probably even better than
Navara's move. 10 . . . ie7 11.lLle4 lLlxe4
12.Wfxe4 0-0 13.if4! Wb4 14.Ei:c l 1he white
pieces are all coordinating well. 14 . . . if6
15 .h4!? ( 1 5 .id2!?;!;) 1 5 ... g6 1 6.ih6 i.f5
1 7.ixf8! W/xc4t 18.Ei:xc4 i.xe4 1 9.Ei:c8 fif5
20.ie7t ixc8 2l.i.xf6;t
10.ib3
We have transposed back into the main game.
111
9 ..ib3
9.id3N aims to take advantage of the
weak black queenside, but with precise play
Black is able to hold the balance: 9 . . . ie7!
10.a4 ( l O.lLlb3 Wxd5) 10 . . . ib7 1l .axb5 0-0!
An important and beautiful move. 1 2.0-0
(12.bxa6?! lLlxa6t and . . . lt:l b4 is coming)
1 2 ... axb5 1 3.Ei:xa8 ixa8 14.ixb5 (14.lLlxd4
Wxd5=) 14 . . . Wxd5 15.ic4 Wd7=
9.We2tN avoids the white king being
displaced: 9 . . . ie7! (9 . . . We7 1O ..id3! Wxe2t
1 l .ixe2 ib7 1 2.0-0 ixd5 13.a4;!; with a
better endgame) 1O.ib3 0-0 1 1 .0-0 Ei:e8!
12.lLlxd4 ic5! 13.Wd3 ixd4! Conceding the
bishop pair, just for a while. 14.Wxd4 lLlc6!
15 .Wc5 lLla5+
9 J1e7t
9 . . . ic5?! 1 0.W/e2t! We? 11.Wlxe7t 'tt>xe7
12.0-0 Ei:d8 13.lLlg5!t
IO.fl
With the bishop having retreated from the
c4-square, 10.We2 is now even less interesting:
1O . . . Wxe2t 1 1 . 'kt>xe2 ic5+
a b c d e f g h
IO ....ib7?!
Black can try using his d-pawn to help
paralyse the white pieces:
1 0 ... d3!?N 11.lLlb1!
112 Chess Evolution

A wonderful idea. White immediately attacks

the d3-pawn, while aiming to reorganize his
pieces with lLlc3, .if4, %Yd2 and l'!e l .
l l .a4 b7 12.axb5 lLlxd5 13.bxa6 lLlxa6
14 . .ia4t ( l 4.g3?! tries to get the h i -rook
into play, but will put the king on a very
dangerous diagonal. 14 . . . lLlc5 15 .l%xa8t
.ixa8 16.g2 %Yd7 17.lLlc4 .ie7!t)
14 . . . 'tt> d 8oo and it's very difficult to assess
what is happening here.

12.h4
12.ltJ2f3!N It was necessary to bring the
bishop into play to fight for the advantage!
12 . . . ig7 13.if4! lLlxd5 (13 . . . 0-0 14.d6;t;)
14.lLlf5! gxf5 15 .ixd5 lLlc6D 16.%Yd2 0-0
17.id6!

12 ....ig7 l3.h5 0-0 14.hxg6 hxg6 1 5.20

Ld5
11 . . . \Wc?!
l l . . .f5?! 12.tt:lc3 b4 13.tt:la4 tt:l bd7
14 . .if4!t
l l ...lLlbd7 12.lLlc3 lUeS 1 3.if4 b4 I4.d6
\Wb7 15 .lLla4
12.g5 ie7 13.%Yxd3 0-0 14.tt:lc3 lLl bd7
Black has decent compensation for the pawn
thanks to the misplaced king on fi .

I O . . . g6? is a good idea . . . but it is too slow!

l l .lLlg5! g7 12.d6+-

10 . . . tt:lbd7? l l .tt:lg5
a b c d e f g h
l l .xd4 16..ih6
l l .g3 \Wd7! ( l l . . .xd5?! 12.ixd5 lLJxd5 16 . .ixd5!? was maybe the last try: I 6 . . . lLlxd5
13.'tt>g2 %Yb7 14.lLl b3!t) 12.g2 ie7 13.lLle5 17.'tt> g l ;!;;
ixd5t 14.lt:Jdf3 \Wb7 15 .ixd5 tt:lxd5!
(15 ... \WxdS 16.%Yxd4;t;) 16.%Yxd4 0-0= 16 ...Lh6 17Jhh6 gds 18.Yfd2 e4
19.'iff4 Vff6!=
l l ...g6 Black has finally achieved a safe position, the
l l . . .lLlxd5 12.ltJ2f3t rest is just very drawish.
 November 20 1 1 1 13

20.Yl!fe3 ixb3 21 .axb3 E:e8 22.gl d6 9 . . . b6!? leads to a different type of position.
23.Yl!fd2 llJe4 24.Yl!fe3 llJd6 25.Yl!fd2 llJe4 Black intends to follow up with .. .f5 , meeting
26.Yl!fe3 exf6 with . . . tt:Jxf6 when the pawn c5 will be
Vz-1/:z protected.

GAME 1 4 10.0-0 b5 l l .a3

[> L. Dominguez (2710) 1 1 .lLld1 is less popular, and after 1 1 . . .b4
Le Quang Liem (2717) 1 2.lLlf2 a5 Black will obtain a decent position
5th SPICE Cup, Lubbock after exchanging his bad bishop with . . . a6.
Round 5, 1 9. 1 0.201 1 [Cl l ]
Annotated b y David Baramidze 11.\tlh l !?
This interesting move has been tested by
In a topical line of the French Defence, some strong players. White makes a useful
Dominguez tried the interesting 12.dxc5!?, move and waits to see what Black is going
instead of the more popular 1 2.llJd 1 , and to do.
obtained a small but pleasant edge. Le Quang
Liem played some inexact moves and White 8
obtained a serious strategic advantage. He
7
missed a clear win with 39.\tlb5, but still kept 1""""-----j'
6
the upper hand and eventually won after Black
failed to defend in the most precise way. 5
Fm-/-,/;;;;;J'=
4
l .e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.llJc3 llJf6 4.e5 llJfd7 5.f4 3
c5 6.llJf3 ltlc6 7 .ie3 .ie7 8.Yl!fd2 0-0 9 ..ie2

2
White must avoid 9.0-0-0? c4! when he will
be massacred on the queenside.
a b c d e f g h
The main alternative to the text move is 9 .dxc5
11.. .1Mfb6
i.xc5 1 0.0-0-0 '1Wa5 1 l .i.xc5 lLlxc5 1 2.h4
Several other moves are possible:
with complex play.
1 1. . .b4 can be met by 1 2.lLla4! cxd4
13.lLlxd4 lLlxd4 14.ixd4 ib7 1 5 .b3!?N
(15 .f5 is slightly premature: 1 5 ... exf5
16.l::1 xf5 i.c6 17.b3 i.xa4 18.bxa4 lt:Jc500
Nijboer - Gurevich, Amsterdam 2000)
15 . . . .ic6 16.lt:Jb2 White brings the knight
out of harm's way and intends to play f5 in
the near future.
After l l . ..i.b7 White should play 1 2.lLldl !.
Now Black's typical response would be
12 . . . b4 1 3.tt:Jf2 a5 intending . . . .ia6, but this
would now entail the loss of a tempo since
Black has already played . . . ib7.
a b c d e f g h 11. . .'1Wc7!? is a flexible reply. 1 2.a3 (12.lLld l
is met by 12 . . . b4 when 13.c4 is not so strong,
9 .. a6
.
1 14 Chess Evolution

since I 3 . . . dxc4 14.d5? exd5 15 .'\Wxd5 ltl b6+ The position is complex and offers chances
does not work for White.) 12 . . . ib7 I 3 .gad i to both sides. White is a pawn down but he
gac8 14.'\We i cxd4 I 5 .ltlxd4 ltlxd4 I 6.ixd4 can win it back if he so desires. Alternatively
ic5 he might just go for a kingside attack with f5.

6
1.. =c.///////. . .-:-=///////,,

2
a b c d e f g h
1
Black had no problems in Karjakin -
Carlsen, Wijk aan Zee 20 1 0. a b c d e f g h
1 2. ltl d i l l c7
...

I 2.a3 ib7 I 3.gad i gac8 14.'\We l cxd4
I 5 .ltlxd4 ltlxd4 I 6.ixd4 ic5=
I 2 . . . b4 13.c4
Naturally Black has some other playable
options.
I I . . .ib7 I 2.ltldi ( 1 2.gad i gc8 13.<>h i
cxd4 I 4.ltlxd4 ltlxd4 I 5 .i.xd4 ic5) I 2 . . . '\Wc7
13.c3 ( 1 3.ltlf2 cxd4 I 4.ltlxd4 gac8) I 3 . . . ltla5
I 4.'We I ltl c4 I 5 .id3 was unclear in Alekseev
- Rakhmanov, Irkutsk 20 I 0.

I l . . .'Wb6 I 2.ltldi a5 I 3.c3

Preventing the plan of . . . b4 and . . . ia6.

a b c d e f g h

13 . . . dxc4
13 . . . cxd4 does not equalize: I 4.ltlxd4 ltlxd4
I 5 .i.xd4 i.c5 I 6.ixc5 ltlxc5 I 7.cxd5 exd5
I 8.'\Wd4t Potk.in - Wang Hao, Ningbo
20 1 0 .
I 4.d5!?
Leading to a sharp and unbalanced position. a b c d e f g h
I4 ...exd5 1 5 .'Wxd5 ltl a5 I 6.ig i !
13 . . . a4
Freeing the e3-square for the knight.
Black hopes to exploit the light-square
I6 . . . 'Wc7 I 7.ltle3 ltlb6 I 8 .'We4 ib7 I 9.'Wc2
weaknesses on the queenside.
 November 20 1 1 115

Mter 1 3 . . . b4? 1 4.axb4 cxb4 the change in Xu Yuhua - X. Zhang, Jiangsu Wuxi 2008.
the pawn structure favours White, as his Here White's best chance for an advantage
solid centre provides the foundation for a would have been:
kingside attack. 1 5 .f5!?t looks like the most 20.li:Jxb5!?N
energetic continuation. The game continued: 20.li:Jxc6 "Wxc6?!
13 . . . ia6?! is also unsatisfactory, as 1 4.dxc5 (20 ... ixc6 2 I .id4 li:J e4=) 2 I ..id4 id6
ixc5 1 5 .b4 ixe3t 1 6.li:Jxe3 f6 1 7.li:Jd4 22.li:Je3;\:
gives White a nice bind on the dark squares. 20 . . . "Wb7 21.li:Jd4 li:Jg4 22."Wg3li:'lxe3 23.li:Jxc6
1 4.id3 i.xc6 24.li:Jxe3
1 4.li:Jf2 li:'la5 1 5 .!!ad 1 i.b7?! (better is White keeps an extra pawn but converting it
1 5 . . . li:Jc4! 1 6."Wc l li:Jxe3 1 7."Wxe3 b4?) will not be easy.
1 6.id3 li:Jc4 1 7."We2li:'lxe3 1 8."Wxe3 b4 1 9.f5 24 . . . ib5
gave White a promising attack in Karjakin - 24 . . . "Wxb2? 25 ."Wh3+-
Rodriguez Vila, Khanty-Mansiysk 2009. 25.li:Jc2 ic5 t 26.<;t>h 1
1 4 . . . li:Ja5 26.li:Jd4 i.xd3 27."Wxd3 !!a6 28.<;t>h 1 l'!b6?
26 . . . !!f6

a b c d e f g h

1 5 ."Wf2!?
15 ."We2 li:Jc4 1 6.i.f2 f5oo led to unclear play
in several other games. a b c d e f g h
1 5 . . .f5
12.dxc5!?
1 5 . . . li:Jc4 allows 1 6.f5t.
It is not clear if White is getting anywhere
1 6.exf6 li:Jxf6 1 7.dxc5 "Wc7 1 8.li:Jd4 id7 1 9.c6
after the more popular 1 2.li:Jd1 f6 (also
li:Jxc6
possible is 1 2 . . . i.b7 1 3 .c3 li:'la5) 1 3.c3 li:'la5? ,
s o Dominguez tries a different idea.

12 ...hc5N
In the one previous game, Black preferred
1 2 . . . li:Jxc5
which seems sensible enough. Play
continued:
1 3 .li:Jd4 ib7 1 4.li:Jxc6 "Wxc6 1 5 .i.d4 !!ac8
1 5 . . . f5!?N looks better to me, and after
1 6.exf6 i.xf6 1 7 .i.xf6 !!xf6 1 8. Wd4 !!af8
a b c d e f g h
1 16 Chess Evolution

1 9.i.d3 tt:le4 20.tt:le2 Vffc7 the position is 1 4.b4?!

unclear. It is too early for this ambitious move.
1 6.Vffe3 fd8 1 4 ... tt:le4!
1 6 ... tt:le4 1 7.tt:lxe4 dxe4 1 8.c3 i.c5 14 ... tt:ld7 1 5.a4 tt:lxb4 1 6.axb5 .tb7 1 7.tt:ld4
( 1 8 ... fd8 1 9.b4;!;) 1 9.i.xc5 Vffxc5 20.Vffxc5 gives White a slight advantage.
xc5 2 l .g3;!; White will put his king on 1 5 .tt:lxe4 dxe4 1 6.tt:lg5 d8 1 7.Vffe3 tt:ld4
e3 with a good position. (The immediate
2 l .li?f2?! would allow 2 1 . .. e3t!+.)
We have been following the game Voronov
- Dmitrenko, Alushta 2008. At this point
White could have obtained some advantage
with:

a b c d e f g h

1 8.ad l
1 8.Vffxe4?! is too greedy in view of 1 8 ... g6,
threatening ... .tb7 with fine compensation.
1 9.Wxa8?! only makes matters worse for
White: 1 9 ... tt:lxe2t 20.Ii?f2 .ib7 2 1 .Vffa7
a b c d e f g h
d2 22.ad l xc2 23.Vffe3 tt:lxf4t 24.d2
1 7.b4!N tt:lxg2 25.Vffd3 Vffxe5 26.xc2 W/xg5 with
1 7.i.d3 was played in the game. great play for Black.
1 7 ... tt:le4 1 8.tt:lxe4 dxe4 1 9.c3;!; 1 8 ... tt:lxe2t 1 9.Wxe2 i.b7 20.tt:lxe4 i.xe4
The bishop on d4 is excellent. 2 1 .Wxe4 g6=
Black has sufficient compensation and is
13 ..ixc5 ltlxc5
likely to regain his pawn in the near future.
8 14...Ab7 1 5.'1We3
7

a b c d e f g h
I4J':ladl
a b c d e f g h
 November 2011 117

1 5 ... d7
An interesting alternative was:
1 5 ... tt:le7!?
Intending to play . . . tt:le4 and/or ... tt:lf5 .
1 6.id3
1 6.d4 tt:l e4 1 7.tt:la2 ( 1 7.tt:lxe4 dxe4 is
equal, for instance: 1 8.!!c l !!fd8 1 9.c4
bxc4 20.ixc4 Wid? 2 l .!!fd l !!ac8= Black
will establish a piece on d5.) 1 7 . . . tt:l c6
(17 . . . tt:l f5 1 8.tt:lxf5 exf5 1 9.tt:lb4 !!fd8
20.c3;!;) 1 8.tt:lxc6 Wfxc6 1 9.tt:lb4 c5
20.xc5 xc5= Black is okay as the knight
is misplaced on b4. a b c d e f g h
16 ..id3 Wlb6
The queen exchange does not equalize for
Black, but if he does not take the opportunity
then his king will be in danger.

17.Wfxb6 xb6 18.e2 gac8

1 8 ... tt:la4 1 9.b3 tt:lc5 20.tt:led4;!; is also
possible.

19.b3 f6
a b c d e f g h Of course Black has no intention of waiting
to see how White improves his position.
1 6 . . . !!fd8
1 9 . . . tt:ld7 20.tt:led4 tt:lc5 2 l .g4t is unpleasant
1 6 . . . tt:lxd3 1 7.cxd3 tt:lf) 1 8.f2 !!ac8
for him.
( 1 8 . . . e7 1 9.tt:le2 b4 20.g4 tt:lh6 2 1 .h3 bxa3
22.bxa3 xa3 23.5--+; 1 8 . . . d4 1 9.tt:lxd4
tt:lxd4 20.xd4;!;) 1 9.tt:le2;!;
1 6 . . . !!ac8 1 7.tt:le2 ( 1 7.ixh7t \t>xh7
1 8.tt:lg5t \t>g8 1 9.Wi'h3 !!fe8 20.h7t cj;>f8
2 l .h8t tt:lg8 22.tt:lh7t c;:t>e? 23.xg7 \t>d8
24.tt:lg5 tt:le7 25.tt:lxf7t c;:t>d? is okay for
Black) 1 7 . . . !!fd8 1 8.tt:led4;!;
1 7.tt:le2
White maintains a slight plus, for instance:
1 7 . . . tt:la4
1 7 .. . !!ac8 1 8.tt:led4;!;
1 8.b3 tt:lb2
1 8 ... c5?! 1 9.tt:led4;!; a b c d e f g h
1 9.!!c l !!ac8 20.tt:lg5 tt:lxd3 2 l .cxd3 Wla5
22.Wla7 !!xc l 23.!!xc l !!c8 24.c;:t>f2 !!xc l 20.ed4
25.tt:lxc l c7 26.tt:le2;!; After 20.exf6 gxf6 2 l .!!de l !!ce8 22.tt:led4
118 Chess Evolution

lLlxd4 23.lLlxd4 e5 24.fxe5 fxe5 25.1:!xf8t An interesting alternative is: 34.a4!? b4

'ittxf8 26.1"i:fl t 'itte7 27.lLlf5t 'ittd7 Black has (34 . . . bxa4 35.bxa4 leaves the a6-pawn
no problems. seriously weak, and White has good winning
chances.) 35.1"i:f3 ll:lg6 36.1"i:e3 ll:lf8 37.c3 bxc3
20 ... tLlxd4 2 l .liJxd4 fxe5 22.fxe5 hfl t 38.1"i:xc3 1"i:e8 39.b4
23Jhfl 1"i:e8?!
Black should have preferred 23 . . . ll:ld7 8
24.lLlxe6 g6 (24 . . . lLlxe5 25 .if5 g6 26.ih3)
7
25 .ll:ld4 lLlxe5 when his position remains
worse, but overall his chances of defending are 6
higher than in the game.
5

8 4

7 3

6 2

5 1

4 a b c d e f g h

3 34 ... 1"i:e8?
34 . . . 1"i:f7 was a better defence, and after
2 35.'itte2 1"i:e7 White has to find another way to
1 improve his position. (See the note to White's
34th move for the right idea.)
a b c d e f g h
24.ie2! 35.1'!0 e7 36.c3 1"i:a8
A good manoeuvre. White improves the 36 ... a5 prevents the king invasion but
position of the bishop and ties another enemy weakens the queenside pawns: 37.1"i:f2 1"i:c8t
piece to the defence of the e6-pawn. 38.'ittb2 !c6 (38 ... b4 39.axb4 axb4 40.lLlb5+-)
39.!h5 g6 40.ie2+-
24 ... liJd7 25.ig4 liJf8
25 . . . ll:lxe5?! 26.!xe6t 'itth8 27J1 f5 ll:lc6 37.1"i:e3!
28.1"i:xd5 sees White emerge with an extra Very solid. 37.'ittb4 is also winning, but
pawn. White has no need to hurry with this move
as Black cannot prevent it. In any case the
26.1'!0 next few moves might be 37 . . . lLld7 (37 . . . !c8
Planning to take over the c-file. 38.<i:tla5+-) 38.1"i:e3 a5t 39.Wxb5 !a6t
40. Wa4 winning.
26 ...1"i:e7 27.g3 icS
Black would like to put his rook on c7, but 37 ...ic8 38.b4 a5t!
of course White will not allow that. The only chance to create some counterplay.

28.1"i:c3 ib7 29.1'!0 ics 30J::ic3 ib7 3 l .h4 38 . . . id7 is too passive. Mter 39.'itta 5+- Black
f7 32.fl e8 33.e2 d7 34.d2 is almost paralysed and White will win at his
Planning to walk the king to a5. leisure by playing 1"i:c3, ie2 and later Wb6.
 November 20 1 1
a b c d e f g h
39.c3?
Maybe White miscalculated something in
time trouble, as he could simply have taken the
pawn: 39.<j{xb5 a4 (39 . . . ia6t 4Q.<j{a4 lLld7
4 1 .l':!c3 lLlxe5 42 . .ixe6 <j{d6 43.i.h3+-) 40.b4
a b c d e f g h
40 ... lLld7 (40 . . . i.a6t 4 l .c6 lLld7 42.lLlxe6 d4
43.l':!e1 +-) 4 l .<j{c6!? (4 1 .lLlc6t <j{f7 42.lLla5+-)
4 l . . .l':!a7 42.lLlb5 l':!b7 43.lLld6 lLl b8t 44.c5
l':!c7t 45 .<j{b5 i.d7t 46.<j{a5 l':!xc2 47.b5+
The knight on b8 is out of play and White
threatens l':!f3. Black's position is hopeless.
39 ....id7 40 ..ie2 b4t 4 l .axb4 gc8t 42.d2
42.<j{b2 axb4 43.id3 i.e8 44.l':!e 1 l':!a8
45.g4
42 ... axb4 43 ..id3 .ie8 44,gel lild7?
This move allows White to obtain a serious
advantage.
1 19
The right path was 44 . . . l':!a8 45.g4 h6 (45 . . . l':!a7
46.g5 l':!a8 47.l':!fl l':!a7 48.h5 l':!a8 49.h6 g6
50.c3) 46.h5 although Black still faces a
difficult defence here. White's plan is to play
c3 and push the b-pawn. (But note that 46.g5
hxg5 47.hxg5 lLlg6!? is not so clear.)
a b c d e f g h
45.g4?
White could have got away with grabbing
the h-pawn: 45 .ixh7! g6 46.i.g8 lLlc5 47.<j{e3
i.d7 48.i.h7 f7 (48 . . . i.e8 49.l':!a 1 +-) 49.h5
gxh5 50.l':!h 1 g7 (50 ... l':!h8 5 l .l':!xh5 <j{g7
52 ..ig6+-) 5 1 .l':!xh5 .ie8 52.l':!h 1 ig6 53.ixg6
<j{xg6 White is just a pawn up and should win
this position.
45 ... h6 46.g5
Another idea was 46.ib5 lLl c5 47.ixe8
<j{xe8 48.l':!a1 when Black is under pressure.
46 ... hxg5 47. hxg5 gc7
The most precise defence was 47 . . . l':!c3! when
48.ib5 is met by 48 . . . lLlc5= and 48.lLlb5 by
48 . . . l':!c5=. With those two ideas not working,
it will be difficult for White to improve his
position.
48 ..ib5 ltlc5?
The wrong direction. It was essential to play
48 . . . lLl f8 to control the g6-square, and after
49.ixe8 <j{xe8 50.l':!a 1 l':!b7 Black has good
1 20
chances to hold the position. For example:
5 l .a6 Q{f7 52.Q{e3 Q{g6 53.li'lxe6 li'lxe6
54.xe6t Q{xg5 5 5 .Q{d4 c7 56.Q{xd5 xc2
57.El.b6 'tt> f5 58.xb4 e2= Drawing by one
tempo.
49.i.xe8 'iflxe8 50.g6!
This keeps the black king caged while
preventing the rook from going to the f-file.
a b c d e f g h
50 ... li'le4t?!
50 . . . Q{e7 would have offered more resistance.
Play then continues: 5 l .a I (5 l .fl tt:'le4 t
52.Q{d i d7 defends) 5 l . . .c8 (5 I . ..li'ld7
52.a6 li'lf8 53.tt:'lc6t Q{e8 54.tt:'lxb4 tt:'lxg6
5 5 .xe6t Q{f7 56.a6 li'lxe5 57.li'lxd5+-)
52.a7t li'ld7 53.a6 li'lc5 54.b6 h8
55.tt:'lc6t Q{d7 56.tt:'lxb4 h6 57.d6t Q{e8
58.c6 li'l e4t 59.Q{e3 White should be
winning.
5 I .'it>e3 'i!le7
5 I . . .'tt>d7 does not change anything after
52.al +-.
52Jal ttlg3
52 . . . tt:'lc5 loses to 53.fl followed by tt:'lb5.
52 . . . c3t 53.Q{f4 li'lc5 54.lt:lc6t
5 5 .li'lxb4 is also hopeless for Black.
Chess Evolution
a b c d e f g h
55 ... d4 56Ja2 'i!ld7 57.'i!le4 !k6
57 . . . 'tt>e6 58.a6t Q{e7 59.Q{d5 +-
58. 'ifld5 gxg6 59.e6t
1-0
GAME 15
C> A. Morozevich (2737)
..... N. Vitiugov (2726)
Governor's Cup, Saratov
Round 2, 09. 1 0.20 1 1 [Cl l ]
Annotated by Yannick Gozzoli
Morozevich chose the modern 8.a3!?, as played
in lvanchuk - Carlsen, Bilbao 20 1 1 . This
move was very fashionable during the Saratov
tournament and will probably be the topic of
many games in the future. The reply 8 .. .1.Mfb6
is an interesting alternative to the game and
deserves further investigation. Black's major
mistake was the premature IO . . .f5?, after
which Morozevich conducted the game
energetically and won in impressive style.
Instead, Black should probably follow what
Morozevich himself played a few rounds later,
the interesting I O . . . a6!?, waiting for White to
show his intentions.
'tt>d7
l .e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.ttlc3 lLlf6 4.e5 ttlfd7 5.f4
c5 6.ttlf3 ttlc6 7 ..ie3 i.e? 8.a3!?
 November 20 1 1 121

9 . . . a6 1 0.ie2 b5 1 1 .0-0 is also possible,

with a transposition to Dominguez - Le
Quang Liem, Lubbock 20 1 1 (see page 1 1 3) .
I O.g3!?
A new idea. White wants to hinder the . . .f6
break by putting the bishop on h3.
1 O.id3 is the other move.
1 0 . . . 'it>h8 1 1 .h4 f6 1 2.exf6 li:Jxf6

8 .i .i.
7 ..... zf v.lfi
6 ))
a e f g h
5 :
This move had totally disappeared from
4
.

WA'%1
;?o::;
WffiJ
;?d::ro
if
practice until Ivanchuk used it against Carlsen
3
%". %r![ zrtt.<lr.:;:rA%1"'"
in Bilbao 20 1 1 , since when it has become .. .
LJ% ' "2_j;?'Q%

highly fashionable, appearing no less than three 2 . %fS y,

%
.-.-. % .-.-%. %-. .-%.

times during the strong Saratov tournament. IJ .i. II

The main lines are 8."Wd2 and 8.ie2. a b c d e f g h

1 3.0-0-0!?
8 b6
...

This gives a double-edged position with

This move has two ideas: Black gives a square
castling on opposite sides. In my opinion
to his queen's bishop, and also prevents White's
White has the better chances because of the
idea of taking on c5 followed by using the d4-
weakness of the e6-pawn, and also his attack
square for his knights. Black's plan will now
seems to be a little bit faster.
involve the .. .f6 push, as the d7-knight has
1 3.ih3 id7 ( 1 3 . . . li:Jh5!?) 1 4.!!d 1
nowhere to go. Black has others options:
( 1 4.0-0-0 was probably best, but not as
good as on the previous move. I 4 . . . a5oo)
8 . . . 0-0
14 . . . cxd4! 1 5 .li:Jxd4 e5! and Black seized
This was Carlsen's choice against Ivanchuk.
the initiative in Ivanchuk - Carlsen, Bilbao
9."Wd2
20 1 1 .
1 3 . . . l:!b8 1 4 . 'it>b I b5!?
This is the speediest way to develop an
initiative.
1 5 . .ixb5
1 5 .dxc5 a5!? is also possible.
1 5 . . . cxd4 1 6.li:Jxd4 li:Jxd4 1 7.ixd4
After 1 7."Wxd4 li:Jg4 the position is not dear,
but it looks more pleasant for Black:
a) 1 8 .f5 li:'lxe3 1 9."Wxe3 a6 ( 1 9 . . . a5!?oo;
19 ... !!xf5?! 20."Wxa7 l:!b7 2 l .e3;!:; followed
a b c d e f g h by a3-a4 is better for White) 20.fXe6 axb5
9 . . . b6 2 l .li:Jxd5 .ib?oo
122 Chess Evolution
b) l 8.id2 a6 ( l 8 . . .\Wb6 1 9.\Wxb6 1'!xb6
20.ie l lLle300) 1 9.ie2 ixa3 20.ic l
(20.lLlb5 ixb2 2 l .'kt>xb2 lLlf6 22.ib4 id7
23.ixf8 \Wxf8 and Black has enough
compensations for the exchange) 20 . . . lLlh6oo
The position is double-edged and it is not
yet clear who will gain the upper hand.
a b c d e f g h
l 7 ... a6
After 1 7 . . . ixa3?! 1 8.h5! the d4-bishop
becomes very powerful:
a) 1 8 ... a6 1 9.h6 g6 20.bxa3 and:
a l ) 20 . . . axb5 2 l .ie5! 1'!b7 22.lLle4+-
a2) 20 . . . 'kt>g8 2 l .f5 lLle4 (2 1 . . .exf5
22.1'!he l +-) 22.lLlxe4 dxe4 23.a4+-
a3) 20 ... id7 2 l .c l axb5 (2 l . . .ixb5
22.\We3+-) 22.ie5 1'!b7 23.lLlxd5! exd5
24.\Wxd5+-
b) 1 8 . . . h6 1 9.g4-t
c) 1 8 . . .id7 1 9.h6 g6 20.\We3 a6 (20 . . . ixb5
2 1 .lLlxb5 !!xb5 [2 1 . ..ixb2 22.ixb2 !!xb5
23.\Wxa?+-] 22.\Wxa3 r;ilg8 23.\Wxa?)
2 1 .lLlxd5!? ixb2 22.ixb2 exd5 23.ixd7
\Wxd7 24. 'kt>c l
1 8.ie2 ixa3 1 9.b3t
This is clearly in White's favour. His attack
will develop easily and naturally with h5 and
g4-g5, whereas it is not obvious how Black
should continue his attack.
8 . . .\Wb6 was played two rounds later by
Vitiugov against Shirov.
a b c d e f g h
a) 9.lLla4 Wa5t 1 0.id2 We? 1 l .dxc5 lLlxc5
1 2.lLlxc5 ixc5 1 3.b4
1 3.id3 Wb6?! ( l 3 . . . a5= was the right way
to go. White can no longer play b2-b4
and Black can try to seize the initiative on
the queenside with . . . Wb6, . . . id7, . . . a4
and . . . lLla5.) 1 4.b4 ie3 1 5 .1'!b 1 ?! (After
1 5 .We2!;!; Black has no time to exchange
knights with . . . lLld4, and will remain with a
passive bishop on d7 and the knight lacking
a good outpost.) 1 5 . . . id7 1 6.We2 ixd2t
1 7.Wxd2 lLld4 1 8.lLlxd4 Wxd4 1 9.c3 Wb6
20.Wf2 0-0 2 1 .\Wd4 f6?! (2 1 . ..1'!fc8!+ gives
Black a fine position) 22.exf6 gxf6 23.r;ild2;!;
White had secured a pleasant plus in Wen
Yang - Volkov, Moscow 2009.
13 . . . ib6 1 4.c4 dxc4 1 5 .1'!c l Wd8
1 5 . . . a5!? 1 6.b5 lLle7 is interesting.
1 6.1'!xc4 h6=
Shirov - Vitiugov, Saratov 20 1 1 . The black
position is very solid and if White does not
quickly find a way to develop an initiative, he
will stand worse because of his pawn structure.
b) 9.ie2 aims to follow the "normal" plan,
and has to be considered:
b 1 ) 9 . . . cxd4 1 0.lLlxd4 lLlxd4
1 0 . . . ic5 1 1 .lLla4 Wa5t 1 2.c3 ixd4
( l 2 . . . lLlxd4?! 1 3.b4 Wd8 1 4.cxd4) 1 3.ixd4
( l 3.b4?! is not accurate. Black can react
strongly with 1 3 . . . \Wxa4! 1 4.Wxa4 ixc3t
1 5 .'kt>f2 d4+ and Black wins material.)
 November 20 1 1 1 23

1 3 . . . ti:lxd4 1 4.b4 ( 1 4.VMxd4 b6!= intending
. . .ia6 and/or . . . ti:Jc5) 1 4 . . . tiJ f3t ( 1 4 . . . VMd8
1 5 .cxd4 is better for White) 1 5.ixf3 VMc7
1 6.VMd4 0-0 1 7.0-0 b5 1 8.ti:Jb2 a5+!
1 6.id3 .id7+! and the position is balanced.
1 3 . . .ixd4t 1 4.<;!;>h 1 VMc7 1 5 .VMxd4 a6
After 1 5 . . . ti:Jb6 1 6.ti:lxb6 axb6, only White
can play for an advantage.
Taking the pawn is possible, but looks risky:
1 5 . . . VMxc2!? 1 6.id3 VMc700
1 5 . . .f6 1 6.exf6 ti:lxf6 1 7.c4
1 5 . . . b6!?
1 6.ti:Jc3 b6 1 7.gae 1 .ib7 1 8 ..id3 f6+!

9.Ad3 0--0 10.0--0

The point of White's move order is that he
has kept his queen on d 1 , and so it can reach
the h-file quite easily after moving his knight,
thereby creating threats against the black king.
a b c d e f g h

The position is slightly better for White,

but Black has good counterplay on the
queenside.
1 l ..ixd4 ic5 1 2 . .ixc5 ti:lxc5
1 2 . . . VMxc5 is also possible.
1 3.b4 ti:Jd7
1 3 . . . ti:le4 1 4.ti:lxe4 dxe4 1 5.c4
1 4.ti:Jb5 0-0 1 5 .VMd4 VMxd4 1 6.tiJxd4 tiJ b6=
Followed by . . .id7, and Black will have
good counterplay against the weakened white
queenside.

b2) 9 . . . 0-0 1 0.0-0 ti:lxd4 1 l .ti:Jxd4 cxd4 a b c d e f g h

1 2 . .ixd4 ic5 10 . . 5?
.

A logical move, bur a mistake which gives

8
>n./""""d White a very strong initiative. In the sixth
7 round, Morozevich played this position as
6 Black against Shirov and continued with:
5 1 0 . . . a6!?
4
Black delays pushing the f-pawn. He wants
'""'J'm" White to declare his intention in order to
3
react suitably.
2 l l .ti:le2?!
A tactical mistake. l l .VMe 1 ! ? is a possible
a b c d e f g h improvement.
1 1 . . . c4
1 3.ti:la4
The following sequence of moves is forced.
1 3 . .ixc5 VMxc5t 1 4.h 1 f6 1 5 .exf6 ti:lxf6
1 2 . .ixh7t Wxh7 1 3.ti:lg5t .ixg5 1 4.fxg5
1 24 Chess Evolution

White has obtained an interesting position

from a practical point of view, as it's not
easy for Black to organize his defence, but
objectively it doesn't look convincing.
1 4 . . . Eih8?!
14 .. .lLie7!?
1 5 .Eixf7 \t>g8 1 6.g6 ll:if8?
1 6 ... Wfe8! with the idea of ... ll:id8 is better.
1 7.ll:if4
Shirov - Morozevich, Saratov 20 1 1 , ended
in a draw after a long struggle.

l l .exf6 tl:)xf6 a b c d e f g h
14.lDb5! .ie7?!
1 4 ... cxd4 1 5 .ll:ixd4 ixe5 ( 1 5 ... ll:ixd4
1 6 ..ixd4) 1 6.ll:ixc6 ixc6 1 7.fxe5 ll:ie4
1 8.Wlg4 was a better defence, but it is still
hard to play for Black.

1 4 ... ib8 1 5 .dxc5 ixe5? ( 1 5 ... ll:ixe5 1 6.fxe5

ixe5 1 7.Wfh3 Wfe7 1 8.cxb6 [ 1 8.!!ae1 !?]
18 ... axb6 1 9.ll:id4) 1 6.fxe5 ll:ixe5 1 7.Wfg3
ti:lxd3 1 8.cxd3 Wfd7 1 9.ll:id6 .ia6 20 . .id4
Oparin - Rychagov, St Petersburg 20 1 1 .

1 5.Yh3 Ycs
a b c d e f g h
1 2.lDe5!
White can install his knight on a strong
square in the centre and will develop his attack
on the kingside.

1 2 ....ib7 13.'iff3
The queen is heading for the superb h3-
square, from where it will attack the h7- and
e6-pawns.

1 3 ....id6?!
Another inaccuracy that Morozevich will
exploit in great dynamic style. a b c d e f g h
16.c4!
Better was 1 3 . . . cxd4 1 4.ll:ixc6 ixc6 1 5.ixd4 Also possible is: 1 6.!!ad 1 !? c4 ( 1 6 . . . a6?
ic5 1 6.ll:ie2 although White has a pleasant 1 7.ll:ic7! c4 [ 1 7 . . . Wfxc7? 1 8.ixh7t! ll:ixh7
advantage.
 November 2011 1 25

1 9.Wfxe6t] 1 8.tt:lxa8 cxd3 1 9.tLlxb6+-) a lot of weaknesses (especially the doubled

1 7 ..ie2 with total control of the board.
But 1 6.tLlc7?! is wrong: 1 6 . . . c4! 1 7 .tt:lxa8 cxd3
1 8.tt:lxb6 axb6 1 9.cxd3 i.d6 and Black is still
in the game.
16 .. JL1e4?
After this mistake, White obtains a winning
endgame by force.
The lesser evil was 1 6 . . . dxc4 1 7.tLlxc4 l'l:d8
1 8.l'l:ac l although White retains a huge
advantage.
17.dxc5! xe5
1 7 . . . bxc5 1 8.8:ad l +-
1 8.fxe5 hc5 19.:Bxf8t Wx8 20 ..ixe4 dxe4
2 I .b4
Forcing the exchange of Black's good bishop.
Inaccurate is 2 I .Wfxe6t?! which allows Black
some counterplay against the e-pawn after
2 I . ..'it>h8 followed by . . . l'l:e8. White's position
remains better, but Black is still alive.
e-pawns) , and above all White has a fantastic
outpost for his knight on d6 which will obstruct
the d-file and dominate the bad bishop. The
final part of the game doesn't need any analysis,
as it is just a matter of technique for White to
convert his huge positional advantage.
22 ...Wf5 23.Wg3 Wh5 24.d6 ic6 25.b5
After removing the bishop from the long
diagonal, White can quietly take the e4-pawn.
25 ...ie8 26.xe4 ig6 27.d6 Wfe2
After 27 . . . 8:f8 with the idea of creating some
counterplay with . . . W/e2, White has the simple
28.Wfe3! controlling all the entry squares in his
position. Then he can continue with ideas such
as a4-a5 .
28.\W3
Black cannot avoid the exchange of queens
and White is easily winning.
28 ...'\Wx3 29.gxf3
8

2 l ...he3t 22.Wfxe3+- 7

6
8 5
7 4
6 3
5 2
4

3 a b c d e f g h
2 29 ... :Bf8 30.a4 :Bx3 3 l .a5 bxa5
1 3 I . . .l'l:f8 32.axb6 axb6 33.c5! bxc5 34.b6
.ih5 35 .b7 .if3 36.8:cl +-
a b c d e f g h
White's posmon is winning. He has a 32.:Bxa5 h5 33.:Bxa7 :Bb3 34.c5
potential passed pawn on the c-file, Black has 1-0
I 26 Chess Evolution

GAME 16 a) 1 1 .. .1'!b8 1 2 .W/c2

I> Ni Hua (2670) 12.e6 .ig7t
A. Shirov (2713) 1 2 ... li:le7
Governor's Cup, Saratov
Round 8, I 6. 1 0.20 I 1 [C45]
Annotated by Kamil Miton

In one of the main lines of the Scotch Game,

Shirov eschewed the normal 10 .. .'\Wb4t in
favour of the slightly unusual 1 O ... .ig7!? and
obtained a good position without difficulty.
The answer to the question of where White may
strengthen his game remains uncertain, but in
my view the endgame following I 3 ..ixd2 is
a b c d e f g h
the critical direction. Later Shirov managed to
seize the initiative in a complex ending, but Ni And here White can choose between a 1 )
Hua narrowly held on for a draw. 1 3.b3 and a2) 1 3.Wib3.

l .e4 e5 2.liJf3 lLlc6 3.d4 exd4 4.liJxd4 ttlf6 a l ) 1 3.b3 .ig7 14 ..id2 W/b6
5.lLlxc6 bxc6 6.e5 V!le7 7.V!Ie2 lLld5 8.c4 .ia6 1 4 ... Wia3!? 1 5 .b4 ( 1 5 ..id3!?; 1 5.Wic3
9.liJd2 g6 lO.liJ'3 0-0 1 6.W/a5 Wxa5 1 7 ..ixa5 1'!bc8)
1 5 ... c5 ( 1 5 ...1'!xb4 1 6.ixb4 W/xb4 1 7.1'!b 1

.fe
W/c5 1 8 .1'!b8t .ic8 1 9 .id3 0-0 20.1'!e l t;
1 5 ... .ic8!?oo) 1 6.b5 ib7 1 7.W/b3 Wfxb3t

6:fB.fB'afa
50 -4l -
1 8.axb3 1'!a8 1 9.id3 f6 20.exf6 ixf6 2 1 .1'!a5
a6 22.bxa6 1'!xa6 23.1'!xa6 ixa6=
1 5 .c5 Wb7 1 6.ixa6 W/xa6 1 7.1'!e 1

4.,.,.

This was Svidler's attempt to improve on a
game between Ponomariov and Leko. White

!n!
is trying to discourage . . . d6 and . . . f6.

>f - "w-""
1 7 ... 0-0 1 8.W/c4
Here Black should be able to equalize with
1 .JibM the help of the following improvement:
a b c d e f g h
10 ...Ag7!?
This was the first time an elite grandmaster
has tried this move.
The usual continuation has been:
I 0 .. .'\1Mb4t 1 1 . <;t>d I
It is not uncommon for White to forfeit
the right to castle in this opening, as Black's
pieces are not well placed to exploit it. At this
point the path divides between a) 1 1 .. .1'!b8 and
b) I l ...li:lb6. a b c d e f g h
 November 20 11 1 27

1 8 . . .1&xc4!N 16 . . .0-0 1 7.'it>c2 tt:lc6 1 8 .b3

In the game Black failed to equalize:
1 8 ... Wb7?! 1 9.l:'kl ll:ld5 20.'it>e2 Ei:fe8 2 l .'it>fl
Wb5 22.g3 aS 23.Wxb5 Ei:xb5 24.Ei:e4 Ei:a8
25.ll:le1 !;!; A typical manoeuvre. From d3 the
knight will support the pawns on c5 and e5
while making way for a kingside advance.
White went on to win in Svidler - Hracek,
Aix-les-Bains 20 1 1 .
1 9.bxc4 d5!
19 ... Ei:b2 20.Ei:fl f6 2 l .ic3 Ei:bb8 22.exf6
ixf6 23.'it>c2 ixc3 24.xc3;!;
a b c d e f g h
1 9 .. .f6!? 20.e6 dxe6 2 l .Ei:xe6 7 22.Ei:e3
ll:lf5!? 23.Ei:a3 Ei:fd8 24.Ei:xa7 Ei:d7 25 .'it>c2 1 8 . . . d5!
if8 26.Ei:a5 gS? 27.ixg5 fxgS 28.tt:le5t Black must act quickly, otherwise White
e6 29.tt:lxd7 'it>xd700 will complete his development with a great
20.cxd6 position.
20.exd6 cxd6 2 l .Ei:xe7 ixa 1 22.cxd6 if6 1 9.cxd5 ixd3t 20.'it>xd3 Ei:fd8 2 l .if4 Ei:xd5t
23.Ei:xa7 Ei:a8 24.Ei:c7 Ei:fc8oo 25.Ei:xc8t Ei:xc8 22.e4 Ei:a5 23.Ei:ac l ll:ld8
26.c5 Ei:a8+ 23 ... ll:le7!?Noo deserves attention. The white
20 . . . cxd6 2 l .ic3 dS 22.'it>c2 dxc4 23.Ei:e4 king is not safe as a lot of pieces remain on
tt:ld5 24.Ei:xc4 tt:lxc3 25.Ei:xc3 f6 the board.
24.Ei:xc7 tt:le6 25 .Ei:c2 Ei:d8 26.h4 h5 27.g3 if8
a2) 1 3 .1&b3

a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
28.ll:lg5?
1 3 ... c5 1 4.1&xb4 cxb4 1 5 .id3 28.ie3;!;
1 5 .ie3?! tt:l fS 1 6.ixa7 Ei:a8 1 7.ie3 tt:lxe3t 28 .. .f5tFt
1 8.fxe3 ics Howell - Adams, Sheffield 20 1 1 .
1 5 . . . ig7
1 5 ... lLl f5 1 6.Ei:e 1 ic5 1 7.ixf5 gxf5 1 8.ie3 b) The other option is:
ixe3 1 9.Ei:xe3 ixc4 20.Ei:c l t 1 1 . .. ll:l b6 1 2.b3 ig7 1 3 .Wd2
1 6.Ei:e1 And here Black can choose between b 1 )
1 6.ie3 tt:lc6 1 7.ic5 f6 1 8.exf6 ixf6 1 9.'it>c2 1 3 . . . Wxd2t and b2) 1 3 . . . We7.
'it>7
1 28 Chess Evolution

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

b l ) 1 3 ... 'Wxd2t 1 4 . .ixd2 It looks as though White should have some

1 4.'it>xd2!? has not been tested but might be advantage due to his better structure and
an option. more active king, but computers evaluate
1 4 ... 0-0 the position after 23 . . . !!ed8 as equal. Indeed
1 4 ... c5 1 5 .Wc2 .ib7 1 6.!!d l 0-0 1 7 . .ie3 White is not yet fully coordinated and
!!fe8 1 8.xc5 xf3 1 9.gxf3 !!xe5 20 ..ie3 d6 Black's pieces are active, so the second player
2 I .f4;t should be okay.
1 5 . . ..ixf1 1 6.!!xfl ltld5 1 7.!!c l f6
8 1 7 ... !!fb8 1 8.!!c4 if8 1 9.lt:lem is pleasant
7
for White.
6

5 m==/'=,ijf-=v

4
3
2
a b c d e f g h

1 5 .c5!
1 5 .!!c l is met by 1 5 ... c5 1 6 ..id3 .ib7 1 7.!!e l
!!fe8 1 8.if4 d6 1 9.exd6 cxd6 20.'it>c2 d5
{or 20 ... f8) when Black is okay.
1 5 . 'it>c2 d5 leads to interesting play: 1 6.c5
{After 1 6.cxd5 .ixfl 1 7.!!hxfl cxd5 the
position of the king on c2 prevents White
from organizing any pressure on the c-file,
and Black will obtain a good game with
... c5 coming next.) 1 6 ...-ixfl 1 7.!!axfl
lt:ld7 1 8.lt:ld4 lt:lxe5 1 9.f4 lt:ld7 20.lt:lxc6
!!fe8 2 I .!!e l lt:lxc5 22.ltle7t 'it>h8 23.lt:lxd5
reaches an interesting situation.
a b c d e f g h
1 8.exf6
White can also consider 1 8.e6 dxe6 1 9.lt:ld4
e5 20.lt:lxc6 f5 2 I .'it>e2 with a slight edge.
1 8 ... ixf6 1 9.!!c4;!;
The situation is rather unorthodox. Black's
pieces are quite active but they do not create
specific problems for White. On the other
hand White has a kingside pawn majority
which he should eventually be able to put to
good use. Moreover, the strong rook on c4 is
well placed to attack any of Black's queenside
pawns should they become vulnerable.
 November 2011 129

b2) 1 3 . . . e7

a b c d e f g h

a b c d e f g h 24 . . . a5 25 .l:!he 1 .ic6 26.tl'lb5 l:!xe 1 27.l:!xe 1

1 4.i.b2 0-0 1 5 .Wc2 c5
In such positions Black's standard plan is to
eliminate the strong e5-pawn with . . . d6 or
. . . f6, as well as dropping his bishop back to
b7. However, in the following game Peter
Svidler came up with a different idea.
1 6.h4
l:!e8 28.l:!xe8 tl'lxe8 29.'i!?b2
With the simple plan of using the king to
gobble the a-pawn.
29 . . . Wh6 30.i.e2 tl'lg7 3 l .Wa3 tl'lf5 32.'i!?a4
tl'lxh4 33.-ifl tl'lf5 34.Wxa5 tl'le3 35.tl'lxc7!
tl'lxfl 36.Wb6 .id7 37.tl'ld5 Wg7 38.a4 ic8
39.tl'le7 1 -0 Nepomniachtchi - Svidler,
Moscow 20 1 0.

7 8

5 6
4 5
3
bum/""""'"""

4
2
'"::"'mm/'":'"?.<'><

a b c d e f g h 2

1 6 . . . d5!?
A dynamic solution, but it does not fully
a b c d e f g h
solve Black's problems.
Also after 1 6 . . .-ib 7 1 7 .l:!e 1 a5 ( 1 7 . . . h5 ll .ig5
.

1 8.tl'lg5;!:;) 1 8.a4 d5 1 9.exd6 xd6 20 . .ixg7
'i!?xg7 2 l ..id3;!:; White is slightly better as
Black's queenside pawns are weak.
1 7.exd6 xd6 1 8.ixg7 xd2t 1 9.tl'lxd2
'i!?xg7 20.tl'le4 tl'ld7 2 l .l:!d 1 i.b7 22.tl'lc3 tl'lf6
23.f3 l:!fe8 24 . .id3;!:;
Black has no real compensation for his awful
queenside structure and White converts his
advantage efficiently.
1 l .e4 tl'lb6 is decent enough for Black.
More interesting, but still harmless is:
1 l .c2!? tl'lb4
1 1 . . . ixe5!? leads to intense complications:
1 2.cxd5 ( l 2 . .ie2 tl'lf4) 1 2 . . . ixb2t 1 3.ie3
b4t 1 4.'i!?d 1 ( l 4 . .id2 e7t 1 5 .c;t>d 1 ixa 1
1 6.ixa6 0-0 1 7.dxc6 dxc6 1 8.xc6 l:!ab8oo)
1 4 . . . -ixfl 1 5 .ic5 b5 1 6.l:!b 1 l:!b8 1 7.id4
130 Chess Evolution

i.d3 l 8.!'!e l t cj:{fg 1 9.Wixb2 Wa4t 20.cJ:;>d2 1 5 .i.e2 d6 1 6.0-0 c5 1 7.exd6 cxd6=
!'!xb2t 2 l .!'!xb2 f6 22.cJ:;>xd300 1 5 . . . lt'lxc5 1 6.Wb4 d6 1 7.ixc5 dxc5 1 8 .Wxb7
1 1 . ..lt'lb6 is not particularly promising: 1 2.c5 ixe5--+
( 1 2.ie2 0-0 1 3.0-0 f6 I 4.exf6 Wfxf6 1 5 .!'!b 1
!'!ae8 1 6.b3 c5) 1 2 . . . ixfl 1 3.cJ:;>xf1 lLld5
8
1 4.ig5 W/e6 1 5 .!'!el 0-0 ( 1 5 ... lt'lb4 1 6.W/e4
l2'lxa2 1 7.i.f6 0-0 1 8.i.xg7 cJ:;>xg7 1 9.h4) 7
1 6.h4 lLl b4 ( 1 6 . . . h6 1 7 .lt:Jd4 [ 1 7 .id2!l 6
1 7 . . . lLl b4 1 8.lLlxe6 lLlxc2 1 9.lLlxf8 lLlxe 1
20.lLlxd7 hxg5 2 l .cJ:;>xe 1 i.xe5=) 1 7.Wd2 5
!!ab8 1 8.h5 Wid5 1 9.h6 ih8 20.!'!h4 W/xd2 4
2l..xd2lL'ld3 22.!'!e3 lt'lxb2 23.cJ:;>e2t
3
1 2.Wa4
2

a b c d e f g h
I I . . \Wb4t
.

Black can also go for a different type of

endgame with:
1 1 ...f6 1 2.exf6 Wfxe2t 1 3.ixe2 lLlxf6
1 4.0-0-0

a b c d e f g h

1 2 . . . ib7!
Not the only move, but it leads to a good
position without excessive complications.
12 . . . i.xe5!? 1 3.i.e2 ( 1 3.cJ:;>d 1 Wid6t 1 4.i.d2
c5 1 5 .a3 [ 1 5 .lt'lxe5 Wxe5 1 6.ixb4 cxb4
1 7.Wxa6 Wfxb2 1 8.!'!c l 0-000] 1 5 . . . lt:Jc6
1 6.Wixa6 ixb2 1 7.!'!b 1 ic3 1 8.id3 0-0
1 9.i.e4 !!ab8) 1 3 . . . ixc4 ( 1 3 . . . ig7 14.0-0
0-0 1 5 .!'!e 1 i.b7 1 6.ifl W/d6 1 7.!'!d 1 Wfe7 a b c d e f g h
1 8.ig5 f6 1 9.!'!e l W/f7 20.i.e3 a5 2 l .a3 Commenting on this position, GM Postny
lLla6 22.c5) 1 4.ixc4 ixb2t 1 5 .ie3 ixa 1 remarked that "White is slightly better and
1 6.0-0t can play for a win without any risk thanks to
1 3 .a3 his superior pawn structure." In regards to
1 3.ie2 0-0 1 4.0-0 c5 enables Black to find the structure, I agree completely. However, I
good homes for his knight and light-squared believe that if Black can achieve the desired
bishop. This usually ensures him of a good set-up with . . . d6, . . . c5 and . . . i.b7, then the
game in such positions, and the present case position should be equal.
is no exception. 1 4 . . . 0-0-0
13 . . . lLla6 1 4.ie3 0-0 1 5 .c5 Three other moves deserve some attention.
 November 20 1 1 131

1 4 . . . d6 1 5 .tt:\d4 ( 1 5 .l'!he l !? 0-0 1 6.c5 .ixe2

1 7.l'!xe2 tt:\d5 1 8.tt:\d4 .ixd4 1 9.l'!xd4 l'!ae8
20.l'!xe8 l'!xe8 2 l .'it>d U) 1 5 ... 0-0 1 6.f3
( 1 6.4:\xc6? tt:le4+) 1 6 . . . l'!fe8 ( 1 6 . . . c5 1 7.tt:lb5
tt:le8 1 8.h4;l;) 1 7.l'!he l ib7 1 8.c5!? tt:ld5
1 9.tt:lb3 l'!e5 20.id2 l'!ae8 2 1 ..ic4;l;

1 4 ... c5 1 5 .l'!he l ( 1 5.tt:\e5 4:\e4 1 6.i3

[ 1 6.l'!xd7?! 0-0+] 1 6 ... tt:\xg5 1 7.ixa8
ixe5 1 8.l'!he l d6 1 9.f4 'it>d7 20.l'!xe5 tt:\f7
2 l .id5 dxe5 22.ixf7t 'itle7 23.id5 exf4 a b c d e f g h

24.l'!e l t 'itld7=) 1 5 . . . 0-0 ( 1 5 ... d6 1 6 .id3t 1 5.tt:ld2

'itlf7 [ 1 6 ... 'it>d7 1 7.ic2] 1 7.id2 White can
exploit the temporary weakness of the e6-
square. 1 7 . . . l'!he8 1 8.tt:lg5t 'itlg8 1 9.tt:le6)
1 6.ixf6 l'!xf6 1 7.l'!xd7 l'!e8 1 8.l'!xc7 l'!fe6
1 9.'it>d l l'!d6t 20.'it>c2 l'!de6 2 1 .tt:lgU ie5 ?!
22.ig4
The above two moves do not quite equalize,
but 14 . . . l'!b8!? looks better: 1 5 .l'!he l 0-0
1 6.ie3 ( 1 6 . .id3 d5 1 7.tt:le5 [ 1 7.cxd5 ixd3
1 8 .l'!xd3 tt:\xd5 1 9.l'!e2 h6 20 ..ie3 l'!fe8oo;
1 7.b3!?] 17 ... tt:\e4 1 8.ixe4 ixe5 1 9 ..ixd5t
cxd5 20.l'!xe5 l'!xf2=)
1 5 .ie3 should be met by 1 5 . . . !!de8
intending . . . d6 and . . . c5, rather than
1 5 ... tt:lg4? 1 6.ixa7 'it>b7 1 7 .ic5 d6 1 8.h3.
15 ... c5 1 6.!!he l ib7 1 7.if3 !!de8 18 . .ixb7t
'it>xb7 1 9.'itlc2 d6 20.f3
White has a mostly symbolic advantage
thanks to his kingside majority and control
over the light squares, but Black should not
have any serious problems.
12.d2
So far no one has tested 1 2.'it>d l !?N h6
( 1 2 . . . 0-0? 1 3.c2 tt:l b6 1 4.a3 a4 1 5 .b3 a5
16 ..id2+-) 1 3 .ic l with a murky position.

12 ...xd2t 13.c.!?xd2?!
This is harmless.
If White wishes to fight for an advantage
then he should try:
1 3.ixd2 tt:l b6

a b c d e f g h

1 6 ... tt:\ g4! ( 1 6 ... tt:\ e4 1 7.l'!xd7 ixb2t 1 8.'it>c2

.if6 ( 1 8 ...ic3 1 9.!!b l !!xb l 20.'it>xb l ia5
2 l ..id4-.) 1 9 . .id4 ixd4 20.l'!xd4;l;) 1 7.id4
ixd4 1 8.l'!xd4 tt:lf6 Black has the simple
plan of . . . d6 and . . . c5. For me the position
looks equal.
a b c d e f g h
1 32 Chess Evolution

In this position the restrained a) 1 4.b3 and 1 5 ... 0-0 1 6 ..if4 d5 1 7.c5 .ixfl 1 8.l'%hxfl
the more energetic b) 1 4.c5!? both deserve lt:Jd7 1 9.lt:Jd4 .ixe5 20 ..ixe5 (20 . .ih6 l'%fe8
attention. 2 1 .lt:Jxc6 lt:Jxc5 22.l'%xd5 .id6) 20 . . . lt:Jxe5
2 l .l'%fe 1 l'%fe8 22.l'%e3t
a) 1 4.b3 d6 1 6.lt:Jxe5 ixe5 1 7.l'%e 1 lt:Jd7 1 8.f4 f6 1 9.fxe5
1 4 ... d5?! 1 5.cxd5 .ixfl 1 6.1>xfl cxd5 lt:J xe5 20 . .ic3
1 7 J"k 1 l'%c8 1 8.l'%c5;!;
14 ... c5 1 5 .0-0-0 .ib7 16 ..ie3 .ixf3 1 7.gxf3
.ixe5 1 8 . .ixc5 .if4t 1 9.c2 d6 20 ..id4 0-0
2 l ..id3;!;
1 5.0-0-0
1 5 . .ic3 lt:Jd7 1 6.0-0-0 c500
1 5.c5!? .ixfl 1 6.xfl

a b c d e f g h

a b c d e f g h
1 6 ... dxc5 ( 1 6 . . . lt:Jd7 1 7.cxd6 cxd6 1 8.l'%c l
dxe5 1 9.l'%xc6 0-0 20.e2 e4 2 l .lt:Jg5 h6!oo)
1 7.l'%cl lt:Jd7 1 8 ..ie3 0-0-0oo ( 1 8 ... lt:Jxe5 ?!
1 9.lt:Jxe5 .ixe5 20.l'%xc5 .id6 2 l .l'%xc6 a5
22.a4 l'%b8 23.l'%c3 0-0 24.e2 l'%b4 25 .d l
l'%fb8 26.c2 ie5 27.l'%d3 c5 28.id2;!;)
20 ... 0-0-0!
The king should go to the queenside to help
defend the pawn weaknesses.
20 . . . 0-0 2 l ..ie2!? (2 l ..ixe5 fxe5 22.l'%xe5
l'%2+) 2 l . . .l'%fe8 (2 1 . . .c5 22 ..ixe5 fxe5
23.i3 l'%ae8 24.l'%e2t) 22 . .ixe5 l'%xe5 23 . .if3
ib7 (23 ... l'%ae8 24.l'%xe5 l'%xe5 25.l'%d l
f7 26 ..ixc6 .ic8 27.l'%d8;!;) 24.l'%xe5 fxe5
25.l'%d l l'%f8 26.c2;!;
2 l ..ixe5 fxe5 22.l'%xe5 l'%he8 23.l'%xe8 l'%xe8
24.d2 c5
Black is okay, with ...ib7 coming next.
b) 1 4.c5!? ixfl 1 5 .l'%xfl

7
6
5
4

a b c d e f g h

1 5 ... dxe5
 November 20 1 1 1 33

1 5 ... lt:ld5 I4.cx:d5 .ixfl i SJaxfl hxg5

1 5 ... lt:l a4 1 6.Ek 1 lt:lxb2 1 7.'i!fe2 l':i:b8
( l 7 ... d5 1 8.cxd6 cxd6 1 9.l':i:c2 dxe5 20.l':i:xb2
e4 2 I .l':i:b7 exf3t 22.'i!fxf3 0-0 23.ie3t)
1 8.l':i:c2 lt:la4 1 9.l':i:fc l ! 0-0 20.l':i:c4 lt:lb2
2 l .l':i:d4;!;
1 6.l':i:c l
Having exchanged off his two problem
minor pieces, Black has equalized.
16.tLlxg5
1 6.dxc6 g4 1 7.lt:lel ixe5 1 8.lt:ld3 .id6
1 9 .cxd7t 'i!txd7 =

1 6.0-0-0 if8 1 7.b4 a5?

1 6 .. .f6 1 7.exf6 .ixf6 1 8.b3 f7 1 9.l':i:c4 16 .. Jb8 17.b3 cx:d5

2
a b c d e f g h
1
1 9 ... a5! 20.'i!td 1 a4 2 l .l':i:xa4
a b c d e f g h
2 1 .b4!? may be a better way to fight for an
advantage. An interesting endgame has arisen with a
2 l . ..l':i:xa4 22.bxa4 l':i:b8? most unusual pawn structure. Black's plan
will involve ... a5-a4 to break up the enemy
queenside and open some lines for his rooks.
The bishop's future is less certain, but the
undermining ... d6 or .. .f6 may play a role.

18.f4 aS 1 9.h4 a4 20JU3 gb4 2 l .g3 0--0

2 l ...'i!fe7 22.f5 ixe5 (22 ... ih6 23.f6t
'i!te8 24.l':i:f4 leaves the rook on h8 misplaced)
23.fxg6 fxg6 24.l':i:e l d6 25 .l'l:f7t 'i!td8 26.lt:l e6t
'i!fc8 27.lt:lxc7 axb3 28.axb3 ixg3 29.l':i:c l
l':i:bxh4 30.lt:lxd5t 'i!tb8 3 l .l':i:cc7 l':i:d4t 32.'i!fc3
l':i:xd5 33J''g b7t=

a b c d e f g h 22.gd3 c6 23.tLlf3
13 ... h6! 23.l':i:b I l':i:a8t
Exposing the downside ofWhite's last move.
Now retreating to h4 would leave the bishop 23 ...axb3 24.axb3 gas 25.h5 galt 26. c3
on a worse diagonal, so White is more or less ge4
forced to go for the following sequence.
 Chess Evolution

30.gel?
Exchanging this rook will leave the h-pawn
weak.

Correct was: 30.h7t Wf8 3 l .Wc2 d6 (3 1 . . .e3

32.d3 a2t 33. r,t> c3 xd3t?! 34. r,t> xd3 g2
35.a l -t) 32.exd6 e3 33.1Lle5 a2t 34. r,t> b l
xd2 35 .d7 r,t> e7 36.1Llxf7 r,t> xd7 37.1Llxh8
xb3t 38.Wc l !!db2 39.h4 b l t=

30 ... gxel 3 I .l0xel f6 32.exf6 J.xf6t 33.<i>c2

<i>h7 34.g4 g5 35.lt f3
a b c d e f g h
u
ltlg5 ee2 (27 . . . xe5!? 28.fxe5 i.xe5t
b4 i.d6t=; 27 ... d4t 28.xd4 xd4
xd4 f6 30.h6 fxg5 3 l .hxg7 gxf4 32.gxf4
'=) 28.h6 i.h8 29.\t>b4 ec2! Threatening
i! followed by . . . c5t with a mating net,
Vhite can defend. 30.c3! xc3 3 1.'i hc3
.h?t \t>f8 33.exf6 ixf6t 34. r,t> d3 i.h8=

a3
. . xd2 28. r,t> xd2 gxh5 29.xh5 f6
f6 ixf6=
a b c d e f g h
.. e3t 28. r,t> d4 xd2t 29. r,t> xe3 b2
i (30.1Lld2 i.f8) 30 . . . xb3t 3 1 .\t>e2 ih8 35 ... <i>xh6
g5 b8= Worse is 35 . . . gxf4?! 36.g5 i.h8 37.e2
a2t 38.\t>d3 xe2 39. r,t> xe2 r,t>g6 40.r,t>d3 c5
b 2 gas 29.h6 .ihS 4 l . r,t> e2 d6 42.\t>d3 ie5 43.We2= when Black
is unable to improve his position, as . . . c4 can
always be met by b4.

36.fxg5t ixg5 37.gh2t <i>g7 38.gh5 .i4

38 . . .if6 was also possible.

39.gf5 gam
In my opinion it was too early to exchange
the rooks.

39 . . . id6!?
This would have kept better winning chances.
From d6 the bishop prevents b4-b5, while
a b c d e f g h the rook can head for the g2-square.
 November 2011 1 35

42 ... ct/f6 43.l'!f5t <;!;>e?

It is hard to give a definite evaluation, but
Black certainly keeps some winning chances.

40J:hf8 <;!;>x8

a b c d e f g h

4o.c;!;>d3
40.lLle5 ixe5 4 1 ..!3xe5 <;!;>f6 42 . .!'!e 1 (42 . .!3f5t
l!?e6 43 . .!3h5 .!'!a2t 44.\!?d3 .!'!g2+) 42 . . . .!'!a2t
43.1!fc3 l'!g2 44.<;!;>b4 .!3xg4t 45.\!?c5 l'!e4
'
46 . .!3h l l!fe7-+
40 . .!'!g5t l!ff6 4 1 ..!3f5t l!fe7 42.g5 (42 . .!3h5
.!'!a2t 43.<;!;>d3 .!'!g2 44 . .!3h7t <;!;>ds 45 . .!'!g7
if4t) 42 . . . .!3f8 (42 . . . .!3a2t 43.1!fd3 .!'!g2+) a b c d e f g h
43 . .!3xf8 l!fxf8 44. l!fc3 c5 45. <;!;>d3 \!?7 4I .b4!
46.ltJh4 if4 47.g6t l!?f6 48.lLl f5 ig5 49.g7 With this move White intends either to
1!?7+ 50.<;!;>c2?! if6 5 1 .lLle3 d4-+ simplify or to create another passed pawn.
40 . . . .!'!b8 4 l .l!fc3
4 l .ltJ d4 <;!;> g6+ 4 I .. ..ic7
4 l . ..l'!e8 White seems to be drawing everywhere, as
shown by the following analysis.
4 1 . ..<;!;>7 42.b5
The following line is even simpler: 42.1!fb3
l!ff6 43.b5 ie3 44.g5t l!ff5 45.bxc6 dxc6
46.g6=
42 ... -ic? 43.lLld4!
43.bxc6 dxc6+
43 ... c5 44.ltJf3 d4
44 ... \!?f6 45 .1!fd3 <;!;>e6 46.1!fc3 d4t
(46 . . ..id8 47.g5 d6 48.1!fd3 \!?[5 49.lLld4t
cxd4 50.<;!;>xd4 <;!;>e6-+) 47.\!?c4 ib6
a b c d e f g h
48.lLlg5t l!fe5 49.lLl f3t l!?e4 50.lLld2t l!ff4
42 . .!'!g5t 5 l .l!fd5?
42.1!fd3 .!3e4 43.lLlg5 .!'!b4 44 . .!3f7t ctfg6 45 .1!fd3 d5 46.g5 ib6
45 . .!3xd7 <;!;>xg5 46 . .!3xd6 .!'!xb3t 4?.<;!;>d2 46 . . . \!?e6 47.g6 l!ff6 48.lLlxd4 l!fxg6 49.lLle6
(4?.<;!;>d4 is met by 47 . . . .!3b4t and . . . .!3c4 id6 50.b6 l!ff6 5 I .lLlc7 ct/e5 52.lLla6 c4t
next) 47 . . . .!3b6 48.\!?c3 l!fxg4 49 . .!3h6 l!ff5-+ 53.1!fd2 d4 54.b7 ct/e4 5 5.b8='1W ixb8
Black has an easy winning plan of . . . l!fe5, 56.lLlxb8=
... .!3a6 and ... d4. 47.lLle5t l!?g7 48.lLlc6 c4t 49.<;!;>d2
1 36 Chess Evolution

a b c d

49 ... d3
49 ... ic5 50.lt'ld8= a b c d e f g h
50.lt'le7 ia5t S l .cl d4 52.lt:Jf5t <;i;>g6 52.lilel d4 53. 'it>c4 'it>f5 54. 'it>d3 'it>e6
53.lt'lxd4 xg5 54.lt'lc6 ic? 5 5 .b6 if4t 55.'it>c2 'it>d5 56.tLld3 i.g3 57.'it>b3 i.d6
56.<;i;>b2 g4 57.b7 f3 5 8.<;i;>c3 d2 59.b8='W 58. 'it>c2 'it>c4 59.b6 'it>b5 60.b7 'it>b6 61. 'it>b3
d l =W 60.lt:Jd4t= 'it>xb7 62. 'it>c2 'it>c6

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
42. 'it>b3 'it>e7 43.b5 c5 44.g5 'it>e6 45.g6 'it>f6 Black is unable to make use of his three(!)
46.tLlh4 c4t extra pawns. The only way would be to arrange
46 ... .id8 47.lt'lf5 xg6 48.lt'le3 d4 49.lt'ld5 a zugzwang, but from d3 the knight has eight
<j;>f5 50.b6= squares available, and Black is unable to
control all of them.
47.'it>b4 i.d6t 48.'it>c3 i.g3 49.tLlg2 i.e5t
50.'it>b4 'it>xg6 5 I .'it>c5 c3 63. 'it>b3 'it>d5 64. 'it>c2 'it>e4 65.tLlf.Zt 'it>e3
Forced, but now White can arrange a 66.tLld3
permanent blockade on the light squares. lfz-%
 November 20 1 1
GAME 1 7
[> T. Radj abov (2752)
R. Ponomariov (2758)
European Club Cup, Rogaska Slatina
30.09.20 1 1 [C65]
Annotated by Borki Predojevic
In the following game we will see one of
White's most popular side lines against
the Berlin Defence. 4.d3 has recently been
played by many top-level grandmasters and
it seems that White has chances to fight for
the advantage in this line. Ponomariov, who
has had a few games in this line, chose his
favourite set-up with 4 . . . ic5 and after that
7 . . . h6 and 8 . . . ib6. Radjabov was well prepared
and by playing the precise moves 1 0.d4! and
1 1 .id3 he secured a promising position with
White. After the premature reaction 1 3 . . . c5?!
Ponomariov was slightly worse. Radjabov then
played a very good technical game. It should
be mentioned that Ponomariov played a few
imprecise moves (probably he was exhausted
after his long fights in the World Cup) which
helped Radjabov to convert his advantage into
a fairly easy win.
l .e4 e5 2.f3 c6 3.i.b5 f6 4.d3 i.c5
5.0-0
An interesting move order. White has
137
usually preferred 5 .c3 which stops Black's
idea of . . . d4. However, Black gains other
options against 5 .c3. For example, he can play
5 . . . 0-0 6.0-0 (6.ixc6 bxc6 7.tt:lxe5 d5 is
another very sharp line) 6 .. ..1''1 e 8!? omitting the
move . . . d7 -d6 for the moment, and perhaps
later he will achieve . . . d7 -d5 in one move.
5 ...d6
A logical decision from Ponomariov.
Recently in the World Cup he did not have
any problems in holding this set-up with the
black pieces.
Another popular line is 5 . . . tt:ld4 6.tt:lxd4
ixd4 with a complicated game. It is worth
mentioning that Ponomariov has played
against this line with the white pieces.
Note that 5 . . . 0-0? is bad, as after 6.ixc6 bxc6
7.tt:lxe5 White simply wins a pawn.
6.c3
A few rounds earlier I had the same position
against Movsesian, and here he decided to play
a rare move:
6.d4!?
The game continued:
6 . . . exd4 7.tt:lxd4 id7 8.ixc6 bxc6 9.tt:lc3
a b c d e f g h
I played "safe" with:
9 . . . h6
During the game I had the feeling that
138 Chess Evolution

9 ... 0-0 1 0 .ig5 h6 l l .ih4 is better for On 1 4.d5 Black has 14 . . . c6 1 5 .dxc6 ixc6
White, since I cannot bring back my bishop 1 6.ib2 .ia5! 1 7.Eiad l h6 1 8.Eie3 Eie6f.
to e7 to defend the kingside; maybe this was lvanchuk continued: 1 9.ltJc4 ic7 20.e5
not a good evaluation. After 1 l . . .Eie8 1 2.Eie 1 lLld5 2 1 .Eiee 1 lLl f4 And here he blundered:
Eib8 1 3.lLlb3 ib6 1 4.h3 Eie6!f Black will 22.Wif5? (Best was 22.exd6 ixf3 23.dxc7:
play ... Wfe7 or ... Wfe8 with a good game.
Movsesian answered with the direct: 8
l O . .if4 0-0 l l .e5 dxe5 1 2 . .ixe5 Eie8 1 3.ltJf3 7
But after:
6
1 3 ... if5 1 4.Wfxd8 Eiaxd8 1 5 .ixc7 Eid7 1 6 ..ig3
ixc2 1 7.Eifc l ie4!f 5
I did not have any real problems in holding 4
equality in Movsesian - Predojevic, Rogaska 3
Slatina 20 1 1 . 2
6 0-0 7.bd2 h6
...

a b c d e f g h
This is always a useful move for Black; it also
delays making a decision about which set-up 23 ... ltJh3t! 24.fl .ixg2t 25.xg2 Wfg5t=
Black will choose. This leads to a draw by perpetual check.)
After the simple 22 ... .ixf3 23.gxf3 Wih4
The favourite line of GM Arman Pashikian is: 24.Eie4 dxe5 25 .Eid7 Eig6t 26.fl Eig2
7 ... a6 White resigned in Ivanchuk - Ponomariov,
Ponomariov has also played this line. Russia 20 1 1 .
1 4 ... cxd4 1 5 .i.xd4 ixd4 1 6.ltJxd4 a5=
1 7.Eiad 1 Wib8 1 8.ltJ4f3
'lz-'lz Areshchenko - Ponomariov, Ukraine
(ch) 20 1 1 .

B) White's best answer is:

8 ..ia4 ia7 9.h3 lLle7 1 0.Eie 1 lLlg6

a b c d e f g h

Now there are two lines to consider: A)

8.ixc6 and B) 8 ..ia4.

A) 8 . .ixc6 bxc6 9.d4 exd4 1 0.cxd4 ib6

This does not look dangerous for Black.
Ponomariov has had this position with the
a b c d e f g h
black pieces twice and these games are good
examples of how to play this set-up as Black. l l .ltJ fl
l l .Wfc2 Eie8 1 2.Eie 1 id7 1 3.b3 c5! 1 4.ib2 A typical manoeuvre.
 November 2011 1 39

White has also tried a more direct approach White has to play precise moves here to fight
with l l .d4, but this premature reaction in for the advantage.
the centre gives Black the opportunity to
play actively: l l . ..b5 1 2 . .ic2 ( 1 2 . .ib3 c5f!)
12 . . . c5 1 3.tt:lfl cxd4 1 4.cxd4 exd4 1 5 .tt:lxd4
.ib7f Black had no problems in Efimenko
- Pashikian, Rogaska Slatina 20 1 1 .
l l . . .c6
Now the idea with 1 l . . .b5 is not so effective
as before, as White can keep a stable centre
since he has not pushed d3-d4. For example,
12 . .ib3 .ib7 1 3.ltJg3 h6 1 4.ltJ h2!oof:t with
the typical plan of lLlg4 and '?:lff3. The
position remains complicated and unclear,
but I prefer White.
1 2.tt:lg3 d5 a b c d e f g h
12 . . . !i:e8 1 3.d4 h6 1 4 ..ic2 leads to a similar 9J e l
type of position as in the main game. Another plan is:
1 3.exd5 tt:lxd5 14 . .ib3 !i:e8 9.tt:lc4
I do not find this idea dangerous for Black
and again it is enough to follow Ponomariov's
games to gain equality.
9 . . . tt:le7 1 0.ia4 tt:lg6 1 I ..ic2 .ie6 1 2.a4

a b c d e f g h

1 5 . .ig5
1 5 .d4! exd4 1 6.!i:xe8t '?:lfxe8 1 7.ixd5 cxd5
1 8.tt:lxd41= was another idea for White. In
my opinion this was the right way to fight a b c d e f g h
for the advantage. 1 2 . . . c6!
1 5 . . . f6 1 6 . .ie3 .ixe3 1 7.fxe3 .ie6 1 8.'?:lfd2 '?:lfc7 In a few games Black tried 1 2 . . ..ixc4 1 3 .dxc4
1 9.!i:ad l !i:ad8= a5, but this is in White's favour since after
Radjabov - Kramnik, Kazan (m/9) 20 1 1 . 1 4.g3:t and next 'iil g 2, Black lacks real
counterplay while White slowly improves
8.h3 i.b6 his position.
The main idea of the set-up with . . . .ib6 1 3.tt:lxb6
is to avoid losing time with . . . a6 and . . . ia7; The only logical move, as otherwise Black
Black prepares . . . tt:le7 and . . . c6. A5 we shall see, would play . . . .ic7.
1 40 Chess Evolution

1 3 . . . axb6 in the game Radjabov - Kramnik, Kazan

Black's main idea is to push ... d5 or ... b5, (m/9) 20 1 1 , which was given in the line after
and it seems that White cannot avoid this. 7 ... a6. 1 3 .ttlh2 d5! 14.Vf!f3 ttl h4 1 5 .Vf!e2 e6
1 4.e3 1 6.c2 Vf!d7 is good for Black, E. Berg -
1 4J'!e l b5 1 5 .e3 bxa4 1 6.xa4 Vf!c7 P. H. Nielsen, Oslo 2009.
1 7 .c2 c5= and next . . . d5 looks nice for
Black.
1 4.d2 d5 1 5 .exd5 xd5=
1 4 . . . d5! 1 5.d4
1 5 .exd5 xd5 1 6.e l e8f!
1 5 . . . exd4 1 6.ttlxd4 d7 1 7.exd5 ttlxd5
1 8.d2 Vf!f6 1 9.Wff f3 ttldf4 20.xf4
Black had no problems and a draw was
agreed in Svidler - Ponomariov, World Cup
(m/ 1 ) 20 1 1 .

9... c!De7

a b c d e f g h
IO . c6
. .

Black could try to save the move ... c6 for

later and choose instead:
1 O ttlg6
...

a b c d e f g h
IO.d4!
The best reaction. With his last two moves
Black prepared . . . c6, but the main drawback of
a b c d e f g h
this plan is that Black lost control over the d4-
square. This gives White the opportunity to We shall consider two replies: A) 1 1 .ttlfl
push d3-d4, which immediately frees a square and B) l l .d3.
for White's light-squared bishop on the c2-h7
diagonal. Otherwise White would lose more A) l l .ttl fl
time with the manoeuvre a4-c2. The normal move allows Black's idea with:
1 1 . . . d7!?
After 1 0.ttlfl c6 l l .a4 ttlg6 1 2.ttlg3 e8 l l . . .c6 1 2.d3 leads to the same position as
Black will quickly play . . . d5. Here we can in the game.
see a better version of the position reached 1 2.d3
 November 2011 141

1 2.i.xd7 xd7 1 3.tt:l g3 l'!fe8= i s a good
version for Black. He has exchanged bishops
and so has more space. Later the break with
. . . d5 will be inevitable.
1 2 . . . l'!e8 1 3.tt:lg3
a b c d e f
Black has a choice:
1 3 . . . c5!?
Black is a tempo up compared to the position
in the game.
Another idea for Black is 13 . . . i.c6!?. With
this move Black fights to prevent the move
i.e3. Still after 1 4.a4 a6 1 5 .c2;!; White keeps
a small advantage.
1 3 . . . exd4 1 4.cxd4 c5 is bad in view of 1 5 .e5!
dxe5 1 6.dxe5 tt:lh7 17 . .ixg6 fxg6 1 8.tt:le4
ic6 1 9.tt:ld6t/ .
l l . . .c6 1 2.tt:lfl transposes to the game.
On l l .. .i.d7 White can play 1 2.lLlc4! with
ideas of creating pressure on the queenside
and on the b6-bishop. For example, 1 2 . . .e7
1 3.b3t planning a2-a4.
1 2 .tt:l fl
On 1 2.tt:lc4 Black can reply: 1 2 . . . .ixc4
1 3 . .ixc4 exd4 1 4.cxd4 ( 1 4.lLlxd4 l'!e8+
puts the e4-pawn under pressure) 14 . . . d5!?
1 5 .exd5 tt:lxd5 1 6 .i.d2 c6 1 7.b3;!;/= This
position looks slightly better for White.
12 . . . l'!e8 1 3.tt:lg3 c5
13 . . .c6;!; would lead to a similar position as
in the game, so there is no need to explain
White's plans again.
1 4 . .ie3
g h
1 4 .i.b5 l'!f8 1 5 .dxe5 dxe5 1 6.a4 c7
1 7.ic4;!; is another option.
1 4.d5 id7 1 5.ie3 also looks better for
White.
14 . . . cxd4 1 5.cxd4 l'!c8 1 6.d2 a6 1 7.a3;!;
White is slightly better.
I l ..id3
Of course. Retreating with l l .i.a4 would
not make sense now.
l l ... l!Jg6 12.tt:lfl ges 13.l!Jg3;!;

B) l l ..id3
This is the best answer.

8
7
6
5 1/////'j /./,/////// ,=/-,///0/j/

4
3 b""'mm///mc/m
//

2
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
This position reminds me of typical set-ups
l l . . . i.e6
in the Giuoco Piano. I have had a lot of games
142 Chess Evolution

like this with the white pieces, so I usually
prefer White here. If White manages to play
d4 and keep the centre stable, then the long
term advantage should be on his side (a similar
assessment would apply to Black if instead he
had achieved . . . d5 before White was ready with
d4) . According to this "rule" White's position
should be slightly better here.
1 3 ...i.d7N
Officially this is a novelty.
1 5 . . . a6 1 6.c4 a7?! 1 7.a4 cxd4 1 8.cxd4
tt:lxe4?! 1 9.tt:lxe4 d5 20.xd5 Wxd5 2 l .dxe5
Wxe4 22.xa7 Wb4 23.Wd4 Wxd4 24.xd4
e6 25 .c3
White kept his extra pawn and won the
game in Palac - De Graaf, Aix-les-Bains
20 1 1 .
14.i.e3

Before Black had tried:

1 3 . . . c5
White reacted with:
1 4.b5

a b c d e f g h
14 c5?!
...

A premature decision.

a b c d e f g h
Better is:
1 4 . . . Wc7
1 4 . . . !'!f8 When Black prepares a possible break with
14 . . .d7 1 5 .i.xd7 Wxd7 1 6.dxe5 tt:lxe5 . . . d5. Also, if Black wants to play the same
( 1 6 . . . dxe5 1 7.Wxd7 tt:lxd7 1 8.a4 gives idea as in the game, . . . c5, then it is better to
White a typical slight advantage) 1 7.tt:lxe5 develop his pieces first and then to try the
l%xe5 1 8.i.f4 l%e6 1 9.c4 White is better. If break. White can continue with:
Black doesn't do anything concrete then his 1 5 .Wc2
position will be much worse as his pawn 1 5 .Wd2 is unnatural: 1 5 . . . l%ad8 1 6.!'!ad 1
structure is bad. After the forced: 1 9 . . . !'!ae8 c5!? Black has a better version than in the
20.f3 d5 (20 . . . a5 2 l .d2t) 2 l .cxd5 tt:lxd5 game.
Black has executed his central break, but 1 5 .a4!?
even so after 22.l%e2 tt:l f6 23.tt:lf5t White's 1 5 . . . l%ad8 1 6.a4
position looks better. 1 6.l%ad 1 would allow 1 6 . . . c5, whereas now
1 5 .e3 after:
It is obvious that White has some advantage 1 6 . . . c5
and after a few imprecise moves Black was 1 6 . . . a6 1 7.b3t
much worse: 1 7.dxe5 dxe5
 November 20 1 1 143

15.dxe5 dxe5
1 5 . . . lLlxe5 1 6.lLlxe5 dxe5 1 7.ic4 ie6
1 8.Wb3;!:;

16.i.c4t
White is better thanks to his control of the
light squares. It is also important to note that
the bishop is badly placed on b6. The opening
battle has finished in White's favour.

a b c d e f g h 16 ...i.e6
White has the nice reply: The computer suggests 1 6 . . . Wc7;!:; as best,
1 8 ..ic4 but this would lead to a similar position
1 8 .lLld2 lLl f4 1 9 . .ifl a6 20.lLlc4 ia7 2 1 .a500 as after 14 . . . Wc7, which we have already
is an alternative. White has play on the examined.
queenside, but all the pieces are still on the
board. 17.'ifb3 Yfc7 18.lLld2 tfc6
1 8 . . . ie6 1 9.lLld2!
White should be better. 8
1 9 . . . lLl f4
1 9 . . . l'!xd2 20.ixd2 ixc4 is met by: 2 1 .a5! 7
ixa5 22.Wa4 l'!d8 (22 ... ixc3 23 .ixc3 id3 6
24.Wxa7 tLl f4 25.f3 g6 26.'Jth2;!:; should lead
5
to an advantage for White) 23.ie3 ixc3
24.bxc3 ia6 25 .Wa5 l'!c8 26.l'!ed 1 lLle7 4
27.f3;!:; White is better.
3
20.ixe6
20.b3;!:; 2
20 . . . l'!xe6 2 1 .lLlc4 Wc6 22.gad 1 gxd 1
23.l'!xd U
White is slightly better, but it is questionable a b c d e f g h
if he can he convert it into a win. 19.a4! gadS
Mter the active 1 9 . . . lLl f4 White can play the
simple 20.l'!ed I !;!:; with the same idea as in the
game: Wb5.

20.'ifb5!
The last two moves are typical, but it is still
very nice to see how Radjabov plays "easy"
moves and improves his position.

20 ...Yfxb5
20 . . . .id7 2 1 .Wxc6 ixc6 22.f3 lLl f4 23.lLlb3
looks very bad for Black.
a b c d e f g h
 Chess Evolution

(b5 ttl d7 22.c!Llc4 i.e? 23J3edl c!Llg8 28 ...ha4!

d6 hd6 25Jhd6 This was the idea of 25 . . . .ib3.

29.gd2 i.c6 30.0 geeS 3 l .i.f2

Black found a way to exchange the weak
c-pawn, but White is still better.

3 1 . c!Lle6 32.b4

5
a b c d e f g h 4
Lb3! 3
omariov defends very actively. The
>f this move will be discovered a few 2

; later, but this will not help Black. The

ative was 25 ... a6 26 . .ie2 :l%c8, but after
a b c d e f g h
t White keeps his advantage.
32 c!Llf6?!
.

fl ?! This is a serious mistake since on f6 the

soft. The right move was: 26.:!%a3 .ie6 knight is simply badly placed. A better
:4 27 ..ixa7; 26 ... .ic2?? 27.:!%d2 .ib l defence was 32 ... li:J f4 33 . .ic4 li:J f8. Even so,
1 +-) 27.a5 White increases the pressure after 34 . .ib6 :l%xd2 35.li:Jxd2 li:Jd7 36 . .ie3t/
Kk's position. White is on top.

6 27 .i.e2 ge6 28.hc5 33.i.c4 c!Llf4 34.ga5! ks

34 ... :!%xd2 35.li:Jxd2 :l%d8 36.li:Jfl :l%c8
37.li:J e3t/

35.c!Lle3 i.d7 36.gc2 i.e6?!

Objectively better was 36 . . . :l%c7, but after
37.-ifl it is very hard to give good defensive
advice to Black.

37.i.fl ged8?
A desperate try; Ponomariov wants to gain
some activity, but as we can see, it costs a
whole pawn. Stronger was 37 . . . li:Jd7 38.c4
but of course this is unappealing.
 November 2011 1 45

38Jxe5 b5 39.ltH5 1Lxfs 40J!xf5+- 47 ... bxc4

After 47 . . . lDxf4 White wins with 48.g3 lD e6
49.c5+-.
8

7 48.i.c7 ltlx4 49.gxc4 gxc4 50.ixc4 8

6 5 l .ha6 e8 52.b5 tLl e6 53.b6 tLlxb6
54.hb6+-
5

4 8
3 7
2 6
1 5
a b c d e f g h 4
40 ... tiJd3 4l .i.b6 3
4 Lixd3 xd3 42.c5/+- was another
alternative. 2

1
4I .. J3d6 42.i.a5 tlJd7 43J3d5! gxd5
a b c d e f g h
44.exd5 tiJ3e5 45.d6
White plans ic?. White has had a winning position for a long
time and now he is a clear piece up. The rest of
45 ... gc6 game doesn't deserve any comments!

54 ... d7 55.i.c4 xd6 56.he6 xe6

57. f2 f5 58. a f6 59.i.d4 'tt;g5
60.i.e3t 'tt; f5 6 l .i.d2 h5 62.g3 c;f;e5
63.i.c3t 'tt; f5 64.i.b2 'tt; g5 65. 'tt; e4 'tt; g6
66.4 'tt; f7 67.'tt; f5 g6t 68.'tt; e4 e6
69.i.c3 'tt; f7 70. c;f;d5 c;f;e7 7l ..ld4 'tt; f7
72. c;f;d6 g5 73.g4
1-0

a b c d e f g h
46.4! tLlg6 47.c4!
Radjabov temporarily sacrifices the f4-pawn;
after this break Black has no chance, as White's
activity on the queenside is decisive.
146 Chess Evolution

GAME 18 White) 1 6 .e6 0-0 1 7.f5 tt::\ e 5 1 8.tt::l c 3 g6

[> D. Andreikin (2705) 1 9.i.h6 f6 20.i.g5 fffi 2 l .f6+- Mozes -
... A. Morozevich (2737) Krantz, Harrachov 1 967.
Governor's Cup, Saratov l l .tt::l xd7 <;t>xd7 1 2.xd l e8
Round 8, 1 6. 1 0.20 1 1 [C69]
Annotated by Ivan Sokolov

In this game Morozevich opted for a rarely

played line of the Spanish Exchange variation
with 7 ... cxd4 8.exd4 Wd7. In a sharp game
Black seemed to obtain enough compensation
for the sacrificed pawn. Also critical for the
evaluation of this line is the old Fischer move
9.h3, and it would be interesting to know what
Moro had in mind there.
a b c d e f g h

l.e4 e5 2.tl:H3 t!Jc6 3.i.b5 a6 4.i.xc6 dxc6 1 3.f3

5.0-0 f6 6.d4 i.g4 7.c3 exd4 8.cxd4 'Wd7
White may be able to get some advantage
with 1 3.tt::l c3, since ideas with .. .f5 appear
to work less well here: 1 3 . . . ib4 1 4.f3
f5 ( 1 4 . . . tt::l e7 1 5 .tt::l a4 <;t>cs 1 6 .a3 id6
1 7.b4t) 1 5 .exf5 tt::l e7 1 6.g4 ixc3 1 7.bxc3
g6 ( 1 7 . . . tt::\ d 5 1 8.c4 tt::l e3 1 9.ixe3 xe3
20.<;t>f2) 1 8.id2 (After 1 8.f6 Black has
a promising exchange sacrifice: 1 8 . . . tt::\ d 5
1 9.ih6 lt::l xc3 20.f7 b8! An important
nuance. [The "logical" 20 . . . ef8? fails to
2 l .d3 tt::l d 5 22.ig7!.] 2 l .d3 tt::l d 5 22.e 1
hffi 23.ixffi xffi) 1 8 . . . gxf5 1 9.<;t>f2;!;

b d f g h
!.tirt
!-. -
a c e

9.i.e3 6
The other logical choice for White here is

the old Fischer move 9.h3. Black has many
: .wA.m
different options at his disposal, though the
3 .... 8 8
z z
road to equality is not easy to find:

a) 9 . . . i.h5 1 0.tt::\ e 5 i.xd 1

2 8 8
J!":"\ //Y-%
"U :
1 0 . . . \Wxh3 1 l .gxh3 i.xd 1 1 2Jl:xd 1 fXe5 a b c d e f g h
1 3.dxe5 .ic5 1 4.<;t>g2 tt::l e7 1 5.f4 tt::l g6
1 3 . . . tt::\ e7
( 1 5 . . . 0-0 1 6.f5 [ 1 6.e6 and 1 6.tt::\ c3 tt::l g6
Black's play can be improved here with
1 7.<;t>g3 are also possible] 1 6 . . . t!Jxf5 1 7.exf5
1 3 . . . f5!=. Should White try to be "clever",
xf5 1 8.fl xe5 1 9.tt::l c3 with a plus for
 November 20 1 1
he can easily get into trouble, for example:
1 4.exf5?! CiJe7 1 5 .g4 g6 1 6.f6 ( 1 6.fxg6 hxg6
1 7.@g2 tiJ d5+) 1 6 ... tiJd5 1 7.g5 h6 1 8.h4
hxg5 1 9 ..ixg5 ib4 20.tiJd2 i.xd2 2 1 .1'!xd2
1'!hf8+
1 4.CiJc3 @c8 1 5 .ie3 f5 1 6.1'!ac l fxe4 1 7.fxe4
g6 1 8.if4 ig7 1 9.d5 1'!d8 20.CiJa4 1'!hf8
2 1 .g3
Fischer - Jimenez Zerquera, Havana (ol)
1 966.
b) 9 ... ixf3 1 0.xf3
a b c d e f g h
1 0 . . . xd4?!
This early pawn collecting is not going to
bring Black anything good.
Perhaps Moro investigated in the direction
of: 1 0 . . . 0-0-0 1 l .CiJc3 CiJe7 1 2.if4 CiJg6
1 3.ig3 id6 1 4.1'!fd 1 ixg3 1 5 .fxg3 This
move may have been inspired by Fischer's
decision in a similar position to recapture on
g3 with his f-pawn - see his game against
Gligoric below. (However, 1 5 .xg3 looks
more logical for White here.) 1 5 . . . @b8
1 6.1'!ac l 1'!he8 1 7.h5 tiJ f8 1 8.a5 c8
1 9.b4 1'!d6 with a sharp game in Tatai -
Donner, Palma de Mallorca 1 967.
1 1 .1'!d 1 c4 1 2.if4 .id6 1 3.ixd6 cxd6
1 4.1'!xd6
White has regained the pawn and still has a
lead in development.
14 . . . tiJ h6 1 5 .tiJa3 b4 1 6.1'!ad 1 0-0 1 7 .1'! 1 d2
0, 7 1 8.1'!6d4 c5 1 9.CiJc4 1'!ad8 20.d 1
147
1'!xd4 2 1 .1'!xd4 e7 22.CiJa5 1'!d8 23.b4
The black queenside pawn majoriry cannot
move and is actually a target here, while White
was able to advance his kingside pawn majoriry
and went on to win in Timman - Beliavsky,
Linares 1 988.
c) 9 . . . ie6 1 0.tiJc3 0-0-0
a b c d e f g h
1 1 ..if4
White may also consider 1 1 .ie3. The white
bishop is perhaps not as actively placed
as on the h2-b8 diagonal, however the
. . . g5 pawn push now does not come with
tempo: 1 l . . .g5 1 2.1'!c l h5? 1 3.d5! cxd5
1 4.exd5 ( 1 4.d4! with a7 to follow looks
extremely strong) 14 ... .ixd5 1 5 .CiJxd5 xd5
1 6.c2 7 1 7.tiJd4 id6 1 8 .b4 lLle7 1 9.b5
axb5 20.tiJxb5 tiJd5 2 l .a4+- Rozentalis
Sosnicki, Lubniewice 1 998.
1 l ...g5!
Immediate kingside play is probably Black's
best here.
1 1 . . .lLle7 was played in an old classic, but
it looks too slow: 1 2.1'!c l CiJg6 1 3.ig3 id6
1 4.lLla4! .ixg3 1 5 .fxg3 @b8 1 6.CiJc5 d6
17.a4 @a7?? A terrible blunder losing on
the spot, though Black's situation is in any
case far from ideal. (After 1 7 ... ic8 1 8.1'!c3
White has a strong attack.) 1 8.CiJxa6 ixh3
1 9.e5+- Fischer - Gligoric, Havana (ol)
1 966.
1 2 ..ig3
148 Chess Evolution

This is a positionally sound concept for

a b c d e f g h
1 2 ... g4
Perhaps Black should focus his research
efforts along the lines of: 1 2 ... h5!? 1 3.d5
h4 14.ih2 ( 1 4.dxe6?! 'We8 1 5 .'Wb3 hxg3
1 6.fxg3 g4--+) 1 4 ... cxd5 1 5 .l''k 1 id6oo
1 3.d5! cxd5
1 3 ... gxf3 1 4.dxe6 'Wxe6 1 5 .'Wxf3 gives
White the advantage.
1 4.exd5 ixd5 1 5 .ti:lxd5 'Wxd5 1 6.hxg4 'Wxd 1
1 7.E:fxd 1 E:xd l t 1 8.E:xd l ti:lh6 1 9.g5 ti:l f5
20.gxf6 ti:lxg3 2 1 .fxg3 ic5t 22.Wh2 E:f8
23.E:d5 id6 24.E:f5 Wd7 25 .Wh3?
After 25 .ti:lg5! h6 26.ti:le4 White remains
a sound pawn up and should likely win the
ending.
25 . . . 'i!?e6
Vz-Vz Petrushin - Yudasin, Soviet Union
1 98 1 .
Black in this pawn structure. However, the
black king is still in the centre and White can
try to take advantage of that. Previously Black
has played:
9 ... 0-0-0 1 0.ti:lbd2 ti:le7
Black should also consider 1 O ... f5!? here.
1 1 .b4 ti:lg6 1 2.'Wb3 'We7 1 3.'Wc2 E:e8!
An interesting concept, the threat of . . .ixf3
is now unpleasant and White has to act on
the queenside.
1 4 .a4?
White pushes the wrong pawn. He had to
play 1 4.b5! cxb5 ( 1 4 ... axb5 1 5 .a4 b4 1 6.a5--+)
1 5 .E:fc l 'Wd7 1 6 .a4 b4 1 7.ti:le l ! with ti:ld3
to follow, with strong compensation for the
sacrificed pawn.
1 4 ... .ixf3 1 5 .gxf3 'We6 1 6.Wh 1 .ixb4 1 7.E:g 1
ti:lh4+
Magem Badals - Lin Weiguo, Beijing 1 998.
lO.Wfb3 La l l .Wfxb7 gds 1 2.gxf3 fxe4
8
7
6
5
4

a b c d e f g h
B.gcl!
Putting immediate pressure on the weakness
on c6 is probably White's best here.

