Marcus Schmuecker

THE LONDON-/YJTEM

11

I

I

Marcus Schmuecker

The London System

© Marcus Schmuecker

www.123chess.de [email protected]

email:

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval systems, without prior written permission from the author. 1 st Edition in English 2009 Translation from German: Front cover design: Back cover design: Concept and Type: Indexer: Printed and bound by:

Timo Holloway Lars Rambach Marcus Schmuecker Marcus Schmuecker Marcus Schmuecker Top-Offset GmbH, Frankfurt

Contents

Page

List of symbols Dedication Foreword I ntroduction

5 5 6 9 C lassical Line

Chapter 1 2 3

Main position with . . .�d6 + 8 . . . 1We7 Main position with . . .�d6 + 8 .. J%e8 !? Main position with . . . �d6 + the rest

18 22 30

4

7.l/Je5

32

5 6

Exchange on g3 - Part 1 Exchange on g3 - Part 2

35 38

7 8

6 . . . �e7 6 . . . �e7

+

+

7 . . . l/Jxe5 7 . . . 0-0

42 45

The route to the main position 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

3 . . . l/Jh5!? 4 . . . l/J h 5?! 3 . . . e6 + 4 . . . c5 3 . . . e6 + 4 . . .�d6 5.l/Je5 3 . . . e6 + 4 . . . �d6 5.�g 3 !? 4 ... �d6 5.�g3 b6!? 3 . . . e6, 4 . . . �e7 2 . . . e6, 3 . . .�d6 2 . . . c5!?

48 51 52 53 56 59 61 63 67

Attacking b2 with an "early" 'g8 41 . .if4 J.f7 42.:Sxe8+ J.xe8 43.:Sa8 'it>f8 44 . .id6+ mf7 45.:Sxa6 lLlf6 46 ..ie5 ll:lxh5 47.B:xh6 'it>e7 48.'it>g2! (07) 7 a

b

c

d

e

f

g

h

[31 . . J�d8 32 . .ie7 !'id? 33.1"ixe6+- is also bou nd to lose.] 32.f5! J.d7 [32 . . . exf5 33.1"ie8+ mg? 34 .1"ie7+ xf4 ll:le4 Techn ically still a little bit tough.

Black's position stands shortly before

o

Introduction

o

17

51 .i.b8

8

51 ... tDf6 52.:ah1 cj;le6 53.:ae 1 + tDe4 54.b3
Chapter 4

-

Classical Line with

7 .�e5

33

prepared. However, if Black plays properly and maintains control over the important e4-square, it seems as though he can keep a solid position.

is planning . . . b5 and . . . .ib7 , which would lead to a balanced situation in the centre. However, with White attacking on the kingside an interesting struggle is in the offing. This position is important because Black must be careful after 1 4.'1Mff3 of the chapter dealing with 3 e6 �fe4 1 5 .g5 (15. �xe4?! dxe4 1 6. .ixe4 followed by 4 .id6 f6! 1 7. .ixh7+ @xh7 1 8.g5 fxg5 1 9. '1Mfh3+ @gB�) because [8.�df3 is possible, even though less 1 5 . . . �xd2?! ambitious. 8 . . . �h 5 (8. . . �e4!?) 9.�xc6 bxc6 1 0 ..ixd6 iMfxd6 1 1 .�e5 �f6 ( 1 5 . . . b5 is a better attempt, even 1 2.'1Mfa4 cxd4 1 3 .exd4 c5 1 4.'1Mfa3 � e4 though Wh ite can try 1 6. h4 .ib7 1 5 . .id3 cxd4 1 6 .'1Mfxd6 �xd6 1 7 .cxd4= 1 7.a3! so that after 1 7 . . . a5 1 8.h5 b4 1 9.g6 bxc3 20. bxc3 �xd2 2 1 .xf2 dxc4 1 8 .\Wxc4+-

Other continuations include: [9 . . . a6 1 0 .\Wa4 i"i:b8 1 1 .�xc6+ Wxc6 1 2 .\Wc2 We? 1 3 .tLle5 h6 1 4 .g4 tLld7 1 5 . tLldf3 tLlf8 1 6.dxc5 Wxc5 1 7 .\Wa4+ b5 1 8.\Wf4 i"i:b7 1 9.\Wd4 Wxd4

36

Chapter 5

-

Exchange on g3 - Part 1

Aggtelek 13.tLlg6) 1 3.�c2 h6 (13. . . tLlf8 14. 0-0-0 iieB 1 5.dxc5 �xc5 1 6. e4 f6 1 7. tLld3 �c4 1 8.exd5+- Knezevic-Langeweg, 1 981 .) 1 4.g4 '8.ac8 [9 . . . 0-0 1 O.�c2 h6 1 1 .iixc6 bxc6 Sarajevo 1 2 . tLle5 tLld7 (12. . . '8.b8 Coloviz­ 1 5.0-0-0!;!; (043) Todorovic, Herzeg Novi 200 1 . 1 3. g4! 43 cxd4 14.exd4 c5 1 5.g5 cxd4 1 6.cxd4 hxg5 1 7.�d3 g4 1 8. tLlxg4+-) 1 3 . lLldf3 b c d e a cxd4 1 4 . exd4 c5 1 5.dxc5 tLlxc5 1 6 .00-0 �e7 1 7.'8.h4 iib7 1 8 .'8.dh 1;!; 8 Blatny-Stone, Groningen 1 990.] 20.cxd4;!; 2000.]

Barva-Turzo,

[9 . . . tLld7 1 O.�c2 h6 1 1 . g4 This pawn mutates into a battering ram in some variations. 1 1 . . . '8.g8 (1 1 . . . a6 1 2. ii.xc6 bxc6 1 3.g5 '8.g8 14.gxh6;!;) 1 2.0-0-0 tLle7 1 3 .tLle5 cxd4 1 4. exd4 a6 1 5.iixd7+ iixd7 1 6.'8.de 1 a5 1 7 .'8.h3 '8.a6 1 8. '8.f3+- Brava-Bence, Hungary 2003.]

6 5

4 3

1 O .ixc6 .ixc6 1 1 .c\Lle5 h6 (042) .

42

[ 1 1 . . . tLld7

1 2.lLldf3

( 1 5.'8.h3 was tried in Pozin-Potkin, Eforie Nord 1 998 1 5 . . . b5 1 6. a3 a5 1 7 .g5 hxg5 1 8 .'8.h7 g4 1 9.'8.xg7? gxf3 20.�g6 and Black won with 20 . . . tLlxe5 2 1 .dxe5 �d8!! (044)

�e7

(12 . . . f6?

Chapter 5

Exchange on g3 - Part 1

-

45

44 a

b

c

d

e

37

f

22.2"1g8+ (22. Vfixf7 VfifB-+) 22 . . . �d7)]

Wh ite's dominance is overwhelming.

[ 1 1 . . . 0-0 1 2. g4 ct::ld 7 1 3.Vfic2 f5 1 4.ct::lxd7 �xd?;!; Kamsky-Di ugy, New Conclusio n : The positional answer 9 .�b5 g uarantees White a solid plus. York 1 989.] 1 2.g4!? Certainly stronger than 1 2 .a3, which was played in Gyimesi-Sergienko, Kecskemet 1 992. 12 ... tiJd7 1 3.tiJdf3 :ace 1 4.g5 V!fe7 [ 1 4 . . .Vfif8 1 5.g6 tt:Jxe5 (15. . . f6 1 6. tLlf7 !"1gB 1 7. dxc5 ttJxcS 1 8. tLld4 Vfie7 1 9. a4+-) 1 6 . tt:lxe5 f6 1 7.tt:lf7 l"\g8 1 8.Vfig4 f5 1 9 .Vfif4 �d7+-] 1 5.gxh6 gxh6 1 6.tiJxd7 �xd7 1 7.tlJe5 �b5 1 8. V!ff3 :ac7 1 9.:ah5+-(D45)

38

C h a pte r 6 Exchange on g3 - Pa rt 2 1 .d4 d5 2.tLlf3 tLlf6 3.i.f4 c5 4.e3 tLlc6 1 O.dxe5 ttJxe5 1 1 .ltJxe5 �xe5 5.c3 e6 6.tLl bd2 �d6 7.�g3 �xg3 1 2 .�b5+ underlines the advantage of 8.hxg3 �d6 9.�c2! (046) Wc2 , as after 1 2 . . .�d 7 1 3.�xd7+ Black can only recapture with the king 46 �xd ?;!; ( 1 3 . . . ttJxd7? 1 4 .!'lxh7) ] [9 . . . h6 1 O.dxc5 Wxc5 1 1 .e4 1 2.ltJxe4 ltJxe4 1 3.�xe4;!;]

dxe4

[9 . . . a6?! lt does make some sense to prevent the check on b5, but this move loses time. g4 h6 ( 1 0 . . . ltJxg4 1 1 .!'lxh7;!; ) 1 1 .g5 ltJg4 1 2 .gxh6 No matter how Black recaptures on h6, Wh ite will maintain the better prospects. ( 1 2 . . . !'lxh6 1 3 .!'lxh6 gxh6;!; ( 1 3 . . . ltJxh6 1 4 .Whn) 1 2 . . . gxh6 1 3 .g4! +-] 1 0.g4 ! (047) 47 White prepares to castle long , keeping an eye on the e4-square at the same time. Black can practically forget about castling kingside. Another advantage of the text move is that the �f1 remains flexible 9 ...i.d7 ! Preparing to castle on the queenside as well. Th is is the only way Black can hope for equal chances. [9 . . . e5?! Very attractive , but Wh ite has armed h imself against this with 9.�c2.

Chapter 6

-

Exchange on g3

-

The battering ram is set free.

39

Part 2

1 4. lt'lxe5 Wxe5 ( 14 . . . lt'Jxe5 1 5. 0-0-0t) 1 5.4:lf3;!;]

[ 1 0 .0-0-0? seems to be very healthy, but the h idden point of 9 ... �d7! is 1 1 .g5 .!Llg4 1 2 .gxh6 .!Llxh6! (049) d isclosed only later. 1 O . . cxd4 1 1 .exd4 lt'l b4!(D48) 49 .

