A Spanish Repertoire for Black

ASp by Mihail Marin· , � , -' with invaluable help from' , " " Valentin Stoica ' . . " • , , , Quality C...

Author: Mihail Marin

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ASp by Mihail Marin· ,

�

,

-'

with invaluable help from'

,

"

"

Valentin Stoica ' .

.

"

•

,

,

,

Quality Chess www.qualitychessbooks.com

,

First edition 2007 by Quality Chess Europe AB Vegagatan 18, SE-413 09 Gothenburg, Sweden Copyright © 2007 Mihail Marin All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of the publisher. ISBN 13

978-91-976005-0-7

ISBN 10

91-976005-0-4

All sales or enquiries should be directed to Quality Chess Europe AB, Vegagatan 18, SE-413 09 Gothenburg, Sweden tel: +46-31-24 47 90 fax: +46-31-24 47 14 e-mail: [email protected] website: www.qualitychessbooks.com Distributed in US

and Canada by

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Distributors,

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Edited by John Shaw Typeset: Jacob Aagaard Cover Design: Carole Dunlop Printed in Estonia by Ta llinna Raamatutriikikoja LLC

Gardena California

CONTENTS

List of Symbols

5

Bibliography

6

Foreword

7

1

The Chigorin Variation - General Aspects

9

2

The Rubinstein System

25

3

The Petrosian System

97

4

The Yates Variation

133

5

The Yates Variation - 10.d5

137

6

The Yates Variation - 10..te3

149

7

The d3-System

169

8

The Worrall Attack

189

9

The Delayed Exchange Variation

197

10

The a4-System

209

11

The System Based on ctJ c3

217

12

The Central Attack

225

Index of Main Lines

232

List of symbols t

Check A strong move

!!

A brilliant move

!?

An interesting move

?!

A dubious move

?

A mistake

??

A blunder

D

The only move

1-0

White won

V2-V2

The game was drawn

0-1

Black won

(ch) (izt) (01) (n)

Championship Interzonal Olympiad nrh match game

+-

With a winning advantage for White

±

With a large advantage for White

!

With a small advantage for White

<Xl

With equal play With unclear play

+

With a small advantage for Black

=+=

With a large advantage for Black

-+

With a winning advantage for Black

00

With compensation for the sacrificed material

�

With an attack

t

With an initiative

+!

With counterplay

o

Better is

5

Worse is

i:::J.

With the idea

C

With a development advantage

X

Weakness

File

,;;e8 (avoiding a fork on b8) 36.tLlc4 but Black has chances to survive in a passive position after 36 . . .�c7 37.g3 tLld8 38.c;t>g2 �d7 finally exchanging the bad knight.

32.�fl �f6 33. �e2

15

pawn ending because after the exchange of the d pawn for the a-pawn, the e5-pawn would remain decisively weak, while otherwise the knight would get to f5 somehow, winning the h6-pawn. The correct defence was 33 ... h5!, preventing the undermining of the light squares with g4. Now, consolidating the a5-pawn with 34.lLlb3 would offer Black a vital tempo for his regrouping with 34 ...�c7 35.tLla3 �b8, preventing the sacrifice on b5 and planning to improve the position of his pieces further with ...�a7 and . . . tLlf7. Apparently, White has nothing better than 34.tLla3 (instead of 34.lLlb3) when Black could react with 34 . . . tLlxa5 35.bxa5 �xa5, since the knight is poorly placed on a3 and will need another tempo to regroup, while the kingside counterplay has reached a relatively advanced stage.

34.tLlxe4t �e7 35.tLla3 It is all over now. With such a stable knight on e4, White can parry any sacrificial counterplay rather easily.

35....L:a5

33 fxe4 ? •..

But this is unjustified panic. Black probably feared the threat 34.exf5 gxf5 35 .g4 followed by tLle3, taking control of the light squares. However, giving up the e4-square without any fight is definitely worse. Blocking the position with 33 ... f4 would have deprived Black of the planned kingside counterplay, which would make the knight sacrifice on a5 less efficient after 34.tLla3. At the same time, in the line 34 ... c;t>e7 35.tLlxb5 ILlxa5 36.lLlxd6 �xd6 37.bxa5 �c5 38.lLlf3 the weakness of Black's kingside makes itself felt, for instance 38 ... �d6 39.�d3 g5 (Necessary prophylaxis. If 39 ...�xa5 , then 40.tLlh4 winning a pawn.) 40.tLld2 �c5 4 1 .tLlc4 �c7 42.g4 �b8 43.tLlb6 �c7 44.f3. Black cannot transpose to a

One concrete consequence of the knight's presence on e4 can be seen after 35 . . . �d7 36.tLlxb5 tLlxa5 when White has the simple 37.tLlbxd6+-. Sacrificing the bishop marks a slight change from the initial plans. 35 . . . tLlxa5 would have given up any hope of exchanging the dominant e4-knight.

36.bxa5 tLlxa5 37.tLlc2 tLlb3 38.tLlb4 a5 39.tLlc6t �d7 40.�d3 a4 41.�c3 tLlc5 42.8 and White soon won. The analysis of this game has offered us an image of the trouble that can be caused by a passive b7-knight even in simplified positions, but has also shown us the hidden defensive methods available. We should also remember that both sides' play was guided by the aim of restricting/ activating this knight, even if the latter would imply sacrificing it. The next example features a complex middlegame, where Black has a good position with just one exception: his knight is hopelessly passive on b7.

A Spanish Repertoire for Black

16

Geller - Meeking

29.a3 gee8 30.gbl ge7 31.�e2 gb8 32.gb3 �d7 33.�f3 J.e7 34.ge3

Palma de Mallorca 1 970

White could have won the pawn now or on the next move, but he probably wanted to avoid any shadow of counterplay along the c-file, eventually combined with a discovered attack by means of . . . e4.

34....if6 35J3e4 .ie7

Black has the better pawn structure and if his queen's knight was placed on any reasonable square (preferably d7) his chances would probably be better. The way it is, he cannot take advantage of the relative weakness of the d5pawn and of the a4-square and will not be able to replace the f6-knight if it is exchanged by lLlg4. Unlike in the previous game, there is no way to activate or at least sacrifice the knight. The further course of the game strongly suggests that Black is simply lost, in spite of the material equality and the complete lack of weaknesses.

22 c3 .•.

Black faced the unpleasant threat of g4-g5 followed by a crushing attack. With his last move, he hoped to get some activity with . .W c4, attacking the d5- and b4-pawns, but in the long run this brave pawn will just be doomed. .

23.lLlg4 By exchanging the f6-knight, White insures his central pawn against any possible problems and takes control of the e4-square.

23 ....ie7 24.lLlxf6t .ixf6 25.ge4 Now all Black can do is wait. White will slowly improve his position, without any need to hurry. The knight has just two passive squares at its disposal.

25...�d7 26.�f3 ge7 27.h4 �e7 28.g3 lLld8

36.g4! f6 The threat of a massive kingside attack forces Black to restrict the activity of his bishop even more. True, the knight will get an extra square now, but it will remain just as passive as before. 36 . . ..ixh4? loses the bishop to 37.g5 .

37.ge3 lLlf7 38.gbxc3 In the absence of the threat . . . e4, the pressure along the c-file will be easier to stand after the capture of this pawn.

38... gbc8 39.ie4 .id8 40..id2 gc4 41.gxc4 gxc4 42.gc3 .ib6 43.gxc4 bxc4 44.g5 White has an extra pawn and a kingside attack. Black resigned a few moves later. This game clearly proves that the bad location of the queen's knight can be a decisive factor in what would otherwise be a normal position: a perfect illustration of Dr. Tarrasch's remark about "bad" pieces. We have examined two examples where the knight was practically caged by the white b4- and d5 -pawns and, for a while, by its own f7-pawn.


17

Spassky Keres

26.1!t1xb2 Ele6 27.1!t1d4 E1c6 28.l"lad1 and Black is almost paralysed if not in some sort of zugzwang already. With the knight far from the kingside, a plan based on h4-h5 looks appropriate, although rapid queenside incursions such as 1!t1a7 should not be underestimated. These two possibilities underline the fact that the black knight is passive and vulnerable at the same time.

Candidates Quarter-final, Riga 1 965

24.0 �f8?!

The following game will prove that the knight is unfavourably placed on b7 even in the absence of the d5-pawn. Although this latter detail would ensure some higher mobility for the knight in the long run, the risk of interfering with the other pieces' activity is high. -

Black had exchanged twice on d4 in order to activate his minor pieces, but failed to obtain adequate counterplay. Then he moved his a5knight to b7, aiming to increase the pressure against the e4-pawn, but probably missed the simple b4. All White's pieces are well placed, which allows him to keep control of the position.

23 §'e7 ...

Black clears the d8-square for the knight, increasing the pressure against the e4-pawn at (he same time. The immediate 23 . . .ltlxe4 24.�xe4 E1xe4 would have been dangerous with the knight isolated on b7. For instance 25.ltld5 �xb2 (Alternatively, Black can maintain control of the e-file with 25 . . .E1cc4 but this would leave the c-file available for White after 26.ixg7 @xg7 27.Ehe4 Elxe4 28.1!t1c3t @h6 29.1!t1c6, winning back the pawn and retaining a positional advantage. Black cannot defend the a6-pawn with 29 ... 1!t1a8? because of 30.ltlc7 winning the rook.)

After this hesitant move the knight will never get a chance to reach an adequate square. Black should have initiated his regrouping with 24 . . .ltld8 immediately. One possible continuation: 25.Elad1 ltlc6!? (Keres might have overlooked this indirect defence of the d6-pawn, noticing only that 25 ...l"lc6? loses material to 26.ltld5 ltlxd5 27.exd5 1!t1alt 28.@hl E1xe l t 29.Elxel when the attempt to defend his hanging pieces with 29 . . . E1c8 would lead to mate after 30.E1e8t �f8 3 1 . 1!t1h6.) 26.ib3 (after the rushed 26.�xd6?! �xd6 27.l"lxd6 Black can ignore the threat against the f6-knight and counterattack with 27 ...ltlxb4!) 26 ...l"led8 27.ltld5 ltlxd5 28.hg7 @xg7 29.�xd5ltle5 30.f4ltlc4 3 1 . 1!t1d4t @g8 32.l"ld3 White's advantage is indisputable. He has more space, better centralization and a more compact pawn structure. However, Black is in no immediate danger of losing, and what is more important from the point of view of our main theme, his knight has relative stability.

25.,ib3 etJd8 26J'!adl White activates his pieces with natural moves, while Black is clearly struggling.


IS

26..Jk6 Now, 26... tLlc6 would come one move too late. White could play 27.'&xd6, because after 27 ... '&xd6 2S.Elxd6 the light-squared bishop would not be hanging anymore. Black can try to take advantage of the relative vulnerability of the o ther bishop with 2S . . . tLlxe4, but this would leave White a pleasant choice between 29.Elxc6 and 29.i.xf7t @xf7 30.Eld7t, with a material advantage either way.

27J�c1! Very elegant play. If tried one move earlier, the occupation of the c-file could have been adequately met by . . . tLle6. Now the knight prevents the natural connection of the rooks by means of ... ElecS, which will result in White taking control of the c-file.

27 'Wie7 •••

The queen intends to join the battle for the c-file, but the presence of Her Majesty in the centre will give White the opportunity to create one-move threats.

28.h2 By removing the king from g l , White threatens 29.lLld5 tLlxd5 30.exd5 without allowing the saving check on a7.

28 'Wid7 29.llJdS llJxdS 30.hdS 13xc1 31.�xc1 'Wie7 •..

The queen has to return, causing additional loss of time, because the generally desirable 3 1 ...ltJe6? would lose an exchange to 32.i.c6.

32..hg7 xg7

In spite of the simplifications, White's advantage has not been diminished a single bit. His control over the only open file will most probably lead to the capture of Black's queenside pawns. Having been obstructed by the knight over the past few moves, Black's major pieces are doubled on a half-open file, without any prospects of breaking through, as the e4-pawn is very well defended. The knight finds itself under the authoritarian domination of the bishop, although there is some ray of hope in view of the possibility of jumping to e6.

33.'Wic3t?! Slightly inaccurate. It would have been better to double the major pieces in the o ther order, starting with 33.E\CS. White threatens ElaS (eventually combined with a check on c3). 33 ... tLle6 can be met by either 34.i.xe6 '&xe6 35.ElxeS '&xeS 36.'&xd6 with a more or less winning queen ending, or 34.13c6, attacking the d6-and a6-pawns simultaneously.

33...g8 34.f4 llJe6 3S.g3 The knight seems to have improved its position quite a lot, but White's last move restrains its activity within very narrow limits.

3S...llJg7?! Keres' desire to activate his "bad" piece, any way he can, is understandable; but White's infiltration to c7 will prove decisive. Any waiting move would have been better, but Black's position would have remained very passive.

36.'Wic7 'Wif6 37.13c2 13£8 38.'Wib6 gS 39.fxgS 'Wixg5 40.'Wixa6 'WieS 41.'WixbS White collects two pawns before Black's counterattack has even started.

41...tiJe6 42.'Wif1 �g7 43.'Wif5 1-0 We have formed a general picture of the problems that can arise if the knight stays on the a5-b7 -dS path. The alternate route is tiJa5c4-b6-d7, which is more time-consuming, but offers chances for a more natural re-integration of the knight. However, problems could arise here, too, because there are other black pieces "competing" for the d7-square.


This is a typical example:

Kasparov Grisehuk -

World Cup of Rapid Chess, Cannes 200 1

19

16...b4 17.ltlbd2 g6 The ambitious plan initiated by this move will fail precisely because of the unavailability of the d7-square. Since the bishop is not doing much on d7 anymore, 1 7 ...J.c8 deserved serious attention.

18.ltlflltlh5 19.94 ltlf4?! Consistent but bad. The more restrained 1 9 ... ctJg7 followed by ...J.c8 was better.

20..hf4 exf4 21.VMd2

12...ltle4 From here, the knight hinders White's natural development. Exchanging one pair of knights with 1 3.ctJbd2 should be avoided because it would ease Black's task of finding adequate squares for his pieces.

13.a4 ltlb6 Black intends to transfer his queen's bishop to d7 in order to consolidate the b5-pawn, which requires that the a8-rook be defended. Since the knight was not too stable on c4 anyway, this willing retreat cannot be regarded as a significant concession.

14.b3 .le8 15.VMe2 .ld7 We can now see the organic defect of Black's regrouping. For concrete purposes (the defence of the b5-pawn) the bishop is required on d7, bur this cuts off the natural retreat of the knight. However, it might seem that Black has chances for counterplay with ... c4, undermining White's queenside structure.

16.e4! Before starting active kingside operations, Kasparov decides to clarifY matters on the other wing. If Black exchanges on c4 or a4, the queen's knight could go to the active c3-square later, iustifYing the slight delay in its development.

Since 2 1 . ..g5 would fatally weaken the b l h7 diagonal, we can state that the knight's jump to f4 is equivalent to sacrificing a pawn. Under normal circumstances White's slightly over-extended kingside structure, as well as the relative weakness of the dark squares, should offer Black sufficient compensation. If the d7square was available, he could play 2 1 . ..ctJd7 22. \Wxf4 �f6, intending ... ctJe5. 23."lWxd6? would lose a piece to 23 . . . ctJe5!. However, the d7-square is occupied and Black does not have sufficient means to block the e4pawn.

21....lf6 22.e5! dxe5 23.ltlxe5 oig5

Having failed to create counterplay on the dark squares, Black decides to maintain material equality.

24.ltlh2 a5 25.ltlhf3 .lh6 26J�adl White has completed his development and has a dangerous passed pawn in the centre. Kasparov went on to win convincingly.

20


I would like to extend the discussion about the availability of the d7-square. The presence of the bishop on d7 can interfere with the f6knight's activity as well. The next position is a famous example from the practice of Kasparov's predecessor to the supreme throne.

Karpov Unzicker -

Milan 1 975

and suddenly all Black's pieces are in the right places.) Black is not in time to regroup with 1 9 . . .ic8 (?) followed by ... ttJc(f)d7 because the temporarv lack of communication between his rooks would allow 20.e5 dxe5 2 1 .ixe5 when after 2 1 .. .i.d6 22.ixf6 the capture on g3 would be impossible. As in the previous game, the only chance for retaining a playable position was the immediate ls ... ic8, planning ... ttJd7-e5, ... ttJc5 and ...if8-g7. With the d6-square defended by several black pieces, the central break e5 is not dangerous. Moreover, the immediate 1 9.e5? just loses a pawn to 19 ... dxe5 because 20.ixe5 can be answered by 20 ...i.c5t when White would lose either his e5-bishop or the g3-knight.

19 .ig5! .

We can see now that ... g6 has weakened the f6square, while ... �e8 has blocked the emergency retreat for the king's knight.

19...ie7 A sad necessity. 1 9 ...i.g7 would lose the knight after 20.l"1fl 'lWdS 2 1 .�f3.

20.'lWd2 Black has managed to gain the c5-square for his knight, but has spent two whole tempi on relatively useless moves on the other wing ( ... g6 and ... l"1e8) in the process.

17.f4 exf4 18.hf4 From a strategic point of view, the opening of the f-file is a double-edged decision as it makes the e5-square available to Black's minor pieces. In this specific case the presence of the bishop on d7 makes the quick transfer of either knight to e5 impossible.

The point behind Black's last move is that after 20.�fl he would survive by means of 20 . . .�c5t 2 1 .@h 1 ttJxd5 when the g5-bishop would be hanging.

20...ic8 After a loss of two tempi, this move can hardly help. White's lead in development is too big. 20 . . . ttJc5 would not have helped either because of2 1 .'lWf4 @g7 22.�fl �dS 23.�f2 with the threat of �afl . If 23 ... �f8, defending the f7-pawn in order to enable the knight's retreat, then simply 24.ih6t wins the exchange.

18 .if8?

21.�fl lLld7 22.lLlg4

Black intends to transfer his bishop to g7, but he obviously missed White's next move. His problems of coordination caused by the unavailability of the d7-square would also have made themselves felt after the more consistent l S . . . ttJc5. White could play 1 9. 'lWd4 (PlanQing to submit the f6-knight to strong pressure by means of �fl and �e3. The attempt to take advantage of the lack of defence of the e5-square with 1 9.e5 would fail to 1 9 . . . dxe5 20.�xe5 i.d6!

White has obtained a massive attack against the weakly defended black king. Threats such as ttJh6t or �f2 are impossible to meet in an adequate way. Obviously disgusted with his position, Unzicker decided to call it a day.

...

1-0 In all the examples examined so far, Black has been constantly striving to reroute his as-knight via b7-c5 or c4-b6. The only open question is


21

whether the knight really stands badly on the edge of the board. The following game will offer some answers.

During his previous planning, Gligoric must have considered this move "impossible". White threatens Wc3 followed by �d2, which would mark the start of endless misery for the knight.

Tal Gligoric Leningrad Interzonal 1 973

25...'Ll xc4

-

25 ...h6 has been recommended, in order to answer26.�xh6 with 26 . . . 'Llxc4. However, after 26.hf6 hf6 27.Wxh6 'Llxc4 28.�d3 'Lla5 29.h4 the weakness of Black's kingside offers White excellent attacking prospects. Although the black knight has avoided immediate "personal" problems, it can hardly contribute to the defence of the king in any way.

26.�d3 'Lla5 27.�xa6 .ic8 28.�a7

Just as a cunoSlty, I will mention that the knight reached a5 through what we could call a reversed process compared to the Chigorin variation. The Breyer system was played (9 ... 'Llb8 1 O.d4 'Ll bd7) and Black's queenside position started resembling that from the Kasparov - Grischuk game, when the knight landed on b6 and the bishop on d7. Gligoric reacted to a4 with ... bxa4 and after White's bxa4 moved his knight to c4 then a5. In doing this, he probably aimed to take advantage of the relative weakness of the c4- and b3-squares, and hoped that the knight would have absolute stability on a5 in the absence of the b-pawns. Generally speaking, the whole plan is quite coherent, but Black's development is not sufficient to justify it concretely. With his queen on c7 and the rook on a8, his position would be entirely viable, but the way it is, he will not be able to get his forces fully coordinated. Tal's next move, which is quite typical of his :endency to solve strategic problems by tactical :neans, came as a shattering blow to Black's dreams.

25.c4!

Black whole queenside is under enemy occupation. The knight is in great danger and restricts the mobility of Black's other pieces. White's immediate threat is Elb8 and l"!xc8.

28...ge7 The only way to survive. After 28 ... 'Ll c4 29.�d3 the knight would not get anywhere.

29.�a8 �c7 Exchanging rooks with 29 . . . l"1b7 30.l"1xb7 'Llxb 7 would not help. White would play 3 1 . ctJd2, threatening 'Llc4 followed by the advance ofthe a pawn, practically forcing the rerum of the knight with 3 1 . ..ctJa5. Play could continue 32.�d3! . (threatening ia6) 32 ... h6. This weakening move is necessary in order to unpin the knight. 33.�e3 ctJd7 Now, 34.ia6 can be met by 34 . . . 'Llb6, but 34.�b5 creates the equally strong threat ofi.xd7.

22


Black has to defend his queen with 34 ...if6 but then 3S.!xh6 wins a pawn, maintaining the advantage on the other wing.

30.tiJd2 Threatening 3 U '1bS tLl b7 32.tLlc4 followed by aS-a6.

30 ..c4 .

Black prevents the blockade of his c-pawn, but weakens the g l -a7 diagonal.

31..ie3 tiJd7 32J�b5 tiJb7 33.a5 A familiar picture. The advance of the a-pawn is extremely unpleasant for Black if he has a knight on b7, as we could see in some lines of the game Spassky - Kholmov. Tal won easily. I hope that this series of examples has not been too depressing for the reader. I also believe that becoming acquainted with the worst that can happen will help the reader understand Black's general strategy in the variations examined in the next two chapters. However, I would like to end this chapter with a ray of optimism. The next game will reveal a hidden facet of our main subject. The passive placement of the knight can be compensated by other positional factors, especially if all the pieces are still on the board. If White concentrates all his efforts against the as-knight, he may suffer irreparable damage on other parts of the board, tilting the balance in Black's favour.

The queenside situation looks disastrous for Black. The a5-knight's retreat is cut off by the b7bishop, which cannot regroup to d7 easily because of the rook's presence on c8. However, Black has some attacking chances on the other wing.

19 ...i.d8! An important move. Black clears the seventh rank in view of the queen's transfer to the kingside and prepares the activation of the bishop via b6. It is worth remembering that once the centre is blocked, this bishop often becomes Black's worst piece in the King's Indian, while in this game it will play a decisive part in the final phase of the attack.

20.b3 During our post-mortem analysis, Friso Nijboer called this natural move the "decisive mistake", probably having in mind that White not only loses an important tempo but also weakens the c3-square. The further course of the game supports his point of view to a certain extent, but I would extend the criticism from this specific move (which is probably not so bad in itself) to the fact that White did not resist the hypnotic attraction of the knight placed on the edge of the board. 20.ifl g5 2 1 .tiJd3, exchanging the active cS-knight and preparing the occupation of the c-file, looks like a better plan.

20...g5

Nijboer - Marin

As we can see, the bishop is useful even from the apparently passive dB-square.

Spanish team championship, Sanxenxo 2004

21.i.f1 VfJg7


22.tLlc2 Consistently playing against the a5-knight, White places his own knight on a rather passive and exposed square. Even here, after having lost a tempo, 22.lLld3 deserved serious attention.

22..J1l�g6! This strong move, ignoring the threat b4 that required so much time from White to be prepared, marks a turning point in the game. Black attacks the e4-pawn (something unthinkable in the previous game) and prepares the advance of the h- and g-pawns.

23.tLld2 Unpleasant but necessary. White has to defend his pawn although this means retreating another developed piece. If23.b4?! lLlxe4 Black's activity would be hard to keep under control. For instance: 24.�d3 (Or 24.bxaS when apart from the simple 24 ...�xaS, Black has 24 ... 0xf2! 25 .'�xf2 l'hc2t when White's poorly coordinated army cannot survive the concentrated attack of Black's pieces and pawns.) 24 . . . lLlc3! 25 .ixg6 (2S .�d2 loses to 25 ... e4) 2S . . . lLlxd l 26.id3 Now the elegant 26 . . . e4! provokes complete chaos in White's territory, for instance 27.l'i:xe4 (27.ixe4 would be answered by 27. . . lLlc3, when the c2-knight would be hanging) 27 . . . lLl c4 with complete domination. Ironically, neither of the forked knights has been eliminated. On the contrary, they feel quite comfortable in White's territory.

23...h5 24..ie2

23

Trying to stop Black's attack at any cost. Once again, 24.b4 would lead to tremendous compensation after 24 ... lLla4 25 .bxaS ixa5 when White's pieces are helplessly massed on the first two ranks, or even 2S ... lLl c3 26.�f3 g4 27.�d3 ha5 with a similar verdict.

24...g4! Black cannot afford to block the kingside.

25.hxg4 hxg4 26.i.xg4 tLld3 After four moves, the Sword of Damocles (consisting of the threat b4) has been removed and Black can carry out his attack under normal circumstances.

27.'11l�f3! ? The best practical chance. Accepting the exchange sacrifice with 27.ixcs would lead to a lethal attack after 27 . . .ixcs. For instance 28.�f3 (the attempt to retain a material advantage with 2S.l'i:fl would lose instantly to 2s . . .ig4 29.lLl f3 ih3) 2S ... lLlxe l 29.lLlxe l ib6. Friso rightly understood that his light-squared bishop is one of the main defenders and should nor to be given away for a rook. With his last move he tries to block the f-pawn, preventing an eventual sacrifice ... f3 which would clear the f4-square for the knight.

27 J3c3! ? .•

Finally, Black occupies the weak c3-square, creating threats from both sides.

28J�fl ?! After this move it is unlikely that White can save the game. 2S.ie6t would also be bad because of 2S . . . �g7, enabling the rook's transfer to the h-file. The best practical chance consisted of 28. �fl !, avoiding the dangerous gl -a7 diagonal, as suggested by Friso the next day.

28 ....ib6 With every move Black brings new forces into the attack. The only piece that does not have realistic prospects of joining its colleagues remains the as-knight. However, we can easily ' notice now that White's efforts to isolate this piece have cost him very dearly: several queenside pieces are just as passive and do not contribute to the defence in any way.

24


38.tLlgl is no better because of 38 ... l"lh2-+.

38...�xg2 39.i.el :gh3 40.:gdJ

29.i.f5 �g5 ?! Black could have won instantly with 29 ...Wfg3! which would enable not only the threat . . . tLlxf2 but also the simple ... :1hc2, by defending the c3-rook and the d3-knight in X-ray mode, something not easy to spot during the game.

Simplest. After winning the queen, Black's attack will develop by itself.

White managed to escape his time trouble, and I still had some time to make my last move before the time control. I very much like to consider chess a logical and harmonious game, which made me rather unenthusiastic about the possibility of winning the game with the knight still on a5 . Therefore, I tried to make 40 ... tLl c4 work, but soon understood that it would just prolong the fight in view of 4 1 .tLlg5t. Finally, I resigned myself to the bitter thought that I might never understand the hidden logic of chess, and decided to call it a day by playing the trivial

31.ctJxe1 l"lxfJ 32.ctJxfJ �h5 33.ctJc3 i.c8

40...i.e3!

Exchanging the last possible defender of the h-file.

White's last point of resistance (f3) has been undermined, which caused my opponent's immediate resignation.

30.ctJbl This awkward knight retreat is a desperate attempt to complicate matters in time trouble. 30.Wfh3 would lose to 30 . . . l"lxf5 3 1 .Wfxf5 (or 3 1 .exf5 tLlxf2 and White cannot save his queen) 3 1 . . .Wfxf5 32.exf5 l"lxc2 with a decisive material and positional advantage.

30...ctJe1!

34.hc8 :gxc8 35.i.d2 �f7 36.:gfdl :gh8 37.�f1 �hlt 38.�e2

0-1

Chapter 2


Though the group of systems of development introduced by 9 ... ltJa5 bears Chigorin's name, the first great player who seems to have settled on a coherent middlegame plan and regularly employed it in practice was Akiba Rubinstein. There is a small paradox regarding the place occupied by Rubinstein in opening theory. In his career he invented so many major opening \'ariations (most of them still fashionable nowadays) that it would be simply too monotonous (and confusing) to name all of them after him. Nevertheless, considering the limited part of the chess universe that is covered within this book, I believe that it will do no harm to baptize ,he variation examined in this chapter after its inventor. The first recorded game where Rubinstein -:xperimented with it was

Bernstein - Rubinstein Ostend 1 907 The game took place in the sixth round of a 28�ound marathon, which ended in a shared win �-or. . . Rubinstein and Bernstein! We can see that Rubinstein chose to rehearse his invention in a §:ame of great sporting importance. Mter the :!1uoductory moves

l .e4 e5 2.tLla tLlc6 3.i.b5 a6 4.i..a4 tLlf6

5.0-0 i.e7 6.:Sel b5 7.ib3 d6 8.d 0-0 9.h3 tLla5 1O.i.c2 c5 1l.d4 V!!!c7 12.tLlbd2 Rubinstein retreated his knight with

12 ...tLlc6

By putting additional pressure on the enemy centre, Black invites his opponent to release the tension as soon as possible. Besides, he declares his intention to immediately correct the position of his knight, although the concrete way he will achieve that might seem not entirely clear yet.

13.d5 The most natural reply, which has preserved its relevance up to the present. Apparently, the black knight has no favourable squares at his disposal.

13...tLld8! ?

26


Bur of all the possible retreats, this certainly looks like the most awkward! I wonder what Bernstein thought at this stage of the game... It should be said that the seemingly most flexible answer 1 3 ... tt:l bS, with the intention of re-developing to the natural d7-square, has the drawback of denying the bS-square to the rook for just one move, which can lead to problems of coordination after the accurate 1 4.a4.

14.tt:lfl �e8

main ideas behind developing the bishop on e7 is to regroup with . . . tt:l e8, . . . g6 and . . . tt:lg7 in order to prepare ... f5. IfWhite places his bishop on h6 in the Benoni, in order to put indirect pressure on f5 , then the other knight could come to help by means of ... tt:ld7-f6, ... i>hS and ... tt:lgS. Similarly, once the queen's knight is transferred to f7 in the Chigorin Ruy Lopez, the h6-square is taken under control, too. I must confess that some pleasant experimentation with the Old Benoni is one of the indirect factors that recently increased my interest in the Rubinstein system. The following is my favourite game, which, as we shall see as the chapter continues, bears strong similarities with our examined variation:

Moskalenko - Marin Barcelona 2005

l.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3 d6 5.e4 fie7 6.fid3 �bd7 7.h3 a6 8.�f3 0-0 9.fie3 �h5!

Only this new knight retreat to the back rank casts some light on Black's further intentions. By clearing the way for the f-pawn, he prepares the transfer of the problem knight to f7, while its colleague wiU land on g7. Commenting on a later game in which Rubinstein reached the diagrammed position, Lasker made the following clever remark: "According to Philidor: the pawns in front, the pieces backing them up!" I would add: According to Rubinstein's inclination towards long strategic plans, too. If compared with the King's Indian, we can easily understand that the dark-squared bishop is better placed on e7, by not interfering with the knight's intended regrouping in any way. Digressing a bit, we can also understand the creation of the so-called Czech (or Old) Benoni ( l .d4 tt:lf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.tt:lc3 d6 5.e4 i.e7) as an intended improved version of the closed variations of the King's Indian. One of Black's

This way of transferring the knight to g7 was enabled by the development of the white light squared bishop to d3. The typical combination 1 0.tt:lxe5 tt:lxe5 1 1 .Wxh5 does not work now because the bishop is hanging. From h5, the knight slows down White's intended kingside attack by means of g4, in view of the knight's j ump to f4.

10.�e2 g6 1l.g4 �g7 12.�g3


White has managed to advance his g-pawn only by transferring his queen's knight to the kingside, which has left the other wing slightly unattended. From the perspective ofour chapter, the situation starts becoming increasingly interesting, because in the Ruy Lopez White frequently adopts an identical kingside set-up. The fact that the queen's knight reaches g3 via ' a different route is completely irrelevant, of course. It should be mentioned that White had no way of keeping both wings under control, because 1 2.a4 would have allowed 1 2 . . .f5.

12...bS 13.b3 l3b8 Now, the queenside situation also strongly resembles that from the Ruy Lopez. In fact, the only significant difference is the placement of Black's queen's knight and its further route to [he kingside. It should be said that Black cannot claim an advantage on the queenside yet, but the gain of space is a relatively safe guarantee that he will not be submitted to pressure on this part of [he board in the near future. This also applies tor the Ruy Lopez, as we shall later have the opportunity to convince ourselves. For the moment, neither side can undertake anything concrete, which explains the slow manoeuvring phase that follows.

14.1t>f1 The king is heading for the only relatively safe zone. After Black's progress on the queenside, -:astling long is out of question, of course.

14...'lWe8 lS.lt>g2 �h8 Not only removing the king from the g-file in \-iew of the planned advance of the f-pawn, but also clearing the gS-square for the knight.

16.'lWe2 Possibly not the best square for the queen. to force me to clarifY the queenside situation, failing to understand that :he threat against the b5-pawn is illusory.

\ -iktor probably hoped

16...i.d8! We are familiar with this move from the game '\ijboer - Marin. Black intends to gradually -:lear the seventh rank in order to enable the

27

transfer of the queen's rook to the other wing if the position opens. Besides, White will have to permanently watch out for the activation of this bishop via a5-c3-d4.

17.i.d2 Not only radically preventing the latter idea behind Black's last move but also preparing the transfer of White's own bishop to a more active position. 1 7.cxb5 axb5 l S.�xb5 would have released the pressure against the f5-square, allowing dangerous counterplay after l S ... f5�.

17... �f6 In order to make the threat .. .f5 real, Black has to open the diagonal the way for his queen's bishop. Even though there is no enemy bishop on h6, gS is still the best square for the knight.

18.Ad From here, the bishop puts some sort of X-ray pressure against the enemy king. In case of the opening of the kingside, Black will have to permanently consider piece sacrifices on e5. During the game, I considered that a logical continuation would be l s.lLlh2 (threatening f4) 1 s ... lLld7! (taking the e5-square under control in order to inhibit White's plan and threatening �h4xg3 to enable f5) 1 9.1Llf3 lLlf6= with a draw by repetition. Apparently, Viktor hoped for more.

18...�g8 Black has completed his regrouping and can look forward with optimism.

19.'lWc2


28

White puts additional pressure on the f5square and refrains from concrete action yet. I considered that White's last chance for active play consisted of 1 9.cxb5!? axb5 20.a4 which is a logical consequence of Black's exodus to the kingside. Actually, we shall meet this situation quite frequently in the Ruy Lopez: Black's apparently active queenside chain of pawns can easily become a target for White, as a consequence of his higher mobility in the centre. Simple moves like a4 can be very annoying under certain circumstances.

19... f5! Black decides to start his attack at once, ignoring the bishops' pressure against his kingside. Mter the more cautious 1 9 ... b4 20.i.b2 a5 followed by ... a4, the most probable result would have been a draw, since there is no way for White to prepare the opening of the position by means of f4 without allowing ...f5 in a favourable form.

After removing the rook from its exposed position and preparing to safely defend the seventh rank and the e-file, the threat of capturing on f5 with a positional advantage becomes real. White has to react energetically.

23.lLlxe5! Finally, I could feel that my generally aggressive opponent was in his element, in spite of his severe time trouble. 23...dxe5 24..be5 Vlifl 25.f4 With three pawns for a knight and his strong central domination, White has sufficient compensation. However, the exposed position of his king will enable certain tactical nuances.

25....ih4 Black has to choose the moment of capturing on f5 with care. After 25 ... bxc4 26.bxc4 tLlhxf5 27 ..txf5 ixf5 28.tLlxf5 Wxf5 29.Wxf5 :Sxf5 30.f3� followed by e4 he can only be worse.

20.exfS gxf5 21.gxf5

26.:!3e3 bxc4

Another continuation that would have led to complications was 2 U 'lael e4 22.lt:Jh5 and now the long awaited rook lift 22 ... :Sb7! followed by Wg6 gives Black the initiative.

Once again, I disliked 26 . . .ixg3 27.:Sxg3 tLlhxf5 28.Lf5 Lf5 29.Wf2!?� because of the permanent pin along the dark diagonal and the weakness of the c5-pawn.

21...lLlh6 22.:!3ae1

27.bxc4 .if6 28.:!3fl

Creating the strong threat of tLlxe5, when the black king and the b8-rook would find themselves on dangerous diagonals, and the black queen on a dangerous file. 22.f6 would just give Black time to regroup, for insrance: 22 ...tLlh5! 23.�7 lLlf4t 24.h2 Wd7+

Apparently, Black has just lost a tempo with his bishop manoeuvre, but it will soon become clear that the enemy queens rook has in fact been attracted to an exposed square.

22 gb7 .•.

28 ... lLlhxf5! Now or never. White's pressure was starting to become almost unbearable ...

29.lLlxfS 29.Lf5 ? is worse because of 29 ...i,xf5 30.tLlxf5 Wg6tFF followed by ... Wxf5, winning the piece back without the necessity ofpreviously exchanging on e5. 29 ...ixf5 30..ixf5 .L:e5 31.fxe5 lLlxfS .

32.:!3xfS ? The decisive mistake in time trouble. Correct was 32.Wxf5 Wxf5 (Viktor feared that after 32 .. J'!b2t Black would get attacking chances but after 33. g 1 the king enjoys absolute safety) 33.:Sxf5 :Sxf5 34.e6 and, facing the awesome pair of passed pawns, Black has nothing


better than giving a perpetual with 34 ... l"lg7t 35.@h 1 l"lfl t 36.@h2 l"lf2t.

29

the ability to maintain the balance berween the tensions created on both wings.

32...'!Wg6t! Winning a decisive tempo compared to the previous line.

33J:!g3 Now, 33.@h 1 would lead to a mating attack after 33 ... !!xfS, leaving White no time to advance his pawns.

33...'!Wns 34.'!Wns gns 35.e6 gb2t 36.@gl l'!e5 The pawns have been stopped and the white king is still in danger. The rest is easy.

37.Wfl gee2 38.gd3 gee2 39.gdl Wg7 40.d6 B:h2 0-1 Let us draw some general conclusions that will be useful for understanding the similar structure in the Ruy Lopez. In spite of his apparently aggressive kingside set-up, White cannot easily start an attack on this wing. On the contrary, it is mainly Black who can start active operations here. The pawn :,reak .. .f5 requires thorough preparation but is hard to prevent in the long run. However, opening the position on this wing has a double edged character because the central shield of pawns does not offer a 1 00% warranty against \'\'hite's well coordinated minor pieces. The main thing Black should be worried .;.bout on the kingside is a possible pawn break :.\. means of f4, at a moment when his knights .;.re too far from the e5-square. This is an eternal :heme in the Ruy Lopez, but in a slightly different context and its essence needed decades :0 reveal itself completely. On the other wing, the situation is to a certain �xtent reversed. It is Black who apparently has §":ood prospects of developing an initiative here, :'ur in fact his good-looking tandem of pawns �an easily become a target as well lsee White's :nissed opportunity 1 9.cxb5 followed by 20.a4). We can state that the strategic situation is quite complex and requires from hoth players

It is also worth mentioning that the regrouping typical of the Rubinstein Variation had been employed just once before (in a completely different line though) in the following game g!.ayed 8 years before Akiba was born. I guess we shall never know whether the great Pole was aware of this fact.

MaeDonnell - Wisker London match 1 874

l.e4 e5 2.
9...tila5 10.ie3 B:b8 Il.tile2 The knight is heading for g3 via the same roure as in the Old Benoni.

1l...e5 12.c3 '!We7 Of course, Black would have obtained comfortable play by capturing the bishop now or anywhere in the previous phase.

13.i.c2 b4 Obviously premature. Black usually advances his b-pawn only as an answer to a4.

14.i.d2 tile6 15.d4 a5 16.d5 tild8 17.e4 tile8

30


Here we are! One cannot help wondering whether it is possible to invent anything really new in chess.

18.g4 g6 19.1Llg3 lLlg7 20.�h6 f6 21.lLlh2 ttlf'7 22.hg7 s!?xg7 23.h4 �d7 24.b3 lLlh6 25.0 gaS 26.gn Wlc8 27.gg2 a4 and Black had a comfortable position which he eventually managed to win. It is time to return to the game Bernstein Rubinstein.

15.a4 This can be considered a sign that White finally understood the depth and soundness of Black's plan. Up to this moment he might have hoped that by the massive concentration of forces on the kingside he would soon obtain a decisive attack. The clumsily placed dS-knight would supposedly complicate Black's defensive task. Then, all of a sudden, Black's play started proving its coherence: the intended regrouping will not only solve the problem of the knight but also put up worthy resistance on the kingside. Hence, the desire to question Black's theoretical superiority on the other wing, before his pawns would become threatening. On the other hand, in spite of the fact that Black temporarily has to give up the control ofthe a-file due to the lack of communication between his rooks, the whole issue is less one-sided than it might seem at this stage of the game.

15...gb8 16.axb5 axb5 17.g4 In view of the transfer of the knight to £7, the direct opening of the kingside position by means of tLl 3h2 and f4 would only weaken the e5-square. Therefore, White puts the f5square under strict observation in order to prevent Black's further expansion on this wing.

17 ... g6 18.lLlg3 lLlg7 19.s!?hl f6 20.gg1 lLlf'7 21.Ae3 �d7

This move marks the completion of development. Remarkably, Black needed only eight moves in order to transform an apparently chaotic position into a harmonious one. It should be mentioned that he was helped by the closed character of the position, which prevented White from launching a direct attack. We can now draw a parallel with the Old Benoni. The placement of the knight on £7 has both advantages and drawbacks. By controlling the e5-square it protects Black against the opening of the kingside by means of f4 without obstructing Black's light-squared bishop as it would on d7, but also makes carrying out the plan based on . . . f5 more difficult by interfering with the action of the f8-rook. Although there is no direct pawn contact on the queens ide, the situation is more or less similar to the Benoni: it is not yet clear whether the black pawns are a strength or a weakness.