1 3.E:e 1 should not worry Black: 1 3 ... id6!

( 1 3 . . . exf3 leads to an advantage for White
a b c d e f g h
after 14 ..if4t ie7 1 5 .lLld2 tiJ f6 [or 1 5 . . . tiJ h6
9 ... f5N 1 6.'Wxc7 'Wxc7 1 7.ixc7 E:d7 1 8.ie5 0-0
 November 20 II
1 9.l2:\b3;!;] 1 6.i.g3;!; 0-0 1 7.l2:\xf3 E1b8
1 8.l2:\e5!) 14.fxe4 ( 1 4.l2:\c3? exf3 1 5.if4t
ll'l e7+) 1 4 ... g4t I S.'ki>fl ll'le7 1 6.e5 i.xeS
1 7.dxe5 c4t 1 8.'ki>g2 g4t= with perpetual
check.
13 ... ex3
White is better in the event of 1 3 ... l2:\e7
1 4.l2:\d2! exf3 I S .'ki>h l , as Black has problems
completing his development.
14.xc6 Ad6
It is essential for Black to first develop his
bishop to d6 before placing his knight on e7.
1 5.ltld2
White is now going to be a pawn up.
15 .. .'1Wxc6 16Jxc6 tDe7 17Jln6 0-0
a b c d e f g h
1 8.tDe4
More testing was:
1 8.tt'lc4! ll'lf5!
This seems to generate enough kingside
counterplay for a draw.
Less convincing for Black is 1 8 ... l2:\d5, since
after 1 9.i.g5 E1d7 20.l2:\xd6 cxd6 2 I .E1a5!
l2:\ f4 22.i.xf4 E1xf4 23.E1c l ! Black's situation
is not easy: 23 . . . E1e7 (or 23 . . . E1xd4 24.E1c8t
'ki>f7 25.E1f5t 'kt>e6 26.E1xf3) 24.h3
1 9.l2:\xd6 cxd6 20.b4
149
The white rooks are passive and Black
appears to be just in time.
20 ... E1f6! 2 I .b5 E1g6t 22.'ki>h l E1g2 23.a4
Or 23.b6 l2:\xe3 24.fxe3 E1b2=.
23 ... E1e8 24.E1gl l2:\xe3 25.fxe3 E1b2
25 . . . E1a2 is also possible.
26.E1a7 E1xe3 27.E1axg7t 'ki>f8
With a likely draw.
18 ....tf4! 19Je6 tDd5
Black has strong compensation and White
must be careful.
20.tDc3 H5
Black had a winning attempt in: 20 ... i.xe3!
2 I .fxe3 (2 I .l2:\xd5?! i.xd4) 2 l . . .f2t 22.'ki>fl
E1d6 23.E1xd6 (23.E1e4?? runs into mate after
23 ... l2:\xc3 24.bxc3 E1g6 25.'ki>e2 fl =t!
26.E1xfl E1g2t 27.\t>ei E1b8) 23 ... l2:\xe3t
24.'ki>e2 cxd6 2S.'it>xe3 fl = 26.E1xfl E1xfl In
this unusual position Black is favourite, but is
it enough to win? It is not easy to say.
2 1 .tDxd5 E!dxd5
a b c d e f g h
22.i.xf4
This forces a draw.
White's last winning attempt was 22.a4!. Then
Black should avoid: 22 ...i.xe3 23.E1e8t! It is
important that the f3-pawn would hang with
1 50 Chess Evolution

check. 23 .. .'it'f7 24.:1'1xe3 :1'1xd4 25 .a5 and

Black is in bad shape.
Instead 22 . . . id6! is probably the only
move here, offering Black counterplay on the
kingside. Andreikin obviously did not like this
and therefore settled for a draw. However, the
white a-pawn is very dangerous and White
would retain some winning chances.

22 .. Jhf4 23Jfe3 Eig5t 24.c,!{ht Eih5!

A strong and precise move!

25.Eiael Eifh4 26.Eie8t c,!{f7 27.Ei8e7t c,!{8 a b c d e f g h

28.Eie8t c,!{f7 29.Ei8e7t
lfz-lfl
GAME 19
[> A. Volokitin (2686)
V. lordachescu (2646)
Romanian League, Brasov
08. 1 0.20 1 1 [C70]
Annotated by Alexander lpatov and Kamil
Miton
In this game White implemented an
interesting novelty with 1 O.id2!?, which
proved a success as Black was unable to solve
his opening problems. Our analysis indicates
that Black could have maintained the balance
with 1 0 . . . lLlxb3 followed by some strong
computer moves, although it must be said
that the position would be rather unpleasant
for an unprepared player. In the game White
could have improved by playing 1 1 .ic3 with
a small but pleasant advantage. Later he got a
big advantage anyway following Black's error
on move 1 3, but failed to convert it and the
game finally ended in a draw.
5.c3
The most logical set-up, planning to
construct a strong pawn centre. Recent
practice has also seen:
5.d4 exd4 6.ib3 lLla5 7.xd4 lLlxb3 8.axb3
lLlc6 9.d3 d6= Vallejo Pons - Turov,
Nakhchivan 20 1 1 .
5.lLlc3 d6 6.0-0 id7 7.a3 g6 8.d4 ig7 9.dxe5
lLlxe5 1 O.lLlxe5 ixe5 1 I .ib3 ie6 1 2.lLld5
lLlxd5 1 3.ixd5 ixd5 1 4.exd5 0-0= Smeets
Grischuk, Wijk aan Zee 20 1 1 .
5.0-0 g6 6.c3 (6.d4 exd4 7.lLlxd4 ig7 8.c3
0-0 9.ig5 lLlxd4 1 0.cxd4 h6 1 I .ih4 g5
1 2.ig3 f5!f Frolyanov - Svidler, Olginka
20 1 1 ) 6 . . . ig7 7.d4 exd4 8.cxd4 0-0 9.d5 b5
1 o.ic2 lLla5

l .e4 e5 2.l!H3 ltlc6 3.i.b5 a6 4.i.a4 ltlge7

The delayed Cozio set-up is slightly unusual,
but has been tested by a number of strong
players in recent years.
a b c d e f g h
 November 20 I I 151

I 1 .id2! A similar idea to the one we will 8 ....1g7 9.d5

encounter later in the game. 1 l . . .c5 ( 1 1 . . .ixb2
1 2.ixa5 ixa 1 1 3.ltlc3 ixc3 [ 1 3 . . .ib2 1 4.d6
ltlc6 1 5.ixc7 We8 1 6.ltld5] 1 4.ixc3 d6
1 5 .if6!) 1 2.d6 tt:lec6 1 3 .tt:lc3 tt:lc4 1 4.g5
tt:lxb2 1 5 .Wc l f6 1 6.e3 tt:lc4 1 7.ixc5
Zherebukh - Zvjaginsev, Aix-les-Bains 20 1 1 .
5 ... g6 6.d4
6.0-0 transposes to 5.0-0 above, which also
seems quite promising for White.
6... exd4 7.cxd4 b5 s ..ib3
8.ic2
This move brings no advantage if Black
reacts correctly.
The most challenging move.
9.ltlc3 ltla5 1 o.e3
1 0.c2 d6 does not even bring White the
slightest advantage, for instance: 1 1 .h3
0-0 1 2.0-0 ib7 1 3.b 1 tt:lc4 1 4.b3 tt:l b6
Black has easy play, and soon took over the
initiative in a recent game: 1 5.ltle2 Wd7
1 6.ltlh2?! ae8 1 7.if4 f5!t Delchev -
Demuth, Mulhouse 20 1 1 .
1 0 . . . d6 1 1 .Wd2
Hoping to exchange the dark-squared
bishops and start an attack, but Black is
ready with a good reply.

5
4
3
2
a b c d e f g h

a b c d e f g h 1 I . . .f5!
Creating immediate counterplay.
8 . . . d5!
1 2.d5 ltlxb3 1 3.axb3 b4 1 4.ltle2 fxe4 1 5 .ltlfd4
Without this White would have the better
0-0+ Bobras - Chuchelov, Germany 20 1 1 .
chances.
8 . . . ig7 9.d5 ltl a5 1 0.0-0 0-0 1 l .id2!
transposes to Zherebukh - Zvjaginsev as
referenced above.
9.e5
9.exd5 ltl b4! (9 ... tt:Jxd5 ?! 1 0.0-0 ig7
1 l .ig5 Wd6 [ 1 I ...f6 1 2.e 1 t ltlce7 1 3.id2
0-0 1 4.tt:lc3;!;] 1 2.e l t i.e6 1 3.ltlc3 ltlxc3
1 4.bxc3 0-0 1 5.tt:ld2!;!;) 1 0.b3 g7 1 1 .0-0
ltl bxd5=
9 . . . ig7 1 0.ltlbd2 0-0 1 1 .h3 f6! 1 2.exf6 xf6
1 3.0-0 WfB 1 4.e 1 h6
Black obtained equal chances in Karjakin -
Aronian, Monaco (rapid) 20 1 1 .

a b c d e f g h
1 52 Chess Evolution

lO .id2!?N
.
8
An interesting novelty. White aims for quick
7
development and activation of pieces instead
of keeping the bishop pair. However, it looks 6
like Black can equalize by playing a few strong 5
moves in a row. 4
3
The usual 1 O . .ic2 does not give White much,
for instance: 10 . . . 0-0 1 1 .0-0 d6 1 2.it:Jc3
2
( 1 2.h3 c6! 1 3.dxc6 lt:Jexc6 1 4.lt:Jc3 .ie6
1 5 .lt:Jd5 lt:Jc4 Djukic - Khalifman, Aix a b c d e f g h

les-Bains 20 1 1 ) 1 2 . . . .ib7 1 3Jb 1 b4 1 4.lt:Ja4 1 4.d6! cxd6

c6! This typical idea works fine here as well. 1 4 . . . lt:Jc6 1 5 .lt:Jg5!+-
1 5 .dxc6 .ixc6= N. Kosintseva - I. Sokolov, 1 5 .ixf6 l'!f8 1 6.ig7 lt:Jc6 1 7.ixf8 lt?xf8
Sarajevo 20 1 0. 1 8.'W!a l ! Wa5t 1 9.1tt e 2
Black's survival chances are minimal.
10 c5
...

This is a reasonable move which avoids 1 0 . . . lt:Jxb3

serious complications. However, White could This is the most challenging reply. Now
have obtained an edge with an improvement there is a major division between a) 1 l .'W!xb3
on the next move, so it is possible that Black and b) 1 l .axb3.
should look to improve here. We checked three
alternatives, of which the last is clearly critical. a) 1 l .Wxb3 c5!
1 l ...f5 ? is completely unjustified: 1 2.ic3!
1 0 . . . it:Jb7? is too passive and gives White easy ixc3t ( 1 2 . . . 0-0?? 1 3.d6t+-) 1 3.it:Jxc3 d6
play: 1 1 .ic3! The exchange of dark-squared 1 4.0-0
bishops robs the black position of much of its 1 l . . .d6?! 1 2.ic3! 0-0 1 3.ixg7 lt?xg7
dynamism. 1 l . ..ixc3t 1 2.lt:Jxc3 d6 1 3.'W!d2 1 4.0-0;1; White is better thanks to his strong
0-0 1 4.0-0 .ig4 1 5 .lt:Jd4 central position and Black's weak dark
squares.
1 0 . . . .ixb2?
lordachescu was right to avoid this move,
which may already be losing by force.
1 l .ixa5 ixa1 1 2.it:Jc3 ixc3t
1 2 . . . .ib2 1 3 .'W!c2 ia3 1 4. it:J b l .id6 1 5 .e5+-
1 3.ixc3
In return for the exchange White has a
vicious attack.
1 3 . . .f6
1 3 . . . 0-0? loses by force: 1 4.'W!d2! d6 1 5 .'W!h6
f6 1 6.lt:Jg5! l'!f7 ( 1 6 . . . fxg5 1 7.'W!g7#)
a b d e f g h
1 7.lt:Jxf7 'Wff8 1 8 .Wxf8t lt?xf8 1 9.it:Jd8+- c

13 . . . l'!f8 1 4.0-0 f6 ( 1 4 . . . d6 1 5 .lt:Jg5) 1 5 .e5! In this position it is worth considering a 1 )

fxe5 1 6.lt:Jxe5 with a decisive attack. 1 2.d6, a2) 1 2 ..ic3, a3) 1 2.dxc6 and a4) 1 2.a4.
 November 20 1 1 15 3

a l ) 1 2.d6 seems a little premature and after
1 2 ... ltlc6, intending ... c4 and ... 0-0, Black has
a decent game.
a2) 12 ..ic3 f6!
Without this move Black would be worse.
1 3.0-0
1 3.d6!? leads to messy complications:
1 3 . . . ltlc6 14.Wd5 ( 1 4.ltlg5 c4 1 5 .'Wd 1 0-0
1 6.'Wd5t <j;Jhg 1 7.lt:Jf7t 1'!xf7 1 8.'Wxf7 b4?;
1 4.0-0 c4 1 5 .Wc2 0-0 [ 1 5 . . . ib7!? 1 6.ltlbd2
1"1c8 1 7.a3 aS] 1 6.b3 cxb3 1 7.'Wxb3t <j;Jhg
1 8.ltlbd2) 14 ... b4 1 5 .ltlg5 ( 1 5 .id2 ib7
1 6.Wxc5 [ 1 6.0-0 Wb6 1 7 .ie3 ltld4 1 8 .'Wc4
'Wb5) 1 6 .. .f5 1 7.e5 1'!c8 1 8.'We3 0-000)
1 5 . . . 1'!f8 1 6 . ./tJxh7 bxc3 1 7 . ./tJxfB c2 1 8.0-0
<j;lxf8 ( 1 8 . . . cxb 1 ='W 1 9.tLlxg6+-) 1 9.ltla3
'Wb6oo
1 3 . . . d6
1 8.b4 cxb4 1 9.axb4 1'!ac8 20.'Wb2 1"1xc3
2 I .'Wxc3 f5!+
a3) 1 2.dxc6
With this move White obtains a better pawn
structure, but he risks opening the position for
the enemy bishop pair. It is worth considering
both a3 1 ) 1 2 . . . dxc6?! and the superior a32)
1 2 . . . ./tJxc6!.
a3 1 ) 12 ... dxc6?! 1 3.ic3
Compared with line 'a2' above, Black is
worse off as he can hardly contemplate the
reply . . . f7-f6.
13 . . . .ie6 1 4 .'Wb4 0-0 1 5 .ixg7 Wxg7
1 6.lt:Jbd2!
The knight is better here than on c3, as it
does not block the c-file and also has the
option of manoeuvring to c5 via b3 at some
point. If Black were able to play . . . c5 then he
would have no problems, but this is easier
said than done.
1 6 . . . 1"1c8

8
7
6
5
L=J'm" ,F'''" , ,C,C,/""" ,=,

a b c d e f g h
Black has excellent prospects, with a pair of
bishops and a solid position. In the future he
can either play for . . .f5 , or look to advance his
position on the queenside first. Meanwhile
White's coordination is not great. l 7,'Wc3t!
1 4.a3
1 4 . ./tJgS?! b4 1 5 . ./tJe6 i.xe6 1 6.dxe6 bxc3
1 7.'Wa4t Wf8 1 8 . ./tJxc3 f5+
1 4 . . . 0-0 1 5 .1'!e l ib7 1 6.lt:Jbd2 'Wd7 1 7 .'Wc2
h6
1 7 . . . f5 can be met by 1 8.i.xg7 <j;lxg7
1 9.ltlg5 .
But 1 7 . . .a 5 ! ? i s interesting.
4
3
2
a b c d e f g h
A very important check! By forcing the
king back to g8, White prevents the plan of
u .ltlg8 followed by exchanging queens.
The immediate 1 7 .'Wc5 allows Black to
execute that very idea: 17 . . . ltl g8! 1 8.0-0 'We7
( l 8 . . . ./tJf6!? is possible too) 1 9.tLlb3 ( l 9.'Wb6
Vfffc7 20.Vfff d 4t lt:J f6 2 I .e5 lt:Jd700; 1 9.1"1fc l
Vfffxc5 20.1"1xc5 1'!fd8= Th e activity o f Black's
1 54 Chess Evolution

pieces fully compensates for the weakness on 1 4.0-0 l!9e7

c6.) 19 . . .ixb3 Otherwise White takes on e7
and puts the knight on c5. 20.'1Wxe7 lDxe7
2 l .axb3 !!aS 22.!!fd 1 !!fd8 23.Wfl !!xd 1 t
24.!!xd 1 !!a7! I t is important to defend the
7th rank. 25.@e2 a5=
1 7 . . . wgs
1 7 . . . f6 1 8.%Yc5;!;
1 8.1Mfc5t
The c6-pawn is firmly blocked and Black has
little chance of freeing himself. White has a
pleasant, long-term advantage. a b c d e f g h

a32) 1 2 . . . CDxc6! 1 5 .!!d 1

1 5 .id2 frees the c3-square for the knight,
but it costs time and after 1 5 . . .ib7 1 6.lt:lc3
7 lDa5! 1 7.1Mfd 1 lDc4 1 8.lDd5 .ixd5 1 9.exd5
6 0-0= Black is fine.
5 1 5 . . . %Ye6! 1 6.CDbd2 0-0=

4 Black has no problems as White's knights are

a long way from d5.

a4) Finally, another challenging idea is:

1 2.a4
a b c d e f g h

This is the better way: Black puts the welfare

of his pieces above that of his pawn structure.
1 3.ic3
1 3.0-0 0-0 1 4.CDc3 lDa5 ( 1 4 . . . ib7 1 5 .ig5
lDd4) 1 5 .%Yb4 CDc4 1 6.ig5 l!9a5 1 7.1!9xa5
lDxa5 1 8.lDd5 .ixb2 1 9.e5 .ixa 1 20.lDe7t
Wg7 2 I ..if6t Wh6 22.!!xa 1 --+
1 3 . . .f6!
A resolute move. Black wants to keep his
a b c d e f g h
dark-squared bishop on the board, but he
must be sure that White will neither be 1 2 . . . b4!
able to break open the centre to attack his It is worth giving up the c4-square in order
king, nor bring his knight to d5 quickly. to keep the queenside pawn chain intact,
Meanwhile Black intends to bring his queen while also preventing the enemy pieces from
to e7 and e6 (or f7) to facilitate castling. using the c3-square.
1 3 . . . 0-0?! 1 4.ixg7 @xg7 1 5 .0-0 gives 1 2 . . . c4? is worse: 1 3.%Ya3 ib7 1 4.0-0 0-0
White an obvious advantage thanks to his 1 5 .lDc3 !!e8 ( 1 5 . . . f5 1 6.ig5!) 1 6.axb5
safer king, better pawn structure and better axb5 1 7.%Yb4 Black's queenside pawns are
piece coordination. seriously weak.
 November 20 I I 1 55

I 3.f4 met by 1 7 .. .f5! I 8.0-0 fxe4 I 9.liJxe4 tiJ f5

Improving the bishop while making way for 20.E!fe l i.a6 and Black seizes the initiative.
the knight. 1 5 .liJc4 i.a6 1 6.tiJfd2 also gives White
1 3 . . . 0-0 nothing special after 1 6 ... tiJ c8! intending
This seems like the safest route for Black. ... tiJb6.
1 3 ... a5?! is slightly inaccurate: 1 4.liJbd2 l 5 ... ia6
a6 I 5 .ie5! ( 1 5 .liJc4? i.xc4 1 6.'1Wxc4 xb2
I 7.E!a2 i.c3H) I 5 . . .i.xe5 ( 1 5 . . . f6 I 6.d6
'!Wb6 I 7.i.xe7 xe7 1 8.liJc4 i.xc4 I 9.'1Wxc4
E!he8 20.0-0;!;) 1 6.liJxe5 d6 1 7.liJec4;!;
1 3 . . . d6 is also a bit risky: 1 4.liJbd2 0-0
1 5.0-0 f5 ( 1 5 ... a5 1 6.liJc4 ia6 1 7.tiJxd6!
xfl I 8.E!xfl gives White powerful
compensation}

a b c d e f g h

1 6.liJc4
1 6.i.d6 i.xfl l ?.E!xfl E!e8 1 8.liJc4 liJc8 is
okay for Black.
1 6.E!fe l d6 l ?.E!ab i '!Wd7 1 8.liJc4 .ixc4
1 9.'1Wxc4 liJc8!oo
1 6 ... liJc8!
This typical manoeuvre works well here too.
a b c d e f g h l ?.E!fc l
White has to keep control over the c4-
1 6.e5! Of course! 1 6 . . . ib7D 1 7.ig5
square.
Wd7 (The best practical chance may be
l ?.E!fe l ? allows Black to grab a pawn with
1 7 ... ixd5!? 1 8.xe7 ixb3 I 9.ixd8 E!fxd8
1 7 . . .ixc4 1 8.Wxc4 i.xb2 1 9.Ei:a2 i.c3+
20.liJxb3 dxe5 2 1 .liJxc5 e4 22.liJg5 E!dc8
when the b- and c-pawns are powerful.
when objectively Black's compensation is
After 1 7.e5?! tiJb6 1 8.tiJxb6 '!Wxb6+ Black
not quite sufficient, but White will have to
is better thanks to the bishop pair and the
play extremely precisely to prove it.) 1 8.exd6
strong plan of ... c5-c4.
( 1 8.e6?! '!We8 1 9.i.xe7 '!Wxe7 20.E!ad l
1 7 ... d6
f4!t) 1 8 ... tiJc8 Hoping to use the knight
to blockade on d6. ( 1 8 . . . tiJxd5 I 9.liJc4t)
I 9.E!fe l ! Forcing Black to take with the
queen instead of the knight. 1 9 ... Wxd6
20.liJc4 ixd5 2 1 .E!ad l Wc6D 22.tiJ fe5!
White has a powerful initiative.
1 4.tiJbd2 a5!
1 4 ... d6 transposes to 13 ... d6 above.
1 5 .0-0
1 5 .i.e5 i.xe5 1 6.liJxe5 d6 1 7.liJec4 is well

a b c d e f g h
1 56 Chess Evolution

1 8.E!:c2
1 8.e5 is well met by 1 8 . . . i.xc4 1 9.'1Wxc4 lLl b6
20.Wb5 Wb8!f! when White has serious
problems keeping his pawn centre together.
1 8 ...ixc4 1 9.'1Wxc4 Wd7! 20.'1Wb3 lLl b6
2 1 .lLld2 f5!t
Overall Black seems to be holding his own after
l l .'M'xb3 c5, but we must also pay attention to
the more dynamic pawn capture.
b) 1 1 .axb3!? i.xb2
1 3 .. .f6!
Black should avoid the bishop exchange in
order to keep his dark squares safe.
1 4.0-0
1 4.d6?! lLlc6 1 5 .0-0 cxd6 1 6J!d2 0-0
1 7.xd6 1M'e7+
1 4 . .ia5 d6 1 5 .c2 a7! 1 6.\Wc l 0-0
1 7.hc7 xc7! 1 8.xc7 f5 gives Black
perfect compensation.
1 4 . . . 0-0
White obviously has some compensation for
the pawn, but Black has the bishop pair and
no real weaknesses, so he should be okay.
1 5 . .ia5 d6 1 6.!=!:c2 a7 1 7.e 1

a b c d e f g h

Now White can choose between b l } 1 2.Ea2,

b2) 1 2 .lLlc3!? and finally the most dangerous a b c d e f g h
b3) 1 2.i.c3!. 1 7 . . .f5 1 8.e5
1 8.lLlc3 should be met by 18 ... b7.
b 1 ) 1 2.a2
1 8 ... dxe5 1 9.lLlxe5 Wd6 20.Wd4 b7
This move is too slow, but we should consider
20 ... l2Jxd5 2 1 .'1Wxa7 .ixe500
it anyway.
2 l ..ib4 Wxd5 22.'1Wxd5t lLlxd5 23.i.xf8 i.xf8
1 2 ... ig7 1 3.ic3
24.d2 l2J b6oo
1 3.d6 lLlc6 1 4.ig5 f6 1 5 .i.f4 lLle5! 1 6.0-0
cxd6 1 7.lLlc3 i.b7 1 8.'1Wxd6 lLlf7! 1 9.'1Wd3 b2) 1 2 .lLlc3!?
0-0 is more than okay for Black. Having already sacrificed a pawn, White
forces his opponent to take an exchange as
well.
1 2 . . . .ixa 1
It makes no sense to improve the white
knight with: 1 2 . . . b4?! 1 3 .lLle2 i.xa l
( 1 3 ... c5!?) 1 4.Wxa 1 0-0 1 5 .ig5 White
should be doing well here, for instance
1 5 . . . a5 1 6.ltJf4 \We8 1 7.0-0 f6 1 8 . .ixf6 h6
1 9.h4! with an attack. ( 1 9.cl g5 20.i.h8
Wf7 2 1 .lLlh5 a4! is not so clear.)
a b c d e f g h
 November 20 1 1 157

1 3 .'\Wxa1 0-0

a b c d e f g h

1 9 . . . gxh4 ( 1 9 ... lt'lxh4 20.lt'lxg5 fxg5 2 1 .f4

a b c d e f g h
We8 22.ixg5 h5 23.lt'lh6t Wh7 24.lt'lxf7
1 4.0-0 1Wxf7 25 .ixh4;!;) 20.!!e 1 (20.e5?! fxe5
1 4.ih6 f6 1 5.ixf8 ( 1 5 .lt'lxb5 ib7 1 6.lt'la3 2 l .lt'lfxe5 lt'lxe5 22.Wxe5 We? 23.Wd4 1Wd6
!!f7 1 7.0-0 a5ex>) 1 5 .. .'1Wxf8 1 6.lt'lxb5 24.ig5 h5 25 .lt'lh6t cJih? 26.lt'lxf7 Wxd5
( 1 6.1Wa5 ib7 1 7.1Wxe7 WeB 1 8.1Wa5 f5 27.Wxd5 ixd5 28.lt'le5 d6+) 20 . . . d6 2 Lid2
1 9.0-0 fxe4 20.lt'lxe4 lt'lxd5CX>) 1 6 . . . ib7 ic8 22.lt'lh6t Wf8 23.lt'ld4t
1 7.lt'lxe7 !!e8 1 8.d6 ( 1 8.0-0 !!xe7 1 9.d6 The other option is 1 6 . . . lt'le8 when our
!!e8 20.dxe7 1Wxe7 2 1 .!!e 1 ex>) 1 8 ... ixe4 main line leads to a draw: 1 7.lt'le3 lt'ld6
1 9.1Wxa6 lt'lf5 20.We4t Wg7 2 1 .Wxe4 lt'lxd6 1 8.e5 ( 1 8.ixf8 Wxf8 1 9.!!c l !!c8 20.Wd4
22.1We2 1Wd8= c5 2 l .dxe6 ixc6=) 1 8 . . . lt'le4 ( 1 8 . . . fxe5
1 4 ... ib7 1 9.lt'lxe5 We? 20.!!e l !!ae8 2 l .lt'l3g4--+)
14 .. .f6 1 5.lt'lxb5 ib7 1 6.lt'la3t
1 5 .ih6 f6 1 6.lt'ld l ! ?
1 6.ixf8 Wxf8 1 7.!!e 1

a b c d e f g h

1 9.lt'lg4 ( 1 9.1Wd4 f5 20.g4 e5+!) 1 9 . . . f5 20.e6

a b c d e
We? 2 l .d6 exd6 22.ig5 Wig? 23.lt'lh6t
\t>h8 24.e7 1Wxa 1 25.exf8=1Wt !!xf8 26.!!xa 1
1 6 ... e6 lt'lxg5 27.lt'lxg5 id5 28.!!xa6 cJ:?g7 29.!!xd6
Getting the bishop into the game. ixb3 30.lt'lxf5t !!xf5 3 1 .!!xd7t=
1 6 . . . !!f7 is playable but riskier: 1 7.lt'le3 g5 1 7.d6
1 8.lt'lg4 lt'lg6 1 9.h4! ( 1 9.e5 lt'lxe5 20.lt'lfxe5 1 7.lt'le3 exd5 1 8.ixf8 ( 1 8.e5 d4) 1 8 .. .'xf8
fxe5 2 1 .f4 We? 22.ixg5 WeSt 23.!!f2 1 9.lt'lg4 dxe4 20.lt'lxf6t lt>h8 2 1 .lt'lh5t cJ:?g8
Wd4ex>) 22.ltJf6t cJih8= 23.ltJg5 Wg? 24.ltJgxh?oo
1 58 Chess Evolution

1 7 . . . ltk8 1 8.e5 knight on f5 should be enough to hold Black's

1 8."Wd4? c5+
1 8.tt'le3 tt'lxd6 1 9.e5 tt'l7 20 . .ixf8 "Wxf8
2 1 .e6 (2 1 .tt'lg4 tt'lxe5 22.tt'lfxe5 fxe5 23."Wxe5
d6+) 2 1 ...tt'lh6 22.exd7 1'!d8 23.1'!d 1 "We?
Black is fine.
1 8 . . . c5 1 9.tt'le3 .ixf3 20.gxf3 1'!e8
position together. 1 2.tt'lc3 leads to rich play
with many dangers for both sides, but overall
the situation seems roughly balanced.
b3) 1 2 ..ic3!

a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
This seems to be White's most dangerous
2 l .exf6 option. Now it is worth considering b3 1 )
2 l .tt'lg4 fxe5 22.1'!e 1 tt'lxd6 23.1'!xe5 1'!xe5 1 2 . . . ixa1 ?! and b32) 1 2 . . . ixc3t.
24."Wxe5 tt'lf5 25 ."Wd5t c;!;>hs 26.-ic l "Wf8
27.tt'lh6 tt'ld4 28.tt'lf7t c;!;>gs 29.tt'le5t c;!;>g? b3 1 ) 1 2 . . . ixa 1 ?!
30."\Wxd?t g8 3 1 ..ih6 "Wxh6 32."Wd5t This looks extremely risky.
g7 33."\Wb?t g8= 1 3 . .ixa l 0-0
2 1 .f4!? 1'!e6 22.tt'ld5 fxe5 23.fxe5 "Wh4 The best chance, but it is not good enough.
24 . .if4oo 1 4 . .if6
2 l . . .c;!;>f7 22.tt'lg4 tt'lxd6 23.tt'le5t 1'!xe5
23 . . . c;!;>g8? 24.f7t tt'lx7 25.tt'lxf7 c;!;>x7 8
26."\Wg?t c;!;>e6 27.1'!d 1 +- 7
24."Wxe5 tt'l f5 25."Wd5t c;!;>xf6 26 . .ic l oo
6
5
7 4
6 3
5 2
4
3 a b c d e f g h

2 1 4 . . . 1'!b8
Hoping to defend via b6.
1 4 . . . "We8 1 5 ."Wd2 tt'l f5 1 6.0-0! "Wxe4 1 7.1'!e l
a b c d e f g h
"Wg4 1 8.tt'lc3 a5 1 9.tt'le4 1'!a6 20."Wc3
The position is messy, but the powerful If Black has a way to make this line playable
 November 20 I I 1 59

then 1 4 . . . a5!? 1 5 .d6 cxd6 might be the way 1 8.!!e 1 d5

to do it. Compared with the main line, Black 1 8 . . . :!'!c8 1 9 .ltJh4 :!'!c5 20.ltJ f5 :!'!xf5 2 l .exf5
will be able to put his bishop on b7 without ixg2 22.fxg6 fxg6 23.xg2 "1!Ma8t 24. f3
blocking the rook's path to the third rank. 1 9.lLle5 d6 20.ltJg4 "I!Mc8 2 1 .Wf4 dxe4 22.ia 1
1 5 .d6! ltJ f5 23.ltJ f6t 'it>f8 24.g4+-
1 5.ltJc3? b6+
1 5 .tLle5? b6 I 6.ltJg4 h5+ b32) 1 2 . . . ixc3t
1 5 .1/M c1 :!'!b6 I 6.id4 lLlxd5 ( I 6 .. .f6 Definitely the safer option.
I 7."1!Mh6) 1 7.exd5 ( 1 7."1!Mh6 ttJ f6 1 8.tLlg5 1 3.ttJxc3
:!'!e8) 1 7 . . . :!'!e8t 1 8.d 1 d6 1 9.tLlc3 ib7
20.1/Mh6 f6 2 1 .tLlg5 "I!Me7 22.'it>c2 ixd5
23.ltJxd5 :!'!xd5 24.:!'!e 1 :!'!xd4 25.:!'!xe7 :!'!xe7
26.ltJf3oo
1 5 . . . cxd6 1 6.0-0!
1 6.tLlc3 i.b7 1 7."1!Mxd6 e8 1 8 .0-0! b4
1 9."1!Mf4 bxc3 20."1!Mh6 ltJf5 defends.

8
7
6 a b c d e f g h
5 Now we face a final division between b32 I }
4 1 3 . . . 0-0 and b322) 1 3 . . . ib7!.
3
2 b32 1 ) 1 3 . . . 0-0
This move is playable, but White will keep
some advantage after regaining his pawn.
a b c d e f g h
1 4.ltJxb5 a5
1 6 . . . ib7 I 4 . . . c6 1 5 .ltJ d6 cxd5 1 6.e5t
1 6 . . . !!e8 1 7."1!Md2 ib7 1 8.:!'!e 1 transposes to 14 .. .f5 1 5 .e5 ( 1 5.d6 cxd6 1 6.ltJxd6 fxe4
I 6 . . . ib7. 1 7.tLle5 e3 1 8.0-0 exf2t 1 9.h 1 "I!Mb6
1 6 . . . d5 I 7.exd5 d6 1 8."1!Md2 looks totally lost 20.tLlxc8 !!fxc8 2 1 .tLlxd7 "I!Mc6 22.!!xf2=)
for Black, for instance: 1 8 . . ."1!Md7 1 9.tLlc3 1 5 ... d6 1 6.exd6 cxd6 1 7.0-0 ib7 1 8.tLlc3
ltJf5 20.ltJe4 !!e8 (20 . . . ib7 2 1 .g4+-) :!'!c8 1 9."1!Md2 Wb6 20.:!'!fe l t White is better
2 1 .i.e5+- thanks to the vulnerability of the black
1 7."1!Md2 kingside and especially the e6-square.
I 7."1!Mxd6 :!'!e8 1 8.'!9f4 ( 1 8.ttJg5 h6 1 9.1/Mf4 1 5 .lLlc3
"I!Mb6 20.lLlxf7 tLl f5 2 l .ia 1 'it>xf7 22.exf5 1 5 .0-0 ia6 1 6.ltJxc7 "I!Mxc7 1 7 .d6 "I!Md8
g5 ; 1 8 .tLle5 tLlc8 1 9.1/MxbB "I!Mxf6 20."1!Mxb7 1 8.dxe7 "1!Mxe7 1 9.e I ib7 20."1!Md2t
"I!Mxe5=) 1 8 . . .ixe4 1 9."1!Mxe4 ltJd5 20."1!Mxd5 1 5 . . .ia6 1 6.h4!
"I!Mxf6 2 1 .tLl bd2 is possible, but the text is 1 6.:!'!xa5 c6 1 7."1!Ma 1 "I!Mb6 1 8.ltJe5 lLlxd5
stronger. 1 9.ttJxd7 Wd4 20.lLlxd5 '!9xe4t 2 1 .'iil d2
1 7 . . . !!e8 "I!Md3t 22.'it>c l cxd5 23.tLl f6t 'it>h8-+
1 7 . . . ixe4 1 8.!!e 1
160 Chess Evolution

2
a b c d e f g h
1
1 6 ... f5 1 7.e5
1 7.h5 fxe4 1 8.lthe4 looks totally unclear. a b c d e f g h
17 . . . b8 1 8.h5 b4 1 9.d2 l l .d6
White keeps some initiative. The most ambitious, but not the strongest
move. White grabs a space advantage, but on
b322) 1 3 . . . .ib7! the other hand he enables the e7-knight to get
better prospects.

7 1 1 . .ic3!
6 This would have given White a stable
5 positional edge. The key is to keep the knight
4 passive on e7.
1 1 . ..0-0
1 l .. .f6? does not work here due to 1 2.d6
2 lt:lec6 1 3.id5.
1 2.ixg7 Wxg7 1 3.0-0
a b c d e f g h

1 4.0-0
1 4.d4 0-0 1 5 .0-0 f5 1 6.e5 b4 1 7.xb4
ixd5 1 8.tt:lxd5 tt:lxd5 1 9.c4 c6 20J::1 xa6
l'%xa6 2 l .xa6 b6=
1 4 . . . 0-0 1 5 .d2
1 5.b4 lt:Jc800
1 5 . . . f5 1 6.h6 l'!f7 1 7.tt:le5 l'!g7 1 8.f3 d6
1 9.lt:Jd3 c6 20.lt:\ f4 b6t 2 1 .\t>h1oo
Summing up, according to our analysis
1 1 . .. lt:lxb3 should enable Black to maintain a b c d e f g h
the balance. Nevertheless from a practical 1 3 . . . d6
perspective his task will not be easy, as White The alternative is: 1 3 . . . lt:lxb3 1 4.xb3 d6
has several interesting options, all of which 1 5.tt:Jbd2 tt:lg8! Improving the bad knight.
require accurate handling. 1 6.l'%fe 1 l'!e8 1 7.c3t lt:lf6 1 8.b4! c4 1 9.a4
.id7 20.h3;t White has a space advantage
 November 20 1 1 161

and can combine his play in the centre and it for the enemy bishop. Furthermore, Black
on the queenside. deprives his other knight of a potentially useful
14 ..ic2 tlJc4 1 5 .tlJbd2! square on c4.
A strong temporary pawn sacrifice.
1 5 . . . tlJxb2 1 6.c l tlJc4 1 7.tlJxc4 bxc4 1 8.tlJd2 1 3 . . . t2Jxb3!
a5 1 9.tlJxc4 .ia6 20 . .id3;!; This natural move would have led to a
Black still has some problems to solve, the complex game where Black is doing fine.
biggest one being the bad knight on e7. 1 4.axb3
14.xb3 .ib7 1 5 .e5 ixg5! 1 6.hxg5
l l .!Llec6
. ( 1 6.t2Jxg5 ? tlJ xe5 1 7.0-0 0-0+) 1 6 . . . t2Jd4!
1 7.tlJxd4 cxd4 1 8.g3 The g5-pawn was
hanging. 1 8 . . . Ei:c8 1 9. tlJ d2 Ei:c2
14 . . . ib7 1 5 .d5 0-0 1 6.xc5 Ei:e8

a b c d e f g h
12..tg5 a b c d e f g h

1 2.i.c3!? is an interesting alternative: 1 7.tlJc3

1 2 . . . 0-0 1 3 . .id5 .ib7 1 4.0-0 b6 ( 1 4 . . .b8?! 1 7. tlJ bd2 c8
1 5 .d2! b4 1 6 . .ixg7 xg7 1 7.a3! xd6 1 7 . . . .ixc3t! 1 8.bxc3 Ei:xe4t 1 9.fl
1 8.axb4 cxb4 1 9.b3 White has compensation 1 9 . .ie3 Ei:c8t
as the aS-knight is out of play.) 1 5 .Ei:el Ei:ae8oo 1 9 . . . f6oo
The position remains sharp, and practical
testing will be required for a more precise 14..ic2 h6 I S.L6 Y:Yx6 16 .!Llc3

evaluation.

1 2 ....if6
1 2 . . . b6?! is met by 1 3 .tlJc3 when White
seizes the initiative.

13.h4!?
A consistent and interesting move, but it
should not be too dangerous for Black.

13 ... c4?
A positional error: Black keeps his bad knight
on the edge of the board, instead of exchanging
a b c d e f g h
1 62 Chess Evolution

Thanks to Black's mistake on move 1 3, 1 9 .. .'it>g7 20.e5 Wfe6 2 l .tt'le4 xe4

White has a clear advantage. Black is weak on Now 2 1 . . .'1Wg4?? just loses a piece after
the kingside and on the dark squares generally, 22.'1Wxb4 xe4 23.xe4 Wfxe4 24.'1Wxa5+-.
while the knight on a5 is clearly misplaced. 22.ixe4 tt'l ac6 23.a3 lLld3 24.xd3 cxd3
Meanwhile White is well coordinated and can 25 .!!fe 1 f6
easily complete his development and improve 25 . 'ilYd5 2 6 !!e3
. . .

his position . 26.exf6t Wfxf6 27.'1Wxd3

16 i.b7 17.'ilYd2
..

Keeping an eye on the h6-pawn to prevent

castling.

17 ... b4 I S.i.b l !
White has a space advantage s o o f course he
avoids unnecessary exchanges.

18 cbf8
..

Black is unable to castle by normal means, so

he attempts a 'custom-made' solution. a b c d e f g h

27 . . . Wfxb2
The idea of sacrificing a pawn for some activity 27 . . . !!ae8 28.'1Wd2
fails to solve Black's problems: 1 8 .. .l2J d3t ?! 28.h5! Wff6
1 9.xd3 cxd3 20.'1Wxd3 l'!c8 2 1 .0-0 0-0 28 . . . g5 ?? 29.'1Wg6t <it>f8 30.Wff5t +-
22.tt'ld5 Wfxd6 23.'1Wd2! A double attack on 28 . . . gxh5 29.tt'lh4
a5 and h6. 23 ...i.xd5 24.exd5 tt'lc4 25.Wfxh6 29.tt'lh4! hf8
White is a clear pawn up.
29 . .'ilYxh4?? 30.'1Wxg6t cit>f8 3 I .Wff5t cit>g8
.

32.l'!e3+-
8 30.Wxg6t Wxg6 3 I .tt'lxg6
7
19 ...'ilYe6 20.e4 'ilYg4!
6
Suddenly Black's pieces have become active.
5

4 8

3 7

2 6

a b c d e f g h 4

19.e5?! 3
A better alternative was: 2
1 9.0-0!
In order to prevent the . . . Wfe6-g4 manoeuvre 1
which happened in the game.
 November 20 1 1 1 63

2 1 .0-0 (Instead Black should prefer 31 . . . e6 although

2 1 .lLlg3? keeps more pieces on the board 32.Ei:a5 still leaves him in trouble.)
but leads to a good position for Black after:
2 l . . .c3! 22.xc3 (22.bxc3 lLl c4 23 .d4 8
7
'----- --m"
' ' " " F"m,
xd4 24.cxd4 [after 24.lLlxd4 lLld5 both
the c3- and e5-pawns are under attack]
6
24 . . . lLla3 2 5 .<t!i d2 Ei:c8 Black's active pieces
compensate for the missing pawn.) 22 . . . Ei:c8 5
23 .d2D (23.e3 ? lLld5 24.d2 lLl f4-+) 4
23 . . . Ei:e8t 3
2
2 I . .ixe4 22 ..ixe4 '1Wxe4 23.'1Wxb4 c6
.

24.'\Wc3;!;
a b c d e f g h
White is still better, but his advantage is
smaller than it would have been after 1 9.0-0!. 32.e6!! dxe6 (32 . . . fxe6 33.l"f4t+-; 32 . . .l'!xe6
33.Ei:a8t +-) 33.d7 Ei:d8 34.Ei:xe6! fxe6
(34 . . .f5 35 .Ei:e8t l"i:xe8 36.dxe8=t @xe8
8
37.Ei:a8t <t!ie7 38.Ei:xg8+-) 35 .f6t f7
7 36.xd8t @g7 37.c7+-
6
30 b8 3 1 Ja7 '1We6 32Jfe4 e8
.

24 .. Jg8?! 3
A better defensive try was 24 . . . b4, kicking
2
White's queen away from its active square.
1
25-l:Uel '\Wf5 26.a4!
a b c d e f g h
Enlarging the battlefield.
33.b7?
26 Jre8 27.axb5 axb5 28.d4 xd4
Correct was 33.h5! when White keeps a
29.'1Wxd4 g5! clear plus.
Black has to go for immediate counterplay,
otherwise he will be lost. 33 ... gxh4!
Liberating the rook and forcing
30.a5 simplifications.
White could also have considered 30.h5!?
g4 3 l .l"i:e4! which sets a nasty trap. 3 1 . . .xh5? 34.xh4 '1Wxe5 35.xd7 g6 36.'1Wf4 f6
164 Chess Evolution

37.xe5 gxe5 GAME 20

With the queens off the board and the [> A.Grischuk. (2757)
d-pawn about to drop, White's advantage has A. Shirov (2713)
almost evaporated. European Club Cup, Rogaska Slatina
Round 7, 0 1 . 1 0.20 1 1 [C78]
38.gd4 gee6 39.gd5 <j;Jes 40.gc7 gxd6 Annotated by Sebastien Maze
41 .gxb5 gb6 42,gxb6 gxb6 43,gxc4 gxb2
44.gc6 <j{f8 45.gxh6 <j{g7 = In a fashionable line of the Ruy Lopez, Shirov
deviates from theory with the interesting
novelty 1 3 . . . 1'!e8. He obtained a decent position
8
but soon went wrong with 1 7 . . . 1'!xe5 ? instead
7 of the much more solid 1 7 . . . dxe5 . Grischuk
6 got a big advantage but then misplayed it and
allowed his opponent to equalize. But then
5 Shirov made a terrible blunder in time trouble
4 with 39 . . . 1'!e8?? and gifted Grischuk a winning
endgame, which he converted easily.
3

2 l .e4 eS 2.<ll f3 ttlc6 3 ..ib5 a6 4.ia4 ttlf6

5.0-0 b5 6.ib3 icS 7.c3 d6 8.a4
8.d4 ib6 9.h3 is another possibility, but the
a b c d e f g h text is the main line.
Volokitin carries on playing for a while, but
the position is an easy draw. s ... gbs 9.d4 ib6

46,gd6 gal 47.g3 gb2 48,<j;lg2 gal 49.g4

f6 so.<j;Jg3 ga3t s t .<j{f4 <j;Jg6 52.gd4 gas
53.3 gbs 54.gd3 gas 55. <j;Jg3 gal 56.f4
ggl t 57.<j;Jh3 f5 58.gd6t <j{g7 59.gxf5
<j{f7 6o.ga6 ggs 6I .<j;Jh4 ggl 62.<j;Jhs gg2
63.gg6 gh2t 64. <j{g4 gg2t 65. <j{f3 gxg6
66.fxg6t <j;JxgG 67,<j;Je4 <j{f6 68.5
11z_11z

a b c d e f g h
lO.aS!?
An interesting idea. White gains space on
the queenside instead of opening the a-file and
going after the b5-pawn.

The usual continuation is 1 0.axb5 axb5. Now

 November 20 1 1
1 l .lt:l a3 is the main line although 1 l .i.e3 has
also been tried, for instance by Kamsky against
Svidler at the 20 1 1 World Cup.
IO i.a7
.
1 O . . . lt:lxa5 ? is extremely risky when Black
has not yet castled: 1 U!xa5! .ixa5 1 2.dxe5
lt:lg4 1 3.ig5 f6 1 4.exf6 gxf6 1 5 .ih4 White
has a splendid attacking position.
l l .h3 0-0 12.i.e3 gas
Black has to lose a tempo with the rook in
order to protect the bishop on a7, as dxe5 was
a significant threat.
1 2 . . . exd4?! avoids this loss of time, but brings
other drawbacks. 1 3.cxd4 lt:lxe4 1 4.V9c2 We8
1 5 .lt:lc3 lt:l f6 1 6.!!fe 1 White has a pleasant
position with promising compensation for
the pawn, Timofeev - Halklias, Dresden
2007.
a b c d e f g h
1 3 ... ge8N
In 20 1 0 Shirov tried 1 3 . . .ib7 against
Anand. After 1 4.l'!e l l'!e8 1 5 .lt:lg5 l'!e7 the
position was unclear, with just a slight plus
for White. Shirov eventually lost the game,
so perhaps he wanted to avoid the unpleasant
memories.
1 65
I4J:el h6
Compared to the above game with Anand,
the Spanish player decided to avoid any
potential trouble after lt:lg5. A good decision!
15.Wfc2 i.b7 16.dxe5 tll xe5 1 7.ltlxe5 gxe5?
A surprising choice from Shirov. Maybe he
wanted to exert pressure along the e-file, but
underestimated the simple plan of f4 and e5
which gave White an excellent position.
The right choice was of course:
1 7 ... dxe5
White will have a hard time proving an
advantage in the position with a symmetrical
pawn structure.
1 8.ha7 l'!xa7
Now Black's ideas include ... c5 and possibly
... ic8-e6, neutralizing White's strongest
piece and also opening a path for the rook to
join the game along the 7th rank.
a b c d e f g h
1 9.c4
1 9.lt:lfl c5 20.c4 V9c7 is fine for Black.
1 9.!!ad 1 is met by 1 9 . . . V9e7= with ... c5
coming next.
1 9 . . .V9e7 20.l'!ac l l'!c8!
20 . . . c6 does not quite equalize: 2 l .c5
!!aa8 22.lt:lf3 !!ad8 23.!!ed 1 ic8 24.ia2
ie6 25 .ixe6 Wxe6 26.!!d6 !!xd6 27.cxd6
Wxd6 28.Wxc6 Black has some problems
in the endgame as his queenside is weak.
28 . . . l'!e6 29.Wxd6 l'!xd6 30.lt:lxe5 lt:lxe4
1 66 Chess Evolution
3 l .c8t Wh7 32.tt::\ xf7 d l t 33.Wh2 tt::\ x2
34.c6 h l t 35 .Wg3 tt::l e 4t 36.Wf4 tt::l f6
37.We5t
2 1 .c5
2 1 .tt::l f3 c5 22.Wc3 b4 23.Wxe5 i.xe4 24.i.a4
Wxe5 25.tt::\ xe5 e7=
2 l . . .ic6 22.tt::l f3 aa8 23.i.a2 d8
The position is very close to equal, although
if I had to pick a side I would slightly prefer
White.
a b c d e f g h
18.ha7 :Sxa7 19.f4 :Se7 20.e5;t
Black has only made a single error on move
1 7, but his position is already difficult. Note
the misplaced rook on a7, which will require
several moves to find a sensible square.
20 .. .\Wes
The immediate 20 . . . dxe5 also fails to solve
Black's problems: 2 1 .fxe5 tt::l d7 22.e6 fxe6
23.xe6 Wh8 24.Wd3!? To apply some
pressure on the d-file. (24.ae l xe6 25 .ixe6
a8 26.tt::\ b 3 Wh4 27.fU) 24 . . . xe6 25 .xe6
Wg5 (25 . . . i.c6 26.d l We? 27.xd7 xd7
28.tt::\ e4t) 26.tt::\ f3 Wc5t (26 . . . xf3 27.Wxf3
Wc5t 28.Wh l ) 27.Wh l tt::l f8 28.e l
White is clearly better, as Black's pieces are
uncoordinated and his king is weak.
2I.ilf3 dxe5
2 1 . . .i.xf3? loses to 22.Wf2!.
Also 2 1 . . .tt::l d 7? 22.tt::\ d4 dxe5 23.tt::\ f5 e4
24.Wf2 is nasty for Black.
22.fxe5
a b c d e f g h
22 ... lld7?
A bad choice.
22 . . . tt::\ h7 was the lesser evil: 23.tt::l d4 (After
23.Wf2 a8 24.tt::\ h4 tt::l g 5! the knight finds
an excellent square where it defends f7 and
prepares to go to e6 at any moment. 25.tt::\ f5
Elxe5 26.h4 tt::l e4 27.Wf4 The position is
unclear.) 23 . . . tt::\ g 5 24.h4 tt::l e6 25 .ad l a8
26.ia2! Intending to drop the bishop back
to b 1 at a suitable moment. White keeps the
better chances, but his advantage is smaller
than in the game.
23.e6?!
Too soon.
It was better to improve White's strongest
piece before taking any direct action: 23.Wf2!
Hitting both the rook on a7 and the pawn on
f7. 23 . . . c5 (23 . . . a8 24.tt::\ h4 tt::l xe5 25.tt::\ f5
Wh8 26.tt::l xe7 Wxe7 27.ad l ) 24.tt::\ h 4!
tt::l xe5 (24 . . . xe5 25.Eixe5 tt::l xe5 26.Eie l +-)
25.tt::\ f5 i.c8 26.tt::l xe7t Elxe7 27.Eiad l
23 ... fxe6
 November 2011
a b c d e f g h
24.5?!
24.lt:ld4 looks stronger, as the knight could
become dangerous on e6. 24 .. .'.t>h8 (24 . . . lt:\ f8
25 Je5 c8 26.E:ae l gives White a strong
initiative) 25 .lt:lxe6 lt:lc5 26.E:e5 lt:lxe6 27.:B:ae l
c8 28.'We4 c5 29.i.xe6 ixe6 30.E:xe6 E:xe6
3 l .'Wxe6 'Wxe6 32.E:xe6 White has a pleasant
endgame advantage due to the passive rook
on a7.
24 ... <!>hs 25Jhe6 he6 26 ..be6 f6
After some inaccurate moves, Grischuk has
almost lost his advantage.
a b c d e f g h
27.d4 .ie4 28.e5 g6 29.g4 gas Best was: 37 . . . hxg5 38.cxb4 (38.lt:\xg5 lt:lxe4
Black needs to bring his rook back into the
game; the fate of the c7-pawn is irrelevant.
167
30.gfl ges
After 30 . . . c6 3 l .if7 'Wxf7 32.'Wxe4 E:c8
33.'We5 White is slightly better.
3 l .xc7 g5 32.f4 c5
a b c d e f g h
33.<i:t>h2?!
33.if7!? would have given more chances
for an advantage: 33 . . . E:f8 34.b3 b4 35.''e3
bxc3 36.'\Wxc3 (after 36.bxc3 a8 Black has
good compensation for the pawn) 36 . . .'Wa7
37.'We3 'Wc5 38.h4 ih7 39.lt:l f5 We? 40.'We7
'Wxe7 4 1 .lt:lxe7 E:b8 42.ic4 E:xb2 43.E:f4
The position is close to equal, but Black still
needs to take great care due to his vulnerable
king.
33 ...b4!
A good move, simplifYing the position and
weakening White's queenside structure. By
now Black is almost out of the woods.
34..if7 E:c8 35.e6 We? 36.g5 W/xf7
37.xe4 xe4?!
Not the best move. Objectively Black is still
okay, but he will have to be more careful now.
39.lt:lxf7t i'g8 40.E:f4 bxc3 4 l .bxc3 E:xc3
42.E:xe4 mxf7=) 38 . . . 'We7 39.We5 E:e8 40.E:e l
Wxb4
1 68 Chess Evolution

that Black eliminates the a-pawn and leaves

the c-pawn, which will be easier for him to
stop. 44.Wf4 tt:lxa5 45.We5 Wh7 46.tt:lc5
Wg6 Black has excellent chances to draw this
endgame.

40.ltlxg5 hxg5 4l .cxb4 :Se2t 42.g3 :Sxb2

43.:Sb7+-

8
a b c d e f g h

Black still has some weakness, but 7

nevertheless it should be easy for him to make 6

a draw.
5

38Jhf'7 xg5 39J!c7! 4

A strong move just before the time control!
3
Now Black has to make an important decision
with little time remaining. 2

1
39.e7 bxc3 40.bxc3 tt:lxe6 4 Uhe6 xc3
42.xa6 a3= is a simple draw. a b c d e f g h
This rook endgame is just lost. The white
king will arrive on the queenside, the rook will
take the a6-pawn, and the connected passed
pawns will be unstoppable.

43 ... h7 44.g4 h6 45.5 :Sflt

45 . . . b3 46.b8 f3t 47.We4 b3 48.'i>d5
Wg6 49.b6t Wf5 50.Wc4 xh3 5 1 .xa6 g4
52.d6

a b c d e f g h
39 J:!:e8??
.

A terrible blunder from Shirov, who was

presumably in zeitnot. The ensuing rook
endgame is a fairly easy win for White.

Black has to go for the knight endgame if he

a b c d e f g h
is to survive: 39 . . . xc7 40.tt:lxc7 tt:l f3t 4 I .Wg3
bxc3 42.bxc3 tt:ld2 43.tt:lxa6 tt:l b3! It is crucial 52 . . . a3 53.a6 g3 54.Wb5 g2 5 5 .d l g4
56.@b6 @g3 57.a7 @fL 58.@b7 g l =%V
59Jhg l @xgl 60.a8=%V l'!xa8 6 1 .@xa8 g5
62.b5 g4 63.b6 g3 64.b7 g2 65.b8=%V+- The
endgame with queen against a pawn on the
knight's file is a trivial win.
46.e5 !U4 47.d5
The king continues his 'walk' to the
queenside.
a b c d e f g h
47 ... h5
47 . . . l'!h4 also fails to save the game: 48.@c5
l'!xh3 49.l'!b6t @h5 50.l'!xa6 l'!c3t 5 1 .ct/b5 g4
52.l'!a7 g6 53.l'!h7t @g5 54.a6 g3 5 5 .l'!h 1 <tt? f4
56.a7 l'!c8 57.@a6 g5 58.b5+-
48.c5 h4 49Jhg7 :U5t 50.b6 gf6t
5 l .a7
1--0
Black resigned as he has no defence against
l'!b7 and l'!b6, winning easily.
GAME 2 1
I> F. Caruana (2712)
D. Jakovenko (2716)
1 2th Karpov International, Poikovsky
Round 1 , 04. 1 0.20 1 1 [C84]
Annotated by Borki Predojevic
The early 6.d3 is an interesting way to start a
fight in the Ruy Lopez. In the following game
Black chose the line with 8 . . . id7, which is
a very solid answer. White decided to play a
rypical plan with the manoeuvre lt:J b l -d2-
fl -e3 to fight for the d5-square. Black's novelry
was 1 6 . . . b4N but I don't like it. The simple
16 . . .ie6 is the main line and should be okay
for Black.
Caruana found a very nice line for White and
after 22.ic4! he had the advantage. In mutual
time trouble both players made inaccuracies,
but the final mistake was 44 . . . l'!b3?. Just two
moves later, Black resigned.
l .e4 e5 2.f3 c6 3.i.b5 a6 4.i.a4 f6
5.0-0 i.e7
8
7
6
5
4
3
a b c d e f g h
6.d3!?
This is a very dangerous side line in the Ruy
Lopez. All the main analysts of Chess Evolution
who play l .e4 have successfully played this line
with the white pieces.
1 70 Chess Evolution

6... b5 7..ib3 d6 8.a4 .id7 1 2 . . . '1Wc8 1 3.Eie 1

Mter 8 . . . ig4 9.c3 0-0 1 0.h3 id7 1 1 .lt:l bd2
lt:la5 1 2.ic2 c5 1 3.Eie 1 Ele8 1 4. lt:l fl White
would have a tempo more and the possibility
of playing lt:lh2 faster than in the game, so this
line should be good for White.
In the following game White gained an
advantage, but Black could have played
better:
1 3 . . . bxc3 1 4.bxc3 ie6 1 5 .ixe6 '!Wxe6 1 6.'1Wa4
d5 1 7.exd5

8 . . . b4 is another possibility for Black which

was recently played by Aronian.

9.c3
The main alternative is:
9.id2
This was a problem for Black a few years ago,
but then a strong reply was found:
9 . . . b4!
a b c d e f g h

1 7 . . . '1Wxd5
1 7 . . . ltJxd5oo
1 8 .c4 '!Wd6 1 9.lt:lc3 lt:lb4
1 9 . . . Eife8!?+
20.c5 '!Wxc5 2 1 .Eixe5 '!Wd6 22.Eiae I idS 23.d4
lt:ld3 24.E\ I e3 Elb4 25.'\Wa l ! lt:lxe5 26.dxe5
'!Wc6 27.exf6 ixf6 28.'\We l
Naiditsch - Sanikidze, France 20 1 1 .

a b c d e f g h
9 ... 0-0
Still, the position is complicated and here we
will see some fresh examples:
8
1 0.a5
In my opinion, this move is obligatory. 7
If White tries to omit a4-a5 by playing 1 O.c3 6
0-0 l l .Eie l Elb8 1 2.ic4 '!Wc8 , after 1 3.d4
Black has a strong answer: 1 3 . . . lt:la5! 1 4.ifl 5
c5! 1 5 .cxb4 ( 1 5 .dxe5 dxe5 1 6.lt:lxe5 ie6) 4
1 5 . . . cxb4 1 6 .ig5 h6 1 7.ih4 exd4 1 8.lt:lbd2
3
g5 1 9.e5 gxh4 20.exf6 ixf6 2 1 .lt:le4 ig7
22.lt:lxh4 '!Wd8+ Navara - Aronian, Khanty 2
Mansiysk (ol) 20 1 0.
1
1 0 . . . 0-0 l l .c3 Elb8 1 2.h3
1 2.ic4 '!Wc8 1 3.Eie 1 ie6 1 4.'1Wa4 ixc4 a b c d e f g h
1 5 .dxc4 '!Wb7= Saltaev - Michalczak, lO.ttlbd2
Dortmund 20 1 1 . In the recent European Club Cup White
 November 20 1 1 171

tried a n idea with 1 O . .ia2, but after 1 O . . . h6
1 l .h3 l'!e8 1 2.l'!e 1 .if8 1 3.lt:lbd2 lt:le7 1 4.lt:lfl
lt:lg6 1 5 .lt:l3h2 .ie6! 1 6 . .ixe6 l'!xe6 1 7.lt:lg4 d5
1 8.lt:lxf6t l'!xf6 1 9.exd5= Black was okay and
a draw was agreed in Svidler - Adams, ECC
20 1 1 .
IO .. lDa5 l l .i.c2 c5 12Jel ge8
. is an important alternative. After the normal
On 1 2 . . . c7 White can continue with the
normal 1 3.lt:lfl t with the same plan as in the
game. Usually Black plays . . . c7 to support
the e5-pawn if it is under attack, but this move
would not make so much sense now.
13.ltJfl h6
1 3 . . . .if8 would give White the chance for
1 4 ..ig5;!; which is a typical idea in the Ruy
Lopez with d2-d3: the main idea is to fight for
the d5-square.
White can play .id2 at any point if required,
and the move played in the game is more to the
point; White prepares the typical manoeuvre
lt:l f3-h2-g4.
15 ... ltJc6
Black can immediately play 1 5 . . . g6!? which
1 6.lt:lh2 .ie6 1 7.axb5 axb5 1 8.lt:lhg4 h5
1 9.lt:lxf6t xf6 20 . .id2 lt:lc6 2 l .l'!xa8 l'!xa8=
the position was equal in P. Jaracz - Ibragimov,
Biel 1 997.
1 5 . . . .ic6?! is certainly dubious. After 1 6.b4
lt:l b7 17.ib3 l'!c8 1 8 . .id2 g6 1 9.axb5 axb5
20.l'!a6 White was clearly better in Xu Tong
- Shen Yang, Beijing 2008.
16.ltJh2

14.ltJe3 iffi
8

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

2
a b c d e f g h
16 ... b4N
a b c d e f g h
This is a novelty, but I prefer the old move
1 5.h3 as 1 6 . . . b4 is premature. It would be very
Less strong is 1 5 ..id2. After 1 5 . . . b6 interesting to see what Caruana had prepared
( 1 5 . . . lt:lc6 1 6.axb5 axb5 1 7.l'!xa8 xa8 in the main line:
1 8.lt:lh4 d8 1 9 .f3 .ie6 20.lt:ld5 lt:lh7
2 l .lt:lf5 lt:le7 22.l'!a 1 lt:lxd5 23.exd5 .ixf5 1 6 . . . .ie6
24.xf5;!; Arakhamia-Grant - Qin Kanying, Now White has two main options: A)
New Delhi 2000) 1 6.b4 cxb4 1 7.cxb4 lt:lc6 1 7.lt:lhg4 and B) 1 7.f3.
1 8 . .ib3= a draw was agreed in Nunn - Lein,
Hastings 1 979. A) 1 7.lt:lhg4 lt:lxg4
1 72 Chess Evolution

On 17 . . . tt'ld7 White can play: 1 8.tt'ld5!?N
( 1 8.axb5 axb5 1 9.E!xa8 '11lfxa8 20.tt'ld5 '11lfb7
[20 . . ..ixd5? 2 1 .exd5 tt'le7 22.tt'lxh6t gxh6
23.Wg4t tt'lg6 24.Vlfxd7+- Dutreeuw -
P. Nikolic, Belgium 2009] 2 1 .tt'lge3 !!aS)
With the idea: 1 8 . . . tt'l b6 1 9.ixh6! tt'lxd5
( 1 9 ... gxh6 20.tt'lgf6t 'kt>h8 2 1 .tt'lxe8 lLlxd5
22.exd5 ixd5 23.axb5+-) 20.exd5 ixd5
2 1 .d4!t With the better prospects for White.
1 8.hxg4
Now there are four moves to consider:
B l ) 1 7 . . . 'tt> h 7, B2) 1 7 . . .Vlfa5, B3) 1 7 . . . b4 and
B4) 1 7 . . . tt'le7.
B l ) 1 7 ... 'tt> h 7 is not a natural move. After
1 8.tt'ld5 l'!c8 1 9.tt'lxf6t Wxf6 20.Vlfxf6 gxf6
2 1 .tt'lg4 ig7 22.axb5 axb5 23.l"'a6 f5 24.exf5
ixf5 25.lLle3 i.g6 26.1'!b6 ll:l d4 27.id l l'!c6
28.l"'b7 tt'le6 29.i.f3 l'!cc8 30.ie4t White was
dominating in Ryskin - Aleksandrov, Minsk
1 987.

B2) The computer moves 17 . . .'11lfa 5 1 8.ge2

b4 should lead to a slightly worse position for
Black after 1 9 . .id2t. The benefits of 1 7 . . . Wa5
compared to 17 . . . b4 are invisible.

B3) 1 7 . . . b4

a b c d e f g h

1 8 . . . ie7!
It is also very hard to claim any advantage
after 1 8 . . . b4. We shall see more of this
position below in the note to Black's 1 8th
move of the game.
1 9.tt'ld5 b4 20.a5 bxc3 2 l .bxc3 tt'lxa5 22.ia4
l"\f8 23.c4 ig5 24.id2 ixd2 25 .Wxd2 E!c8
26.1'!eb l tt'lc6 27.ixc6 E!xc6 28 .E!b7= a b c d e f g h
Zhao Jun - Peng Xiaomin, HeiBei 200 1 . White can now play the typical move:
1 8.lLld5!?N
B) 1 7.Wf3
1 8.g4?! looks suspicious: 1 8 . . . d5 1 9.tt'lf5
This looks more interesting than the
And now in Wang - Kashlinskaya, Moscow
1 7.tt'lhg4 line above.
20 1 0, Black missed a strong idea: 1 9 . . . c4!
8 20.dxc4 dxe4 2 l .ixe4 tt'lxe4 22.E!xe4 bxc3
7 23.Wxc3 (23.bxc3 WeT+=) 23 . . . Wd l t 24.ge l
Wd?t
6 1 8.tt'lhg4 tt'lxg4 1 9.hxg4 fie?= Of course
5 Black plans . . .i.g5 .
4 1 8 . . .ixd5 1 9.exd5 ll:le7 20.ixh6
3 The computer suggests 20.c4!? which is also
2 F=-J?cwjc./0A
very interesting. White has two main threats:
.ixh6 and a4-a5 with the idea ia4. The

a b c d e f g h
 November 20 I I 1 73

best answer is 20 ... ltl d7! and after 2 l .a5 g6
22.ia4 ltlf5t Black's position is acceptable.
1 8.d2 Wd7 1 9.1'!a3!?oo looks interesting.
1 8 ... ltlxg4
1 8 ... ltld7 1 9.ltlf5 ltl g6 20.d2;!; with
possible ideas of g3 and h4.
1 9.hxg4 Wd7 20.Wg3 lt:Jg6oo
The position is unclear.

My conclusion is that 1 6 ... ie6 at least gives

Black an easier position to play than in the
main game.

17.hg4 xg4 1 8.hxg4

a b c d e f g h
8
20 ... bxc3 2 l .bxc3 :!'!b8
2 l .. .gxh6 22.Wxf6 ltlxd5 23.Wf3 ltl f4 24.d4 7
cxd4 25.cxd4t must be worse for Black. 6
22.g5 ltlexd5 23.ltlg4 e7
23 ... 1'!b2 24.ib i t 5
24.ltlxf6t xf6 25.Wxd5 ixg5 26.i.b3 :!'!e7 4
27.1'!e2 :!'!eb7 28.i.c4;!;
3

B4) 1 7 ... ltle7 2

In my opinion this is Black's most logical
answer.
a b c d e f g h

18 .ie7
...

Jakovenko is planning . . . g5 .

More natural was:

1 8 . . . ie6
This transposes to a sub-line of line A of the
1 6 ... ie6 variation.

a b c d e f g h

In reply the natural move is:

1 8.lt:Jhg4N
1 8.h4 has been tested: 1 8 ... Wd7 1 9.id2 d5
20.exd5 ltlexd5 2 1 .ltlefl d6 22.axb5 axb5
23.1'!xa8 :!'!xa8 24.c4 bxc4 25.dxc4 ltl b6
26.b3oo Black was okay in Ye Jiangchuan -
L.B. Hansen, Moscow (ol) 1 994.
a b c d e f g h
1 74 Chess Evolution

We can study this position more:

1 9.ib3
1 9.Wff3 b8 20.i.d2 ie7 1he bishop comes
to g5 with good counterplay for Black. For
example: 2 l .g3 .ig5 22.Wfe2 bxc3 23.bxc3
lt:la5 24.eb 1 ib3 25.W/d 1 ixe3 26 . .ixe3
ixc2 27.Wfxc2 Wfd7 28.xb8 xb8 29.b l
xb l t 30.W/xb l W/b7 3 I .Wfxb7 lt:lxb7= The
endgame was equal in N. Kosintseva - Shen
Yang, Nalchik 2008.
1 9 . . . lLl a5 a b c d e f g h

1 9 . . . bxc3 20.bxc3 lLl a5 2 1 .id5 b8 22.i.d2 24 . . . d5!

Wfd7 23.Wfc2 ie7 24.ab l g6 25.c4
Wfc7 26.g3 lt:lc6 27.ixc6 Wfxc6 28.'tt> g2
Wfd7 29.f3 ig5+t Emms - LB. Hansen,
Copenhagen 1 995.
Another alternative for Black is 1 9 . . . b8
20.id5 Wfd7, when White has the interesting
idea 2 I .i.xc6!? Wfxc6 22.c4oo and next lt:l f5 .
Th e final position should not b e better for
White, but in practice Black will have more
problems finding a good plan.
24 ... hxg5 25 .W/g4 lt:ld4 26.i.xg5 Wfc7
27.ad 1 lt:lb3 28.e3
25.exd5 exd5 26.lt:lb6 lt:lxa5 27.xa5 xb6
28.gxh6 xh6 29.ixh6 Wfxa5 30.i.f4 Wfb6
3 1 .ixe5H
White retains the better chances since he
is dominating the centre, while Black has
problems with his king.
t9.i.b3 i.e6 20.i.d5 gcs
If 20 . . . ixd5 then White can play directly:
2 l .exd5! lt:la5 22.cxb4 cxb4 23.lLlf5H With
very good chances of building a serious
advantage. Possible plans include attacking the
b4-pawn with i.d2 or breaking in the centre
with d3-d4.

2 I .ltl6 Ag5

a b c d e f g h

20.ixe6!N fxe6 2 l .cxb4 cxb4 22.lLlc4 lLlc6

22 . . . lt:lxc4 23.dxc4;!;
23.a5 b8
And now the best chance of fighting for an
advantage is:
24.g5!
24.ie3 b5 25 .W/a4 d5 26.ec l ic5
27.ixc5 dxc4 28.xc4 xa5 29.Wfd l xa l
30.W/xa l W/xd3 3 1 .Wfxa6=
Now there is a forced line: a b c d e f g h
 November 20 1 1 17 5

22.Ac4!;!; is still better. Black has to be very careful and

A very deep idea by Caruana. He doesn't patient in order to hold this position.
want to exchange bishops on e6 or g5 . Black
is more or less obliged to take on c4, but 30 a5 3 l .h5 Wff6 32.tiJf5! bxc3 33.bxc3
.

then White has pressure on d6. Instead after b6 34.g3 <.!?gs

22.ixg5 hxg5 Black could use the h-file for
his heavy pieces.
22 hc4 23.dxc4 e6 24.Lg5 Wfxg5
. Suddenly, Black has problems with his pieces
25J!e3!
A useful move; by putting the rook on the
third rank White prepares to increase the
pressure with l'!d3 or possibly create an attack
with l'!h3.
34 . . . 1'!g5 35 .1'!h 1 t
35.\!?g2
on the kingside. His g6-rook is out of play,
while White's rook on h5 can always go back
to h l and prepare to attack on the queenside.
Positionally, this is an unpleasant situation for
Black.

25 ... d8 26.d3 <.!?h7?! 35 Wfe6

.

An imprecise move. 26 . . . l'!g6 was stronger, Again 35 . . . 1'!g5 is met by 36.1'%hh l t and
but of course Black is still struggling. White Black's problems are similar to the game.
replies 27.'1Wd2! and the endgame after
27 . . . '1Wxd2 28.:1'1:xd2 bxc3 29.bxc3 l'!xg4
(29 . . . lLla5 30.lLle7t) 30.1'!xd6 1'%xd6 3 1 .ltlxd6
ltla5 32.1'%b 1 t is better for White.

a b c d e f g h
36.dhl?
Better was 36.1'%hh 1! and then l'!b 1 will gain a
big advantage. For example, 36 . . . '1Wd7 37.1'!b 1
a b c d e f g h
l'!xb 1 38.1'!xb l 'it>h7 39.1'!b5 lLlc6 40.f3 looks
27.h3?! very nice for White.
Too positional. I do not understand why
Caruana didn't take pawn with 27.ltlxd6!. 36 b3
..

After 27 . . . 1'%f6 28.f3 h5 29.gxh5 '!Wxh5 Now Black could try 36 . . . '1Wd7 with the idea
30.ltl f5 White is clearly on top. of bringing the g6-rook back into the game.
Breaking with 37.g5 ? does not work, as Black
27 b8 28.Wfe2 g6 29.lLle3 tlJe7 30.dU
. has 37 . . . ltlxf5 38.exf5 l'!xg5 39.1'!xg5 hxg5
Even without taking the d6-pawn, White 40.\Wh5 '!Wc6tFt=.
176 Chess Evolution

37.Wff.3 :Sg5 38.:S5h2 4 l . . . :Sxc3

38.E!:xg5 hxg5 39.Wfd3 ltl xf5 40.gxf5 Vfie7
4 l .E!:b l E!:xb l 42.Wixb l @h? 43.Wib6 is not
dangerous for Black. He can play 43 ... g4!
when White cannot improve his position since
44.Wxa5 is met by 44 . . . Wb7!=.
8
4 1 .. .h7 42.E!:xe4 Wb7 43.h3 E!:xc3
44.E!:e3 E!:c2? was another option for Black.
42.:Sxe4 Wfb7 43.g;,h3 f6 44.:Se3 :Sb3??
The final mistake. After Black had survived
all the unpleasant pressure, he made a huge
blunder. The only move was 44 ... h5!

1
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
38 tihf5?!
.
when after 45.f3 E!:xe3 46.Wixe3 hxg4t
This was certainly not forced and was not 47.fxg4 g6! White cannot improve his position.
Black's best choice. After 38 . . . E!:b2? it would After 48.We6t mg7 49.E!:b2 Wxb2 50.Wie7t=
be very hard to improve White's position. the game would end in a draw.

39.exf5 e4 45.:Sxb3 Wfxb3 46.Wfe4!

39 . . . Wc8 40.E!:d l Wib8 4 1 .E!:hh l t would give Black resigned since he cannot avoid f2-f4.
White decent chances since the rook on g5 is For example: 46 ... h5 47.Wie8t @h? 48.f4+-
still out of the game. 1-0

40.Wff4 Wfe7 4I .:Sel

a b c d e f g h
GAME 22 Mamedyarov - lnarkiev, [ 0 1 1 ] 1 78
GAME 23 Le Quan g Liem - Domin g uez, [D 1 6] 1 82
GAME 24 Ne p omniachrchi - Pavasovic, [03 1 ] 1 93
GAME 25 Elj anov - Moiseenko , [ 0 3 8 ] 200
GAM E 26 Vallej o Pons - Erdos, [043] 208
GAME 27 Elj anov - Shirov [044] 214
GAME 28 Bacror- Rublevsky, [045] 221
GAME 29 Tomashevsky - Ni Hua, [D4 5 ] 226
GAME 30 Jakovenko - Gelfand, [ 0 5 6] 231
GAME 3 1 Bacrot - Caruana, [086] 238
GAME 32 Bacrot - Mamedyarov, [086] 249
GAME 3 3 Kamsky - Ne p omniachtchi, [087] 255
1 78 Chess Evolution

GAME 22 6.c3
[> S. Mamedyarov (2746) 6 . . . tt:l bd2 is an alternative with the idea of
..... E. Inarkiev (2692) avoiding a bad pawn structure after . . . ixf3 .
European Club Cup, Rogaska Slatina
30.09.20 1 1 [D l l ] 6... ttlbd7 7.e4 .ix3 8.gxf3
Annotated by Sebastian Maze White has a big centre and his plan is quite
simple: hide his king by castling long and
In the fashionable 4.'c2 line of the Slav, create pressure along the g-file with his rooks.
lnarkiev played an interesting novelty with
1 3 .. J'%fe8N which gave Black an equal 8 ... e5 9.Ae3 exd4 IO.hd4 Ad6 1 1 .
position. Mter some logical moves the Russian 'll!lfc7 1 2.< e2 0-0 13.'1l!lfc2
player chose the wrong plan with 2 1 . . .:!'!d6;
the simple 2 I . . .tt:le6 would have led to a
solid position. Later Black blundered with
27 .. .'1l!lfa5 allowing Mamedyarov to increase his
advantage with a beautiful punch. Finally, he
won easily in a rook endgame.

l .d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.tt:lf3 ttlf6 4.'1l!lfc2

Mamedyarov is the world's leading expert on
this line, having played it almost twenty times
just in the last two years! In fact, this move is
now frequently played at a high level because
there is not a lot of theory and it can lead to
many interesting positions. a b c d e f g h
13 .. JUe8N
8 Gelfand tried 1 3 . . . b5?! against Ponomariov
in 2009. As Black I would prefer not to touch
7
anything on the queenside, because now the
6 c6-pawn will be weak and later if Black plays
. . . c5 then the d5-square will be excellent for
5
White. 1 4.Wb 1 :!'!fe8 1 5 .ih3 c5 1 6.ie3 and
4 White is slightly better; the pair of bishops are
3 strong and in fact all White's pieces are well
placed.
2
1 3 . . . :!'%ad8 is a playable alternative. For
example, Khismatullin - Potkin, Moscow
a b c d e f g h
20 1 0, continued: 1 4.Wb 1 :!'!fe8 1 5 .ih3 tt:lh5
4... dxc4 1 6.lt:Jg3 lt:Jdf6 1 7.ig4 ie500
4 . . . g6 is also a popular line.
14.h4
5.'1l!lfxc4 Ag4 A logical move with the idea of developing
5 . . . if5 is the main line of this variation. the fi -bishop on h3. Instead after 1 4.tt:lg3?! c5
 November 20 1 1 1 79

1 5 .ic3 ad8 1 6.4Jf5 i.f4t 1 7.<;t>b 1 g6 1 8.4Je3 1 8 ... ltlf4

lLleS Black has no problems. 1 8 . . . tLl g6 was also reasonable. Honestly, the
position looks equal to me, and it's difficult
I4 ... ltlh5 1 5.Ah3 gads I6.<;t>bi lLlf8 to see how an attack against the black king
could be possible. For example: 1 9.g5 if6
20.if5 %!fe5 2 l .ixf6 tLl xf6 22.h5 tLl e7 23.g5
8
lLlxfS 24.xf5 Wd6 25 .g1 eS 26.xe5 %!!xeS
7 27.h6 g6 28.d 1 d6=
6
19.ltlxf4 h4 20.h5 'tYe5
5 20 . . . ixe3 was also playable. 2 l .fxe3 Wd6
4 22.%!fg2 g6 23.hxg6 fxg6 24.%!112
3

a b c d e f g h

17.Ae3
A couple of other moves are worth a look:

1 7.ig4 tLl f4 1 8.tLlxf4 i.xf4 1 9.h5 h6 20.hg1

h2 2 l .ge 1 i.eS 22.e3 tLle6= a b c d e f g h

1 7 .%!fc3?! cS 1 8.ie3 tt:Jg6 1 9.-ifS b6 and ... ieS
is coming, giving Black a pleasant position.
17 ...Ae5= 18.gdgl
Since the novelty on move 1 3, all the moves
from both sides have looked normal.
24 . . . a5 (24 . . . %!fd2? 25.Wh4 %!fxe3 26.e6t
tLlxe6 27.Wxh7t <j{ffi 28.Wxg6 and Black
is in trouble!) 25 .f5 a4 26.a3 e700 With
a complicated position, but White has no
real threats and all the black pieces are well
placed.

2 I .Af5 gd6?
This move looks logical, with the idea of
doubling rooks on the d-file, but the reality
is different. In my opinion, it's a strategic
mistake because after the next few forced
moves White will create strong pressure on
the g-file and Black has no time to create play
with his rooks.

2 1 . . .tLle6
It was better to activate the knight.
22.g4 ixe3 23.fxe3 WcS 24.Wb3 WbS
a b c d e f g h
1 80 Chess Evolution

bishop is better than rook and knight. And in

this endgame, it is true, the position is open
(good for the bishop) and many black pawns,
such as b7 and 7, could become targets.

a b c d e f g h

25.Wxb5
25 .ixe6 fXe6 26.Wxb5 cxb5 27.!k l !%d7
28.e5 !%f8 29.f4 !%d3=
25 . . . cxb5 26.f4 ltJc5 27.e5 !%d2 28.!%hgl g6
a b c d e f g h
29.hxg6 hxg6 30.ic2
30.ixg6 fXg6 3 1 .!%xg6t W7 32.!%f6t We? 3 1 . . .!%e l 32.Wd3 !!d l t 33.\tle4 !!d8 But with
and Black is fine. accurate defence, I would say that Black has
30 ... \tlf8 3 1 .!%h4 a5 32.!%h8t \tle7 33.!%h7 good chances to hold the draw.
ltt f8 34.!%c l b6=
28.e5 gd2

a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h 29.Lg6!
24 .. .'flYb5 25J!hgl g6 26.hxg6 hxg6 27J!4g2 A strong sacrifice which destroys the black
a5? king's defences. Inarkiev missed this idea when
What a weird choice by Inarkiev. When a he played 27 ... Wa5 .
player like Mamedyarov is attacking you, I
think the best choice is to exchange queens: 29 ... tiJxg6
27 ... Wd3 was the only move! 28.e5 Wd l t Of course we must see what happens if Black
29.!%xd l !!xd l t 30.Wxd l !!xd l t 3 1 .\tlc2 takes the queen:
Generally, the combination of rook and 29 ... !%xc2 30.ih7t!!
 November 2011 181

32 .. Jt8d7?
32 . . . Wd5 was the last chance to stay alive.
33.W/a3t c5 34.!!xd8 xd8 35.cl An
important move, controlling the d 1 -square
and also the king is safe now. 35 . . . <;!,le7 36.WI'a4
!!d3 37.!!d 1 <;f{fg 38.Wc2 l:'l:xd l t 39.WI'xd 1
Wc4t 40.WI'c2 Wl'fl t 4 l .d2 Wf2t 42.d3
Wfl t 43.c3t White is a pawn up in this
queen endgame.

a b c d e f g h 33.e4!
The point. This move ends the fight because now the
30 . . . h8 d5- and f5-squares are controlled by the white
30 . . . xh7?? 3 1 .!!h 1 # is a beautiful pawn and e5-e6 is coming. Of course the
checkmate. immediate 33.e6? was premature: 33 . . . WI'f5t
3 1 .j,xc2 34.<;!;c l Wxe6=
White's queen is gone, but the activity of the
rooks and the weak king on h8 gives huge 33 ...ti'c5
compensation.
3 1 .. .tt:lg6 32.e6 !!d2 8
32 . . . fxe6 33.!!xg6 Wl'h5 34J36g5 W/f3 (or
34 . . . WI'h3 35 .ie4+- winning the queen) 7

35.a3 a5 36.!!g7 Wh5 37.!!xb7+- 6

33.!!g5 Wb4 34.exf7 !!xc2
5
34 . . .'iil g7 35 .a3 Wb6 36.!!f5 !!d8 37.!!h5
xf7 38.!!xg6 !!d2 39.!!h7t <;!{f8 40.!!f6t 4
<;!;g8 4 1 .!!ff7 +- 3
35 .xc2 g7 36.!!xg6t xf7 37.!!6g5 We4t
38.d2 Wb4t 39.c l Wc4t 40.b 1 Wd3t 2
4 l .a 1 1

a b c d e f g h

34.e6! g7d3
Of course not 34 . . . fxe6?? 3 5 .!! I g7t <;!;d6
36.!!xd7t <;!;xd7 37.W/xb7t <;!;d6 38.!!d8#.

35.ti'xb7t gd7 36.ti'b3

In time trouble, it is always a good idea to
repeat moves when you are winning. It helps
avoid lines such as: 36.exd7?? W/c2t 37.<;!;a i
Wid I t 38.!!xd 1 !!xd 1 #

36. . .g7d3 37.exf7 ti'xgl t 38.gxgl gxb3

39.axb3+-
a b c d e f g h
1 82 Chess Evolution

After some exchanges, Mamedyarov reaches 49,gxf4t xf4 50.b4 e4 5 l .c4 e3

a rook endgame with two extra pawns. 52.b4 d2 53.b6
A nice finesse after which the Azeri player
forces resignation.

53 ... axb6 54.b5

1-0

GAME 23
[> Le Quang Liem (2717)
..... L. Dominguez (2710)
5th SPICE Cup, Lubbock
Round 1 0, 25. 1 0.20 1 1 [D l6]
Annotated by David Baramidze

a b c d e f g h This game was played in the last round of the

39 gd4 40,gg6 xf7
.
Or 40 . . J'!xe4 4 l .Ei:xc6 Wxf7 (4 l . . .Ei:xf4
42.Ei:c7t \tlf8 43.Ei:xa7 is winning easily)
42.Ei:c4 and it is the same endgame as in the
game.
4l .gxc6 gxe4 42,gc4
This endgame is completely winning for
White, as he is two pawns up and the black
king is cut off. The plan for White is very
simple - activate his king on the queenside!
SPICE Cup. Dominguez was leading and Le
Quang Liem needed to win to finish ahead
of him. In a sharp line of the Slav White
surprised his opponent with 1 6.Ei:fd 1 N!?.
After the weak 17 .... l2J e4?! Le Quang missed
a chance to obtain the advantage with
1 8 .lLld5!. Black was better, but he missed
the strong 2 1 . . .Ei:f8! and the position became
equal . Then Dominguez made a terrible
blunder with 26 . . . . .if5 ? which allowed Le
Quang Liem to win the game, and with it the
tournament.

l .d4 d5 VlLlf3 l2Jf6 3.c4 c6 4.ltlc3 dxc4 5.a4

e6 6.e4!?
Needing to win, White chooses an aggressive
option. The normal move is 6.e3, when
6 . . . c5 7 . .ixc4 lLlc6 reaches a Queen's Gambit
Accepted in which the move a2-a4 has
been played 'for free', which brings certain
advantages for both sides.

6. .i.b4 7.i.g5 Yffa5

.

The main alternative is 7 . . ..ixc3t 8.bxc3

a b c d e f g h a5 9.e5 lLl e4 1 0 ..id2 d5.
42 .. ,gel t 43. c2 f6 44.b4 e6 45.b5
8.i.d2
ge3 46.b3 ga 47.b2 5 48.a3 gxr4
 November 20 1 1 1 83

more threatening position.

1 l .Wfc2 is also promising: 1 l . . .c5 1 2.0-0
lt:J 5b6 ( 1 2 . . . lt:Je7?! 1 3.d5 exd5 1 4 . .ixd5
lt:Jxd5 1 5 .lt:Jxd5 xd2 1 6.fd l !t) 1 3 . .id3
h6 ( 1 3 . . . cxd4? 1 4.ixh7t 'i!?h8 1 5 .We4+-)

a b c d e f g h
8 c5
...