48

This is the only way for Black to keep his kingside together. However, the White is not forced to capture, that is knight on h6 is not placed very wel l. correct, but w hat is the alternative? 1 2.Wb3 looks good - but suddenly [1 2 ... ESxh6 1 3 .ESxh6 gxh6 ( 1 3 ... lt'lxh6 1 2 . . . lt'lg4 is played and f2 can no 1 4 . .!Ll b3 ! The main scene suddenly the queenside. to longer be guarded. 1 3.Wxb4 Wxb4 switches 1 4.cxb4 lt'lxf2 1 5.�e2 ESc8+ 1 6 .\t>b1 Unfortunately the excursion 1 4 .\Wh? c:Jle7 1 7.EShf1 lt'lxd 1 1 8.ESxd 1 ESc7 does not bring any success. 14 . . c4 1 9.ESc1 ESxc1 + 20.xh7 12.Wh5+ �g8 1 3.4Jf3 After this move there is no escape for Black: a)13 .. .f6 14.t/Jg5 fxg5 15.hxg5 Ei:f5 (15. . . -hgS 1 6. -hgS Wb6 1 7. Wh7+ �f7 1 8. E\h4 t/Jf6 19. exf6 1-0 RinaldiKaminskas, correspondence 1992.) 16.'11Nh 7+ �f8 1 7.g6 j,gS 18.Wh8+ �e7 19.j,xg5+ Ei:xg5 20.Wh4+b) 13 ... j,b5 14.Ei:d1 g6 15.Wh6 f6 16.Wxg6+ t/Jg7 1 7.t/Jg5 fxg5 18.hxg5 Ei:f5 ( 1 B. . . We8 19. Wh7+ i>f7 20.g6#) 19.'11Nh 7+ �f8 20.g6 �e8 21 .Wxg7+-; c) l3 ... g6 14.W h6 � 15.Wxg6+ '1,g7 16.�h6 Ei:f7 17.h5 �e8 18.0-0-0 �f8 19.g4+-]

8

- 6 ...j,e7 + 7... 0-0

[8... 4Jd7? 9.Wh5 f5 10.g4 4Jdxe5 1 1 .dxe5 g6 12.Wh3 Ei:f7 Needleman­ Hungaski, Buenos Aires 2003. 13.0-0-0±] [8 ...j,d6?! can only be a loss of time compared to 6 ... j,d6. 9.Wf3 Wc7 1 O.t/Jxc6 j,xf4 1 1 .Wxf4 Wxc6 12.Wh4 Wb6 1 3.0-0-0 cxd4 14.exd4 Wd8 1 5.!':'\he1 g6 16.f4;!; Ernst-Ekstr6m, Baden 1997.] [8 ... cxd4 9.exd4 j,d7 (9. . . g6 1 0.j,h6 E\eB 1 1 . f4 t/Jh5 1 2. 0-0 t/Jg7 13.-hgl;!; B. Balogh-Rosta, Hungarian Championship 1992.) 10.0-0 (10. Wf3;!;) 10 ... a6 1 1 .!':'\e 1 b5 12.a3 g6 1 3.!':'\e3 t/Jxe5 14.j,xe5 aS 15.!':'\h3 Ei:c8 16.Wf3 t/Je8 (16. . . !':'\eB 1 7.Wf4±) 1 7.!':'\xh7 j,f6 (1 7. . . �xh7 1 8.Wh5+ �gB 1 9.Wh8#) 18.Wh3 1 -0, Panic­ Stankovic, Belgrade 2003.] 9.'11Nf3 �ea

[9 ... t/Je8 is not convincing. 1 O.Wh3 g6 1 1 .t/Jdf3 t/Jxe5 12.t/Jxe5 f6 1 3.4Jxd7 Wxd7 14.0-0 c4 15.j,c2 j,d6 16.j,h6 E\f7 1 7 .e4± Knezevic-Cekro, Sarajevo 1981.] After 1 0 .'11N h 3 g6 1 1 .j,hG �ea 1 2.f4 (06 1 )

Black can for instance continue with: 1 2 ...j,fa

[12 ... 4Jxe5 13.fxe5 t/Jh5 14.g4 t/Jg7 15.0-0 Ei:f8 16.t/Jf3 b5 1 7.j,f4 h5 18.gxh5 t/Jxh5 19.j,h6 t/Jg7 20.�h1

...�e7 + 7 ... 0-0 47 b4 2U�g1 tt'lf5 22.tt'lg5 b�c3 important for White to pay attention to 23.�g7and White won in Sahovlc­ the idea of �d7-b5, as otherwise he Franzoni, Bie l 1980.] will not be able to get an attractive position from the opening. Chapter

8

-

6

After having exa m ined all the main positions i n detail, the following chapters will now show you how to get there !

1 3.i.g5 �b8 1 4.Yff h4 i.e7 1 5.0-0 � h 5 1 6.i.xe7 Yffxe7 1 7 .Yffxe7 :axe7 1 8 .g4 �g7t (062)

Black could just about manage to parry the attack but he wil still have a disadvantage in the endgame. Conclusion: The type of posi t ions after 7 . . .0-0 are exactly what the normal London System player wishes for. 7 ... �xe5, on the other hand, is an interesting attempt for equality, as Black avoids castling kingside for the time being and thereby does not give White a target for an attack. lt is very

48

C h a pter 9 3 etJ h 5 ! ? . . .

1 .d4 d 5 2.lt:Jf3 lt:\f6 3.�f4 lt:\ h5!? (063) 63

1 O.tt:Jxg6 fxg6 1 1 .�d3+- Berkes­ Antal, Paks 1999.) 5.f3 An attack against the � on h5 is being prepared ... 5 ... e6 6.g4 �g6 7.h4 h6 8.tt:'lxg6 fxg6 9.tlt1d3+- Kovacs­ Schipkov, Budapest 1992. White's advantage is more than clear.] 4 ..ig5

[4.�e5!? with the idea of provoking ...f6 is also an interesting way to continue. 4 ...f6 5.�g3 tt:Jxg3 6.hxg3 The kingside looks extremely strange, but there are simply not enough practical games to carry out a detailed evaluation.] 4 ... h6 5.�h4 a

b

c

d

e

g

h

Very unusual at this stage, but in contrast to some other positions, White cannot avoid the bishop exchange by tactical means. A retreat to d2 or e3 is out of question and the petty 4.�c1 - in the hope of 4 ...lt:\f6 with a repetition of moves - is firstly embarrassing and secondly Black can continue with 4 ... f5 Very bad on the other hand is: [3...�g4? White can win a tempo with 4.tt:'le5, which is already sufficient refutation. �h5 (4 ...�f5 5.tt:'ld2 tt:'lbd7 6.e3 e6 7.g4 �e4 8.f3 �g6 9.h4 h6

Allowing the exchange. [5.�d2!? I personally consider this to be a clever choice. White waited until Black played ... h6 and only now retreats his bishop to d2. The idea of .. .f5 is not recommendable because of the weakness of the square g6 and the fact that bringing the tt:'lh5 back into the game will also cost some more time. Unfortunately White can forget about getting into a position of the London System, but the game will be a long way off any theoretical variations ... !] 5 ... g5

3 ... tLlh5!? [5 ... tt:lc6 is inconsequent because although White cannot avoid the exchange of his bishop after 6.e3 g5 7.tt:lfd2 he is able to win some valuable time: 7 ... tt:lg7 8.ii.g3 tt:lf5 9.c4 with a certain advantage.] Chapter 9 -

6.ii.g3 tt:lxg3 7.hxg3 ii.g7 (064)

Protects the rook and thus prevents 4lxg5. lt is not easy to give a defin ite evaluation of the position. Black's kingside has been weakened, but this has secured him the pair of bishops. On the other hand, the :gh1 was developed for free. Therefore, castling short would be extremely risky for the black monarch. The chances for White can be regarded as slightly better. More important than anything else is to know how to deal with this position.

49

[7 ... ii.f5? 8.e3? ii.g7 9.ctJbd2 tLlc6 1 O.c3 \Wd6 1 1 .\Wb3 0-0-0= is equal, as pointed out by Kovacevic (Salamon-Kelly,Budapest 2003), which is certainly correct. However, 1 would just take the pawn with 8.ctJxg5 on the 81h move, and although Black will get some compensation, it should not be sufficient.] 8.e3 c5 9.c3 (065)

Opening up the position with 9.c4 is not exactly what White wants, as the il,g7 would become too strong. This is the critical position after 3 ... ctJh5. Black has many moves to choose from and it is still not clear which is the best. 65

64 a

4 3 2

b

c

d

e

8 7

2 9 ... tt:lc6

Chapter 9

50

[9 ... "\Wd6!? Preparing to castle long. 1 O.�d3 (1 0. tt'la3 should also be taken into consideration, as well as 10.tt:'lbd2.) 10 ... tt:'lc6 1 1 .tt:'lbd2 �d7 12.1We2 0-0-0 13.0-0-0 ltlb8 and Black's pair of bishops compensates for the weaknesses on the kingside. (Leai-Magem, Dos Hermanas 2000).] [9 ... b6?! 10.dxc5 bxc5 1 1 .�b5+;!;, because the king has to move.] 1 0. tt:"l bd2

My recommendation! strongly believe that the following alternative is not quite as strong as the text move: [1 O.dxc5 Opening up the position with the �g7 still being on the board looks double-edged, but White may well allow himself the luxury of playing like this. 10 ... 0-0 1 1 .tt:'lbd2 (1 1 .1Wc2 The only game with 10.dxc5, but I must admit that I do not quite understand the following moves. 1 1 ... e5 12.tt:'la3 '.We? 1 3.tt'lb5 d4 14.tt:'ld6 dxe3 1 5.0-00 (15. fxe3+- is easy and good.) 15 ...�e6 16.fxe3 f5 1 7.g4 fxg4+­ Masek-Trefny Czech Republic, 1993.) 1 1 ... e5 12."1Wb3 followed by castling queenside looks very promising.]

-

3 ... tt:'lh5!?

solution. [1 1 .dxe5 g4 12.tt:'lh4 0-0 1 3.�d3 d4

(13 . . . tt'lxe5 14.�f5 hf5 1 5. tt'lxf5 tt'ld3+ 1 6. mf1 "\Wg5 1 7. tt'lxg7 mxg7=)

14.tt:'lc4 b5?! 15.�e4+- Matovic-Pisk, Brno 2001 .] 1 1 ... tt:"lxe5 1 2.dxe5;t; (066)

Now not only the kingside has been weakened, but also the pawn on d5. 66

Conclusion: Black's pair of bi s hops compensates for some deficits in his camp, but White can probably count The idea of 9 ... tt:'lc6. on his long-term advantages. From a theoretical point of view 3 ...tt:'lh5!? is a good move with which Black can fight 1 1 .tt:"lxe5! for equality. In any case, the London System player does not have to fear I consider this to be the easi e st this idea. 1 0 ... e5!?

51

C h a pter 1 0 4 ltJ h 5 ! ? . . .

4.e3

1 .d4 d5 V!l)f3 t!Jf6 3 ..if4 e6 ltl h5?! (067)

8. tt:lg5 fxg5 9.Vfixh5 h6 1 0.ig3"!)

67 a

b

c

d

the tt:lh5. 6.ih4 g6 (6. . .id6 7.id3 0-0 (6. . . g5? 7. tt:lxg5+-)

h

e

7.id3 id? 8.tt:le5 tLlg? A fianchettoed knight is not seen every day. 9.Wif3 ie? 10.tt:lxd7 ttJxd?"!] 6.ixe7 Y!ffx e7 7.ltlbd2 ltld7

The black knight on h5 is clearly misplaced. Black must take care not to end up in an endgame with an extremely passive light-squared bishop. 8.i.e2 b6 c

9

White should always be prepared for this knight move, since we will be meeting it over and over again. 5.i.g5 Ae7

Other moves are worse. [5 ...Wid6 6.tt:le5 g6 (6. . . tt:l f6 7. c3"!) 7 .Vfif3 f5 Such complications cannot be good for Black. 8.g4 Wib4+ (8. . . tt:lg7 9. tt:lc3±) 9.tt:ld2 tt:lg? 1 O.gxf5 tt:lxf5 1 1 .0-0-0±] [5 .. .f6 only weakens the kingside and takes away the retreat square from

(8. . . tt:lhf6 9. c4"!) 9.0-0 0-0 1 0.ttle5 ltl hf6 1 1 .f4 ttle8 (1 1 . . . a5 1 2.Vfie 1 ia6 13.c4"!) 1 2 . .id3 c5 1 3.c3 c4?! 1 4.i.c2 f5 1 5.b3 b5 1 6.a4 bxa4 1 7.bxc4± Rozic-Jozsa, Peniscola girls 2002.

52

C h apte r 1 1 3 e6 + 4 c5 . . .

