Chessbook - Lars Schandorff - Playing 1.d4 - The Indian Defences (2012)

GAMES/CHESS
PLaying l.d4
The Indian Defences
Playing 1.d4- The Indian Defences is

part of an ambitious two-volume repertoire
for White with 1.d4. This book covers all
lines except 1...d5.
Schandorff presents the ideas

and information in an accessible and
entertaining style. The repertoire is based
on classical lines and inspired by Botvinnik's
approach. White will dominate the centre
and repel all Black's attempts to seize the
initiative- only White is allowed to attack!
The repertoire is completed

by Playing 1.d4 -The Queen's Gambit.
Lars Schandorff is a Danish Grandmaster who is renowned

for his deep opening preparation.
Reaction to Schandorff's book on the Queen's Gambit:

"Lars, I want to play your book"- GM Boris Avrukh
"Very well-written and an excellent
choice for ambitious players"- Carsten Hansen
€24.99 $29.95
ISBN 978-1907982-17-0
QUALITY CHESS
www.q ua I itychess.co.u k 9 781907 982170
The Indian Defences
- a grandmaster guide
By
Lars Schandorff
Quality Chess
www.qualitychess.co. uk
First edition 20 1 2 by Quality Chess UK Ltd
Copyright© 20 1 2 Lars Schandorff
Playing l.d4- The Indian Defences

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored
in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,
electrostatic, magnetic tape, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior
permission of the publisher.
Paperback ISBN 978- 1 -907982- 1 7-0

Hardcover ISBN 978- 1 -907982- 1 8-7
All sales or enquiries should be directed to Quality Chess UK Ltd,

20 Balvie Road, Milngavie, Glasgow G62 7TA, United Kingdom
Phone +44 1 4 1 333 9588
e-mail: info@qualitychess.co.uk
website: www.qualitychess.co.uk
Distributed in North America by Globe Pequot Press,

P.O. Box 480, 246 Goose Lane, Guilford, CT 06437-0480, US
www.globepequot.com
Distributed in Rest of the World by Quality Chess UK Ltd through

Sunrise Handicrafts, ul. Skromna 3, 20-704 Lublin, Poland
Typeset by Jacob Aagaard

Proofreading by Andrew Greet & John Shaw
Edited by Colin McNab
Cover design by Adamson Design
Cover photo by capture365.com
Printed in Estonia by Tallinna Raamatutriikikoja LLC
Preface
This is the second book of a two-volume repertoire for White with l .d4. The first volume offered
an ambitious repertoire against l ... d5. Now I complete the repertoire by covering everything
else! The major openings covered are the Indian defences, in particular the Nimzo-Indian, King's
Indian and Griinfeld Defences.
As in the first book, the repertoire is based entirely on big mainlines, which guarantees its
reliability and strength. Firstly, you cannot expect to get anything against well-respected openings
by trying a little sideline or just by playing safe. The main lines, on the other hand, have not
become main lines by chance. They have slowly but surely evolved and proved their strength
over the years, so by choosing main lines you gain reliable weapons. Secondly, the main lines are
sharp and put the maximum pressure on the opponent, both theoretically and in practice. This
corresponds perfectly with the philosophy behind this work, which is that White should strive for
the initiative and show that moving first matters. Developing the pieces fluidly to active squares
and trying to take the centre with pawns to seize space - these are key elements in the various
White set-ups presented here.
In the first volume the challenge in meeting l ...d5 was often to build up a space advantage by
achieving e2-e4. In this volume, playing e2-e4 is usually much easier since Black has declined to
occupy the centre with a pawn. Black's general plan is to create counterplay against White's space
advantage. Thus the challenge in this book is to keep control and not let Black seize the initiative.
I will explain the details later, but in general I have chosen the lines in my repertoire so that White
will be the one attacking - I don't like using the white pieces to grab a gambit pawn and then
defend desperately for the next 30 moves.
I wish to repeat what I said in the first book. Playing White is like serving in tennis - with a good
serve you either win directly or, if the opponent manages to return the ball, at least you get the
chance to take the initiative and dictate the rest of the duel. In this book I offer you an excellent
first serve. But every tennis player knows that it is important to have a decent second serve as
well. This may also be true in chess, especially in this computer age, so having a safe alternative
is a good idea. Thus, throughout the book I offer hints of where you could devote some of your
further investigations.
I am confident this repertoire will be an effective weapon now and for years to come. I hope it
brings you many aces!
Lars Schandorff
Denmark, August 20 1 2
Contents
Preface 3
Key to symbols used & Bibliography 6
Introduction 7
1 Nimzo-Indian 11
Follow the Patriarch 13
Various 4th Moves 17
The 4 ... b6 Variation 18
The 4 ... c5 Variation 31
The 4...0-0 Variation 36
The Mainline: 6 ... �d6 40
The Mainline: 6 ... �e7 43
2 King's Indian 43
Various 4th and 5th Moves 53
Various 6th Moves 55
Panna Variation 58
The New Panna Variation 66
The Old Mainline 68
The Samisch Gambit 80
3 Griinfeld Defence 100

Smyslov Variation 104
Prins Variation 107
Hungarian Variation 116
The Positional 8.�e2 119
Modern Mainline: 7 . . . tt:lc6 126
4 Modem Benoni 134

. . . a6 or ... tt:la6? 137
The . . . a6-line 141
5 Benko Gambit 147

The 5 ... ax:b5 Variation 148
The 5 ... g6 Variation 156
The 5 ... e6 Variation 160
6 Old Indian 169
The 5 . . . ltJc5 Variation 171
The 5 . . . �e7 Variation 173
7 Dutch Defence 179

2 . . . c5 180
2 . . . d6 182
2 . . . c6 183
2 . . . d5 185
2 . . . ltJf6 185
2 . . . h6 186
2 . . . c5 189
8 Minor Lines 196

A) Rare Moves 197
B) Various Benonis 206
C) The Budapest Gambit 215
D) 1.. .e6 Systems 222
E) The Modern Defence 231
Index of Main Games 240

Index of Variations 242
Key to symbols used
;!; White is slightly better a weak move
+ Black is slightly better ?? a blunder
± White is better a good move
+ Black is better !! an excellent move
White has a decisive advantage !? a move worth considering
?!
+-
-+ Black has a decisive advantage a move of doubtful value

equality # mate
lXI with compensation (n) n'h match game
+t with counterplay � with an attack
lXI unclear t with an initiative
N new move
Bibliography
Alterman: 1he Alterman Gambit Guide- Black Gambits 1, Quality Chess 2011.
Avrukh: Grandmaster Repertoire 2-1.d4 Volume Two, Quality Chess 2010.
Avrukh: Grandmaster Repertoire 8- 1he Griinfeld Defence Volume One, Quality Chess 2011.
Barsky: 1he Modern Philidor Defence, Chess Stars 2010.
Bogdanov: Chess Explained- 1he Griinfeld, Gambit 2009.
Bologan: 1he King's Indian, Chess Stars 2009.
Bronznik: 1.d4- Beat the Guerrillas!, New in Chess 2011.
Cherniaev & Prokuronov: 1he New Old Indian, Everyman Chess 2011.
Cherniaev & Prokuronov: 1he Samisch King's Indian Uncovered, Everyman Chess 2007.
Dearing: Play the Nimzo-Indian, Everyman Chess 2005.
Delchev and Agrest: 1he Safest Griinfeld, Chess Stars 2011.
Dembo: Play the Griinfeld, Everyman Chess 2007.
Golubev: Understanding the King's Indian, Gambit 2006.
Johnsen & Bern: Win with the Stonewall Dutch, Gambit 2009.
Kaufman: 1he Kaufman Repertoire for Black and White, New In Chess 2012.
Khalifman: Opening for White According to Kramnik 1. 4:Jj3 Volume 4, Chess Stars 2011.
McDonald: Play the Dutch, Everyman Chess 2010.
Odessky: 1he English Defence, Russian Chess House 2008.
Palliser, Emms, Ward & Jones: Dangerous Weapons: 1he Benoni and Benko, Everyman Chess 2008.
Palliser, Williams & Vigus: Dangerous Weapons: 1he Dutch, Everyman Chess 2009.
Palliser, Flear & Dembo: Dangerous Weapons: 1he King's Indian, Everyman Chess 2009.
Pedersen: Play the Benko Gambit, Everyman Chess 2011.
Pinski: 1he Benko Gambit, Quality Chess 2005.
Rowson: Understanding the Griinfeld, Gambit 1999.
Sokolov: 1he Strategic Nimzo-!ndian Volume 1, New In Chess 2012.
Vigorito: Attacking Chess-1he King's Indian Volume 1, Everyman Chess 2010.
Watson: Guide to the Modern Benoni, Gambit 2001.
Periodicals
ChessBase: Megabase, Corr Base, Opening Encyclopaedia and Magazine
New in Chess: Yearbooks and Magazine
Sahovski lnformator: Chess Informant and Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings
Chess Evolution
Introduction to the Repertoire
Chapter 1: Nimzo-Indian
l.d4 c!L!f6 2.c4 e6 3.c!L!c3 i.b4 The Nimzo-lndian is one of Black's most respected defences and
we meet it by following the Patriarch with 4.e3. We will generally follow up with tt:lge2 and a2-
a3, breaking the pin while avoiding any damage to our structure. Then White will starr increasing
his grip on the centre.
8
7
6
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 2: King's Indian

l.d4 c!L!f6 2.c4 g6 3.c!L!c3 i.g7 4.e4 d6 The King's Indian can be a dangerous counterattacking
system but with 5.£3, the Samisch Variation, we support our centre and potentially prepare to
expand. The only side likely to be doing any attacking on the kingside is White.
a b c d e f g h
8 Playing l .d4 - The Indian Defences
Chapter 3: Griinfeld Defence

l.d4 ltlf6 2.c4 g6 3.ltlc3 d5 Against the Griinfeld Defence it is easy to achieve e2-e4; the trick
is to do so while keeping control. We manage that with the Russian System: 4.ltlf3 i.g7 5.Wfb3
dxc4 6.Wfxc4 Of course e4 is on the way.
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 4: Modern Benoni

l .d4 ltlf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.ltlc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 The Modern Benoni is another
opening where Black does not strive for dull equality; he wants to attack, but we will foil his
plans. With 7.ltlge2 we have good chances to obtain a favourable version of the ... c5 variation
in the King's Indian.
Introduction to the Repertoire 9
Chapter 5: Benko Gambit

l.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 The dream of any Benko Gambit player is to sac a pawn for
a never-ending initiative on the queenside. We decline the offer with 5.f3, preparing to build our
traditional centre. In the main line, it will be White who sacrifices to seize the initiative.
Chapter 6: Old Indian

l.d4 �f6 2.c4 d6 3.�c3 �bd7 The Old Indian can create some move order confusion, but not
for us. After 4.e4 e5 5.d5 White secures a space advantage and arranges his pieces in a similar
fashion as in Chapter 2.
a b c d e f g h
10 Playing l .d4 - Th e Indian Defences
Chapter 7: Dutch Defence

l.d4 f5 The Dutch stands apart from the Indian defences covered in the previous chapters, and
the ensuing play may take on a totally different character. Our chosen system with 2..ig5 will
often lead to an open fight, in which White's lead in development and Black's airy kingside may
take their toll.
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 8: Minor Lines

Every repertoire book needs a hodgepodge chapter to cover all the stragglers and oddities. In
this case some are fairly respectable, such as the Czech Benoni and Budapest Gambit. Others,
such as l ...e6, l ...d6 and l . ..g6, will sometimes transpose to mainstream systems but all offer
independent possibilities. I will refrain from listing the full contents here, but rest assured that all
the important bases are covered.
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
Chapter 1
Nimzo-Indian
With the lights out, it's less dangerous
Here we are now, entertain us
-Nirvana
a b c d e f g h
l.d4 tlJf6 2.c4 e6 3.tlJc3 �b4 4.e3
Follow the Patriarch page 1 3
Various 4th Moves page 1 7
The 4 . . . b6 Variation page 1 8
The 4 ... c5 Variation page 3 1
The 4 . 0-0 Variation
.. page 36
The Mainline: 6 ... �d6 page 40
The Mainline: 6 ... �e7 page 43
l.d4 ttlf6 2.c4 e6 The real Nimzo. "Old School" some would
This is by far Black's most popular choice in say, "Eternal" others might reply. It is certainly
the whole Indians-complex and a very flexible true that the line has been around for a long
system indeed. A lot of options are kept open time. The move 4.e3 might look a bit modest,
while Black makes sure he doesn't show his but you shouldn't be deceived. Behind it lies
hand prematurely. He can still play ... d5 and a deep strategic concept that actually creates
transpose to a Queen's Gambit, or even ... c5 a sharp positional struggle right from the
with a Modern Benoni. Most of the time beginning.
though, he intends to play the Nimzo-Indian. Lately more forceful tries like 4.Wi'c2 and
4.lt:lf3 have been heavily debated, and the
3.ttlc3 slightly bizarre 4.f3 has even appeared in a
Which we allow! Please notice that the move World Championship match. However when
3.lt:lc3 is forced to make our repertoire coherent. these sharp lines have been exhausted people
If we instead opted for the choice of the tend to return to the evergreen 4.e3. The reason
majority of White players, 3.lt:lf3, then after is easy to understand. The 4.e3 Nimzo-Indian
3 ... d5 we could no longer transpose to the leads to a complicated manoeuvring game,
beloved Exchange Variation from Playing where the better player wins. It is extremely
l. d4- The Queen's Gambit, at least not in the difficult to play for both colours, so I will dwell
version I like. on some of its distinct features.
As an alternative to the Nimzo you definitely

Nimzo Features
could consider the Catalan with 3.g3, where
White strives for a small long-lasting positional
The Nimzo-Indian is a so-called hypermodern
pull.
opening where Black primarily uses his pieces
3 ib4
•..
to fight for the centre instead of just occupying
If Black plays 3 ... d5 we just take with 4.cxd5 it with pawns as in traditional openings such
and are happy! Then we are still in book, albeit as the Queen's Gambit Declined or the Slav.
not the one that you are holding in your hands By pinning the knight Black prevents e2-e4.
right now. Another direct transposing move is Later, depending on how White reacts, Black
3 ... c5 4.d5 with a Benoni. That is covered later will decide which pawn formation he will
on in this volume. strive for.
4.e3 The e4-square is very important. Black can

launch a light-square strategy with ... b6, ...ib7
8 and often ... lt:Je4 and ... f5 as well. Despite all
these efforts a small white pawn move like f2-
7 f3 can throw a spanner in the works and stop
6 the fun.
5 Black has a simpler and more straightforward
4 way to control e4 and take his share of the
3 centre into possession - that is to play ... d5
himself. Then the pawn structure is very
2 dynamic and often will end up being quite
1
Chapter 1 - Nimzo-Indian 13
similar to the Queen's Gambit Exchange Follow the Patriarch

variation examined in the other book in this
series. Here is an example: To deepen our understanding let's see a few
games by the great masters. Just as in the
l.d4 tLlf6 2.c4 e6 3.tLlc3 J.b4 4.e3 0-0 5.J.d3 corresponding chapter on the QGD Exchange
d5 6.cxd5 exd5 7.tLlge2 l3e8 8.0-0 id6 9.f3 Variation in my other book, we will have
Botvinnik as our sturdy guide. The Patriarch
8 was also one of the pioneers in the 4.e3-
Nimzo.
7
6 I<;AMEtl
5 Botvinnik- Taimanov
4
Moscow (4) 1952
3
2 l.d4 tLlf6 2.c4 e6 3.tLlc3 J.b4 4.e3 tLlc6
A sideline. I have included the game mainly
for two reasons.
a b c d e f g h
5.tLlge2
The biggest difference between the Queen's
Gambit and the Nimzo is the passive white
bishop on c l . In the Queen's Gambit it is very 8
active on g5; here it is restrained behind the 7
pawns.
Fortunately the dark-squared bishop has 6
decent prospects of a bright future. If we for 5
a moment forget about the hanging e3-pawn
in the diagram position, the bishop could be 4
developed to b2 (after first b2-b3). Then later 3
when Black attacks the white centre with the
typical ... c5, White can simply take it with
2
dxc5 and suddenly the bishop operates on a 1
a c e
wonderful diagonal all the way towards the b d f g h
opponent's king. The other way to get the
bishop out is the manoeuvre i.e l -d2-e l -g3/h4. This is the first! With this important knight
move White prevents the doubling of his
Finally the most characteristic feature of the pawns on the c-file. Next he plans to play a2-
Nimzo-Indian arises after Black plays ...J.xc3 a3 and question the black bishop.
and White takes back with the b-pawn. Then
White has the bishop pair, but also a somewhat 5 ... d5 6.a3 ie7
shattered structure with double pawns on the Black withdraws. After 6 ... J.xc3t 7.lt:lxc3
c-file. Which is the more important depends White just enjoys the pair of bishops.
on the exact position.
7 .c:xd5 exd5
The second reason. The pawn structure is
similar to the QGD Exchange Variation.
g,c!!j f4 0-0
If Black had guessed what was coming he
could have tried 8 ...j,f5 9.j,e2 '®d7.
9..te2 .tf5
a b c d e f g h
22.hh7t!
A spectacular bishop sacrifice. Many of
Botvinnik's games started as really deep
strategic exhibitions, but ended with a big
combinational bang.
22 ...�xh7 23.%Yh3t �g8 24.llJxd5 .tds

25.g6!
a b c d e f g h
10.g4!
Botvinnik was fond of this move. See the
later game against Smyslov and check out the
win over Petrosian from my other book.
10 ....te6 l l .llJxe6 fxe6 12.0-0 '%Yd7 13.f4

Effectively stopping the freeing ... e5 break.
13 ... llJd8 14 ..td3 llJf7 15.b4 aS 16.b5 llJd6

17.'%Yf3
Controlling e4.
a b c d e f g h
17...a4 18J�a2! The key move in the combination. The
Planning to transfer the rook to the kingside. defensive move ...'®fl is prevented and the
The bishop just stays on cl until a clear black king is caught on g8.
destination is found.
25 ...llJf6 26.llJxf6t gxf6 27.g7?
18 ...c6 19.bxc6 '%Yxc6 20J::tc2 '%Yd7 21 .g5 27.d5! E:e8 28.j,b2 gives strong pressure.
llJfe8 For instance: 28 ... E:c8 29.E:xc8 lLlxc8 30.E:f2
tLld6 3 l.dxe6 E:xe6 32.f5 E:e8 33.E:d2! and the
threat of E:xd6 decides.
Chapter 1 - Nimzo-lndian 15
36.i.b2 gb5 37.'.t>fl i.a5 3S.:ac2 gb3

8 39.Wfd7 :abe3 40.Wfxa4 gelt 41.'.t>fl i.c7
7 42.Wfxe8t
1-0
6
5 Here is another game from 1 952. It may sound
old, but the chess content is very fresh.
4
3
2
Botvinni.k - Smyslov
a c e
Moscow (5) 1 952
b d f g h
27... ge8? l.d4 ttl£6 2.c4 e6 3.ttlc3 i.b4 4.e3 c5 s.ttlge2
Black returns the favour. He sees 27 ... \Mfxg?t Here we have this key move again.
28.gg2 winning the queen, but misses
27 ... 1t7xg7! 28.gg2t 'kflf7, when the king hides 5 ... d5 6.a3 cxd4
on e7 or e8. Exchanging the bishop with 6 ....ixc3t
7.lt:lxc3 cxd4 8.exd4 dxc4 9 ..ixc4 is more
2s.Wfhst '.t>f7 29.Wfh5t '.t>gs 3o.g82 common - see page 3 1 for more details.
Now it is over.
7.axb4
30 ...ttlf7 31.gf3 Of course White takes the bishop.
The next rook comes.
7...dxc3 8.ttlxc3 dxc4
31. .. ga5 32.Wfh4 e5 33.gh3 Now White gets a strong initiative in the
ending. On 8 ... 0-0, White answers 9.cxd5
8 exd5 1 O.b5! .ie6 1 1 ..ie2 with a positional plus.
7 9.Wfxd8t '.t>xd8 10.i.xc4 ttlc6 l l.b5 ttle5

6 12.i.e2 '.t>e7 13.£4 ttled7
5
4
3
2
a b c d e f g h
Threatening mate. Black must surrender his
queen.
33 ... Wfxh3 34.Wfxh3 exf4 35.exf4 i.b6

a b c d e f g h
14.b3! Not the optimal square for this knight.

The dark-squared bishop gets out via a3. Better was 9 ... b6. The knight may later go to
c6.
14 J�d8 15 ..ia3t cj;les 16 ..id6
.•
And immediately is the dominant figure 10.0-0 c5 1 1.£3

on the whole board. Black is strategically lost
already.
8
16... tLlb8 17..ic7 B:d7 18..ib6 tLld5 7
18 ... a6 1 9.bxa6 bxa6 20.�b5+- 6
19.tLlxd5 B:xd5 20.B:xa7 B:xa7 21 .ha7 tLld7 5
22.e4 4
1-0
3
Let's try an even earlier game! 2
1
a b c d e f g h
Botvinnik- Keres l l...cxd4
The Hague/Moscow (10) 1 948
I don't think Black should release the tension
in the centre, but it is not easy to suggest a
l .d4 tLlf6 2.c4 e6 3.tLlc3 .ib4 4.e3 0-0 5.a3 plan.
Borvinnik fancied this. Personally I prefer to
develop with 5.tt'lge2, but that is another story. 12.cxd4 tLlb6 13 ..ib2
This game is important because it shows the The slumbering bishop wakes up.
typical Nimzo-Indian pawn structure.
13...exd4 14.e4
1 4.�xd4 was simple and strong.
8
7 14 .ie6 15.B:cl B:e7?
•..
1 5 .. J'k8 was necessary.

6
5 16.'1Wxd4!
The point ofWhite's 1 4th move. Now there
4 is maximum pressure along the long diagonal.
3
2 16...'1Wc7 17.c5!
Opening up the position and activating the
1 rook.
a b c d e f g h
17 dxc5 18.B:xc5 '1Wf4 19.i.cl '!Wb8 20.B:g5!
..•
5 ...hc3t 6.bxc3 B:e8 7.loe2 e5 8.�g3 d6 Going for the attack. Borvinnik finishes in
9 ..ie2 tLlbd7 style.
20... liJbd7 The big mainline is 4 ... 0-0, but let's begin
with the other serious 4th moves from Black.
The two most important are 4 ... b6 and 4 ... c5.

A good response to both systems is the already
familiar move 5.lt:lge2.
The line 4 ... b6 is covered in Games 4-6, and

4 ... c5 in Games 7 and 8.
The rest of the chapter is dedicated to

4 ... 0-0, which is covered in depth in Games
9- 1 2. Of course there are many other legal
moves, but it is impossible to cover everything.
a b c d e f g h I will mention a few of them here though.
21Jhg7t! 'kffxg7 22.ltJh5t 'kff g6 23.'l!*i e3
Black is mated. For 4 ... tt'lc6 see Game 1 above.
1-0
4 ... d5 is quite often played, but it has little
By now it is quite clear that the potential of independent value. White could just answer
White's dark-squared bishop is very high. 5.lt:lf3 if he plays that move in the mainlines.
After these instructive games, let's move on But we don't! So I'll recommend the promising
to theory in the year 20 1 2. It is most likely 5.a3!, when we are suddenly in the last chapter
that something has happened since Botvinnik's of Playing J.d4 - The Queen's Gambit, after
days. l .d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.lt:lc3 i.b4.
4 ... d6 is too modest ro pose any problems:

Various 4th Moves
5.i.d3 lt:lc6 6.lt:lge2 e5 and now just 7.d5±
I.d4 liJf6 2.c4 e6 3.liJc3 ih4 4.e3 with extra space and a pleasant position.
4 ... tt'le4 looks active, but could in fact just be

a waste of time: 5.�c2 f5 (5 ... lt:lxc3 6.bxc3
i.e? 7.i.d3±) 6.i.d3 0-0 7.lt:lge2± Taking on
e4 might work, but this is much simpler. We
are ready to castle and then we can always play
f2-f3 and maybe even e3-e4.
4 . . .i.xc3t
Black does not even wait for White to play
a2-a3, so basic logic tells us that this move
cannot be good.
5.bxc3 d6 6.i.d3 0-0
a c e
b d f g h More usual is 6 ... c5 7.lt:le2 lt:l c6, but the
position is closed and the exact move order
18 Playing 1 .d4 - The Indian Defences
is not that important. After 8.0-0 e5 9.e4 The 4 ...b6 Variation

h6 1 0.h3 0-0 1 l .j,e3;1; b6 1 2.d5 lt:la5
1 3.lt:lg3 j,a6 14.'We2 Ruiz Jarabo Pelayo - l.d4 �f6 2.c4 e6 3.�c3 i.b4 4.e3 b6
Rodriguez Rey, corr. 2006, had reached a
similar position to the Rubinstein game we
8
are following.
7.e4 e5 8.lt:le2 �e8 9.f3 b6 1 0.0-0 lt:lc6 1 l .j,e3 7
j,a6 1 2.lt:lg3 lt:la5 1 3.'We2 c5 14.d5 'ii?h 8 1 5.f4 6
lt:ld7 16.f5!
5
4
3
2
A typical interpretation. Black has no

intention of occupying the centre with pawns
b d f g
a c e h
and instead prepares to attack it with his pieces.
Taking space on the kingside. 5.�ge2

1 6 ... f6 1 7.lLlh5 �e7 1 8.g4 'We8 19.g5 Now Black has three interesting moves. That
19 .�f3±, intending �h3 followed by g4- we really live in post-modern times can be seen
g5, is the accurate way to proceed, denying from the fact that the most obvious move,
Black any counterplay. 5 ... j,b7, isn't one of them! Let's briefly see why.
1 9 ... j,xc4 20.j,xc4 lt:lxc4 2 l .gxf6 gxf6
2 1 ...lt:lxe3! would have enabled Black to 5 ...i.b7 6.a3 ie7
fight on. 6 ...j,xc3t 7.lt:lxc3 gives White too easy
22.j,h6 play: 7 ... 0-0 8.j,d3 d5 9.cxd5 exd5 1 0.b4;1;
White is back in control and crushes Black The bishop pair will tell in the long run. The
in style. guy on cl doesn't look that impressive at the
22 ... lt:lb2 23.'ii?h l lt:ld3 24.lt:lg7 �xg7 moment, but eventually he will get out. In
25.j,xg7t �xg7 26.�g1 t �h8 27.'Wxd3 'Wf7 particular, if Black plays the counter ... c5 and
28.�g3 �g8 29.�agl �xg3 30.�xg3 lt:l b8 everything is exchanged there, then the bishop
3 l .'We2 a6 32.a4 'We8 33.h4 'Wf7 34.�g2 'Wf8 will be strong on b2.
35.h5 h6 36.'Wg4 b5 37.axb5 axb5 38.'Wg6
lt:l d7 39.�f3 lt:lb6 40.�g1 lt:la4 4 l .c4 1-0 7.d5
Rubinstein - Colle, Liege 1 930. Grabbing space - that's our style.
7 ... 0-0 8.�g3 d6 9..ie2 c6 10.e4 cxd5 1 1.cxd5

exd5 12.exd5 �a6 13.0-0 �c7 14.J.f3;t
White controls two thirds of the board and
has a nice positional initiative.
This used to be regarded as tactically suspect,

but a recent improvement has complicated
Aronian lstratescu
-
the evaluation.
8.cxd5 ixfl
Antalya 2004 Now it is worth considering a) 9.dxe6!? and
b) 9. <j;lxfl .
l.d4 tLlf6 2.c4 e6 3.tLlc3 �b4 4.e3 b6 5.tLlge2
.ia6 a) 9.dxe6!?
This tempting piece sacrifice is dangerous,
but it seems Black can weather the storm if
he plays precisely.
9 ... ia6 1 0.exf7t mxf7 1 l .e4
In my first draft I was ready to end the
analysis here, as it seemed to me that the
threat of e4-e5 would practically guarantee
that White would win back his piece while
keeping some initiative. However, the
following improvement forced me to change
my opinion:
a b c d e f g h
Just like in many lines in the Queen's Indian
Defence, this is the correct square for the
bishop. Black attacks c4 and is ready to follow
up with ... d5 and maybe exchange the light
squared bishops.
6.a3 hc3t
Black swaps off his bishop in order to avoid
losing time. The alternative also demands 1 l ...ic4!
careful consideration: This key improvement was proposed by Ivan
6...ie7 7.lilf4 d5 Sokolov, who analysed it thoroughly in his
recent book. It received its first practical test
a short while later.
A previous game continued l l ...c5 1 2.e5
l'!e8 1 3.ie3 lt:Jc6 1 4.1M/b3t c4 1 5.'1Wa4 lila5
1 6.exf6 ixf6 1 7.0-0 1M/d6 1 8.lt:Jfd5 ib7
1 9.lilxf6 '<Mfxf6 20.d5 l'!ad8 2 1 .:1'\adl with
a clear extra pawn for White, Aronian -
Medvegy, Germany 2004.
1 2.e5 lilc6 13.ie3 l'!e8!
Now if White captures on f6 he will face a
b d f g
a c e h
strong counterattack in the centre.
1 0.g4!
The familiar space-gaining move.
1 0 ... g5!
Black needs to fight back before he gets
smothered on the kingside.
1 0 ... c6 l l .g5 tt:lfd7 1 2.h4 id6 1 3.e4! dxe4
14.tt:lxe4± gave White everything he wanted
in Botvinnik - Smyslov, Moscow 1 954.
ll .tt:lh5!
The most resolute reply. Now the critical
a b c d e f g h continuation looks to be:
1 4.b3 l l ...tt:lxh5 1 2.gxh5 c6 1 3.1Wf3 tt:la6 1 4.e4 tt:lc7
The main alternative is 1 4.l'' k l , after which
Sokolov demonstrates that 1 4 ... g5! gives
Black sufficient chances.
14 ...ia6 1 5.exf6 ixf6 1 6.Wh5t \t>g8
1 7.'\Wd5t Wxd5 1 8.tt:lcxd5 tt:lxd4 1 9.tt:lxf6t
gxf6 20.0-0-0 tt:lxb3t 21 .\t>c2 tt:la5 22.:!:l:d7
ib5 23.:!:l:xc7 E:ac8
Flear -Terrieux, Calvi 20 1 2. Black has solved
all his problems and is even a little better.
b d f g
b) Unless White can find a significant
a c e h
improvement in the above line, a calmer
approach is needed. Once again we can travel 1 5.h4!
back more than half a century and look to This energetic move gives White promising
Botvinnik for inspiration: play.
9.<thfl 1 5 ... gxh4
Now there is a further split between b l ) Instead of taking the pawn Black can defend
9. . .exd5 and b2) 9 . . . tt:lxd5. with 1 5 .. .f6 or 1 5 ... h6, but White has the
initiative regardless.
b l ) 9 ... exd5 1 6.if4 dxe4 1 7.Wxe4 tt:ld5 1 8.:!:l:el Wd7
1 9.tt:lxd5 cxd5
a b d f g h
b d f g
c e
a c e h
20.'1We5! f6 20.1:'!:ad 1 N
20 ... 1:'!:g8? 2 I .i.g5! is a nice point. After 20.ltk3 We7 2 1 .1:'!:adl E:ad8, Black was
2 1 .'1Wxf6 :!:'!:f8 22.'1Wxh4± close to equal in Budnikov - Pavlov, Yuzhny
De Souza - Rodriguez Vila, Sao Paulo 2002. 2010.
20 ...1:'!:e8
b2) 9 ... ltlxd5 20 ... ltlxd5 2 1 .1:'!:xd5 Wf6 22.'1Wc3! Wxc3
Now White can proceed with or without
23.bxc3 leaves Black in a troublesome
exchanging on d5. endgame.
2 1 .ltlc3 Wc7 22.1:'!:heU:
8 .�. �·� �.�
�-----�,r%""/.�,0 ,;.�,rd""
1 �-r�� •r�i -,�� ,%� 7.tlJxc3 d5 8.'i'f3
6
"-- -� � �
,._ ,% - .-%
A very direct approach. White can also

5 � · �!• �
�f''//�. - stabilize the position and secure his bishop pair
4 � J'�®-��J��
0./.
with 8.b3.
3 � �- � r{g; �
- -��-'��- --%�
__
�.%�-- ��tiwfJ
8 0-0 9.g4!
%�
•..
2 This aggressive thrust defines the character

of the game. White will use all means to grab
a b c d e f g h the initiative, as otherwise Black would have a
1 0.'1Wf3!? perfectly sound position.
1 0.ltlcxd5 exd5 1 1 .1lMh5 (This has been the
main line, bur White has chances to achieve 8
a slight plus by playing more patiently with
7
1 l .g3 or l l .i.d2.) l l ...i.g5 12.ltle6 (Since this
aggressive lunge does not achieve anything, 6
White could consider the calmer 1 2.ltld3N.) 5
12 ... g6 13.'1Wxg5 fxe6 Black is fine.
1 0 ... c6 l l .g3 0-0 1 2.�g2 ltld7 1 3.e4 ltlxc3 4
1 4.'1Wxc3 c5 1 5.d5 i.f6 1 6.'1Wb3 exd5 1 7.ltlxd5 3
i.d4 1 8.i.e3 i.xe3 1 9.'1Wxe3
White keeps a nagging edge and can play for 2
two results. 1
a c e
1 9 ... ltlf6
b d f g h
Now the best continuation looks to be:
9 i.b7
...
Securing e4 for the knight.
The alternative is to protect the d5-pawn with

the more passive 9 ... c6, when it makes sense for
White just to continue his development with
1 0.b3 ltlbd7 l l .i.b2. White can castle long and
intensify the offensive on the kingside. Here
is a grandmaster example: l l ...dxc4 1 2.bxc4
c5 1 3.g5 ltle8 1 4.0-0-0! :!:'!:c8 1 5.d5 Wxg5
a b c d e f g h
Bernasek - Stocek, Ostrava 20 1 0, and now 19.:1:1hfl!?

1 6.'Wh3!N 'We7 1 7.:1:1g1 g6 1 8.dxe6 fxe6 19 .d5 is also reasonable, but White prefers
19.tt:le4 gives White a promising attack. to keep the pawn structure more fluid.
10.g5 tfle4 n.tflxe4 dxe4 12.�g3 f5 13.i.d2 19.. .l3f7 20.i.c3 exd4 21 .exd4 tflf8 22.d5!±
White has the bishop pair and the better
pawn structure. Little by little he will catch up
8
in development and take charge.
7
8 6
7 5
6 4
5 3
4 2
3 1
2 a b c d e f g h
Opening the diagonal for the mighty dark
a c e
squared bishop. White's pawn majority on
b d f g h the queenside lays the foundation for a big
13... a5 offensive on that part of the board. The passive
1 3 ... tt:ld7 14.ic3 E1c8 1 5.0-0-0 'We7 1 6.h4 black pieces make it difficult to generate
c5 1 7.d5± Peek - Huss, Hastings 2007. counterplay on the kingside.
14.h4 �d6 22 ...i.a6 23.b4 axb4 24.axb4 g6 25.�c2

Seeking salvation in an endgame. Otherwise Preparing to take the a-file.
it was difficult to generate any active play, as
shown by the game fragment above. 25 ...i.c8 26.:1:1al
The rook is ready to invade the black
15.i.e2 position. White is probably winning already.
An interesting decision. Aronian refuses to
improve Black's pawn structure by taking on 26... h6
d6, but he still allows the queen exchange. Desperation.
15 .. Jt:ld7 16.0-0--0 gae8 17.h5 27.hxg6 tflxg6 28J:�hl! f4

Here he could seriously have considered 28 ... hxg5 29.:1:1h6+-
1 7.'Wg2!? when play might continue: 1 7 ... e5
1 8.ic3 exd4 1 9.:1:1xd4 'We?± 29.Eixh6 f3
After 29 ...if5 30.g4 Black loses material.
17 ...�xg3 18.fxg3 e5
Black needs some counterplay. 30.E1xg6t �f8 31.b5
Threatening ib4t.
3L. .:!�h7 32.:!3f6t @gs 33.La ib2. However, in my opinion Black has an
There was nothing wrong with 33.ifl . okay position.
33... exf3 34Jhf.3 i.g4 35.:!U4 i.h5 36.@b3 6... tLlxd2 7.'1Wxd2 0-0
i.g6 37.:!3h4 It is too early to say where the light-squared
1-0 bishop should be. After 7 ...ib7 8.a3 ie7
White shuts it off: 9.d5 0-0 1 0.g3 d6 1 l .ig2
Conclusion: Black's original queenside play l2Jd7 1 2.0-0 e5 1 3.f4;!; White has the upper
with ... b6 and ...ia6 was countered by active hand on the kingside. 1 3 ... f5?! 1 4.e4! exf4
play on the kingside. The move g2-g4 is 1 5.lt:\xf4 ig5 1 6.exf5 E!:xf5 17.'1Wc2 E!:e5
especially noteworthy. We have seen Botvinnik 1 8.lt:\e6± Jelen - Grosar, Slovenia 1 992.
employ it, and now also Aronian.
8.a3 i.e? 9. tLlf4 d6
Ugge R. Hall
-
Correspondence 2003
l.d4 tLlf6 2.c4 e6 3.tLlc3 i.b4 4.e3 b6 5.tLlge2

lile4
8
7
6
a b c d e f g h
5
4 lO.i.d3!
The most ambitious. White wants to play
3 'Wc2 to inflict a weakness on Black's king
2 position, and then maybe castle long. In the
majority of games White has played l O.ie2,
1 but I am not sure he is much better after
a b c d e f g h 1 0 ...ib7 1 1 .0-0 l2Jd7.
Increasing the pressure on the c3-knight
10. . c6
.
and clearing the way for the f-pawn. Black is

Black controls the d5-square and prepares to
striving for a kind of Dutch set-up.
counter with either ... d5 or ... e5.
6.i.d2
Speeding up development is of paramount The British star Michael Adams once
importance. experimented with 1 0 ... lt:\d7, but after
1 1 .'1Wc2 h6 1 2.ie4 E!:b8 1 3.lt:\b5!± he was in
The mainline is 6.'1Wc2 ib7 7.a3 ixc3t big trouble, Chiburdanidze - Adams, Lucerne
8.lt:\xc3 lt:\xc3 9.'1Wxc3 0-0 1 0.b4 followed by 1 997.
l l.�c2 f5
On l l ...h6, White just castles long.
12.g4!
White strikes at once before Black can
mobilize his whole army.
8
7
6
5 a b c d e f g h
4 23 ... i>h8 24.gdgl h5 25.h4! gxh3
3 Not 25 ... gxh4 26.lLlf4.
2 26.gg3 h4 27.ggxh3 i>g7 28.�d3

White's extra central pawn gives him some
dynamic breaks with e3-e4 or f2-f4. Black has
a b c d e f g h to seek the exchange of queens.
12 ... e5 13;!tJg2 e4
Black must keep the position closed. 28 ...�g6 29.i>d2 ltlc6 30.ggl �xd3t
31.i>xd3 i>£7 32.£4!
1 3 ... exd4 14.exd4 'it>h8 1 5.i.xf5 i.xf5 1 6.gxf5±
already spelled trouble in Ugge - Ponomarev,
e-mail 2005.
14.�e2 fxg4
Not exactly the move you want to play.
The problem was that Black could not keep

his centre together. 1 4 ... d5 1 5.cxd5 cxd5
1 6.ltJxd5! lost immediately.
15.ltlxe4 �f5 16.�d3 �d7 17.ltlf4 g5

Black must do something.
a b c d e f g h
18.ltle2 d5 19.ltl4c3 hd3 20.�xd3 �e6 White wins material.
21.cxd5 cxd5 22.�b5 gds 23.0-0-0
The position has stabilized and White has a 32...g4
serious advantage. The d5-pawn is weak and 32 ... gxf4 33.lLlxf4 and the d5-pawn is
Black's kingside is loose as well. history.
33.gxg4 �f6 34.f5

Freeing the f4-square for the knight. White Conclusion: After 5 . ..ll:le4 6.id2 Black gets
continues to play actively in the following. the bishop pair, but his lack of space is too
high a price to pay.
34.. J�d7 35.�£4 �e7 36.�h5 l3h8 37.�xf6
�xf6 38.e4 dxe4t 39.�xe4t �xf5 40J�g5t
�e6 41.l3e5t �f7 42.l3f3t �g7 43.�£6
l3xd4t S. Popov - Savic
43 ... l3c7 44.lLlh5t \t>g8 45.!:1g5t \t>h7
Mararuska Banja 2007
l.d4 �f6 2.c4 e6 3.�c3 i.b4 4.e3 c5

Please pay attention to the different move
orders that are possible - the line we consider
in this game commonly arises from 4 ... b6
5.lLlge2 c5.
5.�ge2 b6
a b c d e f g h
46.!:1f6! This is the type of variation you can
work out in a correspondence game. White
has a winning attack, for instance: 46 ... !:1g8
47.l3f7t \t>h8 (47 ... \t>hG 48.l3xg8) 48.lLlf6
l3xg5 49.l3h7#
44.�xd4 �c6t 45.�d5 �xe5 46.�xe5 h3

47.130
Stopping the pawn and winning easily.
a b c d e f g h
47...b5 48.�e4 l3h5t 49.�d4 l3h4 50.l3hl
�g6 51.�e5 l3h5t 52.�e6 h2 53.�d2 The beginning of an avant-garde idea. To
gh3 54.�0 ga 55.�xh2 gn 56.b4 l3a2 fully comprehend the reasoning behind it we
57.gglt �h5 58.�f3 l3xa3 59.gg5t �h6 have to see a little bit more.
60,gxb5
Going into a technical rook ending; the 6.a3 i.a5
black king is too far away. The point. Black keeps the bishop on the
board, at least for the moment refraining
60 .. J�xf3 61.ga5 �g6 62,gxa7 gb3 63.gb7 from ...ixc3. It is somewhat annoying for
gb2 64.b5 l3bt 65.gbs �g7 66.b6 l3b2 White. After all, his lLlge2 was meant to get
67.�d6 �f7 68.�c6 l3c2t 69.�b7 �e7 a definitive response from the black bishop,
70J�a8 �d7 7I.l3a6 gg2 72.�a8 ggst either taking on c3 or withdrawing. Now
73.�a7 we have something in-between, and this
1-0 knight is suddenly obstructing White's own
26 Playing l . d4 - The Indian Defences
pieces. But we can also look at the positive 1 8 ... lt:Je8 1 9.l0ac7! lt:J f6 20.'it>e2 a6 2 1 .l0xa6
aspects - the bishop on a5 might get into l0xa6 22.W'a3 with a strong initiative for
trouble! White.
7J�bl After the move played, Black has not only a

Threatening b2-b4. vulnerable bishop, bur a knight on the rim
as well! You might automatically think that
7 t!Ja6
•••
this must be good for White. Well, it is not

7 .. .'1!!le7 8 ..id2!
so simple. To begin with it is impossible
This is good for White. For instance
to trap the bishop on a5. Secondly, White
8 ....ia6
has to make some concessions to finish his
8 ... lt:J a6 9.l0g3 .ib7 IO.d5!;!;
development.
Here White can initiate a favourable tactical
sequence:
8
8
7
7
6
6
5
5
4 4
3
�=,��=�==��,/��h'""/
3
2
2
b d f g
1
h
a c e
a c e
b d f g h
9.b4! cxb4 1 0.axb4 .ixb4 l l .:gxb4 W'xb4
1 2.lt:Jb5 W'e7 1 3.lt:Jc7t 'it>d8 1 4.lt:Jxa8 .ixc4 8.g3
1 5.lt:Jc3 .ixfl 1 6.:gxfl d5 1 7.lt:Jb5 W'b7 It is not optimal that this allows Black to
occupy the long diagonal first, but it does
accomplish the development of the kingside,
while keeping the knight on e2.
Another solution is 8 ..id2 0-0 9.lt:Jg3. This

makes some sense now that the bishop is ready
to take back on c3 and prevent the doubling
of the pawns. After 9 ....ib7 a complex game
lies ahead.
8....ib7
a b c d e f g h 8 ... cxd4 9.exd4 .ib7 IO.d5
Onischuk - Rogozenko, Skopje 2002. This should be good for White, although
Now instead of settling for the repetition some care is needed:
with 1 8.lt:Jd6, White should have gone for 1 0 ....ixc3t l l .l0xc3 :gc8 1 2 ..ie2 exd5 1 3.cxd5
1 8.'\Wcl !N. From here Rogozenko gives l0c7
sacrifice White manages to hold it together

and gain the upper hand.
After 9 ... exd5 1 0.�g2 White regains the pawn

with an edge.
With 9 ... lt:Je4 1 0.�g2 �xc3t 1 1 .llJxc3 lt:Jxc3

1 2.bxc3 Black forces the doubling of White's
pawns, but his position is cramped and the
knight is poorly placed on a6. 1 2 ... d6 13.'Wa4t
a b c d e f g h cJ:le7 14.0-0 lt:Jc7 1 5.e4± Black's position is
14.0-0! already difficult, and in the following top-level
White can afford to leave the d-pawn game it soon got worse:
hanging.
1 4 ... ltkxd5
1 4 ... 0-0 1 5.�f3 gives White a stable edge.
1 5. l2'lxd5
Sokolov's suggestion of 1 5.lt:Jb5!? also looks
promising.
1 5 ...�xd5 1 6.�a6 :gc6 1 7.�b7 :gxcl
Black should have settled for 1 7 ... 0-0
1 8.�xc6 dxc6 with some, though not quite
enough compensation for the exchange.
b d f g
1 8.:gxcl �xb7 1 9.'Wd6! �d5 20.f4 h5 2 l .:gfel t
a c e h
�e4 22.:gc7 h4 23.g4 h3 24.g5 1-0
Grachev - Salgado Lopez, Moscow 20 1 0. 1 5 ... :ge8?! 1 6.e5! lt>f8 1 7.:gd 1 !N (After 1 7.�f4
White eventually converted his advantage in
Gelfand - Aronian, Leon 20 1 0, but the text is
8 even stronger.) 1 7 ... exd5 ( 1 7 ... dxe5 1 8 .d6 wins
7 a piece) 1 8.exd6 'Wxd6 1 9.�f4 'Wd8 20.cxd5+
Black's pieces are hopelessly uncoordinated
6
and he will soon suffer material losses.
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
9.d5 b5
Liberating the dark-squared bishop and
trying to smash the white centre at the same
time. However, with a temporary pawn
a b c d e f g h
10.i.g2 bxc4 1 1.0-0 0-0 The other significant option is 1 2 ... exd5,
Getting rid of the wayward bishop solves which gives White a pleasant choice:
one problem, but creates even bigger ones:
l l .. ..ixc3 1 2.lZlxc3 exd5 1 3.tLlxd5 tLlxd5 a) Both 1 3.tLlxd5 and 1 3.exd5 look slightly
1 4 ..ixd5 '1Wb6 1 5 ..ixc4 tLlc7 ( 1 5 ...'1Wg6!?N better for White. In most cases he will win the
is trickier, but White keeps the upper hand: pawn back on c4 (for instance by playing '1Wa4)
1 6.f3! '!Wxb l 1 7 ..ixf7t Wxf7 [ 1 7 ... We7 1 8.e4] and then have a nice space advantage, along
1 8.'1Wxd7t Wg8 1 9.'1Wxb7t) D. Bekker Jensen with the fact that Black still hasn't proven that
- Ivanov, Ballerup 2009. Now White should the bishop on a5 is an asset and not a handicap.
have played:
b) White can also consider 1 3.e5 tLlg4 as in
Malloni - Stromboli, Fano 20 1 1 , and here:
a b c d e f g h
1 6.b4!N '1Wc6 1 7.e4 0-0 1 8.:B:e1 White has a
a b c d e f g h
clear plus.
14 ..ixd5!N .ic6! (After 14 ....ixd5 1 5.Wxd5
White's chances remain higher.) 1 5 ..if4 :B:e8
8
1 6 ..ixc6 dxc6 17.'1Wa4 lZlxe5 1 8 ..ixe5 :B:xe5
7 19.:B:fd1 '1Wb6 20.'1Wxc4 With ideas of :B:d7 and
6 tLle4, White keeps a slight plus, as pointed out
by Watson.
5
4 13.i.g5
3
2
a b c d e f g h
12.e4 d6
1 2 ... :B:e8 1 3.dxe6! :B:xe6 ( 1 3 ... dxe6 1 4.'1Wa4)
1 4 ..ig5 h6 1 5 ..ixf6 :B:xf6 1 6.'1Wa4 tLl b8 1 7.tLlf4
tLlc6 1 8.'1Wxc4 .ib6 19.tLlcd5± Wojtaszek -
Granda Zuniga, Burguillos 2010.
a b c d e f g h
l3...exd5 20.�xe4 �xe4 2 l .fxe5 :i'!:xfl t 22.Wxfl :i'!:f8t

Played by World Champion Anand. Black 23. \t>e 1 E:f5
accepts that White will get piece control over De Velez - Pirrone, corr. 2009.
the important d5-square. 24.lt:lxb6N axb6 25.�d8 lt:lb5 26.1"i:xb6 lt:ld4
27.�c7
The alternatives are worse: White keeps the better chances in the
endgame.
1 3 ... h6 14.�xf6 '1Wxf6 1 5.'1Wa4 �b6 1 6.dxe6
lkVxe6 17.lt:lf4 '1We5 1 8.'1Wxc4± Paramos 14.c!Llxd5
Dominguez - Giorgadze, Mondariz 1 997. 1 4.lt:lf4 lt:lc7 1 5.ltlh5 lt:lce8 1 6.exd5 h6
1 7.lt:lxf6t lt:lxf6 1 8.�xf6 '1Wxf6 was fine for
1 3 ... lt:l c7 14.dxe6 Black in Gelfand - Anand, Monaco (rapid)
1 4.e5!? is interesting, but does not promise 201 1 .
an advantage: 14 ...dxe5 1 5.d6 �xg2 However, White could have tried 1 5.'1Wa4
1 6.�xf6 '1Wxf6 1 7.Wxg2 lt:ld5 ( 1 7 ...�xc3 with chances for an advantage.
1 8.lt:lxc3 E:fd8= is also possible) 1 8.lt:lxd5
exd5 1 9.'1Wxd5 E:ad8 20.d7 e4 2 l.Wg1 '1We7= 14 ...hd5 15.Lf6! '1Wxf6 16.Y;Yxd5
Vaisser - Zakhartsov, Aix-les-Bains 201 1 .
1 4.lt:lf4 :i'!:b8 1 5.'1Wa4 was slightly better for
8
White in Schandorff- Carstensen, Denmark
20 1 2. 7
1 4 ... fxe6 1 5.'1Wa4 �b6 1 6.E:bd 1 6
Black must tread carefully, as his central
pawns are rather loose. 5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
So White has managed to take on d5 with
the queen. He will win the c4-pawn and keep
piece control over the d5-square. Anyway,
b d f g
a c e h that's the plan.
1 6 ... e5 16...Y;Ye6
1 6 ...'1We7?! 1 7.e5 ixg2 1 8.exd6 '1We8 Trying to spoil White's plan. 1 6 ...:1'!:ab8
1 9.'1Wxe8 lt:l cxe8 20.Wxg2 :i'!:d8 Krejci - G. 1 7.'1Wxc4 lt:lc7 1 8.lt:lf4± Bluvshtein - Van der
Nagy, Medimont 20 1 1 , and now White Werf, Wijk aan Zee 201 1 , was similar to the
should play: 2 l .�xf6N lt:lxf6 (2 1 ...gxf6 main game.
22.lt:lf4 W£7 23.lt:le4±) 22.lt:lf4 E:fe8 23.:1'!:fe l
W£7 24.E:e5± 17.Y;Yc6 .!Llc7 18 ..!Llf4 Y;Ye5 19.:1'!:fdl E:abS
1 7.f4 '1We8 1 8.1"i:xd6 '1Wxa4 1 9.lt:lxa4 lt:lxe4 20.Y;Ya4 i.b6 2I.Y;Yxc4
The position has stabilized and White has a 35.e5

small but eternal positional plus. Forcing the play. Maybe just 35 ..ih3 should
have been preferred.
21..JUd8 22.b3 'i'e8 23.gd3
White may have missed the following 35 ...dxe5 36Jhe5 'i'b5 37.'i'e4?
activation of the black knight, but it doesn't 37.gc4 kept the advantage.
spoil anything fundamentally.
37...f5 38.'i'el 'i'xb3 39.gbl 'i'xa3 40.'i'dl
23... lLlb5 24J;al lLld4 25.lLld5 i>fll 26.i>hl 'i'a2
lLlc6 27.f4 In time trouble the tables have been turned
The bishop on b6 is truly horrible. completely.
Now Black is material up and clearly better.
However, the day is not over yet, but our
8
opening investigation is!
7
6 8
5 7
4 6
3 5
2 4
1 3
a b c d e f g h 2
27...�a5 28.'9'c2 gbc8 29.gc3 �c6 30.gdl
a
lLld4 3 1 .'Bd3 ti'b5 32.gc4! 'i'e8
Both 32 ...%Yxb3? 33.1"1:xd4 and 32 .. .lt:Jxb3?
b c d e f g h
33.a4 cost Black his knight. 41.gal '9'b2 42.gbl 'i'c2 43.'i'fl c4
44.lLle7 gc5 45.J.d5 h6 46.gbel i>h7?!
33.gel i>g8 34.gccl i>hs 47.'i'h3 gcxd5 48.lLlxd5 gxd5?! 49.gxd5
lLlf3 50J3edl c3 51 .'i'g2 'i'e4 52.gd7 J.e3
53.gfl c2 54.gc7 lLld4 55.'i'xe4 fxe4 56.gel
8
cl ='i' 57.gcxcl bel 58.gxcl e3 59.i>g2
7 a5 60.gc4 e2 6Li>f2 el ='i't 62.i>xel
6 lLlf3t 63.i>e2 lLlxh2 64.f5 h5 65.gh4 lLlg4
66.gxh5t i>g8 67.i>f3 lLle5t 68.i>e4 lLlc4
5 69.ghl a4 70.gal a3 7Li>d4 lLld6 72.g4
4 i>f7 73.i>d5 lLlb5 74.i>c5 lLlc7 75.gxa3
i>f6 76.ga7 lLle8 77.ga6t i>g5 78.gg6t
3 i>f4 79.i>d5 tLlf6t 80.gxf6 gxf6 81.i>e6
2 i>g5 82. i>f7
1-0
a b c d e f g h
..
�;::�::;l::�e;:��;�;, ��:�:! �a� �;
a d
I GAME 7',1
settle for a small but lasting positional plus. Najer _ Mitenkov
That's also enough!
Moscow 1 996
The 4 ...c5 Variation l.d4 �f6 2.c4 e6 3.�c3 .ib4 4.e3 c5 5.�ge2
l.d4 �f6 2.c4 e6 3.�c3 .ib4 4.e3 c5 d5
All roads lead to Rome. The usual move
order is 5 ... cxd4 6.exd4 d5, although here
8 White has the extra option of 7.c5, cutting
7 off the black bishop. However, the bishop is
not in any danger - it can always take on c3
6
- and the c5-pawn is a target itself. A possible
5 continuation is 7 ... tt:le4 8.�d2 tt:lxd2 9.Wxd2
4 a5 1 0.a3 �xc3 l l.tt:lxc3 a4 1 2.�d3 b6 1 3.cxb6
Wxb6 14.�c2 �d7 1 5.0-0 0-0 1 6.l"i:fe l Ei:c8
3 with complicated play.
2
Therefore I advocate simply 7.a3, when
1 Black can transpose to the current game
a b c d e f g h after 7 ...�xc3t, or the following game after
7 ...�e7.
Black strikes in the centre at once, but will
he take on d4 or go for a closed set-up?
6.a3 Lc3t 7.�xc3 cxd4 8.exd4 dxc4 9.hc4
�c6 IO..ie3 0-0 1 1.0-0
5.�ge2
A typical, yet original IQP position. White's
Here it is again.
bishop pair and good development offer hope
of securing the initiative.
5.tt:lf3 tt:lc6 6.�d3 �xc3t 7.bxc3 d6 8.0-0 e5
is the so-called Hubner Variation, which we
prefer to avoid.
s...cxd4
White was ready to play a2-a3 and force the
exchange on c3. Now the bishop has an escape
route back to e7. Note that 5 ... b6 is perfectly
playable and was featured in the previous
game.
6.exd4
Black now chooses between 6 ... d5 and
6 ... 0-0.
The most ambitious. Black wants to

fianchetto his bishop and fight for control over
the light squares.
The alternative is:

l l ...h6 1 2.:B:cl COe7
With the idea of blockading the isolated
pawn with a knight as soon as possible. Later
the black bishop can be developed, either via
b7 or d7-c6.
1 3.Wf3 C0ed5 1 4.Wg3
Threatening ixh6.
14 .. .';!{h8 a b c d e f g h
1 4 ... COxe3 1 5.fxe3;!; 13.. .'i!9'd7
1 3 ... :B:c8
This has been known to be risky since an
exemplary Kasparov performance:
14.:B:adl :B:c7 1 5.Wh3 COe7 1 6.ig5 COg6
a b c d e f g h
1 5.C0xd5
Somewhat surprising, but White correctly
judges that his lead in development will
assure him of a significant edge despite the a b c d e f g h
simplification. 1 7.Wg3! :B:d7 1 8.d5! exd5
1 5 ...exd5 1 8 ...ixd5 is met by 1 9.ib5 when the
1 5 ...C0xd5 1 6.ixd5 looks anti-positional, tactics favour White, for instance: 1 9 ... :B:d6
but White gets a serious initiative that is 20.ixf6 gxf6 2 1 .C0e4!±
only reinforced by the opposite-coloured 1 9.if5 :B:e7 20.h4 Wc7 2 1 .Wxc7 :B:xc7 22.:B:fel
bishops: 1 6 ...Wxd5 17.:B:c5 We4 1 8.id2 White has great positional compensation for
b6 1 9.:B:el Wxel t 20.ixel bxc5 2 l .dxc5± the pawn.
Rezan - Hulak, Split 2008. 22 ... :B:e7 23.C0b5 :B:fe8 24.:B:xe7 COxe7 25.ih3
1 6.id3 id7 1 7.Wd6 ic6 1 8.Wxd8 :B:fxd8 ic8 26.ixc8 :B:xc8 27.COxa7 :B:c2 28.b4 �f8
1 9.f3 :B:ac8 20.if4;!; 29.ie3±
Onischuk - Vekshenkov, Sochi 2004. The Kasparov - Psakhis, Murcia 1 990.
bishops!
14.Wfh3 �e7 15.ig5 �g6 16.Lf6 gxf6
l2.'�f3 ib7 13.id3 17.gadl gadS
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
18 ..ie4! Now White is ready to answer 33 ... :1l:d3 with
It is crucial to exchange bishops. White 34.:1l:e3.
could start with 1 8.l:l:fe 1 , but there is really no
reason to. 33 ...e5 34.l3xe5 l3dlt 35.�h2 l3fl 36.l3g5t
�hs 37.g4 gxnt 38.�g3 l3b2 39.l3b5 f2
After the bishop exchange the knight gets 40.�g2
the excellent e4-square, from where it Everything is under control. Soon White
attacks the weak spot in Black's kingside, the will have a won technical position.
f6-pawn.
40... fl =Vfit 4l.�xfl l3h2 42.a4 gxh3
18 ....ixe4 19.lL!xe4 Vfie7 20JUel� f5 43.l3xb6 �g7 44.g5 l3f3t 45. �e2 l3f8
20 ... 'kt>h8 2 1 .'1Wf3 f5 22.tLlc3 '1Wg5 23.g3 46.�d3 gat 47.�e4 l3f8 48.gb5 l3a8
tLl h4 24.'1We2 f4 25.'\We4 :!:l:g8 26.d5 and White 49.l3b6 l3f8 50.�e5 l3a8 5 I.�d5 grs
held the initiative in Fridman - Gildred, corr. 52. �c6 �g6 53.gb5 l3f5 54.gxf5 �xf5
2008. 55.�b5 �xg5 56.b4 axb4 57.�xb4
1-0
21.lLic3 V!ig5 22.d5
Always a key move. Conclusion: It's seldom fun for Black to
exchange his bishop on c3 if White can take
22 ... tlJf4 23.Vfif3 lLlxd5 24.tlJxd5 l3xd5 back with the other knight. Here an original
25.l3xd5 exd5 26.Vfixd5 IQP middlegame arose, with White's initiative
The position has simplified. Black's weak being the most important element.
f-pawns give him a hard time.
26 ...V!Jf6
26 ... :1l:c8, aiming to exchange rooks, may be Sasvari Kunzelmann
-
Black's best chance.

Correspondence 2005
27.Vfid2 f4 28.h3 l3d8 29.Vfib4 a5 30.V!ie4 f3
3l.g3 Vfie6 32.Vfixe6 fxe6 33.b3! l.d4 lL!f6 2.c4 e6 3.lL!c3 .ib4 4.e3 c5 5.lL!ge2
cxd4 6.exd4 0-0
Black invites White to expand further in the

centre.
a b c d e f g h
l l ... ltlc6 12.0-0 if6
a b c d e f g h Black wants to tie White to the defence of
the d4-pawn.
7.a3 .ie7 s.tC!£4
An invitation that we decline. 8.d5 exd5 Both 1 2 ...i.g5 and 1 2 ...�d6 are answered by
9.cxd5 is very interesting, but also very double 1 3.E:e a .
edged after either 9 ...i.c5 or 9 ... E:e8.
1 2 ... tt:lxd4 has understandably never been
8...d5 played, as 1 3.i.xh7t 't!ixh7 1 4.'\Mlxd4 leaves
Black has an important sideline: Black under pressure in the centre.
8 ... d6
Preparing ... e5 to kick the knight away. l3.ie3 g6 14J�cl
We can hardly prevent it, bur fortunately The mainline. The rook can go to c5 and
it doesn't matter much. The knight will be attack the weak d5-pawn. Another regrouping
offered a new splendid outpost on d5. with the same aim is 14.�c2 followed by �b3.
9.i.e3 tt:lbd7
9 ... e5 1 O.dxe5 dxe5 1 1 .'\Mlxd8 ( l l.tt:lfd5 is of t4...VNd6
course also possible, but as you probably have 1 4 ...�g7 1 5 .E:c5 tt:le7 1 6.'\Mlb3 b6 1 7.E:c3
noticed already, I am not afraid of endings!) is good for White, who has the c-file under
1 1 ...E:xd8 1 2.4Jfd5 tt:lxd5 1 3.tt:lxd5 tt:lc6 control.
1 4.0-0-0;!; Milov - Beliavsky, Leon 200 1 .
1 0.�e2 e5 1 1 .tt:lfd5 tt:lxd5 1 2.tt:lxd5 tt:lf6 Once again, taking the d4-pawn is inadvisable:
1 3 .tt:lxe7t '\Mlxe7 14.0-0;!; 1 4 ... tt:lxd4 1 5.�xd4 �xd4 1 6.�xg6 �xf2t
Laurier - Timman, Dordrecht 200 1 . The 1 7.E:xf2 hxg6 1 8.'\Mld4! �e6 1 9.h4 White has
bishops, the bishops! the makings of a strong attack. 1 9 ...'\MlbG is
the obvious defensive try, but after 20.'\Mlxb6
9.cxd5 axb6 2 1 .E:e 1 E:ae8 22.E:fe2 White regains the
Simplifying into a technical position. sacrificed pawn with interest.
9 ...ltlxd5 lO.ltlcxd5 exd5 l l.id3 15J�c5 .ie6

The position is rather symmetrical, but 1 5 . . . tt:le7 is very passive. Following 1 6.'\Mff3
White has a slight initiative. E:d8 1 7.E:fc l , White is clearly better.
16.lLlxe6 fxe6 ISJ�fcl �H'7 19.i.c2

1 6 ...Wfxe6 doesn't look right. White can A slow regrouping. White needs to
increase the pressure on the queenside without strengthen his position before he can make
risk by 1 7.'<Wa4t. real progress. The premature 1 9.h4 is well
answered by 1 9 ... e5!f±.
17.'%'fg4
19....ig7
1 9 ... l:i'Je7 was possible, but leaving the c-file
like that isn't tasty.
20.g3 �df8 21.b4 �h8 22.h4!