31

However, a transposltlon to an almost identical situation as in my game against Moskalenko is still possible if White plays b3 and c4 followed by the transfer of the bishop to the long diagonal, allowing Black play ... tLlh6 followed by .. J5. This is purely hypothetical at this stage of the game, but clearly shows how similar positions can be obtained from completely different openings. In fact, Dorian Rogozenko explained to me that this is not so surprising: "They start the games with the same pieces" he said. Quite correct.

22.tve2 �a8 Once the rooks have been connected, Black can challenge White for control of the a-file. This apparently insignificant diversion will in fact prevent White from building up a kingside attack at his leisure.

23 .!LJd2 .

This is not just a sign that White intends to operate on the queenside. By clearing the d l h5 diagonal, he creates the potential threat of � f5 and if . . . gxf5 then gxf5 followed by Wffg4 0 r Wff h 5. True, this would work only under �ertain circumstances, but given the fact that play takes place on both wings now, Black has ,0 be careful.

23... Wh8 The simplest way to remove the danger in order to be able to concentrate on the queenside ..Jone. By quitting the dangerous g-file, Black o\-ins a crucial tempo in the event of a later ;:' f5.

24.b3 By preventing ... c4, White intends to keep b5-pawn under pressure. However, Black �as sufficient resources to defend it and keep :'ghting for control of the a-file.

:,l.e

24...tvb7 25.id3 �a6 Black's space advantage on the queenside .;Jaws him to win the strategic battle on this ,.-ing by simple means. His position i.., not worse i: all now.

26.�gbl �fa8 and a draw was agreed.

A rather premature finish, as any chess fan would say. A brief glance reveals the fact that, with his minor pieces massed on the kingside, Black could not build on the partial success of conquering the a-file so easily. However, with so many pieces on the board, there certainly was a lot of play left. On the other hand, we should not forget that both player had found themselves on unexplored territory from a relatively early stage of the game. Be that as it may--, here are two games where play continued for a longer while from similar positions.

Alapin - Rubinstein Lodz 1 907/08

32


29.'l;Ybl Understandably,

cannot easily carry out such an operation, bur White

prevents

the

infiltration of the enemy queen to a2.

29... ttl dS?!

For once, Rubinstein's "long plan" seems to have been not entirely adequate. The migration of his minor pieces ro the other wing initiated

his b5- and c4-pawns are in some danger. From this perspective, 33 . . . .tc8 looks quite natural, leading to equality and a probable draw after 34.Wixa6 ixa6 35.h4 he3 36.liJxe3 @f8.

30.b3

anticipates

White

the

intentions

of his

by his last move will prove rather pointless.

opponent and prevents . . . c4 followed by . . . liJb7-

There is simply not sufficient space available for

c5. 30.b4 would have been equally good.

manoeuvres on the queenside. Things would change if Black could manage to gain the c5-square for his knights by means of a

30... tiJb7

It was not too late for Black to return to the aforementioned plan with 30 . . . liJf7.

the queenside under favourable circumstances

31.'i'b2 idS 32.tiJd2 ttleS 33.i.fl tiJc7 34.tiJbl \Wa5 35.b4 \Wa6 36.id3 c4 37.i.e2 tiJaS 3S.\Wa3 \Wxa3 39.tiJxa3

by means of 30.b3 cxb3 3 1 .Wixb3 followed by

Black's regrouping hasn't yielded the expected

well-timed . . . c4. However, if played at this stage of the game, 29 . . . c4 would allow White ro open

.td3, liJd2 and (eventually after liJ b l -a3) c4. Another drawback of Rubinstein's plan is that, by giving up the potential threat of opening the

kingside with . . . 5, he will leave White a free hand for manoeuvres.

Black's next strategic aim should be the

results. His pieces are rather standing in each other's way. Meanwhile, White has managed to neutralize the pressure along the a-file and , concentrate his forces around the c4-pawn. The game ended in a draw after ten more uneventful moves. Things could have become livelier if'

exchange or (in the case of refusal by White)

White had decided ro sacrifice a piece on c4 at

activation of the dark-squared bishop. True,

some moment.

this was part of Rubinstein's plan, too, but a more economical way ro achieve it consisted

In the next game, we shall see an opposite

of 29 . . . liJe8 planning . . . if8-h6. For instance,

picture: it will be the unnecessary transfer of

30.b4 c4 This move is not really forced yet,

one of White's knights ro the queenside that will

since the exchange on c5 would free the d6-

cause him trouble.

square for Black's minor pieces as compensation for the deterioration of the pawn structure. We

Thomas Rubinstein

shall have a longer debate about this matter

Baden-Baden 1 925

later in this chapter. For the moment I would like to simplify things in order to follow the main idea. 3 1 .Wib2 White prepares to neutralize Black's pressure along the a-file. Preventing the above mentioned plan by means of Wid would have led to slight problems after . . . Wia2. 3 l . . ..tf8 32.ibl ih6 33.Wia2 An interesting moment. Both sides have offered the exchange they were interested in, but neither of them is interested in improving the opponent's position by carrying them out. In blocked positions, one important possibility is the sacrifice of a piece for two pawns, in order to create a mobile mass of pawns. We can clearly see that Black

-


White has placed his pieces slightly less harmoniously than in the previous games, but he is by no means worse; the margin of equality is wide enough. He apparently connected his hopes with a sacrificial attack along the g-file, but will not be able to carry it out. Such radical operations can succeed only as a consequence of a strong concentration of forces, but part of White's forces will be inevitably distracted to the other wing.

22 .ie3 •

Quite deceptively, the attack would get nowhere after 22.�g2 E1a8 23.E1xa8 (In the case of 23.E1bl the least Black could do is 23 ... �h8 followed by a gradual increase of the queenside pressure.) 23 ... E1xa8 24.ct:lf5 gxf5 25.gxf5 i,f8. If the queenside were closed, White could possibly increase his pressure (for instance by means of ct:lh2-g4). The way it is, Black can harass him with ... E1al , pinning the bishop and eventually threatening to give back part of the material with ... E1xcl if things get too dangerous on the kingside.

22 .1'l:a8 23.\!;lfg2 :1l:xal 24.:1l:xal \!;lfb7 ••

Black has carried out the exchange of one pair of rooks at a slightly earlier stage than in the other games (meaning before placing the queen on b7) in order to reduce White's attacking potential as soon as possible. With his queen far away, White lacks just one tempo to take over the control of the a-file by means of E1a2 and if ... E1a8 then �al .

25.cJ;1h2 :1l:a8 26.\!;lffl :1l:a6

33

27.tLld2 The start of a mistaken regrouping. The simplest way to keep Black's queenside activity under control consisted of 27.b4 when after 27 ... c4 we would reach a familiar pattern.

27 \!;lfa8 28.:1l:xa6 \!;lfxa6 29.tLlb3 ?! •••

This is a significant inaccuracy. White intends to neutralize Black's pressure along the a-file as soon as possible, but employs exaggerated means to achieve his aim. Once transferred to the queenside, the knight cannot rapidly return to the other wing, leaving the king's position without sufficient defenders. 29.�bl followed by b4 would have maintained approximate equality.

29 tLlg5 •••

The lack of defence of the f3-square allows Black to activate his position with gain of tempo before launching the attack.

30.cJ;1g2 Actually, the immediate return of the knight with 30.ct:ld2 would have been a better answer. Things would work out perfectly well for White if Black would play as in the game. For instance 30 ... h5 3 1 .h4 ct:lf7 32.gxh5 gxh5 33.�g2 �f8 34.i,dl f5 35.ct:lxh5 ct:lxh5 36.i,xh5 f4 37.�g6 i,e8 and now the fact that the queen didn't have time to move to c8 or a2 allows 38.i,xc5!. However, the simple 30 ...�a2 (instead of 30 ...h5?!) would give Black comfortable play. If 3 1 .�bl then 3 l . ..�xbl followed by 32 ... h5.

30 h5 31oh4 tLlf7 32.gxh5 gxh5 33.cJ;1h2 •••

White's coordination is far from impressive. The king, which had been used to defend the f3-square, clears the g-file for the queen, in order to create some counterplay.

33 \!;lfc8 •••

The incursion of Her Majesty to the enemy queenside with 33 ...�a2 would have been an equally effective way to prepare .. .f5 as the regrouping to the opposite wing. In case of 34.�b l , the exchange of queens would allow Black to open the kingside without the undesired dose of risk regarding the king's position, while after 34.�g2 �f8 35 .i,cl f5 36.exf5 i,xh4 the queen would keep captive no fewer than three


34

minor pieces: quite a satisfactory equivalent to compensate for her absence from the kings ide. Moreover, after . . ..ixg3t followed by . . ..ixf5, White's pieces would be hanging rather badly.

. 34.'\&g2 �f8

We are familiar with this kind of incursion of the bishop from the game Moskalenko - Marin.

37.f6!? Giving up the already doomed pawn diverts the enemy bishop ...

37....ixf6 38.Wif3 i.h4

. . . but not for very long.

39 .ig6 hg3t 40.fxg3 �J5 42.tile4 Wid7 •

4 L.ixf7

�xf7

Black has won a pawn while retaining the better structure. White's attacking chances against the relatively weakened kingside are not too realistic and Rubinstein went on to win a nice technical game.

0-1 Bogoljubow's challenge

35.tild2 This admission of the erroneous character of the previous plan comes slightly too late as White does not have sufficient means to counter Black's plan. For instance, the attack against the relatively weak h5-pawn with 35 ..idl would not inhibit Black from · playing 3 5 . . .f5 (35 . . ..ig4 would be playable but too modest) 36.ltlxh5 ltlxh5 37 ..ixh5 f4 and the strong concentration of forces against the white king is rather annoying. As in certain lines of the King's Indian, the black pawn chain severely restricts White's pieces. Now, the seemingly active 38.'\&g6 does not spoil Black's coordination in view of the calm 38 . . ..ie8 39 ..id2 hh4. For instance, 40.iel ltlg5 4 1 .'&xe8t (if 4 1 ."Mfxd6t �g8 the white queen would remain out of play, while the intrusion of her colleague to h3 will have decisive consequences) 4 1 . . ."Mfxe8 42 ..ixe8 �xe8 43.ltld2 f3 and White is completely paralysed. There is nothing he can do against the transfer of the black king to f4, leading to the gradual elimination of all White's pawns.

35 .£5 36.exfS .hh4 ..

Winning a pawn, but also undermining White's control over the f5- and e4-squares.

One natural question raised by the experience from the previous games is whether the opening of the a-file really favours White. As mentioned above, one of the basic purposes of a4 is to radically prevent a gradual black expansion on the queenside, but is the capture on b5 really necessary? Before giving an answer, I will allow myself a short digression. In the previous games White played in a relatively inoffensive way and Rubinstein did not face any concrete dangers (apart from those that he created for himself against A1apin). The real test for Akiba's variation consisted of several tournament games against Bogoljubow, a strong and enterprising player with a natural talent for attack. Bogoljubow understood perfectly well that, although separated from each other by the blocked centre, the opposite wings could still influence each other, albeit indirectly. Therefore, he did not only try to find optimal kingside regroupings but looked for queenside solutions, too. From one game to another, he constantly aimed to change plans on both wings, in the hope that he would find the "winning combination" of patterns. Anticipating matters rather, I can say he did not manage to achieve this aim, but he did unearth many interesting


35

ideas and posed 'his mighty opponent serious

develops with i.e3 and lMfd2, but for the time

practical problems.

being Black can just make all the other useful

In the following game, he decided to block the queenside completely.

moves and then choose the further plan of action in accordance with the concrete circumstances.

20.ote3 mb8 21.b3 B:g8 22.i.b2

Bogoljubow - Rubinstein

By placing the bishop on the long diagonal,

Breslau 1 925

Bogoljubow

probably

intended

to

inhibit

an eventual opening of the kingside by

13.dS otd8 14.a4

. .

. f5.

However, if Black avoids that, the bishop

The significance of the fact that White plays

stands rather passively on b2, being restricted

this move at an earlier stage than in the previous

by the over-defended e5-pawn. Besides, Black's

games will be revealed a little bit later.

kings ide potential consists of more than just

14

advancing the f-pawn.

..

JrlbS lS.c4!? b4

Black

is best advised to release the tension at

once. White's pieces

are

optimally placed for a

22 .i.f8! ••

It

looks

as

if Rubinstein

had

guessed

fight on the light squares. If allowed to exchange

Bogoljubow's intentions. Once the white bishop

twice on b5 he would place his knight on c4 and

has been developed to b2, the h6-c1 diagonal

the bishop on a4. Later, he could transfer his

remains available for the black bishop.

king's rook to the a-file using the third rank as a

23.M Be? 24.B:g2 .ih6 2S.Be2 .ti4t 26.mbl

line of communication. We can understand now

why it was so important to start the queenside operations before transferring the knight to the other wing.

Apparently, Bogoljubow had not formulated his further plan of action yet. Otherwise he

16.�h2 �e8 17.g4 g6 18.B:gl �f'7

f6

19.�fI

would have played 26.@gl at once.

26. :i!Jf8 .

The regrouping initiated with this move

We shall see that down the years Rubinstein

again reveals Akiba's tendency to overestimate

had refined his treatment of the position, too.

the effectiveness of the concentration of forces

By refraining from the otherwise desirable

regardless of the concrete circumstances, as in

... tLlg7 yet, he leaves the h6-fS diagonal available

the game against Alapin. The simple 26 ... .id7

in view of the possible transfer of his bishop to

followed by . . . tLlg7 and . . . h5 would have offered

h6. This would become impossible if White

Black very promising play.

A Spanish Reperroire for Black

36

27.'it>gl Wh6 28.i.cl .td7 29.'it>fl lLlg7 30.WdJ �bf8 31.�dl Black has reached the apogee of his intended regrouping but cannot make any furrher progress. In the meantime, White has starred to gradually improve his position. Once his king is evacuated, he will be ready for active operations. Rubinstein was wise enough to admit his error in j udgment and immediately starts the reverse process.

31. ..lLle8 32.'it>el Wg7 33..tb2 lLlh6 34.lLlgl We7 35.lLlh3 lLlf7 36..tf3 .th6 37.'it>e2

White intends to increase his pressure with �gl or � h l , then hide his king on a2 and look for a favourable way to open the position. Black cannot afford to wait.

40 . . . e4! when too many white pieces would be hanging, for instance 4 1 .i.xg7t CLlxg7 42.ttlxe7 exd3t followed by . . .�xh3.

39 . hf5 40.WxfS! ..

Very resourcefully played. In the case of the modest 40.gxf5 Black would obtain excellent play with 40 . . . �xg2 4 1 .1i.xg2 1Mfxh4 followed by ... CLlf6 and ... 0g5, with a firm blockade on the dark squares. We can notice the relative uselessness of the b2-bishop.

40...Wxh4

A wise decision. Black refrains from "winning"

the queen with 40 . . . CLlg5 4 1 .hxg5 �xf5 42.gxf5 hg5 which would have led to a very powerful attack for White after 43.�agl h6 44.icl when White's pieces cooperate perfectly. Instead of exposing himself to such dangers, he builds up a reliable fortress on the dark squares, for which the elimination of the h4-pawn is essential.

41.�hl lLlg5 42.hB 2 LE1g1 ctJf7 22 ..ie3 ctJg7. Now that White has defined his intentions regarding his bishop, the plan based on . . ..ifB-h6 does not look realistic anymore and Black should just connect rooks as soon as possible. 23.Wd2 .id7 Both sides have completed their development and White finds himself at a crossroads.

The pressure exerted by the a2-rook prevents White from concentrating all his efforts on the kingside.

19... ttlg7 20.ttle3 f6 21.@g2 ttlf7 22..ixg7 'it>xg7 23.ttld2

This is the position White had been aiming for.

Generally speaking, his strategy is quite coherent: after giving up the dark-squared bishop for a knight he has placed his remaining minor pieces in such a way that they control

24.b3 (This looks like a concession but after 24.E1g2 Black can get counterplay with 24 . . .b3 25 ..id3 E1aB. For instance, 26.E1b1 E1fbB 27.Wc3 Wa5 2B ..id2 .idB with a harmonious arrangement of the black forces.) 24 ... E1aB It is useful to play this move before White gets his king's rook to g2, clearing the gl -square for the other rook. 25.E1afl (Black would also win the battle for the a-file in the case of a neutral answer such as 25 ..id3, by means of 25 .. J::! a 3!) 25 ... E1gB 26.E1g2 WeB 27.E1fg1 E1a2 Black has achieved a very rational distribution of forces and has every chance of holding the balance.

several light squares. there are certain concrete However, circumstances that cast some doubt on White's concept. First of all, the c4-square, on which both knights concentrate their action, is occupied by White's own pawn. Had the pawn been placed on c3, White would have had a significant advantage on the queenside, bur the way it is, the control of the b3- and a4squares is not so important yet. This is also a consequence of the fact that Black's pawn chain offers him an entirely adequate defence against minor piece pressure on this part of the board. If, for instance, the d6-pawn were missing, the pressure exerted by a knight placed on b3 on the c5-pawn could be quite unpleasant. On the other wing, White's position is also not without drawbacks. The most obvious of these is the weakness of the f4-square: a direct consequence of White's previous play.


All these aspects make the position rather complicated from a strategic point of view and quite difficult to assess.

23 J�h8 ••

From the previous discussion, the only question that seems to remain open is whether Black can effectively occupy the f4-square or take advantage of its weakness in some other way. Rubinstein decided to open the h-file in order to take over the control of the h3-square and enable the spectacular transfer of the knight to f4. However, the long-term consequences of these operations are far from clear as we shall see. Although from an aesthetic point of view it might seem that the knight is the best suited piece to occupy the f4-square, there are strong arguments for the bishop's activation, too. Opening a file on the wing where one's own king is located can be a double-edged decision. It is generally better to choose an alternate plan if one is available. Secondly, it is the bishop that truly needs a change, since on e7 it does absolutely nothing and risks becoming a typical "bad bishop" in the case of simplifications. On the other hand, the knight (which, by the way, has consumed five of Black's tempi already) is relatively well placed. It can either drive the enemy bishop back if it infiltrates to c6 or jump to g5 to support its own bishop if it reaches f4. Moreover, it keeps the e5-square under control, inhibiting the opening of the position with f4 or an eventual exchange on f4. All these aspects strongly suggest that a plan of regrouping initiated by 23 . . .c;!?hS is safer (rom a general point of view, but can lead to equally sharp positions after, for instance, 24.lLldfl (White needs to increase his pressure against the f5-square. After the straightforward 24.�a4 l"lgS 25 .�c6 Black would get strong counterplay with 25 ... f5.) 24 . . . l"lgS 25.lLlg3 �f8 26.�a4 �h6. White has problems keeping the kingside under control. The immediate threat is . ... �e3 followed by . . . f5 . White needs to spend a tempo with 27.'lWd3 to prevent this, when a race between the plans on opposite wings could

39

start. For instance, 27....if4 2S. .ic6 lLlh6 29.l"la4 'lWg7 (such a rapid and effective regrouping has been made possible by the fact that the dark squared bishop has cleared the seventh rank) 30.l"leal f5 3 1 .l"la7 (the immediate capture of the pawn with 3 1 .exf5 gxf5 32.lLlexf5 leaves White in deadly pins after 32 ...'lWg6!) 3 L..'lWf6 32.l"lc7 (now the f5-square is under sufficient control by Black and 32.exf5 gxf5 would only open the g-file for Black's attack) 32 ... fxg4 33.l"laa7 (We can see that the description of 23 . . . c;!?hS as "safer" is relative. The immediate doubling of rooks is stronger than 33.hxg4 lLlxg4 34.lLlxg4 Lg4 35.l"laa7 when Black has the simple defence 35 ...'lWh4. In the case of the exchanges on h7, Black would soon double rooks on the f-file with some initiative.) 33 . . .gxh3t 34.�hl Black cannot parry the threat against the h7-pawn, but it appears that he can live with that, since other important squares along the seventh rank are well defended. 34 ...l"lfS 35.l"lxh7t �gS 36.lLlef5!? The only way to maintain the initiative. Otherwise, White's pieces would remain hanging. 36 ... lLl f7 (only not 36 ... gxf5? because of37.lLlh5 followed by l"lag7t) 37.l"lg7t �hS 3S.i.eS! A strong move, bringing this bishop from its offside position into play and proving that White has not exhausted his resources yet. 3S . . .�xf5 Not the only possible answer, but the most logical one: Black attacks the intruding bishop and aims to bring his queen's rook into play. 39.l"lgxf7 l"lxf7 40.l"lxf7 'lWg5 41 .exf5 l"lxeS 42.fxgG 'lWg4 It is a sharp position, where Black's chances are not worse.

24.{)dfl h5

Just in time, before White takes the h5-square under control with lLlg3.

25.{)g3 hxg4 The opening of the h-file is more ambitious than 25 ...h4 which would have been equivalent to starting a cheerless fight for a draw. After 26.lLle2 Black would have serious problems of coordination. If . . .i.d7 in order to connect rooks, then the exchange of the light-squared bishops with �a4 would make the opening of the kingside by means of f4 quite unpleasant,


40

since . . . exf4 would allow White to transfer his knight to e6.

26.hxg4 c!LJg5 27.i.a4

White hurries to make use of his main trump. 27.:Elhl would only delay but not prevent the knight's manoeuvre in view of 27. . . :Elxhl 28.lMfxh l .id7 29.i.a4 :Elh8 30.lMfd l . This situation would be even more advantageous for Black than in the game because he could preserve his bishop from exchange with 30 . . . ic8 without obstructing the communication between his rooks.

27 c!LJh3 28.i.c6 c!LJf4t 29. <j;lf3 •••

pawn on c6 (by refusing to take on d7) in order to get the d5-square for his e3-knight. Black can hardly do the same with his knight since there is no piece that can make effective use of the e5square after CLlxf4 exf4. The significance of the control of the open files is strictly related to the aspects revealed in the previous paragraphs. It might seem that Black cannot fight for the a-file unless he trades the light-squared bishops, while the influence of the f4-knight over the h-file is practically nonexistent. These aspects strongly suggest that the modifications of the position induced by both sides' manoeuvres over the past few moves tend to favour White, but the plan initiated by Black's next move introduces new elements. •

29 J�b6! ••

Both sides have been consistently carrying out their partial plans. They each control one of the open files and have each installed a minor piece on an advanced outpost. However, their achievements are not entirely equivalent. The stability of the far advanced minor pieces is only relative, but we can notice certain nuances of difference. The exchange of the c6-bishop by means of . . . �d7 favours White from a strategic point of view, because of the number of black pawns blocked on dark squares. In contrast, an eventual exchange of the f4knight by means of CLle2 or CLlg2 has a "neutral" character and cannot in any way be considered a strategic concession from White's point of view. In certain cases, White can even sacrifice a •

Rubinstein decides to neutralize White's pressure along the a-file by side-stepping the enemy b ishop. The drawback of this plan is that Black loses all coordination between his rooks, thus allowing White to take control of the other open file, situated in the immediate neighbourhood of the kings. This will lead to very complicated play, the consequences of which are quite hard to evaluate. It should be mentioned that the main alternative, 29 . . . i.d7, does not offer Black easy play after 30.1Mfa4 (More ambitious than 30.ixd7 lMfxd7 3 1 .1Mfa4 lMfxa4 32.l"1xa4 l':!.a8 33.l"1eal when after 33 . . .l"1xa4 34.:Elxa4 st>f7 35.:Ela7 :1l:h2 Black has chances to resist in view of the closed character of the position and the activity of his rook, which makes the exchange of the f4-knight quite difficult.) Now, Black should refrain from 30 . . . l"1a8? 3 1 .1Mfxa8! l"1xa8 32.l"1xa8 �xc6 33.dxc6 1Mfxc6 34.!!eal with an indisputable advantage for White. Instead of 30 . . . :Ela8, Black should defend his bishop with 30 . . . l"1hd8 but this clearly shows that the initiative is all White's.

30.:Elhl :Elxhl 31.Wixhl ga6 32.gg1

White gladly abandons the a-file for the sake of concentrating his forces on the kingside.

32 <j;lg8 •••


Black had no time for starting his queenside counterplay with 32 ... l"la2? due to 33.CLlgf5t! �g8 34.�h2 with dangerous threats.

33.'lWh2

33.CLlgf5 would be slightly premature because of the calm 33 . . .i.f8 when Black seems to be able to survive, partly because of the fact that the g6-square is safely defended and the seventh rank enables quick communication between wmgs. •

33 .if8 34.ghl Wgl 35 .ie8 .••

•

This move is familiar to us from the long variation given in the comment to Black's 23rd move. After fulfilling its partial job on the queenside, the bishop has remained slightly out of play and needed to find new horizons. By denying the f7-square to the enemy king, White creates the dangerous threat of CLlgf5.

35 J3al ..

Anticipating White's aggressive intentions, Black prepares to transfer the rook to the kingside along the seventh rank. The more active 35 . . . l"la2 was also playable, for instance 36.CLlgfS gxfS 37.gxf5 �h6. Now, White can repeat moves with 38.�g l t �g7 39.�h2 or play on with 38.�xh6 i.xh6 39.l"lxh6 when 39 ... @g7OO followed by ... l"lxb2 offers Black soong queenside counterplay. We can see here one possible drawback of White's queenside suategy: the loss of the b2-pawn will create a 'Rry dangerous black passed pawn.

36.tLle2

41

Finally, White decides to exchange Black's most active piece. 36.CLlgfS gxf5 37.gxf5 would not work so well now because of 37... l"le7 when the bishop retreat would open an escape for His Majesty while after 38.l"lgl l"lxe8 Black gets too much material for his queen.

36.. .!!e7?!

Rubinstein had probably invested a considerable amount of time in evaluating the consequences of the previous line, where placing the rook on this square was a key defensive resource. When his opponent switched to a more neutral continuation, he might have answered under the influence of some sort of mental inertia. Once the knights are exchanged, Black's main trump will be the a-file and he should have made use of it by means of 36 . . . CLlxe2 37.@xe2 l"la2 when after 38.l"lb 1 Black could neutralize White's pressure on the other wing with 38 . . .�h7, retaining a strategically favourable position because of his pair of bishops and the more flexible structure. We can conclude now that Rubinstein's plan initiated by 30 . . . l"lb6 was entirely viable and that Black has sufficient resources to deal with the balance between the significance of the open files on opposite extremes of the board.

3l..ib5 tLlxe2 38.�xe2 gal 39.�d3!±

The difference! The previously imprisoned king is very active now, allowing White to defend his b2-pawn without losing control of the h-file.

•

42


In the game, White exchanged all the major pieces after a long manoeuvring phase and infiltrated with his king via b3-a4. Rubinstein's position looked critical, but he managed to . survive in a study-like manner.

Ij2_112

The Rauzer variation In spite of the fact that Rubinstein disappeared forever from the international chess arena in the early '30s, the impression created by his games seems to have been so strong that theoreticians took the viability of Black's position after 1 3.d5 4J d8 as a fact, and started looking for something else for White. Fairly soon, the exchange

13.dxc5 dxc5

became increasingly popular. The paternity of the plan is attributed to Rauzer, who successfully employed it in a game (against Riumin in 1 936) where Black played . . . ttJa5 before castling, thus allowing White to save a valuable tempo by refraining from the prophylactic move h3.

One natural question is whether this way of releasing the tension in the centre is not just a significant concession. Absolved of the task of finding a favourable location for his queen's knight, Black seems to enjoy easy development with hopes for a comfortable middlegame. However, a deeper investigation of the position reveals White's less obvious trumps.

First of all, there is the chtonic weakness of the d5-square, which could soon become relevant after the predictable transfer of the white queen's knight to e3. It is also true that Black seems to have sufficient means to control this square in order to prevent the instalment of an "eternal" knight here. However, an eventual exchange on this square ( . . . 4Jxd5 exd5) could cause him significant discomfort, because all of a sudden the problems regarding the queen's knight would rerurn, not to mention the fact that the e5-pawn would be in danger. Another essential aspect is related to the queenside structure. We are accustomed to the fact that a well-timed pawn break by means of a4 could cause Black real problems. Here, in conjunction with Vfffe2, it would leave the b5pawn vulnerable. Black's natural reaction is . . . c4, but this reveals another drawback of the knight's placement on c6: it is just too far from the optimal c5-square, from where it would ensure the safety of the entire queenside, partly by controlling the b3- and d3-squares. This allows White to develop his initiative with b3, putting the c4- or b5-pawns in immediate danger. Another possible plan consists of preparing a kingside attack with 4J h2, Vffff3 and 4J g4. This would also eliminate one of the main defenders: either the f6-knight or the light-squared bishop. In principle, this is all White needs to retain chances for an advantage: threats against two or three different squares or areas. We can conclude that Rauzer's plan is a more refined way than 1 3.d5 of challenging the viability of the knight's placement on c6. This explains why the theoretical debate on 1 3.dxc5 lasted considerably longer than the first wave of discussion on the positions with a blocked centre, and involved even more famous names. It should be mentioned that White's possibility of combining two different plans can also be confusing for White regarding the choice of the most efficient move order. In the following game an expert on this system with both colours failed to deal optimally with this delicate matter.


Smyslov Lilienthal -

Soviet Absolute Championship, Moscow 1 94 1

Leningrad/

1 4.a4

In spite of the fact that 14.CLlfl has proven more dangerous in practice, we cannot call Smyslov's move inaccurate. Only his whole approach during the next few moves should be criticized. From all the elements composing his general plan he allocated the lowest priority to the most important manoeuvre, the transfer of the knight to e3. There are a couple of reasons that make CLl fl e3 essential in my view. First of all, it continues development in the classical meaning of this word. I refrained from criticizing 1 4.a4 because it actually contributes to development, by opening me a-file for the rook, but the same cannot be said for [he subsequent moves. Secondly, the presence of the knight on e3 fits well in several possible plans, allowing White to adopt a flexible strategy. The knight could move to either f5 or d5 and would certainly be an excellent complement to the aforementioned manoeuvre CLl h2-g4.

14 ..i.b7 .

This move also shows that the research process

in [his line was at an early stage. 1 4 . . .i.e6 is

better, because it keeps several important squares (f5 , d5, b3) under control. Lilienthal probably feared that the bishop would be harassed by the enemy knight with CLlg5, but we shall see later in the chapter that such an incursion is inoffensive.

tS.CLlh2

It was not too late for White to return to

the correct path with 1 5. CLl fl when the lack of defence of the f5-square could cause Black problems. lS .

.

J':Ead8 16.�f3

An ambitious move, but e2 might have been

bener square for the queen, in view of the comment on White's 1 8th move.

a

16

. .

. c4

With the exception ofhis 1 4th move, Lilienthal handles the position very accurately. After

43

completing the first phase of mobilization, he makes the necessary preparations for adjusting the queen knight's placement by clearing the c5-square.

17.axb5 axb5

18.tLJdfl Up to this point, Smyslov might have hoped that by leaving the knight on d2 he would inhibit anyqueenside pawn action from Black. However, it turns out that the thematic 1 8.b3 cxb3 does not offer White much, precisely because of his previous premature commitments. For instance, 1 9.CLlxb3 can be answered in several ways: 1 9 ... CLlb4 would take advantage of the fact that the queen has left the c2-bishop undefended too early, while 1 9 . . .b4 underlines the lack of defence of the d4-square as a consequence of the knight's retreat to h2. Finally, 1 9 ... CLld4!? makes use of both these aspects. Similarly, 1 9.hb3 can be met by the simple 1 9 . . . CLla5 (since the b5-pawn is not attacked by the white queen) or 1 9 . . .b4.

18 ... tLJa5

Black rightly refrains from a further pawn advance. As pointed out by Borvinnik 1 8 . . . b4 19.CLle3 b3 20.i.b l (this self-imprisonment of the bishop is better than the more cautious 2o.id1 when after 20 ... CLla5 2 1 .CLl f5 :gd3! Black gets adequate counterplay in view of the weakness of the e4-pawn) 20 . . . CLl a5 2 1 .CLl f5 can only lead to problems for Black. White's kingside

44


pressure compensates for the passivity of the b 1 bishop (which fulfils important defensive tasks) while the a5-knight does not have much hope of reaching a decent square soon. •

19.1ilg3

Giving up the plan of invading the d5-square looks like an admission ofthe erroneous character of the previous play, but 19.'Lle3 would also have offered no chances for an advantage. After 1 9 . . . 'Llb3! 20.hb3 the intermediate 20 ...he4 removes a crucial pawn. White's only way to avoid a simply worse position is 2 1 .'lWg3 but then Black could force a draw with 2 1 . ..'Llh5 (the idea behind the queens placement on g3 becomes clear after 2 1 .. .cxb3 22.'Llhg4 which allows White to hold the balance by setting up some kingside pressure) 22.'lWg4 'Llf6 23.'lWg5 h6 24.'lWg3 'Llh5 and the queen cannot escape the perpetual pursuit.

19....ic8 Now that the knight only threatens to jump to f5, Black can defend by relatively simple means. The bishop's retreat also clears the b7square for the knight.

20.J.e3 lilb7 21.lilfS The invasion along the a-file with 2 1 .l"ia7 does not offer White much because of 2 1 .. .ic5 (Botvinnik). It should be mentioned that the exchange of the dark-squared bishops favours Black from a strategic point of view, because it would offer him increased stability for his knights on f6 and c5.

2 l ...,ixf5

22.Wfxf5 Botvinnik wrote that 22.exf5 would be more in the spirit of the Rauzer variation, activating the light-squared bishop and the e l -rook. From a general point of view, the Patriarch was perfectly right and we shall see later in our investigation of this system that the knight's move to f5 followed by capturing with the pawn will become a major theme. However, in this position Black does not face any big problems because he is well prepared to start the fight for the e4- and d3-squares with 22 . . . 'Llc5. For instance, 23.'Llg4 (undermining Black's control over the e4-square and preventing the advance of the e-pawn, which would add force to the invasion of the d3-square) 23 . . . 'Lld3 24.hd3 (White cannot tolerate this knight; besides the simple threat against the b2-pawn it puts pressure on the f2-square in view of the exchange on g4 followed by . . .ic5.) 24 . . . cxd3 25.l"ia7 'lWd6 26.l"idl l"ife8!? (threatening to connect his central pawns with ...e4) 27.'Llxf6t ixf6 28.'lWe4 (White should not neglect the e4-square. In case of the pseudo-active 28.'lWb7 Black can react with 28 . . .'lWd5 when after 29.'lWxd5 l"ixd5 30.f3 h5 3 1 .@f2 e4 White has problems stabilizing the position. For instance: 32.fxe4 l"ixe4 33.cj;>f3 l"ie8 34.g4 d2!) 28 ...'lWd5 29.f3 'lWc4. Neither side can afford to carry out the exchange of queens, which makes the position approximately equal. We can conclude that 22.exf5 would not have offered White an advantage. The idea behind Smyslov's last move is revealed in the next comment.

22 .ic5 ..•

The difference consists of the fact that the generally desirable 22 . . . 'Llc5 could now be answered by 23.'Llf3 'Llfd7 24.l"iedl + with pressure.

23.lilfl

Smyslov probably feared that the pressure against the f2-square would be too dangerous if he preserved the bishop from exchange. He decided to simply live with this strategically


I

unfavourable exchange, hoping to compensate by dynamic means the static drawbacks of his position. Botvinnik gives the following variation: 23.i.g5 ggd6 24.�xe5? (24.b4, aiming to restrict the enemy pieces or else improve his own bishop, is better but after 24 . . . cxb3 25.i.xb3 ib6 followed by . . . lDc5 Black has a comfortable position.) 24 . . .hf2t! The bishop is taboo in view of the discovered attack . . . GGd2t, while otherwise the white king's position is completely destroyed. After the move played in the game, neither side is interested in releasing the tension between the bishops because this would allow the activation of an enemy knight. 23

..

JUe8

45

After clearing the c5-square, Black is just one step (. . . lDc5) away from his optimal regrouping. Once he achieves that, he could count on a stable advantage in view of White's passive bishop. However, this last step is not easy to make because of the permanent threat of�c8t when the forced . . .�fB leaves the b5-pawn defenceless after �c6. Also, the queen is not easy to drive away from f5 with . . . g6 because the f6-knight would be undefended.

30.b3?!

•

24Jledl Smyslov probably hoped that his control of both open lines combined with the pressure against the e5-pawn would offer him active play. However, with his next series ofmoves Lilienthal will manage to remove most of the dynamic e lements remaining in the position, although t his will involve a temporary worsening of his p ieee placement.

J�xdl 25.EExdl EEd8 26.EExd8t lDxd8 27.1xc5 24

..

The best moment to carry out this exchange, since recapturing with the knight is impossible now.

27..

�xc5 28.lDe3 lDe6 29.g3 �d6 .

.

This pawn break allows Black to complete his regrouping without further preparations. White should have adopted a neutral strategy, inviting his opponent to demonstrate a coherent plan. It should be said that 30. mg2?! is not the best waiting move because it allows 30 . . . g6! since the knight would be taboo because of the check on f4. Therefore, something like 30.h4 makes more sense. Now, 30 ... m fB planning . . . m e? followed by . . . g6 and . . . ltk5 looks like Black's most consistent plan. White could react with 3 1 .b3, aiming to take advantage of the temporarily placement uncomfortable of the king (3 l . ..cxb3 32.Lb3 lLlc5 is met by 33.�c8t with greater effect than in the game) . Now, the queen incursion 3 1 . ..�a3 leads to interesting ' play after 32.�xe5 (32.bxc4? is refuted by the slightly amusing 32 ... �xc3 with the simple threat . . .b4, when 33.cxb5? unexpectedly clears the c-file, leaving the c8-square protected by the black queen and allowing the win of a

46


piece with 33 ... ltJd4 since the pin 34:�xe5 just makes things worse after 34 ... ltJ f3t) 32 ... cxb3 33.iWb8t ltJe8 34.i.d3 b2 35 .iWxb5 iWxc3 .Black's passed pawn is compensated for by White's strong centralization. Possibly Black could do even better than that by playing a waiting move himself, 30 ... h6, when White would have problems finding the next neutral move. 3 1 . cj;lfl or 3 1 .cj;lh2 both worsen the position of the king when Black could proceed with 3 1 . .. cj;lf8, while 3 1 .h5 simply weakens the h-pawn.

30...cxb3 30 ...iWa3!? was still possible, but Lilienthal's simpler continuation prevents any counterplay.

31.hb3 ttlc5 32 ..id5 The difference is that after 32.iWc8t? iWf8 the bishop is hanging, which forces White to exchange queens (the last remaining dynamic element) leading to an inferior ending.

32...g6 33.%Vc8t 'i!lg7 34.%Va8 %Vc7 White has managed to defend the e4-pawn by keeping his pieces on seemingly active squares. However, his king is left almost without defenders, while Black's coordination is obviously better.

III

view of the threat ...iWd4 the e4-pawn is doomed. The approach of the king does not help because after 38.cj;lg2 iWd4 39.cj;lf3 ltJ b 1 (threatening . . .ltJd2t) 40. cj;le2 Black can push His Majesty back with 40 ... iWb2t 4 1 .cj;lf3 ltJd2t 42.cj;lg2 and then renew the threat with 42 ...iWd4.

35...ttla4 36.c4 ttlb6 37.%Va2 bxc4 38.hc4 ttlxe4 Black's superior strategy has been crowned by a minimal material gain. Smyslov managed to hold a draw after 87 (!) more moves, but this is beyond our scope. •••

1/Z-1f2

Theoretical discussions at the highest level Sixteen years later, Smyslov had the opportunity to test the variation at the highest possible level, namely in his second match against Botvinnik. The psychological situation was quite interesting, because in his notes to the previous game the Patriarch had called White's set-up "inoffensive".

Smyslov - Botvinnik World Championship ( 1 0) , Moscow 1 957 In the interim theory had advanced and so had Smyslov's understanding of the position. He improved upon his older game with:

14.ttlfl

35.�g2 This natural move loses a pawn, but 35.i.c6, given by Botvinnik as sufficient for equality, does not save White from difficulties after 35 ... ltJ a4 36.i.xb5 ltJxc3 37.i.c6 iWb6 and


Botvinnik also had a good feeling for where his pieces should be developed and answered

with: 14....1e6

47

Smyslov - Botviooik World Championship (16), Moscow 1 957

After the natural sequence

15.lLJe3 :!'ladS 16.Be2

he found himselfat a crossroads again. White's main threats are lLlg5 and lLlf5. Botvinnik apparently decided that the latter was more unpleasant and prevented it with 16...g6 However, after

. 17.1LJg5 .ic8

White gradually put pressure on three different areas of the board starting with 1 8. a4 and obtained quite a good position after 18

.

. J!�'b7

The game continued with

Black has to choose this slightly uncomfortable way of defending the b5-pawn. If 1 8 ... c4 19.axb5 axb5 20.b3 lLla5 2 1 .bxc4 bxc4 22..i.a3± Black's position would lack coordination.