This is the most logical move. Black wants to

destroy his opponent's strong centre. d e f g h

1 4.lt:Jb5! (After 1 4.lt:Je4 lt:Jd5 [ 1 4 . . . ixd2

8 . . . lt:J bd7?!
1 5 .lt:Jexd2 cxd4 1 6.lt:Jb3 Wfb4 1 7.fd U]
This is too passive.
1 5 .dxc5 .ixd2 1 6.lt:Jfxd2 lt:Jxe5 1 7.lt:Jc4
9.xc4 0-0 1 0.e5
lLlxc4 1 8.Wxc4 b6 Black can breathe again
1 0.0-0?! allows Black to free himself with
and should be able to equalize.) 1 4 . . .ixd2
1 0 . . . e5!.
1 5.lt:Jxd2 cxd4 1 6.fe a
1 o . . . lt:Jd5
l l . lt:Je7
From here White has more than one route to
. .

l l . ..f6 1 2.exf6 lt:J7xf6 1 3.0-0;!;

a better position.
l l . . .c5 1 2.lt:Jxd5 exd5 1 3.ixd5 cxd4
1 4.ixb4 Wxb4t 1 5 .Wd2 Wfxa4? Too risky.
(Black should settle for a slight disadvantage
with 1 5 . . . Wfxd2t 1 6.'i!?xd2) 1 6.0-0 lt:Jb6
1 7.ie4

a b c d e f g h

1 U'k 1
1 1 .0-0!? lt:Jxc3 1 2.bxc3 ixc3 1 3.ixc3 Wfxc3
1 4 . .id3 gives White fine compensation for
the pawn. Black is underdeveloped and his a b c d e f g h
bishop is a particular problem. White will
Black has problems, for instance: 1 7 . . ..ig4
try to prevent . . . c5 for as long as possible,
1 8.lt:Jg5 h6 1 9.ltJh7 lt:Jc4 ( 1 9 . . . fc8 20.lt:J f6t
and will also look to bring his knight to a
1 84 Chess Evolution

gxf6 2 l .exf6 xc l 22.xc l c8 23.e 1 +-) 1 0.ixc4 xc5 1 l .e2 e5

20.tt:'lf6t c;t>hs (20 . . . gxf6 2 l .xc4 xc4
22.exf6+-) 2 l .xc4 xc4 22.tt:'lxg4+-
1 2 . .id3 7
1 2.0-0 c5 1 3.dxc5 ( 1 3.d5 exd5 1 4.tt:'lxd5 6
tt:'lxd5 1 5 . .ixd5 .ixd2 1 6.tt:'lxd2 tt:'lxe5=) 5
13 ... lt.lxc5 1 4.ig5 tt:'lg6 1 5 .tt:'la2 h6 16 ..ie3
d8 1 7.c2 id7 1 8.tt:'lxb4 xb4 1 9.ixc5
4
xc5 20.xg6 fxg6 2 l .ixe6t ixe6 22.xc5
ac8 2
1 2 . . . h6
1 2 . . . c5? 1 3.ixh7t c;t>xh? 1 4.tt:'lg5t c;t>g6 a b c d e f g h
1 5 .g4 f6 1 6.tt:'lxe6t cj;lf7 1 7.0-0+-
1 3.0-0 c5 1 4.lt.lb5 Now it is worth considering a) 1 2.ie3 and
b) 1 2.0-0N.

a b c d e f g h
1 4 . . . a6
1 4 . . .ixd2?! 1 5.tt:'lxd2 cxd4 ( 1 5 . . . a6 1 6.tt:'lb3
xa4 1 7.tt:'ld6) 1 6.tt:'lb3 xa4 ( 1 6 . . . d8
1 7.e2) 1 7.tt:'lc7 b8 1 8.ib5 a2 1 9.c2
tt:'lc6 20.a 1 lt.l b4 2 l .c4 xb2 22.xb4
1 5 .tt:'ld6 ixd2
1 5 . . . cxd4 1 6.tt:'lc4 c5 1 7.e l t
1 6.tt:'lxd2 cxd4 1 7.tt:'l2c4 b4 1 8.ie4t White
is better, thanks to the powerful knight.
a) 1 2.ie3
This was White's choice in Pelletier - Shirov,
Biel 20 1 1 .
1 2 . . . lt.ld4!N
This is a more convincing equalizer than
Shirov's 1 2 . . . e7.
1 3.ib5t
1 3.c 1 ?! ie6 1 4 .ib5t ( 1 4.ixe6? tt:'lxe2+)
1 4 . . .xb5t
1 3.d3 tt:'lc2t 1 4.xc2 xc4=
1 3.c;t>fl 0-0 ( 1 3 . . . tt:'lxe2 1 4.ixc5 ixc5
1 5 .c;t>xe2 ig4=) 1 4.d3 ie6 1 5 .ixe6 fxe6
1 6.tt:'lxd4 exd4 1 7.ixd4 e7 1 8.f3 ad8t
1 3 . . .xb5 1 4.axb5 tt:'lxe2 1 5 .c;t>xe2 ixc3
1 6.bxc3 tt:'lxe4 1 7.c4 ie6 1 8.hc 1 f6=
White can regain his pawn but he has no
advantage.
b) 1 2.0-0N

9.hc4
In another recent game White preferred:
9.dxc5 tt:'l c6
After 9 . . . xc5 1 0.e5 ixc3 1 l .ixc3 tt:'le4
1 2.d4 xd4 1 3 . .ixd4 tt:'lc6 ( 1 3 . . . c3
14.id3t) 1 4.ixc4 tt:'lxd4 1 5 .tt:'lxd4 id7
1 6.<j;>e2 c;t>e? 1 7.hc l hc8 1 8.c;t>e3 tt:'lc5
1 9.a5 White has a pleasant position.
d e f g h
 November 20 I I 1 85

This is a better try, but Black can still White has virtually no chance of converting
maintain the balance. his extra pawn, as his kingside has been
I 2 . . . .ig4 I 3.l'!ac l compromised and Black's pieces are active
1 3 .ie3 ixf3 1 4.gxf3 'We7= enough.
I 3 . . .'We7
Also possible is 1 3 . . . ttld4 14.ib5t Wxb5
8
( 1 4 .. .<\t>f8 I 5 .Wd i .ixf3 I 6.gxf3 'We7
1 7.ie3oo) 1 5 .'Wxb5t l2Jxb5 1 6.l2Jxb5 ixd2 7
1 7.l2Jxd2 l%d8 1 8.l2Jc4 .ie2 1 9.l2Jcd6t <Jle7 6
20.l%c7t l'!d7 2 l .l'!fc l ixb5 22.l2Jf5t 'it>e6
23.lDxg7t 'iif d6 24.l2Jf5t 'it>e6 25 .axb5 l'!xc7 5
26.1%xc7 ttlxe4 and Black is okay. 4
1 4 .ig5 ixc3 1 5.l'!xc3
3
1 5.bxc3 h6 1 6.ih4 0-0 is nothing much for
White. 2

a b c d e f g h
9 cx:d4
...

Black can also wait for his opponent to make

the exchange of pawns:
9 . . . 0-0 1 0.dxc5 Wxc5
This is certainly playable, although the
queen is a bit exposed on c5 so White has
chances to develop some initiative.
a b c d e f g h
1 1 .We2 e5
1 1 . . . l2Jc6 1 2.0-0 ttle5 1 3.ttlxe5 Wxe5 1 4.f4t
1 5 . . . h6 1 2.0-0
Also possible is: 1 5 . . . 0-0 1 6.'We3 l'!ad8
( 1 6 ... h6? 1 7.ixh6 gxh6 1 8.'Wxh6 lDxe4
1 9.Wg6t 'it>h8 20.Wxg4+-) 1 7.h3 ixf3
1 8.Wxf3 l'!d6 1 9.Wg3 'Wd8 ( 1 9 ...Wd7
20.l'!e 1 h6 2 I .ixh6 l2Jh5 22.Wg4 Wxg4
23.hxg4 l%xh6 24.gxh5 l'!xh5 25.id5i)
20.We3 (20.l'!e 1 h6 2 l ..ixh6 [2 I ..ixf6
Wxf6=] 2 1 . . .l2Jh5 22 . .ig5 l2Jxg3 23.ixd8
l2Jxe4=) 20 . . . h6 2 l ..ixf6 Wxf6 22.id5=
1 6 . .ixf6
1 6 .ih4 0-0 1 7.'We3 l%ad8 1 8.h3 ixf3
1 9.'Wxf3 l%d6= a b c d e f g h
1 6 ... Wxf6 1 7 . .ib5 0-0 1 8 . .ixc6 bxc6 1 9.l'!fc l 1 2 . . . ig4
l'!ab8 20.l'!xc6 .ixf3 2 1 .gxf3 1 2 . . . .ixc3 is well met by 1 3 .l'!ac l !t.
2 1 .Wxf3 Wxf3 22.gxf3 1%xb2= 12 ... l2Jc6 does not quite equalize: 1 3.ie3
2 1 . . .Wg5t 22.i>h1 l'!fd8= We7 1 4.l2Jd5 l2Jxd5 1 5 .exd5 ttla5 1 6.ia2
1 86 Chess Evolution

.if5 17 . .id2!?;t ( l ?J:!fc l ) 1 5 .lt:Jd5 is also interesting: 1 5 . . . .ixd2

1 3.ac l .ixf3 1 6.lLlxf6t @h8 1 7.Vf!f5 gxf6 1 8.Vf!xf6t @g8
1 3 . . . lt:Jc6 1 4.lLld5 lLlxd5 1 5 . .ixd5 Vf!e7 1 9 . .ixf7t xf7 20.Vf!xf7t i>xf7 2 1 .xc5
1 6 . .ie3 ac8 1 7.h3 .id7 (after 1 7 . . . .ih5 'it>e6 22.g3 g8 23.i>h 1 White's position is
1 8.g4! .ig6 1 9 .c4 t Black's bishop is out slightly easier, but I think Black should be
of play.) 1 8 .fd 1 h6 1 9.lLlh2!? White keeps okay.
some pressure; the plan is V!!h 5. 1 5 . . .V!!d6
1 4.Vf!xf3!N 1 5 . . . Vf!e7 1 6.lLlxb4 lLlxb4 1 7.fd 1 lLlc6
White can afford to leave the bishop on c4 1 8.ie3
hanging.
After 1 4.gxf3 lLlc6 1 5 .lLla2 Vf!e7 1 6.lLlxb4
lLl xb4 1 7.f4 lLlc6 1 8.f3 adS 1 9.@h 1 lLlh5
White achieved no advantage in the game
Rapport - Laznicka, Aix-les-Bains 20 1 1 .
1 4 . . . lLlc6
1 4 . . . V!!xc4? 1 5 .lLld5 is the j ustification for
White's last move.

a b c d e f g h

1 6 . .ie3
1 6.lLlxb4 Vf!xd2 1 7.lt:Jd5 lt:Jxd5 1 8.exd5 lt:Jd4
{ 1 8 . . . lLla5 1 9.b3) 1 9.Vf!e3 V!!x b2 20.b 1
Vf!c2 2 1 .fc l Vf!xa4 22.Vf!xe5 b5 23.Vf!xd4
bxc4 24.xc4 Vf!d7 25 .d6 ac8=
16 ... fd8 1 7.fd 1 Vf!e7 18 ..id5 .ia5 1 9.lLlc3
.ib6 20.ig5 lt:Jd4 2 l .Vf!g3t
a b c d e f g h

From this position I think White's best try is: lO.<lthd4

1 5 .lLla2!?
Threatening to win the queen.
8
1 5 .lLlb5 is another idea: 1 5 . . . Vf!e7 ( 1 5 . . . V!! b6
1 6 ..ig5 i.e? 1 7 . .ie3 V!!a 5 1 8.lLlc3 ac8 7
Now 1 9.b3 .ia3 20.c2 .ic5 gives Black 6
counterplay, but 1 9.V!! f5!?t looks promising.)
1 6.ig5 ac8 1 7 .id5 a6 1 8 ..ixc6 xc6 5
1 9.xc6 bxc6 20.ixf6 Vf!xf6 2 l .Vf!xf6 gxf6 4
22.lLla7 .ic5 23.lLlxc6 c8
3
Black's active pieces should enable him to
equalize from here: 24.lLla5 .ib4 (24 . . ..ib6!? 2
25.lLlb7 c4 26.a5 c7 27.lLld6 .ixa5 28.h4
.ib4 29.lt:J f5 c2oo) 25.lt:Jb3 c2 26.b 1
e2!? 27.f3 e3 28.lLla1 e2 29.i>fl d2= a b c d e f g h
 November 20 1 1 187

10 ... 0--0 1 3.0-0 tt'ld7!?N Intending . . . tt'le5. ( 1 3 . . . e5

After 1 0 . . . 1&c5 White plays 1 1 ..ib5H 1 4 . .ig5 ie7 is also reasonable; Black fixes
followed by tt'l b3. the centre and puts his rooks on the open
b- and d-files.) 14.f4 ( 1 4.:!! fd 1 is not dangerous:
l l .'!We2 14 . . . tt'le5 1 5 .if4 tt'lxc4 1 6.V*'xc4 ia6 1 7.V*'xc6
1 1 .tt'lc2!? l:!ac8 1 8.V*'d7 ic5 1 9.V*'d2 [ 1 9.tt'lb5 V*'b6
This interesting move deserves attention. I 20.V*'d2 ixb5=] 1 9 . . .l:!fd8 20.V*'c2 id4=)
think the best response is: 1 4 ... l:!d8 Black intends ... tt'l b6 and ...ib7 with
1 1 . . . tt'lc6 good counterplay. ( 1 4 . . . e5 is also possible, but
1 1 .. .V*'c7 is imprecise: 1 2.We2 1J..e7 1 3.e5 there is no need to play it immediately.)
tt'lfd7 1 4.f4 tt'lc6 1 5 .0-0;!; Potkin - Shirov,
Khanty-Mansiysk 20 1 1 . 12 lfle5
...

Also after 1 l . . .i.xc3 1 2.ixc3 V*'g5 1 3.V*'f3
( 1 3.V*'e2 V*'xg2) 1 3 . . . tt'lc6 1 4.h4 V*'g6
1 5 .1J..x f6 V*'xf6 1 6.V*'xf6 gxf6 1 7.0-0-0
White has a small advantage.
1 2.tt'lxb4 V*'xb4 1 3.b3 l:!d8 14.0-0 V*'e7=
Black will complete development by playing
. . . b6 and . . . ib7.
1 2 . . . e5 is less good: 1 3.tt'lxb4 Wxb4 1 4.tt'ld5
V*'d6 1 5 .ic3 tt'lxd5 1 6.ixd5 tt'le7 1 7.ib3
ie6 1 8.l:!d 1 V*'c6 1 9.ixe6 V*'xe6 20.V*'b5 tt'lc6
2 1 .0-0 V*'e7 22.:!! d 5t
An interesting attempt is:
1 2 . . . l:!d8!?

l l ... tiJc6
1 l ...tt'lbd7 is unlikely to have independent
significance, for instance 1 2.0-0 ( 1 2.tt'lc2
tt'le5) 1 2 . . . tt'le5 1 3.ia2 l:!d8 1 4.tt'lc2 and we
have transposed to the game.

a b c d e f g h

1 3.0-0
1 3.8 tt'ld4 1 4.tt'lxd4 !!xd4 1 5 .!!c l !!d8
1 6.0-0 id7=
1 3.tt'lxb4 Wxb4 1 4.b3 tt'ld4 1 5 .\Wd 1 \Wd6
1 6.0-0 e5 1 7 .ig5 .ie6=
1 3 . . . tt'lxe4
1 3 . . . tt'ld4!? 1 4.tt'lxd4 !!xd4 1 5 .!!fd 1 e5 1 6.h3
a b c d e f g h ie6 17 .ixe6 fxe6oo Black has doubled
12.tLlc2N pawns but his pieces are excellent.
The first new move of the game, but not the 1 4.\Wxe4
last. This is White's only chance to fight for an
advantage.
White gets no advantage with: 1 2.tt'lxc6 bxc6 1 4.tt'lxe4?! .ixd2 1 5 .!!ad 1 i.h6+
1 88 Chess Evolution

1 4.lLlxb4 lLlxd2 l S.lLlxc6 bxc6 1 6.l:!fd l 1 8 . . . .ie6 1 9 . .ibS gcs 20.lLlc3 (20.gc l a6
lLlxc4 1 7.b4 '1Wb6 1 8.gxd8t '1Wxd8 1 9.Wxc4 2 l .ixc6 icS 22.We2 gxc6 23.lLld2 idS)
We7= 20 . . .icS 2 l .gac l id4oo
1 4 . . . gxd2 1 9.Wf3 ie6

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

1 S.i.d3 g6
1 S . . . f5!? 1 6.We3 ixc3 1 7.bxc3 Wxc3 1 8.ga3
WaS 1 9.gb l lLleS 20.We l .id7 2 1 .lLlb4
gxd3 22.lLlxd3 Wxe l t 23.lLlxe l gbs I think
Black should be able to hold.
1 6.lLl b l gxc2 1 7.i.xc2 eS
20.ibS
20.lLlc3 should be met by 20 . . . gb8!?
intending . . . lLld4, rather than 20 . . .ixc3?!
2 l .bxc3 Wxc3 22.ie4 .
20 . . . lLld4 2 1 .Wxb7 Wd8! 22.lLla3
22.'1We4?! .if5t 23.\WxeS? .id6-+
22.lLlc3?! a6 23.ixa6 (23.Ac6 gbs 24.Wxa6
gb6 2S.Wa8 lLlxc6+) 23 . . . ixc3 24.bxc3
idS 2S .Wb4 (2S.Wb2? lLl f3t-+) 2S . . . lLl f3t
26.'i!thl (26.gxf3 ixf3 27.h4 gxa6+)
26 . . . gxa6 27.gfd l WaS+
22 . . ..ixa3 23.gxa3 a6 24 . .ic6
24.id3? .idS 2S .Wb4 WgS 26.f3 lLlxf3t
27.gxf3 ixf3 28.ifl idS+
24 . . . gb8 2S .'Wxa6 gb6 26.Wa8 gb8=

a b c d e f g h

Black has good compensation for the

exchange, for example:
1 8 . .id3
1 8.lLla3 i.fS 1 9.WB (or 1 9 .We3 Ae6t
followed by . . . icS} 1 9 . . . i.e6 20 . .id3 lLld4
2 1 .Wxb7 i.dS 22.Wd7 i.e6 23.Wb7 idS=
1 8.ib3 if5 1 9.\WdS Wc7 20.Wc4 gds
2 1 .gd l gxd l t 22 ..ixd l '1Wd6 23.lLlc3 Wd2
24.We2 ixc3 2S.bxc3 Wxc3 26.ga2=
1 8 ... ifS
a b c d e f g h
 November 20 1 1 1 89

13.i.a2N Now Black must choose which piece to take.

This is White's second novelty of the game,
as the same position previously arose via
a different move order. Three other moves
deserve attention.
1 3.lt.Jxb4 1Mfxb4 1 4.b3 1Mfc5 ( 1 4 ... lt.Jxc4 1 5 .bxc4
b6 1 6.0-0 i.b7 1 7.lt.Jd5 1Mfb2 1 8.E:ab 1 1Mfe5
1 9.lt.Jxf6t 1Mfxf6 20.a5 1Mfd4=) 1 5.0-0 id7=
1 3.f4?! lLlxc4 1 4.1Mfxc4
Ding - Yu, Danzhou 20 1 0.
We will consider a) 1 4 . . . axb5 and the riskier
b) 1 4 . . . 1Mixb4!?.
a) 1 4 . . . axb5 1 5.lt.Jxb5 id7 1 6.ltk6 1Mib6
1 7.lt.Jcd4 E:fc8 1 8 .b3
1 8.0-0 E:c4=
1 8 . . . lt.Jc6 1 9.lLlf3 lLl a5
1 9 . . . lt.Je5 20.0-0 lLlxf3t 2 l .gxf3 e5 22.E:ac l ;l;
1 9 . . . lt.J b4 20.0-0 lt.Jc2 2 1 .E:ad 1 White is
better.
20.ie3 Wc6 2 1 .0-0 1Mfxe4 22.lt.Jd6 1Mic2
Black seems to be okay.

b) 1 4 . . . 1Mfxb4!? 1 5 .f4 lt.Jg6!

1 5 . . . lt.Jed7 1 6.ic4 e5 1 7.f5t
1 5 ... lt.Jc6 1 6.ixc6 bxc6 1 7.e5t
1 5 ... axb5 1 6.fxe5 lt.Jd7 17 .1Mfxb5 Wxb5
1 8.lt.Jxb5 lt.Jxe5 1 9.lt.Jc7 E:a7 20.i.c3 lt.Jc6
2 1 .lt.Jb5 E:a8 22.b4t
1 6 .id3 e5

a b c d e f g h

1 4 . . . ie7!?N
This seems even better than the game
continuation of 1 4 . . . ixc3 1 5 .ixc3 1Mfa6
1 6.1Mfxa6 bxa6 1 7.ixf6 gxf6=.
1 5 .e5 lt.Jd5
1 5 ... lt.Jg4!?
1 6.lt.Jxd5 exd5 1 7.1Mfd3 1Mfb6 Black is fine.
a b c d e f g h
1 3.ib5!? a6
1 3 . . . E:d8 1 4.0-0 .!d7 1 5 .f4t 1 7.lt.Jd5
1 4.lt.Jxb4 1 7.f5 lt.Jf4 18 . .!xf4 exf4 1 9.0-0 E:e8 20.E:xf4
id7 2 l .g4 Wd4t (2 1 .. .ic6!? 22.g5 lt.Jd5
23.lt.Jxd5 ixd5oo) 22.';!ih 1 ic6 23.g5 lt.Jd5
24.lt.Jxd5 .!xd5 25.E:afl ib3 26.E:h4 E:ac8
(26 . . ..!xa4? 27.g6)
1 7 . . .Wxb2 1 8.E:b 1 1Mfd4 1 9 .i.e3 Wxa4
20.lt.Jxf6t gxf6 2 l .f5 lt.J f4 22.ixf4 exf4 23.0-0
Wd4t 24.h 1 b5 25 .E:xf4 h8 26.E:d 1 "Wb6
27."Wh5 E:g8 28.ie2 E:g7 29.E:g4 ib7 30.E:xg7
xg7 3 1 .E:d7 E:f8 32."Wg4t h8 33."Wh4 g7
34.Wg4t=
a b c d e f g h
1 90 Chess Evolution

l3 .. J'id8
1 3 . . . b6 is less reliable, and after 1 4.ltJxb4
xb4 1 5 .f4 lDg6 1 6.e5 lDd5 1 7.lDxd5 xb2
1 8.0-0 exd5 1 9.e 1 d4t 20.ie3 e4
2 l .f2 White has the better chances.

14.0-0
1 4.ltJxb4 xb4 1 5 .0-0 b6 transposes to the
game.

14 . b6
. .
a b c d e f g h

1 4 . . . id7 is worse, due to the following line: 1 9.f4!N

1 5 .ltJxb4 xb4 1 6.f4 ltJc6 More accurate than 1 9.lDxf6t gxf6 20.1'!b3
e5 2 I .ib2 ig4 22.fl (22.b5!?) 22 . . . c;f;>h8
(22 ... d2!f2 23.1'!xb7?! lDa5 24.1'!xf7 xb2
25 .l3b7t xa2 26.l3xa2 lDxb7) 23.l3xb7
l3ab8?! (23 ... ie6:t) 24.f4! exf4? 25 .b5!+
Vitiugov - Chadaev, Taganrog 20 1 1 .
1 9 . . . ttJxd5 20.fxg5 lDxc3 2 I .f2 lDxb 1
22.l3xb 1
Material is roughly level, but White has
the strong plan of pushing his h-pawn up the
board.
a b c d e f g h

1 7.ie l !N (after 1 7.e5 ltJd4 Black obtained

good counterplay in Edouard - lnarkiev,
Barcelona 20 1 0) 1 7 . . . ttJd4 ( 1 7 . . . c;f;>h8 1 8.e5
ltJd4 1 9.d 1 ic6 20.exf6 lD f3t 2 l .xf3
ixf3 22.fxg7t c;f;>xg7 23.l3xf3:t) 1 8.d 1 c5
( I 8 . . . ic6 1 9.lDd5 c5 20.if2t) 1 9.if2 ic6
20.ltJd5 exd5 2 I .ixd4t

1 4 ... ltJc6?
This is almost losing by force.
1 5 .ltJxb4 xb4 1 6.ltJd5 xb2 1 7.1'!fb 1 e5
1 7 . . . c2? 1 8.ib3 c5 1 9.1'!c l f8
( I 9 . . . d6 20.ltJxf6t gxf6 2 I .ih6 c;f;>hs
22.h5+-) 20.lDxf6t gxf6 2 1 .1'!c3 c;f;>h8 a b c d e f g h
(2 I . ..lDe5 22.1'!h3 <i>h8 23.h5 g7
I6J:UdiN
24.l3d 1 +-) 22.ic l !+- Black has no good
The third novelty of the game!
defence against the plan of h5 followed
by ia3.
1 6.ig5 promises no advantage. 1 6 . . . a5
1 8.ic3 g5
( 1 6 . . . ib7?! 1 7.f4 lDd3 1 8.f5t) 1 7.1'!ad 1 1'!xd 1
 November 20 1 1 191

1 8.!l:xd 1 a6 1 9.Wfc2 At this point the players 1 8 .li:Jd5!

agreed a draw in Shulman - Potkin, K.hanty
Mansiysk 20 1 1 . The position is indeed level,
for instance: 1 9 . . . !!c8 20.h3 h6 2 I .i.e3 li:ld3
22.!!xd3 i.xd3 23 .Wxd3 Wxb2 24.id4 !l:xc3
25.xc3 Wfxa2 26.Wfd8t Wh7 27.ixf6 gxf6
28.Wxf6 Wg8=

I6 ....ib7 17 ..iel
1 7.ig5 ? l'hd 1 t 1 8.xd l li:lxe4 1 9.li:lxe4
i.xe4 20.!:i:e l li:ld3 2 l .i.d2 Wfc5+

17 ... xe4? a b c d e f g h

A mistake, as the tactics do not quite work 1 8 . . . Wfxa4

for Black.
Correct was 1 7 . . . !!xd 1 ! 1 8.!l:xd l and only now
1 8 . . . li:lxe4, when the absence of a white rook
from a l helps Black. (See the note to White's
1 8th move below for the explanation.)
a b c d e f g h
Play continues 1 9.f3 Wfc5t 20.Wh l li:lxc3
2 1 .ixc3 when White has some initiative for
the sacrificed pawn, bur no objective advantage
if Black defends correctly. 2 1 . ..li:lc6 22.We l
(22.l::i:d7 ic8 23.d2 i.b7=) 22 . . .We7 23.b4
dB 24.b5 li:Jb8 (24 .. . li:la5) 25.xd8t Wfxd8
26 ..ixe6 fxe6 27.Wfxe6t h8 28.Wfe5 Wfdl t
29.ie l Wfd8 30.ic3=
1 8 . . . Wfd6 1 9.li:Jf6t gxf6 20.xd6 !!xd6
2 1 .a5
1 9.li:le7t Wh8 20.id5!
This move shows White Black should have
exchanged rooks on move 1 7, to draw the
white rook away from a l .
20 . . . Wxd l
20 . . . Wxa l 2 l .xa l exd5 22.f3 e8 23.ib4
a5 24.fxe4 axb4 25.xa8 ixa8 26.li:lxd5
2 l .xd 1 exd5 22.f3 e8 23.ib4 a5
23 . . . li:lc6 24.li:lxc6 li:lc3 25 .Wfd2 li:lxd l
26.li:le7 a 5 27.ia3 b5 28.i.c5 li:lxb2
29.Wfxb2 b4 30.li:lf5 f6 3 I .Wfd4
24.fxe4 axb4 25 .li:lxd5
Black has problems as he will not be able to
protect the weak pawns on b4 and b6.
IS .. Jtxdl 19Jxdl tJxa4 20.b3 tJa6 2 I ..ibl

18.b5?
Missing a chance to get a clear advantage.
After this poor move White will not even be
able to claim equality. He had to play:
a b c d e f g h
1 92 Chess Evolution

2 1 . f5?!

This squanders Black's advantage, although

in the resulting position he is not worse.

Stronger was:
2 l ...f8!
Defending the e4-knight indirectly. Now
White faces an uphill battle to draw.
22.d4
22.f3?! .ic6+
22 . .ixe4 .ixe4 23 . .ic3 f6 24 ..ixe5 fxe5 a b c d e f g h

25 .WI'xe4 Wl'xb5+ 3 I .WI'xa7

22 ..ib4 c8 23.f3 (23 ..ixe4 .ixe4 24 . .ic3
tt'lg6 25.d7 .ib7 26.h3 e5 27.WI'd3 .ie4!
28.WI'xe4 Wl'xb5 29.xa7 Wl'xb3+) 23 . . . i.c6
24.c l i.xb5 25.xc8t Wl'xc8 26.WI'xe4
tt'lg6+
22 . . . .ic6 23.xe4 .ixb5
3 I .WI'xe6t \tlh7 32.WI'd7 f6 33.WI'xa7 i.b5+
3 1 . ..i.c8 32.Wxb6 tt'l f4 33.b4 tt'ld5 34.Wd6
f7 35.b5 e8 36.h3 e7 37.Wd8 i.b7 38.f3
e5+
Black intends to push the e-pawn.
22.f3 J.c6 23.fxe4 .L:b5 24.Yfb2 c!Lld3
24 ... tt'lg6 25.exf5 exf5 26.i.xf5 Wb7 is equal
too.

25 ..L:d3 .L:d3 26.exf5

a b c d e f g h

24.h4! tt'ld3
24 ... tt'lg6 25.Wh5 h6 26.i.xg6 WI'a I !? 27.e4
i.e8 28.i.xf7t i.xf7 29.WI'e5 Wl'xe5 30.xe5
c8+
25.a4!
White's inventive rook manoeuvres are
enough to keep him in the game, but he is a b c d e f g h
still clearly worse.
26 ....L:f5??
25 ... tt'lxe l 26.i.xh7t \tlxh7 27.WI'e4t f5
Losing instantly.
28.WI'h4t \tlg8 29.xa6 i.xa6 30.WI'e7 tt'ld3
Clearly Black will be the one pushing for
26 . . . exf5?? 27.WI'c3 is winning for White, as
a win in this endgame. The continuation
bishop moves allow the white rook to come to
might be:
d7 and 27 ... d8 is no good due to 28.Wc7.
 November 20 1 1
However, after the correct 26 . . .'1Wb5 27.fXe6
'WeSt 28.if2 'Wc2 the position is equal, for
instance:
a b c d e f g h
29.'Wa 1 (29.'Wxc2 ixc2 30.l'!d7 ixb3
3 l .d4 [3 l .e7 l'!e8 32.l'!xa7 Wf7=]
31 ... g6 32.l'!g7t wfs 33.l'!f7t Wg8 34.l'!g7t
Wf8 35 .e7t We8 36.l'!xh7 ig8 37.l'!g7 if7
38.f6 l'!c8=) 29 . . . l'!f8 30.i.e3 i.e4 3 l .l'!d2
'Wxb3 32.id4 Wxe6 33.xg7 l'!e8 34.ih8
'We7 35 .h3 g6 36.l'!e2 'Wd7=
27Jid7 e5 28.Yfxe5! hd7 29 ..ic3
1-0
Black resigned in view of29 ... Wf7 30.'Wxg7t
We6 (30 . . . We8 3 l .'Wh8t cJde7 32.'Wf6t is the
same) 3 1 .'We5t Wf7 32.Wf6t We8 33.b4
with mate to follow.
GAME 24
I> I. Nepomniachtchi (271 8)
.... D. Pavasovic {2561)
European Club Cup, Rogaska Slatina
27.09.20 1 1 [D3 1 ]
Annotated by Borki Predojevic
This game features the interesting 8.lt:le2!? in
Marshall's 'other' gambit in the Semi-Slav. The
first critical moment came on move 1 1 when
Black opted for 1 1 ...lt:lc2t, a move which
did not have the best reputation in the past.
Pavasovic unveiled a new idea in 1 5 . . . e6!N
which is an important improvement for Black.
1 93
Mter a series of more or less forced moves Black
made a mistake with 22 . . . lt:l e l ?, instead of the
correct 22 . . . lt:lf4! which would have brought
him a reasonable position and a probable draw.
Mter missing this chance he never recovered
and Nepomniachtchi won pretty convincingly.
I .d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.c3 c6 4.e4 dxe4 s.ttlxe4
.ib4t 6 ..id2 Yfxd4 7.hb4 Yfxe4t 8.e2!?
6
5
4
3
2
a b c d e f g h
This move has become a modern way to fight
for the advantage. Of course it is not a new
move, but merely one which was 'forgotten',
having been considered harmless for many
years.
The other main move is of course 8 .ie2.
8 ... a6
The main line, although some other moves
have been tested. Here is a quick summary of
them.
8 . . . lt:le7 9.'Wd2 lt:ld7 (9 . . . c5 1 0.ixc5 lt:l bc6
1 l .l'!d 1 0-0 1 2.'Wf4 Wxf4 1 3.lt:lxf4;!;) 1 0.f3
Wh4t 1 l .g3 Wf6 1 2.i.g2 0-0 1 3.0-0 with
good compensation.
8 . . . e5?!
This looks rather suspicious.
9.'Wd6
1 94 Chess Evolution

9.Wfd2 lLl a6 1 0.f8 lLle7 1 l .xg7 :B:g8 This is a reasonable move, although White
1 2.f6 e6 keeps a typical initiative on the dark squares.
9 . . . 4Jd7 9.Wd6 c5
9 . . . a5 1 0.a3t
1 O ..ic3 lLle7
1 0 . . . 4Jgf6 1 1 .0-0-0 Wc6 1 2.Wg3 :B:g8
1 3.f3t looks good for White.
1 1 .0-0-0 lLl f5 1 2 .Wc7

a b c d e f g h

1 0.:B:d 1
White can also try 1 0.0-0-0!?N c5 1 1 .lLlg3
Wfc6 1 2.Wfxc6 bxc6 1 3 . .ic3 with good
compensation.
1 0 . . . h5!N
10 . . . c5? 1 l ..ixc5 Wfxc4 1 2.a3
1 0 . . . Wfxc4?! 1 1 .lLld4! Wfd5 1 2.Wxd5 cxd5
1 3.lLlb5 <i>d8 1 4.4Jd6 lLlh6 1 5 .:B:xd5 Black 1 2 . . .Wh4
is not able to defend his position.
1 0 . . . b6 1 l .f3 Wg6 1 2.Wc7 c5 1 3.c3 lLlh6
1 4.lLlg3 0-0 1 5 .d3 was excellent for
White in Wells - Haba, Crailsheim 1 996.
1 1 .h4
This 'copied' move is a good answer.
1 1 . . J3h6 1 2.Wd2 Wxc4 1 3.lLlg3 Wd4 1 4.Wxd4
exd4 1 5 .lLlf5t
White has the better chances.
8 . . . 4Jd7!?
a b c d e f g h
Black seems to have some problems in this
line, for instance:
1 2 . . . Wc6 1 3.Wxc6 bxc6 1 4.g4 lLlh4 1 5 .lLlg3
<i>e7 1 6 . .ixg7 :B:g8 1 7.lLlh5 Baumegger -
Braun, Olbia 2008. 1 2 . . . 0-0 1 3 .lLlg3 Wc6
1 4.Wxc6 bxc6 1 5.lLl xf5 exf5 1 6 . .ie2
1 3.g4!
This aggressive move is better than 1 3.lLlg3
lLld4 .
1 3 . . .Wxg4 1 4.:B:gl Wh4 1 5 .lLlg3 lLld4 1 6.xd4
cxd4 1 7.lLlf5! exf50 1 8.:B:e l t lLle5 1 9.Wxe5t
.ie6

a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
 November 20 1 1 195

20.1%xg7!N 9 . . .g6N is playable but l O . .id6 gives White

White got nowhere in the following game:
20.b5t f8 2 l .c5t? g8 22.id3 g6
23.c7 b6--+ Bronowicki - Tikkanen,
Ceska Trebova 2008.
20 ... h6t
20 . . . 0-0-0 2 l .c5t! is awkward, as
2 l . . .b8? allows 22.l%xe6+-.
2 1 . c2 0-0-0 22.id3;l:;
Black's extra pawn is virtually meaningless
and he faces a difficult defence.
full compensation.
1 o.i.xg7 tlJ b4
The best reply to 10 . . . 1%g8 is 1 l .d4! ( l l ..ic3
also gives him a modest advantage) 1 l . . .xd4
1 2.ixd4 when White will have better chances
thanks to his bishop pair. This evaluation
was confirmed in the following recent game:
1 2 . . . c5 1 3.if6 1%g6 1 4 . .ic3 l?J b4

3
a b c d e f g h
2
1 5 . l?J f4! (Worse is 1 5 . d2 e5!t Tunik -
Sveshnikov, St Petersburg 1 994) 1 5 . . . 1%g5
a b c d e f g h 1 6.h4 l%f5 1 7.l?Jd3 l?J c2t 1 8 .d2 l?Jxa l
9.i.f8 1 9.g4 l%f3 20.ie2 l%xd3t 2 l .ixd3 e 5 22.f3
This funny-looking move is a typical f5 23.g5;l:; Timofeev - Frolyanov, Taganrog
attacking device. 20 1 1 .

9 tLle7
..

Worse is 9 . . . e5? 1 0.d6! g6 ( l O . . . ifS??

1 l .ixg7 l?Je7 1 2.if6 l?Jg6 1 3.l%d 1 1-0
Arencibia - Zepeda, Havana 20 1 0) l l .xg6
hxg6 1 2 . .ixg7 l%h4 1 3.ixe5 l?J b4 1 4.d2
with a clear advantage for White.

9 . . . e5 1 0.d2 f6 is well met by l l ..id6!

(On 1 l .ia3 Black can play 1 l . . .c5! [but not
l l . . .l?Je7? 1 2.0-0-0 0-0 1 3.d8! h6t
1 4.f4 l?Jg6 1 5 .i.xf8 as in Richter - Y. Meister,
Berlin 2008] 1 2.l%d l l?Jh6 1 3 .l?Jg3 0-0
a b c d e f g h
with an unclear game.) 1 I . . .l?Jh6 1 2.0-0-0
l?J f5 1 3.ie5 e7 1 4.l?Jg3 when Black has 1 LYHd6!
problems. The most precise.
1 96 Chess Evolution

l l . .ixh8 1 5 . . . lLlxa l !? 1 6 .Wi'd2 Wi'xd2t 1 7.@xd2

This alternative takes away Black's option of 0-0-0t 1 8.@c3 1'!xh8 1 9.lLlxf5 lLlxf5
l l . . .lLld3t, but it brings other disadvantages 20 . .id3 ltJ h4 2 1 .g3 ltJ f3 22.1'!xa 1 @c?oo
for White. 1 6.cxd5 Wl'd4t 1 7.\t>b3 lLlxa l t 1 8.@a3 lLlc2t
l l . . . e5 1 9.@b3 lLlal t=
l l ...lLld3t? is inadvisable. 1 2.';t:,Jd2 lLl xf2 With perpetual check.
1 3.Wi'c2 Wl'xc2t 14.@xc2 lLl xh l 1 5 . .id4 1he
position of the knight on h i gives Black
serious problems, for example: 1 5 . . . lLl f5
(Also 1 5 . . . e5 1 6 . .ixe5 if5t 1 7.\t>c3 c5
1 8 . .id6 b6 [ 1 8 . . . 0-0-0 1 9 . .ixc5+-] 1 9.g4!
.ie4 20.lLl f4 gives White a huge advantage.)
1 6.ig l e5 1 7.g3 lLl d6 1 8.lLlc3 if5t 1 9.@b3
The knight will soon be trapped. 19 . . . ie6
20.ic5 0-0-0 2 I .ie2+-
1 2.Wi'd6!?
1 2.1'!c l ?! lLld3t 1 3. @d2 .if5-+ Conquest -
Korneev, Mondariz 2002.
1 2.Wi'b3 lLlc2t 1 3.@d2 lLlxa l 1 4.Wi'd3 Wi'h4
1 5 .ixe5 if5 1 6.ig3 Wi'f6 1 7.Wi'c3 0-0-0t a b c d e f g h
1 8 .@c i ic2! 1 9.b3 1'!d 1 t 20.\t>b2 l'!b l t l l . .. ttlc2t!?
2 I .@a3 .ixb3 22.axb3 1'!xb3t 23.Wi'xb3 One of the critical moments of the game.
lLlxb3 24.\t>xb3 Wl'a l !t was also good for Pavasovic chooses the most direct and forcing
Black in T. Fodor - K. Szabo, Budapest line, whereas the following alternative would
2009. have led to a slightly worse but nonetheless
1 2 . . . lLlc2t 1 3.@d2 tenable endgame:
Now Black can virtually force a draw with l l . ..lLld3t 1 2.@d2 lLl f5 1 3.Wi'xd3 Wi'xd3t
the accurate: 1 4.@xd3 lLlxg7 1 5 .@c3 @e?

a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
1 3 . . . if5! 1 6.1'!e 1
1 3 . . . lLlxa1 1 4.f3! transposes to the main I 6.lLlg3 c5 1 7 . .id3 b6 1 8 . .ie4 1'!b8 1 9.1'!he l
game. ib7 20.1'!ad l ixe4 2 1 .1'!xe4 f5 22.1'!ee 1
I 4.lLlg3 Wi'f4t 1 5 .\t>c3D lLld5t (22.1'!h4;t) 22 ... 1'!bd8 23.b4 l'!xd l 24.1'!xd l
 November 20 1 1 197

l'!c8 25.b5 tt:le8 26.tt:\h5 l'!d8 27.l'!xd8
'itixd8= Kharlov - Galkin, Batumi 2002.
1 6 . . . i.d7 1 7.g3 l'!ad8 1 8.i.g2
White has a pleasant edge, but in the follow
ing game Black was able to neutralize it.
1 8 .. .f6 1 9.f4
1 9.tt:ld4!?;!;
1 9 . . . h5 20.tt:lc l i.e8 2 l .b4 ig6 22.a4 h4
23.if3 tt:l f5 24.g4 tt:ld4 25.id l 'itif7 26.l'!e3
!'!d7 27.c5 !'!hd8=
Aleksandrov - S. Zhigalko, Minsk 20 1 0.
dangerous for White.} 1 9 . . . tt:ld5 20 ..ixe5
e7! Black is already better, and after
2 l .gxf3 xe5t 22.'itif2 d4t 23.'itig3 lt:Je3
24.i.h3 (24.xa l tt:\ f5t 25.'itig2 0-0-0-+)
24 . . . tt:lac2-+ he soon won in Christiansen
Robson, Saint Louis 2009.
1 6 . . . xb2
The only answer, but White gets a good
game with simple development.
1 7.id3 tt:lg6 1 8.i.f6 e5 1 9.d2! b4

1 2.d2 ltlxal
12 . . . tt:\f5? 1 3.e5 xe5 1 4.ixe5 f6 1 5 .i.xf6
!%f8 1 6. 'itixc2 Pruess - Strugatsky, Reno 2005.

13.i.xh8 e5
The alternative is:
13 . . .c2t 1 4.'itie l xc4
This seems rather risky. More reliable is
1 4 . . . e5 when 1 5 .f3! transposes to the main
game. a b c d e f g h

1 5 .lt:Jc3! Wb4 20.g3!

At this point White has to play a novelty to After this precise move Black's position is
obtain the upper hand. critical. 20.i.xg6 does not lead to mate as
20 . . . fxg6 clears the f7 -square.
Also we mustn't forget that 20.0-0 is
impossible since White has already moved
his king!
20 . . . i.g4 2 1 .f4! exf4 22.tt:\e4
Black has a tough position and the knight on
a l is in trouble.

a b c d e f g h

1 6.d l !N
Mter 1 6.d2 e5! 1 7.c l i.g4! Black
has good chances. For example: 1 8.f3
( 1 8.h3 ih5 1 9.ixe5 0-0-0 20.g4 tt:\d5!
is complicated} 18 ... i.xf3 1 9.i.f6 ( 1 9.ixe5
ih5 20.xal 0-0-0+ gives Black a strong
attack; 1 9.gxf3 h4t 20.'itie2 tt:lg6 2 l .xal
0-0-0 22.tt:le4 tt:l f4t 23.'itie3 !'!xh8--+ is also
1 98 Chess Evolution

14.f3 Ylfc2t 1 8.tt:'lf4!! exf4 ( 1 8 . . . Wixb2t 1 9.ie2 Wid4t

Wrong is 1 4 . . .'xc4? 1 5 .if6 Wie6 1 6.ixe7 20.Wixd4 exd4 2 l .tt:'lxe6 fxe6 22Jha1 leaves
Wffxe7 1 7.Wixe7t xe7 1 8.tt:'lg3+- and Black Black a piece down) 1 9.id3! Wixh 1 20.ixg6+
will lose the knight on al . and Black is about to be mated.

16..if6 ttlg6 17.h4!

With the deadly threat of h5.
8
17...Yl?f5!
7
Mter 1 7 . . . h5? 1 8.tt:'lg3+- it is hard to
6 suggest anything against the threats of id3
5
and tt:'lxh5.

4 18 .ig5 h6!
.

3 Again this is only move to keep Black in the

game.
2

1 1 8 .. .f6?! 1 9.tt:'lg3! Wib l t 20.f2 Wixb2t

2 l .ie2 Wid4t 22.Wixd4 exd4 23.h5! tt:'l f8
a b c d e f g h
(23 . . . fxg5 24.hxg6+-) 24.ixf6 tt:'lc2 25.tt:'le4
15 ....ie6!N is depressing for him.
The first new move, and a clear improvement.
Now the play becomes very concrete, and we t 9 ..ixh6 gds
will see that the next few moves are more or
less forced.

1 5 . . . Wib l t? led to an easy win for White after

1 6.f2 tt:'lc2? 1 7.if6 Wie l t 1 8.gl Wib4
1 9.ixe7 1-0 Wojtaszek - K. Szabo, Rilton
Cup 2007.
In the above game Black could have offered
more resistance with 1 6 . . . ie6N 1 7 .if6 tt:'l g6,
but even this can be refuted by White's elegant
reply:

a b c d e f g h
20.Ylfc5!?
This seems to be the most accurate.

20.Wic7 is less challenging: 20 . . . tt:'lc2t 2 l .f2

e4 22.Wixb7 Wic5t 23.g3 exf3 24.gxf3
Wie5t 25.f2 (25.g2?? tt:'l e 1 t 26.f2 tt:'ld3t
27.g2 'Wc5-+) 25 ... Wic5t=
a b c d e f g h
 November 20 1 1 1 99

20 .. .\Yb it 30 . . . e4!
After 20 . . . li'l e7 2 1 .\t>f2 White consolidates 30 . . . li'lxh5?? 3 l..d 3+-
his position and Black's outlook is bleak. 3 l .h6
3 l .fxe4 li'lxh5=
2 l .fl ltlc2 3 1 .lLlg3 e3t 32.\t>fl b5 cannot be worse
for Black.
3 l . ..e3t 32. \t>fl \t>f8 33.g3 li'ld5 34.ixd5
cxd5 35 .\t>e2 d4 36.g4 i>f7 37.li'lg3 \t>g6
38.li'lf5 \t>h7=
The ending is drawn.

a b c d e f g h
22.h5
22.ig5
This move is reasonable, but if Black reacts
correctly he should be fine.
22 .. .f6! a b c d e f g h
Leading to a balanced endgame. 22 ... ltlel?
23.h5 The right path was 22 . . . li'l f4! 23.li'lxf4 e l t
After 23.ixf6 gd2! 24.\t>g3 gxe2 25 .ixe2 24.\t>gl li'l d4! when suddenly it is White who
xh l 26.id3 e l t 27.\t>h2 f7 28 . .ig5 must find only moves to maintain the balance:
li'l d4 29.ixg6t \t>xg6 30.f8 li'l f5 3 l .f6t
\t>h7 32.xe6 g3t 33.\t>h l e l t the
8
game ends in perpetual check.
23 . . . e l t 24.Wgl gd l 25.f2 ixc4 26.li'lg3 7
lLl f4 27.xe l gxe l 28.\t>f2 fxg5 29.ixc4 6
gxh l 30.lLlxh l 5
4
3
2
1

a b c d e f g h

25 .f8tD \t>d7 26.a3! ixc4 27.c3 xfl t

28.\t>h2 f2 29.lLlh3 e2! The position
remains complex, but it should be a draw if
both sides play accurately.
a b c d e f g h
200 Chess Evolution

23.gl ! lt}d3 24.e3+- 30 ....td5?

Thanks to his opponent's error, White has a
comfortably winning position. The h-pawn is
too strong and Black has little counterplay.
Accelerating the end. Black could have offered
sterner resistance with 30 . . . ixfl 3 1 .lLlxfl l'!e2
32.h7 lLleg6 33.h8='1Wt lLlxh8 34.xh8 b5!?
when White should be winning, but he will
still have to work for a while to prove it.

3 1 .h7 tLleg6 32.tLlxf5

1-0

GAME 25
I> P. Eljanov (2683)
.... A. Moiseenko (2726)
Governor's Cup, Saratov
Round 4, I I . I 0.20 I I [038]
Annotated by Kamil Miton
a b c d e f g h In this game Eljanov had to fight against a
24... tLle7 25)t]g3?! weapon which he also uses when playing
Imprecise, but still good enough to win. Black. Moiseenko tried a new idea, just taking
the pawn with I 2 . . . \Wxa2, which probably
The most accurate move was 25.g5 when surprised Eljanov. Analysis shows that the idea
Black has nothing against h6-h7. is very risky for Black and after correct play,
either I 3.e2 or I 4.c6!, White would get a
25 ... 5 strong initiative. Eventually, in an inferior
25 . . . xc4 26.g5!+- endgame Eljanov found a nice trick and after a
forced line he achieved an equal position.
26.g5 tlJf4 27.h2 xb2 28.Ag7 gd2
29.ggl Lc4 30.h6 l .d4 tLlf6 2.c4 e6 3.tLlf3 d5 4.tLlc3 Ab4
5.cxd5 exd5 6.Ag5 tLlbd7 7.e3 c5 8.dxc5
a5 9.gc1

a b c d e f g h

a b c d e f g h
 November 20 1 1 20 1

9 .ixc3t
...

Black can play two other lines:

a) 9 . . . tt'le4
Some games by Kramnik suggest that White
can obtain a better position here.
1 0.xd5 tt'lxc3 l l .bxc3 ixc3t 1 2.Wd 1 0-0
1 3.ic4
1 3.ie7 e8 1 4 .id6 tt'l f6 1 5 .b3 tt'le4
1 6.ic4 .ie6 1 7.We2 .ixc4t 1 8.xc4 b5
1 9.d5 b4 20.hd 1 a6t 2 l .d3 adS
22.tt'lg5 tt'lxg5 23.xg5 xa2t 24.Wf3 a5+
D. Gurevich - Gareev, Irvine 20 10.
a b c d e f g h
1 7 . . . d8
17 . . . tt'lxe6 1 8.c4 b5 1 9.Wc2 ia3 20.b l
tt'lc5 2 1 . We2 tt'la4 22.b3 b4 23.a 1 tt'lc5
24.Wfl tt'lxb3 25.axb3;!; and the bishop is
badly placed on a3.
17 ... fxe6 1 8.c4 b5 1 9.c2 ia3 20.We2
a6 2 l .tt'lg5 f5 22.f4 ixc l 23.xc l h6
24.g4 b4t 25.Wf3 Wb7t 26.Wf2 xg5
27.fxg5 tt'le4t 28.Wgl tt'lc3 29.g6
1 8.id5 tt'le6 1 9.e4 xd5t 20.We2 xa2t
2 l .c2 a6t 22.c4

a b c d e f g h a2) 1 3 . . . ib4 1 4.ie7 tt'l b6

There is now a split:

a l ) 1 3 ... tt'lxc5 1 4 .ie7 ib4

14 . . .ie6 1 5 .xc5 a4t 1 6.ib3 ixb3t
1 7.axb3 xb3t 1 8.e2 b2t ( 1 8 . . . fc8
1 9.5+-) 1 9.Wd3 mcs 20.d5 ia5
2 l .xc8t (2 l .e5 b3t 22.We4 ic3
23.d5 a4t 24.tt'ld4 e8 25 .e5 c6
26.xc3 xc3oo) 2 1 . . .xc8 22.We4 ib6
23.d7 c2t 24.Wf4 h6 25 .g3 The
white king escapes, and Black does not a b c d e f g h
have enough compensation for the piece.
25 ... c6 26.tt'l h4 ic7t 27.f4 (27.Wh3 xf2 1 5.cxb6
28.lLl f5t) 27 ... e6 28.e8t h7 29.xt7 1 5.d3?! tt'lxc4 1 6.xc4 ie6 ( 1 6 . . . e8
xe3t 30.tt'l f3 e2 3 l .gl ixf4t 32.Wxf4 1 7.tt'lg5 g6 1 8.id6 id7 1 9.d5 e6t)
xe7 33.c l 1 7.lLlg5 fd8 1 8.ixd8 xd8 1 9.d4 xd4
1 5 . .ixf8 ie6 1 6.Wd4 xf8 1 7.ixe6 20.exd4 Wxa2 (20 . . . id7!?) 2 1 .Wxh7t Wf8
1 7.We2!? ia3 1 8 . .ixe6 .ixcl 1 9.ic4 ia3 22.tt'lxe6t fxe6 23.Wc2 Wa l t 24.Wc l
20.tt'lg5 b5 2 l .ixt7t xt7 22.lLlxt7 Wxt7 Wxd4t 25.We2 ixc5 26.e3 Wb2t 27.Wd2
23.d l t e5t=
202 Chess Evolution
1 5 .. .'1Wxd5t 1 6 . .ixd5 .ixe7 1 7.<;t>e2
1 7.bxa7 Ei:d8+
17 . . . axb6 1 8.Ei:hd 1 Ei:d8 1 9.Ei:c7 <j{f8 20 ..ib3
Ei:xd 1 2 1 .<;t>xd l <;t>e8 22.ll'ld4 <;t>d8 23.Ei:c2;!;
The better structure gives White a stable
advantage.
a3) 1 3 . . . ll'l f6 1 4.ixf6 ixf6 1 5 .'it?e2 b5
1 5 ... ie6 1 6.'1We4 Ei:ae8 1 7.Ei:hd 1 ih3
1 8.'&xb7 ixg2 1 9.a6 c7 20.d6
1 6.cxb6
1 6.c6 ia6 1 7.f5 a3 1 8 . .id3 Ei:fd8
1 9.c7 '&xa2t 20.ll'ld2 Ei:xd3 2 l .xd3 b4
22.<;t>f3 ib7t 23.<;t>g3 h5 24.h3 a5 25.f4;!;
Kramnik- Ponomariov, Moscow 2009.
16 . . . xd5 1 7.ixd5 .ia6t 1 8 ..ic4 axb6 1 9.a4
ib2 20.Ei:c2 Ei:fc8 2 1 .ll'ld2 b5 22.axb5 ixb5
23.Ei:b 1 ixc4t 24.Ei:xc4
Kramnik- Mamedyarov, Dortmund 20 1 0.
b) 9 . . . 0-0 and now:
a b c d e f g h
b 1 ) 1 0.ll'ld2
The idea of this move, which I recently
played myself, is to avoid . . . lt'le4.
IO ... b6 l l .c6 d4 1 2.cxd7 dxc3 1 3.bxc3 ixc3
1 4.ixf6 gxf6 1 5 .dxc8= Ei:axc8 1 6.ic4
Ei:fd8!N
1 6 . . . Ei:xc4 1 7.0-0;!;
1 6 . . . Ei:cd8 1 7 .g4t <;t>h8 1 8.0-0 ixd2
1 9.Ei:c2 ib4 20.ib3 id6 2 l .Ei:c4 Ei:g8
22.h3 Ei:g7 23.g3 Miton - Battaglini,
Mulhouse 20 1 1 .
1 7.0-0 .ixd2 1 8.Ei:c2 ixe3 1 9.f3
1 9.g4t g5 20.h3 ixf2t 2 l .Ei:fxf2
Ei:d 1 t 22.if1 Ei:xf1 t 23.<;t>xf1 b5t 24.Ei:fe2
Ei:xc2 25.g3t <j{f8 26.d6t=
19 . . .id4 20.ixf7t <;t>h8 2 l .Ei:xc8 Ei:xc8 22.g3;!;
White can get this position by force, and
has the advantage in view of the exposed black
king. The question is whether White can create
enough pressure against the black king, or if
Black will manage to exchange queens and
then draw easily.
b2) 1 O.a3 ixc3t 1 l .Ei:xc3 lt'le4 1 2.b4 ll'lxc3
1 3.a 1 a4 1 4.xc3
For the exchange, White has a pawn along
with control over the dark squares.
1 4 . . . h6
1 4 . . . a5 1 5.b5 Ei:e8 1 6.ie2 ll'l f8 1 7.ll'ld4 lt'l e6
1 8.ll'lxe6 ixe6 1 9.0-0 Ei:ac8 20.Ei:c l ;!;
1 5.if4
1 5.ih4 a5 1 6.b5 ll'lxc5 The bishop being
more exposed on h4 makes this sacrifice
playable. 1 7.xc5 .if5 1 8.d4 xa3
1 9.ie2oo Aronian - Kramnik, Moscow
20 1 0.
1 5 . . . a5 1 6.b5
Black now has two options:
5
4
3
v-=/._, .. ,J/.._, .... /=
2
'"""/"""'.......
1
a b c d e f g h
b2 1 ) 1 6 . . . Ei:e8
The idea is to transfer the knight to e6 in
order to fight for the important d4-square.
1 7.ll'ld4
1 7.ie2 ll'lf8 1 8.0-0 ig4 1 9.b2 lt'le6
 November 20 1 1 203

20.id6 ixf3 2 1 . .ixf3 l'!ad8 22.b6 l'!c8 20.'11Bb2 ll'le6 and now:
23.1'!c l l'!ed8 24.ie2 '\We4oo i) 2 1 .ll'l f5 l'!fe8 22.id6 d4 23.e4 ll'lxc5
1 7 . . . ll'lxc5 1 8.'\WxcS ig4 24.lt'lxg7 E:ec8 25.ll'lh5 ll'lxe4 26.fxe4 l'!c2
2 7.'\1Ba 1 l'!ac8-+
ii) 2 1 .ie5 ll'lxc5 22.ixg7 l'!fe8 23.c;!(d2
l'!xe3 24.c;!(xe3 '\Wd l 25 .c;!(f2 lt'la4 26.'1We2
'11Bxe2t 27.ixe2 c;!(xg7 28.1'!cl l'!c8 29.1'!xc8
ixc8 30.c;!(e3 c;!(f6=
iii) 2 1 .ll'lxe6 ixe6 22.id3 d4 23.exd4 .ic4
24.'tt> d 2
20 ... 1'!ac8 2 1 .'11Bc 5
2 1 .c7 lt'le6 (2 l . . .b6 22.'11Bb 2 lt'le6 23.ll'lxe6
fxe6 24.id6 l'!f7 25.ie2) 22.ll'lxe6 fxe6
23.'11Bc 5 l'!xf4 24.exf4 Wxf4 25 .b6 d4 26.ie2
b d f g h
a c e
1Mfe3 27 .l'!fl
1 9.ie2 2 l ...bxc6 22.b6 lt'le6 23.ll'lxe6 fxe6 24.b7
1 9.f3 l'!ac8 20.'\WxdS g5 2 1 ..ixg5 (2 1 .fxg4 l'!ce8 25.ia6 e5 26.ig3
gxf4 22.ll'l f5 fxe3 23.ll'lxh6t \t>h8 24.ll'lxf7t We can see that in many cases White's dark
Wg7 25.'\Wgst Wf8 26.id3 l:'!:c l t 27.\t>e2 squared bishop is no worse than the black
l'!xh l 28.'\Wh6t c;!{xf7 29.'11Bh 7t=) 2 l . . .ie6 rook.
22.'\Wes l:'!:c l t 23.\t>f2 '11Bd 1 24.c;!{g3 We i t
25.c;!(f4 hxg5t 26.'\WxgSt Wf8oo 10.bxc3 0-0 I I .lDd4 lDe4 12 ..if4
1 9 ...1'!ac8 20 . .ic7
20.'\WxdS l'!c l t 2 1 .Wd2 l:'!:xh 1 22.ixg4 8
1Mfxa300 7
20 ... b6 2 1 .'11Bxb6 ixe2 22.c;!(xe2 '\Wc4t 23.c;!(f3
l'!xc7 24.'\WxaS 6
5
b22) 16 ... ll'l f6 1 7.ll'ld4
4
1 7.id3 d4 1 8.'\Wxd4 '11Bxa3 1 9.0-0 ie6oo
1 7 . . . ll'le4 1 8.'\Wc l id7 1 9.f3 ll'l g5 3

a b c d e f g h

12 ...Wxa2!?
This is a risky move because White can take
advantage of his lead in development.

1 2 ... 1'!e8 1 3.ie2

1 3.f3?! ll'lexcS 1 4.ie2 ll'leS 1 S .ll'l b3 ll'lxb3
a b c d e f g h 1 6.axb3 lt'lg6 1 7.ig3 l'!xe3 1 8.0-0 .if5
20.c6 1 9.if2 l'!e?+ Giri - Kramnik, Monaco
(rapid) 20 1 1 .
204 Chess Evolution
1 3 . . . xc5!?
13 ... lt:ldxc5 14.f3 lt:l f6 (14 . . . g5 1 5 .fxe4 gxf4
1 6.0-0 !!xe4 1 7.exf4;t and the black king is
somewhat weak) 1 5.lt:lb5 lt:l e6 1 6 . .ie5 lt:ld7
1 7.i.g3 lt:l b6 1 8.0-0 !!d8 1 9.lt:lc7 lt:lxc7
20.ixc7 :1!d7 2 1 .ie5 lt:lc4 22.id4:!: Cmilyte
- Koneru, Moscow (rapid) 20 1 1 .
1 4.lt:lb5
1 4.0-0 lt:Jb6 1 5 .id3 id7 1 6.f3lt:Jd6oo
a b c d e f g h
1 4 . . . g5!
A typical idea for fighting against the bishop.
14 . . . lt:le5 1 5 .d4 id7 ( 1 5 . . . a6 1 6.xc5
lt:lxc5 1 7.lt:lc7 lt:led3t 1 8.ixd3 lt:lxd3t
1 9.'it>d2 lt:lxc 1 20.lt:lxe8 lt:ld3 2 1 .lt:lc7 lt:lxf2
22.lt:lxa8 lt:lxh 1 23.'kt>e 1 +-) 1 6.xc5 lt:lxc5
1 7.:1!d 1 ixb5 ( 1 7 . . . lt:led3t 1 8.:1!xd3 i.xb5
1 9.:1!xd5 ixe2 20.<;i/xe2:!:) 1 8.ixb5 lt:lc6
1 9.:1!xd5 lt:le4 20.:1!d7 lt:lxc3 2 1 .:1!xb7 lt:la5
22.ixe8 lt:lxb7 23.ic6 :1!d8 24.if3:!:
14 . . . lt:lf8 1 5 .lt:lc7 lt:le6 1 6.lt:lxe8 lt:lxf4
1 7 . .if3
1 5.lt:l c7 gxf4 1 6.lt:lxe8 'it>f8
1 6 . . . fxe3 1 7.d4 exf2t 1 8.'kt>fl 'kt>f8
1 9.xc5t lt:ldxc5 20.lt:lc7 !!b8 2 1 .lt:lxd5
ie6oo
1 7.f3 lt:lg5
1 7 . . . xe3 1 8.fxe4 lt:le5 1 9.lt:lc7 ( 1 9.d2
lt:ld3t 20.xd3 xc l t 2 1 .id 1 'kt>xe8
22.exd5 id7 23.0-0 e3t 24.xe3t
fxe3 25 .:1!e 1 'it>e7 26.:1!xe3t i>d) 1 9 . . .f3
20.d2 fxg2 2 1 .xe3 gxh 1 =t 22.i>d2
lt:lc4t 23.i.xc4 xh2t 24.ie2 xc7
25 .h6t 'kt>e7 26.:1!fl -+
1 8.exf4 lt:le6 1 9.f5 lt:ld8
1 9 . . . lt:l f4 20.d4 xd4 2 1 .cxd4 lt:l xe2
22.'it>xe2 'it>xe8 23.:1!c7 i>d8oo
20.c4 d4 2 1 .lt:lc7 xc7 22.xd4oo
1 2 . . . lt:ldxc5 1 3.f3 lt:lf6 1 4 .d2 id7 1 5.c4
xd2t 1 6.'kt>xd2 !!fc8 1 7 .ie5 dxc4 1 8.ixc4
a6 1 9.e4:!: Le Quang Liem - Peralta, Mulhouse
20 1 1 .
1 3Jc2
The alternative is 1 3 .ie2 and now:
a b c d e f g h
a) 1 3 . . . a3 1 4.lt:lb5 xc5 1 5 .h3
Aimed against the . . . g5 idea.
1 5.lt:lc7 g5 1 6.lt:lxa8 gxf4 1 7.d4 d6
1 8.:1!d 1 b8 1 9.xd5 lt:lxc3 20.g5t 'it>h8
2 1 .:1!xd7 ixd7 22.f6t 'it>g8 23.xc3 ic6
24.0-0 d6 25.exf4 :1!xa8oo
1 5 . . . a5
1 5 . . . lt:l df6 1 6.lt:lc7 !!b8 1 7.lt:la6 bxa6
1 8.ixb8 lt:l xf2 ( 1 8 . . . ixh3 1 9.ie5)
1 9.i>xf2 lt:le4t 20.'it>g1 xe3t 2 1 .'it>h2
ixh3 22.d3+-
1 6.lt:lc7 :1!a7 1 7.f3 lt:lef6 1 8.c4
1 8. 'kt>f2! is also strong.
1 8 . . . lt:lh5 1 9.ih2 xe3 20.lt:lxd5 e6 2 1 .0-0
White has excellent compensation for the
pawn.
b) 1 3 . . . b2 1 4.:1!c2
1 4.f3 lt:lxc3 1 5 .c2 xc2 1 6.:1!xc2 lt:lxe2
1 7.'kt>xe2 :1!d8 1 8.:1!b 1
 November 20 1 1 205

1 4 . . . Wfa3 1 5 .0-0 1 4 . . . bxc6 1 5 .f3

1 5 .xc6 Wfa3 1 6.0-0 xc3 1 7.l:!xc3 Wfxc3
1 8.Wfxd5 b6 1 9.Wfd6 .ie6 20 . .ie5 Wfb3
2 I ..id4 h8 22 ..id3 f6 23.i.e4 l:!ae8=
1 5 ... ef6 1 6.0-0 l:!e8
1 6 . . . .ia6 1 7.l:!a 1 .ixe2 1 8.l:!xa5 .ixd 1
1 9.l:!xd 1
1 7 .c4 .ia6
1 7 . . lt:Jh5
. 1 8.i.d6t
1 8.l:!a 1 Wfb6 1 9.Wfd2 dxc4
1 9 . . ..ixc4 20.l:!fb 1 Wfc5 2 1 .l:!a5 Wff8 22 ..ixc4
dxc4 23. f5t
a b c d e f g h
20.l:!fb 1 i.b5 2 I .i.xc4 a6 22.Wfa2 i.xc4
1 5 . . . g5 23.Wfxc4 Wfc5 24.Wfxc5 xc5 25.lt:lxc6 lt:ld5
1 5 . . . dxc5 1 6.b5 Wfa5 1 7.c7 ( 1 7.f3 26.i.d6 l:!ec8 27 . .ixc5 l:!xc6 28.l:!a5=
i.d7 1 8.fxe4 i.xb5 1 9.exd5 b600) 1 7 . . . .id7
1 8.lt:lxa8 l:!xa8 1 9.Wfxd5 lt:lxc3 20.Wfe5 13 '1Wa5
.

xe2t 2 1 .l:!xe2 1 3 . . . Wa4 1 4.f3 exc5? 1 5 . .id6 l:!d8

1 5 . . . df6 1 6.c4 .id7 1 7.cxd5 i.a4 1 8.c6 1 6.ie7 l:!e8 1 7.hc5 xc5 1 8.i.b5+-
bxc6 1 9.dxc6t
1 6.i.g3 xg3 1 7.hxg3 Wfxc5 1 8.c4 f6
1 9.cxd5 Wxd5 20.Wfc l
Th e black king i s not very safe as a result of
the . . . g5 move, and White has compensation.

c) 1 3 . . . Wfa5!

a b c d e f g h

14.b5?
1 4.c6!N bxc6 ( 1 4 . . . dc5 1 5 .f3 f6 1 6.cxb7
.ixb7 1 7 . .ie2) 1 5 .xc6 Wfa3 and now:

a) 1 6.3 ef6
1 4.c6
1 6 . . . lt:lxc3 1 7.Wfd2
1 4.0-0 lt:ldxc5 1 5 .c4 dxc4 1 6 . .ixc4 .ie6
1 7.c4!?
1 7.lt:lxe6 xe6 1 8 . .ixe6 fxe6 1 9.l:!c7 d2
1 7.f2 Wfc5 1 8.d4 h5! Eliminating
( 1 9 . . . l:!ad8 20.Wg4 l:!f7 2 I .l:!xf7 xf7
the strong bishop. ( 1 8 . . . b6 1 9.Wfb 1 .id7
22 . .ih6 Wfe5 23.i.xg7 Wff5oo) 20.Wfg4 l:!f7
20.Wfb4) 1 9.i.g3 ( I 9.i.g5 h6 20.i.h4 e5
2 l .Wfxe6 Wff5 22.Wfxf5 l:!xf5 23.l:!fc l b5oo
2 I .g4 g6 22 ..ig3 lt:Jxg3 23.hxg3 .id700)
206 Chess Evolution

1 9 . . . lLlxg3 20.hxg3 lLle5 2 1 .c4 dxc4 22 . .L.c4 14 ...ltJdxc5 1 5.f3 i.d7! 16.ltJc7
lLl xc4 23.Wfd3 h6 24.xc4 Wfd5=
17 ... e8
1 7 . . . lLlh5 1 8.ic7 ( 1 8.cxd5 lLlxf4 1 9.exf4
e8t 20.i.e2 i.a6 2 1 .0-0 ixe2 22.xe2
Wfc5t 23.'it>h 1 lLlb6= and the d5-pawn will
fall) 1 8 . . . Wfxe3t 1 9 .Wfe2 Wfg5 ( 1 9 . . . Wfb3
20.cxd5 ia6 2 l .Wfd2 ixfl 22.xfl lLlhf6
23.lLle7t 'it>h8 24.d6) 20.cxd5 i.b7 2 l .'it>f2
fe8 22.Wfd2
1 7 . . . dxc4 1 8.Wfd2 e8 1 9.ixc4 lLl b6
20.0-0 tt:lxc4 2 1 .xc4 i.d7 22.e4;!; It seems
likely that the a7 -pawn will be weak rather
than strong, and so White has a symbolic
advantage in this position. a b c d e f g h

16 ...i.a4
Black could have obtained a large advantage
with:
1 6 . . . ad8! 1 7.fxe4 dxe4 1 8.h4
1 8.\Wb 1 ia4 1 9.Wfa 1 ( 1 9.Wfa2 g5 20.i.xg5
lLld3t 2 l .i.xd3 Wfxg5 22.\Wxa4 exd3 23.d2
Wfxe3t 24.<j;ld 1 Wfc5 25.lLlb5 a6+)

a b c d e f g h

1 8.Wfc l
1 8.cxd5 lLlb6 1 9.e4 ( 1 9.d6 ltJbd5 20.ltJe7t
lLlxe7 2 l .dxe7 Wfxe7=) 19 . . . lLlxe4 20.e2
ig4 (20 . . . ltJf6 2 l .xe8t lLlxe8=) 2 l .Wfc l
(2 l .fxg4? lLlxd5 22.Wfxd5? Wfc3t 23.d 1
lLl f2t 24.xf2 e 1 #) 2 l . . .Wfxc l t 22.i.xc l
lLlc3 23.fxg4 lLl bxd5 24.xe8t xe8t a b c d e f g h
25.'it>f2 c8 26.lLle5 lLl d 1 t 27.'it>e2 xc l 1 9 . . . g5!-+ 20.ig3 \Wb6 2 l .b2 lLl b3
28.d2 ltJ f2 29.xc l lLl xh 1 = 22.\Wxa4 Wfxe3t 23 . .ie2 d 1 t 24.xd 1
1 8 . . . Wfxc l t \We i #
1 8 . . . Wfa4 1 9.lLld4 ia6 20.'it>f2 dxc4 2 l ..ixc4 1 8 . . . ib5 1 9.\Wb l id3 20.Wa2 Wfb6 2 l .b2
ac8 22.ic7t Wfc6 22.g3 ixfl 23.<j;lxfl ltJd3 24.ltJb5 lLlxb2
1 9.xc l dxc4 20.ixc4 lLl b6 2 l .'it>f2 lLlxc4 25 .\Wxb2 Wb6+
22.xc4 lLld5=
17.fxe4 hc2 1 8.'1Wxc2 gac8
b) 1 6.Wfxd5 lLl df6 1 7.Wfa5 Wfb3 1 8.Wa2 Wxa2 1 8 . . . Wfa 1 t 1 9.'it>f2 lLlxe4t 20.<j;lf3 (20.<j;lgl
1 9.xa2 lLlxc3 20.a5;!; ad8oo) 20 ... ad8 2 1 .h4 (2 l .ltJxd5 fe8
 November 20 1 1 207

22 . .id3 "IMfxh 1 23 . .ixe4 "IMffl t 24.<.tlg3 1Mfc4 30J!al gas 3 l .'it>b3

25 . .ixh7t h8 26."1Mff5 "1Mfxd5 27."1Mfh3 "1Mfd2
28 ..ig6t g8 29."1Mfh7t <.tlfs 30.1M/h8t <.tie?
3 1 ."1Mfxg7 "1Mfd5+) 2 l . . .f5 22.g3 f7 23.g2
"1Mfxc3 24."Wxc3 tt:lxc3 25.tt:lb5 tt:lxb5 26 . .ixb5
a600

a b c d e f g h

a b c d e f g h
2l ..ic4
White missed a chance to draw here, even
though the position looks as if it is bordering on
being lost: 2 l .e4! tt:lxe4 22."1Mfxe4 xd5 23.<.tlf2
1Mfc5t (23 . . . d 1 24.ib5 xh 1 25 . .ixe8 "1Mfxc3
26 . .ixf7t xf7 27."1Mff5t <.tlg8 28."1Mfe6t f8
29."1Mff5t=) 24 . .ie3 exeS 25 . .ixc5 (25."Wxe5
d2t 26.<.tle l 1Mfxe5 27.<.tlxd200) 25 . . . xe4
26.ixa7 f5t 27.<.tlg3 el 28 . .id3 Perhaps
White didn't see this move. 28 . . . g5t 29.f4
xh l 30.<.tlxg5 xh2 3 l ..ie4=
3 l . ..d8?!
There was no need for this move; simply
3 1 . . .<.tlf8+ was better. Black had no real reason
to worry about White playing <.tlb4-a5-b6,
as at some point he can play . . . c8 and keep
a solid advantage. Now White can put his
bishop to work, equalizing the position.
32 ..ic5 llc6 33 ..id6 h5 34.c4 bxc4t
35.'it>xc4
White's pieces are very active. The main idea
for Black is give up the a-pawn and use the
time to attack the pawns on g2 and h2.
35 ...d8 36.'it>d5 e6 37.g3 gc8 38J:!xa6
c2 39.h4 gc3

2 I . . .'ilfal t 22.YHdl YHxdl t 23.'it>xdl b5

24..ia2 gxd5t 25 ..ixd5 gds 26.'it>c2 gxd5
27-l:b i e6 28.e4 gds
28 . . . c5 29.ie3 xeS 30.ixa7 xe4
3 l .xb5=

29 ..ie3 a6
Black has the advantage thanks to his better
structure.
a b c d e f g h
208 Chess Evolution
40Ja3!
White's 40th move is a strong one! White is
sacrificing the exchange, but he gets enough
play to hold the draw.
40 ... lL!c7t 4 l .i.xc7 gxa3 42.e6 fxe6t
43.xe6= ge3 44.if4 ge l
44 . . J:he4t allows the white king to reach g6
and target the h5-pawn: 45.f5 Eia4 46.g6
Eia5 47.ig5=
45.e5 f8 46.15 f7 47.g5 g6 48.h6
ge2 49.';f{h7 ge4 so.h6 ge2 5 l .h7
l!z-lf:z
GAME 26
I> P. Vallejo Pons (2716)
.... V. Erdos (2608)
Bundesliga, Muelheim
Round 1, 14.10.2011 [D43]
Annotated by Paco Vallejo Pons
In this game I managed to surprise my
opponent with a dangerous novelty in
13.lt:l e5!?N. The game simplified into a major
piece endgame in which White had an extra
pawn and good winning chances, but I made a
few subtle errors which enabled my opponent
to hold the draw.
l .llJB
I used this move during the Sao Paulo/
Bilbao Grand Slam Final, and as this game was
played j ust a few days later, I decided to keep
playing with the same rhythm.
l ...d5 2.d4 tlJ f6 3.c4 c6 4.lL!c3 e6
Back when I first started studying the Semi
Slav, I remember Oreev being its biggest
supporter at the top level. Since then it has
become even more popular, and nowadays
virtually every top player in the world has
incorporated it into his repertoire to some
degree. If you want to fight for an advantage
with l .d4 or l .lt:l f3, you really need to have
some ideas here! Of course the same applies
to l .e4 players against the Berlin Defence,
amongst others . . .
s.igS h6 6.ixf6
This is the solid option. 6.ih4 is the sharper
move, but after 6 . . . dxc4 7.e4 g5! (7 . . . b5
transposes to the Borvinnik, another hugely
complicated line} 8.ig3 b5 practice has
demonstrated that Black has enough resources.
The position is highly unbalanced and plenty
of wild chess is in store.
6...W/xf6 7.W/c2!?
An interesting sideline, keeping the options
of e2-e4 and even long castling .
7.e3 is the main line. Here 7 . . . g6!? is Black's
latest approach to this position, trying to play
. . . ig7 and . . . 0-0 as soon as possible. (The
most frequent choice has been 7 . . . lt:ld7, which
has occurred in thousands of games.)
a b c d e f g h
7... dxc4
This seems like the critical move to me, and
has been the preferred choice of players such as
Kramnik, Anand, Leko and Gelfand.
The other serious option is:
7 . . . lt:ld7
 November 20 1 1
But White has decent chances to fight for an
advantage against this move.
8.e4 dxc4
8 . . . dxe4 9.'Wxe4 g6 1 0.id3 ig7 1 1 .0-0 is
more comfortable for White.
9.ixc4
9.e5?! is premature, and after 9 . . . 'Wf5
1 0.'Wxf5 exf5 1 l .ixc4 tt:lb6? Black is at
least equal.
9 . . . e5!
The only move that justifies this line for
Black. If he played more modestly with
9 . . . g6?! then he would find himself two
tempos down on a known line where White
plays id3-xc4 and e3-e4.
1 0.0-0!
The most precise. Instead 1 O.d5 lLl b6
1 1 .ib3 ig4! is okay for Black.
1 0 . . . id6
1 0 . . . exd4? 1 l .e5! 'Wg6 1 2.id3 'Wh5
1 3.tt:lxd4
1 1 .d5
White can play for the advantage with little
risk.
a b c d e f g h
8.e3 b5
8 . . . 'Wf5?! is a strange suggestion of Houdini.
After the natural 9.e4 'Wg6 1 O.tt:le5 'Wg5
1 1 .lLlxc4;!; White controls the centre and has
a lead in development. (But note that 1 1 .h4?!
'Wd8! 1 2.0-0-0 b5 1 3.d5 We?! would justify
Black's unusual play.)
209
9.a4i.b7
Playing in Noteboom style with 9 . . . ib4?
is ill-advised here: 1 O.axb5 cxb5 l l .We4 Wf5
1 2.Wxa8 Wc2 1 3.tt:ld2 Wxb2 1 4.Eia2! Wc l t
1 5.lLld1 0-0 ( 1 5 . . . c3? 1 6.ixb5t) 1 6.Wxb8 a6
1 7.ie2 c3 1 8.0-0+-
After the move played, the following sequence
is more or less forced.
IO.axb5 cxb5 l l .xb5i.b4tD 12.c3 0-0
Attempting to change the order of Black's
development with 1 2 . . . tt:ld7?! brings certain
disadvantages: 1 3.'Wa4 a5N ( 1 3 . . . ixc3t
1 4.bxc3 ixf3 1 5 .gxf3 Wxf3 1 6.Eig 1 Eib8
1 7.Eixg7 Eib2 1 8.Eig2 Wb7 1 9.Wxc4 Eib l t
20.Eixb l 'Wxb l t 2 l .c;!;>e2 '8'c2t 22.c;!;>f3 '8'f5t
23.c;!;>e2 '8'c2t 1-0 Komarov - Khenkin, Porto
San Giorgio 1 996.) 1 4.tt:le5 Eid8 1 5 .ixc4
c;t>en
I prepared the following novelty for use in the
Grand Slam Final, but it seems that the top
players in the world have excellent intuition for
avoiding preparation. My next move does not
improve White's play in an objective sense, but
it could well prove a highly effective surprise
weapon against an unsuspecting opponent.
That's modern chess!
a b c d e f g h
13.e5!?N
210 Chess Evolution

After the game finished, many players came

to me to ask me why this natural move had
never been tried before. Indeed, the fact that
such a logical move was a novelty is really
surprising, and says something about the lack
of creativity of most players.

1 3.il.xc4!? led to success for White in one

game, but Black did not react well: 1 3 . . . lt::l d 7?
(the critical line is 1 3 . . . ixf3N 1 4.gxf3 1Mfxf3
1 5 .l'!gl lt::l d700) 1 4.il.e2 e5 1 5.0-0 a5 1 6.l'!ad l a b c d e f g h

l'!fc8 1 7.d5 a4 1 8.1Mfe4?! xc3 1 9.bxc3 lt::l c 5?! 1 6.'kt>fl !?

( 1 9 ... l'!xc3) 20.1Mfxe5 1Mfxe5 2 1 .lt::l x e5 lt::l e4 1 6.id3 lt::l c6 1 7.ih7t i>h8 1 8.ie4 a5
22.c4 lt::l c3 23.l'!d2 a3? 24.id3 lt::l x d5 25.cxd5 1 6.1Mfb3 a5 1 7.l'!g4!? would be a nice idea,
a2 26J!a 1 .ixd5 27.f4 l'!ab8 28.'kt>f2 1 -0 were it not for 17 . . . lt::l c 6! 1 8.lt::l x f7 a4!! when
Tischbierek - Luther, Austria 2002. the complications work out in Black's favour.
1 6.lt::l g4!? 1Mfg5!? 1 7.h4! We7 ( 1 7 . . . Wxh4?!
The previous position has occurred in close 1 8.ixe6! fxe6 1 9.1Mfg6) Now 1 8.lt::l x h6t?!
to 40 games, and 1 3.ie2 has been White's i>h8 does not help White, but the superior
choice in almost all of them. Still, but White 1 8.ia2 keeps the game unclear.
has seldom managed to win a game with 1 6 . . . lt::l c6 1 7.lt::l d7
it at the top level. Here are a few relevant 1 7.lt::l g4? 1Mfh4 is good for Black.
examples: 1 3 . . . lt::l d7 1 4.0-0 l'!fc8 1 5 .l'!fc l a5 1 7 . . . 1Mfe7 1 8.lt::l e4 i>h80
1 6.lt::l d2 ( 1 6.lLla4 l'!ab8 1 7.1Mfd 1 e5 1 8.l'!xc4
l'!xc4 1 9.ixc4 ixf3 20.1Mfxf3 1Mfxf3 2 1 .gxf3
exd4 22.exd4 lLlb6 23.lt::l xb6 l'!xb6 [the players
agreed a draw here in Beliavsky - Kramnik,
Dortmund 1 998) 24.!!d 1 \t>f8 25.b3 !!g6t
26. \f;>fl !!g5 27 .l'!d3 !!h5 28. \t>g2 !!g5t
29.'kt>fl !!h5 30.\t>g2 l'!g5t Yz-Yz Kramnik -
Leko, Miskolc 2007) 1 6 . . . lLlb6 1 7.if3 We7
1 8.ixb7 1Mfxb7 1 9.h3 !!c7 20.1Mfdl Yz-Yz
Aronian - Anand, Wijk aan Zee 2008.

13 . Jk8!
.

The best reaction.

14.Axc4lLlc6
1 4 . . . ixg2!?
This move looks risky, but it is playable and
may well be the critical continuation. Of
course one can hardly blame Erdos for being
reluctant to try it without any prior analysis.
1 5 .l'!gl b7
a decisive
The position is highly unclear, but I would
estimate it to be roughly equal. Of course the
whole line is rather messy, and practical testing
will give a better idea as to what is really going
on.
 November 20 1 1 211

Also 20.l'!xa7? would be premature due to

20 . . . g5 2 l .e4 l'!c l 22.b5 l'!xfl t 23.i.xfl
ixe4.

20 ...c;bh8 2I .i.e4
The opening is over and White's novelty has
yielded pleasing results: a beautiful structure
and virtually no risk of losing the game.

a b c d e f g h

15.c!lhc6 E!xc6?!
Black would have done better to try 1 5 . . . ixc6
when he obtains decent compensation for the
pawn. For instance: 1 6.i.a6 ( 1 6.f3 should be
met by either 1 6 . . . g5 or 1 6 . . . e5!?, with decent
compensation in either case.) 1 6 . . . g5!! This
subtle move would have been difficult to find
over the board.
a b c d e f g h

21. ..he4
2 1 . . .1'!3c7? 22.i.xd5 exd5 23.l'!a5 leaves
Black with another weak pawn.

22.YNxe4 E!3c7 23.g3

Another idea is 23.g4!? with the intention
of preventing the typical . . . g6/ . . . h5 defensive
formation. Still, I doubt that it is a real
improvement over the game.
a b c d e f g h
23 g6 24.E!a5
..

1 7.l'!g l ( I 7.f4?! xg2 1 8.xg2 i.xg2 1 9.l'!gl Stopping the possible . . . f5 and preparing
l'!xc3! is an important tactical point) 17 ... l'!c7 to double on the a-file.

1 6.i.d3! E!ac8 17.0-0 bc3 1 8.bxc3 E!xc3 24 ...c;bg7 25.c;bg2 E!b8!

Black has managed to regain his pawn, but Trying to develop counterplay on the second
this is by no means a guarantee of his safety. rank.

19.VNb i ! i.d5! 20.i.h7t! 26.E!a2

White should not destabilize his structure 26.l'!b l !? l'!xb l 27.xb l d8t
with 20.e4?! ib3.
212 Chess Evolution

3 I ..Jd2?!
The best way to hold the posltlon was
3 l . . .Wfxf3t! 32.'i!:txf3 l!>f6 (32 . . . f5! ?) when
the pressure against f2 should be enough to
ensure a successful defence. The only really
important point is that after 33.g4 hxg4t
34.hxg4 Black must play 34 . . . g5! when the
draw is close.

32.g4! hxg4 33.hxg4 '?;Yxf3t

33 . . . g5 ?! would have been met by 34.Wfg3!
and with queens on the board Black will have
a b c d e f g h to worry about his own king safety, for instance
27... a5! 34 . . . !!dc2?! 35 .l'!a8.
The best practical option, giving up the
pawn in return for some activity. 34.c;t>x3 gdc2 35.g5!:t
Having achieved a bind on the kingside,
28J:ixa5 White's advantage is quite serious.
After a long think I could find nothing
better than going into the following endgame. 35 ... gd2 36.c;t>g3 gdc2 37.ge5 ga2 38.gb5
gd2 39.gb3 gdc2
28 .. Jb2! 29.'i;Yf3
After 29.Wff4?! Wfxf4 30.gxf4 l'!cc2 the
change in the pawn structure does not improve
White's chances compared with the game.

29 .. Jkc2 30JUI h5
30 . . . "\We?!? was possible.

3 1 .h3!?
Preparing a small positional trap.

a b c d e f g h
4o.gbs?
The last move of the time control, and the
rook moves away from its ideal home. With
the white pieces all on good squares, it was
time to play 40.f4! with the following possible
continuation: 40 . . . !!g2t 4 I .\!>f3 gh2 42.l'!c l
l'!h3t 43.<i!:te4 !!e2 44J"kc3 ge l 45.\!>e5 !!e2
46.\!>d6 !!a2 47.e4!? Black faces an uphill
struggle for a draw.
a b c d e f g h
 November 20 1 1 213

40 .. J::l a5 4 I .f4 ga3! 42.ge l gd2 43.gb4
gc3 44.c;bf3 gh2 45.c;be4 gh3 46J:!b2 ga3
47.gd2
not have an easy time winning, but Black
faces a treacherous defence with his king cut
off.) 53.Ei:a l Ei:xg5 54.e4 Ei:g2 5 5 .Ei:a7t <i>d6!
(55 . . . c;!{f6? 56.e5t) 56.e5t c;!{c6D 57.Ei:e7 Ei:g6
58.<i>c4 Ei:h6= White can make no further
progress.

48.Ei:f2! would have been the last real chance

to play for a win. Play may continue 48 .. .f6
(48 . . . Ei:h3 49.Ei:f3 Ei:xf3 50.<i>xf3 f6 5 I .gxf6t
c;!{xf6 reaches a similar endgame with one pair
of rooks removed) 49.gxf6t c;!{xf6 when it is
hard to give a definite verdict, but Black would
clearly still have to work a lot longer to save
the game.

a b c d e f g h 48 ... e:xd5t 49.gxd5 gh3 50.gd8 gb3

47... gg3!!
An extremely deep move. Once I understood
it during the game, it discouraged me and I
began to have serious doubts as to whether I
could win.
48.d5?
This makes Black's defensive task easier.
5 I .ge8 ga3 52.ge2 gb3 53.ga8 ghs
This move was not necessary for the defence,
but nor does it harm it.
54.gxhs c;bxhs ss.gd2 c;bg7 56.gd7 ga3
57.c;bd4 ga4t 58.c;be5 ga5t 59.gd5 ga3
60.e4 gal 6I .gd7 gbl

48.Ei:d3 is the move White would like to

play, but it runs into the following defence:
48 . . . Ei:xd3 49.c;!{xd3 f6! 50.gxf6t c;!{xf6 5 I .Ei:fl

a b c d e f g h
62.5
The last try, but Erdos encountered the same
a b c d e f g h
endgame against Navara not long before, so he
knew exactly what to do.
51 . . . g5! 52.fxg5t c;!{e7! Finally we see why it
was important for the rook to go to g3! (After 62.Ei:a7 Ei:c l 63.c;!{d4 Ei:fl 64.c;!{e3 l'!b l 65 .e5
52 . . . c;!{xg5 53.c;!{e4 <i>g6 White will certainly c;!{f8 66.c;!{e4 Ei:b5 gives Black no trouble.
214 Chess Evolution

62 ... gxf5 63.exf5 gelt! 64.d6 gdlt 6 ... b5!?

65.e7 gel t 66. d6 The normal move is 6 . . . ib4, but Shirov had
66.<it>d8 ge5! is a dead draw. recently suffered an unpleasant defeat at the
hands ofPotkin in this line, so he decided to try
66... gdlt 67.c7 go 68.gd5 ggl 69.g6 an unusual and rather interesting alternative.
fxg6 70.fxg 6 (The Potkin - Shirov game is briefly referenced
Y:z-1/:z in the note to White's 1 1 th move in Game 23
(Le Quang Liem - Dominguez Perez, D 1 6,
GAME 27 which began via a different move order) .
I> P. Eljanov (2683)
A. Shirov (271 3) 7.Lf6
Governor's Cup, Saratov A rare move, and probably not the best. Of
Round 7, 1 5 . 1 0.20 1 1 [044) the alternatives, it is worth paying attention to
Annotated by Kamil Miton the natural 7.axb5 as well as the subtle 7.g3!?.

The Botvinnik Semi-Slav still has some fans, 7.axb5 cxb5 8.tt:lxb5
Alexei Shirov being one of the most prominent Regaining the pawn is, unsurprisingly,
of them. In this game Eljanov decided not White's most popular continuation.
to enter any sharp theoretical main lines, 8 . . . b6
instead choosing 6.a4. Shirov answered with From this position both a) 9.tt:lc3 and
the interesting 6 . . . b5!?, rather than the usual b) 9.tt:la3 deserve attention.
6 . . . ib4. It turned out to be a good decision as
Eljanov's reaction of 7.ixf6 followed by 8.g3 a) 9.tt:lc3 xb2 1 0.id2
was not the best. Black quickly assumed the
initiative, although White's strong defensive
play eventually brought him a draw in an
endgame a pawn down.