The time has now come. White is better all
over the board.
22...e5
Black cannot afford to just wait.
23.h5 g5 24.h6!
A nice positional pawn sacrifice.
a b c d e f g h
White switches his attention to the new 24...'%'fxh6 25.�xd5 ltlxd4 26.i.e4
targets of e6 and g6. Instead a more positional A fantastic centralized bishop. White has
approach with 1 7.j_b5 was also tempting. complete control of the light squares.
17.. -l:� adS

8
1 7 ... e5 invites the sacrifice on g6, and even
though Black has managed to hold the draw in 7
two correspondence games, the position is no 6
fun over the board: 1 8.j_xg6! hxg6 1 9.Wxg6t
c;t>hs 2o.j_h6 l:i'Je7 2 1 .j_g7t! c;t>gs 22.j_xf8t 5
c;t>xf8 4
3
2
a b c d e f g h
26...'%'1£6 27.�c8 h6 28.�xf8t i.x£8
After 28 .. .1'l:xf8 29.�d7 �f7 30.�xf7 Wxf7
3 l.'<Wc8t White regains the pawn with a big
advantage.
a b c d e f g h
Zawadka - Staniszewski, e-mail 2006. Here 29.'%'fh5 lL!e6 30.i.g6 �c7 31.b7
I like 23.Wh6t!N with an attack. Material is equal again.
31. .. tl:\d4 32 .ie4

• 7.cxd5 cxd4 8.exd4 tt:lxd5 we have a typical
Back to the super square. IQP position where Black is perfectly alright.
32 tl:\f5 33..ib8! B:cl t

.•.
33 .. J!e7 34.'Wf3+-
34.i>h2 tl:\d6
The only way to protect the e5-pawn.
34 ...id6 loses to 35.'We8t �g7 36.'Wd7t.
35.i>g2! B:c6 36.hd6 B:xd6 37J�xd6 Y;Vxd6

38.hb7
Finally, White is a pawn up! The ending
wins easily.
38 ...Y;Ve6 39.Y;Ve2 i>g7 40.Y;Ve4 .id6 41.a4 a b c d e f g h

'f!e7 42.b5 i.c7 43 .id5 i.b6 44.Y;Vf5 h5
•
5... b6
45.£3 Y;Vf6 46.'fid7t i>£8 47..ic6 g4 4S.Y;Vest In general, after White plays tt:lge2 it is not
i>g7 49.Y;Vxh5 gxf3t so.Y;Vx£3 e4 5I.Y;Vxf6t very attractive for Black to take on c3 because
1-0 White just takes back with the knight. So Black
should prepare to withdraw the bishop from b4.
Conclusion: A somewhat symmetrical
position with White in the driver's seat. And it 5 ...c6 is a peculiar idea that was recently
is always nice to be playing for only two results! mentioned in N!C Yearbook. The idea is to
transfer the bishop to c7 and have a Semi-Slav
The 4 ...0-0 Variation like set-up. 6.a3 ia5 7.tt:lg3 It is possible to chase
the bishop with 7.b4, but I am not sure that the
l.d4 �f6 2.c4 e6 3.tl:\c3 .ib4 4.e3 0-0 bishop is worse on c7! 7... d5 8.'Wc2!?N This is my
Black's big main move. suggestion; anticipating the Semi-Slav structure.
(8.ie2 c5 9.dxc5 ixc3+ 10.bxc3 tt:lbd7 1 1 .cxd5
5.tl:\ge2 tt:lxd5 12.'Wd4!;l; Aagaard - Hera, Glasgow 20 12.
We stay within our concept. It is comforting Black could have equalized: 1 O ... dxc4 with typical
to know what to do and the knight on e2 is so counterplay known from the 4.f3 line.) 8 ... tt:lbd7
familiar already. 9.id3 dxc4 10.ixc4 e5 1 1 .0-0 I like White here,
but Black's position is of course playable too.
Putting the knight on f3 instead can lead to
some of the most debated tabiyas in the entire The imaginative 5 ...:B:e8 vacates the f8-square,
Nimzo-Indian. For example: 5.tt:lf3 d5 6.id3 making 6.a3 if8 possible. The disadvantage
c5 7.0-0 cxd4 (7 ... tt:lc6 8.a3 ixc3 9.bxc3 is of course that it does nothing to fight for
dxc4 l O.ixc4 'Wc7 is the old Main Variation.) the centre, neither directly nor indirectly. I
8.exd4 dxc4 9.ixc4 b6 This is the reliable investigate this idea further in Game 9.
Karpov Variation.
More natural is 5 ... d5, when 6.a3 can be
White can also develop his king's bishop first answered with 6...id6 or 6 ... ie7. These lines
with 5.id3 c5 6.tt:lge2. However, after 6 ... d5 are covered in Games 1 0- 12.
First I would like to discuss 5 ... b6 a little. It is

not as critical as 4 ... b6, but it is still a regular
guest in tournament play.
Iljushin - Murzin
6.a3 ie7 Togliatti 200 1
6 ...ixc3t 7.lt:Jxc3 ib7 8.id3! d5 (8 ...ixg2
9.�gl ib7 1 0.e4 has been played in a handful l.d4 c!tlf6 2.c4 e6 3.c!tlc3 J.b4 4.e3 0-0
of games and not surprisingly W'hite has won 5.c!tlge2 ges
them all. The bishop is ready to go to h6, the A subtle move.
queen comes to f3 or maybe even h5, then
castles long and ... mate!) 9.cxd5 exd5 10.b4;!; 6.a3 i£8
W'hite has a pleasant position with the bishop
pair.
7.e4
We take the centre. Grabbing more space with
7.d5 was also possible.
7...i.b7
7 ... d6 8.lt:Jg3 e5 9.d5;!; Space.
s.c!tlg3 d5 9.cx:d5 exd5 10.e5 c!tle4
a b c d e f g h
Black's position looks like something from
a Fischer Random game, but actually he has
arranged his pieces in a sound and harmonious
way within very little space. Depending on
what active operations W'hite undertakes,
Black will respond accordingly.
7.d5
Advancing in the centre must be the critical
a b c d e f g h move.
This was Caruana - Brunella, Siena 20 1 0. Quiet play doesn't offer much, for instance:
Now I like: 7.lt:Jg3 d5 and Black's set-up makes perfect
sense. Play can continue 8.cxd5 exd5 9.b4
l l.c!tlf5!N lt:Jbd7 1 0.id3 a5!? with good counterplay.
W'hile the computer fancies ll .ib5!N. In
both cases W'hite has a promising position. Taking the whole centre is tempting:
The extra space on the kingside often results in 7.e4
a strong initiative. However, Black is well ahead in development
and he can undertake active operations 7 ... d6

immediately. This is the solid move in Black's arsenal.
White can react in two ways. Both should
8 be good enough for at least a small
7 advantage.
6
a b c d e f g h
7 ... d5 8.e5 ltlfd7 9.cxd5 exd5 I O.f4 c5 I I .j,e3

ltlc6 1 2.dxc5 j,xc5 J3.j,xc5 l2lxc5 14.b4 d4
a b c d e f g h
Not giving White any time. If the position
stabilizes, White will have the advantage. 8.ltlg3
1 5.bxc5 WaS 1 6.Wa4 dxc3 17.Wxa5 l2lxa5 8.g3 exd5 9.cxd5 c5 I O.dxc6 bxc6 I I .j,g2
1 8.ltlxc3 ltlb3 1 9.:1:\dl j,g4 20.j,e2 j,xe2 d5 1 2.0-0 ltlbd7 1 3.ltld4 ltle5 I 4.f4!
2 1 .�xe2 ltlxc5 ltlc4 1 5.ltlxc6 Wb6 1 6.ltlxd5 ltlxd5
S. Bekker Jensen - N.Y. Pedersen, Aalborg 1 7.Wxd5 l2lxe3 1 8.j,xe3 :1:\xe3 19.Wa5
2006, was soon drawn, but I think White White was a clear pawn up in Bitalzadeh
could have gained some advantage in the - Stefansson, Sarajevo 20 1 0. Therefore
ending with: Black should try 1 3 ... j,b7, although with
22.�f3N 1 4.b4 White still has good chances for an
One idea is that the obvious 22 ... :1:\adS is edge.
well met by 23.ltlb5!. 8 ... c6 9.j,e2 cxd5 I O.cxd5 exd5 I l .ltlxd5
l2lxd5 12.Wxd5 ltlc6 1 3.0-0 j,e6 14.Wb5!
7 a5
...
The strategic choice. Black secures the

excellent outpost that has appeared on c5 as a
consequence of the white pawn push. The idea
is to follow up with ... ltla6-c5.
Another deep plan is to go for a Benoni

structure with 7 ...exd5 8.cxd5 c5. After
the natural continuation 9.ltlg3 d6 I O.j,e2
g6 1 1 .0-0 j,g7 1 2.e4, we have a position
b d f g
from the Modern Benoni where White
a c e h
has the extra move a2-a3. That is pretty
insignificant and after 1 2 ... a6 1 3.a4! the The pressure on b7 is a bit annoying for
transposition is exact - see Games 50 and 5 1 Black.
in Chapter 4. 1 4 ... a6?!
This provocative move backfires.

1 5.'1Wxb7 �d5 1 6.�f3 E!:a7 1 7.'1Wxa7 tt:lxa7
1 8.�xd5t
White has excellent compensation for the
queen, Bluvshtein - Moiseenko, Montreal
2009.
8.g3 tlJa6 9.i.g2 tlJc5
b d f g
8
a c e h
7 1 7.g4N �e7 1 8.f4 exf4 1 9.�xc5! dxc5 20.e5t
6
1 1.0-0 e5 12.e4;!; i.d7 l3.Ei:b1
5
Beginning to prepare the b3-b4 advance,
4 although there is no haste and White first
3 improves his position. Black has trouble doing
the same because his lack of space seriously
2 limits the options for manoeuvring his pieces.
1
l3 ...'ffc8 14.£3 h6 15.ie3 b6 16.'ffc2 g6
a b c d e f g h 17.b4
10.b3 Finally.
Preventing Black from playing ... a4 to secure
the knight on c5. White hopes in the future to 17 ...axb4 18.axb4 tlJa4
be able to advance with b3-b4 and drive the
knight back. 8
10...d6 7
Exchanging a pair of pawns doesn't make 6
much difference:
1 0 ... c6 1 1 .0-0 cxd5 1 2.cxd5 e5 5
White has more space to manoeuvre and a 4
preferable position.
3
13.Ei:bl d6 14.e4 �d7 1 5.h3 h5!?
More normal is 15 ... b5 1 6.b4 axb4 17.axb4 2
tt:la4 1 8.'1Wd3, though here the b5-pawn is
weaker than the one on b4.
1 6.�e3 h4 a b c d e f g h
This was M. Gurevich - Stocek, Antalya 19.tiJb5!
2004. Gurevich now gives: This leaves the black knight stranded on
a4 and threatens E!:al . Thus Black is forced to
change the structure.
A safe way to keep the extra space and a pleasant The Mainline: 6...J.d6
position was the simple 1 9J::!: a l tt:lxc3 20.tt:lxc3
'@b7, but maybe it is too simple. Black might l.d4 �f6 2.c4 e6 3.�c3 Ab4 4.e3 0-0
manage to draw! 5.�ge2 d5
The most popular move by far.
19 ...c6 20.dxc6 obc6 21.�ec3 �xc3
22.�xc3± 6.a3
Now the material diverges in two directions.
Most natural for Black is to withdraw the
bishop to e7. However, in recent years a slightly
provocative alternative has been very popular.
6 id6!?
•..
8
7
6
5
a b c d e f g h 4
Black has got rid of the troublesome knight, 3
but is saddled with fresh weaknesses on b6 and
d6. 2
1
22 ...�b7?! 23.b5 .id7 24.�a4
The b-pawn drops and White wins easily. a b c d e f g h
The bishop is more active here than on e7. It
24 ... d5 25.cxd5 tLlxd5 26.exd5 if5 27.�b3 looks as if White can advance with tempo on
obbl 28J::!:xbl E:ed8 29.E:cl E:a5 30.Lb6 the queenside and obtain a big space advantage
E:xa4 31.obd8 E:b4 32.�c3 �xd5 33.�c8 for free, but practical games have shown that it
�h7 34.Af6 �d6 35.�c6 �d3 36.h4 E:xb5 is not that simple.
37.�e8 �g8 38.�xf8t
1-0 After 7.c5 ie7 8.b4 b6 9.tt:lf4 c6 lO.ie2 aS
ll.id2 ia6 Black solves the problem of his
Conclusion: 5 ... E:e8 and 6 ...if8 gives White a light-squared bishop and is equal.
free hand to take a lot of space.
Another popular way for White to play is
7.cxd5 exd5 8.g3 c6 9.ig2, but then Black
answers 9 ...E:e8 and the bishop on d6 is
excellent. Again the position is balanced.
These considerations are the reason I prefer the

following knight move.
1 1 .'1Wf3! c4 1 2.t.c2 tLlb6 1 3.h3 t.e6 14.t.d2

Ei:c8 1 5.Ei:ad1 t.b8 1 6.Ei:fel;!; a6 1 7.tLlce2 t.d7
1 8.t.a5 This bishop is always looking for a
8
chance to get out; this is a new route though.
7 1 8 ...t.c7 1 9.tLlc3 White has a harmonious
6 position, Graf- Stefansson, Germany 2004.
5 7 ... tL!bd7 8.cxd5 exd5 9.tLlf5 tLlb6 1 0.tLlxd6

4 '1Wxd6 1 1 .t.d3 1he bishop pair ensures an edge
for White. 1 l ...t.e6 1 2.a4!? (more ambitious
3 than 1 2.0-0;!;) 1 2 ... Ei:fe8 1 3.a5 tt:lc8 14.'1Wc2
2 '1Wd7 1 5.f3 tt:ld6 1 6.g4 White has the initiative,
I. Sokolov - Jakovenko, Poikovsky 20 10.
1
a b c d e f g h 7 ... b6 8.cxd5 exd5 9.t.e2 Ei:e8 1 0.0-0 c6 1 l .b4
a6 12.t.b2;!; tt:lbd7 1 3.'1Wc2 b5?! This attempt
7 c5
...
at activity weakens the black position. 14.t.d3

Black's most active response. It leads to a
tt:lb6 1 5.e4! dxe4 1 6.tt:lcxe4 tt:lxe4 1 7.t.xe4
position with an isolated queen's pawn, which
Black is losing a pawn, Graf - Topalov,
might not be to everyone's taste.
Benidorm 2003.
Black has a whole variety of other continuations: 7 ... c6 8.t.d2!?
8.t.d3 is more common.
The rare 7 ...dxc4 was played against me at
this year's Danish Championship: 8.t.xc4 c5 8
9.dxc5 t.xc5 1 0.0-0 tLlbd7 1 l .b4 t.e7 1 2 .t.b2
7
a5 1 3.'1Wb3 axb4 1 4.axb4 l"lxa1 1 5.Ei:xa1 tLlb6
1 6.t.e2;!; White had a small, risk-free edge in 6
Schandorff- S. B. Hansen, Helsingor 2012. 5

4
'""' m//,,=,,,m.,m
lm"''/F'�
7 ... Ei:e8 8.cxd5 exd5 9.t.d3 tLlbd7 1 0.0-0 c5!? 3
Seeking counterplay, but weakening the d5-
2
pawn.
a b c d e f g h
8 ... tt:lbd7
8 ... e5 9.dxe5 t.xe5 10.t.e2 dxc4 1 l .t.xc4
tt:l g4!? Navara - Cornette, Mulhouse 201 1 .
Now 1 2.'1Wc2!N '1Wh4 1 3.tt:lce4 is good for
White.
9.'1Wc2
The position reminds me of a Semi-Slav.
The big difference is that the knight is on g3
b d f g h
instead of on f3, which could actually be an
a c e
advantage.
9 .. .:!:l:e8 I O.ie2 e5 I I .lLlf5! if8 1 2.cxd5 lLlxd5 I I ...ie6 1 2.b4 id6 1 3.ib2 lLlg4 1 4.ie2
1 3.lLlxd5 cxd5 1 4.dxe5 lLlxe5 1 5.0-0;!; lLlce5 was Reimanis - Yaksin, Kerner 2009,
Cossin - Rotstein, Benidorm 2008. White and here White can improve with 1 5 .lLlb5!N
puts the bishop on c3 with good play against ib8 I 6.h3 lLl f6. Now playing quietly would
the IQP. offer White a small positional advantage, but
maybe we can even force matters: 17.f4 lLlc4
1 8.ixc4 dxc4 1 9.'Wxd8 l'l:xd8 20.ixf6 gxf6
2 I .l'l:fd 1 and Black is in severe trouble.
lvanisevic Gyimesi
-
l l ...l'l:e8 is another sensible move: 1 2.b4

Bihac 20 1 0 ( 1 2.lLlh5!?) 12 ... id6 13.ib2 Everything is
standard so far. I prefer White - I just love to
l .d4 tt!f6 2.c4 e6 3.ttlc3 i.b4 4.e3 0-0 play against such isolated pawns. The knight
5.ttlge2 d5 6.a3 id6 7.ttlg3 c5 8.dxc5 Lc5 on g3 prevents Black from starting active
9.cxd5 operations on the kingside. In B. Kovacevic
White goes for the IQP position. A good - A. Kovacevic, Djakovo 2005, he tried to
alternative is 9.b4. neutralize the pressure with 1 3 ...ie5, but
after 14.lLla4 ixb2 1 5.lLlxb2 the weak pawn
9 ...exd5 IO.i.d3 ttlc6 1 1.0-0 remained.
12.i.c2 ig4 13.ttlce2!

8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
a c
A pretty normal position. As usual, the most b d e f g h
distinct feature is the somewhat strange knight
on g3. It doesn't control the blockading square This looks a bit clumsy, but is in fact a clever
in front of the isolated pawn, but on the other regrouping. White will continue with b2-
hand it can go to active squares such as f5 or b4 and ib2, and from e2 the knight can go
even h5. We will see more of that in a few forward to either d4 or f4.
moves.
13...�d7
l l ... ttle5 Not the best square. Two moves later Black
Tempting, but it doesn't really improve moves the queen again. However, it is not so
Black's position. easy to suggest a good plan. White's play on
the other hand is very straightforward, as we 32.1'l:xd l l'!xdl t 33.'kt>h2 White wins on the
like it to be. spot.
14.b4 i.b6 15.i.b2 '!Wd6 3l...h6 32.'1Wf4 ge7

Okay, the knight was hanging; that explains
why the queen moved again. 8
16.h3 .id7 17.ltlf4 gadS 7
6
8 5
7 4
6 3
5 2
4 1
3 a b c d e f g h
2 33.b5!
An elegant win.
a b c d e f g h 33... gd3
18.ltlgh5! 33 ...�xb5 loses instantly to 34."\Wb4.
The important defender, the f6-knight, is
exchanged. Black has difficulty holding both 34.l:hd3 '!Wxcl t 35.gdl '!Wxa3 36.bxc6
h7 and d5, so he decides to sacrifice a pawn to '!Wxb3 37-l:�dSt �h7 38.'\WfSt g6 39.'1Wf6
keep the game going. 1-0
18... gfe8 Conclusion: White obtained good play against

the IQP, although with a little more accuracy
Mter 1 8 ... tLlxh5 19."W'xh5 f5 20.l'!ad l things
the line with ...�d6 might be playable for
are starting to fall apart: 20 ...�e8 2 l ."W'g5 h6
Black.
22."W'g3 and White is winning.
19.ltlxf6t '!Wxf6 20.ltlxd5 '!Wh6 21.he5! The Mainline: 6 .ie7

...
Being material up, it is good to simplify.

I.d4 ltlf6 2.c4 e6 3.�c3 �b4 4.e3 0-0
21. .. gxe5 22.ltlxb6 '!Wxb6 23.'1Wf3 .ic6 s.ltlge2 d5 6.a3 .ie7
The big mainline.
24.'1Wf4 gde8 25.gacl '!Wa6 26..ib3 g5e7
27.gc3 7.cxd5
Protecting the a-pawn. White releases the tension.
27 ... '1We2 28.gfcl gds 29.'�h4 ged7 30..ic4 If you liked the recommendations against
'!Wb2 3 I.i.b3 6 ...�d6 then you could consider 7.tLlg3 c5
3 l ."W'f4! was strong, because after 3 1 ...l'!dl t?! 8.dxc5, when 8 ...�xc5 9.cxd5 exd5 10.�d3 is
just a transposition. alternatives, but I fancy the bishop move. We

However, Black can throw a spanner in the don't show our cards yet, and if Black should
works with the intermediate move 8 ... dxc4!, consider exchanging knights on c3 he has
which seems to equalize. to reckon with the possibility of the bishop
recapturing.
7.tt'lf4 is another interesting idea. Mter
7 ... c6 8.j,d3 Black faces a dilemma - whether 8... llJd7
to take on c4, or instead play 8 ... tt'lbd7, giving Black has tried other moves here:
White the option of changing the structure by
playing 9.cxd5. 8 ... c5 is another invitation to some IQP play
and of course we would like to go to the
Black now has two ways to recapture. Let's party: 9.tt'lxd5 exd5 I O.dxc5 j,xc5 l l .l"i:cl
check 7 ... tt'lxd5 first. j,b6 1 2.j,c3 tt'lc6 1 3.tt'ld4 with a typical edge,
Stornelli - Rhode, corr. 1 994.
8 ... tt'lxc3 9.j,xc3 b6 Black tries to prevent

Ponomariov - Kramnik White's g3 set-up from the main game.
1 0.tt'lg3 ib7 1 I .id3! tt'ld7 Taking on g2 is
Wijk aan Zee 2003 too dangerous. 12.Wc2 h6 1 3.0-0 tt'lf6 14.e4
c5 1 5.dxc5 bxc5 White has a small long-term
I .d4 llJf6 2.c4 e6 3.llJc3 .ib4 4.e3 0-0 edge due to the damaged black pawn structure,
5.llJge2 d5 6.a3 ie7 7.cxd5 lLlxd5 Aronian - Anand, Calvia (ol) 2004.
8 9.g3
It is logical to fianchetto the light-squared
7 bishop. Not only will it be excellent on g2,
6 dominating the long diagonal, but it also
allows White to keep developing without
5 moving the knight from e2.
4
A good alternative was the constructive semi
3
waiting move 9.Wc2.
2
1 8
a b c d e f g h 7
Black is in no hurry to define the pawn 6
structure in the centre. He chooses a flexible
5
set-up where the breaks ... c5 or ... e5 should
equalize. The question is if they really do. 4
3
8..id2
A multi-purpose move. White is very 2
flexible too, not just Black. There are a lot of
a b c d e f g h
9 b6
... Graf- Arutinian, Dresden 2009.
Black is also eager to solve the problem of
his light-squared bishop. He had the chance to 8
simplify in the centre, but in most variations 7
White would then have the upper hand 6
precisely because of a superior bishop. Let's see
5
the alternatives in detail:
4
9 ... tt:Jxc3 1 O.i.xc3 c5 1 l .i.g2 3
This is a good illustration of the bishop 2
situation. Play may continue:
a b c d e f g h
Here I like 1 7.b4!N with a pleasant position.
1 1 .0-0 exd4 1 2.tt:'lxd4 tt:'le5
a b c d e f g h
1 l ...cxd4 1 2.'Wxd4
Or 1 2.tt:'lxd4 tt:'lfG 1 3.0-0 tt:'ld5 and now
b d f g
the simplest is 1 4.l"k1 N with a plus in all
a c e h
variations.
1 2 ...i.f6 1 3.'Wd6! 1 3.b4!
White doesn't mind exchanging the dark White takes the sting out of ... c5 before it
squared bishops. arnves.
1 3 ... tt:'lb6 14.0-0-0 'WxdG 1 5.E!:xd6 tt:Jc4 1 3 ... tt:l c4 14.i.cl cG 1 5.'Wc2t
1 6.l"!:d3 e5 1 7.i.d5 tt:lbG 1 8.i.e4t i.eG!? 1 9.i.b4 The more active 1 5.'Wb3N could also be
l"!:fc8t 20.tt:'lc3 a5 2 l .i.d6 i.c4 22.l"!:dd 1 i.aG considered.
23.Wb 1 1 5 ... a5 1 6.b5 c5 1 7.tt:'lf5 i.xf5 1 8.'Wxf5
Black's pieces have not managed to achieve White has good play on the light squares,
coordination, and the following attempt to L. Andersen - Lautenbach, e-mail 2004.
improve their position fails tactically.
9 ... tt:J 5b6 10.i.g2 e5
23 ... tt:'l c4 24.tt:Jd5! tt:'lxdG 25.lt:lxf6t gxfG
Just as in the previous line Black may
26.E!:xd6±
instead strike with his c-pawn, although
Banikas - Townsend, Rethymnon 2009.
the symmetrical nature of the position is
again not to his advantage: 1 O ... c5 1 1 .0-0
9 ... tt:l 5f6 1 0.i.g2 e5
tt:JfG 1 2.dxc5 i.xc5 1 3.'Wc2 i.e7 14.E!:fd1
10 ... c5 1 1 .0-0 cxd4 1 2.tt:'lxd4;t e5 1 3.tt:'lf3
White already has serious pressure. 1 4 ... l"!:b8
l"!:b8 14.'We2 b5 1 5.E!:fd 1 'WbG 1 6.e4 l"!:e8
1 5.lt:lb5 i.d7 1 6.i.a5± Harikrishna -
Tiviakov, Pamplona 2005. (24 ... lt:Jc4 25.e4±) 25.'Wb3± Milov- Cheparinov,
1 1 .0-0 exd4 1 2.lt:'lxd4 lt:le5 1 3.b4 Dos Hermanas 2004. White will continue with
With more space and a strong bishop on g2. a3-a4-a5 and soften up Black's queenside.
13 ... lt:lec4 1 4.i.cl a5 1 5.b5 a4 1 6.'Wc2 lt:ld6
12.0-0
a b c d e f g h
Mohota - Maletin, Delhi 20 10.
1 7.lt:le4!N lt:lbc4 1 8.lt:lxd6 lt:lxd6 19.i.b2±
Next will come !'Zacl with pressure on c7, a b c d e f g h
and !'Zfd 1 is in the air as well. 12... �e4
At least Black displays some sort of activity.
The more restrained 1 2 ...i.b7 1 3.!'Zcl 'Wd7

14.'Wc2 i.d6 1 5.i.b4! i.xb4 1 6.axb4 c6
1 7.lt:lf4;t gave White the usual upper hand in
Janssen - Tiviakov, Dieren 2004.
1 2 ...i.f5!? is interesting, although you could

argue that the bishop belongs on b7 after
... b6 has been played. Such reasoning is a
bit dogmatic though. After 1 3.lt:lf4 'Wd7
14.'Wb3 !'Zfd8 1 5.!'Zacl !'Zac8 1 6.!'Zfd 1 a5 Black
had secured the queenside and was fine in
a b c d e f g h
Grigoriants - Wells, Dresden 2007.
IO.�xd5 exd5 I think White's quest for the advantage
So we reach the Carlsbad pawn structure should go along the lines of 14.i.b4!N !'Zfe8
after all. 1 5.i.xe7 !'Zxe7 16.'Wb3 c6 1 7.!'Zfc l with some
pressure.
I I.i.g2 �f6
1 l...i.b7 1 2.0-0 !'Ze8 1 3.'Wc2 i.d6 14.!'Zacl 13.!'Zcl i.b7 14.'%Vc2 gcs
'We7 1 5.lt:lc3 lt:lf6 ( 1 5 ... c6 1 6.e4 is also 14 ... lt:lxd2 1 5.'Wxd2 !'Ze8 1 6.lt:Jf4 c6 was
promising for White) 1 6.lt:lb5 c6 1 7.lt:'lxd6 a very solid alternative. Objectively Black is
'Wxd6 18.f3 lt:ld7 19.l"Zfe1 c5 20.i.c3 l"Ze7 okay, but the middlegame is somewhat easier
2 l .b4 cxd4 22.i.xd4 lt:le5 23.'Wc3 f6 24.f4 lt:Jf7 to play for White.
15J:Ud1 �d6 16.�b4! 20 .. J�e7 2l.a4 Ae8

Kramnik is trying to activate his problem
bishop, but maybe it was better just to leave it
for the moment and try something like 2 1 ...h5!?.
22.a5 ia6 23J��a1 Ab5

Black's point. There is a drawback with
having this bishop on b5 though.
24J�dcl ge8 25.axb6 axb6 26.ifl!

This is it. White simply exchanges bishops.
Then his rook can penetrate down the a-file
and attack the black pawns from the side.
a b c d e f g h 26 ...hfl. 27.i>xfl gbs 28.ga6 �d7 29. i>g1

h6 30.�a3 geeS 3l.h4 �f5 32.ga7
A splendid positional move. White would
like to exchange the dark-squared bishops,
leaving Black with the more passive bishop.
16...�£6
It wasn't particularly attractive to change the
character of the game with: 1 6 ... !xb4 1 7.axb4±
White has a good grip on the queenside.
After 1 6 ... c5 1 7.dxc5 bxc5 1 8.!e l We?

1 9.lLlc3 Black's hanging pawns are weak.
17.lLlc3 lLlxc3 18.�xc3 e6 19 ..bd6 �xd6

20.b4� a b c d e f g h
The position has simplified. White has a
White has a serious initiative in this major
pleasant positional initiative on the queenside.
piece position. In time trouble Black goes
down quickly.
32...g5 33.h5 �f3 34.�d3± i>hs

After 34 ...Wxh5 35.Wf5 Wg6 36.Wxg6t
fxg6 37.:!:%d7 followed by :!:%d6, White regains
the pawn with a clear advantage.
35.�a6 i>g7 36.b5! e5?

Missing an important detail. 36 ... Wf6 was
forced.
37.dxe5 bxe5 38.�g6t

1-0
a b c d e f g h
Conclusion: A tense positional fight where b2-b4; or 9 ... l2Jbd7 just keeps developing. To
White's remarkable �d2-b4! idea gave him the make it even more complicated, all these lines
upper hand. tend to overlap constantly. The exact order
of the moves is not that big an issue in this
We now look at what happens when Black particular position. Over the next few moves
recaptures on d5 with the pawn. White will probably just castle and play f2-f3
anyway. I have selected a few high-class games
l .d4 tLlf6 2.c4 e6 3.tLlc3 �b4 4.e3 0-0 where possible to illustrate how the play can
s.tLlge2 d5 6.a3 �e7 7.cxd5 exd5 s.lt!f4 develop in various different directions:
I prefer this active knight move, though
White has many other set-ups to choose from. 9 ...�d6 1 0.0-0 :B:e8 1 l .f3 b6 ( l l ...�xf4
Most popular is 8.g3 followed by �g2 and 0-0, 1 2.exf4 b6 1 3.f5! �a6 14.�xa6 lt:lxa6 1 5.1Mfa4
while 8.b4 c6 9.lLlg3 is also quite common. ltJ b8 1 6.�f4;!; Petrosian - Liberzon, Moscow
1 964) 1 2.b4 �b7 I. Sokolov - Vitiugov,
8...c6 9.�d3 Poikovsky 20 1 0. Now 13.�d2!N is pleasant
for White, as Black lacks counterplay.
8
9 ... a5 1 0.0-0 lLla6 1 l .f3 lLlc7 1 2.�c2 c5
7 1 3.lLla4! cxd4 1 4.exd4 lLlb5?! ( 1 4 . . . l2Je6)
6 1 5 .1Mfd3 lLla7 1 6.l2k3 g6 Kuzmin - Korchnoi,
Sochi 1 970.
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
The pawn structure is well known from the
Queen's Gambit Exchange Variation. Both
b d f g
sides have a lot of different plans at their a c e h
disposal. The first question is how to arrange
the pieces. Well, it is Black's turn, so let's see Here Botvinnik wouldn't have hesitated
what he does. with the standard offensive move 1 7.g4!N and
White is in the driver's seat.
9... �e8
The rook belongs on this square, no doubt 9 ... lt:lbd7 1 0.0-0 �d6 1 l .�c2 lt:lb6 1 2.1�d3
about it, so it makes sense to play it here straight :B:e8 1 3.f3 �xf4 1 4.exf4 l2Jc4 1 5.g4! l2Jd6
away. However you could just as easily argue 1 6.f5;!; White has a promising position on the
for several other moves: 9 ...�d6 immediately kingside, Alekberovas - Blumbergs, e-mail
places the bishop on its most active spot; 2005.
9 ... a5 takes space on the queenside and prevents
White from starting the minority attack with 10.0-0 lt!bd7 1 1.£3
I like this pawn formation, but a good

positional alternative is l l .b4 with play on the
queenside.
Astroem -Yaroshenko
1 1. .. �£8 Correspondence 1997
Black performs the typical regrouping
known from the Queen's Gambit Exchange l .d4 �f6 2.c4 e6 3.�c3 i.b4 4.e3 0-0
Variation. 5.�ge2 d5 6.a3 i.e? 7.�f4
Note that the move order varies from what
12.i.c2 I recommend, but we quickly arrive at our
starting position anyway.
8
7... �bd7 8.id3 c6 9.cxd5 exd5 10.£3 �e8
7 1 1.0-0 �ffi 12.e4?
6 The correct move order is 12.�c2 tLle6 1 3.e4
dxe4 I 4.tLlxe6 �xe6 1 5.fxe4, as you know.
5
4 12... �e6?
According to the database both players
3
miss 1 2 ... dxe4+ - in a correspondence game?
2 Let's not ponder, but focus on the interesting
1 position after move 1 5!
a b c d e f g h 13.�xe6 i.xe6 14.i.c2 dxe4 15.fxe4

White is ready to expand in the centre with
e3-e4, liberating the dynamic forces inherent 8
in this flexible set-up.
7
12... �e6 6
1 2 ... tLlg6 is almost too compliant. After
1 3.e4 lLlxf4 1 4.�xf4 White has a free game 5
with extra space and the initiative: 1 4 ...�e6 4
1 5.e5 tLld7 16.�e3;!; White prepares the way
3
for the f-pawn, Nikolashvili - Tamazyan,
Mersin 2008. 2
1
13.e4 dxe4 14.�xe6 i.xe6 15.fxe4
White's dynamic centre gives him good play a b C d e f g h
- see the following game. 15 ...ig4
Another game went:
1 5 ... c5 1 6.d5 �g4 1 7.1M'd3 �d6 1 8.�f4! �xf4
1 9.E!:xf4
White has a strong initiative.
1 9 ... 1M'b6
Better was 1 8 ...'\Mfb6, although White keeps a

pleasant positional advantage with: 1 9.e5 4Jd5
20.ixg6 hxg6 2 1 .4Jxd5 cxd5 22.E:aclt
19.d5 c!Llh5
a b c d e f g h
20.'\M!g3?
White should play: 20.4Ja4! '\Mfd6 2 l .E:af1 t
20 ... 4Jh5! 2 1 .'\M!xg4 4Jxf4 22.'\Mfxf4 '\M!xb2
23.E:fl '\M!xc3 24.'\M!xf7t 'it>h8
Now Black is completely winning. In fact he
lost!
25.ib 1 '\M!e5
25 ... g6 was probably the simplest. a b c d e f g h
26.h4 h6 27.ic2 b5 28.E:f5 '\M!g3 29.E:f2 '\M!e5 The point. On 20.ie3 Black takes control
30.E:f5 '\M!g3 over the dark squares with 20 ...id6 with a
good game. However, there is a problem.
20.i.a4!
And this is it.
20 . J��f8
.
Ehlvest once played 20 ... 4Jxf4 2 I .ixe8 ltJe6

and got away with it. But White could have
won convincingly:
a b c d e f g h
3 l .e5! E:xe5?? 32.'\Mff8t 1-0
Kharlov - I. Farago, Leeuwarden 1 992.
16.�d3 .ih5
White was threatening e4-e5, so the bishop
hurries to g6.
17 ..if4 .ig6 18.�d2 c5

a b d f g h
Black hungers for active counterplay, but c e
this strike is premature. 22.ixf7t!N (22.ia4 id6! was less clear

in lrzhanov - Ehlvest, St Petersburg 1 994)
2 2...�xf7 23.E:xf7! Wxf7 24.dxe6t Wxe6 Chapter Conclusion: The Nimzo-Indian with
(24 ... Wg8 25.lLld5+-) 25.lLld5 'it>f7 26.E:fl t 4.e3 leads to very demanding middlegames, but
Wg8 27.lLlxe7t 'Wxe7 28.'Wd5t 'tt> h 8 29.E:f7+- with our repertoire built on the move 5.lLlge2,
it is nevertheless easy to learn and full of both
2l.:B:adl dynamic and positional prospects. Black should
2 l .e5 was even more convincing. After respond 4 . 0-0 5.lLlge2 d5, when theoretically
. .
2 1 ...lLlxf4 22.'Wxf4 the pawn will get to d6. he should be able to more or less hold the
balance. However, in a practical game White
2l. c!lJxf4 22.Wfxf4 .ig5
•. still has excellent chances of success, because
22 ... �d6 23.e5 doesn't help. Black's problem although the position is nearly equal, White
is that he has no control over the central always retains a small positional initiative that
squares. forces Black to defend, something that is not
to everyone's taste.
23.Wfg3 i.h4
23 ... a6 could have been tried.
24.Wfe3 E:c8 25.d6!

The pawn will come to d7 and tie Black up.
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a b c d e f g h
25 a6 26.d7! :8:c7
.•.
Losing the exchange, but 26 ... E:b8 27.'Wxc5

was hardly any better.
27.c!lJd5 b5 28.c!LJxc7 Wfxc7 29.i.c2 i.f6

30.e5 i.e? 3l.hgG hxg6 32.e6 f5 33.Wfg3
Wfxg3 34.hxg3 c4 35.g4 'it>h7 36.E:d5 f4
37.E:fdl :8:d8 38.g5
1-0
Conclusion: Another tour de force with the

dynamic pawn centre.
Chapter 2
King's Indian
All work and no play makes jack a dull boy
- Jack Torrance, The Shining
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
I .d4 t!Jf6 2.c4 g6 3.t!Jc3 .ig7 4.e4 d6 5.f3 0-0 6 ..ie3

Various 4th and 5 th Moves page 5 3
Various 6th Moves page 5 5
Panna Variation page 5 8
The New Panna Variation page 66
The Old Mainline page 68
The Samisch Gambit page 80
Chapter 2 - King's Indian 53
l .d4 ttlf6 2.c4 g6 advancing the white d-pawn to d5.

A hypermodern way of playing. Black
fianchettoes his dark-squared bishop and The most popular method against the King's
castles, and only then starts to fight for the Indian is the Classical 5.tt'lf3 0-0 6 . .ie2, but
centre and space. why not go for as much as you can? With 5.f3
White reinforces e4 and prepares to follow up
3.ttlc3 with .ie3 and Wd2; then he may castle long
Planning to take the whole centre with e2-e4 and attack with h4-h5. Well, that's the white
next. A quieter, but positionally very sensible dream! In practical play it seldom goes as
way of playing is 3.tt'lf3 .ig7 4.g3 0-0 5 ..ig2, smoothly as that. Still, the white set-up has
where White fianchettoes his own king's bishop many subtle positional ideas as well, and you
and hopes that his space advantage in the centre will have good chances of coming out on top.
will give him slightly the better chances. For practical reasons it makes sense to have
a tt'lf3-line as back-up. Then you won't be
3....ig7 4.e4 d6 unduly exposed to various tricky move orders.
I'll address this issue throughout the book
when it is relevant.
8
7 Various 4th and 5th Moves
6
l.d4 ttlf6 2.c4 g6 3.ttlc3 .ig7 4.e4 d6
5 After 4 ... 0-0 5 ..ie3 play generally transposes
4 to a normal Samisch after 5 ... d6 6.f3.
If Black instead continues his experiment
3
and tries 5 ... c6 then simply 6.e5 tt'le8 7.f4 d6
2 8.tt'lf3 is good for White. A recent example was:
1 8 ....ig4 9 ..ie2 .ixf3 1 o ..txf3 tt'ld7 1 1 .0-0±
White has greater space and the bishop pair,
a b c d e f g h Turov - Gutman, Nordhausen 2009.
The King's Indian - the name alone suggests
that it should be taken seriously. The concept 5.f3
is rather deep, with Black employing a so
called dark-square strategy. The bishop on g7
stands behind the troops, almost like a movie
director, and uses the pawns to attack the
white centre with either ... c5 or ... e5. Always
on the dark squares!
5.f3
The Samisch Variation - a very ambitious
line. You could say that White answers Black's
dark-squared concept with a light-square set
up of his own. This is especially visible later on
when a black pawn thrust to c5 or e5 is met by
a b c d e f g h
5 0-0
... make much difference because next move it
The usual move, but just for the record I will will be correct to take on b6 with the queen
mention the other plausible options: rather than the knight.
9.Wfd2 ltJbd7
5 ... e5 and 5 ... c5 are easy to dismiss. Although 9 ... a5 1 0.Ei:cl .ia6 1 l ..ixa6 Wfxa6 was
it is tempting for White to take the pawn Dragomarezkij - Ozolin, Moscow 1 999, and
and exchange queens, playing 6.ltJge2 is in now just 1 2.lLlge2N;!; is simple and good.
fact much simpler. Black hardly has anything
better than castling, when we are back in the
main lines.
5 ... c6 6 ..ie3 a6
With this interesting idea, Black postpones
castling and gets on with his plan of
preparing ... b5. However, White can throw
a spanner in the works:
7.c5!?
a b c d e f g h
1 o.ltJa4!?
The natural 1 O ..id3 is fine too: 1 0 ... 0-0
1 1 .lLlge2 a5 1 2.0-0 a4!? ( 1 2 ....ia6 seems
more normal: 1 3.b3 .ixd3 1 4.Wfxd3 Ei:fc8
1 5.Ei:acl and the pressure on the c-file gives
White an edge.) 1 3 ..ic2 a3 14.b3 .ia6
1 5.Ei:fd 1 Wfb7 1 6.Ei:acl;!; Campos Moreno
Can, Khanty-Mansiysk (ol) 20 1 0.
1 0 ...Wfb7 1 1 .lLl e2 lLl b6 1 2.lLlxb6 Wfxb6
a b c d e f g h
1 3.lLlc3 Ei:b8 1 4.b3;!; 0-0 1 5.Ei:c l Wfb4 16.lLla4!
7 ... b5 Exchanging queens stabilizes White's
Anyway, but now of course White can take advantage.
it en passant. 1 6 ... a5? 17.Wfxb4 axb4 1 8.l"i:xc6±
7 ... dxc5 8.dxc5;!; leaves Black with a terrible Winning a pawn.
hole on b6: 8 ...Wfxd l t 9.!:!:xd 1 0-0 1 0 ..ic4 1 8 ....id7 1 9.Ei:a6 .ixa4 20.Ei:xa4
lLlbd7 1 1 .lLlge2 e5 Ionescu - Gesos, White went on to win in Narciso Dublan -
Naleczow 1 985, and now simply 1 2.ltJa4!N Sielicki, La Massana 2008.
l"i:e8 1 3.'tt> f2 ± maintains the bind.
7 ...0-0 transposes to the Byrne Variation 5 ... lLlc6 6 ..ie3 a6 7.Wfd2 Ei:b8 8.lLlge2 .id7
and is covered in Game 13. Against this move order, White won't have
8.cxb6 time for both Ei:cl and ltJd1 (our standard
White may also try 8.cxd6!? when 8 ... exd6 set-up against the Panno Variation - see
9.lLlge2 0-0 is a transposition into Game 13. page 59) before Black plays ... b5. However,
8 ...Wfxb6 there is another side to the coin.
Black can start with 8 ... ltJbd7, but it doesn't 9.g4!
c5 20.tt:lxh5! gxh5 2 l .g6 fxg6 22.!'!:xg6 i.f6

23.'1Mfg2 cxd4 24.!'!:xf6 !'!:g8 25.!'!:g6 !'!:xg6
26.i.xd4t 1 -0
Hoi - Kristiansen, Horsens 1 978.
Various 6th Moves

l.d4 ltlf6 2.c4 g6 3.ltlc3 i.g7 4.e4 d6 5.£3
0-0 6.i.e3
Also possible are 6.i.g5 and 6.tt:lge2, but
a b c d e f g h I prefer this natural set-up with the bishop
This offensive on the kingside is the bad behind the pawns.
news for Black.
9... b5 8
Also good for White was: 9 ... 0-0 1 0.h4
e5 1 l .d5 tt:la5 1 2.tt:lg3 b5 1 3.h5± Ward - 7
Coleman, Plymouth 1 992. 6
1 0.h4 h5 1 l .g5 tt:lh7 1 2.0-0-0 0-0 1 3.f4?!
White doesn't mask his intentions. 5
However, the subtle move 1 3.c5 looks 4
stronger, stopping Black's offensive before it
3
starts.
1 3 ... tt:la5 1 4.tt:lg3 2
a b c d e f g h
Black must now decide how to fight the
impressive white centre.
He can use a modern approach with a

flank attack involving ... b5 instead of a
direct confrontation. This advance can be
accomplished in rwo distinct ways.
a b c d e f g h
There is the direct ... c6 and ... a6 followed by
14 ... tt:lxc4? ... b5, which is the Byrne Variation. However,
Both players overlooked a spectacular it is probably a bit too simplistic to solve all the
resource: 1 4 ... b4 1 5.tt:lb1 i.a4 1 6J''!:e 1 i.b3! problems. See Game 1 3 below.
and White can't keep his queenside together.
1 5 .i.xc4 bxc4 1 6 .f5 More sophisticated is the Panno Variation
Now White has a powerful attack. I will with ... tt:lc6 followed by ...a6, ... !'!:b8, ...i.d7
show the rest of the game as an appetizer for and then ... b5. However, here too White can
such Samisch attacks. obtain a small advantage by rather simple
1 6 ... c6 17.!'!:hg1 �h8 1 8.!'!:g2 'WaS 1 9.!'!:dg1 means, as seen in Games 14- 1 7.
Then there are the typical thrusts in the centre.

The old mainline of 6 ... e5 (Games 1 8-23)
has in recent years been superseded by 6 ... c5
(Games 24-3 1 ) , where Black hopes to get a
good Modern Benoni. The critical question is
whether he does in fact manage to get that.
Other moves have little relevance. 6 ... b6

used to be played with the idea of following
up with ... c5, but it has lost popularity since
the immediate advance of the c-pawn came
to prominence. Mter 7.tt:lge2 c5 8.d5 it does
not look as if ... b6 has been the best use of a a b c d e f g h
tempo. 7...0-0
The alternatives 7 ... dxc5 and 7... b5 were
The flexible 6 ... tt:l bd7 leads into the other examined on page 54.
variations that we cover. White responds
with 7.tt:lge2 and Black has nothing better 8.�ge2 b5
than transposing into a mainline - which one 8 ... tt:lbd7 9.tt:lf4 is liable to transpose unless
depends on his next move. Black ventures 9 ... dxc5 1 O.dxc5 V!lc7 1 1 .tt:ld3
Riazantsev - S. Novikov, Moscow 2007.
Although this looks good for White, it might
in fact be playable for Black who can liberate
Dreev - Jobava himself with ... tt:le5.
Moscow 2002 White may prefer to exchange pawns
himself with 9.cxd6!? exd6 1 0.tt:lf4, when
l.d4 �f6 2.c4 g6 3.�c3 �g7 4.e4 d6 5.£3 1 0 ... b5 returns to the main game.
a6 6.�e3 c6
Black wants to expand on the queenside 9.cxd6!?
with ... b5. This defines the character of the game.
6 ... 0-0 7.tt:lge2 c6 seems to be a less accurate 9.cxb6 would be similar to the line discussed
move order, as instead of transposing to the on page 54.
main game with 8.c5, White has the extra
option of the typical Samisch move 8.g4!, 9 ...exd6 10.�£4
which appears highly promising. The knight is well placed here and White
just intends to finish his development with
7.c5 i.e2 and castling.
A fine positional idea. White takes the sting
out of ... b5 before Black manages to play it. 10 t£Jbd7 l l .�e2 V!le7
•••
This is modern chess, where prophylaxis and 1 1 ...tt:lb6 1 2.0-0 1'l:e8 toys with the idea of
opportunistic ideas blend perfectly all the playing ... b4 and ... tt:lfd5. I think the flexible
time. 13.V!lc1 N is a good antidote.
1 l ...c5 good squares so there is no reason to wait any

This try for counterplay in the centre is an longer.
expected reaction from Black, which Dreev
has faced a couple of times. 17 c5
..•
12.0-0 i.b7 1 3.Wd2

8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a b c d e f g h 1
1 3 ...We7 a b c d e g
1 3 ... E!:e8 14.dxc5 dxc5 1 5.E!:ad1 i.c6 18.dxc5!
1 6.lt'lcd5 E!:c8 17.b3± Black is running out of Dreev plays it positionally. The space
useful moves. 1 7 ... h6 1 8.E!:fe1 lt'lh7 1 9.E!:cl grabbing 1 8.d5 would be a big strategical
lt'lhf8 20.i.fl \t>h7 2 1 .E!:ed1 lt'le6 22.lt'lxe6 mistake, as Black suddenly has a dream Benoni.
E!:xe6 23.lt'lf4 E!:e8 24.lt'ld3 f5 25.lt'lxc5
fxe4 26.lt'lxd7 exf3 27.lt'lf8t 1-0 Dreev - 18 tLlxc5
..•
Khismatullin, Ramenskoe 2006. He has to continue to play actively. 1 8 ... dxc5

1 4.E!:ad1 E!:fe8 1 5.dxc5 dxc5 1 6.lt'lfd5 tt:lxd5 1 9.tt:lfd5 lt'lxd5 20.lt'lxd5 i.xd5 2 1 .E!:xd5± was
1 7.lt'lxd5 Wd6 1 8.lt'lc3 Wxd2 1 9.E!:xd2 i.c6 without prospects.
20.E!:fd l E!:a7 2 1 .E!:d6±
With strong pressure in the ending, Dreev 19.tLlfd5 i.xd5 20.tLlxd5 tLlxd5 2l.E!:xd5
Van Wely, New Delhi 2000.
12.Wfd2 i.b7 1 3.0-0 E!:fe8

1 3 ... c5 would take us back into the previous
note.
14.E!:adl tLlb6 15.!f2

Taking the sting out of ... tt:lc4.
15 tLlfd7 16.E!:fel gadS 17.Wfc2

.••
White is slightly better. His extra space

makes it much easier for him to improve his
position and in the long run the pressure down
the c-file may count. Black for his part has to a b c d e f g h
do something active. His pieces are already on
White has the bishop pair and the superior Conclusion: The right antidote to Black's ... a6
pawn structure. However, Black has good and ... c6 system is a well-timed c4-c5! before
counterplay on the dark squares. he gets ... b5 in.
21...�a4 Panno Variation

2 1 .. .l::!:c8 22. 'WId2 �e5 could be tried.
l .d4 �f6 2.c4 g6 3.�c3 .ig7 4.e4 d6 5.f3
22J�� b l gcs 23.fYd2 gc6 24..idl geeS 0-0 6.i.e3�c6
25.g3 fYc7 26.g2 �b6 27..ixb6!
A good practical decision. White will have
the initiative in the ensuing opposite-coloured
bishop battle.
27 ...fYxb6 28 ..ib3;1; a5 29.fYd3 gbs 30.a4

bxa4 31..L:a4 gc3 32.fYdl fYb4 33.gxd6
White has netted a pawn and his advantage
is now significant.
33 ... gc4 34.b3 gd4 35.gxd4 .ixd4 36.fYc2

.ia7 37.gdl fYb6 38.gd7 fYgl t 39.h3
fYfl t 40.'WI'g2 fYa6 4l .fYd2 fYfl t 42.g4!
Wow! a b c d e f g h
A standard move in the King's Indian.
Black hopes to provoke White into playing a
premature d4-d5, which would just weaken
the dark squares and lose the flexibility of the
broad pawn centre.
7.�ge2
So White adds some protection to the d4-
pawn, at the same time developing a piece.
7 ...a6
This is the characteristic Panno move, also
a
known from Black's analogous set-up against
b c d e f g h
the Fianchetto Variation. Black intends to
generate active play on the queenside with
42...h5t 43.g5! .. J3:b8 followed by ... b5.
The king is not only safe, it takes an active
part in the final pursuit of its black counterpart. Instead it is possible to strike in the centre
with the typical 7 ... e5, which transposes into
43....ib6 44.gxf7! xf7 45.fYd7t fS a variation from the 6... e5 line that is not
46.xg6 entirely satisfactory for Black. White closes the
1-0 centre with 8.d5 and is slightly better because
of his big space advantage - see Game 1 8 for 9 ... e6 stays extremely flexible: 1 O.g3 lZ:\e7
more details. 1 l .i.g2 b5 1 2.b3 It is good for White to
keep the tension. 1 2 ... c6 1 3.0-0t White's
8.�d2 E!b8 extra space gives him a pleasant position,
For 8 ...i.d7 see the section on the New Ponomariov - Ganguly, Sesrao 20 1 0.
Panno Variation on page 66.
9 ... Ei:e8
9.Ei:cl A waiting move.
This is a modern and simple way of meeting 1 O.b3!?
the Panno. White aims for a small positional White responds with his own waiting move.
advantage with a subtle set-up. Many other tries Who will show their intentions first?
leads to much livelier and more complicated 1 O.g3 is also fine, when play may develop as
play - the question is whether they are any in the mainline.
good. I certainly like the text move. 1 o ... e5 1 l .d5 lLle7 1 2.lLlg3
It turns out that the rook is not that well
placed on e8.
8
12 ... h5 1 3.i.d3 'i!?h8 1 4.b4 lZ:\eg8 1 5.0-0 'i!?h7
7 1 6.c5t
6 White's initiative on rhe queenside was well
underway in So - Barcenilla, Manila 20 1 1 .
5
4
3
8
2
7
1
c
6
a b d e f g h
5
The first point is that 9 ... b5 simply drops
a pawn. After 1 0.cxb5 axb5 1 1 .lLlxb5! the 4
knight on c6 hangs. 3
9 .i.d7
..
2
Protecting the knight and renewing the 1
c
positional threat of ... b5. Black has tried to
manage without this move, but hasn't fared a b d e f g h
too well: A surprising retreat. White's play is again
directed against 1 0 ... b5, which now can be
9 ... e5 is always a standard move in the King's met by 1 l .c5, keeping control of the centre
Indian: 1 O.d5 lZ:\e7 1 1 .lZ:\g3 lZ:\e8 1 2.i.e2 f5 and gaining even more ground. We will rake a
1 3.exf5 lLlxf5 14.lZ:\xf5 gxf5 1 5.f4 Efficiently closer look in Game 14. Note that the knight
stopping Black's kingside offensive. 1 5 ...Wh4 t will be excellently placed on f2 and that White
1 6.g3 Wh3 1 7.i.fl Wh5 Here Gupta's move can finish his development with g3, i.g2 and
1 8.We2! secures a plus for White. 0-0. This really is a sophisticated regrouping.
The typical thrust 10 ... e5 is covered in Game

1 5, and then finally we will examine the
iJ;AME tfl
flexible and popular 10 ... e6 in Game 1 6. For
the sake of completeness let's just see a few of Madakov - S. Soloviov
the minor tries: Sr Petersburg 2010
1 0 ... h5 1 1 .lLlf2 E!:e8 1 2.g3;!; and White l.d4 tl:J£6 2.c4 g6 3.l'ilc3 .ig7 4.e4 d6 5.f3
develops according to plan. 0-0 6..ie3 tl:Jc6 7.l'ilge2 a6 8.Wfd2 gbs
9,gcl .id7 IO.l'ildl b5 l l.c5
1 0 ... E!:e8 1 l .g3!? ( l l .lLlf2 b5 1 2.c5 dxc5
1 3.E!:xc5 e5 1 4.d5 lLle7 was not so clear in
Giri - Wang Hao, Bile 201 2.) Now Black
8
has a few ideas, but we the most forcing 7
and principled line is: 1 l ...b5 1 2.c5 dxc5
6
1 3.E!:xc5 e5 1 4.d5 lLl d4 Riazantsev - Bobrov,
Voronezh 2003. Here the simple 1 5.lLlxd4N 5
exd4 1 6 ..ixd4 favours White, as pointed out 4
by Golubev.
3
1 0 ... a5 1 l .g3 b6 1 2 ..ig2 e5 13.d5 lLle7 1 4.0-0 2
lLlh5 (Another game continued 1 4 ... h5
1 5.lLlf2 lLlh7 1 6.f4 f5 1 7.fxe5 dxe5 18 ..ih6!
.ixh6 1 9.Wxh6 We8 20.Wd2;!; and Black was a b c d e f g h
overexposed in Blanco Gramajo - Aldrete
I I...e6
Lobo, e-mail 2006.)
Almost universally played. Black plans
... lLl e7.
1 1 .. .dxc5 1 2.E!:xc5 e6 occurred in Bykhovsky

- Samsonkin, Internet (blitz) 2006, and here
White would be a bit better after 1 3.lLlf2N.
He may consider lLld3 next, making it harder
for Black to get ... e5 in.
1 1 ...lLle8!? 1 2.lLlf2 dxc5 1 3.E!:xc5 lLld6 is an

interesting manoeuvre. However, after 14.b3
a b c d e f g h e5 1 5.h4! lLlb7 1 6.d5 lLle7 1 7.E!:cl c6 1 8.dxc6
lLlxc6 1 9.h5;!; White had the initiative in Soza
This occurred in Novikov - Efimenko,
de Ia Carrera - Saglione, e-mail 2008.
Montreal 2004. Black is planning ... f5, but
White could have arranged a convincing
1 l ...d5 1 2.e5 lLle8 concedes White a serious
counter with: 1 5.g4N lLlf6 1 6.lLlg3 lLle8
space advantage, which Black will try to
1 7.lLlc3 f5 1 8.gxf5 gxf5 19.f4! White is better,
counter with ... f6. The following game featured
as shown by Mikhalevski.
natural play on both sides: 1 3.lLlf2 f6 1 4.f4
.ih6 1 5.h4 fxe5 1 6.dxe5 d4!? Black gives up a
pawn in an attempt to free his pieces. 1 7.lt:lxd4 1 6 ... a5 1 7.b3 lt:lc6 1 8.cxd6 cxd6 1 9.lt:lf4
lt:lxd4 1 8.'Wxd4 lt:lg7 1 9.1"ldl �e6 20.'We4 'WeB doesn't solve Black's problems: 1 9 ... lt:le7
20.lt:l4d3 d5 2 1 .lt:lc5 lt:lxc5 22.1"lxc5;!; Palachev
- Soloviov, St Petersburg 20 1 0. Black has no
counterplay and White has good chances to
break through on the queenside.
17.dxc5 �e5 18.�d4
8
7
a b c d e f g h 6
Spacek - Ponizil, Czech Republic 2007. 5
Here White could have kept some advantage 4
with a simple developing move: 2 1 .�e2!N
lt:lf5 22.lt:lg4 �g7 23.�f2 �xa2 24.h5t 3
2
12JiJf2 �e7
1 2 ... b4 1 3.g3 will probably just transpose.
a b c d e f g h
13.g3 b4 18 ... �c4?!
Freeing the b5-square for the bishop. This loses two minor pieces for a rook.
14.i.g2 i.b5 15.0-0 lild7 I6JUdl 18 ... lt:l7c6 19.lt:lxb5 'Wxd2 20.1"lxd2 axb5 2l.b3±
1 8 ...'Wc8 1 9.b3;!; and it is not easy for Black,

for instance: 19 ... lt:l 5c6 20.lt:lxb5 axb5 2 l .'We2
1"ld8 22.1"lxd8t 'Wxd8 23.1"ld l lt:ld4 24.'\Wfl e5
25.�xd4 exd4 26.lt:ld3±
19.gxc4! hc4 20.'1Wc2

Threatening trouble on the d-file.
20...La2 2l .b3 Lb3 22.�xb3 '1We8

23.'1Wa2
Black's extra pawns are safely blockaded.
Slowly but surely the pieces will begin to tell.
a b c d e f g h
16...dxc5 23...\Wc6 24..ifl grds 25.gbl \Was 26.i.g5
Black is forced to come up with something gd7 27.�g4
active to counter White's strong central Suddenly the threats are transferred to the
pressure. kingside.
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
27... f5?! 12 ...ltle8 13.g3 c5
This is too weakening. Deep positional play. Black doesn't want
to give White too much freedom on the
28.lt�a5! queenside.
The e6-pawn is hanging.
The more straightforward 1 3 ... f5 14.ig2 4Jf6
28 ... b3 29.l3xb3 l3d1 30.l3xb8t �xb8 1 5.0-0 leads to a position where it is difficult
31.�xe6t �h8 3V!iJe3 for Black to find a plan. For example: 1 5 ... Wh8
1-0 1 6.c5!N ib5 1 7.4Jd3;!;
Conclusion: White plays 9.1'k1 and 1 0.4Jd 1 , 14.b4

so that he can answer ... b5 with 1 l .c5!. This White can delay this for a move and set a little
plan is deep - and it is good as well! trap with 14.ig2, when the natural 14 ... b5
backfires: 1 5.b4! cxb4 1 6.c5 dxc5 1 7.ixc5 a5
1 8.0-0± White has a strong grip for the pawn,
Vasilevich - Kuzmin, Gibraltar 2004.
Rowson Arakhamia-Grant
-
14 ... b6 15.ig2 f5 16.0-0

Scarborough 2004
l.d4 ltlf6 2.c4 g6 3.ltlc3 ig7 4.e4 d6 5.f3

0-0 6.ie3 ltlc6 7.ltlge2 a6 8.�d2 l3b8
9.l3cl id7 10.ltld1 e5 1 1 .d5 ltle7 12.ltlf2
The natural scheme.
If White wants to prevent Black from

throwing in ... c5 he can try the sharp 1 2.c5
4Je8 1 3.b4, which in fact looks pretty
promising: 1 3 . . .f5 14.4Jec3 4J f6 1 5.ie2;!; The
d 1 -knight will be tremendous once it comes to
c4 via b2.
a b c d e f g h
16 ••. ltlf6 square on b7. White has other bullets in his

1 6 ... �h8 1 7.E!:b l tt:lg8 is another typical gun though.
way to regroup for Black, but it is very slow:
1 8.E!:b3 tt:lgf6 19.bxc5 bxc5 20.E!:fb l E!:a8 20.a4!
(20 ... E!:xb3 2 l .axb3 and White will continue If Black takes the bait with 20 ....ixa4, then
with b3-b4) 2 l ..ig5± Dreev - Ye Jiangchuan, 2 l .E!:a3 and 22.E!:xa6 follows.
Taiyuan 2004.
20 ...J.cs
17J�bl V!fc7 lS.E!:fd
White should bring more pieces to the
8
queenside before he goes into action.
7
The premature 1 8.a4 should be met by 1 8 ... a5 6
closing the queenside.
5
However, 1 8.tt:ld3 (threatening tt:lxe5) also 4
looks promising: 1 8 .. .'®a7 and now the simple
1 9.bxc5N bxc5 20.Wa5 keeps up the pressure.
3
2
a b c d e f g h
8
21.a5!
7 White breaks open the queenside.
6
5 21. .. cxb4
2 l ...bxa5 22.bxc5 is even worse for Black.
4
3 22J�xb4 bxa5 23J�b2
White doesn't care about the pawn. He has
2 his mind set on forcing the strong positional
1 pawn break c4-c5.
a b c d e f g h However, 23 ..ib6 followed by taking on a5
Toying with the idea of doubling rooks on was fully playable.
the b-file, as in the Dreev game quoted above,
but also introducing the possibility of moving 23 ... �d7
the rook to a3 to attack the a6-pawn. Against c4-c5.
19... E!:be8?! 24.ltld3

Removing the rook from the queenside For c4-c5. It seems that there is a majority in
cannot be right. Black probably thought that favour, and the important break can't be held
she could simply return the bishop to c8 and up much longer.
protect both the a6-weakness and the entrance
9.�cl .id7 lO. .!LJdl e6
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a b c d e f g h
l �L_��
a c e
24 ...fxe4 25.fxe4 .!LlgS 26.c5±
Black's position crumbles surprisingly
b d f g h
quickly. Black's most flexible set-up. Basically the
idea is to continue with ... l"le8 and then
26... .!Llxc5 27. .!Llxc5 dxc5 28.hc5 �f7 nevertheless play ... b5. If White responds
29.ie3 with the typical c4-c5 then Black has ... dxc5,
He once again refuses to take it! 29.�b6 and the point being that l"lxc5 can now be met by
30.�xa5 was obvious and good. . ..�f8 with a mess!
29 ... Wfd7 30.Wfcl .!Llf6 3 l.�bc2! l l . .!LJ£2 �e8 12.g3 b5

Gaining access to c7. In a survey for ChessBase, Shipkov points in
the right direction for White.
31. ..�118 32.h3 Wfb5 33J3b2 Wfa4 34.:Sc4
Wfd7 35J3c7 Wfa4 13.cxb5
Now the unlucky lady gets trapped. 3 5 .. .'��Vd8 White deviates from the normal plan of:
36.l"lb8 wasn't much better though. 1 3.c5 dxc5 14.l"lxc5 �f8 1 5.l"lcl e5
This gives Black strong counterplay.
36. .!Llc3 Wfa3 37.ic5
1-0
Conclusion: Black should avoid ... e5 in the

Panno. White will always get a strong initiative
on the queenside.
Mason Cakars
-
b d f g
Internet 20 1 0
a c e h
l.d4 .!Llf6 2.c4 g6 3 .!Llc3 ig7 4.e4 d6 5.f3