19.axb5 nb5 2O.M .id6 2l,c�d5 �h5 22.lLJa f6 23.Ah6 :!'lO 24.:!'lcdl Ag4 25.'9'e3 Jtlg7 26.:!'ld2 �e8 27.�h2 .leG 28.Bg3 mhS 29.:!'ladU;

However, he treated the next part of the game less accurately and allowed Botvinnik to hold the draw with purposeful play. •••

Ih_l/2

Obviously dissatisfied with the outcome of the opening, Botvinnik switched to the strange looking

15.�M g6 16.Ah6 :!'ldS 17.Ba lLle8 lS.lLle3 f6 19.�d5 Btl We can more or less grasp Botvinnik's idea. In spite of White's obvious initiative, Black has managed to avoid immediate inconvenience. After having consolidated the e5-pawn, he is ready to exchange the d5-knight with ...ttJe7xd5 (possibly after the preliminary .. J!b8 in order to prevent ttJb6) without fearing the newly created white passed pawn. The temporary passivity of the other white knight would supposedly prevent White from developing his initiative. However, Smyslov found an effective practical solution. He gained the bishop pair with

20.�b6 :!'lbS 21.�xcB :!'lbxc8

in the 1 6th game. Black's main idea is to allow

which is a palpable and long-term form of advantage, and then started the other knight's transfer to e3 by means of

d5, and regroup in such a way that he can live with it. However, the move is an obvious deviation from the natural course of development and there is l ittle wonder that Black soon found himself facing problems.

Again, it can be felt that Black has problems keeping both wings and the d5-square defended at the same time.

14.

.

..1d6

the intrusion of the enemy knight

to

22.g3 Am 23.i.e3 mhS 24.lLlg2 lLlc7 25.:!'ladl :!'lxd1 26.:!'lxdl :!'ldS 27.:!'lxdS lLlxdS 2S.a4 Be6 29.axb5 axb5 30.M c;t.g7 31.h5

31...g5 This is a radical attempt to prevent dangerous kingside threats, but also a positional concession as it weakens the fS-square.

48


32.i.cl lLlb7 33.lLle3 lLld6 34.lLlfSt lLlxf5 35.exf5 �d5 36.i.e4 �d6 37.J.e3 White has achieved a perfect regrouping and has a clear advantage in the endgame. Once again, Botvinnik managed to save the game but he did not employ this variation again during the rest of the match.

This illustrates the difficulties faced by Black in his attempt to combine harmonious development with handling specific elements such as the weakness of the d5-square and of his entire queenside structure or the exposed position of the bishop on e6.

Kholmov's discovery It took almost a decade until a brilliant answer was provided in the following famous game.

What would be even more interesting to know is the whole process of Kholmov's thinking before coming up with his next move. Unfortunately, this is impossible to achieve, but I shall try to suggest a plausible scenario. The main drawback of Botvinnik's 1 6 . . .g6 and 14 . . .id6 was that they did not contribute to the general strengthening of his own position. They were instead dictated by concrete short-term "fears", let's call them, caused by the enemy's threats.

What if we j ust close our eyes and ask ourselves what is the strategically most desirable continuation? After having seen the previous games, it is not hard to come up with

16...c4!

Havana 1 965

which clears the c5-square for the pieces, consolidates the queenside and... but let's not anticipate. For the moment, the main problem remains finding an adequate answer to the obvious

Kholmov does not give us details about how his novelty was born, whether it was over-the-board inspiration or as a result of thorough home preparation. I am more inclined to believe that the latter is true, because his much younger but already very strong opponent was a firm adherent of the exchange on c5 (irrespective of Black's set-up) and had previously obtained a few convincing victories in this very line.

If the bishop retreats, 1 8.tLlf5 would be strong, when 1 8 . . .Lf5 would not only lose time but also clears the e4-square for the g5knight. 1 8.tLld5 also deserves consideration, because the knight is taboo in view of the x ray pressure against the h7-square. However, it is still an open question whether White can consolidate the knight on d5 after a calm queen retreat.

Fischer - Kholmov

17.lLlg5

49


The next move must have come as a bolt from me blue for Fischer.

17...h6!!

This is very deep, high-class strategy! Not only does Black not prevent the exchange that looks so "ugly" for him, but he spends a tempo provoking it!

18.ttlxe6 £x:e6

give the position a closed character in which, hopefully, his slight delay in development would lose relevance. This looks correct because Black cannot capture on b3 in view of the radical activation ofWhite's light-squared bishop, when the kingside weaknesses would become very relevant. However, the future world champion missed one hidden detail, which has not been mentioned so far...

19 ttld4! •..

The time has come to evaluate me consequences of Black's unexpected plan. White has invested a considerable amount of t ime (6 moves to be more precise) in knight moves, hoping to put Black's kingside and centre under serious pressure. From the point of view of strict development, all mis effort has been almost in vain because one of the knights has been exchanged while the other's activity has been strongly restricted by the e6-pawn. In the meantime, Black has activated his position move by move. For instance, his last move has opened the f-file for the king's rook, which in conjunction wim a further ...�c5 can lead to unpleasant pressure against the f2-square. At me same time, the weakness of the light squares induced by me recent exchange of pieces is not so relevant because me c2-bishop is restricted by bom sides' pawns. Fischer's next move is a logical reaction if we take all mese aspects into account.

19.M?

'White takes the c5-square under control, aiming to restrict Black's minor pieces and

The brilliant crowning of Black's superior strategy. The move itself is not so difficult to see, of course, but the abstract concept is remarkable. It appears that the "problem knight" does not necessarily have to be rerouted by laborious manoeuvres, but can also act very effectively from c6. In order to make this happen the perfect coordination of all the other forces was required. For instance, the presence of a pawn on c4 is essential in order to enable a further fork by means of ... d3, while without a firm control on d5 White could refute the combination with 20.cxd4 exd4 2 1 . tt:l d5!.

20.cxd4 exd4 2l.a3

As pointed out by Kholmov,

the main drawback of 1 9.b4 was that it weakened the long dark diagonal, which allows Black to answer 2 1 .e5 d3 22.exf6 (aiming to give up the queen for three minor pieces) with the simple 22 ...�xf6.

21...d3 22..bd3 �xd3

Black has obtained a clear advantage, which he confidently converted into a win.

. . . 0-1

Vistaneckis

-

Kholmov

Vilnius 1 953

l.d4 I suspect that Kholmov's inspiration when designing his new plan came from the following game which he had won twelve years earlier in a completely different opening.

1...ttlf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 d6 4.g3 g6 5 .ig2 J.g7 6.ttlc3 0-0 7.ttla e6 8.dxe6?! •

50


This move is an obvious concession. White gives up his space advantage and helps Black to develop at the same time. To a certain extent it is similar to the exchange on c5 in the Chigorin Ruy Lopez, although we know that in fact the Rauzer variation is perfectly sound.

8...he6 9.tLlgS

This incursion by the knight looks even more appealing than in the previous game. However, from the point of view of development it certainly does not help White much.

9 tLlc6!? .•.

When this game was played, theory 9 . . .ixc4 1 O.�xb7 lLlbd7 recommended 1 1 .�xa8 �xa8 with compensation for the sacrificed exchange. However, Kholmov's move looks more logical, because it develops the last minor piece. Remarkably, immediately after the white pawn has been removed from d5, Black's pieces occupy the active e6- and c6-squares.

10.tLlxe6 fxe6

Optically, the situation looks better for White than in the previous game. The active light squared bishop is in a better position to exploit the relative weakness of the light squares in the enemy's territory. However, Black's pawn structure is more flexible in this game. The common point between the two games is that the aesthetically desirable exchange on e6 led to an increase in Black's control of the centre and left White slightly underdeveloped.

1 1.0-0

If 1 1 .�f4 Black could defend his d6-pawn with 1 l ...lLld4! and if 1 2.e3 then 1 2 . . . lLl f5.

1 1...�e7 12.i,gS h6 13.if4 gad8

Black has comfortably completed his development, while White still needs two tempi to do the same. Symptomatically, the next natural move leads to immediate material losses.

14.�d2?

It was hard to resist the temptation to connect rooks, but a more detailed examination of the position and a better sense of danger would have revealed the necessity of putting the c5pawn under indirect pressure with 14.Ek l .

14...g5! 15 ..ie3 dS!! Just as against Fischer, Kholmov's strategic achievements explode tactically after White's first moment of carelessness.

16.cxdS exdS 17.tLlxdS tLlxdS 18.hd5t 'i!?h8 White cannot escape the pin now.

19.9ac1

Too late.

19 ... b6 20.,ixgS Other moves would not help either. For instance, 20.�xc6 :Sxd2 2 1 ..ixd2 �d6 winning one of the bishops or 20.a3 �e5 2 U 'lfd l lLle7 (variations indicated by Kholmov) .

20...hxgS 21.e4 tLld4 22.f4 gxf4 23.gxf4 gxdS! 24.exdS tLle2t 2S.'i!?g2 �e4t 26.ga tLlxf4t 0-1 Let us return to the Chigorin Ruy Lopez. In later games (some of them played by correspondence, but never again at the top level in practical chess) White tried to improve with 1 9.a4, when the combination no longer works because of the queen sacrifice mentioned above. However, after 1 9 . . . ic5 20.axb5 axb5 2 1 .b3 the black queenside is only apparently vulnerable. Black can ignore the pawn tension and quietly build up his kingside pressure because bxc4 can always be met by . . . b4! undermining the d4-square, when once again it appears that the knight can be quite useful on c6. In essence, we can state that Kholmov's plan put an end to 1 7.lLlg5. New directions

of investigation

Quite naturally, White started rehearsing the other knight move, which is more consistent, as can be inferred from the fact that the main theoretical discussion lasted longer than juS! one game. What's more, as we shall have the opportunity to see, theory's recommendations and conclusions are rather questionable in this line.

The Rubinstein System The first real test was the following game, which had great competitive significance. Tal - Korcbnoi Candidates Semi-Final, Game 5, Moscow 1 968 Ihrough the years Korchnoi had traditionally been a difficult opponent for Tal, and had an overwhelming score in their previous encounters. However, the first part of their Candidates Match was marked by the strong initiative of the fonner world champion. Ihe first three games ended in draws, but Tal missed two clear wins in his �es with White. Korchnoi managed to win the fourth game, which to a certain extent re-established the pre match psychological situation. . For the present game Tal switched from l .d4 to the more aggresis ve 1 .e4, probably thinking that, finally, the time had come to score against his dreaded rival. Korchnoi refrained from his favourite weapons, the French Defence and the Open Ruy Lopez, in favour of the Rubinstein system and soon they reached the position we are mvestlgatlng. •

•

51

the whole Rubinstein system was prematurely frozen unanimously proclaim 17.. J'!fe8 as Black's main continuation. They do not pretend it offers easy equality, but slighdy neglect the capture on f5 on the basis of erroneous analytical conclusions. The · rook move certainly · looks logical (it continues developing without releasing the tension) and practice has proven it is playable. However, giving . up the dark-squared bishop is an important concession, because it leaves several squares along the a3-ffl diagonal without sufficient derence. Here is an illustration of the problems Black could face: 1 8.liHh4 Well played. Before capturing on e7, White brings the reserve-knight one step closer to the f5-square. 1 8 ...�h8!? (preparing the knight's retreat to g8: a typical regIOuping by Karpov) 1 9.1Llxe7 1!ixe7 20."f«f3 lLld7 21.lLlf5 "f«ffl22..le3 Both sides have the first . phase of their mobilization, but White's position is more active. Black's next move could have led to an abrupt finish.

•

17.�f5

17 J.x5 The most natural answer and, according to my analysis, the best way to deal with White's kingside activity. Theory books published afrer the year when . ..

22 ... lLlc5? (As always, this is an optimal square for Black's minor pieces, but in this particular case the knight obviously lacks stability here. 22 .. .£6 has been recommended as better, some of the sources indicating equality, but this would only be the correct way to reach the game position afrer 23J''!edl lLlc5.) 23J3edl (I have refrained from awarding a question mark to this move for subjective reasons. Had White seen

52


the relatively simple combination 23.liJxg7! @xg7 24.�h6t @xh6 25.�f6t @h5 26.g4t+ we would have missed several instructive moments regarding the weakness of the a3-fS diagonal that occurred in the next phase of the game. True, the combination reveals another relative weakness in Black's position, the g7square.) 23 . . . f6 Both sides seem to have equal rights in the fight for the only open file. At the same time, White does not have effective pawn breaks yet. However, after 24J'l:d6! it appears that the queen is not a reliable replacement for the bishop for the purpose of ensuring Black's stability in the centre. 24 . . . Elxd6 25 .hc5 Eldl t (Black consistently refrains from capturing on f5 , in order to keep the enemy bishop passive. In doing so, he probably hoped to simplify the position by means of exchanges along the d-file without having to make any major concessions. It should be said that after 25 . . .�xf5 26.exf5 l"ledS 27 ..ie4 liJe7 2S ..ixd6 l"lxd6 29.b4+, followed by a4, White maintains an edge, too, mainly because of the difference in activity berween the bishop and the knight.) 26.Elxd1 �xc5 27.l"ld6! It is not a good sign for Black that White's pieces feel at home on such advanced positions, deep in enemy territory. 27 . . ..ifl (Black decides to avoid the worst by preventing �h5 . Against the obvious 27. . . g6? Kavalek gives the spectacular 2S.liJe7!! l"lxe7 29.�xf6t winning an essential pawn with a decisive advantage for White. Once again we can see that the area of squares weakened by the exchange of the dark-squared bishop can easily be extended, this time to include the f6-square. At the same time, 27 ....ixf5 would be adequately met by 2S.Eld5± followed by exf5. The intermediate 2S . . ..ixe4? does not work because of 29.�xe4 threatening mate on h7.) 28.�dl + White's control of the open file cannot be challenged in any way. We can also see that Black's problem knight has not managed to find an adequate square yet and, given White's domination, will probably have to remain passive until the end of the game. 2S . . . liJbS Probably aimed to prevent Eld7. 29J''1 dS Another attacking move

on a dark square. 29 . . .�c7 30.liJd6! This simple tactical operation does not win material, bur simplifies the position in a way that increases the significance of the black knight's passivity to decisive proportions. 30 . . . ElxdS 3 1 .liJxflt �xfl 32.�xdSt �gS 33.�d6 For the fourth time a white piece lands on this square. Black is completely paralysed.

33 . . . �eS 34 ..id l ! The time has come to activate the bishop; the threat .ig4 is very strong. 34 . . . h5 A necessary weakening move, which fails to restrict the bishop completely, though. 3 5 . .ie2 @h7 36.b3 Finally, a diagonal will be opened for the bishop. White went on to win confidently in Kavalek - Karpov, Caracas 1 970.

IB.ex5 .§feB

Now this final developing move does not have any major drawback.


The n:ader probably remembers Botvinnik's comment about

this structure. By lengthening

his light-squared bishop's diagonal and opening the e-file for his major pieces, White

am

be

53

this move looks more unpleasant for Black than in Fischer With an

extta

tempo,

- JPtolmov.

17 BfdS lS.trf3JW6 •••

has acted in the spirit of the

Black has managed to consolidate the e6-

Rauzer variation. Before moving further, it is

square, but now Ra1!7er reveals his plan, without

useful to become acquainted with the original

even suspecting that it would

game that opened this whole stream of theory

throughout history.

Rarting with 13.dxc5.

19.�f5

satisfied that he

bear his name

20.cx5 h6 21.�e4 �xe4

�

.

- Riumin

Leningrad

1936

1.e4 e5 2.�f3 �c6 3iM a6 4..t.a4 �" 5.0-0 Ae7 6J;�el d6 7.
••.

•

77

The Rubinstein System Conceptually, this makes sense because after removing the d4-pawn White could design a better plan for his knight, consisting of its transfer to d5. Concretely, things are far less simple, because the queen will be rather exposed in the centre. 16.ge2 is typical in many lines of the Ruy Lopez. However, here it has the drawback of placing the rook on an exposed square, something that would not make itself fdt if White's centre were intact. Black's simplest way of solving his opening problems is the untested developing move 16 ie6 (A typical example of underestimating White's dynamic potential was 1 6...lLld7 17.�xd4 .tf6 when in the game Johannessen - Dworzynski, Moscow 1956, White missed l S.e5! he5 1 9.�e4 which would have left him with a decisive material advantage after 19...lLlf6 20.ti'xaS .ig4 21 .ti'xffit xffi 22.hxg4+-.) 17.'ffxd4 (Consistent, but not best. White could still have returned to similar paths as in the main line with 1 7.lLlg3 when after 1 7...lLld7 l S.�xd4 .tf6 19.�dl g6= Black would have little to worry about.) 17 ic4! (This is where the hanging position of the white pieces tells. The rook cannot abandon the second rank because of ...hf1 followed by ...ti'xc2.) 18id3 d5! (the exposed position of the white queen offers Black the possibility of activating with gain of time) 19.e5 (19.exd5 i.c5 20.ti'c3 lLlxd5+. 19.hc4 dxc4 20.e5 �adS+) 19 �d7+ White cannot easily deal with such threats as ... lLlc5-e6, ...i.c5 or simply ...hd3 followed by ... lLlxe5. The seemingly active 16..tb3 has the drawback of weakening the defence of the e4-pawn, which is best exploited by the alternate way of developing the cS-bishop, namely 16 .ib7, which has also not been tested yet. (As in the line starting with 1 6.i.f4, as examined above, I am slightly sceptical about 1 6...�b6 although after 1 7.lLlg3 �eS lS.i.g5 i.e6 1 9.he6 fxe6 20.�b3 i.dS 2 l .f4, as played in Milanovic - Kazhgaleyev, Issy les Moulineaux 2004, Black could have obtained a pleasant position with 21 ...lLld7 22.hd8 Elaxd8+. ••

••

•••

•••

possible improvement for White is 19.1Llf5! i.xf5 20.exf5±, when White's light-squared bishop is very strong, while the black d-pawns are far from impressive.) 17.tfxd4 (Again, this seems like asking for trouble. 1 7.lLlg3 is safer, although after 1 7... d5 I S.exd5 hd5= White is not entitled to hope for more than plain equality.) 17. .gae8! (the reasons behind choosing precisely this rook to place on eS will reveal themselves later) (In view of Black's planned opening of the centre, White defends his el -rook. I s.lLlg3 d5 1 9.e5 i.c5 would leave him with problems defending the e5-pawn. I S.�d3 is best answered by I S ...i.dS! which increases the pressure against the e4-pawn without disconnecting rooks. After 19.1Ll g3 d5 Black wins a pawn.) 18... �xe4! 19.9xe4 This intermediate move would not be possible with the alternate placement of rooks because of �xeS with check. Now; after the exchanges in the centre, White will lose the b2-pawn without any compensatton. .

A

.

•

9 In view of the threatened lLlf5, Black dears the f6-square for the bishop.

10 As we know, 17.ge2 is a natural alternative

to threaten the capture of the pawn. However, once again the rook proves to be vulnerable after 17...�e5 18ib3 (18.�xd4? is met by the typical trick 18 ....ixh3!+) and now, in Gumprich - De Carbonnel, corr. 195 1 , Black could have obtained a strong initiative with 18 d3 19.9e1 J.e6 20.£4 (20.he6 fxe6 2 1 .f4 leaves White over-extended after 2 1 . . ..th4 22.h2 lLlg6+) 20 ...lLlc4 (safely restricting the b3-bishop) 21.ti'xd3 .if6 22.ti'e2 d5! (underlining White's lack ofdevelopment and his prematurely created weaknesses in the centre) 23.e5 .th4 24.h2 f6!? 25.elf6 �ae8 with a strong initiative. It would be premature to start kingside activity before solving the problem of the hanging bishop. For instance: 17.�e; .if6 18.g4 (slightly better is I S.i.f4, but after 18 . . . lLle5 1 9.1Llxd4 lLlc4 20J'lbl i.e5 Black •••

•

7B


would obtain active play anyway) 18 lLle5 19.95 (The exposed position of White's light squared bishop makes itself felt after the generally desirable 1 9.1Llxd4 when Black has the simple tactical manoeuvre 1 9 . . . lLlxg4 20.hxg4 ,hd4 2 I .Wixd4 Wixc2+ at his disposal.) 19 ..td8 20.f4 Now in H. Prokopp - Haese, corr. 1 9B7, Black should have taken advantage of his lead in development with 20 :&c5 21.cbg2 22.ex5 .la5 23.�f1 (23.!!e2 d3 24.,hd3 "efd5t-+) 23 �ac8 24.J.e4 d5+. •••

••

••

•••

1 1 Black prevents the unpleasant threat .ld5

and plans to further restrict the enemy bishop by means of ...lLlc4. Again, I do not entirely trust 17 Yfb6 although it eventually led Black to victory in the historic game Lasker - Tarrasch, Germany (m) 1 90B. After 18.J.dS �a7 19.J.f'4 1Lle5 20.m3 play would transpose to the game Enders Lukacs (see above, the 1 6.i.f4 variation). •••

12 Black also gets comfortable development after 18.ffxd4 J.f6 19.ffd3 ILlc4 20.�e2 .te6 21.lLlh5 .te5 22.1Llf4 (Continuing to chase the

bishop with 22.f4? allows 22..."efc5t 23.Wh2 ,hb2 24.,hb2 "efxh5 when after 25 ..ld4 Black em undermine the enemy centre with 25 ...d5+ when White's compensation for the lost pawn is questionable.) 22 g&s •••

•.

13

Black has developed his pieces harmoni ously and enjoys a comfortable position.

14

White makes a generally useful move, inviting Black to define his intentions. In his attempts to avoid the heavily analyzed variations, Tal occasionally employed this variation in the late sixties.

15

Also a useful move. If Black continues in the same way as against Lasker's variation, with 13...cxd4 14.cxd4 �xd4 15.�xd4 ad4 White can continue with 16.�a followed by lLlxd4, thus saving a tempo over the manoeuvre lLlfl -g3-f5xd4.

•

16 The only way to give some meaning to the

previous move. Otherwise, the insertion of a3 and ....id7 would clearly favour Black.

17 To me, this rare move looks like the most

natural way to continue. The theory books generally recommend 15 �fc8 16.J.b3 a5 17.J.b2 as played a couple of times at a high level. However, I do not like the idea of leaving the f7-square vulnerable because this would practically force Black to play ....ie6 soon, leading to a slightly ugly pawn structure. My general impression is that, although he is not really in trouble, Black is struggling a little. •••

Theory gives 16.J.bl as the reason why the other rook should be placed on cB. This does not make much sense, because the bishop is simply passive on b I . 16 exc14 (after 1 6...!!feB 1 7..ib2 .ifB I B.lLlfl as played in Liberzon - Krogius, Rostov on Don 1971, White may indeed retain a tiny edge) 17.J.b2 Ae6 Targeting the c4-square. This relative loss of time is compensated by the enemy bishop's retreat. 18.lLlxd4 lLlxd4 19.hd4 ILld7 The weakness of the c4-square and Black's piece activity compensates for White's more compact pawn structure.

18

•••

19

The reader is familiar with the general reasons why I prefer this move to 17...1fb6 (see 1 3.lLlfl). An additional detail is that Black enables the over-defending of his extra pawn by means of ....!dB-b6.

20 18.1Llf1 .Ad8 19.1Llxd4

is strongly met by 1 9 ....lb6! 20.lLlxc6 .ixf2t 2I .Whl hOO when 22..ixf6 gxf6 23.Wig4t WhB 24.!!e2 does not offer White attacking chances because of 24....ld4 followed by ....ie5.

21 Black has an active position. 22 As

mentioned in the introduction, this move is part of White's general plan. The fact that it is played at an earlier stage should not


distract Black from the system of development employed in Fischer - Kholmov.

23

After having kept the queen's knight on d2 for so long, White relied on this thematic pawn break. However, Black's better development and good central control offers him sufficient resources to cross White's plans. It should be said that 19.�fl transposes to Fischer - Kholmov with the significant difference that Black has saved the tempo spent he would certainly not on ...h6. After be worse.

24 An attractive move, putting the vulnerable f2-square under serious pressure, but the immediate 19 b4, fighting for the d4-square, is also possible. For instance: 20.Bxe4 bxc3 2l.�f3 (White should not define his queens intentions too soon. 21 .Wfxe6t?! would release the pin along the c-file, when after 21 ...'.:t>hB 22.ti)f3 Blackwould immediatelytake advantage of the queenside structural modifications by means of22...ti)b4+. Instead, 21 .ti'xc3 removes the threat against the e6-pawn too soon, allowing Black strong counterplay after, for instance, 21 ...ti'b6 22.ti)f3 J.b4 23.ti'e3 ti)d4!.) 21. Bc8 (Black solves both his tactical problems with just one stroke. The e6-pawn is defended and the pin on the knight is removed.) 22.ga4 •••

79

winning the queen) 21. bId 22.Bxc5 (22.ti)f3 is no fun either after 22...ti)b4 23.J.b 1 m6 planning to indirectly defend the advanced c-pawn with .. .l:kB. The immediate capture of the pawn with 24.Bxc3? allows 24 ....bf2tFt with the point that after 25JJ:xf2 B:d1 t 26.ti)el Black has 26...Bxf2t! 27.c.t>xf2 ti)xe4t when 2B. c.t>e2 fails to 2B ... ti)xc3t defending the d1-rook and mating on the next move.) 22...cxd2 23 .tb2 gfl (This move eventually led to Black's advantage, but the unexpected 23 ...Bf7!?, aiming to combine the pressure in the centre with kingside threats, deserves serious attention, too. The tactical point is that the c6-knight does not really hang in view of ...B:cB followed by ...B:xc2. A possible continuation would be 24.B:ad1 ti)d4 25 ..hd4 exd4 26.J.d3 ti)h5 27.B:xd2 ti)f4 2B.ti'g5 ti'b7= L\ . . . Bxb3, . . . ti)xd3, . . . ti'xe4.) 24.f3? (White does not need this consolidating move. It was imperative to cover the d-pawn with 24.B:fd1 when after 24 ... ti)b4 25.ti'xc7 B:xc7 26.J.b1°o White would keep things under relative control.) 24 �b4! 25.Bxc7 k7 26 .tdl Obviously forced now. 26 �d3 27.ga2 �h5 28.�h2 gent Kuijpers - Zuidema, Amsterdam 1 966. ••

•

•••

•

•••

••

�d4 23.Bxc8 �xf3t 24.gxf3 'hc8 25.ga6 �floo Levenfish - Lilienthal, USSR (ch) 1 940.

25 Who has said "A"

must... It might seem that White must continue the active operations initiated on the queenside. Indeed, 20.�f3 would allow 20 �h5 with .. .. .. .. some IDltlatlve. However, the prophylactic defence of the f2-pawn with 20.gfl might be better. The insertion of the last two moves certainly adds force to 20 b4! but things ate far from dear yet, for instance 21.Bxc4 (2 1 .cxb4 loses material to 2 1 ...ti)d4 22.Wfxc4 lLlxc2 because 23.Wfxc2? is impossible in view of 23 ...hf2t! •••

•••

26 The first knight joins the attack, jumping direcdy into the fire.

27

�d4! The second knight shates

his brother's fate. Curiously, Minic gave this brilliant move as leading only to equality. 24.cxd4 YNxe4t 25J�e2 Ae3t (Grabbing material with 25 ...hd4t? 26.c.t>el .hal ? immediately turned the tables after 27.B:f2!± in Van den Berg - Nei, Beverwijk 1 966. As a curiosity, I would mention that Nei was one of Spassky's dose collaborators and accompanied him as a second to the match against Fischer.) 26.c.t>el bd2t 27.c.t>xd2 YNxd4t This position was given in Informant as equal. Black obviously has a perpetual at his disposal, but given White's lack of coordination and the exposed position of the king he can play for more. 28..td3 (28.c.t>el ? leads to catastrophe

�

,,

I

80


after two unexpected checks: 28 ...�c3t 29.Eidl �g3t!) 28 �xa1 The white king remains surrounded by dangers. •••

28 This

move implies an early commitment in a similar way to 1 4.a4.

29 The bishop

feels very comfortable on e6

now.

30 White's main idea consists of placing his queen more actively than on e2 as in the main line, but we shall see that this is a far from one sided aspect.

31 The most consistent continuation. 17.ltlg4 �xg4 18.hxg4 leaves Black with a queenside initiative after 18.. b4f. 17.i.g5 helps Black regroup with 17 �d7 18.he7 �xe7 19.9ad1 �c5f 1h-lh Cioclltea

played more passively: 19 J!M7 20.a4 %Yb6 (even now 20 ... 1t1d4! was possible) 2UM1 gxd1 t 22.%Yxdl± Marulovic - Reshevsky, Skopje 1 970. Having been Fischer's rival for so many years, Reshevsky would have enjoyed the feeling of replaying over-the-board at least part of his older game. ••

38 21.e5 d3 (2 1 ...�xe5? 22.1t1f5!±) 22.elf6 bf6! 23.�g4 hal 24.ftxe6t fJIfl 25.�xf7t �d2 28.iLh5t g6 'ifixf7! 26.J.d1 d2 27 29.gxa1 gxh5-+ Kholmov 39 Fischer - Kholmov, Havana 1 965. 40 Just

another form of unjustified activity: symmetrical to 19.h4?

.

•••

- Ghinda, Bucharest 1 980. In fact, Ghinda has never been a Ruy Lopez expert with the black pieces, which makes me wonder whether this was a pre-arranged draw.

32 Suddenly, the main drawback of White's whole concept is revealed: the e I-rook lacks defence, enabling the very unpleasant threat ... ttJd4. This is a consequence of the over-ambitious placement of the queen combined with the delay in queenside development.

33

1 8.ttJf5? loses material to 1 8.. 19.exf5 ltld4! 20.�dl ttJb3!+.

34 Black's initiative takes concrete form, while White's attack has not even started yet.

35 Clearing the e5-square for the knight. 36

23.bxc3 gfe8 24..Ac2 ttJd3+ Bagirov - Kolpakov, USSR 1 969.

37 Curiously, in a later game played at GM level, Black was not aware of this move and

41

Considerably stronger than 19 �xg4 which allows White to remove his queen from its vulnerable square with 20.fJIxg4. However, Black has good play here, too. His attacking potential is revealed by the following game: •••

20 gf6 21.J.e3 J.d6 22.'I'e2 �e7 23.ged1 �g6 24.g3 gdfS 25.M J.c5 26.gfl �f4! A •••

logical tactical explosion, made possible by the accumulation of kingside tension. 27 (27.gxf4 exf4 28 ..bc5 f3 29.�e3 [otherwise ...�xc5] 29 ... Eig6t 30.'ifihl �d8-+) 27mexf4 28.e5 f3 29.�el? (better was 29.�e4 gf5 30.gael when White can still fight) 29 g£4! 3O.'ifih2 (30.gxf4 Eixf4 �Eig4, �e7xh4 mate.) 30mfJIe7 and 0-- 1 in Jongman - Praagman, corr. 1 980. •••

20.gfl

fails to safely defend the £2square after 20...ttJxg4. For instance: 21.fi'xg4 (21 .hxg4 �a7 22.b4 J.b6 there is sufficient room along the gl-a7 diagonal 23.a4 Eixrz 24.gxf2 gf8+) 21 .Jhf'2! 22.lhf'l mB+ De Baker - Toliusis, corr. 1 974 42

••

43 Just like that! White is big trouble. We can see here why the queen is badly placed on e2. Besides being en prise after the knight's move, it will enable the threat ...d3 one move later.


44 22.gadl lilxg4 23.%Yxg4 dxe3 24.fxe3 �e5-+ Juarez

-

�h51 28J�fl gxf'l!-+

27

Lie - Stilling,

corr. 1 973.

Trois, Mar del Plata 1 970.

45 BlJwjanu - Widenmann, corr.

81

20.J.d2 looks like a logical developing move,

but it

1 980.

is too late for such a solid approach from

White. Black gets a very strong attack after

•

46 1his is a more sensible move. White tries to

20 �h5! •••

(20 .. :�f7 is inferior, but playable.

undermine Black's queenside, reducing the force

2 1 .bxc4 b4 22.cxb4 gxdZ 23.�xdZ ixb40Ci

of an eventual knight move to d4 as we shall see.

However, 20 ... lild4?! is not recommendable in view of 2 1 .cxd4 exd4 22.bxc4 dxe3 23.ixe3+

47

The standard reply. Black increases his

pressure against the enemy kingside and ignores Whites threat of winning a pawn.

19...�d4

is less indicated now because of

White's pressure against the c4-sqlJare, for

21.g3 �f4! 22.gd4 exf4 23.�fl f3 24.tfdl flfl With all his pieces massed on the back rank, White cannot survive Black's attack.

21. bxc4

Topolski - Smoljan, corr.

Scholl, Netherlands 1 970, leaves the c6-knight

is also playable for White)

22.bxc4 e5

1 969/72.)

49 Preparing to double rooks on the f-file. 20 tffl as successfully played in Zuidema -

instance 20.ad4 exd4 21.�xc4 (21 .bxc4 dxe3

22.ixe3;!;

Bohatirchuk - Heilemann, corr.

••

•••

undefended, allowing

1973.

21.bxc4 M 22 .la4! •

when after a further exchange on c6 the control

48 Probably the safest continuation, keeping

White in the game by defending the vulnerable f2-sqlJare.

of the d4-sqlJare will no longer give Black such a strong initiative.

20 J:lc8 aims to prepare the ttansfer of the ••

20.�dl looks rather passive but might not be

so easy to refute. 20

queen to f7. Personally; I do not like the idea

tffl21.bxc4 �h5 22.J.e3 lild4 23.ad4 exd4 24.J.d2 d3 25.hd3 �g3 26.tff3 tfg6 27.tfg4 tfxg4 28.hxg4 �d3 29 .le3 �xe4= Mrdja - Lengyel, Prague 1 979. 20.bxc4 prematurely blocks the c4-square

23.bxc4 M with reasonable compensation for

and leads to a very dangerous black attack after

White should put the enemy queenside

•••

•

of losing a tempo so easily but in practice the

move has worked after 21.a4 tffl 22.am5 axb5 Black in Kavalek - Cuellar, Sousse 1 967.

50

20 M. For instance: 21..tb2 (2 1 .cxb4 lDd4+) 21 bxc3 (simpler than 2l ...%Ya5 22.lildl gd�

under pressure before it is too late.

23.1Yfl ? lilh5! 24.�h2 gxd l ! 25.ixdl gxf2-+

attack.

•••

•••

lild4

E. Kuzmin - Trupan, corr. 1 984)

23 .ixd4 exd4 24.�dl 'f!Ye5 •

(Black does not

need to hurry with 24 ... d3. True, after 25.ixd3 �e5 26.lDe3 lDh5 27.lilg4? he delivered a nice tactical blow with 27 .. .l:'1xf2!! 28.lilxe5 gn t

forcing White's immediate resignation in Mull - Lengyel, Dortmund

1 988. The possible

mating positions are instructive, for instance

21..td2�! once again allows 21 �h5 with an •••

51 26.tfxflt � 27.axb5 axb5 28 .lb2 •

b4ii3 Black's control of the dark squares offers

him entirely adequate compensation for the small material deficit.

52 After

the game Fischer - Kholmov, this

move has been unanimously recommended as

29.�h2 .igl t 30.�hl lilg3 mate or 29.�f1

White's best chance of retaining an advantage.

lilg3 mate. However, White

However, practice and my analysis prove that

can

improve with

27.�c2 when 27 ... gd7 leaves Black with just compensation for the sacrificed pawn.)

25.�b2

25...d3! Now the situation is ripe for this sacrifice. 26.�xd3 gxd3 (25.gb l lilh5 with an attack)

Black has excellent play here.

53

As

usual,

the

most

consistent •

contmuatlon. •

•

•

•

82


19 �d4 is interesting, but leads to unclear consequences. 20.cxd4 exd4 21.e5! (The •••

only way to question the soundness of the knight sacrifice. In practice, White has gone down quickly . by choosing other moves. 2 1 .lbd5? shows that White intuitively felt an intermediate move was needed, but picked the wrong piece. 2 1 ...exd5 22.exd5 lbxd5 23.�e6t 'iiih8 24..te4 gf6 25.�g4 .tc5 26 ..txd5 gxd5 27.ge8t l'HS-+ Behling - lange, corr. 1 974. 2 1 ..tb l ? is simply too passive. 2 l ...d3 22.�dl lbxe4 23.lbg4 lbxf2 24.lbxf2 gxf2 25 ..te3 gxb2-+ Winsnes - Lengyel, Gausdal 1 988.) 21. dxe3 (2 1 ...�xe5? 22.lbf5±; 21 ...d3 22.exf6 dxe2 23.fxe7 �xe7 24.gxe2±; 2 1 ...lbd7? 22.axb5 axb5 23.lbg4 d3 24.lbxh6t gxh6 25.�g4t 'iiih7 26.�xe6 with an attack) 22.e1f6 (22.�xe3 .tc5 23.�e2 lbh5 24.J.e3 lbf4 with an attack) 22...elflt 23.trxno (23. 'iiixf2 .tc5t 24..ie3 �h2 25.J.e4 gxf6t 26..if3 he3t 27.�xe3 gd3 28.�e4 gfx8t 29.�xf3 &f3t 30.'iiixf3 �d6+) 24.tre20 1Yg3 (�25 ....ic5t 26.'iiihi .id6) 25.guloo This move finally justifies the advance of the a-pawn. After the capture on a3 the position is not entirely clear, but I would prefer White. •.

54

Again, this move is the best way to anticipate Black's intended attack. 20.b3 ab3 (20...lbd4?! is premature. After 2 1 .cxd4 exd4 22.ti)xc4 bxc4 23.�xc4 d3 as played in Christiansson - Garbacki, core. 1 985/88, White could have consolidated his advantage with 24..ie3!±.) . �xe4 n.ub5 uh5 23••xb5 �e7 24.£3 (24.he6t leaves the bishop exposed after 24...'iiih8 25.13 ti)g5 when 26..ig4 e4 looks dangerous for White) 24._�g5 25.h4 gbS 26 •a5 (The exposed white queen has to mind each step. · 26.�c4? is bad because of 26...gf4!-+.) 26....xa5 27.'ha5 �xf3t 28.gx:f3 Lb3+ The position is most probably drawn, but it is White who has to fight for it, because of his weaker pawn structure. •

55 This seems to be the best way to increase

the pressure against the enemy kingside.

The tempting 20...'eb6 has the significant drawback that it places the queen too far from the targeted wing. If the pressure along the gl a7 diagonal does not yield anything tangible, Black might just end up in a strategically inferior position. 21.axb5 axb5 22.�hl !i:Je7 23.g3 9c6 24.�g2 gf7 25. c,t>h2 gdf8 26.£3 !i:Jg6 This position was assessed as complicated by Suetin, on the basis ofa game played between the readers of two Soviet magazines ... Personally, I feel that Black's activity has reached a dead end and it is White who can start thinking about fighting for an advantage. 27 .ie3 !i:Je8 (27...lbh7!? fails to put White under serious pressure after 28.b4 he3 29.'iWxe3 lbg5 30.lbel + planning h4) 28.hc5 (28.b4!+) 28 �xc5 29.�e3 (We can feel that even if the rook's pressure does not have a threatening character, it somewhat restricts White's possibilities. For instance, he is not prepared to fight for the control of the a-file with 29.'iWe3? because of 29...'iWxe3 30.�xe3 gxf3.) 29 ...!i:Jd6 30.M m6 31.c,t>g2 Bf4 (3 l ...h5 32.h4 ga7!? with play on the a-file) 32.!i:Jg4 g4f7 After thorough preparation, White finally played 33.1!Ye3! in DUel Tatarczuk, corr. 1990. •

•••

56 Winning some space on the queenside. With his kingside under attack, White

is not prepared to handle the queenside tension after 22.b3?!. For instance: 22...�h5 23.1m:4 (23.g3 ti)f4! 24.gxf4 exf4 25.lbg4 13 26.tiel �h5 27.'iiih2 .td6t 28.e5 lbxe5-+) 23 �f4 24.9£3 b4� 25 .1a40 (aiming to exchange the dangerous knight before the d4-square becomes available) 25 ...'iWa7! 26.!i:Jc2 !i:Jd3+ 27.1Yg04 (27.hc6 �xf3 28.E1xa7 E1xf2 29.J.e3 ihflt 30.'i!?xfl ha7 31 .ha7 b3 32.!i:Ja3 b2-+ In view of the threat . . . E1c8 followed by . . . ga8 White cannot safely stop the far advanced pawn.) 27...�x£Z 28.9xe6t 'i!?h7 29.,hc6 Now, in J. Krimer - Korelov, core. 197 1 , Black could have won immediately with 29 'l'xall because the queen is taboo in view of the neat mate arising after 30.�xal !i:Jg4t •••

•

• ••

he3t 32.gn gdl.


23.cxM �d4 24 •dl!

57

•

(24.'1!fd2 .!iJf3t 25.gxf3 �xd2 26.Axd2 .!iJh5 with an attack) 24 �b3 25.hb3 Ldl •••

29.Ag4:t

�c3 2s.Ab2 e4

�xe4 27

The premature 19.�u7t?! helps Black regroup with 19 �xe7 20.Ae3 �c5 2Uledl •••

�g6! 22.�f5 �f4 23 •a �cd3 24.hf4 �xf4 25.h4 g6 26.�e3 h5 27.g3 �d3! cxd3 29.!d2 !d7 30.�g2 .Ag4 ¥.z-¥.z Suetin •

- Klovans, USSR 1 973.

5S

This attempt to distract the queen contains a tacit draw offer.

59 But Black does not need to repeat moves. With his last move (threatening both .!iJxe4 and .!iJg6-f4) he shows that the queen em also be well placed on b7. 60 1 9.

61

.ig5 �g8! Kavalek

.

62

22...f6 23.�adl .!iJc5 24.�d6 would be the correct move order to reach the game posltlon. •

63 23.�xg7! <Jag7 (23 ...'Bxg7 24.Axc5) 24 .Ah6t c.txh6 25 •f6t �h5 26.g4t+ •

•

67

20..!iJx5 .Af6? 21 ..!iJxg7!+Merlicek - Copak, COrI. 1980. (Possibly premature. 19 .ARi 20.J.g5 The immediate 20 ...g6 comes into account, for instance 2U�adl ��xd7 21...,Axg5 22.'Bxg5 f6 although Black's kingside remains vulnerable.) 21.�xf5 .Axg5 22.tfxg5 g6 23.!adl f6 24 •g4 �c5 25.�e3 Once the knight has done its kingside job, by provoking several weaknesses in Black's structure, it switches to the main path, leading to d5. 25 �e7 26.b4!:t Kozlowski - Wisniowski, corr. 199 1 . ••

•

1 9....!iJxe7 20..Ag5 .!iJd7 21.a4 .!iJc5 22.axb5 axb5 23.�edl �a8 24.!xa8 !xa8 25 ..!iJ5 f6 26..Ae3 .!iJx5 27.ex5 .tg8 28.Axc5 'lWxc5 29..ie4 �b8 30.�d7+ Browne - Cuellar, Skopje 1 972.