1 .d4 d5 2.tLlf3 tLlf6 3 ..if4 e6 4.e3 c5 (068)

. . .

about getting a clear advantage.] 5 ...�b6

68

[5 ... tt:lc6 transposes into well-known lanes, for instance 6.c3 .id6 7 ..ig3, which leads to chapter 1] 6J�b1 cxd4 7 .exd4 .id7

Black threatens to exchange his bad .id? via b5. Every London System player will encounter this idea sooner or later. Anyway, Black will not be able to accomplish this idea without drawbacks. 8.c3 .ib5 9.�b3! .txf1 1 0 .�xb6 axb6 1 1 . xft t

White keeps a permanent plus due to Exerts pressure on d4, while the black his better pawn structure. queen is ready to go to b6. Conclusio n : The system with 3 ... e6 5 )Li bd2! and 4 ... c5 demands an exact move sequence by White. But if White plays Allows the defence of b2 with �b1 and precisely, he might well obtain a small by doing so the threats in connection edge. with ... �b6 are diminished. [5.c3?! is not very exact: 5 ... �b6 6.�b3 c4 7.�xb6 axb6 and tt:la3 is not possible (this should be compared to chapter 22) because of .txa3. This is the trick of an early ... e6. Therefore, on 6 ... c4, White should have reacted with 7.�c2, but one has to forget

53

C h a pter 1 2 3 . e6 + 4 .id6 5.lbe5 .

.

. . .

1 .d4 d5 2.c!l]f3 tL!f6 3 ..if4 e6 4.e3 .id6 (069) 69

Prevents the exchange and occupies e5 at the same time. [5 ..ixd6?! I personally do not like this move, but it is playable: 5 ...Wxd6 6.c4 b6 (6. . . 0-0 7.tDc3 a6 8. 'Bc1 'BdB 9. cxd5 exd5 1 0. .id3 .ig4 1 1 . h3 .ih5 1 2. g4 .ig6 1 3. 4Je5 .ixd3= Hodgson­ Westerinen, Stavanger 1989)) 7.cxd5 exd5 8.4Jc3 0-0 9 . .ie2 a6 10.0-0 4Jbd7 1 1 .'Bc1 with a draw in Simic­ Drasko, Ulcinj 1998] 5 ... 0-0!

Similarly to Chapter 2 (with 2 ... e6 and 3 ... .id6), Black strives for a quick exchange of bishops. He is not worried about voluntarily trading off his good bis hop (Black's central pawns are mainly standing on light squares!) for White's bad one. The fight for control over e5 is more important to Bla ck. There are two serious possibi lities for White, 5 ..ig3 (wh ich will be analysed i n the next chapter) and the text move: 5.tLle5

[5 ... c5? is already bad. 6 ..ib5+ and the king must move because on 6 ... 4Jbd7 (6... '\tJel!?-;) a smashing strike would follow: 7.4Jxf7! xf7 8 . .ixd6 Wb6 9 ..ixd7 Wxd6 (9. . . Wxb2?! 1 0. l1Jd2 .ixdl 1 1 . dxc5+-) 10 ..ixc8 'Bhxc8 1 1 .dxc5 'Bxc5 12.0-0+- with White being a healthy pawn up.] [5 ... 4Jbd7 pursues a very interesting plan, but it takes too much time. 6.l1Jd2 CiJf8 7 ..id3 4Jg6 8 ..ig3 .ixe5 9.dxe5 CiJd7 1 O.Wh5 l1Jgxe5 1 1 ..ixe5 g6 12 ..ixc7 Wxc7 1 3.Wh6 We5 14.c3 4Jc5 15 ..ic2;!; Schmittdiei­ Prandstetter, Prague, 1 990.] Attaining control over e4. 6 ... c5! (070)

3 ... e6 + 4 ... id6 5.t/Je5 Prepares to actively develop the the main variation with id6 followed knight to c6. by 8 ... V!ffe 7, Black's t/J stands on d7 and White's i is on f4 instead of g3. 70 Both are disadvantages for the players because White cannot advance his pawn to f4 whilst Black, in case of an exchange on e5, wil have to retreat with his t/Jf6 to e8.) 71 54

Chapter 1 2

-

[6 ... t/Jbd7?! Black can probably continue adopting his Queen's Gambit set-up without having to pay attention to the white piece placement. But it is important to notice that the knight blocks the queen's view onto the bishop. 7.id3 Black cannot afford to (6 ... b6 7.id3 White keeps his c-pawn move· the c-pawn as his id6 would on its initial square, ready to counter no longer be protected and t/Jxf7 ia6 with c4 - if necessary. would be possible. 7 .. Y!ie7 (7. . . b6 8.c3 ib7 9. Vfif3 V!ffe 7 1 0. 0-0 c5 1 1 . a4 a6 1 2 . "f1Je 1 'aac8 13.'aad1 'afe8 14.ib 1 'aed8 1 5.Vfih3 b5 1 6. axb5 axb5 1 7. g4t.

Kovacevic-Moeschinger, Mendrisio 1988.) 8.0-0 c5 9.c4!t. (D71) Exploits the fact that the pawn has not moved yet. Due to his lead in development opening up the position certainly favours White. (9.c3 is also possible. In contrast to

A)

On 7 ...ia6 8.c4 dxc4 White should not continue with 9.V!fff3? because of 9 ... cxd3 10.V!ffxa8 t/Jd5 1 1 .t/Jc6 t/Jxc6 12.V!ffxc6 t/Jb4. 9.t/Jdxc4 ib4+ 10.cj{f1 (D72) is much better. Despite losing the right to castle

3 ...e6 + 4 ...�d6 5.ctJe5 White achieves a very promising position. 1 0 ... ctJdS 72

Chapter 1 2

55

-

1 O.f3. Fritz likes 9 ...Vfie8 1 O.g4 c5 and now 1 1 .ctJg6!? (1 1 . c3, which maintains the excitement, is a more attractive option for the practical player. Black has difficulties freeing his position.) 1 1 ...�xf4 12.ctJxf8 ctJxf8 1 3.exf4 cxd4 14.ctJf3 with an unclear position. Back to the main variation 7 .c3 lt:lc6

After having avoided a few small pitfalls, Black can really be satisfied with himself. In contrast to the position in Chapter 1 , the ctJf3 has moved to e5 without awaiting the threat of ... e6e5. Thus White has not played �f4g3 by now. With his bishop still being on f4, the plan of supporting the (10. . . MJ7 1 1 .a3 �e 7 1 2. 'tkH) 1 1 . � g3 centrali s ed knight wi t h f2-f4 i s ruled b5 12.ctJd2 Now the natural 1 2 ... c5 out. The real question is whether this leads to a quick win for White: is really tragic? 13.dxc5 f6 (13 . . .hc5 14.hh 7+ cJlxh7 1 5. Wic2+ f5 1 6. Wixc5 b4+ 1 7. cJlg 1 ±) The best move in thi s posi t i o n is 14.Vfih5 lLlxe3+ (14. . . h6 1 5. Wig 6 fxe 5 8.�g3, transposing to the variation 1 6.Wih7+ cJlf7 1 7.�g6+
a

Black chooses a very solid set-up, but by playing 4 ...�e7 he actually 7 threatens ... ltlh5. So one really has to be aware of this move! 6

5.ltle5!

5 ... ltl bd7

The knight stands more passively on d7. Black cannot hope for an initiative.

5 4

b

c

d

e

3 ...e6, 4 ...�e7 Which of the two major pieces is now d4 and wants to create his own play more usefully positioned? on the queenside. But this plan will 8 ... 0-0 9.�d3 f\d8 1 O.h4!? tt:lf8 1 1 .iWf3 simply cost too much time. �d7 12.tt:lxd7 (12.h5!) 12 ... f\xd7 13.h5 h6 14.iWg3 cj;Jh8 15.tt:lf3 �d6 16.'Lle5± Witkowski-Kasperek, Myslenice 9 ..ic2 b5?! 1 O.ltJc6! iWb6 1 1 .ltJxe7 1987.] i>xen [6 ...tt:lxe5 7.�xe5! (084) (7.dxe5 tt:ld7 8.�d3 (8.iWg4? ? g5!-+) 8 ... c6 9.iWe2 Conclusion : The system with 4 ...�e7 iWb6 1 0.0-0-0!? tt:lc5 1 1 .h4oo) 7 ... c5 is very solid but too passive to reach 8.c3 0-0 9.�d3 tt:ld7 10.�g3 fle8 1 1 .0- equality. 0 �f6 12.tt:lf3 b6 13.e4 �b7 14.e5;!;] 62

Chapter 1 5

85

7.c3 c5 8 ..id3 c4?! (085)

clear positional mistake which a lot of players will make over and over again. Black removes the pressure of

A

-

63

C h a pter 1 6 2

. . .

e6, 3 .id 6

1 .d4 d5 2.ll:lf3 e6 3 ..if4 .id6 (086) 86

. . .

[4.g3!? Very creative. If Black takes on f4 the g-file will be opened for White. A strong attack can frequently be conducted. 4 ....txf4 5.gxf4 'Wd6 6.e3 'Wb4+ 7.ct:lbd2 '\Wxb2 is critical. White achieves good compensation with either of the two following moves 8.ct:le5 (or 8.E\g1 g6 9. c4 dxc4 1 0.hc4 ctJ f6 1 1. ctJe5) 8 ... ct:le7 9 . .td3 ctJd7 1 O.Eib1 '\Wa3 1 1 .'\Wh5 g6 12.'1Wh6 ctJf5 1 3 ..txf5 exf5 14.ctJxd7 .txd7 As.Arnason-Ar.Arnason, Reykjavik 1988.] The fo llowing alternative must be taken very seriously.

Clever. Black immediately strives for the exchange of bishops without losing time with ... ctJf6. 4.e3! ?

White is prepared to accept a small weakening of his pawn structure in order to gain total control over e5. In addition, the e-file is being opened. [4 ..ixd6? is definitely not in the spirit of the inventor. 4 .. .'1Wxd6 5.e3 'Wb4+ 6.ctJbd2 'Wxb2 7 ..id3 ctJf6 8.0-0 ctJbd7 9.'\We2 '\Wc3 10.e4 dxe4 1 1 .ct:lxe4 ct:lxe4 12 ..ixe4 ctJf6 1 3.Eiab1 c6:j: Schafer-Gasthofer, Staufer 1999.]

[4 ..tg3!? Perhaps even better than 4.e3!?. After for example 4 ...ctJf6 we find ourselves back on our home ground. Therefore, only 4 ... ct:le7 is of independent relevance. (4 .. . f5?! leads to a Stonewall that does not look very promising .. .) 5.ct:lbd2 c5 (5 ... ctJf5?! 6.e4! (087) Making use of his lead in development 6 ... ct:lxg3 7.hxg3 dxe4 8.ct:lxe4;t;) 6.e3 0-0 (6 ... ctJf5 7 ..txd6 'Wxd6 Black seems to have achieved a lot, but the ct:lf5 only appears to stand well. As soon as .td3 is played, it wil be forced to move. (7. . . ctJxd6? B.dxc5+-) 8.dxc5 '\Wxc5 9 ..td3;t;)

2 ... e6, 3 ...i.d6 strives to castle queenside and lever with e3-e4. 10. . . f6 1 1.0-0-0 e5 12.e4) 9 ...i.xg3 1 O.hxg3 "Wd6 1 1 ."Wc2 i.d7 12.dxc5 "Wxc5 13.e4 l"iac8:j: Van de Mortei-Piket, Leeuwarden 1993.]