•
1 6.ltld3?
0-0 6.ie3 .!Llc6 7. .!Llge2 a6 s.Wfd2 �bS White should try 1 6.d5 �b4 1 7.ltlc3
lt:la5 1 8.ie2 c6 1 9.dxc6!, hoping for a 21.f4 ga6

small positional advantage after 1 9 ...ixc6
20.Wxd8 E:exd8 2 1 .lt:ld3 id6 22.ia7
8
E:b7 23.ic5. However, Black may prefer
19 ... lt:lxc6 with approximate equality. 7
1 6 ... lt:lxd4 1 7.lt:lxd4 exd4 1 8.ixd4 ig4! 6
White is destroyed tactically.
1 9.ixf6 Wxf6 20.ie2 ixf3 2 l .e5 E:xe5 5
22.lt:lxe5 Wxe5 23.E:fl ib4 24.E:c3 ixc3 4
25.bxc3 ixe2 26.Wxe2 Wxc3t 0-1
Cheremnova - Kurnosov, Olginka 201 1 .
3
2
13...axb5 14.ig2 1
a b c d e f g h
22.�e5! ie8
After 22 ... dxe5 23.dxe5 White wins the
piece back: 23 ...ie8 24.exf6 ixf6 25.e5 ie7
26.if1 And some bonus material as well.
23.�xc6 ixc6 24.ifl

Winning the exchange.
24... 'it>h7 25.g4 gba5 26.f5

The black rooks are running nowhere, so
White just continues to build up a powerful
a b c d e f g h offensive on the kingside.
14...b4
26... �e8
Setting up pressure down the semi-open a-file
26 ... ib5 27.E:xc7+-
is most likely a better approach: 1 4 ... E:a8 1 5.b3
E:a3 1 6.0-0 WaS 1 7.E:c2 Wa6 Grigoriants - 27.ixa6 gxa6 28.g5 hxg5 29.fxe6 fxe6
Sale, Abu Dhabi 2005. White could now try
1 8 .lt:ld3N E:a8 1 9.lt:lc3 b4 20.lt:la4, blocking
the a-file and hoping that his own pressure
down the c-file might give him an edge.
15.b3 gb5 16.0-0 'i'c8 17J�c2 'i'a6 18.�f4

gas 19.�4d3 'i'b7 20,gfcl
At first sight the position is balanced. On closer
inspection it turns out that it is not so easy to
come up with a constructive plan for Black.
20...h6?!
This merely weakens Black's position.
a b c d e f g h
30.d5! exd5 31.tLlh3 A sensible developing move. Now 9.Ei:cl

Very forceful. doesn't make much sense. The knight on c6
is already protected and Black responds 9 ... b5,
31. ...tb5 32.tLlxg5t <bgs 33.�xd5t �xd5 with the further point 1 0.cxb5 axb5 1 1 .lLlxb5
34.exd5 Ei:xa2.
With a winning endgame. Fortunately for White he can switch plans
and try to prove 8 ...i.d7 to be a waste of
34....td7 35.�e6 c5 36J�g2 gas 37.�xg7 time.
<bxg7 38 ..tf4 :gds 39J�el .tf5 40,gge2 tLlf6
4L.tg5 :g£8 42,ge7t <bgs 43..txf6
Simplification is nearly always an efficient
way to exploit a decisive material advantage.
Vitiugov - S. Novikov
43 ... gxf6 44.h4 .ic2 45J!d7 <b£8 46.<bg2 Dagomys 20 10
.td3 47.®g3 .tf5 48J�c7 gf7
Otherwise 49.Ei:ee7 comes. l .d4 tLlf6 2.c4 d6 3.tLlc3 g6 4.e4 i.g7 5.f3
0-0 6.i.e3 tLlc6 7.tLlge2 a6 8.�d2 .id7 9.g4!
49.gxf7t @xf7 50.i>f4 <bf6 51.ges A real Samisch move. White immediately
1-0 launches an offensive on the kingside.
Conclusion: Even when Black actually
succeeds in getting ... b5 in, White will exert 8
strong pressure down the c-file thanks to the
7
clever move 9 .Ei:c 1 .
6
The New Panno Variation 5
Because of White's great success with the 4
modern Ei:cl -plan, Black has been forced to
3
rethink his move-order. In fact he has a sort
of antidote. 2
1
l .d4 tLlf6 2.c4 g6 3.tLlc3 i.g7 4.e4 d6 5.f3
0-0 6.i.e3 tLlc6 7.tLlge2 a6 8.�d2 .td7!? a b c d e f g h
9 ...b5 10.h4
8 There is no time to hesitate.
7
lO... tLla5
6 1 O ... bxc4 1 1 .h5t looks promising for White,
5 so instead Black threatens to take on c4 with
the knight.
4
3 The alternative to hitting c4 is to seek
counterplay in the centre with the typical push
2
... e5, either directly or after a little preparation:
a b c d e f g h
10 ... e5 1 1 .d5 ttla5 1 2.ttlg3! c6 1 3.h5 b4 l l...c5

14.ttld1 cxd5 1 5.cxd5 .!b5 was Guseinov 1 1 ...tt:lxc4 12 ..!xc4 bxc4 1 3.h5 is good for
Guliyev, Baku 2000, and now 1 6 ..!xb5!N White.
axb5 1 7.'\Mfxb4± would just leave White a pawn
up. 12.g5 ttlh5 13.ttlxh5 gxh5 14.dxc5 �e6
15.cxd6 ttlxc4 16.hc4 hc4 17J:!:dl exd6
1 o ...Ei:e8 1 1 .h5 b4 18.�d4!±
Mter the gunfire has ceased, White is able to
secure a clear positional edge.
8
7
6
5
4
a b c d e f g h 3
1 2.ttld5 ( 1 2.ttld 1 N may be a simpler approach. 2
Then 1 2 ... a5 1 3.ttlf2 e5 14.d5 tt:le7 1 5.ttlg3±
is a possible line showing Black's difficulties.)
1 2 ... e5 1 3 ..!h6 .!h8 14 ..!g5 exd4 Sandipan a b c d e f g h
Moradiabadi, Chalkis 20 1 0. Here the strongest
option is 1 5.0-0-0!N, when White's play on the 18 ...i.e5 19.b3 �e6 20.f4
kingside gives him a promising middlegame, Black is forced ro give up his stubborn
although it remains highly complicated. defence of the central squares. Taking on d4 is
absolutely horrible.
l l .ttlg3
Of course White is prepared to sacrifice the 20...b4 2l.fxe5
c-pawn in order to speed up his initiative on 2 1 .ttle2 also looks good.
the kingside.
2l. .. dxe5 22.he5 Wfxd2t 23.<.f.>xd2 bxc3t
24.xc3
White has a pawn more and a clearly
winning position, despite the opposite
coloured bishops.
24 Ei:fe8 25.�f6 h6
•..
This only hastens the end.
26.gxh6 h7 27.�g5 a5 28J:!:d4 a4 29Jha4

Ei:xa4 30.bxa4 Ei:cSt 3I .<.i>b4 Ei:c4t 32.b5
Ei:xe4 33.a5 f6 34.i.xf6 xh6 35.i.g5t g6
36Jkl ge2 37.a3 gb2t 38.<it>c6 .ih3 39.a6 valuable time and misplaced his knight, which
.ig2t 40.<it>c7 gb5 41.i.d2 @f5 42.i.b4 is not great on e7. That said, the move 7 ... lLlc6
1-0 is very popular at club level. In Game 1 8 we see
a strong grandmaster facing exactly such a club
Conclusion: A finesse is met by a finesse! Or player, and he gives a model demonstration of
expressing it in chess language, 8 ... j,d7 is met how to exploit a superior positional position.
by 9.g4!.
Giving up the centre with 7 ... exd4 is
The Old Mainline premature and can never be a clear equalizer:
8.lLlxd4 lLlc6 (8 ... c6 would at best transpose to
l .d4 ttl£6 2.c4 g6 3.ttlc3 i.g7 4.e4 d6 5.0 the next note) 9.'W'd2 It is difficult for Black
0-0 6.i.e3 e5 to justify his opening play. 9 ... lLlxd4 1 0.j,xd4
The pure King's Indian move. j,e6 l l .j,e2 lLl d7 1 2.j,xg7 \t>xg7 1 3.0-0;!; The
extra space gives White easy play.
8
7
6
5
4
3
a b c d e f g h 2
7.ttlge2
a c e
I fancy this flexible knight move because I
b d f g h
would like Black to show his hand before I
decide if the centre should remain fluid or in 8 ... ttlbd7
fact be closed. Natural development.
The alternative is 7.d5 with a closed centre, as In this position it makes slightly more sense
seen in a lot of different King's Indian lines. to take on d4 than before. Nevertheless,
Black then has two distinct ways of obtaining 8 ... exd4 9.lLlxd4 ge8 1 0.0-0-0 still looks
counterplay. He can attack the centre with highly promising for White - Game 1 9 shows
either 7 ... c6 or 7 ... lLlh5 followed by ... f5, both the details.
leading to very complex play.
8 ...a6
7... c6 This has been played by Topalov, but is a
This is also a multi-purpose move. bit too sophisticated. Both Kasparov and
Kramnik have opted to go for the ending
7 ... lLlc6 is bad. After 8.d5 lLle7 Black has lost with:
9.dxe5 dxe5 1 0.'\MI'xd8 l'!xd8 1 1 .lt:la4 lt:lbd7
a b c d e g a b c d e f g h
But here instead of Kasparov's 1 2.c5, it IO...a6
seems stronger to play: This is a demanding position and there will
1 2.0-0-0! l'!e8 soon be play all over the board. Both sides need
And only now: to keep an open mind. If you choose an overly
1 3.c5;!; simplistic plan it might backfire. With ... a6
The weakness of the b6-square is the problem Black intends to advance on the queenside
with this ... a6-idea. with ... b5, thereby making it less attractive for
White to castle long.
9.d5
White takes the chance to close the centre at Instead Black could strive for the typical
the appropriate moment. counterplay associated with advancing his
f-pawn: 1 0 ... lt:le8 1 l .g4 f5 1 2.gxf5 gxf5
9.0-0-0 a6 1 0.<j;Jb 1 b5 leads to very double 1 3.0-0-0 However, the open g-file is clearly
edged play. True, its sharpness makes it a good to White's advantage, and Black does best to
winning attempt, but it also considerably close the kingside as much as possible. 1 3 .. .f4
increases the probability of losing, and we 14.�f2;!; White's chances are still preferable.
don't want that to happen, do we? He may even get the upper hand on the
queenside as well.
By playing 9.d5 we follow in Karpov's
footsteps, and have good chances of obtaining 1 0 ... lt:lb6 threatens ... lt:lc4, but the knight
a (small) positional advantage. is poorly placed on the b6-square: 1 1 .ltlg3
�d7 1 2.a4! White takes the initiative on the
9 ...cx:d5 queenside. 1 2 .. .1.MI'b8 1 3.a5 lt:lc8 14.�b5!
The matter of the positional advantage is Exchanging the light-squared bishops and
definitely true if Black responds 9 ... c5?!. It is securing a clear positional plus. 1 4 ...�xb5
unfortunate to close the centre and give White 15.lt:lxb5 a6 1 6.lt:la3 b5 17.axb6 lt:lxb6
a free hand on the kingside. With 1 O.g4 White 1 8. 0-0 l'!c8 1 9.l'!fc l ± Erdos - Kozul, Sibenik
says "Thanks!" in Game 20. 2008.
IO.cx:d5 l l.g4
8 The first phase is accomplished. White is

clearly better.
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
An important juncture. Black must
decide whether to continue with his own
a b c d e f g h
plan and play l l ...b5, even though it allows
1 2.l!Jg3 followed by h2-h4-h5, or to be more 13 ...b4?! 14.�a4 �d7 15.'i;Yd2 f5?!
prophylactically minded and stop White's Black's desperate try for some activity just
planned expansion on the kingside with backfires. The opening of the kingside makes
l l ... h5. These possibilities are examined in White's initiative bloom.
Games 2 1 -23.
16.gxf5 gxf5 17.h6!
The bishop has no good squares.
Rowson - Pons Servera

Palma de Mallorca 2008
l .d4 l!Jf6 2.c4 g6 3.�c3 ig7 4.e4 d6 5.f.3

0-0 6.ie3 e5 7.�ge2 �c6 8.d5 �e7 9.g4!
A typical move in the Samisch. We have
come across it before and we will meet it again.
White grabs space on the kingside and intends
to follow up with l!Jg3 and h2-h4-h5 with a
big initiative. In the game this is exactly what
happens, so let's examine the impact of this
grand scheme. a b c d e f g h
17....ih8
9 ...c6 IO.�g3 cxd5 l l .cxd5 a6 1 7 ...�f6 1 8.l!Jh5 l!Jg6 1 9.l!Jxf6t W/xf6
Black seeks counterplay on the queenside.
20.0-0-0 and Black is in trouble all over the
The position is identical to the mainline apart
board.
from the misplaced knight on e7.
IS.�gl! 'iflf7
12.h4 b5 13.h5
Forced, in view of: 18 ... f4 1 9.tt'lf5t liff7 Conclusion: I have said it before and I will say
20.tt'lxd6t+ - it again: . . . tt'lc6 and ... e5 is a bad mix for Black
in the Samisch.
19.exf5
Winning a pawn, and just as importantly
gaining access to e4 for the knight.
19... tlJf6 lstratescu Gallagher

-
Liberating the other white knight, but there

Switzerland 20 1 0
was no defence anyway.
20.tlJb6 gbg 21 .ttlxc8 l.d4 ttlf6 2.c4 g6 3.ttlc3 i.g7 4.e4 d6 5.f3
Simple and strong. Without his light-squared
0-0 6.i.e3 e5 7.ttlge2 c6 8.�d2 exd4 9.ttlxd4
bishop, Black's position quickly collapses.
21. ..�xc8
a b c d e f g h
9... ge8
Advancing the d-pawn is premature:
a b c d e f g h 9 ... d5 1 0.cxd5 cxd5 1 l .e5 tt'le8 1 2.f4 f6
22.ttle4! ttlxe4 1 3.tt'lf3
Equivalent to resignation. Now White keeps 1 3 ..ib5 and 1 3.0-0-0 also look promising.
his initiative, a healthy extra pawn and the pair 1 3 ... tt:lc7 1 4.0-0-0
of bishops. White is dictating events, for instance:
14 ... fxe5
The problem for Black was that the alternatives Better is 14 ... tt:lc6, although then White has
were no good either. For example: 22 ...1Wd7 1 5 ..ic5 1'l:e8 1 6 ..id6t.
23.tt'lg5t li:?e8 24.tt'le6 gf7 25.1'l:cl tt'lexd5 1 5 ..ic4 i'h8 1 6.tt:lxd5 tt:lxd5 1 7.1Wxd5 1Wc7
26 ..ixa6 and White is winning. 1 8.tt:lxe5 .if5 1 9 ..ic5 tLld7 20.1Wg8t!
1-0
23.fx:e4 Af6 24.gd �b7 25.�e2 gg8 Murey - Mortensen, Randers 1 982.
26.�h5t �f8 27Jhg8t tlJxg8 28J::k6 b3
29.a3 �e7 30.i.xa6 Ah4t 3 1.�e2 �f6 10.0-0-0!?
32.gc7 ttle7 33.�f3 �g8 34.�g4 A sharp solution that gives the game an
1-0 original character.
10.�e2 d5 l l .exd5 cxd5 1 2.0-0 transposes Activating the bishop before Black plays
to a well-known position from the Classical ... b5. lstratescu has a great idea in mind, and
Variation. to implement it the bishop needs to be on the
a2-g8 diagonal.
1 3.l2k2 b5 1 4.g4 tLlbd7 1 5.h4 E:b8 1 6.h5 b4

1 7.tLla4 tLl e5 1 8.�e2 'WaS 1 9.b3 �d7 20.hxg6
fXg6 2 l .g5 tLlh5 was messy in Sender - Lanz
Calavia, corr. 1 998.
13...b5 14.i.b3 i.b7 15J�� h el tll bd7
8
7
a c e
6
b d f g h
5
IO d5 l l.cxd5 cxd5 12.exd5!
•.•
4
White has also opted to pin the black 3
d-pawn by moving the d4-knight to c2 or b3,
but in all variations Black gets at least some 2
compensation for the pawn. 1
a b c d e f g h
12... a6
It turns out that Black cannot take the pawn 16.tll e6!
back anyway: 1 2 ... tLlxd5? 13.ltk2 and the This blow decides the opening duel.
aforementioned pin decides.
16...fxe6 17.dxe6
The threatened discovered check ensures
8
that White regains the piece with interest.
7
6 17 ... i>h8 18.exd7 E:e7 19.i.g5
A prosaic solution.
5
4 19 ... E:xd7 20.YMxd7! YMxd7 2Uhd7 tll xd7
22.E:e7
3 With a clear extra pawn and the initiative
2 too. The rook on the seventh rank is dominant.
1
22 ... tll c5 23.i.d5 bd5 24.tll xd5 E:£8
a b c d e f g h 24 ... tLld3t 25.c;t>c2 tLlxb2 26.�f6! and White
13..ic4! wins immediately.
25.b3 h6 26.�e3 l£ld3t 27.'it>d2 �d8

28.'it>xd3 �xd5t 29.'it>e4 �d6 30.g4 'it>g8
3l .f4
Svetushkin Ciobanu
-
8 Germany 2009
7 l .d4 l£lf6 2.c4 g6 3 ..!Llc3 �g7 4.e4 d6 5.f3

6 0-0 6.l£lge2 lL!bd7 7 ..ie3 e5 8.�d2 c6 9.d5
c5?! lO.g4!
5 White grabs space on the kingside. This
4 gives him a long-term positional edge, though
not necessarily an attack. This is an important
3
nuance to understand.
2
8
a b c d e f g h 7
3l. ..�f6 32.�b7 �e6t 33.'it>f3 �c3 34.�b6 6
The bishop ending is easily won.
5
34...'it>f7 35.�xe6 'it>xe6 36.'it>e4 h5 37.f5t 4
gxf5t 38.gxf5t 'it>f6 39.�b6 a5 40.�d4t! 3
After Black's last move weakened his
queenside, this transformation to a pawn 2
ending works.
40 ...Ld4 4l.'it>xd4 'it>xf5 42.'it>c5 a b c d e f g h

White arrives first. 10... a6 l l.l£lg3 b5!?
Black is prepared to sacrifice a pawn and
42...'it>g4 43.'it>xb5 'it>h3 44.'it>xa5 'it>xh2 hopes to get some compensation in the manner
45.b4 h4 46.b5 h3 47.b6 of the Benko Gambit. However, with a black
1-0 pawn already on e5 the bishop on g7 isn't a
power tool, and the correctness of the sacrifice
Conclusion: The brilliant opening idea is doubtful.
1 6.tt:le6! puts this variation in the garbage can
for now. We will see if anyone with Black can 12.h4
dig it out again. White isn't forced to take on b5. He j ust
continues his own build-up on the kingside.
Black's lack of counterplay is noticeable, even
with the break ... b5 already accomplished.
That said, I feel that 1 2.cxb5 axb5 1 3 ..ixb5

.ia6 14 ..ixa6 E!:xa6 1 5.h4 must surely be
winning for White.
12 ... �b6 13.h5 Y!fe7 space on the kingside. Maybe later there will
After 1 3 ... lt:lxc4 1 4.ixc4 bxc4 1 5.0-0-0 be a real attack - and there certainly was in
White will attack powerfully on the h-file. this game - but sometimes we will continue
positionally instead. In all cases the extra space
14.b3 b4 15.�dl a5 is most valuable.
The position is closed, so each side can
expand on the flank where he is stronger.
In such circumstances, having play directed
against the opposing king is often the crucial Gallego Romero - Besozzi
factor, the further course of this game
confirming the validity of this theory. e-mail 2009
I6J§:bl i.d7 17.i.h6 a4 ISJ§:b2 axb3 l.d4 �f6 2.c4 g6 3.�d i.g7 4.e4 d6 5.f3
19.axb3 E:a3 20.Y!!g5 J.xh6 2I .Y!fxh6 �a4 0--0 6.i.e3 e5 7.d5
22.E:g2 �e8 Note that the move-order is different from
what I recommend. All roads lead to Rome, so
they say. In fact I have only been there once!
7 ...c6 8.g4 cxd5 9.cxd5 a6 IO.�ge2 �bd7

l l.�g3 b5 12.Y!!d2
8
7
6
5
4
a b c d e f g h 3
23.�f5! Lf5 2
23 ...gxf5 24.gxf5t �h8 25.f6! and White
wins. 1
a b c d e f g h
24.gxf5 E:xb3 25.Y!fxh7t!
We are back on track. This is the real starting
Taking on g6 was of course also more than
position. White's plan is the simple h2-h4-h5
enough, but the queen sac is attractive!
with an attack. White's king is quite safe in
the centre, so Black is not rewarded for his
25...i>xh7 26.hxg6t i>g7 27.gxf7t
offensive on the queenside.
Black is quickly mated: 27 ... 'tt>xf7 28.E:h7t
'kt>f6 29.E:g6# 12... �c5
1--0 1 2 ... lt:lb6 1 3.h4 b4 1 4.lt:ldl a5 1 5.h5± gives
White easy play.
Conclusion: Another big success for the
Samisch move g2-g4! Its aim is simply to grab 13.b4!
White lands a surprise blow on the side

where Black was carrying out his play. You
must never be roo dogmatic.
The straightforward 1 3.h4 is not so simple

after 1 3 ... b4 14.<ild1 Wa5!, when Black is
threatening ... <ilb3. For example: 1 5.ic4 id7
1 6.h5 Ei:fc8�
13 ... tll a4 14.ti)xa4 bxa4

a b c d e f g h
1 7.ig5 f6 1 8.h3 1Xg5 1 9.hxg4 Ei:f3 20.<ile2

axb5
Play is complex, and Black might already
claim the upper hand, although White
eventually emerged victorious in Karpov -
Kamsky, Linares 1 993,
15 ....id7
1 5 ... h5 is not good when it can just be
taken: 1 6.gxh5 <ilxh5 1 7.<ilxh5 gxh5 1 8.Ei:cl
f5 1 9.ig5 Wd7 20.id3 f4 2 1 .'1Wf2 Wb7 22.a3
Wb8 23.l"i:g 1 ± Rognes - Jaeger, e-mail 2007.
a b c d e f g h
15.h4 16.g5 tll h5
White returns ro his original plan, hoping Recreating wasn't very appetizing, but now
that Black's weak pawns on the queenside will the black pawn structure is severely damaged
give him some extra positional plusses. with isolated, doubled pawns on both flanks.
Karpov explored a new frontier with the 17.tllxh5 gxh5 18.!'kl f5 19.a3
remarkable: White is clearly better.
1 5.b5!?
The idea is quite simple: 15 ... axb5 1 6.ixb5
id7 1 7 .ixd7 <ilxd7 1 8.0-0;!; with a safe
positional edge.
Not wanting ro face that kind of defence
against the Russian legend, Kamsky changed
the nature of the position completely with
the spectacular blow:
1 5 ...ixg4!? 1 6.1Xg4 <ilxg4
Black only has rwo pawns for the piece but
the possibility of following up with a quick
.. .f5 might be unpleasant for the white
monarch.
a b c d e f g h
19...f4 20..ifl �h8 21 .gc3 gf7 22..id3

.ib5 23.%Yc2 gb7 24.hb5!
Repairing the black pawns on the queenside.
Gaining access to the excellent c6-square is Yukljaevskikh - Predein
much more important though. Virebsky 2006
24 ... axb5 25.�e2 h6 26.gc6 iffi 27J�gl l .c4 g6 2.�c3 .ig7 3.d4 �f6 4.e4 d6 5.£3
�h7 28.gxh6 0-0 6.ie3 e5 7.�ge2 �bd7 s.%Yd2 c6 9.d5
Black has been allowed to get rid of his other cxd5 10.cxd5 a6 l l .g4 h5
doubled pawns too, but in return White is
again able to activate a rook.
28 ... �xh6 29J!:g5 %Yes 30.ib6 gd7
8
7
6
5
4
a c e
3
b d f g h
2 The correct decision. Halting White's
1 kingside offensive is more important than
a c e
continuing with his own queenside plans.
b d f g h
31.%Yd3 12.h3!?
Hitting the b5-pawn. Black has been White maintains the tension for now.
positionally and strategically outplayed.
1 2.g5 tt:lh7 1 3.:B:gl is a decent alternative.
3I.. ..ig7 32JH5 %Ye7 33.%Yxb5 .if6 34.gcl Although the kingside is closed, White's extra
ixh4 35.ghl .ig5 36.ggl ih4 37.%Yc6 ges space gives him good chances to fight for an
38.�d3 ig3 39.ghl h4 40.gxe5! %Yxe5 advantage on the queenside as well.
41.%Yxd7
1-0 12...b5
Black tries the same set-up as in the previous
Conclusion: White quickly gained the game. The insertion of the moves ... h5 and
initiative and played very purposefully on both h3 is clearly in his favour, as White no longer
sides of the board. has the promising plan of tt:lg3 followed by
advancing the h-pawn.
However, it is even more popular to continue

the prophylactic play on the kingside with
12 ... ttJh7, which we will analyse in the next 1 6. gxh 5 ttJxg5 1 7.'1Mfxg5 .if6 1 8.'1Mfh6 .ig7
game. 1 9.'1Mfg5 .if6 20.'1Mfh6 .ig7 Yz-Yz Ivanchuk -
Kasparov, Dos Hermanas 1 996.
13 ..ig5 But the simple 16 ..ie7! wins material. What
did Black have in mind against that?
15.<it>xd2 l2Jc5
This has also been played by Kasparov and
had a good reputation for Black. However, this
view is shaken by the present game.
8
7
6
5
a b c d e f g h 4
13 ...�a5 3
The best move. The queen escapes the pin
and Black is ready to follow up with ... ttJc5 2
threatening ... ttJ b3.
a b c d e f g h
Clearly worse is 13 ... b4 1 4.ttJd1 'IM!b6 1 5.ttJg3
and the pawn on h5 is a problem - unless you 16.l2Jg3!
feel like opening the h-file for White's rook. A noteworthy novelty.
14JtJdl! �xd2t 1 6.ttJf2 .id7 1 7.gxh5 ttJxh5! 1 8 ..ie7 E!:fc8

Keeping the queens on the board with 1 9 ..ixd6 ttJb7 20 ..ie7 f6 2 l .ttJd3 'it>f7 22 . .ia3
14 ... b4 is dubious, as far as I can see, although a5 23.b4 ttJd6 followed by ... ttJc4 gave Black
it has been played by Kasparov, so I might be a tremendous initiative in Piket - Kasparov,
wrong. 1 5.ttJg3 ttJh7!? Amsterdam 1 996.
16 ... l2Jh7?!
Like Kasparov played. True, it is the same
move, but it is not the same position!
Necessary was 16 ... hxg4 1 7.hxg4 .id7, but

then 1 8.ttJf2;!; and White's extra space gives
him the advantage in the ending. A possible
continuation is: 1 8 ...E!:fc8 1 9 ..ie3 ttJh7 20.g5
f6 2 1 .gxf6 .ixf6 22 ..ih3!
a b c d e f g h
17 ..ie7
Winning material. Here our interest in the

opening ends. The rest is nor so important.
17...h4!? Timman Kasparov

-
Amsrerdam 1 996
l.d4 ltlf6 2.c4 g6 3.ltlc3 .ig7 4.e4 d6 5.£3

0-0 6..ie3 e5 7.c!Llge2 c6 8.Wfd2 ltlbd7 9.d5
cxd5 10.cxd5 a6 l l .g4 h5 12.h3 ltlh7
a b c d e f g h
18.ltle2
After 1 8.i.xf8 i.xf8 19.tt::l e2 i.h6t Black has
some play for the exchange.
1 8 .i.xd6! looks to be a clear-cut win though: a b c d e f g h

1 8 ...i.h6t 19.tt::l e3 hxg3 20.i.xc5 �e8
13.:B:gl!
2 1 .i.d3+-
Threatening to take on h5 and thereby
18...!h6t 19.�c2 forcing Black to make an important decision.
1 9.tt::l e3 �e8 20.i.xd6 tt::l b7 2 l .i.c7± might It goes without saying that White intends
be stronger. to castle queenside, but the actual move can
safely be postponed for a few more moves.
19 .. J�e8 20.i.xh4
After 20.i.xd6 tt::l b7 2 l .i.a3 a5 Black has 13 ... h4
some compensation. Keeping the kingside closed.
20 ....id7 21.b4 ltla4 22.�b3 :B:ac8 23.!el 1 3 ...hxg4 1 4.hxg4 must be good for White,
f5 24.c!Llec3 �f6 25.id3 fxg4 26.hxg4 .ig5 who is ready to castle and then return to the
27.ltlxa4 bxa4t 28.�b2 ib5 29.Lb5 axb5 h-file with the rook. 1 4 ...1Mfh4 t An imaginative
30.ltlc3 :B:b8 anempt to create some chaos on the board, bur
lf2-lf2 it is not entirely sound. 1 5.�g3 tt::l c5 1 6.0-0-0
Why a draw? White is still a pawn up. i.d7 Piket - Ivanchuk, Monte Carlo (rapid)
1 996. Here 1 7.g5!N cuts off the black queen
Conclusion: As a result of throwing m and is just winning. Next comes i.g2 and �h 1 .
1 1 ...h5 and 1 2.h3, a complex middlegame
arises. Again we see that an early ... b5 by Black 14.ltlcl!
merely weakens his queenside. Excellent judgement. White is in no hurry.
He just improves his pieces and is ready for a 16.g5 J.e7 17.0-0-0
positional battle on the queenside. White has a pleasant position. He has extra
space and good chances to get a positional
14.g5 is possible, but compared to the game initiative on the queenside.
continuation it merely loses some valuable
tempos.
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a b c d e f g h
17...£6
a b c d e f g h Seeking some activity.
14... <t!lh8
The king gets out of the way. Black is Advancing with the natural 1 7 ... b5 might
planning the typical counter-strike .. .f5. backfire: 1 8.Wb1 j,b? 1 9.Wg2!? Going for the
weak h4-pawn. 1 9 ... l'!c8 20.Wg4 tt:lb6 2 l .j,d3
Instead he could close the kingside with 14 ... g5 tt:lc4 22.j,xc4 l'!xc4 23.Wxh4 <;!;>g8 24.Wg3
or 14 .. .f6, but that is a double-edged decision Black has no real compensation, Dahlstroem
given the fact that White is somewhat better - Karlsson, e-mail 2002.
on the other flank:
18.gxf6 l'!xf6 19.J.e2
1 4 ... g5 1 5.lt:Jd3t Black has great difficulties in finding a way
to make his pieces work together. I think it is
14 ... f6 1 5.Wf2N tt:lg5 1 6.Wg2t fair to say that White is (at least) slightly better.
15.�b3 8
Very natural, but 1 5.tt:ld3! might be even
stronger: 1 5 ...f5 1 6.gxf5 gxf5 1 7.exf5 l'!xf5 7
1 8.tt:le4 Wf8 19.j,e2 tt:ldf6 20.tt:ldf2 j,d? 6
Atalik - Kotronias, Ikaria 1 996. And now
2 1 . 0-0-0!N gives White a very promising 5
position. 4
15 ...J.f6 3
Intending ...j,g5, bur now White can exploit 2
another aspect of his earlier little rook move.
1
a b c d e f g h
19.. .'?;Yf8 29.Ei:xg8t ctt>xg8 30.-ifl .id?;+;

In a later game Black tried:
19 ... lLldf8 20.<kt>bl .ixh3 2 l .Ei:hl .ig2 22.Ei:xh4 26...1Mfh6 27.'?;Yxh6 gxh6 28.c!Lld3 c!Llb6
.ixf3 29.c!Llfl i.d7 30.c!Llg4 gh7 3 1.f4 gcs 32.�b2
Black has won a pawn, but the opening of exf4 33.gxf4 i.g5 34.gf3 J.d2 35. �c2 Lg4
the lines towards the black king makes it a 36.gxg4 i.el
risky business.
23.Ei:h3 .ixe2 24.1Mfxe2 'tt>g8 25.Ei:dh l
White has a strong attack.
25 ... Ei:f7 26.1Mfg2 .ig5 27.lLldl Ei:c8 28 ..ixg5
1Mfxg5 29.Ei:g3 1Mfe7 30.lLle3 'it>h8 3 1 .lLlf5
1Mfd7 32.lLld2 Ei:c7 33.lLlh4 Ei:g7 34.lLlhf3 1Mfa4
35.lLlg5 'tt>g8 36.lLle6 lLlxe6 37.dxe6 1-0
Campos Moreno - Pablo Marin, Barcelona
2000.
20.�bl g5!?
Sacrificing a pawn for some compensation
on the dark squares.
a b c d e f g h
21 ..txgs c!Llxgs 22.'?;Yxgs l:H'7 23.'?;Yd2 gh7
24.c!Llc1 c!Llc5 25.b4 c!Lld7 37.ggl
37.<tt> b3! Ei:g7 38.Ei:xg7 <tt>xg7 39.ltJd l :Bel
40.lLlb2 and White has good winning chances.
8
7 37...J.g3
6 Now the white rook is passive on g l .
5 38.�b3 ghc7 39.c!Lldl a5 40.bxa5 llJd7

4 4l,gf5 �g7 42,gh5 �f6 43.gf1 t �g6
44J3gl �f6 45,gf1 t
3 1/2_1/2
2
Conclusion: Black's idea of closing the kingside
1
with ... lLl h7 is sensible, but his lack of both
a b c d e f g h space and active play makes the continuation
26J3dfl hard to play. Even Kasparov got into trouble.
It is not so easy to come up with a plan for
White as these variations perfectly illustrate. The Samisch Gambit
Still, a pawn is a pawn. Maybe you don't need
a plan! l.d4 c!Llf6 2.c4 g6 3.c!Llc3 i.g7 4.e4 d6 5.f3
0--0 6..ie3 c5
26.lLld3 1Mfh6 27.f4 exf4 28.ltJxf4 lLl e5;!; The modern mainline. Black will invite his
opponent to a Modern Benoni. The problem is
26.Ei:g6 1Mff7 27.Ei:dgl lLlf8 28.Ei:g8t 1Mfxg8 White might just accept the challenge.
7 ... tt:lbd7 does not have much independent

relevance, because after 8.d5 Black has hardly
anything better than to play 8 ... tt:le5 and
transpose to the mainline.
7 ... b6 8.d5
a b c d e f g h
7.ltlge2
In principle I would like to take the pawn
and exchange queens with 7.dxc5 dxc5 8.\Wxd8
�xd8 9.j,xc5 tt:lc6. a b c d e f
Now 10.tt:ld5 tt:ld7 l l .j,xe7 tt:lxe7 1 2.tt:lxe7t
After this reply, Black may well wonder why
cj;>fg 1 3.tt:ld5 txb2 1 4.�b l j,g7 is known to
he put the pawn on b6.
give Black excellent compensation for the pawn.
A recent game in this line continued:
Instead I mainly analysed 1 0.tt:lge2 tt:ld7
8 ... e6 9.tt:lf4
I l .j,f2! tt:lde5 1 2.tt:lf4 b6 1 3.tt:lfd5 e6 1 4.tt:lc7
The more usual 9.tt:lg3 is also good.
�b8 1 5.j,h4! �d7 1 6.tt:le8 and the amazing
9 ... exd5 1 0.tt:lfxd5 tt:lc6 l l .'M1d2 tt:lxd5
knight journey gives White a plus. The reason
1 2.tt:lxd5 j,e6 l3.j,d3 j,xd5 1 4.cxd5 tt:ld4
I won't propose the line as our repertoire
1 5.0-0
weapon is that it is a very unpractical line for
White has the bishop pair and good
White. Black can mix things up and almost no
prospects on the kingside.
matter what he does he has excellent long-term
1 5 ... b5 1 6.'tt> h l Wd7 1 7.�ael b4 1 8.f4 h5?
compensation for the pawn. The white king is
_ Black's position was unpleasant, bur this
stuck in the centre and there are lots of tactics
weakening move just makes matters worse.
everywhere.
1 9.f5 j,e5 20.j,xd4 j,xd4
More concretely, I think that meeting
White now finishes it off in style.
1 0.tt:lge2 with the move 1 0 ... b6! solves all of
Black's problems.
7... ltlc6
The immediate 7 ... cxd4 8.tt:lxd4 tt:lc6 leads
to the famous Maroczy Bind set-up and is
considered in Game 24.
7...\Wa5!? is a tricky move that should be met

by the precise 8.tt:lc l ! cxd4 9.tt:lb3 followed by
1 0.tt:lxd4. Game 25 shows an original way for
play to develop. a b c d e f g h
2 1 .e5! �xe5 22.�xe5! dxe5 23.f6 'it>h7 24.�f5!

8
1-0
Vitiugov - Ding Liren, St Petersburg 20 1 2. 7
8.d5 6
Keeping the tension with 8.'Wd2 is also 5
possible, but I prefer to take the Benoni
4
structure.
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
An important junction.
12 h5
...
Taking some space on the kingside.
There is a popular alternative in 1 2 ... �d7,

planning the typical counter-strike ... b5 on the
queenside. This leads to very forcing play, and
I investigate it in Game 28.
a b c d e f g h
9 . e6
. .
13.0-0 �h7
The standard move, although Black can Freeing the f-pawn.
always throw in the move 9 ... a6 first. White
answers with either 1 0.a4 or 10.�e2, with a
probable transposition to the mainline.
Another regular option is to attack on the

other flank with 9 ... h5. That should be treated
carefully, as shown in Game 26.
IO.i.e2 exdS l l.cx:dS a6

It is common to insert the moves ... a6 and
a2-a4.
Black may also start with 1 1 ...h5 1 2.0-0
tt:lh7 13.'Wd2 h4 14.tt:l h l . Here Black can still
play 14 ... a6 and White would respond with
1 5.a4. However, Game 27 is an example of
what can happen if Black totally refrains from a b c d e f g h
the move ... a6. The big tabiya of the Samisch Gambit. The
play is extremely complicated and both sides
12.a4
have lots of options on every single move. It is position. For this reason I have decided not to
not at all easy to determine what is going on. I go into excessive detail, and will instead offer
hope that Games 29-3 1 will help us and at the a single illustrative game which I believe will
very least highlight some of the main plans. be enough to highlight the most important
themes. (As it happens, the chosen illustrative
game did actually arise via our King's Indian
move order.)
Moiseenko - Guseinov
8...�c6
Ningbo 20 1 1 8 ... e6 9.Wd2 d5 1 0.cxd5 exd5 1 1 .e5
transposes to the note to Black's 9th move in
l.d4 �f6 2.c4 g6 3.�c3 .ig7 4.e4 d6 5.£3 Game 1 9 (Istratescu - Gallagher).
0--0 6 .ie3 c5 7.�ge2 cxd4 8.�xd4
•
9.YM2
Usually in the Accelerated Dragon White
does not play f2-f3 quite so early, but it
should make no real difference. Incidentally,
9 ..ie2 is a perfectly adequate move order as
Black's attempt to exploit the early f2-f3 leads
nowhere: 9 ...Wb6?! 1 o.cilxc6 ( 1 o.Wd2;J; is
also good, as 1 0 ... cilxe4?? loses to 1 l .cilxc6)
10 ...Wxc6 1 l .'.Wd2;l;
However, it is worth noting that if Black

answers 9 ..ie2 with the correct 9 . . ..id7,
White should transpose to the game with
a b c d e f g h 10.Wd2! before castling, as 1 0.0-0 Wb6!? is an
We have reached a Maroczy Bind position, interesting option which we would do best to
which usually occurs via a Sicilian Accelerated avoid.
Dragon move order. (Okay, the positions are
not absolutely identical as the black knight has 9 .id7 IO .ie2
.•• .
not gone to c6 yet, but it hardly has a better

square available so I have no problem grouping
the respective positions together.)
It was difficult to decide how much space
to devote to this particular option. On the
one hand it is a major opening system which
has been tested in thousands of games and is
usually afforded at least one full chapter in
repertoire books against the Sicilian. However,
we must also take into account the habits of
the typical King's Indian player, and a glance
at the database reveals that 7 ... cxd4 had been
chosen in a mere 1 0% of games from that
a b c d e f g h
10...a5?! in which we will also see the bishops vacating

Black's most accurate move order is 1 O ... tt:lxd4 the board.
1 l ..ixd4 a5 (The immediate 1 1 .. ..ic6 allows
1 2.b4!? when the knight cannot go to d7.) The main alternative is 1 3.b3 tt:ld7 1 4 ..ie3
1 2.0-0 .ic6, transposing to the game without ( 14 ..if2 is also possible) 14 ... tt:lc5 1 5 J:hb 1
allowing the option mentioned on the next 'Wb6 1 6.E!:fc l E!:fc8 1 7.E!:c2;!; when White
move. restrains any queenside play and will gradually
creep forwards, although the black position
1 1.0-0 remains solid.
1 1 .tt:ldb5!? is an attractive way to question
Black's last move, but Moiseenko is happy to By the way, if White is planning to exchange
transpose to the main line. bishops then the king move represents his most
flexible and promising method of preparing it.
l l ... c!Llxd4 12.i.xd4 .ic6 Ifhe tries an option like 1 3.E!:ae1 then 1 3 ... a4!?
As a general rule, 1 2 ... a4 is only a good improves Black's position without committing
idea after the white rook has left the a-file. him to ... tt:ld7 just yet.
In the present position, 1 3.b4 axb3 1 4.axb3;!;
intending b3-b4 is pleasant for White. l3 ... c!Lld7
Now 1 3 ... a4 14.b4 axb3 1 5.axb3 favours
The text move signifies Black's intention White, who can change tack and concentrate
to follow with ... tt:ld7-c5, which will force on the queenside. Once again the position of
White to make a major decision in whether to the rook on a 1 is key.
exchange or preserve the dark-squared bishops.
14 .ixg7 �xg7
•
The exchange of dark-squared bishops brings

8
certain strategic risks for White, who will have
7 to take care to avoid a nightmare 'bad bishop'
endgame. On the plus side, he gets some
6
attacking chances on the kingside, and Black
5 loses all hope of landing a tactical shot on the
4 h8-a1 diagonal.
3 15.£4 �b6
2 Another game continued 1 5 ... a4 1 6.E!:f3 'Wa5
( 1 6 ... f5 17.E!:h3 fxe4 1 8.f5 tt:lf6 1 9.'Wh6t cj;lf7
1 20.Ei:fl -+ Prusikin - Afek, Nuremberg 20 1 1 .)
a b c d e f g h 1 7.E!:e3 'Wc5 1 8.E!:fl f6 1 9.tt:ld5 .ixd5 20.exd5±
Epishin - Vassallo Barroche, Albacete 2004.
l3.�h1!?
I decided to recommend the plan of 16-l:�ael
exchanging dark-squared bishops. This is not From here White's play will involve one or
the most popular method of handling the more of the following plans:
position, but I consider it quite promising. It
also maintains a degree ofthematic consistency 1 ) Transferring one of the rooks to h3,
with the next main game (Vitiugov - Polzin), threatening to bring the queen to h6.
2) The pawn breaks e4-e5 and/or f4-f5. 27.:gxe4 fxe4 28.<Jigl±

3) Jumping with the knight to d5, intending White has a clear advantage, as his king has
to meet ...i.xd5 with exd5 followed by a convenient route to the centre and Black has
pressure along the e-file. several pawn weaknesses. The rest of the game
is not so relevant to our theme so I will keep
16 .. J�ae8 the comments brief.
The following game showed another
effective idea for White: 16 ... a4 1 7.il.g4!?
8
(1 7.t2ld5 i.xd5 18.exd5±) 1 7 ... :gad8 ( 1 7 ...e6
1 8.:ge3t) 1 8.i.xd7 It is often beneficial for 7
White to exchange this problem piece. Now 6
whatever happens, he will not end up in the
dreaded 'bad bishop' endgame. 1 8 ...:gxd7 5
1 9.f5 ( 1 9.t2ld5±) 1 9 ...\WcS?! ( 1 9 ...\Wb4! looks 4
like a better chance) 20.'1Wd3 '1We5 2 1 .b4 axb3
22.axb3 'kt>g8 23.t2ld5± Eljanov - Zhigalko,
3
Artek 1 999. 2
1
17.:gf.3
1 7.l2ld5!? i.xd5 1 8.exd5 also looks slightly a b c d e f g h
better for White. His bishop is not great, but 28 ... b5!?
it still has some active prospects, and the e7- An interesting try, giving up a pawn to unite
pawn will require some attention from Black. Black's central soldiers.
29.cxb5 d5 30.<Jif2
30.a4! is more accurate; I will leave it for the
reader to check the details should he wish.
30.. J�c8 3 l.<Jie3

If 3 1 .:gd 1 :gc2t 32. <Jie3 :gxb2 33.:gxd5 :gxa2
34.b6 :gb2 35.:gxa5 :gxb6 Black should hold.
3l ...<Jif6 32.b4!? a4
Too subtle perhaps. 32 ... axb4 33.:gb 1 :gc3t
would have given decent survival chances.
a b c d e f g h
33.b6 1�k6 34.b7 :gb6 35.a3 :gxb7 36,:gcl g5
17...£5?! 37.g3 gxf4t 38.gxf4 <Jie6?!
Too weakening. 1 7 ... l2lc5 1 8.:ge3 e6± would 38 ... :gd7 and 38 ... <j;lf5 are both more
have been more solid. resilient, although Black faces a difficult
defence in all cases.
18.l2ld5 hd5 19J"�b3!? '1Wd8 20.exd5 l2lc5
2l.:ge3 lLle4 22.'1Wd4t e5 23.dxe6t '1Wf6 39.:gc6t 'kt>d7 40,:gc5 'kt>e6 4l .:gc6t 'kt>d7
24.Wfxf6t :gxf6 25 .lf.3 :g£xe6 26.he4 :gxe4
• 42.:gh6 :gbs 43.:gxh7t <Jic6 44.<Jid4 grs
45J�h4 ges 46,gh6t �b7 47.gh3 gf8 8... cxd4 9.c!Llb3

48.�xd5 gxf4 49.ge3 gh4 50.h3 �b6 This intermediate move IS what makes
51.gc3 gf4 52.�e5 ga 53.�d4 gf4 54.ge3 everything fit together.
gh4 55.�e5 �c6 56,gc3t �d7 57.�d5
gf4 58,ge3 gh4 59.�c5 gh5t 60.�b6 gd5 9 ...Wfh5!?
61.gxe4 gd3 62.b5 gxa3 63.h4 ga2 64.h5 A strange place for her majesty, but it
a3 65.ga4 gh2 66,gxa3 gxh5 67,ga7t �c8 certainly gives the game character.
68.gast �d7 69.ggs gf5 70.�a6 gn 7I.b6
ga2t 72.�b7 gb2 73.gg6 ga2 74.�b8 gb2 Returning with 9 ... Wd8 leads to a normal
75.b7 ga2 76.ggl gh2 77.gal Maroczy Bind after 1 O.lt:Jxd4 lt:Jc6 as seen in
1-0 the previous game.
Conclusion: Defending the Maroczy Bind 9 ... Wc7 1 0.lt:Jxd4 lL'lc6 is definitely not an
is not a popular choice among King's Indian improvement. The black queen is in fact more
players. On the rare occasions that you exposed on c7, especially to a white knight
encounter this transposition, you can savour coming to d5 or a rook on the c-file - or both!
the lasting space advantage without having
to worry about the traditional King's Indian IO.c!Llxd4 c!Llc6 I I.i.e2
counterplay.
Vitiugov - Polzin
Rogaska Slatina 20 1 1
I.d4 c!Llf6 2.c4 g6 3.c!Llc3 i.g7 4.e4 d6 s.a

0-0 6.i.e3 c5 7.c!Llge2 WI'aS
a b c d e f g h
l l ... c!Llxd4
A standard Maroczy exchange.
Black can also try to benefit from the unusual

placement of the queen: l l ...Wh4t 1 2.g3
Wh3 1 3.Wd2 lL'lxd4 1 4.�xd4 �h6 1 5.�e3
( 1 5.f4 e5�) 1 5 ...�xe3 1 6.Wxe3 �e6 Mecking
- Matamoros, Ayamonte 2006. Black has
a b c d e f g h counterplay, but White has extra space.
s.c!Llci! 1 7.b3N l"lfc8 1 8.Wf2!? a6 1 9.l"lad l t is a
The black queen is a bit annoying on a5, so possible continuation.
we are going to kick it away!
l l ...ih6? runs into 1 2.g4 'Wh3 13.ifl 'Wh4t Pretty desperate. It would have been better
1 4.if2 'Wg5 1 5.h4 and 1 6.g5 winning a piece. just to continue calmly and adjust to being
slightly worse.
12.hd4 ie6 13.0-0 ttld7 14.ixg7 �xg7
15.b3 Wfa5 21 .axb5 axb5 22.ttlxb5 Wfe3 23.f5 id7
Back to normal. 24.�el Wfc5 25.�d4
Where is the compensation?
16J�lcl �ac8
25 ...h5 26.Wfd2 �h8 27.�al
The rook comes to a5 to harass the black
8 queen. White is taking over the initiative,
7 which together with the extra pawn is more
than enough to win the game.
6
5 27...Wfe5 28.�a5 �c5 29.�a7 ttlg4 30.g3
�f6 3I.i.g2 h4 32.tlJf3
4
It is over.
3
32 ... ttlxe4 33.ttlxe5 ttlxd2
2
1 8
a b c d e f g h 7
17.f4 6
White takes the initiative. The natural way
for Black to seek counterplay is by getting ... b5 5
in, but it is not so easy to achieve. 4
17 ... tlJf6 18.if3 a6 19.a4 WieSt 20.�hl 3
2
8 1
7 a b c d e f g h
6 34.f6t! exf6 35.ttlxf7! ghh5
5 The knight is immune: 35 .. .'i!ixf7 36.�xd7t
lt>f8 37.2"i:d8t <;!;>g? 38.2"i:e7t <;!;>h6 39.2"i:xh8t
4
3 36.�xd7 hxg3 37.ttlxd6t �h6 38.�f7t
�g7 39.ttld8t
2 1-0
1
Conclusion: The Maroczy structure is always
a b c d e f g h pleasant for White. The extra space, the extra
20...b5?! space ...
is that the knight will quickly get back into the

game, but the pawn on h4 will be advanced
forever and can never return.
Tomashevsky - Ponomariov
Rogaska Slatina 20 1 1 lO.ie2 h4 l l.tLlfl e6
So far, everything is obvious. Now the
l.d4 tLlf6 2.c4 g6 3.tLlc3 ig7 4.e4 d6 5.0 large majority of games have continued with
0-0 6.ie3 c5 7.tLlge2 tLlc6 8.d5 tLle5 9.tLlg3 the equally normal move 1 2.ltld2 with a
h5 typical Benoni position, but it seems there is
something more forceful.
12.f4!
Kicking the knight. It can hardly go
·
backwards, but a nice tactical subtlety has

rescued Black in several previous games.
The current game may change that verdict
though.
a b c d e f g h
This is the move you fear when y� u play
the knight to g3. Black wants to attack it with
... h4 and the worst thing is that there really is
nothing you can do about it. Playing h2-h4
with White effectively stops Black's plan, but it
is a short-term solution. You don't really want
a c
to have the pawn on h4, as short castling is
b d e f g h
then out of the question. On the other hand,
castling long invites the pawn sac with ... a6 12 tLleg4 13.hg4 tLlxg4 14.Wfxg4 exd5
•..
and ... b5. You don't want that either. Another This is the point. The white queen is
problem with having the pawn on h4 is that attacked, so Black will have time to play ...d4
you can't kick the powerful black knight away next with a fork, thus regaining the piece.
from e5 with f3-f4 because it just jumps into
the hole on g4. 15.f5 d4 16.tLld5 dxe3 17.tLlfxe3!
The beginning of a deep plan.
Fortunately, chess is a concrete game and
though it is true that the knight on g3 will be 1 7.0-0-0 has been played, but then comes
kicked back, it is also evident that the black 1 7 ... e2! 1 8.'Wxe2, and now both 1 8 .. .:1l:e8 and
pawn may become a liability on h4, both in 1 8 ... 'Wg5t seem fine for Black.
itself and also as a significant weakening of the
black kingside. The other piece of good news l? ...hb2 18.0-0! ixal 19J�xal
25.c!L'ldxf6!
8
Here it comes.
7
25 gxf6 26.\Wxg5t c;f;>f7 27.e5!
6
•..
Opening more lines.

5
27 dxe5 28J3d1
4
.•.
It is over.
3
28 gxf5
.•.
2 28 ... Wfe7 29.:1'\xd? Wfxd7 30.tt'lxe5t+-

1
a
29.c!L'lh6t c;f;>£8 30.\Wgst c;f;>e7 31 .\Wh7t
b c d e f g h 1-0
White has sacrificed an exchange and a
pawn. A closer inspection of the position Conclusion: The early ... h5 and ... h4 creates
reveals that the two white knights are both weaknesses mainly in Black's own camp.
strong and flexible and that the black kingside
has been permanently weakened by the early
excursion of the h-pawn. The real tragedy for
I-GAME27j
Black is that it will take him a lot of moves to Graf- Pavlovic
coordinate his pieces, while in the meantime
White just builds up on the kingside. Capp elle Ia Grande 1 999
19 c;t>g7 2oJ:U1 ghs 2Ltff4

•.•
l.d4 c!L'lf6 2.c4 g6 3.c!L'lc3 i.g7 4.e4 d6 5.£3
The computer fancies 2 l .Wfe2 with the idea 0-0 6.i.e3 c5 7.c!L'lge2 c!L'lc6 8.d5 c!L'le5 9.c!L'lg3
of giving a check from b2. e6 10.i.e2 exd5 1 l .cxd5 h5 12.0-0 c!L'lh7
13.\Wd2 h4 14.c!L'lh1
2l ...g5 22.\W£3 f6 23.c!L'lg4 g£8
Black seems to have managed to close the
kingside, but Tomashevsky has the decisive
blow prepared.
24.\We3 i.d7
The knight has been kicked into the corner,

but it is only temporarily offside. It will be
excellent on f2.
a b c d e f g h
14...g5!? Allowing exchanges with 1 9 ...'\Wg6 20.ltlxe5

An interesting dark-square strategy. ixe5 2 l .ih6 ig7 22.ixg7 \tlxg7 23.�f4 was
good for White in Haba - Gross, Zlin 1 998.
The alternative is: 14 ... f5 1 5.ltlf2 '1Wf6 An
original route, but probably not best. (More 20.'1Wc2
advisable is 1 5 ... a6 1 6.a4, transposing into the The more speculative 20.'\Wel lt:lxb2 2 l .e5
mainline that is the subject of Games 29-3 1 .) dxe5 22.ie3 lt:lxd3 23.ixd3 '1We7 24.ixh7t
I 6.f4 ltlf7 1 7.e5! dxe5 1 8.ixc5 �d8 1 9.fxe5 c;t>xh7 25.ltle4 f5 26.ig5 '\Wf7 27.'1Wxh4t c;t>g8
lt:lxe5 20.lt:lfe4 '\Wf7 2 l .�acl ± It is hard for 28.ltld6 '1Wxd5 29.ltlxe8 �xe8 30.if6 was very
Black to escape the grip. unclear in Kaidanov - Shulman, Chicago
2002.
20...b5 21 .:gael �g6 22.�fl. �b6?!

This move is a miscalculation.
22 ...id4 should have been tried, with complex

play.
23.Lb5!
The beginning of a long combination.
23 ...i.xc3 24.Ld7 Lei 25.if5 �h5

26.i.g4 �g6 27.i.f5 �h5
a c
8
b d e f g h
17.f4 7
The obvious break, but probably too early. 6
5
An interesting idea featured briefly in a
correspondence game: 1 7.ltlh3!? ixh3 4
1 8.gxh3 Secchi - Gachon, e-mail 2008. 3
Unfortunately the game was aborted here, but
it looks promising for White. 2
1
a c
Also, moves such as 1 7.a4 or even 1 7.h3 make
a lot of sense. b d e f g h
28.�g4!
17...gxf4 l S..b£4 E:ae8 19.�d3 Of course not 28.�xe 1 '1Wxf5.
The knight on e5 must be challenged.
19... �c4 Defending against White's threat of ixh7t.

Black must try his luck m tactical
complications. 29.Ld6
Black's position begins to crumble. He is a

rook up, but it is evident that he has to give
some material back.
29.. J�g8 30.!e5t gxe5 31.tbxe5 ig3

Good defending. The bishop was in trouble
and 3 l ...�a5 32.ttJc6 was bad. White has only
two pawns for the piece, but the black army is
scattered around the board and makes a poor
impression, and the strong passed d-pawn is
hard to stop.
32.tbc6 gg7 33.'i;Ydl a b c d e f g

Not necessary. 33.a4 was very strong. I 13.0-0 b5 14.h3
would guess that the rest of the game took Taking control over the g4-square and
place in mutual time-trouble. On the final preparing the advance f3-f4.
move White even allows a knight fork. ..
I4... gbs
33...'i;Yh6 34.e5 tbg5 35.d6 h3 36.hxg3 Black is anticipating the inevitable. White
hxg2t 37.c;!txg2 tbc4 38.d7 will play f3-f4 which forces ... ttJc4, and after
1-0 �xc4, ... bxc4 the rook will be well placed
on the semi-open b-file, pressurizing the
Conclusion: This game was more fight than b2-pawn . .
beauty.
14 . . . ttJc4 1 5.�xc4 bxc4 is weaker: 1 6.1.We2
:B:b8 1 7.'1Wxc4 :B:xb2 1 8.:B:ab 1 :B:xb 1 1 9.:B:xb 1
'1Wa5 20.ltJge2 :B:e8 2l .�f4 �f8 22.'1Wb3 �c8
Zhou - Fedoseev 23.'1Wb6 \Wxb6 24.:B:xb6± White has strong
pressure in the ending, Aripov - Balacek,
Moscow 20 1 1
Olomouc 201 1 .
l.d4 tbf6 2.c4 g6 3.tbc3 i.g7 4.e4 d6 5.£3 15.axb5
0-0 6.!e3 c5 7.tbge2 tbc6 8.d5 tbe5 9.lLlg3 White opens the a-file for his own rook
e6 IO.!e2 exd5 l l.cxd5 a6 12.a4 !d7 before leaving the b-file to Black.
Black is striving for a typical Benoni attack
on the queenside with ... b5, which can 15...axb5
often be played even as a pawn sacrifice with Black may be tempted by 1 5 ...�xb5, because
positional compensation like in the Benko the knight gets a good retreat square on d7.
Gambit. Here White allows ... b5 and focuses However, the bishop pair is an important
on harassing the e5-knight on with f3-f4, since factor and 1 6.ttJxb5 axb5 1 7.b3 definitely
the bishop on d7 occupies its only retreat puts White in the driver's seat: 1 7 ... b4 1 8.:B:a6
square. :B:b6 1 9.:B:a?t White naturally keeps the rooks
on, Schandorff - M. Matthiesen, Helsingor
201 1 .
16.f4 small material deficit: 22.Wh l f5 23.l:'i:a2

Forcing the play. tLld6 24.tt'lge2 g5 25.i.xe5 i.xe5 26.We3 Wf6
27.Wxc5 f4 and anything can happen, lsigkeit
16... ltlc4 17.hc4 bxc4 - ]. Houska, e-mail 2009.
8
19.. Jhb2!
Here 1 9 ... dxe5 20.fxe5 l:'i:xe5 2 l .i.f4 is not
7 so good for Black. He can no longer play
6 ... tL:\e8 because the f7-pawn would be exposed.
2 1 ...We7 22.i.xe5 Wxe5 23.l:'i:ael Wd4t
5 24.Whl ±
4
20.exf6 �xf6 2l.l;ac1 �d8
3
2 8
1 7
a b c d e f g h 6
18.e5 5
This may look decisive, but in fact It IS
not so clear. Black can pin the pawn on the 4
e-file. 3
18 .. J�e8 2
1 8 ... dxe5 19.fxe5 is terrible for Black. 1
a b c d e f g h
No better is 1 8 ... tL:\e8 1 9.Wd2 dxe5 20.i.xc5.
Black has fair compensation for the piece.
The interesting 18 .. .1:We7!? has been tried in one Okay, he only has two pawns, but it is difficult
game, which continued: 19.l:'i:f2 dxe5 20.fxe5 for White to generate any activity, in particular
l:'i:xb2! 2 l .l:'i:xb2 Wxe5 22.Wel lLlxd5 23.tLlxd5 the knights lack good squares.
Wxb2 Black has enough for the piece. 24.l:'i:a7
i.e6 25.tLlf4 Wb6 26.tt'lxe6 Wxe6 27.Wf2 c3 22..if2 f5 23J:Uel �aS 24.l;xe8t Le8
28.i.xc5 l:'i:c8 29.i.e3 c2 30.i.cl l:'i:d8 3 1 .tLle2 25.ltldl ga2 26.ltle3
i.e5 32.g3 Y2-Y2 Grott - Moeller, e-mail 26.l:'i:xc4!? is tempting, when Black is left
2002. with just one pawn for the piece. After 26 ... l:'i:al
However, I think White can improve with 27.Wh2 Wa2 28.tLle3 i.b5 29.l:'i:c2 Wb3 30.h4
1 9.Wf3!N with the plausible continuation: White might manage to untangle.
19 ... dxe5 20.fxe5 Wxe5 2 l .i.xc5 l:'i:fe8 22.l:'i:adl
with the strong threat of 23.i.d4. 26...c3 27.ltlexf5
The only winning attempt.
19.�0
1 9.Wd2 dxe5 20.fxe5 l:'i:xe5 2 l .i.f4 tt'le8 27...gxf5 28.�e3 .if7 29.ltlxf5
gives Black adequate compensation for the
38 Wfg3t 39.<±>xh5
•..
Black has no more checks.
39 �xf4 40.c!Llf5
..•
It is over.
40 Wfxg2 4I .Wfe7t <±>g8 42.Wfe8t 'i!? h7

.••
43.Wff7t <±>hs 44.Wfffit <±>h7 45.Wfh6t <±>gs

46.Wfxf4 Wfxh3t 47.<±>g5 ih2 48.c!Lle7t
1-0
Conclusion: Black's plan with ...id7 and ... b5

a b c d e f g h is strongly met by forceful play in the centre
29 if6?
.•.
with f3-f4 and e4-e5. Black is more or less
29 .. .2'hl 30.lUxg7 '1Wa3! 3 l .Ei:el mxg7 would forced to sacrifice a piece and he almost gets
have been sufficient to draw: 32.f5 c2 33.'1Wg5t enough compensation. Almost!
ig6 34.'1We7t if7=
3o.ttlh6t <±>m 3I.ttlxf7 id4

Mter 3 l ...mxf7 32.'1We6t �g7 33.'1Wd7t Gulko - Shaked
mg8 34.'1Wxd6 White is winning: 34 ...id4
35.ixd4 cxd4 36.'1We6t 'i!?g7 37.'1We5t �g8 Parsi ppany 1 996
38.'1Wxd4 Ei:al 39.Ei:xal '�Wxal t 40.mh2+- The

pin on the c-pawn proves decisive. l.d4 c!Llf6 2.c4 g6 3.ttlc3 ig7 4.e4 d6 5.f3
0-0 6.ie3 c5 7.c!Llge2 c!Llc6 8.d5 ttle5 9.ttlg3
32.Wfe6! �xf2 33.<±>hl Wfa6 34.c!Llxd6 e6 IO.ie2 exd5 l l.cxd5 a6 12.a4 h5 13.0-0
c!Llh7 14.Wfd2 h4 15.ttlhl f5 16.c!Llf2
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
34 �fl t 35.<±>h2! igl t 36.<±>g3 Wfd3t
•.•
37.<±>g4 h5t 38.<±>g5! 16 b6!?