•

83

Kavalek

27.!d6! J.fJ (27 ...g6 28. .!iJe7!! �xe7 29.'Bxf6t Kavalek) 2S •dl �bS 29.!d8 .c7 30.�d6 Jb.dS 31.�xf'7t .xf'7 32.'BxdSt 'BgS 33 •d6 (33.'Bc7!? 'Be8 34.b3± Kavalek) 3 3 •e8 34.Adl h5 35 .Ae2 �h7 36.b3+ 64

•

•••

68 21 ...� 22.'Bg5± gxf5 ? 23.ex5 id5

24.f6 with .an attack, Pichler - Wiedenhoeft, corr. 1976.

69 A

popular move among correspondence players. White is openly playing for an attack. In practice, Black probably has not used all the defensive resources of the position, but this does not diminish the merits of White's plan. The more neutral 22.!adl leaves Black in relative safety after 22 �c5 23 •g5 f6co when the stable position of the black minor pieces compensates for the kingside weaknesses. •••

•

•

.•.

•

Kavalek - Karpov, Caracas 1 970.

65 This is a more consistent way to answer White's kingside · aggression than IS �hS. .•.

The knight is heading for c5, but it should be taken into account that after the eventual exchange of the dark-squared bishop it will enjoy only relative stability there.

70 23 f6? 24..!iJxg6t!+-; 23 J�gS!? 71 24....Ad5 25.�dl 'Bd6 26.f6 .!iJxf6 27.�f3 .!iJe4 28.Axe4 'Be7 29.'Be3 Axe4 30.�xd8 .!iJxd8 31 .�xe4+ Womble - Kulczycki, email 200 1 . •

72 27.�g3 �xg3 28.fxg3 �g8 29.@xg2±

Purho - Koskinen, corr. 1 979.

73

66 White is systematically increasing the

pressure.

••

•••

By preventing ig5 Black ensures the stability of the f6-knight. Practice has failed to cast doubts over this rarely seen move, but

84


I believe that the implicit pawn sacrifice is not entirely sound.

74 In the event of neutral play Black would be doing just fine. 19.�d2 gEes 20.�e4 �b8! 21.a4 (2 1 .tZlxf6t .i.xf6 22.a4 tZld7 23.axb5 axb5 24..ie3 tZlc5 25 ..txc5 �xc5 26..ie4 looks like a slightly improved form of the game position. The main difference is that the black bishop is passive. However, the position is more or less equal anyway.) 21 �bd7 (2l ...tZlxe4?! 22 ..txe4 tZld7 23.axb5 axb5 24J3a61 Cioclltea) 22.axb5 u:b5 23 .te3 �xe4 •••

•

24.he4 �c5 25.hc5 .Axe5 26.gccll .tb6 27.g3 'ffc5 1,o2-Jfl Cioclltea - Karpov, Hastings 1971.

75 Only this move, never tried in practice or suggested by theoreticians before, can question the correctness of Black's 1 8'" move. White intends to regain the piece only after completing his development. Of course, during practical games it is quite understandable that 20.'Bxe5 is played almost automatically, leading to approximate equality. 20 ..td6 21..e2D gfe8 22.J.e3 (22.�f1 �xel 23.t'lxe1 .ic5 24..id2 t'lb6 25.�dl �e8 26.�fl tZlh5 27.�el �d8 28 ..ie3 tZlg3 29.fxg3 he3t 30.�h2 �d2 31 .�e2 �xe2 32.t'lxe2 .igl t 33.�hl t'le3= Matulovic - Padevsky, Vrnjacka Banja 1 973) 22... �d5 23.'B6 �xe3 24Jhe3 8xe3 25.'Bxe3 .tc5 26 •e2 'Bf4 27.�dl 1,02 lh Kavalek - Spassky, Solingen 1 974. ••

•

76 22.f4? gd7! would force White to capture

on d6 anyway, leaving him with unnecessary weaknesses along the gl-a7 diagonal. The best way to neutralize Black's temporary mltlatlve. 77

•

•

•

•

78 25 ...�e2 26.W1xd2 �xd2 27.�cl± 6�f1-e1

79 27.t'ld2± White has managed to stabilize the position. Although it is not clear yet how

he can convert his aua pawn into a passed pawn, his advantage (although minimal) is indisputable.

80 20 ..ih4 tZld5 81 21..ie4?! �d4! (21 ...tZlb8? 22.h4 �e7

23.a4!± Ciric - Bouwmeester, Amsterdam 1 968) 22.cxd4 exd4 23.ftadl (23.�c2 d3 24..txd3 �xe1 t 25.�xel �f4; 23.a4?! d3 24.�d2 c3!+) 23 ge7 24.'Bd2 (24.t'lc2 d3) 24.. J�de8 25 •c2 (25..ib1 d3) 25. :BdS (25 ... d3? 26 ..txd3!; 25 ...�d6 26.b3 · d3 27.i.xd3 cxd3 28.�e7 dxc2! 29.�xe8t �h7 30.�xd6 cl =�t 3 1 .tZlel �b2oo) 26.'ftbl (26.i.c6 d3 27.�d2 �el t 28.tZlxel �e5;;) •••

.

•

26...d3 27.hd3 cxd3 28.8xe7 .xe7 29.b3 .c5 30.�xd3 gd8 31..f1 8xdl 32 •xdl 'Bx5=i= •

"

82 21. ...te7?! 22.�e4 f6 23.b3 cxb3 24.hb3t �h8 25.'Bg4 �a5 26..te6 rulI 27.ge3 with an attack, Ciric - Martinovic, Sarajevo 1 968.

21. ..�d4!? 22.cxd4 exd4 23 •xe8t gxe8 24.�xe8t Cit>h7 25 .ie4 (25.tZle4!?) 25...c3 (25 ... d3!? might be better, although after 26.ge1 Bd7 27..t6 the threat of •

•

doubling rooks along the eighth rank is rather annoying, preventing Black from enjoying his superiority in the centre and on the queenside)

26.bxd dxd 27.tZlb3 a5 28.Ac2 a4 29.�c1 'Bd7 30.�e2 M 31.�bl± Zuckerman Addison, New York 1 967.

83 23.�adl .ie7 24.g3 (24.tZlg3?! tZlf6

25.�xd8 �xd8 26.tZle4 tZlxe4 27.�xe4 �d2 28.g3 i.c5 29.�e2= Planinec - Smejkal, Amsterdam 1 973) 24...�d7! (24...�f6 25.tZlxf6t .txf6 26.i.e4 �xdl 27.�xdl �d8 28.i.d5 �c5 29.'I1;Ve4 �d6 30.�g2 �f8 3 1 .h4;!;)

25.Cit>g2 ged8 26.h4 tZlf6= 23.M!? i.e7 24.a4; 23.a4!? 84 23...cxb3 24.i.xb3 tZlxc3? 25.�xf6t gxf6

26.'I1;Vh5 �g7 27.�e3 with an attack.

85


23 �7 24.bxc4 bxc4 25.L4 liJf4 26.�g4 ••

23.ti'8 liJxe4 24.%Yxe4 .tc5 25.hc5 %Yxc5 26.Bad1= Ih-Ih Stein - Smyslov, Mar del Plata 1 966.

h5 27.%Yg3 Bd3 A...Bed8

85 24.liJxc3? cxb3!+ 26.�xh6? bxc2 27.Be3 Bd1 t 28.�h2 e4t 29.Bg3t %Yxg3t-+ 86

87

20.�e4 liJbd7 2 1 ..ie3 ll)xe4 22.he4 ll)c5

26 coth7 (26...�g7 27.�g3t �h7 •••

to the main line.) 27.BccH (27..txf7! �xf7 28.%Yxc3=/±, X�h7) 27 M 28.83 e4! (28...a5 29.axb4 axb4 30.Ba7 liJe2t 3 1 .�h2 %Yxc1 32.Bxf7t �h8 33.ti'xe2B 29.axM: Bd3 3o.Bel e3! 31�?! (31.�h1 Be7 32.8 e2+) 31 Bdl 32.fxe3 �e2t transposes

92 21.Badl h6 22.�e4 �xe4 23.he4 �f6 Yi'xc5 26.Rrd8 BId8 24..tc2 .Ac5 27.Bdl (27.ti'xe5 ti'xe5 28.Bxe5 Bd2-+ x.tc2, �b2, a2) 27...'hdl t e4 29.g4 Yi'd6 Bf4 31..e3 .xe3 32.fxe3 'iI1f8 33.Wf'2 g5= Zuckerman - Reshevsky, New York 1 965.

•••

33.cothl �g3t 34.cotgl Be2 35.Bdl 1fb7 36.e4 B8xc4! 0-1 Tal - Korchnoi, Moscow (esf/5)

93 25.Bedl? BIdl t 26.Yi'xdl (26.Bxd1 e4 27.liJxe4 ll)xe4 28.he4 �e5+) 26 :.00 27.�a e4 28.�d4 Yi'd5 29.Ba6 hd4 30 •xd4 Yi'xd4 (30 ...�xf5Ft) 31.cxd4 Bb8 32.cotfl �d5; Ivkov - Robatsch, Havana

1968.

1 965.

•••

88

h6 (20...f6? 21 .Badl± Parma -

Ostojic, Skopje 1969. 20.. .hg5 21 .hd5 Bxd5 22.liJxg5t Parma) 21..te3 (21.Badl?! liJxc3 elf4 22.bxc3 hxg5!F) 21...�f4 (23 ..tc2 �f8 A....t(6) 23 •xc6 24.�d4 Bd7 25 •8 J.f6. •••

•

89 21.�xg5 �f6 22.�e4! �xc4 23.jxc4 �b8 24.a4? (24.f6!±) 24...�d7 25.axb5 axb5 26.Bd5 �c5! 27.Bedl (27.f6? Bxd5 28.hd5 'i9d6!=t= A...'i9xf6) 27...lhd5 28.Bxd5 (28.hd5!?) 28 f6 29 •e3 �xe4 30 •xe4 Boo •

•••

•

1J1-1h Vasiukov - Suetin, USSR 1968. 90 2 1 .hf6 liJxf6 22.liJg5

••

•

94 27.Bedl

BedS. 28.Bxd6 Bxd6 29.BaS Bu8 g6 (30....idB= Ivkov) mg7 32.g3 Bd7 33.ft'8 ft'dl! 34.f6t mh6 35.mg2 Bel 36.M!? (36..ic6 e4! 37.he4 [37.�f4t g5 3B.%Y5 e3] 37....ixf2 3B.ti'f4t g5 39.ti'5 ti'gl t 40.�8 �xg3t 41 .�e2 �e3t 42.�f1 ti'el t Ivkov; 36..tc2 �d2 37..tb1 �el = Ivkov) 37."flYg4?? (37..ic6 .ie3 3B.hb5 �xc3 39.g4 ti'd2t 40.�h3 g5 41 .�aB! .ic5!!= Ivkov) 37 .te3 38."flYc8 •••

40.g4 mg7 41.g5 Bf'2t 39.mh3 Bflt 42.,tg2 'Bd3 43.cotg4 .tf2 0--1 Ivkov

- Mecking, Sousse 1 967.

95 2 1 .ti'8 d3 22 ..if4 .td6 23.hd6 �xd6

liJb8=

91 20.M �bd7 21.a4 as 22.axb5 aM 24.Bdl .tc5 (24....tc3!?) 25.�xf'7! Wxf'7 26.Bxc4t WfB 27.1133 Bc8 28 .tb3 •

(28.Bxd7 ttlxd7 29..ib3 �e7 3o.Lc5t �xc5 31 .'i9f7t �d8 32.�xg�) 28 .l:le7 29.Bacl ••

24.Bxe8t BxeB 25.ti'd1 Be2 with decisive threats in Lorensen - Kling, corr. 1 972.

96 2 1 ...d3?! 22.liJxf6t gxf6 23.�g4t �h8 24..ih6 13g8 25.Vge4 .tb4 26 ..id1 LeI 27.V9xe1±

bf'2t 3O.'iI1xf2 Ba7t 31..d40 Bxd4t (31 ...exd4 32.Bxc8t liJe8 33.�7t �xe7 34.Belt �f6 35.Bcxe8 d3too) 32.Bxd4 !xcI

33.Bxd7 �xd7 34.hc1 �c5 35..tc4 �e4t 36.Wa �d6 37 .ie2 Bb7 38 .tb� Ih-Ih •

Tseitlin - Smirnov, USSR 1966.

•

23.�f1 d3 24 ..tdl ti'a5! 25.Bxe8t Bxe8 26.ie3 hb2 27.Bb1 .td4+ 97

'.

98 24 •e3 h6!? 25.Bdl .tg5 26 •el •

•

(26.f4 .tf6 A ...td4, A ...13d4 27.ti'8 c3) .

•

h


B6

26...d227 gxe4T Soldner - Weinitschke, corr. 1 970.

24.'I'dl c3 25.bxc3 'lWxc3 26.�bl d2+ 99 Konikowski - Ronczkowski, corr.

1 97 1 .

100

By taking preventive measures against the eventual advance of the black c-pawn, White declares his intentions of submitting the b5-pawn to strong pressure by means of a4, i.d3, 'lWe2 and, eventually, ltlbl-a3. This plan aims to provoke the advance of the b-pawn, with the subsequent weakening of the c4-square, but is rather time-consuming, allowing Black to organize his kingside counterplay.

101 This is the most frequently played move. Black strictly follows Rubinstein's regrouping. However, in those cases when White delays the ' transfer of the d2-knight to the kingside, thus leaving the c1-h6 diagonal closed, Black can "borrow" an idea from the Old Benoni, consisting . of choosing an alternate way to transfer his king's knight to g7. Specifically, 14 g6 � . . . ltlh5 always deserves attention if.th6 is not possible at once. In this case the manoeuvre ltlfl -g3 is not so easy to carry out anymore and requires making some concession, such as either provoking the en�my knight's retreat by means of a further .th6 (which would most likely result in a loss of time later) or spending some time on preparing g4 without allowing a favourable knight move to f4. 15.a4 ( 1 5.ltlfl ltlh5 16..th6 tilg7 17.tilg3 f6 I B..td2 tilf7 1 9.tilh2 .td7= Fresneda - Chtcherbine, Vicente Lopez 2004) 15 J�bS 16.Y!Je2 �h5 17.�bl (This is consistent, but slightly awkward looking. However, it should be said that Black would not face any problems after 17.ltlfl .td7 I B..th6 tilg7 19.94 f6 20.a.xb5 a.xb5 2 1 .tilg3 tilf7=.) 17 id7 IS.Ah6 ie81? (Afrer White has practically lost two whole tempi by moving back and forth with his knight, Black deviates from his standard plan, too. By keeping his knight on h5 he plans a further move to f4, when after .txf4 . . . exf4 the long diagonal will be opened, leaving the c3-pawn exposed to the •••

••

••

----

------

attack of Black's dark-squared bishop. However, I B ...ltlg7 is entirely playable, too, for instance 1 9.1tla3 f5 20.a.xb5 a.xb5 2 l .id3 b4 22.cxb4 �xb4= � . . . ltlf7.) 19id3 (Slightly careless. White should have exchanged on b5 first with 1 9.a.xb5 and only after 1 9...a.xb5 proceeded with his plan. 20 ..id3 .iffi 2 l .ic1 ig7 22.ltla3 ltlf4 23.ixf4 exf4� The control over the dark squares compensates for the temporary passivity of the dB-knight. Under the new circumstances, this knight would probably have to be transferred back to the queenside, either to a5 in order to put the weakened b3-square under pressure, or to c5 after a preliminary pawn sacrifice ...c4.) 19 .J.i8 20.i.c1 �f4?! (The future world champion misses the simple pawn break 20...c4 2l .bxc4 bxa4 � ... ltlb7-c5. The only way to keep some life in White's position would now be 22.c5!? but after 22 ...�xc5 23.i.xa6 ig7 �...�a5, ...tilb7-c5, ... ltlf4 Black's position looks very much okay. The preliminary 20 ....tg7 would also be better than the game continuation.) 2 exf4 22 ..1.5 nb5 23.Y!Jd2 (23.ltla3?! would allow Black to return to the right path with 23 ...ig7) 23 ..tb6 24.l'�a2 b4?! (One gets the impression that Black could not decide what to do with his knight. 24... c4!? 25.bxc4 bxc4 26.ifl ltlb7 with counterplay was a serious alternative.) �b7 (25 ... f6!?) 26J�a7 bxc3 27.�xc3 As7 2S.til dl Y!Jb6 29J�a6 fi'b4 30.Y!Jxf4 �S 32.�e3± Gipslis - Karpov, Riga 1970. ••

.

••

102 15.�fl g6 16.a4

( 16.c4 b4 17..th6 This move is unnecessary at the moment, but the game could be relevant if Black had chosen ... g6 instead of ...ltleB. 1 7...tilg7 1 8.g4 f6 1 9.1tlg3 ltlf7 20 ..td2 id7 2 l .a4 Refraining from opening the a-file absolves Black of any worries on this side of the board and allows him to concentrate on the kingside. 2 1 ...'I'cB 22.'lWb 1 ltl g5 i Now, the exchange on g5 leads to a structure where only Black can play for a win, because of the weakness of the f4-square, while otherwise the break ...f5 is enabled opening the f-file for the rook, Sai - Kaplan, Denizli 2003.)

16 gbS 17.�3h2 f6 IS.nb5 nb5 19.�g3 •.•

The Rubinstein System (19.f4 exf4 20..txf4 lilf7 21 .�e2 lile5 22J�a2 lilg7 23.lilg3 .Ad7 24J�eal With the gl-a7 diagonal well defended, White's pressure along the a-file will be relatively easy to keep under control and even neutralize completely. After the instalment of the black knight on e5, b3b4 clearly remains out of the question. 24...h5 25.lilB .Ae8 26..Ah6 �h7 27..Ae3 .Ad7 28.ga6 gfc8 29.lilfl b4 With the c4-sqnare controlled by the knight, this is the simplest way to get rid of the relative weakness of the b-pawn. 30.c4 ti'd8= a ..ga8, Yagupov - Nicki, Kecskemet 1 99 1 .) 19•••�g7 20.£4 elf4 �f7

87

20.Ba2 �f7 21.Bea1 YfcS 22.L5 Ads 23.Ba7 �g7 24.J.c1 f5+! Velimirovic - Matanovic, Belgrade 1 978.

105 With

the kingside pieces less harmoniously placed than in the game Gipslis Karpov, the thematic lS•••c4?! is less favourable in view of 19.bxc4 b:04 20.c5U; Kapengut - Kholmov, USSR 1970, when the generally desirable 20...euS makes things worse because of 21.�u5!:t.

.

22.�a �e5 23..Ah6 Ad7 24.Bfl BaB 25.Yfe2 fi'b7 26.Badl fIb6 27.Bd2 Ba2 '&as

Rodriguez

Kakageldyev, Manila 1992. We can see that when combined with the standard kingside plan, b3 has just weakened the second rank and the c3-square. R.

-

103 16.am5 am5 17.�fl g6 IS..Ah6 �g7 19.94 f6 20.�g3 �f7 21..bg7 �7 22.mh2 .Ad7 23.Yfe2 BaS 24.td3 "'7 25.�g2 Ba6

Black proves that he has studied Rubinstein's games carefully. He will soon get the upper hand on both wings. 26.'&b2 gras 27"ha6 e:06 2S.Bbl .Ads 29.�d2 tra2 30.c4 b4 31.�a

trxb2 32.Lb2 .Ae7 33.�d2 �g8 34.�dfl .liB 35.�e2 J.h6+ Mueller - Brandenburg, corr. 1 978.

16.�fl f6 17.�e3 ( l7.axb5 axb5 18.b4 lilf7!

Correctly refraining from releasing the queenside tension in any way. The game becomes relevant now for a different move order, corresponding to the ' main line. 19..Ae3 g6 20.llJ3h2 llJg7 21 .lild2 Aiming to put additional pressure on c5 by means of lilb3, but losing too much time. 21 ...f5+! Askarian - Caturian, USSR 1979.)

17 g6 18.�h2 �f7 19 .Ad2 �g7 20.tre2 .Ad7 21.axb5 axb5 22.ga2 trb7 23 .Ad3 gaS 24.geal gxa2 25.b2 f5? Kudela - Matyska, •••

•

•

corr. 1995.

104 IS.axb5 axb5 19..Ab2 The simplest way

to connect rooks in order to occupy the a-file, but hardly questioning Black's strategy. 19. £6 ..

106lhis is a critical position for the assessment of 14...lile8 after 14.b3. Black will soon start his kingside counterplay, taking advantage of the fact that the white queen's knight has been sent on a · mission to the opposite wing. It remains an open question if White can put his opponent under serious pressure on the queenside and whether the b5-knight is active or just imprisoned.

107 After this move the situation tends

to become similar to that from the game Moskalenko - Marin, with the only significant difference being that the black queen's knight will be placed on f7 instead of g8. It should be said that Black enjoys a relatively wide choice of moves of equal merit, essentially because the pressure against the b5-pawn is not very significant. 23 ..tb2 f5 24.gxa8 ti'xaB 25.gal �b8QO

lOS As mentioned above, during my game against Moskalenko I felt uncomfortable about White's possibility ofopening the queenside with cxb5 and a4. White is less well developed here, but the presence of the knight on d2 certainly gives some sense to the early undermining of the c4-square by this method. This explains why I have picked 14....td7 as the main line. Black delays any kingside commitment and continues the development of the other wing, preparing himself for the possibility of cxb5 and a4. In practice, Black has been quite successful with other moves as well, but it should be said


BB

that White did not try the abovementioned plan in any of the games. 14 g6 IS.b3 ( 1 5 .a4 b4 allows Black to save a tempo compared to the move order 14.a4 �bB 1 5.c4. 16.lLlfl lLleB 1 7..th6 lLlg7 1 B.g4 f6 19.1Llg3 lLlf7 20..ie3 WhB 2 1 .�h2 ggB 22.gg1 .id7 23.�e2 �afB 24.�g2 �cB 25.gag1 lLlg5 26.lLld2 lLlf7 27.b3 �-Y2 Haag - Kholmov, Tbilisi 1 969.) IS J.d7 16.�h2 �hS I7.�dfJ. f6 18.g4 �g7 {There is nothing wrong with this knight retreat, of course, but a Benoni player would probably prefer the sharper I B ...lLlf4!? 19 ..ixf4 exf4 20.'�a lLlf7 21 .�xf4 bxc4 22.bxc4 lLle5 23.lLle3 �a5;;;; with excellent play �Ub8 on the dark squares.) 19.�g3 �f'7

similar ideas as in the g;ame Gipslis - Karpov, from the line starring with 14.b3 above.

•••

•••

21.�hf1 ecS 22.�d2 gb7 23.cJ1h2 J.d8+t

Herrera - Borges, Santa Clara 1 990. Just four rounds after the "official" inauguration ofwhat we now call the Rubinstein variation, the following game was played:

14 �e8 IS.b3 g6 16.ee2 "'8 17.�fl

112 With the quefDside under tension,

this move certainly looks risky. More prudent would have been 1 8.b3.

113 Now, it would be too late for 19.b3, in view of l 9 �f'7 St. •••

1 14

This move is connected with an interesting plan, which em be relevant for the whole system in general, but concretely is not the best, because it allows White to consolidate his space advantage. In fact, this was the right moment to undermine White's cenue from both sides with (21 tc2 gabB 22.�bl lLlg5 20...bxc4 also allows Black to obtain active play on both wings) 21. f5+t. ••

•••

(actually, this was a good moment for White to take advantage of Black's straightforward play with 17..id3 .id7 1 B.cxb5 axb5 1 9.a4 lLlg7 20.�bU followed by the occupation of the c4-square) 17...�g7 18.�g3 J.d7 19.�h2 Wc8 20.gfl J.h4 Rather creative handling of the position. 21.�hl S 22.£4 J.f6 23.gbl �f'7 24..tb2 ed8+ Suechting - Salwe, Ostend 1 907.

109

White defends the c4-pawn in order to free the knight from this task. IS.abS ubS 16.a4 is obviously premature now. By re-directing the knight with 16 �b7, Black has excellent prospects of exploiting the numerous weaknesses in White's queenside structure. •••

1 10 16.Be2 gb8 17.b3 is less efficient because of 17 �h51+t when in view of the •••

threat ...lLlf4, White cannot keep his queen's knight dose to the c4-square.

III

Once the long dark diagonal has been weakened, 1 7...�eB comes into account, with

liS

With the rooks concentrated on the queenside, 21 ...a5!? A ...a4 would have made a lot of sense.

1 16 23.a4 'it?m!?

Once the queenside has been safely blocked, the king gladly abandons his old residence, where action is likely to take place soon. 24.�h2 'it?e8 2S.£4 exf4 'it?d8 27.ga2 'it?c8 28.gfl 'it?b7 The first part of the plan has been successfully carried out. Now it is time to return the rooks to the kingside. 29.i.cl gm Black's play during the next phase of the game is marked by indecision. (29...h5!? 30.gxh5 lLlxh5 3 1 .lLlxh5 gxh5 32..ifl ggBt 33.Whl lLle5+t would have put the white king in some danger.) 30.gefl gg8 31.i.b2 ��5 32.�a gam 33.Wh2 �d8 (Once again, 33 ...h5 deserved serious attention, for instance 34.gxh5 �hBt) 34.J.e2 tLlf'7 35.tLlel �e5 36.�d3 'it?a8 37.g5 White has completed his regrouping and is ready for active operations himsel£ 37...tLlxd3 38.i.xd3 fxg5 39.gf'7 gxf7 4O.gxf7 �h5 (40 ... lLleB!? A41 .gxh7? lLlf6! 42..ixf6 [42.�f7 .ieB-+l 42....hf6+) 41.�xh5

gxh5 42.e5 Ae8 43.gxh7 gm 44.'it?g2 g4

89


White bas obtained a considerable strategic superiority in the centre. However, the home analysis after adjourning must have revealed that the exposed position of the white king is likely to hamper any winning attempts, since in Spassky - Scholl, Amsterdam 1 970, a draw was agreed here. It is strange that just two years after having introduced 1 6.b4 into practice, Spassky chose the relatively inoffensive 1 4.c4.

1 17

With the d4-square under firm black control, the plan of opening the kingside by means of 15.�3h2 f6 16.£4 ed4 17.txf4 is not dangerous. 17 �f7 18.�g3 g6 19.�a �g7 20.!Ul Ad7 21.ed2 a5?! (But the plan of queenside expansion initiated by this move is dubious. Better was 2 1 ...tLle5 22.b3 ElaeS 23.Elae1 'ffc8 24.'.t>hl .idS=.) 22Jlfl gab8 23.gafl c4?! Unnecessarily giving up control of the d4-square. 24.�e2 b4 25.�fd4 'ffb6 26.edl �e5 27.Ae3 ea6 28.�f.u Korneev - Haik, Men 1 995. •••

1 18

Given the fact that the flexibility of Black's queenside structure is intact, the plan from the game Bogoljubow - Rubinstein, Berlin 1 926, consisting of giving up the dark-squared bishop, should be regarded as less adequate now. However, the following game includes some further nuances and is worth examining. 16.J.h6

�g7 17.�e3 f6 18.mb2 �fl 19.hg7 mxg7 20JJgl White has regrouped in a slightly more

aggressive way than Bogoljubow. The further phase of his general plan consists of connecting rooks and concentrating them on the kingside by means of Elg3 and Elagl, followed by the advance of the h-and g-pawns. 20 mh8 (This is the start of the regrouping recommended by me in the notes to the aforementioned game as an alternative to Rubinstein's plan. However, given the specific placement of White's pieces, only 20 ... ElhS �. . h5 seems to allow Black to obtain active play now. Remarkably, 21 .h4 h5 22.g5? fxg5 23.hxg5, aiming to maintain a favourable kingside configuration, fails to 23 ....ig4!+ taking advantage of the location •••

.

of the white king on the same file as a black rook.) 21.ed2 llg8 22.gg3 J.d7 23.11agl a5 (The intended transfer of the bishop to h6 can always be met now by h4 and g5. Therefore, Black has to keep his kingside passive and try to make some progress on the other wing. After the disappearance of the white dark squared bishop, 23 ...c4!? would make sense.) 24.M Am (Carelessly played. Once he has weakened the b5-square, Black should continue his queenside action until he has obtained a favourable configuration, with either 24...a4!? or 24...c4!? ) 25.g5 Ae7 26.gxf6 lixf6 27.�g4 Joe7 (if 27....bg4 2S.Elxg4 ElafS White could take advantage of Black's lack of resolution with 29.a4!;t) 28.�h6 �xb6 29.exb6 .lf8 30.We3 'ffdS 31.�g5;t Tumurbator - Munoz, Reykjavik 1957.

1 19 17.J.h6 f6 18.mh2 ( 1 8.a4 ElbS

1 9.axb5 axb5 20.b4 tLlf7 2 1 ..ie3 .id7 Again, this position is relevant from the point of view of the main line, based on an earlier b4. 22.tLld2 ElaS 23.tLlb3 c4 24.lDa5 White has managed to provoke the advance of the c-pawn at the cost of considerable loss of time. Besides, his knight is not only blocking the a-file, but also quite far from the kingside, ensuring Black complete safety on that wing. 24 ... '.t>hS 25.'.t>h2 Elg8 26.Elgl Elaf8 27.'ffe2 vec8 2S.Elafl .idS 29.f4 exf4 30.Elxf4 tLle5= Cintron - Steiner, Bradley Beach 1 929.) 18 �fl 19.'ffd2 J.d7 20.11g1 •••

�xb6 21.exb6 llfl 22.ee3 .lf8 23.gg2 J.e8 24.gagl 'ffc8 25.�d2 c4 Planning the activation of the bishop via b6. 26.£4 ElbS With his only remaining knight far from the e5-square, Black avoids capturing on f4. 27.gfl

gbb7 2S.a3 a5 29.ggn J.e7 30.We2 idS= Hess - Vidmar, Stuttgart 1 939.

120 IS.ggl �fl 19..ie3 id7

( 1 9 ... '.t>hS 20.tLld2 .id7 21 .�e2 :Sg8 22.a4 We know from Rubinstein's games that combining g4 with the opening ofthe a-file does not promise White very much. The main danger is that he becomes over extended. 22...ElabS 23.Ela2 vec8 24.axb5 axb5

A Spanish Repertoire for Black '

90

16.a4 E!b8 17.lilg3 g6 1 8.mhl filf7 1 9.1ilh2 lilg7 20.h4 Ad7 2 1 .E!gl YHc8 22.YHe2 Ad8 �-lh Karpov - Nowak, Trinec 1 966.

121 20 �g5 21.�h4 gaea 22.i.f1 'ffcS 23.f4 ed4 'ffdS 2S.�S �f7 26ih6 �xb.6? (This move could have led to trouble. Safer would be 26 ...file5=.) 27.1I'xb.6 if7 Now,

127 18...mh8 19.filh2 filg7 20.h4 .Ad7 21.i.d2 gg8 22J�gl iafS 23.V!iS idS (This is

•••

•••

•••

in Kulaots - A. Sokolov, Upplands Vasby 2000, White missed the chance to start a powerful , attack with 2S.eSI £xe5 29.�e4. 20...ifbS, with the idea of blocking the queenside in order to evacuate the king, also comes into consideration. . .

122

23.f4 exf4 24.i.xf4 Robatsch Padevsky, Amsterdam 1 972. 24...file5=

123

,

, •

•

I

124

25.E!a7 E!b7 26.E!gal V!ic7 27.E!7a5 E!gb8 28.c4 b4 29.lilb3 V!ic8 30.V!i8 mg8 3 1 .E!5a2 .td8 32.YHg2 mh8 33.V!if3 .te7 34.j,d2 YHc7 35.tikl E!fS 36..ta4 E!a7 37.YHb3 j,c8 38.Ac6 E!xa2 39.YHxa2 White has transferred an impressive number of pieces to the queenside, which enabled him to take control of the a file. However, · his kingside is vulnerable now. 39 ...5! 40.gxf5 gxf5 41 .V!ia5 V!ixa5 42.E!xa5 j,g5+ Jirovsky - Talla, Czech Republic 1 999.} 20.igl (20.YHe2 a5 21 .E!g2 mh8 22.E!agl E!fh8 The start of a plan similar to that from the game Spassky - Scholl, from the line with 14.c4 above. One could wonder, however, why Black did not play ...mh8 one move earlier. 23.mhl a4 24.j,bl V!ic8 25.E!h2 b4 26.c4 a3 27.b3 mg8 28.Ac2 mfS 29.�e1 me8 30.lild3 md8 3 1 .E!fl mc7 32.f4 exf4 33.lilxf4 �-1h Rossolimo - Foltys, Venice 1 949.) 20 'it?hS 21.'ffd2 'ffcS 22.iagl ig8 23.�h4?1 {White is planning a sacrificial attack, but 23 .lile 1 was safer} 23 �e8 24.S?1 'ffdS 2S.i£l 5+ White did not get enough for the knight that he had to sacrifice on 5 in Jansa - Albareda, Oberhausen 1 96 1 .

-

This move is likely to tranSpose to 1 5 ...g6. By delaying the king's knight's transfer to g7, Black maintains the possibility of activating his dark-sqnared bishop to h6, if the enemy bishop abandons the c1-h6 diagonal too soon. This is supposed to somewhat restrict White's active possibilities.

125 BlaCk can radically prevent the plan based on i.c1-h6, followed by giving up the bishop for either black knight, by playing 16... �f7 first.

17.�h2 g6 IS.f4 exf4 19.i.xf4 lilg7 j,d7 2U�f1 E!ae8 22.E!fl 'ffc8 23.b3?1 J.d8 24.c4?1 This way of gaining space only weakens

the long dark diagonal and gives Black a target on c4. 24...�eS 25.i.fI lilfl 26.'ffd2 5 27.e:d3 .tf6 28J�dl gx:6t Vogr - F. Blatny, Leipzig 1974.

126 17.h8 Black

will soon

play ... tLld4 with approximately equality.

19.a4!!

This move demonstrates Lilienthal's talent. Before making use of the better position of his

queen's knight, he intends to neutralize Black's queenside superiority. Nowadays, this method is well known (as in the game Dervishi Hjartarson below). However, back in 1 940, the move required a very fine positional insight.

19...bxa4 20.bxa4 �h5

The intended transfer of the knight to e6 via This is a critical test of the Petrosian system.

f4 is easily parried by the next move.

21.g3! We

can

see here another drawback of ....if8:

the h3-pawn is taboo because of the double attack tLlg5.

this position. White creates the threat of dxe5 followed by c4. It looks natural that the advance

21 �f6 22.g4 Ac6

c5-c4, which would have equalized comfortably

..•

In principle, Black is best advised

It must be more than just a coincidence that half of Petrosian's games in "his" line reached

to

restrict

in the previous game, would lead

to

less clear

White's light-squared bishop with 22... a5, but after 23 ..idl the weakness of the a5-pawn

consequences now, because it would leave White with an advantage in the centre. More about

would practically force the return of the rook with 23 .. J%a8 when 24..ic3 leaves White with

this later. For the moment, we shall examine what happens when Black ignores the threat

the better prospects.

and plays in the spirit of the already familiar

23.�d5 .hd5 24.cxd5 c4 25.a5± If the knight retreats to c8 then L4 consolidates White's advantage. Black sacrificed a piece with

pattern.

15..JUe8

1 5 ... E:ad8 makes less sense now since the tension in the centre has not yet been released.

The Petrosian System White could even consider 1 6.d5 when after 1 6...c4 17.b4 the absence of the rook from a8 makes itself felt. For a better understanding, please refer below to the plan involving the blocking move d4-d5.

16.che5

White should not deviate from his main plan. If 1 6.lLlf5 Black would get a favourable configuration with 1 6...J.xf5 17.exf5 exd4 1 8.cxd4 c4. White's chances to put the kingside under pressure are highly questionable, while Black's queenside play develops very naturally. 16...che5 17.c4 g6 This is a more useful move than 1 7.. J�ad8. We know already that the rook can be needed on the a-file in order to defend the a-pawn, while its action along the d-file is quite limited. The text move defends the b I -h7 diagonal in advance (ready for an eventual exd5), takes the h5-square under control in order to prepare ...lLlh5-f4-e6, and enables the activation of the dark-squared bishop via h6.

105

the blockade on c4, while opening the a3-fB diagonal at the same time. 23.i.c3 i.b4 24.�d2 hc3 25:�xc3 lLlc8 Now that the pawn has advanced to c4, the time has come to improve the position of the knight. 26.l''1 abl f6 27.lLld2 lLld6 Ildar Ibragimov, who is a contemporary expert on the Petrosian system, has faced the slightly trickier 2U�bl twice.

18.a4

This move has as much merit as Lilienthal's 19.a4, but I have not awarded it an exclamation mark, because the method had been invented 66 years earlier...

18...bxa4 19.bxa4 a5

We are already aware of the necessity of restricting the enemy light-squared bishop. With the rook still on a8, the last move is entirely adequate.

20.i.b2 .ifs

This is a more flexible approach than Panov's. When the bishop reaches h6 the positional threat of exchanging the e3-knight would practically force lLld5, at an earlier stage than White might have hoped.

21.i.c3

A second effect of the move ...a5 is that

the black queen's knight enjoys stability on b6, keeping the important c4-square under control. This is quite important in the following illustrative variation: 21 .lLld5 lLlfxd5 22.cxd5 c4 Black radically prevents

In both cases, he parried the threat of lLlxe5 (based on the fact that the b6-knight is under indirect attack) with 21..J:!a6 (this is more accurate than 2 1 ...gab8 when after 22.i.c3 Black has no favourable way to defend the a5pawn, while 22... lLlxa4?! does not work because of 23.ha4 gxbl 24.�xbl i.xa4 25.�al i.b3 26.he5 winning material) 22.i.c3 .th6 (The difference compared to our main game is that the generally desirable 22...i.c6? does not work now, because of Black's lack of coordination. After 23.lLld5 hd5 24.cxd5 lLlc8 25.�e2!± Black cannot prevent the occupation of the crucial c4- and b5-squares by the white pieces, because 25 ...c4? loses material to 26.he5! gxe5 27.lLlxe5 �xe5 28.�xc4 ga8 29.�c6 and Black is helpless.) 23.lLld5 White could not delay this knight move any more. 23 ... lLlfxd5 24.exd5 · (This move, opening the e-file and the bl-h7 diagonal, is more dangerous for Black than 24.cxd5 f6 25.lLlh2 c4 26.lLlg4 i.g7 Black has achieved a safe blockade on the dark squares. =.

106


White's over-optimistic action will soon leave him with just weaknesses. 27.f4?! .txg4 28.hxg4 exf4 29.�dZ ltJd7 30JJb5 .if8 3 1.ha5 �a7t 32.i>f1 lLle5+ Black has increased his control of the dark squares, while the white king starts to feel insecure, Paramos - Ibragimov, Ubeda 200 1 .) 24 .. f6 25.d6 Everything is aimed at stopping a blockade on d6! 25 ... �d8 26.lLldZ .ixdZ (This knight is too dangerous and has to be eliminated. If26 ...Ji.OO then 27.ltJe4 lLld7 28J�b7± with strong pressure.) 27.�xdZ iLOO?! (Too slow. Black had excellent chances of equalizing after 27...lLlxa4, which not only captures a pawn, but also clears the sixth rank in order to put the d6-pawn under pressure with a further .. .1300.) 28.�h6 (Apart from this strong attacking move, White could also have transposed to a better ending with 28.i.xa5 lLlxc4 29.hd8 ltJxdZ 30.�b6 �xb6 3 1 .hb6 c4 32.�dl c3 33.L5± winning the c-pawn and keeping two dangerous passed pawns.) 28 ...�a7 29.hg6 hxg6 30.�xb6 l3h7 3 1 .�xg6t �g7 32.�1 hh3 Now, in the game Smirin - Ibragimov, Philadelphia 2004, White missed the spectacular 33.�b7!! which would consolidate his advantage, since the capture 33 ...&g2t loses to 34.i>hl when after 34 ...�g7 35.�xg7t i>xg7 the other rook would join the attack with decisive effect after 36.�glt. 21 .�bl is likely to pose more problems than 2 1 .Ji.c3, but I have taken the more recent game as the main line. .

21 ..tc6 ••

Knights are better suited for blockading purposes, which justifies Black's decision to prepare the bishop for the exchange on d5.

after 23 ....ig7 24J'hb l ltJd6) 23 ...hd5 24.cxd5 (after 24.exd5 ltJd7 all the vital squares along the b-file are reliably defended and Black is ready for expansion in the centre and on tfte kingside) 24 ...c4 25.�e2 ltJd6 Followed by ... lLld7, with a solid position for Black.

23.cxd5 ltJfd7 24.�bl �c8

In spite ofWhite's space advantage, Black has little to worry about now.

25.td3?!

As a consequence of this and especially the

next move, the bishop will become very passive. More active would have been 25.lLldZ lLld6 26.�f3 c4 27.h4 putting some pressure on the . enemy kingside.

25...c4 26..tfl �d6 27.�d2 .th6

Afrer his mistaken manoeuvre White will soon face problems defending his numerous weaknesses: e4, a4, d3, b3.

28.'9'c2

Even here, preferable.