I .d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.ttlf3 ttlf6 4.ttlc3 e6 5 ..ig5

dxc4 6.a4

8
7
a b c d e f g h
6 1 0 . . . tt:\d5!
5 10 ... ib4 1 I .gbl a3 1 2.tt:lb5 ixd2t
1 3.tt:lxd2 e7 1 4.e3 0-0 1 5 .ixc4;!;
4
1 0 . . . b3 1 l .e3 tt:lc6 1 2.c l leaves Black's
3 queen misplaced and the c4-pawn a target.
2
1 I .lt:lxd5
l l .gcl should be met by the accurate
l l . ..tt:ld7!, developing a piece and planning
a c e
b d f g h . . . tt:\7b6 to guard the c-pawn. 1 2.e3 (White
 November 20 I I 215

should settle for a modest centre, as I 2.e4
lt:lxc3 1 3.ixc3 ib4 I 4.ixb4 xb4t 1 5 .d2
a5 1 6.ixc4 0-0 gives Black promising
counterplay against the pawns on e4 and
d4.) 1 2 . . . lt:l 7b6 1 3.lt:le5 ib4
1 5 .exd5 ( 1 5 .!!xd5 !'!b8!-+) 1 5 . . . ia6! 1 6.!'!b l
0-0 1 7.dxc6 !!feSt 1 8.ie3 !!ab8+
1 3.e4

a b c d e f g h

It looks like White has the makings of a

a b d e f g h
c
I 4.1':k2 ( I 4.1':1bi xd2t! I 5.'it>xd2 lt:l xc3
1 6.h5 lt:lxbit I ?.'it>c l g6 I 8.f3 0-0
1 9.i>xb l !'!b8t) 1 4 . . . b3 1 5.lt:le4 c3
1 6.i.b5t i.d7 1 7.lt:lxd7 lt:lxd7 1 8.0-0 !'!c8
1 9.i.xc3 lt:lxc3 20.lt:lxc3 i.xc3 (20 . . . !'!xc3
2 l .!'!xc3 xd l 22.!'!xd l ixc3 23.!'!c l
'it>e7 24.!'!xc3 !'!b8 25.id3=) 2 l .d3 i'e7
22.!'!fc 1 lt:le5 23.dxe5 !!hd8 24.e200
l l .. .exd5 1 2.!'!b l a3
Also possible is: 1 2 . . . a2!? 1 3.e4 id6
From here White can keep attacking the
queen to force a draw, but if he tries to play
more ambitiously then he risks suffering
from some unpleasant tactics. For example:
1 4.!!b5 lt:lc6
promising initiative, but Black can equalize
by returning his extra pawn.
1 3 . . . id6
1 3 . . . dxe4? is too risky: 1 4.lt:le5 c3 1 5 .i.c 1
a2 1 6.i.c4 c2 1 7.i.xa2 cxd l =t 1 8.c.t>xd l
ie6 1 9.ixe6 fxe6 20.!'!b7
1 3 . . . lt:ld7 1 4.exd5 c3 1 5.ic 1 a2 1 6.id3
id6 1 7.0-0 0-0 1 8.!'!b3 ia6 1 9.!'!xc3 ixd3
20.xd3 xd5=
1 4.exd5 0-0 1 5 .ixc4 !!e8t 1 6.lt:le5 lt:ld7
1 7.0-0
1 7.!'!b3 a4 1 8.!'!e3 xd l t 1 9.i>xd l lt:lxe5
20.!'!he l f6 2 l .dxe5 !'!xe5=
17 . . . lt:lxe5 1 8.dxe5 !!xe5 1 9.if4 !!e4 20.!'!a l
c5 2 l .ixd6 xd6 22.!!e l !!xe l t 23.xe l
id7=

b) 9.lt:la3
7

6
bun/'"""n
5
t'Nm..'/=0/"
4

a b c d e f g h

a b c d e f g h
216 Chess Evolution
Now Black has a few possibilities, including
an interesting untested one.
9 . . ..ixa3!?N
9 ... 'Mfxb2 1 0.ltlxc4 ib4t 1 l ..id2 .ixd2t
1 2.ltlcxd2 ia6 1 3.e3 .ixf1 1 4.tt:lxfl 0-0
1 5 .ltl 1 d2 ltlbd7 1 6.0-0 Black is a bit worse
as his a7 -pawn could become weak.
9 . . . tt:le4 seems risky. In the following analysis
I found no forced advantage for White, but
still I would not entirely trust Black's play.
1 0.ltlxc4 'Mfb4t 1 l .ltlcd2 ltlxg5 1 2.ltlxg5
'Mfxd4 1 3.e3
a b c d e f g h
1 3 . . . 'Mfd7!? ( 1 3 ... 'Mfxb2? 1 4 J::!:b l 'Mff6
1 5 .ltlge4 'Mfd8 1 6.'Mff3+-; 1 3 . . . 'Mfd5 1 4 . .ie2
.ib7 1 5 . .if3 'Mid? 1 6.0-0 .ie7 1 7.ltlc4 'Mfxd l
1 8.l'!fxd 1 .ixf3 1 9.ltlxf3 ltlc6 20.ltld6t
.ixd6 2 l .l'!xd6) 1 4.'Mfb3 ib7 1 5 . .ib5
.ic6 1 6 . .ixc6 ltlxc6 1 7.0-0 fi.e7 1 8.l'!fd l !?
.ixg5 1 9.ltle4 We? ( 1 9 . . . 'Mfe7 20.ltld6t i>f8
2 l .'Mfa4t) 20.ltlxg5 h6 2 l .ltle4 0-0=
1 0.'Mfa4t ltlc6 l l .'Mfxa3
a b c d e f g h
White seems to have the makings of a big
advantage, as he has two bishops and the
better pawn structure. Black needs to act
quickly.
1 l ...ltle4!
l l . ..'Mfb4t 1 2 . .id2 'Mfxa3 1 3.l'!xa3
l l . . .ltlxd4 1 2.ltlxd4 'Mfxd4 1 3.e3 'Mfd5
I 4.h4 h Black's king is vulnerable.
1 2.e3
After 1 2 ..if4 e5!? 1 3.ltlxe5 ltlxd4 1 4.'Mfa4t
i>e7 1 5 .ltlxc4 ltlc2t 1 6.\t>d 1 'Mfxf2 1 7.1t>xc2
'Mfxf4 neither king is particularly safe and the
position is unclear.
1 2 . . .f6
1 2 . . . 'Mfb4t 1 3.'Mfxb4 ltlxb4 1 4.l'!c l ( 1 4.l'!a5!?)
1 4 . . . ltld3t 1 5 ..ixd3 cxd3 1 6 . .if4 g5! The
d3-pawn is weak so Black must find some
counterplay quickly. 1 7.fi.c7 .ib7 1 8.ltld2
g4 1 9.f3 gxf3 20.gxf3 ltlxd2 2 l .i>xd2 ixf3
22.l'!hg l i>d7=
1 3 . .if4 tt:lb4 1 4.l'!c l .ia6
a b c d f g h
e
1 5 .ic7
1 5 .fi.e2 0-0 1 6.0-0 !!feSt
1 5 .'Mfa4t i>e7 1 6.ie2 l'!hc8 1 7.0-0 @f7oo
1 5 .ixc4 l'!c8 1 6.b3 ( 1 6.Wfb3!?) 1 6 . . . ltld3t
1 7.hd3 l'!xc l t 1 8.'Mfxc l .ixd3 1 9.ltld2 0-0
20.ltlxe4 .ixe4 2 1 .0-0 Wfxb3=
1 5 ... Wfxc7 1 6.Wfxb4 l'!b8 1 7.Wfa4t
1 7.Wfa3 Wfe7 1 8.Wfxa6 Wfb4t 1 9.i>d 1 ltlxf2t
20.i>e2 Wfxb2t 2 1 .ltld2 Wfxc l 22.Wfxe6t
lt>d8 23.Wfd6t lt>c8=
17 ... ib5 1 8.'Mfa3 Wfc6
 November 20 1 1 217

9 ... lt:J bd7!?N

a b c d e f g h
1 9 . .ie2
1 9.lLld2 lLlxd2 20.'it>xd2 e5i
19 ... c3 20.i.xb5 Wxb5 2 1 .bxc3 Wd3 22.1Mfa2
0-0 23.lt:Jd2 lLlxc3 24.1Mfxe6t 1':\f7 25 .1Mfc4
1Mfxc4 26.lt:Jxc4 1':\c7=
White's other interesting option on move 7 is:
7.g3!?
Compared with the game continuation of
7.ixf6 gxf6 8.g3, here it is less attractive for
Black to advance his b-pawn.
7 . . .ib7
7 . . . b4?! does not work here, as after 8.lt:Je4
Black does not have the option of . . . f6-f5 .
8 . .ig2
An interesting new idea, returning the extra
pawn to speed up Black's development.
9 . . . Wb6 has been played in several games.
9 . . . 1Mfc8 1 0.0-0 transposes to a game which
soon ended in a draw: 1 0 . . .tt:Jbd7 1 1 .lt:Jxd7
lLlxd7 ( l l . . .Wxd7 1 2.i.xf6 gxf6 1 3.axb5
cxb5 1 4.d5i) 1 2.e4 h6 1 3.ie3 ie7 1 4.e5
0-0 1 5 .1Mfg4 'it>h8 Y2-Y2 Romanishin -
Movsesian, Solin 2006.
l O.lLlxc6
Other moves are possible, but White does
not seem to have an advantage anywhere:
1 0.0-0 lLlxe5 1 1 .dxe5 Wxd 1 1 2.1':\fXd 1
lt:Jd5 1 3 .axb5 cxb5 ( 1 3 . . . axb5? 1 4.1':\xaSt
.ixa8 1 5 .1':\a1 i.b7 1 6.1':\a? i.c8 1 7.lt:Je4)
1 4.lt:Jxd5 exd5 1 5 .i.xd5 i.xd5 1 6.1':\xdS i.e?
1 7.ie3 0-0 1 8.1':\d? 1':\fe8 1 9.i>g2oo
1 O.ixf6 lt:Jxf6 1 1 .axb5 axb5 1 2.ixc6t ixc6
1 3.lt:Jxc6 Wc8 1 4.lt:Je5 1':\xa1 1 5.1Mfxa l Wb7
1 6.0-0 ie7 1 7.1Mfa5 0-0 1 8.1Mfxb5 Wxb5
1 9.lt:Jxb5 1':\b8 20.lt:Jc3 1':\xb2 2 1 .1':1a 1 1':\c2
22.1':\aSt if8=
1 0 ... Wb6 I l .d5

a b c d e f g h

1 l . . . ic5
1 1 . . .lt:Jxd5 1 2.lLlxd5 1Mfxc6 1 3.lt:Jf6t gxf6
1 4 . .ixc6 ixc6 1 5 . .ie3 i.xh l 1 6.f3;!;
l l . . .b4 1 2.i.xf6 lLlxf6 1 3.a5 1Mfc7 1 4.lt:Jxb4
0-0-000
a) 8 . . . a6 9.lt:Je5 1 2.0-0 0-0 1 3.b4 cxb3 1 4.1Mfxb3 lt:Jxd5
Opening the long diagonal and thus creating 1 5 .lt:Jxd5 exd5 1 6.1Mfxd5 !!ac8 1 7.axb5 axb5
a threat of taking on b5. 1 8.1Mfxd7 .ixc6 19 . .ixc6 1Mfxc6 20.1Mfxc6 1':1xc6=
218 Chess Evolution
b) 8 . . . lLlbd7
Here is yet another line where Black returns
the extra pawn to tame his opponent's
initiative.
9.axb5
9.0-0 a6 1 0.lLle5 b6 ( I O . . .c8) 1 1 .lLlxd7
lLlxd7 1 2.e4 e5 1 3.dxe5 lLlxe5 1 4.axb5 axb5
1 5 .1"ha8t .ixa8 1 6.h5 g6 1 7.h3 ie7
1 8 . .ie3 Y2-Y2 Wojtaszek - Smeets, Istanbul
2005.
9 . . . cxb5 1 0.lLlxb5 b6 1 1 .lLlc3 xb2 1 2 . .id2
1 2.Ei:b 1 xc3t 1 3 . .id2 a3 1 4.Ei:xb7 El:c8
1 5 .0-0 a6 1 6.lLle5 lLlxe5 1 7.dxe5 lLld5
1 8.b 1 ic5+
1 2 . . . b3 1 3.c l
White can also consider exchanging queens:
1 3.xb3 cxb3 1 4.0-0 .ib4 1 5 .Ei:fb 1 a5
1 6.Ei:xb3 0-0 Ideally Black would prefer to
put his king on e7, but here it might lead to
tactical difficulties, for instance with a future
bishop check on b4. 1 7.lLle1 ixg2 1 8.<i>xg2
Ei:fc8 1 9.lLld3 ixc3 20.ixc3 a4 2 1 .Ei:ba3
lLld5 22 . .ie 1 El:c4 23.e3 El:c2 24.<i>fl lLl 5b6=
Black keeps his a-pawn securely defended
and it is tough for White to achieve anything.
a b c d e f g h
Black must be careful from here; he is behind
in development, his queen is badly placed
and the a7- and c4-pawns are weak.
1 3 . . . .ic6 1 4.0-0 b7 1 5 .Ei:b 1 lLl b6 1 6.Ei:e 1
1 6.e4 lLlxe4 1 7.lLle5 lLlxc3 1 8 . .ixc6t xc6
1 9.lLlxc6 lLle2t 20.<;!tg2 lLlxc l 2 1 .Ei:fXc l .id6
22.lLlxa7=
1 6 . . . Ei:c8
1 6 . . .ie7 1 7.e4 0-0 1 8.lLle5 El:ac8 1 9.Ei:a 1 t
1 7 .c2 ie7 1 8.e4 0-0 1 9.lLle5 Ei:fd8 20.ie3
.ie800
7...gxf6
a b c d e f g h
8.g3
After 8.e3 b6 9.lLld2 .ib7 1 0.h5 a6
1 1 . .ie2 lLld7 1 2.0-0 f5 White does not have
enough compensation for the pawn.
8 ... b4
This move is often risky in such positions, as
it weakens Black's structure on the queenside,
especially the pawn on c4. But in this particular
case, White does not have time to exploit this
in a favourable way.
Another option was 8 . . . b6!? 9 . .ig2 ib7
1 0.0-000 with a complex position. White
should go for a central break with e4 and d5,
but Black's position should be quite reliable.
9.ttle4
The alternative was:
9.lLl b 1
This would have been a bit more challenging,
although Black should be okay with correct
play.
9 . . . c5! 1 0 . .ig2
 November 20 1 1 219

1 0.tt'lbd2 c 3 1 1 .bxc3 bxc3 1 2.tt'le4 i.b7 Black will soon round up the knight while
1 3.tt'lxc5 ixc5 1 4.dxc5 tt'la6+ keeping sufficient compensation for the
1 0 ... ib7 1 1 .0-0 exchange, for example:
1 1 .c2 cxd4 1 2.xc4 idS 1 3.xd4 tt'lc6 1 8.a5 ixb2 1 9.a4 tt'lc6 20.tt'ld2 xa8
1 4.e3 f5 1 5 .tt'l bd2 i.g7 1 6.b 1 b6= 2 1 .tt'lxc4 i.c3
1 1 . . . cxd4
8
""" "' "%
!.-.!.
jf .,. .,

'.!.!.
----.%
7

-
:!.fD!a
3 %----% ----%
liwr
2-!ld'
a b c d e f g h iJ , lm.t'
1 2.xd4 a b c d e f g h
1 2.c2 d3 ( 1 2 . . . c3 1 3.d 1 cxb2 1 4.xb2 9 ... f5 IO.tt'lc5
e5 1 5 .e3) 1 3.xc4 d5 1 4.xd3 xd3 1 0.tt'led2 can be met by 1 0 . . . c3 1 1 .bxc3
1 5 .exd3 If this pawn were back on e2, White bxc3 1 2.tt'lb3 ib4 or ( 1 2 . . . tt'l d7 1 3.ig2 b8
would be better, especially if he could find 1 4.0-0 b6 1 5 .tt'lcl ia6) 1 3.c2 tt'ld7
time for the typical tt'l e 1 -d3 manoeuvre. But 1 4.ig2 0-0 1 5 .0-000 when Black will soon
here the pawn is unfavourably placed on d3, play . . . c5 with a decent position.
and this is enough to balance the chances.
12 . . .xd4 1 3.tt'lxd4 ixg2 1 4.c;f;lxg2 i.c5 IO .. .'ti'd5
1 5 .tt'lb5 10 . . . tt'l a6 1 1 .tt'lxa6 ixa6 1 2.ig2 c5 1 3.tt:le5
After 1 5 .tt'lf3 c;f;le7 1 6.tt'lbd2 c8 1 7.fc l c3! c8+
Black exchanges his potential weakness, and
1 8.bxc3 tt'ld7 is equal. l l .:Ek l .ixc5 12.dxc5 tt'ld7 13.d4 'ilfxd4
1 5 . . . c;f;le7! 1 6.tt'lc7 c8 1 7.tt'lxa8 id4! 14.ll:lxd4

a b c d e f g h

a b c d e f g h
220 Chess Evolution
14 ...lL!xc5
1 4 . . . .ia6 is reasonable but gives Black no
serious advantage: 1 5 .e3 ( 1 5 .ig2 E1c8 1 6.ixc6
E1xc6 1 7.lLlxc6 .ib7 1 8.lLlxa7 ixh l 1 9.c6lLJe5
20.c7 <>d7 2 l .c8='\1;1!t xc8 22.lLlxc8 Wxc8
23.f4 lLl c6 24.xc4 id5 White is worse, but he
should be okay as long as he prevents the black
king from coming to a5 .) 1 5 . . . lLlxc5 1 6.ixc4
ixc4 1 7.E1xc4 lLlxa4 1 8.xb4 lLl b6 1 9.b3
Black keeps an extra pawn, but White's active
pieces should be enough to draw.
15.Ag2 Ad7 16.l:xc4 lL!xa4
White does not have full compensation for
the missing pawn, although he should not be
losing as Black has some pawn weaknesses and
his pieces are not ideally coordinated.
17.gxb4
1 7.ixc6 ixc6 1 8.lLlxc6 a5+
17 ...c5 18.gxa4 ha4 19.has
a b c d e f g h
19 ... d7!?
After 19 . . . cxd4 20.Wd2 ib5 2 l .E1a l a6
22.ib7 We7 23.a3 b8 24.ixa6 ixa6
25.xa6 xb2t 26.<>d3+ White should draw.
20.d2 gxa8 21.gal!
A simple but important finesse.
2 1 . ..Ac6 22.lLib3 c4 23.c5t?!
Instead of going for a blockade on the dark
squares, White could have drawn more easily
by attacking the c-pawn directly: 23.lLla5 ib5
(or 23 . . . id5 24.a4 E1c8 25 .Wc3 followed
by lLlxc4 and b3) 24.Wc3 c8 25.d l t <>e7
26.E1d4=
23 ... d6 24.lL!a6 Ab5 25.c3 c6
26.lL!b4t c5 27.lLic2 a5 28.lL!e3 a4 29.lL!c2
gbs 30.lL!b4 gds 3I.a2 h5!
If Black is to have any chance of winning
the game, he must create a target on the
kingside.
a b c d e f g h
33 ... gh8
Black's other possibility was to defend the
a4-pawn and only then play . . . h8 to go after
the f2-pawn. But White can hold the draw
here too with accurate defence: 33 . . . Wb4
34.E1d l ! (34.gxh4 E1h8 35 .E1h l E1xh4 36.h3
ic6 37.f3 f4+; 34.lLla2t Wa5 35 .E1d l E1h8
36.E1d4 hxg3 37.hxg3 h2 38.f4 ic6+)
34 . . . h8 35.d6 <>c5 36.lLlxb5 hxg3 37.hxg3
E1h2 38.E1d7 <>xb5 39.E1xf7 E1xf2 40.Wd2 g2
4 l .E1e7 E1xg3 42.E1xe6 Not much material is
left on the board, and White should have no
problems drawing.
 November 2011
34.xa4t .ixa4t 35Jxa4 hxg3 36.hxg3
gh2 37.c3 gxf2 38.gxc4t d5 39.gd4t!
e5 40Jd2
The fast b-pawn will give White enough
counterplay to draw.
40 ... gg2 4l .b4 gxg3t 42.c4 gg1 43.b5
ge l t 44.b4 f4 45.b6 gb 1 t 46.c5 f5
a b c d e f g h
47.c6
47.l:'k2 is also good enough: 47 . . .'iif e4
48.l::k 4t (48.Ek3 e5 49.<;i{c6 b2 50.b7 <;i{d4
5 l .d3t <;i{e4 52.c;t>c7 c2t 53.<;i{d8 b2=)
48 . . .<;i{e3 49.b4 c l t 50.<;i{d6 c8 5 l .b2
f3 52.b7 b8 53.exf3 <;i{xf3 54.\i?xe6 f4=
47 e4 48.gd3 gb2 49.c5 gc2t
..
49 . . . xe2?? 50.d4t followed by 5 I .b7 wins
for White.
50.d6 gb2 5 1 .c5
1/:z-1/z
22 1
GAME 28
[> E. Bacrot (2705)
..,. S. Rublevsky (268 1)
1 2th Karpov International, Poikovsky
Round 8, 1 2. 1 0.20 1 1 [045]
Annotated by Ivan Sokolov and
Kamil Miron
Bacrot plays an interesting idea at an early stage
in a well known line, and soon gets an edge. I
would expect that Black's efforts will focus on
looking at the alternative plans on move 1 0.
I .d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.c3 f6 4.e3 e6 5.0
a6 6.b3 .ib4 7..id2 bd7 8 ..id3 0-0 9.0-0
id6
a b c d e f g h
IO.ge1
This rare idea is interesting.
In practice White has often played I O.e4 dxc4
l l .bxc4 e5 1 2.c5 flc7 1 3.lt:la4 exd4 1 4.h3,
with good compensation for the sacrificed
pawn.
10 ... h6
This does not equalize and in future games
Black is likely to look at different options:
a) 10 . . . c5 l l .cxd5 exd5 1 2.e4;!; dxe4 1 3 .lt:lxe4
lt:lxe4 1 4.xe4 lt:lf6 1 5 .h4-+
222 Chess Evolution

b) 1 O . . . e5 1 l .cxd5 cxd5 than the knight and bishop) 1 7.ixf4

1 l . . .exd4 1 2.exd4 lt:lxd5 1 3.lt:lxd5 cxd5 and ( 1 7.Wg4!?;!;) 1 7 . . .ixf4 1 8.lt:le7t 'it>h8
here both 1 4 .Wfc2 lt:l f6 1 5 .lt:le5 and 1 4.%lfe2 1 9.lt:lxc8 !!xeS 20.Wf3;!;
followed by lt:le5 are slightly better for 1 6.lt:lf3
White. 1 6.Wb 1 ic5=
1 2.e4;!; exd4 1 3.lt:lxd5 lt:lxd5 1 4.exd5 lt:l f6 and 1 6.f3 creates many weaknesses: 16 . . ..id700
now: 1 6 . . . ic5

7
Fm'z._;;;;:Jm.'"-w., n/"////.._:

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

b l } 1 5 . .ig5 h6 1 6.ih4 1 7.ig5

After 1 6.ixf6 Wfxf6, even if White wins
the d4-pawn Black will have compensation
thanks to the bishop pair, especially the
strong d6-bishop.
1 6 . . .ib4 1 7 .!!e5
17 .!!e4 g5 and:
i) 1 8.!!xd4 .ic3 1 9.ig3 i.xd4 20.lt:lxd4
lt:lxd5+
ii) 1 8.ixg5 hxg5 1 9.!!xd4 .ic3 ( 1 9 ... i.d6!?)
20.%lfc l i.xd4 2 1 .Wfxg5t 'it>h8 22.%lfh6t
'it>g8=
iii) 1 8.lt:lxg5 lt:lxe4 1 9.Wh5 lt:lxg5 20.Wxh6
We? 2 I .ixg5 f6 22.d6 Wg7 23 ..ic4t
!!f7+
1 7 . . . .id6 1 8.Wd2 .ixe5 1 9.lt:lxe5 Wxd5
20.Lf6 Wd6 2L.ixg7 'it>xg7 22.Wf4 Wf6
23.We4 if5 24.Wxf5 Wxf5 25 .ixf5 'it>f6
26.lt:ld7t 'it>xf5 27.lt:lxf8 !!xf8=
b2) 1 5 .Wc2 ig4 1 6.lt:lxd4 !!c8=
b3) 1 5.lt:lxd4 ig4
1 5 . . . lt:lxd5 1 6.lt:lf5 lt:l f4 (after 1 6 . . . ixf5
1 7.ixf5 the bishop pair is much stronger
1 7.h3 Wxd5 1 8 ..ixh7t i>xh7 1 9.hxg4
!!ac8
1 7 . . . Wb6
1 7 . . . h6 1 8.ih4 g5 1 9.ixg5 ( 1 9.ig3
ib4 20.!!e3 lt:lxd5 [20 . . . ic5!?] 2 l .!!e5
lt:lc3 22.Wc2 !!c8 23.if5 ixf5 24.Wxf5;!;)
19 . . . hxg5 20.Wd2 lt:lh5 2 1 .lt:lxg5 Wb6
(2 I .. ..id6!?) 22.lt:lh7 !!fd8 23.Wg5t i>hs
24.Wxg4 ixf1t 25.i>h l !!xd5 26.lt:lg5
lt:lg3t 27.hxg3 Wh6t 28.Wh4 Wxh4t
29.gxh4 ixe l 30.ic4 ic3 3 I .ixd5 ixa l
32.lt:lxf7t 'it>g7=
1 8.ih4 !!ad8 1 9.h3
1 9.ic4 ib4 20.!!e3 ic5
1 9 . . . ih5 20.g4 !!xd5!
20 ... ig6 2 l .ixg6 fxg6 22.!!e5;!;
2 l .!!e5 !!xe5 22.lt:lxe5 id4 23.ixf6
23.lt:lc4 Wd8 24.!!c l ig6 25 .ixg6 hxg6
26.Wf3 b5=
23 . . . gxf6 24.gxh5 fxe5 25.Wg4t i>hs 26.Wf5
Wh6=
l l .e4 dxc4 12.bxc4 e5 13.c5 Ac7 14.Yfc2
exd4
 November 20 1 1 223

8 8
7
7
6
6
5

4
5

4 3

3 2

2
a b c d e f g h

a b c d e f g h
15.e2
This is the point behind White's play. White
will recapture on d4 and in the resulting
position with equal material, White will have
the advantage because of his kingside pawn
majority. Black will find it difficult to advance
his queenside pawns or become active.
1 5 ..!g4
.
1 5 . . J:!e8 could be the best chance to try to
equalize, even ifWhite's position looks a touch
better. We may well see it soon in practical
games. 1 6.exd4 ltJe5 1 7.h3 Wle7 and now:
20 . . . ixe5
20 . . . ixh3 is also fine for Black: 2 1 .exf6
(2 l .gxh3 WlxB 22.ge3 Wlf4=) 2 l . . .ixg2
22.ih7t <i>h8 23.fxg7t <>xg7 24.ic3t \t>f8
25.\t>xg2 Wlg4t 26.\t>fl Wih3t=
2 1 .ltJxe5
2 l .gacl ic7 22.gxe8t lUxeS 23.Wib3 ltJf6
24.ic4 ltJd5 25.ge1 \t>f8oo
2 l . . .gxe5 22.gxe5 Wlxe5 23.e 1 W!d5 24.e3
ie6 25 .Wib2 Wlxa2 26.Wlxb7 f8 27.ic3 ltJd5
28.gxe6 ltJxc3 29.gxc6 ltJ d 1 =
c) 1 8.gacl ! ? !Oxd3 1 9.Wixd3 !Oxe4 20.g4 id7
20 . . . b6 2 l .ib4

a b c d e f g h

a b c d e f g h 2 l .b l !
a) 1 8.ifl ltJxf3t 1 9.ltJxf3 !Oxe4 20.id3 f5 The reason for moving this rook away
2 l .gab 1 Wif7= from c 1 is illustrated by the line: 2 1 .ge2
!Oxc5 (2 l . . .gad8 22.Wic2t) 22.gxe7 !Oxd3
b) 1 8.ltJxe5 Wlxe5 1 9.!08 Wih5 20.e5 23.gxd7 !Oxc l 24.xc7 !Oxa2 25 .xb7 c5
20.ge3 if4 2 1 .ge2 ic7!= (2 1 . . .ixd2 26.ltJ f5oo
22.ltJxd2 ie6 23.f4;J;) 2 l . ..ab8 22.ge2 g6
224 Chess Evolution
22 . . . a5 23.!!be 1 White does not need to
hurry with this move, as Black is unable to
free his position. 23 . . . tt:Jxc5 24.!!xe7 tt:Jxd3
25.!!xd7 tLlxe 1 26.!!xc7 lLlxf3t 27.tLlxf3t
23.xh6 f5 24.tLlg5 '!Wxc5
24 . . . '\WeS 25.tLldf3 '!Wd5 26.'1Wc2 tLlxg5
27.tLlxg5 !!xe2 28 .'1Wxe2 !!e8 29.'1Wc2 i.c8
(29 . . . '\WeS 30.tLl f3 '!Wd5 3 1 .'1Wc3 !!e7 32.Wf6
'!Wf7 33 . .ig5 '!Wxf6 34.hf6 !!f7 35 .g5t)
30.!!d 1 '!We5 3 1 .'1Wb3t !!e6 32.tLl f3 Wxc5
33.!!d3-+
25.tLlxf5 xf5 26.gxf5 lLlxg5 27.!!xe8t !!xe8
28.i.xg5 Wxf5 29.'1Wxf5 gxf5 30.!!xb7 e5
3 1 .!!b6 i.d4=
Black will play . . . !!e2 next.
I6.lt!exd4 lt!de5
16 . . . tLlge5 1 7.fl ( 1 7.e2 We? 1 8.!!ac l
!!d8 is similar) 1 7 . . . '\We? 1 8.!!ac l !!d8 1 9.h3t
17.h3 lt!xd3
1 7 . . . tLl h2 1 8.tLlxe5 '!Wxd4 1 9.tLlc4+- and the
black knight is in trouble.
1 7 . . . tt:Jxf3t 1 8.tt:Jxf3 tLle5 1 9.tLlxe5 .ixe5
20.!!ab l t
1 8.'1Wxd3 ltle5 19.ltlxe5 .ixe5
a b c d e f g h
20 ..ie3 '!Wf6 2l .gadl gds 22.Wc4 .ic7
Black can try various other moves, but none
of them equalize:
22 . . . '\WgG?? 23.tLlxc6!
22 . . . ie6 23.tLlxe6 '!Wxe6 24.'1Wxe6 fxe6 25.f4
ic3 26.!!fl <;t;f7 27.<;t;f2t
22 . . . xh3 23.gxh3 '!Wg6t 24.<;t;fl Wxe4
25.ixh6 (25 .Wd3!? '!Wh4 26.i>g2 if6 27.f4
!!d5 28.'1We2) 25 . . . '1Wh 1 t 26.<;t;e2 Wxh3
27.tLlf3 Wxh6 28.tLlxe5 Wh5t 29.tLlg4
22 ... !!b8 23.<;t;h 1 c7 24.f4 xf4 25.!!fl ie6
25 . . . ixe3 26.!!xf6 gxf6 27.'1Wb3!
26.'1Wc2
26.We2 g5 27.g3 ixh3 28.!!f2 '!We5 29.gxf4
Wxe4t 30.<;t;h2 g4 3 1 .'1Wd3
26 . . . g5 27.g3 ixh3 28.!!f2 ig4
28 . . . '1Wg6 29.gxf4 Wh5 and White must
avoid 30.!!g1 ? !!xd4! 3 l .ixd4 !!d8 when he
would have to return and all the sacrificed
material, but instead 30.!!b 1 leaves Black
without sufficient compensation.
29.!!dd2
Black will not get enough compensation.
23.Wc2
23.<;t;h 1 ?! '!Wh4 24.tLlf3 !!xd 1 25.!!xd 1 Wh5=
23 . .Ng6
.
a b c d e f g h
24.fl
24.tt:Jf5 i.xf5 2 5 .exf5 "1Mff6=
 November 2011 225

24.'j;Jh 1 3l ...Axfl 32.c;f{xf2 Y!Ye7 33.e5 Ae8

This also looks better for White. White has a great position; however, it is
24 ... VNh5 25.f4 .ig4 not so easy to increase his advantage into a
25 ... ia5 26.1"gg 1 ! 1"ge8 (26 . . . ixh3?? 27.gxh3 decisive one
VNxh3t 28.VNh2 VNxe3 29.1"gxg7t+- 'it>f8
30.1"gxf7t! 'it>xf7 3 l .VNh5t 'it>f8 32.VNxh6t 34.Y!Yc3
'it>g8 [32 . . . \t>f7 33.VNh7t leads to mate] 34.g4 c500
33.1"gg 1 t+-) 27.e5 f6 28.VNb3H
26.1"gd3 1"ge8 27.e5 1"gad8 28.\t>gl .ic8 34.l.'!xd8 l.'!xd8 3 5 .1"gd l l.'!xd l 36.VNxd l c5
29.if2 37.VNd6 VNan

24 ....id7 25.f4 Y!Y6 26.5! 34... c5 35.6!

Black's light-squared bishop will now remain White has to go for a direct assault before
passive. Black activates his e8-bishop.

26 b6
.

Black could just wait with 26 . . . ie8, but he

prefers to try to get some activity.

27.lLl f3 bxc5 28 .ixc5

White is clearly dominating.

2s ... .ig 3 29.Ad4 Y!Ye7 30.Ac5 Y!Y6

a b c d e f g h
36 gxf6?!
..

36 .. ,1"gxd l 37.1"gxd 1 l.'!c8 38.VNa5 (38.VNe3

VNxa2t 39.\t>gl ic6 40.fxg7 ixf3 4 I .Y!Yxf3
VNb2 42.l.'!fl VNb6t 43.'it>h2 VNe6=) 38 ... gxf6
39.l.'!d6 l.'!c2t 40.\t>g3 VNxa2 4 I .VNxa2 l.'!xa2
42.l.'!d8 cj';lfg 43.exf6 l.'!b2 44.lt:ld2 l.'!b6 45.lt:le4
a b c d e f g h
l.'!e6 46.\t>f4t
3I.i.f2
The g3-bishop was annoying White, and so 36 . . .l.'!ac8 may be a more accurate defence:
he decided to exchange it. This was not an easy 38 . . . l.'!dc8 37.VNa5 l.'!c2t 3 8.'it>g3 1"gdc8
choice to make, since White's bishop on c5 39.l.'!d2 VNf5 40.l.'!xc2 VNg6t 4 I .'it>f4 VNxc2
was also well placed. (4 1 . . .1"gxc2 42.VNd8 l.'!c4t 43.cj;Je3) 42.VNxa6
l.'!c6 43.Wfa8 l.'!c8 44.Wfb7 l.'!c?oo 4 5 .Wfb3 VNxg2
3 l .l.'!e3 was an alternative. 46.l.'!g l ? g5t!
226 Chess Evolution

37J d6 :Sxd6 42 hd7 43.Yff d5 Yffc 2t 44.'it>gl Vffxg 2t

..

White gets a tremendous attack in the event 45.'it>xg2 hh3t 46.'it>xh3 :Sxd5=
of 37 . . . 'Wxa2t 38J''!e 2 :Sdc8! 39.'We3 :Sc2
40.ti:Jd2.
8

38.exd6 Yffxa2t 7
White has an obvious advantage. The white 6
d-pawn is immensely strong, while the black
kingside has been weakened. Still, accuracy is 5
needed to bring this home. 4

3
39.:Se2 Vff a4
2

a b c d e f g h
47.:Sa7 :Sa5 48.tDd4 'it>g6 49.tDc6 :Sa3t
50.'it>h4 :Sa4t 5 1 .'it>h3 h5
lf2-Vl

a b c d e f g h
40.Vff f5 ?!
It seems likely that White was in time
pressure and missed Black's tactical resource
on the 44th move.
40.:Se7, with ti:Jd4 to follow, looks strong for
White, as does the immediate 40.ti:Jd4.
40 ...'it>g7 4l .:Se7 :Sd8
White now makes a sensible decision to
accept a forced drawing line.
42.d7
42.'Wd3 would continue the fight, but
after 42 . . . i!.b5 43.:Sxf7t Wxf7 44.'Wh7t We6
45.'We7t Wd5 46.'Wxd8 'Wc2t the d6-pawn
GAME 29
t>E. Tomashevsky (2710)
Ni Hua (2670)
Governor's Cup, Saratov
Round 3, 1 0. 1 0.20 1 1 [045]
Annotated by Ivan Sokolov
In this topical line, Ni Hua opted for 1 6 . . . i.g6,
a move which was first played a few weeks earlier
in Jakovenko - Sakaev, St Petersburg 20 1 1 .
(Previously 1 6 . . . i!.f5 had occurred in Wojtaszek
- I. Sokolov, Khanty-Mansiysk [ol] 20 1 0.)
Tomashevsky convincingly demonstrated the
way to an advantage for White with the strong
plan introduced by1 8.ti:Ja4!N.
l .d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.ltlc3 tDf6 4.e3 a6 5.Yffc 2 e6
6.ltlf3 c5 7.cxd5 exd5 s ..te2 .ie6 9.0-0
9.dxc5 .ixc5 1 0.ti:Jd4 0-0 has not proved to
offer White much.
9 ltlc6 l O.:Sdl ltlb4 l l .Vff bl Yffc 8
..

has become a weakness.

 November 20 I I 227

8 8

7 7

6 6

5 5

4 4

3 3

2 2

a b c d e f g h
12 ..id2
With the black king still on e8, White can try
opening up the centre with 1 2.e4. However,
practice has shown that Black has enough
resources and the game is approximately
equal after I 2 ... dxe4 I 3.lt:'lxe4 if5 1 4.lt:lfg5
lt:'lxe4 1 5 .lt'lxe4 cxd4 1 6.l'!xd4 fi.e7 1 7.ig5 f6
1 8.id2 lt:'lc6 1 9.l'!d5 ig6 20.id3 0-0, as in
Mamedyarov - Grischuk, Baku 2008.
12....i5 13.cl c4 14.a3
This idea for White was first played by
Wojtaszek against me in the last Olympiad.
1 4.lt:'le l ? id6 1 5 .b3 b5 1 6.bxc4 bxc4 1 7.if3
W!e6 1 8.lt:la4 a5 1 9.a3 lt:'ld3 20.lt:lxd3 ixd3
2 l .lt'lc5 ixc5 22.dxc5 0-0 23.Wfb2 lt:'le4 and
Black was clearly better and went on to win in
Krasenkow - I. Sokolov, lzmir 2004.
a b c d e f g h
I6 ....ig6
This is the recent attempt for Black. In this
position I opted for:
1 6 . . . if5
The position looks dangerous for Black,
however in the following game White did
not manage to find a way to an advantage.
1 7.e4! dxe4 1 8 . .ig5
It is important to note that the plan employed
by Tomashevsky does not work here: 1 8.lt:'la4
Wfe6 1 9.lt:'lxc4? With the c8-square covered
by the f5-bishop, this blunders a pawn.
1 9 . . . b5 20.lt:'lcb6 l'!d8 2 l .d5 lt:lxd5 22.lt:lxd5
l'!xd5 23.lt:lc3 l'!d3+
1 8 . . . W!e6! 1 9.lt:le2 lt:ld5 20.lt:lf4 lt:lxf4 2 l .ixf4
l'!c8! 22.d5 Wff6 23.d6 ixd6 24.l'!xd6 Wfxd6

1 4.lt:le5!? id6 1 5 .b3 b5 1 6.bxc4 bxc4 1 7.a3

lt:l c6 1 8.lt:'lxd5! The point behind White's
play. 1 8 ... ixe5 1 9.Wfxc4 fi.e6 20.lt:'lxf6t ixf6
2 l .d5 lt'le5 22.Wia2 ig4 23.f3 id7 24.l'!ac l
W!b8 25 .ib4 With the black king stuck in
the middle, White had strong compensation
for the sacrificed piece and managed to win in
a b c d e f g h
Wang Yue - Rublevsky, Ningbo 20 1 0.
25.lt:lxf7 Wfe6 26.lt:'ld6t
26.lt:lxh8'i!lf8= and the knight on h8 will be
collected.
228 Chess Evolution

26 . . . 'iflf8
26 . . . \t>e?? 27.'1Mfc3
27.'1Mfc3 Ei:d8 28.Ei:d i ?
A big mistake by White, which is difficult
to explain.
28 .'1Mfa5 Ei:xd6 29.hd6t 'kt>f7 30.'1Mfc7t 'kt>g6
3 I .ib4 'IM!d5 32.ic3 Ei:g8 and a draw is the
most likely result.
28 . . . Wg8!+ 29.Ei:d2 .ig6 30.ie5 Ei:d7 3 I .ltlxc4
h6 32.ltld6 'it>h7-+
Wojtaszek - I. Sokolov, Khanry-Mansiysk a b c d e f g h

(ol) 20 I O . 23.dxe6 ixe3 24.exf7t i>xf7 25 .ixe3 Ei:hd8

26.ib6 Ei:xd I t 27 .!!xd I !!e8
17.e4 dxe4 This endgame was eventually drawn m
Jakovenko - Sakaev, St Petersburg 20 I I .
8
1 8 ...'1We6 1 9.xc4!
7 I 9.'1Mfxc4?? blunders a piece to I 9 . . . '1Mfxc4
6 20.lt:lxc4 b5 2 I .lt:lcb6 !!b8 22.if4 !!b7
23.Ei:ac l .if5 .
5

4 1 9 ...Ae7
Black has a difficult task here, and other
3
moves do not seem to equalize either:
2
I 9 . . .ih5?! 20.!!e l

a b c d e f g h I 9 . . .b5? is now bad for Black: 20.lt:lcb6 !!d8

18.a4!N (20 . . . Ei:b8? 2 I .d5+-) 2 I .d5! lt:lxd5
Tomashevsky embarks on an interesting
plan, showing the disadvantage of Black
placing his bishop on g6 (instead of f5) , and
hence not controlling the c8-square!

Black is fine in the event of:

I 8 . .if4 b5 I 9.lt:lxg6 hxg6 20.lt:lxe4 lt:lxe4
2 1 .'1Mfe3 '1Mfe6 22.d5 ic5
22 . . . '1Mfe7!? 23.d6 lt:lxd6 24.'1M!b6 (24.'1Mfc5
Ei:c8) 24 . . . '1Mfb7 25.Ei:xd6 Wxb6 26.Ei:e i t .ie7
27.Ei:xb6 \t/f8+
a b c d e f g h
22 . . . '1Mff5!? 23.Ei:d4 0-0-0 24.Ei:xe4 '1Mfxd5
25.'1Mfb6 '1Mfb?oo 22.i.a5! bxa4 23.lt:lxd5 !!xd5 24.Ei:xd5 '1Mfxd5
25.'1Mfc8t 'ifle7 26.ib4t Wf6 27.ixf8+-
 November 20 I I
1 9 . . . tt:ld5
Arguably Black's best alternative.
20.tt:lc3
White may also go for the more complicated
20.tt:lc5 ixc5 2 l .dxc5 0-0 22.tt:ld6 and
now:
a) 22 . . . ih5 23 Je 1 f5 24.tt:lxb7 f4 (24 . . . Wg6?
25 .'Wc4) 25.tt:ld6 e3 26.'Wc4 @h8 27.fxe3 f3
28.fl 'Wg6 29.!1
b) 22 .. .f5 can be met by the safe 23.if4!;!;
or the rather murky 23.tt:lxb7 f4 24.tt:ld6
e3 25 ..ie l e2 (25 . . .f3 26.'Wc4) 26.d4 f3
27.'Wc4.
20 . . . d8 2 I .tt:lxd5 xd5 22.ic3 f6 23.tt:le3
d8 24.d5;!;
20.ttlc5
a b c d e f g h
20 ...c6
20 . . . .ixc5 2 l .dxc5 0-0 22.tt:ld6;!;
21 .ttla5
The most direct, going for the b-pawn.
White could also play for a positional advantage:
2 1 .tt:le5 'Wd5 22.'Wc4 'Wxc4 (After 22 . . . b6
23.'Wxd5 tt:lxd5 24.tt:lxg6 hxg6 25.tt:lxe4;!;
Black would have reasonable chances to hold,
but he is a pawn down and would have to
defend for a long time.) 23.tt:lxc4;!;
229
2I. ..Wd5
This is the most natural square for the queen.
After 2 1 . . .'Wb6 22.tt:laxb7 0-0 23.tt:la5 White
will gain a tempo with tt:lc4.
22.ttlaxb7!
It is a good decision by White to take with
the a5-knight. The other white knight remains
on c5, controlling many squares! Should White
take with the c5-knight (the move preferred by
some computer engines) , Black gets reasonable
chances of counterplay:
22.tt:lcxb7 0-0 23.'Wc7 fe8 24.ac l
8
7
6
5 N("""(\\Ir}:
4
a b c d e f g h
White's problem here is that his knights
are not doing much, while Black obtains
counterplay on the other side of the board.
24 . . . tt:l g4
24 . . . e3 does not seem to fully work for
Black. Here is one interesting line: 25 .ixe3
(25.fxe3 ie4) 25 . . . tt:lg4 26.e 1 tt:lxe3
27.xe3 ig5 28.xe8t xe8 29.tt:ld6 .if4!
(29 . . . f8 30.'Wc5 +-) 30.We7! f8 3 l .c8
xc8 32.tt:lxc8 h5 33.'We l ! ig5 (33 . . . 'Wxd4
34.tt:le7t @h? 35.tt:lxg6) 34.'We5 'Wa2
35 .h3 if6 36.tt:le7t @h? 37.'We3 ixe7
(37 . . . 'Wxb2 38.tt:lac6) 38.'Wxe7 'Wb 1 t
39.\i?h2 Wxb2 40.'We3 'Wb6 4 l .'Wc3
'Wb8t 42.'Wg3 (42.g3? 'Wb 1 43.tt:lb3 ie4)
42 . . . 'Wb5 43.tt:lb3 'Wd5 44.gl ! ie4
45.tt:lc5 'Wxd4 46.tt:lxa6 f6 47.tt:l b4;!;
25.'Wf4
25.e 1 ? 'Wxd4
230 Chess Evolution

2S . . . .ihS
8
2S . . . e3?! 26.fXe3
26.l:'Ee l xd4 7

1
--==
a b c d e f g

a b c d e f g 23.Wfc3
A difficult situation for Black. The white
27 . .ic3
knights are simply controlling too many
27.tt'lc6?! xb2 28.xe4 .if8 29.xe8
squares and no compensation for the lost pawn
l:'Exe8 30.l:'Exe8 and here the correct way to
is to be found.
give the king some air is 30 . . . h6+. Instead
30 . . . f6? would lead to an entertaining
23 .. J;a7
king chase: 3 1 .tt'le7t lfif7 32.4Jd6t lfie6
Other ideas for Black do not work either.
33.tt'lg6t!+- lfixd6 (33 . . . 1fidS 34.4:lc4+-)
Some possible lines are:
34.l:'Ed8t lfie6 3S.tt:lxf8t lfif5 (3S . . Ifif7?
.

36.l:'Ec7t) 36.l:!dSt tt:leS (36 ... 1fie4? 37.l:'ExhS

23 . . . ac8 24.ac l fe8 2S.c4 fS 26.h3 hS
xd2 38.l:'Ec4t lfid3 39.l:'EdSt) 37J:k4!
(26 . . . tt'ldS? 27.g4) 27.xa6 l:'Ea8 (27 . . . 4JdS?
b I t 38 . .ic l .ie2 (38 . . . gS 39.h3+-) 39.f3!
28.tt'ld6) 28.c6 ac8 29.bS lt:ldS
ixf3 (39 . . . hS 40.l%f4t figS 4 1 .h4t lfih6
30.d7+-
42.l:'Exf6#) 40.gxf3+-
27 . . . b6
23 . . .fS 24.b4 tt:ldS 2S.b3 l:!fe8 (2S . . . hS?
Note that the white knights remain stranded
26.e l ) 26.ac l hS 27.e l if8 28.tt'laS
on aS and b7.
28.l:'Exe4 ih4 29.l:'Exe8t l:'Exe8 30.l:'Efl
24)tJa5 Ad6 25.ttlc4 Ab8 26.ttle5
30.id4 igS! 3 1 .xgS xd4 32.cS xb2
The white knights are so strong that Black
is at least equal for Black.
does not have even a glimmer of compensation.
30 . . . .ixf2.t!
Due to the badly placed white knights, Black
26.. Je8
can afford this tactical solution.
Black's problem here is that even if he
3 l .xf2. lt:lxf2. 32.xf2 g6 33.tt'lcS e2
manages to capture on eS at a good moment
34.fl gS 3S.tt:lab3 dS
and get his pawn back, White will still have
Knights defending each other are generally
a huge advantage due to his queenside pawn
not good - it is difficult for White to untangle,
majority and the badly placed bishop on g6.
and Black has good compensation.
27Jac l Wfd6 28.Wfh3
22 ... 0-0
White prepares a tactical solution.
 November 2011 23 1

36 ... gc2
36 . . .'1Wg6 37J:e 1

37 ..id6
White is completely winning.

37 ... gxcl 38.gxcl lbf3t

The only way for Black to prevent further
material losses, but the game now becomes an
endgame in which White is two pawns up.

39.'1Wxf3 '!Wxf3 40.gxf3 .ixd6 4Lc;t>fl a5

a b c d e f g h
29.xg6!
Now Black has to choose between losing
a second pawn or having his kingside pawn
structure destroyed.
29 ... %Yxg6 30.lthe4 gae7 3l .lbc3 lbf6
32.'1Wf3
Black's activity is of a rather temporary nature
and is not even close to being compensation
for the deficit of two pawns. Tomashevsky
routinely brings his material advantage home.
32 ... lbg4 33.h3! lbh2 34.\Wd5 '!Wd3
For Black's attack to work here, White would
have to start seeing "ghosts".
42.gc6 .ie7 43.lbc3 gbg 44.lbd5 .idS
Or 44 . . .if8 45 .gb6 gds 46.gb5+-.
45.b4 f8 46. c;t>e2
1-0
GAME 30
I> D. Ja.kovenko (2716)
B. Gelfand (2746)
European Club Cup, Rogaska Slatina
28.09.20 1 1 [056]
Annotated by Kamil Miton
In this game we witness an improvement to a
game between Radjabov and Kramnik, with
Jakovenko playing 37.h3!?N. However, it does
not change the evaluation of the variation,
because Black is still able to equalize. But it
seems to me that Gelfand was quite surprised
by this idea. He did not react properly at
several points and was then faced with a
difficult rook ending.

l .d4 lbf6 2.c4 e6 3.lbf3 d5 4.c3 .ie7

5 ..ig5 h6 6..ih4 0-0 7.e3 e4 8 ..ixe7 '!Wxe7
9.gcl c6 IO ..id3
1 O.h4!? was the choice in Aronian -
Harikrishna, Ningbo 20 1 1 (see Game 3 1 m
the previous issue of Chess Evolution) .

a b c d e f g h
232 Chess Evolution

a b c d e f g h

1 8 . . . ib7
a b c d e f g h 1 8 . . .i.a6!? 1 9.a4 e5 20.l'!e3 (20.a3 l'!fe8
13.c2 2 I .d5 li:Jc5t 22.ixe8 e4 23.li:Jd2 l'!xe8
1 3.0-0 is the main move. 24.l'!xc5 xc5 25 .xc5 bxc5 26.li:Jb3 i.c4
27.li:Jxc5 i.xd5=) 20 . . . l'!bc8 2 I .ixd7 l'!c l t
13 . . b6
.
22.'t!id2 l'!xh 1 23.li:Jxe5 h4 24.xa6
1 3 . . . e5 is another plan for Black. (24.g3 xh2 25 .xa6 Wxf2t 26.e2
Wg1 oo) 24 . . . xd4t 25.'t!lc2 (25 .d3 xb2t
14.i.d3 c!tlf6 26.c2 xc2t 27.i>xc2 l'!xh2 28.ih3
1 4 ... ib7 1 5 .ih7t h8 1 6.ie4 l'!h 1 00) 25 . . . d 1 t (25 . . . l'!b 1 26.li:Jd3 l'!,fl oo)
The principal alternative is 1 4 . . . c5 1 5 .ih7t 26.i>c3 c l t 27.i>b3 d 1 t The position
( 1 5 .dxc5 li:Jxc5 1 6.ih7t i>h8 1 7.b4 li:'la6+) is very complicated, but it is dear that only
1 5 . . . 't!lh8 1 6.ie4 l'!b8 and now: White can play for a win.
1 9.i.xb7 l'!xb7 20.0-0 li:Jf6 2 l .l'!c l li:Jd5
a) 1 7.b4 li:Jf6f 22.l'!c4 't!lg8 23.li:Je5

b) 1 7.ic6 cxd4 8

1 7 . . . i.b7 1 8.ixb7 ( 1 8.ixd7?! xd7 1 9.dxc5 7

bxc5 20.b3 One ofWhite's idea is to get this 6
kind of position, but the final game of the 5
Topalov - Anand World Championship
4
match showed us that White does not have """"m"'u,._-c;-:-7: .

enough time to take advantage of his better 3

structure, and that Black gains counterplay
thanks to his strong bishop. 20 . . . l'!fd8
[or 20 . . . b5] 2 I .l'!xc5 [2 1 .0-0 ixf3
22.gxf3 e5 23.i>g2 l'!b6t] 2 1 . . .ia6 22.li:Je5
b7 23.l'!c7 [23.f3oo] 23 ... xg2 24.li:Jxf7t
't!lg8 25.li:Jxh6t i>h8 26.li:Jf7t=) 18 ... l'!xb7
1 9.0-0;!;
1 8.exd4
1 8.li:Jxd4 e5=
r'"""uo,n""'"',
2
a b c d e f g h
In my opinion, the position should be equal.
Black does not have any serious weaknesses and
has a strong knight on the d5-square. There is
not much that can be accomplished through
White's control of the c-file, and it is hard
to find a way to strengthen White's position.
 November 20 I I
Perhaps the moves a4 and b4-b5 could be
employed in order to reinforce control of the
c6-square, but Black should be fine.
c) 1 7.0-0
Compared with the main line after 1 3.0-0,
the black king is on the inferior h8-square.
This small difference means that king does
not defend the f7 -pawn and is further from
centre. Maybe this is the reason why some
players prefer to start with 1 3. Wc2.
1 7 . . . lt:\ f6
1 7 . . ..ia6 1 8-l::k l E1fc8 1 9.Wa4 .ib7 20 . .ixb7
E1xb7 2 I .Wa6t
1 7 . . . ib7 1 8 . .ixb7 E1xb7 1 9.dxc5 lt:lxc5
20.b4 lt:\a6 (20 . . . lt:\d7 2 l .E1c7) 2 1 .a3 and
the a6-knight is poorly placed.
1 8.lt:\e5!?
1 8.dxc5 lt:\xe4 1 9.Wxe4 bxc5 The same
position, but with the black king on g8,
occurred in the Topalov - Anand game that
we have mentioned. 20.b3 i.b7 2 1 .Wf4
E1fd8 22.lt:\e5 r;f.lg8 23.E1fc l E1bc8 24.lt:\d3t
1 8 . . . lt:Jxe4 1 9.Wxe4
a b c d e f g h
1 9 . . . ib7
1 9 . . . cxd4 20.exd4 i.b7 2 I .Wf4 E1bc8
22.E1xc8 i.xc8 23.E1cl r;f.lg8=
20.Wf4 E1bc8
20 . . . r;f.lg8 2 1 .dxc5 bxc5 22.E1fc l t
20 . . . cxd4 2 l .E1c7
2 I .E1fc l
2 1 .E1d l cxd4 22.E1xc8 E1xc8 23.lt:\xf7t
233
(23 .Wxf7 Wxf7 24.lt:\xf7t r;f.lg8 25.lt:\d6
E1c7 26.lt:\xb7 dxe3 27.lt:\d6 e2 28.E1e l E1d7
29.E1xe2 E1xd6=) 23 . . . r;f.lg8 24.lt:Jd6 E1c2
25.lt:\xb7 Wxb7 26.Wxd4 Wd5 27.Wxd5
exd5=
2 l . . .cxd4 22.E1xc8
22.E1c7?? E1xc7 23.E1xc7 Wxc7 24.lt:\g6t fxg6
25.Wxc7 E1c8-+
22 . . . E1xc8 23.E1xc8t .ixc8 24.lt:\xf7t \t>g8
25.lt:\e5 dxe3 26.Wxe3 Wb4=
Objectively White should have some
advantage because queen and knight usually
cooperate better than queen and bishop, and
the pawn on e6 is badly situated, but for
practical purposes the position is equal.
1 5Jhc6
1 5 .e4 .ib7 1 6.0-0 E1ac8 1 7.E1c l E1fd8=
White's centre is good, but Black's position is
very solid - his main plan is to prepare ... c5.
1 5 .lt:\e5 lt:\d5 1 6.E1b3 .ib7 1 7.0-0 c5 1 8.dxc5
E1ac8 1 9.c6 Wd6 20.Wb l .ixc6 2 1 .lt:\xc6 E1xc6
22 . .ih7t r;f.lhs 23 . .ie4= Normally the bishop
would be better than the knight, but here the
queen on b I and rook on b3 are uncoordinated.
a b c d e f g h
16.Wfh3
I 6.a3 .id7 1 7.E1c4 i.b5+
234 Chess Evolution

1 6.d2 tl'l b4 28.xc7 fl t 29.Wd2 xf2t 30.Wc l xe3t

1 6 . . . ib7 1 7.!k4t 3 l .Wb2 xd4t 32.Wa3 .ib5oo
1 7.l'k 3 tLlxd3t
17 . . . tl'lxa2 1 8.b3 a5 1 9.1'hb6 tl'l b4 20.ie2 I6 ... tLl b4 17J;cl ltlxd3t 18.'1Wxd3 .ib7
a7 2 l .b5 ia6 22.xa5 b6 23.a3 fc8 19.0-0
24.ixa6 tl'lc2t 25 .We2 xa6 26.c3 xc3 After 1 9.b5 a6 20.xb6 ixf3 2 l .gxf3
27.xc3 b5t 28.d3 xb2 29.tl'ld2 a3 ab8, none of White's options offer him any
30.b l xb l 3 1 .tLlxb l xd3 32.Wxd3 advantage:
tl'lel t=
1 8.xd3 ib7

a b c d e f g h

a) 22.c7 b4t 23.Wfl d2 24.c2 xb2

a b d e f g h
c
25.xd2 xd2 26.a4 b8=
The strong bishop on b7, which may also b) 22.c5 b7 23.c6 xc6 24.xc6 xb2
attack from the a6-square, compensates for 25.0-0 xa2 26.b l g5 27.b7 a5 28.cc7
the loss of the pawn. The optimal solution Wg7 29.a7 d2 30.xa5 b8 3 l .aa7 b i t
for White would be to position his pawns on 32.Wg2 bb2 33.xf7t Wg6oo
f3 and e4 in order to blunt the bishop and c) 22.xa6 b4t 23.Wfl d2 24.b l c2
place his king on the more secure 2-square. 25 .Wg2 g6t 26.Wh3 f5t=
However, White does not have enough time
to perform these actions. I9 ...Lf3 2o.gxf3 g5t 2 I .Whi d5
1 9.We2 22.e4 xa2
1 9.e4 f5 ?
1 9.0-0 ixf3 20.gxf3 g5t 2 l .Wh l d5=
8
19 . . . b4
1 9 . . . a5 20.c2 ia6t 2 l .Wd200 7
20J::\ hc l xb2t 6
20 . . . fc8 2 l .xc8t xc8 22.xc8t ixc8
23.b3 (23.b3 ia6t 24.Wd l a5 2 5 .tl'le5 5
ifl 26.g4 a6f!) 23 ...a5 24.c2 ia6t 4
25.Wdl ifi 26.tl'le l h5t 27.Wc l xh2=
3
2 l . l c2 b4
2 I . . .%lib l 22.c7 ab8 23.e4 fd8 24.We3t 2
22.c7 ab8 23.tl'le5 a5 24.Wd l Aa6
1
25 .c3 b5 26.tl'ld7 bc8 27.tl'lxf8 xc7
a b c d e f g h
 November 2011 235

23.ri:gl is lacking, then he is presented with difficult

White has the initiative thanks to his strong practical problems to solve. We shall see several
queen in the centre and his active rooks on the specific variations in which it turns out that
g- and c-files. the pressure along the g-file and the strong
d-pawn are much more dangerous than the
23.1:'%c7 1l*'xb2 (23 ... 1:'%ac8) 24.1:'%g 1 1:'%ac8 25 .1l*'e5 passed a- and b-pawns.
g5 =
37.d5 1:'%e7= leads to perpetual check, and it
23 gfc8
is to avoid this that White plays 37.h3 before
23 . . . 1:'%ac8? 24.1:'%xg7t +- pushing the d-pawn.

23 . . . Wd5 24.Wxd5 exd5 25.1:'%c7 1:'%fc8 26.1:'%gcl

1:'%xc7 27.1:'%xc?;l;

24.Wfb7 g8 25.Wfe4
25.1:'%xg7t \t?xg7 26.1:'%g1 t \t?h8 27.We7 1:'%g8
28.Wf6t \t?h7 29.Wxf7t \t?h8 30.Wf6t=

25 .1:'%g3 Wd5 26.1l*'c7 (26.We7 Wd8=) 26 ... \t?h?

27.1:'%cg 1 g61XJ

25 J:Uc8 26.'1!!fb7 ri:8 27.ri:c7 Wfxb2 28.ri:xf7

ri:xf7 29.Wf:xa8t 'kt.>h7 30.Wfe4t 'kt.>g8 3 l .Wfa8t

'kt.>h7 32.Wfe8 gc7 33.Wg6t 'kt.> h8 34.Wfe8t a b c d e f g h
'kt.>h7 35.Wxe6 Wfxfl 36.We4t 'kt.>g8 37 Wfc2

Black also faces difficulties after: 37 . . . 1:'U7

8 38.We8t (38.f4 Wh4 39.We6 We7<XJ) 38 . . J'%f8
39.We6t 1:'%f7 40.f4 b5 4 l .d5 a5 42.d6 1l*'f3t
7
43.1:'%g2 1l*'c6 44.\t?h2 \t?f8 45.1:'%d2 1l*'d7 46.5
6 b4 47.1:'%c2+-
5
Black would do better to play:
4 37 . . . b5 38.d5
3 38.1:'%g2 Wfl t 39.\t?h2 b4 (39 ... Wc4 40.We5
b4 4 l .d5 Wc5 42.We6t 1:'%f7 43.d6 Wf5
2 44.We8t \t?h7 45 .We4 \t?g8 46.Wxb4
WeSt 47.f4 Wxe3=) 40.d5 Wb5 4 l .d6 1:'%d7
42.We6t <i>h7 43.f4 b3 44.f5 b2 45 .Wg6t
a b c d e f g h
\t?h8 46.We8t=
37.h3N 38 ... Wb2
From this position, Radjabov - Kramnik, With the idea of . . . 1:'%c2. In my opinion this
Kazan ( 1 .3) 20 1 1 , ended in a perpetual is the simplest way for Black to make a draw.
check. The move in this game also leads to a 38 . . . 1:'%f7 39.d6 1:'%xf3 40.We6t 1:'%f7 4 I .d7
draw. However, if Black's home preparation Wf3t 42.\t?h2 We2t 43.1:'%g2 Wd 1 44.We8t
236 Chess Evolution

!!f8 4 5.Wfe7 g5 46.h4 b4 47.e4 Wff3 48.Wid6 \t>7 45.f4 Wc4 46.e5 Wxd3 47.l'!xd3
!!d8 49.hxg5 h5 50.!!d2t \t>e600) 43.l'!g3 {43.Wh2 l'!xf3 44.Wfc4t W7
45 .Wc8t Wh7 46.d7 l'!f2t 47.!!g2 Wff3=)
43 . . .!!d7 44.f4 Wfc5 45.!!g6 b5 46.f5 Wfc4
47.Wxc4t bxc4 48.e4 c3 49.l'!g3 !!xd6
50J'i:xc3=
42 . . .Wfc6
42 . . . Wff5 43.Wxf5 !!xf5 44.e4 l'!f8 45 .e5 Wf7
46.f4 g6 47.h4 h5 48.Wg2+-
43.Wh2

a b c d e f g h

39.d6
39.l'!g2 Wff6 40.f4co
39.Wfe8t \t>h7 40.Wfg6t Wg8 4 1 .Wfxh6
Wfe5+
39 . . . l'!c2 40.Wfe8t
40.Wff4 l'!c l =
40 . . . Wh7 4 I .Wfg6t 'it>g8 42.Wfg3 l'!c l
a b c d e f g h
42 . . . l'!d2 43.e4 Wd4 44.e5 g5co
43.d7 l'!xgl t 44.Wfxgl Wfd2 45.Wfg4 \t>7= 43 . . . a5
43 . . . Wfxf3 44.d7 We2t 45.!!g2 Wfd l 46.Wfe8t
38.We8t i>h7 39.d5 l'!f8 47.We7 g5 48.h4
43 . . . b5 44.f4 b4 45.l'!g2
44.f4 a4 45.e4 a3 46.!!g2
8
46.f5 a2 47.f6 Wfc2t 48.l'!g2 Wxg2t
7 49.Wxg2 a l =Wf 50.Wfe8t l'!f8 5 I .f7t \t>h7
6 52.Wfxf8 Wfb2t=
46 . . . b5 47.f5 b4 48.f6 Wh7 49.fxg7 l'!xg7
5 50.Wff5t Wg8 5 l .d7 !!xg2t 52.Wxg2 Wfc2t
4 53.\t>g3 Wfd3t 54.Wh4 a2 5 5.Wfg6t 'it>hs
56.Wxh6t \t>gs 57.Wg6t whs 58.Wf6t Wh7
3
59.d8=Wf Wxd8 60.Wfxd8 a l =W 6 l .Wfe7t Wg6
2 62.Wxb4 Wff6t 63.Wg4 Wg5t 64.Wf3 Wh5t=

40.We4 Wxe4
a b c d e f g h Black can opt for a slightly different rook
39 ...Wf5 ending with:
White gains an initiative against the 40 . . . g6 4 l .Wfxf5 gxf5 42.e4
alternative: 42.Wh2!? is also possible.
39 . . . Wfc5 40.Wfg6t Wg8 4 l .d6 l'!f7 42.Wfe6 42 . . . fxe4 43.fxe4
42.Wfd3 Wfh5 (42 . . . l'!d7 43.l'!d l b5 44.e4 Thanks to his further advanced pawns,
 November 20 1 1 237

White holds the advantage. At this point, a 41 .fxe4

lot will depend on which side can introduce
his king into the game more effectively.
43 .. J!d7
43 . . Je7 44.!!e 1 'it>g6 45.e5 !!e8 46.e6 'it>f6
47.'it>g2+-
43 . . . !!c3 44.!!d 1 'it>g6 45 .e5 !!c8 46.!!e 1
!!e8 47.e6 i>f6 48.'it>g2 'it>e7 49.i>f3 'it>d6
50.'it>e4 !!c8 5 I .'it>f5 i>xd5 52.!!d 1 t+-

a b c d e f g

44.'it>h2
44.!!d 1 'it>g6 45.e5 !!d8 46.e6 'it>f6 47.'it>g2
!!g8t 48. 'it>f3 'it>e5=
44 . . . a5
44 . . . b5 45 .!!b 1 a5 (45 . . . !!e7 46.!!e 1 !!d7
47.'it>g3 b4 48.'it>f4 b3 49.!'!b 1 !!b7 50.d6
'it>g6 5 1 . 'it>e5 'it>f7 52.'it>d5+-) 46. 'it>g3
(46.!!xb5 !!e7 47.d6 !!xe4 48.!!d5 !!e8=)
46 . . . b4 47.i>f4 !!b7 48.e5 a4 49.d6 a3 50.e6
a2 5 I .!!d 1 b3 52.d7 b2 53.d8='& b 1 ='&
54.!!d7t !!xd7 5 5 .'&xd7t 'it>h8=
45 .!!b 1 a4
45 . . . !!e7 46.!!e 1 !!d7 (46 . . . 'it>g6 47.'it>g3 a4
48.'it>f4 a3 49.d6 !!e8 50.e5 'it>f7 5 I .i>f5+-)
47.'it>g3 a4 48.'it>f4 b5 (48 . . . a3 49.!!a 1
!!a7 50.d6 'it>g6 5 1 . 'it>e5 'it>f7 52.!!fl t 'it>e8
53.'it>e6 a2 54.!!gl +-) 49.'it>e5 b4 50.'it>d4
b3 5 I .e5 b2 52.e6 !!b7 53.e7 b 1 ='& 54.!!xb 1
!!xe7 55.!!a 1 !l:a7 56.'it>c5+-
46.!!xb6 !!a7 47.'it>g3 a3 48.!!b 1 a2 49.!!a 1
'it>g6
The passive white rook allows Black to hold
the draw.
4I. ..'it>g8
Black missed a surprising defence:
4 l . ..!!e7!
From the logical point of view, this move
seems very difficult for a human to find,
as White can now advance the d-pawn
with tempo. However, it turns out that
preventing e5-e6 was the more important
task.
42.d6
42.'it>g2 'it>g6 43.e5 !!xe5 44.i>f3t 'it>f6
45.e4 !!h5oo
42.'it>h2 !!xe4 43.'it>g3 !!xe3t 44.'it>f4 !!d3
45 .'it>e5 !!xh3 46.d6 !!d3=
42 . . .!!e8 43 .!!f1
43.!!a 1 'it>g6 44.!!xa7 i>f6 45.!!b7 !!d8
46.!!xb6 'it>e5= A great idea - activity is
often more important than material.
43 . . . a5 44.!!b 1 a4 45.!!xb6 !!a8 46.e5 a3
47.!!b 1 'it>g6 48 .e6 'it>f6 49.e7 'it>e6 50.!!a1
'it>xd6 5 1 .!!xa3 !!e8=
42.e5+-
Black will not manage to stop the three
passed pawns. In order to win the game White
just needs to activate his king at the right
moment.
42 ...'it>f7 43J3fl t
238 Chess Evolution

43 .\t>g2 a5 44.\t>(3 a4 45.\t>e4 a3 46.l:l:fl t GAME 3 1

\t>es 47.d6+- !> E. Bacrot (2705)
F. Caruana (2712)
43 ... i>eS 44.e6 i>e7 4S.e4 i>d6 1 2th Karpov International, Poikovsky
Round 5 , 08. 1 0.20 1 1 [086]
Annotated by Kamil Miton
8

7 In one of the critical lines of the 7 . .ic4

6
Gri.infeld, Caruana played the interesting
1 6 . . . l1J b7!? instead of the better-known
5 1 6 . . . .ib7 or 1 6 . . . d6. In my opinion there
4 were two critical moments in the game. The
interesting 1 8 . . . d3!? deserves attention, and
3 also 22 . . . l:!d7! looks like an improvement on
2 the game, when the plan of . . . l:!fd8, . . . e7 and
.. .f6 should solve most of Black's problems.

a b c d e f g h I .d4 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 dS 4.cxd5 xd5

5.e4 xc3 6.bxc3 i.g7 7.i.c4 c5 8.e2 c6
46JUB
9.i.e3 0-0 10.0-0 aS 1 1 .i.d3 b6 12.Wfd2
46.\t>g2 b5 47.\t>f3 a5 48.\t>e3 a4 49.\t>d4
eS 13.i.h6 exd4 14.hg7 i>xg7 1 5.cxd4
l:!c4 t 50. \t>d3 l:!c7 5 1 .l:!f8 a3 52.l:!a8 b4
cxd4
53.\t>d4 l:!b7 54.l:!a6t \t>e7 5 5 .\t>e5+-

46 .. ,gb7 47.gdst i>e7 48,gcs i>d6 49.i>g2

bS SO.i>f3 b4 Sl .i>f4
The white king has made his way to the
centre to support the advance of the pawns;
Black's position is hopeless.

51 ... b3 52.gc6t i>e7 53.i>e5 b2 54.d6t

i>ds 55.e7t i>d7 56.gc8 gb5t 57.i>d4
gb4t 58.i>c3 i>xc8 59.e8=Wft i>b7
60.WI'd7t i>a6 61 .Wfc8t gb7 62.Wfc4t gb5
63.WI'a2t i>b6 64.d7
1-0 a b c d e f g h
The players are contesting one of the most
topical modern lines of the Gri.infeld. White
has given up a pawn in return for ongoing
compensation, based on Black's vulnerable
kingside and the wayward knight on a5.

16,gac l
Th e most common continuation has been:
1 6.f4 f6
 November 20 11 239

And now it is worth considering a) 1 7.f5 , 1 9.f5

b ) 1 7.l:!ac l and c ) 1 7.e5!?. 19 .l:!ce l llJ c4 20 . .ixc4 l:!xc4 2 Lf5 d3+
1 9 . . . llJc6 20.h3 .ih5 2 1 ..ib5
a) 1 7.f5 llJ c6 18 ..ib5 llJe5 1 9.llJxd4 gxf5 2 1 .l:!f4 llJe5+
20.exf5 lfth8 2 1 .l:!ad 1 Wfe700 2 1 .ia6 l:!c7 22.ib7 llJe5 23.id5 is met by
23 . . . d3 intending . . . .ie2.
2 1 . . .llJe5 22.l:!xc8 Wlxc8 23.l:!c l Wid8 24.ie2
.ixe2 25.llJxe2 d3 26.llJf4 l:!e8 27.llJe6t !'i:xe6
28.fxe6 We7
Black cannot be worse with such a strong
knight and d-pawn.

c) 1 7.e5!?

a b c d e f g h

Black has returned the extra pawn but his

knight now stands proudly in the centre. The
position is balanced.

b) 1 7.l:!ac l ig4!
The . . . ig4-h5 manoeuvre is one of the main
reasons why some experts prefer the 1 6.l:!ac 1
move order. a b c d e f g h
1 8.llJg3
As played by Topalov against Kamsky.
1 8.f5 .ixe2 1 9.Wixe2 Wid6 20.fxg6 hxg6
The outcome of that game, along with the
2 1 .Wig4 l0c6 22.Wixg6t lf!xg6 23.e5t f5
accompanying analysis, indicates that White
24.exd6 llJe5 25 .ib 1 l:!ad8 26.l:!ce 1 llJc4
has no advantage. Still, it is interesting to
27.l:!e6t lf!f7 28.l:!e7t lf!g6=
review the game and see what might happen if
1 8 . . . l:!c8
Black deviates. We will consider c l ) 1 7 . . . fxe5 ,
Black does not care so much about the
c2) 1 7 . . . Wd5 and the game continuation of
bishop, and instead focuses on improving
c3) 1 7 . . . id7!.
his other pieces, especially the knight which
can now come to c6.
c l ) 17 ... fxe5 1 8.fxe5 ib7 1 9.!'i:xf8 Wxf8
20.Wg5 llJc6 (20 . . . Wd8 2 1 .Wg3 We7
22.llJf4-+) 2 1 .llJg3 Wds 22.llJh5t lf!hs
23.llJf6 We7 24.!'i:e l !'i:f8 25.llJxh7 Wxg5
(25 . . .Wxh7 26 ..ixg6 Wg7 27.l:!e4+-) 26.llJxg5
llJb4 27 . .ic4:t

c2) 1 7 . . .Wd5
This fighting move is risky for Black.
1 8.exf6t

a b c d e f g h
240 Chess Evolution
1 8.f5?! 'Wxe5 1 9.fxg6 hxg6 20.tbf4 'We3t
2 1 .'Wxe3 dxe3 22.tbxg6 l'!d8 23.ie4 ib?+
1 8 . . . l'!xf6
a b c d e f g h
1 9.l'!ac l !?
Preventing the knight from coming to c4.
1 9.tLlg3 tbc4 brings White no advantage:
20.i.xc4 (20.'Wf2 tbd6 2 1 .i.e2 ib7 22.i.f3
'Wf7 23.ixb7 'Wxb7 24.'Wxd4 b5 2 5 .@h l
'Wb6) 20 . . .'Wxc4 2 1 .l'!ac l (2 1 .tbe4 l'!f8
22.l'!acl 'Wd5 23.tbc3 'Wd8 24.ttJb5 if5
25.tLlxd4 l'!c8 26.'Wb2 'Wf6=) 2 I . . .'Wd5
22.f5 ixf5 23.ttJxf5t l'!xf5 24.l'!xf5 'Wxf5
25 .'Wxd4t @g8 26.'Wc4t 'Wf7=
1 9 . . . id7
Black has a wide variety of alternatives:
1 9 . . . l'!c6? 20.l'!xc6 tbxc6 2 1 .f5+-
1 9 . . . ie6?! 20.f5
19 ... if5 20.i.xf5 l'!xf5 2 1 .tbxd4 @g8
22.'Wc3 l'!f6 23.f5 gxf5 24.tbe2-+
19 . . . tb c6 20.f5 ixf5 2 1 .'Wg5 h6 22.'Wg3
ixd3 23.l'!xf6 <tt> x f6 24.ttJf4 'Wd6 25.ttJxd3
rJ;; e? 26.'Wh4t
1 9 . . .ib7 20.tbg3 l'!af8 (20 . . . l'!e8? 2 1 .f5 l'!e3
22.l'!c7t @g8 23.fxg6 l'!xfl t 24.ixfl +-}
2 1 .f5 ic6 22.l'!f4 <tt> h 8 23.'\WfL. gxf5 24.tbxf5
l'!g8 25.l'!c2t
20.f5! 'We5
20 . . . l'!af8 2 1 .Wg5 h6 22.Wg3-+
2 1 .l'!f3 l'!c8
21 . . . l'!af8 22.l'!h3 gxf5 23.Wg5t @h8 24.tb f4
l'!g8 25 .Wh4 l'!g7 26.l'!e l Wd6 27.tbh5 l'!h6
28.l'!g3 l'!xg3 29.hxg3 l'!g6 30.l'!e7-+
22.l'!xc8 i.xc8 23.l'!h3 i.xf5 24.Wh6t rJ;; f7
25.Wxh7t <tt> e 8 26.'Wh8t @d? 27.l'!h7t <tt> c6
28.i.xf5 gxf5 29.Wc8t @b5oo
c3) 1 7 . . . id7!
Kamsky's move is the strongest.
b d e f g h
a c
1 8.exf6t
1 8.tbxd4 tbc6 1 9.i.e4 tbxd4 20.ixa8 ib5
2 1 .l'!f2 tbe2t 22.l'!xe2 i.xe2 23.We3=
1 8.f5 fxe5 1 9.tbg3 ixf5 20.ixf5 tbc4
2 1 .We2 tbe3 22.id3 tbxfl 23.Wxe5t Wf6
24.Wxf6t l'!xf6 25.tbxfl l'!c8+
1 8.l'!ac l !? fxe5 ( 1 8 . . . l'!c8 1 9.tbxd4) 1 9.fxe5
We? ( 1 9 . . . l'!xfl t 20.l'!xfl tbc6 2 1 .tb f4
tbxe5 22.i.e4 l'!c8 23.Wxd4 We? 24.tbd3
i.b5 25.tbxe5 i.xfl 26.ttJc6t Wf6 27.Wd7t
Wf7 28.Wxc8 ie2 29.if3 ixf3 30.gxf3
Wxf3 3 1 .'\Wd?t rJ;; h 6 32.'Wd2t) 20.ttJxd4
Wxe5 2 l .tlJ f3 Wd6 22.Wb2t @g8oo The
black king is not entirely safe. White has
fair compensation for the pawn, but still no
objective advantage.
1 8 . . . Wxf6 1 9.tbg3 rJ;; h 8 20.f5 gxf5 2 l .i.xf5
ixf5 22.l'!xf5 'Wd6 23.l'!afl tbc6 24.ttJe4
We? 25 .Wh6 l'!xf5 26.l'!xf5 tbe5 27.h3 tb g6
28.l'!h5
28.tbg5 l'!c8+
28 . . . l'!g8 29.tbf6 l'!g7 30.tbxh7 l'!xh7 3 1 .Wxg6
We3t=
Black forces a perpetual and the players
agreed a draw in a few more moves, Topalov
Kamsky, Sofia 2009.

a b c d e f
16 b7!?
...
Black hurries to improve his knight.
Whether or not he succeeds in finding a good
role for this piece will often be a key factor in
determining the final outcome.
Two other moves also deserve attention.
1 6 . . . 1Mfd6?! 1 7.f4 f6 1 8.f5 1Mle5 1 9.f4 g5
20.lt:\h5t Wg8 2 1 .h4 h6 22.hxg5 hxg5 23.:1![3
a b c d e f
23 <j;lf7? (23 . . . .id7! was essential, although
. . .
the whole line looks rather risky for Black
in any case.) 24.lt:\xf6! <j;lxf6 25Jh3 g8
26.h6t <j;lf7 27.h7t <j;les 28.cc7 <j;lds
29.ib5 1Mlxe4 30.xc8t 1 -0 Topalov - Anand,
Sofia ( 1 ) 20 1 0 .
1 6 . . . b7
After this move White can develop a strong
initiative on the kingside, although games
November 20 1 1 24 1
such as Shirov - Vachier Lagrave show that
both sides can play for win.
1 7.f4 c8 1 8.f5 xc l !
I t is important to include this move i n order
to avoid a future sacrifice on c6. Here is a
line to illustrate the point: 1 8 . . . lt:\c6 1 9.f6t
<j;lhs 2o.Wlh6 gs 2 l .f3 Wlf8 22.1M/gs
e8 (22 . . . lt:\b4 23.h3 xc l t 24.lt:\xc l
.ic8 2 5 .g4+-) 23.xc6! ixc6 24.h3 id7
25 .h4
1 9.xc l lt:\c6
g h
a b c d e f g h
From this position it is worth considering a)
20.f6t as played by Shirov, and the possible
improvement b) 20.1M/f4!?.
a) 20.f6t <>h8
Black has an extra pawn and is poised to take
the e5-square under control. White needs to
conduct the attack with vigour, otherwise he
could easily find himself in a losing position.
Obviously the position holds considerable
g h danger for Black as well. Ultimately, after
accurate play by both sides, my analysis
indicates that the position is balanced.
2 1 .1Mlg5
2 1 .lt:\ f4!? is playable but it is not a serious
try for an advantage: 2 1 ...lt:\e5 (2 1 . . .1M/xf6
22.lt:\h5 1Mfe7 23.lt:\f6 <j;lg7 24.1Mlg5 h6
25.lt:\h5t <>h7 26.lt:\ f6t <j;lg7=; 2 1 . . .1M/d6!?)
22.lt:\h3 g8 23.lt:\g5 1Mld7 24.1M/f4 (24.ic4
c8 25.1M/f4 xc4 26.lt:\xh7 lt:\g4 27.lt:\f8
e8 28.lt:\xg6t fxg6 29.f7 f8 30.xg4
242 Chess Evolution

c;!;>g? 3 l .g5 c6 32.e5 d3 33.f6 c5t 22 . . . e8 23.h4 8

34.f2 c l t 35 .fl c5t 36.'tt> h 1 ffioo)
23 . . . 'tt> g8 24.4Jg3 .ic8 25 .4Jh5 b4 26.h3
e 1 t 27.c;!;>h2 tDe5 28.4Jf4 f2 29.ie2+-
23 . . .b4!?
24.4Jf4 tDe5
24 . . . e5? 25.4Jxg6t! fxg6 26.xg6 g8
27.xg8t 'tt> xg8 28.ic4t 'tt> 8 29.xh7+-
25.4Jh3
25 ..ib5 d3
25 ... 4Jd7 26.f4 'tt> g8 27.4Jg5 h5

a b c d e f g h

24 . . . 4Jxd3 25 .g4 (25 .d6 e8 26.g3

.ixe4 27.h4 h5 28.xe4 xe4 29.4Jxf7t
'tt> h7 30.4Jg5t 'tt> h 6 3 1 .4Jf7t=) 25 . . .c7
26.h3!? (26.h4 h5 27.g4 4Jf4 28.xf4
xf4 29.4Jxf7t=) 26 . . . h5 27.xd3 e8
28.xd4 'tt> g8 29.d 1oo
2 1 . . .d6
2 l . . .e8 22.4Jf4 d6 23.h6 8 a b c d e f g h

24.4Jxg6t! fxg6 25.7 c8 26.f4 h6 27.e5 28.xh5!

tDe7 28.h4--+ 28.g4? tDe5 29.gxh5 tDxd3 30.c7 e5
3 1 .g4 xg5 32.xg5 i.xe4-+
28 . . . gxh5 29.4Jh7 'tt> xh7 30.f5t i>h6
3 1 .f4t=

b) 20.f4!?N

a b c d e f g h

22.f4N
Transferring the rook to the h-file is a
standard procedure.
22.4Jg3? g8 23.ic4 tDe5 24.ib3 d3
25 .h3 .ia6 26.f4 d2 27.'tt> h2 c5 28.h4 a b c d e f g h
4Jd3 29.e5 4J xf4 30.4Je4 4Je6 3 l ..ixe6 I also investigated this attempt to improve
c6 32.ixf7 d 1 = 0-1 Shirov - Vachier Shirov's play. Once again the position should
Lagrave, Wijk aan Zee 20 1 1 . be balanced, although the variations below
22.f5!?N is another idea.
 November 20 I I 243

show that it would be easy for either side to
lose the game. The first point to note is that
20 . . . \Wf6? 2 1 .\Wc7 is bad for Black. Apart from
that unfortunate move, it is worth considering
b l ) 20 . . . h6!?, b2) 20 . . . f6, b3) 20 . . . \Wb8 and
b4) 20 . . . lLlb4!.
b l ) 20 ... h6!? leads to a murky endgame:
2 1 .lLlg3 (2 1 .'1Wg3 Wg5 22.\Wd6 \Wd8=)
2 1 ...lLlb4 22.ic4 d3
24.fxg6 lLlxg6 25.e5 fxeS 26.l:%xf8t \Wxf8
27.ixg6 hxg6 28.'1Wxg6 ifS 29.\WgS d3
30.lLlg3 ih7 3 1 .\WxeSt <;t>ggoo
24 . . . \We7
24 . . . gxf5 25 .\WxeS \Wxf6 26.\Wxf6t l:%xf6
27.exf5;!;
25.lLld5 \Wd6

a b c d e f g h

26.l:%c l
26.f6 ie6 27.lLle7 WcS 28.h4 lLlg4 29.lLld5
a b c d e f g h hSoo
23.\WeSt f6 24.\Wc3 b5 25 . .ie6 lLlc6 26.fxg6 26 . . . gxf5
Wd4t 27.\Wxd4 lLlxd4 28.if5 lLlxfS 29.exf5 26 . . .ib7 27.fxg6 l:%g8 28.l:%c7 l:%xg6 29.\Wh3
l:%d8 30.ltJh5t <;t>fg 3 1 .ltJxf6 d2 32.l:%d l l:%d4oo l:%h6 30.'1Wf5+-
26 . . . id7!?
b2) 20 . . . f6 27.l:%c7
One of the most natural moves. 27.l:%c6 f4 28.\Wxf4 l:%xf4 29.l:%xd6 l:%f8=
2 1 .'1Wg3 lLleS 22.lLl f4 .ic8 27 . . . l:%g8 28.\Wf4 We6 29.i.c2
29.l:%e7 lLlxd3 30.\Wc7 \Wh6 3 1 .lLl f4 fxe4
32.lLlxd3 l:%f8 33.\WeSt \Wf6 34.\Wxf6t l:%xf6
35.l:%xe4 ifS=
29 . . . id7 30.l:%xa7
30.ib3 l:%g4 3 1 .exf5 \WxfS 32.\WxfS ixfS
33.l:%xa7=
30.h3!?
30 . . . l:%g4
30 . . . d3? 3 1 ..ib3 l:%g4 32.l:%a8t <;t>g7 33.exf5
\WxfS 34.\WxfS ixfS 3 5 .lLle3 l:%g5 36.l:%g8t
<;t>h6 37.l:%b8 lLl f3t 38.<;t>f2 ttJ xh2 39.l:%xb6t
a b d e f g h
c
<;t>g7 40.l:%b5
23.lLlh5t 3 1 .\Wf2 d3 32.l:%a8t <;t>g7 33.ib3 l:%xe4 34.lLle3
23.i.a6 can be met by 23 ... d3 or 23 ... \Wd7 '1We7 3 5 .l:%g8t <;t>h6 36.\Wxf5 lLlg6 37.if7 ixfS
when Black is okay. 38.lLlxf5t <;t>gs 39.lLlxe7 l:%xe7 40.ixg6 hxg6
23 . . . <;t>h8 24.lLlxf6 4 1 .l:%d8=
244 Chess Evolution

b3) 20 . . . Wfb8 2 I .Wh4

a b c d e f g h

a b c d e f g h
24 . . . Wh8 25 .!!f3 !!e8 26.!!h3 h5 27.Wg5
Wf8 28.g4 ic8 29.tt'le5 l:!xe5 30.Wxe5 ixg4
2 I . . .Wd6 3 I .!!d3 Wb4 32.Wfe8t Wh7 33.Wxf7t Wh6=
The alternative is 2 I . . .tt'le5 22.tt'lf4 with the 22.tt'lf4 tt'le5
following possibilities: 22 . . . Wf6 23.Wg3--t
23.f6t whs 24.tt'lh3 h5
i) 22 . . .Wd6 23.f6t Wh8 24.tt'lh3 h5 2 5 .Wff4
Wh7 26.tt'lg5t Wg8 27.g4 Wa3 28.Wxe5
Wxd3 29.tt'lxf7 Wxe4 30.tt'l h6t Wh7
3 I .Wxe4 ixe4 32.g5oo
ii) 22 . . . Wg8 looks incredibly risky but the
following computer line indicates that it is
j ust playable: 23.f6 h5 24.tt'lxh5 l:!c8 25.tt'lf4
!!c5 26.ie2 Wfd6 27.tt'lh3 tt'ld7 28.tt'lg5
tt'lxf6 29.tt'lxf7 Wxf7 30.Wh7t We6

a b c d e f g h

25.!!f5
25.ie2 Wa3 26.tt'l f4 Wfe3t 27.rJ;>hi Wxe4
28.ixh5 g5 29.Wxg5 !!g8 30.Wh6t Wh7
3 I .Wxh7t rJ;>xh?+
25.tt'lf4 l:!c8 (25 . . . Wh7!? 26.tt'lxh5 !!h8
27.tt'lg7t [27.Wg3!?l 27 . . . Wg8 28.Wfg3
Wc5 29.tt'lf5 !!h5 30.tt'le7t Wh7 3 I .h3
a b c d e f g h
!!g5 32.Wh4t !!h5 33.Wfg3=) 26.tt'lxh 5
Wg8 27.tt'lf4 tt'lxd3 28.tt'le6!? (28.tt'lxg6
3 I .ig4t tt'lxg4 32.Wff7t rJ;>e5 33.Wf4t rJ;>e6 fxg6 29.Wh6 wf7 30.Wfh7t We6 3 I .Wfh3t
34.Wfxg4t We7 35 .W/h4t Wd7 36.!!f7t rJ;>es Wf7=) 28 . . . fxe6 29.f7t Wg7 30.Wf6t Wh7
37.l:!xb7 !!c l t 38.rJ;>f2 !!c2t 39.Wg l = 3 I .Wh4t Wg7=
iii) 2 2 . . . tt'lxd3 23.tt'lxd3 Wd6 24.f6t (24.e5?! 25 . . . !!e8
Wa3 25.f6t rJ;>hs 26.W/h6 !!g8 27.e6 Wxa2 25 . . . !!d8 26.Wg5 tt'lg4 27.tt'lf4 ixe4
28.tt'lf4 g5!) 28.h3+-
 November 2011 245

26.ltJf4 l'!g6 25 . .ic4 l!Mf8 26.ltJxd4 .ic8 27.lLlf5

26 . .ic4 l'!c8 27.l'!xh5t gxh5 28.11Mxh5t \t>g8 l!Mc5t 28.\t>h l .ixf5 29.exf5 l'!xf6 30.l!Mxg5
29.11Mh6 l!Mf8 30.l!Mg5t \t>h7 3 I .l!Mh5t \t>g8 l!Mxf5=
32.lLlg5 .ixe4 33.lLlxe4 l'!xc4 34.l!Mxe500 2 I ..ic4 d3 22.lLlg3 d2 23.ib3 l!Md4t
(23 . . . ia6 24.fxg6 fxg6 25.lLlh5t gxh5
26.We5t \t>h6 27.l!Me6t=) 24.\t>h l d l ='lM
25 .l'!xd l lLl d3 26.f6t h8 27.l!Md2 ltJ f2t
28.\t>gl lLlh3t 29.h l =
2 I ...f6 22.l'!h3
22.ic4 g5!
22.fxg6 hxg6 23.l'!h3 l'!h8 24.l'!xh8 11Mxh8
25 .11Mc7t h6=
22 . . . g5 23.l!Mg4 lLlxd3 24.l'!xh7t!=
The game ends in a perpetual check.
a b c d e f g h
Summing up, 1 6 . . . .ib7 seems fully reliable.
26 . . . l!Mf8!= Most variations are ending in perpetual
26 ... l'!c8 27.l!Mg5 l'!c l t 28 .ifl lLlg4 29.h3 checks after accurate play by both sides, but
l'!xfl t 30.\t>xfl 'lMc7 3 I .ltJd3 lLle3t 32.\t>g 1 the positions are anything but peaceful and
\t>h7 33.l'!f2 hold great danger for all but the best-prepared
players.
b4) 20 . . . ltJb4!

a b c d e
Although several of the other lines were a b c d e f g h
leading to equality, this is the most
17.ic4 tbc5 1 8.id5 gbs
straightforward. I must confess that initially
Black had an interesting alternative available:
my intuition told me that this move could
1 8 . . . d3!? 1 9.ltJf4
not be good, as the knight moves away from
1 9.11Mb2t l!Mf6 20.e5 l!Me7 2 I .ltJd4 .ib7
the crucial e5-square and from the kingside
22 ..ixb7 lLlxb7=
in general. But now having analysed it, it
1 9 ..ixa8 dxe2 20.Wxe2 .ia6 2 l .'lMb2t l!Mf6
seems absolutely reliable.
22.11Mxf6t @xf6 23 . .id5 .ixfl 24.\f;>xfl
2 l .l'!f3
@e5t
2 I .f6t \t>h8 22.l'!f3 l'!g8 23.l'!h3 g5 24.l!Mg4
19 ... l'!b8 20.ltJxd3 lLlxd3 2 I .Wxd3 .ie6
246 Chess Evolution

White's pieces are more active, but it will be

hard for him to obtain anything real as Black
has no weaknesses.

a b c d e f g

a b c d e f g 20 ...i.e6 2I .llc3 gbd8 22,gfdl

White has a small edge thanks to his control
22.h4!?
over the d5-square.
Hoping to provoke some weakening of the
black kingside.
22 .. JUe8
22.!k6 l3c8=
I think Black's best idea would have been
22.'11M c 3t "Wf6 23.ixe6 "Wxc3 24.13xc3 fxe6=
22 . . . 13d7! intending to fight for the d5-square.
22 . . . h5
This would have given him good chances to
22 . . . "Wxh4? 23.ixe6 fxe6 24.13c7t is
equalize, for instance: 23.13d4 13fd8 24.13cd l
horrible for Black, as 24 . . . 13f7? 25."Wc3t!
We7 25.f4 (25 .g3 f6=) 25 . . . f6 26.h3 f7= Can
wins immediately.
White improve his position?
22 . . . ixd5 23.exd5 "Wxh4 is not such a
disaster, but after 24.d6 the d-pawn is
23.gd4 Yfe5 24.4 Yff6 25.gcdl i.xd5
extremely strong and Black faces a difficult
defence.
23.13fd l l3c8!
23 . . ."Wxh4 is riskier: 24.ixe6 fxe6 25.13c7t
@g8 26."We3 13bd8 27.13dc l Wf4 28.Wxf4
13xf4 29.13xa7t
24.13xc8 Wxc8 25 ."Wd4t @g8 26.Wa4 13d8
27.Wxa7 Wc2f
Black should have enough activity to hold
the position a pawn down.

19.Yfxd4t Yff6
Trying to provoke an advance of the e-pawn.
a b c d e f g
20.Yfe3!
20.e5 "We7 leaves the bishop on d5 unstable, 26.e5!
and after 2 l .e6t "Wf6 22.exf7 ie6 the position 26.l2Jxd5 would be inaccurate due to
is equal. 26 . . . 13xd5! 27.13xd5 13xe4=.
 November 2011 247

26.. .'ilYf5 exchange sacrifice: 28 . . . xd5!? 29.xd5 ttJxf4

The alternative was:
26 . . . Wfc6 27.l0xd5
27.f5 is premature and too optimistic:
27 . . . l0 e6 (27 .. .f6!?) 28.fxe6 fxe6 29.l0e4
Wfc2 30.l'k l Wb2 3 l .xd5 xd5 32.ttJf6
f8 (32 . . . xe5 33.ltJxe8t <j;lf8=) 33.c7t
f7 34.ltJh5t g8 35 .c8t f8 36.ttJf6t
g7=
27 . . . l0e6 28.4d2 f8
28 . . . Wc5? is impossible due to 29.Wxc5
followed by ltJc7!.
30.5d4 g5 3 l .e 1 c8 32.d2;!;
28 . . . c8 was playable, but White keeps the
upper hand: 29.h3 h5 30.Wf3 h4 (30 . . . ltJc5?
3 l .ltJf6 h8 32.g4 hxg4 33.hxg4 Wfe6 34.d5
White is winning as f4-f5 is comin g) 3 l .Wf2 g5
32.ltJe3! Wxf4 33.ltJf5t g6 34.ttJd6;!; Once
again White wins an exchange for insufficient
compensation.

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

29.f5! Wfc5 29.c7! xc7 30Jhd8 xd8 3 l .xd8

29 . . . gxf5 30.Wfg3t h8 3 1 .Wh4 g8
32.Wf6t g7 33.h4!
30.f6t <;t>h8 3 l .Wfxc5 bxc5
3 1 . . .ltJxc5 is met by 32.l0c?;!; intending
ltJb5-d6.
32.ltJc3 d4 33.xd4 cxd4 34.ttJe4 b8
35.<;t>fa
Black still has some problems: his d4- and
f7 -pawns are weak, and his king is cut off from
play.
27.lthd5 e6 28J::!4d2
At first Black's position seems okay, but
a closer inspection reveals two unpleasant
threats in l0c7 winning the exchange, and h3
preparing g4 to target the black queen.
28 h5
.
Wfbl t 32.f2 e6
32 . . . Wxa2t? 33.d2 Wfa5 34.f5+-
33.d2
White has a clear extra exchange, but
winning the position is by no means easy, as his
king is exposed and Black's queen and knight
coordinate excellently. White's main plan will
be to improve his position on the kingside, but
this is far from easy as every pawn move will
expose the king in some way. At the same time
Bacrot is a world-class player and his technique
is exemplary.
33 ... h4 34.h3 'ilY5
After 34 . . . a5 35.f3! White simply intends
to eat the h4-pawn with his king. 35 . . . b5

36.<;t>g4 Wb4 37.<;t>xh4 g5t 38.g4 gxf4

It was worth considering the straightforward 39.Wd3
248 Chess Evolution

35.g4 hxg3t
35 . . .'xf4t 36.'xf4 tt:lxf4 37.\t>e3 tt:lxh3
38.d7

36.cbxg3 b5
Black could have considered 36 . . . \t>h?!?
intending to transfer the knight to f5, although
he must ultimately be losing either way.