••.
An amazing journey. But not 38.'i!?xh5 Black plans to develop his queenside with
'1Wh7t. the ingenious rook manoeuvre ... Ei:a7-e7,
leaving the bishop on c8 until better squares 1 9 ... f4?! is a thematic pawn sacrifice, but
are available. this also fails to equalize, on account of:
20 ..ixf4 g5 2 l ..ie3 "W'f6 as seen in Banikas
The main variation is the more natural Kotronias, Salonica 2006. Here White has a
1 6 ... .id7, which is covered in the next two chance to improve his play:
games.
1 6 ..."\Wf6?! is a mistake because it allows: 1 7.f4

ltl£7 1 8.e5! dxe5 1 9 . .ixc5± Black is already in
trouble, which has been confirmed by several
games.
1 6 ... g5 seems overoptimistic: 1 7 .exf5 .ixf5

1 8.ltlce4 ltlg6 1 9.E!:ae1 E!:c8 20.a5 "W'd7 2 l .b3
�xe4 22.ltlxe4 E!:ce8 23.b4! cxb4 24."\Wxb4
b d f g
.ie5 Moiseenko - Guseinov, Rogaska Slatina
a c e h
20 1 1 . White must be better here, and the
computer's suggestion of 25 ..id l !?N followed 22.f4N gxf4 23 ..ixf4 E!:f8 24.ltlh3 White is
by .ia4 looks most promising. better, as noted by Bologan.
20J�xg3 fxe4 2 1 .ltlcxe4 .if5 22.E!:ag1 "W'e7
1 6 ... E!:e8 Bologan ends his analysis here, concluding
This is the most significant alternative. that White is better, but that it will not be
White should continue with the usual plan. easy to improve his position.
1 7.\t>h1
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h 23.b4!
1 7 ... E!:b8 This looks like a promising start, improving
17 ... .id7 1 8.E!:g1 transposes to Game 3 1 . the scope of White's dark-squared bishop.
1 8.E!:g1 \t>h8 1 9.g4 hxg3N 23 ... c4
This is Bologan's suggested improvement. 23 ... cxb4 24."\Wxb4 would leave the d6-pawn
1 9 ... fxe4 20.ltlcxe4 b5 2 1 .axb5 axb5 22 ..ih6 weak.
(22.b4!?N is also good) Black had some 24 ..id4
problems in Laurier - Kotronias, Moscow White keeps the upper hand; his next move
2004. is likely to be "W'c3.
White's strategy triumphs. He attacks the

weak a6-pawn. It cannot be defended - the
black queen must not abandon the d6-pawn
and moving it is hardly an option.
25 ... tLlf6
25 ... a5 26.lLlb5 te5 27.Ei:el +-
26..ig5 h3 27.gxh3 �f7 2s.:gg1 <tt> hs

29.La6
Grabbing a second pawn.
a b c d e f g h 29...ha6 30.�xa6 tLlh7

17.ex5 30 ... lLlxd5 3 l .Wi'c4 txc3 32.bxc3+-
White changes the pawn structure. A good
alternative is to start playing on the queenside: 3I..id2 id4 32.:gg2
17.Ei:ab l Ei:a7 18.f4 lLl£7 1 9.b4;!; Ei:e7?! 20.a5! With two pawns more, White should win.
cxb4 2l .txb6 and White was �inning material
in Kasimdzhanov - Erdogdu, Istanbul (ol) 2000. 32 ... tLlf6 33.�c4 :ggs 34.:Sg3 <tt>h7 35.tLle2
ieS 36.�h4t �h5 37.�xh5t tLlxhS
17...gxf5 18.tLlh3 3S.:gxgs <tt>xgs 39.b3
Heading to the f4-square. Now there is complete control.
18 ... tLlg6 19.<tt> h l �f6 20.tLlf4 tLlxf4 39 ... tLlf6 40.f4 id4 4I.tLlg3 <tt> f7 42.tLlx5
2I.Lf4 :ga7 22..ic4 tLle4 43 ..iel <tt>g6 44.tLle7t <tt> f6 4S .ih4t
•
White has put his minor pieces on good <tt> f7 46.tLlc8 c4 47.bxc4 <tt> es 4S.<tt>g2 <tt> d7
squares. He will rake the e-file next if Black 49.tLla7 tLld2 so.ifl
does not oppose it. 1-0
22.. ,:ge8 23.:Sael :gae7 24Jhe7 �xe7 Conclusion: Another complicated Benoni
25.�d3! structure. Please note the knight manoeuvre
lLlg3-h l -f2-h3-f4. Even though it was then
exchanged, White secured good squares for his
pieces and rook over.
Khenkin - Nijboer
Netherlands 20 10
l.d4 tLlf6 2.c4 g6 3.tLlc3 ig7 4.e4 d6 S.f3

0-0 6..ie3 c5 7.tLlge2 tLlc6 8.d5 tLleS 9.tLlg3
e6 IO ..ie2 exd5 l l .cxd5 a6 12.a4 hS 13.0-0
a b c d e f g h
ttlh7 14.%Yd2 h4 15.ttlhl f5 16.ttlf2 �d7 18...gxf5 19.ttlh3 ttlg6 20.f4

17.i>hl
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h A very complicated position, but the more
A good move. The king is safe in the corner you examine it, the more advantageous for
and suddenly White introduces the possibility White it appears. Both sides' pawns deny a
of playing l:!g1 and g2-g3 with active play on lot of squares to the pieces, but White has the
the kingside. possibility ofan active operation on the kingside
with annoying moves like �h5 and l2lg5, both
17 %Yf6
••. of which also highlight the vulnerability of the
The time has come to move the queen, and far-advanced black h-pawn.
f6 must be the best square. Let's examine some
of the other tries: 20..JUe8
Bringing the other rook across is not an
1 7 ... �a5 1 8.f4 4Jf7 1 9.!'\g l ! White is ready to improvement: 20 ... l:!ae8 2 1 .i.f2 b5?! A
expand on the kingside while it isn't entirely dubious pawn sacrifice, but I am not sure what
clear what the black queen accomplishes on else to suggest. 22.axb5 axb5 23.i.xb5 i.xb5
the other flank. 1 9 ... fxe4 20.g4 l:!ae8 2 1 .l2lfxe4 24.l2lxb5 l:!b8 (24 ...'1Wxb2 25.'1Wxb2 i.xb2
White holds the initiative, Murray - Blanco 26.l:!a6±) 25.l2lc3 l:!b3 26.l:!fe 1 ± White was
Gramajo, e-mail 2007. completely in control in Martinovic - Arenas,
Chotowa 20 1 0.
1 7 ...'1We7 1 8.exf5 gxf5 1 9.l2lh3 l:!ae8 20.l:!ae1
'1Wf6 2 1 .l2lf4 '1Wf7 was Caruana - Vachier 2l.�f2 E:ab8 22.a5
Lagrave, Biel 20 1 0. Now the thematic A classical method in the Benoni of stopping
22.!'\g 1 !N with the idea of playing g2-g3 seems Black's expansion with ... b5.
very strong.
22...b5
Finally 1 7 ... l:!e8 is the most popular move. We Anyway, even though it costs a pawn.
shall meet it in the next game. To understand Black's decision let's see
what could have happened with quieter play:
18.exf5 22 ...l:!e7 23.i.h5! l:!be8 24.l:!a3!± with the idea
Again White makes this exchange. l:!a3-b3-b6.
23.axb6 l:hb6 24Jha6 :B:xa6 25.ha6±

Black does not have enough for a pawn.
25 ... 'YHd8 26.�d3 ltlf6 27.ltlg5 Y:Vas 28.'YHc2 Khairullin Shomoev

-
ltlxf4 Ulan Ude 2009
l.d4 ltlf6 2.c4 g6 3.ltlc3 �g7 4.e4 d6 5.f3

0-0 6.J.e3 c5 7.ltlge2 ltlc6 8.d5 ltle5 9.ltlg3
e6 10.�e2 exd5 l l.cxd5 h5 12.0-0 ltlh7
13.'YHd2 h4 14.ltlh1 f5 1 5.lZH'2 �d7 16.c;t>h1
a6 17.a4 :B:e8
a b c d e f g h
29..Lf5?!
29.�xh4! was stronger. In the game Black is
able to use his far-advanced h-pawn to create
some counterplay.
29...h3! 30.ih7t c;t>fli 3I.ltlxh3 � 32.gxh3 a b c d e f g h

lLJ4xd5 33.ltlxd5 'YHxdSt 34.c;t>g1 'YHhS?! 18.:B:g1!
34 ... ttJxh7 35.'1Wxh7 �f6 had to be tried, Creating the option of advancing on the
with chances to survive. kingside. White might play a quick g2-g3
or even g2-g4, and if Black takes on g3,
35.J.g3 White will recapture with the rook and exert
Attacking d6 and finishing the game. strong pressure on the g6-pawn. All these
considerations are somewhat unpleasant for
35 ... i>f7 36.Ld6 Black, who may feel obliged to do something
The black king will find no shelter from the to counter this idea.
storm.
18 ... ltlf7
36 ... :B:e3 37.'YHc4t <ti>eS 38.�f5 'YHe2 39.'YHxc5 A prophylactic move directed against g2-g3
c;t>f7 40.�g4 Y:Vd3 41.�e5 or f3-f4.
1-0
It is difficult to say what Black's best response
Conclusion: Again we saw the knight is. He has tried a handful of different moves in
manoeuvre to h3, although this time White practice, so far without much success:
followed up with f3-f4. This also looks a good
way for White to play. 1 8 ... :B:b8 1 9.g4 f4?! ( 1 9 ... hxg3 20.:B:xg3i)
20.j,xf4 g5 2 1 .j,e3 and Black hardly had

8
enough for a whole pawn, Laurier - Bijaoui,
France 2007. 7
6
1 8 .. .'1Wf6 1 9.f4! lt'lf7 20.g4! hxg3 2 l .E:xg3
lt'lf8 22.E:agl with strong pressure, Sriram - 5
Narayanan, Mumbai 2009. 4
1 8 .. .<it>h8 1 9.g4 fxg4 20.f4 g3?! (20 ... lt'lf3 3

2 1 .j,xf3 gxf3 22.E:xg6;t) 2 1 .hxg3 lt'lf7 22.E:g2± 2
Black has merely weakened his own king's
1
position, Banikas - Machin Rivera, Khanry
Mansiysk (ol) 20 1 0. a b c d e f g h
19 ...g5
1 8 ... g5 1 9.exf5 j,xf5 20.E:ael E:c8 2 l .lt'lce4 1 9 ... fxe4 20.lt'lfxe4 h3 doesn't quite meet
lt'lf7 22.j,d3 Black is overextended. The rest of the demands of the position: 2 1 .gxh3 j,xh3
the game is very instructive. 22.E:gl j,f5 23.E:g3 '1Wh4 24.E:ag1;t with the
usual pressure on Black's kingside, Hrubaru -
8 Luers, e-mail 20 1 0.
7
6 20.£4
5 Opening the position up.
4
20...gxf4 2I.Lf4 �f6 22.j,d3 JXe4
3
23.�fxe4
2
8
a b c d e f g h
7
22 ... E:e5 23.j,c2 '1Wd7 24.g3! Opening a new
frontier. 24 ... cit>h8 25.gxh4 gxh4 26.E:xg7! 6
Finishing in style. 26 ... cit>xg7 27.E:gl t cit>h8 5
28.f4 E:xe4 29.j,xe4 j,xe4t 30.lt'lxe4 '1Wf5
3 1 .'IWc3t 1-0 Tomashevsky - Shomoev, Budva
4
2009. 3
2
19J!gel!
A clever change of plan. 1
a b c d e f g h
Black was ready to meet 1 9.g3 with 1 9 ... fxe4,
when 20.fxe4 could be answered by 20 ... h3!, White has very active pieces. The d6-pawn
keeping the position closed and giving Black is hanging and also the h4-pawn may soon be
excellent prospects. a problem. Black tries to solve his problems
tactically, but his calculations are flawed.
23..JL1h5?! Chapter Conclusion: The Samisch Variation

23 ... lt:'lxe4 was forced, although White has a is a brave way to meet the King's Indian. The
pleasant position whichever way he recaptures. set-up is extremely ambitious and maybe
White is asking for too much. It is no secret
24.hd6 ltlxd6 that in various lines all three results are
Hopeless. Maybe he realized too late that possible, but that's just the way it is. There
24 ...i.xc3 is met by 25.lt:'lxc3! lt:'lxd6 26.'1Wh6 is no way to completely control Black's rwo
and White is winning. For example: 26 ... lt:'lf6 best options, the Panna with ... lt:'lc6 and the
27.1MI'g6t 'kt>h8 28.�fl +- Samisch Gambit with ... c5, so you should
just engage in the fight and have fun. I hope I
25.ltlxd6 �!:£8 26.ltlxb7 '<Mff6 27.ltle4 1Mfxb2 have shown that White has a wide range of fire
28.WI'xb2 Lb2 29J�abl !d4 30.tLlbxc5 power at his own disposal, which he can use
With rwo pawns more. to dictate events both positionally and more
aggressively.
30 ...!£5
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
31.ltle6!
White doesn't slow down.
31...he6 32.dxe6 :aa7 33J�bdl �d8 34.!c4

�g7 35.ltlc5! �e7 36.E:e4 E:c8 37.E:dxd4
gxc5 3S.:ad7 �f6 39.:axe7 �xe7 40.E:xh4
1-0
Conclusion: White's idea of 'kt>hl and �gl ,

intending to continue g2-g3 or g2-g4 with
active play on the kingside, has proved difficult
to meet. And depending on circumstances, a
switch of plan with �ge 1 can also be promising.
Chapter 3
Griinfeld Defence
Meet the new Boss,
Same as the old Boss
The Who
4
3
2
a b c d e f g h
l .d4 tlJ f6 2.c4 g6 3.tlJc3 d5
Smyslov Variation page 1 04
Prins Variation page 1 07
Hungarian Variation page 1 1 6
The Positional 8 .ie2 page 1 1 9
Modern Mainline: 7 . 0J c6
. . page 1 26
Chapter 3 - Griinfeld Defence 101
I .d4 �f6 2.c4 g6 3.�c3 d5 4.�f3

The sharp Exchange Variation, 4.cxd5 lLlxd5
5.e4 lLlxc3 6.bxc3 �g7 7.�c4, was another
serious contender for our repertoire. However,
I have chosen to go along a slightly more
positional path.
4 ...ig7 5.�b3
The Russian System, an alternative way
to conquer the centre. By threatening the
d-pawn, White more or less forces 5 ... dxc4,
when he intends to recapture with the queen
and follow up with e2-e4.
a b c d e f g h 5... dxc4
Black has nothing against glVlng his
The Gri.infeld a sound and active opponent the centre in exchange for dynamic
counterattacking opening, where Black play.
deliberately offers White the centre and then
sets about putting it under artillery fire from Protecting d5 with a pawn would lead to a
both pieces and pawns. The opening was a static situation with a slight pull for White:
favourite of Kasparov, which in itself is a big
recommendation, and it is experiencing a huge 5 ... c6 6.cxd5 cxd5 7.�g5 lLlc6 8.e3 e6 and
revival at the moment as everybody at the top now, for instance, 9.�b5t.
gives it a go, at least occasionally.
The reason is simple to understand. The 5 ... e6 6.cxd5 exd5 7.�g5 c6 8.e3 0-0 9.�d3
Gri.infeld is a sharp and straightforward way to ttJbd7 1 0.0-0t We have a QGD Exchange
play, and at the same time it is very positionally Variation pawn structure where the black
founded. Tons of theory and new practical bishop is somewhat misplaced on g7.
material, almost on a daily basis, makes it a
tough opening to face - for the amateur! 6.�xc4 0-0 7.e4
Before we enter the abyss, I shall offer you

an easy way out. If you are a Samisch King's
Indian addict - and having come this far in the
book there is a good chance that by now you
are - then the cunning 3.f3!? is a viable option.
Play may continue 3 ... d5 4.cxd5 lLlxd5 5.e4
ltJb6 6.tLlc3 �g7 7.�e3 0-0, and now 8.\Wd2
followed by 0-0-0 leads to very interesting
play and is well worth investigating. I thought
about giving it as our repertoire weapon, but
in the end decided to offer a mainline instead,
which is more in tune with the general spirit
a b c d e f g h
of the book.
1 02 Playing l .d4 - The Indian Defences
The queen is exposed on c4, but she is example: l l .. .b4 1 2.lLlxa4 tLlxe4 1 3.1!Nxe4
happy. It is not so easy for Black to achieve the l'!xa4 1 4.�c4 �f5 1 5 .1!Nh4 lLJd7 16.�g5 lLlf6
standard breaks of ... c5 or ... e5, and various 1 7.l'!acl l'!a7 1 8.l'!fe l ± D. Buckley - D.H.
attempts to harass the white queen may j ust Fernandez, Hinckley 20 1 2.
improve her position.
Black has tried a lot of different set-ups:
7 ... c6 followed by ... b5 is one of the more

experimental options, and is the subject of
Game 32.
The classic 7 ... �g4 and 8 ... lLJfd7, known as the

Smyslov Variation, features in Games 33-35.
The Prins Variation with 7 ... lLla6 was

Kasparov's choice in this position. It is covered
a
in Games 36-39.
b c d e f g h
The complex Hungarian Variation with 7 ... a6 10.e5!
is examined in Games 40-42. 1 0.�d2 b4 1 l .lLJa4 lLJxe4 1 2.�xb4 �c700
Finally, the Modern Mainline of 7 ... lLJc6 is 10 ...i.e6 l l .�c2 c!lJd5

covered in Games 43-46. l l ...�f5 1 2.�d3 �xd3 1 3.1!Nxd3 lLld5 1 4.0-0
�d8 1 5.tLle4 lLl a6 1 6.�d2 l'!c8 1 7.l'!fc l ±
with a positional bind, Jakovenko - Borisek,
Dresden (ol) 2008.
Sakaev - Vokarev
12.0-0 c!lJxc3
Sr Petersburg 2009 12 ... tLld7 13.�d2 will probably transpose to
the game.
l.d4 c!LJ£6 2.c4 g6 3.c!LJc3 d5 4.�b3 dxc4
5.�xc4 i.g7 6.e4 0-0 7.i.e2 On 1 2 ...�f5, I suggest 1 3.�b3N with some
By using this move order where the knight
advantage.
stays on g 1 , both sides get a few extra options.
However, most of the time play just transposes
13.bxc3 c!lJd7 14 ..id2
to the normal lines, and the present game is no
A good positional move.
exception.
White could also play more sharply with
7... c6 s.c!LJ£3 b5
14.tLlg5!? �d5 1 5.a4. After the continuation
8 ...�e6 9.1!Nd3 tLla6 1 0.0-0t
1 5 .. .f6 1 6.exf6 exf6 17.tLlh3! l'!fe8 1 8.lLJf4
9.�b3 �a5 �f7 1 9.�e3, White had the upper hand in
9 ... a5 1 0.�c2 a4 1 1 .0-0 leaves White well Aleksandrov - Rakhmanov, Abu Dhabi 2009.
coordinated, while it is not so clear what Black
has achieved on the queenside. Here is a fresh 14 i.c4
..•
Chapter 3 - Gri.infeld Defence 1 03
23.h5 g5?
Safer is 23 ...Wd7 with a defendable position.
Now White sacs his way through.
24.ixg5! �d6
24 ... fxg5 25.lt:lxg5 h6 26.lt:lxf7 Wxf7
27.Wxc6 is winning for White.
25.We4 fxg5 26.�xg5 i£8 27.�ael �e7?!
a b c d e f g h
Compromising the black pawn structure for
no apparent compensation.
The solid, but passive 14 ...W d8 1 5 .a4 a6 1 6.c4�

gave White a strong positional initiative on the
queenside in Legemaat - Thierry, e-mail 2009.
15.!Uel
Good enough for an edge, but the obvious
a b c d e f g h
1 5.j,xc4 bxc4 1 6.h4± looks much more
promising. 28.Wxe7! ixe7 29.�xe7 Wa5 30.�xh7
30.:B:e8t Wg7 3 l .:B: 1 e7t c;ilh6 32.:B:g8 was
15 ... �b6 16.We4 ixe2 17.!�xe2 �c4 quicker, according to the computer.
18.!el Wc7 19.h4!
Black is close to being okay, but this is a little 30 ..�f6
.
annoying. 30 ...Wd8 3 l .:B:he7 is also hopeless for Black.
19...f5 20.exf6 exf6 21.We6t �H7 22.!d2 �d8
32.h6!
8
A beautiful final touch, forcing mate in two
more moves. 7
1-0 6
Conclusion: 7 ... c6 and 8 ... b5 Is not 5
positionally justified. 4
3
Smyslov Variation
2
l.d4 �f6 2.c4 g6 3.tlJc3 d5 4.�£3 .ig7 1
s.�b3 dxc4 6.�xc4 0-0 7.e4 .ig4
a b c d e f g h
8 9... �c6
Always these tricky knights.
7 Black has tried many different moves, the
6 principal ones being 9 ... c6 (Game 33), 9 ... e5
(Game 34) and finally the mainline 9 ... l2lb6
5
in Game 35.
4
Besides these, there are a few rare lines, which
3
have one thing in common, namely that they
2 have been tried by some very strong players.
1 Apart from that it is hard to recommend them.
a b c d e f g h 9 ... c5 has been played by Shirov. After 10.dxc5

Very logical. Black develops his light-squared Black has just dropped a pawn.
bishop to an active square and indirectly puts
9 ... a6 has been used by Morozevich. Everybody
the white centre under pressure. The downside
has replied 1 O.h3, which looks good enough,
is that in many lines Black must exchange his
but maybe even better is 1 0.�e2N, when
bishop for the knight on f3, thereby handing
1 0 ... b5 can be met by 1 1 .'1Mfd5!?.
his opponent the bishop pair. This battle of the
bishops is a key element in the entire Russian 9 ... l2l a6 has been tried by lvanchuk. After
System. 1 0.h3 �xf3 l l .gxf3 Wc8, I think that 1 2.h4!N
is very promising.
s..ie3 �fd7
The natural follow-up. Black prepares ... l2lb6 10.h3
and ... l2l c6 with tricky piece pressure against Gaining the bishop pair.
the centre. In the majority of games White
continues 9.'1Mfb3 or 9.E!:d 1 , but in fact he has a IO ... L£3 l l.gx£3 �b6 12.�c5 f5
sharper - and stronger! - option. Striving for counterplay. 1 2 ...1M/d6 1 3.e5 is
bad for Black.
9.0-0-0!
We are ready to fight! 13 ..ic4t!N �xc4 14.�xc4t �h8
Chapter 3 - Gri.infeld Defence 105
Planning ... b5 and activity on the queenside,

just like in the Sakaev game. The major
difference is that here White has already
castled long, so Black's offensive could actually
be dangerous.
10.h3
I won't repeat myself.
lO ... .ix£3 l l.gxf3 b5 12.%Vd3

On b3 the queen could be harassed by ... a5-
a4.
a b c d e f g h
12...%Va5 13.%Vc2!
White has a promising position. The most 1 3.'it>b1 b4 14.tt:le2 c5 is unclear.
direct way to continue is:
13 ... �a6
15.f4!? fxe4 16.d5 �a5 17.%Vxe4 Now 1 3 ... b4 1 4.1Mfa4! is good for White.
With an initiative on the kingside. For
instance:
17 ...%Vd6 18.h4 :B:f5 19.h5 :B:xh5 20.:B:xh5 8

gxh5 21.:B:hl ±
7
6
5
Brunsteins - Neven
4
e-mail 2009
3
l.d4 �f6 2.c4 g6 3.�c3 d5 4.�f3 �g7 2
5.%Vb3 dxc4 6.%Vxc4 0-0 7.e4 �g4 8.�e3
�fd7 9.0-0-0 c6
a b c d e f g h
15.e5
Gaining the e4-square for the knight, but
at the same time giving Black the d5-square.
However it is not just a simple exchange of
good outposts, it is the starting gun of the race
towards the black king.
15 ... :B:ab8 16.�e4 :B:fc8

An inaccuracy. Better was 1 6 ... tt:ld5,
although White then plays 1 7.h4 with the
initiative.
a b c d e f g h
17..td2 b4 Conclusion: White takes some defensive

Now Black loses some of his flexibility on precautions when necessary, and then slowly
the queenside, and it won't be easy for him to bur surely his own offensive unfolds.
get a real offensive going. However, 1 7 ...Wfa4
just led to a bad ending.
4
•.
..
···-
18Jk1 �c7 19.�c5 Mason - Bonoldi

White is cautious.
e-mail 2002
19 ... �b5 20.�h3 Wfa4 21.h4!
Here we go! l.d4 �f6 2.c4 g6 3.�c3 d5 4.�f3 .tg7
s.'!Wb3 dxc4 6.'1Wxc4 0-0 7.e4 .tg4 s ..te3
21. .. �d5 22.i.xh5 �fd7 9.0-0-0 e5
Gaining time.
22...\WxhS 23.h5
White's attack is well underway. Black, on
the other hand, is still in the starting blocks.
That is maybe why he tries a pretty desperate
pawn sac.
23...c5 24.dxc5 e6 25.£4

White is in complete control.
25 ... a5 26.�d4 '!Wa6 27.hxg6 hxg6 28.c6 a4

29J�h3 '!Wb6 30.\Wc4 gc7 3 1.gd3 c;f;>f8
a b c d e f g h
10.d5
Closing the centre, just like in the King's
Indian.
On 1 0.dxe5, Black has l O . . . lLlc6 regaining the

pawn.
10 ...�b6 1 1 .'1Wb3 aS
Harassing the queen. With his next move,
White makes sure the pawn won't reach a3.
12.a3 a4 13.'1Wc2 �8d7 14.-thS!

a b c d e f g h Hitting the a4-pawn and at the same time
32.£5! gxf5 33.£4 preventing ... c6. This was an improvement on
The white rooks will come to the g- and Laurier - Shirov, France 2000, where White
h-files. Black decided that he had had enough. played 1 4.<;t>b l .
1-0
Chapter 3 - Griinfeld Defence 1 07
22...Wff6 23J�hg1 i.h6

Otherwise White just doubles on the g-file.
24.i.xh6 Wfxh6 25.Wfc4 :Sad8 26.�h4 lLlf6

Or 26 ... tt::l c 5 27.ic2 :Sxd6 28.�e7! and
White's threats are overwhelming. For instance:
28 ... :Sxd l t 29.:Sxd l b6 30.b4 tt::l a6 3 l .Ei:d7+-
27.:Sg5 e4 28.:Sdg1 :Sxd6 29.Wff4! E!:dd8
a b c d e f g h
14 ...£5 15.h3! i.h5!?
Fishing in troubled waters.
No good is 1 5 ...ixf3 1 6.gxf3±, nor 1 5 ... fxe4

1 6.hxg4 exf3 1 7 .gxf3±.
16)iha4 fx:e4 17.g4!

With a series of exact moves, White has
a
refuted his opponent's opening scheme.
b c d e f g h
17...exf3 18.gxh5 ltlxa4 19b4 gxh5 20.g;,b1 30.ci>c2!
The immediate 30.Ei:g8t? would be a
blunder, because after 30 ... E!:xg8! White's gl
rook hangs with check. However, by moving
his king White threatens 3 l .Ei:g8t, and Black
is quite helpless.
1-0
Conclusion: 9 ... e5 leads straight to trouble.
Tomashevsky - Nepomniachtchi
a b c d e f g h Olginka (rapid) 201 1
A quiet move. Black's position is in rags.

l.d4 ltlf6 2.c4 g6 3.lilc3 d5 4.ltlf3 i.g7
20...g;,h8 2l.d6 c6 22.i.b3 5.Wfb3 dxc4 6.Wfxc4 0-0 7.e4 ltlfd7
Before developing his bishop, Black starts
What a diagonal. The black king has no
by moving the knight to b6. Usually it just
chance of getting out of this mess.
transposes.
8.i.e3 .!Llb6 9.Wfc5! 1 O ... c6 is answered by l l .'.Wg5!, just like in the

The queen is more active here than on b3, main game.
and although it seems vulnerable, it is in fact
pretty safe. 1 1 .Wfg5!
Wonderful use of the early-developed
9...i.g4 queen. In the majority of games, White has
Mter 9 ... lt:J8d7 1 0.1Wa3± the bishop doesn't withdrawn it to a3, but why not use it actively
get out. on the kingside, where we want the battle to
take place?
10.0-0-0
A key position. 1 1. ...ix£3 12.gxf3 e6
Or 1 2 ... c6 1 3.f4 E:c8 14.<;i!b 1 ± c5?! 1 5.dxc5
�xc3 1 6.cxb6! �f6 1 7.\Wb5 E:c6 1 8.bxa7 and
White was winning, Oppermann - Tan, corr.
2005.
13.h4!
White is happy to allow the queen exchange.
13... h5
1 3 ...1Wxg5 14.hxg5± is terrible for Black.
14.£4 .!L!f6
Maybe he should have exchanged on g5 after
a b c d e f g h all. Now White's initiative unfolds unopposed.
10... .!LJ8d7
Gaining time on the queen. 15.i.e2 Wfd7 16J3hg1 i>h8
1 o e5 strikes immediately in the centre,

...
8
but after the safe 1 l .d5 lt:J8d7 1 2.1Wa3 �xf3
1 3.gxf3± White has the upper hand.
7
6
1 O ... f5 is also answered by keeping the position
5
closed: 1 l .e5 lt:Jc6 1 2.�f4! e6 1 3.�b5±
Khismatullin - Kurnosov, Apatity 20 1 1 . 4
3
1 o a5!? 1 1 .h3 �xf3 1 2.gxf3 a4 1 3.a3 lt:Jc6
...
1 4.�b5 lt:Jd7 1 5.\Wc4 lt:Jb6 1 6.1Wc5 lt:Jd7 2

1 7.\Wc4 lt:Jb6 1 8.'W'c5 lt:Jd7 19.1Wc4 Yz-Yz 1
a
Evdokimov - Kurnosov, Taganrog 201 1 . A
comfortable draw for the Russian Griinfeld b c d e f g h
aficionado, but I believe White can improve 17.d5!
with 14.h4!N with the initiative. White finds a tactical breakthrough.
17... exd5 18.i.d4 Keeping the centre closed. White is behind

The defence is overrun. in development and shouldn't seek instant
confrontation.
18 ... �h7 19.i.xg7t i>xg7 20.'\1;Yxh5
Winning the pawn back, but what is even 9.dxc5 �e6 1 0.�b5 :!"i:c8 gives Black active
worse for Black is that after the white queen play.
moves away again, the unstoppable h4-h5 will
crush the last defences. 9 ... e6
The next phase in Black's scheme. He attacks
20 ... �f6 2l.'\1;Yg5 '\1;Yc6 22.exd5 '\1;Yc5 23.h5 the centre and prepares ... exd5 with a kind of
�a4 24.h6t Benoni structure.
1-0
10.0-0 exd5 1 l.exd5
Conclusion: The kicking about of the white
queen only led to her becoming very active
on the kingside. Pay attention to the queen
manoeuvre to the g5-square.
Prins Variation
l.d4 �f6 2.c4 g6 3.�c3 d5 4.�f3 .ig7
5.'\1;Yb3 dxc4 6.'\1;Yxc4 0-0 7.e4 �a6
8
7
6 a b c d e f g h
5 The real starting position of the tt:la6-line.
4 The white d-pawn plays a major strategical
role. Is it a weak, isolated liability or a strong
3 passed pawn? That is the question.
2
Usually Black continues to play active
1 developing moves, such as 1 1 .. .�f5 or
a b c d e f g h l l ... :!"i:e8. The two moves can be played in
Kasparov's favourite move. Black will play either order and j ust tend to transpose. This is
... c5 next and attack the centre. clearly the mainline and I will investigate it in
Games 37-39.
8.i.e2
The best plan is just to develop and castle Black also has another deep idea, that is the
short. Both sides are aiming for the same little move l l ...b6, planning ... tt:lb4 followed
position! by ...�b7 or even ... �a6. I check this in Game
36. Note that this line can also be reached if
8...c5 9.d5 Black starts with l l ...tt:lb4.
1 10 Playing 1 .d4 - The Indian Defences
Before that, let's see another very direct

possibility.
l l ...b5!?
Black exchanges his b-pawn for the white
d-pawn. The problem is that he lands himself
with a weak c-pawn on the way.
12.«lLlxb5 �xd5 13.i.f4�
a b c d e f g h
12.�h4!
This pawn sacrifice is much stronger than
1 2.1'l:d l .
12... «lLlxd5
Black may also arrange to take the d-pawn
with his other knight:
a e
1 2 ... lt:Jc7 1 3 ..tg5 h6 14 ..txh6 lt:Jfxd5
b c d f g h
( 1 4 . . . lt:Jcxd5 transposes to the line below after
13....ie6 1 2 ... lt:Jb4) 1 5.lt:Jg5 lt:Jxc3 1 6.bxc3 Wff6 1 7 ..tf3
The ending after 1 3 ....tb7 14Jhd 1 Wfxc4 l'l:b8 1 8 ..txg7 Wfxg7 1 9.lt:Je4 White had the
1 5 ..txc4 .txf3 1 6.gxf3± is not attractive for initiative in Cuno - Dorner, e-mail 2006.
Black, Ercan - Bouma, corr. 2004.
1 2 ... lt:Jb4 1 3 ..tg5
14.�d! �b7 1 5.«lLld6 �b6 16.«lLlc4 hc4 This position can also be reached via
17..ixc4 1 l ...lt:Jb4 1 2 ..tg5 b6 1 3.Wfh4.
The strong bishop pair gives White a clear 1 3 ... h6 14 ..txh6 lt:Jbxd5 1 5 .1'l:ad1 lt:Jxc3
advantage, Kostic - Bakker, Bad Wiessee 20 1 1 . 1 6.bxc3 Wfe7 17 ..tc4 Wfe4
8
7
Frey Beckman - Siefring 6
5
e-mail 200 1
4
l.d4 «lLlf6 2.c4 g6 3.«lLlc3 d5 4.tLlf.3 .ig7 3
5.�b3 dxc4 6.�xc4 0-0 7.e4 «lLla6 s.i.e2 c5 2
9.d5 e6 10.0-0 exd5 l l.exd5 b6
a b c d e f g h
So far so good. It seems very complex, but 19.:B:fel �c7

White has a nice stroke up his sleeve: There is nothing better, for example:
1 8.ixt7t! :B:xt7 1 9 .:B:d8t if8 1 9 ...ib7 20.ic4+-
1 9 ...:B:f8 20.:B:xf8t ixf8 2 l .'Wxf6 ixh6
22.:B:el wins the black queen. 20.i.f3 :B:b8
20.ixf8 'Wxh4 2 l ..id6t 'it>h7 22.lLlxh4 ib7
23.:B:xa8 ixa8
8
Black has some, but not enough
compensation for the pawn, Shabalov - 7
Yandemirov, Moscow 2003. 6
13.i.g5 '!Wd6 14.�xd5 '!Wxd5 1 5.:B:adl 5
White has a big initiative for the pawn. 4
3
8
2
7
1
6
a b c d e f g h
5
21.'1Wg3 f6 22.'1Wd6!
4
A nice finish, based on the forced line:
3 22 ... fxg5 23.:B:e7 :B:t7 24.:B:xc7 :B:xc7 25.id5t!
ie6 26.ixe6t 'it>h8 27.'Wd8t+-
2
l-O
1
a b c d e f g h Conclusion: The plan of threatening mate
with 'Wh4 and lLlg5 may look primitive, but it
15 ...'1Wb7 was certainly effective.
1 5 ...'Wxa2 is too risky, and after 1 6.ie7
White is winning, with moves such as lLlg5
and ic4 in the air.
1 5 ...'Wc6 1 6.ie7 ib7 ( 1 6 ... :B:e8 17.ic4!+-) Aleksandrov - Konguvel

1 7.ic4 id4 ( 1 7 ... lLlb4 1 8.a3 doesn't help
Bhubaneswar 20 1 0
Black) 1 8.:B:fel b5 1 9.ifl :B:fe8 20.lL'lxd4 cxd4
2 1 .'Wh6! Black was being crushed in another
l.d4 �f6 2.c4 g6 3.�c3 d5 4.'1Wb3 dxc4
correspondence game, Badolati - Miranda
5.'1Wxc4 i.g7 6.e4 0-0 7..ie2 �a6 8.�f3 c5
Pantoja, e-mail 2006.
9.d5 e6 10.0-0 exd5 l l.exd5 .if5 12.:B:dl
16.i.h6! '!Wc6 17.ltlg5 '!Wf6 The rook belongs behind the passed pawn.
The only defence. 1 2.ie3 and 1 2.if4 are also frequently tried,
but I don't think they are as strong.
18.i.xg7 '!Wxg7
Black has managed to protect h7, but now
the queen is offside.
Critical is 1 5 ...'1Wxb2 1 6.!'1ab l '1Wxa3

1 7.!'1xb7 �c8 1 8.!'1b3 '�WaS 1 9.lt:lf3, when
White has good compensation for the pawn.
The only game in this line continued 1 9 ... h6
20.\WbS '1Wxb5 2 l .�xb5 !'1d8 22.lt:le5 and the
knight reaches the c6-square with advantage,
Matousek - ]irk, e-mail 2004.
16.h3
White is slightly better.
I6 ... Y;Yas 17.�f3 b5!?

a b c d e f g h Seeking counterplay.
12...Y;Yb6!?
The mainline of 1 2 ... !'1e8 is featured in 18.Y;Yh4!
the next two games. The sharp queen move 1 8.lt:lxb5 !'1e4 is unclear.
deserves attention as well.
18 ...Y;Yb6 19.ig5
13.tL1h4!
Okay, the knight may not be that impressive
on h4, but the black bishop is kicked back.
13...id7 14.ie3 l:He8
8
7
6
5
a
4 b c d e f g h
3 We have seen this \Wh4 and �g5 battery
2 before. It is very annoying for Black, who can't
get rid of it in a natural way.
a b c d e f g h 19...Y;Yd6 20.�xb5
15.a3! So the b5-pawn did turn out to be a
Taking control over the b4-square and weakness.
flirting with the idea of playing b2-b4 at an
appropriate time. 20...ixb5 2I.ixb5 ge4 22.Y;Yg3 Y;Yxg3
23.fxg3 �c7 24.ic6
15 ...gad8 White keeps the d-pawn and can confidently
expect to win.
24.. J�e2 25J�acl h6 26.i.f4 �fe8 27.E:xc5 A good flexible move. Often, as in this case,
�e6 it will just transpose to 1 1 ...�f5 lines.
a b c d e f g a b c d e f g h
28.b4!? �xf4 12.E:d1 i.f5
Pretty hopeless. He should have tried taking Black could stay in less explored territory
the exchange, although of course White would with 1 2 ...�b6!?. A good answer is 1 3.h3, when
get two dangerous connected passed pawns. a recent correspondence game went: 1 3 ...�f5
14.g4! �d7 1 5.�e3 gad8 1 6.gacl h6 1 7.a3±
29.gxf4 �d6 30.E:a5 �c4 3I .E!xa7 �e3 Akwei - Glembek, e-mail 2009.
32.E:e7 �£8 33.E:e4 E:xg2t 34.�h1 �xd1
35.�xg2 �c3 36.E:c4 �xd5 37.Ld5 E!xd5 12 ...�d7 has also been tried. Then 13.�e3
38.a4 lLlg4 1 4.�f4 seems to be an adequate answer.
The position has simplified. The passed Black's pieces, especially the knights, are
queenside pawns quickly decide. badly coordinated and White has a definite
positional plus.
E:d1 39.a5 E:a1 40.E!c7 i.f6 4I.�e5 i.e7
42.E:b7 E:a3 43.�c6 i.d6 44.b5 i.x£4 45.a6
13.d6!
!e3 46.a7 �g7 47.b6
White plays his trump card.
1-0
Conclusion: Another triumph for the

dangerous �h4 and �g5 battery.
Babula - Meszaros
Slovakia 2003
I.d4 �f6 2.c4 g6 3.�c3 d5 4.�a i.g7

5.�b3 dxc4 6.�xc4 0-0 7.e4 �a6 s.J.e2 c5
9.d5 e6 10.0-0 exd5 1 l.exd5 E:e8
a b c d e f g h
13 ... lt!e4?!
8
This overambitious move is refuted in this
game. Black's best is 13 ... h6, as seen in the next 7
illustrative game. 6
14.d7! 5
The d-pawn really is the big hero of this
4
game!
3
14..J;e7 15.tLlxe4 !:!xe4 2
a b c d e f g h
24... lt!c7?!
Trying to improve the knight's position, but
the attempt is premature. 24 ... h6 was more
stubborn.
25.ge7! gxc3 26.h4 ltlb5 27.ltlg5!

It turns out that White obtains a crushing
attack.
a b c d e f g h 27... lt!d4 28Jhf7t g;,g8 29.!:!xb7 a5

30.gdb2
16.J.g5! The next rook is on its way.
This precise move decides the tactical fight
in White's favour.
30 ... a4 3 l.g2b6 ltle2t 32.g;,h2 h6 33.ga6
16...J.f6 Black is mated.
After 1 6 ... '\1;1fxd7 1 7Jhd7 !'l:xc4 1 8.2'l:xb7 !'l:a4 1-0
1 9 .!'l:d 1 , White was clearly better in R. Popov
- Perukhov, Saratov 2010. Conclusion: The d-pawn often plays the
leading role in the Prins Variation. Here we
17..ixf6 '!Wxf6 18.'1Wc3! '!Wxc3 saw why.
Losing the exchange, but 1 8 ... '\1;1fe7 1 9.id3
is even worse.
19.d8='1Wt !:!xd8 20.!:!xd8t g;,g7 2l.bxc3 Ihlenfeld - Bekemann

gxe2 22.gd2
Stabilizing the position. Black has a pawn Germany 1 998
for the exchange, but his knight on a6 is
badly placed, so White has excellent winning l.d4 lt!f6 2.c4 g6 3.tLlc3 d5 4.lt!f3 J.g7
chances. s.'!Wb3 dxc4 6.'1Wxc4 0-0 7.e4 lt!a6 s.J.e2 c5
9.d5 e6 10.0-0 exd5 1 l.exd5 ges 12.gdl
22.. J�e4 23.ge1 gc4 24.ge3 if5 13.d6 h6
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1
14.i.f4 15 �b6 16.'1'Nb3 �b8
.••
Active development. Black wants to improve the knight's position.
14 �d7
.•. If Black instead tries 1 6 ... �c8, hoping for ...c4
A multi-purpose move. It opens the diagonal and ... tLlc5, there follows 17.�b5 c4 1 8.'\M!a2
for the g7-bishop, controls the important e5- �f8 Schaefer - Hoeger!, e-mail 2006. Now
square and at the same time prepares ... tLlb6 to White should play 1 9.�xa6!N bxa6 20.a4,
attack the white queen. when the strong d-pawn gives him a big
advantage.
1 4 .. .1Wb6
This is superficially more active. 17.i.e3 �8d7 18J�ad;t
1 5.�e5 White has some pressure on the queenside,
But after this reply, Black quickly finds and the d-pawn is very strong.
himself on the defensive.
1 5 .. .1'hd8 1 6.�d2± tLle4?! 1 7.tLlxe4 �xe5 18 a6
••.
1 8 .tLlxe5 �xe5 1 9.tLlf6t 'tt> f8 20.'1Mff4 �xd6

This was Dyachkov - Svidler, Smolensk
2000.
2 l .�ad 1 !N E:xd2 22.'\M!xh6t 'tt> e7 23.tLlg8t
'tt>e8 24.�xd2
White is clearly winning here.
15.a3
The newest twist.
A real classic from one of the K-K matches

was: 1 5.�d2 tLlb4 1 6.'\M!b3 �e6 1 7.�c4 tLlb6
1 8.�xe6 �xe600 Karpov - Kasparov, Seville
a b c d e f g h
(2 1 ) 1 987. This position has been tested in
several later games, with Black holding his 19.a4!
own. Starting a real offensive.
19 .. J�c8 20.a5 �e6 21.'1Wa3 �c4 22.i.xc4 31.'1Wd6 haS 32.hl6

hc4 23.b4! cxb4 24.'1Wxb4± �e6
White cannot take on b7 because his c3-
8
knight would be hanging, but by a brilliant
centralization of both knights he wins in style. 7
6
25.�d4 .ag4?!
There were no satisfactory moves. 5
4
26.�d5!
White launches an attractive combination. 3
2
a b c d e f g h
32 ... b5
Black can't keep the kingside together.
Here is a sample variation: 32 ... \t>h7 33.ie3
\t>g7 34.id4t f6 35.tLlg5 gc6 36.�a3 ic7
37.�h3+-
33.!e3 f6 34.'1Wxa6 ib4 35 ..af4 �c5

36.'1Wa2t
a
1-0
b c d e f g h
26...i.xdl 27.�e7t! gxe7 28.dxe7 '!We8 Conclusion: The d6-pawn is a constant worry
29.gxdl for Black.
As a result of the tactical skirmish, the strong
d-pawn has ended up being an even mightier Hungarian Variation
e-pawn.
l.d4 �f6 2.c4 g6 3.�c3 d5 4.�f3 .ag?
29... gc7?! s.'!Wb3 dxc4 6.'1Mfxc4 0-0 7.e4 a6
Defending the b7-pawn. It was wiser to try
to eliminate the passer by 29 . . .if6, but then
30.tLlb3! ixe7 3 l .�xb7 puts Black under
strong pressure. Most likely he hasn't anything
better than 3 1 ...tLlc5, when 32.ixc5 ixc5
33.�xa6 wins a pawn.
30.�f3
Now White is just winning.
30 ....ac3
30 ...if6 is now too late, as 3 1 .� d6 nets a
piece.
a b c d e f g h
The popular Hungarian Variation. Black 1 1 .e6, in each case with extremely sharp play.
intends to follow up with ... b5 and ...j,b?, So far Black has been able to withstand the
or even ... c5 immediately attacking the white assaults.
centre.
The downside of this queenside operation is IO... c!tlb6 I l.�e3
that White can advance further in the centre
with 8.e5, with play quickly becoming razor
8
sharp. fu always, the initiative is an important
factor in modern-day opening play, and here 7
White starts our by dictating events, although 6
often Black can bounce back and maybe even
rake over. The current status of the extremely 5
sharp 8.e5-line is that it is dynamically 4
balanced. However, I have selected a fun
sideline that can pose completely new
3
problems for Black. This line has been played 2
with success by World No. 1 , Magnus Carlsen.
1
So I will start with that as a little appetizer
and then come to the real recommendation for a b c d e f g h
our repertoire, the more positional 8.ie2. l l . .. c!tlc6
1 1 ...h6 12.ltlge4 j,e6 13.'1Mfd 1 ic4 1 4.j,xc4
lt:lxc4 was Alonso Roselli - Alsina Leal,
Sabadell 2010. Now 1 5.b3N lt:lxe3 1 6.fxe3t
Carlsen - Dominguez Perez is possible.
Wijk aan Zee 20 I 0 12.Ei:dl �f5

Black can also attack the white queen.
l.d4 c!tlf6 2.c4 g6 3.ltlc3 d5 4.ltlf3 �g7 1 2 ... ltla5 1 3.'1Mfb4 ltlc6?!
5.WI'b3 dxc4 6.WI'xc4 0-0 7.e4 a6 8.e5 b5 Clearly an attempt to force a quick draw, but
9.WI'b3 ltlfd7 it doesn't succeed.
The real starting position of the 8.e5-line. Better is 1 3 ... lt:l ac4 1 4 .icl with a
complicated fight ahead.
Sometimes Black has experimented with 14.'1Mfc5! ib7 1 5.ie2 '!Mfc8 1 6.e6! f6
9 . . lt:lg4 1 0.h3 ltlh6, but it is not good. White
.
1 6 ... fxe6 1 7.j,g4 is also good for White.
is better after 1 l .if4 c5 ( l l ...j,b7 1 2.j,e2) 1 7.ltlf3 Wd8 1 8.d5±
1 2.dxc5, and now either 1 2 ... ltlc6 1 3.Ei:d 1 or Markus - Bogdanovski, Skopje 20 1 1 .
1 2 ... ie6 13.'\Wc2.
13.�e2
IO.ltlg5!? 1 3.e6 f6 1 4.ltlf7 Wc8 1 5.d5 looks quite
A fresh try, which leads to a complicated, promising too.
manoeuvring struggle.
13 ltla5 I4.WI'b4 c!tlac4 15.0-0 f6
•••
White has mainly focused on direct attacking Black is not sufficiently well coordinated to
schemes such as 1 0.h4, 1 0.e6 or I O.j,e3 c5 make this liberating action work.
Better was the solid 1 5 ... c6. 26)l:�g5 .idS 27.e4

But to no avail.
16.tlJf3 tlJxe3 17.fxe3 fxe5 18.dxe5 OWeS
19.'Wc5 27....ib3 28 .ic4t e6 29.tlJxe6 hc4
•
White has ugly pawns, but positionally 30.'ifxc4 �h8

he dominates, and in particular the queen is
fantastic on cS.
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a b c d e f g h
1
a
3l.tlJxg7!
b c d e f g h
The knight was strong, but the bishop was a
19.. J�c8 20.a4 key defender.
Starting the concrete undermining of Black's
position. First the queenside is softened. 3 l ...�xg7 32.e6
White is winning. Black must protect
20 ...tlJxa4 2l.tlJxa4 bxa4 22.tlJd4! gbs the seventh rank, so is forced into complete
23.g4 .ie4 24.tlJe6 passivity.
Then the kingside is attacked.
32 .. ,gb7 33.'ifc3t �g8 34J:�d6 ge7
24.. ,gxfl t 25 .ixfl c6
• Not 34 ... gc7 35.'1Wd4+-.
Trying to help the bishop.
35.gxc6 'W£8 36.gc8 ges 37,gxe8 'Wxe8
8 38.'Wf6
The queen ending is easily winning. Black
7 comes nowhere near to getting a perpetual.
6
38 ...'Wc8 39.�g2 'Wc2t 40.�h3 'Wc5
5 4l.�h4 'Wb4
4 Or 4 1 ...'1Wf8 42.g5.
3 42.'iff7t �h8 43.e7 'Wel t 44.�g5 'ife3t
2 45.'Wf4
1 1-0
a b c d e f g h
Conclusion: In the popular Hungarian This leads to a comfortable position for

Variation, White can surprise his opponent White.
with the original 8.e5 b5 9.'Wb3 tt:lfd7 1 O.tt:lg5!? 1 l ...c5
with a very complicated struggle ahead. 1 1 ...tt:lxc3 1 2.'Wxc3 tt:ld7 1 3.a4 c5 1 4.axb5
cxd4 1 5.'1Wxd4 axb5 1 6J:ha8 .ixa8 1 7.E:d 1
The Positional 8.ie2 .ic6 Gulko - Tseshkovsky, Minsk 1 985.
Now simple and strong is 18 ..if4N with a
l .d4 �f6 2.c4 g6 3.�c3 d5 4.�0 i.g7 lot of extra space.
5.�b3 dxc4 6.�xc4 0-0 7.e4 a6 s.i.e2 1 2.dxc5 tt:ld7 1 3.tt:lxd5 tt:lxc5 1 4.tt:lxe7t 'Wxe7
1 5.'Wa3 E:fe8 1 6 ..ig5 'Wf8 1 7 ..id2!? .ixe5
1 8.tt:lxe5 E:xe5 1 9.E:fe1 E:ae8 20 ..ifl E:xe1
8 2 l .E:xel E:xe1 22 ..ixe l tt:le6 23.'Wg3±
7 Black is missing his dark-squared bishop,
Leko - Anand, Miskolc 2009.
6
5 9 ... tt:lc6!? 1 0.e5 .ie6 1 l .exf6!?
1 l .'Wd 1 tt:ld5 1 2.0-0 tt:lxc3 1 3.bxc3
4
.id5 looked okay for Black in Anand -
3 Nepomniachtchi, Moscow 20 1 1 .
2 1 l .. ..ixb3 1 2.fxg7 <j;>xg7 1 3.axb3 tt:lxd4
1 4.tt:lxd4 'Wxd4 1 5.0-0
1
a b c d e f g h
White just develops and hopes to achieve a
small, but stable positional plus, while avoiding
the hair-raising mess of 8.e5.
8...b5 9.�b3 c5
The thematic mainline. Black has also tried
9 ....ib7 and even 9 ... tt:lc6. Let's delve a bit
deeper into the lines:
a b c d e f g h
9 ....ib7 1 0.e5 tt:ld5 1 1 .0-0 A difficult position to evaluate. White has
three minor pieces for queen plus two or three
pawns. If White can coordinate his troops
then Black will have trouble defending both
his pawns and the critical squares, in which
case White will be better. The practical tests
of the position seem to suggest that White
must play very accurately to accomplish
this.
1 5 ... 'Wb4
1 5 ... c6 16 ..if3 E:fc8 was tried in Gelpke
b d f g h
- Kirov, Yelp 1978, when 1 7.E:e 1 N e5
a c e
1 8.�g5!? f6 1 9J1ed1 'Wa7 20.�e3 'Wc7 2 1 .:B:cl c6 22.g4!? :B:ac8 23.g5

2 1 .tt:le4 gives White the initiative. With a complicated, but balanced game in
1 6.�f3 Belov - Timofeev, Serpukhov 2008.
The popular active solution, but a pawn is
a pawn. IO.dxc5
1 6.:B:a3 c6 1 7.�f3 :B:fc8 1 8.�d2 :B:d8 1 9.�e1 The normal response to this move used to
Wic5 20.tt:le4 Wif5 2 1 .b4 was Polaczek be 1 0 ... �b7, but Black has run into serious
- Kunzmann, e-mail 1 999. It seems problems here - see Game 4 1 .
good for White, who went on to win the
game. These days, 1 O ...�e6 is preferred at the top
1 6 ... Wixb3 level. I examine this topical line in Game 42.
The third possibility is going after the c-pawn

immediately:
IO... ltlbd7
8
7
6
a b c d e f g h 5
1 7.tt:ld5 4
Taking the exchange is wrong: 1 7.�xa8?!
:B:xa8 1 8.�e3 a5 19.:B:fd 1 a4+ and the black 3
pawns dominated in Van der Sterren - 2
Timman, Wijk aan Zee 1 998.
1
It is interesting to note that a decade later,
when Timman had White, he choose a b c d e f g h
1 7.:B:a3 and got a good position: 1 7 ...'Wc4 It isn't too hard for White to come out on
1 8.tt:ld5 b4 19.:B:e3 e6 20.b3! Wid4 2 1 .:B:e2 c6 top. He has two rather simple solutions.
Timman - Lahno, Marianske Lazne 2009.
Black is prepared to give her queen back, but l l.�e3
White can decline the offer. 22.tt:lc7!N �g8 1 1 .e5 tt:lxc5 1 2.Wib4 tt:lfd7 1 3.0-0 �b7 (or
23.tt:lxa8 :B:xa8 24.�b2 'Wd3 25.:B:e3 'Wc2 1 3 ... a5 14.Wih4 with an active game) 1 4.:B:d1
26.�f6± This could be the path to follow in 'Wc7 1 5.�e3 has been played in several games.
this jungle. White is ready to follow up with :B:ac l , with a
1 7 ... e6 1 8.:B:a3 'Wxa3!? very harmonious position.
18 ...Wic2 1 9.tt:le3 'Wc5 20.�xa8 :B:xa8
2 1 .�d2± 1 I ...ltlg4 12.c6! ltlde5 13J:tdl 'llYa5 14.�d2
1 9.bxa3 exd5 20.�b2t <±>g8 'llYb6 15.0-0 ltlxc6 16.ltld5 'llYb7
20 ... f6 2 1 .:B:cl was good for White in
Onischuk - Perelshteyn, Tulsa 2008.
Black is bound to win the pawn back. White

used to play 1 1 .0-0 tt::l xe4 1 2.tt::l xe4 �xe4
1 3.�f4 with some initiative, but the clever
1 3 ... �d5 seems to be an adequate defence.
However, White can return the pawn in a
slightly different manner.
l l .e5! tiJfd7 12 ..ie3

Protecting the important c5-pawn. We have
great hopes for that guy.
12... tLlxe5
a b c d e f g h With 1 2 . . . e6 1 3.0-0 Vflc7, Black prefers to
Lugovoi - I..:Ami, Gausdal 2004. Here my eliminate the c-pawn. However, White obtains
recommendation is: fine piece play and some initiative: 14.a4
( 14.E!fd 1 !?N tt::l xc5 1 5.Vfia3 tt::l cd7 16.Vfle7! also
17.E!d!?N looks good) 1 4 ... tt::l xc5 1 5.Vflb4 tt::l xa4 16.tt::l xa4
The threat to take on c6 gives White a strong bxa4 1 7.E!fcl tt::l c6 1 8.Vflxa4 White has strong
positional pull. pressure on the queenside, Farago - Fracnik,
Ljubljana 1 998.
Sandipan Maki-
8
Plovdiv 20 1 0
7
I .d4 tiJf6 2.c4 g6 3.tiJc3 d5 4.tlJa .ig7 6
5.�b3 dxc4 6.�xc4 0-0 7.e4 a6 s..ie2 b5 5
9.�b3 c5 IO.dxc5 .ib7
4
8 3
7 2
6 1
5 a b c d e f g h
4 14.E!dl!
Precision in every derail is paramount
3 in order to emerge with a small, bur stable
2 advantage.
The natural 14.0-0 is nothing after 14 ... tt::l c6

a b c d e f g h 1 5 .E!fd 1 tt::l d4.
14...Y;Vc7 1 5.�d5 hd5 16.Y;Vxd5 �c6 I don't like this move. It gives Black some
1 6 ... 2'l:a7 avoids the mainline, but looks additional possibilities.
suspicious. In Deidun - Hryniw, e-mail 2006,
17 .c6! :!'l:a8 1 8.�f3 �xb2 1 9.0-0 was a very 24.g3;!; is sensible.
promising pawn sacrifice - the c6-pawn is a
power tool. 24 ... b4! 25.a4
After 25.axb4 :!'l:b8, Black regains the pawn.
17.if3 gac8 18.Y;Vxc6!
Surprisingly, White gives up his bishop pair, 25 ... g8c7
but he has a specific position in mind. Here Black could have struck back with
25 ... e5 26.fXe5 �e7! and the c5-pawn drops.
18...Y;Vxc6 19.hc6 gxc6 20.gd2 After 27.2'l:d7 \t>e6 28.<;f;>f3 �xc5, Black seems
to hold.
8
26.b3 e6 27.gd7t ie7 28.'it>e2 c;!tes
7 28 ... e5 was again possible.
6
5
4 8
3 7
2 6
5
a b c d e f g h 4
The strong passed pawn on c5 combined 3
with White's control over the only open file
gives White a pleasant endgame with excellent 2
winning chances. Objectively speaking the 1
a
evaluation should probably only be slightly
better for White, but it is a one-sided affair, b c d e f g h
and that's what we like. There is no risk of White holds the c-pawn, which ensures a
losing, and we can press and press. stable advantage.
20. .f5 21.f4

. 30... c;!td7 31.c;!td3 c;!tc6 32.c;!tc4 a5 33.gel
The consistent continuation. i£8 34.id4 ge7 35.h3
Aiming to open a new frontier. White needs
2 l .f3 \t>f7 22.0-0 a5 23.2'l:el :!'l:fc8 24.2'l:ee2 to activate his rook. The c-pawn alone is not
a4 was Iotov - Georgiev, Sunny Beach 2009. enough to win.
Now White could still play 25.f4, or maybe
25.g3, in both cases with a small advantage. 35 ...ih6 36.ie5 ges 37.g3 i£8 38.id4
ih6 39.h4 ge7 40.!e5 ges 41.h5!?
White has to do something, but maybe he
should have waited until a better moment White will now take the remaining black
arose. pawn and finally reach a won position.
4l. ..gxh5 42.ghl �f8 43.gxh5 h6 44..tf6 n... i>b6 73.b2 galt 74.xb3 g£2
44.�d4 gd8 doesn't help White. 75.gf5 go 76.c4 c6 77.a5 d6 78.a6
gal 79.gf6t e7 so.gh6
44...hc5 45.gxh6 1-0
This must be a draw! However, White keeps
a slight pull, so in a practical game it is not Conclusion: Straight from the opening into
that easy. the endgame? Yeah, why not? White is better!
45 ...�£2 46.gg6 gcs 47.i.e5 b6t 4S.d3

gc6 49.g4 fxg4 50.gxg4 i.c5 5l.gg6 b7
52.gg7t a6 53.gd7 ci>b6 54.gds b7 Aronian Grischuk-
55.e4 �b6 56.gb8t cj;la7 57.ge8 i>b7

Kazan ( 1 .3) 20 1 1
58.gg8 gel 59.gbst a7 60.ges gc6
6l.ge7t a6 62.i.f6 i.c5 63.ges �b6
l.d4 � f6 2.c4 g6 3.tLlc3 d5 4.tlJf3 i.g7
64.ge7 �c5 65.gd7 i.b6 66.i.d4
5.Wb3 dxc4 6.Wxc4 0-0 7.e4 a6 8.�e2 b5
Like I said before - White has to do
9.Wb3 c5 IO.dxc5 �e6!?
something.
A subtle new idea.
66...hd4 67.xd4 gc3 68.gd6t b7
69.gxe6 gxb3 70.ge5
8
7
6
5
4
3
2 a b c d e f g h
l l .Wc2 tiJbd7
a b c d e f g h Black develops at high speed and attacks the
c-pawn.
70... ga3?
70 .. .'it>a6 7 l .f5 �a3 draws, after either I I ...lt:lc6 1 2.0-0 We? doesn't look right. A
72.�e3 gxa4 73.f6 b3t 74.c3 �f4, or 72.f6 simple way for White to proceed is just to
�f3 73.ge6t i'b7 and the b-pawn is ready to return the pawn for good development: 1 3.h3
go. lt:lb4 1 4.Wbl Wxc5 1 5.a3 lt:lc6 I 6.�e3 Wd6
1 7.�dl followed by Wc2 and �ac l , with
7l.gxa5 b3 n.i>c3 pressure in the centre and on the queenside.
I 24 Playing l .d4 - The Indian Defences
The immediate I l ...'Wc7 has also been played, 13 b4 14.�d5 Ld5 15.exd5 �xc5! 16.0-0
•••
bur after I 2.<ild4 Black faces problems. If he On I 6.ixc5 Black has I6 ...'\Wa5, regaining
takes the pawn back, his pawn structure will the piece.
be severely damaged.
8
12..ie3
White must at least make Black work a little 7
to regain the pawn. 6
Neither I 2.b4 a5 nor 1 2.c6 <ilb8 offers White 5
anything. 4
12 J�c8
•.
3
Simple and good - high quality chess! 2
1
The experimental I 2 ... <ilg4?! I 3 ..id4 <ilde5
14.lbxe5 <ilxe5 1 5.1:l:d i ± had the major a b c d e f g h
problem that Black didn't win the pawn back, The critical position. Black has a pretty
Ezat - Sutovsky, Bursa 20 I 0. active position, but he can't leave the knight
on c5 en prise forever, and the far-advanced
pawns on the queenside have left some weak
squares in their wake. In addition, White has
the bishop pair and some pressure.
16 a5
•••
The normal reaction. Black defends both

pawns, bur all the light squares become
available for the white pieces to invade the
queenside.
Clearly dissatisfied with the outcome of the

a
opening in this game, subsequent grandmaster
b c d e f g h duels featured some new tries for Black.
13.1:l:dl!
The alternative I 3.c6 :!:l:xc6 I 4.<ild4 also wins I 6 ... <il ce4!? I 7.'1Wb i 'Wd6 I 8.1:l:d4 <ilc5
the bishop pair, but after I 4 ... 1:l:d6 I 5.<ilxe6 I 9 .:!:l:fd I ;!;: Gustafsson - Schandorff, Helsingor
:!:l:xe6 I 6.f3 Black just activates the rook again 20I I .
with I 6 ... 1:l:c6, when his free and active pieces
fully compensate for the white bishops. I 6 ...'\Wd6!? I 7.1:l:c1 'Wb8 I 8.ixc5 <ild7
I 9.ixa6 :!:l:xc5 20.'1Wd2 'Wd6 gave Black good
After the text move Black can regain his pawn compensation for the pawn in Onischuk -
with the help of a small tactic. However, it Caruana, Poikovsky 20 I I , which finished:
costs the bishop pair and compromises his 2 1 .1:l:xc5 <ilxc5 22.ic4 <ila4 23.ib3 <ilc5
queenside somewhat. 24.ic4 <ila4 25.ib3 Yz-Yz
Instead o f being materialistic, White could

try 1 8.i.c4, as recommended by Kaufman.
His analysis goes 1 8 ... �fd8 1 9.�fd l tt:lg4
20.i.g5 Wfd6 2 l .g3 tt:l e5 22.i.e2 and White
has an edge due to the bishop pair. I can add
a few more moves that clarifY the evaluation:
22 ... �c7 23.'\Mfb l tt:lxf3t 24.i.xf3 �dc8 25.i.e3
a5 26.�c4;!;
17..tc4
White immediately infiltrates on the light
squares. 1 7.�fel has also been tried with
success. a b c d e f g h
Black is in a bind. Grischuk sacrifices a pawn
17...Wfd6 for some relief, which is undoubtedly the right
On 1 7 ... tt:lce4 White just escapes from decision.
the pin with 1 8 .Wfe2, and has a more active
position than in my game against Gustafsson. 25 ..J�ed8! 26.Wfxe7
Taking the bait. It was probably better
18.J.d4 tL!cd7 19.Wfe2 tL!g4 20.�fel l:Ue8 to maintain the pressure with 26.�c l tt:lc5
Black cannot take on d4, because White just 27.i.c6, and it is difficult for Black to find
takes back with the rook. constructive moves.
8 26... ll:\b6 27. .tdl l;bc8 28.Wfa7 l;aS 29.Wfb7

l;dc8
7
6
8
5
7
4
6
3
5
2
4
1
3
a b c d e f g h
2
21.J.a6!
1
Aronian starts to play for real on the light
squares. a b c d e f g h
30.Wfe7! Wfxe7 3I.l;xe7 lZlfxd5 32.l;b7
The quiet 2 l .g3;!; keeps a nice positional edge. Despite the simplification, White retains the
initiative. Furthermore, Black was in severe
2I. l;a8 22.J.b5 Ld4 23.l;xd4 tiJgf6 24.h3
•.
time trouble.
l;ab8 25 ..ia4
32..J3c7 33J3xc7 �xc7 34.J.b3 a4 35.J.c2 Modem Mainline: 7 �c6 ...
�cd5 36..ie4 l3a5 37.�e5 l3c5

37 ... a3 38.bxa3 tLl c3 was a clear way to draw. l.d4 �f6 2.c4 g6 3.EL!c3 d5 4.�£3 .ig7
5JWb3 dxc4 6.WI'xc4 0-0 7.e4 �c6
38.Ld5 �hd5! A tricky move, totally in the spirit of the
Brilliant defending. Black sacrifices a pawn Griinfeld. Black wants to follow up with ...j,g4
to avoid being passive. and attack the white centre primarily with his
pieces. Wholehearted recommendations in
39.l3xb4 l3xe5 40.l3xb6 l3eit 41.�h2 l3e2 recent Black repertoire books by Delchev and
42.�g3 a3! 43.bxa3 l3xa2 Avrukh have made it the modern mainline,
although this status is beginning to show some
cracks after new discoveries for White.
s.J.e2
We just develop. There is no need to be
provoked into advancing one of the centre
pawns too early.
Black can now try the sharp pawn sacrifice
8 ... e5!? as seen in Game 43, or the classic knight
manoeuvre 8 ... tLld7 followed by ... t2Jb6, which
we examine in Game 44.
The big mainline is 8 ... j,g4. See Games 45
and 46 for more details.
a b c d e f g h
The active rook behind the passed pawn
should guarantee the draw.
Morozevich - Vachier Lagrave
44.l3b3
Biel 20 1 1
44.l3a6 probably gave more chances.
l.d4 �f6 2.c4 g6 3.�c3 d5 4.�£3 .ig7
44...�g7 45.f4 h5 46.h4 f6 47.�£3 g5
5.WI'b3 dxc4 6.WI'xc4 0-0 7.e4 �c6 8..ie2 e5!?
Forcing some pawn exchanges, after which
there is hardly any reason left for White to play
on.
48.hxg5 fxg5 49.g3 �f6 50.�e4 gxf4

51.�xf4 l3al 52.�e4 �e6 53.l3e3 l3a2
54.�d4t �d6 55.�c4 l3h2 56.�b5 �c7
57.l3e7t �b8 58.l3h7 l3g2 59.�b6 l3b2t
11z-11z
Conclusion: White exploited the weak light

squares on the queenside. At the end of the
day, he was unlucky not to get the full point.
a b c d e f g h
A very direct approach. In general, if you are 1 9 ...�fe8 20.ie3;!;

prepared to sacrifice a pawn in the opening, It is only White who can play for a win.
then you have no problems! With regard to
your mental attitude, I mean. Of course, the 12.. J::ie8!
position on the board might not objectively be Improving on 1 2 ... tt'ld5 1 3.Wfd3 tt'lxc3
good. 14.bxc3 Wff6 1 5.ib2 �d8 1 6.�d1 Wfe6 1 7.f4!
Wfxa2 1 8.�d2, when the strong d6-pawn
9.d5 gave White a clear advantage in Carlsen -
9.dxe5 tt'lg4 is fine for Black. Dominguez, Sofia 2009.
9 ... tLld4
l3.Wld3 b5 14.f3 b4?!
Having already said A. ..
Weakening the queenside, especially the
lO.lthd4 exd4 l l.Wfxd4 c6 important square c4.
Correct was 1 4 ... �e6! and Black regains the

8 pawn with an okay position. White doesn't
7 have 1 5.if4 on account of 1 5 ... tt'lh5.
6 lS.tildl ge6 16.W/c2 tilhS 17.i.e3!