28.�f3

would

have

been

22.�d5

28 J�ac8 29.'9'a2 '9'a7 3O.�a

This might appear premature, but White does not seem to gain anything concrete by delaying the knight jump. For instance: 22.ltJdZ lLlc8 (heading for d6, in order to occupy in advance the blockading square and put the enemy pawns under some pressure) 23.ltJd5 (23.�f3 essentially does not change anything

Capturing the pawn with 30.lLlxc4 would lead to a series of exchanges that favour Black after 30 ...l3xc4 31 .hc4 l3c8 32.he5 ltJxe5 33.Ml �e7 with a safe blockade of the central pawns.

••

30 J�c7 31.g3 f6 32.�h2 �c5 33.ig2 �d3 34.ttlg4 J.,,7 35.�e2 £5+ ••


107

Black radically prevents his opponent's plan of invading the d5-square. White's previous play has been based on the potential threat of dxe5, which he has delayed as much as possible. Finally, Black has released the central tension, which looks like a positional concession, but is compensated for by the fact that the c3-pawn remains weak.

16.bxc4

Black would get excellent counterplay after 1 6.M a5!.

16...�xc4 17.�xc4 bxc4 A dream position for Black, who is in complete control. In conclusion, we can state that 1 5 .. J!fe8 is playable, but Black seems to be rather at the mercy of White, who can choose the right moment to install the knight on d5. We shall never find out Petrosian's opinion about Black's plan from the previous game, as it became popular many years after Tigran passed away. We only know that he preferred 1 5 ... c4 instead. The next game was his first recorded experience with "his" system.

The generally desirable capture with the queen might result in a loss of stability in the centre after 1 7.. .'�xc4 1 8.dxe5 dxe5 1 9.1Llxe5 Wfxc3 20.lLlxd7 lLlxd7 21 .E:bl when the pair of bishops in combination with the strong kingside majority is quite dangerous for Black. After 17...bxc4 a curious position has arisen, which is ofcrucial importance for the evaluation of the Petrosian system.

Korchooi Pebosiao Candidates Tournament, Curacao 1962 -

15 c4 ..•

White enjoys a space advantage in the centre and can afford to maintain the tension for a long time, retaining the possibility of both basic plans, based on dxe5 or d5. However, this does not necessary yield any tangible advantage. By exchanging a pair of knights, Black has simplified his defence considerably. Also, the threat of a knight infiltration to d5 has been removed. At the same time, the open b-file is likely to offer Black prospects for counterplay


1 08

or, at the very least, of further simplifications.

would transpose to positions examined below, but

The relative weakness of White's a- and c-pawns

ifWhite plays like in our main game Black would

considerably restricts his active possibilities,

have better chances for counterplay. For instance,

although it should be said that Black has his

1 9.!e3 (if 1 9 ..ta3 then Black should play

own worries about the c4-pawn.

1 9 .. J��fe8) r9 ... �a5 20.�d2?! E1b2! and White

For all that, these are rather abstract aspects. In practical play, each side

can

go wrong in his

has to deal with the strong threat of ... lLlxe4.

19.J.e3

own way, but Black's risk of doing so seems to be

I believe that this natural way of developing

higher. The examination of the following games

the bishop is the strongest continuation. White

aims to offer a guide to this atypical position, by

consolidates

highlighting the great players' mistakes.

pressure on the enemy queenside.

18.a4

the d4-square

and puts some

Many years later Petrosian played the following

White wins some space on the queenside

game:

1 9 .�e2 a5?!

(Once the c4-pawn is

and denies the b5-square to the enemy bishop.

attacked, Black prepares the transfer of his light

However, his a-pawn could remain weak in

squared bishop to a6. However, this weakening

some cases. The main alternative, 1 8 ..ia3, will

move was not really necessary. Black could have

be examined later. White does not get anywhere

continued improving the position of his pieces

if he tries to save a tempo with the immediate

with, say, 1 9 ... E1ab8 when 20.lLld2?! is strongly

1 8 ..ie3. After 1 8 .. .'IWa5

19.�d2 !':lab8 the

met by typical counterplay in the centre with

vulnerability of the a2-pawn will soon make

20 ... d5!. Actually I am quite puzzled by Black's

itself felt.

reluctance to play such a natural move as ... !':lab8

18 .lUe8?!

in practical games. Even though the structure

..

is rather unusual, general rules should still taken into account. An open file is still

an

be

open

file.) 20.!lb1 Of course White does not miss the opportunity to take control ofthe b-file. 20 ....ic8 (Petrosian is mostly concerned about safety, and seems to completely neglect the dynamic aspects of the position. With his previous passive moves he practically gave up any chances of getting counterplay in the centre. Even here, 20 ...E!ab8 deserved attention, indirectly attacking the a4pawn.) 2 1 .lZlh2 The reserve knight is heading for e3. Leaving the centre unattended is not dangerous now that Black is not really prepared for counterplay. 2 1 .. ..L6 22.lZlf1 (White is not well enough developed to launch a massive Preparing to consolidate the e5-pawn and,

attack with 22.f4. Black gets excellent play after

eventually, launch counterplay in the centre.

22... exd4 23.cxd4 d5! 24.e5 .ib4 25.!':ldl �d7

Although this move was played in practically all

26.�8 lZle4 27 ..he4 dxe4 28.�xe4 �xa4

the games where this position occurred, it

can

lead to a passive position for Black in the event of accurate play from White.

29 ..ie3 c3+ when the knight will need some time to join the fight.) The critical test ofWhite's plan is 22 ...d5. However, the subsequent analysis will

Instead of making long-term plans, Black

prove that Black is not well enough coordinated

should just play simple chess and occupy the

to equalize completely. (Petrosian played more

only open file with 18 ... !':lab8. In many cases play

passively with 22 ...g6 when after 23.�8 !':lab8


24.�xb8 �bB 25.lLle3± White remained in control ofthe position in Velimirovic - Petrosian, Rio de Janeiro 1979) 23.dxe5 �xe5 24.f4 The only way to question the correctness of Black's active play. 24...�xc3 25.iob2 'I1ffb4 26.Ad4 (Aiming to harass the black queen. 26.hf6? leads nowhere because of 26...�c5t 27.Whl .ixf6+.) 26...c3 (After the spectacular 26...,tcS!? White should refrain from winning the queen, which would leave Black with an impressive mass of pawns, and prefer 27.�f2 hd4 28.�xd4. Depending on where the black queen retreats to, White can choose between exd5 and e5 next, with active play in both cases.) 27.�dl �a3 28.e5 White is not forced to perpetually attack the enemy queen, of course. His better coordination allows him to retain the initiative in spite of the missing pawn. 28 ...liJe4 29.lLle3 White has strong pressure on practically all the important areas of the board. Surgical solutions such as 29 ....ih4?! 30.liJxd5 hel 31 .he4 ,td2 tend to lead to disaster after 32.�h5 h6 33.lLlf6tL The development of the bishop to a3 also deserves to be mentioned. It could cause Black some problems in the case of careless play. The main idea behind 1 9.Aa3 is to keep the d6- and c5-squares under observation, but it has the drawback of giving Black a free hand to regroup on the queenside. This is partly compensated for by the fact that all the squares for penetration along the b-file are safely covered. 1 9...as (This move was not necessary yet. 19 ...�abB or 1 9 ....tf8 both deserve a test.) 20.d5

1 09

20 ...,tdB?! (This is a serious inaccuracy. By mechanically concentrating his pieces on the queenside, Black will completely lose coordination. The generally desirable 20...AcB? is not possible yet because of 2 1 .lLlxe5 dxe5 22.d6±. Black could have maintained the harmony of his position with 20...AfS preparing not only ...,tcB-a6 but also the activation of the other bishop via h6 while keeping the d6pawn well defended for the time being. Let's see what would happen if White plays more or less like in the game. 2 1 .lLld2 iocB 22.�e2 .ta6 23J'�abl g6 24.�e3 lLld7 25.g3 �abB The first success compared to the game is that Black has neutralized the pressure along the b-file rather easily. 26J!xbB �xbB 27.Wg2 lLlc5!? By threatening ...lLlb3 followed by an attack against the a4-pawn, Black provokes mass simplifications. 2B.hc5 �xc5 29.�xc5 dxc5 30.�bl Once the b2-square has lost its natural defender, White also needs to exchange rooks. 30...�bl 3 1 .hbl .th6= The activity of the dark-squared bishop prevents White from taking advantage of the weakness of the c4pawn.) 2 1 .lLld2 ,tcB 22.\1ffe2 .ta6 23.�ab l lLld7 24.\1ffe3 The weakness of the d6-pawn prevents Black from carrying out the desired transfer of the bishop to c5. 24 ...�bB 25.g3 lLlb6 26J�b2 The lack of coordination of the black rooks will allow White to keep control of the only open file. 26... liJcB 27.�ebl �xb2 28.�xb2 �d7 29.h4+ Taking advantage of the bad placement of Black's minor pieces, White started a slow but effective kingside attack in Brodsky - Kruppa, Kherson 1 990.

19 Yfa5 •••

This is the natural reaction once the enemy bishop has left the queenside slightly unattended. After more neutral play, blocking the centre combined with the attack against the c4-pawn with by liJd2 and �e2 could prove more effective than in the analysis from the game Brodsky - Kruppa, because of the pressure exerted against the b6- and a7-squares. To a certain extent, this situation is similar to that in the game Karpov - Unzicker from the

�

•

1 10


previous chapter, except it was all about the a file in that case.

20.fYd2 gabS 2U!:abl

material. The same goes for 23-'We2 when Black has 23 ... Elxb l 24.Elxbl ha4 25.Elal .tb5!.) 23 ...d5 24.e5 lLJe4 Black has active play. However, 22.hd4! offers better chances of an advantage. Korchnoi might have feared that after 22 ...Elxb l 23.Elxb l Black can take advantage of the temporary vulnerability of the e4-pawn with 23 ...i.d8 (?) and if 24.Wlf4 then 24...d5. However, White can safely win a pawn with 24..hf6 .ixf6 25.Wfxd6 because Black's lack of coordination prevents him from getting counterplay with his dark-squared bishop. For instance, 25 ...Wfxc3 (25 ...i.e6 26.e5 .te7? does not work because of 27.Wfxe7!+-) 26.Wlxd7 Eld8 27.Wlb7 Wlxc2 28.e5 Eldl t 29.Elxdl Wlxdl t 30.@h2 .td8 3 1 .Wlc6!± threatening mate in one and attacking the c4-pawn at the same tIme. Black should probably have regrouped as in the game, but in that case the placement of the white pieces would have been more flexible. For instance, after 22...J.e6 23.lLJg5 lLJd7 24.�xe6 fxe6 the queen could go to e2, keeping the c4pawn under pressure and preparing to create some kingside threats. •

21 ...exd4!? Another release of tension from Black, which worked out well for one game. With his queen on a5 he had no possibility of trading all the rooks on the b-file, while otherwise it is hard to suggest a concrete plan.

22.fYxd4?!

White faced a wide choice, with several white pieces competing for the d4-sqnare. Korchnoi plays a consistent move, without being put off by the fact that it implies a loss of time. White keeps the e3-a7 diagonal under firm control and keeps the e4-pawn well defended at the same time, thus restricting Black's counterplay. It might seem that the knight belongs in the centre, but after 22.lLJxd4? Elxbl 23.Elxbl (otherwise the a4-pawn would be hanging) 23 ....tffi! the e4-pawn would remain weak, when 24.f3 brings no relief because of 24...d5! with a strong initiative in the centre. Keeping the central structure intact with 22.cxd4?! has the drawback of unblocking the black c-pawn, allowing strong counterplay after 22 ...c3. For instance: 23.fYc1 (23.fYdl allows 23 ...Elb2. 23.Wld3 places the queen on an exposed square, which can be felt after 23...Elxbl 24.Elxbl ha4! 25.Elal when Black gets out of the pin with 25 ...hc2, winning plenty of

22 .Ae6 ••

Black has achieved some stability in the centre.

23.�g5

The immediate attack against the "weak" d6pawn with 23.i.f4 does not work because of 23 ...Elxbl 24.Elxb l d5! with counterplay in the centre. After the generally desirable 25.e5(?!) Black can take advantage of the fact that White has placed on d4 the piece that is less suited for blockading purposes: 25 ...J.c5 26.W1d2 lLJe4+

23 fYc7 24 .if4 •••

•

This move allows Black to regroup perfectly. However, the seemingly more active 24.f4 would not have yielded any palpable result after 24...Elxb1 25.Elxbl i.c8 followed by ....if8, ...h6 and ....tb7, when the weakness of the e4-pawn compensates for White's space advantage.

24 �d7 25J�edl tLle5 26.tLlxe6 fxe6 27..lg3 tLlf7 •••


111

With his d6-pawn safely defended and the possibility of activating the bishop via f6, Black has little to worry about now.

28.Wbl Af6 29.e5!?

Korchnoi prevents the activation ofthe enemy bishop at the cost of a pawn. The simplifications arising after 29.hd6 itlxd6 30.�xd6 �xd6 3 1 .l3xd6 l3xbl t 32.hb1 would most probably result in a draw. Black obtains counterplay based on the fact that the enemy bishop is exposed with 32...l3b8 33..ta2 (33..ic2?! l3b2 34..id1 hc3 is already preferable for Black) 33...l3b2. The bishop cannot leave the b 1-sqllare undefended because of ...l3b1 t followed by ....ie5t, winning the rook, which practically forces further simplifications with 34.e5 he5 35.l3xe6 l3xa2 36J:he5 l3xa4 when Black should not have too many problems drawing. For instance, 37.l3c5 a5 38.',tJh2 l3a2 39.�g3 a4 40.l3xc4 a3 4 1 .l3a4 l3a1 followed by ...a2 and ...l3c1 .

29 dxe5 30.Bd7?! •••

He must have overlooked the fact that after the exchanges the e-pawn will not be easy to block. 30.�e4 or 30.�g4 would have been safer.

30mBxd7 31.�d7 �blt 32.hbl gb8 gc8 34.ga7 �d6 35.S gc6 36..tbl

Korchnoi offered a draw, which Petrosian accepted, failing to notice that 36 ...e4 would have offered him active play. 1/2-1/2

The general conclusion of the analysis of the previous game is that 1 8.a4 is a strategically double-edged move, offering Black targets for counterplay. Let's turn our attention to the main alternative, 1 8 ..ia3. The following game can be considered a model for Black. Petrosian had little trouble proving the correctness of his 1 5 ... c4.

Ljubojevic - Petrosian Milan 1 975

18 .ta3 .

18...gkS Practically forced. The careless 1 8...�a5? loses a pawn to 1 9..ib4!.

19.9bl .!JB

Black continues his kingside regrouping and is ready for counterplay in the centre or on the kingside. Once again, 1 9 ...�a5 would have made little sense because of the calm 20.�cl when the c3-pawn is taboo in view of .ib4, leaving the queen slightly misplaced on a5.

2o.Be2 gab8

As always when given a choice, Petrosian chooses a static plan. The capture on d4 from the previous game cannot be regarded as an exception. It was more of a sign that something had gone wrong for Black already. Here, in spite ofthe temptation, Black should probably refrain from early activity. True, after the bishop's retreat to £8, the opening of the centre based on ...d5 always has to be taken into account. However, the immediate 20 ...d5?! is bad in view of 2 1 .h£8 exd4 22.hg7! provoking irreparable damage to the black king's position. The other possible way of opening the centre is 20...exd4?! 2 1 .lLlxd4 (21 .cxd4 offers Black active play after 2 1 . . ..if5!?) 2 1 ...d5 but after 22.hfB Wxf'8 23.e5 lLle4 White is not forced to capture on e4 immediately with 24..L:e4, which would lead to equality after 24 ...l3xe5. Instead, he has the intermediate 24.'I1Nh5! attacking the h7-pawn and renewing the threat of he4.

1 12


2IJhb8 gxb8 22.ttJd2 gc8

Once again, releasing the tension in the centre with 22...exd4 23.cxd4 c3, for the sake of temporary activity, might be risky. After 24.tt:lb3 White would remain in control of the position.

23.Ab4 g6

Planning ....ih6 or ...tt:lh5.

24.'l!r6 Ag7 25.gdl

Nunn

-

Unzicker

Bundesliga 1 988/89

18.Aa3 gfe8 19.'l!re2 Deviating from 19 .l'::!:b 1 as played in the preVIous game. •

19...i.f8 20.ttJd2

This premature knight retreat could have led to immediate equality. It was not too late to transpose to the previous game with 20.l'::!:abl .

20 geeS •••

Black misses 20...d5! 2 1 .i.xf8 @xffi when mass simplifications and a draw look inevitable. However, the game move is not bad either.

21.gebl

25 .i.e6 ••

Once he has completed his regrouping, Black can safely play such a seemingly provocative move. White always has to be ready for ...d5, especially if he plays the planned lLlfl, which would weaken his control of the centre.

26.dxe5

After this exchange a draw becomes inevitable. White could have maintained the tension with 26.'lWe3, preventing 26...d5?! in view of27.d.xe5 'lWxe5 28.tt:lf3 followed by 29.e5 {this is better than 28.f4, which can be met by 28....ih6}. However, after the calm 26...tt:lh5 {instead of opening the centre} it is hard to see how White could increase his pressure.

21 'l!ra5!? ..•

26...dxe5 27.ttJf1 gdS 28.�e3 Ldl t

This might look like a loss of time, but it is a comfortable way of neutralizing White's pressure along the b-file. Black probably thought that 2 1 ...l'::!:ab8 was impossible because of 22.l'::!:xb8 'lWxb8 23.lLlxc4 {?}. In fact, White would lose material after 23 ...J.b5 24.J.d3 d5! because all his minor pieces would be hanging.

A static approach does not exclude concrete

Black plans to play . . . l'::!:ab8, reaching a comfortable position.

lh-lh

planning. In the next game a very experienced player and renowned Ruy Lopez specialist allowed his position to worsen gradually by just sitting and waiting.

22.i.b4 'l!rc7 23.dxe5

The following sequence of moves is a logical way of trying to take advantage of the offered tempo.

r The Petrosian System

23 dxeS 'Bcs .••

2S.gb4.ie6 26Jlabl

White has the b-file under complete control, but this does not offer him an advantage yet, because he lacks a real target. With his next moves he decides to improve the position of his knight.

27.�fl ga7 28.�e3 gac7 29.g1b2

1 13

A strange move. Any neutral move, such as

33...g6, would have been better. The plan ofimmediately transferring the knight to d6 with 33... ltleS would have been strongly met by 34.ltld5 .ixd5 35.exd5. For instance, 35 ...ltlf6 (35 ...g6 is strongly met by 36.Wle4 when Black cannot stabilize the position in his favour) 36J'�b6 �xd5 37J�xf6! gxf6 3S.Wlxh7 with strong compensation for the exchange in view of White's better structure and the unsafe position of the enemy king.

34.gb6! �d7 35.aS:t

29 'BaS? •••

The hesitations on the 20th and 21" moves did not have any consequences, but from now on Black's "policy of neutrality" will lead him into trouble. In principle, he should have thought about improving the position of some of his pieces. For instance, the transfer of the knight to d6 would have been highly desirable. The knight would be quite stable there and would fulfil several defensive tasks, such as supporting the c4-pawn and preventing the further activation of the white rooks along the b-file. However, in view of the white knight's possible move to d5, Black should have secured the c2-h7 diagonal first with 29 ...g6 30.a4 @g7 and only after, say, 3 1 .ib 1 proceed with his basic plan: 31...ltleS 32.�8 ltld6 when 33.ltld5 hd5 34.exd5 is not dangerous. Black has a firm blockade on the dark squares with possibilities of kingside expansion.

30.a4 Y!YcS 31.i.bl .

Black's loss of time is significant. White intends to make use of the a2-square in order to increase the pressure on the c4-pawn.

31..J�d7 32.�h2 gdc7 33.Y!Yc2 Y!Ya7?

White has managed to consolidate his advantage and went on to win rather quickly. Let's draw some conclusions about the merits of the modern 1 5... 8:feS and Petrosian's 1 5 ... c4. Both moves look entirely playable and offer Black excellent prospects of gradually equalizing the position. Personally, I am more inclined to trust Petrosian, as I (and many other people) consider him to be one ofthe most talented chess strategists ever born. However, the positions arising after 1 5 ...c4 are not easy to handle in practice without a thorough preliminary examination. Let's move on to White's alternate plan: blocking the position in the centre. As after dxe5, we shall start by examining the situation when White plays d5 immediately, on the 1 3th move.

Karjakin

European Cup, Saint Vincent 2005

B.d5

1 14


It should be said that this position usually arises in modern practice through a slightly different move order, 1 2.d5 iLd7 13.lLlbdl. This explains why you will find so many quotes from recent games, in spite of the fact that the Petrosian system is not very popular nowadays.

13 c4! •••

The same reaction as against 13.dxe5 dxe5 14.lLlhl. Once White has given up the control of the c5-square, Black prepares to transfer his knight there.

14.�fl �b7 Once the knight gets to c5 the position will strongly resemble . the Breyer system, with the significant difference that the bishop is developed on d7 instead ofb7. This obviously favours Black, not only from the point of view of the activity of the bishop, but also for possible queenside counterplay based on . . . l'!b8 and . . . b4. The fact that the knights do not have communication between them via d7 is of less significance, since the king's knight has the plan . . . lLle8, . . . g6 and . . . lLlg7 at its disposal, ensuring Black of some solidity on the kingside. White now has to choose the exact method of carrying out his kingside attack.

15.�3h2 From a general point of view, this is the most flexible move. White clears the way for his f-pawn, while keeping g4 in reserve.

The immediate 1 5 .g4 can be met by 1 5 ...h5 when Black can try to gain control of the slightly weakened dark squares: 16.lLl3h2 (16.g5 lLlh7 17.h4 g6 planning . . . 5 or . . . f6 would leave the h4-pawn weak) 16...g6 17..ih6 l'!fe8 1 8.'lMff3 'lMfd8! This is one of the moments when it is a good idea to return the queen to its initial square. We cannot really speak about a loss of time on Black's part (as would be the situation in the case of i.c8-b7-c8) since the concrete circumstances (and necessities) have changed in the interim. The basic idea is to keep the h4-d8 diagonal under firm control. 19.1Lle3 h4 20.'J;hI lLlh7 Threatening ...i.g5, in order to take advantage of the weakness of the dark squares in White's camp. 2 1 .lLl5!? Facing the risk of being outplayed strategically, White starts a hazardous attack. 2 1 . . .i.g5 Since the knight does not threaten anything tangible yet, there is no need to capture it at once. 22J�gI f6 23 ..Lg5 lLlxg5 24.'lMfe3 gx5 But now that Black has consolidated on the dark squares, this capture is entirely safe. 25.gx5 'it>f7+ White has no adequate attack for the sacrificed material, Megaranto - Avrukh, Amsterdam 2005. . The natural 1 5 .ltJg3 has the significant drawbackofblockingthe g-pawn, thus somewhat restricting White's offensive possibilities. 1 5 ...lLlc5 16.lLlh2 a5 There is no reason for Black to postpone the start of his main plan. (However, inserting some prophylactic moves is also entirely possible, for instance 16.. J!fe8 17.f4 l'!ab8 1 8.fxe5 dxe5 19.1'!f1 b4 2o.Adz b3!?� AI Modiahki - Purnama, Barcelona 2005.) 1 7.�f3 b4 1 8.lLl5?! (a more consistent continuation of the attack is 1 8.lLlg4?!) 1 8 ....ix5! 19.�xf5 (l 9.ex5 e4 20.'lMfdl lLld3+) 1 9...rub8 20.tif3 lLlfd7 It now becomes obvious that the exchange on 5 has allowed Black to solve his last remaining problem of coordination: the connection of his knights through d7. Now the thematic f4 is hardly advisable, since the d7-knight would get the excellent e5-square. 21 .ltJf1 b3! A thematic move, radically changing the structure and severely restricting the enemy bishop. 22.axb3 cxb3 23 ..tdI a4 24.l'!b1 YHd8


25.J.e2 J.g5 26.lLld2 a3 with a strong initiative. The play is rather one-sided, so Black enjoys a fantastic position, Kozlov - Tseshkovsky, Aktjubinsk 1 9S5. White could also try to widen the front of his offensive by taking preventive measures on the queenside with 1 5.J.d2 lLlc5 (Black could consider preventing White's intentions with 1 5 ...a5!? when 16.a4 could be met by 16...bxa4 17.J.xa4 lLlc5 I S.J.c2 �UbS with adequate counterplay along the b-61e) 16.M. For instance: 16 ... cx:b3 1 7.axb3 a5 I SJ�a3 gfcS 19.tlYe2 .ids 20.gea 1 tlYb7 21 .lLlg3 g6 Both sides have regrouped well and the position is balanced, Kalesis - Frolov, Cappelle la Grande 1995.

15 a5 .••

,.

From Black's point of view, the move order is not essential at this stage of the game.He can also play 1 5 ... lLl c5 first, of course. 16.f4 exf4 (Some players prefer to postpone this exchange until White has weakened his king's position with g4. Therefore, 16...a5 looks like a worthy alternative, when the critical continuation is probably 17.5.) 17..txf4 g6 1 8.lLlf3 lLlh5 1 9.i.h2 f6?! (This is an unnecessary weakening move. Black was probably afraid of the central break e5, but it is not always clear which side would benefit most from such a break. From a static point of view, we can note that Black would gain the d6-square while the d5-pawn, not supported by .tc2, could become weak.

115

1 9...a5!? looks better.) 2o.lLld4 gaeS 2 1 .�f3 lLlg7 22.lLle3 lLlb7 23.gfl lLldS 24.lLlg4 �hS 25.�hl �cS 26.lLlh6 lLlf7 27.lLlxf7t gxf7 2S.g4;l; To a. certain extent, the position is characteristic ofthe Rubinstein system. However, the availability of the d4-square ensures White a stable advantage, Vasiukov - Unzicker, Moscow 1 99 1 . However, 1 5 ...�b6!? might make some difference compared to the usual course of the game. Black improves the position of his queen and causes White to lose time, because the immediate cj;>hl is not possible. 1 6.J.e3 lLlc5 17.M!? (the decision to change plans is probably correct, as if 1 7.�hl a5 I S.f4 exf4 1 9.J.xf4 b4 Black gains the useful move �c7-b6 for nothing) 1 7...cx:b3 I S.axb3 �c7 Now that the circumstances have changed, the queen returns to its previous location. Even though White might have to return with the bishop to d2, he would basically be one tempo ahead compared to the game Kalesis - Frolov. It's a pity that the players agreed a draw here in Ciociltea - Ivkov, Malaga 1 9S 1 .

16.£4 �c5 17.g4

After the immediate 1 7.5 Black seems to be able to organize an effective defence along the h4-dS diagonal with 17...!lfbS. This looks like the most consistent continuation. Black transfers his last reserves to the queenside, leaving for later the decision of how exactly

,

1 16


to carry out the attack. (The straightforward 1 7... b4 1 8.g4?! b3 1 9.axb3 cxb3 is also possible. For instance, 20.i.d3 h6 2 1 .h4 llJh7 22.llJ8 Yffd8 and White cannot prevent his pawns from being blocked.) 1 8.g4 h6 1 9.h4 llJh7 20.llJ8 Yffd8 White's attack has reached a dead end while Black's offensive is just about to start.

17 exf4 •••

for one move, because this would deprive Black of the natural plan of transferring the knight to c5.

Kasparov - Petrosian Banja Luka 1 979

14.d5

But now g5 followed by f5 was a serious threat. With the position not blocked yet, 17...h6? is pointless because of 1 8.g5! with an attack.

18..hf4 b4 19.�g3 Black is well prepared for the opening of the centre with 1 9.e5 dxe5 20.,lxe5 'M>6 (if 20 ...J.d6!? 2 1 .J.xf6 gxf6 Black certainly has some compensation for the kingside weaknesses, due to his total control of the dark squares) 2 1 .Yffd4 llJa4 22.Yffxb6 llJxb6 23.d6 J.d8 followed by . . .J.e6 and . . . llJfd7, with a fairly complicated posltlon. •

•

19...�e8

Black reinforces his control ofthe d6-square in advance, anticipating (or aiming to discourage) the central break.

gb8

When this game was played, this move was reported in Chess Injonnant as a novelty.

Planning ...J.e5 and ...llJf6. Black's stability on the dark squares as well as his outside passed pawn compensates for White's active position in the centre. The gaffie soon ended in a draw. Obviously, it makes a lot of sense to delay d5

Botvinnik once complained that he could not anticipate many ofPetrosian's moves during their match in 1963. He also stated that Petrosian is the only great player whose style and algorithm of thinking had not been completely "decoded" yet. When I saw Black's last move I partly understood Botvinnik's state of mind regarding his successor to the throne. Why on earth would somebody willingly retreat his knight, spending a whole tempo and releasing the pressure against the b2-pawIi? This is either a complete patzer's move or that of a deep strategist. For a long time I did not manage to find any reasonable answer to this question: I had even decided that I would include this game only for its historical interest and recommend the easier to understand 14...g6. However, just before I started writing the final version of this chapter I managed to imagine a model of thinking

20.�f3 b3 21.axb3 ab3 23.ic2 gxh2 24.�d4 .if6

14...�b6!?!


according to which Petrosian's move made sense. I cannot be sure that I have guessed his thoughts, but at least my version looks plausible. I will say more about this in the notes to the game. We have already acquainted ourselves with the basic ideas behind 1 4...g6. Black takes the 5square under control, consolidates his kingside, prepares the transfer of his king's knight or bishop to g7, and invites White to weaken his queenside with b3 in order to be able to play .th6. After 1 5.b3 lLlb6 Black already threatens to start his queenside counterplay with ...c4. 16.a4?! only makes things worse for White in view of 1 6...c4 1 7.a5 cxb3!+ Benko - Ivkov, Buenos Aires 1 955. We can see that 14.d5 had been played long before the game Kasparov - Petrosian, but also more than a decade earlier than the first tome of Chess Informant was published, which partly justifies the laconic comment "N" attached to the advance of the d-pawn. If 1 5 ..th6 then Black has a choice. Apart from, say, . . J3feB, he can sacrifice the exchange with 1 5 ...lLlxb2!? 16.�c1 lLlc4 17.i.xf8 i.xf8. Black has entirely adequate compensation, since the white rooks do not have open files at their disposal, while the thematic pawn break £2-f4 would only convert the dark-squared bishop into a real beast. An interesting game in which Black combined play on both wings in an instructive way, making use of some of the ideas that are characteristic of the Rubinstein system, continued: 1 5.lLl3h2 lLlh5 1 6.b3 lLlb6 1 7.lLle3 c4 1 B.i.d2 a5 1 9.lLlhg4 @hB 20.�f3 f6 21 .lLlh6 lLlg7 22.h4 cxb3 23.axb3 a4 24.b4 lLlc4 25.lLlxc4 �xc4 26.g4 5 27.i.d3 �cB Black had excellent counterplay in Shabalov - Ibragimov, Connecticut 2004. White's most consistent continuation is 1 5.i.d3, aiming to drive the knight away and leave the structure intact, although this will most likely result in a loss of time. 1 5 .. .l2Jb6 16.i.h6 E!:feB (I believe that this is the best square for the rook under these concrete circumstances. Black has to be ready for White's main plan, that of opening the kingside by means of f4. We have

1 17

had several chances to convince ourselves that the mechanical concentration of forces on a narrow area is not necessarily favourable. Here is a further example played at very high level: 16...E!:fbB 17.g4 The subdeties regarding the move order chosen by White are explained in the notes to the line starting with 16.. J!feB. 17... c4 IB.i.c2 .tf8 1 9.i.g5 i.g7 20.lLlg3 lLla4 2 1 .E!:bl lLlc5 22.lLld2 @hB 23.i.e3 lLlgB 24.@g2 E!:fB Black understood the danger and returned with the rook to the kingside before his counterplay on the other wing even started. However, the placement of his king's knight is rather poor now. 25.f4 exf4 26..txf4;l; Black's position was rather cramped in Dolmatov - Hubner, Germany 1 992.) 17.g4 (This move, restricting the activity of the f6-knight, is part of White's general plan and this is the only moment when it can be played without the risk of being met by ...h5. 1 7.lLl3h2?! This simplifies Black's defensive task on the kingside. 17...i.fB IB.i.g5 i.g7 Now, 1 9.�f3 lLlh5 20.g4?! lLlf4! is strategically risky for White, while 1 9.94 allows 1 9 ... h5 when 20.i.xf6 .txf6 21 .gxh5 i.g5 leaves Black with wonderful play on the dark squares.) 17....tfB IB.i.g5 (Again the only move that keeps Black under some pressure. If IB.i.d then Black has the typical tactical operation I B ...lLlfxd5 1 9.exd5 e4 at his disposal, apart from the more trivial IB ...h5.) IB ...i.g7 19.1Llg3 Now ...h5 is not easy to carry out. Black should continue his play on the other wing. 1 9 ...lLla4 20.gbl c4 21 ..tc2 lLlc5 22.lLld2 (This looks more ambitious than 22.lLlh2, because it keeps the c4-pawn under pressure, aiming to discourage the thematic ...b4. However, Black can consider sacrificing the c4-pawn in order to get active play.) 22 ...h6 23.i.e3 as Black's plan seems easier to carry out. If 24.f4 he could reply 24...exf4 25 ..txf4 i.cB dearing the d7-square in order to transfer the knight to e5, with a comfortable position. Obviously, with the king's rook on bB, the position would be quite dangerous for Black in view of 26.e5!. IfWhite plays some half-waiting move such as 24.@h2, Black could continue with 24...E!:abB

•

l IB


25Jm b4! when 26.ltlxc4 is strongly met by ltlcxe4! 27.ltlxe4 ltlxe4. We can see here that the generally useful move .. .l:!abB avoids the intermediate move 2B.ltlb6.

15.g4

As we shall see, this was the move Petrosian was

counting on. His previous move was primarily aimed at discouraging the bold advance of the g-pawn, but his young opponent was not the kind of player to shy away from such attacking moves. It is also easy to understand that taking the c4-square under control with 1 5.b3 is not to be recommended because of 1 5 ...c4 16.b4 a5 with typical queenside counterplay. However, what could he have had in mind against a neutral move such as 1 5.ltl3h2. The following is an illustrative line that might give a hint about Petrosian's plans. 1 5...a5 (Any other generally useful move that leaves the eB-square available for the knight is playable, for instance 15 .. J!fcB. However, I believe that Black should not commit his king's rook so early.) 16.g4 ltleB 17.ltlg3 g6 Black plans to regroup with ...ltlg7 and eventually ...�dB, when White's kingside expansion could eventually result in weaknesses. Therefore, White's next move looks quite logical. I B.f4 exf4 19.hf4

really-really. The knight returns in order to install itself on e5. Black has a dream position, at least by the standards of the Chigorin Ruy Lopez. I believe that this last move contains the essence of Petrosian's idea. Conceptually, it is quite paradoxical. Black has ensured some sort of dynamic stability for his knight on c4 by retreating it without having been attacked. If the knight had remained on c4 White could have considered playing b3 at the right moment, in order to launch an attack that may have been faster than Black's queenside action. However, after the knight's retreat b3 does not look too appealing, since Black could start his counterplay with ...c4 immediately! Or ifWhite plays .id3, as in the game Dolmatov - Hiibner, Black could answer with ...ltla4 followed by ... c4 and ...ltlc5 without making any premature commitment on the opposite wing.

15...h5!

Suddenly, it appears that White is involved in open kingside combat at an earlier stage that he might have initially intended.

16.gxh5

Strategically speaking, this is a concession, but White will compensate for it by means of piece activity. Keeping the pawn structure intact would have implied other inconveniences. For instance, 16.g5 ltlh7 1 7. 'it>g2 (if 17.h4 then 1 7...g6 •

White has developed his queen's bishop comfortably, without having to weaken his queenside. Is this really true? 19 ...ltlc4!! Not

•

•


preparing .. [6, when the h4-pawn would remain weak) 17...h4! followed by . . .1!>!1d8 and the g5pawn will be impossible to defend. 18 ..ie3 1!>!1d8 1 9.'�c1 would be met by 1 9...tik4, of course. Once again, the knight returns to c4 with great effect. 1 6.ltHh2 would leave the dark squares insufficiendy defended after 1 6...hxg4 17.hxg4 �h7 followed by ...1!>!1d8 and ....ig5. .

1 19

dark-squared bishops with ....ig5) 20J�g3 �h8 2 1 .�f3;!;

19 1Yh3 ••.

17.�3h2

Now everything is in order for Black.

20.1Ya g6 21-Ul greg?!

17

. •�

?!

In his annotations for Chess Infonnant Kasparov awarded this move an exclamation mark. Petrosian was obviously worried about his bishop remaining exposed on h3, but giving up such an active piece without being forced to is an obvious concession. A more logical continuation of the plan initiated by 1 5 ...h5 would have been 17...g6, aiming to take control of the h5- and, implicidy, f4-squares. 18.tLlg3 (it almost goes without saying that after 1 8 ..th6?! Petrosian would have been delighted to sacrifice the exchange with 18 ... tLlxh5!) 1 8 ... �h8 1 9.1!>!18 Wld7 Followed by ...gg8, when Black seems to be better prepared for active operations on the kingside.

18.�rll ft'd7 19.�g3?!

White has just got rid of a disruptive enemy piece on h3, but now allows another one to occupy that square. Instead, he could have consolidated his space advantage with 19.ge3!' For instance: 19 ...�h7 (hoping to exchange the

But this move is questionable. It is curious that after having created such a sophisticated abstract plan, Petrosian fuiled to find the best concrete ways to carry it out in practical play. As pointed out by Kasparov, 2 1 ...tLlxh5? would lose material to 22.�fS!+-. However, 2 1 ...�h7 looks like a better way of preparing the activation of the kingside pieces. For instance: 22.Wlg2 1!>!1h4! (better than 22; ..�xg2t 23.�xg2± as given by Kasparov) 23.Wlh2 (White has to exchange the intruder. If 23.hxg6t then 23... fxg6 intending ...�h5.) 23...Wlxh2t 24.�xh2 gh8! This is the difference compared to Kasparov's line: the king is more exposed on h2. 25.�g2 tLlxh5 26.ghl �g7 27.i.xh5 gxh5 28.gxh5 gxh5 29.�xh5t �g6 30.�g3 gh8 The rook's activity compensates for the weakness of the fS-square. In addition, the immediate 3 1 .�fS does not lead anywhere because of 3 1 ...�xd5! while otherwise Black would get rid of his "bad" bishop with ....ig5.

22.ft'g2 1YIg2t 23.�Ig2;t

White's position is more active, but both players seem to have been tired by the unexpected course of events and decided to agree a draw. ¥2-¥2

120


In the notes to the game Dolmatov - Hubner above, we have seen that White's most effective kingside plan after blocking the centre involves the advance ofthe g-pawn. From this perspective, it should not surprise us that playing 14.tLlg3 combined with 15.d5 is far less dangerous for Black. The following is a game played between the same players a couple of years earlier.

after 16...c4? Then the spectacular 17.tLlxe5!? dxe5 18.dxe5 seems to put even more pressure on Black than the simple 17.dxe5 dxe5 1 8.tLlxe5.} 17.gc1 a4 1 8.tLld2 axb3 19.axb3 gec8 20.f4 cxd4 21.cxd4 ex£4 22.hf4 ga2 23 ..tb1 'lWxc1 24.'lWxc1 gxc1 25.gxc1 gb2 26.gc2 gxc2 27.hc2+ In spite of the mass simplifications, White has maintained his space advantage and eventually won in Geller - Unzicker, Moscow 1982.

Dolmatov - Hubner

15.d5

Manila Interzonal 1 990

Black is perfectly prepared for this.

15... �e8 16.a4 �g7 17.b3 �a5!?

Once the b3-square has been weakened, this retreat is best. If 17... tLlb6 1 8.a5 the knight would land on the unfavourable c8-sqllare.

18.axb5

The weakness of the b3-sqllare would make itself felt after 18.!h6 bxa4 1 9.bxa4 gfb8 eventually followed by ...c4.

18...axb5 19.Ah6 �b7 20.ftdl �tb8

Preparing to start the fight for the a-file.

21.b4

Do you have a feeling of deja vu?

21. £6 22.�h2 �d8 ••

�f7=

14...g6 The reader might have become used to the fact that I do not like 14...gfe8 as a half-waiting move. The following game perfectly illustrates my doubts. 15.b3 (15.d5 is slightly more favourable for White than in our main game, because the e8-square is not available to the knight for the standard regrouping ...tLle8-g7, but it fails to impress anyway. 15 ...g6 16.b3 tLlb6 17.ie3 a5 18.tLld2 b4 19.c4 .tc8 20.a4 .tfS Black plans to regroup with . . .'lWd8 and . . . ga7. 21.f4 exf4 22.hf4 tLlfd7 23.tLlf3 .tg7 24.ga2 tLle5= Black was absolutely fine in Bronstein - Geller, Soviet Championship, Yerevan 1975.) 15 ...tLlb6 16..te3 From this square the bishop inhibits Black's thematic counterplay based on ...c4. 16...a5 (As we know from the comments to the game Aronin - Averbakh, the knight would be hanging

If we hadn't seen the previous moves, we might think that the Rubinstein system had been played. 24Ale2 WeB 25..4b3 c4

Now that Black has regrouped perfectly on both wings, blocking the queenside can no longer be considered a positional concession.


�xal 27.�xa1 �aS 28.Y!Ye1 �a6

Black makes use of Rubinstein's method of taking control of the a-file.

29.f4 Y!YaS 3O.�dl �a2 31..thl �al 32.�f3

f5

Black can be quite happy with his position, although objectivdy speaking the chances remain approximatdy equal. We have covered in detail the plans based on dxe5 or d5 within 3-4 moves from the main tabiya of the variation. Of course, these moves can occur at a later stage, too, but a rigorous examination is virtually impossible given the absence of sufficient practical material. We shall just have a look at two more examples where White maintained the central tension for longer. Szalanczy

-

I.lIbcs

Budapest 1 993

13.�f1 �c4 14.�g3 g6 15.h3 �h6 16.i.h6

It is curious that this natural sequence of moves has occurred in practice quite rardy. As mentioned in the introduction, one of White's main trumps in the Petrosian system is that the centre is not under serious pressure and that the tension can be maintained for a long time.