37J::i e2 a5 38.\We4 \Wh5 39.l::i fl ttlc5 40.\Wd5

llJ e6 41 .\We4 ttlc5 42.\Wc2 ttle6

a b c d e f g h
60 cbh7 6 1 .\We4 cbg8 62.\We3 \Wf5

63.\We4 \Wh5 64.\WaSt cbh7 65.\Wa7 cbg8

66.\Wxa5+-
Finally the a-pawn falls. The b-pawn will
shortly follow, and it will soon be time for
Black to resign.

a b c d e f g h
43.5!?
43.'We2 was simpler, for instance:
43 . . .'Wf5 (43 . . . 'Wh6 44.'Wg4) 44.'Wxb5 tt:ld4
45 .'Wd5 'Wd3t 46.\t>g2 'We3 47.e6 tt:lxe6
48 .'We5t+-

43 ttld4 44.f6t cbg8 45.\We4 llJe6 46.l::i c2

\Wg5t 47.cbh2 b4 48.l::i c8t cbh7 49.l::i c4 a b c d e f g h

cbg8 66 ttlg5 67.\Wdst cbh7 68.\Wd3 ttle6

49 . . . 'Wd2t 50.\t>g3 'Wd7 5 l .h4 69.\We3 cbgs 70.l::ixb4 Wfdl 7l.l::i b2 \Wd5t
72.cbh2 g5 73.l::ig2 cbh7 74.l::i d2 \Wa5
50.\Wast cbh7 5 1 .\Wd5 cbgs 52.l::i g4 \Wh6 75.\We4t cbh6 76.l::i c2 \Wa3 77.h4 cbh5
53.\Wast cbh7 54.\We4 \Wd2t 55.\Wg2 \Wh6 78.l::i g2
56.\Wc2 \Wh5 57.\We4 ttlg5 58.\We3 ttle6 1-0
59.cbg3 cb8s 6o.cb82
It looks like Bacrot was just gaining some
time on the clock before embarking on the
final winning plan.
 November 20 1 1
GAME 32
[> E. Bacrot (2705)
S. Mamedyarov (2746)
European Club Cup, Rogaska Slatina
0 1 . 1 0.20 1 1 [086]
Annotated by Borki Predojevic
The Classical 7.ic4 variation against the
Griinfeld is one of the most critical lines and in
the last few months many strong players have
started to play this line regularly. In this game
Mamedyarov tried the line with 1 0 . . . %Vc7 and
1 l . . .b6. His idea was to play 1 2 .. J:l:d8 with
quick pressure on the d4-pawn (an alternative
was 1 2 . . . ib7) . In my opinion this is not a
natural line and even though Black played a
novelty with 1 3 . . . %Vd6N, White found a clever
way to gain the advantage. 1 8.f4! led to a
strong attack for White and he won the game
in fine style.
Bacrot has shown us how to play against the
Griinfeld. We will see in the future if Black can
find something else, perhaps in the line with
1 1 . . JM8.
I .d4 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 d5 4.cxd5 xd5
5.e4 xc3 6.bxc3 J.g7 7.J.c4 c5 8.e2 c6
9.J.e3 0-0 10.0-0 Wfc7
a b c d e f g h
I Ucl
The main line.
249
In the World Cup against Nepomniachtchi
Kamsky chose instead 1 1 .b 1 . After
1 l . . .a6 ( l l . . .cxd4 1 2.cxd4 tt'lxd4 1 3.ixf7t
xf7 1 4.tt'lxd4;!;) 1 2.f4 %Va5 ( 1 2 . . . e5 1 3.dxe5
tt'lxe5 1 4.d5 b8 1 5 .g3 b5 1 6.f4t) 1 3.d5
cxd4 14.cxd4 ig4 1 5 .f3 ie6!? 1 6 .id2 %Vc7
1 7.ixe6 fxe6 1 8.ic3 ad8 1 9.%Vb3 tt'lxd4
20.ixd4 ixd4t 2 l .tt'lxd4 xd4 22.%Vxe6t
f7;!; White had pressure and eventually
won, Kamsky - Nepomniachtchi, Khanty
Mansiysk (m/ 1 ) 20 1 1 .
l l ... b6
Another option for Black is the more
commonly played 1 1 . . .d8 which was
analysed in the September issue of Chess
Evolution.
12.Wfd2
8
7
6
5
4
3
a b c d e f g h
12 J d8
I will briefly review some games in the
alternative line:
1 2 . . . ib7 1 3.ih6 ad8 1 4.ixg7 Wxg7 1 5 .%Ve3
1 5 .f4! was played in the game Vachier
Lagrave - Morozevich, Bid 20 1 1 , and
was analysed in the previous issue of Chess
Evolution.
1 5 . . . e5 1 6.id5 tt'la5 1 7.ixb7 %Vxb7 1 8.f4N
1 8.tt'lg3 %Ve7= was analysed in the above
mentioned game.
250
a b c d e f g h
1 8 . . . exd4 1 9.cxd4 fe8 20.e5
Interesting was the concrete 20.d5 f5
2 1 .4:lc3 fxe4 22.f5 4:lc4! 23.f6t (23.Wg3
\t>hs 24.fxg6 Wg7?) 23 . . . <j{gs 24.f7t Wxf7
25 .We2 Wg7 26.Wxc4 Wd4t 27.Wxd4 cxd4
28.4:lb5 d3oo with an unclear game.
20 . . . cxd4 2 1 .4:lxd4 Wd5 22.4:lf3 4:lc4 23.Wf2
h6 24.fe 1 d7 25.h4 b5 26.h5 We6 27.ed 1
ed8 28.xd7 xd7 29.hxg6 Wxg6!??
Korobov - Nepomniachtchi, ECC 20 1 1 .
l3.i.h6
a b c d e f
l3 .. JWd6N
A novelty, but as we shall see, this move does
not solve Black's problems.
1 3 . . . i.b7?! makes less sense here since after
1 4.ixg7 <j{xg7 1 5 .f4!, compared to the line
with 12 . . . ib7, Black has placed the other rook
Chess Evolution
on d8, which makes the black king's position
weaker than in the normal line.
Black can avoid exchanges on g7 by playing
13 . . . i.h8 but this is rather passive. The most
logical way to continue is: 14.f4 4:l a5 1 5.id3
a b c d e f g h
1 5 . . . Wd7 ( 1 5 . . . ig4 1 6.d5 c4 1 7.ib 1 e5
1 8.4:lg3 exf4 1 9.ixf4 t Svetushkin - Van
Eijk, Budva 2009) 1 6.e5 White's position is
promising. For example, after 1 6 . . . ib7 1 7.f5!
ixe5 1 8.fxg6 hxg6 1 9.Wg5 Wc6 20.dxe5 xd3
2 1 .4:l f4 e3 22.e6! White was clearly better
in Van der Sterren - Boll, Dieren 1 980.
Reacting with 13 ... e6 would not affect White's
typical plan; the normal 1 4.i.xg7 \t>xg7 1 5 .f4t
gives him better chances.
1 3 . . . 4:la5 looks imprecise after 1 4.i.d3 when
Black has no pressure on the d4-pawn.
In 2009 Aronian played:
1 3 . . . b8!?
And he held the position against Ponomariov.
g h The main idea of this move is to prepare a
later . . . b5 and also to leave the bishop on
the c8-h3 diagonal to help with the defence.
Ponomariov opted for the logical:
1 4.ixg7 \t>xg7
And now we have a split between a new
move 1 5 .f4 and the move Ponomariov played,
1 5 .We3.
 November 20 1 1 25 1

1 7 . . .cxd4 1 8.cxd4 Wlb6 1 9 .l%cd 1 lZla5 20.1%f2

l%b?!oo

b) 1 5 .Wfe3 e5 1 6.Wfg3! cxd4 1 7.cxd4 Wfd6

1 8.d5 lLla5 1 9.id3
White's position looks preferable. The game
continued:
19 . . . l%b7!? 20.f4 exf4 2 1 .lZlxf4 \t>g8

a b c d e f g

a) 1 5 .f4N
This is best met by:
1 5 . . . b5!
1 5 ... i.g4 1 6 .lZlg3 Wfd6 ( 1 6 . . . lLla5 1 7.i.d3t)
1 7.f5 cxd4 ( 1 7 ... lLle5? 1 8.i.d5!) 1 8.fxg6
dxc3 1 9.Wfxc3t Wfd4t 20.Wfxd4t lZlxd4
2 1 .gxh7! (after 2 1 .l%xf7t i>xg6 22.l%xe7
l%bc8 23.if7t \t>f6 24.1%xc8 l%xc8 25.l%xa7 a b c d e f
lZlc6 26.e5t \t>xe5 27.l%a3 lZld4;!;/= Black has
Here White should play:
good chances of a draw) 2 1 . . .l%bc8 22.l%xf7t
22.l%f3!N
i>h8 23.1%ffU/ White is a pawn up and has
22.Wlg5 f6 23.Wlh4 l%f7 led to a successful
good winning chances.
defence in Ponomariov - Aronian, Tal
Memorial 2009.
Now it looks best for Black to play actively
with:
22 . . . b5
22 ... Wle5 23.Wfh4 Wfe7 (23 . . .f6 24 ..ia6!
l%b8 25 .ixc8 l%bxc8 26.l%e l ) 24.Wlh6
Wfe5 (24 . . . f6? 25 . .ia6 l%c7 26.1%xc7 Wfxc7
27.lLlh5! gxh5 28 . .ixc8 WieSt 29.\t>h l Wlf8
30.ie6t +-) 25.l%g3 l%c7 26.1%fl t White has
an initiative and the better position.
a b c d e The main problem with Black's active
22 . . . b5 is that it creates weaknesses on the
1 6 . .id5!
queenside. White has the following option:
On 1 6.id3 cxd4 1 7.cxd4 Wb6t White
23.l%f2!? a6 24.1%fc2 .id7 25.lZle2 Wfxg3
has problems with the pin on the g l -a7
26.lZlxg3
diagonal.
White is better in the endgame; his plan is
1 6 . . . e6 1 7.ib3
the simple \t>f2-e3-d4.
Black gained a tempo with ... e7-e6, but on
the other hand it weakened the dark squares Finally, the inferior 1 3 . . . e5?! leads to an
around the king. Even so, Black looks okay advantage for White after 1 4.ig5 l%d7 1 5 .d5
after: lLl a5 1 6.ib5 l%d6 1 7.f4H.
252 Chess Evolution

example, after 1 9 . . . .ib7? 20.e5 Wfe7 2 I .f5

8
<i>h8 22.e6! Black doesn't have anything better
7 than 22 . . . gxf5 23.exf7 We3t (23 .. .1'd5 24.t2Jf4
6 d6 2 5 ..ixf5+-) 24.Wfxe3 dxe3 25.xf5+- and
Black may have survived to an ending, but his
5 position is hopeless.
4
20.h4 gg8
3
This move looks weird and passive, but it is
2 hard to propose something better for Black.

One alternative was:

a b c d e f g h 20 . . . .ib7!?
14.hg7 xg7 1 5.e3 tLl a5 White would have another break:
1 5 . . . e5 is not good here. After 1 6 .i.d5! b8 2 I .f5!
( 1 6 . . .i.b7 1 7.dxe5 Wlxe5 1 8.f4) 17 . .ixc6
Wlxc6 1 8.d5 Wd6 1 9.f4!?;!; and next c4 or f5,
White has a stable advantage.

16.i.d3 cx:d4 17 .cx:d4 e5

a b c d e f g h

Now the best option is:

2 l . . . g5!
2 l . . . g8 22.fxg6! fxg6 (22. . . Wlxg6 23.g3,
with next f6, is no better than the main
line) 23.e5!

a b c d e f g h
18.f4! exd4 19.g3i
After the pawn sacrifice White has created
good attacking prospects; he will prepare a
break with e5 or f5 . Meanwhile Black's pieces
are concentrated on the queenside, so he has
to find a way to include them in the defence.

19 ... h8!
The only move; otherwise the direct e5 a b c d e f g h
and f5 would give White a strong attack. For
 November 20 1 1 253

White's attack is developing by itself. 2 1 .e5!

23 ... WI'xe5 (23 ... WI'd8 24.WI'h6 g7 25 .f6+-)
24.tt:lf4 Wl'e3t 25.'it>h 1 Black has huge
problems. After 25 ... g7 26.WI'h6 Wl'e8
(26 . . . f7 27.xg6 g7 28.ce l Wl'd2 29.e4
xe4 30.xe4 Wl'xa2 3 l .e7+-) 27.ce 1
Wl'g8 28.e6! f8 {28 . . . WI'd8 29.xg6+-)
29.fe l +- Black can't hold the position.
Defending the 7th rank with 2 l ...d7 is met
by 22.tt:lf4. Now the only move is 22 ... tt:lc6
to defend against the threats of 6cg6 and e5.
Still after 23.tt:ld5! (planning tt:l f6) Black
has to play 23 ... g5D 24.WI'xg5 f6 25.WI'xf6t
Wl'xf6 26.tt:lxf6 when White has an extra
a b c d e f g h
pawn and the better position.
22.Wxg5 lt:lc6 21. ..WI'd8
Or 22. .. g8 23.WI'h4 with the idea 23 ... WI'd8? Worse is: 2 I ...WI'd5 22.c7 .ib7 {after
24.f6+-. 22 . . ..if5 23.WI'f6t g7 24 . .ixf5 gxf5 25.tt:lg3
With the text move Black takes control over ag8 26.fc l ! tt:l b7 [26 ... We6 27.tt:lh5 Wxf6
the e5-square, however White can reply 28.tt:lxf6+-l 27.c8 tt:l d8 28.e6!+- Black has
aggressively: no chance of surviving) 23.Wf6t g7 24.f2
23.f3! lt:le5 24.h3 e8 25.tt:lg3 Wl'd8 26.fc2 White is on top.

22.Wfl "ffe7 23.lLixd4 gds 24.e4 gbs

This is too slow. Better was:
24 ... .ia6!

a b c d e f g h

24 .. .f6
24 ... g8 25 .W/h4 h6 26.WI'f4 'it>h7 27.c7!
g4 28.xf7t tt:lxf7 29.WI'xg4+-
a b c d e f g h
25 .WI'h4 d7 26.tt:lf4 c8
26 ... g8 27.tt:le6 f7 (27 ...WI'e7 28.b5!) Here White should keep all the pieces on the
28 . .ie2! and next .ih5 gives White the board by playing:
better position. 25.fe 1
27.xc8t .ixc8 28.tt:lg6t tt:lxg6 29.6cg6 g7 25.ixa8 ixfl 26.xfl xa8;!; i s also better
30.f3 We7 3 I .gxh7 for White, but there is no concrete way to
This leads to a simplified position where attack the kingside and the position has
White is much better. simplified.
254 Chess Evolution

25 . . . !%ac8 26.!%cd l ! This helps White. Now after preliminary

And now i f Black plays: exchanges and then the f5-break, White's
26 . . . ib7 attack is decisive. Instead 25 . . .ia6 26.!%cd l !
After the objectively more resistant 26 . . . f5 would lead to a better version for White of the
27.if3 White's positional advantage is still 24 . . . ia6 variation.
clear.
27.ixb7 lt:Jxb7 28.f5 26 ..ixb7 :!hb7
26 . . . lt:Jxb7? 27.lt:Jc6+-

27.f5!+- gxf5
What else? 27 . . . !%c7 28.f6 '1Wd7 29.e6+-

28.ttlxf5 'ilYe6 29.ttld6 gbd7 30.gfl gf8

3 1 .'ilYb2
More precise was 3 1 .'1Wd4+- and next !%f6
since Black cannot play . . . f5 . It matters little,
as White is also winning after the move played
in the game.
a b c d e f g h

White has a strong attack. For example:

28 . . . lt:Jc5 29.'1We3 a6 30.!%fl li?g8 3 I .f6 '1We8
3 1 . . . '1Wf8 32.e6 lt:Jxe6 33.lt:Jxe6 fxe6 34.f7t +-
32.!%de l !
White has kept all the pieces on the board
and next lt:J f5 will increase the pressure on
Black's position.

25JUel .ib7?!

7 a b c d e f g h
6 3l .. Je7
5 1--0
Mamedyarov resigned before White could
4 play 32.!%f6+-. For example: 32 . . . Wxe5
3 33.lt:Jxf7t !%fxf7 34.'1Wxe5 !%xe5 3 5.!%xf7 +-
2
More resistant was 3 I . . . f5 , but after 32.!%xf5!
1 !%xf5 33.!%c8t li?g7 34.lt:Jxf5t li?g6 3 5 .'1Wb l !+
the king will not survive on g6.
a b c d e f g h
 November 20 1 1
GAME 33
[> G. Kamsky (2741)
I. Nepomniachtchi (27 1 1 )
FIDE World Cup, Khanry-Mansiysk
Round 3, Game I , 03.09.20 I I [087]
Annotated by Kamil Miton
Here we have another c4 Gri.infeld. White
went for I U :\b i instead of the more common
I l .l'!cl . Interestingly Kamsky has often faced
the former move from the opposite side of
the board, so could this sign of approval be
taken as a recommendation for how White
should play? Nepomniachtchi reacted with
I I . . .a6, which is okay although in the notes
we will also take a look at some other plans.
The critical point came on the next move when
Black erred with 1 2 .. .'1Mfa5 ?!, which allowed
White to obtain some advantage. Instead the
more promising I 2 . . . e5!? would have led to
interesting play.
l .d4 ttlf6 2.c4 g6 3.ttlc3 dS 4.cxd5 ttlxdS
S.e4 ttlxc3 6.bxc3 .ig7 7 ..ic4 cS 8.ttle2 ttlc6
9 ..ie3 0-0 10.0-0 Y!fc7
I O . . . g4 is a big line which most famously
occurred in several games between Kasparov
and Karpov, but is nowadays considered rather
worse for Black.
Another possibility is I O . . . lt:la5 followed by
. . . b6.
a b c d e f g h
255
l l .E:b1!?
More common is I I .l'!c l , anticipating the
opening of the c-file after an exchange on d4.
1 1 . .a6
.
The idea of this move is to prepare . . . b5 and
. . . b7. Still, the move carries certain risks, as
if Black fails to carry our his plan then the
b6-square could become weak and White's
pressure along the b-file more severe.
Several other moves can be considered.
I l . ..e6 is directed against White's plan of
putting a pawn or bishop on d5, but it has the
drawback of weakening the f6-square. White's
chances should be slightly higher after I 2.'?Nc l !
intending l'!d i and h6 to exchange the dark
squared bishops.
I I . . . cxd4?!
This exchange is premature.
I 2.cxd4 lt:Jxd4 I 3.xf7t l'!xf7 I 4.lt:Jxd4
White has a stable advantage, as his superior
structure is more important than Black's
bishop pair.
I 4 . . . '?Nd7
I 4 . . . '?Nc4?! I 5 .'?Nd2 e5 I 6.l'!fc l '?Na4
I 7.lt:lb5+-
I 4 . . . d7 I 5 .'?Nb3t
a b c d e f g h
I 5 .f3!
I 5 .lt:lb5 is premature: I 5 ... a6 I 6.'?Nxd7
xd7 I 7.lt:lc7 l'!c8 I 8.l'!xb7 c6 I 9.l'!a7
256 Chess Evolution
i.xe4 20.ltJxa6 e6 2 l .xf7 xf7= Black will
soon regain the pawn.
1 5 . . . b6 1 6.tLlb5 e6 1 7.'!Mc2 ia6 1 8.fd U
l l . . . b6!?
This has not been the most popular, but it
seems like a decent move.
1 2.i.f4
1 2.dxc5 Although there are exceptions, the
general rule is that this exchange brings
White nothing, as it compromises his centre
and queenside. 1 2 . . . ltJe5 1 3 .id5 b8
1 4.cxb6 axb6 Black is fine, for instance:
1 5 .f4 tLlg4 1 6.id4 ixd4t 1 7.cxd4 lLle3
I S.'!Mc l tt:lxd5 1 9.exd5 '!Md6=
1 2 . . . e5
a b c d e f g h
1 3.dxe5!?
1 3.i.g3 tLl a5 1 4.id5 ( 1 4.i.b5!?) 1 4 ... ib7
1 5.dxe5 ixe5 1 6.ixb7 lLlxb7 1 7.f4 ig7
1 8.f5 '!Me7 is more than okay for Black.
1 3 . . . ttJxe5 1 4.id5 i.b7 1 5.c4 ad8 1 6.tLlc300
l l . . . d8
This has been by far the most popular move.
1 2.if4
In this position 1 2 . . . 1!Md7 1 3.dxc5!?;!; is a
rare case where taking on c5 works well for
White, due to Black's dubious coordination
and the fact that the white rook stands
much better on b I than c 1 . For this reason
Black's main candidates are a) 1 2 . . . e5 and
b) 1 2 . . . ie5 , which we will analyse in turn.
a b c d e f g h
a) 1 2 . . . e5 1 3.ig5 d6
From this position it is worth considering
a l ) 1 4.d5 and a2) 1 4.id5 .
a l ) 1 4.d5 tLla5 1 5 .id3 c4
Otherwise White will play c4 himsel
1 6.ic200
a b c d e f g h
I will not analyse this position in detail, but
will instead offer some general guidance on
this structure, which quite often arises in the
ic4 Griinfeld. A lot will be decided by which
side succeeds in improving their pieces first.
The black knight on a5 is out of play, and
should be transferred via b7 to either c5 or,
more commonly, d6. (In positions where the
black bishop has gone to b7, this will mean
spending an additional tempo on . . .ic8 .
Later Black may try to make progress on the
queenside.
White's main plan of action will be to
prepare f4. Then if Black plays . . . exf4, White
 November 20 1 1 257

will obtain the d4-square for his knight and b) 1 2 . . . ie5

improved prospects for the c2-bishop. For
this reason Black usually responds with . . . f6
to maintain a pawn on e5. White will often
employ the manoeuvring plan of 'it>h 1 , tt:lg1
and tt:\ f3 . From f3 the knight eyes the e5-pawn
and might eventually participate in a kingside
attack after \We i and '<.Wh4. Along the way
White should protect the knight from being
exchanged by . . ..ig4.

a2) 1 4.id5
With this move White keeps more fluidity a b c d e f g h

in the centre. 1 3.ixe5 tt:lxe5 1 4.ib3 tt:lg4

1 4 . . . b6 1 5 .f4 tt:lg4 1 6.'1Wd3 .ib7 1 7.'1Wh3
h5 1 8.f5--+ ixe4 1 9.fxg6 ixg6 20.tt:\f4 c4
2 1 .id l
1 5 .tt:lg3 '<.Wf4
Following the bishop exchange Black
is trying to use his queen to protect his
kingside, but the plan seems rather artificial.
1 6.h3
1 6.WI'e l !? b6 1 7.f3 tt:l e3 1 8.!!:f2 ia6 1 9.tt:le2
is interesting.
a b c d e f g h 1 6 . . . tt:lf6 1 7.e5
1 4 . . . cxd4 1 5 .cxd4 ig4 1 6.dxe5
Also quite promising is: 1 6.f3 ie6 17 .ixe6
fxe6 1 8.d5 a6 ( I 8 . . . exd5 1 9.tt:lc3!;!;) 1 9.tt:\c3
( 1 9.'1Wc2 exd5 20.exd5 !!:xd5 2 1 .'1Wc4 '<.Wd6
22.!!:fd 1 '<.Wc5t 23.WI'xc5 !!:xc5 24.!!:xb7
e4!?=) 1 9 . . . b5 20.'it>h l b4 2 1 .tt:la4 exd5
22.exd5 lt:ld4 23.!!:xb4 !!:e8 24.'1Wd3 '<.Wa5
25 .!!:fb 1 '<.Wxd5 26.tt:lc3 '<.We6 27.tt:le4 !!:c6;!;
1 6 . . . tt:\xe5
1 6 . . . ixe5 1 7.h3 ie6 1 8.tt:\f4;!;
1 7.h3! a b c d e f g h
1 7.'1Wd2 !!:xd5 1 8.exd5 tt:\c4oo
1 7 . . . tt:\d5
1 7.\Wc l '<.Wa5 1 8.ixb7 !!:b8 1 9.id5 !!:xb I
17 ... tt:\e4 is well met by: 1 8.tt:lxe4 ( 1 8.tt:le2
20.\Wxb l !!:xd5 2 1 .exd5 ixe2 22.'1Wb8t if8
'<.Wh6oo) 1 8 . . . \Wxe4 1 9.!!:e l '<.Wf4
23.'1Wxe5 ixfl 24.xfl '<.Wxa2=
20.e6! Weakening the kingside even more.
1 7 . . . if3
20 .. .f5 Trying to keep the kingside closed,
1 7 . . . ixh3 is strongly met by 1 8.f4!.
but it is risky to leave the bishop buried on
1 8.\Wc l '<.Wxc l 1 9.lt:lxc l !!:xd5 20.exd5 ixd5
c8. (20 . . . f6?! 2 1 .'1Wd3 b6 22.d5 ib7 23.c4;
2 1 .!!:d l;!;
258 Chess Evolution
Black's best chance is probably 20 . . . xe6
2 1 .i.xe6 fxe6 22Jhb7 cxd4 23.!he6 dxc3
24.'b3 @f8 25 .'xc3 E:dl t 26.l:'i:e l l:'i:xe l t
27.'xe l '<M'f6 28.1M'e3;!;) 2 1 .g3 (2 1 .d5 bS!)
2 1 . . .1M'c7 (2 1 .. .1M'h6 22.1M'f3 cxd4 23.cxd4
'<Mfxh3 24.'<Mif4+-) 22.1M'f3 Black is in some
danger, for instance: 22 . . . cxd4 23.cxd4 E:xd4
24.Ei:bc l '<M'd6 2 S .Ei:ed l +-
1 8.tLle2 '<Mie4 1 9.tLlg3 '<Mif4 20.dxcS ie6
2 1 .1M'd4 b6 22.tLle2
22.xdS '<Mfxd4 23.cxd4 E:xdS 24.cxb6 axb6
2S.Ei:fd 1 E:a6 gives Black good drawing
chances, for instance:
a b c d e f g h
26.tLle2 (26.a3 E:daS 27.lt:Je4 if5 28.f3
E:xa3 29.dS ixe4 30.fxe4 lt>f8 3 l .d6 'itie8
32.l:'i:dc l lt>d8 33.l:'i:c7 E:a7=) 26 . . . E:d8 27.a4
(27.tLlc3 xa2 28.tLlxa2 l:'i:xa2 29.l:'i:xb6
E:e2=) 27 . . . E:xa4 28.E:xb6 c4 29.lt:Jc3 l:'i:a3
30.lt:Je4 l:'i:d3 3 1 .l:'i:xd3 ixd3 32.tLlcS E:xd4
33.l:'i:b7 if5 34.E:xe7 Ei:dS =
22 . . . 1M'f5
a b c d e f g h
23.E:bd l !N
An improvement over 23.cxb6 lt:Jxb6
24.'<Mif4 (24.lt:Jg3!?) 24 . . . E:ac8 2 S.'<Mfxf5 ixf5
26.E:bd 1 id3 Ponomariov - Carlsen, Nice
20 1 0.
23 . . . lt:Jc7
23 . . . E:ac8 24.c6
23 ... bxcS 24.WxcS E:ac8 2S .'<M'aS '<MixeS 26.c4
'<Mfxe2 27.cxdS '<MfhS 28.l:'i:fe l
24.'<Mixd8t E:xd8 2S .Ei:xd8t 'itig7 26.lt:Jd4 '<MixeS
27.c6 '<M'cS 28.ixe6 lt:Jxe6 29.tLlxe6t fxe6
30.Ei:d?;!;
Summing up, the main line of 1 1 . . . E:d8
1 2.if4 gives White good chances of an
advantage if he plays accurately. However, the
rare 1 1 . . . b6!? may deserve more attention.
Let us now return to the game after l l . .. a6.
a b c d e f g h
12 .if4
.
This was Kamsky's novelty.
1 2.1M'c l has been White's usual choice, but
after 12 . . . bS Black carries out his plan and
should be okay.
1 2.a4!? has only been played a few times, but
looks sensible and should give White a slight
edge.
12 .. Wia5?!
.
 November 20 I I 259

Nepomniachtchi immediately goes astray. particular case Black is well placed to put his
knight on d6 and play for ... fS .
The critical move was obviously: 1 7.axbS axbS 1 8.Wfd3 cxd4 1 9.cxd4 exd4
1 2 . . . eS 20.1'!xb5 Wfa6=
And now both a) 1 3.ig3 and b) 1 3.dxeS A probably improvement is: 1 7.ixe5!
deserve attention. .ixeS 1 8.dxeS Wfxe4 1 9.axbS axb5 20.lLlg3
WfxeS 2 1 .1'!e l Wfc7 22.1'!xbSt White has the
a) 1 3.ig3 initiative thanks to his active pieces, and he
may go for an attack with ltJe4.
17 ... ltJc8 1 8.f3 lLld6 19 . .if2 Wfc7 20.ltJcl
White logically improves his pieces but
Black remains okay.

a b c d e f g h

1 3 ... bS I 4 .idS ib7 I S .a4

I S .dxcS lLlaS=
IS .dxeS lLlxeS 1 6.ltJ f4 c400
I S.ixc6 Wfxc6 1 6.dS Wid6= Black has more a b c d e f g h
chances to gain the initiative through the
20 . . . c4!
light squares than White through the dark
Stopping the knight from coming to b3 or
squares.
d3.
I S . . . ltJe7 1 6 . .ixb7 2 I .Wic2
1 6.dxeS lLlxdS 1 7.exdS .ixeS 1 8.d6 Wfc6+
2 I .ltJa2 f5 22.Wic2 fxe4 23.fxe4 1'!f4?
I 6 . . . Wfxb7
24.1'!fe l i'!af8 2S . .ig3 WieSt 26.\!{hi lLlxe4-+
2 I . . .fS 22.exf5 gxfS 23.ltJe2 f4oo

b) 1 3.dxe5

a b c d e f

1 7.dS
Usually this structure with a strong pawn on
dS is more appealing for White, but in this a b c d e f
260 Chess Evolution

1 3 . . . ltlxe5 1 8 . . . gxf5 1 9 .h3 ltl f6 20 ..ixb8 Wxb8 2 l .exf5

After l3 ... .ixe5 1 4 . .ixe5 ltlxe5 the bishop We5 22.ic6 VMc7 23 ..if3 ixf5 24.j'!bd l;!;
exchange has weakened Black's kingside, and 1 9.ixb7 ixb7 20.j'!be l !?
White has chances to starr an attack. Still, in
the following illustrative line Black turns our
to be okay: 1 5 . .id5 j'!b8 1 6.f4 ltl g4 1 7.VMd2
b5 ( l 7 . . . e6 1 8.c4 b5 1 9.h3 ltl f6 20.e5 ltld7
2 l .ltlc3 bxc4 22.xe6 fXe6 23.j'!xb8 j'!xb8
24.ltle4 ltl b6 25.ltlf6t g7 26.j'!d l t) 1 8.h3
ltl f6 1 9.f5 ltlxd5 20.exd5 ixf5 2 l .j'!xf5 gxf5
22.VMg5t h8 23.VMf6t g8=
1 4 .d5 j'!b8 1 5 . .ig3!

a b c d e f g h

20 . . . c4t
20 . . .ixe4 2 l .h3 ltl f6 22 . .ie5 .ixf5 23.ltlg3
.ic8 24.VMg5 ltle8 25 .hg7 ltl xg7 26.ltle4
2 l .ltld4 b4 22.e5 bxc3 23.Wxc3 j'!d8 24.j'!b l
VMa7

a b c d e f g h

White's last move prepares f4-f5 with strong

attacking prospects. Black can move his queen
our of danger with b l ) 1 5 . . . VMe7, ignore the
threat with b2) 1 5 . . . b5 or continue developing
with b3) 1 5 . . . .ie6!.

b l ) 1 5 . . . We7 1 6.f4 ltlg4 1 7.f5 ie5 1 8.Xg6

a b c d e f g h
hxg6 1 9.ltlf4 g7 20.VMf3 Black must
make some kind of concession here; the best 25.h l !
chance seems to be giving up the exchange 25.f6 is slightly premature: 2 5 . . ..ih6 26.e6
and trying to defend a worse endgame after: .ie3t 27 ..i2. ixf2t 28.j'!x2. j'!xd4 29.exf7t
20 . . . b5 2 l .h3 ltl f6 22.ltle6t fXe6 23 . .ixe5 xf7 30.j'!xb7t Wxb7 3 l .Wxd4 ltlx2.
exd5 24.ixb8 ltlxe4 25.ie5t g8 26.VMxffit 32.Wxc4t xf6 33.xf2=
VMxffi 2?.j'!xffit xffi;!; 25 . . .ie4 26.j'!bd l VMa8 27.ltlf3 ixf5 28.j'!d4;!;
Black does not have quite enough for the
b2) 1 5 . . . b5 exchange, especially as the knight on g4 is
This seems rather provocative. uncomfortably placed.
1 6.f4 ltlg4 1 7.f5 VMb6
1 7 . . . ie5 1 8.Wd2t b3) 1 5 . . .ie6!
1 8.VMd2 j'!b? The most accurate move. Black wastes
 November 2011 26 1

no time developing another piece and 1 8.fd l

challenging the strong bishop on d5. 1 8.\Wb6 \Wxb6 1 9.xb6 i.b5oo
18 ... b5 1 9.\Wa3 \Wb6oo
Mter a series of accurate moves Black has
obtained a reasonable position.

a b c d e f g h

1 6.ltlf4
Supporting d5 and hitting e6, but blocking
the f-pawn.
1 6.c4!? is another idea.
a b c d e f g h
1 6 . . . fe8
1 6 ... i.d7 can be met by 1 7.h4!t when 13.i.d5 cxd4
paradoxically, the heavily guarded g6-pawn 1 3 . . . d8 1 4.\Wb3! ( 1 4.\Wc2 cxd4 [ 1 4 . . . e6
may become the target of an attack. 1 5 .ixc6 bxc6 1 6.ltlc1 !] 1 5 .cxd4 xd5 1 6.exd5
1 7.\Wb3 '.Wxd5 1 7 .\Wc5 i.e6 1 8.\Wxd5 ixd5 1 9.xb7
1 7.ltlxe6 fxe6 1 8.f4 exd5 1 9.fxe5 bd8 ltlxd4 20.xe7 ltlxe2t 2 l .xe2 i.c4=) 1 4 ... e6
20.e6 \Wc6 2 l .i.h4 d6 22.\Wf3 [8 23.exd5 1 5 .i.xc6 bxc6 1 6.fd l ;:!;
xd5 24.\Wg4 df5 25 .xf5 gxf5 26.\Wg3
'.Wxe6 27.xb7 f7= 14.cxd4 i.g4 1 5.0
1 5 .xb7 ltlxd4 1 6.f3 i.e6 1 7.ltlxd4 ixd5
1 8.exd5 \Wxd5=

15 ....ie6
Black is willing to undertake doubled pawns
in order to finish his development.

1 6.i.d2!
Before exchanging on e6, White drives the
enemy queen to a worse position.

a b c d e f g h The immediate exchange gets nowhere:

1 7 . . . id7
1 7 . . . c4?! 1 8.\Wb6;:!; \Wxb6 1 9.xb6 ixd5
20.ltlxd5 ltld7 2 l .b4 bc8 22.xb7 ltlc5
23.a7 ltlxe4 24.ltle7t xe7 25.xe7 ltlxg3
26.fxg3
1 6.i.xe6 fxe6 1 7.a4 ( 1 7.xb7 \Wxa2 1 8.\Wd3
fd8 1 9.ie3 ac8 20.f4 a5?) 1 7 . . . ltlxd4!
( 1 7 ... fd8 1 8.i.e3) 1 8 .ltlxd4 ad8 1 9.i.e3
'.Wc3 20.b3 \Wc4 2 1 .\Wc l (2 l .e5 ixe5 22.d3
if4=) 2 1 . ..\Wxc l 22.xc l ixd4 23.i>f2 b5
24.axb5 axb5 25.xb5 ixe3t 26.i>xe3=
262 Chess Evolution

l 9 . . J:!d6 20.e5! d5 2 l .f4 Wd7 22.Wc2

White is playing to shut the g7 -bishop out
of the game completely. Considerations
such as giving up the d5-square are of little
importance when you are virtually playing
with an extra piece.
20 . .ixd4
20.ltJxd4 Wfc5 2 l .fd l b5 22.Wxa6 d6
23.'Wxb5 'Wxc3 24.ltJe2 Wfe3t 25.h l
xd 1 t 26.xd 1 f7
20 . . .hd4t 2 1 .ltJxd4 '1Wc5 22.Ei:fd l e5 23.'1Wb3t
Also promising is: 23.'1Wc2 '1Wa7 24.'1Wb3t
a b c d e f g h f7 25 .'1Wxb7 '1Wxb7 26.xb7 Ei:xd4 27.xd4
16 ...tyc7 exd4 28.e5
After 1 6 . . . Wa3 1 7 ..ic l Wa5 ( 1 7 . . . 'Wd6 23 ... f7 24.'1Wc2 '1Wa7 25 .'Wc7 xd4 26.fl t
1 8.ixe6 fxe6 1 9 . .ie3 b5 20.e5) 1 8 . .ixe6 fxe6
1 9.a4 b5 20.e5 Wxa4 2 1 .'1Wxa4 bxa4 22.a l 8
Black faces a difficult endgame.
7

17 ..ixe6 fxe6 1 8.Ac3 6

1 8 . .ie3!? was also reasonable.
5

18 .. J:ad8 4
Black must quickly obtain counterplay 3
against d4, otherwise he will have no
compensation for his dodgy structure, 2
especially the weak e6-pawn.
a b c d e f g h
19.tyb3
A possible improvement is: 19 ... lbxd4 20 ..ixd4 .ixd4t 2 1 .lbxd4 hd4
1 9.Wa4!? 22.tyxe6t gf7 23.gbcl
23.fcl leads to no advantage: 23 . . .'1Wd6
(23 . . . '1Wd7 24.c8t g7 25 .'1We5t h6
26.c7 d l t 27.Ei:xd l 'IWxd l t 28.f2 Wd2t
29.g3 g5 30.h3 is a bit unpleasant for Black
as his king is uncomfortable; 23 . . . '1Wf4!?? is
interesting though.) 24.'1Wc8t g7 25 .'1Wxb7
d2 26.'1Wb3 '1Wd4t 27.h l Wf2 28 .'1Wc3t
h6 29.gl xa2=

23 ...tyd6
23 . . . '1Wa5!? was also playable: 24.Ei:c8t
a b c d e f g h
(24.'1Wc8t g7 25 .'1Wxb7 d2=) 24 . . . g7
l 9 . ltJxd4
. .
25 .h8 xh8 26.Wxf7 Wds 27.h4t
 November 20 1 1 263

8 28.'it>h l l:!c6=) 27 . . . '1Wb6 (27 . . . \We5!?) 28.l:!fd l

'.Wxb3 29.axb3 l:!b2=
7

6
27.gcdl
5 Black's active rook must be exchanged.
4

3 27 ...Ylfd4t
2
27 . . . 'Wc5t 28.\t>h 1 l:!fd7 29.l:!xd2 l:!xd2
30.\Wb7t 'it>h6 3 1 .'1Wxa6 '.Wc2 32.\We6 \Wxa2
33.'1Wg4
a b c d e f g h

Maybe Black was apprehensive of this The best chance was probably 27 ... l:!c7 28.\t>h l
position. White's powerful queen paralyses the a5 29.h3;!;.
black pieces to some degree, but on the other
hand it is not easy for White to include his 28.cbhl gd7
rook in the attack. 28 . . . l:!c7 29.l:!xd2 '1Wxd2 30.\We6 also leaves
Black in trouble as his king exposed and the
24.'ilYc8t cbg7 25.Ylfxb7 gd2 26.Ylfb3 e5-pawn is weak.

a b c d e f g h
Black has just enough play for the pawn, as
the presence of the white pawn on f3 instead
of f2 weakens his kingside slightly.
26 ... e5?
The idea of activating the f7 -rook was
correct, but the execution was erroneous as
Black has unnecessarily weakened his king.
More precise was: 26 .. J!f6! 27.\t>h l (27.l''kd l
\Wc5t 28.'it>h 1 l:!fd6 29.h3 a5; 27.l:!fd 1 \Wd4t 1-0
a b c d e f g h
29.gxd2 Ylfxd2 30.Ylfe6 Ylfd6 3 1 .Ylfxd6 gxd6
32.h4 gd2 33.gcl
Leading to a winning rook ending where
White has two extra pawns on the kingside.
33 ... gxa2 34.gc7t cbf6 35.gxh7 a5 36.ga7
a4 37.cbh2 a3 38.cbh3 cbe6 39.ga6t cbf7
40.cbg3 cbg7 4I .ge6 ge2 42.gxe5 a2 43.ga5
cbf6 44.f4 gxe4 45.gxa2 cbg7 46. cbg4 gb4
47.ga5
GAME 34 Bacrot - Filippov, [EO?] 266
GAME 3 5 Almasi - Parligras, [E l l ] 274
GAME 36 Gelfand - Tomashevsky, [E l l ] 285
GAME 3 7 Le Quang Liem - Meier, [E l l ] 293
GAME 38 Eljanov - Andreiki n, [E l 5] 295
GAME 39 Nyzhnyk - Tiviakov, [E l 7] 302
GAME 40 Andreikin - Tomashevsky [E l 8] 310
GAME 41 Melkumyan - Gashimov, [E4 1 ] 31 7
GAME 42 Roiz - Naiditsch, [E5 5] 322
GAME 43 Potkin - Grischuk, [E73] 325
GAME 44 Tomashevsky - Ponomariov, [E8 1 ] 335
GAM E 45 Onischuk - Bacrot, [E92] 342
GAM E 46 Meier - Feller, [E9 5 ] 351
GAM E 47 Kasimdzhanov - Nisipeanu, [E97] 357
GAME 48 Kramnik - Giri, [E97] 363
266 Chess Evolution
GAME 34
C> E.Bacrot (2710)
A. Filippov (2606)
FIDE World Cup, Khanty-Mansiysk
Round 2, Game 2, 0 1 .09.20 1 1 [E07]
Annotated by Kamil Miton
In the game below we may observe one of the
structures from the Catalan Opening. White
sacrificed the c4-pawn in exchange for a strong
centre and the more active pieces. Black's
position was very solid while White played for
the initiative. The course of the game proved
very interesting, though not devoid of mistakes
on both sides. It turned out to be Black who
made the final error.
l.f3 d5 2.d4 f6 3.c4 e6 4.g3 .ib4t s ..id2
.ie7 6 ..ig2 c6 7.0-0 0-0 s ..if4 bd7 9.c3
dxc4 I O.e4 ges
An interesting move. It allows the transfer of
the knight to g6 ( . . . l2'l f8-g6) , and the rook may
prove useful on e8 if Black plays a typical idea
for these positions: . . . e5, meeting dxe5 with
. . . l2Jg4.
The attempt to achieve a natural set-up with
1 0 . . . b5 (followed by . . . i.b7) results in unclear
positions after 1 1 .d5.
a b c d e f g h
l l .a4
The main alternative is:
1 U!e 1 l2'l f8
l l . . .a5 1 2.d5t
1 1 . ..b5!? 1 2.d5 b4 ( 1 2 ... e5 1 3.l2'lxe5 tLlxe5
1 4.ixe5 l2'lg4 1 5 .id4 c5 1 6.i.e3t) 1 3.dxc6
l2'lc5 1 4.l2Jb5 Wb6 1 5 .l2'lc7 l2'ld3 1 6.l'l:e3
( 1 6.l2'lxe8 Wxf2t 1 7.'1t>h l l2'lg4 1 8.Wd2
Wc5oo) 1 6 . . . i.a6 1 7.l2'lxe8 l'l:xe8 1 8.l'l:xd3
cxd3 1 9.tLl e500
1 2.a4
1 2.We2 b5 1 3.l2'le5 ib7 1 4 .l'l:ad 1 l2'lg6
1 5 .l2'lxg6 hxg6 1 6.ig5 l2'lxe4+
1 2 . . . l2'lg6 1 3 .ig5 e5 1 4.dxe5 l2'lg4
1 4 . . . l2'ld7 1 5 .e6 fxe6 1 6.i.xe7 Wxe7
a b c d e f g h
1 7.e5 ( 1 7.Wd4 Wc5 1 8.Wxc5 l2'lxc5 1 9.i.fl
e5 20.i.xc4t i.e6=) 1 7 . . . l2'lc5 1 8.l'l:e3 l'l:d8
1 9.We2 b6 20.Wxc4 ia6 2 1 .Wg4t
1 5 .Wxd8 i.xd8 1 6.i.xd8 l'l:xd8 1 7.l'l:ed l i.e6
1 7 . . . l'l:e8 1 8.h3 tLl4xe5 1 9.l2'ld2 l'l:d8 20.f4
i.xh3 2 I .fxe5 i.g4 22.l2'lf3 ixf3 23.ixf3
l2Jxe5 24.ie200
1 7 . . . l'l:xd l t 1 8.l'l:xd l i.e6 1 9.l2'lel l2'l6xe5
20.h3 l2'lh6 2 1 .f4 l2'ld3 22.l2'lxd3 cxd3
23.l'l:xd3 f6 24. 'it>f2 l2J f7 25.a5 l'l:d8 26.l'l:xd8t
tLlxd8 27.'1t>e3t
1 8.l2'l e 1 l2'l 6xe5 1 9.h3 l2'lf6 20.f4 l2'ld3 2 I .f5
l2'lxe 1 22.l'l:xe 1 i.d7 23.e5t
l l ... a5
White's greater space and strong centre
provide compensation for the pawn deficit.
White may now play in either of two ways - to
 November 20 1 1 267

regain the c4-pawn (with Wfe2 and lt:\d2) or to 1 6 . . . 1'l:c8!?

concentrate his efforts on the centre (with Wfc2 1 7.exd5 exd4 1 8.Wffl
and Ei:d l ) . 1 8.WI'h5 lZlf6 1 9.Wfh4 dxc3 20.ixc3 lZlxd5
2 I .Wfxd8 Ei:axd8 22.ixd5 Ei:xd5 23.Ei:xd5
cxd5 24.lt:\xb6=
1 8 . . . dxc3
1 8 . . . lt:\e5 1 9 . .!Llb5
1 9.ixc3 cxd5 20.ixd5 ixc3
20 . . . 1'l:a7 2 l .Ei:ac l t
2 I .ixa8 ixb2 22.ic6 Wfc7 23.ixd7 ixc4
24.Wfg2t

b) 1 4 . . . 1'l:c8 1 5 .Ei:fd l lt:\d5 1 6.id2 .!Llb4

a b c d e f g h
12.WI'c2
1 2.lZld2 lt:\ b6 1 3.Wfe2 ( 1 3.ie3 e5 1 4.dxe5
lZlg4 1 5 .ixb6 Wfxb6 1 6.lt:\xc4 Wfc5+)
13 . . . Wfxd4 1 4.ie3 Wfd8 1 5 .Ei:fd l Wfc7 1 6.ixb6
Wfxb6 1 7.e5 .!Lld5 1 8.lZlxc4 Wfb4 1 9 . .!Lle4 b6+
1 2.Wfe2 b6 1 3.lZld2 ia6 1 4.lt:\xc4 By regaining
the pawn, White has subjected himself to
various motifs connected with the fl -a6
diagonal and the e-file. Black now has several
options:
1 7.1'l:ac l c5
17 . . . e5 1 8.ie3 Wfc7 ( 1 8 . . . ig5 1 9.f4 exf4
20.gxf4t) 1 9.ih3 Ei:cd8 20.ixd7 Wfxd7
2 l .dxe5 lt:\d3 22.lt:\d6 ixd6 23.exd6 Wfxd6
24.ixb6 lZlxc l 25.Wfxa6 Ei:a8 26.W/c4 Wfb4
27.Wfxc6 Wl'xb2 28.lt:\d5 .!Lld3 29.Wfb5 Wxb5
30.axb5oo
1 8.dxc5
1 8.lt:\b5 cxd4 1 9.ixb4 ixb4 20.Ei:xd4 ixb5
2 l .axb5 WigS 22.1'l:cd l Wxb5 23.e5
1 8.d5 exd5 1 9.lZlxd5 .!Llxd5 20.exd5 if6
2 I .ie3 id4oo
1 8 . . . ixc4 1 9.Wxc4 lt:\e5 20.We2 ixc5oo
c) 14 . . . if8 1 5 .Ei:fd l ( 1 5 .b3 b5+) and now:

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

a) 1 4 . . . ib4 1 5 .Ei:fd l lZld5 1 6.id2 c l ) 1 5 . . . We7!?

1 6.exd5 exd5 1 7.Wfc2 ixc4 1 8.b3 ia6 Preparing both ... e5 and ... Wb4.
1 9.lZla2 ia3 20.Wfxc6 lt:\f6= 1 6.e5
1 6 . . . e5 1 6.b3 e5 1 7.dxe5 lt:\xe5 1 8.ixe5 Wfxe5
268 Chess Evolution

1 9.tt'lxe5 .ixe2 20.tt'lxe2 l'!xe5 2 1 .l'!ac l tt'lxe4

(2 l . . . .ic5 22.tt'lf4t) 22.l'!xc6 l'!b8 23 .tt'lf4
tt'lf6=
1 6 . . . tt'ld5
16 . . .'1Wb4 1 7.exf6 .ixc4 1 8.'1Wd2 tt'lxf6
1 9 . .ixc6 '1Wb3 20 . .ixa8 l'!xa8t
1 7 ..id2 f6
1 7 . . . l'!ac8!? 1 8.b3 c5 1 9.tt'lb5t
1 8.exf6 'IWxf6

a b c d e f g h

c2 1 ) 1 6 . . . tt'lb4 1 7.e5 l'!c8 1 8.tt'le4 c5 1 9.i.xb4

cxb4 20.b3t

c22) 1 6 . . . e5!?N

a b c d e f g h

In most cases Black avoids this type of

structure, because the e6-pawn is weaker
than the one on d4 and the black king
becomes a little exposed. However, in this
particular position it will be difficult for
White to prevent the move . . . e5. a b c d e f g h

1 9.tt'le4 '\Wf5 Black is worse in the centre and he should

1 9 . . . '1Wxd4 20.b3 tt'le5 2 1 .'1Wh5 .ixc4 22.bxc4
g6 23.i.f4 gxh5 24.l'!xd4 tt'lxf4 25.tt'lf6t
<>h8 26.gxf4 i.c5 27.l'!dd l tt'lg6 28.i.xc6
l'!f8 29.tt'ld7 l'!ad8 30.tt'lxf8 l'!xf8 3 l .l'!a2t
20.tt'lg5
20.'1Wd3 e5 2 1 .'1Wb3 exd4 22.tt'lcd6 .ixd6
23.tt'lxd6 tt'lc5 24.i.xd5t '1Wxd5 25 .'1Wxd5t
cxd5 26.tt'lxe8 l'!xe8
20.f4 c500
20 . . . h6 2 l .tt'l f3 e5 22.dxe5 i.c5 23.l'!e l tt'lxe5
24.tt'lfxe5 .ixc4 25 .'1Wxc4 l'!xe5 26.l'!xe5 '1Wxe5
27.l'!e l '1Wxb2 28 . .ixd5t <;th8=
c2) 1 5 . . . tt'ld5 1 6 . .id2 ( 1 6 . .ic l tt'lxc3 1 7.bxc3
tt'le5 1 8.dxe5 ixc4=) and Black has three
options:
fight for it by employing either . . . c5 or . . . e5.
It is crucial that Black makes these attempts
before White solves the problems of the pin
along the fl -a6 diagonal.
1 7.exd5 exd4 1 8.'\Wfl
1 8.i.e3 dxe3 1 9.fxe3 cxd5 20.i.xd5 l'!c800
2 1 .'1Wf3 Wf6 22.ixf7t '1Wxf7 23.'1Wxf7t <i>xf7
24.l'!xd7t <i>e6 25.tt'lxb6 l'!c6 26.tt'lcd5 l'!xb6
27.tt'lxb6 l'!b8 28.l'!d5 l'!xb6 29.l'!xa500
1 8.Wg4 .ixc4 1 9.Wxd4 ( 1 9 . .ig5 tt'le5!)
19 ... cxd5 20.tt'lxd5 l'!c8 2 l ..ic3 ib3 22.Wg4
i.xd l 23.l'!xd l tt'le5 24.Wf5 l'!xc3 (24 . . . i.d6
25 .i.e4 g6 26.tt'lf6t <i>h8 27.Wxc8 Wxc8
28.tt'lxe8 Wxe8 29.l'!xd6 <>g8 30.l'!xb6t)
25.bxc3 i.c5=
1 8 . . . tt'le5
 November 20 1 1
1 8 . . . dxc3 1 9 . .ixc3 cxd5 20 . .ixd5 c8
(20 . . . Wfc7 2 I .Wfh3t) 2 I ..ixf7t!? i>xf7
22.Wfh3 e7 23.lile5t i>e8 24.Wfxh7 lt:lxe5
25.xd8t xd8 26 . .ixe5 xe5 27.'1Wg6t
<ll e7 28.'1Wxb6 d6oo The realization of
White's material advantage will not be
simple, because the activation of his pawns
may involve a considerable weakening of his
king.
1 9.b3
1 9.lilb5 cxb5 20.lilxe5 xe5 2 I .axb5 .tb7
22.if4 xd5+
1 9 . . . '\Mff6
a b d f g h
c e
20.lt:le4
20.ac l lilf3t 2 I .i.xf3 Wfxf3 22.'1Wg2 '1Wxg2t
23.i>xg2 dxc3 24.ixc3 i.c5 25.id4 ixd4
26.xd4 cxd5 27.lt:lxb6 ab8 28.lild7 xb3
29.lilc5 b6 30.xd5 .ic8=
20 . . . lil f3t 2 I ..ixf3
2 I .i>h l xe4 22.Wfd3 lt:lxd2 23.xd2 e5
24.dxc6 ae8 25 .h4 ib4oo
2 1 . . .'1Wxf3 22.lilg5 '1Wxb3 23.dc l h6 24.ab l
'1Wa2 25.lilf3 cxd5 26.a l Wfxc4 27.xc4
dxc4oo
c23) I 6 . . . c8 1 7.b3
1 7.i.e l Wfc7 1 8.b3 ib4 1 9.Wfb2 i.xc4
20.bxc4 lilxc3 2 I .ixc3 .ixc3 22.Wfxc3
e5 23.ih3 exd4 24.xd4 cd8 25 .ixd7
xd7 26.xd7 Wfxd7 27.c5 Wfa7 28.Wfc4
bxc5 29.c l h6 30.'1Wxc5 Y2-Y2 Gelfand -
Grischuk, Bursa 20 I 0
269
1 7 . . . c5
1 7 . . . lt:l b4 1 8.e5 c5 ( 1 8 . . . lilc2 1 9.ig5 Wfxg5
20.Wfxc2:t) 1 9.if4 cxd4 20.xd4 Wc7
2 I .lile4t lt:lc5 22.tt:lf6t gxf6 23.exf6 e5
24.ih6+-
1 7 . . . Wc7 1 8.acl ia3 1 9.exd5 cxd5 20.c2
dxc4 2 I .lt:lb5 ixb5 22.axb5 lt:l f6 23.xc4
(23.bxc4 e5 24.dxe5 Wxe5 25 .Wxe5 xe5
26.if4 e7 27.ie3 xe3 28.fxe3 ic5;;)
23 . . . Wb8 24.ic6 ed8 25 .ig5:t
a b c d e f g h
We now have a final split:
c23 1 ) 1 8.dxc5 lilxc5 1 9.exd5 lilxb3 20.dxe6
xe6 2 I .i.e3 Wc7 22.lilb5 ixb5 23.axb5
Wxc4 24.Wxc4 xc4 25 .id5 b4 26 . .ixe6
lilxa l 27.xa l fxe6 28.ixb6 xb5 29.ixa5=
c232) 1 8.lt:lb5 cxd4
1 8 . . . ixb5 1 9.axb5 cxd4 20.lt:lxa5 bxa5
2 l .exd5 exd5 22.Wf3:t
1 9.lilxd4 lilc5 20.lilb5
20.Wff3 lt:l f6 (20 ... ixc4 2 I .bxc4 lt:l b4
22.ixb4 axb4 23.lilxe6 Wfe7 24.lt:lxf8 i>xf8
25 .'1We3:t) 2 I .if4 ixc4 22.bxc4 lil fxe4
23.lilxe6 '1Wf6 (23 . . . We7=) 24.lt:lc7 lild2
25 .Wh5 xc7 26.ixc7 lilce400
20 . . . lt:lxb3 2 l .exd5 lilxal
2 l . . .exd5 22.Wfh5 g6 23.Wfxd5 ixb5
24.lt:lxb6 lt:lxa l 25.lilxc8 ie2 26.xa l Wfxd5
27.ixd5 xc8=
22.dxe6 xe6 23.ie3 We8 24.xa l ixb5
25.axb5 Wxb5 26.ifl 00
270 Chess Evolution

c233) 1 8.exd5 2 1 . ..cxd4 22.!!xd4 ic5 23.!!ad l i.xd4

24.!!xd4 i.b7 25.Wfd2 lbe5 26.!!xd8 ibf3t
27.fl ibxd2t 28.!!xd2 !!xc4oo

12 ... b6
1 2 . . . ibf8 1 3 . .ie3 b6 1 4.lbe5 We? 1 5 .lbxc4
i.a6 1 6.b3 ixc4 1 7.bxc4 e5 1 8.d5 itJ 8d?oo

1 3JUdl

a b c d e f

1 8 . . . exd5
1 8 . . . cxd4 1 9.d6 ( 1 9.Wff3 dxc3 20.i.xc3
i.xc4 2 l .bxc4 !!xc4 22.ifl !!c7 23.d6 !!c5
24.ib5t) 19 . . .dxc3 20.ixc3 lbc5 and now:
i) 2 1 .!!ab 1 lbxa400
ii) 2 l .Wfh5 i.xc4 (2 1 . . .ibxb3? 22.ibe5)
22.bxc4 i.xd6=
iii) 2 l .Wfe3 ixc4 (2 1 . . .ibxb3 22.ibxb6 ibxa l
23.ibxc8 ixc8 24.i.xa l ) 22.bxc4 ixd6
23.ie5 ixe5 24.!!xd8 .ixa l 2 5.!!xc8 !!xc8 a b c d e f g h
13 ...-i8
Developing the other bishop comes into
consideration:

1 3 . . . .ib7 1 4.ibd2 ia6 1 5 .d5 cxd5 1 6.exd5 e5

1 7.ig5 !!a? ( 1 7 . . . ib4 1 8.d6;!;; 1 7 . . . h6 1 8.d6
hxg5 1 9.dxe7 Wxe7 20.i.xa8 !!xa8 2 l .ibce4;!;)
1 8.d6 ixd6 1 9.ibde4 i.e? 20.ixf6 ixf6
2 l .!!d5t

a b c d e f g h 13 ... .ia6 1 4.d5 cxd5 1 5 .exd5 exd5 1 6.ibxd5

ibxd5 1 7.!!xd5 i.b7 1 8.!!d4 ( 1 8.!!ad l i.xd5
The black pieces will defend each other
1 9.!!xd5 if6 20.Wfd2 !!a7 2 1 .i.h3 !!e7 22.ie5
very well, making it difficult for White to
We8 23.ixf6 gxf6 24.Wh6 Wf8 25.Wf4oo)
improve his position. 26.Wf4 ic3 27.Wfd6
1 8 . . .Wc8 1 9 .ibg5 g6 ( 1 9 . . . ixg5 20.!!xc4
ib4oo
lbc5 2 l .ixb7 Wxb7 22.ixg5;!;) 20.!!xc4 lbc5
1 9 . .ie3 dxc4 20.ih3 !!c7
2 l .ibe4 Wf5 (2 l ... ixe4 22.ixe4 !!a? 23.if3;!;)
20 . . . Wc7 2 l .bxc4 cxd4 22.!!xd4 lbe5
22.ibxc5 Wxc2 23.!!xc2 ixg2 24.ibd7 if3
23.ibd5 Wc6 24.Wh5 i.xc4 25.!!c l
25.lbxb6 !!a6
2 l .bxc4
2 1 .ibd5 cxd4 22.!!xd4 ibe5 23.ibxc7 Wfxc?oo
14.d5
 November 20 1 1 27 1

1 4.lt:\g5 h6 1 5 .e5 hxg5 1 6.i.xg5 i.b7

1 7.lt:\e4 i.e7 1 8.exf6 lt:lxf6 1 9.lt:\xf6t ixf6
20.i.xf6 Wfxf6 2 l .Wfxc4 Ei:ed8= and White's
greater space is balanced by the weakness of
the d4-pawn.

14 ...cxd5 15.e5
1 5.exd5 e5 1 6.ie3 ib7 1 7.lt:\d2 Ei:c8oo

1 5 ... e4
Black can improve here:
1 5 . . . lt:\h5!N
This offers Black the better position, though
calculating all the resulting variations would
have been a very difficult task during the
game.
1 6.lt:\g5 g6 1 7.lt:\xd5 exd5 1 8.i.xd5 lt:\xf4
a b c d e f g
White has the more active pieces, and he
may try to take advantage of the weak d6- and
f6-squares and put pressure on the b6-pawn.
Black, on the other hand, should look for
opportunities to obtain counterplay against
the white pawn on e5.

19 ...'lfc7 20.Yfc6
20.i.c6 lt:\ b8 (20 . . . ic5 2 l .ib5 Ei:f8 22.Ei:ac l
lt:\xe5 23.Wfe2 f6 24.lt:\e4 We7 25.lt:\xc5 bxc5
26.ixe5 fXeS 27.Wfxe5) 2 1 .lt:le4 ie7 22.lt:\d6
ixd6 23 .Ei:xd6 ia6 24.Wc3 lt:\xc6 2 5 .Ei:xc6:t

20 ....ig7 2l .gacl Yfxc6 22.hc6 gffi 23.0

a b c
gc7 24.gd6
24.ie3 ib7 25.Ei:xd7 Ei:xd7 26.ixd7 ixf3
1 9.i.xf7t
27.ic6 ixc6 28 .Ei:xc6 ixe5 29.Ei:xb6 Ei:d8
1 9.lt:\xf7 Wc7 20.gxf4 lt:lc5 2 1 .lt:lg5t ie6
30.Ei:b5:t
22.lt:\xe6 lt:lxe6 23.5 gxf5 24.Wxf5 Wf7
25 .Wxf7t Wxf7 26.i.xa8 l'ha8+
24... tlJc5
1 9.gxf4 lt:\xe5 20.ixa8 '\Wf6+
24 . . . ib7 25.Ei:xd7 Ei:xd7 26.ixd7 ixf3
1 9 . . . Wh8 20.gxf4 Ei:xe5 2 1 .lt:\xh7 Ei:f5
27.ic6 ixc6 28.Ei:xc6 Ei:b8 29.b3 Wf8 30.Wg2
2 1 . . .Wh4 22.ltlxf8 Wfg4t 23.'\t>fl Wfh3t
We8 3 l .Ei:c7 if8 and Black intends . . . ie7 -d8.
24.Wg l =
22.i.e6 Wxh7 23.xf5 We8 24.Ei:e l Wf7+
25 ..ib5
25 .ie3 ia6 (25 . . . ib7 26.ixb7 Ei:xb7
16.t!Jxe4 dxe4 17.g5 ga7
27.ixc5 bxc5 28.Ei:xc5 Ei:xb2 29.Ei:xa5 )
1 7 . . . h6 1 8.lt:\xe4 ib7 1 9.lt:\f6t gxf6 20.ixb7
26.ixc5 bxc5 27.Ei:xc5 Ei:fc8 28.Ei:xa5 if8
Ei:a7 2 l .ic6:t
29.Ei:xa6 ixd6 30.exd6 Ei:xc6 3 l .d7 Ei:c l t
32.Wg2 Ei:d8 33.lt:\e5 Ei:c5 (33 . . .f6 34.Ei:xe6+-)
1 8.Vfxe4 g6 19.Yfxc4
34.Ei:c6 Ei:xc6 35.lt:\xc6 Ei:xd7 36.b4
272 Chess Evolution

25 ...i.b7 26.tZel 36.gc7

26.4Jd4 g5 27.i.e3 (27 . .ixg5 i.xe5 28 . .if4 36.4Jg5 ib3 37.ic6 (37.4Jxf7 ixa4
ixd6 29.i.xd6 geeS 30.ixf8 'i!txf8=) 38.4Jh6t 'i!ths 39.gf7 id4f) 37 . . . gcs
27 ... i.xe5 28.gxb6 ie4 (28 ... i.d5 29.gxc5 38.gb7 i.b4 39.if3 g[8 40.h4 h6 4 I .ltJe4
gxc5 30.4Jc6 id6 3 I .lLlxa5;!;) 29.4Jc6 ixc6 i.xa4=
30.1:!xc6 gxc6 3 l . .ixc6 4Jd3 32.l::k4;!; 36.4Jd2 ia2 37.lLle4 i.b6;!;
36 . . . ie2 37.gxc5
26 .. Jicc8 27Jhb6 37.lLlg5 ib6 38.gd7 gds 39.gxd8t ixd8
40.ltJe4 ib6+
8 37 .. .l'!xb7 38.4Jd4 i.d l 39.b3 i:!b4 40./:!cBt
7 Wg7 4 1 ./:!dS ixb3 42.lLlxb3 gxb3 43.ga8 g5
44.gxa5;!;
6

5 35.tbd2 xd2 36.i.xd2 Ab3 37.Ac6 !!c8

38.i.b5 !!c2 39.!!d8?!
4
39.ixa5 gxb2 40.gc7! White prevents
3 . . . ic5 and at the same time prepares to play
2
ie8 next. 40 . . . gb l t 4 l .'i!tg2 id5t 42.h3
gb2 43.ib6

a b c d e f g h 39 ... m 87
The realization of the pawn advantage will
require precision from White, as he has to get 8
his pieces coordinated while protecting the e5- 7
pawn.
6
27...i.d5 28.Ae3 tbb3 29Jhc8 hc8 30.i.a6 5
!!d8 3 1 .Ab7 Ac4 32.!!d6 !!b8 33.tbf3 i.8
34.!!d7 h6 4
Black could try: 3
34 . . . lLlc5 3 5 . .ixc5 ixc5
An interesting way for Black to defend, he 2
wants to use his strong dark-squared bishop
to attack the b2-, e5- and f2-pawns.
a b c d e f g h
8 4o.mrl?!
7 The last two weak moves by White are
6 surely the effect of lack of time. He should not
5
have delayed eliminating the a5-pawn, and
he should have kept the rook on the seventh
4
bmJ'""" rank, to maintain the additional possibiliry of
3 targeting the f7 -pawn.
F "" ''"-m"m
2
40.ixa5 gxb2 4 l .gd2
a b c d e f g h
 November 2011
4 I .:!'!c8 :li.e7
4 I . . .:!! b 1 t 42. 'tt> g2 !!a I
42 . . .:1i.d5t 43.'tt> h 3 i.e7
43.i.d8 i.xa4 44 ..ba4 l:!xa4 45.:1i.f6t 'tt> h7
46.:!!d7 'tt> g8 47.:!'!d8 :!'!a7 48.h4
a b c d e f g h
Black is forced to j ust move his rook along
the seventh rank. The question is: does
White have a winning plan?
48 . . . :!! b7 49.h5 :!'!a7 50.f4 :!'!b7 5 I .'tt> h 3
Firstly, White needs to improve his king.
5 I .g4 gxh5 52.g5 (After 52.gxh5= White
cannot make progress. For example, if the
white king heads to the queenside to try to
force the black rook off the 7th rank, then at
the right moment Black can switch his rook
to the first rank with the plan of checking
from the rear.) 52 . . . hxg5 53.i.xg5 f6 54.:Ji.h6
fxe5 5 5 .:!!xf8t 'tt> h7 56.:!! f6 exf4 57.:!'!xe6=
5 I . ..:!'!a7 52.'tt> h4 :!'!b7 53.:!'!e8 :!'!a7 54.g4+
White will continue with g4-g5 and then
penetrate to the h6-square with his bishop,
finally capturing the black bishop.
40.:Ji.xh6t 'tt> xh6 4 I .:!!xf8 'tt> g7 42.:!'!b8 :!'!c l t
43.'tt> g2 .id5t 44.'tt> h3 :!'!c2 45.f4 :!!xb2
40 ... i.e7 4I Jd3 i.c5 42.c3
42.f4 :!!xb2 43.:li.xa5 :Ji.d5 44.:!! d2 :!! b I t
45.'tt> e2 :!'!b3 and Black holds the position.
42... xd2 43.xc5 d4 44.i>e2 b4
44 . . . :1i.xa4? 45 .:li.c4
273
45.i>d3 i.xa4 46.i.xa4 xa4 47.h4 al
48.i>c4 a4 49.a5
a b c d e f g
49 ... h5??
A terrible oversight. After this move, White
gains a winning position and as a result
Etienne levelled the march. Surely this mistake
was not without its psychological influence on
the course of the two play-off games which
followed, as they also went to Bacrot.
49 . . . :!! b I 50.'tt> c3 :!'!c l t 5 I .'tt> d 3 :!! b 1 = is simply
a draw. The more active white king cannot
help to capture the a4-pawn because the black
rook will always attack the b2-pawn.
50.b4+-
Now Black cannot stop the advance of the
b-pawn.
50 ... g5 5 1 .hxg5 i>g6 52.i>b5 a3 53.i>a6
bl 54.b5 b2 55.b6 x2 56.b7 b2
57.xa3 i>xg5 58.a5
1-0
274 Chess Evolution

GAME 35 5 ....ie7 6..ig2 0-0 7.0-0 c6 8.'c2 ltlbd7

[> Z. Almasi (2726)
llll- M.E. Parligras (2636)
FIDE World Cup, Khanty-Mansiysk
Round 2, Game 2, 0 1 .09.20 I I [El l]
Annotated by Kamil Miton
In the Catalan Opening, Black has a number of
solid variations against which it is difficult for
White to gain an advantage. In the following
game we will see one of them - 4 . . . .ib4t.
Almasi, who needed to win this game to stay
in the World Cup, chose a rare plan with
I O.lt:Jbd2. Black's reaction with I O . . . lt:Jh5 was
very much appropriate. Only two subsequent
inaccuracies resulted in White taking the
initiative, which was later forfeited with the
fatal mistake 2 I .!!e I .
9 ..if4 b6 10.bd2
From d2 the knight controls the very
important squares e4 and c4, however
with the bishop on f4, White often prefers
to develop the knight on c3, so that after
a potential ... lt:Jh5 the bishop could return
to cl .
I O.!!d i
White's main task is to fight for the centre
and activate the g2-bishop by playing e2-e4.
Black intends to move his queen's bishop,
place the rook on c8 and then go . . . c6-c5.

l .d4 f6 2.0 e6 3.c4 d5 4.g3 .ib4t

The idea of this move is based on inducing
White's bishop to move to d2. If Black later
chooses a set-up with . . . b6 and . . . c6 this will
have considerable importance, because White
will not have the opportunity of playing b2-b3
and i.b2. a b c d e f g h

Black now has two main options: A)

8 I O . . . .ib7 and B) I O . . . i.a6.
7
A) I O ... i.b? I I .lt:Jc3
6

a c e f h
5 ..id2
As a general point, the move lt:Jd2 would be a b c d e f g h
preferable if instead of lt:Jf3 White had played
We need a further split: A I ) I I . . .!!c8 and
.ig2, because after . . . dxc4 White could win a
A2) I I . . . dxc4.
piece after a4.
 November 2011 275

A l ) I I . . .!k8 1 2.lt::J e 5 I had the opportunity to play this position

1 2.b3 c5 1 3.cxd5 ( 1 3.lt::l b5 cxd4 14.lt::l xa7 against Movsesian. Mter the game, Sergey
!l:c5+) 1 3 . . . cxd4! 1 4.lt::l xd4 ( 1 4.d6?! !l:xc3 told me that even though White's position
1 5.dxe7 Wfxe7 1 6 . .!d6 !l:xc2 1 7.ixe7 ixf3 seems more pleasant, Black has the simple
1 8.ixf3 !l:e8 1 9 . .!xf6 lt::l xf6 20.!l:xd4 e5+) plan of . . . c5 which should level the position
14 . . . lt::l xd5 1 5 .i.xd5 i.xd5 1 6 .lt::l d b5 a6 with no difficulty. As an example, he
1 7.lt::J d6 provided the following game:
1 5 . . . !l:ad8 1 6.!l:ac l
8 1 6.a4 ib4oo
7 I 6 . . . c5 1 7.d5 exd5 1 8.lt::l xd5 ixd5 1 9.!l:xd5 b5
Otherwise White would gain control over
6
the light squares.
5
20.lt::l e 5 lt::l x e5 2 l .l'l:xe5 id6 22.!l:d5 ie7=
4 Sasikiran - Wojtaszek, Khanty-Mansiysk
3 20 1 0.
2 r'c;";;;;;;;;:.; . ,;;;;;;;
B) 1 0 . . . .!a6
Decidedly more active and aggressive than
a b c d e f g h
1 0 . . . ib7. By pushing the bishop further,
1 7 . . . ixd6 ( 1 7 . . . l'l:xc3 1 8.Wfxc3 g5 1 9.e4 gxf4 Black creates a problem on c4 straight away
20.exd5 ixd6 2 l .dxe6 ie5 22.Wie l fxe6 and White may be obliged to play the quite
23.!l:xd7 Wfxd7 24.Wfxe5) 1 8.ixd6 !l:e8 slow b2-b3. In most cases, after an exchange
1 9.Wid3 i.b7 20.!l:ac l lt::l f6 2 Lf3;!; of pawns on d5 Black would be doing well
1 2 . . . lt::J h5 because the g2-bishop remains weak. Then any
12 ... lt::l xe5 1 3.dxe5 lt::J d7 1 4.cxd5 cxd5 attempt to introduce it into the game through
1 5 .e4 playing e2-e4 would result in a position with
1 3.ic l lt::l h f6 1 4.e4 lt::l xe4 an isolated pawn, where Black easily controls
1 4 . . . dxc4 1 5 .lt::l xc4 b5 1 6.lt::l e 3;!; the important d5-square. While following
1 5.lt::l xe4 dxe4 1 6 ..!xe4 f5 1 7.lt::l xd7 Wfxd7 lt::l d2 Black always has . . . lt::l h5 and the f4-
1 8 . .!f3 .!f6 1 9.i.e3;!; bishop does not have a good escape square.

A2) l l . . .dxc4 1 2.lt::l d2 lt::l d 5 1 3.lt::l xc4 lt::l xf4

1 4.gxf4 Wfc7 1 5 .e3

a b c d e f g h

White has two main options: B l ) l l .lt::l e 5

and B2} l l .b3.
a b c d e f g h
276 Chess Evolution

B I ) 1 1 .ttle5 !i:c8 22 . . . tt:ldf6 23.h4 White targets the e4-

I I . . .tt:lxe5 1 2.dxe5 tt:ld7 1 3.cxd5 cxd5 1 4 .e4
d4 1 5 .!i:xd4 ic5 1 6.!i:d l g5 l ?.i.c l Vfffe7
1 8.Vfff a4 ic8 1 9.b4 .ixb4 20 . .ixg5 Wxg5
2 1 .Wxb4 tt:lxe5 22.tt:ld2 White is targeting
the king.
1 2.tt:lc3
12.Vfffa4 tt:l b8! 1 3.tt:lc3 b5+
12 ... ixc4 1 3.tt:lxc4 dxc4 1 4.e4 b5 1 5 .a4 a6
1 6.axb5 axb5 1 7.d5
1 7.!i:a6 tt:lb6 1 8.!i:a7 !i:a8 1 9.!i:c7 tt:lh5
20.!i:xc6 tt:lxf4 2 1 .gxf4 b4 22.tt:le2 !i:c8 23.d5
exd5 24.exd5 .if6 25.tt:lg3 b3+ Caruana -
Palac, Aix-les-Bains 20 1 1 .
1 7 . . . cxd5 1 8.exd5 e5co
B2) l l .b3 !i:c8 1 2 .tt:lc3
8 bxc4 1 6.tt:la4 tt:ld5 1 7.id2t
7
knight) 23 . .id6 !i:e8 24.!i:ab 1 t
1 9 . . . .ixc3
1 9 . . . c5 20.tt:la2t
20.Wxc3 tt:ld5 2 1 .Wd2 tt:lxf4 22.Vfixf4 .ixc4
23 ..ixc4
B22) 1 2 . . . dxc4 1 3.tt:ld2
I don't know if this move is objectively best
but Mikhail Gurevich said that he likes
my game against Swiercz because it is a
good example to show dynamic play in the
Catalan.
Perhaps better is: 1 3. bxc4 .ixc4 1 4. ttl d2
b5 ( 1 4 . . . .ib5?! 1 5.Vfib3 tt:ld5 1 6 . .ixd5
exd5 1 7.tt:lxb5 cxb5 1 8.Wxb5; 1 4 . . . .ia6!?
1 5 .Wa4 .ib7 1 6.Wxa7 .ia8 1 7.e4 c5 1 8.d5
exd5 1 9.exd5 tt:lh5 20.ie3 f5oo) 1 5 .tt:lxc4

3
2 r/\\iii.t;f/\"

a b c d e f g h

A key position in which Black has various

a b d f g h
possibilities: B2 1 ) 1 2 . . . h6, B22) 1 2 . . . dxc4 and c e

B23) 1 2 . . . Vfffe 8. Black will play . . . c5 but White's pair of

82 1 ) 12 ... h6 1 3.e4 dxc4 1 4.tt:ld2 b5 1 5 .bxc4
bxc4 1 6 . .ifl tt:lb6
1 6 . . . c5 1 7.d5 exd5 1 8.exd5 g5 1 9.d6 gxf4
20 . .ixc4 .ixc4 2 1 .tt:lxc4t
1 6 . . . Vfffa 5 1 7.tt:lxc4 .ixc4 1 8.ixc4 e5 1 9.dxe5
tt:lxe5 20.i.e2
1 7.a4 .ib4
1 7 . . . c5 1 8.d5 exd5 1 9.a5t
1 8.a5 tt:lbd7 1 9.tt:lxc4
1 9 . .ixc4 ixc4 ( 1 9 . . ..ib5!co) 20.tt:lxc4
.ixc3 2 l .Vfffxc3 tt:lxe4 22.Wc2 tt:lef6 (after
bishops guarantee at least a symbolic
advantage.
1 3 . . . c5
1 3 . . . b5 1 4.bxc4 bxc4 1 5 .Vfffa4 .ib5 1 6.Vfffxa7
( 1 6.tt:lxb5 tt:l b6) 1 6 . . . g5 1 7.a4 ( 1 7 . .ixg5
!i:a8 1 8.Wb7 !i:b8=) 1 7 . . . !i:a8 1 8.Vfffc7 gxf4
1 9.Vfixd8 !i:fxd8 20.axb5 tt:ld5!? 2 l .!i:xa8
!i:xa8 22.tt:lxd5 cxd5 23.tt:lxc4 !i:b8 24.tt:lb2
fxg3 25.hxg3 !i:xb5=
1 4.tt:lxc4
1 4.d5 exd5 1 5 .tt:lxd5 tt:lxd5 1 6 ..ixd5 .if6+
Better may be 1 4.dxc5 with the ideas
 November 2011 277

1 4 . . . ixc5 1 5 .tt:lde4 tt:lxe4 1 6.tt:lxe4 .ie7
1 7.b4 .ib7 1 8.tt:lc5 .ixg2 1 9.tt:lxd7 idS
20.tt:lxf8 1Mfxf8 2 1 .a3 or 14 .. .Ehc5 1 5 .b4.
1 4 . . . cxd4
1 4 . . . .ixc4 1 5 .bxc4 cxd4 1 6.:!hd4 Wfe800
1 5.:!hd4 .icS 1 6.l:!dd l bS 1 7.tt:ld6
Black plans to capture the c4-pawn only
after the possible move e2-e4. Moreover, he
moves the queen away from the d-61e, which
will be significant later on.
White's three important lines are B23 1 )
1 3 .e4, B232) 1 3.a4 and B233) 1 3 .l:!ac l !?N.

B23 1 ) 1 3.e4 dxc4

a b c d e f g h

1 7 . . . b4
a b d f g h
1 7 . . . 1Mfb6?! 1 8.tt:lxc8 l:!xc8 1 9.1Mfd3 .ixf2t c e

20.'tt> h 1 b4 2 1 .tt:la4:t 1 4.tt:le2!?

1 8.tt:lxc8 '.Wxc8 1 9.l:!ac l bxc3 20.1Mfxc3 .ixe2
2 1 .l:!xd7 tt:lxd7 22.b4 ixf2t 23.Wxf2 '.Wa6
23 . . . 1Mfxc3 24.l:!xc3 ib5 25.a4 ixa4 26.l:!a3
ib5 27.l:!xa7 e5 28.ie3 l:!b8 29 . .id5
24.a4 e5 25 .ixe5
25 .ie3t
25 . . . tt:lxe5 26.Wxe5 ig4 27.1Mfd4
Miton - Swiercz, Czech Republic 20 1 1 , was
agreed drawn here.
B23) 1 2 ... '.We8
1 4.tt:ld2 eS! That is why Black played
1 2 . . . We8; in this variation the position is
equal.
1 4.bxc4 ixc4 1 5 .tt:ld2 ia6 1 6.1Mfa4 id3
1 7.lL!b3 ic2 1 8.l:!dc l id3 1 9.l:!d 1 =
1 4 . . . cxb3
1 4 . . . b5 1 5 .bxc4 bxc4 1 6.tt:ld2 c5 ( 1 6 . . . tt:lb6
1 7.a4 c5 1 8.d5 exd5 1 9.a5) 1 7.d5 exd5
1 8.exd5 lLlh5 1 9.tt:le4 tt:lxf4 20.lL!xf4t
1 5 .axb3 ixe2 1 6.1Mfxe2 a5 1 7.tt:ld2

a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
1 7 . . . ib4
278 Chess Evolution
1 7 . . . c5 1 8.d5 exd5 1 9.e5 id6 20Je 1 tLlxe5
2 1 ..ixe5 .ixe5 22.1&xe5 1&xe5 23.Eixe5
1 8.tLlc4 1&e7 1 9.g4
1 9.ig5 h6oo
1 9 . . . Eifd8
1 9 . . . b5 20.tLlxa5 e5 2 l .dxe5 tLlxe5 22.g5
ttJ fd? 23.ih3 E\fe800
20.g5
20.ig3
20 . . . tLl e8 2 l .e5 g6 22.Eiac l b5 23.lLle3 lLlb6
24.Eixc6 Elxc6 25.hc6 tLlc7 26.tLlg4 a400
B232) 1 3.a4
This move forces the capture on c4 and is
also useful to potentially open the a-file and
then create pressure along it.
13 . . . dxc4 1 4.bxc4 ixc4 1 5 .tLld2
1 5 .tLle4 has also been tested.
1 5 . . . id5!
1 5 . . . ia6 1 6.a5 ( 1 6.tLlde4!?t) 1 6 ... b5
1 7.tLlce4 1&d8 1 8.tLld6 Elc7 1 9.lLl6e4 Elc8
20.lLl b3
1 6.e4 c5
8 20 . .ih3
7
6
5 tLlf6 24.tLlc4 a6 25 .Wb3 Elb8 26.tLle5 Wxd6
b d f g h
a c e
White has two ways to capture on d5:
B232 1 ) 1 7.exd5 and B2322) 1 7.tLlxd5.
B232 1 ) 1 7.exd5 cxd4 1 8.d6 Elxc3
Black should try: 1 8 . . . id8 1 9.tLldb 1 dxc3
20.tLlxc3 tLld5 2 l ..ixd5 if6 22.Eia3 exd5
23.1&d2 ixc3 24.Eixc3 Elxc3 25 .Wxc3 We4oo
1 9.Wb2 idS 20.tLlb3 e5
20 ... Eic8 2 1 .lLlxd4 lLlc5 22.a5 bxa5 23.lLlb5
Wd? 24.tLlc7 tLld3 25 .Eixd3 ixc7 26.ie5
ib6 27.ixf6 gxf6 28.1&xf6 Elc2 29.1'!f3 1&d8
30.Wh6---+
2 1 .lLlxd4 Elc4 22.Eie 1
22.tLlf5!?
22 ... !!xd4 23.ixe5 !!e4 24.ixe4 tLlxe5 25 .ig2
tLld3 26.1'!xe8 tLlxb2 27.1'!xf8t xf8 28.1'!cl
tLld3 29.Eic8 e8 30.ic6t tLld? 3 1 .Eic7
lLl 3e5 32.ib5 a6 33.ixa6 lLlc6 34.Eixc6 tLl b8
3 5 .ib5 lLlxc6 36.ixc6t f8 37.<i>g2i
B2322) 1 7.tLlxd5 exd5 1 8.exd5 tLlh5 1 9.d6
if6
8
7
6
5
4
>nn/""""n,
3
2 r""'-::";:i.Wi:::
a b c d e f g h
20.1'!e l Wd8 2 1 .1'!ac l (2 l .ie5 cxd4 22 . .ixf6
tLl hxf6 23.1&d3 tLlc5 24.1&xd4 tLl e6 25 .1&d3
tLlc5=) 2 I . . .tLlxf4 22.gxf4 ixd4 23.Eie7
27.Eixf7 Elxf7 28.tLlxf7 ixf2t 29.fl Wxf4
30.tLle5t <i>h8 3 1 .lLlf7t=
20 ... tLlxf4 2 l .gxf4 ixd4 22.1'!ab 1 tLl f6? 23.tLlb3
Elb8 24.tLlxd4 cxd4 25.Eixd4 a6 26.!!bd l b5
27.d7 We? 28.a5
Miron - Yemelin, Czech Republic 20 1 0.
B233) 1 3.Eiac l !?N
The moves ... We8 and l'!ac l may be described
as mutual waiting moves before definite action
in the centre. Black does not rush to capture
on c4 and neither does White rush with
advancing e2-e4; nuances of this type, such
as between positioning the rook on c l or a I ,
can have great importance later in complex
variations. Let's check out the specific details.
 November 20 1 1 279

2 l . . .cxd4 22.Wf5 i!c5 23 .Wg4 i.d8 24.i!e l f5

25.i!xe8 fxg4 26.i!xf8t cj;lxf8 27.tt'l b3t

8233 1 ) 1 3 . . . c5

a b c d e f g h

First there are four minor lines and then we 3

can get to two major lines: 8233 1 ) 1 3 . . . c5 and 2

82332) 1 3 . . . h6:
a b c d e f g h
1 3 . . . i.b4 1 4.a3:t
I 4.cxd5
13 . . . tt'lh5 I 4 .ig5::!; f6 1 5.id2 f5 1 6.a4t 1 4.tt'lb5!? ixb5 1 5 .cxb5:t
1 4 . . . cxd4 1 5 .dxe6
13 ... dxc4 I 4.bxc4 ixc4 1 5.tt'ld2 i.d5 1 6.e4 1 5 .tt'lxd4 e5 1 6.tt'lc6 exf4 1 7.d6 .idS
c5 1 7.tt'lxd5 exd5 1 8.e5 tt'lh5 1 9.i.e3 cxd4 1 8.gxf4oo
20.Wxc8 Wxc8 2 I .i!xc8 i!xc8 22.i.xd4 i.c5 1 5 . . . fxe6 1 6.xd4 ic5
23.i.a l ::!; 1 6 . . . tt'ld5 1 7.'%!/b2 ( 1 7.i!xd5 exd5 1 8.tt'ld4
ia3 1 9 .ixd5t cj;Jhs 20.i!d l .ib4 2 l ..ic6
1 3 . . .ia3 1 4.i!b l i.e? ( 1 4 . . .We7 1 5.e4 dxc4 .ic5 22.i.g2 tt'l f6oo) 1 7 . . . xc3 1 8.xc3 tt'lxc3
I 6.bxc4 ixc4 1 7.tt'ld2 .ib5 1 8.tt'lxb5 cxb5 1 9.'%!/xc3 i.f6 20.i.d6 f7 2 1 .'%!/e3 i.xd4
1 9.Wb3 e5 [ 1 9 . . . a6 20.e5] 20.dxe5 tt'lg4 22.tt'lxd4
2 I .i.h3:t) 1 5 .a4 dxc4 1 6.bxc4 i.xc4 1 7.tt'ld2 1 7 . .id6
1 7.i!a4 ib5 1 8.xa7 ( 1 8.tt'lxb5 i.xf2t
8
1 9.cj;lxf2 i!xc2 20.i!xc2 e5?) 1 8 . . . .ixf2t
1 9.<j{xf2 xc3 20.'%!/b2 xc l 2 l ..ixc l '%!fb8oo
7
1 7 . . .ixd4 1 8.tt'lxd4 f7 1 9.tt'lc6
6

a b c d e f g h

1 7 . . . id5 ( 1 7 . . . i.a6 1 8.tt'lde4 tt'lxe4 1 9.tt'lxe4

'%!fd8 20.tt'ld6 i.xd6 2 I .i.xd6 e8 22.e4 c5?)
1 8.e4 c5 1 9.tt'lxd5 exd5 20.exd5 tt'lh5 2 l .d6
a b c d e f g h
The rook is much better on bl than on a l .
280 Chess Evolution

1 9 . . . lLl g4 2 l .dxe5 lLlc5 22.xa7 E1a8 23.c7 E1c8 leads

1 9 . . . lLlf8 20.lLle5 lLld5 2 I ..ixd5 exd5 to a draw by repetition.
22.lLlxf7 d4 23 . .ixf8 E1xc3 24.b 1 E1xc l t
25 .xc l xf7 26 ..id6 h6= 2 I .ixe5 lLlxe5 22.dxe5 lLlg4 23.lLlxc4 ic5
20.lLlxa7 E1xf2 2 I ..if3 lLlde5 22 . .ixg4 lLlxg4 24.lLld6 xe5 25.lLlxc8 lLlxf2 26.\t>fl lLlxd l
23.lLlxc8 xc8 24.e4 h5 2 5 . .ia3 ib7 27.lLlxd l d4 28.lLle7t \t>h8
26.lLld5 d7 27.lLle7t h8 28.lLlg6t \t>g8
29.lLle7t=

82332) 13 ... h6 1 4 .e4

8
7

4
a b d f g h
buu/"W
3
c e

2 r7\i\m(///!r(:&"
/' /: 29.e2 (29.lLlxc6 g l t 30.\t>e2 xg2t
3 1 .\t>d3 f5 32.E1xc5 fxe4t 33.\t>c3 f3t
34.'i!fb4 xd l oo) 29 . . . E1d8 30.lLld5 cxd5
a b d f g h
c e
3 l .xb5 ib6 32.exd5 e5t 33.\t>fl d4
1 4 . . . dxc4 1 5 .bxc4 ixc4 1 6.lLld2 ia6 34.\t>e2=
1 7.a4 .id3 1 8 . lLl b3 b5 1 9 .a6 .ic4
20.lLl a5 e5 2 1 .lLlxc6 E1xc6 22.xc6 exf4 23.lLlxb5
20 . . . lLlb6 2 l .a4 ib4 22.axb5 ixc3 23.E1xc3 23.e5 fxg3 24.hxg3 lLlb8 25 .xe8 lLlxe8
cxb5 24.xa7 (24.lLlxc4 lLlxc4 25 .E1b3 26 . .id5 (26.d5 ia3f) 26 . . . lLlc7 27 ..ixc4
c6 26.xc6 E1xc6 27.E1xb5 E1d8 28.d5) bxc4 28.lLle4 lLld5 29.E1xc4 lLld?oo
24 . . . d8 25.lLlxc4 lLlxc4 26.E1b3 e5 27.ic l 23 . . . .ie2 24.E1e l f3 25 . .ifl .ixfl
exd4 28.E1xd4 25 . . . ib4 26 . .ixe2 he l 27 . .ixf3i
26.E1xfl lLl b6 27.e5 lLlfd5 28.xe8 E1xe8
29.lLlxa7 E1a8 30.lLlc6 E1xa2 3 l .E1al oo

2 1 .lLlxc4 exf4 22.lLla5 lLlb8

22 . . . ia3 23.lLlxc6 Axe l 24.E1xc l lLlb6 25 .d5
b4 26.lLlb5 lLlxe4 27.lLl bxa7
23.xa7 d8 24.e5
24.lLlxb5 cxb5 25.E1xc8 xc8 26.xe7 f3
27.ifl c2 28.E1d3 xa2=
24 . . . E1c7 25 .a8 d7 26.exf6 ixf6 27.E1b l
E1a7 28 . .ixc6 E1xa8 29.ixd7 fxg3 30.hxg3
a b c d e f g h
lLlxd7 3 l .E1xb5
Now we must consider no fewer than four
alternatives: B24) 1 2 . . . lLlh5 1 3 .ic l
 November 2011 28 1

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

1 3 . . . tt:lhf6! 25.f5 (25 .e4 .if6 26.tt:la4 b5 27.ib2

Rather unambitious but probably Black's fe800) 25 . . . Wfe6 26.tt:ld3 Wfxf5 27.ixf5
best option! cd8 28.xd8 xd8 29.ixa3 .ixd3=)
1 3 .. .f5 One of Black's possible ideas is a 1 5 . . .e8 1 6.bxc4 ixc4 1 7.ttld2 ia6 1 8.Wa4
transition to the so-called "stonewall" set id3 1 9.ttlb3 .ic2 20.d2 ixb3 2 l .axb3
up, because the knight on c3 does not fight a5 22.e5 ttld5 23.tt:lxd5 cxd5 24.if1 tt:lb8
for the e5-square, which is important in 25 .ib5 Wid8
these structures. In this situation, White
has two plans: a4-a5 in order to open the
a-file for the rook, although when White
plays a4-a5, Black will respond with . . . b5
and after a potential complete closure of
the kingside, the position may have drawish
tendencies. This is because, despite the
space advantage, it may become difficult
for White to win when play is on just one
side. The other plan consists in taking
control over the important e5-square, by
employing a typical manoeuvre of the c3-
knight: .ib2, e2-e3 and tt:le2-ttl f4-tt:ld3 or
ttl c l -tt:l d3 . a b c d e f g h
1 4.e4 IO h5
...

1 4 . .ib2 Wfc7 1 5 .ac l dxc4 1 6.bxc4 ixc4
1 7.ttle5 tt:lxe5 1 8.dxe5 ttld5 ( 1 8 . . . tt:ld7
1 9 .tt:le4 .ixa2 20.tt:ld6 tt::l c 5+) 1 9.tt::l e4 b5
20.tt:ld6 .ixd6 2 l .exd6 Wfd7 22.a4 f6 23 . .ia3
tt:l b6 24.a5 tt:l a4 25.d4t Bacrot - Alekseev,
Biel 2008.
1 4 . . . dxc4 1 5 .if4
1 5 .ttld2 b5 1 6.bxc4 bxc4 1 7.tt:la4 c5 1 8.d5
exd5 1 9.exd5 ttle5 ( 1 9 ... tt:lg4!?) 20.ttlb2
tt::l x d5 2 1 .ttldxc4 tt:lxc4 22.xd5 b6
23 ..ie4 tt:la3 24 ..ixh7t h8
Black has a couple of other options to
consider:
1 0 . . . ia6 1 1 .e4?! tt:lxe4 1 2.ttlxe4 dxe4 1 3.ttle5
tt:lxe5 1 4.dxe5 d3 1 5.ac l xc2 1 6.xc2
ad8 1 7 . .ie3 c5 1 8 .ixe4 f5 =
1 0 . . . ib7 1 l .e4 dxe4 1 2.ttlxe4 c5 1 3.tt:lxf6t
1 3.tt:ld6 ixf3 14 . .ixf3 cxd4 1 5 .ae l e5
( 1 5 . . . ttlc5 1 6.tt:lb7 Wfd7 1 7.tt:lxc5 bxc5
1 8 ..ixa8 xa8) 1 6.ttlf5 ib4 1 7.xe5
282 Chess Evolution

li:Jxe5 1 8.i.xe5 d3 1 9.'<Wb3 'Wd7 20.li:Je3 i.c5

2 l .i.xf6 i.xe3 22.fxe3 gxf6 23.i.d5t
1 3 . . . i.xf6
1 3 . . . li:Jxf6 1 4.1'!ad 1 '<Wc8 1 5 .li:Je5 i.xg2
1 6. cj;lxg2
1 4.li:Jg5 i.xg5 1 5 . .ixb7 i.xf4 1 6 . .ixa8 Wxa8
1 7.gxf4 cxd4 1 8.1'!ad 1 '<Wf3 1 9.'<Wd3 Wxf4
20.'<Wxd4 Wf5 2 1 .1'!fe l

l l .cxd5
After 1 l ..ie3 li:J hf6= the bishop on e3 takes a b c d e f g h

away from White the sensible plan of playing 1 5.'<Wb3 i.c5 1 6.dxc5 1'!xc7 1 7.cxb6 1'!xc l t
e2-e4. 1 8.1'!xc l axb6 1 9.1'!c?;!;

12.'<Wxc6
An interesting alternative is:
1 2.dxc6!? li:Jxe2t
1 2 . . . li:Jxg2 1 3.cxd7 Wxd7 14.cj;lxg2 ib7
1 5 . cj;l g 1 1'!ac8
1 3.cj;lh 1 ia6 1 4.cxd7 '<Wxd7 1 5 .1'!fe 1

a b c d e f g h
l l . . c!ihf4
.