5 Morozevich strives for a permanent
positional plus. 1 7.Wfxc6 id7 is messy.
4
3 17 ... !e5 18.g3 gxd6 19.W/c5 !d4 20.hd4
2 gxd4 2l.tile3
1
8
a b c d e f g h
7
Black has very active play and is threatening
1 2 ... tt'lxd5. White must make an important 6
decision. 5
12.d6!? 4
Very deep, but not necessarily very strong. 3
The right way to question Black's sacrifice is to 2

hold on to the extra pawn:
a
12.Wfc4 cxd5 1 3.exd5 if5 1 4.0-0 �c8 1 5 .Wfb3
b c d e f g h
Black has activity and good development as
compensation, but it is hardly worth a whole Black has been strategically outplayed. His
pawn. A possible continuation is: last chance to put up some fight was 2 l ...tt'lg7,
1 5 ... tt'le4 1 6.tt'lxe4 ixe4 1 7.if3 ixf3 1 8.Wfxf3 with the idea of coming to e6 with the knight.
Wfd7 19.�b 1
This line was given by Sebastian Maze in 2l...i.e6?! 22.tt:lc2
Chess Evolution. Winning material.
22.. J�d2 23.�xb4 E:xb2 24.Wfc3 E:xb4 tt:lxf3 1 5.gxf3±

2S.Wfxb4 E:b8 26.Wfc3 Wfb6 White has a pleasant position.
Preventing White from castling, but slowly Here is a classic example where our hero
he will untangle and make the extra exchange Botvinnik for once found himself on the
tell. wrong side of the board:
1 5 ... tt:lb6 1 6.'Wb3 'Wd7 1 7.h4! h5 1 8.f4
27.a3 .ih3 28..ifl .ie6 29.E:d1 Wfc7 30.fl e6 1 9.dxe6 'Wxe6 20.'Wxe6 fxe6 2 1 .l"i:hg1
E:b3 3l.Wfd4 E:xa3 32.Wfd8t Wh7 22.tt:lb5 l"i:f7 23.tt:ld4 l"i:e8 24.tt:lf3 �h6
The ending is winning easily. 25.tt:lg5t �xg5 26.l"i:xg5±
White has a great ending, Petrosian -
32 Wfxd8 33.E:xd8t g7 34..ie2 �f6
.•. Botvinnik, Moscow 1 963.
Or 34 ... c5 35.2''k 1 l"i:a5 36.l"i:dd1 tt:lf6
37.l"i:a1 +-. Black can also question the white queen
again, with a small invitation to a repetition:
3SJ3cl E:a2 36.e3 aS 37.E:d2 E:a3t 38.E:d3 1 0 ... tt:ld7 1 l .'Wg5! White of course declines.
E:a2 39.E:xc6 a4 40.l"i:cc3 �d7 41.E:a3 E:b2 1 l .e5 1 2.'Wxd8 l"i:xd8 1 3.0-0-0 White has
42.E:d2 gb4 43.E:d4 pressure in the ending.
1-0
1 1.0-0-0!
Conclusion: 7 ... tt:l c6 and 8 ... e5 is a daring Now if Black takes the pawn with l l ...fxe4,
pawn sacrifice, but if White just accepts it, then White has 1 2.tt:le5 or even 1 2.tt:lg5!?N.
then the fun for Black quickly fizzles out.
l l ...f4
8
Rusev - Rodriguez Lopez 7
Ponrevedra 2008 6
l.d4 �f6 2.c4 g6 3.�c3 dS 4.�f3 .ig7 5
s.Wfb3 dxc4 6.Wfxc4 0-0 7.e4 �c6 8.ie2 4
�d7
Another typical move in the 'Wb3-Griinfeld. 3
2
9..ie3 �b6 lO.WfcS f5
1
An instructive way to attack the centre. Of
course it is also risky to weaken your king's a b c d e f g h
position like this. 12.d5!
The tactical justification of long castling.
An alternative is the standard bishop
development: 12 fxe3
..•
1 0 . . .�g4 1 l .d5 This loses, but after 1 2 ... tt:le5 1 3.�d4

White responds in the centre. White also has an overwhelming position, as
1 I ...tt:ld7 1 2.'Wa3 �xf3 1 3.�xf3 tt:ld4 1 4.0-0-0 demonstrated by the same player a year later:
1 3 ... tt:lbd7 1 4.�b4 h6 1 5.Wb1 �h7 1 6.tt:la4!?

tt:lxf3 1 7.�xg7 �xg7 1 8.gxf3 tt:le5 19.�c3
�d6 20.tt:lc5± Rusev - Loew, Nuremberg
2009. White can always remove the black Badolati - Barreras Garda
knight with tt:ld3. e-mail 2005
Black has also tried 1 2 ... tt:ld7 13.�a3 tt:lce5 l.d4 �f6 2.c4 g6 3.�c3 d5 4.�f3 ig7 5.Wfb3
14.�d4 tt:lxf3 Sagar - Gahan, Chennai 2008, dxc4 6.Wfxc4 0-0 7.e4 �c6 s.ie2 ig4
when the intermediate move 1 5 .�xg7!N would
have been very strong: 1 5 ... Wxg7 1 6.gxf3
ltle5 1 7.tt:lb5! a6 1 8.�c3 axb5 1 9.�xe5t :B:f6
20.�b1 ±
13.dxc6 WfeS 14.i.b5! Wff7 15.�g5!

Winning by force.
15 ...Wfxf2 16.:B:hfl Wfxg2 17 ..ic4t e6
a b c d e f g h
Placing the d4-pawn under attack. On
9.�e3 Black j ust takes on f3 and plays ... e5, so
we must now move forward.
9.d5 �a5
Black shouldn't be too eager to exchange his
bishop:
a b c d e f g h
9 ...�xf3 1 0.gxf3 tt:le5
10 ... tt:la5 1 l .�d3 c5 1 2.�e3 tt:ld7 1 3.f4;!;
18.Wfe7! 1 l .�b3 c6 1 2.f4 tt:led7 1 3.dxc6 bxc6 1 4.e5
Threatening, among many other things, Forcing Black to sacrifice a pawn.
1 9.:B:xf8t �xf8 20.�xh7#. A simple alternative is 14.0-0;!;.
1 4 ... tt:ld5 1 5.tt:lxd5 cxd5 16.�xd5 e6 17.�d6
18 ....id7 19J:!:gl Wffl 20.cxd7 �xc4 tt:lb6 1 8.�xd8 :B:axd8 1 9.0-0 tt:ld5
21.Wfxe6t �h8 22.Wfxc4 .ih6 23.�bl Lg5 Black wants to follow up with ... f6, but it
24J:!:xg5 Wff6 25.:B:g3 can't be worth a pawn. For example:
1-0 20.:B:d 1 f6 2 l .�g4 �f7 22.:B:e I;!;
Timman - Korchnoi, Reykjavik 1 988.
Conclusion: The knight manoeuvre to
b6 followed by 1 0 .. .f5 is strongly met by 10.Wfb4
1 1 .0-0-0!. 1 O.�a4 is also possible, but I like the text.
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
10...h£3 The attack on e7 forces a serious weakening
Exchanging the bishop is now forced. of Black's position.
1 O ... c6? l l .e5 costs Black a piece, which several 15 ... £6

players have realized ... after the position has 1 5 ...if6 1 6.ixf6 exf6± leaves White with a
appeared on the board. superior pawn structure, and after Kaufman's
precise 1 7.l"i:fc l ! '.Wb6 1 8.1Wxb6 axb6 19.ie2,
1 1..LB c6 12.0-0 cxd5 the black knight is also in danger.
A natural move, but not quite enough to
equalize. 16..if4 b6
1 6 ... l"i:c4 1 7.1&d2±
More popular is the tricky 1 2 ... 1Wb6, as
featured in the next game. 17.�acl Wfd7 18.�fel
The pressure is already more than Black can
13.�xd5! bear.
But only this way.
18 ...g5
After 13.exd5 l"i:c8 1 4.l"i:el l"i:e8 1 5.ie3 b6
I think that Black is okay, having had the
8
position with Black!
7
13 ... �xd5 6
1 3 ... e6 1 4.lt:le7t! Wh8 1 5.l"i:d l 1&b6
1 6.1&a4 is good for White, as shown in 5
some correspondence games. The point 4
is that the e7-knight cannot be trapped,
in view of 1 6 ... l"i:fe8 1 7.ie3 1&c7 1 8.l"i:acl 3
and the knight on a5 turns out to be just as 2
vulnerable.
1
14.exd5 �c8 15.i.g5! a b c d e f g h
19.hg5! fxg5 20.i.g4 37...Eih2t 38.i>g3 gxh5 39.gxh5 a6

The other bishop decides. 39 ... 'kt>g5 4o ..tb5 'kt>xh5 4 l .'kt>f4+-
20 ... gxcl 4o.i>f4 b5 4I.i.xb5!

20 ...\Mfb? 2 l ..te6t Wh8 22 ..txc8 fixeS 4 l ...axb5 42.a5 b4 43.a6 leads to a win,
23.'1Mfxe7 and it is quickly over. For instance: which is easy to calculate in a correspondence
23 .. .'1Wxe7 24.Eixc8t '1Mff8 25.Eiee8 �g8 game: 43 ... b3 44.a7 b2 45.a8='1Mf b 1 ='1Mf
26.d6+- 46.'1Mfd8t After taking the knight, White wins
the queen ending.
21 .obd7 i.c3 1-0
Winning the queen back, but along the way
Black has shed a pawn. Conclusion: The premature 1 2 ... cxd5 is met
by 1 3.lt:lxd5! and White is in charge.
22.Wfxc3 gxc3 23.bxc3 i>f7 24.i.e6t ti>f6
Giri Swinkels
-
Boxrel 20 1 1
l.d4 ltlf6 2.c4 g6 3.ll:k3 d5 4.ltlf3 i.g7

5.'1Wb3 dxc4 6.'1Wxc4 0-0 7.e4 ttlc6 8.�e2
i.g4 9.d5 ltla5 10.Wfb4 L:f3 1 I.L:f3 c6
12.0-0 '!Wb6
8
7
a b c d e f g h
6
25.h4
25 ..tg4 followed by Ele6t was also strong. 5
4
25 ...h6 26.g4!� gxh4 27.£4
3
White plays the ending very forcefully. Black
is never given time to rest. 2
27... ltlc4 28.i>h2 ltld6 29.i>h3 i>g6 30.i.d7

gx£4 31.gxe7 h5 32.ge6t i>g5 33.Eie5t a b c d e f g h
Not 33.Eixd6 hxg4t 34.Wg2 h3t 35.Wg1 13.'1Wa4
Elf3, when Black obtains strong counrerplay. White should stick to a strictly positional
scheme, while Black is strong on the dark
33 ... ti>f6 34.gxh5 gat 35.i>xh4 gxc3 squares and will seek his chances there.
36.i.c6 gel 37.a4 The ending is nothing for White, and
White protects his remaining pawns. This is grabbing a pawn with 1 3.'1Mfxe7 gives Black
much better than 37.Eih6t �e5 38.Eie6t Wf4. active play after 1 3 ... lt:lc4�.
13 ... �d7 a) 1 6 ..ie2 "Wb4 is a tricky variation where

Opening the diagonal for his strong bishop. Black defends with tactics.
b) The more forcing 1 6.b3 "Wa5 1 7.bxc4
14J3dl ! "Wxc3 1 8.'1Wxc3 .ixc3 1 9.�b l cxd5 20.cxd5
Keeping the position under some sort of .ie5 2 l ..ie3 b6 22.�b4;t gave White a pleasant
control. ending in Foote - C. Jensen, e-mail 2009.
c) Even better seems 1 6.�b l ! when Black
The more forcing 14 ..ie3 '1Wxb2 1 5.�fcl .ixc3 has no tricks.
1 6.�ab l b5 1 7.�xb2 bxa4 1 8.�xc3 cxd5
19.exd5 �ac8 20.�bc2 lLlb6 2 l .�c7 lLlac4 15.g3!
22.�xe7 lLlxe3 23.�xc8 lLlxc8 24.�xe3 �d8 has A really deep novelty by the talented Dutch
been tested in a handful of games. They have junior. Previously it was thought that Black
all been drawn, because although White has was okay after 1 5.'1Wc2 �ac8.
the better pawn structure, he has no entrance
points and can't improve his position enough
8
to threaten Black.
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
15...�ac8
a
White's reply to this move is so strong that
b c d e f g h
Boris Avrukh in a newsletter tried to save his
14. JUds
. book's line by playing 1 5 ... h5, so that the
14 ... lLlc5 1 5.1Wc2 lLlc4 has also been tried: white bishop definitely couldn't go to the
g4-square. Personally, I don't believe in it.
A good response is 1 6 ..ig2, when 1 6 ...�ac8
will be answered with 1 7 ..ih3!.
Another try is 1 5 ... lLlc5, which can be met by

1 6.'1Wc2 lLlc4 1 7.�b l !, j ust as in the note to
Black's 1 4th move above.
16.i.g4!
With a terrible pin and a masked attack on
b d f g h
the d7-knight.
a c e
Chapter 3 - Gri.infeld Defence 1 33
16 ... ltlc5 Chapter Conclusion: The Russian System

1 6 ... Ei:a8 is a depressing retreat: 17.Vfic2 lLle5 with 5.Vfib3 dxc4 6.Vf!xc4 puts Black under
1 8 . .ie2± Black is far from his ideal set-up, pressure in the Griinfeld. Black has a whole
Gustafsson - Bulski, Helsingor 201 1 . bunch of well worked-our playing schemes to
choose from, but no matter how ingeniously
17.�c2± e6 he arranges his pieces, the strong white centre
has something to say. And then there is the
white queen! It most certainly appears exposed
8
on c4, but in fact the queen often has a leading
7 role in the play, whether it retreats and rules
6 the queenside, or surprisingly switches to the
kingside and leads the final attack.
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
18 ..ig5! �e8 19.ltla4! c!Llxa4 20.�xa4
Black has problems with his knight.
20 ...cxd5 21.exd5 ltlc4 22.dxe6 fxe6 23.�acl

Black has been completely outplayed and
now succumbs to the pressure with a small
oversight.
23... ltle5? 24..ie3

1-0
Conclusion: Giri's little move 1 5.g3! has

completely turned the tables in the lLlc6-line.
Chapter 4
Modern Benoni
Elwood: It s 1 06 miles to Chicago, we got afull
tank ofgas, half a pack ofcigarettes, it s dark. . .
and we are wearing sunglasses.
Jake: Hit it.
Blues Brothers
. . . a6 or . tt::l a6?
. . page 1 37
The . . . a6-line page 1 4 1
Chapter 4 - Modern Benoni 135
I .d4 � f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 they don't play the Benoni to defend! In fact,
The Modern Benoni is one of Black's most I do not think it is so clear.
controversial openings. It is very active and
full of tactics, but there is a price to pay for I have chosen another move for our repertoire,
all that. White will have a clear advantage because it builds a nice bridge to the Samisch
in the centre, which ought to weigh more Variation. You might expect it to be 7.f3 then,
than Black's enterprising operations on which gives the Samisch pawn structure. That
the flanks. Among grandmasters there is is true, but Black has some extra possibilities
a feeling that The Modern Benoni is not here, so it is not a complete transposition.
entirely correct. If it going to be played, Black However, White can get an improved version
should consider using the l .d4 tLl f6 2.c4 e6 of the Samisch King's Indian if he opts
move order, like Fischer used to do, with the for:
intention of meeting 3.tLlc3 with 3 ...�b4
and playing a Nimzo-Indian; only on 3.tLlf3 7.�ge2!
or 3.g3 does Black play the Benoni move The exclamation mark is not only for the
3 ... c5. move's instructional value. It is also strong!
4.�c3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7 ...i.g7

This natural move is almost universally
played, but Sherbakov has experimented with:
7 ... h5
Dissuading the knight from going to g3,
but on the other hand White's dark-squared
bishop is presented with an inviting
square.
8.�g5 �g7
8 ... tLl bd7 9.tLlcl ! a6 1 0.a4 �g7 l l .�e2 0-0
12.0-0 'WeB was Dreev - Sherbakov, St
Petersburg 1 998, and now 1 3.f3N assures
White of a small but stable advantage.
9.lLl c l !
Following the same plan as Dreev. With
We have the typical Benoni pawn structure the g3-square off-limits, the knight finds
and the drawback of the set-up is clearly another way to free the king's bishop. The
visible - White has the break e4-e5 available. knight may later follow the route tLl b3-
Sure, it is not possible to achieve immediately, d2-c4 to eventually arrive on its ideal
but the break will be a long-term possibility square.
that gives White both positional and tactical 9 . . . 0-0 1 0.�e2 b6 1 1 .0-0 �a6 1 2.tLlb3 '®e8
ammunition. 1 3.tLld2 tLl g4 14.h3 tLl e5 1 5.�xa6 lLl xa6
1 6.'®e2 tLl b4 1 7.f4 tLl ed3 1 8.tLlc4
The sharpest continuation is the so-called White was totally in command in M.
Taimanov Attack, 7.f4 �g7 8.�b5t. The Gurevich - Sherbakov, Neum 2000.
mainline continues 8 ... tLl fd7 9.a4. Many
Black players are afraid of this line. After all,
1 9.a5N '1Mfc7 20.lLla4±

White is doing very well. The h3- and g5-
pawns make a poor impression.
M.M. Ivanov - Simacek

Olomouc 2009
l.d4 �£6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.ltlc3 exd5 5.cxd5

d6 6.e4 g6 7.�ge2 .ig7 8.�g3 h5
a b c d e f g h
White uses the same set-up for his pieces that
we already know from the Samisch Variation.
The difference is that so far he has saved the
move f2-f3 - maybe he can manage without it.
He will play i.e2 and then castle, and only play
f2-f3 if he is forced to.
8...0-0
This is the main move, but there are a couple
of alternatives to deal with first.
The big drawback of having the knight on g3 a b c d e f g h

is that it can be hit by the black h-pawn. Black Black wants to harass the white knight
can try the sharp 8 ... h5, but it turns out that with ... h4. Playing h2-h4 himself is hardly an
the knight is not as helpless on g3 as you might option for White. It would seriously weaken
imagine. See Game 47 for more details. his kingside and castling long is not something
you want to do voluntarily in the Benoni.
Another detail is that Black can always insert
the moves: 9.�e2! h4 IO.�fl
8 ... a6 9.a4 So the knight has found a vacant square. The
Black can transpose to the mainline (Games inconvenience the whole operation has caused
49-5 1 ) by castling here. White is only temporary. The knight will re
Here is a hair-raising example in which he enter the game via d2 or e3 and have good
refrains from castling altogether: prospects. But what about the black h-pawn?
9 ... tt:J bd7 lO.i.e2 h5 l l .i.g5 '1Mfa5 1 2.0-0 h4 Well, for starters it cannot go backwards. That
1 3.lLlhl h3 1 4.g3 lt:Jh7 1 5.i.e3 g5?! means it will be a constant weakness in itself,
This game was a rapid play-off in the World and furthermore the black kingside might be
Cup and therefore full of tension and nerves. more vulnerable than usual.
1 6.f3 '1Mfb4 1 7.i.d2 i.d4t 1 8.tt:Jf2 '1Mfb6
P.H. Nielsen - Gashimov, Khanty-Mansiysk IO...h3 1 1 .g3
(4) 20 1 1 . White should now play: Of course White keeps the position closed.
Chapter 4 - Modern Benoni 1 37
1 1...�e7 12.ig5! 17...g5 18.e5!

Pinning the knight. If Black runs out of The typical break is decisive here.
active moves White will take over.
18 ... gxf4
1 8 ... dxe5 1 9.d6 We6 20.lt:\d5 and it is over.
8
7 19.lLlxd6t �f8 20.lLlf5
Everything falls.
6
5 20...�xe5 21.lLlxh6 fxg3 22.lLJg4 g2 23.l3g1
�d6 24.�d3 f5 25.�xh3 fxg4 26.�xh7
4
1-0
3
Conclusion: We saw it previously in the
2
Samisch chapter - a quick ... h5 and ... h4 by
1 Black, even if it looks very tempting, creates
a b c d e f g h
irreparable weaknesses in Black's own camp.
12 a6 13.a4 lLlbd7 14.lLld2

..•
...a6 or ... �a6?
The knight is back.
I.d4 lLlf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.lLlc3 exd5 5.cxd5
14...ih6 d6 6.e4 g6 7.lLlge2 ig7 8.lLlg3 0-0 9.ie2
Rather unorthodox, but even the more
normal 14 ...0-0 1 5.0-0 is very unpleasant for
Black. He cannot get ... b5 in, and soon the
white knight will land on c4.
15.ixh6 l3xh6 16.f4! lLlh7 17.lLlc4

What a triumph for the knight! White is
positionally winning.
8
7
6
a b c d e f g h
5
Black is at the first crossroads. Should he
4 play 9 ... a6 or 9 ... lt:\a6? Both are typical Benoni
3 moves, with 9 ... a6 being the more popular
and the current mainline, but let's start by
2 examining the knight move.
1
9 ... lLla6
a b c d e f g h For the sake of completeness, we should also
mention:
9 ... b6 1 0.0-0 .ia6

This is the idea behind Black's 9th move.
1 1 ..if4
The game takes on a positional flavour, and Dreev - Kamble
White is somewhat more comfortable. Bhubaneswar 20 10
1 1 ...lt:le8 12.Wd2 .ixe2 1 3.lt:lgxe2 lt:la6
1 4 ..ih6 lt:lac7 1 5 ..ixg7 �xg7 16.f4 b5 1 7.a3 l.d4 c!Llf6 2.c4 e6 3.�c3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5
lt:lf6 1 8.b4!;!; d6 6.e4 g6 7.�ge2 i.g7 8.c!Llg3 0-0 9.i.e2
L. Szabo - Kupka, Luhacovice 1 97 1 . Be �a6 10.0-0 c!Llc7 l l ..ig5!?
aware of this b2-b4 idea for White. It is an
instructive way to stop Black's initiative on the
queenside.
9 ... 1:!e8 is of course a very natural move, but

after 1 0.0-0 Black has nothing better than
transposing with either 1 O ... lt:la6 or 1 O ... a6.
10.0-0 c!Llc7
a b c d e f g h
Realizing that Black is probably not
yet threatening to play ... b5, White starts
operations on the kingside.
l l ...h6
Black has never tried the immediate sacrifice:
1 1 ...b5 1 2.lt:lxb5 lt:lxb5 1 3 ..ixb5 :!:!b8
This is not totally clear, but my preference is
a b c d e f g h for White.
1 4.a4
Now 1 1 .a4, stopping Black's hopes of playing
14.Wa4 might be even stronger.
... b5, is the most popular option and indeed
1 4 ... a6 1 5 ..ic6 1:!xb2 1 6.Wc1 Wb6 1 7.a5 Wb4
looks very pleasant for White. However, the
1 8.1:!a4 Wb3 1 9.e5 dxe5 20.Wxc5
Russian star Alexei Dreev has played a more
This looks more fun for White than for
aggressive set-up for White, so let's follow him
Black.
and see what happens.
12.i.e3 b6
1 2 ... 1:!e8 1 3.a4 White stops the ... b5 advance.
1 3 ... a6 14.Wd2 h5 1 5 ..tg5 Wd7 1 6.f4 lt:l h7
In this position, 1 7.f5? lt:lxg5 1 8.Wxg5 Wd8!
turned out well for Black in Posedaru - G.
Szabo, Sarata Monteoru 201 1 .
Instead, White should simply retreat with 1 6 ... a5 1 7.i.h6 b4 1 8.i.xg7 <;t>xg7
1 7.i.h4N, after which f4-f5 will be very strong. 1 8 ... bxc3 1 9.'Wh6 wins for White.
1 9.axb4 axb4 20.:B:xa8 bxc3
13.�d2 Recapturing the rook also allows White to
Attacking the h6-pawn and giving Black a demonstrate some typical attacking themes:
dilemma. 20 ... lLlxa8 2 1 .lLlb5 lLlc7 22.'Wg5 lLlxb5
23.tLlf5t 'it>g8 24.'Wxf6 gxf5 25.'Wg5t 'it>h8
13 ...h5 26.'Wxh5t <;t>g8 27.'Wg5t Wh8 28.i.xb5
The active response, but it weakens the g5- 'Wxb5 29.'Wh6t Wg8 30.f4 White wins by
square. inviting the rook to the party!
13 ... <;t>h7 14.h3 :B:b8 1 5 .a4 a6 1 6.:B:ab l b5 8

17.axb5 lLlxb5 ( 1 7 ... axb5 1 8.b4t) 1 8.i.xb5 7
axb5 1 9.b4 c4 20.lLlge2 'We8 2 l .f3 lLld7
6
22.i.d4 lLle5 23.f4 lLld3 24.i.xg7 'it>xg7
5
25.lLlc1 lLlxcl 26.:B:bxc l t Gordon - Rudd,
Swansea 2006. Again, the idea of meeting ... b5 4
with b2-b4 worked well for White. 3
2
14..ig5!
b d f g
White immediately occupies the weakened
a c e h
square.
2 l .lLlxh5t! lLlxh5
2 l . ..gxh5 22.'Wg5t <;t>h7 23.i.d3 and Black
8
is finished.
7 22.'Wxc3t 'it>g8 23.:B:aal lLlf4 24.i.c4
White is somewhat better as he is slightly
6
ahead in material and Black's queenside minor
5 pieces are passive.
4
16.ih6
3 White could also keep the bishops on
2 the board, though it always makes sense to
exchange a fianchettoed bishop, and in this
1 particular situation the bishop on g7 is a key
a b c d e f g h figure in Black's entire Benoni set-up. That
said, the move in the game allows Black to win
14 ...�d7 15.h3 �h7
Black could be tempted to play on the some time by kicking the white knight into the
queenside: corner.
1 5 ... b5 1 6.a3
This is a good answer and promises White 1 6.i.h4!± would have maintained the pressure
an edge. with all the pieces still on the board. See more
If Black now persists with his queenside of this impressive bishop move in the next
advance, it can lead to interesting tactics. illustrative game.
16...h4 17.hg7 <.flxg7 18. .!Llhl 26.�fel

Not optimal, but not really a problem. As we Fixing the structure with 26.exf5! was better.
saw in the previous game too, the displacement Black now gets another chance.
of the knight is only temporary. In this game
we will see a new route to freedom via the f2- 26 ... tlJf6 27.i.d3 tlJb5?!
square. But he misses it. He could have played
27 ... £Xe4 28.i.xe4 lt:lb5 with unclear play.
18 ... f5 19.f4 i.b7 20.tlJf2
It is out again! 28.i.xb5 Wfxb6 29.i.c4 �a8 30Jha8 ixa8
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
20...b5 2l.a3 a5 22.b3 b4?! 3l .e5!
Here, or on the previous move, Black should White manages to get this important
have brought his own knight back into play positional break in, and again we witness how
with 22 ... lt:lf6, with a somewhat unclear Black's position promptly falls apart.
position after 23.i.f3.
3l ... tlJh5
23.tlJa4 �ab8 24.axb4 axb4 25.tlJb6 Wfd8 3 1 ... dxe5 32.fXe5 lt:lxd5 33.i.xd5 :B:d8
is refuted by 34.Wg5 i.xd5 35.We7t �g8
36.:B:dl , and Black can't get out of the pin.
8
7 32.tiJd3 tlJg3 33.Wfb2 tlJe4 34.exd6t <.flh7
6 35.Wfe5
White wins quickly.
5
4 35 .. .'11:'fa7 36.Wfe7t Wfxe7 37.dxe7 �e8
38.tlJxc5 �xe7
3 38 ... lt:lxc5 39.i.b5+-
2
39.d6 �e8 40.d7 �d8 4l.tlJe6
1-0
a b c d e f g h
Conclusion: Another demonstration of the With a Samisch-sryle set-up. In the

power of the e4-e5 break. corresponding position from the ... c5-line of
the King's Indian Samisch the black knight is
The ... a6-line already on e5 though. The move 1 2.f3 was not
forced yet, and a good alternative is 1 2.�g5.
I.d4 tlJ£6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.�c3 exd5 5.cxd5 Personally I don't mind playing f2-f3, indeed
d6 6.e4 g6 7.tLlge2 i.g7 s.tLlg3 0-0 9.i.e2 a6 I prefer it, because it makes a nice connection
to the Samisch and binds our repertoire
together.
a b c d e f g h
a c
10.a4
b d e f g h
In a Benoni-type of position, if Black plays
... a6 with the idea of continuing to expand 12... gb8
with ... b7-b5 next, then j ust respond with On 12 ... h5, the reply 1 3.�g5 is annoying.
a2-a4 without thinking. I am serious - make
the move a2-a4 and then press the clock. 13.i.e3
Then you can start pondering over what Black must now show his cards. He can
is going on while your opponent's clock is stay flexible with 1 3 ...Wfc7 or be active with
running. the standard flank thrust 1 3 ... h5 with its pros
and cons. Both lines are examined in detail
10... tLlbd7 in Games 50 and 5 1 . Finally there is the
1 o ... l"i:e8 1 1 .0-0 ttJ bd7 just transposes. centralization of the knight with:
1 O ... h5 is quite similar to what we have already 13 ... tLle5

seen. Game 49 will round it up. But this can hardly be recommended after
the precise reaction:
1 1.0-0 ges
l l ...l"i:b8 has little independent value if 14.h3!
White responds 1 2.�e3, as then 12 ... 1"i:e8 is It is very probable that Black hasn't got
the only sensible move, and we go 1 3.f3 and anything better than to return the knight
voila - we are back in the mainline. to d7!
12.£3
1 6 ... l'!b8 1 7.lLlf2 c4 1 8.l'!acl

1 8 .l'!fc 1 !? is also strong.
1 8 ... b5 1 9.axb5 axb5
Semcesen Jianu
-
Romania 20 1 1 8
7
l .d4 ti)f6 2.c4 e6 3.ti)c3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 6
d6 6.e4 g6 ?.ti)ge2 J.g7 s.ti)g3 a6 9.a4 0-0 5
10.J.e2 h5
4
3
2
a b c d e f g h
20.b4!±
White is close to achieving his dream
position against the Benoni.
20 ....!a6 2l ..!e3
2 l .l'!a 1 l'!a8 22.l'!a3 is also excellent.
2 1 ...lLlb6 22 ..!d4 .!xd4 23.Wxd4 lLlf8 24.f4
l'!a8 25.g4!
a b c d e f g h Black soon collapsed in Schandorff -
Carstensen, Helsingor 20 1 2.
l l .J.g5
White exploits the g5-square.
Even 1 1 .0-0 is playable, as 1 1 ...h4 12.lLl h 1

results i n a complicated game.
l l ...'!Wc7
Escaping the pin and preparing . . . lLl h7.
The seemingly more active 1 1 ...Wb6 can be
met by 1 2.Wc1 lLlh7 1 3.a5! with good play.
For example: 1 3 ...Wc7 1 4 ..!h6 h4 1 5 ..!xg7
'kt>xg7 1 6.lLlfl We? 1 7.lLld2 f5 1 8.0-0 lLld7
1 9.exf5 gxf5 20.l'!e1 Wf6 2 1 .lLl c4± Rogozenco
a
- Petrisor, Plovdiv 20 1 2. b c d e f g h
12.'1Wd2 ti)h? 13.ih4!
In a recent game my opponent tried: A surprising move. You would expect
1 2 ... l'!e8 1 3.0-0 lLlbd7 1 4.f3 lLl h7 1 5 ..!h6 1 3 ..!h6 with a small positional plus. In fact,
.!h8 1 6.lLlh 1 ! ? the unusual bishop retreat keeps the pressure
The knight moves to a better square without on Black.
waiting for ... h4.
13 ... ttld7 14.0--0 gbs 2I...ttld7 22.fxg6 fxg6 23.Wfc2

Seeking counterplay. The annoying bishop Now the g6-pawn is a weakness.
on h4 makes quiet play more or less impossible.
23...e4 24.�d5
1 5.f4! White finishes the game in style. He chooses
White takes the initiative. The bishop on h4 the most active way and doesn't focus too
also helps a white offensive on that side of the much on material. Now lLl e7t followed by
board. lLlxg6t is threatened.
15 ...c4 16.�h1 b5 17.axb5 axb5 24..Jhfl t 25J�xfl �hf8 26.ttlxe4 i.b7

27.ttle7t �hS 28.ttlg5 �e5
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
18.e5!
The standard break - strong as usual. 29..txh5! Wfa4
29 ... gxh5 30.1'l:xf8t 1'l:xf8 3 1 .1Mfh7#
18 ttlc5
•..
1 8 ...dxe5 1 9 .�e7 1'l:e8 20.d6 1Mfb6 2 l .f5 30.i.xg6 Wfxc2 31.hc2

would be awful for Black. The white attack continues in the ending,
Instead of moving the rook, Black could although I am sure most players would have
sacrifice an exchange with 1 9 ... exf4, but after kept the queens on.
20.d6 1Mfb6 2 l .�xf8 tLlhxf8 22.1Mfxf4 lLle5
23.lLlge4 I doubt whether he has sufficient 3l. ..b4 32.i.g3 ttlfd7 33J3f4
compensation. Threatening a check on h4.
19J�ad1 dxe5 20.d6! 33...i.f8 34J3f5

Dividing Black's position in two and securing Black cannot defend anymore. On 34 ... lLlg4
good squares for the white knights. comes 35.1'l:f7.
20 ...1Mfa5 2l.f5 34 J3a8 35J3xe5 ttlxe5 36.he5t i.g7

.•
The offensive will prove impossible for Black 37.ttlf7#

to parry. 1-0
Conclusion: Here we saw another example the real battle takes place, so White has time
of the e4-e5 break. More noteworthy is the enough to improve the knight's position, and
original idea of playing ig5 and intending to it will be excellent on the f2-square.
meet ... lt:lh7 with ih4!?.
14 ... lbf8?!
A rather awkward regrouping.
Wojtaszek - Mertanen 14 ... c4 is more logical, when play may

conrinue: 1 5.lt:lf2 b5 1 6.axb5 axb5 1 7.E:a3!?
Rogaska Slarina 201 1 Black should now avoid 17 ... b4?! 1 8.E:a7 �d8
1 9.lt:la4, when his queenside is overextended.
l.d4 lt:Jf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.lbc3 exd5 5.cxd5 However, against other moves White can play
d6 6.e4 g6 7.lbge2 ig7 8.lbg3 0-0 9.ie2 a6 1 8.b4! with an edge.
10.a4 E:e8 1 1.0-0 lbbd7 12.£3 E:b8 13.ie3
Wl'c7 15.'1Wd2 lb6d7 16.lbf2 f5
This move certainly looks active. But the
8 problem for Black is that it is hard to come
up with a real plan. The e4-pawn is soundly
7 defended and the opening of the kingside
6 usually benefits White.
5 17.ih6
4 Softening up the black king's position even
more.
3
2 17 ... lbe5 18.hg7 Wl'xg7
a e
b c d f g h 8
14.lbh1!? 7
In earlier games White had played the 6
obvious 14.�d2, which is certainly also a good
5
move, but the young Polish player comes up
with a deep knight manoeuvre that reminds 4
me of some of Anatoly Karpov's famous games. 3
The manoeuvre lt:lg3-h 1 -f2 is well known to us,
because we have seen it employed as a necessary 2
answer to an early ... h5-h4 by Black. However,
to come up with the idea of regrouping the
a b c d e f g h
knight, even though it is not attacked, is the
mark of really deep understanding - and 19.E:ab1
a good portion of imagination. Despite its Another deep move. White will follow
complicated appearance, the position is up with b2-b4 and take the initiative on the
relatively calm for a few more moves before queenside as well.
19....!l:H7 20.b4 Wfd4 Condwion: Wow, did you see that? lt:lhl just
Seeking his chances in an ending. appeared out of the blue.
2UUd1 Wfxd2 22Jhd2 cxb4 23Jhb4 �d7

Black wants to use the c5-square for a knight.
lvanchuk - Andreikin
24.e:xf5 gxf5 25.�d3
The strategical battle for the outpost on c5 Havana 20 1 1
continues. White guards the square and with
his next move Black removes the defender. l.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.�c3 ig7 5.e4
d6 6.�ge2
25 ... �fe5 26.�xe5 gxe5 27.ci>fl ci>£8 Please note the move order. Via a slow
Not 27 ... 4:lc5 28.:B:b6 and the d6-pawn falls. Benoni we shall arrive in the mainline anyway,
whenever Black plays ... e6 and ... exd5.
28.�d1! �c5 29.�e3
6...0-0 7.� g3 a6 8.a4 e6 9..ie2 exd5 10.cxd5
�bd7 1 1.0-0 ges 12.£3 gbs 13 ..ie3 h5
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a b c d e f g h
a
The knight heads to c4, where it will attack b c d e f g h
the d6-pawn with devastating effect.
14.Wfd2
29...ge7 30.�c4 gd7 31.a5 ci>e7 32J�d4 With the last game in mind, it is tempting to
Black is completely tied up. White transfers play 1 4.4:lh l !?.
the rook to the kingside to increase the
14 �h7
.•.
pressure.
14 ... 4:le5 is well met by 1 5 .h3. For example:
1 5 .. .'1Wa5 1 6.:B:fb l �b4 1 7.a5 id7 1 8.4:lfl
32...ci>ds 33J�h4 ge7 lt:lc4 1 9.ixc4 �xc4 20.ih6;!; Hellsten -
Or 33 .. .'it>c7 34.:B:h6 and there are no moves.
Khomeriki, Kavala 2002.
34.�xd6 gd7 35.gh6 ci>c7 36.gc4! gxd6 15.ih6
37.gxc5t ci>d7 38.gxh7t ci>ds 39.ghst Again, I rather like 1 5.4Jh 1 . After the
ci>d7 40.id3 further moves 1 5 ... 4:le5 1 6.4:lf2 id7 1 7.a5
1-0 f5, play has transposed into Bratanov -
M. Petrov, Blagoevgrad 20 1 0, and here Stohl 26.b5 Lb5

recommends 1 8.Ei:fe l ±N. Better was 26 ....ic8 27 . .ih6t Wg8 28.tLle3
c4 with some counter-chances.
15 ....id4t 16 .ie3 Ag7 17J3fdl!?
•
White opts for another regrouping. Now the 27.tLlxb5 Wfxb5 28.f4! Wfa4 29.fxe5 Wfxe4
g3-knight gets the fl -square. 30..ih6t 'it>g8 31 .tLle3 Wfxe5 32 ..if4 Wfe7
33..td3
17 ...h4 lS.tLlfl h3 19.g3 Suddenly the white pieces coordinate very
With the classical question - is the h3-pawn well, and the rwo bishops are much stronger
strong or weak? Probably both! than the rook and rwo pawns.
19 ... b5?! 33 ... tLlf6 34.tLlc4 Ei:bd8 35 ..ig5

Sacrificing a pawn on the other side of the The pressure is very unpleasant for Black.
board is not the solution. The correct way to
play the position was 1 9 ... tLle5 with a very 35 ...Wff7 36.Wfb2 Ei:f8 37 .tfl
•
unclear game, typical of the Benoni/King's Okay, so we finally got the answer. The h3-
Indian. pawn is weak!
20.axb5 axb5 21 .tLlxb5 tLle5 22.<�c3 f5 37... l"i:b8 38.Wfcl tLle4 39.Lh3 Ei:b3 40..tfl
23J3a7!? f4
A practical decision. White will not go on Rather desperate.
the defensive.
4l .Lf4 g5 42.tLlxd6 tLlxd6 43.Ld6 Wfflt
23 ...Wfb6 44.'it>hl Ei:f5 45.Lc5
Just taking all of Black's pawns.
8
45 ...Wfa2 46..ic4
7 1-0
6
Conclusion: Another game, another knight
5 manoeuvre, this time to fl . But it also turned
4 out well.
3 Chapter Conclusion: The tLlge2 set-up is very
2 effective against the Modern Benoni. It seems
that the minimum White gets is an improved
1
Samisch.
a b c d e f g h
24Jhg7t! 'it>xg7 25.b4!
White has good play for the exchange.
25 ...Aa6
25 ...�xb4 26.Ei:b l would cost Black
material.
Chapter 5
Benko Gambit
Go ahead, make my day
Harry Callahan, Sudden Impact
The 5 . . . axb5 Variation page 1 4 8

The 5 . . . g6 Variation page 1 56
The 5 . . . e6 Variation page 1 60
l.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 White players find it difficult to keep control.
While researching for this book I discovered a
line that is much more in tune with the rest of
8
my proposed opening ideas. It is a line that was
7 popular in the '90s, but since then has been
6 somewhat forgotten. Now the time has come
for a revival.
5
4 5.0
3
8
2
7
1
6
5
The Benko Gambit, also known as the
Volga Gambit. It is basically a positional pawn 4
sacrifice where Black aims to get a sound and 3
well worked-out set-up with excellent piece
coordination. 2
4.cxb5 a6
a b c d e f g h
Already an important junction. White must
decide what he wants to do. White shows that he couldn't care less
about the offered pawn and instead startS his
Accepting the pawn is the same as accepting own operations. The obvious idea is to take
Black's scheme of play. Still, a pawn is a pawn! the centre with e2-e4. Black must make a
The most popular line these days is 5.bxa6 g6 quick decision that determines the rest of the
6.4Jc3 .ixa6 7.g3 d6 8 ..ig2 .ig7 9.4Jf3 0-0 opening play. He can take the pawn back with
l O.E!:b l !, which scores very well for White in 5 ... axb5, he can continue in typical Benko
practice and casts at least some doubt on the style with 5 ... g6, or he can seek an immediate
correctness of the pawn sacrifice. This line confrontation in the centre with 5 . . . e6. I will
is recommended in Avrukh's Grandmaster cover these contrasting approaches in turn.
Repertoire 2 - J.d4 Volume Two, and I have
used it with great pleasure myself in several The 5 ...axb5 Variation
games. The downside is that Black will get
his desired set-up and the middlegames turn l.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.0
out to be quite complicated, at least from a axb5
practical point of view. The natural move. Black restores material
And since the experienced Benko player has equality, while we get the time to fulfil our
all his pawns and pieces where they belong in own first goal.
the standard formation, he is ready to punish
any inaccuracy from White, however slight it 6.e4
may be. And the Benko is full of tactics! Many
Chapter 5 - Benko Gambit 149
The key move. The knight benefits from the

pin of the b4-pawn and heads for the super
square on c4.
8 .d6
..
In the Benko, Black generally puts structure

above pretty much everything else. The
alternative is to fight in the centre with:
8 ... e6
But it leads to a very loose position.
9.'Llc4 Wc7 IO.�g5 �a6
The only way for Black to get his pieces into
a b c d e f g h play is to remove the c4-knight, but it looks
Taking the centre and attacking the b5- suspicious even though it is not that easy to
pawn at the same time. White will seize the refute.
initiative, that's for sure. I I .'Llh3 �xc4 1 2.�xc4 �d6 13.'1We2
This looks like a good try at a refutation.
6. .Wast 7.i.d2
.
In The Benko Gambit, Pinski gives 7.b4 as

slightly better for White, but I believe the
game is j ust unclear. For example: 7... cxb4
8.tLld2 b3 9.\Wxb3 e6!+t
7 b4
...
7 ...Wb6 IS maccurate, as 8.tLlc3! is then

strong, with the point 8 ... b4 9.'Lla4 Wa7
I O.'Llxc5! '1Wxc5? l l .l'!cl and White wins.
a b c d e f g h
1 3 ...�xh2?! I 4.f4 �g3t 1 5.�fl
The black bishop is in trouble behind enemy
lines.
The anti-positional 8 ...�a6 9.'Llc4 �xc4

I O.�xc4± leads to a pleasant position for
White, with the bishop pair and the break a2-
a3 looming.
9.ltlc4
Attacking the black queen. This position
has been tested in more than 500 games. The
queen has three plausible squares available -
a7, c7 and d8. Let's analyse them in turn.
13.0-0 bxa3
With the pin now gone, Black must save his
b-pawn.
Monacell - Toscano
e-mail 2002 14.gxa3 Y;Yb7
Self-pinning with 14 ...�a6 or 1 4... lt:la6 does
l.d4 c!Llf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.f.3 not look too tempting here, because 1 5 .'i!flc2 is
axb5 6.e4 Y;Yast 7.id2 b4 8.c!Lla3 d6 9.c!Llc4 a good answer, with E!:fa1 in the air.
Y;Ya7
The strangest of the three available squares 15.Y;Yc2
for the queen. It contains a nice point though. Here too, this move is excellent. Neither side
is in a hurry to exchange rooks. White hopes
rhat Black will take first, when recapturing
8 with bxa3 will give White an outside passed
7 pawn.
6
15 c!Llfd7 16.f4!
•..
5 Taking the e5-square away from the black

4 pieces.
3 16... gxa3
2 Black was running out of sensible moves.
1 17.bxa3
a b c d e f g h
10.a3 g6 8
And this is it! White's a-pawn is pinned, so 7
Black has time to complete the development
of his kingside. 6
5
1 O ... e6 is met strongly by 1 l .if4!;!;.
4
l l .id3 3
White has scored well with 1 1 .lt:le2 ig7
1 2.lt:lcl 0-0 13.lt:lb3 bxa3 1 4.E!:xa3, but Black
2
may be all right after 14 ...�a6!?N, when 1
a
1 5.�e2 'i!flc7 1 6.0-0 lt:lbd7 is close to level.
b c d e f g h
l l ...ig7 12.c!Lle2 0-0 The opening duel is over. White has a passed
1 2 ... lt:lbd7 1 3.0-0 bxa3 1 4.E!:xa3 '1Wb8 is pawn on the a-file and his pieces are poised to
given by Stohl as an improvement for Black, quickly penetrate on the queenside. Black has
but after 1 5 .'\Wal;!; White remains at least no real counterplay.
slightly better.
17...Y;Ya7 18.c!Llc3 ia6 19.gbl ixc4
Trying to at least grab the a-pawn. It is easy The most natural square. However it turns
to understand why Black was tempted into out that c7 is not as safe as it appears.
this, but unfortunately for him, the idea can
be refuted. IO.a3
Immediately attacking Black's structure.
20.hc4 Wfxa3 21.lLla4!
The queen is trapped. White is just IO e6
.••
threatening to play .icl next and pick it up. The standard recipe. Black answers White's
The only way to get a fair amount of material flank attack with operations in the centre. The
in return is the way Black continues in the whole 5.f3-line is all about the initiative.
game. But at the end of the line, he is just lost.
1 0 . . . bxa3 l l .E!:xa3 E!:xa3 1 2.bxa3 is very
2I. i.d4t 2Z.Ci!;>fl i.e3 23.i.c3 id4 24J3al
•.
pleasant for White, who can meet 1 2 ... g6 with
Wfxal t 25.hal hal 26.Wfbl! i.d4 27.Wfb7 an annoying check: 1 3.�a4t l2Jbd7 ( 1 3 ... id7
Tying up his opponent completely. 14.�a8±) 1 4.l2Je2 ig7 1 5.lL:\c3;t;
27 liJf6 28.liJb6 lLlxe4 29.Wfxe7
.••
l l.dxe6 he6
1-0
Conclusion: Against 5 ... axb5 it is important

to remember the knight manoeuvre lLla3-c4,
to be followed by the opening of the queenside
with a2-a3.
Levin - Marinkovic
Podgorica 1 993
l.d4 liJf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.£3

axb5 6.e4 Wfa5t 7.i.d2 b4 s.lLla3 d6 9.lLlc4
Wfc7 12.if4!
This is what I was talking about. With the
black queen on c7 this attack on the d6-pawn
is very strong and I prefer it to 1 2.axb4. Were
the queen on d8 instead, Black could just
respond ... d5 and solve all his problems.
12 E!:a6
.•.
Taking the knight is anti-positional:

1 2 ....ixc4 1 3 ..ixc4
White has a huge advantage - his grip on the
position is so strong that he can even give up
a pawn and just play quietly on.
13 ...bxa3 14J'ha3 !'i:xa3 1 5.bxa3 WaSt 1 6.<;t>f2

W'xa3 1 7.tLle2 tLlbd7 1 8.W'a l ! W'xa l 1 9.!'i:xal
The rook will harass Black from the a-file,
while Black's prospects of developing his
kingside are dire. Lean back and enjoy this
wonderful display.
19 ... h6 20.!'i:a8t <;t>e7 2 l .!'i:a6 lLl e5 22.!'i:a7t
<;t>e8 23 ..ixe5 dxe5 24.tLl c 1 !
N o hurry.
24 ... !'i:h7 25 ..ib5t <;t>dg 26.!'i:a8t <;t>e? 27.tLld3
!'i:h8 28.tLlxe5 <;t>e6 29.tLld3 c4 30 ..ixc4t <;t>d7 a b c d e f g h
3 1 .e5 lLl h7 32.J.xf7 tLlg5 33.J.g6 lLle6 34.f4 2 l .W'a8t
1-0 2 l ..ixd7t!N lLlxd7 22.tLle2 looks quite
Monacell - Vujanovic, e-mail 2008. promising for White.
2 I ...<;t>e7 22.J.xf6t gxf6 23 ..ixd7 <;t>xd7
13.axb4 gxal 14.\Wxal cxb4 1 5.'1Wa4t The situation was very unclear in Vaisser -
White goes for the attack. Mek, Tel Aviv 1 990. White's king is almost as
weak as Black's. Almost!
Alternatively, the simple 1 5.W'a5 gives White a
pleasant ending. 17.exf6! Lfi 18.cj{xfl gxf6 19.tLle2
With excellent compensation for the pawn.
15 ... tLlc6 Black's pawns are in a mess, aren't they?
19 '1Wb6 20.g3 J.e7 2I.tLld4!

.•.
Using tactics to make progress.
21. ..cj(d7 22.J.e3 gc8 23.cj{g2 '!Wa5 24.'1Wb3

tLlxd4 25.Ld4 cj(es 26.gel±
All of White's pieces are taking part.
26 '1Wf5 27.ge2 cj{£8 28.'1We3 l::k7

•.•
a b c d e f g h
16.e5!
The point. White will have a strong initiative.
16 Lc4
.••
Taking the pawn also leaves Black under

pressure:
1 6 ... dxe5 1 7 ..ixe5 W'd7 1 8.tLlb6 W'b7 19 . .ib5
W'xb6 20 ..ixc6t .id7
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 5 - Benko Gambit 1 53
29.g4 The correct move is 1 O ... e6 to fight for the

29.�b6! Ei:d7 30.�d8! won at once. initiative, as shown in the next game.
29...'%Vg6?! 30.Ab6! l"i:b7 3 t..tds! 1 Uha3 l"i:xa3 12.bxa3 e6

He doesn't miss it a second time. Or 1 2 ... g6 13.Wa4t �d7 14.Wa7 and Black's
position is hopeless.
3t. ..Lds 32.YMest 'ii>g7 33.YMxds YMd3
34J�e8 YMc2t 35.'ii> g3 13.Aa5! '%Vd7
1-0 1 3 ...We7 14.Wa4t Wd7 1 5.lLlxd6t! �xd6
1 6.�b5 Game over! Kantsler - Rotstein, Tel
Conclusion: Apparently 9 .. .'�c7 is a mistake. Aviv 1 997.
After 1 O.a3 e6 1 1 .dxe6 �xe6 1 2.�f4! Black has
no good moves. 14.'%Vb3
The pressure on the queenside is already
more than Black can stand.
Postny - Petritaj
8
Kallithea 2009
7
I.d4 ttlf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.f.3 6
axb5 6.e4 YMa5t 7.Ad2 b4 8.ttla3 d6 9.ttlc4 5
YMds
All the way back. 4
3
10.a3
White hits his opponent's pawn structure. 2
a b c d e f g h
14 YMb7
••.
14 ... exd5 1 5.exd5 We7t 1 6.f2 lLla6

1 7.Wb5t lLld7 1 8.Wc6 1-0 Schutt - Wagner,
Las Vegas 1 995.
15.'%Vxb7 Axb7 16.dxe6 d5

After 1 6 ... fxe6 1 7.�c7,White also wins a
pawn.
17.exf7t 'ii>xf7 18.exd5 ttlxd5 19.ttlh3

a b c d e f g h White has a won position.
10...bxa3?!
Very natural, but also very bad. The 19 ...Ae7 20.Ad3 ttlc6 2I .Ad2 l"i:d8 22.ttlf2
instructive continuation will soon highlight Ah4 23.0-o Lflt 24.'ii>xf2 ttlf4?! 25.h£4
the problems. 1-0
Conclusion: Black's premature 1 0 ... bxa3 led 1 5 ... li:Jd7 1 6.b3N and White has the
to White quickly infiltrating the queenside. initiative.
1 5 . . .id6 is quite solid: I 6.li:Jxd6t Wfxd6
1 7.'\Wcl 0-0 1 8.li:Je2 and White retains some
advantage.
I. Sokolov - Bareev The aggressive text move has scored well for
Black, but a game between computers has
Pardubice 1 994 shown the correct way for White to contain
Black's initiative:
I.d4 c!L!f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.f3 I 6.'\Wa5! li:Jd3t 1 7.ixd3 Wfxd3 1 8.li:Ja3 ie7
axb5 6.e4 Wfa5t 7 ..id2 b4 8.c!L!a3 d6 9.c!L!c4 19.'1Wc3 Wfg6 20.�f2t
Wfds 10.a3 e6! Rybka - Protector, Trier 20 1 0.
Counterplay, that's the key to this sharp
variation. 12...bxa3
The move that should always be investigated
s /-- ---- ""'% ,�-��
x •..t�•� , is:
�� -� �
7
- -
12 ... d5
�%'"/,} ----%�
- t� · · �
,,
6
5
4 �-� �-8�� '/·----'� �
� ��
�
3
""'%�p � " ��-� �� -�
2 W[j- m � 8 W�
�--- "�W=fmit
a b c d e f g h
l l .dxe6
l l .axb4 l"'xal 1 2.1Wxal exd5 1 3.exd5 tLlxd5 1 3.exd5
14.1Wa8 ie6 1 5.bxc5 dxc5 16.ia5 Wfc8 has 1 3.ib5t!? id7 I4.ixd7t Wfxd7 1 5.e5! tLlh5
been played in numerous games. White cannot 1 6.axb4 l"'xal 1 7.1Wxal ± gave Black nothing
break down the defence, and the game is for the pawn in C. Wagner - Verdier, Cannes
level. 1 997. However, Black can improve with
1 4 ... tLlbxd7!N 1 5.exd5 ie7 1 6.li:Je2 0-0
1 1. ..he6 12.c!L!e3!? 1 7.0-0 li:Jb6, when he will regain the pawn
An interesting positional concept. with equality.
1 3 ... li:Jxd5 1 4.ib5t id7 1 5.li:Jxd5!?N
The alternative is to grab the pawn: 1 5.ixd7t Wfxd7 1 6.1Wc2 ie7 gave White
1 2.axb4 l"'xal 13.1Wxal d5! 14.exd5 tLlxd5 no advantage in Tishin - Afromeev,
1 5.b5 Donskoj 2002.
This looks risky, but it may offer White an 15 ...ixb5 1 6.ig5 Wid?
edge. After 1 6 ...1Wxg5 1 7.li:Jc7t �e7 1 8.li:Jxb5±
I 5 ... li:Jb4 the black king is threatened with mate in
two, while the white king will be relatively

safe on fl .
1 7.@f2 f6 1 8 ..if4 @f7 19.l!k7 l:!aS 20.ltlxb5
'!Wxdl 2 1 .1:'!xdl Elxb5
With accurate defence, Black has escaped
into a level endgame.
13Jha3 tlJbd7 14.tlJe2 �ha3

Black would rather do without this, but it
is important to get in the ... d5 break, without
allowing the rook to swing over to d3 or
e3.
a b c d e f g h
After 14 ....te7 1 5 .lt:J f4;!; White clamps down 22... tlJb6 23J�el t �d7 24..ie6t �c7
on the ciS-square.
25.tlJf5!
It should not be made too easy for Black to
15.bxa3 d5 get his bishop out from f8.
25 ... c4 26-l:�bl! .ic5

After 26 ....txa3 27 ..ta5 .tc5 28.ltlxg7,
White will soon take the c-pawn.
27.�xg7 gdst 28.�e2 gd.3

Black has finally been able to activate all his
pieces. The price was high though - a pawn!
29.J.b4 ge3t 30.�fl Lb4 31.axb4 c3

32.�£2
Imprecise. 32.gcl !± gave excellent winning
a
chances. For instance: 32 ... ltla4 33.'tt> f2 Eld3
b c d e f g h
34.'tt> g3 'kt>b6 35 ..tc4 Ele3 36.ltlf5 Ei:eS 37.ltld4
16.exd5 tlJxd5 17.tlJxd5 .ixd5 18 ..ic3! Ei:g5t 38.'tt> f2 and White has improved his
The pressure on g7 prevents the natural position considerably.
development of Black's kingside.
32 ... gd.3 33.gcl .id7 34..ib3 �c6 35.�h5
18 ....ic6 19.tlJ g3 WigS 20.Wfd2! Now Black will keep his dangerous c-pawn.
A good choice. By exchanging queens White
avoids letting the initiative slip through his Correct was 35.'tt> e2 Ei:d2t 36.'tt> fl 'tt> b 5
fingers. On the contrary, the pressure remains (36 ... Ei:d3 37 ..tc2) 37.Ei:xc3 'kt>xb4 38.ge3 and
and in an ending the value of the passed White can keep playing on.
a-pawn markedly increases.
35 ...�b5 36.tlJxf6 i.f5 37.�g3 gd6 38.�e8
20 ...Wfxd2t 21.�xd2 f6 22.J.c4 gg6t 39.�£4 J.d7 40.i.f7 E!c6 41.�e5
White has great play. �xb4 42.tlJf6 c2 43.tlJd5t tlJxd5 44.Ld5
gc5 45. �d6 i.f5 46.i.e4 h.e4 Developing with l O ... tLlhG is more
lfz-lf2 circumspect, when l l .�d3 0-0 1 2.0-0 is
only slightly better for White.
Conclusion: This is as good as it gets for Black l l .fxe5 l2lxe5 1 2.bxa6 Wa5 13.l2lxe5 �xe5
in the 5 . . . axb5 line - the queen goes all the way 1 4.�b5t i>f8 1 5.Wf3 'it>g7 1 6.0-0 �d4t
back with 9 ...'1Wd8, and instead of taking on 17.�e3 tLlfG
a3, Black plays 1 O ...eG with counterplay. Still,
White obtained a pleasant positional edge.
There is plenty food for thought, especially the
critical alternatives for both White and Black
on the 1 2th move.
The 5 ... g6 Variation

l.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.f3 g6
Black aims for a standard Benko piece and
pawn formation. Please note that the popular
5 ... d6 6.e4 g6 will just transpose to the a b c d e f g h
mainline. Kramnik - Ponomariov, Nice (rapid) 20 1 0.
In this position I found a nice idea:
6.e4
18.�c6!N gxaG 1 9.�xd4 cxd4 20.l2le4 '1Wd8
2 1 .l2lxf6 exfG 22.b4
This would have decided the game. The
white pawns steal the show.
7.�a3
The other knight will go to c3.
7...i.g7 8.�e2 0-0

8 ... axb5 9.l2lxb5 is covered in Game 56.
a b c d e f g h 8
6...d6 7
Allowing White to play e4-e5 is a gamble:
6 ...�g7 7.e5 l2lg8 8.f4 dG 9.l2lf3 l2ld7
6
The e5-pawn is being undermined, but 5
White will have easy piece development
4
and a powerful initiative. A game - albeit a
rapid one - between two world class players 3
confirms that it will be difficult for Black to 2
even it out.
1 o.ltJc3 dxe5 1
a b c d e f g h
The first phase is completed. White White is clearly better. Here is a sample
deliberately refrains from taking on a6 and variation:
instead maintains absolute control over the
important bS-square. In the next phase White 15 ... tLle7
will try to finish his development and install a Not 1 5 ...ixb2 1 6.Ei:b l ig7 1 7.tt:lxd6! and
piece blockade on bS. Then in a perfect world, White is doing very well.
the third phase would be all about realizing the
extra pawn. 16.ic4 .L:b2 17.ih6 ig7 18.hg7 'i!i>xg7
19.�d3±
9...e6 Material is equal, but the d6-pawn is terribly
Asking for too much. weak.
Black can try to contniue in Benko mode

with 9 ... axb5, when 1 0.tt:laxb5 transposes to
Game 56. Gillam - MacMillen
Or he can try to undermine the white centre Correspondence 1998
with 9 ... tt:lbd7 followed by ... tt:lb6, and only
then ... e6 - see more in Game 57. I.d4 tlJf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.f3 g6
6.e4 d6 7.tlJa3 i.g7 s.tlJe2 axb5 9.tLlxb5 0-0
IO..ic4! lO.tlJec3
This response is the obvious drawback to the
immediately 9 ... e6. The following few moves
are more or less forced.
10 ...exd5 I I.tlJxd5 axb5 12.tlJxb5 tL!xd5