16...�fe8

In Vierspringerspiel bis Spanisch published shortly after his death, the outstanding Ruy

121

Lopez specialist Paul Keres stopped his analysis with this move, evaluating the position as equal. He probably considered White's plan rather inoffensive and bdieved that any natural move would do for Black. Indeed, several other variations proved more dangerous for Black in practice at the time he wrote the book, and he found no reason to concentrate on a position that was almost never played. However, White's play so far has been very logical and it is out of place to consider his set up as "inoffensive". Although he is not under strong pressure yet, Black should act with great accuracy in order to avoid remaining passive. The reader can take a deep breath. This will be the last time that I criticize the placement of the rook on e8. My arguments are the same as ever: in addition to failing to put real pressure on the e4pawn, the rook deprives the fO-knight of its last retreat square, which one day may be needed. Virtually any other rook move would probably be better. The most obvious alternative to the text move is 16...�fc8, more or less forcing the white queen's rook to abandon the a-file with 17.�c1 when Black can start his counterplay with 17...a5. However, after completing his devdopment with 18.%!fd2 White threatens to start an even quicker attack with �f5. (18 ..ib1 c4 19.!e3 was played in Jennings - Shddon, London 1994, but now Black could get active play with 19... cxb3 20.axb3 a4 when the familiar win of a pawn with 21 .dxe5 dxe5 22.hb6 %!fxb6 23.�xe5 leaves Black with excellent compensation after 23 ...!e6.)

122


After IS.�d2 Black can parry the threatened knight move to f5 by means of I S...lLleS. As we shall see, the knight retreat is not only a defensive move, but aims to take advantage of the relative weakness of the central dark squares induced by the move b3. The knight is approaching the d4square in its characteristically sinuous way. An illustrative continuation is: 19.1Llh2 (A natural way to continue the kingside attack, which has the drawback of weakening the control over the centre. Against other moves, Black would have a choice between 19...a4 or the bolder 19 ...b4.) 19 ...b4! Black follows Nimwwitsch's recommendations by attacking the enemy pawn chain at its base, undermining the d4-square. We can finally see the hidden structural defect induced by White's natural desire to drive the irritating c4-knight back makes itself felt. With the b-pawn on its initial square, Black's attack would be far less effective. 20.dxe5 (blocking the centre with 20.d5 can be strongly met by 20...c4) 20...dxe5 2 1 .c4 (If 2 1.lLlg4 Black can develop his queenside initiative with 21...c4. Or if21 .cxb4 axb4 22..id3 then 22...lLlg7 and once again Black's pieces are well placed for the newly modified structure.) 2 1..J'gdS 22..id3 lLlg7 23.lLlhfl lLle6 24.lLle3 Both sides have taken the critical squares under control, and Black's chances are by no means worse. After 24...lLld4 25.lLld5 lLlxd5 26.exd5 he can continue his queenside play with 26...a4, while his king's position is relatively safe. If required, the queen's rook could be transferred to the kingside along the sixth rank. Similarly, 16.. J3fdS can be played. For instance, 17.�d2 lLleS Is.lLlh2 b4. Indeed, Black does not really need to advance his a-pawn yet in order to undermine the d4-square, while the opposition of the white queen and black king's rook could be useful. However, blocking the centre with 19.d5 makes more sense now, although Black's position remains solid. To my taste, 16.. J3fcS should be preferred because it restricts White's options, but it is hard to draw a definitive conclusion without further practical tests.

17J3c1?!

After, this unnecessary loss of time, Black can neutralize White's kingside pressure. In practice, 17.d5?! has also been tried, but it is not likely to pose Black any problems. The queenside plan develops naturally after 17...c4 IS.b4 a5 19.a3 l3a7 (the slightly premature 19 ... axb4 could be met by 20.cxb4!? followed by lLle2-c3) 20.l3c1 (If White tries to keep the a-file closed with, say, 20.lLlh2 l3eaS 2 1.l3e3, Black could take advantage of the fact that the white queen's possible communication with the dark-squared bishop has been temporarily cut off by means of 21.. ..ifS. For instance, 22..ixfB �xf8 23.�c1 �g7. Apart from the queenside pressure, Black can consider becoming strategically ambitious on the other wing, too, with . . . �dS and . . . h5.) 20 ...axb4 2 1.axb4 l3eaS 22.lLlg5?! (the more restrained 22.lLlh2 looks better) 22....ifB 23 ..ixfB l3xf8 24.f4?! White offers the e5-square to his opponent for nothing. 24...exf4 25.�f3 fxg3 26.�xf6 .icS! Clearing the d7-square for the knight. 27.l3al lLld7 Black's position is preferable, Sammalvuo - Ilinsky, Mallorca 2004. As frequently happens, the natural developing move is best. With the eS-square occupied already, Black has no favourable .way of preventing lLlf5 after 17.�d2!' White probably feared Black's counterplay along the c-file, but after 17...l3acS I S.l3ac1 cxd4?! 19.cxd4 �c3?! 20.�xc3 13xc3 2 1 .lLle2 followed by dxe5, White would simply win a pawn. Also, 17....tf8 does not work out well now, because of I S ..ixf8 �xf8 (1S ...13xf8 10ses the e5-pawn after 19.dxe5 followed by 20.�g5) 19.�h6t �gS 20.lLlg5 with the strong threat lLlh5!. 17 ..tm Now, Black is just in time to consolidate his kingside position. ••

18."d2

I S..txf8 �xf8 19.�d2 1eads nowhere because of 19 ... �g7.

18....tg7 19."gS

19.hg7 �xg7 20.�g5 is adequately met by 20 ...h6. Once again, the comparison with the

The Petrosian System Picc comes to mind. Once the e-file has been cleared, 19.tLlfS is n�t dangerous any more because of 19...hf5 20.exf5 e4 isolating the generally dangerous c2-bishop from the black kingside. However, 1 9.tDh4!? persisting with the threat of placing a knight on fS comes into consideration.

123

completing his development in a comfortable way and avoiding any pawn weakness.

14...�xe3

19 .cbh8 ••

Intending to expel the intruders with ...tLlgS or ....ixh6 followed by ...tDgS.

20.dxeS

White feels that his attack has lost intensity and opens a new front.

20..•dxeS 21 Jlcdl Am6 22.Bxh6 �g8 23.Bd2 ft) 24.Bd6 f!:aca

White's position remains optically appealing, but after the exchange of the dark-squared bishops Black can build up a reliable fortress rather easily. The game continued with

2S.�fJ. Wg7 26.�e3 �h6 27.a4 �t7 28.Bxc7 f!:xc7 29••S �c8 3O.�dS f!:b7 31.M c4..

when Black had little to worry about. The central knight will be easy to exchange if necessary. Apart from that, it does not create any serious threats and keeps the d-file closed. Together with the variation 13.tLlfl tDc4 14.b3 tDb6 1 5.tLle3, the line played in the previous game should be considered as a critical test of the Petrosian system. The main difference is that in the former case, theory is more or less settled, while in the latter there remain many "black holes". The variation played in the next game should not pose Black any special problems if he reacts accurately, but it has historical interest having been the choice of two other world champions against Petrosian.

IS f!:fc8I? •.•

When facing this position for the first time, Petrosian reacted in a rather neutral way, failing to foresee White's simple plan. The game continued 1 5....ie6 16.tLld2 �feS 17.f4 �ad8 IS.fxe5 dxe5 19.d5 .Ad7 20.c4 �bS 21.a4 b4 22.a5! and White was better on practically every area of the board in Tal - Petrosian, Soviet Championship, Riga 1958. The game is famous not so much for Petrosian's opening play, but for his exchange sacrifice on f4 (!) which completely changed the natural course of the game.

16.f!:c1

13.�fJ. �c4 14.lLle3

After the exchange of one pair of knights, White's only chance of retaining a tiny plus is to maintain the tension in the centre. If 16.d5 White has insufficient forces to generate dangerous threats against the kingside. Minev recommended 16.dxe5!? dxe5 17.tLlh4 but Black can play, for instance, 17...c4 I S.�e a5 19.tDfS hf5 20.exfS .ic5 2U�g5 �a6 with an entirely viable position (please refer to the similar structure arising in the Rauzer line from the Rubinstein system).

White centralizes his knight without driving the enemy knight away with b3. Although any early exchange of pieces is supposed to favour the defending side, White is counting on

By putting pressure against the e4-pawn, Black prevents White from carrying out Tal's plan.

Karpov

-

Petrosian

Milan (1) 1975

16...J.c6

124


17.�dl

20.�e2 id8

It is quite significant that Karpov, who generally liked to block the centre in the Chigorin Ruy Lopez (see for instance his game against Unzicker from the previous chapter) avoided 17.d5 here, even though this would have won a tempo.

17 cxd4 18.cxd4 'i!Yb7 •••

Now, White has to give up his secret hopes of playing f4.

19.d5 Once the position has stabilized, Black will be able to manoeuvre in cornfott. However, Minev's recommendation 19.�f3!? fails to impress. Black has several ways of improving his position. For instance, 1 9....id8 (the more neutral 1 9...a5 is also possible, leaving White with the difficult task of finding an active plan) 20.id3 ib6 (again, the more restrained 20...a5 comes into consideration) 2 1 ..igS tLle8 22.d5 id7 and the active dark-squared bishop compensates for the temporary passivity of the knight. Leaving the d7-square available to the knight.

21.b4 ,ib6

The exchanges initiated by this move will lead to a draw in the most natural way. 23.fi'xe3 flxcl 24.flxcl Jk8 25.�b3 flxclt 26.fi'xcl Ad7 27.Wh2 1Jb6

28.fi'dl fi'c7 Ih-lh

-- --

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gadl" axb3 cxb3!10 a581

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126


1 14.lLlfl c4 (14...lLlc4)

2 14 ....le6 1 5.�f3 lLlc4 16.lLldfl l:!feS 17.g4 lLld7 I S.lLlg3 lLlfS 19.1Llhfl lLlg6 20.lLlh5 l:!adS 21 .b3 lLlb6 22.lLle3 c4 23.lLlf5± Simagin - Szabo, Moscow 1 963.

3 15...mhS 16.�g4 gads 17.Vla .le6 IS.�fe3 �b7 19.�xf6 20.�d5 hd5 21.exd5 �d6 (21 ...lLlc5 22.�f5 e4 23.l:!xe4±) 22.a4 gfe8 23.axb5 axb5 24.ga6 e4 25.tfg3 .le5 26.Ji4 .bf4 27.Vlxf4 5 2S.geal Vle7 29.gb6 gd7 30.gaa6 gedS 31.M g6 32.b3;!; Korneev - Dydyshko, Katowice 1992.

4 l S ..ig5 hg4 19.hxg4 lLld3= 5 22.a4 Vld6 (22...�d7 23.axb5 axb5 24.l:!a5 e4+ 25.he4? lLlxe4 26.l:!xe4 �e4 27.�xe4 l:!eS 2S.�f4 �dS �...�xa5 or . . . l:!e1 t followed by ....le5) 23.axb5 axb5 24.tf5 e4

g6 26.Vla Vle7

6 23.iLxe4 (23.f3?! Ah4 [23...b4!? 24.cxb4?

lLld3 25.l:!xe4 .ld4t!-+] 24.l:!d1 [24.l:!e2 g6 25.�g4 exf3! 26.l:!xeSt l:!xeS 27.�xh4 l:!e2 2s.M4 �b6-+] 24...g6 25.tfg4 �g3+)

23 �xe4 24J:lxe4 Le4 25.Y!Yxe4 Y!Ye5= •••

7 15.g4 h5! (15... lLleS 16.lLlg3 g6 17.lLlh2

lLlg7 lS.f4 f5!? Manik - Szamos, Hlohovec 1995) 16.lLl3h2 (16.g5 lLlh7 17.h4 g6 �...f6, X8h4) 16...g6 17.il.h6 l:!feS l S.�f3 'l!!YdS! (�h4-dS) 19.1Lle3 h4 20.'it>h1 lLlh7 (�....lg5) 21.lLlf5!? .ig5 22.:gg1 f6 23.hg5 lLlxg5 24.�e3 gxf5 25.gxf5 'it>f7+ Megaranto - Avrukh, Amsterdam 2005. 15.�g3 lLlc5 1 6.lLlh2 a5 (16...l:!feS 17.f4 gab8 1 8.fxe5 dxe5 19,%;[1 b4 20.J.d2 b3!?+t AI Modiahki - Purnama, Barcelona 2005) 17.�f3 b4 I s.lLlf5?! (1s.lLlg4?!) l S...hf5! 1 9.�xf5 (19.exf5 e4 20.�dl lLld3+) 19 ...l:!fbS 20.�f3 lLlfd7 21 .lLlfl b3! 22.axb3 cxb3 23 ..ld1 a4 24.:gb1 �dS 25 ..le2 .lg5 26.lLld2 a3t Kozlov - Tseshkovsky, Aktjubinsk 19S5. 15.J.d2 lLlc5 (15...a5!? �16.a4 bxa4 17.J.xa4

lLlc5 I S ..ic2 :gfbs �b) 16.b4 cxb3 17.axb3 a5 IS.:ga3 l:!fcS 19.�e2 .idS 20.:geal �b7 21 .lLlg3 g600 Kalesis - Frolov, Cappelle la Grande 1 995.

S 15 �c5 16.f4 exf4 (16...a5 17.f5) •••

17..txf4 g6 1 S.lLlf3 lLlh5 19.i.h2 f6?! (19 ...a5!?) 20.lLld4 l:!aeS 21.�f3 lLlg7 22.lLle3 lLlb7 23.:gfl lLldS 24.lLlg4 'it>hS 25.'it>hl �cS 26.lLlh6 lLlf7 27.lLlxf7t l:!xf7 2S.g4+ Vasiukov - Unzicker, Moscow 1 99 1 . 15...Ylb6!? 1 6..ie3 lLlc5 17.b4!? (17.'it>hl a5 IS.f4 exf4 19.i.xf4 b4+t) 17 ...cxb3 l S.axb3 �c7= Ciociltea - Ivkov, Malaga 19S 1 .

9 17.5 gtbS (17...h4 I S.g4?! b3 19.axb3

cxb3 20 ..ld3 h6 21.h4 lLlh7 22.lLlf3 �d8+) IS.g4 h6 19.M �h7 20.�a tfdS=F Xh4, g5

10 17...h6? l S.g5!-+ 1 1 19.e5 dxe5 1rb6 (20....ld6!? 21..ixf6 gxf6oo) 21.Vld4 �a4 22.Y!Yxb6 �xb6 23.d6 .ldS Followed by . . . .le6 and . . . lLlfd7, with a fairly complicated position.

12 23 ..lc2 l:!xb2 24.lLld4

25.'l!!Yc l l:!bS 26.�e3 a4 27.l:!ebl l:!xb1 t 2S.l:!xb1 a3 29.l:!a1 �a5 30.lLlge2 .ie5 31.�cl lLlf6 �-� Karjakin - Aleksandrov, Saint Vincent 2005. .if6

13 15.�3h2 :gadS 16.�f3 ac6 17.lLlg3 lLld6 l S.ag5 lLlfeS 1 9.he7 'l!!Yxe7 20.'l!!Ye3 lLlc4 21.lLlf5 �a7 22.�g3 f6 23..lb3 lLled6 24.lLlxd6 l:!xd6 25.lLlg4 Van den Berg - Donner, Amsterdam 1954, 25 ...'it>hS 26.hc4 bxc4= �d, Xd3. 15.tfe2 :gfeS 16.b3 lLlb6 17.c4 Bruzon Vazquez, Santa Clara 2000, 17...lLlh5!+

14 15..J;radS 16.�e2 l:!feS 17.b3 lLlb6 l S.a4 (1S.c4 Gilbert - Pillon, corr. 1951, l s. .lLlcs 19..ib2 if8 20.l:!ad1 lLla7 21.lLlf5 g6 22.lLle3 lLlc6= 23.cxb5?! lLld4+) l S ...afS 19.ag5 �c6 20.a5 lLlcs 21.lLlf5 �e6 22.lLlh2 h6 23..th4 lLle7 24.�f3 (�lLlxh6t) 24...g5 25 ..ig3± O'Kelly - Steiner, Groningen 1946. .

---.

127


IS �fc8

16.�h2 Ae6 17.ti'f3 �h8 18.�£5 .Affi 19.�g4 �xg4 20.hxg4 f6 21 .g5 fxg5 22.b3 .�b6 23.Axg51 Panov - Furman, Leningrad 1952. •••

26 1 6... c4!= 1:7 17.�d5 �fxd5 18.exd5 Ad6=

28 17...c4!..; 17 g6 18.c4 �hS 19.�dS �xdS 20.adS Ad6 21.�gS (21 .g4?! �f4 •••

IS 17.M �b6

Lla4 (1 8.c4 .tffi 1 9.a4 bxa4 20.bxa4 as 21 .Ab2 �c8 22.Jl.c3 l1:1a7 23.�abl �c6) 18•••c4?! 19.�xe5! fixeS

2O.tyb6

..

21.gedl!:t

22.J.xf4 exf4l 23.,td3 b4 24.'ilYb2 f6 25J�e2 'ilYc8!? 26.�f1 Axg4 27.hxg4 Yfxg4+ Fink - Sadomsky, corr. 1 960) 21...�g7 (2 1...£5 22.11:1e6 he6 23.dxe6 b4 24.Jl.h6 �g7°o)

16 Xb3. 17...Af8 1 8.axb5 axb5 19.�8 �8 �b5, e5

22.�e4 f6 23.g4 �eS 24..tb2 Ae7 2S..tc3 �d6 Benok - Ivkov, Sarajevo 195 1 .

17 19...c4 20 •e3 mh8 (20.. b4 2 1 .�£5 Ac5

19.a4 bxa4 20.bxa4 �hS 21.g3 29 �f6 (2 1 ...ll.xh3? 22.�g5!+-) 22.g4.lc6 (22 ... a5 23.Jl.d2 �8 24.Ac3;t) 23.�dS IbdS 24.cxdS c4 2S.aS:t Lilienthal - Panov, Moscow 1940.

•

.

22.tfgS �h5?! 23.g4, 20...,tffi 21 ..txffi �xf8 22.flh6t �g8 23.11:1£5 hf5 24.exf5±) 21.�gS Ae6 (21 ...mg8 22.�£5! gx5 23.�e6! f4 24.ti'xf4 exf4 25.l1:1xc7±) 22••£3 �b7 23.�xe6 fxe6 24.),41 Aronin - Averbakh, Moscow 1950.

18 20..txffi � 21.'ffe3 �g7 22.'ilYgS h6= 19

23.�1 �xb2 24.ga6 .ie6oo As compensation for the pressure he is under, Black has managed to somewhat simplify the position .and win a pawn.

20 X�g3 21

16.b3 �b6 17.Jl.h6 gfd8!? (Llhh3) 18.'ffe2 c4=

22 16...l1:1xb2!? 17.ti'c1 �c4

I B.hffi gxf8�

23 17.b3 �a3 Llc4

...

. 30 19.�d5 �xd5 20.exciS (e, �bl-h7) 20...f621.�h4 Ll'ffh5 (21 .ti'd3 g6 22.h4 l1:1d6=) 21...g6 22.�xg6! hxg6 23.1bg6 J.flI LeS 2S.'frhS �d6 26.�e3 Eventually followed

by gg3 and Jl.h6, when the vulnerability of the f6-pawn causes Black serious problems of consolidation. Or 24...heB 25.f4 Jl.g7 26.fxe5 fxe5 27.Ab2, when Black will soon be behind _ on material, while his king's position remains unsafe. However the modest 20 ....tf6 instead of 20...f6 seems to offer Black a normal position. The knight will soon jump to d6 and then ...g6 followed by .. JJ.g7 and ...5 will neutralize White's kingside pressure and prepare Black's own expansion on this wing.

31 2 1 ...�xd5 22.cxd5± X�a7

24 Followed by ...f6 and ...�d6-f7, combined with the usual queenside plan starting with ... c4.

2S 16.a4 c4!

17.a5 cxb3 1 8.axb6 ti'xc3 with strong counterplay, Boleslavsky ..:.. Smyslov, Groningen 1946. 16.AgS (LlttJe3) 16...gfe8 17.ttJe3 c4 18.Lf6 hf6 19.bxc4 gad8 20.ttJd5 ttJxd5 2 1 .cxd5 ti'xc3+ Didier - Pillon, corr. 1952.

33 23.�b6 gaS! >g8 20.�xf3 with a dear extra pawn.) 1 7.tlje5 .id6 Now, in the game Kobalia - Beliavsky, Tripoli 2004, White could have consolidated his advantage with 1 8.�f3. For instance: 1 8 ...he5 (Black cannot afford to abandon the d5-square. After 1 8 ...lLlf6 19.tljc6 �d7 20.he6, he cannot capture with the rook because of 2 1 .lLle7t, while 20 ...fxe6 21 .tljc5 hc5 22.dxc5 lLld5 23.lLle5± is anything but appealing for him.) 1 9.9xe5 c6 20.gae1 White pressure. has

151

pawns in some way with 14...a5. The game L. Dominguez - Y. Gonzales, Cuba 2004, continued with 1 5.�d3 (Getting rid of the pin and connecting rooks at the same time. 1 5.a4?! would help Black eliminate one of his weaknesses with · 1 5 ...bxa4, while leaving the b4-square weak.) 1 5 ...a4 1 6..ic2 hf3 1 7.�xf3 hc3 (Finally, Black has to make this concession anyway. If 1 7...a3 then White would be only too happy to return his bishop to b3 with 1 8.bxa3! gxa3 1 9 ..ib3 maintaining a stable position and leaving Black with the difficult task of finding a favourable way to win the pawn back.) 1 8.�xc3! (Well played! With the bishop away from the a2-g8 diagonal, 1 8.bxc3 is less indicated, because of 1 8 ...�xd5 when Black would be dose to equality. The weaknesses along the c file have lost their significance, since. White's pieces do not have access to them anymore.) 1 8 ...lLlxd5 White now played 1 9.�d3, which led to further pawn exchanges and just a slightly better position for him. I would prefer 19.�c5!? (How could one resist the temptation to occupy such a square?) 1 9...�d7 20.ge5 followed by .it) or .ie4 and g l e 1 , of course. Black would be submitted to very strong pressure.

15.hxc3 �xd5

14.�c3

Again, the simplest solution implies a small concession. Black not only moves the bishop again, exchanging it for a knight that has consumed just one tempo, but helps his opponent to strengthen his centre. Just as one move earlier, the alternative consisted of trying to make use of the queenside

Five moves after the forced operation in the centre, Black has finally won his pawn back. However, the minor concessions he has been forced to make on the way have tilted the


1 52

balance of development in White's favour. He is a tempo ahead (l!fe1) and has the right to move. In addition, the quality of his development is superior, because his minor pieces enjoy more stability than Black's.

16.'flYd3 .ie6

Black aims to consolidate the blockade on the light squares. The vulnerability of Black's minor pieces is revealed by the rather "cooperative" variation 16.. .'iM6 17.l!e5 .le6? 18.liJg5 g6 I9.liJe4 followed by a double capture on d5 and a check on f6. Maybe Black should follow the principle "Fewer pieces, fewer worries" by playing 16....ix£3 although after 17.'1Wx8 liJf6 18.l!e5 his position is unenviable. White has strong pressure all over the board.

17.ie5:t White has very active play. I believe it is safe to call 10...d5 a premature attempt to challenge White's strategy. It is interesting that in the third game between Yates and Rubinstein where 9.d4 was played, Black was successful with a similar action in the centre just one move later.

Yates Rubinstein -

Marienbad 1925 Rubinstein played

10 leS!? •••

with the obvious aim of delaying clearing the c3-square for the bI-knight by making a generally useful move. If we remember that Beliavsky played this move at a later stage anyway, Rubinstein's idea makes sense. However, after a more detailed examination the whole plan will also prove unsound in its supposedly improved versIOn. •

I V�bc12!

For the time being, Yates reacts in the best possible way. About half a century later, White started playing I I .h3?! but I believe that Black has better chances for adequate counterplay in this case. He should answer with 1 1 .. ..ix£3!

(Several games played between strong grandmasters have continued with 1 1 .. ..th5?! but now 1 2.liJbd2 leaves Black with an unpleasant choice. Sticking to a neutral policy with 12 .. .t.ffi would lead to active queenside play for White after 13.d5 liJa5 14..lc2 followed by b4 and a4, while the central break 1 2...d5 is unplayable because of 1 3.dxeS liJxe5 14.g4!. A strong move after which Black will have to give up the tension in the centre twice in a row, thus helping White's development. 14... liJx8t 1 5.'1Wx8 dxe4 16.liJxe4 .lg6 1 7.liJxf6t .txf6 1 8 ..ld5 l!b8 1 9..lc6:t The difference in activity between the enemy armies is obvious.) 1 2.�x8 liJa5 Later in this chapter I shall say more about certain aspects of this knight manoeuvre when it is carried out in circumstances that are characteristic of the 10..le3 system. For the moment, I shall just mention its similarity to the Chigorin variation. 13 ..Ac2 liJc4 14..Acl exd4 (14...c5 looks playable as well, when White's best chance for an advantage consists of adopting Ral!7er's plan at some point) 1 5.cxd4 c5 1 6.b3 liJb6 1 7..ib2 cxd4 1 8.,hd4 liJfd7 Followed by ....Af6 with a reasonable position for Black. Indeed, the rdative weakness of the d6-pawn is compensated for by the unfavourable placement of the c2-bishop and the weakness of the dark sq1l3res on White's queenside. .

l l ...d5

1 53

The Yates Vatiation - 1 0 ..te3

12.che5?

instance, 1 3 ....th5 14.e5 lLle4 gives up all

this is a very unwise release of the tension,

control of the centre after 1 5.lLlxe4 dxe4 16.%Vc2!.) 14.hxg4 ex8 Appatently, Black is

allowing the activation of Black's forces.

doing fine, because after 1 5 .g5 he has 1 5 ... lLl d5.

The other possible capture, 1 2.exd5?!, is less favourable than in the case of 10 ...d5, because

However, after 16.%Vx8 the vulnerability of the

Without the interpolation of h3 and ....th5,

f7-sqnare and the lack of stability of the knights

of. 1 2...lLlxd5! (Taking full advantage of the fact

will cost him deatly, for instance 16...lLlcb4

that White no longer has pressure along the d file. If Black intends to transpose to an improved

12 �xe5 13.em5 �d3 14J�e2 �xd5

17.a3+-. •..

on the fact that the white queen's knight is

Black's position is more active; Rubinstein went on to win another game against the main

already committed to d2, White could deviate

aficionado of the Yates variation.

with 1 2 ... exd4?! 1 3.dxc6! because the d-file and, even more importantly, the back rank ate well

We ate ready to draw another important conclusion. If allowed to complete his

covered now. The c6-pawn will not be easy to collect, because ...%Vxc6 could be answered by

development in a natural way, with lLl bd2, White gets an impressive concentration of forces

txf7!t followed by a fork on e5 in certain cases.)

in the centre. In other words, neutral play is just

1 3.dxe5 Now 1 3 ... lLlxe5 is entirely possible because the d5-knight is not hanging. Black has

as bad (or even worse) than premature activity.

a great game.

In order to answer this crucial question, we have to look for a hidden Achilles' heel in

version of the game Kobalia - Beliavsky, relying

White's best way to question the soundness

Is there anything else left for Black?

of Rubinstein's plan is 12.h3!. Admittedly, this

White's position. We

is quite surprising. Instead of making use of his right to move in order to clarifY the position

basis of the elementary rules of development. "Develop the knight and only then the bishop

in the centre in a favourable way (something

from one wing" has been recommended by authors of manuals statting with Lasker

that worked out well against 1 0 ... d5) White seems to hand this possibility to his opponent.

can

do that only on the

and Capablanca. Reversing the order would

However, this is only an illusion. Black could

leave the b2- (or g2-) squate vulnerable for

gain the right to move only at the expense of

just an instant. In our particulat case, the

giving up his queen's bishop, which could prove

position of the bishop itself is also rather

very unpleasant with so many weaknesses on light squares. It is worth noting that after the

exposed.

rook's move to e8, the f7-square is under strong pressure.

enough, but I will mention one more general

We know from a previous comment that the bishop retreat to h5 does not offer Black an easy life, so let's investigate the alternatives.

I am pretty sure that the hint is already cleat point before getting to the precise details. One of the drawbacks of d6-d5 is that it deprives the c7-pawn of the possibility of joining the advance of its queenside colleagues. Instead of a

12 ... exd4 (After 1 2 ....ixB 13.%Vx8 Black has no favourable way of solving the complex situation in the centre. For instance, 1 3 ... exd4 14.cxd4

space advantage on that part of the boatd, Black

dxe4 1 5.lLlxe4 lLla5 16.lLlxf6t i.xf6 17..td5! and White's pieces dominate the whole boatd.)

obvious: Black has to combine the manoeuvre ... lLla5-c4 with the advance of the c-pawn.

1 3.cxd4 dxe4 (I suppose that it was precisely

However, choosing the optimal move order

this intermediate capture that inhibited Yates and his successors from choosing this move

requires some more investigation. The next two games will convince us once again that "All that

order. Other moves ate less principled. For

glisters is not gold."

is left with just weaknesses. The conclusion of the previous patagraphs is


1 54

Nisipeanu Ivanov

the vulnerability of the b2-square. White

Moscow 2005

bravely play 1 1 .ltlbd2 when 1 1 ...ltla5 (before

-

can

moving the Icing's knight to g4, it is necessary

10 exd4

to drive the light-squared bishop away from

• . •

the active diagonal: 1 1 ...ltlg4?! could be met by 12.i.d5!) 1 2 ..ic2 ltlg4 can be met by 1 3.b4! underlining the unfavourable placement of the a5-knight. 1 2 ... c5 (instead of 1 2 ... ltlg4) would not be entirely satisfactory either because of 1 3.dxc5, when the bishop is too

far from the

d5-square.

1 1.cxd4 �a5 12.Ac2

Strictly speaking,

this exchange

is

not

necessary at this stage, but Black will have to make it later anyway. If 1 O ... ttJa5 1 1 ..ic2 {By playing 1 O ... exd4 Black avoids the variation

h£3 12.YMxf3 dxe5, although this should hardly be a problem for him. As a I l .dxe5

curiosity, an almost identical position could arise mer Rubinstein's 1 O .. .l:!e8 if White plays I l .h3

.ixf3 12.YMxf3 ltla5 1 3.dxe5 dxe5. In

.

.

We have reached a point when an important

that case, the insertion of the moves .. J'!e8

decision must be taken. Should Black attack

and h3 should favour Black in principle,

the enemy centre with 1 2 ...c5 immediately, or

but from a practical point of view it hardly

would it be better to play 12 ...ttJc4 and only

makes any difference.} 1 1 ...ltlc4 12.iLc1 c5?!

afrer 13..icl advance his c-pawn? Ifjudged only

White could get a favourable form of the

from a general point of view, both possibilities

.ixf3

have drawbacks. 12 ... ltlc4 might commit the

1 5.YMxf3 dxe5 1 6.ltld2. After the exchange

knight prematurely, while afrer 12 ...c5 there is

on 8, the weakness of the d5-sqllare is more

a risk that the knight

noticeable.

one move too late to offer adequate counterplay.

Rauzer set-up with 1 3.b3 ltlb6 14.dxe5

A relatively popular alternative to the plan initiated by the game move is 1 0 ....ih5. By creating the threat of ... ltlg4 Black hopes to provoke h3. In certain lines, it would be useful

will

reach the c4-square

Once again, some concrete investigation is required. In our current game, Black chose

12...c5

to bring the bishop closer to the g6-square

After the logical sequence

without loss of time. However, this would

13.dxc5 dxc5 14.�c3 �c4

mean focusing on just a part of the hidden

White is not forced

to

defect of 1 O ..ie3, namely the exposed position

cl anymore and

of the bishop, without paying attention to

operations in the centte.

can

retreat the bishop to

immediately start active

The Yates Variation - 1 0..ie3

15.e5 �e8

This move offers White a vital tempo to avoid

the exchange of queens and centralize his whole army with gain of time. Black's safest choice is 1 5 .. :�xd1 but after the more or less forced sequence 16.l';!axd1 .tx8 1 7.exf6 hd1 1 8.fxe7 hc2 19.exf'8=\!!!ft gxf8 20.hc5 E:c8 2 1 .lLld5 �h8 22..id4 White's position remains preferable in spite of the symmetrical structure and the presence of opposite-coloured bishops. The game Bruzon Adams, Wijk aan Zee 2005, eventually ended in a draw, but I believe that chess should also be fun, not just a struggle, even when playing with Black. Therefore, I would not like to base my preparation on this kind of line. Another forced line goes 1 5 ...J.xf3?! 16.\!!!fxd8 hd8 17.hc5 E:e8 1 8.exf6 .ic6 19.E:xe8t he8 20.lLld5± with strong centralization for White, Lupulescu - Tunoscenko, Calvia Olympiad 2004. Black's main regret was that he had no time for 1 5 ...lLlxe3?! because of 1 6.exf6 lLlxdl 17.fxe7 followed by exf'8=\!!!f and bd1 , with a material advantage for White. -

1 55

A perfect regrouping for White. The b2-pawn and the dark-squared bishop have been secured and all White's pieces are ready to attack the poorly defended kingside.

18 J�e8 19.We4 g6 20.Wf4 h5?! ••

Weakening the position even more.

21.h3 �e6 Finally a ray of hope: this knight offers some stability to Black's position.

22.Wg3 *xa 23.Wxa �d4?! Under no circumstances should Black have exposed his best placed piece to the danger of being eliminated. It would have been better to try to add the queens rook into the defence with 23...E:a7.

16.We2 �c7

Black relies on the solidity of his position, possibly underestimating White's attacking potential.Maybe he should have embarked on the complications arising after 1 6... lLlxe5 17.E:ad1! although White's better coordination would offer him strong compensation.

17J�adl Wc8 18..ic1�

24Jlxd4! cxd4 25.e6! 5

Black overstepped the time limit here, but his king had no way to escape such a brutal treatment anyway.

1-0 Although Black can find improvements around the 14th and the 1 5th moves (for instance, 14...lLlc6 has been tried lately) the character of the position remains basically the same. We are just one step away from a final conclusion regarding our repertoire choice. The next game highlights one final danger that we must avoid.

156


Fischer - Korchnoi

Stockholm Interzonal 1962

We have decided by a method of elimination that

12...�c4 13.Acl c5

is the most accurate move order. The only

open question remains where to retreat the knight after the obvious

14.h3

extent that five years later he employed the same variation with White against Portisch, in spite of the fact that he rarely played l .e4. Portisch adopted a more neutral strategy, relying on the lack of weaknesses in his position, but quickly found himself in a passive position. 17...i.c3 I S.h3 .tx8 1 9.'I!i'xf3 'l!i'f6 20.ge3 i.d4 21 .'I!i'xf6 lLlxf6 22.ge2 lLld7 23.lLlf3 i.c3 24.i.f4 lLle5 25.lLlh4 g6 26.i.g3 gfeS 27.f4 lLld7 2S.lLlf3 f6 29.i.e1 hel 30.gbxel gacS 31 .g4± The a5-knight can do very little to prevent White's systematic kingside attack, Korchnoi - Portisch, Sousse Interzonal 1 967.

19.�:U3 ab3 20.m3 tlc7 18.h3 21.Ae3 .ic3 22J!e2 b4 23.�d4i

Black has managed to get the c5-square for his knight, but only at the cost of making the central d4-square available for the white knight. The space advantage combined with the weakness of the c6-square and the vulnerability of the black king leaves White clearly on top. All this leaves us with

14 �b6 •••

I should mention that

The previous play has resulted in a relative weakness of the d4- and c3-squares in White's camp. This explains Korchnoi's desire to redirect the knight towards c6 with

14 �a5 •••

This had happened in many previous games between strong players. However, Fischer's strong novelty

15.d5!

cut the knight off' for a long time and cast serious doubt on Black's entire concept.

15 �d7 •••

The forced tactical operation 1 5 ...lLlxe4 16.gxe4 .tx8 17.'I!i'xf3 i.f6 I S.lLlc3 b4 19.i.b2 bxc3 2o.hc3 i.xc3 2 1 .'I!i'xc3± manages to simplify the position, but completely fails to solve the problem of the knight.

16.�hd2 i.f6 17J:�hl c4

Korchnoi does his best to create some squares for the knight. Remarkably, Fischer's play in this game must have impressed him to such an

this does not mean

we have solved the problem of 10.,ie3 yet. We have just chosen our tabiya, the starting point of a veritable jungle of variations. Befure starting a thorough examination of the possible continuations, I shall point out some important elements. White's most consistent continuation is

15.�bd2

1 5 .d5? not only fails to cut the knight off'from the play, but is tactically refuted by 1 5... lLlfxd5! (with the knight on a5, the preliminary exchange on f3 was necessary, because otherwise White could have captured with the queen) 1 6.exd5 ,if6 17.lLlc3 b4, but not 17...hc3? 1 8.�d3!. White should not be in a hurry to develop his bishop with 1 5 .i.b2. White's main strategic threat in the long tellO is to drive the light sqnared bishop to g6 with h3 and g4, combined with blocking the centre with d5. In doing so, he should avoid the exchange of the light squared bishops, which would solve Black's

I

The Yates Variation - 10..ie3

space problems and offer him better chances to place his pieces harmoniously. With the bishop prematurely developed on b2, d5 could always be met by ...�fd7 followed by ....if6.

15 ad4 ...

This is Black's safest way to equality, and has become fashionable lately. The backward d6pawn is compensated for by the weakness of the c3-square and the relative passivity of the c2-bishop. I do not believe that White has any · advantage here. Black should avoid defining the rook's intentions too soon. For instance, after 1 5 .. JkB 16.h3 .Ah5 17.g4 .ig6 1 8.d5 the rook could be useful on the a-file, by supporting the advance of the a-pawn followed by infiltration on a2. 1 5 ...�fd7 looks more consistent strategically, because it does not release the tension in the centre too soon, but is also riskier from a practical point ofview. The main line goes 16.h3 (l6..ib2 l:'k8 17.�b I !? could cast some doubt on Black delaying ...cx:d4. 17...cx:d4 would be comfortably answered by 1 8.�xd4 now.) 16....Ah5 17..ib2 (The position resulting after 17.g4 J.g6 18.d5 .if6 19.�bl strongly resembles the Benoni. The main difference is that the g-pawn is on its initial square, leaving the g6square available to the bishop. In the Benoni a frequent problem is that the knights and the light-squared bishop stand in each other's way. Here, this problem is solved, but the bishop risks remaining passive if Black does not find a dynamic way of putting pressure on White's centre. Generally speaking, the plan based on opening the a-file with ... a5-a4 is the least committal, as it does not surrender any squares in the centre to White. On the other hand, opening the c-file with ... �c8 and ...c4 offers tactical possibilities based on the vulnerability of the c2-bishop. It is probably a matter a taste.

157

In any case, this is one of the critical positions for the assesm s ent of 1 5 ...�fd7.) 17.. Jk8 (Now that the bishop has been developed to b2, Black can also develop his rook, not feating the closure of the centre as much. Once again, 17...cx:d4 is an important alternative. If White captures on d4 with the bishop, Black gladly exchanges it with ....if6, in order to get chances ofexploiting the weakness of the c3-square. Against 1 8.g4, aiming to capture on d4 with the knight, the standard reaction is 1 8 ...d3!? decoying the enemy bishop to an exposed square, in order to win time with either ... �c5 or ...�e5 in the near future. White's main plan would consist of cutting the g6-bishop off from play with a brutal advance of the f-pawn, but Black can use his other bishop to prevent it [....ig5 as an answer to li:ld4]. Also, a well timed break with ...d5 could eventually leave White with just weaknesses.) 18.�cl

Now, Black has no useful moves left and should release the tension with 1 8... cx:d4 which offers him an entirely adequate position. However, 18.a4 looks like a more challenging contmuatlon. •

•

1 58


1.e4 e5 2.�f3 �c6 3 ..tb5 a6 4..ta4 �f6 5.0-0 .te7 6J�el b5 7..tb3 d6 8.c3 0-0 9.d4 .tg4 10..te3 exd4 1 l.cxd4 �a5 12..tc2 �c4 13..tc1 c5 . 14.b3 �b6 15

16

17

18

d5 �fd7

.t"213 gc814 •••

•••

•••

17

6 ...

19

22

fib 1

e5 �fd5

e65

g4 .tg6

gbl .td

ge2!?10 �3h2 h6 ge8

c4!?1l .

18

19

a4!?l9 c4!!

Aa330 dS

ge313 dS14

7�

�fl31 d5

e5

8 ...

.tb2 gc8

gel44 d5!45

•••

9 ...

17

18

15.�bd2 �fd7 16.h3 .th5 20 21 22 23 nb5 ab5

exd531 .te431 Bd6!l - Bf4

•••

•••

gaS=

24

25

BJ4 Bd2 �xd5!?33.tJ4

26

�d6

dxc5

.te547

nb3 Be�

�:s:g6

.tfl71 d5

00

. . -

-

+

-txc5� .t.p" &g649

19

_

-

-

g5 a5

uh3

"xc256 .Ad2 'he2l? �xd5 . "a8!� ;t

15.�bd2 cxd4 20 · - 2 1 22

23

,

Ildl65 .te5

•

•••

-

Bd2 · .txet

" J.dU? · } .txd4 .tb2 . 51 fib 10 �e560 �fd7 .tf6 �c:6!61 "xC6" h3 .td467 .lb2" �5 g4" 1 1 .th5 dS!" 1lc870 dxe4 d3! •••

'ha6

00

�g354 · Ilass ' c4 ab3

16

•••

dxc5

-

bxc415 �xc4 �xc4 dxc416

•••

··· 12

k511

.txd4 �c5

gel . .lb136 ad435 .tf6

•••

24

exf7t6 Bxc2 gxf'7 �b4

.tb2 gadS

.txb3 19 Be2lO a41S . h317 ad4 bxa416 nb3f11 .th5

23

.txe4 "x5

e573 �d474 .tr4 �e4 . Bcrs .tc5

.