64

Chapter 1 6

87

-

Let us return to the main variation 4 ...i.xf4

4 [4 ... Ci:Je7 5.Ci:Jbd2 c5 (5 ... Ci:Jg6 6.i.xd6 7.c4;!; The black knig ht is 3 "Wxd6 misplaced on g6.] [5 ...i.xf4 6.exf4 "Wd6 7.g3 c5 8.dxc5 2 "Wxc5 9.c3 Ci:Jbc6 1 O.i.d3 b6 1 1 .0-0 i.b7 12.l"ie1 g6 13."We2 0-0 14.Ci:Jb3 "Wd6 1 5.l"iad1 a6 16.h4 �g7 1 7.Ci:Je5;!; Chuprikov-AI.Karpov, Russia 7.�d3 h6 8.c3 Ci:Jbc6 9.0-0?! (088) (Smolensk) 2000.) 6.dxc5 i.xc5 7.i.d3 1 disl i ke castling in this posi t i o n Ci:Jbc6 8.0-0 Ci:Jg6 9.i.g3 "Wf6 10.e4 0-0 because now after the exchange on 1 1 .c3 i.b6 12."Wc2;!; Bagheri-Akobian, g3 there wil be no dangerous rook on Moscow 2000.] h1 any more. 88 5.exf4 "Wd6 (089) g

89

... e6, 3 ...�d6 The most active continuation, but other moves are possible as well. [5 ... b6 Black intends to exchange the remaining two bishops. 6.c3 CiJe7 7.�d3 0-0 8.iWe2 aS 9.CiJbd2 9.CiJa3 Possibly more active - the idea of CiJbS occurs. On �c8-a6 I would recommend taking on a6 because then Black has to decide between keeping the knight guarded or removing it at some point. 9 ...�a6 10.CiJeS cS 1 1 .�xa6 CiJxa6 12.CiJdf3 V'ifd6 13.0-0 f6= Gretarsson-Luther, Clichy 199S] [S... cS 6.dxcS iWaS+ 7.c3 iWxcS 8.�d3 tlif6 9.0-0 0-0 10.CiJbd2 b6 1 1 .1'=�e1 .lia6 12.�c2 CiJbd7 1 3.CiJeS Elad8 14.CiJb3 iWc7 1 S.CiJd4;!; And the knights occupied prom1s1ng squares in Plaskett-B6nsch, Sochi 1984.] Chapter 1 6

-

2

65

1 O.�xfS CiJe7 1 1 .�d3 �xd3 12.1Wxd3 CiJbc6 1 3.0-0 0-0 14.CiJeS?! (Instead of this White could have maintained the initiative with 14.2:'\ae1 !.) 14 ... CiJb4= Storm-Biatny, 2nd National League 1 990/1 .] [6 ... CiJe7 7.CiJc3 0-0 8.0-0-0!? (090) Gave Black good chances on the queenside after 8 ... b6 9.h4 cS 10.g3 c4 1 1 .iWe2 CiJd7 12.�h3 Elb8 in Efimov-Luther, Asti 1996, therefore I think 8.�d3 is better. 90 8

7

7

6

6

5

5

[S ... CiJf6 6.c3 0-0 7.�d3 b6 8.0-0 �a6 9.�xa6 CiJxa6 10.iWd3 iWc8 1 1 .CiJbd2 4 c5 12.a3 c4 1 3.iWc2 CiJc7 14.E\fe1 1S.CiJe5;!; I.Horvath4Jce8 Boguszlassjkij, Hungary 2000.]

3 2

2

6.'1Mfd2

[6.1Wc1 !? Has only one predecessor but a very famous one. 6 ... CiJd7 7.�d3 c5 8.0-0 CiJgf6 9.c3 0-0 1 0.2:'\e1 E\e8 1 1 .CiJe5 and in Aljechin-Rivier, Bern 1932, White got more from the game.] 6 ... CiJf6

[6 ... b6 7.CiJc3 aS 8.�d3 �a6 9.fS exf5

The white king does not yet have to commit himself to one of the two castling possibilities. Instead, White can immediately launch out on attack against the king on g8. ] 7.CiJc3 a6 (091 )

66

Chapter 1 6

91 a

b

c

d

e

f

g

h

-

3 ...e6, 4 ...il.d6

1 2.tt:lxc6 �xc6 1 3.�e3 .ib7 1 4.:8ad1 :8fe8 1 5.a3 c\Dg4 1 6.�h3 f5 (092) 92 a

b

c

d

e 8

6

5

3 2

Preparing counterplay on the queenside. [7 ...0-0 8.il.d3 il.d7 9.0-0 c5 1 O.dxc5 �xc5 1 1 .tt:le5 l"ld8 12.l"i:fe1 tt:lc6 1 3.l"i:ad1 il.e8 14.tt:le2 tt:ld7 15.tt:lg3 g6 16.h4;!; Eliet-Barsov, Bogny sur Meuse 2003.]

Black's queenside initiative was sufficient compensation for his backward pawn on e6 in V.Kovacevic-Vagania n, Hastings 1982/3. Conclusio n : Bl a ck can equalise after 8 ..id3 b6 9.0-0 0-0 1 0.:8fe1 c5 4.e3!? by playing precisely, but with 1 1 .tt:le5 only a single passive move the white White is not afraid of ... c4 because forces will be storming the black king. after this Black's position would lose However, 4.il.g3!? offers a very good all dynamic potentia l. White could chance to play for the advantage. comfortably go after the black king. 1 1 ... tt:lc6

[1 1 ... cxd4? A positional blunder. 12.tt::l e2 tt::l e4 1 3.il.xe4 dxe4 14.�xd4;!;]

67

C ha pter 1 7 2

. . .

c5 ! ?

1 .d4 d5 2.lLlf3 c5!? (093)

3 ... e6

93 a

b

c

d

e

c

d

e

4 ..if4 lL!c6 5.e3 Ad6 a

f

g

h

This reminds one a lot of the classical An important explanation is necessary system with . . ..id6 . The difference is concerning this move sequence. If that Black has not yet played . . . ttJf6 . Black wants to prevent the usual London System set-up at all costs, 6.Ag3 lL!ge7 ! ? (094) this is one of the possible moves. Is a better way to fight for control over 3.c3 e5. The only move . 3.c4 is not our subject, nor is 3. dxc5. On the other hand, 3.e3 would lock in the bishop and possibly lead to the Coll a System . The desirable 3 . .if4? is met by 3 . . .cxd4 4. ttJxd4 ttJd?!� when Black threatens to win a piece with . . . e5. Therefore only the text move remains.

[6 . . . ttJf6 transposes to the classical system with 6 . . . .id6] [6 . . ..ixg3 7 . hxg3 iWd6 8.ttJbd2! In actual fact Black can not really push his pawn to e5. With 8 . . . ttJf6 ! The position transposes to the chapter "Classical Exchange on g3". (But 8 ... e5? gets hit by 9 .dxe5 4Jxe5 1 O . ttJe4! 4J xf3+ 1 1 .gxf3 and Wh ite

68

Chapter 1 7

wins a pawn . 1 1 . . . 1Mfc6?? 1 2 .�b5 game over!) ] 94 a

b

c

d

e

f

g

h

-

2 . . . c5!?

1 5.Wff4!;!; (095) Takes control of the dark squares and prevents his opponent from castling. 1 5 ... 0-0?! 1 6.Wfd6+95

8

6

4 3

7 ..id3 Lt:lg6

2

[7 . . . Lt:lf5 The knight is not placed well 1 =�___;.;.;.;___;.;.;.;...,.....;.;=--:-_;;.;..,.--: on f5. 8.�xd6 1Mfxd6 Capturing with the q ueen is forced , as otherwise c5 would be lost. 9.Lt:lbd2 cxd4 1 0 .exd4 0-0 1 1 .0-0;!; Conclusion : Striving for the classical Platonov-Lputian, Krasnodar 1 980.] line without . . . Lt:lf6 is not a bad idea. Black can achieve a position close to 8.�xd6 Wxd6 9.CL!bd2 e5 1 0 .dxe5 equality. CL!gxe5 1 1 .CL!xe5 Wfxe5 1 2.CL!f3 Wfh5 1 3.Wfa4 We are now switching to positions with the exciting . . . Wfb6. While Black won the fight for e5, d5 has been wea kened . White secures a small advantage. 1 3 ....ih3!? 1 4 ..ie2 .id7 [ 1 4 . . ..ixg2?? 1 5 .Lt:lh4+-]

69

C h a pter 1 8

...

...

4 '\1Wb6 ! ? + 5 '\1Wxb2 1 .d4 d5 2.lL!f3 lL!f6 3.j,f4 c 5 4.e3 �b6 !? (096) 96 a

b

c

d

e

f

g

h

s ! .I B J.-·rl Ms ' , ,7 7- · 1 � - - 5�lf - · - - 1 5 4 1 - ��� ���. -4 3- , - �:� 'L1- '/. '3 2 1 � �� � - 0 � 0 2 6

"'" �

6

�

8.ilxd7+ �xd7 9.tLle5 �f5 1 0. �e2 a6 1 1. g4 '1Mff4 1 2. gxh5 Wc 1 + 1 3.Wd1 Wxb2 14. ttJd2 Wxd4 1 5. tLlef3+-) For 6 . c3 one should have a look at the chapter on the Exchange Variation of the Caro-Kann- Defence.] 97 a

b

c

d

e

f

h

g

s i B� -·- Ms 7 llfi - Wl i Wi i l 7 ' - 5 ' � "if - � 1 5 �/'/. � • 6

'"" �

6

41 . M •.-•,/. 134 1 a� -i¥=�- :a l 1 3- B""0��� ,� � -i¥�,,� � �" 2 2 1 � � Clearly shows the small d rawb � ck of the move j,f4: the b2-pawn no 1 a �- = rJ :a l 1 longer protected by the bishop. White a

b

c

d

e

f

g

h

/

IS

a

b

c

d

e

g

h

can not respond with �b3, therefore a [4 . . . tt:'lc6 5.c3 e6 leads to the basic special idea is needed. position of the classical system] [4 .. .t2Jh5? Loses, but the variation is worth noting: 5.j,xb8 E\xb8 6.j,b5+! [4 . . . j,g4?! is also not a good idea: j,d7 7.j,xd7+ '1Wxd7 8.tt:'le5 '1Wf5 9.'1We2! 5.c3 leads into known channels �nd poss1ble (097) tt:'lf6 1 0.'1Wb5+ tLld7 1 1 .tt:'lc3 cxd4 d oes so without the 1 2.exd4 E\d8 (12 . . . f6 1 3. g4 �e6 adventure after 5.dxc5. '1We4+ 1 3 .tLlxd 5 14. tLlxd5+-) (5.dxc5!? is certainly fu nny - but only 1 4.c8 Prague 1 6 J:l:fd 1 Keeping the pawn on the board as a sort of king's shield.

dxe4 (01 08)

(1 7. . . \t>xcl 1 8. gd4 Wet + 19. \t>h2 Wg5 The following alternatives are also (1 9 . . . Wxb2?? 20.'1We5+) 20. Wxc4+ lt>b8�) very im portant. [1 1 . . . 1Wxd4 1 2.exd5 1Wxf4 (12. ..tiJxd5 13. CiJxd5 exd5 14./ie3 Wxd1 1 5. gfxd1 +-; 1 2. . . exd5 1 3./ie3 Wxd1 1 4. gfxd1 +-) 1 3 .dxc6 gd8 1 4.1We2 gd2 (14 ... bxc6 1 5.hc6+ lt>fB 1 6. gfd1+-) 1 5. c 7! (0 105)

1 8.g3 However, Black must capture on c7 after all. 1 8 . . . 1Wxc7 1 9.gd4 1Wb6 (1 9 . . . b8? 20.CiJ b5+- 1Wc5 2 1 .gxc4 1Wxb5 22.gc8+ gxc8 23.1Wxb5 gc7) 20.gxc4+ lt>b8 2 1 . CLJ b5� ( D1 06)

The wh ite attack remains dangerous. 1 5 . . . lt>d7 Such a pawn can q uickly After 1 1 . . .1Wxd4 Black can be happy if he can hold the position until reaching become very valuable. the time control.] (1 5 ... 0-0? 1 6.g3 Wd4 (16. . . gxe2 1 7.gxf4 gxc2 1 8./ixb l} 1 7. CiJb5+-)