13.hd5
White's piece control over d5-square secures
him a positional edge. Play may continue:
13 .. J:�a6 14.0-0 tlJc6 15.ie3
a b c d e f g h
The b5-square has the leading role in the
strategic play. In a normal Benko, Black
has excellent positional pressure down the
a- and b-files. Here this is rather effectively
stopped by the white knight. White is far
behind in development though, and while
he is trying to catch up, Black may be able
to challenge White's domination of the b5-
square.
a b c d e f g h
lO...ltla6
This is the way to do it. The knight is going
to c7 and then the bishop can come to aG.
l l ..ie2 ltlc7 12.0-0 lll xb5 13.Lb5 Wfb6

1 3 ....!a6 was answered by 14.a4?! in
San Segundo Carrillo - Illescas Cordoba,
Madrid 1 995. Now Black missed the small
combination: 14 ... 4:lxe4!N 1 5.fxe4 .!xc3
1 6.bxc3 ( 1 6 ..!xa6 .!d4t) 1 6 ....!xb5+
Instead White should just play 14 ..!xa6 with
a normal game.
a b c d e f g h
14.a4 .id7 15J�a3!? Lb5 16.ltlxb5 With complete control. It turns out that the
black c-pawn is about to drop as well. The two
connected passed pawns are more than enough.
23 ... ltlb8 24.gcl Wfd7 25.gxc4 ltla6 26.ltld4

gxc4 27.Wfxc4 Wfg4 28.ltlf3 ih6 29.Wfc6 Wfc8
30.b5 ltlc5 3l.ixc5 dxc5 32.Wfxc8t gxc8
33.a6 ix£4 34.a7 gas 35.b6 ib8 36.ltle5
1--0
Conclusion: A good plan against 5 ...g6

is to move the queen's knight to a3 and the
king's knight to c3, and then to install a piece
blockade on b5, stopping Black's normal
a b c d e f g h positional pressure down the b-file.
16.. J�fb8 17.Wfe2 ltld7?!
Allowing White to maintain the piece
blockade on b5.
Fedorowicz - Peltrault
Correct was 1 7 ... 4:le8 followed by .Ji'Jc7. St Martin 1 993
White would only be slightly better then, as it
is difficult to exploit the extra pawn. l.d4 ltlf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.f3 g6
6.e4 d6 7.ltla3 ig7 8.ltle2 0-0 9.tLlc3 ltlbd7
18.�hl Wfd8 1 o ..ie2 llJ b6
Going backwards is often a sign that 10 ... 4:le8 1 1 .0-0 4:lc7 has been played
something fundamental is wrong. several times, but after 1 2 ..!g5! followed by
Wd2, White has an active position - and a
19.b3 gc8 20.£4 c4 2l .b4! ltlb6 22.a5 lll d7 pawn more!
23.ie3
1 1 .0-0 e6
Black is trying to undermine the d5-spot.
Now it is a clear pawn more, and on top of

8
that the pair of bishops - White is completely
7 winning. The American grandmaster doesn't
6 hurry though. He must have thought that the
point was already in rhe bank. But it is not!
5 Luckily the position is so good that even a little
4 fumbling doesn't influence the result.
3 26 ... tiJh6 27.tLld4 �kc8 28.b5 tLlbc4 29.�h4
2 �f7 30.tlJc6 tLlxc6 3 l.�xc4 tLleS 32.�e2
1
�h7 33J"kl dS 34.exd5 exdS 35Jhc8 �xc8
36J'l:dl d4 37.�e4 d3 38.�e3 �c4 39.�h7
a b c d e f g h l:l:d7 40.�a8t <j;lh7 4I.b6 �h3 42.�e4t
12.dxe6 fx:e6 <j{gs 43.l:l:d2 l:l:d8 44.h4 �c4?!
Not 1 2 ...j,xe6 1 3.bxa6. Allowing a little trick.
13.�g5
White is much better.
13 ...h6 14.�h4 gS IS.�fl <j;lhs

Black has no plan. The problem is that if
he takes on b5, White takes back with the a3-
knight and attacks d6.
16.bxa6 �e7 17.l:l:el ha6 18.tLlabS l:l:fd8

19.�c2 hhS 20.tLlxb5 tiJfd7 2l .a3 tLleS 2
22.l:l:adl l:l:ac8 23.�fl tLla8 1
a
"'""'"'--�'"'--�'"'-::.=-=�---'
This can hardly be right, but in any case
b c d e f g h
Black's position is just bad.
4S.�xd3! �d t
24.�d2 l:l:c6 2S.h4! cxb4 26.axb4 45 . . . l:l:xd3 46.1Wxc4t tt'lxc4 47.l:l:xd3+-
46.<j;lh2 l:l:e8 47.�d5t <j;lhg 48.�b5 tlJg4t

8
49.fxg4 l:l:xe3 SO.�d8t <j;lh7 S I.�d3t l:l:xd3
7 52.�xd3t <j{gs 53.�e3
6 1-0
5 Conclusion: Black's attempt to undermine
4 the d5-pawn was nor a success. Although
the pawn was in fact removed, the resulting
3 position turned out to be much worse than
2 before.
1
a b c d e f g h
The 5 ... e6 Variation

l.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.f3 e6
The sharpest option. Black picks up the
gauntlet and begins a tense fight for the centre.
It quickly leads to immense complications.
6.e4 exd5
The obvious move, until you discover that
White is not obliged to recapture, but can
instead push his e-pawn forward. There are a b c d e f g h
a couple of alternatives, but I do find them 1 O.'Uh3

impressive: 1 O.ig5!?N is my suggested improvement:
1 0 ...�b6 1 l .'Uge2 exd5 ( 1 1 ...0-0 transposes
6 ...i.b7 7.lt:lc3 exd5 8.exd5 to the line with 9 ... 0-0 above) 1 2 ..bf6
8.e5 l2lh5 is highly unclear, but seems to be �xf6 1 3.'Uxd5 �d6 14.�d2 0-0 1 5.b4 ia7
roughly balanced. 1 6.�f4±
8 ...i.d6 1 0 ... exd5
This set-up is more speculative than healthy. 1 0 ... 0-0! is the reason why I believe White
9.i.c4 0-0 10.lt:lge2 should improve on the previous move. After
Black's compensation is hard to find. A l l .�b3 exd5 1 2.e5 Black has the fantastic:
practical example continued: 1 2 ... 'Uc6! 1 3.ixc6 ixc6 14.exf6 E:e8t
1 0 ...i.e5 1 1 .0-0 d6 1 2.a4 lt:l bd7 13.i.g5 Wa5 1 5.®d1 �xf6 The white king is decidedly
Nguyen Anh Dung - Skytte, Budapest uncomfortable and Black's compensation for
1 999. Here White has a simple route to an the piece appears sufficient.
advantage: 1 1 .e5
1 4.f4!N i.xc3 1 5.l2lxc3± This advance is White's idea.
1 1 ...'Uh5
6 ... c4?! 1 l ...�e7 1 2.�e2 'Uh5 1 3.ig5 �e6 1 4.E:d 1
This imaginative sacrifice was recommended 0-0 ( 1 4 ... d4 is met by 1 5.ic4) 1 5.ie3 and
in Dangerous Weapons: lhe Benoni and White is clearly better.
Benko. It secures a nice square on c5 for the 1 2.'Uxd5
dark-squared bishop, but it costs a second 1 2.ig5! is much stronger: 1 2 ...�c7
pawn, and that is the problem! 1 3.'Uxd5 �xe5t 14.�e2 �xe2t 1 5.®xe2
7.i.xc4 axb5 8.i.xb5 i.c5 9.lt:lc3 i.b7 ixd5 1 6.E:hc1 'Ua6 1 7.ixa6 id6 1 8.ic4
9 ... 0-0 1 0.lt:lge2 'Wb6 ( 1 0 ... exd5 1 l .ig5!;!;) and White has an edge.
1 l .ig5 Black has absolute control over 1 2 ... 0-0 1 3.'Ug5?
the a7-g1 diagonal, but it is hardly worth A blunder. 13.ie2 would be unclear.
two pawns. 1 1 ...lt:la6 ( l l ...lt:le8 1 2.!k1 1 3 ...ixd5 1 4.�d3
if2t 1 3.®fl f6 1 4.dxe6! fxg5 1 5.e7 l':!:£7 1 4.�xd5 'Wa5t-+
1 6.lt:ld5+-) 1 2.ixf6 gxf6 1 3Jl:b1 'Uc7 1 4 ... g6 1 5.g4 'Ug7 1 6.�xd5 �a5t 1 7.id2
14.ic4 ia6 1 5.ixa6 E:xa6 1 6.®fl Hauchard �xb5 1 8.'Ue4 'Ua6
- Guidarelli, Vichy 2000. White plans g2-g3 Black was winning in Hawkins - G. Jones,
followed by ®g2, with a clear advantage. Torquay 2009.
7.e5! A deep move. The way is opened for the

White goes for everything. black queen who can now go to c5, or even
sometimes b4. If Black tries to solve his
problems in the centre right away, his position
will be blown apart quicker than you can spell
P-a-1 B-e-n-k-o.
10 ... d6? 1 1 .lLlf4! dxe5 1 2.lLlfxd5 'Wd6 and

now the most precise is 13.'We4, when the
computer evaluation goes berserk - White just
wins!
1 O .. d4?! 1 1 .lLle4± 'Wxe5? 1 2.if4 'We6

.
13.lLlhg5 'We7 1 4.lLld6t and that is that.
a b c d e f g h The only real alternative to the game move

7.. .'fle7 is the somewhat passive 1 0 ... 'Wd8 l l .lLlf4
Not 7 ... lLlh5 8.'Wxd5. lLle7, when White must have many ways to
be better. 1 2.lLlh5 is annoying for Black, and
8.'We2 lLlg8 just developing with 1 2.g3 is good too. My
Sad, but 8 ... lLlh5? 9.g4 loses the knight. personal favourite is 1 2.'it>f2!? as in Game 58.
9.lLlc3 �b7 IO.lLlh3
a b c d e f g h
I I .llJ£4!
a b c d e f g h The modern move. In the majority of
The knight will go to f4, hitting the d5-pawn. games White has opted for l l .ie3 axb5
Already the position demands great accuracy 1 2.0-0-0, but after 12 ...'Wb4 Black gets
from Black - or rather great knowledge. To be active counterplay. One of the points is the
on your own in a tactical mess like this in the spectacular 1 3.l'hd5 'Wxc3t! 1 4.bxc3 i.xd5
computer age would be hopeless. with excellent compensation for the queen.
IO...c4! l l . .'flc5
.
The only move. Neither l l ...axb5 1 2.tLlfxd5 Black's set-up looks extremely clumsy, but
nor 1 1 ...1Wb4 1 2.a3 '1Wa5 13.i.d2 is satisfactory before laughing too much we should perhaps
for Black. address our own development.
12.�!2!?
8 White starts by developing his king! More
7 seriously, he is already anticipating that it will
be useful to have the e 1 -square free for a rook.
6
5 12...c4
Opening the diagonal towards the white
4
king.
3
13.ie3 �f5
2 Forcing the play before he is really ready for
1 it.
a b c d e f g h 1 3 ... axb5 is safer, but still not wholly
Iv!lHxdS! satisfactory after 1 4.'\Wd2.
This spectacular piece sacrifice has renewed
the interest in the whole variation after being 14.tLlfxd5 hd5 15.�xd5 �xe3 I6.Y!fxe3
adopted by the young American fighter axb5
Nakamura. See Games 59-6 1 for the details.
8
7
Petursson - D. Gurevich 6
Sr Marrin 1 993
5
4
I .d4 tLlf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.0 e6
3
6.e4 exd5 7.e5 Y!fe7 S.Y!ie2 �gS 9.�h3 Y!idS
IO.�c3 ib7 l l.�f4 �e7 2
1
a b c d e f g h
17.�f6t! gxf6 IS.exf6t ie7 19.fxe7
Maybe Black had seen this far ahead and
planned to take back on e7, but once he
actually had the position on the board, he
realized there was a problem.
19 ...Y!fc7
1 9 ...'1Wxe7 20J!e1 ! '1Wxe3t 2 l .l"i:xe3t Wd8
22.l"i:e5! and the black queenside pawns fall.
20.b3 d5 2l.a4 ttlc6 22.i.e2 d4 23.�e4 Conclusion: With 5 ... e6 Black is seeking an
The advancing black pawns look very active fight, so following up with the passive
threatening, but Petursson has calculated 9 ...1Mfd8 is a contradiction. And contradictions
precisely and foreseen that his opponent's lead to problems.
structure will collapse and end up being
weak.
23 ... f5 24.�e6 d3 25.axb5 �b6t 26.�e3 Nyzhnyk - Siebrecht

White heads for a winning endgame, but
26. �g3! would have won at once. Wijk aan Zee 20 1 1
26...�xe3t 27.i>xe3 E!xal 28.E!xal dxe2 l.d4 ttlf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.f3 e6
29.bxc6 cxb3 30.i>xe2 i>xe7 3 l.E!a7t i>d6 6.e4 exd5 7.e5 �e7 8.�e2 ttlg8 9.ttlc3 i.b7
32.E!b7 i>xc6 33Jhb3 lO.ttlh3 c4 l l .ttlf4 �c5 12.ttlfxd5!
8 '" ""� ��-�41\�.i

��
: r,��,�-
8
��
��
,�.
----- � - -----
5 5
�.,•• ,.��
4
�!*d��•••
�m:m!wtJ
4
3 3
2 2
y
____ ��-0� ��----
_ __ j�'%
1 � � ��m M
The rook ending is winning easily. The black A nasty surprise for the tall German
king is too far away from the kingside - had grandmaster. Although the sacrifice was well
it been on g6 it would have been a different known by the time of this game, it demands
story. that you have analysed it seriously in training
camp. Over the board it is pretty hopeless to
33... i>d6 34.i>e3 E!eSt 35.i>f4 E!e2 improvise against it.
36.E!d3t! i>c5
36 ... 'it>e6 37J:!e3t reaches a simply won 12 ...Ld5 13.i.e3 �b4
pawn ending. Forced. Black must pin the knight.
37.g3 E!xh2 38.i>xf5 h5 39.£4 i>c4 40.E!d8 14.a3 �aS 15.i.d2 i.e6 16.ttld5 �a4?
E!g2 4I .E!h8 E!xg3 42.E!xh5 i>d5 43.i>f6t This leads to big problems. The colourful
i>e4 44.£5 E!a3 45.E!hl E!a2 46.E!bl E!a3 display of the young Ukrainian talent is worth
47.E!b4t i>d5 48.i>f7 following though.
1-0
Retreating with 1 6 ... �d8 is the obvious move,
as in the Nakamura game that we will examine

right after this one.
1 6 ... c3N
It is a serious option to insert this before
withdrawing the queen.
1 7.i.xc3 �d8 1 8.�c4 l'!a7
a b c d e f g h
24.'1Wd6!
The queen penetrates and quickly decides
the game.
a b c d e f g h 24...'1Wxb2t 25.i>g1 ttlc6 26.'1Wf8t ci!;>c?

27.'1Wc8t ci!;>d6 28.�c5t ci!;>e5
19.�d4!
What a journey!
The point ofBlack's 1 6th move is that 1 9 .l'!c 1
is no longer a problem with the white bishop
29.ttlxd7t .L:d7 30.\Wxd?
blocking the c-file.
The knight on c6 is lost.
1 9 ... l'!a8
After 1 9 ... l'!b7 20.bxa6 lLlc6 2 l .�e4
30... ttlf6 3 1.'1Wxc6 c3 32.'1Wd6t i>f5 33.�d3t
followed by b2-b4, the white pawns provide
i>g5 34.�e3t
more than enough compensation for the
1-0
piece.
20.lLlb6 axb5 2 1 .lLlxa8 lLlc6 22.�d2 �xa8
Conclusion: A fantastic introduction to the
23.i.xb5 lLlge7 24.0-0 lLld5 25.b4 �b8
spectacular piece sacrifice.
26.i.xc6 dxc6 27.i.d4 i.e? 28.l'!fcl
White holds a small advantage.
17.ttlc7t i>d8 18.ttlxa8 axb5 19.ttlb6 '1Wa6

20.�e3 Nakamura - Vachier Lagrave
Protecting the knight. Cap d'Agde (rapid) 2008
20...�b4t 21.axb4 '1Wxa1 t 22.Cit>f2 l.d4 tt:l£6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.£3
Time to take stock. Rather surprisingly,
e6 6.e4 exd5 7.e5 '�We? 8.'1We2 ttlg8 9.ttlc3
material is equal! That apart, White has a
.ib7 10.ttlb3 c4 1 1.�£4 '1Wc5 12.�fxd5!
totally overwhelming position. Black decides
.L:d5 13 ..ie3 '1Wb4 14.a3 '1Wa5 15.�d2 .ie6
to grab a pawn, but is severely punished.
16.ttld5 '1Wd8 17.'1Wxc4 ga7
Forced to meet the threat of tLlc7t.
22 ttlc6 23.'1Wd2! ttlxe5?!
..•
17 ...�xd5 1 8.'Wxd5 :B:a7 1 9.�c4 is horrible for Black's material advantage has vanished, but
Black. his positional problems have not.
lSJ�cl 20... tL!c6

Reaching a critical position for the whole In a later game, Black didn't fare any better
5.f3-system. with:
20 ... b4 2 l .'Wxd8t 'it>xd8 22.axb4 d6
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 23.b5! dxe5 24.�a5t �e8 25.b6 �d6 26.b7

The b-pawn is extremely strong.
18 a.xb5
•..
26 ... tt:l e7 27.�b5t �f8 28.�c7 �xc7 29.:B:xc7
As we shall see, this is clearly not satisfactory f5 30.i>f2
for Black. White brings in the other rook.
30 ... �f7 3 l .:B:d l f4 32.:B:c5 tt:lg6 33.�c4 �xc4
The latest attempt to breathe new life into the 34.:B:xc4 tt:le7 35.:B:d6
5 ... e6-line is 1 8 ...�xd5! 1 9.'Wxd5 axb5, which
is examined in the final illustrative game in this
chapter.
19.tLlc7t :B:xc7 20.Y:Yxc7
8
7
6
5 a b c d e f g h
4 Black is completely tied up. The finish is
3 nice.
35 ... :B:e8 36.:B:c7 �f8 37.:B:e6 i>f7 38.:B:c8!
2 tt:ld7 39.b4
1 39.:B:xe5 is even more beautiful.
39 ...�xe6 40.:B:xe8 1-0
a b c d e f g h Agafii - Eletskikh, Kishinev 2009.
21.'1Wxd8t @xd8 22.i.xb5 �xe5 Conclusion: The more you look at the
Inviting White inside, but 22 ... 4Jge7 23.f4 sacrifice, the more you believe in it.
is no fun.
23.i.a5t @e? 24J�c8

lf;AME 6tl
It is over. Nieuweboer - Sobry
24...f5 25.i.b4t d6 e-mail 201 1
l .d4 ltJ f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.f.3 e6

6.e4 exd5 7.e5 Wi'e7 8.Wi'e2 ltJgS 9.ltJc3 .ib7
lO.ltJh3 c4 I I.ltJf4 Wi'c5 12.ltJfxd5! hd5
13 ..ie3 Wi'b4 14.a3 Wi'a5 15 ..id2 .ie6 16.ltJd5
Wi'd8 17.Wi'xc4 Ei:a7 ISJ'kl hd5!
By removing the knight, Black ensures that
he retains a material advantage, although now
the strong bishop pair will be an important
feature of White's compensation.
19.Wi'xd5 axb5 20..ixb5 ltJe7

The recent repertoire book, Play the Benko
a b c d e f g h Gambit by Nicolai V. Pedersen, claims that
Black has the chance to untangle nice and
26J3xf8 quietly. But that is a book from Black's point
When you are completely winning, of view - this one is from White's! I would
combinations tend to appear all by themselves. like to convince you that it is not so easy for
Black. White has two pawns for the piece and
26...@xf8 27.ixd6t @f7 28.he5 a very powerful pair of bishops. Of course the
White is two pawns ahead, but it was a rapid position is complicated, but it seems to me
game so Black continues to play. that Black is in for a tough defence. He may
get his king to safety, but White has long-term
28... �£6 29.0-0 �c8 30.a4 �d5 31 .�al positional pressure, a lot of extra space and,
�c2 32.i.d3 last but not least, a good grip on the position.
32.�el would prevent any counterplay.
32 ...�d2 33.i.c4 �c2 34.b3 �e3 35.ixe6t

@xe6 36.i.d4 f4
Black could have tried 36 . . . 4Jxg2 37.a5 tLlh4,
but after 38.if2 tt'lxf3t 39.�g2 tt'l h4t 40.Wfl
tLlf3 4l .a6 Ei:c8 42.a7 Ei:a8 43.Wg2 tt'le5 44.b4
Wd7 45.b5 White wins nevertheless.
37.ixe3 fxe3 38.a5 @d5 39.a6 �c8 40.a7

�aS 4I.@f1
1-0
a b c d e f g h
21.YlYe4! 23.i.e3 �a5t 24.'it>f2 :t:i:c7 25.:t:i:fd l is a

I believe this to be the best square for the safer approach, and looks slightly better for
queen. White.
23 ...i.e7
White has also tried: 2 l .�d3 :t:i:b7 (21 ...ltlbc6 After 23 ...�b7 24.0-0 ltld8 25.:t:i:c4 �xe4
22.f4 g6 23.0-0 E!:b7 24.i.e3 �b8 25.a4 i.g7 26.:t:i:xe4± White remains firmly in control.
26.i.c5 0-0 is given by Pedersen as being okay 24.ie3!?
for Black.) 22.b4 g6 23.f4 i.g7 24.i.e3 0-0 This leads to some entertaining tactics.
25.i.c5 'it>h8 26.E!:dl g5!? Lahlum - Fagerbekk, 24.E!:c4 gives Black time to regroup: 24 ... E!:c7
e-mail 20 10. The position remains highly 25.i.e3 �b7 26.0-0 0-0 27.:t:i:bl :t:i:e8 and
complicated and roughly balanced. with ...if8 coming next, Black has no
problems
21 ...YlYb6 24 ...ixb4t
Let's take a look at some of Black's other
24 ... �b7 can be met by either 25.:t:i:bl or
options: 25.:t:i:c4, with an edge for White in each case.
25.'it>e2 �aS
2 l ...g6 22.ie3 E!:c7 23.0-0 :t:i:xcl 24.:t:i:xc l
White has all his pieces where he wants them,
8
and will start advancing his queenside pawns ! . . . . //,.,.,.,.,
soon. 7
6
2 1 ...ltlbc6 a4 g6 5
·--�·· •··m ··m
22 ...�a8 23.ie3 :t:i:c7 24.ib6 :t:i:c8 25.0-0 4
and White has a pleasant edge.
3
23.0-0 i.g7 24.ie3 :t:i:b7 25.E!:fd l �b8 26.f4
0-0 27.ic5 E!:e8 28.\t>hl 2
8 a b c d e f g h
7 26.e6!
6 A nice touch.
5 26 ... fxe6 27.ixa7 ltlxa7
4
After 27 ...�xa7 28.ixc6 ltlxc6 29.E!:xc6
dxc6 30.�xb4, the major-piece endgame is
3
clearly in White's favour.
2 28.�xe6t 'it>d8 29.ixd7 ltlxd7 30.:t:i:cdl �xa4
3 l .:t:i:xd7t �xd7 32.E!:dl �xd l t 33.\t>xdU
a b c d e f g h The complications have resulted in an
unusual endgame. While Black is coordinating
It is hard to see how Black can liberate
his pieces, White will have time to take the g7-
himself. A fair judgement is slightly better
pawn, after which he is the only one who can
for White. This is another way of saying that
play for a win, even if it must objectively be
the result will be decided later, but White's
drawn.
prospects are superior.
22.a4 YlYb7
2l ... ltlec6 22.a4 �b6 23.b4
As well as 22 ... tt:lec6 transposing to the castle, so he starts a convoluted manoeuvre

previous note, Black has a couple of other ways with his queen in order to complete his
to try and unravel by exchanging pieces: development.
22 .. Jlc7 23Jlxc7 W:fxc7 24.b4 tt:lbc6 25.0-0;t 26.Whl .ig7 27J'Uel Wfd4 28.Wfe2 �c7
White retains his grip on the position. 29.�edl Wfb6 30..ie3 Wfb8 31..ic5 0-0
Black cannot afford to take the e-pawn, as Black finally gets his king to safety, but at the
25 ... tt:lxe5?! 26.W:/a8t W:fd8 27.W:/b7 leaves him cost of an exchange, leaving White's advantage
in big trouble. White's ideas include �e 1 and beyond question. The story should now end:
f3-f4, as well as simply advancing the a-pawn. " ... and White went on to win."
22 ... W:fg6 23.W:fe2 tt:lbc6 24.0-0 �b7 25.ie3 However, things do not always turn out
tt:ld5 26.�fd 1 tt:lxe3 27.W:fxe3 White threatens as they should, and after missing various
to advance the e-pawn. 27 ...W:/e6 28.W:/e4! opportunities, White even ended up losing ...
Now taking on c6 is the threat. 28 ...�c7
29.f4 g6 30.b4 Black's position remains under 32..id6 lL!f5 33..ixc7 Wfxc7 34.£4
considerable pressure. 34.e6! may be most accurate: 34 ... fxe6
35.ixc6 tt:ld4 36.ixd7!? (or 36.�xd4±)
23.Wfc4 lL!bc6 36 ...W:/xd7 37.W:fa6±
23 ... tt:lec6 24.0-0 ie7 is met by 25.ie3 �a5
26.W:/g4 g6 27.ih6, stopping Black castling 34...Wfa7 35.Wfe4 hS 36.b4
and keeping an edge. 36.ixc6 dxc6 37.�xc6 also looks promising
for White.
After 23 ... W:/b6 White can castle "by hand":
24.<;t>e2! �b7 25.�hd1 tt:lec6 26.<;t>fl ie7 36... lL!cd4 37..ic4 d6 38.a5 �h7 39.a6 �b8
27.W:/g4 g6 28.ih6;t 40.Wfd5 lL!e6 41.exd6 lL!e3 42.Wfd2 lL!xdl
43.�xdl lL!d4 44.Wfa2 �b6 4S.d7 �d6
24.0-0 g6 2S ..igS 46.ixf7 �xd7 47..ig8t �h6 48 .ic4 lL!f5 •
49.�xd7 Wfxd7 SO.Wfbl? lL!e3

8 0-1
7 Conclusion: Black put up a better defence to

6 the piece sacrifice, but White still achieved a
significant advantage.
5
4 Chapter Conclusion: The sharp 5.f3 against

the Benko is in for a big revival. White takes
3
the centre instead of the pawn, and chooses
2 initiative over structure. With the critical
5 ... e6 Black adapts and does pretty much the
1
same, leading to an open fight. However, the
a b c d e f g h original piece sacrifice 1 2.tt:lfxd5! has forced
2S ...Wfb6t Black onto the defensive, and if there is one
25 ...ig7 26.W:/c5 leaves Black unable to thing Benko players hate, it is to defend!
Chapter 6
Old Indian
Hurley: Dude, I don't know about this.
Charlie: See, you are looking at this all wrong. We need to
do this.
- Lost
The 5 . . . tLlc5 Variation page 1 7 1

The 5 . . . ie7 Variation page 1 73
I.d4 tLlf6 2.c4 d6 I do not believe that exchanging pawns and

queens gives White anything at all, so to stay
within our planned set-up we must play:
8
4.d5
7 Now 4 ... tt:lbd7 takes us into the mainline,
6 but Black may attempt to manage without
this knight move.
5 4 ...j,e7
4 4 ...j,f5!? 5.f3 e4 prevents us from following
up with e2-e4. This way of playing is a bit
3
too experimental though. Game 62 shows
2 the antidote.
5.e4 0-0 G.j,d3 cG 7.tt:lge2
1
This move order already puts us in a

dilemma. Building a whole repertoire around
the Samisch Variation of the King's Indian
markedly reduces our flexibility whenever
Black plays an early 2 ... d6. This is because we
can't answer with the obvious 3.tt:lf3 due to the
fact that Black may switch from a traditional
Old Indian to a King's Indian with 3 ... g6. This
b d f g
is a good reason to have a tt:lf3-line against a c e h
the King's Indian as a back-up. Fortunately,
I think I have found an interesting set-up 7 ... a6
without 3.tt:lf3 that gives us exactly the type of Black insists on avoiding the normal
game we are looking for. 7 ... tt:lbd7, which is a transposition to the
5 ...j,e7-variation below.
3.tLlc3 tLlbd7 7 ... tt:lh5 8.0-0 j,g5 9.j,c2N j,xcl l O.:gxcl;l;
The typical Old Indian move. Black can try 8.0-0 cxd5 9.cxd5 b5 1 0.a3;!;
to benefit from the move order by directly
playing: 4.e4
3 ... e5 No knight to f3!
4... e5 5.d5
I prefer to fix the pawn structure immediately.
The more flexible 5.tt:lge2 is of course also fully
playable - just not 5.tt:lf3.
After 5.d5 Black has two equally important

set-ups.
Chapter 6 - Old Indian 171
The 5.)Dc5 Variation opening. That means that the main plans and
ideas can be executed via different move orders
l.d4 c!Llf6 2.c4 d6 3.c!Llc3 c!Llbd7 4.e4 e5 5.d5 and often just transpose to each other. I will try
c!Llc5 6.f3 a5 to point out a few of them on the way though.
A key plan for Black in the Old Indian is to

exchange dark-squared bishops. To accomplish
that he can play ... h6, move the knight from
f6, and then play ...�g5. He can postpone
castling and go ahead with this master plan:
8 ... h6 9.0-0-0 cilfd7
9 ... cil h7 1 0.g3 and White is ready with
10 ...�g5 1 1 .f4, while 10 .. .f5 1 l .exf5 also
primarily helps White.
9 ... cilh5!? 1 0.g3 a4 1 1 .�h3 a3 1 2.b3 0-0
1 3.�xc8 '®xc8 14.cilge2 f5 1 5.exf5 l"i:xf5
1 6.l"i:hf1 l"i:f7 1 7.g4 cilf4 1 8.cilxf4 exf4
Elsness - Shulman, Stockholm 1998, and
7 .ie3
•
now 1 9.�xc5!N dxc5 20.l"i:fe 1 is good for
White has a Samisch-like position. He wants White. There is a lovely square for the rook
to continue with '®d2 and probably castle on e6.
long. 10.g3!
7 .ie7
..•
Black has one important alternative, and

I don't mean 7 ... g6 8JWd2 with a promising
King's Indian for White.
7 ... c6
Black prioritizes his queenside development.
8.cilge2 a4 9.cilcl cxd5 1 0.cxd5 '®a5 1 l .cild3
cilxd3t 12.�xd3 �e7 1 3.0-0 0-0
This was Vaisser - Comas Fabrego, New a b c d e f g h
York 1 998. Now I propose:
This important prophylactic move again.
1 4.l"i:b 1 !N
Black should not be allowed to carry out his
This secures the advantage for White. For
... �g5 operation.
instance:
1 0 ...a4
14 ...�d8 1 5.cilb5 �b6 1 6.'1We2 �xe3t 1 7.'1Wxe3
10 ...0-0 1 1 .h4 cilb6 1 2.f4 exf4 1 3.gxf4 �g4
l"i:a6 1 8.cila3 '®b6 1 9.'1Wxb6 l"i:xb6 20.cilc4 l"i:a6
1 4.�e2 �xe2 1 5.'1Wxe2 '®d7 1 6.cilf3 cilba4
2 1 .b4 axb3 22.l"i:xb3
1 7.cilxa4 '®xa4 1 8.�xc5 dxc5 1 9.�b 1 l"i:fe8
White has strong pressure in the ending.
20.l"i:hg1 l"i:a6 2 1 .e5+- Petursson - Knaak,
Thessaloniki (ol) 1 988, gave Black one of
8.'1Wd2 0-0
the worst openings of the entire chapter.
Essentially the Old Indian is a strategic
The Icelandic grandmaster Petursson is a 9 ... h6 is still not satisfactory, as demonstrated

real expert in this line and we shall see more in Game 63.
examples from him.
1 l .�b1 0-0 1 2.h4 c6 1 3.g4 '\Wa5 14.tt:lge2 9 ... a4 is pretty pointless, because after 1 0.'\t>b 1
tt:lb6 1 5.tt:lg3 cxd5 1 6.tt:lxd5! tt:lxd5 1 7.cxd5 a3 1 l .b3! the queenside is closed and you
'1Wxd2 1 8.E:xd2 E:d8 1 9.g5± must ask - who has the better prospects on the
With strong positional pressure, Moiseenko kingside? White, of course!
- Kozul, Warsaw 2005.
9 ...id7 1 0.tt:lge2 '1Wb8
Another try is the tricky knight move: This is a developing scheme with an idea.
8 ... tt:lh5 9.0-0-0 a4 Unfortunately it takes too much time for the
Black does without 9 ... h6, which would counterplay to arrive.
transpose to a line given after 8 ... h6 above. 1 l .g4 E:c8 1 2.g5 tt:le8 1 3.f4! exf4 14.ixc5
1 O.g3 c6 1 l .f4 exf4 1 2.gxf4 '1Wa5
This was Zsinka - Gross, Budapest 1 993.
White can maintain an edge with:
1 3.tt:lge2;!;N
9.0-0-0
a b c d e f g h
14 .. .f3
14 ... dxc5 1 5.'\Wxf4± is much better for
White as well.
1 5.ie3!N
This gives Black fewer chances for
counterplay than 1 5.tt:lg3 dxc5 1 6.e5;!;
Sutter - Vogt, Switzerland 1 997.
a b c d e f g h 1 5 ... fxe2 1 6.ixe2±
Black must choose a plan. For White it is
much easier. After castling long he intends to 10.g4
launch an offensive on the kingside one way Stopping ... f5.
or the other.
10.g3, intending to meet 1 0 ...f5 with 1 l .exf5
9 .. )t]e8 ixf5 12.h4, also looks good.
The most flexible. Black is ready to play .. .f5
with counterplay, and at the same time he can 10....th4
perhaps blockade a white pawn storm on the Black stops h2-h4.
dark squares.
l l.lLlge2 g6 12.lLlg3 lLlg7 13.E:gl
With an interesting positional duel where make it difficult to achieve: 8 ... tt'lh5 9.�e3
White's extra space gives a slight edge - see �g5 I O.�f2!;!;
Game 64 for more.
9.cxd5 tLlc5 IO.i.c2 aS I l.i.e3
The 5 ie7 Variation
...
White has a comfortable position. See more
in Game 65.
l.d4 t2Jf6 2.c4 d6 3.t2Jc3 t2Jbd7 4.e4 e5 5.d5
i.e? 6.i.d3 0-0 7.tLlge2 fi;AME 6tj
I. Novi.kov Piket
-
Lvov 1 988
l.d4 t2Jf6 2.c4 d6 3.tLlc3 i.f5!?

Black develops this bishop as early as the 3rd
move. This chapter is extremely rich in various
transpositions as you will notice throughout
the game section.
4.!3 e5 5.d5
We are back! We previously mentioned
a b c d e f g h reaching this position by the move order
3 ... e5 4.d5 �f5!? 5.f3.
7 ...c6
The natural way to soften up the white s ...e4
centre and seek counterplay on the queenside.
7 ... tt'lc5 is worse than it was on the 5th move,

because White has already developed his light
squared bishop: 8.�c2 a5 9.0-0;!;.
s.a
Bolstering the centre and creating the
Samisch set-up.
8 ... cxd5
If Black tries to take advantage of the weak
dark squares in the middle of the white camp
with 8 ...Wb6, then his queen is immediately
kicked back: 9.tt'la4! We? I O.�e3;!; and
everything is back in order, Perursson - Short,
Tilburg 1 992.
The standard idea of exchanging dark-squared

6...exf3
Other moves fail to impress:
bishops is on the map as usual, and again we
6 ... \We??! 7.g4 �g6 8.g5± White is ready to play lLlg3, followed by
advancing the h-pawn and putting a rook on
6 ...�g6 7.lLlh3 lLla6 and now 8.�d2!N is the g-file with a powerful attack. Black has no
promising for White, allowing 8 ... 4Jb4 to be way to generate real counterplay.
met by 9.0-0-0.
12 ... c!Llh5
6 ... c5 7.Wfe3!±N. 1 2 ... a6 1 3.lLlg3 b5 at least shows some
determination to get active play, but after
7.gxf3
1 4.cxb5 axb5 1 5.�xb5 Wfb6 1 6.Wfe2± I.
It is very natural to strengthen the centre
Novikov - Josenhans, Mineola 2002, White
and prepare e2-e4, though the developing
was j ust a pawn up, with his own initiative on
recapture 7.4Jxf3!?N could also be considered.
the kingside about to unfold.
7... c!Llbd7
Black can also start by playing: 13.c!Llg3 f5?!
7... c5 8.Wff2! Creating additional weaknesses. However,
The best square. The play now divides. there is not really anything good.
8 ... g6
8 ...�e7 9.h4! 0-0 1 0.e4 �d7 Videki - 14.exf5 c!Llxg3 15.hxg3 ixf5 16.Wfe3
Bernard, Cannes 1 989. White should now Preparing g3-g4.
play 1 1 .h5!N followed by developing his
dark-squared bishop, castling long, and ... 16 ... c!Lle5 17.g4 .ig6 18.£4
attack! Black is busted.
8 ... 4Jbd7 is liable to transpose into our main
game. 8
9.e4 �c8 1 0.4Jge2 4Jbd7 1 1 .lLlg3 h5 1 2.h4
4Jh7 13.�d2 lLle5 14.0-0-0± 7
White has a fantastic type of King's Indian 6
position, Avshalumov - Ilinsky, Sevastopol
5
1 986.
4
8.id2 c5 9.Wff2 .ie7 10.0-0-0 0-0 l l.e4
3
.ig6 12.c!Llge2
2
a b c d e f g h
18....ig5
Dark humour. 1 8 ... 4Jxg4 19.Wfe6t is
hopeless, and 1 8 ... 4Jd7 1 9.f5 �e8 20.g5! E:xf5
2 1 .�d3 is no better.
19.Wfg3
White doesn't even take on g5.
1-0
a b c d e f g h
Conclusion: Black cannot prevent White is that this is not a quiet manoeuvring game.
building his grand centre, because 5 ... e4 is The players have castled on opposite sides,
virtually refuted by 6.'Wd4!. meaning that the right strategy is a pawn storm.
It is easy to see that Black is unable to carry out
an effective pawn storm on the queenside, so
he drifts into passivity and defence. And that's
never fun.
Petursson - Westerinen
Espoo 1989 14... tlJa4 15.tLlxa4 ha4 16J:!d2 "1Mfb8 17.g5!
h5
I .d4 tLlf6 2.c4 d6 3.tLlc3 �bd7 4.e4 e5 5.d5 Trying to keep the kingside as closed as
tLlc5 6.f3 a5 7.ie3 ie7 8.'1Mfd2 h6 9.0-0-0 possible, but White insists.
0-0
18.f4! exf4 19.tLlxf4
Black has been completely outplayed.
8
7 19 ... g6 20.ih3 "1Mfe8
6
5 8
4 7
3 6
2 5
1 4
a b c d e f g h 3
lO.�bl tlJh7 2
Black follows his standard plan and in this 1
game he actually realizes it! But even so, he still
a b c d e f g h
faces big problems.
2I.tLlxg6!
l l .g4 ig5 White settles the issue with a small
It was much safer to play l l ...i.h4 to prevent combination.
the attacking plan seen in the game. Play then
would be similar to the Zhu Chen - Hort 21...fxg6 22.ie6t �g7 23."1Mfc3t
game which follows. Black's king has nowhere to hide. He is
forced to self-pin the knight. Needless to say,
12.h4! he3 it is over.
Not 1 2 ... i.xh4 13.i.xh6! and White crashes
through on the h-file. 23 ... ttJf6 24.:Sf2 id7 25.gxf6t �h7 26.f7
V!fe7 27.gf6
13.V!fxe3 id7 14.tLlge2 1-0
Positionally Black is doing okay. His problem
Conclusion: Black managed to exchange the evil. The knight on c5 was important as a
dark-squared bishops, but he was crushed by blockading defender of the queenside. Now
the white pawn storm. White will have a positional initiative on that
side of the board.
16.�xd3 �U7 17.cS;!; �e8 lS.�bS figS

Zhu Chen - Hort
19 ..i£2 a4 20.�a3!
Anticipating ... Eia5.
Veterans - Women, Copenhagen 1997
20 ... �b8 21J�g2 gaS 22.�c4 �aS 23.cxd6
l .d4 �f6 2.c4 d6 3.�c3 eS 4.dS �bd7 S.e4 bS 24.�b4 cxd6 2S.�e2
�cS 6.f.3 aS 7 ..ie3 fie? 8.�ge2
White can always throw in this move and
generally it will merely transpose to my
suggested lines. Personally I prefer the more
straightforward 8.�d2 followed by 0-0-0.
8 ... 0-0 9.�d2 �e8 10.g4

Stopping .. .f5.
10....ih4t l l.�g3 g6 12.0-0-0 �g7 13J�gl
8
7 a b c d e f g h
6 Things have gone completely wrong for
Black. The b5-pawn is weak and the blockade
5
of the kingside is history.
4
3 2S ...�d8 26.h4 .ih6 27.hS?!
Retaining all the positional plusses, but
2 missing a tactical solution.
a c
27 ..ib6! �xb6 28.lt:lc4 would win the
b d e f g h exchange and the game.
The position is closed, so space matters.
White has some extra room for her manoeuvres, 27 ... gas 28.hxg6 hxg6 29J�h2 .ig7
which is bound to at least make her position The bishop has to retreat into passivity, as
the more comfortable. The real question is 29 ... .ig5 30.Ei:dh l sees White penetrate to the
whether there is a way to break through. h8-square.
13 ... f6 14.<;tbl fid7 1 S ..id3 �xd3?! 30.fie3 �aS 31.�xaS gxaS 32.Ei:dhl
A difficult decision, as the bishop was on White keeps some pressure, even without
the way to c2, but allowing that was the lesser queens.
Chapter 6 - Old Indian 1 77
32 .. J�a8 33.�c2 gcs 34.id2 f5 e2 74. .iel i.e5 75.�d2t i>d5 76.�£3 i.d6
Finally an active move, although the opening 77.i>d3 if8 78.ic3
of the g-file also gives rise to new dangers. 1--0
35.gxf5 gxf5 36.ib4 �f6 Conclusion: If the position remains closed,

After the better 36 ... fxe4 37.fxe4 :B:c4, Black White usually has the more pleasant position
should be able to hold the position. thanks to the extra space. Often White can
generate play on the queenside.
37.�g3 fxe4 38.fxe4 �g4 39.gg2 if8
40,ghgl gg7
8 Tomescu - VI. Georgiev

7 Reggio Emilia 2004
6
l.e4
5 What on earth is that move doing in this
4 book? l .e4?!
3
l ...d6 2.d4 �f6 3.£3
2 A clever move if you are a Samisch addict.
See more in Chapter 8 .
1
a b c d e f g h 3...e5 4.d5
c6 5.c4 .ie7 6.�c3 0--0 7.i.e3 a5
41.�h5 gg5 42,gxg4! s.id3 �a6
White doesn't miss the next chance to launch This opening certainly takes its own route.
a small combination.
9.�ge2 �c5 10.ic2 cxd5 l l.cxd5 �e8
42...ixg4 43.gxg4 gxg4 44.�f6t i>f7 Voila - we have arrived at our starting
45.�xg4 position after all.
White is just winning, having two knights
for a rook. The technical phase takes a bit of
time though, partly because Black plays on for
25 moves a piece down.
45 ... i>g6 46.�f2 i>g5 47.id2t i>h4

48.�dl i>g3 49.�c3 i>f.3 50.a3 gc4
51.�b4 gxe4 52.�xe4 i>xe4 53.i>c2 i>d4
54.i>dl i>c4 55.ic3 .ih6 56.i>e2 e4 57.if6
i£4 58.ig7 i>c5 59.i>dl i>c4 60.i>c2 ie3
61 .�a2 i.c5 62.i.f6 i.b6 63.i.h4 e3 64.i.el
i.d4 65.i.b4 i>xd5 66.�c3t i>c4 67.Ld6
a
ib6 68.�e2 i.a7 69..ib4 i.b6 70.�g3
i>d4 71 ..ic3t i>c4 72.�e4 ic7 73.i.b4 b c d e f g h
12.a3!
Very precise. White has his own strategic
goal, which is to play b2-b4 and force the
black knight on c5 to retreat.
Weaker alternatives are 1 2."1Mfd2 �d7 and

1 2.0-0 �g5.
12 ...1g5 13.1!1
Retaining the bishop. If Black continues the
pursuit with 1 3 ... �h4, then White has 14.g3.
13 ...1h6 14.b4 axb4 15.axb4 gxa1 16.'1Wxa1 a b c d e f g h

tLla6 17.'1Wb2± 25.'1Wb5
A prosaic solution. The black queen defends
8 a lot of pawns and squares, so it makes sense
to exchange it. In the ending White keeps a
7 strong initiative.
6
25 ..."\Mfxb5 26.tLlxb5 tLlxd5 27.tLlbxd6 tLlxd6
28.�xd6 g£6 29.tLlc4 gc6
The passive 29 ... E!:e6 was no fun after 30.E!:d l .
30.tLlxe5 gc2 3l.g3

Planning f3-f4. White has so far won a
pawn. In time trouble he wins pretry much
everything else as well.
a b c d e f g h
White is much better on the queenside. 3l...id2 32.ga1 @f8
Black strives to create some play of his own on Better was 32 ... h5.
the other flank.
33.f4 �e7 34.ga7
Now the b7-pawn also hangs ... with check.
17 f5 18.exf5 "1Mfg5 19.0-0 Lf5 20.1xf5
•..
"1M!xf5 21. tLl e4 34... �e6 35.gxb7 g5 36.tLlf3 gel t 37.@g2

The downside of the ... f5-operation is that ie3 38.tLlxg5t @f5 39.gd7 gd1 40.gxd5t
the e4-square is a great central outpost for the gxd5 41.1xe3 h5 42.�f7 gd3 43.b7
white knight. 1-0
21. .."1Mfd7 22.b5 Conclusion: Another exploitation of the
Pushing Black further back. queenside and White's extra space.
22... tLlac7 23.�2c3 �f6 24.b6! tLlce8 Chapter Conclusion: The Old Indian
24 . . . lt:lcxd5? loses immediately to 25."1Mfb3. presents a move-order problem. There is no
chess problem though.
Chapter ?
Dutch Defence
It s the end ofthe world as we know it,
and Iftel fine
R.E . M .
a b c d e f g h
l .d4 f5 2 .ig5
.
2 . . . c5 page 1 80
2 . . . d6 page 1 82
2 . . . c6 page 1 83
2 . . . d5 page 1 85
2 . . . tLl f6 page 1 85
2 . . . h6 page 1 86
2 . . . g6 page 1 89
I .d4 f5 and this, combined with the general nature

The Dutch - a fighting opening. Personally of these variations where tactics are often
I have always been pleased when my opponent more important than purely positional
has started with a move that irreparably considerations, has resulted in a lot of
weakens his whole kingside. miniature games being created over the years.
Soon you will see an entertaining selection of
The most popular route for White is the them.
standard positional set-up with 2.g3 followed
by fianchettoing the bishop. Later on White I will examine various moves in turn - 2 ... c5,
castles kingside and exerts pressure in the 2 ... d6, 2 ... c6, 2 ... lLlf6, 2 ... h6 - before finally
centre and on the queenside, while Black tries turning to the most popular 2 . . . g6. Note that
to build an initiative on the kingside. The the natural 2 ... d5 is answered by 3.e3 when
game generally unfolds rather slowly. play will most likely transpose into either the
c6-line or the lLlf6-line.
There exists a much sharper approach where
White immediately employs a provocative
bishop move to highlight some of the defects
caused by the move l .. .f5. Tacke Ungruh - Ulyanov
2..tg5!? e-mail 2007
I.d4 f5 2 ..tg5 c5
a b c d e f g h
a
Deterring 2 ... lt'lf6 and at the same time
b c d e f g h
pinning the e-pawn, which is actually quite
annoying for Black, who has tried nearly every Playing on both sides of the board.
legal move in this position. All navigation
by autopilot leads to emergency landings or 3.dxc5
worse. You have to think for yourself from White happily opens the position. Although
move 2 in a position where White plays 3.d5 is reasonably common, it seems to me
as actively as possible and Black has great that closing the position is not in the spirit of
difficulties getting his pieces out. Often White this line. But a move such as 3.lt'lc3 could be
will have a significant lead in development worth investigating.
Chapter 7 - Dutch Defence 181
3 .. .'�a5t 9.lt:Jb5 '.Wb4t 1 0.c3 (or 1 0.lt:Jd2!?) 10 ...'.We4t

Black has also tried recapturing the pawn l l .�e2 lt:la6 1 2.0-0 White has a huge initiative
with his knight: for the pawn.
3 ... lt:la6 4.e4!
The most vigorous response. 7.exf5 Wfxf5 8.�b5 �a6 9 .id3 .
4 . . . fxe4 5.lt:lc3 lt:lxc5 6.�e3 b6!? White develops with tempo and is much
This may look as if it is blundering a rook, better.
but it is in fact a rather tricky move.
6 ... lt:Je6 7.�c4! was clearly good for White
8
in Golubenko - Krupenski, Estonia 2003.
7.�xc5 bxc5 8.'.Wh5t g6 9.'.Wd5 �b8 10.'.We5 7
'.Wb6!? 1 1 .lt:lxe4! 6
1 l .'.Wxh8 '.Wxb2 1 2.�d 1 lt:lf6 is decidedly
messy. 5
1 l ...'.Wxb2 1 2.lt:Jd6t 'kt>d8 1 3.'.Wxb2 �xb2 4
1 4.lt:Jf7t '.t>e8 1 5.lt:Jxh8 �g7 1 6.lt:lxg6 hxg6
3
1 7.�d3
The smoke has cleared, and White is an 2
exchange up for insufficient compensation.
1
4.�c3 Wfxc5 5.�£3 a b c d e f g h

Quick development is the key m this
variation. 9 Wfg4 10.h3 Wfxg2?
..•
Hard to understand, especially in an e-mail

8 game.
7
However, on closer inspection Black's position
6 is simply terrible. For example: 1 0 ... '.Wh5
1 l .'.We2 �e7 1 2.'.We5! '.Wf7 1 3.0-0-0 0-0
5
14.lt:Jd6 �xd6 1 5.'.Wxd6 and Black can hardly
4 move.
3
u.gh2
2 The queen is trapped.
1
l l...Wfxh2 12.�xh2 .ib4t l3.c3 .ia5
a b c d e f g h 14.�d6t <ile7 15.ha6 bxa6 16.�g4 gbs
s ... e6 17.Wfd4 gm 1 8.Wfc5
Neither 5 ... lt:lc6 6.e4 nor 5 . . . lt:Jf6 6.�xf6 can 1-0
be recommended for Black.
Conclusion: Very entertaining. Mter 2 ... c5
6.e4 �f6 3.dxc5, the opening up of the position benefits
Going pawn-hunting with 6 ... fxe4 7.lt:lxe4 White.
'.Wb4t 8.lt:lc3 '.Wxb2 is our of the question:
iGAME6;J 5.£3! exf3

5 ... e3 is well known in similar positions, but
it is seldom good. Here White just continues
Del Rio Angelis - Menvielle Lacourrelle 6.�d3, and later he will take the pawn back on
Palma de Mallorca 2009 e3 with fine play.
l.d4 f5 2.!g5
I have changed the move order so that we can
mention some alternatives along the way. In
fact White played 2.e4!? and the continuation
2 ... fxe4 3.tt:lc3 tt:lf6 4.�g5 d6?! reached our
position after Black's 4th move.
2 ...d6
8
7
6
5 a b c d e f g h
4 6... e6
The most solid.
3
Black might be tempted to get the light
2 squared bishop out while he still can, but
1 6 ...�g4 7.h3 �h5 8.�c4!N looks highly
promising for White.
a b c d e f g h
3.e4! 7.!c4
This sharp pawn sacrifice is a regular guest I am not so sure about this. White has at
throughout the chapter. least two different ways to get excellent play
for the pawn, one involving queenside castling
3 ...fxe4 and the other kingside castling.
Declining the sacrifice with 3 ... tt:lc6 4.tt:lc3
tt:lf6 isn't any good: 5.d5! tt:le5 6.tt:lf3 fxe4 7.id3 �e7 8.We2 0-0 9.0-0-0 Sevillano
7.tt:lxe5 dxe5 8.�b5t !d7 9.We2 a6 1 0.�xd7t Garcia - Santome Rodriguez, Ortigueira
Wxd7 1 1 .0-0-0 Bareev - Gunnarsson, 2004. Black should now play 9 ... tt:lc6N, bur
Gothenburg 2005. White can take back the after 1 O.a3 I still prefer White.
e4-pawn whenever he feels like it, with a
superior position. 7.!b5t!?N c6 8.!d3 �e7 9.0-0 0-0 1 0.We 1 ,
and with the queen heading for g3 o r h4, again
4.ttlc3 ttlf6 I prefer White.
Neither 4 ... d5 5.f3 nor 4 ...�f5 5.f3 is any
better. 7...!e7 s.We2
Chapter 7 - Dutch Defence 1 83
Forcing Black to compromise his pawn

structure.
8...d5 9.ib5t c6 IO.id3 Arencibia Rodriguez - Narciso Dublan

Now White has control over the e5-square. La Pobla de Liller 1 997
In the next few moves Black tries to trick
White into taking on e6, but to no avail. I.d4 f5 2.ig5 c6
White concentrates on development and wins Intending ...Wfb6, or maybe ... d5 with a
quickly after Black, no longer able to stand Stonewall formation.
keeping his king in the centre, castles long.
3.�d2 �b6
IO... �bd7?!
If 3 ... d5 4.e3 tLld7, then 5.id3 is annoying
Black could have put up a lot more resistance
because of the pin of the e-pawn: 5 ... ttJdf6
with 1 0 ... 0-0. For instance, 1 1 .0-0-0 c5 offers
6.tLlgf3;!; Black's knights are not optimal.
counterplay.
1 1 .� �b6 12.a3 �£8 13.@hl 4.�b3

Now Black's position is truly horrible. 4.e3 is sharper, but it is not obligatory to
sacrifice a pawn in every line.
13 ...id7 14.b4 0-0-0? 1 5.if4!
4...a5
Going after the knight. Black could also play
more quietly with 4 ... d6, but then White's easy
development gives an edge.
5.e3 a4 6.�d2
a b c d e f g h
Threatening 1 6.tLla4, trapping the queen.
That's only part of the story - the active bishop
has more up its sleeve.
15 .. J�� e8 16.�a4 �d8 17.�e5

Mate on b8 is imminent.
1-0
Conclusion: Another dramatic miniature. 6...d5

On 2 ... d6, White grabs the initiative with the Back to normal Stonewall mode.
pawn sacrifice 3.e4!.
No one has tried 6 ...'Wxb2, and here is why: 33 Wfh5 34.E!:xa3 Wfe2 35.Wfdl Wfxdl t
•..
7.E!:b l 'Wa3 8.tt:le2! d5 9.tt:lf4t 36.ixdl d4 37.exd4 E!:ad8 38.E!:d3 .ic4

39.ih3 ixh3 40.axb3 E!:e2 4I.E!:a7
7.c4 e6 s.Wfc2 The rook ending is clearly won.
a b c d e f g h
White has a small but definite advantage. 4I...E!:de8
The weakening of the e5-square is a positional 4 l ... E!:e7 42.b5 cxb5 43.d5+-
burden that may wear Black down in the long
run, and the far-advanced a-pawn is a liability 42.E!:xb7 E!:el t 43.fl E!:8e2t 44.<±>£3 E!:e6
as well. This latter feature is highlighted after 45.h3 h5 46.g3 E!:g6t 47.fl E!:bl 48.E!:e7
the next pair of moves. E!:b2t 49.E!:e2 E!:xg2t 50.xg2 E!:xe2t 5I.g3
®f7 52.d5 cxd5 53.E!:xd5 E!:e3t 54.h4
8 a3?! 9.b3! ie7 IO.ixe7 ltlxe7 I I.ltlg£3
.•. E!:xb3 55.c6 E!:xb4 56.E!:c5 E!:b8 57.c7 E!:c8
0-0 12.i.e2 ltld7 13.0-0 ltlg6 14.E!:abl Wfb4 58.E!:xf5t e6 59.E!:c5 d7 60.f5
15J!fcl ltlf6 16.Wfc3! Black can win the c-pawn, but that would
White has to break the blockade, and is cost him the kingside and a lost pawn endgame.
happy to exchange queens.
60 <±>d6 6I.E!:cl e5 62.g5 h4 63.g6
•..
16...Wfe7 17.b4 ®f4 64.E!:c4t <±>g3 65.xg7 xh3 66.f6

The a3-pawn is bound to drop sooner or 1-0
later.
Conclusion: Finally in this chapter, something
17 ... ltle4 18.Wfc2 id7 19.c5 e5 20.ltlxe5 that resembled a real chess game. The structure
ltlxe5 21.dxe5 Wfxe5 22.f4 Wfe7 23.ttlf3 c6/d5 is solid, but also rather passive, and
ttlf6 24.ttle5 ie6 25.Wfd2 ttld7 26.ttlf3 lbf6 White gets a positional pull.
27.Wfd4 if7 28.ltle5 ttld7 29.ltlxd7 Wfxd7
30.E!:c3 �Ue8 3I.i.d3 Wfe6 32.i.c2 Wfg6
33.E!:bb3
After some lengthy manoeuvres and a
skirmish in the centre, it is finally time to cash
in.
The solid 5 ... c6 is probably best, although

6.tt:'lc3 ie6 7.cxd5 cxd5 8.'1Wb3± gives White
pressure on the queenside, along with the
Moskalen.ko - Karlsson much better pawn structure.
Sitges 2009
6.c!lJc3 0-0 7.Wfb3
I.d4 f5 2.ig5 d5 Forcing Black to make the unfortunate
Or 2 ... tt:l f6 3.ixf6 exf6 4.e3 d5. exchange on c3 that merely strengthens the
white centre.
3.e3 c!LJf6
Not optimal, but what else to do? 7 ....L:c3t 8.bxc3 dxc4
8 ... c!lJc6 9.cxd5 tt:la5 1 o.'\Wb5 b6 was
3 ... c6 4.c4 '1Wb6 5.'1Wc2 e6 6.tt:lc3 tt:ld7 7.id3 Fominyh - Guliev, Kazan 1 995, and now
tt:lgf6 8.tt:lge2 White has a harmonious and White should play: 1 l .tt:'le2!N a6 ( l l ...ib7
flexible position. 8 ... tt:le4 9.ixe4! fxe4 1 o.tt:lf4 1 2.tt:lf4±) 1 2.'1Wb4 '1Wxd5 1 3.tt:lf4 '1Wf7 1 4.id3±
lt:Jf6 1 1 .0-0 ie7 1 2.f3 exf3 1 3 .l';xf3 id7
1 4.:1:\afl ± dxc4 1 5.tt:le4 0-0-0 1 6.tt:lh5! Black's 9.hc4t �h8 IO.c!lJe2
kingside has been ripped up, Benjamin - De White has won the opening duel.
Fotis, USA 1990.
IO...c5
4.i.xf6 exf6 5.c4! On 1 O ... tt:lc6, with the idea of ... lt:la5, White
White makes good use of his superiority simply withdraws his queen with 1 1 .'1Wc2,
in the centre. Compared with the popular keeping the superior structure.
variation l .d4 f5 2.tt:'lc3 tt:lf6 3.ig5 d5 4.ixf6
exf6, here the c-pawn is free to move, and this
8
should be used.
7
6
5
4
3
a b c d e f g h
l l.h4!
Going for the king. White has the nasty idea
a c d e g h of playing tt:lf4 followed by h4-h5 and then
5 ...ib4t tt:lg6t! with mate.
Gaining time for development, bur
positionally the move is questionable. l l ...cxd4 12.cxd4 g6 13.c!LJf4 c!lJc6 14.gcl±
In a difficult position, Black now walks into
Also dubious is 5 ...ie6 6.cxd5 ixd5 7.tt:lc3±. a nice finish.
14 ...%lfd6 15.h5! g5
4
---
..
Prie - Bolding
Val d'Isere 2004
l.d4 f5 2.ig5 h6
Finally we arrive at one of the main
variations. Hitting the bishop is very logical.
Where should it go? The obvious square is h4,
but then ... g5 apparently traps it. However,
all experienced chess players know that with
a pawn on f5, even considering playing ... g5
as well should turn all the red alert buttons
a b c d e f g h on. You can see the blinking danger signs and
16.ltlg6t! almost hear the sirens. A queen check on h5 is
Initiating a long forced sequence. mate! And this is the tactic that the opening
play unfolds around.
16 ... hxg6 17.hxg6t <it>g7 18.if7!
Threatening 19.E!:h7 mate. 3.ih4 g5 4.e4!
Threatening mate on h5 and showing our
18 .. J�h8 19Jhh8 <it>xhs 20.<it>e2! intentions.
Mter one of his rooks was exchanged, White
makes room for the other one to come to h 1 It was possible to save the bishop with the
with decisive effect. simple 4.e3 ltJfG 5.ig3, but we don't want to
save the bishop. We want to attack!
20...%lfh2 21.%lfbl
White insists!
2I. .. <it>g7 22J�hl %lfxg2 23.gh7t <it>f8

24.ic4
And now 25.g7t is threatened.
24 ... <it>e8 25.g7 ltle7 26.%lfb4

1-0
Conclusion: A wonderful attack. What we

can learn is that if Black plays ... 4Jf6, then
the structure after ixfG exf6 is a long-term
problem for him.
just a feeling, but let's see if we can back it After 8 ... lLlf6 9.e5, White regains the piece
up with some analysis. Play might continue: with a good position.
5 ... e6 6.exf6 Wxf6 7. ig3 f4 8.Wh5t
If White wants a safer alternative, the rare 9.ie2!
8.ie2 should offer an edge: 8 ... lLlc6 9.ih5t
lifd8 1 0.c3 fxg3 l l .hxg3 White has a small
positional advantage.
8 .. .'�d8 9.lLlc3 ib4 l O.lLlge2 fxg3 l l .hxg3 b6
1 2.0-0-0 ib7
Shishkin - Malaniuk, Mielno 2007. Here
McDonald proposes:
1 3.d5!N
Even the quiet move 1 3.f3N looks good for
White. It is difficult for Black to solve the
problem of his wandering king.
ixd5 14.lLlxd5 exd5 1 5.f4!
This indeed looks excellent for White.
a b c d e f g h
Possibly best though is the original idea No repetition! The threat is ih5#.
4 ... �h7!?, with the intention of meeting
5.Wh5t with 5 ... �£7. This interesting variation 9...h5
is examined in the next game. 9 ... lLlf6 1 0.e5 e6 l l .Wxf4±
5.ig3 f4 10.ixh5t �hh5 l l .Wxh5t 'tt> f8 12.Wf5t!

Trapping the bishop. White uses the queen checks with great
effect.
5 ... fxe4 6.h4! gives White a strong initiative.
12 ...'tt> e8 13.Wg4 'tt>f8
8 Again Black's king move is forced, but now
the f4-pawn drops with check as well.
7
5
4
3
a b c d e f g h
6.hf4 gxf4 7.Wh5t 'tt>f8 s.Wf5t 'tt> es
Forced, though now White clearly has at
least a draw. a b c d e f g h
14.Wfxf4t cbes 15.Wfg5 cbftl l6.Wff5t 6... tlJf6

And back again. The obvious move.
16...cbe8 I7Jt]f3! If Black tries to prevent the knight coming to

The other white pieces join the queen for the e5 by 6 ... tLlc6 or 6 ... d6, he walks into 7.i.xg5.
final onslaught.
There is an interesting alternative though:
17...d6 18.Wfg6t cbfll i9.tlJg5 tlJh6 20.tiJc3 6 ... e6!? 7.i.xg5 hxg5 8.tLlxg5 'l&f6 9.tLlxf7
e6 21.� tlJc6 'l&xf7 1 0. 'l&xf7t c:Jixf7 1 l .exf5 exf5 1 2.i.c4t
c:Jig7 According to Simon Williams, White is a
bit better here, and I would agree. A good way
to start is 1 3.tLlc3 tLlf6 1 4.0-0-0 and White
has an active position to go with his rook and
two pawns versus bishop and knight.
7.Wfg6
The queen finds a sanctuary in the middle of
enemy territory, renewing the threat of tLle5.
7 ... tlJc6
8
a b c d e f g h
7
22J�d3
Threatening �f3t. The only way to guard the 6
f3-square is 22 ... tLlxd4, when a lot of moves
5
win. The most fun is perhaps 23.tLlb5!?.
1-0 4
3
Conclwion: Going for the bishop with 2 ... h6
and 3 ... g5 is a double-edged strategy, because 2
White gets a strong attack in most lines.
a b c d e f g h
s ..ixgs
Gormally - S. Williams This is certainly hardcore, but perhaps not
best.
Liverpool 2006
8.tLle5!? tLlxe5 9.dxe5 gxh4
I.d4 f5 2..ig5 h6 3 ..ih4 g5 4.e4 gh7!? 9 ... e6 I O.i.e2!±
Very creative. 1 O.exf6 fxe4
This has been played in a correspondence
5.Wih5t gf7 6.tlJf3 game, Broniek - Herzog, e-mail 2007. I
Threatening not only tLle5, but also i.xg5. think White's best is now:
1 1 .�e2N d5 1 2.c4! 12....ib4?!