24

25

J.e2 dS

-

-

gd5 �bd571

dxe4

-

�5 gadS

Bel .td577

=

+.

The Yates Variation - 1 0;.te3

159

1.e4 e5 2.�a �c6 3 ..tb5 a6 4..ta4 lilf6 5.0-0 Ae7 6.gel b5 7..tb3 d6 8.d 0-0 9.d4 .l.g4 10..te3 exd4 1 l.ad4 �a5 12..tc2 �c4 13..tc1 c5 . 14.b3 !ilb6 15.�bd2 ud4 17

16

18

19

20

1 1 1

•••

22

•••

• ••

•• •

• ••

··· 7 1 18 •

20

•••

••• •••

···· .

•••

•••

•••

·'· •••

2 1 '"

•••

22 "

·

•••

eS?! dxeS

• ••

•••

... 9 -1

+ -

•••

•••

• •• • ••

••• • ••

25 -

a4 bxa4 .

24

Icl!?'4 ctxe4 dxe4BS �£d5

" · 5

· · ' 6

23

.ib280 ctxg6 ctxe4 dxe4!II b:g6! - ctfdS

g4 d3!

4 ...

21

-

�4a" ' �J3 g6 ft'J3 .lfl �J3t" .Ar6

g4 d3!?" g41D3 . �DW� eS J.g6f1M d5!

bxa4 as'"

Axa6 _

a41?

-

�2al06 ft'dliOl cte � e6I07 .tc5 g61'"

fJxc2

�fd7

�al Ui _

J.xd4110 a4Hl ubS �bd7111 �cS l 13 ub5 ... g4?!1l9 a41lO �fd711' J.g6 bxa4

•••

•••

•••

•••

•••

•••

• ••

• ••

-

bu4 as exdS122 cte4! .tft';12l ctd5!? lu21l3

eS?!l3l .te2 �c5 I� dS= I30 cte6132

Will

-

I This exchange is not dangerous, because

Black's pieces are harmoniously placed and White's queenside is not yet in really good shape.

2

16.�e2 .txf3 17.gxf3 'lWd4 1 8.e5 �xal 19.J.b2 �xb2 20.J.xh7t ltlxh7 2 1 .�xb2 ltlg5 22. Wg2 ltld5 23.'lWc1 ltle6 0- 1 Tal Sodell, Latvia 1950. -

=

+

-

-

(� . . . J.f6) 17ib2 (I 7.e5 �c7 1 8.'lWe2 g6 19.�e3 gfe8 20.�f4 l?ixf3 2 1 .1t1xf3± Van Riemsdijk - Honfi, corr. 1997) 17 ge8 18.eS fJfll 19.'I'e2 .lhs (fl . J.g6) 20.a4! Kindermarm - Thipsay, Thessaloniki Olympiad 1984.

3 16 �fd7 •••

•••

. .

4 17.'I'e2 1t1h5 ( I 7... gad8? 18.e5±; 17.. .J.h5 I B.J.b2 gad8 19.9adl c4 20.bxc4 gxd2?!


160

21 .'ilYxd2 iDxc4 22.'ilYc1 .ixf3 23.gx8 iDh5 24.e5 §'c8 25 ..tb3 iDxb2 26.§'xb2 §'5 27.�d4 §'x£3 28.e6 5 29.l3d3± Sprenger - Shirov, Baden Baden 2006) 18.g3 l3ad8 19.'ilYe3 (l9 ..tb2? l3xd2!-+) 19... 5!? 20.exf5 .tf6 21.l3bl iDd5+ 17 .tb2 :gad8 1 8.�bl (l8.§'e2 iDh5 19.e5 §'c6 20..te4 §'h6+) 1 8 ... iDh5 (l8 ...h6!?) 19.e5 g6 20.h3 .te6 21.iDe4 iDd5= •

S 21.ixg6 fxg6! f

29.a4 (29 ..te3? iDbxd5!+ 29.id3?! offers Black a dangerous initiative after 29 ...iDbxd5!. For instance: 30.exd5 :!:'lxd5 31 .iDe4 iDd7 32. .te3 iDe5!) 29 �bxdS! (29 ...bxa4?! 30.bxa4 iDbxd5?! f30 ...iDc4 31 ..id3 iDxd5!? 32 ..ixc4 iDc3 33.§'b3 iDxbl 34.§'xbl±] 31.exd5 l3xd5 [31 .. ..ixc2 32.§'xc2 iDxd5 33.�c4±] 32'l3xe8t §'xe8 33.§'e2± Labuz - Baranowski, corr. 1996.) 30.adS gxdS 31.gxe8t BxeS 32.Be2 geS 33.Bdl gdS Black has a perpetual attack against the queen. •••

..

6 22.§'xc2? iDb4 23.§'e4 5+ Xd3, c2 7 2S.J.eS �xeS 26.�xeS Jhci2 27.�xf7 <Jaf7 28.ti'e6t (28.§'xh7 §'f-H) 28 c.t>f8°o

13 The early development of the bishop rejects the advance of the d-pawn for a while.

•••

White's initiative may be enough to compensate for the sacrificed material, but not more than that, A. Kovacevic - Shirov, Jahorina 2003.

14 The only reasonable way to avoid transposing to the main variation below with 16...cxd4.

8 IS.J.b2 gca 16.dS?! (other normal moves transpose to the main lines) 16 �fd7! � ...tf6

IS 17.dS?1 .tf6+; 17.h3 .th5 transposes

•••

.

9 This early commitment of the rook should be avoided.

below.

16 17 ad4 18.a5!;!; XiDb6, Philipowski - Rudnitzki, Neumiinster 2000; 17 ..tgs •••

••

1 8.a5!± Cocozza - Altini, corr. 1997.

10 2U :!e3 b4 22.@g2 13e8 23.iDg3 c4 24.iDd4 cxb3 25 ..ixb3 iDc5 26..tc2 iDc4 27J:�e2;!; Black cmnot develop his initiative easily. At the same time, White's space advantage looks threatening, Yudasin - Balashov, Soviet Championship 199 1 .

17 1 8.bxa4 .tg5! 19.'ilYbl cxd4 20ixd4 .tf6 21.txf6 'ilYxf6 22.e5 dxe5 23.txh7t @h8 24..ie4 liJc4=

18

19.bxa4 ad4 20.a5! \

...�

II Doubling rooks on the e-file is a typical

.if6= transposes to the game Nisipeanu - Navara below, in line 21) 2O 0c:4 21.0xc4 Lc:4

plan, but this could have been achieved without loss of time by ...13a7-e7, which casts some doubt on the early development of the rook to c8. 23 ...c4!?

19 19.liJxb3 20.tix£3 liJc4 2 1..tc3 cxd4 22..ixd4 as and Black has little to fear.

12 2S.6 White has managed to isolate

the g6-bishop, but there are certain dynamic elements in the position that should not be neglected. 2S gce7 26..tn (26.liJhf1!? �liJ5) 26 ..AeS 27.0hfl .lf4 28.tgl (28.a4!? would have prevented Black's idea from the game, for instance 28 .. J�eS 29.axbS axb5 30..td3.) 28 geS!? (28... iDbd7 29..te3;!;)

22.g4 J.g6

•••

!c5 24.�xdti

20 20.�6? c4-+ 21 22..ic2?! .if6l

•••

••

•••

22 In order to avoid ending up in a slightly

worse position, Black has to complications. 17...cxd4 1 8.liJxd4;!; x.tg4

go

for huge

161

The Yates Variation - 1 0..ie3

23

18.bxc4 � 19.a4 (l9.�xc4 bxc4 20..tc3 .txa 2 1 .gxB J.g5=) 19 �xb2 M 21 .85 Bc3 22.jJ,3 'fIc7ao ••.

. 24 1 8...5!? 1 9.bxc4 bxc4+t 2S 1 9.e5 b4 20.ic1 g6 21 .a3 a5 22.axb4

axb4"" 26

With enotmously complicated play, l: 2006. N. Kosintseva - Azarov,

27 17.dS .ARi IS.!bl !ea 19.94 .t.g6 transposes below to 17.g4 .Ag6 18.d5.

28 1 7...cxd4 transposes below. 29 IS.�n .txa

(l8...cxd4 19.94 J.g6 20.�g3;!; Gufeld) 19.Vxfl cxd4 20.Vd1 .tf6 21 .ge2 d5 22.�g3 d3= Gufeld; IS."'1 cxd4 19.�xd4 .if6=; IS.dxcS �xc5 19.94?! (l9.ml J.g6 20.�d4 .if6 2 1 .lLl2f3= 19.e5 dxe5 20..ixeS �bd7 21..if'5=) 19...J.g6 20.�d4 .if6 21 .�2f3 ge8+ Lukin - Geller, USSR 1 978. 30 19.a5 cxb3 20.hb3 li1c4=; 19.bxc4 li1xc4

20.m1 (20.liIxc4 bxc4 21 ..i.c3 d5 22.eS gbS=) 20...liIxb2 21 .ti'xb2 b4 22.a5 gc3� White's space advantage in the centre is compensated by Black's bishop pair and clear superiority on the queenside. 31 22.ga7 c300

32 23.bxc4 bxc4 24.ga6 ti'xd5 2S.J.e4 .ix8 26.liIxfl �b5 27.ga7 li1f6=

33 24...Vxd2 2S.liIfxd2 c3 26.liIfl± 34 27.bxc4 bxc4 2S.tLlxc4 ixf3 29.gxB tLlf6

Black's· better structure compensates for the small material deficit.

3S

l S ...d5!? 19.dxcS liIxc5 20.exdS liIxd5 21 ..if5;!; Carlsen - Harikrishna, Lausanne 2005.

36 19 94

is not dangerous here. 19...J.g6 20.�xd4J.g5 (20....if621 .f4t) 21 .�e2 (21 ..tb1 �l 22.J.xc1 ge8 23..ib2 lLle5 24.�28 .tf6 25.�h2 [M4] 25 ....igS=) 2 1 ....tf6!= .if6 The typical way of solving Black's problems. 20.iLe3 (20.g4 .ig6 21 .lLlfl �cS 22.lLlg3 �e6 23.il.e3 .tb2 24.gb1 .ic3 25.ge2 d5 26.�5 ge8+ Gufeld) 20....ib2 21.gb1 .Ac3 22.ge2 ge8 23.g4 .ig6 24.�f1 �f6 (24...�c5 25.lLlg3 d5 26.eS lLle6 27.�f5 d4=t Gufeld) 25.Ag5 (25.�g2 dS!? 26.exdS �d6t) 25...Ve6 26.�g3, Fedorchuk - Froeyman, Condom 2005, 26...lLleS 27.lLlh4 dS+ .

37

23...ge8 24.Vd2 dS 25.gS hd4 Y2-Ih Carlsen - Almasi, Wijk aan Zee 2006, 26.�xd4 Vxd4 27.J.xd4;!; 38 1his move leaves the centre slighdy

vulnerable for an instant, allowing a typical method of counterplay.

39 19 J�eB 20.J.f5! c4 21.�g3 goo 22.Wgl leS 23Jlbl f6 (23 ...lLl£8!? 24.h4 h6) 24.h4t £xes 2S.cheS J.cS 26.lel! (26.e6?! .ixf5 27.gxf5 lLlf6"") 26 .AM 27J�e3 3O.�x5:tAxe3 d428.'I'xd4.icS29. ••

••

(30...gg6 3 1 .hS lLlf6 32.exf6 gxe4 33.f7t!+-) 31.Wu6 Axel 32.e6? (32.gxcl lLlxeS 33.�b7 �f6 34.ge1:t) 32 �bS? (32...�f6! 33.gxcl ti'xe6=) 33."'7 .tb2 34.Wf7t WbS 3S.!dl WeB 36.�g5!+- .tf6 37.�b6! 1-0 Tal Portisch, Biel Interzonal 1976. ••.

40 Recommended by Portisch.

41 21.1fe2 cxd4 (21 ...c4!?) 22.lLlxd4, Hamann - Brinck Claussen, Tastrup 1994. 22 .il.cS! (XliId4) 23..tb2 !eS 24.f4 �fB 25.mgl •.

42 24...geS!?

43 27

(029.liIf5

gfcS

29...lfc8 30.�f5 corr. 1990.

2 28.�xd2= Wb4 29.'f!Yg4 30.liId6 13£8 31 .liIf5=) �m; Tymcio - Studzinski,


162

44

19.�fl

hands the initiative to Black. 19 ... c4! 20.lZle3 (20.lZlg3 d5+ Gufeld) 20 ...d5 21 .exd5 Ab4 22.i!e2 lLlf6+ Vargic - Pe. Ascic, Croatia 1997. 19.a4 is not efficient with the bishop already on g6. The relative pin of the e4-pawn gives Black several additional ideas for counterplay. 19 bxa4 (19 ...c4 20.bxc4 lZlxc4 21 .lZlxc4 bxc4 22.ic3 d5 23.e5 bel 24.Vllfxc2 Vllfb6 �Vllfe6+ The queen is a good blockading piece in this Ch1 lLlxe5 23 ..tf4 13f6!"j:) 19 e4t 20.g3 e,a+ Rosito - Servat, Buenos Aires 1997. •••

13.ig5 b6 14..ih4 cxd4 IS.cxd4 gac8 16.J.d3 �c6 17.�bd2 (17.lLlc3 lLlxd4 ls.lLlxd4 exd4 19.h£6 .bf6 20.lLld5 'iHdS=) 17 exd4 18.�b3 1fb6 19.J.bl (19 ..tc2 d3!? 20.Ld3 .te6=) 19 gres 20.�bxd4 �xd4 21.�xd4 gc4 22.�f3 J.e6 (22....tc6!? 23.b3 13c3 24.ltJd4 •••

•••

lLlxe4! 25.Le4 hh4 26.'iHd2 Le4 27.'iHxc3 b� The strong pair of bishops compensates for the exchange.) 23.J.d3 geeS 24.J.c2?! (24.b3 lLlh5�) 24 J.c4 2S.J.d3 (25.'iHe1 hal! 26.lLld4 .te6 27.'iHe2 lLldn) Now, in Kaminski Gazik, Koszalin 1996, Black should have played 25 .J.d8!+ �26.lLld2 d5+. •••

••

28 15 �f4 16.Lf4 exf4 17.e5!?; i5 g6= •••

•••

29 16.lLl3h2 lLlf4 17.1!9'e .tg5= 30 With the c3-pawn still defended,

195

12...c4?! is premature in view of 13.b4!± TIviakov - Almasi, Groningen 1995.

31 13.b3 �e8 14.a4 (14.lLlbd2 g6 1 5.lLlf1 lLlg7 16.ih6 f6 17.h3 lLlb7 l S.a4 13fbS 19.1Lle3 �-� Matikozian -A. Stein, Santa Monica 2005, 19... lLldS � . . . lLlf7) 14 gb8 (I4...bxa4 1 5.bxa4 g6 16.ih6 lLlg7 17.lLla3 £) I S.ex5 .tx5 19.1Lld2 lLlb7 20J!db1 lLldS 2 1 ..txf5 gx5 22.lLlac4± Cbiburdanidze- Spassky, Monaco 1 994) IS.ub5 •••

.mS 16.�bd2 sf' 17.�f1 �g7=

32 13 c4 14.�fl �b7 IS.�g3 gres (l5 ...g6 16.h3 �lLlh2±) 16.h3 �c5 17.J.e3 aSI? •••

(l7...13abS I S.b4 cxb3 19.axb3 13ecS 20.13dc1 a5 2 1 .lLl� Short - Piket, Wijk aan Zee 1997)

18.b3 ab3

geb8+t

33 IS.�g3 ltJf4!? 1 6.Lf4 exf4 17.lLlfloo (Piket) 17...lik4 lS ..td3 �e5+; 15.g3 lLlc4 (15 ...c4; 1 5 ...�b7) 16.h4 (16.b3 �b6 17.ih6 looks better) 1 6...�g7 17.b3 ltJb6 ls.ih6 c4 19.b4 a5 20.a3 ga6 �13faS+ Conquest - Bacrot, Clichy 1997.

34 1 5 ...lLlg7, in the spirit of the Rubinstein system, is entirely possible.

35 16.�g3 �f4 17.tfd2 �c4 18.tfel

(19.Lf4 exf4 20.'iHxf4 lLlxb2 J.fB 2 1 .lLlg5 13e7°o) 20.b3 �b6 21.tfe3 tfdB 22.�e2 tff6!? (22...ltJxe2t 23.'iHxe2 £) 24.lLld2 'iHg5=) 23.�xf4?1 clf4 24.eS (24.'iHd3 .tg4 25.h3 c4 26.bxc4 .txf3 27.'iHxf3 lLlxc4+)

24...fxe3 2S.af6 elf'lt 26.\t>x£z J.g41+

Hatzidakis - Markidis, Athens 2000. The d5- and f6-pawns are vulnerable, while a perfect outpost on e5 awaits the black knight. 16.�3d2 1!9'dS 17.'iHe3 .tf8= 16.� 1d2 .tf8 17.'iHe3 hh6 l S.'iHxh6 f600

17.h3 J.tB 18.1fd2 J.m6 19.'Bxh6 f6 20.'Be3 c4!? (20...lLldS 2 1 .lLlg3 lLlf4 22.lLle2, 36

Tiviakov - Iuldachev, Dhaka 1997, 22 ... lLlxe2t 23.Wfxe2 lLlf7=) 21.M (21 .lLl3d2 cxb3 22.axb3 lLlf4 23.lLlg3 a5=) 21. aS= ••

Chapter 9

•

•

latlon 1.e4 e5 2.otS otd; 3i.b5 a6 4.Aa4 otf6 5.0-0 J.e7 dxc6

would make little sense to play 5.hc6, because after 5 ...dxc6 6.0-0 Black could develop his bishop to d6 direcdy, which melDs that the Delayed Exchange variation cannot be used as an antidote to the Open variation (5 ... lDxe4). This places the variation somewhat aside from most of the other so-called sidelines of the Ruy Lopez, where it makes no great difference whether White deviates from the main line on the 5th or on the 6th move. Since White's main idea is to put the e5-pawn under some pressure, it would make little sense to open the centre with an immediate 7.d4. After

7 ...ig4!? 8.dxe5 ti'xdl 9J�xdl lDxe4 Black has a pleasant position. Just compare this with the

Berlin variation, where Black gives up the right to casde and wanders with his knight on a less White's play might seem rather paradoxical: isn't he just losing a tempo compared to the normal Exchange variation? (4 ..ixc6: see Beating

the Open Games) We had a similar discussion about the relative character of development in the chapter

favourable path just for the sake of getting this same structure. We can conclude that before undertaking any concrete action, White has to defend his e4pawn. I would divide the possible continuations into three distinct categories.

dedicated to the d3-system. Here, White's casding is a 1 00% useful move, while 4 ... lDf6

I: The most natural approach consists of

and 5 . . .iLe7 can be regarded as some sort of

developing a piece with either 7.lDc3 or 7J;e l .

early commitment, leaving Black with problems

I will include 7.Vlfe2 in the same category,

finding the optimal way of defending his e5-

although developing the queen at such an early

pawn after the delayed exchange on c6. From

stage is anything but natural. By keeping the

this perspective, it is easy to understand that it

d-pawn on its initial square, White hopes to


198

provoke 7...tt.'ld7 in order to open the centre with 8.d4 without loss of time. This would lead to an entirdy viable form of the "genuine" Exchange variation. However, Black has no need to be so cooperative. He can try to neutralize the pressure against the e5-pawn by means of 7....ig4. This move requires further explanation. Giving up the bishop pair with 8 . ..ixB as an answer to the obvious 8.h3 would be a serious positional concession, leaving Black without sufficient compensation for his slighdy weakened pawn structure. However, 8 ....ih5 is entirdy possible, when 9.g4 is not without risk. If White has played 7.tt.'lc3 or 7J'�e l , then Black can bravdy sacrifice with 9 ... tt.'lxg4 1 O.hxg4 .ixg4, because White will have a hard time escaping the pin. In the line starting with 7.'ifJe2, the correctness of the sacrifice is slighdy questionable because the queen has berter prospects of leaving the dl-h5 diagonal. However, 9 .. ..ig6 is playable, mainly because after 1 0.tt.'lxe5 'ifJd4 the e4pawn is not well enough defended. Otherwise, Black would play 1 O...tt.'ld7 followed by ...h5 soon. Of course, this is only a partial solution to a complex strategic problem, since White is not forced to play g4. For the moment, we shall just note that the early opening of the centre has been prevented and that Black can consolidate in accordance with some basic ideas that will be explained bdow. .

II: Latdy, 7.'ifJel has become fashionable.

White's idea is to avoid the annoying ....ig4 and retain the possibility of d4. However, after 7...tt.'ld7 8.d4 exd4 9.tt.'lxd4 tt.'lc5 the slighdy awkward placement of the queen makes itself fdt. If White had played 7.'ifJe2 and Black had reacted in the same way, 1 0J3dl would have been unpleasant, but here White has to resort to 1 0.'ifJe3 (another queen move) in a moment when the entire queenside is undevdoped! This allows Black to win time for completing his devdopment and putting the e4-pawn under

pressure. If White refrains from 8.d4, Black can stabilize the situation in the centre with 8 ... c5, when the usefulness of 'ifJel remains questionable. This leaves us with III:

7.d3 This has been considered the main line for decades.

The plan based on a knight sacrifice on g4 does not work well now, because White is prepared to connect his knights with tt.'lbd2, followed by 'ifJel and li)h2. On the other hand, the threat of d4 loses significance at this stage of the game, which allows Black to defend his e5-pawn with the solid

7 ..It�d7 •

Since White's main idea at this stage of the game is to put maximum pressure on the e5pawn, the most natural (and frequendy played) continuation is

8.�bd2 0-0 9.�c4

9.b3 is an important alternative. The plan of fianchettoing the bishop is usually connected with the later opening of the centre with d4. Otherwise, the bishop would merely hit the well defended e5-pawn. Therefore, Black's best reaction is 9 ...c5 and if 1 0.,ib2 then 1 0...£6. After the natural 1 1 .tt.'lc4 we reach a critical poslUon. •

•

1 99


c6, namely the e6-square. This is useful to keep in mind when Black has no time to clear the c6-square with ... c5. The knight

can

reach e6

via either c5 or fB, which increases the overall availability of the manoeuvre. The knight's activity on e6 is even greater than on c6. It inhibits both standard pawn breaks (d4 and f4) and is ready to jump to either f4 or d4, according to the circumstances. The reversed side of the issue is that on e6 the knight would obstruct the h3-c8 diagonal. This makes one

think that the manoeuvre ... tZld7-c5(fB)

e6 is best suited for the lines involving an early ....tg4. Black has avoided immediate danger and should plan his further development. The

The following is a typical example:

simplest way is ... b5 followed by ....ib7, but this is hardly an optimal solution. The bishop

Nezhmetdinov

has few prospects on the long diagonal, while

Budapest 1 963

-

Lengyel

the knight stands in the way of the other pieces. White would transfer his queen's knight to f5, aiming to organize a kingside attack, involving a further f4. The correct plan starts with the paradoxical 1 1 ...tZlb8!. Instead of developing a piece, Black retreats his king's knight to the initial square of his disappeared colleague! In doing so, he clears the h3-c8 diagonal for the bishop and the d-file for the queen, which is just as good as developing these two important pieces. At the same time, the knight is heading for d4, aiming to convert Black's firm control over this square into a stable space advantage in the event of an exchange (hd4 . . . cxd4) . The following is a typical example: 12.tZle3 tZlc6 13.tZlf5 tZld4 With the bishop on its initial diagonal, the white knight is unstable on f5 . 14.tZl3h4 g6 Shattering

This manoeuvre (with reversed colours but in

White's kingside ambitions and leaving the h4-

similar circumstances) is well known from the

knight misplaced. 1 5.hd4 cxd4 1 6.tZlxe7t

Four Knights Opening, where it bears the name

�xe7 17.g3 .th3 1 8.gel c5+ Black has more

of a master from the past, Metger. It is slightly

space and chances for a queenside attack. His

less efficient here because the next knight move

position is already preferable, Hennings - Ree,

will not attack the bishop. However, avoiding

Romania 1 965.

driving the bishop away with h3 would not

Since we have touched on the important issue of rerouting the knight, I would mention that Black has another favourable square apart from

have been better, since 8.�e2 could have been strongly met by 8... tZlh5!.

10 £6 1l.tZle3 tZlc5 12.tZl6 tZle6 ..•


200

Apart from the aforementioned functions, this knight proves to be a reliable defender of the g7-pawn.

13.tfe3 A necessary loss

of time in view of the threat

... lLld4.

13...ti'd7 14.�g3

Exchanging on e7 would have been a safer choice, but Nezhmetdinov never looked for safety.

14 ..J.f7 15.d3 .

20.ti'B

White clears the g3-square for the knight, but he will then abandon this plan on the next move.

20...h51

Taking full advantage of the minor weakness caused by the move h3.

21.c3

Premature desperation. More consistent would have been 21 .lLlg3 although after 2 1 ...g4 Black's position would still be better. The knight's stability on f5 would be relative and not very threatening. At . the same time, Black would retain possibilities for active play on both wings. ..

21 ...g4 22.ti'g3 dxc3 25.�xc3

23.ti'xh3 .Ae6 24.1th2

Black has won a pawn and went on to win the game some 30 moves later.

Returning to the main variation, we can conclude on the basis of the game Hennings - Ree that developing the bishop to b2 only looks appealing from an aesthetic point ofview, but is not very effective. Let's now investigate the position after 9.lLlc4. Both sides have almost completed their development, but the further course of the game will prove that Black's regrouping is more efficient. 15 g6! Suddenly it appears that the nicely placed white knights are rather passive. The weaknesses caused by Black's last move are hardly relevant with so many black minor pieces massed on this area of the board. As recommended by Botvinnik, one should not rush to casde if there are more useful things to do.

9 £6 ..•

..•

16.�e2 c5 17.h3 �d4

Finally, the knight has reached this square using a different route than in Hennings - Ree, but with similar effect.

18.�fxd4 ad4 19.ti'g3 pI

Another accurate move with the g-pawn. By preventing f4, Black restricts the activity of several white pieces.

White has basically decided to keep his bishop on the cl-h6 diagonal, but finds himself at a crossroads again regarding the exact way to undermine the e5-pawn.


201

Should he play 10.d4 or prepare f4 with 1 0.llJh4? We shall consider each plan individually. The loss of time connected with

10.d4

seems to be justified by the fact that Black has spent a tempo on ...f6, which weakens the e6-sqIJare and the al-g8 diagonal. However, we should not forget that only Black has a light-squared bishop. This imponant aspect makes the aforementioned weaknesses fairly irrelevant and will be a guideline for Black's plan in the next phase of the game. He will aim to transfer his queen to f7 in the near future, challenging the stability of the c4-knight and giving some meaning to the advance of the f-pawn.

10 ad4 1 1.�xd4 �c5 ••.

Black opens the way for the c8-bishop and puts the e4-and d4-squares under some pressure. The knight's stability on c5 is acceptable from a practical point of view, because b4 would leave the white queenside seriously weakened after the calm ...llJe6. Those familiar with the chapter dedicated to the Exchange variation in Beating the Open Games will know that White should avoid making pawn moves on this part of the board.

12.f3 ieS

Before initiating the queen manoeuvre, Black clears the fS-square for the bishop. The immediate 12 ...�e8 could be answered by 13.llJf), exchanging one of the black bishops.

13ie3 .Am 14.iel

Now everything is prepared for

14...'ife7 15.h3 'iff! 16.'ifd2 Ad7

The immediate 1 6... llJe6 has also been played, but I prefer a developing move to an unnecessary knight retreat.

17.'ifn �e6 Now, this is more or less forced because of the threat of llJxc6.

18.�f5 gad8 19J:�edl .tc8

Black has completed his regrouping and has a solid and flexible position. With his next moves he will restrict White's minor piece activity.

20.�b2 b6 21.'ifg3 YlYg6 22.YlYxg6 23.�g3 c5

These moves were played in the game Vogt Wegner, Bundesliga 1 992. Black has obtained a comfonable form ofthe Exchange variation. One imponant aspect is that the white queenside is slightly vulnerable because its natural defender, the king, finds itself on the other wing. We can conclude that the opening of the centre leads to quiet play without any major problems for Black. The alternate plan consists of praparing f4 with:

10.�h4

202


Black's most ambitious answer is lO...g6 This restricts the activity of the h4-knight and creates the potential threat of ...f5. For decades this move was considered to be insufficient, but recent improvements for Black have proven it to be entirely viable. The classical continuation is 10...�c5 1 1 .�f5 � 12.exf5 when the strategic situation is rather one-sided, because ofWhite's possibilities of a blockade on the light squares. However, it should be mentioned that Black is in no real danger and that careful play should eventually lead him to a draw. 11..ih6 gf'7 12.f41? This is the continuation that was supposed to question Black's ambitious strategy. However, the move is rather double-edged. 12...e,f4 13.grl'4 White's pieces are potentially exposed to the threat of a fork on g5, but for the moment 13 ...g5? is bad because of 14.�f5 and the rook is taboo because of the check on g4. 13...�cSI A significant �mprovement over the older 13 ...�ffi?!. From c5 the knight puts pressure on the enemy centre. ECO quotes the following game: 14J''m .te6 (the passivity of the ffi-knight can be noticed after 14 . 5 when 15.�f3 keeps things under control fur White) .

.

15.�e3 a5 ( 1 5 ...f5 led to a very strong attack for White after 16.�hxf5 gxf5 17.exf5 in Wedberg - Kaiszauri, Gladsaxe 1979) 16.�f3 a4 17.\!{fe1;j; Hort - Westerinen, Orebro 1966. 14.gfl • lS.�f3 fxe4 16.dxe4 tfxdl 17.gaxdl �xe4 Black has won a pawn and exchanged queens, but has remained slightly behind in development. 18.�ceS?1 White fails to find the most challenging move order, which was 18J�fe1 .ic5t (18...�d6 10ses the exchange to 19.�xd6 cxd6 20.�g5± when the g5-knight is taboo because of mate in two) 19. �f1 .tf5 20.�ce5, when Black would have to transpose to a complicated ending with 20.. J�f6 21.g4 tLlf2 22.gxf5 tLlxdl 23.grol .td6. Black will soon have rook and two pawns for a knight and bishop. In addition, his rooks would display adequate activity and his king would be slightly safer than White's. The position would remain balanced. 18 J!(ffi 19.9fel .icst 2o.M �d6 21.�d3 .tb6 22.J.gs gm+ White had insufficient compensation fur the pawn in Tseiclin Azarov, Cappelle la Grande 2006. I believe that 1O...g6 is a worthy alternative to the unambitious 10...tLlc5, offering good chances for counterplay. •.

-

203


7

1.e4 c5 2.�a

8

9

�c6 3..lb5 a6 4.h4 �f6 5.0--0 Ac7 6..ixOO dxOO 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 00

-

2 ...

•••

••• •••

3 As4 . ..

_.

•••

•••

6

Bel �d7

b3 c5

»2 U6

7

...

d4 exd4

�xd4 �c5

8

d3 �d7

�bd246 b3 c5 0-0

...

• ••

•••

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9

1 0 '"

•••

�5 g4ft . .Ag617 . 1Yd7

BaU.

•••

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00

-

Bel

•

1fcS1J

�h230 . Bgl31 d3 "xf5 . 0-0-0'1 .tat33

a4" 0-0

d3

�d4

b4�1

�h4·7 £4" elf4 g6

Bel Bd7

d4 exd4

�xd4 �c5

BreI Bf7

-

2 I am not a big fan of developing the queen to d6 in the Exchange variation, but here 7 'ffd6 would make some sense. If White opens the d-file, his !lfl-e 1 might result in a loss of time after ...�xdl, compen1ating for the

f4!?SI cxf4

-

=

.ib2 f6

.th6S7 Bf7=

�ad6 ad636

�xd6U 1Yg3« ad6.� Be6!�S +

�d7

1 7.d4?l iLg4 8.dxe5 �xdl 9J'�xdl ll:)xe4+ 7.�xe5?! ll:)xe4 8.�e2 ll:)d6 9J!el ke6 Black has no problem at all. In the long run his pair of bishops might offer him the better chances. 10 . .!iJc3 .!iJ5 1 1 .ll:)e4 0-0 12.d3 .!iJd4 13.�dl f6 14.ll:)c4 �d7 15.c3 ll:)5 16.�e2 !lfe8 17.d4 ,td5+ Gufeld Tal, Leningrad 1 954.

.••

Bdl .td 0-0-0 h5

�dl20 £621

.

•••

-

d31• �d7

.. . 1fe2 .

5

d3' �d7

Bfl60 5

�a

&e4

dxe4

Bxdl 61

00

tempo spent on moving the queen at such an early stage. 8.d4 (8.d3 c5 9 ..!iJbd2 .te6) 8...ig4 9.�bd2?! (9.dxe5?! �xdl 10.!lxdl .!iJxe4 transposes to 7.d4?! above. 9.c3 c5!? 10.d5 0-0 1 l .ll:)bd2 b5=) 9 �d7 (both players seem to have missed the spectacular 9...�xd4, which simplifies the position in Black's favour) IO.�c4 'ffe6 1 1.�ae5 �xe5 12.m5 �M8 13.'ffe2 0-0 14.h3 (14.,tf4 f6 15.exf6 ixf600 �f, �al 15.'ffxa 'ffxe5 16.�5 h8, X.!iJf3) (The safest continuation. 16.c3 ,td6 17.g3 5 leaves White underdeveloped, while after 16.�f4 �a5 17.,te3 kd6 his coordination •••


204

would be rather poor, leaving him with problems defending both wings.) 16....xf5 17.exf'5 l!!!fe8 18.Ji4 Y2-¥2 Savon - Kuzmin, Baku 1977.

3 9.b3 tLld7 1O..ib2 Niephaus - F. Olafsson, Wageningen 1957, 1 0...f6=.

12 15.tLl3h4 jJ8 16.c3 YNd7 A ... O-O-Q, ...g6 13 17.gadl jJ8 18.d4 cxd4 19.cxd4 exd4

20.tLl3xd4 tLlxd4 21 .gxd4 YNc8=

14 9.g4 .tg6 10./t)xe5 (10.tLlc3 transposes to 7.tLlc3) 10 •d4 (this is simpler than the •••

4 1 1 •e2 .ig5 12.tLla3 (12.tLlc3 YNf6 13.�g2 •

h5 14.d3 hel 1 5.gexel gh6 16.YNe3 .txf3t-+ Ermenkov - Littlewood, Borovo 1980) 12 ...YNf6 13.�g2 h5 14.tLlc4 .if4 15.d4 (15.d3 gh6 16.hf4 YNxf4 17.tLlcxe5 f6+ 1 8.tLlc4? .txf3t 19.YNxf3 gg6t-+) 1 5 ...hel 16.gaxel exd� 1 1.d4 exd4 12.YNd3 c5 1 3.tLlbd2 (13.tLle5 .ie6 14.f4 f6 15.tLlf3 YNd6+ Fishbein - Veroci, Moscow 1 989) 13 ...YNd6 14.tLlh2 (14.tLlc4 YNe6 1 5.tLlfe5 b5 16.YNg3 h5 17.tLla5 .id6=t Brendel - Shomoev, Istanbul 2003) 14....ie6 1 5.tLlc4 YNc6 16.tLle5 YNb6 17.b3 0-0-0+ Chaplinsky - Veltmander, Riga 1 952.

5 Hecht - Velimirovic, European team championship, Moscow 1977.

7 White cannot allow the opening of the h file, which forces him to sacrifice the g-pawn. This will leave Black with three pawns for the sacrificed piece.

8 A much safer move than 9.g4. 9 1 0....ig5!? l 1 .filfl hel 12.gxel YNf6 13.fil Ih2 0-0-0= A...filc5-e6

10 This knight manoeuvre gives meaning to the move 7 .ge 1 .

1 1 1 1 c5 12./t)g3 .tr7 13./t)5 g6 (13...0-0 14 ..ie3 ge8 1 5.c3 jJ8 16.YNc2 filb6) 14./t)h6! •••

(14.tLlxe7?! YNxe7 A...g5, ...h5, ...g4, ...0-0-0) 14 .te6 15.c3;t Ad4 1 1 .../t)c5 12./t)g3 Axa (12...M7 13.d4± XtLlc5) 13.tl!ixS O--O 14 •g4 l!!!f7 15.f4± Savon - Furman, Riga 1975. •••

•

spectacular but slightly artificial 10...he4 I I .g5 gg8!? Suo B. Hansen - Hector, Reykjavik 1995) 1 1./t)xg6 hxg6 White cannot defend both his hanging pawns at the same time. 12.c3 exe4 13 •xe4 /t)xe4 14.mg2 ()....()...()+ S. Perez - Zaitsev, Cappelle la Grande 1 995. •

15 10.Ae3, Hernandez - Fernandez Garcia,

Zaragoza 1 996, 1O ...c5 1 1 ./t)bd2 f6 12.tLlc4 tLlfS 13.a4 tLle6. 10J�dl f6 l 1 .tLlbd2 (1 1 .d4 .id6) 1 1 ...tLlc5 12.tLlfl tLle6 13.c3 filf4 1 4.hf4 exf4co

16 11.b3 filc5 12.filc4 file6 13.lLe3?! White should not leave the c3-square undefended. 13 ....th4!? 14.gadl J.c3+ Molnar - L. Vajda, Eger 1996. l1.gdl filc5 A...filc6

17 13...filf4 14.YNel YNd7?! 1 5.gxh5 YNxh3

16.YNdl .tc5 17.file1 g6 18.tl!if3± Karklins - Djuric, Chicago 1990.

18 8.YNe2 tl!id6 9.fildl filh5 1 O.file3 /t)f4t Suba - Rodriguez de Robles, Collado Villalba 2003.

19 9.d3 /t)d7 10./t)e2

n.pf3 Af4,

Babula - Berezjuk, Czech Republic 2006,

n ...51?=

20 10.gel Ghinda - Bach, Herculane 1996,

1 0...f6 1 1 .d3 filc5=

10.g4 Age; 1 1.d4 The only way to obtain

central activity in order to compensate for the kingside weaknesses. 1 1 exd4 12./t)xd4 h5 13./t)5 (13 ..tf4 hxg4 14.hxg4 .id6 1 5 .e5 .tc5 16.e6 hd4 17.exd7t �fS 18.�g2 YNxd7 19.f3 c5°o Adams - Shorr, England 1991) 13 hxg4 •••

•••


14.1ug4 (14.lYxg4 Nezhmetdinov - Geller, Moscow 19S9, 14....hB IS.lYxf5 g6 16.lYg4 lLleS 17.lYg3 lYd7!+ 18.lYxeS? lYxh3-+) 14....td6 15.£4 16.edSt Wfll I7.g5 �c5 18.b4 'tId7Jl An interesting piece sacrifice,

-.

typical of Sax's enterprising style of play. Black will obtain two pawns for the knight and White will have problems keeping both wings under control. A draw by perperual check becomes very probable now. 19.bxc5 (19.lYg4 lLld3 20.cxd3 .ixM 2 1 .Ab2 Yfxd3 22.lLle2 �e8;;;) (20.Wg2 Yfxf5 21 .Yfd3 �g4t 22.�g3 22 •23 �� 20 "x5 21.�e4 •

•••

1Jh7 23.Wfl "b2t 24.Wel �e8 25.Ba3t Wg8 26.'I'e3 Wfll 27.Ba3t Wg8 28.Be3 Wfll Jfz-Jfz Sax - Ivkov, Rio de Janeiro 1 979. 10.d3 f6 1 1 ..ie3 lLlfB 12.�adl cS 13.lLldS .id6 14.M cxM I S.d4 lLld7 ( l S...lLle6!?) 16.g4 .if7 17.dxeS fxeS+, but not 17...lLlxeS 18.lLlh4 0-0 1 9.1Ll5;; Kholmov - Gligoric, Leningrad 19S7.

21 10 �c5 1l.d3 �e6 12..te3 (l2.g4 .ig6 13 ..ie3 .id6 14.�d2 hS+ Kremenietsky - Balashov, Moscow 1982) 12 .Af6 13.�c3 Yfe7 14.lLlbl g5 15.�bd2 �g8 16.g4 Ag6 17.�c4 Fischer - Alvarez del Monte, Mar del Plata 1 960, 17 �f4 gd4+t •••

•••

20S

26 To my knowledge, this move has not been

tried in practice so far, but I believe it is the best way to obtain stable compensation for the sacrificed piece. 1 l •d6 12JilgHI (l2.lLle2 0-0-0 13.lLlh2, as played in a couple of correspondence games, is a better defensive try) 12 •b6 13J!lbl (13.gl �e2t-+

19 20.ixf4 (20.'it>g2 fxe3 2 1 .fxe3 Ah4 22.'fJ.fl 'fJ.f6+) 20 'frxh3I=F 21ig3 gf6 22.�d2 gh6 hl gg6t 24..tg3 gf8! 25.�fl gf5-+ 26.�h2 gh5 27.1t'd2 1t'xh2t 0-1 Reeh •••

9 IS.Afl d5

1 9.e5 �e4 20.�d2 5+ Wells

10

I S ...c3!? 19.Ad3 d5 20.e5 �e4 21 .he4 dxe4 22.'fJ.xe4 �c4 23.'fJ.e2 lIfd500

1 1 19.e5 �e4!?