Chapter 1 9

-

4 . . . '1Wb6 !? + 5 . . . c4 1 06

75

1 07

1 2. ltlxe4 ltlxd4 [ 1 1 . . . ct:Jxe4 Avoiding the complications is com bined with getting into a Because of the high tactical content it passive position : 1 2. ct:Jxe4 dxe4 is very d ifficult to give detailed text 1 3.i.xe4;!; With his pair of b ishops comments. White stands more than comfortable.] [1 2 . . . ctJd5? 1 3. ctJd6+! i.xd6 1 4.i.xd6 [1 1 . . . 0-0 !? Simply ig noring everyth ing . ct:Jxd4 1 5.i.xd5 l"\d8 1 6.i.xc4 l"\xd6 1 2.exd5 ct:Jxd4 (12. . . exd5 13.CiJxd5 1 7. c3 1Wc6 1 8.cxd4 1Wxc4 1 9.!"1c1 ct:Jxd5 1 4. hd5;!;) 1 3. dxe6 ct:Jxf3+ 1Wxa2 20. l"\c8+ l"\d8 2 1 . l"\xd8+ mxd8 (13 . . . ct:Jxe6 1 4.i.e3) 1 4 .'\Wxf3 fxe6 22.1Wg4+-) 1 5.1We2;!; The pawn structure is clearly [1 2 . . . 1Wxd4?! 1 3.ctJd6+ mf8 favourable for White. (13 . . . hd6? ? 14.hc6+) 1 4 .i.g3 1Wxd 1 [ 1 1 . . .l"\d8 1 2 .exd5 ct:Jxd4 1 3 .i.e3 (14 . . . hd6 1 5.hd6+ 'ittg 8 1 6.'\Wxd4 ct:Jxf3+ 1 4 .1Wxf3 1Wa6 1 5.dxe6 fxe6 ct:Jxd4 1 7.hb 7 !"\dB 1 8.i.e5) 1 5 .l"\fxd 1 1 6.l"\bd 1 0-0 1 7 .l"\xd8 l"\xd8 1 8 . l"\d 1 i.xd6 1 6 .i.xd6+;!;) 8xd 1 + 1 9.'\Wxd H Similarly to the previous variation , the better pawn 1 3.ct:Jxf6+ gxf6! (01 08) structure guarantees White a plus.] Only this move seems to cause Wh ite any d ifficu lties. Therefore, this Back to the main variation variation is very important. The idea lying behind 1 3 . . . gxf6 is to halve the d angerous pair of bishops.

76

Chapter 1 9

b

4 . . . 1Mfb6 !? + 5 . . . c4

follow, with more compensation .]

1 08 a

-

c

than

sufficient

1 6.cxd4 [1 6 .�e5?? l2Jc6] 1 6 .. .fxe4 4

[1 6 . . . !'\xd4? is also refuted i n a very nice way. 1 7.�xb7+ xb7 1 8.1Mff3+ Wc6 (1 8 . . !'\d5 19.b3+-) 1 9 .Wxc6+ xc6 20.�e5;!;] .

1 7.E!c1 ! (01 09) 1 09 [ 1 3 . . .�xf6 1 4.�e4 0-0 1 5.�e3;!;] 14.�e4! Another move which actually seemed to be impossible - because of . . . f5. Only after a deeper analysis did I discover that in reality f5 was not good for Black. With . . . f5 not working, White is well advised to try to keep the pair of bishops at all costs. 1 4 ... 0-0-0 lt is not easy for Black to find a safe position for his king. The pieces on the queenside will take over the job of protecting their monarch . After the explosion in the centre the smoke has settled and the game [ 1 4 . . .f5? 1 5 .�e5 lt is really just as continues. White recognises that his easy as that! 1 5 . . . 0-0-0 1 6.�xh8 !'i:xh8 rook on b1 has done its job and would 1 7 .c3;!;] now be much better placed on the c­ 1 5.c3 f5 fi le. To achieve this, Wh ite is actually prepared to sacrifice a second pawn . [After 1 5 . . .CZlc6 1 6.1Mfa4, b3 is going to

Chapter 1 9

-

77

4 . . . Wb6! ? + 5 . . . c4 1 7 .. J:'!:xd4

Accepting the sacrifice sensible. [ 1 7 . . . Wxd4?? 1 8.Wa4]

[ 1 8 .. .:1'\hdB 1 9. gxc4+ gxc4 20.Wxc4+ Wc6 2 1 .We2 ! gd5 22.Wxe4;!;] seems 1 9.Wxc6+ bxc6 20.i.e5 �hd8 21 .i.xd4 �xd4

[ 1 7 . . . i.d6 1 8.gxc4+ \ilb8 1 9 .Wd2 gc8 An amusing endgame has come u p 20.gfc1 gxc4 2 1 .gxc4;!;] which Black hopes to draw on account of his two additional pawns. The solution is qu ite inventive. 1 8 .Wa4 Wc6 (01 1 0) Apparently the only serious defence. [ 1 8. . .Wb4 1 9.Wxa7 ghd8 20.i.e5 g4d5 (20. . . gd3 2 1.Wb8+ \ild7 22.Wc7+ \ilea 23.gxc4+- Dominant is the correct word for White's position .) 2 1 . b3 (2 1.Wba+ \ild7 22.Wc7+ \ilea 23. gxc4 vtib5 24. gxe4) 2 1 . . . gc5 22.i.c3! Wb5 23.a4 Wa6 (23. . . Wxb3? 24. gb 1; 23 ... Wc6 24.i.b4 c3 25.i.xc5 Wxc5) 24.Wxa6 bxa6 25.i.b4+- If the rook retreats to c7, then White wins the exchange after i.a5]

22.�fd1 ! (01 1 1 ) An exchange on d 1 is ruled ou � so on � tempo in companson w1th the 1mmed 1ate gfe 1 .

� h ite w �n s

22 ... �d3 [22 . . . gxd 1 +? 23.gxd 1 i.f6 24.gc1 i.xb2 25.gxc4 f5 26.gxc6++-] 111

23J'!:e1 �d4

78

Chapter 1 9

-

4 . . . ',c3 . A defin ite analysis is nearly impossible d c e a b as there are several options to choose from in each position . Therefore I tried to work out certain ideas and plans in the following variations. A lot of practical tests with 8 . . . l2Ja7 would certainly be desirable.

h

8

6

3

[9. b4? At first glance this seems to be the solution to all problems . 9 . . ..id?! (D1 55) 1 55

What is happening here?! Some people will certainly ask this q uestion . No normal person will earnestly 5 consider this move in a game, but it does contain some poison. The b5square will be control led again and 3 b6-b5 is being prepared . But this is not the whole plan, because the idea of tLla7-c8-b6-a4 also comes to mind. In addition , the threat of . . . e5 1 ���=----:==--:-==-:-' seems to become acute again. Wh ite is well advised to take great care. Quick action is necessary. Thus, the idea of pushing the b-pawn strikes This is the refutation of 9.b4 . one's mind . . . . Should it go to b3 or to However, the probabil ity o f meeting b4? this line in a practical game is very low

4

104

Chapter 26

-

5 . . . Wb6 + 8 . . .l2la7!

as B lack has to find the two difficult moves 8 . . . tt:Ja7 and 9 . . . �d7. After the text move the square c8 becomes available for the tt:Ja7 and the bishop takes over the task of protecting the b5-square. Consequently, Black will accompl ish the manoeuvre tt:J c8-d6b5, or Wh ite will have to g ive up his bishop pair on d6. Both would be very good for Black.

with the idea of tt:Jd6-b5, with a lot of pressure on c3. 1 1 .ctJab1 ctJd6 1 2.�xd6 exd6� The doubled pawns look horrible, but in reality they are very strong. Wh ite does not manage to accomplish a2-a4, thus keeping a backward a-pawn . I cannot see a way to prevent the simple plan of . . . �e7, 0-0, �a?, �fa8]

[9 . . . tt:Je4?! %-% Pavlovic, D.­ Kosic,D. /Jahorina 2000/EXT 2001 (9). This game ended in a draw, although Wh ite could have g ot a clear edge with 1 0 .�xc4! dxc4 1 1 .tt:Jxc4+-.]

Let us go back to the main variation 1 57

[9 . . . �f5 1 O. tt:Jd2 e6 1 1 .�e2 As soon as the knight moves away from a?, the a3-knight goes to b5! The further plan consist of 0-0, f3 , e4 with a pleasant position for White .] 1 0 .tt:Jd2 tt:Jc8! ( 01 56) 1 56

9 e5!? ...

Very concrete and therefore the main line.

Chapter 26

-

5 . . . 1Wb6

+

8 . . . ti:la7!

[9 . . . b5 The London System fan can not fail to l ike this, because b5 is no longer accessible for the black pieces. 1 O.ti:ld2 prevents . . . ti:le4 - before the decision of what will happen on c4 is made.]

105

1 59 a

b

c

d

e

g

h

[9 ... cxb3 1 0 .axb3 is in White 's spirit.] [9 . . . e6 is not q u ite as ambitious as 9 . . . e5, but not to be u nderestimated . 1 0. Ci:lc2 ti:l b5 1 1 .bxc4 ti:lxc3 (0 1 58) 1 58

Defends the knight on d2 and allows Wh ite to fin ish his development without bei ng d isturbed . 1 2 ... j,xc3+ 1 3)t:ld2 cxb3 1 4.fxg7 �g8 1 5.axb3 ttJc6 1 6 . .id3

1 2.j,d3 White really wants to complete his development, even sacrificing a pawn to do so. 1 2 ... dxc4 (12. . . '8xa2 1 3. '8xa2 ti:lxa2 14. 0-0 with good compensation .) 1 3.j,xc4 The position remains very exciting for both sides.] 1 O .dxe5 j,xa3 1 1 .exf6 j,b2 1 2.'8d1 ! (01 59)

After 0-0 Wh ite should have the edge due to his better pawn structure, but Black's active pieces compensate for some of his own disadvantages. Hence, an exciting struggle is g uaranteed. Conclusion : My recommendation for B lack is clearly 8 .. ttJa7! After this both sides have difficult decisions to make but with the ideas I have described I hope to have shown you the proper direction. .

106

C h a pter 27 5 . . . Wfb6 + 8 . . . e6 1 .d4 d5 V!fjf3 tL!f6 3.i.f4 c5 4.e3 tlJc6 Therefore, White tries to secu re the pair of bishops and keeps the game in 5.c3 '1Wb6 6.'1Wb3 c4 7.'1Wxb6 axb6 calm and quiet waters. 1 0 . . . i.xd6 8.tlJa3 e6 9.tlJc2 ! (01 60) 1 1 .i.xd6 tt:le4! Forces the bishop to q u it from the diagonal a3-f8. 1 60 Additionally, after b5-b4, c3 will be a b c e t g unprotected. 1 2.i.c7 h inders b5 (12.i.f4 �b5) 1 2 . . . �b5!:j: creating counterplay ] 9 ... tlJe4!?

d

h

[9 . . . b5 1 0.a3 tt:le4 1 1 . tt:ld2 tt:lxd2 1 2. 1!ixd2 resembles the main line.] [9 . . . tt:lh5! Again important 1 0.i.e5! b5 1 1 .a3 tt:lf6! (1 1 . . . tt:lxe5 1 2. dxe5 g6 1 3. i.e2t,) 1 2 .i.f4 tt:lh5 1 3.i.c7 (13.i.e5=) 1 3 . . . 1!/d? 1 4 .i.b6 �a6 1 5.i.c5 i.xc5 1 6.dxc5 Can Wh ite keep his extra pawn on c5? 1 6 . . . tt:lf6 ( 01 61 ) 161 Making an excursion with 9.tt:lb5 �a5 is very temptin g, but actually Wh ite would achieve nothing u seful through this. After all, Black has locked in his i.c8 with 8 . . . e6 and this tu rn s c2 into a very safe square for the knight. The a-file is sealed after a3 - White can carefully plan the development of his pieces. [9.tt:l b5?! �a5 (9. . . �d7? 1 0. tt:lg5 + -) 1 0. tt:ld6+! ? Alternatives l ike 1 0 . tt:lc7+ do not bring anything, because White must play a4 sooner or later, after which the black b5-pawn-break would cause some big problems.

a

b

c

d

e

t

g

h

Chapter 27 -

5 . . . �b6 + 8 . . . e6

107

1 7. lt'l b4l 1"la5 1 8. lt'lxc6 bxc6 1 9. lt'l e5+ 1 5 . . . b4 1 6.ltlxb4 .ta4 1 7.ci>e2� (01 63) 20.f3 l ? rJJ c 7 Otherwise c6 falls. Securing c5 permanently. (20.lt'lxf7 i s more cou rageous. 20 . . . 1"lf8 2 1 . lt'le5 1 63 CiJe4 22 . .ie2! offering f2 . 22 . . . lt'lxc5 (22. . . 1"lxf2 ?! 23. .if3 1"lxb2 24 . .ixe4 dxe4 25. 0-0t.) 23.0-0 stil l being very excitin g . Both sides have chances.) 20 . . . 1"lf8 (20. . . CLld7 2 1 . CLlxf7 ElfB 22. lt'lg5t.) 2 1 . .ie2 cu d ? 22.lt'lxd7 .bd7 The endgame should be equal.] Back to the main variation 1 0.ltld2 ltlxd2 1 1 .ci>xd2 bS 1 2.a3 lLlaS 1 3J=!e1 ltl b3+ 1 4.ci>d 1 .id7 ! (01 62) 1 62

Conclusio n : The endgame coming up after 8 ... e6 is very exciting indeed . probably equalise Black can (9 . . . lt'l h5). Nevertheless, the resulting positions offer enough possibilities for aggressive continuations.