Another option is:

1 l . ..cxd5
As I have mentioned before, usually in this
a b c d e f g h
type of position, following an exchange on
d5, Black should not face any problems. In 1 5 . . . li:Jxd4
this specific example, White may rapidly 1 5 . . . 1'!ac8 1 6.'<Wd 1 ( 1 6.'<We4;!; exploits the
take the initiative because the black pieces, knight's location on e2) 1 6 . . . li:Jxd4 1 7.li:Jb3
in particular the knight on h5 and bishop on if6 1 8.li:Jfxd4 Wa4 1 9.1'!e4 1'!fd8 20.'<Wg4
c8, do not have good squares available. 1'!c4 2 1 .li:Jc2 h5 22.1'!xc4 ixc4 23.'<Wxh5
1 2.ic7 We8 1 3.1'!fc l ib7 g6 24.Wh6 i.xb2 25 .!!g1 '<Wxa2 26.Wh4
1 3 . . . li:J hf6 1 4.e4 dxe4 1 5 .li:Jg5 ib7 1'!c800
1 6.li:Jdxe4 li:Jxe4 1 7.li:Jxe4 1'!c8 1 8 .'<We2 i.xe4 1 6.li:Jxd4 Wxd4 1 7.ixa8 1'!xa8 1 8.'<We4 Wfd8
1 9.ixe4 li:Jc5 20.dxc5 1'!xc7 2 l .c6 1 9.i>g1 00
1 4.a4 1'!c8
14 . . . ib4 1 5 .a5 bxa5 1 6.li:Jc4 1'!c8 1 7.li:Jxa5 12 ... c!Llxe2t 13. \t>hl
ia8 1 8.'<Wa4
 November 20 1 1 283

1 7Jfe l
1 7.ae l xf7 1 8.lt:le5 f8 1 9 . .ixa8 1Mfxa8t
20.f3 1Mfb7 2 l .f2 lt:lxd4+
1 7.lt:le5 b5 1 8.1Mfd l ( 1 8.1M/a5 d6 1 9.lt:lb3
b7 20.1Mfxb5 xg2t 2 I .'tt> xg2 lt:l f4t
22.gxf4 ixe5 23.Wxe5 1M/g4t 24.'tt> h 1 1Mff3t
25.i>g 1 =) 1 8 . . . lt:lxd4 1 9.lt:\e4 1M/f5 20.Wxd4
adS 2 1 .Wxa7 Wxe5 22.f4 We6 23.f5 d7
24.fxe6 xa7 25.lt:l xf6 gxf6oo
1 7 . . . lt:lg4 1 8.i.fl xf7 1 9.i.xe2 lt:l xf2t

a b c d e f g h 7
13 ...i.a6?! 6
With two possibilities to decide between,
Black chose wrongly. A draw might have been
earned after: 1 3 . . . b8 1 4.dxe6 lt:lxd4 1 5 .lt:lxd4
lt:lc5 1 6.exf7t xf7 1 7.Wd5 i.b7 1 8 .Wxd8t
( 1 8.Wc4 b5t) 1 8 . . Jhd8 1 9.i.xb7 .if6= 2

14.dxe6 fxe6
a b c d e f g h
Another moment when Black might have
played better. As proven by the analysis below, 20.'kt>g2
1 4 . . . lt:l f6 led to equality, although it is a much 20.'tt> g 1 lt:l h3t 2 l .'tt> g2 .ib7 22.ac l Wg4
more complicated path than the one following 23.c7 lt:lf4t 24.'tt> g 1 lt:lxe2t 25.xe2 xf3
1 3 . . . b8. Let's see: 26.exe7 b5 27.Wxa7 ff8 28.Wxb7 1Mlxd4t
14 . . . lt:\f6 1 5 .exf7t 'kt>h8 29.'tt> h 1 Wxd2 30.f7 Wxb2 3 l .xf8t xf8
1 5 ... xf7 1 6.lt:\e5 f8 1 7.We6t 'kt>h8 32.1Mfc8=
1 8.lt:lc6 lt:lxd4 1 9.lt:lxd8 lt:lxe6 20.lt:lxe6 20 . . . 1Mfh3t 2 1 .'tt> g l .ib7 22.-ifl 1Mfh5oo 23.xe7
.ixfl 2 I .i.xa8 xa8 22.lt:lxfl 23.lt:le5 af8 24.1Mfd7 lt:ld3t
1 6.Wa4 23 ... xe7 24.Wa3 f7 25.'tt> xf2 xf3 26.lt:lxf3
1 6.fe l lt:lg4 1 7.i.fl lt:lxd4 1 8.lt:lxd4 Wxd4 af8 27.ig2 xf3t 28.xf3 Wxh2t 29.'tt> e3
1 9.ixa6 Wxd2 20.xe7 lt:lxf2t= Wh6t=
1 6 . . . 1M/c8
1 5.%Vxe6t i>hs I 6J fel i.f6
Two other possibilities are worth considering:

16 . . . c8!? 1 7J:!xe2 ( 1 7.fl lt:lxd4 1 8.lt:lxd4

ib7t 1 9.i.g2 lt:lc5 20.1Mfxe7 i.xg2t 2 l .'tt> xg2
Wxd4 22.lt:lf3 Wxb2=) 1 7 . . . .ixe2 1 8.1Mfxe2 c2
1 9.Wb5 lt:l f6 20.'tt> g 1 Wc7 (20 . . . lt:lg4 2 l .fl
i.f6 22.Wb3 c7 23.lt:le4t xd4 24.h3 A
white knight will soon head for e6.) 2 1 .1'!e 1
l'!cl 22.1'!xc 1 1Mfxc l t 23.fl oo
a b c d e f g h
284 Chess Evolution
16 . . . 1l.b4!? 1 7.l'!xe2 fl.xe2 1 8 .xe2 ixd2
1 9.xd2 f6 20.li:Jg5 l'!ad8 2 I .f4oo
17Jxe2 Le2 18.Wfxe2CD
A very complex and intriguing position. In
return for the exchange, White has two pawns
and a strong initiative on the light squares. The
weakened black king may also be in danger,
as with White's pieces so well-coordinated it
could easily become a target for attack. Black
also has his trumps - a strong bishop on f6
and two rooks which will be very active on the
open c- and e-files. Black's problem remains
that the knight is badly out of play on d7.
1 8 .. Je8 19.li:le4 l3c8 20.i.h3 l3c7
8
7 2l ...Ld4; 22.l3dl
6 23.h5 g6-+
5
4
3 only the knowledge that even a draw would
2
a b c d e f g h
2l .l3el?
A mistake; after the correct move White
could have gained a promising initiative. Let's
see:
2 l .l'!d I ! b5
In order to improve the black knight's
prospects by clearing b6.
2 l . . .g6 22.gl a8 23.d5 li:lc5 24.li:lfd2
ixb2 25 .d6t
a b d f g h
c e
22. <>gl
22.d5 l'!c4 23.ie6 li:J f8oo
22.li:le5 ixe5 23.dxe5 l'!xe5 24.d3 l'!e7
25.li:lg5 g8 26.ixd7 'kxd7 27.xd7
l'!xd7 28.l'!xd7 a8t 29.<>gl <>g8 30.li:le6
c6 3 l .l'!xg7t <>h8 32.l'!e7=
22 . . . a8 23.l'!e l li:lb6
23 . . . l'!e7!?
24.li:le5 ixe5 25.li:ld6 l'!ee7 26.dxe5 li:lc4
27.li:lxc4 l'!xc4 28.l'!d U
22.li:lxd4 li:lc5 23.if5 g6+; 22.li:lfg5 li:lc5
22 ...if6 23 ..if5
.
Black is close to winning and probably
guarantee qualification to the second phase
of the competition stopped Parligras from
collecting the full point, as he was satisfied
with just a drawing continuation.
 November 20 1 1 285

GAME 36
[> B. Gelfand (2746)
E. Tomashevsky (2710)
European Club Cup, Rogaska Slatina
Round 7, 0 1 . 1 0.20 1 1 [El l ]
Annotated by Borki Predojevic

Bogoljubow's defence is known as a solid but

slightly passive option for Black. Many players
choose to respond to 3 . . . . .ib4t with 4.tt::l bd2
in the hope of getting a more complicated
game than after the more popular 4.id2.
a b c d e f g h The next game showcases a new idea which
will be of great interest to all players who
23 ...Wfa8
23 . . . g6 24.ixd7 !!xd7 25 .!!xd7 '!9xd7 are fans of the 4 . . . 0-0 5 .a3 ie7 6.e4 d5 line.
26.tt::l xf6 !!xe2 27.tt::l xd7 !!xf2 28.tt::l d e5 !!xb2 Tomashevsky played a strong idea with l l . . .f5!
29.a4 !!a2+ and 12 ... .if6!N which I had also in my analysis.
This new plan solves all Black's problems
against the 7.id3 line, so White will have to
24.fd2 c5 25.9 ke7 26.b4 xe4
find new ways to fight for the advantage.
27.xe4 g6 28.Ah3 E!xe4 29.fxe4 Wfxe4t
30.Wfxe4 he4=
l .d4 f6 2.c4 e6 3.f3 Ab4t 4.ttlbd2 0--0
5.a3 Ae7 6.e4 d5 7.Ad3 c5 8.dxc5 dxe4
9.xe4 xe4 10.Axe4 Wfxdlt l l .'.t>xdl f5!
The best move, although it only really makes
sense in conjunction with Black's next.

The main move is l l . . .ixc5, but after 1 2.b4t

White gets a pleasant and pretty much risk
free advantage.

Black has played l l . . . a5 in some high-level

games, but White should keep an edge here
too. His ideas include:

a b c d e f g h
3 1 .b5 '.t>g7 32.Ag2 E!e7 33.Ac6 h5 34.E!d2
Ac3 35Jd3 .ib4 36Jd7
1/z-lfz

a b c d e f g h
286 Chess Evolution
a) 1 2.if4 ixc5 1 3.'it> e2 f5 14 ..ic2 lLl c6
1 5 .hd l a4 Black went on to hold the draw in
Gelfand - lvanchuk, Biel 2009.
b) 1 2.We2! seems a bit more accurate:
1 2 . . .f5 ( 1 2 . . .ixc5 1 3 . .ie3;!;) 1 3 . .ic2t White
keeps some advantage. We can only guess how
Gelfand was planning to improve on his game
with lvanchuk, but we can be sure he had a
good idea of how to handle the position.
12.J.c2
Worse is 1 2 . .id3 lLlc6 1 3.e l ( 1 3.b4 d8
1 4.Wc2 e5Ft) 1 3 . . . .if@ followed by . . . e5 with
some initiative.
a b c d e f g h
12 ...J.f6!N
An excellent novelty. I actually found this
move in my home analysis a year before this
game, and it was one of the main reasons why
I started to play this line with Black. I was also
playing at the same event, and happened to be
walking around the playing hall when I saw
this position at the table. I felt surprised and
also rather sad when I saw that 'my' novelty
had been revealed.
Black's idea is to adopt a true gambit strategy,
activating his pieces and preparing to mobilize
his central pawns without worrying about
recapturing on c5.
Alternatives do not equalize, for instance:
1 2 . . . ixc5 is met by 1 3.b4 when, compared to
the position after l l . . .ic5 1 2.b4, Black has
not benefitted from the inclusion of l l . . . f5
and 1 2 .ic2.
1 2 . . . lLlc6N
With this move Black goes for a similar
strategy as in the game, but it is less accurate
due to the strong answer:
1 3.ia4!
1 3.ie3? is a bad idea as Black will be able
to gain a tempo with . . . f4. After 1 3 . . . e5
1 4.We l a5! 1 5 .i.a4 f4 1 6.i.d2 e4 1 7.ixc6
bxc6 1 8.lLld4 i.d7+ Black is already better.
1 3.b4 is also not dangerous: 1 3 . . . .if6 1 4.b l
e5 1 5.b5! ( 1 5.lLld2 ie6 1 6.ib2 e4 1 7.We l
lLld4t; 1 5 .ig5 e4 1 6.ixf6 xf6 1 7.lLld2
.ie6 1 8 . .ia4 lLle5 1 9.'it> c2 d8! 20.bd l
lLld3 2 l .hfl .if7 intending . . . a6 with
good play) 1 5 . . . lLla5 1 6 . .ib2 d8t 1 7.We2
e8 1 8.lLld2 ie6? Black has a good game.
a b c d f g h
e
1 3 . . . .ixc5
1 3 . . . id7 1 4.We2 ixc5 1 5 ..ie3 .ie7 is
playable, but White has a stable edge here.
In the future he can exchange on c6 and take
full control over the e5-square.
14.ie3!
1 4.b4?! does not work, as after 1 4 . . . .ixf2
1 5 .We2 .ib6 1 6 . .ib2 e5!? Black has a nice
game.
 November 20 1 1 287

1 4.We2 is playable, but after 1 4 ... e5 1 5 .ixc6
bxc6 1 6.lLlxe5 id4 1 7.f4 ia6 1 8.d 1 ixe5
1 9.fxe5 ixc4t 20.Wf2 id5= Black has
nothing to worry about.
1 4 . . . id6
Black would like to advance with . . . e5, but
White has a good answer.
Black falls short of equality here, for instance:
20 . . . a5 2 l .b3 ib7 22.g3 e8 23.lLle2 ic8
24.h4 a4 25.b4 ia6 26.Wc3t
White has a healthy positional plus and
Black has no counterplay.

a b d f g h
a c e h
c e
b d f g
1 5. Wc2! 13Jbl !
Calmly improving the pieces. Th e critical continuation, and the only one
The more 'concrete' 1 5 .b4 e5 1 6.c5 i.c7 that can possibly worry Black.
1 7.ib3t \t>h8 leads to no advantage, for
instance: 1 8.b5 ( 1 8 .i.d2 e4 1 9.lLlg5 lLld4 Returning the pawn with 1 3.if4? ixb2
20.ic4 h6 2 1 .h4 id7 is okay for Black) 1 4.a2 is dubious, as after 14 . . . if6+ Black
1 8 .. .f4! 1 9.id2 e4 20.lLlg5 ig4t (20 . . . lLld4 stands better. White may have restrained . . . e5,
2 LlLl f7t \t>g8 22.lLlh6tD Wh8 23.lLlf7t but the c5-pawn will be next target for Black.
Wg8= also leads to a draw) 2 1 . Wcl lLld4
22.lLlf7t \t>g8= with a draw by perpetual 1 3. \t>e2 e5 1 4.d 1 lLlc6 is fine for Black, since
check. 1 5 .ia4 is met by 1 5 . . . ie6!+.
1 5 . . . e5 1 6 Jad l ic7 1 7.ixc6!
1 7.b4 is possible but the text is stronger. A bit more interesting is:
1 7 . . . bxc6 1 8.ic5 f6 1 9.he l e4 20.ttJd4;!; 1 3.e 1 d8t 1 4.We2 e5 1 5.ig5!?
1 5.\t>fl e4 1 6.ttJd2 ie6 offers good
8
compensation to Black.
7 1 5 .d 1 xd 1 1 6.Wxd 1 e4 1 7.lLld2 ie6
6 1 8.b l lLlc@
5 The text move sacrifices a piece, but Black
4
has nothing to fear.
1 5 . . . e4 1 6.ixf6 exf3t 1 7.\t>xf3 gxf6 1 8.ad 1
3
xd 1 1 9.xd 1 lLlc6 20.\t>f4
2 White will pick up a third pawn for the
fmJ--m/'=''%n:.v,/'

1 knight, but he can hope for no more than

:L_--====-----"'

a b c d e f equality.
288 Chess Evolution

8
23.d2;!; the a4-pawn is weak and White is
better.
7
I 7 ... b6 gives White the opportunity for
6
I 8.f3! 4Jxf3t I 9.4Jxf3 bxc5 20.4Je5 B:d4
5 2 I .f3, when he has returned the pawn in
r""">"'"/ '":"'"m'
4 order to secure a positional advantage. A
3 possible continuation is: 2 1 . ..a5
2

a b c d e f g h

20 . . . f7 2 l .xf5 xf5 22.xf5 B:e8 23.B:d7t

B:e7 24.B:xe7t xe7=1+
Only Black can play for a win here.

a b c d e f g h

22.B:d i ! B:b8 23.B:xd4 cxd4 24.b4! axb4

25 .axb4 B:xb4 26.d2 B:b2t 27.d3t
Black faces a difficult defence, as 27 . . . B:xg2?
28.B:b I +- wins immediately.
I 8.b4
I 8.4Jf3 .ic6iii
I 8 ... ic6

a b c d e f g h
13 J!d8t!
..

The most precise move order.

1 3 . . . 4Jc6
This natural move is not quite as good. It is
worth analysing both a) I 4.ig5 or b) I 4.ia4!.

I 4.g5 B:d8t I 5 .ei xg5

a b c d e f g h
After I 5 . . . 4Jd4?! I 6.4Jxd4 .ixg5 I 7.4Jb5
.ie7 I 8.b4 a5 I 9.4Jc7 B:a7 20 ..ib3;!; White I 9.f3
is gradually neutralizing his opponent's I 9.B:gi looks odd, and the straightforward
activity while keeping his extra pawn. I 9 ... B:ac8 20.B:b2 h6 2 1 .4J f3 .ixf3 22.gxf3
I 6.4Jxg5 4Jd4 I 7.d i id7! (22 . .ixf3 b6!) 22 ... e5iii offers Black good
Black can recoup the sacrificed pawn with compensation. His plan is to increase the
I 7 ... a5 I 8.4Jf3 a4 I 9.4Jxd4 B:xd4 20.e2 pressure on White's queenside pawns by
B:a5, but after 2 l .B:d I B:xd I t 22. xd I B:xc5 playing . . . b6.
 November 20 I I 289

I 9 . . . e5 20J%b2
20.h4 can be met by 20 . . . a5 intending to
open the a-file.
20 . . . a5 2 I .@f2
2 I .b5 is positionally dubious, and after
2 l . . .e8 22.@f2 h6 23.lilh3 lt:le6+ Black
has a great position.
2 l . . .h6 22.lilh3 Wf7 23.1'!e i @
Black has excellent compensation for the
small material investment of a mere pawn.
a b c d e f g h

b) 1 4.a4! 2 1 .1'!cl l:.!ad8t 22.@e2 g5!

This strong move leads to White's advantage The best chance, but White can stay on top.
after a forcing sequence. 23.1'!g l ! ixc4t! 24.1:.!xc4 gxf4 25.1'!xg2t @ffi
26.@f3 l:.!xe5 27.@xf4 !!dd5 28.1'!a4;!;
8 Black has solved some of his problems but
7 White still keeps some pressure.
6

5
'""'"'""""

4 foW)s;n "'"'mm/':" '"mm/''""1

3

a b c d e f g h

I 4 . . . e5 1 5 .i.xc6 bxc6 1 6 . .ig5! e4

1 6 . . . .ixg5 1 7.lilxg5 e4 I 8.f4! h6 1 9.lilh3
a5 20.a4! gives White a definite positional
advantage.
I 7.xf6 exf3 1 8 . .ie5! a b c d e f g h
Mter 1 8.ic3 f4! 1 9.gxf3 .if5 20.1'!c l l:.!ad8t
14.e2
2 I .id2 !!d4 22.1'!e l !!fd8 23.1'!e2 Wf7 Black
Less natural is:
is okay.
1 4.@e l
1 8.ie7 fxg2 1 9.1'!g l !!e8 20.id6 f4!
This avoids a potential knight check on d4,
2 I .!!xg2 f3? is also good for Black, whose
but blocks the h 1 -rook.
ideas include . . . if5 and/or . . . !!e2.
1 4 . . . lt:lc6
1 8 . . . 1'!e8 1 9.1'!e l fxg2 20.f4.
Black continues with his normal plan.
White is dose to obtaining a serious bind
1 5 .ia4
over the position. Black can try to throw a
In the present position this idea is not as
spanner in the works, but he fails to equalize.
strong as in some previous lines.
20 . . . ie6
1 5 .ig5 ixg5 1 6.lt:lxg5 lil d4 l ?.id l id7
Or 20 . . . g5 2 I .@e2 .ie6 22.1'!bc l intending
transposes to variation 'a' after I 3 . . . lt:l c6 in
@f2 when White keeps the advantage.
the note to Black's 1 3th move, where White
290 Chess Evolution

plays the imprecise 1 4.ig5 instead of the Black's advancing central pawns.
stronger b) 1 4 . .ia4!. 1 5 . . . e4 1 6.li:Jd2 li:'lc6 1 7.f3
1 5 . . . e5 1 6 . .ixc6 bxc6 17 . .ig5 .ie6 1 8 . .ixf6 1 7.hd l .ie6 1 8.fl li:J d4 1 9 . .ia4 ac8
gxf6 1 9 .b3 d3 20.b4 g5 2 l .g3 g7 looks nice for Black.

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

Black has promising play here, for instance: 1 7 . . .f4! 1 8 . .ixf4 ltld4t 1 9.d l exf3--t
20.e2 Black has a strong attack, for instance:
20.li:Jd2 ad8 2 l .d l c3 22.g3 c2 23.h4 20.gxf3 lLlxf3 2 l .ie4
d3t is dangerous for White. 2 l .d6 .ig4--t
20 . . .xb3 2 l .xb3 xc4t 22.d3D d8 2 l . . .g4 22.cl E:d4 23.d5t h8 24.ie3
23.hd l e4 24.ltle l f7 25 .d2 .ixd3 ltlxd2 25.ixd2 if5! 26.ie3
26.c3 d5 27.ltlxd3 exd3 28.xd3 xc5t 26 ..ic3?? ig5t-+
Black is a pawn up, but the most likely result 26.E:a l e8+
is a draw. 26 . . . h4--t
Black keeps a promising initiative.

1 5 .. J'!xd1 16.xdl
Also playable is:
1 6.xd l
Most players would reject this move and
indeed it causes no real problems to Black,
who should just continue with normal
development.
1 6 . . ..ie6 1 7.b3
1 7.li:'ld2 li:'lc6 1 8.b4 li:Jd4t 1 9.fl d8
20.gl e4 2 1 .h3 f7 is at least equal for
Black.
a b c d e f g h 1 7 . . . ltlc6
14 ... e5 1 5Jdl Black can also regain his pawn with
Alternatives are unconvincing, for instance: 1 7 . . . li:'ld7 1 8.li:'lg5 li:'lxc5 1 9 . .ic2 ic8 20 . .ie3
1 5 . .ie3?! ltle6 2 1 .ltlxe6 .ixe6 22.d l f7 when the
As we have said before, this does not seem position is about equal.
natural as the bishop will be a target for 1 8.fl
 November 20 1 1 29 1

a6 2S.lt:Jd4 xc500 and Black should be okay)

22.c3 lZ'l xc2 23.xc2 c8 with an equal
game.

1 6 . . . e4!
According to my analysis this ambitious
move would have been even stronger.
1 7.lZ'ld2 lZ'lc6 1 8.b4 .ie6 1 9.g4 g6 20 . .ib2

8
b d
7
a c

1 8 . . . h6! 6
A nice positional move, planning to activate
5
the king via f7.
4
1 9 . .ib2 f7 20 ..ie2 "'"'J" ' " ' " ''

20 . .ic2 e4 2 1 ..ixf6 xf6 22.lZ'le l lZ'ld4 3

, . , . , - "///-'//
20 . . . e4 2 1 .lZ'ld2 d8 22 . .ixf6 xf6 23.d l 2
d7 24.e l e5!+
Black's king dominates and his chances are
a b c d e f g h
higher.
20 . . . f7!
Black improves every one of his pieces.
8
His rook is only one move from the d-file,
7 and then his whole army will be perfectly
coordinated. Here are some illustrative lines:
6
2 1 .b5?!
5 A principled move, but Black is well placed
4
to meet it.
2 1 . e 1 is more prudent, although after
3 2 l . . .lZ'ld4 22 ..id 1 d8t Black has at least
2 enough compensation.
2 l . . .li:Jd4!
1
--== 2 1 . . .lZ'leS is less clear, as after 22.gS .ig7
a b c d e f g 23.c6 bxc6 24.bxc6 lZ'lxc6 25 . .ixg7 xg7
26.b7t g8 27.c5 White also becomes
1 6 ... ttlc6
active. A logical finish might be 27 . . . c8
This move is not bad, and Tomashevsky was
28.ia4 lt:Jd4 29.b4 d8 30.i>e 1 aS 3 1 .b6
probably still following the recipe prepared in
idS 32.a6 c8 33.xa5 f7 34.a7t
his kitchen. There were rwo good alternatives,
g8 3S . .id 1 xeS 36.a4 c l 37.d7 lZ'lc2t
of which the second is especially interesting.
38.e2 lZ'ld4t 39.e 1 lZ'l c2t with a draw.
22.c6 bxc6 23.g5 ie5 24.ixd4 .ixd4 25.bxc6
16 . . . .ie6 1 7.b3 lt:Jc6 gives Black nice
.ix2
compensation, for example 1 8.ig5 f7
Black has the better chances, for instance:
1 9.ixf6 xf6 20.d2 e4 2 1 .li:lgl li:ld4 (or
26.b7t f8 27.e2 icS 28.xh7 .if7+
2 1 . . .lZ'leS!? 22.lZ'le2 c8 23.lZ'lc3 e7 24.lt:JbS
292 Chess Evolution

8 8

7 7

6 6

5 5

4 4

3 3

2 2

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
17.i.g5 hg5 1 8.tlJxg5 h6 19.tlJh3 25 .. Jk8!
1 9.l2Jf3 is met by 1 9 . . . e4 20.l2Jg l i.e6 2 l .b3 This is definitely the best place for the rook.
d8t 22.c;!;>el l2Jd4 23.c l c8 24.l2Je2 l2Jxe2
25.c;!;>xe2 xc5=. 26.b4
If White goes for the more reserved 26.b3
19 ... tlJd4 20.'tt> d2 llJxc2 2 1 .'tt>xc2 <>f7 27.<>c3, keeping c4 defended, then
Black has a nice idea: 27 . . . e8! 28.c;!;>d4 (The
endgame after 28.xe8?! c;!;>xe8 29.c;!;>d4 if5
30.c;!;>e3 c;!;>d? 3 1 .l2Je2 i.c2 32.b4 i.d l 33.l2Jgl
ib3 34.<>f2 i.xc4 35.c;!;>xg2 c;!;>c6i is dangerous
for White.) 28 . . . xe5 29.c;!;>xe5 g5!f Black is
not worse.

26 ... b6 27.cxb6
White also gets no advantage with: 27."il,e7
"il,d8 28.cxb6 if5t 29.c;!;>c3 (29.c;!;>b3? d3t
30.<>a4 axb6 3 l .e2 id7t 32.b5 c3 is
excellent for Black; 29.<>cl axb6 is also fine
for him, with . . . c8 coming next.) 29 . . . d3t
a b c d e f g h 3Q.c;!;>b2 d2t 3 l .c;!;>c3 d3t=
2 1 ... 4!
This strong move arrives just in time. 27 ... axb6 28Je2
2-lfz
22Jel The players agreed a draw, which is logical
White has no serious alternative. enough. The continuation might have been
28 . . . xc4t 29.c;!;>b2 if5 30.xg2 d4 when
22 ... f3 23Jxe5 fxg2 24.tlJgi Ad7 25.f3 Black is not worse as his active pieces provide
Intending e2. full compensation for the missing pawn.
 November 20 I I
GAME 37
[> Le Quang Liem (2717)
.... G. Meier (2648)
5th SPICE Cup, Lubbock
Round 7, 22. 1 0.20 1 1 [El l]
Annotated by Arkadij Naiditsch
Le Quang Liem chose 8.if4, a line slightly less
popular than it was a couple of years ago. Black
reacted with 8 . . . dxc4, choosing a very defensive
line. I have to say that even if position is equal,
it is very unpleasant to play for Black. He has
no winning chances, but only the possibility
of getting a worse endgame and suffering for
many hours. The only plus is that the critical
position, which I analyse in depth, might really
be just a draw.
I .d4 e6 2.c4 tLl f6 3. tLl f3 d5 4.g3 ib4t 5.id2
ie7 6.ig2 0-0 7.0-0 c6 s.if4
8.'1Wc2 is the main line.
8 ... dxc4 9. tLl e5 tLl d5 IO.llJxc4
a b c d e f g h
IO ... c5!
The key move of the line! Black exchanges
the centre pawns and hopes to have enough
time to complete his development, after which
the position would be totally equal.
l l .dxc5 tLl xf4 12.gxf4 Wfc7!
293
Hurrying to recapture the pawn is inaccurate:
1 2 ...1xc5 I 3.e3
1 3.lLlc3 '!Wc7 1 4.e3 is just a transposition.
1 3 . . . \Wc? 1 4.tt:lc3
14.\Wb3 tt:lc6 1 5 .tt:lc3 iJ.e7 1 6.l'!fd l tt:la5
1 7.tt:lxa5 '!Wxa5 1 8.l'!ac l l'!d8=
1 4 ... tt:lc6 1 5 .l'!c l
1 5 .\Wh5 looks active, but it is not enough
to get an advantage: 1 5 . . . ie7 1 6.tt:lb5
'!Wb8 1 7.l'!fd 1 g6 1 8.\Wh6 e5! 1 9.tt:lbd6
( I 9.fxe5 iJ.e6 20.\Wf4 iJ.xc4 2 1 .'1Wxc4 '!Wxe5=)
19 ... exf4 20.'1Wxf4 iJ.e6 2 1 .id5 ixd5
22.1'l:xd5 '!Wc7 23.1'l:ad 1 1'l:ad8=
1 5 . . . 1'l:d8 1 6.\Wh5 ie7 1 7.1'l:fd 1 1'l:xd 1 t 1 8.l'!xd 1
g6 1 9.'1We2
White is doing slightly better, since Black
has not yet had time to play . . . iJ.d7-e8.
13.e3
1 3.b4? if6
13 .. Jid8
The critical moment of the game. If White
wants to be better, then this must be the place
to search for an advantage.
a b c d e f g h
14. tLl bd2
White may try the active:
14.\WhS!? tt:la6!
This development of the knight is quite
untypical and it would be a hard move to
find during the game.
294 Chess Evolution
Other moves allow White an edge:
a) 1 4 .. .'\MfxcS 1 5 .Wfxc5 !xeS 1 6.tLlbd2
tLlc6 1 7.tLlb3 ie7 1 8.ixc6 bxc6 1 9.tLle5:t
White has the better position, as the c6-
pawn is weak and White is in time to set
up a blockade on the c5-square. White's
next moves may be fd l , ac l and lLlc5 or
lLld4.
b) 1 4 ... tLld7 1 5.tLlc3 g6 1 6.Wfe2 lLlxc5
1 7.tLlb5 Wfb8 1 8.fd l i.d7 1 9.tLla5 and
Black is close to being equal, but it seems
that White can keep an initiative:
a b c d e f g h
b l ) 1 9 . . . i.xb5 20.Wfxb5 xd l t 2 l .xd l
Wfe8 22.Wfxe8t xe8 23.ixb7 d8 24.if3
xd l t 25 .ixd l tLld3 26.b3
b2) 19 ... a6 20.tLl d4 i.e8 2 l .ac U
b3) 1 9 . . . i.e8 20.tLld4 e5 2 l .fxe5 Wfxe5
22.tLlxb7 lLlxb7 23.ixb7 ab8 24.ig2:t
1 5 .tLlc3
1 5 .c6 is a logical move, but it does not
seem to give any advantage: 1 5 . . . bxc6
1 6.tLle5 ( 1 6.tLlc3 tLl b4 1 7.fd l ia6=)
16 . . . g6 1 7.Wfh3 tLlb4 1 8.a3 ( 1 8.tLlxf7 e5!
1 9.f5 f8! 20.tLlh6t 'kt>g7 2 I .lLlc3 gxf5
22.'kt>h l f6 23.gl xh6 24.ixc6t 'kt>f7
[24 ... 'kt>h8 25.i.d5!+-] 25 .id5t lLlxd5
26.Wfxh6 lt:lf6 27.g7t 'kt>e8 28.e4 Wfc4+
and the position is very complicated, but
Black seems to be better.) 1 8 . . . tLld5 1 9.tLlxf7
( 1 9.c l !b?+) 1 9 . . . 'kt>xf7 20.Wfxh7t 'kt>f8
2 I .Wfh8t 'kt>f7 22.Wfh7t 'kt>f8=
1 5 ... id7!?
a b c d e f g h
1 6.Wfe5!
A great idea!
1 6 . . . Wfxc5 1 7.tLla5 f6
1 7 . . . Wfxe5 1 8.fxe5 ab8 ( 1 8 . . . tLlc5 1 9.tLle4
lLlxe4 20.!xe4:t) 1 9.fd l and White is
slightly better.
1 8 .Wfxc5 tLlxc5 1 9.b4
1 9.tLle4 tLlxe4 20.ixe4 !c8! A very cool
and strong move! (20 . . .!b5 2 I .ixb7 ab8
22.fc l :t) 2 1 .ac l b8=
19 . . . tLld3 20.ad l lt:lb2 2 I .lLlxb7 lLlxd l
22.xd l ixb4 23.tLlxd8 xd8 24.tLlb5 a6
25.tLlc7
25 .ic6 axb5 26.ixd7 'kt>f8 27.d3 'kt>e7
28.i.xb5 xd3 29.i.xd3 h6=
25 . . . 'kt>f7 26.tLlxa6 i.e? 27.!fl i.c8 28.xd8
!xd8 29.tLlc5 i.e? 30.tLl b3:t
The position is probably a draw, but Black
will still need to be accurate.
14 ...hc5 1 5J:lcl tLl c6 16.h5
1 6.a3! was the last chance for White to try
to be better, although the position may already
be equal. 1 6 . . .id7 1 7.b4 i.e? 1 8.tLle5 a6
White has a symbolic advantage but I don't
see any real winning chances. Black's next
moves will be . . .i.e8 and . . . ac8, and with his
development complete, Black should achieve
a draw.
16 ...i.e7 17. tLl e5 g6 18.e2 i.d7 19J;c2
1 9.tLlxd7 Wfxd7 20.fd l ac8 2 I .tLlb3 Wfe8
22.Wfb5 d7!=
 November 2011 295

19 ....ie8 20JUc1 25 . . . Wb6

Black has a clear plan, to exchange the light
squared bishop for the knight and then just sit
there.

25 . . .1M/xe2 26.ixe2 Wg7 would probably also

be enough to secure a draw.

26 ..ie4 .ib5 27.Wel a5 28.tLlc4 .hc4!

Normally the side with the bishop pair does
not want to exchange one of the bishops, but
in this position it is the right idea! White
has no winning ideas, as you can see during
the following moves, and the players quickly
a b c d e f g h agreed to a draw. . .
20 ...'1Wa5
29J:hc4 :Sc7 30.:Sa4 :Sa? 3l .g2 :Sdd7
20 . . J'l:ac8= was probably the most accurate
32.:Sc2 '!Wds 33 ..if3 :Sd3 34 ..ie2 Wast
move.
35.g3 :Sdd7 36 ..if3 Wds 37.g2
lfz-lfz
2l .xc6
2 1 .ixc6!? would give White some chances:
GAME 38
2 1 . . .bxc6 22.ttlb3 1Mfxa2 23.ttld4 c5 24.ttldc6
[> P. Eljanov (2683)
(24.b3 1Mla3) 24 . . . ixc6 25.ttlxc6 E1e8 26.b4
.... D. Andreikin (2705)
1M/d5 27.b5!
Governor's Cup, Saratov 20 1 1
Round 9, 1 7. 1 0.20 1 1 [EI 5]
2 l . .. bxc6 22.b3
Annotated by Alexander lpatov
22.ttlb3 Wxa2 23.ttld4 E1ab8 24.ixc6 E1b6
25 .ixe8 E1xe8 26.ttlc6 i.f6=
A good fighting game, in which all three results
seemed possible. White played the rare 1 1 .cxd5,
22 .. Jac8 23.c4 '1Wb5 24..if3 c5 25.e5
but even against the more popular 1 1 .if4 it
seems that Black can obtain good counterplay.
Black didn't want to play passively, but quickly
created counterplay on the queenside with
. . . b5. After a very complicated struggle White
won the game, but I believe that Black had
many chances to hold the position.

I .d4 f6 2.c4 e6 3.f3 b6 4.g3 ib7

Another popular move is 4 . . . ia6, with a lot
of theory lying ahead.

5 ..ig2 c5
In former times this move was considered
a b c d e f g h
296 Chess Evolution

dubious, bur modern theory judges it to be while Black will think about the advance
playable. . . . b5 and counterplay on the queenside.

A more solid set-up seems to be 5 . . .ie7

6.0-0 0-0, and in this tabiya of the s . . ie7.

subvariation White has many possible

continuations, such as 7.tLlc3, 7Je I or 7.d5 .

6.d5 exd5 7.h4 g6 8.c3 ig7 9.0-0

a b c d e f g h

I l . . .a6
I I ...lLla6!? I 2.f4 lLlc7 I 3.a4 b8 I4.id2
a6 I S .c;t>h i lLld7 I 6."Mfc2 b5 I 7. tlJ d i oo
Conquest - Gallego Eraso, Bergara 20 I O.
I 2.a4 e8 I 3 .1M'c2 lLlbd7 I 4.tLlf3 c4 I 5 .tLld4
lLlxdS I 6.lLlxd5 ixd4 I 7."Mfxc4 ig7 I 8.ie3:t
Dziuba - M. Popovic, Belgrade 2009.

a b c d e f g h 9 . . . lLla6
The idea behind this move is quite simple:
9 0-0
...

to organize pressure on the d5-square,

This is most popular, bur Black has a couple
thereby preventing White from using it as
of other options:
an outpost.
9 . . . d6
This seems a fair alternative to me.
I O.cxd5
Probably best. The idea of maintaining an
outpost on d5 gives no advantage to White:
I O.ig5 "Mfd7 I I .ixf6 ixf6 I 2.ixd5 tLlc6
I 3.tLlf3 ixc3 I 4.bxc3 0-0= White has got
his outpost, but the weakness of his c-pawns
kills any hopes of an advantage.
I O.lLlxdS lLlxdS I I .ixd5 lLlc6 I 2.b i 0-0
I 3.tLlg2 "M'd7 I 4.b3 fe8f and the activity a b c d e f g h

of Black's pieces fully compensates for the I O.if4!

weak d5-square.
I 0 . . . 0-0 I l .e4
We have a typical position for the Modern
Benoni. White's plan is quite straightforward:
to advance e4-e5 after some preparation,
I O.lLlxdS?! lLlxd5 I I .ixd5 ixd5 I 2.1M'xd5
0-0 I 3.ig5 "M'e8 gives Black an ideal
position. Although White has gained a space
advantage, he cannot really maintain it with
his pieces.
 November 20 1 1
1 O.cxd5 d6 yields a pawn structure similar to
a Modern Benoni, and is liable to transpose
into Conquest - Gallego Eraso above. Black
has easy play with . . . 0-0, . . . &iJc7, . . . b5, while
White's major plan is to advance f2-f4,
e2-e4-e5 , etc.
1 0.g5 &iJc7 1 l .cxd5 d6 ( 1 1 . ..0-0??
1 2.d6+-) 1 2.a4t d7 1 3.xd7t &iJxd7=
and the queen exchange seems to be in
Black's favour.
1 0 . . . 0-0
1 0 . . . d6? 1 l .&iJb5
1 l .d6 !'!e8 1 2.cxd5 bS 1 3 .li:lxb5 b6
1 4.a4t
Black did not get sufficient compensation in
Nyback - A. Mastrovasilis, Aix-les-Bains 20 1 1 .
10 .ig5
. 1 1 . ..d8 and now:
White's major idea is to get an outpost on dS
for his knight or bishop. In my opinion, this
promises a little more for White than taking
on d5 with a pawn and giving Black a good
version of the Modern Benoni pawn structure.
1 0.cxd5 d6 transposes to 9 . . . d6 1 0.cxd5 0-0
in the previous note.
a b c d e f g h
10 . e8
..
The most popular choice nowadays. Black
wants to escape the pin on the h4-d8 diagonal
as soon as possible. Alternatives are:
297
1 0 . . . !'!e8 1 l .d2 a6 1 2.&iJxd5 .ixd5 1 3.-ixdS
&iJc6 1 4.!'!ad U and White was clearly better in
Ki. Georgiev - Granda Zuniga, Bled (ol) 2002.
10 . . .c7 1 l .f4 c8 1 2.cxd5 &iJe8 1 3.!'!c l
(better was 1 3 .d2! d6 1 4 . .ih6t with the
same idea as in our main game) 1 3 . . . d6 1 4.a3oo
Tal - Ljubojevic, Riga 1 979.
l l .cxd5
Worthy of consideration is:
1 1 . .if4!? e7
1 1 . . .li:l e4?! 1 2.li:lxd5 li:la6 1 3.c2 f5 1 4.a3t
gave White a clear positional advantage
which he managed to convert into a full
point in Zhao Jun - Zhou Jianchao, Manila
20 1 0.
a) 1 2.-igS e8 1 3.f4 d8 1 4.g5 Y2-Y2
Ponomariov - Gashimov, Khanty-Mansiysk
(5. 1 ) 20 1 1 .
b) I believe that White could have fought for
the advantage with 1 2.id6!? e8 1 3.cxd5
if8 (after 1 3 . . . li:la6? 1 4.e4! if8 1 5 .ixf8
<;i;>xf8 1 6.f4 White has a dangerous attack)
1 4.ixf8 Wxf8 1 5 .e4 d6 1 6.f4 &iJ bd7 1 7.a4t
White's plan is simple: to play c2 (or d3),
ae 1 and then push e4-e5 at the appropriate
moment.
1 2.ig5 e8 1 3.if4 e7 1 4.&iJb5 &iJe8
a b c d e f g h
1 5 .b 1 !
A useful move. White defends the b2-pawn
298 Chess Evolution

while waiting to see where Black is going to
develop his queen's knight.
1 5.ixd5?! is dubious, giving Black good
chances in the resulting middlegame:
1 5 . . . ixd5 16.Wxd5 lt'lc6 1 7 .Wd2 We6
and Black had counterplay in Ponomariov
Andreikin, Saratov 20 1 1 .
1 5 . . . ic6
Forcing White to take on d5 with the bishop.
1 5 . . . lt'la6 1 6.ixd5 ixd5 1 7.Wxd5 !!d8
1 8.a3!i keeps the black knight on the edge
of the board.
1 5 . . . ll'lc6 1 6.cxd5 lt'la5 1 7 .Wd3i is clearly
better for White, as the black knight on a5
is out of play.
1 6.ixd5 ixd5 1 7 .Wxd5 lt'l c6 1 8.e3!i
Compared with Ponomariov - Andreikin
above, White doesn't need to worry about the
b2-pawn as it is already defended by the rook.
I think White has a clear advantage here due to
Black's weak squares on the d-file.
The first step in White's plan. He is going to
exchange Black's active dark-squared bishop in
order to weaken the kingside and then try to
generate a direct attack on the king.
12 ... ltlbd7N
1 2 . . . \We? was played m Pontoppidan -
Wochnik, corr. 2000.
13.i.h6 hl6 14.'1Wxh6 a6
Black is playing in a principled way. His idea
is simple: to create enough counterplay on the
queenside to distract White from his kingside
attack. Black first prepares . . . b6-b5-b4 in order
to decentralize White's knight.
1 5.a4
A prophylactic move. Also possible was the
more aggressive:
1 5 .ll'lf3!? We? 1 6.lt'lg5 !!fe8 1 7.ll'lce4

l l ... d6
1 1 .. .h6? has the obvious idea of preventing
Wd 1 -d2 and ig5-h6 to exchange the dark
squared bishops, but it is a grave mistake:
1 2.if4 Threatening to win an exchange by
coming to d6. 1 2 . . . g5 ( 1 2 . . . Wd8 1 3.id6 !!e8
1 4.e4) 1 3.ixb8 !!xb8 1 4.lt'lf5 White has a
crushing position.

12.'1Wd2 a b c d e f g h

White tries to divert Black's pieces from the

8 h7-square, but I do not think that a direct
7 attack with just three pieces should succeed.
1 7 . . . lt'l f8!
6 The h7-square is now well defended, so one
5 may ask what White's pieces are doing on
h6 and g5.
4
1 8.lt'lxf6t Wxf6 1 9.lt'le4
3 White has to change plan; his main idea will
now be to advance his f- or g-pawn in order
2
to weaken the pawn structure around the
black king.
a b c d e f g h
 November 20 I I 299

1 9 . . .'We5 20.'Wh4 'it>g7 2 U!ad i l%ad8!

Black has to defend the d6-pawn in advance,
so as to minimize the strength of White's
f2-f4 move.
2 1 . . . i.xd5? 22.f4 'We6 23.f5! gxf5 24.lLlxd6
lLl g6 25 .'Wh5
2 l . . .f5? 22.f4 'We? 23.'Wxe7t l%xe7
24.lLlxd6

a b c d e f g h
16.axb5 axb5 17.xb5 hal 18Jxal Vxe2
19.xd6 Vxb2
I 9 . . . i.xd5 would have led to a very pleasant
endgame for White: 20.lLl hf5 gxf5 2 I .lLlxf5
'Wxf2t! A nice tactical trick. (2 1 . . .'Wg4??
a b c d e f g h 22.ih3 'Wg6 23.tLle7t+-) 22.xf2 lLlg4t
22.g4! 23.'i!igl lLlxh6 24.tLlxh6t 'i!ig7 25 .ixd5 'it>xh6
White prevents . . .f5 by Black. 26.l%a?;!; This situation is highly unpleasant
After 22.f4?! Black would exchange queens for Black. In open positions like this, rook
with 22 . . . 'We7!00 rather than win some and bishop are much better than rook and
dubious pawn on b2. knight, and furthermore Black has two pawn
22 . . . 'Wxb2 weaknesses on f7 and c5. In view of this, it is
22 . . . g5 23.lLlxg5 h6 24.tLlf3 'Wxe2 25 .g5t understandable why Andreikin went for the
22 ... ixd5?? 23.f4 'We6 24.f5 gxf5 25 .gxf5 more ambitious 1 9 . . . 'Wxb2.
'We5 26.'Wg5t 'it>h8 (26 . . . tLlg6 27.l%xd5!+-)
27.tLlf6 'We3t 28.'Wxe3 l%xe3 29.lLlxd5+-
23.g5!
Fixing the weaknesses on h6 and f6.
23 . . . 'Wxe2 24.'Wf4!
Attacking the d6-pawn.
24 . . . l%xe4
This seems to be the only move.
25.ixe4 l%e8 26.l%fe l 'Wc4 27.'Wf6t 'it>g8oo
The position is very unclear, but I slightly
prefer White's chances.

15 ... b5!?
Black immediately looks for counterplay.
The main idea of this move is to exchange as
much material as possible in order to minimize a b c d e f g h
White's attack on the kingside.
300 Chess Evolution
Play has followed a logical course since
Black's 1 5th move. The position has changed
a lot, although material is still equal. White
retains a dangerous kingside attack which is
unpleasant for Black to face over the board.
On the other hand, Black has a passed pawn on
the c-file which may create many problems for
White if he doesn't succeed in making direct
threats on the kingside as soon as possible.
20 c4
...
Black is happy to sacrifice this pawn in order
to exchange queens and minimize White's
attacking possibilities.
20 . . ..ia8
Moving away the bishop from its "hanging"
position makes . . . 'Wxf2t into a threat.
2 l .h3
Preventing Black's idea.
2 I .li:l hf5? gxf5 22.li:lxf5 li:le8 23.i.e4 mh8+
and compared with the game, Black controls
the important al -h8 diagonal with his
queen.
2 1 . . .'\Wb6
After 2 1 . . .1Mfc2 22.Ek l 'Wb2 23.li:lc4 'Wd4
24.li:\e3;t White again consolidates his
position.
22.li:lc4
22.li:ldf5 ? gxf5 23.li:lxf5 li:le8! and everything
is defended.
22 . . . '1Wb3 23.li:le3;l;
a b d e f g h
c
White has consolidated his position and has
the better chances due to his good possibilities
on the kingside.
20 . . . Wb3!
A good idea. Black creates some small
tactical tricks to stop White concentrating
on his own attack.
2 I .!!cl Wb2
The best square for the queen, where it
performs both defensive and attacking
functions.
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a b c d e f g h
22.li:lxb7
22.!!d l 'Wb3 23.!!c l Wb2 24.!!d l = with
a repetition of moves would be a logical
outcome.
22.li:lc4? is not good without a pawn on
h3, because of 22 . . . 1Mfxf2t 23.1irxf2 li:lg4t
24.'ii? g l li:lxh6+ and Black is a pawn up.
22.h3? loses the valuable d5-pawn: 22 . . . .!xd5
23.i.xd5 (23.li:lhf5? gxf5 24.li:\xf5 li:le4!+)
23 . . . li:lxd5+ with no real compensation for
White.
22 . . .'\Wxb? 23.d6 Wb6 24.'1Wd2 !!e8=
I don't see how White can improve his
position, while the d6-pawn could be put in
danger by ... !!e6 or ... li:le4.
21 .h3
White is thinking only about attacking
and does not want a slightly better endgame:
2 I .li:lxc4 1Mfxf2t 22.1irxf2 li:lg4t 23.1irgl li:lxh6;t
 November 20 1 1 30 1

After the exchange of queens White's winning
chances are greatly reduced. Nevertheless,
White is still better in the endgame, although
Black should not have huge problems making
a draw.
2l. .. c3
but can't create immediate threats. I think the
position is dynamically equal.
27.Lf5 flm
In time trouble, Black plays a move that
loses immediately.
The best defence was: 27 . . J:l:e7D 28.ixd7 l'l:f7!
29.We3 c2 30.l'l:c l ixd5 3 l .ia4 l'l:f3 (3 I . . .ie4?
32.ixc2! ixc2 33.Wd2+-) 32.We8t 'tt> g7
33.We7t if7 34.Wg5t ig6 35 .ixc2

28.ftf6t
28.l'l:d4! was winning more easily: 28 . . . Wa l t
(28 . . . l'l:e l t 29.c;t>g2 ixd5t 30J:hd5 Wb8
3 l .Wf6t c;t>g8 32 . .ixh7t lLl xh7 33.l'l:d8t Wxd8
34.Wxd8t 'tt> f7 35 .Wc7t+-) 29.'tt> h 2 Wa6
30.d6 We2 3 1 .Wf6t @g8 32J:l:f4! .if3 (32 . . . c2
33.d7 c l =W 34.ixh7t lLl xh7 35 .Wf7t c;t>hs
a b c d e f g h 36.dxe8=Wt +-) 33.l'l:xf3D Wxf3 34.ixh7t
lLlxh7 35 .Wxf3+-
22.<hf5!
The only move to fight for victory, now
28 ... 'l:!lg8
that Black's queen can't help on the a 1 -h8
diagonal.

22 ...gxf5 23.xf5 e8 24.i.e4 h8

25.g7! f5 26.xe8 he8?
Black had a stronger option: 26 . . . c2!

4
'""''/'"'" '""'/''W'''"'/NNN '" '"

3
a b c d e f g h
2
29.Eld4?
I
White was also short of time, and missed a
a b d e f g h
c
second chance to win: 29.ie6t! lLlxe6 30.dxe6
27.ixc2 l'l:xe8 28 . .ixf5 lLl f6 29.d6 (29Jb l ?? l'l:f8 (30 . . .ic6 3 1 .Wf7t @h8 32.e7 h6 33.Wf6t
fails to 29 . . . .ixd5Ft, exploiting the weak back 'tt> h 7 34.Wxc6 l'l:xe7 3 5 .Wf6!+-) 3 1 .Wg5t
rank) 29 . . . Wc3 (threatening . . . l'l:e l t) 30.c;t>h2 c;t>hs 32.Wc5!! c;t>g7 33.e7 l'l:e8 34.We5t c;t>gs
l'l:d800 White has compensation for the piece 35 .We6t c;t>g7 36.Wg4t
302 Chess Evolution

GAME 39
t> I. Nyzhnyk (2561)
S. Tiviakov (2647)
1 5th Unive Open, Hoogeveen
20. 1 0.20 1 1 [E17]
Annotated by Yannick Gozzoli

A very strange game from Tiviakov. He chose

the passive 7 . . . li:Je4?! in a 4.g3 Queen's Indian
and found himself in trouble after the opening.
a b c d e f g h l l . . . c5!? would have been an interesting try
3 6 . . 1!/fG (36 . . . 1!/hs 37.d7+-) 37.!!d6t l!/f7
.
to free his pieces, but instead White seized
38.\&h5t l!lg7 39.h6t l!lg8 40.l'!g6t!! hxg6 the initiative. He could have won easily after
4 l .xg6t Wh8 42.xe8t Wg7 43.f8t Wh7 Black blundered with 1 8 . . ..ixc8?? but White's
44.f7t Wh6 45 .e6t Wg7 46.e5t Wh7 hand became a little bit shaky and he couldn't
47.e8= c l t 48.e 1 +- convert his huge advantage smoothly. The
ending reached later was still clearly in White's
29 ...Wfcl t?? favour and eventually he won.
Black had a final chance to hold the position: Overall, this game wasn't good. Black found
29 ... !!e l t 30.Wg2 e2!! 3 I ..id3 e6!! himself in trouble because of his 7th move
which leads to a passive position. I think Black
should concentrate on 7 . . . c5!? which is not
such an easy solution but it is totally playable.

l .d4 ti:lf6 2.c4 e6 3.ttlf3 b6 4.g3 i.b7 5.i.g2

i.e7 6.0-0 0--0 7Jle1
7.d5!? is a famous pawn sacrifice, leading to
obscure complications.

a b c d e f g h

A computer defence; it's just impossible to

find such moves in time trouble. 32 . .ixh7t
White has to try this. 32 . . . li:Jxh7 33.l'!g4t
xg4 34.d8t Wf7 35.hxg4 l'!e700 A draw is
the most logical outcome here, but the onus is
on White to prove it.

30.q,h2 gel
30 ... h5 doesn't help either: 3 l . .ig6 li:Jxg6
a b c d e f g h
32.xg6t l!lf8 33 .f5t l!lg7 34.xh5+-
7... ttle4?!
3l .hh7t In my opinion not the best move. Black has
1-0 a lot of alternatives:
 November 20 11 303

7 . . . lt:la6 8 . . . h6
This was considered the main move but it's 8 . . . d6 9.Wid3 ie4 1 0.Wie3 ib7 1 1 .lt:lc3 h6
not easy for Black to equalize. 1 2.ixf6 ixf6 1 3.ad 1 lt:ld7 1 4.Wfd2 d5
8.lt:le5 1 5 .cxd5 exd5 1 6.Wif4t Kasimdzhanov -
Parligras, Konya 20 1 1 .
8 . . . lt:l e4 9.lt:lfd2 f5 1 0.lt:lxe4 fxe4 1 1 .i.f4 d5
1 2.ih3 f6 1 3.lt:lc3t Moiseenko - Parligras,
Aix-les-Bains 20 1 1 .
8 . . . c5 is the latest try in this variation but it
weakens the queenside terribly. 9.lt:lc3 cxd4
10.Wxd4 h6 and here instead of 1 1 .ixf6
.ixf6 1 2 .Wid2 as in Vachier Lagrave - Polgar,
Hoogeveen 20 1 1 , White could try 1 1 .i.e3
i.c5 1 2.Wid2 lt:la6 1 3.ed l d5 1 4.cxd5t
a b c d e f g h
with a slight advantage due to the weakened
queenside.
8 . . . .ixg2
9.ixf6 ixf6 1 0.lt:lc3 d6 I I .Wid3 g6 1 2.h4 h5
8 . . . d5 9.cxd5 exd5 leads to a classical
1 3.ad l t
position from the Queen's Indian. Black will
Rodshtein - Nikolov, Rogaska Slatina 20 1 1 .
push . . . c7-c5, followed by . . . lt:lc7-e6. White
will develop his play against Black's hanging 7 . . . Wfc8 8 .ig5 h6 9.ixf6 ixf6 1 0.e4 d6
pawns on c5 and d5. For instance: I O.b3 c5 1 I .lt:lc3
I I ..ib2 lt:lc7 1 2.lt:ld2 b8 1 3.dxc5 .ixc5 White has a good space advantage.
14.lt:ld3 i.d6 1 5 .lt:lf3 lt:le6 1 6.lt:ld4 lt:lxd4
1 7.ixd4 e8 1 8.c l Wfe7 1 9.e3t Beliavsky
- Brodsky, Kharkiv 2008.
9. <;t>xg2 c6
9 . . . c5 1 0.d5 exd5 l l .cxd5 Wfc7 1 2.lt:lf3 is
also possible but gives White a good edge.
I O.e4 Wfc7 1 I .lt:lc3 Wfb7 1 2.lt:ld3 d5 1 3.e5
lt:ld7 1 4.cxd5 cxd5 1 5 .h4t
White has a very pleasant edge and eventually
won in Mamedyarov - Carlsen, Baku 2008.

7 . . . a5 8.i.g5 a b c d e f g h

l l . . .c5
1 1 . . .lt:ld7 1 2.Wid2 c6 1 3.h4 a6 I 4.ad 1 d8
1 5 .g4 c5 1 6.d5 ltle5 1 7.g5 hxg5 ( 1 7 ... lt:lxc4
1 8.Wfc l hxg5 1 9.hxg5 ixc3 20.Wfxc3 exd5
2 1 .exd5 b5 22.g6 f6 23.b3 lt:lb6 24.We3!+-)
1 8.hxg5t Akopian - Simantsev, Dubai
20 1 1 .
1 2.e5!? dxe5 1 3.d5 exd5 1 4.cxd5 lt:l d7 1 5 .ih3
Wfc7 1 6.lt:lb5 Wid8 1 7.lt:ld6
Akopian- Medvegy, Rijeka 20 1 0.
a b c d e f g h
304 Chess Evolution

7 . . . c5!? 8.d5 exd5 9.lt'lh4 The only move to avoid a clearly worse
position. 8 . . . f5 ?! 9.d5! is clearly in White's
favour, for example: 9 . . . lt'ld6 1 O.lt'lc3 lt'la6
1 1 .e4;!; Gozzoli - Roussel Roozmon, Nancy
2008.

a b c d e f g h

9 . . . lt'le4
In my opinion, this is the most ambitious
way for Black to play.
I O.cxd5 i.xh4 1 I .i.xe4 i.f6 1 2.lt'lc3 d6
1 3.i.f4
Although the position looks nice for White, a b c d e f g h
Black has some Benoni-style counterplay. 9.!tJc3
Despite this Black needs to be careful as his This is technically not a novelty, but it was
position is strategically worse and his light played only once 1 5 years ago!
squared bishop is misplaced on b7.
9.lt'lxe4?! is not dangerous for Black. 9 . . . dxe4
1 0.lt'lc3 f5 1 I .ie3 if6 1 2.'Wd2 lt'lc6 1 3.l'!ad 1
'We? 1 4 . f3 l'!ad8 Black is fine, Tregubov -
Terrieux, Aix-les-Bains 20 1 1 .

9.cxd5 exd5 1 0.lt'lxe4 dxe4 1 I .lt'lc3 f5 1 2.e3

( 1 2.i.f4 is also possible. White has a pleasant
advantage but Black's position remains very
solid. He can try to develop an initiative
along the c-file and/or break in the centre
a b c d e f g h
with f2-f3.) 1 2 . . . lt'ld7 1 3.b4 i>h8 1 4 .'Wb3 The
position is more or less equal but looks easier
1 3 . . . '\Wd??! to play for White, Rodshtein - Stella, Puerto
1 3 . . . '\We? was better. Madryn 2009.
1 4.'Wc2 g6 1 5 .ig2
And Black is already in deep trouble, as lt'le4 9... !tJxd2
is threatened. In the first game in this variation Black chose
1 5 . . . lt'la6 1 6.lt'le4 i.e? 1 7.i.h6 l'!fe8 1 8."\1f1c3+ a logical continuation:
B. Socko- Abasov, Warsaw 2009. 9 . . . f5 1 o.lt'ldxe4
1 O.cxd5 exd5 1 I .lt'ldxe4 ( I I .'Wb3!?)
s.!tJfd2! d5 1 l . . .fxe4 ( I I ...dxe4 is the same position as
 November 201 1 305

Rodshtein - Stella above) 1 2.f4t Followed
by :B:c l , f2-f3, and b2-b4, \Wd 1 -b3 gives
White a very nice position. 1 2.f3!? is also an
interesting try.
1 0 ...dxe4 1 Lf3 if6 12.ie3 tt'lc6
Black is fine, Gavrikov - Korchnoi,
Switzerland 1 996.
Instead 12 . . . f5 was a good try to build a bind
on the e4-square, but of course the knight has
nothing to do on a6.
13.c5! tlJa6
We must also consider the following line:
13 . . . bxc5 1 4.dxc5 a5 1 5.a3 tt'la6

10.ohd2t c6
Black has chosen a very passive but solid
set-up, which gives White a space advantage
and strong pressure in the centre. I really don't
understand Tiviakov's opening choice, as it
will turn out to be a long and hard struggle to
equalize.

1 1 .\Wb3
a b c d e f g h

1 6.tt'la4
16.\Wxb??! tt'lxc5 17.\Wxc6 1'3c8 1 8.\Wb5 1'3b8=
16...1'3b8 1 7.'1Wc3 f5
1 7...ic8 1 8.e4 d4 ( 1 8 . . . if6 1 9.Wc2)
1 9.\Wxa5 1Mfxa5 20.ixa5 e5 2 l .b4
1 8.1'3c l
White will win the a5-pawn. Black will try
to find some counterplay thanks to his strong
pawn centre, but White should be able to deal
with it.

a b c d e f g h 14.tlJa4
l l ... tlJa6 It was worth considering the immediate
1 l . . .c5!? is a good try to liberate his position break with:
and gain some fresh air for his pieces, but it's 1 4.e4!?
met by: 1 2.cxd5 cxd4 1 3.d6 {after 1 3.tt'lb5
ixd5 1 4.ixd5 exd5 1 5 .tt'lxd4t White has 8
,,=C/""".,

a very pleasant position but Black can hold) 7

1 3 . . .xg2 1 4.dxe7 Wxe7 1 5 .Wxg2 dxc3 6
1 6.ixc3 tt'ld7 1 7.:B:ac l tt'lc5 1 8 .\Wc4 :B:fd8 5
1 9.l:l:ed 1 l:l:ac8 20.1'3xd8t 1'3xd8 2 I .ib4t White Y"'"'"'"''"
4
has the upper hand, but is far from winning.
3
12.gadl tiJb4?! 2
The knight has nothing to do here and it
gives White some extra tactical possibilities. a b c d e f g h
306 Chess Evolution

It's quite hard for Black to find a useful move!

1 4 . . . i.c8 1 5 .exd5

We must consider both pawn recaptures on

dS:

A) 15 ... cxd5 1 6.c6 li:lb4 1 7.l:'k 1 li:lxc6

18 .li:lxd5 exdS 1 9.gxc6

a b c d e f g h

1 7 .li:lxdS cxdS 1 8. xdS gbg

1 8 . . . xd5 1 9.ixd5 ig4 20.ixa8 gxa8
(20 . . .ixd 1 2 I .ib7+-) 2 I .f3! ixf3 22.gd3
19.xd8 ixd8 20.ixb8 li:lxb8 2 1 .dxc5

a b c d e f g h

1 9 . . . i.b7
19 . . . ie6?! 20.gcxe6! fxe6 2 l .gxe6 After
taking on dS, White will have two pawns
and a strong bishop pair for the exchange,
which is clearly more than enough.
1 9 . . . i.d7 20.gc3 ie6 2 I .if4 White has a
very pleasant advantage; his pieces are clearly
stronger than Black's and the dS-pawn and
c7-square are clear targets for the white a b c d e f g h
pieces.
20.gcc l if6 2 I .ib4 ge8 22.gxe8t xe8 14... b5?!
23.gc7 gbg 24.ixd5 ixdS 25 .xd5 gd8 A very passive move which kills all Black's
26.b7 ixd4 27.ie7 gbg dreams of counterplay.
27 . . . h6 28.b4 (28.ixd8?! e 1 t 29.g2
xf2t 30.<j;lh3 fSt 3 l .g2 f2t=) 1 4 . . . d7!? was probably the best chance to
28 . . . b5 29.g2 gbs 30.'1Wd5 ib6 3 I .gd7 find some chances. 1 5 .cxb6 cS 1 6.bxa7 gxa7
28.d5 ixb2 29.gxa7 1 7.li:lxc5 li:lxcS 1 8.dxc5 ixcS White is a
White is of course better, but Black has good pawn up but the open files on the queenside
drawing chances. give Black some counterplay. Of course it is
objectively still in White's favour, but over the
B) I S . . . exdS 1 6.if4 bxc5 board it would not be so easy to deal with the
16 . . . i.e6 1 7.a4 This position cannot be black pieces' activity.
considered as a great success for Black. Also
1 5.e4!
1 7.ifl was possible.
Logical and strong.
 November 20 11 307

15 ...dxe4 16.lbc3 18 ...Wfc7

l S ...fdS 1 9.if4 Wfh5 20.id6
19.ih3 adS 20.xdS ixdS
20...xdS? 2 l .i.xe6! fXe6 22.Wfxe6t
WhS (22 ...<;t>fs 23.lt:lg5 +-) 23.ig5 i.cs
(23 ....ixg5 24.lt:lxg5 g6 25.Wff6t <;t>gs
26.e7 +-) 24.Wfxe7 Wfxe7 25.ixe7+-
2 l .d l icS 22.a4t

a b c d e f g h

16 .. .'!Wxd4?!
A mistake which gives White a huge
advantage. 16...f5 17.Wfxe6t <;t>hs 1S.if4 is
also better for White but Black is still alive
( 1 S.lt:le2!? is also possible). For instance:
1 S ...lt:lc7 1 9.Wib3 (after 19.Wfe5 lt:ld5 20.lt:lxd5
cxd5t it would not be easy for White to a b c d e f g h
break through) 19 ...a5 20.f3 a4 2 l .Wfc2 exf3 18 ....ic8??
22.ixf3 Wfd7t The decisive mistake. I don't see any way for
White to claim an advantage after:
17 ..ie3 Wfe5 18Jd7?!
Not the best. Black now has a good I S ...ixc5! 1 9.lt:lxe4
opportunity to restore the balance and get 19.xb7 is met by 1 9 ....ixe3 20.xe3 lt:lc5+.
back in the game. 19...i.cS 20.dd l i.xe3 2 l .xe3 Wfc7
22.Wfc3
1S.lt:lxe4!
White has good compensation for the two
This was stronger with the idea of d7.
pawns, thanks to the weakness of the black
White has huge compensation for the pawn
squares and his strong piece play, but it
in every line.
doesn't look enough for more than equality.
For instance:
22...i.b7 23.ed3 adS 24.lt:l f6t gxf6 25.Wfxf6
xd3 26.Wg5t <;t>hs 27.Wff6t
With a draw by perpetual check.

19 . .id4!+- h5 20.xe7 g5 2 l .!!xf7!

!!xf7 22.lbxe4 h5 23.lbd6
White position is overwhelming. Black's
knight is stuck on the rim, his aS-rook is
passive and his queen is in danger.
a b c d e f g h
308 Chess Evolution

3 l .d l ! xe5
3 l . . .ic8 32 . .id6!
32."Wxd7 !:!f8
32 . . . :gb8 33.f7t h8 34.e7+-
33.:gxf8t xf8 34.c8t g7 35 .xa6+-

30 ... e5! 3l .ge4 Wf6

More stubborn was: 3 l . . ."Wf7! 32 . .ic3
(32.ixe5 d5 33.:ge l "Wxc5) 32 . . . b4
33.xa6 bxc3 34.bxc3 .ic8 35 .c4 xc4
36.:gxc4 id7

a b c d e f g h 32.ic3 ic8 33.b4+

White is winning again.
23 ...id7 24.ge5 "Wg4 25.ge4 "Wg6 26.xf7
This is good enough but 26. Wf d 1 ! threatening
8
!:!g4 was even stronger.
7
26 ... Wxf7 27.gf4 "We7 28.gg4 g6 29.gf4 6
29.h4! was better.
5
29 ... ge8 4

a b c d e f g h

33 ... "Wd8 34.gel e4 35.i.xe4 c7 36.i.xc6

gxel t 37.i.xel
Black is two pawn down and it looks as
though he could resign, but the game suggests
he was right to continue.

37...ie6 38.if3
a b c d e f g h
Why not 38.xa7 taking another pawn!
30."Wa3?!
White was not very precise in the last four 38 ...Wd4 39."Wc3?!
or five moves and let Black stay in the game. White chose to play an ending with a passed
More convincing was: pawn and a pair of bishops against a knight
and bishop (which is probably winning but
30 . .ie5! requires some technique) instead of taking a
For example: third pawn - a very strange choice, perhaps
30 . . . "Wxc5 influenced by time pressure. 39.xa7+- was
30 . . . lt:lxc5 3 l .d l +- very convincing.
 November 2011
39 ...'ilYxc3 40.hc3
a b c d e f g h
40 i.xa2
.
The ending is almost winning, but now
White has to win the game for a third time!
41 .i.e5
A forced winning line was possible with:
4 1.c6! i.e6
4 l ...i.d5 42.cJig2 cJif7 43.i.e5 ixBt
44.cJix(3 tt:ld5 45.cJie4 cJie6 46.c7 tt:lb6
47.cJid4 cJid7 48.cJic5 tt:l c4 49.if4 a6 50.h4
h5 5 1.f3 Zugzwang.
42.id4! cj;lf7
42 ...tt:la6 43.i.xa7 tt:lxb4 44.c7 tt:la6 45.i.b6
i.c8 46.h3 h5 47.h4 cJif7 48.ie4 b4 49.f4
\t>e6 50.ixg6 \t>d6 5 1.cJif2 tt:lxc7 52.ixh5
ie6 53.ixc7t cJixc7 54.ig6+-
42...a6 43.ie5+- followed by c6-c7.
43.ixa7 id5 44 ..bd5t tt:lxd5 45.ic5 cJie6
46.\t>g2 tt:l c7 47.cJif3 cJid5 48.ib6 cJixc6
49.ixc7 \t>xc7 50.\t>e4+-
4 I . . .tta6 42.c6 .ie6 43.h3 h5 44 .id6
The knight is dominated and White is back
on the winning path.
44... \t>f7 45 ..ie2?!
The beginning of a risky plan. 45.h4 was
easy; then just bring the king into the game
and the win is straightforward.
309
45 ....ic8 46.hb5 i>e6 47.i.f8 i>f7 48.ha6
48.ih6 tt:lxb4 49.id2 tt:ld5 was the other
option.
48 ...ha6 49 .ic5
a b c d e f g h
White increased Black's drawing chances by
transposing to an opposite-coloured bishop
ending with two extra pawns. Since he chose
to do so, it probably means that it's winning,
but who knows what can happen in such
endings ...
49 i.b5
49 . . . \t>e6 50.f3 cJid5 5 1.c7 \t>c6 52.b5t
cJixb5 53.ixa7 \t>c6 54.ib8 ic8 55.g4 is
probably winning.
50.c7 id7 5 I .i>g2 a6 52.f3 i>e6 53.g4 i>d5
54.i.b6 i>c4 SS ..iaS i>d3 56.\t>g3 i>e2
57.4 hxg4 58.hxg4 i>e3 59.5 gxf5 60.g5
f4t 6I .i>h4 f3 62 .ib6t i>e4 63.g6
1-0
310 Chess Evolution
GAME40
!> D. Andreikin (2705)
.... E. Tomashevsky (2710)
Governor's Cup, Saratov
Round 2, 09. 1 0.20 1 1 [El8]
Annotated by Ivan Sokolov
In an old-fashioned Queen's Indian
Tomashevsky played a strong novelty in
14 . . . g5!, which equalized easily, and after a
series of natural moves the players agreed
a draw on move 32. If White wants to fight
for an advantage he will have to deviate at
an earlier stage, and you can find several
interesting alternatives analysed in the notes.
l .d4 ltlf6 2.c4 e6 3.lllf3 b6 4.g3 i.h7 5.i.g2
i.e7 6. 0-0 7.lllc3 llle4 8.i.d2
In this position Black has tried almost every
legal move, and tons of theory have been
developed over the years.
8 ... d5
Tomashevsky has played this move regularly
in recent years, with solid results.
a b c d e f g h
9.a:d5
This is White's usual choice.
Mter 9.llle 5 f1Jd7 I o.ttJxe4 dxe4 1 1."\Wc2 f5
1 2.lllxd7 Wxd7 1 3.e3 c5 I 4.dxc5 .ixc5 White
has an extra pawn on the queenside, but his
light-squared bishop is passive and in the
following game Black had no trouble holding
the balance: 1 5 . .ic3 l'!fd8 1 6.l'!fd 1 We8 17 . .ie5
.ic6 1 8.l'!xd8 l'!xd8 1 9.l'!d 1 l'!xd 1 t 20.Wxd 1
Wd7= Korchnoi - Kholmov, Tbilisi I 966.
9 ... exd5 lOJ3d
This natural move has been by far the most
popular choice. However, it is also worth
considering I O.f1Je5 , 1 0.Wc2 and I O . .if4.
I O.f1Je5
This move never became really popular,
despite having led to a big advantage against
no less a player than Anatoly Karpov.
1 0 . . . f1Jd7 1 1 .f1Jd3 a5?!
Too optimistic. Black should prefer
the thematic 1 1 . . .c5, with the possible
continuation: 1 2.l'!c l cxd4 1 3.f1Jb5 f1Jdc5
( 1 3 . . . if6?! 1 4 . .ib4) 1 4.t1Jxd4
a b c d e f g h
I 4 . . . f1Jxd3 ( 1 4 . . . .if6!? 1 5 . .ie3 l'!e8 is also
possible, when Black has enough dynamic
play) I 5 .exd3 lllxd2 1 6.Wxd2 .if6 1 7.f1Jf5
l'!c8 ( 1 7 . . . g6 1 8.f1Jh6t \t>g7 1 9.lllg4;!;) 1 8.d4
White keeps a minimal advantage but Black
should not have any real trouble.
1 2.l'!c l f1Jdf6 1 3 . .if4 c6 1 4 .llle 5 c5
Now Tal found a strong idea:
I 5.dxc5 lllxc3 I 6.bxc3!
In order to batter the enemy centre with c4
later.
 November 2011 31 1

should not be dangerous for Black.

1 0 . . . tt:ld7 1 1 .l3fd 1 c5 1 2 . .ie3 .if6
Now White has to take a decision in the
centre.

a b c d e f g h

1 6 . . . .ixc5 1 7 . .ig5
Black has real problems now.
1 7 . . .:1l:e8 1 8.tt:lg4 .ie7 1 9 . .ixf6 .ixf6
a b c d e f g h

1 3.dxc5 tt:lxc3 1 4.bxc3 tt:lxc5

1 4 . . . l3c8 1 5 .cxb6 ( 1 5 . .ih3!?) 1 5 . . . l3xc3
1 6 .Wfd2 l3xe3 1 7.Wfxe3 .ixa 1 1 8.l3xa 1 l3e8
1 9.Wid2 lLlxb6 20.e3t The d5-pawn is weak.
1 5 . .ixc5 bxc5 1 6.e4
This is the only way for White to exert any
kind of pressure.
16 . . . Wfa5 1 7.exd5 l3ad8 1 8 .l3ab 1 .ixd5 1 9.tLlg5
.ixg5 20 . .ixd5 .if6 2 1 .c4 l3b8 22.'it>g2
a b c d e f g h

20.c4
20.tt:lxf6t! Wfxf6 2 1 .c4 looks simple and
strong.
20 . . ..ie7 2 1 .tt:le3
If2 1 .cxd5 i.c5 Black has some compensation.
2 l . . .i.g5
After 2 l . . .d4 22 . .ixb7 dxe3 23 . .ixa8 exf2t
24J3xf2 Wfxa8 25.l3f3 Black does not have
enough for an exchange.
22.Wid3
a b c d e f g h
22.Wld4!?
22 ... d4 23 . .ixb7 dxe3 24 . .ixa8 exf2t 25.'it>xf2 Obviously Black should not have any
.ie3t 26.Wfxe3 l3xe3 27.'it>xe3 Wfxa8 real problems here, although in Eljanov -
Black was able to hold a draw in Tal - Kryvoruchko, Kiev 20 1 1 , White incredibly
Karpov, Moscow 1 97 1 . managed to convert his microscopic advantage
into a full point.
1 0 .Wic2
This was used by Eljanov recently, but it Finally, White can try activating his bishop:
312 Chess Evolution

l O.i.f4 tt:l d7 16 . . . xc5?! is less attractive as the white

bishop will get an excellent square on d4.
1 7.!!b l ic6
1 7 . . . h6? 1 S.i.h3 c6 1 9.tt:le6! !!fcS 20.tt:lf4
!!d8 2 l .tt:lxg6+-
1 S .e4 dxe4 1 9.tt:lxe4 tt:lxe4 20.i.xe4 e6
2 l .ixc6
2 l .!!fe 1 !? is possible although Black should
be fine anyway.
2 l . . . xc6 22.c4 if6=
The game should end in a draw.

a b c d e f g h
b) l l .b3 tt:ldf6 1 2.!!ac l
Now l l .!!c l would transpose to the main 1 2.tt:le5!? is a sensible alternative, and
game, but a) l l .c2 and b) l l .b3 are 12 . . . c5 1 3.!!ad l looks a bit better for
independent options. White.
12 . . . c5 13.dxc5 i.xc5 1 4.tt:le5
a) l l .c2 tt:lxc3 1 2.bxc3 c5 l 3.!!ad l tt:l f6
1 4 .i.e5
Intending to provoke a weakening of Black's
kingside, but the idea takes time.
1 4.tt:le5 was a sensible alternative.
1 4 . . . c8 15.tt:lg5 g6
Black has made a slight concession, but
White is in no position to exploit it.

a b c d e f g h

14 . . . tt:lxf2!?N
14 . . . e7 is also quite reliable, and enabled
Black to equalize in the following game:
15.c!t:ld3 d4 1 6.c!t:lxe4 i.xe4 1 7.!!fe l i.xg2
1 S.'iffxg2 tt:l e4 1 9.!!c2 (19 . f3 c!t:lg5 20.e4!
looks better for White) 1 9 . . . !!adS 20.f3
c!t:lg5 2 l .i.xg5 xg5 White has his own
a b c d e f g h
weakness on e2 and the game was balanced
1 6.dxc5 in Potkin - Tomashevsky, Ulan Ude 2009.
This seems like the best attempt to make 1 5 .!!xf2 g5 1 6.i.d2
sense of White's position. 1 6.i.xg5 i.xf2t 1 7.'iffx f2 c!t:lg4t 1 S.c!t:lxg4
16.d2?! tt:lh5! forces the white pieces back: xg5 1 9.c!t:lxd5 i.xd5 20.i.xd5 xc l
1 7.tt:lh3 e6 l S.'iffh l f6 1 9.if4 !!adS+ 2 l .f3 !!adS 22.f6 !!xd5 23.c!t:lh6t xh6
Sakaev - Tomashevsky, Moscow 2007. 24.xh6=
1 6 . . . bxc5 16 . . . ixf2t 1 7.'iffx f2 e7
 November 20II 313

l l . . .lLlxd2 1 2.lLlxd2 c6 ( 1 2 . . . lLl f6 1 3.lLlf3t)

1 3.e4t
1 2.l:!fd 1 cS 1 3.dxcS ixcS

a b c d e f g h

1 8.lLld3
1 8.lLlf3 d4 1 9.lLlxd4 lLlg4t 20.'ttl g 1 Wf6
2 1 .lLl f3 ixf3 22.ixf3 Wd4t 23.@h 1
a b c d e f g h
Wlxd2=
18 . . . d4 1 9.lLldS ixdS 20.ixdS l:!ae8 Here White should have gone for the tactical
20 . . . lLlg4t 2 1 .@e 1 l:!fe8 22.e4 dxe3 23.ib4 sequence:
Wd7 24.ixa8 l:!xa8 25 .h3 lLlh2 26.lLle5 WfS 1 4.lLlxe4!N
27.Wxf7t Wfxf7 28.lLlxf7 @xf7 29.@e2t After 14.ie l Wfe7 1 5 .e3 l:!ac8 1 6.lLlbS aS
2 1 .l:!e l Wfd8 22.if3 lLle4t 23.ixe4 l:!xe4oo 1 7.lLlbd4 ia6 1 8.Wla4 lLlg4 1 9.a3 l:!fe8
Black was at least equal in Smyslov - Tal,
Leningrad 1 977.
14 . . . dxe4 1 S .ic3 idS 1 6.Wc2
1 6.ixf6 ixb3 17 .l:!xd8 l:!axd8 1 8.ixd8 exf3
1 9.ixf3 ixa2=

a b c d e f g h
10 ... lLld7 l l .i.4
l l .lLlxe4 promises White nothing, as a b c d e f g h
shown after 1 1 . . .dxe4 1 2.lLleS lLlxeS 1 3.dxeS
1 6 . . . ixf2t!
cS 1 4.ic3 Wxd 1 1 5 .l:!fxd 1 l:!ad8 1 6.f3 exf3
Other moves fail to solve Black's problems:
1 7 .exf3 f5 when Black was fine in Onischuk -
16 . . . e3? 1 7.ixf6 gxf6 1 8 .Wff5 +-
Alekseev, Foros 2008.
1 6 . . . exf3 1 7 . .ixf3 l:!c8 1 8 . .ixdS! ( 1 8.e4 lLlxe4
1 9.ixe4 ixe4 20.Wxe4 WigS=) 1 8 . . .ixf2t
1 1 .Wfb3!?
1 9.@xf2 lLlxd5 20.WffS l:!c5 2 1 .Wff3 (2 l .e4?
This leads to interesting play.
lLlxc3=) Black has problems with the pin on
1 1 . . .lLldf6
314 Chess Evolution

the d-file, for example: 21 . . . '1Wa8? 22 . .ixg7!
l:'l:xc l 23.l:'l:xd5 +-
Finally, 1 6 . . . l:'l:c8 1 7.tt:ld4 '1Wd7 ( 1 7 . . . ib4?
is refuted by 1 8 . .ih3 l:l:c4 1 9 .ixb4 l:'l:xc2
[ 1 9 . . . l:l:xb4 20.tt:lc6+-] 20.l:l:xc2 l:'l:e8
2 l .l:'l:c8+-) 1 8.e3 ib4 1 9.tt:le2 leaves White
with some advantage.
1 7.'tt>xf2 tt:lg4t 1 8.'tt>g l tt:le3 1 9.'<Mfa4
1 9.'\Wb l tt:lxg2 20.'it>xg2 exf3t 2 l .exf3 '1Wd7=
1 9 . . . exf3
Black is not worried about the possibility of
an exchange on e4.
He can also make the exchange on c3 first.
1 1 . . .tt:lxc3 1 2.l:'l:xc3 c5
Optically White appears to be a bit better,
but it is hard for him to achieve anything
substantial.
1 3.dxc5 bxc5

a b c d e f g h
b d f g h
a c e
1 4.tt:le5
20.ixf3 1 4.b4?! looks principled, but in reality it is
20.'1Wd4 '1Wg5 2 l .exf3 tt:lxd 1 22.l:'l:xd l ixa2 rather a dubious pawn sacrifice. 14 ... cxb4
23.f4 '1Wc5 24.'1Wxc5 bxc5 25 .ixa8 l:'l:xa8= 1 5 .l:'l:c7 tt:l c5 1 6.tt:ld4 l:'l:c8 1 7.l:l:xc8 '1Wxc8
20 . . .1Mfg5 2 l .id2 '<Mfe5 22.ic3 '<Mfg5 1 8 .'<Mfb 1 a5 The players agreed a draw here
The position is equal, for instance: in Carlsen - Alekseev, Foros 2008, although
23.l:'l:d3 ixf3 24.exf3 l:l:ad8 25.l:'l:xd8 l:'l:xd8 Black could have played on for a while as
26.l:l:e 1 '1Wc5 27.'tt>h l h6= White can hardly aspire to any more than
equality.
1 4 . . . tt:l b6
1 4 . . . g5!? is a thematic idea that could be
considered here.
1 5 .'1Wc2 '1Wc8 1 6.l:'l:d l l:'l:d8

a b c d e f g h
l l c5
...

a b c d e f g h
 November 2011 31 5

1 7 ..if3! It is worth considering 1 3 .l'!xc3!? with l'!d l

The most interesting continuation, preparing and dxc5 to follow.
.ig4. 1 3 . . . a6 1 4.c4 dxc4 1 5 .Wxc4 l'%c8 1 6.d5 b5
1 7.b3 d4 should be fine for Black: 1 8 . .ixb7 1 7.Wc2
Wxb7 1 9.l'!f3 Wd5 20.tt:lc4 We6 2 1 . .ic7 l'!d5
22 ..ixb6 axb6 23.a4 l'!e8 24.e4 l'!d700
1 7 . . . d4!
1 7 . . . We6 is worse: 18 ..ig4 ( 1 8.l'!e3?! is met
by 1 8 . . . d4; 1 8.b4 .if6 [ 1 8 . . . c4?! 1 9.l'!e3t]
1 9.bxc5 .ixe5 20 . .ixe5 Wxe5 2 l .cxb6 axb6;!;)
1 8 . . . Wf6 1 9 . .ih5 g6 20.tt:lg4 Vffg7 2 l .l'!e3t
1 8 . .ig4 .ie4 1 9.Wxe4
1 9 . .ixc8 .ixc2 20.l'!xc2 l'!axc8=
1 9 . . . dxc3
a b c d e f g h

1 7 . . . g5!?
17 . . . .ixd5 1 8.l'!fd l .ie6 1 9.tt:le5 c4 20.tt:lc6
l'!xc6 2 I ..ixc6 Wc8 is also far from clear.
1 8.d6
1 8 . .ie3 .ixd5 19.l'!fd l .ie6 20.tt:le5 tt:l xe5
2 l .l'!xd8 l'!fxd8 is fine for Black.
1 8 . . . gxf4 1 9.dxe7 Wxe7 20.tt:lg5 Wxg5
2 I .ixb7 l'!c7 22.ixa6 c4
Black was not worse in Shulman - A. Ivanov,
a b c d e f g h Philadelphia 2009.
20.l'!e l
20.l'!b l l'!d4 2 I .Vffc2 We8 22.bxc3 Wa4 12 ... dxe4 13.c!Dd2 f5 14.b4
23.Wf5 l'!d l t 24.<i!fg2 l'!f8 25.l'!xd l Wxd l 00 1 4.tt:lc4 tt:l f6 is safe enough for Black:
20 . . . l'!d4 2 I .Wc2 We8 22.bxc3 l'!dd8 23 . .if3
l'!ac8
It looks like White should have promising
compensation here, but he does not seem
to have any real advantage. One possible
continuation could be 24 ..ig4 l'!a8 with an
immediate draw. If White tries for more with
24 . .ib7?!, then 24 . . . l'!c7 25 ..ie4 .id6+ could
turn out in Black's favour.

1 2.ltlxe4 a b c d e f g h
1 2 .Vffa4!?
1 5.dxc5 ixc5 1 6.id6 .ixd6 1 7.tt:lxd6 Wd7
This is a reasonable alternative which
1 8.tt:lxb7 Wxb7 1 9.Wb3t Wd5 ( 1 9 . . . Wh8
deserves further investigations.
20.l'!fd l We7 2 1 .Wb5 g6 22.e3 l'!ad8=)
1 2 . . . tt:lxc3 1 3.bxc3
20.Wxd5t tt:lxd5 2 I .l'!fd l l'!ad8 22.f3 tt:le3
316
23.l'hd8 l'!xd8 24.fxe4 tt:lxg2 25 .<j{xg2 l'!d2
26.exf5 l'!xe2t 27.<;t>h3 l'!xb2=
a b c d e f g h
14... g5!
We have already encountered this move a
few times in the notes. It is an idea that both
sides should always consider in these positions,
and in this case it secures Black easy equality.
1 4 . . . Wh8 was played in a previous game
in which Black failed to equalize: 1 5.bxc5
( 1 5 .dxc5 bxc5 1 6.tt:lc4 a6 1 7.bxc5 tt:lxc5
1 8.i.d6 l'!c8 1 9 .ih3 tt:le6 20.ixe7 Vfixe7
2 I .V!ia4 ixc4 22.l'!xc4 g6 23.l'!fc l l'!xc4=)
1 5 . . . bxc5 1 6.tt:lc4 cxd4 1 7.V!ixd4 tt:l b6 1 8.Vfixd8
xd8 1 9.tt:ld6 id5 20.l'!c2 e7 2 I .l'!fc l l'!ad8
22.tt:lb5;!; Meier - Anisimov, Rijeka 20 1 0.
1 5.dxc5
Inserting the moves 1 5 .V!ib3t Wh8 would
not change anything here.
15 ... gxf4 1 6.c6 i.a6 17.b5
Alternatives also bring White no advantage:
1 7.V!ib3t <j{hg 1 8.l'!fd l tt:l f6 ( 1 8 . . .i.xe2
1 9.tt:lxe4 xd l 20.l'!xd l fxe4 2 l .l'!xd7
Vfie8 22.xe4 Vfif7 23.Vfixf7 l'!xf7 24.c7
l'!af8 25 .i.b7 fxg3 26.hxg3 l'!g7 27.a3 c5
28.l'!xg7 ixf2t 29.Wg2 <j{xg7 30.c8=Vfi l'!xc8
3 l .xc8=) 1 9.tt:lxe4 V!ic7 20.tt:lxf6 i.xf6 2 I .b5
Chess Evolution
.ic8 22.V!ib4 e7 23.V!id4t .if6 24.V!ixf4 Vfixf4
25.gxf4 a6 26.c7 l'!a7 27.a4 axb5 28.axb5oo
1 7.cxd7?! Vfixd7 1 8.V!ib3t Where should the
black king go?
a b c d e f g h
1 8 . . . Wg7! ( 1 8 . . . @h8 is less accurate, although
Black is still not worse after 1 9.l'!fd l Vfib5!
[ 1 9 ... ixe2?! 20.tt:lxe4! i.xd l 2 l .l'!xd l V!ic7
22.Vfib2t Wg8 23.tt:ld6 ixd6 24.d5t l'!f7
25 . .ixa8;!;] 20.a3 l'!ac8=) 1 9.l'!fd l .ixe2!
20.tt:lxe4 xd l 2 l .l'!xd l Vfic7 22.Vfib2t
Wg6+ This move shows why the king went
to g7 instead of h8, and leaves White with
insufficient compensation for the exchange.
17 ... tL!c5 18.bxa6 fxg3 19.hxg3 fd6=
a b c d e f g h
Tomashevsky's homework probably ended
somewhere around here. His opening has been
a success and the position is equal.
 November 2011 317

20.e3 :adS 2l .b3 Wfxc6 22.Wfe2 Wff6 9... e4?!