(19...�eS A ..g6 is also interesting, aiming to leave White's queenside pieces out of play) 20..be4 che4 2 IJhe4

1t'd5� 12

20.Ac3 Adams - Kolev, Elenite 1993. 20...dxe4 21 .he4 �xe4 22Jhe4 .d5 23 .•e2 Ab4=

Smejkal, Bundesliga 1 9S5.

20

The only logical move. White has to develop as soon as possible.

21 17

�b41? 18..bd5 (1 S.d3 �xa2 19.'fJ.xa2 dxe4 20.dxe4 'fJ.a4 2 1 ..c6 'fJ.xe4=) 18...�fxd5 •••

19.exd5 �xd5 20.m3 tf@ 21.d3 gfd8 22 .te3 gab8 Ih-lh Djokic - Jovcic, Yugoslavia •

1997.

22 lS.d3 'fJ.a4! � ..Ab4 .

13

This move used to be a specialty of Ljubojevic, who collected quite a few illustrious scalps with it.

14 �...b3 12 c5 13.d3 b4 14.cxb4 cxb4

1 5.lLld2 lLld7 16.�b3 �xb3 17.hb3 (�a2-gS) 17...Ag5 l S.Ae3 he3 19.1Ifxe3 a5 20.d4+ Ljubojevic - Portisch, Tilburg 19S6. 12 b:xa4 13.lIfdl .d7 14.d3 'fJ.fbS 1 5 .�d2 .b5 16..ic4! lLlxc4 17.�xc4 �d7 IS.'gxa4 a5 19..te3 c6 (19 ...5!= 20.exf5?! d5! 21 .�d2 .xd3+) 20.lIfal + d5 2 1 .exd5 cxd5 22.�xa5 i.f8 23.b3 d4? 24.�c4!± Ljubojevic - Karpov, Dubai Olympiad 1986. ••.

•••

23 20.d3

(20 ... 'fJ.a4 21 .lIfxc7 .id6 22 .•d7 'fJ.aaS [22 ...�b3 23.!xbl 'fJ.d4 24.lIfc6 'fJ.xd3 25 .•xd5 'fJ.xd5 26..te3+] 23.Ae3 'fJ.adS 24 .•g4;!; Ljubojevic-Smejkal, Dubai Olympiad 19S6; 20...'fJ.fdS 2 1 .Ae3 ha3 22.bxa3 �xb5 23 .•b2 f6 24.'fJ.ecl .xd3 [24... c6 25.a4 �d6 26 .•b4 'fJ.a6=] 25.a4 lLld4 26.•a2t [26.'fJ.xc7 'fJ.xa4! 27.'fJ.xa4 .dl t 2S.'it>h2 .xa4] 26...'it>hS [26 ...•b3 27.'fJ.xc7 l1fxa2 2S.'fJ.xa2 'fJ.d6 29.'fJ.b2 leaves Black with some seventh rank problems] 27.'gxc7+ Leconte - Ruch, corr. 1994.) 21.bxa3 1t'xb5 22..te3 (22.f4?! 'ga6 23.fxe5 (23.'fJ.xe5? .xe5!-+) 23...•d5+ �... 'fJ.g6, �...'fJ.c6-c2)

22 c5= •••


214

24 A specialty of Kupreichik. White places

his bishop on a slighdy passive square, but inhibits the further · advance of the b-pawn, which would no longer win a tempo.

25 14.cxb4 cxb4 1 5.dxe5 dxe5 1 6.lild2 lild7

1 7.lilb3 lilc5 18.lilxa5 �xa5 1 9..ib3 lilxb3 20.�xb3 .ic5 2 1 ..ie3 he3 22Jhe3 �fd8= Kupreichik - Bojkov, Kish 2003.

26 17.�xc3?! liJc6 1 8.�xc4 .Ab4+

Hou Yuan - Qin Kanying, Beijing 2005) 17.ctle3 ctlc5!? (17 ...bxc3 1 8.bxc3 . lilb3 1 9.hb3 cxb3 20.�d l ! �b8 2 1 .lilf5!±) 18 •g4 b3 ( 1 8 ... lilab3 19.hb3 lilxb3 20J;ba) 19.9dl: .cS 20.ctl5 .tf6 21.gd6 ctle6 •

22 .idl;t •

36 16 '8c7 · 17.ctlc4 ctlxc4 (17...lilb3 •••

18.�b l

1

.ig5 20.�cda) ctlb6 19..tfl c4 20 •� lilxc1

19.�bxc1

•

37 18 ..lci6 1 9.1ilf3 lilb3 (l9 ...�f6 ••

27 1 8 ..ixb3 cxb3 19.�bl �b8=

20..ie3;1;) 20..ig5! Af6 2 1 ..ih6 �e7 22.ctlh4!± 18 f6 1 9.1ilf3 A ...lilh4;1; The slighdy unnatural 18 •d6!? has some advantages over the text move. It places the queen on a defended square, thus avoiding a further · lild4 and it keeps the h6-square under observation. 1 9.cxb4 (The only way to question the viability of Black's last move. 19.1ilf3 lilb3 20.�bl bxc3 2 1 .bxc3 lilxa4 22.hc4 lilxc1 23.gexc1 �ac8=) 19...fixb4 20.fixe5 .i� •••

28 1 9..ixb3

••.

29 20.�xc1 h3!+ Kupreichik - Romanishin,

Bad Worishofen 1997.

30 13.cxb4 lilc6 14.fic3 ti'd7 A . . . �fh8 31 14 •g4 gbS bxd 16.bxc3 gb2 17 •dl b6 (17....ig5? 18.fic1!±) 1 8.J.cl gb8 20.d4 fif6=) ( 1 8 ...�b7!?) 19.£4 (1 9.lild2 Zapata 21 19 ctlc5 20.gal .., G. Garcia, San Salvador · 1995, 21 ..ig5 d5= •

•

•••

••

32 1 5.d4 c5 16.dxc5 dxc5= Compared to the

variation 1 3.d4 followed by 1 5 ...lild7 below, Black has an extra tempo consisting of ....tg5.

33 20.ib3 �f6 (20 ...g6

is an unnecessary

weakening of the · kingside. 21 .h4 [21 .d4 Agb7 22.h4!?] 21...�d8 22.g3 [22.h5 �f6=] 22 .. .'i!ig7 23..Ac2 h5 24.d4;t Nunn Romanishin, London 1 984.) 21.d4 greg",

34 This move prematurely weakem the control ofthe d5-square and allows a favourable regrouping of the c2-bishop.

35 This move bears . the seal of a former

world champion, but the standard manoeuvre initiated by 1 6.lilf1 might be stronger. 16 c4 (16...lilb6 17.lile3 ge8 18.lilf5+ •••

38 19...�b3 . 20.a5! We can

here another drawback of 1 8...fic7. BecauSe of the unfavourable position of the queen, Black cannot capture the rook because of 2 1 ..ih6 followed by 22.axb6 and 23.gxal. 2o...lild7 21 ..ih6 .if6 22.�a4± 19 Bfe8 20.Ah6 (20.fixe5!? fixe5 21 .ctlxe5 bxc3 [21 ...lilb3 22.a5!;1;] 22.bxc3 .if6 23.f4 liJb3 [23.. 24.fxe5 lild7 25.M4 lilxe5 26J�adl±] 24.�a3 he5 25.fxe5 ctlxcl 26.�xc1 �ac8 27.�dl a5 28.�d6 �e6 29.�a2 mf8 30 ..Ae2±; 20.lild4!? g6 2 1 ..ih6 .Ac5 22.lilc2!± A22 liJb3 23.a5 ctld7 24.gadl bxc3 21.ab4 (21 .lild4 fid6 .. 25.�xc3±) 22.lilf5 �g6=) 21 � b3 22.ga3? (22.ga2!?; 22.a5 lild7 23.�adl +) 22 a5 (22...�e6! 23.a5 [23 ..Ae3 .ixb4 24.�b3 cxb3 25J�c1 �e7 26.lilxe5 gxe5 27.hb6 gxe4 28.ti'xb3 ge8 Age1+] 23 ...lild7 24.�b3 cxb3 25 ..Ad2 gg6+) 23.bxa5 gxa5 24.gal gxa4 25.gxa4 �xa4- Kasparov - Ivanchuk, Prague (rapid) 2002. •••

•..

•••

•••

see

The a4-System

39 Black increases

21S

his queenside space

advantage. preventing the transfer of the white bishop to fl . At the same time. the dS-square remains defended.

-

,

40 16.4:10 hxel 17.'Bn:3 (17.bxc3 ll)b3 1 8ixb3 aM 19.13bl l3b8=) 17 4:lc6! 18.Wu:4 ftc8 (18...ll)d4!? 19.1Yd3 J.b4 20.l3dl lYc7 2 1 .J.b3 l3fd8) 19.'Bd3 4:ld4 (19...ll)b4 20.tlxd8 l3fxd8 2 1 .J.bl ll)c2 lh:cZ 23.4:le3 l3c6 24.ll)5 .AM 2S.J.gS!t Sutovsky Gyimesi. Medellin 1 996) 20..tb3 J.b4 21.ftdl •••

-

'BaS:;

41 16...4:ld7 17.(:,b4!� (l7.lilf3 !f6 1 8.cxb4 lilc6 1 lYe7=) 17 18.gdl gb8ll

(Black makes a generally useful move. without defining the queen's position yet. 1 8...lYe7 1 9.1ilf3 f6 2o.lilh4 lilcS 2 1 .lil5 'i9c7 would lose a tempo over the main line. 1 8...tlc7 19.1ilfl leaves the g7-square vulnerable. while an eventual ...lild4 would be impossible because oflh:d4. Generally speaking, 1 8... l!7h8 could be more useful than 18 ...l3b8, but concretely it fails to 19.1ilxc4 lilxc4 2o.V9b3;1;.) 19.4:la (l9.lilfl lilc6 A. .lild4) 19 f6 20.4:lh4 'Be7 21.4:15 .

•••

4:lc5 22J�d5 mb8

�

17...bxc3 1 8.bxc3 lilb3 1 9..ixb3 cxb3 20.l3bl tlxc3 2 1 .J.b2t 42

43 1 8.lild4 lilxd4 19.cxd4 b3+ 20.J.dI? lYaS+ 44 1 9.13adl? b3! Xic2

45 2o.lilfl mh8 2 1 .J.e3 lilf6=

,

Chapter 1 1

on

telD.

1.e4 e5 2.�a �c6 3.J.b5 a6 4.J.a4 �f6 5.�c3

quite significant. It is easy to convince ourselves that Black's standard continuations in the Four Knights do not work out well here. If 5 ...lLld4?! then the bishop is not attacked, allowing White to capture on e5, while 5 ....ib4?! can be strongly met by 6.lLld5! when 6... lLlxd5 7.exd5 e4 loses a pawn to 8.dxc6 exB 9.cxd7t because the intermediate 8 ...dxc6 is not available with the bishop on a4. With the white d-pawn still on d2, Black should not play the immediate 5 ... d6, when White does not answer 6.d4?! because of 6... b5 followed by ...lLlxd4, winning a pawn, but 6 ..ixc6t bxc6 7.d4, transposing to a position that is typical for the Steinitz variation (3 ... d6) where Black has a solid but rather passive posmon. However, Black has the simple •

Curiously, this natural developing move is one of the most inoffensive at White's disposal. We are accustomed to the fact that in the Ruy Lopez developing should be tightly connected with consistent strategic plans, which is not the case with White's last move. The desirable occupation of the centre by means of c3 and d4 becomes problematic, while the light-squared bishop is exposed to the standard- manoeuvre ...b5 followed by ...lLla5, since it lacks its natural retreat to c2. We can see a strong similarity to the Four Knights Defence, but the differences caused by the insertion of the moves ...a6 and i.a4 are

•

•

5 .b5 ..

at his disposal, removing the threat against the e5-pawn and driving the enemy bishop away from the a4-e8 diagonal. After

6.J.b3 J.e7 White has just one basic active plan at his disposal, consisting of putting his knight on d5 with the intention of occupying the centre · with c3 and d4. This would mean a significant strategic success (just imagine if in the main lines of the Ruy Lopez White could transfer his knight to d5 in just two moves after building up his pawn centre). However, he can achieve this

218


only as a consequence of Black's careless play. The following game illustrates such an optimal situation for White. Spassky - Beliavsky Reykjavik 1988

7.d3 White defends the d3-pawn in order to enable the knight jump to the centre.

7 d6 •••

This is the most precise move as will be explained later, but here it will not be followed by the most consistent plan.

S.�d5

8.a4 b4 9.lLld5 lLla5

S...�xd5?!

This exchange frees White from any worries regarding his bishop and allows him to obtain the more pleasant position with no risk.

a more natural way to maintain White's advantage.

13 dxe5 14.Y!Ye2 i.d6 15.�h4 •••

This standard attacking operation is facilitated by the congestion of Black's forces in the centre.

15 ...�e7 16.i.b3 c5 17.i.e3 c4 IS.i.c2

Black has managed to reduce the enemy light-squared bishop to passivity, but only temporarily. Since he cannot transfer his knight to c5 easily, we can state that the advance of the c-pawn has just weakened the queenside.

IS i.c8 •••

The more natural I 8 ...�e6 would have been strongly met by 19.1Llf5 when 19 ...lLlxf5?! 20.exf5 ILc8 would have offered White a crucial tempo for starting his attack with 21.f6!.

19..ib6 gd7 20.gfdl g6

9.i.xd5 i.d7 10.c3 0-0 1 l.d4ifi

Black cannot easily obtain counterplay.

1 l Y!YeS 12.0-0 gdS 13.dxe5 •••

Afrer studying Rauzer's plan against the Chigorin variation, we know that such an early release of the tension in the centre is not without poison. It is also possible that in this specific case it might have been dictated by the 10th World Champion's inclination for total safety towards the end of his career. A neutral move such as 13J:!el seems like

White has put pressure on two different areas of the board: the kingside and the d-file. The next move will add to the tension by opening the queenside, just like in the best tradition of Rauzer's plan.

21.b3! cxb3

The weakness of the d5-sqllare and the lack of defence of the a2-g8 diagonal become obvious now. 22 .ia3 23.Y!Ye3 An optimal square for the queen, from where it keeps both wings under observation. .•.

23...�dl t 24.gxdl:t �c6?

The System Based on tlJc3

The knight is not going anywhere, but Black hoped to neutralize the pressure exerted by the b3-bishop with ....ie6. However, leaving the g6-pawn without sufficient defence for just an instant proved a decisive mistake in an already difficult position.

219

the queen with 37.l:!d8! �xd8 38.�h8t. The only way to avoid the threat is 36...l:!h5 but then 37.he7t �xe7 38.�xg6 leaves the black king hopelessly exposed to the combined action of the white major pieces.) 34..ic5t cJ;>e8 35.�b7! The decisive threat is l:!h8.

27..tc7!!

25.�xg6! In his glory years Spassky was frequently referred to as the first player in history to have a truly universal style ofplay. This game is a model for small strategic achievements exploding tactically.

25 hxg6 26.�h6 ••.

Black's poor coordination leaves him helpless against the simple threats of�xg6 and l:!d3-h3.

26.. .tl:le7

Beliavsky rightly assumed that after 26....te6!? 27.l:!d3 his bishop would be overloaded: unable to cover the dangerous diagonal and prevent l:!h3 at the same time. I have retained the original analysis by Tal and Kouatly, which is entirely correct, although the computer sometimes claims to have simpler solutions. 27 ... f5 28.l:!g3 l:!f6 29.l:!h3 cJ;>f7 30.�h7t cj{fB 3 1 .exf5! i.xb3 (more stubborn than 3 1 . ..gxf5? 32.l:!g3!+ when Black will soon lose his queen) 32.axb3 �xf5 33.b4! Cutting the enemy bishop off from the main theatre of action and threatening the deadly .tc5t. 33 ...�e6 (I would only add that 33 ...l:!h5 is strongly met by 34 ..tc5t tlJe7 35.l:!f3t l:!f5 36.�d3 with the threat of winning

This move has even greater artistic effect than the sacrifice on g6. In spite of being a piece up, Black has no favourable way to prevent the simple threat of he5 followed by �h8.

27... �f5 28.ex/3

29.g4 Ae4 30.gel

The game is basically over, as Black cannot defend the e5-square. Beliavsky could find nothing better than giving up a whole piece with

30 Ac1 •••

and resigned 1 1 moves later. Quite an impressive game, but Black's opening play was rather cooperative. The following game features Spassky in a completely different situatIon. •

•

Spassky - Yusupov Linares 1 990 Black's main mistake in the previous game was that he did not use the fact that the enemy light squared bishop was temporarily captive on b3. This is best done with:

220


S...�a51 Immediately solving all Black's opening problems. We can understand now that 7...d6 was useful as it protected the e5-pawn. This is one of the main things Black should remember in this variation: whenever the threat of lLld5 becomes real, he should make sure that he can answer with ... lLla5.

This is too optimistic. White weakens the e4-square and the long light-squared diagonal, without any compensation. The poor placement of his bishop prevents him from putting the e5pawn under serious pressure.

9.�xe7 'tYxe7 10.0-0 0-0

14...£5! With no retreat squares available, the white knight starts feeling uncomfortable.

15.cd5

I I.id2?!

As mentioned in the chapter dedicated to the

Rubinstein system, this was one of Spassky's favourite moves throughout his entire career. In this specific case, he obviously aimed to force the exchange on b3 in order to strengthen his central structure, with a view to the advance of his c-pawn. However, this approach is very slow and completely neglects the dynamic elements of the position. A safer continuation would have been 1 1 ..tg5 although afrer 1 l ...h6 12 ..th4 g5 1 3 ..tg3 .tg4 Black has little to worry about.

1l ...�xb3 12.axb3

The presence of opposite-coloured bishops and the almost perfect symmetry ofthe structure by no means guarantees a rapid draw.

12...�d71

It appears that White has no way to prevent the opening of the f-file with ...5.

13J�e1 ib7 14.d4?!

Or 1 5.dxe5 fxe4 1 6.exd6 �f7! with strong threats against the white king, as indicated by Yusupov.

15...gxf5 16.dxe5 gxSl?

If given a choice, Yusupov always prefers to sacrifice material. By avoiding the simpler 1 6.; ..ixf3 he obviously wanted to keep the opposite-coloured bishops on the board, in order to increase his attacking potential.

17.gxf3 �xe5

White has no favourable way to defend the f3-square.

IS.Af4

Against 18.f4? Black would have several ways ofcontinuing his attack. One example: 1 8...�h4 1 9.fxe5 �h3 20.f3 .ixf3 2 1 .ge2 �g4t 22.c;t>f2 !'U8 and White will suffer huge material losses.

IS...�xSt 19.'tYxS 'tYxel t 20.Le1 21.ge7 gc8

Black eventually won this ending. It is notable that afrer this game Spassky practically stopped employing this variation

The System Based on lll c3

with White. 5.lt:lc3 (or 5.0-0 j,e7 6.111 c3) may occasionally prove effective as a surprise weapon, but can hardly put a careful opponent under any kind of pressure.

221

lO.�xb4 ffbS 1 Slighdy passive. White should have moved his knight back to d5, now or on the previous move.

12 �xb3 13.cxb3 .ie6 •..

Sometimes, White inserts the moves

8.a4 b4

and only now plays

9.�d5

White's extra pawn hardly makes itself felt. Instead of a queenside majority, he has just a permanent source of worries on that wing.

14.�cH! However, this leaves the b3-square weakened, increasing the force of

This is just too much. He should have returned the pawn with 1 4.b4 ha2 1 5 Jl:xa2 cxb4=.

Now, the bishop's retreat (eventually after an exchange on f6 or e7) can be met by .. Jl:b8 and ...b3, with similar play as in the previous game.

Black had a strong kingside attack in Shirazi - I. Ivanov. USA 1992.

9...�a5

14...�d7 15.J.c3 0-0 16.�d2 f5 17.�c4 We8 18.�e2 'ifg6 19.0-0 f4+

222


6

1 ...

d6?!1

1 .e4 e5

7

2.�6 �c6 3 ..lb5 a6 4..la4 �f6 5.�c3 b5 6 .lb3

8

•

9

10

•••

4 ...

•••

5

12

� g5

0-010 0-011

•••

•••

�f7

f4!? exf4

c3

+ U 'Bb6 •

h3

J.e6

I This is interesting but probably insufficient. Black does not need to defend his e5-pawn, because with the white king in the centre the e4-pawn is hanging as well.

2 8.ad5 �d4 9.d6 �:s:b3 IO.m7 1Jxc7 l1.m3 Ab7 12.0-0 h6 13.�a J.d6 14.d3 With his strong pair of bishops targeting the enemy kingside, Black has ample compensation for the pawn. 15.gel �ad8 16.1Je2 �de8 Renewing the threat of opening the centre with ...e4. 17.�e4 This will only be a temporary solution as we shall see. 17 �xe4 18.d:s:e4 f5+ Lewis - Yates, Oxford 1 910. Black's pressure along the hl -a8 diagonal is similar to that in the game Spassky - Yusupov. �

•••

3 9.c3? lLlxb3 1 0.fixb3 lLlxd5 l 1 .fixd5 Yflxd5 12.exd5 .lb7+ Janosevic - Tringov, Sarajevo 1 967. 9.�e3?l lLlxb3 10.axb3 h6 l 1 .lLlf3 lLlxe4 12.lLlxe5 �f6 13.lLlf3 .lb7 14.fie2 0-0-0 1 5.0-0 .ld� Thomas - Keres, Margate 1 937.

4

Keres considered this position to be favourable for Black, but he seems to have underestimated White's attacking potential.

12...hxg5 13.hg5 fixg5.

+

-

�Ie7t22 WId4 �Ie7 d5

d3 d6

5 Keres only mentioned that

15

.ih416 axb3 �:s:b317 We6I?

()"O a420. 0:-019 . b4 ...

14

�el 12 �C5 13

��7 WIe7

d3 d6

...

13

�h7

d5

�d5 , d49 �xe4. ad4

3 ...

11

12.h4? loses to

6

16.e5 fig7 1 7..le4 tJtxf7 1 8.c3 lLle6 1 9.hc6 13a7 20.d4± White's better coordination and mobile pawn centre offers more than sufficient compensation for the small material deficit.

7.�d5 �xe4 8.d4 (8.lLlxe5 lLlxe5 9.fie2 0-0 1O.fixe4 .ld6 l 1 .d4 lLlc4 12.lLle3 gb8 1 3.hc4 bxc4 14.0-0 13e8 1 5.fig4 13e6 16.lLlxc4 J.xh2t! 17.tJtxh2 d5 The knight amnot move now . because of ..J�h6t. 1 8 ..ig5 gh6t In view of the mass simplifications, the players a draw in Ninov - Delchev, Odorheiu Secuiesc 1995.) 8 ad4 (8 ...lLlxd4?! 9.lLlxd4 exd4 10.fixd4 lLlf6 1 1 .0-0 0-0 12.lLlxe7t Yflxe7 13 ..lg5� Alekhine - Pias, Lisbon 1 942) 9.0-0'0-0 IO.�el �c5= Black's extra pawns compensate for White's more active pos1t1on. •••

•

•

•

8 8 ... lLla5!? 9 9.�Ie5 �Ie5 IO.1Je2 �d3t!? (Obviously, a move suggested by the computer. Since one of the black knights was doomed anyway, he offers White a choice between two unfavourable captures. However, 10. . .5 is also playable. l 1 .d3 c6 1 2.dxe4 cxd5 13.hd5, Damaso - Postny, Evora 2006, and now 1 3 ...gb8 14.exf5 d6 1 5.�h5t tJtm. Black has every chance to beat

.. '

:

off White's attack by means of a further ...i.b7 because the rushed 16.f4?! leaves White with just weaknesses after 16...1MI'aS 17.i.b3 lLlg6!.) 1 1.'ffxd3 (This move releases the pressure along the e-file, but l 1 .cxd3 is highly undesirable from a strategic point of view. 1 1 ...lLlcS 12..tc4 c6 1 3.lLlxe7 Wlxe7 14.1MI'xe7t cllxe7 IS.d4 dS 16.dxcS dxc4+) 1 1 lLlc5 12.'ffg3 0-0 13.'frxc7 •••

lLlxb3 14.cxb3 'frxc7 15.lLlxc7 gbS 16.lLld5 J.c5 Black's better structure and development,

and his mighty pair of bishops offer him at least sufficient compensation for the missing pawn.

I

•

223

The System Based on lLlc3

10 1 0..tf4 is adequately met by 10 ...!d6. 11

The willing retreat 10 lLlc5 is slighdy premature. 1 1.lLlxd4 lLlxd4 12.'frxd4 lLle6 13.'frg4 (l3.Wle4 .tb7 14.J.e3 .td6 I S.f4 0-0= 16.f5 lLlcS 17..txcS .txcst I B.cllh l Spielmann - Dus Chotimirsky, Moscow 1 925 I B ...WlgS+) Fontaine - Atoufi, Las Vegas 2006, 13•••0-0= •••

12 1 1 .J.f4 J.d6= be solid and have a small material advantage, compensating for White's superior activity.

14 S.a4 M 9.lLld5 lLla5 10.lLlxM (l0.lLlxe7 Wlxe7 1 1 .i.a2 E:b8 L\... b3; 10.lLlxf6t .txf6 1 1 ..tdS c6 12.i.a2 E:bB 1 3.0-0 0-0 14.d4 b3 I S.cxb3 exd4+ Turzynski - Jasinski, corr. 1996/9B.) 10 gb8 1 1 .td2 ( l 1 .lLldS lLlxb3 12.lLlxf6t .txf6 1 3.cxb3 .tg4 14 ..td2 cS I S.E:c1 0-0 16.E:c3 .txf3 17.WlxB J.gS I B ..te3 �-� Slipak - Servat, Buenos Aires 1990. 1 3 ...i.e6!?) •

1 1 c5 12.�a2 �xb3 13.cxb3 J.e6 14.�cl (l4.b4 .txa2 I S.E:xa2 cxb4=) 14 lLld7 15.i.c3 0-0 16.�d2 6 17.�c4 'ffe8 IS.c!tJe2 'ffg6 19.0-0 £4+ Shirazi - I. Ivanov, USA 1992. •••

•••

15 11.�el

.

16

12.*,f6 'ffxf6 13.lLld2 (13:�'d2 lLlxb3 14.axb3 .tb7=) 13•••J.d7 14.£3 lLlxb3 15.ub3 a5 16.'ffe2 a4 17.bxa4 bxa4 IS.b3 axb3 19.1Llxb3 J.a4 20.ga3 J.xb3 2Uhb3 gfbS 22.LbSt �S 23.'frd2 'ffg5 24.£4 af4 25.'ffxf4 'frxf4 26.g,f4 1/2-1/2 Spassky - Beliavsky, Tilburg 198 1 .

17 12 g5 13.Ag3

(l3.lLlxgS hxgS 14.,bgS lLlxb3 I S.axb3 Wle6 16.f4 exf4 17.1MI'8 lLlg4 I B ..txf4 Wlg6F) 13 .ig4 14.M J.h5 15.'ffe2 lLlxb3 ( 1 S ...cllg7 16.Wle3 lLld7 17.lLld2 lLlb6 I B.c3 lLlxb3 19.axb3 as 20.d4 f6 21 .Wld3 c6 22.8 .tf7 23.�fdl E:fbB 24..tf2 .te6 2S.h4 a4 26.1MI'e2 1M1'c7 27..te3 lLlc4 28.lLlxc4 .txc4 29.Wlf2 1MI'e7 30J!d2 .tb3 3 1 .h4± Benjamin - Kaidanov, USA championship 1 997. I S ....tg6 16.Wle3 lLlhS= Benjamin) 16.axb3 lLld7 17.'f!Ye3 6 •••

•••

13 After bringing his knight to e6 Black will

••.

lLld7 14.h4 �-� Short - Peng Xiaomin, Beijing 2000) 1 3.lLle1 f5 14.exf5 �xfS I S.f4 .tb7+ Thomas - Sultan Khan, London 1932. 1 1.Ad2 lLlxb3 12.axb3 lLld7! 1 3.�el?! (l3..taS cS 14.lLld2= Spassky) 1 3....tb7 14.d4? (14.i.gS f6 I S ..th4 L\lLl d2+ Yusupov) 14...f5! I S.exf5 ( 1 S.dxeS fxe4 16.exd6 1MI'f7! 17..tc3 �ae8 1 8.lLlgS Wlxf2t 19.cllh l e3 20.Wlg4 hS 21 .Wlg3 cxd6+ Yusupov) I S ...�xfS 1 6.dxeS �xB! (16.. b8) 17.gxB lLlxeS 1 8 ..tf4 (l B. f4? Wlf7-+) 1 8 ...lLlxBt 19.WlxB Wlxe1 t 20.�xe1 hf3+ Spassky - Yusupov, Linares 1990.

lLlxb3 12.axb3 lLld7 13.f4 f5 14.exfS E:xfS I S.lLl8 .tb7+ Verlinsky Levenfish, Moscow 1924. 11.'ffe2 lLlxb3 12.axb3 lLleB (l2... cS 1 3 ..td2

IS.exl'5 'ff£6 19.1Lld2 'ffxf5 = IS

16.1MI'e3 (l 6.d4 f5+) 16...f5+ Tarrasch - Schlechter, Berlin 1 9 1 B.

19 The most accurate move order. 7 d6 not •••

only fails to prevent White's plan, but also gives him additional possibilities. S.a4 M 9.�d5 �a5 (9 ...lLlxe4 1O.d4 offers White ample compensation for the pawn) 10.J.a2 c!tJxd5 (lO ...lLlxe4, Spielmann - Reti, Gothenburg c5 13.d 1920, l 1 .d�) 1 1.J.xd5 c6 gbS, Alekhine - Bogoljubow, Bad Pistyan 1922. 14.d4!i Not having been forced to play d3 before moving his knight to dS, White


224

save a whole tempo. Black onnot cage the bl -bishop and the aI-rook with 14 b3 beouse after IS..ib1 he has to defend the e5-pawn with IS 'l!Ye7 when keeps the bishop . alive, leaving White with the advantage in the centre. can

••.

.••

20 8.�dS �xe4 9.d4

(9.lLlxe7t �xe7= lO.id5?!, Tartakower - Cukierman, Paris 1939, lO...lLlf6+) 9 exd4 10J�el ( l0.!f4 id6 1 1 .!xd6 lLlxd6 IV�Jxd4, Sarapu - Weir, Upper Hurt 1976, 12...ib7 13.�el lLlxd4 14.�xd4 hd5 1 5.hd5 �bS+) 10 �f6 1 1.�xd4 ( l l .lLlxe7t lLlxe7 12.�xd4 d6 13.c3 h6 14.a4 c5 1 5.�dl ib7+ Kostic - Vidmar, Zagreb 1946.) l l �xd5 12 .hdS Af6 13.�5 (13.lLlxc6 dxc6 14.hc6 �xdl 1 5.�xdl �bS 16.c3 b4+) 13 gbS 14.'l!Yg4 (l4.�h5!? g6 1 5.liJh6t �g7 16.�dl The only way to avoid additional loss of time after ...lLle5 or ...lLld4 followed by ...c6. 16...lLle5 17.f4 lLlc4 I s.lLlg4 The simplest way to neutralize White's kingside initiative is exchanging his active pieces with I S...J.b7!? 19.!xc4 bxc4 20.liJxf6 �xf6 21 .�xd7. Black's superior development and the vulnerability of the g2-square compensates for the weakness of the long dark diagonal. For instance: 2 1 ...J.c6 22.�xc7 �feS 23.�e5 gb7 24.�a5 �b5 25.�c3 �bxe5 26.fXe5 �xe5= with a probable draw.) •••

•••

•••

•

•••

14 �eS IS.gxeS !.xeS 16.�h6t mh8 'l!Yf6 19..ib3 d6 17.�xf7t gxf7 20.'i!YhS tb7� Mikenas - Nezhmetdinov, Kiev .••

1957.

8.ids

b4 9.J.xc6 (9.liJa4 id6 [�.. liJxd5] 1 0.J.xc6 dxc6 1 1 .d3 J.g4 1 2.h3 .ih5= 13.g4 liJxg4 14.hxg4 hg� X�gl , XlLla5) 9 ...dxc6 l O.liJe2 lLlxe4 1 l .lLlxe5 �d5+ Moller - Rubinstein, Gothenburg 1920.

After the insertion of the moves a4 and ... b4, this knight retreat is the most logical, beouse the b3-bishop is more vulnerable.

12.tOxd4 tf6 13.tOxdi dxdi 14.tOxf6t

(l4.lLlxb4 �xdl 1 5.�xdl lLlxb3 16.cxb3 ie6+) 14...'l!Yxf6 IS.ie3 tOxb3 16.cxb3 ie6T Nevanlinna - Helenius, Helsinki 19S5.

23

14.�el ib7 1 5.c3 lLlg6 16.ie3 �b6 17.�dl �adS+ Treybal - Rubinstein, Teplitz Schoenau 1922.

24

16.ic2 i5+ Von Hennig - Euwe, Gothenburg 1 920.

2S 9.�dS lLla5

1 0.liJxe7t �xe7 transposes to the game Spassky - Yusupov above. 9.�e2 J.g4 9.a4 b4 10.tOdS �a5 {lO...�bS is the more frequent move, but the text continuation restricts 1. (l l .lLlxb4 �bS 12.i.dl White's options} 1 c5 13.lLld5 lLlxb3 14.lLlxf6t .txf6 1 5.cxb3 .te6 16.�a3 �b6+ Kalygin - Potapov, Alushta 2003) ll JlbS 12.d4 {l2.idl more or less prevents ...b3, but blocks the dl-sqIJare, which makes 12...c5= a sensible move, without fearing a transfer of the white king's knight to c4.} 12...�xdS di 14.ta2 exd4 (l4...�c7!?) IS.�xd4 ••

J.f6 16..Af4 J.eS 17.'I'd2 eS 18.�f3 .lxf4 (IS ...b3!?) 19.'fIxf4 .Ae6 20.J.d5 J.xds 21.exdS b3 22.c3 'l'f6. Morozevich - Kaidanov, Beer

•••

•••

I

Sheva 2005. In this game a different move order, namely lO...�bS 1 1 .ia2 lLla5, had been played. •

.

21 10.�xe7t, Prokes - Euwe, Bad Pistyan 1922, 10 'I'xe7= l l.Bel {l l .d4 .tb7 12.�el liJa5=} l l dS!! 12.d3 (l2.J.xd5? liJxf2!) 12 �f6 13.�xeS �xeS 14..Af4 .Ag4 IS •d2 �f3t 16.gxf3 .Ae6= •••

22 llJlel tOeS

26 10.�dS? �xdS

( l 0...liJd4 l 1 .liJxd4! hdl 12.liJc6 �d7 1 3.liJcxe7t �h8 14.�dl±)

I I.J.xdS �d4! 14.gxf3 .AhS �... 5+

'l'u8

13.J.e3 �xf3t

27 13.lLld5 hd5

14.exd5 c4 1 5.liJdl liJxd5= We can see here that White's extra tempo does not help him: the e3-bishop is exposed.

•

28 Gazis - Mastrovasilis, Halkidiki 2002.

Chapter 12

1.e4 e5 2.�a �d) 3..tb5 a6 4ia4 �f6 5.d4

This early opening of the centre leads to lively piece play. Although there are some tactical dangers for Black on the way, such unprepared central activity hardly offers White any chance of an advantage. The main problem is that after

5 em4 •••

White will have to lose time or make certain concessions in order to win the pawn back, in view of the exposed position of the a4-bishop. 6.0-0 The immediate recapture on d4 with 6.fi:)xd4?! leads to the simplest illustration of the . unfavourable placement of the a4-bishop after

6...�xd4 7.t!ixd4 c5 8.t!ie5t (Obviously forced. Any queen retreat such as 8.t!id3 would lose a piece after 8 ... b5 9.e5 �g8 when White has insufficient development to get any attacking chances against the uncastled black king.) 8 ...\We7 9.t!ixe7t ixe7 and White cannot parry the threats ...b5 followed by ...c4 and ...�xe4 at the same time, for instance 10.e5 fi:)g4. Again, his compensation for the pawn would be insufficient. In many open games the advance of the king's pawn with 6.e5 can cause Black some problems finding a stable square for the knight. The situation is different here because after 6... fi:)e4 the knight's next move will most likely be to c5, forcing White to give up the bishop pair. White should castle here, transposing to the main line after 7...i.e7, since the capture on d4 with 7.�xd4? is even worse than in the previous line in view of7...\Wh4! when the white minor pieces are hanging along the fourth rank. For instance: 8.i.e3 (8.0-0 loses a pawn to 8 ...�xf2) 8 ... fi:)xd4 9.ixd4 (9.t!ixd4? leads to immediate disaster after 9....ic5 10.t!id3 �xf2) 9 ... �xf2! 1 0.i.xf2 \Wxa4 White has just lost a pawn without the faintest compensation. 6 i.e7 This position can be reached via a different move order: 5.0-0 i.e7 6.d4 exd4 White has a choice now. ...

A Spanish R.epenoire for Black

226

activating his king's knight. What's more, he should avoid trying to retain his exua pawn with 1 1 ...dxc3?! because this would only allow White to complete his development and achieve clear domination in the centre after 12.lLlxc3 d4 13.lLldS±.

8 .ib3 .

7� l .

e

The most consistent continuation. By taking the e4-square under conuol, White reinforces the threat of e4-eS. 7.eS is once again answered by 7...lLle4 when after 8.lLlxd4 0-0 White will not be able to maintain his space advantage in the cenue because of his lack of development and the insecure position of the Spanish bishop. The main line goes 9.lLlfS (It is quite deceptive that after 9.lLlxc6 dxc6 White cannot take advantage of his kingside majority. Black threatens to exchange the a4-bishop with ...lLlcS, when the situation would favour him in comparison with the Exchange variation [4.hc6 dxc6 S.d4] because the central light squares were weakened by e4-eS. The attempt to preserve the bishop with 1 O.fYxd8 �xd8 1 1 .c3 fails after l 1 ...lLlcS 12.�c2 lLld3. If allowed, Black would capture the other bishop, leaving Black with problems developing his queenside.) 9...dS! The seemingly active knight will have to be exchanged for the e7-bishop (either with 1O.exd6 hf5 1 1 .dxe7 or the simpler lLlxe7t) when Black's superior development compensates for White's space advantage in the centre.

7 b5! •..

This is the most active continuation. After the more neutral 7...0-0 White gets an active position: 8.eS lLle8 (8 ...lLldS allows 9.lLlxd4, with a space advantage for White) 9.M4 bS 1 0.�b3 dS 1 1 .c3+ Black will have problems

This is the only way to maintain some advantage in the centre. 8.eS offers Black easy play: 8 ...lLlxeS 9.IheS d6! (An important intermediate move. White's pieces would not be easy to drive away from the centre after 9 ...bxa4?! 1O.lLlxd4±.) 1O.�el (if 10.�xe7t V!1xe7 1 1 .�b3 cS=t= the position would be balanced materially, but the situation of the light-squared bishop would remain precuious) 1 0...bxa4 1 1 .lLlxd4 �d7 12.fYB 0-0 13.lLlc6 hc6 14.fYxc6 dS

White is behind in development and has to spend another tempo to win the pawn back. The following game, mentioned in the inuoduction to my previously published Beating the Open Games is my favourite loss! l s.M4 ( 1 5.fYxa4 is safer, but Black's position is more pleasantanyway. The suucture is similar to that arising from the Four Knights Scotch, but White's development is far less impressive here.) 1 5 .. ..id6 16.hd6 fYxd6 17.fYxa4 �ab8 Black uses his advantage in development in a very energetic way. 18.b3 �b4 19.fYa3 lLlg4 20.g3 fYh6 2 1 .h4 �f6 22.�fI �e4 23.c3 �e2 24.�cS V!1B Now I decided to

. •

The Central Attack

complete my development with 25.iLla3 just before resigning when hit by 25 ...iLle3!, Marin - Hoszu, Romania 1 983.

8 d6 9.J.d5 •••

There is no way to win the pawn back other than by giving up the bishop pair.

9...�xd5

Simplifying with 9 .. .J.b7 1 O.iLlxd4 iLlxd5 l 1 .iLlxc6 hc6 1 2.exd5 J.b7 does not free Black from all his worries. White em play 1 3.a4 when the b5-pawn is not easy to defend. Black will most likely have to sacrifice it, but this would mean struggling for a draw. 10.ad5 �e5 1 1.�xd4 0-0 The presence of an additional pair of knights compared to the previous line demands caution from White. The e5-knight enjoys some stability in the centre.

For instance, the premature

12.f4?!

leads to active play for Black afrer

12...Il.g4 13.ftdl �c4

Returning to the diagrammed position, it should be noted that the central white knight deprives the d5-pawn of its natural defence by the queen. The relative lack of defence of the white kingside gives Black the possibility of provoking such weakening moves as 8 and g3 by means of ...i.g4 and . .ih4, which could offer him attacking chances in the long-term. As a general conclusion, White cannot easily .

.

227

maintain his space advantage. Black's position is not better at this stage of the game, but his play IS easier to carry out. •

•


228

7

1 .e4 e5 B

2.�e �c6 3..j,b5 a6 4 .Aa4 �f6 5.d4 exd4 6.0-01 j.e7 •

9

�xd4 0-0

10

II

bxc6

�xe7t ftxc7

2 gel

e5 �xe5

�xe5 bxa4

Bxcl4 0-0

3 ...

••• •••

�5 d6

ge11s bxa4

�xd4 Ad7

.tb3 d6

Ad5 �xcl5

ad5 �e5

�xcl4 0-0

b5

•••

4 ... •••

1 6.�xcl4 �xd4 7.ftxcl4

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