Strives for . . . b4 followed by .ia4! 1 5.g4! [ 1 5 ..ie2? b4 ! 1 6 .e4 .ia4-+]

108

C h a pter 28 Sym m etry with 4 ... dxc4 1 .d4 d5 2.tlJf3 tiJf6 3 ..if4 .ifS 4.c4! (01 64) 1 64 a

b

c

d

e

8 7 6

5

4

4

3 2

straight away but gets rid of his bad bishop. However, after 6.ixd3 cxd3 7 .Wfxd3;!; Wh ite stands better because of his lead in development.] [5 . . . e6 6.ixc4 tL'lbd7 (6 ... 1lxb 1 7."11xb 1 ib4+ 8. mft;!; Losing the right to castle is not really tragic.) 7.0-0 ie7 8.h3 0-0 9.tL'lc3 c6 1 O.tL'lh4 ig6 1 1 .tL'lxg6 hxg6;!; �-� Pakleza,Z Czakon,J/Castelldefels 2006 (34)] [5 . . .ixb1 trying to keep the extra pawn. 6.Wixb1 b5 (6. . . e6 7.1lxc4; 6 ... Wfd5 7.Wfc2 b5 B.b3;!;) 7.b3 and Black must take care not to be overrun . ] [ 5 . .. CLJd 5!? ( 0 1 65)

4.c4! The answer to the question of why 4.c4! is correct in this position is explained in chapter 33 "Reasons for 4.c4!". 4 ... dxc4 Accepting the pawn sacrifice results in positions similar to those in the Queen's Gambit Accepted . 5.e3 b5 Only with this move can 4.c4 be challenged . [5 . . . id3 Black gives the pawn back

1 65 a

b

c

d

e

f

g

h

{ 'hapter

28

- Symmetry with 4 . . . dxc4

The idea l ies in . . . tt'l b4-d3. 6.�g3 � b4 7.�a3 ti:ld3+ This also does not suffice for eq uality. 8.�xd3 �xd3 (8. . . cxd3 9.Wfb31;) 9. �e5 e6 1 0 . � xd3 ( 1 0.Wf3!? �b4+ 1 U�:rd 1 0-0 1 2 .�xd3 .0.xa3 (12. . . cxd3? 13.Wfxb7+-) 1 3 .Wxb7 �d7 1 4 . bxa3 cxd3 1 5.Wxc7 White h as the edge but he is probably not enjoying the fact that his king is stuck in the middle.) 1 0 . . . cxd3 (10 . . �a3 1 1.Wfa4+ ti:lc6 1 2.Wfxc41;) 1 1 .0-01;]

109

[8 . . . b4? 9. �b5+-] 9 .ll:le5! My original idea 9.b3 does not work, which is why I nearly had to forget about this line. The main point of 9.�e5 is to prevent 9 . . . e6 .

6.a4 c6 7 .axb5 cxb5 8.cll:l c 3 'Wb6 (01 66)

[9.b3? e6! After this White will be crushed on the queenside. 1 O. bxc4 �b4 1 1 .Wb3 bxc4 1 2 .Wxc4 �d5-+ Here White can only offer a draw and hope h is silent prayers for acceptance will be heard . . . ]

1 66

9 ... ttl bd7

.

a

b

c

d e f

g

h

[9 . . . e6?? 1 0.Wf3 ti:ld5 1 1 .�xd5 exd5 1 2 .Wxd5+- winning material.] [9 . . . �c6 1 O.Wf3 l"\c8 1 1 .�g5! ( 01 67) 1 67

a

c

d e

g

h

Wh ite will be clearly better if he manages to get his pawn back. Therefore Black must secure the material with the help of h is q ueen. How will White conti n ue? Normal developing moves such as 9.�e2 are not convincing at all.

110

Chapter 28

With a n attack on the i.f5, ... e 6 will be provoked - an important detail in the variation 1 1 . . .e6 1 2.ctJxc6 l"\xc6 1 3 .i.xf6 gxf6 1 4 .l"\xa7;!; , as after 1 4 . . . 'Wxa7 1 5 .'Wc6+ Black can no longer play i.d7.] 1 0.g4! (01 68)

-

Symmetry with 4 . . . dxc4

Wh ite has a very active position for the pawn and the further development of the kingside will cause Black a few headaches. White will break open the q ueenside with b2-b3 after having castled on the other flank. After that, he will set all the dogs loose on his opponent.

1 68 1 69 a

The position is highly dynamic. Therefore normal moves will not be any good for Wh ite. 9 . . . ctJbd7 took away im portant retreat squares of the i.fS. This circumstance will be exploited immediately. 1 0 ... .\LlxeS [1 O . . . i.e6 1 1 . ctJxd7 i.xd7 blocks d7. (1 1 ... ctJxd7? 1 2.'Wf3 l"\dB 1 3.d5 and the bishop is trapped in the middle of the board.) 1 2 .g5;!;] 1 1 .gxf5 c\Llc6 1 2 .i.g2 (01 69)

b

c

d

e

h

Conclusion: Accepting the pawn sacrifice with 4 . . . dxc4 leads to very exciting positions in wh ich White always gets more than enough compensation. Anyone not aware of this will stumble very quickly.

111

C h a pter 2 9 Sym m etry with 4 e6?! . . .

1 .d4 d5 2. ltlf3 ltlf6 3 ..if4 .ifS 4.c4 e6?! (01 70) 1 70

squares on the queenside will remain feature of the position for a long time and can quickly become very problematical for Black. On 5 . . . Wc8, a prompt l::\ c 1 would be annoying. �

Ignores his queenside, a carelessness which is pun ished immediately. 6.ltlc3 .id6!? 7 ..txd6 Wfxd6 8.:B:c1 After this Wh ite continues to develop normally and can be happy about a slight but permanent advantage. He should play carefully and always think twice about such attempts as c5 (8. c5? Dd8=). Normal developing moves 5 ... b6 (0 1 7 1 ) s uch as 9.e3, .te2 and 0-0 look very One might get the wrong i mpression logical. that the light-squared weaknesses cannot be exploited immed iately. This might be true, but having weakened After this Black will be an noyed that he d id not play . . . c6 straight away, because now he will have to weaken h is q ueenside permanently.

1 12

C h a pter 30 Sym m etry with 4 c6 . . .

1 .d4 d5 2.ttlf3 ttlf6 3.�f4 �f5 4.c4 c6 {01 72)

he game Bagheri- Bezgodov ' Cap d �Agde 2002.] 1 73

4 ... c6 has no independent relevance , 6.b� should also be playable' but is thus not a lot has to be said about it. not tn the spirit of our opening. 5.e3 '!Wb6

6 ... dxc4

[5 ... e6 6.ttlc3 leads to the next chapter] [S ....ixb1 ?! 6.'1Wxb1 e5 Th e "d ea of 5 ......."" .xb1 . 7.�xe5 .ib4+ 8 lt>d1 do�� not look good, but after B ... 0-0 9 1"i:e8 1 O ..id3 �bd7 1 1 .�xd77 'IW�d7 12 ..if5 '!Wd8 1 3 . .ig5 (01 3) it becomes clear that the white monarch feels very happy on d 1 Th e extra pawn promised a clear advantage in

a transposition of moves is ?th � rwise mevlt ble, leading to one of the � chapters. followmg

1

·

.

7 .hc4 e6 8.tiJbd2 tiJ bd7 9 .0-0 aS 1 O . tlJ h4 a4 1 1 .'1Wxb6 tlJxb6 1 2.tlJxf5 exf5 1 3.� d3 .ib4 1 4. E:!a d1 g6 1 5. tlJc 4 tiJbd5 1 6 ..ie5

"th a small edge Wh"te . for League (Nikola _0 stl , National 1988/8 �)

Wl

1

1 13

C h a pter 3 1 M a i n positio n with 6 lb bd7 . .

1 .d4 d 5 2.e8 22.l"lha 1 +-] Only with 1 7 . . . l"le8 !� could Black have stayed in the game.

Conclusion : Black can hard ly find anything to compete against White 's simple plan on the queenside starting with 8. c5.

1 17

C h a pter 32 M a i n pos iti on with 7

...

dxc4

1 .d4 d5 2.tt:lf3 tt:\f6 3 ..if4 .ifS 4.e3 e6 dxc4 1 3 ."Wxc4;!; M uzychuk-Yakivchik, 5.c4! c6 6.tt:\c3 �b6 (01 82) Dnepropetrosvk 2004.) 8 . . . b6 . "Wc7 should be clearly favourable for Wh ite 1 82 after the simple answer 9. l::\ c 1) 9.fle2;!;]

(B

.

.

7."Wb3 dxc4! (01 83) 1 83 a

b

c

d

e

8 7 6 5 4 3 [6 . . . .ie7 7."Wb3 "Wb6 8.c5 "Wxb3 9.axb3 leads to well-known set-ups.]

6

3 2

[6 . . . h6 7 ."Wb3 "WeB 8.1k1 fie? 9.4Je5 4J bd7 1 0 .ile2 4Jxe5 1 1 .flxe5 0-0 1 2.cxd5 4Jxd5 1 3.0-0 4Jxc3 1 4 ."Wxc3 [7 . . . 4J bd 7 leads to 6 . . . 4J bd7 .] a5 1 5 .a3 l:l:d8 1 6 .ilf3 with a slight white advantage, Crouch-J.Houska, 8 ..ixc4 British League 200 1 /02.] With the exchange on c4 White was [6 . . . ild6 7.ilxd6 "Wxd6 8 ."Wb3 White allowed to immediately develop his forces a clarification on the q ueenside bishop but on the other hand the and avoids the exchange of his pressu re in the centre has decreased . valuable bishop. (8.ild3 I consider this The q ueens will be exchanged very to be worse: 8 . . . ilg6 9. 0-0 4Jbd7 soon - how can one play for 1 O.l:l:c1 0-0 1 1 .ilxg6 hxg6 1 2 .i'h'b3 advantage?