Black's centre is under pressure. An 1 2 ... d5 13.0-0-0 c6 1 4 . .!Llxe4 was not
experimental continuation is: nice either, but the text move is convincingly
1 2 ...1Mfd6!? 1 3.�h5 �e6 1 4.cxd5 0-0-0! dismissed.
1 5.dxe6 Ei:xf6 1 6.1Mfxe4! 1Mfc5
Of course not 16 ... Ei:xe6? 1 7.�g4. 13.0-0-0! .ixc3
1 7.0-0 1Mfxh5 1 8.ltlc3
The tactics have come to an end, and the
position remains more promising for White.
8...fxe4
Not 8 ... hxg5?? 9.ltlxg5.
9.lLle5
Another surprise.
9 ... c!L\xe5 10.dxe5 hxg5 l l.exf6

After a lengthy series of forced moves, we
arrive at the critical position.
a b c d e f g h
14.J.c4! Lb2t 1 5.®xb2 �e7 16.h4!
Creating a new battleground. Black's entire
position is overloaded.
16 ... d5 17.Ld5 �eSt 18.c3 .ie6 19 ..ixe6

On 1 9 ...1Mfxe6 comes 20.1Mig8t.
1-0
Conclusion: Another spectacular game.

The interesting idea 4 ...Ei:h7!? is worth
remembering. It seems to be just playable for
a b c d e f g h Black, for instance after 6 ... e6, but White will
1 1. ..exf6? always have the slightly better chances.
Not exactly improving on the stem game.
Correct was l l ...e6! 1 2 . .!Lld2 1Mfxf6 1 3.'1Mfxf6

Ei:xf6 1 4 . .!Llxe4 Ei:f5 1 5.�d3 �g7 1 6.c3 with a Douglas - Krzyzanowski
pretty equal ending, Kharitonov - Gajewski,
Aviles 2003. e-mail 2009
12.c!L\c3 l.d4 f5 2 ..ig5 g6

From now until the end of the game, White The modern solution. Black ignores the
plays very active and forceful moves. Black white bishop and develops in the fashion of
won't get a chance to get his pieces out. the Leningrad variation.
3.ltk3 On 5 ... tt:lc6 the simplest is 6.e3. For instance:

White has tried a variety of other moves 6 ... a6 7.0-0-0 h6 8.i.f4 tt:lf6 9.h3 i.e6 1 0.g4t
here. I like this active knight move that forces Shishkin - Lannaioli, e-mail 2006.
Black to decide what to do about the positional
threat of e2-e4. 5 ... tt:lf6 is well met by: 6.tt:lh3 i.e6 7.0-0-0
tt:lbd7 8.i.h6 0-0 9.i.xg7 cttxg7 l O.tt:lf4 i.£7
3 ... d5 1 1 .h4t with a positional grip, Kempinski -
He chooses to prevent it. Just continuing to Krasenkow, Warsaw 1 997.
develop according to his scheme with 3 ...i.g7
also has its plusses - see the next game. 5 ... h6 6.i.f4 and the bishop finds itself on an
even better square.
4.%Vd2
Also possible is 4.e3 i.g7 5.h4. 6.0-0-0
4...i.g7 5.f3!
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a b c d e f g h
1
6...h6
a b c d e f g h Not a move Black really wants to make.
A great multi-purpose move. On the one
hand, White relaunches the e2-e4 idea and The problem is that the natural 6 ... tt:lf6 can be
makes it a constant worry for Black. On the met by the simple 7.i.h6t with a positional
other hand, the move f2-f3 is also deeply plus.
positional. White takes control over the
important square e4 and prevents a black 6 .. .'®a5 aims to create counterplay on the
knight from landing there. Black will wish queenside, but is strongly met by a strike in
he could do something similar about the e5- the centre: 7.e4! fx:e4 8.fx:e4 dxe4 9.i.c4 tt:ld7
square, but he cannot. That's the downside of 1 0.tt:lge2± Kempinski - Przedmojski, Koszalin
this Stonewall formation with pawns on d5 1 997.
and f5.
7.i.f4 �f6 8.h4!
5... c6 Now it is not much fun for Black to be stuck
The solid Stonewall move. with the pawn on h6. White will develop his
knight to h3, from where it can jump to f4 or
f2. Later the pawn breaks e2-e4 and/or g2-g4 13 e5

•.•
will come, most likely with great effect. Or 1 3 ...fxg4 1 4.fxg4 b4 1 5.lLla4 and White
is clearly better. For instance, 1 5 ... ltJ b6
8 ltlbd7
•..
I 6.lt:lxb6 Wxb6 1 7.g5 with a strong attack.
8 ... b5 9.lLlh3 a5 1 0.�e5! lt:lbd7 l l .lLlf4
forced Black to play 1 L. .<;t>f7 in Hertneck - 14.gxf5 gxf5 15.ih3
Kaenel, Landau 2002. This can't be good, and Active development, played with tempo.
White came up with 1 2.1M'e l with the strong
plan of playing 'IM'g3. 15 exd4 16.exd4 ltlb6
.•.
9.e3 b5 IO.ltlh3
White has a fine position. As soon as he 8
gets in one of the aforementioned breaks (e4 7
or g4), he will have a strong initiative. Black's
counterplay on the queenside just isn't there. 6
5
10 a5 I I.ih2
•.•
Preparing lt:lf4. 4
3
l l . 'it>f7
••
Black anticipates White's lLlf4 by protecting 2

the g6-pawn in advance. 1
A sample variation is 1 1 .. .ltJ b6 1 2.ltJ f4 'it>f7 a b c d e f g h

1 3.h5 g5 14.lt:lg6 1'l:e8 1 5.lLle5t <;t>g8 1 6.lLlxc6 17.ltld3!
and White wins. Remember what I said about the e5-square?
This was an e-mail game, so White could
calculate far ahead and decide on this long
term sacrificial line. The simple positional
8 move 1 7.b3, to take the c4-square away from
the black knight, was also very strong.
7
6 17 b4 18.ltle5t! 1'l:xe5 19.dxe5 bxc3
.••
20.'1Wxc3 ltle8 21.Y;Yd3

5 Once the f5-pawn falls there will no longer
4 be much shelter for the black king.
3
21...a4
2 2 1 ...1M'xh4 was a tougher defence, but the
white initiative continues after 22.f4!, taking
the check on g5 away from the queen and
a b c d e f g h renewing the threat to capture the f5-pawn.
13.g4!
Starting active operations. White has won 22.Lf5 Lf5 23.Y;Yxf5t 'it>gs 24.Y;Ye6t 'it>hs
the opening duel, that is for sure. 25J�hgl
White activates his rooks and gets a decisive 4 ... d5 leads to similar play to the last game. A
attack. good way to starr for White is 5.lLlh3;!;.
25 ...�xh4 26.i.g3 �b4 27.a3 �f8 28J�d4! The typical Dutch move 4 ... lLlh6 is hardly
c!Zlc4 satisfactory here: 5.Wd2 lLl f7 6.lLlf3 d6
Or 28 ... Wxf3 29 ..if4 Wf2 30.E:h1 Wxd4 7.0-0-0 and White is ready to strike with e2-
3 1 ..ixh6 with a mating attack. e4, Moiseenko - Abeln, Ohrid 2009.
29.E:h4 4 ... c5 5.e3 (5.d5 has also scored heavily for

1-0 White.) cxd4 6.exd4 Wb6 7.lLlf3! White has
a pleasant edge, as 7 ... Wxb2? 8.lLlb5 is too
Conclusion: 2 ... g6 is met by 3.ltk3, and if dangerous for Black.
3 ... d5 Black has the inflexible Stonewall pawn
structure once again. With 4.Wd2 .ig7 5.f3! 4 ... lLlc6
White gets a promising middlegame. This rare move was played against me in
20 1 2. The game continued:
5.lLlf3 h6 6 ..if4 d6 7.e4 lLlf6 8.e5 lLlg4 9 ..ib5
9.e6!? and 9.exd6!? cxd6 lO ..ic4 are both
Fressinet - Kindermann interesting, but I like the text move the
most.
Germany 2002
9 ... 0-0
9 ... a6 1 0 ..ixc6t bxc6 allows White to choose
t.d4 f5 2.i.g5 g6 3.ttlc3 i.g7
between 1 1 .0-0 and 1 1 .We2 intending long
castling, with a small plus in either case.
1 0.We2
b d f g
a b c d e f g h a c e h
4.h4!? 1 0 ... lLlxd4?
It turns out that 4.e4 wasn't a threat at all: Black had the inferior position, but there
4 ... fxe4 5.lLlxe4 d5! is okay for Black. was no call for this.
1 1 .lLlxd4 dxe5 1 2.lLlf3 Wd6
4...h6
1 2 ... exf4 1 3.E:d l +-
Otherwise Black will have to reckon with a
1 3.E:d 1 +-
quick h4-h5 from White. Black has tried many
Schandorff- Kristiansen, Helsingor 20 1 2.
other options here:
Chapter 7 - Dutch Defence 1 93
4 ... ltJf6 5.h5! lt:lxh5 6.e4 5.�f4 c!iJf6

With l'hh5 in the air, this is highly dangerous 5 ... d6 doesn't respond to the demands of
for Black. the position: 6.e4! lt:lc6 7.lt:lf3 e5 8.dxe5 dxe5
9."Wxd8t <;t>xd8 1 0.0-0-0t i.d7 1 1 .i.h2 lt:lge7
1 2.i.c4± White has strong pressure. 1 2 ... <;t>c8
1 3.exf5 gxf5 14.E!:d2 f4 1 5.lt:le4 i.g4 1 6.lt:lc5
lt:ld8 1 7.E!:hd1 Black just couldn't free himself
and eventually went down in G. Jones -
Rendle, Sheffield 20 1 1 .
6.e3 d6
8
b d f g h
a c e
7
6 ... h6 6
6 . . . fxe4 7.E!:xh5! gxh5 8.i.c4 <;t>f8 9."Wd2 d6
1 0."\Wf4t i.f6 1 1 .lt:lxe4 <;t>g? 1 2.i.h6t 'it>g6 5
Wornath - Babrikowski, Germany 2003. 4
Now 1 3.lt:lf3 would guarantee a quick
victory. 3
6 ... lt:lf6 prevents the sacrifice but allows the 2
simple: 7.exf5 gxf5 8.i.xf6 i.xf6 9."Wh5t
<;t>fs 1 o."Wxf5±
7.E!:xh5! gxh5 8."Wxh5t <;t>fg 9.i.h4 i.xd4 a b c d e f g h
1 0.lt:ld5 E!:h7 1 1 .0-0-0 lt:lc6 1 2.lt:lf3 i.f6 7.Wta
1 3 .i.xf6 exf6 White has an original set-up in mind. His
White is winning, De Sa Nobrega - Borst, pieces will coordinate excellently, the bishop
e-mail 2000. Here the most convincing is: going to c4 and the knight to e2.
1 4."\Wg6 E!:g7 1 5."\Wxh6 'it>f7 1 6.exf5 d6
1 7.lt:lxc7! "Wxc7 1 8.i.c4t 7 .. 0-0
.
It is over. The most common choice, but Black has

tried other moves as well:
7 ... c6 from Prie - Phillippe, Ajaccio 2007, can

be met by 8."Wg3!N <;t>f7 9.i.c4t d5 10.i.e2
with a clear advantage for White.
7 ... lt:lbd7 8.0-0-0 c6 Prie - Santo Roman,

Rochefort 2005, should in my opinion be
answered by 9 .i.c4!N. If Black responds
with ... d5, he will have a positionally inferior
structure, as we have seen several times by
now.
a b c d e f g h
7 ... tt'lh5 8.0-0-0 c6 9.ic4 W'a5 10.ih2 squares.

tt'la6 l l .tt'lge2 id7 1 2.g4! tt'lf6 1 3.gxf5 ixf5 1 5 ... g5 1 6.ia2 ie6 1 7.<;t>bl W'f7 1 8.tt'lec3
14.W'g2 and Black had problems on g6, Bauer This is a plausible continuation. Let's analyse
- Haub, Cappelle Ia Grande 20 1 2. a bit further to try to come to some sort of
conclusion.
8 ..ic4t e6 9.ltlge2 lt!c6 IO.a3 1 8 ... !'!:b8 19.W'e2 a6
Securing an escape on a2 for the bishop. Black is preparing ... b5 with counterplay.
20.f4! e4 2 l .g4!
IO...�h7 I I..ig5! White strikes first!
With the help of minor tactics, White 2 1 ...fxg4 22.E!:dfl ±
maintains the pressure. The black position crumbles.
l l ...�e8 I 5 ....ie6 I6.�bl �f7 I7.tlJdc3 La2t

l l ...hxg5 loses to 1 2.hxg5t tt'lh5 1 3.tt'lf4. 18.tlJxa2
12 ..ixf6 .ixf6 13.0-0-0 e5 8

Black generates some active counterplay, but
the move opens the long diagonal for White's 7
bishop and hands over the d5-square for a 6
knight.
5
I4.t2Jd5 .ids 4
3
a b c d e f g h
18 ...e4
In a later correspondence game, Black
improved with:
1 8 ... h5!? 1 9.d5
1 9.tt'lac3N looks to be a better try: 19 ... !'!:b8
20.W'd5 W'xd5 2 l .tt'lxd5 The d5-knight is
superior to the black bishop, assuring White
a b c d e f g h of a small plus.
15 ..ia2 1 9 ... e4! 20.W'g3 tt'le5
The position is very complicated, and it is Haeusler - Fleischanderl, e-mail 2003. The
difficult to say what the best move is. Since position is far from clear after the natural:
Black can later improve upon the game 2 l .tt'lf4 if6 22.tt'le6 E!:fe800
continuation, it is tempting to look for new
ideas ourselves. I propose: 19.�h3 d5 20.f3
1 5.h5!N Black has some problems to solve.
The idea is to soften Black up on the light
20 ... exf3 2l.gxf3 !i.e7 22.c!l�ac3 /i.d6 23.e4 Chapter Conclusion: Meeting the Dutch
Tempting, but too many pieces will be with 2 ..ig5 immediately takes Black out of
swapped. his comfort zone. The widely recommended
2 ... g6 leads to playable positions for Black,
23.tt:lb5!? :gad8 24.:ghgU would keep up the but White enjoys the initiative and often feels
pressure. like a fish in water, while things can be a bit
awkward for Black. The bottom line is that
23...fxe4 24.fxe4 dxe4 2S.tihe4 flYf5 26.'11lYd3 the middlegames are more difficult to play for
flYf3 27.h5! flYxd3 28.hxg6t �xg6 29Jhd3 Black.
Despite the simplifications, White retains
some initiative.
a b c d e f g h
29.. J�ae8 30)L!2c3 .i£4 3l.ggl t �h7 32.d5
lL!e5 33.:gh3 liJd7 34.gg4 ge7?! 35J��hh4
gef7 36.liJe2
36.d6!? could be tried.
36...!i.e3 37J�h3
37.tt:ld4!? would be trickier to face in time
trouble.
37.. J:lflt 38.�a2

After 38 ...:g l f3 Black is pretty much okay,
so my guess is that he lost on time. Or maybe
somebody phoned him to ask how he was
doing.
1-0
Conclusion: 3.tt:lc3 .ig7 4.h4!? leads to

interesting play. Please note the white set-up
with '!Wf3, �c4 and tt:lge2.
Chapter 8
Minor Lines
You can't always get what you want,
But ifyou try sometimes you just might find,
You get what you need
The Rolling Stones
l .d4
A) Rare Moves page 1 97
B) Various Benonis page 206
C) The Budapest Gambit page 215
D) 1 e6 Systems
. . . page 222
E) The Modern Defence page 23 1
Chapter 8 - Minor Lines 197
In this final chapter I will round everything White has the centre and nice, easy
up so that you have a complete repertoire. We development. Black's action on the queenside
still need to address a whole bunch of minor has just given White a target, namely
lines and move-order tricks. The basic aim the b5-pawn, which can be harassed by
when confronted with a rare offbeat system a2-a4.
should be to get a playable position with a
small positional advantage, but sometimes the 4 ... e6 5.0-0 c5
systems are just so suspicious that it is more 5 . . . tt:lf6 6.:B:e1 is liable to transpose.
than tempting to go for the kill.
The material is divided into five groups: 6.c3 ttlf6 7,gel .ie7
7 ... d5 8.e5 tt:lfd7 (8 ... tt:le4 9.tt:lbd2) 9.tt:lg5!
A) Rare Moves g6 1 0."Wg4t
B) Various Benonis
C) The Budapest Gambit 8.e5 ttld5 9.dxc5! hc5 lO.li:Jbd2
D) l ...e6 Systems
E) The Modern Defence
8
A) Rare Moves 7
l.d4 6
Here we will meet the usual suspects, the
5
strange first moves: l ...a6, l ...b5, l ...b6,
l ...e5, l ...c6 and l . ..tt:lc6. 4
3
l. ttlf6 2.c4
•.
And the seldom used and very experimental 2

second moves: 2 ... b6 and 2 ... tt:lc6.
1
l...a6 a b c d e f g h
l .d4 a6 White has a very comfortable position. He
This cannot be positionally justified. will play tt:le4 and a2-a4 with an initiative.
2.e4 h5 3.ttl£3 .ih7 4 ..id3 lO... ttlc6

10 ....te7 l l .a4!N b4 12.c4±
1 0 .. .f5 l l .exf6 tt:lxf6 1 2.tt:lb3 .te7 1 3 ..tg5!

0-0 14.tt:le5 "Wc7 1 5."Wc2 h6 16.tt:lg6 :B:e8
1 7.tt:lxe7t :B:xe7 1 8 ..th4± Avrukh.
l l.ttle4 .ie7 12.a4 bxa4

1 2 ... b4 1 3.c4 is even worse for Black.
13.:B:xa4 h6 14 .ic2±
•
Cummings - Basman, Edinburgh 1985.

l. ..b5 12.tl:)e5!N
This surprising piece sacrifice immediately
I .d4 b5 decides the outcome.
This line is quite similar to 1 ... a6.
12....L:e4
2.e4 .ib7 3 ..id3 12 ... 0-0 1 3.tt'lxf6t ixf6 14.\Wh5 g6
1 5.ixg6 hxg6 1 6.'�xg6t mhs 1 7.E!:ad 1 ! ixg5
1 8.E!:d3 ih4 1 9.E!:h3 tt'lc6 20.\Wh6t �g8
2 1 .E!:xh4 and Black must part with his queen
to avoid instant mate.
13 ..L:e4 tl:)xe4 14.Wfh5t g6 15.tl:)xg6! tl:)xg5

I6.tl:)xhst �£8 I7.f4
White wins.
l. .. b6
l.d4 b6
Almost respectable. Black fianchettoes his
bishop and attacks the white centre without
a b c d e f g h weakening his queenside with ... b5.
3... tl:)f6 4.tl:)d2 e6 s.tl:)gB a6 6.0-0 c5
Again Black tries this natural strike against 2.e4 .ib7 3 ..id3
the white centre.
7.dxc5!
And again we see this noteworthy answer.
7....L:c5 8.e5 tl:)d5 9.tl:)e4 ie7 IO.!g5!

1 O.a4 is also fine for White.
10 £6 l l.exf6 tl:)xf6
..•
1 l ...gxf6 12.ih6±
3 ... f5? 4.exf5!

And this is it! Meeting ... f5 with exf5,
regardless of the loss of the g2-pawn and even
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 8 - Minor Lines 1 99
the rook on h 1 , is an idea you will meet again 4...e6

before this chapter is over. Enjoy the following
winning sequence.
4 ...Lg2 5.�h5t g6 6.fxg6 .ig7

6 ... lt:Jf6 7.gxh7t lt:lxh5 8 ..ig6#
7.gxh7t c.t>m s.l�f3 lt:Jf6 9.�g6 i.xf3

9 ....ixh1 1 0 . .ih6 �xh7 1 1 .lt:Jg5+-
IO.�gl :Sxh7 l l .�g3!
8
7
6
5
4
3
5 ...d5
2
Aiming for a French structure.
1
The other strike in the centre can be met by an
a b c d e f g h unpleasant pawn sacrifice:
Black has no real defence. 5 ... c5 6.d5! exd5 7.exd5 lt:lxd5 8.lt:lxd5 .ixd5
9.lt:Jf4
1 I. ..i.e4 12.he4 �xe4 13.�f3t �£6 White gets a hefty initiative.
14.�xa8 9 ... .ib7
White is an exchange up. 9 ... '1&e7t is probably somewhat better. Still,
after 1 O ..ie3 .ib7 1 1 .0-0 not a great deal has
changed - White, who threatens �e l , has
great play for the pawn.
Fass - Lloyd 1 0.0-0
e-mail 2009
I.e4 b6 2.d4 .ib7 3.i.d3 �£6

Black can delay the development of the
knight to f6 with 3 ... e6 4.lt:Jc3 .ib4 5.lt:Jge2
d5, but then 6.exd5 'l&xd5 7.lt:Jf4!N is very
good for White.
4.�c3
4.'1&e2 is a safe alternative.
a b c d e f g h
I O . . .�e7 l l .:ge1 0-0 1 2.�h5! f5

Or 1 2 ... g6 1 3.lt:Jxg6! and White crashes
through.
1 3.�xf5 :gxf5 1 4.�xf5
White is winning, J. Naes - H. Perez, e-mail
200 1 .
6.e5 lt:Jfd7
6 ... lt:Je4 7.0-0 is good for White, as is
6 . . . lt:Jg8!? 7.lt:Jf4.
7.tLlf4!
A great square for the knight, and already
a b c d e f g h
Black must be on his guard.
lO.tLlxe6!
A violent blow.
IO ...fxe6 I I..ixg6t! hxg6 12.Wfxg6t i>fB

13J!�h3!
Threatening :gf3t.
13... tLlxd4 14 .ih6t �hh6 15.Wfxh6t ®f7

•
16.Wfh7t ®e8 17.Wfh5t i>fB
4
3
8.Wfg4
White very quickly develops a serious 2
initiative on the kingside. 1
8...g6 9.h4 a b c d e f g h
White can even sacrifice straight away:
18J!�g3!
9.lt:Jxe6 fxe6 1 0.�xg6t hxg6 1 l .�xg6t 'i!?f8
The rook joins the attack and White
1 2.�h6t :gxh6 13.�xh6t 'i!?f7 1 4.�h7t 'i!?f8
threatens mate in two. Black is forced to return
Solano - Antonano, Zaragoza 200 1 . Here
some material.
White took the perpetual check, but 1 5.lt:Je2!N
would give Black serious problems.
18 ....if6 19.Wfh7 ®e8 20.0-0-0!
Robert Fass plays very energetically and
forcefully throughout the game - it's a real After 44 ... cJJ g7 45.f6t! �f8 46.�f5 a4
attacking gem. 47.cJJ e 5 Black is in zugzwang: 47 ... lt:\g3
48.cJJ e6+-
20 c!Llf5
••• l-O
Or 20 ...i.xe5 2 1 .2"1g8t tt:lf8 22.1Wh5t cJJ e7
23.1Wxe5+-. Conclusion: tt:lc3 and tt:lge2 is a clever way to
play for White. If Black wants a French he can
2U�g8t c!LlfS 22.Wfh5t 'it>d7 have it, but it will be a bad French!
8 l. e5
..
7 I .d4 e5?!
6 This really is dubious.
5 2.dxe5 c!Llc6 3.c!Llf3
4
3
2
a b c d e f g h
23.c!Llxd5!
The final blow. 23.exf6? Wxf6 would not be
clear.
23 ...hd5 24J�xd5t! exd5 25.Wfxf5t 'it>c6

26.Wfxf6t!
Well calculated until the end.
26...'\Wx£6 27.exf6
The army of white passed pawns are much
stronger than the knight.
The genuine gambit 3 ... f6 is refuted by
27.. J�d8 28.g4 c!Lle6 29J�xd8 c!LlxdS 30.g5 declining it: 4.e4! fxe5 5.i.c4± tt:lf6 6.lt:\g5 and
'it>d6 3I.i>d2 'it>e6 32.f4 c!Llf7 Black is busted.
32 ... mfs 33.h5+-
4.i.f4 Wfb4t 5.i.d2 Wfxb2 6.c!Llc3
33.g6 c!Lld6 34.f7 'it>e7 35.h5 c!Llf5 36.'it>el! White has a big lead in development, and
The king begins to approach the knight. he will gain even more time by attacking the
black queen.
36 ... c5 37.'it>fl d4 3S.i>f3 c4 39.'it>e4 tt!g3t
40.'it>xd4 c!Llxh5 4I.'it>e5 'it>fS 42.f5 b5 43.c3 6 ... J.b4 7.�bi Wfa3 s.c!Lld5!
a5 44.a3 The sudden attack on c7 is difficult to meet.
17 ...Ei:f8 18.ll:\xh7 �g8

8
De Ia Calle - Valverde Lopez, e-mail 2006.
7 Bronznik points out that White can maintain
a clear advantage with:
6
5 19.ll:\g5 �£8 20.£4±

4
l...c6
3
l.d4 c6 2.c4 b5?!
2
l .. c6 and 2 ... b5?! Well, you see something
.
new every day, don't you?

a b c d e f g h
8 ia5
..•
8 ...ixd2t 9.�xd2 �xa2 lO.Ei:d l <;i(d8

l l .lt:lg5 lt:l h6 1 2.e6! �a5 ( 1 2 ... d6 1 3.exf7+-)
1 3.e7t c;t>es 1 4.�xa5 lt:lxa5 1 5.lt:lxc7t c;t>xe7
1 6.lt:lxa8 and White was winning in M. Braun
- Demjen, Aggtelek 2000.
9.Ei:b5 hd2t IO.Y9xd2 <;i(ds l l.e4
3.c5!
A great positional move that really makes the
b5-pawn look stupid.
3.cxb5 cxb5 4.e4 is more normal, and also
looks good.
3 ... d6 4.cxd6 exd6 5.e4 ll:\f6 6.id3 ie7
a b c d e f g h 8
White has a huge initiative, and it is difficult 7
for Black to withstand the pressure.
6
l l. .. a6 12.l:'i:b3 YNxa2 13.!e2 YNalt 14.idl 5
YNa5 15.\'Nxa5
White would also have ample compensation 4
after 1 5.c3. 3
15 ... ltha5 16.ll:\g5! ll:\h6 17.l:'i:h3! 2

Threatening Ei:xh6.
So far, we have been following Korobov - 8 ...�d7 9.�d3 lLlh6

Fier, Beijing 2008. White should now continue 9 ... tLlf6 1 0.e5 lLlg4 1 1 .lLle4;!;
with the logical: 1 0.e5 �c6 1 l .�e4 lLle7
Yevseev - Barhudarian, St Petersburg 201 1 .
7.ttlf3!N 0-0 8.0-0 Now White should play:
White has at least a slight positional 1 2.We2!N
advantage. The position is harmonious and White has a small but stable advantage,
easy to play, so it is a good practical choice. based on his greater space and better king.
6.ttlf3 .ic5 7.ttlc3 ttlh6

Strange variations inspire strange moves!
l.d4 ttlc6
A provocative knight move. Other more normal tries do not impress
either. For example: 7 ... lLlf6 8.e5 lLlg4 9.lLle4
2.d5 or 7 ... lLl 8e7 8.h4! or 7 ... d6 8.lLla4. In all three
We can't help playing this. Even though it cases, Black is in trouble.
must be what Black is hoping for, there is no
way to resist!
2 ... ttle5 3.e4 e6 4.f4 ttlg6
a b c d e f g h
8.f5! exf5
8 ... lLl h4 9.lLlg5! is given by Avrukh. He
continues 9 ...exf5 1 o.Wfh5t lLlg6 1 l .exf5 lLlxf5
1 2.�d3 and White is winning, for instance:
1 2 ... d5 1 3.:1!fl Wfe7t 14.\t>d1 lLl h6 1 5.h3+-
9.�g5 .ie7
9 ... lLle7 has never been played. White may
choose between the prosaic 1 o.�xh6 gxh6
5...fxe6 1 l .Wfd2;!;, and the sharper 10.Wfe2!? lLl fl
The other recapture is hardly inspiring for 1 1 .0-0-0 0-0 1 2.Wfc4 b 6 1 3.exf5 Wh8
Black: 14.�xe7 Wfxe7 1 5.lLld5 with an active position.
5 ... dxe6 6.Wfxd8t Wxd8 7.lLlf3 �c5 8.lLlc3
The ending is very pleasant for White. IO.hh6 gxh6 l l .exf5 ttlh4 12.ttlxh4 hh4t
13.g3± 9.id2 :B:c8

Obukhov - Davidovich, Warren 2004. Black maintains the tension. However, it
might be more circumspect to simplifY with
l .. .lt�f6 2.c4 b6 9 ... cxd5 1 0.cxd5 ixd3 1 l .Wfxd3 :B:c8 1 2.b3
0-0 1 3.lLlge2, when White is only slightly
l.d4 c!Llf6 2.c4 b6 better.
A kind of accelerated Queen's Indian. 1 0.a3 ie7 1 l .b4 lLlb3 1 2.:B:b1 lLlxd2 1 3.Wfxd2
Wfc7?!
Black allows a tactic, but 1 3 ... 0-0 14.lLlge2
is also pleasant for White.
1 4.c5! ixd3 1 5.d6 ixb1 1 6.dxc7 ig6 1 7.cxb6
axb6 1 8.lLlge2 :B:xc7 1 9.0-0 0-0 20.f4
Black does not have full compensation for
the queen, Ragger - Dizdarevic, Sibenik 20 1 1 .
6.e4 c!Llg6 7..te3 J.c5 8.�d2 d6 9.0-0-0 a6

lO.c!Llge2 Le3 l l.�xe3 J.d7
a b c d e f g h
3.f3
Developing one or other knight is much
more popular, but the text is in line with our
repertoire - grabbing the centre!
3 ... c!Llc6
The trickiest move.
After 3 ... e6 4.e4 we get what we want:

a b c d e f g h
4 ...ib4t (4 ... d5 5.cxd5 exd5 6.e5 lLlfd7 7.f4
c5 8.lLlf3±) 5.id2 ixd2t 6.Wfxd2 d6 7.lLlc3 12.g4!N
0-0 8.0-0-0!t Kruppa - Simonian, Kiev 12.<tt> b 1 b5 1 3.cxb5 axb5 1 4.a3 b4! 1 5.axb4
2008. White will advance g2-g4 and start Wfb8 gave Black the initiative in Sammalvuo -
playing on the kingside, while it is not easy for I. Sokolov, Porto Carras 201 1 .
Black to obtain counterplay on the queenside.
12...b5 13.c!Llg3;t
4.c!Llc3 e5 Both sides have launched their attacks on
Black's idea. He will play on the dark squares. opposite wings, but there is more substance to
White's offensive.
5.d5 c!Lle7
In a recent game, Black tried the more l . .. tt:Jf6 2.c4 tt:l c6
aggressive:
5 ... lLla5!? 6.e3 c6 7.id3 ia6 8.Wfe2 ib4 l.d4 c!Llf6 2.c4 c!Llc6
7 ...ig7 8.cxd6 cxd6 9.'i!!ia4t .id7 (9 ... lt:ld7

1 0.'i!!ia3;!;) 1 0.'i!!ib4 'i!!ib 8 1 I ..ib5 0-0
1 2.ixd7!N lt:lxd7 1 3.0-0;!;
6.h4! h5
6 ... e4 is not very good: 7.lt:lg5 .ib4 8.h5
lt:le5 9.'i!!id4 d6 1 0.lt:lgxe4 and White is just a
pawn up.
7.i.g5
3.c!tlc3
Recommended by Valeri Bronznik in his
interesting J . d4 - Beat the Guerrillas! book.
The positions it leads to are very much in tune
with this whole book.
a b c d e f g h
3 ...e5
3 ... e6 4.e4 is good for White, a high-profile 7...i.e7
example being: 4 ...ib4 5.e5 lt:l e4 6.'i!!ic2 d5 Moving the d-pawn is similar, and may well
7.lt:lf3 f5 8.exf6 'i!!ixf6 9.a3! ixc3t 1 0.bxc3 transpose:
0-0 1 1 .id3± lvanchuk - Aronian, Warsaw 7...d6 8.'i!!ic2 i.e? 9.e3 lt:lg4 1 0.id3
2003. This is unpleasant for Black.
1 0 ...lt:lf8 1 I ..ixe7 'i!!ixe7 12.lt:lb5!
4.d5 c!tle7 5.c!tlf3 c!tlg6 Disrupting Black's normal development and
5 ... d6 6.e4 g6, aiming for some kind of forcing him to weaken himself with ...c6. The
King's Indian, is met by: 7.c5! dosed nature of the position means that White
can afford to spend two tempos on this action.
1 2 ...c6 13.lt:lc3 lt:ld7 1 4.0-0 lt:ldf6 1 5.lt:lg5 0-0
16.dxc6
A consequence of Black having played ... c6.
16 ... bxc6 17.ih7t 'tt>h8 18.ie4 lt:lxe4?!
Better was 18 ....ib7, but even then 19.if3
g6 20.�fdl �fd8 2l .�d2! d5 22.�ad1± gives
White strong pressure.
19.'i!!ixe4 lt:lf6 20.'i!!ixc6
White has a pawn more, Lohse - Dickl, e-mail
2006.
a b c d e f g h
8.e3 d6 9 ..id3 tiJfS B) Various Benonis

9 ... lt:lg4 1 0.'1Wc2 transposes to the previous
note. In the Benoni there are a lot of offbeat systems.
Black can even start with l .d4 c5!? which
10.c5! I examine first, before going on to the more
White uses his excellently placed forces to common l .d4 lt:lf6 2.c4 c5.
open up the position and put Black under
pressure at once, before he has a chance to l ... c5
catch up in development.
l.d4 c5!? 2.d5
By playing without ... lt:lf6 Black obtains
some additional options, most notably 2 ... f5
as in Game 75. If Black instead opts for more
standard set-ups, it turns out that White also
has some extra options!
2 e5
..•
2 ... e6 3.e4 (White has other good moves

here, e.g. 3.lt:lc3) 3 ... exd5 4.exd5 d6 5.lt:lf3
lt:lf6 6.i.b5t! Disrupting Black's natural
development. 6 ... lt:lbd7 (6 ...i.d7 7.a4::!:) 7.0-0
i.e7 8.1"1e l 0-0 9.a4 a6 l O.i.fU It is much
a b c d e f g h easier to play White's position.
lO... tiJ8d7
1 0 ... lt:lg4 l l..� xe7 '1Wxe7 1 2.cxd6 cxd6 3.e4 d6 4..ib5t!
1 3.1"kl lt:ld7 1 4.lt:lg5 0-0 1 5.i.e2 lt:lc5 1 6.b4
lt:la6 1 7.a3± B. Lalic - Carpentier, Paris 2008.
l l.cxd6 cxd6 12Jkl

White has a significant positional initiative.
12 ... tlJc5 13 ..ib5t .id7 14.Lf6 Lf6 15.b4

tDa6
Ward - Palliser, Isle of Man 2000. Here
White played 1 6.'1Wa4, aiming for a slightly
better ending, which he achieved, but was then
unable to win. I think it is much simpler to
play:
a c d e f g
16 ..ixd7t!N '1Wxd7 17.a3;!; Again this check. You have probably figured
White has a pleasant positional plus, with out by now that this check is an extra option
extra space and potentially a good knight that White gets as a consequence of not having
versus bad bishop. played c2-c4.
4... �d7
4 ...id7 5.a4±
5.a4 !i.e? Seirawan - Marnedyarov

The moves 5 ... a6 6.ie2 may be inserted World Team Championship, Ningbo 201 1
here. If the players then continue with their
standard moves, play will transpose into the l.d4 c5 2.d5 f5
following note.
6.�f3 �gf6 7.�c3 0-0 8.0-0 �eS 8

8 ... a6 9.ie2 b6 1 0.lt:ld2 followed by lt:lc4 is 7
pleasant for White.
6
9.�d2 g6 5
9 ... ig5 1 0.lt:lc4 ixcl 1 1 .\Wxcl ± 4
IO.a5 3
2
1
A mixture of a Benoni and a Dutch. White

should respond energetically.
3.e4!
3.lt:lc3 could also be recommended, but I
like the more forcing nature of the text.
3 ...fxe4 4.�c3 lt!f6 5.g4!

White plays extremely sharply, but in fact it
a b c d e f g h
is a deep positional strategy as well.
White's initiative on the queenside, in
combination with the excellent square on c4,
gives a distinct advantage.
IO...!J.g5
1 0 ... lt:lg7 l l .lt:lc4 lt:lb8 1 2.f4 exf4 1 3.ixf4±
Kosic - Pantie, Belgrade 2007.
l l.a6 bxa6 12.i.xa6 ha6 13Jha6 �b6

14.'ffe2 ltlc7 15.:Sal a5 16.�b3 !i.xcl
17.:Sfxcl a4 18.�d2
The black a-pawn proved to be a significant
weakness in Miton - Ivkov, Ottawa 2007.
5 ...h6 that 1 9 ... Ei:f8?! just loses material to 20.Wxf8t

Black must prevent g4-g5, but now White Wxf8 2 I .�h7t.
can close in on the e4-pawn.
16.i.xg5 �xg5 17.�xg5 hxg5
6.h3 d6 7.�ge2 e5
Black didn't want to worry about White
8
playing l2lf4.
7
8.�g3 i.e7 9.i.g2 6
White is ready to take on e4, after which he
will have great play on the light squares. 5
4
9 .. �a6 10.�cxe4;!; i.d7 1 1.0-0 �xe4
.
3
I don't like this move. Then again, I don't
like Black's position anyway! 2
12.i.xe4 0-0
a b c d e f g h
8 18.i.f5!
The exchange of queens has not given Black
7 any real relief. He is saddled with weak pawns
6 on d6 and g5, and now with the clever bishop
exchange, Seirawan obtains some fine squares
5
for his knight.
4
3 IS ...L:£5 19.�xf5 �b4 20.�e3 Ei:xfl t
2U�xfl c3
2 2 I ...b5 22.a3 l0a6 23.l2lf5 Ei:d8 24.l0d4
1 l0c7 25.Ei:f5 and the g5-pawn drops.
a b c d e f g h 22.bxc3 �xa2 23.c4 a5
13.f4
White keeps playing active moves. His
positional plus is exchanged for a real initiative.
13 ... exf4 14.i.xf4 i.g5 15.�d2

There is no need to take on d6 and risk
giving Black some tactical counter-chances.
15... c4
1 5 ...�xf4 I6.Ei:xf4 Wh4 1 7.'tt> g2 Ei:xf4
Otherwise White will double rooks. 1 8.Wxf4
We7 Black has to defend the d6-pawn. 1 9.Ei:fl
White's pressure should prove decisive. Note
a b c d e f g h
It may look as if Black has been able to in previous chapters. But regarding the latter,
generate some real counterplay with the passed there is one rather dubious variation we have
a-pawn. However, Seirawan has judged the still to cover:
position more deeply and concluded that the
passer isn't that dangerous. 3...b5 4.cxb5 e6?!
24.�f5 a4 25.�xd6 a3 26.�xb7

Picking pawns like apples.
26 ... �b4 27.c3 t£Jd3

After 27 ... a2 28.cxb4 a 1 ='1Mf 29.l'ha1 :!"i:xa1 t
30.'it>f2, the white pawns quickly decide.
28.c5
As they do now.
28... �f4 29.d6

1-0
Conclusion: That's the way to play against this

c5/f5 hybrid - first 3.e4! then 5.g4!.
l .d4 ltlf6 2.c4 c5
l .d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 7... �xe4

Of course Black can decline the offer, but
s
7 ··- -�
K -J.. � flm ��
,,Z--.�--.
"� !W%�� ,-
then there isn't much point to his entire
opening play, is there?
� � , � � " " 7 . . .'�Jxd5 8.exd5 '®e7t (8 ... d6 9.tt:le2 ibe7
��i-i��
1 O.tt:lc3±) 9.ibe3 '®e5 1 O.ibc4 '®xb2 1 1 .tt:lf3
1M'c3t 1 2.tt:ld2 and Black can hardly expect
to survive, Belozerov - Lopatskaya, Moscow
-0".0"
j}}"·��JflJdf!j
5
�8Jfl*P
1996.
4
2
� ti,� M
3
7 ... a6 In Benko sryle. 8.bxa6 tt:lxa6 9.ibc4 tt:lb4
1 ��V� 1 0.tt:lxb4 cxb4 and now 1 1 .tt:lf3N gives White
good play. For instance: 1 1 ...tt:lxe4 1 2.tt:le5!
a b c d e f g h tt:ld6 1 3.0-0±
Black has a wide choice. He can try the
extravagant 3 ... tt:l e4, the Czech Benoni, the s.i.c4
Snake Benoni or the slow Benoni. The two
best choices however, the Modern Benoni
and the Benko Gambit, have been examined
12J�el f5 13.a4 a5
1 3 ... li:Jc6 1 4.a5±
14.b3 lL!c6 15 ..th2±
l.d4 ltJf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 lL!e4

Black can't afford a move like this, whose
only purpose is to prevent li:Jc3.
4.�c2 �a5t 5.ltJd2 ltJd6

This doesn't impress me, but at least Black
keeps the game going in an original direction.
5 . . . li:Jf6 6.e4 and 5 ... f5 6.g4! are just good for

White.
6.b3
8 . . . li:Jd6? 9.�f4! and it is already over: 9 ... li:Jxc4 White will occupy the long diagonal first.
1 O.li:Jc7t me7 1 1 .'1We2t is a disaster for Black,
whereas after 9 ...�e7 10.�e2 the threat to take 6.e4 g6 is most common, and here White
on e7 is decisive. has the interesting pawn sacrifice 7.b4 '1Wxb4
8.�b2, with excellent long-term compensation.
9.lLlf.3 0-0 10.0-0 a6 l l.b6! However, the text is simple and strong.
a b c d e f g h
l l...�hSN
The only way to keep the knight on e4.
1 1 ...li:Jc6 1 2.1"i:e 1 1"i:e8 1 3.'1Wd3 is terrible. 9 ...fx:e4 lO.lL!xe4 exd5

The Czech Benoni

l.d4 .!iJf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4. .!LJc3 d6 5.e4
The centre is completely closed and White's
extra space should count for something.
1 1.hg7!N 3
The simple 1 l .cxd5 tt:lxe4 1 2.'Mfxe4t 'Mfe7
1 3.'Mfxe7t ii.xe7 1 4.ii.xg7 :gg8 1 5 .Ji.c3± was 2
also good for White in Chernin - Bischoff, 1
Austria 1 996.
a b c d e f g h
l l ...hg7 12.<�Jxd6t <it>f8 13.�f5t <it>e7 5 ...i.e7
1 3 ...Wff6 1 4.'Mfxf6t ii.xf6 1 5.0-0-0 tt:lc6 The Czech Benoni is a real manoeuvring
1 6.:gxd5± game.
Black can start with the flexible 5 ... tt:lbd7.
14. .!lJxc8t �xc8 15.0-0-0 However, if we respond 6.Ji.d3 then play is
likely to transpose, because 6 ... g6 7.tt:lge2 li.g7
8.f3 is a good Samisch structure.
6.i.d3 .!iJbd7
Castling here allows White to clamp down
on the kingside:
6 ... 0-0 7.h3! tt:l e8 8.tt:lf3 g6
8 ... f5 9.exf5 ii.xf5 1 0.Ji.xf5 :gxf5 1 1 .0-0±
and White can make use of the e4-square.
9.g4! tt:lg7
a b c d e f g h
15 ...�£8
1 5 ... d4 1 6.tt:lf3 is too dangerous for Black to
contemplate.
16J:�xd5 �xfS 17.:gxf5

White has a pawn more.
a b c d e f g h
1 0.1We2!? b6 Now I propose: 1 3.E:ab l !N tt:lf6 1 4.bxc5

1 O ..!h6 is the main move, but I prefer the bxc5 1 5.f3 lUgS 1 6 ..!e3;!;
text. 1 0.b4 .!xcl l l .'W'xcl b6 1 2.Ei:b l;!;
1 o ... 'it>hs I L.!d2 tt:ld7 1 2.0-o-o tt:lf6 Anand - Kororylev, Moscow (blitz) 2007.
1 3.E:dg l ± Okay, it was only a blitz game. Still, when the
White will develop good play o n the World Champion speaks, you listen!
kingside, Seirawan - I. Ivanov, Seattle 2002.
8.tlJg3
7.tt:\ge2
White cannot obtain the promising set-up
from the last note: 7.h3 tt:lf8 8.tt:lf3 h5!? 9 ..!e3
h4 with a complicated positional battle ahead.
7... tt:\f8
The most flexible.
7 ... h5 looks premature. White replies 8.h4!

a6 9.f3 with a pleasant position. For instance:
9 ... g6 l O ..!e3 'it>fs l l .'W'd2 �g7 1 2.g3 tt:le8
1 3.a4 b6 14.b3 E:b8 1 5.1Wb2 tt:lc7 1 6.0-0;!;
Iskusnyh - Onoprienko, Moscow 2006.
7 ... 0-0 8 ... g6

This must of course be taken seriously. White 8 ... tt:lg6 9.tt:lf5;!;
goes into positional mode:
8.0-0 tt:le8 9.h4!� h5 IO.ll)fl
With the standard idea of ....!g5. White is slightly better. He has more space
9.a3! so it is much easier to improve his position, as
in the following practical example:
lO ... tlJg4 l l.f3 tlJh6 12.g3 a6 13.Wc2 id7

14.a3 Wbs 15.a4 ids 16.a5 i.c7 17.i.g5
tt:\g8 lS.ll)dl f6 19.id2 i>f7 20.tlJfe3 ll)h6
21.tlJfl b6 22.axb6 hb6 23.f4±
L. Szabo - Ristoja, Helsinki 1 975.
The Snake Benoni
a b c d e f g h l.d4 tt:\£6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.tt:\c3 exd5 5.cxd5

i.d6
9 . .!g5
. .
Another route is 9 ... g6 l O ..!h6 tt:lg7 l l .'W'd2

�h8. Intending the standard manoeuvre
... tt:ld7-f6-g8 to kick the bishop back. 1 2.b4
10 ... itJbd7 l l .�e3 itJf8 1 2.'\1Md2 ltJ g6 1 3.h3

Preparing f3-f4.
13 ... a6 1 4.a4 �b8 1 5.f4 �xc3 1 6.ltJxc3±
b5 1 7.axb5 axb5 1 8.e5! dxe5 1 9.�xg6 hxg6
20.fXe5
Black was in dire straits in Danner - Czebe,
Oberwart 2007.
7.f4!
a b c d e f g h
The Snake. The bishop is on an extravagant
route, and plans to go to c7 and even a5.
6.e4!
All White's natural moves are good, and
this particular one is close to being a clear-cut
refutation.
6 ..0-0
a b c d e f g h
.
In this position the standard plan fails.

Threatening e4-e5. Black must embark on a
6 ...�c7?! 7.d6 �a5 8.e5 and Black is kicked piece sacrifice.
back.
7 ... �xe4 8.�xe4 ges 9.�e2 .i£8
6 ...We7 A sad waste of time.
This has been played a couple of times by the
Latvian grandmaster Miezis. The obvious 9 . . f5 1 o.ttJxd6! �xe2t 1 1 .�xe2 is
.
7.�d3 0-0 8.itJf3 just good for White, who has lots of material
This straightforward development limits for the queen.
Black's prospects.
8 ... c4!? 9.�xc4 ltJxe4 1 0.0-0 ltJxc3 l l .bxc3 h6 Retreating the bishop with 9 ...�c7 is also met
This was Sivic - Miezis, Nova Gorica 20 1 0, by 1 O.g4, and the bishop is just worse on c7
and now a simple approach for White is: than on f8.
1 2.�e 1 N Wf6 12.Wd4!
White will have a big initiative in the ending. 10.g4
Preventing .. .f5. Black has a long-term
6 ...�e5 initiative, but it is hardly worth a piece.
This is the only real alternative.
7.�d3 0-0 8.ltJge2 d6 9.0-0 �e8 1 0.f3t 10 b6
•.•
White's superior structure gives him a small A high profile rapid game continued:
but clear edge. Here is a practical example: 10 ... d6 l l .itJh3 �xg4 1 2.11Nxg4 �xe4t 1 3.�e2
tt:ld7 1 4.tt:lf2 tt:lf6 1 5.'W'f3 E:e7 1 6.0-0 tt:lxd5 18.f9h3 i.g7 19.f5
17 ..td2 'W'b6 P.H. Nielsen - Karjakin, Beijing The final blow - the f-file is opened.
(rapid) 20 1 1 . Black has three pawns for the
piece. Still, after 1 8 ..tc4!N followed by .tc3, 19 ...gxf5 20.f9h7t <±>f8 21.f9xf5 1-0
for instance, there can be no doubt that White Fajs - Beltins, e-mail 2006.
has the advantage.
And White may be able to improve even The Slow Benoni
earlier with 14.0-0!?N, when Black does not
manage to pick off the d5-pawn as he did in l .d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.�c3 i.g7 5.e4
the game. d6
Black plays a slow Benoni, that is, he delays
l l.�h3 playing ... e6.
White will soon play .tg2 to protect the e4-
knight, so the king's knight is developed where 6.tLlge2
it does not get in the way of this. Just like against the Modern Benoni.
1 I ...i.b7 6...0-0
1 l . . ..ta6 is comfortably met by 1 2.'W'c2. 6 ... b5 7.cxb5 a6 8.tt:lg3 gives White a good
Benko, because there are no problems on the
12.i.g2 Ld5 13.0-0 fl-a6 diagonal.
White has managed to castle. Everything
stands or falls on whether Black can win the
piece back.
13 ...Le4 14.Le4 d5
a b c d e f g h
7 e6
.•.
7 ... tt:la6 8 ..te2 tt:lc7 9.0-0 a6 aims to get

a b c d e f g h
... b5 in, but it doesn't accomplish anything
15.hh7t! after 1 O.a4;!;, when White's extra space gives
The attempt to regain the piece has backfired. him the better play.
White launches a winning attack.
Closing the centre with 7 ... e5 gives White a
I5 <±>xh7 I6.'W'd3t <±>gs 17.�g5 g6
..•
free hand. He can choose between the simple
8.ie2 followed by castling, and 8.h4!?, i n both Stopping the bishop check, and making it
cases with a pleasant position. difficult for Black to justify his pawn sac.
7 ... h5 isn't that scary. We just go 8.ie2 h4 4...b6!?

9.lLlfl and if Black sacrifices a pawn with The modern try. The old ones are in crisis:
9 ... b5 1 0.cxb5, then we will have a nice square
on c4 for the knight. 4 ... lLlc6 5.e3 d6 6.®'c2!
8.Ae2 exd5 9.cxd5

Play has transposed into the Modern Benoni
- see Chapter 4.
C) The Budapest Gambit

l .d4 tLlf6 2.c4 e5
An old gambit that keeps popping up.
3.dxe5
Black must now choose between the tricky
6 ... d5
Fajarowicz variation with 3 ... lLl e4, or the "real"
6 ...if5 7.id3 d5 8.lLlf3 ig6 9.lLlc3±
Budapest Gambit with 3 ... lLlg4.
and Black can't keep the knight on e4,
N.Y. Pedersen - Slisser, Dieren 2004.
Fajarowicz Variation 7 .lLl f3 ie6
7 ... ig4 8.cxd5 ®'xd5 9.ic4 ®'a5t l O.lLlbd2
l.d4 tLlf6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 tLle4 ixf3 l l .gxf3 lLlxd2 1 2.ixd2 ®'xe5 13.ic3±
8.ie2 ®'e7 9.0-0 0-0-0 l O.l:'!d l ±
8
4 ... d6 5.®'c2!
7 Again this move.
6 5 ... lLlc5
5 ...if5 6.lLlc3 lLlg3 7.e4 lLlxh l 8.exf5+-
5 5 ... d5 6.e3 if5 7.id3±
4 6.exd6 ixd6 7.lLlf3 0-0 8.lLlc3 lLlc6 9.ie3±
3
4 ...®'h4 5.g3 Wh5 6.ig2 ®'xe5
2
1
a e f g h
A genuine gambit. The position is full of
tricks, with moves such as ... ®'h4 and ...ib4t
in the air.
4.a3!
a b c d e f g h
7Y!lc2
7.lt:lf3 is also fine.
7 ... lt:lf6 8.lt:lc3 d6 9.lt:lf3 'Wh5
9 ...'We7 I O.�g5+-
l O.�g5 �e7 I I .h4
The black queen is in bad shape. Bronznik
gives:
l l ...'Wg6 1 2.'Wa4t c6 1 3.h5! lt:lxh5 I 4.�xe7
'tt>xe7 1 5.lLlh4±
Wirh an arrack for rhe pawn. I can add a
li erie analysis:
1 5 ... �f6 1 6. .1':r:d l .1':r:d 8 1 7.�a5! g6 1 8.lLle4
The attack looks winning already. a b c d e f g h
s ...i.b7
s.ltld2 5 ... lt:Jc5 6.b4 lt:le6 7.lt:lgf3 �b7 8.�b2 allows
White should not be tempted to go for the White to develop smoothly. For instance
win of a piece: 8 ... lt:lc6 9.e3 d6 I O.exd6 �xd6 I I .'Wc2 and
5.'Wd5 �b7! 6.'Wxb7 lt:lc6 White is a clear pawn up, Luers - Sheppard,
The queen won't get out again. e-mail 20 1 0.
7.lt:lc3 lt:lc5 8.�g5
5 ... lt:lxd2 6.�xd2 �b7 7.lt:lf3 lt:lc6 8.�c3 'We7
8 9.'Wc2 0-0-0 1 0.0-0-0± Hillarp Persson -
7 Romero Holmes, Benidorm 2003.
5 6.ltlxe4 he4 7.i.f4!

As well as defending the e5-pawn, this will
4
discourage Black from ever breaking with ... d6.
3
2 7... ltlc6
Or 7 ...'We7 8.e3 �b7 9.lt:lf3±.
a b c d e f g h
8.ltlf3 h6 9.e3 gS lO.i.g3 i.g7
At first glance, this looks like a refutation of
Black's play, but watch what happens now:
8 ... f6! 9.exf6 gxf6 I O.�xf6 'Wxf6! I l .'Wxa8t
�f7 1 2.E!:dl �g7
The queen is trapped anyway.
1 3.E!:xd7t lt:lxd7 14.'Wb7 'Wg6
Black has dangerous play in return for the
pawns, Young - Morin, e-mail 2005.
a b c d e f g h
It turns out that in the long run the e5-pawn closely into the theory, let's consider rhe
cannot be defended. To actually win it though, speculative gambit 4 ...i.b4t 5.tLld2 d6 6.exd6
Black must compromise his position. '1Wf6, as well as the dynamic 4 ...g5 5.i.g3 i.g7.
I I..id3! ixd3 4...!b4t

l l ...�xf3 1 2.'1Wxf3 �xe5 1 3.i.f5! gives
White excellent play on the light squares. Black l.d4 ttlf6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 ttlg4 4.J.f4 .ib4t
cannot afford to grab the b-pawn: 1 3 ...i.xb2?! 5.ttld2 d6?!
14.'1We4t <;t>fs ( 1 4 ...'1We7 1 5.i.xd7t! �xd7 A real gambit. Instead, 5 ... tLlc6 would
1 6.E!:d l t �c8 1 7.'1Wxc6+-) 1 5.E!:d l and the transpose to the mainline.
black position falls apart.
6.exd6 'i;Vf6
12.'i;Vxd3 'i;Ve7 13.0-0 0-0 14.b4 gadS
IS.Ei:acl gfe8 16.c5 ttlxe5 17.ttlxe5 !xeS
18.ixe5 'i;Vxe5 19.'i;Va6 gas 20JUdl ± 8
Black has got his pawn back, but White has 7
strong central pressure and annoying play on
6
the queenside, Bellmann - Polzer, e-mail 2002.
5
Budapest Gambit: 3 ... �g4 4
I.d4 ttlf6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 �g4 3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
The point, initiating some very tricky piece
play. Black already has direct threats and lots
of tactical motifs. The only problem is that it
is not correct! If White knows what to do, he
will take over.
7.ttlh3!
7.e3 is also fine.
7... ttlxfl
Attacking the e5-pawn and hoping to get This small combination may look excellent
good piece play. I don't intend to seriously for Black, who destroys the white king's
attempt to hold on to the extra pawn, but by position. However, White has a fine riposte
protecting it with natural moves, Black's play ready, and you should know the details
will be tested. beforehand, because it is not easy to calculate
during a game.
4.J.f4 �c6
The normal move. Before looking more s.<;t>xfl .ixh3 9.g3!
This precise move leads to an advantage for 14 lt)e6 15.Wfxb6 axb6 16.a3 .ie7 17 .id6!
•.. •
White in all lines. lt)g5 1S.lt)xg5 .ixd6 19-l:Udl i.e7 20.lt)e4

White was a pawn up and won the ending in
T. Williams - Jong, e-mail 2008.
4 g5!?
•.•
l.d4 �f6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 lt)g4 4..if4 g5!?

5 ..ig3 .ig7
Black quickly regains the e5-pawn, but he is
paying a high positional price by playing the
move ... g5 so early.
a b c d e f g h
9 Lfl
...
The alternatives 9 ...�c5t I O.e3 and 9 ...�f5

1 0.e4 are no better.
10.dxc7!
With this intermediate move, White nets
another pawn.
10 ... lt)a6
After I O . . . lt:Jc6 l l .!'lxfl 0-0 1 2.lt:Je4 Wxb2
1 3.Wd5, the computer assures us that White is
already winning. a b c d e f g h
7.h4!
l l.!'lxfl 0-0 u.lt)e4 Wfb6t 13.e3 lt)xc7 White exploits the weakening of the black
14.Wfd4!± kingside; the g5-pawn is a direct target.
7 . lt)gxe5
. .
7 . h6 8.lt:Jc3 lt:Jgxe5 9.lt:Jxe5 lt:Jxe5 is just a

. .
transposition to the note to Black's 9th move

below.
s.lt)xe5 lt)xe5 9.lt)c3!

A fresh and very promising try, instead of the
more common 9.e3.
9 g4
••.
Black must keep the position closed.
a b c d e f g h
9. . .h6 1 0.hxg5 hxg5 1 l .�xh8t ixh8 1 2.�c2!

lt:lg6 1 3.0-0-0 d6 14.c5± Mootamri - Jimena
Bonilla, e-mail 2008.
9 ... lt:lxc4 1 0.e3 lt:'lxb2 1 l .�c2 lt:'la4?! ( l l ...�f6

1 2.�c l ±) 1 2.lt:'ld5! d6 1 3.�xa4t c6 1 4.�cl
and White was winning in Cmilyte - Slavin,
Palau 2009.
10.h5 h6
a b c d e f g h
6.c!Llbd2
A positionally reliable solution. White goes
for natural and quick development and hopes
to secure the bishop pair.
The alternative is 6.lt:'lc3, after which White

can play �d5 to defend the e5-pawn, bur I
much prefer the simple text move.
a b c d e f g h 6...'ffe7
Winning the pawn back.
Here 1 l .e3 d6 1 2.ih4 �d7 has been played
in some correspondence games, but Bronznik Another option is:
has had the clever idea that White can play the 6 ... f6 7.exf6 �xf6 8.e3 �xb2
moves in the reverse order. This also regains material equality, but Black
is behind in development and his queen
I I.i.h4N i.f6 12.i.xf6 'ffxf6 13.e3
might end up in trouble.
This is the safe option given by Bronznik.
9.ie2 0-0 1 0.0-0 d6 l l .c5!
However, I believe that 1 3.c5!? is even stronger. White has several decent choices here, but
I like this pawn sacrifice which keeps him
White is threatening lt:Jd5 followed by �d4,
and the position looks excellent for White. in the driver's seat in all lines, and has
scored 1 OOo/o in practice. Here is a recent
13 ... d6 14.c!Lld5 'ffd8 15.'ffd4 .ie6 16.0-0-0 correspondence game:
0-0 17..ie2 l l ...ixc5 1 2.h3 lt:'lh6 1 3.�b 1 �f6 14.lt:Je4
Black will regret the weakening of his �e7 1 5.lt:lxc5 dxc5 16.ig5
kings ide. White has a serious initiative, Santos
Etxepare - Duran Vallverde, email 2008.
4.)tk6
7.e3 c!Llgxe5 8.c!Llxe5 c!Llxe5 9.i.e2
l.d4 c!Llf6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 ltJg4 4.i.f4 c!Llc6
s.c!Lla i.Mt
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a b c d e f g h
1
1 4.4Jxd6t! cxd6 1 5.t.xd6
a b c d e f g h Rossi - Simonella, e-mail 1 999. Black's best
White finishes developing his kingside. defensive try is:
Next he will castle, and Black will have to start 1 5 ...Wd8 1 6.t.xb7 Ei:b8 1 7.t.xb8 Wxb8
worrying about the bishop on b4. Of course he 1 8.t.d5±
can exchange on d2, but then White will have White is firmly in control.
the bishop pair and a long-term edge, which is
exactly what we are aiming for. 10.0-0 i.xd2
Black accepts the inevitable. This means that
9 ...0-0 White's opening strategy has been a success; we
Black sometimes opts to develop his queen's get the bishop pair and a good position.
bishop first:
Black can try to keep the bishop with 1 O ... a5
9 ... b6 1 0.0-0 t.b7 I I .ltJf3 1 1 .a3 t.c5, but White has a strong response
This leads to a safe edge for White. see Game 76.
1 1 ...4Jxf3t
l l ...t.xf3 1 2.t.xf3 Ei:d8 1 3.t.e2 t.d6 14.'11N c2 1 0 ... ltJ g6 1 I .t.g3 t.d6 actually manages
h5?! 1 5.Ei:ad 1 c6 1 6.Ei:d4 t.c7 1 7.h4± Potkin to exchange the problem bishop without
- B. Savchenko, Aix-les-Bains 20 1 1 . conceding the bishop pair. However, White
1 2.t.xf3 t.xf3 1 3.Wxf3 0-0 14.%lfb7;!; continues 1 2.t.xd6 Wxd6 1 3.4Je4! and now
This infiltration of the queenside is quite both 1 3 ...We5 1 4.lUc3 and 1 3 ...We7 1 4.4Jc3
unpleasant for Black. d6 1 5.Wd4 give White a small but nagging
edge.
9 ... d6 1 0.0-0 t.d7
1 0 ... a5 1 l .a3 t.xd2 1 2.Wxd2 a4 can be met 1 0 ... d6 1 I .lUb3 b6 1 2.a3 t.c5 is somewhat
by 1 3.c5! dxc5 1 4.%lfd5, with good play for artificial. 1 3.4Jxc5 bxc5 1 4.b4 4Jd7 1 5.t.g4!
the pawn. White has a pleasant technical advantage. For
1 1 .a3 t.c5 instance: 1 5 ... Ei:e8 1 6.t.xd7 t.xd7 1 7.bxc5
Rather provocative. dxc5 1 8.Wd5 t.e6 1 9.Wc6;:!;, and 1 9 ...t.xc4
l l ...t.xd2 1 2.%lfxd2 is similar to the 20.Ei:fc l would only increase White's pressure.
mainline.
1 2.lUe4 lUg6 1 3.t.f3 t.b6 l l.Y:Yxd2 d6 12.b4
1 3 ... 4Jxf4 1 4.exf4 followed by Ei:e1 is terrible White has a fine game. He will aim to get
for Black. c4-c5 in.
12 ... a5 The more tactical 1 5.�xc7 is also interesting.