The potential weakness of Black's f5-pawn Technically this was not a novelty, but it may
is mostly academic here; besides, he has good as well have been, as it had only occurred in a
chances to develop counterplay by pushing his single amateur game in which Black lost badly.
h-pawn.
10.dxc6 exd3 l l .cxb7
23.xc5 hc5 24JUdl <i>g7 25.a4 <i>g6! l l ."Wxd3!
26.a5 h5 27.axb6 .ixb6 28.Wfb5 hdl t
29.:xdl :d8 30.:xd8 Wfxd8 3 l ..ih3 Wff6
32.Wfc4
1/z-lfl

GAME41
!> H. Melkumyan (2619)
V. Gashimov (2756)
Bundesliga, Muelheim
Round 3, 1 6. 1 0.20 1 1 [E41]
Annotated by Kamil Miton
a b c d e f g h

In this game Black played a creative but highly
questionable new idea in 9 . . . e4?!. Perhaps
feeling the effects of the opening surprise,
White missed a chance to obtain a definite
advantage with the simple 1 l ."Wxd3!N. After
White's error Black could have equalized the
game, but he played some inaccurate moves
and White got a winning position which he
converted in the endgame.
l .d4 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 .ib4 4.e3 c5 5.f3
c6 6..id3 d6 7.0-0 hc3 8.bxc3 e5 9.d5
This simple move would have created
significant problems for Black. We will
consider the responses a) 1 1 . . . 0-0, b) l l . . . Vfffc7
and c) l l . . .bxc6.
a) 11. ..0-0 12.e4
White also has the option of 1 2.Ei:d 1 , when
1 2 . . . bxc6 transposes to the note to Black's
1 2th move in line 'c' below.
12 . . . bxc6 1 3 .ig5

3 a b c d e f g h

2 1 3 . . . h6
1 3 . . . ig4 14.Ei:ad l Ei:e8 1 5 .e5 ixf3 1 6.ixf6
1
gxf6 17."Wxf3 fxe5 1 8 .Vfffxc6 Ei:e6 1 9.f4
a b c d e f g h
318 Chess Evolution

13 .. .1'%e8 14.1'%fd l .ig4 I 5 .h3 .ih5 I 6.e5 dxe5 the opposite-coloured bishops into a positive
I 7.1Mfxd8 1'!axd8 I 8 .1'!xd8 1'!xd8 I 9.l2'lxe5 feature for him.
1'%d6 20.g4 .ig6 21..ie3 l2'ld7 22.l2'lxg6 hxg6
23.1'!bi 1'!d3 24.1'%b7 c) Finally, we come to Black's most obvious
I 4 . .ixf6 move:
Attempting to force the play does not lead I I . . . bxc6
to any advantage, so I 4 . .ih4 may well be an
8
improvement.
I 4 . . . Wfxf6 I 5.1'%fdi 7
I 5 .1'!adi .ie6 16.WI'xd6 .ixc4 I 7.WI'xf6 gxf6 6
I 8.1'!fei .ixa2 is nothing much for White.
15 . . . 1'%d8 I 6.e5 WI'e6 I7 .exd6 .ia6=
4
Black is okay as the c4- and d6-pawns are
3
weak.
2
b) l l . . .WI'c7
This runs into a strong reply. a b c d g h

I 2.1'%d I ia6
I 2 . . . 0-0 I 3.Wfxd6 Wfxd6 I 4.1'%xd6 l2'le4
7 I 5 .1'!xc6 1'!d8 I 6 . .ia3 1'!d7 I 7.l2'le5 1'!e7 I 8.f3
6
5
4

a b c d e f g h

12.e4! Wfxc6 I 3.e5

White can consider delaying this move
with I 3.1'!ei, although I 3 . . . .ie6 ( 1 3 . . . 0-0 a b c d e f g h
I 4 . .ig5) 14.e5 dxe5 15.l2'lxe5 Wl'a6 I 6 . .ig5
18 . . . 1'%xe5 (18 . . . .ib7 I 9.fxe4 .ixc6 20.l2'lxc6
0-0 I 7.ixf6 gxf6 is not completely clear.
1'!e6 21.l2'ld4 [21.l2'la5!? 1'!a6 22.i.b4 1'!e8
13 . . . dxe5 I 4.l2'lxe5 Wl'a6
23.1'!d l cxb4 24.cxb4t] 2 l . . .cxd4 22.exd4
I 4 . . . WI'a4 I 5.1Mfd6 .ie6 I 6 . .ig5
1'%xe4 23 . .id6 t) I 9 . fxe4 1'!xe4 20 .1'!xc5 1'!xe3
I 5 .ie3 0-0
2 I .l'!d I i.e6 22 . .ib4 1'!e2 23.a4
I 5 . . . b6 I 6.WI'd6+-
13 . .ia3!?
16.ixc5 1'!e8 I 7.1'!fe i .ie6 I 8 . .id4
The simple I 3.Wfxd6 Wl'xd6 I 4.1'%xd6 1'!d8
Black's main problem in not that he is a
I 5.1'!xd8t 'tt>xd8 16.l2'le5 1'!e8 I 7.l2'lxf7t
pawn down, but rather that the white bishop
'tt>d 7 I 8.f4 leads to an endgame which is
on d4 is incredibly strong. In the next few
obviously favourable for White, but it is
moves White can put his queen on g3 and
hard to say if it will be enough to win the
play for an attack, which would also make
game.
 November 20 I I 319

13 . . . 1'!c8 2 1 .xf6 xf6 22.ixf6;!;

1 3 . . . 0-0 1 4.xd6 xd6 1 5 .1'!xd6 leaves White is a pawn up, although Black has
Black facing a tough endgame: fair chances to draw the rook and opposite
coloured bishop endgame.

l l .. .ixb7 12.Wfxd3 0-0

.

a b c d e f g h

1 5 . . .ltJe4 ( 1 5 . . . 1'!fc8 1 6.lLle5 lLle4 1 7.1'!xc6

:!'!xc6 1 8.lLlxc6 lLlxc3 [ 1 8 . . . .ixc4? 1 9.1'!c l
ixa2 20.f3+-] 1 9.ixc5 ixc4 20.lLlxa7)
1 6.1'!xc6 ixc4 1 7.ixc5 id5 I 8.1'!c7 :!'!ac8
1 9.1'!xc8 :!'!xc8 20.ixa7 lLlxc3 2 l .a4 lLlxa4 a b c d e f g h
22.id4
13.d2
I 4.lt:Jh4!
White's problem piece is clearly his bishop.
A typical way of bringing the knight into the His last move prepares e3-e4 which will help
attack.
to activate it, while conveniently stifling the
power of Black's bishop on b7.

13 ... g4 14.e4 f5
Black must destroy the e4-pawn quickly,
otherwise he will have nothing.

a b c d e f
1 4 . . . d5
1 4 . . . 0-0 1 5 .lLlf5
1 4 . . . g6 is strongly met by I 5 .f3! intending to
take on d6 without allowing . . .ltJe4.
1 5 .lt:lf5 ixc4 1 6.lLlxg7t f8 1 7.f5 h5!
17 ... xg7? 1 8.g5t f8 1 9.ixc5t e8
20.e5t d7 2 1 .1'!d4+-
1 8.ixc5t xg7 I 9.g5t h7 20.id4 :!'!g8
1 5.exf5 Wff6
1 5 . . . d7!? may have been better: 1 6.1'!b1
ic6 1 7.h3 xf5 (After 17 . . . 1'!f6 1 8.xg4
:!'!g6 1 9.h3 :!'!xg2t 20.xg2 ixg2 2 l .xg2
g h xf5oo the position is quite unclear, although
it is probably only White who can hope to play
for an advantage.) 1 8.f3 lLle5 1 9.xf5 :!'!xf5
20.1'!e 1 :!'!e8= Black obviously has sufficient
counterplay for the missing pawn.
16.tlJf3 gae8
1 6 . . .xf5 1 7.xf5 :!'!xf5 1 8.h3 ltJf6 1 9.lt:ld2
:!'!e8 20.1'!b 1 ic6 2 1 .f3 :!'!e2 22.1'!b8t lLle8
23.lLle4 :!'!f8 24.lLlg3 :!'!xa2 25 .ig5t
320 Chess Evolution

26.id6 :B:d8 27.:B:xf7 xf7 28.xf7t Wxf7

29.ixc5
22 . . . lLl d3 23.Wxf5
23.:B:ab l !?
23 . . . :B:xf5

a b c d e f g h
17.i.f4
I 7.h3 ie4 1 8.Wd l Wxf5 1 9. lLl h4 ( 1 9.Wxd6
ixf3 20.hxg4 Wxg4 2 I .Wg3 Wh5 22.gxf3
:B:e6 23.ig5 :B:g6 24.f4 h6 25 .Wh2 Wxh2t
26.Wxh2 hxg5 27.fxg5=) 1 9 . . . lLlxf2 20.lLlxf5
lLlxd l 2 l .:B:xd l ixf5=
17 ....ie4
It was worth considering 1 7 . . . Wxf5 1 8.Wxf5
:B:xf5 1 9.ixd6 ixf3 20.gxf3 lLleS 2 I .ixe5
:B:exe5 when White is a little better, but Black
should be able to hold the rook endgame.
I8.Wxd6 Wx5 I9 ..ig3 .ixf3
1 9 . . . :B:f6 20.lLlh4 Wh5 2 I .Wd2 lLle5
(2 I . . .g5 22.f3) 22.ixe5 :B:xe5 23.f4 :B:ee6
24.:B:ae l :t Wxh4 25.:B:xe4 :B:xe4 26.Wd8t Wf7
27.Wd5t
a b c d e
24.:B:ab l
24.:B:ad l lLlxf4 25.:B:d7 (25.:B:fe l lLle2t
26.Wfl lLlxg3t 27.hxg3 :B:xe l t 28.Wxe l :B:f3
29.:B:d5 :B:xc3 30.:B:xc5 :B:a3) 25 . . . :B:f7 26.:B:xf7
lLle2t 27.Wg2 Wxf7 28 . .id6 :B:e4 29.Wf3
(29.ixc5 :B:xc4 30.ixa7 lLlxc3 3 I .:B:c l :B:a4
32.:B:xc3 :B:xa7) 29 . . . lLlxc3 30.:B:c l :B:xc4
3 l .ie5 lLle4=
24 ... lLlxf4 25.:B:fe l :B:xe l t 26.:B:xe l ri>f7 27.:B:b l
g5 28.:B:b7t \tlg6 29.:B:xa7 h5
White is better, but the most likely outcome
is a draw.
2 I .i>g2 ge6 22.d2 tt'lh5 23.d5 g6
24.i>hl

20.gxf3 tt'lf6?!
It looks like Gashimov was a bit too
determined to keep the position complicated.
He should have preferred:
20 . . . lLl e5
This allows a queen exchange, but Black
has good chances to hold the ensuing
endgame.
2 I .Wd5t :B:f7 22.f4
22.:B:ab l lLlxf3t (22 . . . h5 23.Wg2 Wxf3t
24.Wxf3 lLlxf3 25 .:B:b8 :B:xb8 26.ixb8)
23.Wg2 Wg6 24.:B:b7 :B:ef8 25 .ri>hi h5
a b c d e f g h
 November 20 11 32 1

24 ...'it>h8? 4 I .d6! xa2 42.Wfd5

Losing valuable time. After the superior
24 .. J!f5 25.'1Mfb7 Wff7 26.ab l xf3 27.Wfa8t
e8 28.b8 lt:lxg3t 29.hxg3 f8 30.xf8t
W!xfB 3 I .W!d5t W!f7 32.W!xc5 h6;!; Black has
good chances to save the game.

25Jael ge6 26.ggl g5 27.ge5

27.ie5

27 ... h6
27 . . . lt:lxg3t 28.xg3 W!f6 29.xf5 W!xf5
a b c d e f g h
30.g2
42 . . . lt:l f6 (42 . . . a l 43.h3+-) 43.xf6! gxf6
28.t1fxc5 'it>h7 29Jhf5 gx5 30.t1fe3 t1fc6 44.Wff7t i>h8 45.W!xf6t g8 46.Wfe6t +-.
3l .'it>g2 t1fxc4 32.t1fe4
4l. ..gxa2 42.t1fe4t t1fxe4 43.fxe4 ttlxg3
44.hxg3 a5 45.'it>f3 a4 46.c5 gc2 47.gxa4
gxc5 48. 'it>f4+-
Apparendy not all rook endgames are drawn,
and Melkumyan shows great technical skills to
convert his advantage.

a b c d e f g h

32 ...t1ff7
32 . . . W!xe4 33.fxe4 c5 34Jk l c4 35.f3+-

33.c4 t1fg6 34.'it>hl ttlf6 35.t1fd3 t1fh5

36.'it>g2 t1fg6 37Jel ttlh5 38.ge4 gas
39.t1fd2 ga3 40.gd4 t1fb l
The time control has been reached. White
has a winning position with two extra pawns,
even if one of them is doubled.
4l .t1fe2
Intending to simplifY. There is absolutely
nothing wrong with this, although White could
have won more quickly with the energetic
a b c d e f g h
48 ... 'it>g6 49.e5 gc2 50.3 gc3 5 l .g4 'it>f7
52.ga7t 'it>g6 53.ga6t 'it>f7 54. 'it>e4 gb3
55.4 gb7 56.'it>f5 gc7 57J'd6 'it>e7 58.gd4
gc6 59.ga4 gb6 60.ga7t 'it>8 6Ud7
ga6 62.gd6 ga4 63.gb6 'it>e7 64.gb7t
'it>8 65.e6 ga6 66.gf7t 'it>g8 67.g5 hxg5
68.fxg5 gb6 69.g6 gb5t 70.'it>e4 gb4t
7l .'it>d5 gb5t n.'it>c6 gb8 73.e7 gas
322 Chess Evolution

8 8
7 7

6 6

5 5

4 4

3 3

2 2

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

74.c7
1-0
Black resigned, as he is in zugzwang.
GAME42
I> M. Roiz (2669)
.... A. Naiditsch (2706)
Serbian Team Championship, Valjevo
Round 7, 02.09.20 1 1 [E55]
Annotated by Ivan Sokolov
In one of the most topical lines of the Nimw
Indian, Naiditsch opted for the rarely played
9 .. .'e7 and later introduced the novelty
l l . . . b6?!. After initially reacting well with
1 2.e4!, Roiz later made mistakes (actually a
number of them!) , and instead of achieving
a winning advantage he found that his extra
knight on b7 was destined to be a "dead" piece
for quite some time. From the theoretical
standpoint, 1 2.e4! seems to refute Naiditsch's
idea. Given that the same move is suggested by
most computer engines, it would be interesting
to know what Arkadij had in mind - or was it
over the board improvisation or bluffi I guess
we will have to wait and see if Arkadij dares to
repeat his experiment.
I .d4 lilf6 2.c4 e6 3.lilc3 Ab4 4.e3 0-0
s.i.d3 d5 6.lilf3 c5 7.0-0 dxc4 s ..hc4
lilbd7 9.Wfe2
9 ...Wfe7
A rarely played continuation by Black - in
my opinion, for good reason! The common
moves are 9 . . . cxd4, 9 . . . a6 and 9 . . . b6.
IO.a3
The main move here.
Also possible for White is:
I O.e4
We shall follow a practical example from
more than sixty(!) years ago.
I O . . . cxd4 I I .ll:lxd4 ll:le5 1 2.ib3 :gds 1 3.:gd l
id7
The active 1 3 . . . ic5 ? is bad due to l 4.ie3,
and if Black persists in playing actively he
may find himself losing on the spot:
a) 14 . . . ll:lfg4? 1 5 .ll:lf5 exf5 1 6.ixc5+-
b) 1 4 . . . ll:leg4? 1 5 .e5 ll:lxe5 1 6.ll:lf5 :gxd l t
1 7.:gxd l exf5 1 8.ixc5 e8 1 9.:ge l
ll:lfg4 20.id6 and Black ends up a piece
down.
1 4.if4 ll:lg6 1 5 .ig3 ixc3 1 6.bxc3 :gac8 1 7.c4
c5 1 8.e5 ll:le8 1 9.e3 e7 20.f4
White was better and went on to win in
Ilivitzki - Lisitsin, USSR (ch) 1 948.
IO ...Aa5 l l .Ad2 b6?N
This does not improve on existing theory
and I do not think it is likely to attract many
followers.
 November 2011 323

Having said that, the previously played

moves are not ideal either:
1 l . . . .ic7 1 2.dxc5 lt'!xc5 1 3.e4 with advantage
to White.

I I ... .ixc3 I2 . .ixc3 ltJe4 and now both I3 .fc 1

and 1 3 . .ie i are slightly better for White.

a b c d e f g h

14 . f6
. .

Black goes in for a pawn sacrifice, perhaps

prepared by Arkadij when opting for the
l l . . . b6? idea. Though if this was indeed
Black's aim, it looks a massive risk and Black
would not be advised to repeat it. I would be
interested to know whether Black has prepared
a b c d e f g h
something or was bluffing here!
12.e4!
The most principled and also the best White has a clear advantage in the event
continuation. of I 4 . . . i.xf3 1 5 .i.xe7 .ixe2 1 6.ixe2 fe8
1 7 . .id6.
I 2.dxc5 bxc5 leads to an approximately equal
position; the black c-pawn is not an easy 1 4 . . . \We8 1 5 .tt'le4 cxd4 1 6.tLld6 '1Wb8 1 7.tLlxb7
weakness to target, while Black has counterplay Wxb7 1 8.h3 lt'!h6 I 9.i.xh6 gxh6 20.b4 b5
along the b-file. 2 I .id3 i.e? 22.ie4+-

I2 ...Ab7 15.exf6 dxf6 I6.xe6t

1 2 . . . cxd4 1 3.lt'!xd4 ixc3 I 4.ixc3 is clearly A good and logical move, though White had
better for White. an even stronger option at his disposal:
I 6.tt'le5!
13.e5
Black will soon run out of good moves.

13 ... c!L)g4
1 3 . . . tt'ld5 is not good in view of: 1 4 . .ig5
'1We8 ( 1 4 . . . lt'!xc3 1 5 . .ixe7lt'!xe2t I 6 . .ixe2 fe8
1 7 . .id6 ac8? I 8.b4+-) I 5 .tLle4 and White
has a large advantage.

I4.Ag5!
a b c d e f g h
324 Chess Evolution

After this, it is difficult to find a way for

8
Black to avoid landing in a lost position
immediately! 7
1 6 . . . lt:Jh6 6
The tactical 1 6 . . . lt:lxh2?? 1 7. Wxh2 cxd4
1 8 .lt'lb5+- simply does not make any sense 5
for Black. 4
And 1 6 . . . cxd4? loses to 1 7.lt'lxg4 dxc3 1 8.b4.
3
1 7.lt'ld7!
If Black is lucky, he will end up "only" an 2
exchange down.

16 ...Ylxe6 17.i.xe6t h8
White is a pawn up for no compensation
and is clearly better. However, Black still has
some motifs for counterplay, and matters are
less trivial than White might have hoped.
18.tbb5
1 8.!!ad I looks like a solid, sound position
a pawn up.
18 ... tbh6 19.i.xh6
1 9.lt'ld6 leads to a large, perhaps winning,
advantage for White: 1 9 . . . i.xf3 (or 1 9 . . .i.a6
20.fd l i.e2
a c d e f g h
2 l .tbd6
Now White enters a tactical skirmish, but it
seems to me that he had missed that his extra
knight on b7 will be a "dead" piece.
2 l .g3 looks good and simple, especially
because Black's tactical motifs do not work,
for example: 2 I . . .lt:J f4 22.gxf4 g8t 23.i.g4
h5 24.lt:Jd6 idS 25 .dxc5 bxc5 26.fd l and
White wins.
21 ...Lg2 22.xg2 tbf4t 23.hl tbxe6
24Jgl
24.d5 lt:l f4 25 .ad l still leaves White with
the advantage in a sound position.

24 ... tbg5 25.h4

8
"'"Y. :
---
7

a b c d e f g h 5
2 I .lt'le5!+-ixd l 22.xd l ad8 23.dxc5 bxc5 4
24.i.xh6 xd6 25.xd6 i.c7 26.lt'lf7t xf7
3
27.i.xf7 i.xd6 28.i.d2) 20.gxf3 ad8 2 l .dxc5
bxc5 22.lt'lb7 de8 23.i.c4 ib6 24.lt:Jd6 d8 2
25 .ad l

1 9... gxh6 20.tbe5 tbh5 a b c d e f g h

 November 20 11 325

25 .. Jad8! 34 .. f6
.

Matters now start to get complicated. There is material equality on the board at
the moment, but the white pieces are very
26.b7 l::ixd4 27.hxg5 Ad2! 28.g6 badly coordinated, the knights are locked
Better was 28.gxh6 Ei:xf2 (28 . . . i.xh6 out of play and the white queenside pawns
29.Ei:ad l ) 29.Ei:gfl = . are weak. Black is clearly better and the end
comes quickly. White must have been rather
28 ... 1::ixf2 = shocked with the swift change of fortunes in
Black is now out of the woods, and a draw this game!
would be the logical outcome.
35Jd7 f5 36.d6t g4 37.e6 l::ih2t
29.ll:H7t?! 38.gl Axd6 39.1::ixd6 l::ixb2 40.c7
White is still looking for a win, but it is f5
no longer to be found. White should have 0-1
surrendered himself to a draw.
GAME43
29.Ei:g2 Ei:f5 30.ltJc6 Ei:h4t 3 1 .Ei:h2 Ei:xh2t [> V. Potkin (2682)
32.xh2 ig5 33.Ei:d l Ei:f2t 34.g3 Ei:xb2+ .... A. Grischuk (2746)
FIDE World Cup, Khanty-Mansiysk
29.Ei:g4 Ei:xg4 30.ltJxg4 Ei:e2 3 1 .gxh7 ig5= Round 4, Game 1 , 06.09.20 1 1 [E73]
32.Ei:fl Ei:xb2 33.Ei:f7 Ei:e2 34.ltJd6 Ei:e7 35 .ltJf6 Annotated by Arkadij Naiditsch
.ixf6 36.Ei:xf6 xh7 37.ltJf5 Ei:e l t 38.g2
Ei:a l 39.Ei:xh6t g8 40.Ei:h3 Ei:a2t 4 1 .fl b5= It is quite popular to search for new
opportunities in openings which are today
29... g7 30.l::ig2 gh4t! a little forgotten. I think that Grischuk had
It seems likely that White had been counting an aggressive attitude in this game and truly
on 30 . . . Ei:xg2?! 3 1 .gxh7!. wanted to win. This is demonstrated firstly
by his choice of opening and then later by
3l .gt l::ixg2t 32.xg2 hxg6 33.gdt J.4 his selection of a rare continuation. However,
34.fd8 in the end it turned out badly for him. The
most critical line in this variation is 7 . . . c6
8 .d2 ltJc7 9.i.f3 d5! when I cannot find any
8
advantage for White, although the position
7 remains very complex. Also critical are
6 7 . . . c6 8.d2 d5!? as played in the ensuing
rapid game between Potkin and Grischuk,
5 and the improvement 14 . . . a4!? to the game
4 Ivanchuk - Radjabov.

3
l .d4 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 Ag7 4.e4 d6 5.Ae2
2 0-0 6.J.gs
Averbakh's variation of the King's Indian
Defence is not as popular today as it has been
a b c d e f g h in the past. The idea of the variation is that
326 Chess Evolution

White does not rush with the move lt'l f3 ,

thereby gaining additional possibilities. One is
the option to play f2-f4; and the second arises
if the centre is closed (by . . . e5, d4-d5) with the
typical g2-g4 move, the aim of which is to gain
space and hinder Black from carrying out the
standard . . . f5 break.

6... a6
The most popular plan is 6 . . . c5 .
a b c d e f g h

7.f4 a) 1 1 . . .E:e8 1 2.lLlf3 ( 1 2 . .!2Jc3 Vffc7 1 3.Wf2

a b c d e f g h
7...W/e8
The more common move is:
7 . . . c6
After this, Black may try to develop his
game in a several different ways: . . . lt'lc7
and . . . b5, seeking active opportunities on
the queenside, or the manoeuvre . . . l2:lc7-e6
aimed against the white bishop on g5, or
thirdly the . . . d5 break in the centre.
8.Wfd2
8.lt'lf3 is the main alternative.
8 . . . lt'lc7
8 . . . d5!? 9.exd5 cxd5 1 0.ixf6 exf6 ( l O . . . ixf6
1 l .lt'lxd5 ig7 1 2.lt'lf3 ig4 1 3.E:d 1 )
1 l .lt'lxd5 ( l l .c5 b6 1 2.cxb6 Wfxb6
1 3.lt'lxd500) and now Black may choose
to aim for pressure down the e-file or to
immediately undermine the knight
ie6 1 4.c5 lLlxc5 1 5 .dxc5 E:ad8t) 1 2 . . . ie6
1 3.lt'le3 Wfe7 1 4.Wf2 ( 1 4.0-0 seems to lose
a tempo after 14 . . . id7 1 5 .Wf2 ic6 1 6.E:ae 1
E:ad8 1 7.d5 lt'lc5 1 8.id3 Wfc7 1 9 .g3 a5
20.Wg2 id7 2 1 .lLl d 1 f5 22.b3 b5+ Potkin
- Grischuk, FIDE World Cup [4.4 - rapid] ,
Khanty-Mansiysk 20 1 1 ) 1 4 . . . E:ad8 1 5 .E:ad 1
f5 1 6.E:he 1 lt'lc5 1 7.Wg1 lt'le4 1 8.Wfa5 Wfd6
1 9.g3
b) 1 l .. .b5 1 2.lt'le3 bxc4 1 3.if3 ( 1 3.lt'lf3!?)
13 ... E:b8 1 4.lt'le2 ie6 1 5.d5 lt'l b4 1 6.0-0
f5 1 7.E:ad 1 Wfb6 1 8.Wh 1 E:fd8 1 9.lt'lc3
Wfc7 20.a3 lt'l d3 2 l .dxe6 fxe6 22.b4 lt'lxf4
23.Wfc l lt'ld3 24.lt'lcd5 Wff7 25 .Wfxc4 lt'lb2
26.Wfc5 lt'lxd 1 27.lt'le7t Wh8 28.E:xd 1 if8
29.Wfe5t ig7 30.Wfc5=
9.if3
A new and interesting plan employed
recently by lvanchuk. Although White
delays finishing his development, we will see
that the set-up if3, l2:lge2 can function very
well. Black now has three options:
a b c d e f g h
 November 20 1 1
a) 9 . . . lt:Jd7!? 1 0.lt:Jge2 f5 ?! (Mter 1 0 . . . f6!?
1 1 .h4 e5 1 2.if2;!; White has more space,
but Black may get some counterplay by taking
on f4 and playing . . . c5 to gain control of the
e5-square. Weaker for White is 1 2.fxe5 dxe5
1 3.d5 cxd5 1 4.cxd5 lt:Je8, and with the knight
setting up a blockade on d6, the white pieces
on f3 and e2 are not so well placed.) l l .exf5
gxf5 1 2.0-0 lt:J f6 1 3 .d5;!; e5? 1 4.fxe5 dxe5
1 5 .lt:Jg3 Miton - Socko, Bundesliga 20 1 1 .
b) 9 . . . d5!
a b c d e f g h
1 0.e5
1 O.cxd5 cxd5 l l .e5 lt:Je4 1 2.lt:Jxe4 dxe4
1 3.xe4 f6 ( 1 3 . . . lt:Je6 1 4 .lt:Je2 lt:Jxg5 1 5 .fxg5
f6) 1 4.ih4 was Hernandez Carmenates
- Libiszewski, Montcada 20 1 1 , and now
Black should play: 1 4 . . . fxe5N 1 5 .fxe5 xe5
1 6.lt:Jf3 f4 1 7.'?!lfd3 f5 1 8.0-0 lt:Jd5=
1 o.xf6 exf6 l l .exd5 cxd5 1 2.c500
10 . . . lt:J e4 1 1 .lt:Jxe4 dxe4 1 2.ixe4 lt:J e6 1 3.lt:Jf3
1 3.0-0-0 f6 1 4.exf6 exf6 1 5.ih4 '?!lfxd4
1 6.'?!lfxd4 lt:Jxd4 1 l.l:hd4!? f5 1 8.ixc6 hd4
1 9.d5 t g7 20.lt:Jf3 e3t 2 l .c2 xf4
22.l:'!e 1 d6 23.if2t
1 3 .ih4 '?!lfxd4 1 4.'?!lfxd4 lt:Jxd4 1 5 .ixe7 l:'!e8
1 6.d6 if5 1 7.xf5 lt:Jxf5 1 8.c5 f6
1 3 . . .f6 1 4.ih4 fxe5 1 5.fxe5 f4 1 6.'?!lfe3
1 6.'?!lfd3 lt:Jxd4 1 7.0-0-0 h6 1 8.ig5 xf3
1 9.gxf3 xg5t 20.b 1 c5 2 l .hg 1 f4 l l . . .lt:Jxc5 1 2.d l
22.xg6 h8 23.xh7 '?!lff8t
1 6 . . . '?!lfa5t
327
1 6 ... ih6!? 1 7.ig3 '?!lfa5 t 1 8. fl l:'!xf3t
1 9.'?!lfxf3 lt:Jg5 20.'?!lfe2 lt:Jxe4 2 l .'?!lfxe4
e6 22.'?!lfd3 f8t 23.g1 b5 24.h3 xc4
25 .'?!lfc3 '?!lfxc3 26.bxc3 id2 27.e 1 e3t
28.h2 if4t=
1 7.fl
a b c d e f g h
1 7 . . . '?!lfb6
1 7 . . . ih6 1 8.xe7 ( 1 8.if2!?) 1 8 . . . '?!lfb6
1 9.g3 '?!lfxb2 20.d l (20.b l f7 2 l .xb2
[2 l .'?!lfxh6 '?!lfxd4 22.'?!lfh4 Wxc4t 23.g1
lt:J f4 24.gxf4 '?!lfxe4 25.l:'!d l e6 26.lt:Jg5
'?!lfc2+]2 1 . . .xe3 22.f6 lt:Jxd4=) 20 ... xf3t
2 l .'?!lfxf3 lt:Jxd4 22.Wf2 h3t 23.ig2 lt:Jc2
24.xh3 lt:Je3t 25 .g1 lt:Jxd l 26.Wxb2
lt:Jxb2oo
1 8.l:!d 1 Wxb2
1 8 . . .xe5?! 1 9 .if2 ig7 20.b3 id7 2 l .g3
f7 22.g2;!;
1 9.g3 f7
1 9 . . . xf3t 20.xf3 g5 2 l .d2 '?!lfb 1 t 22.2
Wg6 23.d5 gxh4 24.dxe6 xe6 25 .hdU
20.d5 ih6 2 1 .Wxh6 lt:Jd4 22.We3
22.xd4 Wxd4 23.e6 xe6 24.dxe6 ff8
25 .xg6 Wd 1 t 26.g2 We2t 27.g l =
22 . . .h3t 23.e 1 lt:Jxf3t 24.xf3 xf3
25.Wxf3 f8 26.f6 exf6 27.e600
c) 9 . . . lt:Je6 1 O.h4 c5 1 l .dxc5
1 l .d5 lt:Jd4 1 2.lt:Jge2 lt:Jxf3t 1 3.gxf3oo
Otherwise after . . . e6 White will not have
b2-b3 because of . . . lt:Jxe4.
1 2 . . . ie6 1 3.b3 aS 1 4.lt:lge2
a b c d e f g h
1 4 . . . a4!?
The white king has not yet castled, so Black
can try this active alternative.
1 4 . . . \Wc7 l S .O-Ot a4 1 6.fS gxf5 1 7.exf5
ixfS 1 8.ixf6 exf6 1 9.b4 lt:le6 20.it:JbS
'1Wb6t 2 I .<i>h 1 lUgS 22.ixb7 lvanchuk
Radjabov, Medias 20 1 1 .
22.lt:lxe6 fxe6 23.lt:lxe7t !l:xe7 24.<i>e2
<i>f7 2S.!l:hfl t \t/e8 26.cS '1Wc7 27.ixe7
<i>xe7 28.\WgSt it:Jf6 29.!l:d6 ib2 30.'1We3)
22.lt:lxdS ixeS 23.0-0 f6 24.cSt
1 S ... axb3 1 6.axb3 \WaS
16 ... ig4 1 7.0-0 ( 1 7.\Wc2 ixf3 1 8 .lt:l xf3
lt:lg4 1 9.it:JdS if6 20.ixf6 lt:lxf6 2 1 .lt:lxf6t
exf6 22.0-0 \Wb6 23.<i>h 1 \Wxb3 24.\Wxb3
lt:lxb3 2S.!l:xd6=) 1 7 . . . ixf3 1 8.gxf3t
1 7.0-0
1 7.f5 ih6 1 8.\Wxh6 \Wxc3t 1 9.'1Wd2 lt:l fxe4
20.\Wxc3 lt:lxc3 2 l .fxe6 lt:l xd 1 22.ixd 1 !l:a2
23.lt:lc2 fxe6 24.ixe7 !l:f4 2S.ixd6 !l:e4t
26.<i>fL lt:J xb3 27.<i>g3 !l:xc4co
1 7 . . . \Wb6
Berczes - Spasov, Sibenik 20 1 1 , was agreed
drawn here.

7
6
5
4
3
a b c d e f g h

a b c d e f g h
1 S .lt:Jd4
1 S.b4 lt:l cd7 1 6.'1Wd3 ( 1 6.cS dxcS 1 7.eS
cxb4 1 8.it:JbS b3 1 9.exf6 lt:lxf6co) 16 ... lt:l b6
1 7.eS ( 1 7.cS lt:lc4 1 8.eS lt:l b2 1 9.'1Wc2
lt:lxd 1 20.exf6 ixf6 2 I .ixf6 exf6 22.\Wxd 1
dxcS 23.bxcS \WaSco) 1 7 . . . dxeS 1 8.cS \Wxd3
1 9.!l:xd3 lt:lc4 20.ixb7 !l:ab8 2 l .c6 if5
22.fxeS ixd3 23.exf6 exf6co
1 S .eS dxeS 1 6.fxeS lt:lg4 1 7.b4 it:ld7
( 1 7 . . . \Wxd2t 1 8.!l:xd2 it:ld7 1 9.ixb7 !l:a7
20.if3 it:JdxeS00) 1 8.ixg4 ixg4 1 9.it:JdSt
!l:e8 20.h3 ie6 2 1 .lt:lef4 ixdS (2 l .. .ixeS
1 8.lt:lxe6
1 8.eS dxeS 1 9.fxeS it:Jfd7 20.it:lxe6 (20.\WfL
lUxeS 2 1 .lt:lxe6 fxe6 22.ixe7 lt:lxf3t 23.gxf3
!l:f5=) 20 . . . lt:lxe6t 2 I .ifL \Wxb3 22.\Wxd7
'1Wxc3=
1 8.ifL lt:lxb3 1 9.'1Wb2 ixc4 20.eS lt:ld7
2 1 .lt:le6 (2 l .it:JdS ixdS 22.it:Jf5 lt:l d4
23.lt:lxe7t <i>h8 24.ixd4 '1Wxb2 2S .ixb2
ixf3 26.!l:xf3 !l:fe8 27.it:ldS !l:ac8=)
2 1 . ..lt:lbcS 22.\Wxb6 lt:lxb6 23.lt:lxf8 ixfl
24.lt:lxg6 hxg6 2S.\t/xf1 lt:Jc400
1 8 . . . lt:lxb3t
1 8 . . . lt:lxe6t 1 9.<i>h 1 '1Wxb3 20.eS dxeS
2 I .fxeS !l:fd8 22.'1We 1 !l:xd 1 23.ixd 1 \Wxc4
24.exf6 ixf6 2S .ixf6 exf6 26.!l:xf6t
 November 20 1 1
1 9 .f2 xf2t 20.l'!xf2 fxe6 2 I .e5 dxe5
22.fxe5 tt:'leS 23 . .ixe7
23 . .ixb7 l'!bS 24.l'!xf8t lf:?xf8 25.l'!d7 .ixe5
26 . .ixe7t WgS 27.tt:'le4 tt:'la5 28.i.a6 tt:'lc6
29.i.c5 tt:'lc7 30.tt:'lf6t .ixf6 3 l .l'!xc7 tt:'le5=
23 . . . l'!f7 24 ..ixb7 l'!xf2 25 .Wxf2 l'!a7 26.l'!d7
tt:'la5 27.id5 l'!a6 28 . .ib7 l'!a7= 29 . .ic8 l'!xd7
30 . .ixd7 Wf7 3 I ..id8 tt:'lxc4 32.tt:'le4 h6
33.tt:'lc5 tt:'lxe5 34.ixe6t lf:?f8=
s)iJO e5
a b c d e f g h
9.fxe5
Capturing the other way does not promise
White any advantage:
9.dxe5 dxe5 1 0.tt:'lxe5 tt:'lc5 1 I ..if3 h6
1 I . . .tt:'le6 1 2 . .ixf6 .ixf6 1 3.tt:'ld3 i.xc3t
1 4.bxc3 c6 1 5.f5 tt:'lg5 1 6.0-000 and the
position is somewhat unclear. However,
White may easily develop a strong initiative
because the dark squares are very weak and
the bishop on c8 is blocked in.
1 2 . .ih4
1 2 . .ixf6 i.xf6 1 3.tt:'ld3 .ixc3t 1 4.bxc3 tt:'lxe4
( 1 4 . . . 4Jxd3t 1 5 .xd3 i.e6 1 6.0-0 l'!d8
1 7.e3 i.xc4 1 S.l'!fd 1 b6 1 9.f5t) 1 5 .0-0
.if5 1 6.g4 tt:'lxc3 1 7 .d2 .ixd3 1 8.xd3
tt'la4 1 9 . .id5 Wg7 20.d4t f6 2 I ..ixb7 l'!d8
22.xa7oo
1 2 . . . g5 1 3 . .ig3
1 3.if2 tt:'lfxe4 1 4.tt:'lxe4 tt:'lxe4 1 5 .i.xe4 gxf4
1 6.0-0 xe5=
329
a b c d e f g h
1 3 . . . g4
1 3 . . . tt:l fxe4 1 4.tt:'lxe4 tt:'lxe4 1 5 .i.xe4 gxf4
1 6 . .ixf4 .ixe5 1 7.0-0 .ixb2 1 8.l'!b 1 xe4
1 9.l'!xb2;!;
1 4.if2 e7 1 5 .ixg4 .ixg4
1 5 . . . tt:'lxg4 1 6.tt:'ld5 d6 1 7.tt:'lxg4 tt:'lxe4
1 8.0-0 i.xg4 1 9.xg4 f5 20.h4 c6+
1 6 . .ixc5 xc5 1 7.tt:'lxg4 tt:'lxg4 1 S.xg4 !!adS
1 9.e2 !!feSt
The black pieces are very active, and the
white king remains in the centre.
9... dxe5 IO.d5
White rarely tries:
1 0.dxe5
This type of move is usually weak. White
spoils his strong centre and Black will gain
play on the dark squares. However, let us see
some specific variations.
1 0 . . . 4Jg4
1 0 . . . tt:'ld7 1 l .tt'ld5 c6 ( I I . . .tt:'lxe5 transposes
to 1 0 . . . tt:'lg4) 1 2.tt:'lf6t ixf6 1 3.exf6 xe4
1 4.0-0;!;
1 1 .tt:'ld5 tt:'lxe5
1 I . . . .ie6 1 2.0-0 tt:'lxe5 1 3.tt'lf6t .ixf6
1 4 . .ixf6 tt:'lg4 1 5 . .ic3
1 I . . .c6 1 2.tt:'le7t Wh8 1 3.d6 .ie6 1 4.h3
tt:'lxe5 1 5 .tt:'lxe5 l'!d8 1 6.xd8 xd8
1 7.tt:'l7xg6t
1 2 . .if6
1 2.tt:'lf6t .ixf6 1 3.i.xf6 tt:'lg4+
1 2 . .ie7 c6 1 3 . .ixf8 xf8+ The bishop on g7
is not worse than a white rook.
330 Chess Evolution
a b c d e f g h
1 2 ...c6
Other moves are:
a) 1 2 ...lt'lxf3t 1 3.xf3 e6 1 4.lt'le7t 'it>h8
1 5.Wd4 Wxe7 1 6.xg7t 'it>g8 1 7.xffi xf8
1 8.0-0
b) 1 2...lt'ld7 1 3.e5 c6 1 4.tt:le7t Wh8
1 5.Wd4
c) 1 2 ...lt'l g4 1 3.xg7 'it>xg7 1 4.W/d4t f6
1 5.h3 lt'le5 1 6.0-0 tt:lxf3t 1 7.xf3 We5
1 8.Wxe5 fxe5 1 9.xf8 'it>xffi 20.fl t 'it>g7
2 1 .c5 and now:
c l ) 2 I ...tt:lxc5 22.ttlxc7 b8 23 ..tc4 b5
(23 ...lt'lxe4 24.f7t 'it>h6 25.ffi ll'ld6
26.ie6 'it>g7 27.d8 'it>f6 28.xd6 'it>e7
29.d5 ixe6 30.xe5 'it>d6 3 l .xe6t
'it>xc7 32.e7t 'it>c6 33.xh7 ) 24.f7t
'it>h6 25.lt'lxb5 ie6 26.ixe6 tt:lxe6 27.ttld6
xb2 28.xa7 'it>g5 29.lt'l c4 c2 30.tt:lxe5
'it>f4 One of the ways of defending
inferior endings is to change the character
of the game. Instead of passive defence, it
is sometimes worth sacrificing material in
order to gain activity.
c2} 2 l ...c6 22 ..txa6 cxd5 23.ie2 ie6
(23 ...dxe4 24.ic4 e3 25.f7t 'it>h6
26.'it>fl ) 24.exd5 ixd5 25.d 1 ic6 26.b4
ffi Cutting off the white king. 27.b5 ie4
28.a4
1 3.ll'le7t 'it>h8 1 4.Wd6
The most important factor is who can take
control of the dark squares f6, e5, d4 etc.
1 4 ...tt:lg4 1 5.ixg7t 'it>xg7
White now chooses which side to castle:
a b c d e f g h
a) 1 6.0-0 ie6
1 6...Wd8!? 1 7.c5 Wxd6 1 8.cxd6 lt'lc5
1 9.ttlg5 ( 1 9.e5 ie6 20.h3 tt:le3 2 l .fc l
tt:ld7oo Hoang Thanh Trang - Szuk, Hungary
1 998) 1 9 ...ttle5 20.ac l lt'le6 2 1 .ttl f3
tt:lxf3t 22.ixf3 id7 The position is unclear.
The knight on e7 and pawn on d6 hamper
the actions of Black. However, if White is
not careful, these pieces may prove to be a
weakness.
1 7.lt'lg5 d8 1 8.Wa3
1 8.tt:lxe6t?! fxe6 1 9.Wxe6 lt'lc5 20.Wxg4
Wxe7
a b c d e f g h
1 8 ...d7!?
18 ...ttle5 1 9.ttl f5t ixf5 20.exf5 tt:l d3
2 1 .ll'le6t (2 l .f6t 'it>g8 22.We7 d7 23.Wxe8
xe8 24.ixd3 xd3 25 .!!ad 1 xd 1 26.xd l
h6 27.ttl f3 ttlc5 28.b4 tt:le4 29.d7 b8
30.lt'le5 tt:lxf6 3 l .c7 e8 32.ttlxf7 tt:lg4
33.g3 f8 34.tt:ld6 tt:le3=) 2 1 ...fxe6 22.xd3
Wd7 (22 ...gxf5 23.Wc3t and White may
 November 20 1 1
continue with Ei:f3 or g2-g4, with a strong
attack) 23.fxg6 '\1;!fd4t (23 . . . hxg6 24J3xf8
Ei:xf8 25.'\1;!fc3t Ei:f6 26.1"i:fl '\1;!fe7 27.'\1;!fxf6t
'\1;!fxf6 28.1"i:xf6 'it>xf6 29.<tt>f2 and White
has the more pleasant ending because of
the possibility of creating a outside passed
h-pawn) 24.'it>h 1 ll:lc5 25.gxh7 '\1;!fxd3
26.1"i:xf8 Ei:xf8 27.'\1;!fxc5 Ei:fl t 28.1"i:xfl '\1;!fxf1 t
29.'\1;!fg 1 '\1;!fxc4 30.b3;!;
1 9.1"i:f4
1 9.1"i:ad 1 h6 20.llJh3 llJf6 2 1 .1"i:xf6 (2 1 .llJf2
.ie6 22.e5 llJd7 23.ll:lxc6 bxc6 24.'\1;!fxa6
ll:lxe5 25.'\1;!fxa7 ixc4 26.1"i:xd8 '\1;!fxd8 27.'\1;!fe3
'\1;!fg5=) 2 l . . .'it>xf6 22.llJf4 'it>g7 23.'\1;!fc3t
'it>h7 24.'\1;!ff6 llJc5 25 .llJh5 gxh5 26.1"i:d6
ie6 27.llJf5 ixf5 28.'\1;!fxf5t 'it>g7 29.1"i:xh6
<tt>xh6 30.'\1;!fxh5t 'it>g7 3 1 .Wg5t=
19 . . . llJe5
1 9 . . . h6 20.ll:lf3 b6 (20 . . . g5 2 1 .ll:lxg5 hxg5
22.1"i:xg4 ixg4 23.ixg4 c5 24.ll:\f5t 'it>g8
25.1"i:e 1 +-) 2 1 .h3 llJf6 22.llJxg6 fxg6 23.e5
ll:\h5 24.1"i:xf8 '\1;!fxf8 2 5 .'\1;!fxa6 '\1;!fc5t 26.'it>h2
'\!;![f2f
a b d e f g h
c
20.1"i:af1
20.ll:\f5t gxf5 2 1 .exf5 f6 22.ll:lxh7 <tt>xh7
23.'\1;!fg3 ll:\g6 24.fxg6t \t>g7 25 .id300
20 . . . f6 2 1 .h4 h5 22.g4
22.1"i:xf6 1"i:xf6 23.1"i:xf6 ig4+
22 . . . ixg4 23.ixg4 ll:\xg4 24.ll:\e6t 'it>f7
25. ll:\g5t 'it>g7=
b) 1 6.0-0-0!?N f6
33 1
1 6 . . . c5 1 7.llJg5-+
16 ... ie6 1 7.ll:lg5 Ei:d8 1 8.ll:lxe6t fxe6
1 9.'\1;!fxd8 '\1;!fxd8 20.1"i:xd8 Ei:xd8 2 1 .ixg4 'it>f6
22.llJxc6
1 7.h4!
1 7.e5 llJf2 1 8.1"i:dfl ll:\xh 1 1 9.exf6t Ei:xf6
20.'\1;!fe5 ie6 2 1 .ll:\g5 '\1;!fxe7 22.1"i:xf6 '\1;!fxf6
23.ll:lxe6t 'it>f7 24.ll:lg5t=
a b c d e f g h
1 7 . . . 1"i:f7
1 7 . . . ll:\f2 1 8.h5 ll:\xd 1 1 9.hxg6 hxg6 20.ixd 1
Ei:h8 2 1 .e5+-
1 7 . . . h5 1 8.e5 Ei:f7 ( 1 8 . . . ll:\ f2 1 9.1"i:hfl ll:lxd 1
20.ll:\d4 f5 2 1 .ixd 1 +-) 1 9.ll:lxc8 1"i:xc8
20.llJg5 llJxe5 2 1 .ll:\xf7 ll:\xf7 22.'\1;!fd2;!;
1 8.llJxc8 Wxc8
1 8 . . . 1"i:xc8 1 9.h5 '\1;!fxe4 20.llJd4-+
1 9.h5 '\1;!fc7 20.'\1;!fd2
20.hxg6 '\1;!fxd6 2 1 .1"i:xd6 hxg6 22.ll:\d4 ll:\e5
23.ll:\e6t <tt>g 8 24.c5 ll:lc7 25.ll:\xc7 Ei:xc7
26.1"i:xf6 Ei:e7 White has an extra pawn, but
making use of it will not be simple because
of the strong knight.
20 . . . gxh5 2 1 .ll:ld4 <tt>h 8 22.ixg4 hxg4 23.ll:\f5
ll:lc5 24.ll:ld6 Ei:e7 25.'\1;!fe3 b6 26.'it>b 1
White retains some initiative.
10 ... c5!?
1 o ... h6 has usually been played here.
l l .d2
1 1 .ixf6!? is interesting. At the cost of
weakening his dark squares, White gains a large
332 Chess Evolution

space advantage on the queenside. 1 1 . . .xf6 1 3 .bxc5

1 2.b4 tLl d7 ( 1 2 . . . tLl a6 1 3.a3 c5 1 4J3bU) 1 3.0-0 tLl a4 1 4.tLlb5 c6 1 5 .tLlc7 1Mfd7
1 3.c5 ig7 14. 0-0;1; 1 6.tLlxa8 tLlc3 1 7.g4 tLl fe2t 1 8.1Mfxe2
lLlxe2t 1 9.xe2 b6 20.e3 b7 2 1 .tLlxb6
l l ... c!Llh5 axb6 22.xb6 cxd5 23.exd5 1Mfa400
1 3 . . . tLl xg2t 1 4.Wf2 tLl f4 1 5 .fl
1 5 .tLlb5?! tLlh3t 1 6.'it>e 1 lLlxg5 1 7.tLlxc7
1Mfd8 1 8.tLlxa8 1Mfa5 1 9.1Mfc2 f5 ( 1 9 . . . h6
20.'it>d l d700) 20J3b 1 fxe4 2 l .b5 1Mfd8
22.1Mfb3 tLl f3t 23.xf3 exf3 24.h4 h6--+
1 5 .xf4 exf4 1 6.c l 1Mfe7 1 7.tLlf3 1Mfxc5t
1 8.'it>g2 e8
1 5 .. .f5 1 6.'it>g1 h6 1 7.h4;t

a b c d e f
A typical idea in this type of structure.
Allowing the doubling of his h-pawns, Black
wants to carry out his main plan with . . fS very
quickly, and moreover he gains the g-file for
his attack. An additional problem for White is
that conceding his light-squared bishop makes
it much more difficult to fight for the light
squares, especially the crucial e4-square. These
ideas can also be found in the Benoni Defence.
1 2 ...gxh5 13.'llYxh5
1 3.0-0 f5 1 4.1Mfc2 lLlxe4 1 5 .tLldxe4 Wg6
1 6.ie7 f7 1 7 .ic5 b6 1 8.a3 fxe4 1 9.xf7
'it>xf7 20.fl t 'it>g8 2 1 .tLlxe4 Wh8 22.f8 f5
g h 23.xg7t 'it>xg7 24.e 1 e8 25 .e3 h4oo
13 ... c!Lld3t 14.'ifle2 c!Llf4t
.
14 . . . tLlxb2 1 5 .ab l tLla4 1 6.tLlxa4 1Mfxa4
1 7 .h6 f6 1 8.b3--+
1 5 ..ixf4 exf4

12.i.xh5
White could also consider:
1 2.b4 tLl f4
1 2 . . . tLla6;t

a b c d e f g h

The main goal of Black is to seek an initiative

by opening the position (with .. .f5 , or . . . c6 and
. . . b5). White needs to look out for his king in
the centre, because the black bishops could
become very dangerous.
a b c d e f g h
 November 20 1 1
16J3bfl
White may also play:
1 6.g3!? f5
1 6 . . . fxg3 1 7.hxg3 h6 1 8.g4-+
16 . . . f3t 1 7.<;ftxf3 a5 1 8.\ilg2 !!a6 1 9 .!!he l
!!g6 20.e2
1 7.xe8 l:!xe8 1 8.gxf4
1 8.lLlb5 f3t 1 9.\ilxf3 fxe4t 20.lLlxe4 l:!e7
2 l .!!ae l ih3 22.g4 ie5 23.lLlg3 !!f8t
24.ltJf5 h5
18 ... fxe4 1 9.!!hgl \ilf7 20.\ile3
Black does not have enough compensation.
1 6....ie5
1 6 . . . e7 1 7.l:!xf4 f5 1 8.l:!afl id7 1 9.\ild U
17.g3
Also good is:
1 7.<j;Jd3 f5 1 8.xe8 fxe4t 1 9.lLlcxe4
1 9.lLldxe4 l:!xe8 20.!!ae l if5 2 l .g4 ig6
22.<j;Jd2 c6 23.lLlc5 .id4 (23 . . ..if7 24.ltJd3
.ixc3t 25 .\ilxc3 cxd5 26.c5) 24.lLle6
(24.lLlxb7 ie3t 25.<j;Je2 cxd5 26.lLlxd5
l:!ab8 27.lLlf6t <j;lg7 28.lLlxe8t he8 29.ltJd6
l:!xb2t 30.\ilf3 ic6t 3 1 .ltJe4 l:!c2 32.!!xe3
fxe3 33.\ilxe3 ixe4 34.<j;Jxe4 l:!xc4t=)
24 ... .ie3t 25.l:!xe3 fxe3t 26.\ilxe3 if7
27.ltJe4 l:!e7 28.ltJ4g5 cxd5 29.cxd5 l:!c800
19 . . . !!xe8 20.lLlf3 ixb2
a b c d e f g h
2 1 .lLld4 ixal 22.lLlf6t \ilf7 23.lLlxe8 \ilxe8
23 . . .ixd4 24.lLlxc7 ie5 25.lLlxa8 b6 26.a4
ib7 27.lLlxb6 axb6 28.!!b l +-
24.!!xa l
333
1 7... fxg3 18.f3 .ig7 19.e5 .ixe5
1 9 . . . a5 20.l:!g l l:!a6 2 1 .l:!xg3 l:!g6 22.l:!ag l
e7 23.\ild3t
20.xe5 f6 2 1 .%\'xeS :Sxe8 22.bxg3 :Sxe5t
23.d2 f7
a b c d e f g h
The ending which has resulted is
advantageous for White, because the pressure
on the f-pawn will force it to move to f5 , which
will considerably weaken Black's dark squares
and seriously limit his bishop.
24.:Sf4 :Sf5
Grischuk is a great technical player who
can defend inferior positions very well, and
he exchanged a pair of rooks in the belief that
by simplifying the material it would become
easier to seek drawing opportunities. But in
this position there are still many pieces on the
board and it might be more interesting from
a practical point of view to keep all the rooks
on, in the hope of gaining counterplay. As a
general principle, it is the stronger side who
should be aiming to exchange one pair of
rooks in order to avoid potential counterplay.
24 . . . .if5 25 .!!afl ig6 26.ltJb 5
24 . . . id7!? 25.afl
25.lt'le4 if5 26.lt'lc5 ae8 27.afl b6
334 Chess Evolution

28.tt:la6 l:l:e2t 29.'\!?d l l:l:xb2 30.l:l:xf5 l:l:ee2
3 I .l:l:xf6t i>g7 32.tt:lb4 l:l:g2=
25 . . .f5 26.g4 c6
26 . . . l:l:g8 27.gxf5 White has captured the
pawn, but as a result his rooks have suddenly
lost their activity, unlike the black rooks.
Black may play:
27 . . . bxc6 28.gxf5 l:l:g8 29.tt:le4 l:l:g2t 30 .i>c3
c5 3 I .l:l:h l
3 1 .f6 ic6 32.tt:ld6t i>f8 33.l:l: l f2 l:l:x2
34.l:l:xf2 a5?
3 l . . .xf5 32.l:l:xf5t l:l:xf5 33.tt:\d6t i>e6
34.tt:lxf5 i>xf5 35 .l:l:xh7 l:l:g3t 36.i>c2 i>e4
37.l:l:d7 a5 38.a4;!;
38.l:l:d5 a4?

25Jafl !ixf4 26.!ixf4 i.d7

26 . . . a6 27.tt:le4 (27.'it>d3 i>g6 28.i>d4 h5
29.tt:le4 if5?) 27 ... f5 28.tt:lc5

26 ... i>g6 27.tt:lb5 c6 28.tt:lc7 l:l:b8 29.d6

27.e4 f5 28.c!Llc5 i.c8 29.b4 b6 30.d3

a b c d e f g h

a) 27 . . . l:l:g2t 28.i>d3 l:l:xb2 29.i>d4 l:l:e8

30.tt:le4 l:l:g2 3 I .l:l:h l l:l:h8 32.tt:lc5 ic8
33.l:l:h6 i>g7 34.tt:le6t ixe6 35 .l:l:xe6 i>7
36.f6 l:l:e8 37.l:l:xe8 i>xe8 38.l:l:h4
b) 27 . . . h5 28.tt:le4 (28.'i!?d3 l:l:g4=) 28 . . . c6
(28 . . .l:l:g4 29.l:l:xg4 hxg4 30.tt:lg3 c6 3 l .i>d3
cxd5 32.i>d4) 29.l:'l:e l cxd5 30.lLlg5t l:l:xg5
3 l .l:l:xe5 dxc4 32.l:l:d5 (32.l:l:xc4 i>f6?)
32 . . . ic6 33.l:l:d6;!;

a b c d e f g h

White has the better structure and pieces, as

well as a simple plan to realize his advantage on
the dark squares.

30 ..'it>f6 3I .!ih4 <i>g7 32.<i>c3 i.d7 33.c!Ll e5

.

i.e8 34.<i>d4 h5 35.c!Lld3 i.f'7 36.c!i:lf4 !ie8

37.c!Llxhst i.xhs 38.!ixh5+- !ie4t 39.<i>d3
b5 40.c5!
a b c d e f g h The final precise move.
27.dxc6
27.gxf5 cxd5 28.cxd5 i>f6 29.tt:le4t \t>7 40 !ie5 4l .d6 cxd6 42.c6 !ie4 43.!ixf5
.

30.tt:lg5t 'it>g8 3 l .d6 h6 32.tt:le6 ixe6 !ixb4 44.!ifl

33.fxe6 l:l:xe6 34.l:l:f6 l:l:xf6 3 5 .l:l:xf6 l:l:e8 1-0
36.l:l:xh6 'it>g7 =
 November 20 I I
GAME44
I> E. Tomashevsky (2710)
... R. Ponomariov (2758)
European Club Cup, Rogaska Slatina
28.09.20 1 1 [ES I ]
Annotated by Borki Predojevic
This was part of a very important match in the
4th round of the 20 1 1 European Club Cup.
In his game against Tomashevsky, Ponomariov
tried to reach a complicated position by
choosing the King's Indian. Tomashevsky didn't
deviate from his favourite Samisch variation.
Ponomariov went for the very popular line
with 9 . . . h5, where he has recent experience as
White. I am sure that Pono had prepared an
improvement after 1 2.lLld2, but sadly for him,
he couldn't show it to us. Tomashevsky played
the concrete 1 2.f4! and demonstrated brilliant
high-level preparation. Mter White sacrificed
an exchange for an attack, it was clear that
Ponomariov's position was critical. Very soon
Black was faced with serious problems and
White won a very nice and easy game.
It seems that 1 2.f4! refutes the whole line
with 9 . . . h5. Since Black needs an alternative, I
decided to also give some examples of the main
line which arises after 9 . . . e6.
I .d4 ttlf6 2.c4 g6 3.ttlc3 i.g7 4.e4 d6 5.0
0-0 6.i.e3 c5 7.ttlge2 ttlc6 8.d5 ttle5 9.ttlg3
a b c d e f g h
335
9 ... h5
This line recently became popular at the
highest level; of course Black's main idea is to
harass the g3-knight. In the old main line (see
below) Black plays . . . h5 later, when White has
time to castle and so has the typical reaction
lLl h 1 -f2.
The old main line, to which Black may need
to return, is:
9 . . . e6 1 0.ie2 exd5 1 l .cxd5
And here Black has two plans. The first
plan is connected with play on the queenside
( . . . a6, . . . id7 and . . . b5) while the second
plan involves the moves . . . h7 -h5-h4 and then
playing on the kingside. We will check both
of these plans.
a b c d e f g h
The two starting moves of these plans are
A) 1 l .. .a6 and B) 1 l . . . h5.
A) 1 l .. .a6
We now need a further split between A l )
1 2.a4 and A2) 1 2.0-0!?.
Al) 1 2.a4 id7
1 2 . . . h5 would transpose to 1 l . . .h5 (line B) .
1 3.0-0 b5 1 4.h3 lLlc4!
The best reply.
In the past the main move was 1 4 . . . b8.
Mter 1 5 .axb5 for a long time the theory
gave 1 5 . . . ixb5 as supposedly leading to
easy equaliry. However, the following game
shows that things are not so simple:
336 Chess Evolution

In Kasimdzhanov - Bologan, Dresden (ol)

2008, White continued with:
1 7.f3 b8 1 8.f2
But after:
1 8 . . . b3 1 9.d l h5 20.e5 dxe5 2 I .fxe5 xe5
22 . .ixc5 h4 23.ltlfl .ixa4
White was fighting for equality.

Al) 1 2.0-0!?

a b c d e f g h

1 6.ltlxb5! axb5 1 7.b3 e8 ( 1 7 . . . "%lfb6 is

unnatural since after 1 8.c2;!; Black has to
take care about the threat of b4) 1 8.a6 e7
1 9.d2 ltl e8 20 . .ig5! f6 (20 . . ..if6 2 I ..ixf6
ltlxf6 22.g5 ltle8 23.f4 gives White good
attacking chances) 2 I ..ie3 ltlc7 22.a7H
White was better in Wang Hao - Inarkiev,
Poikovsky 2008.
1 5 .ixc4 bxc4 1 6.f4
a b c d e f g h

This calm move is very interesting; of course

it lets Black play . . . b5:
1 2 . . . b5 1 3.h3
A typical move; White slowly prepares f4.
1 3 . . . e8 1 4.d2 b4?!
This move looks suspicious.
1 4 . . . ltlc4 1 5 . .ixc4 bxc4 1 6 . .ih6 .ih8 1 7.f4
b8 1 8.ae l ltld7 1 9.e5 dxe5 20.f5 looks
very nice for White.
I 4 . . .ib7 1 5 .ae l t
a b c d e f g h 1 5.ltldl h5
1 6 . . . e8!
The most precise move. 8 L./%
After 1 6 . . . b8 White can play 1 7.e5t 7
and Black will have problems: 17 ... ltl e8 6
( I 7 . . . e8 1 8.d2 dxe5 1 9.fxe5 xe5 20 . .if4
5
ltle8 2 I ..ixe5 ixe5 22.ltlge4 .if5 23.ae l
4
ltl d6 24.ltlxc5 ig7 2 5 . 'it> h i;!; Khairullin -
Yevseev, St Petersburg 20 1 0) 1 8.d2 c8 3
1 9 .ae I t In this complicated position 2
White has better chances, Tomashevsky -
Inarkiev, Russia (ch) 2008.
a b c d e f g h
 November 20 1 1 337

Here I suggest a novelty: - Nataf, France (ch) 2004, as examples of

1 6.ig5!?N
1 6.ih6 has been played, but after 16 ... .ih8
1 7.tLle3 h4 1 8.tLlh 1 g5! 1 9.tLlf5 tLl h7
20.f4 gxf4 2 1 .tLlf2 tLlg6oo Black had a
good position in Bu Xiangzhi - Zhao Jun,
Danzhou 20 1 0.
1 6 . . .'1Wc7 1 7.ih4
It seems White has the better chances. For
example:
1 7 . . . tLl h7
White can reply with the typical:
1 8.f4 tLld7 1 9.e5! dxe5 20.f5t
With a strong initiative.
B) 1 I . . .h5 1 2.0-0
how White should play in this variation.
1 5 .l2Jf2 .id?oo
These moves are commonly played in this
kind of set-up. Tomashevsky has played many
games in this line and is a real expert, which of
course is why I have quoted a few of his games
as examples of how to treat this position with
White.
10.i.e2 h4 l l .lbfl e6
8
7
6

8 5

7 4
6 3
5
2
4
3
a c e
r:-m"'
::--- uF'=-mm
2 b d f g h

a b c d e f g h
1 2 . . . tLlh7
A fresh example in this position is
12 ... a6 1 3.a4 WaS which was played by a
very original player, GM Boris Savchenko.
However, the last move is not in the spirit of
this position. After 1 4.h3 h4 1 5 .f4! hxg3?!
(better is 1 5 . . . tLled7 1 6.tLlh 1 e8 1 7.tLlf2)
1 6.fxe5 dxe5 1 7 . .ig5 tLleS 1 8.d6! ie6
1 9.d7 f6 20.dxe8=Wf axeS 2 1 .ih4 White
was much better and won convincingly in
Riazantsev - B. Savchenko, Rogaska Slatina
20 1 1 .
1 3.Wd2 h4 1 4.tLlh 1 f5
Another line is 1 4 . . . g5 when I suggest
the readers study the games Ivanchuk -
Efimenko, Saint Vincent 2005, and Laurier
12.f4!
Tomashevsky plays the most concrete move.
This very strong idea looks like a refutation
of the 9 . . . h5 line and the next few moves are
forced.
First, we should consider a couple of other
moves White has tried:
In the past White usually reacted with:
1 2.tLld2
Ponomariov has played this move twice.
1 2 . . . exd5 1 3.cxd5 a6
Carlsen's choice here was 1 3 . . . id7 1 4.0-0
b5, but after 1 5 .tLlxb5 i.xb5 1 6.i.xb5 b8
1 7.a4 tLlh5 1 8.f4! tLld7 1 9.Wg4 but Black
was worse in Ponomariov - Carlsen, Bazna
20 1 0.
338 Chess Evolution

12 ... ltleg4
1 2 . . . tLl ed7? is of course poor due to 1 3.dxe6.

13 ..ixg4
Worse is 1 3.t.g 1 ? exd5 1 4 . cxd5 b5! and
Black is already better. After 1 5 . h3 b4 1 6. tLl a4
tLl h6 1 7.e5 dxe5 1 8.fxe5 tLlxd5+ White had
serious problems in V. Gunina -0. Girya,
St Petersburg 2008.

a b c d e f g h 13 ... ltlxg4 14.Ylxg4 exd5 1 5.5

1 4 .a4 id7 The natural move; instead 1 5 .'1Wf3? d4t gives
1 4 . . .l"b8?! 1 5.0-0 \WeB 1 6.a5 id7 1 7.h3! Black a good game.
ib5 ( 1 7 ... tLlh7? 1 8.f4 ih6 1 9.'1We 1 '1Wd8
20.tLld 1 1-0 Edouard - Lanzani, Rijeka 1 5 ... d4 1 6.ltld5
20 1 0) 1 8.f4 t.xe2 1 9.'1Wxe2 tLled7 20.t.f2
1 5.a5 b5 1 6.axb6 '1Wxb6 17 ,:ga2 '1Wb4 1 8.0-0 8
ib500
The position was unclear in Ponomariov - 7
Grischuk, Wijk aan Zee 20 1 1 . 6

5
1 2.h3
This looks too slow. 4
1 2 . . . exd5 1 3.cxd5 b5!
3
Black has the initiative.
2

a b c d e f g h

16 ... dxe3
Worse Is: 1 6 . . . gxf5 ? 1 7.exf5 :ge8
( 1 7 . . . dxe3 1 8.ll:Jfxe3--+) 1 8.0-0-0 dxe3
1 9.tLlfxe3 1!7f8 20.'1Wf4 ie5 2 1 .'1Wh6t ig7
22.'1Wf4 ie5 23.'1Wh6t t.g7 24.'1Wh5 White
had a strong attack in Ward - Ye Jiangchuan
London 1 997.
a b c d e f

1 4 .tLlxb5
Worse is 1 4.f4?! tLlc4 1 5 .ixc4 bxc4 1 6.tLld2
:ge8 1 7.'1Wf3 :gb8 1 8.0-0 :gxb2+ Oms Pallisse
- Damljanovic, Andorra (op) 2006.
1 4.ixb5 :gbs
1 4 . . J:l:b8
Black has excellent compensation.
17.ltlfxe3!
After 1 7.0-0-0 Black has the strong
intermediate move 1 7 . . . e2!. After 1 8.'1Wxe2
:ge8 ( 1 8 . . . b5!? also looks promisin g) 1 9.fxg6
fxg6 20.'1Wd3 b5! 2 1 .tLlfe3 bxc4 22.tLlxc4 ia6+
White is faced with a hard task defending his
inferior position.
 November 2011 339

20 . . . d7 2 1 .<;!;>h i l'!c8
8

7 8
6 7

5 6
5
4
4
3
3
2 2

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

17 hb2N
...
And here in the game Meessen - Ah, Leuven
This logical move is a novelty. It is easy to see 1 998, White missed a strong idea:
that White is dominating the kingside thanks 22.bxc5!N dxc5
to the weakness on g6 - if the black pawn were 22 . . . .ixc5 23.Wff31+- and next lL'l g4 gives
on h7 the black king would be much safer. White an almost decisive advantage.
23.e5!
Previously Black had played: The only way to stop tt'lf6t is:
1 7 ... \Wa5t?! 23 . . . .ixe5
But then White wins with the simple:
This looks extremely dubious.
1 8.b4! 24.Wfe4 f6 25.fxg6+-

18.0-0 hal 19.gxali

a b c d e f g h

I 8 . . . Wfd8
1 8 . . . cxb4 1 9.tt'le7t Wh7 20.fxg6t fxg6
2 l .Wfxg6t Wh8 22.tt'l 3d5 b3t 23.We2+-
a b c d e f g h
1 9.0-0 d4
1 9 . . . ixa l 20.l'!xa l would lead to a similar After a few more or less forced moves White
position as in the game. gave up the exchange, but his attack looks very
White now played logical moves: dangerous. It is not easy to suggest a defence
20.l'!ad l for Black.
20.Wh l !? was also possible.
340 Chess Evolution

19 cbg7
...

The alternative 1 9 . . . b6 does not make sense

as the bishop cannot leave the h3-c8 diagonal.
The simple 20.l''m E1b8 2 I .E1f4! increases the
pressure on Black's kingside; the idea is to play
11Mh3 and E1xh4. After 2 1 . . .\t>g? 22.Wf3 1Mig5
(22 . . .f6 23.fxg6+-) 23.11Mf2+- Black's position
is hopeless.

Mter 19 . . .id7 White would play 20.Wf4 g5

2 1 .1Mixd6 and if Black tries the confusing:
2 I . . .ie6!? (2 I . . .ic6 22.1/Mh6 f6 23.Wg6t
\t>h8 24.e5+- also does not help Black) White a b c d e f g h
has the simple: 22.1/MeS! ixd5 23.f6 ixe4 2 l g5
...

24.1/MxgSt ig6 25.lLld5+- In order to avoid This is the only way to fight against the
mate Black needs to sacrifice his queen. deadly threat of fxg6.

After 2 1 . . .gxf5 the black king would be in

an even more dangerous situation. 22.exf5
f8 23.E1e l ! leaves Black with no chances
of survival. 23 . . . b5 is met by 24.cxb5 ib?
(24 . . . h3 25.g3 doesn't help Black) 25.f6+- and
next will be the decisive 11M g5 .

22.Wf3 f6
It is very hard to recommend anything
instead of the move played in the game.

22 . . . f8 is met by: 23.lbg4!

a b c d e f g h
20J'Ul
Of course! White includes one more piece
into the attack. A huge mistake would be
20.f6t? since after 20 . . . Wxf6 2 I .lt:Jxf6 ixg4
22.lLlexg4 a600 Black has exchanged queens
and has a good position.

20 Jh8
..

20 . . . g5 is met by 2 1 .1/MhS. After 2 I . . .E1h8

22.f6t 11Mxf6 23.Wxh8t \t>xh8 24.E1xf6+
a b c d e f g h
White has a decisive advantage.
23 . . . b6 (23 . . . h3 24.1/Mc3 E1h5 25.E1f3! hxg2
2l .Wf4! 26J3h3 1'!xh3 27.Wxh3 \t>g8 28.Wh6+-)
24.Wc3 l'!h? (24 . . . 1'!h5 25.lLlgf6+-) 25.lLlgf6
 November 2011 34 1

!!h6 26.We3 Black's position looks sad. After 23.g4 :S8 24.fle3!+-
26 . . . .ib7 27.Wxg5 !!h8 28.tLlf4+- Black is The final touch; now White is ready to
completely crushed. sacrifice one of his knights on f6.

After 22 . . . h3 White should continue with the 24....id7

aggressive: 23.tLlg4! hxg2 24.Wc3t f6 25.1'!dl 24 . . . g8 also loses after: 25.tLlgxf6t !!xf6
and Black is helpless. 26.Wxg5t f7 27.Wh5t g8 28.Wxh4
f7 (28 . . . 1'!f8 29.Wg4t h8 30.Wh5t g8
3 1 .1'!f3+-) 29.'?9h5 t g8 30.1'!f3+-

25.dxf6
25.tLlgxf6 also wins after 25 . . . 1'!xf6 26.Wxg5t
f7 27.1'!f4+- and next !!xh4.

25 ... :Sxf6 26.Vxg5t f7 27.e5 dxe5

a b c d e f g h

After the forced 25 . . . 1'!8 26.Wh3 !!h8

27.Wxg2 !!f8 (27 . . . f7 28.tLldxf6+-)
28.tLlgxf6 !!xf6 29.Wxg5t f7 30.Wh5t g8
3 1 .1'!d3 !!f7 32.1'!g3t 1'!g7 33.1'!xg7t xg7
34.Wg6t ffi 35.tLlf6+- The black king is in
a mating net.

22 . . . b5 23.tLlg4 (23.cxb5 ib7 24.f6t ffi

25 .Wg4 also leads to an advantage, but
the main move is more consistent) 23 . . . b4 a b c d e f g h
24.Wf2+- Again the white queen comes to
the a l -h8 diagonal; Black's position is simply 28.:Sdl ! :Sx5 29. h6t 8 30.Vgst e7
horrible. 3 I .flh7t
A very nice game by Tomashevsky!
1--0

a b c d e f g h
342 Chess Evolution

GAME45 IO ...d5 l l .exd5 cxd5 12.0-0 lilc6 13.c5

t> A. Onischuk. (2669)
... E. Bacrot Etienne (2705)
1 2th Karpov International, Poikovsky
Round 2, 05. 1 0.20 1 1 [E92]
Annotated by Borki Predojevic

Bacrot is a very well prepared player who

always tries to find new ideas in complicated
positions. Recently he started to play the
King's Indian against top-level grandmasters.
In this game he faced Alexander Onischuk, a
specialist in the Gligoric Variation with 7.ie3.
Bacrot responded with 7 . . . exd4 and proved
that he had done his homework, playing the a b c d e f g h
interesting 1 3 . . J:'!e5!? followed by 1 4 . . . l"k8!N 13 ge5!?
.

which improved over a previous game
where Onischuk had White. The American
grandmaster achieved no advantage and soon
lost a pawn. Fortunately for him, he was able
to reduce the number of pawns on the board,
and the Frenchman could not find a way to
win the knight ending.
This active move is a recent idea of Krishnan
Sasikiran. Black intends to regroup with moves
such as . . . f8, . . . id7 and . . . !'!ae8.
The main line is 13 ... tt:lh5 1 4 .d2 ie5 1 5 .g3
tt:lg7"", after which many open questions
remain.

l .d4 lilf6 2.c4 g6 3.lilc3 j.g7 4.e4 d6 5.lLlf3 14.j.b5

0-0 6.j.e2 e5 7.j.e3 Onischuk had previously used this move
This is Onischuk's favourite line against the with success against Sasikiran, so Bacrot
King's Indian, and in the last few years he has needed to be ready with a novelty. We will also
not played anything else. check two other approaches for White.

7... exd4 1 4.a4 id7 1 5 .!!ad 1 requires a calm reaction:

The most direct approach. Exchanging these
pawns is more natural here than after 7.0-0, as
the dark-squared bishop could become a target
for Black's play on the e-file.

8.lilxd4 ge8 9.3 c6 IO.j.f2

1 0.d2 d5 1 l .exd5 cxd5 1 2.c5 tt:l c6
1 3.0-0 ( 1 3 . .if2 would resemble the main
game, except White has put his queen on d2
instead of castling) 1 3 . . . !!xe3!? is a famous
sacrifice from the World Championship game
Karpov - Kasparov, Lyon/New York ( 1 I ) a b c d e f

1 990. 1 5 . . . a6!N Guarding the b5-square. (After

 November 2011 343

1 5 . . . lLlh5 1 6 . .ib5 c8 1 7.f4! lLlxf4 1 8.lLlxc6

bxc6 1 9.xf4 l'!f5 20.d2 .ixc3 [20 . . . cxb5
2 1 .lLlxd5] 2 1 .\';tfxc3 cxb5 22 . .id4 White
was better in game Vazquez Igarza - Cabrera,
Totana 20 1 1 .) 1 6.1'!fe 1 1'!c8 1 7.c2 f8! Black
should not have any problems.

White's most popular move has been:

1 4.1'!e 1
Here we will consider both a) 1 4 . . .\';tff8 and
b) 1 4 . . .i.d7. a b c d e f g h

1 5 . . . 1'!e8!N
a) 1 4 . . . Wf8 The attractive 1 5 . . . lLle4? 1 6.fXe5 lLlxf2
1 7.xf2 xc5 is not working due to 1 8.fl !
( 1 8.lLlcb5? .ixe5+) when Black is forced
to simplify to a clearly worse endgame:
1 8 . . .xd4 ( 1 8 . . . lLlxd4?? 1 9.lLla4+-}
1 9.xd4 lLlxd4 20.lLlxd5
A previous game continued: 1 5 ... 1'!e7 1 6.if3
{Better is 1 6.lLldb5N ie6 1 7.lLld6 1'!d7 when
the position remains unclear.) 1 6 . . . 1'!xe 1 t
1 7.xe 1 ig4 1 8.d 1 ixf3 1 9.xf3 1'!e8i

a b c d e f g h

This was Sasikiran's choice in his first game

with 1 3 . . . 1'!e5 . Black wants to regroup his
pieces and hints at taking the c5-pawn, while
also preparing to meet d2 with . . . h6.
It is worth considering three replies: a l }
1 5 .ib5 ?!, a2) 1 5 . f4 and finally the strongest
a3) 1 5 .a3!N.

a1} 1 5 .ib5?! can be dismissed easily, as the a b c d e f g h

following forcing line favours Black: 1 5 . . . lLlg4!
1 6.fXg4 l'!xe 1 t 1 7.xe 1 lLlxd4 1 8.d2
( 1 8.d 1 xc5) 1 8 . . . lLlxb5 1 9.lLlxb5 ixg4
20.xd5 l'!b8 2 1 .id4 e7 22.ixg7 e3t
23.h 1 xg7+
a2) 1 5 .f4
This leads to more complicated play, but
ultimately Black has ever reason to be happy
here too.
Black had the initiative and White was
unable to solve his problems: 20.lLldb5
lLle4 2 1 .lLld6? (Much better was 2 1 .lLlxe4!
dxe4 22.e3 ixb2 23.1'!d 1 e7 24.lLld6
l'!d8 25.1'!b 1 id4 26.xe4 ixf2t 27.xf2
xe4 28.lLlxe4 f5 29.lLlc3 [29.lLld6 b6!+]
29 . . . 1'!d7 when White should be able to hold
the position.) 2 1 . . .lLlxd6 22.cxd6 Wxd6
23.lLlxd5 .ixb2 24.1'!d 1 l'!d8 25.lLlc3 a3
26.1'%xd8t lLlxd8 27.d5 xc3 28.xd8t
344 Chess Evolution

Wg7+ Black has an extra pawn and a safer

king, and he went on to win in AI Sayed -
Sasikiran, Guangzhou 20 1 0.
Although the above game turned out well
for Black, the text move is even more precise.
The point is revealed in the following line:
1 6.lt:ldb5
Certainly the critical move.

a b c d e f g h

a b c d e f g h
1 6 . . . d4! 1 7.lt:lxd4
Risky is: 1 7.lt:la4 if5! ( l ? . . . !!b8 is playable
but the text is stronger) 1 8 .lt:lc7 ( 1 8.lt:ld6
lt:l e4 1 9.lt:lxe8 [ 1 9.lt:lxf5 lt:lxf2 20.Wxf2
gxf5 2 l .i.d3 !'!e3!-+] 19 . . . lt:lxf2 20.Wxf2
l'!xe8) 1 8 . . . !!xe2 ( 1 8 . . . lt:le4 allows
1 9.lt:lxa8!) 1 9.1Mfxe2 Ei:d8 Black has superb
compensation for the exchange. His d-pawn
is free to advance and . . . lt:le4 could come at
any moment. White has significant problems
to solve.
1 7 . . . Ei:d8 1 8.1Mfa4 lt:lxd4 1 9.ixd4 Ei:xd4
1 9 . . . lt:l e4!? 20.i.xg7 1Mfxc5t 2 l .id4 Ei:xd4
22.1Mfb5 Ei:d2t 23.1Mfxc5 lt:lxc5 24.b4oo
20.Wxd4 lt:l g4
Now a forced sequence leads to a quick draw:
2 1 .1Mfd6 1Mfxd6 22.cxd6 i.d4t 23.Wh l lt:lf2t
24.'it>gl lt:lg4t=
Neither side can avoid the perpetual.
1 5 . . . i.d7
Black can take pawn with 1 5 . . . Wxc5,
but after 1 6.lt:lf5 Wf8 1 7.lt:lxg7 Wxg7 (if
17 . . .Wxg7 1 8.b4 a6 1 9.lt:la4 Black's weak
dark squares give White more than enough
compensation) 1 8.b4 a6 (or 1 8 . . . i.d7 1 9.b5
lt:le7 20.Wd2t followed by i.d4 and White
is better.) 1 9 .Wa4 id7 ( 1 9 . . . Ei:b8?! 20.ig3)
20.b5 lt:le7 2 l .id3 Ei:e6 22.Wa5!?t White
keeps the initiative and the advantage.
1 6.b4 Ei:ae8 1 7.lt:ldb5!
Creating unpleasant threats. Black's pieces
are concentrated in the kingside, but can he
do anything with them?
1 7 . . . d4!?
1 7 . . . lt:lh5 does not work: 1 8.lt:ld6 Ei:g5
1 9.i.h4 Ei:xg2t 20.Wxg2 i.xc3 2 1 .lt:lxe8
1Mfxe8 22.ib5
1 8.lt:lxd4 lt:ld5
Black seems to be developing some activity,
but White can keep the position under
control.

a3) 1 5 .a3!N
This simple and strong move must be the
reason why Sasikiran avoided 1 4 . . . 1M!f8 in a
subsequent game.
a b c d e f g h
 November 20 1 1 345

1 9.ttl db5! 1 8 .f4

For the second time this move proves to be
a strong one. 8
1 9 . . . ttlxc3 20.ttlxc3 i.f5 2 1 .;ga2 aS 22.Wa4!?;!; 7
Black will find it hard to demonstrate full 6
compensation for his material disadvantage. 5
4
To summarize, 1 4 . . . '\!!!ffB cannot be considered
fully satisfactory for Black unless he can find 3
v--.. _, ,_,/-.. _ , _ , , /

an improvement in the above analysis. 2

b) 1 4 . . . id7
a b c d e f g h

8 From here Black can j ustifY his play with

7 some lovely tactical shots.
6 1 8 . . . ge3! 1 9 .ttl xd5
ln-.J//,'/,//. .=///,//Z "
1 9.ttlxc6? bxc6+
5
1 9.ixh5?! i.xd4 20.i.f3 ;gxe l t 2 1 .'1Wxe 1
4
Wxc5 22.ttlxd5 ;gd8t is better for Black.
3 1 9 . . . gxg3t 20 . .ixg3 Wxc5
2 Here an interesting idea is:
2 1 .ttle7t!?
After the straightforward 2 1 .ixh5 ixd4 t
a b c d e f g h
22.';t h 1 Wxd5t 23.i3 Wf5 Black has
This seems more reliable than 1 4 . . . '\!!!f fB . nice compensation, as White's pieces are
White may react with bl) 1 5 .a3, b2) 1 5 .Wb3 disorganized and his king is unsafe.
or b3) 1 5 .Wd2. 2 1 . . .ttlxe7 22 . .if2 tt:lxf4 23.i.f1
Now the most precise move is:
b l ) 1 5 .a3
This does not work as well here as it did
against 14 . . .Wf8 . In this position Black can
play actively with:
1 5 . . . ttlh5! 1 6.g3 Wg5
This could lead to sharp tactical play after
the forcing:
1 7.h4!?N
In the game White collapsed with three
weak moves: 1 7. tt:lxc6?! i.xc6 t 1 8. WI c1 ?! d4
1 9.ttlb5?? Wxc l Now in El Debs - Sasikiran,
a b c d e f g h
Gibraltar 20 1 1 , White resigned without
waiting for 20.;gaxc l ;gxe2 2 1 .gxe2 ixb5. 23 . . . Wd6!
17 . . . We7 Another idea is 23 . . . ttl h3t!? 24.i.xh3 ixh3
1 7 . . .Wd8?! 1 8 .f4 leaves Black without the 25.ttle6 WeB 26.;gc l (26.ttlxg7?? Wc6!)
same tactical resource as in the main line 26 . . . tt:l c6 27.ttlxg7 lt?xg7 28.;gc3 with
below. unclear play.
346 Chess Evolution

24.lt:Jb5 '?Nxd l 25.E!:axd l .ixb5 26.ixb5 2 l .E!:xe2!?N

26.E!:xe7 .ic6 2 l ..ixg7 E!:xe l t 22.E!:xe l @xg7 23.'?9b6
26 . . . lt:Jh3t 27.lflg2 lt:Jxf2 28.'it>xf2 if6 29.E!:e4 Wh4 24.E!:d l '?9c4 25.'?9b2t was unclear but
lt:Jf5 30.ic4 ixb2 3 l .E!:d7 E!:f8 roughly equal in Volkov - Gallagher, Aix
The game remains roughly balanced and a les-Bains 20 I I .
draw is the most likely outcome. 2 l . . . .ixd4t 22.\fth l @g? 23.E!:be l
Here Black can maintain the balance with a
b2) White can also strive for an advantage beautiful sacrifice.
with:
1 5 .'?9b3 8
7
6
5
4
3
2

a b c d e f g h

23 . . . .ie6!! 24.E!:xe6 Wh4 25 .'?9c7 .if2 26.h3

a b d e f g
c
Here Black has plenty of options, but my
suggestion would be to follow the path of
GM Gallagher, a King's Indian expert:
1 5 . . . lt:Jh5
15 . . . lt:Jxd4 1 6.ixd4 E!:e6 also looks reliable
enough. White has only slight pressure and
Black should be able to hold the position.
1 6.'?9xb7 lt:Jxd4 1 7.ixd4 l:!b8 1 8.'?9xa7 E!:xb2
1 9.E!:ab l E!:exe2 20.lt:Jxe2 E!:xe2
Here I checked a new approach for White:
h
26.'?9e5t? f6 27.'?9c7t @h6+
26 . . . lt:Jg3t 27.@h2 lt:J f5 28.'?9e5t f6 29.Wxf6t
'?9xf6 30.E!:xf6 @xf6 3 I .E!:d l @e6oo
The endgame is hard to assess, despite the
considerable simplifications.
b3) Finally, White can consider:
I 5.Wd2

8
h.u"LJ""''"?n,,_n
7
=.......F"u..;,c.c
6
5
4
3
a b c d e f g h
2
Arguably White's most logical move.
1 5 . . . '?9f8
a b c d e f g h
1 5 . . . '?9a5 looks suspicious, and after 1 6.a3
 November 20 1 1 347

xc5 1 7.tt:le6! e7 1 8.tt:lxg7 'it>xg7 1 9.b4

White has more than enough compensation
for a pawn.
After the move played, the path divides
again. White can play b3 1 ) 1 6.ifl , b32)
1 6.tt:ldb5!?N or b33) 1 6.gad 1 N.

b3 1 ) 1 6.ifl
This was White's choice in the one game in
which 1 5 . . .f8 has been played thus far.
1 6 . . . ih6 1 7 .f4 a b c d e f g h

Here I found an improvement for Black. 1 8.f4

1 8.ig3? is bad, as after 1 8 . . . bxc5 1 9.ixe5
tt:lxe5 20.tt:lxd5 xd6 2 l .li:'lxf6t xf6 22.f4
there is a strong retort 22 . . . h4! 23.fXe5
(23.g3 h6--+ ) 23 . . . ixe5-+ when Black
wins.
1 8 . . . ge6 1 9.f5
1 9 .if3?! is worse. 1 9 . . . bxc5 20.gxe6
ixe6 2 1 .ixc5 gbg 22.ge l d8 White
has problems with the knight on d6, for
example: 23.'it>h 1 a5 24.ia3 d4 2 5 .ixc6
dxc3 26.xc3 xc3 27.bxc3 if8!+
a b c d e f
19 . . .gxf5 20.tt:lxd5 bxc5 2 1 .tt:lxf6t ixf6
1 7 . . . gae8!N 22.tt:lxf5
1 7 .. ,gxe 1 1 8 .gxe 1 gds ( 1 8 . . . ges also 22.ixc5 is met by 22 . . . id4t! 23.ixd4 E1xd6
looks reasonable) 1 9.h3 ig7 20.d 1 tt:le4 24.g5t E1g6 2 5 .f4 tt:lxd4 26.xd4 ic6
2 1 .tt:lxe4 dxe4 22.tt:lxc6 ixc6t was also okay 27.ifl E1d8t with a good position for Black.
for Black in Ulko - Sychev, Moscow 20 1 1 , 22 . . . gds
but the text move is the strongest. Now Black
threatens . . . tt:lg4, as well as taking twice on
e 1 when White would lose either the pawn
on f4 or the one on c5.
1 8.gxe5 tt:lxe5 1 9.h3
This is more or less forced.
1 9 . . . tt:lc4 20.'1Wc 1 tt:le4 2 1 .tt:lxe4 gxe4 22.ixc4
dxc4 23 .xc4 e8!t
Black has a fine position.

b32) 1 6.tt:ldb5!?
This could lead to extremely sharp play. a b c d e f g h

I suggest the following line: At first sight Black looks to be worse, as his
16 . . . a6! 1 7.tt:ld6 b6 pawn structure is fractured and his king is
Undermining the knight. slightly exposed. However, his pieces are
348 Chess Evolution

nicely centralized and this should enable
him to maintain the balance. I analysed the
following lines:
23.'1'Nf4
23.1:l:ac l l'l:e5 24.lt:l h6t \t>g7 25 .l'l:c3 ie6
26.l'l:g3t (26.'1'Nf4 Wfe7 27.l'l:g3t \t>h8)
26 . . . h8oo
23 . . .ixb2 24.l'l:ad 1 l'l:f6 25 .l'l:d5 i.xf5 26.l'l:xf5
l'l:xf5 27.'\'NxfS l'l:e8 28.Wg5t Wg7 29.Wixc5
lt:ld4 30.fl lt:lxe2 3 l .l'l:xe2 l'l:xe2 32.Wc8t
Wf8 33.Wg4t i.g7 34.Wxe2 Wd6=
The game will almost certainly end in a draw.
2 1 .Wxd4 g5! 22.h4 h6 23.hxg5 hxg5 24 . .id3
l'l:ae8 and Black is okay.
1 8 . . . '1'Nxb4 1 9.l'l:b 1 WaS 20.l'l:b5 Wd8
20 . . .i.xf5? 2 l .l'l:xa5 lt:lxa5 22.g4! is good for
White.
2 1 .lt:lxg7 xg7
From this position, the following line looks
like the most dangerous:

b33) 1 6.l'l:ad 1

a b c d e f g h

22.l'l:xb7
22 . .ig3 l'l:e6 23.l'l:xb7 (23.lt:lxd5 lt:ld4!)
23 . . .d4oo leads to an unclear game.
22 . . . d4 23.lt:lb5
But Black has a good reply:
a b c d e f g h
23 . . . lt:l a5! 24 ..ixd4 l'l:xe2 25 . .ixf6t Wxf6
With this natural move White centralizes 26.l'l:xe2 lt:lxb7 27.Wxd7 l'l:d8! 28.Wxb7 l'l:d 1 t
his last piece before taking direct action. But 29.f2 Wh4t 30.e3 Wg5t 3 l .f2 Wh4t=
Black has a surprising possibility. The game ends in a draw.
1 6 . . . Wxc5!
Usually this capture is risky, but here Black 14 ....id7 15.Yfa4
can get away with it.
16 . . . a6 and 16 . . . l'l:d8 are both playable as
well.
1 7.lt:lf5
1 7.lt:ldb5 'I'Nf8 is good for Black.
1 7 . . . Wa5 1 8 .b4!?
The alternative is 1 8.lt:lxg7 \t>xg7. Usually
in such positions White would have more
than enough compensation for a pawn. The
main difference here is that Black has the
important move . . . d4 to exchange White's
strong dark-squared bishop. For example:
1 9.g4 ( 1 9.ig3 l'l:f5) 1 9 . . . d4 20.ixd4 lt:lxd4
a b c d e f g h
 November 20 I I
15 .. Jc8!N
A strong novelty by Etienne.
In a previous game Sasikiran played 1 5 . . . \Wc8,
but after 1 6.1'!fe l a6 1 7.ixc6 ixc6 1 8.\Wc2
!!h5 1 9.b4 id7 20.1'!ad l ih6 2 l ..ig3t
White was better and gradually increased
his advantage: 2 1 . . .if8 22.a3 ic6 23.lt'la4!
lt'l d7 24.lt'lb6 lt'lxb6 25.cxb6 id7 26.1'!c l
'1Wd8 27.'1Wc7 ig7 28.lt'lb3 ia4 29.\Wxd8t
1'!xd8 30.ic7 1'!f8 3 l .g4 !!h6 32.lt'lc5 id4t
33.g2 ixc5 34.1'!xc5 White went on to win
convincingly in Onischuk - Sasikiran, Ningbo
20 1 1 .
16JUel
1 6.lt'lxc6 bxc6= is not helping White.
The alternative was:
1 6.1'!ad l
Now Black can play an interesting pawn
sacrifice:
1 6 . . . a6!?
On 16 ... lt'lh5 White has the strong 1 7.f4!
lt'lxf4 I 8.lt'lxc6 bxc6 1 9.'1Wxf4 !!f5 20.'1Wd2
cxb5 2 l ..id4 !!xfl t 22.1'!xfl .ixd4t
23.\Wxd4 i.c6 24.b4 a5 25 .a3 axb4 26.axb4
'1Wd7. According to the computer Black has
no problem maintaining the balance here,
but my human opinion is that his position
is unpleasant.
a b c d e f g h
I 7 .ixc6 ixc6
349
1 7 . . . bxc6?! 1 8.\Wxa6 lt'lh5 looks too
optimistic. After 1 9.lt'la4! 1'!a8 20.\WbG '1We8
2 1 .'1Wb3 lt'l f4 22.lt'lb6 White is better.
1 8.lt'lxc6 bxc6 1 9.'1Wxa6 lt'l d7
At first Black's compensation seems
questionable, but on closer inspection his
position turns out to be okay, for instance:
20.id4
20.'1Wd3 !!e6 2 1 .b4 lt'le5 22.'1Wc2 lt'lc4
20 . . . 1'!e6 2 l ..ixg7 c;!;>xg7 22.'1Wd3 Wf6
All of Black's pieces are active and he intends
. . . lt'le5-c4 next.
a b c d e f g h
16 .. J!xelt 17J!xel xd4 18 ..ixd4 ic6=
Onischuk continued with same moves as in
his game against Sasikiran, but there are clear
differences. In the present game Black does not
have any problems with his development, and
his rook on c8 will be useful as the c5-pawn
will soon be attacked.
19.'ilfdl Wa5 20.ifl ges 2 l .gxe8t lt'lxe8
22.'ilfd2?
This natural move is a mistake which
will cost White a whole pawn. Correct was
22.lt'lxd5 ixd5 23.ixg7 ixf3 24.gxf3 c;!;>xg7
(24 . . . lt'lxg7 25.b4=) 25 .11fd4t lt'l f6 26.a3 with
an equal position.
22 ....ixd4t 23.'ilfxd4
350 Chess Evolution

34.i.xe6 lLlxe6
After a few exchanges Black has retained an
extra pawn, but converting it into a win will
not be easy on account of White's active king
and knight.

35.q;,e4! q;,g7 36.q;,e5 lLlcS 37.q;,d4 lLld7

a b c d e f g h
23 ... c7!
Perfect timing! The knight defends the d5-
pawn while preparing to come to e6, seizing
the initiative for Black.
24.b4
The only way to fight against Black's plan,
but White still ends up a pawn down.
24 ... e6 25.bxa5 lLlxd4 26.a6 bxa6 27.ha6
lLle6 28,q;,fl lLlxc5 29 ..ic8 d4
Otherwise the king comes to d4.
38.tLlb4
Finally it is time for White to fight against
the a-pawn. The knight will come to d5 to
restrict the black king, while White's king goes
after the pawn. Black must look for a way to
activate his pieces, but this is not easy.
38 ... a5 39.lLld5 gS!
Another interesting try was 39 . . . Wh6!?
intending to march the king with ... Wg5-f5-
e5-d4. Here White has to respond with the
careful 40.tt:le3! (40.f4 Wh5 4 1 .tt:le3 is strongly
met by 4 1 . . . tt:l f6! intending . . . tt:lg4) 40 . . . Wg5
4 Lg3 Wf6 42.f4 h5 43.Wc4 tt:l f8 44.Wb5 tt:le6
4S .Wxa5 tt:ld4 46.Wb4 l1J f3! 47.Wc4 tt:lxh2
48.Wd4 tt:lg4 49.tt:lc4+ No doubt Bacrot would
continue playing for a while, but objectively
this endgame is a draw.

30.lLle2 .idS! 40,q;,c4

30 . . . d3? would have squandered Black's
advantage: 3 1 .tt:lc3 Wf8 32.We3 We? 33 . .ih3!
and White equalizes with g3 followed by .ifl .