1 18

Chapter 32

8 ... llJ bd7 9.lDh4! (01 84)

-

Main position with 7 . . . dxc4

1 85

More active than 9.h3. [9.h3 /le? (9. ..ti'ld5 offers a better chance for equality. 1 0./lg3 't"f!ixb3 1 1 . /lxb3 ilb4 1 2. 'ik 1 tiJ 7f6 1 3.1lxd5 exd5 14.a3 H aba-W. Richter, National Leag ue 1 992/93.) 1 0.0-0 0-0 1 U':l:fe1 /lg6 1 2.1"\ad 1 Ei:fe8 1 3.tiJe5 tiJxeS 1 4./lxeS tiJe4 1 5. tiJxe4 't"f!ixb3 1 6 ./lxb3 ixe4 1 7 .a3 1"1ed8=] 1 84

Conclusion: The position seems to be only a tiny bit better for Wh ite. I n the London System Black will seldom come as close to equality as this.

9 ...'t"f!ixb3 1 0.i.xb3 i.d3 1 1 .0-0-0 i.a6 1 2.g2�

136

Chapter 38

Wirthensohn-Cherniaev, Scuol 200 1 .] [5 . . . �xf3 6 . gxf3 tt:lbd7 (6. . . e6 7.VIib3 V!ia5+ B. tLl c3 �b4 9.a3 hc3+ 1 0. V!ixc3 V!ixc3+ 1 1 .bxc3 dxc4 1 2.hc4 tLld5 1 3.hb8 'll,xbB 14.
- �/

3� �"-� �r� -�• /1";\ � I 3 2 1 � ��� - 0 � 0 2 1 U lZJ-iV =� - M a b c d e h g

11

There are various move sequences which lead to this position, mostly beginning with ... cxd4. [6 ... g6 7 .tt::l bd2 �g7 8.�d3 0-0 9.0-0 �f5 10.hf5 gxf5 1 U 2le5 lt:\xe5 12.i.xe5 tt::l e4 1 3.i.xg7 r;:t>xg7 14.tt::l xe4 fxe4 15.f3 f5 1 6.fxe4 dxe4 17.W'd2;!; Kharlov-Galkin, Ekaterinburg 1997 .]

1 42

Chapter 4 1 -

Caro-Kann Exchange Variation

[6 . . . a6 7. tt:lbd2 i.f5 8 .i.e2 e6 9.0-0 i.d6 1 0.i.xd6 Wxd6 1 U''1 e 1 0-0 1 2 .i.f1 i.g4 1 3.We2 1"lab8 1 4.a4 tt:ld7 1 5.We3;!; Svesh nikov-Evseev, M insk 2000.]

[7 . . . e6 8.Wb3 Wc8 9 . tt:le5 tt:lxe5 (9. . . i.e 7? 10.f3 i.f5 1 1.g4 i.g6 12.h4 h5 1 3. tt:lxg6 fxg6 14.Wc2 wins for Pytei-Grimberg , Wh ite, France (Chambery) 1 994.) 1 O.i.xe5 a6 1 1 .i.d3 i.e7 1 2. 0-0 tt:ld7 (1 2. . . i.f5? [6 ... i.f5 7.Wb3 Wc8 8.i.e2 e6 9.0-0 Shabanov-Guliev, 1 992. Oriol i.e7 1 0 . tt:l bd2 0-0 1 1 . 1"lac1 tt:le4 1 3. bf5 exf5 14. bf6+-) 1 3.i.f4 Wc6;!;) 1 2.1"lfe 1 h6 1 3. tt:lxe4 i.xe4 1 4 . tt:le5;!; Kovalevskaya-Kadymova, Moscow 8.i.d3 e6 9.0-0 (0228) 1 994.] 228 7.tt:lbd2 a c e 9

b

d

h

White is not in a h urry to play Wb3 and prefers to develop the knight beforehan d . [7.Wb3 has been played more often . 7 . . . Wc8 (7 . . . tt:la5 8.Wa4+ i.d7 9.Wc2 1"lc8 (9 . . . Wb6 1 0. tt:le5 i.bS 1 1 . b4 tt:lc6 1 2. bb5 Wxb5 13.a4 Wb6 1 4.a5+ ­ Rausis-Gerstner, 2nd National German League 1 995/6.) 1 O .i.d3 Wb6 1 1 .0-0;!; Schlindwein-D ittmar, Lade Constance 1 999.) 8. tt:le5 i.d7 (8. . . tt:lxe5? 9.dxe5 tt:ld7 1 0.Wxd5+-) 9.tt:ld2 g6 1 0. tt:l xd7 Wxd7 Other moves are also well playable. 1 1 .i.b5 a6 1 2.i.e2 i.g7 1 3 .0-0 0-0 1 4 .a4 1"lac8 1 5.a5;!; Pavasovic-S.Orel, [9.a4 i.d6 1 O.i.xd6 Wxd6 1 1 .0-0 i.hS 1 2.1"le1 tt:ld7 1 3.We2 0-0 1 4 .We3 i.g6 Ljubljana 1 993.] 1 5.i.xg6 hxg6 1 6 .a5 1"lfe8 1 7 .tt:le5;!; S . Kovacevic-Kiagojevic, Jugoslavia 7 . . a6 1 994.] .

[7 . . .Wb6 8.Wb3 e6 9.h3 i.hS 1 O .i.d3 i.e7 1 1 .0-0 0-0 1 2 .1"lfe 1 1"lac8 1 3.Wxb6 [9.Wb3? ! is no axb6 1 4 .tt:le5 tt:lxe5 1 5.i.xe5;!; Pribyi­ 9 . . . i.d6! 1 0.tt:l e5 Krutti, London 1 999.]

good

any

more.

Chapter

41

143

Caro-Kann Exchange Variation

-

(1 O.ixd6 Wxd6 1 1 .Wxb7?! 0-0 1 2 .Wb3 eS! 1 3 . dxeS �xeS 1 4 . �xeS WxeS+ 1 S .�f1 l"lfe8 1 6.Wc2 ie2+ 1 7.�g 1 (1 7.il.xe2 Wxe2+ 1 8. �g 1 �e4-+) 1 7 . . .ixd3 1 8.Wxd3 We2 1 9.Wxe2 l::l xe2 20. �f1 l::l x b2-+) 1 0 . . . 0-0 1 1 .0-0

[1 1 . J f je7 occu rred in LarsenPachman, Amsterdam IZ 1 964 1 2. c4 ! ? dxc4 1 3.�xc4 Wd8 1 4 . �feS ifS with nearly equal chances.] 1 2.Wfe3 i.hS 1 3J�fe1 .ig6 1 4 ..if1 0-0 1 6.dxe5 Wfb6 llJcxeS 1 5.llJe5 1 7.Wfxb6 llJxb6 1 8.a4;t (0230)

(1 1 .Wxb7?? �a5) 1 1 . . . �xeS 1 2.ixeS (12.dxe5?! �h5 1 3.ie3 il.xe5 14.f4 id6 1 5.h3 if5 1 6. il.xf5 exf5 1 7.Wxb 7 l::l e8:j:J

230

1 2 . . . ixeS 1 3.dxeS �d7 1 4 .1::1 a e 1 �cS 1 S.Wc2 �xd3 1 6.Wxd3 ifS=] 9 ....id6 [9 . . . ihS 1 O.l::le 1 ie7 1 1 .Wc2 ig6 1 2.�eS �xeS 1 3 .ixeS 0-0 1 4 ..ixg6 hxg6 1 S.Wb3 Wd7 1 6.�f3;!; Fejtek­ S . Kasparov, Tatranske Zruby 200 1 .] 1 O ..ixd6 Wfxd6 1 1 .Wfe1 llJd7 (0229) 229

a

b

c

d

e

f

g

h

Rakic-Bagirov, Frunze 1 983. Conclusio n : White can secure a small advantage, but 7.Wfb3 also represents a very promising option .

a

b

c

d

e

f

g

h

1 44

C h apter 42 G ru enfeld m a i n l i ne 1 .d4 d5 2.lL!f3 lL!f6 3 ..if4 g6 4.e3 .ig7 Pursues a very ambitious plan. 5 ..ie2 0-0 6.0-0 c5 7.c3 lL!c6 8.lL!bd2 [8 .. .'�b6 9 .'1Wb3 c4 1 0.'1Wxb6 axb6 (0231 ) 1 1 .tLle5 tLlxe5 1 2 ..ixe5 .id? 1 3 . .if3 231 .ic6 1 4. gfe1 gfe8 1 5 .a3 e6 1 6.ge2 CLJd7 1 7 ..ixg7 li>xg7 1 8 .e4;!; Wang Rui-Li H aoyu , Tianjin200 1 .] (8 . . . b6 is a little bit too slow. 9.h3 ib7 1 O.tLle5 CLJd7 1 1 .tLlxc6?! ( 1 1 . tLlxd 7! (0232) 232 a

With . . . g6 Black has clearly adopted the most active set-up. The d arksqu ared bishop on g7 is a perfect defender of the king. But on the other hand the development of the .ic8 causes more trouble than in any other position of the London System . Black can , of course, exchange it for the knight on f3. B ut this would not really worry Wh ite. Another idea would be the development of this m itre to b7, but this costs time. If Black can solve the problem of his bishop he will have equalised . 8 ... lL!h5

a

b

c

d

e

g h

g

Forces the queen to go to d7 and surprising ly wins a pawn after 1 1 . . .'1Wxd7 1 2 .dxc5! because after 1 2 . . . bxc5? the white knight makes use of the unprotected queen with 1 3. tLle4! . 1 3 . . . e5 1 4 .ig5! '1Wf5 Does not threaten anything in reality, as 1 5.g4 '\Wxe4? 1 6.f3+- loses the

Chapter 42

-

145

Gruenfeld main line

Whenever possible I prefer to keep the pair of bishops. [ 1 1 .�g 3 ltJxg3 1 2. hxg 3 cxd4 1 3.exd4 �f5 1 4 .'Be1 Wd6 1 5.ltJb3 b6= and Black was not Malakhatko-Niknaddaf, worse in Erevan 2001 although he went on to lose the game.]

queen .)

1 1 ... �xc6 1 2 . ltJf3 e6 (12 ... 'Bc8 1 3. �a6 'B a B 1 4 . a4 ltJb B 15.�e2t. Kosikov­ Shianovsky, Kiev 200 1 ) 1 3.a4 a6 (13 .. ." Wie 7 14.'Be1 a 6 1 5. Wb3 'BfcB 1 6.Vfia3 h6= Soos-Dzevlan , Budapest 1 99 1 ) 1 4 .Wc2 We? 1 5. Bfc1 h6 1 6.h4 1 1 ... .!Llf6 f5 1 7. c4 with chances for both players in the game Mensing-Zso. Polgar, Curacao 2002.] [1 1 . . . gxh4 1 2 .�xh5 is certainly playable, but the pawn structu re [8 . . . ltJd7 is a critical alternative. would be damaged permanently.] Strangely enough only one single game has been played with this move: 12 ..tg3 .!Lld7 (0234) 9.Wb3 e5?! (9. . . c4 1 0.Wa3 b5 1 1 .b3t.) 234 1 O.dxe5 ltJdxeS 1 1 .ltJxe5 ttJxeS 1 2 . 'Bad 1 �e6 (12 . . . c4 1 3. Wa3 Wb6 c a e 1 4. ltJ f3±) 1 3 .Wxb7 WaS 1 4 .Wa6 Wxa6 1 5.�xa6 c4 1 6 .�xe5 �xe5 1 7 .e4± Anastasian-P. Sobolewski, Len ingrad 1 990.] ""'�

h

d

b

8I I B �L � L�

9.�g5 h6 1 0.�h4 gS 1 U l) e1 ! (0233) 233 a

b

c

d

e

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Black strives with vengeance for . . . e5 with all forces. He was successful in catching a moment when the white pieces (especially the ltJe 1 ) no longer kept optimal control over e5. Black's kin gside is However, considerably weakened and although

Chapter 42 -

146

Gruenfeld main line

1 6.f4 !? White cannot make use of this positional disadvantage im med iately, Anybody wanting t o have a quieter it can be exploited later on . game can consider 1 6 .li:lf3. However, 1 6.f4 is the most ambitious way to 1 3.tt:\ef3! make use of B lack's weakened king's White allows a piece exchange on e5, position. I believe the wh ite chances but still h as an im portant iron in the are slightly better. fire . . . 235 [1 3.li:ld3 c4 1 4 . li:le1 e 5 leads to a compl icated game with chances for both sides (Aivarez Fernandez-Lopez del Alamo, Oropesa del Mar 2001 ).