Or 1 2 ... b6 1 3.c5!. Play may continue: 1 5 ...�xe3 1 6.fxe3 'Wxe3t
1 7.E!:f2 'Wxd2 1 8.'Wd l ! 'Wxd l t 1 9.�xdl E!:e8
13.a3 gds 14.Y!lfc3 20.c5 E!:el t 2 l .E!:fl E!:xfl t 22.\fixfl f6 23.�d6
Black has no compensation for the bishop The boxed-in c8-bishop means that White has
pair. Moskalenko has proposed 14 ... 'Wf6 with a fantastic endgame despite the missing pawn,
the threat of ... lDf3t, but then just 1 5.'Wd4 Leitao - Dyce, Szeged 1 994.
maintains White's edge. Black should probably try 1 5 ...�xb4 instead,
but that also looks good for White.
15 gxh6 16.bxc5 Y!lfxc5 17.lLle4 Y!lfe5

•..
Saule Hamilton
-
18.Y!lfxe5!
White is happy to go into an endgame in
e-mail 2007 which Black will have difficulty developing his
bishop.
l .d4 lt::J £6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 lL:lg4 4 ..if4 lL:lc6
s.lLlf3 .ib4t 6.lLlbd2 Y!lfe7 7.e3 lLlgxe5 18 ... lLlxe5 19.£4 f5
s.lihe5 lLlxe5 9.ie2 0-0 10.0-0 a5 1 1.a3 Or 1 9 ... lL:lg6 20.lL:lf6t \t>g7 2 1 .lDd5 c6
ic5 22.lDb6, and White has a bind.
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
12.b4!
a b c d e f g h
A promising pawn sac, though the normal
1 2.lDb3 is also okay. 21.lDb5! d5
Saving the pawn with 2 l ... c6 is worse, as after
12 ...axb4 13.axb4 gxa1 14.Y!lfxa1 lLlg6 22.lt::J d6 Black doesn't have any sensible plan.
The only move. 1 4 ...�xb4 loses to 1 5.�xe5
�xd2 1 6.�xg7. 22.lLlxc7 dxc4 23.ixc4t <t!lg7 24.E:d1
Despite the simplification, Black is in poor
15.ih6 shape. The activity of White's pieces and the
This makes it a long-term positional pawn weakness of the black pawns will decide this
sacrifice. ending.
24.. .!ile7 25.�b5 �c6 26.�d6 :Sd8 27.:Sd5

�£8
Or 27 ... \t>f6 28.lt:lxc8 :B:xc8 29.:B:d6t \t>g7
30.:B:d7t and the black pawns start to fall.
28.�xc8
The f5-pawn is dropping.
1-0
Conclusion: Black's attempt to keep his

bishop with l l ...ic5 runs into the unexpected
1 2.b4!.
a b c d e f g h
D) l...e6 Systems 4... f5
The critical move when the variation was
I .d4 e6 invented. These days it is more or less refuted
A clever move order by Black. It has only one - see how in Game 77.
major flaw, which is that White can respond Black has two alternatives:
with 2.e4! reaching a French. You should
seriously consider that option, although a 4 ... lt:lc6
thorough examination of a major defence to Going for the bishop pair, but leading to a
l .e4 is clearly outside the scope of this book. rather cramped position.
The reason I emphasize the possibility is that 5.lt:le2 lt:lb4 6.lt:lbc3 lt:lxd3t 7.Wfxd3
with normal play we actually run into some
repertoire problems. Normal play in this
context means:
2.c4
Here Black can play the tricky English
Defence with 2 ... b6, or the somewhat
annoying 2 ... ib4t with a kind of Bogo
Indian, or 2 .. .f5 with a Dutch. The annoying
thing is that these lines raise certain problems
regarding the coherence of my suggested
repertoire. a b c d e f g h
7... d6
2 . b6
.. 7 ... !1Je7 will transpose.
7 ... g6 is risky after 8.h4.
I .d4 e6 2.c4 b6 3.e4 7 ...ib4 doesn't make much sense: 8.0-0;!;
Of course we occupy the centre, though 3.a3 8.0-0 lt:le7
ib7 4.luc3 f5 5.d5 is a good alternative. After 8 ... lt:lf6 White uses his big space
advantage: 9.d5 ie7 1 0.!1Jd4 Wfd7 l l .b3;!;
3 ...!b7 4.id3 9.d5 Wfd7 1 0.f4 g6
Recently the British grandmaster Sadler
played 10 ... tLlg6, but then discouraging long 7.a3 :ixd2t 8.lLlbxd2:t
castling with 1 1 .a4!N looks very strong. 6.'W'xd2
1 l .f5! The simplest, even though 6.lLlxd2 is
1 1 .tLld4 is also good. recommended in most places.
1 l ...gxf5 1 2.lLlg3 6 .. .f5 7.lLlc3 fxe4
7 ... tt:Jf6 8.f3:t
1
8
��-..%. ••
.-\.�..tw�ii';
... .. �i!{• �r�'
l1' ' �
-- �
8 .:ixe4 :ixe4 9 .tt:J xe4 lLl f6 1 0 .tt:J g3 0-0 1 l .lLJ f3
lLlc6 1 2.0-0:t lLle7?!
6
% %
�- --� " ---� � �

Not a very auspicious manoeuvre, but it was
: �� '' '�� difficult to come up with a plan.

13.:!::\ fel 'W'e8 14.d5!±
3 ��-�%"''- �� %�""- lotov - G. Szabo, Pleven 20 1 0.

��if�
---- � ',.. , ,;�,,
� �
��7� �� JjJ[j
-
2
� � � .:I � �
a b c d e f g h Gerbich Kazantsev
White has a huge initiative and is bound e-mail 2009
to win the pawn back. The only practical
example so far went: l .d4 e6 2.c4 b6 3.e4 i.b7 4.i.d3 f5
1 2 ... tt:Jg6 1 3.exf5 lLl e5 14.'W'e2 0-0-0
1 5.tLlge4 :ie7 1 6.dxe6 fxe6 1 7.f6 :if8 1 8.:if4
lLlfl 1 9.:!::\ acl h5 20.a4± 8 � � �-��
�I-E'i"� -----�--,
Rost - Hellbing, e-mail 2008. 7
6 "- "�
� �'� "�
�� '� � �
4 ...:ib4t
5
4 , ,j
� � � �
�jll ,
�®%�, � ®%� �®" ,
23
��§'rJflz�JlJ
�p
�ct:J�vm ��
a b c d e f g h
5.exf5!
Not worrying about the long diagonal, and
a b c d e f g h allowing ...:ixg2 and even ...:ixh 1 . White has
5.:id2 a queen check himself on h5 and hopes to win
5.\t>fl is also interesting. Black will have to in style.
retreat with the bishop and lose more time,
and his lack of space weighs more heavily s . ..Lg2
than White's temporarily bad king. An illustrative game with this move has
5 ...:ixd2t been chosen primarily for instructional and
5 ...'W'e7 6.lLlf3 is pleasant for White: 6 ... tt:Jf6 entertainment value.
These days, Black players go for:

5 ...ib4t 6.cj{fl lLlf6!
A pawn sac, which is almost obligatory,
as 6 ... exf5 7.c5 bxc5 8.a3 c4 9.hc4 id6
I O.ltJc3± is just good for White.
7.lLlf3 0-0 8.a3 id6 9.lLlc3
a b c d e f g h
l l ... Wfe7
Three ofBlack's other tries deserve a mention:
b d f g
a c e
1 1 ...lLlc6 1 2.lLld2
This position has occurred in more than 20
games, and White has scored massively.
9 .. .'.We8
Both 9 ... exf5 1 0.ixf5 and 9 ... lLlc6 1 0.ig5
are promising for White too.
1 O.ig5 exf5 1 l .c5! ie7
1 l ...bxc5? 1 2.1Mfb3t
1 2.ixf5±
Likavsky - Bunzmann, Austria 2008.
6.Wfh5t a b c d e f g h
The following sequence of moves is forced. 1 2 ... e5
1 2 ... b5 1 3.cxb5 lLlb4 1 4.ig6 ib7 1 5.lLlf4
6 ... g6 7.fxg6 .1g7 8.gxh7t Wf8 9.lt'le2 lt'lf6 �e7 1 6.lLlh5 '<Mff8 1 7.d5! lLlbxd5 1 8.lLle4
10.Wfh4 Lhl l l ..tg5 White is ready to castle long, so Black tries to
The real starting position of the 4 ... f5-line. run away with his king. 1 8 ... cj{d8 1 9.lLlexf6
Black has tried nearly everything, but to no �c8 Flear - Plaskett, Torquay 1 982. Now
avail. He simply cannot defend the kingside White took on g7 and the game eventually
adequately. White will play his knight to f4, ended in a draw, but it was much stronger
from where it may check on g6, or go to h5 to bring the a 1 -rook into the game. After
to increase the pressure on the pinned black 20.l::k 1 !N White is winning. An entertaining
knight. Also White will develop his queenside conclusion could be: 20 ... lLlxf6 2 1 .lLlxf6 d6
quickly and castle long, bringing the rest 22.\Wc4 \We7 23.lLlg8 \Wd7 24.ie8+-
of the army into the battle. Let's see some 12 ... d5 1 3.lLlf4 lLlxd4 1 4.0-0-0 lLlf3
examples. 1 5.lLlxf3 ixf3 1 6.lLlxe6t cj{e7 1 7.lLlxd8
ixd1 1 8.ltJc6t cj{d6 19.ixf6 1 -0 Eljanov
- Andreikin, Moscow (blitz) 20 10. This was In Baginskaite - Miles, Philadelphia 1 999,
only a blitz game, bur it shows what can White kept checking with the queen and
happen. took the draw. She could have won with:
1 3.0-0-0 e4 14.�xe4 �xe4 1 5.lt:'lxe4 E:xh7 2 l .lt:'lf3!N
1 6.Wf4 �f7 White's initiative just keeps unfolding. The
main variation is:
2 1 ...We8t 22.�f1 �g7 23.Wh4 We4 24.Wh5t
�[8 25.:B:el E:xh7
25 ...Wxc4t 26.E:e2 and White threatens
�e7t.
26.Wxh7 Wxf3 27.E:e3 Wg4 28.h4! Wxc4t
29.�g1
Black's checks will run out, and then White
is ready to finish the job.
b d f g
1 l ...c5 1 2.lt:'lf4 lt:'l c6 1 3.lt:'ld2 lt:'lxd4 14.0-0-0
a c e h
�c6 1 5.lt:'lh5 Again the pin is exploited.
Magerramov - Psakhis, Riga 1 980. The pin 1 5 ... lt:'lf5 1 6.�xf5 exf5 1 7.lt:'lxf6 We7 1 8.lt:'lde4!
on the knight will prove fatal. The most fxe4 1 9.lt:'lxd7t Wxd7 20.E:xd7 �xd7 2 1 .Wf4t
effective way to build up the pressure is: �e8 22.Wd6 �f7 23.Wxd7t �g6 24.h4 White
1 7.E:d3! lt:'lb4 1 8.E:f3 We7 1 9.�xf6 �xf6 soon won in Akobian - Kiewra, Wheeling
20.lt:'lxf6 lt:'ld3t 2 1 .E:xd3 Wxf6 22.We4 Wh6t 20 1 0.
23.lt:'lf4 E:ah8 24.E:f3
Black is helpless. 12.tLlf4 V!!f7
1 l ...�f3
An interesting idea from one of this
variation's pioneers, the British grandmaster
Tony Miles, but even with the bishop
helping the defence, it is not enough.
1 2.lt:'lf4 lt:'lc6 1 3.lt:'ld2 �g4 14.lt:'lg6t �f7
1 5.lt:'le5t lt:'lxe5 1 6.dxe5 �f5 1 7.�xf5 exf5
1 8.exf6 �xf6 1 9.Wh5t �g7 20.Wh6t �f7
a b c d e f g h
13.tLlg6t
The most exact.
On 13.�g6, Black can fight on with the

surprising 1 3 ... E:xh7, although even then
a b c d e f g h 1 4.Wg3 gives White good compensation.
13 .. ,cj;le8 14.�e5 �f8

Passive, but Black must avoid the pin:
1 4 ...We7 1 5.ttlg4
This leaves Black in very bad shape - as
usual.
1 5 .. .'>t>d8
1 5 . . .Wb4t 1 6.ttld2 tt:lxg4 1 7.Wxg4 Wd6
Defending against the white queen coming
to f4. 1 8 .i.g6t r;f;>f8 19.ttle4 i.xe4 20.Wxe4
ttl c6 2 1 . WIf3 t+-
1 6.ttlxf6 r;!;>c8 1 7.ttlh5 Wb4t 1 8 .ttlc3 Wxb2
1 9.�cl tt:lc6
Or 1 9 ...i.f8 20.i.d2 i.b4 2 1 .Wf6+-.
20.ttlxg7
The position is winning for White, Percze - a b c d e f g h
G. Evans, e-mail 200 1 . Starting a nice combination.
15.�c3 d6 16.0-0-0! 20....ixe4 21.exf6t .ix£6 22.L£6t �xf6

White does not waste any time. 22 ... ttlxf6 23.Wxc7t ttld7 24.�xd7t r;f;>f6
25.i.xe4 and the black king soon perishes.
23J:hd7t cj;lxd7 24.�xf6 Lg6 25.�xg6
a b c d e f g h
16...dxe5 17.dxe5 � bd7

1 7 ... r;!;>e7 1 8 .�xhl ttlbd7 was Browne - a b c d e f g h
Miles, Reno 1 999. Here the clearest win is The ending is easily won for White. The
1 9.exf6t ttlxf6 20.i.g6 r;!;>d7 2 l .�dl t r;!;>c8 strong h 7-pawn prevents Black from activating
22.�d3 and the threat of �f3 is decisive. his rooks, and he is not given any chance to
threaten to win it.
18 ..ig6t cj;le7 19.�£4 .ic6
1 9 ... �d8 20.�xh l ttlxe5 2 1 .Wxe5 r;!;>d7 25 ...�af8 26.�g7t cj;lc6 27.cj;ld1 �d8t
22.Wb5t \t>c8 23.Wa6t \t>b8 24.ttlb5 shows 28,cj;le2 e5 29,cj;lf3
that White can attack on the queenside too.
White's queen paralyses the two black rooks, be the obvious choice, aiming for a Nimzo
so his king is free to wander around. Indian. But Black is not obliged to respond
3 ... ttJf6; instead he can try to confuse us with
29 .. J�he8 30.b4 e4t 3 1.�g4 �b7 32.a4 �fS something like 3 ... c5 or 3 ... f5, or even 3 ... b6.
33.a5 �cS 34.'1We5 �hS So I prefer just to play the text move, which
34 ... �ce8 35.'\Wd5t Wb8 36.a6+- strives for a small plus that I feel should be
possible to achieve - after all Black has made
35.�xe4t c6 36.a6t! �xa6 37.�e7 a slight positional concession by giving the
With the black king cut off, White can now bishop check.
start to advance his kingside pawns and his
king. 3 ..a5
.
Black has two other popular options:

37...�b8 38.f4 �beS 39.�g7 c5 40.b5t
�aS 41.�c3t �a4 42.�g5 �dS 43.h4 a6 3 ...'\We7 4.e4
44.bxa6 b5 45.�al t �b4 46.cxb5 �xb5 The most ambitious line for White.
47.a7 c4 48.�g6 4.ltJf3 or 4.g3 would lead to a normal Bogo
1-0 Indian after 4 ... ttJf6.
4 ... d5
Conclusion: You just need to know one thing 4 ... ttJf6 5.�d3±
- 4 .. .f5 is refuted by 5.exf5!. White sacrifices 5.e5
the rook on h 1 for an attack that goes on and The extra space gives White the easier play.
on - only stopping when the point is chalked
up for White.
2 ib4t
•••
I.d4 e6 2.c4 !b4t
8
7
6 a b c d e f g h
5 5 ... ltJc6
4 Bronznik proposes 5 ... �xd2t 6.'\Wxd2
dxc4 7.�xc4 �d7!? with the idea of ...�c6.
3 However, after 8.ltJc3N �c6 9.ltJge2! White
2 is better, for instance: 9 ... ltJh6 1 0.0-0 0-0
1 1 .ltJf4±
1 6.ltJf3 �xd2t 7.'1Wxd2 dxc4 8.ltJc3 ltJh6
After 8 ... ltJa5 9.d5 White has ample
compensation for the pawn.
3.id2 9.�xc4 0-0 1 0.a3 �d8 1 l .�d1
If we wish to stay within the contours of
Black's pieces are very poorly coordinated.
our overall repertoire, then 3.ltJc3 would
l l ...b6 1 2.Wf4 .tb7 1 3.0-0 lL!a5 14 ..ta2 .txf3 1 l ...c5 1 2.Ei:ae1 .tb7 1 3.g4!?
1 5.Wxf3 c5 1 6.d5 Ei:f8 17.We4± White's chances lie on the kingside.
I. Sokolov - Fernandez Romero, Lanzarote 1 3 ... Ei:fd8 1 4.lL!g3 g6 1 5.h4
2003. White has a positional advantage and some
initiative as well, Bogner - Bischoff, Bochum
3 ....txd2t 4.Wxd2 lL!f6 20 12.
4 ...f5 is a Dutch where the exchange of
the dark-squared bishops clearly favours 4.e4
White. Here is a example from top players: If we are given the chance, we play this move.
5.g3 lL!f6 6 ..tg2 0-0 7.lL!f3 d6 8.0-0
We7 9.lL!c3 c6 1 0.Ei:fe1 (In order to meet Again 4.lL!f3 could become a proper Bogo
1 0 ... e5 with 1 l .e4.) 1 0 ... d5 Giri - Carlsen, Indian, whereas 4.lL!c3 is an interesting
Monaco (rapid) 20 1 1 . Now Kaufman option, because in a Nimzo structure the pawn
suggests 1 1 .Wc2 lL!e4 1 2.e3 lL!d7 1 3.lLle2±. is somewhat misplaced on a5.
The knight is on its way to f4, and whenever
Black plays the standard ... b6, White will
8
respond cxd5 and force his opponent to
take back with the c-pawn, which in general 7
favours White. 6
5.lLlc3
It is also possible to play a pleasant Catalan 5
with 5.lL!f3 followed by g2-g3. 4
5 ... d5 6.e3 0-0 7.cxd5
I like this approach.
3
7 ... exd5 8 ..td3 We7 9.lL!ge2 lL!bd7 1 0.0-0 b6 2
1 I .f3±
8
4 . d5
. .
7 The principal alternative is:

6 4 ... d6
Preparing ... e5.
5
5.lL!c3 e5
4 5 ... lL!f6 6.e5±
3 6.a3! .txc3 7.hc3 lL!f6 8.f3 lL!bd7
8 ... exd4 9.Wxd4 has been played a few times,
2 but it cannot be satisfactory for Black.
1 9.lLle2 a4 1 0.lL!g3 0-0 1 I ..te2 b6 1 2.0-0 exd4
1 3.Wxd4 lL!c5 14.Ei:adl
a b c d e f g h With the bishop pair and a good centre,
White has a similar set-up to the Queen's White is clearly better, Barnaure - Istratescu,
Gambit Exchange Variation from my first Predeal 2007.
book, and to some of the lines in the Nimzo
Indian. 5.a3
5.e5 is not so good here, because the black

8
knight has the e7 -square available.
7
5 ...hd2t 6.�xd2 dxe4 6
6.Ji'Je7 7.tt:lgf3;t
5
7.�xe4 �f6 8.�c3 0-0 9.�f3 4
White is more comfortable.
3
8 2
7 1
6 a b c e g
5 3.�f3
To be honest, I would play 3.g3 myself! It is
4 true that Black then has a proper Dutch, bur
3 he has made a small concession to get there. By
having the pawn on e6 already, the dangerous
2 Leningrad Variation is ruled our, which
1 means that Black can only choose between the
Stonewall with 3 ... c6 4.i.g2 d5, when 5.tt:lh3
a b c d e f g h
is a good set-up, and the Classical with 3 ... tt:lf6
9 b6
.•. 4.i.g2 i.e7 5.tt:lf3 0-0 6.0-0, which in my
9 ...Vfie7 from Danielian - E. Paehtz, Wijk opinion is very pleasant for White. So putting
aan Zee 20 1 2, can be met by 1 0.i.d3N with a things into perspective, there is no reason to
pleasant position. fear this ... e6 and ... f5 line at all.
But for this book, I have decided to
10.i.e2 recommend a more original set-up.
Here too, 1 O.i.d3N could be considered.
3 ... �f6 4.�c3 .ib4
10...i.b7 1 1.0-0 �bd7 12-l:�el �e4 On 4 ...i.e7, it makes even more sense to
13.�xe4 i.xe4 14 ..id3 hd3 15.'Wxd3 a4 play 5.g3! when Black is more or less forced to
16J�adl� enter the Classical Dutch, because a Stonewall
Summerscale - Ward, Swansea 1 995. with the bishop on e7 is clearly inferior to one
with it on d6.
2 f5
...
If you prefer to stay in more unexplored
territory, I would suggest 5.'Wc2 0-0 6.h3!?
I .d4 e6 2.c4 f5 with the idea of g2-g4. Here is a recent
Another annoying aspect of the l ...e6 move grandmaster example: 6 ... b6 7.g4 i.b7 8.gxf5
order. Black plays a Dutch without allowing i.xf3 9.exf3 tt:lc6 1 0 .i.e3 e5?! ( 1 0 ... exf5
our pet variation, 1 .d4 f5 2.i.g5. 1 l .'Wxf5;J;) 1 l .dxe5 tt:lxe5 1 2.i.e2 c6 1 3.0-0-0±
Gupta - Gleizerov, Visakhapatnam 201 1 .
5.Vfib3
The game is a hybrid between the Nimzo 9.tt:lxd4 tt:la6

and the Dutch. Dould - S. Fischer, e-mail 2003.
1 0.g3!N
5 ...�e7 Planning j_g2 and 0-0 with a good game.
Black has other ways to protect the bishop, 1 0 ...j_c5 l l .e3 1Mfb6 1 2.1Mfxb6 j_xb6 13.b4±
as we shall see. He can also take on c3 at once,
but that is hardly justified positionally. 6..ig5 0-0 7.g3
As I said earlier, in this line g2 is the best
5 ...j_xc3t 6.1Mfxc3 0-0 7.g3 place for the bishop!
In this instance, g2 is the place for the
bishop! 7 b6
.•.
7 ... b6 7 ... tt:lc6 looks wrong, and 8.a3 j_xc3t

Black fights for the important long diagonal. 9.1Mfxc3 d6 1 0.d5!t is the way to show it.
Now it resembles a Queen's Indian.
s.j_g2 j_b7 9.0-o d6 I O.b4t 8..ig2 .ib7 9.0-0 J.xc3
The bishop pair, together with his slight So that he can play ... d6.
initiative on the queenside, gives White an
edge. 10.�xc3 d6
1 0 ... h6 1 1 .j_xf6 1Mfxf6 1 2.�aclt is pleasant
5 ... a5 6.g3 b6 7.j_g2 j_b7 8.0-0 0-0 9.�dl for White.
is more of the same. For instance: 9 ...j_xc3
1 o.1Mfxc3 j_e4 l l .j_g5 h6 1 2.j_xf6 1Mfxf6 l l .d5!
13.�acl d6 14.c5!t and White's initiative is
unfolding, Enricci - Piculjan, e-mail 2004.
5 ... c5
This is a sharper line.
6.j_g5 0-0 7.a3
a b c d e f g h
A typical thrust in such Queen's Indian
positions. If Black takes the bait, his pawn on
b d f g
a c e h d5 will be pinned down the long diagonal; or
if he leaves the white d-pawn on the board, his
7 ...1Mfa5!? b7-bishop will be shut out of play.
7...j_xc3t 8.1Mfxc3t
s.j_d2 cxd4 l l . ..exd5
8 ...j_xc3 9.j_xc3t l l ...e5 1 2.e4 fxe4 1 3.tt:ld2 h6 14.j_e3 j_c8
Chapter 8 - Minor Lines 23 1
1 5.tt:lxe4 tt:lxe4 1 6.i.xe4 i.h3 gave Black 13.cx:d5

counterplay in B. Lalic - R. Pert, Port Erin 1 3.tt:lxf5 transposes to Postny - Gleizerov
2002. above.
However, White can improve with the subtle
12.'Wc2!N g6 1 3.e4, with great play. 13 ...g6 14.6 ttlbd7 15.e4 .ta6
12.tt:lh4 8
Attacking the f5-pawn and pinning the d5-
pawn. 7
6
Kaufman suggests a pure pawn sacrifice:
1 2.cxd5!? i.xd5 13.E:fd 1 i.e4 14.tt:ld4 i.xg2 5
1 5.mxg2 with many threats, and I agree that 4
this also looks good.
3
1 2.tt:ld4 reduces White's options compared to 2
the text move. 1 2 ... c5 Black must make sure
he is not left with a backward c-pawn. 1 3.tt:lxf5
'Wd7 14.'W'c2 d4 The best chance. 1 5.ixb7 a b c d e f g h
'Wxb7 1 6.tt:lxd6 'Wd7 1 7.ixf6 'Wxd6 1 8.ig5 Zhao Jun - Sengupta, Kochin 2004. White
tt:lc6 Postny - Gleizerov, Zagreb 20 1 1 . Black can now play a very strong exchange sacrifice:
will play ... E:ae8 next, with fair compensation
for the pawn. 16.exf5!N Lfi 17.Lfl
White has a powerful initiative.
8
7 E) The Modem Defence
6 l.d4 g6
5 The so-called Modern Defence. You
shouldn't be misled by the names of openings.
4 Most openings were named so long ago that
3 it hardly has any relevance these days. Black's
idea is an evergreen though: he will fianchetto
2 the dark-squared bishop and decide how to
1 attack the white centre afterwards, maybe
by ... c5 or more probably by ... d6 and ... e5.
a b c d e f g h
Another move order is l ...d6 which will be
12 c5
•••
examined at the end of the chapter.
1 2 ...'We6 1 3.ixf6 'Wxf6 14.'Wxf6 E:xf6
1 5 .i.xd5 t i.xd5 1 6.cxd5± This ending is good l ... g6
for White, with many holes in Black's position.
A good way to proceed is to transfer the knight l .d4 g6 2.c4 .ig7
to d4. 2 ... f5
Black is heading for a Leningrad Dutch, but
this can be met by an entertaining line: 3 ... c5 4.d5 d6 5.ltlc3 e6

3.h4 lt:lf6 4.h5 lt:lxh5 5.:!:l:xh5 gxh5 6.e3 5 ... �xc3t 6.bxc3 '1Wa5 is no problem after
7.'1Wb3t.
6.lt:lge2!?
I won't claim that this move is objectively
best! What I am trying to do is transpose to
our Modern Benoni set-up.
6 ... exd5 7.cxd5 lt:le7!?
Black is creative.
8.h4!?
So are we - if pushed.
8 ... h5 9.�f4!N 0-0 1 0.ltlg3t
3 ... lt:lc6 4.�e3 transposes to later lines.

White threatens mate in one and will get
great play for the exchange in all lines. 4.�c3 �c6
6 ...�g7 The main line. Black's position is very
6 ... d6 7.'1Wxh5t 'it>d7 8.'1Wxf5t e6 9.'1Wc2 flexible and he has tried all sorts of moves,
'1Wf6 1 O.lt:lf3 �e7 1 1 .ltlc3 'it>d8 was Michalik but in general White's extra space should be
- Perran, Prievidza 2009. Now I suggest: enough for a positional edge. Here is a quick
1 2.e4!N lt:lc6 13.�e3 �d7 14.0-0-0� overview.
7.'1Wxh5t 'it>f8 8.'1Wxf5t 'it>g8 9.ltlc3 d6
So far this is Polak - Petran, Austria 2008. 4 ... lt:ld7 5.�e3 e5 6.lt:lge2 lt:lh6
10.'1Wh5!N Also normal is 6 ... lt:le7, but then maybe
With a pawn and long-term initiative for the White can omit the move f2-f3: 7.'1Wd2 0-0
exchange; White is dictating events. 8.0-0-0 f5 (8 ... a6 9.f4!? b5 Xiu - Rahman,
Subic 2009. 1 0.dxe5!N dxe5 1 1 .\t>bU)
3.e4 9.�g5!t Sonntag - Zysk, Germany 1 984.
7.f3 f5
8
The calmer 7 ... f6 leads to pleasant play for
White: 8.'1Wd2 ltlf7 9.0-0-0 c6 1 0.\t>b a
7 8. 'IWd2 ltJ f7 9. 0-0-0 0-0
6
5
4
3
2
1
b d f g
3...d6 a c e h
The most flexible.
1 0.exf5!? gxf5 l l .dxe5 lLldxe5 1 2.l2Jf4 c6 exchanges bishops, so he more or less has
13.lLlh5 .ih8 14.f4 lLlg4 1 5 ..id4± to enter the forcing line: 6 ....ixd4 7 ..ixf5
Bets - Badea, Bucharest 2003. .ixc3t 8.bxc3 gxf5 9.'Mfh5t Wd7 1 0.'Mfxf5t e6
l l .'Mfb5t lLlc6 White has a promising position.
4 ... c6 5 ..ie3 a6 The latest example is: 1 2.c5!? 'i!?c8 1 3.l'l:b l l'l:b8
1 4.lLlf3± Koglbauer - Tacke, e-mail 2008.
4 ... e6?! 5 ..ie3 lLle7 6.'M!d2 h6 This is necessary

to prevent .ih6, but now Black cannot castle.
7 ..id3 lLld7 8.lLlge2 b6 9.0-0 .ib7 10.b4
a b c d e f g h
6.c5!?
Just like in the Samisch.
6 ...dxc5 7.dxc5 .ixc3t?! 8.bxc3 'Mfxdl t 9.l'l:xd l
.ie6 l O.l'l:bl l'l:a7 l l .a4 lLlf6 1 2 ..id3
a b c d e f g h
In Sulskis - Foisor, Gibraltar 2008, White
had a nice ending. Black will regret ....ixc3, White has a free hand. 1 0 ... f5 ?! l l .l'l:ael 'i!?f7
as it turns out that the shattered white pawns 1 2.lLlg3 lLlf6 1 3.d5! In Gajewski - Neumann,
aren't weak at all and the b-file and the bishops Internet (blitz) 2009, the position opened up
will be useful for a long time. and Black was quickly busted.
4 ... e5 5.lLlge2 will probably transpose to other S.i.e3 eS 6.lLlge2

lines.
8
4 .. .f5?! 5.exf5 .ixf5 6 ..id3!
7
6
5
4
3
2
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
6...exd4
Positionally Black will be in trouble if he 6... l2Jh6
A typical manoeuvre in the Modern. Black 7..lthd4 �ge7

prepares .. .f5 and knows that f7 will be an Here White can take the initiative with:
excellent square for the knight.
7.f3 f5 8.d5 GtJe7 9.Wd2 GiJ £7 8.h4!
9 .. .f4 i s a strategic misunderstanding. For more, see the next game.
1 o.if2 g5 1 1 .0-0-0;!; White will play on
the queenside. If Black tries the same on the
kingside he risks that the position will open
up and his king will be in danger. Schandorff- Schebler
1 0.g3!?
1 0.0-0-0 0-0 1 l .<;;!? b 1 c5"" is the mainline. Germany 2006
1 0 ... 0-0 1 l .ig2 c5 1 2.0-0 id7 1 3.a3;!; WeB
14.Wd3 a6 1 5 .b4 l.c4 g6 2.d4 .ig7 3.e4 d6 4.�c3 e5 5.�f3
White got there first on the queenside, Van Just ignore this move order. We will end up
Damme - Welzenheimer, corr. 1 998. in the right place at the right time.
6 ... f5 5 ... exd4 6.�xd4 �c6 7.ie3 t£Jge7 8.h4!

The other standard move. However, when
Black can't take back with a knight it tends
to be premature.
7.exf5! ixf5
7 ... gxf5 8.dxe5 dxe5 9.Wxd8t GtJxd8 1 0.f4;!;
places Black in a dilemma: either he must
play ... e4, giving White the d4-square, or his
pawns will be shattered.
8.d5 GtJce7 9.h3
Threatening g4. And it is a real threat - just
check out 9 ... GiJf6 1 0.g4 id7 1 l .GtJg3 with
great play.
9 ... h5 1 O.GtJg3 GiJf6 l l .id3
a b c d e f g h
This active raid with the h-pawn takes the
fun out of Black's play.
8 ..£5
.
8 ... 0-0 9.h5 was dangerous for Black, but

he could try to stop the further advance of the
white pawn:
8 ... h5 9.Wd2 0-0 1 0.0-0-0 Black should

b d f g
a c e h
try to simplify. l O ... GiJxd4 l l .ixd4 ixd4
1 2.Wxd4 GtJc6 And now just 13.'!Ne3;!; as in
White's control of the important e4-square numerous games.
gives him a small but clear edge.
8 ... h6 A fighting move that keeps the rooks on the

Intending to meet h5 with ... g5. board. More normal is: 1 0 ... hxg6 1 l .E!:xh8t
9.1Mfd2 f5 1 0.exf5 <ilxf5 1 1 .<ilxf5 �xf5 1 2.�e2 �xh8 12.<ilxe4
Wd7 1 3.0-0 0-0-0
This has had a bad reputation for Black since
an old Kasparov game:
1 4.b4! <ilxb4 1 5.<ilb5
With what looks like a strong attack.
In Kasparov - Speelman, Barcelona 1 989,
Black was run over after 1 5 ... <ilc2 1 6.�f3! d5
1 7.�xd5 <ilxa1 1 8.<ilxa7t \!ib8 1 9.Wb4.
However a new email game suggests that
Black can defend with: 1 5 ... a5!?
b d e f g h
If that is the case, then White can always a c
switch to 1 0.<ilxc6 <ilxc6 1 1 .0-0-0;!;
This is practically the starting position of the
9.h5 exd4-variation. Black has tried various moves,
Already the tension is high; one weak move but the games played so far suggest that White
and you are in trouble. The pressure is on is better - it can be put as simply as that. Here
Black to come up with something to neutralize are four examples:
White's initiative.
1 2 ... <ilf5 13.�g5 Wd7 1 4.<ilb5 a6 1 5.<ilbc3
White is well coordinated. 1 5 ...We6 1 6.Wg4
9 ...fxe4
�xc3t 1 7.bxc3 �d7 1 8.0-0-0 <ilfe7 1 9.1Mfxe6
9 ... 0-0 looks too risky. After 1 0.hxg6 hxg6
�xe6 Schmidt - Menke, corr. 2002. Here
it is not so simple for White to get a real attack
20.�e2!N 0-0-0 2 l .E!:hl;!; was strong; the
going. So it is nice that you can switch to
white pieces are very active.
positional play instead, like in this high profile
correspondence game: 1 1 .<ilxc6 <ilxc6 1 2.c5
1 2 ... d5!? 1 3.<ilxc6 bxc6 14.�d4 �g4!
�e6 13.exf5 gxf5 1 4.g3 �f7 1 5.cxd6 Wxd6
1 5.Wxg4 �xd4 Black was okay in Kramnik
1 6.Wxd6 cxd6 1 7.0-0-0;!; In Van Oosterom
- Mamedyarov, Moscow 2007. White could
Umansky, e-mail 2006, Black had two weak
improve with 1 3.cxd5 Wxd5 1 4.<ilxc6 Wxd l t
pawns.
1 5 .E!:xd1 <ilxc6 1 6.E!:d2;!; as suggested by
Postny.
9 ...E!:f8 looks even worse. 1 0.hxg6 hxg6 Again
it is important to make a strong move that
1 2 ... Wd7!? 1 3.<ilg5!? White must be better.
keeps everything together. 1 1 .g3! fXe4 1 2.<ilxe4
The only game so far continued: 1 3 ...�xd4
d5 1 3.<ilg5! �xd4 14.�xd4 dxc4 1 5.�g7 E!:g8
1 4.�xd4 Wg4 1 5.Wxg4 �xg4 Steingrimsson
1 6.�c3 Wxd 1 t 1 7.E!:xd1 b5 1 8.<ile4 Black has
- Eisenbeiser, Mlada Boleslav 2007. 1 6.�f6N
been completely outplayed. 1 8 ...�f5 1 9.<ilf6t
0-0-0 1 7.f3 �d7 1 8.�f2±
�f7 20.<ilxg8 E!:xg8 2 l .E!:h7t \!ie6 22.f3 And
White won in Laurier - Degraeve, Belfort
12 ... �f5 13.<ilxf5 gxf5!? ( 1 3 ... <ilxf5 1 4.�g5
2004.
Wd7 1 5 .1Mfd2 gives White a great position
immediately) 1 4.Wh5t �d7 1 5.0-0-0! Wg8
10.hxg6 �xg6!? 1 6.<ilc5t �c8 1 7.<ile6± C. Hansen - Lehtinen,
Aarhus 2003. Why is White clearly better? 14.�c3 .ie6

Because of his bishops plus Black's weak king. 14 ...ig4?! is met simply by 1 5.f3.
I I.V;Yd2 1 5.0-0-0 V;Yf7

Next time I will play l l .g3!N. White will The first impression is that the posltlon
regain the pawn on e4 with advantage. is extremely double edged. Both sides have
good play against the opponent's king. But
1 1 ...0-0 after closer inspection I realized that a deep
l l ...id7 1 2.0-0-0 tt:lxd4 1 3.ixd4 ixd4 combination would completely turn the tables
14.'�xd4 �g5t 1 5.:B:d2 �e5 was more solid, in White's favour.
but after 1 6.tt:lxe4 0-0 1 7.c5 �xd4 1 8.:B:xd4;i;
White had the usual endgame pull in Weeks - 16.�e4!
Htvacic, e-mail 2002. Threatening tt:lg5. Black responds by
threatening b2.
12.liJxc6 bxc6 13.�xe4
16... :B:ab8
a b c d e f g h
13...V;Ye8?! a b c d e f g h
1 3 ...�e7! 1 4.tt:lc3 ig4 17.:B:xh7!
This was the right way to play. The beginning of a long forcing sequence.
1 5.id3
1 5.f3?! :B:ae8 17...hb2t
1 5 ... :B:ae8 The rook was taboo because of the knight
Black has good counterplay. White can't use fork.
the pressure on the h-file to create anything
concrete, because he has problems with his 18.V;Yxb2 V;Yxh7 19.V;Yxb8!
own king. The tactical culmination; White will win the
1 6.tt:le2 d5 1 7.cxd5 cxd5 1 8.ixg6 hxg6 queen back.
19.�xd5t ie6 20.�e4 �f7 2 1 .�h4 ixb2
22.tt:ld4 ih3 23.�xh3 ixd4 24.:B:cl :B:e4 19 ...:B:xb8 20.liJf6t <t!lg7 21.�xh7 <t!lxh7
25.0-0 22.id.3
Yz-Yz Thaler - Saksis, corr. 2003. A strong bishop pair and two connected
passed pawns were the results of the

combination. White is clearly better and I
won quickly after some inaccuracies by Black
in time trouble.
22...c5 23.i.d2
Regrouping the bishop.
23... �g7 24.f4 ltlf8?!
8
7 a b c d e f g h
6 If you are ready to play a normal Pirc then
5 you have no problems - you just play 3.lLlc3.
But I want to stay within our Samisch set-up.
4
3 3... d5!?
The original moves just keep on coming.
2 The traditional ones are quite easy to dismiss:
1
3 ... g6 4.c4 will be a King's Indian.
a b c d e f g h
25.g4! 3 ... e5 4.lLle2, followed by c2-c4, could well
The pawns advance and decide the game. soon be an Old Indian.
25 ...d5 26.f5 dxc4 27.i.c3t �g8 28.i.e2 3 ... lLlbd7 4.c4 and we are definitely in our
On 28 ...i.f7 comes 29.g5. comfort zone.
1-0
There exists another interesting move that
Conclwion: The attractive 8.h4! gives White leads to unknown territory:
a nice active game. 3 ... c5!?
This leads to a kind of Sicilian if White isn't
l . .. d6 interested in playing d4-d5 with a Benoni.
4.dxc5 Wa5t 5.lLl c3 Wxc5 6.Wd3
l.d4 d6 Very creative chess. I like that.
A clever move order. 2.lLlf3 is a good 6 ... a6
reply, but it would not fit into our anti-KID 6 ... lLl c6 7.i.e3 Wa5 was Kuzubov -
repertoire, as I am sure you will know by now. Chatalbashev, Reykjavik 20 1 1 . After
Luckily we can also employ a subtle move 8.Wb5!N White is slightly better.
order. 7.i.e3 Wa5
7 ... Wc7 8.g4t
2.e4 ltlf6 3.£3!? 8.lLlge2 lLlbd7 9.Wd2 e6 1 0.lLld4
With a fairly normal game. I'll show the
remainder just for fun. 6.fxe4 .ib4 7.�d3

10 ... b5 1 l .g4 h6 1 2.h4 ib7 1 3.l"�g1 b4 This protects everything. White's centre
1 4.tLlce2 lLle5 1 5.tLlcl d5 1 6.g5 hxg5 1 7.hxg5 surely looks impressive and if Black doesn't
lLlfd7 1 8.g6 tLlf6 1 9.gxf7t 'tt> xf7 find anything clear then he will soon be in
severe trouble.
7....!Llc6
7 ... 0-0 8.tLlf3 b6 was a much better try.
9.ig5±
8.lLlf3 .id7
The mixture of ... tLlc6 and ...id7 feels
wrong.
b d f g
9.ie2 �e7 10.0-0 0-0-0 l l.a3 hc3
a c e h
12.bxc3±
20.:gg5!N
20.tLld3 was agreed drawn in Khenk.in -
8
Strikovic, Andorra 2007.
20 ... tLlc6 2 1 .lLlxe6! 'tt>xe6 22.exd5t lLlxd5 7
23.lLlb3 'Wd8 24.0-0-0 6
With a winning attack.
5
4.lLlc3 4
4.e5 is also good, but I prefer to keep the
tension a bit longer. Maybe Black will lose his 3
temper. 2
1
4... e6
Black plays a French where White has the a b c d e f g h
extra move f2-f3. On each move you should I would stop here because Black is simply
calculate some more concrete ways of playing. busted. But since there are only a handful of
moves left, we might as well see them:
4 ...dxe4 5.fxe4 e5 6.dxe5! 'Wxd1 t 7.\t>xd1 tLlg4
8.tLld5 'tt> d7 9.'tt> e 1 c6 Cherepanov - Malinin, 12 ....!Llg4 13 ..id2 e5 14J�abl b6 15.h3 lLl£6
Arkhangelsk 1 996. 1 O.tLle3N lLlxe5 1 1 .lLlf3± 16.d5 lLlaS 17.�a6t
1-0 Miroshnichenko - Firman, Alushta
s ..ie3 2002.
Very natural, but it has only been played
once. Chapter Conclusion: It has been quite a
journey through all these sidelines. Most
s . dxe4
..
of the time we got what we needed almost
Or if 5 ... ie7 then simply 6.'1Wd2. automatically; only a few times did we actually
have to work hard for it. The reason for this is
simple. Over the years some attractive set-ups

have been found for White against all of these
obscure systems, and this also implies that if
Black wants to keep playing this strange stuff,
then he has to go for more and more bizarre
looking solutions, like 4 ... b6 in the Fajarowicz.
So if your goal with White is modest but
realistic - j ust to get a slightly better position
out of the opening - then you will have no
problems at all against these openings.
I hope you enjoyed the book. Good luck with

l .d4!
Index of Main Games
Chapter 1 - Nimzo-Indian
Game 1 : Botvinnik - Taimanov, Moscow (4) 1 952 13
Game 2: Botvinnik - Smyslov, Moscow (5) 1 952 15
Game 3: Borvinnik - Keres, The Hague/Moscow (1 0) 1 948 16
Game 4: Aronian - lstratescu, Antalya 2004 19
Game 5: Ugge - R. Hall, Correspondence 2003 23
Game 6: S. Popov - Savic, Mataruska Banja 2007 25
Game 7: Najer - Mitenkov, Moscow 1 996 31
Game 8: Sasvari - Kunzelmann, Correspondence 2005 33
Game 9: Iljushin - Murzin, Togliatti 200 1 37
Game 1 0: lvanisevic - Gyimesi, Bihac 20 1 0 42
Game 1 1 : Ponomariov - Kramnik, Wijk aan Zee 2003 44
Game 1 2 : Astroem - Yaroshenko, Correspondence 1 997 49
Chapter 2 King's Indian

-
Game 1 3: Dreev - Jobava, Moscow 2002 56

Game 1 4 : Madakov - S. Soloviov, St Petersburg 20 1 0 60
Game 1 5 : Rowson - Arakhamia-Grant, Scarborough 2004 62
Game 1 6 : Mason - Cakars, Internet 20 1 0 64
Game 1 7 : Vitiugov - S. Novikov, Dagomys 20 1 0 66
Game 1 8 : Rowson - Pons Servera, Palma de Mallorca 2008 70
Game 1 9: lstratescu - Gallagher, Switzerland 20 1 0 71
Game 20: Svetushkin - Ciobanu, Germany 2009 73
Game 2 1 : Gallego Romero - Besozzi, e-mail 2009 74
Game 22: Yukljaevskikh - Predein, Vitebsky 2006 76
Game 23: Timman - Kasparov, Amsterdam 1 996 78
Game 24: Alexander Moiseenko - Gadir Guseinov, Ningbo 20 1 1 83
Game 2 5 : Vitiugov - Polzin, Rogaska Slatina 20 1 1 86
Game 26: Tomashevsky - Ponomariov, Rogaska Slatina 20 1 1 88
Game 27: Graf- Pavlovic, Cappelle Ia Grande 1 999 89
Game 28: Zhou - Fedoseev, Moscow 201 1 91
Game 29: Gulko - Shaked, Parsippany 1 996 93
Game 30: Khenkin - Nijboer, Netherlands 20 1 0 95
Game 3 1 : Khairullin - Shomoev, Ulan Ude 2009 97
Chapter 3 Griinfeld Defence

-
Game 32: Sakaev - Vokarev, St Petersburg 2009 1 03

Game 33: Brunsteins - Neven, e-mail 2009 105
Game 34: Mason - Bonoldi, e-mail 2002 1 06
Game 35: Tomashevsky - Nepomniachtchi, Olginka (rapid) 20 1 1 1 07
Game 36: Frey Beckman - Siefring, e-mail 200 1 1 10
Game 37: Aleksandrov - Konguvel, Bhubaneswar 20 1 0 Ill
Game 38: Babula - Meszaros, Slovakia 2003 1 13
Game 39: Ihlenfeld - Bekemann, Germany 1 998 1 14
Index of Main Games 24 1
Game 40: Carlsen - Dominguez Perez, Wijk aan Zee 20 1 0 1 17

Game 4 1 : Sandipan - Maki, Plovdiv 20 1 0 121
Game 4 2 : Aronian - Grischuk, Kazan ( 1 .3) 20 1 1 1 23
Game 43: Morozevich - Vachier Lagrave, Biel 201 1 1 26
Game 44: Rusev - Rodriguez Lopez, Pontevedra 2008 128
Game 45: Badolari - Barreras Garcia, e-mail 2005 1 29
Game 46: Giri - Swinkels, Boxtel 201 1 131
Chapter 4 - The Modem Benoni

Game 47: M.M. Ivanov - Simacek, Olomouc 2009 1 36
Game 48: Dreev - Kamble, Bhubaneswar 20 1 0 138
Game 49: Semcesen - Jianu, Romania 201 1 1 42
Game 50: Wojtaszek - Mertanen, Rogaska Slatina 20 1 1 1 44
Game 5 1 : lvanchuk - Andreikin, Havana 20 1 1 145
Chapter 5 The Benko Gambit

-
Game 52: Monacell - Toscano, e-mail 2002 1 50

Game 53: Levin - Marinkovic, Podgorica 1 993 151
Game 54: Posrny - Petritaj , Kallithea 2009 1 53
Game 55: I. Sokolov - Bareev, Pardubice 1 994 1 54
Game 56: Gillam - MacMillen, Correspondence 1 998 1 57
Game 57: Fedorowicz - Peltrault, St Martin 1 993 1 58
Game 58: Petursson - D. Gurevich, St Martin 1 993 1 62
Game 59: Nyzhnyk - Siebrecht, Wijk aan Zee 20 1 1 1 63
Game 60: Nakamura - Vachier Lagrave, Cap d'Agde (rapid) 2008 1 64
Game 6 1 : Nieuweboer - Sobry, e-mail 20 1 1 1 66
Chapter 6 Old Indian

-
Game 62: I. Novikov - Piker, Lvov 1 988 1 73

Game 63: Petursson - Westerinen, Espoo 1 989 1 75
Game 64: Zhu Chen - Hort, Veterans - Women, Copenhagen 1 997 1 76
Game 65: Tomescu - V1. Georgiev, Reggio Emilia 2004 1 77
Chapter 7 Dutch Defence

-
Game 66: Tacke Ungruh - Ulyanov, e-mail 2007 1 80

Game 67: Del Rio Angelis - Menvielle Lacourrelle, Palma de Mallorca 2009 1 82
Game 68: Arencibia Rodriguez - Narciso Dublan, La Pobla de Liller 1 997 1 83
Game 69: Moskalenko - Karlsson, Sitges 2009 1 85
Game 70: Prie - Bolding, Val d'lsere 2004 1 86
Game 7 1 : Gormally - S. Williams, Liverpool 2006 1 88
Game 72: Douglas - Krzyzanowski, e-mail 2009 189
Game 73: Fressinet - Kindermann, Germany 2002 1 92
Chapter 8 Minor Lines

-
Game 7 4: Fass - Lloyd, e-mail 2009 1 99

Game 75: Seirawan - Mamedyarov, World Team Championship, Ningbo 20 1 1 207
Game 76: Saule - Hamilton, e-mail 2007 221
Game 77: Gerbich - Kazantsev, e-mail 2009 223
Game 78: Schandorff - Schebler, Germany 2006 234
Index ofVariations
This index is self-explanatory with one exception - some of the variations have rwo page numbers
next to them. This is because the coverage of some variations is split - an introduction to the themes
of the line at the start of a chapter, and annotated games later.
Chapter 1 - Nimzo-Indian 7... Ei:e8 (41)

7 ... tt:lbd7 (41)
l.d4 lLJf6 2.c4 e6 3.lLlc3 .ib4 4.e3 0-0 7 ... b6 (41)
4 ... lLlc6 5.ltJge2 (13) 7 ... c6 (41)
4 ... d5 5.a3 (17) 7... exd5
4 ... d6 5.id3 5 tt:lc6 6.tt:lge2 (17) 7 . . . tt:lxd5 8.id2 ltJd7 (44)
4 ... tt:le4 5.�c2 (17) 8 ... c5 (44)
4 . . .ixc3t 5.bxc3 d6 6.id3 (1 7) 8 ... tt:lxc3 (44)
8.lLlf4 c6 9.!d3 ges (48)
4 ... b6 5.tt:lge2 tt:le4 (23) 9 ...id6 (48)
5 ...ib7 6.a3 (18) 9 ... a5 (48)
5 ...ia6 6.a3 ixc3t (19) 9 ... tt:lbd7 (48)
6 ...ie7 (19)
5 ... c5 6.a3 �a5 (25) Chapter 2 - King's Indian
6.�d2 tt:lxd2 7.�xd2 0-0 (23)
7 ...ib7 (23) l.d4 lLJf6 2.c4 g6 3.lLlc3 .ig7 4.e4 d6
4 . . . 0-0 5.�e3 c6 (53)
4 . . . c5 5.tt:lge2 cxd4 (31) 5.f3 0-0
5 ... d5 6.a3 cxd4 (15) 5 . . . e5 6.tt:lge2 (54)
6.exd4 d5 (31) 5 ... c5 6.tt:lge2 (54)
6 ... 0-0 (33) 5 ... c6 6.ie3 a6 (54, 56)
5.lLlge2 5 ... tt:lc6 6.ie3 (54)
5.a3 (16) 6.!e3 c5
6 ... b6 7.tt:lge2 (56)
5 ...d5 6.a3 6 ... tt:lbd7 7.tt:lge2 (56)
5 ... b6 6.a3 (36) 6 ... c6 (56)
5 ... c6 6.a3 (36)
6 ... tt:lc6 7.tt:lge2 a6 (58)
5 .. J::!: e8 6.a3 if8 7.d5 a5 (38) 7 ... e5 8.d5 (58, 68)
7 ... exd5 (38) 8.�d2 Ei:b8 (59)
7 ... d6 (38) 8 ...�d7 9.g4 (66)
6....ie7 7.cxd5 9.Ei:cl id7 (59)
6 ... �d6 7.ltJg3 c5 (42) 9 ... e5 (59)
7 ... dxc4 (41) 9 ...Ei:e8 (59)
Index ofVariations 243
1 0.tt:ld1 e6 (64) Chapter 3 Griinfeld Defence

-
1 0 ... h5 (60)
1 0 ... E:e8 (60) l.d4 tiJf6 2.c4 g6 3.tiJc3 d5 4.llJf3 .ig7
1 0 ... a5 (60) 5.%Vb3 dxc4
1 0 ... b5 (60) 5 ... c6 6.cxd5 (101)
1 0 ... e5 (62) 5 ... e6 6.cxd5 (101)
6.%Vxc4 0-0 7.e4 tlJc6
6 ... e5 7.tt:lge2 c6 (68) 7 ... c6 (1 02)
7 ... tt:lc6 (68, 70)
7 ... exd4 (68) 7 ...i.g4 8.i.e3 tt:lfd7 9.0-0-0 lLlb6 (J OB)
8.'.Wd2 tt:lbd7 9 ... tt:l c6 (104)
8 ... exd4 (71) 9 ... c5 (104)
8 ... a6 (68) 9 ... a6 (104)
9.d5 cxd5 (69) 9 ... tt:la6 (1 04)
9 ... c5 1 0.g4 (73) 9 ... c6 (105)
1 0.cxd5 a6 (69) 9 ... e5 (1 06)
10 ... tt:le8 (69)
1 0 ... tt:lb6 (69) ? ... tt:la6 8.i.e2 c5 9.d5 e6 1 0.0-0 exd5
1 1 .g4 h5 (76) 1 l .exd5 E:e8 (1 13)
1 1 ... b5 (74) 1 l ...b5 (1 10)
1 2.h3 tt:lh7 (78) 1 l ...b6 (1 10)
1 2 ... b5 (76) 1 1 .. .i.f5 (1 1 1)
7.tlJge2 tlJc6 1 2.E:dl i.f5 (1 13)
7 ... cxd4 (81, 83) 1 2 ...1.Wb6 (1 13)
7 ...1.Wa5 (81, 86) 1 2 ...id7 (1 13)
7 ... tt:lbd7 (81) 1 3.d6 h6 (1 14)
7... b6 (81) 1 3 ... tt:le4 (1 14)
8.d5 tlJe5 9.liJg3 e6
7 . . . a6 8.i.e2 (1 19)
9 ... h5 (88)
8,e5 (1 17)
10..ie2 exd5 l l.cxd5 a6
8 ... b5 9.Wb3 c5 (1 19)
1 1 ...h5 (82, 89)
9 ...i.b7 (1 19)
12.a4 h5
9 ... tt:lc6 (1 19)
1 2 ...i.d7 (91)
I O.dxc5 i.e6 (123)
13.0-0 tlJh7 14.%Vd2 h4 15.liJhl f5 16.tlJf2
1 0 ...ib7 (121)
.id7
1 0 ... tt:lbd7 (120)
1 6 ... b6 (93)
s..ie2 ig4
1 6 ...�f6 (94)
8 ... e5 (126)
1 6 ...g5 (94)
8 ... lLld7 (128)
1 6 ...E:e8 (94)
9.d5 tlJa5
17.�hl E:e8 (97)
9 ...i.xf3 (129)
1 7 ...1.Wf6 (96)
10.%Vb4 .tx£3
1 7 ...1.Wa5 (96)
1 0 ... c6 (130)
1 7 ...'.We7 (96)
l l ..tx£3 c6 12.0-0 '%Vb6 (131)
1 2 ... cxd5 (130)
Chapter 4 Modem Benoni

- 6 ... ib7 7.ltJc3 (160)
6 ... c4 7 ..ixc4 (160)
l.d4 tLlf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.tLlc3 exd5 5.cxd5 7.e5 fffe7
d6 6.e4 g6 7.tLlge2 .ig7 7 ... lt:Jh5 (161)
7 ... h5 (135) 8.fffe2 tLlg8
8.tLlg3 0-0 8 ... lt:Jh5 (I 61)
8 ... h5 (136) 9.tLlc3 .ib7 IO.tLlh3 c4
9.i.e2 a6 1 0 ... d6 (1 61)
9 ... lt:Ja6 (137) 1 0 ... d4?! (1 61)
9 ... b6 (138) 1 0 ...1Wd8 (161, 162)
9 ... :B:e8 (138) l l .tLlf4! f!c5
IO.a4 tLlbd7 l l ...axb5 (162)
1 0 ... :B:e8 (141) 1 1 ...'1Wb4 (162)
10 ... h5 (142) 12.tLlfxd5 Ld5 13.!e3 fffb4 14.a3 f!a5
1 1 .0-0 ges 15..id2 .ie6 16.tLld5 fffd8
l l ...:B:b8 (141) 1 6 ...\Wa4 (163)
12.f3 .gbs 1 6 ... c3 (1 64)
1 2 ... h5 (141) 17.fffxc4 ga7
13.ie3 h5 (145) 1 7 ....ixd5 (1 65)
1 3 ... lt:Je5 (141) ts.gci Lds (166)
1 3 . . .'1Wc7 (144) 1 8 ... axb5 (I 65)
Chapter 5 Benko Gambit

- Chapter 6 Old Indian
-
l.d4 tLlf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.f3 l.d4 tLlf6 2.c4 d6 3.tLlc3 tLlbd7
5 ... axb5 6.e4 '1Wa5t 7 ..id2 b4 (149) 3 ... e5 4.d5 .ie7 (I 70)
7 ...1Wb6 8.ltJc3 (149) 4 ... if5 (170, 1 73)
8.ltJa3 d6 (149) 4.e4 e5 5.d5 tLlc5
8 ... e6 (149) 5 ....ie7 6 ..id3 0-0 7.ltJge2 c6 (1 73)
8 ....ia6 (149) 7 ... ltJc5 (I 73)
9.ltJc4 '1Wd8 (153) 8.f3 cxd5 (I 73)
9 ...'1Wa7 (150) 8 ...1Wb6 (I 73)
9 ...'1Wc7 (151) 8 ... ltJh5 (I 73)
1 0.a3 e6 (154) 9.cxd5 ltJc5 l O ..ic2 a5 l l ..ie3 (1 73, 177)
1 0 ... bxa3 (153) 6.f3 aS 7.i.e3 i.e?
7 ...g6 (171)
5 ... g6 6.e4 d6 (156) 7 ... c6 (171)
6 ...ig7 7.e5 (156) 8.f!d2 0-0
7.ltJa3 .ig7 8.ltJe2 0-0 (156) 8 ... h6 (171)
8 ... axb5 9.ltJxb5 (157) 8 ...lt:Jh5 (I 72)
9.ltJc3 ltJbd7 (158) 9.0-0-0 tLle8 (172, 176)
9 ... e6 (157) 9 ...a4 (172)
9 ... axb5 (157) 9 ...id7 (172)
s...e6 6.e4 exd5 9 ... h6 (175)
Index ofVariations 245
Chapter 7 Dutch Defence

- C) l .d4 !ilf6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 ltJg4
3 ... lt'lg4 4.a3 (215)
l.d4 f5 2..ig5 g6 4..if4 ltJc6 (219)
2 ... c5 (ISO) 4 ....ib4t (217)
2 ... d6 (182) 4 ... g5 (218)
2 ... c6 (183)
2 ... d5 (185) D) l .d4 e6 2.c4 f5
2 ... lt'lf6 (I 85) 2.c4 b6 3.e4 .ib7 4 ..id3 f5 (223)
4 ... lt'lc6 (222)
2 ... h6 3 ..ih4 g5 4.e4 :gh7 {188) 4 ....ib4t (223)
4 ....ig7 (186) 2 ....ib4t (227)
4 ... lt'lf6 (186) 3.lt'la ltJf6 4.ltJc3 .ib4 (229)
3.ltJc3 .ig74.h4 4 ....ie7 (229)
3 ... d5 4.�d2 (190)
4 ...h6 (192) E) l.d4 g6
4 ... d5 (192) l ... d6 2.e4 lt'lf6 3.f3 (237)
4 ... lt'lh6 (192) 2.c4 .ig7
4 ... c5 (192) 2 ... f5 3.h4 (232)
4 ... lt'lc6 (192) 3.e4 d6
4 ... lt'lf6 (193) 3 . . . c5 (232)
3 ... lt'lc6 (232)
Chapter 8 Minor Lines
- 4.ltJc3 ltJc6 (232, 234)
4 ... lt'ld7 (232)
A) l .d4 ltJf6 4 ... c6 (233)
l ...a6 (197) 4 ... e5 (233)
l ...b5 (198) 4 ... f5 (233)
l ...b6 (198) 4 ... e6 (233)
l ...e5 (201)
l ... c6 (202)
l ... lt'lc6 (203)
2.c4 b6 3.0 (204)
B) l.d4 ltJf6
l ... c5!? 2.d5 f5 (207)
2 ... e5 (206)
2 ... e6 (206)
2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6
3 ... b5 4.cxb5 e6 (209)

3 ... lt'le4 (210)
3 ... e5 (21 1)
3 ... e6 4.lt'lc3 exd5 5.cxd5 .id6 (212)
4.ltJc3 .ig7 5.e4 d6 6.ltJge2 (214)

Chessbook - Lars Schandorff - Playing 1.d4 - The Indian Defences (2012)

Încărcat de

Informații document

Drepturi de autor

Formate disponibile

Partajați acest document

Partajați sau inserați document

Opțiuni de partajare

Vi se pare util acest document?

Este necorespunzător acest conținut?

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

Chessbook - Lars Schandorff - Playing 1.d4 - The Indian Defences (2012)

Încărcat de

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

GAMES/CHESS

Playing 1.d4- The Indian Defences is

Schandorff presents the ideas

The repertoire is completed

Lars Schandorff is a Danish Grandmaster who is renowned

Reaction to Schandorff's book on the Queen's Gambit:

Copyright© 20 1 2 Lars Schandorff

Playing l.d4- The Indian Defences

Paperback ISBN 978- 1 -907982- 1 7-0

All sales or enquiries should be directed to Quality Chess UK Ltd,

Distributed in North America by Globe Pequot Press,

Distributed in Rest of the World by Quality Chess UK Ltd through

Typeset by Jacob Aagaard

3 Griinfeld Defence 100

4 Modem Benoni 134

5 Benko Gambit 147

7 Dutch Defence 179

8 Minor Lines 196

Index of Main Games 240

-+ Black has a decisive advantage a move of doubtful value

Chapter 2: King's Indian

Chapter 3: Griinfeld Defence

Chapter 4: Modern Benoni

Chapter 5: Benko Gambit

Chapter 6: Old Indian

Chapter 7: Dutch Defence

Chapter 8: Minor Lines

As an alternative to the Nimzo you definitely

4.e3 The e4-square is very important. Black can

similar to the Queen's Gambit Exchange Follow the Patriarch

22 ...�xh7 23.%Yh3t �g8 24.llJxd5 .tds

10 ....te6 l l .llJxe6 fxe6 12.0-0 '%Yd7 13.f4

13 ... llJd8 14 ..td3 llJf7 15.b4 aS 16.b5 llJd6

36.i.b2 gb5 37.'.t>fl i.a5 3S.:ac2 gb3

7 9.Wfxd8t '.t>xd8 10.i.xc4 ttlc6 l l.b5 ttle5

33 ... Wfxh3 34.Wfxh3 exf4 35.exf4 i.b6

14.b3! Not the optimal square for this knight.

And immediately is the dominant figure 10.0-0 c5 1 1.£3

1 5 .. J'k8 was necessary.

The two most important are 4 ... b6 and 4 ... c5.

The line 4 ... b6 is covered in Games 4-6, and

The rest of the chapter is dedicated to

4 ... d6 is too modest ro pose any problems:

4 ... tt'le4 looks active, but could in fact just be

is not that important. After 8.0-0 e5 9.e4 The 4 ...b6 Variation

A typical interpretation. Black has no

Taking space on the kingside. 5.�ge2

7 ... 0-0 8.�g3 d6 9..ie2 c6 10.e4 cxd5 1 1.cxd5

This used to be regarded as tactically suspect,

A very direct approach. White can also

2 This aggressive thrust defines the character

Securing e4 for the knight.

The alternative is to protect the d5-pawn with

Bernasek - Stocek, Ostrava 20 1 0, and now 19.:1:1hfl!?

14.h4 �d6 22 ...i.a6 23.b4 axb4 24.axb4 g6 25.�c2

15 .. Jt:ld7 16.0-0--0 gae8 17.h5 27.hxg6 tflxg6 28J:�hl! f4

l.d4 tLlf6 2.c4 e6 3.tLlc3 i.b4 4.e3 b6 5.tLlge2

and clearing the way for the f-pawn. Black is

2 26.gg3 h4 27.ggxh3 i>g7 28.�d3

The problem was that Black could not keep

15.ltlxe4 �f5 16.�d3 �d7 17.ltlf4 g5

33.gxg4 �f6 34.f5

l.d4 �f6 2.c4 e6 3.�c3 i.b4 4.e3 c5

44.�xd4 �c6t 45.�d5 �xe5 46.�xe5 h3