3 I .tLlxd4 ba2 32.lLlc6 a6 33.q;,e3 .ie60

a b c d e f g h

40 ...g4?
After this move Black has no real chance of
winning the game.
a b c d e f g h
 November 2011
4 0 . . . '1t>g6!? would have been one simple
improvement.
However, the best continuation of all was
40 . . . lt'le5t! 4 l .b5 lt'lg6 42.xa5 lt'lh4
43.lt'le3 f5 when Black renews his one-pawn
advantage. Play continues 44.b4 f4 45.lt'lc4
lt'lxg2 46.c3 lt'l e 1 47.lt'ld2 f6 (after
47 . . . g6 48.d4 h5 49.e5 h4 so.mf5
h5 5 l .hJ+ White should hold) 48.d4
f5 49.d5+ when White is in real danger
although he may yet be able to survive.
4I .fxg4 ttle5t 42.mb5 ttlxg4 43.c.txa5 ttlxh2
44.c.tb4
White has enough time to get back with his
king and the position is drawish.
44 ... c.tg6 45.c.tc3 c.tf5 46.c.td3 ttlg4 47.g3
c.te5 48.tLlf4 c.tf5 49.tLld5 tLle5t 50.c.te3
c;t>g4 5 1 . tLl f6t c;t> f5
a b c d e f g h
52.tLld5
Avoiding the final trap: 52.lt'lxh7?? lt'ld7!-+
followed by . . . c.tg6 when the knight is trapped.
52 ...i>g4 53.tLlf6t i>xg3 54. i>e4! tLld7
55.tLlxd7 h5 56.tLlf6 h4 57.i>f5 h3 58.ttlg4
f6 59.ttle3 i>f3
351
GAME46
[> G. Meier (2648)
S. Feller (2668)
5th SPICE Cup, Lubbock
Round S, 1 9. 1 0.20 1 1 [E95]
Annotated by Yannick Gozzoli
White chose the 8J:!e 1 variation against the
. . . lt'lbd7 Classical King's Indian. The first
important moment occurred on Black's 1 1 th
move, when Black had to choose between
two important knight moves. My personal
preference is for the dynamic 1 l . . .lt'le5!?,
but Feller's 1 l . . .lt'lc5 is totally playable. Then
Meier avoided the usual 1 2.1'!ad 1 which has the
reputation for being quite drawish, although
the notes indicate that White has good chances
for an advantage here. In the game Black could
have got a nice position but he misplaced his
pieces on the queenside, failed to find any
counterplay and lost badly.
I .tLlf3 tLlf6 2.c4 g6 3.tLlc3 .ig7 4.e4 d6 5.d4
0-0 6 ..ie2 e5 7.0-0 ttlbd7 8J!el
In my opinion 8 .ie3 is the most challenging
move, but that is another topic.
8 ... c6 9.-ifl
a b c d e f g h
9 ... exd4
The main alternative is:
9 . . . a5
352 Chess Evolution

Black hopes to improve his position before l l c!lc5

...

committing himself in the centre. This 'positional' approach is fine, but my

1 0.dxe5
After 1 O.Ei:b 1 Ei:e8 White lacks a useful move
so he has to make a decision in the centre.
1 l .d5 lLlc5 1 2.b3 id7 1 3 .a3 cxd5 1 4.cxd5
b5 1 5 .b4 axb4 1 6.axb4 lLl a4 1 7.lLlxa4 Ei:xa4
1 8.id3 1Wb6= Black was definitely not worse
in Postny - Jovanovic, Sibenik 20 1 1 .
1 0 . . . dxe5
personal preference is for the more dynamic
knight move to e5.
1 1 ... d5? is premature: 1 2.cxd5 lLlxd5
( 1 2 ... cxd5 1 3 .tLl db5) 1 3.exd5 Ei:xe 1 1 4 .1Wxe 1
ixd4 1 5 .dxc6 (or 1 5 .Ei:d 1 c5 [ 1 5 . . .ig7 1 6.dxc6
bxc6 1 7 .ic4+- Gligoric - Pilnik, Amsterdam
1 950) 1 6.d6) 1 5 . . . bxc6 1 6.Ei:d 1 +-

1 1 . . .lLle5!?
This move is more aggressive than Feller's
choice. Black is putting pressure on the c4-
pawn, while shielding the d6-pawn from the
enemy bishop. It should also not be forgotten
that the knight is closer to the enemy king on
e5 than c5. It is worth analysing the responses
of a) 1 2 .1Wd2?! and b) 1 2.f3.

a) 1 2.1Wd2?!
a b c d e f g h
This mechanical move gives White nothing
1 1 .tLla4! but troubles, and allows Black to exploit his
Highlighting the disadvantage of Black's 9th dynamic potential.
move. 12 . . . lLlh5! 1 3.ig5 1Wb6 1 4.Ei:ad 1 ?!
1 1 . . .1We7 1 2.1Wc2 lLlc5 1 3.lLlxc5 1Wxc5 1 4.ie3 The lesser evil is 1 4.lLla4 although 1 4 . . . Wfxd4
l.We7 1 5 .h3;!; 1 5.1Wxd4 lLl f3t 1 6.gxf3 ixd4 1 7.Ei:ad 1 ie5=
Wojtaszek - Markus, Wroclaw 20 1 0. is of course pleasant for Black.

IO.c!Jxd4 :ge8 1 l ..if4

White's other ideas include 1 l .Ei:b 1 , 1 l .ig5
and 1 1 .lLl b3.

8
7

4 a b c d e f g h

3 1 4 . . . ig4!
Now it will be hard for White to deal with
2 the pressure against his centre.
1 1 5 .ie2

a b c d e f g h
 November 20 1 1 353

1 5J'k 1 lilxc4 1 6.ixc4 '!Wxd4+ wins a pawn 12.'1Wc2 lilg4 13.\Wd2

for no compensation.
1 5 . . . lilxc4
Also strong is 1 5 . . . ixe2 1 6.'1Wxe2 '!Wb4+
Gofshtein - Sutovsky, Tel Aviv 1 994.
1 6.ixc4 ixd 1 1 7 J'hd 1 '!Wc5+
White faced an unavoidable loss of material
in Antic - Vorobiov, Kavala 20 1 0.
b) 1 2.f3
a b c d e f g h
This is more solid, but Black can still obtain
a good game.
12 . . . a6 1 3.'ilth 1 c5 1 4 .lil b3 lilh5 1 5 .ie3
At this point Black could have reached a
comfortable and promising position with:
1 5 . . . ie6!N
Instead of 1 5 ... \Wh4? 1 6.'iltgl lilc6 1 7.'1Wd2
ie5 1 8.g3 '!Wf6 1 9.lild5 Rakhmanov -
Sutovsky, Moscow 2008.
1 6.lild5 lil f6 1 7.'1Wd2 lilxd5 1 8.cxd5 id?+
Moving the queen for the second time looks
strange, but it has often been played since the
early 1 990s in order to avoid a forcing sequence
that was considered drawish (at that time!) .
1 3.1'%ad 1
This natural move was considered the main
line until Black found an interesting way to
deal with it:
1 3 . . . ixd4!?
1 3 . . . ie5 does not equalize: 1 4.ig3 '!Wf6
1 5 .'1Wd2 h5 ( I 5 . . . ixg3 1 6.hxg3 lil d3
1 7.ixd3 '!Wxd4 1 8.1'%fl [ 1 8 .ic2 '!We5 1 9.f3
WeS t 20.'1Wd4 lile5 2 1 .'1Wxc5 dxc5 22.b3
f6 23.f4 lil f7 is okay for Black] 1 8 . . . '1We5
[ 1 8 . . . '1Wc5 1 9.ie2;!;] 1 9.ie2 lil f6 20.'1Wxd6
lilxe4 2 1 .'1Wxe5 1'%xe5 22.1'%d8t 'iltg7 23.lilxe4
1'%xe4 24.if3 1'%e5 25.g4;!; The ending is
clearly in White's favour although the win
is a long way off.) 1 6.f3 ixg3 1 7.hxg3 lile5
1 8.f4 lilg4 1 9.lilf3 '!Wd8 20.b4;!; White has
a fine position, Averkin - Geller, Moscow
1 969.
1 4.1'%xd4 '!Wf6 1 5 .lil e2
8
7
6
5
4
Luuj"'-'" ,;;7;J'''=u
3
2

a b c d e f g h

1 5 . . . lilxf2!
The point of Black's play, although we
will see that the evaluation is still far from
clear.
1 6. 'iltxf2
1 6.1'%xd6!? leads to complex play: 1 6 . . . \Wh4
( 1 6 . . . \We?? 1 7.lilc3 lilg4 1 8.'1Wd 1 !) 1 7.ig3
'!Wxe4 1 8 .'1Wd2 Intending lil c3. 1 8 . . . lil fd3

a b c d e f g h
354 Chess Evolution

1 9.lt:Jc3 (I 9.l'l:d I !?00 Black has not completed

his development so perhaps White can fight
for an advantage here.) 1 9 . . . lt:Jxe l 20.lt:Jxe4
lt:Jxe4 2 l .Wfd4 lt:J xd6oo Black has a material
advantage but his dark squares are weak
and the knight on el is temporarily out of
play.
1 6 . . . g5 1 7.l'l:xd6 Wfe7 1 8 .e5 gxf4 1 9.lt:Jxf4

a b c d e f g h

13 ... ttle5
Black can also play 1 3 . . . a5 1 4 .l'l:ad l a4 1 5 .h3
lt:Je5 1 6.ie3 a5 1 7.<j{hJ ( 1 7.f4 lt:Jed7=
Tukmakov - Vogt, Lenk 2000) 1 7 . . .Wfa6
1 8.c l a5 1 9.f3 a3N ( 1 9 .. .f6?! led to an
a b c d e f g h unpleasant position for Black in Zueger -
Vogt, Switzerland 1 997) 20.b3 lt:Jed7?.
1 9 . . . Wfg5!
In a previous game Black went down quickly
14J;adl 'f!Yb6 1 5.h3 aS 16.Ae3
after 1 9 . . . f5? 20.Jld3 lt:Jd7 2 l .l'l:e6 c5t
22. <j{fl +- Adamski - Mista, Trinec 1 980.
The text move was a revolutionary novelty
at the time, but it is not the end of the story
as I also found a strong improvement for
White.
20.d2!N
After 20.g3 the players agreed a draw
in Burgess - Schlosser, Prestwick 1 990,
and indeed after 20 . . . Jlf5 2 Lid3 ixd3
22.lt:Jxd3 lt:Jxd3t 23.xd3 l'l:xe5 the
position is equal.
20 . . .i.f5
After 20 . . . l'l:xe5? 2 l .l'l:d8t <j{g7 22.g3+ a b c d e f g h
White's attack is irresistible.
20 .. .f6 2 l .l'l:d8 Jlf5 22.l'l:xa8 l'l:xa8 23 .d4 We have reached a typical-looking position
2 l .d4! l'l:ad8 22.lt:Jh5 for this opening variation. White has a strong
22.l'l:xd8 l'l:xd8 23.e3;!; position in the centre and will aim to break
22 . . . l'l:xd6 23.exd6 l'l:xe l 24.<j;lxe l with e4-e5 or f4-f5 . Black will try to develop
Black has nothing to show for the missing his counterplay against the e4-pawn and on the
pawn. queenside by harassing the c4- and b2-pawns.
He may also consider pushing his a-pawn in
 November 20 11 355

order to soften the long diagonal and create tt:lxc3 27.W/xc3 Wf2 (27 . . . tt:l xf4 28.W/d2 tt:le6
new weaknesses on a2 and c3. 29.4Jf5-+) 28.f5 tt:l f8 29.Wic l -+ (29.ie2!?)
when the black king is in danger.
16 ... ed7
1 6 . . . a4 1 7.f4 tt:led7 1 8.tt:lf3;!; intending id4
is slightly better for White.

17.'ifc2 a4 18.4 'ifb4?!

I don't like this square for the black queen.

1 8 . . . a3!? 1 9.b3 W/a5

This would have been a better idea for Black.
Now White has some problems improving
his position due to the pressure along the
h8-a l diagonal. Here are some illustrative
lines:
a b c d e f g h
19 ..ifl
Improving the scope of the rook on e 1 , while
also preparing to deploy the bishop on g3 or
h4 to support White's kingside play.

19 ... b6?!
The black knights are a bit shaky in the firing
line of the bishop on f2. But aside from that,
I simply don't understand Black's plan. White
a b c d e f g h now has every chance to launch a successful
attack, exploiting the fact that Black's pieces
20.tt:l de2
are so far away on the queenside.
Or 20.if2 tt:la6= intending . . . tt:ldc5, . . . id7
and . . . ad8 with a good game for Black.
Another idea was 1 9 . . . a3 20.b3, but this
20 . . . 4J f6 2 1 .tt:lg3
underlines the bad position of the black queen,
2 l .id2 W/c7 22.tt:lg3 h5 Black is fine. White
as b4 would be a better square for a black
can try to complicate the game with 23.b4
knight.
tt:la6 24.e5!? but after 24 . . . dxe5 25.fxe5
tt:l h7oo Black's chances are not worse.
20.a3 'ifa5 2 l .g4 .id7?!
2 1 . . .tt:lg4 22.id4
Black continues his faulty plan. There
22.hxg4 Wxc3+
was still time to correct the strategy with
22 . . . tt:le6 23.ixg7
2 1 . . .tt:lbd7;!;, when Black's position remains
23.tt:lge2 tt:lxd4 24.tt:lxd4 tt:l f6+
worse, but he would have reasonable chances
23 . . . Wc5t 24.\t>hl Wf2!f
to meet his opponent's initiative in the centre.
Maintaining a dynamic balance. It should be
noted that winning material with 24 . . . 4Jf2t?
22.f5!
25 .Wh2 tt:lxd l is risky in view of 26.if6!
A powerful move, seizing the initiative in
356 Chess Evolution

the centre. The method is quite unusual as it 27 ....if8

weakens the e5-square. But in this particular 27 . . . Wfc5 28.Wfxc5 tt:lxc5 29 . .if2 (29J'hd6
position Black is unable to make much use of ixc3 30.bxc3 E:xe4 3 1 .E:ed l is also good for
it, and it is clear that his pieces are misplaced White) 29 . . ..if8 30 . .ixc5 dxc5 3 1 .tt:lxa4 tt:lxa4
on the queenside. 32.E:xd7

28.hl!
A good prophylactic move against a possible
. . . c5.

28...Wfc5 29.e5
Giving Black a chance to get back into
the game. Instead 29.Wfg2!+- would have
given White an overwhelming position, with
absolutely no counterplay for Black.

a b c d e f g h
22 .. Jad8 23 ..ih4 gcs 24.-ifl gcd8 25 ..ih4
gcs 26.ltlf3
White has a huge advantage. Black has no
counterplay and his knights are passive.

26 ... ltl b3
The knight occupies an outpost, but it is
completely out of play!

a b c d e f g h
27.Wffl
Threatening to take on d6. 29 ... d5
A blunder in time trouble.

29 . . . Wfxf2 30.ixf2 c5! was the right

continuation. White is still better, but
his advantage is not that great. A possible
continuation is: 3 1 .tt:ld5 ic6 32.tt:lxb6 .ixf3t
33.ig2 ixd l 34.tt:lxc8 .ixg4 3 5 .hxg4 (after
35.tt:lxd6 ixd6 36.exd6 E:xe l t 37 ..ixe l
.ixf5 38.ixb7 id7 Black has good drawing
chances) 35 . . . E:xc8t

In the game, after White's strong reply he is

just winning.
a b c d e f g h
 November 20 1 1
30.Wfc2!+-
Threatening e5-e6, destroying the enemy
kingside.
30 .. .ltxc4
30 . . . \Was 3 l .e6 fXe6 32.fXg6+- is easily
winning.
3 I .tLlxa4
Black could have resigned here, but in time
trouble he played a few more moves in inertia.
31 ... Wfb5 32.hc4 dxc4 33.tLlc3 hf5
34.gxf5 W/a5 35.tLle4 i.e? 36.W/xc4 .hh4
37.tLlxh4
1-0
GAME47
[> R. Kasimdzhanov (2678)
.... L. D. Nisipeanu (2638)
European Club Cup, Rogaska Slatina
Round 7, 0 1 . 1 0.20 1 1 [E97]
Annotated by Sebastien Maze
In a Classical King's Indian with 9.tt:ld2,
Kasimdzhanov played a good novelty with
1 9.\We l . In my opinion this move enables
White to count on some advantage. In the
game Nisipeanu tried to set fire to the board
with 20 . . . tt:l f5?!, but after some precise
defensive moves, most notably 29.tt:lc5!,
White quickly obtained a winning position.
According to my analysis 20 . . . tt:lg8 is the right
route to a playable position. The position
remains slightly better for White, but Black
can definitely hope for some counterplay on
the kingside.
I .d4 c!l:)f6 2.c4 g6 3.ti:)c3 i.g7 4.e4 d6 s.c!l:)f3
0-0 6..ie2 e5 7.0-0 tLlc6 8.d5 ltle7 9.tLld2
The former FIDE World Champion has
been playing this line quite often. 9.tt:le1 and
9.b4 are the main moves.
9 ... a5 10.a3 tLld7 l l .gbl f5 1 2.b4 c;!?h8
357
13.8
a b c d e f g h
13 ... axb4
By far the most popular move has been
1 3 . . . tt:lg8, which was especially popular in the
1 990s as it was used many times by Kasparov.
The main line continues 1 4 .'1Wc2 tt:lgf6 1 5 .d3
f4 with an unclear position.
13 . . .f4!? 1 4.tt:lb5 b6 1 5 .\Wc2 a4 1 6Jd 1 g5
1 7.g4! h5 ( 1 7 . . . fXg3 1 8.hxg3 h5 1 9.tt:lfl
tt:lg6 20.ie3 h4 2 1 .\Wc l t) 1 8.h3 l%f6 1 9 .b2
occurred in the recent game Kramnik -
Nakamura, Monte Carlo (rapid) 20 1 1 . Black
eventually won this game, but at this stage
White's position is preferable; he is solid on
the kingside, and he has good chances to break
open the centre with the timely c4-c5 .
14.axb4 c6
Kasimdzhanov had already done well against
the weaker 14 . . . c5?! earlier in the year: 1 5 .bxc5
tt:lxc5 1 6.tt:lb3 b6 1 7.tt:lxc5 bxc5 1 8.'1Wb3 tt:lg8
1 9.'1Wb6 h6 20.Wxd8 l%xd8 2 1 .l%b6 White
obtained an enduring advantage and won
convincingly in the endgame, Kasimdzhanov
- Mamedov, Konya 20 1 1 .
1 5.c;!?hl ltl f6 16.tLlb3
Both players continue to improve their
positions. White wants to put a knight on a5
and Black wants to put a knight on h5!
358 Chess Evolution
I6 ... cxd5 17.cxd5 f4 18.lL!a5 lLih5
a b c d e f g h
19.WfeiN
A strong novelty! The first idea is to prevent
a quick . . . if6-h4, and the second is to play
lbc4 followed by Wf2-b6.
1 9.Wgl if6 20.id2 ih4 2 l .ie l lLlg3 22.E!.f2
lLlxe2t 23.E!.xe2 ixe l 24.W/xe l g5 gave Black
good chances in Lputian - Nataf, Warsaw
2005.
19 ...i.f6 20.lL!c4
Now Black has to move his knight away from
e7 in order to prepare . . . ih4. The problem is
that the knight does not have a really good
square available.
20 ... lLif5?
It looks like Black made a practical decision
to complicate the game, but the sacrifice is
objectively unsound.
Evidently the correct continuation was:
20 . . . lbg8
Not an ideal square for the knight, but at
least this piece will live to fight another day.
2 1 .Wf2 E!.a6!
It is important to prevent the queen from
coming to b6. Alternatives are worse:
2l ... ih4? 22.Wb6 Wg5 23.Wxd6 E!.e8
24.id3 tLlg3t 25 .Wgl tt:lxfl (25 . . .ih3
26.hxg3 ixg3 27.E!.b2+-) 26.ixfl +-
2 1 . . .lbh6 22.W/b6 lLl f7 23.1M'xd8 ixd8
24.lLlb5 ie7 2 5.ib2 Black faces an
unpleasant endgame.
a b c d e f g h
We have reached a position which is critical
for the assessment of the whole opening line.
White can choose between a) 22.id3?, b)
22.b5?!, c) 22.id l , d) 22.g4!? and finally e)
22.E!.g l ! .
a ) 22.id3? ih4 23.1M'c2 lLlg3t i s a strong
version of Black's thematic knight sacrifice.
24.'k!tg l (24.hxg3 ixg3 25 .E!.f2 Wh4t 26.'k!tg l
lb f6 27.ib2 lbg4+) 24 . . . lbxfl 25 .Wxfl
E!.a8 White has some compensation for the
exchange but Black's position is better overall.
b) 22.b5?! is met by 22 ... ih4 23.bxa6 ixf2
24.E!.xf2 bxa6 25 .ia3 !i:f6 26.E!.b6 lLlh6 with
unclear play.
c) 22.id l !?
An interesting move. Compared with the
weaker line 'a' above, the bishop controls the
g4-square.
22 . . .id7
22 . . . .ih4 23.Wd2 tLlg3t? does not work
here: 24.hxg3 ixg3 25 .E!.f2 IM'h4t 26.Wgl
Wh2t 27.'k!tfl Wh l t 28.'k!te2 ixf2 29.Wxf2
Wh2 30.ie2 lLl h6 3 l .b5 !i:a8 32.ifl E!.f6
33.'k!tel +-
 November 20 1 1 359

23.b5 ih4 24.Wd2 l:!a8 25.lt.Je2 lt.J h6 26.ia3 The endgame is complicated but roughly
equal in my estimation.

d) 22.g4!?

8
7
6
5
4
L--J=-/. ;;;/./'////. ,;;;;
3
a b c d e f g h
2
26 . . . lt.J f7
I t is important to give the d6-pawn some
a b c d e f g h
protection before focusing on the kingside
attack. This move can occur in several lines of the
26 . . . ig3?! is premature: 27.ixd6 Wh4 Classical King's Indian. Here it may lead to
28.lt.Jxg3 lt.Jxg3t 29.'kt>g1 Wxh2t 30.<;hh 2 great complications.
lt.Jxfl t 3 l .'kt>gl lt.Jxd2 32.ixe5t 'kt>g8 22 . . . fxg3 23.hxg3 ig5
33.lt.Jxd2t 23 . . .ig7 is too timid and 24.Wh2 lt.J h6
27.l:!b3 25 .ie3 lt.J f7 26.lt.Ja5 l:!a8 27.l:!a l t favours
27.ic2? ig3 28.lt.J g l (28.hxg3 fxg3+) White.
28 . . .ixh2 29.'kt>xh2 Wh4t 30.lt.Jh3 ixh3 24.f4!?
3 1 .gxh3 l:!fc8+ An ambitious move, but also a risky one for
27 . . .ig3! White.
Black is setting a fire around the king! The following line illustrates the dangers in
White's position: 24.b5 l:!a8 25 .ia3? (better
is 25 .Wh2 ixc l 26.l:!bxc l lt.Jgf6 27.l:!b l
We700 with mutual chances)

a b c d e f g h

28.lt.J g l !
28.hxg3? fxg3 29.'kt>gl Wh4 30.lt.Jxg3 lt.Jxg3
a b c d e f g h
3 1 .l:!e 1 lt.Jh6 gives Black a winning attack.
28 . . . ixh2 29.'kt>xh2 Wh4t 30.lt.Jh3 ixh3 25 . . . l:!xa3! 26.lt.Jxa3 lt.Jxg3t A super double
3 1 .gxh3 Wg3t 32.'kt>h l Wxh3t 33.'kt>gl lt.J g3 sacrifice! 27.Wxg3 if4 28.Wf2 Wg5 White is
34.Wg2 Wxg2t 3 5 .'kt>xg2 lt.Jxfl 36.'kt>xfl l:!fd8 in trouble as his king has no more protection.
24 . . . .ih3 25 J!gl li:lh6
25 . . . exf4?! 26.xh5 gxh5 27.Lf4 .ie7
28.'d4t f6 29.'d3;t;
The position is completely crazy, but
objectively, with the help of a computer we
can say it should be at least equal for Black.
30 . . . i.d4!
Worse is 30 . . . ixgl ?! 3 1 .\i;>xg l li:lxg3 32.i.xg4
.ixg4 33.li:ld6 exf4 34.b6 f3 3 5.ie3 lDe2t
36.<j;>f2;t;.
Now the main line continues:
3 l .xg4 xg4 32.id2 l:!a3 33.l:!bc l exf4
34.gxf4 i.f3t 35 .@h2 li:lxf4 36.l:!g3 li:ld3
37.l:!fl lDe5 38.li:l b l l:!a l +

e) S o far Black has been holding his own

everywhere, but White has a high-quality
a b c d e f g h
prophylactic move which should enable him
26.b5!? to maintain the better chances:
Perhaps White could consider 26 . .ixh5 22.l:!g l !
gxh5 27.f5 li:lg4 28.''e2 .ih4 29.li:le3 l:!g8
30.li:lxg4 .ixg4 3 l .d3 .if6oo although in
terms of king safety, this position is also
more dangerous for White.
26 . . . l:!a8 27.'b6
Trying to exchange queens.
27 . . . li:lg4
After 27 . . . exf4 the messy position may result
in a draw: 28.xh5 gxh 5 29.gxf4 (29.'Mfxd6
'Mfc8 30.li:lb6 'Mig4 3 l .b2 'M'f3t 32.'7h2
li:lg4t 33.@xh3 li:l f2t 34.@h2 li:l g4t=
a b d e f g h
leads to a draw) 29 ... ixf4 30.'Mid4t f6 c

3 l .xf6t l:!xf6 32.xf4 l:!xf4 33.li:lxd6 l:!h4 Now White will be able to block the attack
34.@h2 .ifl t 35 .@g3 l:!g4t 36.h2 l:!h4t= on his queen.
with perpetual check. 22 . . . i.h4
28.'Mfxd8 .ixd8 29.li:lxd6 .ib6 30.li:lxb7 There is nothing better, for instance:
22 . . . li:lh6 23.b5 l:!a8 24.i.b2 li:lf7 (24 . . . i.h4
8 25.b6 g5 26.l:!gc l i.g3 27.hxg3 fxg3
7 28.<j;>gl h4 29.<j;>fl +-) 25.l:!a l
23.g3 fxg3 24.hxg3 ig5 25.b5 l:!a8 26.ia3!
6
It is interesting to compare this position
5
with the note to White's 24th move in line
4 'd' above. Because of the position of the rook
3 on gl instead of fl , White no longer has to
2 worry about the double sacrifice on a3 and
g3. This is enough to swing the balance of
the position in White's favour.
a b c d e f g h
 November 2011 36 1

26.f4 is less promising. 26 . . . exf4 27 ..ixh5 a human player would have good reasons to
gxh 5 28 . .ixf4 .ig4 29.Wd4t .if6 30.Wd3 reject it: 26.Wxd3 tt:lxfl 27.'xfl Wc7 28.ttld2
c8 3 1 .ttle2 .ig5 32 . .ixg5 Wxg5 33.tt:ld4 a8 29.b l fc8 30.tt:lde4
The position remains quite complicated as
White's king is weak. 8
26 . . . f6 7
From here White can look to make
6
something of his positional advantages. A '----- -"'"'''"'. . _ , , . _
5
sample line is:
27.al tt:l h6 28.Wg2 ttlf7 29 ..ib4 xa l 4
. . . . . . -/=/.. .

30.xa l id7 3 1 .a7 Wb8 32.b6 3

t''"'"'". ._,._, F
White's chances are higher, although he will 2
still have to be careful on the kingside.

a b c d e f g h

Black has a rook and pawn for two pieces,

but strategically his position is completely lost.
White's knights protect one another while
blockading the e5-pawn. Black's bishop has no
future, his rooks are not achieving anything on
the open files, and White will easily improve
his position.

26.hc4 Wfb6t 27.2

8
a b c d e f g h
7
2 I .exf5 .ih4 22.1!Mdl g3t 23.c.t>gl
But not 23.hxg3?? ixg3 when checkmate is 6
coming! 5

23 ...Lf5 24..id3 4
24.b3 is also good for White. 3

2
24 .. J3c8 25Jb3 xc4!?
Nisipeanu is doing his best to complicate the
position.
a b c d e f g h

25 ... Wg8 26.f2 e4 27.fxe4 tt:lxe4 28.tt:lxe4 27 ... c8

ixe4 29.ml .ixd5 30.xf4 xf4 3 1 ..ixf4
h8 (3 1 . . .ixc4 32.ixc4t xc4 33.Wd5t+-)
32.c3 Wf6 33.Wd2 b5 34 . .ie3
25 . . . ixd3 is the computer's top choice, but
27 . . . ttlh5 was another idea, but Black is losing
here too: 28.Wd2 c8 29.-ifl tt:l f6 Intending to
play . . . e4. 30.We2! (30.ib2 g5 3 1 .h3 h5 gives
Black some counterplay) 30 . . . Wd4 3 1 .g3 fxg3
32.hxg3 ixg3 33.ie3 Wh4 34.Wd2 ixf2t
362 Chess Evolution

35 .'1Mz'xf2 '1Mz'xf2t 36.c;t>xf2+- The endgame is

hopeless for Black.

28.tt:l a4!
The key move (and also pretty much
the only good one in the position!) , which
the Romanian grandmaster may well have
overlooked.

28 ...a7

a b c d e f g h
32 ... dxc5 33.Lf5 gxf5 34.bxc5 b4 35Jal
gxc5 36.J.b2 Ad8 37.ga6 g8 38.a4

a b c d e f g

29.tt:lc5!
An excellent move. Now the black queen is
out of the game and the knight is a fantastic
blocker of all Black's play.
a b c d e f g
29 ... tt:lh5 38 .. ,gb5?
29 . . . dxc5? 30.hxg3 is winning. 38 . . . ltl f6 would have prolonged the game
slightly, although 39.E!e6 c;t>f7 40.E!xe5 E!c l t
30Jd2 bS 4 l .E!d l E!xd l t 42.Wfxd l Wfa7t 43.c;t>h l is still
After 30 . . . dxc5 3 l .b5 White is the exchange winning easily enough.
up with a strong passed d-pawn and no
counterplay for Black. 39.ga8 b6t 40.fl
1-0
3 U3a3 b8
3 1 . . .'1Mz'c7 32 . .id3 dxc5 33 . .ixf5 gxf5 34 . .ib2
cxb4 3 5 .E!a6

32.i.d3
Forcing simplifications. The game is almost
over.
 November 20 1 1 363

GAM E 48
[> V. Kramnik (2791)
A. Giri (2722)
Unive Crown, Hoogeveen
Round 1 , 1 6. 1 0.20 1 1 [E97]
Annotated by Etienne Bacrot

In the Bayonet Attack against the King's Indian

Defence, Vladimir Kramnik tried an unusual
idea with 1 2.if3 (instead of the standard
1 2.f3). In such little explored territory, Black
had decisions to make immediately on move
1 2. Giri's reaction looked sensible until he a b c d e f g h
went wrong with 1 5 . . . lt:Je8? after which White 1 2 .tf3

was dearly better. A few moves later a further
slip from Black ensured that White would win.
Kramnik's 1 2.if3 is very interesting and
should certainly be tested again.
I.lt:Jf3 ttlf6 2.c4 g6 3.tLlc3 Ag7 4.e4 d6 5.d4
0-0 6.Ae2 e5 7.0-0 tbc6 8.d5 e7 9.b4
tLlh5
8 22.1"t>e3 "Wxg3t 23.1"t>d2 Elf2 24.lt:Je8
7
An unusual try and an interesting one!
I cannot resist reminding the reader of a very
exciting game of great theoretical importance
for the previous main line, which was won by
Black:
1 2.f3 f4 1 3.b5 fxg3 1 4.hxg3 h6 1 5 .lt:Je6 ixe6
1 6.dxe6 "Wc8 1 7.lt:Jd5 "Wxe6 1 8.lt:Jxc7 "Wh3
1 9J::!: f2 lLlxe4 20.fxe4 :ihf2 2 1 .1"t>xf2 Elf8t

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

10.g3 Van Wely, as White, was repeating a game

A couple of months earlier, Vladimir tried
the strange 1 O.c5 f5 1 1 .a4 in Kramnik -
Nakamura, Dortmund 20 1 1 , which was
analysed in game 50 of the September 20 1 1
issue of Chess Evolution.
10 ... 5 1 I .ttlg5 tlJ f6
he won in 2008 against the King's Indian
expert, Teimour Radjabov (well, Kasparov
has been retired for a long time!}. But now
came an unpleasant surprise:
24 . . . "Wf3!
White has no more than 0.00. Yes, it is
the computer era in modern chess! White
364 Chess Evolution

followed up with normal human moves: had a last chance to defend by repatriating
25.tt'lxd6 .if6 26.c5 the knight with 30 . .!t'l c4!.
30 . . . 'Wf3-+
Black is winning, and it would be unfair to
the gladiators not to show the final moves:
3 1 ..!t'lxe4 'Wxe4 32.c7 'Wf4t 33.Q:{e l .ic3t
34 . .id2 'Wg3 35 .ixc3 l'!f3t 36.Wd2 l'!xc3
37.d6 'We3t 38.We1 l'!c l 39.'Wxc l 'Wxc l t
4o.lt>f2 'Wc5t 4 LWf3 Wf7 42.if1 'Wf5t
43.Wg3 'We6 44.\t>f2 h5 45.a4 Wf6 46 . .ig2
'WeB 47.Wg3 g5 0-1
Enough - a queen is quite strong, Van Wely
- Stellwagen, Amsterdam 2009.
a b c d e f g h

White is waiting for a perpetual such as

26 . . ..ig5t 27.Q:{e 1 l'!fl t 28 . .ixfl 'Wg3t
29.We2 'Wg4t but instead:
26 . . . tt'l d5!!
Simply giving up one of Black's remaining
pieces to avoid a nasty check on b3 and gain
the c3-square for a deadly check of his own.
27.exd5 e4 28.Q:{e 1

a b c d e f g h

1 2 c6
...

This seems like the main move, but let's also

see some alternatives:

1 2 . . . fxe4 1 3 . .!t'lcxe4 tt'l f5 1 4.ig2 Of course

a b c d e f g h White should play strategically: the strong
e4-square and the bad bishop on g7 are not
28 . . . 'Wg2?
fully compensated by the knight invasion on
A pity; Black missed the completion of
d4. (Direct play would not promise White an
his masterpiece: 28 . . ..ic3t!! 29.id2 'Wg3!!
advantage: 1 4 . .!t'le6?! ixe6 1 5 .dxe6 c6 1 6.b5
30.ixc3 e3 And despite being +8 in material,
.!t'l d4 1 7.bxc6 bxc6 18 ..ie3 .!t'l xf3t 1 9.'Wxf3
White cannot avoid mate in two.
.!t'lxe4 20.'Wxe4 d5 2 1 .e7 dxe4 22.exd8='W
29.Q:{d2 ixa 1 ?
l'!Xd8=) 1 4 . . . .!t'ld4 1 5 . .ib2 White seems to be
It was not too late to repeat the position with
better.
29 . . . 'Wf3!.
30.c6?
1 2 . . . h6 1 3 . .!t'le6 ixe6 1 4.dxe6 'Wc8 1 5 .tt'ld5
No, there is no time for queening! White
looks bad for Black.
 November 20 1 1 365

1 2 .. .'it'h8!? 1 3.b5 b8 is a good direction in 14.exd5

which to search if you do not want to repeat The less usual way to recapture, but if
the game. instead: 1 4.cxd5 h6 1 5 .tt:le6 ixe6 1 6.dxe6
tt:l xe4 1 7.tt:lxe4 ( 1 7.ixe4 fxe4 1 8.tt:lxe4 d5
1 3.i.a3 1 9.tt:lc5 \Wd6oo) 17 . . . fxe4 l 8.i.xe4 d5 1 9.ig2
Played quickly by Kramnik, so it makes little e4 20.b5 ixa l 2 1 .\Wxa l c8!
sense to search for an improvement for White! Thanks to the open c-file, Black equalizes.
22.We5 c2 23.ib2 xb2=
8
14... e4 1 5.i.e2
7

6 8
5 7
4 6
3 5
2 4
1 3
a b c d e f g h 2
13 ... cxd5!
It is very important to try to open the c-file.
a b c d e f g h

Let's also see another direct approach: 15 ... tLle8?

1 3 . . . h6 1 4.tt:le6 ixe6 1 5 .dxe6 fxe4 1 6.tt:lxe4 This passive move clearly gives the upper
tt:lxe4 1 7.ixe4 d5 1 8 . .ig2 hand to White. Black had two ways to fight:

1 5 . . . f4!? 1 6.tt:lgxe4!
1 6.gxf4!? tt:l f5 1 7.c l e8 is very messy, for
example: 1 8.e l e3 1 9.fxe3 ( 1 9.if3 exf2t
20.)f{xf2 tt:l d4oo) 1 9 . . . xe3 20.c5 a500
1 6.c5 permits another typical break:
1 6 . . . fxg3 1 7.hxg3 e3 with good play.
1 6 . . . tt:l xe4 1 7.tt:lxe4 if5 l 8.if3 ixa l 1 9 .\Wxa l
ixe4 20.ixe4 tt:l f5
This position is not very appealing at first
sight from Black's point of view. More in
a b c d e f g h
depth analysis is required before it is ready to
1 8 . . . e4 ( 1 8 . . . \WdG 1 9.'1Wb3 b5 20.cxd5 cxd5 face an ex-world champion!
2 l .ad 1 ad8 22.ic l This position can be
considered, but it looks nasty for Black.) 1 9.b5! 1 5 . . . h6!?
ixa l 20.\Wxa l White has huge compensation Maybe this is the best choice.
for the exchange. 1 6.tt:le6 ixe6 1 7.dxe6 f4!
366 Chess Evolution

1 8 . . .c8 Now White has a choice of two more

or less forcing lines, both of which secure a
small but unambiguous advantage: 1 9.tt'ld5
xe6 20.tt'lf4 f7 2 I .b5 'it>h7 22.c5 d5 23.c6
bxc6 24.bxc6 tt'lc7 25 .ixe7 xe7 26.tt'lxd5
tt'l xd5 27.xd5;t or 1 9.c5 xe6 20.cxd6
tt'lxd6 2 I .tt'lb5 Ei:fd8 22.tt'lc7 xa2 23.tt'lxa8
xa3 24.ic4t cj;lh7 25.tt'lc7 e3 26.tt'le6 exf2t
27.Ei:xf2 Ei:c8 28.tt'lxg7 tt'l xc4 29.e l tt'ld5
30.tt'le6 xb4 3 l .xb4 tt'lxb4 32.Ei:d2!;l;.
a b c d e f g h

This position should be rechecked carefully, 19.b5 .ie5 20.'!Wb3 <"bg7 2 l JUdl xe6
but for me now, the lines below are enough. 22.c5+-
Perhaps I will have to analyse it even more All White's pieces are on their ideal posts.
deeply for the next issue!
1 8.gxf4
1 8.d2 f3 1 9.i.d l c8 20.Ei:e l xe6
2 I .i.xf3 xc4 White has compensation
for the pawn but not enough to claim an
advantage.
1 8 . . .ll:J h5! 1 9 .ixh5
1 9.tt'lxe4 tt'l xf4oo
1 9 . . . ixc3 20.Ei:c l i.g7 2 I .i.g4 Ei:xf4
Black seems fine.

16Jkl h6 17.ti)e6 he6 1S.dxe6

a b c d e f g h
8
22 ... d4 23.gxd4 bd4 24.cxd6 gS
7 25.ti)d5 ebbs 26.gc7 .ie5 27 .i.b2
6 Of course White is still winning, but it was
a shame to give up the d6-pawn; more logical
5
was 27.Ei:e7 ixd6 28.ib2t tt'l f6 29.E1e6+-.
4
27 ...'1Wxd6 2S.gxb7 g5 29.b6 a5 30 ..ih5
3
gabS 3 l .ga7 hb2 32.'1Wxb2t f6 33 ..if7
2 <"bg7 34.gd7 '!Wc6 35 ..ie6t
1-0

a b c d e f g h
1 S ... ti)c7?
The decisive mistake; Black should instead
have decided to take the e6-pawn with his
queen:
 24 Puzzles
by GM Jacob Aagaard

This is my second puzzle selection for Chess Evolution and this time it is a bit different from the
previous version. Last time I had 1 2 easy to understand - play and win - puzzles. This time I have
gone for a slightly different approach. The 24 positions I have chosen were selected from a list of
53 games supplied to me by Arkadij Naiditsch. Of these some were not really working as puzzles
for various reasons, not least of all that the outcome was very uncertain once you analysed deeper!
An example is the following:

Stojanovic - Kasimdzhanov, European Team Championship, 27.09.20 1 1

a b c d e f g h
1 5.4! tlJxc4?! 1 5 . . . 4Jg4 1 6.Wg3 lLl f6 1 7.f5! is however also better for White. 16.Y;Ye2 tlJxd2
17.tlJd5 Y;Yds 18.tlJc7t d7 19.tlJxa8 tlJxfl 20Jc7t Y;Yxc7 2 l .tlJxc7 xc7 22.xfl i.e7
23.Y;Yhs g6 24.'a5t d7 25.'b4 gbs 26.'a4t c7 27.'d4 ggs 28.a4 h5 29.b4 h4 30.b5
axb5 3 l .axb5 gcs 32.b6t d7 33.Y;Ya4t gc6 34.Y;Ya7 gclt 35.g2 c6 36.Y;Ya4t xb6
37.'llYe8 i.f6 38.Y;Yxf7 i.d4 39.'xe6 i.c5 40.5 gxf5 4l .exf5 gc3 42.h3 ga3 43.6 gas 44.f7
1-0

However the problem is that if Black plays 1 7 . . . Wa5 1 8 .lLlc7t rJle7 1 9.lLlxa8 lLlxfl 20.1::k 7t rJlf6
2 l .b4! 'ilYbS 22.e5t dxe5 23.fxe5t rJlgS 24.f4t rJlh6 25 .Wg4 f6 26.1::k 3, it looks bad, but things
are not so clear:
368 Chess Evolution

8
7
6
5
4
3
2

a b c d e f g h

26 . . . lt:le3! 27.l:!xe3 i.c5 28.bxc5 Wfxc5 29.Wfh3t \t>g6 30.\Wg2t <i> f7 3 l .Wfxb7t <it>g6 32.Wfe4t f5
33.Wfg2t <i>f7 34.\Wb?t <i>g6 3 5.\Wb3 <i> f7 36.Wfb6 Wfc l t 37.<it>g2 l:!c8 38.\Wb7t <it>g8 39.l:!e2 l:!c2
40.l:!xc2 Wfxc2t 4 1 . <i>g3 h6;t

8
7
6
5
4
3
2

a b c d e f g h

Maybe there is a win, but I did not find it.

In the end I decided to include a few positions that either led to a draw, gave only some advantage,
or had two ways of winning the position. The ones leading to a draw are 6, 8 and 1 5 . The ones
leading to some advantage, but no guaranteed win are 1 0, 1 1 , 1 7 and 20. Finally the ending in
game 23 can be won prosaically as well as with a beautiful tactic.
 November 2011 369

1 . Mamedyarov - Grandelius 4. Tikkanen - Vitiugov

8 ...
7 7

6 6

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
2. Nielsen - Volokitin 5. Movsesian - Naiditsch

8 ...
7 7

6 6

5 5

4 4

3 3

6.
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
3. Korobov - Nepomniachtchi 6. Pavasovic - Bauer ( =)

8 ... 8

7 7

6 6

5 5

4 4

3 3

2 2

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
370 Chess Evolution

7. Areshchenko - Hracek 10. Thorfinnsson - Motylev (;!;)

7 7

6 6

4 4

3 3

1 6.
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
8. Bacrot - Melkumyan ( =) 1 1 . Nisipeanu - Najer (+)

8 ... 8

7 7

6 6

5 5

4 4

3 3

2 2

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
9. Deviatkin - Azarov 12. Khairullin - Kurnosov

... 8

7 7

6 6

5 5

4 4

3 3

1 6.
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
 November 20 1 1 37 1

13. Popov - Khalifman 16. Kamsky - Svidler

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
14. Bartel - Predojevic 17. Rasulov - Khismatullin (+)

a b c d e f g h
18. Ni Hua - Morozevich

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
372 Chess Evolution

19. Le Quang Liem - Feller 22. Predojevic - Mamedyarov

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

20. Predojevic - Mamedyarov (+) 23. Ponomariov - Svidler (2 solutions)

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

2 1 . Aronian - Vallejo Pons 24. Polgar - Vachier Lagrave

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
 November 20 1 1 373

I. Mamedyarov - Grandelius, European Club Championship, 29.09.20 I I

17.e5! White wins a piece and quickly the game. 17 ... dxe5 18.fxe5 ltlxe5 19J::iae1 aS 20 ..ig3
ltlfg4 2 I .h3 1-0

2. Nielsen - Volokitin, European Club Championship, 0 I . I 0.20 I I

18 ..ic2! Black resigned as 18 ... ltlxf4 19.\WdSt .if8 20.'1Wxf6 Ieads to mate. 1-0

3. Korobov - Nepomniachtchi, European Club Championship, 30.09.20 1 1

44 f6t! This simple tactic decides the game. 45.h5 After 4 5 .exf6t <;!{f7 46.<;!;>h6 <;!;>xf6 47.<;!;>h5
..

<;!;>xf5 Black's king marches in. 45 ... fxe5 46.g5 f7 47.6 e4 0-1

4. Tikkanen - Vitiugov, European Club Championship, 26.09.20 1 1

White is too fragile on the long diagonal and his queen is overloaded. He is punished for this:
30 ltlxe4!! 3 I .he4 hc4!! 32.ltld2 32.id2 xc2 33.\Wxc2 and now Black has many winning
..

moves. The most pleasing to the eye is 33 . . . \Wc4!. 32 ..J::ixb4 33JUcl hd2 34Jk7 he4t
35.'1Wxe4 '!Wf6 36.'1Wb7 hcl 37J:if7 '!Wh6 38.'1We7 .ig5 39.6 gb1 t 0-1

5. Movsesian - Naiditsch, Croatian Team Championship, 04. 1 0.20 1 1

37 .ie3!! Just in time to stop the passed pawn. White must have missed this. 37 . . . <;!;>f8 38.d7
..

aS= 38.fxe3 38.d7 ib6-+ 38 ... gxc2t 39.fl gd2-+ 0-1 , 70.

6. Pavasovic - Bauer, European Club Championship, 26.09.20 1 1

White saves a draw with a nice sacrifice. 27.gd1! .ie4t 28.xe4! ltlc3t 29.xd4 ltlxd1 30.h3!
The knight is in trouble. Black will not be able to make progress. 30 ... c7 3 l .d3 d6 32.d2
ltlfl 33.e3 lLldit 34.d2 1/z-lf:z

7. Areshchenko - Hracek, European Club Championship, 27.09.20 1 1

White has a great position no matter what, but he can make it even better after: 23.ltlxe6!!
23.ad 1 +- 23 xe6 24 ..if4t! d7 25.\Wf5t c6 26 .ixd6 d4!? Hoping for a miracle. The
..

point of the combination was of course 26 ... <;!;>xd6 27.\Wxf7 and White ends up with an extra
exchange without facing counterplay. 27 ..ig3 '!WdS 28.\WxdSt xdS 29.gad1 gc8 30.gd2 .ia6
3 I .f3 b3 32.cxb3 d3 33.ge3 gel t 34.fl c6 35 .ie5 f6 36.ic3 ltlf4 37.ha5 gh1 38.ge1

gxh2 39.g3 ghs 40.gclt d7 4I .gc7t 1-0

8. Bacrot - Melkumyan, European Club Championship, 28.09.20 1 1

Black missed a forced draw: 34 he4!! 34 . . . h4 35 .ib 1 (35 .ib3! was correct here) 3 5 . . . h 1 t
..

36.<;!;>f2 \Wh4t 37.<;!;>e2 h2? (37 . . . \Wh2! would have held) 38.g 1 1-0, 83. 35.fxe4 3 5 .e 1 \Wh4!
is also okay for Black. White can play 36.fl xf3 37.xf3 ixf3 38.\Wxe5 '1Wg4 39.ib l t, but
after 39 . . . g6 he has no serious prospects. A drawn queen ending is approaching fast. 35 ...'1We2!
36.gd3D \Wilt 37.h2 gh4t 38.gh3 '!Wf4t 39.g1 gxh3 40.gxh3 '!We3t= Either Black has
a perpetual, or after something like 4I.fl '!Wxh3t 42.e2 '!Wh2t 43.d1 '!Wxa2= he will draw
by other means. For example a perpetual. . .
374 Chess Evolution

9. Deviatkin - Azarov, Chigorin Memorial, 22. 1 0.20 I I

Black spotted a nice little mating combination: 27 .. Jia1 t 28.i.cl i.b2 29.d2 gxcl! 30.ghh 1
A bit strange. Resigns make more sense, or 30.l=;:xc l c3t 3 I .di l!e 1#. 30 .. ,gxf1 3 l .gxfl
i.c3t 32.d1 f7 33.f4 ge3 34.g4 h6 35.g5 cS 36.gg1 e6 37.gh1 fS 38.gxh6 gxh6 0-1

10. Bj. Thorfinnsson - Motylev, European Club Championship, 26.09.20 1 1

White managed to take the initiative with a clever temporary rook sacrifice: 14.llJc5!! i.xb1
I 4 . . . xc5 I 5 .bxc5 xb i I 6.'1,1!1fb3t h8 1 7.cxb6 would leave White on the verge of winning.
15.b3t h8 I 5 . . . l!f7 I 6.ltlxb7 We8 I 7.b2 would leave White with excessive light-squared
compensation. 16.llJe6 1 6.ltlxb7 Wd7 I 7.ltl a5t was maybe even stronger. White is close to having
a clear advantage. 16 ...d7 17.llJ:xf8 g:x8 18.hb7 a4?! I 8 . . . c5 1 9.f3t was preferable, even
if White remains better. 19.xb l c6 20.a2 hb4 2l .e6 ixa3 22.hc6 b4 23.i.e4 f5
24.ixf5 llJa4 25.i.f4 25 .xa3 Wxa3 26.l!b 1 ltlc3 27.l!b7 +- would have left Black with no real
chances. 2S ... liJc3 26.i.e5 e7 27.xe7 i.xe7 28.i.g4 i.cS 29.ga1 hS 30.i.f3 ge8 3 l .i.c7
ge7 32.i.b8 liJxe2t 33.be2? 33.g2 should still get the job done, but probably Thorfinnsson
was looking for clariry more than good moves? 33 ... gxe2 34.ixa7 ha7 35.gxa7 gd2 Black is
saving the draw. 36.ga3 gd1 t 37.g2 h7 38.h3 gS 39.f3 gd2 40.h4 g4t 4l .f4 gxf2t
42.gs ga 43.xh5 gxg3 44.ga7t gs 4S.g6 ga 46.h5 g3 47.h6 gf8 4s.gg7t 112-1/:z

1 1 . Nisipeanu - Najer, European Club Championship, 29.09.20 I I

23 ... h8?? The only move was 23 . . . g4!, when after 24.c3?! Black has: 24 . . . a3!! (24 . . . ltlc5?!
allows White to get away with a draw: 25.xf6 xf6 26.l!xg4t! hxg4 27.l!xf6 Wa 1 t 28.<i>c2
Wa4t 29.c l = ; 24 . . . ltle4 25.l'he4 xg5t 26.c2 ltl f6) 25.bxa3 '1,1!1fxe2+ For this reason White
should play 24.xf6! ltlxf6 25 .c3, although his prospects are dour after 25 . . . l!d8. Still there
are reasonable drawing chances after: 26.xg4 ltlxg4 27.l!xd8t xd8 28.l!f5 Wa 1 t (28 . . . We6
29.l!xh5 f5+) 29.c2 Wfa4t 30.c l xh4! 3 I .Wf3 (3 I .Wxh4 Wa 1 t 32.c2 ltle3t) 3 l . . .f6+
24,gxf6?! 24.xf6t! ltlxf6 25 .We5 won immediately. Why White did not play it is hard to guess.
24 ... llJxf6 25.e5 g7 26.i.h6t? White could still have gained a clear advantage with: 26.l!f4!
Wa i t 27.d2 l!d8t 28.d3 f8 29.xf6 26 ... xh6 27.g5t h7 28.i.d3t h8 29.h6t
g8 30.g5t h8 3 l .h6t g8 1/:z-1/:z

12. Khairulli n - Kumosov, European Club Championship, 29.09.20 1 1

22.llJe6!! The computer points out a much more difficult win after 22.d6!? exd6 23.ltle6!! fxe6
24.xe6t l!c7 25.l!xd6!, when Black's kingside cannot withstand the pressure. The main line is:
25 . . . '1,1!1fxe4 26.f3 '1,1!1fe3t 27. h i We2 28.xf7t l!x7 29.l!d8t l!f8 30.l!xf8t xf8 3 l .l'!c l and the
knight is just trapped. 22 ... fxe6 23.he6t gf7 24.e5! 24.d6 exd6 25.l!xd6 still won, but this is
hard to understand for a human. 24 .. ,gc8 25.gd3?! White had a direct win with: 25 .xf7t x7
26.We6t <i>f8 27.d6 exd6 28.'1Mfxd6t and either '1Mfd7t on the next move, picking up the bishop,
or 28 . . . g8 29.We6t h8 30.l!d7 winning the queen or more. 25 ... gcf8 26.ixflt 26.l!c l !+-
26 .. ,gxf7 27.b8t g7 28.xb7 1-0, 54.

13. Val. Popov - Khalifman, Chigorin Memorial, I 6. I 0.20 I I

Clearly Black has the advantage, but he needs to exploit it before it disappears in the mist of
time. 27 ... he3t! 28.llJxe3 gad8t The most natural, but Black could also prepare the check
 November 2011 375

with 28 . . . f2!? based on 29.c3 f6 30.xf6 xe3t 3 l .<;itc2 .if5t with a mating attack. 29.d5
gxe2t! Again the obvious move. The quaint 29 . . . ifl !? also wins, because of 30.id l ixc4!!
3 l .xc4 g2t 32.'tt> c l :gxd5 33.ic3 h l 34.id4 e4 and Black wins material. 30. cifl xe2 ge8t
3 I .'!We3 3 l .'tt> d2 e l t is mate in rwo. 3 I . .ig4t 32. cifl d3 .if5t 33. cifl e2 '!Wxh2t 34. cifl f3 .ig4t

0-1

14. Bartel - Predojevic, European Club Championship, 29.09.20 1 1

30.h5!! The difficulty here is not so much to see the tactic, but to understand that after
30 ... gxh6 3 l .xf6 '!Wf7 32.xd5 '!Wxd5 33.gael Black is completely without any chances.
33 ...'\Wfl 34.f6 cxd4?! Not the toughest defence, but 34 . . . lbg6 loses to a computer line with
3 5 .h4, or to the simpler 35 .e6 xe6 36.:gxe6 ic7 37.d5 l:!d8 38.d6!+-. 35.ge7 '!Wg6 36.'1Wf3
.idS 37.'1Wxb7 dxc3 38.'1Wxa8 38.:ge8! would have been a nice trick shot, but taking everything
also works. 1-0

1 5. Heemskerk - Nisipeanu, European Club Championship, 25 .09.20 1 1

White missed an excellent defensive idea: 29 .ig2! The game went: 29.:gxb5 .ixe4t+ 30.'tt> g l

<;ith8 3 l .l:!xb6 .ih6 32 . .if2 :gfg 33 . .ie2 .id3 34.:ge 1 .ic4 3 5 .:gb4 lbd3 36.:gxc4 lbxe l 37 . .ixe l
ixe3t 38.'tt> h l ixd4 39.id3 :gal 40.:gxd4 :gxe l t 4 l .'tt> g2 l:!d l 42.l:!d5 :gd2t 0- 1 29 gxg2 ..

30.d6!! The fork leaves Black with instant material losses. His most dangerous continuation
is not that dangerous. 30.'tt> xg2? .ixe4t+ 30 Jxg3t!? 30 . . . .ia8 3 l .lbxe8= 3 I . cifl h2 3 l .lbxb7
.

l:!xh3t 32.'tt> g2 :gxe3 33.lbd6 is also equal. 3 l ...gg2t 32. cifl h1 galt 33.xb7 c4 34.xb5
gxe3 35.gd8t .i8 36 ..ib4 White is not worse.

16. Kamsky - Svidler, Khanry-Mansiysk (4.2) , 07.09.20 1 1

26 ge2!! 26 . . . g3 27.lbc6 :ge2 28.c3 only leads to a draw: 28 . . . ixf2t 29.'tt> h l xc3 30.bxc3
.

ixc6 3 1 .l:!fdl ! ic5 32.:gd2 ixg2t 33.'tt> h 2 id6t 34.'tt> g l ic5t with perpetual check. This would
of course have been okay for Svidler, as he would have progressed in the tournament, but the
game move wins directly! 27.'!Wc3 27.xe2 g3 is mate in six. White can give up all his pieces
except the fl -rook before he is inevitably mated. 27... gxfl White is mated. 28.c6 gxfl t 0-1

17. Rasulov - Khismatullin , Chigorin Memorial, 20. 1 0.20 1 1

Black has a nice position in general, but this is not enough for Khismatullin, who plays a
miraculous combination: 19 ... xe4!! 20.'1Wxe4 hg5 2 I .b3! 2 1 .hxg5 .ic6-+ was the first point
to see. 2 l .. ..ic6!! Black has to have this, or otherwise the pin would disappear and White would
win a piece. 22.'1Wxc6 '!Wxc6 23.xc6 hd2 24.e7t 24.lbxd8 :gxd8+ 24 cifl f8 25.xc8

l3xc8?!; Here Black plays it safe. After 25 . . . exf5! he could have obtained a significant advantage:
26.lbb6 :ge8 27.:gh2 fxg4+ The bishop will work very well with the four pawns. White will
suffer badly. 26.l3d1 .ie3 27.gxd6 27.fxe6 fxe6 28.:gxd6 'tt> e7 29.l:!d3+ would have given White
decent drawing chances. 27 ... exf5 28.gxf5 ge8! 29.c4 .ifl!+ 30.f4 .ixh4 3 l .gd1 3 l .:gxa6
ig5 32.lbh5 g6 33.fxg6 fxg6! 34.lbf6 ixf6 3 5 .:gxf6t 'tt> g7+ and it looks like White should lose.
3 l . .. a5 32. cifl c2 .ig3 33.d5 h5 34.gh1 h4 35. cifl d3 g5 36.fxg6 fxg6 37.c5 cifl f7 38.e3 ge5
39.c6 l3c5 40.c4 0-1
376 Chess Evolution

18. Ni Hua - Morozevich, Governor's Cup, Saratov 1 1 . 1 0.20 1 1

23.Wfh 1 ! This was the correct move, after which Black would have been in for a rough ride. The
game continuation was: 23.xg4?! lt:lxg4 24.'xg4 bd8 White of course has the advantage
here, but the position is not entirely clear yet and actually Black managed to turn things around
and won the game in 47 moves. 23.'g2 'e3t 24.Wb 1 h3! 25 .'g5 lt:lg4 leads to a mess and
23.'f2 h3! is also not clear. 23 ...Af5 24.ixf5 Wfe3t 25.b1 gxf5 26Jhf5 lile8 27.ltle4
White is entirely winning. Here is a possible line: 27 ... 6 28.ltlg5 h8 29Je1 Wfd2 30Jd5
Wfb4 3 I .lilxh7! gf7 Or 3 l . . .Wxh7 32.g 1 f5 33.d7t 'ii? h 8 34.'f3 lt:l f6 35 .'xf5 with mate.
32.ge4 W!'b6 33.lilf8! gd8 34.lilg6t h7 35.lile7

19. Le Quang Liem - Feller, Lubbock, 1 7. 1 0.20 1 1

32 ... gxc4!! is a beautiful winning combination. Instead Black played: 32 . . . aa8?= 33.g 1 ae8
34.g3 'h5 35.ltlf3 ltlh3 36.'g2 ltl f4 37.'c2 c8 38.b3 d5 39.exd5 ltlxd5 40.'d3 ltl f4 4 1 .'\Mffl
h6 42.b4 f5 43.e l cf8 44.gxh6 'xh6 45.'g 1 lt:l h3 46.'g2 lt:l f4 47.'d2 g5 48.lt:ld4 'd6
49.d 1 e5 50.ltlf3 and a draw was agreed. 33.gxc4 .ixd4 34.Wfxd4t g8 Surprisingly White
cannot defend sufficiently against the threats on the light squares. 35.Wff2 The only move to cover
both squares, but it has its own defects. 35 ... lild3 36.Wfg2 Forced. 36.'e2 f2-+ 36 ... lilf2t
37.g1 Wfxg2t 38.xg2 lilxd1-+

20. Predojevic - Mamedyarov, European Club Championship, 27.09.20 1 1

2I ...llJh4t?! Black should have played: 2 l . . .e2!! 22.hxg6 Forced, otherwise Black takes on h5.
(22.'xd3 lt:lxh5 23.Wh 1 xf2! is devastating. 24.lt:ld6 ltle5 25.'d 1 lt:lg3t 26.Wg2 e 1 t-+)
22 . . . xf2! 23.Wh 1 0 (23.xf2 xf2t 24.Wxf2 'xh2t) 23 . . . e3!! Preventing the bishop getting
into the defence. Probably this is what Mamedyarov missed. 24.'xe20 (24.lt:lf3 'g3 25.ltlxe3
'xh3t 26.'it>g 1 'g3t 27.'ii? h 1 lt:lg4 is hopeless.) 24 . . . dxe2 25 .xe3 exfl ='t 26.xfl fxg6+
White has three pieces for his queen, but his position is in disarray and his king weak. 22.h1
Wfd7 23.Ae3 gac8 The position around here appears sort of balanced (and deeply complicated) .
A funny line goes: 23 . . . 'd5t 24.ltlf3! Wff5 (24 . . . lt:lxf3 25.ltld2) 25.ltlg5 Wg8!? (25 . . . 'd5t=)
26.h6! gxh6 27.g 1 xe3 28.lt:lxe3 xe3 29.xf7t 'ii? f8 30.e6 'g6 3 l .f7 'f5 32.e6=
24.h6! gxh6 25.gg1 he3 26.lilxe3 b6 27.lLleg4!? 27.ltld5 lt:le4 28.'\Mffl 'xh3 29.lt:lxb6 also
favoured White, but is again very complicated. 27 ... ltle4 28.3 lilxc3 29.Wfd2 ge2 30.Wff4!
Wff5 3 I .Wfxf5?? A horrible move. Far stronger was 3 1 .'xh6! but White needs to stay clear of
3 l .'g3?! lt:le4!! 32.'xh4 'f4, e.g. 33.g2 xg2 34.Wxg2 c2t 3 5 .Wg1 ltlg5+ and Black keeps
the initiative despite being two pieces down. 3 I ...lilxf5 32.Axf7? 32.b 1 D lt:lxb 1 3.3]!axb 1 d2+
was not what White intended with his last move. 32 d2 33.Ab3 We have reached puzzle 22.
..

21. Aronian - Vallejo Pons, Grand Slam final, 26.09.20 1 1

27.Wfh6!! A very nice combination. 27 ... llJxd6 27 . . . e8 does not work. White regroups: 28.ltlf3!
lt:lxd6 29.ltlg5 'c6 30.'h7t 'ii? f8 31 . .te4!+- 28.hg6! This was obviously the idea. 28 fxg6 .

29.Wfxg6t h8 30.Wfh6t g8 3 I .lilxe6! lilf5 3 l . . .f7 32.xd6 'e8 33.'xh5 is equally

hopeless. 32.Wfg6t 'it>h8 33.Wfxh5t g8 34.Wfg6t h8 35.ltlxf8 Wfxf8 36.gd7 Winning
back one of the sacrificed pieces, giving White four pawns for the piece on top of his positional
advantage. 36 ...Wfh6 37.Wfxf5 grs 38.Wfg5! The endgame holds no chances for Black. 38 ... Wfxg5
 November 20 1 1 377

39.hxg5 .ie4 40Jxa7 gb8 4I.f3 .if5 42.gc7 .ie6 43.gc6 .ig8 44.f4 gxb2 45.e6 ge2 46.f5
ge5 47.g4 ge4 48.g,fl gxg4 49.e7 .if7 50.g6 g,g7 5 1 .gxf7 g,xf7 52.ge6 g,e8 53.f6 1-0

22. Predojevic - Mamedyarov, European Club Championship, 27.09.20 1 1

Black had to first chase the knight away with: 33 ... h5! Instead Mamedyarov blundered with:
33 . . . li:Je4?? 34.fxe4+- li::l g 3t 35.l'hg3 fie 1 t 36. Wg2 l:!xa i 37.li::l x h6 l:!f8 38.li::l f7t l:!xf7 39.xf7
Eigi t 40.Wxg i d i =Wt 4 I .li:Jfl Wd4t 42.li:Je3 h5 43.d5 Wxa4 44.li:Jf5 Wa l t 45.Wf2 Wb2t
46.Wf3 I-0. Also bad was 33 . . . li:Jd4? 34.li::l xh6. 34.li:Jf6 34.c2 is refuted in almost any which
way you like, but especially beautifully by 34 . . . hxg4 35 .xf5 g3! 36.l:!xg3 (36.li::l g4 l:!ce8 37.ic2
h5 and Black will have an extra piece in a moment) 36 . . . liJ b i !! 37.l:!xb i l:!c l t 38.l:!gi !!ee l-+
34 ... li:Jd4 The simple way, but 34 . . . h4 3 5 .li::l fl li::l g 3t 36.li::l xg3 hxg3 37.l:!xg3 fie I t 38.l:!gi li::l b i !!
39.Wh2 l:!xg i 40.Wxg l Eic3! also wins. The bishop is short of squares. 35 ..if7 d l =W 36.gaxdl
xdl 37.gxdl gcc2 38.li:Jfl li:Jxf3 with impending mate on h2.

23. Ponomariov - Svidler, Khanty-Mansiysk (6.2) , 1 3.09.20 I l

33 gxb3!? The second best option, but still good enough. The pretty way was pointed out by
.

the computer: 33 . . . ia4! 34.l:!xb8 ixd i 35 .id3 We?!! The point; the rook is trapped. 36.l:!b5
c4 37.xc4 ia4 38.l:!b4 c3-+ and Black wins a piece. 34.hb3 .ib5? Here it was much better
to play 34 . . . e6! 35 .c2 Wd5-+ and the win is elementary. 35 ..ia2+ g,c6 36.gd2 g,b6 37.f4?
After 37.b i or 37.Wg3 progress was not as simple. 37 ... .ic6t 38.g,g3 .ie4! Taking control
of important squares and finishing the game. 39.gdl g,b5 40.gel .id3 4I .ge7 c4 42.gd7 c3
43.gd5t .ic5 0-1

24. Polgar - Vachier Lagrave, Hoogeveen, 20. I 0.20 I I

25.fxe3! 25 .c4? was played in the game. Judit missed some tactical finesse (maybe her opponent's
reply?) and lost all of her advantage. 25 . . . l:!d3! 26.We2t Eie3 27.Wc2 (27.fxe3 li::l x e3t 28.Wgi
Wf8 gives White time to get the bishop out of the way, but not to avoid the perpetual: 29.f3
li::l d l t 30.'it>h2 g3t 3 l .Wg2 li::l e 3t) 27 . . . li::l b4 28 .Wd2 ixf2? (28 . . . l:!xb3+) 29.Wxf2 li::l d3
30.Wd2 f3? (30 . . . 'it>d8) 3 I .l:!h2! We5 32.Eid i Wf8 33.Eif2? (33.if5!+-) 33 . . . li:J xf2 34.Wxf2
We4? (34 . . . l:!xb3) 35 .Wd2 Wg8 36.Wxd6 g6 37.Wd8t Wh7 38.Wf6? (38.Wd5 Wf4 39.Eid3+-)
38 . . . l:!d3 39.Wxf7t?! (39.Wh4t Wg7 40.We i ) 39 . . . Wh6 4o.Wfst Wh7 4 I .Eie i l:!d l ! 42.Wf7t
Wh6 43.Wf8t Wh7 44.'11:lf f7 t Wh6 and a draw was agreed. 25 ... fxe3 25 . . . li::l x e3t 26.We2 leaves
Black without a follow-up. 26.b4!! This zwischenzug would have won the game quickly. 26.l:!e l
Wf8 27.Wd i xe i 28 .Wxe i Wxc2 also looks insufficient for Black, although the position is not
so simple. 26 ...Wc4t Black is losing his coordination and at the same time his compensation.
26 ... Wc6 27.Wg2+-; 26 ... li:Jxb4 27.Wg2 d5 28.l:!d i +- 27.Wd3 Wf4t 28.g,e2 Wflt 29.g,dl
li:Jf4 30.Wxd6 f5 3 1 .g,cl fxg4 32.hxg4 e2 33.g,b2 .if6t 34.g,a2+- White's king is reasonably
secure and her rooks will soon enter the attack with strong effect.
 A Chess Evol ution Adventu re
by GM Etienne Bacrot

Having inspected the content carefully as the Life, Puzzles & Endgames
editor of the first two issues of your favourite
periodical, I can honestly say that the chess From generalities to specifics. Let me share a
work our team made was really useful in the few words about my past year. After showing
study of the opening. We have all benefited strong play against the absolute top in October
from the work we have done, bur this does 20 1 0 in Nanjing, I was hoping for further
not exclude the possibilities of some mistakes, invitations, bur had to accept that they never
which can later be spotted by really strong came. Thus I took the "clever" decision to play
players. The worst one is probably the fact some opens - in Basel, Geneva and Neckar, all
that I missed 13 .idl!, recently played in this
. tournaments with double rounds - for which
position in Karjakin - Laznicka, Poikovsky I was rewarded with a rating loss of 27 points
20 1 1 : throughout the year. A special mention goes to
Neckar Open where I donated 20 rating points
8 to the general well-being of my opponents.
7
6
While editing the May issue I also had the
chance to be a part of Grischuk's team for
5
the Candidates tournament and thus spend a
4 month working on his preparation to face some
3 of the top theoreticians in the world, Aronian,
rWfifid ' ' ' ' fi/Nfi-
2 Kramnik and Gelfand. The latter of course
ended up defeating Grischuk in the final and
earning a match with Anand for the World
a b c d e f g h
Championship. This was very hard work, bur
See game 7 for more detail. Please forgive us; at the same time a wonderful experience.
chess is a complicated game! Back in France I delayed getting the necessary
rest to first help Marseille to be French Club
Although we were very happy with the content, Champion.
we had to react to the sales and the feedback
from the readers. The project had to change After a small training session it was time for a
or die. With the introduction of words in the new season with lots of challenging opponents.
annotations I decided to retreat and become I performed above even my own expectations at
a mere external help to Chess Evolution. I the French Individual Championship, winning
was very pleased to read the September issue a nice game against Romain Edouard on the
with many interesting comments from the way (see game 22, page 1 67 of Chess Evolution
expanding team of grandmasters and the Sep 201 1 ) , bur missed a big opportunity in my
higher production level. I hope you were too. game against Fressinet:
 November 20 I I 379

I . Fressinet - Bacrot, Caen 20 I I 3. Bacrot - Robson, Khanty-Mansiysk ( 1 .3)

20 1 1
8
8
7
7
6
6
5
5
4
4
3
3
2
2

1
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
Black to play
Black to play -find the best defence
I also missed a big chance in the decisive titanic
dash:
4. Bacrot - Filippov, Khanty-Mansiysk (2.2)
2. Bacrot - Vachier Lagrave, Caen 20 1 1 20 1 1

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
White to play Black to play and draw easily

I played less well in the World Cup and only Finally my luck ran out in the third round and
managed to progress to the third round by the as I did not play well enough I went down.
help of Caissa (and maybe my opponents!) .
380 Chess Evolution

5. Radjabov - Bacrot, Khanty-Mansiysk 7. Postny - Bacrot, Rogaska Slatina 20 1 1

(2.3) 20 1 1
8

a b c d e f g h
Improve on my play! Black to equalize
My final trip this autumn, leading up to
this article, featured three tournaments
back to back. As usual I excelled in a team
competition, this time playing for Baden
Baden in the European Club Cup in Slovenia.
Unfortunately we lost the last round when
Adams lost on board one to Radjabov.
6. Bacrot -Wiersma, Rogaska Slatina 20 1 1
(variation)
a b c d e f g h
Black to play and secure a big edge
Right thereafter I travelled to Russia and won
the Poikovsky tournament for the second time.
Not in the convincing style of Morozevich, but
on tie-break with a plus 2 score. Unfortunately
I cannot compare to the Russian genius, still it
is pleasant to win tournaments there!
In the penultimate round I missed a nice
defensive tactic on move 40:
8. Bacrot - Rublevsky, Poikovsky 20 1 1

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

Black to play and draw White to play and get a significant edge
 November 20 1 1 38 1

However with a nice game in the last round it
all ended as it should.
9. Efimenko - Bacrot, Poikovsky 20 1 1
Before I finish I want to show a few nice
positions that caught my eye from recent
events. The first is from my friend Sebastien
Feller, who had a crazy game against Ray
Robson, where he blundered in time trouble. I
am sure you are eager to improve on his play?

10. Robson - Feller, SPICE Cup 20 1 1

a b c d e f g h

Black to play and win

Mter this I went to Germany to make a decent

a b c d e f g h
2/3 in the Bundesliga, which is where I am at
the moment, longing to get back to my family Black to play and draw
in Carqueiranne. But the Internet is like a
big brother and Arkadij is skyping endless
reminders to complete the material for the
November issue, which brings us full circle
back to the present.
382 Chess Evolution

Endings 13. Note to Black's 46th move

I have always been fascinated with endings

8
and love analysing them. I came across a
very interesting rook ending between Vachier 7
Lagrave and Polgar. I analysed it for some
6
hours to come up with the correct evaluation
and found it quite fascinating. 5
I am offering you a few positions from my 4
analysis as exercises. There are some tricky
options available in this ending! 3

2
1 1 . Black's 41st move

a b c d e f g h

White to play

14. White's 48th move

a b c d e f g h 4
.,nuJ""'"unn/
Black to play - what is the strongest move? 3

12. Note to Black's 43rd move 2

8
a b c d e f g h
7
White to play
6
This has been quite a challenging essay for me
5
to write. I hope it will be at least as challenging
4 for the reader to solve these positions and not
3 the least more enjoyable than it was to slave
for Arkadij! Obviously I am j ust kidding. I will
2 leave you with two final puzzles taken from my
first round encounter in the World Cup with
Ray Robson.
a b c d e f g h
White to play
 November 20 1 1 383

15. Bacrot - Robson, Khanty-Mansiysk ( 1 .5)

20 1 1 (variation)

a b c d e f g h
Black to play - calculate it accurately!

16. Bacrot - Robson, Khanty-Mansiysk ( 1 . 5)

20 1 1

a b c d e f g h
Black to play - evaluate 1 1%xa7
...

See you in January if I don't get fired!

 Solutions
l. Fressinet - Bacrot, Caen 20 1 1
l..J!b5! 2Jk6 ga2 followed by . . _gb 1 was
winning. Instead I played 1 . . . ie6? after which
the win became more difficult. In the end, of
course, my opponent escaped a draw.
2. Bacrot - Vachier Lagrave, Caen 20 1 1
Here I had the good feeling that opening the
position would permit White to easily convert
his extra material, but I chose to do it with the
wrong break! l .b5?? l .c6! bxc6 2.if4 would
have won the game and permitted me to win
the championship. l...hb5 2.'1Wxe4 liJd3
3.'1Wd5t gf7 4.gb l
a b c d e f g h
4... liJxf2! 5J!xb5 liJg4!! I missed this move
completely when I played I .b5??. 6.gbl ge2
Suddenly White should be happy that he can
repeat the moves, despite being a queen up!
7.\WdSt gm 8.'1Wd5t A draw was agreed.
3. Bacrot - Robson, Khanty-Mansiysk ( 1 .3)
20 1 1
l. .. hal!! A great move by my young
American opponent. 2.liJxc7 '!Wa2t 3.gd2
gaS!! The point. All other moves lose. 4.gxa2
gxa2t 5.fl The position is very unclear,
with the most logical result being a draw. I was
fortunate to win the game in a mutual time
scramble.
a b c d e f g h
5 ... liJxh2t? 5 . . . 'it>g7 was better to retain the
choice of what knight move to make for the
time being. 6.el g7 7.liJe6t f6 8.\WeS
liJf3t 9.dl gd2t IO.cl gxd5 I l .liJf4
gc5t 12.dl Ac3 13.\Wffit g5 14.'1Wxe7t
g4 1 5.'1Wxc5 1-0
4. Bacrot - Filippov, Khanty-Mansiysk (2.2)
20 1 1
After winning the first game, my opponent
could have drawn easily by three simple
moves: l . . .ga2, l .. .gb 1 and l . ..gc l . Instead
he blundered horribly. l . .. h5?? 2.b4! An
unpleasant surprise. Soon Black had to resign;
the passed b-pawn supported by the king is too
strong.
5. Radjabov - Bacrot, Khancy-Mansiysk (2.3)
20 1 1
l ...'!Wxd5?? Had I played 1 . . . 1l*'g5! the tie
breaks would only have been a few simple
moves away. 2.c6 ic5 3.ixd4 ixd4 4.1l*'xd4
'Wxb5= 2.exd5 ge5 3.d6 gxc5 4.bd4 bd6
After 4 . . . gc4 5.dxc7 gxc7 6.ixb6 gb7 7.ga6
the white king will start his trip to c4, against
which Black cannot defend. 5.hc5 This
endgame is lost and no miracles allowed me to
save it. Instead I had to go on a long journey
back to France.
 November 20 1 1
6. Bacrot - Wiersma, Rogaska Slatina 20 1 1
(variation)
I luckily saw at last moment that I couldn't
block the break with the otherwise obvious
1 .f3?!, because of: I ...g4! The following is
forced for both sides: 2.fxg4 lDfxg4 3.hxg4
lDxg4 4.i.f4 Wfc5t 5.h1 Wfh5t 6.g1
Wfc5t With a draw. Instead I played l .'iil h 1
and won the game.
7. Postny - Bacrot, Rogaska Slatina 20 1 1
l . li:Jxd5! 2.exd5 2.'11M d 1 lDge7+ 2 tDe7
. .
3.Wfg4 3.i.f4 gave more chances, but Black
is better after: 3 . . . '11Mxf4 4.'11Mxf4 exf4 5 . .ie4
'iit h6+ 3 .. Jhf5 4.Wfxg5t gxg5 I soon won
this endgame.
8. Bacrot - Rublevsky, Poikovsky 20 1 1
l .Wf5? This obvious move fails to a nice
trick. I could have obtained a big advantage
with: U l:e7! i.d? ( I . . .'iil g? 2.d7 xd? 3 .'11M d 5
'11M c 2t 4.'iil g3 'Wg6t 5 .'iil h 2 ixh3 6.'iil x h3
should win) 2.'11M c7 ib5 3.d7 '11M a2t 4.'iil g 1
Wd5 5 .'11Mc 8t 'iil g? 6.l'l:e8 and I think I should
win this position. l. g7! This solves all of
.
Black's problems. I even had to struggle a bit
to make a draw. 2.ge7 2.l'l:e4 id?! was the
move I had missed. After this White cannot
use the g4-square. 2 gd8 3.d7 hd7 4.Wfd5
..
Wfc2t 5.g1 Wfxg2t 5 . . .'11M b 1 t 6.'iil f2 '11M b 6t
7.li:Jd4 '11M b 2t 8.li:Je2 Wb6t 9.li:Jd4= 6.xg2
hh3t 7.xh3 gxd5 s.ga7 ga5 9.lDd4
g6 10.lDc6 ga3t 1 l .h4 ga4t 1 2.h3
h5 A draw was agreed in view of 1 3.li:Jb8 l'l:a3t
1 4.'iit h4 a5 1 5 .li:Jc6 a4 1 6.li:Je7t.
9. Efimenko - Bacrot, Poikovsky 20 1 1
l..J!:d2t! 2.xd2 a2 3.i.d6 a1 =Wf 4.c5 Wffl
and I soon won. White cannot establish a
fortress.
10. Robson - Feller, SPICE Cup 20 1 1
l . ..Wfh3t! would have led to a draw. It is very
important to keep control of the f3-square.
38 5
Instead Black played l . . .hxg5? and lost after
2.ixd7t ixd? 3.'\Wxd?t 'iil f8 4.'11Md 8t 'iil g?
5 .'11Mf6t \t>h7 6.'11Mx f7t 'iil h6 7.fxg5 t 'iil h 5
8.'11M f3t! '>t>xg5 9.'11M f6t 1 -0. After 2.c2 hxg5
3.hd7t hd7 4.Wfxd7t ffi 5.Wfdst g7
6.Wff6t h7 7.Wfxf7t h6 Black is not worse.
1 1-14. Vachier Lagrave - Polgar, Hoogeveen
1 6. 1 0.20 1 1
a b c d e f g h
Rook and three kingside pawns each, with
an extra a-pawn for the one side, but the rook
in front of the pawn instead of behind it, is
known to be a theoretical draw, but needs
precise play from the defender, even if it is
drawn by two tempos. Adding a pawn to the
kingside clearly improves the advantageous
side's possibilities. Still after thorough analysis,
the conclusion is that Black should hold.
37.ga7
A nice try. The rook is placed on the best
square, preparing the manoeuvre l'l:c7 -a? (after
the sacrifice of a kingside pawn}. If White was
too impatient, he would have to play l'l:c8-c6
instead in this case, as the pawn should not be
pushed to a? with the rook on a8 except for in
rare circumstances where it just wins.
The king cannot come out immediately:
37.'iil fl l'l:a 1 t 38.'iil e2 E!a2t 39.'iil e 1 (39.'iil d3
386 Chess Evolution
xf2 40.c8 a2 4 l .c6 'i!te5 42.'i!tc4 f5 easy
draw) 39 . . . al t 40.'i!td2 a2t 4 l .'i!tc3 xf2
42.c8 a2 43.c6 'i!te5 44.\t>b4 'i!te4 and the
counter-play is strong enough to secure a draw.
37 .. J3a4?!
The immediate 37 . . . 'i!tg6, with the intention
to meet 38.'i!tfl with 38 . . . h5 seems to be the
most precise move order. White can also try
38.'i!tf3 h5 39.gxh5t 'i!txh5 40.'i!te4 'i!tg6 4 l .f3
or play 38.a8 'i!tf6, which leads back to the
game.
38.<;!?f3
Why not give Black more problems by
bringing the king out? The draw would look a
bit more troubled after:
38.\t>fl !? a2!
38 . . . 'i!tg6 39.'i!te2 h5 40.'i!td3 hxg4 4 1 .hxg4
'i!tf6 42.f3 looks very dangerous for Black.
38 . . . a l t 39.'i!te2 a2t 40.'i!td3 xf2
4 l .c7 a2 42.a7 and White looks to be on
top.
39.'i!te l
a b c d e f g h
39 . . . 'i!tg6!
This seems to be the only defence.
39 . . . a3 40.'i!td2 a2t 4 l .'i!tc3 xf2 42.c7
a2 43.a7 and White wins.
39 . . . 'i!te5? 40.xf7 xa6 4 1 .\t>fl ! and a
second pawn is lost.
40.f3
Of course after Black has found the best
moves, White should play 40.a8! in order
to try the same plan as in the game.
40 . . . h5
Black seems to escape; for example:
4 l .'i!t d l hxg4 42.hxg4 f5 43.gxf5t
43.a8 fxg4 44.fxg4 i>f6 45 .a7 'i!te5=
43 ... exf5 44.a8 'i!tg7 45.a7 a l t
Black just gives checks and plays . . . g4 at the
appropriate moment.
38.f3 lt>g6 allows Black to draw in a similar
fashion.
38 .. J3a2 39.<;!?g3
39.'i!te4 also fails to win the game. The
white king is not close enough to the a-pawn.
39 . . . xf2 40.b7 (40.c7 a2 4 l .a7 \t>g6
42.'i!td4 f5=) 40 . . . a2 4 l .a7 lt>g6 42.i>e5 f5
43.@xe6 f4 44.e4 f3 45 .b3 xa7 46.xf3
a6t=
39 ... <;!?g6 40J3a8 <;!?g7 41.4
White tries what seems to be the best
attempt.
4 I ..J3a3?!
This is not losing yet, but it shows that
Black has not found the (only!?) drawing plan.
Optically 4 l . . .f5!! looks dubious, but with the
white king blocked away, the pawn exchanges
necessary to break him out would results in
draw. Black j ust needs to be careful in the more
tactical lines:
a b c d e f g h
 November 20 I I 387

Now 42.1:!a7t @g6 is no improvement for
White, so we need to look at the following two
options:
a) 42.a7 @h?
This is not the only way. For example:
42 .. J:!a4 43.@g2 :Ei:a2t 44.@f1 ctfih7 45.@el
@g? 46.@dl @h? 47.ctfic1 fxg4 48.hxg4
h5=
43.gxf5
43.fxg5 hxg5 44.h4 gxh4t 45.ctfixh4 :Ei:a4
46.e4 fxg4 and White cannot recapture on
g4 without losing the e-pawn - a draw.
43 . . . exf5 44.h4
44.fxg5 hxg5 45.h4 f4t= (45 . . . gxh4t also
draws: 46.ctfixh4 @g7=) 46.exf4 gxf4t
47.@xf4 is a simple theoretical draw. This
would also be the case if White is left with
the g-pawn instead of the h-pawn.
h3 47.gxf5 :Ei:a2 48.:Ei:e7t ctfig8 49.:Ei:b7 h2
50.:Ei:b l ctfig7 5 l .e4 ctfif6 52.:Ei:h l h5 53.ctfig3
:Ei:a3t 54.@xh2 :Ei:e3=
43.gxf5t exf5=
43.fxg5 hxg5 44.:Ei:a7 @f6 45 .gxf5 exf5
46.:Ei:a8 ctfig6 47.a7 ctfig7=
43 . . . @g7 44.@g3 ctfih7 45.gxf5 exf5 46.e4
Other moves are analysed in the 42.a7 line
above.
46 . . . :Ei:a3t 47.@f2 :Ei:a2t 48.ctfie l :Ei:a l t 49.@d2
:Ei:a2t 50.ctfic3 g4!
After the white king has made it to the
queenside, this pawn push equalizes.

a b c d e f g h

42 gxf4??
.

a b c d e f g h 42 . . . f5 would still have drawn the game in

44 . . . g4!
Black needs to be a bit careful. After
44 . . . gxh4t? 4 5 .@xh4 :Ei:a3, White has a neat
trick: 46.e4! fxe4 47.f5 e3 48.@g3+-
45 .:Ei:f8 :Ei:xa7 46.:Ei:xf5 :Ei:e7 47.@xg4 :Ei:xe3
48.:Ei:e5 :Ei:b3=
The defence of this pawn-down endgame is
easy.
b) 42.@f3 @g6 43.a7
Not the only move; let's look at some other
white tries:
43.h4 gxh4 44.a7 @h? 45.:Ei:e8 :Ei:xa7 46.:Ei:xe6
similar ways to the previous note. The line to
check is 43.@e2 gxf4 44.exf4 :Ei:xh3= .
43.ctfixf4
The king now has easy access to the
queenside.
43 ... <tt> f6
Black is lost, but should have made White's
job more difficult with:
43 . . .f6!!
An interesting subtle try, but now White
changes his strategy and exploits that the 7th
rank has been weakened.
388 Chess Evolution

44.h4 Ra4t 45.e4

a b c d e f g h

44.h4!!
This leads to a straightforward win. It is
not clear if there are any other ways to
win. The direct 44.a7 is probably a draw:
44 .. J!a5 45.'it>e4 a4t 46.@d3 f5! 47.@c3
h5! 48.'it>b3 al 49.gxh5 e5 50.h6t 'it>h7
5 1 . 'it>c4 a5 52. @d3 f4 53.e4 a2=
44 . . . 'it>g6
44 . . . a l 45 .a7t i>f8 46.g5+- and
44 . . . a4t 45.e4! are no improvements.
4 5 .h5t!
45 .a7 a4t 46.@f3 f5=
45 ... @g7 46.e4 'it>7
46 ... a5 47.a7t 'it>g8 48.'it>e3 a4
49.i>d3+-
47.a7t @g8
a b c d e f g h
45 ... Ra5
45 . . . a l loses to the simple 46.e5t @g7
47.a7 and White takes the king to e7 and
plays g5-g6, undermining the e6-pawn and
eventually setting Black in zugzwang.
46.h5!
46.a7 e5t! resembles the game. White
cannot exploit the fact that the pawn is still
on h4: 47.'it>e3 'it>g7 48.i>d3 al 49.'it>c4 @f6
50.g5t hxg5 5 1 .hxg5t @g7 52.@d5 a5t
53.'it>d6 'it>h7 54.'it>e7 'it>g7=

46... e5t
The best fighting chance was to cut off the
enemy king:
46 . . . a3! 47.e5t
Weaker is 47.g5t?! hxg5t 48.'it>g4 'it>g7
49.'it>xg5 f6t, when Black makes a draw:
50. i>f4 @h7 5 l .a7 (5 1 .a7t @h6) 5 1 . . .a5
52.'it>e3 a3t 53.i>d4 al 54.'it>c5 a6=
47 . . . 'it>g7
Black looks solid, but White still has a
a b c d e f g h
winning plan here:
The white king seems to be blocked in, but . . .
48.g5!! fxg5t 49.i>e5 g4 50.i>f6 e5 5 l .'it>g6
i>f8 52.a8t @e7 53.a7 g3 54.g8 g2 5 5 .'it>f5
xa7 56.xg2 a3 57.g6+-
Black's pawns are doomed
 November 20 I I
a b c d e f g h
48.13a7!!
Repeating the idea from move 37. White
wants to give up a pawn on the kingside and
put the rook on c7, in order to be able to
push the pawn forward to a7 quickly.
48.a7 draws: 48 . . . 13a4t 49.ci?e3 ci?h7 50.'i!;>d3
'i!;>g7 5 l .'i!;>c3 'i!;>h7 52.ci?b3 13a l 53.ci?b4
ci?g7 54.ci?c5 13a2 5 5 . 'i!;>d6 13a3 56.ci?e7 13a4
57.g5 hxg5 58.h6t 'i!;>h7 59.'i!;>xf7 g4=
48.'i!;>e4 13a4t 49.'i!;>d3 {or 49.'i!;>f3 13a3t
50.ci?f2 13a5 5 1 .a7 with a draw) 49 . . . 13xg4
50.13c8 13a4 5 1 .13c6 ci?f8 52.ci?c3 ci?e8
53.'i!;>b3 13al 54.ci?b4 ci?d7=
48 . . . 13a4t 49.'ii> e3 13a5
49 . . . 'it>f8 50.'i!;>d3+-
50.'i!;>d4 13d5t 5 l .ci?c4 13xe5 52.'i!;>b4+
Clearly Black's kingside counterplay will be
too slow.
a b c d e f g h
389
We have arrived at the most important
point of the game - but only because Vachier
Lagrave blundered horribly!
48.a7??
White must have made a horrible mix-up in
his calculations. The win was easily achieved
by activating the king:
48.ci?d3! 'ii> g7
48 . . . 13d4t 49.'i!;>c3 13xe4 (49 . . . 13a4 50.'i!;>b3
13a l 5 1 .'i!;>c4 13a5 52.ci?b4 13a l 53.'i!;>b5 13b l t
54.ci?c6 13a l 5 5.ci?b6 13b l t 56.'i!;>a7+-)
50.13g8! 13a4 5 I .g5t hxg5 52.h6 13xa6 53.h7
13a3t 54.'it>b2 13h3 5 5 . h8='1Wt 13xh8 56.13xh8
Black is some tempos short of achieving a
draw.
49.ci?c3 13xe4 50.ci?b3 13e l 5 1 .'i!;>b4 13a l
52.ci?b5 13b l t 53 .'i!;>c5 13al 54.ci?b6 13b l t
5 5.ci?a7 e4
White also wins after: 5 5 . . . 13b4 56.13b8 13xg4
57.ci?b7 13b4t 58.'ii> a 8 13a4 59.a7 f5 60.'i!;>b7
@f6 6 1 .a8='1W 13xa8 62.13xa8+-
56.13e8 13b4 57.ci?a8 'i!;>f6 58 .a7 'i!;>g5 59.13b8
13a4 60.'it>b7 e3 6 1 .a8='1W 13xa8 62.13xa8 'it>xg4
63.'ii> c6
And Black is too late.
48 ...g7 49.d3 gd4t 50.c3 ga4 5 1 .b3
gal 52.b4 ga2 53.c5 ga6 54.d5 ga5t
55.d6
a b c d e f g h
390 Chess Evolution

It is hard to guess what White believed when

he went for this position. You could guess that
it was a zugzwang, but now it is obvious that
there is none.

55 \t>h? 56.'1t>c6
.

56.c;t>e? c;t>g? 57.g5 hxg5 58.h6t c;!,Jh7=

56 Jal 57.'1t>b6
.

57.!!d8 !!xa7 58.!!d7 !!a4=

57.. Jibl t 58.'1t>c5 :Sal 59.'1t>d6 :Sa5 60.:Se8

:Sxa7 6l .:Sxe5 'lt>g7 62.:Sf5 :Sa6t 63.'1t>e5 f6t
64.'1t>f4
2-lfz
15. Bacrot - Robson, Khanty-Mansiysk ( 1 .5)
20 1 1 (variation)
I asked you to consider what would have
happened had I played 1 .!!b8!?. Black draws
like this: l ...:Sa2 2.:Sb5t 'lt>g4 3.:Sg5t 'lt>f3
a b c d e f g
As ridiculous as it sounds, this position
was reached five times in my database. Three
players chose 1 4 . . . c;!,Jg2! 1 5 .!!g6t cj;lfl , which
draws easily. One player chose the equally
strong option of agreeing an immediate draw!
Only my poor opponent chose incorrectly
and I was allowed to win the game after:
14 h2?? A famous mistake, often warned
..

4.'1t>b7 :Se2! This rook shift decisively draws about in endgame theory. 1 5.:Sg6t 'lt>h3
the game. After 4 . . . !!b2t 5 .c;!,Jc6 !!a2 6.c;t>b6 16.\t>2 hl=c!i:)t 17.'1t>f3 'lt>h2 18.:Sg7
!!e2 7.a7 !!e8 8.!!a5 White wins. 5.a7 Also 1-0
after 5 Ja5 c;t>xg3 is Black fast enough 6.a7
!!e8 7 .a8='IW !!xa8 8 .!!xa8 c;t>xh4 9. c;t>c6 c;t>g3
1 0. c;t>d5 h4 1 1 . c;t>e4 h3= 5 :Se7t 6. 'lt>b6 :Se8
.

7.'1t>c6 :Se6t 8.'1t>b5 :Se8=

16. Bacrot - Robson, Khanty-Mansiysk ( 1 . 5)

20 1 1
Instead I played: l .a7 'lt>g4 2.:Sb8 :Sa2 3.:Sb3
f6 4.:Sb6 g5 5.:Sxf6 gxh4 6.gxh4 'lt>xh4
7.'1t>b7 Leading us to our final position. Black
draws by a tempo if he knows his endgame
theory (with these time controls it can at times
be hard to find everything - or anything - over
the board) . Luckily Robson got it wrong at the
absolutely last turn. 7 :Sxa7t 8.'1t>xa7 'lt>g3
..

9.:Sg6t! The standard trick, used to win a

tempo. However it is not enough here. 9 \t>f3 .

10.:Sh6 \t>g4 l l .'lt>b6 h4 12.'1t>c5 h3 13.'1t>d4

'lt>g3 14. '1t>e3
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