8 7 6

8 7

1 3.i.f3 !? attacks d5 and seems to make the planned pawn advance But more difficult to accomplish . 1 3 . . . e5! is possible anyway. ( 1 3 . . . cxd4 1 4.cxd4 li:lf6 (14. . . e6 1 5. li:l d3±) 1 5.li:ld3 '1Wb6 1 6 .Eic1 i.f5 1 7 . li:l b3;t) 1 4 .i.xd5 cxd4 1 5.cxd4 exd4 1 6.e4 li:le7?! ( 1 6. . . li:lb6foo) 1 7 .i.c4 li:lg6 1 8.li:l d3;t] 1 3 ... e5

5 4 3 2

3 2 a

e

g

[ 1 3 . . . g4 ?! 1 4 .li:lh4;t] 1 4.li:lxe5 tt:\dxe5 1 5.dxe5 tt:\xe5 (0235) As so often in the London System the breakthrough . . . e5 does not automatically lead to equality. Black forgets - or often overlooks - the fact that t!Sd5 becomes a weakling. If Black manages to solve this problem by playing . . . d4 in the right moment, then he will be doing fine.

Conclusio n : The Gruenfel d variation is very solid for Black. White must pay attention to the fact that after . . . e5 the t!Sd5 becomes very weak and B lack is left with his i.c8. These characteristics should be sufficient for an edge in a practical game.

147

C h a pter 43 G ru e nfeld sideli n es 1 .d4 d5 V!ljf3 ltlf6 3 ..if4 g6 (0236) 236

Even though a lot of good playe �s . chose .id3, I believe the b1shop IS better off on e2, where it stands very safely - particularly after Black has advanced his pawn to eS. 237

The Gruenfeld set-up can arise after 1 �:;:_;:=..:;:;�..::r-����"h either 1 . . . d5 or also after 1 . . . Sf6. We will examine the positions where Black starts with the double step of his d-pawn, after wh ich the centre ha s . been fixed to a certain extend. Black,s most important idea consists of . . . tt'lfd7/. . . e 5 - a plan which i s d ifficult to H aving two attractive squares for t� e prevent. If Black pursues a completely bishop is the main reason why Wh ite . d ifferent approach without p repanng usually starts with tt'l bd2! the breakthrough . . . eS, White normally gets a pleasant game as Black's 5 ... 0-0 . bishops are difficult to act1vate. [5 . . . tt'l h 5 6 . .ig5 h6 7 . .ih4 g5 8.tt'le5 4.e3 .ig7 5.ie2! (0237) (8. tt'lfd2 etJf4! is relatively equal, e�en though Black is slightly less flexible with his pawn on dS th an would be

1 48

Chapter 43

-

Gruenfeld sidelines

the case with the pawn on d6.) 8 . . . tt:lf6 . . . tLlf4 9. exf4 gxh4 1 0. Vfid31;) 9.�g3 tt:le4 1 O.c4 tt:lxg3 1 1 .hxg3 dxc4 1 2.tt:la31; meant an improvement over Ree-Langeweg, game the Amsterdam which 1 967, was contin ued with 1 0.0-0.]

1 5. a5± 1 4. tt:lxe4 dxe4 tt:le4 Andrianov- L6ffler, Cannes 1 995.) 9.h3 tt:lbd7 1 0.tt:le5 tt:lxe5 1 1 .�xe5 tt:ld7 1 2 .�xg7 �xg7 draw, Watanabe­ Braga, Brazil 1 99 1 . 1 3.f41;]

238

I n general it is risky for Black to attack the bishop with . . . tt:lh5 after having played . . . c5, as White may take on c5 and it will be extremely d ifficult for him to get the c5-pawn back.

(B

[The position after 6 . . . tt:lh5!? 7.�g5 h6 8.�h4 g5 9.tt:le5 tt:lf6 1 0 .�g3 tt:le4 is 6.0-0 cS by no means bad for Black. 1 1 .tt:lc3 tt:lxg3 1 2 .hxg3 Wh ite strives for f4, but [6 . . . �g4?! g ives up the pair of bishops very interesting complications arise too carelessly: 7 .h3 �xf3 8.�xf3 c6 after 1 2 . . .�xe5 1 3 .dxe5 �e6 1 4.�g4.] (Davidovic-An ka, Szolnok 1 987) 9.c4! (0238) 7.c3

7 ... cxd4 This avoids Black's anxiety about Wh ite's but benefits dxc5, development. [After 7 . . . tt:lh5?! 8 .�xb8 gxb8 9.dxc5 Wh ite obtains pressure against d5 as well as tactical motifs in connection with the u nprotected a-pawn .] a

b

c

d

e

8.exd4 (0239)

tt:l bd7 (9. . . dxc4 1 0. Vfic21; b5?! 1 1 . a4 tLld5 12.�g3±) 1 O .Vfib3 Vfib6 1 1 . tt:l c3 dxc4 1 2 .Vfixc4 gae8 1 3.�g31;] [The preparation of 7 . . . c5 with 6 . . . b6 is an ou nce too slow: 7 . tt:l bd2 �b7 This opens the e-file, and pawn structure . . tLlbdl 9.a4 tLlh5 1 0. �g5 symmet rical 8 .c3 c5 the , ich wh avoided rawing after d h6 1 1 .�4 g5 1 2 . tLl e 1 tLlhf6 1 3. �g3

(B

.

a is

Chapter 43

149

Gruenfeld sidelines

-

1 0 . .ie3 f!c7

chances would be increased. 8 ... lt:lc6 9 .c!t) bd2

Preparing square f4.

This position can result from the following move sequence as well: 3 . . . c5 4.c3 tt:lc6 5.tt:ld2 g 6 6.ctJf3 .ig7 7 .il.e2 0-0 8.0-0 cxd4 9.exd4. However, we do not have a normal Caro-Kann Exchange Variation, as the bishop would usually stand on d3 rather than on e2 . 239 a

b

c

d

h

e

s i.

8

the

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the

[1 0 . . . '1Wd6 1 1 Jl:e 1 f5 1 2. ctJ b3 f4 1 3 ..id2 xd1 dxc4 1 6J'!xb7 gxf6

There are three reasons for White's n: Also against the advantage: the pawn structure, the Conclusio better minor piece and the king, which Chigorin Defence the London System represents a brilliant weapon in the is more centralised. fight for a permanent advantage. 1 7.Wc2!

Controlling all possible invasion squares. [1 7 .Wd2?! and Black could still hold on in Kramnik-lvanchuk, Linares 1998.] 1 7 . . .�ab8 1 8.�xb8 �xb8 1 9 ..txc4 'it>f8 20. 'it>c3 We7 21 .�dU

White controls every part of the board and plans e4, followed by d5, with the justifiable hope of extending his advantage.

160

C h a pte r 46 Sto n ewa l l 1 .d4 d 5 2.lLlf3 e6 3.i.f4 f5 4.e3 lLlf6 5.c4 (0257) 257

However, with the position at hand Black has completely g iven up the control over e5. Therefore he is no longer able to exploit the position of the �f4 - in fact, quite the opposite is true. 5 ... c6

6

[5 . . . �d6 6. ti:lc3 0-0 (6 . . . �xf4?! 7.exf4 0-0 8.�e2 b6 9.0-0 �b7 1 0 .Elc1 ti:Jbd7 1 1 .b4 dxc4 1 2 .�xc4 ti:ld5 1 3.�xd5 4 exd5 1 4 .Ele1 lLlf6 1 5 .ti:Je5+- Sakaev4 3 Radu lski, Jugoslavia 1 996. Because of f3 Black will never be able to occupy e4 .) 7.�d3 c6 (7 . . . b6 8.0-0 tt:Je4 9 .�xd6 "'&xd6 1 0.cxd5 exd5 1 1 . Elc1 c6 1 2.ti:Je5 �b7 1 3 .f4;!; Suran­ Orlowski, Bavaria 1 997 .) (7 ... ti:lc6 8.00 �d7 9.�xd6 cxd6 1 O.cxd5 exd5 The typical reaction against an early 1 1 ."'&b3+-Vyzhma.navin-Padevsky, �f4 in the Dutch Defence is . . . b6 and Gelsenkirchen 1 99 1 .) refraining from pushing the pawn to d5. The advantage is that Black's 8 .0-0 "'&c7 (8 . . . ti:le4 9.�xe4? ! (9."'Mfc2 position remains flexible. As we will fits in much better.) 9 . . . fxe4 1 0.lLle5 see, the Stonewall is not always the "'&e7 1 1 .c5 �c7 1 2.f3 exf3 1 3 .Elxf3 b6 correct recipe. Therefore , one should 1 4. tt:Ja4 �a6 1 5.Elc1 b5 1 6 .lLlc3 b4= not fear this transposition. Sokolov - Lukov, M aribor 1 990.) 9. ti:le2 (9.g3) 9 . . . lLlh5 1 0.�xd6 "'&xd6 Why do we not h ave a look at the 1 1 .c5 "'&c7 1 2 .b4 ti:Jd7 1 3.1&c2 g6 move sequences 1 .d4 f5 or 1 .d4 e6? 1 4."'&b2 Ele8 1 5 .tt:Je5! (D258) The reason is quite simple: Similarly 1 5 . . . tt:J xe5 1 6 .dxe5 g5 1 7.f4 g4 to 1 .d4 ti:Jf6 , Black is still in a position 1 8.tt:Jd4+Lal ic-de Ios Santos, to fight for e5. Malaga 2002.] I n his book about the Leningrad System, GM Kindermann proved the 6.lLlc3 i.e7 d isadvantages of an early �f4 in the Dutch Defence. [6 . . . �d6?! There is nothing to say

5

2

Chapter 46

-

161

Stonewall

against this exchange from White 's point of view since the e-file will be opened : 7.i.d3 0-0 8.0-0 �e4 9.Wc2 i.xf4 1 O. exf4 �d7 1 1 . E'1fe 1 �df6 1 2.�e5 �d6 1 3 .c5 �f7 1 4.b4+­ Savchenko-lliushin, Linares 1 998.] 258

Strives for counterplay, mainly against the � on c3. [8 . . . i.d7 9.�e5 �a6 1 O . a3 �c7 1 1 .cxd5 � cxd5 1 2 .i.g3 �h5 1 3.�f3 �xg3 1 4.hxg3;!; Scherbakov-Grabarczyk, Koszalin 1 99 7 . ; 8 . . . �h8 9.h3 �e4 1 0.g4 i.d6 1 1 .i.xd6 �xd6 1 2 . �e5 �d7 1 3.0-0-0 We? 1 4 .cxd5 cxd5 1 5.f4 �f6 1 6 .h4 i.d7 1 7 . h5+Pogorelov-Guliev, M oscow 1 996.] 9.g4! (0259) This is the point of Wh ite's set-up. The king will most likely go to e2, sometimes White will be castling q ueenside. Due to the safe position in the centre, e2 is probably the best place for the monarch . Black on the other hand will have to get prepared for the attack on his king which Wh ite will conduct. As the variation will show, Black does not have enough dynamic resources in the centre. 259 a

[If Black does not castle, Wh ite can strive for the central breakthrough e4: 7 . . . � bd7 8.h3 �e4 9.'